RTN South Edition 586 by Round Town News

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SOUTH EDITION We present our candidacy publicly Ángel sáez will have a tough job on his hands as he takes up responsibilities as candidate for Mayor for the Spanish Socialist Party. • p5

Your English Newspaper

Issue 586

07 - 13 January 2011

Days left to grab vote by Jack Troughton

Elche surpasses EU requirements Elche has received acknowledgment that they are well above EU standards when it comes to ‘greenbelt vs population’. • p13

Win a detox retreat with The Kamala Centre and RTN RTN has teamed up with The Kamala Centre to offer one lucky reader and a friend or partner to experience a fantastic FREE 2 day Detox retreat. • p31

New Year Resolutions Clodagh and Dick Handscombe suggest some New Year gardening resolutions. • p36

The Streetworker

The Schmidt Revolution, wheel manufacturer from Bad Segeberg, had taken on the task of providing a concept car with Urban Lifestyle tuning. • p46

Tim Ladd

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EXPATS HAVE just days to sign on the electoral roll and claim a vote in the May elections before the 15th January deadline. People returning to Spanish homes after the Christmas break were warned the cut off was “an absolute last chance” to register and be allowed to cast a ballot in the local elections on May 22nd. As the successful ‘No Vote, No Voice’ campaign reaches its natural conclusion, all EU citizens - and expats from other countries with reciprocal voting rights - were urged to insure they were on the electoral roll, the Censo Electoral’. To qualify, residents need to be on both their town hall ‘Padron’ – the municipal register – and have declared an intention to vote by asking to join the electoral roll. And as the cut off approaches, people were warned not to be complacent and to check they were on the Censo. Because the Padron lists the population of municipalities and governs central

government grants to town halls, Madrid has encouraged local authorities to “weed out” names of people who have left Spain. Unfortunately, according to campaigners, this means “whether mistakenly, deliberately or not” some names may have been removed from the lists – triggering the need for individuals to check their status on the records. Residents wanting to vote should go to their town hall armed with their Padron, passport, NIE number and residencia certificate. They should ask for a voter registration form and ask for copies of the documents be made and attached. To check they are registered, they can email the Census Office on sede.censoelectoral@ine.es quoting their name, pardon address, passport and NIE number. The inquiry can be made in English but should be unambiguous – for example: ‘I want to confirm I will be able to vote in the municipal elections in May 2011’. continued on page 3

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The Three Kings parade

YOUNGSTERS DRESSED as angels hoped their costumes would help convince the Three Kings they deserved sacks of presents as they took part in the annual parade in Javea Port on Wednesday night. The arrival of the Kings is celebrated across Spain every year and marks the final ‘fiesta’ of Christmas to the delight of children eagerly anticipating receiving gifts.

Preserving a slice of history MACHINE GUN positions dating back to the Spanish Civil War should be preserved as a slice of cultural history, according to

a controversial proposal submitted to Altea Town Hall. The military constructions remain on the beaches of Cap Negret and La Olla and it is claimed should be protected as a part of the town’s heritage for the benefit of future generations.

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BENIDORM BENIDORM ALBIR TEULADA pedreguer BENITACHELL MORAIRA OLIVA

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

See feature on Page 24

Fishing industry takes a dive THE FISHING industry in Torrevieja is feeling the pinch as the amount of fish caught drops by 16% from last year but sees the market value sink as well. According to the Cofradía de Pescadores de Torrevieja, the industry has been hardest hit by the fact that market prices have dropped by a third from last year. During 2010 the ships brought in a mere 2,405,763 kilos which when sold only realised €2,162,850; not even one euro per kilo. When the numbers are compared with 2009, the drop is significant as just under 3,000,000 kilos of fish were caught and sold for €3.l5 million during 2009. The year 2010 saw only five kilos of seabass caught in local waters, now being quoted as a ‘treasure’ in the Spanish Mediterranean. Squid proved to be the only commodity that sold for a decent value as 242 kilos were caught and have been selling at €15.23 per kilo.

Torrevieja’s Fish Market minutes before the beginning of an auction of fish

Cofradía de Pescadores de Torrevieja’s coverage area stretches from the north of the Alicante province through to

07 - 13 january 2011

Continued from front page Should the answer be negative, people must return to the town hall and ask why there has been a delay in submitting an application - and check again in a few weeks with the census office. If they again learn they are not on the electoral toll there is an appeal process. The No Vote, No Voice campaign was intended to inform residents of their legitimate right to go to polling stations and take part in the democratic process in their community.

CHANCE Tim Ladd, one of the campaigners working to mobilise expats on the Costa Blanca, told RTN: “January 15th is the absolute last chance. If people have not sorted Almeria. It is hoped that this year will themselves out by then, see an improvement or it is likely to they are in real trouble and clutching at straws. result in further unemployment.

“I think the key thing is people must be deluded into thinking that just being on the Padron is enough – it is absolutely vital they are also on the Censo electoral.” Tim believes residents did need to check they were registered. “The assumption should be to fear the worst and be reassured if they are proved wrong.” He paid tribute to colleagues who had worked so hard to try and mobilise expats and thanked the Consul Paul Rodwell at the British Consulate in Alicante for “doing his bit”. “The campaign has provoked a lot of interest but even with that interest, time is running out and there are effectively five working days to get registered on the Censo Electoral – that point is absolutely vital.”

Arrest of 52-year-old British woman ORIHUELA POLICE have arrested a 52-year-old British woman at 20.40 on 24th December after she positive tested over the allowed alcohol limit. The woman is also suspected by police to have been involved in a collision earlier in the day and to have left the scene of an accident without providing appropriate personal details. The woman, thought to be a resident of Orihuela Costa, has been charged with both offences.

Emergency Services experience a busy New Year’s Eve

January 2011 Specials

January Day Trips Sun Benidorm

11€

SUN Benidorm & Moraira + carvery

22€

Tues Altea, Benidorm, Elche + carvery

22€

Wed Benidorm

11€

Wed Benidorm & Villajoyosa Choc Factory

13€

Thur Murcia shopping malls

11€

thur Murcia city & market

Benidorm Palace + 1 night hotel 4* FB. Weekly Benidorm Palace + 2 night hotel 4* FB. Weekly Benidorm 3 day 4* FB. Top facilities. Weekly Benidorm 4 day 4* FB. Top facilities. Weekly

Forthcoming Excursions

115€ 135€ 120€ 145€

15-17 Feb - Valencia 3 day 3* BB city centre

120€

1-3 Mar - Granada 3 day 4*BB city centre

118€

7-10 Mar - Madrid 4 day 3*BB city centre

199€

11€

Fri Orihuela city & Murcia mall

12€

Fri Orihuela & Archena baths entry incl.

20€

22-24 Mar - Cuenca 3 day FB wine/water

139€

FRI Benidorm Palace meal/show

47€

12-15 Apr - Guadalajara 4 day 3*HB + trips

199€

fri Benidorm at night

12€

15-22 May - Med Cruise 8 day all incl from

560€

12 Mar - Aguilas Carnival fun

12€

16-19 March - Seville 4 day 3*HB city centre 245€

Full details available on our website! MURICA’S EMERGENCY Services experienced a very busy New Year’s Eve as calls came flooding in from midnight onwards. It is reported that they received 64 calls relating to alcohol poisoning alone. Starting at midnight, the calls were being answered until well into the next day as the 112 Region of Murcia ‘partied hard’ welcoming in the New Year of 2011. Over 64 calls have been listed as alcohol poisoning

from around the region and according to the Emergency services, over 55 were listed as serious and the remainder categorized as ‘moderate’ cases. Second behind alcohol incidents were 36 calls related to traffic accidents in varying degrees of severity. In total from 24.00 until 12:00, the police services received 388 calls including 77 relating to noise disturbances and 189 with regard to civil safety.

07 - 13 january 2011

Taking the plunge Crackdown PLAYERS FROM top club Rugby La Vila boldly took the plunge to see in New Year’s Day with a splash Television cameras from Channel 9 joined spectators on the beachfront at Villajoyosa to witness this slice of seasonal eccentricity.

on sunshine cheats

Making a splash

Organised by the Old Town’s latest hostelry the Tapas Bar, the players and other brave swimmers saw off memories of the icy water by accepting steaming mugs of Valor hot chocolate at the bar and a festive New Year’s lunch.

by Jack Troughton

FRAUD INVESTIGATORS have launched a new initiative to crackdown on benefit thieves said to cost the British taxpayer £60 million last year. As the UK continues to shiver, the focus has again turned to cheats who finance a life in the sun by fiddling the system. Spain continues to be a hotspot for benefit thieves, according to the Department for Work and Pensions, and investigators will join overseas counterparts to target expats committing ‘abroad fraud’. The DWP maintain a series of ‘popular’ scams includes: people failing to declare they have moved abroad; unreported deaths where relatives or third parties continue to claim; unreported assets including property, savings – and even yachts; and exaggerating disabilities. Lord Freud, minister for Welfare Reform, said: “Abroad fraud cost the UK taxpayer around £66 million last year. This money should be going to the people who need it most and not lining the pockets of criminals sunning themselves overseas. STEAL

“We are determined to stop benefit cheats stealing from the British taxpay-

Lord Freud, minister for Welfare Reform

er.” He said it was now even easier to report suspected benefit fraud with a new hotline in Portugal adding to existing dedicated telephone number in Spain – the two main locations of expats defrauding the system. And Lord Freud said investigators would work with overseas organisations, including land registries, the

Foreign Office and UK banks in a bid to combat benefit crime. Four of the countries where the most ‘abroad fraud’ is committed are Spain, USA, Pakistan and Bangladesh, although the problem exists as far afield as Thailand. The confidential Spanish benefit fraud hotline is 900 554 440.

Guardamar and L’Alfás del Pí to promote Costa Blanca in Norway SAN ISIDRO’S San Francisco park is finally to receive a long awaited financial boost. Figures were released by the Town Hall on the expenditure expected to take place, a suitable sum that will see great improvements to the park. The park itself will be receiving a new children’s area which will include infantile games as well a special rubberized flooring to prevent accidents should any child take a tumble during their time of enjoyment. Also to the communities’ delight, a new lighting system will be implemented, illuminating the zone and as an added environmental bonus the new system will be specially designed for low consumption, keeping the park environmentally friendly. The entire investment will tally at approximately €24,000.

“We present our candidacy publicly” by Zara Menhennet ÁNGEL SÁEZ, a married man and a proud father to his daughter will be taking up his responsibilities fully on 22nd January as candidate for Mayor for the Spanish Socialist Party. As a candidate, Ángel Sáez will have a tough job on his hands as the third possible candidate to come up against Pedro Hernández Mateo of the PP, who has dominated Torrevieja for many years. Joaquín Cos was the candidate for the PSOE at the turn of the century, followed by a young lawyer, Ángel Giménez, in 2002. However, neither candidate successfully excited the voters, giving Pedro Hernández Mateo and the PP the majority in 2003 and 2007. At the beginning of 2008, Ángel Sáez was elected as General Secretary of the PSOE for Torrevieja. In a brief interview, we opened up on the topic of his views of the party and Torrevieja: Do you foresee an absolute majority against the PP? There has been a significant increase in support of the Party in Torrevieja in the past few years and we hope that will reflect in the numbers of voters. What does Torrevieja need? Lots of hard work and commitment to overcome our current situation; we need a loyal government that is capable of putting an overall interest into the community. Where does Torrevieja stand? Torrevieja is the same as the rest of the Valencian Community. There has been a lot of irresponsibility and unnecessary squandering that has characterised the years of government of the PP. However, Torrevieja has qualities in abundance that will mend this situation. Has the PP done any good for Torrevieja? Undoubtedly, after 20 years of government there have been many wise moves. Is the PSOE prepared to compromise with the Los Verdes and Izquierda Unida to help move out the PP?

Candidate Ángel Sáez

Our main objective is to be the monopoly in Torrevieja and to form a government alone. If necessary we are ready to form agreements if it is in the interest of the people. Is the economic situation of the Town Hall as serious as it is made out to be? The Town Hall has declared a debt of €70 million on a budget of €90 million. I am sure that the reality of the situation has been slanted and that in fact it is worse than they have said. In conclusion, we asked his view on Torrevieja and the possibility of moving out of the crisis this coming year. In response, Ángel Sáez finished by saying that he wished for a better year for all, but this year our aims are to improve employment and to avoid all kinds of frivolous squandering in the financial and economic sector: “This is the only way of generating possibilities for the future of Torrevieja.”

The Three Kings have arrived HUNDREDS OF children have already visited the Three Kings as the final hype of the holidays draws to an end. Guardamar hosted the first evening of the Three Kings in the town’s square and parents queued with their children in the cold evening air. Prepared with their letters, the children took it in turns to visit one of the Kings as they sat on their thrones, listening to the children’s wishes and gift requests. Every year the presence of Santa Claus is gaining momentum as the international icon remains the number one holiday figure. However,

Children visiting the Three Kings in the square

the Three Kings seem to be maintaining their presence in Spain as ‘gift bearers’

in the eyes of children as they sit on their laps and receive sweets.

07 - 13 january 2011

Local Police arrest man after attempted theft By Zara Menhennet ROJALES POLICE have arrested a man of Arabic origin after he attempted to make off with the proceeds of a charitable gathering that resulted in a three kilometer police chase. While patrolling the local area and the golf club of La Marquesa, police noticed a disturbance at The Bull Flanagan in the town of Quesada. A waitress of the establishment was trying to detain the man with difficulty when the police intervened to prevent injury to the employee and to stop the man taking the money for charitable causes which had been donated by clients and local residents. According to the first

report by the police, the arrested man had a companion who tried to take advantage of an oversight by the waitress by trying to remove a bottle which had been gathering donations. At the first given chance the man broke free and jumped into a nearby car forcing a chase to ensue. The pursuit resulted in a three kilometer chase which ended when the car crashed into the terrace of a nearby house, where the man was detained immediately. Later it was announced that the arrested was not a resident of Spain and had been implicated in such scandals before, including €15,000 in 2009, also a charity collection.

Improvements for San Isidro SAN ISIDRO’S San Francisco park is finally to receive a long awaited financial boost. Figures were released by the Town Hall on the expenditure expected to take place, a suitable sum that will see great improvements to the park. The park itself will be receiving a new children’s area which will include infantile games as well a special rubberized flooring to prevent accidents should any child take a tumble during their time of enjoyment. Also to the communities’ delight, a new lighting system will be implemented, illuminating the zone and as an added environmental bonus the new system will be specially designed for low consumption, keeping the park environmentally friendly. The entire investment will tally at approximately €24,000.

7 - 13 january 2011

Zapatero announces minimum wage rise for 2011 by Zara Menhennet SPANISH PRIME Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero ended the year 2010 by answering the questions that have been buzzing around the country for weeks. In the final cabinet of the year, the negotiations of pension and minimum wage for 2011 came to a verdict. The Spanish government has announced that there will be an increase of 1.3 % in the minimum wage, raising the average monthly salary from €633.3 to €641.5 in 2011. During the press conference, the president emphasised that since 2004 the minimum salary had in fact now risen by 17%, whereas during 1996 to 2004 it had dropped by five percent. This he pointed out to be the ‘difference’ between the PP and the Socialists as they work the hardest for the neediest sectors of the Spanish population. Zapatero thereafter added that it is a ‘’sign of identity of the Government’’ that in moments of crisis it keeps working towards a better future, although with great difficulty at the present time. He also reiterated that this is the government that has bettered

the social politics of Spain and for this he is asking Congress to evaluate the advancements that Spain has made during 2010 and look towards her future forecasts that are to come. This way he believes that as a country we will enter the coming year of 2011 with the same stability in which we left 2010. “The current and the perspective future” was stressed by Zapatero as the main concern that lies ahead, as he stated “‘the biggest interest is for the citizens, and the past seven years will be put forward on the table and will show how it has evolved.” These areas under scrutiny and evaluation will be in education, health, pensions, housing, help in the family and minimum salary. From this, the government is said to establish its future targets and priorities and raise an “extensive report” based on current and future perspectives: “Undoubtedly it is the fundamental target of the Government over which I preside to maintain the main objective: to continue the structural reforms we have already put in place and to continue the evolution of the fundamental props of the welfare state.” Finalising the conference, Zapatero ad-

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

dressed the subject of pensions. He has said that it is ‘’essential’’ that the pension scheme of Spain be reformed so that public expenditure in 2025 or 2030 regarding pensions is in the European average. However,

Alicante hotels see mixed results HOTELS IN Alicante have had mixed results as the year 2010 ended. Occupancy in the hotels saw an improvement from 2009 with 61% overall average for the year. However, despite the lift in booked rooms it came with a drop in hotel tariffs to attract tourists in the first place. According to the Provincial Association of Hotels, the tariffs were in line with those during 2008 when the first recovery efforts were made to boost tourism. Many hotels have managed to remain open thanks to being members of larger hotel groups that have been continuously opening in the city centers. Other private hotels have had it harder with the lack of investors showing

interest in the hospitality industry. This December saw a second rise in occupancy of 38.5% but this was not enough to recover the year’s takings, even with good levels over the New Year period. Vicente Marhuenda, manager of Provincial Association of Hotels, claimed one of the main reasons for the drop in clientele was due to the economic crisis and the cut in business trips and companies holding back on both national and international travel. One positive sign that has shone through has reflected in the low cost airlines that continue to fly into Alicante, putting it on the map for many international destinations that had not thought of the city before.

the biggest target of the year ahead will be the creation of employment. On this matter he compared Spain’s employment journey as one would entering a footpath, stating ‘’we still have not managed to enter yet.’

Immigrants allowed to vote in Spain

NEW RECIPROCAL agreements between countries mean that more than three million immigrants in Spain will be allowed to vote in the local Spanish elections this year. Those from Paraguay, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, New Zealand and Norway can now vote as long as they are registered on their local ‘padron’ census list, or if they can prove more than five year’s residence in Spain. There are already 2.3 million EU residents in Spain who are permitted to vote here, and the additional citizens total a further 1,182,777 voters.

7 - 13 january 2011

07-13 January 2011

New Year: New you!

The Fast Track Hypnosis way! MAKE YOUR New Year’s Resolutions a reality!At the start of each New Year millions of people take the opportunity to try for a better lifestyle and one of the most popular ways is by making New Year’s Resolutions, with the main two resolutions being either, Stopping Smoking or Losing Weight or both! Millions of people start off with the best of intentions wanting to change something in their life, but usually they fail miserably after a few weeks with the expression “I just didn’t have the willpower to do it and keep going”. This is where Fast Track Hypnosis and Laser Therapy can really make a difference by helping a person stick to their resolution. This is done by reinforcing their own will and determination to stop smoking or lose weight, and by maximizing the potentials of the mind to work for them to reach their personal goal. Fast Track Hypnosis and Laser Therapy offers two highly effective tried and tested methods when used on their own, each with their own very high success rate. However, by using the unique combination of Fast Track Hypnosis and Laser Therapy in a totally unique combination of the two together, then the already high success rate is improved even more! Stopping Smoking Most people know that if they stop smoking they will save thousands of pounds or euros over their lifetime as well as adding years to their life. So, why do people continue to smoke even after all the warnings from their doctors and advertising campaigns ? Cigarettes find their way into everyday life, becoming a part of so many activities. Habits

are formed, creating associations to things like food and alcohol, or even driving a car - it seems to become a part of them. Perhaps more importantly cigarettes become, for most people part of a coping mechanism to try to deal with emotional pressures like stress or boredom. When a smoker becomes upset, he or she reaches for the cigarette to try and feel better. Cigarette smoking is a habit and there may be specific occasions with which people associate smoking. Some wake up in the morning and the first thing they do is reach for a cigarette.The truth is cigarettes are a false friend that can eventually kill them ! Millions of people throughout the world have successfully stopped smoking using standard Hypnosis, and over the years I have helped many thousands of people to do so. However, by using this unique method of Fast Track Hypnosis & Laser Therapy the success rate of quitting smoking is increased even more! Weight Control There are various reasons why a person can be overweight.People who overeat because of early programming by parents. How many times were you told ”eat it all up and you will grow up to be a big healthy adult” or ”think of all the starving children in the world and you are leaving that on your plate”. People who overeat by comfort eating. This is again by programming from early years, ”don’t cry, here is a piece of chocolate, when you eat it you will feel better”. People who overeat because of emotional problems. In the case of these people their overeat-

Alan Gilchrist The Costa Blanca’s Top Hypnotherapist

ing habits go deeper than the previous ones. Therefore the actual problem would have to be addressed and corrected. The Gastro Band Weight Control Over the 25 years I have been in practice I have seen various trends in hypnosis whenever a new idea has come into the public eye. The latest one now is the Gastric Band using Hypnosis. Basically the person is placed under Hypnosis and a visualisation technique is used to “ convince “ the subconscious mind the person has had a gastric band operation. The theory behind it is that it “ tricks the mind into believing the body doesn’t need as much food to feel full up, consequently they would lose weight by changing their eating patterns.Because of the recent media hype about the Gastric band I had been inundated with people pleading with me to make available a Fast Track version of this as well, as they felt that they would like to try it, but without the huge expense that could go with it for multiple sessions and that’s exactly what I had done in early 2010. So instead of going for a series of sessions (and a lot of expense) the Fast Track Hypnosis Gastroband is STILL completed on the ONE session. Although it is one session it comes with all the extras put into the session as well i.e. Fast Track Hypnosis + Laser Therapy + gastric band visualisation + professionally produced support CD + plus Guarantee. This is an alternative to the hugely successful Fast track Hypnosis and Laser Therapy weight control session. So the Client can choose whichever one they would like to do.

Happy new year! Alan holds his Fast Track Hypnosis sessions in Cabo Roig, Guardarmar, and Benidorm. Alan is also the Creator of the Stop Smoking in under 30 minutes Fast Track System. For an appointment, Brochure, or free of charge initial consultation, contact Alan Gilchrist on 659 229 408. Visit his web sites www.alangilchrist.com www.hypnosiscostablanca.com www.thegastroband.com

Torrevieja bids for national award in sports

One of many Torrevieja bids for National Award

by Zara Menhennet THE TOWN Hall of Torrevieja has presented its candidacy to the Top Council of Sports in a bid for the National Award for Sport 2010, specifically in the category of Local Spanish Entity. The candidacy will be presented to Jaime Lissavetzky, head of the Sports Council. Mayor of Torrevieja, Pedro Ángel Hernández, along with the councilman of sports, Daniel Plaza, announced the initiative that they promoted during 2010 to a value of €11,260,598. This is the total sum that during 2010 has been invested in sports and their facilities, allowing “more than a mil-

lion sportsmen” to make use of. According to the first member of the council, ‘’We have transformed the city into one of the best sporting communities in the province and also in the country.” During the year, three football fields have been created; four covered sports stands; a sport zone in the Antonio Soria Park with 11 tennis courts and a multipurpose stadium that includes a rugby field amongst other things. Apart from this, the mayor also announced that €476,342 of the money has been allocated to six sports zones in different urban developments, each with a surface area of 2,080 square meters.

Spain’s 12 grapes to midnight

Mouths full with grapes

WELCOMING 2011 Spain partied hard into the New Year as celebrations around the county sounded into the cold night sky. Despite the country experiencing bad weather it didn’t hinder any party goers as the celebrations kicked off with the traditional grape eating as the clock struck

midnight. The tradition was formed when Spain experienced a very good grape harvest and the king of Spain gave out grapes to the nation for enjoyment on New Year’s Eve. Over the centuries it has evolved into a custom that is enjoyed by both young and old, as everyone

tries to finish their grapes in time for the New Year. Tradition dictates that one must eat one grape for every chime of the grand clock in Madrid, Puerta del Sol and be finished before the final gong. Normally the New Year is seen in with the family and then the party truly begins after midnight.

07-13 January 2011

and Christians VI New cultural enclosure Moors competition rules released

The site that will occupy 21,000 square meters

by Zara Menhennet TORREVIEJA’S NEW cultural space will be finished in six months and has been allocated a budget of €1,8 million. The zone will serve a multitude of purposes including a place to host fairs and concerts and will have a surface area of 21,000 square meters, capable of hosting up to 40,000 people at a time. It will also serve as the new head office and the location for the celebration of ‘sevillanas’ (the tradition folk music of Seville, Andalusia) in May. Present at the groundbreaking was the Counselor of Tourism, Bethlehem Jousts, who says his target is to improve the playful and cultural infrastructure of the city and to have it serve as a new tourist attraction and economic engine after the years of town-planning “boom.” Also present was Pedro Ángel Hernández, mayor of Torrevieja, who informed the gathering that the €1,794,015 was being funded by the Plan Confidence of Generalitat Valenciana. It was also acknowledged that over the last 20 years, Torrevieja had become one of the fastest growing cities in Spain and

had seen the largest urban growth. Based on this statistic alone he declared it necessary to provide the people of Torrevieja with a solution and therefore public infrastructures like schools, hospitals and health centers had become top priorities. The architect responsible for the project, Adolfo Rodríguez, was introduced and he too expressed his excitement about the project and its “intellectual contribution,” stating, “To have this space connected to the city is a luxury.” Next will be the development of Torrevieja’s Marine Frontage. The mayor, Pedro Hernández Mateo, says it will come despite the crisis and that is why 7,000 meters of land have been put aside at the port. Currently the project has not moved forward as it requires private investors, but is only one of the nine already approved by the council. Projects to follow include a ‘Museum of the Holy Week’, an enclosed market and also the opening of the new road, ‘Rosa Mazón Valero’. Already allocated to the enclosed market project is €5,328, 885 for a surface area of 83,000 square meters to house up to 1,200 available stands for stalls and food vendors every Friday.

by Zara Menhennet GUARDAMAR’S COMMITTEE for the Moors and Christians festival has announced the rules for the annual photography competition that is entering its sixth year. The contest is open to all eager photographers, both professional and for those that just enjoy it as a pastime. Participants can submit as many photos as they like as long as they capture the significant aspects of the Moors and Christians festival. Anyone

who wishes to enter needs to have their photographs submitted by 12th January. After the entry deadline has arrived and the photographs have been judged, all the works will be on display in an exposition held at the public library in Guardamar from 22nd January until 6th February. During this time the judges will announce the winners of the two cash awards after which a music concert will be held as an annual tradition, thanks to the motivation of Mig Any.

Orihuela Costa granted €1,8M for maintenance

ORIHUELA COSTA’S Town Hall has released a sum of €1.8 million (VAT included) to fuel the maintenance of public spaces along the coast that fall under their jurisdiction. The allowance that has been allocated is to be contracted to last over a period of four years and the contract will have to comply with the legalities set out by the Union of Temporary Companies (UTE). In the instance of the Orihuela Costa, the services that the conglomerated awardee will have to follow consists of the maintenance of streets, urban furniture, accesses to beaches and municipal buildings of Orihuela Costa. Further to this, the awardee will be responsible for the maintenance and repair work regarding the system of illumination and signaling.

07-13 January 2011

Elche surpasses EU requirements by Zara Menhennet ELCHE’S TOWN Hall has proudly announced the acknowledgment received that they are well above EU standards when it comes to ‘greenbelt vs population’. EU requirements are currently set at 12 square meters per inhabitant whereas Elche currently offers 20 square meters per inhabitant. Elche has provided its residents with 3,8 million square meters of green zone and more than 50 kilometers of woodland, with plans for further areas to be developed. José Manuel Sánchez, councilman for parks and gardens, has confirmed that, “We are the second city in the Valencian Region and one of the first in Spain for green spaces; something that shows the quality of life that those living in Elche experience. To date there has

been a great effort to improve the green zones and we intend to continue.” The investment to date has reached €14 million and Manuel Sánchez emphasized that in the last four years the Town Hall had carried out all the investments planned including the square ‘Primero de Mayo’ in the quarter of Carrús. Other developments already completed include the creation of Jardí de les Cultures in the original Barracks of the Guardia Civil in Altabix; the garden of Andalucía; the park of Valencia; the garden Rafael Alberti and the Eugeni d’Ors. Still in the pipeline, the investment will climb as a further €2 million has been allocated for two new parks. The first will be a landscaped garden in the Old Cemetery with a surface area of 30,000 square meters and the second opposite Sport City in the locality of Altabix. This new park will have 25,000

Town councillor José Manuel Sánchez, in a visit to the new garden

square meters, with 5,000 square meters specially zoned for dogs. This further financing will once again be provided by the Plan Confidence of Generalitat. In a final statement, Sánchez claimed that

one must not forget the Palmeral de Elche which covers an area of 5.4 million square meters, of which 75% is accessible by the public. This is one of the largest palm parks in Europe.

Shoes take the Spanish screen in February by Zara Menhennet. THE FEDERATION of the Spanish Shoe Industry will be exhibiting in February a score of designs inspired by the Goya Awards as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. This showcase being held in Elche is promising to be not only exciting but also a platform for the creation of promotion of originality and innovation. This is why the Spanish Shoe Industry (FICE) has decided to approach the big screen with a series of exclusive designs based on the award-winning movies in the Goya Awards collection. There are over 24 participants that will be putting their signature in homage to the campaign for Shoes of Spain, whose target is,

according to its promoters, “…to promote the image and knowledge of Spanish footwear and its trademarks.” Amongst the big names showing their support in the province are Martinelli of Elche, who are basing their designs from the movie ‘Te doy mis ojos’ to create a boot of fragmented design and scars. Another supporter is Rebeca Sanver who dedicates her heel to the movie of Pedro Almodóvar: ‘Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios’ as a ‘Russian mountain of sentiment and situations.’ Besides the designers’ shoes featuring, there will also be a showcase of all those worn during the last 25 years of best Spanish cinema.

Death toll on roads falls

THE NUMBER of people who died on Spain’s roads during 2010 was 1,730, which is 9.1 percent less with respect to the 1,903 deaths in 2009. This figure represents the smallest decrease in road deaths over the past five years. However, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, 2010 was the seventh consecutive year that road deaths have fallen.

07-13 January 2011

Corruption reports I WAS unsurprised to read that Partido Popular councillors are involved in Alicante Province’s 18 of 23 town hall corruption enquiries. They involve municipal waste management or planning irregularities. None involve the PSOE. I am on the record in calling for ex pats to get on the pardon and reject the PP from town halls. The news confirms the validity of my attack. I have joined the PSOE campaign to take control of Finestrat and improve the local environment, entertainment and make La Cala Finestrat an attractive place to visit. I would like to announce that to this end I will be holding a weekly surgery in Hannibal 1 bar every Tuesday between 17.00 and 18.00 from 18th January. Anyone with ideas for improving La Cala Finestrat is invited to come and see me. Jack Johnson, La Cala de Finestrat

HELP International Benidorm Christmas Fayre WE WOULD like to thank everyone who helped in any way to make our Christmas Fayre a resounding success. A special vote of thanks to all who donated items, made cakes, manned the stalls, sold raffle tickets and also to all those working in the background. All the money raised goes towards helping local charities or people in times of distress: once again, many thanks to all our supporters.

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

Email: rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

letter of the week

Stop complaining SPAIN IS a young democracy. We are guests in this country. Commercial centres are the life blood of the Urbanisations - they pay more into the system than most and without them someone will have to pay for the infrastructure and services. Do you really want all Commercial centres closed down so that you can pick up the lost revenue costs? I do not think so. Where would you get your free newspaper (paid for by local biz) the odd carton of milk and a friendly smile from the owners

of the shops and bars? I say again, stop complaining, accept the few inconveniences and enjoy living the dream. But please go to the centres and talk to the people - they are not the problem - I admit that we do get the odd boisterous inebriate but you get them all over the World. We as expats should not try to influence the system that is in place, as we are only guests. At least I got a reaction - it seems you now consider me to be the problem! C Capper

Shivers down my spine A LOT is written about the English choirs on the Costa, (as PR for Crescendo I do all their write-ups) but not much is mentioned about Spanish choirs other than the Habanera competitions. On 26th December, my husband and I went to our local church in Dolores to hear two local choirs. One was a school choir from the local high school of San Pascual made up of approx two dozen youngsters. They sang for

an hour with no music sheets, several pieces unaccompanied. They were superb, especially the girl who sang several soprano solos. Hers is one of the best voices I have heard; it filled the church effortlessly and sent a shiver down my spine! The other choir was the ‘Maria Trives’ group, mainly people of retirement age although there were a few younger ones, again a wonderful blend of voices. Both choirs

What a shame! I HAVE lived very happily in Orihuela Costa for the last 10 years. My family are environmentally-friendly-minded and we try to live accordingly. Regardless of where I have lived I have always supported the Green Party, or as they are known here, Los Verdes. However, are the Los Verdes as green as they are made out to be? Supermarkets still hand out lethal plastic bags; dog owners do not clear up after their pets; and waste is dumped everywhere. Are the Los Verdes aware of these problems and if so are they doing anything to solve them? You hardly hear, read or see anything here on the

sang in four part harmony, I thing I have not heard before from Spanish choirs. I am so glad I made the effort to go. Each choir sang one piece in English but sadly I think that we were the only English people there. If there is a concert in your local church by local choirs, I do urge your readers to go. After hearing these two groups I would say that the English choirs have some fierce opposition out there! Margot Gay

coast that would conclude that they are. What are Los Verdes doing in the ‘green’ direction? Have they placidly stepped aside to allow the CLR party to take over green issues? Who got rid of the dump at Pau 26? Who fought for the residents’ rights and took the issue of La Regia (the so called park at Cabo Roig) to the Plenary Meeting in Orihuela and got it approved? Who has denounced the PP party for allowing illegal fly tipping and environmental damage at Pau 9? The CLR party! There is more ‘green’ in the CLR logo than what is actually being produced by the Los Verdes party at the moment. What a shame! Congratulations CLR: Los Verdes – get your finger out! Kathleen O´Connor

Pigeon racing

WE RACE Pigeons in England and are interested in the pigeons we have seen around Benijofar. We know the owners have their own colour patterns and we have seen the little lofts on posts in rows but we cannot find anyone who can explain how it works. If any of our readers can help, please email rtnmail@ roundtownnews.com

Keep the envelope

RE: YOUR correspondent W.RB ‘Keep the envelope with the letter’ - this is an excellent piece of advice and should be heeded by all those who have correspondence with the various UK agencies. It is a sad reflection on the ailing British postal service, i.e. The Post Office, that its services are shunned by all the UK government agencies, who seem to use alternative postal services from a variety of overseas providers. The result of this penny pinch-

ing is the closure of more and more post offices to the detriment of many communities, particularly rural. Your correspondent gives the impression that if you miss a deadline etc. with replies then you will lose part of your pension. This is not so - any missed weeks for whatever reason will always be made up by DWP. Keep a regular check on your bank statements. I have found Internet banking excellent for just this eventuality. Chris Potter, Denia

07-13 January 2011

Prince Filipe begins 2011 in Brazil with Dilma Rousseff by Zara Menhennet PRINCE FILIPE of Asturias has begun 2011 by visiting Brazil in a diplomatic meeting with Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil. The purpose of the visit was to deliver a letter from King Juan Carlos of Spain, inviting Dilma Rousseff to visit before the Latin-American Summit to be held in Cadiz in 2012. Dilma Rousseff is the first woman to hold the presidential position in Brazil and in doing so is trying to maintain the legacy put forward by her godfather Lula da Silva. During the ceremony, Prince Filipe, who has been present at all investitures of Latin-American presidents since 1996, congratulated Rousseff on her work thus far and also had the opportunity to speak with the president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, as well with representatives of Columbia, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and the first ministers of Portugal, South Korea and Bulgaria.

Buses and taxis hike tariffs

NEW TARIFFS on urban buses and taxis in the Alicante area have been implemented as of 1st January 2011. These new orders were published by DOCV by the counselor of transport, Mario Flores, and have been enforced with immediate effect. To take a taxi in Alicante will now cost a minimum of €3.70, ten cents more than before and a standard bus ticket will cost five cents more, raising the tariff to €1,25. The same increases can be seen on the buses that interlink Alicante with Mutxamel, San Vincente, Sant Joan and El Campello as well as the tram that links Alicante with its surrounding beaches. The new basic taxi tariff which runs between 06:00 and 22:00 will now be set at 98 cents per kilometer - two cents per kilometer more. The second tariff including the night schedule and festivals will increase by three cents per kilometer, placing the new tariff at €1,14. The bus tariffs have been chained at five cents per year for the next three years so that it will accumulate a total increase of 15 cents from the current date to the end of 2013.

New A7 road saves money on motorway tolls

Prince Filipe with Dilma Rousseff

In the first speech, the president emphasised that she will continue with Lula’s work, especially in the social programs. “The most challenging struggle of my Government will be for the eradication of extreme poverty

and creation of opportunities for all.” Further to this, Rousseff celebrated being the first female president and made clear her “extreme commitment of honouring women, to protect the fragile and to govern all.”

A NEW section of the A7 has opened between Alicante and Barcelona, which enables drivers to save €27.85 on tolls that would usually be paid on the AP7 duallane coastal toll motorway.

Now, thanks to new stretches of road opened in 2010, 334km of the 544km between the two capital cities can be travelled for free. The only section that need be paid for costs €17.25.

7 - 13 january 2011

MABS co-founder dies by Jack Troughton

FRANCES SAWYER, the popular Vice President and co-founder of the MABS Cancer Support Group, passed away over the Christmas holiday. Universally known for her optimism and good humour, the “gentle Scottish lass” had played an inspirational part in the charity since its launch in the Marina Alta in 1999. Since the registered charity began as the ‘Marina Alta Breast cancer Support group’ – hence the name MABS – it has expanded to support all those ill with cancer, and their families, from Valencia to Marbella. And through the dedication and hard work of its international membership, the charity has also won the respect of the medical profession and the authorities. The charity’s President and fellow co-founder Jacqui Phillips, MBE, said her close friend Frances passed away on the night of 26th December. Jacqui, who received the award from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in April 2005 in recognition of the Group’s work,

said: “Frances and I had been very good friends for many years, well before we both developed breast cancer. “She was diagnosed in 1997/98 and I was there for her, not really knowing what the heck I was doing but I was the one she could rant and rave at when the going got hard. “Then in 1998/99 I too developed cancer and she was there for me. She was my friend and confidante, as I was hers.” Jacqui said Frances was a “gentle Scottish lass from Aberdeen”, married to Geoffrey and with two grown up children, Andrew and Alexandra. She said: “Her calming, charming voice was an inspiration to all who knew her as a friend and of course she was a supporter to many members of the Group. I will miss her dreadfully both as a very dear friend and as one of the founders of the Group.” Jacqui added: “On behalf of my husband Bernard, the committee of the Group, our many sponsors, supporters and members, I give our very sincere condolences to Geoffrey, Andrew and Alexandra.” The charity plans to hold a service in memory of Frances later this month.

Frances Sawyer

HELP donation to Mens Hostel

Mary, Marliese and one of the priests

LONG STANDING HELP volunteers Mary Stevens and Marlise Ryckevorsel, and committee members Maureen Hawksby and Elaine Horton, filled two cars with food, clothing and a cash donation for the mens’ hostel in Gandia to help ensure the Centre will have a more comfortable winter. Voluntary help allows the Centre to support a network of care that

includes cooking and cleaning, convalescent care and even nursing for the terminally ill. A total donation of €2,000 was gratefully received by the priests managing the Centre that currently provides a home for 42 homeless men, many of whom are ill or disabled. To make a donation or find out more about HELP in Jalon, visit www.jalonvalleyhelp.com

Memory improvement classes

CLASSES TO teach people how to improve their memory have been organised by Finestrat town hall. The classes are being held in the old town, inside the Casa de Cultura, in the Centro Multiusos de la Cala. The workshops include skills training through practical exercises that can easily be adapted for everyday life situations. The first course of workshops will be held on 17th, 19th, 24th and 26th January from 17.30-19.30 and the second on 15th, 17th, 22nd and 24th February at the same times. Participants can sign up from 12th January at the Centro de Multiusos. Now don’t forget to write that down!

Golf Factor: The Final act

Natasha Woodhams, Max Beard and Sam Curtis

A YEAR ago, RTN and Bay Radio with Noel Eastwell selected four students to receive a year’s golf scholarship. The four lucky students received top quality training from World Golf Teachers Federation top 100 Coach Noel Eastwell. Two were selected from the north to receive their training at Javea GC and two from the south were trained at El Plantio. Three of the students finished the scholarship last week with a round of golf at El Plantio, after a year that saw their handicaps reduced substantially. Sam Curtis, starting with a handicap of 11 now plays regularly to scratch with an official handicap of 4: “Over the last year I’ve had the great pleasure of being able to be taught by Noel Eastwell. During the year my golf has improved from an average level to a very high level which just needs some time dedication to perfect. “At the beginning of the year my handicap was 10.8 - now I’m comfortable when I see myself as a 4.2 handicapper. Thank you to Noel and to RTN and Bay Radio for giving me this opportunity, for which I will be forever grateful.” Max Beard started his year on a handicap of 18: “The year has been a wonderful journey monitored and led by Noel, with the very generous sponsorship from RTN and Bay Radio, to whom I would like to say a very big thank you. I now have an appreciation of the saying ‘Golf is the 6 inches in-between your ears’. I

look forward to my golfing future”. Max has now reduced his handicap to 8; another fantastic achievement. Natasha Woodhams started the year barely able to hit her driver 100 metres and can now hit it well over 225 metres regularly. Nats summed her year’s training saying: “Well, my summary of this year is ‘AWESOME!’ It has been the best year of my life. Starting in January off 36 I never thought that I would drop down to the 18 handicap I am now. “Noel has been awesome and he certainly helped me move up a few levels in my golf game. I want to say a big thanks to Noel, Bay Radio and RTN, for all the support and encouragement, and for giving me to have this amazing opportunity”. The final word goes to Noel Eastwell: “These students were a pleasure to be amongst. Their dedication and enthusiasm has been incredible.” Noel continued “Tony Ogden at Javea GC has been a tremendous supporter and I would like to thank him personally for his efforts. All the staff at El Plantio was incredible - their generosity to the students with free rounds of golf and use of the short course has been invaluable. The members and staff constantly encouraged the kids and monitored their progress weekly.” RTN will keep a keen eye on these stars of the future and will report on them when appropriate. Our photo shows the three students with their Certificates of Achievement.

Winning lottery ticket in the bin

A LUCKY lottery winner was devastated to find he had accidentally thrown his ticket in the rubbish bin last week. Ignacio González sells ONCE lottery tickets in Álava, and he tried his luck and bought a ticket along with 13 other members of a syndicate, with the number 48.104. The ticket turned out to be a winner, with prize money of €9 million to be split between the group. When González realised he had thrown out the ticket in the belief it was an old one, he turned his wheelie bin upside down on the street and spent some hours sifting through rubbish before finding the ticket in one piece. González reported that he was prepared to go to the communal tip and search all night if necessary.

7 - 13 january 2011

7 - 13 JANUARY 2011

Local businesses support MABS MABS MURCIA/Mar Menor receives no government funding, relying totally on public support. Despite the economic downturn, money is still being raised for this local charity in a variety of ways. The Lodosol Bar in San Pedro del Pinatar owned by Jane Grout held a ‘Full Monty’ themed Ladies’ Night, raising €320. Many items were donated for the raffle, including a free manicure; wine and spirits; a taxi run; a box of ‘sexy goodies’ and a free breakfast at the Lodosol. Diamante’s Restaurant in El Mojon held an ‘Ebony & Ivory’ Ladies’ Lunch, raffling fabulous prizes, raising €150 for MABS. This was the launch of a new Ladies’ Luncheon Club to be held on the third Tuesday of every month, the next due Tuesday, 18th January. Book via Diamante’s on 965 352 947 early to avoid disappointment. Owner Terry and her team are

planning a regular, monthly raffle to support MABS Murcia/Mar Menor. SOS Boutiques in Los Alcázares and La Manga toasted customers with mulled wine and mince pies. Viva quartet sang Christmas songs, raising €78 for MABS with a raffle. DFS Furniture in San Javier enters its third year of sponsorship with MABS Murcia/Mar Menor. “We are extremely grateful to Paul and the staff at DFS” said Janet Bell, MABS Fundraising Co-ordinator. “They have quietly supported us in many ways, from their regular, monthly donation, to storing and transporting hospital equipment for us, and sponsoring our Race for Life.” MABS Murcia/Mar Menor helps people in the Murcia/Mar Menor area affected by cancer. To volunteer, donate, sponsor or if you need help, contact MABS on 693 275 779 or visit: www.mabsmurcia.com

Guardamar students thank local volunteers

GUARDAMAR’S PILOT Project, ‘Saturdays in English’ closed recently with an award presentation to family, friends and volunteers of the 10 week sessions. Funded by the Caja Murcia and supported by the Quality Standards in Education Foundation and Guardamar Town Hall, the immersion project was delivered in English to local Spanish high school pupils. Presenting diplomas, Volunteers Guardamar’s Councillor for Education, Ms Sabrina Amorós bid farewell was delighted with the project’s to the success and congratulated ‘Saturdays in English’ staff and students on their commitment and hard work. students

Representatives of Caja Murcia added their congratulations, echoed by Jesus Calvo, the school’s Headmaster who expressed his pride at the students’ efforts. A visual presentation of Class photographs and ‘Story Board’ activities from the Course were showcased with the students’ own English language TV programme, made with the assistance of Guardamar Television. The morning concluded with traditional English carols. Guests were invited to an English Christmas Party Buffet and Santa Claus delivered a final farewell gift to the students.

Christmas is Church on for children the move

APANEE WAS the recipient of ticket profits from the Rascals’ show at the Virgen del Carmen. On 12th December, the Rascals debuted in the Square in Los Montesinos. The children were delighted with the Christmas characters and adults sang along to the Christmas songs and carols, raising €400 through raffle and collection, donated to ADIS. Rascals were overcome with emotion at their annual party as disabled ALPE students received their gifts from Papa Noel. All credit must go to the teachers and helpers for the great job they do. On 15th December, a further Christmas show was performed at the Cardinel Belluga in San Fulgencio, attended by a few of the children from the orphanage at Elche as well as some from ADIS who received a donation of €500. Downs Syndrome champion swimmer Adam Stewart highlighted the event by reciting a Christmas poem on stage. The sun shone on the Rascals on 16th December in San Luis Square. The audience sang along and again money raised will be donated to children’s charities. At the Carol Service outside the church in Torrevieja, donations were collected for the needy. More information at www.therascals.info or phone Jill on 966 727 282.

An apology

IN RTN Issue 584, we printed an article about the SOL TV Christmas Party which was in aid of local needy children and took place at the Fox and the Fairway in Villamartin Plaza on

BASED AT Calle Sanmiguel de Salinas 2 for more than five years, the congregation is to worship in new premises on the corner of Urbano Arregui and Pilar de Horadada in the Acequion district of Torrevieja this Sunday, 2nd January for the first time, at 11.00. The new premises are considerably larger, giving the church the opportunity to extend its pastoral care work. The ICA is led by pastor Rafael Restrepo who as a missionary with his wife Mary helped to start five churches in Uruguay, South America, and Spain. The ICA is a non-denominational church. More details may be found at www.icatorrevieja.org: services will be held on Sundays at 11.00 and 18.30. The new church can be found by leaving the N332 at the Salinas (salt mine) exit towards Torrevieja. As you come down the slope towards Torrevieja, you can see the new church on the right. Google maps: Calle Pilar de Horadada 5, 03185 Torrevieja.

December 18th. The photograph accompanying the article was of three children whom we would like to clearly state were NOT part of the party and were actually only guests of the restaurant. RTN would like to apologise for any offence caused by using the printed photo with the article.

7 - 13 JANUARY 2011

Daytrip to Orihuela and Archena IT IS sometimes hard to know just what to do with the short daylight hours of January. As daylight retreats, we all tend to withdraw into our homes, draw the curtains, turn up the fire and watch the telly. Not so bad if you have had a full day and are ready to relax. But at this time of year we can be guilty of doing nothing particular all day then finding the dark night interminably long. After all, at this time of year, you can’t lie on the beach or go for a swim unless you are crazy, particularly hardy, or both! If you go to a bar or a café it is often not warm enough to sit outside. If you go inside you quite often find that you were the only person who fancied a drink that day and so end up talking to yourself. So how about going to see some of the local scenery, with company already arranged? That’s right - how about a coach trip?

A new one being offered by David’s Coachtrips SL during the month of January seems very attractive and is offered at an excellent price. With local pick-ups arranged from a number of locations in and around Torrevieja, the group make the short journey to the centre of the historical city of Orihuela. No problems with parking, simply step of the coach and set about enjoying this surprisingly unspoilt old city which has retained so much of the charm of ‘old’ Spain. The town is quite small. It has about 75,000 inhabitants. People have lived here since 3000BC, so like so many Spanish towns it has a history of invasion and re-invasion. Probably one of the earlier communities living here was a clannish people called Argrarians, who lived here during the Bronze Age and who had strange habits like burying their dead

Convent de Santa Domingo Orihuela

Visit the spa baths in Archena

under the floor of their house! The Romans made an entry here not much later. They called the city ‘Aurariola’. This probably led to its present name. Later the usual mix of Visigoths, Moors and finally Christians arrived in the form of Alfonso X. The city is built on the banks of the mighty River Segura. Despite a damaging earthquake in 1829, many of its important buildings are still standing and can be visited. Unsurprisingly, the centre piece of the old area is the cathedral. On this excursion, a morning spent in this charming old city is followed by what can only be described as ‘pure pampering’. Enter the fabulous spa baths of the small town of Archena. Also sit on the green, fertile banks of the River Segura, in an idyllic location amongst the palms, the pines and eucalyptus trees in this oasis of pleasure. Sparkling blue, natu-

rally heated spa waters full of health promoting minerals fill the pools. You can swim from outdoor pools to indoor pools and back without leaving the warmth of the water. Warm water tumbles from tumble showers, massaging your back as you stand below; for an even more relaxing experience you can simply sit in Jacuzzi type baths and be gently pummelled by jets of the same healthy waters. The average water temperature is 30º, so no matter what the weather is doing it feels really good. Returning home relaxed and glowing with health, you might just be tempted to fill a glass of brandy as you turn on the TV and celebrate a great day out for only €20 including baths entry. Call David’s Coachtrips SL direct to reserve a place any Friday after 9th January. Details of a full range of exciting excursions can be found at www.coachtripsonline.com

07-13 January 2011

Burns’ Night €30,000 draws nearer

for the Red Cross

2010 celebrations

BURNS’ ENTHUSIASTS are reminded that tickets are now on sale for Guardamar’s Annual Burns’ Night Celebrations on 25th January 2011.The event will be held this year in the Marjal Campsite Restaurant Complex and will include the traditional Burns fayre of haggis, neeps and tatties, followed by a main dish and desserts. The evening will also include various poetry recitals, whisky toasts, music, community singing and a traditional ceilidh to round off an evening of nostalgia and tradition. Renditions this year will include the traditional Selkirk Grace, delivered by Guardamar’s Lady Mayor, Mrs Marylène Albentosa, as well as several other offerings by Councillors and

Staff from the Town Hall and local Burns’ enthusiasts. This year features an additional Toast ‘To the Exiles’ to be delivered by the British Consul, Mr Paul Rodwell. Tickets for the event are priced at €25 per person and can be obtained from the Guardamar Tourist Information Office in the town square or by contacting members of the Organising Committee – Willie on 664 490 267 or Maureen on 663 430 304, who can provide more information on the programme and overnight accommodation availability at the Marjal Complex. Email them at turisme2@guardamar.net or ring the Tourist Office on 965 724 488. Visit the Camping Marjal website on www.campingmarjal.com

Signing the new agreement

by Zara Menhennet PEDRO HERNÁNDEZ Mateo, mayor of Torrevieja and the president of the Red Cross, Bibiano Vera, signed last Friday a collaboration agreement for the continuation of programs of Social Action. These programs are directed at what are classified as the ‘vulnerable groups’ of the population including the elderly, immigrants and disabled. For already seven years the Town Hall of Torrevieja has had programs running 365 days of the year and up until 2010

over 2,250 people have benefited from their services. These workshops have included inter-generation workshops, literacy, gymnastics, beach training, information workshops on modern technology and finally they celebrate the birthdays of those who have no one else with whom to share their special day. Other programs offered by the Red Cross include: • ‘Technical loans’ that offer mainly orthopedic help • Immigrant information – Spanish courses, social resources, psychological help and more.

• Food campaign – now the fastest growing, especially amongst Spanish families as the economic crisis continues. Bibiano Vera has emphasised the importance of the Red Cross and its role in the community as a social service that has brought many together as it works closely with the General Social Services of Spain. “They work hard and are one of the most recognised organisations in the world,” he finished, as he pointed out their upcoming anniversary of 150 years.

Last baby cheque for lucky mum of 2010

THE LAST ever ‘baby cheque’ of €2,500 was given to new mum Silvia Nestares after she gave birth to her new daughter Amalia at 11.59 on New Year’s Eve – one minute before the government’s deadline for abolishing the cheque. Silvia, 33, and her husband

David Fernández, 34, from Logroño, report that the due date for the birth was given as “sometime between 5th and 7th January,” and that Silvia did not even realise she had gone into labour when the couple headed off to celebrate on New Year’s Eve.

07-13 January 2011

Eddie’s my ‘Man of the Year’ for 2010 Watts In Britain By

Paul Watts

HERE WE go again folks, off on a jolly new voyage around the solar system. As planet Earth slips from her January the first berth to spin us around the sun once more, we mere mortals will re-live the fun and frolics of the last trip while making rash resolutions for the new one. I don’t know about you but I’m going to have to use at least one New Year’s resolution on bringing down the Slimfast tins from the top shelf - and pretty quickly, too. I’ve had to loosen off two whole notches on my belt buckle in the last couple of weeks. Yup, I seem to have mysteriously added some ungainly kilograms to my sleek form over the holiday period. After all the effort of losing weight last year I mustn’t get into bad ways again. On the plus side though, I haven’t had a single fag this year! Well, so far. I bet I’m in fairly good company with the weight losing thing. For example, Rock School actor, Jack Black said, “My New Year’s resolution is to drop 50 pounds.” I take that to mean he will lose weight and not push a heavy bolder over the Hoover Dam. I expect a lot of the great and good will be getting their fizzogs on TV screens over the next few weeks to tell us ‘little people’ how good it made them feel shedding a dress size or two; and how we can do it too. Me, I’m patiently waiting for the release of Eastender Dot Cotton’s workout video, ‘Puff Along With Dot’, before I start in earnest. THE WIB AWARD FOR 2010 GOES TO...

Looking back over 2010 I have decided to take my hat off to actor/comedian Eddie Izzard. Eddie, much like yours truly, has always been prone to gaining weight (which incidentally is where the similarities end). Incredibly, when Eddie ran into Trafalgar Square on September 15 last year, he had just completed an astonishing 43 marathons in just over six weeks. Eh, was that forty-three marathons? Yup folks, he actually ran forty three, twenty-six mile marathons - and all within a two month period. Surely, a professional runner would have struggled, so how did Eddie manage

Eddie Marathonman

to cover more than 1,000 miles from London to Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh? “I think I’ve got an obsessive personality,” he told a BBC audience, adding, “But this run was the hardest thing I’ve ever done — even harder than doing gigs in France in French!” Back in September Eddie hoped to raise more than £200,000 for the charity Sport Relief. However, it soon became apparent it would be much more. Sport Relief showed that in fact he had raised over one million, one hundred and fifty thousand pounds. Eddie, who is well known for wearing women’s clothes, was asked at the start of the marathons if he would be in what he calls “boy-mode” for the marathons. He laughed: “Women don’t wear high heels when they run.” Well, they do in New York for the ‘High-heelathon’, Eddie; I’ve seen it. The Sport Relief presenter wondered if, at 47, the achievement was Eddie’s way of fending off a mid-life crisis? He smiled and said, “Not at all. I had my mid-life crisis in my twenties. I’m fine now. I plan to be the fittest I’ve ever been when I’m 90.” So what would have been the highs and lows of such an endeavour? Eddie revealed it was the public who gave him his regular ‘high’ boosts. He said, “People would join me all the time.” He told how running through Bangor, Northern Ireland, where he’d grown up, was very emotional: “I designed my own Irish flag to carry — green with a white dove.”

The lows were the bad weather days. “From Gretna to Stranraer felt like winter,” said Eddie, “My fuel gauge was in the red but never went down to zero.” His mental strength amazed the support team. One team member revealed, “Marathon runners normally hit ‘the wall’ around 18 miles but Eddie rarely dipped and never gave up.” Eddie added, “I’d feel good at the end of each marathon then I had the realisation I had to do it again. I don’t know how I kept conning myself.” He might have conned himself to keep going but for once in his life he didn’t have to worry about his weight. One advantage of doing so much physical exercise was that Eddie needed to consume up to 6,000 calories a day. He said that he relied on energy bars in the daytime day while enjoying loading up on ‘carbs’ in the evening. Hmmm, maybe there’s a clue here; I could eat as much as I like if only I’d be prepared to do some marathons. Thankfully, my dear wife just reminded me that the only Marathons I’d do were the edible ones that are now known as Snickers. See how some things never change? I always seem to be the butt of someone’s jokes. Anyway, well done to Eddie and do let me know, dear reader, who your person of the year is. The address as always is p.watts@roundtownnews.com Watts in Britain, wishing all RTN readers a Happy New Year

Gaunt

7 - 13 january 2011

the

Jon

Column Modern day Frankenstein story

Email Jon at: jongaunt@roundtownnews.com

Samantha Womack has quit Eastenders

FORGIVE ME if I don’t join the chattering classes’ chorus of approval over the creation of a designer baby by the fat diva, Elton John, and his partner David Varnish, (or whatever he is called). But the plain simple fact is I do not agree with this sorry arrangement. I am pleased that Elton has found happiness in his life and like most people I haven’t got a problem with them showing their commitment to each other in a civil partnership. I haven’t really got a problem with gays and lesbians adopting or fostering but I’m sorry creating life - I am dead against it. Forgive me but doesn’t being childless go with the territory

TALKING OF babies, which baby-minded idiot thought up the disgusting and deeply disturbing storyline of baby swapping and cot death for Eastenders? We are used to Eastenders being grim and we all know it should be sponsored by Valium but to have a storyline that has forced one of its main actresses, Samantha Womack, to quit in protest surely proves that once and for all it is the producers who have lost the plot. Thousands of people have complained and rightly so. Sudden infant death syndrome is a subject that could be discussed in a popular soap as it would help us all to understand what some parents go through but to attach a baby swapping storyline for more dramatic effect and therefore ratings is beyond the pale.

of sleeping with someone of the same sex? In all this saga has anyone thought of the child they have created that will not only have two Daddies, but also have two mums; the one who provided the egg and the one who got the best part of a million in hush money to carry the tot. No doubt Elton will lavish money on the child in his remaining years, which at 63 and looking like a more worn out version of my Auntie Doris can’t be long which is another reason why this birth should not be celebrated. One positive, however, is that Mr Varnish will be good at dealing with the terrible twos and tantrums; after all he has lived with the biggest spoilt brat in pop for the last seventeen years, so he has plenty of experience. Any doubt that this is just another ‘must have’ accessory for Elton John was quickly dispelled when we heard the babies name, or should I say names – it’s not so much a name as a whole bloody school register in one!

The King turns 73

Elton, due to his lifestyle and past-admitted drug and alcohol abuse, would never have been allowed to adopt or foster in this country but we are meant to applaud him creating life? The press have been strangely silent over this modern day Frankenstein story, no doubt for fears of being called homophobic but I’m sorry, to disapprove of this event is not homophobic but simply moralistic.

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

Brain dead thickos WHY DOES winter and Christmas always come as such a surprise to the brain dead thickos who run the UK’s councils? Doh - winter starts in November and can bring snow! Repeat after me whilst you are counting your pay cheques, which for most council leaders are bigger than the Prime Ministers. Then we have the fiasco of dustbin collection. Some bins haven’t been emptied for over five weeks due to the festive season and the snow! In Leamington they have a system where one week they take the rubbish in the grey bin and the other week the garden waste. But over Christmas, in the winter, when it’s cold, it doesn’t take Einstein to realise that although not much grows, there is a likelihood of there being more household waste. So do the council clots change the rota so that the grey bin is picked up each week? Do they hell as like! No, from the comfort of their heated offices they sit on their lardy arses and let the rubbish pile up and the rats breed. Why the hell can’t we in the UK be like the Spanish and have a large bin at the end of each road that gets emptied every night? Its one Spanish practice that we should be eager to copy.

by Zara Menhennet KING JUAN Carlos of Spain celebrated his 73rd birthday on 5th January. For his special day he dedicated his time to his professional agenda: at this point the royal family has not released any plans for any other public celebration. Unlike his 70th birthday, when 450 worldwide representatives celebrated his birthday at a special dinner, the king has enjoyed private occasions for the past two years and is expected to do

King Juan Carlos with China’s first minister

so this year. As the king celebrated his birthday, part of his agenda included a meeting with the first minister of the Republic of China and thereafter making sure that all arrangements were in place for the 6th January annual mili-

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tary ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Pascua Militar. Adding to this festive occasion, the king is believed to have spent his time with his grandchildren as they celebrate the ‘Three Kings’ on the same day as his birthday.

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Pandora: a winter’s tale

Pandora, the abanonded horse

IN DECEMBER The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre received a distress call from a couple in Crevillent. A very thin horse had collapsed in a locked parcel of land close to where they lived and had lain there all the previous freezing cold night. The horse had been there several weeks without food or water. The couple had not realized how malnourished and desperately ill the horse was and also they were fearful of repercussions from the horse owners if they made a police report. We advised them to call the police as without police permission there was nothing we could do. The police, appalled by the sorry state the poor horse was in, called in the EHCRC. Needing permission from the owner before calling a vet, they managed to track him down via his car registration and were waiting for him. The owner seemed nonplussed by the fact that the horse was dying and said he had a vet who would come out. The police refused to leave until a vet arrived. The owner eventually allowed our vet to attend. Horse vet Dorothea found a once beautiful and noble mare left abandoned, lying on cold, hard ground without the strength to stand, starved of food and water, dying a slow and painful death. Her skeleton visible beneath the paper thin skin, she had bald patches from untreated wounds and infections and open wounds over her hips where her bones had come through. Pandora (as we named her) was not young; she had obviously been used as a brood mare, producing foal after foal until, no longer able to conceive and too thin to sell for meat, she was locked away. Her fate was sealed within the locked gates.

Dorothea advised us that if Pandora could make it to the EHCRC she might survive. If that was not possible, she would help Pandora to pass away without pain and not alone. Thankfully, Pandora did make it to the Centre. She struggled out of the trailer exhausted but collapsed at the entrance to the stable. Suddenly she made a massive effort to stand and with our help managed to get to her feet once again but had to be propped up. We knew that if she lay down again it would be the last time. Pandora was given water, food and the medication. Sue, co-founder of the rescue centre, slept outside in Pandora’s stable and without her undoubtedly Pandora would not have survived that first night and subsequent days and nights. We all fell in love with this kind, gentle old girl and when tests revealed just how poorly she was with no hope of recovery after years of mistreatment and malnutrition, we made the heartbreaking decision to put her to sleep. The prop was removed and she lay down in her warm, dry stable. She wasn’t hungry, she wasn’t thirsty, she wasn’t in pain and she wasn’t cold and alone. She was tired and ready to go to sleep. Sometimes, as with Pandora, we are just too late… Thankfully, our Rojales rescue centre has 31 residents who made it through their nightmares. We couldn’t have helped them without your support. Thank you. Please help us to help more desperate, neglected and abused horses and donkeys. Call Sue on 652 021 980, visit www.easyhorsecare.net for more information or visit on our open days, Wednesdays and Sundays: 13.00 to 16.00.

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BGE supports Paul Cunningham Nurses AS PART of the resounding success of the BGE, now celebrating its five year anniversary, this February is to be packed with events, Fun Days, Open Days and Challenges, not to mention FREEBIES, from Mini Golf to Toning Tables sessions… but first we need local bars to enter the sporty BGE Regional Darts Competition, with a money voucher for the Grand Winner at the Final being held at the Green

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Baize Pool and Snooker Hall in Quesada on Friday 25th February from 19.00. To get to the final we need your bar, Darts Team or just your regulars who are up for supporting a good cause: the one euro entry fee will be donated to the Paul Cunningham Nurses. Hold your own qualifying game and send your best two players into the final. For rules, regulations and registration contact Linda on

966 716 919 to register your bar by 31st January 2011, with heats to be completed by 20th February. Your bar will receive publicity at our press conference and within the local media; you get a great fun night and the PCN charity benefits, so what are you waiting for? Start the New Year by calling Linda on 966 716 919 - it could be your bar in the final, when the BGE will crown the winner.

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07-13 January 2011

So what can we look forward to in 2011? by

Stephen Ward & Robert Burns SO THAT’S another year gone! A year ago we were brave enough to make some predictions about what we thought might happen in 2010 with the promise to revisit them to see how right or wrong we were. WE SAID ABOUT 2010: Interest rates will remain near zero in most economies with the possibility of a small increase in the last quarter in anticipation of further rises in 2011. The US dollar will continue to weaken and Gold will continue rising towards $1,500 an ounce. The fragile recovery in the banking system will be disrupted by some more “shocks”. Stock markets in the UK, USA and Europe will end 2010 lower than they were at the beginning of the year. The UK General Election? This is where we

differ as Stephen believes, but hopes he is wrong, that there will be a hung parliament with Gordon Brown doing a deal with the LibDems and remaining as Prime Minister. Robert believes the Tories will secure a working majority with Labour facing unprecedented losses. The Euro will reach parity against the Pound at some point. The UK economy will slowly recover out of recession. The Spanish economy will remain mired in recession until the second half of 2010. Taxes will rise in the UK and Spain. Well I think we would give ourselves six out of nine. But what about our thoughts about the year ahead with a promise once again to see how we did in a year’s time. SO FOR 2011 WE THINK: Interest rates will remain near zero for a while yet but as 2011 progresses the threat of inflation will become very real and interest rates will rise. The US dollar will continue to weaken and Gold will rise further towards $2,000 an ounce.

The recent weather will be blamed for lower UK economic growth

Spain and Portugal will both need some form of bailout as the sovereign debt crisis continues. Stock markets in the UK, USA and Europe will suffer substantial falls during 2011. The pound will continue to strengthen against the euro, perhaps reaching as high as 1.30. The UK economy will continue to recover but the worst winter in living memory will be blamed for lower economic growth than originally expected. The referendum on changing the electoral system in the UK will result in a “no” vote. Great strains on the coalition government will follow. Vince Cable will be “shuffled” from the position of Business Secretary, and will be advised to buy a new hat.

The Spanish air traffic controllers (the French as well) will cause further chaos. As the austerity measures bite further in the UK there will be even more civil unrest. As a business it has been a fantastic year for Premier Pension Solutions SL and we are grateful to those who have supported us with their business. We look forward to further exciting times in the pensions world during 2011. For further information about Pension Reciprocation Plans, QROPS, QNUPS and other pension solutions please email review@qrops.es or see http://www.qrops.es http://www.prempensions.com or http://www.pensionreciprocation.com

THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN BY STEPHEN WARD AND ROBERT BURNS, PREMIER PENSION SOLUTIONS S.L., January 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

Bank error makes client richer

A MAN who was told by his bank that he had inherited €4.6 million from his father discovered that the amount was actually €4,600 when the Banco de Valencia admitted a “computer error”. The man applied for a €120,000 loan, thinking that millions of euros were soon to be on their way to him, and bought a new car and a new kitchen. Banco de Valencia, upon realising their mistake, then demanded the money be returned but the Supreme Court ruled that the man did not have to return the money, saying that he had taken a decision “which in other circumstances he would not have taken.”

House prices fall more than 2.1 percent in Valencian Community THE PRICE of the average house in the Valencian Community fell more than 2.1 percent during 2010 according to the appraisal group, Sociedad de Tasación. Compared with other regions the drop is below the national average (-3.2 percent). The fall was greatest in Aragon (-5.8 percent), Extremadura (-5.2 percent) and the Balearics (-4.6 percent). By contrast, Galicia (-0.7 percent),

Asturias (-1.4 percent) and Navarra (-1.5 percent) show the smallest drop in house prices. Nationally, the price of new housing fell 3.2 percent in 2010, bringing the price to €2,476 per square metre, and the cost of an average home to €222,800. Within the Valencian Community, the price per square metre now stands at €2,055 in Valencia, €1,758 in Castellon and €1,714 in Alicante.

legal

Power of attorney by

Marc White & Carlos Baos English & Spanish Solicitors

MY HUSBAND is becoming increasingly frail following a minor stroke suffered last year. Is it still possible to prepare a Power of Attorney for use in the UK, and is there a Spanish equivalent? The UK rules concerning Powers of Attorney dealing with incapacity changed at the end of 2007. Since October 2007, when the Mental Capacity Act 2005 came into force, it has no

longer been possible to create an Enduring Power of Attorney (‘EPA’). Instead, EPAs have been replaced by two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (‘LPA’): one to cover property and financial affairs and the other to cover personal welfare. The new LPA regime differs significantly from the EPA regime in a number of key respects. In particular, it is possible for an attorney of an LPA not only to make decisions about the donor’s property and financial affairs but also about his or her personal welfare, for example issues concerning the donor’s accommodation, healthcare and even whether life sustaining treatment is to be refused. Furthermore, all LPAs have to be registered with the PGO before use and a certificate confirming that the donor is

07-13 January 2011

mentally capable and not under any undue influence should be obtained. There is no direct equivalent of an LPA in Spain although a Power of Attorney (POA) can be signed to deal with the issue of incapacity. First of all let’s begin by dispelling a couple of myths. It is important to be clear that a POA ceases to have effect upon death, both in Spain and the UK. This comes as a shock to many people who mistakenly believe that the POA can be used by surviving relatives to access bank accounts of the deceased etc. When a person dies, the POA dies with them and the question then arises whether the deceased had a Will, or whether they died intestate. Another common misunderstanding is the effect of mental incapacity upon a POA. Most ordinary POA’s are automatically revoked in the event of the donor losing capacity. The person appointed on the POA may continue to use it and pretend to be unaware of the incapacity although this is

not correct and they risk a great deal by doing so. We encourage all clients of any age to review their affairs so that appropriate documentation can be prepared in a calm and non-pressured environment. A Spanish POA can be drafted so that it only commences to have effect in the event of incapacity or, alternatively, an ordinary POA can be drafted so that it is not revoked by any subsequent incapacity. Ideally everyone should sign such a POA as it is relatively quick to prepare, inexpensive, and can then be confined to the bottom drawer in the hope it will never be needed. 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 in our Web site: www.white-baos.com

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

Unemployment highest ever EU immigrant numbers up A TOTAL of 176,470 more people joined the dole queue in 2010, bringing the number of unemployed to 4.1 million. Unemployment figures for 2010 were up 4.5 percent on 2009. But statistics from the employment office show that there was a slight fall in jobseeker numbers during December, although this has been attributed to a higher number of temporary jobs over the Christmas period. There were 14.4 million new job contracts issued over 2010 – 2.8 percent more than the previous year – but only 1.2 million were permanent. Spain’s unemployment is currently the highest it has ever been since records began in 1996.

THE NUMBER of EU foreigners moving to Spain is still growing, according to data from the Permanent Observatory on Immigration. Over the first nine months of 2010, the number of EU

immigrants to Spain rose 5.81 percent to 2,358,798. Romanians constitute 817,460 of the EU foreigners in Spain, which is 34.66 percent of the total. Statistics show that there are 228,108 British

citizens and 167,402 Italians. In contracts, the number of non-EU immigrants fell last year by 6.5 percent to 2,396,704. Of this group, 44 percent are Latin American and 39 percent from Africa.

07-13 January 2011

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A lettings agent can look after your holiday home while you’re not there

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

YOUR ONLINE holiday home advert has to stand out from the crowd in the highly competitive and increasingly crowded virtual market place. The key to success is the conversion of enquiries into bookings. But when you have succeeded in confirming a booking, what then? When considering the successful management of your bookings, the words ‘how’ and ‘who’ become very important. How are your guests going to pay you? How do they get the keys? How are they going to get to your property? Who prepares the property for their arrival and cleans it ready for your next guests? Who do your guests call if there is a problem during their stay and who looks after your interests if you are not there? Guests can pay by cheque or online transfer but many prefer the conven-

ience and security of credit/debit card payments. PayPal now offers a free service whereby your guests can pay you by credit/debit card. To get the keys to your guests you could post them but ensure that you send a self-addressed envelope as well so that you guests can easily return them. Another way is to have a key-safe installed at your property so the guests can pick them up on their arrival. Don’t forget to give your guests detailed directions to your property and don’t forget any special requests your guests may have made, e.g. the provision of a cot and high chair or a welcome pack. By far your biggest consideration is who is going to look after your guests and your property if you are not there. Having a local contact reassures your guests that they will be looked after during their stay and gives you the confidence that any problems that might arise

will be dealt with efficiently. A property management and lettings agent can look after your guests from the initial enquiry and throughout their stay to their final departure. A professional service should include key-holding, meet and greet and a complete changeover service. In my experience the very fact that there is someone there who can offer advice and help reassures and relaxes guests and leads to repeat bookings year on year. Even if you do not let your holiday home it is advisable that you arrange a regular check during the periods that you or your family are not using it. These checks should be comprehensive and include the utility meters. For instance, a water leak if left for months can lead to a bill of thousands of euros but it can be detected early by a regular check of the meter. A good management agent can save you money and a lot of heartache.

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

07-13 January 2011

Putting together your ideal building plot in the sun IF YOU are hoping to build a house in the Spanish countryside, rustic land away from the Coast can be particularly good value at the moment. We have recently been consulted by a number of clients who have been acquiring adjoining plots of land so that that they by will eventually have a plot large enough to build their ‘dream home’ in the campo. In the Comunidad Valenciana, Law Solicitor, Link Point Legal 10/2004 of 9th December 2004 imposes a and Business Services minimum plot size of 10,000 square metres (approximately 2.4 acres) for a home with a built area of 200 square metres and a ‘footprint’ of 100 square metres – in other words a two storey house of 100 square metres on each floor. In Castilla, La Mancha, the operative date for similar legislation is 28th May 2007. New property built after these dates must comply with these rules otherwise it will not be possible to obtain the necessary certificates which are absolutely essential to enable the property to be legally sold, and to have services such as electricity and water connected. In order to build their new home our clients first have to formally unify the var-

Michael Olmer

ious plots of land which they have bought so as to achieve a plot of at least the 10,000 square metres they need. First, they must already have the deeds or ‘escrituras’ for the various plots which they own. Second, they must obtain either a licence from the local ayuntamiento, or a certificate from the ayuntamiento that no specific licence is required. Third, a land surveyor, or ‘topographer’ must draw up a scheme or ‘proyecto de reparcelacion’ showing the precise extent of each of the pieces of land that are to be united, together with a plan showing the unified plot that will result. With rustic land there can often be problems with conflicting claims to land or boundary disputes and these must be resolved before you can go ahead and formally unify your plots. This is done by a process known as an ‘expediente de dominio’ by which all the surrounding owners are formally notified of your claim to any disputed land. They then have the opportunity to put forward their own competing claim and if necessary the dispute has to go to court for final resolution.

Building your own dream home in the campo

When all this preliminary work has been done, the owners must then sign a deed at a Notary which will formalise the unification. To this deed will be attached • Receipts for the property taxes for each plot of land • Copies of their identity documents: passports, identity cards, and NIE numbers • The ‘proyecto de reparcelacion’. • The licence from the ayuntamiento, or the certificate that no such licence is necessary In addition to the various professional and Notary fees that will be payable, Transaction Tax of 1% of the total value of the unified plot, together with Land Registry fees, must also be paid. Of course buying and unifying the land is only the start of the process. You will still need to obtain formal permission to build your home and once the property is

complete you must obtain the first occupancy certificate from the local ayuntamiento to confirm that the property has been built in accordance with planning permission and to the required standards so that electricity, water, and mains drainage (if available) can be connected. Please remember that in Spain there are two property registers: the Land Registry that records the ownership and any mortgages to which land is subject, and also the Catastral Registry which shows the precise extent of the land all structures on it including swimming pools, garages, and other outbuildings. Both registers must be brought up to date. If you are considering buying rustic land for building please take professional advice before signing any contract, or paying a deposit and we at Link Point will always be happy to advise you.

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

Spotlight: Property

07-13 January 2011

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715-21 - 13 january 20112010 JANUARY

Retirement and organising health care provision - part 2

Claire Cerro Atyeo, RGN

Prestige Nursing and Social Care Services

THE FIRST article in this series in RTN issue 580 was intended to provoke thought, and to instigate honesty about your current situation, your health and care needs and the likely health care that you will need in the future. Part Two will look at the care facilities and services available. Hopefully you will have ascertained if you need care now or in the near future, and will have evaluated your personal resources. If your plan includes the help and support of family and friends, then it is terribly important that you have a very frank discussion about your needs and the amount of assistance you will be requiring or expecting from them. And it is even more important for these members, be it family or friends, to be given the chance and space to think clearly about the very great impact becoming a carer will have on their own lives. If you are fortunate enough to have this kind of input then it is your responsibility to ensure you do not abuse or over load the service they provide for you. It is a good idea to make a list of all your requirements, then source who, how and what is available, at what cost and how these will fit with the lifestyle you have and want for the future. STATE SERVICES & FUNDING AVAILABLE WHILST LIVING IN SPAIN Contrary to the popular belief, social services do exist in Spain and are run

in practically the same way as England. Unfortunately, many of the problems lay in the fact that so many Expats don’t speak Spanish and rely on inaccurate information given by other non-Spanish speaking Expats. Social Services are run by the (Ayuntamiento) Town Halls and as such, all are slightly different in the services or time they offer, but as a rule the following list applies. All services are either free or subsidised, and meanstested on Pension income only. ExPats who are of State Retirement Age in the UK, and who are properly registered on the Padron and with Spanish Residency can, dependent on circumstances, claim the following: • Personal hygiene care • Home Maintenance Care • Emergency Telephone (run by Red Cross) • Subsidised holiday within Spain • Care allowance benefit • Meals on Wheals • Day care centre placements (means-tested on total income) • Nursing Home Placements (means-tested on total income) • Very low income subsidy (means-tested on total income) These are Benefits that an ExPat can, dependent on circumstances, claim from the English State, provided that they are

in receipt of a UK pension: • Attendance Allowance (Not means tested) • Carers Allowance (can only be claimed once A- Allowance has been awarded) • Disability Living Allowance (care Component only) • Bereavement Benefits • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit • Contribution-based Incapacity Benefit/ Employment Support Allowance • Your right to register with a Salud and receive free prescriptions and medical attention having applied for you S1 form from the DWP

The following lists are typical Services offered from the private sector, to assist an elderly or disabled person retain their independence, or help with their situation: • Employed Live in/out carer • Employed Live in/out house keeper • Respite care • Cleaner • Gardener • Nursing homes (which also provide holiday care cover should your regular carer be going away) • Day care centre (with or without transport included) • Dog walker • Home nursing care companies • Home care companies

• Clinics and GP practices • Hospitals • Personal shoppers • Frozen meal delivery • Bathing/Showering care service • Companion The above details are not comprehensive, but are intended to give you an idea of what is available, so that you can make the choices to suit your needs, budget and personal preference. In the next article I will give information on the types Nursing Homes and Semi-Dependent living facilities that are available.

HELP Association of Vega Baja: Friends Unlimited care provision FRIENDS UNLIMITED meets every Thursday between 14.00 and 16.00 at the The Club, Calle Toledo, Ciudad Quesada, Rojales (adjacent to Quesada Bowls Club). No membership is necessary and a warm welcome is guaranteed for long terms residents of Spain and also newcomers. JANUARY 13th Sharon with fitness for life: THE CLUB JANUARY 20th Chuck’s “In-house Quiz”: THE CLUB JANUARY 27th Menu del dia €11 ** CASA HARRY - San Felipe Neri FEBRUARY 3rd Paul Mutter Life of a Journalist working in Spain: THE CLUB FEBRUARY 10th COACH TRIP €12 **RICOTE VALLEY REVISITED FEBRUARY 17th SOS Insurance Updates and news Tracey Stackhouse: THE CLUB

Lions Christmas Consultus Care and Nursing Limited fund raising Wanted urgently

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

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

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

s.field@consultuscare.com

www.consultuscare.com

Leaders in live-in home care

THE TORREVIEJA Costa Lions have been busy with both fund raising and distribution of Christmas food and presents. The Lions raised over €1,000 with bottle and basket raffles throughout the area and the public were very supportive at the Christmas Day event on La Zenia beach, with the JB Brass band playing carols to the huge crowd. Lion Diane Walsh presented Carmen Redondo Perez of Almoradi Caritas with children’s toys as part of the Lions continuing efforts in support of disadvantaged children.The Torrevieja Costa Lions will continue fund raising for children in 2011.

FEBRUARY 24th Menu del dia €11 ** EL DORADO, Benijofar ** Booking and payment required in advance HELP Vega Baja is a registered charity with offices in Torrevieja and San Miguel de Salinas, providing year round help to anyone in need. A wide spectrum of local advice is provided and a large stock of Orthopaedic equipment is available for hire at a reasonable price. Calle Lope de Vega 46, San Miguel de Salinas, 03193 Alicante Tel: 966 723 733 Opening Hours: 10:00 to 13:30 Monday to Fridays. Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4, Torrevieja, 03181 Alicante. Tel: 965 704 282. Opening Hours: 10:00 to 13:30 Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Email: office@helpvegabaja.com: www.helpvegabaja.com

- 13 january 2011 15-217 JANUARY 2010

Win a detox retreat with The Kamala Centre and RTN RTN HAS teamed up with The Kamala Centre to offer one lucky reader and a friend or partner to experience a fantastic FREE 2 day Detox retreat and start the New Year feeling refreshed, re-energised and a few pounds lighter. All you have to do is email your name and age and a reason why you should be chosen in 20 words or less to Dawn, the RTN Editor at rtnmail@roundtownnews.com by Monday noon. The lucky winner will get 2 places on the upcoming Detox weekend and will to be available to attend from Friday 14th January and stay until Sunday 16th January. All food, refreshments, accommodation and treatment is provided. (Transport

to the venue is not included.) The only condition is that the lucky winner has to write a review of their experience (about 500 words) and send in some photos to be published in the RTN in an upcoming issue. So you will get to see your own words in print, too! Carol & Andy West from The Kamala Centre explain…”The purpose of the Detox weekend is to offer a place to relax. The retreat is set in the Costa Blanca countryside and our guests will be able to join yoga and fitness classes as well as have plenty of time for rest and relaxation. The retreat will also offer colon hydrotherapy treatments, massage, alternative therapies and beauty treatments, so you will come away not only

Detox in the sun

The Pint Depot – first supporter of PCN in 2011!

A QUICK call late December from The Pint Depot revealed that they would be the very first supporters of Paul Cunningham Nurses in 2011. New Year’s Day and The Pint Depot had a – ‘Dip and Dive’ on La Zenia beach! Everyone paid €5 for the privilege of getting completely submerged in the sea at La Zenia Beach! Their ‘reward’ was food and drink supplied by The Pint Depot and all of the money raised is to be donated to Paul Cunningham Nurses. Jennifer Cunningham went along to join in the fun and meet Dave the organiser; sadly as it was a last minute visit she did not have

the necessary costume and towel with her! The Pint Depot, along with a whole host of bars and restaurants, many of them Irish like the Pint Depot, has supported Paul Cunningham Nurses throughout 2010 and for this we are very grateful. The year 2011 will see a renewed effort in Going Green (appropriate for Ireland!) and the collecting of old mobile ‘phones for PCN. The Pint Depot in El Galan will have a bucket from 1st January to collect any old broken or unused mobile ‘phones. The Gold Centre in Quesada have pledged to give the recycle value for any old mobile telephone

that PCN give them and even if it is very old and listed as worth nothing – they will still give 50c for ANY ‘phone. So dig deep in your drawers and please take your unwanted mobiles to The Pint Depot as PCN goes Green in 2011. And talking of GREEN – June will bring a fantastic golf competition at Las Colinas so if you are interested in a 4 Ball Open Day at this fabulous course please contact Susan Reader at sueinthesun@terra.es or text 629 869 959 for more details – meanwhile let Paul Cunningham Nurses be one of the first to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2011!

The relaxing pool

feeling totally relaxed and refreshed but looking as if you have just visited a spa.” “This is an opportunity to take part in a detox program in a safe and supervised environment; those that want to lose weight will be able to do so in a fun an easy way. Similar retreats in the past have seen losses of around 7-10lbs in a weekend. At the retreat we give you an environment that takes away the temptations and helps you to take time to relax and re-educate your body. Anyone can attend, although you should notify us of any pre-existing health conditions, so that we can take these into account.” So if you want to start your 2011 with a bang, and kick-start your weight loss regime or simply refresh your system, what are you waiting for? Email our RTN Editor Dawn today and enter. Two people will be there…and (with better odds than the National Lottery or El Gordo!) it could be YOU!

The shaded terrace area

tv Friday 07 - 13 January 2011

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Wanted Down Under 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Saints and Scroungers 12:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Deadly 60 16:35 Me and My Monsters 17:00 Tracy Beaker Returns 17:30 Horrible Histories 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 Celebrity Mastermind 20:30 A Question of Sport 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 QI 22:00 Hustle 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Graham Norton Show 24:20 National Lottery Friday Night Draws

08:00 Childrens TV 08:45 Eliot Kid 09:00 Mission: 2110 09:30 LazyTown 09:55 Numberjacks 10:10 Koala Brothers 10:25 Sesame Tree 10:40 Big & Small 10:55 Guess with Jess 11:05 Postman Pat 11:20 Pingu 11:25 64 Zoo Lane 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Animal Park 13:30 Darts: BDO World Championships 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 21:00 Mastermind 21:30 Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein 22:00 Sinking of the Laconia 23:30 Newsnight 24:05 Darts: BDO World Championships

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 A Touch of Frost 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Doc Martin 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Children’s Hospital 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Penn & Teller: Fool Us 23:30 ITV News 24:00 Granada News 24:05 Take Me Out

08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:55 Frasier 09:20 Friends 09:50 Friends 10:25 Famous and Fearless 12:00 Glee 12:55 Wedding House 14:00 3 Minute Wonder: Frieze 14:05 Lassie 15:55 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 16:25 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 16:55 Deal or No Deal 17:55 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 18:30 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:25 4thought.tv 20:30 Love, Virtually 21:00 Famous and Fearless 23:00 Rude Tube 2011

Crescendo Concert

CRESCENDO INTERNATIONAL Choir gave their annual Christmas concert at the Iglesia Santa Maria del Mar at la Zenia, raising money for the new church building fund. There was a good selection of favourites from the choir alternated by Christmas carols sung partly in English and partly in Spanish by the whole congregation. Chas Smith, the choir’s Musical Director, made sure that everyone present sang their best and the choirs’ accompanist Sue Trick worked the hardest of all, helped by Pauline Ford who turns the pages and keeps the music in order.

08:00 Childrens TV 09:40 Hana’s Helpline 09:50 The WotWots 10:05 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 K-9 10:50 Animal Rescue Squad 11:10 Polar Bear Adventures with Nigel Marven 12:10 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:05 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14:05 Five News 14:10 Lucy 16:10 Elevator Girl 18:00 Five News 18:30 Monkey Life 19:00 Cowboy Builders 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 Michaela’s Zoo Babies 21:00 Titanic: The True Story 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:55 NCIS 24:55 Cops in Crisis

06:10 Are You Smarter Than a 10 Year Old? 07:00 Brainiac: Science Abuse 08:00 X-Weighted 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11:00 UK Border Force 12:00 The Filth Files 12:30 The Real A&E 13:00 Project Runway 14:00 X-Weighted 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Best of Oops TV 18:00 WWE Superstars 19:00 Raising Hope 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Futurama 21:30 Futurama 22:00 A League of Their Own: Best Bits 23:00 Got to Dance 24:00 Got to Dance

08:30 Dakar Rally 09:00 Biathlon 10:15 Ski Jumping 11:15 Dakar Rally 11:45 Live Alpine Skiing 13:00 Biathlon 14:15 Ski Jumping 15:15 Biathlon 16:15 Biathlon 17:30 Live Biathlon 18:45 Ski Jumping 20:15 Live Dakar Rally 20:45 Biathlon 21:45 Freestyle Skiing 23:00 Dakar Rally 23:30 Freeride Spirit Show 23:45 International Football

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:30 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 09:55 Celebs 24/7 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Four Weddings 12:00 CSI: Miami 12:55 Celebs 24/7 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 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 Bones 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 24:00 Criminal Minds

Sherlock or Downton? The TV Round Up by

Alex Trelinski

Broadcaster and freelance journalist

A VERY Happy New Year to you, as we are into one of the best viewing months of the year. That’s when many of the top American shows start their UK screenings, and the British broadcasters get their act together as well. But what about 2010 on the box? I’m totally torn over my favourite new drama of the year between ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Sherlock’. ‘Sherlock’ came as a blessed relief after a simply dreadful summer of tedious trash, as suddenly at the start of August we got this barnstorming three-parter starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. It also meant a brilliant year for the show’s creator Steven Moffat, who also took over running Dr.Who, which introduced us to the fantastic Matt Smith.

‘Downton Abbey’ was a wonderful ensemble piece that gave ITV its biggest drama hit in years. Besides the faultless production and the wonderful acting, including Maggie Smith’s priceless interfering old bag routine, the real shock was that ITV had come up with something like this. The commercial network had become synonymous for producing down-market rubbish and not taking a risk. Hopefully the success of ‘Downton’ will encourage them in a more positive direction. Other plaudits go for a well-executed tram crash week for Coronation Street’s fiftieth birthday; an enjoyable Xmas return for ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ on the BBC; and an excellent final series of ‘Ashes to Ashes’, which gave us all the answers in a neat final episode, as Gene Hunt was revealed to be Mr.Nice Guy in a police version of purgatory. It says something for the state of comedy on TV that some of the best laughs of the year came very late on, namely with the return of the Royle Family on Xmas Day (absolutely on top form), and a Ronnie Corbett special earlier that

day, both on BBC1. 2010 had an excellent second series of ‘Amanda’, and I thought the new hour-long format for ‘Benidorm’ worked well, though the Xmas special was a real turkey which has me very worried about the forthcoming new series. Stephen K Amos and Frankie Boyle had awful solo debut shows with dreadful sketches, whilst BBC2 had a whole parade of duds like the unfunny sitcom with Dawn French and Alfred Molina; or the irritating Simon Amstell in ‘Grandma’s House‘, or the new clerical comedy Rev. ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, ‘Dancing on Ice’, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, and ’The X Factor’ all maintained their great success, whilst we hardly noticed the end of ‘Big Brother’ which after ten years had long gone past its sell-by date. Meanwhile ‘The One Show’ had more presenter changes than I’ve had hot dinners. Despite all that, its ratings continued to be high, giving finance conscious TV bosses plenty to think about for 2011. Namely, it’s the quality of programmes that we are interested in, rather than overpaid presenters! Not that I’m jealous of course.

Torrevieja Computer Club AFTER THE festivities Members of the Club are ready to begin the winter term and will meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. The first meeting in the New Year starts on Wednesday 12th January.. Club Meetings are held at the Rocajuna Bar / Restaurant, Urb. Los Barcos, Punta Prima, Torrevieja, and commence at 19.00, with activities continuing until 20.30. More information can be obtained by contacting 966 700 041 and 966 786 281, or by visiting www. torreviejacomputerclub.com

tv Saturday 06:00 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers 13:00 BBC News; Regional News 13:15 Football Focus 14:00 Live Athletics 15:30 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 17:30 Final Score 18:10 BBC News; Regional News 18:30 The Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson 19:00 All New Total Wipeout 20:00 The Magicians 21:00 The National Lottery: In It to Win It 21:50 Casualty 22:40 Come Fly with Me 23:10 BBC News 23:30 National Treasure: Book of Secrets

08:00 Childrens TV 08:30 Arthur 08:55 Leon 09:00 Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab 09:30 Deadly 60 10:00 Dick & Dom’s Funny Business 11:00 Trapped Ever After 11:30 OOglies 11:45 The Slammer 12:15 Growing Up in a War Zone: A Newsround Special 12:45 MOTD Kickabout 13:00 The Sky at Night 13:20 Murder, She Wrote 14:05 Racing from Chepstow 15:35 Gigi 17:30 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 19:30 Bear Family and Me 20:30 Sinking of the Laconia: Survivors’ Stories 21:00 Shooting the Hollywood Stars 22:00 QI XL 22:45 The Kite Runner 24:45 Three Men Go to Scotland

07 - 13 January 2011

23:30 FA Cup Highlights

08:00 GT Academy 08:25 Freesports on 4 08:55 The Morning Line 09:50 Live and Lost 10:05 Friends 10:40 Friends 11:15 The Green Hornet: T4 Movie Special 11:50 Famous and Fearless 13:55 The Big Bang Theory 14:25 The Big Bang Theory 14:55 Channel 4 Racing 17:05 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 17:35 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 18:05 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 18:40 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 19:10 Channel 4 News 19:35 4thought.tv 19:40 Iron Man 22:00 Derren Brown: Behind the Mischief 23:00 Derren Brown: Viewers’ Choice 24:10 Derren Brown: Enigma

08:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Little Princess 09:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:30 Play! 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Olivia 10:15 The Mr Men Show 10:30 The Milkshake! Show 11:00 K-9 11:35 Great Run Review 2010 12:35 Demolition: The Super Stadium 13:35 Goering’s Last Secret: Revealed 14:35 The Searchers 16:50 The Naked Spur 18:45 Brannigan 20:40 Five News 20:45 NCIS 21:45 CSI: Miami 22:40 CSI: NY 23:40 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 24:35 Forensic Files

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:25 Toonattik 10:25 Crocodile Hunter Diaries 10:55 FA Cup Highlights 12:25 ITV News 12:30 This Morning: Sunday 13:30 You’ve Been Framed! 14:00 Live FA Cup Football 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:30 Harry Hill’s the Best of TV Burp 19:00 Granada News 19:15 ITV News 19:30 Dancing on Ice 21:30 Wild at Heart 22:30 Dancing on Ice: The Skate Off 23:15 That Sunday Night Show 23:45 ITV News 24:00 FA Cup Highlights

07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Great Swim Series 08:55 Live and Lost 09:05 Friends 09:30 Friends 10:00 Hollyoaks 12:35 4Music Meets Glee 13:45 The Simpsons 14:20 The Simpsons 14:50 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 15:20 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 15:55 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 16:25 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 17:00 Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals 17:30 Deal or No Deal 18:35 Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging 20:30 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Dispatches: The Battle for Haiti 22:00 Run Fatboy Run 23:55 Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2010

08:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Little Princess 09:10 Castle Farm 09:15 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:35 Family! 09:40 Rupert Bear 09:55 Olivia 10:15 The Mr Men Show 10:30 The Milkshake! Show 11:00 K-9 11:35 The Andre Rieu Story 12:00 How Do They Do It? 12:30 There’s a Rhino in My House! 13:30 Titanic: The True Story 14:30 Mary Higgins Clark’s Remember Me 16:25 The Princess Bride 18:15 Five News 18:20 Dr Dolittle 2 20:05 Charlie’s Angels 22:00 The Long Kiss Goodnight 24:20 Until Death

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 The Fluffy Club 08:25 Toonattik 10:25 Coronation Street 12:45 This Morning: Saturday 13:15 ITV News 13:20 Live FA Cup Football 15:50 Athletes Do the Funniest Things 16:35 Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace 19:05 Granada News 19:15 ITV News 19:30 Harry Hill’s the Best of TV Burp 20:00 Primeval 21:00 Take Me Out 22:15 Piers Morgan’s Life Stories: Cheryl Cole 23:15 ITV News

08:00 Vet Adventures 09:00 Guinness World Records Smashed! 10:00 Oops TV 11:00 Soccer AM 13:00 Oops TV 14:00 UK Border Force 15:00 My Pet Shame 16:00 The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines 17:50 Futurama: Welcome to the World of Tomorrow 18:00 Futurama 18:30 Futurama 19:00 The Middle 19:30 The Middle 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Futurama 21:30 Futurama 22:00 UK Border Force 23:00 Road Wars 24:00 Road Wars

08:30 Dakar Rally 09:00 Biathlon 10:00 Live Nordic Combined Skiing 10:45 Alpine Skiing 12:00 Live Alpine Skiing 12:45 Live CrossCountry Skiing 13:30 Live Alpine Skiing 14:15 Live Nordic Combined Skiing 15:15 Live CrossCountry Skiing 16:00 Live Ski Jumping 17:45 Live Biathlon 18:55 Wintersports Weekend 19:00 ATP Tennis 20:15 Alpine Skiing 21:30 ATP Tennis 23:00 Dakar Rally 23:30 Football

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:30 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 09:50 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Four Weddings US 11:00 Four Weddings US 12:00 America’s Next Top Model 13:00 The Biggest Loser US 14:50 Celebs 24/7 15:00 Half Ton Teen 16:00 Nothing to Declare 16:30 Nothing to Declare 17:00 Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey 18:50 Celebs 24/7 19:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

Derren Brown: Behind the Mischief Channel 4, 22.00

tv Sunday 07:00 Breakfast 10:00 Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Big Questions 12:00 Country Tracks 13:00 BBC News 13:05 Escape to the Country 14:05 Bargain Hunt Famous Finds 14:35 EastEnders 16:30 Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice 17:30 Songs of Praise 18:05 BBC News; Regional News 18:30 Jimmy’s Food Factory 19:00 Antiques Roadshow 20:00 Countryfile 21:00 Lark Rise to Candleford 22:00 Zen 23:30 BBC News; Regional News 23:55 Gavin & Stacey 24:25 Serendipity

08:00 Basil and Barney’s Game Show 08:30 Arthur 08:55 Leon 09:00 Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab 09:30 Deadly 60 10:00 Barney’s Latin America 10:30 Roar 11:00 Something for the Weekend 12:30 A Distant Trumpet 14:25 Live Snooker: The Masters 18:00 Ski Sunday 18:45 Live Darts: BDO World Championships 21:00 Coast 22:00 Arctic with Bruce Parry 23:00 The Men Who Stare at Goats 24:30 Three Men Go to Scotland

08:00 Vet Adventures 09:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 10:00 Road Wars 11:00 WWE Superstars 12:00 WWE: Experience 13:00 The Real A&E 14:00 The Middle 14:30 The Middle 15:00 The Middle 15:30 Raising Hope 16:00 Raising Hope 16:30 The Simpsons 17:00 The Simpsons 17:30 The Simpsons 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 Got to Dance 20:00 Got to Dance 21:00 Raising Hope 21:30 Raising Hope

08:30 Dakar Rally 09:00 Ski Jumping 10:00 Live Nordic Combined Skiing 10:45 Alpine Skiing 11:30 Live Alpine Skiing 12:45 Live CrossCountry Skiing 13:15 Nordic Combined Skiing 13:45 Live Ski Jumping 15:30 Live Biathlon 16:15 Live Snooker: The Masters 17:30 Cross-Country Skiing 18:15 Live Biathlon 18:55 Wintersports Weekend 19:00 Alpine Skiing 20:00 Cross-Country Skiing 20:45 Live Dakar Rally 21:15 Live Snooker: The Masters 23:00 Dakar Rally 23:30 Ski Jumping 24:30 Biathlon

Charlie’s Angels

22:00 My Cousin Vinny

five,

24:20 House

20.05

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:30 Jerry Springer Show 09:00 Maury 09:50 Celebs 24/7 10:00 Four Weddings US 11:00 Four Weddings US 12:00 Half Ton Teen 13:00 Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey 14:50 Celebs 24/7 15:00 Nothing to Declare 15:30 Nothing to Declare 16:00 Home Alone 18:00 America’s Next Top Model 19:00 Fat Families 20:00 Celebrity Four Weddings 21:00 Criminal Minds 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 CSI: Miami 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Monday

48 34

07 - 13 January Feb 262011 - March 4 2010

08:00 X-Weighted 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11:00 Cold Case 12:00 The Filth Files 12:30 The Real A&E 13:00 Project Runway 14:00 X-Weighted 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Stargate SG-1 18:00 Futurama 18:30 Sky Sports in Afghanistan 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Road Wars 22:00 Dream Lives for Sale 23:00 Mental 24:00 Inside: Gangs Behind Bars

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Wanted Down Under 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Saints and Scroungers 12:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Deadly 60 16:35 Me and My Monsters 17:00 Big Performance 17:30 Gold Badges 2011: Blue Peter Special 17:50 Shaun the Sheep 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Inside Out 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Too Much Too Young: Panorama 22:00 Silent Witness 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 A Question of Sport 24:05 Graham Norton Show 24:50 Under the Mud

08:00 Childrens TV 10:10 Koala Brothers 10:25 Sesame Tree 10:40 Big & Small 10:55 Guess with Jess 11:05 Postman Pat 11:20 Pingu 11:25 64 Zoo Lane 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Animal Park 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Ready Steady Cook 14:25 Coast 14:30 Live Snooker: The Masters 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Live Snooker: The Masters 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Baking Made Easy 22:00 Horizon: What Is One Degree? 23:00 Episodes 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Snooker: The Masters

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Doc Martin 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Lakes 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 The Biggest Loser 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 The Zoo 24:35 That Sunday Night Show

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 Three Coins in the Fountain 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Three in a Bed 13:30 Come Dine with Me Down Under 14:05 Come Dine with Me Down Under 14:35 Come Dine with Me Down Under 15:05 Come Dine with Me Down Under 15:40 Come Dine with Me Down Under 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Celebrity Five Go To 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Celebrity Come Dine with Me 22:00 One Born Every Minute 23:00 Shameless 24:05 Britain’s Fattest Man

08:10 Childrens TV 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:00 The Vanessa Show 12:45 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:40 Five News 13:45 Emergency Bikers 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:10 Plague City: Sars in Toronto 18:00 Five News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Monkey Life 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 How Do They Do It? 21:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks, Trailers and Tinsel 22:00 Payback 24:05 Vampires: los Muertos

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Wanted Down Under 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Saints and Scroungers 12:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Deadly 60 16:35 Me and My Monsters 17:00 My Almost Famous Family 17:30 Olympic Countdown: Blue Peter Special 17:55 Shaun the Sheep 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Silent Witness 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Motorway Cops 24:35 The Big Man

08:00 Childrens TV 09:30 LazyTown 09:55 Numberjacks 10:10 Koala Brothers 10:25 Sesame Tree 10:40 Big & Small 10:55 Guess with Jess 11:05 Postman Pat 11:20 Pingu 11:25 64 Zoo Lane 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Animal Park 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Ready Steady Cook 14:25 Coast 14:30 Live Snooker: The Masters 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Live Snooker: The Masters 20:30 Match of the Day Live 23:00 Have I Got Old News for You 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Snooker: The Masters

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Doc Martin 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Grimefighters 21:00 Secret Mediterranean with Trevor McDonald 22:00 Taggart 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Children of Men

07:45 The Hoobs 08:10 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 According to Jim 10:05 Supernanny USA 11:00 Love Is a ManySplendored Thing 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Three in a Bed 13:30 Come Dine with Me Down Under 14:05 Come Dine with Me Down Under 14:35 Come Dine with Me Down Under 15:05 Come Dine with Me Down Under 15:40 Come Dine with Me Down Under 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Celebrity Five Go To 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 The Secret Millionaire Changed My Life 22:00 Hugh’s Fish Fight 23:00 Shameless 24:10 The Big Bang Theory

08:10 Childrens TV 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 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:40 Five News 13:45 Emergency Bikers 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:05 I Do (but I Don’t) 18:00 Five News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Monkey Life 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 Zoo Days 21:00 Jack the Ripper - The Definitive Story 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 CSI: Miami 23:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 24:55 True CSI

08:00 X-Weighted

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Wanted Down Under 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Saints and Scroungers 12:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Deadly 60 16:35 Me and My Monsters 17:00 Little Howard’s Big Question 17:30 MI High 17:55 Newsround 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Rip Off Britain 21:10 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 The National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 23:45 Film 2011 with Claudia Winkleman 24:25 League Cup Show

08:00 Childrens TV 09:00 Mission: 2110 09:30 LazyTown 09:55 Numberjacks 10:10 Koala Brothers 10:25 Sesame Tree 10:40 Big & Small 10:55 Guess with Jess 11:05 Postman Pat 11:20 Pingu 11:25 64 Zoo Lane 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 See Hear 14:30 Live Snooker: The Masters 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Live Snooker: The Masters 21:00 Michel Roux’s Service 22:00 Edwardian Farm 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Snooker: The Masters

06:30 ITV Morning News

07:50 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:45 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:10 Frasier 09:40 According to Jim 10:10 Supernanny USA 11:00 Doctor in Distress 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Three in a Bed 13:35 Come Dine with Me Down Under 14:05 Come Dine with Me Down Under 14:35 Come Dine with Me Down Under 15:05 Come Dine with Me Down Under 15:40 Come Dine with Me Down Under 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Celebrity Five Go To 18:55 Jamie’s Fish Supper 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Arthur’s Hell on High Water 21:55 Jamie’s Fish Supper 22:00 Hugh’s Fish Fight 23:00 Shameless 24:10 Teenage Paparazzo

08:10 Childrens TV 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 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:40 Five News 13:45 Emergency Bikers 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:10 Murder 101 18:00 Five News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Monkey Life 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 How Do They Do It? 21:00 Battle of Britain: The Lost Evidence 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 23:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 24:55 Poker

08:00 X-Weighted 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11:00 Cold Case 12:00 The Real A&E 13:00 Project Runway 14:00 X-Weighted 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Cold Case 18:00 Futurama 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Dream Lives for Sale 22:00 Louie Spence’s Showbusiness 23:00 Raising Hope 23:30 Raising Hope 24:00 Lie to Me Runway

tv Tuesday

tv Wednesday 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 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Doc Martin 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 The Unforgettable Pat Phoenix 21:00 Midsomer Murders 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Constantine

08:35 Dakar Rally 09:00 Snooker: The Masters 11:00 Dakar Rally 11:30 Ski Jumping 12:30 Biathlon 13:00 Biathlon 13:30 Alpine Skiing 14:30 Live Snooker: The Masters 17:30 Snooker: The Masters 18:50 Eurogoals Flash 19:00 Live FIFA Ballon D’Or 2010 20:15 Live Dakar Rally 20:45 Ski Jumping 21:45 FIFA Ballon D’Or 2010 22:30 Dakar Rally 23:00 Snooker: The Masters

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 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 Teens That Tie the Knot 24:00 Criminal Minds

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

09:00 Oops TV 10:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA 11:00 Cold Case 12:00 The Filth Files 12:30 The Real A&E 13:00 Project Runway 14:00 X-Weighted 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Cold Case 18:00 Futurama 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Got to Dance 22:00 Got to Dance 23:00 Lie to Me 24:00 Mental

08:35 Dakar Rally 09:00 WTA Tennis 11:35 Dakar Rally 12:00 Football 13:15 Snooker: The Masters 14:30 Live Snooker: The Masters 17:30 Live Alpine Skiing 18:15 Ski Jumping 19:00 Olympic Magazine 19:05 WTA Tennis 20:15 Live Dakar Rally 20:45 Alpine Skiing 21:15 Live Snooker: The Masters 23:00 Freeride Spirit Show 23:15 Dakar Rally 23:45 Football 24:50 Dakar Rally

Grimefighters ITV 1 20.30

08:45 Freeride Spirit Show 09:00 Dakar Rally 09:30 Live WTA Tennis 13:15 Alpine Skiing 14:00 Live Biathlon 16:00 Live Snooker: The Masters 18:00 Snooker: The Masters 19:00 Biathlon 20:15 Live Dakar Rally 20:45 Live Snooker: The Masters 23:00 Dakar Rally 23:30 Biathlon

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom BBC1, 21.10

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 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 Fat Families 22:00 Half Ton Teen 23:00 Old Enough to Be His Mother 24:00 Criminal Minds

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 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 Half Ton Teen 22:00 Bones 23:00 Grey’s Anatomy 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Thursday 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Wanted Down Under 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Saints and Scroungers 12:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16:00 BBC News 16:05 Deadly 60 16:35 Me and My Monsters 17:00 Copycats 17:30 Horrible Histories 18:00 Newsround 18:15 Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Human Planet 22:00 Come Fly with Me 22:30 Not Going Out 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Question Time 24:35 This Week

08:00 Childrens TV 08:45 Eliot Kid 09:00 Mission: 2110 09:30 LazyTown 09:55 Numberjacks 10:10 Koala Brothers 10:25 Sesame Tree 10:40 Big & Small 10:55 Guess with Jess 11:05 Postman Pat 11:20 Pingu 11:25 64 Zoo Lane 11:40 Waybuloo 12:00 In the Night Garden 12:30 Animal Park 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Ready Steady Cook 14:25 Coast 14:30 Live Snooker: The Masters 18:15 Antiques Road Trip 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Railway Journeys 20:00 Live Snooker: The Masters 21:00 Michel Roux’s Service 22:00 Men of Rock 23:00 The Great Outdoors 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Snooker: The Masters

07 - 13 January 2011

08:00 Freshly Squeezed 08:55 Frasier 09:25 Frasier 09:50 According to Jim 10:20 Supernanny USA 11:15 Genevieve 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Three in a Bed 13:35 Come Dine with Me Down Under 14:05 Come Dine with Me Down Under 14:35 Come Dine with Me Down Under 15:05 Come Dine with Me Down Under 15:40 Come Dine with Me Down Under 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 17:55 Jamie’s Fish Supper 18:00 Celebrity Five Go To 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Relocation, Relocation 21:55 Jamie’s Fish Supper 22:00 Hugh’s Fish Fight 22:55 Jamie’s Fish Supper 23:00 Shameless 24:10 Hot Shots!

06:30 ITV Morning News 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News 14:55 Granada News 15:00 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Doc Martin 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Can You Keep a Secret?: Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Kidnap and Ransom 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Odd One In 24:20 Send in the Dogs

08:10 Childrens TV 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 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 13:40 Five News 13:45 Emergency Bikers 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:05 Trust 18:00 Five News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Monkey Life 19:25 Live from Studio Five 20:00 Five News at 7 20:30 Monkey Life 21:00 Ripped from the Cockpit: BA Flight of Terror 22:00 The Bone Collector 24:25 Forensic Files 24:55 Cops in Crisis

08:00 X-Weighted

08:35 Dakar Rally

09:00 Oops TV

09:00 Biathlon

10:00 It’s Me or the Dog USA

10:15 WTA Tennis

11:00 Cold Case

12:15 Football

12:00 The Real A&E

13:15 Biathlon

12:30 The Real A&E

14:15 Live Biathlon

13:00 Project Runway

16:00 Live Snooker:

14:00 X-Weighted 15:00 Stargate SG-1 16:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Cold Case 18:00 Futurama 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Oops TV 19:30 The Simpsons 20:00 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons

The Masters 17:30 WTA Tennis 19:00 Biathlon 20:15 Live Dakar Rally 20:45 Live Snooker: The Masters 23:00 Dakar Rally 23:30 Biathlon 24:30 Football

08:00 Jerry Springer Show 08:30 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 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 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

Suduko Answer

21:00 House 22:00 My Cousin Vinny 24:20 Ross Kemp on Gangs

CROSSWORD ANSWERS 584 CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS Across: Across: 1 Starboard; 8 Odd; 9 Come to light; 11 Deluded; 12 Often; 13 Medusa; 15 Delete; 17 Cache; 18 Tear out; 20 Ill-disposed; 22 Coo; 23 Retreated. Down: 2 Too; 3 Bated; 4 Allude; 5 Dog-rose; 6 Go to the dogs; 7 Adornment; 10 Malediction; 11 Democracy; 14 Stellar; 16 Strict; 19 Apple; 21 Eve. QUICK SOLUTIONS Across: 1 Energetic; 8 Awe; 9 Teetotaller; 11 Precede; 12 Extra; 13 August; 15 Stroke; 17 Miner; 18 Parapet; 20 Intercourse; 22 Ire; 23 Hollyhock. Down: 2 Nee; 3 Grove; 4 Trader; 5 Collect; 6 Paratrooper; 7 Permanent; 10 Emergencies; 11 Pragmatic; 14 Stretch; 16 Spiral; 19 Roomy; 21 Sec. Word Wheel: TAUTOLOGY

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78-14 - 13 january 20112010 JANUARY

New Year Resolutions by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Practical gardeners and authors

perennials and shrubs as cuttings from which to propagate inexpensive new plants. This can be done even if you only have a few containers of plants on an apartment balcony or terrace. If you have never done this before section 4.9 of the book Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style explains with illustrations

WITH THE festive season over it is time for New Year gardening resolutions. We suggest the following as possibilities especially with another tough economic year ahead. 1. Start a compost heap by shredding as much of the prunings and weeds from the winter cutback starting next weekend. 2. Use as many prunings of succulents,

We now produce hundreds of early winter plants

Start to involve children

The winter cutback starts next weekend

in growing ecological vegetables in plastic boxes or raised beds. 4. Add a few more permanent benches and seats around the garden. The former can soon be knocked up by a handyman. 5. Turn a bare patch into a spring annual display by scattering mixed seeds around in March or April and racking over the soil. 6. Buy good quality tools to reduce the chance of sprains and strains. We now use Fiskars ecological pruners; they are especially

how to start off root, stem, side shoot, leaf and aerial cuttings. If you grow too many new plants for your own use they can make good gifts for friends or a gardening club or charity bring and buy sale. Our autumn/early winter flowering pineapple and velvet sage plants started off that way. We now produce a hundred or so plants each year for others. 3. Start to involve children and grandchildren

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 Januray 2011.

appreciated during the long days of the winter cutback. 7. Decide to use only ecological products in the garden or on the apartment terraces and balconies this year. Luckily, ‘Flower’ is launching its own neem insecticide product and Neudorff is extending its range of products and distributors. Hope you appreciate the colourful column to launch another gardening year.

7 - 13 january 2011 8-14 JANUARY 2010

Discover the Costa Blanca

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

Albocera

IT COMES to something when you’re trying to describe a place and the best thing you can think of is, “Well the stones on the church steps are laid out in a pretty pattern.” That’s about it for Albocera, I’m afraid. Someone was practising scales on a xirimita, the Valencian wind instrument that sounds wonderful in the hands of an expert but like a cat with its nuptials caught in a vice when in the hands of a learner, while I stood in front of the church, the Iglesia de la Asunción, admiring the stones. Apart from

The church steps

that and a few pigeons cooing and the rustle of papers blowing across the square, all was silent. I was in a forgiving mood, though, because I’d just driven from Morella where it was freezing and the drop from Ares de Maestre, at 1,137 metres, plus the evening sun breaking through the heavy grey cloud that had hung over me all day had warmed the cockles a bit. In the square which bore no name but housed both the Town Hall and the church so could equally correctly be called Plaza de Ayuntamiento or Plaza de la Iglesia, I saw something completely inexplicable – at least to me. There was a very nice mock Victorian street lamp fixed to a wall covered by a tin shield. At first sight I imagined that it must be a bin put there by some of the village lads by way of a jape, but when I looked around, all of them were like that: very strange. I took a walk to the Calvario in the hope that I might find something interesting. It might have been the most interesting in Spain, but I’ll never know because the gates were well and truly fastened with a big padlock and chain. I did learn, though, that it was built between the 18th and 19th Centuries and inside is an image of Christ on the cross with at his feet the three Maries and San Juan Evangelista. All this from a stick-on information panel fixed to the gate pillar. I also saw a nice little cuco, the small round stone houses that farmers used to use in the fields for storage and, in this case, with a

Albocera washing woman

curved pole sticking out the roof that would be attached to a donkey who would walk round and round the building pumping the water up from the well inside. There are some very nice houses, even a strange sort of castle keep place, which I thought may be part of something bigger but turned out to be another house. There are some nice arches, a few decent Modernista buildings, a few little cobbled alleyways, a tiny Gothic chapel, closed, as ever, and there’s even the novelty of a bench set in the dried up river bed, so Lord alone knows where the pensioners sit if there’s ever a flood. Anywhere I saw anything that had even a semblance of history the stick-on information sheet had been torn off, leaving the odd corner still fixed to the backing board. I assumed that the anti-history vandals

couldn’t be bothered to walk all the way to the Calvario otherwise I’d not have found so much enthralling information. Desperate for something to write about I went into the old village washhouse (info sheet missing) and for the first time in Spain found someone actually using it. I was so pleased that I stayed and chatted with the lady for a while and she said it was by far the best place to wash clothes when they were very dirty. Personally, I prefer the Zanussi. When I returned to the square to collect my car dusk was just settling and the lights on the church front were beginning to glow. It occurred to me that the bins over the street lamps were to diffuse their light. I’ve got one right outside my flat in Valencia, but I’d rather have the glow of a halogen lamp filling the room that look out on a dustbin!

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.

Parsnip

Pep

4oz of Fennel 7oz of Parsnips 1 Apple 1 Pear A small handful of Parsley Crushed ice (makes 2 glasses)

ALTHOUGH PARSNIP only produces a small amount of juice, the juice it does produce is amazingly thick, sweet and creamy. It is perfect for adding body to a juice. This mixes the refreshing fennel, apple and pear with the sweetness of the parsnip. Although only this produces only a small juice it is definitely packs a powerful punch. Juice all the ingredients and then add the ice, serve and drink immediately FENNEL contains vitamins A, B6 and C, potassium and calcium. It cleanses the digestive track, a great anti-oxidant, a diuretic and a stimulant PARSNIPS contain vitamins C and E,

potassium, iron, calcium and folic acid. It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer 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 PEARS contain Vitamin C, potassium and fibre. Their juice helps protect the colon PARSLEY is rich in Vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese. It is a diuretic, a tonic and an aid for digestive problems. It can help to encourage menstruation and stimulate milk flow

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

7 - 13 january 2011

Spanish lessons by

Jane Cronin

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

Lesson 139

More revision

JUST BEFORE Christmas we were going through some of the early Essential Spanish articles and doing a spot of revision. Now that 2011 is underway, I see no good reason why we should stop, so coming up are some questions related to lessons eleven to twenty of my previous articles. Try to answer them without help, and I will of course provide the answers next week. If you can’t wait until then, all the Essential Spanish articles are on my website www.janecronin.eu in the RTN articles section. Well, it seems we took a break from verbs in article eleven, and went on to the ever-absorbing subject of adjectives, and particularly what happens to them when they describe different kinds of nouns. Here are our first questions – how do we say the following in Spanish? The blue table The tall men The big shirt The shy children The happy girl The funny programme The green fields The old car (2 points each) The next question is rather more far-reaching, but can be dealt with relatively simply, if you know how! At least it should give you something substantial to think about for a while. Here it is: explain the difference in meaning between “Mi marido es muy tranquilo” and “Mi marido está muy tranquilo”. Then do the same

with “¡Qué guapa es tu hija!” and “¡Qué guapa está tu hija!” There is an extra element to this question which will annoy some of you. Please would you make every effort to explain the difference without reference to the concepts of “temporary” and “permanent” as these two words do NOT provide us with the correct explanation of the difference. (10 points each – 20 in total) Now here is something much easier to deal with, but just as important in its own way. Look at these six phrases: el hombre viejo, la chica guapa, el niño gordo, la mujer tonta, el niño gracioso, la chica fea. What is the one change can we make to all of them, so that we end up with fewer words, but phrases with practically the same meaning? I can assure you that the answer is far less complicated than the question. (1 point for each – 6 in total). Finally, here are eight sentences which cover the extra work we did on verbs using 2nd and 3rd person singular forms, and also the use of “lo” “los” “la” and “las” tacked on to the ends of infinitive verbs. One point for each one translated accurately into English. ¿Puedo verlo? Tengo que limpiarlas ¿Necesitas tomar medicamentos? ¿Quieres aprender más sobre España? ¿Vas a visitar a tu familia este verano? ¿Te gusta comer verduras? Mi marido no va a trabajar mañana. ¿El señor Smith prefiere comer pescado? (one point each) I might be good at languages but I’m not very good at Maths. However, I firmly believe that the total marks this time come to 50, so once you’ve checked the answers next week and multiplied by two, you will get a percentage. Otherwise just have a go and don’t worry about it.

Cultural and chapels routes

IN THE month of January, you can enjoy the following tours: • Cultural Route: 8th January at 10.30. • Chapels Route: 15th January at 10.30. Both routes will start from the Tourist Information Office in Almoradí. You should enrol at the office or send an email to turismo@almoradi.es or almoradi@touristinfo.net for further information.

7 - 13 january 2011

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

Cryptic Crossword

Sudoku ACROSS

number (5)

DOWN 1. Don’t forget the wild animal you’re thinking about (4,2,4) 2. Plunder’s going up to have a seat! (5) 3 & 15 Across. Although you understand quite a bit, don’t be offended (4,2,4,4) 4. The prop is attached, so don’t go away (4,2) 5. Springtime? (4,4) 6. Need about a couple of dozen sheets of paper (7) 11. Suitably arrange to make a formal request for goods (3,2,5) 13. More punctual helper behind the scenes (8) 14. A sufficient reason for being on the rocks, perhaps (7) 16. It’s clear father has what he needs for camping (6) 17. It raised the tone quickly (5) 20. She’s in the choir: get her out altogether! (4)

ACROSS

DOWN

7. Light-giver (5)

1. Diplomacy (10)

7. Additional extravagance at first (5) 8. Ancient hero who took the ones here to America (7) 9. Where birds win money by cheating at cards? (7) 10. Soft swelling is well rounded (5) 12. So pretence turns out to be what everybody knows unofficially (4,6) 15. See 3 Down. 18. Poor dunderhead goes back to languish (5) 19. He needs his eyes open for his pupils to be clearly seen (7) 21. Regard to business (7) 22. Change there and get a

Wordwheel

Quick Crossword

2. Massive (5)

8. Malady (7)

3. Cook (4) 9. Lachrymose (7) 10. Put off (5)

4. Quarters (6) 5. Club (8)

12. Colony (10)

6. Pagan (7)

15. Becoming adult

11. Withdrawal (10) 13. Regularity (8)

(10) 18. Joins timber (5)

14. Decorative pelmet

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!

(7) 19. Unvarying (7) 21. Pleas (7)

17. Value (5)

22. Frequently (5)

20. Image (4)

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

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

Nemos call 682 707 580

16. Ocean travel (6)

Euromillions Draw Friday 31st december

2 24 34 38 43

One Austrian ticket won the 15,338,239 Euros (£13,178,614) jackpot prize

Answers & Winner Last week’s Crossword and Suduko answers found on page 35. Crossword winner for issue 584: Christine Want, La Nucia

40 61

714 - 13-january 20 may 2011 2010

Come what may

RESOLUTIONS ABOUND in the first flush of a New Year. Whether we make new and bold decisions out of sheer boredom in watching seasonal old movies, or discovering yet another delicious dish from the turkey carcass, we like to dream. As the New Year begins we make plans, drift a little, and then try to harness significant changes to our lives with resolutions. They don’t normally last very long as our hopes, wishes, and desires bring us back to reality big time, usually just in time to calculate our January credit card bill as something, just something, brings us back to the reality that the Christmas season shields us from. This is a New Year, and we have opened a new page of the Book of Life for sure. There is no going back, though we have time to look back at highlights of what was for many a difficult year. We are tempted to look forward, often over remainder coffee creams and late arrival Christmas cards to what we have in store and what lies ahead. Many of us have to make significant changes to our lives. Such changes are not necessarily governed by the calendar, or the current season, but they can be triggered by new decisions and a wider view of what is going to take you through this year. Add fate to this positive energy to bring into the picture what will be. We can plan our every tomorrow, down to the last detail, and it can all go wrong, and just sometimes we can leave things to chance and everything goes very right. There is no rhyme or reason for the vibrational responses that bring coincidence, opportunity, and surprise well and truly onto the menu. What a difference a day makes, and, however corny it sounds, those 24 hours of each and every day can, and do, manage to change lives. Making plans right now can help greatly in the weeks ahead. Setting unrealistic goals,

Postbag Email your letters to me at: kennycorris@roundtownnews.com KENNY, I am looking back on a bad year, and I had such high hopes too! How can I start to think about 2011 when we are told that it is going to be worse? Karen L. Karen, last year brought many changes for us all. I believe that this New Year, as with all New Years, will be whatever we make it. We will emerge from this crisis leaner and keener, and with the dignity that we did what we could when we did. Spirit will help us along the way, if we let them. Things will get better, particularly if we can keep an open mind and stay tuned. Have hope for 2011 and try to remove the negativities of gloom and doom, however difficult it may get. The power of positive energy helps us to start this New Year with hope and inspiration.

however, have to allow for the possibility that goalposts may be moved, and that we may not be able to strike when we need to. Someone else too, can easily stop the goal, by skill or luck, and the ball can, so easily, end up back in our court. For those who have made decisions to change lifestyle, by stopping smoking, eating healthily and exercising more; I wish you luck. Health brings happiness and a feel-good factor, so stick with it. For me, whilst there are slices of Christmas cake and the odd mince pie lurking in the kitchen, it’s not going to be exactly very easy to diet. Spirit can help us with so much. We do not have to surrender to their specific messages unless we choose to, but they are often sent for good reason. If we acknowledge the great difference that Spiritual belief can bring, then things really do begin to happen. Our ideas may change, our luck may go out of the window on the way, but we should be walking surely on the pathway of a New Year. To know where we are on that pathway, and to be able to realise that fate treads every twist in this path, and that it is, in fact, designed to show us the way forward, against adversity, and to bring personal direction and guidance to our every step of the way if we let it. We can question, and raise objection, and we do not lose the right of our own decision, but together with Spirit we have support and love and care to protect us and to see us safely through. Time passes by so very quickly in our busy lives. I hope that your hopes, wishes and desires are met in the days, weeks and months ahead, as we piece together another year in which, for sure, Spirit will work tirelessly on our behalf, whether we believe it or not: come what may!

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

Kenny’s Diary READINGS AT Maya Bistro: Albir on Monday 10th and Wednesday 12th December: Contact Els on: 966 868 213 for all information, or to make a booking. Workshops start in January 2011. Please check website for details and information regarding classes, circles and day workshops to be held in Winter/Spring.2011. Please call or email for further information or to be listed for a specific workshop. Groups and Organisations: To book demonstrations, workshops, after dinner speeches, or group readings at your location, please email or call for diary dates or further information. Development Circles and Séances start in January. Call or email for further dates and reservations.

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

horoscopes by Kenny Corris Cautiously your planetary leader, Mars enters into Capricorn mid week, showing you a way forward that is feasible, though rather demanding. You have nothing to lose, but probably a lot to say about current events and it is clear that you need to have the backing of others to ensure that no further errors are made. Play things cool and let others lose their tempers, whilst you focus on your strengths! As Venus squares on Scorpio, astrological links develop with two strongly opposed signs. Taureans must now closely examine their current role in the scheme of things as they are being shown the alternatives. Hard working Scorpio is the guideline that may just be the carrot dangling for you; and the way ahead for resolving that which you must, to kick off a New Year, in which you have a mission. With significant Mercurian energies fanning the flames, there is a sextile with Neptune and Chiron and a squaring between Uranus and Jupiter in this first week of the year. Basically this means there is a lot to be taken in, and you need to listen very carefully to both sides of a current issue before you pass unfair judgment. Hold any decisions until next week when stability returns and normality proceeds. With both the Sun, and Mercury entering into your opposing sign of Capricorn there is a message waiting for you to send, and the time is right to do so. Thankfully this will clear the decks, and allow you to breathe easily again. Timing is of great importance, but so too the truth which needs to be told for the sake of all involved. Be there to pick up any pieces and don’t look back whatever you do. Chiron enters into your opposing sign of Aquarius, bringing a chance for you to show your artistic genius, and to see new plans through to a positive stage. There are many hidden talents within, and you are a born performer, so put your best foot forward and connect with what you do best, and others should reward you for it in time to come. A midweek surprise knocks you off your feet somewhat! Look within yourself to see that you are now so balanced and ready to move on to pastures new. The entry midweek of mighty Uranus and lucky Jupiter into your opposing sign of Pisces brings great results, but you must push yourself to the front and strengthen your determination if you want to get what you really need to ask for. This therefore is the crunch and you have to establish your escape route. Saturn enters your third house of mystery and imagination, and in so doing squares the Sun in action with Capricorn. There is a lot going on, and you need to be seen to take control, especially when negative energies are coming your way and you are being so sorely tested. With Saturn bringing you wisdom; there is a wonderful energy of acceptance around you to confirm something you knew all along! Actions with Venus brings love to your door. You may not have asked for it; and you may feel that this isn’t the right time, and you may just be wrong! There is a positive energy linking with an affair of the heart, and the soul connection opens up to show you distinct and positive new energies, and love and romance safely at your side. The next move is under your control, so improvise. Jupiter aligns with Pisces bringing you some strong psychic energies into play and a chance to see things from different angles. Something is not as it seems and though it is hard to put your finger on it there is a reason that everything now points to you for a quick and painless solution, and if you are careful, everybody can be happy in this intricate and challenging situation. Mercury enters mid week. Thus begins a highly positive phase and the start of a project or scheme that needs your expertise, and which will help you to develop specific skills. It may be early days but for sure you are about to be rewarded in many ways for a job done well. Bringing people together is something that you love to do, and this new phase is a wonderful start to the New Year. Chiron brings you subtle changes and a new beginning. The past has done much to hold you back, and a newly found freedom allows you time to reflect and to go for what it is you really want. You are not running away, or trying to obliterate the past, you are moving on, and things are about to get better to facilitate your actions, since they will speak louder than words ever could.

Planets Uranus and Jupiter bring you both wisdom and light, and combine in their actions of good fortune and a new consciousness. You will feel as if there is something that you have to do and being open and honest with yourself will help you to prioritise. Set in motion that which you feel is right, and make sure that you follow your instincts all the way to just where you need to be right now.

If it’s your birthday this week... Be a part of all necessary change, and take control. There are some heavy responsibilities and you need to make sure that those who are avoiding things just for the sake of it know something that you do not!

7 - 13 january 2011

U3A MorairaTeulada U3A MORAIRA-Teulada will be holding an extra renewal day at the La Senieta in Moraira on Monday, 17th January from 10.30 until 12.30. Please bring your existing membership cards with you and if you have just become a new member at our General Meeting held on 3rd January, bring along your receipts to enable you to pick up your new cards. GENERAL MEETING MONDAY, 7TH FEBRUARY, 2011 The venue for this meeting is Salon de Banquettes, Avenida Mediterraneo, Teulada. Doors will open to Members at 09.45 the meeting will start at 10.30. Members will be able to join Groups and find out about both Travel and Cultural events. Speaker for this meeting will be Eric Olverson, giving a talk on his ‘Bike Ride Around Africa’. For further information please contact the U3A President, Ann Colclough on 965 747 343 or visit www.u3amoraira-teulada.org

Where is all the culture? WE LIVE in a country that gave birth to Picasso, Jean Miro and Salvador Dali. Sorolla, the great impressionist himself, lived in Javea for many years. There is no doubt that Spain is a country that holds and inspires amazing art and culture. There are huge numbers of artists of all nationalities living and producing work by in the Costa Blanca as we speak. Not to mention the vast numbers of centres of culture – nearly every town and village has BA (hons). Artist & owner one. The town halls and council put large of ArtHouse Gallery amounts of funding into arts and often hold regular exhibitions. However, if you are interested in seeking out the culture in the area there is one problem: finding out when and where all these exhibitions are held. It seems so difficult to find information on anything in this country. The realisation of this dawned on me last year. I had heard the there was a Picasso exhibition in Benissa. Despite being on the cultural mailing list for Benissa I received nothing about this exhibition and it was actually a friend that told me about it. When in Benissa we spent over an hour and a half trying to find the place. And even when we were on the doorstep there was no sign or poster. This seems to be the case for so many local exhibitions. The main question is: How do you find out about local cultural events? It is a question that a lot of people ask me, often complaining that they only find out about interesting exhibitions after they have finished. I cannot find one concisive list that that gives full listings of all cultural events in the area. I have, however found what I think are some good websites that will point you in the right direction.

Julia Evans

Painting by Sorolla

www.costablanca.angloinfo.com This is a very useful website full of information, including a pretty good business directory. If you go to the ‘Whats On’ section and tap in ‘exhibitions’ you will find a list of local exhibitions that are regularly updated. www.costblanca.org If you click on ‘culture’ then ‘centres of culture’ you will get a full list of every ‘casa de cultura’ in the area. You will then find contact details on each one, including websites on most. The downside of this is that very few have mailing lists, so you will have to regularly check the websites yourself. The other problem is that most of these websites are only in Spanish but at least there are phone numbers and details of all coming events and you can find the cultural centres closest to you.

FROM 11TH January until 30th April 2011, an exhibition by local artist Margit Flaherty will feature paintings of acrylic and contemporary art at the Librería Europa Bookshop, Calle Oscar Esplá 2, Calpe: Tel: 965 835 824. Admission is free, Monday to Friday 10.00 14.00 and 17.00 - 20.00: Saturdays 10.00 - 14.00.

Christmas gifts for the children THE U3A Dénia has adopted Cáritas as their charity this year - so the members of the needlework group decided to make some gifts for children. U3A knitting and crochet needles have been

Undoing of a Lady Danny Collins

copy@dannyjpcollins.com

www.costaart.net This is a very handy little website. It gives information on local art groups and events but ou can join a mailing list where Martin Robinson (who has created the website is an accomplished artist holding life drawing groups) will send regular emails about up and coming events. Another tip is to Google ‘ayunamiento’ followed by whichever town you are closest to. As every town hall does have its own website. Most are only in Spanish but some of the bigger towns now have English translations on them. I hope that you find these useful. Equally if anybody out there knows of another useful website or source of cultural information then please drop me a quick email.

Julia Evans BA (hons), ArtHouse Gallery, Calle San Miguel no. 14, Gata de Gorgos, 03740 Alicante. Tel: 0034 965 756 286 or 0034 687 114 853. Email: arthousemail@gmail.com. Web: www.arthouseonline.net. If you are an artist and have an exhibition coming up or simply just want me to view you work then email arthousemail@gmail.com

Margit Flaherty Art Exhibition

Book Review by

DARE I say this has all the aspects of a bodice ripper - although one would assume no one seemed to mind having their bodice ripped in 1810. The story revolves around penniless Nathaniel Waterhouse who must marry an heiress. Any heiress will do, evidently, as long as she’s rich. So Nat heads for Fortune’s Folly, a village whose squire maintains a medieval law called the Dames Tax that demands a local woman must wed or else surrender half her fortune. Okay, so it’s not reality but no one buys this sort of book to be educated… At this point enters Nathaniel’s childhood friend, the beautiful Elizabeth Scarlett, who quite fancies Nat herself and is determined to save him from a loveless marriage. The fact that Nathaniel is content to marry a rich woman he doesn’t care for puzzles Elizabeth – I did say this wasn’t reality – and he is royally miffed at her attempts to foil the wedding. In fact he’s so angry that he challenges Elizabeth to seduce him to prove her point. She, being a tomato short of a good salad, agrees, does the deed and finds she likes it - well, there is a hint of reality – and now must convince Nat that she’s worth losing a fortune for. Yes, you’ve got it: it’s a sort of Jane Austen on speed - but a trite, naughty little tale for all that.

Definitely one for the ladies. Editors please note how I suffer for my art. Author: Nicola Cornick Publisher: Mira (paperback) Price: €9.45 ISBN: 978 0 7783 0388 6

All the featured books are available off the shelf or by mail order from Librería Europa, Calle Oscar Esplá 2, 03710 Calpe. Tel: 96 583 58 24; e-mail: libreria.europa.calpe@gmail.com Take along or send this review for a discount of 5% on your purchases.

red hot for the past couple of months making gifts of toys and clothing. Some soft toys were also collected. The items were all taken to the Cáritas office by representatives from

the Dénia U3A committee where they were gratefully received. It is hoped that more donations of wool and patterns will help the U3A continue to produce items of clothing.

42 40

7Feb - 13 january 2011 26 - March 4 2010

music scene

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

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

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

Gill Henry

Weekend Mick Manion Gig Guide FRIDAY 7TH Quesada: Sams Bar – Jon Summer Villa Martin Plaza: Rumours – DJ Snoopy Campoamor: Stray Sod – Bardoi La Marina: El Matador – Bella Luna SATURDAY 8TH La Siesta: Bar Washington – Matey Karaoke Playa Flamenca: Pablos International – Julie MAcCracken Torreta 2: Shadys Bar – Jon Summer Cabo Roig: Temptations Bar – Flamenco Show

ICK HAS constantly featured in the local entertainment scene since arriving on these shores six years ago. Mick’s solo programmes have two distinct set ups and feel about them, with his laid back set providing ideal music for restaurants or lounge bars where a more subtle sound is required. He features such greats as James Taylor, Chris Rea, Eagles and many more, which suits diners looking for a relaxed sound to accompany their evening. Mick Manion the rocker is a different animal altogether! This set has been compiled to suit venues with a more energetic crowd, ready to rock the night away. This is where his guitar skills are allowed to run riot and his vocals take a harder edge. If his face looks familiar you may well have seen him in the many

TKO GOLD reaches the parts others cannot reach!

JANUARY BLUES After the fun and overindulging at Christmas

GILL HAS been here in Spain for the last five years and within a short time became known as a ‘must have’ act, playing in major venues along the Costa Blanca. This isn´t the start of her story though, as Gill

venues that keep inviting him back, or it could be that you’ve been to a Cut Loose gig of which Mick was a founder member and he also played for nearly two years with PDQ. If you would like Mick and his fans to appear at your venue, telephone 677 222 352.

earned her reputation through hard work and talent combined. She hails from Yorkshire and left for the south at the tender age of eighteen, to try and find an outlet for her exceptional talent. After moving to London, Gill joined various bands and started to create a buzz. After cruising over into cabaret she had the pleasure of working with some of the greats on the circuit. Sir Cliff, Frank Carson, The Platters, The Searchers and many more employed Gill to accompany them in shows and on tours. Gill then started working on the cruise liners which widened her horizons in every sense of the word! That´s where the Spanish chapter of her story starts: in 2009 she teamed up with husband Ian and Lynne Paul from the New Seekers to form the tribute act ‘The Sound of The New Seekers’. The show received rave reviews and critical acclaim and confirms Gill´s well deserved reputation.

TCF carol service with Crescendo Choir and Just Brass

SUNDAY 9TH Quesada: Courtyards Bar – 60s Night La Zenia: Paddys Point – Showaddywaddy Legend La Marina: Divas – Rupert’s Elvis Tribute Playa Flamenca: Pablos Internacional – Davy Jones

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

• facebook: tkofm2010 • Established 2003

there is always a bit of a deflated feeling at the start of the new year so TKO Media are going to cheer you up with more giveaways on TKO FM and TKO Gold... Join our Facebook pages, TKO FM 2010 and TKO Gold and be in with the chance to win. Details will follow very soon…

THE TORREVIEJA Christian Fellowship held what must have been the biggest and best carol service on the Costa Blanca this Christmas. The hall, which holds 500 people, was overflowing and extra chairs were brought in before the service started. Crescendo Choir and Just Brass were Chas at their best and Chas Smith did all the with the children announcements starting off by getting everyone to introduce themselves to their of APANEE neighbours. The highlight of the concert was

Keyword Pop Quiz Find the keyword and listen to Chris Ashley between 14.00 – 18.00 on TKO GOLD on Monday to enter. Chris will ask you to text in the keyword. The winner and this week’s answers will then be announced. 1. WHICH HIP Hop group had hits with ‘Fight For Your Right (To Party)’ and ‘Intergallactic?’ 2. Which female singer is currently in the charts with the ballad ‘Make You Feel My Love?’ 3. Which US 60s ‘Runaway’ singer was born Charles Westover? 4. This Irish sisters and brother group had a number one hit with ‘Breathless?’ 5. This young man achieved second place in series six of X Factor and is in the charts with ‘Thinking of Me...’

young Rolf Lupondo, whose voice filled the church with the beautiful words of “O Night Divine.” The concert was in aid of APANEE children’s charity so Chas called four children from Apanee who were at the concert onto his podium. He persuaded them to introduce themselves then asked them to sing a carol with the delighted help of the audience. At the end the children stood at the door with collecting buckets and the huge amount of €1,610 was given!

Win a meal for two including bottle of wine at The Inn Plaice, Fish And Chips 6. This sibling duo had a number one hit with ‘Respectable’, which charted three years before the death of one of the sisters in 1990… 7. Name the title of the album and single which shared the same name and were the most successful releases for Black Sabbath, in 1970. 8. Who sang ‘Japenese Boy’ in 1981? 9. Where was so good that Frank Sinatra named it twice? 10. Punk rockers The Skids were ‘Working For The……… Dollar’ (fill the gap)

7 --13 january 2011 Feb 26 March 4 2010

Concert dates announced Vibes From The Costas by

Tony Poole

from www.vibesfromthecostas. blogspot.com

AZZ SAN JAVIER kicks off its 11th edition of the Músicas del Alma on 22nd January with the first of four concerts for its winter programme of music. Prestigious tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton features in the opening performance, joined by singer-pianist Dena DeRose in a quartet which also includes double bassist Horacio Fumero, who was Tete Montoliu’s right hand man for many years, and drummer Esteve Pi. On Saturday 2nd February, Sole Giménez, a much beloved artist in San Javier, will present her new album ‘Pequeñas Cosas ‘, creating a lot of anticipation in the wake of her successful performance at the 12th edition of the San Javier Jazz Festival in 2009. On March 12th, Steve Lukather, one of rock’s most admired guitarists and leader of the super group Toto, takes part in a high voltage concert. Músicas del Alma will come to a close with a blues session on Saturday 2nd April by one of the most prestigious bluesmen in Louisiana, Kenny Neal, joined by a special guest singer E.C. Scott. All the concerts will take place in

the Municipal Marquee located in the Parque Almansa in San Javier. The ticket prices are super value at €10 for each concert, 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. For information and reservations telephone the Festival Offices: 968 191 588 and 968 191 568. More info at www.jazz.sanjavier.es Murcia is to stage five concerts this year under the banner ‘Las Noches de Blue Note Records’ at the Miguel Angel Clares auditorium in the city of Murcia. Blue Note is the most prestigious of all the jazz labels formed in 1939. Record label founder Alfred Lion was the Berry Gordy Jr. of his day. What Gordy did for soul music, Lion did for jazz. Lion left a legacy of recordings and a brand name that is synonymous with high quality jazz. All the artists presented in the programme currently record for the record label. Chano Dominguez on Wednesday 9th February, tickets €20; Lionel Loueke on Thursday 3rd March, tickets €15; Avishai Cohen on Wednesday 4th May, tickets €20; Ignacio

43 43

Sole Gimenez and myself taken at the San Javier Jazz Festival in 2009

Berroa on Thursday 26th May, tickets €15, Jason Moran and The Bandwagon in October (date to be confirmed). Tickets can be purchased at www.auditoriomurcia.org Also announced to perform in Murcia, Dire Straits fans will welcome the opportunity to see David Knopfler in concert on Monday 28th February at the Narciso Yepes auditorium, tickets €35. Talking of Berry Gordy, I have started

a new blog called ‘Rhythm and Groove’ which features new releases, music downloads and charts. The slogan for the blog is “It’s what’s in the groove that counts!” - a quote from Gordy. Kicking it all off, I’ve posted my top 20 favourite tunes from 2010, with winners charts for jazz, soul, and funk, all three are available to stream or download. Visit the blog at http://rhythmandgroove.blogspot.com

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!

New country music tour

Following the success of last year’s King and Country tour, promoters Jukebox Legends have added new venues for a regional tour in January and February. The new show features Peter Day, Fiona McLean and Elvis 2000, also starring Red Strokes and his fabulous Garth Brooks tribute.

The new show features Elvis 2000

If you missed it last year, make sure you get tickets for the 2011 shows.

Showgroup’s winter warmers

DATES & VENUES AS FOLLOWS: All shows start at 20.30 Friday 21st January Castillo de Conesa, San Miguel Monday 7th February Casa Nicolas, Altos del Limonar Wednesday 9th February Lodosol, San pedro Thursday 10th February Los Arcos, Torrevieja Friday 11th February Casa Ventura, San Luis Wednesday 16th February Rocajuna, Punta Prima Friday 25th February The Club, Quesada Sunday 27th February The Rendezvous, Campoamor

SHOWGROUP’S LATEST show in rehearsal, ‘A Fly on the Wall’ offers audiences an evening of fun and comedy to brighten up dreary winter days. ‘Almost’ a Panto’, to be held as usual at Los Arcos Restaurant on 6th, 7th and 8th January, is guaranteed to cheer and entertain with tickets priced at €8 available from Dan on 662 438 002. A 10% discount is offered for parties of ten or more with tickets still available for Friday and a few left for the Saturday performance. This season’s charity will

Tickets at only €7.50 (except The Rendezvous which is €10 but includes a fantastic FREE buffet) are available at the venues now or call 695 135 134 / email: info@jukeboxlegends.com for information. “We will be raising funds to help PUMA22 at all our 2011 tour dates. This tour will be the one where we introduce the great PUMA22 ‘Will the Key Fit’ competition with a €50 prize, possibility at each show. We have put together top quality entertainment at a low tickets cost and still allow for good fundraising options so badly needed by PUMA22,” said Peter Day.

This weeks special offer

SOFAS FROM 55€

be ‘Debra’, also known as ‘The Butterfly Children’. So come and enjoy an enter-

taining evening and help raise money for this very worthy charity.

7Feb - 13 january 2011 26 - March 4 2010

Computing

Windows shutting down Ray via email asks: Hello Aunty, I hope you had a good Christmas and the New Year will be healthy and pleasant for you. I have a new netbook with Windows7 and when shutting down there are updates to do but when I restart Windows it starts to configure the new updates but then comes to a point where it says: ‘Failure to config updates reverting changes’. Can you please advise what to do? Aunty says: Unfortunately the Windows updates can be a bit fragile and often there is no easy fix available. You may be lucky and find that uninstalling the last updates (‘start’ ‘control panel’ ‘uninstall a program’) and using the Windows update link from the Microsoft website sorts the problem out.

Speedtesting the internet

with aunty virus

Steve from Alfaz Hi Aunty, I hope you can help with this one. I have a Yoigo USB dongle and did a speedtest. I took a note of the results but they mean nothing to me. The ping was 385ms, the download 0.46 and upload 0.32. Is this fast enough? We are shortly having WiFi where I work for free so would this be any better? Happy New Year to you. Aunty says: USB dongles are notoriously slow and inconsistent as they rely on the normal mobile phone coverage. The results you sent are OK for basic surfing but I suspect as soon as you start ‘streaming’ anything like internet TV or movies you will probably suffer annoying buffering and even connection loss. The WiFi connection at work will almost certainly be better but you won’t know until you try it via the VPN or proxy server you choose to use.

iTunes website in Spanish Rod via email asks: HELLO AUNTY, I have just purchased my first iPod and have downloaded iTunes selecting ‘English UK’ as the default language. Whilst the homepage is in English, when I try to log on to the iTune Store and App store they all appear in Spanish. I assumed that iTunes was detecting that my IP address was Spain so I purchased some software to hide my IP. I then uninstalled iTunes and all associated programmes and reinstalled with ‘Hide IP’ running. This does not seem to work however as they all still appear in Spanish. Can you help me please? Aunty says: You are right in thinking that hiding your IP address behind a UK one should resolved this Rod, and I’m surprised that it hasn’t worked. I’m pretty sure that there is a way of doing this after you have logged into the iTunes Store from your iTunes desktop icon. Once logged into iTunes

Robert via email asks: Dear Aunty, when I try to open the DVD player it just flashes. It won’t open using a probe in the access hole either. Is it something simple that an oldie can’t fathom? I have tried checking for drivers but they are up to date, tried defaults for the player but it won’t open anyway, so I have no idea if I have done that right in that case.

Aunty says: It could simply that be that the DVD drive is mechanically defunct, and the fact that inserting a probe (such as a straightened paper clip) doesn’t trigger the manual release mechanism certainly makes this seem likely. You can force a DVD eject by right clicking your mouse on the CD/ DVD drive icon in ‘My Computer’ and selecting the ‘eject’ option.

IE errors

Eddie from Pego asks: Hi Aunty, I also have experienced problems with Live Essentials and I have tried to uninstall it but it just will not uninstall. Also my laptop came with Windows7 and a trial version of Microsoft Office Student 2007 which I do not want and cannot uninstall. As for Internet Explorer 8, every time I close a webpage a message appears telling me IE has stopped working and needs to close.

Store (or Apps, Genius etc.) you should see a country flag in the bottom right corner. Apple may have changed this since I last used iTunes so have a try and let me know how you get on.

Aunty says: Both of these problems are frequently associated with virus or spyware, you need to do a scan with an updated AVG2011, MalwareBytes and SuperAntiSpyware. If the problem persists then maybe try starting your computer in ‘safe mode’ and see if they can be uninstalled that way. If IE persists with its error messages then maybe try Firefox or Google Chrome as an alternative browser.

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

Missing icons

Harry via email asks: Hello Aunty. I have recently noticed that some of the shortcut icons on my desktop have gone AWOL. They seem to be the ones that I had recently used before I switched off. Aunty says: They should be easy enough to get back Harry, but it’s a bit worrying how they disappeared in the first place. If you want to create an icon on your desktop the easiest way is to right click on the program from the ‘start’ menu and choose ‘send to’ and select desktop.

motoring

7 - 13 january 2011

MOT Certificate fraud exposed by

Brian Deller

Author of Motoring in Spain

RETIRED UK couple Seamus and Paula Montgomery are reported in the UK national press to have been arrested for operating a vehicle MOT certificate scam for the last few years that has probably netted them a million pounds in payments made by expats who were avoiding having their UK registered motor vehicles submitted to an MOT test that must be carried out in the UK to be legal. The couple, operating under the name “J G O’Connor” had advertised in a Spanish national English-language newspaper. The fraud may have caused hundreds of UK registered vehicles to be operated on Spain’s roads in an unroadworthy condition. The couple are reported to have operated from a caravan in Essex and a villa in Portugal. Now, the owners of hundreds of UK-registered cars being used here in Spain that are possibly being run illegally as they should have been transferred onto Spanish registration, will have to wait and hope they are not stopped in the increasing numbers of roadside checks. Also, they can be fined for committing fraud as they were aware the scam was fraudulent. UK registered vehicles in Spain can only take an MOT test in the UK and if operated by expat residents here, the vehicles must be transferred onto Spanish registration

The couple operated under the name of J G O’Connor

within 60 days for private and 30 days for commercial vehicles. ‘Commercial’ vehicles normally include pick-up trucks and small van-type vehicles, even if they have windows and seats. These models are normally registered automatically by Trafico as ‘commercial’, e.g. Renault Express etc.,. This must be done within the times stated above of registering for residence. The method used was for expats in Spain, and possibly elsewhere, to respond

to an advert in a local paper, and recently in some smaller towns, agents were being appointed. Interested parties were advised to send a photocopy of their UK vehicle registration certificate with up to £200 in cash to a specified UK address. A genuine MOT certificate, thought to have been from a stolen batch, would be sent by return mail. The DVLA has taken action now to stop this problem with vehicles being checked on line by the police at the roadside using a PDA.

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

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

2008 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TDCI DIESEL €10,995

2006 RENAULT MEGANE 1.5 DCI DIESEL €8,695

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

2006 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TDCI DIESEL €8,495

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

2008 FORD FIESTA 1.4I FUTURA PETROL 7,995€

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

2007 SEAT LEON 1.6 PETROL €11,495

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

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

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

2001 LANDROVER DISCOVERY AUTO 2.5 TD5 DIESEL €7,995

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

2005 RENAULT SCENIC 1.9 DCI DIESEL €8,995

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

2004 LANDROVER FREELANDER 2.0 TD4 DIESEL €11,495

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

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

1999 AUDI TT COUPE 1.8 180 PETROL €7,695

2005 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TDCI DIESEL €7,495

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

7 - 13 january 2011

The Streetworker from Schmidt Revolution IN A kind of competition from the Fiat 500, the Toyota IQ and others in its class, the Mini Cooper Clubman S prevailed with style and passion. In fact, the Schmidt Revolution, wheel manufacturer from Bad Segeberg, had taken on the task of providing a concept car with Urban Lifestyle tuning. With its

The rims are completely washable

Clubdoor, the engine and the concept of space, it is practically the perfect choice for this task. The ‘genetically engineered’ Mini, already equipped with a John Cooper Works Aerodynamic package, has been purchased in March 2010. With black xenon lamps including daytime running lights and after a performance increase to 200hp and torque of 250Nm - these two parameters allow the Clubman to reach a maximum speed of 220 km/h – the car is ready for city travel, at least for trips around the church tower. The colours still harbour some problems, should the Mini yet actually be equipped with chrome foil. Rethinking was not easy for the men from A4M in Wuppertal; the BMW sprout has a matt blue car wrap, and then they returned back to immaculacy. Street workers usually go a lot, so the ‘feet’ and ‘shoes’ require special attention. The Cirrus wheels were decorated with coloured multiplex material, so this fun car is never

Fast Fit Tyres asks… WHAT WOULD you like to be doing whilst your new car tyres are being fitted? Maybe sitting at home watching the TV? Or taking a dip in the swimming pool? Or perhaps you want to get that round of golf in? Or you could even be at work earning money… Well of course all of these options are possible with FAST FIT TYRES, the Costa Blanca’s online mobile tyre fitting company. It makes sense - why waste your valuable free time taking your car to have its new tyres fitted when you can call FAST FIT TYRES and have them come to wherever you are? Whilst you spend time on what’s important to you, FAST FIT TYRES will arrive at the location of your choice and fit and computer

A concept car with Urban Lifestyle tuning

left unattended in city traffic. The really impressive 8Jx18H2 Cirrus rims have 3Dshaped multiplex patterns in matte blue; any tint of body colour from bright red to carbon black is possible in any style. Cheap tyres, causing annoying road noise, were changed with recapped 215/35R18 Conti tyres, to solve the problem. To allow for changing ‘obstacles’ while driving in city traffic, the concept car has a Streetec air

balance your tyres. Four tyres fitted and balanced in about 40 minutes and two tyres done in half the time! Sound good? Well there’s more - the added bonus is they don’t even charge you any extra for the mobile service. As Martin and Kim explained, “The tyres are probably even going to work out cheaper, as our overheads, unlike those of a fixed garage, are kept to a strict minimum,” What is more, if you already have an existing quote from another garage then the FAST FIT boys will do everything in their power to better that price, applying special discounts whenever possible. One of the other main reasons that fast fit tyres is well on the road to becoming the Costa Blanca’s favourite when it comes to choosing tyres is put down to the customer service that they provide: “We care about our customers; we want

suspension with press buttons which enables adjustment of the height, making it 60 mm lower or 40 mm higher than serial cars. The goal was to run over thresholds better and to park the Clubman easier. Finally, it should also be mentioned that the spectacular rims are completely washable and thus suitable for daily use. So, that beautiful Urban Lifestyle can be a street worker…

them to come back to us in the future so we make sure we look after them and we make sure that we leave every customer happy. We also enjoy spending a bit of time listening to those customers who want to have a chat about things – it’s good for us as well because we get a lot of feedback from our customers, which is always positive.” So when you need tyres then why not check out the user friendly web page www.fast-fit-tyres.com “Even if at the moment you don’t actually need new tyres but would just like some sound advice or information, please feel free to write us an email or give us a call. For the FAST FIT team it will always be a pleasure to share their knowledge and expertise with you.” Kim: 663 996 393 or Martin: 663 995 393 www.fast-fit-tyres.com

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

7 - 13 january 2011

Book your advert now 902 118 999 Round Town News

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

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

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• Professional pool maintenance & cleaning • Replacement pumps, filters, salt systems Ph regulators and accessories supplied and installed • Pipe leaks pressure tested, detected and repaired • Structural leaks investigated and repaired • Refurbishments & upgrades undertaken British Trained with over 15 years experience. Extensive references. All work guaranteed Tel: 96 677 4199 or 678 080 500 www.pristineswimmingpools.com Torrevieja and surrounding areas plus Costa Calida

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7 - 13 january 2011

BANKRUPT CLOTHING STOCK Womens,girls & boys clothing.Jeans,Trousers,Skirts Tops All 1euro each.Minimum order 50€. With invoice. Torrevieja, 651-885-200 INTERESTED IN MAKING MONEY? and giving to Charity at the same time! Go to www.referlife.com/1080 or Tlf:-663-559-806 MAKE 2011 A FRESH START Start your own Business - Time and Financial Freedom www.freeurlifenow. com SOLAR ENERGY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Long established company, own product range. First class training & support. Telephone 606586587

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

13.2 NEW FOREST PONY Needs a sharer, 100€ PCM = unlimited riding. Located Guadalest. Tlf:-650-554-908 PAWS PET TRANSPORT Spain-UK-Spain every month. We look after your pets as if they belong to us. Call Joe for a chat on 966-074-576 or 650-341-087. email:pawspettransport@hotmail. com PETZBACK HOME Professional pet transportation. UK/Spain/UK www.petzbackhome.co.uk Ring 0044-1209-319204 SMALL FRIENDLY BRITISH KENNELS individual runs, large excercise area. 25 mins Alicante airport. www. parkbark.co.uk 628-244-712

Blocked Drains

TWO BERTH CARAVAN Green, Excellent Interior, Tatty exterior. Located Guadalest. Tlf:-650-554-908 CARAVAN AND MOBILITY SCOOTER FOR SALE Offers around 300€ for the Scooter and 7250€ for the Caravan. We can provide full details and pictures if required. Tlf:676-490-062 MOBILE/PARK HOMES FROM 15,000€ 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. Carol:-968-192-425. Mob:-626-055-622 www. mobilehomesmarmenorspain. com CAMPING LOS GALLARDOS Come to Mojacar! Large campsite + mobile home park open all year, great expat community site, all welcome. 950-528-324. www. CampingLosGallardos.com

COMPUTER SOLUTIONS All your computer needs carried out in our workshop, or at your home or office. Sales, repairs, upgrades, etc. Call Jim on 966-790-520 or 616-211-023 BYTEBACK MICROS computer repairs/upgrades in your home. Qualified technician. Systems custom built. Whatever your problem call: 965-312-006 or 606-127-424

7 - 13 january 2011

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

PALM AND TREE TRIMMING/REMOVAL All Garden Maintenance Call 619-336-762 FULLY QUALIFIED UK ELECTRICIAN with 10 years experience on the CostaBlanca. All jobs undertaken-extra sockets, rewires, fault finding. Tlf:Hugh-690-275-223 S.O.S. INSURANCE CarHome-Health-Comercial. Funeral Plans and Insurance. Tlf:-966-787-123/622-275-561

BRAND NEW DIESEL GENERATOR 9500watts, electric start, 550€ Tlf:650-554-908 LARGE TRAILER with detachable top L-206xW130xH-120. Spare Wheel, Wheel Clamp, 700€ 619-809-506/966-238-989 MP3 KARAOKE 4,500 songs, 6 books, plugs into computer, 450€ 966-238-989/ 619-809-506. Ideal Pubs/ Hotels ALUMINIUM SCAFFOLDING by Youngmans.Strong and light with wheels and 5 walkways.600e ono telephone 678-179-346 WHEELCHAIR Light, Foldable, Hardly used, like new, 150€. Mobility Scooter 40km range 499€ Tlf:627-019-403

AVON NEED AGENTS AND LEADERS work hours to suit you. For info Phone Rosh 966-785-520 PROPERTY TELEMARKETING We are looking for a telemarketing, sales person for our leads - Murcia.Tlf:-646-514-278. Email:-julioadams@atlantia. info

BALLROOM/LATIN DANCING/SEQUENCE DANCING with LA BAMBA’s. NEW VENUE: The Wok Royal, Benijofar. NEW BEGINNERS CLASS: starting Monday 17th January 2011, 7.30pm-8.30pm plus SOCIAL DANCE: 8.30pm-10.30pm. Tel: Andrea & Brian 616 478 157 WEIGHT WATCHERS Call our Free English call centre now to find your nearest meeting. 900-818-794 BALLROOM/LATIN/ SEQUENCE DANCING with LA BAMBA’s. Los Arcos Restaurant, Avenida Baleares, Torrevieja, New Beginners class (Starts 10th January 2011) Monday 10.30am-12.30pm. SOCIAL DANCE Saturday 7.30pm10pm. Tuesday Improvers Lesson (starts 18th January 2011) 7.30pm-8.30pm plus SOCIAL DANCE 8.30pm-10.30pm. Also at the Bienvenido Chinese restaurant, La Zenia roundabout.New Beginners Class (Starts 12th January 2011): Wednesday 7.30pm9.30pm. Intermediates Friday 11.00am-1pm. Tel: Andrea 616-478-157 DATEMED.ES Great new online dating site for English speaking people on the Costa Blanca. Free membershipsJoin Now! www.datemed.es

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

Experienced telesales

person required for busy, pro-active Estate Agency in La Zenia. Basic plus commission offered. No cold calling necessary. High earning potential. Please email your full CV to Jamie@homeespana.co.uk

PSYCHOTHERAPIST/ COUNSELLOR Uk Qualified Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with life? Trapped by circumstances or stuck in a rut? You can take the first steps towards taking control of your life and feelings, by contacting me today. First consultation FREE.Tel No 655-912-044 email nlhwellbeingsolutions@ gmail.com 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

POOL, SNOOKER TABLES Also Table Tennis and Darts. Will beat any price!. Tlf:-666933-726. www.spainpool.com KARAOKE MEDIA PLAYER “Brand New” 500GB. 70,000songs, software, songbooks, bar/home use. 275euros Tlf:-654-925-679

MERCEDES C180 ELEGANCE 1999 Silver low mileage, service history, excellent condition inside and out, very economical €4500 ONO Simon 696-981-082 KIA SORENTO EX - LUXURY 4X4, 2005 2.5 CRDi, 99,000 with 3 owners, Full service history - Diesel, Metallic grey, PAS, ABS, E. windows/ mirrors, Electric mirrors, Front fog lights, A/C (Climate),

R. locking, Side steps, Cd player, Multi airbags, 5 spoke alloys, Rear head restraints, Roof rails, Detatchable towpack, Parking sensors Rear luggage cover. 10950€. 600726-221/965-687-976. www.fwreurocars.com GOOD SELECTION OF LDH AND RHD Vehicles For Sale or Exchange. New and Used Vehicles sourced. Contact Frank on 600-726-221/965687-976 or visit our website for more details and pictures www.fwreurocars.com WANTED Scrap cars, vans, lorries, plant and caravans. Turn your scrap into cash. Free collection. Tel.689929395 MITSUBISHI PAJERO RHD English Plates. 7 seater, 2.8L diesel, 2500€ ONO. Call for more information. Tlf:664-535-755 WE BUY any car,van,motorhome,boat, jet ski. Instant decision at good prices. Tel 680 -665-583 BUMPERS, WINGS AND MIRRORS All body panels for all cars supplied. Tel:966-875-497 or 618-592-396 HEADLIGHTS4U.COM Left hand drive headlights supplied and fitted. All makes. Also air conditioning rechargeTel:-966-875-497 or 618-592-396 WANTED I buy any car, van,Caravan,4x4 Etc.British, Spanish. Immediate cash 600-781-873 ibuyanycar@ hotmail.com

ACE AUTOS British & Spanish used car sales

01 RENAULT KANGOO VAN 1.9 DIESEL P/S 97 SEAT CORDOBA A/C P/S E/W LOW KMS 00 NISSAN ALMERA DIESEL 5 DOOR A/C 96 SEAT CORDOBA 1.9 DIESEL 4 DOOR A/C P/S 01 DAEWOO LANOS 5 DOOR A/C P/S CLEAN 97 B.M.W. 318 T.D.S. 4 DOOR A/C ALLOYS C.D. 98 FORD MONDEO GHIA 4 DOOR A/C P/S E/W 98 FORD MONDEO DIESEL A/C E/W ALLOYS 97 DAEWOO LANOS 3 DOOR HATCH A/C P/S 01 HYUNDAI GALLOPER 7 SEATS A/C ALLOYS U.K. CARS 03 HONDA ACCORD 5 DOOR ALLOYS A/C C.D. 01 B.M.W.325i AUTOMATIC 4 DOOR A/C ALLOYS 04 FORD FOCUS 5 DOOR T.D.I. ALLOYS A/C T/T 96 ROVER 416 ESTATE TIDY CAR U.K. RHD RHD (SPANISH) 99 SEAT AROSA 1.1 E/W P/S V/CLEAN

1,950€ 1,650€ 2,450€ 1,950€ 1950€ 2,950€ 1,950€ 2,450€ 1,500€ 3,750€ 4,250€ 3,750€ 4,950€ 950€ 950€

MANY MORE CARS IN STOCK ALL WITH NEW ITV/MOT´S P/X ON MOST CARS. FIND US NEAR NEW MERCADONNA PUEBLE PRINCIPLE,VILLA MARTIN CARS WANTED FOR CASH LHD/RHD

Tel: 620 738 023 10am to 5pm

FIND US NEAR NEW MERCADONA. PUEBLO PRINCIPE, VILLA MARTIN

Cars wanted for cash LHD/RHD

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

7 - 13 january 2011

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7 - 13 january 2011

Classifieds Agents

Now it’s even easier to place a classified advert with the RTN by using our official agents listed below! Cars, Houses, Boats, Computers find them all in the classifieds section. Or maybe you have unwanted items to sell or something to offer? Our classified agents will be happy to help you whatever your needs.

AGENTS NORTH

Round Town Travel 1, Avenida Dr Severo Ochoa, 1, Urb. El Admiral, Local 1, Rincon Benidorm, 03503, Alicante. Lisa 966 811 123 Benidorm Round Town Travel 2, Calle Gerona, 39, Benidorm, 03503, Alicante. (Next to Hotel Ambassador) Kerry/Gemma 966 813 261 Benidorm Round Town Trips, Calle Narcisco Yepes, 4, Local 8, Albir, 03581, Alicante. (Opp. Golf Course, next to Kwik Save) Lee/Jackie 966 867 294 • lee@roundtowntrips.com albir ProminenT, Teulada Industrial Est. Calle Llanterner, 2 alto, 03725, Teulada, Alicante. Marja 965 793 229 • espana@prominent.nu Millie Munro Insurance, Avenida Lepanto, 6, 03726, Benitachell, Alicante. Millie 966 493 082 • millie@milliemunro.com 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

teulada 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

Villamartin Satellite Centre, Avenida Las Brisas 33, Villamartin, 03189, Alicante. (Near Supervalu, Los Dolses) . Sarah/Heather 966 764 878 • villamartinsatellitecentre@yahoo.co.uk villamartin Best Wishes, Local 30, Comercial Centre Hispania, Avda de la Union 72, San Javier, 30730, Murcia. Kathy 968 192 235 • kaffywalker@hotmail.com murcia Ononix Mar SL, Calle Mayor 30, bajo derecha, Guardamar, 03140, Alicante. Ron/Alicia 965 728 178 aliciamuddle@ononix.com GUARDAMAR

7 - 13 january 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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7 - 13 january 2011

The final whistle The Urn returns

f l o G N T R e t a d p u Club Agents Profile

Agents Profile

Dennis Jordan

Mike Probert

Region

SOUTH

NORTH

Cricket player, Paul Collingwood

BY THE time you read this, England’s cricketers should have wrapped up a 3 – 1 Ashes series win over Australia in Sydney. Having predicted a 2 – 1 success for England, I have to admit to being more than happy to have got it wrong. Apart from a dodgy day in Brisbane and two poor days in Perth, England have hammered their hosts and ground them in to the dirt. The tour has been built on meticulous planning by Captain Andrew Strauss, Coach Andy Flower and their talented back room staff, including bowling coach David Saker, himself an Aussie and an expert on local conditions. Meanwhile the Australian’s plans, if indeed they’ve had any, have looked half baked and amateurish by comparison. England has ambitions to be the number one team in the World. They’ve made a terrific start to that campaign and whilst personally suffering from sleep deprivation over the past two months, it’s been fantastic to watch them go about their business. On the other side of the coin, it was incredible to see so many Australian cricket writers babble on about Sydney debutant Usman Khawaja. Having read some of the local papers after his first innings performance, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Australia had unearthed a new Steve Waugh or Allan Border. It sums up just how desperate the Aussies are. Whilst I wish the young man all the best for his future career, in four innings against England (he also played for Australia A in the warm up game in Hobart), Khawaja scored 13, 0, 37 and 21 at an average of 17.75. Hardly earth shattering is it? COLLY The Sydney Test match will be the last for England’s Paul Collingwood. Although he will continue to represent his country in one-day matches and Twenty/20 games, he’s called time on his Test career. Not the most gifted of players, Collingwood moulded himself in to a nuggety and gritty fighter and an indispensible team man. He had some fine times in an England shirt, most notably his double century in Adelaide four years ago and his match saving performance in the first Test in Cardiff in 2009 when he scored 74 vital runs in an innings that spanned six hours. But for me, Collingwood’s best moments came in the field courtesy of some stunning catches, none better than the one at third slip that removed Ricky Ponting in Perth. Although Collingwood has struggled for runs on this tour he’ll be missed both on the pitch and in the dressing room. BACK TRACKING KLITSCHKO It now looks as if the much anticipated fight between David Haye and Wladimir Klitschko won’t now go ahead. The Haye camp claims that having agreed to a long list of the Ukrainians’ demands, a date of July 2nd had been slated for the bout to take place in Germany. However, the IBF and WBO champion has instead announced a new date of 30th April for his recently postponed clash with Dereck Chisora. Klitschko could have easily side-stepped Chisora if he really wanted to fight Haye, so that being the case; let’s hope the little fancied Briton sticks the champion on his backside!

NICE TO see Collin Montgomery and his Ryder Cup team accepting the Team of the year award at the Sports personality awards ceremony 2010, they did have some bad weather conditions to play in, unlike us here on the Costa Blanca! Maybe you had some great golfing pressies that you just can’t wait to try out, there are some great offers check them out in the RTN list here. It will be a busy time now on the courses, so to get your desired tee time and to be able to finish in time before it starts getting dusk, book as early as you can. If you would like to book your golf or have any questions, you can contact me by email at rtngolfnorth@gmail.com

FIRSTLY A belated Happy New Year to all of our readers and members. Most of the local courses are still in good condition although because many of them are sewn with Bermuda grass they take on a yellow/ brown colour as the average overnight temperatures fall and the grass becomes dormant. The superb course at Las Colinas has just announced an extension of its special winter deal until 15th February and this is available to groups and societies. Alternatively, why not take on the challenge of El Valle which has some of the best and fastest greens in the region.

NORTH Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Alenda

€45

Single Green fee

Alicante Golf

€46

Single Green fee + Buggy

Bonalba

€42

Single Green fee

Don Cayo

€43

Single Green fee

El Plantio

€45

Single Green fee

Font del Llop

€68

Two Green fees

Villaitana Par 62

€30

Single Green fee + Buggy

Villaitana Par 72

€40

Single Green fee

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

SOUTH Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Altorreal Hacienda del Alamo Las Colinas

Comments

€55

2 Players and 1 Buggy (Fridays)

€89

2 Players and 1 Buggy

€200

4 Players and 2 Buggies (Restricted Times) 2 Players and 1 Buggy (Twilight)

€76

Lo Romero

€160

4 Players and 2 Buggies

El Valle

€90

2 Players and 1 Buggy

Roda

€80

2 Players and 1 Buggy

VistaBella

€72

2 Players and 1 Buggy (Weekends)

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

Joinourclub!

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

Orihuela RFC wishes everyone a Happy New Year

IN THE New Year Orihuela juniors, junveniles and cadets hope to continue their excellent season so far, with matches against La Vila away on Saturday, 15th January 2011, followed by Elche at home on 22nd January. The seniors hope to put a disappointing season behind them as they take on Javea Bulls also on 15th January but at home - hoping to get the double over them to end their league season on a high! Training starts on 4th January and the next session on 11th January due to the national Bank Holiday on Thursday 6th January. Orihuela RFC await confirmation of touring teams from April

onwards, so come along and support your local rugby team. We had the pleasure of having Old Brods vets, Rosslyn Park Nomads seniors and Hawcoat Park vets seniors combined touring last season. The club trains on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Miguel Hernandez University, the seniors and older juniors, juveniles from 20.30 to 22.30, with the younger juniors from 18.15 to 20.00. New players are always welcome no matter what age or skill level. For more information, you can contact the club by phoning the president Álvaro on 630 313 298 or Garry on 692 767 242. For the juniors contact Oscar on 600 871 606 (Spanish)

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

Good or bad or indifferent? Noel’s world of golf By Noel Eastwell Teaching Professional Campo de Golf El Plantio 639 730 891

THE CONDITION of our golf courses here in Spain has become something of a concern for many of our golfers. Due to the diminishing numbers of green keepers working on our courses many will indeed struggle to stay in pristine condition. The recession will ensure that the numbers of staff continue to diminish for the foreseeable future. As a result we will have to do more and more to help the green keepers and ensure the course remain acceptable to us. Earlier this week I followed a group of four British golfers for eighteen holes and unfortunately not once did I see any one of them replace a divot on any fairway. Now I cannot say I saw all of their shots all of the time but when I did see them the impression I got was one that they did not care in the least about the condition of the golf course. Unfortunately, the course concerned was not in the very best of condition but it was still a good golf course and its condition may have been a contributory factor but etiquette should still have been adhered to. Had the incident been at my home course I can assure you that they would have received a swift reprimand from the course Marshall and I would have made sure of it. I would urge any conscientious golfer to do the same in similar circumstances. Why should these mindless people help to make more certain that more people are disappointed when they play that particular golf course? Those of us who live here and play the majority of our golf here have a duty to each other to keep our golf courses as presentable as possible so that we are all able to enjoy the course as much as we can. This same fourball complained bitterly when they were in the bar afterwards about slow play. I wonder if they had obeyed the etiquette of golf if they would have had the time or need to complain about slow play? By replacing their divots they would have certainly been a little

slower and maybe even have felt better about their day out. We British golfers usually blame other nationalities for being bad at the etiquette of the game but clearly we are as bad as any other; that is something we are going to have to accept. However, we can at least try to educate people by obeying the etiquette of golf and at the same time do our bit to keep the golf courses we play in as good a condition as we can. WIN A ROUND OF GOLF FOR 2 INCLUDING BUGGY AT THE BEAUTIFUL EL PLANTIO RESORT IN ALICANTE To enter this competition, simply answer the question below correctly. Every correct answer will be entered into a draw at the end of the month and the winner of this fantastic prize worth over €180 will be picked at random at the end of each month. Send your entries by email to golf@roundtownnews.com. The decision of the editor of RTN will be final in making the winning selection. Question for 7th January 2011: In what US State is The Masters played each year? A. Georgia B. California C. Arkansas All answers must be received no later than 17.00 on 31st January 2011 to be entered into January’s draw, to be made on 31st January. The winner will be announced in RTN on 4th February 2011. December’s winner: Henry Liddington 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

Rugby La Vila wins first game of 2011 LA VILA Rugby Club started the New Year well with a 32-14 win against CAU Valencia on Sunday. The derby game was played at the home grounds of CAU in Valencia, and not only supplied a win, but a bonus point for tries scored by La Vila. With CAU still breaking into its first season in the premiership league, a La Vila win was to be expected. Surprisingly, though, it took La Vila some time to dominate the game. CAU fought hard and the first try, scored by La Vila’s Neil Chivers, took a good 35 minutes to come to fruition. Another try was scored by Marcos Poggi some 5 minutes later, leaving La Vila 20-0 up at the end of the first half. Agustín Gómez, notably, was on form, transforming both tries and inching the scoreboard up early on with two penalties. Nathan Reid was the man of the second half, scoring twice for La Vila, and securing the bonus for four tries scored. CAU, for their part, also crossed the line twice, the latter of which just minutes before the final whistle. La Vila went home pleased with their win, but perhaps with a little to think about. With their next game to be played away on Sunday 9th January against Bizkaia Gernika, Mark Hewitt’s men will work hard in the week ahead. Knowing what is at stake, the team must thoroughly prepare for their upcoming match.

Tottenham Hotspur FC Supporters Club IT IS the intention to establish the first ever officially recognised Tottenham Hotpsur FC Supporters Club here in the Costa Blanca, based at Moore’s Bar in Cabo Roig. Following a highly successful pre-Christmas Party attended by around 80 highly enthusiastic fans of the team, we are now in a position to move forward and fully establish ourselves as an Official Supporters Club. Moore’s Bar owner Martin Moore said, “We have the support of the main Supporters Club at White Hart Lane, we have the membership potential here

in Spain and we have the desire to make this work. “Therefore a meeting of all interested parties is to be convened to adopt the rules and regulations as set down by THFC, to elect officers for the Club and consider how we proceed to attract even more members to the club.” This meeting is now set for Wednesday 12th January, to be held at Moore’s Bar, Cabo Roig, start time 20.00. Any Spurs fan wishing to attend is welcome. Further details can be obtained by phoning Moores Bar on 965 321 785 or by emailing moores.spurs@ yahoo.com.

7 - 13 january 2011

Fishing Maggots End by

David Hoare

968 199 279 THIS WEEK’S competition (22/12/2010) was the first in the Coastrider challenge cup. These team matches consist of 4 rounds. The venue for this round was the 8 Foot Drain.

There is a lot of litter once again in the water, i.e. plastic bottles; dead animals etc. all floating by… All details are available from the Match Secretary Terry Screen on 965 328 368.

TOP RODS ON THE DAY 1st Dave (The Bike Man) Taylor, fishing the pole using bread and corn with 5.04 kg. 2nd Terry (Swing ‘Em) Screen, fishing the pole using maggot with 4.620 kg. 3rd Bill (The Master) Reade, fishing the pole using maggot and corn with 4.56 kg TEAM MATCH SECTION RESULTS Section 1-6 Bill Reade with 4.56 kg Section 7-12 Dave Taylor with 5.04 kg Section 13-18 Bill Reade with 7.04 kg

TROUCHA TROUT FISHING The winner of the mid-week competition held on 15th December was again Wayne Salmon from Javea. Nine Anglers participated in this second fly competition, held under Spanish winter circumstances. The constantly changing cold wind made it difficult for everyone and when at 17.00 the sun disappeared, it became very cold. This time winner Wayne captured 26 trout, using a sinking line with a booby. No 2 Paul captured 17 and No 3 Kieron ended with 16 trout. Wayne went home again with a voucher for one morning free fishing; 2 litres of Moscatel wine from the local bodega and some Christmas presents. The next fly competition will be on Saturday, January 8th as always from 14.00 – 17.30. If you want to participate call Jan on 636 314 033. Trout fishery Hondon Trucha is open every morning during the winter. More information on www.hondontrucha.com

POINTS Dave´s Team Section 1-6: 12 Section 7-12: 12 Total: 28 Abbey Angling Section 1-6: 8 Section 7-12: 9 Total: 17 The competition this week (29th December) was the 7th in the Winter Championship and was held again on the 8 foot drain. The fishing is still patchy as the results show, Dave Taylor again showing the way home. TOP ANGLERS ON THE DAY 1st Dave (The Bike Man) Taylor, fishing the pole using maggot with 12.10 kg. 2nd Richard (Tricky Dicky) Kendall, fishing the pole using maggot with 7.28 kg. 3rd Dave (Yours Truly) Hoare, fishing the pole using bread with 4.88 kilos ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS supplied by Terry Screen This week’s Match was the 8th round of the Winter League fished at Sweet Water on 21st December 2010. After visiting the water the previous day following the heavy rain it was thought it might have to be transferred to a different venue. Fortunately, on the morning of the match the water had run off and there was a good steady flow; there were a couple of dry nets but the majority caught. There was a lot of big fish lost - I lost five large fish as I was unable to get them out of the reeds. 1st Stan (The Man) Roberts with 5 fish weighing in with 9.080kg on the pole and feeder 2nd Terry (Swing Em) Screen with 4 fish weighing 8.380kg on feeder maggot and corn 3rd Stuart (I’m Married again) Taylor with 6.440kg on feeder maggot and corn.

Anglers Together HAPPY NEW YEAR! ANGLERS TOGETHER was formed to introduce and encourage anglers of all abilities to meet up and get together to fish, either sea or freshwater. Firm friendships have been formed during the time the group has been active and information on fishing venues and licenses required are available at the meetings or by regular emailed newsletters. Meetings are held in two locations on the second Friday and Saturday of each month. Anyone with an interest in fishing (sea or freshwater) is welcome to come along to a meeting to see what we’re about. The next meeting at Mary’s Bar, Campoverde (near Pilar de la Horadada) will be held on Friday, 14th January at 12.00. There is a NEW VENUE for the Puerto de Mazarron meeting starting in January 2011. On Saturday 15th January at 12.00 the meeting will be held at The New Royal Bar and Restaurant at El Alamillo, opposite the sea-front between Isla Plana and the Port. Refreshments and lunch are available at each location. Come along to a meeting nearest to you. For further details ring Alan Roscoe 968 570 876 or email: anglerstogether@gonuts4free.com

Torry Army

THERE WILL be an EGM for all paid up members of the Torry Army at the Casa Ventura on Thursday, 11th January starting at 19.30. In attendance will be Dani Plaza, Snr Boix and club captain Corcoles. It is in the best interests of all members to attend: please bring your TA membership cards with you. At the end of the meeting there will be a small buffet. Please make all efforts to attend.