RTN South Edition 598 by Round Town News

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SOUTH EDITION

Issue 598

By Royal appointment 01 - 07 april 2011

by Jack Troughton THE PRINCE of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall charmed representatives of the British expat community as the royal couple began a three day visit to Spain on Wednesday.

Their Royal Highnesses looked happy and relaxed as they mingled with 300 guests on the lawn of the British Ambassador’s Residence in Madrid. They took the time to

shake hands with everyone of the throng assembled under a marquee and visibly enjoyed chatting and joking with guests who had travelled from as far away as the Balearics and the Canaries. And told by a young Spanish lady that he was very good looking, the prince

– possibly remembering famous snaps of being kissed in the Australian surf – replied: “Please don’t start all that again!” The reception was staged during the official visit to allow the senior members of the Royal Family to personally thank representatives

of a network of voluntary organisations and charities for their tireless efforts in helping a million strong British community living across Spain – and some 15 million visitors arriving each year from the UK. Continued on page 4

01 - 07 april 2011

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New Museum opens in Orihuela by Patricia Thompson ORIHUELA CITY is fast becoming the cultural capital of Valencia following the inauguration last week of the Pedrera Foundation Museum, located in the Palace of Sorzano de Tejada. The museum was inaugurated by the Mayor of Orihuela, Mónica Lorente, and Antonio Pedrera, a lifetime Orihuela resident and businessman who, thanks to a very generous donation, made the museum become a reality. The Mayor was also accompanied by the Territorial Director of Patrimony, Concha Sirvent; the Alicante Diputada in charge

of Culture, Pedro Romero and the Orihuela Councillors for Culture and Urbanism, Pepa Ferrando and Antonio Rodríguez Barberá, who have both been in charge of the museum restoration project. Ms Lorente said “I would like to thank Orihuela´s son, Antonio Pedrera, for his amazing generosity and the wonderful vision that he had in transforming the Palace Sorzano de Tejada into this amazing museum, which I am sure will gain national recognition.” The museum is currently displaying some amazing works of art by famous Spanish artist, Joaquín Agrasot.

Mayor of Orihuela Monica Lorente and Antonio Pedrera inaugurate museum

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

See our feature on P34

International Auditorium of Music’s programme of events include guided tours and concerts by Julie Day TORREVIEJA’S SPECTACULAR International Auditorium of Music was finally inaugurated last Friday evening and has now opened its doors to the public for a programme of guided tours and a series of concerts that will last up until the end of June. Visitors are invited to assist one of the several guided tours that will take place most weekends between the hours of 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm. These tours will take place on the following dates: Friday 1st April Friday 15th Friday 22nd Friday 29th

Saturday 2nd Saturday 16th Saturday 23rd Saturday 30th April

Sunday 3rd Sunday 17th Sunday 24th

For the month of May, there will be guided tours of the auditorium on the following dates: Friday 6th May Friday 13th Friday 20th Saturday 28th

Saturday 7th Saturday 14th (pm only) Saturday 21st Sunday 29th (am only both days)

Sunday 8th (pm only) Sunday15th Friday 27th

The visits in June will take place on: Friday 3rd June Friday 10th (am only) Friday 17th (am only) Friday 24th

Saturday 4th (am only) Saturday 11th Saturday 18th (am only) Saturday 25th (am only)

Sunday 5th (am only) Sunday 12th (am only) Sunday 19th (am only) Sunday 26th June

In addition to these guided tours, visitors will also be able to see the impressive music auditorium, which caters for 1,500 people in the main Symphonic Room, in full use, as a series of concerts have been planned that will include performances from all of Torrevieja’s local Spanish choirs. The concerts will begin on Thursday 7th April with a performance at 9pm by the Ars Aetheria Chamber Orchestra (8€) and will be followed by a free concert with invitation on Sunday 10th April by the Unión Musical Torrevejense and the Ricardo Lafuente Municipal Choir. In May there will be a concert on Saturday, 14th May at 7pm: ‘A Concert of Operatic Choirs’ (5€ and 10€) and on Sunday, 29th May a concert by the Ricardo Lafuente Municipal Choir. Finally, for the month of June there will be concerts from local choirs on Saturday 4th June at 9pm and Sunday 5th June and a special free concert on Friday 10th June at 9pm by the Santo Tomás of Manila University Choir from the Philippines, winners of the 2010 Habaneras Competition. This is followed by concerts from local choirs on the 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 25th June. Tickets and invitations for each of the concerts are available from the Municipal Theatre (not the International Auditorium) box office from Tuesday – Friday between 11am – 1pm or from the venue itself from two hours before each performance.

The World Cup in Costa Blanca THE WORLD Cup, won by the Spanish football team in South Africa last summer 2010, is to be exhibited in the Costa Blanca for public viewing, thanks to the Valencian Football Federation. The Cup will be on display in Benidorm Town Hall on Monday 4th April from 10am to 8pm; in Vila Joyosa, Barbera dels Aragonés on Wednedsday 6th April from 9am to 5pm and in La Nucia Town Hall from 6pm to 9pm.

01 - 07 april 2011

Spring Day Trips Sun Benidorm

April Specials 11€ Benidorm 3 day break 4*FB. Weekly

124€

SUN Benidorm, Moraira + carvery

22€ Benidorm 4 day break 4*FB. Weekly

149€

MON Alicante city

11€ Benidorm Palace + 1 night hotel 4*FB.

119€

MON Guadalest & Algar inc lunch/wine 24€ Benidorm Palace + 2 night hotel 4*FB.

139€

Tues Altea, Benidorm, Elche + carvery

22€

Wed Benidorm

11€ 24 April - Almansa Big Battle fiesta

15€

WED Caravaca & Calasparra inc lunch/wine 24€ 30 April - Murcia sardines fiesta

11€

Thur Cartagena & train to Mar Menor

14€

12€

Thur Murcia shopping malls

11€ 6-9 May - Feria de Sevilla. 4 day country BB

thur Murcia city & market

España Fiesta Fun

2 May - Caravaca Wine Horses

199€

11€ 14 May - Alcoy Moors & Christians

16€

FRI Benidorm Palace meal/show

47€ 26-29 May - Feria de Cordoba. 4 day country BB 199€

fri Benidorm at night

12€ 24 June - Alicante San Juan fiesta

FRI Xativa & Agost incl. tourist train 20€ 28 July - Villajoyosa Moors & Christians SAT Jalon Valley on market day + carvery

11€ 12€

22€ 23 Sep - Cartagena Romans & Carthaginians 12€

OVERNIGHT EXCURSIONS WITH COACHTRIPS S.L GRANADA 3 DAY

CUENCA 3 DAY

139€

4* city BB. 5-7 APRIL

FB wine/water + trips. 12-14 april

VALENCIA 3 DAY

FERIA DE SEVILLA 4 DAY

120€

includes Sevilla, Cordoba, Ecija

3* CITY BB. 18-20 APRIL

country BB + city trips. 6-9 May

ALMUÑECAR 7 DAY

MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE 8 DAY from

285€

199€

560€

4* FB + trips. 8-14 May

all inclusive / TAXES / TRANSFERS 15-22 MAY

MADRID 4 DAY

FERIA DE CORDOBA 4 DAY

215€

includes Cordoba, Sevilla, Ecija

3* city BB. 24-27 May

COUNTRY BB + TRIPS. 26 - 29 MAY

SALAMANCA, SEGOVIA

PICOS DE EUROPA 6 DAY

+ Pastrana & Guadalajara

299€

3*HB + city visits 1-4 june

4*BB + tours. 13-18 June

199€

TOLEDO + TRIPS 4 DAY

BARCELONA BY TRAIN

199€

278€

3* BB city + trips. 27 - 30 June

4* city BB 4 day. 12-15 July

ADRIATIC CRUISE 8 DAY from

GALICIA 8 DAY

975€

399€

all inclusive / TAXES / FLIGHTS 27 JUNE-4 JULY

4*BB + daily tours. 17-24 July

More dates available! Call or click for more!

01 - 07 april 2011 INVITE

Continued from front page ROLE RTN was invited to meet the Royal couple to mark its key role in keeping readers informed of vital information affecting the lives of expats. Also present were members of Spanish local and regional authorities and the British Consul team. The Duchess of Cornwall, wearing a long cream jacket over an ivory dress, accessorised with pearl and diamond jewellery, revealed she knew the Costa Blanca well after spending happy holidays in the Javea area. And as patron of Maggie’s Cancer Caring Group, met representatives of the charity hoping to open a new centre in Barcelona – the first outside the UK. Told of the large British population in Alicante, Prince Charles said he was convinced English speaking newspapers, radio, and television “were essential” to the community, laughing: “I am far too old to learn Spanish.” The prince admitted he had heard of Benidorm’s reputation as a good time holiday destination, and smiled when RTN’s managing director Geoff Gartland suggested a visit to the resort.

Geoff Gartland and Jack Troughton meet the Prince of Wales

Later Geoff explained: “He certainly knew all about Benidorm, so I invited him to see for himself and he grinned – it seemed he would certainly like to try it for himself.” He added: “On a serious level, it was fantastic to see how much every guest – chosen to represent charities working hard across the country – valued this special recognition of their work. “I was so impressed how the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were able to take a very personal interest in everyone and make a very special day such a success – people will keep the memory with them all their lives.” He added: “Certainly on a personal note, I was very proud to meet Their Royal Highnesses. It is not something that happens every day to a working class lad from Leeds.” Bay Radio’s Andy Stammers and Danny Sanders travelled with RTN to Madrid, honoured to be the only English radio station at the reception. STANDARDS Andy said: “It is very clear that RTN’s high standards of journalism and our own concentration on live presenters broadcasting community news and events has won this recognition and invitation.” And Sarah Rogers of Age Concern Espana said: “WE were all very pleased that the Royal couple spent time chatting with representatives of our many groups. It was very rewarding to have the work of our volunteers recognised and to know that their efforts are very much appreciated.” Jacqui Phillips, MBE, President of the MABS Cancer Support Group, said the prince asked about her award. “He wanted to know who gave me it me at Buckingham Palace and I had to tell him it wasn’t him but the Queen. “However, he was very interested in our group and the work we do along with other charities helping the international community.” The visit is part of a Royal tour of Portugal, Spain and Morocco, officially hosted by the Prince and Princess of Asturias. TRADE During the visit there were a number of high-level meetings with business leaders to further boost investment and trading links between the UK and Spain, with the message that Britain “is open for business.”

RTN’s Managing Director Geoff Gartland (far right) chats to the Duchess of Cornwall

Also on the agenda were talks about the hopes to develop a low carbon economy and how the two allies might work together to combat climate change while generating business growth. However, it was once again meeting British citizens and paying tribute to their work that was a highlight of the visit. Ambassador Giles Paxman said: “The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall thoroughly enjoyed meeting the volunteer representatives and learning about some of the challenges they face. “They were very pleased to have the opportunity to pass on their heartfelt thanks to the many thousands of British and Spanish volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to help more vulnerable British residents.” The diplomat said it was impossible for the Royal couple to meet every volunteer but the presence of the invited guests was a tribute to every person who helped others. “I want to add my own heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers. Their kindness and care is hugely valued and appreciated, and makes a very big difference to many people’s lives.”

Appeal for fire engine welcome party by Julie Day TWO WEEKS ago RTN wrote a story about Steve Moore, who for the last nine months has been travelling around the world in a fire engine in order to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Support Charity, The Fire-fighters Charity and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Steve has visited five continents, 28 countries, driven approximately 30,000 miles, experienced extremes of heat and challenging terrains, and as well as raising money for charity, is also attempting a Guinness World Record for the longest ever continuous trip in a fire engine. Now in the final stages of his expedition, Steve is set to make a stop in Torrevieja this coming Wednesday 6th April before continuing to Barcelona and the last leg home. RTN would like to appeal to as many people as possible to come down to Torrevieja’s main square, outside the town

way to the main square of the town. The Mayor of Torrevieja, Pedro Hernández Mateo, is set to welcome Steve and his crew at 12pm and there will be a press conference outside the town hall shortly after. Please come down and show your support for this brave man who has carried out a truly magnificent feat.

Local Police thwart fraudster A WOMAN of Spanish nationality was arrested last week by the Local Police of Torrevieja for attempting to impersonate a Social Services employee in a bid to gain access to the bank accounts of dependant and elderly residents’ and steal money from them. The Department of Social Services alerted the police, who were then able to arrest the 29year old woman, who already has previous convictions for similar activities, before any money was actually stolen. Court proceedings have been initiated, although the police are still investigating whether this woman worked alone, whether other people were involved or whether this was the only crime committed.

Homage to the female grape - gatherer of La Mata By Julie Day A SCULPTURE of a female grape-gatherer wearing traditional dress was unveiled last week in Torrevieja’s wine-growing region of La Mata. The figure, which can be seen in Plaza Gaspar Perelló, opposite the town hall, was created by Vicente Miró, a resident of Cuenca, who won first prize in the V sculpture competition ‘City of Torrevieja’.

Martha the fire engine as she left London in July 2010

hall and the Inmaculada Concepción church in order to welcome Steve, his crew and his fire engine, Martha. The group will first of all visit the Torrevieja fire station at 11am on Wednesday morning to meet their Spanish counterparts and at approximately 11.45am they will leave the station with two police outriders and make their

01 - 07 april 2011

Sculpture of a traditional La Mata female winegatherer is unveiled

Present at the unveiling of the newly erected piece were the Mayor of Torrevieja, Pedro Hernández Mateo; first candidate for the position of mayor, Eduardo Dolón; councillor for Parks and Gardens, Eduardo Gil Rebollo; Local mayor of La Mata, Manuel Paredes; two women wearing the typical wine-gatherers dress and several local residents.

01 - 07 april 2011

Spanish MEP accused of corruption

Brit arrested with forged bank notes

by Patricia Thompson SPANISH PABLO Zalba has become the fourth MEP to be caught in a ‘cash for law’ corruption allegation through an investigation by the European Parliament. Snr Zalba of the Partido Popular party protested this week that he had been “deceived” by undercover reporters for the The Times newspaper, saying that he did not accept their cash offer. However, he even so amended draft legislation requested by the reporters who presented themselves as ‘lobbyists’, saying he did so in an effort to “protect small investors.” The Sunday Times reporters were succinct in their claims that Snr Zalba was aware he would be paid for making the amendments. The week before, Slovenian MEP Zoran Thaler, Austrian MEP Ernst Strasser and Romanian MEP Adrian Severin were all accused of taking cash for influencing laws in the European Parliament. Each is now being investigated by their respective anti-corruption authorities, which in Spain is governed by the Ley de Funcionarios Civiles del Estado.

Pictured right, Pablo Zalba

Airport strikes called off A POTENTIALLY devastating strike by airport workers has been called off. IT support staff, administrators, engineers, firefighters, runway staff and technicians were planning to strike on key dates at Easter and over the summer. An agreement has now been reached between workers’ unions, the government and AENA (the Spanish airports authority) and €100 million will be invested in air travel.

Bizarre endurance test to win luxury car A LUXURY car has been won by a woman who spent 26 hours with her hand glued to it. She then balanced a spoon with an egg in her mouth, then a plate on her head and eventually was chosen to win

the car when her name was drawn from a hat. It was all part of a very odd competition that took place in the Bonaire shopping centre near Valencia where 1,100 people signed up to take part.

A 56 YEAR old British man was arrested last week after trying to pay for items at a supermarket using a forged €50 note. The man, an Orihuela Costa resident, was at the supermarket in the Punta Prima complex when he presented the fake note and following a call to the Local Police, he was promptly arrested and taken to the Guardia Civil station in Torre de la Horadada, where he was charged and fast tracked to Orihuela court. This was the second occasion recently when a forged €50 note has been used in the area. The second incident involved a 25 year old man who tried to pay for his petrol at the supermarket in La Zenia using one of the forgeries. He too was apprehended and charged at the Guardia Civil station in Torre de la Horadada. Local Police ask that all residents be extra vigilant, especially local businesses, as it appears that there may be a lot of these fake €50 notes in circulation, particularly in Orihuela Costa.

01 - 07 april 2011

World Water Polo Second recreational area inaugurated within League game to take place in Torrevieja the La Mata Natural Park

A visitor takes a rest in the Natural Park’s new recreation area

by Julie Day A NEW recreation area located within the Natural Park of the La Mata and Torrevieja Lagoons was inaugurated last Saturday by the mayor of Torrevieja, Pedro Hernández Mateo and various town councillors. This is the second relaxation space that has been inaugurated within the park in the same number of weeks, the

first being the Lo Albentosa wooded recreational area situated opposite the La Mata cemetery. The new spot, located along the Ruta del Vino (Wine Route), allows visitors to stop and take in the natural beauty of the region before continuing with their walk through the wine-growing area. Tables and benches, a pergola, a wooden platform plus an educational game have been put in place in a bid to

attract more visitors to the area to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The Wine Route was inaugurated in May 2010 and consists of a 1,450m course that runs through the whole of the winegrowing area of the park. There are five designated stops where information is given about the history and the cultivation of grapes in this area, how the wine is made, and information about the biodiversity and types of grapes cultivated.

by Julie Day TORREVIEJA WILL host a World League men’s water polo match between Spain and Macedonia this coming Tuesday 5th April. The match is the 5th out of six dates of the Group A preliminary European phase of the World Water Polo League 2011 that sees other teams such as Serbia and Germany take part. At present, the Spanish national team currently lies in second place out of the four teams, but are yet to play Macedonia and Serbia. Spain won the World League title in 2009 and is currently runner up to Serbia who won the championship title in 2010. With one of Spain’s players, Guillermo Molina, being considered the world’s best water polo player in 2007, the national team stand a chance of doing well in this year’s competition. The match between Spain and Macedonia will take place this Tuesday 5th April at 7pm at the Olympic Pool of the Infanta Cristina Sports Palace. Anyone that would like to watch the match can pick up an invitation from the Sports Palace’s box office from two hours prior to the game.

Guided tour of Almoradi

A GUIDED Cultural Tour of Almoradi is to take place on Saturday, 2nd April, exploring the ancient history of Almoradi and visiting significant buildings within the city such as St Andrew’s Church, the Cortés Theatre and the Chapel. The route will start at 10.30am from the Tourist Information Office (in front of Santander Bank) and will take approximately one and a half hours. For more information, email turismo@almoradi.es or go to the Tourist Information Office in the Plaza de la Constitución, Almoradi, visit www.almoradi.es or telephone 96 678 3442.

01 - 07 april 2011

‘Diamond is Forever’ by Patricia Thompson JOSEPH AND Lilian Newman celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on St Patrick’s day at a reception held for family

and friends. They met on New Year’s Eve in 1948 and were married in St John’s church, Leytonstone, London, on 17th March 1951. They have had a home on La Siesta since 1988.

Baby Pandas first outing By Jan Gamm TWIN BABY male Panda cubs born through the technology of artificial insemination on 7th September 2010 at Madrid Zoo and Aquarium were introduced to the outside world on Tuesday by Queen Sofia of Spain. Now almost seven months, each weighing approximately 12 kilos, they hesitantly ventured outside onto the grass outside their enclosure, coaxed by Doña Sofia who was thrilled to be able to cuddle the cute little bears and show them off in front of the cameras. Next week, visitors to the zoo will be able to view the Pandas at play in their outdoor habitat, although the cubs will not share a pen with their mother, Hua Zui Ba, for some months to come. They are already eating Bamboo shoots but will still require feeding by their mother until they are a year old. Queen Giant Pandas are an endangered Sofia and species in danger of extinction. friend

Royals invited to Benidorm for honeymoon THE MAYOR of Benidorm has officially invited Prince William and Kate Middleton to spend their honeymoon in the popular Costa Blanca resort. Mayor Agustín Navarro sent a letter to Buckingham Palace last week. He believes that the royal couple would enjoy being close to their fellow Britons.

01 - 07 april 2011

Alan Gilchrist The Costa Blanca’s Top Hypnotherapist

Fast Track Hypnosis goes to Holland!

IT’S FUNNY how things turn out. Having decided to semi retire 6 years ago my plan was to keep my 7 Clinics in Northern Ireland, fly back to them every other week, then back here to have a well-earned rest. It didn’t work out that way. I think there are more Irish people on the Costa Blanca than in Ireland itself because when word got around that I had moved over here, many of them knew me from Ireland, and so for a full year I was constantly asked to start up my Fast Track Hypnosis system in Spain. For a full year I said no because I was semi-retired. However, I decided that I would do a ‘one off’ for some of them after the New Year of 2006 and that was it! Now I have 3 clinics here on the Costa Blanca as well as flying back to Northern Ireland. So much for retiring! Every so often I am asked to do clinics further afield. Last month I was asked to do a clinic in Malta and also California but with no time to do them. I have decided to do one in Holland instead. This came about because some of my previous clients from Holland have told their friends of their success and so they now want to try it. So from April Fast Track Hypnosis goes international! Last year I also introduced the Fast Track Gastroband system, probably one of the most talked about therapies in Spain. There are literally thousands of Hypnotherapists and Hypnotherapy organisations throughout the World offering this type of treatment, myself included, each using their own individual styles, (check it out on the internet by typing in ‘gastric band hypnosis’). Some have even developed and registered their own particular systems so other hypnotherapists can

go on courses to learn their techniques. Do you have to be registered to carry out this type of Hypnotic induction? Absolutely NOT! I prefer to use my 25 years’ experience in helping people lose weight by using my OWN particular unique system which I developed (Fast Track Hypnosis with Laser Therapy plus Gastric Band visualisation, calling it Gastroband). HOW DOES IT WORK? The subconscious mind learns from imagined experiences in the very same way that it learns from real events. By using Hypnosis, the subconscious mind is allowed to believe that the surgery has actually happened, consequently it ‘tricks’ the mind into allowing the person to eat smaller amounts of food so they will lose weight. However this technique is not suitable for everyone as it has its limitations. For example people who have phobias of medical procedures shouldn’t use it until the phobia is actually addressed, or if the client is already only eating small quantities of food, then having a smaller appetite isn’t going to make much difference, so the Fast Track Weight Control Session with would be used instead. This covers areas such as making healthy eating choices naturally, avoiding junk food, taking a lot more interest in their shape, fitness and vitality etc. “For years I have been struggling to get rid of my excess weight. Even though I played a lot of sport I was overweight and continually overeating. One day I picked up the courage to phone Alan for an appoint-

ment and I only wished I had done it a lot sooner! As instructed I listened to the CD every day for the month and inside 8 weeks I had lost nearly 2 stone (12.7 kilos). A year later I listen to the CD every so often and have been able to maintain my weight at the level I want. I was surprised how easy it was and would recommend Alan to anybody in the same situation. I’m current listening to Alan’s goal setting CD (after my session with him) and totally look forward to the same successful result. Alasdair...” Alan holds his Fast Track Hypnosis Stop Smoking and Weight control sessions as well as personal problems in Cabo Roig, Guardarmar and Benidorm.

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

Which of these is a proper passport photo? by Patricia Thompson DESPITE ALL the information needed in a passport application, your photo is one of the most important elements. And people often get it wrong. It should be easy. You go into a photo booth, put your money in, smile and there you go. But unlike getting your holiday snaps taken, producing an acceptable passport photo is not quite so straightforward. “We produce around 32,000 passports a year for customers in Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Cuba, North Africa, Greece and Cyprus,” says Andrew Hamilton, Head of the Regional Passport Processing Centre in Madrid. “But no matter where the applications come from, we invariably find that the biggest cause for delay is that the picture doesn’t meet the required standard.” So if you don’t want your passport application delayed because of your mug-shot, follow our tips below to make sure your photo is correct. • Size matters – We need to see more ‘head’ and less ‘shoulders’ in the photo. There should be at least 29mm from the top to the bottom of the head, but no more than 34mm. • No smiling – Although it’s tempting to smile, its better if you keep a neutral expression. Teeth should not be visible. • Remove glasses – If at all possible, don’t wear glasses, they can give off a glare which means we can’t see the detail of the photo. • Make sure the face is clearly visible – Don’t wear hats, and try not to let your hair cover your face. • Make sure you’re straight on – You need to look straight at the camera. Although we all may have a ‘good’ side, for the passport photo you need to be straight-on. • The plainer the better – Photos should be against a plain, light or off-white background. • Don’t use your home camera – The photos have to be of a particular resolution, printed on specific photo-quality paper. It might look okay to you, but on our systems it can often come out grainy and faded. For children, the rules aren’t so stringent. For children under one year of age the photo needs to be a good likeness, showing as much of the child’s face as possible. For children between1-6, we can waive the need for a neutral expression, and the eyes don’t need to be looking straight at the camera. But for adults, we need it to be right first time. And for those who want to know, the correct photo is number 3. For more detailed information on passport photos, visit the DirectGov website www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/ Applicationinformation/DG_174152 For more information on passport applications visit the passports section of the UK in Spain website: www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports

Grave robbery in El Altet

The gravestone was pushed aside

By Jan Gamm RESIDENTS OF El Altet are disgusted at the desecration and robbery of jewellery from the grave of Carmelo Sanchez who died aged 29 and was buried ten years ago in the local cemetery. Those responsible for the security of the cemetery are now keeping a close vigilance while investigations continue. For the time being it has been decided the cemetery will be closed overnight; a hardship for some mourners. It is now believed the perpetrator/s of the desecration might have been in close acquaintance with the family, as few were

aware of the presence of valuables in the tomb. The grave was attacked last Friday – the gravestone was found pushed inside the tomb where remains had been scattered as the thief searched for the jewellery. In Spain such crimes are punishable under Chapter IV of the Spanish Penal Code covering ‘crimes against freedom of conscience, religious beliefs and respect for the dead’ which rules that desecration of a body or ashes is punishable with imprisonment. This was the only tomb desecrated and the deeply distressed family of the deceased has confirmed a ring, a necklace and a medal is missing.

01 - 07 april 2011

Expo Torrevieja fair open to public by Julie day TORREVIEJA’S FIRST ever Expo International Business Fair was inaugurated on Wednesday morning and is now open to the public until 9.30pm on Sunday 3rd April. The Mayor of Torrevieja, Pedro Hernández Mateo, accompanied by Ana Ballenilla, Territorial Director of Commerce; Eduardo Dolón, councillor for Fiestas and Culture and Deputy Mayor; Pedro Valero, councillor for Foreign Residents plus several other representatives from the town hall of Torrevieja, was shown around the Expo marquee with other guests by councillor for Business and Commerce, Agustina Esteve and President of APYMECO, Antonio Serna, initiators and organisers of the fair. The Expo Business Fair opened to the general public on Thursday morning but participating businesses spent Wednesday setting up and networking. In his speech the Mayor said that it was important for businesses to interact with each other, talk about market trends and make contacts for future business. He also praised the hard work put in by all those involved in creating such an impressive and important event, which he deemed “positive, interesting and pioneering.” It was also mentioned that it is hoped the good weather would help entice visitors to the Expo to make it a success. The Expo International Business Fair is being held in a huge marquee that covers 2,800m2 in the harbour area, next to the fairground. Approximately 80 local businesses are exhibiting their goods and services, each offering special prices specifically for the purpose of the Expo. Many businesses are Spanish but there are also plenty from other European countries such as the UK, Sweden, Germany and Norway. Visitors can expect to find stands exhibiting fashion, jewellery, make-up, food, furniture, garden equipment and swimming pools amongst

The Mayor inaugurated Torrevieja’s first ever International Business Expo

other things. Local charities such as Age Concern and AFA will also be present. Throughout the three remaining days there will also be an entertainment programme where visitors can enjoy live singing and music, dance displays and fashion shows as follows: FRIDAY 12pm 2pm 5pm 6pm 7pm

TVT Radio Swedish guitarist, Jan Stridsberg British singer, Emily Hullmann Demonstration of Body Combat Singer Shani Ormiston

11am 12pm

Drumline – percussion group from the Unión Musical Torrevejense Zumba demonstration by FIT4ALL Gym

SATURDAY

1pm 5pm 7pm

Norwegian Gospel Choir Singer Larry Wright Fashion parade by Expo participators SUNDAY

11am Zumba demonstration by FIT4ALL Gym 12pm Carnival parade by “Aqui hay tomate” comparsa 1pm Swedish guitarist, Jan Stridsberg 6pm Fashion parade by Betún fashion, shoes and accessories Food tasting will be offered by participating restaurants and from this afternoon kids can enjoy four hours a day of children’s activities, to take place from 11.30am – 1.30pm and 6.30pm – 8.30pm. The Torrevieja International Expo Business Fair will be open from Friday – Sunday 9.30am – 9.30pm without interruption.

Clean up or pay up THE TOWN hall of Torrevieja is on a mission to clean up its streets. A municipal campaign has been launched in a bid to ensure that residents make more of an effort to keep streets and public spaces free of litter, illegal posters, rubbish, graffiti and dogs’ mess. Both uniformed and plain clothed police officers have been on the lookout over the last few weeks in search of anyone dumping rubbish, putting up illegal posters or stickers, failing to clean up their animal’s mess and other similar acts. A total of 16 people have been caught so far, and will be fined accordingly; some of those fines could exceed 600€.

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01 - 07 april 2011

Visits to Torrevieja’s windmill from May by Julie Day VISITORS TO the Molino del Calvario in Torrevieja will soon be able to watch a newly produced educational video that gives information on its history and how it used to work. The windmill, located in the Plaza del Molino, has also recently been endowed with new sails, sits at the highest point of the town, 24m above sea level, and although its main function was to grind cereals and salt, it was also an important landmark for sailors and cartographers. The audio-visual guide that has been produced by the

Department of Tourism of Torrevieja, 50% of which is subsidised by the Valencian Tourism Agency, is available in Spanish, English, French and German and has a running time of 20 minutes. At present the windmill is only open to school groups but from May onwards it will be open to tourist visitors as well. To visit the interior of the windmill and watch the new tourist guide, to be shown on a new 42” LCD television, groups will have to phone ahead first to make an appointment. This may be done in English and in Spanish by telephoning 96 692 6552.

Lectures for European residents

The Mayor of Torrevieja assisted the presentation of the windmill’s new audio-visual tourist guide

THE PROVINCIAL Town Hall of Alicante, through its Department of European Residents has organised a third series of informative lectures entitled ‘Did you know…?’ The lectures have been created with the aim of informing European residents about social, legal and administrative issues that affect their lives and integration in the Province, providing valuable facts and information about their rights and duties in Spain. The lectures will be held at the Ayunamiento Playa Flamenca on 4th April at 11am. For further details please visit www.residenteseuropeos.com

Festival fever about to begin By Julie Day DON’T FORGET that this season of outdoor festivals kicks off next Saturday 9th April with the brilliant Alicante Spring Festival. Expect 12 hours of the best electronic and house music plus local rock and Indie bands. Based on events such as Creamfields and Benicassim, the Alicante Spring Festival has an impressive line up featuring 28 DJs and musicians,

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including world famous techno DJ Cristian Varela plus other well-known names such as Javi Reina, Dario Nuñez, Ibiza white Experience and local DJ David Bordalás. This event takes place at the Volvo Ocean Race Resort in Alicante and tickets are priced at 18€ each, which includes a free drink. For further information and to purchase tickets, please visit www. alicantespringfestival.com.

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01 - 07 april 2011

Stopped and fined I UNDERSTAND from other readers/ contributors that I am not the first to have experienced this. Nevertheless I feel that it should be mentioned every time it happens, until such things hopefully stop. What happened to me was that I was driving along in the quiet streets of the otherwise ‘peaceful’ village of Algorfa: I was driving slowly and carefully, crossing a couple of streets when the local police stopped me (and fined me) for “not having respected (stopped in front of) two ‘give way’ signs. No, I did not stop as there were no cars crossing: in other words, a traffic rule invented by a needy police department. I can survive the fine, but it is quite frightening that an allegedly civilised country can tolerate a corrupt police force – and at the same time desperately wanting tourists to come. I do hope somebody will take the necessary responsibility to make an end to this. Arne B Algorfa

Every sympathy I SYMPATHISE with Sr and Sra de la Fuente. My meter was last read in July 2009; not quite such a delay as the de le Fuentes have experienced but none the less perturbing. I have written to Iberdrola but, of course, there has been no reply; I have also telephoned them and been assured one more than one occasion that my meter would be read “…almost every six months!” My bills for estimated readings have reached 200€ during a period when I was not even in Spain. Can anything be done to enforce the law? Allen Everington

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letter of the week

Telefonica trouble BEWARE OF Telefonica! They are arguably the worst company in Spain! Having waited eight months for them to release my line to another provider (my free choice!) and finally receiving a credit from them for the unused line rental, everything was fine...UNTIL NOW! They have arbitrarily, so it appears, decided that as a free consumer I have no rights...and grabbed my line back! These are bully boy tactics in the extreme and should not in any way be tolerated by the European Courts. Rather than waste millions of euros sponsoring motor racing they should be forced to attend courses on how to run a business - and pay vast amounts of compensation to the injured parties, of which I have no doubt there are thousands!

I shall be making as many waves as I can through my solicitor and MEP in Strasbourg to outlaw this offensive and disgusting tactic...needless to say the minute a bill appears at my bank it WILL NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE PAID I would sooner have red hot needles shoved in my eyes than pay these arrogant imbeciles one cent! Anyone who has ever had dealings with them should be warned they will come again and again until they have bled you dry... I would sooner live in cave in Rumania rather than have any more dealings with TELEFONICA! Can something be done or will they be allowed to blatantly ignore all efforts to stop them...! Richard Carder

neighbourhood Watch activities AFTER READING the press coverage in several of the English language newspapers last week I felt compelled to write again about my concerns regarding Neighbourhood Watch´s activities. Mr. Chris Poole replied very quickly to my letter last year, and also to the letter from the CLARO party, after he felt his toes had been stepped on. Neighbourhood Watch and especially Mr. Poole´s name were very prominent last week in the local press and always in connection with the PP party. One article actually stated that Monica Lorente had said of Mr. Poole: “Chris Poole was instrumental in getting the new emergency centre for the coast and I am very pleased that he is here in Orihuela Costa to help the local police in their fight against crime.” I wonder if Mr. Poole ever expressed his concerns to the Mayoress, and the PP party, about the length of time it has taken and will still take to get the centre up and running? I think not. Of course the Mayoress is pleased that Mr. Poole is here in Orihuela Costa to help the local police in their fight against crime – she certainly should be considering the insufficient number of police officers here on the coast. Can you honestly still say Mr. Poole that you and Neighbourhood Watch are not political? I

quote your statement in one local newspaper from June last year: “I would like to point out that as a group, we are not political. I am not political and I am not a member of any political party.” I for one really do not believe you, Mr. Poole. Will Mr. Poole and Neighbourhood Watch still support the Mayoress now she has been charged with breach of trust, embezzlement of public funds and forgery? This further PP scandal has not been mentioned at all by the English press up until my time of writing. This matter is also of interest to readers; not just photographs and reports of the laying of foundation stones and meeting the British Consul. Returning to the reason for me writing this letter: Is Mr. Poole (and the Neighbourhood Watch by association) caught up in the PP’s wheels of motion and been offered too many ‘favours’, accepted and now too late to decline? Would Neighbourhood Watch support this type of behaviour in England, Mr. Poole? I do not think they would. You were very quick to reply to my letter last year Mr. Poole and I am very interested to read what you have to say in your defence this year. Edith Wood La Florida

Solving crime is pretty remote THANK YOU for printing my letter regarding the theft of my handbag from the car, parked in Lidl Carpark, on 18th March. I subsequently paid another visit to the

Guardia Civil Office to determine whether or not any information had been gained from the CCTV coverage, only to be told that they could not confirm that the cameras

were operational at the time of the incident. I can only conclude that any prospect of solving crimes by this method is pretty remote. Anne Riddell, Albir

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Cannot feel compassion IN ANSWER to Mrs Riddell’s letter to your paper of 25th March: How could anyone be so stupid as to leave their handbag underneath a seat of a car and go into Lidls – I understand she had two dogs in the car as well and left the window slightly ajar – how commendable of her and so she should – but she is lucky the two small dogs weren’t stolen as well, as they are also worth money. Thieves are highly adept at forcing doors, windows and even boot locks… Thieves are thieves and if they want to get in either to your car or your house they will – these morons work Lidls car parks all the time – they sit, watch, bide their time and then pounce... they are highly confident in what they do, they are doing it daily and never seem to get caught I’m sorry but I cannot feel compassion when someone is so stupid. Does she not read the newspapers – it’s happening everywhere… SMB – Elche

01 - 07 april 2011

Faith undergoes emergency leg amputation by Patricia Thompson

RTN READERS anxiously awaiting news of Faith, the miniature horse undergoing pioneering bone healing surgery at a clinic in Barcelona will be relieved to learn the little horse is recovering after surgical amputation of her lower leg. Faith stumbled while still in a cast following surgery three weeks ago, fracturing her already severely weakened canon bone. Early elation at the success of the bone-healing treatment was replaced by horror as it was soon evident the leg would have to be amputated if Faith was to survive. Faith was in surgery for five hours. A cast will remain in place for three weeks for the stump to begin to heal and the swelling

to go down, before a mold of her stump can be made for a customised prosthetic limb. Pioneering veterinary surgeon Gasper described Faith as “an amazing and gutsy little horse.” She bravely stood up on her temporary prosthetic limb and walked back to her stall. Sue Weeding of the EHCRC said: “We can only wait and hope that everything goes well, Faith deserves a chance at a happy life after all she’s been through. The Rescue Centre would like to thank everyone involved, and those who have made donations, to the Faith Appeal.” This incredible story may be followed on SOL Productions TV and online at www.solproductions.tv. Latest updates are also available on www.easyhorsecare.net

Faith’s destroyed leg when she came to ECHC

Spanish star Penelope Cruz on the Walk of Fame

Penelope Cruz on the Walk of Fame

By Jan Gamm PENELOPE CRUZ has been awarded a Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame. The actress will join other Spanish legends such as Julio Iglesias, Placido Domingo and Antonio Banderas at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard, the occasion to be marked by a reception hosted by Rob Marshall, director of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ in which the actress stars alongside Johnny Depp. Cruz received a Best Actress Oscar for her role as Maria Elena in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’. Penelope Cruz will be the first Spanish actress to receive a Walk of Fame star. She is married to Spanish actor Javier Bardem and recently gave birth to their first son, Leo.

The Great Escape: Wolves on the loose in Barcelona Zoo

By Jan Gamm TWO IBERIAN Wolves escaped from their enclosure in Barcelona Zoo on Wednesday afternoon. One of the wolves was apprehended by keepers within the park premises shortly after the escape was reported, while the other was found lurking metres from his cage. At first it was feared the animals had managed to access neighbouring areas of El Born and Ciutadella Park but the Zoo director, Miquel Trepat has confirmed that this was not the case and the animals were quickly recovered and returned safely to a secure enclosure. At the time, 900 visitors were within the park including a group of school children, confined to a safe area while the search for the fugitives took place.

Plaque honours those who died in Civil War REPUBLICANS FROM Alicante who died at the hands of Franco’s firing squads in the Spanish Civil War have been honoured by a memorial plaque in Alicante cemetery. There are 724 names inscribed, and reports say that three out of four who died were under 45.

01 - 07 april 2011

Seek expert advice

“If they have done it before, they will do it again”

Recovering in hospital Paul Rodwell addresses the meeting

by Jack Troughton BRITISH EXPATS were advised it was “essential” to get information from the experts at official sources at the latest British Consulate Open Day. Alicante-based Consul Paul Rodwell and members of the Pension, Benefit and Healthcare team travelled to Mazarron to meet British residents at the new social centre – only opened shortly beforehand by the consul and Mayor Francisco Blaya. Winter fuel payments, access to healthcare and property problems were amongst topics given an airing during ‘lively’ debate at the road show and the team was kept busy answering specific problems and concerns at the fully booked event. Afterwards Mr Rodwell said there was a “fantastic turnout” and praised the new centre giving the people of Camposol a welcome place to meet.

MESSAGE “However, the one message I hope people took away from the event is that it is essential to get their information from official sources,” he said. The consul added there was a wealth of information on the website www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk “Our Living in Spain section covers everything from residency requirements, pension and healthcare issues to who to contact regarding property issues. If anyone has any doubts about what they should do or what they are entitled to, they should check it out there,” he said. Mazarron Town Hall’s councillor for foreign residents Jacqueline Galvez was present at the open day along with charities such as Age Concern Costa Calida, which supports people aged 50 and over, MABS Mar Menor, which helps people suffering from cancer, and Go Mad, a Mazarron charity seeking to help people experiencing hardship.

By Jan Gamm A 19-YEAR-OLD girl (name withheld) is recovering in hospital after jumping from a first floor balcony to escape her violent partner after being held against her wishes for four days in an apartment in Valencia. Her 20-year-old alleged assailant, known as ‘Carlos SR’, subjected the girl to continuous beatings over the four day ordeal, using a broom handle and the butt of an air gun to inflict a series of horrific injuries. A restraining order was placed upon Carlos SR in February following previous incidents of violence that forced the victim, a business administration student, to

move back into her parents’ home. However, against her father’s advice she agreed to return to the apartment she had shared with the man following his assurances that he had “changed,” a decision that almost resulted in her death and that she now regrets. Speaking from her hospital bed, having sustained a broken elbow and pelvis along with multiple lacerations and bruises as a result of her brave leap from captivity, the girl’s advice to other victims of domestic violence is: “I know that if I had not jumped, he would have killed me. I now know that if they have done it before, they will do it again.”

01 - 07 april 2011

Careers advice and vocational education in Spain by Julie Day By Kerry Carlton PGCE, BA(Hons), BTDA RGT VOCATIONAL TRAINING equips people with practical skills that allow them to engage in careers which involve manual or practical abilities. These jobs involve skills which cannot be learned through academic study alone, such as hairdressing, singing, acting, fitness instructing, sports teaching, car mechanic, to name a few. Vocational qualifications follow a course structure that has an emphasis on developing and gaining skills related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation. These engaging and inspiring work related qualifications are suitable for a wide range of students; specifically designed to accommodate the needs of employers in vocational areas and allow progression to university.

They can be studied alongside, or in place of, IGCSE’s and A levels and courses are available in a range of levels, each one taking different amounts of time to complete. Over the past 25 years, vocational qualifications have helped millions of people develop the skills they need to succeed in life. Their reputation has grown and continues to be developed and updated with and for industry and in response to the needs of learners. Despite this constant growth there still seems to be a lack of understanding regarding these qualifications, their acceptance and progression routes available following their completion. Many people know what job they want to do from an early age; for others it’s not so simple. Choosing a career and an education route is a big decision and pupils need plenty of help to find the right career. It is for this reason that

Edexcel, the UK’s largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications, will be holding an open day giving careers advice at the Ghost academy of performing arts, Villamartin on Sunday 17th April 10-2pm. This is a brilliant opportunity for pupils and parents to come and have an informal chat regarding education options in Spain. Edexcel representatives will be on hand to give advice and information on a variety of vocational qualifications (BTEC and NVQ) and academic (IGCSE/ALevel) courses available in the area. For those that have already completed secondary education and are looking for a further/higher education route there will be a specialist advisor who can discuss UCAS entry credit system along with the new qualification and credit framework (hierarchy of qualifications through to university level and beyond).

Ghost Academy outstanding results PUPILS OF the Ghost academy of performing arts, Villamartin are celebrating this week after receiving their latest dance examination results. Twice each year, an examiner from the British Theatre Dance association flies over from the UK to the centre to assess pupils in ballet, tap, modern jazz and acrobatic dance graded syllabus. The pupils have worked extremely hard over the past six months in preparation for the examination, in a range of levels up to Grade 5, and were rewarded with exceptional marks, all passing with the highest categories possible - 5

merits and 21 distinctions. Dance teacher Kerry Carlton was so pleased with them that she wanted RTN to say “Congratulations” to all involved. As well as BTDA classes the academy also runs ‘Streetdance’, ‘Baby princess’ (a special under 6’s movement/music lesson) and the increasingly popular ‘Glee Club’ musical theatre group. The academy is now enrolling for the final term of the academic year. Anybody interested in receiving a timetable and further information should call 96 676 5607 or visit www.ghostpromotions.com

01 - 07 april 2011

Torrevieja’s Spring Cultural Programme is revealed

The 3rd Orihuela Costa 8km run THE THIRD Orihuela Costa 8km run will take place on Sunday, 10th April with ten different categories for runners, organised by the Orihuela Town Hall and the Tragmillas Athletic Club. The run will include four children´s categories for kids aged eight to 15 years over a run of 1,000m, also junior and senior classes and three separate veteran classes for people who those born before 1976. Prizes for the winners range from €100 for the first placed male and female to €25 for the fifth placed male or female. The 1,000m race for the children starts at 9.30am and the 8km run starts at 10.15am. Both races start

by Julie Day THE COUNCILLOR for Culture and Fiestas, Eduardo Dolón, together with Manuel Esteban Moreno, coordinator of cultural events in Torrevieja presented the Spring 2011 Cultural Programme to the public earlier this week. The cultural events for the spring period run from April through to the end of June and this year there will be a total of 298 varied activities. Highlights include the two concerts of international importance from The Commitments on 23rd April and The Temptations on 10th June, plus popular national musical acts such as Hombres G (21st May), Pasión Vega (18th May) and Valderrama (13th May). With a budget of 200,000€, the town hall is able to provide a total of 68 music concerts, 43 workshops, 34 theatre works, 20 talks and conferences, 10 galas, 9 children’s animation acts and 5 competitions. Dolón stated that as well as offering a high quality cultural programme with acts from national well known names plus plenty of varied activities to suit all, the town hall also aimed at continuing to support and promote events and performances from local musical and cultural associations. Outstanding events and activities also include the May Fair, which this year will run from 11th – 15th May, the Spanish-style ‘zarzuela’ operetta ‘La Revoltosa’ at the Municipal Theatre this weekend, the first edition of the short film exhibition ‘Primera Edición Torrevieja Audiovisual’ from 5th – 7th May at the Virgen del Carmen and the 25th International Choir Meeting ‘City of Torrevieja’, which this year is being held at the newly inaugurated International Auditorium of Music from 28th April until 1st May. Amongst the new events created for this spring season there will be the 1st Book Day Gala on 24th April at the Municipal Theatre, the 1st Exhibition of Local Theatre from 2nd May – 8th May and the first ever European Theatre Ex-

and end at the Orihuela Costa Town Hall in Playa Flamenca. Entrance to the adult race is free but limited to 500 places, so to enter please email organisers at inscripciones@tragamillas. org; you can also visit their website at www.tragimillas. org for more information. Closing date for inscriptions is Friday 8th April at 2pm, the final deadline; no further applications will be accepted after this time. For the children’s race, entrance is also free but there is no limit to places. For you childe to take part, contact the Sports Department at the Orihuela Town Hall on 902 111 190 or email deporteescolar@orihuela.es

House collapse in Alcoy

Manuel Moreno and Eduardo Dolón present the Spring 2011 Cultural Programme

hibition from 30th June until 5th July. Tickets for the majority of events in the cultural programme can be obtained from the Municipal Theatre’s box office between 11am and 1pm, Tuesday – Friday and special discounts of 20% are available for pensioners and the unemployed on many of the activities.

A HOUSE collapsed in the early hours of Monday morning on Calle San Mateo in Alcoy, the landslide of stones falling on a municipal van and two cars, all unoccupied, parked directly below. Fire fighters and police attended the scene swiftly following an emergency call. Luckily, nobody was injured. The owner of the cars said he rarely parked in that particular spot and now wishes he had not done so on this occasion, when a demolition team had been working on the site using a large excavator.

01 - 07 april 2011

Twenty words for one

THERE IS a great new series on BBC 4 called, Twenty Twelve. It’s written and directed by ‘People Like Us’ writer John Morton and filmed in a similar documentary style. Twenty Twelve follows the challenges By faced by the team responsible for delivering the 2012 London Olympics. The so-called, Olympic Deliverance Watts Team must try to get through to the end of the year without all the wheels falling off at once. Leading a brilliant cast is Hugh Bonneville as the - ultra-calm Head Of Deliverance – a master at “managing expectations” and staying positive at all costs. If, like me, you have a passionate dislike of corporate-speak (aka gobbledygook), you’ll both love it and hate it: it is full of jargon and corporate-speak. Corporate, business, or management-speak, according to the good folks at Wikipedia “refers to a particular syntax often used in large organisations.” Wiki continues, “The tone is associated with managers of large corporations, business management consultants, and occasionally government.” Occasionally government...? Hang on, haven’t we recently had thirteen years of Alastair John Campbell, turning businessspeak into Blair-speak? Oops, sorry folks, I “went off message” a bit there. There is even a top ten of the most annoying jargon. Have you had to “move the goalposts” to a “more level playing field”? Are you pressurised to “press the flesh” or score “a home run”? Maybe you’re simply tired with

Watts In Britain Paul

“thinking outside the box” and “pushing the envelope?” Edwin Pottle, from Llandudno, certainly is. He writes: “The health service in Wales is filled with managers who use this type of language as a substitute for original thought.” To relieve the tedium at meetings Edwin says that he and like-minded colleagues play “health-speak bingo.” He says, “Counting the key words lightens the tedium of meetings - including, most recently, ‘My door is open on this issue.’” Edwin pleads: “What does that mean?” What indeed, Ed? Meanwhile, back at Wikipedia’s definition of corporate-speak, we discover that: “The term is typically derogatory, implying the use of long, complicated, or obscure words, abbreviations, or acronyms.” How about, Complete Revision Absolute Priority as an acronym? “Some of these words,” warns Wiki, “may be new inventions, designed purely to fit the specialised meaning of a situation. Frequently management speak is used to ‘spin’ negative situations as positive situations.” Aha, so back to Alastair Campbell again. As demonstrated on BBC 4’s Twenty Twelve, we should never settle for a few words when you can use page loads. Verbosity is the key to corporate-speak. For example, Siobhan Sharpe (she was born in Harpenden but thinks she’s American) played by the superb Jessica Hynes has a favourite saying: “Guys we are where we are with this, and that’s never a good place to be.” Pithy, I guess, would be the direct opposite of ver-

Government cracks down on electricity companies FINES OF up to €3.87 million are being slapped on three power companies in Madrid for breaking consumer protection laws. The companies are accused of charging customers based on estimated meter readings, which has led to many cases of clients paying for power they have not consumed. The law states that electricity meters should be read once every two months.

bosity and I had to smile at bad-boy Russell Brand’s sixty-second interview with the Metro this week. This achingly intelligent man can condense so much into a short space of time. If you doubt this have a look at his interview with Jeremy Paxman from a recent Newsnight (it’s on YouTube). In his metro appearance the interviewer muses: “You seem less provocative than you were. Have you changed?” To which Brand replies: “Probably. Change is perpetual and, to be honest, I don’t see any great value in being a provocateur around trivial subjects. We’re living at a time of incredible change and incredible consequence. And I think perhaps we should preserve our rhetoric for important subjects.” Clever, eh? He has got her now and so she must ask: “Such as?” Deep breath from Brand; and he’s off: “The impending ecological doom being brought about by the irresponsibility of big business; the predatory nature of the financial industry; the constant subjugation of the world’s poor; the outsourcing of manufacturing industries into the Third World; the growing disparity between the rich and the poor in apparently civilised nations like Britain and the US.” Go Russell, go. Oh well, I don’t want to use up too many more words so I’d better say bye, bye. Watts in Britain, so you don’t have to be…

Spanish organ transplant system better than UK

Spain top of the list for transplants

By Jan Gamm SPAIN IS now one of the best places in the World to undergo an organ transplant ranking seventh in the WHO’s (World Health Organisation) Top Ten countries in the field of transplant and organ donation. Spain also pioneers stem cell surgery and full face transplants, notably the case of a man who underwent a face transplant that included jaw, teeth and palate after a hunting accident last year. A particular area of expertise where Spain excels is in the ‘procurement’ of organs; the emotional and harrowing exercise of persuading soon-to-be-bereaved families to donate a loved one’s organs to a needy recipient. And in this department, Spain advises other countries on how to go about the distressing task, including the UK and parts of South America. In UK about 60% of families will agree to donation: in Spain the figure is 85%. DONOR CARDS Is it about donor cards, registration and consent forms? Spanish experts say it is not. Transplant surgeon Adolfo Martínez Pérez of Madrid’s Ramón y Cajal hospital advocates it is all about the hospital medical and surgical team being ultraorganised at the moment of death: “In

Spain, when a patient arrives for critical care after an injury, heart attack or stroke there is no limitation to the care given if there is a slight possibility to save the patient’s life. Medical staff carries on trying, beyond much hope of resuscitation or recovery, and there are a high number of critical care beds. This also means that most of those who die in hospital are certified brain dead on a ventilator, which makes more organ donation possible.” At this stage the grieving family will be visited, probably not by a surgeon but by an ‘Intensive Care Specialist’ carefully trained to request organ donation in the most sympathetic and compassionate manner. WAITING LIST The figures bear out Pérez’ comments: in the UK there are 8,000 patients on the transplant waiting list compared to just 5,500 in Spain and despite Spain’s smaller population of patients, the proportion of donations per million is 34 compared to the UK’s 15.5. Spain’s average donor is aged over 55, with the oldest a surprising 88, with ‘living’ donations now being actively encouraged, especially within families, where a small piece of liver could save a young child’s life and ‘re-grow’ in the donor.

01 - 07 april 2011

01 - 07 APRIL 2011

Jennifer Cunningham

1501 - 21- 07 october 2010 april 2011

Are you sure it won’t happen to you? DURING THE last two weeks our television and papers have been filled with the frightening news of the Japanese earth quake followed by a horrendous Tsunami. If that wasn’t enough the dreaded word ‘Nuclear’ entered the world utter devastation, along with fear. Now I understand something is happening to the Japanese - anger - which is an unusual emotion for them to feel. Whilst appreciating that Japan is built on very volatile land and Tokyo has been living for years with the threat of a possible earthquake happening at some stage, no one expected such a huge tragedy to unfold, miles away. The knock on effect on industry and business in and around Tokyo is I am sure affecting many, and playing havoc with the economy. The vast amounts of energy and money required to rebuild the destroyed parts of Japan will I am sure take years. We in the west, sit in our homes watching events happen not only in Japan but in Libya, Afghanistan and other countries in the Middle East and feel, I am sure, relief that we are safe from these sad, dangerous events. Having said that, the service men and women who risk their lives daily trying to protect us all from mad men, leave me feeling grateful but so very sad when we hear far too frequently of the many deaths. When I watch on television the hatred and the recent destruction in the West End of London by people who are so unhappy with the way most of us choose to live, I feel nothing but pure anger. Throughout our lives unpleasant situations do happen to all of us. It’s no good kidding ourselves that it only happens to other people, this is just not true. It may not be as dramatic as being caught up in an earthquake or a war, but in Spain earthquake tremors do happen, the last one that I felt was in the Torrevieja area and it was 6.1 on the Richter scale. This was big enough to cause structural damage to walls, shatter precious or valuable items on a shelf, etc. Yes, I have also read the insurance advertisements that state ‘earth quakes are fully covered’. This is of course is correct, but only earth quakes in excess of 6.8 on the Richter scale and then only if the Spanish government department via the Consortium takes the claim over. Therefore, unless you have accidental cover on your policy as an optional extra, tremor damage will not be covered. Companies/Banks that offer cheap insurance cover, while at

the same time promising that everything is covered are very suspect. Often adverts tend to stretch the truth. Take very good care that you do not get caught out by flashy advertisements, always remembering we live in a different culture, with their own regularity body, the DGS. Can I therefore, suggest that you check that companies offering any type of insurance, funeral or health plans are fully regulated by the DGS and money being invested on your behalf is in a fund that is fully protected by law, and is secure. Money is so precious that when any transactions are carried out, check and check again that you are paying into a genuine company account and not to a private individual and you feel confident that your money is safe at all times. I have worked and lived in Spain for years and it never ceases to amaze me that people trust others with their hard earned cash, when I am sure in the UK they would not do so. Having said that, I often watch on the TV a programme called ‘Rip off Britain’. My company only deals with honest, fully regulated insurance companies, with enough equity to guarantee that there will be continued life after this dreadful recession has passed. Yes, I find my company having to work harder to find and retain clients as the competition, via advertising, becomes even more aggressive. The changes within the Spanish insurance market place have altered over the last two years, and are I know causing quite a bit of concern, to the large Spanish insurers. Whilst wanting to offer excellent policies, supported by good service, the premium’s that are being offered by some companies, are just not I assure you sustainable to be able to do this for ever. I always advise reading the small print in your policy very carefully. Do not ever accept the verbal word and if in any doubt please feel free to call us. *stop press* Funeral insurance is at a 30% discount for 2011 and 15% for all subsequent years... Ask for information and an individual quote NB: Special offers on new health insurance policies with ASSSA, free upgrades, interest free installment payments: For life, with a special policy to back up social security and give you instant access to GPs and specialists. Ring now - your health is important.

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

“We are mo

re t h an j u

23 25

st a v oice on the phone”

04 01 -- 10 07 February april 2011 2011

1501 - 21- 07 october 2010 april 2011

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01 - 07 april 2011

More questions Spanish lessons by

Jane Cronin

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

Lesson 151

The next set of questions is based on articles 70 to 79 as found on my website, and I have to say there is a huge range of things to ask about. Firstly, we looked at “prepositions of place”, things like “near”, “next to”, “under” and “prepositions of time” such as “before” and after”. Here are a few sentences to translate to get us going. 1. It’s near the door. 2. The cat is under the table. 3. I live next door to the chemist. 4. The museum is opposite the town hall. 5. I’ll call you before the appointment. 6. He has a cup of coffee after running. 7. The shop opens at about nine o´clock. 8. We live between Torrevieja and San Miguel. (2 points per sentence – maximum 16 points) The next subject is possessive adjectives. How do we say … 1. My book, my books, my chair, my chairs. 2. Your son, your children, your house, your houses. 3. His girlfriend, her cars, her boyfriend, his shirts. 4. Our family, our dog, our holidays, our granddaughters 5. Your (plural) newspaper, your window, your pencils, your magazines. 6.Their garden, their bed, their balconies, their pets. 7. The computer is ours, the papers are mine. 8. Whose are these? Whose is that? (2 points per question – maximum 16 points) Your next task is to translate from Spanish to English. The idea is to give you a bit of a rest. 1. “¿Para qué estás haciendo eso?” 2. “¿Adónde vas de vacaciones?” 3. “¿En qué trabajas?” 4. ¿En qué aula estamos hoy? 5. ¿De dónde eres?” 6. “¿Durante cuánto tiempo hay que cocinarlo? (2 points per sentence – máximum 12 points)

Now for some fun vocabulary: 1. If “gustar” means “to please”, what does “desgustar” mean? 2. If “obedecer” means “to obey, how do we say “disobey”? 3. If “desaparecer” means to “disappear” how do we say “to appear”? 4. If “enfadado” is “angry”, what kind of person is “desenfadado”? 5. If “desesperar” means to “despair”, what meaning can “esperar” have as well as “to wait”? 6. If “vivir” is “to live”, what is “convivir”? 7. If “decir” is to say, what is “contradecir”? 8. How do you think we might say “to predict”? (1 point each – total 8 points) What do you think the following words mean, without looking them up? 1. Boquiabierto - (sometimes we have this reaction to surprising news). 2. Nomeolvides – (a kind of flower). 3. Agridulce – (some of life’s experiences are like this). 4. Aguardiente - (be careful how much you drink). (1 point each – total 4 points) Superlatives – saying things are “very, very …” Supply the missing word, following the example. e.g. Fácil (easy) fácilísimo (extremely easy, cinch) 1. Guapa (pretty) ______________ ____ (stunning) 2. Gordo (fat) ___________________ (gross) 3. Delgada (thin) ________________(practically anorexic) 4. Muchas gracias (many thanks) ________________ ___ (thank you ever so much) (1 point each – total 4 points) And finally, where to these people come from? 1. El londinense 4. El ilicitano 2. El cartagenero 5. El pinatarense 3. El madrileño 6. El cordobés (1 point each – total 6 points)

01 - 07 april 2011

money

01 - 07 april 2011

Suzanne O’Connell Customer Care at Ábaco

Les Fonts, Benitachell, 03726

Julian Formby

E-mail: whiteknight@gmx.co.uk

ZIG ZAG

THERE’S SOMETHING not quite right about paying tax on a pension; a little like a toddler sharing his sweets, you have the sense of being given something only to have it taken off you again. So, even more disconcerting is the idea of it being taken off you twice. British pensioners living in Spain can often find themselves confused about what they should be paying to whom. So we thought we´d draw up a little table just to clarify who you should be sharing your pension with if you are a resident in Spain: Remember you are a resident of Spain if you live here for 183 days or more. You will notice from the table that the best position to be in is if you have a civil service and state pension. As the state pension is taxed in Spain and the civil in the UK you have two sets of allowances to reduce the amount of tax you pay overall.

BETTY MARGARET INGLIS Anyone having any knowledge about the abovenamed individual, or who has had business or personal dealings with her, is invited to contact the undersigned (with brief details) in complete confidence.

Paying tax on your pension

Status

Where you are taxed

How and when

Pensioner with state pension only

Spain

You should make an annual tax declaration in May/June

Pensioner with state pension and income from savings/ other world income

Spain

You should make an annual tax declaration in May/ June of your worldwide income

Pensioner with state and civil service pension

Taxed on civil service pension in England and state pension in Spain

Your civil service pension tax will be deducted from source in the UK Your state pension should be declared in Spain (no need to declare your civil pension) in May/ June

Pensioner with state and private pension

Both pensions taxed in Spain

Both pensions should be declared on a May/ June tax declaration

Ex Pat INSURANCE Low Premiums Guaranteed Motor-Home-Travel-Pets Marine-Funeral-Health

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In some cases you may find that you have no tax to pay on your state pension, anyway. There is a personal allowance which increases when you are over 65 and again when you are over 75, as well as other individual reductions. Even where it is a nil return we still recommend that pensioners make their tax declaration as this is one way of confirming your fiscal residency when it comes to inheritance or capital gains tax reductions. If you are still paying income tax on a state pension in the UK or a civil service pension that needs to be treated separately from your state pension you should ask for a ‘Form SpainIndividual’, previously FD9, from HM Revenue and Customs in Nottingham. After all, double taxation would be good cause for a tantrum. If you would like advice about paying tax in Spain take advantage of our free consultation, no obligation offer by calling ÁbacoConnect Help-Line 96 670 3748.

“If you would like a FREE, no obligation tax consultation and help with completing your annual tax declaration contact one of Ábaco’s friendly team on ÁbacoConnect Help-line 966 703 748 www.abacoconnect.com”

money

01 - 07 april 2011

Your health in Spain WE INSURE our cars, our houses but often do not think about our health. Medical conditions can appear at anytime and anywhere – even in a foreign country. It could be that you need to visit a GP or need a blood test, X-ray or maybe even emergency treatment. The service you will receive in any of these situations depends entirely upon whether you have health insurance. • Have you ever been in a hospital emergency room in Spain and had to wait hours and hours and then also had to deal with the language problems? • Did you ever need to see a specialist, cardiologist, oncologist etc. quickly? • Do you know how to go about organising precautionary or routine cancer tests here in Spain? • Did you ever wonder how to book routine blood tests, mammograms and prostate checks? Many questions and yet only one answer – invest in your health! Get the personalised service that ASSSA Insurance provides to all its health insurance clients and at prices more favourable than ever before! QUALITY INSURANCE ASSSA offer flexible health insurance cover which meets the different needs and requirements of all clients. There are a number of flexible plans

which range from top-up insurance (starting from 41€ per month) to fully comprehensive cover (starting from only 82€ per month). 10% lifetime discount currently available on all PLUS, MASTER and SUMMUM policies and 50% reduction in premium for children on the parent’s policy if under 16 years of age. ASSSA offers fractional payment of the annual premium free of the normal surcharges. CUSTOMER SERVICES OFFICES ASSSA has multilingual staff in all its offices working to ensure that clients are assisted with any questions or requests. After joining ASSSA a personal, English speaking contact will be allocated, there to deal with the client directly in terms of medical support, booking hospital appointments, tests etc. There will always be someone to go to or to call for assistance and support. PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE Early detection and prevention of cancer is one area of extreme importance to ASSSA and therefore the PLUS, MASTER and SUMMUM policies have all been designed to include mammography, ultrasound & gynaecology examinations and bone density tests for women and cardiology, prostate & urological examinations for men. All tests are carried out once a year and are booked for the clients by your customer service contact.

ASSSA GUARANTEES When you contract a policy with ASSSA, the following is guaranteed: • The age you join is the age you stay – premiums will not increase simply because you grow older. • The policy is guaranteed for life! We will not terminate the policy due to illness or a heavy claims year. Many other insurance companies make these promises verbally, but if they do not appear in writing in the actual contract, there is no obligation for them to deliver a first rate service. ASSSA will always guarantee all policies for life and all of our guarantees, terms and conditions will be provided to clients in either English or most other European languages. CHANGING YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY? Has your private health insurance company drastically increased your premiums? Are you unhappy with the current service you receive from your current insurer? Are you tired of receiving all updates and insurance information in Spanish? Call into one of ASSSA’s offices today and receive a personal no obligation quote. Offices are open Monday – Friday from 9.30am – 1.30pm and later appointments or home visits can be arranged.

ASSSA’s Offices: 1. MAGDALENA KOCZON ALTEA Tel: 966 882 680 altea@asssa.es 2. ILKA THIEDE CIUDAD QUESADA Tel: 965 725 421 ciudadquesada@asssa.es 3. ANA MARIA VALERO DENIA Tel: 965 786 969 denia@asssa.es 4. KATE TAYLOR MORAIRA Tel: 965 744 033 moraira@asssa.es 5. KATRIN SASSE ORIHUELA COSTA Tel: 966 761 794 katrinsasse@asssa.es 6. TERESA HOWARD ORIHUELA COSTA Tel: 966 761 794 orihuelacosta@asssa.es

legal

01 - 07 april 2011

Carlos Baos

of White & Baos Abogados English & Spanish Solicitors

DEAR SIRS, I own a 2,200 square meter urban plot in Benidorm that is registered at the Land Registry as an area of just 1,150 square meters. As in this area of Benidorm the minimum square meters required for a building plot is 1,000 square meters, I would like to update the details in the Land Registry in order to then be able to split the plot into 2 plots for building purposes. Can you help me? THANK FOR you for your email. As you imply in your email, it is very important for all of us to make sure that the measurements of the surface area of our plot agree and match with the records that appear at the Land Registry (Property Registry) and also at Catastro, and this

can be checked quite easily. In your case, the difference between the actual size of the plot and the size recorded in the Land Registry (as on your deeds) exceeds 20%. The normal way to deal with this situation would be to update the details at the Registry by means of an ‘undisputable affidavit’ called Acta De Notoriedad which is signed in front of a Spanish Notary or by initiating a Court Case called Expediente De Dominio. However this latter procedure may not be necessary if the Registrar can be sure without doubt that the intended adjustment is correct and does not affect any adjacent plot. (Note that if the difference were less than 20% the process of updating the Land Registry information would be considerably simpler.) The Acta De Notoriedad is a procedure done through a Notary to whom you will need to provide a geographical and descriptive certificate from Catastro as well as a certificate from the Land Registry. The Notary will normally require that all the adjoining neighbours are summoned and are present and in agreement with the

enlargement of the recorded plot. This is probably the easiest course, but it does require that all the neighbours attend and are in agreement. Another possibility is to notify all the parties who are interested (i.e. the holders of rights over the adjacent properties) and they can make a written statement about whether they are in agreement or not. With all of this, it is the Notary who must implement the necessary enquiries and measures and request the information required by Law, or anything else that he may deem necessary to confirm beyond any doubt that the proposed land extension is undisputable, correct and reflects the true situation. The Notary will not approve an adjustment to the deeds it if he is not 100% sure. Presuming that everything is in order the ACTA will be granted by the Notary and then (dependant on the way it has been passed) it will either be sent to be ratified by the Court or directly to the Land Registry. However, if the Notary cannot pass the Acta, perhaps due to a neighbour’s opposition or disagreement or should the Notary not

consider it undisputable that your plot has the meters you claim, then a court proceeding called Expediente De Dominio should be started. The Expediente De Dominio is regulated by the Ley Reglamento Hipotecario and is a Court proceeding in which a petition is made to the Court to redefine the actual situation and the Land Registry information to be recorded as the same in the records. The appropriate Court will be the Court that presides over the area where the property is located; thus in your case it is the Benidorm Court. As before, under the rules of Spanish Real Estate Law, all the holders of rights over the property to be extended and also the owners of rights over the adjacent properties will need to be summoned. For additional information in regards to updating your property records please do not hesitate to contact us. The information provided on this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues.

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

International fraudster arrested in Valencia

A MAN who has defrauded investors of more than €212 million has been arrested in Valencia. He was operating a type of ‘pyramid scheme’ which affected 100,000 in 110 countries. Investors believed they were putting their money into the currency markets and were told they would get a return of 10 to 20 percent. In reality, the money was invested in real estate.

Enquiry into land distribution THE COURT has ruled that a Calpe resident can have his case heard regarding the re-division of land in the Calpe port area. However, the case comes 16 years after the land was distributed. The resident has an apartment that was affected by new development plans completed back in 1995.

business

01 - 07 april 2011

TED.com is for people who love to learn by

Karla Darocas

Information Technology & Communications

In today’s myriad of video-based websites, one is really standing out as an intellectual hotspot. TED. com has become a phenomenon; a website that is spreading ideas of worth. The videos on TED.com range from master storytellers to learning how the mind works to exploring creativity, oceans, space, women, men, Africana food, exotic cities and so much more. TED.com was launched back in April 2007 showcasing the extraordinary talks that have made the TED conferences famous. With its striking design and groundbreaking video technology, the free website encourages audience participation consistent with its motto, “Ideas worth spreading.” TED conferences are an invitation-only event where the world’s leading thinkers and doers gather for inspiration and insight. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design—three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. In fact, the event is broader still, showcasing ideas that matter in any discipline. TED is owned by a nonprofit foundation whose mission is to leverage the power of ideas. The new website was inspired by the viral success of TEDTalks, the audio and video podcast series, which premiered in June 2006. Here are some of my reasons why students of all ages should tune-in to TED.com…

1. To get ideas for your own public speaking engagements. I often get asked to speak at business meetings and conferences, and by listening to great minds talk about certain subjects, I can form my own opinions and fit them into my own streams of thought and subject matter. 2. To improve my writing skills. I can often find inspiring quotes by influential people to drop into my articles and literary reports in order to support my own ideas. 3. Change your life. There are a lot of topics on TED. com that provoke the imagination and the logical aspects of life and by listening to the world’s most successful humans, you will find answers to those questions that perhaps your family and friends cannot help you with. 4. See Emerging Trends. The world is changing fast and by surfing through the TED website, you can

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

glean important information from the best minds in the world and put together emerging ideas that will eventually create trends in business, health, technology, design, society, and more! 5. Eliminate fear and feel more optimistic about the world. We all have fears about the future of our planet, but on Ted.com you can find thousands of people willing to meet, learn, dream, think – and that is thrilling. NOTE: I rarely watch the videos – instead I put the video player on – turn up the volume and go about the house and do my chores. When I hear something that inspires me, I can easily return to my computer, put my video player on pause and jot down the quote – or if I missed it – hit rewind on my video player and replay the exact quotation. We are so lucky to live in the age of the Internet – use it!

money

01 - 07 april 2011

Spring clean your UK pension by

Stephen Ward & Robert Burns WELL ANOTHER Budget has come and gone and the usual rumours about the new government changing the legislation as it relates to QROPS prove once again to be ill founded. So perhaps now is the time to dust off your UK private pension and to look to maximise its value to you both now and in the future? So far as ‘now’ is concerned, many of us chose to live outside the UK at a time when the financial environment was much more favourable. At a time when perhaps the exchange rate was €1.40 or more to the pound as opposed to about €1.13 today. Or at a time when the outlook for the business venture you decided to set up was based on ‘normal’ economic conditions. So to be blunt, many expats find themselves short of cash.

It can be frustrating to be in that position when you have an asset that conventional wisdom says you are unable to access any value from until age 55 at the earliest. Alternatively, although you may be accessing value now by drawing income from your pension fund you would like the flexibility to have access to capital. We can help you with these requirements. One possibility is by a transfer to a QROPS whilst another possibly uses a different solution altogether. FEES ARE NOW MUCH LOWER If you looked at transferring your UK pension fund to a QROPS in the past and were put off because the fees were too expensive them we have some good news for you: fees are now much lower than they were this time last year - and in some instances considerably so. There is also now a wider choice of QROPS jurisdictions to choose from. GUERNSEY, MALTA AND ISLE OF MAN Malta is now firmly on the QROPS ‘map’ as is the Isle of Man with its new pensions legislation. The Isle of Man in particular has become a serious competitor to Guernsey with a robust

regulatory framework and new legislation which for long term pension investors offers a more favourable lump sum than is available elsewhere. One IOM provider is about to break the mould regarding Trustee fees with a market beating structure. HOW MUCH IS YOUR PENSION POLICY WORTH? So perhaps now is the time to check that pension policy or ‘frozen pension’ statement and find out how it can be used to your benefit. Many clients we encounter have a starting point of having little idea as to what their pension fund is worth. Sometimes finding out can be a pleasant surprise; on other occasions less so. If, however, you are rather better organised and know what your fund is worth, when was it last reviewed - if ever? As an expat there are pension planning opportunities available to you which are not available to UK residents. TIME FOR A SPRING CLEAN To find out more about these opportunities do contact us at Premier Pension Solutions for a pension spring clean. Please email review@qrops.es or see http://www.qrops.es or http://www.prempensions.com

THIS ARTICLE IS WRITTEN BY STEPHEN WARD AND ROBERT BURNS, PREMIER PENSION SOLUTIONS S.L., February 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 www.qrops.es www.prempensions.com or www.qropsnz.com

01 - 07 april 2011

Home Garden

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Giles Walker re-launches in Javea A LEADING estate agent in one of Javea’s prime locations in the port has changed hands recently. Under the leadership of Michael Taylor and Ann Haydock, Giles Walker Properties is staffed by an enthusiastic and experienced multi-lingual team with an unrivalled understanding of the property market. Michael’s 30 years’ experience in Spain brings a broad expertise to Giles Walker, with a wealth of reliable providers at his fingertips to facilitate Mortgages, Insurance, Architectural, Project Management and Accountancy. Attention is given to every detail in the many issues that influence successful property matters. Michael sees his role as very much a ‘hands-on’ involvement in a team effort to give valued clients the right advice and assistance they require. Ann Haydock has a long successful background in property sales in the UK and in Spain and will head up the sales division. She aims to continue with her philosophy of working closely with property owners and purchasers to achieve a stress free property transaction across a wide spectrum of available properties that the expanding company have available. “Owners are given the best possible opportunity to present their property to advantage,” said Ann, “Listings appear within 24 hours and regular status checks ensure owners are kept informed of market changes that could affect their sale price. Purchasers are guided through the buying process all the way. At Giles Walker

we make sure that correct documentation is in place to guarantee peace of mind and to provide our clients with a full and comprehensive, professional service.”

OPPORTUNITIES The company already has a firm foothold in property sales but the new management team intends to take Giles Walker to new levels with an innovative and resourceful approach to the opportunities available in a recovering market. Newly renovated premises with an impressive frontage dominate a prime location in the port of Javea’s Avda Jaime I and an extensive, effective programme of expertly targeted advertising and related promotions are planned for the rest of 2011. “I don’t see the point of redundant advertising,” said Michael. “If it isn’t working, we will promptly change it for something that gets results.” Much of the company’s success has been built on returning clients and frequent recommendations, with new links now being established in Northern Europe bringing an expansion to their client data base, widening their portfolio. This is the best possible testimonial for this company moving into the reviving property market. To contact Giles Walker Properties, telephone 0034 966 463 118, fax 0034 965 795 937, email info@gileswalkerproperties.com or visit: www.gileswalkerproperties.co.uk

01 - 07 april 2011

Home & Garden

01 - 07 april 2011

BENIDORM Fantastic apartment for holiday rental and also available through the winter months either weekly or monthly. A beautifully furnished one bedroom apartment, comfortably sleeping 4 people with fantastic sea views and a very short walk to Poniente beach. Contact us for availability and prices starting from an amazing 200€/week. OPI Alfaz S.L. Calle Ferrería 16, Local 2. 03580 Alfaz del Pi. (Alicante) UK Tel: 020 30062346 Spain Tel: 966 860 084 Fax: 0034 965 889 014 www.opialfaz.com

Believe it or not, now is the perfect time to buy your Neater Heater “YES IT really is!” Neater Heater´s Tony explained: “Right now most of us can still remember how cold it was in the winter. In fact, we may have a few more cold snaps left before the summer comes. Right now your local distributors are fully stocked, we are fully stocked, and our supplier is fully stocked. This is the first time since November that we can say that! “What most people do in the summer is intend to buy heaters in preparation for next winter, but then the good weather arrives and the ‘mañana state of mind’ kicks in. We forget what it is like to feel cold, then bang! - December arrives and people want heaters NOW! Unfortunately by then we are at the back of a long queue. “In Northern Europe they will get cold, and start buying heaters in September when we are still in the 30s. By mid-November the BEHA factory in Norway will have run out of stocks and will have started a waiting list - Spain, however, is still basking in the 20s. By December when we get cold - and boy do we get cold - our customers would be at the end of a six-week waiting list - if we hadn´t built up a large stock-pile of heaters. But there are just so many heaters we can buy in advance. “Our goal,” says Richard “is to educate as many people as we can to buy their heaters in the spring and the summer. That way we can ensure that we can provide them with the heaters they want ready for next winter, without the hassle of them being at the back end of

a long waiting list. After all, no-one waits until Christmas Eve to order their Christmas Crackers!” WHERE NEATER HEATERS CAN BE VIEWED AND BOUGHT: COSTA BLANCA NORTH Gata de Gorgos: Iron Art Factory Outlet: Tel 680 491 740 Moraira: Neater Heater, Calle Mostoles 41a. Tabaira (AM only): Tel 96 505 0699 Calpe: Imprint. Avda Gabriel Miró 34. Tel 96 587 4451 La Nucia: Labels and Tables. Tel 96 687 6153 COSTA BLANCA SOUTH Gran Alacant: Suzie Screwz Fereteria: Tel 648 859 672 Benijofar: MJD Property Maintenance. Tel 96 572 4999 Playa Flamenca: Busters Bar. Centro Comercial Tel 678 063 268 Mazarron: La Red Solutions, (Mapfre) Camposol B: Tel 96 819 9025 For Site visits and surveys in the North Costa Calida area: Call Edmund on 679 586 307 Neater Heater: Sole Spanish suppliers of BEHA Heaters. Email: info@neaterheater.es Web site: www.neaterheater.es or phone us directly on: 634 312 171

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01 - 07 april 2011

April gardening by

Clodagh & Dick Handscombe Practical gardeners and authors

BY CHANCE, today’s column is published on 1st April and spring is in the air but no time for fooling in the garden, for urgent things need doing before Easter in three weeks’ time. Being the latest it can be, Easter gardens should be at least as colourful as last year in spite of the set back by heavier than normal frosts back in late January and early February in many areas. Knowing that many gardeners are not retired and have little time, we highlight priority tasks; things that take little time but make significant impacts on the appearance and productivity of gardens. Cut off any remaining frost damage. Give evergreen plants and citrus trees a foliar feed with a proprietary product or a nettle infusion as we do, having collected and dried young nettle plants back in February before locals killed them off with herbicides. Use half the quantities recommended on the bottle per litre of water, as although you are about to give the plants sufficient spring tonic to brighten them up and recover from the shock of frosts that yellowed citrus leaves, you don’t want to stimulate excessive growth that could be weak and susceptible to

insect and fungal attacks. Plant out the first summer annuals for extra Easter colour in gardens and especially on apartment gardens. For window boxes, Chapter 4.5 ‘Effective colour combinations’ in our book, ‘Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style’ will give you some new ideas. If not already done, give hedges a trim. Make final spring sowings of annuals – we always have a patch of zinnias on our vegetable plot for cutting for the dining table. Start to give plants in containers a little more water. We include detailed guidelines for both thirsty and drought resistant plants in terrace balcony and window boxes on page 119 of ‘Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style’. Plant out the first summer vegetable plantlets such as squash, peppers, tomatoes, lettuces and tomatoes, protecting them for a few weeks with plastic tunnels, cloches or cut off water bottles in chilly areas. Make last sowings of carrots, parsnips and beetroots. Take a first cutting of comfrey leaves and put in a bucket or barrel with water. Within three weeks you will have an excellent ecological fertilizer for the vegetable plot and flowering and vegetable plants in containers. Try and keep on top of spring weeds. Spring showers will bring out the snails and slugs so sprinkle some Neudorff ecological snail pellets around. Buy some yellow sulphur powder to have ready

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

corner of our spring garden last year

for sprinkling over ants and dusting tomato pepper and courgette plants against mildew. For keen gardeners comprehensive lists of seasonal gardening tasks for each month of the year are included in each of our books. Two other useful things in each book are a comprehensive English-Spanish-Latin vocabulary of plant names, and an English–Spanish dictionary of the words for plant types and parts, gardening materials and tools, gardening verbs and adjectives, plus useful measurements and other words.

So especially if you are learning Spanish, turn to these pages before you go out shopping for Spring plants and gardening materials etc.. CLODAGH AND DICK’S BOOKS These very practical and useful books will be found in good bookshops and newsagents such as Bookworld, Carrefour and Humpty Dumpty. If not near one of these buy by mail order via the websites of Amazon, Angloinfo Spain and Santana Books, the publishers.

01 - 07 april 2011

Caught speeding HAVING WRITTEN last week that there had been a 62% decrease in speeding fines issued in Spain since the introduction of the energy saving 110kph speed limit, I thought the least that I could do was to get caught for speeding to help them top up their funds! I drove to France and back recently, and apparently somewhere around Valencia I was doing 123kph in a 100kph zone, which I assume was some temporary limit they had imposed. Note I was only going 123kph, which I accept is above the 116kph threshold, but was hardly ‘flooring it’ and I must say that throughout the whole journey I was more vigilant than usual - well with the above exception that is - and the fuel consumption was noticeably better, although as it rained constantly from 7.30pm on the Friday night until 3.30pm on the Saturday afternoon I suspect that had a lot to do with it. As it was a hire car the first I knew about the fine was when they rang up to say that they had received notification of a 100€ speeding fine. As they left a message I had to call back, to be told that if I paid promptly and didn’t challenge it, the fine would only be 50€. The weird thing is this

felt like a ‘result’, and upon reflection it is great psychological ploy by the Spanish: lead with one rather large number, then immediately offer a 50% discount if you just accept and pay up. Well it worked in my case! Having helped out one government department with my 50€, I am now considering taking up smoking again as I felt so sorry for the Government when I read this week that the Governments tax income from tobacco has fallen by 32% as cigarette sales have slumped, and the state could lose out on 2.4€ billion this year. I am joking. I quit nearly three years ago and don’t regret it at all, although ironically since the introduction of the smoking ban I seem to spend most of my time sat outside with the smokers on the terraces. In part this is because about 50% of the people I socialise with on a regular basis smoke, but primarily it is because one of the attractions of living in Spain was the outdoor cafe culture that seems so romantic when you read about it, and used to be so much better before the introduction of the smoking ban. Sure before the ban people smoked on the

terraces, but they also smoked inside, and they didn’t congregate at the doors of the bars and cafes. It was possible to find a nice quiet table, away from the smokers and have a chat with friends, and never have to go inside as the waiter would take care of the orders and the bill. Now I am left with a choice: sit inside feeling trapped and somewhat ostracised from those outside, or join them, which means sitting at a table full of cigarette ends, surrounded by smokers… I remain unconvinced by the smoking ban, although I am slowly getting used to the concept of conversations that include the equivalent of the commercial break as people pop out for a quick cigarette mid chat! Chris runs an expat blog about life in Spain (www.almerimarlife.com) and is a regular contributor to a number of publications and radio stations in Spain, as well as writing a monthly column for the Daily Telegraph Expat site and is a Daily Telegraph guest blogger. He lives in Almerimar with his wife Sands, four cats, two Harley’s and more often than not a glass of red.

His column in the RTN is sponsored by Central Contracts (www.centralcontracts.com) a leading car leasing company supplying cars and vans to business users and private individuals.

Facebook denounced for offensive group THE SOCIAL networking site, Facebook, has been denounced following the commencement of a group on the site which is aimed at personally attacking the Mayor of Orihuela, Mónica Lorente. A spokesman said: “The site contains language which is offensive and upsetting and equates to a personal attack on the PP Mayoral candidate for Orihuela.” The administrators of the Facebook site have agreed to look into the group and will decide on its future during the next few days.

01 - 07 april 2011

Computing with aunty virus

Printer’s software Keith via email asks: HOLA AUNTY, I recently purchased an ACER Travel Mate which has windows7. Previously with my older computer I had Windows XP and with this system, when about to print, a block appeared showing the status of the toners, i.e. the amounts available for both black and colour. With Windows7 this does not happen. Rather annoying don’t you think? I would appreciate any ideas to resolve. By the by, your letters and columns are very helpful; long may they continue.

they quite often don’t include some of the additional functions the genuine software will provide. You need to go to your printer manufacturers’ website and navigate to the support/download section. Type your printer model into the search box and look for the full software package for your printer and version of Windows. Once downloaded and installed you should see all of the features you enjoyed with your old system.

Aunty Says: Hi Keith. This is probably due to the printer’s software (drivers and programs) not being fully installed. When you plug a printer (or any USB device) into a new computer Windows will look through its own list of drivers and install what it thinks is the best one. Although these nearly always work,

Installation procedures Keith from La Manga asks: HI AUNTY not sure if I have been going the correct way with my queries, but have recently posted problems on the enetcomputers.net ‘Ask Aunty’ page, to no avail, are you still working with them? My main problem is that I have recently tried to download AVG 2011 and the first attempt told me “unable to install, manually uninstall AVG 9 then Install 2011”. I did

this and have tried both custom and standard install. At the end of the installation procedure I get a message “severity error OxC0070643.” I have no AVG icon on my desktop nor is it in the list of programs. A visit to the Windows security centre shows my antivirus is on and AVG is up to date and scanning, also emails are arriving with the message scanned by AVG .Have you any

suggestions as to how I can sort this one? Aunty Says: I did see your message Keith but I wasn’t 100% sure how to fix it. The only thing I can suggest at the moment is to maybe try the AVG removal tool from http://www.avg. com/ww-en/download-tools or try the Revo Uninstaller from download.com. I will continue to look into the error and keep you updated.

‘Pay as you go’ dongles Teresa via email asks: I HAVE a Spanish landline. However, I visit Spain for maximum of three months a year. What would be the best why for me to access the internet? Can I purchase a ‘pay as you go’ Spanish dongle? Aunty Says: You can Teresa, and I think all the main mobile providers offer PAYG dongles. The most important thing to check though is the quality of signal in your area. It will be the same as a mobile phone, so see if you can get friends and family to test their mobiles in your Spanish home. I used to have a Vodafone dongle and it worked fine in the shop and some public areas and bars but it was all but useless in my house. Try the Phone House in Carrefour as they are relatively impartial (but watch out for their sneaky insurance).

Switching itself off Pauline via email asks: I HAVE a problem with my laptop. It switches itself off! Sometimes straight away or after 20 minutes; it doesn’t matter what I am working on. Aunty Says: The most common cause of this is overheating or a bit of faulty hardware, Pauline. You can test the possible

temperature problem by inspecting and blowing out any fluff from the air vents underneath or on the sides of your laptop. Also try propping up the back with a couple of pens to allow a bit of air to flow around the underneath. Let me know how you get on as the other possibilities are a little more complicated so we’ll deal with them if we need to.

Downloading in spanish Les via email asks: HI AUNTY, I down loaded Open Office using the facilities of the eNET Computers web page. All the way through the download the instructions were in English, but the downloaded version is all in Spanish. Nowhere during the download did l see an option to choose a language. Is there any way of changing the language to English, or would I have to remove it and start again, if so, how do I make sure of getting it in English? Hoping you can enlighten me. Thanks, Aunty Says: Not sure to be honest Les. You could try uninstalling it and downloading the latest UK/US language one from www.openoffice.org. If this persists then it may be caused by the annoying feature of Windows where it will detect your location and decide you want the Spanish version, so temporarily changing your location and/or keyboard to UK from ‘control panel’ may resolve it.

01 - 07 april 2011

GADGET INSPECTOR

The case of The Silverlit VJet Flyer THIS WEEK the Inspector flies into the blue yonder with the toy equivalent of a cross between Airwolf (for those of you who remember the 80s TV series about a helicopter…) and a plane (or flying plank as far as a helicopter pilot is concerned) – The Silverlit V-Jet Flyer remote controlled plane. On first examination you could be forgiven for mistaking the V-Jet Flyer for a bog standard remote controlled plane. But take a closer look and you will notice the unique swing-wing feature which allows the whole wing assembly to tilt. Thus when the wings are in the vertical position it is possible to take-off or land; or hover when in flight – just like a helicopter. Conversely with the wings horizontal the V-Jet Flyer behaves just like a conventional plane – allowing un-restricted attempts to break the sound barrier (or next doors fence…) and you can change flight mode whilst the model is flying. If you have enough space the V-Jet Flyer can be taxied and take-off, just like a real plane… The V-Jet Flyer has a 3 channel digital proportional radio control (with 27 MHz and A/B band support), and hobby grade transmitter including a roll and yaw trimmer. In helicopter mode the transmitter joysticks give up/down and left and right yaw control, and in plane

mode give throttle and left and right yaw control. The transmitter requires 8 x 1.5v AA alkaline batteries, and doubles as a charger for the model - simply plug in the plane with the easy to use jack plug connector. A full charge takes between 20 and 30 minutes and gives 5 minutes’ flying time. The V-Jet is constructed from tough lightweight flexible foam, meaning it can withstand the odd heavy handed landing – but it is not indestructible so don’t expect the model to survive any kamikaze-style attacks (two replacement main rotors are supplied in the pack). The V-Jet comes supplied with a detailed flight manual which is suitable for remote control pilots of all skill levels, and a substantial box for safe storage between flying sessions. The Inspector´s Verdict: The Silverlit V-Jet Flyer remote controlled plane combines the best of both worlds – a helicopter when you want to dive-bomb the cat/dog; and a plane when you are doing your best Tom Cruise Top Gun impression. Don´t forget a calm day is needed if outside flying is to be attempted, and a large indoor room otherwise. The Silverlit V-Jet Flyer remote controlled plane costs around €55, with a one year manufacturer’s warranty.

health

01 - 07JANUARY april 2011 2010 8-14

Prostate problems (Part 2) by

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

LAST TIME we discussed benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), the most common condition to affect the prostate gland. Today we will look at prostatitis, inflammation of the prostate, which can present as: acute (sudden onset) or chronic (slow onset) bacterial prostatitis or nonbacterial. Prostatitis is common and will affect around 15% of men at some point in their lives, chronic and nonbacterial forms are the most common in the elderly, but bacterial prostatitis is more common in men under 35 and is often sexually transmitted. Prostatitis is diagnosed in about a quarter of men presenting with prostate symptoms, but less than half of these will have a positive bacterial culture. Common symptoms include: BPH symptoms such as; poor flow, urgency,

incomplete bladder emptying, frequency & hesitancy. Fever, tiredness, muscle or joint pain Pain in the back, abdomen, pelvis, urethra (tube that passes urine) or perineum (area between the anus & scrotum) Pain on ejaculation Urethral discharge In acute bacterial prostatitis, the patient may be very ill and requires hospitalisation. Treatment with antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin or trimethoprim, is required for several weeks together with pain relief. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is treated in a similar way, but may also require surgery in some cases. In non-bacterial prostatitis treatment is less straight forward, but often includes: pain relief, antibiotics (particularly doxycycline), drugs such as alpha blockers (e.g. prazocin) or finasteride,

stress management, physiotherapy and relaxation techniques. The symptoms for BPH, prostatitis and prostate cancer are similar and if these are experienced, your doctor should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis. Remember, the early detection of prostate cancer can dramatically improve the outcome of the disease. Saw palmetto, a natural remedy, has been used for many years to ease the symptoms of BPH and may also help in prostatitis, but additional treatments are required (as detailed above) to fully manage this condition. For more information about prostatitis go to: www.bps-assoc.org.uk Next time we will look at the commonest cancer affecting men in the UK, with 35,000 cases diagnosed annually.

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

AGE Concern news ALL AT Age Concern are still shocked by the passing of our Vice President Linda Craig; at 57 a valued volunteer and vice president for the past two years. She died after a brave battle with illness and will be greatly missed by her many friends and colleagues. Age Concern invites volunteers in all areas to spare a few hours each week as ‘befrienders’ helping those less fortunate. More details from the ‘Walk-In Centre’ on La Siesta: Tel: 966 786 887. Age Concern is now reinstalled in the Town Hall, Playa Flamenca - open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am - 1.30pm, with an information office at Tel: 697 176 154. Anyone is welcome to talk to the Volunteers on duty for help and advice on where to find nursing care; obtain or hire care aids or equipment; or anything else the Charity could help with. Volunteers took part in the very successful Los Montesinos International Day recently on the Great Britain Stall,

providing tea and biscuits all day to revellers of all Nationalities, promoting their star Raffle Price of a Mediterranean Cruise for two in September 2011, kindly donated by Coachtrips SL (David’s Coaches). Carthy Carson popped into the Centre last week to present a cheque to Fund Raising Chairman Pam Horabin, following her special Retirement Concert. Cathy, as generous as ever, kindly donated all proceeds to three local charities, one of which was Age Concern: it was very much appreciated and we all wish her a long and happy retirement.

HELP Murcia Mar Menor and Nashville Legends at the red hot Red Chilli HELP MURCIA Mar Menor is to host The Nashville Legends Show, starring Red Strokes and Christine King on Sunday 3rd April at the Red Chilli in Sucina. Tickets at €6 offer the chance to win a €250 jackpot with free entry to in a popular ‘Play Your Cards Right’ competition with doors open at 7pm and a pre-show menu available. Entertainment starts at 9p.m. Tickets may be obtained from The Red Chilli. For further information, call Gerry Sherry on Tel: 96 837 1091 or Billy Price Tel: 650 911 395.

HAH at the spa! HAH TOOK the plunge at the Serena hotel pool and spa in Los Alcazares with 30 volunteers plashing about in the pool and enjoying the other facilities such as the sauna and steam room, arranged by Rosa (Spa manageress) at a fraction of the normal cost. Katie Lewis and Maggie Rimmer, two HAH volunteers, arranged this non-profit making event. There are lots of facilities, including a fully equipped gym. Feeling suitably refreshed and exfoliated, the team headed off to Fuegos restaurant in Los Urrutias for a special two course meal. To join HAH’s team of ‘active volunteers’ offering a little time to those struggling to cope, please call Jackie on 96 857 5231. A nurse practitioner will be available to discuss your health issues at HAH’s monthly

‘free surgery’ at Roda Social club, the next being on Thursday 7th April at 12.15pm. Or telephone 633 673 034, Mon-Fri 9.30am - 6pm if you need help. For further information on any of HAH’s events, visit www.helpathome.es, or for further information email helpathomesopain@g.mail.com

Velvetones news THE VELVETONES Harmony Chorus has raised a combined sum of 1,150€ for the Alzheimers’ Society and the Butterfly Children in the first three months of this year. At their AGM, Musical Director Jan Ryder praised the members for their hard

work and thanked outgoing Committee members, particularly Chairman Ena Fraser, before welcoming the incoming Committee chaired by June Brady. Judy Phillips was awarded the ‘Ryder Cup Trophy’ for her outstanding

contribution to the chorus. Jose Ramon Marcet, Manager of El Paraiso Restaurante in Plaza los Halcones 27, Torrevieja, welcomed the ladies’ to their new rehearsal venue each Wednesday morning between 10am and 1pm. Visitors are always welcomed and new members encouraged – no previous experience necessary. To find out more telephone Jan on 96 678 5313. The chorus is to perform at the Spanish Association for Barbershop Singers’ Festival Show on Saturday 9th April at Cine Moderno, San Pedro del Pinatar together with top choruses and quartets from the UK and groups from Spain and Portugal.

AECC Torrevieja: Forthcoming events AUCTIONS ARE held at: Rocajuna, Punta Prima, Monday; Monty’s Bar, Algorfa, Wednesday; Buddie’s Bar, Playa Flamenca (near Saturday Market and Judges Chambers) Thursday; Emerald Isle, Playa Flamenca, Friday: All at 1pm to 4pm. If you have any items to donate for auction contact Carol and Ron 96 531 9929: Mobile 688 238 879. Charity Market at Vialli’s Restaurant Via Park 1, Playa Flamenca on the last Monday of the Month, starts at 10am (stallholders 9am): 5€ per table. Restaurant is open during the market time: Phone 96 618 9375 or 636 766 268 to reserve a table.

AECC are looking for volunteers fundraising events to support its life-saving subsidised cancer screening for early stage detection of cancer. For your own cancer screening, please call AECC on 96 571 6679 or Jackie on 96 672 2358 if you can help in any way or to arrange appointments. AECC also require high-quality clothes and bric-a-brac for sale in the shop and at regular auctions. Please bring these along to the Torrevieja shop at Calle La Calera 2, just off Calle Apolo-Avenida Cortes Valencianas. For full directions visit www.aecctorrevieja.org or phone 96 571 6679.

01 - 07 april 2011

MABS Cancer Support Group Murcia/Mar Menor: April events Wednesday, 13th April: Table Top Sale at Time Out, San Javier 2 - 5pm: clothes, bric a brac, books and nearly new surplus stock from MABS Cancer Centre: tea & sandwich 1€: Donations for sale will be accepted on the day. Saturday, 16th April: ABBA Tribute Band Abbacadabra return to Time Out, San Javier Due to popular demand, the Tribute Band returns to Time Out: The evening includes a buffet and is 15€ per head. Seats are limited and booking essential. Ring Gary and Sue on 96 819 2418 or email info@timeoutsportsbar.es Easter Hamper to be raffled for MABS. Thursday, 21st Apri: Charity Golf Day, La Torre Golf Resort: Single Stableford Competition with fantastic prizes: 3 handicap categories, starting at 9am on 1st & 10th Tee. ‘Nearest the Pin’ prizes: all spectators welcome. Free introductory golf lessons/golf consultation available 11am – 1pm: A percentage of all green fees and raffle proceeds to MABS. Saturday, 23rd April: Fun Day at Iceland, San Javier 12 – 6pm: Sunshine FM will be broadcasting live: Easter Egg Hunt; Treasure Trail; Easter Bonnet Competition: Car filled with balloons: Classic Cars on Display - have your photo in the driving seat! Also special surprise on the day! For more information call 96 856 6370.

Thursday, 28th April: - Royal Wedding Luncheon Party: Luis’s Lounge, La Encina, San Javier 1.30pm for 2pm: An opportunity to dress up - wedding outfits & hats optional! 3 course sumptuous lunch with cava to toast the occasion: Music & Dancing with ‘Charles Prince’ for a regal price of 15€ per person. Please bring a present (wrapped) for the raffle: The wedding party of bride, groom and bridesmaids will arrive in style! Booking essential - call Lynne 968 437 596/617 791 425. Every Saturday: 10am till 1pm – books sale (weather permitting): The Arches Restaurant, Los Alcázares The MABS Book Stall is a regular feature at The Arches Restaurant on a Saturday and is popular with book-lovers from Los Alcázares and the surrounding areas. Browse the stall and enjoy a coffee or bargain breakfast while you choose your books. Future events include a Quiz Night; it’s a Crazy Knockout; Party in the Park and many more, so keep watching the press or visit www.mabsmurcia.com For further details, please call 689 897 866. Do you want to make a difference? Got some time to spare? Become a MABS volunteer: Call 693 275 779 now: Email: info@mabsmurcia.com or visit our website www.mabsmurcia.com

01 - 07JANUARY april 2011 2010 8-14

horoscopes by Kenny Corris

Fearless

Fear stops people from coming through my door, and I know it. I wish that there was something that I could automatically do to allay any traumas that my clients may feel post appointment. Of course fear is the very one thing that can spoil a reading. The connective element of working with Spirit works well if both sides are happy, and fear stops that process inevitably. The knowledge of the Spirit World and just what it is composed of may help greatly to prepare the nervous for spiritual connection. Just what is up there? Well, the inhabitants make that other side, and each and everyone of them, without exception, has to have lived on Earth. So we can expect the souls at rest above to have known the troubles, trials and tribulations that life on this Planet Earth brings us, day by day. They have experienced just what a difficult life it can be, and they have survived the process that allows for the reception of all those who have decided to take their rightful position on high. They are teachers and librarians, supermarket workers and pilots, cleaners, chefs and bus drivers. They have earned a living and the only thing that unites them is their deaths. They have made a decision to survive and thrive and they have passed on. Not everybody can do this, but they have, and it is only natural that many of them have a strong need to advise us of the process that has brought about their individual pain free survival. This is therefore a need to instruct us, and every soul has a tale to tell. How can their messages be heard if there is nobody to listen? We have nothing to worry about during a reading or sitting, because it is our loved ones who will normally make a choice to communicate with us. They do not have to be family, but they are those who have connected to us from the actions of the past. During this action everything is under the control of the Medium, whose job it is to allow for the reception of the messages or the direct contact, and the interpretations that result. I personally hold back on anything that may cause my clients any stress or discomfort. This does not mean that the impetus of the communication is lost in anyway, but that a safe version of events can be shown. Nobody needs to be reminded

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

Kenny I still dream of the passing of my little girl. She was taken to Spirit just three days before her seventh birthday. How can I ever forget or forgive the drunken driver that took her little life? I wish that it had been me taken and my little Tracey who survived. M. O’Brien Oh Pat, so sad to hear your story, and to hear about the accidental death of your daughter. I know that we have had a fair crack of life, but to lose such a young child under such circumstances is a tragedy you will never forget. It is so easy to say, but it is true that fate intervenes, and we never know when we are born what age we are going to reach. Tracey is in Spirit and I can only hope that the death was instant so that she didn’t suffer. Whether you forgive or not, nothing can bring Tracey back to you, except that the fond memories she leaves behind reveal a short but happy life. It is not the number of years we live, but the quality of the life we have. Bless her. Let’s try to make contact so I can say what I really need to say, and help you in the grieving process.

of death by appalling injury or to visit the death scene; which is always the point by which those in the Spirit World left the Earth plane. This final phase may be very important to those who have made their spiritual transition, but can cause grief and trauma to clients who do not wish to experience or view it. It is inevitable that the Medium keeps some details from being exposed. I can always remember a young man coming through to me after his death in a car crash. The face was masked with a material not unlike cotton calico. I could see the features just, but I couldn’t see the skin. I realised that this was because there were significant injuries to the face, and that my work had been done for me, the face was duly masked and covered. It was revealed to me later that this young man had been thrown through the windscreen of his car, and had sustained severe facial injuries. On another occasion I could not see the Earthly body of the departed one, only the head which appeared separately but with depth of clarity. It was explained to me afterwards that death was brought about by decapitation. I was able to vividly describe the head I could clearly see, and the client was delighted with the accuracy, but I hid the fact that this face was divided from the body during the reading. Finally I have always told each and every client that the door in which they entered in to my room is the door that they are free to leave by if anything causes them any discomfort or trauma whatsoever. This means that they are in control of the sitting and have the freedom to veto anything. There are some people who genuinely fear that someone they don’t want to see will come through to them, so they are told to simply tell them to go. So the client has control within the sitting or reading and it works. In almost fifty years of working with clients I have helped connect, brought physical entities out of the woodwork and passed on specific messages that have brought comfort to both sides. Nobody has ever left my room even though they well knew they had a right to, and I really think that it will always be that way, so have no fear!

Love & Light... Kenny Corris

Kenny’s diary Sunday April 3rd Radio Interview on Xtra Radio F:M: at 10.00 Monday April 4th and Wednesday April 6th Readings at Bistro Maya, Albir from 17.00. Call: 966 868 213 for bookings and further info. Saturday April 16th Spring Psychic Fair at Bistro Maya in Albir. Readings. Tarot. Angel Readings. Crystals. Spiritual Gifts. Some appointments left for readings with me. Call Els on 966 868 213 for further details. Sunday April 17th Higher Realms Workshop in Finestrat: from 10.30 to 17.30. Learn to work with, and to make changes with, Higher Guides to maximise your Spiritual Journey. Call for information or check: www.kennycorris.net

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!

The entry of Mars brings you the power you need to get something off your chest and well and truly dealt with. This is an ideal time for you to release that stored anger and to tell some home truths. Later on in the week Uranus makes a strong connection to back you all along the way. It is time that there was some clarity in your life and this means the clearance of all the debris! This may be a time for you to face facts, but you do not have to go cap in hand because there are some things that your pride would never allow. The solution to the immediate dilemma is to wait and see, and let’s see what comes out of the woodwork to hurry things along. Someone isn’t telling you the truth, but you need to find out why this smokescreen is necessary and what it is really hiding? With Mercury retrograde there is an additional pressure on your resourceful and talented mind. With a decision having to be made, and with some highly inspiring goals to score you must turn around the negative energy that you have encountered and strike while the iron is hot. Yes you have a right to be very angry, but this is a time to both proceed along your own lines, and to set a precedent. Actions in your opposing sign of Capricorn herald a time to balance your wishes with the needs and aspirations of others. It is painfully clear that you need to take the upper hand, but in the general scheme of things is it worth it? You need and deserve a quiet life this week, but as to whether or not you get it depends on you, your shrewd powers and the alternative to just retreat into your shell. Leave everything to others to sort out and just take a backseat and allow things to happen. Your leadership style sometimes means that you can bulldoze a project at your whim, and there is so much to discover right now, if you take a concerned look from a further distance. You are thinking of now, and it is the future that promises to bring about the changes you so warmly welcome and support. Love brings complication and puzzles when somebody may not be what you thought that they were. It is high time that you shared the depths and the beauty of your innermost soul; but things have to be right, and any doubts must be truly eliminated as this will hold you back. Look deeply into your innermost energies to make sure that what is on offer is what you want too, for real. A midweek tryst with both the Sun and Saturn only serves to complicate your current situation. With options well and truly open take control of plans and sanction what you must to keep that wonderful balance in operation. Dare to challenge when you know that you must; and be scathing in your desire to know better the truth that someone close to you is so very frightened of!! Talk about a sting! You are very disappointed in something that just didn’t pan out, and yet you must remain calm if you want to see where things really went wrong. This means creating an inner calm and playing the game, even if somebody thinks, quite wrongly, that you are playing by their rules. Resist the chance of any backlash, you can and will show them what you are made of when the right time comes. The Sun adheres to your lucky planetary soulmate, Jupiter,at the end of the week, releasing you and pointing you in the right direction. With Arian influences abounding you may have a fight on your hands, but knowing that you will win may spur you on to make some progress in a matter that appears to be dragging its feet, and which needs some of your masterly concerned intervention. Neptune squares with Pisces and brings you some wonderful nostalgia with a connection from somebody from the past. You may have a changed routine this week, but it is for a reason and you will greatly benefit from the love and good energy from this surprise contact. Take this opportunity to bring love into your life and lighten your heart and soul with fond memories and further good times. Uranus hedges in on a sultry Mars who is known to often bring conflict to the simplest problem. This week any anger that you have is within the family, and don’t regret the chance to tell things just the way that they are, you need to be appreciated for all that you are doing to bring harmony against the odds. You may not get an immediate reward, but someone needs to know their place. Neptune brings some financial pressure, and you would be wise to adjust to a spending limit whilst carefully examining your financial situation as a whole. There is an adjustment to be made but don’t hold your breath, and broken promises don’t amount to much when cash in your hand is what is really needed right now to help you steer the ship through a turbulent sea of expenditure and income.

If it’s your birthday this week... Check finances and allow for an estimate to escalate, for a variety of reasons. Security has always been your motive and this year needs to see you afloat and at the helm where finance is concerned!

- 07 april2010 2011 8-14 01 JANUARY

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

Cryptic Crossword

Sudoku Across 1. Cringe with hesitation by milkproducer (5) 4. A pound got through work to become scholarly (7) 8. Honourable cry in favour of Conservatism? (7) 9. Toned in well-known manner (5) 10. Those who stand it may have sat for it successfully (4) 11. Real baby changed in a way that could be tolerated (8) 13. One note or the next in string (4) 14. Athletic contest for a human group (4) 16. What an idiot Edward is to have given help! (8) 17. Boast that costume has gone back (4) 20. Claw used in frontal onslaught (5) 21. License complete quiet (7) 22. Why brunette can’t be a leader in the Eastern bloc? (7) 23. Urge newspaper men to be seen here (5)

Down 1. Take too big a risk resulting in catastrophic trial? (5,8) 2. They are puzzling when cross (5) 3. Change gear in a temper (4) 4. Correspondence from the landlord? (6) 5. Ban moral arrangement that is irregular (8) 6. Unskilled apparently, but famous (7) 7. Male insect can make great strides with youngsters? (5-4-4) 12. Attendance at scene shown by rep in complete disarray (8) 13. The actors went first and made a move on the board (7) 15. Stopped when many were given relief (6) 18. Line of mountains to the north

Wordwheel

in 3 (5) 19. Give thunderous applause, perhaps (4)

Quick Crossword Across

Down

1. Step (5)

1. Cape Town landmark

4. Stuffed (7)

(5,8)

8. Respire (7)

2. Build (5)

9. Jokes (5)

3. Obligation (4)

10. Consumes (4) 11. False belief (8) 13. Uncovered (4) 14. Leg joint (4)

4. Gifted (6) 5. Postpones (8) 6. Huge (7) 7. Impartial (13)

16. Usually (8) 17. Tardy (4)

12. Animal (8)

20. Farewell (5)

13. Obstruction (7)

21. French sailor (7)

15. Awkward (6)

22. Child’s room (7)

18. Distribute (5)

23. Blunted (5)

19. Stump (4)

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

Win a meal for 2!

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

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

Euromillions Draw Friday 25th MARCH

6 12 21 27 33

One Belgian and one Portuguese ticket each won a 69,105,267 Euros (£60,861,008) jackpot prize

Answers & Winners Last week’s Crossword and Suduko answers found on page 51/54. Winner for 597 Brian Richardson, Ciudad Quesada

46 01 - 07 april Feb 2011 26 - March 4 2010 40

music scene

Buddy Holly The day the music ‘lived!’

UDDY HOLLY, 22; Jiles P Richardson - known as the Big Bopper – 28; and Ritchie Valens, 17, died in a crash shortly after takeoff from Clear Lake, Iowa at 1am local time, 3rd February 1959. The pilot of the single-engined Beechcraft Bonanza plane was also killed. Early reports from the scene suggest the aircraft spun out of control during a light snowstorm. Holly hired the plane after heating problems developed on his tourbus.

All three were travelling to Moorhead, Minnesota; the next venue in their Winter Dance Party Tour. Holly had set up the gruelling schedule of concerts - covering 24 cities in three weeks - to make money after the break-up of his band, The Crickets, in 1958. Born Charles Hardin Holley - changed to Holly after a misspelling on a contract - he had several hit records, including a number one, in the US and UK with ‘That’ll Be The Day’ in 1957. A singer and guitarist, he was inspired by Elvis Presley after seeing him at an early concert in his home town of Lubbock, Texas. With Presley serving in the Army, some critics expected Holly to take over his crown. Well, the tour didn’t complete and the rest is just ‘rock & roll history!’ Holly’s music remains at the front of everything special about 50s music, along with Presley and a few others. One of the best UK based tributes to Buddy is coming to the Costa Blanca for a whistle stop three gig tour in early April, featuring Jukebox Legends’ very own Elvis 2000 and so Buddy and his

mentor will be together on stage for this very special tour event. Fiona McLean will also feature some great 50s and early 60s songs for the occasion. Don’t miss this spectacular tribute to Buddy and his idol, the ‘King’. Tickets are available now at the three venues selected for the tour (see details below). Further ticket information is available at www.jukeboxlegends.com or on the ticket info line: 695 135 134. SHOW VENUES AND DATES ARE: Sunday 3rd April, Rocajuna, Punta Prima Monday 4th April, Los Arcos, Torrevieja Tuesday 5th April, The Lounge Bar, Torrevieja All shows start at 8.30pm. Tickets for all shows are just 7.50€ - please book early as tickets are limited and expected to sell out fast. This is a fund raising tour for the new Help at Home project currently being set up by PUMA22 in the region. Someone could win 50€ at every show and all net proceeds will go to the charity.

Rascals ‘From Rags to Riches THE RASCALS new variety show ‘Rags to Riches’ is to open at the Cardinal Belluga Theatre in San Fulgencio on Saturday 7th May at 7pm, with performances at the same time to follow on: Saturday 28th May, Los Montesinos School of Music & Culture Wednesday 29th June, Guardamar Casa del Cultura Tickets are 6€ and may be reserved by telephoning Sue on 96 678 4874. Come and enjoy an entertaining evening out and at the same time support those less fortunate, as all the ticket sales goes to local charities and will be given out on the night. For more about Rascals, visit www.therascals.info

New ownership of Phoenix Promotions Entertainment Agency ALL GOOD things must come to an end and this is the case for Norma and Mike Reilly who ran Phoenix Promotions for two and a half years. Due to unforeseen circumstances they decided it was time to return to the UK and we wish them well in any new adventures or opportunities that may arise. However, Phoenix Promotions is now in the hands of a new and dynamic team headed by Mr Pat Martin. Pat has been running his own entertainment agency, Missionmusic Entertainments, in the UK for the last five years and on entering his sixth successful year in the UK the opportunity to take over an established agency on the Costa Blanca was certainly not to be missed. He has lived and performed his vocal and comedy show in Spain for over a year, appearing in many venues all along the coast. Due to his popularity he has been repeatedly re-booked. His professional attitude as a performer will be mirrored within the agency, which is not to be complacent. He aims to work very closely with venues, understanding the needs of all the acts currently registered with Phoenix Promotions. Pat is in for the long haul and with his experience will face the many daily challenges this exciting business brings. In these difficult financial times Pat realises that venues and acts all need to work together to provide the

best possible entertainment for the best possible price. Acts should be aware that it’s the venues that pay their fees, so it’s up to them to give their best performance to keep the regular customers and holiday-makers spending money over the bar. It takes a long time for a venue to establish itself and become renowned for good service and entertainment, so it is a big responsibility for any act, to put on the best show possible. If not, it’s a ‘lose-lose’ situation all round. Pat realises that performers, especially here in Spain, have to constantly re-invent their acts; introduce new aspects; increase their repertoire and endeavour never to repeat the same show in regularly booked venues. The aim is to make Phoenix Promotions the preferred supplier of entertainment; the first choice for venues and acts alike. Never shy of hard work, Pat is prepared to put the time and energy into the ‘NEW’ Phoenix Promotions. There are now two telephone numbers to ensure any calls from venues will not need to leave a message and their enquiry will be dealt with immediately. With new ideas and a fresh approach Pat is hoping to attain a solid working relationship with venues and performers alike. If any entertainer or venue owner is interested in working or booking with Phoenix Promotions please telephone.

The Harmonisers Cave Rave! THE HARMONISERS brightened an already sunny Saturday afternoon on their way to sing in the Cuevas de Canalobre at Busot just outside Alicante, stopping for coffee and a tuneful warm up on the beach, to the delight of passers-by. At the caves, guests were welcomed to a private tour and a run through of various songs the Harmonisers hope to perform at ‘En armonia’ in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, for the annual Spanish Association of Barbershop Singers event

from 8th – 11th April; outstanding acoustics reverberating notes long after the songs were complete! The Harmonisers would like to thank the Mayor of Rojales for organising permission for the event. Interested singers are welcome to come along to rehearsals every Tuesday morning from 10am until 12.30pm, at the Hotel Cabo Cevera, La Mata, Torrevieja. Call Peter Stephen on 96 671 6643 or visit www.theharmonisers.com

01- -March 07 april 2011 Feb 26 4 2010

Vibes From The Costas by

Tony Poole

from www.vibesfromthecostas. blogspot.com

Músicas del Alma finale: Kenny Neal

AN JAVIER’S winter music programme climaxes on Saturday (2nd April) with the return to Murcia of New Orleans bluesman Kenny Neal, joined by singer E.C. Scott. A blues legend despite his young age, Neal is not only a master of modern Swamp-blues, but a singer, guitarist and harmonica player. He is a powerful live performer, a skill which he showcased during his performance during the XI edition of Jazz San Javier. The future of Baton Rouge swamp blues lies squarely in Neal’s capable hands. Along with a select few others (Larry Garner, for one), the second-generation southern Louisiana bluesman is entirely cognisant of the region’s venerable blues tradition and imaginative enough to steer it in fresh directions. Kenny Neal was born on 14th October, 1957, in New Orleans, exposed to the swamp blues sound from day one. His dad, harpist Raful Neal, was a Baton Rouge blues mainstay, whose pals included Buddy Guy and Slim Harpo (the latter handed three-year-old Kenny an old harp one day as a toy). At age 13, Neal was playing in his father’s band, and he picked up a bass at 17 for Buddy Guy. The guitarist recruited some of his talented siblings to form the Neal Brothers Blues Band up in Toronto (brother Noel later played bass behind James Cotton; five other Neal brothers also play in various bands) before returning stateside. In 1987, Neal cut his debut LP for Florida producer Bob Greelee, on Kingsnake Records as ‘Bio On The Bayou’. Alligator Records picked it up the following year, retitled it ‘Big News From Baton Rouge!’, and young Neal was on his way. Neal’s sizzling guitar work, sturdy harp, and gravelly, agedbeyond-his-years vocals have served him well ever since. An acclaimed 1991 stint on Broadway in a production of ‘Mule Bone’ found him performing acoustic versions of Langston Hughes’ poetry set to music by Taj Mahal. His 1994 Alligator set ‘Hoodoo Moon’ rates as one of his most satisfying outings for that label. Toward the end of the 90s, Neal moved to the blues division

of the jazz-based Telarc Records. Among his numerous albums for the label are ‘Blues Fallin’ Down Like Rain’ (1998); ‘What You Got’ (2000) and ‘One Step Closer’ (2001). Neal hooked up with Blind Pig Records and released ‘Let Life Flow’ in 2008, once again incorporating his gritty Louisiana roots with a sophisticated Chicago-Memphis soul approach. His release on Blind Pig, ‘Hooked on Your Love’, appeared in 2010. The concert starts at 22:00 in the Municipal Marquee in the Parque Almansa. Tickets can be purchased at the auditorium ticket office on the night, priced €10. Reservations: 96 819 1588 and 96 819 1568. More info at www.jazz.sanjavier.es

More festival and concert information at www.vibesfromthecostas.blogspot.com Email news and views to vibes@roundtownnews.com Keep the ViBES ALiVE!

47 47

Live on stage at The Lounge THE SEASON featuring live bands begins this Saturday 2nd April on stage with The Police Men at 10.30pm at the Lounge Bar, Torrevieja. The Police Men, a great local band from Alicante almost fully booked for the rest of the year have a large following of both English and Spanish fans. As their name suggests, the band include a fantastic tribute to that great eighties group, the Police. Also some great news for our locals, that fantastic live tribute to Queen, ‘Chess’ are back! Their first gig of the season is on Saturday 16th April. Come and support live bands at The Lounge Bar! 966 922 134.

Got a story? 902 118 999

rtnmail@roundtownnews.com

01 - 07 april 2011

Ricky Valance and Jukebox Legends charity tour for Help at Home and PUMA22

OLLOWING TWO successful Costa Blanca tours with Jukebox Legends in 2010, Ricky is back for a mini tour of five venues in the region with ticket only options at an amazing 8€. Peter Day of Jukebox Legends says, “We are sure that these shows will be a huge hit, with the shows offering incredible ticket prices. “The tour is spread over two months with a new mix of music from Ricky emphasising his later recordings. And after 50 years in music, his more recent recordings are of great interest to audiences. This tour gives people a great opportunity to hear some of those songs as well as the old favourites.” Peter urges early booking as tickets will be limited at some venues. Jukebox Legends will be supporting Ricky on the tour; a firm favourite with crowds in the region and portraying top quality sounds from the 60s and 70s. Peter Day and Fiona McLean, two exceptional soloists, have made Jukebox Legends into a unique act that compliments Ricky every time! The shows all begin at 8.30pm at: Casa Ventura, San Luis, Friday 1st April Olympia, Mil Palmeras, Tuesday 12th April Los Arcos, Torrevieja, Thursday 21st April The Lounge Bar, Torrevieja, Tuesday 26th April

Casa Nicolas, Los Altos del Limonar, Torrevieja, Sunday 22nd May Tickets are available from the listed venues or if you need more information call 695 135 134 or email info@jukeboxlegends.com Group bookings of 10 or more will receive Two FREE tickets. Tickets for Casa Nicolas are also available from La Bodega, San Luis Square. Pre-show meal bookings must also be made directly at the venues (but you do not have to eat to have show tickets) so don’t delay. Ricky and Jukebox Legends will also be featuring the very popular fund raising competition ‘Will the key turn’ at these shows. All proceeds go to PUMA22 and the Help at Home project and someone could win 50€ at every event!

The Punjabi’s THE PUNJABI’S Indian Restaurant & Take Away is newly opened in Quesada next to the Budapest restaurant just off the Lemon Tree Road from Quesada to Guardamar. I was invited by co-owner Rubel, whom I have known for many years, to sample some of the dishes on offer at The Punjabi’s. Rubel is well aware of the Sheriff’s passion when it comes to Indian Cuisine and he knows I will always give an accurate report on the taste and quality of any dish. Today I was served up a typical home style dish, Chicken Desi style; a chicken

curry with a mild sauce blended with selected herbs and spices which, as it said on the menu, produced an interesting flavour. Not what I would normally select from the menu but I have to say the description was correct and interesting to the point that I would order it again. That’s one new dish to sample when visiting The Punjabi’s. As I hail from near to ‘The Curry Capital of Europe’, Glasgow, where they have the best tasting curries I have ever tasted, I do my best to advise the Indian Restaurants on what we, the ex-pats like to eat when out for our Indian ‘fix’. I sometimes wonder if they have a

secret ingredient that is addictive and when we have a glass or two of wine or perhaps a couple of pints we have to have a curry! I have mentioned before the Shammi Kebabs at The Punjabi´s is the nearest to a typical shammi kebab I would expect to enjoy in any Glasgow restaurant; my favourite starter of all time. So give The Punjabi’s a try, and as always I welcome your comments about your experience: I never recommend a restaurant that I would not eat in myself. Cliff Roberts. Comments to : cliff@roundtownnews.com

Torrevieja Royal British Legion Meeting COME ALONG to the next Meeting of the Torrevieja Branch of the Royal British Legion on Friday 8th April at the Oasis Bar/Restaurant on Torreta 3. Arrive at 6.30pm for the meeting to convene at 7pm, followed by a social activity. Several regular members will be away in the UK visiting family and friends, so the RBL would like to see some nonactive and lapsed members again, along with potential new

members and other interested visitors. Remember, you do not have to have served in the Armed Forces to join. There should be plenty of news to discuss as representatives will have recently returned from the 90th Anniversary celebrations in Alicante on 2nd April. For further details or information feel free to call 96 678 5259.

Vivace Choir to sing Handel’s Messiah

THE VIVACE Classical Choir, featuring four soloists, will sing an Easter Selection of music from Handel’s Messiah, including The Hallelujah Chorus, at three venues in early April. On Friday 8th April at 8pm the Choir will perform at La Siesta Church in Torrevieja; on Saturday 9th April, also at 8pm, they will sing at the Music School (Auditorio de Escuela de Musica y Cultura) in Los Montesinos. Admission to these performances will be by programme obtainable on the night at the door, subject to availability, or they may be reserved in advance by telephoning 619 621 261 or 659 616 356 for La Siesta, and 965 998 977 for Los Montesinos. Proceeds from these concerts will support La Siesta Church at the first venue, and also the running costs of the choir. By invitation, the choir and soloists, three of whom will be coming from the UK especially for these performances, will also sing a shorter selection at approximately 6.45pm between Masses, in Orihuela Cathedral, on Sunday 10th April.

Torrevieja U3A Celebration Year TORREVIEJA UNIVERSITY of the Third Age (U3A) celebrates its fifth anniversary this year and its expansion to 300 members. The association now has groups covering a wide spectrum of interests ranging from Armchair Travel to Patchwork and Quilting. Whether it’s travel; music appreciation; learning Spanish; board games; driving or walking, U3A members are never bored! A new U3A venture is the monthly coffee morning held at Restaurante La Mirada Playa, next to La Zenia Hotel, the next at 11am on 14th April. Anniversary celebrations continue in June with a barbeque for members on 11th at Casa La Pedrera with its’ stunning views over the lake. Other celebrations will be announced in due course. Further details of these and all U3A social events and trips may be found at www.u3atorrevieja.com Due to popular demand the U3A will be repeating last years’ successful ‘Summer Meetings’ with their social flavour, held on the last Thursday of June, July and August. Speakers, cake stalls and Tombolas are planned for these meetings and a possibility of repeating the highly successful gentleman’s cake making competition that debuted last year. Membership is just 12€ per year. Members are reminded that U3A rules state that the next monthly meeting on 31st March at Los Arcos Restaurant, Torrevieja, is the deadline by which 2011 membership should be renewed. Doors open at 10am and the meeting commences at 10.30am. The speaker will be Chris Sumpter, talking of her experiences helping Thailand’s Tsunami victims. Membership can also be renewed through any committee member or group leader.

01 - 07 april 2011

Cute

kiwi

3 Kiwi fruit 1 medium Cucumber Juice the ingredients Contains: Vitamin C. Good for : A high boost of restorative vitamin C for anyone getting over an illness; it can also have a gentle laxative effect from the Kiwi. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too bitter for you, try adding an apple for a bit of sweetness 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

tv Friday

50 61

01 14- -0720april may2011 2010

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 A Hundred Years of Us 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Britain’s Empty Homes 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 32 Brinkburn Street 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 Deadly 60 16:35 Deadly 60 Bite Size 16:40 Deadly Art 16:55 Shaun the Sheep 17:00 Dani’s House 17:30 Tracy Beaker Returns 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Rip Off Britain 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 QI 22:00 New Tricks 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Michael McIntyre: Live & Laughing

07:00 Childrens TV 10:55 3rd & Bird 11:05 Postman Pat 11:20 Pingu 11:25 64 Zoo Lane 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Diagnosis Murder 14:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:30 Restoration Roadshow 16:00 Flog It! 16:45 Helicopter Heroes 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Escape to the Country 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Royal Upstairs Downstairs 20:00 Britain by Bike 20:30 An Island Parish 21:00 Mastermind 21:30 Gardeners’ World 22:00 British at Work 23:00 Frank Skinner’s Opinionated 23:30 Newsnight 24:00 The Review Show 24:50 London to Brighton

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 60 Minute Makeover 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 The Chase 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Children’s Hospital 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Benidorm 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 The Cube 24:35 Take Me Out

07:05 Sali Mali 07:10 Max Bear 07:25 The Hoobs 07:50 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:45 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:40 Friends 10:10 Supernanny USA 11:00 Brothers & Sisters 11:55 Gok’s Fashion Fix 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Designers Under Pressure 13:25 The Thief 15:05 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 16:55 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Fern 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:25 4thought.tv 20:30 Unreported World 21:00 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 22:00 Embarrassing Bodies 23:00 Friday Night Dinner 23:30 Rude Tube 24:35 10 O’Clock Live

07:00 Childrens TV 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Brighton Beach Patrol 13:05 Family Recipe 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:20 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Family Recipe 16:15 Honeymoon with Mom 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 Fifth Gear 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 22:00 The Mentalist 23:00 Law & Order 23:55 CSI: Miami 24:55 Cops in Crisis

08:00 Zoo Vet at Large

08:30 Live Snooker

07:00 Nothing to Declare

09:00 Oops TV

11:30 WTA Tennis

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10:00 Wedding SOS

13:00 Snooker

09:00 Maury

11:00 Mental

13:30 Live Snooker

10:00 America’s Next Top Model

12:00 UK Border Force

16:45 Snooker

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18:30 Horse Racing

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Time

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19:00 Timbersports

15:00 CSI: Crime

Series

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16:00 Criminal Minds

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17:00 Charmed

21:00 The Simpsons

20:00 Strongest Man

19:00 America’s Next Top Model

21:30 Modern Family

21:00 Live Boxing

20:00 Ghost Whisperer

22:00 Raising Hope

23:00 Snooker

21:00 Bones

22:30 A League of Their Own

24:15 Extreme Sports:

22:00 Criminal Minds

23:30 Spartacus: Gods

Freeride Spirit

23:00 CSI: Miami

of the Arena

24:30 WTA Tennis

24:00 Criminal Minds

13:00 Oops TV 14:00 Body Language Secrets 15:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Oops TV 18:00 Futurama 19:00 Glenn Martin, DDS 19:30 The Simpsons 20:30 The Middle

New Tricks BBC1 22.00

Los Secretos in concert in San Pedro by Julie Day By Julie Day LOS SECRETOS, one of the most emblematic and significant pop-rock groups in Spain since the 80s, will be performing in San Pedro del Pinatar on Friday 29th April. Hailing from Madrid, this pop trio have enjoyed a long and successful career and are just as popular now as they were 30 years ago. Los Secretos are labelled as one of the founders of the New Wave of music that came out of Madrid in the 80’s, although the

group themselves identify their songs with those of the New Wave groups that emerged from the UK during this time. During their career Los Secretos have released a total of 12 studio albums, three live albums and seven compilation albums. This fantastic concert takes place on Friday 29th April at 10pm at the Teatro-Cine Moderno, Calle Barón de Benifayo, 30740, San Pedro del Pinatar. Tickets are priced at 31€ and are available through www.servicam.es or from the theatre’s ticket office.

Los Secretos in concert

Classical Music Society to present Duo Bakanova-Mascalo THE CLASSICAL Music Society of Alfas del Pi is proud to present the Dúo BakanovaMascalo (soprano and piano) for its next concert on Friday 15th April at 8pm at the Casa de Cultura, Alfas del Pi. The programme, ‘From Italy to Russia – the magic of colour and lyricism’, will include vocal works by Donizetti, Rossini, Scirabin and Ipploitov-Ivanov. Russian lyric soprano Elena Bakanova has a truly international career, performing in operas and concerts all over the World. A

versatile artist with a broad repertoire, her range includes Baroque and contemporary music. Raffaele Mascolo studied music in Milan before performing in many countries, primarily conducting in opera houses. His vast repertoire includes established works by Cimarosa, Rossini, Puccini, Donizetti, Bizet and Wagner plus contemporary pieces by composers such as Ligeti. For non-members, tickets are 10€ on the door. Full details of this concert and the

Society’s 2011 programme are on the Society’s website: www.alfasmusica.com, or Tel: 96 588 8865 Website: www.telefonica.net/web/ arcosaltea

tv Saturday 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 BBC News; Regional News 12:45 Football Focus 13:30 Match of the Day Live 15:55 Galaxy Quest 17:30 Final Score 18:15 BBC News; Regional News 18:30 All New Total Wipeout: The Awards 19:30 So You Think You Can Dance 20:30 The National Lottery: Secret Fortune 21:25 Casualty 22:15 Live at the Apollo 23:00 BBC News 23:20 Match of the Day 24:45 The Football League Show

07:00 Childrens TV 11:00 Trapped Ever After 11:25 OOglies 11:45 Copycats 12:15 My Life 12:45 MOTD Kickabout 13:00 Coast 13:15 Diagnosis Murder 14:00 The Prince and the Showgirl 15:55 Priceless Antiques Roadshow 16:25 Escape to the Country 17:25 Flog It! 17:55 Carry On Again Doctor 19:20 Dad’s Army 19:50 Welsh Greats 20:20 The Last Goon Show of All 21:00 Edward VII: Prince of Pleasure 22:00 Goldie’s Band: By Royal Appointment 23:00 The Tudors 23:55 Nurse Jackie 24:25 ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights

01 - 07 april 2011

07:00 Mini CITV 08:25 CITV 10:25 Coronation Street 12:45 This Morning: Saturday 13:45 Monk 14:40 ITV News 14:45 You’ve Been Framed! 15:15 Like Mike 17:05 ‘Crocodile’ Dundee in Los Angeles 18:45 Granada News 18:55 ITV News 19:10 You’ve Been Framed! 19:40 Harry Hill’s TV Burp Compilation 20:10 Ant & Dec’s Push the Button 21:25 Live Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?: Mother’s Day Special 22:40 Wanted 24:45 ITV News

07:10 Sali Mali 07:15 The Hoobs 08:05 FIM Superbike World Championship 08:30 The Grid 09:00 The Morning Line 10:00 Friends 10:30 T4 Movie Special 11:00 Friends 11:30 Glee 12:25 Great British Hairdresser 13:30 Big Bang Theory 13:55 Big Bang Theory 14:25 That Paralympic Show 14:55 Channel 4 Racing 16:55 Secret Supper Club 17:25 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 18:25 Come Dine with Me Extra Portions 19:30 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 River Cottage Every Day 21:00 Seven Ages of Britain 22:00 The Transporter 2 23:35 Stand Up for the Week 24:25 Nine to Five

07:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Play! 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Olivia 10:15 Mr Men Show 10:30 Gerald McBoing Boing 11:00 Meals in Moments 11:10 Fifth Gear 11:40 The Gadget Show 12:40 Megastructures: Extreme Bridge Demolition 13:45 Up Periscope 15:55 The Sea Chase

08:00 Zoo Vet at Large 09:00 WWE Special 11:00 Soccer AM 14:00 A Town Called Eureka 15:00 WWE: Smackdown 17:30 Oops TV 18:30 Emergency Animal Rescue 19:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 19:30 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Futurama 21:30 Futurama 22:00 Beverly Hills Cop 24:05 Ross Kemp: Battle for the Amazon

08:30 Live Snooker 11:30 WTA Tennis 13:00 Live Snooker 16:45 WTA Tennis 18:30 Live WTA Tennis 20:15 Snooker 22:00 Live Curling 24:30 Rallying 24:45 Snooker

09:00 Maury 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 America’s Next Top Model 12:00 America’s Next Top Model 13:00 Biggest Loser 15:00 Nothing to Declare 15:30 Nothing to Declare 17:00 Drop Dead Diva 18:00 Drop Dead Diva 19:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 Chuck 22:00 Criminal Minds 23:00 Criminal Minds 24:00 Criminal Minds

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01 - 07 20114 2010 Feb 26april - March

07:00 Breakfast 08:30 Match of the Day 10:00 Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Big Questions 12:00 Country Tracks 13:00 The Politics Show 14:05 EastEnders 16:00 Bargain Hunt 16:30 Escape to the Country 17:30 Points of View 17:45 Songs of Praise 18:30 BBC News; Regional News 19:00 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers 19:30 The Boat That Guy Built 20:00 Countryfile 21:00 Antiques Roadshow 22:00 Waking the Dead 23:00 BBC News; Regional News 23:25 Imagine: The Trouble with Tolstoy 24:25 The Last Station

07:00 Childrens TV

07:00 Mini CITV

09:00 Fee Fi Fo Yum

08:25 CITV

09:30 Gimme a Break

10:25 May the Best

10:00 Dick & Dom Go Wild

House Win

10:30 Cop School

11:25 House Gift

11:00 Something for the

12:30 This Morning:

Weekend

Sunday

12:30 MasterChef

13:30 Dinner Date

07:00 Childrens TV 09:30 Family! 09:40 Milkshake Monkey 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Olivia 10:15 Mr Men Show 10:30 Gerald McBoing Boing 11:00 Nigel Marven’s Rhino Adventure 12:05 Andre Rieu in New York 13:05 Ice Road Truckers 14:05 Emergency Bikers 15:05 Prince Charming 16:50 13 Going on 30 18:45 5 News Weekend 18:50 High School Musical 3: Senior Year 21:10 Just Married 23:00 Two Weeks Notice

07:00 Hour of Power 08:00 Zoo Vet at Large 08:30 Zoo Vet at Large 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker 11:00 WWE: Superstars 12:00 WWE: Experience 13:00 Road Wars 14:00 A Town Called Eureka 15:00 WWE Special 16:00 Emergency Animal Rescue 16:30 WWE Wrestlemania Preview 17:00 UK Border Force 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Simpsons 19:00 Live to Dance 20:00 The Middle 20:30 Modern Family 21:00 Raising Hope 21:30 The Simpsons 22:00 Hawaii Five-0 23:00 NCIS: Los Angeles 24:00 House

08:00 Zoo Vet at Large 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 Wedding SOS 11:00 Mental 12:00 UK Border Force 13:00 Oops TV 14:00 Body Language Secrets 15:00 Stargate SG-1 17:00 Oops TV 18:00 Futurama 18:30 Futurama 19:00 Glenn Martin, DDS 19:30 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons 21:00 Rooftop Rainforest 22:00 Ross Kemp in Search of Pirates 23:00 Spartacus: Gods of the Arena 24:15 A League of Their Own

22:00 Louis Theroux

19:35 Granada News

23:00 Match of the

19:45 ITV News

Day 2

20:00 The Cube

24:00 Football League

21:00 Lewis

Trophy Final

23:00 ITV News at Ten

24:40 Awaydays

23:15 The Bucket List

07:10 The Hoobs 07:35 The Hoobs 08:00 Freesports on 4 08:30 Crunchtime 08:55 The Crush 09:25 Friends 09:55 Friends 10:25 Hollyoaks 12:55 Glee 13:55 The Simpsons 14:30 The Simpsons 14:55 Four in a Bed 15:30 Four in a Bed 15:55 Four in a Bed 16:30 Four in a Bed 16:55 Four in a Bed 17:25 Deal or No Deal 18:30 Time Team 19:30 Channel 4 News 19:55 4thought.tv 20:00 Come Dine with Me 21:00 Civilization: Is the West History? 22:00 Country House Rescue 23:00 The Magdalene Sisters

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Neighbourhood Blues 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Britain’s Empty Homes 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Justice 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 Gastronuts 16:35 Dennis & Gnasher 16:45 Deadly Art 17:00 Sadie J 17:30 Blue Peter 17:55 Shaun the Sheep 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Bang Goes the Theory 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama 22:00 Waking the Dead 23:00 BBC News

07:00 Childrens TV 11:00 Mightymites 11:15 Postman Pat 11:35 64 Zoo Lane 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Diagnosis Murder 14:45 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:30 Real Rescues 16:00 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16:45 Flog It! 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Escape to the Country 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Menu 20:00 The Great Rift: Africa’s Wild Heart 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Lambing Live 23:00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Louis Theroux

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 60 Minute Makeover 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 Britain’s Best Dish 19:00 Granada Reports 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 The Dales 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Law & Order: UK 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Real Crime 24:35 River Monsters

07:05 Sali Mali 07:10 Max Bear 07:25 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 Friends 10:10 Supernanny USA 11:00 Brothers & Sisters 11:55 Relocation, Relocation 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 River Cottage Bites 13:10 Jamie at Home 13:35 Sea Wife 15:10 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Fern 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Dispatches 22:00 One Born Every Minute 23:00 Heston’s 70s Feast 24:05 The Event

07:00 Childrens TV 09:40 Hana’s Helpline 09:50 The WotWots 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 The Blasters 13:05 Family Recipe 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:20 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 16:15 Recipe for Revenge 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 How Do They Do It? 21:00 The Gadget Show 22:00 Executive Decision 24:45 Undisputed

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Neighbourhood Blues 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Britain’s Empty Homes 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Justice 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 Gastronuts 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Dead Gorgeous 17:30 Blue Peter 17:55 Shaun the Sheep 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 19:55 Party Political Broadcast 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Candy Cabs 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News

07:00 Childrens TV 11:35 64 Zoo Lane 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 13:55 Diagnosis Murder 14:40 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:25 Real Rescues 15:55 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16:40 Flog It! 17:25 Pointless 18:10 Escape to the Country 18:55 Party Political Broadcast 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Menu 20:00 The Great Rift: Africa’s Wild Heart 21:00 Lambing Live 22:00 Filthy Cities 23:00 Later Live... with Jools Holland 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Perfume: the Story of a Murderer

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 60 Minute Makeover 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 Britain’s Best Dish 19:00 Granada Reports 19:25 Party Election Broadcast 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Grimefighters 21:00 Countrywise 22:00 Smugglers 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 The Matrix

07:10 Max Bear 07:25 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:40 Friends 10:10 Supernanny USA 11:00 Brothers & Sisters 11:55 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Quiller Memorandum 15:05 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Fern 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Supersize vs Superskinny 22:00 Katie: My Beautiful Friends 23:00 Campus 24:10 Pete Versus Life 24:45 School of Comedy

07:00 Childrens TV 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 The Blasters 13:05 Meals in Moments 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:20 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 16:15 NYC: Tornado Terror 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 Extraordinary Dogs 21:00 Tsunami: British Search & Rescue 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 CSI: Miami 23:55 CSI: NY 24:55 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

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tv Monday

tv Tuesday

08:30 Live Snooker 11:30 WTA Tennis 12:30 Live Cycling 17:00 Snooker 19:30 Boxing 21:00 Live Curling 24:00 Rallying 24:15 Snooker

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer 09:00 Maury 10:00 Four Weddings 11:00 Drop Dead Diva 12:00 Drop Dead Diva 13:00 Dog Patrol 14:00 Dog Patrol 14:30 Dating in the Dark 15:30 Dating in the Dark 16:30 Step Kids In Love 17:30 Nothing to Declare 18:30 Passport Patrol 19:00 Passport Patrol 19:30 The Children’s Champions Awards 2011 21:00 Cougar Town 21:30 Hot in Cleveland 22:00 Katie 23:00 Four Weddings 24:00 Grey’s Anatomy

Lewis ITV 1 21.00

08:30 Rallying 08:45 Cycling 10:00 Curling 12:00 Snooker 14:00 Cycling 15:15 WTA Tennis 16:15 Snooker 18:00 Eurogoals 18:30 Champions Club 19:45 Strongest Man 20:45 Snooker 22:30 Live Curling 24:30 Rallying 24:45 Eurogoals

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Nothing to Declare 12:00 Maury 13:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 15:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 16:00 Criminal Minds 17:00 Charmed 19:00 America’s Next Top Model 20:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 Katie 22:00 Four Weddings 23:00 Stepkids: Don’t Ruin My Big Day 24:00 Criminal Minds

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08:30 Rallying 08:45 Champions Club 10:00 Curling 12:00 Eurogoals 12:30 WATTS 13:30 Cycling 14:30 Snooker 15:30 Eurogoals 16:00 Champions Club 17:15 Live Curling 19:30 Tennis 20:00 WATTS 21:00 Boxing 23:00 Extreme Sports: Freeride Spirit 23:30 Fight Club 24:30 Rallying 24:45 WATTS

Candy Cabs BBC 1 22.00

07:00 Nothing to Declare 08:00 Jerry Springer 09:00 Maury 10:00 America’s Next Top Model 11:00 Nothing to Declare 12:00 Maury 13:00 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 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 21:00 Cougar Town 21:30 Hot in Cleveland 22:00 Katie 23:00 Bridalplasty 24:00 Criminal Minds

tv Wednesday 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Neighbourhood Blues 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Britain’s Empty Homes 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Justice 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 Gastronuts 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Trade Your Way to the USA 17:30 MI High 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 19:55 Party Election Broadcast 20:00 The One Show 20:30 The Boat That Guy Built 21:00 Waterloo Road 22:00 MasterChef 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News

07:00 Childrens TV 11:35 64 Zoo Lane 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 See Hear 14:30 Coast 14:40 To Buy or Not to Buy 15:25 Real Rescues 15:55 Cash in the Celebrity Attic 16:40 Flog It! 17:25 Pointless 18:10 Escape to the Country 18:55 Party Election Broadcast 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Menu 20:00 The Great Rift: Africa’s Wild Heart 21:00 Lambing Live 22:00 The Crimson Petal and the White 23:00 Have I Got News for You 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Golf

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 60 Minute Makeover 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 Britain’s Best Dish 19:00 Granada Reports 19:25 Party Election Broadcast 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 UEFA Champions League Live 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 UEFA Champions League 24:35 Smugglers

01- -March 07 april 2011 Feb 26 4 2010

07:10 Max Bear 07:25 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 Friends 10:05 Wife Swap USA 11:00 Brothers & Sisters 11:55 Country House Rescue 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 Gallipoli 15:10 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Fern 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Vacation, Vacation, Vacation 21:30 Superscrimpers: Waste Not Want Not 22:00 Jamie’s Dream School 23:00 Model Agency 24:05 Big Bang Theory 24:40 The Big C

07:00 Childrens TV 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank 13:05 Family Recipe 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:20 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Meals in Moments 16:15 The Hollywood Mom’s Mystery 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:25 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:30 Starlight: For the Children 21:00 Emergency Bikers 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Law & Order: Criminal Intent 23:55 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

07:10 Max Bear 07:20 The Hoobs 07:50 The Hoobs 08:15 Freshly Squeezed 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:05 Frasier 09:35 Friends 10:05 Wife Swap USA 11:00 Brothers & Sisters 11:55 Restoration Man 13:00 Channel 4 News 13:05 River Cottage Bites 13:15 The Colditz Story 15:05 Cookery School 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Fern 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Three in a Bed 22:00 A Bodyshock Special 23:00 10 O’Clock Live 24:05 Friday Night Dinner 24:35 Ricky Gervais Show

07:00 Childrens TV 10:00 Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:05 Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank 13:05 Family Recipe 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:20 House 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Vanessa Show 16:05 Chinese Food in Minutes 16:15 The Last Chance 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 OK! TV 20:00 5 News at 7 20:25 How Do They Do It? 20:55 Live UEFA Europa League Football 23:00 Dragon: the Bruce Lee Story

53 53

08:00 Zoo Vet at Large

08:30 Rallying

07:00 Nothing to Declare

09:00 Oops TV

08:45 Snooker

08:00 Jerry Springer

10:00 Wedding SOS

10:00 Curling

09:00 Maury

11:00 Mental

12:00 WATTS

10:00 America’s Next Top Model

12:00 UK Border Force

12:30 Eurogoals

11:00 Nothing to Declare

13:00 Oops TV

13:00 Champions Club

12:00 Maury

14:00 Hello Goodbye

13:30 Strongest Man

13:00 CSI: Crime

15:00 Stargate SG-1

14:30 WATTS

Scene Investigation

16:00 Stargate SG-1

15:30 Tennis

14:00 CSI: Crime

17:00 Oops TV

16:00 Snooker

Scene Investigation

18:00 Futurama

17:00 Live Curling

15:00 CSI: Crime

18:30 Futurama

19:30 WATTS

Scene Investigation

19:00 Glenn Martin, DDS

20:00 Eurogoals Flash

16:00 Criminal Minds

19:30 The Simpsons

20:10 Olympic Magazine

17:00 Charmed

20:00 The Simpsons

20:45 Wednesday Selection

19:00 America’s Next Top Model

20:30 The Simpsons

21:00 Equestrian

20:00 CSI: Crime

21:00 A Different Breed

21:30 Riders Club

Scene Investigation

22:00 An Idiot Abroad

21:35 PGA Tour Golf

21:00 Four Weddings

23:00 Fringe

22:35 Ladies European Tour Golf

22:00 Bones

24:00 Martina Cole’s

22:45 European Tour Golf

23:00 Grey’s Anatomy

The Runaway

23:15 Golf Club

24:00 Criminal Minds

Martina Cole’s The Runaway Sky 1 24.00

tv Thursday 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Neighbourhood Blues 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Britain’s Empty Homes 12:30 Cash in the Attic 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News 14:30 Regional News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Justice 16:00 BBC News; Regional News 16:05 Gastronuts 16:35 Prank Patrol Down Under 17:00 Project Parent 17:30 My Life 18:00 Newsround 18:15 The Weakest Link 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Regional News 19:55 Party Political Broadcast 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Watchdog 22:00 New Tricks 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News 23:35 Question Time

07:00 Childrens TV 11:00 Mightymites 11:15 Postman Pat 11:35 64 Zoo Lane 11:45 Waybuloo 12:05 In the Night Garden 12:35 Meerkat Manor 13:00 Daily Politics 13:30 GMT with George Alagiah 14:00 Diagnosis Murder 14:45 Racing from Aintree 17:30 Pointless 18:15 Escape to the Country 18:55 Party Political Broadcast 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Great British Menu 20:00 David Attenborough’s First Life 21:00 Lambing Live 22:00 A History of Celtic Britain 23:00 Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience 23:30 Newsnight 24:20 Filthy Cities

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 60 Minute Makeover 16:00 The Alan Titchmarsh Show 16:59 Granada Weather 17:00 Midsomer Murders 18:00 Britain’s Best Dish 19:00 Granada Reports 19:25 Party Election Broadcast 19:30 ITV News 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Monroe 23:00 ITV News at Ten 23:30 Granada News 23:35 Benidorm 24:35 Celebrity Grimefighters

08:00 Zoo Vet at Large 09:00 Oops TV 10:00 Wedding SOS

08:30 Rallying

07:00 Nothing to Declare

08:45 WATTS

08:00 Jerry Springer 09:00 Maury

11:00 Mental

09:45 Curling

12:00 UK Border Force

12:00 WATTS

11:00 Nothing to Declare

12:30 Champions Club

12:00 Maury

13:00 Oops TV 14:00 Hello Goodbye

10:00 America’s Next Top Model

13:00 CSI: Crime

15:00 Stargate SG-1

13:00 WATTS

16:00 Stargate SG-1

13:30 WATTS

14:00 CSI: Crime

14:30 Curling

Scene Investigation

17:00 Oops TV 18:00 Futurama

Scene Investigation

15:00 CSI: Crime

18:30 Futurama

15:30 UEFA Women’s

19:00 Glenn Martin, DDS

Champions League

16:00 Criminal Minds

17:00 Live Curling

17:00 Charmed

19:30 The Simpsons 20:30 The Simpsons

Scene Investigation

19:00 America’s Next Top Model

21:00 Hawaii Five-0

19:30 Eurogoals Flash

22:00 Martina Cole’s

19:45 Live WTA Tennis

Scene Investigation

22:45 Live Curling

21:00 Chuck

The Runaway 23:00 House 24:00 NCIS: Los

24:30 Rallying

Angeles

24:45 WTA Tennis

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

20:00 CSI: Crime

22:00 Hidden Lives 23:00 Katie 24:00 Criminal Minds

01 - 07 2011 Feb 26april - March 4 2010

54 44

Bad news and good news

The TV Round Up by

Alex Trelinski

Broadcaster and freelance journalist

ERE’S SOME bad news: the wretched ‘My Family’ is coming back for an eleventh series later this year. The good news: the BBC has mercifully said that this will be the last run for an alleged comedy that has consistently wasted the talents of Robert Lindsay and Zoe Wanamaker. At least Kris Marshall had the sense to bail out a few years ago to earn his bags of gold from the BT ads.

My early week viewing is starting to fall apart somewhat with the temporary farewell to ‘Mrs.Brown’s Boys’, and then Tuesday night seeing the end of BBC 1’s sassy legal drama, ‘Silk’. Smart, clever, intelligent, amusing, and full of backstabbing, this show has had it all in spades. I’ve always been told not to trust people in the legal profession, and the six week run of ‘Silk’ has certainly proved that! Surely this will return for another series next year, but there’s been no news on that front…yet. One of the biggest names in TV is Nigel Lythgoe and his shrewdness is there to be seen big-time. He was brought back as executive producer of ‘American Idol’ on ITV 2 after a two year self-enforced

break. His remit was to drag the show up by its bootstraps, and so he promptly did the impossible by proving that there was life after Simon Cowell, with a different ‘happier’ edge to the contest.

Meanwhile Lythgoe is involved with another of his projects, with the return of ’So You Think You Can Dance’ to BBC 1 last Saturday. Strangely the first series was not a massive hit in the UK last year, after a very strong pedigree in the States. But I’m sure that was just a hiccup, and the first auditions show was of a high standard, and it was great to see Arlene Phillips reminding us what a loss she was as a judge on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

Book Review by

Danny Collins

copy@dannyjpcollins.com

More bad news:- the fantastic ‘Mrs. Brown’s Boys’ finished its hilarious Monday night run on BBC 1 this week. The great news: a second series has already been ordered which we should see towards the end of the year or early in 2012. With its brilliant audience figures, the BBC should move it to an earlier 9.30pm slot, which is after all the time that viewers to RTE in Ireland saw it screened a few months ago. It’s great to see the lovely Fern Britton back on the box with her new teatime show on Channel 4. Natural performers in front of the cameras are rare beasts, and after leaving ’Ready Steady Cook’ and ‘This Morning’, neither programme has had the same fizz or professionalism.

Last Friday’s results hour, which featured the dramatic saving of the bearded Casey, and brilliantly hosted by Ryan Seacrest, was one of the most entertaining programmes I’ve seen this year. Quickly to my regular report on ITV1’s ‘Benidorm’ which returned last Friday after a one-week break. It was easily the best episode of the series, with the highlight being the drunken advice that South African, Pauline, gave young Michael Garvey over love and relationships. She certainly came up with the funniest pronunciation of a rude bit of Anglo- Saxon that I’ve ever heard, causing my rewind button to be pressed into heavy service!

One Year In Spain WRITING POETRY, as Thomas Hood and Federico García Lorca probably never said, is a funny old game. It goes beyond bringing one’s most intimate thoughts into light and has many ways of doing it. The forms of verse are many: villanelle, terza rima, sestina, rondeau, enjambment, vers libre – have I lost you yet? I hope not, for to the reader, whether the lines rhyme or not, the most important of all is to feel the striking of a chord. Migel Jayasinghe is an occupational psychologist. In semi-retirement he is destined to sit in the shade, light a cigar, and listen to the bees: would that we all could. He shares his musings with us – pleasant and philosophical – and we, should we bother to listen, are no worse for it and even improved a little. All civilisations should listen to their poets and take wine with them. Raise a glass to Migel Jayasinghe and be happy that such as he is among us. One Year In Spain is a collection of 48 poems written during late summer 2009 and early autumn 2010 while living in retirement in Costa Blanca, Spain. Most of the poems are rhymed; a few in free

Suduko Answer

verse form (vers libre). But, most important, in these pages you can experience and enjoy established verse forms such as villanelle, terza rima, sestina, rondeau and enjambment. Author: Migel Jayasinghe Publisher: Createspace (paperback) Price: €6.40 ISBN: 978 1456485146

Because her original background was in journalism, she’s equally good at asking questions to politicians and showbiz guests. It’s also a relief that somebody had a major reality check as the nice but puerile Peter Andre was at one time being seriously considered for this slot!

motoring

Brian Deller

Author of Motoring in Spain

I AM not a mechanic or even literate as far as mechanical things are concerned, especially with motor cars but my husband tells me that I more than make up for it in other ways (cooking?) I have heard ‘catalytic converters’ being discussed in our local meeting place where we women sit to make sure our men are not paying any Spanish señoritas too much attention. How do they work and what is special about them? Please keep it very simple for the above reason and thank you in advance. Rose Smith, Roquetas del Mar. THANK YOU for your intelligent question and I applaud you for wanting to know. Most male drivers in my experience have very little knowledge of what these mandatory devices are and do not want to know but as these parts of the exhaust systems of petrol engine vehicles are very important and being also very expensive to replace, your enquiry is admirable. You will be able to supply the facts the next time the subject is discussed. What is a catalytic converter (CC)? It is a stainless steel box in the exhaust system with steel baffles, coated with a compound that when hot exhaust gasses flow past them, a chemical reaction takes place and with the resulting chemical reaction causing the dangerous toxic parts of the exhaust gasses to be converted to far less dangerous gasses before they are passed into our atmosphere. They can only be used with non-leaded petrol, and the expensive petrol for high performance cars now has a lead replacement chemical added instead of lead for this reason. The metallic compound on the baffles is platinum; a mineral that is worth much more per Kg than even gold and this makes the device very expensive to manufacture. A new major problem reported in the UK now is the theft of the CCs from parked vehicles as a new one for a large BMW for example costs over €5,000. They work efficiently depending on use for up to 80,000 to 120,000km and a part of the MOT/ITV test is pollution check of the exhaust. If the test report fails due to this item, it can be an expensive job to replace to pass the vehicle. Luckily the baffles need only be plated (like chrome-plating) with a thin layer of platinum for the device to work efficiently. So if buying an older petrol-engined vehicle, it would be prudent to insist on it being ITV-ed with your direct supervision or by a trusted friend, to avoid being cheated

01 - 07 april 2011

before parting with the cash. If it is a classic (a historic) which means that it is 25-plus years old in Spain, allowances are made for this as it will not have a CC but as has happened elsewhere in the EU, Berlin and other cities, such as Germany as an example, older vehicles are now banned from entering cities except for occasional vintage vehicle rallies. Vehicles even from new must be treated with care, and an example would be plunging into a cold water-ford with a hot exhaust system. Also driving over rough land where the exhaust can be hit by rocks etc. I trust that answers your question. Diesel engines have different exhaust systems and I can cover those (again) in the near future if requested. yOu HAVe recently advised that vehicles with RH steering, vans or auto caravans, without an unrestricted 360-degree view from the driver’s seat would not be passed for re-registration onto Spanish plates. I have been told locally that this has been changed and they can now be passed. What do you think? Bill Jones, Torrevieja. THANK YOU for your question, Bill. I have passed this one to my local expert and amigo, a Spanish company that attends to the re-registering of foreign vehicles every day, and the boss man Antonio’s immediate reaction was that the law is still true, but he is checking through their contacts at Trafico and the local ITV station where they are well-known to see if it has recently changed. I will advise very soon. Personally, as Trafico is very hot on road safety and is succeeding with the continuing drops in the accident rates in recent years, any action that will reduce that trend is unlikely but these days we do not trust anybody until we know for sure. Watch this space in the near future. Meanwhile I would play safe and wait. Summer is coming again. But will we be flooded out with visitors with the credit crunch? Perhaps we all need a good holiday but money will probably be tight. Be safe and careful. Repairs are still very expensive and service your vehicle to retain its safe condition and resale value. My wife is charming me for a new car so we may have a low mileage (65,000km) Ford Focus (2008 diesel) for sale soon. The 2001 model we sold locally in 2008 at 150,000km is still running very well at 180,000km. All the best.

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

01 - 07 april 2011

Classified Ads 01 - 07 april 2011

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

Book your advert now 902 118 999 (ext 2)

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

UK-SPAIN-IRELAND All European Destinations

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

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

PRISTINE POOLS

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

01 - 07 april 2011

FORMER WORLD KICKBOXING CHAMPION lessons in kickboxing/martial arts. one on one, get fit, blackbelt programs.659-696-455

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

2 YORKIE TERRIERS Male and Female, KC Registered needs re-homing to a good pet caring family, for free contact: richbenson1@live.com for more information 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

ROLLER SHUTTER REPAIRS 50kms radius Calpe. Ray Bowers 626576706

PC SOLUTIONS 4U For all your computer needs. Reliable & Friendly service. Alicante North area.Call Fred:-634-638-664

SAILING BOAT ARAEZ 22FT moored MarMenor. Good condition. Marina 8 engine. Spinnaker, Depth Finder etc. Offers around 6500€. Tel 968-582-358/618-489-904/ UK+44-7895-055-198

10 COLD DRINK/SNACK VENDING MACHINES with sites,€39,900.excellent cash income, no overhead, work from home, work only one day per week, €31,000 nett yearly. 25 pringle vending machines with sites €14,900.€250 per week guaranteed.965-326-442/ 659-696-455 SOLAR ENERGY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Long established company, own product range. First class training & support. Telephone 606586587

AVONDALE LEDA (UK) twin axle, Approx. 22 feet.5 Berth caravan. Good condition many extras including 5m awning. 4250Euro 966-491-354 Moraira MOBILE HOME 2 bed Aitana Mobile Home 5yrs, unfurn. sited but can be moved 6500€ ono. Tlf-660-061-684 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

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

PENSION TRACKERS Looking for rewarding enjoyable work, then join our fast growing lively telemarketing booking team. If you are hardworking, enthusiastic and well organised then this is for you. Experience preferred but not essential as full training is given. Contract available after completion of training and trial period. Call:966-864-598 AVON NEED AGENTS AND LEADERS work hours to suit you. For info Phone Rosh 966-785-520 HYGIENIST IS REQUIRED for a dental practice in Benidorm. The person must speak Spanish and English. Please send curriculum in Spanish to flor@id-mediterraneo.com GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY For a good Cook and Average Handyman. Small apartment in La Manga, in a chalet situated in the front line of Mar Menor, to let in exchange for light services. For full details Tlf Ernesto:968-564-022 FEMALES AND COUPLES 18 to 65 required for adult internet photo and video modeling. Excellent rates. 697-697-842.

BENIDORM´S TOP PIANO ENTERTAINER Dave Peterson available from April 1st for one nighters or residencies. Up to 4 hours of quality entertainment. See www.darkcavestudios.com or call Dave on 626-496-735.

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

TEETH WHITENING. Professional Pain Free Cosmetic Treatment, from 99€. Javea, Denia, Calpe, areas. Tel:-680501-404 www.nulookteeth.com WEIGHT LOSS GUARANTEED/ GET FIT world class personal trainer €50 per hour. 659-696-455. 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

S.O.S. INSURANCE Car-HomeHealth-Comercial. Funeral Plans and Insurance. Tlf:-966-787123/622-275-561/686-116-297

HAIRDRESSING EQUIPMENT 1 backwash unit, Hood Dryer on Stand, Climazon Dryer Nearly New 1000€. Genuine Interest Only Tlf:620-408-678 ANTIQUE PINE EXTENDING DINING TABLE 70€ Oil filled electric fire 30€, Double bed and head board 50€, Light wood 3/4 size wardrobe 30€, Chest of Drawers 30€, Sofa-bed 20€. Catral Area. Tlf:-965-976-756 AUTOMATIC GATE SYSTEMS €399!! Automatic Garage Doors €249!! Fully Installed/Guaranteed! All brands repaired 627-191-639/ www.elektro-nex.com SOLAR PANEL´S (THERMAL) NEW 194x94x10 CM Copper/ Selective coated. 250€ each TLf:677-260-473 WHEELCHAIR Light, Foldable, Hardly used. 150€. Mobility Scooter 40km range 499€. Both like new! Tlf:-627-019-403 2 X MATCHING SOFA TABLES Circular, Diameter 60cm, Height 55cm, 3 legged pedestal base, Light oak finish. VCG. Altea area, Buyer collects. 50€ the pair. 691-202-307

WANTED Experienced kitchen

Designer - Salesperson required for busy showroom in Pedregeur. CAD experience preferred but applicants otherwise qualified will be considered. Full time position with basic salary

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

AT MICHAEL’S Lovely 3-piece suite in beige leather. Two dark blue leather sofas. Comfortable blue leather recliner. See more than 600 photos on: www.michaels-javea.com

and commission and contract after trial period

Tel: 96 645 6269 or 686 237 874

01 - 07 april 2011 AT MICHAEL’S Exercise equipment like professional stepper etc. Large Phillips professional solarium. Visit our Port shop or see photos: www. michaels-javea.com Tel 96-579 1328 AT MICHAEL’S you also get NEW high quality Spanish beds. All sizes available as we deal directly with the manufacturers! Famous brands like United Colors of Benetton, etc www.michaels-javea.com AT MICHAEL’S brown wicker bedroom furniture, chest of drawers, bedsides, headboards etc See more than 600 photos on: www.michaels-javea.com (updates every 5-6 days) MICHAEL’S 28 YEARS IN JAVEA ENSURES YOUR SATISFACTION! We sell high quality pre owned furniture, many from show apartments etc. Look at: www.michaels-javea. com Tel 96-579-1328

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

BALLROOM/LATIN/ SEQUENCE DANCING with LA BAMBA’s.Los Arcos Restaurant, Avenida Baleares,Torrevieja, New Beginners class Monday 10.30am-12.30pm. SOCIAL DANCE Saturday 7.30pm10pm.Tuesday Improvers Lesson 7.30pm-8.30pm plus SOCIAL DANCE 8.30pm10.30pm. New Venue: The Wok Royal, Benijofer (966-714-820) New Beginners Class: Monday, 7.30pm-8.30pm, Argentine Tango Class 8.30pm-9pm plus SOCIAL DANCE: 8.30pm10.30pm Tel: Andrea and Brian 616-478-157 WEIGHT WATCHERS Call our Free English call centre now to find your nearest meeting. 900-818-794

HONDA BROSS 650CC LIGHTWEIGHT Water cooled v-twin (75mpg) superb condition ITV & TAX 32K just serviced including new battery & plugs, Spanish reg 1000euros ovno 651-186-765 SCOOTER.KYMCO BET & WIN 125CC Matching 45ltr top box, immaculate condition, as new €1300. 965-770-301

INDUSTRIAL CATERING EQUIPMENT chicken machine with stand 1200euro, meat slicer 200euro, 2mtr canopy with motor 1550euro, bottle fridge 250euro,double frier 10x10,375euro,dish washer 800euro,double glass fronted fridge 800euro,bain marie 3 pot 270euro, 120cm gas plancha 750euro, tele 693-004-845. FANTASTIC WORK HORSE JOHN DEERE tractor 515. Old but in full working condition with brand new battery, including cultivator and bucket. Three arm hydraulics. Operates on red diesel. Selling due to house move. Good buy at 3,000euros. Brand new cast iron log burner. Never been used. Self cleaning glass fronted doors. Including flue. 300euros. Wrought iron double bed with mattress (50 euros) and three single beds with mattress 30euros each. All immaculate condition. Aspe near Elche area.Telephone 645-746-502 QROPS FEES! Have you looked at transferring or cashing in your UK pension only to be dissappointed by expensive fees? If so call me. Lowest QROPS Fees Guaranteed! Paul 965-058-488 or 691-219-354 BEV´S CAKES For all occasions, made to your specification. Alfaz/Benidorm areas. Call for more info 670-533-488 KARAOKE MEDIA PLAYER Special Offer 500GB. 80,000songs, software, songbooks, bar/home use. 195euros Tlf:-657-766-341 POOL, SNOOKER TABLES Also Table Tennis and Darts. Will beat any price!. Tlf:666-933-726. www. spainpool.com

OPEL ASTRA ESTATE 1.7 CDTI, Late 2007, very low kilometers, fully serviced, top spec with ALL extras, looks and drives as new, only 7950euro may part exchange. tel 680 665 583 or exchange for motorhome cash either way CITROEN C5 ESTATE 2.0 HDI year 2002, UK Car fully loaded, just serviced, Tax and Mot until November 2011, excellant condition, Perfect for returning to UK as has large boot, 2950 euro will part exchange for Spanish car/van. cash either way. tel:680-665-583 CITROEN PICASSO XSARA. 1.6 SX. Sept 2003. 2 Owners, FSH, Alloys, Aircon, CD, Front Fogs, Pic-Nic Tables, Rear privacy Glass, Lovely Condition. Metallic Burgundy only 5750€ Includes 1 year warranty and transfer. . Tel 600-726-622/965687-976 or simply view our easy to use website www.fwreurocars.com LOOKING FOR A CAR? We have a nice selection of LHD and RHD Vehicles for sale or exchange from only 1500€, Automatics, Saloons, MPV´s, 4x4´s, Sports, Cariolets, and Commercials. New and used Vehicles Sourced. Tel Frank your friendly English car sales on the Costa Blanca. Tel 600-726622/965-687-976 or simply view our easy to use website www.fwreurocars.com BUMPERS, WINGS AND MIRRORS All body panels for all cars supplied. Tel:-966-877-145 or 618-592-396 HEADLIGHTS4U.COM Left hand drive headlights supplied and fitted. All makes. Also air conditioning rechargeTel:-966877-145 or 618-592-396 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 AUTO 2003 Spanish lhd 104,000km 7,400euro tel:660-375-093 BREAKERS YARD HGV, Vans, 4x4, Cars, Bikes. Most vehicle parts in stock. Delivery service for engines, etc. Vehicle sales and scrappage service. Free pick-up and transfer. Call 692-790-377. E-mail: hgmservices@yahoo.com

MAZDA 3 2.0 Sportive 150CV 2008 / 37.000kms Alloys, Climate, Sensor Lights 12 Months Warranty (Parts & Labour) Price: 10.799€ + Transf AUTOELITE Industrial Estate TEULADA Tel: 902 222 095 stefanie@autoelite.es

PEUGEOT 308 1.6 Hdi Confort 2008 / 48.633kms Metalic Paint, Climate, RadioCd 12 Months Warranty (Parts & Labour) Price: 10.999€ + Transf AUTOELITE Industrial Estate TEULADA Tel: 902 222 095 stefanie@autoelite.es

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01 - 07 april 2011

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01 - 07 april 2011

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01 - 07 april 2011

The final whistle With Andy Kay

RTN Golf Club update

www.andykayevents.com

Rugby, but not as we know it

Dennis Jordan NORTH REGION

Mike Probert SOUTH REGION

Dan Carter IT WAS marvellous to see the rugby union world come together last Sunday when the Crusaders played their ‘home’ Super 15 match against the Sharks at Twickenham, raising much needed revenue for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake. It was a cracking game too with the Crusaders backs putting on a real show in the first half only for the Sharks to mount a powerful second half comeback which ultimately, just ran out of steam. But I couldn’t help thinking while watching that these guys were playing a different game to the ones I regularly watch in the Northern Hemisphere – and it all came down to the interpretation of the rules by the referee. Forward passes were ignored, crooked feeds missed and players were not punished for constantly standing offside. As for crooked feeds at the scrum, the IRB’s current dictat on trying to eradicate this might as well have been written on the back of a fag packet for all of the attention that was paid to it. It probably won’t surprise you to find out that the referee in question was New Zealand born, now Australia resident Steve Walsh - the kind of guy who can’t spot a squint feed in a Southern Hemisphere game from 2 feet away but can see an England hand in the ruck during a Northern Hemisphere encounter from about 50 yards! Supporting Sir Alex Regular readers of this column will know that I don’t often have any positive to say about Sir Alex Ferguson but this week it’s different as I support his call to move the two FA Cup semi finals to the North of England 100%. It’s an absolutely crazy decision to force supporters of Man Utd, Man City, Bolton and Stoke to travel hundreds of miles to the Capital when both games could be played at neutral grounds ‘just down the road’. Fans will be made to share one major road network and one rail line and will also clash with Liverpool fans on their way to the Emirates for their match with Arsenal not to mention competitors and supporters going to the London Marathon. It’s a scandalous decision by the FA, made for their benefit not the fans. A sad loss The world of sport lost one of its giants last weekend with the death of Martin Webster. It’s possible that not too many of you will know his name but almost all of you will have enjoyed his work as Martin was for many years, the BBC’s executive producer on major sporting output such as the World Cup, Olympic Games and London Marathon. He was one of those guys who, just by his shear presence at an event, made you raise your game to try and match his exacting levels. Martin fought an incredibly brave battle against Motor Neurone disease for a number of years before passing away on Sunday. He taught many of us so much and he will be greatly missed by all who benefitted from his extraordinary talent, generosity and friendship.

Murcia Golf Hound Murcia Region

THE COSTA Blanca has seen some bad weather of late, with some of the courses closing due to slow drainage, but we can now be assured of more daylight playing hours, thus bringing in some good ‘Twilight offers’: Font del Llop has tee times after 4pm for 29€ each, including a buggy on Monday - Thursday and Friday - Sunday 29.50€ each including a buggy. Also any early birds out there can play between 8am-9am tee times, for 32€. El Plantio Twilight offer has an excellent offer playing after 12pm midday of 35€ and with a buggy 45€. All these offers are only with a RTN Golf membership card and we are working to try to get more deals. To obtain a membership card, go onto the RTN website, click on ‘sport’ and then ‘golf’ and you can join for free: we have been inundated with people joining so don’t miss out and most importantly, don’t pay more than you have to for your round of golf.

HOPEFULLY AS the weather begins to warm up a little we will see more golfers on the fairways of the local courses. There has always been a complaint from ex-pat golfers that the prices on the local courses are way too high in comparison with the UK and their limited pension spending power. The economic crisis has made the courses take a re-think and there are certainly more deals available at this time of year than normal. I have been reporting for some time the extraordinary Friday deal at Altorreal for only €55 for two players including buggy. Well I can now report that this deal has now been extended to include Mondays and in addition that a new deal of only €65 for 2 players including buggy will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I reported last week the special prices at La Peraleja and these have proved very popular with the local golfing public and the course is filling rapidly. ON MY journeys across south east Spain, it is always a pleasure to have a café con leche before my game. Whilst at the delightful clubhouse at El Plantio the other day I started thinking about the quality of restaurants on offer throughout the region. There are some highlights where a medio tostada de tomate and café cost 3€ and set you up for your round, but there are also some where you won’t be getting change from 5€ for the same – is that why they call it 5 star? Keeping hydrated throughout your round is important; it is after all a 3, 4, 5 or 6 hour walk depending on how slow the play is, and boy is there some slow play out there! This morning on my walk around La Manga South I witnessed a Scandinavian visitor take four minutes to play his second shot – 15 practice swings and he was on and off the shot four times – unacceptable from the guy in question, and clearly he was oblivious to the concept of 13 minutes per hole. Restaurant of the week on course is Las Ramblas for its stunning menu del dia in the new clubhouse. So good that one of our gastro Spanish friends was happy – makes a change. If you are playing around the Los Alcazares or La Manga areas the new Garnacha Brasserie in Los Belones, is awesome. Menu del Dia is €13.50 and last week for example included Cesar Salad, Estofado de Ternera, Chuletas, postre, copa de tinto and an asiatico. All this talk of food is making me hungry… enjoy your game, keep hydrated and next week I’ll write something about Golf…

NORTH Region

Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

Alenda

€45

Single Green fee

Alicante Golf

€46

Single Green fee + Buggy

Bonalba

€42

Single Green fee

Don Cayo

€43

Single Green fee

El Plantio

€45

Single Green fee

Font del Llop

€40

Single Green Fee

Villaitana Par 62

€39

Single Green fee + Buggy

Villaitana Par 72

€45

Single Green fee

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

SOUTH Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Altorreal

€55

Comments

€65

2 Players and 1 Buggy (Mon-Fri) 2 Players and 1 Buggy (Tue,Wed,Thurs)

Hacienda del Alamo

€30

Single Green Fee (3pm)

La Serena

€90

Single Green Fee (3pm)

Polaris World Courses

€92

2 Players and 1 Buggy

Roda

€100

2 Players and 2 Buggy (limit)

Las Ramblas

€33

Single Green Fee (3pm)

VistaBella

€82

Single Green Fee (S.Deal)

La Finca

€42

Single Green Fee (2.30pm)

Las Colinas

€260

4 Players and 1 Buggy (3pm)

€76

2 Players and 1 Buggies

€140

4 Players and 2 Buggy

La Peraleja

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

MURCIA Region Golf Course

RTN Price

Comments

La Envia

€41

Single Green fee

Valle del Este

€90

2 Green fees and Buggy

Aguilón

€40

Single Green fee

Alborán

€48

Single Green fee

Cortijo Grande

€30

Single Green Fee

Almerimar

€60

Single Green Fee

Desert Springs

€65

Single Green fee

For more information contact the Hound on Facebook, twitter: murciagolf@roundtownnews.com or 671 748 625.

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

The Stableford obsession Noel’s world of golf By Noel Eastwell Teaching Professional Campo de Golf El Plantio 639 730 891

IN OUR part of Spain the standard method of calculating golf scores has become the Stableford points scoring method. This in itself is not a bad thing but why don’t we play many of the other scoring forms of golf? I refer in particular to Medal Play; the only real way to play golf and accurately calculate just how good you are. I have lived in our part of Spain now for nearly eleven years and involved in local golf matters for nearly all of that time. The reluctance to change to medal play amongst the vast majority of golfers astonishes me. Back in Great Britain, UK Stableford competitions were rare things that came along perhaps three or four times a year at most clubs. It was The Monthly Medal that was used to calculate your handicap. I know all too well that many will say that was when most of us were part of a golf club and we are not now. That is indeed a good argument but one that does not really hold water. The majority of us now play our golf with societies. That is all well and good and I think golf societies have a very valuable place to play in recreational golf but what about real competitive golf? When it comes down to it is the handicapping system used in Stableford scoring accurate enough to serve its purpose for the competitive golfer? This seeming obsession with the Stableford system leads to complications when we get to serious competition golf. I was referee recently at a RFEG competition where the competitors entered what they thought was their Stableford points total on their scorecards. When the scorecards were checked by the scores there were some serious problems unearthed as the winner was shown to have accumulated 53 points. When I was asked for my opinion it was obvious the points were entered on the scorecard when the gross score was all that was required. This led to the referee wanting to disqualify most of the field.

After much argument it was agreed we would run the scores through the RFEG computer again and ignore the ‘mistakes’ made on the scorecards. I fully understand why golfers in societies enter their points score with their gross score in a society day out but golfers need to be aware that under The Rules of Golf only the gross score should be entered on a competition scorecard. Anything else entered could lead to confusion and disqualification. That is something we all want to avoid. 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 1ST APRIL 2011 Where is considered to be the ‘Home of Golf?’ A. Scotland B. England C. Wales All answers must be received no later than 5pm on 1st May 2011 to be entered into April’s draw, to be made on May 1st. The winner will be announced in RTN on May 6th 2011. WINNER OF MARCH COMPETITION Heinz Rottwilm 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

Cast Off with

Robbie France

THEY SAY sports such as snooker and billiards are all about angles. I have to say that the same can be said about sailing. More column inches have been written about the sheer physics of sailing and how the force of wind propels a boat forward than any other sporting topic, apart from the subject of David Beckham’s latest tattoo, or Wayne Rooney’s salary that is! Bearing that in mind, let’s try and get the basics sorted in a few paragraphs. Wish me luck. To understand the way a sailboat works needn’t require diagrams of airplane wings, teaspoons under the tap, or a bar of soap popping up between two inward pressing palms. A boat goes forward into the wind by placing her on an angle of such a degree that the wind flowing over the sails, (creating force), aligned with the

position of the rudder, (creating a stable direction), moves her forward at an angle, allowing us to manoeuvre her to and fro along a set point (your course to steer), towards a destination. This is called ‘tacking’. Let’s put it this way… Sit in a boat. Wait for the wind. If you now go straight into that wind, all you’ll hear is a flapping of the sails; you may even go backwards! But move the rudder to enable her to sail into the wind at more than say, 45 degrees… and magic occurs. You are going forward. Move the rudder slightly more…you are going faster and the boat will start to tilt on an angle, (or heel). So now you’re moving forward to the right. But, hey! Your destination is off in the distance and way over to the left and

you fear the next time you step ashore will be in Ibiza! Time to tack: You move the rudder in the opposite direction to which you have it now, changing her direction to go through the wind: the sails will move to the centre of the boat, then over to the opposite side from where they were before…and once you’ve got her at an angle of more than 45 degrees and the wind is filling her sails once more you are going towards the destination on another course. Repeat as often as necessary. Arrive at destination: Moor up: Order lunch: Pay bill: Get back in boat: Do same. However, going home with the wind at your back? It’s a bit different. This is called jibing. I’ll explain that and its pitfalls next week…!

There is nothing like lying flat on your back on the deck, alone except for the helmsman aft at the wheel, silence except for the lapping of the sea against the side of the ship. At that time you can be equal to Ulysses and brother to him. Errol Flynn.

01 - 07 april 2011

Fishing Maggots End by

David Hoare

968 199 279

For further details ring Alan Roscoe 968 570 876 or email: anglerstogether@gonuts4free.com THIS WEEK saw us at Blanca again for another exciting match. After the last few weeks of missing the rain it got us this week - that was in the morning - come the afternoon we were subjected to a near gale force wind! That was the kind bit - the fishing was as poor as before with 11 anglers braving the elements; we still had 4 dry nets. If only the fishing matched up to the scenic beauty of this place it would be a joy to fish. This match was also the 3rd in the RTN series and with one match remaining it is a tall order for Rods and Reels to win. TOP ANGLERS ON THE DAY 1st Terry (Swing E´m) Screen, fishing the feeder using corn with 6.34 kilos 2nd Ian (Irish Wizard) Dalzell, fishing the feeder using maggot with 4.150 kilos 3rd Marlene (The Sweetie Lady) Hutchinson, fishing the feeder using maggot with 2.50kilos WEIGHTS ON THE DAY Rods and Reels with 6.10 kg Abbey Anglers with 14.33 kg ACCUMULATIVE WEIGHTS Rods and Reels with 57.12 kg Abbey Anglers with 71.66 kg ABBEY ANGLING RESULTS supplied by Terry Screen This week’s 9th round of the Abbey Angling Cup on the 22nd March was held on the river at Olivarejos and was our first visit there this year and probably the last! There is an access problem with the farmer even though these matches have all been booked with the Murcian Federation. He will not let the anglers use the road which runs through his land to the river which means taking another road which is very narrow and means reversing the vehicles out and also entails a long walk with all the tackle. After saying all that, the river looked in perfect condition with a gentle flow, but did not respond and only 4 anglers caught fish. 1st Alan (Quiet Man) Reid with one nice Barbel of 2.980kg 2nd Bob (The Gent) Elms with 1.960kg

3rd Mike (The Arsenal) Hill with 1.260kg All fishing the feeder and corn. All details are available from the Match Secretary Terry Screen on 96 532 8368. HONDON TRUCHA This week’s winner was Malcolm from Denia. Because of the strong wind all anglers were fishing from one side of the lake. Most of them started with an intermediate line, but soon changed over to a floating line. Also dry flies were used, but at the end the ‘fat ass booby’ of Malcolm was most successful. He was the winner with a catch of 23 trout. He received a voucher for one morning’s free fishing, two litres of Oporto from the local bodega and a travel blanket. Next competition is on Saturday 2nd April. If you want to participate please call Jan on 636 314 033 or have a look on www. hondontrucha.com Anglers Together ANGLERS TOGETHER was formed to introduce and encourage anglers of all abilities to meet up and get together to fish, either sea or freshwater. Firm friendships have been formed during the time the group has been active and information on fishing venues and licenses required are available at the meetings or by regular emailed newsletters. Meetings are held in two locations on the second Friday and Saturday of each month. Anyone with an interest in fishing (sea or freshwater) is welcome to come along to a meeting to see what we’re about. The next meeting at Mary’s Bar, Campoverde (near Pilar de la Horadada) will be held on Friday 8th April at 12 noon. There is a new venue for the Puerto de Mazarron meeting starting in January 2011. On Saturday 9th April at 12 noon 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.