Soltimes Almeria – Issue 618

ISSUE 618• 5th - 11th January 2018

EST 2005

Model thieves

THEFT: The two reportedly took clothes from a container in Roquetas de Mar, similar to the one pictured.

TWO people are being investigated by police in Roquetas de Mar after allegedly stealing clothes from a charity container.

The two, both residents of Roquetas de Mar, reportedly worked together to steal clothes from a well-known NGO Caritas Diocesana de Almeria container.

Of ficers repor tedly saw one of the pair open the door to the container and hold it open while the other withdrew the clothes and put them into a shopping cart.

The stolen clothing has now been recovered by officers.

Caritas Diocesana de Almeria is the of ficial

confederation of charitable entities and social actions of the Catholic Church of Spain.

Castle views HOME and business owners with properties next to Almeria’s Alcazaba have accepted payment of €626,000 from the city council to buy them out.

The council is keen to take over and protect the seven homes, dog kennels and other properties as part of plans to expand the protected area.

The land is to be cared for as part of Almeria’s cultural heritage. Councillors want to establish an unbroken chain of protected buildings from the Alcazaba right through to Almeria’s historic quarter.

2

5th - 11th January 2018

Council questioned over unequal pay defensive rather than proacADRA Council has been tive and that they should criticised following allegahave contributed what was tions of unequal pay. required from them.

Council cleaners in Adra “For this conduct, the dewere reportedly found to fendant (Adra Council) must have been paid less than pay the plaintiff (the 13 council labourers, with cleaners) the unjustified difwhom they shared the SUPPORT: People showed their support for ference in pay of €68.27 same level of employment. the council cleaners. per month.”

As a result, the local govThe judge went on to note that ernment will have to give each of clear that the cleaners were only the cleaners were all women and paid €158.87 per month.’ the 13 cleaners involved €6,251.

Adra Council is alleged to have that the labourers were all men.

The case was brought before a He said: “Given these facts, judge at a Social Court hearing in been unable to provide the necesAlmeria after the cleaners sued the sary documentation relating to the there has been discriminatory local government, on the grounds payroll and what they did provide treatment for women within the of discriminatory treatment against was deemed as insufficient evi- cleaner category, a position only women. dence to account for the inaccura- occupied by the female gender, which implies indirect discriminaThe judge reportedly ruled that: cies in payment.

At the summary of the hearing, tion (not direct due to the differing ‘Employees in this group must be paid the same amount of €225.14 the judge said: “This demonstrates categories of discrimination) per month, but from the payroll it is that the tactics of the council were based on sex.”

News

Businesses booming A REPORT released by Unicaja bank entitled ‘Economic and Financial Analysis Andalucia 2017’ has revealed Almerian companies had the most increased business activity in Andalucia last year.

Businesses in the province saw a growth of 12.6 per cent, compared with a regional average of 8.5 per cent. While the figures are promising they have not returned to their pre-crisis economic levels. In the case of Almeria, there are currently 4,000 companies less than in 2008. In the province today there are 41,212 businesses operating, nearly a thousand more than 2016.

The sectors that have shown the greatest increase in business and sales have been outwith the traditional agricultural sector.

€62m farmers fund THE Andalucian Board has approved €62.6 million worth of aid for thousands of young farmers in Andalucia.

The budget seeks to encourage young adults to commit to farming as a vocation and as ‘a real possibility of entrepreneurship’ according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

In total, the Ministry will allocate more than €150 million to around 2,500 young people.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development has said: “This is an incentive that directly includes one of the priorities of the regional government: achieving the necessary generational change of the field.”

By province, Almeria has reportedly had 131 requests approved worth €7.6 million (12 per cent of the total amount).

4 A MANURE warehouse in the town of Canjayar has burned down, forcing 12 people that lived in the houses above to leave their homes while emergency services extin-

News

5th - 11th January 2018

guished the flames.

Several neighbours called 1-1-2 after noticing the flames.

The smoke from the fire had engulfed both houses and an adjoining work-

Up in smoke shop, which were all located on the floor overhead.

Firefighters from the Poniente Consortium, the Guardia Civil and the

Civil Protection services of Canjayar all attended the incident and the fire was extinguished with no fatalities.

Neighbours af fected will reportedly not be

Increasing the force

able to return to their homes until they are given authorisation from ser vices carr ying out safety checks on the structural damage to the building.

@AYTOALM/TWITTER

Keeping everybody

CELEBRATIONS: Mayor Ramón Fernández-Pacheco (centre) also saw in the New Year with members of the force.

THE mayor of Almeria, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, has announced that 14 new Local Police officers will be recruited for the city.

The announcement took place as part of a ceremony celebrating San Esteban, patron of the police force.

Mr Fernández-Pacheco paid tribute to the 20 officers who joined the police force in 2017 after eight months of training at the School of Local Police in Almería.

The mayor also insisted that for him, “the expansion of the police force is a priority.”

app-y FLIGHTS: The new service will begin in March.

New British Airways flights planned B R I T I S H A I R WAY S i s launching new flights to Almeria beginning

in March of this year.

Flights will depart on Tu e s d a y s a n d S a t u r days from Heathrow Te r m i n a l 5 a n d o p e r ate until October 27 including hand baggage only, with return fares starting from £66 per person.

Sean Doyle, British Air ways’ director of network and alliances, said: “We’re extreme-

ly happy to start flying to Almeria, situated on p a r t o f S p a i n ’s m o s t unspoilt shores.

“If you want to jump into crystal c l e a r w a t e r, e x p l o r e the volcanic cliffs of t h e W i l d We s t a n d drink sangria in the deser t, then this stunning part of Andalucia is a dream holiday destination.”

A L M E R I A ’ S Provincial Council has launched a new app.

The aim of the app is to provide the residents of A l m e r i a ’s 103 municipalities with a tool for direct connection to information and activities related to regional services.

The new application includes access to ser vices and aims to improve transparency for the provincial government fur ther.

The tool will also promote and publicise various events in the province, and includes a search engine and the latest published data from the provincial government.

Representatives of the gover nment have said that the app has been implemented in response to citizen feedback and a greater need to bridge the gap between government action and the citizenr y.

News

5th - 11th January 2018

Sir Frank Price dies A FORMER Lord Mayor of Birmingham who later founded a successful Mojacar Estate Agent has died.

Sir Frank Price, who was 95-years-old, last week passed away near Nerja in Malaga Province.

He grew up in working class Birmingham and left school at 14 to work making tools, before going on to head Telford Development Corporation during the new town’s construction.

The ex-Labour politician and Chairman of Public Works was also responsible for the Midland Arts Centre, one of the first of its kind for young people in the UK, and came to know political leaders and royal family members

A LIFE WELL LIVED: Sir Frank Price with the Queen Mother and (inset) a more recent portrait. around the globe.

“I wasn’t very clever or handsome,” Sir Frank once said. “I don’t know what it was all about, but people liked me because I wasn’t a money-grabber.”

He eventually moved to

Los Gallardos in Almeria, where he successfully started the Price Brown Partnership with his wife, and the business is still going strong after celebrating its 30th birthday in 2016.

5

6

News

5th - 11th January 2018

NEWS BITES

Government agrees storm damage support

LOCAL POLICE in HuércalOvera presented their collection from the Guardian Angels III Challenge held in the city last September. Almost 400 athletes took part, including cyclists and runners, raising €4,255 donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Swim sessions UNTIL January 12, Albox residents can participate in new swimming courses at the sports and health centre.

More information and registration is available on 950 431 580 and 642 017 802.

Cooking comp A BRAND new cooking competition has taken place in Albox. Yesterday (Thursday), residents were invited to witness the unveiling of the competition in the Francisco Turrets Pavilion.

CREDIT: @VUELTADELTRENBZ/TWITTER

Big donation

TOO LONG: People held signs stating ‘33 years without trains is too much.’

Baza residents’ railway rally RESIDENTS of Baza have rallied together in support of the return of the Lorca-Granada train service.

The rally commemorated the 33rd year of the closure of the Gaudix-Baza-Almanzora-Lorca railway line and locals held signs which said: ‘33 years without trains is too much.’

President of the Association of Friends of the Comarca (region) of Baza Railway, Antonio Francisco Martinez, said: “Just as illusion and desire are always stronger than hatred, constant work is

stronger than unfair decisions that harm people, so the return of the train is closer today.”

The Association of Friends of the Comarca (region) of Baza Railway has been holding ongoing meetings at the Old Bastetan station in Baz about the reopening of the service.

They have also written, and publicised, a letter to the Deputy of Congress to request €1,620,000 in 2018 for a mandatory information study, which would reopen the development of train lines in southeast Spain.

THE National Government has agreed on a financial s e t t l e m e n t f o r Ta b e r n o , Chirivel and HuercalOvera following storm damage in 2015.

The Provincial Council of Almeria, alongside the aforementioned towns including Pulpi, Adra and Las Tres Villas, will receive €3 1 8 , 6 0 6 t o c o v e r t h e cost of repairs to road networks and infrastructure.

The damage was caused by rain storms in the South Peninsular and Canar y Islands which occurred between September and October 2015.

Sub-delegate for the government of Almeria, Andres Garcia Lorca,

said: “The state is complying with its obligation and commitment to approving aid for the affected municipalities (towns).”

He continued: “Thanks to this subsidy the municipalities (towns) which had to face the total cost of the damage, will now receive these grants which will cover up to 50 per cent of the budget for the repair or replacement work that will be carried out.”

This year, the Ministry of Presidency and Territorial Administration has granted €6,673,84.43 from the general state budget, to subsidise building projects for unforeseen damages to infrastructure and road networks across Spain.

News

7

5th - 11th January 2018

NEWS BITES

Gaming gang POLICE have arrested five men who were allegedly involved in at least 13 robberies in casinos and gaming halls across Almeria and Granada. The men reportedly threatened employees of the establishments before making off with large sums of money.

Bird watch A CALENDAR to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Cabo De Gata Natural Park is set to be released. The calendar will feature both rare and regular birds that can be found in the park.

Big budget PRESIDENT of the Almeria Provincial Council, Gabriel Amat, has proposed a budget of €203.8 million for 2018. The figure represents an increase of €6 million compared to the budget in 2017.

Xmas treat SOLDIERS serving in Iraq were treated to a number of Almerian products over the festive period. The Kind Alfonso XIII Brigade supplied almost 400 Spanish soldiers with the food.

TURNOUT: Large crowds took part in the swim.

New Year’s Day dip RESIDENTS of Mojacar and local fundraisers came together on Mojacar Playa, Puerto Marina to take part in a community swim, to raise money for charity, on New Year’s Day. Just before noon, a large crowd assembled along the shoreline and at midday, with a cheer, an estimated 100 people waded, jumped or dived into the sea.

Returning after varying lengths of time in the water, people congregated on the beach for hot chocolate and brandy after the plunge.

Following his dip, Somerset (Yeovil) born Gordon Perry, aged 75, said: “there is a brilliant atmosphere here today and the weather has helped tremendously.”

Jack Law aged 26, from Sheffield, who also joined in the swim, with his mum and dad, said: “This is a wonderful hangover cure.”

His mother, 63-year-old Hillary, said: “It is a wonderful community event, we really enjoy going into the sea on New Year’s Day, especially to partake in a community activity like this one.”

Sponsorship and donations from the New Year’s Day swim were all given to local charities Paws Patas animal shelter and Mojacar Area Cancer Support.

Population set to soar ALMERIA is predicted to have the highest population in Spain by 2031.

The same data, published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), has forecast the population of Spain in 2031 will be 45.9 million, compared to today’s figures (2016) which show a population of 46.56 million inhabitants.

However, Almeria is one of the few localities in which population growth is set to remain consistent.

According to the same research from

the INE, Almeria’s population is predicted to reach 738,945 by 2031, an increase of 5.5 per cent compared to January 2017.

INE data for Andalucia has shown that Malaga will be the only other region that will continue to grow in population over the next 13 years.

It is expected that by 2031 Malaga will surpass 1.7 million inhabitants, registering a growth of 6.5 per cent when compared to 2017.

Paseo del Mediterraneo 30, Mojacar Playa, Almeria

T: 950 473 104

E: info@mojacarhomeimprovements.com www.mojacarhomeimprovements.com

8

News

5th - 11th January 2018

Athletics promoted MORE than 400 schools across the province have participated in the sports workshop ‘Playing Athletics.’ Students from third to sixth grade in Almeria, Nijar and Huércal-Overa have taken part in venues across the province for events that have tested the skills of the participants.

Students enjoyed different sporting activities, both in groups and individually, to measure and challenge their skills.

Activities included 10-metre jumps, javelin throwing, long jump, and running which all formed the day’s athletic workshops and curriculum.

BIG BUDGET: The school will be built in the coastal town of Almerimar and is expected to cost an estimated €3.7 million.

School on the way THE coastal town of Almerimar is set to mar in the last decade has been higher benefit from a new school. than expected, prompting political parThe announcement ties to call for a new was made by the Anschool. dalucian government The budget for the Latest news and more as it happens in a bid to tackle a project will be anwww.soltimes.com shor tage of school nounced in the next places both in the budget for the governtown and the neighbouring El Ejido. ment and is projected to cost The increase in population in Almeri- €3,738,802.

SOLTIMES Online

THE Museum of Almeria is preparing to launch a new exhibition called ‘Gods, tombs and people’in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Cuevas de Almanzora.

The exhibition will explore the relationship between Phoenician colonisers and Greeks, Iberians and Romans and will consider the effects on the city of Baria,

such as living conditions, work and religion.

It is expected to run until July 8, 2018 and will bring together more than 400 pieces from the collections of the Museum of Almeria and the National Archaeological Museum, chronicling the 14 centuries in the history of the city since its founding by the Phoenicians.

Godly exhibit

10

News

5th - 11th January 2018

Football fiesta General Enquiries 950 633 217 Albox Office 950 633 217 Mobile 642 454 311 Sales enquiries: sales@ewnmediagroup.com Accounts: accounts@ewnmediagroup.com International enquiries: marketing@ewnmediagroup.com Distribution enquiries: distribution@ewnmediagroup.com Complaints enquiries: complaints@ewnmediagroup.com Call now for rates and distribution areas SOLTIMES Publishing and Media SL

PART OF EWN MEDIA GROUP

AYUNTAMIENTO DE MOJACAR

Ed. 618

TAKING PART: Forty young footballers took part in the tournament.

THE third Children’s Indoor Football Tournament has been held in Mojácar.

Forty young players between the ages of 12 and 13 took part in the tournament held at the Fuensanta de Mojacar sports pavilion, which was organised by Mojacar Council.

Many of the players’ relatives and followers of different teams arrived from neighboring towns to give support.

After a hard-fought final, the team from Garrucha were victorious, beating Mojacar’s Nexa in the final.

The best goalkeeper of the tournament prize was given to Nexa’s Pablo Belmonte

although all the players in the tournament played well.

The young players of the Mojácar team continue to demonstrate a desire to win and together with their coach, Felipe Grima, the team is looking very promising for Mojácar fans. Councillor of Sports of the city of Mojácar, Ana García, who was in charge of delivering the trophies to the winning teams, highlighted the importance of sporting activities in adolescence.

She said: “When young people practise a sport, they learn to work as a team, respecting rules and their companions.”

Andalucia tops food exports

All adverts must be prepaid whether they are placed at our offices, by email or fax, or via our sales team. The advertisers full name, address and ID number must be supplied (not for publication). Sol Times does not accept any responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorials, nor can it be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, or the non-appearance of advertisements or advertorials.

This publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors as a result of poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy or non-appearance of an advertisement or advertorial. Every effort will be made to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of articles and advertisements in this publication, however the publisher does not accept responsibility for claims or opinions in the same. The publisher does not accept responsibility for opinions expressed by readers in the ‘Mailbox’ section of this newspaper. Reproduction of any part of this newspaper without the consent of the publishers is prohibited. E:&O.E. All rights reserved / Todos los Derechos Reservados Deposito Legal Sol Times Almeria Edition MA 811-2017

ANDALUCIA led food and beverage exports in Spain in 2017.

The region recorded the best figure for the first 10 months a year in history, reaching an estimated €9.166 billion.

Almeria was only second behind Sevilla in exports, with €2.178 billion (23.8 per cent of total) and a growth of 11.7 per cent; and Huelva, whose sales increased by 9.8 per cent to €1.183 billion (12.9 per cent of the total).

The figure represents an increase in exports of 12.4 per cent over the same period of 2016, according to data from Extenda-Andalucian Agency for Foreign Promotion.

NEWS BITES

Jobs increase THE number of people registered unemployed in Almeria fell by 5.57 per cent last year. The total number of people registered with Almeria at the end of December was 58,716 people, the lowest number since 2008.

Cleaning up ALMERIA Council has distributed 10,000 dog hygiene kits in the hope of raising awareness about the need to collect dog droppings and pour water over their urine.

Failing to pick up dog droppings could result in a fine between €120 and €170.

Nativity scene FIFTY residents in Nijar have participated in an annual performance of the Nativity ahead of the town’s Kings’ Day celebrations. Roles included Herod, the magi, Royal pages, millers, pastors, angels, the Virgin Mary and Joseph, soldiers, washerwomen and baby Jesus.

Church fun CARBONERAS’ St Andrew church has hosted an evening of music and dancing to celebrate the life of Saint Anthony of Padua. All funds raised from the evening will go towards an official celebration later this year.

Works planned ALMERIA Council has announced works to improve Campomanes Street and Plaza Julio Alfredo Egea will begin this year. The budget for the works is set to be €241,614.

Weekender

5th - 11th Jan 2018

Home & Garden Building pools Page 17

Crusty chicken Page 22

Pages 15-16

Gout attacks Page 20

FA Cup weekend Page 30

12

Weekender

Feature

5th - 11th January 2018

Let Us Vote For 1 April

By Jos Biggs

SAFETY: Three new cameras will be added to roads in Almeria Province.

Need for speed THREE new speed cameras have been confirmed in Almeria Province.

All three cameras are expected to be operational in the coming months and will bring the total number of cameras in the province up to 14.

The first, which has

already been installed, is placed at kilometre nine of the AL-3111 close to the Campohermoso exit.

Another camera will be installed at the beginning of the AL-14 at kilometre 0.5, with speed being limited to 90kph.

The final camera is

planned for kilometre five of the A-358 between El Ejido and Beja, known to be a traffic hotspot.

Tw e n t y t w o p e o p l e were reportedly killed on Almerian roads in 2017, with a further 79 being hospitalised and 973 sustaining minor injuries.

CHRISTMAS has come and gone, New Year is over in a flash, the Spanish have got Three Kings to come, but then it’s all quiet until Easter.

In reverse order, Easter is quite a biggie, what with parades and bunnies. It has a reasonable run-up in the form of the two preceding Sundays before the serious chocolate eating begins.

Three Kings is fun for the Spanish, but in general we haven’t really got into the swing of it, whereas New Year comes and goes so quickly that you’ve hardly got into the Happy New Year mode before it’s back to the grindstone - with your New Year’s resolution rejected in favour of ‘I’ll do that next year, I’m a bit busy at the moment.’

But Christmas reigns supreme! It begins here in November, (which is better than October in the UK) then

builds into a crescendo on Christmas Eve, all in preparation for the next day - Christmas Day which is the standard 24 hours in length.

I think that to a great extent the reason for this popularity is that we all celebrate them together on the same day.

Birthdays however, happen randomly! So why don’t we elevate birthdays to Christmas status? We could all get well and truly revved up, co-ordinate the cards, parties, presents, all to occur on the same day universally - it would be so much easier, plus birthdays would get real status, with real overblown commercial hype!

I think this is doable - and I’m suggesting April 1 as being a good date!

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk

14

Weekender

Feature

5th - 11th January 2018

When redcoats were popular FLIPPING through a collection of pre-war photographs I was struck by changes that have since taken place. About 1925, a young man named Billy Butlin took a break and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in Barry Island, Wales.

Standard practice was that guests would be locked out of their accommodation after breakfast and allowed back in only when it suited the householder. Uninspired by such indifference Butlin decided to create a new kind of holiday, one where residents wouldn’t be subject to petty restrictions and encouraged to come and go as they pleased.

His thoughts turned to camping holidays but in chalets rather than under canvas.

Free entertainment would be provided for the guests between meals. Instead of their having to kill time before being allowed back into their accommodation, all the guests had to think about was which activity they wanted to do next.

Butlin, a 25-year old South African envisaged a holiday utopia but little realised it

BUTLINS/FACEBOOK

by Sandy Shore

Butlin’s continues to be a dream holiday for many Britons. would become a mainstay of the British seaside for generations.

Attracted to innovation and social progress Billy Butlin worked his way up from working at a travelling fair to owning a travelling fair. Through hard work he opened a permanent fairground in Skegness in 1927, becoming the first person to bring dodgems

into Britain. The site even included a zoo.

He opened his first Butlin’s Holiday Camp in 1936, close to Skegness. On the opening night, an engineer was asked to break the ice with paying guests by cracking jokes and telling stories. The guests loved it, and thus, an institution of British entertainment was born; the Butlin’s Redcoat, whose re-

sponsibility it was to keep the guests entertained. Since then, famous Redcoats have included Des O’Connor, Jimmy Tarbuck, Ted Rogers, Sir Cliff Richard and Rod Hull.

Butlin opened camps in Clacton-on-Sea and Dovercourt in quick succession. In 1938, a year before the outbreak of the Second World War, the later was confiscated by the government to house the children who came to England as part of the Kinder Transport. Clacton and Skegness camps were seized for training camps for troops.

Such was the government’s rate of conscription that Butlin built more camps on the promise they would be returned to him following the war.

When the camps were returned to him Butlin’s voracious appetite for expansion continued. He opened camps in Ayr, Saltdean, Blackpool, and Cliftonville and even on the island of Grand Bahama. These camps were followed by new openings in Bognor Regis, Minehead and the very place that created this holiday behemoth, Barry Island. Despite cheap air flights Butlin’s dream is still the dream holiday for many Britons.

Glad Rags

Home & Garden

5th - 11th January 2018

Weekender 15

Why it makes sense to remodel your bathroom WHEN it comes to home improvement, the bathroom is one of the most popular remodelling options. However, on the other end of the scale, many people are scared to take that leap, knowing the huge costs that come along with such a massive overhaul.

But done properly, renovating your bathroom can be one of the best decisions you ever make.

For starters, homebuyers are constantly on the lookout for remodelled bathrooms. People searching for a new home almost always check the kitchens and bathrooms first. If your bathroom really wows them it could linger in their minds.

REMODELLING: A well-designed bathroom can improve storage space.

Second, a well-designed bathroom can improve storage space. Adding cabinets or drawers can make the whole room, and your life by extension, feel less cluttered. We spend a good portion of our time in our bathrooms and it is important for us to feel comfortable when we are using them.

Finally, correctly remodelling your bathroom can also make it more energy efficient. Whether you want to help the environment or save money on water bills, it could be the option for you.

So if you’re looking for a grandscale DIY project, give your bathroom a whirl, and get it looking sparkly and new in no time.

16

Weekender

Home & Garden

5th - 11th January 2018

UNLIKE England at this time of year, where the trees are bare and the leaves which were whispering down the streets are nowhere to be seen, the trees in Almeria are bountiful with ripe oranges and lemons, their branches bowed with their colourful harvests.

With so many lemons ripening at the same time, and in such abundance, it can be difficult to know what to do with them all.

Lemons keep better and for longer when they are stored in a jar with a lid, filled with water and kept in the fridge, rather than leaving them on the counter in a bowl. The water ac-

LINDSAY HUTCHISON ALL

When life gives you lemons

OVERFLOWING: Lemons ripe and ready. tually acts as a seal and stops the lemons from drying out.

Add a little zest into life by grating a lemon, storing the zest in the freezer

and using it to flavour any dish. Limonene, found in the skin of the lemon, not only has properties which are chemotherapeutic against lung,

liver, and skin cancer, but is also beneficial to general health, research has shown.

It is also possible to use lemons to make

your house smell fresh and clean by combining two sliced lemons with fresh rosemar y sprigs and three tablespoons of vanilla, in a

HOMEMADE: When life gives you lemons... shallow pot of water and leaving it to simmer.

After all the rich Christmas food and abundance of alcohol, lemons are a wonderful fruit for cleansing the body. Once the kettle has boiled, instead of adding coffee to the hot water, add some fresh lemon juice and honey instead, to alkalise, hydrate and clean out all of the toxins.

Property

INSTEAD of buying an ordinary home, Spain has become part of a much wider trend in facilitating and developing cave houses.

In the northern mountainous region of Andalucia lies the Altiplano de Granada, between the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra Castril. In this unspoilt location, entire neighbourhoods of caves have been built and in some of the little towns which surround these mountains, they are all that exist in the form of accommodation.

This is largely due to the geology of the region, which since the prehistoric times has been covered over and over again with various rock deposits eventually forming the mountains that we see today.

The tradition of living in the caves dates back to the time when the Moors inhabited Spain.

In the 19th century peasant farmers continued the convention and began to carve out living quarters of their own, into the ancient ruins of the mountain.

Whether it is the more sustainable lifestyle that has attracted so many buyers to purchase cave homes in the 21st century or the idea of a more communal living arrangement, one might be surprised at the realisation that there are literally thousands of individuals as well as families who are enjoying the benefits of residing in the shadow of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world.

THE Mediterranean climate and consistently sunny skies mean that for most, a swimming pool is an almost essential requirement when buying here, especially for those who will be spending their summer in the scorching August temperatures.

Whilst investing in property on a development of apartments will usually include a communal pool, purchasing a plot of land, semi-detached or detached house may not, so building one is necessary.

There are, however, a few important points to consider before beginning to dig.

Whether starting from scratch or modifying an existing structure, it is a good idea to become acquainted with the planning rulebook for

Weekender 17

Building pools in Spain the local area in order to establish the guidelines. The nearest town hall is another good place to make enquiries about the policies and the general plan of the

structure should indicate if permission for a pool has been granted.

It is unlikely that planning permission for a swimming pool will be approved if the property

stands on rural land (rustic). This is usually because in these instances the development of a pool would mean extending the outline of the property. Allowances are sometimes made for semi-per manent pool structures in these instances.

If planning permission is granted then the next step is to have an architect draw up a

FACEBOOK NTD TELEVISION INDIA

Saving the caves

5th - 11th January 2018

BE CREATIVE: The sound of summer.

proposal and plan for the new pool, and have the plans submitted to the local town hall for approval.

Additionally, contracting a Spanish lawyer is really important to ensure that any building project runs efficiently.

This can also speed up the time it may take to ascertain whether the required permissions will be granted.

18

Weekender

Feature

5th - 11th January 2018

Advertising Feature

OEM parts exclusively used in national repair network OEM PARTS OEM parts are Original Equipment Manufactured parts as made by your car’s manufacturer. They are brand new, usually more expensive and sometimes take longer to order. But they are a no brainer. Body shops love them because they fit perfectly and install easy.

LÍNEA DIRECTA ONLY USES OEM PARTS Línea Directa is the only insur-

parts in their repairer netance company that guarwork. Some insurance comantees the use of OEM panies rely on after market parts in their repairer netparts and used parts to work. Thanks to an exclukeep the repair costs to a sive purchasing and distriminimum, only paying for bution agreement with the OEM parts if no other parts major manufacturers, are available. After-market when you repair your vehiparts are parts made by a cle through its exclusive company other than your network of body shops and LINEA DIRECTA: Guarantees the use of OEM vehicle’s manufacturer. repairers, they guarantee parts in their repairer network.

They are new and the the use of OEM parts. spec should be very close to the After vehicle repairs one less thing to worry about. original specs. However, some miare complete, they send a list of the DO ALL INSURANCE COMPA- nor fitting adjustments may be required by the body shop. Used OEM parts NIES USE OEM PARTS? used for you to At the time of publishing this arti- parts come from the scrap yard. keep in your cle, no other insurance company Cars involved in accidents, engine log book. It’s in Spain guarantees the exclusive trouble or age, mean scrapped use of OEM cars will have some working parts,

which can be resold. The used parts are usually OEM parts.

NATIONAL NETWORK OF BODY SHOP REPAIRERS Using the Línea Directa network to repair your car means more than just OEM parts. The whole repair service is handled from start to finish. Your vehicle is collected at the agreed time and place.

The repairs are carried out swiftly, efficiently and according to original manufacturer specs.

You can request a replacement vehicle for the duration of the repair. They will keep you updated on progress and after completion; your vehicle will be delivered at the agreed time and place.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest.

If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 461 More information about Linea Directa online at

www.lineadirecta.com

Think before you buy LOCATION may be the number one factor when you are about to buy a property in Spain, or anywhere else for that matter, but a little research into transport and schools goes a long way if you want to find the right place.

One of the first things to check out in the region you are looking for properties in is public transport. Even if you have a car yourself, it’s a good idea to know what the buses and trains are like in the area and how easy it is for visiting friends and family to reach you from the airport.

Do a little investigation into the reliability of the services that connect with your location and decide if the timetables and distances are realistic for your situation. If you are working don’t just look at the commute on a map, do a couple of dry runs at different times of the day and check out any con-

BUYING PROPERTY: Carry out some research first. struction works that may be planned along your way.

It’s a good idea to find out how far away the nearest airport is and how long it takes to get there. Also check that the nearest shops are good for what you need and if not calculate the distance to the closest suitable supermarket so you’ll know how long it’ll really take to do your food shopping.

In short, the more time you take to look into the details of where you buy the more time you’ll have to enjoy all of the great things about living in Spain once you’re settled.

20

Weekender

Health & beauty

5th - 11th January 2018

CHILDREN who regularly eat take-away meals may be boosting their risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, suggests research published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

And they are also more likely to be consuming too many calories and fewer vitamins and minerals than children who eat home cooked food, the findings indicate.

In the UK, the consumption of ‘takeaways’ rose by more than a quarter between 1996 and 2006 alone, a pattern of behaviour that has been made even easier with the advent of online apps and dedicated meal delivery services, say the researchers.

The available evidence indicates that among adults, a high take-away count is associated with poorer quality diet, more body fat, and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. And the re-

searchers wanted to find out if a similar diet in children might be storing up similar problems.

They therefore quizzed 1,948 ethnically diverse nine-10 year olds from 85 primary schools in London, Birmingham, and Leicester about their usual diets, including the source of their meals, and how often they ate take-aways.

One in four children (499; 26 per cent) said they never or rarely ate takeaway meals; nearly half (894; 46 per cent) said they ate a take-away less than once a week; and 555 (28 per cent) said they ate this type of meal at least once a week.

This is an observational study so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, and further research would be needed to explore causal links, caution the researchers.

PIXABAY

Children may be at risk from take-away diet

RISK FACTORS: Children likely to suffer long term health issues from excessive take-away meals.

But they point out: “The higher total cholesterol and LDL (low density or ‘bad’) cholesterol concentrations observed in the frequent take-away meal group, if sustained, are sufficiently large to increase long term (coronary heart disease) risk by around 10 per cent.”

And they go on to say: “These results suggest that further increases in takeaway meal consumption (and marketing

directed at encouraging such increases) are likely to have adverse public health consequences and should be actively discouraged.

“The government should be considering health protection initiatives to reverse the current trends in take-away meal consumption, in the context of broader efforts to improve childhood diet and nutrition in home and school settings.”

How to avoid the frizz when blow drying START with a high-wattage ionic blow-dryer. It will reduce frizz by compressing

the cuticle, which locks out puff-inducing moisture. Set it on medium heat, since

high heat causes the cuticle to swell; if your hair is curly, use a diffuser to dry curls evenly.

Style hair with a brush made of boar and nylon bristles - boar bristles help distribute natural oils and product, sealing and smoothing the cuticle. If your hair is curly, ditch the brush and use your fingers.

And you know how humidity causes frizz? Well, dr ying your hair in a steamy bathroom has the same effect as standing in a rain forest. Move the dryer to your bedroom, or wait for the bathroom steam to lift. Don’t turn off the dryer until hair is 100 per cent dry.

Health & beauty

5th - 11th January 2018

Weekender 21

Gout – a true story had gout. I was prescribed a medication called colchicine, which helps clear the uric acid (urate) from your blood.

“Three years later, I got my second attack. Again, I was drinking too much, overeating and getting dehydrated, and I was stressed. The urate level in my blood was so high, it felt like my blood was congealing. As the years went by, I had attacks every two weeks.

“I was still taking colchicine, but it gave me diarrhoea if I took too much. I would take the

moved it and the other white residue in the joints of my big toe. He said it was one of the worst cases of gout he’d ever seen.

“I started taking a drug called Alopurinol, which reduces urate in the blood and helps prevent further attacks. I hadn’t taken it before as it tended to trigger attacks, but I now take two tablets a day. It has controlled the gout and I feel great. My joints don’t creak any more.

“I still get gout occasionally, but it’s just a quick attack that finishes within one day. Keeping hydrated is the key. I drink a pint of water ever y morning before I

medication during the attacks, which would subside after three to five very painful days.

“In Februar y 2007, I was walking along a street in London and my foot suddenly seized up. I tripped over the pavement and nearly fell under a bus. That’s when I thought, something’s seriously wrong here.

“The doctors told me so many urate crystals had accumulated in my blood that a hard white lump called a tophus had formed under the skin on my foot. A surgeon re-

NHS CHOICES

PATRICK HANMER was 32 and living life to the full when he had his first attack of gout.

Over 20 years later, he eats, drinks and exercises and, thanks to effective medication, keeps his gout under control.

“I was a 32-year-old aid worker in Somalia when I experienced my first attack of gout. I woke suddenly in the night to an unbearable pain, as if someone had stamped on the ball of my foot.

“The nurse at the British Embassy looked at my foot and told me that I

TREATMENT: Alopurinol the most popular drug to prevent this common condition.

The benefits of salt water EVERYONE knows that sea water can act as a muscle relaxant, heals scars and helps to get rid of cramps, but sea w a t e r h a s o t h e r, l e s s well-known, curative properties.

Unlike fresh water, sea water contains iodine, zinc, sodium and potassium, among other things, and these are ver y beneficial to our health. They can be easily absorbed through our

skin on contact with the water.

The minerals which make up sea water can feed our skin and contribute to its greater elasticity and firmness as well as being a natural exfoliator helping to eliminate all the dead cells.

Salt water, and therefore sea water, also has antiseptic properties, and that is why any open wounds sting a lit-

tle on contact with the water but that stinging feeling is just the salt working at curing the wound.

The mineral concentrations in sea water can have curative properties on allergic reactions and eczema accelerating their healing by acting as a natural antibiotic.

So forget the pool and just jump in the sea next time you want to boost your system.

leave my bedroom. I also eat more sensibly and avoid foods like kidney

and certain types of fish, which increase my blood urate levels.”

22

Weekender

5th - 11th January 2018

Food & Drink

Cheesy Chicken Meatballs • Ingredients

• Method

1 pound ground chicken, 2 eggs, lightly beaten, 1/4 cup roasted garlic light cream cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon dr y bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 t a b l e s p o o n g a r l i c p o w d e r, 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Preheat an oven to 450ºF (230ºC). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminium foil, and spray with cooking spray.

2. Combine the chicken, eggs, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, g a r l i c p o w d e r, v e g e t a b l e o i l , salt, and pepper in a large bowl; mix well. Form mixture into 20 meatballs; place on prepared pan.

3. Bake in centre of preheate d o v e n u n t i l j u i c e s r u n c l e a r, 17 to 18 minutes. An instantread thermometer inser ted into the centre should read at least 165ºF (74ºC).

• Preparation Preparation time – 20 minutes. Cooking time – 20 minutes.

CHEESY MEATBALLS: Baked in the oven.

Food & Drink • Ingredients 8 oz dr y fettuccine pasta, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 sweet onion, cut into wedges, 3 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 4 medium tomatoes, chopped, 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, salt and pepper to taste, 1 cup spinach leaves, 1 pound cooked shrimp – peeled and cleaned, 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, diced

5th - 11th January 2018

Fresh Tomato Shrimp Pasta

• Preparation Preparation time – 15 minutes. Cooking time – 15 minutes.

•Method 1. Bring a large pot

TOMATO AND SHRIMPS: Toss with pasta and serve with mozzarella cheese.

Biscuit Butter Chicken • Ingredients 2 eggs, beaten, 1 cup crushed Digestive biscuits, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, ground black pepper to taste, 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces

• Preparation Preparation Time – 15 minutes. Cooking time – 40 minutes.

• Method 1. Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).

2. Place eggs and biscuit crumbs in two separate shallow bowls. Mix biscuit crumbs with garlic salt and pepper. Dip chicken in the eggs, and

BAKED CHICKEN: With a different tasty coating. then dredge in the crumb mixture to coat.

3. Arrange coated chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place pieces of butter around the

chicken.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

Weekender 23 of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, and cook for 8 minutes, or until tender. Drain.

2. In the container of a food processor, combine the garlic, onion and oregano. Pulse until finely chopped.

Heat the olive oil in a large fr ying pan over medium heat. Add the onion mixture; cook and stir until fragrant and almost golden.

Mix in the tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper.

Simmer for about 5 minutes while the pasta is cooking, stirring occasionally.

3. Mix in spinach until it wilts, then just before the pasta is done, stir in the shrimp. Cook until h e a t e d t h r o u g h . To s s with pasta in a large ser ving bowl, and mix in mozzarella cheese.

24

Weekender

Puzzles

5th - 11th January 2018

Wordsearch Harry Potter

Boggled How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules?

The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.

TARGET:

RAVENCLAW ALBUS HIPPOGRIFF HERMIONE HAGRID

POTTER DARK ARTS HUFFLEPUFF GRANGER WEASLEY

HARRY SCAR J.K. ROWLING DUMBLEDORE RONALD

Quick

Across 1 Grows crops (5) 4 Turns into (7) 8 Spreads on (7) 9 Swift (5) 10 Move from one place to another (8) 11 Food served and eaten at one time (4) 13 Position inside (6) 14 Dealers in stolen property (6) 17 Not soft or yielding to pressure (4) 19 Uttered a sudden loud cry (8) 22 Long narrow natural elevation (5) 23 Any strong feeling (7) 24 Grave (7) 25 View or spectacle (5)

Down 1 Ceremonial dinner party for many people (5) 2 Says, states or performs again (7) 3 Hand held cutting implement (8) 4 Container that is usually woven and has handles (6) 5 Heal completely (4) 6 Canada's national tree (5) 7 Seats for horse riders (7) 12 Willing to give and share unstintingly (8) 13 Passes on knowledge to (7) 15 Put or add together (7) 16 Way of entering or leaving (6) 18 Added clause (5) 20 Compact (5) 21 No amount at all (4)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

• Average: 20

• Very good: 40

• Good: 28

• Excellent: 52

edict indict indie indies irides iris irised ides idea ideal idealist idealise ideals iciest denies dine dirt diciest dies diesel done does doest dips disc deist deli delict delis dele deal deals dealt cried cries crisp isle islet eels elide else elides aedile aeon alee ales apes espied

SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points

Cryptic

Across 1 A pot I find in the courtyard (5) 4 Goat he’s disguised as a prisoner (7) 8 Ruin small milliner (7) 9 Some of Peter Sellers' roles are brief (5) 10 Rescues sovereign captured by barbarians (8) 11 Represent penny-pinching (4) 13 Floor covering from Oscar Peterson’s house (6) 14 The Italian is after a fast pulse (6) 17 Snakes initially added some poisonous saliva (4) 19 Let Maria design fabric (8) 22 Clearing part of Bangladesh (5) 23 No tie? An arrangement for a posh schoolboy (7) 24 Consider spectre disguise (7) 25 Have about fifty to share (5)

Down 1 Sends off letters for placements (5) 2 Bit of film shows a caravan (7) 3 Variety duet at do is old fashioned (8) 4 Some harsher messages from a Greek messenger (6) 5 Gorge on cooked teas (4) 6 Awfully eager to correspond (5) 7 Egyptian bird on a lake is timeless (7) 12 Huge creature with two insects around his head (8) 13 One expecting payment for a battle horse (7) 15 Six in test is meaningless (7) 16 The French shelter is temporarily inactive (6) 18 Glances, so to speak, at the summits (5) 20 Weapon Charlie found in lane (5) 21 Early historian's sleeping place on boat (4)

Puzzles

5th - 11th January 2018

IRREGULAR SUDOKU

SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : WHICH DOCTORS? 1. Doctor Doctor (1984) and Don't Mess with Doctor Dream (1985) were both UK Top 20 hit singles for which British pop group?

2. First published in 1886, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a novella by which Scottish author?

3. Founded in France in response to the Biafran War, what is the name of the international humanitarian-aid non-governmental organisation, best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases?

4. In bingo ‘terminology’, which number was nicknamed Doctor’s orders?

5. Named after the Greek ‘father of medicine, what is the name of the oath taken by a doctor binding him or her to observe the code of medical ethics?

6. The title of which 1960s US children's drama series was derived from the Swahili word for ‘doctor’? It starred Marshall Thompson as Dr Marsh Tracy, a veterinarian at the fictional Wameru Study Centre for Animal Behaviour in East Africa.

7. What is the name of the doctor, created by Hugh Lofting in 1922, who shuns human patients in favour of animals, with whom he can speak in their own languages?

8. What was the name of the South African cardiac surgeon who performed the world's first successful human-to-human heart transplant in 1967?

9. Which famous actor played the title role in the 1965 film Doctor Zhivago?

10. Which Scottish-born actor is the current Dr Who?

Kakuro

Answers 1. THOMPSON TWINS, 2. Robert Louis STEVENSON, 3.

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES or DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS, 4. NINE, 5. HIPPOCRATIC OATH, 6. DAKTARI, 7. DOCTOR (John) DOLITTLE, 8. Christiaan BARNARD, 9. OMAR SHARIF (born Michel Dimitri Chalhoub), 10. Peter CAPALDI

SUDOKU

Weekender 25

Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

CrosswordSolutions from last week Quick

Cryptic

Sudoku

Irregular Sudoku

26

Weekender

Leisure

5th - 11th January 2018

YOUR WEEKLY HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Being asked to take on a new and demanding task this week may see you wishing that you had been less visible. However, don't think of the hard work involved but rather the brilliant outcome. You will be popular.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) An interest in technology is not something new to you. What is great, though, is that the penny has suddenly dropped. This week sees you understanding more and wanting to know more.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Be aware that not everyone is willing to work as hard as you. When approached by someone wanting you to trust them, be sure of their motives. Do what you feel is right but remain firmly in control, especially financially.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Social demands are made, but try to shuffle them to the weekend. Be diplomatic or someone close could become irritated. Keep an eye on the small print because something fundamental may have changed in a long-standing arrangement.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Career and home are in disharmony but a bit of compromise soon sorts things out. You don't like playing the 'bad guy', but honesty is also important to you. Speaking your mind can be liberating although, initially, you may see it as a nuisance and embarrassing.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Someone with a larger-than-life imagination makes you smile but that was not their intention.

Try to be diplomatic and steer them in a different direction.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Sometimes, you find it hard to do things just for the pure enjoyment of it. Realise that not everything has to have a purpose or a profit.

Look round this week and seek out something that will please your senses and bring a smile to your lips.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Contact with a less than ideal situation makes you realise just how lucky you are. It has been clear that the weeks are changeable and your situation at the moment far from settled.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) This being a family oriented week, much of it may be spent getting together with relatives and going over old times. Perhaps you are compiling a photo album for older members of the family or vice versa.

PISCES (Februar y 20 - March 20) An exciting invitation may set tongues wagging and make a loved one jealous. You, meanwhile, are quite bemused by the whole thing. What comes out of this week is that you are of considerable value to others.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) An urge to get moving must mean that spring is round the corner. Certainly, you are questioning where you want to be in the months ahead. A house move or work placement may be on your mind.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Be aware that leopards do not change their spots, they merely hide them. Those who demand your trust need a cool checking out and don't be afraid to say 'no' as and when necessary.

BOOK REVIEW BRITISH writer Will Dean brings murder to a quiet Swedish town that has suffered before in his crime thriller Dark Pines.

The stor y follows a young h e r o i n e , Tu v a M o o d y s o n , a deaf woman who is working as a reporter for a local paper in the remote town of Gavrik.

Usually covering the average run-of-the-mill story, she is not used to gruesome and deadly leads but when a body is found with its eyes missing, she sees an opportunity to make her name.

While researching the murder, she finds links to the famous ‘Medusa’ series of killings that took place in a forest nearby and decides to investigate the residents of Mossen, a small gathering of houses closest to where the body was found.

Dark Pines

By Will Dean All of the residents appear to be inherently strange in their own way. There is a weird taxi driver, a hoarder of peculiar objects and the strangest of all has to be two sisters who create trolls from actual human body parts, all seem potential killers.

Moodyson decides to sneak around, peering through windows and hiding among the trees but is hindered due to the constant rain which affects her hearing aids that she cannot

get wet.

Although terrified, she’s determined to continue with her investigation and break the stor y that will make her into the jour nalist her hard work undoubtedly deserves, but just as she seems to be making headway in the case and closes in on a particular suspect, another body surfaces.

Intended to be the first in a series, Dean’s story is engrossing from the beginning, while Moodyson’s character is definitely one worth following for many books to come.

DARK PINES: This story is engrossing from the beginning.

Leisure

5th - 11th January 2018

Weekender 27

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is an American period musical drama film directed by Michael Gracey, and written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya, and is inspired by the true story of P T Barnum’s creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and the lives of its star attractions.

A young P T Barnum, and his father, a

tailor, work for the Hallett family. The young Barnum jokes with a young Charity Hallett, earning him a stern reprimand and grounding from her father. The two meet again later outside, where Charity tells Barnum that she is being sent to finishing school; Barnum reassures her that they will not be separated despite this. The two keep in touch through letters until they meet again in adulthood eventually going on to

Film & TV Guide OUR PICK OF THIS WEEK’S MUST-SEE

TWITTER

FILM OF THE WEEK

SPECTRE: James Bond’s latest task sees him take on an international syndicate.

Spectre Starring Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux and Ralph Fiennes Saturday, 9:50pm-12:30am, ITV IN the latest instalment of the James Bond franchise, the agent decides to go rogue after he receives a cryptic message sending him on the path of a secretive criminal network.

While his colleagues in Britain face a large threat much closer to home, the enigmatic spy heads on a globetrotting journey in search of the elusive mastermind in charge of the group.

Once he discovers the man behind the syndicate, he is forced to suffer the consequences of his own troubled past.

TWITTER

FILM REVIEW The Greatest Showman STARS OF THE SHOW: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Zendaya put in stand out performances. marry each other, raising two children in New York City.

The family live a humble life in an apart-

ment - while Charity is happy, Barnum dreams of more, wanting to offer Charity a life of wealth and comfort.

ONE TO WATCH

Spying on the Royals Saturday, 7pm-8pm, Channel 4 PART one of a two-part documentary examining the espionage operation that took place in order to gather informaESPIONAGE: Information was gathered on tion on Edward VIII and Wallis SimpEdward VIII and Wallis Simpson. son.

Created to mark the 80th anniversary of the king’s abdication, the series will examine recently declassified documents that reveal the extent of the specific surveillance, who ordered it and how, using eyewitness accounts and dramatic reconstructions.

OUR CHOICE

Back to the Land with Kate Humble Saturday, 1pm-2pm, BBC Two IN the first episode of the three-part series, presenter Kate Humble finds some of the UK’s most inspiINTERESTING: Popular BBC Presenter Kate rational rural entrepreneurs.

Throughout the programme, she follows six Humble meets several inspirational individuals in her latest series.

Pembrokeshire businesses through key events of their year.

Over the course of the series, Humble meets many inspirational characters, including a seaweed collector who left an office job in Swindon to spend their life working on the beach and now runs a successful business selling Welsh seaweed products on a global scale.

28

BUILDERS ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders.c om (253556)

CARS WANTED CARS WANTED For Cash. Classic Cars & Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Defenders & Discoveries. Please call: 659 685 133 (253556)

CHARITIES/CHURCHES GIRASOL COMMUNITY CENTRE. Mosaic Classes, Art Classes, Karate, Yoga, Thai Chi, Pilates, Health Screening every 6 weeks. For Hire 5.00€ per hour.

Tel 639 089 170

Classifieds

5th - 11th January 2018

The Spiritualist Centre, Benijofar meets at Hamilton´s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m.

Open/Development Circles will be held on Thursdays, where you can develop your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. The Divine Service, with Mediumship, on Sunday 14th January will be taken by Marion Parmenter. The Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday 16th January, will be taken by Annette Rogers. The Divine Service on Sunday, 21st January will be taken by Matt and Kirsty Grogan (UK Mediums). Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiritualistcentre -benijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gm ail.com or info@spiritualistcentre -benijofar.com Identification Fiscal G54713789.

DRAINAGE

HEALTH & BEAUTY GIRASOL HEALTH FOOD SHOP, Calle Malaga, Albox. For all your dietary needs, health foods, organic foods, supplements, super food powders, organic eggs and veggie box scheme.

Est 2006. Tel 639 089 170

INSURANCE ALBOX/MOJACAR INSURANCE, Award winning Agent for ALL your insurance needs.

ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399 MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

INTERNET GET YOUR business noticed online! Make sure that expats in Spain can find your product, service, restaurant, bar or shop. Contact Spain’s newest and brightest online directory TODAY. Call 951 386 161 or email mark.w@euroweeklyn ews.com for more details.

MOTORING WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)

REMOVALS/STORAGE FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport.c om 634 33 64 68 or Freephone Uk 0800 999 33 68 (253596)

SITUATIONS VACANT WE ARE looking for a full time local reporter for the Almeria edition of our newspaper.

Candidates must have relevant experience and Spanish is a bonus. Please contact me for further details jackie@euroweeklynews .com

ARE YOU self motivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/telesales candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given.

Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@euroweekl ynews.com.

HGV CLASS 1 Drivers Required. Earnings up to £1000.00 per week.

Tramping in the UK. Various shift patterns/ depots. Work for a couple of weeks, months or ongoing.

Guaranteed tramping for the duration you are here. You choose your location. We supply the work. Trusted, reliable, professional. Enquire today: 0044 1487 842 165 Text/ WhatsApp 0044 7846 624 312 info@cambscontractors. co.uk www.cambscontractors. co.uk Find us on Facebook (252187)

SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience.

Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria.c om (256950)

Services

5th - 11th January 2018

BUILDERS

CAR VALETING

DRAINAGE

LOGS FOR SALE

GARDENING

See Your Advert Here!!

Next Week

29

30

Sport

5th - 11th January 2018

SPORTS

A former player, Tony is now the world’s most prolific author of football books with 150 published since 1975.

He has also been a PE teacher and a policeman, and is now a quiz-organiser, fundraiser, for various charities, and sports correspondent for Spectrum Radio.

By Tony Matthews

HERE are details of England’s 40 official first-class cricket fixtures scheduled for 2018 - hoping to improve on recent form down under!

Against Australia January 4-8 January 11 January 14 January 19 January 21 January 26 January 28 February 1 February 7 February 10

Fifth Test Sydney Select XI ODI Sydney First ODI Melbourne Second ODI Brisbane Third ODI Sydney Fourth ODI Adelaide Fifth ODI Perth PM XI T20 Canberra First T20 Hobart Second T20 Melbourne

Against New Zealand February 13 First T20 Wellington February 18 Second T20 Hamilton February 25 First ODI Hamilton February 28 Second ODI Tauranga March 3 Third ODI Wellington March 6 Fourth ODI Dunedin March 9 Fifth ODI Christchurch March 14-16 Select XI Hamilton March 22-26 First Test Auckland Mar 30-Apl 3 Second Test Christchurch Against Pakistan May 24-28 First Test Lords June 1-5 Second Test Headingley

MANCHESTER CITY’S recordbreaking 18-match winning run came to an end on New Year’s Eve when they drew 0-0 at Crystal Palace. Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola’s side entered 2018 with a 16 point lead over Chelsea at the top of the PL. Arsene Wenger’s record 811th PL game in charge of Arsenal ended in a 1-1 draw at West Brom, but the French boss wasn’t at all happy with referee Mike Dean’s decision to award Albion a late penalty.

Manchester United are stuttering;

Against Scotland June 10 ODI Edinburgh Against Australia June 13 First ODI The Oval June 16 Second ODI Cardiff June 19 Third ODI Trent Bridge June 21 Fourth ODI Durham June 24 Fifth ODI Old Trafford June 27 T20 Edgbaston Against India July 3 July 6 July 8 July 12 July 14 July 17 August 1-5 August 9-13 August 18-22 Aug 30-Sep 3 Sept 7-11

First T20 Old Trafford Second T20 Cardiff Third T20 Bristol First ODI Trent Bridge Second ODI Lords Third ODI Headingley First Test Edgbaston Second Test Lords Third Test Trent Bridge Fourth Test Southampton Fifth Test The Oval

NB: England travel to Sri Lanka late on in the year and match details will be finalised in due course.

CAPTAIN: Current Test Captain, Joe Root.

FA Cup 3rd round weekend THERE are 32 FA Cup third round ties coming up, starting tomorrow (Friday) with the Liverpool-Ever ton clash at Anfield and 12-time winners Manchester United against Derby County at Old Trafford.

On Sunday, holders Arsenal, 13-time winners, visit Nottingham Forest, Wimbledon play Spurs at Wembl e y, We s t H a m v i s i t Shrewsbury and Leeds travel 216 miles to South Wales to oppose Newport County.

In between times, Saturday’s 25 games feature Nor wichChelsea, FulhamSouthampton, Newcastle-Luton, favourites Manchester City-Burnley; BournemouthWigan Athletic, BoltonHuddersfield, Jamie Vardy’s old club Fleetwood Town v Leicester, Coventry-Stoke; Wolves-Swansea; Watford-Bristol City; Exe t e r - We s t B r o m w i c h Albion, Middlesbrough-Sunderland, Aston Villa-Peterbor-

TWITTER

England’s 2018 Cricket Diary

FA CUP: Liverpool face Everton in 1st FA Cup clash. ough, Birmingham-Burton Albion, CardiffMansfield, BlackburnHull, Brentford-Notts C o u n t y, CarlisleSheffield Wednesday, Doncaster-Rochdale, Ipswich-Sheffield United, Millwall-Barnsley, QPR-MK Dons, Stevenage-Reading, Wycombe-Preston and Yeovil-Bradford City.

The last third round tie is Brighton-Cr ystal Palace on Monday.

CUP FACT FILE * The last final to be decided on penalties saw Liverpool beat We s t H a m 3 - 1 i n 2006. * Arsenal have won

Festive season recap Spurs are winning (thanks to Mr Kane who’s certainly been ‘able’ of late). So too are Swansea, under new boss Carlos Carvahjal while Liverpool, who have signed Virgil van Dyke from Southampton for a world record fee for a defender of £75m, are also going well.

In-form Wolves are racing away from the pack in the Championship; Wigan and Shrewsbury

are still first and second in FL1, Luton lead FL2 despite a heavy ‘festive season’ 4-0 defeat at Port Vale.

And in Scotland, the old firm derby ended Celtic 0 Rangers 0.

And with football’s transfer window now open, we can expect plenty of activity between clubs over the next few days with several Premiership players moving to pastures new… with perhaps Coutin-

ho, Sanchez and Walcott, among them!

Alastair Cook scored a majestic 244 not out in England’s first innings score of 491 in the drawn fourth Test with Australia in Melbourne. In fact, only the rain prevented Joe Root’s team from gaining a consolation win. Cook’s knock, by the way, was the biggest by an overseas player in Australia.

three of the last four finals, retaining the trophy in 2015. * The losers of the last 12 finals have all been different clubs! * The last Cup final to end nil-nil was Arsenal-Manchester United in 2005. * Fifteen of the 18 finals played since 2000 have involved a London club. * The last non-London showdown was Wigan-Manchester City in 2013. * 43 dif ferent clubs have won the FA Cup since 1872There’ll be a shock result - there always is in the third round!

Exeter Chiefs started 2018 10 points clear at the top of the AVIVA Rugby Union Premiership… the impressive 6-4 favourite Might Bite won the Boxing Day King George VI Steeplechase at Kempton Park…. GB tennis star Johanna Konta started the year by beating Madison Keys in the first round of the Brisbane Open… and Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor celebrated his retirement from darts by beating debutant outsider Rob Cross *** in the PDC final, thus claiming the top prize for a record 17th time.

Motoring

31

Peugeot 208 GTI takes Evo Car of the Year Award launched, praised for its potent combination of driving dynamics, performance and everyday usability.

As a result, it has been crowned top of the perfor-

CHINA’S fastest-growing automaker, GAC Motor, has officially released its first high-end multipurpose vehicle (MPV), the GM8, onto the market at a product release event held at the Mangrove Tree International Convention Centre in Sanya.

The release is a major milestone for GAC Motor, as it has become the first Chinese automaker to cover the mid- to high-end sedan, SUV and MPV markets.

The company’s first large-scale MPV model, the GM8 is developed on GAC Motor’s C-Class platform, which integrates the world’s most cutting-edge technologies. The GM8 measures five metres in length and has a three-

mance supermini class.

Instantly recognisable thanks to its striking Coupe Franche colour scheme, 18” ‘Lithium’ multi-spoke black alloy wheels and Peugeot SPORT badging,

the Peugeot 208 GTI is equally performance-led on the inside. Passengers are treated to a bespoke alcantara interior with contrast red stitching, and the Peugeot i-Cockpit provides

an intuitive driving experience in combination with the responsive compact leather steering wheel.

The exhilarating performance of this car is demonstrated with an acceleration

First high-end MPV launched in Chinese market PHOTO CREDIT: TWITTER

PEUGEOT’s supermini flagship - the Peugeot 208 GTI - has raced to success in this year’s Evo Car of the Year Awards, taking the best supermini accolade.

The Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot SPORT instantly struck a chord with Evo’s road testers when first

5th - 11th January 2018

THE GM8: GAC’s first high-end multi-purpose vehicle. metre-long wheelbase to ensure plenty of interior space. The grandeur of the new MPV is also

reflected in its spectacular exterior design, luxurious cabin design, smart technology and excellent

safety features. The seven-seat MPV is designed to meet the growing demand from Chinese consumers for a better driving experience. Its target consumers will be high-end elites who demand quality and safety for their family.

“Demand has been growing in the Chinese auto market for a spacious and practical MPV that can accommodate both business and family needs,” said Yu Jun, President of GAC Motor.

from 0 to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds (covering 0 to 1000 m in 26.5 seconds).

The Evo Car of the Year Awards is described as the biggest and most important story in Evo’s year.