Soltimes Almeria – Issue 626

ISSUE 626 • 2nd - 8th March 2018

Continues Page 6 >>

Search for missing boy goes on TWITTER

By Joe Gerrard MORE than 200 volunteers and police officers have been combing fields in and around Nijar in search of Gabriel Cruz Ramirez.

The hunt for the eightyear-old boy, who was reported missing at around 8pm, is set to continue in the town of Las Hortichuelas.

Guardia Civil officers, Junta de Andalucia regional government officers and members of civil protection groups from nearby towns took part in the search but his whereabouts still remained a mystery.

Gabriel left his grandmother’s home in Cortijo La Molina de Nijar to p l a y a t a n e i g h b o u r ’s house around 100 metres away at around 3.30pm on Tuesday.

EST 2005

MISSING: The search for Gabriel Cruz Ramirez continued this week but the boy has not been found.

News

2nd - 8th March 2018

CREDIT: POLICIA NACIONAL

2 NEWS BITES

Beggars belief A 49-YEAR-OLD homeless Spanish man has been held on suspicion of mugging two women in Almeria City, making off with their mobile phones after attacking them violently, police said in a statement.

Signing off THE provincial council has confirmed it is to open the bidding on a €180,000 scheme to revamp and improve road signs and repaint markings on 180 kilometres of minor roads throughout Almeria.

Horror smash POLICE are probing the death of a man after he was hit by a car on the A-7 motorway near El Ejido, after a number of witnesses alerted emergency services to the early morning incident.

Mountain out of a mule-hill!

Man arrested after alleged donkey feud

SEIZED: Police seized more than 220 plants from the property.

A dope seizure NATIONAL POLICE have seized more than 220 marihuana plants from a home in Almeria.

An investigation began in early January when an officer became aware that a house on Calle Sierra de Maria was reportedly being used for growing and selling marihuana.

According to reports, the house had ‘sophisticated’ electrical and irrigational systems which allowed them to provide the perfect environment for growing the plants.

The house, which is owned by the

bank but rented out, was also illegally hooked up to the electricity grid.

After further inquiries, police proceeded to arrest a 42-year-old, who was renting the property as allegedly responsible for the plantation, who had 16 previous arrests for similar crimes.

When police entered the property, they found and seized a total of 221 marihuana plants, 39 halogen lamps and three air filters among many other items.

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested in Berja after allegedly stabbing someone when they tied their donkey to a grate covering one of his windows.

According to reports, an investigation into an incident occurred earlier this month when officers received a call from someone claiming they had been stabbed in the leg.

The victim is believed to have been meeting several friends along with his donkey on Calle Vigitana in the town and tied the animal to the window grille of the man’s house while drinking with friends.

Soon after, the tenant of the house reportedly left his home and approached the victim with a knife and began to attack him, causing a wound to his leg.

Officers arrived on the scene quickly on receiving the call and found several people, including the victim, in a heated discussion with a man who was shouting from inside his house After interviewing witnesses and clarifying what happened, officers then attempted to get to the man inside the house, before a relative informed them that the man had fled the property.

Following several further inquiries, police were eventually able to locate the 24-year-old and arrest him.

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News

2nd - 8th March 2018

TIMESHARE SCAM: The gang targeted British people who owned timeshares in Spain.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Brendan Hicks, Matthew Barker and Steven Cross.

Time’s up for scammers NINE British scammers who made almost €1 million in a timeshare racket have been sentenced.

The culprits have been named as Brian Carr, 31, Daniel Carr, 24, Craig Walker, 27, and Brendan Hicks, 28, all from Redditch, Dawn Gingell, 55, from Hampshire, James Barrass, 37, from Norwich, Steven Cross, 37, from Worcester, Matthew Barker, 25, from Bromsgrove, and Alan Sharp, 66, from Norwich.

They must serve a range of prison sentences totalling

20 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud, perverting the course of justice, money laundering and fraudulent trading.

Police say that 470 victims - the majority elderly or sick - were swindled over their properties in expatriate hotspots in Spain.

They would receive phone calls falsely advising that a third party was interested in buying their timeshare rights provided they stump up an ‘advance sale fee.’

The gang would later demand more payments

when the bogus deals failed to happen.

On many occasions the unsuspecting victims would be hit for a second time as the scammers pretended to work for a range of invented companies.

They even pretended to be Spanish police officials, forcing targets to pay a third fee to have their money returned.

The group reportedly made more than €986,000 from the ruse, and opened up a number of fake companies and bank accounts to hide their acitivity.

News

CREDIT BONEY

M, VIA TWITTER

2nd - 8th March 2018

70’S GROUP: The band is set to take the stage in Almeria later tonight.

Boney M set for Almeria BONEY M, the 70’s pop group behind smash hits such as Rivers of Babylon and Daddy Cool, are due to perform in Almeria city tonight (Friday) at 9pm.

The group are scheduled to hit the stage of the Maestro Padilla auditorium later this evening. Tickets are reportedly still available for the show but they are selling fast.

The German band is set to be fronted by Sheyla Bonnick, one of its original singers from its early days in the mid 1970’s.

Boney M released their first single Baby Do You Wanna Bump in December 1974.

The song, written by group founder Frank Farian (real name Franz Reuther) went on to chart in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Farian then drafted in Maizie Williams, Bobby Farrel, Marcia Barrett and Liz Mitchell to make up the group’s line up.

Their first album, Take the Heat off Me, was released in 1976. This was followed by the release of the single Daddy Cool which quickly went to number one in the German and British charts.

The albums Love for Sale, Nightflight to Venus and Oceans of Fantasy followed during the rest of the 1970’s, with the group continuing to top the charts.

The group’s last album, Eye Dance, was released in 1985. Former members of the group have toured under the Boney M name since the 2000’s.

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NEWS BITES

Justice done FOUR people aged between 26 and 28 are being quizzed by detectives after allegedly stealing packages from a delivery van in Almeria City, after they were caught in the act by a Local Police patrol.

Legend dies TRIBUTES are pouring in for Leonides Maya, a gifted guitarist well-known for his Mojacar shows, after the 37-year-old musician died of unconfirmed causes at his home in Madrid.

Square deal ALMERIA City Council is analysing a number of proposals before handing €1.4 million-worth of contracts to revamp parks and other public spaces in the Torrecardenas neighbourhood to several local firms.

News

2nd - 8th March 2018

All hands on deck >> From Front Page The Guardia Civil reportedly believes at this stage that the boy got lost but they are not ruling out other possibilities. Police added the mountainous terrain of the area had complicated efforts to find the boy.

Police have been using drones with video cameras on them to reach areas that are difficult to search on foot, according to reports.

Ramirez’s parents were certain their son had arrived at the neighbour’s house and did not know that he was missing until around 6pm.

His disappearance was reported later in the evening. His father said in a television interview that he believes someone may have taken him.

More than 50 Guardia Civil and Local Police officers were joined by a helicopter, a dog unit, an underwater squad and 150 local volunteers for the search on Wednesday.

The town of Nijar suspended all events planned for the celebration of Andalucia Day due to all available resources being used in the search.

The operation was stood down at around 8pm, with patrols from the nearby police barracks continuing into the night.

The search resumed at around 7.20am yesterday and has so far focused on the areas around Nijar and Carboneras.

He was wearing black Adidas bottoms with white stripes and a red hooded jacket when he disappeared on Tuesday, his family said.

Put to the sword CREDIT: EQUINAC

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STRANDED: The shark found in Mojacar A SHARK has been found dead on a beach in Mojacar. The stranded blue shark measured more than 2.5 metres in length and is believed to have died after being attacked by a swordfish.

After being removed from the beach by Animal NGO Equinac, it has been sent to the University of Valencia for study.

Following the discovery, charity organisation Equinac wrote on their Facebook page: ‘Equinac has attended the stranding of a shark in Mojacar. We were notified by the Local Police of Mojacar of the presence of a dead shark in Mojacar.

“Members of Equinac went to the site and verified that it was a shark of more than 2.5 metres.

“We have already seen a shark killed by the attack of a swordfish to the shark, and it seems that this has been the same fate.

“We want to thank the Local Police of Mojacar for their quick action and it was good they gave us the warning and even for moving to the site before us, to our members of Equinac, Tony from the centre of Buceo Mojacar, Adele, Alex, Esau and our coordinator of the Manu strand network.”

News Future of farming A HIGH TECH agricultural event is coming to Almeria, with the city set to host the annual Internet of Food and Farm meeting, which will be attended by more than 500 academics and businessmen from across Europe.

Sick love A FATHER from Almeria has been handed an eight-year prison sentence after he broke a restraining order before locking his ex-wife and two daughters, aged six and nine, into a room at his home for a week.

On your marks CARBONERAS Town Hall has revealed that it intends to use sport to explore new tourism opportunities after unveiling a calendar of 20 diverse events - from a half marathon to a ‘crazy’ obstacle race for 2018.

Almeria’s got the voice!

Two youngsters through on La Voz TWO child singers from Almeria have made it through to the next round of the latest series of The Voice Kids (La Voz Kids).

Yastina, from Garrucha, and Laura, a blind girl from Pulpi, are both 11 years old. They managed to convince judges to give them a place on Rosario Flores’ team during vocalonly auditions.

Yastina was up first with her rendition of Tina Turner’s song The Best, performed for this year’s judges and coaches Antonio Orozco, Rosario Flores and Melendi.

Orozo and Flores turned around first but Yastina said she preferred Melendi.

After judges told her to choose “with her heart,”

GOING THROUGH: Yastina and Laura (inset) both made it to the next round of the contest after auditioning for the judges. she opted for Flores.

Laura came next with her version of Flores’ song Que Bonito. Both Flores and Orozco turned around to find the girl was blind. The singer, who was blind from birth, reduced Orozco to tears during her per for-

mance. “What happens here transcends things in so many ways and children can do no more than learn.

The Voice Kids can change your life,” he said.

Both girls will now move on to the Battles phase of the contest.

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€1 million plans for management CREDIT: TWITTER

NEWS BITES

2nd - 8th March 2018

GARRUCHA’S council is set to transfer the running of the Galasa water treatment plant to an external company.

The news follows a meeting held on Tuesday. Management of the plant is set to be tendered for 25 years, with a minimum advance fee of more than €1,678,470.

The company that ultimately wins the management contract will have to pay at least a quarter of that figure, around €420,000, to the council. They will then be required to pay another 25 per cent after five years of running the plant. The rest is set to be paid in instalments of almost €33,570 until the end of the contract.

The company that takes over managing the plant will also be required to make a series of investments under the terms of the deal.

Among these is the building of a new supply deposit within one year following the signing of the contract.

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News

2nd - 8th March 2018

RBL to hold open meeting THE Royal British Legion’s Albox branch is set to hold an open meeting to discuss the benefits of RBL membership in Spain.

The meeting will be held at Maloans restaurant, Avenida Lepanto, Albox (opposite the BP Garage) on Thursday, March 8, beginning at 10.45am.

Everyone is welcome, veterans, family, friends - or those who are just interested.

There will be guest speakers who will explain how being a member of the Royal British Legion can benefit and help in Spain.

Members of the branch will also be able to give accurate information about Health Care and Social Services assistance here in Spain as well as exportable benefits from the UK, how to get a Blue Badge and lots more.

If you are not a veteran come along and see the value of joining, and how to be a part of the ‘Community Support Programme.’

NEWS BITES

Turtle power A GREEN sea turtle named Jose has been shipped from an Almeria rescue centre to the Canary Islands, although biologists believe he may have to remain in captivity long-term after he was hit by a boat.

Take a bow ALBOX mayor Francisco Torrecillas has officially opened the town’s new Algarrobos Park, which contains centuries-old trees plus exercise machines and a children’s playground.

High jinks A 75-YEAR-OLD pensioner and her son, 26, have been held in the Los Molinos district of Almeria City after reportedly growing 95 cannabis plants in their flat while stealing electricity from the municipal grid.

Cash call EMERGENCY: The children were taught the techniques on International Civil Protection Day.

Life saving training

Paseo del Mediterraneo 30, Mojacar Playa, Almeria

T: 950 473 104

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

PROFESSIONALS and volunteers of Adra’s Civil Protection services have taught CPR techniques to the students of the town’s Occupational Centre.

The techniques and manoeuvres of first aid have been taught in order to prepare the children how to act in the case of an emergency.

The boys and girls of the Occupational Centre were not only taught the CPR technique but also learned about the daily tasks of the municipality’s Civil Protection service.

The activity took place to coincide with International Civil Protection Day on March 1.

AROUND 300 Almerianfamilies are set to benefit after the Junta de Andalucia regional government agreed to extend a scheme offering reductions on social educational care and school dinners for underprivileged children.

Heir despair A MAN from Velez-Rubio who bagged €14,000 after claiming to be his uncle’s only heir despite having four cousins could face a two-year jail sentence and a €5 daily fine for nine months.

Nuke vow THE Spanish government has moved to calm fears that the nuclear waste remaining from the Palomares accident in 1966 will be removed by the United States, although no official date has been set.

News CREDIT: MIKE PINNOCK

2nd - 8th March 2018

IRELAND TO ISTANBUL: Pinnock (INSET) plans to walk all the way to Istanbul and has seen some great sights on his journey so far.

From Ireland to Istanbul AN expat living in Albox is attempting to walk all the way from the Republic of Ireland to Istanbul in Turkey.

Mike Pinnock, 72, lives in Los Marcellinos, near Albox and began the walk almost five years ago on Dursey Island, County Cork in the Republic of Ireland.

Each year, Pinnock returns to the exact spot that he left the previous year

and continues his trek east, walking along the E8 European path towards Istanbul.

In 2017, his arrival in Bonn, Germany marked 930 miles of progress and his 60th day on the trail.

He plans to return to Bonn in April and add a further 230 miles to the tally. The walk will eventually traverse 12 countries - and if he makes it to Istanbul he

will be 84 years old.

Following the success of the first section of his journey, the 72-year-old has released a book entitled ‘Walk East Until I Die’ (A Trek through Irish History and Beyond).

Within it, he has told stories of his adventures and misadventures, which are interlaced with surprising and interesting chunks of Irish history.

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News

2nd - 8th March 2018

Paws Patas WOWed by donation

Ed. 626

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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

WOMEN ON WEDNESDAY (WOW), an established meeting group in Mojacar, has donated €300 to PAWS PATAS’ urgent Quarantine Unite fund.

WOW is one of the most established woman’s meeting groups in Mojacar. It was formed many years ago but started to crumble until Shirley (Burt) Valentine decided to resurrect this forum in September 2017.

And recently, the animal charity PAWS-PATAS was the chosen charity to receive €300 from the group’s weekly raffle which raises money for local charities.

The money is a great chunk towards the fundraising appeal for the vital Quarantine Unit, which they need €10,000 to build at their shelter.

Head of WOW Shirley has lived in Mojacar for three years and is passionate about bringing people together. She is so happy to see the group growing and flourishing with friendship. Shirley views the group as an opportunity for women of all ages to come together and make new friends;

DONATION: Shirley (Burt) Valentine presenting Kris Wessels-Coles, Treasurer of PAWS-PATAS, with €300. become part of the community and promote local businesses and interests.

Shirley joked: “One can get fed up talking with the husband - it can be refreshing to share with other women!”

There is no registration fee but please bring something to add to the raffle table.

WOW meets every Wednesday at the Roof Garden Restaurant in Parque Commercial, Mojacar from 2pm until

4pm. Each week there is a specialised subject with a guest speaker which can range from financial advice, painting, skin care and more.

For further information please visit their Facebook page - Women on Wednesday/Mojacar or go to the top floor at the Parque Commercial and get details from The Roof Garden Restaurant.

Visit www.paws-patas.org.

Weekender 2nd - 8th March 2018

Feature Page 17

Prize pesto

Hand picked

Page 15

Page 18

Yoghurt diet Page 20

SEAT Shazam Page 31

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Weekender

Feature

2nd - 8th March 2018

The dark side of the moon #3

By Jos Biggs

I WAS still not confident that the English speaker, despite speaking very good English, had fully grasped the situation of our fire. If her local knowledge, or even her possession of a map or satnav, had been as good, then by now our burgeoning fire would be succumbing to the ministrations of those qualified to extinguish it.

Nevertheless, I had done my best.

The fire was not threatening any houses, so panic was not necessary.

The mobile tweebled. ‘This is MarieLuise.’ She said in Spanish. Oh! Wonderful! Marie-Luise is the slender and very competent representative of the Law in Arboleas. There must be things she doesn’t know, but the location of Limaria is not one of them.

‘You have a fire in the campo. Where is it?’

By now I knew this better than the Ten Commandments. I explained the situation. Although this had been completely

incomprehensible to the English speaker, it made instant sense to Marie-Luise. ‘I will call the Bomberos.’

I relaxed. The baton of responsibility had been passed to someone competent to carry it.

The mobile tweebled again. ‘Hola.

This is the Bomberos. Where is the fire?’

Oh no - not again! I explained.

‘Can we get to it by road?’ Now that was a sensible question.

‘Yes.’ End of conversation, shortly followed by a fire truck.

The fire was in the mountain of dumped garden rubbish, and probably caused by smouldering fire ash. Had the wind been in a different direction it could have destroyed several houses.

Arboleas has a magnificent Punto Limpio, which takes garden rubbish.

Please use it!

josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk

Feature

2nd - 8th March 2018

Weekender

13

Advertising Feature

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par ts in their repairer network. Some insurance companies rely on after market parts and used par ts to keep the repair costs to a minimum, only paying for OEM par ts if no other parts are available.

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Travelling Tabernas: Almeria’s Wild West RIGHT in the heart of Almeria Province lies Europe’s only desert; Tabernas.

Located an estimated 30 kilometres north of the provincial capital, the nature reserve spans approximately 280 square kilometres and receives over 3,000 hours of sunshine every year.

For this reason, it is visited the year round by nature lovers and hikers all looking to grab a taste of its unique landscape but not only them, Tabernas has attracted blockbuster film crews too since the 1950’s.

The area has staked its claim in international film history as a perfect cinematic location for the silver screen, with its sheer vastness of terrain and

open spaces.

Fourteen ‘western villages’ have been built for filming purposes over the years, the oldest of which, Fort Bravo, continues to be used to this day while two others, Opasys and Western Leone are purely tourist attractions.

Many films from the famous ‘Spaghetti Western’ era were shot in Almeria, and the desert of southern Spain has played host to some of the greatest stars to appear on the silver screen including Charles Bronson, Brigitte Bardot, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Gregory Peck, Sean Connery, Terrence Hill and Harrison Ford.

In total, almost 600 movies have been made at the world famous Fort Bravo including Lawrence of

THE WILD WEST: Almeria has been the setting for many Western Films including 1964’s A Fistful of Dollars (inset).

Arabia (1962), A Fistful of Dollars (1965), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) as well as Ridley Scott’s 2014 blockbuster Exodus: Gods and Kings.

The Fort is open to visitors, who are provided with Western shows which include shootouts can-can dancers and

well-staged scuffles.

The best times to visit Fort Bravo during the winter are around midday in the heat of the sun while during the summer, early morning to midday or from 6pm onwards is advised as during the day it can quickly reach the 45 Celsius mark.

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Weekender

Feature

2nd - 8th March 2018

PHOTO CREDIT: SHUTTERSTOCK/TWITTER

Splashing the sterling Raheem to snap up €5m Marbella villa ENGLAND footballer Raheem Sterling is reportedly set to buy a stunning new Spanish villa.

The Manchester City star is believed to be paying around €5.45 million for the luxury Marbella pad,

which comes complete with six bedrooms, a cinema room, pool and wine cellar.

Located close to the beach

GET IN: Raheem’s new villa (inset) is in glam Puerto Banus. at Puerto Banus, the area is a haunt for millionaires and the 23-year-old is keen to add to his property portfolio there, according to reports.

The villa’s description says: “It offers open plan living that flows effortlessly between beautifully designed interior and exterior spaces, each filled with bespoke furniture, commissioned exclusively for the property, giving it a modern, highly unique look.

“The ground floor entrance leads onto a light, open plan living and dining space, complete with a state-of-the-art custom kitchen.

“Sliding glass windows

give access to the garden with its covered terrace and bespoke zero edge swimming pool area.”

Sterling already lives in a £3 million, five-acre mansion in Cheshire with girlfriend Paige Milian and one-year-old son, Thiago.

He signed for City for £49 million from Liverpool earning roughly £200,000 a week.

The attacking midfielder, 23, has been in superb form this season, netting 14 times in the Premier League to make him the division’s fourth top scorer. He also has four assists.

But now he wants a holiday home, and has visited the area twice already, ac-

cording to British media.

The description continues: “This incredible space has purposefully been left partially finished, and can be designed for bedroom and bathroom accommodation, as well as multi-entertainment space, cinema room, wine cellar or gym.

“Exquisitely finished throughout with painstaking attention to detail, the villa has exceptional fixtures, fittings and facilities, for you to experience modern Marbella living.”

Home & Garden

2nd - 8th March 2018

GOING GREEN: Add some fresh basil to your meals.

Bringing in the basil A STAPLE of any decent Mediterranean herb garden, Basil is a plant that just keeps on giving, and has an abundance of uses. A fantastic addition to most savour y, and even some sweet dishes - if you haven’t already tried strawberry basil tart you should definitely put it on the list - fresh basil beats the dr y stuff you buy in supermarkets hands down.

There’s a wide range of basil varieties, all with their own distinct smell and flavour. One of the most popular is Basilico Genovese, which is fantastic for making your own pesto due to its aromatic taste.

Other types include Sweet Green, which has a more minty flavour and Siam Queen, a spicy Thai basil that tastes slightly like aniseed.

Basil has many medicinal properties, and can

be used to treat kidney conditions, colds and insect bites. It also makes a great insect repellent so growing it in your garden could help to rid of it any pests or mosquitos.

While basil plants are largely grown as an annual, you can also get perennial versions but they require more protection during cold spells.

Now is the perfect time of year to start sowing basil seeds, either outdoors or inside in a small pot, weather depending and you should sow the seeds shallowly at a temperature of about 20ºC. The seeds will take between seven to 14 days to germinate, and should then be transferred into larger pots once they are big enough to handle if grown indoors, so they can expand and develop

PRIZE PESTO: The home-made stuff is better by far. the root ball.

If you grow the plants in the garden, make sure they’re grown in a spot where they have access to lots of sunlight but are also sheltered. If kept indoors, the best place is usually on the windowsill. Either way, make sure to use a rich but well drained soil.

To get a bushier plant, pinch out the main stem’s growing tip when it is about 20cm tall, which will also prevent it from flowering and going to seed.

R e m e m b e r, basil plants do not grow well in the cold and the slightest frost could kill them.

Also make sure you don’t overwater it as this will also kill the plant.

Fresh basil leaves can be frozen or dried for storage. You could also sow seeds in succession to have a fresh supply throughout the year.

Weekender 15

Weekender

Property

2nd - 8th March 2018

On the up THE average number of mortgages granted to home buyers in Spain rose significantly last year with more than 310,000 approved in total marking a 9.7 per cent increase from 2016.

The average mortgage value also rose by 6.3 per cent in 2017, according to Spain’s statistical office, to €116,709.

Mortgages in Spain have been on the up since 2013, following a seven-year decline when the financial crisis hit and the housing bubble burst.

Out of all the regions in Spain, more people took out mor tgages in Andalucia than any other province with a total of 60,240 granted, closely followed by Madrid (56,644) and Cataluña (49,918).

Significant increases in home mortgages were recorded in La Rioja, Madrid, and Asturias where they were up by 18.4 per cent, 16.6 per cent and 12.4 per cent respectively.

However, the amount of mortgages taken out fell 16.9 per cent from November to December 2017, and the amount loaned also fell 21.7 per cent.

Home is where the island is THE rich and famous looking to expand their property portfolio can now buy their own island by surfing the web.

More than 2,650 islands have been sold on the Vladi Private Islands website, and Pumpkin Key, near Miami, Florida, is available to buy for an eye watering £70 million (€79 million).

The exclusive private island in the Florida Keys has one main home, built in 1985, which has three

bedrooms and bathrooms, and has the highest price tag on the site.

It also has its own private club, an airstrip for private jets and is just 10-minutes from Miami’s South Beach.

Meanwhile, a 64-acre island off the coast of Shetland, Scotland is also available to buy and comes with planning permission for a pier and a two-acre loch.

Other spectacular islands up for sale include a similarly sized island in Fiji,

CREDIT: TWITTER/LACYGCOOKE

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LINGA FRANCA: The Scottish island is on the market for just €282,000. known as the Remote Resort, which has been listed for €2.9 million (€3.27 million).

Last year the average London home sold for £481,000 (€542,000), making the Scottish island of Linga, on the market for £250,000 (€282,000) almost half the price.

A huge, 35,000 acre island, 16 miles long and off the coast of Mexico, is on the market for £15 million (€16.9 million).

Cerralvo Island has a breathtaking landscape which includes a 2,100ft mountainous ridgeline.

The Isla Centinela in Spain comes with a 1920’s castle which is surrounded by water and is available to purchase for £3.5 million (€3.95 million).

Farhad Vladi, CEO of Vladi Private Islands, said the website was set up in 1999 and more than 2,650 islands have been sold since.

Feature

2nd - 8th March 2018

Weekender 17

Make a fuss on

MUMS: Say thank you.

IT’S that time of year already. On March 11, the UK pulls out all the stops to celebrate their mums on Mother’s Day with flowers, gifts and fancy greetings cards galore.

Even though the official Mother’s Day in Spain isn’t until May 6, you should never need an excuse to spoil your mum rotten, but the fact that March 8 is also International Women’s Day doesn’t hurt either.

However, finding the perfect present for the most important woman in your life can be tricky, especially if you exhausted all your gift ideas at Christmas and her kitchen is still full of chocolates and flowers from Valentine’s Day. While most women (or anyone really) probably wouldn’t object to more flowers and chocolate, it never hurts to think outside the box and make this Mother’s Day the most memorable yet.

The best way to celebrate Mother’s Day is no doubt to spend it with your mum, and if you’re able to do so you could take the opportunity to treat her with lots of fun things throughout the day instead of giving her one big present.

A great way to start the day is to treat her with breakfast in bed, but instead of the usual tea and toast, why not mix things up a bit and try to incorporate some of her favourite ingredients? Scrambled eggs with chorizo or blueberry pancakes with dark chocolate are just a couple of ideas you could try. This could be followed by lunch at her favourite restaurant and a walk in the countryside or a trip out to the cinema or theatre. A luxury spa day probably wouldn’t go amiss either, and would put whole new meaning into the phrase ‘quality time.’

If you’re not able to make it home, why not send your mother a hamper and fill it with some of her favourite things or references to some happy memories you both share? A nice bottle of wine, cheese from a region in France where you had a great holiday or even some home-made biscuits.

DELICIOUS: Breakfast in bed never goes amiss.

SPA FUN: Pamper your mum this Mother’s Day.

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Weekender

OLIVE TREE FARM was set up about four years ago with the intention of achieving a level of self sufficiency. We have poultry for meat and eggs, goats for milk, rabbits and small pigs for meat and harvest our 70 olive trees each year for oil. We also grow a variety of fruit and vegetables.

Food & Drink

2nd - 8th March 2018

WHEN on one of our foraging walks, we can never resist coming back with a few sprigs of wild thyme, rosemary or even capers, which once you have spotted them you realise they grow in abundance. But there are other things tucked away as well as plants.

Although we see many a mushroom we have never picked any as it is one of those things we are never sure of. So many of them are lookalikes and poisonous, it takes expertise to be confident that they are safe to eat. But, if we could find truffles, what a treat

Foraging…

Par t 2

MUSHROOMS: You can grow them at home.

that would be! We were told recently that truffles are also found here.

Years ago, pigs were used to sniff them out, but

they also loved to eat them which was a problem.

These days dogs are trained to find them and even better, they don’t want

to eat them. Spain produces a surprising amount of truffles every year which are usually sold and shipped abroad. They particularly like to grow beneath oak trees and thrive in a damp climate, but apparently they are in our local areas. They grow a few inches below the ground so difficult to find yourself, but we have a dog with a keen sense of smell who loves to learn new tricks!

If we could just get hold of one, you never know, we might be in luck and once Sonny has got the scent, he can become our head truffle hunter!

In the meantime, we do grow our own mushrooms.

We have only tried the usual button mushrooms so far, but at your local farm stores you should see the different types available in kit form. Setas and Shiitake mushrooms are two of the types we usually see, so if you have a preference and fancy giving mushrooms a go, give it a try. They are in a polystyrene box, with a lid, compost and the mycelium,which is basically your ‘mushroom seeds.’

After sprinkling the mycelium onto the compost all you need to do is water it in, store in a dark place and keep it damp.

If you look after it well, you should manage to get a few kilos of them. It is quite nice to open your little box in the morning and be greeted by lots of tiny white balls which grow quickly, so don’t be tempted to leave them too long.

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Weekender

Health & beauty

2nd - 8th March 2018

You’ve got to try yoghurt!

It may be associated with a reduced risk of heart disease…

A NEW study has claimed that adding more yoghurt into your diet may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The study, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, sought to investigate whether an increased consumption of yoghurt could benefit those with high blood pressure.

A team of researchers analysed separate groups of people who were classified as having hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure.

Almost 56,000 female participants aged between 30 and 55 years old who enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) in 1980, while 18,232 male participants between the

YOGHURT: May be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. ages of 40 and 75 years old who were involved in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) in 1986 were also included.

In 1980, the women who had enrolled were given a ‘food frequency questionnaire’ which included 61 items for them to note

down their eating regime in the previous year.

It was later updated to include 131 items when sent out again in 1984 and 1986 and subsequently every four years until 2006, with the men filling out the questionnaire for the first time after enrolling in the HPFS in 1986.

According to the study, participants who had more than two servings of yoghurt a week reportedly had a 20 per cent reduced chance of suffering from future congenital heart disease or strokes.

Women who had two or more servings were 30 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, while men had a 19 per cent reduced risk.

The authors of the study wrote “Our results suggest higher long-term yoghurt intake is associated with lower CVD [cardiovascular disease] risk among hypertensive men and women.”

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Weekender

Leisure

2nd - 8th March 2018

Top Gear in negotiations with Matt LeBlanc to renew his contract for 2019 series

Film & TV Guide

OUR PICK OF THIS WEEK’S MUST-SEE

FILM REVIEW

Red Sparrow Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton and Charlotte Rampling Director: Francis Lawrence

ALL TOGETHER: The cast of Red Sparrow.

TOP GEAR: Matt LeBlanc (centre) presents the show with Rory Reid and Chris Harris.

Richard Shanley

Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL

IT looks like Matt LeBlanc may be on Top Gear for the long haul, as he is reportedly in negotiations to renew his contract on the BBC show.

The actor and presenter’s two-year contract is due to expire after the upcoming series of the motoring show ends, leaving his future in doubt.

However, The Mirror reports that talks are heading in the right direction for him to continue on the show. Whether or not LeBlanc stays for the next few years, the former Friends star has predicted that Top

Gear will continue for decades to come. “Why not? It’s a timeless show. I wonder what they’ll be covering in 41 years? If we’re making flying cars, I’m sure Top Gear will be talking about that,” he said.

“It’s a very strong brand.

There will always be a place for it because human beings have a strong sense of independence, and the car gives you that. You start the car on your driveway and suddenly you’re the master of your own destiny. That’s a very human instinct.”

LeBlanc will continue to present the show with co-stars Ror y Reid and Chris Harris, which has undoubtedly been a much bigger success than the first series with Chris Evans.

However, LeBlanc recently admitted that he doesn’t speak

to his former co-presenter anymore, revealing: “You know, I haven’t spoken to Chris. I haven’t. Not because... I just, I’ve been busy, he’s been busy, I have no animosity towards him, you know.”

If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digital.com.

I look forward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show ever y weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 and 106.8FM, now covering almost 3,000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spec trumfm.net for the latest news from the world of satellite TV.

DOMINIKA EGOROVA, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is a prima ballerina dancing for the Russian bourgeoisie when her world literally comes crashing down after she is injured in an accident that may not have been as unintentional as we are initially led to believe.

When her dancing days are over, she soon learns that she’s about to be stripped of her modest flat, where she lives with her mother as well as her health insurance.

Facing desolate circumstances, her uncle Ivan offers to continue to support her if she carries out a mission, which involves bedding a businessman in a hotel.

Things take a turn when she ends up witnessing a murder which means she must be taken out of the picture herself, unless she agrees to go to State School 4, a training ground for the ‘Sparrows,’ female spies who exploit their sexuality to get information.

The training facilities is run by a sadistic matron, played by Charlotte Rampling, which forces the women to learn to manipulate their bodies - now owned by the state - for their own gain.

ONE TO WATCH

All together now – Final Saturday, 7.15pm – 8.20pm, BBC One COMEDIAN Rob Beckett hosts the Grand Final of the crowd-pleasing talent show, as 10 finalists battle it out for the £50,000 grand prize.

Each competitor will perform just a single song hoping to get as many of the 100-strong panel of judges to join in and sing with them.

After their only performance, 10 will be whittled down to the three highest scores who will sing in a make or break sing off, performing a brand new song in a final effort to impress the judges before one is crowned the champion.

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Weekender

Puzzles

2nd - 8th March 2018

Wordsearch Most Common Pets

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:

CAT BIRD CHICKEN IGUANA FISH

GUINEA PIG RAT DOG FERRET HAMSTER

LIZARD SNAKE GERBIL TURTLE MOUSE

• Average: 19

• Very good: 38

• Good: 26

• Excellent: 49

Down 1 Lets fall (5) 2 Dawn (7) 3 Avarice (5) 4 Scandinavian kingdom (6) 5 Seize firmly (7) 6 Moving quickly and lightly (5) 7 Gracefully thin (7) 12 Makes unhappy (7) 13 Long clerical robe (7) 15 Definite (7) 16 Not open (6) 18 Film (5) 20 Jewelled headdress (5) 21 Surrender (5)

ices coup couple coupler coupe court cows cowpea cowl cope coper vies epos erupt elves eaves eagle eelpout hick hike hikes hive hives hies give gives glee gave gale gaff gaffe gabs aves alert alee alga algae ages beagle agave agaves fave feel

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

Cryptic

Quick

Across 1 Plans (7) 5 Seizes suddenly (5) 8 Snow leopard (5) 9 Check closely (7) 10 Cheat (7) 11 Appeal or request earnestly (5) 12 Foul odour (6) 14 Assistant (6) 17 Jettisons (5) 19 Raffle (7) 22 Covetous (7) 23 Similar (5) 24 Utter words (5) 25 Blind alley (4,3)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Across 1 Justify angry outburst after hostilities (7) 5 Health resort in a European country (5) 8 Dud Moore, an ardent lover (5) 9 Rental I organised is trustworthy (7) 10 Cub Scout leader hiding in Lake Lagdo (5) 11 Equestrian is an addition to the bill (5) 12 Bands taking money in wagers (5) 14 Vessels for second class fliers (5) 19 The Spanish and the German leader (5) 21 Fruit from a Venus flytrap, please (5) 23 Basic part of an electric kettle (7) 24 Leave in some pain (5) 25 Goes round in a luxury car (5) 26 Reunite wandering followers (7)

Down 1 Centre forward, ready for a fight, got friendlier (6) 2 Charge characters in Karakoram pageant (7) 3 Compensate for a wrong note (5) 4 Scottish material from Mariner and Brown (6) 5 New Orleans is an Italian port (7) 6 Grant given to a section of a hospital (5) 7 Not one little railway official (6) 13 Victims get star treatment (7) 15 Told a fib and have a nap (3,4) 16 Space traveller from remote building (6) 17 Baseball player’s pancake mixture (6) 18 Originally on grey sea-wall (6) 20 Stay healthy after first of December (5) 22 Exercise around PC network machinery (5)

Puzzles

2nd - 8th March 2018

IRREGULAR SUDOKU

SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : A PENNY FOR THE GUY 1. The Gunpowder Plot was a failed assassination attempt against which British monarch?

2. In which year did the Plot take place?

3. Apart from Guy Fawkes, name any one of the other Plotters?

4. During a search of the House of Lords at about midnight on November 4, Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding how many barrels of gunpowder: (a) 16 (b) 36 or (c) 56?

5. What first name did Guy Fawkes adopt (an Italian version of his name) when he travelled to Spain to seek support for a Catholic rebellion in England?

6. What was William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle’s role in the Plot?

7. In which historic walled city at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire was Guy Fawkes born?

8. What false name did Guy Fawkes give when he was

arrested: (a) David Davidson, (b) John Johnson or (c) Stephen Stephenson?

9. Which character in the Harry Potter series has a pet phoenix named Fawkes, named after Guy Fawkes?

10. In which 2006 film does a Guy Fawkes-masked vigilante (Hugo Weaving) rescue Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), an employee of the state-run British Television Network (BTN), from members of the Fingermen secret police while she is out past curfew?

Not a lot of people know that… in the Charles Dicken’s Martin Chuzzlewit it is said that a member of the Chuzzlewit family was ‘unquestionably’ involved in the Gunpowder Plot, and that Fawkes himself may indeed have been a scion of the family's ‘remarkable stock’

Kakuro

Answers 1. JAMES I of England and VI of Scotland, 2. 1605, 3.

Robert CATESBY, John WRIGHT, Thomas WINTOUR, Thomas PERCY, Robert KEYES, Thomas BATES, Robert WINTOUR, Christopher WRIGHT, John GRANT, Ambrose ROOKWOOD, Sir Everard DIGBY and Francis TRESHAM, 4. B – 36, 5. GUIDO, 6. HE RECEIVED AN ‘ANONYMOUS’ LETTER WARNING OF THE GUNPOWDER PLOT, WHICH

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

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Weekender

Feature

2nd - 8th March 2018

by Sandy Shore

A drive in the park they said GO for it, it’ll be fun, they said. As my driving licence had expired I had little choice but to do so.’

What caused me anxiety was my knowing that I would be obliged to be medically examined to show my fitness to drive. You see, they do care about other road users.

We mortals fear little except the unknown. So, after making the appointment I had the good sense to ask forum users what I might expect. Armed with just one reassurance I kept the appointment with the driving licence assessors.

There, I was immediately assailed by the saying, ‘abandon hope all ye who enter here.’

The receptionist was easily dealt with and at this point I should have

gone home, job done.

Whoa! There’s another bit.

When my name was called I ventured into what appeared to be an optician’s lab. So far so good, I took a seat whereupon I correctly identified the Polish gentleman’s name on the card.

“No, don’t go just yet,” the medico said as I rose to leave. He then blasted my eyes with a headlight beam. Immediately afterwards I was obliged to read the letters on the card again. This is to check the pupil’s dilation speed.

“Thank goodness that is over,” I told my companion.

“It isn’t; there is more yet,” she said with a wry smile.

Minutes later I was invited into

another studio by a lady so lovely she could charm the habit off an abbot. Taking my seat I was invited to guess the position of the little ball on the screen seconds after it disappeared into the ‘tunnel.’ For me it was premature emasculation; I tried again and was better.

Then, facing the screen I took ASSESSMENTS: Severa l medical examinations are nee ded to two beermat sized ‘steering show fitness to drive. wheels’ and with baited breath waited. Off we went, my left hand was now ‘driving a blob’ along an my ability to do two things at the low my ‘car.’

Finally, I was called into yet anululating country road. Separately, same time.

Yes, often, but never before have other studio to respond to health my right hand was steering another blob along a parallel mountain I driven two freakin’ cars simulta- questions, which was the easy bit. neously down parallel winding Lord be praised, I passed. I can road.

I queried the impossibility of dri- mountain roads. At this point I drive again but only after recoverving ‘two cars’ simultaneously. She may as well have chucked my dri- ing my cars from those mountain explained that this test ascertained ving licence into the abyss to fol- ravines.

Behind THE MUSIC Fleetwood Mac THIS week I would like to revisit a classic album… Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. Released in 1977, it seems to have had a constant presence in my life ever since I used to see it in people’s record collections in the late 70’s and beyond.

Everyone seemed to have it - my parents, friends, neighbours. My teacher at primary school even brought it in one day to play to us (I can’t remember why!).

The stories of the excesses and relationship breakdowns amongst the band during recording are legendary - the influence of the chaos can be heard within each song.

Forty years later and tracks such as Don’t Stop, Go Your Own Way, The Chain and You Make Loving Fun are all still regulars on the radio. On release the

album was selling 200,000 copies a week in the USA alone, a figure that can only be dreamed of now.

The two marital breakdowns within the band, the affairs, the drink and the drugs makes listening to this album an emotional experience, especially if you have seen the members talk about those times.

More than 40 million album sales and it’s still selling... this isn’t just an album… it’s history.

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BUILDERS ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders. com (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

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 held on Thursdays, where you can develop your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m. The next two circles are on Thursday 8th March and Thursday 22nd March. Spiritual

Classifieds

2nd March - 8th March 2018

healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. The Divine Service, with Mediumship, on Sunday 4th March and will be taken by Maire Davies (UK Medium). The Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday 6th March, will be also taken by Maire Davies. The Divine Service on Sunday, 11th March will be taken by Len Cox. Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiritualistcentrebenijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gmai l.com or info@spiritualistcentrebenijofar.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789.

DRAINAGE

FOR SALE / WANTED

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

HOME MAINTENANCE MARKS Home Maintenance services.

Painting General Maintenance. Kitchen Unit Renovation.

References available.

634 908 475 (259695)

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!

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@euroweeklyne ws.com for more details.

CARS WANTED PHILL THE PICK, LOCKSMITH-24hr.

Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded, house safes. Arboleas and surrounding.

Special Weekend Rate.

Tel 697 243 181

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)

PROPERTY TO LET

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

CHURCH SERVICES

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@euroweeklyne ws.com

DRAINAGE

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.

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. com (257746)

Services

2nd March - 8th March 2018

BUILDERS

BABY EQUIPMENT HIRE

REMOVALS & STORAGE

CAR VALETING

LOGS FOR SALE

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Sport

2nd - 8th March 2018

2018 Parsons Trophy & Jackson Cup

THE Ladies Club Pairs, Jackson Cup and Men’s Club Pairs, Parsons Trophy competitions were played from Thursday 22 until the Finals on Sunday February 25.

Winners of the Parsons Trophy were Chris Ewer and Ron Lloyd, while Christine Parkinson and Maureen O’Hara took home the Jackson Cup. The Jackson Cup Final was between the winners Maureen Ohara and Christine Parkinson against Viv Sykes and Pat Deacon. This was always going to be a good game to watch and proved to be correct. Viv and Pat started well and looked good.

Maureen and Christine then crept up going ahead on the 10th end. Viv and Pat, although playing well, could not go ahead but fought back on the last two ends only losing by two shots. Well done to Maureen and Christine for winning the championships.

The Parsons Trophy Final, was between the winners Chris Ewer and Ron Lloyd

WINNERS: Jackson winners Christine Parkinson and Maureen O’Hara (left) and Parsons winners Chris Ewer and Ron Lloyd (right).

Mickey Mouse twist for 19th hole THE 19th played a ‘Mickey Mouse’ ball game in conjunction with an Individual Stableford competition at Marina.

Only two of the teams managed to bring the ‘Mickey’ ball back, with Tommy Seed, Pete Dow and Jerr y Edwards on 33 points beating Paco Grajal, John Boulter and Karyn Esposito on 20 points.

The Stableford was a hotly contested affair with five players recording a score of 36 points.

After a count-back Vince Swain came out on top from Chris Gledhill 2nd, Mike Esposito 3rd, Paco Grajal 4th and Chrissie Dow 5th.

There were two two’s recorded, Ralph Hunter 2nd and Chris Gledhill 9th.

UD Almeria continue to climb

Nearest the pins:2nd

Tommy Seed

5th

Willie Ellis

9th

Nick Pogson

13th in 2

George Reid

14th

Steve Tucker

17th

Sean Curtis

against Reg Birmingham and Stephen Byatt. Another game that was expected to be a classic. Unfortunately for Reg and Stephen, Chris and Ron were on fire and won the championship comfortably.

In the semi-finals Chris Ewer and Ron Lloyd reached the final by beating Graham Patrick and John Fitzgerald.

Reg Birmingham and Stephen Byatt were successful over Austin Crilly and Joe Sibley.

Maureen Ohara and Christine Parkinson beat Ann Hayhow and Di Duffield. Pat Deacon and Viv Sykes were successful over Eileen Ritson and Sylvia Pritchard.

As Reg Birmingham was taking part in the finals John Fitzgerald, Vice-Captain, thanked all players for taking part, the many supporters who watched, Br yan Hughes for maintaining the green throughout and Tony Lear for running the competition and then presenting the Jackson Cup and Parsons Trophy to the winning pairs.

VICTORY: Stableford winn er Vince Swain.

UD ALMERIA continued their recent run of form to climb up to 14th in the Segunda Division with a hard fought 2-1 win over Cultural Leonesa First-half goals from Gaspar and Lucas Alcarez were enough to see Almeria, despite a second half fight back from Cultural, secure their second win in a row. Los Rojiblancos have now lost just one match in their last five.

Motoring

2nd - 8th March 2018

ALA-SHAZAM! CREDIT: SEAT

SEAT partners with popular music app

PARTNERSHIP: SEAT President announced the news on the first day of the Mobile World Congress.

SEAT is set to become the first carmaker in the world to integrate popular music app Shazam.

The announcement was made by the Spanish car giants’ President Luca de Meo on the first day of the Mobile World Congress. As a result of the new partnership, SEAT drivers will now be able to easily identify their favourite songs while driving in a completely safe manner thanks to the safety features available in SEAT DriveApp. With this move, the brand is taking a further step in its goal of providing an experience that is increasingly more simple and personalised, and that causes less distraction to drivers.

Luca de Meo said: “For all music lovers, being able to identify songs is going to be at their fingertips, by integrating Shazam it will enable us to continue making progress in our goal of delivering maximum safety for our customers and achieving zero road accidents.”

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