ISSUE 629 • 23rd - 29th March 2018
EST 2005
A step too far?
Stop press! NEXT week’s Sol Times will hit the streets on Thursday (March 29) instead of Good Friday, ahead of the Easter weekend.
Green light for disputed footpath
PHOTO CREDIT AYUNTAMIENTO DE MOJACAR
By Matt Ford THE Spanish government has sparked fury after giving the thumbs up to a controversial project in Mojacar. It comes as the General Directorate for Sustainability of the Coast and Sea (DGSCM), an offshoot of the national environment ministry, approved plans for a seafront promenade behind El Cantal beach. And the rubber stamp will see a 740-metre footpath plus 164 parking spaces, a bicycle path and public seating areas installed at a cost of just over €3 million. Mayor Rosa Maria Cano’s council has longsupported the scheme, but local business owners claim it will ‘destroy’ the beach bars which line the sandy strip, causing jobs to be axed and losing ‘one of the town’s main charms.’ Opposition political parties agree, while thousands of people from across Spain signed a petition opposing the plan. But the DGSCM report scotches 13 charges against the walkway raised by
UK rep to host Brexit confab
CONTROVERSIAL: Local businesses are outraged over the promenade plan (insets).
members of the public earlier this year. Responding to complaints from business owners regarding “possible damages to economic activity on the seafront,” the study says that “the project does not set out any limitations to businesses,” adding that “based on experience of the many existing seafront promenades, they tend to trigger an upturn in economic activity and therefore an increase in jobs and boost for existing businesses.” Mojacar Council has argued the same, repeatedly arguing that the bars “will
hardly be affected” and “will even be improved.” But the bars themselves say the layout of the promenade “appears to have been designed in bad faith to put an end to the bars,” as expatriate councillor and member of action group Somos Mojacar (We Are Mojacar) Jessica Simpson said in a plenary session. The presence of the bicycle path has been another sticking point, with critics insisting that it will make the promenade too wide, dangerous for pedestrians and in contravention of Spain’s coastal law.
The DGSCM document rejects all three claims, since the law “does not say that promenades must be exclusively for pedestrians,” and “in this case, the bicycle path is clearly marked and separated from the footpath.” And a final gripe that the promenade is wider than six metres in places has also been rebuffed, with the rules stating that a promenade must be built at least six metres inland from the interior limit of the shoreline, but “in no way dictates that the width of the footpath has to be limited to six metres.”
BREXPATS IN SPAIN have confirmed that a representative of the British government will attend today’s (Friday) meeting in Cuevas del Almanzora. The meeting, set to take place at Cuevas del Almanzora’s Community Rooms in Palomares Square will begin at 11am and will give residents the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about next year’s Brexit as well as hear advice from government representatives. The talk will consist of an introduction to the structure, aims and ethos of Brexpats in Spain, a talk about the position with Brexit and particular references to expats. It will also include recommendations from the Department for Exiting the European Union (DEXEU) and the British Consulate for expats alongside a prognosis discussion and end with a question and answer session.
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News
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CREDIT: @ALMERIAPP
NEWS BITES
Ravine rescue A 93-YEAR-OLD man has been rescued from a ravine in the Cuesta de los Alacranes after being repor ted missing on Wednesday. He was found conscious and was referred to the Hospital de Poniente for an examination.
Death fall THE Poniente Hospital in El Ejido must pay €187,500 to the family of a woman, 56, who died after a balcony fall because medics failed to carry out proper tests or operate on her when she was admitted.
Fraud rap NINE people, including several German and Ecuadorian expatriates, have been arrested on suspicion of defrauding 30 companies in Almeria, Granada, Murcia and Malaga out of €500,000, the Guardia Civil has revealed.
GATHERING: Thousands of Almerians, including Mayor Ramon Fernandez Pacheco, gathered at the whale monument in Almeria.
Thousands gather THOUSANDS of people have gathered in Almeria to remonstrate against Spanish Congress’s decision to vote against tougher imprisonment measures for non-egregious crimes. An estimated 2,000 people, including Mayor Ramon FernandezPacheco, gathered at the whale monument at the mouth of the Rambla in Almeria on Sunday, which is currently a memorial site for eight-year-old Gabriel Cruz Ramirez. Spain’s Popular Party had proposed that the ‘reviewable permanent prison’ sentence, currently only used for outstandingly bad crimes, should be extended to possibly be awarded for a
wider variety of crimes considered less serious. But Spanish congress recently voted against the proposals, with opposing parties looking to repeal the permanent prison sentence, a move that has angered many in the wake of the Gabriel Cruz Ramirez case. According to reports the debate had already been scheduled before the case emerged but many had argued it should have been postponed due to the current public outrage. However, in light of the demonstration, Almeria Mayor, Ramon Fernandez-Pacheco, was keen to distance the discussion from the Gabriel Cruz case.
Sinking feeling TWO pleasure boats have sunk in the port of Carboneras over the weekend after winds topping more than 90 km/h hit the region. According to reports, winds in the region reached a staggering 92 km/h at their peak over the weekend, causing boats in the port to hit into each other and the jetty itself. Emergency services were informed by onlookers on Saturday that a boat, approximately six metres in length, had been spotted sinking in the port. An estimated 30 to 40 people, including Guardia Civil officers, Port Police and volunteers were involved in securing the remaining boats, using tools to cut the lines holding the other boats in order to prevent further damage. Despite their best efforts, those involved in the work could not prevent another of the boats close to the one that had sank from suffering significant damage and sinking as well. Nautical club president of San Andres island told Spanish media: “It has been impressive how the people have mobilised to help, even putting their integrity at risk, since the wind was very strong, it moved the pier a lot and it was almost impossible to stand. “We have immediately called all the owners and they have arrived at the port. Hopefully insurance can take care of the losses.”
News
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PHOTO CREDITPOLICIANACIONAL
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Clock watch DAYLIGHT saving time officially begins this weekend, with clocks going for wards by an hour at 2am on Sunday, meaning we will lose an hour of sleep, but benefit from a later sunrise and sunset until October 28.
CRACKDOWN: Some of the drugs and other items seized during police raids.
19 held after cops raid ‘drug empire’ NINETEEN people have been held as police swooped on an Almeria drug empire. The gang is accused of trafficking cocaine and cannabis in southern Spain. Large quantities of cocaine were bought in Marbella on the Costa del Sol before being smuggled to Almeria using ‘shuttle’ cars fitted with false compartments. Measures were also taken to avoid police checkpoints, including the use of ‘spotter’ vehicles travelling
ahead of the drugs shipments. The ringleader was in charge of this part of the operation, while his son was responsible for growing and preparing cannabis for sale. Investigators raided 17 properties in the wake of a six-month probe in a joint operation by detectives from Almeria, Malaga and Lorca, Murcia. Three properties were searched in Aguadulce, one in Albox, 12 in Almeria City and one in Marbella. Almost 1.5 kilos of cocaine, two kilos of hashish,
900 cannabis plants, two guns with ammunition, €120,000 in cash, 11 high-end vehicles and a number of mobile phones were seized during the crackdown. The cannabis was being grown on four hidden plantations in the Pescaderia district of Almeria City which were powered via an illegal connection to the national grid. Gang bosses reportedly led negotiations with potential buyers. Ten of those arrested have been remanded in custody.
News
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CREDIT: TWITTER/UD ALMERIA
‘We will not forget you’
TRIBUTE: The Bernabeu had a minute of applause for Gabriel, while both UD Almeria and Valladolid also paid tribute with t-shirts (inset). SPORTS teams across the country have paid tribute to young Gabriel Cruz. Current La Liga Champions Real Madrid led the tributes to the eight-year-old during their weekend fixture against Girona. A banner was displayed on the south stand throughout the match that read ‘RIP Gabriel,’ while a large section of the
crowd all wore white and held aloft scarves. And in the eighth minute of their match, spectators from both sides stood as the stadium filled with a minute’s worth of applause in memory of the young boy. The tribute comes just a week after Segunda division UD Almeria announced that their kits would have an image of a ‘pescaito,’ the sym-
bol used during the effort to find Gabriel, for the remainder of the season For their match against Valladolid, both teams also walked onto the pitch in shirts carrying the saying “Gabriel, you will never be forgotten, with both teams also partaking in a minute’s silence prior to the match while La Liga side Real Betis also temporarily changed their badge to have a
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News
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Caught in the act! AN 18-year-old who allegedly robbed a bank in Nijar has been arrested by Guardia Civil officers after reportedly finding him hiding under a table. Police made their way to the branch after receiving notification from its alarm system, triggered during robberies. Officers went inside the bank and found the alleged robber hiding under a table. The suspect reportedly attempted to flee before police tried to stop him, resulting in a scuffle between him and an officer. Police claimed the suspect was found carrying merchandising material from the bank, as well as two watches, keys, a memor y stick and a €10 note. Proceedings have been sent to a court in Almeria.
Power blackout set for Earth Hour ALMERIA CITY is set to mark Earth Hour by turning off the lights in several of its most prominent buildings tomorrow (Saturday). The Mayor’s office, the city’s train station, the Cable Ingles, La Alcazaba and other sites will all be blacked out between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. Private companies such as the Cajamar bank also plan to take part by turning off their lights at their branches in the city. The switch off is part of an international campaign backed by the environmental NGO the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The group said in a statement that this year’s Earth Hour comes at a “critical moment” in the ongoing fight against climate change. Lou Leonard, from WWF’s climate and energy division, said: “The decisions we make today have the ability to
CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
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LIGHTS OUT: The Cable Ingles, along with several other well-known buildings in Almeria, will go dark for one hour this Saturday. stave off the most dire impacts of climate change. “Earth Hour reminds us that, together, we can ensure people and nature thrive for years to come.” This year marks the fifth consecutively the city has turned off its lights to mark Earth Hour, which originally began in Sydney 11 years ago. It was set up to promote awareness on climate change.
Lights are also set to be cut for an hour in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Madrid, Malaga, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Valladolid. Landmarks across the world including Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building and the Sydney Opera house will also go dark for the hour, according to the WWF.
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Swim spectacle MORE than 1,200 primary school students have participated in the Provincial Council’s swimming workshops called ‘For your health, get wet.’ Students from 28 municipalities across Almeria took part, all aged between six and 12 years old.
Rock bottom A 49-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to four years in prison for trying to kill his girlfriend by hitting her on the head with a stone while she was sleeping on the sofa, according to Almeria’s Provincial Court.
Bin blaze A CAR and three rubbish containers were torched overnight near El Ejido theatre, as a spate of vandalism continues in the town with a number of identical incidents in recent weeks.
News
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Mojacar Masons support the community THE Mojacar Masons have donated €100 to local charity Asociacion Amigos Discapacitados (ASADIS). In addition to support of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Andalucia Charity Festival over the last three years, the brethren of Almeria Lodge No 74 and the Lodge of Unity No 98 have not lost sight of the special needs of the local community. This has again been demonstrated by the presentation of €1,000 to ASADIS, an association that gives practical, specialist support to young children who are in some way disabled and need one-to-one
GENEROUS: The Masons present ASADIS with a €1,000 donation at the Los Gallardos Town Hall.
special teaching support. The association was formed by parents of these children in 1997 and is attached to the local primary school in Los Gallardos. This latest donation brings the total support of the two lodges to over €2,200.00 over the last two years together with the provision of a com-
puter tablet to support a special needs child. ASADIS is supported well by the local authority but as always the financial support is heavily constrained and they rely on financial aid from supporters and sponsors in the community which has again been answered by this latest donation.
Adra’s passion for poetry celebrated ADRA’S Municipal Library has hosted the awards ceremony of the town’s school and adults’ poetry competition to coincide with the World Poetry Day. The mayor, Manuel Cortés, and the councillor for Culture, Elisa Fernández, presented the prizes and recognitions to the winners of the best works presented in this edition. The adults’ prize went to Isabel Manzano for her work ‘Perdóname papel,’ while in the secondary school category, the prize went to Lucía Olivencia with the poetry ‘Aprender a amar.’ Three awards were given out in the primary school section, with third place going to Alejandro Giménez with ‘La música,’ second prize was handed to Celia Avilés’ ‘La Primavera,’ while first prize was given to José Miguel Peña for his piece, ‘Sing to nature.’
POETRY PRIZES: The winners.
News NEWS BITES
Office fling ALBOX Council has agreed to let the Junta de Andalucia regional government move its local job centre - which currently serves 1,900 people seeking work - to a bigger location near the municipal swimming pool.
Good cause AROUND 45,000 people are set to benefit from the third phase of a joint scheme by the Spanish government, Red Cross and Food Bank to distribute food and other essentials to families in need.
Cabin fever THE cruise ship season is underway in Almeria, with the 800-berth Fred Olsen vessel Braemar the first of 38 liners set to visit the city’s port before end November.
Solar panel ALMERIA has hosted the first Andalucian Agriculture, Energy and Water congress, as international experts flocked to the province to discuss the use of solar energy in the fruit and vegetable sector.
Swede dreams CONTRACTS to prepare the plot where Swedish giant Ikea will build its fourth Andalucian store have been awarded, with €3 million to be splashed on making the 40,000 square metre space ready for construction.
Tree day THE city of Almeria has planted a Morus Nigra tree, more commonly known as a Morera, in Los Molinos park to celebrate the Day of the Tree. More than 40,000 trees are currently planted in the municipality.
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MOJACAR Council has organised a trip for a group of 50 Mojacar ladies for a weekend to Cordoba. The group were accompanied by organiser and local Councillor for Women, Raquel Belmonte and Ana Garcia, the Education councillor. It has become traditional over recent years to make these eagerly anticipated breaks designed to celebrate Int e r n a t i o n a l Wo m e n ’s Day, with a chance to take a break from the daily routine and enjoy each other’s company on a well organised excursion. Good weather in Cordoba ensured wonderful guided visits to the c i t y ’s m o s t f a m o u s places including the Puente Romano, Torre de Calahorra, Calleja
Cordoba calling! Mojacar ladies celebrate International Women’s Day de las Flores y Pañuelo, Plaza del Potro and Corredera without missing the famous Mezquita, the Barrio de la Judería and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. There are so many emblematic sites that t h i s b e a u t i f u l Wo r l d Heritage city has to off e r, a l l p l a c e s w h e r e you can admire many
splendid examples of the different civilizations that have passed through its walls over the centuries. Of course, the gastronomy also occupied an important place on this visit and every opportunity was taken to sample typical local dishes. The schedule, organ-
i s e d b y t h e Wo m e n ’s Department of the
9 Council, was topped off with a night at the Góngora Theatre to see the play Cyrano de Bergerac, boasting a wellknown cast of actors with José Luis Gil taking up the lead role. Like ever y other trip to date, the whole jaunt was a great all round experience in which the women, aged from 15 to over 70, had a great time together. Plans are already under way for next year’s trip, with Sevilla the most likely destination for 2019.
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News
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Age Support open new Albox shop Ed. 629
General Enquiries 950 633 217 Albox Office 950 633 217 Mobile 642 454 311
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AGE SUPPORT Almanzora has announced that they are opening a new shop in Albox on Saturday. The shop is in Camino los Segovias - opposite the Peugeot Garage and near Wavelengths. It will be open Monday to Saturday 10am to 2pm. Cathy, President of Age Support, said: “Volunteers have been working hard to prepare the large shop by cleaning, painting and making the fixtures and fittings.” She also said that she was “pleased that the larger shop will incorporate an office for the Welfare Team, who provide emotional and practical support for older people in the area.” Mobility aids will also be available for loan from the shop - the charity even has a domestic-type hospital bed. “This one-stop shop will mean that the welfare team and the fundraising shop
NEW SHOP: Shop Manager Margaret at the Arboleas shop in 2017.
will be under the same roof for the first time,” continued Cathy. The shop will open with Spring Fashions on sale, while there will also be plenty of bedding, household goods, books, and a men’s department. Roz, Shop Manageress, said: “There is something in the shop for everyone with
a large changing room and sale rail. “I hope that old friends from Arboleas will continue to support the charity, as well as all the new customers that Albox will provide.” The shop is in a handy spot, near other English shops and the Mercadona, and, as Roz says, “It is beautifully light and airy with plenty of space in which to display goods.” Sue, Deputy Manageress, added: “The clothing will continue to be washed and ironed and Roz and I, along with all the shop volunteers, aim to make the facility cheerful, bright and welcoming.”
The larger shop now needs more volunteers, either as shop assistants or as members of the welfare team. For those that can spare a few hours each week, have a chat with the staff when visiting the shop. Working there is a good way to meet people, support a charity and learn some Spanish as well. Donations are always needed to help the charity aid vulnerable, lonely people in the area, something they have been doing since 2013 and it has developed a reputation for reliability, person-centred support and practical help.
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Weekender Rose water Island for sale Page 15
Hello kitty! Page 23
Page 21
Pasta dough Page 18
Pink Floyd Page 26
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Weekender
Reflection in Holy Week A GOOD day’s work really. It had been tough, requiring a great deal of organisation and co-ordination but the troublemaker had been trapped, tried, convicted, executed and buried; leaving his band of ardent followers in total disarray, all in under 24 hours. The trouble had been that he’d undermined the authority of the establishment; treading on far too many sensitive toes in the process. And authority, as always, meant power and money, so his actions and attitude just couldn’t be tolerated. For in those days, 2,000 years ago, the Church was the establishment and its hierarchy wielded absolute power over the people, imposing a code of strict religious laws, traditions and penalties to keep the people in their place, albeit on behalf of the secular Roman rulers. But this man, Jesus, wasn’t religious in the generally accepted sense so hadn’t been cowed by their authority and taught that ordinary people could approach God
Feature
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direct, without needing a priest to act as intermediary. And worse, he dared to suggest that the priests and other leaders were as sinful in God’s sight as anyone else, and that many of their imposed traditions and religious laws were against the will of God, depriving the people of their rightful relationship with a God who he saw as a loving and merciful father, rather than the unforgiving tyrant their religion tended to portray. And of course the common people loved his teaching so his following was growing at dangerous speed, culminating in a great crowd proclaiming him King as he rode into Jerusalem on ‘Palm Sunday.’ Decisive action was needed and the plan had been brilliantly executed. So what a shock it must have been when a few days later rumours began spreading, suggesting that Jesus was no longer dead, and his followers began to regroup, boldly proclaiming forgiveness of sin through Jesus, the risen son of God. So now, as Holy Week and Easter approach, let’s reflect on this amazing story.
Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida (further details available at www.mojacarchurch.org) and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com
To streak or not to streak #2
By Jos Biggs
EMBARRASSING does not adequately describe my predicament. I was separated by the open hallway from modesty and my bathrobe and someone was at the door. My choices were: 1. Pretend I’m not in - blown by the dog yipping. 2. Hope it’s Barbara - preferred choice, or 3. If it’s not, then it must be José - not at all a preferred choice! Lucy yipped again, and whoever it was knocked on the front door. My razor-sharp Sherlock Biggs mind reasoned that whoever it was had remained outside the front door, thus I had time to get from shower room to bedroom without being discovered as naked as the Emporer - he of the New Clothes. With a muttered ‘Carpe Diem’ I fled the shower room in all my
natural glor y to find refuge and my bathrobe in the bedroom. I flung on the bathrobe, and with an air of composure that had been completely missing up until now, approached the open front door. A small and cheerful Spanish man stood on the step. ‘You want some firewood.’ More of a statem e n t t h a n a q u e s t i o n . ‘ Yo u s a i d you had enough for four years. It i s f o u r y e a r s . Yo u s a i d c o m e i n March. It is March.’ He was right on all counts, but how could he possibly have remembered? But more importantly, how glad I am that he had remained outside the door, thus unaware of the ‘To Streak Or Not To Streak’ decision that I had had to make!
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
Travel
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CARTAGENA: A visit to the city during Easter allows travellers to take in the city’s ancient sites as well as its Holy Week parades (inset).
Cartagena: A Holy Week highlight CARTAGENA is nestled on the east coast of Spain in the region of Murcia, next door to Almeria. The more than 2,000-year-old city will soon play host to its annual Holy Week celebration, which has been declared an event of International Tourist Interest. The city, which was settled by the Carthaginians in around 227 BCE, is perhaps best known for its Roman amphitheatre. It was also ruled at one time or another by the Byzantines and the Moors, giving it a rich variety of ruins that can still be explored today. For those looking to venture into the great outdoors, Cartagena is also near the Mar Menor lagoon and Calblanque Natural Park. The countryside around the city is home to various plant species, some of which are only found in southern Spain. Cartagena was originally founded by indigenous Iberians before being refounded by the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal, who named it Qart Hadasht or New City. The Carthaginians were attracted to the city because of its natural harbour, and they set
about making it a maritime centre. The walls they constructed can still be visited today. Scipio Africanus, the Roman general, conquered the city in 209 BCE following a war between the two powers. Under successive Roman rulers the city was given Latin and colony rights. It became the capital of the province Carthaginensis in 298, with the city’s modern name deriving from its Latinisation. The Romans left behind several structures still standing today, including the city’s amphitheatre. Situated high above the city with the sea visible from its seats, it is now a popular tourist attraction. After the fall of Rome a succession of powers ruled over the city, all drawn by its favourable location and abundance of resources. It was conquered and governed by the Moors in 714 until it was annexed by the Kingdom of Aragon in 1296 during the Christian Reconquista. Today the city is a thriving port town, with its Holy Week celebrations a big part of its annual tourist offering.
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Home & Garden
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Rest easy! Second Spanish easyHotel set for Malaga BUDGET accommodation hotel chain easyHotel has announced that they have signed an agreement to build a 146-room hotel in Malaga. Part of the easyGroup, who also own sister company easyJet, the company currently own seven hotels, housing more than 700 rooms while they have further franchised 20 hotels with another 1,728 rooms. The Malaga hotel, which is set to open in 2019, will reportedly be located less than five minutes from the city’s cruise
Glad Rags
terminal and just 200m from the main train station. It will be the company’s second Spanish property following their first hotel in Barcelona, which will be opened later this year. Guy Parsons, Chief Executive of easyHotels, s a i d : “ We c o n t i n u e t o expand our franchise portfolio in key international destinations and I am delighted that we are strengthening our presence in both of these important European tourist resorts, working alongside highly experi-
PLANS: The Malaga hotel will be the company’s second Spanish property. enced partners. “These additions will take our franchise portfolio to 1,728 rooms opened with 1,857 under development and the Board looks for ward to announcing further opportunities in due course.” Anna Cohen and Matthieu Dracs, from investors Extendam, added: “The brand offers Malaga’s visitors comfortable accommodation at highly affordable prices and we look forward to working together to develop their first hotel in this popular tourist destination.”
Sabadell discussing €3.3 billion property portfolio sale SABADELL is involved in talks over the sale of two property portfolios wor th around €3.3 billion, according to repor ts based on sources close to the discussions. The bank is looking to sell of f more than €6 billion wor th of property by 2020 after it slashed the estimated value of its holdings by €3.4 billion to €15.2 billion. The two portfolios at the centre of discussions are reportedly considered by the bank to be toxic assets. Other financial firms are also looking to find buyers for bad assets, leading to discounts of up to 60 per cent being offered in some cases. One of the portfolios is made up of around €900 million in loans, the sale of which is close to being agreed. The other consists of around €2.4 billion in properties seized following clients defaulting on loans. Sabadell and KPMG both declined to comment on the sale, according to Reuters.
Property
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Weekender 15
Protected island snapped up for €18 million A FAMILY from Luxembourg have bought the S’Espalmador island in the Mediterranean near Ibiza for €18 million. The island, designated as a nature reserve, was on the market for several months before the deal with the family was closed. Authorities in Formentera, an island south of S’Espalmador, reportedly wanted to purchase the island. The Balearic Islands government was also interested in buying it but both said they were unable to afford it without assistance from the Spanish government. S’Espalmador boasts 137 hectares of land. The island, situated inside the Ses Salines Natural Park, is three kilometres long
COMMISSS IO
ONLY N 1.5%
S’ESPALMADOR ISLAND: In the Mediterranean is up for sale for €18 million. and 800 metres wide and there are two small houses there. Any further construction on the island is prohibited by law, which the new owners are ‘well aware’ off, according to their representative. S’Espalmador was originally bought in 1932 by British man Bernard
Cinnamond for 42,500 pesetas, or €255 in today’s money, from the Ibzan Carlos Tur. It has since been inherited by his grandchildren Norman and Rosy Cinnamond who offered to sell the island to Formentera for €18 million or €20 million in instalments. The island’s authorities
Partaloa - €179,000
This beautiful villa (115m²) is ready to move in and has all the luxuries that you can think of. This villa is located within walking distance of the village of Partaloa. The villa itself has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a veranda and a totally private swimming pool (heated) that is closed with fly screens.
Taberno - €199,000
This beautifully restored farm house comprises of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 en-suite), a large open plan lounge diner and a handmade kitchen. All of this is set in a large plot of 12,700 square metres, with a large private pool (10 x 5) and wonderful views. The way this house has been lovingly restored is a must see!
Arroyo Medina - €225,000
This beautiful renovated cortijo (240m²) is situated on a plot of + - 17.000m² and has a total of 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a large private swimming pool (10 x 5) with fantastic views to the mountains. There is already a separate guest house and you can make another guest house if you want and you can rent this out as a business.
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appealed to the Balearic Islands government and both petitioned Spain’s government for help to acquire the island. They were unable to secure financial aid for the deal, leading to the Cinnamonds putting it back on the market before it was bought by the Luxembourg family.
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Weekender
WHETHER you just want to completely revamp your kitchen or just give it a bit of a makeover, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to designing what is easily considered as the most important room in the house. From deciding on the right style to choosing the layout, it’s important that you take the time to think about what you really want. Ask yourself how you want to use the room, whether you want a multifunctional space where you can prepare meals with family and friends or just a place devoted to cooking. You should also take into account how much you cook and what kind of meals you prepare, so you can make the most of the surface space and install all appliances you need. Before you make any major decisions, have a good clear-out and get rid of anything you may not have used for years. This will help you make decisions about how much cabinet space you need and whether the colour you choose - will match your appliances and
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Home & Garden
Planning the perfect kitchen
STYLISH: White paint and bright lights create a modern finish. tableware if you want to give it a new lick of paint. If you’re going to make any major changes to the layout, think about the plumbing and heating and whether you will require additional pipe work. Make sure that plumbing and electricity supplies are set up before you install anything and put in plug points where you think you will need them. It’s also wise to install your washing machine and dishwasher near your sink as it will help to keep plumbing straightforward. When it comes to the
perfect lighting, it’s useful to have a flexible lighting system so you can light up certain areas or appliances as needed. Make you sure set a budget with a 10 per cent contingency fund before you start buying supplies as it is easy to get carried away when you see all the options that are available If you’re struggling to decide on a design or colour scheme, try making a mood board with different fabrics, paint samples and magazine cut outs that you like to give you some motivation.
Home & Garden
23rd - 29th March 2018
Weekender
17
Shed your winter skin THE weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer which can only mean one thing - spring is finally here. That means it’s time to get started in the garden, which also means you have to bite the bullet and organise your shed again. While the prospect of this can seem daunting - many a shed has been left untouched since last summer - there’s no doubt spending some time sorting through things now will save you countless hours over the coming months. Putting in some clever new tool storage solutions will also save you a lot of energy and hassle when you’re searching for the equipment you need, and you don’t have to spend a fortune to do so. First things first, clear everything out and give your shed a good spring clean. You don’t have to make it spotless, it’s going to get
NOT TOO SHEDDY: Give your shed a makeover for spring. dirty again pretty quickly after all, but sweeping the floor, cleaning down the surfaces and throwing away any old items will make all the difference. Sort out what you want to keep and arrange it into piles before throwing anything away.
Then decide which storage solutions will work best for the space and the tools you want to store. If you’re planning on doing lots of planting this summer, get yourself a seed packet organiser so you can keep on top of what you need to plant each month.
It might be worth investing in a new tool box if you don’t have time to create any new storage solutions, which is full of all the compartments you need to store all your items. Otherwise there are several nifty solutions you can employ to help keep things organised. You can use
small wooden shelf dividers to store allen keys and other small fixings, or even pop them into old, labelled plant pots or tins to make it easier to find them. Make the most of your resources; recycle an old crate and attach it to the wall for some extra shelving or use metal funnels to keep unwound string out of harm’s way. Multi-functional items come in handy when you’re limited for space, and 40-litre plastic tubs can be used to dispose of garden waste or tidy away paintbrushes, tools or dustsheets. If you plan to keep your bike in the shed, there are several clever bike lifts which raise bikes up into the air and lock it into place, helping to save space. They can also be used for storing ladders. Finally, give your shed a good lick of paint so it looks bright on the outside as well as the inside.
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Weekender
Food & Drink
23rd - 29th March 2018
Pasta‌ THE basic pasta dough recipe is one large egg to every 100g of 00, plain or strong flour. I usually make a large quantity of five eggs and 500g of flour. Here are a couple of simple dishes you can make with home-made pasta. Spaghetti in tomato sauce in 10 minutes One onion chopped 1 - 2 cloves garlic chopped 1 x 410g tin of chopped tomatoes Mixed herbs Salt and black pepper Olive oil Fresh Basil leaves coarsely chopped Parmesan cheese 300g spaghetti Serves 3 Fry diced onion in a little olive oil on a medium heat along with chopped garlic. Once the onions are opaque, tip in a tin of chopped tomatoes, a sprinkle of mixed herbs, a pinch of salt and some black pepper, and leave to simmer and reduce it down a little. Whilst the sauce is simmering, in a separate pan, bring water to the boil adding a pinch of salt ready for your pasta.
Part 2
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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 fruits and vegetables.
When I make spaghetti it cooks in about three minutes. Once the water is
boiling drop in your pasta. Don’t add a lid, and keep it simmering. Drain the pasta once cooked into a large bowl. Check your tomato sauce for seasoning and stir through the basil. Tip the sauce into the bowl of pasta and stir. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and another sprinkle of Basil. Spaghetti with Parmesan and Black Pepper in 10 minutes 200g spaghetti Olive oil Butter 1tsp Black Pepper 50g Parmesan cheese grated Serves 2 Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water and drain, reserving a cup of the liquid. In a wide shallow pan, melt a large knob of butter along with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the black pepper. Cookthrough for a minute gently and then add your cooked spaghetti and two tablespoons of the pasta water. Stir the pasta through adding your cheese and another two tablespoons of the pasta water. The butter, oil, water and cheese all come together to make a lovely creamy sauce. You can add a little more water if needed. Serve immediately sprinkled with more Parmesan and a twist of black pepper.
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Weekender
23rd - 29th March 2018
Health & beauty
Walking works!
Four reasons why a daily walking routine is worthw FITNESS regimes seem to have taken over in recent years. Ever ywhere you turn to there seems to be a new way to ‘lose weight fast’ or ‘boost your metabolism,’ each more expensive and extravagant than the last, but in reality, getting active a n d f i t r e a l l y d o e s n ’t have to be all that hard. Just going for a walk is a low-impact accessible way to not only lower stress, but can also reap a lot of other health benefits and here are four of the best. WALKING: Has many health benefits. • May ease cravings Studies have shown that walking can ease a lot of craving by helping the body clear the mind and one study has shown that by simply taking a 15-minute walk it helped people cut their chocolate consumption by half in the workplace. • Brain teaser Going for regular walks has been associated with an increase in brain ‘plasticity,’ the ability to create and grow neural connections in the brain. It has also been linked with staving off cognitive impairment, dementia and even Alzheimer’s in later life. A recent study looked at the brain activity level of elderly people and those who walked a considerable amount ever y week were found to have more grey matter in their brain, mean-
Health & beauty
23rd - 29th March 2018
Weekender 21
Smelling the roses
while ing the risk of cognitive impairment was reduced by half. • Healthy heart Walking in moderation has also been found to have healthy benefits for your heart. According to the American Heart Association, just 30 minutes wor th of walking a day has been shown to improve blood pressure and even reduce the risk of coronar y heart disease and strokes. Moderated walks are also simple to achieve by making healthier decisions. Parking further away from your intended building, taking stairs instead of the lift and even pacing around the room while you talk on the phone are all ways of helping improve daily walking stats. • Mood booster According to a 2016 study, purely just by walking it can help improve your mood. Studies show that walking outdoors can actually help to relieve stress; plus it also gives you an excuse to get out and about during the day. While walking on a treadmill or around the work place still has benefits for your health, walking outside in a natural environment can provide even more direct benefits. One study in particular reportedly showed that participants who took a 90-minute walk in an outdoor setting reported less ‘rumination’ thinking negative thoughts about oneself, while they also showed less activity in regions of the brain linked to mental illness.
SWEET SMELL: Adding rose water to your bath can soften the skin. THE use of rose water for beauty and medicinal purposes dates back centuries, and remains a multi-purpose product that has an abundance of uses. Rose water is known for its anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe skin, and can be used to treat conditions such as acne or rosacea. It also contains anti-oxidants which can protect against damage caused by free radicals.
As it also has antimicrobial abilities, rose water can be used as an alternative to mouthwash. A recent study revealed a herbal mouthwash containing rose water extract helped to reduce pain and ulcers in people who suffered from canker sores. It can also be used as a make-up remover, hydrating the skin while cleansing it of oil and dirt make-up, and
works best when combined with a few drops of coconut oil. You can also add it to your shampoo or condi-
tioner which will not only help to hydrate your hair, but will also leave it smelling of roses. Due to its soothing prop-
erties, rose water can also help you to destress, so try spraying some on your pillow to help you sleep.
Weekender
Leisure
23rd - 29th March 2018
BBC announces Manchester terror attack documentary focusing on the survivors
Film & TV Guide
OUR PICK OF THIS WEEK’S MUST-SEE
FILM REVIEW
A Wrinkle in Time Starring: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and Storm Reid. Director: Ava DuVernay
TRIBUTE: The documentary will focus on the survivors of the attack.
Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL
BBC THREE has announced a new documentary with the working title Manchester Bomb: The Girls’ Story, which follows the stories of some of the survivors involved in the attack at Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester May 2017. Twenty-two people were killed after an attacker detonated a nail bomb in the lobby of Manchester Arena shortly after Ariana had finished performing. At the time, Ariana took to Twitter to say she had “no words” to express her grief, and a few weeks after the terror attack, she returned to the UK to perform in the One Love
Manchester concert, where she was joined by the likes of Katy Perry, Coldplay and Justin Bieber. As the majority of the victims were female, the BBC documentary will explore the psychological impact on the girls and young women who survived, as well as the ripple effect on family and friends. Over the last six months, the filming crew followed a handful of 11 to 28-year-olds who were caught up in the bombing as they attend medical appointments, counselling sessions and attempt to recover. Director Lizzie Kempton said: “I feel so privileged to have been filming with these girls. No-one can truly understand what they and their families have been through, but I hope this documentary can give some insight and show the strength of these girls at such a difficult time in their lives.” BBC Three controller Damian
Kavanagh added: “Because this attack happened to young people, we felt it was vital that we found a way to tell the inspirational stories of those that were affected by this awful event as they rebuild their lives. “It is an incredibly important film for BBC Three and we’re delighted that Lizzie, who is a talented first time film-maker, has made this film.” If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV 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 every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 and106.8FM, covering almost 3,000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spectrumfm.net for the latest news and views from the world of satellite TV.
SINCE her scientist father disappeared four years ago, 13-year-old Meg has slipped from being a model student to a troubled rebel. She pulls away from everyone in her life - even her little brother, Charles Wallace, who is loyally defensive - and continues to get into trouble at school where she is ridiculed for having a father who abandoned her. Her life takes a turn, however, when the peculiar Mrs Whatsit turns up at her house one evening and reveals her father is alive, but is stranded at the other side of the universe. She is then introduced to Mrs Whatsit’s celestial companions, Mrs Who and Mrs Which and, along with Meg’s school friend Calvin, they take the two siblings on a fantastical journey across the galaxy to find her father. They first ‘tesser’ (a way of folding space to travel across it at light speed) to the delightful planet of Uriel, then pay a visit to a mystic who reveals their father is trapped on Camazotz - a sinister planet where the It (a devastating evil power) lives. Meg and Charles Wallace are tested to their limits as they confront their weaknesses in the fight for their father and try to return home to Earth. The film thrives when it focuses on these characters and their relationships, and ultimately delivers an important message about self-belief and embracing faults.
ONE TO WATCH
The Boat Race 2018 Saturday, 4.50pm-7.15pm, BBC One CLARE Balding presents live coverage of both the men’s and women’s University Boat Races on the River Thames. It’s just the fourth time that both races take place on the same course and same afternoon as Oxford look to retain the men’s title while Cambridge look to hold on to the women’s. Thousands are expected to line the four mile and 374 yards course which stretches from Putney to Mortlake in one of Britain’s longest-established sporting events. Commentary comes from Andrew Cotter.
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PETS
23rd - 29th March 2018
Avoiding a
cat-astrophe IF you’re thinking of welcoming a cat into your home for the first time, it’s important to make sure you’re fully prepared for the changes it will bring. While cats are known for being more independent than most pets, it’s still true that they need to be trained and cared for, especially if you’re planning on getting a kitten. First things first, you need to buy a litter tray that is big enough for a fully grown cat, regardless of whether you get a kitten or not. The ideal tray will be two and a half times the length of the cat, not including its tail as many cats like to turn round and look at the area they have just used, so a tray big enough to do this will help to make sure they use it. Women who are pregnant or planning on starting a family need to be extra careful around cats because of the risk of contracting tox-
HELLO KITTY: Make sure your cat is house trained from the start
oplasmosis, which is a tiny parasite that can be found in cat faeces. If a woman gets it, it can harm the foetus so they should wear gloves when changing the litter tray and wash their hands immediately afterwards or get a man
to do it. If you don’t install a cat flap in your home, don’t feed your feline too much as it is likely it won’t be getting a lot of exercise and could suffer from diseases such as arthritis or diabetes in the future.
Keeping track up in the air AN American IT company has come up with a solution which will allow plane passengers to monitor, live stream and call their pets while in the air. The technology uses smart sensors which are attached to the animal’s kennel or carry case which monitors their metrics, such as oxygen levels, temperature and light. This allows the pet owners to keep track of how their pets when travelling by air using an app, which provides regular updates and automated alerts. Owners can even subscribe to a live video streaming ser-
vice so that they can see and talk to their pet using their smart phone or tablet. This helps to remove the stress of travelling - for both owner and pet - as many large pets have to travel in the cargo hold, so they find it hard to be separated from their owners, especially if they’ve never travelled before. With an increasing amount of controversy surrounding animal welfare while on board flights, after a puppy recently died on a United Airlines flight to New York, this new solution could help ease the minds of owners.
Weekender 23 Time to celebrate
A PET’S approval of a new partner can often make or break a relationship, but once they give their blessing, an animal’s bond with their new ‘parent’ can be just as strong. Hence, it is becoming increasingly common for people to include their furry family members in their nuptials. According to Etsy’s 2018 wedding trend report, integrating pets into wedding ceremonies will be one of the biggest trends in 2018. There are reportedly more than 30,000 search results for ‘pet wedding,’ reported the digital marketplace, which range from dog page boy outfits to cake toppers that feature the beloved pet alongside the happy couple. As your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, it makes sense to include all the loves of your lives, including the four-legged ones.
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Weekender
Puzzles
23rd - 29th March 2018
Wordsearch General Animals 3
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:
CAMEL LEOPARD WHALE TURTLE SHARK
HORSE MOLE TIGER GAZELLE RAT
RHINOCEROS EMU WEASEL PIG TERMITE
KANGAROO ELEPHANT GORILLA SNAKE
Quick
Across 1 Fraudulent (5) 3 Apartments (5) 6 See 18 8 Excessively affected by emotion (7) 9 Tired of the world (5) 10 Leave out (4) 13 Highest point (4) 14 Select group (5) 17 Mexican liquor (7) 18/6 Military identification label (3,3) 19 Take illegally (5) 20 Emit light (5)
Down 1 Computer memory unit (4) 2 Basic unit of money in Israel (6) 3 Actuality (4) 4 Tried (9) 5 Anaesthetise (6) 7 Ludicrously odd (9) 11 Spiny plant (6) 12 At any time (6) 15 Beak (4) 16 Cruel wicked and inhuman person (4)
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
• Average: 19
• Very good: 38
• Good: 26
• Excellent: 49
sort cops corp corps corpus corn coop coops coot cootie cane coos cook cote acorn acetone acne furs frock fort forte foot footie foible bops boos book boor bock born borne bornite boron bort boon boot bootie beck beak bean betook bleak biotin bite brio brit enroot enrobe info clean crib
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 Two hundred sails made for masterpiece (7) 5 Stingy? Close! (5) 8 Poles feel unwell after escargot (5) 9 Mix cider to make explosive (7) 10 The elderly are found in a garbage dump (4) 11 Wed a real eccentric in US state (8) 13 Ragged sort of weapon (6) 15 Is DERV designed for frogmen? (6) 18 Instrument of the French liberal's awful crime (8) 19 Moral people use renewable energy to begin with (4) 22 Two requirements for tennis or another sport (7) 23 Constellation seen from Mediterranean or Ionian Sea (5) 24 A lightweight feline (5) 25 A male offspring, you say? A big smile, Ray! (7)
Down 1 Something chewed, filled with brilliant yellow sauce (7) 2 Sailor consumed sink (5) 3 Storage tower is back in the Coliseum (4) 4 In court, yearn for prestige (6) 5 Ground harbours soft marine creature (8) 6 Pained expression of a dour expert (7) 7 Could be three in that place (5) 12 It goes with her age and that’s the lot (8) 14 Protein discovered in Cambridge Latin Quarter (7) 16 Small seabird's hesitation for a bone (7) 17 Kingdoms about to receive charitable handouts (6) 18 Wild dog doing tricks (5) 20 Join Manchester football club without a director (5) 21 Swallow bird feathers (4)
Puzzles
23rd - 29th March 2018
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : SCOTLAND THE BRAVE November 30 is St Andrew’s Day 1. On which racecourse is the Scottish Grand National run? 2. What is the name of the Scottish soup dish that consists of leeks and peppered chicken stock, often thickened with rice or sometimes barley? 3. What is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland? 4. What was the Latin name given by the Romans to the land in today's Scotland north of their province of Britannia, beyond the frontier of their empire? 5. Which American actor starred as Idi Amin in
the award-winning 2006 film The Last King of Scotland? 6. Which former player is the current manager of the Scotland national football team? 7. Which herbaceous plant of the daisy family is the floral emblem of Scotland? 8. Which is the longest river in Scotland? 9. Which Scottish mountain range includes many of the highest mountains in the British Isles, including Ben Nevis and Ben Macdui the two highest? 10. Who is the current First Minister of Scotland?
Kakuro
Answers 1. AYR, 2. COCK-A-LEEKIE soup, 3. THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE, commonly referred to as HOLYROOD PALACE, 4. CALEDONIA, 5. FOREST WHITAKER, 6. GORDON STRACHAN, 7. THISTLE, 8. RIVER TAY, 9. GRAMPIAN MOUNTAINS or GRAMPIANS (Am Monadh in Gaelic), 10. NICOLA STURGEON
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
by Sandy Shore WHEN on the rare occasion I jab one of my car radio channel buttons it is invariably a fleeting and depressing experience. The choice of music or anything else of interest is woefully absent. Each radio broadcaster, whilst claiming to be the best, tediously churns out the same disco genre. It is impossible to tell them apart until between tracks the presenter identifies his station. I am sorry but that is not choice. It is like going into a library stocked entirely with mummy-porn and teenage periodicals. It would be understandable if the audience was the age group I believe is attracted to downtown Ibiza. But, apart from many excellent and not so nice sobriquets Mediterranean Spain is home to the over-50’s and retired rather than it being a 500-kilometre disco for pubescent teenagers. The world has actually moved on. Costa Spain is no longer a magnet for Cliff Richard and his teenage gang who decided to
Feature
23rd - 29th March 2018
A breach of community standards
COSTA RADIO STATIONS: Not representative. ‘Let’s all go on a Summer Holiday’ (1963). Most teenagers consider the Costas old hat. Their generation prefer to go much further afield in their quest for real colour, excitement and adventure. Here on the Costas we have a wealth of experience, a goldmine of real life adventures that is not being mined. Instead, a community generation that
once listened to BBC Radio 1, 2, 3 and Radio Four, Radio Luxembourg and Radio Caroline, is browbeaten with souldestroying cacophony of trash records that aren’t even good enough to be given away as newspaper freebies. Music is as diverse as is literature, all the arts. I would say the genre broadcast by Costa radio broadcasters represents about
0.05 per cent of music choice. We rarely get easy-listening let alone highbrow or even middle brow. What about opportunity to listen to the experiences of people, many of whom have fascinating life stories to tell? Our generation knew what heavy metal was. We listened and punched the air to Beethoven’s 7th Symphony
played by an ensemble of up to 96 professional musicians playing real musical instruments. Then compare that listening experience with the repetitive cacophony of a lovelorn teenager wailing about his messed up love life. Popular music is simply not popular. The much more mature and output diverse BBC Radio 2 is still the No 1 choice for Britain today. Classic FM and BBC Radio 5 captivate between them 11 million listeners each week. Stations that identify with the genre suffered on the Costas hardly feature at all. I believe that for the first time old music is outselling new discordance. When in 1992 Classic FM was launched there was much scoffing but they are not scoffing now. The mirth is now directed at what is laughingly peddled as popular music.
Behind THE MUSIC Pink Floyd The Dark Side of The Moon V L James vljamesinfo@gmail.com Facebook: @vljamesinfo WHETHER as an accompaniment to a lazy Sunday morning or a late night drink in your student bedsit while smoking some ‘exotic’ cigarettes, The Dark Side of The Moon was one of the must-have albums of the 1970’s. It is an astonishing piece of work that broke all the usual music business rules. No title, band name or photo of the band on the cover, and no obvious three-minute single that could be used to promote the album. Although much to the band’s disgust, a four-minute version of Money was released as a single (6.22 on the album). The album’s concept explored greed,
mental illness and the passing of time. A heart constantly beats through the whole album. The lyrical genius of Roger Waters along with the virtuoso musicianship of David Gilmore, Nick Mason and Richard Wright cemented the album’s place in History. Nobody, especially their record label, expected the amount of business ‘Dark Side’ would do (and still does). Released in March 1973 it would spend the next 741 weeks on the Billboard chart.
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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
CHURCH SERVICES
Classifieds
23rd - 29th March 2018
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. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service. The Divine Service, with Mediumship on Sunday 25th March will be taken by Annette Rogers. The Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday 27th March, will be taken by Len Cox. The Divine Service on Sunday, 1st April will be taken by Donna Collins (UK Medium). Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiri tualistcentrebenijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@ gmail.com or info@spi ritualistcentrebenijofar.com Identific acion 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
HOME MAINTENANCE MARKS Home Maintenance services. Painting General Maintenance. Kitchen Unit Renovation. References available. 634 908 475 (259695)
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INSURANCE
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.
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)
LOCKSMITH PHILL THE PICK, LOCKSMITH-24hr. Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded, house safes. Arboleas and surrounding. Special Weekend Rate. Tel 697 243 181 (257799)
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)
PERSONAL
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Services
23rd - 29th March 2018
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REMOVALS & STORAGE
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Sport
23rd - 29th March 2018
Almeria Bowling Club celebrate St Patrick’s Day THE weather was warm, a little windy, but a pleasant day which matched the occasion when members attendede the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations. This year, as usual, it commenced with a Spider won by Pat Deacon, followed by a game of bowls. In order that all those attending were able to play the Captain, John Fitzgerald arranged games of Triples. The Men’s winners were Chris Ewer, Bill Lovett and Ray Bolton and Ladies’ winners were Cath Patrick, Mandy Harris and Jenny Birmingham. The prizes were presented on completion of the competition. This year, Eileen and John Phoenix with the help of others organised everything in a
ALL SMILES: Those members in attendance. magnificent way which included Chris Fitzgerald, Rona Hendr y, Marjor y Scoble, Caro Roberts. Maureen O’Hara, Linda Burgess and a special mention to
Elaine Lovett for her help. The Tombola was also run excellently by Joyce Sheard, Joe Sibley and Carole Hollett. Siobhan Herrity who has in
the past run the St Patrick’s Day in the early days with her late husband Ray and continued herself was surprisingly quiet. She did, however, auction off the bot-
New competition for the 19th
Hole in one! Young Almerian wins Madrid Open ALMERIAN teenage golf sensation Marina Escobar has won the Madrid Open Championship. The 16-year-old finished nine strokes ahead of fellow golfers, Madrid-based Blanca Fernández García-Poggio and Carolina López-Chacarra, and the Murcia Dimana Viudes, however it was not all plain sailing for the teen. Nerves seemed to get the better of her on the final day as she double bogeyed the first hole and added three more bogeys on holes nine, 14 and 15. Her closest competitor, former Team Junior World Champion, Blanca Fernández García-Poggio, added pressure with a spectacular eagle on hole five alongside birdies on the first and 10th. There was just a two-stroke difference between the pair at hole 16, but a great final stretch by the Andalucian saw her birdie in the last three holes of one of the most demanding fields of the Community, was the final blow on the table to prevail in this
tle of whisky, raising €50 for it. The Fancy Dress competition was won by the best Lady, Carol Williams dressed as an Irish Colleen with an orange wig, while the best Man won by Ian Williams dressed with a Leprechaun on his front. A total of €1,005 was raised on the day, which will be given to two charities; this will be given to two charities, MACS and Stepping Stones charity, who deal with Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Representatives of the charities, namely, Elaine Brown founder of MACS and Fanny Davies, founder of Stepping Stones also gave speeches at the event to explain their work and purpose of the charities.
MARINA ESCOBAR: The Almerian won by nine shots. Open Championship of Madrid. Escobar, who first began playing gold aged six, was the Andalucian U18 Champion last year and is now ranked fourth on the National Cadet ranking following the victory. She said: “At the beginning, it took me a bit (of time) to adapt to the change and to live in Madrid, but this quarter I improved everything and it went very well. “I played great the three laps from tee to green, the first two days all came in and today not so much, but I finished with three birdies hitting very good shots. “I was ver y excited to win in a tournament like Golf Santander.”
LUCK was on the side of the 19th as the rain held off and allowed them to play a 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 competition at Valle del Este. This new format proved a winner with the scoring being much higher than expected on fairly slow greens. The winning team of Nick Pogson, Ray Wicking, John Briddon, and Mike Donarski came in with an impressive 98 points, which was only two better than Paco Grajal, Tommy Seed, Eric Greenwood and Chrissie Dow (96). They in turn were also only two better than Sean Curtis, Steve Lawrie, Mickey Smither and Syd Walke r. T h e r e w a s o n l y o n e t w o r e c o r d e d b y Vi n c e Swain on the sixth. Nearest the pins:2nd Sean Curtis. 6th Vince Swain. 8th in 2 Nick Pogson. 12th Paco Grajal. 14th Jerry Edwards. The 19th Hole Golf Society play every week on local courses. For information contact Mike Esposito on mikeesposito54@yahoo.com.
Motoring
23rd - 29th March 2018
31
SPANISH car giants SEAT have announced plans to launch a brand new car ever y six months until 2020. SEAT President Luca de Meo made the announcement at the company’s annual results presentation in Madrid while also telling media how the company’s best year on record in 2017. The first two vehicles to be released as part of the plan will be this year’s SEAT Tarraco and the CUPRA Ateca, both set to go on sale before the end of 2018while next year, the new generation SEAT Leon will be available in dealerships with two variants, the five-door model and the ST family sized version. 2020 will see SEAT’s first fully electric vehicle, built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform and featuring a range of 500 kilometres and, for the first time, the addition of a CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) in the SEAT model line-up. De Meo said: “We can be happy with the 2017 results, but we shouldn’t be satisfied. “Together, we’ve closed a period of consolidation and now it’s time to look to the future with the ambition to grow.” After achieving its best
results in history in 2016, SEAT’S profit after tax in 2017 reportedly grew to €281 million, which is 21.3 per cent more than the previous year’s €232 million. In addition, SEAT’s tur nover reached a record figure of €9.552 billion euros last year, an 11.1 per cent increase on the previous year. This amount was driven by the company’s sales momentum, posting the highest volume since 2001 with 468,400 vehicle deliveries making SEAT one of the fastest growing brands in Europe. SEAT Vice-President for Finance, IT and Organisation Holger Kintscher,
said: “In 2017 we improved all our main financial indicators. SEAT continues to invest in its future and this is generating excellent results. “We completed the largest investment in 25 years, and thanks to this ef for t in renewing and extending our product range, we have established all-time records for net sales, profit after tax before extraordinary effects and operating cash flow. “SEAT’s strategy is working and we have reached our goal of profitability. We are a sustainable company and are ready to face future challenges and finance our growth plans.”
SATISFIED: SEAT President Luca de Meo (centre) said the company can be “happy with the 2017 results.”
CREDIT: TWITTER
SEAT aiming to release a new car ‘every six months’
CREDIT: SEAT
Big plans!
INITIATIVE: The plan will begin with this year’s release of the Seat Tarraco and Cupra Ateca (inset).