Week 120 by TKO UK

Edition 120

www.thecourier.es

Friday, June 7, 2013

KILLER MUM SET FOR JAIL…AGAIN Rapist murderer waits for key verdict By Alex Trelinski A BENEJÚZAR woman who set fire to her 13 year old daughter’s rapist in 2005 will have to go to jail again. That’s after the Alicante District Court upheld a Council of Ministers ruling on April 19th, despite the woman waiting for the results of a sentence appeal from the Supreme Court. The Alicante Court denied defence requests for Maria del Carmen Garcia to be allowed to remain free, because she was suffering from depression and getting care from local clinics and hospitals. But her lawyer has also pleaded for clemency again from the Ministry of Justice, which may delay a return to prison, though she’s said that she’s ready for her sentence. The murdered man, Antonio Soriano had been sentenced for rape for nine

INSIDE TODAY

years in 1998, but was let out on a three-day pass and returned to Benejúzar. While there, he passed his victim's mother, Maria Garcia, in the street and allegedly taunted her about the attack. He is said to have called out "How's your daughter?” before heading into a crowded bar. Shortly after, the

woman walked into the bar, poured a bottle of petrol over Soriano and lit a match. She watched as the flames engulfed him, before walking out. The woman fled to Alicante, where she was arrested the same evening. When she appeared in court the next day in Orihuela, she was cheered and clapped by

a crowd, who shouted "Bravo!" and "Well done!" 69 year old Soriano died in hospital of his injuries. The story of Maria del Carmen Garcia has become a cause celebre in Spain and internationally, as she was given a nine and a half

Continued on Page 3

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Friday, June 7, 2013

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Picture of the Week

JUNGLE DRUMS

This picture was taken of the Sunrise at Pedrera Embalse by BOB RAFFERTY from El Raso Gaurdamar

FAG END FOR GANG A BIG tobacco smuggling ring has gone up in smoke with the Guardia Civil joining international police forces in a dragnet against a multi-nation gang. At least 13 people were involved in the Marbella-based group that made 1 million Euros a month through illegally importing cigarettes into Europe. A British man, as well as an Irish national ran their clandestine operation from the Costa de Sol, along with ten Spaniards and a Belgian. The Guardia Civil said the gang had cre-

A SAD RETURN

THE bodies of a Dutch couple, Ingrid Visser and Lodewijk Severein, who were killed whilst on a visit to Murcia last month, were flown back to Holland on Tuesday. Police arrested a former manager of a volleyball team in Murcia,

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ated an elaborate importation network with the fags being shipped in via Portugal and Belgium, as well as the Spanish ports of Algeciras and Valencia, in addition to a land route that brought in cheap packets from Bulgaria and neighbouring countries. Over 2 and a half million cigarette packets have been seized by the Guardia in addition to 50 thousand Euros in cash and bank accounts being frozen.

Juan Cuenca, and two Romanians- Constantin Stan and Valentin Ion in connection with the killings. They were scheduled to appear before a Murcia court this morning, charged with torturing and murdering the couple.

Banking on a chat

BANKIA’S Santa Pola branch was besieged by protestors angry that three families facing eviction from their houses had not been able for months to fix an appointment to restructure their debts. Some 50 people waved placards and shouted slogans on Wednesday morning, with some of them getting inside the building. Local police and Guardia

Civil officers broke up the demonstration, with the protestors leaving peacefully. They were told that they had no official permission for it to take place, but the affected families were told that they would be seen by bank officials yesterday

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Sunday Sunny High 26° Low 16° Chance of rain 0% Thursday Sunny High 28° Low 18° Chance of rain 0%

Friday, June 7, 2013

MAMMA MAFIA MIA! 20 suspected members of a Mafia group thought to be involved in an international drug-running empire worth around 1.3 billion Euros have been arrested in Spain. The sting operation, carried out in several cities on Tuesday, at the request of Spanish anti-corruption prosecutors, targeted suspected members of the Polverino gang. Polverino members are suspected of shipping hashish from Morocco to Spain and then to Naples in southern Italy. According to Italian police, the clan's leader, Giuseppe Polverino, controlled part of the traffic in drugs between Spain and Italy and an empire worth around a billion euros. He was arrested in March in Jerez de la Frontera.

Members of the Polverino clan are wanted in Italy for membership of a mafia association, attempted murder, extortion, usury, illegal possession of weapons, drug trafficking and money laundering. The group, which operates in the northern suburbs of Naples, is accused of importing hashish into Italy from Spain. Spain's proximity to Morocco, a major hashish producer, has made it a key entry point for drugs bound for Europe. Several Italian mafia clans have transferred their more risky activities such as drug trafficking to Spain. Some Mafia bosses refer to Spain’s Mediterranean coast as ‘Costa Nostra’ or ‘our coast’ as a reference to the Sicilian mafia group, ‘Cosa Nostra’.

N332 tragedy Dole queue down

A 65 year old Dutch tourist was killed in an accident that blocked the N332 between Santa Pola and La Marina last Friday. Jan Verduijin died in Elche hospital on Saturday morning, with the rest of his family: - his wife, daughter, and two grandchildren, including an 8 month old baby admitted to hospital. There was serious concern

over the youngster, but the latest condition report as of Wednesday, said that they were all stable. The family had been staying in Benidorm and according to eyewitness reports, their car was hit head-on by a van that had been overtaking. The 28 year old van driver suffered serious injuries.

KILLER MUM SET FOR JAIL…AGAIN

From page 1

year prison sentence, which was then reduced to five and a half on appeal. She was then pardoned two years ago, but her case then went up the Spanish legal chain to the Council of Ministers(who turned round the clemency on April 19th), and now the matter has gone to the Supreme Court. The Alicante District Court

this week turned down the request of Garcia’s solicitor, Joaquín Galant, to wait for the Supreme Court verdict, and has ordered her immediate return to prison, to continue serving her sentence. With Garcia already having spent a year behind bars in custody, there had been hope that if the Council of Ministers had supported her, she would not have to serv-

ice any further jail time. But it now seems very likely that this week’s ruling from the District Court means that she will have to wait in prison for the Supreme Court judgement. Galant had argued that she would have been better off continuing to receive treatment for her depression, ahead of that final verdict from the Supreme Court.

SPAIN’S jobless total fell below 5 million in May in a rare bit of economic cheer for Mariano Rajoy’s government. Nearly 100,000 people were taken off the overall figure compared to April, but May is normally seen as a month when that happens, with the start of short-term summer contracts in service industries like bars and restaurants. There was though a modest rise in people finding work in the beleaguered construction industry. Spain’s national unemployment figure is now at 4.89 million, with the Valencia region registering a month to month fall of under 11 per cent, with the largest reduction within the

region coming in Alicante Province. The Murcia region recorded a more modest fall of 2.4 per cent. Employment Minister, Fatima Banez, said that the figures “offered some hope”.

Vamos TV

SPAIN continues to be one of the biggest TV watching countries in the world, with May’s figures showing a record number of viewers. Spaniards now watch, on average, just over four hours of TV every day, with some the recent rises being put down to the recession, with more people staying at home. Telecinco is the most popular Spanish TV channel, grabbing just over 13 per cent of all domestic viewing for May, closely followed by another commercial channel, Antena 3 and the publicly-funded, RTVE channels.

RTVE had the most watched news broadcasters in Spain, along with its sports coverage, which had the Copa del Rey final grabbing almost 60 per cent of all available viewers. In stark contrast to many countries like Britain, only 3.7 per cent of Spaniards watch or have access to satellite TV via Canal Plus. That’s despite the subscription service buying up a large portfolio of premium sports and movie rights. The most popular satellite channel on the Canal Plus bouquet in May was FOX Spain, followed by Canal Hollywood.

Beaucoup de frio? GET those winter knickers out of the drawer again, as Spain gets over from the coldest spring in 20 plus years. The French weather TV channel, Meteo, has predicted a 70 per cent chance of this summer being a cold one. Spain, along with Western Europe, is said to be in for the chilliest summer season in nearly 200 years, with just short humid heatwaves plus storms in July and August. The good news? The weather is expected to get better for September and October.

Friday, June 7, 2013

COULD IT BE DAVID’S Chiefs and Monkeys ready to rock DAY ON THE CLAY? COSTA Blanca’s David Ferrer will be looking to lift a big monkey off his back in the French Tennis Open in Paris. Can the amiable 31 year old from Javea get his first grand-slam title of his career, before the spectre of retirement looms large? Today’s semifinal against fellow grand-slam virgin, Jo Wilfred Tsonga(playing of course in his home slam), will be tough to call, but Ferrer has more tricks and experience to offer on the clay, and if he wins, then we have the tantalising prospect of an all-Spanish final at this Sunday at Roland Garros. Rafa Nadal has only ever lost one match in Paris, and

that was back in 2009 to Robin Soderling, though he has hardly been inspiring over the last fortnight. That comes as a surprise, as his return from injury has looked to be largely problem free,

though he did lose to Novak Djokovic in the Monte Carlo final back in April. And so, despite the two men meeting today, I take Nadal to turn over the Serbian in four sets,

and to book his annual Sunday French final. Nadal and Ferrer are great friends, with Ferrer acknowledged as one of the nicest guys on the ATP circuit. The problem is that nice guys often don’t often win, and with Rafa having thrashed him on the clay of Madrid and Rome in the last few weeks, then I can only see one result. Having said all that, you might easily be looking forward to a Djokovic-Tsonga showdown with the whole of France screaming for Novak to lose. Next stop after all this, is the grass court season, and a little event called Wimbledon!

La Marina’s got tapas

La Marina village’s bars and restaurants will be rolling up their sleeves for some friendly competition, this and next weekend, in a contest to find who has the best tapas. The tapas trail will feature 19 venues from today (Friday June 7th) through to Sunday, and again next weekend. A snack and a drink will be available for 1.80 Euros, and specially produced maps will be available, as well as your chance to vote for the venue that has come up with the best food.

WINDS OF CHANGE

WARMER weather seems to be behind a new increase in North Africans trying to sail illegally into Spain. Last weekend, 24 Algerians landed off Cartagena in a patera, before being detained by the Guardia Civil, and taken to the Cruz Roja for medical attention. Further south near Cadiz, seven men were intercepted trying to land in a small boat.

NEXT month’s Benicàssim Rock Festival will go ahead, despite the organisers owing four million Euros. The Valencian music event is the biggest on the Spanish music calendar, but there were fears that the plug might be pulled as the organising company, Maraworld, went into

receivership in February. But a deal has been struck with their creditors, with the four day festival being given the green light to start on Thursday July 18th. Top names lined up include The Killers, Jake Bugg, Dizzie Rascal, Primal Scream, The Arctic Monkeys, and The Kaiser Chiefs.

NO ROOM AT THE INN

BENIDORM’S hotels had their best May in ten years, with Spanish visitors helping to notch up an 87.8 per cent occupancy rate, with all

inclusive deals proving to be especially popular. The main international rises came from British and Belgian tourists. Throughout the Alicante

Province, hotel room bookings for May stood at 66 per cent, which was a rise of 3 per cent on the same month last year.

THE former head of Spanish savings bank Caja Madrid has been ordered back into custody by a judge investigating allegations of mismanagement, a Madrid court said, as the hunt for those at fault for the country's banking crisis gains pace. Miguel Blesa - who chaired Caja Madrid from 1996 to 2009 and left before the bank was merged with six others to form Bankia - was held in jail for a night in mid-May and released after posting bail of 2.5 million euros.

He is being investigated over accusations he mishandled Caja Madrid's 2008 acquisition of a bank in Florida. The judge ordered Mr

Blesa to be jailed and held without bail in light of new information linked to the bank's purchase of City National Bank (CNB) of Florida, the court said.

Bank boss back in nick

Spain this week

BREAKING POINT A man set fire to himself outside a Malaga job centre

on Tuesday lunchtime. The 36-year-old suffered with second degree burns to 63% of his body. “He was clearly desperate after struggling in this recession,” said a local union boss.

ELCHE CHASES MORE TOURISTS

Elche has joined Benidorm and Valencia as a member of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The city sees this as a big boost to increasing its international profile as a tourist destination,

STATUE STATUTE ENFORCED

A Madrid monument that paid tribute to the forces that fought against General Franco in the Spanish Civil War will have to be taken down. It was put up in 2011 to commemorate the volunteers, including those from

Britain, who joined the International Brigades to take on Franco’s fascist supported militia. A court has ordered its removal after it had been erected in the grounds of Complutense University. The judges said it broke university planning regulations. It had been paid for by public donations.

CARRY ON BUYING

British people have been told to carry on buying houses on the Costa Blanca. The Valencian Government’s Planning Minister, Isabel Bonig made the clarion call on a visit to London. She said that Britons are still the largest foreign house buyers in the Valencian Region; though as The Courier reported a fortnight ago, recent figures suggest that Russian purchasers are fast catching up.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Barcelona Essential Out of all of the magnificent cities of Spain, Barcelona is now arguably the most vibrant of all. Had you visited the city before the massive transformation brought about when Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympics. You would never have dreamt that so few years later this city was to be the very essence of modern sophistication that it has become. Until that point it was the works of the exceptionally talented Antonio Guadi and a few other outstanding buildings which includes a 16th Century cathedral and parts of the 1st century Roman city walls, and of course the Rambla were the icons on which the city’s reputation depended. Of the Rambla the famous artist and writer Fredrico Gracia Lorca, was prompted to say “It is the only street in the world which I wish would never end”. When you see for yourself this action packed street full of buskers, entertainers, flower vendors, music and colour, you will understand why he felt this way. Lorca, like so many talented artists including Picasso, Juan Miro, Salvador Dali found themselves seduced by this exciting seaside city of over 1,500,000 inhabitants. Add to these old gems the Olympic facilities built both on land and sea for the 1992 Olympics and you have a city which offers a potent and irresistible combination of old and new which bubbles up into the effervescent excitement which is modern day Barcelona. The works of the eccentric but highly talented Antonio Gaudi are not matched any where else in the world. From La Pedrera (The quarry), An amazing curved mansion which has been built in the centre of the city without a single straight line in its construction, to Park Guell. A park which offers what can only be described as a fantasy “Disney like” creation, to the breathtakingly grandiose pinnacle of his life.

The Sagrada Familia, an enormous cathedral which is so intricately carved as to give the impression that is was formed in some heavenly mould. Sadly Antonio Gaudi was never to see his masterpiece completed, when at the age of 74 his life was brought to an abrupt end when he was knocked down by a tram. This was on 7th June 1926. Three days layer on the 10th of June he succumbed to his injuries. But what a heritage he left to his beloved Barcelona. A young Pablo Picasso also spent 5 years of his early life here from 1901 to 1906. Giving rise to a Picasso museum in the city which has 3,500 works on display including childhood portraits of the artist himself. Other things to see are The Magic Fountain of Montjuic. In the summer months these colourful fountains can be seen dancing to music from 7pm to 7.30pm and again from 8pm to 8.30pm. The there is Pobla Espanola which presents a village made up of replicas of all the most famous buildings in Spain, the massive Camp Nou sports Stadium, which is home to the world famous Barcelona football club. The old gothic centre shows off “old Barcelona., while a huge range of national and international stores, a massive marina, and a stunning open plan Zoo ushers in the new face of the city With so many more attractions this city is such an incredibly exciting place to be. Including a day trip to the stunning monastery at Montserrat, this “David’s Coachtrips SL” excursion to Barcelona for 5 days July 1-5, and costing only 258€ just seems to good to be true. Based in a 4* city centre hotel (with a pool), it includes an introductory city tour,. To reserve your place simply book online at www.coachtripsonline.com or call 966785910. Have a great trip!!

Friday, June 7, 2013

editor@thecourier.es COURIER POSTBAG: YOUR VIEWS ON OUR NEWS

A touch of Brass class

SET up originally in 2002 as a brass group with five players, Just Brass has gone from strength to strength. The past four years has seen the band develop into a full compliment of 30 players and Wednesday this week was a very proud day for them as they created their first CD, which will be available to buy soon. It includes the famous march Blazaway, two magnificent solos by Jayne Illingworth (Blaydon Races)

and Matt Maines (Iona), plus some Spanish favourites including Ampa Rita Roca. It also features The Floral Dance (13 weeks at No.2 in the charts 1977) in honour of brass-band legend Derek Broadbent, who arranged this piece back in 1977 for the world-famous Brighouse and Rastrick brass band. Derek flew in specially to conduct the recording of his most famous piece, after which he honoured us by becoming the newly-appoint-

PETROL SCAM ADDS FIRE TO THE FUEL MY son and daughter-in-law and their two children are coming out to visit us next month and have been looking at car-hire prices. The cheapest vehicle on the DoYouSpain.com website will cost them 161 euros for the week, including insurance etc. The problem is that it is a tiny Smartcar for two people! A decent spacious car like a Volkswagen Golf or a Ford Focus would be around 200 euros – but they are only available from companies that operate the rip-off that ‘inspired’ me to buy a car of my own. They demand payment up front for a full tank of fuel (no doubt at an inflated price) and tell you to bring the vehicle back empty. We all know that is impossible, and the company rubs its hands in glee as it syphons residual petrol from every customer When my wife and I first started making regular visits to Spain, I used to hire a car at Alicante airport for the duration of our stay. We would pick it up with a full tank, and return it after filling up at the service station just before the airport. What was wrong with that system? It was both honest and efficient and you paid for exactly the amount of fuel

ed President of JB Brass Band Costa Blanca. The Costa’s ONLY British brass band for hire, Just Brass is a 30-piece traditional group, great for evening entertainment, pool parties, fayres, fun days - almost any event. We also provide for charity events and have our own compere who injects humour and entertains in between pieces. The musicians give their time voluntarily and all money raised goes towards music and new instruments. To keep up to date with upcoming concerts and for any further info go to www.justbrass.org or call in the first instance Mike on 681 280 313. MIKE THORNTON, Guardamar del Segura

you used. There are also the sometimes endless queues at the car-hire desks. I hate to think how long my son and his family will have to wait in mid-July, start of the peak holiday season. After standing for an hour or more in line in oppressive heat, they would be in no mood to relax. So they are going to do without a car for most of their stay and perhaps hire one locally for a day or two if they want to spread their wings beyond the local sights. It surprises me that more expats don’t make use of what looks like a loophole in their motor insurance. Most cars in Spain are insured for any full licence holder over 25 to drive. Presumably hiring their car out is not permitted...but who knows if money is changing hands in a friendly agreement between friends and neighbours? The car owner is cerrtainly not going to say anything, while the hirer would save a lot of money. What do your readers think? NOBODY’S FUEL, Ciudad Quesada (Name and address supplied)

Don’t forget your details Letters and emails will only be considered for publication if an address and contact number are provided to confirm authenticity

Take note! We have received a q report of Turkish 10 lira notes being passed on the Orihuela Costa for 10 euro notes. Please always check notes received in change as these are identical in colour and size. GEOFF SALTER President & Membership Secretary, Vecinos Cooperando y Colaborando de Espana.

La Finca show was top of the Poppies THE Homes and Garden Exhibition at La Finca was a resounding success for the Royal British Legion Torrevieja Branch 3456. We had a very loyal and excellent working team on both days; they worked extremely hard and deserve all the credit for all the monies raised for the Poppy Appeal. All the officers of the Branch have asked me to convey their special thanks to all concerned who helped over two days. There was a lot of interest shown for new membership, so we hope they will come to our next meeting at Casa Ventura, San Luis, on Friday June 14,

6.30pm for 7.00pm start, followed by a Social Evening of Singing and Dancing at approximately 8pm. You do not have to be ex-Service, please come along and enjoy our company and make new friends. Married couples, partners, widows, widowers or singles are all welcome. Give us a try - you will be pleasantly surprised. The number of Poppies on the Bonnet was 162. The Hamper raffle was drawn by Tommy Walsh and won by our Social Secretary Carol. It was a fair draw by a neutral person. RICK SHIEL, Public Relations Officer Royal British Legion, 3456 Torrevieja Branch

Friday, June 7, 2013

Kilo talk: It’s 13.1 down ...less than three to go I WEIGHED in a day earlier this week as I began the last four weeks of my five-month battle to lose 16 kilos in a sponsored diet for research into Crohn’s Disease in children. I flew to the UK late on Tuesday for some medical tests, so my normal Wednesday check-in at the Beauty and Wellness Centre in Pueblo Bravo was not an option. As it happens, the news

TOTAL LOSS, 18 WEEKS

13.1 kilos (28.8 lbs )

January 10th - 93.2 kilos June 4th - 80.1 kilos Target weight - 77.2 kilos Still to lose - 2.9 kilos was good - I had lost 400 grams (just under 1lb) in five days, taking my total loss since I began the diet on January 10 beyond 13 kilos. The remaining equation is simple. I must lose the last stubborn 2.9 kilos of that 16-kilo target during the remaining 23 days of June - or live in embarrassment for the rest of my podgy life. I won’t be weighed officially for the next two weeks, so see you here on June 21...

AS EYE WAS SAYING The semi-permanent liner is great shakes for my trembly hands, but I draw the line at tattoed eyebrows

I RARELY wear eye make-up these days what's the point when nobody ever looks at me? Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time anyone fanciable gave me the slightest glance, never mind a second one. So why, you may ask, did I suddenly decide to invest in semi-permanent make-up? The answer is that I'm not really sure. But I'm glad I did because I now wake up every morning with a neat black line under my eyes - in the knowledge that the days of black streaks of forked lightning decorating my bottom lashes are gone for ever. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's three years ago and try my best to defy the symptoms. But when I last tried to play darts, I couldn't land the arrows in the same room, let alone anywhere near the dartboard. So the reality of even attempting to apply eyeliner, mascara or any other cos-

metic product to my eyes is that I'd be in grave danger of choking or deafening myself with the applicator. Anyway, the idea of any

Lines drawn...no more forked lightning under my eyes

sort of eye job hadn't even crossed my mind until I walked into the Beauty and Wellness Centre for my weekly weigh-in and found June Hutchinson holding one of her regular treatment sessions there. The vastly experienced beautician is one of the best in the business when it comes to semi-permanent make-up - with the emphasis of safe and non-intrusive eye and lip treatment with minimal pain. June, originally from Newcastle, also warns would-be clients not to be tempted by the lure of cutprice treatment.

painless and there's no doubt the anaesthetic cream helps. But although the tattooing itself takes only five or six minutes, I personally found it uncomfortable. It was a bit like the sensation of a dental hygienist brushing the back of my front teeth with one of those tickly power tools. Move that feeling to under your eyes and spice the tickle with a little pain, and you've got my verdict. But it’s worth it for the end product. The bad news is that you'll need a top-up a couple of weeks after your first session. The good news is that the tattooing is relatively quick - and the top-up is free. Would I have it done again "To have it done properly is - yes, I like the end product, it not cheap,'' she says. "There looks very natural. are people around offering Would I have my eyebrows semi-permanent make-up at done - I might. I would feel bargain basement prices, but less stress, too, with a treatthey could not possibly do ment sited well away from the job at that sort of cost if the sensitive part of the eyes. Would I recommend June? they used top-quality materiYes, she’s treated hundreds als as I do.'' June's normal charges of clients during many years range from £125 for eyeline of practice, any number of tattooing to £250 for eye- whom would vouch for her expertise. brows. June and her assistant Both treatments require Sue Freeman cover a wide two sessions for maximum area from Javea in the north effect - with anaesthetic to Mojacar in the south. cream applied to the target Call 645 698 349 for more area some 20 minutes before information, or contact the treatment. Beauty and Wellness Centre Some people find the in Pueblo Bravo (966 719 entire experience totally 067):

A Diego Boy Trotter?Not our Marcello! I BOUGHT a new car this week. Well, not exactly new…but new to me. It’s actually a 1997 Saab 900 Cabriolet but since it cost just 1,800 euros, I couldn’t say no. After six years driving my little Kia Picanto, I wanted an additional cheapish motor in which I could enjoy the summer sun – and which my daughters and their partners can drive on their visits during July and August. Buying a Saab Cabriolet is not the sort of decision I would ever have contemplated in the UK. And not only because the top would be up and the heating at full blast for roughly 364 days a year . Like most people with little knowledge of the inner workings of motor vehicles, I have always been cautious of buying used cars. Let’s face it, next to a second-hand car salesman, even an MP filling in an expense sheet is regarded in the UK as a pillar of honesty . That suspicion doesn’t seem to apply so much in Spain…or certainly in my

neighbourhood, where it’s hard to find anyone bad-mouthing our local dealer Marcello Rodriguez. I know seven or eight people who have bought cars from him…and to a man (and woman) they all gave me the thumbs-up. Marcello, Chilean born and Italian bred, was once on the books of football giants Fiorentina. His soccer career cut short by injury, he married a Spanish girl from Torrevieja and after studying mar-

keting, kick-started his motor-sales business with just five cars six years ago. Now his compound at El Raso is packed with around 65 vehicles and a clientele he treats as friends rather than a meal ticket. “The client comes first,’’ he insists. “The most important thing is that my customers are happy. I have always had that philosophy and it has made me many friends.’’ Marcello’s premises were originally

protected by a lone dog on security patrol. Now five fierce Alsatians guard the compound after closing time – just stray anywhere near the compound after dark and the place goes barking mad! I can only guess as to whether Marcello’s army of supporters are representative of general attitudes toward used-car salesmen in Spain. Perhaps readers will let me know from their own experiences if the trade here is also littered with Diego- Boy Trotters. In the meantime, I’ll keep you updated on the progress of my beautiful new banger. It has a two-litre engine, 105,000 miles on the clock and began life in the UK, hence it’s a right-hand drive with Spanish registration plates. Whether I will still be a satisfied customer a year from now, only time will tell. What I do know is that I’ve got a lot of car for little money…and that Marcello is happy for his integrity to be put to the test. Jeremy Clarkson, move over…and where’s my head scarf?

Friday, June 7, 2013

BOB'S HIS UNCLE

My personal computer conked out the other day, so I wasted no time in pursuing my other daily activity. 'What are you doing in the pub so early?' asked Dave the barman. 'You should be at home writing your column.' 'Can't,' I sniffed. 'Computer's kaput.' 'Well, there's a respite for The Courier readers,' chortled mein host. Daft Barry s i d l e d over to the bar. ' A r e

you sure you plugged in the

computer?' he ventured. I clapped my hand to my forehead in a gesture of mock realisation. 'That's it, Barry! I didn't plug it in. Why didn't I think of that?'

Daft Barry hung his head in embarrassment and mumbled: 'You're being sarcastic, aren't you?' 'Sorry, Barry,' I mumbled back. 'I shouldn't be taking out my troubles on you. But I feel so frustrated because I know nothing about the new technology. I feel helpless in its presence'. 'When I started off in newspapers, I might pull out a piece of paper from the typewriter and accidentally drop it on the floor. All I had to do was bend d o w n , pick it up, blow off the fag ash and Bob's your uncle!' 'These days, if your computer screen suddenly goes blank you can lose everything unless you know which key to press.'

'The trouble could be your hard drive,' observed Indoor Lou. 'Hmm,' I hmmed. 'I'd already considered that and you might be onto something.' I waited until Indoor Lou disappeared into the indoor loo and turned to the others. 'Hard drive? What is Lou going on about? My idea of a hard drive is spending an hour in the car with Mrs S.' Daft Barry scratched his head. 'What you said before about bending to the floor and Bob being your uncle. I had an Uncle Bob, but he couldn't bend very well. It was something to do with a displaced centre of gravity. If he got down, he couldn't get up again. The doctors said . . .' We all stared at Daft Barry until he took the hint and shut the hell up. At that point, there was a low rumbling sound as Ol' Red Eyes awoke from one of his deep sleeps and commenced to speak. 'I've read some of those

columns that you pen for The Courier, Dave Silver. You might regard yourself as a writer. Your own mother might regard you as a writer. But, believe me, to a writer you are NO writer. And I should know, because I used to teach English before coming to live in this pub.' 'So where did you teach?' asked Dave the barman. 'Was it at the School of Snooze in Sleepy Hollow, Slumberland?' But the sarcasm was lost on Ol' Red Eyes, because he had entered yet another period of dormancy. His snores were loud enough to unsettle the pigeons on the pub roof. 'Now there's an idea,' said Indoor Lou who had come out of the indoor loo. 'Why not use carrier pigeons to transport your Courier columns across the sea to Spain?' I shook my head. 'That wouldn't work. A pigeon's leg can bear only so much weight. It would mean I would have to severely curtail the length of my articles.'

'In which case everybody wins -- the pigeons and The Courier readers,' said Dave the barman. Everyone who was clustered around the bar murmured their agreement. But something was niggling at me. I dug Ol' Red Eyes in the ribs and waited until he opened one maroon eye. 'You referred to my mother before,' I said. 'Well, I'll have you know that she was proud of her boy until the day she passed.' Daft Barry nodded. 'My mum's gone, too. She's not dead though. Mum ran away with my Uncle Bob. Well, SHE ran. Uncle Bob couldn't move very fast. He had to be given a lift to the train station by my father. But Dad still misses his brother.' The pub chat was turning slowly but surely surreal. So I returned home and was greeted by Mrs S at the front door. 'Good news,' she said. 'Your computer's working again. You hadn't plugged it in.'

Friday, June 7, 2013

SAY IT IN SPANISH Learn the lingo - with a little help from JEANETTE ERATH Spanish 74 Welcome back to another week learning Spanish, as ever I trust you are using your vocabulary whenever you get the chance and maybe making a few new friends. We will start with the answers from last week and continue with more about prepositions. Here are the answers to the first set of translations using simple prepositions: we are going to do this work between you and me – vamos a hacer este trabajo entre tú y yo, the students are in the school (el colegio) – los estudiantes están en el colegio, John has sent a card (una tarjeta) from London – Juan ha enviado una tarjeta desde londres, I do not want to go without you – no quiero ir sin ti. Now the answers to the translations with compound prepositions: The shops are far from my house – las tiendas están lejos de mi casa, this meeting ends within an hour - esta reunión termina dentro de una hora, my car is outside the garage – mi coche está fuera del garaje, what is there near to your house? -¿qué hay cerca de tu casa?, do you finish your work on time? - ¿terminas tu trabajo a tiempo? Finally the answers to the last section which was a combination of everything we had learnt: instead of sugar the recipe says honey – en lugar de / en vez de azúcar, la receta dice miel, from time to time I run ten kilometers – de vez en cuando corro diez kilometros, after entering the living room you can sit on the sofa – despúes de entrar al salón, puedes sentarte en el sofá, I am going to close the window without making a noise - voy a cerrar la ventana sin hacer ruido, the supermarket is far from the church – el supermercado está lejos de la iglesia. Continuing with prepositions, as I mentioned last week we covered the uses of por and para in previous lessons, however, I´d like to remind you of some common idiomatic expressions that use por, keep this list as a reference and try and

learn them: por allí/allí – around there, por ahora – for now, por aquí – round here / this way, por cierto – by the way, por Dios – for God´s sake, por ejemplo – for example, por eso – that is why, por favor – please, por fin – finally, por lo general – generally, por lo menos – at least, por lo visto – apparently, por si acaso – just in case, por supuesto – of course, por último – finally.

un principe Me voy a casar con As mentioned last week here are a list of the verbs that need the preposition a or de + an infinitive: remember the preposition is only used to mean the following, e.g: voy a la escuela: comenzar a – to start to, correr a – to run to, decidirse a – to decide to, empezar a – to begin to, invitar a – to invite to,

ir a – to go to, montar a – to ride, sonar a – to sound like, venir a – to come to, volver a – to return (something) to / to (do something) again. Here are some more verbs with different prepositions: acabar de – to have just, casarse con – to marry, consitir en – to consist of, dejar de – to stop (doing something), soñar de – to dream of/about, terminar de – to finish (doing something). There are more but these are the ones I feel you may use or hear most often. Of course there are many verbs that do not require a preposition when in English we would use one, these are more confusing for English speakers as we try and put more words in than are needed, remember the prepositonal a is different to the personal a. Some verbs which do not need prepositions are: apagar – to turn off (a light eg), bajar – to go down, borrar – to cross out, erase, buscar – to look for, caerse – to fall down, escuchar – to listen to, esperar – to wait for, pagar – to pay for, poder – to be able to, poner – to turn on (an appliance), quitar(se) – to take off, sacar – to take out, salir – to go out, subir – to go up. I hope this is all making sense to you. Here are some translations. Do not just think about this week’s work, there will be a mixture. We know there is no point learning one thing one week just to forget it the following week, therefore I will be checking your knowledge of the past year and a half constantly, I know that you know more than you think you do. Translate the following into Spanish: these words sound like lies, I want to come to your party, I have just arrived home, please can you lend me your sunglasses (to lend – prestar), If you want you can pay with a credit card. I´ll be back next week with some more Spanish and I'll be teaching you some useful phrases you can use this summer, if you feel that learning verbs, etc is too difficult right now if you learn them in phrases you will find it easier to put them into context when you want to use them in other sentences. Have a great week, keep studying and enjoying the lovely weather.

Friday, June 7, 2013

NIFTY KITTY MEOWS THE ORDERS Billy gives the kitten another wash

On the way back to our car last week after buying some food in the supermarket, we noticed a ten week old, female feral kitten, lying next to a building. She looked terrified, but would not

move. My wife, Jean, tried to pick her up, but she hissed and tried to run away. As she ran down the street, it was clear to see that her back legs were not working, as they dragged behind her. Jean finally caught up with her and managed to pick her up and we took her to our vet, Cristina, in Pinoso, straight away. Cristina x-rayed the little kitten and the reason why she was so scared was because she was in a huge amount of pain from a broken hip. To operate on the little kitten would cost around 350 euros and we were lucky enough to have this amount in our charity account, after receiving kind donations from members of the public. I know we are a dog rescue charity, but we are not prepared to see any animal suffer and her operation was completed a couple of days later. Although she was a feral kitten, it was clear to see after a few days, that she was getting used to humans and becoming friendlier by the minute. Two days after her operation, we were told we could collect her and she was happy for us to pick her up and make a fuss of her. Animals know when you are there for the good of them and she had now given us her trust in abundance. When she arrived at our house, our six dogs were delighted to meet her. They love cats and their enthusiasm was quick-

ly dampened as the little kitten gave the most almighty of swipes that must have connected and taken out all six dogs at once as they reeled around howling and complaining at the lack of manners of the new arrival! It always amazes me how cats rule the roost over dogs. Here we had a 10 week old kitten who weighed less than a packet of crisps, taking out six dogs at once with a swipe Mike Tyson would have been proud of and amongst her victims was Billy, my eight and a half stone German Shepherd! My six dogs regrouped and pondered on their next move, but almost in unison you could see that when a kitten gives out such an accurate and deadly swipe as she did, only one thing comes from that and that is a huge amount of respect! The kitten looked on, as if to say to the dogs, “I know I am a kitten and I also know I am smaller than Billy’s tongue. I also know that if you all sneezed at once, I would probably next be found in Almeria, but the next time you guys approach me, give me a little more respect, otherwise there’s more where that swipe came from!” The dogs absolutely love her with a passion and Billy is now at her beck and call, as he washes her once in the morning and once at night. We officially have the cleanest kitten in Spain! With one lick of Billy’s tongue, it must be like the little kitten having a power shower each time and she loves all the attention the dogs are giving her. Mother Nature is an amazing thing to witness and watching Billy and my other dogs cleaning her is a blessing and an honour. This is also a reminder of how quick your fortunes

can change from bad to good. Only a few days ago, this kitten was in severe medical trouble, with nowhere to go and no one to look after her. Now she is part of a family of six dogs and three other cats and a huge helping of love. Every penny of the money donated to our charity goes towards helping abused and sick animals. If you would like to donate, you can do, by either sending money to my Paypal account, which is peter@thedogyouneed.com or by sending money direct to our Nat West charity account which is sort code 60-16-03 and account number 73754900. Even the smallest amount of money will help in our passionate work towards saving lives, one animal at a time. Thank you.

PETS’ CORNER: CAN YOU TAKE IN A HOMELESS DOG OR CAT? Daisy and Buttercup were found in an orange grove near Dolores. They will be ready for homes when weaned in about 5 week’s time and will be small dogs about the size of a King Charles. PHONE 600 84 54 20 for more info www.k9club.es

Daisy and Buttercup Rita was born in August 2012 she’s a medium sized black retriever X. She’s a loving and affectionate girl who loves to be close to you. For more info on Rita please call 650 304 746. Email: p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com Rita

Apollo is only just 14 weeks old, he is a Pointer / Breton Cross. He is a happy well socialized little pup. Please call 650 304 746.

LISA is just 2 ½ years old Unfortunately she is still looking for a home to call her own and we don’t understand why she is still here; she walks very well on the lead and is very responsive to her handler and eager to please. 966 710 047

Bagpuss was rescued three weeks ago she had been left her in the street to fend for herself. The feral cats systematically beat her up and tried to rip her throat out. She has Leukemia but the vet says she can live as long as she stays in the house and she is the only cat - please help her if you can. 616655789

Tibby, on the left is tabby and was born about the beginning of April 2013 while Grito is tortoiseshell and as born about the middle of April 2013. To meet them please call Joe (The Cat Man) on 966719272

Born in Jan 2011, Tyson is an all black German Shepherd X. Although he is a large dog, he is still a puppy at heart. He is very friendly and sociable, but he needs to be with someone able to handle a large dog. Call Yvonne 630 422 563.

BOBI is a one year old male Spaniel crossbreed who was seen being thrown from a car at the end of April. He is a loving dog who deserves a loving home; he is now fully vaccinated, micro chipped and castrated. 966 710 047

Lisa

Bagpuss

Tibby and Grito

Tyson

Bobi

Friday, June 7, 2013

LÍNEA DIRECTA REACHES 2 MILLION CUSTOMERS AND BEATS ITS PROFITS RECORD In clearly difficult economic times, with the insurance sector decreasing for the fourth consecutive year, Línea Directa Aseguradora has closed 2012 with the highest profit levels in its history: 121.5 million euros before tax, representing an increase of 13% on the previous year. There have been three main reasons for this: the sharp rise in the number of customers, effective underwriting risk management and the improvement of all the company’s processes and services, which have enabled it to reduce expenses without diminishing the scope of the cover offered. As a result, the total number of policies, which since last February has exceeded two million, rose by over 105,000 last year, mainly thanks to the Home Insurance Area, which in the 5 years since it was launched, now has over 230,000 policies without having resorted to mergers or acquisitions. The International Area, a strategic business Línea Directa offers its foreign policyholders living in Spain all its services in English and German. As a result, purchasing the policy, making enquiries, dealing with accidents, sending documentation and 24-hour road assistance can all be carried out both in English and German, at a time which suits the policyholder and with only one phone call. In addition, Línea Directa’s International Area offers its policyholders a translation service which they can use for dealing with repairers. The International Area is a key strategic factor for Línea Directa, through which the company offers its foreign customers totally exclusive services, discounts and offers.

Call now: 902 123 104

Friday, June 7, 2013

WHAT PRICE FOR A CHILDS INNOCENCE?

There’s been a lot of news coverage over a very sensitive subject, and it’s been splashed on the front pages of the British papers, because of big murder trials. But it should not be an issue and should never have to be front page news. I’m talking about child pornography, due to cases like that of Mark Bridger who was found guilty of murdering April Jones, and Tia Sharp’s killer, Stuart Hazell. You may wonder why I believe porno websites should not be front page news? Of course those stories about the criminals who went onto those sites and then went on to kill children must be reported, but these should no specific mention of particular sides that host child pornography. They are illegal and should not be freely accessed by anybody.. Research has shown that one in six men who view the sites go on to abuse children, and this is no surprise. It doesn´t take a genius to realise that men who view sites showing horrific abuse of children have serious mental problems and the only surprise to me is that the figure isn´t higher. There is no place in a decent society for these sites to exist, but they do and so what can be done to make it harder for paedophiles to view them? After it became known that Bridger found sites after putting names into internet search engines, why hasn´t anything been done to stop it. Why hasn´t say Google stepped up and said:- ´Ok we will police the Internet better and make it harder to find these sick images´? And why hasn´t the UK government led by the Conservative Party done more to

push them into it? It´s also no secret that the Tories have a close relationship with Google, but now we have to ask, at what price? I read that the internet search engine companiess are unwilling to place access restrictions on those sites because they could lose millions of users causing the inevitable fall in advertising revenue, but again I ask, what price a child's innocence? Even a child’s life? Apparently there are ways to access legal pornography if you are that way inclined, but there are at least ways of stopping it for the under 18’s. John Carr of the Childrens Charities Coalition says that a search engine can automatically block access to all hardcore pornography, and you could only get those sites by setting up a special Google account, where you would have to verify that you are aged 18 or over. The Coalition believes this would be a huge deterrent for many younger people, with hardcore porn being a stepping stone to viewing child porno and other illegal sites. I’m fed up with people complaining that their human rights have been violated in one way or another, and for anyone wanting to jump on the human rights bandwagon on this issue. I’m also annoyed by the do-gooders that say that people who view hardcore porn don´t always go on to view images of children .I say, you´re correct in that assumption and no one has ever said that they do. But surely those that want to view legal sites will have no problem setting up an account and viewing whatever they like. If it´s not illegal,

then what´s the problem?. I think it´s far more important to stop a child being physically violated than worrying that someone's internet usage is being checked and their human rights violated. David Middleton of De Montfort University analysed 213 online offenders and 191 paedophiles who had physically abused children. He said that “ the majority of people who watch child porn do not appear to escalate their behaviour, but a substantial minority do. Various studies have put this somewhere between one in six and one in ten” At the end of the day, each one of those images that these men are looking at are as a result of a child being abused. For me the issue is not just how many who view it go on to abuse a child. The issue is also what about those children in the photos or videos? They are also victims and will have to live with the abuse for the rest of their lives. At the moment, Google and other search engines companies will not act, nor take any responsibility for what can be found on their sites, I have read a quote from a spokesman saying they are working with organisations to proactively find these sites and report any to the appropriate legal authorities after removing it, and they have a zero tolerance policy on child sexual abuse content. Which, after knowing what Mark Bridger could access, doesn´t seem to be working too well! I guess that´s the answer to my own question. The price of a child’s life and innocence seems to equal the price of an advert on a search engine.

Friday, June 7, 2013

CAM'S THREE YEARS OF NOWT

Over three years ago, in the 2010 UK General Election campaign, David Cameron said that the next big problem for Parliament’s integrity was that of lobbyists having too much power over MPs and Peers. So, what’s he done about it since he’s been in power? Absolutely nothing! The old ‘Cash for Questions’ row at the turn of the decade, reduced the status of politicians to that of a third-rate backs t r e e t

deliver after three years on a variety of fronts, surely you cannot be surprised that the voters end up trusting absolutely nobody? Switzerland is not a bookie, and the latest set of guy a few times and enjoyed BBC that it was a fault of the member of the greedy pigs, trapped by interviewing him because he way banking was allowed to European Union, but it secret filming, leads most wouldn’t be a Tory puppet, develop, which sounded like seems to be doing very niceintelligent folk to think that but his strings have well and code to me over the way truly been clipped in this Gordon Brown let the institu- ly at the heart of Europe. It’s nothing’s changed! got low unemployment; high Nottinghamshire MP, shabby tale. The problem is tions run amok over a growth; and a strong currenPatrick Mercer, quit the that the voters of Newark can decade ago. It should be cy. Now they’ve introduced a Tory whip after a BBC sting do nothing about it, because remembered that he rejected quota on EU workers coming that found him happy to hand he is still their Member of calls from people like Lib into the country, because over a House of Commons Parliament until the 2015 Dem Vince Cable to rein the “foreigners” from countries security pass to a lobbyist. Election. In America, there is banks in, whilst he and Tony like Spain and Portugal, are Meanwhile, three Peers were a power of re-call if people Blair were happy to brown making up a quarter of the videoed by The Sunday get angry over their repre- nose them and hand out the population. Lo and behold, Times happy to do a money sentative, and this was also odd knighthood and peerage the European Commission deal to help a fake solar promised by Cameron in here and there. Like with the have got every upset and energy company. I’m actually 2010. You can bet every politicians and the lobbyists, told the non-EU Swiss, that nothing seems to have happenny that both Labour and sad about Mercer, as bringing in a quota like that I’ve met the Lib Dems will remind him pened over the last three could jeopardise relations. If I years to bring the banks to of his inaction on those fronts the in two years time! And what- order. Sir Mervyn also made lived in Berne, Basle, ever did happen to clipping a telling point that “politicians Geneva, or Zurich, I ’d know the wings of the useless ought to be given space exactly what to tell these instead of people demanding unelected cretins to do! House of Lords? “The public have every immediate solutions”. I have Haven't they got enough EU right to be angry over a measure of agreement with member countries to mess the banks”, so says outgoing this, as making tough eco- up, rather than poking their Bank of England boss, Sir nomic changes does take noses into one that has been Mervyn King. He told the time. But when you fail to a constant success story?

Friday, June 7, 2013

ALFRESCO RECIPES MARINATED FETA IN THYME & CHILLI OIL Ingredients

100ml olive oil 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus a few extra for scattering 4 garlic cloves, sliced ¼ tsp dried chilli flakes 140g semi-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained 175g pack or jar artichoke hearts in oil 2 x 200g packs feta cheese 85g Kalamata olives

Method

1. Tip the olive oil and thyme into a bowl and blitz with a hand blender. Stir in the garlic, chilli and lots of black pepper (but no salt). You could add some of the oil from the tomatoes and artichokes, too. 2. Cut each block of feta into 4 and arrange in a dish or a food container with the tomatoes, artichokes and olives. Spoon over the herby oil, scatter with extra thyme and leave to marinate in the fridge overnight.

PRAWN BRUSCHETTA SKEWERS Ingredients

200g cooked large prawns (you want about 16) ¼ ciabatta, focaccia or a baguette loaf, cut into cubes 1 tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, finely sliced 1 lemon, halved handful parsley leaves, roughly chopped 8 skewers

Method

2. Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl until stiff. Slowly add the sugar, still whisking, until stiff and glossy. 3. Fold in the almond extract, vinegar and ground almonds until lightly incorporated. Pour into the Swiss roll tin and smooth over, tapping the tin to remove any big air bubbles. 4. Bake for 30-35 mins or until the top is golden and feels firm and set. Remove from oven, cover with baking parchment and a damp tea towel. Leave to cool. 5. To serve, whip the cream until thick. Spoon a third into a piping bag and set aside. Invert the roulade onto a large sheet of baking parchment sprinkled with icing sugar. Carefully peel off lining paper and spread over the lemon curd, then spread over the rest of the cream. 6. Roll up carefully, using the paper to help you. Pipe the remaining cream on top of the roulade, and decorate with flaked almonds and strawberry halves.

1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 1 hr before using. If the skewers are really long, use kitchen scissors to halve. On each skewer, thread the tail of the prawn, then a cube of bread, then the top of the prawn so the prawn loops the bread. Drizzle with olive oil and scatter with garlic. The skewers can now be kept in the fridge for several hrs. MEDITERRANEAN POTATO SALAD 2. Cook over the hot coals until the bread is toasted. While Ingredients still on the barbecue, squeeze over the lemon. Then remove, season, drizzle with a bit more oil and scatter with parsley. 1 tbsp olive oil Arrange on a plate or in a small jar sticking up, with a glass 1 small onion , thinly sliced 1 garlic clove , crushed of something light, cold and very fizzy. 1 tsp oregano , fresh or dried ½ x 400g can cherry tomatoes ALMOND & 100g roasted red peppers , from a jar, sliced 300g new potatoes , halved if large LEMON 25g black olives , sliced MERINGUE handful basil leaves , torn

ROULADE Ingredients

4 large egg whites 225g caster sugar 1 tsp almond extract 1 tsp white wine vinegar 50g ground almonds 300ml double cream 1-2 tbsp icing sugar 6 tbsp lemon curd 1 tbsp toasted flaked almonds 3 strawberries , halved, to decorate

Method

1. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and line a Swiss roll tin (about 23 x 30cm) with baking parchment.

Method

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the onion and cook for 510 mins until soft. Add the garlic and oregano and cook for 1 min. Add the tomatoes and peppers, season well and simmer gently for 10 mins. 2. Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water for 10-15 mins until tender. Drain well, mix with the sauce and serve warm, sprinkled with olives and basil.

Friday, June 7, 2013

RICHARD CAVENDER

Bluemoon Solutions www.bluemoonsolutions.es

BlueMoon Solutions is the computer and IT services company on the Costa Blanca, they provide quality computer services at realistic prices and specialise in working with home users and small businesses.

Richard moved to Spain seven years ago having left his management background behind in the UK and decided to use his IT skills to help home users and small businesses with their PC problems. Now a relaxed 'computer man' he is out and about in the Spanish sun every day, making house and shop calls and using his vast experience and qualifications to (usually) sort out the problem there and then. Computers are his hobby as well as his work so don’t be surprised to get an answer to your email in the early hours!

ADVICE: John was having problems booking a medical ADVICE: Brenda was trying to get UK TV via 3G appointment online since the website has been updated Hi Richard, I live I the Jalon Valley but use a caravan in summer to explore Spain!

Q A

Richard, has there been a change to booking a medical appointment on the www.san.gva.es web site? The three options seemed to of disappeared and replaced by "noticias". Please can you have a look and check if it has changed. Regards, John Hi John, yes they do seem to have updated the website a little – about time really! If you go to the main website that you mention www.san.gva.es and then select “Trámites” from the menu bar and then “Solicitud de Cita Previa” you will see a familiar page, just click “Cita por internet” on the left hand side and you should be back to where you want.

ADVICE: David wanted to know about Internet access whilst at his holiday home Hello Richard, I have a holiday home in Gran Alacant, we try to get over at least 3 times a year. I like to go on line but do not want to commit myself to monthly payments for the internet. When I am over all I want the internet for is my emails and occasionally social networking. I was thinking of investing in a pay as you go dongle when I am over. Are there any that you could recommend, also is it possible to use the dongle on more than 1 laptop, i.e. once I have finished could my wife connect it to her laptop. Regards Dave

Hi Dave, it is certainly possible to use a pay as you go dongle to get Internet connection, however it’s quite an expensive option, you can even use the dongle on multiple computers if you place the SIM card in a MiFi type device, but again it’s still an expensive way of connecting to the Internet. Given that you are in Gran Alacant, perhaps you should speak to one of the wireless Internet providers there, GranNet is one and Gran Alacant TV also offer a service in the area, I understand that one of either of these providers offer a holiday package that will allow you to suspend the service when you are not using it, they both certainly provide Internet that will be vastly superior to that of a dongle and in the long run may well be cheaper. Hope this helps, come back to me if you need any more information.

I have an iPhone iPad and Mac book pro. I can get 3G connections using my phone if the site is poor Internet connection. I can't seem to get BBC or ITV I player or catch up. I have downloaded hotspot shield which is for Mac as expat shield don't seem to want to download. I still get the message saying I am abroad. I know others view TV from their laptops. Can you advise please? Hi Brenda, I have never managed to get UK TV working via 3G either with a VPN or with an ex-pat shield type solution. There “shouldn’t” be a difference between 3G and normal Internet but there clearly is as it’s never worked for me either – maybe one of our readers has it up and working and can help?

ADVICE: Angus was having problems with Outlook.Com and Internet Explorer 10

Q A

Hi Richard, since Microsoft Outlook changed where to click to attach files, I haven't been able to attach anything. A blue square appears with the legend "uploading 0 of 1" then Internet Explorer (v10) just stops working. Any Ideas? Many thanks

Hi Angus, you would think that because both Outlook.Com and Internet Explorer 10 are products of the same small software company (called Microsoft) then they would be very compatible wouldn’t you, but like all new things there are a few teething problems. In this instance I would recommend resetting Internet Explorer, you can do that by clicking on Tools > Internet Settings and then click on the Advanced tab, from there you can follow the prompts to reset the browser.

Don’t forget you can follow me on twitter @bluemoonspain Alternately why don’t you sign up for my newsletter. You can do this by going to:www.bluemoonsolutions.es and fill in the form that is on any page except the front page.

office@bluemoonsolutions.es www.bluemoonsolutions.es Mobile: 655 044 970

Office: 902 906 200

Friday, June 7, 2013

DIABETES AND EATING: By eating a healthy diet you can help to control your diabetes. Do not cut out any foods completely. Rather include balanced amounts of all types of foods.

Basic dietary guidelines: ■ Do not miss meals. Have three small meals during the day, with s m a l l

Foods to eat and avoid

snacks in between. ■ Enjoy a variety of foods daily. ■ Make starchy foods the basis of most meals. Include starches that have a low glycaemic index (meaning that they do not raise the blood sugar too quickly) such as rye bread, whole-wheat seed loaf, bran cereal, sweet or baby potatoes,

durum wheat pasta. ■ Eat fats sparingly. Use lower fat spreads; do not deep-fry foods; use a limited amount of vegetable oil for cooking; limit fats such as mayonnaise and avoid creamy sauces. ■ Include some avocados and seeds or nuts as these provide roughage, vitamins, minerals and essential oils. ■ Enjoy lower fat pro-

teins such as skinless chicken; grilled/baked/steamed fish; ostrich fillets; extra lean minced beef and lean pork cuts; boiled or poached eggs. Other great proteins to include are tuna in brine, pilchards and sardines. ■ Eat dry beans, peas, lentils and soy regularly. These provide protein and are an excellent source of roughage. Baked beans on toast are an excellent choice for a meal. Add lentils and beans into meat

and chicken dishes, and soups. ■ Use fat-free milk and fat-free cottage cheese. There are many low fat cheeses and fat-free or low fat yogurts available to include in your diet. ■ Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits daily (at least 5). Try a variety of different colours of vegetables and salads, e.g. green beans and corn/spinach and butternut/peas and raw carrot sticks/ green salad and beetroot salad. Eat 2-3 fruits a day, e.g. apples, oranges, peaches, pears, kiwi fruit, berries. Avoid fruit juice unless you are exercising. ■ Avoid sugar in tea/coffee and sugar-rich cold drinks and/or “sports drinks” unless undergoing a strenuous exercise program.

■ Not all foods that include sugar have to be avoided. A good principle is to avoid the food if sugar is amongst the first three ingredients on the ingredient listing. ■ Use salt sparingly as diabetics may be more prone to developing high blood pressure (hypertension). Use herbs, fresh garlic and ginger, lemon juice, etc. to add flavour to foods. ■ Small amounts of alcohol can be included but must always be controlled — consult your doctor first. Always have with a meal; never on an empty stomach. ■ Use artificial sweeteners sparingly. ■ Be active. Walking and any planned exercise are great ways to help control your blood sugar. Have a small snack before you exercise, especially if you are a Type 1 diabetic.

WHY WHEAT MAY BE DAMAGING YOUR HEALTH It may be fair to suggest that all foods that have come naturally to us humans are good for us. But it may surprise you to learn that wheat we eat today is not at all natural. It has been genetically modified. Many health experts are starting to recognise wheat for the nightmare food it really is. It may shock you to realize that 2 slices of whole grain bread will raise your blood sugar levels higher than 6 teaspoons of sugar. The story of the wheat we now consume starts sometime in the 1970s. Scientists for good reason wanted to improve on the existing wheat plant, to improve on its yield and ability to withstand adverse weather. Prior to then, wheat was a

DR MACHI MANNU’S ADVICE CLINIC Email your questions and comments to contact@medb.es

different plant. It was a much taller plant, in comparison to the semi-dwarf strain available today. This new strain of wheat was never tested for safety before it was introduced to us as food. It is an entirely different species of wheat. It contains more chromosomes than older natural strains of wheat such as; Einkorn, Emmer, and Spelt. We now know that the genetic changes in the newer strains of wheat accounts for their dangerously higher levels of toxins. These toxins are responsible for the danger wheat poses to your health. Wheat is a grain and

generally grains are poor quality foods. This is because grains contain a protein composite known as gluten. And there is more of it in modern wheat than in older strains of wheat. Gluten comprises of 2 components – Glutenin and Gliadin. Glutenin is like glue and gives wheat its doughy, twisty nature. Gliadin is the cause of coeliac disease. It is also an appetite stimulant, and the cause of obesity epidemic facing many societies. Wheat is also recognised as a major cause of heart disease. It increases levels of small particle LDL (low density lipoprotein)

which inflames arteries. It is small LDL and not cholesterol that is responsible for heart disease. Recently it was discovered that gliadin protein in wheat plays an even more sinister role in the body by uncoupling tightly bound intestinal cells. This allows deadly wheat toxins known as lectins inside our blood stream, causing severe inflammation. Lectins are like the immune system of plants, and protect them against infections. Lectins are mostly harmless compounds. But those found in wheat known as wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), are toxic to the body. Whole grain wheat is commonly touted as being healthy for you because it contains complex carbohydrates. It is true that complex carbs are healthy for us because they promote healthy blood sugar levels. But wheat contains a weird complex carb known as amylo-pectin A. And unlike other complex carbs, its digestion starts in the mouth, causing unhealthy spikes in blood sugar. So what benefits await us when we commence on a wheat free diet? Well, without the appetite stimulation of wheat, most people notice dramatic weight-loss, especially a reduction in waist line. Diabetics will also notice that their blood sugar

levels are better controlled and they require less medication. Joint pains vanish or ease off considerably. Many heart symptoms also disappear. And the skin looks better. I have seen these improvements and many more from my patients. If you have a chronic illness,

perhaps you should get off wheat for 3 months and see how you feel. You will surely notice a difference in your health. For inspiration visit: www.thegiftifonlyyouknew.c om. FOR A FULL BODY DIAGNOSTIC SCAN PLEASE CALL 965071745 AND BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Friday, June 7, 2013

BONES OF CONTENTION Q

Dear Doctor, My husband has suffered from osteoarthritis for many years. The main problem now is he is getting worse. He has been told he’ll need new knees, but we certainly don’t want to go down that road. He takes calcium, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate which helped initially, but doesn’t seem to be doing very much now. I read your column with interest and will appreciate any advice you can give us.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is generally age-related and symptoms start to occur around middle age. The ends of our bones are lined with cartilage which acts like a shock absorber, and also prevents bone-on-bone rubbing. In OA, the cartilage becomes worn down and thin, exposing the raw ends of bones and causing intense pain and joint stiffness. Our bones need many nutrients to maintain its structure. Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in our bones, but there are many other nutrients as well. In any case, calcium cannot be absorbed into the body without an equal amount of magnesium. So taking calcium supplements alone will not provide much benefit. Boron is also essential for maintaining adequate bone health. Without boron, vitamin D cannot be properly utilized by the body. And vitamin D is needed for the absorption of Calcium. Boron also prevents the loss of calcium and magnesium urine. Boron and Zinc are known as micronutrients. We require them in tiny amounts unlike calcium and magnesium that are needed in larger quantities. Zinc stimulates the production of bone forming cells (osteoblasts), while blocking the production of bone dissolving cells (osteoclasts). Amino acids are commonly neglected by doctors, but play a

vital role in bone health. Amino acids are produced in the body when proteins are digested. There are 22 essential amino acids. They are essential because our bodies cannot make them, and so we rely on our diet to get them. Methionine is an essential amino acid, and is known as a donor of sulphur to the body. Sulphur is one of the most useful nutrients for the formation of cartilages. Research has shown that the cartilage of healthy people have 3 times more sulphur than those suffering from osteoarthritis. Methionine also reduces joint inflammation and stimulates the formation of new cartilage tissue. The amino acid arginine is necessary for the formation of the complex matrix that gives bone its structure. Some researchers believe that arginine deficiency is responsible for high rates of osteoporosis in women. A good multivitamin supplement is a better option than the calcium you are taking. Single nutrients are not a good choice because nutrients are better absorbed together. You should also consider taking a good amino acid supplement. Laminine is an excellent choice.

Q A

Is soy good for you?

Fermented soy if eaten moderately can be beneficial to your health. Unfortunately soy products sold in health shops and supermarkets are highly processed, unfermented toxic forms of soy. Soy is traditionally eaten in Asia, especially Japan, and was relatively unknown everywhere else until very recently. It became popular when it was hyped as the reason behind Japanese longevity. However we now consume 30 times more soy than the Japanese. And they only eat fermented soy. Soy contains a number of

toxic chemicals. And for this reason it has to undergo prolonged fermentation before it becomes fit for human consumption. Phytates are toxic compounds found in soy. They prevent the absorption of minerals such as; calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc by binding to them. Soy also contains potentially deadly haemaglutinins. These chemicals bind to red blood cells, and by doing so prevents oxygen from reaching the cells and tissues of the body. The resulting oxygen depletion can be felt as muscle weakness and muscle pain. Soy also contains high amounts of chemicals known as isoflavones and genistein. These block or mimic the female hormone – estrogen. Studies have confirmed that women, who consume up to 2 glasses of soy milk daily, may be disrupting their menstrual cycle. In men, these phytoestrogens cause breast enlargement – gynaecomastia. Soy also contains goitrogens. These bind to thyroid hormones, causing dysfunctions in metabolism and other thyroid problems. Soy also contains high levels of aluminium, because of the intense processing it undergoes. Soy is now added to baby formula, and is known to cause thyroid problems in babies. Soy based foods are also known to cause kidney stones. Soy is also known to weaken the immune system. This is due to the oestrogen like substance it contains known as genistein. One study also showed that genistein in soy may impair sperm as it swims towards the egg. Researches have even suggested that women should avoid soy in their fertile days to aid conception.

PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO: contact@medb.es

Friday, June 7, 2013

BE A FULL-TIME MP OR QUIT!!!

IT didn't take long, did it, before we heard about more politicians on the make? This time it's MPs and Lords allegedly willing to accept money to lobby in the House or to ask questions in support of a particular cause. It's surprising how easy it seems to be for investigative journalists to be able to dangle carrots in front of the noses of politicians and for them to eagerly snatch the bait. I find it obnoxious that MPs can't manage to live on their £60,000 plus yearly salary, as well as their very generous expenses, and they still have to resort to finding other ways of making money. MP's and Peers should be prepared to devote their time exclusively to their constituents and their parliamentary duties, and not to accept directorships or look for money to support a variety of causes. If they are not prepared to accept those undertakings, they should get the

hijacked by some people's soppy emotions and of course the rent-a-mob brigade have to jump in on the act.

hell out of public life. An MP who accepts directorships of companies cannot devote all his or her time to parliamentary work and could easily have vested interests too, especially if legislation is being discussed which could affect the profits or taxes of those private companies they are involved in. Similarly, an MP is hardly likely to genuinely support a particular cause if the principal reason for raising an issue in parliament is to get some money. The law should be made abundantly clear. An MP is an MP only, who accepts no other money other than the salary and expenses of an MP. All company dividends and investments should be declared, with failure to do so resulting in instant dismissal. How on earth can an MP

treatment, which is putting the system under strain. The EU says far too many holidaymakers end up being put under pressure to part with cash for hospital treatment or are asked for insurance details. It’s funny how this EU action seems to get a big thumbs up from Brits contemplating a holiday in the Spanish sun. Fickle or what!

possibly do the job properly if only half of their time is devoted to it? Either be an MP or not, it should be as simple as that!

We’ve had a couple of stories hitting the headlines which show how the British public can view EU membership in totally oppos-

ing ways. Brits reacted angrily to the news that the UK might be taken to the European Court for allegedly discriminating against EU nationals in a bid to prevent benefit tourism. Britain has been applying a residency test to restrict access to a number of social security benefits that would otherwise be available to those coming to the UK from another EU member state. The problem is that the benefits are so much greater in the UK than in other parts of Europe, which means that the UK is a magnet for benefit tourists. News that the EU may take Britain to court to force it to allow the rest of Europe access to UK benefits without ever contributing a penny to Britain, has angered many and is making a vote for UKIP ever more attractive. David Cameron has pledged to fight the EU on the issue every step of the way, but growing numbers of people see only one solution, and that is to get out of the EU as quickly as possible.

The other story, which was in last week’s Courier, put a completely different stance to EU membership. It was over British tourists' rights to emergency medical treatment through European Health Insurance Cards. A growing number of Brits have complained that when they visit Spanish hospitals seeking emergency treatment they have been asked for credit card, or holiday insurance details. And now the European Commission is threatening legal action against Spain for allegedly not accepting the European cards. Spain’s problem is that it annually attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists and an estimated 30 a week need some kind of emergency hospital

Judging by how many of us now seem to be sporting many tell-tale red lumps over our bodies, the mosquito season is back with us again! If there's one thing I hate, its mosquito bites. They drive me crazy! This year we invested in a big and powerful insect zapper. It shows a blue light which attracts insects, and mozzies in particular, and if they touch any of the workings they are instantly fried. Brilliant stuff revenge at last. One night I left our conservatory door open with the zapper shining its "welcoming" light and it killed at least a hundred, the tray at the bottom filled with burnt remains. It got me thinking how effective it would be if these killers were everywhere. In a few years the mosquito population would be decimated; dreaded Scottish midges would be a thing of the past; and the Spanish mosquito, with their hob-nail boots, would no longer spoil our summer enjoyment. So, let's start a campaign to get an insect killer as commonplace in people's homes as the TV, microwave or washing machine!

Still on the subject of ridding the world of pests, I was sad to hear about 200,000 people signing a petition to stop badger culling in the UK. It's a fact that badgers spread TB in cattle. People need cows for milk and for meat, and serve an extremely useful purpose for the well-being of the human race. Badgers contribute nothing. You don't see any except in a road kill situation, because they are nocturnal. If badgers didn't have fur but scales; didn't look cuddly; and instead of passing TB to cows they passed it to humans, they would have been exterminated long ago. The one thing that annoys me more than anything is when sensible decisions are

An increasing number of UK people are turning their back on religion and it's now estimated that in 20 years there will be more Muslims praying in UK Mosques, than there will be Christians in churches:- an idea which just 50 years ago would have been completely unthinkable. In just ten years there has been a decrease in people in England and Wales identifying themselves as Christian, from 71% to 59%. Half of British Muslims are under 25, while a quarter of Christians are approaching their 80th birthday or older. The religious shift was brought into stark focus by a newspaper which photographed the congregation at two east London churches - around 20 in each, lost in buildings designed to accommodate around 1,000. The pictures were in contrast to that of a local Mosque, designed to accommodate 200 and there were so many worshippers, that they spilled over into the street. Of course, there are UK Christian churches which boast many more than 20 people going to services, especially in villages and small towns where a sense of community and belonging still prevails:- a far cry from the remoteness of life in London's East End. But there is no doubt that Christianity and faith is on the decline in Britain, and with it a decline in people's moral fibre: - the sense of right and wrong and the ability to think of anyone other than number one. A sad indictment for the future.

Remember the dinosaurs that grew bigger and bigger, mainly because food was so plentiful. Well, it seems that British man is going the same way. Debenhams has reported a mega size increase in men's clothes sizes and we're beginning to see the creation of XXXXXL man. Thanks to an abundance of nutritional food, medical science and evolution, people are growing bigger - outwards and upwards. And scientists see no immediate end to this growth spurt in the UK. Debenhams say they have to increase men's clothes sizes every year! Mankind may be developing the same way as the dinosaurs did, but I seem to remember that the dinosaurs did come to a sticky end!

Friday, June 7, 2013

JETT AWAY FOR A HAPPIER LIFE TWO horses have a better life to look forward to, thanks to the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre in Rojales. Jett is aged two, and was found badly malnourished and with serious leg deformities. He was spotted in a bad way by a walker, and the owner was persuaded to hand him over to the Centre. Jett’s deformities were apparently

caused by him contracting a virus as a newly born foal, which developed into septic arthritis in his joints; not helped by the neglect that he suffered. Sue Welding from the EHCRC Foundation said: - “We are trying to work with Jett’s horrible deformities. Our farrier, Enrique, has made some special shoes to help support Jett’s joints, and hopefully if things go well, we should be able to operate on him in around two years’ time. The horse is full of life, and so we have a great chance of giving him a good life with us at the Centre”. The other new resident is a grey mare called Crystal, who was found by a Guadalest riding school owner in a skeletal state. She was horrified by Crystal's condition, and made contact with the Horse Centre at Rojales. Sue Welding commented: “Sadly, because of the recession, there are thousands of brood mares that are now simply being left to starve to death because there is no demand to buy young

TORRY GIRLS STRIKE SILVER

Torrevieja’s swimmers grabbed two silver medals in a big meeting at La Nucia last Sunday. The Valencia region’s top swimmers got together for the first of the annual competitions featuring talent from twelve of the area’s major clubs. Club Natacion Torrevieja’s Zoe Connolly nabbed silver in the 100 metres Backstroke event, and then Paula Garcia added to the medal tally with a second place in the 100 metres Freestyle.

From them to you

horses anymore. Maybe you can’t change the world by saving one horse, but you can change the whole world for the horse that you save”. You can find more information on the work of the EHCRC foundation at their website www.easyhorsecare.net or by calling Sue Welding on 652 021 980.

Beatles fans are in for a treat next Friday (June 14th), when Spain’s top Fab Four tribute band hits the area. The Liverpool Band have just played a sell-out tour of France with the four Spanish band members earning a worldwide reputation for re-created the great Mersey sound of the sixties.

They’ll be playing at Los Cucalos in Los Dolses from 8pm in a show that’ll be compered by Nick Gold. There’ll also be a raffle for the Elche Children’s Home. Tickets for the show are 17.50€, which includes a 3 course meal. You can book via the website, www.lrshows.com or Phone: 697 501 992

WELCOME BREAK INJURED ex-servicemen and women will get the chance to go on holiday in this area, thanks to a 1250 Euros donation from Help Murcia Mar Menor. The ‘Holidays for Heroes’ charity was formed 5 years ago by ex-soldiers who had been injured and fell upon hard times. They get people referred to them from many service charities like the Royal British Legion or the various regimental associations. HMMM President, Bernard Ash, handed the cheque over to Justin Farrier, an exsoldier who is an unpaid volunteer for Holiday for Heroes. He makes sure that the visitors are fine when they get here, and he helps them out with the shopping or sight-seeing if they are unable to drive. “The money is really useful to us”, said Justin. “This donation will pay for flights for 12 people, or to rent a villa for 3 months, or 3 villas for one month. The British owners of the villas are generous, as they only charge a peppercorn rent”. Their website is: www.holidays4heroes.org

ANIMAL KWACKERS The APAH Animal charity is better off by more than 1200 Euros after a recent fun day at the Iceland’s San Javier store. The Pilar de la Horadada cat and dog rescue group is the 2013 nominated charity for the staff at the shop, and they linked up with APAH volunteers for a successful day. A ‘Dry Cracker’ eating challenge (with no cheese!) was one of the many events staged. A spokesperson for APAH said: “The event was fantastic. It would be impossible to name all the companies who very kindly donated Raffle Prizes and gave up their Saturday to be there but we would like to thank them all on behalf of APAH, not forgetting of course all the staff at Iceland Overseas at San Javier who chose APAH as their sponsored Charity and have done an amazing job so far in helping us to keep going through very tough times. The final sum that was raised was 1257.80 Euros.

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Friday, June 7, 2013

WHY BOTHER WITH LIFE INSURANCE?

IF buying property in Spain is not difficult enough, you are then faced with the question of what type of insurance cover to take out and how much. And with so many other costs to consider, it can be tempting to put things such as life insurance on the back burner. In terms of insurance, people will often see things like car and home insurance as priority, leaving life insurance and pension plans to sort out at a later date. The trend is more common for younger buyers, who are often under greater financial pressure and cannot understand the point of forking out good money when you are fit and healthy, for something that you may never need. However, as we get older and start to have families and increased personal responsibilities, as well as thoughts of how they will cope once we are gone, the peace of mind that a payout from an insurance policy may provide if required is worth its weight in gold. There are a wide range of policies and coverage levels to choose from, according to financial and personal circumstances. 1. Fixed Term Insurance: This is the most basic level of cover and usually runs for a period of 10 or 20 years. This can also be referred to as "level term insurance" because the premium is calculated at the time when the person takes out the policy and remains unchanged year on year until the policy expires. If the person chooses to renew the policy then they will pay a premium in accordance with the age at the present time. 2. Whole of Life Insurance: This continues throughout the policy holders remaining lifespan. Whichever policy you opt for, it can help to protect your family in the event of one parent passing away, so that funds are still sufficient to cover the cost of living and to make life as comfortable as possible for those who are left behind. This is particularly worth noting for foreigners living in Spain where it can be more difficult to obtain support in times of cri-

expense plans. These are relatively simple and inexpensive to arrange, but could make a big difference to the people that you eventually leave behind. Upon the death of an insurance policy holder, the beneficiaries will be able to make a claim with little inconvenience, simply by providing a valid death certificate, the policy document and proof of their own identity. A small fee will be charged upon claiming whilst the paperwork and documentation is being processed, although it is nominal compared with the price which you may pay if you or a loved one have not planned ahead.

Mortgage Protection

sis. For each of these types of Life Insurance cover, the policy holderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s named beneficiaries are paid out by the insurance provider.

Is It Really Necessary?

Taking out a Life Insurance Policy is not a legal requirement for people of any age, although certain banks and mortgage providers will insist that such a policy is taken out in order to guarantee the repayments of any loan that is issued should the worst happen. Insurance companies will usually expect the client to attend a medical examination before the policy is confirmed, in order to check for any preexisting conditions which would invalidate it. Certain factors such as age, weight and whether the client is a smoker can all affect the amount of cover required and the cost of premiums to be paid. The majority of insurers will have a two-year exemption of payment clause concerning policy holders who commit suicide, to prevent them from taking out a policy with this intention. Expats may have noted the cost of funerals in Spain has spiraled over the past decade, especially for foreigners, so it may be worth considering taking out additional insurance to cover for funeral expenses or separate funeral

A mortgage protection plan is another useful type of insurance, and will take care of any outstanding payments following the death of the home owner. This is also referred to as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;decreasing term insuranceâ&#x20AC;? as when the mortgage repayments are made and the loan decreases, the amount of cover decreases to reflect these payments.

Other Useful Insurances

Whatever your circumstances might be, all types of insurance are created to protect the holder and their families from financial difficulties in the future. Savings Plans are another useful tool to safeguard against this, and are generally taken out using substantial sums of money, which gain interest or increase in value when placed in appropriate investments. These can usually be cashed-in at any time to provide an attractive lump sum in accordance with the terms and conditions. Large companies often take out Key Man Insurance which is designed to secure them financially should anything happen to an important member of staff, to prevent them from incurring greater debts from potential law suits for noncompletion of contracts. Pension Plans are also the ideal way to see you through your senior years, and will provide a valuable top-up on your state pension, if you are eligible to receive one.

Friday, June 7, 2013

SPAIN GIVES THUMBS UP TO FOREIGN INVESTORS IN spite of its recent bad press and continued economic difficulties, foreign investors from some of the world’s most affluent nations are still putting their faith in Spain According to the latest statistics from the College of Property Registrars, potential buyers from the United Kingdom, Russia and France were those who purchased the most Spanish properties during the first quarter of 2013. The figures specifically correspond with sales data gathered from the latter part of 2012, when the tax deductions for home purchases were still in force, although it has taken up to now to compile them and produce the latest national figures. The figures reveal that a total of 8,013 foreigners bought homes in Spain during the first three months of the year, which equates to 8.63% of all the transactions carried out during that period. This is positive news according to experts at the College of Property Registrars, who confirm that it not only exceeds the 8.12% which was achieved during the same period a year earlier but is also a far cry from the devastating 4.24% of 2009, and comes closer to the 8.97% which was recorded prior to the crisis during 2006.

Nationality

In terms of nationality, UK citizens are still topping the bill for purchasing Spanish property, snapping up 1,194 homes in the first quarter of the year which represents 14.9% of all the foreign purchases. Russian investment also remains a huge growth area with 721 homes purchased (9%), followed by French buyers with 697 (8.7%), and Belgian investors, with 594 purchases (7.41%). These four groups together account for 40% of the total number of homes purchased.

Other significant investment markets include Germany (6.9% of the total); Norway (6%); Luxembourg (5.14%); Sweden (4.93%); Algeria (4.19%); Italy (3.79%); China (3.34%); Romania (2.75%); the Netherlands (2.51%); Morrocco (2.31%); Finland (1.54%); Ukraine (1.35%); Denmark (1.24%); Switzerland (1.11%) and Argentina (0.84%). The remaining 11.96% represents the other minority countries.

Transition

The College of Registrars announced that analyzing property sales by nation over the past 8 years had revealed some “interesting” conclusions. For example, although some foreign buyers previously purchased Spanish properties to use as holiday homes or rental investments, the majority wished to relocate and live in the sun on a permanent basis. Today almost all nationalities that top the tree for home buy-

ing in Spain are buying housing to cash in on its tourism market, rather than to live here themselves. The Registrars felt that the increase in Russian investment was “particularly noteworthy”, having reached second position with 9% of all home purchases by foreigners, which is far from the nominal 4.18% result of five years ago. They confirmed that “Without doubt this is the nationality with the greatest increase in home buying in Spain”, with the trend continuing into the second quarter. The College of Property Registrars suggest that certain nations such as the UK and Russia who are feeling less effect from the economic crisis, are really helping to boost the Spanish market, and could make a huge difference to the nation’s economy as a whole. It said that the massive decline in house prices has also made Spain more attractive to foreigners, who have significantly greater purchasing power, and when compared with the cost of housing eight years ago, recommends here and now as the perfect time to buy.

Positive

All of this suggests that positive changes are still to come for Spain, and the underlying message is that all is not lost yet, in spite of reports of huge national debt. The number of home purchases made by foreigners has grown steadily over the past two and half years, now climbing to levels which are not so far from the outstanding 8.97% which was seen in 2006. The College of Property Registrars supports this attitude, commenting that an “intensification” of the present scenario is “foreseeable” during the coming months, as attractive prices and improvements in the economy of other nations make Spain even more accessible and continue to bring buyers to its shores.

Friday, June 7, 2013

RESIDENCY RUL REGULATIONS FO FOLLOWING all of the changes in legislation and paperwork required it is not surprising that people get confused over residency obligations. So is it necessary to be registered in Spain or not? On 28 March 2007, the Royal Decree 240/07 was passed confirming that all EU citizens, including British nationals, planning to reside in Spain for more than 3 consecutive months should register in person at the Oficina de Extranjeros (International Resident’s Office) within their province or at the stipulated National Police Station. The Residence Certificate granted will provide details of the applicant’s name, address, nationality, NIE number (Número de I d e n t i f i c a c i ó n Extranjeros) and date of registration. This was expanded on 10 July 2012, when the Government introduced a new set of regulations setting out the rules on the entry, free movement and residence in Spain of nationals of other European Union (EU)

Member States and European Economic Area states. The law now states that EU citizens applying for residency in Spain may be required to produce evidence of sufficient financial means to support themselves and any dependants before the permission is granted. They may also be obliged to provide proof of any state or private health cover which they have access to. The changes to the law caused a great deal of controversy at the time, as nonSpanish homeowners felt that the Government was in breach of the rights of free movement under EU law, although Spain has stood its ground with little signs of any wavering of the rules to date. However, official figures have proven that it has not prevented hundreds of foreign property investors from favouring Spain as their future home.

Obtaining A Residence Certificate

According to the UK Government website, specifically, the

Spanish Order 1490 of 10 July 2012, states that nationals of any member state of the European Union, or any other States party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, such as Switzerland, “have a right to reside in Spain for a period of longer than three months, provided that if they meet the conditions laid down in Article 7 of Royal Decree 240/2007, of 16 February 2007”. This includes attendance and registration on the Central Register of Foreign Nationals, which should be filed in person at their local international resident’s Office, or at the nearest National Police Station. The law also stipulates that if the documentation provided by the applicant does meet the necessary requirements, or they are missing any of the documents required, they will be asked to correct the faults within a period of 10 days before a residence certificate is granted. Failure to return within this period will result in their application being cancelled. This does not mean that they cannot reapply at a later date. Provided that all of the paperwork is in order the certificate will be issued immediately.

What Documentation Will I Need?

The attending officer will supply you with an official application to complete, which should be submitted accompanied by the applicant’s valid passport or national identity document. If the passport has expired then the applicant is obliged to provide a photocopy along with a copy of their renewal application in order to proceed. Other supporting documents which may be required depending on the applicant’s circumstances may include: 1. Anyone who is in employment at the time of applying should produce a signed declaration to the effect that they

Friday, June 7, 2013

LES AND OR SPAIN have been hired by the employer or a valid contract of employment. The documents must display details of the name and address of the company, tax identification and Employer’s Social Security Number. 2. Those who are self-employed should produce evidence to support this, such as Registration on the Economic Activities List “Censo de Actividades Económicos” or proof of their establishment by means of registration in the Mercantile Registry “Registro Mercantil”. Alternatively, the applicant may agree to have their details verified against the General Social Security Finance Office or Taxation Office files “Ficheros de la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social o de la Agencia Tributaria” 3. Anyone who is not working in Spain must provide sufficient evidence that they have access to either public or private health insurance contracted in Spain, or in another country, provided that it ensures cover in Spain during their period of residence equivalent to the cover provided by the National Health System. Pensioners will be granted residency if they are able to show that they are entitled to health care paid for by the State from which they receive their pension. People who fall into this category will also need to show that they have sufficient resources to support themselves and their family members, so that they will not require any social assistance from the state during their period of residence. This could be given as proof of regular income, including work income or income of another kind such as a grant, or from ownership of other assets. 4. Students who are seeking residency within Spain must provide evidence of their enrolment in an accredited public or private establishment; along with public or private health insurance contracted in Spain or in another country, provided that it ensures complete cover in Spain. Alternatively, if the student is in possession of a European Health Insurance Card, which is valid for the entire period of study, this will also be accepted. This should all be supported by a Sworn Statement that the student has sufficient resources for himself and his family members, to avoid being a drain on the Spanish Social Security system.

Banks Cash-in On Buyer’s market SPANISH banking giant Sabadell is going all out to prove that now is the perfect time to purchase property, with discounts pegged at up to 40%. Banco Sabadell’s Real Estate arm, Solvia, launched its aggressive campaign entitled “Impossible not to buy” during March of this year, with continuing dramatic results. The initiative advertised discounts of up to 40%, stirring a great deal of interest from international investors, particularly those of Russian and Scandinavian origin. In fact, the Russian interest was so positive that Solvia saw fit to launch a new website and telephone service hotline in Russian in order to attract buyers from the nation. The move paid off, with nearly 6,000 homes being sold within the first two months. Foreign Investment Solvia released a statement last week announcing that, with a 15% share, Russia has accelerated to become its second most important foreign market, following evercloser behind the United Kingdom where sales account for 28% of the international market. Solvia claims that one of its primary objectives for 2013 is to increase the volume of transactions from foreign customers, after

600 deals were closed by mid-May. This represented a whopping 117% increase over the same period a year earlier, providing renewed faith in the struggling market. Of the total number of confirmed sales, 85% corresponded to re-sale properties, and although Banco Sabadell extended reasonable financing conditions to complete the sales, over 57% of them were eventually carried out using cash payments. According to the Spanish Press, over 50% of the transactions completed took place within the autonomous regions of Valencia and Murcia, which recorded 2,245 and 607 operations, respectively, followed by Barcelona, Tarragona and the Balearic Islands. Positive Trend Although it is still early days, current figures prove that things are on the up in the property market, particularly in the Valencian Community. During last year, Solvia registered 13,777 property sales, which was more than double the figures for 2011. This year it has predicted that the number of sales will climb to 16,000, which may have seemed ambitious a few months ago, but according to economy experts is within easy reach if the present trend continues.

Friday, June 7, 2013

10 reasons to move to Spain Spain has long been the location of choice for expatriates from around the world, with a foreign resident population now topping 4.5 million. And with the warmth of its climate and its people it’s not hard to see why. So if you’re considering joining the hundreds of thousands of people that up-sticks each year for a life overseas, then here are 10 reasons why Spain could be just the place you’re looking for too.

1. Sunshine Let’s face it, a plentiful supply of sunshine is always more appealing than endless days of rain (unless you’re an Australian farmer). And Spain, by and large, receives a bountiful supply of those golden rays throughout the year. Plus you won’t even have to leave home for your summer holidays anymore. Do your research before you pick a location though. While the southern region of Andalucía has an enviable winter climate, it can be murderously hot in the summer. By contrast the north and northwest see substantial rainfall, with a climate and landscape more akin to Cornwall than the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Madrid and the central regions boil in summer, but can get icily cold in winter.

2. Outdoor Activities Sunshine and warmth – perfect ingredients for enjoying the Great Outdoors, whatever your interests: sailing, cycling, hiking, golf, painting, or simply paddling around at the beach. And in the winter there’s decent skiing in the Sierra Nevadas in the south, or the Pyrenees in the north.

3. Natural Beauty Unfortunately Spain has become synonymous with overdevelopment and tawdry beach resorts. But while some areas have become overdeveloped nightmares, for those that want them there are still plenty of low-key towns and unspoilt stretches of coast to be discovered. And once away from the main tourist areas of the Mediterranean there is a great diversity of landscapes: from the wild coastline of Galicia to the remote expanse of Extremadura, the lush forests of the Basque country, and the majestic Picos de Europa and Aigüestortes national parks.

4. Cost of Living

Spain has become noticeably more expensive, especially since the introduction of the euro in 2002. Nevertheless, prices for food, alcohol, petrol and property – to name just a few items – still compare favourably to many other parts of Western Europe.

5. Food and Drink Spain may not be a renowned gourmet centre like France or Italy, but it has more to offer than just paella and tortilla too (although both are delicious). And as you would expect from a country of such size, there is a great variety of styles between the different regions, with the Basque country’s cuisine having a deservedly high reputation. As for the wine…!

6. Pace of Life Spain is renowned for its siestas and mañana approach to life. And while the pace may be picking up in the cities in particular, generally the Spanish follow a more relaxed

approach to the clock. Great if you have time to go with the flow!

7. Health Care Spain’s health care system was rated seventh in the world by the World Health Organization when it compiled a report on the subject back in 2000 (World Health Report 2000 – Health Systems: Improving Performance). Its reputation is deserved: the staff are well-trained, facilities are modern, well-equipped and clean, and treatment waiting lists are short.

8. Family Life Spanish families tend to be close knit, with plenty of contact across the generations. Indeed, it remains common for families spanning three or four generations to sit down to lunch together each day. They are also children oriented, with kids the centre of attention wherever they go, for doting family members and strangers alike (which is great if you happen to have some yourself).

9. Fiestas Fiestas are a central feature of Spanish life. Famous extravaganzas like the bull-running in Pamplona (San Fermín), Sevilla’s Semana Santa and Feria de Abril, or Valencia’s las Fallas are well worth a visit if you can get there. But each village, town and city has its own monthly schedule of saints’ days and feast days too, which can be just as entertaining and intoxicating (in every sense). And because they have specific significance to the local community they are likely to be more meaningful and entertaining for you as well.

10. Cultural Riches Spain’s glory days as a world force may be long gone, but a wealth of history and culture remain: from the magnificent art galleries of Madrid and Barcelona to architectural jewels such as the Alhambra in Granada, the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and Bilbão’s Guggenheim museum. Or you can simply soak up the atmosphere with a stroll around one of its many beautiful cities: Salamanca, Toledo, León, Girona, Sevilla.

Friday, June 7, 2013

ROCK AROUND THE AD HOC YOU can rock til’ you drop this June, boosting the charity coffers of the Ad Hoc Theatre Company. The local thespians have booked a Guardamar restaurant for a night of nostalgia on Wednesday June 19th. Leading the fun will be local favourites, Woody and The Peckers, playing the big hits of the 50’s and 60’s, including the old rock and roll favourites, along with a special Buddy Holly tribute. ‘El Alto La Dolores Restaurante’ at Lomas del

Life’s a piece of English

Polo, Guardamar, will host the charity night (Exit N332 at roundabout - opposite Tien 21). You get tickets from The Post Room Benijofar; Cards & Gifts, Quesada; Cards and More in La Marina; The Card Shop in Benimar, or from the Restaurante El Alto La Dolores, whose telephone number is 965728366. The all-in price is 10 Euros, which includes a main course meal plus bread and ali-oli.

Jose’s Benijofar swansong

Fun in the sun Great weather helped nearly 400 walkers enjoy the annual walk for the Maria and The Pink Ladies Charity. The Playa Flamenca promenade was the setting for the fund-raising for the AECC Cancer Charity, with the 5km walk starting and finishing there. The Torrevieja Pipes and Drums kicked off the entertainment that lasted throughout the day. “I want to thank everybody that gave up their time for such a wonderful cause”, said Maria. “This is the fourth time that we’ve organised a walk and fun day at Playa Flamenca, and I think it’s been the best one yet!”

A “crescendo” of voices will be drifting out of the Benijofar church this Saturday night (June 8th), in a free concert. The C r e s c e n d o International Choir will be singing a variety of songs in a beautiful setting as a special thank you to Jose Alberto,

who’s temporarily been providing the musical accompaniment in recent months. Crescendo last weekend welcomed in summer at the Torrevieja Christian Fellowship church, linking up with the TCF singers. They also had a splash of colour about them,

with some brand new red jackets and coloured scarves for the ladies, which created a rainbow impression of their logo. The gents meanwhile wore a variety of different coloured ties! Tomorrow night’s Benijofar performance starts at 8.15pm

THE POWER OF THREE Diva power will combine tomorrow night (Saturday June 8th) to help the Alzheimer ’s Association in Torrevieja. Three of the Costa Blanca’s top female vocalists will be performing in the Divas Rosales Show at the Restaurante Los Rosales in Guardamar, with the special raffle proceeds going to AFA Torrevieja. Maria O’ Hara, Celena Deans and Nikki Gale will all be on the same bill for the first time, with something for all musical tastes from

Soul and Motown, through to Classical and Pop. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are 12.50 Euros for the show and meal. You can get them from the Restaurante Los R o s a l e s , Guardamar. In addition, you can buy tickets from Cards and More La Marina; the Card and Gift Shop Benimar and Punta Prima; The Hire Centre San Luis; and the Card and Gift Shop Quesada. Booking line is 697 501 992 or you can book online via www.lrshows.com

600 children across 7 primary schools in San Pedro del Pinatar have been learning English in a new way. That’s thanks to the ADAPT association theatre group, who’ve produced a new interactive comedy show, "The Bright Side of Life". The show has been specially adapted in content, grammar and vocabulary for primary school students so that they can experience the English language as a means of communication in their life outside the classroom. It’s being performed across the town in various places like the Casa de Cultura, and in schools that have an assembly hall. ADAPT has also provided teaching materials to be used beforehand in the classrooms to help the children’s understand what’s going on during the actual show.

Ball of fun Radio Torrevieja’s Dennis Christian will be leading the fun and fund-raising for the Elche Children’s Home at a Summer Ball on Saturday June 15th. The Quesada Country Club will be hosting the evening of music, dancing and comedy which will include a 3 course meal. For more details, call into the Club or phone: - 966 719 160

The very model of a military gentleman Military model fans are in for a treat with Torrevieja’s first ever exhibition of military models. The displays, at the Vista Alegre Exhibition Rooms, will feature all types of military models reflecting the Spanish and British Armed services, including military vehicles, uniforms, and other memorabilia. Torrevieja’s Mayor, Eduardo Dolon, will officially open proceedings tomorrow lunchtime (Saturday June 8th) at

12.30pm, and admission to the month-long exhibition will be free.

ROAR WITH THE LIONS Are you interested in making new friends and raising money for local charities? Then the Torrevieja Costa Lions Club would love to hear from you. Their next meeting is at the Cabo Cevera Hotel in La Mata this Thursday (June 13th) at 7.30pm. For more information, Email:- membership@torre-

viejacostalions.org

FAYRE DO FOR LA SIESTA It’s all the fun of the summer fayre for Age Concern Costa Blanca tomorrow(Saturday June 8th). They’ll be throwing open the doors of their Torrevieja centre on Calle Paganini, La Siesta from 11.00am. There’ll be lots of fun, and a chance to win in the Prize Draw or in the tombola.

Friday, June 7, 2013

UK HEADLINES

SHAMELESS HOAX DJ WINS TOP AWARD A SHAMELESS Aussie DJ at the centre of the royal nurse suicide scandal has been handed a top award by his bosses - before boasting: "I'm still at the top of my game”. Nurse Jacintha Saldanha was found dead three days after she took the hoax call from Michael Christian and his colleague Mel Greig. They had targeted the King Edward VII’s Hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for severe morning sickness in December. Ms Saldanha’s death just days after the phone call sparked a worldwide backlash against the 2Day FM DJs. But this week Australia's Today Network named Christian as one of the network’s best DJs in an internal competition. Christian was a joint winner and as a prize will be flown to Los Angeles for a tour of a top radio station. Quoted on the company website, he said despite what “happened in

The Sun the past few months I’m still at the top of my game”. He said: “If this competition has taught me anything, it’s that there’s a lot of talent in this company. Plus it’s given all our announcers access to ideas, ways of thinking and people we might normally have day-to-day contact with. “From the start I felt like I had something to prove to myself. That regardless of all that’s happened in the past few months I’m still at the top of my game.

So it felt good to see my name at the top of the final leader board! Congrats to Ellie and Perry as well. Bring on round two!” Australian communications minister Stephen Conroy said the radio network’s decision to give Christian the award was “in bad taste”. Speaking to radio station 3AW, he said: “I think there’s a bit of bad taste involved there. “There was some very serious consequences of what was a prank and to be seen to be rewarding people so soon after such an event, I think is just in bad taste.” Ms Saldanha - a mother-of-two, from Bristol - had answered the hoax call and put the pair - who were posing as the Prince of Wales and the Queen through to a colleague who gave details of the Duchess’s condition. The inquest into Ms Saldanha’s death will take place in September and Greig will give evidence. The DJ said she wants to”address any questions” surrounding her role in the run-up to the death. Christian and Greig were suspended by 2Day FM in Sydney in the aftermath of the incident, but Christian returned to the airwaves, appearing on sister station Fox FM in Melbourne.

Plea over 'forgotten' Premium Bonds

BRITONS are being urged to check their forgotten Premium Bonds as £44 million worth of prizes are still unclaimed. The two largest prizes where no-one has come forward are both worth £100,000 and belong to female bond holders in London and Manchester, said Treasury-backed provider NS&I (National Savings and Investments).

More than a third of the UK population collectively has more than £45 billion invested in Premium Bonds across the UK. Every eligible bond is entered into a monthly prize draw and investors forgo interest in order to have the chance to win tax-free prizes. Bond holders can make themselves easier to trace by signing up online at nsandi.com. They can opt

to have any cash paid directly into their bank account and be notified of their win by email. Across the country, there are in excess of 898,000 unclaimed bonds, with a total value of more than £44 million. There is no time limit for claiming prizes and each one is held until the winner comes forward. Jill Waters, NS&I's opera-

tions manager, said: "Prizes often become unclaimed as a result of people moving house, or forgetting that bonds have been bought for them as a child, or executors are unaware the Bonds are held when someone dies. By opting to manage your Premium Bonds online you could reduce the risk of missing out on prizes as they can be paid directly into your bank account."

Vile YouTube racist admits her guilt THE WOMAN whose racist rant at fellow tram passengers horrified millions on YouTube has finally, after more than 18 months, admitted her guilt. Mother-of-two Emma West, 34, was secretly filmed by a passenger on a mobile phone and the clip, entitled My Tram Experience, was posted online in November 2011. West, a former dental nurse from New Addington, Croydon, south London, was charged days later with a racially aggravated section 4 public order offence. It can now also be revealed that West pleaded guilty last month to stabbing and slashing her partner Ricky Metson with an ornamental knife and assaulting a police officer. On Monday, after a string of adjournments in which her lawyers claimed her mental health problems meant she was not fit to stand trial, West finally pleaded guilty to the racist rant. She admitted the lesser charge of a racially aggravated section 5 public order offence - using threatening, abusive or insulting words

or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour that is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress when she appeared at Croydon Crown Court. She will be sentenced jointly for the tram rant and the attacks on her partner and a police officer on June 24. More than 2.2m people viewed the clip of her vile abuse within 24 hours of it being posted online and 88,000 members of the public commented on the footage. West, with a toddler on her knee, shouted: 'What has this country come to? A load of black people and a load of f***ing Polish. 'You ain’t English. No, you ain’t English either. You ain’t English. None of you’s f***ing English. “It’s nothing now. Britain is nothing now. My Britain is f*** all now.'

Friday, June 7, 2013

UK HEADLINES

SO HUNGRY BOY ATE OUT OF SCHOOL BIN A BOY who was allegedly starved to death by his mum and stepdad had been so hungry that he scavenged leftovers from the compost bin at school, a court heard Wednesday. Jurors were told emaciated fouryear-old Daniel Pelka wolfed down half-eaten fruit from the containers and frequently stole packed lunches from other pupils. Daniel’s teacher Lisa Godfrey added that in the days before his death he was so thin he looked like a “cancer victim”. The boy’s mum Magdelena Luczak, 27, and her partner Mariusz Krezolek, 33, are on trial accused of murdering him. Fighting back tears as she gave evidence today, Ms Godfrey said: “I was concerned about how he was getting the food, he was very sneaky. "If he was caught he wouldn’t fight, he just gave up the food. “He never acted as if he was being naughty, he just seemed desperate. But he was still losing a lot of weight.

The Mirror

She said that as well as eating compost leftovers, he once crept into an "By the last week of his life if you put empty class and devoured half a cake a hand on him, he looked like he was that was made to feed 15 people. The teacher added that she reported suffering from leukaemia... "His skin was almost see-through her concerns to the school and spoke and his eyes were almost sunken into to Daniel’s mum about his behaviour. Miss Godfrey, who taught Daniel at his head.” Little Heath Primary School in his home city of Coventry, also Hungry said he arrived one day with Daniel Pelka bruises on his neck. She said: “I was worried because I knew how much hard work Daniel was and how short a temper his mother had. "I thought she might have strangled him. On another day he came in with two black eyes and a scratch on the bridge of his nose.” Daniel died from a brain injury in March last year after paramedics were called to his The teacher said Daniel arrived at family home. Luczak and Krezolek admit child cruschool each day with a small packed lunch but would often get his hands on elty, but deny murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. enough food for an adult.

£100 spot fine for hogging DRIVERS who hog the middle lane or tailgate could face £100 spot fines and three points on their licences under new plans unveiled Wednesday. Police will also be given the power to slap instant fixed penalty notices on motorists who fail to give way at a junction, force their way into a queue of traffic or use the wrong lane at a roundabout. There will be similar punishments for anyone performing handbrake turns or cutting up other drivers. Transport Minister Stephen Hammond, said: “Careless drivers are a menace and their negli-

gence puts innocent people’s lives at risk. “That is why we are making it easier for the police to tackle problem drivers by allowing them to immediately issue

a fixed penalty notice rather than needing to take every offender to court.” The Tory minister added: “We’re also increasing penalties for a range of driving offences to a level which reflects their seriousness.” AA president Edmund King said: "An increase in the standard motoring fixed penalty fine will help deter those who commit motoring offences including mobile phone use. "We are also pleased to see that at long last new powers and fines will be given to the police to tackle the top three pet hates of drivers - tailgaters, mobile phone abusers and middle-lane hogs."

Social services 'missed chances'

SOCIAL services missed chances to stop a mother from forcing her 14-year-old adopted daughter to impregnate herself so she could provide her with another child, a review has found. A serious case review found that the local children's social services department - which cannot be named - was contacted on four occasions with concerns before the girl gave birth to a son. The family was dealt with by an unqualified officer who did not arrange any visits to the home. The girl, who cannot be named, was told by her mother to inseminate herself seven times over a period of two years until she had a baby aged 16. Despite having a miscarriage at the age of 14, she was forced to continue trying for a baby after her mother was prevented from adopting any more children. The sperm was bought over the internet by her mother, who is now serving a five-year prison sentence after admitting child cruelty. The review, published Wednesday, found that the department was simply "fobbed off" by the mother, and an opportunity was missed to assess what was taking place. The report also said a GP should have reported an allegation that the daughter, who was 14 at the time, had been sexually assaulted or raped to the police or local authority. The health visiting service also gave "insufficient weight" to repeated safeguarding concerns about the family and may have been influenced by the "social profile of the family" who were "educated, articulate, middle class", it said. The mother has since refused to accept that anything she did was "unlawful or inappropriate", the report said. The case was heard at the Court of Protection and reporting restrictions means that the family, the local authority and the region of the country in which they lived cannot be named.

Friday, June 7, 2013

SPANISH NEWS

NO DO ON VOODOO A smuggling ring that brought Nigerian women into Spain and forced them into street prostitution, was smashed by the Spanish police last Sunday. The terrified women were burnt with hot irons and terrorised by voodoo rituals, which made them believe that if they tried to escape their family in Nigeria would all die. Police arrested six Nigerian nationals, including the suspected woman ringleader, as part of an investigation launched last year after one of the prostitutes filed a complaint with the authorities. "The control exercised over women was total, involving verbal threats as well as physical violence and various voodoo ceremonies to terrorise them," police said in a statement. "The ring caused them serious

injury through bites or by using an iron to cause second-degree burns." The women were recruited in Benin City, a run-down

COPS WEED OUT POTTY COUNCILLOR

An Izquierda Unida councillor in Almogía Town Hall, Diego Aranda, 63, has been arrested after police found around a hundred marihuana plants in a flat he owns. After spending Tuesday night in a police cell the councillor was released on Wednesday, formally accused of a public health offence. The plants were found in three rooms of the flat in Calle Marcelo San Esteban. Aranda accompanied the police to the property and opened the door for the officers, explaining that they all belonged to him and that he was growing them strictly for therapeutic use. The rooms were fitted with a homemade lighting

system and fans to create the ideal conditions for the plant growth. The councillor said that some time ago he had seen a television pro-

gramme about the therapeutic effects of marihuana and decided to try. “I have blood pressure problems and joint pain in my knees and arms. I did

some research on internet, planted a seed and from there all these clones have grown,” he said. Aranda, who has ten children with whom he says he has always been very strict on the matter of drugs, stressed that on the two occasions that he has smoked the substance, the result was “very satisfactory”. He announced a campaign to call for more research into the use of marihuana for medicinal purposes. The councillor of 20 years said: “I don’t think it’s necessary to give up my seat over accusations such as these, but if I have to go, I’ll go.”

Nigerian port. Most were widows, whose husbands and fathers had died and who were struggling to raise their children.

The women were transported overland into Morocco, and then smuggled onto small wooden boats into Spain, where they were forced to work as street prostitutes in Barcelona and Malaga. Spanish police have swooped several times in past years on similar prostitution rings that used the threat of voodoo curses to frighten their victims into obedience. Before leaving Nigeria, the rings often take their victims to shrines where they swear to pay their debts to the group and not to denounce them to the police. The women leave fingernails, hair, underwear and other personal items at the shrines which they are told will give voodoo priests the power to harm them wherever they are in the world.

Unwanted gifts kick up a stink

Brunete town officials have come up with a novel idea for disobedient dog owners who leave the sidewalks messy by refusing to pick up after their pet. They have been sending the droppings they find in a small box directly to pet owners’ doors, along with a notice warning them that the next time they refuse to clean up after their dogs they will face fines between

30 and 300 euros. The idea, which was the brainchild of the McCann advertising firm, was put into practice as part of a week-long pilot program launched in February. Volunteers are employed to spot the uncooperative canine owners, and chat to them in order to find out their dog’s name. From the municipal register of pets, the owner’s address can then be determined. The next day, a town hall official rings the dog-lover’s door delivering a package of “lost items.” “Sign here, please,” the official tells the bewildered owner. “We were tired of not being able to solve this problem, so last year we spoke to McCann to see if they could come up with a creative idea,” said a Brunete town spokesman. After a total of 147 deliveries, Brunete officials report that paths and public spaces are now 70-percent cleaner.

Friday, June 7, 2013

SPANISH NEWS

KUNG FU KILLER KO’D POLICE officers in Bilbao have arrested a world ure in the martial arts world, he won fame after reportchampion kung fu martial artist on suspicion of edly becoming the first Westerner to be titled a Shaolin murder after being alerted to a violent assault on a master in China. prostitute by members of the public. “There is a large deployment in various areas of When agents of the regional Ertzaintza police force Bilbao,” said Cobos, as the search for further potential arrived at the Zen4 gymnasium owned by Juan Carlos victims continued. The main refuse tip in the city was Aguilar on Sunday night, they found the prostitute also being combed for garbage bags originating from badly beaten on the floor. Officers also uncovered the central area of the city. Cobos added they would be human remains in garbage bags in the building and gone through “one by one” as part of an investigation launched a search of the surrounding area. he said would take “a very long time.” Divers were also called in to trawl the city’s river in Aguilar because famous in the late 1990s after qualthe Duesto neighborhood. Aguilar confessed to the ifying as a Shaolin master and was interviewed extenmurder of a prostitute of Czech origin after being taken sively by newspapers, television and radio. He into custody and further human remains were found at appeared in internet clips performing kung fu moves in his home by police search teams. the orange robes of a Shaolin monk at the eponymous “It took us longer to get in than we would have liked,” temple. In one interview with TVE, Aguilar described said Ertzaintza police chief Lucio Cobos. Officers were Ertzaintza police officers keep watch over the martial arts martial arts as a path to “controlling your emotions.” forced to smash down the gate protecting the gymnaIn a 2007 interview with Antena 3 television station, sium. The authorities believe that Aguilar, who was premises in Bilbao where human remains have been found Aguilar said: “As a Buddhist, I believe that souls are standing over the battered woman and did not resist human beings. I communicate with them. I ask them cadavers. His intended victim was taken to hospital in a seriarrest, acted alone. for permission and I ask them for forgiveness.” Investigators ous state and is in a coma. Cobos told reporters that forensic investigators were tryAguilar was crowned world kung fu champion three times are trying to determine whether Aguilar was receiving treating to determine if the remains pertained to one or more and national champion on eight occasions. A well-known fig- ment for psychological disorders, Cobos confirmed.

HACKED OFF COPS TO POTTY PLAN GETS SNUFFED OUT TURN TROJAN The ‘Gallardón Commission’ could hack mobile phones and computers in their investigations. Under new regulations which are considered in the procedural bill, judges would be able to authorize the police to use Trojan viruses and even to turn to a well known hacker to help so they could inspect the contents of a suspect’s computer. Likewise bank accounts could be accessed. This has been drawn up by a commission of experts named by the Justice Minister, Alberto Ruiz

Gallardón, but the minister says he still has not decided whether he will accept the proposal. The text says that remote control of computers would be used on crimes with prison sentences more than three years, for cybercrime and for terrorism and organised crime, provided the judge thinks that the intervention is proportional to the crime. Germany is the only European

country which has put such a system into action and then only for terrorism cases.

Tow away bonuses The new contract for the Grua Tow Truck in Alicante has been granted for 10 years with a price of 41.6 million € Iva included, of which 5.5 million correspond to possible bonuses. Alicante traffic will reward the tow truck company

with an extra reward if they tow away more than 15,000 vehicles in a year. That works out at about 4 and a half a day. If you are unfortunate enough to see your car towed away in Alicante it will cost you 103 € to get it back. There are 2,500 controlled parking spaces in Alicante, many in Blue Zones.

A small Spanish town has come up with an interesting idea to get out of debt. Rasquera in the north-east of country decided to grow marijuana, but the idea didn’t go down too well with the powers that be! The Spanish Courts threw out the plan, with the council arguing that growing cannabis would create jobs and bring in some much needed income. Last year, 56 percent of Rasquera’s 900 residents voted in a plan to rent land to the pot-smoking group ABCDA. They agreed to pay the council one and a half million Euros for a two year concession. But the court blew smoke on the idea after the Madrid government got involved in legal action to veto it. But the door is not yet closed on the idea, with the Rasquera council planning to appeal against the ruling.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Horrorscopes Aries March 21 - April 19 The mystery that is known as 'potpourri' is set to be revealed to you in a misfortunate 'knocking over' incident in some elderly persons home or retirement flat. Brace yourself for a time consuming period as you help pick up every increasingly more minuscule piece off the carpet and learn to cope with the overpoweringly flowery perfume.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Quiet contemplation, of course, includes meditation in all of its forms, although it's difficult to see at this point what part it will play in any detail: sitting down in a dark room with your eyes closed is most likely, but so is looking up to the sky and chanting over-and-over things like 'oh for God's sake do something'.

Gemini May 21 - June 20 Juggling in both the everyday doing multiple things at the same time sense, and the circus type while dressed as a clown with oversized shoes sense, are all well starred this week. Backward flips off beds or tables are so-so starred but only if you have trained for years, otherwise this horoscope comes with a Do Not Try This At Home Or Anyone Elses Home Either warning.

Cancer June 21 - July 22 Wash your face anti-clockwise until Tuesday and then clockwise for the rest of the week. All anti-aging products are set to make you look older for most of the time, again. This week your Alpha is fine, it's your Beta that is struggling and your Omega, well, hardly worth mentioning it.

By Pandora Leo July 23 - August 22 After last weeks euphoric superheroic exertions you may decide that the time is not yet right to remove the underpants from over the top of your tights - but you would be very very wrong to think this way. Flying, jumping off tall buildings, standing in front of locomotives with your hand out to stop them, are particularly badly starred this Week.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 A bid on an auction site, or possibly an error in which your bank pays you a large amount of money by mistake, is set to make this week wracked with moral turmoil. Take the money and run? Give the money back? It's up to you: Pluto has your back at all times. Prospects of legitimately winning a cup, a medal or a plaque this week are high.

Libra September 23 - October 22 No-stop and limited-pause eating looks set to enliven this week in a pleasantly leadingup-to-getting-obese kind of way. Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury are in a rare alignment that indicates that Libra have no option but to eat lots of fattening foods and carbohydrate laden drinks until everyone without exception in this star sign puts on over 20% of their body weight in just a week.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 Electronic components will fail this week especially when you press buttons. Yes, it really is only you. Get a child under 5 to help press exactly the same buttons in exactly the same way to prove that it is you that is the problem (even other under 5 year old Scorpios are unaffected by your new found electronics disability)

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 A difficulty is about to be solved in an original, or esoteric, plumage filled way. Fluffy feathers in particular are highly starred, both as a break for falls and as a means of providing discomfort to those with asthma. Clicking on ticky boxes on internet forms is about to become highly starred this week or whenever Neptune finally works out how to instal the wifi box that it had delivered in March.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 A new beginning, or possibly a new ending, or maybe a bit of both, is in prospect this week. Yes, the planets are being annoyingly vague, but the stars certainly look like they have something up their celestial sleeves for you in the coming weeks (probably better be prepared for another white rabbit to look after).

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 You are about to experience the walking on dry land equivalent of swimming with dolphins after Wednesday, as Saturn transects with Neptune. This moment of enlightenment should be used as inspiration to get all your financial affairs in order and your cable subscription renewed.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 Greet both friends and strangers coming in from the east with caution this week; alternatively, if they come in from the west throw caution to the wind. If you don't see from which direction they come, then assume they came in from the east - be furtive with them whilst looking over their shoulder when you speak.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Quadcopter: The future of transport? What is the car-copter?

The main chassis is made out of polycarbonate - the same material used in protective goggles and bulletproof windows. Should the worst happen - i.e. a crash - the driving rings simply detach from the housing and can be easily put back together.

"Fast on the road and in difficult terrain, agile in the air - go beyond the limits." Doesn't sound your standard line from a car brochure, but then this is no ordinary car. This is a remote-controlled hybrid car-helicopter! It's the brainchild of PhD student, Witold Mielniczek and we rather like it. Witold is using the Kickstarter website to help fund his studies and hopefully turn his creation into a commercial reality.

How else could B be used?

Who is Witold Mielniczek? Witold Mieiniczek is currently studying for a PhD in the Computational Engineering and Design Group at the University of Southampton. He's a former Economics graduate who later received a First Class Honours in Product Design and Robotics. In 2010 he achieved sixth place in the EUROBOT competition, working with a budget of just £300 - considerably less than the winning team's £60,000.

What is B? B is a hybrid car-helicopter with a patent pending design. On the road it's a rear-wheel drive car, with huge bicycle-like wheels, that's capable of tackling difficult terrain. But once the terrain gets too rough, B simply takes off and heads for the skies. Now the last time we looked, this isn't something you can't do in the new Range Rover...

How big are those wheels? The wheels measure 220mm diameter, helping B to tackle even the roughest of terrain. Witold claims it's 'virtually unstoppable', which isn't necessarily a good thing when you're in the air! It's also capable of reaching 'high speeds', although we're not sure what those speeds are.

How does B take-off? The B has a pretty cool party trick when it comes to takeoff and landing - no runway is required for this bad boy. It can perform a Harrier-style vertical take-off, which is pretty cool. It can seamlessly move between driving and flying, before landing and hitting the road once more. A total of 15 minutes action can be achieved from a single charge.

Is that a camera on the front of B? On B's nose sits a 1280 x 720px HD camera with full recording capability. Just the thing for recording the looks on people's faces as the B flies in front of their very eyes.

What is B made from? B is said to be built in a way that creates a 'solid construction that is capable of surviving the worst of landings', which should prove useful when you're taking control of B for the first time.

B could be used as an exploration vehicle, with the body covered in solar panels, enabling charging from the sun, or the use of freely rotating propellers against the wind to generate extra power when stationary. Rather exciting is the prospect of B discovering new species - landing in a safe place to recharge after recording remote locations using it's on-board camera. There's also the potential for B to be upscaled from 'toy'' size to a full-size vehicle. Imagine what fun you could have in motorsport - taking off just before you were about to be overtaken by your nearest rival. Sweet.

How far advanced is B's technology? B is the first fully working prototype and has been tested for the past six months under the harshest conditions namely, crash landings, dust and sand. B has been improved, but Witold still wants to refine the design further to make it more agile and take the number of wheel components down from 56 to 18.

What's next for Witold and B? Witold will continue to evolve B's design whilst at university and is using the Kickstarter network to raise the £86,500 needed to make B a reality. To date he has raised just under £34,000, so there's just over £50,000 needed to take B to the next stage. We say back Witold - not least because we want to help him realise his dream of building a full size B capable of carrying people. Bagsy first go...

Friday, June 7, 2013

CODE CRACKER Code Cracker is a crossword puzzle with no clues; instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number. In this week’s puzzle, 16 represents T and 19 represents J, when these letters have been entered throughout the puzzle, you should have enough information to start guessing words and discovering other letters.

QUICKIE

DOUBLE CROSS-WORD Solve the Double Cross-Word puzzle using either the standard or cryptic clues, the answers are exactly the same.

CRYTPIC CLUES Across 7 Settle on Channel Islands indeed, perhaps (6) 8 Single BBC bigwig with energy is apprehensive (2,4) 9 Let a convert be unpunctual (4) 10 A flower from strange climates (8) 11 Savage to warm bird (7) 13 He’s in the trumpeter’s section (5) 15 The current number one is about an amateur actor and a Prince (5) 17 Fellow accepts setback, despite being kind of cross (7) 20 Growth in credit informality (8) 21 Insect in danger of changing nature’s balance (4) 22 Determine to make pay for (6) 23 Dealer putting back crimson paintings? (6) STANDARD CLUES

Down 1 Seated transport is dignified (6) 2 The penalty is OK (4) 3 Concerned with drunken chase, but finally gets there (7) 4 Fights cases (5) 5 Ant, Dec and little Edward turned out depraved (8) 6 Some foreign items set on fire (6) 12 Boldness is back, yet has merit (8) 14 She may be drunkenly elated around end of night (7) 16 Long for a skein belonging to the queen (6) 18 Eccentric cadres are nervous (6) 19 Rescued from Dave’s accommodation (5) 21 Some lounge around for equipment (4)

FILL IT IN

Complete the crossword grid by using the given words:

3 letter words Art Awe Bap Els Ess Has Hot Lee Met Pas Run Spa 4 letter words Alma Aloe Amok

Anew Away Awry Baud Blot Dyes Espy Euro Iced Lake Land Maid Mire Okra Opal Open Sage Saps Sent

Shoe Slot Snap Soon Soya Stew Stow Toed Tome Tore Toro Trey Undo Urge 5 letter words Adapt Aider Alert

Aloha Assay Baste Batch Debts Educe Keeps Liras Nests Panda Panto Pumas Sadly Scops Share Smash Snort Styes Trade

6 letter words Alumni Hinder Malady Toecap 7 letter words Edition Heretic Odyssey Rosehip 8 letter words Chattier Heraldic Restrain Stressed

SPANISH-ENGLISH CROSSWORD Improve your Spanish - clues in Spanish, answers in English or vice versa.

Down

Across Across

Down

1 Contaminate (5) 4 Fundamentals (6) 9 Inspect (7) 10 Claw (5) 11 Trudge (4) 12 Lessen (7) 13 Consume (3) 14 Employer (4) 16 Fifty per cent (4) 18 Offence (3) 20 Resolute (7) 21 Remnants (4) 24 Porcelain (5) 25 Farce (7) 26 Peril (6) 27 Connections (5)

1 Pact (6) 2 Annoyed (5) 3 Lean (4) 5 German motorway (8) 6 Hostility (3,4) 7 Verse form (6) 8 Banquet (5) 13 Intensify (8) 15 Enthusiastic applause (7) 17 Sour (6) 18 Merchandise (5) 19 Evaluate (6) 22 Once more (5) 23 Weep (4)

Last weeks Solution

Across: 1 Biscuit, 5 Speed, 8 Measure, 9 Robes, 10 Scene, 11 Tableau, 12 Pester, 14 Versus, 17 Startle, 19 Exact, 22 Erupt, 23 Skipper, 24 Scale, 25 Legless. Down: 1 Bombs, 2 Scare, 3 Ukulele, 4 Thefts, 5 Scrub, 6 Emblems, 7 Discuss, 12 Possess, 13 Spatula, 15 Evening, 16 Vessel, 18 Title, 20 Ample, 21 Turns.

Scribble Pad

1 Staid (6) 7 Make up one’s mind (6) 2 All right (4) 8 Keyed up (2,4) 3 Arrives at (7) 9 Overdue (4) 4 Crates (5) 10 Flowering vine (8) 5 Corrupt (8) 11 Pagan (7) 6 Set fire to (6) 13 Fade out (5) 12 Audacity (8) 15 Title-holder (5) 14 Boisterous young 17 Type of cross or cat (7) female (7) 20 Magnify (8) 16 Long for (6) 21 Biting insect (4) 18 Frightened (6) 22 Decide (6) 19 Rescued (5) 23 Dealer (6) 21 Cogwheel (4) Last weeks Solution Across: 1 Ruse, 3 Mattress, 9 Scourge, 10 Eland, 11 Dwelt, 12 Gamble, 14 Assent, 16 Writhe, 19 Trivia, 21 Susan, 24 Odour, 25 Lampoon, 26 Entreats, 27 News. Down: 1 Residual, 2 Stone, 4 Avenge, 5 Therm, 6 Epaulet, 7 Side, 8 Breton, 13 Pennines, 15 Sort out, 17 Resume, 18 Varlet, 20 Verne, 22 Shone, 23 Role.

Across 4 Wire (7) 8 Razones (7) 9 Más temprano (7) 10 Capillas (7) 11 Listeners (radio) (7) 12 Shadow (6) 14 Wood (timber) (6) 18 Nearby (7) 21 Raciones (porciones) (7) 22 Recetas (7) 23 Elected (7) 24 Calles (7)

Down 1 Thank you (7) 2 To get down (5) 3 Para siempre (7) 4 Adviser (6) 5 Acordar (5) 6 Cerda (de cepillo, jabalí, tejón) (7) 7 Condes (5) 13 To deserve (7) 15 Otro (7) 16 Hornet (7) 17 Caballos (animales) (6) 18 Faces (5) 19 Manzana (fruta) (5) 20 Boyfriend (5)

Friday, June 7, 2013 Across 1 Renowned for his great wealth, who was the last king of Lydia, who ruled from 560 to 546 BC? (7) 5 What name is often given to a powerful small vessel designed to pull or push larger ships? (7) 8 What name is given to the concluding passages of pieces of music, typically forming additions to the basic structures? (5) 9 Which translucent form of gypsum or calcite, typically white, is often carved into ornaments? (9) 11 Which slender predatory insect with a triangular head, waits motionless for prey with its large forelegs folded like hands in prayer? (7,6) 13 What word can mean both 'a small tasty portion of food' and 'a small but interesting piece of information or gossip'? (6) 16 What nationality is the poet and novelist Ben Okri? (8) 18 Which lake in the Scottish highlands is the largest body of fresh water in Great Britain? (4,4) 19 What is the name of the heroine of William Shakespeare's The Merchant

of Venice? (6) 24 Which Irish satirist, poet and Anglican cleric is best known for his satire on human society in the form of a fantastic tale of travels in imaginary lands, first published in 1726, Gulliver's Travels? (8,5) 26 In Australia and New Zealand what name is given to the owner's residence on a sheep or cattle station? (9) 27 Which American actionadventure television series that ran from 1983 to 1987, featured the characters H M Murdock, B A Baracus, Hannibal Smith and Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck? (1-4) 28 Which nocturnal arboreal marsupial with a naked prehensile tail is found from southern North America to northern South America? (7) 29 In Greek mythology, who was the goddess of divine retribution and vengeance? (7)

Quiz Word

Down 1 What name is given to the compartment where the pilot sits while flying the aircraft? (7) 2 In which card game do players collect pairs and try not to be left with an odd

SUDOKU

penalty card, typically a queen? (3,4) 3 Which Japanese dish consisting of small balls or rolls of vinegar-flavoured cold rice is

served with a garnish of vegetables, egg or raw seafood? (5) 4 Oh Carolina, Boombastic, It Wasn't Me and Angel were

all UK hit singles for which Jamaican-American pop singer and rapper? (6) 5 The name of which coffeeflavoured liqueur based on rum, made originally in the Caribbean, comes from the Spanish for ‘Aunt Mary’? (3,5) 6 What was the surname of the English perjurer who fabricated the ‘Popish Plot’, a supposed Catholic conspiracy to kill King Charles II? (5) 7 Which city in northwest Italy on the River Po, is the capital of the Piedmont region? (5) 10 What name is given to the predominant decorative art style of the 1920s and 1930s, characterised by precise and boldly delineated geometric shapes and strong colours and used most notably in household objects and in architecture? (3,4) 12 What was the pseudonym of the British short-story writer Hector Hugh Munro? (4) 14/22 The Number of the Beast (1982), Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988) and Fear of the Dark (1992) were all UK number one hit albums by which British heavy metal band? (4,6) 15 In cricket, what name is given to each of two or four

divisions of a game during which one side has a turn at batting? (7) 17 What name is given to a line on a map connecting points having the same temperature at a given time or on average over a given period? (8) 20 In anatomy, what name is given to any of several muscles having three points of attachment at one end? (7) 21 In Greek mythology, who was the virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon, the daughter of Leto and twin sister of Apollo? (7) 22 See 14 23 Which American multinational internet corporation was founded by Jerry Yang and David Filo in January 1994? (5) 24 What was the name of the African bush elephant born in the French Sudan in 1861, initially exported to a zoo in Paris and then transferred in 1865 to London Zoo? In November 1881, he was sold for $10,000 to P T Barnum, who took him to America for exhibition in March 1882. (5) 25 What name is often applied to a sudden involuntary muscular contraction or convulsive movement? (5)

SALLY’S SIMPLE SPANISH

ACTIVIDADES DIVERTIDAS FUN ACTIVITIES Match these words with their Spanish translations then find them in the wordsearch. (Answers below)

sports/tv QUIZ

ANSWERS: 1. Princess Anne 2. Ethiopia 3. Matthew Webb 4. Frankie Dettori won 7 races in one day at Ascot 5. Archery 6. St Andrews 7. Michael Owen 8. Nigel Benn 9. London 10. Ron Atkinson 11. Ray Reardon

Last Week’s Solutions Code Cracker Last weeks Quiz Word Solution Across: 1 Biscuit, 5 Speed, 8 Measure, 9 Robes, 10 Scene, 11 Tableau, 12 Pester, 14 Versus, 17 Startle, 19 Exact, 22 Erupt, 23 Skipper, 24 Scale, 25 Legless. Down: 1 Residual, 2 Stone, 4 Avenge, 5 Therm, 6 Epaulet, 7 Side, 8 Breton, 13 Pennines, 15 Sort out, 17 Resume, 18 Varlet, 20 Verne, 22 Shone, 23 Role.

fingir

aprender

jugar

bailar

leer

caminar

nadar

cantar

pintar

colorear

reir

saltar

correr

ver la tele

descansar

viajar

Empareja estas palabras - Match the Spanish and English words You will find the answers at the bottom of the quiz. 1.amar, 2.aprender, 3.bailar,

18.viajar.

m.to dance, n.to colour,

4.caminar, 5.cantar, 6.colorear,

o.to paint, p.to sing,

7.compartir, 8.correr,

a.to read, b.to jump, c.to travel,

9.descansar, 10.fingir, 11.jugar,

d.to share, e.to walk, f.to rest,

12.leer, 13.nadar, 14.pintar,

g.to pretend, h.to play, i.to learn,

15.reir, 16.saltar, 17.ver la tele,

j.to love, k.to run, l.to swim,

Soduko

Span - Eng

Quizword

q.to watch telly, r.to laugh.

Answers: 1j, 2i, 3m, 4e, 5l, 6n, 7d, 8k, 9f, 10g, 11h, 12a, 13l, 14o, 15r, 16b, 17g, 18c.

1. At The 1976 Olympics, Only One Competitor Was Excused The Compulsory Sex Test. Who Was That Competitor? 2. Which Country Does 10,000 Metres World Record Holder & Gold Medallist Haile Gebreselassie Come From? 3. Who Was The First Man To Swim The English channel? 4. Why is September 28 th 1996 a famous date in horse racing? 5. Yabusame is the Japanese version of what sport? 6. At Which Scottish Golf Venue Are The Eden Course & The Jubilee Course? 7. In 1998 Who Became The Youngest Footballer To Score A Hat Trick In The English Premiership? 8. Which boxer is known as the Dark Destroyer? 9. Which City Was Due To Host The 1944 Olympics When It Was Cancelled Due To World War II? 10. Who Did Alex Ferguson Succeed As Manager Of Manchester United? 11. Which snooker played was nicknamed Dracula?

amar

Fill It In

Friday, June 7, 2013

TRELI ON THE TELLY SHADOW OF DOUBT OVER BGT WINNER

with ALEX TRELINSKI THE BBC have paid Britain’s Got Talent the ultimate complement by moving the first of the “live” Voice shows to this evening, to avoid a ratings bloodbath if it went up against tomorrow’s final! It’s also good that for the first time ever, the final is a week on from the semis, which will have given the acts more time to prepare new material. That’s only happened by accident, with ITV haveing to screen a bunch of boring friendly soccer matches that nobody could give two figs about! The BGT final should be a great watch and having picked Ashley and Pudsey as last year’s winners, I’m not so confident predicting this time. Much as I love some of the musical acts, I’m going to call it as a showdown between the

screenings, and I’ve made some quick new favourites. Top of the list is the fantasy show, Arrow, which despite some plodding episodes in the middle of the run, got everything sorted out for some tense stuff in the final weeks. Not far behind in quality was Elementary, which has taken Sherlock Holmes to New York. I was planning to hate it because of the new fabulous BBC version (season three has teenage comedian Jack similar programmes (X and her family, have piled in just finished shooting), but I Carroll; the impressionist, Factor take note!). to stick the knife in on couldn’t have been more wrong! Jonny Lee Miller, Francine Lewis; and the ITV’s hilarious come- Vicious as well. Strange that who happens to be a big wonderfully moving shadow both programmes are funny dy, Vicious, made a of Benedict performers, Attraction. I’m a welcome return last Monday and pretty traditional, which mate bit biased in that the singers after a break for the BGT displeases this new elite Cumberbatch, has brought do have The X Factor to go semi-finals. I love the way who find comfort in raving his own great take on the at, so I want a variety act to about obtuse and obscure role, and works well with his that the critics hate it in the win. The judges were on late evening comedies that sidekick, Joan Watson, same way they despised point again as were Ant & nobody watches on Channel played by Lucy Liu. High marks go as Dec as the hosts, and part Mrs.Brown’s Boys. Virtually Four! well to the fire station of the success of the show all of the so-called experts, Pretty much most of is that it’s not treated as ‘life who were not interested in the new US shows drama, Chicago Fire; to the music show, and death’ like some other the adventures of Agnes have ended their UK country

Nashville; and to a bonkers but very watchable yarn called Banshee about a crook pretending to be a small town sheriff: - a intoxicating mix of drama and black comedy as well as sex and violence, which has been running for the last five weeks on Sky Atlantic. All good things come to an end, and Matt Smith will bow out as Doctor Who this coming Christmas, which will guarantee an even bigger audience for the Yuletide special. That also means the usual flourish of ill-informed speculation as to who will take over. Nobody predicted Matt to become the Time Lord four years ago, and I’m sure the same will apply this time round. I rather suspect that the show boss Steven Moffat has had his next man, or even woman lined up for quite some time.

The Courier Friday TV 00:35 This Week 01:20 Holiday Weatherview 01:25 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Helicopter Heroes 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Robbed, Raided, Reunited 12:30 Cowboy Trap 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 Perfection 16:45 The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 Weather 20:00 The Voice UK 22:00 EastEnders 22:30 The Voice UK 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 The Graham Norton Show

00:20 The Tudors 01:10 The Tudors 02:05 Panorama 02:35 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Tales from the Old Bailey 05:15 Tales from the Old Bailey 05:30 Schools - You Too Can Be an Absolute Genius 06:00 Spark

06:30 Schools - The Big Wheel 06:45 Found 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Robbed, Raided, Reunited 08:30 Cowboy Trap 09:15 Chefs: Put Your Menu Where Your Mouth Is 10:00 Antiques Roadshow 11:00 Question Time 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Animal Park 14:30 Classic Mastermind 15:00 Nature's Great Events 16:00 Springwatch in the Afternoon 16:45 Formula One 17:45 Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 The Chef's Protege 20:00 Bill Bailey's Jungle Hero 21:00 Nature's Microworlds 21:30 Gardeners' World 22:00 The Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight

00:05 The Job Lot 00:35 French Open Tennis 01:30 Jackpot247 04:00 Tonight 04:25 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:30 You've Been Framed! 22:00 Britain's Secret Homes 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News Meridian 23:35 French Open Tennis

FOUR ROOMS Members of the public try to sell their art, antiques and collectibles to four dealers sitting in separate rooms and take home life-changing sums of money. In the first edition, Alex Proud, Gordon Watson, Celia Sawyer and Johnny Elichaoff are tempted by a textbook signed by Diana, Princess of Wales, vintage ski posters, and jewels said to have been found in the tomb of the Buddha. Presented by Anita Rani.

00:05 24 Hours in A&E 01:05 Random Acts 01:10 24 Hours in A&E 02:05 Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic 03:00 Unreported World 03:30 Food Unwrapped 04:00 Wild Things 04:30 Come Dine with Me 05:25 Deal or No Deal 06:20 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 06:25 Countdown 07:10 The Hoobs 08:00 Will & Grace 08:25 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:55 Frasier 10:30 Frasier 11:00 Undercover Boss Canada 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday 13:05 Come Dine with Me 13:35 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 13:55 Knights of the Round Table 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Four Rooms 22:00 Channel 4's Comedy Gala

June 7

01:15 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Great Artists 06:10 Wildlife SOS 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Monkey 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 The Gadget Show 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Did We Land on the Moon? 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 The Mentalist 16:15 Elevator Girl 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 The Removal Men 21:00 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 22:00 World's 23:00 World's Most Extreme Airports

The Courier Saturday TV

June 8

04:00 This Is BBC Two 07:00 Room Service 00:25 The Matt Lucas Awards

08:15 Star of Midnight

00:55 Point Break

09:40 The Sky at Night

02:50 Weatherview

10:00 A History of Scotland

02:55 BBC News

11:00 Reel History of Britain

07:00 Breakfast

11:30 Nature's Great Events

11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live

12:30 Just a Minute

12:30 Nigel Slater's Simple

13:00 The Chef's Protege

Suppers

13:30 The Chef's Protege

13:00 BBC News; Regional News

14:00 The Chef's Protege

and Weather

14:30 The Chef's Protege

13:15 Bargain Hunt

15:00 The Chef's Protege

14:00 Homes Under the Hammer

15:30 Coast

15:00 Total Wipeout

15:55 Formula One

16:00 Equestrian

17:10 Natural World

18:00 Formula One

18:10 Flog It!

20:10 BBC News; Regional News

19:10 Don't Panic! The Dad's Army

and Weather

Story

20:30 Pointless Celebrities

20:00 Dad's Army

21:20 The National Lottery: In It to

20:30 Live International Rugby Union

Win It

23:00 History of the Eagles

22:10 Casualty 23:00 BBC News; Weather 23:20 The Rock

00:00 Weather 00:05 Later with Jools Holland 01:10 The Tudors 02:05 The Tudors

01:00 04:00 Game 05:15 07:00 07:10 07:25 07:35 07:40 07:55 08:05 08:15 08:20 08:35 09:00 09:25 09:30 10:25 11:20 12:20 12:29 12:30 13:30 14:30 19:00 19:15 19:30 20:30 23:00 23:50

Jackpot247 Columbo: the Most Crucial ITV Nightscreen Special Agent Oso Special Agent Oso The Hive The Hive Dino Dan Dino Dan Canimals Canimals Almost Naked Animals Ultimate Spider-Man Jessie ITV News Dinner Date The Jeremy Kyle Show USA Murder, She Wrote ITV News and Weather ITV Meridian Weather Saturday Farm All Star Mr & Mrs Live French Open Tennis ITV News Meridian ITV News and Weather You've Been Framed! Britain's Got Talent The Americans ITV News and Weather

00:35 01:30 01:35 03:40 04:00 04:25 04:45 05:10 05:30 06:10 06:25 06:55 07:10 08:05 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:25 12:55 13:30 14:35 17:10 17:40 18:10 18:40 19:15 19:40 20:00 21:00 22:00

10 O'Clock Live Random Acts No Escape New Girl The Mindy Project Happy Endings The New Normal Accidentally on Purpose Deal or No Deal Countdown Countdown SuperScrimpers The Hoobs British F3 International Series The Grid The Morning Line Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang The Simpsons Heston's Fantastical Food Channel 4 Racing Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Channel 4 News World's Weirdest Weather Grand Designs The Ghost

BRITAINS GOT TALENT After weeks of auditions and five semi-finals, the national talent search comes to a close as the remaining contestants perform one more time. Arisxandra, Gabz, Luminites, Richard and Adam, Jack Carroll, Pre Skool, Francine Lewis, Asanda Jezile, Attraction and Jordan O'Keefe, plus a wildcard entry selected from those who just missed out on the final 10.

03:00 Question Time

00:30 Ripped from the Cockpit: BA Flight of Terror 01:30 SuperCasino 04:55 Motorsport Mundial 05:20 House Doctor 05:45 Great Artists 06:10 Wildlife SOS 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Roary the Racing Car 07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Bubble Guppies 07:40 The Mr Men Show 07:50 Chloe's Closet 08:05 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:10 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:25 Noddy in Toyland 08:35 City of Friends 08:45 Mio Mao 08:55 Little Princess 09:05 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:20 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 09:25 Angelina Ballerina 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:15 Toby's Travelling Circus 10:25 Roary the Racing Car 10:40 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Power Rangers: Super Samurai 11:35 ThunderCats 11:55 Inside Hollywood 12:00 World's 13:00 Cowboy Builders 14:00 Cowboy Builders 15:00 CSI: Miami 15:55 CSI: Miami 16:45 CSI: NY 17:40 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 20:00 NCIS 20:50 NCIS 21:40 NCIS 22:20 5 News Weekend 22:30 Live Boxing

The Courier Sunday TV

June 9

04:00 This Is BBC Two 01:30 Westworld 02:55 Weatherview 03:00 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:00 The Andrew Marr Show 11:00 The Big Questions 12:00 Sunday Politics 13:15 Countryfile 14:10 Bargain Hunt 15:10 Escape to the Country 16:10 Points of View 16:25 The People's Coronation with David Dimbleby 17:25 Songs of Praise 18:00 Countryfile 19:00 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 19:15 Formula One 22:10 D-Day: The Last Heroes

07:00 This Is BBC Two 08:00 Christopher Strong 09:15 Gardeners' World 09:45 The A to Z of TV Gardening 10:30 The Beechgrove Garden 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30 Chinese Food Made Easy 13:00 What to Eat Now 13:35 EastEnders 15:25 I Confess 17:00 Boxing 18:30 Flog It! 19:15 Antiques Road Trip 20:00 Peter Jones Meets 21:00 Operation Snow Tiger 22:00 Rise of the Continents 23:00 Blackadder II 23:30 History of the Eagles

00:09 00:10 01:10 04:00 04:45 07:00 07:10 07:25 07:35 07:40 07:55 08:05 08:15 08:20 08:30 09:00 09:25 09:30 10:25 11:20 12:20 12:29 12:30 Light 14:30 19:30 19:45 20:00 21:00 23:00 23:14 23:15

ITV Meridian Weather French Open Tennis Jackpot247 The Starter Wife ITV Nightscreen Special Agent Oso Special Agent Oso The Hive The Hive Dino Dan Dino Dan Canimals Canimals Almost Naked Animals Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Sonny with a Chance ITV News Country House Sunday The Jeremy Kyle Show USA Murder, She Wrote ITV News and Weather ITV Meridian Weather Columbo: By Dawn's Early Live French Open Tennis ITV Meridian Weather ITV News and Weather Tipping Point: Lucky Stars Agatha Christie's Poirot ITV News and Weather ITV Meridian Weather French Open Tennis

THE RETURNED

23:10 BBC News; Regional News and Weather 23:35 Have I Got Old News for You

01:00 California Comes to the Whistle Test 02:00 Honeydripper

French supernatural thriller set in a small Alpine village where members of a group of men, women and children find themselves in a state of confusion, trying to return to their homes - unaware of the fact they have been dead for several years. Their arrival coincides with a series of gruesome murders that bear a chilling resemblance to the work of a serial killer from the past. Teenager Camille has not aged a day, but finds her sister Lena has continued to grow up, while Simon discovers his wife Adele is about to remarry.

00:35 02:30 03:10 05:20 06:15 07:00 07:10 08:05 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:45 17:50 18:50 19:15 19:20 21:00 22:00 23:10

The Others Southland Hollyoaks Deal or No Deal Countdown The Treacle People Blancpain Endurance Series Will & Grace Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier Sunday Brunch The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Simpsons The Brady Bunch Movie Come Dine with Me Deal or No Deal Channel 4 News The Political Slot Ice Age: the Meltdown Terror in the Skies The Returned Law Abiding Citizen

00:00 Neighbours 01:00 SuperCasino 05:00 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:25 Make It Big 05:50 Roary the Racing Car 06:00 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 06:15 Hana's Helpline 06:25 The Funky Valley Show 06:35 Roary the Racing Car 06:50 Hana's Helpline 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Roary the Racing Car 07:15 Fifi and the Flowertots 07:25 Bubble Guppies 07:40 The Mr Men Show 07:50 Chloe's Closet 08:00 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:10 Bananas in Pyjamas 08:25 Noddy in Toyland 08:35 City of Friends 08:55 Little Princess 09:05 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 09:20 Angelina Ballerina 09:35 Hana's Helpline 09:45 Rupert Bear 10:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:15 Toby's Travelling Circus 10:30 Roary the Racing Car 10:45 Jelly Jamm 11:00 Power Rangers: Super Samurai 11:35 ThunderCats 12:00 Inside Hollywood 12:05 Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers 13:05 Police Interceptors 14:10 Police Academy 3: Back in Training 15:50 Cop and a Half 17:35 Dr Dolittle 2 19:15 Fairy Tale: a True Story 21:00 Once Upon a Time 21:55 5 News Weekend 22:00 The Next Three Days

The Courier Monday TV

June 10

01:40 The People's Coronation with David Dimbleby 00:05 Live at the Apollo 00:35 Man of the Year 02:25 Weatherview 02:30 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Crimewatch Roadshow 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Robbed, Raided, Reunited 12:30 Cowboy Trap 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 Perfection 16:45 Hairy Bikers' Best of British 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Fake Britain

00:45 The Unforgettable 01:15 The Store 03:35 Holby City 03:15 Monk 04:35 This Is BBC Two 04:00 Motorsport UK 04:50 ITV Nightscreen 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 08:05 Robbed, Raided, Reunited 07:00 Daybreak 08:35 Cowboy Trap 09:30 Lorraine 09:20 Chefs: Put Your Menu Where 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning Your Mouth Is 13:30 Loose Women 10:05 Coast 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 11:05 Country Show Cook Off 15:00 May the Best House Win 11:35 Click 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 12:00 BBC News 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 12:30 BBC World News 18:00 The Chase 13:00 Daily Politics 19:00 ITV News Meridian 14:00 Tennis from Queen's 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 19:00 Eggheads 20:30 Coronation Street 19:30 Father Brown 21:00 The Dales 20:15 Antiques Road Trip 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Vicious 21:00 Springwatch 22:30 The Job Lot 22:00 The Fall 23:00 ITV News at Ten and 23:00 What a Load of Buzzcocks Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:30 Weather 23:35 Benidorm 02:40 Countryfile

03:15 St Elsewhere 04:00 Deal or No Deal 04:55 Come Dine with Me 05:50 Countdown 06:35 Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard 07:00 The Treacle People 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 Undercover Boss Canada 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course 13:35 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 13:45 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Dispatches 21:30 Food Unwrapped 22:00 Big Fat Gypsy Weddings 23:00 Dates 23:35 Random Acts 23:40 Channel 4's Comedy Gala

PANORAMA

21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama 22:00 D-Day: The Last Heroes 23:00 BBC News 23:25 Regional News and Weather 23:35 Helicopter Rescue

00:40 In Concert: The Eagles

For years, some of the nation's biggest firms subscribed to a secret blacklist containing thousands of names, giving them the power to deny work and affect livelihoods. Richard Bilton conducts the first TV interview with one of the two people who ran the register and discovers that, even though it has now been closed down, blacklisting still appears to be alive and well.

01:10 What a Load of Buzzcocks

00:40 3:10 to Yuma 02:55 SuperCasino 05:00 Michaela's Wild Challenge 05:25 Make It Big 05:50 Roary the Racing Car 06:00 The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky 06:15 Hana's Helpline 06:25 The Funky Valley Show 06:35 Roary the Racing Car 06:50 Hana's Helpline 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:55 Milkshake! Show Songs 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Little Lodgers 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Monkey 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 The Restaurant Inspector 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:10 A Deadly Encounter 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways 21:00 The Gadget Show 22:00 NCIS 23:45 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

The Courier Tuesday TV

June 11

02:45 Keeping Britain Alive: The NHS in a Day 00:25 The Graham Norton Show

03:45 This Is BBC Two

01:10 Don't Worry about Me

05:00 KS3/4 Music

02:25 Weatherview

06:00 Schools - Same but Different

02:30 BBC News

07:05 Homes Under the Hammer

07:00 Breakfast

08:05 Robbed, Raided, Reunited

10:15 Crimewatch Roadshow

08:35 Cowboy Trap

11:00 Homes Under the Hammer

09:20 Chefs: Put Your Menu Where

12:00 Robbed, Raided, Reunited

Your Mouth Is

12:30 Cowboy Trap

10:05 Watchdog

13:15 Bargain Hunt

11:05 Paul Hollywood's Bread

14:00 BBC News; Weather

11:35 HARDtalk

14:30 Regional News and Weather

12:00 BBC News

14:45 Doctors

12:30 BBC World News

15:15 Escape to the Country

13:00 Daily Politics

16:00 Perfection

14:00 Tennis from Queen's

16:45 Hairy Bikers' Best of British

19:00 Eggheads

17:30 Put Your Money Where Your

19:30 Father Brown

Mouth Is

20:15 Antiques Road Trip

18:15 Pointless

21:00 Springwatch

19:00 BBC News

22:00 Town with Nicholas Crane

19:30 BBC London News

23:00 The Culture Show

20:00 The One Show

23:30 Newsnightr

20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Frankie 23:00 BBC News 23:25 National Lottery Update 23:35 Agnetha: Abba & After

00:20 The Tudors 01:10 The Tudors 02:00 The Super League Show

00:05 Monk 01:00 Jackpot247 04:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 04:55 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV News Meridian 15:00 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 River Monsters 21:00 Animal Heroes 22:00 Dirty Britain 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 Real Crime

GIBRALTAR: BRITAIN IN THE SUN New series. Documentary following life in the British Overseas Territory, which sits at the entrance to the Mediterranean. The first edition features Dr Eric Shaw, who is in charge of looking after Gibraltar's Barbary macaques, while police officer Dylan Quigley has a few complications with an arrest after breaking up a fight. Australian couple Ken and Chrissie fly in for their dream wedding, but things don't go according to schedule and wedding planner Monica Coumbe has just minutes to save their big day from disaster.

02:15 This Is England '88 03:10 Beauty & the Beast: Ugly Face of Prejudice 04:05 Gok's Style Secrets 05:00 Come Dine with Me 05:55 Deal or No Deal 06:50 Kirstie's Handmade Treasures 07:05 Kirstie's Homemade Home 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 Undercover Boss Canada 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course 13:35 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 13:50 The Man Who Knew Too Much 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Embarrassing Bodies: Live from the Clinic 22:00 Child Genius 23:00 Dates 23:30 Big Fat Gypsy Weddings

00:40 Law & Order 01:35 True Crimes: The First 72 Hours 02:05 SuperCasino 05:00 House Doctor 05:45 Great Artists 06:10 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:55 Milkshake! Show Songs 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:10 Little Lodgers 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Show Songs 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Eddie Stobart 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 The Restaurant Inspector 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Elevator Girl 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Monkey Life 20:30 Highland Emergency 21:00 Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun 22:00 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 23:00 Body of Proof 23:55 CSI: Miami

The Courier Wednesday TV

June 12

03:05 Alex Polizzi: The Fixer 04:05 This Is BBC Two 00:35 Jersey Girl 02:15 Weatherview 02:20 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Crimewatch Roadshow 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Robbed, Raided, Reunited 12:30 Cowboy Trap 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:30 Regional News and Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Escape to the Country 16:00 Perfection 16:45 Hairy Bikers' Best of British 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Panorama 21:00 Watchdog 22:00 The Apprentice 23:00 BBC News 23:25 National Lottery Update 23:35 A Question of Sport

00:35 01:20 People Frozen in Time 04:00 05:30 Who Needs Maths? 04:45 06:00 Schools: Your Paintings 06:05 07:00 06:25 Schools: Your Paintings 09:30 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 10:25 08:00 Robbed, Raided, Reunited 11:30 08:30 Cowboy Trap 13:30 09:15 Chefs: Put Your Menu Where 14:30 14:55 Your Mouth Is 15:00 10:00 Great Bear Stakeout 16:00 11:00 Monty Don's French Gardens 16:59 12:00 BBC News 17:00 12:30 Daily Politics 18:00 19:00 14:00 Tennis from Queen's 19:30 19:00 Eggheads 20:00 19:30 Father Brown 20:30 20:15 Springwatch 21:00 21:30 Springwatch Unsprung 2013 22:00 23:00 22:00 The Iraq War 23:00 The Apprentice: You're Fired 23:30 23:35 23:30 Newsnight 05:00 Pompeii: The Mystery of the

In Plain Sight Jackpot247 Loose Women ITV Nightscreen The Jeremy Kyle Show Daybreak Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV News and Weather ITV News Meridian May the Best House Win Dickinson's Real Deal ITV Meridian Weather Tipping Point The Chase ITV News Meridian ITV News and Weather Emmerdale Coronation Street All Star Mr & Mrs Love and Marriage ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV News Meridian Joanna Lumley's Nile

00:35 Random Acts 00:40 The Human Swarm 01:40 European Poker Tour 02:35 KOTV Boxing Weekly 03:05 Sailing 03:35 British F3 International Series 04:05 The Grid 04:30 Blancpain Endurance Series 05:25 Come Dine with Me 06:20 Countdown 07:05 Kirstie's Homemade Home 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:55 Frasier 10:30 Frasier 11:00 Undercover Boss Canada 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course 13:35 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 13:50 The Sons of Katie Elder 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Location, Location, Location 22:00 24 Hours in A&E 23:00 Dates 23:30 10 O'Clock Live

WATCHDOG

Anne Robinson, Matt Allwright and Chris Hollins present the consumer investigation show, reporting on the postcode lottery that determines exchange rates for holiday-makers' foreign currency. Plus, mobile data roaming charges - are they legal?

00:20 The Tudors 01:15 The Tudors 02:05 The Apprentice

00:50 CSI: Miami 01:45 True Crimes: The First 72 Hours 02:10 SuperCasino 04:55 House Doctor 05:45 Great Artists 06:10 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 08:55 Milkshake! Show Songs 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:30 Little Lodgers 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Monkey 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 The Restaurant Inspector 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:10 Winter Solstice 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 Frontline Police 21:00 Emergency Bikers 22:00 NCIS 23:00 Murder Files

The Courier Thursday TV

June 13

00:05 01:05 02:35 02:40 07:00 10:15 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:15 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:15 16:00 16:45 17:30 Mouth 18:15 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:25 23:35

Life Savers The Last Shot Weatherview BBC News Breakfast Crimewatch Roadshow Homes Under the Hammer Robbed, Raided, Reunited Cowboy Trap Bargain Hunt BBC News; Weather Regional News and Weather Doctors Escape to the Country Perfection Hairy Bikers' Best of British Put Your Money Where Your Is Pointless BBC News Weather The One Show EastEnders Waterloo Road Life Savers BBC News Regional News and Weather Question Time

00:20 01:10 02:00 03:00 04:50

The Tudors The Tudors Toughest Place to Be This Is BBC Two Growing Up Poor

05:00 Growing Up Poor 05:10 Growing Up Poor 05:20 Growing Up Poor 05:30 Schools - Welcome to the World 06:00 Schools - True Stories 07:05 Homes Under the Hammer 08:05 Robbed, Raided, Reunited 08:35 Cowboy Trap 09:20 Chefs: Put Your Menu Where Your Mouth Is 10:05 Great Continental Railway Journeys 11:05 Country Show Cook Off 11:35 HARDtalk 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Tennis from Queen's 19:00 Eggheads 19:30 Father Brown 20:15 Antiques Road Trip 21:00 Springwatch 22:00 Horizon 23:00 Mock the Week 23:30 Weather

00:35 The Dales 01:05 Jackpot247 04:00 British Touring Car Championship 05:15 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Daybreak 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV Meridian Weather 15:00 May the Best House Win 16:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:59 ITV Meridian Weather 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News Meridian 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Tonight 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs 22:00 Happy Families 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV Meridian Weather 23:35 Vicious

HAPPY FAMILIES

New series. Documentary following the lives of three British households and the problems they face, beginning with a look at the challenges of parenting. In Kent, old hands Keith and Carole offer an insight into daily life with their eight children, six of whom are over 18, while in Blackburn, Kris adjusts to being a step-father, having entered a relationship with mum-of-four Mel. Plus, 14year-old Rashiqa from Nottingham claims her parents are `old school' and don't understand what it is like to be a teenager in 2013.

00:30 Random Acts 00:35 Super Tornado 01:30 Mercury Prize Sessions 01:45 One Born Every Minute USA 02:40 I Think I Love My Wife 04:15 Come Dine with Me 05:10 Deal or No Deal 06:05 Countdown 06:50 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 07:10 The Hoobs 08:05 Will & Grace 08:30 According to Jim 08:55 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:55 Frasier 10:30 Frasier 11:00 Undercover Boss Canada 12:00 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 13:00 Channel 4 News Midday 13:05 Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course 13:35 River Cottage 14:05 King Solomon's Mines 16:10 Countdown 17:00 Deal or No Deal 18:00 Four in a Bed 18:30 Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 20:55 4thought.tv 21:00 Compare Your Life 22:00 Confessions of an Alien Abductee 23:00 Sex Toy Stories

00:00 Crimes That Shook the World 01:00 National Heads Up Poker Championships 01:55 SuperCasino 05:00 House Doctor 05:45 Great Artists 06:10 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Thomas & Friends 07:10 Rupert Bear 07:20 Fireman Sam 07:30 Jelly Jamm 07:45 Peppa Pig 07:50 Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures 07:55 Little Princess 08:10 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Make Way for Noddy 09:00 Fifi and the Flowertots 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Roary the Racing Car 09:45 Milkshake! Monkey 09:50 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 The Removal Men 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 CSI: NY 16:05 Winter Solstice 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News at 6.30 20:00 The Hotel Inspector 21:00 William and Kate: Baby Makes Three 22:00 Big Brother 23:30 Big Brother's Bit on the Side

Friday, June 7, 2013

ACCOUNTANTS Pro Business Support – for all your accountancy needs in English; bookkeeping, taxes, wage slips and more. We cater for companies and self-employed people; we can deal with everything for you. Call us on 966 923 963 for first consultation free of charge.

ANIMALS Pet Travel UK Personalised family pet transporter between Spain/France/UK. Door to door fully accompanied service. Travel overland then on ferries with your pets. No charge for passengers. Pet friendly hotels used if a stop required, All air conditioned vehicles (no vans), DEFRA licence. www.pettraveluk. co.uk UK 0800 612 4922 or Spain 678 756 644

CHURCH SERVICES International Christian Assembly, Calle Pilar de Horadada 5, Torrevieja. Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday services 11am. Children's church 11am. House groups in Torrevieja, Los Balcones, San Javier. Ladies meeting Thursdays 11am. Craft club, Tuesdays, 2pm. Pastor, Rafael Restrepo. All nation-

alities welcome. Call 966 799 273 or 660 127 276. Pilar Christian Community Church Calle Canalejas 3. Pilar de la Horadada. Sunday Service at 11am, and Thursday at 5pm for Bible study and Prayer. Home groups meet during the week. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information contact PilarChristian. CommunityChurch@gmail.c om or contact Reverend Eddie on 966769300 or 650509606. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) meet at 10.00 each Sunday at their Torrevieja meetinghouse in the Torreaguas building on the corner of Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 104, close to the windmill in Torrevieja, 667 533 597.

CARS FOR SALE

INSURANCE Car insurance quotes – new

AUCTIONS

AUTO ELECTRICIAN

CARPENTER

extra discount on fully comprehensive policies at the price of third party! Excellent prices for expats, all policies and call centre staff in English. We will call you back with a quote. 966 923 963 CASER SEGUROS - for all your insurance needs, home, car, health, funeral. Policies available in English and German. Call Professional Business Support on 966 923 963 for a quick quote from our friendly staff.

PROPERTY FOR RENT Viva Villa and Vacation Services, For Short or Long Term Rentals visit: www.villaandvacation.com or Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 2 or 3 bed / 2 bath apartments in San Miguel. Lift, communal rooftop pool & solarium, video entry system. Available for short or long term rent from 350 pcm. Tel 966723437 or 636615716. (122) Ref: 61, A lovely two bedroomed ground floor apartment, located in the centre of the small Spanish town of Los Montesinos, With a pleasant communal swimming pool adjacent & all amenities in walking distance. Long and short term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref 33, Ground floor spacious 2 bedroom apartment, located in Torre la Mata. Close to all amenities and beach. 3 month rental €300pcm Call: 965 707 188 Ref: 104, 2 Bedroom apartment in Torrevieja, (near gypsy lane), small balcony, near all amenities and Friday market. €350pcm Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 112, Spacious 3 bedroom detached villa with its private pool is located on the

ALARMS

CATERING

El Raso urbanisation near Guardamar. Convenient for all amenities, shops, supermarket, restaurants and bars. Short term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref 702: Beautiful 2 bedroom apartment, located near los Locos beach, beautifully furnished. Short term rentals from 175€ per week. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 63, Two bedroom 1st floor apartment situated in Monino Blanco. The property overlooks a superb communal pool area, in within walking distance of bars, restaurants and shops. Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397

CBR27 – Ground floor apartment in closed luxury residential with beautiful communal gardens, pool, 2 beds 1 walk-in shower, redecorated this year. Only 250m walk to beach, inc.parking. 425€ pcm, call 966 923 963 CBR31 – Town centre apartment in Los Montesinos, all amenities nearby, spacious 2 beds 1 bath 250€ pcm, call 966 923 963 CBR32 : 3 bed, 2 bath apartment in Los Montesinos, very spacious 120 m2, fully furnished, with pool on solarium, only 300 € p/m, call now on 966 923 963 CBR18 – Detached Spanish villa, beachside Punta Prima, 4 bedrooms, garage, 1200 m2 plot, own pool, 900 € pcm. 966 923 963

LONG TERM RENTALS

PROPERTY FOR SALE

WANTED! Properties, all types, in the Torrevieja area wanted for long term rentals. Call us on 96 692 3963 El Chaparel/La Siesta Two bedroom apartment in a quiet gated urbanisation for rent €350 per month plus bills. Reference No 17 Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 709, A lovely 1 bedroom apartment in Aguas Nuevas, within a 5 minute walk of the beach. There is a terrace outside with views to the sea. Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref. KBJ3 – Luxury duplex penthouse apartment located near the marina in Guardamar. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, amazing panoramic views, inc.parking and storage. 500 € pcm. 966 923 963 Ref. CBR21 – A rare chance to rent a frontline beach apartment in Torrevieja! Ground floor with large terrace, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, direct and full-on sea views. 500 € pcm. 966 923 963

Home and Contents cover Comprehensive policies for house and contents with CASER Seguros - excellent prices for expats; policies available in. Call 966 923 963 for a quote. Torrevieja. Club with 4 bedrooms and bathrooms, large entrance, about 90 m², furnished. Also suitable for office or other commercial, close to Playa de los Locos. Price. €89,000 Phone 686935870 (118) Torrevieja. Well-established restaurant and bar for reasons of age for sale €119,000 Including invento-

BLINDS

ry. 100 m², close to Playa de los Locos. Tel 686935870 (118) Ref. BRJ1 – 1 bedroom top floor renovated apartment in San Luis. Great sea and lake views. 55.000 €. Tel. 966 923 963 Rare opportunity to purchase on Mediterrania III, Gran Alacant. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Private Parking, F/Furnished, Large communal pools & Tennis courts S/W facing, Dramatically reduced for quick sale to 126.000 euros. Ref No. K58 Call 627 711 155 for immediate viewing

BARBER

CAR HIRE

CLEANERS

Friday, June 7, 2013 Ref: 104 Lovely 2 Bedroom Apartment, close to Shops, walking distance to Friday Market and Town Centre and the beach. The property is close to the Habaneres Shopping Centre and Aquapark. Recently refurbished apartment in a good central location. Conveniently situated for all the facilities of this modern vibrant town, and only a few blocks away from Torreviejas excellent sea front with its abundant cafes, restaurants and shops. Price €43950 Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 510, €70,000. Bungalow located in San Luis. It is close to the supermarkets, bars and restaurants and is on the local bus route. An Opel Corsa car is included in this sale. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Lovely Corner property in Novamar V, Gran Alacant. 2 bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Being sold fully furnished including appliances, Has

secure underground parking and faces large oasis communal pool. Walking distance to beach. 139.000 Euros, Call 627 711 155 and quote Ref No. K10 Ref: 521, €105,000. This comfortable bungalow is located in San Luis with a new roof and solarium tiles. It is close to supermarkets, bars, restaurants and is on the local bus route. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Don Pueblo, Gran Alacant. 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Large Kitchen with Galleria, Secure underground parking, Gas Central Heating, Glazed in Porch, Solarium with stunning views. Viewings absolutely essential. Very large property at reduced price of 190.000 euros. Ref No. K38 Call 627 711 155 Opportunity to purchase at the off plan price of 195.000 euros. Large 4 Bed, 3 Bath Brand new property. Secure underground parking for 2 cars and communal pool.

CAR BREAKERS

Situated opposite Gran Alacant and over looks projected golf course. Ref No. K52. 627 711 155 Viva Villa and Vacation Services are pleased to offer property sales for the Torrevieja and Oriheula areas of the Costa Blanca, Spain. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 or Visit : www.villaandvacation.com 2 Bed, 1 Bath Ground floor duplex. Central heating, Grills, Fully furnished, Glazed in Galleria, 2 communal pools, private parking and walking distance to the Gran Alacant commercial centre. Situated in the popular urbanisation of Puerto Marino. Now only 96,500 euros for quick sale Ref No. K46. 627 711 155 Immaculate ground floor Duplex, 2 beds, 2 bath, Private Parking, Situated in Novamar, Gran Alacant. Price includes very tasteful furniture and white goods. Walking distance to all local amenities and beach. Now only 129,750 euros. Ref No K24. 627 711 155 Ref 533: Lovely 2 bedroom

duplex located in the popular area of Punta Prima, the property has a large lounge and fully equipped kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, one with balcony, bathroom with double shower. €126,000 Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Gran Alacant Detached villa, located in a very sought after location.Situated on a 560m2 S/W facing plot and constructed in 2005. Comprising of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 full baths), Lounge-Diner, fully equipped Kitchen, Porch and Solarium with Alicante & Sea Views. ref.L81. €258,000 neg. Tel. 680333242 Gran Alacant Town House with a difference. 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Glazed in Porch, Quiet Location, Extra storage areas, and South Facing Private Pool as well as 2 communal pools. Fully Furnished, All mod cons. Greenland Views and all local amenities close by. Ref. No L79. 179.000 euros 680 333 242 Ref: 520, €80,000. Two bed-

HOUSE / BAR CLEARANCE

room apartment in Dream Hills, with a fully equipped kitchen, large lounge, glazed-in terrace and a large solarium. This property comes with a large communal swimming pool. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 78, €120,000. Three bedroom Quad in Jardin Del Mar VII. There is off-road parking and small storage shed in the enclosed garden area, communal pool nearby. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Top floor Duplex. Very good price of 108.000 euros for a quick sale. Furnished to a very high standard, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, Lounge Diner, Glazed in Porch, Large Roof Top Solarium.

HOUSWORK

Choice of Communal Pools, Private Parking. Walking distance to all amenities and on the First urbanisation as you enter Gran Alacant. Viewing essential. Ref No. K44. Tel. 627 711 155 Gran Alacant immaculate villa, 3 bedroomed, 3 bathroomed property maintained to a very high standard inside and out and the interior furnishings are top quality, offering a feeling of luxury and good taste. The plot size is 400m2 and has been beautifully tiles, and graveled and has established palms and plants. Oil fired central heating throughout, log effect fire place, ceiling fans in all rooms, towel heater rails, glazed in shower units, instant hot water, water purifier, free English TV, phone & internet lines, fitted double hanging wardrobes, safe, glazed in front porch, vanity units and much more. The pool is an 8 X 4 m2 salt water pool, meaning maintenance is much easier plus outside toilet and shower. Sea views to front with Greenland views to the rear. ref K51. €245,000 Tel 680333242

Friday, June 7, 2013

Balsares is opposite Gran Alacant where the proposed golf course is now being started so this property will virtually be on the golf course, it is an investment not to be missed. The property is on a small gated urbanisation of 18 houses with private underground parking for 2 cars and direct access to the house, communal pool and toilets/changing rooms etc. The house is brand new and consists of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, lounge with working fire place, large kitchen 12 m2, large galleria/ utility room, bedroom balcony and front tiled terrace. This property also has a converted under build for an extra lounge or bedroom. ref K52 €198,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: 516, €39,999. Studio apartment in San Luis, close to amenities. Open plan fully equipped kitchen. Good sized lounge, bedroom and out onto balcony which has been glazed to create another room. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Ref: 709, €60,000 A lovely 1 bedroom apartment in Aguas Nuevas, within a 5 minute walk of the beach. There is a terrace outside with views to the sea. Short or long term rental available. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Gran Alacant Opportunity to purchase a beautiful 3 bedroomed, 3 bathroomed,large kitchen, detached property with roof- top solarium. Well established gardens and drive way for 2 cars, whilst also overlooking the projected 18 hole golf course.

Comprising of fitted wardrobes, utility room, air con H/C, alarm system, electric wall heaters, intercom system, fireplace, ceilings fans, 8x7 gazebo, use of 2 large communal pools, immaculate condition with many extras. ref K12. €180,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant bargain, detached villa with pool on 400m2 plot. Briefly comprising of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Lounge Diner, independent kitchen, solarium with views, well maintained gardens. Quiet location yet within walking distance of all amenities. Top quality furniture and appliances included in the price. Extras include, mosquito nets, grills, toldos blinds, built in wardrobes, gas fire, electric heating, ceiling fans, English & Spanish TV, tastefully tiled & graveled garden with irrigation system. ref K43. €229,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: KP3100, €183,000. Three bedroom, two bathroom detached villa, located in San Luis, on a 450sqm plot, with communal pool. Garage to side of house. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Gran Alacant South facing attractive corner house Situated in the sought after urbanization of Monte Faro, this secure gated urbanization offers a stunning oasis pool, with mountain views, tennis courts and football courts. Consisting of 3 double beds with balconies, 2 bathrooms, kitchen leading onto court yard which can easily be converted into an extra room, lounge diner with working fireplace, front

MAN AND A VAN

garden with private parking for 2 cars. Being sold fully furnishes with white goods, built in 2006 so immaculate condition hardly lived in. Ref K48 €168,000 priced for quick sale Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Large detached villa with beautiful gardens set on 550m2 plot, built in BBQ area and large 10x6 pool.Comprising of 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Lounge Diner with fire place, Independent Kitchen, air con H/C, Solarium, front porch, converted under build with 3 extra rooms, private covered parking, irrigated gardens, close distance to beach and amenities. Ref. K18 €250,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: 513, €115,000. Two bedroom ground floor apartment, in Aguas Nuevas, close to all amenities including the beach. It has a good size lounge, kitchen and has off road parking facilities. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Gran Alacant beautiful detached villa with very large pool and within walking distance to the Gran Alacant Commercial Centre. This villa comprised of 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, lounge-diner, Independent kitchen, roof top storage, solarium, porch & terrace. Large private pool, BBQ area, established gardens and private terraces, Private

PETS

Parking, Solarium with Views to Alicante. 450m2 plot, fully furnished including white goods. Located in very quiet desirable road. ref.L96. €255,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant Gem! Fabulous detached Villa, with Alicante sea views to the front and wood land views to the rear, means this immaculate villa is very private and un-overlooked. Comprising of 2 large bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, 2 bath, large fully equipped kitchen,glazed porch sitting area, solarium, Attractive Pool with cover, well maintained Gardens. Central Heating, Air Con, Ceiling fans, Private Parking, Alarm system, Decorative working Fire Place complete with electric Fire. Outdoor workshop/storage area, Quality Pergola & BBQ. Constructed in 2006, on plot size of 380m2 and being sold fully furnished including white goods. ref L80. €234,995 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Rare investment!! corner south facing opportunity on Novamar urbanisation.This immaculate ground floor duplex has been kept and maintained to a very high standard inside and out the position is fantastic, enjoys views over the lovely oasis communal pool, surrounded by lawned gardens. Comprising of plot size 100m2 Build Size 90m2, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished, AntiGlare Windows, Security Door, Security Grills, Built-in Wardrobes, Extra Storage, Galleria, Electric Panel Heaters, Heated Towel Rails, Air Con (h&c), Ceiling. Fans. Thermo Shower, Vanity Units and decoratively tiled throughout, exquisite garden, Underground pri-

vate parking. Ref.K10 €139,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Situated in the central area of Gran Alacant and within walking distance to all local amenities such as a selection of different cuisine restaurants, bars, pharmacies, banks, popular GA market and Carabassi Beach. Comprises of 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with a private garage and roof-top solarium. This property is part of a small urbanization which has the use of a large decorative communal pool. Ref. K36 €149,000 Tel 680333242 Ground floor duplex, with splendid views. Quiet location in Gran Alacant. Immaculate condition. Price has just been reduced to 105.000 and includes everything. For viewing call 627 711 155 Ref. No K27 Gran Alacant detached villa with converted under build and pool. Comprising of 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Lounge- Diner, Front Porch, Large Solarium, decoratively tiled, Irrigated Garden. BBQ and Log Storage Cupboard. Raised walls for Privacy. Also many extras, toldos blinds, freshly decorated interior, Grills, Mosquito Nets, Air Con H/C, Ceiling Fans, Log Burner Fire, Electric Radiators, Heated Towel Rails, Alarmed, Phone Line,

LOCKSMITH

Satellite UK TV, private parking. Plot size 310m2 under build 100m2. price includes all furniture.The under build consists of 2 beds, lounge, kit/utility room. ref L79. €250,000 Tel. 680333242 Gran Alacant immaculate outstanding south facing villa in sought after road. Set on a 350m2 plot with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths,large porch, solarium and terraces. The large under build includes a lounge, kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom and patio doors leading to pool area. Internal & external access for under build. Extras include electric radiators, air con H/C, ceiling fans, gas fire, heated towel rails, extended walk-in shower, fitted wardrobes. Decorative tiling inside and out. Panoramic views towards Alicante Bay, Sky TV, phone line and Internet & Private parking, established gardens, water features and fruit trees. Being sold with exquisite furniture and all white goods. Immaculate finishes and decor. ref L84. €278,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Situated on the very first urbanisation as you enter Gran Alacant, this 2nd floor duplex offers taste and quality. Comprising of 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, lounge-diner, independent kitchen, full roof-top solarium with superb views and recently glazed in porch offering extra living area as well as extra privacy as the glass is mirrored. Ref.K44 €108,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Situated in the "Alto" part of Gran Alacant, this 3 bedroomed, 4th floor apartment, offers luxury accommodation, with absolutely stunning sea views, as well as views of Alicante bay and the famous

KITCHENS

POOL TABLES

PLUMBERS

POOLS

DAMP PROOFING

DRAINAGE

Friday, June 7, 2013 Santa Barbara Castle.The apartment is 89 square meters with open plan kitchen / living room and includes all electrical appliances & furniture also there is a utility room, open terrace, and private parking. The urbanisation also offers many communal pools, tennis courts, restaurants and bars. Ref. K20 €109,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant villa located in a very quiet area , situated at the end of a cul-de-sac means there is no through traffic.3 bed, 3 bath, 330m2 plot, established large gardens, working fireplace, solar panel for hot water,private parking, south facing great views, fully furnished, fantastic opportunity. ref. L85. €215,000 Tel 680333242 Ref: 520, €85,000. Two bedroom apartment in Dream Hills, with a fully equipped kitchen, large lounge, glazed-in terrace and a large solarium. This property comes with a large communal swimming pool. Call: 965 707 188 or 626 397 397 Beach front Line property, over looks Carabassi Beach, Gran Alacant. 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Secure Underground Parking, Fully furnished, Roof Top Solarium. 3 Large Communal Pools, Fantastic communal Gardens, Tennis Courts and much more. 125.000 Euros Ref No. K23. Tel. 627 711 155

REMOVALS

Gran Alacant, Situated front line to the famous blue flag beaches of Carabassi, the real beauty of this property is its proximity to the beach, but also on offer is a fantastic communal pool situated in beautifully kept gardens with little Spanish walk ways.Comprising of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge diner, American style kitchen including all appliances, roof top solarium with stunning views, front porch area with front garden and a secure underground garage. fully furnished Ref. K23 €125,000 rare opportunity Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant limited edition villa, not very often available on the market. Only a few of this type were ever constructed- Very large 5 bedrooms, 4 bathroom(2 ensuit) property, situated on a large corner plot with a 10 x 5 private pool and private parking. Lounge-diner with working fireplace, fully equipped kitchen with utility room. Large landing area, leading onto solarium, with extra storage external room. Front porch area leading into large well established gardens with irrigation system and fruit trees. Being sold fully furnished. Within walking distance to Gran Alacant commercial centre and 5 minute drive to Carabassi beaches. ref. K11. €270,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant South facing attractive corner house Situated in the sought after urbanization of Monte Faro, this secure gated urbanization offers a stunning oasis pool, with mountain views, tennis courts and football courts. Consisting of 3 double beds with balconies, 2 bathrooms, kitchen leading onto court yard which can easily be converted into an extra room, lounge diner

with working fireplace, front garden with private parking for 2 cars. Being sold fully furnishes with white goods, built in 2006 so immaculate condition hardly lived in. Ref K48 €168,000 priced for quick sale Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, Ground floor south west facing apartment in Puerto Marino close to G.A commercial centre, comprising of 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom, Lounge-Diner, Independent Kitchen with Galleria, Porch area and large tiled front garden, The property is being sold fully furnished and includes all kitchen appliances, H & C Air con is fitted as well as sky TV. The apartment enjoys the use of 2 large communal pools and has private parking in an enclosed electronically gated car park. Competitively priced for a quick sale. Ref. K40 €91,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant Limited edition bungalow. Only six of this type available in Gran Alacant. Constructed in 2003 and immaculately maintained on a large plot size of 500m2 with a 10 x 5 pool.Comprising of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge-diner leading out onto front porch, independent kitchen including white goods, outside galleria, court yard, large garage with

electric door, roof top solarium and private parking. Also built in wardrobes, Toldos blinds, air con H/C, security grills, alarm, security doors, bathrooms heaters, outside toilet, outdoor lighting, irrigation system, attractive and well kept gardens, beautifully tiled inside and out, fire place, English TV, phone line. Being sold with top quality furniture. ref L95. €275,000 Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant large detached villa with 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lounge-diner, fully equipped kitchen, large porch, roof top solarium, 400 m2 Plot, with established low maintenance very private gardens with irrigation system, electronic gates, private parking, outside wc, sink & shower, terraces, air con ( h & c ), mosquito nets, grills, alarmed, large spa pool with separate Jacuzzi section. Within easy walking distance to Gran Alacant commercial centre and close to local bus and tram route. Ref K33. €260,000 neg Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant, detached villa in desirable road close to all amenities, comprising of 3 double bedrooms, 3 baths, lounge diner with working fire place, brand new kitchen with all appliances and black granite work tops, private pool, plot of 550m2,

RAG AND BONE

established irrigated gardens and fruit trees, private parking, solarium, also there is a converted under build giving more bedrooms ,bathroom & kitchen, this house has many extras and is being sold fully furnished. Ref.k47. €280,000 neg Tel 680333242 Gran Alacant south-facing, very private villa, with woodland and Alicante views. Situated at the end of a small cul-de-sac which means this villa enjoys a very peaceful location.3 Bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, 3 Bathrooms, lounge-diner with working fireplace, fully fitted kitchen with including white goods, large front porch, solarium,workshop and storage in under build, central heating, air con H/C, ceiling fans, grills, UK T.V, off road parking and plenty of outside parking also. Due to its orientation of this property enjoys full sun, all day, something very important in the winter months. Ref.K24. €237,000 Tel 680333242

QUIZZES Experienced quizmaster/question setter with personality available to host quiz nights in local bars. Tel:- 664 838 581

SITUATIONS VACANT RADIO COSTA INTERNATIONAL needs motivated sellers. Spanish, English and German language is a bonus but not essential. Training and good earnings guaranteed. For more info call 644 126 600 or email info@radicocostainternational.com

SURVEYOR

VAN HIRE

WARDROBES

STORAGE

SOLICITORS Need English speaking solicitors in Torrevieja? Let us help to solve your problems with debt recovery, divorce, property, fraud, criminal defence. Call us on 966 923 963, give us brief details and get in touch with your specialist solicitor today

SPORTS & LEISURE Petanca & Tennis players we welcome you to Splash at Blue Lagoon we have 10 Pentanca Pitches available on Wednesday, Friday & Saturday and we welcome new Clubs or members to come and use or excellent facilities. Call Ken - 632 891 883

WIG SPECIALIST SALON MARGARETHAS, 23 years in Torrevieja Hair/Wig specialist for Medical illness and Hair Loss problems. We offer different Hair Replacements, top fillers, Hair prostheses, Toupees and Wigs, Natural and Artificial hair and much more. Also fashion/festival accessories TV/TS are welcome to our service. Please call our salon reception for an appointment with Margaretha on Tel no 966 921 846 Torrevieja (90)

WANTED

Friday, June 7, 2013

Greenside Gossip WHAT MAKES A GOOD GOLF PRO? IVIE DAVIES takes a weekly look at the golf scene - golfdavies@gmail.com

“Beware of under-qualified golf professionals!”:- that was a warning given by Lawrence Thornton, the former Secretary of The Professional Golfers Associations of Europe. Has he got a point? Thornton said:“Periodically, in the course of my duties, I find it necessary to alert our member PGAs to the need for constantly stressing the sheer depth of knowledge and expertise absorbed by golf professionals during their educational development. To qualify as a PGA as a PGA professional it takes, in most cases a minimum of three years, for all relevant subjects to be covered. Yet some lesser organisations offer a so called ‘professional’ qualification after only a week or few days. But now a far more serious situation has been bought to my notice as a result of the recent widening of the European Union and the free movement of labour. This is exemplified by a

number of non-PGA ‘golf professionals’, no longer requiring work permits to change countries, who are now moving from Hungary to Italy in search of employment and armed with a so called ‘qualification’ to support their job application. One of the reasons that Hungary was suspended from the PGAs of Euroipe was because we were given to understand that it was possible to purchase so called PGA qualification certificate and thereby, quite erroneously, to display the PGAs of Europe logo in

Darren Clarke is tipping his fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell to launch a serious challenge for a second US Open triumph at Merion next week. Speaking to the BBC, the former Open champion Clarke believes the Pennsylvania venue is ideal for McDowell, who won the title at Pebble Beach three years ago. "With the course being a little bit shorter, it will suit G-Mac down to the ground," said Clarke. "Merion gives him a fantastic chance to add a second US Open to his CV." Clarke said McDowell,

currently ranked seventh in the world, would be really looking forward to the 13-16 June event, the second major of the season. Clarke also predicted that world number two and 2011 US Open winner Rory McIlroy would soon be challenging for major honours again after his well-publicised change of sponsor and recent dip in form. “Changing equipment is always tough, getting used to new clubs and balls," added Clarke. "But he has so much talent and it will not be long before he is back up there."

applying for vacancies. Careers for sale! How unprofessional can you get?” But let’s have a look on the other side. There are companies like the European Golf Teacher Federation (EGTF) and World Golf Teachers Federation (WGTF) that run residential courses for those aspiring to be golf teachers. Unlike the the PGA course, no academic qualifications are required to enrol and the EGTF playing exam is not tough – participants are required to play one round in which they must score no

amateur, with too much in too short a time. The EGTF does not claim to offer the all-round training that the PGA does. The people that go on an EGTF course know they are not going to be players. They just want to teach. My view is that the EGTF and WGTF courses clearly have their merits; difficulties lie in the assumption that you need not be an expert player to teach. Obviously and arguably there are certain worse then 83 for men, 85 for ment, “The idea that a coach exceptions, the vast majority women and seniors on a Par needs to be an expert golfer of top sports coaches played 72 course:- all for £1,255 on does not wash with me. their sports to a high stana residential course. There have been great dard and at a high level. So it As you would expect there sportsmen that could not get would seem that the PGA’s are some dissenting voices, their point across, and there handicap level of four for its so here are some. The direc- are good coaches that did members is a sensible one. tor of training at the PGA not have a great deal of tal- Most low handicap golfers National Academy, says “The ent themselves” will have spent huge suggestion that anyone who Having listened to some amounts of time working on could play a round of golf who have experienced the their games, and understand with 11 or 13 shots of Par EGTF first hand, I do not the golf swing because of could with a week’s intensive necessarily agree. There are this. Whatever you think of training, become a profes- players who do not have Tour the organisations such as sional golf coach is ridicu- experience but have good EGTF, the public has the final lous” playing credentials and I say. Ultimately the best will From the EGTF vice think that the course could be be busy and the poor teachPresident comes the com- too intense for the average ers will struggle.

G-MAC GETS DAZ VOTE Rojales ladies

TITTER ON THE TEE A man is watching golf on TV, but he keeps switching channels to an adult channel featuring a lusty couple having raucous sex. He says to his wife. “I don't know whether to watch the couple or the golf "

KNOW YOUR RULES QUESTION After slicing the driver into the trees I decided to take a provisional but using my 3 hybrid. Is it allowed to change clubs for your provisional shot? A: Use the same club as you teed off with B: Use any club C: Ask your playing partners ANSWER You may use any club when taking a provisional

net success

Rojales Netball Club proved their worth by successfully staging their first ever tournament, and they finished a fine second! Teams came from London and Valencia, as well as their very close neighbours and rivals from Quesada. Each team played each other twice, with Rojales taking the local bragging rights over Quesada, but the strong London team ruled the roost to take the tournament. Another event is being lined up for October, and the Rojales Club is always on the look out for new members, so you if you are interested, just phone Tracey on 679 539 995

Friday, June 7, 2013

SUNDAY SHOWDOWN TO JOIN ELCHE

NOW that promotion is won and champions status secured, Elche coach Fran Escriba has been looking at how good his reserves are. Goalkeeper Diego Rivas, right back Mantecon and centre backs Javi Flano and Hector Verdes all played last Saturday against lower middle table Sabadell from Catalonia: other reserves drafted in were Javi Flores, Aaron and Pelayo in midfield and upfront. The latter two have much to prove, both have been given ample opportunities to show their worth, but to me both are lacking. Hailed as the n e w wonder boy

for the Illicitanos, midfielder Javi Flores has hardly kicked a ball this season, due to being badly injured in the warm up games. Let’s hope he can still do it as Elche need some new class in midfield. Fortunately, they managed promotion without him, but it would be good if he can offer much next season where the Illicitanos will need him badly. The old guard of Albacar, Rivera, Carles Gil and Rivera complemented the reserves on Saturday. This meaningless match fizzled out in another goalless draw, without proving too Javi Flores much, but at least Fran Escriba will know more about who to let go, and who to keep. After the

‘friend’, Roman. Athletico Madrid were third (Falcao’s off to Monaco, not Man City), and relegated to the Segunda are three big names: Mallorca, Deportivo and Zaragoza. last few hugely-disappointing Alcorcon, Ponferradina and So ,the last game of seasons, it’s really terrific this Las Palmas. Elche’s really Elche’s tumultuous season, year for the Franjiverdes to nasty neighbours Hercules this record-breaking one be certain of promotion, are now safe, but heading for when the Illicitanos led from especially where their rivals the certain drop are the other start to finish will fittingly below them are slogging it nasty neighbours Real take place at the mighty out for the other direct pro- Murcia. motion slot for La Liga. Near Up in La Liga, barnstorm- Martinez Valero stadium neighbours Almeria pulled off ing Barcelona finished fitting- against modest Guadalajara a great 2 – 1 win over promo- ly as champions again on which will give the people of tion rivals Girona,to put them 100 points, 15 fantastic the ancient City of Palms in joint second place with points clear of Real Madrid in every opportunity to come Villarreal on 74 points, five second, with miserable out and say thanks - and behind Elche. Villarreal beat (Jose) Mourinho signing off well done to Fran Escriba Barcelona ’B’ 3 – 0 away to and heading off to West and his heroes. Mucho Elche! set up the ‘winner takes all’ London to link up with his old Sunday showdown against:guess who? Why, Almeria, of course! You couldn’t make it up, For the winners, auto- Sevilla have turned down a West Ham 20 million Euro bid matic promotion, with the for their striker, Alvaro Negredo. The Sevilla President, losers locked into the dread- Jose Maria Del Nido said they were under no pressure to ed play-offs, along with sell, having already agreed a 22 million Euro deal with Girona, and two from Manchester City for winger Jesus Navas. "West Ham’s offer wasn’t good enough and the player said no,” he said. The 27-year-old Spanish international scored 31 goals last season. Sevilla finished the season ninth in La Liga but qualified for the Europa League because of European The future of the Lions is competition bans imposed on Malaga and Rayo unclear as they havn’t won a Vallecano.

W.H.U. HAMMERED

WILL THE LIONS BE KING? The British and Irish Lions warmed up – literally - at the weekend for their forthcoming 10 game tour of Australia, firstly with a ‘thumping’ 59 – 8 win over the Barbarians in the searing heat of Hong Kong, where humidity levels reached a staggering 94%. Wales scrum half Mike Phillips scored two tries and was the Lions' most consistent performer winning the Man of the Match, while winger Alex Cuthbert also scored two tries. Fly half Owen Farrell kicked 15 points, but was in the thick of it after only 8 minutes when punched by his Saracens team mate and Barbarian’s hooker Schalk Brits who was yellow, but luckily not red-carded. On Wednesday this week, having reached Australia the Lions continued where they left off in Hong Kong, by beating the first OZ regional team Western Force in Perth 69 -17. Evergreen Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll scored two tries with other touch-downs from Sexton, Croft, Heaslip, Vunipola, Bowe, Farrell and Parling. Prop Cian Healy was stretchered off but hopefully it’s only a recoverable sprained ankle: Alun Wun Jones was sin-binned in the 71st minute

Test series since they clinched a 2-1 verdict against South Africa in 1997, but in Australia there is enormous interest, where the Tests in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne for June 22, 29 and July 6 were quickly sold out. There will be great local interest as the Lions now take on Queensland Reds on 8th June, Combined NSW Old Country on 11th, NSW Waratans on 15th, Brumbies on 18th, and finally Melbourne Rebels on 25th, the latter game between the first two tests. Interest has not been witnessed on such a massive scale down under since the 2003 World Cup, which was hosted by Australia and saw Martin Johnson’s England crowned world champions with famously-remembered performances from Jonny Wilkinson. Few rugby fans will ever forget the final against the hosts Australia, especially in the heart-stopping last moments when the England fly half dropped a goal to win 20 -17, England becoming the first northern hemisphere country to win the Webb Ellis World Cup.

IN MEMORY OF ALAN

Four teams came together last Saturday for a Rugby sevens tournament in memory of the Elche junior coach, Shane Williams, who died in a car crash four years ago. It was a day of top class rugby, with teams from Elche, Albacete, Alicante University, and UCAM taking part, with the University running out as

winners. Alan’s brother came over from the UK to present the trophies, and an Ireland team shirt was raffled off for the Butterfly Children’s charity. The Murcia Seven’s tournament is on tomorrow (Saturday June 8th), with the first match kicking-off at 10.00am.

EVERY DAY’S A FOOTBALL DAY June 8th 1990 A Chinese teenager, Xia Qian Li, murders his father after not being allowed to watch the World Cup opening ceremony. 9th 1978 Clive Thomas blows for full time with the ball in mid-air following Melinho’s corner during Brazil’s first round match with Sweden. Milliseconds later, Zico scores what he thinks is the winning goal, but his effort is disallowed. Thomas later claims that the Brazilians took too long over the kick and had paid the ultimate price. 10th 1934 Italy become the first European side to win the World Cup when they beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final in Rome after extra time. 11th 1986 Morocco become the first African country to qualify for the second stages of the finals when they beat Portugal 3-1. 12th 1986 Pat Jennings celebrates his 41st birthday by winning his 119th – and final – cap for Northern Ireland in their first round match against Brazil. Sadly, the Brazilians fail to enter the party spirit and run out 3-0 winners. 13th 1986 Jose Batista is sent off after just 55 seconds of Uruguay’s final group match with Scotland. The Scots fail to break down the South American’s 10 man defence and the ensuing draw means they fail to progress to the next round. 14th 1970 With England seemingly in charge against West Germany, Alf Ramsey substitutes Bobby Charlton to preserve him for the semi-final. However, England never make it as Peter Bonetti sees three goals go past him and a 2-0 lead turns into a 3-2 defeat in the World Cup quarter final. Compiled by STUART EVANS

Friday, June 7, 2013

MOU MAY NOT BE SO SPECIAL

Is it a “Bridge Too Far” for the fans favourite? Jose Mourinho’s miserable Madrid machinations mean that he’s just done in Spain what Roberto Mancini was sacked for in England: - that’s coming second in the league and losing the Cup Final. Some mouldy-oldies are predicting trouble. Barcelona-buff Johan Cruyff says Mourinho alienated some big boys at the Bernabeu, including club and Spanish national team captain goalkeeper Iker Casillas and his mate Sergio Ramos. He also continually blamed everyone but himself for Real’s ‘failure’. At the Bridge, Mourinho ‘will struggle under the weight of expectation ’ says Ex-Blues favourite Ruud Gullit. Hmm: they say never go back in football - and (Russian) leopards don’t change their spots - no way Jose! Yeh…but! No..but! In my book there’s no job quite so pressured as being a Premier League football manager. Just ask Harry Redknapp – or try poor old Tony Pulis. His modest Midlanders, Stoke City came 13th and he got the boot, only to sourly see that dour Druid and

John McGregor reports

well-known loser Mark Hughes undeservedly walk into his place! It’s gone Potty at the Potteries! Contrast that with the puzzling position of that nice Spanish lad Roberto Martinez with wacky, wayward Wigan. Sure, he won six consecutive ties to somehow win the FA Cup, but only won 9 and lost 20 out of 38 in the Prem to get Wigan relegated. The boot? Oh no, sir! He’s now graciously accepted the helm of mighty Everton as David Moyes’ men finished sixth in the Prem. No pressure there then, Roberto! You’ll need oxygen, never having been that high before. Moyes’s merely moved over to manage Mancunia’s Majesties, wondering what wandering-eyed Wayne Rooney wants. Mind you, that Christian Ronaldo might be doing-a-Mou and coming back, to Old Trafford though – wow! Mmm... It’s Moyes, Mourinho, Martinez and Man City’s ...? Just need that confirmed and we can all look forward. Hey, good news folks with the new season starting in only nine weeks time on Saturday August 3rd . With the players having an arguably well-earned summer holiday during June, that means that pre-season training will start early in July in some three weeks time! Now that’s not long for a new manager at a top Premier League club to get his pedicured feet under his hugely expensive desk and to sort through his ‘In’ tray. Not to

mention the arguably-more-important role of taking his well-cut suit off, putting his newly-initialled track suit on and getting out there with his training staff(if he’s got them), at the club’s state-of-the-art training ground. Y’know, fold your arms and watch your expensivelyassembled squad run energetically around kicking a few balls, no doubt all trying to impress you so that you can eventually come to some important decisions - like who’s going to ‘do it for you on the park’ on August 3rd…and the 10th… and the 17th… if you last that long. Finally to fix we’ve got the excessively-expensive expectant Etihad experience: the Blues need someone ‘big’ in there, and rapido, senor. Are our Brian and Plattie still minding the shop? Whose bar’s the highest then, Man City’s or Chelski’s? ‘Moumouring’ of Chelsea has-beens, old Phil Scolari’s got a big one – a huge managerially-pressurized job, that is. Brazil is a soccermad nation that expects, and they weren’t expecting to find themselves losing to England (well done lads!). That equalizer probably saved his choizo (love their striker called Fred, brilliant). Of course big Phil comes from an ever-lengthening line of famous ex-Chelsea managers, who also didn’t realise the rabid Russian’s ruthlessness – which brings us nicely back to Mou – roll on August 3rd!