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The View

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

THIS WEEK IN PAGE 1 – COVER PICTURE – CHENGDU, CHINA PAGE 3 – GENERAL NEWS STORIES PAGE 4 – THE WEEK IN PICTURES PAGE 5 – NOT QUITE THE RIGHT TYPES PAGE 6 – THE ED’S WEEKLY VIEWS PAGE 7 – SPANISH RELATED NEWS PAGE 8 – IT’S STILL ALL BULL PAGE 9 – LIKE IT OR GRUMP IT PAGE 10 & 11 – SPANISH RELATED NEWS PAGE 12 – LAW ENFORCERS IN SPAIN – MUNICIPAL POLICE PAGE 13 – CONCORDE: A FLIGHT TO THE END PAGE 14 – SPANISH RELATED NEWS PAGE 15 – CROCKER’S CORNER PAGE 16 – READERS LETTERS & LOTTERY RESULTS PAGE 17 – THE DEATH (AND THE LIFE) OF A GOON PAGE 18 to 20 – UK RELATED NEWS PAGE 21 – ONE SINGULAR SENSATION PAGE 22 – BUGS BUNNY – BIRTHDAY BOY PAGE 23 – THE VIEW THROUGH THE LENS PAGE 24 – CLAPPERBOARD PAGE 25 – OLLIE’S MOOD SPILLS PAGE 26 – THE VIEW ON NOSTALGIA – JULY 24th 1970 PAGE 27 – FOR YOUR INFORMATION PAGE 28 – WHAT’S ON THE TELLY? PAGES 28 to 31 – CONCISE TV LISTINGS PAGES 32 & 33 – FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY PAGES 34 & 35 – FOOD & DRINK PAGE 36 – OVER 50s LIFESTYLE PAGE 37 – IT’S YOUR PAGE – THE ROULETTE WHEEL PAGES 38 & 39 – PUZZLE PAGES PAGE 40 – CAPTION COMPETITION PAGE 41 – MOTORING PAGE 42 – BUS JOURNEY – LA MARINA PAGE 43 – TRAVEL AROUND SPAIN – LA PALMA PAGES 44 & 45 – THE VIEW OUTLETS / CLASSIFIED ADVERTS PAGES 46 – BRITISH SPORTING LEGEND – ALEX HIGGINS PAGE 47 ­ SPORT

EDITOR’S WEEKLY MESSAGE O

K, I admit it; I hold my hands up and confess.

As I celebrated my 26 years living in Spain, I have to say that the current run of temperatures are the highest I’ve experienced in all that time; a fact that has been confirmed with the announcement that it’s been the hottest July since records began. I’m not in the least surprised and I’ve been suffering like the rest of you.

“Why did you come to Spain if you don’t like the heat?” they say. I think it’s now an age thing as the older I get the less I can take the exceptionally high temperatures.

Give me a steady 28C and the month of May all year round and I’ll be happy. Hot enough by day to enjoy the direct sun and cool enough at night to sleep. Personally speaking, the extra spent on additional hours of air­conditioning is balanced up by hardly using the heating switch in the winter. The heat can cause as many problems as the cold, so I defend the right of people to continue to get their “Winter Fuel Allowance” and to spend it on keeping cool and well.

In a world where the people are seemingly continuing to blame others for their shortcomings, I was astounded – actually, I wasn’t – to read about the young boy who had been very badly burned by the Barcelona sun on a school trip and arrived home with blisters showing through his shirt (see page 18), only for his mother to blame the school. According to her, “He was told in the morning before they went to the water park to put on sun lotion, which he did as I had packed him some factor 15,” she added. “But he was not told again after that to top it up,” saying it was “total neglect” on the part of the teachers.

Whatever happened to common sense?

Good luck with your claim for compensation, the real motive for your complaint no doubt!

I continue to be more than fascinated with the latest state of British politics and the internal wars being fought within the Labour Party. My politics are more than well known or can be gathered quite easily on occasions, but even I’m disgusted with the behaviour of the so­ called official HM Opposition and their stance of abstaining on motions. Anyone that knows me is aware that I never sit on the fence (be lucky to find one to hold my weight!) and I have my opinions. Surely people go into politics at a national level with more firmly held views than mine, and it’s incredible to think that MPs representing a party that purports to be fighting for the working man and the less fortunate in society are prepared to, in effect, support their bête noire over welfare issues. I look forward to seeing Jeremy Corbyn at the Despatch Box when the House of Commons return in October. The party deserve him at their helm.

Thank you for all the entries we received for the recent “Recognise These?” feature.

Keep an eye out for next week’s edition when there’ll be another set of faces to identify, a great prize to win, and the answers and winners to the last competition. My deviousness caught out a few of you, but not everyone!

There are plenty of fiestas around at the moment and going into August, and you’ll find details of them on page 27. Edition 12, next week, will feature another four page special pullout information section with all new timetables and places to visit for the resident and tourist alike.

Enjoy THE VIEW! P.S. This week’s front cover picture is from Chengdu in China.

Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative

(Oscar Wilde) Editor – DEREK JAMES SHANKLAND

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

GONE TOO SOON Katie Elizabeth Salmon 5 February 1997 – 18 July 2105

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any members of the local community along the Costa Blanca were left in an extreme state of shock last Saturday when they learned of the death of Katie Salmon. She was just 18 years old.

Katie simply went to bed on Friday night and didn’t wake up on Saturday morning. Subsequent tests showed there to be nothing wrong with her and passed away due to Sudden

Arrhythmic Death Syndrome which is tragically an all too common cause of death in a growing number of younger people. The heart in this big hearted girl simply stopped.

Katie’s funeral service is being held at 1100 today (Friday 24th) in La Zenia. Her devastated parents, Julie & Gary, have asked for no flowers but instead for donations to Katie’s favourite charity, M.A.B.S. She was an exceptionally popular girl among friends and colleagues and fellow performers that made up the amateur dramatic and show scene in the area. Katie was

highly involved with the Matrix Studio Madhouse and it is there this Sunday (26th) that a memorial day will be held – A Song For Katie – beginning at 2pm. If you’re an entertainer of any kind, you’re welcome to come along and sing a song in memory of a special person, or simply just come along and help to raise funds to help with funeral costs.

If you’re a local business and would like to donate a prize for the fund raising raffle, please contact Carla on 666 551 816.

HELP CATCH THE CHEATS

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ritons who are thinking of moving to Spain and are receiving benefits should remember to tell the authorities before finalising their plans. Failure to do so may well result in a criminal offence, warns the Department for Work and Pensions.

With the current strength of the pound against the euro, more and more Britons are interested in buying a property abroad, and Spain is one of the most popular destinations of choice.

But if you receive a UK benefit, along with packing your sun cream and forwarding your mail, telling your benefit office you are moving should be at the top of your “to do” list. Reporting a change in your circumstances such as moving abroad or buying a property is your responsibility. By failing to do so you could be committing benefit fraud, even if you do not live in Spain but have property here.

One fraudster who failed to report a change in circumstances is Dean Stuart Ahmed from Cardiff, who after claiming benefits since 1997 had not only purchased luxury properties in Murcia, Spain and South Wales but also rented them out to make a profit. Presenting himself as a single disabled

person Mr Ahmed had, over 15 years, accumulated a large collection of property and assets. In September last year he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison and his properties and assets were seized.

With large numbers of Britons moving to and living in Spain, the Department for Work and Pensions has a dedicated team in the country to investigate benefit fraud abroad and make sure UK taxpayers’ money is not being abused.

More than seven million pounds has so far been recovered from British benefit thieves living here.

Much of this success is thanks to the free hotline which members of the public can call anonymously to report suspected benefit thieves. Important details which can help the team track down a fraudster include the suspect’s name and address both in Spain and in the UK. If you know someone who you suspect is committing benefit fraud in Spain, please call the free and anonymous hotline on 900 55 44 40. The lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm. You will be doing your bit to make sure that benefits – which is money that comes from taxpayers ­ goes to the people who really need it.

CCTV CAMERAS COP ROBBERY SUSPECTS

JOURNALISTS MISSING S

Are these the lowlifes who stole handbag from charity shop??

DONNA GEE reports Do you recognise the man and woman captured here on CCTV video? Have you seen them in your locality, perhaps acting suspiciously? Maybe the man's distinctive purple T­shirt attracted your attention.

You might even know the identity of the couple, in which case please call the police or The View as a matter of urgency.

The couple are suspected of stealing the manageress's handbag from the Debra

charity shop in Pueblo Bravo, Quesada on Tuesday July 14 in what can only be described as the meanest of thefts. Accepting charity is one thing. Robbing unpaid volunteers who spend their lives helping the needy is beneath contempt – but hopefully justice will prevail after the suspected perpetrators were caught on camera by the shop's security cameras.

Wendy Prokopowycz of the Expat Warning and Information Centre commented: “We believe the thieves used the child to steal the manageress's handbag from the back of the shop. She is devastated. It contained some very sentimental items precious to her and her late husband.''

panish intelligence agents have been working urgently to track down three journalists from Spain, the latest foreigners to go missing while reporting in war­torn Syria.

They have been named as José Manuel López, 44, Ángel Sastre, 35, and Antonio Pampliega, 33.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said "no theory is being ruled out" in relation to the disappearance of the three, missing for 10 days in a war zone where numerous foreigners have been kidnapped in the past. Spain's foreign minister said embassies and the intelligence service were "fully active" in the search.

Officials could not yet confirm whether the men had been kidnapped.

According to the Spanish press federation FAPE, the journalists have not been heard from for 10 days. They had been reporting in Aleppo, a city in north­western Syria that has been devastated by fighting.

The case raised memories of three other Spanish reporters who were seized by the jihadist group Islamic State in northern Syria in 2013 and released in March 2014.

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

THE WEEK IN PICTURES....

SIR JOHN HURT The latest acting Knight of the Realm.

DON LOCK Victim of the road rage incident in Findon, West Sussex. Matthew Daley has been charged with his murder.

ENGLAND WOMEN’S CRICKET TEAM Begin their Ashes series with a thrilling win.

ZACH JOHNSON – Winner of the 144th Open Championship after a three­way playoff.

SEPP BLATTER Surrounded by Dollars during a press conference prank

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

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NOT QUITE THE RIGHT TYPES Y

By Matt Collins

ou could be forgiven for thinking that there are elements of local politics in Spain that seem hell bent on destroying the one thing that puts their country on the map.

Tourism, both holidaymaker and residential, is the life blood of this part of the Iberian Peninsula yet, since the municipal elections held at the end of May politicians across Spain and their islands have been drip feeding their opinions.

Potentially, killing the goose that lays the proverbial golden egg is a phrase that comes to mind.

Firstly, it was the new mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, who has agreed to officially suspend the licensing of all types of tourist accommodation in the city, prior to the creation of a regulatory plan. This decision has effectively paralysed the licensing of hotels, tourist apartments, student residences and hostels.

The strike is the first step in the process of the regulation of tourist accommodation, which will be accompanied by an assessment of the current amount in the city, especially hotels. The stated aims are to come to an agreement with the

hotel associations and the local residents that strike an acceptable balance.

As reported in THE VIEW last week, the President of the Canary Islands wants to cut back on the amount of tourists to his archipelago, and recent incidents in Magaluf and Ibiza have brought tourism issues to the surface there, causing local residents and officials alike to question whether action needs to be taken to curb the problems.

Closer to home in Benidorm, and their Mayor and the councillor for tourism, Toni Perez from the Partido Popular (PP) announced the decision of the opposition PSOE motion calling for a curb on the amount of “all inclusive” hotels.

The announcement came on the same day on which trade associations connected to the catering and leisure businesses in Benidorm demanded a commitment to “quality tourism”.

The associations, Aico, ABRECA and Ociobal stated their opposition to the continuing rise of the all inclusive sector saying it "harms the image of Benidorm."

A spokesman for the PP, Jose Ramon Gonzalez de Zarate, believes that the PSOE realise that they won’t be able to reverse this trend and the motion put forward is purely a declaration of intent. He went on to say, however, that this gives the opportunity to have a serious debate about the shape and style of tourism that has been offered by the city in recent years, and should be taken up with the Benidorm Tourism Foundation.

According to HOSBEC (Hospitality Business Association of

Benidorm, Costa Blanca and Valencia Business) the all­ inclusive market only accounts for 20% of the industry, which equates to around 8,000 beds and the impact isn’t regarded as too significant when considered that there are over 300,000 visitors during August EVERY DAY! However, worried bar, restaurant and entertainment establishment owners fear that the trend is increasing and could cause “a serious problem” for the future of the city.

An impasse seems to be on the horizon as the president of ABRECA (the trades association) said that Benidorm needs to reassess what tourism is in the modern times and what kind of customer they want to attract. “There is a difference now, compared to 20 years ago,” he said, “when visitors had more disposable income and came from all around the world.

Now there are less nationalities visiting with less money to spend.”

HOSBEC argue that those tourists staying in the all­ inclusive hotels still consume in the town, especially close to their base, so the regime works fine.

6 THE ED’S WEEKLY VIEWS By Darren James Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

ADIOS, COLUMBIA T

his time last year, I didn’t know Katie Salmon. In fact, I knew her for a very short time, a mere six months, during her life that has been cruelly and tragically cut short, but in that time she made such an impression on me. Many words have been spoken and written about this lovely girl, particularly the beautiful sentiments penned by Gordon Oliver on page 25, and I would like to add mine.

Katie was a major part of The Rocky Horror Show that I was involved during

late last year and early this. She played the wacky, brusque and demonstrative character of Columbia in this great production, and what struck me from the very first rehearsal was that not only was Katie word­perfect with her lines, she displayed a great acting talent with the most incredible facial expressions. From my permanent, lucky position stage left, I witnessed every line and gesture and it was an education. I will never hear the phrase of “Hi Ho Silverrrrrrr” again without seeing that delightful, innocent smile that brightened all the lives of those of us that got to know her.

Off stage, she was charming, polite, well­mannered, respectful to us elders,

HEIL ROYAL HIGHNESS

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nless you’re a viewer of SKY News, you wouldn’t have previously heard of Stig “of the dump” Abell before. He’s someone that appears to be one of the modern Jack Of All Trades characters that on the surface has a very important job, Managing Editor of The Sun, but can also fit in being an LBC radio presenter and SKY newspaper reviewer.

His profile has been increased since last weekend and the publication in The Sun of the controversial pictures of the Queen, as a young princess at the time, allegedly showing her and her mother happily demonstrating a Nazi salute! Was it, wasn’t

it?

The official statement said that she was waving. Others have suggested how else would you teach your daughter to do a cartwheel? I agree that the images would possibly be more outrageous if they’d been taken between 1939 and 1945, but even if they were, what’s the difference between the royal’s taking the rise out of Hitler in the same way as Basil Fawlty did in the famous scene?

I like the history of the Royal Family and find the time around the abdication of Edward VIII (implicated in the pictures as being the instigator of the gestures) quite

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and just a pleasure to talk to. Her adoration of her wonderful parents, Julie & Gary, also shone through as did theirs of her, and there are no adequate words to describe how they have been feeling since last Saturday.

Such unexpected and shocking news makes you stop and think and take stock.

I simply decided to have a night out in Benidorm. The train was full of young Spanish, probably of a similar age or even younger than Katie, and if they could’ve all read my mind they would’ve heard me saying to all of them, “Enjoy yourself tonight. Live the moment.”

fascinating. The more I read about this man, his womanising, his well documented Nazi sympathies, and indeed his alleged parentage on his father’s side (there is no doubting who is mother was), I believe the reason of him wishing to marry a divorcee was the best possible excuse at the time to set an abdication in motion. I think the establishment saw the future Duke of Windsor for the man he really was and had to get rid of him somehow. Whether you’re a royalist or a republican, I think Britain has to be grateful for the actions of Stanley Baldwin during those dark times

PAR FOR THE COURSE

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he P.C. police have been out in force again this week following comments made by the doyen of golf commentary, 83 year old Peter Alliss. The man with the sharpest of wit to accompany his sage wisdom has been accused of sexism and racism and causing offence.

It all stems from just before The Open winner Zach Johnson was about to win the Championship and the camera focused on his wife, Kim. Alliss said about how she would spend the prize money: "She is probably thinking ­ 'if this goes in I get a new kitchen'." Just what is wrong with that?

Anybody, male or female, with a modicum of a sense of humour would simply laugh and agree with the sentiment.

The BBC has since made a grovelling apology saying: “Peter made a light hearted comment which was inappropriate and we apologise if anyone was offended.” Who decided it was

inappropriate? From what I’ve read the entire episode was due to a Lesley­Anne Wade (manager of Sir Nick Faldo) sending a Tweet. I’ve read about no others. There you go Lesley, you’ve had your Andy Warhol 15 minutes; go back to your bunker.

He was earlier accused of racism when the camera showed a busker in the streets of St Andrew’s playing the bagpipes and focused in on a bucket with a significant number of coins and notes. Cue a group of people walking by that just happened to contain two Indian looking men and Allis said, “I bet they don’t put any money in”. His comment was later twisted to suggest the emphasis on the word “they”. “Why else would he say it,” they asked.

If I was Alliss, now being described as “dinosauric” in some quarters, I’d tell the BBC to shove their contract right up their

self­righteous fairway and let their final coverage of golf, before it’s handed over to SKY in 2017, just fade away without tugging on the heartstrings on the last day and using him as a wonderful symbol of what has gone before.

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

SPANISH POLITICAL SCENE

PODEMOS SLIP DOWN POLL

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ith the General Election expected by many political pundits to be called for November this year, the anti­establishment party Podemos is losing ground against Spain’s two mainstream parties, the Partido Popular (PP) and the Socialists (PSOE).

The latest opinion poll shows that Spain’s well documented and publicised economic recovery and the ongoing crisis in Greece, have contributed to a resurgence in support for Spain’s two­party system at the expense of radical anti­austerity protest party Podemos.

According to a GAD3 poll published in the Spanish ABC newspaper, if there were to be an election tomorrow, the governing PP party would win the most votes securing 29.1% of the vote. The main opposition socialist party, the PSOE, would secure a quarter of the vote with 25.1%. The poll is a bonus for the PSOE in particular, as they’ve increased their percentage share by 6.1% since January.

Podemos, the radical left leaning party, which many in Spain see as the equivalent to that of Syriza in Greece, would win just 15% of the vote. Previous surveys had put them neck and neck, or even ahead on one occasion with its more traditional rivals. The poll was also seen as a positive result for Ciudadanos, the centrist party of Albert Rivera, placing it as Spain’s fourth political force with 12.1% of the vote.

However, if the figures were to be repeated at an election, the combined number of seats obtained by the PP and the right­leaning Ciudadanos Party, would still be short of gaining an absolute majority as a coalition. Their combined seats in El Cortes would be 163; 13 short of the 176 majority needed in the 350 seat parliament. A possible coalition of PSOE and Podemos would result in a total of 147 – 29 seats short. Both the PP and the PSOE would need to go into a series of talks with the minor parties if they were to see their leader as the next Prime Minister of Spain.

Podemos, the radical party led by Pablo Iglesias has

challenged Spain’s traditional two­party system since shows that opinion polls cannot be trusted and Spain is no different. Suggestions are abound that Prime Minister bursting onto the political scene only 18 months ago.

In regional and municipal elections in May, coalitions Mariano Rajoy of the PP, is thought to be calculating that, by under the Podemos flag took power in four of Spain’s five calling the election as late in the year as possible, voters will biggest cities, including Madrid and Barcelona, changing not only be seeing an even greater turnaround in their fortunes, but experiencing at first hand some of the problems Spain’s political landscape.

But ABC said that recent measures by the PP government, in some of the cities in the country following the municipal including the lowering of taxes combined with an improved elections, that saw a coalition of the non mainstream parties outlook of Spain’s economy, had seen voters return to the PP. and trusting the devil they know. MC The findings contrast with recent polls that have shown the three parties running virtually neck­ and­neck. In a survey from Metroscopia, considered a more accurate benchmark in nly a couple of weeks Spain, published in El País on July 5, they all since the UK Chancellor stood at between 21.5% and 23%. of the Exchequer George According to the pollsters, the ongoing crisis Osborne announced plans in Greece under the government of Podemos for the implementation of a allies Syriza, has turned people off the party. living wage in his Budget, "Now however, at least the more moderate PP Spain could see a similar voter is starting to compare Spain with Greece scheme, should the and say, "well, not having had a bailout was very government change at some tough but, having had one would have been even point later in the year. worse," said Narciso Michavila of GAD3.

On Monday, Spain’s Michavila, whose firm has close links with the principal opposition party, the PP, said Podemos was also losing out in a shift in PSOE, pledged an annual amount of €6.5 billion to go to help vulnerable voter intentions on the left, which was favouring families, if it wins the general election; an election in which economic the PSOE. factors will no doubt play a major role.

The polls show that support for the PP has Spain has emerged from the crisis of a double­dip recession as one of held steady since January, whereas Podemos has the fastest­growing economies in the euro zone. But, those intervening six seen its popularity plummet. However, years of downturn have increased social inequalities and have left many according to the poll, the PP has suffered a huge citizens failing to benefit from the recovery and scarred by an average loss of support since winning the last general unemployment rate hovering around 23%. election in 2011 ­ with support falling 15 The Socialist party, which has faced strong competition on the left from percentage points. anti­austerity party Podemos, said it would introduce a "living wage" The result of the UK General Election in May, scheme to help some 730,000 families with zero income. Podemos had previously suggested a similar scheme, though it is not yet clear in what form it would feature in its election program.

"A future Socialist government will set aside six times as much in resources to counter poverty in our country," party leader Pedro Sanchez said at a rally in Merida, southern Spain. The €6.45 billion a year plan would be financed through a series of indirect or stealth taxes. Punished by the country’s voters for a weak response to the economic crisis that began in 2008, the PSOE has been trying to regain momentum since a landslide national election win by the centre­right Partido Popular (PP) of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in late 2011.

As reported elsewhere on this page, the PP which is leading in the polls, is now also promoting the economic recovery to try to appeal to voters, having brought forward tax breaks ahead of an election likely to take place in November.

The government forecasts that national output will grow 3.3% in 2015 and with it an extra 600,000 jobs will be created.

Living wage in Spain too?

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

IT’S STILL ALL BULL

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p and down Spain, everyone has seen at least one example of the Black Bull usually found in the middle of nowhere.

Some visitors and residents assume it is simply a symbol of the country and some have been heard to exclaim with a degree of authority, “That’s where the local bullring is!” Do you know what they are and why they’re there?

Osborne is the name of one of the most important and long­ lived family run wineries. Founded in 1772, it makes them one of the 100 world’s oldest and active companies and the second oldest in Spain. The history of the company dates back to the late 18th century, when an English merchant Thomas Osborne Mann, from Exeter in Devon, visited Cadiz to export his sherry. In no time he’d established trade links with Sir James Duff and his nephew William Gordon, owners of several wineries in El Puerto de Santa Maria. It was in this town that the young Thomas Osborne found a winery, that, after more than 240 years of operation not only remains, but has become a big Spanish business.

The Osborne sherry company erected large images of bulls dating to 1956, to advertise their Brandy de Jerez after consulting with Advertising Azor. The Artistic Director and Head of Study was graphic designer Manolo Prieto, who came up with the idea to the bull silhouette, “The bull of roads”. At first, the client didn’t like the design. Prieto was not only a designer but a renowned draftsman and painter who specialised in creating book covers, posters and advertising campaigns. It was probably unfair in that, he gained his fame from designing a bull since some of his great works won international awards.

The images were black advertising boards located near major roads throughout Spain with the brand "Veterano" in red on it. The original image was smaller and slightly different in design. The current larger image was created to comply with a law that prohibited advertising within 150 metres of a road.

In 1994 the EU passed a law that prohibited all roadside advertising of alcoholic beverages and the bulls were therefore to be removed. By this time the signs were nationally renowned, so although some campaigners wished them completely removed to fully comply with the intent of the law, public response resulted in the signs being retained, but completely blacked out to remove all reference to the original advertisers. The Court eventually allowed these signs to remain on the grounds that they have become a part of the landscape and have "aesthetic or cultural significance", thus turning the bulls into public domain images.

There are now only two signs in Spain with the word "Osborne" still written on them. One

is at the Jerez de la Frontera airport in the province of Cadiz and the other is in the nearby town of El Puerto de Santa María, where the Osborne headquarters is found.

The image of the bull is now displayed in stickers, key rings and the like. Also, in sport events where a Spanish team or individual take part, the bull is embedded by supporters in the Flag of Spain in the manner of a coat of arms.

There are about 90 examples of the Osborne bull advertisements. A few of them are also present, in a slightly different design, in Mexico, where it retains its advertising function.

The Barcelona bull was vandalized by people who identified themselves as Catalan independentists, although later it was restored by a group of neighbours of Masquefa. The only Bull in Mallorca is often vandalized by members of separatist or other movements.

For a nation where goading and killing bulls is known as a national fiesta, the original decision to kill off the Osborne bulls ­ which have decorated the Spanish landscape for almost 60 years ­ raised a storm of protest. Even though the name had to be removed, everybody still knew it was the Veterano brandy bull.

Without the inscription, it seemed bigger, blacker, stronger and nobler. It is the perfect fighting bull, its horns held high, its head in a pose of inquisitive readiness. It turned into something of a myth, a symbol of Spain itself. To some, it symbolises virility, to others fertility. Legend has it that barren couples made love in the shadow of its giant testicles after all else failed.

Osborne sponsored a big, glossy book called "An Enormous Black Bull", in which leading artists gave their impressions of what the Osborne bull meant to them.

“The bull has not broken the panorama of the countryside. On the contrary, it forms part of it. It does not distract, it contemplates,'' wrote journalist Alfonso Ussia, during the “Pardon the Osborne Bull'” campaign. “It is at one with the

countryside, in communion with the space it occupies,” wrote industrialist Jose Maria Cuevas. “It is the protective shadow over the fields of Spain,” wrote another journalist.

A leading member of the brandy­producing family, Rafael Osborne Macpherson ­ with a name like that, it is perhaps surprising that he didn't get into whisky ­ began looking for an advertising gimmick for Veterano in the mid­1950s.

Graphic artist Manolo Prieto, came up with the bull idea and the first one, which was made of wood, was erected on the Burgos highway, 33 miles north of Madrid in 1957.

Once there were 500, but recession and the ravages of time have cut the herd to 91. Each metal bull weighs four tons, has a surface area of more than 150 square yards and stands 38 feet high. Scaffolding and the concrete base take the weight of the contraption to 50 tons.

The most outstanding sites were chosen all over Spain, with landowners being paid in cash or in cases of brandy. Often, the bull is visible from many miles off and drivers use them as landmarks. Even some airline pilots joke about lining up their landings using the Osborne bull near Jerez airport and parents like to keep their children busy on long journeys, by having them count the number of bulls they pass.

Carmen Alborch, the Minister of Culture, was one of the first to stand up to her cabinet colleague, Transport Minister Jose Borrell, when it was first announced that the bulls would have to go. As the campaign for a pardon grew, the Prime Minister at the time, Felipe Gonzalez hinted that a way might be found to bend the law.

Bullfighting has always divided members of Spanish society and others worldwide. At the time of the proposed banning of the Osborne bulls, a cartoon in the daily Diario 16, summed up the row. It showed a bleeding “real” bull with the matador's sword protruding from its shoulder blades, gazing longingly at the black bull hoarding on a hill. “Wish I was cardboard,” it said.

The View

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

LIKE IT OR GRUMP IT Funda-mental fact: A flying brandy bottle is the safest way to travel

DONNA GEE’S VIEW SING-SONG TIME FOR BRIGHTON’S BEACH BOYS

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used to be so petrified of flying that I'd lock myself away in the airport loo half an hour before boarding and demolish a quarter bottle of neat Fundador.

Then I'd happily jet off to my destination full of carefree spirit, knowing that if the bottom fell out of the plane at 38,000 feet, I could ferry passengers and crew across the sky to safety using my own 40 per cent proof alcohol tank.

Even in those days, I was aware that flying was much safer than driving. So, indeed, are the masses of nervous people today who are so scared of air travel that they think a Ryanair loo and a hot flush are the same thing.

So why did I ever get into a flap over what is statistically the safest form of travel on earth (or a few thousand feet above it to be accurate)?

Global airline safety reports confirm there were a total of 90 commercial aeroplane accidents in 2013, just nine of which involved fatalities .

The 173 people killed on those doomed trips may seem a lot but when you look at the figures in the context of 32 million flights worldwide, the overall statistic of one accident per 300,000 flights and one fatality every three million trips proves conclusively that there is no safer form of transport.

If you are set on meeting St Peter at the Pearly Gates ASAP, then I can reveal that making the trip on two wheels is by far the best bet.

Yes, the riskiest way to travel anywhere is on a motorbike. Mile­for­mile, motorcycling is

statistically 3,000 times more deadly than flying – and you are 100 times more likely to die travelling to Spain on four wheels than on a UK charter flight to or from the Costas.

Feel free to double the car­death figure if you include the loony Spanish fly boys who have brought a new skill to the art of driving. It's called airborne overtaking and it's soaring in popularity on my local autoroute.

I was approaching my fifties (in age, that is, not maximum driving speed) when I finally came to terms with the fear­of­flying nonsense.

During a rare moment of airborne sobriety, my pickled brain came realised that Fundador­ mentalism at ground level was much more likely to kill me than an extinct bird trying to board Ryanair ‘s smallest aircraft.

So when I now squeeze myself into one of Michael O’Leary’s tiny 3,000­seaters, I am reasonably relaxed, albeit still with the ability to panic whenever turbulence is around. Admit it, you laid­back veterans of sky travel ­ don't you cast a quick look at the cabin crew's faces whenever the engine sound changes or if the

fasten seat­belt signs suddenly lights up?

I'm sure the aircraft staff are trained to remain calm at all times. But I defy them to keep a straight face if and when a desperate dodo sticks its beak into the starboard wing and the engine catches fire.

For all that, it's great to be smugly dismissive of the occasional flyers who break into a round of applause when their holiday flight touches down. What's coming next ­ a windbound for the driver?

For me, the most sobering thought is that my daughter and her other half run a major training centre for motorcycle riders in Manchester.

I need a drink. Anyone seen my hip flask?

A thought on the new menace of terrorism in the air. In the wake of the 9/11 horror, airline passenger miles in the United States fell between 12% and 20% while road travel rocketed. By the time the panic ended and sky travel returned to normal, academics estimated that 1,595 extra lives had been lost. I never could figure out the Americans.

othing gives this old Grump the hump more than having her fried egg and chips polluted by some ignorant fag addict ligh­ ting up on the next table.

My lungs aren’t too keen on being forcibly subjected to a mini cancer invasion, either.

So you can guess where I stand on Brighton council’s proposal to extend the town’s smoking ban to outdoor areas including its vast beach.

No more dog­ends, and no more exposure to the cancer­ stick menace ­ or indeed the solar rays that reputedly cause skin cancer. That final bonus is, of course, down to the blanket ban on summer sunshine impo­ sed by the British weather.

I’m all for smoking restric­ tions in public places where pe­ ople eat, both indoors and out, but implementing Brighton’s audacious plan to make the beach fag free would be akin to erecting signs ordering flies and mosquitos to wear appropriate clothing while tucking in to your aunt or ankle.

A midge too far, you might say.

Humans can, of course, dine on the beach, while mozzies are perfectly free to indulge in peo­ ple­eating. But making South coast sand smokers buzz off for a fix would be harder than confi­ ning the insect world’s best stin­ gers to Brighton Dome concerts.

Say R! It’s all about Rosie, Ronnie and Reggie now Rosie....from frightened feral to gentle loving kitten

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eet Rosie...the gentle living proof that feral kittens can not only be tamed, but also become gentle, loving pets.

Four weeks ago, Rosie and four of her tiny siblings were adopted by the Impact Cats Charity after spending the first few weeks of their wretched lives in the overgrown garden of an empty El Raso house.

Their mother, a very protective black and white feral, had reared them in the jungle next door to my home before bringing them cunningly to my back door at meal times.

The wide­eyed kittens were both fascinated and frightened by the two­legged monster that fed them,

each day and it was only at meal times that I was allowed to get near enough to touch them. Stroking was taboo ­ their mother made sure of that by hissing every time I came too close for her comfort.

So when Impact’s Christine Hoggett heard of my little problem, she agreed to take part in an experiment to confirm that feral kittens can be domesticated as long as they are caught early enough.

It’s exactly one month since Chris, her volunteer friend Jackie and I began our mission by trapping all

but one of the kittens, along with their Mum, and taking them to Impact HQ for assessment.

Mum was sterilised wthin 24 hours and Chris, her son Andrew and the Impact team then got to work on the two black, two tabby and lone black and white tots.

I returned from the UK last week to see the impact of Impact for myself. In Rosie, the change was astounding. No longer was I faced by a frightened feral; here was a beautiful relaxed creature happy to sit on my lap and be stroked. Black

Continued on Page 11 WANT TO COMMENT ON ANY OF DONNA’S ARTICLES? Email your thoughts to donnagee1@aol.com

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

BUILDING NOISE RESTRICTIONS The siesta is a must

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uilding noise has been the blight of many people’s lives on the Costa Blanca, especially with the recent economic upturn in the country and the new building and completion of many properties. During the previous boom time in the late 80s and early 90s, some residents suffered years of non­stop construction and the associated noise around them, finding that there was nothing they could do to stop it.

At the time, I was aware of residents resorting to headphones to listen to their television during the day with their doors shut, closing out any natural breeze and stopping not only the noise pollution, but the dirt and dust being blown their way from neighbouring works. Others even dissuaded family and friends from visiting them in the sun due to the disruption in the summer months. Who wants a two week break in the sun, to rest and chill­out, only to have that long­awaited holiday ruined by construction noise?

In a development that could be the beginning of a welcome trend for many, the Mayor of Javea, Jose Chulvi, has made a statement announcing a clampdown on the number of hour’s builders in the area are permitted to make noise. Sñr Chulvi has signed an ordinance to reduce the time allowed for construction works which produce noise and vibration and affects the rest period of both residents and tourists.

With immediate effect noisy work will be allowed only from 9.00 to 15.00 hours and from 17.00 to 20.00 hours. Builders will be forbidden to make noises and vibration levels that may disturb people between 15.00 and 17.00 and from 20.00 until 09.00 the following morning. Javea Town Hall will monitor especially those activities related to the excavating of land and the local police will ensure that these provisions are met and if necessary, will initiate disciplinary proceedings for any violations.

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Moreover, in the event of serious and gross inconvenience to neighbours, the Council may order the immediate suspension of the work until the deficiencies are corrected.

The regulation, affecting both private and public works, will run until August 31, the only exception to this prohibition being any urgent works by the Town Hall, such as the need to maintain basic services and road safety conditions.

It’s a start in the right direction to combat this kind of noise pollution where the needs of the residents and tourists need to be balanced with those of the builders themselves, who need to make a living. When people talk of noise disturbances in Spain, thought is almost immediately placed in the direction of bars and music to all hours of the night.

Construction work can be just as, if not more, annoying and disturbing. More needs to be looked at as to how regulations and working practices can be modified and improved to make all parties happy. The new laws in Javea at least prevent the very early start at 0800 disturbing people’s slumber following a late night and the two hour siesta between 1500 and 1700 is better than just the one hour lunch break taken by many workers at present.

Matt Collins

he adjoining story talks about curbing building noise in the afternoon to enable people to enjoy a rest on these hot summer days. In one part of Spain, it’s been taken just a little further as a local mayor has become the first in the country to issue an official proclamation that creates an official afternoon snooze for the entire city!

Joan Faus Vitoria, Mayor of Ador in Valencia, has declared 2pm to 5pm as the official time for the city's residents to take their afternoon siestas. The edict asks residents to keep quiet during the siesta hours, with the mayor recommending that children be kept inside homes to prevent noise travelling into open windows and that TVs and music be turned down.

To enforce this, at 1.30pm, a police officer will make an announcement over a loud speaker telling residents to prepare for their afternoon sleep.

The mayor said the nap time was chosen due to the high afternoon heat, making those three hours the ideal time to take a break from working in fields. Vitoria did emphasise that there will be no penalties for any violations, the edict should be treatd as "merely a suggestion" rather than an "obligation.

A key recommendation in the edict is that locals who choose not to spend their time sleeping, are not

allowed to use the siesta period to carry out work that makes any noise. Mechanics, for example, wouldn't be allowed to test car engines in case it wakes the neighbours.

A study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in February, espoused the health benefits of an afternoon siesta.

"Our data suggests a 30­minute nap can reverse the hormonal impact of a night of poor sleep," said study author Brice Faraut of the Universite Paris Descartes­ Sorbonne Paris Cite in France. "This is the first study that found napping could restore biomarkers of neuroendocrine and immune health to normal levels."

Whilst the daily siesta is quite common in southern European countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece, many northern European nations say the culture of sleeping while the rest of Europe is hard at work, puts these nations at a competitive disadvantage and has had a negative impact on their economies.

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The View

11

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

EXTRA TOURISTS NOT SPENDING...

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onth after month during 2015, tourism figures from all sources are showing record numbers arriving in Spain in general and on the Costa Blanca in particular, but are the thousands of extra people really benefitting the local economies?

In the latest figures released by tour operator Exceltur, visitors from outside of Spain this spring reached historic high levels. Based upon the same first six­ month period in 2014, there was an increase of 13%, and in the second quarter of this year, holidaymaker numbers jumped by 3.8% year­on­year, with French visitors showing the greatest growth at 14.8%, followed by Italians at 11.1%.

It’s probably no surprise in the wake of recent terrorist activities in Tunisia that some of the reasons cited for Spain’s success at attracting more tourists, especially the French and the Italians is linked to some of the other, cheaper beach resort areas now considered unsafe despite no further incidents since the atrocities in Sousse.

Tunisia, in particular, was popular with the French because of the language in common, and with the Italians because of the relatively short travelling distance. The British Foreign Office has also recently urged all Britons who do not have extremely pressing reasons to be there to get the first plane out of the country.

In Greece ­ both mainland and islands – there are understandable mixed feelings among potential holidaymakers: some prefer to avoid the country entirely

despite the recent bailout being agreed, whilst others have taken advantage of the country's economic problems to head there while it is at its cheapest.

But Spain continues to lead the field, with the economic crisis having forced prices down, and lower petrol costs helping keep transport and retail goods at reduced prices.

Also, the economic recovery in the UK and USA means tourists from these countries are starting to travel more, plus the strengthening of the pound and the dollar against the euro means they get more for their money, with the £ ­ € rate at its highest for almost eight years.

Spain has always been a favourite with the British, who increased in number in the first six months of the year by 3.4% and still make up the largest national market.

USA citizens have rarely been a major market segment for

tourism in Spain, but rose in number by 9.2% between April and June inclusive this year.

On the other side of the scale, the uncertain and in some cases worrying political and economic climate in Russia means the predicted mass influx of tourists and homebuyers has not taken place as first thought. In fact, Russian holidaymakers were down by a massive 48% this spring ­ and Scandinavian visitors reduced by 5.6%.

The big increase of the Western European tourists have meant that some coastal towns ­ particularly in the province of Alicante ­ are now running out of properties repossessed by banks or new builds that have never been owned as they have virtually all been bought, which has forced prices of private homes for sale up again and even led to a need for more new developments.

And the rise in tourist numbers means temporary summer jobs started three months earlier this year, and more are being offered.

However, many areas and local businesses are noticing that whilst there are more people coming to Spain to enjoy their well­earned holidays, the holidaymakers are spending far less money.

The authors of the report, Exceltur, have said that the amount of money being spent on a daily basis by foreign tourists has “been in freefall” for just over two year and the trend shows no sign of changing. They say this situation needs to be investigated and addressed since the situation is “unsustainable long­term.”

...BUT SOME HAVE PLENTY TO SPARE

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pain’s ‘Golden Visa’ scheme has been helping to bolster a recovery in parts of the country’s luxury property market.

Launched in 2013, the scheme grants almost immediate Spanish residency to investors who spend at least €500,000 on property in the country. It is one of several such schemes across Europe to encourage foreign investment.

The UK, Ireland, Portugal, Malta and Cyprus have implemented similar programmes.

“We have helped anyone who wants to come and invest in Spain, to invest capital, to boost job creation in Spain – and we definitely want that,” explained Spain’s Secretary General for Immigration and Emigration, Marine del Corral Tellez.

House prices in Spain fell by more than

25% between 2007 and 2013 according to the country’s statistics bureau.

In some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods

– such as Madrid’s Salamanca and Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona – residential property has already recovered more than 20% in lost value, primarily driven for foreign demand.

One such example of someone attracted by the ‘Golden Visa’ idea is Maria Belen Bianchi who lives in Switzerland. Her parents emigrated from Spain, and she decided to get back to her roots with a new company.

“The ‘Golden Visa’ law proposed by the Spanish Government gave me the idea to create House Invest Spain (her company). I saw a demand from Swiss investors, but also from other countries to invest in my home country,” she explained.

Say R! It’s all about Rosie, Ronnie and Reggie now Continued from Page 9

boys Ronnie and Reggie (I wonder who they were named after?) had also lost their aggressive streak and the whole entourage were clearly responding to treatment to cure minor ailments like weepy eyes.

Christine tells me: “Rosie should be ready

for a home from the middle of August, as will Ronnie and Reggie.’’

Rosie’s identical twin and the black and white kitten are taking longer to adjust but Christine assures me the omens are good.

Last Friday, I managed to trap Charlie, Ronnie and Reggie’s black sibling, and took

him to the Impact shop, where the petrified puss leapt up the window shutter and spent the next few hours hiding in the blind’s inner workings.

“We got Charlie down from the window about 8pm,’’ reported Christine later. “He was exhausted and at this very moment is asleep

under a bed.

“He has completely relaxed and calmed down and hopefully will also be ready for homing from mid August.’’

Impact Charity can be contacted on 634 330 135. There is also a dedicated PayPal for donations via mail@impactcharity.net

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

LAW ENFORCERS OF SPAIN I

PART THREE LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL POLICE

n the final part of this look at the organisations and people that keep Spain safe and sound, THE VIEW investigates the local police in general and in detail the original force that was founded in the Spanish capital, Madrid.

Sometimes known as the Policia Municipal, this is the force that is recruited, funded and controlled by the town halls or town council and is responsible to the elected mayor (Alcalde). They wear blue and white uniforms and really deal with only minor matters such as parking, local traffic control and bylaw issues. Spain has no real equivalent to the bobby on the beat. Some tourist cities/towns have a city/town funded subordinate force of uniformed security patrolmen, sometimes known as Seguridad Ciudano.

They have no police powers but can support higher level police officers. Crimes are not investigated by the Policia Local, any serious matter is immediately handed over to either the Guardia Civil or Policia Nacional. It is not their place to deal with a lot of criminal activities, as basically they do not have the resources, nor the time. They really act as a first response.

The Municipal Police are no different from any other force in the country. They are an armed force with all officers carrying hand guns, which they are prepared to use to defend themselves, or the public if needed.

Spain also has a number of local ‘private’ security companies, all regulated, who carry night sticks, handcuffs etc and have the power of arrest. They provide security for shops, buildings, building sites etc and are generally not armed with guns.

Finally, there is the Protecion Civil, which in comparison terms are a little like a cross between the Special Constabulary and the Police Community Support Officers in the UK. They are volunteers who assist in events like road closures, demonstrations, large local gatherings etc.

They have no power of arrest and are not armed with anything.

THE MADRID FORCE

It was back in the year 1202, when the first written reference to an armed force under the control of a local council, known as the Alguacil, can be traced. Over 350 years later, in 1561, the first team of police in the city of Madrid was established by the mayor.

In those early days, members of the local police forces comprised of people that were wounded as a result of war. In 1759, under the control of King Carlos III, this formed the basis of the body known as the “Milicia Urbana” (Urban

Militia), formed from personnel that were unable to fight and couldn’t serve in a military regiment The new body evolved over the years and in 1893, the unit expanded to include a mounted section. In 1914, a service was specially created to regulate cab drivers and the first cars driven around the municipality.

A year after the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1940, the force continued to grow and expand and the Brigade Movement was created. It was a further eight years until the organisation underwent a further reorganisation of staff and operations.

In 1952, the Escuadrón de caballería (Cavalry Squadron) was launched with the mission of monitoring parks and gardens. They can still be seen patrolling parks like the Retiro and the Centro de Madrid. In 1961 the Municipal Police Academy in Madrid opened, where future police officers were trained in law and prepared to be an active part of the body.

Times were beginning to change within the local police service. In 1972 the first woman joined the force, although subjected to a different selection process from that of their male counterparts. The formation of the Quinta Agrupación Mixta de Circulación, which was also commanded by female officers, were used in traffic control in places such as the Plaza de Cibeles.

Following the death of General Franco in 1975, democracy came to Spain in 1978 and with it an approval of a functioning official constitution. The police became regulated in Article 104, attributing the protection of free exercise of the rights and freedoms of citizens and ensuring public safety. It also called on the regularisation of the security forces in a future act, which would come into force in 1986 with the Law of Security Forces.

BESCAM

BESCAM (Special Brigades of Security), is the name given to a security project of the regional government of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. It aims to fund 2,500 local police divided between the various municipalities of the community that have less than 25,000 inhabitants. In early 2008, these agents were spread over 102 towns in Madrid.

BESCAM were created in 2004 by an initiative of the regional government, led by Esperanza Aguirre and the

president of the Federation of Municipalities of Madrid (FMM), Luis Partida. They signed a framework agreement between the Community and the various municipalities, where those brigades under their respective mayors are deployed.

The agreement includes funding from the Autonomous Community of Madrid, to supply staff and material resources to the fight against crime. Since the government of the Community of Madrid has no power to create its own regional police, as is the case in the Basque Country, Navarra and Catalonia, the Community of Madrid signs an agreement with each municipality, where an individual brigade is formed. BESCAM are therefore considered part of the local police, although the agents of these bodies have their own uniforms and vehicles and do their own independent training programmes.

The local policemen who are part of BESCAM are trained in the Police Academy in Madrid and is identical to that received by local police who are not part of this project. The implementation of the BESCAM service raised some controversy over whether it was an independent police or, framed within the existing local police in each municipality.

In order to dispel doubts D. Alfredo Prada, 2nd Vice President of the Community of Madrid and Director of Justice and Home Affairs explained that, "BESCAM are a security project, without assuming more powers, in order for the city and its surrounding municipalities to have an extra 5,500 more police on the street. We have signed agreements with the Ministry of Interior for 3,000 new national police and have agreed with local mayors some 2,500 new local police.

BESCAM is a project that Madrid wants involved in public safety, but it does not mean a new police or a new police model.”

The agreement with BESCAM was for a period of 15 years until 2018 and will be extended automatically for the same period after that date.

The View

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

CONCORDE – A FLIGHT TO THE END

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t was one of the world’s most iconic structures and most recognisable sights. From its first test flight in 1969 and the first scheduled service from London to Bahrain in 1976, this remarkable feat of British and French engineering dominated the world’s skies.

Supersonic flight was made available to the masses and the average time of just less than three hours from Heathrow to New York, cut some five hours off the usual journey time.

As with landing a man on the moon, also in 1969, Concorde was way ahead of its time, causing many to question as to why there hasn’t been a more modern equivalent. Cost has always been cited as the main reason. In July 2000, Concorde’s services were going further afield and the future was bright. Clear for take­off, Air France Flight 4590.....

Air France Flight 4590 was a Concorde flight operated by Air France, which was scheduled to fly from Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. On 25 July 2000, it crashed into a hotel in Gonesse, France. All one hundred passengers and nine crew members on board the flight died. On the ground, four people were killed and one critically injured.

This was the only fatal Concorde accident during its 27­ year operational history.

Five minutes before the Concorde, a Continental Airlines DC­10 departing for Newark, New Jersey, had lost a 17 inch long titanium alloy strip during takeoff from the same runway. A runway inspection, scheduled for 1500h, had not been carried out.

During the Concorde's takeoff run, this piece of debris, still lying on the runway, was run over, cutting a tyre and rupturing it. A large chunk of tyre debris struck the underside of the aircraft's wing at an estimated speed of 310mph and although it did not directly puncture any of the fuel tanks, it sent out a pressure shockwave that ruptured the number five fuel tank at the weakest point, just above the undercarriage. Leaking fuel gushing out from the bottom of the wing was most likely ignited by an electric arc in the landing gear bay, or through contact with hot parts of the engine. At the point of ignition, engines one and two both surged and lost all power, but engine one slowly recovered over the next few seconds.

A large plume of flame developed; the Flight Engineer then shut down engine two, in response to a fire warning and the Captain's command. At this point, Air traffic controller Gilles Logelin, also noticed the flames before the Concorde was airborne.However, with only 2km of runway remaining and travelling at a speed of 328kph, its only option was to take off.

The aircraft was unable to climb or accelerate, maintaining a speed of 200 knots (370 km/h; 230 mph), at an altitude of 60 metres (200 ft). The fire caused damage to the port wing, which began to disintegrate, melted by the extremely high temperatures. Engine number one surged again, but this time failed to recover. Due to the asymmetric thrust, the starboard wing lifted, banking the aircraft to over 100 degrees. The crew reduced the power on engines three and four in an attempt to level the aircraft, but with falling airspeed they lost control and the aircraft stalled, crashing into the Hôtelissimo Les Relais Bleus Hotel near the airport.

The crew was trying to divert to nearby Le Bourget Airport, but accident investigators stated that a safe landing, given the aircraft's flight path, would have been highly unlikely.

As the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) transcript recorded it, the last intelligible words in the cockpit (translated into English) were: Co­pilot: "Le Bourget, Le Bourget, Le Bourget."

Pilot: "Too late (unclear)."

Control tower: "Fire service leader, correction, the Concorde is returning to runway zero nine in the opposite direction."

Pilot: "No time, no (unclear)."

Co­pilot: "Negative, we're trying Le Bourget" (four

switching sounds).

Co­pilot: "No (unclear)."

Up until the crash of Air France Flight 4590 in 2000, the Concorde SST had been considered among the world's safest planes. The crash of a Concorde contributed to the end of the aircraft's career and a few days after the crash, all Concorde planes were grounded, pending an investigation into the cause of the crash and possible remedies.

One monument in honour of the crash victims was established at Gonesse. The Gonesse monument consists of a piece of transparent glass with a piece of an aircraft wing jutting through. Another monument, a 6,000­square­metre memorial topiary in the shape of a Concorde, was established in 2006 at Mitry­Mory.

AFTERMATH

The accident led to modifications being made to Concorde, including more secure electrical controls, Kevlar lining to the fuel tanks and specially developed burst­resistant tyres. The new­style tyres would be another contribution to future aircraft development. However, the crash of the Air France Concorde nonetheless, proved to be the beginning of the end for the type. Just before service resumed, the 11 September attacks took place, resulting in a marked drop in customer numbers and contributing to the eventual end of Concorde flights.

Air France stopped flights in May 2003, while British Airways ended its Concorde flights in October 2003.

In 2005, an article by reporter David Rose for The Observer, suggested another theory as to the cause of the Air France Concorde disaster.

It is the iconic image which everyone remembers from that day, heavy with symbolism: the photograph taken on 25 July 2000. The great white bird rears up over runway 26 at Charles de Gaulle, immediately after takeoff.

Already mortally

wounded, flames bleed uncontrollably from beneath the left­ hand wing. Less than two minutes later, the world’s only supersonic airliner will fling itself into the Paris suburb of Gonesse, killing all 109 on board and another five on the ground.

The official investigation has focused almost entirely on the fire.

According to the French accident investigation bureau, the BEA, it broke out when the plane passed over a strip of metal on the runway. A tyre burst; a chunk of rubber thudded into a fuel tank inside the wing; jet fuel poured out of a hole and ignited.

The hot gases caused two of the engines to falter, and despite a valiant struggle by Captain Christian Marty, a daredevil skier who once crossed the Atlantic on a windsurf board, the loss of thrust made the crash inevitable.

An investigation by The Observer suggests the truth is much more complicated. In the words of John Hutchinson, a Concorde captain for 15 years, the fire on its own should have been “eminently survivable; the pilot should have been able to fly his way out of trouble.” The reason why he failed to do so, Hutchinson believes, was a lethal combination of operational error and negligence. This appears to have been a crash with more than one contributing factor, most of which were avoidable.

Go back to that photograph. An amazing picture: but where was it taken? The answer is: inside an Air France Boeing 747, which had just landed from Japan and was waiting to cross Concorde’s runway on its way back to the terminal. Its passengers included Jacques Chirac and his wife, the President and first lady of France, returning from the G7 summit.

Concorde looks to be nearby because it had been close to hitting the 747, an event which would have turned both aircraft into a giant fireball. Veering wildly to the left, like a recalcitrant supermarket trolley with a jammed wheel, Concorde’s undercarriage had locked askew.

When Marty pulled back on the control column to raise the nose and take to the air — the process pilots call “rotation” — the plane’s airspeed was only 188 knots, 11 knots below the minimum recommended velocity required for this manoeuvre.

But he had no choice: the plane was about to leave the tarmac altogether and plough into the soft and bumpy grass at its side. That might have ripped off the landing gear, leaving Concorde to overturn and blow up on its own. If not, the 747 lay straight ahead. So he took to the air, although he knew he was travelling too slowly, which would impair the damaged plane’s chances of survival.

The issues raised by David Rose, which at first were dismissed as so much conspiracy mongering, are now generally accepted facts within the aviation community and have been more or less confirmed by investigators, however quietly.

The November 2012 court ruling does not explicitly say so, but it is, in its own way, a tacit acknowledgment of the full story — one in which Continental Airlines played at worst a supporting role. This accident is an outstanding example of something we’ve seen time and time again in airplane crashes: multiple errors, none of them necessarily fatal on their own accord, combining and compounding at the worst possible moment to precipitate a catastrophe.

Rarely is the cause of disaster something simple and unambiguous.

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

UP, UP & UP ALL THE WAY

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he good news for Spain just keeps coming as it ploughs its way out of the deep recession that is now a distant memory for some. The question for many is when will unemployment start to drop? A thriving and growing economy normally leads to an increase in jobs, but that particular set of figures aren’t showing any significant improvement.

CAR REGISTRATIONS

If you understand the Spanish system of car registration numbers, you would have noticed more and more plates featuring a JCB or JFK. These letters indicate a brand new car and latest figures produced by the by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) back that up.

Spanish newspaper, El Economista, reported that there was double­digit growth being

registered in Spain (23.5%), France (15.0%), Italy (14.4%), Germany (12.9%) and the United Kingdom (12.9%).

Over the whole of the first six months of the year the major markets also recorded increases, the greatest being those registered for Spain (22%); Italy (15.2%); the United Kingdom (7%); France (6.1%), and Germany (5.2%).

In the EU as a whole in the period up until June 2015, a total of 1,364,009 vehicles were registered representing an increase of 14.6% and continuing the upward trend which began 22 months ago. It’s also the largest monthly increase registered since December 2009.

MORTGAGES

In a further sign that figures released by businesses in Spain are backing up statements made by the politicians, Bankinter granted a total of 5,523 mortgage loans during the first six months of this year, with a value amounting to

THE WORD GRAFFITI

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he very word graffiti has a tendency to conjure up, for many of us, spray can vandalism, often applied to buildings, train stock and pedestrian underpasses.

Curiously, in Pilar De La Horadada, once a year, the council actively encourage it, going so far as to provide a little cash, for the artists to drop into the local ferreteria, and buy their cans, along with a bottle of turpentine, one would hope!

Councillor for culture, Trinidad Escarabajal, tells me that the council pays €70 to each "Pintadas Artista", who then join fellow concrete sprayers at a designated section of wall, normally a storm water course in the town. Nice.

This year the theme is Marine Motifs. A panel of expert judges will then have the challenging task of finding a winner and runner up.

Trinidad tells me that this year, the winner will receive a €400 prize, with the runner up, €100. A diploma is presented to all artists taking part, so everyone goes home happy.

The Rambla of the Jesuits is this year location. This is, I must admit, is graffiti at it's very best.

Robert W. Barnes

€906m. Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that these figures represent an increase of 34% over the same period of 2014, when a

total of 4,074 mortgage loans were granted by the entity, worth €674m.

The organisation reported that these figures for 2015 show the “most brilliant” year for the mortgage market in Spain since the real estate crisis, as well as confirming Bankinter’s place as one of the financial institutions “most active in the granting of new mortgages, with a market share that now exceeds 6%”.

In light of these positive figures, Bankinter indicated that they

expect to close the year with over €2bn of new mortgages granted.

Ignacio Lozano from Bankinter explained that these favourable results are due to several factors, among which he highlighted the company’s “intense work” in the commercial network, as well as “a successful advertising campaign and an attractive mortgage offer”.

With the aim of meeting the rising demand of customers seeking a home loan with a fixed payment for the life of the loan, without being affected by any changes in the Euribor, the bank launched a new mortgage at the end of June, with a fixed rate of 2.05% and a 10­year repayment period.

The View

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

Crocker’s Corner T

o quote the man himself, currently self­unemployed radio broadcaster CHRIS ASHLEY, continues his musings and ramblings and shares them with THE VIEW. This week, he reveals the identity of that now successful TV personality, and how they became unlikely drinking pals.

He also blames a mega rock star for the state of his hearing, and eats some farcical humble pie!

Right first things first – well spotted in last week’s Crocker's Corner that 1626 morphed into 1926 with regard to the item about the Dutch nicking Manhattan for $24. My ineptitude and dyslexia entirely to blame for the 300 year hiatus ­ now where did I put Orwell's 1948?

A big well done to Paula Lyons of Elche for identifying that national treasure Dale Winton as the answer to last week’s conundrum – a jolly fine feed with wine for you Paula and a hanger­on – I beg your pardon, a significant other ­ at Quesada Fish & Chips. For Crocker's Accursed Cryptic Conundrum in this edition we are looking for a Scottish Pop Group. THIS CHURCH MINISTER IS SAD. Please e­mail the answer to crockerscorner@yahoo.com and you could be noshing and quaffing just like Paula.

Talking of Wintonish, we worked together at a couple of radio stations before he became a big TV star and we did not like each other at all until we started working at a station in the West Midlands and detested the same boss. We both lived in Bridgnorth, a fine Shropshire town. He was Upper Town; I was Lower Town, which about sums up our places in the grand social scheme of things. One fine afternoon I was marching butch­like down

one side of the high street – Dale was sallying forth down the other wearing a VERY tight pair of Bermuda shorts (confirming his religion ­ oy vey), a vivid Hawaiian shirt and a Panama hat! Two countries and an American State applied to the UN for an immediate name change.

The Dalester screamed out to me, “Ashley I want to talk to you NOW!” We went into the nearest hostelry which to be perfectly Francis was a bit rough. The ashtrays were used as kneecaps; even the chair arms were tattooed and a Bloody Mary was the barmaid who cut herself shaving – chin not shin. The only other customers were six surly looking navvies from the Auld Sod on a long liquid lunch. This was not going to end well.

Up to the bar I marched and ordered loudly in a faux Irish accent, “A pint of Guinness Paddy to be sure to be sure.” The barman sneered. “To be sure, my name is Nigel and I'm sure I come from Leighton Buzzard.”

Long story short, Dublin's finest tried to wind Dale up as he sipped his Malibu with a paper umbrella jauntily sticking out of the glass, but he is such a gregarious warm, funny bloke with some terrific put­downs and libellous tales he had 'em in stitches and not the normal ones the lads were used to either.

Last week I was accused of being stand­ offish by a matronly reader because I totally ignored her when she spoke to me. She thought I was getting too big for my boots and Budgie Smugglers. Not guilty! it's because I'm Mutt & Jeff in one ear and at half way house with the other.

Now I find the perpetrator of my disability is suing various organisations for £750,000.

Yes, Ritchie Blackmore “I DO MEAN YOU!” Sorry, I was shouting; didn't realise. Yes,

Rockin' Ritchie, ex­lead guitarist with Deep Purple is out to get back­dated royalties for tunes like Black Night & Smoke On The Water some 40 years plus after the event whilst I have to struggle on pot less and deaf.

How did this iniquitous situation occur I hear you my faithful reader cry? We need to travel back to circa 1970 and venture into the Pier Pavilion, Worthing where Rock Gods Deep Purple were playing. Now this in itself is weird because this is where in those days they had the end of pier variety shows which made TV's Hi­de­Hi look like King Lear. Mind you we saw some great bands there. The Who in their pomp (Moon the Loon lived up to the sobriquet), Them (Van Morrison got pelted with coins the hefty pre­decimal variety), The Yardbirds (Pre and Post Clapton), and a heap more. In fact Uriah (give or take a vowel did appear one night.

About half way through Deep Purple's set, Ritchie boy had to take a break backstage for medicinal reasons I think he had a jolly bad cold because he was sniffing a lot. So he laid his guitar on the deck which immediately started feeding back – VERY LOUD! It was chaos and cacophony on steroids. It sounded

15 like the banshee wailing of how I reckon a Janet Street­Porter / Nicki Minaj duet would turn out. Just dwell on that scenario for a brief moment if you dare.

However, deep joy for this head banger bearing in mind these were the dance hall days and you could get right up to the stage and put your head inside the highly amplified speakers, hence “I AM AS DEAF AS A TREE STUMP!” and it's all the Boy Blackmore's fault. I want a cut of that three­quarter of a million, but unless I decide to take up synchronised swimming I'll not hold my breath.

Just going back to the end of the Worthing Pier variety shows, for years during the 50's and 60's they put on a show called Twinkle.

There were comedians, magicians, dancers, jugglers, singers and on one occasion Brian Rix made a cameo appearance in some knockabout sketch, and the reason I remember it so vividly is that years later around the mid 90's I interviewed him and I didn't quite know how to address him as he had just been made a Life Peer. Should it be, working down the pre­eminent pecking order, Lord/Sir/Mr/Brian/Me Old Mucker?

“None of those” said the great man loftily “It's Baron Rix”.

Now with the greatest respect this is a fellow who made a living dressed as a Vicar chasing young women dressed up as French maids and at some stage his strides would slip around his ankles. I'm afraid my proletarian upbringing reared it's serf like head. I just couldn't bring myself to address him in a Baronial manner. End of interview!

However, to my eternal shame through my own lack of research, I didn't realise at the time he had campaigned tirelessly for various disability causes and that is why he was so honoured. I tug my forelock cravenly and salute you BARON RIX OF WHITEHALL & HORNSEA! Just a thought your Lordship could you do a bit of campaigning to get me some of that £750.000 – I'll see you right Guv, although I won't be able to hear you right Guv.

16

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

The Reader’s View on....

THE VIEW will feature a selection of your letters every week on this page. If you have anything to say about something you read in THE VIEW, or you have opinions or views on stories of the day, please contact us via e­mail at editor@theview.es or by post to Apartado De Correos 255, 03193 San Miguel de Salinas, Alicante.

We do our best to publish as many as we can and reserve the right to edit where necessary.

Dear Editor, I have a couple of queries about a subject which I am sure will affect a large number of people and, hopefully either you or one of your excellent staff, will be able to provide some constructive advice on.

A few months ago I read that the authorities were going to install number plate recognition cameras and gates in the departure drop­off area at Alicante airport.

The purpose being to deter the number of unlicensed taxis travelling there. As I understood it, the theory was that a rogue vehicle would be allowed in to the parking area but, if it had exceeded the allowed number of visits, would not be allowed out again. On the face of it a good idea. However, I visited Alicante last Friday night to drop off some friends and there were the cameras installed and the gates set at the open position. A thought then crossed my mind which was this: What happens if a rogue vehicle arrives while I am here? Will the gates at either end be closed automatically, thus preventing any vehicle from leaving and likewise, also preventing any other vehicle from entering? If this is the case, it is surely going to cause more disruption than good?

I also read an article fairly recently which stated that, for the summer period, there would be an 'express lane' introduced to allow vehicles to pull up, drop off passengers and drive off virtually straight away. I assumed (wrongly) that this would be in addition to the existing quick drop­off roads and would be in the vast under­utilised area immediately outside the terminal building.

But no, clearly marked on the tarmac of the existing, grossly overused narrow roads with the new cameras and gates is the word 'Express!' Only in Spain!!

Can you throw any light on the above and also advise how many trips are allowed

before a vehicle is 'imprisoned'. I am particularly interested as, in a couple of weeks we are doing a house swap with family, which will involve several trips to and from the airport over a short time.

Thanks and keep up the good work.

Barry Weston. Los Dolses Editor’s Note: I believe the new expressway was opened for business this Tuesday. I haven’t been at the airport for ages, and being a good boy I always use the official car park when I do, so never use the quick drop off points. If any readers have been to Alicante­Elche Airport since the opening and have had any experiences, please let me know.

Dear Editor, Re: The death of three cricketers. I feel that it is time to change and increase the length of the pitch by up to 10 feet, thus slowing down the delivery speed. I suggest this because sportsman, especially cricketers, are much fitter now and it is no longer a game for gentlemen. If it was in motor sport it would be one of the first things they would do to improve safety. I did see on the news they are trying to improve the safety of the helmet but are they willing to wear them when the ball is going to hit it at a speed in excess of 100mph that could break their neck.

Yours, Arthur W. Lovelock, Lo Crispin Editor’s Note: Nice to hear from you Arthur. An extension of the wicket by so much would need everyone to learn the game again from scratch, although I can understand your feelings in the wake of some recent tragedies on the cricket field; notably Phil Hughes in Australia. The bouncer has long since been regarded as

an important part of a fast bowler’s armoury and with the game biased toward the batsmen already, it wouldn’t be readily accepted. Sadly, being hit is a risk you take in cricket. I can’t think of any solution myself.

Our Grumpy Gran, Donna Gee, received this letter a little late to include in her column on page 9 this week.

Dear Donna, While reading your article in edition no 10 (dated 17th July) I couldn’t help but sympathise with your comments regarding the volume of traffic on UK roads. Before I retired from work my job involved many miles of driving around the country. I often spent many hours in stationary traffic on many of our excellent motorways (yes, I do mean excellent). I too have made journeys on our road system that between 19.00 hrs and 05.00 hrs would take half the time required when driving during any other hours of the day. One of the perks of Leaving London or Watford after 6 pm was that I could make good progress (most of the times).

As a result of your observations, I also found it interesting to compare and contrast the UK with Spain. For example, your route in Manchester has on average, one set of lights every 633 yards. Do you know anyone who has ever driven through Los Montesinos without being stopped by traffic lights? In that particular small town they have three sets of lights over a distance of only 500 meters (one set of lights for every 166 meters). Additionally, I am convinced that the lights on the west end of the town are actually programmed to stop you, especially if you have managed to miss the first two reds. To add to the pleasure, that stop is

necessary even though nothing or no one has, or wanted to cross the road. To add to the joy, the time the driver is delayed is more than 30 seconds.

Have you ever tried to drive along the N332 between Flamenca Beach and the Torrevieja turn­off? At this time of year it can take over 30 minutes to cover about 3,000 meters (if you are lucky). Standing stationary on the N332 reminded me of the M60 except the N332 is nowhere near as good a road as the M60.

Have you ever tried parking in Torrevieja, Alicante, Guardamar, (I am loathe to mention Benidorm, but I will), or any other Spanish town with a population greater than 1000?

It’s just as you described in the UK but ten times worse.

I used to work in the Logistics industry.

Many of our drivers preferred to work nights because they could make progress in line with the mileage divisors, as calculated for the routes they were taking. Most drivers also said a routine run would take a fraction of the time to complete if they did not have to share the road with the school run, the shoppers or the folk who are trying to get to or from the airports.

Keep up the Grumpy Moaning; I really enjoy it!

Yours sincerely, Dave Dawson Dear Editor, I just wanted to say thank you for saying how awful men look when they are dressed in a suit and haven’t shaved, and double awful when not wearing a tie.....perhaps we can go back to old values of smartness!

Yes, Lewis Hamilton should be refused entry to Wimbledon or anywhere else if not looking correctly dressed.

Mary Tysoe (Quesada)

SPANISH & UK LOTTERY WINNING NUMBERS

The View

17

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

THE DEATH (AND THE LIFE) OF A GOON It’s 35 years ago today, that the world lost one of the comedy greats at the age of only 54. It’s incredible to think of the amount of work he crammed in to such a relatively short career and gave a whole new meaning to travelling in a lift with other people. THE VIEW looks at the life and work of PETER SELLERS.

once moved to tears when he presented him with a candlestick from a synagogue for Christmas, believing the gesture to be an anti­ Jewish slur.

Sellers became a top student at the school, excelling in drawing in particular. However, he was prone to laziness, but his natural talents shielded him from criticism by his teachers. Sellers recalled that a teacher scolded the other boys for not studying, saying: "The Jewish boy knows his catechism better than the rest of you!"

STAGE CAREER

Richard Henry Sellers, was born on 8 September 1925. His parents were both variety entertainers.

Although christened Richard Henry, his parents called him Peter, after his elder stillborn brother.

Sellers remained an only child.

In 1935, when he was 10 years old, the Sellers family moved to North London and settled in Muswell Hill. Although his father, Bill Sellers was Protestant and Peg was Jewish, Sellers attended the North London Roman Catholic school, St. Aloysius College, run by the Brothers of Our Lady of Mercy.

The family was not rich, but Peg insisted on an expensive private schooling for her son. According to biographer Peter Evans, Sellers was fascinated, puzzled and worried by religion from a young age, particularly Catholicism. But soon after entering Catholic school, he "discovered he was a Jew—he was someone on the outside of the mysteries of faith".

Later in his life, Sellers observed that while his father's faith was according to the Church of England, his mother was Jewish, "and Jews take the faith of their mother."

According to his future colleague and friend Spike Milligan, Sellers held a guilt complex about being Jewish and recalls that Sellers was

Born in Portsmouth, Sellers made his stage debut at the Kings Theatre, Southsea, when he was just two weeks old, when he accompanied his parents in a variety act that toured the provincial theatres. Peter himself, first worked as a drummer and toured around England as a member of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), developing his mimicry and improvisational skills during a spell in Ralph Reader's wartime Gang Show entertainment troupe, which toured Britain and the Far East.

After the war, Sellers made his radio debut in ShowTime, and eventually became a regular performer on various BBC radio shows. During the early 1950s, Sellers, along with Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine; the result of which was the the successful radio series The Goon Show, which ended in 1960.

Sellers began his film career during the 1950's and although the bulk of his work was comedy, often parodying characters of authority such as military officers or policemen, he also performed in other film genres and roles. Films demonstrating his artistic range include, I'm All Right Jack (1959), Stanley Kubrick's Lolita (1962) Dr. Strangelove (1964), What's New, Pussycat? (1965),Casino Royale (1967), The Party (1968), Being There (1979) and the five films of the Pink Panther series (1963– 1978).

Sellers's versatility enabled him to portray a wide range of comic characters using different accents

and guises. He would often assume multiple roles within the same film, frequently with contrasting temperaments and styles. Satire and black humour were major features of many of his films and his performances had a strong influence on a number of later comedians. Sellers garnered much critical acclaim for his work; he was nominated twice for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performances in, Dr. Strangelove and Being There – his final and very poignant film. He won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role twice, for I'm All Right Jack and for the original Pink Panther film, The Pink Panther (1963).

In 1980 he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Being There and also earned three other Golden Globe nominations in the same category.

Turner Classic Movies calls Sellers, "one of the most accomplished comic actors of the late 20th century".

PERSONAL LIFE

In his personal life, Sellers struggled with depression and insecurities. An enigmatic figure, he often claimed to have no identity outside the roles that he played. His behaviour was often erratic and compulsive and he frequently clashed with his directors and co­stars, especially in the mid­1970s when his physical and mental health, together with his alcohol and drug problems, were at their worst.

On 21 July 1980, Sellers arrived in London from Geneva. He checked into the Dorchester Hotel, before visiting Golders Green Crematorium for the first time, to see the location of his parents' ashes. He had plans to attend a reunion dinner with his Goon Show partners, Spike Milligan and Harry Secombe, scheduled for the evening of 22 July. On the day of the dinner, Sellers took lunch in his hotel suite and shortly afterwards collapsed from a heart attack. He was taken to the Middlesex Hospital, London and died just after midnight on 24 July 1980, aged just 54.

Following Sellers's death, fellow actor Richard Attenborough said,

that Sellers "had the genius comparable to Chaplin", while the Boulting brothers considered Sellers as "a man of enormous gifts; and these gifts he gave to the world.

For them, he is assured of a place in the history of art as entertainment."

Burt Kwouk, who appeared as Cato in the Pink Panther films stated that, "Peter was a well­loved actor in Britain the day he died, it seemed that the whole country came to a stop. Everywhere you went, the fact that Peter had died seemed like an umbrella over everything".

Director Blake Edwards thought that "Peter was brilliant. He had an enormous facility for finding really unusual, unique facets of the character he was playing". Sellers's friend and Goon Show colleague Spike Milligan, was too upset to speak to the press at the time of Sellers's death, while fellow Goon Harry Secombe said "I'm shattered.

Peter was such a tremendous artist. He had so much talent, it just oozed out of him"; in dark humour, referring to the missed dinner the Goons had planned, he added, "Anything to avoid paying for dinner". Secombe later declared to journalists "Bluebottle is deaded now". Milligan later said that, "it's hard to say this, but he died at the

right time."

The Daily Mail described Sellers as "the greatest comic talent of his generation as well as a womanising drug­taker who married four times in a fruitless search for happiness", a "flawed genius" who, once he latched on to a comic idea, "loved nothing more than to carry it to extremes."

A private funeral service was held at Golders Green Crematorium on 26 July, conducted

by Sellers's old friend, Canon John Hester. Sellers's final joke was the playing of "In the Mood" by Glenn Miller, a tune he hated. His body was cremated and his ashes were interred at Golders Green Crematorium in London. After her death in 1994, the ashes of his widow Frederick were co­interred with his.

A memorial service was held at St Martin­in­the­Fields on 8 September 1980 ­ what would have been Sellers's 55th birthday. Close friend Lord Snowdon read the twenty­third Psalm, Harry Secombe sang "Bread of Heaven" and the eulogy was read by David Niven.

Sellers was married four times and had three children from his first two marriages.

Although Sellers was reportedly in the process of excluding fourth wife Lynne Frederick from his will a week before he died, she inherited almost his entire estate worth an estimated £4.5 million at the time, while his children received just £800 each. Spike Milligan appealed to her on behalf of Sellers's three children, but she refused to increase the amount.

Sellers's only son, Michael, died of a heart attack at 52 during surgery on 24 July 2006, twenty­six years to the day after his father's death.

18

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

BEAUTY IN THE UK SKIES Head hits back after burns A

Two icons of British aviation, the Red Arrows and Vulcan bomber, have performed a joint flypast for the last time at the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Jets from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team met with the distinctive Cold War aircraft over the skies of Gloucestershire last weekend to mark the Vulcan's final flying season. The Vulcan, XH558, is the last airworthy example of the UK's famous V­ Force fleet and the delta­winged aircraft will not take to the skies again after 2015.

To salute the remarkable former RAF bomber, the Red Arrows performed a flypast with the Vulcan in front of tens of thousands of people at the Royal International Air Tattoo, at RAF Fairford.

The Red Arrows' nine British­built Hawk jets made a V­shape in front of XH558, which is operated by the charity Vulcan to the Sky Trust.

Squadron Leader David Montenegro, Red 1

and Team Leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: "The Vulcan played both a significant role in the Cold War and in the history of British aviation and so it's only right we pay tribute to the aircraft, and all those people connected with it, during the bomber's final flying season.

"It was a great honour to lead a formation flypast with the Vulcan, particularly as the aircraft type was once based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire ­ now home to the Red Arrows.

"I know the Vulcan has been a highlight of airshows across the UK for many years ­ I remember the impact its power and size had on me as a child when I saw the aircraft take off and perform at RAF Waddington.

"Hopefully the Vulcan's shape, grace and iconic design will have been admired and enjoyed by people of all ages once again as they watched this final flypast with the Red Arrows at the Royal International Air Tattoo."

head teacher has backed his staff after fourteen pupils were severely sunburnt on a school trip to Barcelona.

The pupils from Buile Hill Visual Arts College were burnt at a water park, but head teacher James Inman insists, that parents and the group of 41 children on the trip were warned of the dangers of the sun in advance.

Mum Estelle Pritchard, 37, whose 15­year­old son went to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, said: "When he stepped off the coach I could see the bulge of the blisters on his arm. He tried to lift his shirt up and I broke down when I saw the burns."

Son Connor required specialist treatment at the hospital's burns unit. She said: "I had to watch as they scraped the damaged skin from Connor. It was terrible to see – he was in so much pain.”

The school in Salford said parents had to sign a contract ahead of the trip, which included the importance of children protecting themselves with factor 50 sun cream.

But Estelle, of Pendleton, said she was not given a contract from the school, as Connor got a place on the trip late when another child pulled out.

She added: "He was told in the morning before they went to the water park to put on sun lotion, which he did as I had packed him some factor 15. But he was not told again after that to top it up. They arrived at the park at about 10am and were there until after 4pm and it was very hot. I think it was total neglect on the part of the teachers."

Estelle said her son will remain a patient at the hospital for the next six weeks before he is discharged. She added: "The only papers I got from the school were about the payment for the trip."

Some of those burned have not returned to school as they were so badly injured from the trip earlier this month. The school is now considering stopping future trips abroad.

Headteacher Mr Inman said: "[The parents] were also reminded that teachers are not allowed to touch children to apply sun cream. On the day of the pre­planned trip to a water park, the group were told at breakfast and before leaving the coach on arrival, to apply sun cream and be careful of the sun."

He also added: "Unfortunately a small minority of children chose to ignore every one of these warnings and teachers advice to protect themselves by staying in the shade."

Staff were said to be "very upset" about the fact children suffered burns, Mr Inman said.

"The other children had a superb holiday and did not suffer sunburn because they followed instructions."

The View

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

19

LONDON VJ DAY PARADE ANNOUNCED

T

he Queen and members of The Royal Family will attend a series of events on Saturday 15 August to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day).

In the morning, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a service to mark the 70th anniversary, together with veterans, former prisoners of war and civilian internees at St Martin­in­the­Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, organised by National FEPOW (Far East Prisoners of War) Fellowship Welfare Remembrance Association. Among the congregation will be representatives of all Regiments that made up the 18th Infantry Division of 1942 who were deployed to the Far East and representatives from Commonwealth nations who also served.

At 2pm, Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will join further veterans and their families, tri­Service bands and pipes and drums, and current members of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force at a special commemorative event hosted by Her Majesty’s Government and The Royal British Legion on Horse Guards Parade. Senior military and political representatives will also be in attendance.

The event at Horse Guards will begin in spectacular style with a flypast of four historic aircraft, a Spitfire, Dakota and Hurricane of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a Royal Navy Swordfish, together with a current RAF Typhoon. The event will also include a drumhead service and wreath­laying ceremony, special readings, and hymns sung by the Gwalia Male Voice Choir and the London Welsh Male Voice Choir.

A highlight of the event will be famed actor Charles Dance reading the poem ‘The Road to Mandalay’ by Rudyard Kipling.

The poem was famously set to music and was a favourite marching tune for many in the 14th Army in Burma, commanded by Field Marshal Lord Slim during the campaign.

After the event, veterans, civilian internees, their descendants and families along with current personnel will be led by pipes and drums down Whitehall and through

Parliament Square to Westminster Abbey – passing the statue of Field Marshal Slim – in a special 70th anniversary parade.

Along the route they will be supported by military bands, and the final part of the route will be lined by current military personnel in tribute. A reception will then take place in the grounds of Westminster Abbey, hosted by The Royal British Legion.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “It is important that we take this opportunity to pay tribute to the courage and fortitude of all those whose actions led to the final victory of Allied Forces in the Second World War. This major anniversary is a time to recognise the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives, the veterans who fought, and the prisoners of war and civilian internees who suffered for their country. I would urge the nation to attend the many events up and down the country 70 years on from the victory in Japan.”

Victor Knibb, 90, of Hampton in Surrey, is the Vice­

Chairman of the Burma Star Association and served with the 4th Battalion The Royal West Kent Regiment. He said: “VJ Day means a lot to me.

Around 97,000 British and Commonwealth troops died out there and more than 120,000 Japanese died in that war. To me, VJ Day is for the memory of those men who didn’t come back. Without them we wouldn’t have had 70 years of peace and comfort.”

Speaking of his role at the event, Charles Dance said: “It is an absolute honour to be involved in the national commemorative events for the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. I would encourage everyone to attend the parade on Whitehall to show their gratitude to this extraordinary generation of individuals.”

When the Second World War ended in Europe in May 1945 British and Commonwealth military personnel and civilians in the Far East were still at war, still on the frontline and still in prisoner of war camps. VJ Day 70 on 15 August presents an opportunity for us to publicly recognise the sacrifices of the veterans, internees and their descendants, and the conditions they endured during the dark years of the Second World War. If you’re back in the UK avoiding the heat at this time of the year and are in or around London in August, members of the public are being urged to support this anniversary by lining the street of Whitehall to view the national service on big screens, watch the aircraft flypast, and cheer on the veterans as they parade supported by military bands and current serving personnel. Events are also being held across the country to mark the anniversary of the victory over Japan, which brought about the end of the Second World War. Veterans and civilian internees, along with their descendants and families, are encouraged to attend the event on Horse Guards Parade on 15 August. Those interested in attending should register their interest by contacting their association or The Royal British Legion on 0203 053 7015 or by email at VJDAY70@britishlegion.org.uk. The deadline for applications is today, Friday 24 July.

20 THERE’S MORE TO THE UK THAN LONDON Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

T

he Prime Minister, David Cameron has announced the government’s new Five Point Plan to boost tourism right across the UK ­ spreading the benefits of one of the fastest growing sectors beyond the capital, helping to create jobs and rebalance the economy.

A new inter­ministerial group will be formed to co­ordinate and align action across government to ensure that the right infrastructure is in place to make it easy for visitors to discover the best of what the UK has to offer.

The group, headed by the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, and including ministers from across government, including the Department for Communities and Local Government, BIS, DEFRA, Home Office, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will focus on five key areas: • A better co­ordinated sector: the sector is too fragmented – there is a need to see local attractions and tourism organisations collaborating to grow the sector for everyone not competing.

• Skills and jobs: Driving and retaining talent in the sector to encourage growth • Common sense regulation: Reforming regulation sensibly to drive competition and improve the tourism offer for visitors • Transport: Forging innovative links between the transport and tourism sectors to help visitors travel outside of the capital • An improved welcome: Delivering a world class welcome at the Border Ministers from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments are also invited to join the group when relevant.

The Prime Minister has also announced a £1 million ‘Rail for Tourism innovation’ competition, which will call for ideas to transform the travel experience for visitors to the UK and make exploring the UK by rail more attractive to tourists. The competition will be run by the RSSB’s Future Railways Programme, and winners will receive funding to develop their ideas and carry out trials.

The plan will build upon the enormous success of the 2011 tourism strategy, which culminated in a record year for overseas visitors in 2014 and now sees the industry contribute £60 billion to the UK economy a year. By opening up new experiences to tourists, the country can build on this and ensure more visitors travel outside London and experience the very best of Britain.

Continuing his visit to the South West the Prime Minister said: “Millions of overseas tourists visit the UK every year and most take in the sights of London. But Britain has so

much more to offer, from the Cornish Riviera to the Scottish Highlands and everything in between. For many areas tourism is a key industry bringing jobs, growth and security for working people. Tourism supports almost one in 10 jobs in the UK and we want to rebalance the economy to make sure this boost is felt right across the country.”

Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, said: “Tourism is a vital industry that brings jobs and growth to local economies across Britain.

There are so many world­class things to see and do in the UK, and we need to make sure visitors are experiencing as many of them as possible. I am delighted to chair this new group which will put tourism at the heart of government and help to ensure that every part of the UK benefits by co­ordinating action across Government. We want every visitor to the UK, whether from home or abroad, to have a brilliant experience and shout about it, encouraging even more tourists to choose Britain.”

The plan and funding announced is in addition to new funds announced in March to boost tourism in both the South­West and the North. The £5 million fund for the South­West will position the area as a must­see destination, generating an additional £60 million in additional visitor spending, creating up to 1000 jobs and incentivising local partners to work together on improving the experience for visitors to the region. It

will also be used to promote the South West in the USA and encourage greater connectivity to the region from the United States.

There is a £10 million fund to support Northern destinations to attract international visitors from around the world and ensure the North is on the map as a top tourist destination ­ a key part of the plan to build a Northern Powerhouse.

Tourism has grown quickly since the government’s previous tourism strategy in 2011. The direct contribution of the tourism sector to the economy in 2014 was almost £60 billion – up a fifth since 2010. Last year, international visitors spent a record £21.8 billion in local economies across the country, with nearly every region seeing a rise in visitor numbers or spend. In 2013, it was estimated that 9% of jobs in the UK were in tourism­related industries and jobs in the sector were growing at almost double the rate of other industries.

Simon Vincent OBE, EVP & President, EMEA at Hilton Worldwide said: “Hilton Worldwide strongly supports the tourism plan announced by the Prime Minister, placing an industry that contributes 1 in 10 jobs and 9% of GDP at the heart of the Government’s agenda. The travel, tourism and hospitality sectors are growing twice as fast as the rest of the UK economy and at Hilton Worldwide we have opened 50 hotels in the UK since 2007 alone, employing more than 12,000 people. Building on the success of the Tourism Industry Council, we look forward to working with ministers from all government departments to help deliver the new tourism plan.”

International tourists spent £1.8bn visiting Scotland last year, up 10% from 2013, while nearly 2.7m visits were made to the area in 2014, up 11% from 2013, new analysis revealed today. For Wales, the same figures were an international tourism spend of £368m up 5% from 2013, while 933,000 visits were made ­ up 7% from 2013. Overall, The UK welcomed record numbers of tourists in 2014, with 34.4 million

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people visiting the country and spending a record £21.8 billion in the process.

Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch welcomed the latest figures and pledged to work closely with the industry to help further strengthen tourism across the UK. “Scotland offers a great and varied mix of sights and experiences. It’s fantastic that so many tourists visited this part of the UK in 2014.” she said. “Competition for global travellers has never been higher, which is why we must not be complacent and continue to invest and support the UK’s tourism offer. I look forward to working closely with the tourism sector to champion the best of Britain as part of our long­term economic plan and see places like Scotland and Wales continue to enjoy a growing tourism industry.”

The Welsh Office Minister Lord Bourne added his comments by saying: “Tourism is an essential part of the Welsh economy – employing over 140,000 people, making up 10% of Welsh jobs and generating millions of pounds of spending for Wales.

Strong partnerships between the government, the tourism industry and transport providers help Wales’ tourism sector continue to thrive. I hope the announcement is the beginning of a major tourism boost across the UK that brings more visitors, jobs and spending to Wales.”

Executive Director of the Wales Tourism Alliance Adrian Greason­Walker said: “The tourism industry in Wales is always keen to see further strengthening of the infrastructure that underpins our economy.

We all need infrastructure that assists our industry in delivering the best quality product that our visitor has come to expect and one that showcases Wales.”

The Government is also making it more attractive to come to the UK by reforming air passenger duty (APD). The two highest bands were abolished on 1 May 2015 and children under 12 now pay no APD, cutting tax for millions of passengers.

The View

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

21

ONE SINGULAR SENSATION

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ebuting 40 years ago, "A Chorus Line" is a musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and a book by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante. The story centres on 17 Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line and is set on the bare stage of a Broadway theatre during an audition for a musical. A Chorus Line provides a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the choreographer, as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.

Following several workshops and an Off­Broadway production, A Chorus Line opened at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway July 25, 1975, directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett. An unprecedented box office and critical hit, the musical received twelve Tony Award nominations and won nine, in addition to the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The original Broadway production ran for 6,137 performances, becoming the longest­running production in Broadway history, until surpassed by Cats in 1997. Also, the longest­running Broadway musical originally produced in the US, until surpassed in 2011 by Chicago. It remains the sixth longest­running Broadway show ever. A Chorus Line's success has spawned many successful productions worldwide, including a lengthy run in the West End in 1976 and was revived on Broadway in 2006 and in the West End in 2013.

The show opens in the middle of an audition for an upcoming Broadway production. The formidable director Zach and his assistant choreographer Larry, put the dancers through their paces. Every dancer is desperate for work ("I Hope I Get It"). After the next round of cuts, 17 dancers remain. Zach tells them he is looking for a strong dancing chorus of four boys and four girls. He wants to learn more about them and asks the dancers to introduce themselves.

With reluctance, the dancers reveal their pasts. The stories generally progress chronologically from early life experiences, through adulthood to the end of a career.

The first candidate, Mike, explains that he is the youngest of 12 children. He recalls his first experience with dance, watching his sister's dance class when he was a pre­schooler ("I Can Do That"). Mike took her place one day when she refused to go to class ­ and he stayed. Bobby tries to hide the unhappiness of his childhood by making jokes. As he speaks, the other dancers have misgivings about this strange audition process and debate what they should reveal to Zach ("And ..."), but since they all need the job, the session continues.

Zach is angered when he feels that the streetwise Sheila is not taking the audition seriously. Opening up, she reveals that her mother married at a young age and her father neither loved nor cared for them. When she was six, she realized that ballet provided relief from her unhappy family life ("At the Ballet"), as did Bebe and Maggie. The scatter­brained Kristine is tone­deaf and her lament that she could never "Sing!" is interrupted by her husband Al, finishing her phrases in tune.

Mark, the youngest of the dancers, relates his first experiences with pictures of the female anatomy and his first erotic dream, while the other dancers share memories of adolescence ("Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love"). The 4'10" Connie, laments the problems of being short and Diana recollects her horrible high school acting class ("Nothing").

Don remembers his first job at a nightclub and Judy reflects on her problematic childhood, while some of the auditionees talk about their opinion of their parents ("Mother").

Then, Greg speaks about his discovery of his homosexuality and Richie recounts how he nearly became a kindergarten teacher ("Gimme the Ball"). Finally, the newly buxom Val,

explains that talent alone doesn't count for everything with casting directors and silicone and plastic surgery can really help.

The dancers go downstairs to learn a song for the next section of the audition, but Cassie stays onstage to talk to Zach. She is a veteran dancer who has had some notable successes as a soloist. They have a history together: Zach had cast her in a featured part previously and they had lived together for several years. Zach tells Cassie that she is too good for the chorus and shouldn't be at this audition. But she hasn't been able to find solo work and is willing to "come home" to the chorus, where she can at least express her passion for dance ("The Music and the Mirror"). Zach sends her downstairs to learn the dance combination.

Zach calls Paul on stage, he emotionally relives his childhood and high school experience, his early career in a drag act, coming to terms with his manhood, his homosexuality and his parents' ultimate reaction to finding out about his lifestyle. Paul breaks down and is comforted by Zach.

Cassie and Zach's complex relationship resurfaces during a run­through of the number created to showcase an unnamed star ("One"). Zach confronts Cassie, feeling that she is "dancing down," and they rehash what went wrong in their relationship and her career. Zach points to the machine­like dancing of the rest of the cast ­ the other dancers who have all blended together and who will probably never be recognized individually, and mockingly asks if this is what she wants. Cassie defiantly defends the dancers: "I’d be proud to be one of them. They’re wonderful....They’re all special. I’d be happy to be dancing in that line. Yes, I would...."

During a tap sequence, Paul falls and injures his knee that recently underwent surgery. After Paul is carried off to the hospital, all at the audition stand in disbelief, realizing that their careers can also end in an instant. Zach asks the remaining dancers what they will do when they can no longer dance. Led by Diana, they reply that whatever happens, they will be free of regret ("What I Did for Love"). The final eight dancers are selected: Mike, Cassie, Bobby, Judy, Richie, Val, Mark and Diana.

"One" (reprise/finale) begins with an individual bow for each of the 19 characters, their hodgepodge rehearsal clothes replaced by identical spangled gold costumes. As each dancer joins the group, it is suddenly difficult to distinguish one from the other. Ironically, each character who was an individual to the audience seems now, to be an anonymous member of a never­ending ensemble.

Following the smash success of the Broadway production, Hollywood producers expressed interest in a motion picture version of the musical. Many directors turned down the project, insisting that not only was A Chorus Line too beloved, but it would not translate well to the screen. Even Michael Bennett, the stage musical's director, declined to participate when his proposal to present the film as an audition to cast the movie version of the stage play, instead of a literal translation of the play, was rejected.

When Richard

Attenborough accepted the project, there was some apprehension as to the treatment the British director would give the musical's quintessentially American story.

In February 1984, according to Attenborough, the singer Madonna auditioned at the Royale Theatre on Broadway for a dance role in his movie, using her birth­name of Ciccone. He rejected her.

However, an unsuccessful film adaptation was eventually released in 1985, starring Michael Douglas as Zach. As Kelly Bishop, the original Sheila, later noted, "It was appalling when director Richard Attenborough went on a talk show and said, 'this is a story about kids trying to break into show business.'

I almost tossed my TV out the window; I mean what an idiot!

It's about veteran dancers looking for one last job, before it's too late for them to dance anymore. No wonder the film

sucked!" It has been regarded by many critics, as the only turkey of the late Richard Attenborough’s directorial career.

The stage show returned to London for a revival in February 2013, West End, at the prestigious London Palladium and ran for four months. It was directed by original choreographer, Bob Avian and starring John Partridge (EastEndrs), Scarlett Strallen, and Victoria Hamilton­Barritt.

James T. Lane is reprising his Broadway role and Leigh Zimmerman won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role, in a Musical for her portrayal of Sheila in this production.

Producers announced June 9, 2013, that the London revival cast would record a new cast album featuring never­before­ heard songs, which were written for the show but never made the final cut.

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

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BUGS BUNNY – BIRTHDAY BOY

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ne of the greatest iconic characters in the world of animation reaches his 75th birthday this week. THE VIEW casts an eye over the origins and the life of Bugs Bunny.

Created by the staff of Leon Schlesinger Productions – which later became Warner Brother’s Cartoons ­ and voiced originally by the "Man of a Thousand Voices," Mel Blanc. Bugs Bunny is best known for his starring roles in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated short films, produced by Warner Bros. during the golden age of American animation.

His popularity during this era led to him becoming an American cultural icon, as well as a corporate mascot of Warner Bros. Entertainment – their equivalent of Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney.

Bugs is a grey hare or rabbit who is famous for his flippant personality, pronounced New York accent, his portrayal as a trickster and his catch phrase "Eh... What's up, doc?", usually said while chewing a carrot. Although the Warner Bros. animation studio first began experimenting with a rabbit character during the late 1930s, the definitive character of Bugs Bunny is widely considered to have made his debut in director Tex Avery's Oscar­nominated film A Wild Hare (1940).

Since his debut, Bugs has appeared in various short films, feature films, compilations, TV series, music records, comic books, video games, award shows, amusement park rides and commercials. He has also appeared in more films than any other cartoon character and has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

According to Chase Craig, who was a member of Tex Avery's cartoon unit and later wrote and drew the first Bugs Bunny comic Sunday pages and the first Bugs comic book; "Bugs was not the creation of any one man, but rather represented the creative talents of perhaps five or six directors and many cartoon­writers. In those days the stories were often the work of a group who suggested various gags, bounced them around and finalized them in a joint story conference."

A rabbit with some of the personality of Bugs, though looking very different, was originally featured in the film Porky's Hare Hunt, released on 30 April 1938. It was co­ directed by Ben "Bugs" Hardaway and an uncredited Cal Dalton (who was responsible for the initial design of the rabbit). This cartoon has an almost identical plot to Avery's, Porky's Duck Hunt (1937), which had introduced Daffy Duck.

Porky Pig is again cast as a hunter tracking a silly prey who is more interested in driving his pursuer insane and less interested in escaping.

In Elmer's Candid Camera (1940), the rabbit first meets Elmer Fudd. This time the rabbit looks more like the present­ day Bugs, taller and with a similar face, but retaining the more primitive voice. While Porky's Hare Hunt was the first Warner Bros. cartoon to feature a Bugs Bunny­like rabbit, A Wild Hare, directed by Tex Avery and released on July 27, 1940, is widely considered to be the first official Bugs Bunny cartoon. It is the first film where both Elmer Fudd and Bugs (both redesigned

by Bob Givens), are shown in their fully developed forms as hunter and tormentor respectively. The first in which Mel Blanc uses what would become Bugs' standard voice and the first in which Bugs uses his catchphrase, "What's up, Doc?" A Wild Hare was a huge success in cinemas and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cartoon Short Subject By 1942, Bugs had become the number one star of Merrie Melodies.

The series was originally intended only for one­shot characters in films, after several early attempts to

introduce characters (Foxy, Goopy Geer and Piggy) failed under Harman–Ising. By the mid­1930s, under Leon Schlesinger, Merrie Melodies started introducing newer characters. Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid (1942), shows a slight redesign of Bugs, with less­prominent front teeth and a rounder head.

Since Bugs' debut in A Wild Hare, he appeared only in colour Merrie Melodies films, alongside Elmer predecessor Egghead, Inki, Sniffles and Elmer himself.

While Bugs made a cameo in Porky Pig's Feat (1943), this was his only appearance in a black­and­white Looney Tunes film. He did not star in a Looney Tunes film until that series made its complete conversion to only colour cartoons beginning in 1944.

Bugs' popularity soared during World War II, because of his free and easy attitude and he began receiving special star billing in his cartoons by 1943. By that time Warner Bros. had become the most profitable cartoon studio in the United States. In company with cartoon studios such as Disney and Famous Studios, Warner’s pitted its characters against Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and the Japanese. Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips (1944), features Bugs at odds with a group of Japanese soldiers. This cartoon has since been pulled from distribution due to its depiction of Japanese people. He also faces off against Hermann Göring and Hitler in Herr Meets Hare (1945), which introduced his well­known reference to Albuquerque, as he mistakenly winds up in the Black Forest of 'Joimany' instead of Las Vegas, Nevada. Bugs also appeared in the 1942 two­minute U.S. war bonds commercial film, Any Bonds Today, along with Porky and Elmer.

At the end of Super­Rabbit (1943), Bugs appears wearing a United States Marine Corps dress blue uniform. As a result, the Marine Corps made Bugs an honorary Marine Master Sergeant. From 1943 to 1946, Bugs was the official mascot of Kingman Army Airfield, Kingman, Arizona, where thousands of aerial gunners were trained during World War II. Some notable trainees included Clark Gable and Charles Bronson.

Although it was usually Porky Pig who brought the Looney Tunes films to a close with his stuttering, "That's all, folks!", Bugs replaced him at the end of Hare Tonic and Baseball Bugs, bursting through a drum just as Porky did, but munching on a carrot and saying in his Bronx­Brooklyn accent, "And that's the end!"

After World War II, Bugs continued to appear in numerous Warner Bros. cartoons, making his last "Golden Age" appearance in False Hare (1964). He starred in over 167 theatrical short films, most of which were directed by Friz Freleng, Robert McKimson and Chuck Jones.

Freleng's Knighty Knight Bugs (1958), in which a medieval Bugs trades blows with Yosemite Sam and his fire­breathing dragon (which has a cold), won an Academy Award for Best Cartoon Short Subject. Three of Jones' films — Rabbit Fire, Rabbit Seasoning, and Duck! Rabbit, Duck! — compose what is often referred to as the "Rabbit Season/Duck Season" trilogy and are

famous for originating the "historic" rivalry between Bugs and Daffy Duck.

In the autumn of 1960, ABC launched The Bugs Bunny Show, which packaged many of the post­1948 Warner’s cartoons with newly animated wraparounds. Bugs did not appear in any of the post­1964 Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies films, produced by DePatie­Freleng Enterprises, or Seven Arts Productions and did not appear in new material on­screen again until Bugs and Daffy's Carnival of the Animals, aired in 1976.

In the 1988 animated/live action movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Bugs appeared as one of the inhabitants of Toontown. However, since the film was being produced by Disney, Warner Bros. would only allow the use of their biggest star if he got an equal amount of screen time as Disney's

biggest star, Mickey Mouse. As a result of this, both characters are always together in frame when onscreen. Roger Rabbit was also one of the final productions in which Mel Blanc voiced Bugs (as well as the other Looney Tunes characters), before his death in 1989.

Mel Blanc voiced the character for almost 50 years, from Bugs' debut in the 1940 short A Wild Hare. Blanc described the voice as a combination of Bronx and Brooklyn accents.

However, Tex Avery claimed that he asked Blanc to give the character not a New York accent per se, but a voice like that of actor Frank McHugh, who frequently appeared in supporting roles in the 1930s.

In 1997, Bugs appeared on a U.S. postage stamp, the first cartoon to be so honoured, beating the iconic Mickey Mouse. The stamp is number seven on the list of the ten most popular U.S. stamps, as calculated by the number of stamps purchased, but not used.

The introduction of Bugs onto a stamp was controversial at the time, as it was seen as a step towards the 'commercialization' of stamp art.

In 2002, TV Guide, compiled a list of the 50 greatest cartoon characters of all time, as part of the magazine's 50th anniversary. Bugs Bunny was given the honour of number 1. In a CNN broadcast on July 31, 2002, a TV Guide editor talked about the group that created the list. The editor also explained why Bugs pulled top billing: "His stock...has never gone down...Bugs is the best example...of the smart­ aleck American comic. He not only is a great cartoon character, he's a great comedian. He was written well. He was drawn beautifully. He has thrilled and made many generations laugh. He is tops."

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

23

THE VIEW THROUGH THE LENS

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ur resident expert and sharer of some of his camera secrets, John­Ross Hainey from Guernsey based JR Photography, combined business and pleasure last week to get a stunning image.

DJ’s and dancers flock to Vale Castle as "Chateau De Son”, a Licence 2 Dance Event, put on the biggest rave of the year. One of the most difficult lighting situations you will face

in photography working with high ISO’s, long shutter speeds and small apertures. I had my good friend Gareth from GLC lasers and graphics standing right next to me controlling the lasers to nail this shot. It was a night of visual orgasms, that’s for sure.

Photo of the week.

Shot info: A99, 24­70mm f2.8, at 40mm, ¼ of a second at f8, ISO1600

SUNFLOWERS – taken by ANITA STEARMAN on a recent trip to Madrid.

SHEEP IN EL RASO – taken by JIM REID

Summer is well and truly upon us and people are taking photographs here there and everywhere. Have you taken one that you think is spe­ cial and like to share it with readers of THE VIEW on this page?

Send it to editor@theview.es

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

CLAPPERBOARD

his promises to be an epic adventure action thriller and with the title of the film it probably doesn’t need too much explanation as to the plot.

The film stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington,Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal and is based on the real events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.

Unusually, the screenplay has used descriptions of the events from no less than six books: 'Into Thin Air': A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer, 'Left for Dead': My Journey Home from Everest by Beck Weathers,'Climbing High' by Lene Gammelgaard, 'After the Wind': 1996 Everest Tragedy – One Survivor’s Story by Lou Kasischke, 'The Climb': Tragic Ambitions on Everest by Anatoli Boukreev and G.

T

MISS YOU ALREADY

EVEREST

T

Weston DeWalt, and 'The Death Zone': Climbing Everest through the Killer Storm by Matt Dickinson.

The film follows the story of two expedition teams, both bound to reach the summit of the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest. But as they succeed in doing so, they discovered that reaching the top is not the hardest part of their journey— it's the trip back that is the most dangerous. The trailer has given an indication of how intimidating Mt. Everest will be in the movie.

Jake Gyllenhaal's Scott Fischer leads one of the two expedition groups and as far as what the trailer has shown, fans can expect the movie not to be just about how the climb was, or how victorious a summit can be, but rather what lies deeper within it— with Rob Hall leaving his pregnant

45 YEARS

his is a British drama directed by Andrew Haigh, first screened in the main competition section of the 2015 65th Berlin International Film Festival.

Both the main stars, Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay won the Silver Bear Award for Best Actress and Actor.

There is just one week until Kate Mercer's 45th wedding anniversary and the planning for the party is going well. Then the genial Geoff Mercer (Tom Courtenay) receives a letter that sets his mind racing. The body of his ex­fiancee, Katya, who disappeared into a crevasse while the pair were on a Swiss walking holiday in 1962, has been revealed inside a melting

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glacier. Since Geoff had been marked as next of kin on her death certificate, will he come to Switzerland to identify the corpse?

The film concentrates on the effect this news has on Geoff’s wife, Kate (Charlotte Rampling), who experiences the dramatic developments with a blend of intrigue, jealousy and escalating concern. She had known about Katya, but not about the engagement and now she must reassess her long marriage, in the shadow of her husband’s past love. One major revelation, arriving after Kate goes foraging among Geoff’s old photographs, adds an extra dramatic kick.

45 Years is due for release in the UK on 28th August.

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wife behind to pursue the climb.

The film is due for release on September 18th.

iss You Already is a British­ American comedy­drama film directed by Catherine Hardwicke and written by Morwenna Banks.

The film stars Toni Collette, Drew

Barrymore, Dominic Cooper, Paddy Considine, Frances de la Tour and Jacqueline Bisset.

They say opposites attract. Milly (Toni Collette) is the woman who has everything, a successful career, a rock­star husband and two beautiful children. Her best friend is Jess (Drew Barrymore) who works in a community garden, lives in a boathouse with her boyfriend Jago and desperately wants a baby.

Milly and Jess have been best friends forever. They’ve shared everything since they were kids – secrets, clothes, laughs, substances, boyfriends… now they are trying to be grown­ups. Milly has a high­ flying job and lives in a beautiful townhouse with husband Kit and their two kids. Jess is a town planner and she and her boyfriend Jago live on a bohemian houseboat on a London canal. Their friendship is as rock solid as ever. That is until Jess struggles to have a much longed­for baby and Milly finds out she has breast cancer. How do you share that?

When life falls apart, friends keep it together.

Due for release on September 25th.

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25

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

OLLIE’S MOOD SPILLS In Memoriam Katie Elizabeth Salmon.

5th February 1997 - 18th July 2015 When I come to the end of the road, And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long And never with head bowed low Remember the love that once we shared Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone It's all part of the master plan A step on the road back home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart Go the friends we know.

Laugh at all the things we used to do Miss me, but let me go.

When I am dead my dearest Sing no sad songs for me Plant thou no roses at my head Nor shady Cypress tree.

Be the green grass above me With showers and dewdrops wet And if thou wilt remember And if thou wilt forget.

I shall see no shadows, I shall not fear the rain; I shall not hear the nightingale Sing on as if in pain; And dreaming through the twilight That doth not rise nor set, Haply I may remember, And haply may forget. ­ Christina Rosetti.

I

t is with a heavy heart I have wrestled with this article. The sudden loss of someone is always very difficult, but to lose a young girl, of impeccably clean living, someone who brought smiles to everyone, someone who had not a bad word for anyone, shocks to the core.

There is nowhere to find anger, unless you have a religious disposition; there are no answers to be found. But that is possibly a saving grace, a way to push straight into the celebration of a beautiful life cut short.

I have no bounds against those with religion in their hearts, although I have no prescription; yet I do believe, strongly and wholly,

that wrapped inside this mortal coil is purely the prologue of our journey, that wherever Katie is now, she is on the trip of a lifetime. Why else would she have left us so soon?

Katie was a shining star. 18 years upon this planet. In a linear sense, no time at all. But Katie shall be remembered for a lifetime. Every touch, every word, every action brought into the world by Katie, that is remembered actively keeps her with us. Every smile created by her name, brings her back once again.

I would like to formally invite everyone who chooses, to join us on Sunday 26th July at THE MADHOUSE Tiro de Pichon, near to The Pitch and Pint, for an afternoon of celebration and fundraising.

A SONG FOR KATIE (there are more details on the poster on page 3) will start at 2pm. Acts from across the Costa Blanca, professional and non professional, will be singing and dancing to the memory of such a beautiful soul.

Taken back too early and far too sudden. Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, the cause. Katie will be laid to rest on Friday 24th July at 11am as this paper is released.

Mother and father Julie and Gary, my heart goes out to you both. This is something I cannot imagine going through.

She sleeps now and dreams with the soul of the earth itself.

Sleep now, Katie. Dream the most wonderful dreams. X

At every turning of my life I come across Good friends Friends who atood by me Even when time raced me by.

Farewell, farewell My friends I smile and Bid you goodbye No, shed no tears For I need them not All I need is your smile.

If you feel sad Do think of me For that is what I'd like.

When you live in the hearts Of those you love Remember then You never die. ­ Rabindranath Tagore.

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

THE VIEW ON.....NOSTALGIA 24th July 1970 An entertainment journey reminding you of some of the BBC Radio and TV programmes, and the UK Top 30 on this very day! This week, we go back to 1970.

If you have a special or important day in the past 60 years (1955 to date), let us know here at THE VIEW, and we’ll reproduce it just for you. Just contact us at editor@theview.es explaining why the date you’ve chosen means so much.

BBC RADIO – RADIO 2

6. IT’S ALL IN THE GAME – The Four Tops 7. SOMETHING – Shirley Bassey

5.33 BREAKFAST SPECIAL ­ Ray Moore 9.01 GEORGE ELRICK'S OPEN HOUSE

16.55 SCORE WITH THE SCAFFOLD – with special guests Fred Trueman, Wendy Padbury, and The Fourmost 17.40 JUNIOR POINTS OF VIEW 18.00 THE GALLOPING GOURMET ­ Graham Kerr

10.45 11.01 12.01 14.01 15.02 16.15 17.01 18.01 19.02 20.01 20.45

WAGGONERS' WALK NW BARRY KENT SINGS SAM COSTA WOMAN'S HOUR As Radio 1 WAGGONERS' WALK NW RONNIE ALDRICH ALBUM TIME ­ Desmond Carrington FOLK ON FRIDAY – Jim Lloyd THANKS FOR THE MEMORY – Hubert Gregg FRIDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT ­

8. NEANDERTHAL MAN – Hot Legs 9. LOVE OF THE COMMON PEOPLE – Nicky Thomas 10. COTTONFIELDS – The Beach Boys 11. LADY D’ARBANVILLE – Cat Stevens 12. GOODBYE SAM, HELLO SAMANTHA – Cliff Richard 13. SALLY – Gerry Monroe 14. GROOVIN’ WITH MR BLOE – Mr Bloe 15. I’LL SAY FOREVER MY LOVE – Jimmy Ruffin 16. DOWN THE DUSTPIPE – Status Quo 17. THE GREEN MANALISHI – Fleetwood Mac 18. YELLOW RIVER ­ Christie 19. HONEY COME BACK – Glen Campbell

18.25 CHAMPIONS' QUIZ BALL 18.45 THE VIRGINIAN – Starring James Drury as The Virginian

22.01 LATE NIGHT EXTRA – David Hamilton

0.05 NIGHT RIDE

20. BIG YELLOW TAXI – Joni Mitchell

21. LOVE LIKE A MAN – Ten Years After 22. EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL – Ray Stevens 23. (IT’S LIKE A) SAD OLD KINDA MOVIE – Pickettywitch

BBC TELEVISION – BBC 1 13.30 WATCH WITH MOTHER ­ CHIGLEY 13.55 GRANDSTAND ­ THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH GAMES FROM EDINBURGH ­ Introduced by Frank Bough 16.20 PLAY SCHOOL

24. SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED, I’M YOURS – Stevie Wonder

20.00 20.50 21.10 22.30 23.05

THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH GAMES THE MAIN NEWS ­ Kenneth Kendall THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH GAMES 24 HOURS – Ludovic Kennedy THE UNQUIET MAN – Starring Leonard Rossiter &

Janet

UK TOP 30 SINGLES 1. IN THE SUMMERTIME – Mungo Jerry 2. ALL RIGHT NOW ­ Free 3. THE WONDER OF YOU – Elvis Presley 4. LOLA – The Kinks 5.

UP AROUND THE BEND – Creedance Clearwater Revival

25. ABRAHAM, MARTIN & JOHN – Marvin Gaye 26. SONG OF JOY – Miguel Rios 27. I WILL SURVIVE ­ Arrival 28. WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO MY LOVE – Brotherhood Of Man

29. NATURAL SINNER – Fair Weather 30. RAINBOW ­ Marmalade

The View

27

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

FOR YOUR INFORMATION GUARDAMAR MOORS & CHRISTIANS

Friday 24th July 2030 – ENTRANCE OF THE CHRISTIANS Saturday 25th July 2100 – PROCESSION OF SAN JAIME Sunday 26th July 2030 – ENTRANCE OF THE MOORS 0100 – GRAND FIREWORK DISPLAY

ALMORADI MOORS & CHRISTIANS

Friday 24th July to Sunday 2nd August The main parades are on the nights of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 30th & 31st July and 1st & 2nd August with the concentration of the events on Calle Mayor, Plaza de la Constitution and Calle Valencia.

Most of the parades begin around 9pm.

ELCHE – NOCHE DE LA ALBORADA

Thursday 13th August Elche is the home of the spectacular series of firework displays beginning at 1115pm, and ending at Midnight with a Palm Rocket of several thousand fireworks turning the night sky into day for a minute!

NEXT WEEK IN THE VIEW Keep your eye out for another FOR YOUR INFORMATION pull-out section full of even more events, places to visit, NEW bus timetables, cruise ship visits, and a feature on one of our local entertainers.

RED DAY HOLIDAY Saturday 15th August URB LA MARINA FIESTAS

Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August There is a change of venue this year and will be held on Fase 1, Plaza Sierra Castilla near to the Banco Sabadell, and the new Dialprix Supermarket (formerly SupaValu). Full details of the programme will be in THE VIEW next week.

NEW 24 HOUR DUTY CHEMISTS

T

he commitment of THE VIEW to bring you important information continues with more lists of 24 HOUR DUTY CHEMISTS in our coverage area. Known in Spanish as FARMACIAS DE GUARDIA, most towns have at least one chemist on the duty rota which changes on a weekly basis.

TORREVIEJA

There are two chemists that open 24 hours, 7 days a week: CALLE RAMON GALUD, 196 (Corner of Calle Virgen de La Paloma) AVENIDA ANTONIO MACHADO, 115

Of course, we hope you’ll never need to use the services of the emergency chemists. The advice of THE VIEW is to visit your local farmacia to see if they’re on the rota. There is usually a list posted outside the building if they are.

28

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

WHAT’S ON THE TELLY?

DRIVING VETERANS WERE VINTAGE

A

mong what I personally believe is a plethora of complete and utter rubbish on British TV the odd rare gem of a programme pops up on the screen.

As an aside, can I congratulate the BBC for their wonderful coverage of Wimbledon tennis and The Open golf. What would some of us have done without you in the past three weeks?

I don’t know where I was hiding when ITV showed the original programme of this show a year or so ago, but the sequel of 100 Year Old Drivers Ride Again opened an eye or two; although I could imagine a few eyes being closed in fear if you happened to be a passenger in some of the cars.

Delightfully narrated by Felicity Kendall, we were informed from the outset that there are 230 people over the age of 100 driving in the UK. One of which is Bert Gallagher, 100, who started driving in 1932 and in recent years had set himself a target of wanting to drive on his

100th birthday.

Before being allowed out on his own on his special day, his daughter Sylvia, 72, accompanied him to put her own mind at rest that he was capable enough. He severely cut up the first corner, much to his daughter’s chagrin! “No problem! I knew what I was doing.” Yes, Bert, but the possible oncoming car wouldn’t unless they were mind readers.

Such was Sylvia’s concern about the quality of Bert’s driving that

they came to an agreement that he would have his driving abilities officially assessed and give up if he failed. The day came and the assessment was the same as the advanced driving test where you’re expected to give the examiner a running commentary of your thoughts and actions behind the wheel. “What’s going on behind?” asked the instructor. “I’m too busy looking at the front!” was the curt, but understandable reply.

“What are you thinking?” continued the frustrated tester.

“I’m telling you nothing. I’m driving”, said Bert – equally frustrated, and then in a scene reminiscent to the classic Bob Newhart Driving Instructor piece, a visibly shaken instructor uttered, “You’re getting too close to the speed limit!” Newhart speak for “You’re going too fast, Mrs Adams!”

Bert passed his test. Next, a glider!

The other principal couple featured were Ken (100) & Edna (99) Medlock (pictured), married for 75 years and never been apart from each other. “Her ability to criticise has improved in recent years”, said Ken as they held hands together.

Love ‘em.

Edna’s deteriorating health meant that her husband couldn’t cope anymore and the heartbreaking decision was made to move her into a home 200 MILES AWAY nearer to her son and daughter­in­ law! This meant a 3 ½ hour drive for poor Ken or rely on his son to

come and collect him. My initial thought was why Ken couldn’t have gone to move in with his family in the circumstances?

Agreed, I don’t know the individual case, but perhaps some of us have different family values. Their time apart saw a noticeable change in Edna as they now only met on a weekly basis. Ken stayed at home on his own and looked after himself. It was wrong.

Overall a charming programme with many belying their years with their abilities and their spirit. I was reminded of a family friend, now 105 and living back in the UK, who was driving in Spain until the age of 99. He had a small bash with another car near to his home and his insurance company wouldn’t renew his cover. The event became legendary with the Policia Local in Campello as their colleagues couldn’t believe they were dealing with a motoring incident involving a 99 year old – at the time, the oldest man in the town! DJ

00:40 Murder, She Wrote 01:35 Jackpot247 04:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA 04:40 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 11:55 ITV News 12:00 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV News London 15:00 Judge Rinder 16:00 Secret Dealers 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News London 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Gino's Italian Escape 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Doc Martin 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News London 23:40 Public Enemies (2009)

00:05 Hunted: Gay and Afraid 01:05 One Born Every Minute 02:00 The Tribe 02:55 The Auction House 03:50 Running the Shop 04:45 Supershoppers 05:10 Secret Eaters 06:05 Fifteen to One 07:00 Countdown 07:45 Will & Grace 08:35 The King of Queens 09:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Big Bang Theory 12:00 Undercover Boss USA 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Come Dine with Me Abroad 14:10 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Fifteen to One 17:00 French Collection 18:00 Couples Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 21:00 Location, Location, Location 22:00 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 23:00 The Last Leg

00:00 Person of Interest 01:00 SuperCasino 04:10 Deep-Sea Super Predator 05:00 Wildlife SOS 05:25 Great Scientists 05:45 House Doctor 07:00 The WotWots 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Lily's Driftwood Bay 07:30 Fireman Sam 07:40 Toot the Tiny Tugboat 07:50 Peppa Pig 07:55 Pip Ahoy!

08:10 Little Princess 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 09:55 Milkshake! Monkey 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Salem Falls (2011) 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News Tonight 20:00 World War II in Colour 21:00 Weather Terror: Brits in Peril 22:00 20 Moments 23:30 Lip Sync Battle 23:55 Tattoo Disasters UK

Friday 24thJuly 00:35 Operation Wild 01:35 Holiday Weatherview 01:40 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Council House Crackdown 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Close Calls: On Camera 12:30 Heir Hunters 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 The Instant Gardener 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 Animal Super Parents 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Celebrity MasterChef 23:00 BBC News 23:25 BBC London News; Weather 23:35 Room 101 - Extra Storage

00:20 Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners 01:20 Panorama 01:50 The Met: Policing London 02:50 This Is BBC Two 05:00 Schools: Sleeping Lions 05:15 Britain's Greatest Generation 05:45 Food - Gastro Lab 06:15 Ten Pieces Extra 06:55 Schools: Wonders of Nature: Stoat - Play 06:55 Wonders of Nature: Underwater World - Environment 07:10 Homes Under the Hammer 08:10 Heir Hunters 08:55 Antiques Roadshow Detectives 09:25 Nigel Slater: Eating Together 09:55 Live Formula 1 11:35 The A to Z of TV Gardening 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Animal Park 14:00 Live Formula 1 15:40 Quantrill's Raiders 16:50 Yes Minister 17:20 'Allo 'Allo!

17:45 Are You Being Served?

18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Two Tribes 19:30 Eggheads 20:00 RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2015 20:30 Gardeners' World 21:00 Live Athletics 23:00 The Perfect Morecambe & Wise 23:30 Newsnight

The View

29

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

Saturday 25th July 00:20 Cast Away (2000)

23:40 Not Going Out

00:00 Artsnight 00:30 The Science of Sleep (2005) 02:10 Children of the Gaza War 03:10 This World 04:10 This Is BBC Two 07:35 Formula 1 10:55 Live Formula 1 12:10 Formula 1 Rewind 13:10 Talking Pictures 13:45 Singin' in the Rain (1952) 15:30 Escape to the Continent 16:30 Flog It! 17:00 The House That ÂŁ100K Built 19:00 Ocean Queens: The Story of Cunard 19:30 Gardeners' World 20:00 Proms Extra 20:40 Edwardian Farm 21:40 Dad's Army 22:10 Dancing Through the Blitz: Blackpool's Big Band Story 23:40 Zodiac (2007)

02:05 Jackpot247 04:00 Britain's Best Bakery 04:50 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 The Aquabats!

07:25 Pat & Stan 07:35 Dino Dan 08:00 Canimals 08:15 Sooty 08:30 Super 4 08:45 Fish Hooks 09:00 Young Justice: Invasion 09:25 ITV News 09:30 Weekend 10:25 Murder, She Wrote 11:20 The Jeremy Kyle Show 13:25 ITV News and Weather 13:30 The Jeremy Kyle Show 14:35 Surprise Surprise 15:35 The Chase 16:30 All Star Family Fortunes 17:15 Tipping Point 18:15 Catchphrase 19:00 ITV News London 19:15 ITV News and Weather 19:30 You've Been Framed!

20:00 Despicable Me (2010) 22:00 The Nation's Favourite 80s Number One 23:25 ITV News and Weather 23:45 Twins (1988)

00:10 Lookalikes 00:40 Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) 02:45 Vic & Bob's Lucky Sexy Winners 03:10 Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners 04:05 Supernatural 04:55 You Deserve This House 05:50 Fifteen to One 06:40 Draw It! 07:05 Triathlon 07:35 FIM Superbike World Championship 08:00 Swimming 09:00 The Morning Line 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Big Bang Theory 12:30 The Simpsons 14:00 Rude(ish) Tube 14:30 Channel 4 Racing 17:10 Come Dine with Me 19:40 Channel 4 News 20:00 Homes by the Sea 21:00 Walking Through History 22:00 Pitch Perfect (2012)

00:30 Tattoo Disasters UK 01:00 SuperCasino 04:10 Transporter: The Series 05:00 Supersized 05:45 House Doctor 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Bananas in Pyjamas 07:20 Angelina Ballerina 07:35 Pip Ahoy!

07:45 The Mr Men Show 07:55 Milkshake! Monkey 08:00 Chloe's Closet 08:15 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:20 Make Way for Noddy 08:30 Paw Patrol 08:45 Little Princess 09:00 Wanda and the Alien 09:15 Zack and Quack 09:30 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 09:45 Jelly Jamm 10:00 LazyTown 10:15 Dora and Friends 11:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:35 Access 11:40 Cowboy Builders 14:35 Columbo: Dead Weight (1971) 16:10 The Dog Rescuers 17:05 Weather Terror: 18:05 5 News 18:10 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild 19:10 Benefits 20:00 Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 21:00 Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away 22:00 Transporter: The Series 23:00 Live Boxing

00:10 The Proposal (2009) 01:55 Weather for the Week Ahead 02:00 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:00 The Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Sunday Morning Live 12:00 Bargain Hunt 13:00 BBC News 13:15 Live Formula 1 16:15 A Question of Sport 16:45 Escape to the Country 17:30 Nigel Slater: Eating Together 18:00 Lifeline 18:10 Songs of Praise 18:45 Pointless Celebrities 19:35 BBC News 19:50 BBC London News; Weather 20:00 Countryfile 21:00 Fake or Fortune?

22:00 Partners in Crime 23:00 BBC News 23:20 BBC London News; Weather 23:30 Prized Apart

02:10 Repo Chick (2009) 03:35 This Is BBC Two 07:00 This Is BBC Two 07:40 Big Dreams Small Spaces 08:40 Countryfile 09:25 The Beechgrove Garden 09:55 Gardeners' World 10:25 BMX World Championships 11:25 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:55 The Box 13:25 Alex Polizzi: Chefs on Trial 14:25 Talking Pictures 15:15 Shall We Dance (1937) 17:00 Flog It! 17:30 Two Tribes 18:00 Hair 18:30 Hair 19:00 Natural World 20:00 Locomotion: Dan Snow's History of Railways 21:00 Dragons' Den 22:00 Odyssey 22:45 The Javone Prince Show 23:15 Family Guy 23:35 Family Guy 23:55 Family Guy

01:40 Jackpot247 04:00 Ejector Seat 04:50 ITV Nightscreen 07:00 The Aquabats! Super Show!

07:25 Pat & Stan 07:35 Dino Dan 08:00 Canimals 08:15 Sooty 08:30 Super 4 08:45 Fish Hooks 09:00 Young Justice: Invasion 09:25 ITV News 09:30 Weekend 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 13:30 ITV News and Weather 13:34 ITV London Weather 13:35 Love Your Garden 14:35 Long Lost Family: What Happened Next 15:35 Midsomer Murders 17:35 King Ralph (1991) 19:25 ITV News London 19:40 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Meet the Penguins 21:00 Surprise Surprise 22:00 Joanna Lumley's TransSiberian Adventure 23:00 ITV News and Weather 23:20 Bear Grylls: Mission Survive

00:15 The Tourist (2010)

01:00 SuperCasino 04:10 Police Interceptors 05:50 Make It Big 06:45 Angels of Jarm 07:00 Peppa Pig 07:05 Bananas in Pyjamas 07:20 Angelina Ballerina 07:35 Pip Ahoy!

07:45 The Mr Men Show 07:55 Chloe's Closet 08:10 Roobarb and Custard Too 08:15 Make Way for Noddy 08:25 Paw Patrol 08:40 Little Princess 08:55 Wanda and the Alien 09:05 Zack and Quack 09:15 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 09:30 Jelly Jamm 09:45 LazyTown 10:15 Dora and Friends 10:45 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:20 Access 11:25 Police Interceptors 14:20 Richie Rich (1994) 16:10 Big Momma's House 2 (2006) 18:10 5 News Weekend 18:15 Britain's Best Loved Double Acts 21:00 Police Interceptors Unleashed 22:00 Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) 23:50 The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

02:30 Weather for the Week Ahead 02:35 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 The Box 13:00 BBC News; Weather 13:10 Live Formula 1 15:20 Live Athletics 18:20 Celebrity Mastermind 18:50 Pointless Celebrities 19:40 BBC News 19:50 BBC London News; Weather 20:00 Prized Apart 21:05 The National Lottery: Five Star Family Reunion 22:00 Casualty 22:50 Mrs Brown's Boys 23:20 BBC News; Weather

Sunday 26th July

02:15 The Last Leg 03:15 Hollyoaks 05:30 Secret Eaters 06:25 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 06:30 Draw It! 06:55 How I Met Your Mother 08:05 Volkswagen Racing Cup 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:30 Frasier 10:30 Sunday Brunch 13:30 Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast 14:30 The Big Bang Theory 15:00 Live Athletics 17:40 Channel 4 News 18:10 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) 21:00 Experimental 22:00 Humans 23:00 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

30

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

Monday 27th July 00:35 Don't Tell the Bride 01:35 Weather for the Week Ahead 01:40 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Close Calls: On Camera 12:30 Heir Hunters 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 The Instant Gardener 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 The Housing Enforcers 21:00 EastEnders 21:30 Panorama 22:00 Britain at the Bookies 23:00 BBC News 23:25 BBC London News; Weather 23:35 Have I Got a Bit More News for You

00:20 Adventureland (2009) 02:00 Kicks (2009) 03:20 Countryfile 04:05 Holby City 05:05 This Is BBC Two 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Close Calls: On Camera 08:30 Heir Hunters 09:15 Escape to the Continent 10:15 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Coast 13:05 Sailing 14:05 BMX World Championships 15:05 Sydney White (2007) 16:50 Yes Minister 17:20 'Allo 'Allo!

17:45 Are You Being Served?

18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Two Tribes 19:30 Eggheads 20:00 Carol Klein's Plant Odysseys 20:30 The Pennine Way 21:00 University Challenge 21:30 Only Connect 22:00 Life in Squares 23:00 Hair 23:30 Newsnight

00:20 Piers Morgan's Life Stories 01:10 Jackpot247 04:00 Motorsport UK 04:50 British Superbike Championship Highlights 05:40 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 11:55 ITV News 12:00 This Morning 13:30 Guess This House 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV News London 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Secret Dealers 17:00 Hello Campers 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News London 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Vet School 21:30 Coronation Street 22:00 Rookies 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News London 23:40 Plebs

00:00 The Change-Up (2011) 02:10 Channel 4's Comedy Gala 03:00 Come Dine with Me 05:25 You Deserve This House 06:15 Kirstie's Vintage Gems 06:30 Draw It! 07:00 Countdown 07:45 Will & Grace 08:35 The King of Queens 09:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Big Bang Theory 12:00 The Simpsons 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Come Dine with Me Abroad 14:05 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Fifteen to One 17:00 French Collection 18:00 Couples Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 21:00 Food Unwrapped 22:00 24 Hours in Police Custody 23:00 How to Get a Council House

02:00 SuperCasino 04:10 Under the Dome 05:00 House Doctor 05:25 Make It Big 06:45 Angels of Jarm 07:00 The WotWots 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Lily's Driftwood Bay 07:30 Fireman Sam 07:40 Toot the Tiny Tugboat 07:50 Peppa Pig 07:55 Pip Ahoy!

08:10 Little Princess 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Milkshake! Monkey 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 09:55 Milkshake! Bop Box 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Fatal Honeymoon 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News Tonight 20:00 Police Interceptors 21:00 Stop! Roadworks Ahead 22:00 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild 23:00 Under the Dome 23:55 From Hell (2001)

00:20 Have I Got a Bit More News for You 01:05 Weather for the Week Ahead 01:10 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Close Calls: On Camera 12:30 Heir Hunters 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 The Instant Gardener 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 Rip Off Britain: Food 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Holby City 22:00 Crimewatch 23:00 BBC News 23:25 BBC London News; Weather 23:35 Crimewatch Update 23:45 Transplant Tales

00:15 Weather 00:20 The Women's Football Show 00:50 Odyssey 01:30 Nature's Greatest Dancers 02:30 The Bank: A Matter of Life and Debt 03:30 This Is BBC Two 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Close Calls: On Camera 08:30 Heir Hunters 09:15 The House That £100K Built 10:15 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 The A to Z of TV Cooking 13:20 The Super League Show 14:05 Talking Pictures 14:50 The Wind and the Lion 16:50 Yes Minister 17:20 'Allo 'Allo!

17:45 Are You Being Served?

18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Two Tribes 19:30 Eggheads 20:00 The Hairy Bikers Come Home 20:30 The Pennine Way 21:00 The House That £100K Built 22:00 Great Ormond Street 23:00 Hair 23:30 Newsnight

00:10 Britain Sees Red: Caught on Camera 01:05 Jackpot247 04:00 The Jeremy Kyle Show 04:55 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 11:55 ITV News 12:00 This Morning 13:30 Guess This House 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV News London 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Secret Dealers 17:00 Hello Campers 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News London 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones 21:00 Love Your Garden 22:00 Brits Behind Bars 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News London 23:40 On Assignment

00:00 Tattoo Fixers 01:00 Married at First Sight 02:00 Child Genius 02:55 One Born Every Minute USA 03:50 The Food Hospital 04:45 Secret Eaters 05:40 Fifteen to One 06:30 Draw It! 07:00 Countdown 07:45 Will & Grace 08:35 The King of Queens 09:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Big Bang Theory 12:00 The Simpsons 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Come Dine with Me Abroad 14:05 Jamie's Comfort Food 14:35 Channel 4 Racing 17:00 French Collection 18:00 Couples Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 21:00 The Three Day Nanny 22:00 Child Genius 23:00 Not Safe For Work 23:50 Dogs on the Dole

02:15 SuperCasino 04:10 Benefits by the Sea: Jaywick 05:00 Wildlife SOS 05:25 Great Scientists 05:45 House Doctor 07:00 The WotWots 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Lily's Driftwood Bay 07:30 Fireman Sam 07:40 Toot the Tiny Tugboat 07:50 Peppa Pig 07:55 Pip Ahoy!

08:10 Little Princess 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Milkshake! Monkey 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 09:55 Milkshake! Bop Box 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Nightmare Tenants, 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Garage Sale Mystery 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News Tonight 20:00 Police Interceptors 21:00 The Dog Rescuers 22:00 Benefits by the Sea: 23:00 Botched Up Bodies

Tuesday 28th July

The View

31

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

Wednesday 29th July 00:45 Twelve Monkeys (1995) 02:50 Weather for the Week Ahead 02:55 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Close Calls: On Camera 12:30 Heir Hunters 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 The Instant Gardener 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 The Sheriffs Are Coming 21:00 Don't Tell the Bride 22:00 The Interceptor 23:00 BBC News 23:25 BBC London News; Weather 23:35 Cashing In

00:15 Weather 00:20 Dragons' Den 01:20 Don't Tell the Bride 02:15 Great Ormond Street 03:15 This Is BBC Two 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Close Calls: On Camera 08:30 Heir Hunters 09:15 Claimed and Shamed 09:45 Antiques Roadshow Detectives 10:15 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Lifeline 13:10 Animal Park 14:10 Talking Pictures 14:55 Now, Voyager (1942) 16:50 Yes Minister 17:20 'Allo 'Allo!

17:45 Are You Being Served?

18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Two Tribes 19:30 Eggheads 20:00 The Hairy Bikers Come Home 20:30 The Pennine Way 21:00 Trust Me, I'm a Doctor 22:00 Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Inside the Post Office 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight

00:10 Benidorm 01:10 Murder, She Wrote 02:10 Jackpot247 04:00 Don't Blow the Inheritance 04:50 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 11:55 ITV News 12:00 This Morning 13:30 Guess This House 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV News London 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Secret Dealers 17:00 Hello Campers 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News London 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Coronation Street 21:00 Vera 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News London 23:40 The Day They Dropped The Bomb

00:50 Poker 01:50 KOTV Boxing Weekly 02:20 Gillette World Sport 02:45 FIM Superbike World Championship 03:15 Triathlon 03:40 Swimming 04:35 Volkswagen Racing Cup 05:05 How Britain Worked 06:00 Secret Eaters 06:55 How I Met Your Mother 07:45 Will & Grace 08:35 The King of Queens 09:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Big Bang Theory 12:00 The Simpsons 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Come Dine with Me Abroad 14:05 Jamie's 15 Minute Meals 14:35 Channel 4 Racing 17:00 French Collection 18:00 Couples Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 21:00 The Autistic Gardener 22:00 One Born Every Minute 23:00 Witnesses

00:00 20 Moments 01:30 Lip Sync Battle 01:55 SuperCasino 04:10 Carry on Caravanning 05:00 Wildlife SOS 05:25 Great Scientists 05:45 House Doctor 07:00 The WotWots 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Lily's Driftwood Bay 07:30 Fireman Sam 07:40 Toot the Tiny Tugboat 07:50 Peppa Pig 07:55 Pip Ahoy!

08:10 Little Princess 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:45 Milkshake! Monkey 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 09:55 Milkshake! Bop Box 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Trauma Doctors 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 Dear Viola (2014) 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News Tonight 20:00 Cricket on 5 21:00 The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door 22:00 Nightmare Tenants 23:00 Wentworth Prison

00:35 Britain at the Bookies 01:35 Weather for the Week Ahead 01:40 BBC News 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Fake Britain 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Close Calls: On Camera 12:30 Heir Hunters 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 BBC News; Weather 14:45 Doctors 15:15 The Link 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 The Instant Gardener 17:30 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 18:15 Pointless 19:00 BBC News 19:30 BBC London News 20:00 Fake Britain 20:30 EastEnders 21:00 Traffic Cops 22:00 Death in Paradise 23:00 BBC News 23:25 BBC London News; Weather 23:35 Reggie Yates: Extreme Russia

00:15 Weather 00:20 Great Ormond Street 01:20 Trust Me, I'm a Doctor 02:20 Alex Polizzi: Chefs on Trial 03:20 This Is BBC Two 07:00 Homes Under the Hammer 08:00 Close Calls: On Camera 08:30 Heir Hunters 09:15 Coast 10:15 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 BBC News 12:30 BBC World News 13:00 Animal Park 14:00 Golf: Women's British Open 18:15 Flog It! 19:00 Two Tribes 19:30 Eggheads 20:00 The Hairy Bikers' Asian Adventure 20:30 The Pennine Way 21:00 Coast 22:00 Atlantic: The Wildest Ocean on Earth 23:00 The Javone Prince Show 23:30 Newsnight

00:50 If I Don't Come Home Letters from D-Day 01:40 Jackpot247 04:00 Ejector Seat 04:50 ITV Nightscreen 06:05 The Jeremy Kyle Show 07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30 This Morning 11:55 ITV News 12:00 This Morning 13:30 Guess This House 14:30 ITV News and Weather 14:55 ITV News London 15:00 Dickinson's Real Deal 16:00 Secret Dealers 17:00 Hello Campers 18:00 The Chase 19:00 ITV News London 19:30 ITV News and Weather 20:00 Emmerdale 20:30 Real Stories with Ranvir Singh 21:00 Emmerdale 21:30 Flockstars 22:00 Britain Sees Red: Caught on Camera 23:00 ITV News at Ten and Weather 23:30 ITV News London 23:40 Sports Life Stories

00:05 24 Hours in A&E 01:05 Lovebox Festival 2015 02:05 Embarrassing Bodies 03:00 Elegy (2008) 04:50 Secret Eaters 05:45 River Cottage Bites 06:00 Fifteen to One 06:55 How I Met Your Mother 07:45 Will & Grace 08:35 The King of Queens 09:00 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:00 The Big Bang Theory 12:00 The Simpsons 13:00 Channel 4 News Summary 13:05 Come Dine with Me Abroad 14:05 Jamie's 15 Minute Meals 14:35 Channel 4 Racing 17:00 French Collection 18:00 Couples Come Dine with Me 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 Channel 4 News 21:00 Grand Designs 22:00 Prince Philip: The Plot to Make a King 23:00 999: What's Your Emergency?

00:00 Benefits by the Sea 01:00 Supersized 02:00 SuperCasino 04:10 Police Interceptors 05:00 Wildlife SOS 05:25 Great Scientists 05:50 House Doctor 07:00 The WotWots 07:10 Igam Ogam 07:20 Lily's Driftwood Bay 07:30 Fireman Sam 07:40 Toot the Tiny Tugboat 07:50 Peppa Pig 07:55 Pip Ahoy!

08:10 Little Princess 08:20 The Mr Men Show 08:35 Thomas & Friends 08:50 Noddy in Toyland 09:00 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 09:15 Peppa Pig 09:35 Toby's Travelling Circus 09:45 Bananas in Pyjamas 10:00 Tickety Toc 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:10 Cowboy Builders 13:10 5 News Lunchtime 13:15 Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away 14:15 Home and Away 14:45 Neighbours 15:15 NCIS 16:15 A Killer among Us 18:00 5 News at 5 18:30 Neighbours 19:00 Home and Away 19:30 5 News Tonight 20:00 Cricket on 5 21:00 The Holiday Airport 22:00 Supersized 23:00 Person of Interest

Thursday 30th July

32

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

fashion forward

ACCESSORIES BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SUMMER WARDROBE BY SLIPPING ON A SILK SCARF

BOHO RHAPSODY Is this the real life?

Is this just fantasy?

How to dress for a heatwave? Effortless, casual and relaxed, the boho look lends itself brilliantly to hot weather at home or abroad. And the best bit is, the trend is open to interpretation – from all-out hippie beach outfits through to refined earthiness, find a way to wear it that suits your style.

APRICOT STATEMENT NECK CROTCHET TOP­ 19 Euros www.jenny@apricot100.com

MARBLE PRINT DENIUM TROUSERS – 70 Euros www.stories.com

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No matter what season it is, a scarf is always an important accessory. Wear it around your neck, waist or arms, even tie it on your handbag – TRES CHIC!

RED PAISLEY PRINT STRAP­ LESS DRESS – 35 Euros

ANNA CORONEO from www.beachflamingo.com 89 Euros

SILK BANDANA SCARF­ 45 Euros. SALE NOW ON www.joules.com

PAISLEY TILES PALAZZO TROUSERS 24 Euros PAISLEY TILES FRINGE KIMONO Apricot ESPANA ­ 24 Euros www.jenny@apri­ cot100.com

ACCESSORIZE ESPANA VINTAGE BUCKLE FLOPPY HAT – 32 Euros

MONSOON ESPANA RUBINS HOBO BAG – 49 Euros

LIBERTY LONDON. www.liberty.co.uk ­ 260 Euros

STEVE MADDEN AT DUNE ADRIA – 85 Euros – www.stevenmadden.co.uk

CHLOE from www.liberty.co.uk – 350 Euros

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33

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

HANGING OUT.........

T

his summer get into the swing of it with these cool garden­friendly pieces. ­Time to chill.

It’s not just about having the poshest barbecue in town unless the rest of your kit is not up to scratch, a must have now is the SUSPENDED COCOON­LIKE SWING from “Daniel Pouzet’s designs for Dedon.

It’s all about pieces that work indoors as well as well as out and need little maintenance. So ditch those faded deckchairs, fold up that rusty lounger for the last time and get your garden up­to­date with these seriously stylish outdoor buys.

Weatherproof materials such as synthetic weaves and treated metal or woods have come a long way and can now be used in the garden all year long.

Float away on these SwingMe and SwingUs chairs by

HANG­IN­OUT DOUBLE CA­ COON­ FUSCHIA 325 Euros – www.amara.com

Add colour on a budget..

NEXT ­ PINK STRIPE OUT­ DOOR CUSHION – 22 Euros

NEW & EXCLUSIVE

This month Charlotte Tilbury has teamed up with the Norman Parkinson archive to create a limited edition, vintage makeup and accessories collection, inspired by and decorated with the legendary British fashion photographer’s iconic images. The collection includes a new Filmstar Bronze & Glow ­ Suntan & Sunlight, Colour Of Youth ­ Lip & Cheek Colour, Dreamy Glow Highlighter, Matte Revolution in Miss Kensington, Matte Revolution in 1975 Red, 'On Call' Makeup Bag and The Bathing Beauty Bag, as well as two new & exclusive looks, Miss 1975 and Miss Kensington, inspired by Parkinson's timeless photographs.

Dedon. Accessories from 120 Euros. www.leisureplan.co.uk

Add colour with Missoni’s garden cushions.

Missoni Kew Outdoor Cush­ ion ­ 200 Euros www.amara.com

Iced tea or strawberries & champers MID CENTURY POPPY PIC­ NIC BAG – 6.95 Euros www.dotcomgiftshop.com

Light up the outdoors with this stylish lantern.

BHS ESPANA – EXTRA LARGE OUTDOOR LANTERN – 60 Euros

Swinging ­ BUDGET BUY – TIGER HAMMOCK – 15 Euros Tiger Stores Espana.

SHOES THAT LET YOU CHANGE THE HEIGHT OF YOUR HEELS...

FROM STILETTOS...TO BLOCK HEELS...OR KITTEN HEELS! STEP OUT IN SKYSCRAPERS – COME HOME IN FLATS. IT’S A FOOTWEAR REVOLUTION Practically speaking, it’s also rather gratifying to know that these shoes aren’t a write­off if you break or irredeemably scuff the heel.

And here’s the thing — the chunky low heels are hugely comfortable, while the stilettos are really rather walkable, too. Sadly I didn’t love all the designs. Sensible court shoes must be particularly stylish to cut the mustard, otherwise they are frumpy — being able to adjust the heel height doesn’t change that. . Also, while I love the eclectic range of heels, I don’t think I could survive with only 3 pairs of shoes instead of 15.

VERDICT – Great idea worth trying now up to 50% DISCOUNT ­ TANYA HEATH PARIS www.tanyaheath.com

On Call Make­Up Bag – 43 Euros

COLOUR OF YOUTH – Happy, Healthy Lip & Cheek Glow ­54 Euros

Carolines view on.....

This is a brilliant idea – As I am 5ft 2in, I have long been addicted to my high heels (I even climbed Mount Teide in them – quite sensible as they acted likes spikes) You can choose from the range of four heels: stiletto; chunky high; kitten; and chunky low. These cost between 28 Euros to 68 Euros per pair, come in a huge range of colours and finishes and fit each and every one of the shoes, slotting into place easily and securely in an instant You slide the heel onto the shoe at the back until you hear a loud click, which means it’s on properly.

You simply press a button on the inside of the shoe to release the heel when you want to take it off. – Easy.

VINTAGE VAMP

Matt Revolution Lipstick in 1975 Red ­ 32 Euros

Dreamy Glow Highlighter – 60 Euros

As a Vintage Vamp, you dress for yourself but can't help intoxicating others with just a glance.

Your palette is deep and intense and you adore the richest, most beguiling colours from captivating crimsons to sumptuous rose golds.

A veritable modern day Lauren Bacall, Louise Brooks or Daisy Buchanan, with an obsession for all things antique gold and vintage treasures.

You frequent hedonistic parties where you’ll be found applying burgundy rouge from a vintage golden compact and sketching out the heart shaped lip­line that you borrowed from Kiki de Montparnesse.

VISIT – www.charlottetilbury.com or www.harrods.com

34

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

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Sweet & spicy beer can chicken

The steam from the beer creates the most amazingly juicy results.

Ingredients • 1 x 1.8 kg whole free­range chicken • olive oil • 1 x 330 ml can of beer • 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce • 1 fresh red chilli, deseeded • 1 bunch of spring onions, trimmed • ½ a bunch of fresh coriander • For the rub: • 1 heaped tablespoon smoked paprika • 1 heaped teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1 heaped tablespoon fennel seeds • 1 heaped tablespoon coriander seeds • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds • 1­2 dried red chillies • 1 heaped teaspoon sea salt • 1 heaped tablespoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 heaped tablespoon soft dark brown sugar Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6.

Remove the chicken from the fridge and leave aside to come up to room temperature. Bash the rub ingredients to a fine powder in a large pestle and mortar, then drizzle the chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle over the rub and use your hands to massage all those lovely flavours into all the nooks and crannies.

Crack open the beer and pour out around two­ thirds of it (or drink it!), then carefully lower the chicken cavity onto the can so it looks like it's sitting up. Position the chicken so it's upright on a roasting tray, then place in the oven and cook for around 1 hour 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. To check it's done, insert a knife into the thickest part of the thigh – the juices should run clear.

Rocky road kill Ingredients

• 250 g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing • 400 g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) • 100 g golden syrup • 250 g digestive biscuits • 100 g mixed dried cherries and cranberries • 100 g shelled walnuts • 25 g coconut flakes, plus extra for decorating • 1 large handful of marshmallows • 2 large meringues • 1 handful of chocolate

biscuits • icing sugar, for dusting

Method

add to the mixture. Add the dried fruit, walnuts, coconut flakes and marshmallows, then break in the meringue, reserving some for later.

Once the mixture is smooth, wrap the digestive biscuits in a clean tea towel and bash with a rolling pin into rough pieces, then

Mix everything together until well combined then pour the mixture into the lined tin. Scatter over some coconut flakes, push in a few chocolate biscuits to make tombstones and dot pieces of meringue around the biscuits. Pop in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or until set. Once firm, remove from the fridge, carefully remove from the tin and finish with a dusting of icing sugar.

Grease and line a cake tin (roughly 20cm x 25cm). Half­fill a medium pan with boiling water and simmer over a low heat. Place a heatproof bowl over the pan of simmering water and melt the butter, chocolate and golden syrup together, stirring well.

Brush the chicken all over with the barbecue sauce, then return to the oven for a further 10 minutes, or until dark and sticky. Meanwhile, finely slice the chilli and spring onions and pick the coriander leaves. Once ready, carefully remove and discard the can, then carve up the bird, scatter over the chilli, spring onions and coriander leaves, then serve.

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

35

6 examples of early fast food from Ancient History F

ast food is often derided as a modern scourge, one that has made us fatter and ruined family dinners everywhere. But fast food isn’t an American invention. It’s been around since ancient times. Here are six ways people have satisfied their needs for greasy to­go fare throughout history:

culinary delights. The walls were often painted with frescos bearing images of the available food items.

2. Mesopotamian McDonalds

Godin Tepe, an archaeological site in western Iran that was inhabited by humans as far back as 5000 BC, features evidence of takeout windows. A few years ago, archaeologists discovered that some of the buildings in the ancient Mesopotamian town had windows, an unusual feature for the time, around 3200 BC. The building they excavated contained a fireplace, food remains, and a lot of bowls—indicating that it might have been a takeout joint.

3. The Roman hamburger

1. Pompeiian takeout

The residents of ancient Pompeii did not like to cook, as archaeologists discovered when they began to excavate the famously preserved city, which was covered in ash during the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Barely anyone had a home kitchen. Instead, residents of Pompeii (except for the wealthy) ate on the go, at cook shops that functioned kind of like ancient takeout restaurants. These “popinae” had masonry counters inset with cooking pots, and customers might have selected their choice of porridge, ham, stew, and other

A recipe from Roman times by an unknown author, included in Apicius (a cookbook published in the 4th or 5th century AD), features a dish, Isicia Omentata, that’s fairly similar to the modern hamburger. It was a patty made of minced meat mixed with pepper, wine, pine nuts, and a sauce.

They probably didn’t have the option to super­size that, though.

instance, Homer compares a sleepless Odysseus to a sausage rolling around before a fire. There are several variations of the translation, but in one, the passage describes the warrior’s tossing and turning as being like “when a man besides a great fire has filled a sausage with fat and blood and turns it this way and that and is very eager to get it quickly roasted.”

5. Chinese restaurant culture

In 1200 AD, Chinese peasants enjoyed blood soup, which was both sold at cheap restaurants and featured in upscale banquets. In big cities, vendors sold this and other hot food out of cauldrons and baskets in storefronts that catered to people who worked until late at night. Public restaurants, a fairly rare feature of the ancient world, catered to both the wealthy and the poor, and most restaurants were open late (just like your neighbourhood Burger King). In fact, Hangzhou, China may have been the site of the first real restaurant, where diners could order food directly from a menu instead of taking whatever was available for the day.

6. Endless tamales

Father Bernardino de Sahagun, a priest who served as a missionary and ethnographer during the initial Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 1500s, described visiting Aztec street markets that sold hot sauce and tamales of near­infinite varieties—filled with meat, fish, frog, mushroom, rabbit, and more. Centuries later, in the 1890s, tamale carts would become L.A.’s first blockbuster street food.

4. Odysseus and the hot dog

The American incarnation of the hot dog didn’t come onto the culinary scene until the 1800s (and the term itself might not have appeared until 1891), but sausages have been referenced in some of our oldest texts. In The Odyssey, for

10 scientific reasons you should drink more wine It's essentially MAGIC in a bottle

1. Red wine is a great source of antioxidants, which increases levels of HDL (good cholesterols) and gets rid of the bad stuff (LDL's) more so than white. This means goodbye heart disease and hello unclogged arteries.

2. Red wine also slows the growth of breast and prostrate cancer cells, while warding off oral cancer.

3. Drinking wine in moderation can slim your risk of osteoporosis, which in simpler terms refers to age­related bone thinning, by increasing bone mineral density of men and women alike.

4. 'Resveratrol' is a key ingredient found in the skin of red grapes, which is known to protect your blood vessels while eliminating blood clots. It also gets rid of those unwanted wrinkles, as it protects the body from aging and disease.

5. It is so good for you, that evidence has proven that moderate drinking is better for your health than abstaining from alcohol completely.

6. 'Polyphenols' are substances found in red wine, which

"combat against harmful bacteria", preventing your body from illness and disease.

7. Wine reduces the risks of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, because it "dilates arteries and increases blood flow, thus lowering the risk of clots."

8. 'Flavonoids' are found significantly in red wine, and evidence shows that these compounds will lower risks of many types of cancer.

9. In moderation, wine can help your cholesterol by boosting the levels of HDL (the good stuff) while the 'phenols' contained in wine prevent the levels of LDL (the bad stuff) damaging your arteries.

10. Red wine has the ability to reduce your risk of developing certain dementias such as Alzheimer's.

Drink up!

36 VIRGINIA SUPPORTS OVER 70s CAMPAIGN Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

P

ublic Health England has launched a nationwide ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign aimed at women aged 70 and over, to drive awareness of the risk of breast cancer amongst this age group and to increase their knowledge of lesser­known breast cancer symptoms.

Around 13,400 women aged 70 and over are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, accounting for a third of all breast cancer cases.

Approximately 30% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer report a symptom other than a lump.

However, research shows that when asked to name symptoms of breast cancer, only half of women over 70 (48%) could name a symptom aside from a lump.

Despite older women being at an increased risk of breast cancer, they are also more likely to delay going to their GP with breast cancer symptoms.

This year’s campaign activity will reinforce the message ‘don’t assume you’re past it’, urging older women to visit their doctor straight away if they notice any unusual or persistent changes to their breasts, such as a lump or a change to a nipple, or to the skin or the shape of a breast.

The campaign first launched nationally in early 2014, research shows that it successfully raised awareness that the risk of breast cancer increases with age.

Promising results show a 25% increase in the number of breast cancers diagnosed in women aged 70 and over, following an urgent GP referral for suspected breast cancer during the campaign period compared with the same period two years earlier.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer

in women in England, with around 41,200 women diagnosed every year.

National figures show that around 9,500 women die from breast cancer each year and over half of these are women aged 70 and over (5,400). This equates to around 15 women aged 70 and over dying from breast cancer in England every day.

Early diagnosis of breast cancer is crucial and means treatment is more likely to be successful. If breast cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage in women aged 70 and over, 93% will live for at least another five years.

This figure drops to just 13% for those diagnosed at the most advanced stage.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical

THE HIVE. GAS AND WATER ON APP

W

ith the current temperatures in Spain, the last thing on the minds of many is central heating and hot water.

Both those subjects are controlled by the sun at present.

Many of you still have property in the UK, which you either stay in yourselves or indeed rent it out in the winter months. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to control the levels of your heating when you’re there and even make sure it’s nice and cosy for you when you arrive back home, to ease the shock of a sharp change of temperatures?

If they’re your supplier in the UK, British Gas has a mobile phone app called Hive. With Hive, you'll never have to heat an empty home or come back to a cold one. It lets you control your heating and hot water from your smart phone, tablet or laptop. So whether you're at work, on the bus, in the pub or out shopping, Hive lets you change the temperature of your home in just a few taps.

Hive works with your existing heating system and there's no need to change your energy supplier. If you have a separate hot water tank, you can control your hot water too.

Packed with clever features, the Hive app is the easiest way to control your heating and hot water from wherever you are. For the heating, you can switch it on and off and up or down. If you need to extend your heating outside your usual schedule you can use the boost button. You can also turn your hot water on and off and, if you fancy a shower

Officer, comments: “You are never too old to get breast cancer. It is not always a lump and women should look out for any changes in the shape of the breast, a change to a nipple or to the skin. Spotting the signs of cancer early is very important. So if women are concerned about any breast cancer symptoms they should contact their GP straight away.”

The former Wimbledon tennis champion Virginia Wade, OBE, is supporting the campaign and comments: “I’ve just turned 70, which makes this campaign really relevant to me and women like me. The statistics speak for themselves, one in three women who get breast cancer are over 70. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in England.

Sadly, everyone knows someone who has been touched by breast cancer, which is why I’m supporting this campaign. I want to say to all women over 70: don’t assume you’re past it. If you notice any changes to your breasts,

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tell your doctor. We’re not just talking about a lump – symptoms of breast cancer could also be changes to your breast shape, size, skin or nipple.

Family and friends – please do encourage loved ones to seek medical help if they say they have symptoms, or have noticed any changes. Some women feel they are too old for certain things, but unfortunately breast cancer isn’t one of them.”

Media Medic, Dr Dawn Harper comments: “Breast cancer affects women of all ages, but it’s the number of those over 70 being diagnosed and the fact that some women delay visiting their GP which is worrying. It is extremely important to seek medical advice if you have any concerns about unusual changes to your breasts and encourage others to do so too. Anyone that visits us will not be wasting our time, as GPs it’s what we’re there for. If you do have breast cancer, the earlier it is found treatment is more likely to be successful and can lead to a better outcome.”

Dr Ann Hoskins, Public Health England Deputy Director, Health and Wellbeing says: “This campaign aims to target women aged 70 and over, as we know that many women of this age group are unaware of the risk breast cancer poses to them. They also tend to have lower knowledge of the symptoms of breast cancer and are not necessarily looking at, or feeling their breasts, so are less likely to detect change".

“This campaign emphasises that a lump is not the only sign of breast cancer and women should tell their GP if they notice any changes to their breasts. Other possible signs of breast cancer include nipple changes and changes to the skin of the breast.”

The nationwide Be Clear on Cancer ‘breast cancer in women over 70’ campaign, launched on 13 July and will run for a total of eight weeks.

Guardamar were there

O outside your normal schedule, you can boost your hot water for up to six hours.

Depending on the location of your phone, Hive will send you reminders to turn your heating on before you get home, or off, if you’ve left it on when you go out. One of the important features for residents of Spain with UK property is the Hive app can help protect your pipes from freezing. Hive automatically activates when your heating’s off and the temperature inside your home dips below 7C. The accompanying kit that works with the Hive app plugs into your broadband router, so your thermostat connects to the internet and lets your thermostat and boiler talk to each other. It’s usually fitted near the boiler so it’s barely noticeable.

The Hive installation helps you save energy and money and you'll only heat your UK home when you need to. So you could save up to £150 on your energy bills.

Check the system online at www.britishgas.co.uk/products­and­ services/hive­active­heating.html

n this Over 50s page, we promoted the 50+ exhibition that was held in Olympia last week. We didn’t realise that the local town of Guardamar were there among other representatives promoting the Costa Blanca.

They joined business people from Benidorm and Calpe and a member of the Costa Blanca Tourist Office, at the specialised event aiming a wide range of products and services to the 50+ demographic.

The Guardamar representatives handed out information to over 300 exhibition visitors who had expressed interest in the town. Beforehand, the Association of Hoteliers of Guardamar (ASHOMAR) made up of the Hotel Meridional, Hotel Playas de Guardamar, Hotel Eden Mar, Grupo Marjal and the Europa House apartments, had put together some special offers to include in the information.

This is the second time this fair has been organised and specialises in health and wellness tourism. Guardamar is especially attractive, because of its environment and quality of life. Despite there being many other places worldwide to attract visitors, the Guardamar team were impressed with the amount of people who have indicated that they will visit our shores. Even though the

50+ Show isn’t a show for estate agents, many of the people who attended the exhibition expressed an interest in buying property in the area.

Over the coming months those involved will be liaising with those in charge of tourist accommodation, to see if the participation in the show was a commercial success. The Costa Blanca Tourist Office has already indicated it will be attending the next 50+ shows scheduled for Glasgow and Dublin.

A check will "return", or actual outcome with companies of tourist accommodation in the coming months. The Provincial Tourism on the Costa Blanca has already indicated that they will attend the next 50+ Shows scheduled for Glasgow (Scotland) and Dublin (Ireland).

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37

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

IT’S YOUR PAGE...

THE ROULETTE WHEEL

By Barry Haslam-Walker

I

ts new life started with the sound of chain saws.

Deep in the jungles of Borneo this exotic hardwood tree was giving up its soul. The hardwood was known as ‘Aboyna Burl’, rich medium brown characterized by its whorls.

When deeply polished the warmth and appearance was breathtaking.

A 12 inch slice from the truck would be sent to cabinet specialists to be lathed into a 32inch diameter shallow bowl. A hole cut out in the centre and a machine turned finely balanced aluminum spinning wheel inserted.

Carved around the edge 37 numbered slots, 0 to 36, randomly placed and alternatively coloured red and black. The one slot 0, was white and was the house’s edge.

This finely and perfectly balanced spinning wheel would be the centre piece of the ‘Roulette Wheel’ and was destined for the most famous Casino in the world – Monte Carlo.

The Roulette Wheel stood at the head of a long baize, green cloth, covered table. Marked down the centre 36 squares numbered 1 to 36 with one extra square for 0 – the zero.

Down the sides of the baize, additional squares for odd and even numbers and squares for black and red.

The game would start with players placing their bets in any of the squares, a bet on a single number would pay 35:1, a bet on odd/even/black or red would pay 1:1 (evens). There are other variants for placing a bet on the line between two numbers or on the junction between four numbers. The betting odds are adjusted accordingly.

The Croupier standing next to the Roulette Wheel would spin the centre wheel in one direction and with a small white ball, spin the ball around the inner rim of the outer wooden wheel in the opposite direction.

As the ball slowed down it would randomly bounce around and eventually settle into one of the marked slots. If your bet on a number matched the numbered slot where the ball

fell you would win.

A very simple game relying purely on chance.

After twenty years and thousands of spinning miles, the Roulette Wheel was made redundant and sold to a Gaming Club in Mayfair London. Ten years later, the Club went into Administration and the Roulette Wheel was destined to end its days in a ‘Casino’ on Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach.

This one day an elderly couple, arm in arm, strolled past the entrance to the Casino.

Standing on the pavement and transfixed by the flashing lights, they were hypnotically drawn in and observed the intense looks and concentration of the punters, the whoops of joy when they won and the angry cries when they lost.

Towards the rear of the Casino they saw the Roulette Wheel. The Croupier, nearly as aged as they, gave them a condescending smile, asking if they’d like to play. The old man nodded his head but seemed more interested in the wheel. ‘Aboyna Burl’ he said, caressing the wood. ‘Beautiful, the pattern, the depth and finish.’”

‘Know your wood do you? ‘ asked the Croupier.

‘Should do. I was a master joiner, and this’, still caressing the wood ‘is the finest I’ve ever seen’.

The Roulette Wheel ‘purred’, because since the time it was cut down and for the first and only time, it felt loved.

‘Place your bets’ said the Croupier and the punters began by placing their casino chips on the numbers marked on the baize. The old man looked at his wife and she nodded saying, why not just for a bit of fun and putting his hand in his pocket, the old man pulled out the only coin he had – one pound.

But where to put it – frenzied betting, but the 0 it looked sad and all alone and feeling sorry for the Roulette Wheel, he put his bet on the zero.

‘No more bets’ said the Croupier.

As the ball spun around the bowl, it ricochet off the small diamond inserts in the bowl, slowing down and finally falling and jumping in and out of the slots at the edge of the centre spinning wheel. Here it bounced several times before settling into one particular slot, number 7. The Croupier, about to announce the winning number, was taken aback when the ball suddenly bounced back out, seemingly looking for another number and bouncing several more times before finally finding the number it wanted, slot 0.

Communal gasps and sighs from all the punters, everyone a looser, apart from the house and the old man.

‘Congratulations’ said the croupier, raking over the 35 pound winnings. ‘Would you like to play again?’

‘Oh I don’t think so’, said the old man, ‘enough excitement for one day and this little bit of money will be able to help out our daughter struggling with two small children.’

Two days later the elderly couple returned to the Casino. They approached the Roulette Wheel and greeted each other as old friends.

The wheel smiled to itself, one good turn deserved another and as the old man placed his one pound again on the zero, another

round of ‘luck’ began.

And just as before the wheel obliged and the ‘luck’ favoured the zero!

The old man collected his winnings, no more bets and quite content with the small win to further help his family. There was no greed here.

For the next two weeks the old couple would turn up at the Casino, placing the same one pound bet on the zero and every time the wheel would favour them with a win. After each win the old man would thank the wheel with a little touch.

The Casino Management had been watching carefully and was deeply concerned. Whilst the wins were small the odds were astronomical, the same bet on the same zero and every time the same win ­ in their minds cheating was somehow involved.

The next time the old couple came in the Manager took them to one side and explained they could no longer play the Roulette Wheel.

The old man was saddened, so was the wheel, but then as he said to his wife, they had started off with just one pound and look at the good things they were able to do for their daughter and their grandchildren.

‘Goodbye old friend’ he said to the wheel, caressing the wood one more time. And goodbye to you purred the wheel.

As the old couple were escorted out of the Casino they passed the rows of One Eyed Bandits, with the one at the entrance boldly displayed as a ten thousand pound jackpot.

Turning to the Manager and with a twinkle in his eye, he asked if he could play the jackpot Bandit.

“Why not” said the Manager, for he knew the machine was rigged to never pay out and to get just one pound back would be a small token of victory.

Sitting down at the Bandit he carefully inserted the pound coin. There were four reels and the jackpot would only pay out when four aces turned up.

With the Manager smirking in the background he grasped the handle and pulled – FOUR ACES fell into line and with lights flashing and bells ringing the Bandit started to spew out ten thousand pounds of one pound coins.

The Casino was in an uproar, enough excitement for another day the old couple thought and at the rear of the Casino a very happy Roulette Wheel spun.

38

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

THE BIG CROSS WORD

5. In which ocean are the Canary Islands?

6. What was founded on October 24 th 1945?

7. In Texarkana it's illegal to ride a horse at night without what?

10. What Is The Largest Species Of Dolphin?

11. Edith Knight wrote which classic story which was made into a film?

12. Which Country Can Be Obtained By Subtracting Pearl From Gold?

13. If You Started Off In London And Followed The M1 To The Very End, In Which City Would You Find Yourself?

14. Gaur, Gayal, Banteng and Kouprey are all types of what?

Answers:

4. Which group had a hit album in 1994 called "Monster"?

Soul Album?

1. West Berlin 2. Lidl 3. Lead

3. What Is The Alloy Pewter Made From?

9. Whose Magnificent Bald Head Featured On The Cover Of His Hot Butterd

& Tin 4. R.E.M. 5. Atlantic 6. U '

2. Which Chain Of Supermarkets Was Founded In Germany In The 1930's?

8. In Degrees What Do The Angles Of A Triangle Add Up To?

United Nations 7. Tail Lights 8.

1. What city is served by Tempelhof airport?

Down

1 Andrew who played the Spanish waiter Manuel in Fawlty Towers?

(5) 2 Derived from the Latin for ‘to gnaw’, what name is given to a raised platform on which a person stands to make a public speech, play music or conduct an

180 9. Isaac Hayes 10. Killer

GENERAL QUIZ

Washington DC serves as the headquarters of the US Department of Defence? (8)

Whale 11. Lassie, Come Home

national monument in 1906 and as a national park in 1962? (9,6) 23 In golf, which bird of prey gives its name to a score of two strokes under par at a hole? (5) 24 Which building near

12. China Anniversary 50­ 30 =

1 What name is given to fragments of a bomb, shell, or other object thrown out by an explosion? (8) 7 Which is the third largest and most populous country in the world? (5) 8 San José is the capital of which republic in Central America? (5,4) 9 By what much shorter name is the long linear polymer deoxyribonucleic acid usually known? (3) 10 Which garment consisting of a length of cotton or silk elaborately draped around the body, is traditionally worn by women from the Indian subcontinent? (4) 11 The name of which traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat means ‘empty hand’? (6) 13 What name is given to the flat part of either side of the head between the forehead and the ear?

(6) 14 Up until the introduction of the euro, what was the basic monetary unit of Finland? (6) 17 See 22 18 In music, what name is given to a separate composition or set of compositions? (4) 20 The wildebeest is another term for which animal? (3) 22/17 Which national park in eastern Arizona, 29 km east of Holbrook, was established as a

orchestra? (7) 3 Williams, Bartlett and Conference are all varieties of which fruit? (4) 4 Which Hebrew prophet in the Old Testament opposed the worship of idols and was persecuted for rebuking Ahab and Jezebel? (6) 5 Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills were the first names of which Irish dramatist, novelist, poet, and wit?

(5) 6 Kingston is the capital of which island country in the Caribbean Sea? (7) 7 What name is given to a procession of wagons, mules or camels travelling together in single file? (7) 12 Money for what means money or reward earned for little or no effort (3,4) 13 What was the name of Roy Rogers’ horse? (7) 15 Rudyard who wrote The Jungle Book and the Just So Stories? (7) 16 Which African bloodsucking fly transmits sleeping sickness and nagana? (6) 17 Which soft crumbly or chewy sweet is made from sugar, butter, and milk or cream? (5) 19 What name was given to an enclosed chair for conveying one person, carried between horizontal poles by two porters? (5) 21 Which Italian automobile company was founded in 1899 by Giovanni Agnelli? (4)

20 13. Leeds 14. Wild Cattle

Across

The View

39

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

SUDOKU

FILL-IT-IN

Complete the crossword grid by using the given words:

3 letter words Ace Aga Age Ate Beg Bra Cat Eke Elm End Fir Gap Gel Gym Has Lag Law

Lay Leg Lot Mac Mid Mop Oaf Oak Pet Pot Roc Spa Tab Tar Ted Use Yen

4 letter words Aces Acid Ages Area Boar Boas Boot Deal Dock Ears Etch Loch Magi Note Pore Rare Role

Cryptic

Across 1 Gather it’s a church service (5) 4 A rugby match is not odd in a ship (6) 9 Mix­up as Spurs excel (7) 10 Cold girl showing high social standing (5) 11 Start to exhibit worry! (4) 12 Braise a stew in a military installation (3,4) 13 Able to store vegetables (3) 14 Get steamed up over such a sore (4) 16 Award youth leader, do as you are told (4) 18 Betray abstract art (3) 20 Injured rare cat’s exhausting routine (3,4) 21 Confused mate is submissive (4) 24 Part of the hoopla Zachary caused at The Mall (5) 25 Same woe story strangely intimidating (7) 26 Ready, stand on the seat (6) Soon Soot Told 5 letter words Asset Lathe Pasta Slant 7 letter words Greeted Macabre Slyness Undated 9 letter words Bagatelle Cameraman Pacemaker Wallpaper

27 Twist of the head (5) Down 1 Such donkeys point at the way we tax them (6) 2 See eye to eye with a Green without end (5) 3 Phineas Taylor Barnum admitted delay (4) 5 Get Oscar to change the French delicacy (8) 6 Originate from an Eastern team now disbanded (7) 7 Nun is back to sort out the rest (6) 8 As in a way to become different continental (5) 13 Silicone Valley? (8) 15 Pariah dismissed players (7) 17 Bitches about bellyaches (6) 18 Concerned with the non­clerical? They do it by stages (5) 19 Depression about church ship (6) 22 Fuss about love (5) 23 To some, garden tools are a source of impression (4)

4 Card game (6) 9 Distinguish oneself (7) 10 Lesson (5) 11 Ragout (4) 12 Military aircraft station (3,4) 13 Container (3) 14 Simmer (4) 16 Follow (4) 18 Rodent (3) 20 Continual round of hectic activity (3,4) 21 Domesticated (4) 24 Public square (5) 25 Impressive (7) 26 Sofa (6)

27 Braid (5) Down 1 Evaluate (6) 2 Concur (5) 3 Remain (4) 5 Edible snail (8) 6 Radiate (7) 7 Female sibling (6) 8 Far Eastern (5) 13 Split (8) 15 Exile (7) 17 Grumbles (6) 18 Broadcast (5) 19 Break (6) 22 Love intensely (5) 23 Hollow (4)

Last weeks Crossword Solution

Standard

Across 1 Accumulate (5)

The Big Crossword Answers

Sudoku Solution

40

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

CAPTION COMPETITION THE VIEW has reproduced an image taken from recent news archives. We’re challenging you to come up with a caption to fit. We’ll publish our favourite suggestion next week.

E­mail your wit to editor@theview.es or send them to Apartado de Correos 255, 03193 San Miguel de Salinas. Alicante.

Last week’s image was of David Cameron and Boris Johnson. The entry that made us laugh the most came in from three different people – Jenny Wood, Tony Richards and John Keech ­ as well as various members of THE VIEW team!

“I’m with this idiot”

The View

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

41

Mini plans new 'authentic' SUV

R

ugged Countryman replacement to join new Clubman and Cabriolet in Mini line­up by late next year Two more new Mini bodystyles are on the near horizon, following the unveiling of the new Clubman earlier this month.

Later this year the all­new Cabriolet, codenamed F57, will be revealed. It remains a four­seater, keeps the familiar two­stage folding fabric roof and is expected in showrooms by early spring next year.

After that, the next all­new Mini will be the replacement for the Countryman. Sources at parent company BMW say the new Countryman will be an “authentic SUV”. It is expected to go on sale in the final quarter of next year.

The second­generation Countryman is expected to be more rugged than the current model, taking some cues from the Mini X­Raid, which has won the Dakar Rally four times since 2012.

The Countryman will be based on the same UKL architecture as the Clubman, so the new model, codenamed F60, will be significantly more spacious than its predecessor.

It’s expected to be just over 4.25m long (a stretch of 150mm) and at least 10mm wider than the current Countryman. The boot willalso be noticeably bigger than the current 450 litres.

The new Countryman will be offered with the same four­ wheel drive system as BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer.

Although the original Countryman, launched in 2010, was widely regarded as a step too far for the revived marque, it quickly accounted for more than a third of Mini sales.

Mini boss Peter Schwarzenbauer has already said he wants Mini to have five ‘superhero’ models. However, BMW has yet to fully reveal the final Mini family line­up as the company’s small­car plans remain in flux.

Schwarzenbauer recently revealed an example of how BMW’s plans for its front­drive vehicles are still changing. He said the next­generation1 Series might not be built on the UKL

architecture and could remain rear­wheel drive after all. A decision will be made towards the end of this year.

As for the Mini brand, four of the superhero models will be on sale by late next year.

The hatchback twins are one family, followed by the Clubman, Cabriolet and Countryman as stand­alone models.

While it now looks like a production version of the Superleggera concept will be a spin­off from the Cabriolet, that leaves one more model line to be announced.

Two different models are rumoured. Firstly, it’s thought Toyota and BMW engineers have been working on a joint city car platform that would potentially allow the tiny Mini Rocketman concept to be brought to life.

Secondly, it’s thought a Mini Traveller MPV (essentially a sister car to the BMW 2 Series) has also been developed as a possible new model line.

On the downside, the Rocketman could be difficult to justify if Mini wants to head upmarket, selling larger and more expensive models.

However the plans for the fifth model line pan out, there will be a number of highly appealing Mini variants over the next 24 to 36 months.

It’s thought Mini has drawn up plans for a coupé­like SUV based on the new Countryman. It would still have five doors and be, in effect, a sister car to the planned BMW X2.

Meanwhile, a plug­in hybrid Clubman is in the works, using the same transmission as the 2 Series Active Tourer eDrive. A small electric motor is mounted on the rear axle, which is used to provide acceleration assistance and occasional pure electric drive.

Also expected is a high­performance Clubman aimed at the Volkswagen Golf R estate. This is rumoured to have a highly tuned turbocharged four­cylinder engine with as much as 300bhp and four­wheel drive. The same powertrain is expected to be used for a high­ performance version of the new BMW X1.

A version of the new Countryman with genuine off­ road ability is thought to be in development, too.

Mini's five 'superheroes' explained Mini hatch ­ The Mini hatchback is now available with either three or five doors. The five­door version may grow in the future but the three­door is unlikely to differ much from today’s car.

Mini Clubman ­ The new Clubman is drastically different from the previous one and is the largest Mini you can buy. It is now pitched as an alternative to hatches like the VW Golf and Ford Focus.

Mini Countryman ­ The next Countryman looks likely to grow again, taking it back to being the biggest Mini available.

A more rugged, off­road version is also likely, as is an SUV coupé.

Mini Cabriolet ­ The all­new Cabriolet will not be notably different from the old version, retain the four­seat layout and a fabric roof. The two­seat Superleggera could be spun off this platform.

To be decided ­ Mystery surrounds the identity of the fifth pillar in the future Mini family. Two possibilities are a production version of the small Mini Rocketman concept from 2011 and a possible Traveller­badged MPV.

42

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View

LA MARINA

O

ur next stop on the Cartagena to Alicante bus route is the village of La Marina.

Not to be confused with the urbanisation that bears its name, La Marina is a coastal village administered by the city of Elche La Marina has some of the best beaches in the Costa Blanca, made up of a series of dunes and large pine forests continuing on from La Mata and Guardamar. The main beach of Las Pesqueras is over 1100 metres long, although it continues towards the south and is connected to the Tusales and Rebollo beaches in the south.

The history of La Marina has been influenced by the disappearance of the San Francisco de Asís village in the Sierra del Molar mountain range, as it was after the abandonment of the settlement when La Marina started to constitute a town.

La Marina has 2.093 inhabitants and as with the urbanisation has experienced a rapid growth in demographics in recent years; as an example, the population increased by 48% between 2000 and 2006.

The economy of La Marina village originally had its connections with fishing and agriculture. Nowadays, it’s essentially reliant on the tourist trade supporting the many businesses found on just the main street, which has surprised many, sustaining and indeed increasing custom since the building of the N­ 332 by­pass.

La Marina has a large international camping resort of high quality, which attracts many tourists, especially locals from the surrounding towns and villages and those that have second properties in the area used as holiday homes.

In the centre of the main street,

the San Francisco de Asís church was built in the late 19th Century, after the original ancient chapel, which was built shortly after the disappearance of the San Francisco de Asís settlement, was regarded as being too small. During the Spanish Civil War it was looted and turned into a barrack after being briefly restored. It is a relatively small church consisting of one main nave and a chapel to each side. At the presbytery stands a ceramic altar in which the image of Crucified Christ can be seen, as well as a niche to each side

with the images of the patron saints, San Francisco de Asís and the Rosary Virgin.

The holidays in La Marina to honour its patron saints, are held in late September and early October. During the holidays, acts such as the charanga (a large parade), the sopar del carabasset, the procession, the mascletà and the fireworks take place to honour San Francisco de Asís and the Rosary Virgin.

Just three more stops on our journey.

Next week it’s Santa Pola.

The View

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

43

TRAVEL AROUND SPAIN L

LA PALMA

a Palma, (and to give it its full name, San Miguel de La Palma) is the most north­westerly of the Canary Islands and with an area of 706 km2 it’s the fifth largest.

The total population is about 86,000, of which around 20,000 live in the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma and a similar number in Los Llanos de Aridane.

La Palma's geography is as a result of the volcanic formation of the island and is currently the most volcanically active of the Canary Islands, being formed some three to four million years ago. The highest peaks reach over 2,400m above sea level and the base of the island is located almost 4,000m below sea level. The northern part of La Palma is dominated by the Caldera de Taburiente, with a width of 9 km and a depth of 1,500m.

From the Caldera de Taburiente to the south runs the ridge Cumbre Nueva ­ the New Ridge, which despite its name is older than the Cumbre Vieja ­ Old Ridge. The southern part of La Palma consists of the Cumbre Vieja, a volcanic ridge formed by numerous volcanic cones built of lava and scoria.

The Cumbre Vieja is active, but dormant, with the last eruption occurring in 1971 at the Teneguía vent, which is located at the southern end of the Cumbre Vieja ­ Punta de Fuencaliente, (The Point of the Hot Fountain). Beyond Punta de Fuencaliente, the Cumbre Vieja continues in a southerly direction as a submarine volcano.

There have been seven eruptions on La Palma. During the 1949 eruption ­ which commenced on the fiesta of San Juan on 24 June at the Duraznero, an earthquake, with an epicentre near Jedy, occurred. This is considered to have caused a 2.5 km­long crack which Bonelli Rubio named "La Grieta" ­ (the crack). There is no indication that the crack has penetrated the edifice of the volcano and due to the absence of the Minas Galerias (water tunnels), there is no possibility of examining the internal structure of the flank. This means that recent claims that the flank is in danger of failing are unfounded.

Most of the discussion followed from a BBC Horizon programme broadcast on 12 October 2000, when two geologists (Day and McGuire) cited this crack as proof that half of the Cumbre Vieja had slipped towards the Atlantic Ocean. They supposed that this process was driven by the pressure caused by the rising magma heating water trapped within the structure of the island. They further surmised that during a future eruption, the western flank of the Cumbre Vieja, with a mass of approximately 1.5 x1015 kg, could slide into the ocean. This could then potentially generate a giant wave which they termed a "megatsunami", around 650m to 900 m high. The ensuing wave would radiate out across the Atlantic and inundate the eastern seaboard of North America including the American, the Caribbean and northern coasts of South America some six to eight hours later. They estimate that the tsunami will have waves possibly 50 m or higher, causing massive devastation along the coastlines.

In 2002 the Tsunami Society published a statement stating, "... We would like to halt the scaremongering from these unfounded reports..."

The local economy is based on agriculture and tourism.

Platanos (or bananas) are grown throughout the island, with many banana farms on the western side of the island in the valley of Los Llanos de Aridane. Other crops include: Strelitzia (bird of paradise) flowers, oranges, avocados and grapes (which grow well in the volcanic soil). The wine from the grapes is prized. Local ranchers herd cows, sheep and goats

(from which they make goat cheese). Fisherman operating from Santa Cruz, Tazacorte and Puerto Naos catch fish for the local markets.

At the time of European colonization, the Canary Islands were inhabited by native Canarians, referred to collectively as Guanches, although the natives of La Palma are more correctly known as Auaritas. The origin of these natives is unclear, but they are believed to share common ancestry with the Berbers of North Africa. The Guanches had a Neolithic culture divided into several clans led by chiefs. Their name for La Palma was Benahoare. The main remnants of this culture are their cave dwellings, enigmatic petroglyphs and paved stone paths through the mountains.

After the Spanish occupation of La Palma, the native Canarians vanished by either being killed, sold into slavery, or by assimilating into the Spanish population.

It is believed that the Canary Islands were known to the Phoenicians and Greeks, but the earliest written evidence is by the Roman writer Pliny The Elder, who quoted Juba II of Numidia, but Juba's writings were subsequently lost.

The Genoese navigator Lancelotto Malocello, reached the archipelago in 1312 and remained for two decades until expelled by a native uprising. In 1404 the Spaniards began the conquest of the islands. Although the first landing on La Palma was in 1405, it took until 1493 and several bloody battles until the last resistance of the natives was broken. The conqueror of La Palma was Alonso Fernández de Lugo, who defeated Tanausu, the last king on the island. He ruled the area known as Acero (Caldera de Taburiente). Tanausu was ambushed after agreeing to a truce arranged by Fernández de Lugo and

Juan de Palma, a Guanche who had converted to Christianity and who was a relative of Tanausu.

For the next two centuries settlements on La Palma became rich, as the island served as a trading post on the way to the New World. La Palma received immigrants from Castile, Majorca, Flanders, Portugal and Catalonia.

The island is predominately Roman Catholic and since 1676, has been known for the festival of Fiestas Lustrales de la Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves (The bringing down of the virgin of the snow, Candelaria), which has a rich history, from the time of the Bishop of the Canaries, Bartolomé García Ximénez. The festival features the dancing of "enanos" or midgets. The costumes that people wear have a hole at the top of the hat to allow them to see out, while giving the appearance of dancing midgets. People come from all over the world for the celebration, which happens every five years. The image of the virgin is taken down from her sanctuary and paraded around the city with the festival lasting nearly two weeks, before she is returned. Each island has a patron saint and "Virgen de las Nieves" (The virgin of the snow) is the patron saint of La Palma. Many women on the island have the name "Nieves" in honor of this.

The most famous structures of La Palma are the minas galerias (water tunnels), which carry the water from sources in the mountains to cities, villages and farms. La Palma receives almost all of its water supply due to the mar de nubes (sea of clouds), carried on the prevailing wind, which blows from the north­east trade winds. The water condenses on the long needles of the trees and other vegetation, it then either drips onto the ground or runs down the trunk etc., into the ground. Eventually it collects inside the rock­strata and is then drained via the galerias into aqueducts and pipes for distribution. The galerias have been cut into the rocks over centuries.

Due to the location of the island and the height of its mountains, some 2,400 m (7,874 ft) above sea level, a number of international observatories have been built on the Roque de los Muchachos. The particular geographical position and climate cause clouds to form between 1,000m and 2,000m, usually leaving the observatories with a clear sky. Often, the view from the top of the volcano is a sea of clouds covering the eastern part of the island.

Next week sees our final visit to the Canary Islands as we take in La Gomera and El Hierro.

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The View

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

The View Distribution outlets Aguas Nuevas Mercaprensa 2

Albatera

Papeleria Cervantes

Algorfa

Cookeze SL Cash n Carry

Daya Nueva

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Café Bar Almoradi Vienna Café

Aspe

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Saveways The Post Room Vincent’s Real Estate

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Walsh´s The Electrical Shop Platinum Gerrys Supermarket The Nook Wolfie´s Restaurant Viva Hair Nations Bar

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Campo de Golf

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Campoamor The Royal Oak

Catral

The Village Inn BH Stores Catral Belmonte Bar

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The Irish Rover

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Open All Hours Take A Break World Wide Travel Bed Specialist UK Supplies

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La Marina

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Los Montesinos

Bar El Refugio

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The Shop Super Brico Penny´s ­Bulldog English

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The Card Place 2

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Begoña Baño Tobacos Costa Services The Electrical Shop The Card & Gift Shop Gasolinera 1A Johnsons Interpro The Discount Depot Muebles 43 UK Supplies Direct International Paper Shop Quesada Country Club Quesada Fish & Chips Right Move Insurance The Club The Post Box

El Mirador Eagles Nest Tidy Paws Cheers Bar Morgans Bar

Torre de la Horadada The Mail Room

Torremendo The Black bull

Torreta II

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Viva Hair Design

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Offex, Villa Golf The Treasure Chest The Clubhouse Peuble Principe Front Essentials Canal Print

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

45

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING is more effective than you think! All you need to do is complete and cut out the form opposite (and use an extra sheet of paper if your advert exceeds the limit) and take it to any one of the businesses listed on these pages.

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46

The View

Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

BRITISH SPORTING LEGENDS A

No2 – ALEX HIGGINS

lexander Gordon Higgins was born on 18 March 1949 in Belfast and was a Northern Irish professional snooker player, who is remembered as one of the most iconic figures in the game.

Nicknamed Hurricane Higgins because of his fast play, he was World Champion in 1972 and 1982, and runner­up in 1976 and 1980. He won the UK Championship in 1983 and the Masters in 1978 and 1981, making him one of ten players to have completed snooker's Triple Crown. He was also World Doubles champion with Jimmy White in 1984 and won the World Cup three times with the All Ireland team.

Higgins came to be known as the "People's Champion" because of his popularity, and is often credited with having brought the game of snooker to a wider audience, contributing to its peak in popularity in the 1980's. He had a reputation as an unpredictable and difficult character, was a heavy smoker, struggled with drinking and gambling and admitted to using cocaine and marijuana.

He started playing snooker at the age of 11, often in the Jampot Club in his native Sandy Row area of south Belfast and later in the YMCA. At age 14 and weighing just seven and a half stone he left for England and a career as a jockey.

However, he never made the grade because, in his youth, he drank a lot of Guinness and ate a lot of chocolate, making him too heavy to ride competitively. So he returned to Belfast and by 1965, aged 16, he had compiled his first maximum break.

In 1968 he won the All­Ireland and Northern Ireland Amateur Snooker Championships.

Higgins turned professional at the age of 22, winning the World Championship at his first attempt in 1972 against John Spencer, winning 37–32. Higgins was then the youngest ever winner of the title, subsequently beaten by Stephen Hendry.

In 1976, Higgins reached the final again and faced Ray Reardon. Higgins led 11–9, but Reardon made four centuries and seven breaks over 60, to pull away and win the title for the fifth time with the score of 27–16. Higgins was also the runner­up to Cliff Thorburn in 1980, losing 18–16, after being 9–5 up.

Higgins won the world title for a second time in 1982, after beating Reardon 18–15 (with a 135 total clearance in the final frame). It was an emotional as well as professional victory for him; a victory that would have ranked Higgins No. 1 in the world for the1982/83 season, had he not forfeited ranking points following disciplinary action.

Remarkably, at the time of his 1972 triumph at the World Championship, Higgins had no permanent home and by his own account, had recently lived in a row of abandoned houses

in Blackburn which were awaiting demolition. In one week he had moved into five different houses on the same street, moving down one every time his current dwelling was demolished.

Throughout his career, Higgins won 20 other titles, one of the most notable being the 1983 UK Championship. In the final he trailed Steve Davis 0–7, before producing a famous comeback to win 16–15. He also won the Masters twice; in 1978 and in 1981, beating Cliff Thorburn and Terry Griffiths in the finals respectively. Another notable victory was his triumph in the 1989 Irish Masters at the age of 40 when he defeated a young Stephen Hendry.

Higgins's speed around the table, his ability to pot balls at a rapid rate and flamboyant style earned him the nickname "Hurricane Higgins" and made him a very high­profile player.

His highly unusual cueing technique sometimes included a body swerve and movement, as well as a stance that was noticeably higher than that of most professionals.

Higgins drank alcohol and smoked during tournaments, as did many of his contemporaries. A volatile personality got him into frequent fights and arguments, both on and off the snooker table. One of the most serious of these clashes was when he head­butted a referee at the UK championship in 1986. This led to him being fined £12,000 and banned from five tournaments. He was convicted of assault and criminal damage and fined £250 by a court. Another came at the 1990 World Championship, after losing his first­round match to Steve James, he punched tournament official Colin Randle in the abdomen, before the start of a press conference at which he announced his retirement. This, added to his having threatened to have fellow player and compatriot Dennis Taylor shot, led to a ban for the whole of the following season.

For many years, Higgins smoked 60 cigarettes a day. He had cancerous growths removed from his mouth in 1994 and 1996. In June 1998, he was found to have throat cancer and on 13 October of that year, he had major surgery.

HIGGINS’ LATTER YEARS

In June 2007, it was reported that Higgins had assaulted a referee at a charity match in the north­east of England.

Higgins returned to competitive action in September 2007 at the Irish Professional Championship in Dublin, but was whitewashed 0–5 by former British Open champion Fergal O'Brien in the first round at the Spawell Club, Templelogue.

Nevertheless, Higgins continued to play fairly regularly and enjoyed "hustling" all comers for small­time stakes in clubs in Northern Ireland and beyond. In May 2009, he entered the Northern Ireland Amateur Championship, "to give it a crack", but failed to appear for his match.

In 2010, Higgins was part of the initial Snooker Legends Tour event in Sheffield, at the Crucible. Checking himself out of hospital two days before the event, after having been admitted with pneumonia and breathing problems, he appeared alongside other retired or close­to­retiring professionals, including John Parrott, Jimmy White, John Virgo and Cliff Thorburn.

Even though it is estimated that Higgins earned and spent £3–4 million in his career as a snooker player, by 2009, Higgins lived alone in a caravan. In spring 2010, he contracted pneumonia.

At the same time, his friends announced that they had set up a campaign to help raise the £20,000 he needed for teeth implants, to enable him to eat properly again and put on weight. Higgins had lost his teeth after intensive radiotherapy used to treat his throat cancer. It was reported that since losing them, he had been living on liquid food and had become increasingly depressed, even contemplating suicide. He was too ill to have the implants fitted. Despite his

illness he continued to smoke cigarettes and drink heavily until the end of his life.

At the end of his life, Higgins' weight fell to 6 stone. He lived in sheltered housing on the Donegall Road, Belfast. Despite having once been worth millions, he was bankrupt and survived on a £200­a­week disability allowance.

He was found dead in bed in his flat on 24 July 2010, the cause of which was a combination of malnutrition, pneumonia, a bronchial condition and throat cancer.

LEGACY

Alex “Hurricane” Higgins was an inspiration to many subsequent professional snooker players, including Ken Doherty, Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan, who in an interview stated "Alex was an inspiration to players like Jimmy White and thousands of snooker players all over the country, including me. The way he played at his best, is the way I believe the game should be played. It was on the edge, keeping the crowd entertained and glued to the action."

In Clive Everton's TV documentary, The Story of Snooker (2002), Steve Davis described Higgins as the "one true genius that snooker has produced", despite the autobiography of a contemporary leading professional Willie Thorne,characterising Higgins as "not a great player". Higgins arguably fulfilled his potential only intermittently during his career peak in the 1970's and '80's, for which Everton puts this down to Davis and Ray Reardon generally being too consistent for him.

Regardless, Higgins' exciting style and explosive persona helped make snooker a growing television sport in the 1970s and 1980s. Higgins also made the first 16­red clearance (in a challenge match in 1976); it was a break of 146 (with the brown as the first "red", and sixteen colours: 1 green, 5 pinks and 10 blacks).

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

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ON THE HOLE, A CLASSIC OPEN

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etter late than never, the first Open Championship to finish on a Monday since 1988 was won by USA’s Zach Johnson after a four­hole playoff.

The 144th Open played at the Old Course at St Andrews suffered a blow before a tee had been sent into the air with world number one Rory McIlroy withdrawing prior to the tournament due to an ankle injury incurred during a game of football with friends. He was the first champion not to defend his title since Ben Hogan in 1954.

Jordan Spieth was the pre­tournament favourite entering with an opportunity to win his third major championship in a row and finish up at No1 in the rankings and after the first round on Thursday was two shots off the lead following a 67.

It was another American Johnson, Dustin, who carded a seven­under­par 65 on the opening day to lead the field by one shot from a group of six others.

The early starters for day two on the Friday morning were only out on the course for 14 minutes when some heavy rain caused some localised flooding causing play to be suspended

for over three hours, resulting in the final tee time for the last group to be amended to 7.27pm!

There was no way the second round could be completed so 42 had to finish them on Saturday morning.

Dustin Johnson was again the overnight leader on 10­under­par after 13 holes, a stroke ahead of England’s Danny Willett.

Two former champions made their final Open walks at St Andrew’s. Tom Watson, the five­times Open champion, and Sir Nick Faldo who suggested he would possibly play in two more until he was 60.

Once again, an early start at 7am on Saturday was curtailed after just half an hour of play with strong winds moving stationary balls on some of the greens, a common event on a links course.

Because it was a non­dangerous situation, players were allowed to complete the hole they were playing.

Dustin Johnson had bogeyed the 14th to move back to 9­under­par, tied for the lead with Willett. After a delay of several hours, it was decided that only the remainder of the second round would be competed on Saturday, with the third round scheduled for Sunday and the fourth round for Monday. Play finally resumed at 6 pm, after a 10 ½ hour delay.

After a day without any weather interruptions on the Saturday, amateur player Paul Dunne from Ireland was in a share of the lead after the third round along with South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Jason Day from the

USA. No amateur had led the Open after three rounds since 1927.

In the final round on a day of mixed fortunes for the players and the weather, at one point there were 24 players within five shots of the lead and all, technically, at that point had a chance to take the title. Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia and very briefly Padraig Harrington threatened to overtake the field, but they simply faded away on the back nine holes. A similar fate happened to Paul Dunne who ended up with a 78 and not even securing the prized Silver Medal for the leading amateur.

That went to Jordan Niebrugge.

Louis Oosthuizen, Zach Johnson and Aussie Marc Leishman topped the leader board with 15 under par and headed off for the 1st tee and the four hole challenge. Leishman double­ bogeyed the second hole and effectively ruined his chances.

Zach Johnson was a solitary shot ahead of Oosthuizen at the 18th and the 4th extra hole, and that’s how it stayed after the South African missed a 12 foot birdie putt and gave Johnson the prized Claret Jug for the first time in his career.

on 698 for five, their fifth highest­ever score.

Petersen and Prince's stand was only 22 runs shy of the third­wicket County Championship record shared by Michael

Carberry and Neil McKenzie, another South African, for Hampshire against Yorkshire at Southampton in 2011.

In all, Petersen and Prince's partnership was the 13th largest for any wicket in first­class history, with both batsmen achieving career­best scores. Prince struck 35 fours and seven sixes in his innings, with Petersen also scoring 35 fours but two sixes.

Great for the players themselves, great for the spectators and great for Lancashire County Cricket Club, but not so great for the English qualified future Test Match cricketers who have to sit in the dressing room watching, or languishing in the 2ndXI playing on a club pitch in front of the proverbial one man and his dog unable to get into the team.

The debate about the influence of overseas players in English county teams has been going on longer than similar and related issues in football, and cricket fans – from Lancashire CC in particular ­ will look back on record­ breaking days like these in a few years time with a certain irony as the national team is once again being humiliated at the home of cricket. DJ

THE 501 RUN QUESTION

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t the same time England’s batsmen were being skittled for a paltry 103 all out at Lord’s on Monday, the team’s largest defeat for almost 30 years, allowing the Australian’s to level the Ashes 1­1, South African batsmen Ashwell Prince and Alviro Petersen piled on a record 501 runs for the third wicket in Lancashire's county championship match against Glamorgan on Monday. It was the highest partnership for any wicket in the county's 151­year history, and only the 13th time in first­class cricket that any stand passed 500 runs.

Glamorgan finally parted the pair when Prince was out for a career­best 261.

Petersen, having batted for more than eight hours, then fell six overs later for 286 ­ also the best of his career ­ with Lancashire 625 for four on the second day of the match at the Welsh seaside resort of Colwyn Bay. They eventually declared

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Edition 11 - July 24th 2015

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