The Weekender issue 32 Marina Alta (north) by IMPACT GROUP

Friday 16th Febuary

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They call it Poppy love By Jack Troughton THE Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal raised a “tremendous” €169,622.40 in 2017; a 3% increase on the previous year and with cash earmarked to be spent in Spain. The appeal, run by District North Spain, was launched in Benidorm on 27th October with a traditional parade of standards, proudly led by the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums.

As the Poppy Appeal approaches its 100th anniversary, the charity has again thanked people of all nationalities for their “generosity”. District North Spain runs from the French border in the north to Baza in Andalusia in the south and includes the Balearic Islands. Robin Hargrave, Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator – in charge of distributing the iconic red poppies – has announced the total amount raised. ...Continued page 3

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Once again it was party time in Spain with the traditional Carnival celebrations marking the start of Lent; across the Costa Blanca colourful and sometimes ingenious fancy dress was sported by young and old alike. As a Catholic country, many of our Spanish hosts give up a little personal luxury for the 40 days. First, however, came the small matter of getting into the party spirit – Weekender spies out in Pego reported wonderful costumes, busy bars and very loud sound stages. With organised parties now taking place across the Costa Blanca, apparently Pego– home of the Carnival party - was quieter than in previous years but everyone out and about in the streets enjoyed a real good time. Pancake Day arrived on Tuesday – that’s Shrove Tuesday – and batter was sizzling in homes up and down the coast; naturally these days it is possible to buy ‘crepes’ readymade. Some people like to go for a complete pancake feast – a savoury

Editor

Jack Troughton

editor@weekender.news

filling, followed by something sweet. Television advertising appears to back use of Nutella with (or without) ice cream. It may be old-fashioned but sugar and freshly-squeezed lemon juice is still a favourite at the Weekender offices in Javea. Newspaper offices used to receive a timely photograph or two of charity pancake races. Sadly this week, there’s not a single one to publish but chocolate eggs are already filling supermarket shelves and that means Easter bonnets will soon be on parade! In fact, Easter weekend arrives at the end of March and for expats remaining ‘in country’ there will be plenty going on as charities stage events – drop a line to editor@weekender.news.

Contents Featured News Back In Britain Out & About Food, Drink, Leisure, Events

The Market Place Refresh Property & Business Relax

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TV, Chat, Travel, Celebrity, Puzzle

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16 February

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

RBL Appeal Success By Jack Troughton

Continued from front page. Announcing the “good news”, he said: “Not only was this money raised by our hard working branches, but also smaller Church groups, supermarkets, those flying in and out of

our airports and individuals of all nationalities who supported the charity. “I thank everyone for the continuing support for those in the Armed Forces community when in need.” The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for servicemen and

women, retired members of the Armed Forces and their families. The charity is frequently asked how money raised in Spain is spent. The answer is in “a great variety of ways”, including: stair lifts; mechanical wheelchairs

and scooters; refurbishing homes so beneficiaries enjoy a better standard of life, such as changes to a bathroom or bedroom; wood, oil and solar panels purchased for isolated homes; spectacles and dentures. And Peggy Wyatt, the public relations officer for District North Spain, told The Weekender: “We were once again delighted that the total amount raised was up on last year and it is all thanks to the tremendous generosity of all nationalities in the district.” Members of the Royal British Legion do not need to have a background in the Armed Forces; as well as fund raising individual branches have a varied social calendar and it is an opportunity to make new friends. For more information visit www.britishlegion. org.uk/counties/spainnorth. For assistance and information call 676 451 780 or email assistance.

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Support for ‘votes for life’ By Jack Troughton

LABOUR supporters on the Costa Blanca have thrown their weight behind the Private Members Bill aimed at securing UK citizens abroad “the democratic right” of a vote for life. Proposed by Conservative MP Glyn Davies, the second reading of the proposed legislation is scheduled to be heard in the House of Commons on Friday 23rd February. If the MP for Montgomeryshire’s Overseas Electors Bill is successful, it would overturn the current situation where British people living abroad become disenfranchised after 15 years. The Costa Blanca Labour International Branch is supporting the Bill and the long-running nonpolitical campaign by lifelong Labour member 96-year-old Harry Shindler to get expats a vote for life. Malcolm Hardy, the branch acting chair, said: “We have always supported Labour International member Harry

Shindler’s non-party political ‘votes for life’ campaign. The ’15-year rule’ is an affront to UK expats’ democratic rights that will be further eroded once we leave the EU. “We will be contacting Labour MPs, particularly those who live within easy reach of London, urging them not to rush back to their constituencies but to attend the second reading on Friday 23rd February and stay to vote for the Bill.” Malcolm explained many branch members on the Costa Blanca “fell foul” of the 15-year rule and were concerned Theresa May’s minority government could collapse and trigger a general election in which they would have no voice – or to cast a vote should a second referendum on Brexit be held. And he added: “Weekender readers, whatever their political persuasion should write to their MPs to press them to attend on 23rd February and vote to support the Bill, in the spirit of Harry Shindler’s long campaign.” This week the UK government underlined its commitment to

ending the current 15-year time limit on British expats registering as overseas electors. Minister for the Constitution Chloe Smith said as the 90th anniversary of universal suffrage approached in 2018 it was “as important as ever” all eligible UK citizens were able to vote no matter how far they had travelled. Following a consultation launched in October 2016, the government announced its intention to give Harry Shindler took the fight to the EU in 2013 British expats a vote to “ensure every the chance to participate in our voter’s voice is heard.” Ms Smith said: “Participation democracy.” She said expats retained strong in our democracy is a fundamental part of being British...it is right links with the UK. “Following the that we should remove the British people’s decision to leave 15-year time limit on voting the EU, we need to strengthen ties rights of British citizens living with countries around the world overseas and allow those who and show the UK is an outwardhave previously lived in the UK facing nation.”

British abuse suspect arrested By Simon Russel

A 71-year-old British national has been arrested in Calpe in relation to historic crimes of child abuse. The charges relate to allegations of sexual abuse against his four nephews dating back to the 1980’s in the UK. The arrest was made under the terms of a European arrest warrant that is likely to lead to his extradition to face trial. The National Police became aware that the man could be residing in Calpe and made the arrest on 7 February. The age of the children at the time of the abuse was 7,12,13 and 15 years and, if found guilty, the offender could face a prison term of up to 25 years.

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Green invasion By Matthew Richards

THE opposition party in Alicante City have denounced the ruling council for allowing hundreds of people to gather illegally in a protected green zone over the carnival weekend. A bar had been set up at Plaza de Gabriel Miro for the event. However this was too close to the protected area and crowds of youngsters spilled over into the green zone which has special BIC cultural protection status.

There are centuries old elms and other trees in the park but after the carnival it was littered with rubbish and some of the trees may well have been

damaged. NatxoBellido from the opposition Compromis party said “the ruling block failed to anticipate and establish proper protection protocols

for this emblematic area.” Although the installation of the bar was permitted they should have had the foresight to see what would happen, he added.

Teacher in abuse case By Matthew Rich-

A school teacher has been arrested in Malaga and charged with what appears to be a systematic campaign of abuse of one of his pupils. The alleged

victim was just 12 when this started and carried on for more than three years. He had gained her trust and bombarded her with love letters, calls and gifts. She tried to back out

of the “relationship” when she was 15 but the teacher stepped up his harassment and in one year called her 3,000 times. He also began to threaten boys who took an interest in her and extended his obsession to

following her on social media. Eventually the child’s mother became aware of the problem and reported the incident to the police which led to the man’s arrest this week by the Guardia Civil.

Drunk Driver plays tune on breathalyser

By Matthew Richards

A man who has crashed his car into a traffic bollard was so drunk he attempted to play a tune on the breathalyser. The 27-yearold was intercepted by police after the accident in a small town near Seville at about 3am and was clearly intoxicated. He initially refused the test and then had difficulty taking it before deciding it would be a good

idea to give a rendition of a popular Holy Week song using the breathalyser as a flute. The police were unimpressed and when he eventually took the test he had a blood alcohol level of 0.81, well over the legal limit of 0.5 milligrams. The man was arrested and has been charge with road safety crimes, public drunkenness and refusal to take a breath test.

FRIDAY 12TH JAN 2018

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Cyborgs in Elche By Simon Russell

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CORPSES that bleed and even breathe are being used for pioneering surgical experiments in Elche University. The Miguel Hernandez University is the world leader in this process, known as the Cyborg Project. Depending on the cause of death, cadavers that have been donated for scientific purposes are kept “alive” for up to six months either frozen or preserved in formaldehyde. They can then be used for testing new surgical techniques in a situation that comes as close to simulating a real patient as it is possible to get. Surgeons from around the world have been coming to Elche to take advantage of the new technology from as far afield as Japan and China as well as much of Europe. The Cyborg Centre receives around 150 corpses a year, of which about 30 are deemed suitable for the new technology.

Confused but safe By Matthew Richards

A five day search for a woman from Valencia who disappeared has been called off after she checked herself into a hospital last weekend. 41-year-old Rosana Vela went missing on 5 February and her family said that they feared the worst. Police had led the search for Rosana while friends and family had posted pictures of the missing woman in the area around where she was last seen. However last Saturday afternoon she turned up, on foot, at Castellon hospital, around a 100 kilometres from where she went missing. Rosana was described by hospital staff as being “very disoriented” but appeared to be unhurt. She has been kept in the hospital for a full mental and physical health check.

Battle of the robots

By Simon Russell

OVER 400 students in 110 teams took part in the annual Robot Competition at Alcoy earlier this month. Categories included, fighting, speed and design with IES Maria Blasco de San

Vicent del Raspeig and IES Germans Amosros de Villena both winning two categories while the team from IES Gabriel Ciscar in Oliva claimed three runners up prizes. The event is aimed at older secondary school pupils at schools across

Valencia and Alicante, some of whom will be going on to study at the centre in Alcoy. The robotics and technology campus for Valencia University is based in Alcoy and has a worldwide reputation for its curriculum and facilities.

FRIDAY 26TH JAN 2018

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Finance Feature provided by...

Chorus Financial are a trading style of Tourbillon Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar), licence Number FSC1118B & registered with the UK FCA, ref. 539348.

“I just couldn’t understand why their financial advisor had recommend that fund!”

By Sam Kelly

Managing Partner Chorus Financial

In just the first few weeks of the year, Chorus have experienced an influx of people coming to see us to have their existing investments and pensions reviewed. One such gentleman, we’ll call him Mr Smith, had a feeling all was not right with his portfolio. Around 18 months ago, Mr Smith’s advisor here in Spain had

recommended he sell all the funds in his portfolio and buy a fantastic ‘exclusive’ fund his financial advisory’s company now had access to. To gain access to such a special fund would cost Mr Smith 5%, but Mr Smith was assured it would be worth it. 18 months later and Mr Smith hadn’t even covered that 5% entry charge, and despite strong markets his portfolio has gone down in value. So, what had happened? One tool I use to research funds is a website called Trustnet. This is the World’s

largest independent analyst of funds, and always a good place to start if you want to do a little research yourself. This ‘fantastic’ fund Mr Smith had had his retirement pot put into was in fact number 295 out of 314 funds in that particular fund class… so in the worst 6% of funds available! Whilst the benchmark fund in that category had returned 45% over 5 years, this particular fund had only returned 14% over the same period. It also carried a risk factor around 20% higher than the average fund in this class, meaning the client had been taking 20% more risk to make less than a third of the returns. Even worse was that this fund was costing a whopping 2% a year, with the average fund cost in

that category around 0.5%. I just couldn’t understand why their financial advisor had recommend that fund! After our meeting, I decided to call the Fund-house offering this fund to find out what possible reason Mr Smith’s current advisor had for recommending such a fund. It turned out that all of the 5% entry fee had gone to Mr Smith’s advisor, and that of the 2% annual fee, half was being paid as a hidden ‘trail’ to Mr Smith’s advisor each year. This practise is illegal in the UK, but sadly still practised by the majority of firms out here in Spain. I explained to Mr Smith that Chorus clients benefit from

truly independent advice, and that when we choose funds for our clients we promise to never receive any fee from the fund provider. This means that our choice is based purely on the very best, most appropriate funds for our clients from thousands available worldwide, following extensive research, rather than one or two ‘in-house’ options that offer incentives to financial advisors. If you are currently considering an investment, including a pension transfer or Spanish bond, or would like a second opinion on an existing investment or pension, please call me on 664 398 702 or email s.kelly@chorusfinancial.es.

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Stereotyping is a two way street By Simon Russell

SPANISH journalists have continued to hit back at a recent article by a British travel writer that appeared to sum up the Spanish people and culture in a series of ill thought out clichés. These included bullfighting, poor tipping, swearing, lateness, rudeness and heavy drinking. A Spanish lawyer and writer, Enrique Vila, who admits he has plenty of British friends and acquaintances, hit back with a few stereotypes of his own. How could we criticise their Iberian ham, paella, squid, stews and other delicacies where the British national dishes are “Fish and Chips and Plowman’s Sandwich” (sic). Brits visit Benidorm and Magaluf for €100 all inclusive weekends, wear flip-flops (with socks)

all year round then sit in the sun shirtless all afternoon drinking litre jugs of beer one after another without talking to each other. In the evening the British go to “English” pubs and spend the night watching “endless darts tournaments and exciting cricket matches.”He also went on to mention the recent food poisoning scam, asking how refined the British really are by swindling people who had welcomed them as guests. Such articles have been done somewhat tongue in cheek. However the underlying message is that the initial article in a national paper and by a “proper” travel journalist was offensive – and maybe people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. And don’t get them started on Jamie Oliver’s chorizo paella.

Carnival killing By Simon Russell

A 28-year-old man was beaten to death in the venue for the Carnival celebrations last Saturday, the day of the festivities. The incident happened at Herencia (Ciudad Real) at about 10am on the fairground site. At least three men were thought to be involved, two of them fairground workers who are not locals and are being detained. The victim, named as Gonzalo Bujan, was taken to the nearest hospital but died there shortly afterwards. He was well known in the town and was heavily involved in the organisation of the annual carnival celebrations . The Guardia Civil have opened an investigation but the reasons for the beating are unknown at this stage. All carnival events in Herencia were suspended until further notice.

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Back In

KID DRIVERS BANNED YOUNGSTERS too young to be legally behind the wheel are being increasingly issued with driving bans. 2017, During of number the for disqualifications children aged 16 and under rose to 1,024 – compared to 696 in 2014 – according figures. DVLA to under kids And the age of 12 were those being banned; disqualifications 33 last issued were children for year aged 13 and under. statistics The were released under a Freedom of Information

Act application and motoring group the RAC described the figures as “the tip of the iceberg”. spokesman RAC S i m o n Williams “It said: presents such a danger to every other user, road because not they’re only driving a without licence, they don’t have insurance. “No doubt this is the tip of the iceberg because they have to be caught breaking the law and inevitably many will be

getting away scot-free.” He added the number of roads policing officers had been cut by about 27% since 2010, so “the chances of getting caught are far lower”. A spokesperson for

Ministry the of Justice said they to committed were courts having sufficient powers to deal with offences. driving

ROSES MARK THORNY PROBLEM

the at STARS prestigious Brit Awards 2018 will wear a white rose pin as they walk up the red carpet in support of the Time’s Up movement aimed at ending sexual assault and harassment in the entertainment industry. Performers, presenters and guests arriving at the awards being staged at the Millennium Dome in London will be given a pin as a “symbol of solidarity” and will be invited to wear it. Ed Sheeran, Paloma Faith, DuaLipa and Sam Smith are expected to lend their support tothe campaign. #TimesUp Performers first adopted the white rose as a symbol of solidarity with victims

of abuse at this year’s Grammy A w a r d s . e h T demonstration was organised by record company executives Meg and Harkins Karen Rait, after they realised the US ceremony had no plans to show support for the movement. They assembled a group of 12 other women in music, calling themselves Voices in Entertainment, and chose the white rose because of its association with the movement. suffragette On the night of the Grammys, stars including Camila Cabello, Pink, Lana

Del Rey, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Cardi B and Miley Cyrus all added the rose to their outfits. “It’s incredible how the world is pivoting in a new direction,” said British star Rita Ora on the red carpet. “The more voices that come together, the more powerful everything gets.”

Britain

NO BAN FOR LOLLIPOP MAN

LOLLIPOP man Colin Spencer can continue to welcome youngsters to school with a ‘highfive’ greeting after councillors lifted a ban. Stockport Council angered parents when the 83-year-old was ordered to stop his friendly action and instead “concentrate on ensuring highway safety”. However, the council has since made a U-turn, apologised, and said it was “clearly wrong” to impose the ban on Colin, who has worked as a lollipop man at St George’s Primary School in Heavily, Stockport, for 14 year. Colin said the original decision left some pupils in tears and unable to understand why he could no longer ‘high-five’ them – parents also said the ban was “ridiculous” and had upset children. In a statement the council said: “Following

the recent reports surrounding Stockport Council’s lollipop man, Colin Spencer, we want to apologise for the unnecessary concern caused by the issuing of an instruction that was clearly wrong”. Sheila Bailey, the

council’s executive member for communities and housing, added: “Colin has been an outstanding public servant and a popular member of his community for many years. “It’s fantastic that he works with a smile on his face and brightens up the

day for so many children.” Ms Bailey added: “We try to make the service as safe as possible as well as maintaining the unique personalities that each member of the team brings to their school. We are sorry, that on this occasion, the council got it wrong.”

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

All Hart at Valentine’s THE lonely and those just sick of tacky cards and chocolates on Valentine’s Day had an escape route this year by contacting comedian Miranda Hart. The Call the Midwife star was available on Twitter February throughout 14th to chat with anyone feeling left out, fed up or wanting to discuss their experiences via hashtag – #HartsValentineDay delighting her social media followers. “I don’t know the full history of St Valentine but I do know it was a feast day to celebrate love and affection, not a commercial day to make anyone feel lesser, isolated or alone,” Miranda said. Miranda began tweeting fans back at noon, writing: “First - big shout out and love to single people out there, especially single people who don’t want to be single. You are loved for just being you.” And she also tweeted a

picture of herself with her dog Peggy, who she described as her “greatest love”. to tweets Several Miranda have been from have who followers been finding this year’s particularly Valentine’s difficult – including a woman who had discovered her husband was a love rat – and replied with sympathy, advice and a sprinkling of humour. She later tweeted: “It really is amazing how much the subject of Valentine’s Day has brought up emotionally. And it seems it still all boils down to being kind to and loving ourselves and our situations so we don’t focus on lack.” Miranda’s idea followed in the footsteps of comedian Sarah Millican’s recent Twitter campaign to connect people who were spending Christmas Day alone. “The main rule is to be kind,” said Millican. “We’re all here for each other.”

Out & About

FRIDAY 2ND FEB 2018 Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

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FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018 Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

Out & About

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Three bishops visit By Jack Troughton

A four-day conference of the Church of England’s Synod for Iberia and Morocco (The Gibraltar Archdeaconry Synod) welcomed three bishops to the Costa Blanca. Representatives from Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, the islands, and Morocco, were joined by the Bishop of the Diocese in Europe, Robert Innes and two guests. The Right Reverend Michael Colclough, until

a few years ago Bishop of Kensington, preached and led a session with the clergy; while Obispo Jorge Luis Aguilar from the Anglican Diocese of Peru. Bishop Jorge spoke of the development of the church there and its plans for growth. At the end conference Bishop Jorge spent nearly a week visiting the churches on the Costa Blanca. The Bishop of Orihuela-Alicante Jesús Murgui Soriano invited

the Bishop Jorge to the Obispado in Alicante. He was accompanied by Father Richard Seabrook of the Torrevieja Chaplaincy and Father Rodney Middleton of the Costa Blanca Chaplaincy, which represents north of Alicante. And before leaving the area Bishop Jorge conducted a communion service at the beautiful ‘Ermita’ in Javea and went on to visit the Franciscan refuge for men at Palma de Gandia.

By Simon Russell

Bishop Jorge and Father Rodney

Grace Bros needs staff By Jack Troughton

C A R E L I N E Theatre is holding auditions for its next production ‘Are You Being Served?’ ahead of the scheduled May production of the hit television comedy.

Love for all ages

A recent production planned for a Hull stage was reportedly banned for being outdated and demeaning to women – however, Careline has decided to abandon thoughts of political correctness and forge ahead with the fun.

It means the risqué jokes, sexual innuendo and completely overthe-top characters patrolling the shop floor at the fictional London department store will come to life on the theatre group’s Alcalali stage.

THERE is a slightly late Valentines meal this Saturday (17 September) for the pensioners of Callosa d’en Sarria. The “sopar” – an evening meal – will be held at the C.E.A.M. pensioners building from 8.30pm. The party is organised by the CEAM council along with Callosa’s Department of the Elderly and costs €15 per person. Contact the Town Hall or CEAM for more information. Careline is currently looking to cast a Mrs Slocombe and a Mr Humphries as well as all the other members of the hilarious comedy crew. There is a readthrough at Alcalali on Tuesday 20th February at 7.30pm and auditions the following week, Tuesday

27th February, again at 7.30pm. Both evenings are open to nonmembers, but everyone successful in getting a part will be required to join Careline Theatre for a subscription of €10. For more information go to www. carelinetheatre.com or the Facebook page.

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Going Dutch on Valentine’s Day? Valentine’s Day has been and gone for another year and, as people may have noticed on Wednesday, many bars and restaurants had special meals on offer for the more romantic. However, this throws up its own dilemma – what is the etiquette for paying the bill on the day? A survey by a credit company has found that here in Spain 55% of people would think its fine to split the 14th February bill; one of the highest percentages in Europe. At the other end of the scale, only 25% of French think the bill should be shared by a couple; with the vast majority believing Valentine’s is at leastthe one day when men should pick up the tab. Away from the meal, the Spanish spend an average €65 on Valentines gifts and the French €83. The less romantic - or more pragmatic - Brits spend an average €30…if they buy a gift at all.

Refresh

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What is bundle branch block? Family Medical Centre - Albir

Bundle Branch Block can be thought of as a problem with the heart’s electrical wiring system! Throughout the heart there’s a system of nerves that conduct electrical signals telling the heart muscle to contract. As signals travel through the heart, they tell different bits of heart muscle to contract in a specific order, to push blood through. This happens in distinct phases 1. The first phase is a resting phase, where the heart fills with blood. 2. In the second phase, an

electrical signal begins in a spot high up in the atria or small upper chambers, called the sino-atrial node. This signal spreads across the muscles of these chambers, making them contract, squeezing blood into the ventricles or lower chambers. 3. Finally, waves of electrical activity wash through the ventricles, making them contract and pump blood into the lungs and into the large arteries of the body. So electrical signals start in the node and spread out through a network of conducting fibres across the heart. Heart block is like a fault in

one of the wires, which interrupts the passage of the nerve signal. This means one patch of muscle doesn’t receive the signal to contract, or receives it late once the signal has travelled in a roundabout way to avoid the broken circuit. How much this signal blockage affects the heart depends on where it is. If it’s close to the node, then the signal to contract never reaches the ventricles and they end up beating totally out of time with the atria. The ventricles usually end up beating much more slowly, about 40 times a minute. It’s a bit like a fault in the main electricity cable coming into your home - most of the house is affected. This is called complete heart block. It can cause problems, such as low blood pressure or inadequate blood supply to vital organs, because the heart isn’t working efficiently as a pump and the chambers aren’t filling very full of blood during each heart beat. More importantly, the ventricles don’t respond in the normal way to exercise by beating more quickly, instead they just carry on at about 40 beats a minute and this can severely limit a person’s ability to exercise. Bundle branch block, however, is a bit like having a faulty wire to your spare bedroom. The break is on one of the more minor branches of the

wiring and, consequently, usually causes fewer problems. Symptoms In its mildest form, there’s just a slight delay between different chambers of the heart contracting, which can result in occasional missed heart beats. Sometimes it can cause frequent missed beats and this may lead to symptoms such as heart failure, chest pains, dizziness, faints or blackouts and shortness of breath. Causes and risk factors Bundle branch block is a common condition and in about half of cases there’s no obvious cause. Some of the known causes are coronary artery disease, inflammation of the heart muscle and an overdose of digitalis-type drugs. If the block’s in the right side of the heart (known as right bundle branch block) it’s likely to be a variation of normal heart

functioning. If it’s in the left side (left bundle branch block) there’s a greater chance of some heart problem associated with it. Treatment and recovery If you have no problems with your heart block, then it’s best left alone. Many people with bundle branch block never know they have the condition until it’s found by accident and then never have any problems from it. If it starts to cause symptoms, however, then the treatment usually consists of putting in an artificial pacemaker, which takes over the faulty electrical system in the heart. Throughout the month of February the Family Medical Centre are offering appointments for an E.C.G. (to be read by a Consultant Cardiologist) for 37€ (normal price 50€). Appointments are essential – 966 865 072

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GARDENING ON THE COSTA BLANCA - Part 26minor garden injuries. to supply the cosmetics

Papayas continued. One thing about papaya that wasn’t mentioned in last week’s article was its use as a meat tenderiser. Just as your pancreas produces enzymes which help to soften or separate tough proteins in your small intestine, so papayas contain papain which does the same thing when in contact with meat. Puree fresh papaya (pineapple also works), then mix with vegetable oil, soy or Worcestershire sauce as well as other seasonings such as brown sugar, garlic, onion and ginger and spread on the meat. Beef, pork and chicken are dense enough to marinate for 24 hours. Seafood only needs 15 minutes. Don’t marinate too long or the food will get mushy rather than tenderized. Powdered meat tenderizers available from supermarkets use enzymes from papayas and pineapples to break meat down the same way and are rather less work but don’t give you that ‘back to the land feeling’ ! Aloe vera Although there is evidence of the medicinal use of Aloe vera from as early as

the 16th Century BC, it only seems to have reached a wider audience in about the last 50 years or so. It is now widely used in all sorts of products from paper handkerchiefs to solutions used for the dilution of semen for the artificial fertilization of sheep! There is, however, little scientific evidence of the effectiveness or safety of its use for any purpose. This may be because no one has yet thought of any way to patent the finished product and the cost of clinical trials is too high for the many small producers. There is large-scale agricultural production of Aloe vera in many countries

industry. Uses A. vera is considered to be native only to the south-west Arabian Peninsula. However, it has been widely cultivated around the world, and has become naturalised in North Africa, along with Madeira, the Canaries and the Cape Verde Islands. The species was introduced to China and various parts of southern Europe in the 17th century. It is widely naturalized elsewhere, occurring in temperate and tropical regions of Australia, South America, Mexico, the Caribbean and south-eastern US states. It is, obviously, as tough as an old boot but is not without its decorative value and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Many people, of course, like to be able to break off a piece of leaf to give instant relief for

This is Aloe ferox. When driving on the Garden Route in South Africa some years ago, a roadside factory invited visits (particularly to their shop!) where there were many products available using A, ferox as the base material which they naturally claimed was better than A. vera. It is probably a more attractive plant as you can see from the photograph, particularly if you can get it in the ‘candelabra’ form. As well as products similar to those produced from A.vera it is also the source of bitter aloes best known as a laxative! More next week All editions of “Gardening on the Costa Blanca” can be found at www.weekender.news/CBGC or visit www.costablancagardeners.weebly.com for more information.

We are a friendly group who enjoy gardening and gardens. Our meetings are normally held on the 1st Wednesday of each month from October to June in Meeting Room (Aula) 1 on the 1st floor of La Senieta in Moraira next to the free car park used for the Market on Fridays. Next month’s meeting will be on 7th February and feature Barry Lemon, a retired professional grower, speaking on the subject of ‘Bonsai’. Meetings commence at 2:30 pm and finish at about 4:30pm. Visitors including holiday makers are always welcome – admission is by a donation of 3€ per person. Please contact Joan Birch on 697 320 169 for details.

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Individual rooms Ozono Music Heated floor system Landscaped playgrounds Free home delivery service All types of dogs & cats allowed

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Find The Tub of Your Dreams! Large choice of whirlpool baths, small prices, delivery across Europe!

More and more people appreciate the positive effects a whirlpool bath has on your body and mind. The healing power of water combined with comforting warmth and effective massages can relieve pain, stimulate the metabolism and strengthen the immune system. Besides health reasons purchasing a whirlpool bath has even more advantages, having a Jacuzzi in your home can increase the value of a property this is

a long-term investment, one that you can enjoy to relax and unwind as well as making your home more attractive Whirlpools World has a new showroom in Teulada that has the largest range of different models from renowned manufacturers giving visitors a comprehensive overview and allowing them to choose a whirlpool Jacuzzi of their dreams. Conveniently situated at the N 332 (exit Teulada),

the new showroom in Teulada Poligono with a total exhibition area of approximately 3000 square meters, it is the largest showroom for whirlpool baths in Spain and almost twice as big as the former location of Whirlpools World Spain just a few kilometers away in Moraira. Owner Mr Otmar Knoll said “moving from the coastal road to the national road we can offer our customers

an even bigger selection and demonstrate, what the different whirlpool bath models can do for them. This includes the possibility to thoroughly test and try out the whirlpool bath of your dreams“, the wellness experts from Whirlpool World Spain point out. As everybody has a different idea of what wellbeing actually is about, the customers‘ demands are as diverse as the different whirlpool bath models. Besides the classic hydrojet massage, for example, additional features like illuminated water fountains, light- or aromatherapy can have positive effects on body and mind.

To ensure that the new whirlpool bath owners can concentrate on pampering themselves and have nothing else to worry about, the experts from Whirlpools World Spain also take care of installation, shipment, connection and maintenance. Customer care includes servicing devices and components from thirdparty manufacturers as well. For your piece of mind contact them for the best sales and service available in Spain Phone: 0034 – 966 498 146 or email info@ whirlpools-world.es visit the web www.whirlpools-world. es Also on Facebook at whirlpoolsworldspain

Whirlpools World Spain, 03725 Teulada, N-332 Poligono, Teulada, Calle Cristaller, 38 Phone: 0034 – 966 498 146 - info@whirlpools-world.es http://www.whirlpools-world.es/

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THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Property

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Spanish house price data published in January 2018 www.spanishpropertyinsight.com The SPI House Price Index Tracker plots the progress of the six most-watched house price indices in Spain, and brings them together in the chart above, which also shows the figures published last month. The following residential property price indices were released in January 2017 (all figures show year-on-year percentage change): The Tinsa index based on valuations by the company +4.5% in December The Idealista asking price index +5.9% in January, the highest level since the recovery started The Association of Spanish Notaries index -0.9% in November These national indices don’t tell us anything about local markets, but they do at least give us an idea of where we are in the property market cycle.

It’s clear from the chart above that Spanish house prices are on the road to recovery, whichever index you choose. Tinsa Spanish House Price Index The Spanish house price index published by Tinsa – Spain’s leading appraisal company – also shows house price changes by area, with the big cities (mainly Barcelona and Madrid) up 7.5%, the Mediterranean coast up 5.7%, and the Balearic and Canary Islands up 3.8% in 2017. The following chart, based on house price data from Tinsa, shows how Spanish property prices crashed over seven years from 2008 to 2014, bottomed out in 2015 and 2016, then started growing across the board in 2017 – the first year in a decade in which house prices increased in all the main areas.

Property

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THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

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SEARCH FOR PROPERTY ONLINE VISIT:

PROPERTYPLUSSPAIN.COM

THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Business & Finance

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Sponsored By

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By Jack Troughton

THERESA May’s senior cabinet figures have embarked on a ‘peace in our time’ strategy aimed at establishing a national spirit of unity as the countdown to Brexit continues. The Prime Minister is scheduled to give a major speech outlining the vision of the promised land and chosen colleagues have been trusted to perform with an olive branch offered to ‘leavers’ and ‘remainers’ alike. Mrs May has stepped into the firing line from British politicians and EU negotiators over exactly what the UK wants come March 2019 – whether an appeasement policy actually works has yet to be seen. Her ‘war’ cabinet has met at the PM’s country residence Chequers and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was the first out of the blocks with a speech aimed at uniting the country for the journey ahead. Brexit Secretary David Davis, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, and Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, are also expected to do their duty. Apparently there is not room on the poop deck of the good ship Victory for Chancellor Philip Hammond or Home Secretary Amber Rudd. Mr Johnson was first to emerge – a leading Brexiteer and frequently accused of undermining the UK leader – he preached the unity anthem and admitted he understood that the so-called “noble” remainers were actually driven by what they saw as the UK’s best interests. And he said: “If we are to carry this project through to national success – as we must - then we must reach out to those who still have anxieties.” The former Mayor of London said he wanted to calm fear and show how Brexit was not a cause for fear but hope; and a chance to take the helm over the UK’s future. Brexit, he said, was “not some great V-sign from the cliffs of Dover” but a “legitimate and natural desire” for self-government. There was nothing of blue birds and white cliffs but a dig at former UKIP leader Nigel and

his “reactionary Farageist concept.” Mr Johnson also urged Brexit supporters to move away from gloating or sitting back in silent satisfaction but to unite behind the country and its future. However, he also warned remainers and their well-documented concerns that there would be no second referendum. A second ballot would be a “disastrous mistake that would lead to permanent and ineradicable feelings of betrayal”...in short, Brexit means Brexit. The UK has yet to formalise its picture of a post-Brexit relationship after the divorce with the European Union and formal negotiations, including trade and tariffs, start again next month. As Mr Johnson spoke on one side of the Channel, European Commissioner president Jean-Claude Juncker was on his feet at a Brussels press conference and hit back at suggestions he was attempting to build an EU ‘superstate’. He said: “Some in the British political society are against the truth, pretending that I am a stupid, stubborn federalist; that I am in favour of a European superstate. “I am strictly against a European superstate. We are not the United States of America; we are the European Union, which is a rich body because we have these 27, or 28, nations. The European Union cannot be built against the European nations, so this is total nonsense.” Mr Juncker b e l i e v e s Britain’s leaders are united against him and always misrepresent his thoughts and plans for an improved EU. Unfortunately, the press call came to allow the EU commission chief to outline plans for a bigger EU budget and a personal dream of a directly-elected president of the bloc. A cynic might believe that the man in Brussels had just underlined the point many Brexiteers made by voting leave in June 2016.

By Jack Troughton

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco faces a record £4 billion equal pay claim in a legal challenge demanding parity between men and women for comparable work. Thousands of women who work in the supermarket’s stores could receive back pay totalling £20,000 after demanding equal pay with male colleagues working in warehouses. It is another high-profile equality case hitting the headlines after gender pay gaps were revealed in the BBC and NHS – but according to lawyers, trouble is also brewing at rival supermarket groups Asda and Sainsburys involving shop floor workers. Tesco maintains it works hard to ensure all staff were paid “equally and fairly” but solicitors Leigh Day said the retail group must tackle the problem of equal pay for equal work. Leigh Day has been contacted by more than 1,000 Tesco staff and this week will launch a legal action for 100 or them – it is also fighting similar actions involving the rival chains. And the legal firm’s Paula Lee said the most common rate of pay for women was £8 and hour; while the hourly payment for men could be as high as £11. Since 1984, the law states workers doing jobs involving comparable levels of skill, similar levels of responsibility, and that were of comparable worth to companies should be rewarded equally – in practice it is alleged the poorer pay rewards are in roles occupied by women. Ms Lee said it was a problem “hiding in plain sight” for Tesco, and while it was not suggested the company intentionally discriminated, historical divisions between male and female led to the difference.

“We believe an inherent bias has allowed store workers to be underpaid over many years. In terms of equal worth to the company there really should be no argument that workers in stores, compared to those working in depots, contribute at least equal values to the vast profits made by Tesco. “The law has been there since 1984. You can compare with a different job. That’s 34 years to put your house in order; that’s 34 years of having the advantage of paying unequally, 34 years of you making pay decisions and making financial decisions – and 34 years of hiding what is in plain sight.” Tesco workers believe their roles in store were as demanding as colleagues in warehouses and all they wanted was fair

THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Business & Finance

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ARE YOUR DIVIDENDS AT RISK?

By Christina Brady

BLACKTOWER Financial Management

For the last couple of weeks I have been writing about the state of final salary pensions and the fact that a large number are in deficit and their future very unsecure. The latest to add to the list is the UK arm of Toys R Us. Regulators are monitoring Toys R Us amid fears its pension deficit could be jettisoned into the Pension Protection Fund. The concerns arose following the revelation that the British arm of

the US-owned group has launched an emergency sale process and is being circled by restructuring firms. Toys R US has a £74.3 million pension deficit as calculated by the Pension Protection Fund which is likely to have to pick up the pieces if the company fails.The immediate funding requirement for the pension fund is understood to be around £30 million, a bill which would ultimately have to be footed by pension savers via pension funds that plug holes in schemes run by failed companies. It is worth noting that a pension blackhole could be a sign that your dividends and shares could be at risk, a particular warning sign is when the firm has a large pension black hole compared to the overall company size. Prior to its collapse, Carillion was yielding a hefty 7.7 per cent – more than double the FTSE All Share.Russ Mould, investment

director at AJ Bell, says: ‘Carillion’s yield drew a lot of income-seekers to their doom.‘The dividend was cut to zero as the profit warnings rained in and the shares collapsed. This week it emerged that Carillion bosses were warned about the damage that spiralling debts were doing to its pension fund as far back as 2012, even as the company continued to pay out chunky dividends to shareholders. Donald Maxwell-Scott, technical investment manager at broker Rowan Dartington, warns: ‘Pension deficits are presenting more of a threat to a company’s health, with as many as one in ten FTSE firms struggling with a ballooning deficit.’The main reasons for this are low interest rates, low bond yields and rising life expectancy – it means it is harder to grow money invested in pension schemes while they also have to pay out for longer than ever before.

Research by CanaccordGenuity shows at least three FTSE 350 firms have a larger pension deficit as a proportion of their market capitalisation than Carillion did. The AA has a pension deficit equivalent to an eye-watering 42 per cent of its £940m market capitalisation and, at the same time, has a dividend yield of 6.1 per cent.Tesco’s deficit, meanwhile, is equivalent to 39 per cent of its £17billion valuation and BT’s 38 per cent of its £26billion market cap. Startlingly, Maxwell-Scott adds: ‘If BT’s pension deficit was a company, it would be large enough to be in the FTSE 100.’ If you are investing in Companies because of their dividend pay-outs then it is vital you do your homework before buying shares in any company. Key things to look at are a firm’s net debt (including Pension), cash flow and dividend cover.

Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV. Blacktower

A large pension deficit isn’t a definite sign you should avoid investing in a company, ifinterest rates continue to rise over the next few yearsthere is a possibility that the gaping holes in these funds could narrow. Still, I would always check that companies are working at plugging any gap in their scheme. This week, for example, defencetechnology company Qinetiq revealed that after making recovery payments to close the deficit, its pension scheme was back in surplus, while BT is working on a pension settlement with staff which could reduce its liabilities. The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial services Commission (FSC) and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

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FRIDAY 23RD FEB 2018 Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles | TV

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What’s ON TV

Celebrity 5 Go Barging

Tom Conti, Diarmuid Gavin, Tessa Sanderson, Tony Christie and Penny Smith meet British artists Jeff and Sally, who fell in love with France’s River Lot and decided to stay and spend their lives painting it. At a vibrant French market in the valley, Diarmuid hunts for snails - preferably ones steeped in garlic and butter while Tom demonstrates his acting prowess with a drunken sailor routine

Channel 5 11:00pm Fri 9 Feb

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

Jimmy Carr hosts the comedy panel show’s version of the words-andnumbers quiz, with Johnny Vegas and Rhod Gilbert taking on Joe Wilkinson and Roisin Conaty. Tom Allen joins Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner, while Rachel Riley looks after the numbers and letters. Last in Series

Channel 4 10:00pm Fri 9 Feb

Cruising with Jane McDonald NEW SERIES The singer explores more locations, beginning with a trip up the California coast on the luxury 3,000-berth Ruby Princess, taking in such landmarks as Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood sign and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. On land, Jane strolls along Hollywood’s walk of fame, shops in Beverley Hills and goes `beautiful’ people-watching in the resorts of Santa Monica and Muscle Beach

Channel 5 10:00pm Fri 9 Feb

Charles I’s Treasures Reunited

Documentary, broadcast to coincide with the opening of the Royal Academy exhibition Charles I: King & Collector, which gathers together the many disparate items of the Stuart monarch’s expansive art collection. Following his execution in 1649, Charles’s treasured catalogue was sold off piecemeal on the orders of Oliver Cromwell, and this programme reveals how - for the first time in 370 years - the Royal Academy has managed to reunite a huge number of the works the king had acquired before being deposed

BBC2 10:00pm Sat 10 Feb

Modus

NEW SERIES The Swedish crime thriller returns as Helen Tyler, President of the United States, makes a state visit to Sweden. Tasked with maintaining President Tyler’s safety alongside FBI and security service agents, the Swedish police are faced with a seemingly insurmountable task after disaster strikes in Stockholm.

BBC 4 10:00pm Sat 10 Feb

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

NEW SERIES The party of dwarves and their hobbit ally continue the quest to reclaim their lost kingdom, journeying through the forest home of ancestral enemy the elves and finally facing the dragon that drove them from their home. Meanwhile, Gandalf the wizard investigates the rise of a mysterious dark power. Part two of Peter Jackson’s fantasy adventure trilogy based on JRR Tolkien’s novel, starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage and Orlando Bloom

ITV2 8:00pm Sat 10 Feb

FRIDAY 23RD FEB 2018 TV | Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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V This Week

All T i Show mes n Ar e Span ish

McMafia

Alex travels to Moscow, ready to do business, but he remains dreadfully unaware of the devastation that Dmitri’s recent actions have caused - or the danger he is unwittingly rushing into. As the full horror of the situation finally catches up with him, Alex is forced to play the one card he has left in his hand to stand a chance of saving himself - before heading off to face a final showdown with Vadim and Ilya. BBC1 London 10:00pm Sun 11

Survival of the Fittest NEW SERIES Reality show in

which teams battle it out in mental and physical challenges in the African Savannah. Presented by Laura Whitmore. ITV2 10:00pm Sun 11 Feb

Friends with Benefits (2011)

An art director joins the staff of a magazine, and is soon sleeping with the recruiter who hired him. Both are determined to avoid a relationship and resolve to keep their feelings out of the arrangement - which proves harder than expected. Romantic comedy, starring Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson and Woody Harrelson. Channel 4 00:25pm Sun 12 Feb

Who Wants to Be a Bitcoin Millionaire? Panorama

In Britain, and around the world, authorities are sounding the alarm that Bitcoin is too risky, but what exactly is it? Panorama investigates. It may be the world’s leading virtual currency, but unlike real money, Bitcoin is not backed by a government or properly regulated.

Channel 5 11:00pm Mon 12 Feb

The World’s Most Luxurious Airline

DOCUMENTRY With exclusive access to Singapore Airlines, this documentary reveals the exacting standards first-class passengers expect when dining in the skies. The airline has gone to great lengths to build superlative first class suites for the mega-rich, spending a whopping $850m over the course of four years. The company’s outlay does not end there, however, with customers seeking out superior in-flight creature comforts, from Michelin-style food to limitless champagne.

Channel 4 10:00am Mon 12 Feb

Trauma

NEW SERIES Adrian Lester and Jon Simm star in a brand new three-part thriller about two fathers whose very different lives collide and intertwine. After a bad day at work, Dan Bowker (Simm) arrives home drunk to discover that his teenage son Alex has not come home and no one knows where he is. ITV 10:00pm Mon 12 Feb

THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

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QUICK CROSSWORD

Across

1 Vow (4) 3 Seasickness (3,2,3) 9 Becomes visible (7) 10 View (5) 11 Wood nymph (5) 12 Crazy person (6) 14 Going by air (6) 16 Fleet of ships (6) 19 Champagne (6) 21 Film (5) 24 Keen (5) 25 Eight-sided figure (7) 26 Buy (8) 27 Genuine (4)

Down

1 Intermittently (2,3,3) 2 Slightly drunk (5) 4 Take for granted (6) 5 English county (5) 6 Eye make-up (7) 7 Peruse (4) 8 Make sorrowful (6) 13 Motherly (8) 15 Not so old (7) 17 Distant (6) 18 Stockings (6) 20 Accommodation on ship (5) 22 Imprecise (5) 23 Profound (4)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

7 US coach errs badly, providing intensive training (5,6) 8 Damaged gun’s alright internally (6) 9 A little rainfall indicator? (6) 10 It’s still produced north of the border (6) 12 Didn’t fail to deal out spades (6) 13 Some villain’s not well (3) 14 Fruit and nuts taken back by child (6) 16 Please turn and slip away (6) 18 Maroon filament (6) 20 Squeeze in a game (6) 22 Bird or animal turning on baby in nursery rhyme (4,7)

Down

1 Small vehicle making a mark (4) 2 A lot of money in a carton (6) 3 Take two inches off for good health! (4-4) 4 Pigs stand out with spotted eads (4) 5 Initially grand accommodation for stable men (6) 6 Young animals making vets reel (8) 11 Coarsest sort of ships? (8) 12 A planet’s teribly nice (8) 15 Ghosts in sunglasses (6) 17 Egyptian god transported in a bus (6) 19 Fingerprints of fishes? (4) 21 Droop before a long story (4)

For Crossword & Sudoku answers - See Page 38

Sudoku

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Medium

Hard

THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017 Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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LIBRA (Sept 24th-Oct 23rd) ARIES (March 21st-April 20th) For the past twelve months This week’s events kick start an you’ve had the lucky amazing turnaround for you as benevolent planet of Jupiter you focus intently on all things in your sign, and for many long term, so it’s important you Librans is been one of your give it you best shot. Mercury best years. However the not to and the sun dance together ARIES LIBRA lucky Librans have realise that in positive fusion, so any arrangements that need to be sorted out will to move forward there are many outstanding issues to be sorted out first before the road be attended to immediately. ahead is clear enough to take that first important step. TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

SCORPIO (Oct 24th-Nov 22nd)

You’ve waited a long time upiter makes it’s mighty move for Jupiter to enter your sign, into Scorpio this week, so it will eleven years in fact, but it’s be all about people where you’re here now and you couldn’t concerned; how you deal with be happier. This will help you them, how you interact with TAURUS them and how you can build SCORPIO change, expand and go in new directions, if indeed that’s what and expand your relationships you wish to do. Jupiter in your sign gives you and friendships. the ability to think on your feet and inspires you to think outside the box and go in new directions. GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23rd-Dec 21st)

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

CAPRICORN (Dec 22nd-Jan 20th)

With Saturn in your sign still being It’s time to roll up your sleeves sporadically active, it’s what you’re and get stuck in. You’re felt very producing to the world out there held back over the last few years that you’ll be judged on. Some and there have been times you may see you as slightly moody and were so tired, you just wanted GEMINI to give up. Don’t! Jupiter’s move SAGITTARIUS changeable, but they have no idea what’s going on with you under the into Scorpio will give you the strength and ability to hit home at every turn, surface.You’re getting ready to clear out everything and consequently enabling you to make changes anything you no longer need, and that includes people, so you’re letting the world know you’re no longer willing in many ways. to hang around for the crumbs left on the table. For the past year others have You’ve worked long and hard for expected you to take on the everyone else for a long time so role of judge and jury over don’t you think you’ve earned many things, but you can now the right to do something for relax as Jupiter’s move offers yourself? The benevolent planet CANCER of Jupiter, some say it’s the lucky CAPRICORN you many different aspects and options. Where career planet, will have an immense effect on your life as it goes about changing is concerned, maybe it’s time to put your situations for the better. This will allow you to ambitions at the top of the list. It’s time to put your wants and needs on the table be they in loosen the reins a bit and have some fun. connection to life money or love. LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

AQUARIUS (Jan 21st-Feb 19th)

VIRGO (August 24th-Sept 23rd)

PISCES (Feb 20th-March 20th)

You need to take time to It’s now your time in the look deeply into the core of spotlight. Jupiter will now everything that’s going on in help you embrace new your life, as you’re not only opportunities, and you’ll make considering changes to your your way in the world with home, but to your relationships, confidence, be it in connection LEO friendships and working unions AQUARIUS to your career, making yourself too. Choose wisely as changes made now will last better know, or taking you relationships up a about a year. It’s also time to make decisions over notch. You’ve finally reached the place where things you’ve put off in the past as to move on success can be a reality not just a pipedream. you need a clean slate with no excess baggage. For the past year you’ve been analysing everything that brings home the bacon to you, which in turn has led you to focusing more on your own wants and needs. Financially VIRGO there have been peaks and troughs but you’ve always managed to keep our head well above water. However this is the week the month and the year that changes everything.

For the past year you’ve been dealing with interaction with others, taking on board other people’s input, and facing the reality of joint resources and PISCES joint connections. This week Jupiter the wonderful planet of luck and benevolence will arrive in your sister sign of Scorpio and will help you to shed old concepts and obsolete ideas you’ve held onto for too long.

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford to front new consumer entertainment show

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford will front new Channel 5 prime time consumer entertainment show Do The Right Thing. The husband and wife presenting duo will be joined by exMP Ann Widdecombe, radio presenter Roman Kemp and TV presenter Michael Underwood for the new series. The show has been described as a “peopledriven, live audience programme which puts the spotlight on rogue companies and red tape, whilst championing consumer stories and creating emotional reunions”. Do The Right Thing will see Holmes and Langsford and their team reporting on examples of bureaucracy, meeting people who

make a difference to their communities and celebrating unsung heroes. Holmes, who hosts ITV daytime programme This Morning with Langsford, said their new effort is “a bold, crusading, consumer entertainment show unlike anything else on British TV, that will not only touch people’s hearts but will change lives”. Strictly Come Dancing star and Loose Women panellist Langsford added: “The stories we are going to cover, the issues we

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are going to investigate and the campaigns we are going to run will strike a chord with people across the country.” Richard Woolfe of Goowoo Media, who created the show, said: “Do The Right Thing will tell extraordinary stories about everyday people. “Eamonn and Ruth, together with our fabulous team, will champion the underdog and celebrate all that makes us laugh – or drives us mad – in this bonkers world.”

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THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Local lookout

Javea-Xabia

King of the road By Jack Troughton

JAVEA tops the list of municipalities in Spain with the highest percentage of ‘clean’ cars on the road. According to Unespa, the insurance business association, 26.67% of the town’s registered vehicles are hybrid or electric. Mazarron in Murcia is second in the list with 23.21% and Calvia in the Balearics third with 20.68%. Denia is in 20th place with 14.06%. Javea Town Hall plans to install a number of recharging points this year in its three urban centres and in municipal car parks. And Mayor Jose Chulvi welcomed the Unespa research and

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said it reflected a profile of people living in the town and their concern for the environment. He said it also showed that drivers had a growing preference for electric and hybrid cars and were aware of the need “to reduce pollution and care for the environment”. The mayor said the water company AMJASA had been using electric powered vehicles for some time and the town hall was

looking into the possibility of changing its own fleet

to a more environmentally friendly option.

Help for those in need By SImon Russell

JAVEA’S Social Services Department have analysed the data about who they helped last year in the town. They had a total of 580 requests for aid of various kinds, including 350 requests for social emergencies. 328 of these were approved with aid totalling €220,350 being

paid out. Help was given for cases such as ill treatment, foster care, adoptions, drug-dependency and child protection. 112 requests for home help were granted while 74 families were given help with their energy bills. 44 people were given financial help who were in work but not earning sufficient income to get by financially

on a day to day basis. New initiatives were also launched last year including one for the early detection of the vulnerable elderly and a new programme for helping with drug addiction. Help, in the form of workshops, was also given to foreign residents hoping to gain Spanish nationality.Finally the social assistance team was expanded last year with the addition of an administrator, a social worker and a social educator.

Ospreys ﬂying back By SImon Russell

A presentation was made last Monday in Javea outlining plans to reintroduce ospreys to the Marina Alta. The first phase of the project is already well underway and chicks are expected to be introduced to the Les Planes area before the summer. Ospreys are migratory but always return to their place of birth to breed and nest so this should ensure the future of the hawks if successful. Phase two revolves around the introduction of birds to the Montgo and the Pego-Oliva marshes, both ideal environments for the rare creatures. If all these plans come

together the area should form part of their migratory route between Europe and North Africa. The ospreys became officially extinct in the region in 1981, partly through issues

such as over development. Their only surviving habitats in Spain currently are the Balearic Islands and parts of Andalucia, which also reintroduced the birds back in 2003.

THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Local lookout

Javea-Xabia

Smash and grab

From ashes to art

By SImon Russell

A Merchants Association in Javea has asked for better police protection after the second break-in on a business in the Old Town in the past few weeks. The thieves broke into a bar earlier this month in the early hours of the morning, stealing the cash register. They caused damage to the premises to gain entry, breaking a window. Two weeks previously another bar in the same area had also been raided, possibly by the same gang using similar methods and once again stealing the register. The Xabia Old Town Merchants Association has called for security to be stepped up as they fear an organised gang may be targeting businesses in the area.

By Simon Russell

A German expatriate has been inspired by the fires that devastated huge parts of the Javea and Benitatxell municipality to create some striking artwork. Giselle Baumann has lived in Spain for 25 years, the last nine in the Marina Alta and said she was “desolated” by the fire. “I went for a walk shortly after the fire and seeing almost a third of the

trees turned to ashes while others were untouched was revealing and almost poetic.” she said. She has donated some paintings to adorn the walls of the new Moli store in Benitatxell which the town has just acquired. Josep Femenia from the Town Hall said that the offer was gratefully accepted and will serve as a fitting reminder of the environmental tragedy that hit the area.

THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Local lookout

Benidorm

Bad start for seniors break By SImon Russell

A group of 200 senior citizens on their way to a winter break in Benidorm experienced delays of up to 20 hours at the airport before finally setting off. The group were on an Imserso break – subsidised holidays for senior citizens resident

in Spain – flying from the Canary Islands to Alicante. They were booked on a charter flight with holiday firm Evelop which failed to show up and many of the seniors – some as old as 85 – had to sit things out at Gran Canaria airport with limited information. Most effected were

from Gran Canaria or other Canary Islands but some had travelled from other parts of Spain for the connection and would have had an even longer journey. The group finally arrived at Alicante airport, almost a day late and more than ready to start their Benidorm break.

THURSDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Local lookout

Benidorm

Illegal hook up By Simon Russell

TWO brothers have been arrested after caught being red handed trying to illegally tap into the mains electricity supply. The pair, in their early thirties, were seen attaching

cables to a street lamp in the Armanello area of Benidorm, close to the route of the old N-332. This was happening in broad daylight and a routine local police patrol spotted the men and enquired into their

actions. The men tried to disguise their actions but the officers saw the wiring and other equipment in their car. They then admitted they were trying to connect the street power to their property which

was nearby and which they were squatting in with other family members. The matter has now been passed to Iberdrola, who supplied the power they were tapping into, who may decide to prosecute them for fraud.

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By Simon Russell

ONE of the pioneers of modern Spanish music, Raphael, is performing at Benidorm’s bullring in September. A global star, particularly in Latin America and parts of the US, Raphael has also

had success as an actor on film, TV and at the theatre. He broke through in the 60’s, bringing his blend of Latin pop to a country under the Franco regime and used to more traditional Spanish music. His first big breakthrough

came in Benidorm when he won the International Song Festival there in 1962. He has always said that the place has been special to him since then and he plays there when he can, despite being a stadium filling superstar around the world.

By Matthew Richards

THE engines from the Benidorm Park Fire station were called out to an incident at an apartment on Calle Escocia last Tuesday. Fire had been detected on the fifth floor of an apartment block, spreading quickly and breaking glass with the heat. There was also intense smoke in the area, making the fire-fighters job difficult, but they managed to extinguish the blaze after around an hour. The apartment was badly damaged after the blaze, which it seemed started in the kitchen.

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Latino megastar in Benidorm

High rise ﬁre

FRIDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Local lookout

Benidorm

More shopping space BENIDORM Town Hall is looking at proposals to extend commercial space to the first floor and basements of many buildings that currently only use the ground floor. This is part of the major Urban

Planning Project for the city and could follow the example of areas such as the Paseo de la Carretera which already allows multi floor shopping. Streets and avenues that could see the change include

Atmella de Mar, Beniarda, Foietes, Esperanto and Vicente Llorca Alos as well as many of the pedestrianised commercial zones. Councillor Jose Gonzalez de Zarate said that this proposal is “adapting the

city to new demands. Benidorm is changing and increasingly more premises are being sought.” It could also help to revitalise some areas that are feeling a bit tired commercially, he added.

Creative types By Simon Russell

THE winners of the XXIX New Creators art competition in Benidorm have been announced. Works by the entrants have been on display in at the Boca del Calvari

By Simon Russell

Museum since 17 January, which is where the awards ceremony was held this week. Councillor Ana Pellicer presided over the event, and announced the first prize in the main painting category

Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news across the Costa Blanca www.Weekender.news

@TheWeekenderSpain

was being awarded to Alejandro Verdejo, who received €1,000 and a diploma. Winner in the under 18 category was Cristina Monroy who received €100 plus a diploma. The contest attracted

artists from across the Valencian Community as well as Madrid and Formentera. It is aimed at young artists (under the age of 30) and is organised each year by Benidorm’s Department of Youth.

Giant of local tourism dies By Simon Russell

ONE of the most influential modern figures in tourism for Benidorm and the Valencian Community died this week. Roc Gregori passed away at the age of 75 in his home at l’Alfas del Pi, a town where he lived all his life. However, it was Benidorm where he

made a name for himself and he served for many years as their director of tourism. In 1995 he rose to become policy chief of the Valencian Tourist Agency, a body he was largely credited with having created. He stayed on the Benidorm City Council and drove their tourism vision forward while also

developing key measures for the Valencian Tourist Board. The regional secretary said that this was “a huge loss. His analysis, opinion and decision making made him a key player in modern tourism in the region. ” He suffered with heart problems for much of his later life and died suddenly at home.

Gender violence unit gets green light By Matthew Richards

BENIDORM is to set up a dedicated unit within the Local Police for the prevention and monitoring of gender violence. Councillor for Citizen Security Lorenzo Martinez said “with the creation and implementation of this specific section we are fulfilling the commitment we made when we joined the Integral System of Gender Violence which was set up by the Security Council”. The unit will work closely with the National Police in the town and

focus on prevention as well as dealing with reported gender related incidents. Initially it is likely to consist of two specially trained staff working alongside professionals such as social workers, lawyers and psychologists.

FRIDAY 9TH FEB 2018

Local lookout

Record visitors By SImon Russell

THE Tourist Information Office in Albir fielded 42,000 enquiries from 13,500 visitors last year, a 12% increase on 2016. The majority of the tourists, about 75%, were foreign, predominantly Scandinavian, British, Dutch, Belgian and French. The French were the biggest increase of tourists by nationality. Of the Spanish tourists, most came from either Valencia itself, Madrid, Catalonia or Castilla la Mancha. They were also able to determine that in autumn and winter elderly Northern Europeans were the most common tourist sector, while spring and summer saw more

families and domestic tourism. Popular enquiries were about hiking, transport, culture, leisure activities, eating out and places of interest. If you haven’t come across it before, the Albir Tourist Office is located by the main entrance to the beach close to Paseo de las Estrellas (the walk with the stars in the paving stones). It is open from 9.30am to 2pm on weekdays during the winter months and their customer service helpline is 96 686 7022.

Alfas, Albir & Altea Albir joins world prayer By Jack Troughton

ALBIR Church of England will join the World Day of Prayer on Friday 2nd March at 5pm; representing the north of the Costa Blanca. Traditionally staged on the first Friday of March and written by women, this year’s service has been penned women in Suriname in South America and is called ‘All God’s Creation is Very Good’. Suriname, with its vast rainforest and wealth of resources, is urging people to pray for conservation and the protection of wildlife; through an awareness of pollution, misuse and abuse and concern for the future. Starting in Samoa as

the sun rises and ending as the sun sets off the coast of American Samoa, the service has been translated into more than 95 languages and 1000 dialects and is reminder of the responsibility for caring for this wonderful world people live in. And an estimated three million people around the globe are expected to take part in a service that is not just a day of prayer for women but for everyone who cares for the world and its population. Everyone is welcome at the service in the Norwegian Seaman´s Church on Carrer Mart, Albir. More information on the World Day of Prayer is available at website www.wwdp.org.uk.

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Motoring

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Teen hit and run By Matthew Richards

A 19-year-old girl from the coastal town of Cullera, was killed as she left a party in the nearby town of Sueca last Sunday. She was hit in the early hours of the morning by an SUV whose driver fled the scene in his vehicle. At 5.30 that evening, over

12 hours after the original accident, a 23-year-old man went to the police station in Torrent saying he had been involved in an accident that morning. This is thought to be the fatal crash; local police had been looking at CCTVV images prior to this and believe they would have shortly traced the culprit.

They will also be keen to know why he left it so long before reporting such a serious incident. Flags in the young womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home town of Cullera were flown at halfmast earlier this week and two days of mourning was declared in the Valencian municipality.

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FRIDAY 15TH DEC 2017

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FRIDAY 16TH DEC 2017

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Bennell guilty of more charges

Puzzle Solutions

They also spoke of their own experiences of feeling compelled to accept Bennell’s invites to stay at his house, because of their ambitions to succeed in football, where they were assaulted and intimidated into remaining silent over the abuse they suffered and witnessed. Speed, whose 2011 death sent shockwaves across Britain’s sports world, was coached as a child by Bennell Regarding Speed, a victim who wished to remain anonymous told Al Jazeera that he was “99.9 percent” certain the footballing legend was sexually abused as a child. “I was there. I was a witness … On a few occasions, Gary was in the same bed. Barry would abuse one of us then turn over and then abuse the other,” said the victim. Another victim, who also requested anonymity, said he witnessed Bennell grooming Speed. “I saw Gary come and go in Barry’s life,” he said. “He was the one sat in the front seat, he was the one showered with gifts, he was the one that was the one coming on different holidays and different tours. “I’d seen a pattern emerging with Barry with other young people. If you ask me, I would tell you that Gary will have suffered abuse at the hands of Barry.” The second victim added that he “assumed there would be a link to the abuse in [Speed’s] teenage years to his suicide. “There might have been other factors involved ... we’ll never know. But I think that will have had some part to play. I really do.” Bennell has always denied abusing Speed, the father of two sons who had played for clubs including Leeds United and Everton. Meanwhile, Speed’s family have

QUICK CROSSWORD

rejected the possibility that their late relative was abused. But Roger Speed, Gary’s father, has said publicly that life would be easier if they knew why his son killed himself. Gary Speed grew up to play for prominent football clubs including Leeds United. The lives of at least four men Bennell trained as children, including Speed, have been cut short. In 2016, Mark Owens told police Bennell abused him as a child. He died in his fifties following long-term problems with alcohol. Steven Prince died from a drug overdose in 1991, aged 20. His former teammates at the Crewe Alexandra youth team, which was trained by Bennell, said the coach accused him of stealing money - a tactic against boys who tried to escape his advances. At 36 years old, Mark Hazeldine took his own life after suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, more than 20 years after he was trained by Bennell. His mother, Margaret, said she holds not only Bennell, but “these people in the clubs” responsible. “I am so angry at them for letting that go on,” she told Al Jazeera through tears. Bennell was jailed in 1994 for four years in the US after being charged with raping a 13-year-old in Florida, where he took young British amateur teams. David Lean was only able to speak out about the sexual abuse he suffered as an adult He was then imprisoned nine years in England in 1998 for abusing six young people charges of sexual assault. In 2015, he was jailed again for abuse, against David Lean. “I have pretty much lived with this every single day at the forefront of my mind,” Lean, who was abused at age 12, told Al Jazeera. “How can you possibly put the care

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

and welfare of children to one side for bringing a possible star into the game,” he said, referring to the alleged complicity of large football clubs. “That’s just then purely about greed and money.” In an example of Bennell’s brazen confidence and of the free rein he enjoyed from such clubs, one victim claimed he was sexually assaulted in broad daylight on the Manchester City football pitch. In a statement sent to Al Jazeera, a Manchester City spokeperson offered sympathy to victims but would not comment until after the end of the

SUDOKU MEDIUM

trial and their own internal inquiry on Bennell’s links to the club being led by a Queen’s Counsel (a title given to a prominent lawyer in Britain). Commenting on investigations by the Football Association into the sexual abuse of children, Dino Nocivelli, a lawyer for the victims, told Al Jazeera: “My concern is that this is just going to be a smokescreen. It’s not going to result in actually anything which is worthwhile. David Lean, who was abused at the age of 12, waited until his mother passed away to discuss his experience in public

SUDOKU HARD

FRIDAY 16TH DEC 2017

Sport

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By Eric Malpus

There were goals galore once again in the Alfaz Fantasy Football League when the 1 Monday Night game,3 F.A.Cup Replays and 9 Premier League games at the Weekend produced for the Fantasy 45 goals(8 coming from Swansea),6 clean sheets,30yellow cards, and 1 red which was Chelsea’s Babayoko who was dismissed by Referee Mike Dean in Chelsea’s surprise defeat at Watford in the Monday Night game.There were 4 penalties awarded in which we found Players fighting over on who to take them.Unfortunately, Stoke’s Charlie Adam won his fight and went on to have his Penalty brilliantly saved by Brighton’s Australian keeper Mat Ryan. There is a real ding-dong battle going on at the top of the Alfaz Fantasy Football League where Pauline’s Vodka Army and Darren’s Daz XI keep swapping places at the Summit. This week it’s Pauline’s team who have a slight 2 point lead over Darren’s team. Both teams will have to keep an eye on Dominic’s team Barnsley Braves who have moved to within striking distance of the leaders thanks to Manchester City’s amazing striker Sergio Aguero who bagged 4 goals in City’s 5-1demolish of Leicester City which gave the little Argentinian 22 Fantasy points.Andy’s team Triple Trouble also have Aguero in their line up which has helped them move up 7 places to 5th spot.At the opposite end of the table, Laura’s Legends are well behind the rest and are now trailing Reggie’s Rejects by 54 points. In our U.K.T.V.SPAIN Junior League Keiron’s team, Clown F.C. are coming under pressure from Wade’s team Alli Barber who top scored in this section with a tally of 62 points which has moved him to within 5 points of the Clowns. Jack’s Balutellitubbies have dropped down to 3rd while Bailey’s Boys have moved into the reckoning by moving up to 5th.Down at the foot of the table, Harley’s Ginger Ninjar are struggling to keep up with Gian Luca’s team Messi or Tidy, the distance now 55 points.

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Pauline’s Vodka Army are marching away with our Mark Carter Ladies Section as they now have an incredible 114 point lead over Isabel’s team The Bluebells. However the place for Runners -Up goes on with the Bluebells just in front of Val’s Borobabe. No change at the bottom with Laura’s Legends looking nailed on for the Wooden Spoon. Pauline’s Vodka Army are also putting in a late challenge for our Golden Boot League as they have reduced Wayne’s team Two Years Running, Maybe lead to a very catchable 50 points.Last Season Walkden Town chased down a total of 80 points to win the League, so it’s not over yet.Down in Davy Jones Locker Len’s team, Nelson’s Flagship is currently lying on the bottom spot 15 points adrift of Hilda’s Try Try Again. Young Ollie’s team Oly F.C. have been knocked off the top of our F.A.Cup League by Chris’s team In It To Win It who snapped up 24 points in the 4th Round F.A.Cup Replays courtesy of Swansea’s on loan Chelsea striker Tam Abraham who scored 2 goals and had an assist in the Swans 8-1 win against Notts County who funnily enough Chris used to play for. Mrs.Max & Paddy moved up 6 places to 3rd while Blue Murder has dropped down to 4th. There are no changes at the bottom where Carol’s Baby Bell is still 5 points away from the Maggots Gits. Four teams will be going into our Wyndham’s Monthly Wine Draw and they are our 2 top scoring teams Andy’s Triple Trouble and Joanna’s Rosado Blancos who both bagged 65 points and the other two are our lowest scoring teams which were Skateboard Javi and Glory Leeds United who only managed a lowly 2 points. Manager of the Month for February is being kindly sponsored by the Universal Lounge in Albir who provide a wide variety of 100 Beers as well as serving up some delicious food at reasonable prices.With just 2 weeks gone Andy’s Triple Trouble are in pole position with a 13 point advantage over Gil’s Eastlanders. Dominic’s Barnsley Braves & Darren’s Daz XI are also in the mix for this excellent meal for two at the Universal Bar which is situated close to the Albir Sunday Market. Gil’s Eastenders have won our good old English Breakfast for 2 at the Bar Code in Alfaz after leaping up 35 places to number 148th spot in the main League.Don’t forget it’s the 5th Round of the F.A.Cup this Weekend and I have mentioned before it’s important to keep your Players in the Cup to pick up extra points in the final run into the end of the Season.The Draw for the next round of our own K.O. Cup Competition will soon be upon our website Read All Alfaz Fantasy Football League Reports at www.alfazffl.com

Jukebox Football Predictions League

ALFAZ FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Sport

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T.M.G.S at La Manga 31/1/18 We arrived at Oliva Nova this morning in temperatures of 1.5/2.00 degrees to find the course closed due to heavy frost. After a two hour wait 36 players went out to play for the Pego Putter. The format was Bogey, probably the least popular among the Society Members! We welcomed three guests today, Douglas Emson, Pete Jackson, Tony Pearce

and Duncan Alison. The winners were as follows: Ist winning the Pego Putter, all square playing off 13 was Terry Moore 2nd was Brendan Young -1 playing off 21 3rd was Michel Grin -1 playing off 10 4th was Paul Trigwell -2 playing off 24 5th was Celia Cronin -2 playing off 20 6th -3 Andrew Brown playing off 25

The guest prize was won by Pete Jackson -2. Nearest the pin second shot on hole 5 was Michel Grin 1m26 and on hole 16 Pete Jackson 2m85. Balls in the Water total was 96, correctly guessed by Barry Levett. We had one Match Play result, John Guest beat Simon Fox 2 up. Due to a combination of a late start and playing Bogey, very few people were in the Club House

for the prize giving, hence just two stars in the prestigious Winners’ Photo, Celia and Michel. Next week we have a Singles Stableford Competition, if you would like to play, subject to handicap, contact Penny Barden pegohandicapsec@ g m a i l . c o m “I know I am getting better at golf because I am hitting fewer spectators” Gerald R.Ford.

Javea Green Winter League triumph at Quesada Sitting pretty at the top of the league table for the fourth month running, Javea Green´s Winter league team travelled to Quesada with memories of a resounding 12-0 defeat there this time last year haunting them. Clive English, the Javea Captain delivered a rousing team talk on the coach prior to the game and his team took heed and responded. It was a tough game and with 4 ends to go could have been a triumph or disaster. In the event the Javea team dug deep and delivered wins on 2 rinks and draws on 2 to give

them a creditable 8-4 win. The Javea Berleen team skipped by Brian Manser had a convincing 23-17 win putting them in second place in the table only 3 points behind Benitachell with a game in hand. After a delicious carvery lunch the team again travelled back to Javea exhausted but happy. Next game is at home to San Miguel, with six games

still to play and only 6 points separating the top two teams it´s still all to play for. Javea´s Northern league

team Quartz had a disappointing 8-2 loss to Calpe which sees them slipping to 3rd in the table, Onyx had a disastrous

10-0 defeat away to El Cid but Opals had an excellent 8-2 win against Finca Guila pushing them up to 5th place.

Sport

FRIDAY 12TH JAN 2018

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FRIDAY 9TH FEB 2018

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Michael van Gerwen back on track Peter Wright beat Michael van Gerwen last week

Reigning Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen is aiming to get this season’s campaign back on track when he faces Gary Anderson in Thursday’s visit to the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle. The world number one suffered a 7-5 loss to Peter Wright in last Thursday’s second league night of the season in Cardiff, following a comfortable opening night victory over World Champion Rob Cross. However, Van Gerwen believes that a clash with two-time World Champion Anderson in Newcastle provides the perfect platform for him to bounce back. “I know I’m not going to win every single game in

the Premier League,” said Van Gerwen. “It is almost impossible but after losing I like to bounce back with a good win. “That won’t be easy against Gary but it is what I will try to do. We always have good matches and it is one of the games that the fans want to see. “It will be fast and a very good standard and I’m really looking forward to a great match. Even though it is early days it is very important to me to win because the only position I want to be is top of the league.” Wright will aim to build on that success against Van Gerwen when he takes on Cross in Newcastle.

Woods v McIlroy Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are set for a landmark appearance at the Genesis Open, where they are part of the same group for the first time in a regularseason PGA Tour event. The two former world No 1’s play alongside one another for the first time since the final round of the 2015 Masters, having never previously met in an official PGA Tour event outside of the FedExCup play-offs. Although the duo have been part of the same field in 69 official events over their careers, they have been limited to 18 rounds across nine tournaments since their first worldwide appearance together in

2012. Woods boasts a record of never missing a cut in an event where he has been grouped with the Northern Irishman, with the 14-time major champion finishing higher up the leaderboard in five of the nine events they have teed off together. Both players have reached the winner’s circle once in those nine tournaments, with McIlroy claiming a twoshot win at the 2012 BMW Championship and Woods lifting the WGCCadillac Championship the following year. McIlroy beat Woods by seven shots during the final round at Augusta in 2015, one of six occasions the four-time major champion has taken the

spoils when alongside each other, with Woods coming out on top on nine encounters and the other three ending in a tie. Woods has a slightly better scoring average than the 28-year-old in those head-to-head meetings, averaging 69.5 compared to McIlroy’s 69.94, and has also posted more bogey-free rounds in those contests. Despite Woods having the better record when the same group as Mcilroy, it’s the current world No 10 who has achieved the most success when part of the same events. McIlroy has finished higher than Woods in 35 of the 69 starts, registering eight of his 21 professional victories along the way.

FA sign agreement so England can play friendlies against Qatar The FA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar FA that could see England play friendlies against the 2022 World Cup hosts. Greg Clarke, the FA chairman, was part of a touring party that visited Doha to discuss a “knowledge-sharing partnership”, and as part of the agreement, both FAs have committed to exploring the possibility of arranging friendlies across age groups. Clarke said: “The FA is pleased to commit to this knowledge-sharing partnership with the Qatar Football Association. We have a long history of collaboration with various national associations to share knowledge and experience to support the development of football. ”For Qatar, developing the game across the country is a key objective as they approach the hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.” Qatar, whose national

Former-FA chairman Greg Dyke was highly critical of the decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar - a country that has never qualified for the tournament

side are ranked 103rd in the world, were awarded the right to host the 2022 World Cup by FIFA in 2010. That decision was described by then-FA chairman Greg Dyke as “the worst moment in FIFA’s history”. However, Ajay Sharma, the British ambassador to Qatar who was also in Doha, said this is just the start of the cooperation between the two countries ahead of the tournament. Sharma said: “I

am delighted that the English Football Association has signed MoUs with the Qatar Football Association and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy during the visit to Doha of the FA chairman Greg Clarke. “This will mark the beginning of even deeper cooperation between our two countries, and underlines the UK’s support for Qatar in delivering a successful World Cup 2022.”

FOOTBALL

Friday 16th Febuary

20:45 Leicester City v Sheffield Utd FA CUP 20:45 Chelsea v Hull City FA CUP

Saturday 17th February 13:30 16:00 16:00 16:00

Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea West Brom v Southampton Utd FA CUP Brighton v Coventry FA CUP Huddersfield v Man Utd FA CUP

Sunday 18th February

16:00 Rochdale v Tottenham FA CUP

Monday 19th February

16:00 Wigan Athletic v Man City FA CUP

Tuesday 20th February

20:45 Chelsea v Barcelona Champs League 20:45 Bayern v Beşiktaş Champs League

Wednesday 21st February

20:45 Shaktar Donetsk v Roma v Champs league 20:45 Sevilla v Man Utd Champs League

Saturday 24th Febuary 13:30 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 18:30

Leicester City v Stoke City EPL West Brom v Huddersfield EPL Bournemouth v Newcastle EPL Liverpool v West Ham EPL Brighton v Swansea City EPL Burnley v Southampton EPL Watford v Everton EPL

Sunday 25th February

13:00 Huddersfield v Bournemouth EPL 15:05 Man Utd v Chelsea EPL

Monday 26th February

21:00 Crystal Palace v Tottenham EPL

Thursday 1st March 21:00 Arsenal v Man City EPL

ALL TIMES GIVEN ARE SPANISH TIME

FRIDAY 16TH FEB 2018

Your Weekend Starts Here!

Sport

BARRY BENNELL MAY HAVE SEXUALLY ABUSED GARY SPEED

Former football coach Barry Bennell is facing sentence at a UK court on 50 offences of sexual abuse against 12 victims, aged between 8 -15 in the years 1979 and 1990. In closing statements at Liverpool Crown Court in

England, the prosecution said Bennell - who has been jailed three times before over sexual abuse was a “child molester on an industrial scale”. The development comes as an Al Jazeera Investigation into the

background of a trial has been told that a former premiership footballer, who killed himself at the age of 42, was also almost certainly a child victim of the talent-spotting coach. Gary Speed, whose 2011 death sent

shockwaves across Britain’s sports world, was described by Barry Bennell as a “special” child, a euphemism the now 64-year-old used for the boys he groomed, victims have said. Continues Page 42...