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ACTION IN FAKE CLAIM SCANDAL By Jack Troughton REGULATORS struck to stop a British firm encouraging people into making fake holiday sickness claims. The Claims Management Regulator (CMR) has cancelled the licence of Lancashire-based Allsure Ltd - preventing it from operating and offering claims management services to new or existing client. It was found to have “encouraged” bogus or “embellished” claims to win compensation, said the Ministry of Juistice in the UK.

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First family to be charged over ‘fake’ holiday bug Paul Roberts and Deborah Briton, leaving court

See Page 14

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Fake claim ﬁrm stopped By Jack Troughton

The move came after the British government launched a crackdown on the scandal of bogus holiday claims for gastric illnesses – said to have cost the Spanish hotel industry €60 million last year. Around 90% of claims were thought to be fake; a chemist receipt for medicines said to be enough to launch a case when holidaymakers returned to the UK, usually after staying in all-inclusive hotel. The CMR investigation found Allsure, of Preston, which used trading names including ‘Chase Alexander’ and ‘Refund Claims’, encouraged people to fabricate or embellish symptoms of gastric illness to pocket compensation. And further evidence showed the firm had used deceptive sales talk; exaggerating expected payouts to entice consumers into the deceipt. Kevin Rousell, head of the CMR, said: “We will take firm action against claims businesses

which engage in serious misconduct. Seeking to encourage false claims will not be tolerated.” The travel industry triggered UK government concern over a fake sickness claim culture after reporting a soaring number of claims, up 500% since 2013. It believed more and more bogus claims were being brought by British tourists, partly fuelled by touts operating in European resorts. Justice Secretary David Lidington warned: “Our message to those who make false holiday sickness claims is clear – your actions are damaging and will not be tolerated.” People making a fraudulent claim face up to three years in prison – costs to tour operators and hotels wanting to challenge a claim were said to be “out of all proportion” to the size of the claim. Politicians have been working with the Association of British Travel Agents, the CMR and the Solicitors Regulation Authority to try and stamp out the practice.

Toxic trap By Jack Troughton

AN animal lover needed emergency medical treatment after two friends discovered trays of cat food peppered with deadly rat poison. They were out walking their dogs in Javea on Sunday evening when they discovered the dangerous bait – and said pets or even children could have been killed. The pair only picked up and smelt the food; yet it was enough to spark an extreme allergic reaction in Lula Carreno who was rushed to a medical centre for treatment after her body reacted, risking an anaphylactic shock. And friend Claire Wall, who suffered a swollen mouth and itchy hands, said the trays of food – one laced with bright blue pellets – were in grass by the pavement on waste ground at the junction of Avenida Augusta with Calle Pescara. Both hit out at the cruelty of the people responsible

for putting down poison in a public area. Lula said: “One of my dogs started pulling at the lead; I saw something strange in the grass and wondered what it was. All I did was pick up the tray and smelt it. It smelt horrible, but it was enough to get the poison in my blood and cause the reaction – my mouth was swollen and my hands itched and then my whole body started to react. “I am just glad we found it; what is deadly for animals is also deadly for people. A child could have touched it and the result may have been terrible. “I cannot believe people behave like this, leaving out poison. I am just glad it was me who was affected and I was able to get treatment – I will be taking medicine for another week – because it could have been a child; they could have died.” Claire added: “It was a horrible night. Lula was very poorly afterwards. I also

Claire (left) and Lula (right)

suffered a milder reaction, my lips were swollen and my hands itched – we had gone to a restaurant when it started to affect us – it could have killed Lula.” And Claire, who lives nearby, said she had her two pet cats tested after discovering the food was poisoned. One, Storm, showed signs of being poisoned and was given an antidote by the vet. “This rat poison was very string and very slow acting; it is absorbed into the blood, it is very dangerous.” The pair removed the food and notified the town hall and police. Lula and Claire have also put up warning signs in the area but fear other pets may have been poisoned.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

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Police are again being kept on their toes by fleets of small boats arriving on Spanish shores as migrants risk everything for the promise of a new life in Europe. Over the last seven days a boat was found abandoned at Benidorm and another at El Campello; vessels also reached Calpe and Altea. Last Saturday two craft were towed in Alicante with 22 people on board and six boats were intercepted the previous day off the coast between the city and Torrevieja. The seasonal traffic of illegal immigrants is at its height but there are fears that Spain is becoming a more popular route with traffickers as the authorities attempt to stem the tide of people risking the Libya to Italy journey – some 125,000 have crossed to Italy so far this year and an estimated 2,000 people have perished at sea. And it is not just the risks of the journey that plague desperate migrants; there is also the risk of exploitation. The police made 24 arrests across Spain and freed 16 women destined to be sex slaves. Officers arrested four suspects in Benidorm, two in Gandia, and others in Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Murcia and Soria. Fears are also rapidly growing over Spain

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being used as a jump off point for attempts to reach the United Kingdom, with the ferry terminal at Bilbao providing a link to Portsmouth. The ‘roll-on, roll-off’ ferries are said to provide the opportunity to sneak aboard an array of heavy vehicles headed across the Bay of Biscay to Britain. So far this year 1,765 migrants have been caught trying to smuggle themselves aboard a ship as stowaways – that’s five times as many as during the whole of 2016. And like the notorious ‘Jungle’ shantytown of Calais, Bilbao has seen makeshift camps spring up – many under motorway bridges near the city – as people wait their chance; the waiting migrants including people fleeing war zones like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The United Nations has now acknowledged mass migration is a threat to European stability, France’s President Emmanuel Macron urging politicians to find a solution and take action – while remembering it is a human problem.

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FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

TWO CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL AFTER EATING COCAINE

TWO children, aged just five and seven, remain in hospital after it was confirmed that they had cocaine in their blood. The emergency services were alerted after a worker in a bar in Girona became concerned about the way the youngsters were acting. The pair were still with

Citrus scam By Simon Russell

THE Guardia Civil have arrested a father and son who were swindling farmers out of monies owed for lemons they had purchased. The pair were arrested in Almoradi and the scam covered several locations in Alicante and Murcia. The accused would

make part payments against a crop and hand over a promissory note for the remainder. However, when the payment date came round they would make excuses and renegotiate terms. Although they took farmers into their confidence with smart clothes and expensive cars, the police believe they were also prepared to use violence and discovered rifles and shotguns in their possession. The scam may have involved sums of up to €350,000 in Bigastro, Daya Nueva, Orihuela, Murcia Almoradi and Benejuzar and possibly other locations.

their mother in the bar when an ambulance crew arrived who then decided they needed emergency treatment. Tests showed that they had ingested cocaine, probably accidentally after finding it in their mother’s house. The children will remain in care until the drug has completely cleared from their system while their mother is likely to face charges.

Bank error in their favour By Mathew Richards

THE Ministry of Finance is to pay Alicante Town Hall over €2 million as a result of some accounting errors made two years ago. The Ministry undervalued the difference between the cities credit and debit accounts which, combined with overall good management of their budget by the city, have result-

ed in the extra payment being due. The decision on where to spend the windfall has not yet been made, but Finance Councillor Sofia Morales admitted that there were plenty of departments that could happily use some or all of the cash. She reminded other councillors that at the end of the day, the sum was still as a result of taxes paid by Alicante residents and businesses.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Selﬁe danger worries By Simon Russell

THERE is an increasing trend amongst tourists to visit difficult to access or even dangerous parts of the Costa Blanca while on holiday, sometimes for nothing more than a picture - a selfie to post on social media. While the area has always catered for the more adventurous tourist including mountain climbing and water sports; the concern with the new trend is people making their own way to various secluded outcrops or isolated caves for example. Often inspired by pictures posted by friends and other tourists in Javea, for example, they are seeing a surge of kayak

By Simon Russell

hire for people to attempt to reach some of the offshore caves and rock formations. However they are often inexperienced

and authorities are worried that it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.

Local cruise leg cancelled By Mathew Richards

THERE is some mystery as to why a major cruise ship has decided to cancel a planned stop in the port of Valencia this weekend. The “Independence of the

Lightning strike blamed for cycle death

Seas”, part of the Royal Caribbean fleet, had originally planned to sail from Palma to Valencia and then on to Gibraltar. However it seems the cruise has been cut short leaving out the last two legs, an unusual occurrence according to industry

experts. The massive vessel carries over 4,300 passengers and any stop by a boat of this size generates a sizeable income for local shops, bars and other commercial concerns, so the change will be a disappointment for local traders.

A Valencian resident was found dead on the road while cycling in the Teruel province of the country. It appears that Jose Luis Sinisterra, aged 37, had been hit by lightning although there were no witnesses to the incident. He was found lying on the road at around 9pm on 26 August by a motorist, who immediately contacted the emergency services. Teruel province, in Eastern Spain, had severe electrical storms and heavy rain on the day the victim died and authorities believe he had been the victim of a lightning strike, indicated by the pavement being broken and charred where the body was found. Jose Luis worked as a sports instructor in El Pilar, Valencia, although his family still live in Teruel where he was born.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Coke creams By Mathew Richards

THE Guardia Civil have arrested two people who were trying to smuggle liquid cocaine through Alicante airport, disguised as cosmetic products. Customs officers at the airport monitored a 25-year-old woman who appeared nervous. They saw from the itinerary she was travelling from Brazil with a 30-year-old man and decided to search their luggage once

they had collected it. X-rays showed wrapped packages which on inspection appeared to be shampoo, creams and other cosmetic products. However the products smelled odd and further tests revealed them to be liquid cocaine, over eight kilos in total. The pair were arrested and have been charged in Elche crown court with crimes against public health relating to the drug consignment.

Still going strong at 112 By Simon Russell

THE death of a Turkish man recently means the mantle of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest male has now passed to a Spaniard, Francisco Nunez Olivera. He lives in a small village in the Extremadura region with his (81-year-old) daughter, the same place he has lived all his life. He attributes his

longevity to good genes and he may well have a point as his brother and sister, aged a mere 95 and 93 respectively, are still alive and well. His diet of mainly pulses and vegetables, classic Spanish fare, probably also helps, and many will be pleased to know that he still remains partial to a glass of wine. Francisco was born on

13 December 1904, the year of the third Olympic Games, Teddy Rooseveltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s re-election as US President and when work started on the Panama Canal. Famous people born that year included actors Cary Grant and Joan Crawford, bandleader Glenn Miller, author Graham Greene and Spanish artist Salvador Dali.

Francisco Nunez Olivera. 112 years old, born 1904

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Cliff fall man rescued

By Mathew Richards

A helicopter was called out to rescue a man who fell down a cliff-face at Cala del Metge near L’Alfas del Pi. The 31-year-old from Valencia was on holiday with his partner and trying to make his way down to the beach when he slipped and fell about seven metres. He landed badly on some rocks and suffered a head wound plus suspected broken bones. The spot where he fell was difficult to access and the helicopter from San Vicente was called out as well as a specialist cliff rescue team. The man was

eventually made comfortable and stretchered out before being transferred to Villajoyosa Hospital.

Dockers donations By Simon Russell

DOCKWORKERS at Alicante have presented two cheques to the local Red Cross to assist with projects that the charity is developing. The largest cheque was for €3,840 for a scheme to ensure that disadvantaged children in the region do not start

the day without breakfast. They also handed over a cheque for €800 to a project ensuring poorer children have access to books. The Alicante stevedores have been at the centre of industrial action this year, but have always said that the actions have never been aimed at the public but rather their employers at the port.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Pricey glass of water By Simon Russell

A 31-year-old Spanish woman has been accused of stealing a large sum of cash using what police call the “glass of water” scam. This is a fairly simple con where the thief gains access to a property by pretending to be a friend or relative of a close neighbour, usually by asking for a drink or something seemingly harmless. In this instance the alleged thief gained access to the house of a 46-year-old woman in Paterna (Valencia) by saying she was

the niece of the woman’s next door neighbour. As is usually the case she had basic details about her “aunt” such as name and address, probably from looking at post still in the neighbours mailbox. The next day the victim realised that €4,000 in cash and jewellery was missing and contacted the police whose questioning put them on the trail of the 31 year old woman. She is also being linked with a similar crime in nearby Xativa where around €2,000 worth of cash and goods was stolen recently.

Mother and baby in castle fall

By Simon Russell

A woman and her eight month old child fell 50 metres from a wall in Denia Castle last weekend. The 34-year-old Rumanian woman and the baby are both in critical condition in Valencia’s Hospital La Fe where the woman is said to have sustained numerous fractures. The incident happened on 25 August at around midday when the victims and the woman’s husband were visiting

the famous castle, a popular tourist attraction. It is not known how they fell but the woman clutched onto the infant throughout; the reason the accident was not fatal was that they landed on safety netting at the foot of the castle. The pair were tangled in the netting and difficult to access but eventually a human chain was formed by the police to release them. The woman was clearly in great discomfort and her husband also had to be treated after an anxiety attack.

RyanAir looking for a new crew By Simon Russell

RYANAIR is looking to recruit hundreds of new cabin staff and two local cities are holding special recruitment days. These will be at Alicante on 1 September and Valencia on 13 September and 10 October. The successful applicants will receive a three year contract, €1,200 assistance

allowance and special staff rates for personal flights. Anyone interested needs to visit the Crewlink website at www.crewlink.ie, which is the firm responsible for all Ryanair’s cabin staff recruitment. Other cities holding the recruitment days are Barcelona, Palma, Madrid, Murcia, Malaga, Seville and Granada – again full details are on the Crewlink site.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Treasure at rainbow’s end Drunk driver By Jack Troughton

ARTIST Natalie Moss uses a rainbow of colour in her work and hopes the paintings will soon reach a wider international audience. Based in Calpe, a successful exhibition of her pictures in the town’s Casa de Cultura has just ended and she has just been signed by an art agent to represent her globally. Natalie, who is also a qualified and practicing architect, believes her Spanish representative “who is passionate about art” will help sell her colourful canvasses. “He came to the exhibition and is very interested in my work; he will be my manager and agent and look after me,” she said. “He has a lot of international contacts and art is his

passion; he has other artists he also represents.” She lived in Argentina of five years and the colours of the South American country have inspired her own painting. “But I have always painted in bright colours, a lot comes from my spiritual life and is very important; I just let it come out, it’s a therapy for me.” Previous exhibitions have been

staged in Paris, London and Argentina, and other shows on the Costa Blanca. Natalie has lived in Calpe since 2001, and runs a busy architect’s practice as well as painting. “I paint very quickly, it is often to do with the internal changes in my life; the inspiration are the internal changes I am feeling, my emotions and the travel I have done around the world.” She has always painted; her mother was formally trained in London and also painted before dedicating her time to sculpture. “I started painting by her side and just carried on, I used to have my own box of colours...I have painted all my life,” she said.

Not a dry eye in the house By Simon Russell

THE world’s first system specifically designed to treat dry eye syndrome has been developed and patented in Alicante. The Therma EYE system has been designed by Oftalvist clinics which are based in Alicante and

Madrid. As much as 60% of the population suffer from clinical dry eyes and many cases are undiagnosed although sufferers will be in discomfort. The device rehydrates the eyes in three sessions of about five to ten minutes over the course of a month.

behind major terror scare By Simon Russell

A combination of a country on high alert, a Spanish drunk driver and a poorly thought out band name all came together to spark a major terror alert in the Netherlands on 24 August. The incident happened in Rotterdam where pop group the AllahLas were due to perform, who have admitted their name has unintentionally offended many Muslims. When a van was seen weaving precariously through the city streets people feared the worst after the recent terrorist

attack in Barcelona. The fact that the van had butane gas bottles inside seemed to confirm these fears, however police later confirmed that the man, a Spaniard, was drunk and the bottles were for domestic use. In the meantime the Allah-Las concert had been cancelled, partly due to security information from Spanish police, but also partly due to an online hoax threat from a 22-year-old man who has now been arrested and is not thought to have any connections to terrorist groups.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Dozens killed in killer storm By Simon Russell

THIRTY people have been confirmed as dead and the toll is expected to rise significantly as Hurricane Harvey continues to batter the American city of Houston, Texas. The storm swept through for a second time on 30 August and though it is gradually weakening, over fifty inches of rain have fallen in some places, a record for the area. About thirty percent of Harris County, where Houston is situated, is flooded and at least 3,500 people have been rescued, despite prior warnings to evacuate the city and its surrounding

International pride By Jack Troughton

COSTA Blanca Lions Clubs extended a hand of friendship to a group of 24 youngsters representing the global nature of the organisation. Organised by Benidorm Lions Club and supported by the clubs of Calpe and Benissa, Alfaz del Pi, Elche and Valencia, it was an opportunity to sample life in Spain. The group – with representatives from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Italy, France, Germany, Latvia and Serbia spent 10 days in a hotel complex in Alfaz

and a week hosted by the families of Lions members on the coast. Carole Saunders, of Calpe and Benissa Lions, said: “The idea is that we will be able to send Spanish youngsters to these other countries to experience a taste of life there. “They are children of Lions members; it is very much like an old-fashioned school exchange programme. The common language was English and they really enjoyed themselves.” The group is pictured in Calpe Town Hall’s council chamber and was also shown the old town and the historic Queen’s Baths and Las Salinas – learning how the Romans made salt. The visitors also enjoyed the breathtaking views from Albir lighthouse and visited the scenic Fuentes de Algar.

areas. On the political front, Mexico has offered its help to the people of Houston if required, something President Trump has yet to respond to – although he did find time to reiterate his message about building a border wall between Mexico and the US. Mr Trump visited the area with his wife Melania, who drew disdain from some corners for her outfit of wet-weather gear and six inch high stilettos.

Back In

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

and ctant motheprs n o British expeh ti nsum their alco ol co By Simon Russell

men are more found that British wo t anywhere A recent survey has an almos ol while pregnant th women likely to drink alcoh d one in thirteen of ate tim es An . rld wo to babies with else in the nant will give birth eg pr ile wh k in dr who do and incidences of m disorder (FASD) tru ec sp ol oh alc l foeta the global average. ur times higher than problems, this in the UK are fo hearing and vision ve ha n ca SD FA ll as learning Babies with s and hearts as we ey dn ki s, er liv hy from alcohol as unhealt y women do abstain an m le hi W . es lti cu diffi inking before they egnant, a lot are dr inking being a soon as they are pr dr pecting with binge the highest rate realise they are ex s ha a zard. South Afric compared to the particular health ha s rth bi nd s per thousa se ca 1 11 at SD FA of al average of eight. the UK with the glob 32 per thousand in

Luton is UK’ss worst airport By Edward Graham

LONDON Luton has crash landed to win the dubious title of the UK’s worst airport in a ‘Which?’ magazine survey based on passenger satisfaction. The airport was described as “chaos”, “crowded” and a “rip-off”, stalling with a customer score of 29%, based on the experience of people passing through. And Doncaster-Sheffield soared in the table; passengers describing it as “relaxed” and “quiet”. The consumer magazine

surveyed people who travelled through an airport between May 2016 and May this year. Luton scored low in categories for range of shops and food outlets, toilets and staff. It is undergoing a £110m redevelopment which has led to disruption - but it has been at the bottom of the Which? airport ranking for five years. A spokesman for the airport said the poll did not accurately reflect the experience of the majority of travellers and the survey took place at the height of refurbishment.

Tears and flowers for Diana

Jack Troughton TRIBUTES were paid to Princess Diana yesterday (Thursday) as Britain marked the 20th anniversary of her death in August 1997, aged 36. Named the ‘people ´ s princess’ by then Prime Minister Tony Blair, she died following a car crash in Paris on 31st August. Crowds gathered at the gates of Kensington Palace, Princess Diana’s home for more than 15 years during her marriage to Prince Charles and after the royal couple’s divorce. Prince William and Prince Harry are marking the anniversary of their mother’s death in private but on Wednesday, together with the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the already growing tributes at the palace gates. The princes also visited the memorial garden at Kensington Palace and chatted with representatives of some of the charities supported by Princess Diana; Prince Harry telling them “all of us lost somebody”. Sir Elton John, a close friend of the princess and a fellow HIV and Aids campaigner, used Instagram to pay tribute. The singer, who performed an alternative version of his song ‘Candle in the Wind’ - starting ‘Goodbye England’s rose’ – at her funeral, posted a picture of the two

of them together and wrote: “20 years ago today, the world lost an angel. #RIP”. Deborah Gold, chief executive of the National Aids Trust, said the princess had raised understanding and changed minds with her charity work. “Diana was responsible for one of the biggest shifts in public attitudes towards Aids by being really willing to talk to people, touch people and to shame public attitudes,” she said. “There was such a high level of misinformation about HIV and a real fear of people living with HIV that made lives for them extremely difficult. “She just challenged that so powerfully at Middlesex Hospital where she shook the hand of the man living with HIV and showed how ridiculous those fears were.” And Ken Wharfe, who was personal protection officer to the princess and a bodyguard to her two sons, said her children always came before her royal duties. “Work certainly broke a new mould in terms of royal duty,” he said. “But behind all that, wherever we were in the country or abroad, it was, ‘I must get back and see my boys’. That was always crucial in her life. “William and Harry… are using their mother’s template because they know it is one that works. It was her work ethos that endeared her to the public.”

n Britain

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

BAKING ALL OVER By Jack Troughton

PANDA-MONIUM

By Jack Troughton

TIA N Tian – Brita in’s only fema le gian t pand a – is bein g watc hed by mill ions as her preg nancy prog resse s. The eage rly antic ipate d birth of Brita in’s first pand a cub is head line new s and Edin burg h Zoo expe cts thou sand s of extra visit ors queu ing to see the baby, due to be born this mon th. And expe rts believe the cub will beco me the zoo’s star attra ction ; wort h mill ions of poun ds to the Scot tish econ omy. Tian Tian and partn er Yang Gua ng arrived at E d i n bu rg h in 2011 and duri ng the first 12 mon ths in residence, an extra half mill ion peop le wen t to see the blac k and whit e won ders , inclu ding the Prin cess Roy al and actre ss Nico le Kidm an; a 200% incre ase in ticke t

sales . Tian Tian was artificial ly inse mina ted after it was feare d she had rejec ted her partn er’s natu ral over tures ; it is unde rstoo d at least five earli er attem pts faile d to trigg er a preg nancy. Tian Tian – the nam e mea ns ‘Swe etie’ – and Yang Gua ng, whic h trans lates as ‘Sun shin e’, are the only gian t pand as livin g in the UK and are sche dule d to stay in Scot land for a deca de.

Tian Tian

The pair, desc ribed as a gift from Chin a, arrived on loan as the first pand as to live in Brita in for 17 year s. Repr oduc tion in pand as is noto riou sly tricky; how ever, Tian Tian is no new com er to the moth erho od gam e, she has twic e succ essfu lly reare d twin cubs in Chin a. New s of the preg nancy cam e to light after docu men ts were relea sed to the Edin burg h Even ing New s unde r the Free dom of Info rmat ion Act. At birth gian t pand a cubs are just a 1,00 0th of their moth er’s weig ht, com ing into the worl d at arou nd five ounc es. They are born pink and cove red in shor t whit e hair, the blac k patc hes appe aring after a week ; it take s arou nd 80 days befo re babi es can walk – after a mon th the cub look s muc h more like a mini ature adul t.

TH E Gre at Bri tish On e. Ba ke Off retu rne d Th e pro gra mm e to televis ion scr een s wa s alw ays a slow this we ek to be coo ker . In 201 0 jus t her ald ed a suc ces s 2 mil lion wa tch ed afte r fol low ing a on BB C Tw o; trie d and tru ste d how eve r las t yea r’s rec ipe wit h a few com pet itio n on BB C new ing red ien ts. On e attr act ed 10. 4 Old han d and jud ge mil lion viewe rs. Pau l Ho llyw ood – Ch ann el 4’s chi ef now app are ntly als o cre ativ e office r Jay known as ‘Ol Blu e Hu nt sai d: “Th e Ey es – wa s join ed by Gre at Bri tish Ba ke Pru e Lei th, wit h co- Off ’s aud ien ce hos ts No el Fie ldin g proves it’s stil l one and San di Tok svi g. of the cou ntr y’s An d an aud ien ce favour ite shows . of 6.5 mil lion – “I am del igh ted inc lud ing tho se mil lion s wa tch ed wa tch ing on the new tea m put 12 Ch ann el 4’s +1 – ma gni fice nt bak ers rem em ber ed to fin d thr oug h the ir pac es.” the pro gra mm e at She sai d she its new hom e afte r wo uld be “ab sol ute ly seven yea rs wit h the del igh ted ” to have a Be eb; firs t on BB C reg ula r aud ien ce of Tw o and late r BB C ove r 5 mil lion .

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Out & About

Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

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Talent on show By Jack Troughton

COSTA Blanca artists put their talents on show in Teulada on show on Wednesday 20th September with an Arts Fair at Salon El Canor. Organised by the Arts Society – Marina Alta, formerly known as MAFAS, the Marina Alta Fine arts Society – already has more than 40 artists showing their work but hopes to attract more talent. The society said the fair was

organised “as part of our commitment to support the local arts community and to celebrate the artistic talent of the area.” The renamed society continues to be part of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts, which has also gone through a name change to become The Arts Society “to provide a more aspirational and open forum”. The fair is open between 11am and 4pm at El Canor in Cami d’Assagador de Canor and for further information

contact artfair@mafas.org.uk or secretary@mafas.org.uk; or go to the Facebook page. The Weekender was told: “This exhibition will be a huge canvas to show the talent and diversity of the artists working in the Marina Alta.” The exhibition will also be an opportunity for artists to sell work directly to the public and accept commissions; as well as providing an open forum to discuss work and share ideas with a wider community.

Chatting with a Roman By Simon Russell

THE Vilamuseu in Villajoyosa has started a new interactive experience that allows visitors to the museum to ask historical characters questions. You can converse with Ro-

man soldiers, musicians and dignitaries amongst others, all played by well trained “actors” often museum guides or experts in their field. The discussions will be unscripted and characters will be available depending on the other duties

concerning the staff playing them. The Vilamuseu is at the forefront of museum innovations, both low tech and high tech. It can be found on Carrer Colon 57, a couple of blocks behind the seafront.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017 Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

Out & About

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Boats & The Coast

Messy festival

By Simon Russell

ONE of Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best known, and oddest, festivals took place this week in the small Valencian town of Bunol. Six trucks laden with 160 tons of tomatoes empty their cargo and the participants then proceed to throw the soft fruit at one another. The result is as messy as it sounds although the day always seems to result in

remarkably f e w mishaps, with just a few people requiring m i n o r m e d i c a l attention. About two thirds of the 22,000 attendees were foreigners, all now subject to a ticket price of â&#x201A;Ź10 to enter the town and take part, a necessary step

as sheer numbers w e r e beginning to make the fiesta difficult to control safely. There was also increased security this year with there being such a large gathering not long after the Barcelona terrorist attacks.

Cycling guide going online By Simon Russell

ALICANTE has introduced a new online guide aimed at cyclists of all levels visiting or

residing in the province that can be downloaded to a PC or mobile device. The provinces Deputy Tourism Councillor, Eduardo Dolon,

said that it will help to promote Alicante as a sports destination for tourists while reminding locals of the opportunities on their own doorstep. Many of the routes

take in sections travelled by the Vuelta de Espana which passes regularly through the province and they vary from gentle flat rides to arduous mountain climbs.

People can also download the information in PDF to print the route, or in GPX format for mobile devices and GPS, visit www.costablanca.org

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Out & About

Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

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Boats & The Coast Arts & Crafts Market at Javea Port last days this summer The Arts & Crafts Market in Jávea Puerto, a delight to people strolling along the sea front but also an interesting open air gallery for people living near Jávea, has just a few more days to go. Those promise

to be quite lively days - fiestas with processions, concerts and, of course!, fireworks. Unfortunately, fireworks do not mix well with craft stalls and so the evening of 3 September, when they have correfocs (a procession letting off fireworks at intervals with a lot of semi-lethal bangers and pyrotechnic effects) there will be no Arts & Crafts market. All other evenings till 6 September the arts and crafts people with ceramics, lamps, wooden toys, leather, jewelry and much more will set up their stalls at 7 in the evening and stay till midnight. Everything you see there is made by the people on the stall, nothing is imported or made in a factory or by friends. Some of the evenings there is live music or a potter who brings along his wheel (and you can try it out for a small fee).

More information on 639 979 678 (also in English). Take a look at what was available in previous weeks on http://www.amata.es/JaveaSum17.html and the complete programme of the fiestas (in Spanish) you can find on https://www.javea.com/programafiestas-del-loreto-2017/ .

Less jellyﬁsh stings this year By Simon Russell

THE number of bathers being treated for jellyfish stings this year is down by 65% on 2016 according to latest figures supplied by the Red Cross. About four and a half thousand people have received some form of medical attention this year for stings, while figures for the same

period last year were almost thirteen thousand. Alicante was the worst hit province with about 2,700 beach-goers requiring attention. It was feared that 2017 could have been a problem for the creatures as it has been so warm. However experts say that sea temperature is only one factor, while actually things such as tides and currents have a greater effect.

Grime fighters By Simon Russell

ALICANTE’S Local Police are clamping down on littering in the provincial capital, with particular focus on people not picking up dog waste and those who ignore the designated hours for throwing away household rubbish. They have increased the number of police on patrol for this purpose,

said Fernando Marcos, a councillor in the Security Department. Penalties can be up to €780 although it is hoped that residents will learn to change their behaviour, so initially the officers will speak to most offenders as the campaign starts in September. However by October they will begin fining those who have refused to change their habits.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017 Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

Out & About

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Boats & The Coast SECOND HAND BOAT - A GREAT WAY TO START YOUR JOURNEY OUT TO SEA 2011 Fairline Targa 38 - €195,000

2007 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport - €75,000

Basic Boat Info

Price: €195,000 Tax Status: Paid Boat Name: GRACIE Make: Fairline Model: Targa 38 Year: 2011 Condition: Used Category: Power Construction: Fiberglass Boat Hull ID: GBFLN12185E111 Has Hull ID: Yes

Dimensions

Length: 11.58 m Length Overall: 12.14 m Beam: 3.63 m Dry Weight: 3,486.76 kg Engines / Speed Engines: 2

Tanks

Fuel Tanks: 1 Fuel Tank Capacity: 640.0 L Water Tanks: 1 Water Tank Capacity: 300.0 L

Engine #1 Specs:

Make: Volvo Penta Model: D4 260 EVC Drive Type: Stern Fuel: Diesel Engine Power: 260hp Type: Inboard Propeller Type: 3 Blade, Bronze Year: 2011 Engine Hours: 114 Engine Location: Port

Price: €75,000 Tax Status: Paid Boat Name: BEATS WORKIN V Make: Sea Ray Model: 290 Sun Sport Year: 2007 Condition: Used Category: Power Construction: Fiberglass Boat Hull ID: US-SERR3581F707 Has Hull ID: Yes

Engine #2 Specs:

Dimensions

Make: Volvo Penta Model: D4 260 EVC Drive Type: Stern Fuel: Diesel Engine Power: 260hp Type: Inboard Propeller Type: 3 Blade, Bronze Year: 2011 Engine Hours: 114 Engine Location: Port Total Engine Power: 520hp

Length: 8.99 m Beam: 2.95 m Max Draft: 1.02 m Min Draft: 0.63 m Dry Weight: 3,764.82 kg Deadrise: 0.37 rad Single Berths: 2

Tanks

Fuel Tanks: 1 Fuel Tank Capacity: 490.0 L Water Tanks: 1

Water Tank Capacity: 90.0 L Holding Tank Count: 1 Holding Tank Capacity: 80.0 L

Engine #1 Specs:

Make: MerCruiser Model: 350 Magnum MPI Bravo III Drive Type: Stern Fuel: Unleaded Engine Power: 300hp Type: Inboard Propeller Type: 3 Blade, Stainless Steel Year: 2007 Engine Hours: 400

Engine #2 Specs:

Make: MerCruiser Model: 350 Magnum MPI Bravo III Drive Type: Stern Engine Power: 300hp Type: Inboard Propeller Type: 3 Blade, Stainless Steel Year: 2007 Engine Hours: 400 Total Engine Power: 600hp

For All Enquiries Please Contact Nautica Mengual +34 965741211

Clubs & Charity -

Would you like to see your news here? Email us Newsroom@Weekender.News

Amadeus in the open By Jack Troughton

THE beautiful and tranquil gardens of Finca Jacaranda in Benissa’s Pedramala make a perfect setting for a charity picnic concert by the talented Amadeus. The trio is performing ‘Music from Stage and Screen’ against the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Bernia on an evening organised by the Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy on Saturday 2nd September. Amadeus – made up of Philip Ashley,

Amanda Lowe and Chris Farrow – will sing a selection of songs from shows like Jesus Christ superstar, Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, and favourites from the films of Walt Disney. The gates to the finca and its gardens open at 4.30pm and the concert starts at 6pm. Guests are invited to bring along their own picnic food, drinks, tables and chairs, and sit back and relax to enjoy quality entertainment in this magnificent setting. Tickets cost €12 and can be ordered

by calling 96 587 4166; they have been selling fast and it is hoped the popular event will be a sell out. All the money raised on the night will go to support the ongoing ministry of the Church of England on the Costa Blanca. This valuable work includes funerals and pastoral care for the sick and bereaved, as well as boosting the activities of seven local church congregations.

For more information about the chaplaincy, its work and service times, visit www.costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Out & About

Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

You better Bay Leaf it!

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Weekender Food Review Just when you thought you had found your favourite Indian restaurant , you discover the Bay Leaf it is the restaurant that everyone is talking about in Albir. Going out for a curry is still very much a tradition for us Brits, a little bit like enjoying our Sunday roast - although in my opinion far better, because I love spicy food. If you once thought a curry was just about having a tasty plate of

was amazing. I had a starter of Chilli Chicken followed by Tandoori Lamb Tikka. The recipes used at the Bay Leaf mean the flavours are simply stunning and they serve Indian curries as well as

the food without feeling so hot you want to run off and jump into the nearest pool! If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going out for dinner any time soon then make a trip to

Indian food together with an icecool pint of lager or a smooth silky bottle of red wine then think again! At the Bay Leaf it is much, much more; having a meal there is all about tasting the best and most authentic India food around. I would only say this if it were true; so if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe me then you will just have to go along and try it for yourself - tell them it was the Weekender newspaper that sent you on its very own recommendation! And take a look at the photos we took at our last visit, it

Nepalese special dishes. . The dishes were accompanied with a couple of my other favourites: Tarka Dal, Sag Panir (spinach and cheese) and garlic Naan bread. It was all so good that words cannot describe it, especially the Naan, so puffy and light with a great flavour; perfect for dipping into a curry sauce. The Bay Leaf has a large outside terrace area and a spacious comfortable restaurant that has a real authentic feel to it. Air conditioning cools the whole restaurant, so you can actually sit and enjoy

the Bay Leaf and enjoy a meal to remember with great service. Bay Leaf Albir : Calle Ruperto Chapi 9, Albir +34 865 671 139 / +34 660 391 315

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Property & Finance

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Spanish house prices forecast to rise for several years

By Mark Stücklin

Spanish Property Insight

Banks and real estate servicers forecast a steady rise in house prices for the foreseeable future, though market liquidity is still a big problem in many parts of Spain Solvia – the property division of Sabadell bank, and also a big real estate servicer with clients like the Sareb (so-called ‘Bad Bank’) – forecasts, in its latest report on the market, that average Spanish house prices will rise by 7.3% between now and 2020, though with wide regional variations. For its part the Spanish bank Bankinter forecasts house prices up 4% this year, and between 4% and 5% next year. Regions with the

strongest demand and economies, like Catalonia and Madrid, will see prices rise by 11% and 14% respectively, driven by rising local demand and tourism, say Solvia. Spain is back in a cycle of housing market growth, argues Sovlia’s report, whilst pointing out that growth is not uniform around Spain, and will not look anything like the last time the Spanish housing market was in the growth part of the cycle – the boom years of 2002 to 2008. Big markets like Barcelona and Madrid are driving the average price up, whilst house prices are still falling in many areas. Turning to transactions, Solvia forecasts growth of between 7% and 8% each year to 564,000 home sales in 2020, in contrast to Bankinter, who forecast

sales up to 550,000 as early as next year. Solvia forecast that new home starts will rise from 64,000 last year to 110,000 in 2020, mainly in area like Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Malaga and Alicante, where demand is strongest. Other forecasts for home building activity in the next few years are more bullish. Liquidity Trap Solvia also researched the liquidity of Spain’s housing market for their latest report. Liquidity determines how quickly a property can be turned into cash, and Solvia reveal that just 10% of Spanish postcodes can be described as liquid or very liquid (easy to find a buyer at market price), whilst 78% of postcodes are either illiquid or very

illiquid. Buyers, especially foreign buyers, should pay close attention to market liquidity when buying a home in Spain.

Buyers in more illiquid areas need lower prices to compensate for the risk of struggling to find a buyer when the time comes to sell.

The Weekender recommends

Source: www.SpanishPropertyInsight.com

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Property & Finance

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How far will your property money go?

By Simon Russell

THE Irish Times newspaper has posed the question what property you can buy for €50,000 in four European destinations, including Alicante? Over here the cash will buy you a three bedroomed house in a village with a good outside area. In the Normandy area of France you could purchase a large village

house with original features two hour’s drive from Paris, while in Italy you can buy a three storey property overlooking the Adriatic Sea. However in Ireland your money won’t go quite as far and €50,000 will get you a house in Cork – although the property is completely gutted and requires major work to be habitable.

House on an acre in Burncourt near Mitchelstown, Co Cork

ance

, Normandy, Fr

House in Orne

House near Murcia, Alicante

House in Abruzzo near Guardiagrele, Italy

,Spain

House in Plainfi

eld, New York

state, USA

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Property & Finance

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You’re paying how much for your QROPS??

By Sam Kelly

Managing Partner Chorus Financial

Many of you will have read my article last week regarding financial advisors in Spain charging substantially more than the equivalent service in the UK. In just the last few days I have had several people come to my office to see if I can help them reduce the fees they’re paying on their QROPS. I saw a lady on Tuesday, we’ll call her Sandra (as before, I’ve changed her name to protect her privacy). The first thing Sandra explained was that every few months her advisor would hand her another wad of pages covered in numbers, charts etc., bamboozle her with complex terminology, and she’d leave the appointment none the wiser as to why her QROPS hadn’t grown over the last 4 years. Well, finally she was sat in front of someone who would break it all down for her. The first thing I noticed was that she was paying over £1000 a year for the QROPS alone – this is more than double she would pay for a UK SIPP (a UK based, FCA regulated pension that would offer all the major benefits of a QROPS and that she could easily move to). I also questioned the fees on the funds she had been moved into, which were between 1.5%-2% per year – this is 3 to 4

times more than I’d expect a client to pay for a top performing UK fund, yet she was paying this for pretty average performing funds that I’d never even heard off (and that’s after 15 years of studying funds on a daily basis!). In addition, she was paying another 1.5% per year in combined fees to her advisor and bond provider. When we broke it all down, her annual fees were over 4% of the total amount she had invested, and I calculated that around 3% of this was going to her financial advisor each year, most of which was in hidden fees which would be illegal in the UK. I was astounded by the combined level of fees here, and it’s safe to say, so was Sandra! The investment returns were barely covering her fees, which is why Sandra had seen no growth after 4 years. My advice to Sandra was that we move her QROPS to a UK SIPP, which offers all the freedoms and flexibility she needs for less than half the price of a QROPS, and we would then rebalance her portfolio with FCA regulated funds, at a fraction of the cost of the offshore funds she had been recommended. This would bring her annual costs down to less than half of her existing arrangement, which will have a positive effect on the growth of her plan. The exact overall fees paid will depend on the specific situation so may vary, but Chorus pride ourselves on fair, transparent and above all, value for money fees. Chorus may not be the oldest, or indeed the biggest company out here in Spain, but we firmly believe that our approach to UK style, truly independent advice, makes us the best. If you would like me to demonstrate where I can help reduce costs and improve the returns on your existing portfolio, including QROPS and Spanish Bonds, please call me today to book a free, no obligation review on 664 398 702 or email s.kelly@chorusfinancial.es.

Jack talks By Jack Troughton

Visiting the Land of the Rising Sun, Theresa May says she intends to remain UK premier “for the long term” rather than say ‘sayonara’. Speaking in Japan, the Prime Minister said her job was not only about delivering Brexit but also achieving a brighter future for Britain. Growing speculation suggested Mrs May would give up the helm in 2019 after the country leaves the European Union; as Brexit negotiations resumed, she said she wanted to lead the conservatives into the next election. She has been under pressure since losing her House of Commons majority in a snap election earlier this year; former Chancellor George Osborne – sacked by Mrs May – described her as “a dead woman walking”. Labour accuses her of leading a “zombie government” and that neither the Tory party nor the public believed her “fantasy” of staying on until 2022; the next election is due in May that year. Speaking in Kyoto, Mrs May said: “I’m here for the long term. What me and my government are about is not just delivering on Brexit but delivering a brighter future for the UK.” She said she wanted to ensure “global Britain” could take its proper place in the trading world and also dealing with “those injustices domestically that we need to do to ensure that strong, more global, but also a fairer Britain for the future.” However, there is that small matter of Brexit. The gap between the UK and the 27 other EU member states appears to be as wide as, well, the English Channel. Brexit Secretary David Davies this week said he wanted talks to be about “driving forwards” technical discussions across all areas. Chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier said the UK must take positions on all separation issues and “start negotiating seriously”. And Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, also chipped in with a couple of Euros worth of criticism and underlining there could be no trade negotiations until the divorce bill was settled. The three issues to be agreed first are the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and the rights of Brits

living in the EU; the future Irish border; and the financial settlement, variously said to be £55 billion to £80 billion. The UK has won some praise for publishing ‘position papers’, setting out its wish list on a number of areas – and British officials were a little baffled at Mr Juncker’s dismissive attitude. He said: “I find none of the papers truly satisfactory. We need to be crystal clear that we will begin no negotiations on the new economic and trade relationship between the UK and the EU before all these questions are resolved...that is divorce between the EU and the UK.” Lord Hague, former Foreign Secretary William Hague, claims the Conservative’s failure to win an outright victory at the general election will mean a “worse” and more costly Brexit deal. The peer said the Tory party ran a “pretty poor” campaign ahead of the snap poll and the Prime Minister was in a “pretty difficult” position relying on Democratic Unionist support to get key Brexit legislation through Parliament. Warning of “big bust-ups” ahead, he said calling the election was not a mistake but the result was a mistake by voters. “The EU knows that the result of the British election weakened the British government’s negotiating position. It absolutely did,” said Lord Hague. “So Britain will get a worse deal as a result of the election; I think there is no question about that. And of course we cannot blame the voters for how they vote. The voters have voted to leave the EU, and then not have a government in a strong position to negotiate the exit. “What could be the result of that? It will be a Brexit deal that is softer than it might have been...we’ll end up having to pay more. We will pay a bigger price for leaving, I think, because of the uncertainties of the election result.” The good ship Britain sails into stormy waters; Mrs May needs to hang on tightly to the helm and listen to the navigator – hopefully avoiding dangerous reefs.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Business & Finance

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GARDENING ON THE COSTA BLANCA - Part 5

Before getting to the subject of choice of plants, as promised in last week’s article, this diagram taken from Filippi’s book shows root development under three different regimes - spray, drip and basin and clearly shows the advantage of the basin system of watering. Perhaps the Bignoniaceae plant family would make a good starting point for this listing of suggested drought resistant plants (“difficult” botanical names are unavoidable sometimes but more on that subject another time). You will probably be familiar with many of them without knowing their names. Although many of the plants in this family are climbers, the most obvious one is the Jacaranda - perhaps too well known to need description but always worth a photograph!

Jacaranda

Another quite common tree in this family is the Indian Bean Tree, Catalpa, which can be seen as a street tree in, for example, Javea’s Cristo del Mar (the cinema street). About the same size as the Jacaranda, it has many white flowers in late spring/early summer and very big leaves followed by impressive seed pods. Often over a foot in length, they frequently stay on the tree through the winter. The climbers include Pyrostegia venusta commonly known as flame vine[2] or orange trumpet vine , It is one of the most spectacular flowering vines in cultivation. It is vigorous and evergreen and can spread quickly to the top of whatever supports it, including fences, other plants or even small buildings by branching profusely and climbing using its clinging tendrils.

Indian Bean Tree

Pyrostegia venusta (Flame Vine)

Pandorea

conditions and grew at the same It seems to prefer full sun and, while rate as the Pyrostegia and all can be it can manage without watering, will heavily pruned when established. flower better with occasional deep They flower from possibly spring watering throughout the summer. It until Christmas. These are the most flowers mainly during the autumn and likely to be encountered although winter and is readily available. Podranea you may also find Tecoma stans Pandorea and its anagram, walls without additional support. (Yellow Bells), a bush rather than a Podranea are also readily available. These are the Bignonias most climber and the gloriously named As can be seen, Pandorea is the commonly available and, from the Macfadyena unguis-cati commonly white one with the pink centre known frequency with which they are seen, and accurately called Cats claws. Also as the bower vine while Podranea is both popular and easily grown locally. yellow flowered in May, its multipleall pink and so called the pink trumpet More next week. hooked tendrils enable it to climb vine. Both are readily available and may even be labelled We are a friendly group who enjoy gardening and gardens. Our meetings are normally held on the with the correct names 1st Wednesday in each month from October to June in Meeting Room (Aula) 1 on the 1st floor of though, knowing the local La Senieta in Moraira next to the free car park used for the Market on Fridays. Meetings commence nurseries propensity for at 2:30 pm and finish at about 4:30pm.Visitors including holiday makers are always welcome – mislabelling, they are admission is by a donation of 3€ per person. Our attempts at a regular meeting date are sometimes interrupted by Fiestas etc and it is for this reason that our next meeting is on Wednesday, 11th perhaps more likely to be October at 2.30 in La Senieta. Contact Numbers:- Chairman Joan Birch 697320169 / called Bignonia something Secretary Joy Lally 966498681 or typing in Costa Blanca Gardeners will get you to the Website. or other! They like the same

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

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Tips on how to keep your cat cool in the heat Use damp towels to cool down your cat

During the summer months, cats are just as at risk of dehydration and hyperthermia as the rest of us. These are serious conditions that could lead to serious illness and even death. Here are some steps you can take to keep your cat hydrated and cool in the heat.

Make sure your cat has plenty of water It’s common sense but you should check your cat’s water bowl regularly and fill it up whenever it’s low. Cats can’t survive for long without it.

Ensure there’s a shaded spot in your garden If you have an outdoor cat and there are no naturally occurring shady spots in your garden, create one by placing some cloth or cardboard over an area to keep the sun out.

Also, make sure you check outdoor buildings like sheds and greenhouses before shutting them as cats often get locked in accidentally overnight.

Brush your cat daily Matted hair traps heat so give them a daily groom if possible. This is especially important for longhaired cats.

Sunburn Don’t forget cats are susceptible to sunburn, particularly those with white ears and noses. This can lead to painful blistering and sores, and long-term exposure can lead to skin cancers. It is possible to buy pet sunscreen to apply to the hairless areas on the end of the ears and nose. It’s also advisable to keep whitefaced cats indoors during the heat of the afternoon.

The warmest part of a cat’s body is their tummies, the pads of their paws, their armpits, under their chin and on the outside of their ears. Although most cats hate getting wet, try dampening a cloth with cold water and gently stroking your cat with it from their head and down their back.

Keep them out of conservatories and greenhouses These areas can get dangerously hot even when the weather just feels warm. Bear in mind that they both exclude cooling breezes and magnify the heat. Cats are also prone to getting accidentally trapped in conservatories and greenhouses.

Keep outdoors cats indoors If temperatures really soar, then it’s worth considering keeping your cat inside during the hottest hours of the day.

Close the curtains Things that keep you cool will also benefit your cat — keeping curtains or blinds closed will keep the sun out.

Watch out for signs of heat stroke Although this generally only occurs on really hot days, it’s worth being aware of. Symptoms of heat stroke can include agitation, stretching out and breathing rapidly, extreme distress, skin hot to the touch, glazed eyes, vomiting and drooling. If you’re at all worried about your cat, contact your vet immediately. Source: https://www.vets-now.com

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10 Warning Signs of Cervical Cancer You Should Not Ignore Any abnormal vaginal bleeding should be viewed as suspicious of cancer until proven otherwise.

2. Heavier and Longer Menstrual Periods Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. It occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Women of all ages are at risk of developing this cancer after they begin having sexual intercourse. One of the frightening things about this cancer is that it does not show any symptoms in its early stages hence routine screening is vital. It is only after the disease has spread that symptoms begin to appear: 1. Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Most women diagnosed with cervical cancer experience irregular vaginal bleeding. This includes bleeding between periods, after the menopause, after sexual intercourse or after a vaginal examination.

Menstrual periods that are heavier and longer than normal are another common warning sign of cervical cancer. Bleeding is considered heavy if you have to change sanitary wear more often than once every 2 hours. 3. Unusual Vaginal Discharge Scant, clear, odorless vaginal discharge is normal. However, if vaginal discharge increases, smells foul or has an irregular appearance the cause should always be investigated. 4. Pain Intercourse

during

Painful intercourse is another important warning sign of cervical cancer. This symptom may indicate advanced cervical cancer 5. Pelvic Pain Pelvic pain is common among women, for many

it is a normal part of the menstrual cycle and does not usually indicate the presence of cancer or any other serious condition. However, pain that lasts for longer periods of time, occurs more frequently or at unusual times could be a sign of cervical cancer. 6. Discomfort while Urinating Cervical cancer can also cause discomfort during urination. In fact, it is one of the most obvious and prevalent symptoms of this disease. 7. Loss of Bladder Control If you have this problem without any known reason, it needs further evaluation as bladder control is a primary issue when suffering from cervical cancer. 8. Unexplained Weight Loss As with other forms of cancer, unexplained weight loss can indicate cervical cancer. When suffering from cancer, the immune system works

hard to fight it. The body produces small proteins called cytokines, which break down fat at a much higher rate than normal. This leads to weight loss, irrespective of diet. 9. Constant Fatigue We all have days when we feel â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;worn outâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but constant unexplained tiredness may be cause for concern. 10. Leg Pain Women diagnosed with cervical cancer often experience swelling and

pain in their legs. When caused by cervical cancer, the pain tends to be constant and gradually increases in intensity. At times, there also may be back pain.

The chances of successfully treating cervical cancer are higher if it is detected during the early stages. With the uptake of regular smear tests and the availability HPV vaccination, it has become possible to treat as well as prevent cervical cancer. THE FAMILY MEDICAL CENTRE, ALBIR, ARE OFFERING 20% OFF SMEAR TESTS THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER.

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Increasing eye problems in children observed by optical group

One of the world’s leading opticians, Specsavers, has noticed a worrying trend in increasing eye problems, particularly myopia (short-sightedness), in children and are advising parents to limit screen time, make sure that kids get plenty of time outside and that they have regular eye tests from the age of three. Saher Shrief, Store Director from Specsavers Opticas Torrevieja stated; “We are now seeing more and more children coming into our store with visual problems, as they are watching more TV, and using more digital devices than they have in the past.”

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This is a trend which is being reported by other optical experts around the world. According to the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) excessive use of mobile devices can cause problems like myopia and amblyopia in young children. Maria Liu from UC Berkeley’s School of Optometry, has also seen a sharp increase in young children with myopia (short-sightedness). “It’s increasing at an alarming rate worldwide and a well-accepted contributing factor is the early introduction of handheld devices to kids.” Overuse of computers and handheld electronic devises can cause digital eye strain and expose children to too much harmful blue light, which might increase a child’s risk of macular degeneration later in life. In 2012, researchers from the universities of Bristol and Cardiff reported that children who spend more time outdoors playing when they are aged between eight and nine are approximately half as likely to become short-sighted by the time they are 15. So limiting screen time and encouraging outdoor play time is a great way to protect children’s eye and promote good health and levels of activity.

Saher Shrief from Specsavers explains why it is so important to protect our children’s eyes. “Good eye sight is crucial for children, as during the first 12 years of our lives, as much as 80% of learning is accomplished through our vision, yet one out of every four children has an undetected vision problem that may inhibit their progress. Experts believe that many learning disabilities could be vision related as they may not be able to read the blackboard or text books. Parents need to take an active role in protecting their children’s eye health by ensuring they have regular eye tests and following experts’ advice. We would advise parents to look out for the following symptoms that might indicate they need their eyes checking: - complaining of headaches - sensitivity to light - straining their eyes - constantly sitting too close to the TV - saying their eyes are hurting” Specsavers Opticas suggest that a child should have their first eye examination at around three years old, as the earlier things are detected, the easier they are to rectify without delaying the child’s development. This September they are advising all parents to incorporate a thorough eye test into their back to school routine. Visit www.specsavers.es to find your nearest store.

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FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017 Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles | TV

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What’s ON TV

Live International Football

World Cup Live: Malta v England Malta v England (Kick-off 7.45pm). Malta have lost every group match so far, but produced a spirited display in last October’s reverse fixture at Wembley..

ITV London 8:15pm Fri 1 Sep

Celebrity MasterChef Season 12 Episode 6 of 12 The contenders are tasked to cook a duck breast with Swiss chard and a caper butter sauce in just 12 minutes. Split into teams they then make lunch for over 120 members of staff and players at the Oval Cricket Ground, home of Surrey County Cricket Club.

BBC1 9:30pm Fri 1 Sep

Comedy Playhouse

New series. While running an antique shop, the master of the pun encounters a special Grandfather clock able to transport him back in time. Stepping inside the clock, he travels to the days of Robin Hood where he meets the Merry Men, Maid Marion and his soon to be arch-enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham.

BBC1 11:35pm Fri 1 Sep

Live Triathlon

2017 British Triathlon Mixed Relay Cup

Ore Oduba presents coverage of the inaugural event from Nottingham, which sees international teams of four, comprising two men and two women, competing over legs of a mini triathlon. Jonny Brownlee is expected to spearhead a strong British side, but they will face stiff competition from the likes of USA and Australia.

BBC1 3:15pm Sat 2 Sep

The X Factor

New series. Dermot O’Leary returns with the long-running talent contest, now entering its 14th year. Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne all return to take their places at the judges’ desk, alongside ever-present X Factor supremo Simon Cowell

ITV 9:00pm Sat 2 Sep

Despicable Me (2010)

A criminal mastermind hopes to seal his reputation as the greatest villain of them all by stealing the moon. First he needs to get his hands on a shrinking ray owned by a rival evil genius, and adopts three orphan girls to help him - but finds that fatherhood brings out his longburied caring side.

ITV2 5:50pm Sat 2 Sep

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017 TV | Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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V This Week

All T i Show mes n Ar e Span ish

Tipping Point: Lucky Stars

New series. Ben Shephard invites celebrities to take part in a special edition of the quiz show, in which contestants Melanie C, Louis Walsh and Anton Du Beke answer questions to win turns on an arcade-style machine.

ITV 7:00pm Sun 3 Sep

Victoria

The Green-Eyed Monster Ep.2 The queen suspects that her husband is attracted to another woman, and discovers that she is pregnant with a second child - leaving her concerned that motherhood will dominate her life and reign, at the expense of any other possibilities.

ITV 10:00pm Sun 3 Sep

Senna (2010)

Documentary about the life of Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, examining his achievements on the track over a 10-year period that saw him crowned world champion three times, until his death in a crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Featuring rare footage from the F1 archives and contributions from fellow racing stars including Alain Prost and Jackie Stewart

ITV4 01:30am Sun 3 Sep

Council House Crackdown

New series. The return of the programme following the work of local authority housing investigators. Michelle Ackerley examines the case of a council executive jailed for fraud

BBC1 10:15am Mon 4 Sep

Richard Osman’s House of Games

New series. Four famous faces go toe-to-toe testing their general knowledge skills in a variety of entertaining triviabased games across the week, with comedians Nish Kumar and Al Murray, Radio 1 DJ Clara Amfo and broadcaster Anneka Rice the first contestants. A daily winner is declared following a quick-fire round at the end of each show, and the weekly scores are tallied resulting in an overall champion being crowned on Friday.

BBC2 7:00pm Mon 4 Sep

Trump’s War on the Border

Documentary assessing the impact of the first months of Donald Trump’s presidency on life on the US-Mexican border, witnessing the effect that his controversial campaign pledge to build a wall along it has had on those who live and work on the frontline.

Channel 4 00:05am Tue 5 Sep

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

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QUICK CROSSWORD

Across

1 Finally (2,4) 4 In short supply (6) 8 Strained (5) 9 Separate (5,2) 10 Bullfighter (7) 11 Writers of verse (5) 12 In an undertone (5,4) 17 Eccentric person (5) 19 Modest bet (7) 21 Commotion (7) 22 Hidden store (5) 23 Happenings (6) 24 Lethal (6)

Sudoku

Down

1 Harvest season (6) 2 Syrupy medicine (7) 3 Velocity (5) 5 West Indian song (7) 6 Fasten again (5) 7 Uncover (6) 9 Sad (9) 13 Extract (4,3) 14 Lured (7) 15 Reaping tool (6) 16 Blood vessel (6) 18 See eye to eye (5) 20 Male relative (5)

Easy

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1 Search thoroughly for groom (4) 3 Viking calls man back (8) 9 Unconventional - like a retired policeman? (7) 10 Girl showing some honest affection (5) 11 Substance agency has in mind (5) 12 Growinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dried fruit (6) 14 One grows flowers (6) 16 Stick with a Scottish island (6) 19 Tight header in beautiful game (6) 21 Africans, as in Mali, left out (5) 24 Enchanted soldier in raincoat (5) 25 Hairstyle from which combs may be taken (7) 26 Royalist wandering without companions (8) 27 Ringleader put in charge is unrestricted (4)

Medium

Down

1 How mince is cooked for a Chinese dish (4,4) 2 Criminals held back by Thai family (5) 4 Animals ordered to rest (6) 5 Egyptian peninsula or some Egyptian islands seen from the south (5) 6 Old woman with unyielding dog (7) 7 New nosh not in a mess (4) 8 Reputed monster is seen to be ridiculous (6) 13 Islanders queue in HQ (8) 15 Sick bird, we hear, is unlawful (7) 17 Wood or metal initially placed in river (6) 18 Storage unit in South African aircraft? (6) 20 One should be engaged in diplomacy, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s implied (5) 22 A riskier finish for a winter sportsman (5) 23 Audio equipment in Hampstead (4)

Hard

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

TV | Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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TAURUS

Even if you’re on the shy side of Taurus you’re more of a social animal this week. There’s also an edge to you. It’s called ambition. Crossed 21st) words or a TAURUS (April 21st-May powerastruggle is all about someone Being team player is what you understanding that we all must take should bewith aiming for thisNostalgia week, the rough the smooth. sosuits getyou. on board with folk who

SCORPIO

Sun in your sister sign of Pisces is your signal for fun, laughter and generally feeling good. Spend time SCORPIO (Oct 24th-Nov 22nd) and on getting creative midweek, Being counts there’ll a beteam plentyplayer of shake, rattle, big and time thistime week becausearrives. you roll by the the weekend need people todone. bounce ideas You’re on fire. Well

SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN

but you’ll feel like you’re in a balanced place again by the weekend. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23rd-Dec 21st) CAPRICORN (Dec 22nd-Jan 20th) The top of your A verysun fast at andthe unpredictable time chart firmly under the awaits puts someyou Capricorns. The sun in spotlight thisthat week. going Pisces means it’sYou’re a fast-paced to be on re and the good ideas week in figeneral. A revelation at and opportunities justyour keep on the weekend stimulates social coming. Theisweekend be life, and this a time to might be among quieter than you expected, and positive people.

off of and to take projects to are known for their good ideas, SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23rd-Dec 21st) GEMINI 22nd-June 21st) to completion. If you encounter then you(May can all work together You’vehurdles, an extra-special connection to Your individuality is amazing and any it might be best a real humdinger. Please TAURUS create SCORPIO the roots of your life and there’ll be you’rejump strongtoand purposeful. The sun to go around them rather than don’t conclusions at the lots of family issues to be dealt with. in Pisces puts you under the spotlight them andgetbedeep all and competitive weekend, or be infl here-say. might memories for uenced one last by week, yet an irritation trying to leap This about it, just to provecome a point. inThere’ll favoursbeata could flyingCall back. needs to be ironed out at the start of few surprises at the top of the week, the week – possibly at work. The rest the weekend.

GEMINI

GEMINI CANCER

of the week and the weekend should be plain sailing. GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st) CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd) Keep your eyessister and sign earsofopen The sun in your Pisces this week if you’re looking means that you’ll strike out in your for new job way, or opportunity owna individual plus this also opens your mind helpoptions you see because there aretonew the opportunities bigger picture. inOpportunity and the air. couldplease strike without the And don’twarning drag and your outlook for the weekend is dramatic feet. You’ve been working hard

dispensing some advice to improve a relationship, no doubt,23rd) and your you could find yourself AQUARIUS (Jan 21st-Feb 19th) LEO (July 24th-August yousun fear is headingitsfor fall.what efforts will be rewarded the weekend concentrates raysa on Expect a at changeable type of week to a person thatThe

LEO

when people are hard to second guess. The sky also shifts your focus towards taking a constructive stance CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd) over your long-term plans. It’s all in Keep it local week, and the timing at thethis weekend. tackle what you must tackle Don’t rush things

in manageable chunks. Don’t VIRGO (August 24th-Sept 23rd) be tempted to overreach or to The sun in your opposite sign compete. In personal matters, means you’ll be dealing with ALL remember that what CANCER pleas your relationships this week. This doesn’t kill well-starred you makes you is extremely so please stronger. Avoid knee jerk reactions and acting don’t panic. You’ll be quirky in your on impulse at thecommunications weekend. and your thought

VIRGO

processes midweek.

you want for you, and you come to know your worth this week if you don’t already. This is a time of self. Of individuality. sky also20th) opens CAPRICORN (DecThe 22nd-Jan up so many opportunities at the It’s time for action, Capricorn. weekend for those of you looking to opportunities fly at you AQUARIUS New make a connection. from all directions and new PISCES (Feb 20th-March 20th)you, thought processes engulf There’s no stopping you, and right from plus you’ll spoiled choice the top of thebeweek, your for individuality you once thought you will set you apart - as will your thought CAPRICORN where were about hitcosmic a brick wall. processes. All oftothis goodness You’ve got what it takes to turn conspires to make you a heads winner inand the eyes of people who Plant career to make a good impression atmatter. the weekend. seeds andanything watch them grow. Travel is Remain optimistic and could happen. PISCES also well starred.

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

AQUARIUS (Jan 21st-Feb 19th)

VIRGO (August 24th-Sept 23rd)

PISCES (Feb 20th-March 20th)

There’s a lot going on in your life There’s no time for too much at the moment and there’ll be reflection this week, so give no let up this week. Trust your yourself a shake and get on instincts as far as finances are with living life. Mull over plans concerned and please always and choices for the future with remember to read the small your partner or with somebody LEO AQUARIUS print if you’re signing anything whose opinion you trust or has binding. Any extra effort that you make at the been there, done that. Seek out great company weekend will be rewarded. In time. at the weekend. You may even have cause for celebration.

The sun’s in your sign so you You start the week with a list of should see a return of your things to do and the dogged energy and enthusiasm if they’ve determination to tick every been waning. The people who single one of them off. Try to are most important to you will avoid arguments or point-scoring also figure more prominently in PISCES exercise in a relationship, or at VIRGO your life this week, but it’s not work for that matter. There are up to you to shepherd them or to keep them in positive things happening for you at the weekend, check. The weekend throws up some to-ing and but you need to believe this to be the case in order fro-ing, but you’ll all end up on the same page for it to be the case. in the end.

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LIBRA (Sept 24th-Oct 23rd) ARIES (March 21st-April 20th) Little stops24th-Oct you in 23rd) your tracks Not everything will go 20th) the way ARIES (March 21st-April LIBRA (Sept The want inactivity andthis inertia that’s You’llweek take once a cool,you impartial at this get anlook idea you it to week, butbeen if surrounding youout could good for you finances week. The sun Pisces in your this head. You’re alsoin more any sign is cut forbea challenge, because it pours cold water on your is about thoseinsleeves, likely to rolling take up things your it’s you. Some extra effort will impulsiveness. The sun in Pisces helps gettingifyour shoulder the wheel stride other peopletochop and make all the with you look overdiff theerence, way the even last year has and making for into you. change andthings throwwork plans people who to ARIES gone. Time to seem changedetermined direction? Finance LIBRA Whatever it is you’re after, if you set it disarray. Self-discipline is easier rub you up the wrong way. You’re also crops up in conversation at the top ARIES up now, you stand a better chance of LIBRA the weekatand you’re in charge.that’ll to come by at the weekend, and please tread going to make aofsplash the weekend, carefully over sensitive ensure others sit TAURUS up and take notice of you. (April 21st-May 21st) SCORPIOsubjects. (Oct 24th-Nov 22nd)

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HOROSCOPES

STARWARS: The Last Jedi Comming Soon! By Spencer Williams

The newest chapter in the Star Wars saga is coming to theaters December 15th. Rey took her first steps into a larger world in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe, and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the

continuing Star Wars saga. “The Last Jedi” is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski. The latest offical teaser video can be seen on you tube now.

Relax

Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017 Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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CODE CRACKER

Scribble Pad

Find the 9 letter word and as many other words as you can!

SCORE

BRILLIANT < 70 EXCELLENT< 55 GOOD < 25 FOR KIDS < 15

S D E A W K H NO Puzzle Solutions

QUICK CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

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Find the 9 letter word! shakedown (9) swanked (7) headons (7) washed (6) wakens (6) soaked (6) snowed (6) snaked (6) showed (6)

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Local Lookout

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Big day for local bikers By Simon Russell

THE 7th annual Costa Blanca Custom Bikeshow was held in Albir on 27 August. By all accounts bigger and better than previous years, the only problem was traffic caused by the sheer number of motorbikes. Awards for best bike went to Iron Boyzz of Torrevieja and Mel’s Customs from La Nucia. The €750 prize money was generously handed back and, together with a donation from the Costa Blanca Bikeshow, will be donated to a local (yet to be decided) charity. As well as the array of two wheeled machines there was also live music, a barbecue, bar and shops, so plenty for everyone, not just bike lovers.

By Simon Russell

Stormy end to summer Mathew Richards

PEOPLE coming over to Spain at the end of August for some late summer sun didn’t get quite what they bargained for. The Spanish Costas were hit with torrential rain and dramatic thunderstorms. Relentless forked lightning lit up the night sky while temperatures also plunged. Alicante and Almeria both registered the wettest August day since records began, with Alicante airports

Caught red handed

recording 42.1 litres of rain per square meter on Tuesday. Conditions were no better across the rest of Spain and anyone venturing to Navacerrada near Madrid for their holidays would have been greeted with over 70 square litres of rainfall, the wettest August day in Spain since 1946. To rub salt into the wounds, the Bank Holiday Monday itself in the UK was the hottest since records began, reaching 28.2 degrees in Lincolnshire and almost everywhere having a warm sunny day.

Sourced: Facebook.com

NATIONAL Police have arrested three men that they suspect of being behind at least 18 break-ins at commercial premises across the Alcoy area. The three were caught while breaking into an establishment during the night of 25 August. They had been spotted by a member of the public who alerted the police. When they arrived at the scene they found the group in the process of robbing the building. The other burglaries they are being associated with were all carried out in a very similar fashion. Usually one of the gang chose a target and kept watch, the others would break in through the door or by smashing a window and grab whatever they could quickly. Any goods and valuables found were then sold on to rastros and other places specialising in second hand goods.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Local Lookout

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Cutting up rough By Jack Troughton

GREEN fingers could soon be smarting in a Costa Blanca town as gardeners face fined for dumping waste in the streets. Calpe Town Hall is looking to fine people – including professionals – who leave cuttings and other garden rubbish in the streets. And it is envisaged the penalties will be up to €500 as the town attempts to control the “terrible problem” in urban areas. Large amounts of rubbish should be taken to Calpe’s central Punt Blanc area or to the recycling centre in the Benissa industrial estate. Councillor Carole Saunders said the “unsightly” problem had again surfaced in urbanisations in the municipality. “People now know they cannot put garden waste in the recycling bins,” she told The Weekender. “Unfortunately, that means people leave it at the side of the bins. “If people are not dealing with garden waste correctly and there is a lot of it, they should really hire a skip. “Instead what is happening is roads are being blocked with this

rubbish, which is also very unsightly.” The town hall does allow garden rubbish to be left out on designated ‘collection days’ by contractor Aciona. “People can easily find out when there are collections in their area,” added Mrs Saunders. “But there are still selfish people just leaving out in the street when they want to. “We are also finding professional gardeners are also dumping waste; residents employing them should insist the waste is taken care of properly.” She said the rubbish should be taken for recycling. “That means the professionals have to pay. To avoid this – although there may have been a charge to the householder – they just dump it in the streets.”

A taste of Benitatxell By Simon Russell

EL Poble Nou de Benitatxell used the Vuelta de Espana press tent to set up samples of products made from the famous BioMoscatell grape, which is grown locally. The sweet muscat grapes can be eaten on their own or used to produce juice, raisins and, of course,

wine. All options were available to journalists covering the prestigious cycling event as it passed through the town last week. The product has been promoted internationally and the availability of hungry and thirsty press from around the globe seemed an ideal opportunity to promote the BioMoscatell grape.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Local Lookout

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False report By Mathew Richards

A man has been arrested and charged with faking a crime in El Campello. The 28-year-old delivery driver said that he had been sprayed with a substance that incapacitated him physically and he was then robbed of €1,800 in cash by a man and woman with “an Italian accent”. The Guardia Civil were suspicious of his story and retraced his steps and delivery route. They found no witnesses who could corroborate his account, although several

people recalled seeing the man. They then found that he had been spoken to by local police what would have been only a few minutes after the alleged attack. The officers said that the man had seemed fine and had made no mention of any attack. They had also witnessed him loading heavy boxes onto his truck, something he would have been unable to do if he had drugged a few minutes before.

Facelift for gardens By Simon Russell

The man, a Spaniard, is also likely to be charged with stealing the cash he alleged was taken from him and which belonged to the firm he was making deliveries for.

Missing girl found in hospital By Mathew Richards

THE family of a 23-year-old Valencian woman who had gone missing in Switzerland have been informed that she has been found, although she is in hospital with unknown injuries. Lucia Cristo is from Granja de Rocamora (Alicante) but has been working as a nanny in Switzerland for about a year. Last Saturday (26 August) the car she had been

By Simon Russell

driving back from a party was found damaged just off the road in the early hours of the morning. Her belongings were inside the car, including cash, keys, passport and mobile phone but Lucia was nowhere to be seen. Swiss police launched an extensive search and checked with her employer, friends

and local hospitals but the young woman’s fate remained a mystery for three days. The family were starting to fear the worst and though they are obviously relieved that Lucia has been found there are questions to be answered about how she managed to be in the hospital without being identified.

WORK is starting on the remodelling and improvement of Callosa d’en Sarria’s gardens located in Plaza Llaurador. One of the town’s best known and most important public spaces, the gardens are improving pedestrian access and building a new perimeter wall. They are also replanting and adding some plants as well putting down artificial grass in places. All the works are being carried out by Callosa’s Technical Services Department.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Local Lookout

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No relics here By Simon Russell

AN archaeological inspection to determine whether a luxury development should proceed has turned up nothing other than an old washing machine. As it is safe to assume that the machine does not date back to Roman times, it seems likely that the building work can now commence on the hills of Tossal above Benidorm. The dig was required as the area is close to an existing archaeological site, and it was

thought that the new villas could possibly have been built on what was once a Roman settlement. The €3 million development of eight

villas is being done by the same company who are constructing the “Sunset Drive” towers next to the giant InTempo tower.

Books in Benidorm By Mathew Richards

BOOK fairs may not be something people would normally associate with Benidorm, but to help disprove this cultural stereotyping, the cities 28th annual Book Fair has now started and runs until 17 September. Based in Plaza Triangular, there are seven libraries containing a total of over 70,000

new, used and antique books. These cover all genres and ages and is regarded as one of the premier such events on the Costa Blanca. As well as books there will also be collections of comics and vinyl records for sale. The fair runs until midnight each day and at weekends there will be children’s entertainment from 8pm such as puppet shows and storytelling.

Schools in good shape for new term EVERY year Altea takes advantage of the long summer break to carry out any running repairs, big or small, to its schools. Education Councillor Vicenta Perez inspected the colleges first hand and

declared she was happy with the results. Many of the works were done at the request of the centres themselves and included painting, replacing tiles, gardening and deep cleaning. There were also security checks done at each school,

paying particular attention to areas damaged by last winter’s storms and ensuring that the establishments are as safe as can be for all attendees. Most Valencian children return to school on 11 September though towns and centres can vary slightly.



By Simon Russell

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Motoring

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Vauxhall Crossland X (2017) The Vauxhall Crossland X is a family-friendly, spacious and comfortable crossover. It also comes with good engine choices and generous standard kit. But it’s let down by a depressingly drab interior layout and a sloppy driving experience, which makes it difficult to recommend in a very competitive class - unless you can get a really good deal. Vauxhall is now owned by Peugeot Citroen, so the Crossland X uses the impressive 1.2-litre Puretech petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines from the French brand. The entry-level 80PS 1.2 is best avoided, but the other engines are impressive, with plenty of punch and decent refinement. Sadly the rest of the driving experience isn’t great, with wallowing handling and numb steering. The waning popularity of MPVs means the Crossland X effectively replaces the Meriva so, despite its small crossover looks, there is a decent amount of space for families. There’s plenty of rear legroom, loads of headroom and a sizeable boot. It’s

certainly a more practical alternative to the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur so, if you’re moving from an MPV to a crossover for the first time it’ll be an easy transition. It might be practical inside the cabin, but there’s no style or flair to the execution. The plastics feel scratchy and look cheap, which is a shame because there are some high-end features like a standard-fit seven-inch touchscreen system. This generously includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, so you can use lots of smartphone apps safely when on the go. The Vauxhall Crossland X is more practical than the likes of a Renault Captur or Nissan Juke. But small crossover buyers are spoilt for choice – and that means it’s tricky to recommend unless you really don’t care about the driving experience and you’re not too fussed about having a plush cabin. Look at a Citroen C4 Cactus or a Peugeot 2008 first, or try to get a very big discount if you’re certain you want the Vauxhall.

FRIDAY 28TH JULY 2017

Motoring

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FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Motoring

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This Week In Automotive History This week in 1869 Mary Ward unfortunately made her way into the history books, when she became the first person killed in an automobile accident. While riding in an experimental steam car in Ireland that was built by her cousins, the sons of famous astronomer William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, she was thrown from the car on a bend and was killed when the car rolled over her. Ward was an amature scientist who wrote several books. Believing nobody would publish her first book, “Sketches with the microscope” because she was a woman she self published 250 copies and distributed hand bills to advertise them. They sold within a few weeks, which led to a London publisher producing more books. She wrote two more books, which included a beginner’s guide to astronomy.

Also this week in 1980 Willie Nelson’s country hit, and American driving anthem, “On the road again” entered the Billboard 100 charts at #78. The song was written by Nelson on a barf bag while traveling on an airplane with director Jerry Schatzberg and executive producer Sydney Pollack. The two requested Nelson write a song for the upcoming film Honeysuckle Rose, in which Nelson was to star. The movie was about an aging country star who had yet to achieve the fame he dreamed of. In the movie the character spent much of his time on the road playing small venues all across the country. When the producer asked Nelson to create a song Nelson asked what he wanted it to be about. The producer responded “Can it be something about being on the road?” Nelson said at that moment it just clicked and the American driving anthem was born in pen. While the movie was not very successful the tune did peak at number 20 on the Top 100 charts and hit #1 on the Billboard Top Country Songs chart for a week. Nelson also won a Grammy for the 1980 best country song.

Sport

FRIDAY 14TH JULY 2017

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FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Sport

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Goals were once again in short supply for the 2nd week running as the one Monday Night game and a full Premier League at the weekend produced for Alfaz Fantasy Football League only 22 goals, 9 clean sheets, 45 yellow cards( 10 of which were at the Vitality Stadium where Bournemouth lost to Manchester City 2-1, the winning goal coming after the Groundsman at locked up and gone home) and 4 red ones.Two of the red came in the game between Manchester City & Everton when Kyle Walker & Schneiderlin were both dismissed by Referee (Bobbins) Bobby Madley.The other 2 Players were Watford’s Britos and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling who became the 9th Player to be sent off this Season when he celebrated his winning goal and received his 2nd yellow from who else but Referee Mike Dean who likes to be the centre of attention. There was no change in the top 2 positions in the A.F.F.L. mainly because of Manchester United’s perfect start to the Season.Kevin’s team Mason United & Kim’s Ginger United have opened up a 12 point gap between them and 3rd placed team Arfa N That. At the bottom end of the table, Adrian’s team Chico Time are being left behind like his beloved West Ham as they are now 8 points adrift of Micky’s team Woodside. In our Mark Carter Ladies Section Kim’s Ginger United have opened up a big advantage at the top by taking a 30 point lead over Val’s Borobabe. Tracey’s Brownies Boys are in 3rd spot 3 points ahead of Trishes Springwater Boys. Down at the foot of the table Sue’s team, London F.W.9 are finding it hard to get going and are struggling to stay in touch with Vina’s City Link who they trail by 20 points. Young Harrison’s team Boden’s Boys are not wasting any time in building up a substantial lead at the Summit of our U.K.T.V.SPAIN Junior League they have now increased their lead to 19 points over 2nd placed Luca’s team Already Won It. Robbie’s

Tea & Busquets have tucked in nicely in 3rd place while Marcus’s Salford Sausages have slipped down 2 places to 4th. At the other end of the scale young Ollie’s team Oly United trail Calum’s team Eccles Red Devils by just 6 points. Two teams stand shoulder to shoulder at the top of our Golden Boot League. Both teams have great names Dani’s Chicken Tikka Mosalah & Adam’s Bacon Sane are both on 80 points.120 Fantasy Managers selected Manchester United’s Lukaku were expecting more points at the weekend but were disappointed when his penalty was saved by Kasper Schmeichel giving them a minus 5 while the 7 Fantasy Managers who selected Kasper were delighted to gain 5 points for the save in the main League. At the opposite end of the table, two teams have yet to get off the mark. Ollie’s Oly United & Chris’s In It to Win It are both on Zero points and are 5 points behind 6 teams. The last 2 teams going into our Monthly Wyndhams Wine Draw are our top scoring team which was Dani’s Chicken Tikka Mosalah with a tally of 58 points most of them coming from his Liverpool Players. The other team is our lowest scoring team which was Ben’s Guadamentell who didn’t bother the scorer. Manager of the Month for August has been kindly sponsored by Linda at the Bar Tapas who are situated right on the front in Albir with fabulous views. They provide a super International Menu as well as serving up some really tasty Tapas. The Lucky winner is Kevin whose team Mason United is full of Manchester United Players which helped become our first Manager of the Month Enjoy your super meal for 2 Kevin. We are still struggling with our website but I’m glad to report our top man Javi is back off his Holidays and hopefully, everything should be all systems go after the International Break including our Mini-Leagues. Thanks for your patience.

BETTAS TORREVIEJA RFC JUNIORS GROWING AS WELL Not only are the numbers of Bettas Torrevieja RFC growing, but also the junior section of the club equally now. For a team that only started just a few months ago this is great news and fantastic progress and all down to the hard work of the whole club from the players to the committee. Over the weekend they had 11 ladies and 8 kids training at 11.30 on Sunday morning. Considering the summer is still here and people are working and kids are away, these numbers are excellent and looking forward to seeing a full compliment of players

down training over the next few weeks. You never know if enough seniors go down there might just get a senior team going, but the main aim at the moment is to get the ladies team ready for playing friendlies and kid’s teams up and running. On top of this they had a guest coach from Ireland from the Abbeyfeale RFC helping to coach on the beach and at the athletics ground, which was great experience for everybody at the club seeing a different approach to training. All ages and abilities are welcome and remember in rugby there is always a place

for everyone no matter, as against in other sports no. So looking forward to seeing plenty more players down training, juniors, ladies and men. For training this week it would be best to contact Javi on the number below to check where the training is, as on Wednesday they are no sure if it will be on the beach, at Naufragos Beach Torrevieja, or the athletics track from 20.3022.00 and on Sunday in the morning at the athletics track at 11.30. For more information about the team and training contact Javi on 603 727 179

Jukebox Football Predictions League

ALFAZ FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Sport

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Chris Froome is Sky high By Jack Troughton

BRITAIN’S Chris Froome rounded off a “perfect start” to his 2017 Vuelta a Espana by climbing a Costa Blanca mountain on Sunday to take first place in Stage 9 of the contest. The Team Sky rider was second over the line at the summit of Cumbre del Sol in 2015, losing out to winner Tom Dumoulin,. And Froome was still wearing the leader’s jersey on Wednesday as the Weekender went to press - after coming second in Stage 11. The 32-year-old also remains favourite to win the grueling race; and become only the third cyclist to win the Tour de France and the Vuelta in the same year. And certainly Froome is riding an aggressive race, supported by the Team Sky riders, and looking to be the first man into Madrid at the end of Stage 21

on 10th September – one place up on last year’s effort. Blistering acceleration over the last 500 metres won the day on Sunday and Froome was asked if he had decided that, like in football, attack was the best form of defence; following his narrow defeat in the last moments of the stage two years ago. “I’m not a big football fan but I appreciate the skills in it, and sometimes, yes, the best form of defence is attack,” he said. “The way I’ve been feeling in his year’s Vuelta, it suits me to be in front and make the race faster and the team worked so hard in the finale today, it was fantastic to get a stage win like that.” He said at the end of the stage he feared “it was going to be like Dumoulin” and being pipped at the post but “I refused to let that happen and gave it everything in the last 200 metres.”

He said to be wearing the leader’s jersey and to win the stage was “an

amazing position to be in” after Team Sky’s dream start to the event.

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Sport

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Ricciardo won't be Vettel's No 2 Daniel Ricciardo insists he would not join Ferrari if it meant playing second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel. Ricciardo is under contract at Red Bull until the end of 2018 but has been tipped for a Ferrari seat once Kimi Raikkonen departs, in a move that would see him partner Vettel for the second time. He dominated the four-time world champion three years ago, but Vettel has since established himself as Ferrari’s number one driver, with Kimi Raikkonen playing a supporting role. Vettel has recently signed a new three-year-deal at Maranello and will partner Raikkonen for at least another year following the Finn’s renewal.

While he would not be willing to join the Scuderia to be their ‘Number 2’, the 28-year-old admits he needs to think about the future in his quest to claim a first world championship. ”I’m definitely in this sport to be successful,” Ricciardo added. “For me, success is now winning a world title. I’ve been fortunate to win some races and get the closest thing to it but the point now is to win enough in a season where it leads to a world title. ”When Lewis left McLaren [to join Mercedes] everyone thought he was crazy but look where it’s put him now. So you’ve also got to read the play and see what happens in a few years time as opposed to just next year.”

TRANSFER UPDATES Fernando Llorente is having a medical at Tottenham on Deadline Day ahead of a move from Swansea. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes the agreed fee to be £12.1m (€13m) and Spurs are set to sign the veteran striker from under the noses of rivals Chelsea.

Liverpool have completed the £35m signing of Alex OxladeChamberlain from Arsenal. The 24-year-old passed a medical on Wednesday after the Gunners accepted Liverpool’s bid for a player who made it clear he would not extend his Emirates contract beyond next summer.

Riyad Mahrez was given permission by Algeria to leave the national team’s camp in order to complete a transfer from Leicester. In the early hours of Deadline Day, the Algerian Football Federation announced that Mahrez was given permission to leave the Algeria squad and return to Europe to “formalise his transfer to his new club”.

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Torino right-back Davide Zappacosta. The 25-year old has agreed to move to Stamford Bridge for a reported £23m, plus add-ons, where he will link up again with Antonio Conte - who selected the defender for Italy in 2016.

SPORT Week Saturday 9th September 13:30 Man City v Liverpool- EPL 16:00 Leicester City v Chelsea- EPL 16:00 Brighton vWest Brom- EPL 16:00 Arsenal v Bournemouth - EPL 16:00 Everton v Spurs- EPL 16:00 Southampon v Watford - EPL 18:30 Stoke v Man Utd - EPL

Sunday 10th September 14:30 Burnley v Crystal Palace- EPL 17:00 Swansea v Newcastle- EPL

Fixtures

Monday 11th September 14:30 West Ham v- Huddersfield EPL

RUGBY LEAGUE FIXTURES Betfred Super League Friday 1st September

21:00 - Huddersfield v Castle Tigers 21:00 - Salford Red Devils v Wakefield 21:00 - St Helens v Wigan Warriors

Super League - Qualifiers Saturday 2nd September

21:00 - London Broncos v Warrington Wolv es

Sunday 3rd September

21:00 - Featherstone Rovers v Hull KR 21:00 - Halifax RLFC v Catalans Dragons 21:00 - Leigh Centurians v Widnes Vikings

TENNIS

US OPEN 10th September Men & Womens Finals FORMULA ONE

-Monza 3rd September-rIt- aSly ingapore 17th Septembe

FRIDAY 1ST SEPT 2017

Weekender Sport

LEWIS HAMILTON

I HAVE FIVE - SIX YEARS LEFT

Lewis Hamilton says he intends to sign a new Mercedes deal in the wake of Sebastian Vettel’s contract extension at Ferrari. Hamilton said last week that he had given up on the ‘dream’ of joining Ferrari before 2021 when Vettel’s new deal expires epressing last week they would never be team mates.

Hamilton’s existing contract with Mercedes runs until the end of next season and while Silver Arrows chief Toto Wolff says talks won’t take place while his star driver is battling for this year’s world championship, Hamilton has suggested he regards a new deal as a formality. ”It doesn’t really change much for me because l plan to extend

with the team, which we will do as some point in the second half of the season or towards the end of the year,” Hamilton said ahead of this week’s Italian GP. ”In the plans that l have for my five, six years left in the sport, that piece of the puzzle is in place,” Hamilton said of Vettel’s extension. “And that makes my decision moving forward even easier.”