Euro Weekly News - Costa de Almeria 2 - 8 July 2015 Issue 1565

ISSUENN . 1555 //2 -23 - 292015 APRIL 2015 ISSUE O.O1565 8 July

COSTA DE ALMERÍA

YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

Beach given all-clear after medical alert BATHERS affected by a microscopic algae

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Lights on Tabernas Film industry adds ‘movie tourism’ to area’s attractions ALMERIA Province has been the location for 69 films in the last two years. Forty productions were shot in the Cabo de Gatar-Nijar national park alone, and another 29 were authorised in the first six See Page 2 months of this year.

Bad luck lanterns Fire authority hits out at dangerous trend STOPPING short of banning Chinese wish lanterns, fire chiefs in Andalucia have begged people not to use them in the tinder-box condi-

tions of the summer months, saying that rather than granting wishes, the candle lanterns could be the cause of nightmares.

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Get on your bike!

Almeria residents sign up to stop bike lane expansion NEARLY 1,000 people have signed up to an anti-bike lane petition, just a week after it was set up. The platform fears that cycle lanes are See Page 7 using space in the city better suited for parking.

By Linda Hall THE El Playazo beach in Vera was given the allclear on the summer ’s hottest day so far.

The beach was closed to swimmers on June 23 after local health centres treated an increasing number of

patients who complained of coughs and rashes.

All had one thing in common: they had been swimming at El Playaza in Vera or the Villaricos and Quitapellejos beaches in Cuevas del Almanzora.

Analyses showed that they were affected by os-

treopsis, a microscopic algae found in marine and freshwater environments and whose effects in extreme cases can require hospitalisation.

The three beaches were closed to swimmers on the regional government’s orders and the public were

warned to stay away from Vera’s breakwater.

Medical centres have now treated a total of 90 people but with no more cases reported in Vera, the bathing ban has been lifted although the Cuevas beaches have yet to reopen.

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LOCAL NEWS

Tortoises’ home MORE than 500 hectares of Cuevas del Almanzora land will be compulsorily purchased for tortoises.

This will become a nature reserve for the endangered Tortuga mora species that in-

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Lights, camera, action DIRECT economic repercussions and creation of employment Anna Fuster

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habits the area and will be affected by the Almeria-Murcia high speed AVE line. The expropriation affects 200 landowners, including Cuevas Town Hall, the Diputacion and Andalucia Water Agency.

Hi-tech work BARCELONA-based pharmaceuticals company Almirall and the SoftForYou technology company recently launched a project using Google Glass to develop applications in Urology.

The Urology department at Poniente Hospital in El Ejido is participating in the scheme and the head-mounted wearable computer will be used by Dr Jose Ignacio Abada during operations.

Quality flags awarded SAN JUAN DE LOS TERREROS’ three beaches have already secured three international Blue Flags for the quality of their water and services. Now Playa Mar Serena, Playa Mar Rabiosa

and Playa Calypso have received three ‘Q de Calidad’ flags awarded by the central government’s Spanish Institute for Tourist Quality (ICTE) in recognition of their excellence.

TABERNAS: Desert setting for filmmakers.

By Linda Hall SIXTY-NINE films have been shot in Almeria Province in the last two years.

In each case permission had to be sought from the regional government’s Territoral, Agriculture, Fisheries and Envi-

ronment delegation in Almeria.

Forty films and advertising spots were shot here last year alone and another 29 were authorised in the first six months of this year.

The Cabo de Gata-Nijar national park has been the loca-

tion for 40 productions in the last 18 months and the Tabernas desert was chosen for 25 films and videos. The Sierra Alhamilla national park was used twice and the Sorbas Gypsum Karst national park once.

Almeria’s popularity with production companies is im-

portant for two reasons, explained the Junta’s delegate Jose Manuel Ortiz: “There is a direct economic repercussion and creation of employment which benefit the hotel and catering industry and services provided by local contractors.”

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Too darn hot

FEATURED NEWS

‘Viva San Fermin!’

PAMPLONA prepares for the famous Running of the Bulls

Gauges overheat ALMERIA had a hot finish to June with an official temperature of 40.7C registered at the airport. Forget street temperature readouts, meteorologists said, as these - like the public get overheated in the sun.

Digging deep Harbour dredged DREDGING Adra harbour is halfway done and should finish later this summer. By the time the €343,000 project is complete, 47,000 cubic metres of sand will have been removed.

Grim reminder Civil War study ‘LA memoria de todos’, a definitive study was recently presented in Almeria. It covers the Civil War and Franco years up to 1975 and was compiled by Andalucian academics.

Longest road 11km green route

Game on!

Hopefuls queue

ICONIC: Spectacular and chaotic scenes during the San Fermin festival.

By Steve Walsh IN a few days’ time, one of the most iconic, spectacular, chaotic and historic Spanish festive traditions will commence: The Running of the Bulls.

The fiestas of San Fermin are celebrated in Pamplona, Northern Spain, from July 6, for a full week.

Although they have become synonymous with the seemingly dangerous running of the bulls, the week is also a hive of activity with more than a million people partying and witnessing staged events that pay homage to Saint Fermin.

31,610 is the number of same-sex marriages held in Spain since they were approved 10 years ago. The Civil Code was modified to allow same-sex marriages and adoptions on June 30, 2005, and the changes came into effect on July 3 of the same year.

The Encierro, or, ‘Running of the Bulls’ is the most famous and opening stage of the fiestas. It is the event that makes the fiesta a spectacle that would be unimaginable in any other place in the world. It is also highly controversial.

Another aspect of the week’s fiestas is the Saint Fermin Procession, where thousands of people accompany the 15th century statue of Saint Fermin through the old part of Pamplona.

The finale to the fiesta is celebrated at midnight on July 14, and the traditional sorrowful tune of the Pobre de Mí (Poor Me) is sung, in a moving, candlelit ceremony.

THOUSANDS of people queued in Girona on Monday morning as casting began for the sixth season of Game of Thrones. The popular TV series will be filmed in the city between September 3 and 18.

Comendador to return to City Hall, had asked the corporation to show its support for the Lesbian, Gay, Transsexual and Bisexual (LGTB) collective.

Miguel Cazorla, spokesman for Ciudadanos declared that

Ciudadanos Almeria hoped that the flag would be flown between June 26 and 28.

President of Colega Almeria Antonio Ferre visited the Ciudadanos headquarters in Almeria City to hand over the flag,

Bottles banked Recycling incentive

Quote of the Week After being faced with the unconceivable, now it is time for silence. Silence and support for the family with the utmost tact,” said Stefen Schneider, the paediatrician who diagnosed Pau, the six-yearold, who has died from diphtheria in Barcelona.

All the colours of the rainbow fly high FOR the first time, Almeria City Hall displayed the rainbow flag to celebrate International Gay Pride Day. Days earlier the Ciudadanos party, whose support allowed Luis Rogelio Rodriguez

SERON hosted the Second Andalucia Via Verde conference, chosen for its 11-kilometre stretch of Green Route. This is the starting point for Andalucia’s longest cycling and pedestrian pathway which will eventually cross Almeria and Granada.

which was then taken to City Hall. “It is good that the city council should display the flag and confirm its commitment to defending the rights of the gay community,” said Ferre.

“It is not the only council

building in Spain to do so,” Ferre added, who also thanked Huercal-Overa for flying the flag, “but for a provincial capital like Almeria it is important to improve pedagogy and attitudes for the benefit of us all.”

TO encourage recycling during El Ejido’s San Isidro fiestas, Ecovidrio made matters easier by installing wheeled recycling tubs outside booths. There were cinema tickets and mini-break prizes for those most committed to recycling.

Murder trial Moya accused PREPARATIONS are under way for the trial of Jonathan Moya, accused of abducting and killing a former girlfriend’s daughter. He is also charged with sexually assaulting the mother and faces a 26year sentence.

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INDEX News 1 - 32 Featured News 3 News Desk 34 European Press 36 Russian Press 37 Finance 39 - 44 Stocks 40 Leapy Lee 45 Street Talk 52 Daily TV 54 Nora Johnson 55 Our View 56 Colin Bird 56

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Senate vote brings more protection for home buyers NO demolitions without compensation for good faith purchasers

By Linda Hall CHANGES in the law are gradually protecting owners whose homes are threatened with demolition orders.

There was disappointment earlier this year when the Senate rejected proposals to regulate Land Registry information to protect buyers.

That particular battle was temporarily lost but the Senate has now approved another amendment jointly agreed by the Partido Popular (PP) and PSOE socialists.

When it becomes law, the homes of innocent families cannot be demolished on the orders of a contentious-administrative court without prior compensation if planning permission is revoked. This follows an earlier amendment modifying the Penal Code to ensure that purchasers in good faith must be compensated before a demoli-

HISTORIC VOTE: Helen and Len Prior outside Senate.

tion ordered by a criminal court can be carried out.

One hundred people from Almeria, Malaga, Valencia and Cantabria travelled to the Senate to call for justice. Maura Hillen and Gerardo Vazquez were there, representing the Almeria group AUAN, together with Kath Williams and Fernando Montero from Malaga’s SOHA, and Ciriaco Garcia, Jose Manuel Olaiz and Antonio Vilela from AMA (Santander).

Present to witness the historic Senate vote were British couple Helen and Len Prior whose home in Vera was demolished without compensation after planning permission was revoked.

There were 220 votes in favour of the revised text and one vote against it - a mistake and one abstention.

Sadly, the change comes too late for the Priors but it will bring a fairer deal for others.

Mike Walsh 56 Cassandra Nash 57 Letters 58 Time Out 60 - 61 Ric Polansky 64 Health & Beauty 65 - 67 Food 68 - 71 Albox 73 - 78 Homes & Gardens 79 - 81 Pets 82 - 83 Property 84 - 86 Classifieds 88 - 90 Motoring 92 - 94 Sport 95 - 96

‘Reborn’ Jose thanks his rescuers SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD Jose Manuel Barrios recently met two people who saved his life.

A month ago Guardia Civil officers Jose Francisco Hernandez and Rafael Alvarez saw a car veer across an Aguadulce road

before coming to a halt. Inside they found Jose Manuel, no longer breathing.

After breaking a rear window to get him out, they performed CPR assisted by Eva Martinez, a doctor who was passing by.

Medics brought a defibrillator and 15 min-

utes later Jose Manuel’s heart was beating again.

A month after the event, he has met and thanked his saviours, proudly displaying the CPR bruises on his chest that saved his life.

“I’m reborn,” he told them.

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Taming Rambla de La Hoya PULPI’S mayor and the Confederacion Hidrografica del Segura (CHS) president met recently to discuss the Rambla de La Hoya.

Together they analysed the progress of the town hall’s re-

RISKY RITUAL: The lanterns are banned in other parts of Spain.

Fire chiefs make wish lantern plea GOOD fortune symbols are less than lucky

By Linda Hall THE Infoca firefighting authority has warned against using wish lanterns.

The naked flame in the lanterns that are released to bring good fortune have started fires in

the past, Infoca cautioned.

The lanterns should theoretically rise until they burn out but many fall to the ground still alight.

Although not banned as in other parts of Spain, the public should use them with great caution in Andalucia or, preferably, not at all.

quest for the watercourse to be channelled inside Pulpi. This is due to be included in the CHS’s 2016-2021 five-year plan which is now being drawn up.

Channelling La Hoya will

minimise the risk of a repetition of the catastrophic flooding that occurred in 2012 agreed both Pulpi’s maor, Juan Pedro Garcia and the CHS president Miguel Angel Rodenas.

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NEWS

Growers satisfied with Ortiz meeting

Advertising feature

FAIR and reasonable prices pursued for growers

By Linda Hall

ADEQUATE COVER: Make sure your home and contents are protected.

Home insurance combines buildings and contents cover MOST home insurance policies cover both buildings and contents against damage occurring to the house or any of its contents.

It is usually compulsory for mortgaged houses to take out this type of insurance.

Whilst it is possible to contract buildings and contents cover separately, most providers offer them both in a single policy.

What is buildings insurance?

Buildings insurance covers damage to your house, its foundations, walls, partitions, roofs or ceilings and other parts of the construction that make up your home. It covers the complete rebuilding of these structures in the event of damage beyond your control from storm, flood, fire, smoke, and subsidence or from a third party.

Moneylenders or mortgage suppliers insist you take out buildings insurance to secure the loan they have granted you.

MARIA DEL CARMEN ORTIZ RIVAS had her first formal meeting with representatives from Almeria’s agrifood sector.

Ortiz, who is the new head of the regional government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, was born in Fiñana. Local growers and farmers had already expressed satisfaction at the appointment of a local woman to such an important post and they were not disappointed by their first meeting with her.

There was also local satisfaction when Jeronimo Perez Parra from Huercal-Overa was named second-in-charge at Agriculture, and Almeria journalist Jose Martinez Arias was assigned to lead Ortiz’s office team.

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per cent of Andalucia’s vegetables are grown in Almeria

Ortiz’s appointment is “a symptom” that Almeria is gaining in importance in a politically significant area like agriculture, sector sources said

after the meeting.

Although she heads Agriculture for all of Andalucia, Ortiz stressed during the meeting, that coming to Almeria “is special, because it’s my home ground.” But it is also special, she added, because the Almeria agrifood sector plays a leading role in Andalucia’s economy.

Sixty per cent of all the vegetables produced in Andalucia are grown in Almeria, Ortiz said. “That is reason enough to continue advancing in the pursuit of better returns so that growers obtain fair and reasonable prices.”

What is contents insurance?

Contents insurance covers damage or replacement to all the items in your home which are not fixed such as electrical appliances, furniture and clothing. Basically all those items that you would take with you if you moved house. It even covers the contents of your fridge. It covers fire, explosion, electrical damage, water or flood damage, robbery, theft and pillage.

Do I need both types of insurance?

Moneylenders and mortgage providers make it compulsory to take out buildings insurance to cover their loan. Línea Directa strongly advises you to take out a comprehensive home insurance policy that covers both the structural property of your house and all its contents against any unforeseen circumstances. Failure to take out adequate cover could be very costly.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest.

If you would like to contact Línea Directa please call 902 123 309 More information on Línea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

SETTLING IN: Nijar’s new council members.

Council is open to all NIJAR’S new council announced some changes during its first plenary meeting.

Sessions are to be held at 7pm on the first Thursday of every month and they will be open to everybody, said Mayor Esperanza Perez Felices.

From now on there will be two council members and two technicians on the board of the mu-

nicipal water company, Emanagua, to guarantee transparency and control over the decisions that are taken, Perez Felices declared. There are new challenges to be faced including services that were previously outsourced, she said.

“Pay has been cut, starting with the mayor’s, in line with the promises made during the election campaign,” she added.

Takeover bid for prickly pears THE Junta de Andalucia regional government received 400 requests for advice on dealing with cochineal insects over the last two years.

They attack the prickly pear cactus where they breed in the

stems and although the insects pose no threat to humans, animals or other vegetation, the plants that they colonise eventually dry up and die. The Almanzora area, where 80 per cent of the prickly pears, or chumberas,

have now been attacked by cochineal insects, is the worst affected. In Campo de Tabernas, Nijar and Poniente, around 60 per cent of the cacti have infestations, the Junta’s Agriculture Department revealed.

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Parking goes ALMOST 1,000 people gave support to an anti-bicycle lane platform in Almeria City during its first week.

“We aren’t totally against the lanes but we do oppose the massive destruction of parking spaces,” the newly-created Facebook site stated.

Its creator, Antonio, explained that the ideal name - ‘Platform against Almeria bike lanes at the expense of parking spaces’ - is too much of a mouthful and admitted that he had not expected so much support in such a short space of time. He spoke to dozens of people

who, like him, are unhappy about the elimination of parking spaces but feel powerless to do anything about it. His mother is one of them, Antonio said.

“She asked if there was any point in complaining, because who would take notice of a housewife? That was when I decided to do something,” he added.

The platform has now brought in 2,642 ‘likes’ but despite calls to create a physical association, Antonio has his doubts. “My main idea is to make city hall realise that it’s not just a couple of people who oppose this project,” he said.

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Cardio-safe zones spread

HUGE support for Facebook initiative

By Linda Hall

EWN

BICYCLE LANES: Eliminating parking spaces in the city.

A THIRD of Andalucia’s cardio-safe zones are located in Almeria Province.

Not counting those in hospitals and health centres, there are 92 semiautomatic defibrillators installed throughout the province which is committed to the ‘four-step chain of survival’ for victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

The third step - defibrillation - follows on from contacting the authorities and performing CPR and precedes medics and paramedics’ care. Defibrillators are located in shopping centres, sports complexes, public buildings, schools and the airport, Health department sources revealed.

Twenty-three centres have gone further by instructing staff and personnel in operating a defibrillator in the shortest possible space of time.

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Photo by Pere Papasseit.

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NEWS EXTRA

False belief FIFTY-SEVEN per cent of 1,000 young people interviewed

by Colega, an Almeria LGTB group, believed homosexuality can be reversed. This was attributed to the tendency by some to regard homosexuality as a disease.

Half ready

LOCATION: La Mojonera greenhouses.

Love, life and murder for locally-set series ‘LIFE can be good in a melting-pot of cultures’

By Linda Hall SHOOTING has finished for the time being on Antena 3’s new

thriller ‘Mar de Plastico.’

The plastic sea that the title refers to is, of course, the landscape of polytunnels that are a part of the Almeria landscape.

The plot centres on the murdered daughter of the local mayor and involves African seasonal workers, Russians and gypsies as well as the Spanish inhabitants of Campoamargo. Their stories are woven into the police investigation and the series sets out to show that life can be good in a melting pot of cultures, said executive producer Jorge Redondo.

San Isidro (Nijar), La Mojon-

era and Cortijo Blanco (Vicar) all provide the settings for the series that is set in the fictitious town of Campoamargo.

The crew and cast started work early each day to avoid soaring temperatures inside the polytunnels, Redondo said. In contrast the murder sequences were filmed at night and did not start until 11pm he explained, while two weeks of interior scenes were previously shot in Madrid.

Location shooting finished last Tuesday, but recommences in September and will continue until October 19.

New rector takes over at university CARMELO RODRIGUEZ, whose appointment was announced months ago, was officially installed as rector of Almeria University.

He succeeds Pedro Molina Garcia who presented the new rector, equivalent to a vice-chancellor, with the traditional medal of office, baton and biretta during the ceremony.

The investiture was attended by the new head of the regional government’s Economy and Knowledge department, Antonio Ramirez de Arellano.

Speaking shortly before the cere-

mony Ramirez de Arellano announced that the Junta hoped to reduce the cost of studying and intended to improve conditions and make them more flexible for students.

“The idea is to inject more cash, which is the universities’ principal problem,” Ramirez de Arellano said. He estimated that this would require an extra €100 million. “The objective is to enable universities to reach the autumn with sufficient solvency to function normally and without having to halt any of their projects.”

EMERGENCY work after winter storms continues in Almeria City’s Costacabana neighbourhood. Although unfinished, the beach will partially open this month between the first two breakwaters.

Take care SPAIN’S two principal unions CCOO and UGT called for better safety measures following the recent death of a 25-year-old El Ejido worker. More Health and Safety resources are needed, spokesmen claimed.

30 years on THE AFAMMER women’s and rural families’ confederation met in Adra to assess Spain’s 30 years in the EU and the role of women in the workplace, armed forces and politics.

Travel sick THREE thousand people attended Hospital de Poniente’s tropical diseases unit since it opened in 2004. Doctors diagnosed many malaria cases amongst returning travellers although chiggers, leishmaniasis and river blindness cases are increasing, they said.

Illegal pet KEEPING a protected ‘mora’ or spur-thighed tortoise is now illegal and owners face 24-month prison terms. Turre is accepting the now-banned pets for delivery to the Endangered Species Recovery Centre (CREA).

Marine life ESCUELA MAR DE ALBORAN will show children how to look after marine life aboard the Blancazul boat this summer.

Promar association also needs volunteers to take part in environmental education activities.

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Photo by Lisa Rosario.

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NEWS

NEWS EXTRA

Homes lost FIFTY people demonstrated outside El Ejido Town Hall, protesting at the demolition of immigrant workers’ shacks. These were ‘pulled down illegally,’ said the SAT trade union which did not rule out legal action.

Lights on

BIRTHS: Accounted for 15 per cent of the Spanish total.

There’s a baby boom in Almeria Province OVERALL rise due to increased number of births in private clinics

By Linda Hall SPAIN’S birth rate climbed for the first time in five years.

The increase is a minimal 0.1 per cent, but the slight increase announced by the national statistics’ office INE is a classic sign of economic recovery.

The rise was even more marked in Almeria where the birth rate rose by 1.2 per cent in 2014.

The total of 7,864 births registered in state and private hospitals and clinics in 2014 were 93 up on 2013 and accounted for 15 per cent of all Spanish births.

At Hospital de Poniente in El Ejido, births actually diminished last year, especially compared with the days when the arrival of young immigrants coincided with a sharply increased birth rate.

Torrecardenas Hospital in Almeria City has had a daily average of 10 births for some years although midwives, gynaecologists and paediatricians noted a slight fall in births in 2013 and 2014, despite the INE figures.

10 average births a day at Torrecardenas Hospital.

The overall rise is due to an increased number of births in private clinics, they explained.

This is borne out by figures from the principal hospital staff trade unions, which show that more people are taking out private health insurance in Almeria than any other province in Andalucia.

Only joking, it’s just a film!

A NUCLEAR bomb and a terrorist conspiracy might sound like no laughing matter.

In fact they will combine for a comedy, the first fulllength film by television di-

rector Joaquin Mazon. MI6, the CIA and Mossad all enter the plot involving a nuclear bomb supposedly unaccounted-for after the real-life collision between two US aircraft

over Palomares in 1966.

Filming has started in locations that include the Basque Region, Madrid and Barcelona but not, as it happens, Palomares.

THERE will be lighting along Almeria City’s Paseo Maritimo until 3am each day. The decision was prompted by requests from frontline bars and restaurants as well as residents, city hall announced.

Electric fine AN Adra woman was charged with illegally connecting her electricity meter and defrauding approximately €2,300. This was the seventh time this has happened, the power company said.

In between ALMERIA-BORN academic Daniel Garcia called for hermaphrodites’ rights to be respected and recognised along with those of LGBTs. One in 2,000 people are intersexuals at birth, Garcia claimed.

No prayers MUSLIM prisoners at Almeria’s Acebuche jail have no imam for Ramadan prayers this year.

Lack of official funding from the national government makes this impossible, said the imam of Almeria City’s mosque.

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Berja fights Balanegra independence THE suburb was recently declared a municipality in its own right

By Linda Hall CATALUÑA does not have a monopoly on separatist sentiments, Balanegra has them, too.

Drowned town pays its debt THE Beninar reservoir takes its name from the village that now lies beneath its waters.

It disappeared when the dam was built decades ago and many of the inhabitants made new homes in Hirmes, an outlying district which is all that remains of the village.

Despite its closeness to a reservoir, paradoxically it is only now that Hirmes has running water, a milestone that has coincided with restoring its 18th century church.

For the last two years residents have retrieved relics, statues and other items removed from Beninar church before the village was flooded.

These were sent to other Alpujarra churches but are now back in Hirmes.

Work was carried out without public money, either from the state or the diocese although the bishop recently visited and blessed the restored church. “Some people donated bricks, other paint and still others gave their time.

Those who moved elsewhere have helped with money,” said a former Beninar resident who now lives in Cataluña.

“Between us all we have all repaid our historic debt to the place that was once our home.”

Until now the small town, which has a population of 2,835, was a suburb of Berja (population 12,488) but recently declared a municipality in its own right.

Balanegra is satisfied with the new arrangement after negotiating for independence from Berja for more than 10 years.

Berja, however, is still not

reconciled to the separation and intends to lodge an appeal with the Andalucia Upper Court of Justice (TSJA).

“We are working on the appeal now,” said Berja’s mayor

Antonio Torres, who explained that the town hall would go first to the TSJA. “But we’ll take it to the very top if necessary,” Torres declared.

“We shall accept what the

courts say, not a caretaker government,” the mayor said in an allusion to the fact that the separation announcement was made before the regional president Susana Diaz was sworn in.

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EURO WOMEN PAGE

The incredible Bars Bullen Our Euro Women series is featuring women who have made a success of their lives in Spain. These outstanding ladies have been shattering glass ceilings whether in business, charity work or sports.

Having survived breast cancer, Bars is dedicated to women who are going through the same ordeal.

BARS BULLEN is the kind of lady any woman would welcome as her best friend. She exudes serenity, warmth and affection along with a wicked sense of humour; the kind of person you feel you could trust with all your secrets.

Bars was a British Airways stewardess in the days when the job meant 24/7 glamour and sophistication. She went on to marry, raise a family and become involved in a number of rewarding roles, one of which was as an assistant to the Sun newspaper’s astrology columnist Mystic Meg. Everything changed for Bars in 2004 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer; absolutely everything. Typically, Bars does not dwell too much on the horrors of the disease but rather on the ways by which cancer victims can cope with their ordeal.

She said: “I was given a box of make-up and other goodies at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge by the Look Good Feel Better public service programme, and I thought: ‘What a great idea but why stop there?’”

Spurred on by the inspiring Dr Patel at Epping Hospital, in 2010 Bars became a co-ordinator for a new service, Fabulous and Beautiful (FAB), helping women to regain confidence in their appearance during and after the ravages of cancer. The disease and the invasive treatment required to get rid of it can change your body shape, hair, eyelashes and eyebrows, skin tone… just about everything a woman might

Bars runs FAB, a service which helps women regain their confidence

BIG PICTURE PERSON: Bars is not someone who gets lost in the detail.

A cancer survivor who inspires others

By Jan Gamm

Her friendly and companionable approach is an enormous comfort to the ladies who go to her for help, and it’s all free.

feel is imperative in order to look and feel good.

Armed with a team of eight professionals, Bars set about making women feel better. Her approach is friendly, companionable and an enormous comfort to the ladies who go to her for help, and it is all free. This FAB-ulous service

Fact file Name: Bars Bullen Age: Unbelievably 60 plus Family: Married to Fabian with an extended family which includes seven children and seven grandchildren Home town : Liverpool Where now: Wicken Bonhunt in Essex and also Javea Pets: Zara the Siamese cat Languages: English, Spanish, French and German Book or TV: Book Titles : Any good murder mystery Strengths : Calmness and humour Weaknesses : Wine. Specifically New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (it’s organic you know…) is usually given over a three-month period and might overlap with chemotherapy treatment.

Now Bars is involved in an exciting new venture for FAB, setting up regular monthly group meetings to help women

in Spain who have been affected by cancer to regain their confidence and wellbeing with the help of other professionals: experts in underwear and prosthetics, nutrition, hair and beauty, and wig specialists. The group is posi-

tive, fun-loving and completely therapeutic; a way for cancer survivors to put their arms around other women going through it and say: “Come on, we know it hurts but you’re not on your own, we’re beside you all the way.”

Where does Bars want to be in five years? “Alive and drinking Sauvignon!”

A ‘big picture’ person rather than someone who gets lost in the detail, Bars embraces survivors. She feels her greatest hero was her father who lived through the war in Burma yet kept his humour and kindness intact, and she loathes bad manners. “People who don’t say thank you for a gift especially,” she added.

The best time of her life? “Ibiza in my late teens! Before cancer…” And she sees her greatest success in her children, whom she raised to be decent adults with high standards.

The glamorous, practical and extraordinary Bars Bullen is this week’s outstanding Euro Woman.

Do you know a Euro Woman? If you do please drop us a line at eurowomen@euroweeklynews.com giving full contact details and why you feel they deserve to be honoured.

As well as being featured in the EWN a book is being produced for Christmas with all profits going to charitable organisations.

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Grants for growers hit by Russian veto

THE newly-elected three-party alliance at Huercal de Almeria Town Hall intends to keep its ‘total transparency’ promise.

As proof of its commitment all council meetings will be broadcast without cutting or editing at 9pm the following day on the muSharon and Nikki McCutcheon

GIVEN AWAY: Peppers hit by Russian embargo, as well as other fruit and veg.

ALMERIA fruit and vegetable growers affected by the veto on Russian exports can again apply for EU compensation.

Approximately 11,300 tons of Andalucia produce were af-

fected during the first six months of this year although this could increase when the final figures are in. They now have until July 31 to apply for aid, announced the regional government.

Produce that has to be taken

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Town hall takes to the airwaves

PRODUCERS can apply to the EU for compensation

By Linda Hall

EWN

off the market owing to the Russian embargo is either processed for animal feed, allowed to biodegrade or donated to charity.

So far this year more than 3,600 tons of fruit and vegetables worth a potential €2 million have been distributed for free.

nicipal radio station, Candil Radio. The tape can also be accessed permanently on the town hall’s website www.candilradio.com.

The first session, which has now been uploaded, lasted a marathon two hours, three minutes and 32 seconds.

E W N 2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

March rail accident STONES, mud and earth on line caused the derailment of a Sevilla-Almeria train last March.

They were washed onto the line by the torrential rain that fell in Almeria City and its suburbs, found the official investigation.

It also noted that despite the bad weather, responsible for more

than 100 callouts, the train was travelling without restrictions.

There were no casualties but the 57 passengers had a long wait as emergency services first had to reach the train which had derailed on an embankment outside the city. The derailment blocked the line until the following day.

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NEWS

Bank robber’s disguise turned out an epic fail EMPLOYEE recognised the man as a regular client Anna Fuster

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SAN JOSE: Nijar’s peaceful beach community.

By Linda Hall A FRENCHMAN found guilty of trying to rob a San Jose (Nijar) bank received a three-year prison term.

Witnesses later said he had been loitering near the bank since the early morning,

clearly waiting until only the employee was inside. Wearing a raincoat, cap, sunglasses and with a scarf covering his mouth, he walked in and took out a sawnoff shotgun hidden under the raincoat.

“This is a holdup,” he declared but the bank employee looked up, recognised him

as a regular client, and asked: “Is that you?” addressing him by name.

Realising he had been identified, he told her he was joking and only wanted his bank statement. She printed out the statement “with great fear and distress” the court heard, and the would-be attacker left.

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NEWS EXTRA

Pool pact for Pechina PECHINA residents can use the swimming pool at Club de Tenis Indalo this summer following an agreement with the town hall. Prices, including season tickets, will be announced shortly.

City clean-up TWENTY-TWO tons of rubbish were cleared from Almeria City beaches after the recent San Juan celebrations. Eighteen tons came from beaches closest to the El Zapillo area, City Hall reported.

Odour pledge FOLLOWING La Mojonera residents’ complaints of bad smells from the Albaida refuse treatment plant, which is owned by Ferrovial, the manager undertook to find a solution acceptable to all concerned.

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Important date for Olula art

NEWS

Right prescription for local pharmacies Maura Entrialgo

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PROMOTING culture within the Alta Almanzora for 10 years

By Linda Hall CASA Ibañez art museum in Olula del Rio celebrated its 10th anniversary yesterday, Wednesday July 1.

Some days earlier cultural associations Argariia, Destellos-Aftefacto and LaLegua organised a prior gathering to thank the museum for its 10 years of activities.

It was particularly rewarding that the public, for whom both the museum and the Ibañez

Cosentino Art Foundation concentrated their efforts, should be the first to congratulate them on such an important anniversary, said the centre’s director Juan Manuel Martin Robles.

The Museo Casa Ibañez was created by the artist Andres Garcia Ibañez who was born in Olula del Rio in 1971, to contribute towards promoting culture within the Alta Almanzora area and Almeria Province.

It is part of Garcia

Ibañez’s own home and houses one of Andalucia’s most important collections of contemporary art.

Speaking on behalf of the three associations that organised the event, Javier Irigaray expressed his gratitude for a museum that is more than an exhibition hall for an art collection.

He thanked Garcia Ibañez in the name of all those present for such a “generous and beautiful initiative.”

SALES: More pharmacies have changed hands.

ALMERIA Province pharmacies are in better health than they were seven years ago.

Eleven were sold in 2014, more than in any one year since 2007 when 18 changed hands.

By the time that the economic crisis had begun to make itself felt in 2008, this dropped to eight sales,

declining to seven in 2009, five in 210, four in 2011 and just two in 2012.

Change of ownership in each case was the result of an outright sale and not a legacy or gift, noted TSL Consultores, who analyse the evolution of this specialist market for the sector in Andalucia.

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NEWS EXTRA

Payback time EL EJIDO Town Hall has had to return a €400,000 subsidy to the Junta de Anducia regional government.

The allocation was made to pay for premises for Social Services, which were never acquired.

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Off-roader arrested for shooting wild boar POACHER was detained with an (almost) smoking gun

Postcode jobs THERE is 45 per cent unemployment in Almeria City’s less-privileged suburbs. In ‘conflictive’ neighbourhoods like El Puche and La Chanca this has reached 65 and 60 per cent respectively.

Good marks THERE was a 94 per cent pass rate for the students who sat recent university entry exams in Almeria Province. The average mark was 6.38 out of a possible 10.

WILD BOAR: Close season regulations apply. Inset: Seprona officers on scene.

By Community Reporter A MAN was arrested in Velez-Blanco for hunting boar outside the permitted season.

Officers from the Guarda Civil’s environment protection unit, Seprona, mounted

a night patrol in the Hoya del Marques district after shots were heard there the previous night.

Their suspicions of poaching were confirmed at around 9pm when they saw an off-road vehicle driving slowly along the

El Gamonal track. The vehicle stopped and the Seprona agents saw the driver get out and open fire on a group of wild board.

The driver was intercepted and his rifle seized. He has been charged with hunting in a restricted area during the close season.

NEWS

A haven for all HARMONY Haven opens next Wednesday, July 8.

The Haven is located at Avenida Andalucia 1 in the CAT Services building in La Alfoquia. It is run by the area’s community support charity group, Harmony, and it aims to provide a friendly drop-in venue for everyone to meet.

Harmony Helpers have worked hard to create a friendly area where refreshments and cakes will be served Monday to Friday from 10am until 2pm. All are welcome. Proceeds go to Harmony to enable them to provide voluntary, practical and informative assistance to those in need.

If anyone can spare a few hours to help run the Haven, please call Jan on 669 920 958. Anyone in need of help should call Monday to Friday from 11am until 2pm on 634 339 192.

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NEWS EXTRA

Parachuters meeting THE Almeria and Granada Association of Veteran Parachuters attended a meeting of veterans held in Madrid and took part in a military parade. The association was created in 2013.

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Importance of recycling glass SEVEN new points have been created in the town

Awareness for victims SOME 30 people of all ages gathered in Plaza de las Velas in Almeria City to raise awareness about people who lose their lives at sea attempting to reach Europe.

In an event organised by Amnesty International (AI) in Almeria, paper boats were set afloat in an aim to raise awareness amongst lo-

cals so they take action to attempt to prevent lives being lost.

According to AI, since 2000, more than 27,000 people have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea when crossing it in hopes of finding a better life for themselves and their families.

Dangerous driver sentenced to jail

Going away IN the last trimester of 2014, more than 4,000 people left Almeria to go abroad, according to the National Institute of Statistics. Their favourite destination is the American continent.

Dental care TWELVE residents of Huercal-Overa will be entitled to free dental care which they would not be able to afford otherwise thanks to an agreement between the town hall and the Centro Sol.

NEWS

GLASS RECYCLING: Children learn how it’s done.

By Staff Reporter RESIDENTS of Huercal-Overa are taking part in a campaign to encourage glass recycling.

The campaign was launched by the Al-

manzora Levante Urban Rubbish Collection Consortium. Children at the San Jose de Calasanz School were taught about the importance of recycling glass and seven new recycling points have been created in the town.

A MAN, 36, has been sentenced to a year in prison for fleeing from the police in Almeria City because he was driving without a licence.

In July 2013, he carried out an illegal manoeuvre near a police car in the city and an officer ordered him to stop. Instead he accelerated and the policeman had to jump out of the way to avoid being run over. A chase ensued, during which the accused drove dangerously and aggressively, failing to obey orders from the police to stop. He ran three red lights, crashed into a vehicle and drove in the wrong direction until he had to stop due to road works. He then attempted to flee on foot.

He has been sentenced to pay a fine of €3 per day for a year and banned from driving for two years. He accepted the sentence and his vehicle was seized, but he will not enter prison on the condition that he doesn’t commit another crime in two years.

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NEWS EXTRA

Court throws out sign case

Swimming pool passes GADOR Town Hall has given special passes to unemployed families in the town so that they can use the Municipal Swimming Pool for free this summer. There are also discounts of 50 per cent for the disabled.

Oil to US ALMERIA has multiplied its exports to the USA by four, with olive oil being especially important. The Andalucian Agency for Foreign Promotion estimates exports worth €13 million to the USA.

London trip FOUR fruit farming companies from Almeria are taking part in a meeting held in London. Their stay will include a visit to New Spitalfields Market.

NEWS

GRADUATES: The martial arts students were congratulated on their hard work.

Judo students get belt at ceremony THE Mayor of Huercal Overa, Domingo Fernandez, attended a ceremony to hand out newly earned belts to the judo students of the town

following their final exam.

He was joined for the presentation by the local councillor for Sport, Blas Sanchez, as well as the chil-

dren’s relatives.

The mayor congratulated the students, who have also been successful in several tournaments.

Four years for breaking elderly man’s jaw A MAN, 34, has been sentenced to four years in prison for mugging a 78-year-old man Almeria and breaking his jaw when he punched him.

The events took place in July last year when the victim was about to enter the apartment building where he lived. After unlocking the door he asked the accused if he wanted to go in first, but while he was collecting letters from his mailbox, felt that someone was pulling at the

shoulder bag containing €600 that he was carrying. He was then punched by the attacker who now has a restraining order which bans him from coming within 200 metres of the victim or communicating with him for six years. However, the victim refused compensation despite the fact that his belongings were not recovered.

The sentence may be appealed in Almeria Provincial Court.

ALMERIA mayor ‘did not break law’ By staff reporter A CASE against Almeria Mayor Luis Rogelio Rodríguez-Comendador for allowing symbols from the Franco era to remain i n t he ci t y has been closed.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the mayor committed no crime of disobedience or refusal of assistance in failing to abide by the Historical Memory Law, as had been claimed by human rights lawyer Eduardo Ranz.

The court points out in i t s j udgem ent t hat t he mayor had not received a di r ect or der t o t ake m easur e t o r em ove names and symbols from the dictatorship from the city’s streets, squares or buildings, and therefore, it was impossible for him to disobey.

Ranz r epor t ed t he mayor along with dozens of others throughout Spain for failing to abide by laws that state such symbols must be removed.

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NEWS

Beware of illegal repair workshops UNFAIR competition for those who have paperwork in order

By Staff Reporter POLICE are investigating a proliferation of illegal car repair workshops in Almeria.

So far this year, 129 premises have been checked, revealing 149 irregularities and 38 illegal garages, 17 of which had already been reported in 2013.

The most frequent irregularities are failure to obtain a licence to operate as a garage, failure to register on the Small Producers’ list and inappropriate use or disposal of dangerous

waste, such as oil and other liquids which could harm the environment and the safety of citizens. In some cases, such waste is mixed with other substances which are not dangerous and handed over or sold to non-authorised companies. This could lead to them entering the water and damaging plants and animals.

Illegal car repair workshops can offer no real guarantees to their clients and are also unfair competition for those which have all their paperwork in order and adhere to proper methods and rules.

A night of music and dance to celebrate the end of term THE Municipal Music, Dance and Theatre School in Cuevas del Almanzora celebrated a ‘Fusion of Music and Dance’ event to mark the

end of term.

It was sponsored by Cajamar and Musicband and hundreds of people attended, including the local mayor,

Antonio Fernandez, and the councillor for Education, Ana Maria Castro, who gave the children who were graduating this term their diplomas.

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NEWS

PSOE SOCIALIST PARTY: Agreement to solve unemployment and lack of infrastructure.

Socialists aim to do work PARTY aims mainly to ‘propose, not oppose’

By Staff Reporter THE new spokesman for the PSOE Socialist Party in Almeria Provincial Government,

Juan Antonio Lorenzo has proposed agreements to solve the province’s main problems: unemployment and lack of infrastructure.

During his speech at the event to constitute the new Provincial Government, he said that during the next four years, his party aims mainly to “propose, not oppose.”

More immigrant children are studying in school ACCORDING to a study by the BBVA Foundation, although there are now fewer immigrants in Almeria Province, more of them are studying.

Since last year, the immigrant population in the province has

fallen by 4,000 people to 137,000. However, the study suggests there are 27,000 immigrants studying in the province. Most of them are in primary school (7,200), preschool and secondary school (3,800). There are also 1,200 in high school.

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NEWS

Association hands the baton to AUAN HELPED new residents settle into the area for many years

By Staff Reporter CANTORIA Residents Association has closed its doors after many years of service to the expat community.

The association has helped new residents settle into the area, make new friends and appreciate the local culture.

The association, which organised one of the first protest marches in 2008 to highlight the plight of those who had purchased illegal houses in the area, has elected to transfer its remaining funds to the campaign group, AUAN.

“Cantoria Residents Association was a great example of service to the community and we are sorry to see it go,” said a spokesperson for AUAN. “To date we have received the sum of €1,000 which is being used to fund the expensive process of lobbying for changes to various laws to protect current and future homebuyers.

“Since March this year AUAN has played a fundamental role in changing two national laws which means that never again will a house be demolished without prior compensation to those who did nothing wrong,” the spokesperson concluded.

Amat remains as president THE Mayor of Roquetas de Mar, Gabriel Amat, has begun his second term as President of Almeria Provincial Government.

He took possession of the position for the 2015-2019 period this week in the Provincial Palace, along with 27 councillors who took their places as provincial representatives in a ceremonial act.

The President of the conservative Partido Popular in Andalucia, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, was also present, as Almeria is the only area in which the party will rule with an absolute majority of votes. Four political groups will be represented in the Provincial Government: the Partido Popular, socialists PSOE, centre left Ciudadanos and left-wing Izquierda Unida.

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NEWS

Spain bids a farewell to thousands of inhabitants TOTAL foreign population currently resident in Spain is almost 4.5 million people

By Maria José Fernandez PRESUMABLY discouraged by the lack of opportunities in sunny Spain, thousands of Spaniards and foreign residents are leaving the country and decreasing its population by the minute.

For the third consecutive year, Spain’s population has decreased, and now sits around 46.4 million inhabitants, according to the latest data for January 2015 from the Migration Statistics department of the National Statistics Institute (INE). It’s a drop of 72,335 residents compared to the same month in 2014.

In 2014, 330,559 immigrants left Spain and 265,757 entered the country, leaving a negative result (-64,802). The total foreign population currently

LEAVING SPAIN: Due to lack of opportunities. resident in Spain is almost 4.5 million people.

In relative terms however, the population decrease is slowing, dropping 0.16 per cent

in 2014, and 0.46 per cent in 2013.

However, figures also show that of migrants choosing to stay in Spain, more and more

are embracing Spanish citizenship. The report shows that the number of Spanish residents increased by 156,872 people, while the number of foreigners decreased by 229,207, although rather than people leaving, most of this was due to migrants being granted Spanish nationality, who amounted to 205,870 last year.

“The usual number of naturalisations per year is around 100,000, but last year it was doubled due to the special plan of the Justice Ministry to solve some significant obstructions to nationality.

“Without them, there would be 50,000 fewer Spanish nationals and the reduction of immigrants in the lists would have been quite small,” said sociology professor Joaquin Arango.

Spain is now on high terror alert SPANISH Government officials called an urgent meeting on Friday (June 26) after Islamic radicals opened fire on a beach near a Spanish hotel in Tunisia, claiming the lives of at least 38 holidaymakers.

The attacks came on the heels of a Jihadist attack in France and a bomb in a

Kuwaiti Shia mosque killing at least 25.

Prime Minister Rajoy, speaking at a press conference in Brussels, extended his condolences to France, Tunisia and all the victims of the attacks.

The Spanish hotel, Imperial Marhaba, is a five-star hotel owned by the RIU group

and located near the town of Sousse.

Government officials have raised the terror alert to level four (the highest is five).

The increase indicates a high risk of terrorist attack and calls for extra reinforcements at key targets.

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Beach bus returns next week THE ‘Huercal-Overa a la Playa’ bus to San Juan Terreros beach commences on July 12.

“Hundreds of residents took the bus to the coast last year and we have had many enquiries, asking if it would return this summer,” explained Huercal-Overa councillor Monica Navarro.

The bus will set out from the Cine Muncipal at 9am each Sunday from July 12 up to, and including, August 16, returning at 8.30pm.

The round trip will cost €3.

Stale air THE annual report by Ecologistas en Accion on the quality of air in Spain claimed 95 per cent of its population and 94 per cent of its territory are exposed to higher pollution levels than recommended by the World Health Organisation.

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NEWS

Skydiving ladies take the leap for abandoned dogs!

CALLING all Costa Blanca businesses to put their hands in their pockets to help out

By Jan Gamm SOME plucky ladies are going to take a leap of faith in support of their four footed friends raising cash to help rescue, foster and re-home abused and abandoned dogs.

Sandra Hamnett of the Siesta Group is passionate about dogs and charity Costa Blanca Dog Homing - and decided to do something positive as well as brave to raise awareness for dogs needing a helping hand on the Costa Blanca.

Sandra and her friend Rachel Crawford of Inspired Home and Garden in Albox, who wants to raise much needed cash for Helping Animals Almanzora, of which she is president, thought a sky dive would be a great way to draw attention to the cause of abandoned animals.

Two more ladies are joining the adventure. Sandra’s niece Shona, who will

Flickr: Skydiver Russ

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SKYDIVE: Four plucky ladies will take the plunge.

be arranging sponsorship from the UK, and Amanda Willett who has three rescue dogs of her own.

Sunday August 9 is the day and Valencia is the place!

Sponsorship is needed and these girls are certain to attract attention so they are calling on Costa Blanca businesses to put their hands in their pockets to help put some love back into the lives of these poor dogs.

Sponsorship forms are available in all Siesta Group stores at Gata De Gorgos, Guardamar del Segura, Los Montesinos and San Javier; Inspired Home and Garden in Albox; HAA charity shop in Arboleas and ABC vets in La Alfoquia or money can be paid direct to the charities via PayPal at costablancadog homing@yahoo.com or Helpinganimals-almanzora@hotmail.co.uk: Please mark ‘SKYDIVE.’

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NEWS FROM OUR FIVE OTHER REGIONS

COSTA DEL SOL

More tourists

Extra beach security is organised for Cartagena

IN May this year, 110,182 UK tourists visited Malaga Province, 13 per cent more than in the same month last year. Meanwhile, there were 6.8 per cent more German tourists, amounting to 34,322.

DRONES to be used for surveillance in pilot programme

By Community Reporter

LIFESAVING DRONES: Will be operated by trained personnel.

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

MALLORCA

CARTAGENA has been selected as one of the four cities in Spain to pilot a programme of drone surveillance on its beaches.

The Security Board met with Mayor José Lopez, the councillor for Public Safety Francisco Aznar and police officials as well as representatives of the Fire Department and Civil Protection office on Friday June 26 to discuss summer security precautions.

It was confirmed by Police Chief Manuel Asensio that some 200 extra police officers have been put in place over the height of the summer, with additional cover provided whenever it is deemed appropriate, such as during the Mar de Musica Festival scheduled from July 17 - 26 and also on Friday and Saturday evenings.

A total of 22 aid stations will be manned by 80 members of the Civil Protection unit, 54 of whom are volunteers, some continuing to work until October, along the beaches of Cartagena.

AXARQUÍA

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

Tourist safety

Turtle rescued

Road accident

Starry eyed

CARTAGENA’S police force has drawn up safety information leaflets for tourists which will be distributed at catering and hostelry establishments that are part of the Hostecar Association.

AN injured sea turtle was rescued off the coasts of Sant Jordi last week. The animal had a fishing net wrapped around its flipper and was taken to the Vet Clinic Arago to receive treatment.

A HEAD on collision that took place in Torrox left two people injured, one of them in critical condition. The accident took place on Saturday June 27 at around 7.10am on the old N-340 road.

THE Astronomy Workshop of the University of Alicante on Saturday June 20 held in La Nucia attracted 60 participants. It was the fourth such course for students of all ages.

Poor pensions

Forgetful dad

Beach death

Alcoy entrepreneurs

THE average amount of state pensions in the Murcia Region is €780 per month, the third lowest in Spain and €105 less than the national average according to data from the Ministry of Employment and Social Security.

A FATHER in Palma forgot about his daughter inside the car on Saturday night. Police were alerted at around 4am by a passerby. The girl was returned to her father and a report was issued against him, although no charges were pressed.

A 79-YEAR-OLD died in Motril after having been rescued from the sea. The incident took place on Monday on the Poniente beach. Authorities believe he may have suffered a heart attack.

ALCOY City Council has launched an incentive plan for entrepreneurs. Applications may be made next month with a total budget for distribution of €72,000.

Exam success

No charges

Gay pride

Mutxamel post

ORIHUELA’S Santo Domingo school is celebrating the fact that all of its students who sat the University Access Exams, commonly known as Selectividad, passed and can now go to university.

TWO teenage Scottish tourists are believed to have caused a forest fire on the uninhabited island of Sa Porrassa, off the coast of Magaluf. The dense smoke could be seen from several points.

RINCON DE LA VICTORIA displayed its status as an LGBT-friendly town and its support for the community’s rights in an event which took place on Saturday June 27.

A DEMONSTRATION was staged against the Correos by local residents in Mutxamel on Saturday June 27 who were demanding the restoration of a comprehensive postal service.

Busy firemen

More connections

Alleged burglars

Unfair dismissal

THE intense heat on Sunday (June 28) kept Murcia firefighters busy with 28 fires in Murcia, Cartagena, Torre Pacheco, Alguazas, Alcantarilla, Jumilla, Librilla, Molina, Archena and La Union.

BRITISH airline Jet2.com and its branch Jet2holidays will start flying to Palma de Mallorca from February 2016. The company has announced that new routes will operate between Palma and Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh.

TWO men from Motril have been arrested by Guardia Civil after allegedly stealing from a home in Guajar Faragüit, Granada. Police reported the two suspects were believed to have stolen a painting as well as other items.

THE High Court in Valencia has overturned the dismissal of nine workers in a luxury hotel in Javea. The CCOO union applauded the ruling that recognised the rights of workers.

Consular visit BRITISH Vice Consul in Alicante Lloyd Milen and Consular Policy Advisor Bernadette Gallagher visited Murcia on Tuesday (June 30) to meet with Valle del Sol residents and discuss local issues.

Protestors clean up RESIDENTS of Palma’s Corea area have shown their disapproval of the municipal waste collection company by cleaning the area themselves.

NEWS

War on mosquitoes COMPLAINTS voiced by residents of Torre del Mar about the presence of buzzing hordes of mosquitoes have forced the Town Council to launch an anti-mosquito campaign.

For more local news from our five other regions see www.euroweeklynews.com

Pobla de Ifach FORTY THREE students of archaeology from 15 Spanish and European universities will take part in the 10th excavation campaign on the medieval Pobla de Ifach from July 1 to August 31.

Cuba trip RONDA Councillor Josefa Valle has been charged with paying for a private holiday to Cuba with money for an urban development project which was received in June 2009. She will have to appear before the local court.

1st here THE first of 1,300 Sahrawi children who will spend the summer in Andalucia on the ‘Holidays in Peace’ programme have arrived in Malaga from refugee camps in the Western Sahara.

Pass rate THIS year Selectividad (university access) exam results in the province were better than in previous years, with 94.78 per cent passing the general exams. Altogether 7,237 students sat the exams, compared to 7,090 last year.

Best one TWO companies have presented applications and projects to lease part of the Faro de Marbella lighthouse, which will be studied by the authorities to decide which is best.

Speed up MAYOR of Mijas, Juan Carlos Maldonado, has asked the Junta de Andalucia to speed up the process which will legalise 3,000 properties within the town limits by modifying territorial planning laws.

EWN top for all the news from Spain.

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GERMAN

EUROPEAN PRESS SCANDINAVIAN PRESS

Berry good time FINLAND: More than 3,500 berry pickers from Thailand are set to descend on Finland for the annual harvest. They will be supported by their own chefs and technicians.

Infanticide case FINLAND: A court in Oulu has sentenced a mother to life imprisonment for the murders of her five newborn children.

She was also found guilty of breach of sanctity of the grave.

Avalanche luck NORWAY: An avalanche which engulfed four cars in Hordaland saw the 11 occupants walk away. Three people received minor injuries.

Large meeting NORWAY: Hamar is hosting the largest meeting of data enthusiasts, with 52,000 gathering to discuss the future of digital media and its impact on lives.

Malmo violence

PRESS

Herd of cows kill walker

Expletive view

UNIVERSITY lecturer had been walking through a field A HERD of cows who had previously Essex condom attacked walkers has trampled a Scottish University lecturer to death. Alastair Porter was walking through a field with his brother and two dogs.

Dog suicide bridge FIFTY dogs have jumped to their death from a bridge in West Dumbartonshire Scotland. More than 600 have jumped but most of them survived.

Boulder kills student A BOULDER rolled off a cliff in Llantwit South Wales and hit a young student on her head.

Georgie Ford was eating strawberries when she was killed by the rock.

BRITISH PRESS

Hedgehog Houdini A HEDGEHOG from Newmarket had to be rescued after misjudging the gap between railings. Firemen joked it should be called Houdini.

STUDENTS in Ilford, Essex, have developed a condom that changes colour when it comes into contact with STIs. It can detect various infections in minutes.

Travellers’ assets LUXURY cars, jewellery and other high value items were seized during a raid on travellers’ camps in Wales. A Bentley golf cart was also confiscated.

Train acid attack A VICIOUS acid attack on a London overground train saw a passenger and a ticket inspector have acid thrown into their faces. The attacker escaped.

Not so neighbourly A BLACKPOOL lady harassed her elderly neighbours for 14 years because she didn’t like the colour of their bungalow. Kirsty Robertson said she would not stop until they were dead.

On your bike for a longer life CYCLING prevents around 11,000 deaths TonyV3112 / Shutterstock.com

SWEDEN: After a shooting in Soderkulla Square and hand grenades being thrown from residential windows, police in Malmo believe immigrant drug gangs were to blame.

Dress smartly SWEDEN: Bus drivers in Stockholm will let a smart dressed person travel without a ticket but will deny the same privilege to a homeless looking person, a survey by STHLM Panda claimed.

Private mosque DENMARK: A privately funded mosque in Nordvest costing 80 million kroner will begin construction in 2018.

Funds are almost complete.

OSKAR LAFOUNTAINE, former German Finance Minister, has posted an expletive statement regarding his views of US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter. In the post he accused Washington of imperialism.

Lost art up for sale A PAINTING by the German artist Max Lieberman, believed lost, is to be auctioned by Sotheby’s. ‘Two Riders on a Beach’ is expected to fetch around €770,000.

Size of a horse GERMANS produce on average 617kg of waste every year which is the size of a large horse. They are fourth in the EU table for waste producers.

Brothel lamb A LAMB that was stolen from Nuremburg Zoo and found in a brothel has been returned to her flock. A spokesman said she showed no signs of suffering from her ordeal.

Off limits CHILDREN and dogs have been banned from the Sonnendeck beer garden in Dusseldorf. The owner said it was due to parents permitting their children to smear sand and mud everywhere.

Tearful shot GET FIT: Take up cycling.

Harassed man DENMARK:An Odense woman was murdered by a teacher because he felt she was harassing him. The man had been treated for paranoid psychosis prior to the killing.

NEWS

A STUDY by Utrecht University has revealed that cyclists live on average six months longer. They stated that from their figures cycling prevents around 11,000 deaths.

Fake invoice scam SEVEN people have been arrested for sending fake invoices to companies. They are believed to have netted at least €400,000 from 140 businesses.

DUTCH PRESS Amsterdam open AMSTERDAM has come fifth in a poll to find the most open minded and innovative city. The Smart City platform which integrates government and citizens was cited as a major influence.

Tour de farce DUTCH police unions are planning industrial action to disrupt the start of the Tour de France. They will set up a checkpoint to inspect the cars following the peloton.

Drone accidents rise THERE were 27 reports of accidents with a drone involved in 2014. Drones for personal use was a major factor.

AFTER asking a man to stop urinating on his property in Duisburg, a homeowner was shot in the face with tear gas. Both the homeowner and his wife were taken to hospital suffering inflammation.

Catfight lady A WOMAN from Hagen who was bitten by her partner’s cat retaliated by hitting and biting him. The man received treatment and she was served an injunction.

NEWS

2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

RUSSIAN P RESS

Fleet leaves for the Atlantic A_Lesik / Shutterstock.com

WARSHIPS are off to perform military missions

BLACK SEA FLEET: Led by missile cruiser Moskva.

WARSHIPS from the Black Sea Fleet have entered the Atlantic to perform military missions. The fleet was led by the missile cruiser Moskva.

Troll factory A ST PETERSBURG agency that employed people to write pro Putin stories on the internet has been exposed by a former employee who is taking it to court.

Russia anti drugs A POLL by Levanda reveals most Russians support harsher anti-drug laws. More than 69 per cent would be in favour of mandatory testing.

Homeless internet ZHENYA from Yakutia has 16,000 followers on YouTube after he started a blog about the life of a homeless man in Moscow. Some posts have 130,000 viewers.

Film craze RUSSIAN films are the latest craze in

FABIO CAPELLO: National Coach has been paid.

Billionaire pays Capello ALISHER USMANOV has paid the Russian Football Union 300 million Rubles to cover the salary arrears of national coach Fabio Capello. Usmanov is Russia’s richest man.

China. The film Stalingrad, Russia’s highest ever grossing film, was so popular that China has bought a further 11 Russian films.

72-hour training RUSSIAN state servants are to have a 72-hour

training course in the protection of state secrets. Another course of 36 hours will train them to identify false information.

Hijackers detained TWO Russian men have been detained after hijacking a plane from an aerodrome in Tyumen Siberia. They were en route to Moscow when they made an emergency landing.

Holiday every 100 RUSSIA’s Finance Ministry has suggested celebratory holidays that mark dates in Russian history should be celebrated every 100 years to cut the wastage public holidays incur.

Photographer’s memories THE 100th anniversary of photographer Sergei ProkudinGorsky’s seminal colour pictures of Tolstoy and Tsar Nicholas 11 has been commemorated by an exhibition of unseen pictures of Russian life from that era.

Sanctions stay VLADIMIR PUTIN has extended the sanctions on imported food from the West for another year in retribution for EU sanctions against Russia being extended until 2016.

AGIF / Shutterstock.com

EWN

37

FINANCE

Costa de Almería

2 - 8 July 2015

LONDON - FTSE 100

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A EURO WEEKLY NEWS 6 PAGE SPECIAL SECTION // WWW.EWNBUSINESS.COM

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Coastal property booms?

By Jason Bailey ALTHOUGH there are significant rises in the cost of real estate in some coastal areas, there is still a massive disparity between regions.

The Balearics, especially Alcudia, Andratx and Calvia are experiencing some of the highest prices per square metre in Spain. It is noticeable that, although construction of new properties in these areas is very evident, there is

Quote of the Week

17% property in Palafrugell in Girona fell by this per cent and in Gandia dropped 14.6 per cent.

still a demand for old stock which is a relief for the banks who have huge surplus of existing properties.

There are suggestions that external factors are manipulating the figures and whether the growth pattern will continue. There has been a noticeable drive from estate agents in recent months as they try and capitalise on the strong pound and this could explain a rise in sales. The mar-

What’s needed is patience and composure. The bank deposits of the Greek people are fully secure.

Alex Tsipras, Greek PM

BUSINESS EXTRA

Profits rise VUELING closed 2014 with a net profit of €98m. Over two years the company made a profit of €191.7m.

Not enough SPANISH PRODUCE: Having to find other markets.

Russian sanctions, Spanish suffering IN retaliation to EU sanctions imposed on food imports to Russia, the Kremlin’s retaliation of an embargo on EU fresh food imports is causing financial misery in Spain.

Spanish growers, who traditionally would sell around 30 per cent of their produce to Russia, are having to find other markets. The EU is assisting with the surplus created by the sanctions but this has pushed prices down and many Span-

ish producers are facing bankruptcy.

The EU has forecast that there will be losses of €338 million in the first year of sanctions despite subsidies to supplement the farmers’ incomes. Spain received €30 million of these subsidies, more than any other country, but with many having to sell their produce at a 50 per cent reduction this still does not cover the production costs.

GOVERNOR of the Bank of Spain Luis Linde has warned Spain’s pension system is “unsustainable” and will lead to an “inexorable reduction in long term pension unless combined with private savings.”

Fixed rate BANKINTER has launched a new mortgage product offering a fixed rate of 2.05 per cent linked to income and a home and life insurance deal.

Late payment THE Hacienda has warned the autonomies of Valencia, Aragón and Extremadura that their funding could be cut due to serious delays in paying their suppliers.

Good grief, on a pillowcase!

AN enterprising French company is cashing in on the concept of providing comfort for grieving relatives by offering to emulate the unique scent of their deceased relative on fabric.

The Kalain Company takes a garment or perhaps a pillowcase - anything that carries the unique smell of the subject, and through a sys-

39

OVERNIGHT stays in non-hotel tourist accommodation (holiday homes, campsites, rural accommodation and youth hostels) in Spain exceeded 7.3 million in April, an increase of 2.3 per cent compared to April 2014.

STAT OF WEEK

business & legal

EWN

tem utilising organic and macromolecular chemistry emulates its scent. Voila! You now have an item infused with the scent of your dead loved one.

The company has expanded its operation to include emulating scents of babies to comfort mothers returning to work and of dead pets.

ket is not buoyant across the board though. There have been double digit falls in at least 30 areas. Property in Palafrugell in Girona has lost 17 per cent and Gandia has dropped 14.6 per cent. The figures seem to suggest that properties that are within the holidaymaker environment are rising due to increased visitors and whether the positive trend will continue is dependent on many factors.

IBEX 35

-3.55%

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More workers for Mercadona THE seasonal rise in people visiting the Spanish Costas has made it necessary for the popular supermarket to hire more than 4,000 workers.

Although the jobs are of a temporary nature, most contracts will be from June to September, it will come as a welcome relief for many. The chance to gain transferrable skills within the supermarket sector will be invaluable and it is hoped many will increase their employment opportunities from the work. The standard salaries will be €14,400 gross.

40

E W N 2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

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LONDON - FTSE 100

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on opposite page

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PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3i Group 524.00 -11.00 Aberdeen Asset Managmnt 408.85 -8.95 Admiral Group 1,385.00 -23.00 Anglo American 954.10 -5.50 Antofagasta 703.75 -8.75 ARM Holdings 1,067.50 -22.50 Ashtead Group 1,111.50 -20.50 Associated British Foods 2,945.50 -41.50 AstraZeneca 4,124.75 -68.75 Aviva 501.25 -9.25 Babcock International Group 1,085.50 -20.50 BAE Systems 463.25 -4.95 Barclays 265.40 -6.95 Barratt Developments 617.25 -9.75 BG Group 1,075.75 -17.75 BHP Billiton 1,295.00 -6.50 BP 430.48 -7.07 British American Tobacco 3,491.25 -55.25 British Land Co 802.75 -11.25 BT Group 457.08 -7.07 Bunzl 1,765.00 -22.00 Burberry Group 1,602.00 -27.00 Capita Group (The) 1,242.50 -17.50 Carnival 3,305.50 -46.50 Centrica 271.50 -2.60 Coca-Cola HBC 1,392.00 -37.00 Compass Group 1,077.50 -12.50 CRH 1,814.50 -44.50 Diageo 1,871.25 -27.75 Direct Line Insurance Group 338.50 -3.30 Dixons Carphone 452.50 -13.20 easyJet 1,536.50 -40.50 Experian 1,176.50 -16.50 Fresnillo 703.50 5.50 G4S 274.20 -4.60 GKN 339.05 -8.15 GlaxoSmithKline 1,353.75 -13.75 Glencore 264.35 -2.20 Hammerson 616.75 -13.25 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,161.50 -33.50 Hikma Pharmaceuticals 1,882.50 -27.50 HSBC Holdings 578.60 -11.30 Imperial Tobacco Group 3,147.00 -45.00 Inmarsat 914.25 -16.75 InterContinental Hotels Grp 2,654.00 -49.00 International Consolidated Air 496.60 -17.90 Intertek Group 2,412.50 -9.50 Intu Properties 310.70 -5.00 ITV 269.45 -6.15 Johnson Matthey 3,069.00 -61.00

% CHG. NET VOL -2.06 5,202.67 -2.14 5,563.49 -1.63 3,929.84 -0.57 13,451.99 -1.23 7,024.23 -2.06 15,392.72 -1.81 5,697.85 -1.39 23,647.31 -1.64 52,988.17 -1.81 20,652.16 -1.85 5,554.29 -1.06 14,814.43 -2.55 45,610.15 -1.56 6,219.93 -1.62 37,342.71 -0.50 27,488.61 -1.62 79,901.56 -1.56 66,111.54 -1.38 8,307.15 -1.52 38,860.31 -1.23 5,983.28 -1.66 7,245.05 -1.39 8,367.60 -1.39 7,245.46 -0.95 13,635.19 -2.59 5,207.18 -1.15 18,098.75 -2.39 15,267.97 -1.46 47,750.20 -0.97 5,127.00 -2.83 5,362.36 -2.57 6,263.97 -1.38 11,791.93 0.79 5,143.52 -1.65 4,325.85 -2.35 5,722.05 -1.01 66,545.39 -0.83 34,859.27 -2.10 4,941.16 -2.80 5,668.11 -1.44 3,798.61 -1.92 115,108.45 -1.41 30,550.34 -1.80 4,185.54 -1.81 6,382.25 -3.48 10,492.38 -0.39 3,908.18 -1.58 4,177.09 -2.23 11,094.03 -1.95 6,413.93

COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) Kingfisher 355.30 -7.20 Land Securities Group 1,219.50 -20.50 Legal & General Group 251.85 -3.45 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 85.44 -1.62 London Stock Exchange 2,409.00 -43.00 Marks & Spencer Group 551.75 -8.75 Meggitt 465.60 -6.30 Merlin Entertainments 431.60 -10.30 Mondi 1,394.00 -35.00 Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets 182.35 -1.85 National Grid 839.50 -8.20 Next 7,462.50 -97.50 Old Mutual 204.10 -5.30 Pearson 1,239.50 -17.50 Persimmon 1,958.00 -23.00 Prudential 1,550.00 -30.00 Randgold Resources 4,433.00 59.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group 5,607.00 -52.00 Reed Elsevier 1,051.50 -20.50 Rio Tinto 2,701.00 -7.50 Rolls-Royce Group 893.75 -4.25 Royal Bank of Scotland Group 359.75 -7.45 Royal Dutch Shell 1,818.50 -39.50 Royal Dutch Shell 1,847.00 -39.00 Royal Mail 520.00 -5.00 RSA Insurance Group 400.45 -7.05 SABMiller 3,347.75 -75.75 Sage Group (The) 525.25 -4.75 Sainsbury (J) 274.95 -1.35 Schroders 3,236.50 -71.50 Severn Trent 2,125.00 -22.00 Shire 5,192.50 -77.50 Sky 1,052.50 -13.50 Smith & Nephew 1,073.50 -25.50 Smiths Group 1,133.50 -14.50 Sports Direct International 715.50 -9.50 SSE 1,582.50 -6.50 St James's Place 904.75 -13.75 Standard Chartered 1,029.25 -25.75 Standard Life 465.95 -10.25 Taylor Wimpey 186.90 -3.70 Tesco 219.48 -4.17 Travis Perkins 2,141.00 -30.00 TUI AG 1,044.50 -68.50 Unilever 2,764.50 -67.50 United Utilities Group 939.00 -0.50 Vodafone Group 232.30 -4.95 Weir Group 1,735.00 -13.00 Whitbread 5,075.00 -90.00 Wolseley 4,129.50 -64.50 WPP Group 1,452.00 -22.00

% CHG. -1.99 -1.65 -1.35 -1.86 -1.75 -1.56 -1.34 -2.33 -2.45 -1.00 -0.97 -1.29 -2.53 -1.39 -1.16 -1.90 1.35 -0.92 -1.91 -0.28 -0.47 -2.03 -2.13 -2.07 -0.95 -1.73 -2.21 -0.90 -0.49 -2.16 -1.02 -1.47 -1.27 -2.32 -1.26 -1.31 -0.41 -1.50 -2.44 -2.15 -1.94 -1.86 -1.38 -6.15 -2.38 -0.05 -2.09 -0.74 -1.74 -1.54 -1.49

NET VOL 8,450.92 9,802.74 15,171.43 62,137.97 8,515.32 9,238.52 3,716.72 4,479.74 6,938.56 4,301.24 31,714.28 11,557.24 10,315.37 10,311.02 6,072.60 40,621.58 4,073.50 40,419.78 12,046.46 38,101.21 16,510.58 23,633.20 72,361.39 46,026.14 5,250.00 4,143.29 55,336.80 5,710.21 5,307.51 7,476.82 5,106.84 31,180.05 18,324.72 9,829.36 4,532.05 4,338.87 15,779.82 4,800.07 26,859.85 9,377.26 6,201.10 18,197.29 5,402.14 6,528.89 36,347.57 6,406.34 62,901.39 3,729.90 9,386.83 10,906.79 19,239.16

0.70553

1.41736 Units per €

US dollar ....................................................................1.10746 Japan yen .................................................................136.081 Switzerland franc.................................................1.03987 Denmark kroner.....................................................7.46011 Norway kroner.....................................................8.75002

currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914

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COMPANY MMM 3M AXP American Express AAPL Apple BA Boeing CAT Caterpillar CVX Chevron CSCO Cisco KO Coca-Cola DIS Disney DD E I du Pont de Nemours and Co XOM Exxon Mobil GE General Electric GS Goldman Sachs HD Home Depot IBM IBM INTC Intel JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase MCD McDonald's MRK Merck MSFT Microsoft NKE Nike PFE Pfizer PG Procter & Gamble TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies UNH UnitedHealth VZ Verizon V Visa WMT Wal-Mart

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 2.6M +0.75% 157.09 +1.17 0.00% 15.7M 0.00 79.88 -0.59% 44.1M -0.75 126.75 3.2M +0.02% 142.48 +0.03 4.4M +0.12% 86.82 +0.10 +0.26% 10.0M 98.60 +0.26 -0.42% 28.1M -0.12 28.28 -0.05% 16.2M -0.02 40.00 9.5M +0.47% 114.99 +0.54 -0.83% 10.1M -0.55 65.60 -0.08% 19.0M -0.07 83.86 +0.18% 25.8M 27.09 +0.05 2.8M +0.16% 213.17 +0.35 4.2M +0.32% 112.60 +0.36 8.9M -0.37% -0.62 165.46 -3.03% 62.2M -0.97 31.02 9.0M +0.52% 99.64 +0.52 +0.44% 14.5M 68.95 +0.30 6.0M +1.57% 97.29 +1.50 +1.02% 13.1M 58.49 +0.59 -0.85% 49.8M -0.39 45.26 +4.27% 10.1M 109.71 +4.49 -0.29% 35.7M -0.10 33.92 7.7M -0.06% -0.05 79.34 2.1M +0.11% 97.92 +0.11 3.7M +0.19% 113.52 +0.22 +0.75% 16.4M 123.25 +0.92 +0.38% 18.5M 47.62 +0.18 7.0M +0.19% 68.75 +0.13 6.9M +0.36% 72.12 +0.26

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES J UNE 29

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced Royal Bancshares of Pennsylvania, Inc. Lombard Medical, Inc. Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. TriVascular Technologies, Inc. Spark Energy, Inc. Kforce, Inc. Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. Covisint Corporation Veracyte, Inc.

$ 2.32 $ 4.65 $ 38.99 $ 6.98 $ 6.32 $ 15.86 $ 22.35 $ 2.11 $ 5.61 $ 3.16 $ 11.93

0.39 ▲ 20.21% 0.63 ▲ 15.67% 4.59 ▲ 13.34% 0.63 ▲ 9.92% 0.53 ▲ 9.15% 1.29 ▲ 8.85% 1.69 ▲ 8.18% 0.15 ▲ 7.65% 0.38 ▲ 7.27% 0.20 ▲ 6.76% 0.75 ▲ 6.71%

$ 19.66 $ 12.96 $ 2.07 $ 7.12 $ 12.13 $ 2.68 $ 53.02 $ 22.22 $ 3.37 $ 5.21 $ 2.47

4.36 ▼ 18.15% 1.69 ▼ 11.54% 0.26 ▼ 11.16% 0.89 ▼ 11.11% 1.47 ▼ 10.81% 0.32 ▼ 10.67% 5.71 ▼ 9.72% 2.35 ▼ 9.56% 0.33 ▼ 8.92% 0.51 ▼ 8.92% 0.24 ▼ 8.86%

Most Declined Micron Technology, Inc. VisionChina Media, Inc. Diana Containerships Inc. Bio Blast Pharma Ltd. Xunlei Limited CTC Media, Inc. Apogee Enterprises, Inc. Immune Design Corp.

Mecox Lane Limited NTELOS Holdings Corp.

Turtle Beach Corporation

42

E W N 2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

BUSINESS EXTRA

London calling A DELEGATION of investors from the City of London has visited Spain to analyse the country’s current economic policies prior to the general election at the end of the year.

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

It’s not what you know...

Digital currency woes ONE HUNDRED Spaniards have started legal proceedings to recover their funds

Austerity best SECRETARY of State for International Cooperation Jesús Gracia Aldaz has stated that he believes austerity is the only solution for an ailing economy: “It is painful but it works,” he said.

Baby boom MORE babies were born in Spain last year than during any year prior to the start of the recession: 588 more were born in 2014 than in 2013.

Chinese rise CHINESE companies in Spain are the only foreign group that continued to achieve growth throughout the economic crisis.

Lacking higher education THE Foundation for Applied Economics Studies (FEDEA) has released figures which show that around half of those of working age do not have any further education past compulsory studies.

With figures in the rest of the EU showing that around 24 per cent of working adults only have basic education, this rises to 43.4 per cent in Spain.

FEDEA also stated that those on unemployment benefit are not actively studying or training to make their job prospects better.

The explosion in the Spanish housing market is said to be partly responsible as during this time many males left school as soon as they could to take well-paid jobs in the construction sector.

Similarly the hospitality industry, especially at the lower levels, has been considered an area where experience is more important than qualifications.

UNETE: A digital currency used to buy and sell on the internet.

By Jason Bailey UNETE was supposed to be a digital currency to rival Bitcoin but the intangible nature of the currency has left investors demanding answers.

Jose Manuel Ramirez Marco developed Unete to allow people to buy and sell goods on the internet. Unete was said

€50m deposited by more than 22,000 people were converted to the Unete currency

to be encrypted using a twopart code system so that the funds were only released when both individual codes were used during a transaction.

More than 22,000 people signed up and deposited more than €50 million, which were then converted to the Unete currency.

Now more than 100 Spaniards have started legal action to recover their funds which have been hard to find as they have allegedly been transferred through many offshore accounts in territories where financial diligence is not as stringent or as regulated as transactions within the EU.

SPANISH job-seekers are using their contacts, friends and relations to find work, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).

It revealed that 47 per cent have used their own contacts to secure employment with the government’s job centres finding only 2.5 per cent of jobs required. Private employment agencies did not fare much better, placing only 3.6 per cent of all positions filled.

Although it is common to find work from within the specific industry, or through existing contacts, it leaves those without a support network, especially the young, adrift.

The unemployment situation of the young is an area of special importance. They are the future of the country and if they are disenfranchised by lack of work then it presents a grim outlook.

Don’t get financially caught out in an emergency situation Loose change Jane Plunkett A look at finance for females jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

YOUR car has broken down, but you need it for work, so it’s essential to get it fixed.

But the repairs cost a fortune and you can barely make it to the end of the month as it is. So what can you do since money doesn’t actually grow on trees?

These sorts of emergency situations happen to all of us and usually we are not financially prepared for them. So we end up struggling to find the money to deal with the dilemma. Therefore, it is a wise move to try and have an emergency fund at hand.

Having at least eight months’ salary put aside for unforeseen emergencies is intelligent, according to experts. Look at your monthly expenses for rent,

SMALL STEPS: Putting change in a jar can help you save for the unexpected. mortgage or utilities and then multiply by eight to have enough emergency money saved. Eight seems to be the magic number, as this is usually how long it can take to find another job in the case of unemployment.

It takes effort to save money but it is not impossible. Most of us think that we’ll never get sick or be in a position where we can’t work, but these things are a reality of life so being prepared is important. Every time you spend mon-

ey, ask yourself, “Do I need this?” If the answer is no, then take the money you would have spent and put it in a savings account. When you pay in cash, save your change and put it in a jar. All of these small steps can help you save.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

EWN

43

What next for the GB Pound? Will Brexit factor hurt its progress?

Further appreciation is expected over the coming months as the ECB continues with its QE programme.

Ask the expert Peter Loveday Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com

THE movement across Sterling pairs since before the UK general election has softened in recent weeks now the UK has a majority government in place.

The Great British Pound regained momentum in the immediate aftermath of David Cameron’s return to Number 10 and is now flirting with the key psychological level of 1.40. We expect further appreciation over the coming months as the European Central Bank (ECB) continues with its Quantative Easing (QE) programme in the quiet summer months.

Longer term, the British exit from Europe ‘Brexit’ factor, where the UK may leave the European Union, could play on investors’ minds

and hurt the pound’s progress. Standard and Poor’s (S&P), the rating agency, cast a shadow of doubt over Britain’s ability to maintain its topnotch credit rating in light of the decision to hold

a referendum on EU membership. S&P retained the UK’s triple A rating but downgraded the outlook to negative from stable, saying there is at least a one in three probability of a downgrade

over the next two years.

Anxiety is turning to panic as a Greek default becomes a distinct possibility (despite assurances from Mr Varoufakis). Talks between Athens and its creditors collapsed when negotiators were unable to reach any agreement on pension reforms, budget targets and tax rates. As a result, there are rumours that Eurozone officials are now looking at what will happen if Greece defaults on its loans when the bailout programme ends at the close of June. Greece owes around €1.6 billion to the International Monetary Fund.

Greece’s refusal to budge on labour market and pension reforms has disheartened all of its creditors, who are now beyond feigning politeness. “We can’t help Greece if Greece doesn’t want to help itself,” Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the Eurozone’s group of finance ministers, told a Finnish newspaper.

Visit us at our Spanish offices in Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria, North Costa Blanca and South Costa Blanca.

Telephone: UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 SPAIN +34 950 478 914 Email: euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com • www.currenciesdirect.com

OPINION & COMMENT

2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

www.euroweeklynews.com

EWN

I’m just an old cynic really…

I WOULD be insisting my accusers prove their allegations LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT I DUNNO. Call me a cynic, but to my way of thinking Cliff Richard’s behaviour, after his paedophile accusations, simply doesn’t sit right.

Personally, if I were a celebrity of his stature, was innocent of these insinuations, and could grace just about any media platform I chose, I would be screaming my innocence from every outlet available.

I would be insisting my accusers prove their allegations, calling for the police to clarify their position and making just about all the angry noises and denials I could come up with.

But Mr Richard hasn’t done any of this has he? He’s all but disappeared. Apart from one brief and haggard appearance on British shores he hasn’t set foot there.

He has, however, been reported as staying at his vineyard in Portugal, living in Barbados and, even more oddly, taking out

WIMBLEDON: And a no show by Cliff Richard.

If I were a celebrity innocent of all insinuations, I would be screaming my innocence from every outlet available.

Barbadian citizenship.

An even more inexplicable decision has been the announcement that for the first time in 20 years he will not be attending Wimbledon; an event where he has almost become part of the furniture.

The reasons given are even more bizarre. He says he doesn’t want to distract from the tennis! Wot!?

Well frankly I think his actions are somewhat suspicious to say the least.

I suppose I was as affronted as most sane citizens were when I read of the toe rag that had his electronic tag removed because he ‘thought it was a bomb.’

The authorities decided that if this was indeed the case, then the tag was infringing his human rights.

Did you ever hear such pure unadulterated poppy cock? Do we actually pay the people who make these demented decisions? Heaven help us all. On reflection it’s not a bad idea.

Put a small explosive device in all of them. Set it to go off if they fail to comply with the restrictions, bet that would keep ‘em all toeing the line. Dream on Leapy.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com www.leapylee.co.uk

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E W N 2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

STREET TALK

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

More police on the Costa beat THOUSANDS of officers are being drafted into the Costa to make sure that tourists have a safe and happy holiday. What areas do you think could be policed more to ensure that our visitors leave with a good impression of our holiday destinations?

DONNA DYER, owner of Donna’s Unisex Hair and Beauty Salon, Albox said that it may be off-putting in some areas to see an influx of police. “We are fortunate to live in a quiet part of the country and so hopefully more police will not be needed.

“I think it can seem intrusive or off-putting to tourists if there are too many police around. We do see lots of Guardia and traffic police here who control the roads, but as far as security measures I have not seen any increase.

However people need to feel comfortable.”

Bradley Richards of Inspired Home and Garden Centre, Albox says that he hasn’t noticed an influx of security where he is. “Although we are not on the

coast, I do agree that people need to feel safe and I actually think that the Spanish police are quite keyed up to this sort of thing. In areas such as Benidorm or Torrevieja I should think they would take preference to the security measures, and I would

rather see more of it to make people aware that we are in a secure environment.”

Jacquelyne Phillips, MBE, of cancer support charity MABS said: “I think there should be a concentration of police on the seafronts where there

are so many tourists, and also at nightclubs and late night bars, that’s where trouble tends to happen, mostly due to too much alcohol and drugs. I do think on the whole that the police in Spain do a marvellous job considering there are so many tourists to con-

tend with and most of them not being able to speak Spanish.”

Mark Pegrum, Business Development Executive at Currencies Direct, said: “There are certain areas, service stations and around the tolls where numerous people have been robbed and I think at those areas there should be a visible police presence. Also there should be more police on the streets especially in areas like Benidorm.”

Left to Right: Donna Dyer, Jacquelyne Phillips, Bradley Richards and Mark Pegrum.

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OPINION & COMMENT

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2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

EWN

55

From goblins to Gucci plus sun, sand and sea - Spain’s got it all!

Nora Johnson

Breaking Views Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

SPAIN’S tourism is booming. Visitor numbers are increasing and the government is talking up tourism as the driver of recovery.

But the truth is that sun, sea and sand have been driving Spain’s economy for the past halfcentury. For years people have talked about the need to find alternatives because apart from the Canary Islands, Spanish tourism is mainly a summer affair of temporary jobs from June to September. And nothing much has changed.

Spain ranks third globally in tourist numbers, over half from the UK, Germany and France. But the authorities need to look elsewhere, at Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

Chinese visitors, for example, aren’t attracted by the beach like Europeans - for cultural reasons, they prefer not getting tanned. Yet China’s showing an increasing interest in wine

WINE CULTURE: Vineyard tours should be developed. culture. So, vineyard tours, focusing on the range of excellent Spanish wines, should be developed.

According to Ana Botín, Santander banking

group’s CEO, Spain has to prepare for “the customer revolution... We have a good climate, good food and marvellous cultural options to offer. We could be the Florida of Europe.” But

this requires focusing on tourists’ needs, and giving tourists exactly what they want.

Shopping is popular with visitors from the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. But this requires adaptation. Visitors naturally get frustrated when they want to buy, say, a designer handbag but find they’ve got to return later as the store’s closed afternoons or shut Sundays.

I’ve just returned from a trip to Norway, a country mainly confined to a three-month tourist summer season like Spain but this due to its northerly geographical position.

Yes, Norway’s cooler but the scenery’s spectacular, the people extremely helpful and, my, how it markets its mythology! Trolls (not the internet variety) are everywhere.

Come on Spain: how about making more of your folklore! For instance, your duendes (house goblins), Cantabria’s Caballucos del Diablo (Devil’s small horses) or Cataluña’s Dones d’aigua (Maids of the Water). After all, fairies exist year-round, so why not your tourism too?

Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’, ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon. Profits to Cudeca.

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E W N 2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

A light snack before dinner

OUR VIEW

Colin Bird A weekly look Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-the-wall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.

WHEN visiting Tenerife recently, we realised on going ashore that some of our companions were not as au fait with the Menu del Dia system as us.

Although you can eat yourself silly on board ship, there are occasions when you are in port that you see food so tempting, or the aroma so overpowering, that it is impossible to resist.

So there we were in Puerto del la Cruz. It was 2pm and would not be sitting down to dinner until 8.30pm.

Having located a traditional Spanish restaurant, we sat on the balcony overlooking the sea and perused the menu.

My fellow travellers had decided they fancied a nice plate of gambas, oh, and why not some Calamari a la Romana as we were all in a fishy mood.

First though, the all important drinks.

Vino for the ladies, and in my best Spanish, three beers for us lads and by the way, did they have Mahou? Of course they had. On draught? Yes. Thus ordered, we then decided to add some Camembert Frito.

Our drinks arrived and to our surprise, we blokes were presented with

TAKE CARE: Keep cool.

No hot dogs this summer!

LUNCH SPOT: Puerto de la Cruz, overlooking the sea. three bottles of German beer plus three steins of draught Mahou. My language skills had been lost on our waiter.

These were closely followed by a stonking great salad, a mountain of bread, some alioli and a pot of beef dripping with some crunchy bits.

Next the Calamari on a dustbin lid posing as a platter, surrounded by a large quantity of fried potatoes and onions.

Although you can eat yourself silly on board ship, there are occasions when you see food in port that is too tempting to resist.

Room had to be found as a steaming sierra of garlic prawns arrived, along with a whole deep fried Camembert and another shopping trolley of bread.

We rolled out of the restaurant 90 minutes later, on the point of detonation and with our English and South African friends enthusing about the great value of the Spanish Menu del Dia. Dinner on board was a trifle subdued that evening.

Talking about Kate and Zara Kostas Koutsaftikis / Shutterstock.com

HEADLINES - why are we denied real news in mainstream media?

Mike Walsh Mike, based in Mediterranean Spain, is an international journalist, author and professional writer.

OCCASIONALLY, I look back on my history of columns. I wonder how many of these stories would see printer ’s ink in other mainstream media.

One has to go outside Europe, delve deeply on the internet, to discover that in the last two years, 74 NASA scientists died under suspicious circumstances.

Why are we denied real news? Is it because we prefer the comfort of a dumbed down version of world events? Is it, as CBS anchorman, Walter Cronkite said: “Our task is not to tell the truth; we are opinion moulders.”

I glance at a UK national newspaper. Headlines, the queen’s granddaughter may

QUIET: No serious debate on collapse of Greece. be pregnant. Kate Hudson shows off her ‘phenomenal body.’ Former Labour spin doctor helps ‘pariah Putin’ polish his image.

Bolshevik revolutionary, Lenin, described football as the opium of the masses. Today, the tranquiliser is news

of student mischief abroad; the ramblings of two unemployed scruffy motor heads, and aliens know how to find us.

Best not mention Britain’s debt interest has hit £1 billion a week. NATO expansion on fanciful pretext brings all-out

war closer than the Cuban missile crisis. Let us not talk about Iceland arresting bankers for fraud, its economy recovering.

There is no serious debate on the collapse of Greece or an EU in crisis over a nonEuropean invasion. Ukraine:

SUMMER’S here and it’s time to take extra care of your pets, as the hot weather brings out mosquitoes, ticks and sand flies, which can be not only a nuisance but a serious threat.

It’s imperative to safeguard furry little loved ones from these summer pests, as it will not only save heartache and money now, in the long run it could even save a pet’s life.

Investing in a tick collar now will ensure that man’s best friend doesn’t bring home any unsavoury new friends for the next few months.

At night the dreaded sand fly also comes out, biting many dogs and putting them at risk of leishmaniasis, a blood disease which can prove fatal, so it pays to be well prepared. Secondly, it’s shocking to see how many people are oblivious to their pet’s health needs, leaving dogs locked in cars or tied up outside without water or shade on hot summer days, resulting in many canine fatalities.

It may seem like obvious advice, but lots of fur and no ventilation in a small space always ends in disaster. So this summer, put forth a little effort, and make sure that pets survive Spain’s soaring temperatures and nasty pests.

Only the EU could destroy the economy of Europe’s biggest country in just 12 months. This EU - US mess, according to the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, will lose 1.9 million jobs and €80 billion.

Hard news is that Spain, and indeed the EU, faces meltdown in public support.

A large anti-EU faction of lawmakers is now at the heart of Brussels. Here in Spain, the electoral success of antiausterity Podemos could spell the end of the country’s rotating dictatorship. Similar sentiment parties gain massive support throughout Europe.

Russia, on the defensive, is now massing nuclear missiles along European borders, US disintegration is no longer Now we doubted, and the only debate want to is, when. hear your news.

Let’s get back to mainstream. Headline, ‘LonYOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE don Mayor Boris John- YOUR OPINION son tells cab drive to f*** www.euroweeklynews.com off.’ There you go.

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

EWN

Time for parting of the ways Cassandra Nash A weekly look

Swinging both ways in party politics

- and not entirely impartial reaction to the Spanish political scene

THE Convergencia i Unio alliance which governs Cataluña split up after 37 years. Unio is headed by Josep Antonio Duran i Lleida, a nationalist who is not a separatist, and Convergencia by Cataluña’s pro-independence regional president, Artur Mas. It’s about time Mas acknowledged evidence he and other power-hungry Catalan politicians are more committed to independence than the voters.

Hidden agenda ESPERANZA AGUIRRE, obliged to come to terms with losing Madrid city hall to Manuela Carmena, maintains that the Partido Popular’s existing formula needs new ingredients.

Nor has seeing Cristina Cifuentes at the head of Madrid’s regional government instead of the former incumbent, her protégé Ignacio Gon-

ARTUR MAS: More committed than voters.

METROSCOPIA pollsters found voters were turned off by the post-election dickering needed to form councils and regional governments.

They have no-one to blame but themselves for straying from the two-party system.

Podemos consistently refused to veer in any direction apart from the Lef t al t hough Ci udadanos voters could be forgiven for wondering why their party alternated between backing the PP and PSOE. It puts swinging in an entirely different context.

zalez, calmed Aguirre’s sentiments.

She entered national politics as a deceptively ditzy Education and Culture minister with Jose Maria Aznar in 1996. She acquired wiliness and political nous along the way, her approachable popularity camouflaging the ambition that led her to challenge Mariano Rajoy’s leadership in 2008.

Now Aguirre is calling for some self-reappraisal following the PP’s mediocre election results and it sounds as if she could be at it again.

Out for a profit SPAIN’S crisis-induced distrust of the banks helped create the 15-M movement in 2007. That in turn helped to create the Podemos party whose backing helped independent candidate Manuela Carmena become mayor of Madrid. The retired judge has been setting out her plans for the banks with little success. It’s fashionable to revile banks for their greed but they’re there for the money, just like the butcher, the baker and candlestick-maker.

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LETTERS

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OPINION & COMMENT

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION

Letters for Your Say should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments straight on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com

The red tape that is sending Spain down the tubes YET another example of the narrowminded and blinkered approach of the Junta de Andalucia regional government, which has major economic issues and a decline in tourism.

As an avid freshwater angler, I have fished in France, Holland and Southern Ireland without any issues in obtaining the required licences, but forget any thought of freshwater fishing in Andalucia.

The internet had no real up-to-date information on obtaining a licence beyond implying a trip to Malaga and the Agencia Medio Ambiente. So with Environment Agency Fishing Licence, Passport, NIE number, Public Liability Insurance and Casa Caja bank book, I made the three-hour round trip. It was a total waste of time. I had to either prove experience of fishing with an agency certificate/document, attend a two-day course (in Spanish) and an exam, or do the exam as a stand-alone (in Spanish).

I then referred to the first point and saw two years’ consecutive agency licences between years 1991 to 1996 would be sufficient All not lost yet, I emailed the UK Environment Agency which unfortunately only keeps records from year 2000, which they sent. With 15 years’ licences, and only one year missed, forwarded to the administrator at Malaga as evidence, I thought it would be good enough. Back came the prompt reply, a resounding NO, the years must be between 91 and 96.

Left with the other option, as a nonSpanish speaker, I said forget it. So yet another area of the Spanish tourist industry down the tubes.

Steve P, Castellar del la Frontera (Cadiz)

Barbaric act CHAKA was a beautiful giant Doberman, well known by everybody in Son Ferrer (Mallorca) for sitting at his owners feet in a café.

His owners adored him. Tragedy has struck. While the owners were in a restaurant in San Agustin on Saturday June 20, Chaka was nearby in the car with the windows open.

Someone set fire to the car and Chaka lost his life. The owners and the

Photographs for possible publication should be sent by email with a full caption to: photonews@euroweeklynews.com

A lot of people made vicious and ignorant responses to a stupid hoax, but instead of condemning them for their ignorance and stupidity, Leapy’s reaction is to blame it all on the Muslims who were being attacked.

Leapy’s real knowledge of what makes British Muslims tick is, I’m sorry to have to say, nil. He trots out all the usual stereotypes, and imagines that he is doing Britain a service, when all he is doing is to encourage intolerance among the non-Muslim community, and increase the numbers of Muslims who feel alienated. In other words, he is doing ‘Islamic State’ a good turn, Bill Campbell, Mojacar (Almeria)

Muslim Europe

This view from the sea at Miravet in Tarragona was especially spectacular.

Liz Hughes (By email)

community are devastated. Can anyone with information as to why this barbaric act was allowed to happen come forward and contact the Local Police on 971 003 300?

John Griffiths (By email)

Doggy thanks THANKS to David The Dogman for a really good and truthful report on socalled dangerous breeds. He has confirmed in his article what I always believed, and found, to be true.

My first dog was a long-haired German Shepherd who was army trained and never any problem, except for the one time I shouted: “Shandy, NO!” and she heard it as “GO” and did attack.

We had our first pit bull for 12 years - again she was no problem - yes, a female. Now we have a male Staff - a fully trained medical dog - again no problem. Thanks for the article.

Kay, Beniarbeig (Alicante)

Be alert!

I HAVE lived in Spain for 11 years and consider myself quite streetwise, so you might think I would be more aware of the tricks played by pickpockets.

Without realising it at the time, I foiled a pair of pickpockets in the Mercadona store on the Benitachell to Moraira road.

The guy who approached me was tall and plump with a swarthy complexion and thinning hair. He spoke to me in Spanish initially, but when I said: “No hablo español,” he switched to English and asked if I could read the ingredients on some cartons of drinks, as he had left his glasses at home, and was a diabetic.

Fortunately, his accomplice was a little heavy-handed, literally, as I felt his hand about to enter my pocket.

Once they realised I was aware of what was going on, they walked away from me. The accomplice was a short, older man, with white hair and a bald patch.

I did look for them in the store, to take their photos, but they had vanished.

I guess it’s that time of year. Let’s be careful out there!

Ken Cook, Gata de Gorgos (Alicante) Leapy Lee’s article on Muslims attitude to Western society (Issue 1564) was controversial…

Nazi tactic IT was the Nazis’ tactic, when people wrote and said violent things about the Jews in pre-war Germany, to comment: “Oh, well, they must have done things to deserve it,” and never to admit that the people who wrote those things were ignorant and vicious liars.

In this way, public opinion came to accept that Jews were evil people who threatened the national security and way of life, and we know what the results were.

Now, as usual, we have Leapy falling for this same trick

WITH regards to Leapy Lee’s latest column, Muslim women don’t wear these medieval clothes (burkas) because they are forced to. They wear them because they have an agenda and most western countries are too cowardly to do anything about it.

This is what Gaddafi stated more than nine years ago: “We already have 50 million Muslims in Europe. There are signs that Allah will grant Islam victory in Europe – without swords, without guns, without conquests. The 50 million Muslims of Europe will turn it into a Muslim continent within a few decades.”

If Turkey is added to the European Union, Europe will have another 50 million Muslims. Europe is in a predicament, and so is America, Gaddafi said. “They should agree to become Islamic in the course of time, or else declare war on the Muslims.”

Maybe not in our lifetime but Europe will one day be renamed ‘EURABIA’.

Ian Thomas (By email)

WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published.

Letters may also be edited.

Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

www.euroweeklynews.com

The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.

FEATURE

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Keith and the team would like to say a big thank you to all their previous customers.

Call 950 930 520.

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EURO WEEKLY’S SPACE FOR YOU TO TAKE A BREA

Word Ladder WENT

TIME

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MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

Almería

for next 7 days

weather

Move from the start word (WENT) to the end word (WITH) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.

TOMORROW

TODAY VELEZ RUBIO

HUERCAL OVERA

ALBOX

VELEZ RUBIO GARRUCHA

WENT WEND WIND WINS WITS WITH

WITH BACK

ALBOX MOJACAR

ALMERIA

HUERCAL OVERA

RETAMAR GARRUCHA

‘DOES THIS MEAN THAT GREECE HAS FINALLY WON THE DAY?’

ADRA

ROQUETAS

MOJACAR

RETAMAR

ALMERIA

ROQUETAS

ADRA

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Energy is high and there is a lot of fun

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) You feel like a fish out of water in a confused and noisy situation. Perhaps you are not making the right kind of friends, so take control of the quality of people who you associate with. Maybe it is relatives that are causing concern.

You cannot choose your relatives, but it is possible to see less of them.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) This is a great social week. Your puppy-like enthusiasm attracts others and a barrage of good vibes comes your way. Indeed, your relaxed attitude allows someone close to get their own life a bit more into perspective.

Nonagram

TARGET: Average: 14 Good: 18 Very good: 26 Excellent: 32

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) The kind nature that is so much a part of you is only too evident this week.

A situation makes you feel frustrated and you need to find a way forward.

A bit of expert advice goes a long way even if it does mean that you still have to go it alone. Be strong and remind yourself that this is for someone else.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) People look to you to guide them through the maze of right and wrong

How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle?

Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice).

Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case D) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION clog girl girn giro goon grin gurn ling logo long lung ring rung ugli cling clung coign congo corgi cuing gluon groin guiro igloo incog lingo logic lungi ruing unrig colugo cooing coring curing luring ruling unclog cooling curling louring COLOURING

Alicante TODAY:

Madrid

SUNNY MAX 33C, MIN 23C

Fri Sat Sun -

32 23 S 32 23 S 32 23 S

Mon - 30 23 S Tues - 30 23 S Wed - 32 23 S

Almeria TODAY:

MAX 31C, MIN 24C Mon - 32 24 S Tues - 30 24 S Wed - 31 24 S MAX 29C, MIN 23C MAX MIN

30 23 S 31 23 S 31 24 S

Mon - 31 24 S Tues - 31 24 S Wed - 32 24 S

Benidorm TODAY:

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Your mind, as ever, is changeable.

This is a fun time to dabble at this and that to bring a bit of variety to your life and work. Meeting new people and starting new projects means that it is a busy time at work but the rewards are high.

32 23 S 33 24 S 33 23 S

Mon - 33 24 S Tues - 33 24 S Wed - 33 24 S

S Sun,

Cl Clear,

Sh Showers,

10-Star Quiz

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9.

There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

LA PRIMITIVA

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

Saturday June 27

Saturday June 27

Friday June 26

Saturday June 27

Sunday Sunday 28

Saturday June 27

2

4

8

21

30

38

16

8 25

18 27

1

2

7

22

35

45

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

22

5

4

3

6 19

10 24

LUCKY STARS

5

7

1

8

10

16

26

32

REINTEGRO

15

2

CLEAR MAX 29C, MIN 22C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

29 22 S 31 22 S 31 22 S SUNNY

TODAY:

Mon - 32 22 S Tues - 31 23 S Wed - 32 23 S MAX 35C, MIN 20C

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

36 21 S 34 21 S 34 21 S

Mon - 34 21 S Tues - 34 21 S Wed - 34 21 S

15

19 47

44 48

REINTEGRO

3

SUNNY MAX 36C, MIN 22C

TODAY:

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Sudoku

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

Mon - 39 24 Cl Tues - 39 24 Cl Wed - 40 24 Cl

Murcia

SUNNY MAX 32C, MIN 23C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

39 23 S 38 23 S 39 24 S

Mallorca

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX MIN

34 24 S 33 24 S 33 24 S

Barcelona TODAY:

MAX 36C, MIN 22C

MAX MIN

Malaga

SUNNY MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

CLEAR

TODAY:

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) This time of year reminds you just how much you enjoy home comforts. Plan ahead now for those chilly winter nights when the air is crisp and the wine is mulled.

The urge is to work with others this week and that in itself throws up plans for evenings ahead.

Having planned a romantic weekend there may need to be some adjustments.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) You like to do your own things in your own way and in your own time. That certainly shows this week. It can cause a bit of a stir with family. Even so, it will inspire someone close to step forward and make their own stand. Put someone straight when they step out of line.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) There is a great impatience this week when someone flatly refuses to see something through to the end. You do not admire sloppiness and your reaction shows this. It may be necessary for you to sort out a situation which has been going on far too long.

As you dislike loose ends in any respect, your patience may come to an end.

this week. Your talent for bringing humour into the most tense situations is invaluable midweek. Summer is a socialising time for you and it is all steam ahead as you issue invitations and receive some back.

to be had. An invitation sent out brings an old friend to your table. This is not as straightforward as you think it will be. Odd stirrings make you confused.

LOTTERY

LEO (July 24 - August 23) There is a highly social week ahead with social gatherings here and there.

A trip means that finances start to look brighter. You may find it necessary, if you are to progress, to consider a move to another job or area. Get involved with people who have been in the same situation. This gives you a good guide as to exactly where you want to be.

(June 22 - July 23)

Fri Sat Sun -

F Fog, Sn Snow,

MAX MIN

36 22 S 37 23 S 37 23 S

Mon - 37 23 S Tues - 38 22 S Wed - 38 23 S

C Cloudy, Th Thunder

GOLDEN SLUMBERS 1. According to Washington Irving’s short story first published in 1819, for how many years did Rip Van Winkle fall asleep?

2. ‘As I walk’d through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a Den, and I laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a Dream’ are the first lines of which Christian allegory, first published in 1678?

3. Eric Coates’ By the Sleepy Lagoon is the opening theme of which long-running radio programme?

4. From which 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical does the song When the Children are Asleep originally come?

5. What is the French name for a ‘railway carriage with sleeping facilities for passengers travelling overnight’?

6. Which actor starred as Chicago architect Sam Baldwin in the 1993 American romantic comedydrama film Sleepless in Seattle?

7. Which BBC television programme did presenter Nick Ross always end with the words: “Don’t have nightmares sleep well”?

8. Which famous Shakespearian character speaks the line: “To sleep, perchance to dream, ay, there’s the rub”?

9. Who composed the music for the 1890 ballet Sleeping Beauty?

10. Who or what is a ‘somnambulist’?

1. At least 20 YEARS, 2. THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, 3. DESERT ISLAND DISCS, 4.

CAROUSEL, 5. WAGON-LIT, 6. TOM HANKS, 7.

CRIMEWATCH, 8. HAMLET – it is part of his famous soliloquy that begins ‘To be or not to be’, 9. Peter Ilich TCHAIKOVSKY, 10. SOMEONE WHO WALKS ABOUT IN THEIR SLEEP

YOUR STARS

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) As you prefer living in the here and now, you find it difficult to understand and tolerate people who plot and plan in advance. It is tedious in the extreme to consider every little detail of something which may never happen. Because there is this relaxed attitude, you have developed a larger-than-life personality.

This is an emotional week, when it is difficult to keep things to yourself. Get together with others and do a bit of social networking. Talk, and if you cannot bring yourself to confess to a problem, say that it is a friend of yours who has it. Certainly, you need to share this concern to get a balanced picture.

CANCER

OUT

2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

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page

AK, BE INFORMED AND ENJOY A CHALLENGE

Enjoy filling in the following puzzles and check the answers in next week’s edition

Quick

Code Breaker

Across 1 Determined (8) 5 Halt (4) 9 Of recognised authority or excellence (7) 10 Violation of law (5) 11 Hands over for money (5) 12 Packages (7) 13 Most recent (6) 15 Not tired (6) 18 Mountainous European country (7) 20 Play (5) 22 Requirements (5) 23 Sudden happening that brings good fortune (7) 24 Run or move very quickly (4) 25 First courses (8)

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 10 represents Z and 16 represents T, so fill in Z every time the figure 10 appears and T every time the figure 16 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

13 Highly educated (7) 14 Pressure (6)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC Across: 1 Sprites, 5 Ships, 8 Alive, 9 Oregano, 10 Trek, 11 Negative, 13 Roster, 15 Picnic, 18 Cardigan, 19 Cede, 22 Peerage, 23 Orion, 24 Ernes, 25 Shelter.

Down: 1 Scatter, 2 Raise, 3 Teem, 4 Scores, 5 Scenario, 6 Italian, 7 Stole, 12 Recitals, 14 Surgeon, 16 Cleaner, 17 Caress, 18 Copse, 20 Edict, 21 Node.

QUICK Across:

Down 1 Competitions (5) 2 Bright red (7) 3 Fails to keep (5) 4 Run away from confinement (6) 6 Two times (5) 7 Contented (7) 8 In short supply (6)

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Crossword

EWN

16 Learner (7) 17 Burrowing creature (6) 19 Outbuildings (5)

English - Spanish

20 Person who makes a gift of property 21 Gather in great quantity

(5) (5)

Down: 1 Besides, 2 Again, 3 Supreme, 4 Choose, 5 Edges, 6 Travels, 7 Spot, 13 Markets, 15 Obvious, 16 Satisfy 17 Helped, 18 Mask, 19 Cargo, 21 Swear.

The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Across 1 Shirt (6) 4 Mouth (of person, animal, bottle) (4) 8 Tenedores (5) 9 Ice (frozen water) (5) 10 Maletín (portafolios)(9) 13 Smooth (skin) (5) 15 Silver (metal) (5) 16 Route (4) 17 Batalla (lucha) (6) Down 1 Puño (costura) (4) 2 To look at (5) 3 To hold (8) 5 Un (3) 6 Year (12 months) (3) 7 Garbanzo (8) 11 Comienzo (5) 12 Merluza (pez) (4) 13 Southern (side, part) (3) 14 Hormiga (3)

Hexagram

1 Bears, 4 Chest, 8 Shampoo, 9 Grasp, 10 Dance, 11 Suspect, 12 Summer, 14 Losses, 18 Miracle, 20 Visit, 22 Steer, 23 Process, 24 Sword, 25 Sorry.

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across:

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

1 Autopista, 7 Chess, 8 Cloud, 9 Caer, 10 Boca, 14 Oveja, 16 Apodo, 17 Dangerous.

Down: 1 Alcachofa, 2 Trece, 3 Piso, 4 Sick, 5 Ajo, 6 Radiators, 11 Otoño, 12 Dawn, 13 Date, 15 End.

Cryptic The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 sixletter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (FABLES) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

ADVENT

METRES

BRIEFS

NOBLER

BURDEN

PASTEL

CHEERS

PEERED

ESTATE

RESENT

FABLES (10)

RIDERS

FELLOE

SENSES

FENDER

TESTED

INDENT

TINDER

LARDER

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Appeal 2 Millet 3 Degree 4 Kitten 5 Larger 6 Reeled 7 Latter 8 Ragged 9 Meters 10 Learns 11 Raised 12 Beasts 13 Barrel 14 Barbel 15 Naught 16 Shells 17 Afresh 18 Rouble 19 Wagons

Across 1 Learner at a place in Cambridge recently (6) 3 Abandon 'The Waste Land' (6) 8 Medicine was our connection, we hear (7) 10 Scandinavians reveal their birdlike qualities (5) 11 Make a speech about vermin in Olde English (5) 12 Flower for one with false name (7) 13 A place to stay, recently stolen by the Spanish (5) 15 TV detective revealing number of fingers? (5) 20 Being of a sweet and friendly disposition, I question my proficiency (7) 22 Find a suit and get a flat in South East (5) 24 Epic poem included in Swahili address (5) 25 Maintain America is in a spot (7) 26 Woman in luxury sports car is a heavily built bird (6) 27 A time with clucking females in foreign city (6) Down 1 Walk clumsily laughing out loud having left work (6) 2 Where Pacific Islanders live in cotton

garments (5) 4 With a little rubber a secretary may rub out (5) 5 They are in charge, but have leaders (7) 6 Smelly person not starting to mess about (6) 7 Film award for outsize vehicle (5) 9 Three diverted close by (5)

14 Work in India on view (7) 16 Nasty sores from some shrubs (5) 17 Audacious American lawyer with funny looking grin (6) 18 Lead in the French wood (5) 19 Game for first of threes and nines at sixes and sevens (6) 21 Remove and debug problem (5) 23 Not sleeping at a vigil (5)

62

E W N 2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de AlmerĂ­a

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OPINION & COMMENT

It’s time to take action AS the flowers bloom, nature is reminding you that this is a season of great abundance Sally Trotman

WHICH areas of your life are thriving the most at the moment? Now in the height of summer, pay attention to how you spend your time.

As the flowers bloom in the sunshine, nature is reminding you that this is a season of great abundance. If you would like to develop something new in one area of your life, then now is the time to infuse this idea with passion and inspired action! The full moon in Capricorn on July 2 will help you take a more practical approach to developing your ideas. This earthy sign favours planning, organising and setting realistic goals. Consider your plans and whether they are achievable, or how you can break goals down into smaller steps. Until July 21 the sun is ruled by the sensitive sign of Cancer so remember to nurture yourself and your vision a little more this month.

July is the seventh month of the year and the

SUNNY JULY: Consider your plans and whether they are achievable. influence of this number is helping you to hear your own truth. Is there anything you need to change in order to be more honest with your-

self? The sun moves into the sign of Leo on the 22nd, giving you the confidence to follow your heart. Just a few days be-

fore this the new moon in Cancer on July 16 gives you the opportunity for emotional renewal. Take a bath or swim in the sea on this day to gently cleanse away any old hurts from the past. If you would like to move to a new home, write a wish list with specifics about your need from your new abode. Then trust that you will be guided to exactly the right place for you.

The seventh card in the major arcanca tarot deck is the Chariot. The picture on this card is of a man reigning in two horses.

The influence of this card may indicate the desire to take a journey, so take a day trip, long weekend or holiday to gain a new perspective on your life. By taking time out for yourself this month you will be rewarded with a fresh vision to help you develop an even more abundant August. To discover how to make the most of the month ahead, receive a more personalised astrological report with Sally Trotman via Skype, telephone or email. For more information visit www.sallytrotman.com.

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E W N 2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

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OPINION & COMMENT

Summer’s here - bring it on!

If the music’s too loud, just put up with it, join in or lose sleep and self control.

Ric Polansky Ric Polansky moved to Mojacar in 1969 as a pioneer developer. He reads extensively and has travelled in South America panning gold and looking for El Dorado.

IT’S here. Summer. Along with flies, blistering heat, no see ums at night, crowded roads, restaurants full and tourists feigning to step on the zebra line and then jumping back.

A quick glance at the phenomenon might relegate you to abject boredom, troubling your patience. Yes, but it also arrives with Old Friends and Cold Beer. And, best of all, time to share both, because, after all, you are not going anywhere, not in this traffic.

I’ve been blessed with the many friends that come back for a visit or to reacquaint themselves with their villas. I know the first handful of phone calls will be about, the water doesn’t work (turn on the main cog under the sink), the electricity doesn’t work (go to the junction box and flip the switch). “We’ve got to have a pool this year how soon can you get one done?” Well, not before you leave!

The area has expanded to such a

COLD BEER: Time to share with old friends who are back for a visit. degree I cannot rightfully admit I know all the new and good places to eat; just the old tried and true.

If you need late night entertainment just park your car and watch.

Masses of hen parties seem to be breeding all along the front as are

bands of t-shirt traffic cops who, with a beer in their hand, act differently than they would at home (well, probably not).

Music too loud? It’s summer and not just anywhere but in a popular resort. Put up with it, join in or lose

sleep and self control. Cold beer is the answer to most summer problems. But if you find yourself constantly bothered get on down to BIG FAT MAMA’S on a Sunday afternoon where you can let off a little steam.

You can argue football with 19 different nationalities in eight different languages. Learn the perfect ‘swear words’ in an unusual tongue.

Impress your friends back home.

Oh, and those wonderful distorted, flippant unusual gestures.

“Leave ‘em gobsmacked.” Keep drinking as your hosts are most convivial and if you stay long enough you hit the ‘magic hour’ (7:30) when all the beach people return to their cars to shower and get changed for going out in the evening.

This leaves you parking at AKU AKU, TITO’S and THE RUSTY NAIL. See, summer isn’t so bad. You’ve just got to plan it. Still confused, call me for a guide, not cheap but entertaining.

Worry not, of course I’ll meet you at the chemists in the morning, the usual aspirin and sun tan lotion and a cold beer already pre-ordered.

HEALTH BEAUTY

&

sitting on buses, trains or in cars,” said Manuel Miralles, head of the Angiology and Vein Surgery service at La Fe. An estimated 150,000 people suffer from deep vein thrombosis every year due to long-haul flights.

Miralles said that generally it is not a good idea to take anticoagulants as a preventive measure before flying, but other measures should be put into place when one or more risk factors such as taking oral contraceptives, obesity, cancer or recent surgery are present.

Preventive measures include elastic compression socks, standing up and moving around regularly, doing stretching exercises for a few minutes every hour, drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and choosing an aisle seat to have more chance of stretching legs and changing position, the specialist explained.

Too many happy pills AN investigation has been launched in the UK into the amount of powerful drugs being given out too freely on the NHS. The British Medical Association is investigating the prescription of benzodiazepines, a class of anti-anxiety drugs including temazepam and diazepam, more commonly known as Valium.

More than 9 million prescriptions are given out each year in England, mostly for anxiety, but also as sleeping tablets, at a cost of £49 million (€69 million) Patients are now able to readily buy them online also.

EWN

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Long-haul flights thrombosis risk FLIGHTS lasting more than four hours and long journeys via other methods of transport, where people have little moving space and cannot change position, can double the risk of thrombosis, a new study revealed.

Angiology and vein surgery specialists from Valencia’s La Fe hospital have been analysing the dangers of Economy Class Syndrome in preparation for the summer season, which sees increases in long-distance travel and long-haul flights.

Economy Class Syndrome or Travellers’ Thrombosis leads to an increased probability of blood clots developing when people are forced to sit in the same position for long periods of time, a particular problem for travellers.

“It has only been proved that it affects people flying for more than four hours or spending equal or longer amounts of time

Costa de Almería

2 - 8 July 2015

Radiotherapy over but questions remain

25th June

WE are of course talking about the worse-case scenario Erica Russell Watson: My journey – and I’m driving I HAVE now completed my radiotherapy and I should be happy. I am, on one hand, because despite the machine breaking down several times I received my treatment which is the most important thing. My skin has become a little red over the last few sessions but that was to be expected. I have also noticed a large increase in freckles in the radiated area, also normal I imagine.

I went in for a chat with my doctor and she seemed very pleased. I was told that I would have to continue applying the cream and of course stay out of the sun and she would see me in a month to check my progress.

I also had an appointment to see my surgeon as I had finished my treatment.

She wanted to check me over and refer me for breast reconstruction. I was looking forward to this as you can imagine.

Despite meaning more surgery at least it was something that would be a positive

step towards regaining more normality and more symmetry! I have to say I am a little tired of my mastectomy bra!

I sat in front of her and she asked about the lesions or tumours in my lungs. This has not been clarified very well. At the beginning of chemotherapy I had a CAT scan and three small lesions showed up. I was told they were insignificant but would need to be moni-

I am hopeful things will be fine and I will be able to carry on with my operations and recovery.

tored. After the chemotherapy had finished I had another CAT scan and upon reading the report it revealed that these ‘lesions’ had reduced significantly. That of course is a positive thing but it got me thinking. I was under the impression that tumours respond to chemo and as they had reduced then the lesions could be more sinister.

Health Food Shop & Community Centre Are you looking for inspiration?

You’ll be surprised at the range of natural & organic products available to inspire you.

In the Community Centre Kids Karate, kids Gymnastics Art classes, Pilates, Yoga, Tai-Chi, Salsa-size Spanish lessons and health screening

C/Malaga s/n, Albox, Almeria, Tel: 639 089 170 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm Sat 10am-2pm email: alboxgirasol@hotmail.com

The surgeon agreed and said they would delay reconstruction until the next scan when they would know how the lesions were doing. If they increase in size then I might need another cycle of chemo which did not fill me with too much joy if I’m honest. I know the main goal is to beat cancer but I have been through 10 months of operations and non-stop treatment coupled with several other traumas and was just getting myself back on an even keel. To be told to wait another six months, when my hair will have just grown back and be faced with the possibility of starting from scratch again isn’t very pleasant.

We are of course talking about the worse-case scenario. I am hopeful things will be fine and I will be able to carry on with my operations and recovery. I do understand they are not going to cut me open, insert an expansor behind my pectoral muscle and put a further implant in later if we haven’t beaten the cancer.

So I end by saying I remain positive and also very grateful there is treatment available to me and that I have options.

A very special person I have been visiting in hospital recently died because their cancer was inoperable. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

I count myself lucky.

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E W N 2 - 8 July 2015 / CCosta de Almería

HEALTH & BEAUTY

www.euroweeklynews.com

Wearing skinny jeans can lead the muscles to be more relaxed and not as tight as you may think.

TOO TIGHT: Skinny jeans often create the illusion that you are slimmer than you actually are and can make muscles become lazy.

Are skinny jeans the latest health hazard for women?

EXPERTS warn to wear with caution as woman collapses and is hospitalised

By Gemma Quinn ARE your skinny jeans damaging your health? They may be a staple piece in many women’s wardrobes now, but experts are warning that trousers that are too tight can cause damage to the nerves and muscles in

the legs. Some also say they could be making you fat.

One physiotherapist said that skinny jeans often create the illusion that you are slimmer than you actually and that they make muscles lazy as they hold in and support the thigh muscles, buttocks and core muscles

in your stomach and do the job the muscles are supposed to do. This leads the muscles to be more relaxed and not as tight and taut as you may think.

The warning comes as news emerged that a 35-year-old woman spent four days in hospital on a drip

after her skinny jeans caused her to collapse. Doctors found the woman had suffered ‘compartment syndrome,’ damage to her nerves and muscles in her calves caused by the tight jeans. The damage weakened her ankles, making her unable to stand, and caused her calves to swell

up, rendering it impossible to take off the trousers.

The woman was wearing the jeans as she helped a family member move house and had spent a lot of time squatting and bending down which had restricted the blood supply.

Ten reasons to turn your tea green THERE are a number of reasons why green tea has been a part of some Asian cultures for centuries. The drink is rich in antioxidants and nutrients which benefit health in multiple ways, boosting immune systems and preventing illnesses.

Plus it is now known that it helps people trying to lose weight and can prevent serious health problems including cancer.

The following are the main reasons it’s a good idea for everyone to put a little more green liquid in their lives: 1. It’s rich in antioxidants, which are in charge of fighting free radicals and can help prevent some chronic illnesses and premature skin aging.

2. It could help prevent cancer, according to a number of studies it was found that antioxidants found in the tea

could help reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and also lower the chances of lung, stomach and other cancers.

3. The antioxidants it contains help regulate bad cholesterol levels and stop cholesterol clogging veins, meaning drinking the tea regularly could reduce the risks of heart problems.

4. A cup of green tea a day can help reduce the risks of liver damage caused by alcohol or other toxic substances and prevent inflammation.

5. Scientists have found drinking the tea can help prevent or even reduce excess weight. A study determined green tea has fat burning properties which helped participants lose weight over three months.

6. Green tea has a slight laxative effect, meaning it can help prevent or beat

constipation, and it also has properties which can alleviate wind, stomach bloating and other digestive problems.

7. Recent investigations found the tea could help control blood sugar levels and prevent development of type 1 diabetes or help keep type 2 diabetes under control.

8. Traditional Chinese medicine used green tea as a dental protector, and it is believed to help prevent mouth infections and keep bad breath under control.

9. Various studies found the tea has powerful painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties to help treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

10. Combined with vitamins and minerals, the tea’s high antioxidant content give immune systems a boost and have been found to help with colds and flu.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

EWN

67

Organic foods are good for us, but may not taste better SCIENTISTS say that the better taste of organic foods is all in our minds

By Gemma Quinn THERE are often claims that organic or fair trade food tastes better than chemically-treated food or factory farmed meat, but now scientists say that better taste is all in your mind.

Researchers at Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland, carried out flavour tests and found that supporters of ethically produced food convinced themselves that samples tasted better than normal produce, even when they were no different. They say the ‘moral satisfaction’ associated with consuming food produced in an ethical environment was leading people to enjoy it more and therefore feeling like it tasted better.

The moral satisfaction associated with consuming food produced in an ethical environment leads people to enjoy it more.

Oganic foods have health benefits such as higher vitamin and antioxidant levels in certain crops, but there is no research to show it actually tastes better.

ORGANIC FOODS: Have many health benefits such as higher vitamin levels.

New breath test to help beat cancer A NEW breath test has been created that could diagnose two forms of cancers.

The breathalyser is said to have a 90 per cent accuracy rate in detecting cancers of the stomach and oesophagus or gullet within minutes, compared to conventional lab tests which can take six hours.

The test also prevents the need for an endoscopy which involves patients having a probe pushed down their throat, and could save health authorities millions.

The test looks like a breathalyser and works by picking up distinctive odours produced by cancerous tumours when a person breathes into it.

A trial involving more than 200 patients has already shown promising results and further trials are planned.

NEW TEST: Picks up distinctive odours produced by tumours.

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FOOD

D R I N K

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Making a splash on a day out CORTIJO CATERING EVENTS offer you the chance to host your own exclusive pool party

By Staff Reporter PLANNING a party or corporate event and want something a little different?

Fancy a fun day out with family and friends? Cortijo Catering Events offers you the chance to host your own exclusive pool party at the stunning Cortijo Country Club. Celebrate in style, private pool parties are a fun way to celebrate, whether it’s a birthday, a summer holiday or a fun gathering for friends to

enjoy during the hot summer months.

Treat your guests to a poolside party after a long week and unwind with water games, belly flop contests, delicious dips, festive summer cocktails and more. Whatever your budget, Cortijo Catering Events can arrange a package which caters for your needs.

Keep the party simple with a BBQ or Hog Roast so that everyone involved can relax and enjoy the fun, sun and company. Looking for a little more en-

tertainment? Cortijo Catering can set up live cooking stations where your guests can watch a traditional paella being prepared right in front of their eyes. If a buffet is more your style, hot or cold versions are available.

Cortijo Country Club is an exquisite venue of unparalleled beauty, boasting a fairytale view of exquisite sunsets and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. Only 10 minutes inland from Marbella, the country club is surrounded by 35,000

square metres of private landscaped gardens and courtyards and the estate has all the facilities you could ever need to make your event one to remember.

The garden terrace sits 400 metres above sea level, offering breathtaking views. There are more than 17,000 varieties of plants, flowers and fruit trees, along with sweeping natural vistas, that create the perfect backdrop for your event.

Private parking, bus services, a ball-

room and complete event organisation are available.

You will not be disturbed by third parties, so timing or noise level is not an issue Do you want to Par-TY ? then the Cortijo Catering Events recently hosted the BeFree Marbella Gay Festival Pool Party at the Cortijo Country Club, where guests enjoyed a day of dancing, entertainment and a BBQ for

FOOD & DRINK

For more information on booking your own private pool party, please contact Cortijo Catering on 952 88 77 95 or check out the website at www.cortijocateringevents.com

only €25 per person. They are delighted to announce that, due to the overwhelming success of the BeFree Cowboy Party at Cortijo Country Club, they will be holding BeFree themed pool parties on the following dates: July 18, August 22 and September 6.

Book tickets with BeFree early to avoid disappointment.

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Cherries can bring you sweet ever after dreams ONE cup of cherries is believed to relieve any muscle pains

By Wendy Ann Cowham

can see cherries being sold everywhere. Fresh ripe cherries have a short shelf life.

CHERRIES in Spain are grown in In the store, vast quantities, in fact choose Spain is the fifth most cherries productive country in that have the world of bright, this sweet little shiny skin fruit behind with green stalks Turkey, the firmly attached USA, Iran and to the top of the fruit.

Italy. The season At home they are best for cherry growing kept in the refrigerator starts in mid April and and lightly rinsed before most of the produce comes from Jerte Valley of NorthCHERRIES: Choose ones with bright eating. You can not only enjoy the delicious taste ern Extremadura, Aragon, shiny skins and green stalks. of Spanish cherries, but and PGI Cerezas de la you can also enjoy all the Montana de Alicante. health benefits they offer. They are packed with Over 20 years ago crops were bad due to lack antioxidants, get rid of belly fat, and also help of irrigation and the absence of cropping the you sleep which is great news for insomniacs! trees to make development better. Now the most If you eat one cup of cherries it is believed to popular system used goes by the name of the relieve any muscle pains, some athletes swear ‘Spanish Bush’ which is a method used in the by drinking cherry juice before running a race Ebro River Valley which trains the cherry bush in order to help them ward off aches and pains. to produce fruit within the fourth year from beThe cherry is good for the skin too as according ing planted. to some scientists, drinking cherry juice can There are now new varieties of cherry being slow down the aging process. Such a tiny fruit grown and Spain is the second largest producer can work miracles and is sweet with it too! of the sweet cherry, and from May to July you

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FOOD & DRINK

Advertising feature

Garrucha European and Asian Fusion Buffet A SELECTION of 82 tapas is available which is perfect for large parties

By Wendy Ann Cowham EUROPEAN and Asian cuisine is ever popular for those who like to have a great choice on the menu at fantastic value for money.

With Garrucha European and Asian Fusion Buffet you have a wide range of 82 tapas dishes to choose

This type of venue has become popular with both regulars and holidaymakers.

TAPAS DISHES: There are 82 to choose from.

from which is perfect for families or large parties that have different preferences when eating out. For parents it’s also great news as all children under the age of five can eat for free and those aged between six to nine years eat for only €6.

The adult’s menu is even more tempting, as the extensive buffet choice is only €9.95 and there is one free drink included, so everyone can enjoy a

fantastic meal out at a great price!

It is no wonder that this type of venue has become popular with both regulars and holidaymakers, and many return time after time.

Garrucha European and Asian Fusion Buffet is open daily f r o m 11.30am to 4.30pm and from 6.30pm to midnight.

Garrucha European and Asian Fusion Buffet can be found on the Paseo del Malecon 18, Garrucha.

Tel. 950 460 952.

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OPINION & COMMENT

Michelle Keegan to replace Lacey Turner as lead in BBC One’s Our Girl Richard Shanley

Dishing the Dirt OF EUROPA DIGITAL

FORMER Coronation Street star and newlywed Michelle Keegan ha s l a n d e d a st arrin g ro le in BBC One’s drama Our Girl. The new five-part series is about m e d i c s i n t h e Britis h A rmy.

Ke e g a n wi l l p l a y C o rp o ra l Georgie Lane, an army medic on a risky mission in Kenya.

A BBC spokesman added: “It won’t be an easy posting as she has to earn the love and trust of her fellow soldiers, and the greater respect of her commandin g o ff i c e r, wh ile w o rk in g al o n g si d e a i d wo rk e rs in th e world’s biggest refugee camp.

“Kenya will be full of surprises that will challenge Georgie professionally and personally.”

The first series followed Molly

MICHELLE KEEGAN: New drama role.

Dawes, a medic in Afghanistan played by Lacey Turner. Turner won’t be continuing with the series due to her EastEnders commitments. Filming of the second series of Our Girl starts in Janu-

CHRIS EVANS: Returns.

ary, and is due to hit our screens in late 2016. Keegan recently tie d the knot w ith forme r TOWIE star Mark Wright.

TFI Friday will return for an eight-episode series hosted by

Chris Evans.

Channel 4 has conf i r m ed t he comeback for the show, which recently enjoyed a one-off special.

The new episodes will air l at er t hi s year.

TFI Friday ran for six series f r om 1996 t o 2000 on Channel 4. The first five series were hosted by Evans, and the sixth by a series of guest presenters.

In 2005, Evans fronted just six episodes of short-lived spinoff OFI Sunday on ITV. Earlier this month, a TFI Friday live special aired on Channel 4 as part of a weekend of ‘90sthe me d pr ogr am m i ng. The episode attracted over three million viewers. After the success of the episode, Evans was con-

firmed as the main host of a revam ped Top Gear, si gni ng a three-year deal to replace Jeremy Clarkson on the BBC Show.

Evans later confirmed he was qui t t i ng The One Show so he can concentrate on preparing for Top Gear. He will continue to host the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europadigital.com. I look forward to your comments and questions.

Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 & 106.8FM, now covering almost 3000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spectrumfm.net for the latest news and views from the world of satellite television.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

12 Slices of white, please!

PRODUCTION drew full audiences

By Maria JosĂŠ Fernandez THE weekend of June 26 - 28 at the Teatro Pedro Gilabert in Arboleas was the culmination of a great deal of effort by a great many people.

Culmination of a great deal of effort by a great many people.

The Luvvies production of Dinner Ladies drew very full audiences on every day over the three days, proving that the hard work put in by the Producer, Jakki Higginbotham, the back stage boys, and of course, the cast, had been worth all the toil.

This well-known and loved television sit-com was expertly

transferred to the stage by John and Elaine Skinner, who must be justly proud that their efforts were met with such enthusiasm by the audience.

Each member of the cast made the characters their own, giving them individual personalities with their own idiosyncrasies and foibles, yet gelling together throughout the show to create a well-rounded, balanced performance.

Now the Luvvies are looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet - but not for long! Their next production, The Vicar of Dibley, will be on the boards this autumn.

If you have a secret fancy to tread the boards yourself, or have any (very essential) backstage skills, phone 634 346 309, or contact The Luvvies at their website, info@theluvvies.com for more information.

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ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

Food covered for summer MEALS designed by a nutritionist

By Maria JosĂŠ Fernandez PARENTS can breathe a sigh of relief as their children are guaranteed a meal at school during the summer season.

The municipal summer school service, funded by the Almeria Provincial Council together with the Albox Council, has registered a record-breaking figure of children inscribed this year with a level of enrolment close to 90 per cent currently and estimated to reach 100 per cent, a total of 140 available places. Children between three and 13 years will benefit from workshops, excursions and pool activities.

On the other hand, the town council has covered the food needs of children in families at risk of poverty. Those children who eat at school during the academic year will also be able to do so during the summer.

Meals have been designed by a nutritionist to guarantee all children have their necessary nutritional needs covered.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

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&

HOMES

GARDENS

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

SPONSORED BY

Advertising feature

Residential mobile home specialists TUMOBILHOME SPAIN SL offers free legal advice to inform vendors of their rights here in Spain

By Staff Reporter TUMOBILHOME Spain SL is an English owned and run company and is now Spain’s largest dealer of pre-owned residential spec mobile homes, as well as being a manufacturer of new mobile homes.

The company buys, sells, transports and stores residential specification mobile homes throughout Spain and Portugal.

The main sales base is in Madrid, but no matter where the client is on the Iberian peninsula, the Balearics or the Canary Islands, Tumobilhome Spain SL can cater for their needs.

The company specialises in helping vendors who have been unable to sell due to difficult market conditions and circumstances now dictate they must bring the sale of their unit to a successful conclusion. To make the whole sales process run smoothly and easily, Tumobilhome Spain SL offers free legal advice to inform vendors of their rights here in Spain with their own in-house lawyer. Clients who are having difficulties with site owners and unreasonable rental contracts can then make a more informed choice. Regrettably, some of the site owners

fees, meaning they can put the proceeds of the sale into the bank.

As you would expect, Tumobilhome Spain SL is a professional outfit, meaning the company has a fully legal and insured team of contractors. And to further put your mind at ease, when they buy a mobile home they pay for it before it is removed, either in cash or by bank transfer to an account in Spain or overseas.

They can also negotiate on your behalf with the campsite if you are overseas or feel intimidated by the site owner, so don’t just hand in the keys at reception and walk away, call them!

UNABLE TO SELL? The company specialises in helping vendors complete a sale. they have dealt with in the past have taken advantage of the vendors’ inability to speak the language and a lack of understanding of the law.

As Spanish speakers and with expert advice, Tumobilhome are there to redress the balance and help.

The company can arrange all aspects of a mo-

bile home’s purchase and sale such as the removal, disconnection, plot preparation and/or clearance, as well as furniture removal both locally and internationally.

Many of the company’s vendors sell their mobile home and move to the local village and pay the same or less in rent than their ground

Call on 637 418 906 or our UK number +44 (0)1482 429718 for a free & no obligation discussion re your mobile home or email Suzicaley@gmail.com WANTED MOBILE HOMES! We buy, sell, remove and store mobile homes throughout Spain & Portugal.

Site fees going up, want to go back to the UK & need to sell? Then call Suzi Caley on 616 250 727 or UK +44 (0)1482 429718 or email Suzicaley@gmail.com

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Pool care basics

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HOMES & GARDENS

Paint effects are back in fashion THE latest ideas explore interesting colour combinations

By Steve Walsh

REGULAR MAINTENANCE: The secret to a nice, clean pool.

KEEPING your pool sparkling clean doesn’t have to be a daily, hated task, nor does it have to cost a fortune. Although different pools have differing maintenance needs, they all share one commonality, the secret to a nice, clean pool is regular and routine care.

If you choose to handle common problems like murky water or broken pumps on your own, make sure you follow manufacturers’ guidelines with machinery and chemicals.

However, apart from major issues, you still need to do a few things on your own to ensure your pool stays in good condition.

Simply by skimming, or using a longhandled net to remove leaves, bugs and other

unwanted items improves water condition and life. Vacuuming the bottom, and wiping the walls has the same effect.

Keep the water level topped up, damage will occur to the pump if it falls too low.

Contaminants like ammonia or nitrogen build up over time, therefore chlorine levels need to be maintained.

If you live in an area that falls below freezing in winter, use an air compressor to blow water out of the pool’s plumbing when the swimming season is over. But apart from that, filter cleaning once a month and maintaining the chemical levels correctly should be all that is necessary for the summer months.

PAINT ideas that will transform your room can be created more easily than you think, and according to House to Home, it’s back in vogue.

The latest ideas explore interesting colour combinations, using colour in unexpected places and simple layering as well as skilled effects.

Amazing feature walls can be obtained with paint, without structural change, using some clever tricks and techniques.

‘Tone on Tone’ is a new effect, layering different tones of the same colour that can create a subtle but effective finish.

When painting woodwork, a good rule of thumb is to go for darker tones for a smart, contemporary look. Try painting adjoining walls in different shades of the same colour.

Amazing feature walls can be obtained with paint, without structural change, using some clever tricks and techniques.

‘Unexpected’ is also a trend prediction, which is about paying attention to those spaces in-between, the neglected areas that usually go unnoticed or low traffic areas.

To make something stand out that never did before may

give an ‘unexpected’ surprise.

‘Zoning’ is a procedure where paint can be used to create zoned areas within one room by layering colours and shapes, adding focal points using geometric shapes within a space.

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Close plantings help conserve moisture in the long, hot summer SHADING the surface of the soil can be extremely beneficial Dick Handscombe

Gardening Corner

By Spain’s best known expatriate gardening author living in Spain for 25 years.

DURING the long hot period between spring and early autumn anything one can do to shade the surface of soil is extremely beneficial.

It delays or, even better, prevents the surface from harden i n g a n d c a p i l lary evaporation pores from forming and descending into the soil mass.

In the book now available from Amazon books ‘How to use less water in your garden’ some 35 ways of mulching and improving existing mulches are presented for you to use as a check list of what to try next.

One form of mulching that is often overlooked is live g r o u n d c o v e r p lan t mulchi n g , i . e . t h e c lo s e planting of plants so that their f o l i a g e t o u c h e s a n d overlaps. This can also be referred to as carpet planting.

There a re se v e r a l im portant benefits to plant mulches: • It keeps the surface of the soil shaded and therefore reduces the chance of it being baked like a brick by the s un a n d r e d u c i n g th e losses of moisture by capillary ac t i o n t h r o u g h h ard baked layers of soil.

• It can be permanent 365 days a year and does not degrade or rot down in time.

• Th e g e r m i n a t i o n o f weeds is discouraged as they would be in shade, and if some do germinate and start to grow they are likely to be st u n t e d b y t h e d a rk and soon die or chase up to the light and then die when the weak growth dries up in the sun.

• There is an increased chance of low growing branches touching the soil and self rooting. This leads to extra supplies of moisture, extra roots to hold soil banks together and the productio n of d a u gh ter plantlets that can be severed from the parent plant and

CONTRAST: Mass colour effects can be created or a large kaleidoscope of mixed colour. dug up for transplanting elsewhere.

Carpet planting can also be used when growing vegetables like lettuces in the open ground or on a growing table on an apartment terrace

• Provision of shade for b e n efic ia l liz a rd s , to ads , frogs and earthworms. The shade might however also attract snails and slugs but if this is seen to occur ecological snail/slug bait such as Neudorff’s Ferromol Anticlimacos can be sprinkled beneath the dense leaf cover to do its job invisibly.

• Provide natural insecticide effects. For instance p la n tin g ro s e o r lemon scented graveolens geraniums that are not attacked by the geranium moth amongst plants of other varieties that are. Or surrounding beds with a row of thyme plants that have a mild insecticide

effect.

• The creation of mass colour effects, both masses of one c olour or a la rge kaleidoscope mixed colour effect.

As discussed in Chapter 2.6 of ‘Your Garden in Spain – From planning to planting and maintenance’ we see the process of deciding on plantings as ‘painting w ith pla nts ’, the pre dominant colour of gardens being green ranging from bright ye llow gre e ns to more s ombre , to blue greens.

When designing carpet mulches the plants close planted can be: • All of the same type such as the circle of trailing purple la nta na unde r our Bird of Paradise tree and a large bed of lavender.

• Mixes of different types for colour effects such as our densely-planted rockery.

• A mix of plants that are in leaf and in flower at different times of the year. For instance a mass of flowering spring bulbs under the ba re prune d s ke le ton of branches of a lantana bush, w hic h w ill be s mothe re d

when adjacent lantanas leaf up and intermingle to create a c ontinuous s umme r ground cover.

• A mix of long-term survivors and sacrificial plants.

For instance, where slow grow ing pla nts like low growing spreading junipers and the spreading variety of

rosemary are to be the longterm ground cover, herbaceous sacrificial plants can be planted in the initial gaps recognising that they will be sm ot her ed and di e i n time.

Carpet planting can also be used when growing vegetables such as lettuces in

t he open gr ound or on a growing table on an apartment terrace.

Interesting designs can be created by close planting a m i x of t he var i ous gr een and red leafed varieties. © Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com July 2015

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PETS PAGE www.euroweeklynews.com

Looking after your dog’s paws in the summer heat PET OWNERS should be aware that a dog’s feet should be well looked after

David THE Dogman

SORE FEET: Dogs with burned paws will lick them.

Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10am to 11am Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm

I RECENTLY invited Joanna from Joanna Grooming Parlour in Alhaurin (Malaga) on my Radio Show, she has 20 years of vast hands on knowledge on grooming.

I asked Joanna to assist me with this article and she immediately said that she (and I) feel the most important advice is to warn pet owners that dogs’ paws on most kinds of floors that have been in direct sunlight can quickly burn the pads this includes pavements and the beach.

Dogs with burned paws will lick their paws often causing a secondary infection, she recommends pure cocoa butter rubbed into the pads, this helps to keep the pad in good condition and prevent cracking.

Pet owners should be aware that a dog’s feet, like humans,’ are to be well looked after as like us, sore feet can affect walking, causing joint problems in the long term.

Only a small amount of cocoa butter should be used, making sure not too much goes on to the paws. Cocoa butter is totally safe for your dog to lick.

At this time of year Joanna sees many dogs with fungal infections in between the pads, the main signs to look out for is constant licking of the paws with the feet getting quite smelly. Fungal infections are

v e r y common in Spain and they love dark damp places, your dog’s paws being the perfect breeding ground. Check your dog’s fur in between the pads.

They must be kept clean and dry. With long haired dogs it is best to ask your groomer to remove as much fur as possible from in between the pads. It is common that there will be smelly matts in the paw fur which is often caused by small pebbles, grass seeds, chewing gum etc, all of which can affect your dog’s walking.

So now you have this from an expert if you need further information free of charge then call Joanna on 661 152 451.

Politician’s pet in private plane parliamentary probe QUESTIONS have been asked in the Spanish congress

regarding just how pampered is the pooch of the interior

minister, Lola. The dog, Lola, that is. The Interior Minister is called Jorge Fernandez Diaz.

The PSOE socialists have tabled the question: “Did the Spanish interior minister’s dog, Lola, fly alone using official transportation?”

The socialists say they have asked the question to clear up rumours surrounding Lola’s travel arrangements.

Diaz denies any wrongdoing and has produced receipts for

Lola’s tickets for the AVE high-speed train, charged at the rate for pets. He stated: “The little dog has never travelled alone on an official airplane.”

PSOE deputy Pilar Grande said that she wanted to know once and for all whether official transport was being used for private purposes at the Interior Ministry, and that if rumours were proved false, she would be happy to have helped dispel them.

PETS

2 - 8 July 2015/ Costa de AlmerĂ­a

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Making life easier for your petsitter during holiday time

By Lamia Walker of HouseSitMatch HouseSitMatch (www.housesitmatch.com) HOMEOWNERS new to the concept of house sitting often need to know what they should do before their first pet sitter arrives.

I have mentioned this before, but with the holiday season upon us I think it is worth recapping.

Having done pet sitting myself, and having spoken to many pet sitters, I can say that just a few essentials can make all the difference to making sure your pet is as happy as possible while you are away. So here are a few tips on what to leave your pet sitter.

1. Write out a daily regimen: this can include meal, bed times and walking routines. It’s important your pet sitter stick to this to help keep your pet happy and anxiety-free.

2. Make sure favourite toys/treats are handy: these are essential for a pet sitter to bond with your pets and of course have some fun.

3. Extra leads and balls:

Both of these have a habit of getting chewed or going missing; make sure you leave your pet sitter prepared with a few spares. I also recommend a phone call or Skyping your pet sitter to get to know them, also if possible arrange to meet a day earlier, so they get to meet your pets before you leave.

Download your Free Easy Guide to Housesitting from here www.bit.ly/eurown001 To find a petsitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com or call Lamia on +44 (0)1865 521508.

WALKING ROUTINES: Helps to keep your pet happy.

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PROPERTY

2 - 8 July 2015

V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E W W W . E U R O W E E K LY N E W S . C O M

TO READ MORE

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Property of the week

Advertising feature

Bargain 2 bed, 1 bath villa close to Huercal-Overa

Brought to you by Voss Homes

THERE is room to build an extension of another bedroom or bathroom if required VILLA Tony is a spacious two bedroom, one bathroom fully furnished villa with room for extension for another bathroom or bedroom if required on a large 600m2 walled and gated plot in enviable, non-estate location walking distance to a shop, two restaurants and a bar, doctors, pharmacy and a school. Ask for a viewing and you will be amazed how spacious Villa Tony is.

If you do want another bedroom, bathroom or swimming pool etc we can introduce you to local builders and architects who will help you obtain the required permissions.

Under the Huercal-Overa Town Hall you are still allowed to have permissions for pools etc.

All paperwork is in place and mains electricity, water, Sky TV, telephone and internet are connected. It also has double glazing and window rejas and the furniture is included in the sale so is a great ‘lock up and leave holiday home’ or for yourselves or to rent out.

The house comprises a large living room/dining room with air-conditioning and a log burning fire, ful-

For €99,950

VILLA TONY: Has a generous low maintenance garden. ly fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms (one with built in wardrobes) and a family bathroom. The bedrooms have preinstallation for aircon. To the front is a covered porch with fly netting.

Outside is a generous 600m2 low maintenance walled and gated garden with country views and mostly laid to gravel with various tropical plants and fruit trees. There is also a

car port, tool shed and plenty of space for a pool.

Within a four minute drive you can be on the A7 motorway with quick access to airports, towns, beaches etc. Within eight minutes you can be in the thriving market town of Huercal-Overa with all its amenities. The coast at San Juan de Los Terreros, Mojacar or Vera is 35 minutes drive.

For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact Voss Homes on 0034 950 616 827 or 0034 678 002 006 or visit our

website www.vosshomesspain.com or our office in Huercal-Overa. We are 1km off exit 553 of the A7 motorway, 100m from LIDL.

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PROPERTY

Enjoy al fresco living at home this summer PERGOLAS are a great way of adding beauty and function to your garden or roof terrace John Graham The property expert

WE had the longest day on June 21 last week so summer has truly arrived.

Many readers have asked me how they can improve their home with a fun project and enjoy their outdoor living experience more this summer and if possible throughout the year, without spending a fortune.

For a fun project that is easy and doesn’t cost a fortune, the answer is build a pergola and enjoy a beautiful shaded retreat in your garden or roof terrace this summer.

It looks great and can be a great accessory for your home and enhance your enjoyment of outdoor living day or night.

Pergolas have been around for over 3,000 years, the cloister of Trinita dei Monti in Rome and the Medici Villas built near Florence around the 16th century are good examples.

Pergolas are a great way to add beauty and function to your garden or roof terrace.

PERGOLAS: Look great and can be a great accessory for your home.

By adding a well designed wooden architectural feature to your home you will make your home look special and don’t be afraid to be creative, let your pergola reflect your personal style and style of your home.

Pergolas don’t need to be big or grand, it can be attached to your home making a stylish transition from indoor to outdoor living space, providing your home with an interesting feature

which can improve even the most boring of exterior facades.

Your pergola can be rustic or an elegant design covering a patio, you can create a perfect place for outdoor dining or a relaxing retreat with comfortable cushions, relaxing furniture design. Add colour and increase the sense of intimacy with bougainvillea, vines and hanging baskets filled with flowers.

Your cosy space could also include exterior light features for late night dining or drinks on those warm summer evenings. For the day time use, outdoor friendly fabrics can be an attractive and practical accessory, especially to shield the sunlight or unwanted views.

Adding the sound of running water is a guaranteed way to make your pergola more of a relaxing retreat, having a fountain or water feature will add ambience and a natural cooling effect, think Spa or a mini version of The Alhambra Palace in Granada.

For those of you that want a laid back ambiance you can include a bench swing in your design but make sure it is attached to the sturdy load bearing beams of your pergola.

If you’re building a pergola on your terrace, make sure your roof terrace can support the weight and is strong enough to cope with those windy days in the winter.

If you need more advice on pergolas or professional help on how to increase the value of your home, please contact me.

John Graham FGIS / 020 32 900 983 / +34 657 337 477 / gk.ipad@me.com

ECO-FRIENDLY: Homeowners are eager for solutions that won’t break the bank.

Going green at home is stylish and economical HOMEOWNERS eager to do their part for the environment are looking for eco-friendly solutions that won’t break the bank. Luckily for them, promoting healthy, sustainable living is both stylish and economical.

First off, homeowners should exchange their incandescent light bulbs for energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. These new bulbs use a quarter of the electricity of regular bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Next, consider installing timers or sensors to ensure that lights are only used when needed, as opposed to lighting empty rooms. Finally, open the shutters and let in the powerful Andalucian sun, a free source of solar

energy to warm and brighten homes naturally.

To further reduce power bills and carbon footprints, make sure electronic appliances, such as TVs and computers, are unplugged instead of idling in standby, which uses almost as much energy as when turned on. Likewise, use domestic appliances as recommended, for instance waiting for a full load to run the dishwasher or washing machine, thus saving water and electricity.

For further water conservation, fill the sink to wash dishes rather than running the tap, limit showers to five minutes or less and water gardens in the morning or evening, when water evaporates more slowly.

PROPERTY MARKET: Making a gradual recovery.

Foreign buyers attracted to Spain for a life in the sun MUCH of the gradual recovery of the Spanish property market is down to foreign money coming into the country, a new report has revealed.

The property registrars’ society has reported that people from abroad bought 12.2 per cent of homes sold in the first quarter of this year, compared to just 9 per cent in 2006.

Luxurious homes in popular areas such as Pedralbes (where King Felipe’s sister and her husband recently sold their mansion), Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona and the Salamanca and Chamberi districts of Madrid are receiving much of the atten-

tion from foreign investors, with prices having already recovered 20 per cent of the value lost during the crisis according to Spanish statistics.

Investors are coming from the UK, the Middle East, Asia and the US as the depreciation of the Euro increases the appeal of property in the sun.

Spain’s so-called Golden Visa scheme, offering residence permits to those who spend at least €500,000 on a home in the country, has increased the interest of foreign buyers, with 490 visas issued between September 2013, when the scheme was born, and the end of 2014.

OPINION & COMMENT

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LEGALLY SPEAKING

Staying cool uses fuel so turn it down AS part of our series, we answer some common driving questions, kindly provided by members of the Guardia Civil based in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, who set up the N332 website and Facebook page to help break down barriers.

AIR CON: Checks should be carried out at a reputable garage. essential element of air conditioning and a clear sign of a malfunction is the device fails to cool when connected. Another sign of a malfunction is a sour-like smell in the car.

All air conditioning checks should be carried out at a fully legal and reputable garage, so get yours checked out now for summer.

USING your vehicle’s air conditioning set at a temperature below 20 degrees centigrade can result in an increase of 20 per cent in fuel consumption. That’s according to a report compiled by Auto Scout 24.

The report wanted to raise awareness of using air conditioning and the impact on vehicle use, including an increase in maintenance. It encouraged users to reduce the settings of their aircon units to help improve performance of fuel consumption.

Auto Scout 24 also highlighted the importance of conducting proper maintenance of the air conditioning in winter and perform a thorough cleaning of the radiator as well as checking the hoses and ducts of the system.

The report also pointed out that gas is an

Tweeting potholes A new system has been created in Panama that sends road managers a tweet on Twitter to the official account of the Ministry of Public Works, every time a vehicle goes over a pothole in the road, as a reminder it needs fixing. An imaginative solution that maybe ought to be tried in Spain.

For more news and articles visit www.n332.es or search N332 on Facebook

Can they complain about garage?

We then had the car taken away. Finally the car is repaired. It seems the car’s own computer was faulty. We feel let down and angry about the garage service.

What can we do to seek recompense?

We have copies of the various documents.

A.S. (Costa del Sol)

So m e t i me ag o w e to o k o u r car to the official main dealer garage because our local mechanic could not fix it.

To cut a long story short, they seriously misdiagnosed the problem and charged us nearly €2,000. They then asked for a further €1,400 but admitted the problem still existed.

The simplest way to complain is to go to your nearest Spanish consumer office.

This is the OMIC, the ‘Oficina Municipal de Información al Consumidor.’ If you have obtained a copy of the official complaint form, the ‘Hoja de Reclamaciones,’ at the

David Searl You and the Law in Spain

Simplest way is to go to your local consumer office.

garage, the OMIC staff will help you to filll it in.

If not, the OMIC should have a form for you to use. Quite often, the simple presentation of this form will lead to an offer from the garage to settle.

If not, you will need to follow up through the OMIC.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

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Motoring shorts

All-electric Aston Martin IT would appear that testing is under way with the boffins at Aston Martin to produce a 1,000bhp all electric car.

CEO Andy Palmer, spoke to Chris Knapman of The Daily Telegraph at Goodwood last weekend, where he told him of the possible changes in the wind. Palmer confirmed that Aston are working on a four-door model based on the Rapide that would be powered by a fully electric motor capable of pushing out 1,000bhp.

Last Defender of the faith FOR those that are faithful to the iconic old Land Rover and Defender models, a tear in the eye may well greet the 2,000,000th defender to roll off the line in December as production comes to an end.

With a shape, pedigree, set of principles and a ‘job to do’, attitude that has barely changed for seven decades, senior Jaguar Land Rover managers have announced they are to produce a special edition of the iconic Defender to mark the production of the two millionth version.

Clarkson Quote of theWeek

MOTORING www.euroweeklynews.com

This is what should be meant by people power. The power for people to choose which of the government’s petty, silly, pointless laws they want to obey. And which they don’t.”

Some might say...

McLaren steals the show at Goodwood Festival of Speed THE car-maker honoured the 20th anniversary of their spectacular Le Mans victory in 1995

By Steve Walsh ONE of the stars of the show at this year ’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was a rg u ab ly th e M c L a re n stand, sporting a stunning custom P1 alongside a very rare F1 GT. M c L a re n h o n o u re d the 2 0 th an n iv ers a ry o f the ir spectacular 1995 Le Mans victory by displaying a custom P1 hypercar, and the return of an extremely rare McLaren F1 GT. The new 570s made its debut on the hill, while back at the show stand fans dribbled over the 650s Spider and the P1 GTR. The red, white and blue colour scheme of the custom P1, was an idea from McLaren’s in-house nutterists, MSO, (McLaren Special Operations) harking back to the patriotic helmet worn by French F1 legend Alain Prost. The F1 GT, however, had a pristine grey

BIG ATTRACTION: McLaren P1 GTR. livery to reminisce the late 1990s, when Mika Hakki-

nen took the F1 world title two years running. The F1

GT on display was one of only three made in order to

justify the entry of the car for racing in 97.

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The Three Amigos under the spotlight A LOOK at how three popular mid-sized family hatches, VW Golf, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus, compare LOOKING around us on today’s roads, the vast majority of vehicles seem to be the mid-sized family hatch. The reason for this is obviously that the niche suits most people’s needs the best.

Because the likes of the VW Golf, Mazda 3, or Ford Focus can be utilised - in their many guises - by boy racers, mums and dads, Auntie Ethel or Stig Blomqvist alike, we take a look at how they compare.

The Mazda3 is a better looking car than the Focus or Golf. Economy-wise it’s reasonably cheap to run as well, in no small part due to its efficient SKYACTIV engine.

Pros and cons are: it’s cheap to run, looks great, and fun to drive. But the entrylevel engine lacks power, it’s quite expensive to buy, and the boot space is smaller than some rivals.

The Volkswagen Golf has always been the benchmark of this group. Available as the bigger Golf Plus and the practical Golf Estate, we looked at the more familiar shape.

The car that has had more regenerations than Dr Who, scored highly for build quality, performance and refinement; however, it goes to the back of the class for pricing and ‘fun factor’.

The pros and cons are:

high-quality interior and efficient engine, which will hold its value. But it has unexciting looks and is expensive to buy.

5-star rating given for crash protection in the Ford Focus by Euro NCAP crash test agency

The Ford Focus is typically the default family hatchback.

It’s the best car to drive in its group. The Focus is well equipped, and offers a wide range of fuel-efficient engines.

Large distribution networks and numbers of local garages mean cheap spare parts and having it serviced is very easy. This could be handy, and the reason some choose against the Focus.

The previous generations of the model haven’t been quite so reliable or well made. But the current one looks to be a big improvement.

The Euro NCAP has awarded the car its maximum five-star rating for crash protection, and the safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, lane-departure warning and a driver tiredness monitor, amongst other features. Which brings the Focus up to the levels of

POPULAR: VW Golf, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus. the others in its class.

In summing up then, the Mazda3 is a stylish and entertaining family hatchback that’s cheap to run, while the Ford Focus offers a superior engine range and safety level.

But the lacklustre Golf is better by way of build quality, reliability, and performance.

The choice is yours!

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MOTORING

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

Top Gear trio in talks with Netflix

By Steve Walsh JEREMY Clarkson and the dynamic duo of Richard Hammond and James May will soon be back behind the wheel of a motoring show as Clarkson confirmed to The Sunday Times that the trio are returning to TV. Although an official announcement is not expected for a few weeks, rumour has

it that the former trio are ‘very close’ to a deal with the online streaming service Netflix.

Meanwhile, at the BBC, the pit crew are hurriedly putting the tyres on the new show from the Top Gear franchise as DJ Chris Evans is squeezed into the driving seat for the launch of the hit show’s Season 23.

SPORTS

2 - 8 July 2015 / Costa de Almería

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19th Hole Golf Society, Cucador THURSDAY June 25, and the 19th Hole Golf Society a r r i v e d a t Va l l e d e l E s t e nice and early to take advantage of the venue which resembled the Somme in places due to renovations.

Nick Pogson scored a neat 34 points to take first place in Division one on countback from Brian Lowden on the same score.

But Mike Palmer and Zeta Denyer in Division two defied the odds and returned scores of 38 and 37 points respectively to easily take first and second places in Division two.

Without doubt Valle del Este will be absolutely beautiful when all the

works are complete but, as our scores show, the course is still very playable, good value and a challenge to all golfers.

Nearest the Pins were awarded to Nekana Galindez, Alan Brigden, Mark C o ff e y a n d D o u g B i r e l l .

T h e t w o ’s w e n t t o A l a n Brigden and Tony Mackay.

The 19th Hole G/S is now arranging weekly games at various courses in the area, the home course p l a y e d f o r t n i g h t l y, i s Aguilon.

If you are interested in joining or playing with the 19th Hole call: 610 340 653. Or email gs19thhole@ hotmail.co.uk.

A feast of sport for the month of July From Back Page

FOOTBALL – The final of Copa America takes place on Saturday in Santiago, and will feature the winners of the two semi-finals involving Argentina v Paraguay (who ousted Brazil) and hosts Chile v Peru.

On Sunday, Vancouver stages the women’s World Cup final which could feature England.

They reached the semi-finals for the first time in their history after beating hosts Canada 2-1 before 60,000 fans and played holders Japan last night for a place in the final.

Germany, who scraped into the semis via a penalty shootout victory over France, met the USA in the other last four game on Tuesday.

Earlier this week (Tuesday) the European U21 Championship final between Portugal and Sweden took place in the

Czech Republic. Disappointing England lost their three Group games, scoring just one goal.

And did you know the 2015-16 season starts tonight – oh yes it does! There are 32 first round qualifying games in the Europa League, among them: Alashkert v St Johnstone, Shkendija v Aberdeen and West Ham v Lusityanos.

ROUND-UP – This weekend, the World Superbike Championships start in Russia and the Modern Pentathlon World Championships and Beach Volleyball World Championships conclude in Berlin and the Netherlands... On Saturday punters (and bookies) will attend Sandown Park to watch the Eclipse Stakes, while last weekend the 150th Irish Derby was won by Jack Hobbs, ridden by William Buick... Tai Woffinden (Wolves) is the British speedway champion for the third time.

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Our new golf columnist EURO WEEKLY NEWS – gives a big welcome to golf columnist Campbell Lamont

Getting in the swing with Campbell Lamont MY name is Campbell Lamont and I am delighted to advise you that my company will be writing the Golf Page in future editions of your favourite English language newspaper.

I will endeavour to make it interesting for everyone and not merely the serious golfer, with items about local, national and international subjects.

I am always delighted to hear from you and we will read every item of correspondence sent to our email address info@clgolf.es Campbell Lamont Golf has been established on the Costa Blanca for eight years and in that time my team has worked hard to create a strong business that has a growing and loyal client base.

In recent months we have started to expand into other areas of Spain and indeed into other European countries.

Just a few weeks ago we saw the dra-

MASCOT: Campbell Lamont Golf. matic conclusion of the Campbell Lamont Leagues, sponsored by Ford and Continental Wealth Management which has grown exponentially and for the 2015/16 season it will feature close to 10,000 golfers from all areas of Spain and Europe. You could be one of them and you can find details on our web page: www.clgolf leagues.com We have also expanded our retail busi-

nesses with six golf shops from Valencia down to Alicante and with a number of others now scheduled for later this year.

Whilst our main business is centred in the Costa Blanca we are already operating far beyond that area and we now provide green fee bookings and golf breaks right across mainland Spain and the Balearics.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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Costa de Almería’s best guide to local sport

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Grand feast of sport is just for starters in July Tony Matthews International Sports A former football player and the world’s most prolific author of football books (more than 100 published), Tony is also the sports reporter for Spectrum Radio and lives in the Cabrera mountains.

Costa de Almeria

FORMULA ONE – This weekend the cars, crews and drivers will compete in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Lewis Hamilton, who holds a 10 point lead over his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in the driver’s championship, will be as determined as ever to win on home soil!

ATHLETICS – Many top athletes will participate in the Diamond League meeting in Paris on Saturday before mov-

ing to Lausanne in Switzerland next Thursday, with meetings in Monaco (17 July), London (2425 July) and Stockholm (30 July) to follow. And you can expect Mo Farah (despite the doping inquest) to be competing at one or more of these venues!

CYCLING – The Tour de France starts on Saturday and runs through to the 26th of the month. GB’s Chris Froome is among the fancied riders.

WIMBLEDON – Yellow balls are already flying around and with this being a ‘European’ newspaper, hopefully Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – all previous winners of the men’s title – will be challenging for honours

again. In fact, Murray COULD face Federer in the semi-finals and Djokovic in the final... if they all keep on winning. As for the woman, I ‘fancy’ Simona Halep and Ana Ivanovic while Serena Williams WILL hold all for Grand Slam titles simultaneously if she wins!

CRICKET – The T20 Blast competition is hotting up and with the Group games almost complete, Birmingham Bears (Warwickshire really), Surrey, Worcestershire and Durham are all set to qualify for the next stage. The big game tonight is the Roses Battle: Yorkshire v Lancashire.

Oxford beat Cambridge by 43 runs in the annual varsity cricket match at Lords. And don’t forget, the first England-

Australia Ashes Test starts in Cardiff in six days time. And world number one batsman, Aussie skipper Steve Smith, is bang in form.

MOTOGP – Last Saturday, Italy’s Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) beat Spain’s Marc Marquez (Honda) by less than a second to win the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) was third. The 1-2-3-4 in the rider’s championship after eight races is Rossi (163 points), Lorenzo (153), Andrea Iannone (Ducati, 107) and Marquez (89).

Next up: Germany, 12 July.

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VALENTINO ROSSI: Won the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen.