FREE! TAKE ONE HOME Issue: 7 Friday 3rd October 2008 www.themenorcasun.com
GRATIS
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INSIDE THIS WEEK
YOUR ISLAND Pages 7 & 8
WE BRING YOU THE TALE OF THE HAPLESS ADMIRAL JOHN BYNG WHO WAS EXECUTED FOR FAILING TO ENGAGE THE FRENCH DURING THE BATTLE OF MENORCA
SPORT Pages 14 & 15
FIRST WIN IN 8 PRE-SEASON GAMES OFFERS VIVEMENORCA HOPE FOR THE CAMPAIGN TO COME
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NEWS
Friday 3 October 2008
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BALEARIA PUT THE BRAKES ON
FAST FERRIES TO BE REPLACED WITH BRAND NEW, BUT SLOWER, VESSELS
The shipping company Baleària this week announced plans to replace its fast ferry serving Menorca with new slower, regular ferries. The company currently has four such ships under construction in Vigo and they expect the first, named the Martin Soler with a capacity of 1,200 passengers, to come into service this coming December. The cost of the new fleet is over 350 million euros.
The cost of the new fleet is over 350 million euros. The journey time to the mainland in the newer vessels, with an average sailing speed of 22 - 24 knots, is expected to double to around six hours compared to the faster ships.
MENORCA SUN
The Ramon Llull: a thing of the past in Mahón? Baleària justified the changes on the current high cost of fuel, which reached 120 dollars a barrel last month. The new boats will also be more fuel efficient and will meet the objectives of the Kyoto agreement in the battle to combat the supposed climate change. However the company stressed that they have absolutely no plans to cut the frequency of sailing from the island and pointed out they had,
in fact, only just increased the number of services they offer from Menorca. Despite being slower than the fast ferries the newer vessels will provide better comfort and facilities for passengers and the company compared them to ‘cruise ships’. The ships will have staterooms, restaurants and wi-fi amongst others things. The new vessels have also been designed to better enter and leave the ports they serve.
CATALANS MARCH FOR THE RIGHT TO SPEAK SPANISH! Approximately 4000 people marched in the streets of Barcelona to protest againt the immersion of the education system in Catalan and to defend the right to be taught in Castellano (Spanish). As with schools Catalunya, island schools come under the same laws regarding education. Several people travelled from Menorca to attend the rally, with the support of the
Partido Popular and UPD, led by Rosa Diez. Albert Rivera, a spokesman for the organisers commented that is was wrong to have 25 hours of the school week in Catalan, 3 in English, and only two in Spanish. “We suffered 40 years of defending the right to be able to speak Catalan or Basque. Now 30 years later we have to stand up and fight for bi lingual education”
ISLAND’S AIRLINKS TO MAINLAND ARE SECURE The Balearic minister for Transport, Gabriel Vicenç gave assurances yesterday that air connections between the Balearics, including Menorca, and Catalonia on the mainland will be guaranteed this winter, thanks - he claimed - to excellent relations in this area. Vicenç was speaking yesterday following a meeting with his colleague in Catalonia’s regional government,
Joaquim Nadal who is Minister for Public Works and Territory Policy. Vicenç explained that if a particular connection or the frequency of its running was under threat, the two regional ministries would search for a substitution as quickly as possible. He added that in spite of the difficulties currently facing the airline industry, the airline operational timetable has “never been better” to the islands.
TEN ARRESTED IN ANTI-CORRUPTION SWOOP IN THE BALEARICS The former head of the Economic Development Group of the Balearics, Antonia Ordinas, and his wife, the soprano Isabel Rosselló, was arrested in Mallorca on Monday in connection with an anti-corruption investigation instigated by the police and the government’s anti-corruption office. The operation, nicknamed ‘Scala’ also resulted in the arrest of eight other businessmen. The charges likely to be
brought against the ten include bribery and embezzlement of public funds. According to investigators Ordinas received between one and two million euros in illegal commissions in the four years he was head of the Economic Development Group from 2003 to 2004. He also stands accused of being favoured for works for which he was paid ‘tens of thousands’ of euros.
Throughout the day the police and government inspectors took away hundreds of documents for the homes and businesses of the accused for further investigation. It is also understood that a number of banks are helping the investigation. In his time as head of the Economic Development Group of the Balearics Ordinas also had responsibility for this island.
MENORCA SUN
NEWS
Friday 3 October 2008
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BETTER RAIL LINKS FROM BARCELONA Improved rail links Barcelona, Zaragoza and Bilbao
From next month, travelling by rail between three of northern Spain’s finest cities should be much easier. A new express is to connect Barcelona, Zaragoza and Bilbao. Only the section from Barcelona to Zaragoza is on a dedicated high-speed track, but the overall journey time between Barcelona and Bilbao, the largest cities in Catalonia and the Basque country respectively, will be much reduced from the present direct train, which takes more than nine hours. According to the new Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable, the new service is due to begin on 20 October. You can book at www.renfe.es or through
specialist operators such as Trainseurope (0871 700 7722; www.trainseurope.co.uk). The timetable also notes that, from the start of the new winter schedules on 14 December,
MAN ARRESTED FOR TALKING WHILST DRIVING! YOU COULDN’T MAKE THIS UP!
A man has been fined by the Guardia Civil in Cantabria, for talking to his brother while driving on a visit to see their mother. The driver considers the fine an abuse of power by the Guardia Civil. Álvaro López Iglesias, who works as a professor at an Institute in Britain, told El Comercio Digital that he noted that the Guardia Civil were following
them for a time along the motorway at Villaviciosa. They were then stopped and he was fined 60 € for talking to his brother and for driving ‘without permanent attention’ to the road. Álvaro says it is a complete abuse of power on the part of the Guardia Civil, and adds that when he said he would go with the agents directly to the barracks to pay the fine instantly, he was told he could not do so as they were ‘going for lunch’.
easier connections will be available from Lille to Barcelona. “Unfortunately, the departure time is too early to benefit passengers from London,” says the timetable’s editor, Brendan Fox.
ABORTIONS TO PALMA A total of 106 women from Menorca had to travel to Palma last year to have abortions carried out as there is no medical centre or hospital that carries out the operation on the island. In the case of the Hospital Mateu Orfila, they send all women to the Hospital Son Dureta in Palma. The only other clinic in Menorca that does operations, the Clinica Juaneda Menorca, does not do terminations. In the last five years a total of 806 have been sent to Mallorca.
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SPANAIR UPDATE Newspaper El País has had acess to the summary of the judge’s investigation which is centered on the TOWS alert system on the MD-82 plane. El País on Saturday published details of the summary of the judge’s investigation into the Spanair accident at Barajas Airport in Madrid on August 20 which resulted in the death of 154 people. The judge has turned to Interpol to supply the information which Spanair, Boeing and the Ministry for Development on the instructions and warnings over the airworthi-
ness of the MD-82 craft given by the constructor. The newspaper considers that the judge has centred his concerns on the TOWS alert system, which should detect any problems ahead of take off. The manual says that the system should be revised ahead of each take off, but it seems that Spanair was allegedly only doing so before the first flight of the day. Had it done so the judge considers the tragedy could have been avoided as the possible fault in the working of the flaps would have been found.
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NEWS
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BONO WANTS TO BE SPANISH!
Cruz with Bono
Bono is thankful at how Spain is backing the Millenium objectives in the fight against world poverty. Irish singer Bono, from the group U2 is reported to have told the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, that he wants to take on Spanish nationality because of the way the country was supporting development aid. The two met at the United Nations in New York on Friday. Bono was there with Bob Geldof as representatives of the ‘One’ campaign which in-
MENORCA SUN
Friday 3 October 2008
tends to half world poverty by 2015. The musicians encouraged Zapatero to continue with his campaign to ensure the Millennium Objectives against poverty are met and had a specific request – that the 1 billion € saved in the European Agricultural Funds be made available for the development of Agriculture in 15 African countries. The campaign is also supported by Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz and footballer Cesc Fábregas.
SPANISH INFLATION DOWN BUT IS IT TOO LATE TO BOOST CONSUMER SPENDING? Spanish inflation fell to a 5 month low in September as oil prices eased and Spaniards slashed spending in the midst of an economic slowdown, government data showed on Monday. Spain’s EU-harmonised inflation as expected dropped to 4.6 percent year-on-year, down from a 13-year high of 5.3 percent in July, according to a flash estimate by Spain’s National Statistics Institute. Inflation dipped after retail sales fell for a sixth straight month in August, falling more than expected, by 5.9 percent year-on-year in calendar adjusted terms, INE said. ‘Private consumption is on
a weak footing, it should be having an effect on inflation in some quarters,’ said economist Jose Garcia Zarate at the 4Cast consultancy in London, adding that the bulk of the fall in inflation was from energy costs. The European Commission expects Spain to suffer its first recession in 15 years by the end of 2008 after the global liquidity-squeeze burst Spain’s property bubble, sending unemployment to the highest level in the euro zone. Spain’s Socialist government is counting on stronger exports to make up for house building and sales that formerly drove a fifth of GDP. But
at 4.6 percent, Spanish inflation runs around a percentage point above the euro zone as a whole, increasing the cost of Spain’s exports and lowering their competitiveness. Bank of America Experts said the fall in Spanish inflation was too little too late to boost sickly consumer spending and prevent a possible recession in the euro zone’s fourth largest economy. “It’s now much more the deterioration in the labour market that’s driving consumer spending, rather than inflation“ said one analyst, who sees growth at zero in coming quarters, with the risk of contraction.
GOVERNMENT BELTS TIGHTENED! Spain’s government presented an austerity budget for 2009 on Friday in a bid to drag the country’s oncebooming economy out of a malaise spurred by a decline in the housing sector. It is “the most austere budget this country has seen for many years,” Spain’s Economy Minister Pedro Solbes said after coming our of a cabinet meeting at which the government agreed the 2009
budget bill. He said the government now predicted a budget deficit of 17.1 billion euros, equivalent to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009, following a deficit of 1.6 percent in the current year. After flourishing for a decade with several successive years of surplus largely thanks to its booming construction industry, Spain is now on the
verge of recession, according to recent forecasts by the European Commission. The 2009 budget aims for “spending that can help restore the economy,” such as on infrastructure, research and development and to “protect those most weakened by the crisis,” a statement from the economy ministry said. The budget plan went for debate in parliament on Tuesday.
WHERE TO PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE MENORCA SUN ES CASTELL Brogans Torre de Sol Bonnin Sanso Spar La Caixa Banca March Bar Espana Bar La Isla San Mames Hotel Agamenon Hotel Rey Carlos Bar Es Cau Peters BB3 Camachos Hotel Hamilton Margarita Cafe Club Nautica Groucho Chespir 3Bs El Chivito Sa Cala Port Antico Dinkums Nikkis Teapot Delfin Internet Shop
Age Concern Menorca Property Scandals SON VILAR Cats in Need Spar Collingwood House CALA GALDANA Black & White Bar Missisipi Phone Box Bar Tobboggan CIUTADELLA Delaneys Burger King Les Delfines Foxys Bar 61 Mulligans Burger King Bar Yuca Super Yuca Coctails & Dreams Agua Centre Molly Kavanaghs CALA BLANCA Laurel & Hardy Can Vicent Key West Internet.com
Dannys Nautilis Blarney Stone CALA N BOSCH McCarthys 2 Rocks Big Apple Don Carlos Toms Flamingo Chaplins Brittania Legends AIRPORT Thomsons Thomas Cook Europcar Tourist Info Hertz Café Consell Insular SON PARC Golf Club Hallissy’s M&S BJ’s Rex’s Half Moon Wilsons Mamma Mia
ADDAIA & ARENAL El Castillo Bar 51 Supermarket Bar Pins Wendy Hodgkinson Corner Bar Sa Gavina Bar 51 Romani Good Bridge Japi Outback Smithys Isla Paraiso El Faro Super Sa Morera CALAN PORTER Fun House Village inn Bombay Star Salamandra Champs Galleon Poolside Bar PUNTA PRIMA Blue Anchor El Faro Spar ES MERCADAL
Savoy Las Vegas SAN CLIMENT Casino Can Dulce Newsagent Coach & Horses Nelsons Spar SON BOU Kit Kat Bowling Club San Jaime Arena Las Dunas Josephs Daltons Bow Hai SAN LLUIS Trebaluger Spar Jason Avenida Paper Shop Casino Eroski Menorca Storage Menorca Home Care Aerodrome Trotting Rste. Picadero
Tennis Club Library Menorca Clearence MAHÓN HOSPITAL Newsagents Café Gym Malbuger MAHÓN Palliser Petrol Station Hiper Centro Hotel Capri Sa Plaza Menorcars Joanne Beauty Estetica Lynda Fish n Chip shop American Bar Market Market Café Jimmy’s Bar Café Ars Caixa Central Library Rste San Jose Breeze Fairline Taj Hotel Capri Sa Taverna
@ccessories La Caixa Burger King Bar Andaluz Bar Mirador Jagaro Gregal El Chivito Thai Country House Pierro’s Marivent El Bosforo No Lo Se! Akelarre Wepi Latitude Cycle Club Club Maritim Roma Gran Murala Elefant Minerva Hotel Port Mahón 222 If you’d like to stock the Menorca Sun then please let us know!
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NEWS
Friday 3 October 2008
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SANTANDER TO TAKE OVER BRITISH BANK
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Spain’s Santander said this week that it will take over the retail deposits and branches of Bradford & Bingley for a reported £400 million ahead of the British bank’s expected nationalisation. A spokesman for Santander, which owns British bank Abbey and is in the process of buying Alliance and Leicester, said: “The retail deposits and branch network will be taken over by Abbey, details of which will be revealed later.” Sources said that Santander would pay £400 million ($730 million) in the deal, which is said to include B&B’s 200 branches and savings worth about £22.2 billion held by 2.5 million customers. Media reports suggest that the bank’s loans, worth £50 billion and including £41 billion of mortgages, would then be nationalised. The move would see B&B become the latest casualty of the global financial crisis that has forced governments worldwide to intervene.
42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar’s assassins Brutus and Cassius. 1283 - Dafydd ap Gruffydd, prince of Gwynedd in Wales, becomes the first person executed by being hanged, drawn and quartered. 1712 - The Duke of Montrose issues a warrant for the arrest of Rob Roy MacGregor. 1795 - General Napoleon Bonaparte first rises to national prominence being named to defend the French National Convention against armed counter-revolutionary rioters threatening the three year old revolutionary government. 1849 - American author Edgar Allan Poe is found delirious in a gutter in Baltimore, Maryland under mysterious circumstances; it is the last time he is seen in public before his death. 1908 - The Pravda newspaper founded by Leon Trotsky, Adolph Joffe, Matvey Skobelev and other Russian exiles in Vienna. 1942 - Spaceflight: First successful
As the Santander deal was announced, US lawmakers agreed on the details of an unprecedented $700-billionbailout for struggling Wall Street banks to avert the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Over the weekend, officials from the Treasury, the Financial Services Authority watchdog and the Bank of England met to try to secure the future of B&B, which has also suffered from a prolonged property market downturn
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3rd October
HAVE YOU GOT A STORY? ARE YOU ORGANISING AN EVENT THAT YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT? DO YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE ARTICLES OR PHOTOS TO THE MENORCA SUN? IF SO, THEN LET US KNOW
launch of a V-2 /A4-rocket from Test Stand VII at Peenemünde, Germany: the first man-made object to reach space. 1952 - United Kingdom successfully tests a nuclear weapon. 1981 - The Hunger Strike by Provisional Irish Republican Army and Irish National Liberation Army prisoners at the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland ends after seven months and ten deaths. 1990 - Re-unification of Germany. The German Democratic Republic ceased to exist and its territory became part of the Federal Republic of Germany. East German citizens became part of the European Community, which later became the European Union. Now celebrated as German Unity Day. 1993 - Battle of Mogadishu: In an attempt to capture officials of warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s organisation in Mogadishu, Somalia, 18 US Soldiers and about 1,000 Somalis are killed in heavy fighting. 1995 - O.J. Simpson found not guilty of the murders of his exwife Nicole and her friend Ronald Goldman.
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YOUR SAY
LETTERS
Dear Sirs My family and I have just enjoyed our first ever holiday on the island of Menorca and through the pages of your paper I’d like to thank everyone who helped make it our best holiday ever. My son is disabled and everyone from the staff at the airport to our hotel staff did their utmost for us when we needed help. I have to say that we were particularly impressed by the quality of the beaches on Menorca; the three or four we went to were all spotlessly clean and family friendly. We have been coming to Spain for a number of years now and the sand and sea we enjoyed here is by far and away the best we’ve encountered. Maybe we were just lucky but all the restaurants we chose were first class, and we’ve all gained a few kilos in the two weeks we were there.
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You have a stunning island and we envy you all your life out there. As I said, it was our first visit but it certainly won’t be the last. Thanks Alice Moore
of it as my wife calls it!) that are a disgrace to the UK. I hope we can agree to differ. Yours Steve Rankin
(Good to hear you enjoyed your holiday on Menorca, and as you found, it is a really friendly island!)
Menorca Sun Like Sandra & John I too am bemused by the price of fuel, but that’s tempered by the fact that the fat cats in the oil companies have no other reason for living other than to make huge piles of money for themselves. They’re always quick to put the price of petrol up, but damnably slow to bring it down again. Perhaps we’re all in the wrong business... time to start digging down in my garden. You never know if I’ll strike it rich. James Butler
Sirs In response to Henry Bennett’s and Neil Templeman’s letter of last week regarding my previous comments on Menorca’s airport. I can only speak as I find and it hasn’t been a pleasant experience using the airport the last few occasions I’ve flown out. But I do agree that what we have on Menorca is a million times better than the likes of Luton (about which words fail me) and Gatwick (or Getquickly out
MENORCA SUN
(Seconds Out! Round 3)
(Don’t begrudge the oil barons their little extra on the side.
Send your letters to: The Menorca Sun, Carrer Santa Barbara 3/11, Es Castell, Menorca, 07720 or email them to us at hello@themenorcasun.com. Only letters sent with the writer`s full name and address will be considered for publication. The publishers reserve the right to edit letters as appropriate. The deadline for the receipt of letters is noon on Monday.
Afterall who couldn’t do with an extra few million a year. On second thoughts, the word greed comes to mind!) Menorca Sun My son and I enjoy watching some of the island’s football teams as the games make a good day out. However, as non-Spanish speakers we struggle to know exactly when the games are on. Any chance you can help us out. Dave Peters
(We’ve actually had a few requests of this kind so we’ll be publishing the local Third Division fixtures and those for the basketball club on a monthly basis. I watch a bit of the local football myself, though, alas, the mighty Villacarlos are not the best going!) Sirs Whilst I applaud your efforts to get a paper going on the island I must admit that i’m a tad disappointed that you don’t feature the British residents a bit more. Afterall we are your ‘bread and butter’ as they say. Maybe a few more fea-
tures on the ex pat community wouldn’t go amiss and why not invite people to write for you. Regards Victoria Welton
(To be honest, we couldn’t agree more and we’d certainly like to hear from anyone who has anything to contribute.) Gents It’s nearly that time of year when the island closes the curtain and locks the door to the tourist trade. Everyone knows it’s not been the best year with the recession and all, but these things are cyclical and the good times will undoubtedly return. I’d like to hear what other of your readers have thought of the summer just past. Robert Owen
(Any takers?) Menorca Sun I find your horoscopes spookily accurate. Last week mine read “today is a 7, whatever that means?” Well, my mobile number has a seven in it and last Friday I received four phone calls, then after work I drank 7 beers and chose dish 77 at my local Chinese. Up to that point the stars proved to be accurate. Then I went home to bed with my wife where 2 proved to be the number! Anon
(Oh deary me!)
MENORCA SUN
YOUR ISLAND
Friday 3 October 2008
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7
COWARDICE, TREASON and EXECUTION
THE TALE OF HAPLESS ADMIRAL JOHN BYNG WHO WAS EXECUTED FOR FAILING TO ENGAGE THE FRENCH DURING THE BATTLE OF MENORCA John Byng was born in Bedfordshire, England, the fourth son of George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington. By the time John enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1718, aged 14, his father George was a well-established admiral with a rising and stellar career, who since supporting William III in his successful bid to be crowned King of Great Britain in 1689 had seen his stature and fortune grow. A highlyskilled naval commander, he won distinction in a series of battles and was held in great esteem by the reigning monarchs he served. In 1721, he was rewarded by King George I with a viscountcy, and created the 1st. Viscount Torrington. Like most of the younger sons of British nobility, the young John Byng would have to earn his keep, since his father’s titles and estates would ordinarily pass on only to the eldest. However, with such an illustrious naval father, Byng’s rapid promotions through the service most likely owed something to his father’s influence. As things would turn out, the careers of father and son could hardly have ended up more differ-
ently. Early on, Byng was assigned to a series of Mediterranean postings. In 1723, at the age of 19, he was made a lieutenant, and at the age of 23, rose to become Captain of HMS Gibraltar. His Mediterranean service continued until 1739 and was without much incident or action. In 1742, he was appointed Commodore-Governor of the British Empire colony of Newfoundland. He was promoted to rearadmiral in 1745, and to viceadmiral in 1747. He served on the most comfortable stations, and avoided the more arduous work of the navy. Admiral John Byng’s account of the Battle of Minorca (1756) On the approach of the Seven Years’ War, the island of Minorca, which had been a British possession since 1708, when it was captured during the War of the Spanish Succession, was threatened by a French naval attack from Toulon, and was invaded in 1756. Byng, an admiral since 1745, was then serving in the Channel. He was ordered to the Mediterranean to relieve
The luckless Admiral John Byng
the British garrison of Fort St Philip (Port Mahon). Despite all his protests to the Government, he was not given enough money or time to prepare the expedition properly. Even his sailing orders were inexplicably delayed by 5 days, and this turned out to be crucial to the lack of success of the expedition. So he was forced to set out with only ten unseaworthy ships that leaked and were inadequately manned. Then Byng was in particular much aggrieved because his marines were landed to make room for the soldiers who were to reinforce the garrison, and he feared that if he met a French squadron, he would be dangerously undermanned. His correspondence shows clearly that he left prepared for failure, that he did not believe that the garrison could hold out against the French force, and that he was already resolved to come back from Minorca if he found that the task presented any great difficulty. He wrote home to that effect to the Admiralty from Gibraltar. The governor of that fortress refused to spare any of his soldiers to increase the relief force. Byng sailed on May 8. Before he arrived the French landed 15,000 troops on the western shore of the island, from where they spread out to occupy it. On the 19th, Byng was off the east coast of Minorca and endeavoured to open communications with the fort. Before he could land any soldiers however, the French squadron appeared. The Battle of Minorca was fought on the following day, May 20. Byng, who had gained the weather gauge (was windward), bore down on the French fleet of M. de La Galissonnière at an angle, so that his leading ships went into action while the rest, including Byng’s flagship, were still out of effective firing range. The French badly damaged the leading ships and slipped away. When his flag captain pointed out to Byng that by standing out of his line, he could bring the centre of the enemy to closer action, he declined on the ground that Thomas Mathews had been
The fleet outside Fort San Felipe condemned for so doing. The French, who were equal in number to the British, got away undamaged. After remaining near Minorca for four days without being able to reestablish communication with the fort or sighting the French, Byng realised that there was little more he could do without effecting some badly needed repairs to his ships. As the nearest port available to him for carrying out repairs and landing wounded men was Gibraltar, Byng’s plan was to sail back there, repair his ships, and try once again to get extra forces before returning to Fort St Philip. But before he could do any of this, another ship arrived from England, relieved Byng of his command and took him into custody. As for the garrison on Minorca, it held out against the overwhelming French numbers until June 29, when it was forced to capitulate. Under negotiated terms the garrison was allowed passage back to England, while the fort and island came under French control. The failure to hold the fort initially caused an outburst of wrath in the country. Byng was brought home to be tried by court-martial for breach of the Articles of War, which had recently been revised to mandate capital punishment for officers who did not do their utmost against the enemy, either in battle or pursuit. During the War of Austrian Succession in 1745, a young lieutenant called Baker Phillips was court-martialed and shot after his ship was captured by the French. His captain, who had done nothing to prepare
the vessel for action, was killed almost immediately by a broadside. Taking command, the inexperienced officer was forced to surrender the ship when she could no longer be defended. Although the negligent behaviour of Phillips’ captain was noted by the subsequent court martial, his sentence was approved by higher officers in the navy (who showed great leniency to those of their own rank). He was executed in Portsmouth on a ship’s forecastle ‘by a platoon of musqueteers’. This injustice angered the country and the Articles of War were amended to be one law for all; the death penalty for any officer who did not do their utmost against the enemy either in battle or pursuit. That Byng had “failed to do his utmost” could not be denied; he had failed to pursue the larger French fleet in order to protect his own. The court martial sitting in judgment of Byng acquitted him of personal cowardice and disaffection, and convicted him only for not having done his utmost. The court martial had no discretion under the Articles of War and condemned Byng to death. However its members recommended that the Lords of the Admiralty ask King George to exercise his prerogative of clemency. The severity of the penalty, aided by a not unjust suspicion that the Admiralty sought to cover themselves by throwing all the blame on the admiral led to a reaction in favour of Byng both in the Navy and in the country which had previ-
Continued next page
8 ously demanded retribution. William Pitt the Elder, then Leader of the House of Commons, told the king: “the House of Commons, Sir, is inclined to mercy”, to which George II
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responded: “You have taught me to look for the sense of my people elsewhere than in the House of Commons.” The royal prerogative was not exercised and John Byng
Battle is engaged
was shot on 14 March 1757 aboard HMS Monarch in the Solent. Byng’s execution was satirized by Voltaire in his novel Candide. In Portsmouth, Candide witnesses the execution of an officer by firing squad; and is told that “in this country, it is wise to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others” (Dans ce pays-ci, il est bon de tuer de temps en temps un amiral pour encourager les autres). Byng was the last of his rank to be executed in this fashion, and 22 years after the event the Articles of War were amended to allow “such other punishment as the nature and degree of the offence shall be found to deserve” as an alternative to capital punishment. In 2007, some of Byng’s descendants petitioned the government for a posthumous pardon; the Ministry of Defence refused. Members of his family and a group at Southill in Bedfordshire where the Byng family lived continue to seek a pardon. Byng’s execution has been called “the worst legalistic crime in the nation’s annals”. It nevertheless may have had
a salutary effect on the behaviour of later naval officers, by instilling in them “a culture of aggressive determination which set British officers apart from their foreign contemporaries, and which in time gave them a steadily mounting psychological ascendancy”. This in turn contributed to the success of the Royal Navy and the acquisition and defence of the British Empire, as commanders knew that while there was a chance of failure in battle, not to risk battle was certain to result in punishment. This “judicial murder” had brutally demonstrated that more was expected of na-
val officers than just courage and loyalty. Such policy considerations were no comfort to the family of their victim. Admiral Byng’s epitaph at the family vault in All Saints Church, in Southill, Bedfordshire, expresses their view and the view of much of the country: To the perpetual Disgrace of PUBLICK JUSTICE The Honble. JOHN BYNG Esqr Admiral of the Blue Fell a MARTYR to POLITICAL PERSECUTION March 14th in the year 1757 when BRAVERY and LOYALTY were Insufficient Securities For the Life and Honour of a NAVAL OFFICER.
The execution of John Byng on HMS Monarch
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Pictures of Menorca by Carl Fernandez
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INFORMATION
BUS SERVICES The bus services on Menorca are brilliant! They are clean, punctual and cheap, and they pretty much cover the entire island. To give you an idea of the cost of travel, the most expensive journey is Mahon (Maó) to Ciutadella at 4.25e. Most tickets are under 1.50€. A few words of caution though… some of the services are fairly infrequent, so plan your journey carefully! As mentioned above, the buses are usually spotlessly clean, and they discourage the consumption of food and drink whilst travelling. Also, if you want to show off your tanned beerbelly, you can’t! Shirts must be worn. Only coins and 5€, 10€ and 20€ notes are accepted, so you’ll have to find somewhere else to exchange your hooky fifties! There’s access for the disabled only on Lines 01, 02 and 03. Finally, whilst every effort is made to ensure that these timetables are accurate and up to date, it’s always worth double-checking with the transport companies before travelling.
10 - MAHON-AIRPORT Monday to Sunday Mahon: 5.45, 6.15, 6.45, 7.15, 7.45, 8.15, 8.45, 9.15, 9.45, 10.15, 10.45, 11.15, 11.45, 12.15, 12.45, 13.15, 13.45, 14.15, 14.45, 15.15, 15.45, 16.15, 16.45, 17.15, 17.45, 18.15, 18.45, 19.15, 19.45, 20.15, 20.45, 21.15, 21.45, 22.15, 23.15, 00.15 Airport: 5.55, 6.25, 6.55, 7.25, 7.55, 8.25, 8.55, 9.25, 9.55, 10.25, 10.55, 11.25, 11.55, 12.25, 12.55, 13.25, 13.55, 14.25, 14.55, 15.25, 15.55, 16.25, 16.55, 17.25, 17.55, 18.25, 18.55, 19.25, 19.55, 20.25, 20.55, 21.25, 21.55, 22.25, 23.25, 00.25
01 MAHON-ALAIOR-ES MERCADAL-FERRERIES-CIUTADELLA Approximate journey time between stops: Mahon (10 mins) Alaior (15 mins) Mercadal (15 mins) Ferreries (15 mins) Ciutadella Monday to Friday Mahon: 6.45, 8.15, 9.15, 10.15, 11.15, 12.15, 13.15, 14.15, 15.15, 16.15, 17.15, 18.15, 19.15, 20.15, 21.15, 22.15 23.15, 00.15 Ciutadella: 6.40, 7.40, 8.40, 9.40, 10.40, 11.40, 12.40, 13.40, 14.40, 15.15, 15.40, 16.40, 17.40, 18.40, 19.40, 20.40, 21.40, 22.40, 23.40 Saturday Mahon: 8.00, 10.00, 11.30, 13.00, 16.00, 18.00, 20.00, 21.30 Ciutadella: 8.00, 10.00, 11.30, 14.30, 16.00, 18.00, 20.00, 21.30 Sunday and Public Holidays Mahon: 8.00, 10.00, 11.30, 13.00, 16.30, 19.00 Ciutadella: 8.00, 10.00, 11.30, 14.30, 16.30, 19.00 02 MAHON-ES CASTELL Monday to Sunday (* not Sunday and Public Holidays) Mahon: 7.20*, 7.45*, 8.15*, 8.45*, 9.15, 9.45, 10.15, 10.45, 11.15, 11.45, 12.15, 12.45, 13.15, 13.45, 14.15*, 14.45*, 15.15*, 15.45, 16.15, 16.45, 17.45, 18.15, 18.45, 19.15, 19.45, 20.15, 20.45 Es Castell: 7.30*, 8.00*, 8.30*, 9.00*, 9.30, 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30*, 15.00*, 15.30*, 16.00, 16.30, 17.00, 18.00, 18.30, 19.00, 19.30, 20.00, 20.30, 21.00 03 MAHON-SANT LLUIS Monday to Sunday (* not Sunday and Public Holidays) Mahon: 7.00*, 8.00*, 8.10*,
8.30, 9.00, 9.30, 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 12.00, 12.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.15*, 15.30, 16.00, 17.00, 17.30, 18.00, 18.30, 19.00, 19.30, 20.00*, 20.15, 21.00*, 22.00*, 23.00* Sant Lluis: 7.30*, 7.40*, 8.20, 8.40*, 9.10, 9.40, 10.10, 10.40, 11.10, 11.40, 12.40, 13.10, 13.40, 14.10, 14.20, 14.40*, 15.10 (Sun only), 15.40, 16.10, 16.40, 17.40, 18.10, 18.40, 19.10, 19.40, 20.00, 20.40*, 21.40*, 22.40*, 23.40 14 MAHON-CIUTADELLA EXPRESS BUS – direct Monday to Friday Mahon: 7.00, 8.00, 9.45, 12.45, 14.15, 15.15, 16.45, 17.45, 19.45, 22.15 Ciutadella: 7.00, 8.00, 9.00, 10.00, 11.15, 12.10, 14.15, 15.15, 16.15, 18.10, 19.10, 21.15 21 MAHON-SANT CLIMENT Monday to Saturday Mahon: 7.45, 8.45, 9.30, 10.30, 11.45, 12.45, 13.30, 16.00, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00, 19.40 Sant Climent: 8.00, 9.05, 10.10, 11.10, 12.25, 13.05, 14.05, 16.40, 17.20, 18.40, 19.20, 20.10 Sunday and Public Holidays Mahon: 9.15, 12.15, 15.15, 18.15 Sant Climent: 9.25, 12.25, 15.25, 18.25 21 MAHON-SANT CLIMENTCANUTELLS Monday to Saturday Mahon: 8.45, 12.45, 17.00, 19.00 Canutells: 9.00, 13.00, 17.15, 19.15 No service on Sunday or Public Holidays 31 MAHON-SANT CLIMENTCALA EN PORTER Monday to Saturday Mahon: 9.30, 10.30, 11.45, 13.30, 16.00, 18.00, 19.40 Cala en Porter: 10.00, 11.00, 12.15, 13.45 16.30, 18.30, 20.00 No service Sunday or Public Holidays 31 MAHON-ALAIOR-SON BOU (TORRESOLI & CLUB SAN JAIME) Monday to Saturday Mahon: 7.15, 8.30, 10.00, 11.00, 11.30, 12.30, 14.00, 15.30, 16.30, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00, 20.30, 22.00 Alaior: 7.25, 8.40, 10.10, 11.10, 11.40, 12.40, 14.10, 15.40, 16.40, 17.10, 18.10, 19.10, 20.40, 22.10 Torresoli: 7.40, 8.55, 10.25, 11.25, 11.55, 12.55, 14.25, 15.55, 16.55, 17.25, 18.25, 19.25, 20.55, 22.25 Club Sant Jaime: 7.45, 9.00, 10.30, 11.30, 12.00, 13.00, 14.30, 16.00, 17.00, 17.30, 18.30, 19.30, 21.00, 22.30 Son Bou: 8.00, 9.15, 10.45, 11.45, 12.15, 13.15, 14.45, 16.15, 17.15, 17.45, 18.45, 19.45, 21.15, 22.45 Alaior: 8.15, 9.30, 11.00, 12.00, 12.30, 13.30, 15.00, 16.30, 17.30, 18.00, 19.00, 20.00, 21.30, 23.00 Sunday and Public Holidays Mahon: 8.30, 10.00, 11.30, 13.00, 17.00, 18.30, 20.00 Alaior: 8.40, 10.10, 11.40, 13.10, 17.10, 18.40, 20.10 Torresoli: 8.55, 10.25, 11.55, 13.25, 17.25, 18.55, 20.25 Club Sant Jaime: 9.00, 10.30, 12.00, 13.30, 17.30, 19.00, 20.30 Son Bou: 9.15, 10.45, 12.15, 13.45, 17.45, 19.15, 20.45 Alaior: 9.30, 11.00, 12.30, 14.00, 18.00, 19.30, 21.00 51 MAHON-ALAIOR-ES MERCADAL-FERRERIES-CALA GALDANA Approximate journey time between stops: Mahon (10 mins) Alaior (15 mins) Mercadal (15 mins) Ferreries (15 mins) Cala Galdana Monday to Saturday Mahon: 9.30, 16.45
Friday 3 October 2008
MENORCA SUN www.themenorcasun.com
Cala Galdana: 10.20, 17.05 Sunday and Public Holidays Mahon: 10.30, 17.30 Cala Galdana: 9.20, 16.20 52 CIUTADELLA-CALA GALDANA Monday to Saturday Ciutadella: 10.40, 13.50, 16.50 Cala Galdana: 10.00, 13.20, 16.20 Sunday and Public Holidays Ciutadella: 9.50, 13.50, 16.45 Cala Galdana: 10.20, 13.20, 17.20 53 FERRERIES-CALA GALDANA Monday to Sunday (* not Sunday and Public Holidays) Ferreries: 7.05*, 8.05*, 9.05, 9.40*, 10.05, 11.05, 12.05, 13.05, 15.05*, 16.05, 16.50*, 17.05, 18.05, 19.05, 20.05, 21.05*, 22.05* Cala Galdana: 7.20*, 8.20*, 9.20, 10.20, 11.20, 12.20, 13.20, 14.20, 15.20*, 16.20, 17.05*, 17.20, 18.20, 19.20, 20.20, 21.20*, 22.20* 71 MAHON-ALAIOR-ES MIGJORN GRAN-CALA TOMAS Approximate journey time between stops: Mahon (10 mins) Alaior (15 mins) Es Migjorn Gran (10 mins) Cala Tomas Monday to Saturday Mahon: 8.00, 10.15, 12.30, 15.15, 17.30, 19.45 Cala Tomas: 9.00, 11.15, 13.15, 16.15, 18.30, 20.30 Sunday and Public Holidays Mahon: 8.15, 11.15, 14.15, 18.30 Cala Tomas: 9.00, 12.00, 15.00, 19.15 71/72 ES MIGJORN GRAN-ES MERCADAL Monday to Saturday Es Migjorn Gran: 8.55, 11.10, 13.40, 16.10, 18.25, 20.55 Es Mercadal: 8.25, 10.40, 12.55, 15.40, 17.55, 20.10 Sunday and Public Holidays Es Migjorn Gran: 9.05, 12.35, 15.35, 19.25 Es Mercadal: 8.30, 12.00, 15.00, 18.50 71/72 ES MIGJORN GRANCALA TOMAS Monday to Saturday Es Migjorn Gran: 8.25, 8.45, 10.40, 11.00, 12.55, 13.15, 15.40, 16.00, 17.55, 18.15, 20.10, 20.30 Cala Tomas: 8.45, 9.00, 11.00, 11.15, 13.15, 13.30, 16.00, 16.15, 18.15, 18.30, 20.30, 20.45 Sunday and Public Holidays Es Migjorn Gran: 8.40, 11.40, 12.10, 14.40, 15.10, 19.00 Cala Tomas: 8.55, 9.00, 12.00, 12.25, 15.00, 15.25, 19.15 72 CIUTADELLA-FERRERIES-ES MERCADAL-ES MIGJORN GRANCALA TOMAS Monday to Saturday Ciutadella: 8.00, 10.15, 12.30, 15.15, 17.30, 19.45 Ferreries: 8.15, 10.30, 12.45, 15.30, 17.45, 20.00 Es Mercadal: 8.25, 10.40, 12.55, 15.40, 17.55, 20.10 Es Migjorn Gran: 8.45, 11.00, 13.15, 16.00, 18.15, 20.30 Cala Tomas: 8.45, 11.00, 13.30, 16.00, 18.15, 20.45 Sunday and Public Holidays Ciutadella: 8.10, 11.40, 14.40, 18.30 Ferreries: 8.25, 11.55, 14.55, 18.45 Es Mercadal: 8.30, 12.00, 15.00, 18.50 Es Migjorn Gran: 8.40, 12.10, 15.10, 19.00 Cala Tomas: 8.55, 12.25, 15.25, 19.15
91 MAHON-SANT LLUIS-ALCAUFAR-S’ALGAR (LAS PALMERAS) Monday to Sunday Mahon: 8.30, 9.30, 12.30, 13.30, 15.30, 18.30 Alcaufar: 8.45, 9.45, 12.45, 13.45, 15.45, 18.45 Las Palmeras: 8.55, 9.55, 12.55, 13.55, 15.55, 18.55 S’Algar: 9.00, 10.00, 13.00, 14.00, 16.00, 19.00 92 MAHON-PUNTA PRIMA (SUR MENORCA-INSOTEL-XALOC) Monday to Sunday (* not Sunday and Public Holidays) Mahon: 7.00*, 8.00*, 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00*, 15.00*, 16.00, 17.00, 18.00, 19.00, 20.00*, 21.00*, 22.00*, 23.00* Sur Menorca: 7.15*, 8.15*, 9.15, 10.15, 11.15, 12.15, 13.15, 14.15*, 15.15*, 16.15, 17.15, 18.15, 19.15, 20.15*, 21.15*, 22.15*, 23.15* Insotel: 7.20*, 8.20*, 9.20, 10.20, 11.20, 12.20, 13.20, 14.20*, 15.20*, 16.20, 17.20, 18.20, 19.20, 20.20*, 21.20*, 22.20*, 23.20* Xaloc: 7.25*, 8.25*, 9.25, 10.25, 11.25, 12.25, 13.25, 14.25*, 15.25*, 16.25, 17.25, 18.25, 19.25, 20.25*, 21.25*, 22.25*, 23.25* Punta Prima: 7.30*, 8.30*, 9.30, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30*, 15.30*, 16.30, 17.30, 18.30, 19.30, 20.30*, 21.30*, 22.30*, 23.30* IMPORTANT! All the times given are DEPARTURE TIMES 93 MAHON-BINIBECA Monday to Sunday Mahon: 10.30, 14.00, 17.30 Binibeca 1: 10.15, 14.15, 17.50 Binibeca 2: 11.00, 14.15, 18.00 94 SANT LLUIS-BINIDALI Monday to Sunday (* not Sunday and Public Holidays) Sant Lluis: 8.45, 11.15, 13.15, 18.15, 20.45*, 23.15 Binidali: 9.30, 12.00, 14.00, 19.00, 21.30*, 00.00* BUS FORNELLS Monday to Saturday Fornells to: Arenal d’en Castell: 8.40, 12.15, 16.00 Cala Tirant: 8.40, 12.05, 16.00 Es Mercadal: 9.20, 13.35 (not Sat), 18.00 Mahon: 8.40, 12.05, 16.00 Son Parc: 8.40, 12.05, 16.00 Arenal d’en Castell to: Es Mercadal: 8.50, 19.20 Fornells: 8.50, 13.35, 19.20 Mahon: 9.00, 10.00, 12.00, 16.20, 17.20 Cala Tirant to: Es Mercadal: 9.10, 13.30 (not Sat), 17.45 Fornells: 9.10, 11.20, 13.30 (not Sat), 17.45 Mahon: 8.50, 12.15, 16.05 Son Parc: 8.50, 12.15, 16.05 Es Mercadal to: Arenal d’en Castell: 8.15, 11.45, 14.15 (not Sat) Cala Tirant: 8.15, 11.45 Fornells: 8.15, 11.45 Mahon to: Arenal d’en Castell: 9.30, 11.40, 13.00, 15.00, 17.00 Cala Tirant: 10.30, 12.45, 17.00, 19.00 Fornells: 10.30, 12.45, 17.00, 19.00 Son Parc: 10.30, 12.45, 17.00, 19.00 Son Parc to: Cala Tirant: 11.00, 17.25 Fornells: 11.00, 13.15, 17.25 Mahon: 9.10, 12.35, 16.20 Sunday Fornells to: Arenal d’en Castell: 8.45, 16.45 Mahon: 8.45, 16.45 Son Parc: 8.45, 16.45 Arenal d’en Castell to:
Fornells: 11.20 Mahon: 9.20, 17.20 Mahon to: Arenal d’en Castell: 11.00, 18.00 Fornells: 11.00, 18.00 Son Parc: 11.00, 18.00 Son Parc to: Fornells 11.50 Mahon 9.00, 17.00
NIGHT BUSES CIUTADELLA-SANT LLUIS Friday Ciutadella: 00.00, 03.00 Ferreries: 00.20, 03.20 Es Mercadal: 00.35, 03.35 Alaior: 00.45, 03.45 Mahon Port: 01.00, 04.00 Mahon Bus station: 01.10, 04.10 Es Castell: 01.20, 04.20 Sant Lluis: 01.30, 04.30 SANT LLUIS-CIUTADELLA Friday Sant Lluis: 00.00, 03.00 Es Castell: 00.10, 03.10 Mahon Bus Station: 00.20, 03.20 Mahon Port: 00.30, 03.30 Alaior: 00.45, 03.45, Es Mercadal: 00.55, 03.55, Ferreries: 01.10, 04.10, Ciutadella: 01.30, 04.30, CIUTADELLA-SANT LLUIS Saturday Ciutadella: 23.00, 01.00, 03.00, 05.00 Ferreries: 23.15, 01.15, 03.15, 05.20 Es Mercadal: 23.30, 01.30, 03.30, 05.35 Alaior: 23.45, 01.45, 03.45, 05.45 Mahón Port: 00.00, 02.00, 04.00, 06.00 Mahón Bus Station: 00.10, 02.10, 04.10, 06.10 Sant Climent: 04.20 Es Castell: 00.20, 02.20, 04.20, 06.20 Sant Lluis: 00.30, 02.30, 04.50, 06.50 SANT LLUIS-CIUTADELLA Saturday Sant Lluis: 23.00, 01.00, 03.00, 05.00 Es Castell: 23.10, 01.10, 03.10, 05.10 Mahon Bus Station: 23.20, 01.20, 03.20, 05.20 Mahon Port: 23.30, 01.30, 03.30, 05.30 Alaior: 23.45, 01.45, 03.45, 05.45 Es Mercadal: 00.00, 02.00, 04.00, 06.00 Ferreries: 00.15, 02.15, 04.15, 06.15 Ciutadella: 00.30, 02.30, 04.30, 06.30
IMPORTANT NUMBERS Don’t forget that if you’re using your English phone always add the international dialling code for Spain, 0034, before calling the numbers below. Emergencies - 112 Ambulances - 061 National Police - 091 (urgent) Guardia Civil -062 Local Police - 092 Fire Brigade - 092 Sea Rescue - 971 728 322 Airport - 971 157 000 British Consulate - 971 367 818 Councils Alaior - 971 371 002 Ciutadella - 971 381 050 Ferreries - 971 373 003 Es Castell - 971 365 193 Es Mercadal - 971 375 002 Es Migjorn - 971 370 111 Mahon - 971 369 800 Sant Lluis - 971 150 950 Taxis Alaior - 971 367 111 Ferreries - 971 480 685 & 660 411 965 Ciutadella - 971 367 111 Es Castell - 971 362 779 Es Mercadal - 971 367 111 Es Migjorn - 971 367 111 Mahon - 971 367 111 Sant Lluis - 971 150 641 & 971 367 111 Tourist Information Ciutadella - 971 481 515 Mahon - 971 363 790 The International Dialling Code for the UK is 0044
MENORCA SUN
WHAT’S ON
Friday 3 October 2008
www.themenorcasun.com
MUSEUMS & HISTORY Bastió de sa Font Plaça de sa Font, Ciutadella Tue to Sat: 10.00-14.00 and 18.00-21.00 The Municipal Museum is based in the bastió, one of the few remaining structures from the town’s 17th century fortifications. The permanent archaeological exhibition is worth a visit. Diocesan Museum Seminari 7, Ciutadella Mon to Sat: 10.30-14.00 & 19.30-22.30 A small museum housing a diverse mix of archaeological finds, art and ecclesiastical objects. Fort Marlborough Cala Sant Esteve, Es Castell Tue to Sat: 9.30-13.00 & 15.0019.00 Sun: 9.30-13.30 A major fortification built by the British in the 18th century to guard the entrance to the port of Mahón. The visit starts through the underground galleries before emerging into the (now dry!) moat and then up into the battlements. Intelligent use of modern technology helps create a real feel for the age. Fortalesa la Mola La Mola, Mahon Daily: 10.00-20.00 An imposing fortress that dominates the entrance to the Port of Mahon. Built in the mid-19th century to repel the British it later served as a high security prison. Guided tours daily at 10.30, 12.30 and 17.30. Military Museum Plaça de l’Esplanada, Es Castell Mon to Fri and first Sun of the month: 10.00-13.00 Housed in an old barracks on the Esplanada A fascinating little museum that takes you through the island’s rich military history. Museum of Menorca Avda. Dr. Guardia, Mahon Tue to Sat: 10:00-14:00 & 17:0020:00. Sun: 10:00 to 14:00 A fascinating museum situated in a former cloister of a Franciscan monastery. Offers a great insight into the history of the island. Nature Museum C/ Mallorca 2, Ferreries Tue to Sat: 10:00-13:00 & 18:0021:00. Sun: 10:00-13:00 The Museu de la Natura de Menorca is a captivating museum, exhibiting a wide range of the many natural wonders from the island and surrounding areas. Sant Felip Castle Carrer Sant Felip, Es Castell Thur and Sun at 10.00 Twice weekly guided tours around one of 18th century Europe’s key defences.
DAILY Tour: Mahón Guided tours around the fortress of La Mola. See left for details. THIS WEEK Friday 3 October Tour: Alaior Setting out from the Tourist Office @ 11.00 Tour: Mahón From the Town Hall @ 19.30 Saturday 4 October Trotting Races: Mahon Hipodromo, Av. J.A.Clavé, 400 @ 17.00. Great entertainment and you can have a beer and a flutter at the same time! Folk: Ciutadella Plaça de la Catedral @ 21.00 Tardor Fest with Grup de Balls Populars de Sant Joan and Fioro Tou Levante. Flamenco: Mahón Teatre Principal @ 21.00 The Menorca Flamenco Festival. Sunday 5 October Flea Market: Mahón Parque des Freginal @ 09.00 to 13.30 Discover a few hidden treasures! A great place to potter around on a Sunday morning. Trotting Races: Ciutadella Hipodromo, Torre del Ram, Cala’n Blanes @ 17.30. More horsey fun! Bingo: Es Castell The Delfin @ 20.00 Prize bingo at the Deli on C/ Gran. Tuesday 7 October Jazz: Sant Climent Casino, Sant Jaume 2 @ 21.30 Menorca’s longest established
jazz club. Tour: Mahon Teatre Principal @ 10.30 Guided tour around this impressive theatre. The Dancing Horses: Ferreries Son Martorellet, C/ Cala Galdana @ 20.30 A magical display of many different riding styles. One for the kids. Tickets from 6€ to 18€. Thursday 9 October The Dancing Horses: Ferreries See Tuesday for details. Live Jazz/Blues: Mahon Akelarre Jazz Bar, Moll de Ponent 42 Regular Thursday night jazz and blues jam session with the Lou Deach Quintet. Quiz: Es Castell The Delfin @ 20.00 Get the old brain cells working at the Delfin’s weekly pub quiz. Teams of up to four. Also on Thursday: Darts League meeting: Sant Climent Casino @ 20.30 It’s nearly that time of the year again when the Menorca Darts League gets into full swing! The annual meeting is on Thursday and all the participating teams need to send a representative. also, if there are any bars considering a late entry then they are urged to get in touch with the secretary, Cathy Banks, as soon as possible on 686 307 561. The Menorca Sun will be providing full coverage of the league during the course of the season!
WHAT’S ON AND WHERE TO WATCH SKY SPORTS & SETANTA SPORTS
All times given are local Rugby League Saturday 4 October Leeds vs St Helens Super League Grand Final 19.00 Sky Sports 1 Sunday 5 October Manly vs Melbourne NRL Grand Final 08.30 Setanta Sports 1 Football Saturday 4 October Birmingham vs QPR Championship 13.45 Sky Sports 1 Coventry vs Southampton Championship 18.20 Sky Sports 1 Blackburn vs Man United Barclay’s Premiership 18.30 @ Setanta Sports 1 Sunday 5 October West Ham vs Bolton Barclay’s Premiership 14.30 Sky Sports 1 St Mirren vs Rangers SPL 15.00 Setanta Sports 1 Everton vs Newcastle Barclay’s Premiership 17.00 Sky Sports 1 Monday 6 October Ebbsfleet vs Histon Blue Square Premier 20.45 Setanta Sports 1 Tuesday 7 October Stevenage vs Mansfield Blue Square Premier 20.45 Setanta Sports 1 Thursday 9 October Torquay vs Oxford United Blue Square Premier 20.45 Setanta Sports 1 And remember, coming up the week after is a full round of World Cup qualifying games involving all the home nations and the Republic of Ireland. Saturday 11 October Scotland vs Norway World Cup Qualifier 16.00 Sky Sports 1 England vs Kazakhstan
OPEN AIR MARKETS Alaior (Thurs) 9.00 to 13.30 C/ Reverendo Huguet Ciutadella (Fri & Sat) 9.00 to 13.30 Placa des Born Es Castell (Mon & Wed) 9.00 to 13.30 Plaça de l’Esplanada Es Mercadal (Sun) 9.00 to 13.30 Plaça Pere Camps
Es Migjorn Gran (Wed) 9.00 to 13.30 Ferreries (Tue & Fri) 9.00 to 13.30 Fornells (Thurs) 9.00 to 14.00 C/ de ses Roques Mahón (Tue & Sat) 9.00 to 13.30 Placa de l’Esplanada Sant Lluis (Mon & Wed) 9.00 to 13.30 Plaça de Sa Creu
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World Cup Qualifier 18.15 ITV1 Wales vs Liechenstein World Cup Qualifier 18.30 Sky Sports 1 Wednesday 15 October N.Ireland vs San Marino World Cup Qualifier 20.45 Sky Sports 2 Rep. of Ireland vs Cyprus World Cup Qualifier 20.45 Sky Sports 1 Rugby Union Thursday 9 October Toulon vs Northampton European Challenge Cup 20.45 Sky Sports Xtra
Watch Sky and/or Setanta Sports in the following bars (please note that not all of these bar have Setanta Sports, always check first!); Es Castell Brogans Delfin Teapot Punta Prima The Blue Anchor Sebastian Place El Foro Cala en Porter Galleon Champs Irish Bar Village Pub Poolside Bar Salamandra Binibeca Bar Palomino Cala Galdana Black & White Bar Pub Mississippi Son Bou Kit Kat Bar Sant Tomas Bar Halley Sant Tomas Cala’n Bosch McCarthy’s Karaoke Not included and your bar shows Sky or Setanta Sports? Then email us and we’ll list you next week.
ARE YOU? In a band? A DJ? Got an event planned? Just dying to tell us something? Let us know! Listings are FREE!! hello@themenorcasun.com
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CHILL OUT
SUDOKU
MENORCA SUN
Friday 3 October 2008
www.themenorcasun.com
Welcome back from Mars if you don’t know how to do Sudoku! Do we really need to explain it? Good, we didn’t think so! Solutions on page 15.
SCRIBBLE PAD
BALLBREAKER
EASY-PEASY
FOR ONLY A FEW EUROS YOU CAN ADVERTISE HERE!
LAUGH? I NEARLY WET MY KNICKERS! TRIVIA
He - Can I buy you a drink? She - Actually I’d rather have the money. He - Hi. Didn’t we go on a date once? Or was it twice? She - Must’ve been once. I never make the same mistake twice. He - Am I your dream come true? She - I don’t know yet. Go and stand in the road with your eyes closed, and we’ll see. He - Your face must turn a few heads. She - And your face must turn a few stomachs. He - Go on, don’t be shy. Ask me out. She - Okay, get out. He - What would you say if I asked you to marry me? She - Nothing. I can’t talk and laugh at the same time. He - Can I have your name?
She - Why? Don’t you already have one? He - Hey baby, what’s your sign? She - Do not enter. He - If I could see you naked, I’d die happy. She - If I saw you naked, I’d probably die laughing. He - Where have you been all my life? She - Where I’ll be the rest of your life - in your wildest dreams. He - What would you say is my best feature? She - Your ornamental pond. He - You bring me out in a hot sweat. She - You bring me out in an allergic rash. He - Do you kiss with your eyes closed? She - I would if I were kissing you.
Aurophobia- Fear of gold. Bathophobia- Fear of depth. Bromidrophobia- Fear of body smells. Cacophobia- Fear of ugliness. Chrematophobia- Fear of money. Coulrophobia- Fear of clowns. Dipsophobia- Fear of drinking. Ephebiphobia- Fear of teenagers. Geniophobia- Fear of chins. Genophobia- Fear of sex. Gynophobia- Fear of women. Lachanophobia- Fear of vegetables. Medorthophobia- Fear of an erect penis. Novercaphobia- Fear of your step-mother. Phagophobia- Fear of being eaten. Phobophobia- Fear of phobias. Vestiphobia- Fear of clothing.
PUB QUIZ
1. Ryan Giggs, who plays international football for Wales, was born in England? 2. Fingernails grow faster than toenails? 3. The individual numbers on a roulette wheel add up to 666? 4. In the 1975 film “The Day Of The Locust”, Donald Sutherland plays a character called Homer Simpson? 5. In Monopoly, to buy Mayfair, Leicester Square and Oxford Street would cost more than £1,000? 6. Neil Armstrong’s mother’s maiden name was moon? 7. All Zebras are white with black stripes? 8. All polar bears are left-handed? 9. The word `Copyrightable` is the longest word in the English language that can be written without repeating a letter?
TRUE OR FALSE
10. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words? 11. No word in the English language (British) has five consecutive letters that are vowels.
Answers page 15
HOROSCOPES AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18) They’ve taken to calling you a broken man, defeated, beaten, dispirited, hopeless—but then they have access to a thesaurus.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20) Events following your gory beheading will prove that Broadway can make a musical out of anything.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22) Although the majority of those born under Aries are good people, like any star-sign or McDonald’s meal, there are also bad nuggets. If you yourself are a murderous psychopath you will know this to be true because, whilst you might not have been born an Arien, the voices in your head were.
SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21) Trouble is brewing over an indiscretion you have been involved with if even on the periphery. Beware of maniacal men with chainsaws and stubbly chins.
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20) Remember: Anything can be accomplished with enough grit, determination, and cups of black coffee.
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20) You will combine a pair of novelty underpants and your considerable ventriloquism skills to give a certain special lady the worst first date of her life.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22) You have always found catch phrases trite and annoying, but this week Saturn will conspire with Mercury in an attempt for you to create and use your own catch phrase in everyday life as if you have strangely just become the host of a popular quiz show.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21) It is time for a holiday. Maybe you have just returned from a holiday, in which case it is time to pack up and go back again. Maybe you cannot afford to go on holiday because of the economy, in which case do everything you normally do just at half your normal speed.
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19) Your claims that you can’t do nothing right are incorrect. What you mean you to say is “can’t do anything right.”
CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22) Seek advice from someone older today in order to avoid making a fool of yourself. You’re as transparent as a blast of canned air - try to be more complex by wearing hats that are clearly too small for your head.
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22) Fruits with pit’s in are strangely starred this month and the charts are completely indecipherable when it comes to seedless grapes - take your chances. Caution should be taken in any attempt at eating cherries, and pomegranates, although peaches and nectarines do not seem to pose any immediate hazard.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19) Your failure to follow last week’s horoscope has resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives.
MENORCA SUN
CLASSIFIEDS
Friday 3 October 2008
www.themenorcasun.com
PROPERTY TO RENT __________________________ Single Room to Let in a modern flat in Es Castell. All facilities! Email: hello@themenorcasun. com __________________________ PROPERTY FOR SALE __________________________ Apartment for Sale. Es Castell. 3 bed (2 double), large lounge/ diner, separate fitted kitchen, full bathroom, woodburner, very light and airy. 185,000€. Tel: Dave 658 183 549 Penthouse in Ibiza. Stunning Atico overlooking Ibiza Old Town. 3 beds, 2 baths, fully equipped kitchen, Lounge Diner, balcony, Lift, Double Glazing, Central Heating, Fitted Wardrobes, Air Con, Parking, Alarm, Safe, Security Video Phones, Private roof Terrace of 100sq mtrs with Jacuzzi. Fantastic 360 degree views. 420,000€. Tel: 629 666 453 Georgian Apartment above Cales Fonts, Es Castell. Large d/bedroom, full bathroom, modern fitted kitchen and lounge, large, 15m2 balcony overlooking walled garden with pool.. feature, arched glazed doors to balcony from bedroom and lounge. Deal direct with owners on 0034 618 786 770. __________________________ COMMERCIAL PROPERTY __________________________ Traspaso. Pub in Es Castell. Completely legal and Fully equipped. Tel: 629 666 453 __________________________ SERVICES __________________________ REMOVALS Local and international. Packing included if required. Hourly ‘Man & Van’ rates. Tel: 971 150 483 FURNITURE FOR SALE Antiques & Modern, Office, Commercial and Household. Objets D’Art. Tel: 971 150 483 FURNITURE RESTORATION Stripping, waxing & polishing, caning, re-upholstery. Rates on Request. Tel: 618 786 770 STORAGE From 1 box to 1 workshop. Versitile, secure storage in our ventilated warehouse. Tel: 971 150 483 HOUSE CLEARANCES Disposal of unwanted household and other items. Professional Service. Tel: 971 150 483
KITCHEN DESIGN & FITTING Various ranges available. Fitted by our top craftsmen. Tel: 686 761 946
Giant Screen for Sale. 2m x 2m. As New. 150€. Tel: 629 666 453. __________________________
PROFESSIONAL STEAM CLEANING Furniture, carpets and cars. Hard floor cleaning, marble polishing & industrial power washing. Call today! Tel: 692 826 385
WANTED __________________________
EARN MONEY HAVING FUN! All year round. Party plan agents wanted. Good rates of commission. Tel: 618 276 803 SAVE WATER WITH A WARMER POOL Top quality pool covers fitted to save you money. Tel: 618 276 802 SOFT FURNISHINGS MADE TO MEASURE Curtains, cushions, blinds, bedding etc. Tel: 659 580 028 __________________________ FOR SALE __________________________ Luxury Hot Tub - Brand new (6 seater). Normally 18,000€ now only 7,000€. Can deliver and install. Tel: 665 767 511 English Sausages (pack of 10) & Back Bacon (8 Rashers) for Sale. Brogan’s Es Castell. Tel: 629 666 453 Full size snooker table and coin operated English pool table. Tel: 629 642 813 Wayfarer dinghy, main and genoa. Stable family sailing boat will take outboard. Various extras. 1000€ ono. Call 699 934 375 Grace E23 Fabri-Fast quilting frame. Unwanted gift. Extends from crib to king size. Full assembly instructions. Cost 300€. For Sale at 250€. Phone 971 377 721 after 6 pm. Industrial Gas Plancha. 60 cm x 40 cm. 190€. Tel: 629 666 453
Secondhand tools. Cash paid. Tel: 639 700 185 __________________________ LANGUAGE SERVICES __________________________ Translating Services. Having Trouble with Paperwork? Let us help you at Trafico, Hacienda, etc. Tel: 629 666 453 English Lessons. Tesol qualified. Ring 617 266 384 or mail hodgkinson.mw@gmail.com __________________________ BEAUTY __________________________ JEWELS MOBILE Nails & Beauty - San Luis. Acrilic Nails only 38€. Also Pedicures, Manicures etc. Ring Julie 660 759 318 __________________________ FLIGHTS __________________________ Bargain Flight - Return to Leeds direct from Menorca. 714 October. 100 euros. Call 971369673 __________________________ PERSONAL __________________________ Floosie - we can’t help it- you must come back-PLEEEEEASE!!!!! Rachel: I said you were worth a 5€ ad. Love you, Steve XX YOU GUYS ARE MINT! DON’T EVER GET ME DRUNK LIKE THAT AGAIN - BEST BIRTHDAY EVER. ALAN
CLASSIFIEDS
__________________________
FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED EITHER CALL 629 66 453 OR CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE WWW.THEMENORCASUN.COM
CUSTOM CARE Would you like a property management service which will look after your property throughout the year, doing the things you want doing, when you want them done, with no Annual Management Fee? We offer a full range of guaranteed services including garden, pool and property maintenance, changeovers, cleaning, laundry, security checks, key holding, call out etc., all available as you need them. You just pay for what you use. For full details call 689 297 664 e-mail custom-care@lycos. com
Cats in Need
Neutering Feral Cats Making a Difference Gifts, Cards, Diaries, Mugs, etc. On sale at Mahon Market Tues & Sat mornings (Opp Burger King) and at Noria Riera 16, Es Castell, Sundays 10.00-13.30 (Past Scandals, turn right to San Luis. Right again After 100 metres into unmarked lane) Come and meet the cats Tel. 610012628 10.00-14.00 DO YOU NEED A... GENERAL HANDYMAN DECORATOR BUILDER Anything Considered Very Experienced Tel: 616 528 104
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SPORT
Friday 3 October 2008
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VALENCIA TOP LA LIGA ... but the other ‘big guns’ are right behind them! It was an incident packed day in La Liga last Saturday with Real Madrid and Barcelona both winning exciting matches in injury time. But the overnight leaders, pending Sunday’s games were Villarreal, who beat Sporting Gijón 0-1 to move back above Valencia to top spot. After letting in 13 goals in their last two games, Sporting coach Manuel Preciado made nine changes to his line up. And his side could have got their first point of the season had it not been for a controversial goal midway through the second half, Ibagaza’s corner clearly hitting Godín on the hand before Rossi fired a shot past Cuéllar. The incident cost Preciado a red card for protesting. Villarreal stay one point ahead of Real Madrid, who beat Real Betis 1-2 thanks to an injury time strike from Van Nistelrooy. Heinze headed the visitors in to the lead from Van der Vaart’s free kick in the eighteenth minute, and only a couple of first class saves by Casto from De la Red prevented the scoreline from increasing. But Marcelo gave away a penalty and got himself sent off ten minutes in to the second half, and although Casillas saved Sergio García’s spot kick, the forward scored on the rebound. García got himself sent off though with ten minutes to go, and in the last minute Van Nistelrooy ran on to Robben’s pass to score the winner. Controversy later in the evening as well as Barcelona beat city rivals Espanyol 1-2. Coro opened the scoring for the locals after Valdés pushed out a high ball as Luis García jabbed him in the ribs, but the locals were left with ten men when Nené was sent off for
a second bookable offence on the stroke of half time. The game was stopped for ten minutes due to crowd trouble after the break, but when it restarted Henry equalised after Kameni’s clearance hit Jarque and fell to him. And in the dying seconds Medina awarded the visitors a hotly disputed penalty when Pareja tackled Eto’o in the area, Messi slotting home the kick to win the match. On Sunday Valencia held on to top spot after a 4-2 home win over Deportivo. The visitors took the lead when Moretti deflected Pablo Alvarez’s cross past his own keeper in the eleventh minute, but Mata headed the equaliser from Joaquín’s cross before the break, and David Villa put his side ahead just four minutes after the restart with a shot which Aranzubia couldn’t stop. Mata set up Joaquín and then Villa for two more later in the second half, and Lafita got one back near the end with defenders waiting in vain for an offside whistle. Sevilla moved up to fourth with a 0-1 victory at Atlético
Crowd trouble marred the Espanyol vs Barcelona derby Madrid, revenge in part for the double defeat last season which cost the Andalusians a place in the Champions League. Luis Fabiano got the only goal from a well-struck free kick midway through the first half, and the Brazilian striker could have added to the scoreline with a header against the bar in the second half. Atlético drop out of the top six after Almería beat Recreativo 1-0 to move above Aguirre’s side in the table. The visitors held on up to the last minute despite having Jesús Vázquez and Oliveira sent off late on for second bookable offences, but with the game in the fifth minute of time added on Negredo got the winner after Crusat’s shot came back off
with Mallorca after a late 01 win at Athletic Bilbao. The locals had several chances to take the lead, and Llorente had a goal disallowed for a dubious offside. But they couldn’t beat an on-form Jacobo, and with three minutes to go Casquero won it for the visitors with a chip over the head of Iraizoz in to the top corner of the net. Málaga clocked up their first victory of the season after beating Valladolid 2-1. Lolo opened the scoring on the half hour mark following a corner, his side’s first goal of the current campaign, and Adrián got the second after Eliseu set him up early in the second half. Pedro León got one back for the visitors, and there were
Ruud celebrates his winner
Messi celebrates his last gasp goal to take all three points
MENORCA SUN
BRIT CLOSES IN ON REAL MALLORCA DEAL British businessman Paul Davidson has given a written undertaking to pay 38 million Euro for the club. Mallorca Football Club is almost British owned, with the British businessman, Paul Davidson, giving a written undertaking to the President and largest shareholder of the club, Vicente Grande, to buy 90% of the club for 38 million €, provided that nobody else offers more. Bank guarantees for the amount are also reported to have been sent to Grande, who declared himself bankrupt last June being unable to meet the club’s debts which had reached 800 million €. The agreement still needs to be ratified by the Mercantile Court One in Palma, but if in 15 days nobody offers more for the club, it will belong to Paul Davidson.
HAVING AN OFF DAY... OR FOUR! Complete the sequence: 2, 4, 6, 7....? Poor old Sporting keeper Sergio Sánchez is setting new negative records for La Liga after letting in 19 goals in his first four matches! New signing Iván Cuéllar must be grateful that he was injured at the start of the season, otherwise he might have been if the firing line!
18 ARRESTED
the post. Real Mallorca are just two points off the European spots after coming from behind to beat Racing Santander 1-2. Marcano headed the Cantabrians into the lead from Colsa’s free kick, but Varela levelled the scores on the stroke of half time with an angled shot past Toño. And with a draw seemingly on the cards, Webó headed home Jurado’s corner to leave their opponents in next to bottom spot. Getafe are level on points
some nervous moments for the home fans before the final whistle. Numancia and Osasuna drew 0-0 in their match on Sunday evening, a result which left them both two points above the relegation spots. It was dull match with virtually no chances, the only time either side came close to scoring when a Javier Flaño cross bounced off the bar. The locals ended with ten men after Juan Carlos Moreno was sent off for a foul on Plasil near the end.
Police arrested 18 suspected football hooligans armed with baseball bats and knives outside Madrid’s Vicente Calderón stadium early Sunday morning, hours before Atlético de Madrid was due to play Sevilla FC. Police were called after witnesses saw the group of around 50 to 60 Sevilla fans gathering around the stadium, which is home to the Atlético de Madrid team. Riot officers broke up the crowd and arrested 18 people on public disorder charges. One detainee was accused of assaulting a police officer. Officers said they seized 74 baseball bats, seven fireworks, two knives and a defence spray from the group. This weekend’s fixtures Valladolid - Valencia, Recreativo - Málaga, Getafe - Almería, Sevilla - Athletic, Barcelona - Atlético, R Madrid - Espanyol, Villarreal - Betis, Mallorca - Sporting, Osasuna - Racing, Deportivo - Numancia
MENORCA SUN
SPORT
Friday 3 October 2008
www.themenorcasun.com
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UNDEFEATED SPORTING BETTER FROM MAHONES GO EQUAL TOP VIVEMENORCA
UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE ISLANDS FOUR DIVISION THREE TEAMS: SPORTING MAHONES 4/5 October: Ibiza “B” vs Sporting Mahones 11/12 October: Sporting Mahones vs At. Ciutadella 18/19 October: CE Alaior vs Sporting Mahones 25/26 October: Sporting Mahones vs Real Mallorca “B” 1/2 November: Poblense vs Sporting Mahones CE MERCADAL 4/5 October: Manacor vs CE Mercadal 11/12 October: CE Mercadal vs Soledad 18/19 October: Constancia vs CE Mercadal 25/26 October: CE Mercadal vs Ferriolense 1/2 November: Arenal vs CE Mercadal AT. CIUTADELLA 4/5 October: At. Ciutadella vs Alcudia 11/12 October: Sporting Mahones vs At. Ciutadella 18/19 October: At. Ciutadella vs Campos 25/26 October: Arta vs At. Ciutadella 1/2 November: At. Ciutadella vs Cala D’Or CE ALAIOR 4/5 October: CE Alaior vs Andratx 11/12 October: Alcudia vs CE Alaior 18/19 October: CE Alaior vs Sporting Mahones 25/26 October: Campos vs CE Alaior 1/2 November: CE Alaior vs Arta
ISLAND GAMES - 2009 Originally called the ‘Inter-Island’ Games they were born in the Isle of Man in 1985. The idea was to bring together a number of small islands from different parts of the world in friendly competition as part of the Isle of Man’s Year of Sport. In total 15 islands took part. Some travelling from as far as Iceland and Scandinavia in the North to St. Helena in the South Atlantic. The idea was to provide an
opportunity for young sportsmen and women from small island communities, to compete and enjoy international competition against other islanders with similar standards of performance. Other benefits of such a unique festival of sport are the opportunities for cultural exchange and social interaction with visiting teams, and to establish new lifelong friendships with fellow islanders. They have been held every two years since then.
The number of Islands participating has grown substantially, and now 25 Islands are members of the International Island Games Association. Menorca joined up in 2007 when the last Games were held in Rhodes. The island sportsmen and women collected 11 gold, 10 silver, and 10 bronze medals in their first appearance. The next games are scheduled for the summer of 2009 and will be held in the Aland Islands which lie between between Sweden and Finland, in the northern Baltic Sea.
FIRST WIN IN EIGHT PRE-SEASON GAMES OFFERS HOPE FOR THE SEASON At last, a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel for ViveMenorca, the island’s leading sports club. The basketball club won their first pre-season game at the eighth time of asking. After a worrying run of seven successive defeats the team defeated ACB rivals Manresa by a comfortable 84-59 in fornt of 5,000 fans.. The introduction of three new players to the squad, Boisa Jeter and Bazdaric, gave the
team, and their worried fans, a much needed boost. One hugely pleasing facet of their performance was their defence, particularly in the second half when they conceded a paltry 22 points. Points-wise, leading the way for Menorca were newboys Bazdaric and Boisa who both registered 17. This weekend’s start to the ACB season couldn’t be tougher for Menorca as they entertain Super Cup winners Tau Ceramica.
ViveMenorca squad for 2008/09 4/5 October: ViveMenorca vs Tau Cerámica 8/9 October: Bilbao Basket vs ViveMenorca 11/12 October: ViveMenorca vs DKV Joventut 18/19 October: C.B. Murcia vs ViveMenorca 25/26 October: ViveMenorca vs Pamesa Valencia 1/2 November: Kalise Gran Canaria vs ViveMenorca
CHILL OUT SOLUTIONS
BALLBREAKER
Sporting Mahonés: looking forward to a good season
have eleven points. The Mahón team remain undefeated after five games and this weekend travel to struggling Ibiza ‘B’. Although there’s still a long way to go the club are confident that they can maintain a title challenge over the coming months and hopefully regain a place in Spain’s National Second Division B. Their only previous experience in the higher echelon ended in 1993 after six seasons. Promotion would also mean that they can participate in the Copa Del Rey - Spain’s equivalent of the FA Cup. For all that things are going right down in Mahón, a few miles up the road matters are already looking increasingly bleak for divisional newboys Es Mercadal, whose debut season it is in the Third Division. Five games and five defeats with only two goals scored would seem to indicate a season of struggle, although there were some positive signs to be taken from their 0-2 defeat at the hands of second placed Santanyí on Sunday. Could it be that Es Mercadal are the ‘new’ Atletico Villacarlos, the team from Es Castell that last season won only one of the 38 games in this group and who were titled the ‘worst club in Spain’. Only two places above Es Mercadal are At. Ciutadella who at least managed a 0-0 draw at Andratx in Menorca, although the game was, by all accounts, a fairly drab affair. Sitting mid-table are the island’s fourth team in the league, Alaior, who went down heavily, 1-4, at leader Binnissalem. This weekend both Ciutadella and Alaior are at home to Alcudia and Andratx respectively.
EASYPEASY
On Saturday they secured all three points from their home win, 2-1, against Montuiri to go level on top with Binnisalem, Santanyí and La Liga club Real Mallorca’s ‘B’ team. All
1. False (he was born in Cardiff, but brought up in England) 2. True 3. True 4. True 5. False (£400 + £260 + £300 = £960) 6. False (but Buzz Aldrin’s mother’s was) 7. False. Some are white with black stripes, but some are actually black with white stripes due to genetic variations. 8. True 9. False (it’s ‘uncopyrightable`) 10. True 11. False (queueing)
It’s increasing looking like Sporting Mahonés pre-season billing as one of the favourites for the Spanish Third Division Group 11 title is not a flight of fantasy!
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AND FINALLY...
Friday 3 October 2008
MENORCA SUN www.themenorcasun.com
Across: 9. Wife of one’s son (8-2-3) 10. Self-esteem 3) 11. Place in Lincolnshire (7) 12. Repose (4) 13. Woody plant (4) 15. Fragrance (5) 17. Parts of feet (7) 19. Small assemblage (5) 21. Tree (3) 23. Something that causes fermentation (5) 24. Late (7) 25. Small fish (5) 27. Fastens a knot (4) 28. Title (4) 30. More than two (7) 32. Ocean (3) 33. Unpredictable (13) Down: 1. Misfortune (9) 2. Breathes fast and hard (5) 3. Discharge of a firearm (4) 4. Reduce (8) 5. Ignominious failure (6) 6. An alcoholic (4) 7. Profane word (9) 8. Telephone (5) 14. Nuisances (5) 16. Give consent (5) 18. Deadlock (9) 20. Soon (9) 22. Automobile (5,3) 26. Critique (6) 27. Good-tasting (5) 29. Diminish (5) 30. Adds (4) 31. Told an untruth (4)
SCRIBBLE PAD
Brogan’s
The smallest Irish bar in the world
ADVERTISE IN THE MENORCA SUN! PHONE TO FIND OUT HOW
Builder weds supermodel after wolf whistling her from scaffolding A south London builder yesterday wed French Supermodel Giselle Baptiste and revealed the pair met after he ‘halloo-ed’ her as she walked past in the street. Scaffolder Andy Prentice said he’d just been about to knock off when he’d seen the Parisian beauty strolling by, 20ft below where he was working. ‘She was a stunner and I just had to led out a whoop followed by a long whistle.’ The Vogue cover girl stopped immediately, looked up and smiled. Giselle later revealed that she had been waiting all her life for a man to respond to her like that. ‘He just seemed so in touch with himself, I really
Andy: doing builders’ proud!
The happy couple! couldn’t walk on. When he followed his up his initial cries by shouting to his friend, ‘you would, though, wouldn’t you Gaz?’ I knew I was in love. No one had ever tried that approach before. It was just so fresh.’ Andy revealed that he was initially hesitant to go out with Gisele. ‘The thing is, right, a lot of women get turned on by builders invitations to ‘show us your lils,’, right, and if we responded to every offer we get then we’d never get any work
done, right. The one they really like is when I pretend to be a horny monkey and swing about on the scaffolding whooping wildly and thrusting my hips.’ Giselle revealed that Andy proposed after consuming a cheap hot dog and letting out his trademark ‘super burp’. The wedding was attended by former boyfriend the concert violinist Michael Daecher. ‘I love her,’ he said, ‘but you just can’t compete with a guy like Andy.’
Yard plummets against the Metre
Government figures published today revealed a sharp down-turn in imperial measurements against their metric equivalents. The mile slumped 400 yards against the kilometre, while the pound fell 3 ounces against the kilogram. Panic was quickly replaced by anger among British holidaymakers in Spain, as they woke up to find themselves anything up to six inches shorter than the day before, while their Spanish counterparts appeared to have had grown by a similar amount. The Prime Minister sought to re-assure the public, and promised to support ‘the very short and the very thin’, for whom further losses could otherwise prove fatal. Standing beside Nicholas Sarkozy
who now towered over him despite the new lifts in the Prime Minister’s shoes, Gordon Brown also stressed some of the benefits of the devaluation of the imperial system, noting that those travelling in continental Europe would find journey times slashed, as each mile now carried British registered cars almost 2 kilometres. There may also be other long term benefits for the UK. With Fahrenheit falling against Celsius, the government believe that Britain may be able to escape the worst consequences of global warming. ‘Sea levels won’t rise as far here, but then everyone will be much shorter – so it’s quite hard to predict who’ll keep their heads above water.’