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THE PRICE OF FISH!
Menorcan ямБshermen to vote on strike action in protest over the price of fuel. See Page 2
VIVEMENORCA blow a 16 point lead to lose their third successive game. See Page 14.
WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE FOR THE MENORCAN PEOPLE DURING BRITISH RULE IN THE 18th CENTURY - SEE PAGES 8 & 9
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Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
MENORCA’S FISHERMEN TO VOTE ON STRIKE ACTION The fishermen that make up the Menorcan fishing fleet were due to take a vote this week to decide whether to second plans for a weekly strike proposed by the Balearic Association of Fishermen, to protest against the rising cost of fuel. If approved, the strike will mean that from November this year until May 2009, the fleet will only take to sea four days a week instead of the five at present. This will result in a reduction
of 500 tons in the catch during these months in relation to last years figures. Secretary of the Federation of Balearic Fishermen, Antonio Garau, said it was important to point out that this is the first time that the fishermen from the Balearics will have adopted these measures. He felt though that, in these difficult times that their hand was being forced by unsustainable increases in fuel prices and labour costs. He also however accepted
CHIPS WITH IT? Ambitious Spanish Chef’s have began to experiment with jellyfish as the main ingredient for their dishes, in a bid to give their traditional recipes a bit of extra zing. Jellyfish has been used in cookery by the Chinese and the Japanese for many years, but the idea has never really taken off in Europe. Until now. One of the Spanish pioneers of jellyfish cuisine was five star Michelin
With chips or salad?
Chef, Carme Ruscalleda, who owns a prestigious eatery in Barcelona. She introduced the ingredient to the popular Spanish noodle dish fideuá, instead of using the customary forms of seafood, which she served to her staff as a special treat. Ruscalleda referred to the Jellyfish as ‘Beautiful sea princesses’, although has yet to tempt her customers with them.
that the industry had to work harder on a continuous and sustained promotion of their product which, in the Balearics, is of a high quality. The fishermen also understand that times have changed and less people now go to the market. The pace of family life now leaves less time for preparing meals and the convenience of large supermarkets are bound to have an effect on the sales of products such as fresh fish.
BID TO COMBAT GOVERNMENTAL CORRUPTION The Balearic government is drawing up new legislation in an effort to combat corruption in government departments. It follows at least three cases of alleged corruption involving high level officials from the previous administration. The local minister for the Treasury Carles Manera said yesterday that the legislation should be in place in three months´ times. “It will place more controls on public officials and departments,” he said. Also, the local government intends to place independent auditors in government departments. But Manera said that the three cases of alleged corruption which had come to light involved people and not whole departments.
THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS The Captain of the Guardia Civil in Menorca, Luis Sanz, has this week emphasised the successes of the operation against the trafficking of drugs on the Island. He expressed his satisfaction and congratulated his officers for the hard work involved in the apprehension of the principal characters involved in this trade. He particularily wanted to highlight the capture of nearly 20 Kilos of hash in the port of Mahon. This year the amount of seized drugs has increased by 200%. The Capitan was speaking in San Luis at a ceremony to celebrate the feast of “Virgen de Pilar” In relation to staffing levels he said that the Guardia had about 90% of their positions
covered Javier Tejero, government representitive on the island stated that, for the fourth consecutive year, Menorca had one of the lowest crime rates in Spain. “ On our island it the results of the fight against drug trafficking and the protection given to women who had suffered violence in the home are especially significant”, he said He also praised the fact that the Guardia Civil was celbrating 20 years since the first woman had become an agent saying that it was onlt right in a modern police force that women should have the same responsibilities and opportunities as men. Of more than 80,000 agents, there are currently 4,135 female officers.
The airport at Mahon has seen the loss of some 100,000 passenger in the so far this year. Figures released by AENA, the controlling body that runs Spain’s airports, show that on 30th September, 2.2 million people had used the terminal at Mahon, down from nearly 2.3 million for the same period of 2007. This leaves Menorca as the sixteenth busiest airport in Spain. AENA point to the rising cost of airline fuel and the general economic climate for the decrease.
in Pontevedra in Spain has said he can’t believe that he has been taken to court and fined after it was established that he only has a driving licence for a moped. ‘I’ve been driving coaches all my life’, he said, ‘and there has never been a compliant’. He was arrested as he was taking 53 passengers on an excursion from the Levante to Galicia and was stopped at a routine control. He was fined 12 € a day for a year, a total of 4,320 €, and ordered to do 40 days community service.
Rafael López Prados, a coach driver from Cambados
Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
PRISON NUMBERS UP Spanish jails are now holding a record number of inmates with 5,289 new prisoners entering so far this year at a rate of 20 a day. The increase is the largest ever seen in the times of democracy in Spain and one of the reasons is said to be the high percentage of foreign inmates. Last year 75% of the new prisoners were foreigners. New harsher penalties in the area of domestic violence and other reforms to the Penal Code are also adding to the numbers. Spain has 157 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants, the highest number in Europe, but far fewer than the 762 seen in the United States.
IB-SALUT CANCELS MEDICAL CARDS IB-SALUT, the health service in the Balearics has cancelled some 39,000 medical cards after receiving notification that there were people registered in both the Balearics, and in Andalucia at the same time. The situation came to light at the beginning of August after the introduction of a new
SMOKING CAUSES CANCER
A smoker of 62 years fails in his bid to blame the Government for his cancer Making its first ruling in a case of this kind, Spain’s National Court found that while smoking is harmful and a “carcinogenic factor,” the Spanish government is not liable for the health effects suffered by smokers. In its ruling the court rejected the lawsuit filed by Francisco Muñoz, a 75-yearold man with cancer of the larynx, who was demanding that the Spanish Economy Ministry pay 300,000 euros in damages. Muñoz, who started smoking at the age of 13, claimed that no one warned him of the dangers of using tobacco. The plaintiff alleged that the Spanish government was liable because Tabacalera - today Altadis - was a state monopoly until 1998. “This ruling is very important because a high court for
the first time admitted that tobacco causes cancer, which will make law,” plaintiff’s attorney José Ángel Mañoso said. “An inescapable starting point is that tobacco use is a cause of harm to health and, especially, a carcinogenic factor,” the National Court said in its ruling. The court, however, threw out the lawsuit for three reasons. First, according to the court, tobacco use stems from an “act of free will and from its exclusive responsibility.” Secondly, the state “does not impose” tobacco use even if it allows the sale of such products, the court said. The third reason cited by the court for rejecting the lawsuit was that the plaintiff did not “provide evidence documenting his condition as a smoker and, less so, for the early age at which he says (he started), or showing concretely in his case that cancer of the larynx came from tobacco use.”
National Health System which anabled officials to cross check details. Everyone who was registerd in the islands and in Andalucia simultaneously has had there Balearic medical card suspended. Initially there were 43,000 cards cancelled but 4,000 have since come forward to confirm that they are in fact resident here and not in Andalucia. These have since been
reinstated in the Balearics system. The Medical Card( Tarjeta Sanitaria) is the means by which residents get acces to the National Health System. To obtain one you must be resident within the islands, and registered in the Social Security system. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and the poor are treated as special cases.
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THE KING TAKES THE SALUTE The royal couple took the salute in what was a smaller display than normal. King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, together with the Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, presided over the military parade on the Day of the Armed Forces last weekend. Also in attendance was the leader of the Partido Popular, Mariano Rajoy, who described the parade the previous day as a ‘coñazo’ – ‘pain in the arse’ – speaking without realising that a microphone was open and tape recorders were running. He later apologised for his comments. More than 4,600 soldiers took part in Sunday’s parade in the Plaza de Colón in Madrid, with the flags from 13 countries represented, including the United States. The Prince and Princess of
Asturias were also in attendance and the Minister for Defence, Carme Chacón greeted the several Spanish missions abroad by video. The flypast was on a smaller scale this year, because of the meteorological conditions, with no helicopters or transport planes, or parachutists making their normal jump into the square.
SPAIN’S STOCKMARKET RECOVERS ... ARE YOU TAKING NOTE MR BROWN? The pessimism seen on the Spanish Stock Market last week gave way to euphoria earlier this as the index soared by 10.65%, its largest daily increase in history, and taking the IBEX 35 back close to the 10,000 level at 9,955. The market has continued to rally up 4% after opening and is now over the 10,300 level. Other European bourses also rallied in response to the deal reached in Paris on Sunday
between European leaders which seems to have brought some confidence back to the markets. Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said yesterday that Spain would guarantee bank operations to a maximum of 100 billion € to the end of this year. In just four days the Spanish Government has approved three royal decrees to protect the Spanish financial sector from the storm.
THE MENORCA SUN THANKS ALL OUR ADVERTISERS AND STOCKISTS
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Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
RESIDENTS DEMAND IMPROVED ROAD SAFETY IN FERRERIES The residents of Ferreries are asking for the main road that passes through the town to be made safer. With the passing of time the town has experienced a level of growth with which the main road is unable to sustain. The increase in housing construction and the expansion of the trading estate have put more pressure on the existing infrastructure and calls are being made to quickly speed up plans that will see a by pass to the north of the town.
tion of flashing lights at zebra crossings that are more readily seen by drivers. Ferreries is not the only point on the island where a main road becomes part of the urban area. The same situation has already arisen in the capital Mahón where the development of Malbujer cut across the ring road. The residents association will be meeting this week with the council to try and work out some solutions to improve safety at this spot.
Ferreries
The road that passes through Ferreries is a delicate point of discussion between government, town hall, and residents. While it is classed as an insular highway, when it reaches Ferreries it becomes just another street. Accidents like the one last week that cost the life of an 8 year old girl bring these problems to the fore again. The Councillor responsible for Mobility, however, was quick to point ouy that a kneejerk reaction should be avoided. “The sad fact” he said, “ is that this junction is regulated the same as every other on the island and complies with all the regulations regarding safety. What happened here could have easily happened at any other point in Menorca unfortunately”. The new by-pass will undoubtedly reduce traffic levels in the town although the mayor of Ferreries, Josep Carreres, said that there should not be conclusions reached by “cause-effect reasoning regarding the accident and the delayed road works saying that the new road will not eliminate the traffic leaving the town in the direction of Cala Galdana, Ciutadella. He also said that various measures had been taken only recently including the instala-
PARADOR PLANS UNWORKABLE Officials from the Ministry of Tourism have dismissed as “unworkable” plans that had been put forward to convert the old hospital, Verge de Toro, into a national parador. The exact reasons for the dismissal of the project are still unknown, but it looks like it could have been the high cost of the work involved that would have required the partial or total demolition of the building. The Ministry of Tourism is very clear in it’s commitment to open a parador in Menorca, Ibiza,(under construction) and Mallorca. Ciutadella has put forward several possibilities in the past having a wealth of large old houses in the town centre Paradores is a chain of hotels, established by the Spanish government in 1928. There are currently eighty fiveParadores, many in converted Moorish fortresses, medieval castles, convents and monasteries, old palaces and ancestral mansions – and some are in more modern buildings in desirable and convenient locations. Each has its own restaurant offering regional and traditional cuisine.
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, Chiringuito Peters, BB Tres, Camachos, Hotel Hamilton, Margarita Cafe, Club Nautica, Groucho, Chespir, 3Bs, El Chivito, Sa Cala, Port Antico, Dinkums, Nikkis, Teapot, Delfin, Internet Shop, Age Concern, Property Menorca, Scandals
CALA’N PORTER Fun House, Village Inn, Bombay Star, Salamandra, Champs, Galleon, Poolside Bar, Hostel Sancho Panza, 007 PUNTA PRIMA Blue Anchor, El Faro, Spar SON BOU Kit Kat, Bowling, Club San Jaime, Arena, Las Dunas, Josephs, Daltons, Bow Hai SAN CLIMENT Casino, Can Dulce, Newsagent, Coach & Horses, Nelsons, Spar CIUTADELLA Delaneys, Burger King
SON VILAR Defenses Animales, Proximo, Collingwood House
LOS DELFINES Foxys, Bar 61, Mulligans, Burger King, Bar Yuca, Super 1, Coctails & Dreams, Agua Centre, Molly Kavanaghs
AIRPORT Thomsons, Thomas Cook, Europcar, Tourist Info, Hertz, Café, Consell Insular
CALA BLANCA Laurel & Hardy, C’an Vicent, Internet.com, Danny’s, Nautilis, Blarney Stone
MAHÓN HOSPITAL Newsagents, Café, Malbuger
CALA N BOSCH McCarthys, 2 Rocks, Big Apple, Don Carlos, Tom’s, Chaplins, Brittania, Legends
Gym
MAHÓN Palliser, Hiper Centro, Hotel Capri, Sa Plaza, Menocars, Joanne Beauty, Estetica Lynda, Fish n Chip shop, American Bar, Market, Market Café, Jimmy’s Bar, Café Ars, Caixa Central, Library, Restaurante San Jose, Taj, Sa Taverna, Burger King, Bar Andaluz, Bar Mirador, Adult Language School: Cap de Llevant PORT DE MAHÓN Breeze, Fairline, Jagaro, Gregal, El Chivito, Thai Country House, Pierro’s, Marivent, El Bosforo, No Lo Se!, Akelarre, Wepi, Latitude 40, Cycle Club, Club Maritim, Roma, Gran Murala, Elefant Bar, Minerva, Hotel Port Mahón, 222 TREBALUGER Trebaluger Spar, Menorca Clearance Centre SAN LLUIS Monet Tu, Avenida Paper Shop, Casino, Eroski, Menorca Storage, Menorca Home Care, Aerodrome, Hippodrome, El Picadero, Tennis Club,
SON PARC Golf Club, Hallissy’s, M & S, BJ’s, Rex’s, Half Moon, 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 ES MERCADAL Savoy, Las Vegas CALA GALDANA Black & White, Bar Mississipi, Phone Box, Bar Toboggan SANTA TOMAS Bar Halley, Hamilton Court Apartments, Beach Bar, Hotel Victoria ES MIGJORN GRAN Perry’s ________________________
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Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
EDUCATING THE BRITISH CHILDREN JANE BRYER’S CONTRIBUTION LAST WEEK REGARDING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION THAT SOME PEOPLE FEEL THEIR CHILDREN ARE GETTING IN THE ISLAND’S SCHOOLS HAS CERTAINLY RAISED PASSIONS. HERE MARTIN LISTER GIVES AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW. Last week, Jane Bryer wrote an article on the setting up of an English library in Es Castell/Sant Lluis to encourage English speaking children to want to read. What a fantastic idea, and one that we condone wholeheartedly. However, marketing it by criticising the Spanish education system is not. The writer stated that children are, “expected to understand and cope with both Castilian and Catalan,” and that they, “only have written English lessons once/twice a week.” Hello! We live in Menorca! What on earth do you expect them to learn? Do the Moroccan, Ecuadorian,
German, Danish, Italian and other nationality children complain? Jane also stated that, “support for the British children is far from acceptable.” By whose account? Our children have, for the last four years, attended school in Sant Lluis. They have had nothing but good support. From the start they were offered ‘extra’ Catalan lessons, during school time, to help them cope with the language differences. Their teachers have offered extra help and guidance at all times where necessary and we, as parents, were offered the help of a school translator at parent teacher meetings when we needed it. There is no ration on the number of meetings a parent can have to discuss their child – they can request them weekly if they so wish. If, after nearly 2 years of schooling here a child cannot, “understand what was being said by the teacher or her peers,” then that is sad, but it is not the school’s fault.
As English parents, we choose to have our children educated here. The schools do not choose to take our children but do so none the less. Surely, it is up to us to work with their teachers to maximise their learning and to ensure they benefit. Jane Bryer stated that, “even if one school on the island had a proper English/Spanish speaking teacher it would have plenty of students as many parents would travel for it.” Actually, the vast majority of schools do have this. However, as in the UK, catchment area rules apply, so, as a parent, one needs to take this into account. Jane, your venture is a great idea and offers an invaluable service to many English speaking children , but please do not criticise the hard work and dedication of the Menorcan teachers and schools. If parents don’t like the education that their children receive here, they can always go back to the UK.
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STEADY AS SHE GOES The end of General Francisco Franco’s dictatorship in Spain, not only brought democracy to the country, but also a sound banking system. Now, 30 years later, Spanish banks are looking stronger than ever amidst an unprecedented financial crisis across the globe that has forced governments to pitch in to save ailing lenders from collapse. But unlike France, Germany, and Britain, Spain hasn’t has the need to stakes in any banks because its banking system is solvent. The only measure Spain has required is the creation of a government fund that has made available 30.0 billion euros ($40.6 billion) to buy assets from Spanish banks to help bring back investors into the sector and unfreeze credit. “Spanish banks are better positioned for the time being than their European competitors,” said Jean Sassus, an analyst with Raymond James Euro Equities in Paris. “One of the main reasons is Spain’s tough regulations on banks that forbid them to invest in the sub-prime market and forces them to put aside
a provision for every loan they grant.” Spanish regulators have imposed tight rules in Spain’s banking sector, for instance forbidding companies from having off-balance-sheet investment vehicles that other banks in the euro zone, Britain and the United States have used to hide their toxic assets. The latest example of a solid bank is that of Banco Santander, which on Monday said it was in talks to take full control of Philadelphia-based thrift Sovereign Bancorp, in which it already owns a 24.9% stake. “Spain has never been relaxed about its banks. This is an old-fashioned reconstruction of the Spanish banking system that came about 30 years ago after Franco’s dictatorship. The argument is that you cannot rebuild a country without an absolutely sound banking system,” Sassus said. “The government of the time, which was a socialist government, thought it had to raise the standards of the banking sector the highest level.” And it is paying off.
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Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
LETTERS Menorca Sun I read with interest the correspondence from Tracy Fell in your letters page where she bleated on and on about the exorbitant cost of hiring loungers and umbrellas on Menorcan beaches. She does have a point, they are pricey but this is mainly due to the greed of the local councils charging extortionate prices for the concessions. However putting that polemic to one side I couldn’t help noticing whilst reading her unrelenting diatribe that here we have a woman and a mother of 3 children who wants a holiday where she can sun bathe from dawn to dusk and seemingly longer if she can find a floodlit beach, but to what end? I can only presume to get as sun burnt as possible. Wouldn’t she be better off booking a week in her local tanning salon and saving the expense of flights, hotels etc.? As for grumpy beach chairs attendants, well she would be devoid of these as well and instead be stimulated listening to the nightly
exploits of Kylie, the tattooed, heavily studded assistant sent by the owner of the salon to plug her into the mains. After a week of this treatment and provided she kept turning like a chicken on a spit, she would achieve that wonderful orange glow so popular amongst the other Traceys that you can find anywhere in Essex. How vacuous and puerile to measure a nation’s worth (albeit one as small as Menorca) upon the cost of a beach lounger. On those days she couldn’t afford the price of topping up her tan and seemingly too pompous to lay on the sand, did she and her prodigy go to Alcafar for instance and experience the sheer unadulterated joy of sitting on the fishing boat slipways and dangle hot feet into the cool sea, did she go to the Mirador at Cala Galdana and look down into the bluest waters in the western Mediterranean? Has she ever seen a ‘jaleo’, or eaten tapas along the harbour at Mahon? Has she seen the sun setting
over Cap de Cavalleria or dipped fresh ensaimadas into hot coffee in the fish market at Ciutadella? Menorca has its faults, that is an undeniable truth and council leaders, tourist organizations would be well served not to ignore the value of the tourist and their importance to the economy but it also has a beauty and a soul that are deeper and more profound than any other island nation I have visited but you won’t discover this sitting on a beach in Arenal getting apoplectic over the cost of a plastic chair, so Ms Fell enjoy Crete, Crete deserves you. Mike P, full name and address supplied Sirs Regarding Tracy Fell’s letter of last week. She could have saved herself a pile of money by doing what most people do on the beach; simply lay a towel down on the sand and lie on it. Honestly, the sun doesn’t exclude the
peasants that do! To be frank, anyone who simply wants to lounge around the beach for the whole of their holiday and miss out on the real delights of the island have wasted their money anyway. Good luck Crete. Spencer Halley, email Menorca Sun If Tracy Fell (letter last week) thinks that the cost of beach loungers are expensive here then I don’t think she’s done too much travelling (Crete aside!). She wants to try Italy or some of the many other beaches in Spain to experience being ‘ripped off’. As for her comments about not being made to feel welcome, all I can say is that it’s not something that my family and I have experienced. Everywhere we go we are met with friendliness and courtesy, and it’s a real pleasure to holiday on that beautiful island. We’ll definately be coming again and it’s reassuring to
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.
‘ALLO ‘ALLO AGAIN The Menorca Charity Players continue to put in the hours in an effort to perfect their production of Allo Allo which will be presented at the Orfeon Theatre in Mahon on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of December. The Menorca Sun attended
rehearsals on Tuesday and we have to say that it looks like being a great show. Under the direction of Chris Coleman the cast worked hard for a few hours practising and learning lines and movements. The Players will be holding several events to raise money for charity in conjunction with the production. The first of these will be at the
Car Boot Sale in Mahón this Sunday, which is held in the park in front of the Telefonica offices and the Ocimax complex. It is also intended to raffle the painting “The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies”. Paul Clough is also arranging for the Players to be able to raffle Herr Flick’s leather trench coat.
know that next time we won’t be ‘people watched’ by Ms Fell and her family. Ray Barnes, Sutton, England
(Ms Fell’s letter certainly seems to have produced a bit of a reaction! Well, three letters anyway, but at Sun Tower that constitutes a deluge!) Menorca Sun Thanks Ray Knight (letter 10 October), I couldn’t have put it better myself but a minority of dog owners really are irresponsible when it comes to where they let their pets foul. Many, many do clean up afterwards but some don’t seem to really care where their dog does its business. If that’s you, then think again. Rachel Hurst Dear Sirs Sadly, my wife and I no longer live on the island but we like to keep in touch with what’s happening and we enjoy your on-line edition. Your publication is improving and we wish you success. John & Sarah Greene
THIS DAY IN HISTORY 17th October
539 BC: King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost 70 years of exile and making the first Human Rights Declaration. 1346: Battle of Neville’s Cross: King David II of Scotland is captured by Edward III of England at Calais, and imprisoned in the Tower of London for eleven years. 1604: Kepler’s Star: German astronomer Johannes Kepler observes that an exceptionally bright star had suddenly appeared in the constellation. Ophiuchus, which turned out to be the last supernova to have been observed in our own galaxy, the Milky Way. 1660: Nine Regicides, the men who signed the death warrant of Charles I, are hanged, drawn and quartered, another is hanged. 1662: Charles II of England sells Dunkirk to France for 40,000 pounds. 1777: American troops defeat the British in the Battle of Saratoga.
1814: London Beer Flood occurs in London killing nine. 1860: The first Open Golf Championship. 1917: First British bombing of Germany in World War I. 1931: Al Capone convicted of income tax evasion. 1933: Albert Einstein, fleeing Nazi Germany, moves to the US. 1973: OPEC starts an oil embargo against a number of western countries, considered to have helped Israel in its war against Syria. 1979: Mother Teresa awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2000: Train crash at Hatfield, north of London, leading to collapse of Railtrack. 2003: The pinnacle was fitted on the roof of Taipei 101, a 101-floor skyscraper in Taipei, allowing it to surpass the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur by 50 meters (165 feet) and become the World’s tallest highrise. 2003: Eunuchs in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh float the political party Jiti Jitayi.
Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
BRUCE LAURIE Last Saturday the island government honoured the British historian Bruce Laurie in a ceremony held at the Consul building in Mahón. He was posthumously awarded the title Adopted Son of Menorca in recognition of his works on the history of the island. He is the first Briton ever to be honoured in this way. In particular it was Laurie’s research into the 18th Century Governor Richard Kane that he is best known for, but he also noted for his other works such as the translation of the History of Menorca into English. Laurie was born in Wales in 1916 and he lived on this island for 37 years until his death last December. Not only did he involve himself in the history of this beautiful island he was also a keen activist on environmental issues. Laurie’s daughter, Eloise, accepted the award from Marc Pons, President of the Island Council, on his behalf. Also present was Deborah Hellyer, the British Consul, who represented the British Government at the ceremony.
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DEFENDING MENORCA’S ENVIRONMENT Grup Ornitologic Balear The Balearic Group for Ornithology and Defence of Nature, known as G.O.B. - an acronym of Grup Ornitologic Balear -, is an independent, non-profit
association dedicated to the study and defence of the environment in the Balearic Islands. It is sustained by the donations of members and sympathis-
ers, the production of services related to environment and the sale of books and other promotional materials. Amongst the many activities that the organisation engage in are the study and protection of wild fauna and flora, especially species in danger: evaluation of the impact of new development on the environment, they run the centre for the recovery of injured wild animals near Ciutadella and manage the popular Nature Centre in Ferreries. The organisation has also set up an educational programme to inform people of issues affecting the environment we reside in on the island. Menorca is a special focus for GOB’s activities due to its status as a Biosphere Reserve. As mentioned above GOB run an animal sanctuary in the quarry of l’Alzina in Ciutadella. Its task consists in healing, whenever possible, the injured or sick wild animals that are found in Menorca, and this task
is carried out by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. The sanctuary is divided into four sections: a large ‘flight cage’, in which convalescent birds train to fly again; an area for animals that cannot be put back into the wild because of their injuries; a zone for foreign tortoises collected from people who don’t want to keep them anymore and, finally, an area for terrapins. There is a ‘network’ of volunteers in most of the towns on the island that collaborate in collecting injured or endangered wild animals - usually as a result of a member of the public calling the GOB hotline - very similar to the role of the RSPCA in Britain. The animals are then sent to the Centre where vets take care of them. Two courses have been developed for the volunteers to
show them how to treat an animal in these circumstances. The organisation are always looking for more volunteers so get in touch with them if you want to help out! Their website address with all the relevant contact information is: www.gobmenorca.com
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Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
SMUGGLING, PIRACY and VEGETABLES! A local’s lot during the British occupation of Menorca Menorca has a long association with the British; from our 18th century conquest of the island that lasted the best part of one hundred years, through to the rise of the cheap package holiday in the 60s and 70s to the present day. For much of the 17th and 18th centuries Menorca had a strategic importance that vastly out-weighed its commercial and economic value. The three major European powers of the time, Britain, France and Spain (to whom it originally belonged) all vied for control of the island. In particular it was the Port of Mahón that was the prized possession. The harbour, the second deepest in the world after Pearl Harbour, is sheltered and relatively easily defended (from the sea at least) and its geographic position in the western Mediterranean gave it a strategic significance. It was on 14 September 1708, during the war of the Spanish Succession, that British forces first set foot on Menorca’s soil. The troops, led by James 1st Earl
of Stanhope, landed at Alcuafár intent upon marching to Fort Sant Felipe at the entrance to Mahón’s harbour, however, the lack of a road held up the advance and it wasn’t until 19 September that they reached their objective and forced the Spanish surrender. In 1713 Spain ceded Menorca to Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht settlement. The years 1708 to 1802 were an age of British domination of Menorca, give or take a few years when the dastardly French, typically, sneaked in by the back door, and whilst much has been written about the occupation from a military perspective, what was life like for the inhabitants of Menorca? The population of the island was only 16,000, a little under a quarter the present number. The only towns of any size were Mahón and Ciutadella, with the small market towns of Alaior, Ferreries and Mercadal being the only other places of note. Menorca was very much a rural society. The centre of the island
was taken over by agriculture with the land divided into small fields surrounded by dry stone walls such as we see today. In a good year the cereal harvest was sufficient for the needs of the locals, but with the addition of the British forces the harvest often fell short of what was required. The average diet of the rural population consisted mainly of vegetables and bread, with meat only consumed on festival days. Only the better off could afford meat. Vines were grown on the island and wine was cheap and considered to be of exceptional quality. Most of the island was in the hands of relatively few nobles although barely ten per cent of the total land was cultivated. What was farmed was farmed on the basis of sharecropping. Sharecropping is a system of agriculture or agricultural production in which a landowner allows a tenant to use the land in return for a share of the crop produced on the land. Unfortunately, the level of taxation and
18th Century Menorcan living!
rent discouraged the growth of the agricultural sector, and rather than grow more, the Menorcans preferred to import the extra they needed. Corn came in from Bar-
bary, Sardinia, Sicily and the Levant (the Mediterranean Middle East); salt from Ibiza and oil from Mallorca. In return Menorca exported wine (much in demand),
The Fun House, based in Cala’n Porter, is now in its third year and is still the biggest venue for hosting your child’s Birthday Party, probably having the largest indoor soft play area catering for 016 year olds. Whilst they have a lovely terrace outside to sit on with 2 bouncy castles for the kids, inside is loads of fun with the Nintendo Wii (if they can get the dads off it!), Playstations, Ping-Pong and Pool Table to name but a few. Owners Debbie and Tony have built up a great reputation and have made some lovely friends along the way. In addition to the above, the Fun House is a great meeting place for all and a warm welcome is given to everyone. A Weight Watchers meeting is held every Thursday at 12 o’clock, so come along, join up, lose weight and make new friends at the same time. The summer season comes to a close on 31 October with a
fantastic Halloween Party. This is an event not to be missed where the Fun House is tranformed with great spooky and scary decorations! Games and Competitions for the kids, Fancy Dress Prizes, Buffet and Karaoke (by Tracey & Pete) to take us through the night. Free entry for adults and only 5€ per child (includes party bag), so book your place now as numbers are limited. Telephone Debbie for details on 606 023 234. Remember, the Fun House is open all year round, so come along, have a coffee and chill whilst your kids play safe!
Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
cheese, coarse wool, honey and beeswax. The British were convinced that the island could produce more than it did and they started on a programme of development but progress was slow and met with resistance from the conservative peasantry. They brought in new fruits and plants and better strains of cattle and poultry, encouraged immigration and developed the production of salt. That the British ever succeeded was more through fostering the island’s trade rather than converting Menorcan farmers to modern agricultural methods. One surprise, given the passion that the Menorcans have for them today, was the lack of horses on the island. Those that were here were owned by the gentry, and even then, used only for recreational purposes. The lack of roads, there was only stony tracks, also meant a lack of carts, so most people traveled on donkeys and goods were carried on the back of mules (the only mules on Menorca nowadays are usually collared by the Guardia at the airport!). The first road, the Camí d’en Kane, named after the Governor, was built in 1715 by the British using local labour, and linked Ciutadella with Mahón. Education was totally lacking for the majority of citizens although this, of course, did not apply to the gentry and nobles who sent their offspring abroad for educating. Schools were few and far between and of poor quality and most of the people were illiterate. A great complaint of the British throughout their century of governance was that even most jurats (magistrates) were unable to read and write. Girls tended to marry young and then tended to live a life of seclusion looking after their home. Soldiers being soldiers this situation was a real cause of frustration to the men in the occupying British forces as the
women were of seen only as they were going to church! Generally, women were treated with great respect in Menorcan society, so unlike many other Mediterranean countries in that age. To some British eyes the local inhabitants were “idle and bigoted”, though much of this biasness can be attributed to a protestant view of a catholic nation. One observer, John Armstrong a British engineer who served on the island in the 1730s and 40s, went as far as writing, “(the Menorcans are) loaded with a numerous race of Idle Locusts, black, white and grey, that sit heavily on their industry, and after all traffick with them, as our Merchants do with Savages, exchanging Beads, Pictures and Baubles, for everything of Value they have in the World.” However, not all contemporaries held the same view and others, such as La Chapelle, thought them pious, sober, honest, hardworking and gentle. Pious and gentle they may have been but two professions at which the locals excelled were smuggling and privateering (semi-legal piracy). Smuggling was a way of life for much of the populace, with tobacco being the focus of their nefarious activities (ironic really given that for decades it’s been British tourists who’ve returned home over-laden with fags and booze and tip-toeing guiltily through customs!). The smuggling of tobacco turned a handsome profit for those involved but caused Britain all kinds of diplomatic problems with the Spanish authorities in Madrid and Mallorca. Most of the tobacco smuggled to Mallorca was shipped from Ciutadella where the jurats turned a blind eye to the activity, almost certainly because the smugglers were family members or friends and because brown envelopes changed hands in
RED CROSS NEWS The third annual Spring Sale in aid of the local Red Cross will be held in May 2009. A new stall will be Hand Made Crafts, and it has been decided to launch a Red Cross Craft Group, who will hopefully spend the autumn and winter months making items for the stall. People who knit, sew, crochet, embroider or are of a creative nature are invited to the first meeting on October 21st, from 10 to 1 at the home of Red Cross fundraiser Anne Maddison in Sant Lluis. Telephone Anne on 971 151 909 for more information. To get the group started donations are needed of balls of wool, fabric, embroidery silks etc. Again, please call Anne if you can help.
the back streets of the town. The Mallorcan authorities wanted the smugglers extradited, but smuggling, as the British pointed out, was not a crime under British law that merited extradition. The stalemate lasted as long as the British occupation. The Menorcan’s also made substantial profits from privateering in wartime. A privateer was a private warship authorised by a country’s government, in this case Britain, by letters of marque (a warrant) to attack foreign shipping. Privateering is often described as a form of state-supported piracy. Strictly, a privateer was only entitled by its state to attack and rob enemy vessels during wartime. However, states often encouraged attacks on opposing powers while at peace, or on neutral vessels during time of war, blurring the line between privateering and piracy. Privateers were an accepted part of naval warfare from the 16th to the 19th centuries, authorized by all significant naval powers. The costs of commissioning privateers was borne by investors hoping to gain a significant return from prize money earned from enemy merchants. During the War of Jenkins Ear and the ensuing war of the Austrian Succession a total of 71 prizes were captured by Menorcan vessels bearing letters of marque. A few years later during the American War of Independence the Menorcans had a field day preying on French shipping when France were allied to America. Over 3,000 Menorcans were involved in privateering and so many ships were taken that the British authorities had to open a second quarantine area in Fornells to moor the captured vessels. So did the century of British occupation bring about an improvement in the local’s standard of living? The answer is probably
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James 1st Earl of Stanhope
The Port of Mahón back in the day
yes, but the island failed to live up to Britain’s original expectations. By 1802 when Menorca was returned to Spain it was compared favourably with every other Mediterranean island, and even with other Spanish provinces, excepting Catalunya. The general standard of living improved to the extent that it moved one Franciscan friar to complain to the bishop in Mallorca that the well-being of the populace was such that it had resulted in a laxity of religious observance and moral discipline! And what of the Menorcan’s view of British rule? Most were philosophic and passively re-
signed to their fate. They never looked on themselves as British subjects and most were convinced that the island would one day revert to Spain. As you’ll have guessed I’m no expert on this subject so Praise the Lord for the World Wide Web! The information is there if you have the patience, and time, to Google it. Also, Desmond Gregory’s book, “Minorca, the Illusory Prize: A History of the British Occupations of Minorca between 1708 and 1802”, and the tomes of Janet Sloss were invaluable. I’d also recommend the Museum of Menorca in Mahón. Graeme Harker
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Friday 17 October 2008
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
MENORCA SUN
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
Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
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 17 October Jazz: Mahón Ars Cafe @ 23.30 With Jazz Do It... nice! Saturday 18 October Trotting Races: Mahón Hipodromo, Av. J.A.Clavé, 400 @ 17.00. Great entertainment and you can have a beer and a flutter at the same time! Cricket: Binnparrel MCC Ground @ 11.00 Menorca Cricket Club’s 20/ Twenty Cup, games at 11.00 & 14.30. Spectators welcome. Folk/Rock/Trad: Mahón Teatre Principal @ 21.00 Concert with Menorca’s Guiem Soldevila Classical: Ciutadella Socors @ 19.00 Sa Nostra Chamber Orchestra. Sunday 19 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. Cricket: Binnparrel MCC Ground @ 11.00 Menorca Cricket Club’s 20/ Twenty Cup, games at 11.00 & 14.30. Spectators welcome. Classical: Mahón Teatre Principal @ 19.00 Sa Nostra Chamber Orchestra.
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
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Jazz: Ciutadella Casino 17 @ 23.30 With Jazz Do It
WHAT’S ON AND WHERE TO WATCH SKY SPORTS & SETANTA SPORTS
Monday 20 October Cricket: Binnparrel MCC Ground @ 11.00 Menorca Cricket Club’s 20/ Twenty Cup, games at 11.00 & 14.30. Spectators welcome.
All times given are local
Tuesday 21 October Jazz: Sant Climent Casino, Sant Jaume 2 @ 21.30 Menorca’s longest established jazz club. 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€. Cricket: Binnparrel MCC Ground @ 11.00 Menorca Cricket Club’s 20/ Twenty Cup, games at 11.00 & 14.30. Spectators welcome. Wednesday 22 October Cricket: Binnparrel MCC Ground @ 11.00 Menorca Cricket Club’s 20/ Twenty Cup, games at 11.00 & 14.30. Spectators welcome. Thursday 23 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. Cricket: Binnparrel MCC Ground @ 11.00 Menorca Cricket Club’s 20/ Twenty Cup Finals Day, games at 11.00 & 14.30. Spectators welcome.
FOOTBALL Saturday 18 October Inverness vs Celtic SPL 13.30 Setanta Sports 1 Middlesborough vs Chelsea Barclay’s Premiership 13.45 Sky Sports 1 Crystal Palace vs Barnsley Championship 18.20 Sky Sports 1 Man United vs WBA Barclay’s Premiership 18.30 Setanta Sports 1 Sunday 19 October Sheff Wed vs Sheff Utd Championship 14.15 Sky Sports 1 Hibs vs Hearts SPL 15.00 Setanta Sports 1 Stoke vs Spurs Barclay’s Premiership 17.00 Sky Sports 1 Monday 20 October Darlington vs Bradford City League 2 20.45 Sky Sports 1 Newcastle vs Man City Barclay’s Premiership 21.00 Setanta Sports 1 Burton vs Mansfield Blue Square Premier 20.45 Setanta Sports 1 Tuesday 21 October Man Utd vs Celtic Champions League 20.45 ITV1 Fenerbahce vs Arsenal Champions League 20.45 ITV4 Wednesday 22 October Chelsea vs Roma Champions League 20.45 Sky Sports Xtra Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool Champions League 20.45 Sky Sports 2 Thursday 9 October Game TBC UEFA Cup 20.30 Channel 5 F1 Sunday 19 October Chinese Grand Prix 09.00 ITV1
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
RUGBY UNION Friday 17 October Glasgow vs Toulouse Heineken Cup 22.00 Sky Sports 2 Saturday 18 October Stade Francais vs Llanelli Heineken Cup 14.35 Sky Sports 2 Ospreys vs Perpignan Heineken Cup 16.30 Sky Sports 2 Leinster vs Wasps Heineken Cup 18.30 Sky Sports 2 Northampton vs Montpellier Heineken Cup 20.45 Sky Sports 2 Sunday 19 October Sale vs Munster Heineken Cup 14.00 Sky Sports 2 Cardiff vs Gloucester Heineken Cup 16.00 Sky Sports 2
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 (has Showtime) 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
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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Friday 17 October 2008
SUDOKU
MENORCA SUN
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
Rugs, sofas, hard floors, marble, wood, terraces PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED Tel: 692 826 385
LAUGH? I NEARLY WET MY KNICKERS!
A husband is at home watching a football match when his wife interrupts, “Honey, could you please fix the light in the hallway, it’s been flickering for weeks now.” He looks at her and says angrily, “Fix the lights now? Does it look like I have ‘Powergen’ written on my forehead? I don’t think so!” Then the wife asks, “Well then, could you please fix the fridge door, it won’t close right.” To which he replied, “Fix the fridge door? Does it look like I have ‘Zanussi’ written on my forehead? I don’t think so!” “Fine,” she says, “then you could at least fix the stairs to the front door, they are about to break.” “I’m not a carpenter and I don’t want to fix steps,” he says, “does it look like I have ‘B&Q’ written on my forehead? I don’t think so! I’ve had enough of this, I’m going to the pub.”
So he goes to the pub and drinks for a couple of hours, until he starts to feel guilty about how he treated his wife and decides to go home. As he walks into the house he notices that the steps are already fixed. As he enters the house, he sees the hall light is working. As he goes to get a beer, he notices that the fridge door is fixed. “Honey,” he asks, “how did all this get fixed?” She said, “Well, when you left I sat outside and cried. Just then a young man asked me what was wrong and I told him. He offered to do all the repairs, and all I had to do was either bake him a cake or go to bed with him.” He said, “So what kind of cake did you bake him?” She replied, “Helloooooo, do you see ‘Mr Kipling’ written on my forehead? I don’t think so!”
BOND TRIVIA Bond is a smoker, but he quits in the 80s films. In the 21 official Bond movies, the actress playing the Bond girl has only been older than the actor playing Bond twice; Honor Blackman & Diana Rigg. Sean Connery wasn’t supposed to be the first James Bond. Roger Moore was Ian Fleming’s original choice to play James Bond. Bond’s father was Scottish and his mother was French Swiss. The total box office takings for the last 20 Bond films is $3,818,000,000. The famous number 007 is rumored to be a bus route which passed Ian Fleming’s house each day. Burt Reynolds and Adam West were the first choices of actors to take Sean Connery’s place as James Bond.
PUB QUIZ
1. With which sport would you associate Nick Skelton? 2. What sport was at the centre of Death In The Afternoon by Ernest Hemmingway? 3. Slider, sacrifice fly and R.B.I. are all terms used in which sport? 4. Which sport can`t you play left handed? 5. In which sport might you see the two teams defending goals of different sizes? 6. What sport has 4 letters and begins with a `T`? 7. In sport, where would you find a tic-tac man? 8. Which sportsman in 1977 published his autobiography called `My Life And The Beautiful Game`? 9. In which country did the sport of ice-hockey originate? 10. The name of which sport means `empty hand` in Japa-
nese? 11. Rhinos, Tigers, Wildcats and Dragons are nicknames from which sport?
Answers on Page 15
HOROSCOPES AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18) This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius, the age of Aquariu-uu-uus! I bet you get that from all the horoscopes, don’t you? I just couldn’t resist.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20) You need to purify your life, far too many evils have lurked their way into it. You must get to the base of the problem and destroy it, and since money is the root of all evil, purge your bank account.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22) Sometimes, you’re frustrated with the way things are, but you consider yourself an easygoing person, so don’t stress out too much. Remember, you are a unique, fun-loving individual.
SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21) You are a beautiful, unique snowflake, one who’s talented, creative, and loving. Unfortunately for you, the world is assdeep in snowdrifts of billions of creative and talented flakes exactly like you.
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20) You are going to be faced with a problematic decision soon, and there is going to be a great deal at stake. Along with the one choice will be love, happiness, and fulfillment of your soul, and the other will be fraught with death and destruction.
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20) Have you felt sluggish lately, like your body isn’t getting all it needs? Perhaps you aren’t getting your daily requirement of nicotine. Ask your doctor if nicotine is right for you.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22) Some weeks, it just doesn’t pay for you to get out of bed. This is one of those weeks, so lie back and relax.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21) It is in your nature to distrust the calling of your fate, to question the truth held for you in this horoscope. You tire of vague, mystical comments and seek hard, factual advice grounded in reality.
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19) You are under a lot of stress right now, but it’s okay because ... Wait, you think YOU’VE got stress? I’m the one with big time stress here. I’ve got all kinds of work I need to be doing, and I’m spending MY time doing your friggin’ horoscope...
CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22) You are confronted with too many decisions in your life, and if you have to face another one, you’ll go crazy. To help this problem, you could a) set a goal to shift your paradigm and increase productivity, b) get drunk!
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22) Your finances are beginning to overwhelm you, and debt seems to saddle you no matter what. The continual drain on your account seems to just be a vicious cycle from which you cannot escape. Cheer yourself up and go on a shopping spree.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19) Don’t hurry things, take time on what matters. Genius can never be rushed. Likewise, ...uhh ... I didn’t have time to think up a decent horoscope for you. I’ll get today’s fortune to you sometime early next week.
Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
PROPERTY WANTED
Plot of 900m2 in Punta Grossa/Arenal - 35,000€ Son Ilar - Garage of 50m2 - 65,000€ Apartments 2 bed Es Castell - 129,000€ 2 bed Es Castell - 150,000€ Cala Corb front line sea views - 175,000€ Sea view Es Castell - 175,000€ 1 bed with pool and parking - 179,000€ 3 bed Es Castell - 185,000€ 2 bed, pool, parking and gardens - 188,000€ 1 bed ‘El Pino’ with pool and parking - 190,000€ 2 bed ‘Castellmar’ pool, parking sea views - 195,000€ Mahón 4 bed, 2 bath - 250,000€ Cala Torret sea view - 259,000€ Houses 2 bed Es Castell - 220,000€ 2 bed Es Castell - 227,000€ 2 bed Sol del Este - 250,000€ 3 bed house with 90m2 garage - 260,000€ 3/4 bed with sea views in Son Vilar - 250,000€ Small farmhouse Son Vilar - 275,000€ Villas Santa Ana 3 bed with plot and space for pool - 400,000€ A selection of rental properties for short term or long term from 500€ per month. Also available are villas, shops, businesses and plots. www.propertymenorca.com Andy Tysoe (API Registered) Colegiado No. 599 Mobile: 617 812 024 Next door to Banco Santander (Es Castell) Free parking opposite. _____________________________ PROPERTY TO LET _____________________________ TO LET apartment in Cala en Porter. 6/12 month. Renewable rental. €500 p/m winter, €600 p/m summer. 2 bedrooms, ground floor, fully equipped, communial gardens, large pool. Tel: 971 377 184 mob: 686 887 237 (mornings) Villa to rent. Cala n Porter. All year round. 800€. Tel: 619 866 162 Villa to rent. November 2008 May 2009. 550€. Tel: 619 866 162 _____________________________ 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/bed-
room, 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 _____________________________
Need to sell quickly? Anything considered up to 500,000€ Discretion guaranteed Quick decision Cash Buyer Tel: 971 363 693
from 80 Euros. Tel: 609 458 889 _____________________________ FOR SALE _____________________________ Marquees, Bouncy Castles, and Trampolines for Sale and Hire from 90 Euros. Tel: 609 458 889 800 watt generator. Black & Decker Circular Saw 190mm. 14” TV. 696859397
Hourly ‘Man & Van’ rates. Tel: 971 150 483
6 dining room chairs. Very Good Condition. 100€ ono. Drop leaf table 30€. Tel: 971 377 365
FURNITURE FOR SALE Antiques & Modern, Office, Commercial and Household. Objets D’Art. Tel: 971 150 483
Luxury Hot Tub - Brand new (6 seater). Normally 18,000€ now only 7,000€. Can deliver and install. Tel: 665 767 511
FURNITURE RESTORATION Stripping, waxing & polishing, caning, re-upholstery. Rates on Request. Tel: 618 786 770
English Sausages (pack of 10) & Back Bacon (8 Rashers) for Sale. Brogan’s Es Castell. Tel: 629 666 453
STORAGE From 1 box to 1 workshop. Versitile, secure storage in our ventilated warehouse. Tel: 971 150 483
Full size snooker table and coin operated English pool table. Tel: 629 642 813
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 PROFESSIONAL STEAM CLEANING Furniture, carpets and cars. Hard floor cleaning, marble polishing & industrial power washing. Call today! Tel: 692 826 385 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
SERVICES _____________________________
Van going back to UK and returning next week. Space both ways. Good rates. Tel: 609 458 889
REMOVALS Local and international. Packing included if required.
Sky Full Systems. Dish, box, and installation from 490 Euros. Boxes
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 Giant Screen for Sale. 2m x 2m. As New. 150€. Tel: 629 666 453. _____________________________ WANTED _____________________________ Secondhand tools. Cash paid. Tel: 639 700 185 Wanted: exercise cycle and small chest freezer. Tel: 618 579 186 _____________________________ LANGUAGE SERVICES _____________________________ Translating Services. Having Trouble with Paperwork? Let us help you at Trafico, Hacienda, etc. Tel: 629 666 453
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English Lessons. Tesol qualified. Ring 617 266 384 or mail hodgkinson.mw@gmail.com Professional and bilingual person offers their services for translation. English to Spanish and Spanish to English. Tel: 617 361 714 SPANISH LESSONS. To suit all needs and levels. Experienced tutor. Tel: 971 368 849 or 639 635 136 _____________________________ PERSONAL _____________________________ I love you, Peach. x
Tarot Readings-15Euros. Treat your friends or Family to a Birthday Chart for Xmas from 20 Euros Call Jackie today 971389041 679598251
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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Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
Seve diagnosed with brain tumour Golf legend Seve Ballesteros has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and will undergo a biopsy on Tuesday. The Spaniard was admitted to Madrid’s La Paz hospital on 6 October after briefly losing consciousness. The hospital said on Friday he had left intensive care, having been “admitted because of a partial epileptic fit”. But, on Sunday, Ballesteros, 51, said: “I inform you that after an exhaustive check that was realised at Hospital La Paz, a brain tumour has been detected.” Ballesteros said he will undergo a biopsy on Tuesday and then doctors would decide on a course of treatment. He added: “Throughout my entire career I have been one of the best at overcoming obstacles on the golf course. “And now I want to be the best, facing the most difficult game of my life, using all my strength and also counting on those who have been sending me get-well messages. “Now I’ve been able to tell my three children personally and their mother, now I can tell you the illness that I am suffering from. After the exhaustive tests that I have undertaken in the Hospital La Paz they have detected a brain tumour. “I have always sympathised with those people who face ill-
Seve in happier days nesses. “Therefore, I want to remind them that with bravery, faith, serenity, confidence and a lot of mental strength, we have to face any situation no matter how difficult it is.” Ballesteros asked for his family’s privacy to be respected while promising to keep people regularly informed of his
“Throughout my entire career I have been one of the best at overcoming obstacles on the golf course, and now I want to be the best, facing the most difficult game of my life” condition. “Now my wish is to ask for respect for my family and especially for my children. We will keep you informed,” he continued. “I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all those people who have shown affection and interest in my state of health, with all kinds of support. Many thanks.” Fellow Spanish golfers Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez responded to Sunday’s announcement by wishing Ballesteros a speedy recovery. Olazabal, who visited Balles-
teros in hospital, said he was “confident” he would recover, adding: “While I’m rightly worried, I thought Seve seemed very well. We were talking for a good while. I wish him a speedy recovery.” Jimenez added: “Seve, we love you. We all hope you recover as soon as possible and we’re waiting for you.” Ballesteros, a five-time major winner who suffered from an arthritic back and knee problems late in his career, retired in 2007. He won 87 titles during his career, including the Open in 1979, 1984 and 1988 and the Masters in 1980 and 1983. He also played an inspirational role in the Ryder Cup, winning 20 points from 37 matches, as well as captaining Europe to victory at the Spanish course of Valderrama in 1997. Ballesteros had moved to reassure fans on Thursday by telling his official website: “I wish to inform that I am feeling very well. “I am awaiting the results of the tests that I have been going through. I wish to personally thank all of those who are concerned about my health condition. “I want you to know they make me feel very good and I feel greatly supported by all of you.”
MENORCA 20/TWENTY CUP This coming week Menorca Cricket Club are hosting the second Menorca 20/Twenty Cup. The opposition this year are Rampside from Furness, Rawdon from near Leeds, Merseyside team the Northern Nomads and an All Star selec-
tion. Matches will be played every day from Saturday (18th) to Thursday (Finals Day), with games commencing at 11.00 and 14.30. The Menorca cricket ground is at Biniparrell near Sant Lluis
and spectators are always made welcome. Entrance is freeand the ground has a well stocked bar to keep you refreshed while watching the action.
STILL NO CIGAR FOR VIVEMENORCA Heartbreak once again for the island’s basketball team Whoever it is at ViveMenorca that’s walked under a ladder or crossed a black cat needs strung up from the nearest basketball hoop, as the club’s bad luck continued last Sunday with another narrow defeat, 73-75, this time at the hands of DKV Joventut from Badalona. How the locals managed to blow a sixteen point lead is anyone’s guess, but it has to be said that the fates are against the boys from the Pabellon in Mahón. It was another game in which ViveMenorca blew hot and cold. They started like a casa on fire in the first quarter, establishing a 26-14 lead with the visitors having no answer to the Croatian Marino Bazdaric. At the half way stage DKV had reeled in a few points but ViveMenorca still held a useful eight point advantage which they extended to nine at the end of the third period. Then the wheels fell off. A disasterous final period, in which they shipped 22 points saw the island team fall behind in a game in which at one stage they had led by sixteen points. DKV’s Bracey Wright took hold of the game by the scruff of its neck in the final 10 to finish with a game breaking 33 points. For the home team Bazdaric tried his best with 22 points including four triples but it wasn’t enough. It was heartbreak for the Menorcan team who’ve now lost their opening three games. Menorca have to learn how to win some close games and coach Richard Casas will be thinking of what might have been after being pipped by Tau last week and now against Badalona.
Defeat or not, once again, and for the third game in succession the team played with a passion, skill and organisation for long periods of the game to belie their status as favourites for the drop. Casas has instilled a great fighting spirit in the team, and with only three games gone there’s still plenty of time for the team to turn matters around. As ever, the home fans, all 5,350 of them, backed ViveMenorca to the hilt in a riot of noise and colour. This Sunday the team travel
Marino Bazdaric to play Murcia in a game crucial to their survival chances. Murcia have also lost their opening three games but have been blown out and looked hapless in two of their three games. The game also sees Chris Moss line up against his old ViveMenorca team-mates. Murcia are also candidates for the drop so I wouldn’t be surprised if Menorca do sneak it.
The game is being broadcast live on the Balearic TV channel IB3, starting at 12.30. Most bars on the island will show the game.
The most passionate supporters in Spanish basketball
Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN
MERCADAL SUFFER & CIUTADELLA SHOCK SPORTING MAHONES
Atletico Madrid have reacted with fury after UEFA ordered them to play their next two Champions League home matches at least 300 kilometres outside of Madrid following crowd trouble earlier this month against Marseille. UEFA said the punishment could be extended to a third home match should there be further trouble at the club within a five-year probationary period. “Atletico were charged with a lack of organisation during the Marseille match, which led
to crowd incidents, and for the improper conduct of their supporters,” UEFA said. Atletico, who have until noon on Friday (today) to respond, referred the case to their lawyers while next opponents Liverpool expressed strong concern over the impact on supporters who had already made travel arrangements. “When we have all the details ready, we will make a public statement,” Atletico director Clemente Villaverde told the club website. “We are going to defend
Proposals have been put forward for the formation of a Pool League on the Island. The league will take place throughout the winter months and will be sponsored by The Menorca Sun. Initially, any bars interested in joining this new venture should contact Mark at Champs bar in Cala n Porter on 971 377 916, after 5pm, for further information.
FOOTBALL SEVENS New game. Same result!! The Menorca Home Care sponsored team slumped to their second defeat of the season on Monday night at Malbuger against Negra. Having lost their opening fixture 6-4 on Saturday evening at Alaior, the lads lost by the same score (6-4) in their second game. But whereas the general opinion was that they were a bit unlucky in the first game against one of the best teams in the league, the same could not be said of Monday night’s performance which was disjointed and disorganised. A couple of the players seem to think that if you score eight goals in two games (four against a very useful side away from home on Saturday) then you really should be winning games. All the good work tends to get undone if however, you let in 12. The team ended last season on a really good run and had high hopes of building on that form into the new season. They will be now playing catch up to try and make up a gap that is already 6 points. Atletico Madrid as we have always done because logic is on our side. We also have the full backing of the Spanish Football Federation.” The closure of the Calderon means Atletico will have to find alternative venues for their Champions League Group D matches against Liverpool on October 22, and PSV Eindhoven on November 26.
consensus was that the games were finishing too quickly! The lower division will remain at 301. After much debate it was agreed that once again clubs will be permitted to nominate any player to represent them in the Captains’ Cup. The meeting also agreed to launch an open singles competition that will be played throughout the season on Thursday evenings. The competition will be 501 and the best of five legs. Also this season there’ll be a Ladies’ competition. The league season will start early in November and the fixtures will be released this coming week. Cathy will be at the Casino between 6 and 7 next Thursday (23rd) evening should anyone wish to pick up a fixture list.
CHILL OUT SOLUTIONS
BALLBREAKER
Alaior’s Los Pinos stadium that this weekend hosts the CE Alaior against Sporting Mahonés derby
MENORCA POOL LEAGUE
Representatives from Menorca’s darts teams, as well as the Menorca Sun, were present at the Casino in Sant Climente last Thursday for the Winter Darts League’s A.G.M. which was ably presided over by league secretary Cathy Banks. Cathy reported that this coming season will be contested by 21 teams and will be sponsored by Menorcamart.com. Once again the league will be divided into two divisions. Three teams have dropped out of the competition; the Paloma in Es Castell, La Bodega - Sant Lluis and Aloha B from Cala’n Porter. However, new teams to the league are Champs and Bar Pons in Cala’n Porter and Sa Grava in Alaior. A feature of the up coming season will be that singles matches in the top division will be 401 instead of 301 as the
EASYPEASY
Menorcan Derby of the season. Over 1,000 spectators were on hand to witness Ciutadella’s Trujillo notch the winning goal in the second minute of added on time. It was no more than the visitors deserved from their performance at one of the favourites for promotion. Ciutadella found themselves two up after 24 minutes but by the midway stage of the second half Sporting had levelled things up. The game looked to be heading for an entertaining draw before scored the dramtic, and late, game-breaker. This weekend Mercadal travel to fourth placed Constancia whilst Ciutadella entertain Campo. The big game is at Alaior’s Los Pinos ground where Sporting are the visitors for the second Menorcan derby of the season. As for Atletico Villacarlos life just got tougher last Saturday when they went down 0-1 at home to CD Mahón in the Regional Cup. The result has been reported as being a ‘surprise’, but given that they’ve won only two of their last 42 games the only surprise is that this loss is viewed as a surprise!
DOUBLE TOP
1. Showjumping 2. Bullfighting 3. Baseball 4. Polo 5. Water Polo (the goals are larger in the shallow end) 6. Er... Golf! 7. Racecourse 8. Pele 9. Canada 10. Karate 11. Rugby League
It’s said, usually by people who’ve experienced nothing else, that life is tough at the top. But spare a thought for CD Mercadal, Menorca’s newly promoted Division Three club. Six games, six defeats and only two goals. Tough at the top? Well life doesn’t get any tougher where Mercadal are... rooted firmly to the foot of the ladder and with the same number of points as your typical Uzbekistani Eurovision Song Contest entry, a big, fat ZERO. On Saturday they fell 0-1 at home to Soledad, a team that, at kick off, were only a couple of places above them. The hammer-blow came in the 28th minute when the visitors Collado latched onto a Marti cross. Hard pressed coach Elias Noval appears to have his work cut out to prevent his team being the new Villacarlos. CE Alaior dropped a couple of places to 13th following their 1-3 loss at Alcúdia in Mallorca. The game, and result, of the round occured at Sporting Mahonés Bintaufa ground last Monday when visitors Atl. Ciutadella stunned their hosts with a 3-2 win in the first
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Friday 17 October 2008
MENORCA SUN www.themenorcasun.com
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