The Courier Edition 352 by TKO Media

THE WEATHER

Edition 352

www.thecourier.es

Friday 15th December 2017

See page 2 for the week’s forecast

THE TERRIBLE TEENS

British teenager is amongst a group of Torrevieja-based youngsters being questioned over a series of home robberies on the Orihuela Costa, which majored on stealing bicycles, with the gang using masks to hide their identities, when they staged some raids on Halloween night. Nine teenagers of different nationalities have been arrested by the Guardia Civil based in Pilar de la Horadada, with four others, including the British teen, being questioned and investigated. Those who were arrested have been bailed after a court appearance, and at the moment have been charged with seven crimes of robbery with force and three crimes of theft, with 17 bicycles having been recovered so far. The Guardia started an

investigation after hearing reports of a number of robberies on the Orihuela Costa urbanisations, with mainly bicycles and other easily taken objects stolen. The teenagers would either walk or travel by bus from Torrevieja to the Orihuela Costa in small groups and then go around the urbanisations trying to identify what would be a suitable home to break into. One or two of the teens would then jump over the fence of the property with the others acting as a look-out. They were well-prepared and even brought cutters with them if any bicycles that they fancied happened to be chained. Once they had enough bikes for the whole group, they would then pedal back to Torrevieja, with the Guardia investigation showing that it was almost a per-

2 Bedroom 2 Bath Townhouse in Torreta III, Torrevieja TY ER E OP PR F TH K O EE W

sonal contest between the teenagers as to who would take the most number of bikes. The youngsters even took advantage of Halloween night in October by wearing masks during their unique version of trick and treat. Because the gang operated normally in small numbers, the Guardia had to run a five phase operation to round up the teenagers, when they were all caught in

the act riding stolen bicycles. The nine who were brought to the courts were aged between 15 and 19 years and consisted of four Spaniards; two Germans; plus a Romanian; a Moroccan; and a Venezuelan. Besides the British teenager, three other teenagers aged between 15 and 18 years of Spanish and Ukrainian nationalities are being investigated.

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FROM ALL OF US...

MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL!

he Christmas Pet Food appeal organised by The Courier and TKO FM comes to an end today, after a fantastic response from readers and listeners, leaving office space at a premium, with all the generous donations squeezing the staff into a tiny corner! The appeal was launched at the end of last month, calling for dog and cat food donations to be dropped into The Courier/TKO FM office in Quesada, as well as two collection points in Torrevieja. To say that everybody has been taken aback by the

response is something of an understatement, with three local animal charities set to benefit. The food gifts are being passed onto to the Happy Animales shelter at San Miguel de Salinas and to the Cats N Dogs Aid Association in Quesada. The next edition of The Courier, which will be published on Friday January 5th, will feature photographs of the presentations to these deserving causes. The Courier and TKO FM Facebook pages have been featuring readers and listeners as and when they have

WE ARE BACK ON 5TH JANUARY, 2018 been coming in with their donations, and inside on page 13, we are delighted to print some of those. On behalf of the TKO Media Group, thank you very much for your time and trouble, As the character of Young

Mr. Grace would say on the classic TV sitcom, Are You Being Served?, “You’ve all done very well!” And oh, by the way, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all, and see you in 2018 after our own holiday break!

News

Friday 15th December 2017

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Orihuela's Poor Deal The Orihuela area is getting a raw deal from the Valencian government according to the Orihuela Partido Popular president, Dámaso Aparicio. Aparicio, who is also a councillor on the PP-led Orihuela council, says that the municipality is being snubbed over 50 applications for projects to be included in the 2018 budgets. "We cannot count on the Valencian government to look after the interests of our citizens", said Aparacio. "Many improvements like extensions to the Vega Baja hospital or a new multifunctional centre for the Orihuela Costa come under the responsibility of Valencia, and even if Orihuela council had the money for a range of projects, we could never do them, because we would not have the legal power to do so.” Projects that the Valencian "left of centre" coalition of President Ximo Puig have funded since they came to power in the

spring of 2015 have included finding money for the completion of the Orihuela Costa emergency centre at La Zenia, as well as the building of a new major health centre for Orihuela City. Dámaso Aparicio claims, however, that promises have been broken by the regional administration and that they "don't want to know anything about the Orihuela area". "The Valencian government would it seems rather prioritise one hundred million euro for Valencian language movies on the soonto-be-reopened regional television service, rather than fund an outpatient clinic for the Orihuela Costa area," added Aparicio.

Shameful Apartment

Julie English and Spanish Tel. 616 332 178

Patrick

Editorial Tuesday 12:00

A man and a woman who ran a brothel out of a Torrevieja flat are facing six years behind bars, with a child aged under 13 said to be working for them. The couple’s trial started at Alicante Provincial Court on Wednesday, with prose-

News Thursday 12:00

THE WEATHER FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

DEADLINES Advertising Monday 12:00

Almoradi firefighters had to release a van driver after his vehicle hit another van on Wednesday morning in the Quesada area. The accident happened at 8.00 am on the southbound carriageway of the AP-7, just before the turnoff at kilometre 745 for Torrevieja, Quesada, and Lo Crispin (scene pictured). The road was blocked in both lanes for a time, with the firefighters having to prise open the door on the driver’s side of one of the vans, which had seized after the impact of the crash. Both drivers were treated at the scene by a Samu ambulance team, whilst the

road surface had to be cleaned in order to remove a large petrol spillage in the wake of the accident. The two vehicles were then towed away. Further north, also on Wednesday morning, seven people were taken to

Orihuela’s Vega Baja hospital after two vehicles collided in the San Isidro area on the CV-909. Both vehicles were carrying workers, who were treated on the scene for minor injuries before being transferred to hospital.

Revival Continues Local property sales are continuing to improve in Alicante Province, as trends continue to show the best figures since 2008 according to the Development Ministry. Almost 30 thousand sales were made in the region up to the end of September, meaning that the first nine months of the year have seen a 13 percent rise on deals compared to same period in 2016. In terms of value, there has been a 437-million-euro

increase in purchases, compared to last year, with Alicante Province leading

the way on mainland Spain for the largest number of foreign buyers.

Airport Boost

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Wednesday Crashes

cutors calling for the six-year jail term over the crimes of prostitution and the corruption of minors. The duo rented the apartment and kept half the money earned by women offering their services from the premises.

The owners of AlicanteElche airport say that they will invest 48 million euro in improvements at the facility over the next four years. AENA, who are the sole bidders to operate Murcia’s Corvera airport, have already announced expansion plans by looking to buy more land to accommodate extra services, but after breaking through the 13 million passenger number figure for 2017 last week, they’ve detailed other plans they have for the airport. Improvements to the ter-

minal building, which was opened in March 2011, will include new toilets in the departures area, and also on the other side at baggage reclaim.

A new walkway on the airside section of the airport will also reduce the walking distance for arriving passengers to get to their luggage and passport control.

Stop Press Thursday 18:00 Published by TKO Media & Entertainment S.L. Printed by Localprint S.L Depósito legal A - 188 - 2014 ISSN 2530-6146 The Courier (Torrevieja) The Courier, its publishers, members of staff and its agents do not accept responsibility for any readers letters or claims by advertisers nor can it be held responsible for any errors in advertisements which are reproduced from poor artwork, low quality electronic data or inadequate instructions for text or other layout features. Further no responsibility is accepted for any loss or damage caused by an error, inaccuracy or nonappearance of any advertisement, although all advertisements produced are checked prior to insertion. We regret that we cannot accept responsibility for more than ONE incorrect insertion and that no re-publication will be granted in the case of typographical or minor changes which do not affect the value of the advertisement. E&OE. NO PART OF THIS NEWSPAPER MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHERS.

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Illegal Trading The Guardia Civil in Alicante have recovered 315 pieces of ancient artifacts that were dug up in sites across Spain and put on sale online by two men. The two Spaniards from the Crevillente and Elche areas were arrested on a variety of charges including smuggling, fraud, theft, and the misappropriation of items said to be of historical interest. The pieces came from Alicante Province and the Murcia region, as well as further afield in southern Spain from Granada.

One of the items found by the Guardia was a bronze medal of Gordiano III, Emperor of Rome, which

was being sold via the internet at 18 thousand euros ,in addition to various Egyptian artifacts.

Swift Justice Two men using fake passports at Alicante-Elche airport were arrested by the National Police, with one of them being sent straight back to Spain, after landing in Dublin. Both were then fast-tracked for a court appearance and sentenced. The 26-year-old Albanian national thought he had got away with it when he arrived in Ireland using a fake Italian passport, only to have his ruse rumbled by Irish authorities and put straight back on a flight to Alicante-Elche to meet the authorities. A 32-year-old Iranian man didn't manage fly out of the airport at all, as he was

looking to board a Newcastle-bound flight. He was travelling with a counterfeit Romanian passport, with National Police officers spotting it as a fake immediately. Both men were put in

front of a judge and pled guilty, and each were given a six-month jail term and a fine, but the prison sentence was suspended as it was less than two years, and neither of them had an existing criminal record.

Cat Head Area Conservation work has started on the recently designated Torre del Moro area micro-fauna reserve in Torrevieja, with new signs having been erected. The nine hectares stretch between Cala de La Higuera and Cala de Cabo Cervera was approved by the Ministry of Environment back in September as protected space for the rare yellow-coloured jarilla cat head plant. The plant is only present in other parts of Alicante Province, as well as the

Award Night Snub

The 47th Diego Ramírez Pastor award for a major contribution to Torrevieja has gone to the meteorologists of Proyecto Mastral (photo from Objectivo Torrevieja) in a ceremony that took place at the city's Bahía Costa restaurant. There was anger and disappointment, though, that there was no presentation at all from the ruling members of Torrevieja council. The award was established by former Torrevieja mayor Juan Mateo Garcia, in memory of Diego Ramirez Pastor, who was a journalist and president of the Barcelona Press Association, as well as an

active supporter of the Torrevieja Brotherhood Associations that have branches across the country. Past winners have included Age Concern Costa Blanca, but this year's presentation was mired in controversy, when for the first time ever, no members of the Torrevieja government team turned up, including mayor José Manuel Dolón, with a fair number of seats remaining empty. Either the mayor or one of the government team councillors were expected to hand over the award, but instead that duty fell to Gema Mateo, daughter of

Juan Mateo Garcia. She was reported to be in tears that the event had been "snubbed", before handing over the award to Proyecto Mastral founders, Rubén Torregrosa and Pablo Samper. Councillors from the town’s opposition parties attended, as well as National Partido Popular deputy Joaquín Albaladejo, and Alicante Provincial Council vice-president and ex-Torrevieja PP mayor, Eduardo Dolón. Dolón took to social media later to describe the non-appearance of any Torrevieja government team member as "disrespectful".

Carol Concert Torrevieja will be awash to the sound of Christmas music this evening (Friday December 15th) with the annual Carol Concert in the Plaza de la Consitución, starting at 5.30 pm. The event has proven to be a big success since starting in 2003 and has become a regular fixture in the area’s festive calendar. The popular annual nativity Belen scene will be on display as well, and will be open until after the visit by the ‘Three Kings’ next month.

Seating Upgrade Balaeric islands and North

Africa.

Work is in full swing to replace worn-out seating on the promenade of Villananitos beach in San Pedro del Pinatar. The project will finish by the end of December, and

will see 24 new benches put into place. The Murcia region’s director of Transport, Coasts and Ports, José Ramón Díez de Revenga, visited the area to check

on the progress of the work and said that the San Pedro council was working hard to make sure that tourists were looked after all year round.

Friday 15th December 2017

Fruity Fraudster

The Guardia Civil's rural crime team based in Torrevieja have arrested a 39-year-old Spaniard for swindling an Almoradi company out of over 200 thousand kilos of oranges, said to be worth over 81 thousand euro. The Guardia detained the man in Sangonera in the

Murcia region over fraud, and also for making a fake commercial document. He was subsequently released on bail after a court appearance. An Almoradi fruit distributor filed a complaint with the authorities at the start of last month over nonpayment, with the Guardia

discovering that the man was illegally using details of a legitimate company based in Barcelona to carry out the scam. It's believed that other fruit distributors based in the Almoradi and Pilar de la Horadada areas have yet to present formal complaints about the fraudster.

Unhelpful Friend A 58-year-old Alicante man is facing prosecution after failing to help a friend of his who died from a heart attack. The National Police arrested him on a charge of failing to provide assistance, after they got a call about a dead woman’s body in a car parked closed to Alicante City cemetery. Police officers eventually discovered that the woman had been with a friend at the time she suffered a cardiac arrest, and after interviewing him, found out that far from calling emergency services for help, he merely left her to die.

Market Dates

Orihuela’s annual Medieval Market, will once again be staged on the traditional dates of the first weekend of next February 2018 (2nd, 3rd, and 4th). Orihuela council has advertised a six-thousand

euro tender to organise the event, with last year’s staging seeing some 250 stalls spread around the centre of Orihuela City, with a variety of live entertainment and special parades.

The market returned to February last year after the council controversially delayed the event in 2016 until the spring due to redevelopment work and stating that better weather would attract more visitors.

Statue Stealers

Two people who took religious statues from cemeteries in the Orihuela area have been arrested by the National Police. A 46-year-old Portuguese woman and a 35-year-old Spaniard were detained in Orihuela City in connection with the theft of two angel-shaped statues from a family vault in Orihuela cemetery, and a statue

dedicated to the patron saint of Los Desamparados from the village’s burial area. A total of 13 statues have been recovered by the National Police, who are now investigating where they all came from. Similar robberies have also taken place in the Redován and Bigastro cemeteries.

Rescue Drama

An 88-year-old woman and her 54-year-old disabled son were rescued from a Torrevieja apartment, after a fire broke out on Monday evening. Guardia Civil and local police officers led them out of their second-floor flat on Calle San Julián, before Torrevieja, Almoradi, and Orihuela firefighters arrived at the scene. The residents needed treatment for minor burns and smoke inhalation, with two other people also needing medical attention because of the smoke that hit the five-storey building.

Pistol Conversion

Four Spaniards have been arrested in Guardamar and Torrevieja, for trying to convert 45 starting pistols into real firearms. The joint operation between the Guardia Civil and National Police took place last month, with three

addresses beings searched and a cache of weapons and associated military equipment being seized. The men, aged between 31 and 52, have been charged with the illegal possession of weapons, with the man who actually bought

the starting pistols from a Madrid outlet, said to have been a member of various radical groups. It was his mass purchase of the pistols that alerted authorities to the fact that something illegal might be going on.

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El Gordo Time

Most of Spain will come to a halt next Friday morning (December 22nd) for the annual El Gordo Christmas lottery. El Gordo stands for the "Fat One", and has that nickname because the majority of the money goes to winners as opposed into the pockets of the Spanish government. With 98 percent of adults entering the annual draw, millions tune in to watch the students of the San Ildefonso School sing out the winning numbers in the Loteria Nacional hall in Madrid. With 15,304 winning combinations in every draw, the festive event usually lasts three hours and continues

until the entire prize pool has been won. The annual lottery started just over 200 years ago in 1812 and occurs every year during the Christmas season. The raffle is considered the world’s biggest lottery and in 2017 will award 2.38 billion euro in prizes, with more than 26 million shares expected to win. The Lotería de Navidad’s first draw occurred in December 1812 in the city of Cadiz with hopes of increasing state revenue for the public tax authority and has since been organized by the Spanish Public Administration. In 1814 the draw was held for the first time in Madrid, which has become the centre for

Spanish National Lottery draws. El Gordo prints 100,000 tickets (billetes) with fivedigit codes ranging from 00000-99999. Due to the game’s popularity, each ticket is printed in 170 copies. The ticket is divided into 10 shares called ‘décimos’ which can be purchased individually. The distribution of prizes, quantity of tickets and shares, and their prices may vary from year to year. In 2004, there were 66,000 different five-digit numbered tickets in 195 copies. In 2005, the number of tickets for sale was 85,000 which were offered in 170 copies. In 2011, there were 99,000 tickets printed in 160 copies.

Applications Rise

The number of foreign residents choosing to take Spanish nationality have risen by nearly a third in the last two years. Moroccans were the most likely to obtain Spanish citizenship, based upon figures for the year 2016 – the most recent on record at present – and they totalled 37,009, a long way ahead of any other national group. Morocco's historical cultural ties with Spain make it inevitable that the country would be among the top for producing new Spanish nationals, and all the others in the 10 most frequent are either former colonies or, in the case of Brazil, at number nine with 3,427, an immedi-

ate neighbour of an excolony. Bolivians were the second-largest national group to acquire citizenship in 2016, at 15,802, followed by Ecuador (15,255) and Colombia (14,299). Although foreign resident statistics show that these three nationalities, once the most prolific in Spain, have dropped considerably in the last 10 years or so, it is likely this is due to high numbers of them 'becoming Spanish' rather than returning to their countries of origin. Acquiring Spanish nationality typically requires 10 years' legal residence in Spain and successful completion of a multiple-choice

'sociocultural knowledge' test, with 25 questions of which 15 must be answered correctly. Those not native to one of Spain's former colonies must also pass a written, spoken, reading and listening test in the Spanish language, although the level required is not high – at A2 on the Europe-wide competence scale, which ranges from A1 to C2, Spanish language ability needed for citizenship is roughly the equivalent of a good GCSE or OLevel grade. There's absolutely no evidence of a "panic" rush from British people living in Spain wanting Spanish citizenship in the light of Brexit.

Friday 15th December 2017

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Ana Wreaks Havoc

Spain’s Wealthiest

Alicante Province and the Murcia region escaped the full brunt of Storm Ana last Sunday and Monday. The main problems were in the north and west of Spain, with numerous flights being cancelled. Locally, fallen trees and signs were the main concern for firefighters, with the main incident being a large sign that fell onto the A-31 in the Ibi area of Alicante Province forcing the road to be closed for an hour on Monday. The Mastral Project gusts of up to 70 kilometres an hour in the Torrevieja area on Monday morning, with minor structural damage and fallen trees (picture taken in Nueva Torrevieja) being the main problems. Most of the incidents in the Murcia region came in the Cartagena area on Monday, with trees, signs, and awnings suffering. Gales of up to 140 kilometres per hour led to 11 provinces across the northern coastal strip, Castilla y León and La

Rioja being placed on red alert, with the weather causing difficulties on the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca. Galicia, in the far north-west above Portugal, seemed to suffer the most, with emergency services called to tackle over 500 incidents involving trees down, branches blocking major highways, flooded streets and homes, and fallen electricity cables which have left numerous streets without power. Galicia saw more rain on Sunday than in the whole of November, whilst to the south-east, in Madrid, the capital's huge central Retiro Park was closed due to the danger of falling trees, whilst snow in the central province of Guadalajara left motorists trapped in their cars. Meanwhile, a man at Santa Ponca in Mallorca was swept away by a tidal wave on Sunday afternoon, with coastguards calling off the search for him when darkness fell.

Inditex fashion empire founder Amancio Ortega (pictured) is still the richest person in Spain and his daughter Sandra Ortega is the second-wealthiest, according to the most recent Forbes list. Chairman of supermarket chain Mercadona, Juan Roig, remains in third place with a total fortune of €4.8 billion – compared with the top two's €70bn and €6.5bn respectively. His wife Hortensia Herrero, with assets totalling

€2.6bn, is Spain's seventhrichest person and secondwealthiest woman. Iberostar chairman, Miguel Fluxà, from Palma de Mallorca, ranks fourth with €3.6bn, and head of transport infrastructure company Ferrovial, Rafael del Pino, concludes the top five with €2.9bn. In total, the top five richest people in Spain have amassed a combined fortune of €87.8bn, or 55.3 percent of the wealth of the entire population.

Friday 15th December 2017

Hamper Presents Age Concern, Costa Blanca South have been handing out some Christmas cheer at their Torrevieja centre this month, as they have presented some seasonal hampers to deserving beneficiaries. Pam Creasey, Glenys Doyle, Joan Sugden, Ella Blacknall, Ann King, and Carmen and Ken Jenkins got a pleasant surprise at one of the Age Concern coffee mornings and Pam commented on the impact of joining the charity. “I was at an all time low after becoming a widow. I was lonely and felt that I had no one to care about me or indeed nobody for me to care about. Joining Age Concern rescued me loneliness”. Pam’s story was echoed

Charity Boost

The ladies of the Velvetones Harmony Chorus raised 500 euro for the Torreviejabased ALPE charity at their annual Christmas concert held at the El Paraiso restaurant in the city. More members are always welcome as the Velvetones now start looking forward to next year’s concerts. More details are available by phoning Ena on 965 707 598 or by visiting the website www.velvetonesharmonytorrevieja.com.

by a lot people who have become members and were present to see the hampers handed out. An open invitation is there for anyone aged 50 years

and over to become an Age Concern member, by just popping into the centre at Calle Paganini, La Siesta, Torrevieja or by phoning 966 786 887.

Masons Donation

Supermarket Sweep

The Torrevieja Barbershop Harmonisers went out on their annual shopping spree this month as they spent a thousand euro at the Supa Valu supermarket at La Marquesa, Quesada in aid of two local charities.

The beneficiaries were the Torrevieja homeless charity Reach Out, and Caritas in Rojales, with the money they spent having been raised from donations and functions throughout the year. The Supa Valu team also

Blanket Help

made a generous donation to boost what the Harmonisers could spend. Reach Out got a new microwave oven and fresh meat tokens, whilst Caritas received non-perishable foods and essential hygiene products.

Village Celebrates

Hondón de los Frailes was full of light, colour and music last Saturday as the village hosted its secondever Christmas market. The market was organised by Simone and Marcus from Restaurante Veintiocho and Sue Ashley from the 'Village Community HELP Murcia Mar Menor’s ladies have been busy over the last few months getting their knitting needles out to make some warm and colourful blankets in time to help local needy families over the winter. The fruits of their labours were handed over to the

Cruz Roja in San Pedro del Pinatar, and Annie Heatherington, who came up with the idea, along with her HELP colleagues, handed over the finished blankets to Cruz Roja Mar Menor North president, Jave Cortez and other members of his team.

The Freemasons at the Las Salinas Lodge No 79 presented a two and half thousand euro cheque to the Reach Out homeless charity in Torrevieja at a recent meeting at the El Nacional restaurant in Punta Prima. Reach Out was the chosen charity of Past Worshipful Master, Brian McArdle, during his year in office, and Reach Out

Shop', together with the help of the local council and residents. Sunday saw the main street full of stalls of the Associations of Hondón de los Frailes offering Spanish delicacies, churros, mulled wine, preserves as well as activities for the children.

AT YOUR SERVICE We’d love details of your charity events, amateur dramatics, and choral concerts! The Courier would love to hear from you as we gear up for another busy autumn across the Costa Blanca and Mar Menor. Send you snippets and photographs to thecourier@tko media.

President, Brian Procter, said that the bulk of the donation would be used to purchase tables and chairs for the centre’s dining room at their centre on Calle Dona Sinforosa. The facility now serves around 50 homeless people with breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday every week. Brian McArdle said how

pleased he was that the donation was being put to such a worthy cause, and more details about the charity can be found on their website, www.reachouttorrevieja.eu. In the photo are Brian McArdle, making the presentation to Reach Out’s, Brian Procter, in the presence of Charity Steward, Vernon Sayce.

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Friday 15th December 2017

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All Up In Smoke

An illegal cigarette-making factory capable of producing up to two million fags a day, has been raided by the Guardia Civil in Granada. Eighteen people were arrested at the factory, and also in the Malaga area, where the cigarettes were being distributed. The group had already manufactured four and a half million cigarettes.

The Guardia said that it was a highly sophisticated operation, with the group producing their own brand of cigarettes and packaging, with the illegal fags destined for the black market. The factory had three million euro invested into it, with approximately ten tonnes of tobacco leaves amongst the items discovered in the raid.

Ancient Dispute

Catalunya’s police force has intervened in a longstanding ownership battle over medieval artefacts involving the neighbouring Aragon region. Monday’s police operation saw Mossos officers seize 44 items stored in the Catalan Museum of Lleida, but originally from Sijena convent. Aragon authorities claim they were sold illegally by the

convent's nuns. The operation, ordered by the culture ministry in Madrid, comes amidst the background of the Catalan regional elections taking place next week and the failed independence move in October. Dozens of people protested outside the museum, with the legal dispute over the items dating back to the 1980s.

Plenty Of Santas

More than 7,000 people dressed as Santa Claus ran through the centre of Madrid on Sunday in a charity race raising money for cancer care. Sacrificing comfort for a good cause, racegoers donned red robes, Santa hats and billowing white beards to run five along the capital's Paseo de la

Castellana. Children also took part, many dressing in green robes and elf hats in what organisers claimed was the largest Santa-themed race in the world. Part of the entry-fee paid by each racegoer has been donated to cancer care non-profit Fundacion Intheos.

QROPS and SIPPS - the facts By Richard Samuels, Blacktower Financial Management More and more lately, I am being asked questions about QROPS and SIPP´s and there seems to be a lot of misinformation being touted around, so here are the answers to the most common questions/queries people are coming to me with: • I have been told by a local financial adviser that if I do a SIPP with them it will be covered by the UK FCA and FSCS compensation scheme is that correct? As long as you’re Spanish based financial adviser is directly registered with and regulated by the UK FCA, then this is correct. But it is very unlikely, the FCA states that: If a Company offering pensions advice is not authorised or regulated by the FCA. This means you may have no right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service or to claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if things go wrong. Always check that anyone providing you with advice on your pension pot who claims you will be covered by the FCA (FSCS) is authorised by the FCA and has their permission to give advice onpensions: if they are, their individual name and Company name will appear on the FCA register, which you can access through the FCA website (www.fca.org.uk). If they have told you this, when in fact this is not the case then steer clear, why are they making claims that are untrue!!!! • I am concerned that a financial adviser based in Spain I have been to see is recommending a product/bond based purely on its low cost, am I right to be concerned? An experienced and professional financial adviser would never try to sell you a product/bond based solely on costs, they would evaluate all the options available that meet your own personal needs and circumstances, discuss the options with you and then use the product that meets your needs, always bearing cost in mind.

• I have been told I shouldn’t do a QROPS, I should do a SIPP , if I do a QROPS I will be subject to a 25% UK tax charge? Philip Hammond introduced the OTC (Overseas Transfer Charge) effective from 9th March 2017, which means certain transfers to and from a QROPS will be liable to a 25% tax charge, If the QROPS is outside the area that the member lives in then the OTC applies, so if you live in the EEA and your pension provider is in the EEA i.e. Malta then you are not liable for this tax. Also this tax is not applicable after the relevant 5 year period has expired. So you may ask what’s the problem, well due to Brexit this is a grey area, if you move back to the UK within the 5 year period will this tax apply or not?It depends on whether the UK decides it will or won’t be a member of the EU or EEA. If the UK decides not to be a member of either then the OTC may apply (again a grey area, the UK could decide members moving back to the UK are exempt).

have proof that you have paid the appropriate tax on this income in Spain before you will get a refund. • If I do a SIPP and die after 75, my SIPP will be subject to up to a 45% UK death tax, whereas if I have a QROPS this is not the case? This is currently true at the moment, the fund can be paid to any beneficiary, but will be taxed at their UK marginal tax rate, as a lump sum, annuity or as a drawdown pension. The fund can be paid to a trust as a lump sum less a 45% tax charge. So at the moment it is most probably better if you are in your mid to late 60´s or 70´s that you do a QROPS to avoid this potential tax for your beneficiaries. If you would like advice on any of the above or would be interested in a review of your finances, you can contact me on richard.samuels@blacktowerfm.com. OR Mob: +34 692 352 156.

• SIPP´s are subject to UK emergency tax on income payments which can be as high as 45%? All SIPP Income paid to you including flexi-access drawdown is subject to UK income tax under PAYE , so if you don’t have a UK tax code, an emergency tax code will be applied by HMRC, this can be as high as 45%. To avoid this you need to complete the following HMRC form, United Kingdom/Spain Double Taxation Convention (SI 1976 Number 1919) APPLICATION for relief at source from United Kingdom income tax and CLAIM to repayment of United Kingdom income tax . For use by an INDIVIDUAL resident of Spain receiving pensions, purchased annuities, interest or royalties arising in the UK. If at the end of the tax year you think you have paid too much tax to HMRC, you should claim a refund by writing to your local UK tax office, if you live in Spain you will have to

For further information contact: Richard Samuels, International Financial Adviser, Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd M: 692 352 156 or E: richard.samuels@blacktowerfm.com The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV. Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

Pets

Friday 15th December 2017

Adoption Corner

Sniffing Out Some Doggy Facts

CARLO Carlo is a small to medium-sized dog that’s around eight-years-old who has a very easy going nature and loves to be near people. He was abandoned outside a vet clinic and is a very friendly dog, good with people of all ages and mixes well with other dogs. He does have Leishmann’s disease, but fortunately has no health problems from this condition. As Carlo is entering his twighlight years, a foster home would be considered for him, with the K9 charity being resonsible for his vet fees. If you can give him a loving home, please contact the K9 shelter on 600 845 420.

JESSIE Until recently, Jessie had spent her life chained up, but is now being fostered, and shows great affection. She is good with other dogs and has adapted into family life like she has always been there. Jessie is two years old and clearly a very special girl. For more information about Jessie, please telephone PEPA on 650 304 746 or email p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com.

Dogs love to sniff. Using their nose is often the highlight of their walks, if not dominating their entire day. Their ‘nosiness’, however, can be difficult for owners to comprehend and even, on occasion, be embarrassing. The dog nose truly is a wonderful scent apparatus, even if we don’t quite understand all of its abilities yet! Dogs are born to sniff. The area of the canine brain that is devoted to analysing scent is 40 times greater than that of the human and dogs can identify smells at least 1,000 times better than we can! The dog’s superior sense of smell comes from 220 million olfactory receptors in its nose. Compared to the human’s paltry 5 million, it’s no wonder smell is considered to be the dog’s primary sense. When a dog sniffs, air is taken in and passes through the olfactory epithelium (nasal skin cells). These calls are also found in a special organ that dogs (and cats) possess, called the Jacobsen’s or vomeronasal organ. This organ is thought to be important in the detection of pheromones (body scents), perhaps giving the dog its tremendous ability to identify and recognise animals and people. Did you know?

KEVIN Kevin is beautiful one year old dog who came to the Los Infiernos Perrera in San Javier as a small pup, but has now grown into a big boy. He deserves a nice home where he can settle and be part of his own family. Kevin has lots of love to give and will be a very loyal friend. For more details please email losinfiernosdogs@hotmail.com or look at the Facebook page, Los Infiernos Perrera Supporters.

MAGGIE MAY

Maggie May is aged eight years and is full of love and ready to go to a home of her own. She was rescued in the most awful conditions and is in a foster home and is the most loving happy girl with no hang ups at all! If you can offer Maggie May the home she deserves, or for more details, please call PEPA on 650 304 746 or email: p.e.p.a.animalcharity@gmail.com.

• The ability of the dog to detect scents varies between breeds, with long-nosed dogs able to distinguish scents better than the short-faced ones. The Bloodhound is thought to have the best scent-detection abilities of all dogs while Gundogs (like Retrievers and Spaniels) spend most time sniffing when out on walks. • Each dog nose is unique, with its own distinct nostril shape and pattern of ridges and dimples. A canine nose print is as unique as a human fingerprint. • Dogs can distinguish the scent of individuals, both dogs and people. They can tell the difference between individual family members, even identical twins, purely by smell.

MAYA Maya originally came into the SAT kennels in June when she was an eight week old abandoned pup and was soon adopted, but sadly her owners have had to return to the UK. She’s aged seven months and is fully vaccinated, micro chipped and now sterilised, weighing in at around 10 kilos. Maya walks well on the lead and plays well with her kennel mates. For more about her, please contact the SAT kennels on 966 710 047 or email info@satanimalrescue.com.

• Dogs can tell from sniffing a tree of lamppost when a dog has passed, who it is and what status they have – male/female, top dog or not. • Dogs do not appear to distinguish between the regions of the human body which they sniff. Your armpits, to your dog, smell very similar to your feet! • A diet that is higher in fat and lower in protein than the typical dog food is thought to be beneficial to the dog’s scent-detecting ability, though it is only dogs who work as scent-detection dogs that may need to alter their nutrition. • Aromas can affect dogs. Lavender for instance, calms them down and reduces barking whereas rosemary increases it. When dogs are just too nosy! There are occasions when the dog nose is just plain annoying to humans: • When we are out on a walk and they insist on stopping every few paces to sniff • And when visitors call and they insist on sticking their noses into embarrassing places In these cases, it is up to owners to take charge. There is no doubt that dogs love to sniff, especially when out and about in their neighbourhood. Allow them plenty of sniffing time, to satisfy their needs, but if you want to move on, give them a command such as “Walk on” and reward them for obeying you. If you are embarrassed by your dog’s sniffing habits, try to distract them. When visitors call, put your dog on a lead to control their movements. Teach them to say hello by sniffing the person’s hand and reward them for staying calm. While you may be embarrassed by your dog sniffing the bottoms of other dogs, this is perfectly normal dog behaviour! It is also normal for dogs to seek out areas of your home or items of clothing that smell of you. It helps them feel close to you, in your absence.

RICKY Ricky is a one year old fox terrier cross who was found recently at a truck stop. He is a very obedient, affectionate boy and is good with other dogs. Ricky is in excellent health and is vaccinated, and is now looking for his forever. To learn more about him and to meet him, please call Pets in Spain on 645 469 253.www.petsinspain.com.

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THANK YOU - The Courier's Christmas Pet Food Campaign

Friday 15th December 2017

Protection Awards

Torrevieja's Civil Protection volunteers held their annual award ceremony last weekend to recognise the hard work carried

out by their members and also outside organisations that have helped their work during 2017. The event held at the

Fatal Fall

Hotel Fontana was attended by Torrevieja mayor, José Manuel Dolón, who described the work of the volunteers as "invaluable".

Octopus Collapse

Nine people, including three children, were injured after part of a fairground ride in the northern Valencian region town of Segorbe collapsed when they were on board. The accident happened last Friday night when an “arm” of the El Pulpo (The Octopus) ride suddenly dropped down when an electric generator broke down. Those on board El Pulpo fell with the “arm” and landed on their backs, but nobody suffered any broken

bones. Nine people were treated for severe cuts and bruises at the nearby hospital.

They were all discharged and sent home either on the same night or on Saturday morning.

A Moroccan lorry driver died on Sunday afternoon after a spectacular fall off the main highway through the Costa del Sol. The incident saw the lorry, which was carrying tomatoes, career off the A-7 and

plough into some crash barriers at La Cala de Mijas, before ending up on the beach. Emergency services freed the driver who was trapped in his cab, but were unable to revive him.

It’s the second such incident on the same section of the busy coastal route, as back in January this year, a lorry driver survived a similar accident which saw his truck crash through barriers and onto the rocks below.

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Behind The Wheel

Doctors may be given permission to tell the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) if they believe a patient's health conditions make them unfit to drive in a proposed new law under discussion in the Spanish Parliament. Driving licences in Spain are renewed every five to 10 years, depending upon the holder's age, and a medical, coordination and eyesight test is carried out – but the government does not think this examination is thorough enough to detect physical or mental problems that may make them unsafe behind the wheel.

Also, temporary incapacity may occur some years before a licence needs to be renewed, and at present, no procedure exists to prevent the patient from driving unless he or she recognises the situation and chooses not to. Medical workers are not permitted to give any details of patients' clinical history to any other party without the subject's written consent, due to confidentiality rules – other than in certain exceptional cases such as if a doctor considers the patient may be a danger to others or to him- or herself.

But these exceptional cases could now be extended to include driving ability affected by health, when GPs or consultants would then, in these cases, be allowed to inform the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) - who would proceed to suspend the patient's licence. Other aspects of the traffic law reform currently under debate at the moment include whether or not to make it compulsory for motorcyclists and mopedriders to wear protective jackets and appropriatelysafe footwear.

Greenpeace Fears

Environmental group Greenpeace has warned that a third of Spain's land is at risk of becoming a desert and up to 75 percent of the country's land is 'vulnerable'. A Greenpeace report called Drought: More than lack of rainfall, says the effects of climate change in Spain are the 'most worrying and severe' on the European continent. At the time of the report being written, reservoirs were down to 37.3 percent of capacity after the driest spring since 1965 – with

rainfall 23 percent below normal – and the least rain year-round in over 22 years. But last week, it was reported that water levels had dropped once again, to 36.5 percent, with even more serious problems affecting the Alicante Province and Murcia regions . The last edition of The Courier reported on water economy measures that the local councils have been ordered to produce. Greenpeace says 'poor water management' and policies that 'have not

worked to mitigate dry periods and desertification' are to blame almost as much as the lack of rainfall. “Spain has lived and legislated as though it were a country with an endless supply of water,” Greenpeace states in the report. The group has called for an holistic approach to water management – encompassing farming, freshwater and salt-water ecosystems, forest fires, energy supply, health, public safety and climate change as one complete issue rather than separate problems.

On A Knife Edge

Catalunya's independence movement could suffer a serious setback in next week's regional elections, according to a poll published last weekend, which suggests separatist parties will narrowly fail to secure a majority in the regional parliament. The three parties which supported Catalunya’s frustrated push to split from Spain in October are seen as returning a total of 66 or 67 seats in the vote on

Thursday December 21st, just shy of the 68 seats they would need to control the regional parliament, says La Vanguardia newspaper. Unionist parties combined are also seen as falling short of an absolute majority, the poll finds, opening the door to a possible hung parliament with CatComu-Podem, the Catalan arm of the leftwing Podemos party, as a potential kingmaker. The centrist and pro-unity Ciudadanos party and two

pro-independence parties, ERC and Junts per Catalunya, the party of former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, are in a dead heat to be the largest parliamentary force, according to the poll. Turnout for the election, which was forced by the central government in an effort to break the political crisis that seized the region in recent months, is predicted to reach a record 82 percent.

Friday 15th December 2017

New Trees Planted

Christmas Greetings King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have released their annual Christmas card with a family photo taken on last October’s National Day on a balcony at the Royal Palace in Madrid. With the Plaza de la Armería as a backdrop, the King and Queen posed for the picture with their two daughters, Princess Leonor, 12 (in red) and the Infanta Sofía, 10. The girls have signed the card in their own handwriting, and the message inside

– 'Merry Christmas and happy New Year 2018' –

appears both in Spanish and in English.

Butano Busters Guardamar mayor, José Luis Sáez, joined volunteers last Saturday in planting trees next to the River Segura in order to improve the state of the river bank. The session was organised by the local Association of Young People, with 400 trees hav-

ing been planted, of which half have been given by Valencia's environment ministry. The mayor said:- "It's an initiative to improve the look of the area as well as improving the biodiversity of the River Segura as it flows through the Guardamar municipality,

with the planting of native species which can adapt to the local conditions". Once the planting has finished, a drip irrigation system will be installed by Guardamar council, with attention then,switching to planting trees in areas hit by fires during the summer.

Over 1,800 butano and propane canisters were stolen from the Repsol depot in the Vicalvaro neighbourhood of Madrid last Friday. The theft is thought to have taken place last Friday evening, although the authorities were not informed until Saturday. The main theory is that common criminals are responsible, although the National Police have ruled nothing out and experts in tackling Jihadist radicals

have been informed as a precaution, on the back of

this year's Barcelona.

attack

ADVERTORIAL

Green Card International Insurance Card The Green Card or International Insurance Card is an internationally recognised document that proves the holder has the minimum compulsory insurance required by law of the country visited. It helps facilitate the movement of their vehicle across international borders. It also guarantees that victims of road traffic accidents involving foreign registered vehicles are compensated in the country of the accident. The Green Card System The Green Card System comprises of over 40 countries. National vehicle organisations within the Green Card System including the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, Russia and several countries around the Middle East and North Africa. However, a Green Card is not required to travel through the EEA, Andorra, Norway, Croatia and Switzerland. The Green Card Bureau Each Green Card Bureau is responsible for handling and guaranteeing the settling of claims arising from traffic accidents caused by visiting motorists. Travelling outside the EU If you are travelling outside the European Community to one of the countries listed as requiring a Green Card, you will need to ask your insurance company to issue you a Green Card beforehand. Road accident If you’re involved in a road traffic accident in a country requiring a Green Card, make sure the police are called to the scene of the accident. You will need a copy of the police report. If you don’t understand what you’re being told, request an interpreter. We also advise that you contact your insurance company as soon as possible, whether you want to make a claim or not. Make notes of what happened. Take photographs of the accident, including plates of vehicles involved. Exchange insurance details as you would in Spain. Take down the names and addresses of any witnesses. Never admit liability or apologise. We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 902 123 182 More information about Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

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SEASONAL GREETINGS FROM THE COURIER AND SOME OF OUR VALUABLE ADVERTISERS

CYCOLOGICAL Staff at Cycological wish all their customers a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!

GT AUTOS The staff at GT Autos wish all their customers a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

IZZY'S BAR Jennie and Richard at Izzys Bar wish all their customers a very Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!

DAVID COACHTRIPS All staff at David Coachtrips wish all their clients a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

VIAJES ROSA TOURS Staff at Viajes Rosa Tours in Quesada wish all their clients a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

AA ENGLISH TV Pete at AA English TV wishes all his clients a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

NEW2YOU Karen and staff at NEW2YOU wish their clients a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

UNBLOCKA-ROD Staff at Unblock-ARod wish their customers a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!

CASA VENTURA Kevin and Staff at Casa Ventura wish all their customers a Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

Christmas wouldnÂ´t be the same without your favourite music. Happy holidays from everyone at TKO Radio 90.8&91.9fm

Everyone at EasyBuyProperties. com wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year

From the team at The Courier, we wish you all a very peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We are back on the 5th of January, until then, Merry Christmas.

Health

Friday 15th December 2017

All forms of hormonal contraception carry breast cancer risk, study finds All forms of the pill and other hormonal contraception carry a small risk of breast cancer, which lasts for about five years after women stop taking it, according to new research. The increased risk has been known for some time, but there were hopes that newer forms of hormonal contraception – such as those which release progesterone only – would be safer. However, the new study in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms the 20% added risk that women run – although that is still very small for those not at high risk already. Among women taking the pill for five years, the study suggests, there would be an extra one case for every 1500 women. The study is very large, including 1.8 million women in Denmark who were followed up for nearly 11 years

on average. The Danish researchers found that the risk of breast cancer was higher in women who used the pill or other forms of hormonal contraception, including IUDs, for longer. It was also higher in those who were older – most of the breast cancer cases were in women over 40. In a commentary with the study, Professor David Hunter, of the Nuffield Department of Population Health, said that the small risks of the pill needed to be set against the benefits, which included not only preventing an unwanted pregnancy but also a “substantial reductions in the risks of ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancers in later life”. But he called for more effort to be invested in safer forms of the pill. “These data suggest that the search for an oral contraceptive that does

not elevate the risk of breast cancer needs to continue. In the 1980s and 1990s, there was some optimism regarding the development of a formulation that would reduce a woman’s risk of breast

cancer, but research into this possibility appears to have stalled,” he writes. Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University, said the study found the

increase in risk disappeared gradually over a few years once women stop taking the pill. “Like most other studies on hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer risk, this

one is observational, so it cannot prove conclusively that the hormonal contraception is definitely the cause of the increased risk. However, the researchers did allow statistically for most of the important factors that might also be involved, and they give good reasons why the differences in risk that they found are likely to be causally related to the contraceptives. “I’m not a medical doctor, but my assessment is that this new evidence doesn’t make an important change to what was previously known about hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer risk. It just brings it further up to date and adds some detail. Certainly I would advise anyone who is concerned about risks to talk to their doctor before making any changes in their contraceptive use.”

Sausage butty has two-thirds of salt allowance The humble sausage sandwich could contain nearly two-thirds of an adult’s maximum daily recommended intake of salt – more than a McDonald’s double cheeseburger and large fries, a health group has warned. Research by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) has revealed “shocking and excessively high” amounts of salt in wellknown brands of the British banger – a favourite in the UK – but vegetarian options are just as unhealthy. Cash said many companies had failed to reduce salt in their products with just three weeks left for them to reach 2017 targets set by Public Health England. The British eat more than 175,000 tonnes of sausages each year, despite them being named by the World Health Organisation in 2015 as a likely cause of cancer. The survey found that the average salt content of

sausages was 1.3g per 100g, or 1.16g per typical portion of two sausages – a figure that has remained relatively unchanged since 2011, exceeding the salt reduction targets in place at that time. The maximum daily recommended intake for an adult is 6g. The saltiest sausages were Iceland’s Jumbo Pork range, at 1.28g each, but that went up to 3.78g including the ingredients for a sandwich, compared with 3.22g for a McDonald’s double cheeseburger and large fries. Researchers collected data for 212 chilled, frozen, vegetarian and meat sausages sold by all the major supermarkets, but excluding sausage rolls, cocktail sausages and frankfurters. They found a wide range of salt levels across all sausages, from the highest in Richmond’s 12 Skinless Pork Sausages at 2.3g per 100g to the lowest in the Co-

operative’s Irresistible 6 Sweet Chilli Sausages at 0.75g per 100g – a threefold difference in salt content per 100g. They also uncovered large variations within supermarket own-brand sausages, with Asda’s Extra Special Bacon & Maple Syrup option containing 1.1g of salt per sausage – more than double the same retailer’s Extra Special Lincolnshire Pork Sausages. Even going meat-free is not a healthy option, with Quorn’s vegetarian Best of British Sausages containing 1.9g of salt per 100g, or 2.2g in two sausages, which is more than the salt content of half a Pizza Hut Margherita pizza. The worst offender overall is Richmond, whose full range of sausages tops other manufacturers for salt. In fact, the salt content of its sausages has remained consistently high since at

least 2011, which Cash said suggested Richmond had made no effort to reduce it. About 85% of meat sausages surveyed by Cash were also high in saturated fat – another cause of strokes and heart disease – while Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Toulouse Inspired British Pork Sausages contained 12.2g of saturated fat per two sausages, more than half the recommended daily maximum intake of saturated fat for women. Some of the biggest brands, including Richmond, Wall’s and Iceland, failed to provide traffic light labelling on their packaging, even using a portion size as one sausage, which Cash said was “completely unrealistic”. “The UK has led the world on salt reduction but this survey clearly shows that many companies are not cooperating with the current voluntary policy,” said Graham MacGregor, a pro-

fessor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of Cash. “Public Health England, which is now responsible, must get tough on those companies not complying and set new mandatory targets to be achieved by 2020. Otherwise, thousands of people will die from unnecessary strokes and heart attacks every year.” A spokeswoman for Quorn said: “Quorn produces a range of sausages, with its bestselling Quorn Sausages being low in salt and high-

lighted on the front of pack. The range featured by Cash is Quorn’s Best of British Sausages, which offer slightly more indulgent sausages. While they are higher in salt, as clearly marked on pack, they are still low in saturated fat.” Dr Alison Tedstone, Public Health England’s chief nutritionist, commented: “Our salt consumption has decreased over the last decade – a loaf of bread has 40% less than it used to. However, some products are still too high in salt and we know this can be reduced further.”

Health

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EXCESSIVE NIGHT-TIME URINATION IN MEN Waking up at night to pass water can be a problem in men, especially in older ones. Common causes of nocturia (night-time urination) are consuming caffeine or alcohol before bedtime. Caffeine can be found in coffee, some teas, and soda. Alcohol and caffeine cause diuresis, which means that they encourage the loss of water through excessive urination. Avoiding these substances at night time will to end the problem. Another culprit for nocturia is drinking a lot of fluid before bedtime. This could be water, jucie or tea. Again, merely cutting out the offending liquid will help the situation. Nocturia can also be a sign of more serious conditions. It is a symptom of Type 2 diabetes, however, if a per-

Infections are the commonest causes of inflammation of the prostate, especially infections with viruses – herpes, papilloma and cytomegalovirus. The natural antibiotic Colloidal Silver is an effective agent for treating inflammation of the prostate.

son is suffering from this the nocturia will be combined with other indicators of this disease, such as the increased urge to drink and weight loss. A simple sugar level check can be done in any pharmacy in Spain. This will rule out diabetes for

those worried about nocturia. When we rule out the commonest causes of night-time urination, the next likely cause is prostate disorders if the sufferer is a man. The 3 types of prostate diseases are prostate inflammation

(prostatitis), prostate enlargement (benign prostate hypertrophy) and prostate cancer. All three of these problems can cause night-time urination. However, the most common cause in over 80% of cases is related to inflammation of

the prostate. The prostate gland in men undergoes a series of natural inflammatory processes starting from age 50. These inflammations come and go, and when they occur they can cause nocturia.

If you or your partner are worried about nocturia, visit your doctor. They will be able to perform a physical prostate examination or may take some blood for hormonal analysis. Keeping tabs on prostate health is especially important for those who have a family history of prostate problems. Call 965 071 745, 966 189 074 for a Full Body Diagnostic Scan. For more information visit www.medb.es

"Radical diet can reverse type 2 diabetes"Luke Nicolby This follows a trial of an intensive weight loss programme for overweight and obese people with type 2 diabetes, conducted at GP surgeries in Scotland and Tyneside. People were randomised to follow either the Counterweight Plus weight loss programme or standard care for 12 months. Counterweight Plus is a low-calorie diet plan that involves an initial phase of consuming around 850 calo-

ries a day for 3 to 5 months. This is followed by a 2- to 8week period where calorie intake is slowly increased. Participants are then encouraged to attend monthly advice meetings, with the aim of maintaining their weight loss. People on the Counterweight Plan lost 10kg on average, with around a quarter achieving the target of losing 15kg or more.

Half went into diabetes remission – defined as normal blood glucose control – compared with only a handful in the standard care group. The dietary approach definitely shows promise, but there are several reasons to be cautious at this stage. This sort of intensive calorie restriction wouldn't be suitable for everyone and should only be conducted under careful medical

supervision. One person also developed severe abdominal pain, related to gallstones, thought to be caused by the intervention. The diet needs further study to ensure it's safe and suitable for widespread adoption. If you have diabetes, you shouldn't make radical changes to your diet for now, or any changes to your diabetes medication, without consulting your doctor.

Food & Drink

Friday 15th December 2017

Brie & Cranberry Twists

Ingredients

Method

12 sheets filo pastry 100g butter, melted 250g brie, cut into 18 chunky fingers 18 tsp cranberry sauce 50g walnut, roughly chopped sprinkling of poppy seeds

Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Stack 2 of the filo sheets. With a widest edge facing you, brush with some melted butter. Put 3 Brie fingers at even intervals across the bottom of the filo. Top each finger with 1 tsp cranberry sauce, then sprinkle over a few chopped walnuts.

Roll up the filo from the bottom. Cut into 3 parcels, and twist the ends to seal. Brush with more butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Bake for 10 mins. Can chill for a day and bake before needed. Prep: 15 Mins Cook: 10 Mins Makes: 18

Smoked Cheese In Blankets

Ingredients

Method

18-24 thin rashers smoked pancetta 150g Bavarian smoked cheese, trimmed and cut into 24 pieces a few rosemary sprigs

Heat oven to 200C/180 fan/gas 6. Carefully wrap the pancetta around the cheese pieces (you may not need a full slice of pancetta for each piece of cheese). Can be done two days ahead and kept covered in the fridge.

Put the rosemary sprigs on a baking tray and place the cheese in blankets on top. Roast in the oven for 15 mins until golden and crispy. Serve immediately but be careful, as they will be molten hot inside. Prep: 10 Mins Cook: 15 Mins Serves: 10 - 12

Spanish Skewers

Ingredients 200g waxy potatoes, such as Charlotte, peeled and cut into 24 x 2cm/¾-in chunks 1 tbsp mild olive oil or sunflower oil 2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary or ½ tsp dried rosemary 1 large red pepper, deseeded and cut into 24 x 2cm/¾-in chunks 1 large yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into 24 x 2cm/¾-in chunks 200g cooking chorizo, cut into 24 pieces For the garlic dip 200g half-fat crème fraîche 1 garlic clove, crushed ½ small pack flat-leaf pars-

ley, finely chopped You will need 24 short bamboo skewers Method Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Half-fill a large pan with water and bring to the boil. Add the potatoes and return to the boil. Cook for 1 min, then drain in a colander and tip into a bowl. Pour over the olive oil, sprinkle with the rosemary and season. Toss together. Scatter the potatoes over a large baking tray and cook for 5 mins. Turn the potatoes, add the peppers and cook for a further 10 mins or until just beginning to soften. Set aside to

cool. Thread a chunk of yellow pepper, a chunk of potato and a chunk of red pepper onto bamboo skewers, finishing with a piece of chorizo. Place on a parchment-lined baking tray, cover and chill (up to 8 hrs). To make the dip, mix all the ingredients in a bowl, cover and chill. When ready to serve, heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bake the skewers for 10 mins or until the vegetables are softened and nicely browned, and the chorizo slices are cooked through. Serve with the dip. Prep: 20 Mins Cook: 30 Mins Makes: 24

Food & Drink

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Food

Friday 15th December 2017

Easy turkey crown

Très Alcohol Trifle

Ingredients

Method

50g butter, softened 2kg turkey crown on the bone 1 tsp Chinese five spice or a pinch of ground cloves

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Smear the butter all over the turkey crown and season all over with salt and half the five spice. Put in a roasting tin, skin-side up, and roast for 30 mins. While the crown is roasting, mix all the glaze ingredients in a bowl with the rest of the five spice. Remove the crown from the

For the glaze 4 tbsp honey 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

oven and brush the skin generously with half the glaze. Continue to roast for another hour, glazing twice more, until cooked all the way through and the glaze is sticky and caramelised. Leave to rest for at least 20 mins before carving. Save the juices from the tin to make gravy.

250g prunes 110g golden caster sugar 1 vanilla pod 230ml Armagnac 2 x 250g boxes amaretti biscuits (soft or hard - both will work) 230ml Amaretto 600ml double cream 230ml marsala 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method Prep: 10 Mins Cook: 1 hour 30 mins Serves: 4 - 6

In advance, put the prunes

into a Kilner jar or a bowl with a lid. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, vanilla pod and 230ml water. Boil until the sugar has dissolved, then pour over the prunes. Leave to cool, then add the Armagnac. Put the prunes in the fridge to macerate, ideally for at least 24 hours. When you’re ready to make your trifle, put most of the biscuits in a deep dish, reserving a handful to crush on top, and splash the amaretto on top. Give it some time to sink in, shak-

ing occasionally so that everything is boozy. Put a scant layer of the Armagnac-soaked prunes on top of the biscuits. Whip the cream with the Marsala and vanilla extract until it’s perfectly floppy, then spoon on top of the prunes. Crush over the remaining biscuits. Cover the trifle with cling film and leave in the fridge until you are ready to serve. Dig in with a large spoon.

Prep: 10 Mins Cook: 5 Mins Serves: 8 - 10

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.com The Nativity Scene in Elche

The municipal ‘belén’ or nativity scene of La Glorieta was inaugurated at the beginning of this week by the Mayor of Elche as a prelude to the Christmas celebrations and events being held this year. The Nativity scene consists of 800 figures, includes real rain effects and moving pieces.

Whilst a large crowd attended the official opening of the city’s belén, many more thousands - up to 100,000 - are expected to come and view this work of art. Visitors can go and visit the Nativity scene at any time of day or night, as it is open 24 hours a day, every day until Sunday 7 january 2018. The scene covers an area of 75 metres squared, has 800 figures and various other decorations. This year’s new addition is a rain feature powered by an electric apparatus and there is also an irrigation set up to water the crops. If you don’t visit the city of Elche very often, these holidays would be the perfect opportunity as there are many festive events taking place and the main streets will be lit up and bright and sparkling under the glow of the Christmas lights. There will also be a Christmas Medieval Market around the Plaza de Congresos area, which is being held from Friday 22 December until Friday 5 January - the day that the Three Wise Men arrive. Merry Christmas everyone, we hope that you enjoy whatever you do these holidays.

.com Events Calendar Until Monday 25 December, 2017 Alicante Visit Santa at his house in the Parque de la Ereta Until Friday 5 January, 2018 Alicante Christmas Craft Market on the Avenida de Federico Soto Until Sunday 7 January, 2018 Alicante Ice Skating in the in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento Toboggan Run in the Plaza de la Montaneta Friday 15 to Sunday 17 December, 2017 Altea Winter Wonderfood Altea - street festival Rojales XI Christmas Market in the Market Square Alicante Christmas Nativity Market at the Plaza Seneca Creative Design Market Ibi Spectacular Three Kings Fair with food, crafts, concerts etc Friday 15 December, 2017 This is the final edition of the year of The Courier. We’re taking a short break until the New Year (5 January). Friday 15 December, 2017 Torrevieja International Christmas Carol Concert in the main square from 5.30 pm Santa Pola Vegan Tapas Night with proceeds going to animal charities Almoradi V Christmas Market in the Plaza de la Constitución 6-9 pm Inauguration of the Nativity Scene in the Plaza de la Constitucion 18.30h Concert by the Manuel de Torres Choir in the Plaza de la Constitucion 19h Choir Contest in the Auditorio Municipal 20h Welcome Father Christmas in the Plaza de la Constitucion 20h Saturday 16 December, 2017

San Miguel Just Brass Christmas Charity Concert 8 pm Bigastro Arts and Crafts Fair at London Antiques Almoradí Christmas carol Concert in the Plaza de la Constitucion 11.30 am Flamenco Performance in the Plaza de la Constitucion 19.30h Orihuela Costa Charity party run by various international associations 12-7 pm next to town hall Christmas Concert - A Night Full of Magic by ULO Band 19.30h Sunday 17 December, 2017 Almoradí XXXI Urban Mile Race Benidorm Royal Russian Ballet presents Swan Lake Benijófar Robin Hood - kid’s musical theatre at the Casa de Cultura Rojales Christmas concert by U.M. Santa Cecilia Rojales at 19h at the theatre Torrevieja Torrevieja Christian Fellowship carol service 10.30 am San Miguel V Xmas Market in the church square Formentera del Segura Christmas Market in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento 10:00-15:00 Inauguration of the Municipal Nativity Scene 12h Tuesday 19 December, 2017 Orihuela Costa Chanukah celebrations on the beach. The Southern Costa Blanca Jewish Community will be lighting the Menorah on the steps of the esplanade at Playa Flamenca Beach at 7.30pm Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 December, 2017 Elche Christmas Market in the Plaza de Castilla Thursday 21 December, 2017

Local Markets Friday Albatera, Almoines, Banyeres, Benejuzar, Beniarres, Benidoleig, Crevillente, Daimus, Denia (Rastro), El Verger, Finestrat, Gata de Gorgos, Granja de Rocamora, L’ Alfas del Pi, Monforte del Cid, Monstesinos, Moraira, Muro de Alcoi, Oliva, Onil, Petrer, Pilar de la Horadada, Playa de Daimus (summer evenings), Rafol d’ Almunia, Sella, Tibi, Torrevieja, Villalonga. Saturday Alcoi, Alicante, Almoradi, Alqueria, Banyeres, Bellreguard, Benifairo, Benissa, Callosa d’En Sarria, Calpe, Castalla, Castell de Castells, Catral, Elche, Elda , La Font d’En Carros, La Romana, Gaianes, Hondon de las Nieves, Novelda, Ondara, Pedreguer, Tavernes de la Valdigna (summer evenings), San Vicente del Raspeig, Salinas, Relleu, Santa Pola, Xalo (Jalon) Rastro Sunday Benidorm, Elche, La Nucia, Campoverde, Algorfa, La Marina, Zoco, Almoradí street market, Lemon Tree Road, Mil Palmeras. Monday Agres, Callosa d’En Sarria, Cox, Denia, Elche, Formentera, Granja de Rocamora, Ibi, La Nucia, Llocnou de Sant Jeroni, Parcent, Petrer, Penaguila, Playa de Miramar (summer evenings), Monover, Real de Gandia, San Pedro del Pinatar, Santa Pola, Sax, Torremendo, Xeraco Tuesday Alicante (Rastro), Aspe, Altea, Barx, Bellreguard, Benijofar, Campo de Mirra, Castalla, Elda, Orihuela, Palma de Gandia, Piles, Playa de Piles (summer evenings), Rafelcofer, Relleu, San Fulgencio, Sella, Tibi, Villalonga, Xalo(Jalon), Xeresa Wednesday Ador, Albatera, Alcoi, Alqueries, Almoines, Banyeres, Barx, Benjema, Beniaries, Benidorm, Benilloba, Benitatxell, Biar, Callosa de Segura, Calpe (Rastro), El Campello, Elda, Guardamar del Segura, La Font d’en Carros, La Mata, Muchamiel, Monforte del Cid, Novelda, Orba, Ondara, Petrer, Polop, Potries, Rotova, San Miguel de Salinas, Sella, Teulada Thursday Agost, Agres, Albatera, Alguena, Alicante, Aspe, Benidoleig, Campoamor near Cabo Roig medical centre, Cocentaina, Hondon de los Frailes, Llocnou de Sant Jeroni, Pego, Playe de Bellreguard (summer evenings), Rafelcofer, Rojales, Tavernes de Valldigna, Villajoyosa, Xabia (Javia), Xixona (Jijona)

Guardamar Arrival of Father Christmas and inauguration of his grotto 17.30h Friday 22 December, 2017 San Pedro del Pinatar Beauty and the Beast Musical - free - municipal marquee Almoradi Spectacular Christmas Concert in the Auditorio Municipal Friday 29 December, 2017 Benijófar Christmas Music Concert by La Sociedad Musical de Benijófar Orihuela Costa Father Xmas Parade at the Zenia Boulevard 17.30h Monday 25 December, 2017 Orihuela Costa Christmas concert with ACAMDO at 12 noon at La Zenia beach. Saturday 30 December, 2017 Rojales End of Year concert by the City of Elche Symphonic Orchestra at 8.30 pm Sunday 31 December, 2017 Benijófar Party in the Plaza de la Constitucion from 11.55 pm Guardamar New Years Eve Party beside the town hall with live music. 23.30h Alicante Celebrations in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento from 11 pm Formentera del Segura New Years Eve Party in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento 23.45h Elche New Year’s Eve Party in the Placa de Baix Friday 5 January, 2018 Benijófar Three Kings Parade from the Plaza Miguel Ortega finishing at the Church Almoradí Three Kings Parade from the Colegio Canales to the Plaza de la Constitucion Guardamar Three Kings Parade Formentera del Segura Three Kings Parade 18.30h Orihuela Costa Three Wise Kings Parade from 5pm Sunday 7 January, 2018 Rojales The Jungle Book (in Spanish) at 17.30h at the Capitol Theatre

CLASSIFIE SITUATIONS VACANT Solar Power - Sunlife Solar Solutions have vacancies for both a Solar Installation Engineer and a Solar Thermal Engineer (or plumber with pool heating experience). Call 965 271 717 or send your CV to info@sunlifesolarsolutions.c om RADIO SALES - Come and join the team at TKO. Email your cv to admin@tko.media, full training is given so don´t be shy, email us today. Field and telesales reps wanted, full training given, experience desired, call The Courier 966 921 003. Radio Sales - RADIO COSTA MEDIA needs selfemployed salesperson for Torrevieja & surrounding areas. Call 685 901 265 or please email info@radiocosta.eu Realtor vacancy - Proven track record, experience, local knowledge all essential. Car essential, multi-lingual desired. Send CV to: office@easybuyproperties.com CHURCH SERVICES Torrevieja Christian Fellowship at Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas 68, Torrevieja 03183, all welcome to their friendly and lively 10.30 am. Service each Sunday morning. Tele: 966700391 or visit our website on www.tcfspain.org. International Christian Assembly, Calle Pilar de Horadada 5, Torrevieja. Evangelical non-denomina-

tional church. Sunday services 11am. Children's church 11am.. For more information lease Telephone today: 966 799 273 or 660 127 276. QUIZ MASTER Experienced quiz-master /question setter with personality. If you would like a quiz master that is entertaining, and is available to host quiz nights in local bars. Tel: 664 838 581. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES PRINGLE VENDING MACHINE ROUTE. GREAT CASH INCOME. Work one day per week. May finance. Sell 19,000€. Call: 697 834 934 FOR SALE DUE TO RETIREMENT New and Used Furniture Business, well known, repeat business from regular clientele. Trading for over 10 years. Only serious applicants need apply. For more information Tel: 620 582 063 SERVICES STRUCTURAL SURVEYS Mark Paddon BSC Hons Building Surveying MCIOB. CAAT. Buyer’s and defect reports. Tele. 653 733 066 www.surveryorspain.com

der Remin e here. tis Adver 003 6 921 6 9 l l a C

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TRELI ON THE TELLY WITH ALEX TRELINSKI

The BBC’s DirectorGeneral Tony Hall recently warned that the traditional UK broadcasters are going to find life increasingly difficult to compete with the new streaming boys on the block like Netflix and Amazon, because they have big bags of money at their disposal. Lord Hall is right, especially if you check out the sheer brilliance of The Crown, with Netflix releasing series two last weekend. The Crown has the biggest-ever budget for a UK-produced drama at ten million pounds per episode, and the staging, designs, and locations are big and movie-like, matched by Peter Morgan’s wonderful script. As a big Crown fan, I’ve watched the first four episodes already and we’re in the mid to late fifties, with the Suez crisis; two Prime Ministers; a divorce scandal involving Prince Philip’s closest aid and friend; the rocky relationship between Philip and Elizabeth; and Princess Margaret at last meeting the man of her dreams, after calling off her

The Crown Reigns Supreme

engagement to a right old drunken twit. The Crown (nominated again for the Golden Globes next month) just reels you in with a mix of love, royalty, and politics woven perfectly by Peter Morgan, and Claire Foy (Elizabeth) and Matt Smith (Philip) leading a great cast that delivers from top to bottom. If you don’t

watch The Crown, then you are missing out. I would also use that categorisation for the best comedy/drama of the year, which finally comes to BBC 2 tomorrow in the shape of Feud: Bette and Joan. I saw the series during the summer, and I guarantee that you will love this highly entertaining tale of bitter

rivalry between Hollywood greats Bette Davis and Joan Crawford as they come together to make the movie, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Like with The Crown, we have some great casting, with Susan Sarandon as Davis, and Jessica Lange as Crawford knocking nine bells out of each other in a

show that has you rolling in the aisles, especially if you love anything to do with the old days of Hollywood. It’s a feast of bitching and backstabbing with plenty of great comedy moments put together by show creator Ryan Murphy. There are top turns from the likes of Alfred Molina as film director Robert Aldrich, and Stanley

Tucci as movie mogul Jack Warner, plus cameos from Kathy Bates and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Look out though for show-stealing scenes from Jackie Hoffman as Crawford’s assistant and dogsbody, Mamacita. Everything is right about Feud, from some clever opening credits; the designs and music; and a fantastic recreation of an Oscar ceremony. Be ready though for a final episode that kicks you hard with a very different tone, but this a triumph for all concerned led by one of America’s most creative TV show makers in Ryan Murphy. His latest American Crime Story series about the murder of Gianni Versace pops up in the New Year (BBC 2 has the UK rights) and then he’ll be doing a second series of Feud, this time going onto Crown territory featuring the story of Charles and Diana! Good luck to him on that, but Feud like The Crown is essential viewing for anybody wants television straight out of the top drawer.

28 of recent revelations in the village continues. Elsewhere, Liv gives Aaron advice over his relationship with Alex.

Friday Daniel confronts Chesney and points out that he’s jealous because underneath, he knows that Sinead is still in love with him.

Friday The police close in on their suspect in the ‘Who Killed Emma?’ case. Meanwhile, Nicola is concerned by how much Bernice spent on her holiday with Dee Dee. Monday One villager is arrested for Emma’s murder. Who have the police decided to target? Meanwhile, Laurel is on edge after recent events. Elsewhere, Debbie feels conflicted about whether to accept financial help from Tom in the build-up to Christmas.

As Daniel’s harsh words hit home, how will Chesney react? Also today, Debbie and Meanwhile, as Anna lurks Tom enjoy some time away in the bushes on the Red Rec, she sees Craig from the kids. approaching. Thursday Bernice continues to face the conse- Elsewhere, when Fiz sugquences of her actions. gests that perhaps Ruby Can she ever make has inherited Kirsty’s violent streak, Tyrone is amends? incensed. Meanwhile, one of the villagers is left heartbroken. Elsewhere, Charity wants Vanessa to meet her in The Woolpack cellar again. Will Vanessa be tempted?

Also today, Bernice is pleased to learn her business has been doing well and hopes the extra revenue will clear her debts. However, when she hears how much Lydia is struggling, she realises it’s time to come clean to both Lydia and Dee Dee about the money. Tuesday One villager is kept in by the police for questioning over Emma’s murder. Meanwhile, one of the local families is in turmoil as a secret is revealed. Elsewhere, Lydia reacts to the big news that Bernice has been spending her money for weeks. Can she ever forgive her? Wednesday Lydia and Sam are torn over whether to report Bernice to the police. Dee Dee also has a decision of her own to make. Will she return to Australia now that she knows the truth about Bernice? Meanwhile, the aftermath

SOAPS

Friday 15th December 2017

Sinead is stunned when she finds Chesney with blood oozing out of his face and Daniel looming over him. Monday Gary distracts Phelan while Anna hunts Alex moves in to kiss for evidence. Can she Aaron, but he’s quick to prove that Phelan is framback away and Aaron kicks ing her? himself as Alex leaves. Meanwhile, Daniel throws Later, when Aaron Chesney off balance when removes his top and looks he visits Number 5 and – in at his self-harm scars, has front of Sinead – apologisthe reason for his hesitant es to him for losing his behaviour around Alex temper. been revealed? Elsewhere, Robert learns Will Daz be Bernice’s that his tumour was canknight in shining armour cerous but has been entirely removed and didn’t after her difficult week? spread. Michelle is Paddy gets embarrassed unnerved by Robert’s laidafter a trip to the cellar. back reaction. Friday Robert tries to give Seb’s gifts to Lawrence, but he gets a hostile reaction from the Whites.

Phelan blames Anna after Eileen is rushed to hospital after another shocking incident on the cobbles.

After being rejected by Meanwhile, Aidan fumes Aaron too, Robert stum- when Adam makes a show bles out with a bottle of of heading off to the Bistro whisky. Walking along a country road, is Robert in danger? Meanwhile, Daz continues his attempts to impress Bernice.

to meet Matthew Singh about his purchase of Underworld.

again questions Bernadette over what Phil and Ian are up to.

Wednesday Having had a few disastrous dates and no-shows, Leanne is pleased when she hits it off with the Toyah’s new handsome B&B guest Chris. However, Leanne fails to notice Chris sweep her mobile off the table into his pocket.

Friday As more of Max’s past bad behaviour catches up with him, is he now on dangerous territory?

Later on, Ian returns home and finds Max waiting for him. Turning more menacing than ever, Max warns Ian that he’s going to kill him. Does Ian need to watch his back?

At the same time, Lauren warns Ian that he might need to watch his back where Max is concerned. Clearly rattled, Ian passes the warning onto Phil.

Meanwhile, when Linda takes a peek in what she thinks is her Christmas present from Mick, she’s shocked by the real contents.

Meanwhile, Josh urges Fi to see Willmott-Brown for who he is. Soon afterwards, an unexpected incident between Fi and Willmott-Brown leads to Kathy coming to the rescue.

Friday Lauren fears for Max.

Monday Tina tells Shirley that she thinks she’s pregnant with Billy’s baby. Billy is horrified when he sees Tina buying a pregnancy test, immediately putting two and two together.

Overworked and sleep deprived, Morven is stunned when an old flame returns to Holby, reopening old wounds.

Later, the afternoon of drinking has disastrous consequences when Leanne discovers she has been robbed. Leanne is baffled to find that Chris has stolen her mobile phone, but left her purse containing all her cards and money.

Meanwhile, when Kush gives Donna her real ‘secret Santa’ present, she realises how badly she’s misjudged Robbie.

Thursday Peter goes to court to help Billy and reads his victim impact statement, saying that he believes Billy has suffered enough and shouldn’t go to prison. As they leave court, a fight breaks out between two other men, so Billy and Peter wade in to break it up. Billy is pushed to the ground, but as he and Peter get into Peter’s cab, Billy doubles up in pain. The charm given to him by Summer has embedded in his thigh and is bleeding. Stopping the car, Peter stems the flow with his jacket. Friday Todd calls on Peter and begs him to keep quiet about Billy for Summer’s sake. Peter accuses Todd of emotional blackmail and orders him to leave. Meanwhile, Aidan reluctantly decides to pursue his last available option to save the factory and the jobs. Aidan waits alone in a bar as Carla Connor walks in.

While Tina seriously considers whether this could be her second chance at motherhood, Honey spots her looking solemn. Will Tina tell Honey the truth? Tuesday Mick is forced to miss an important meeting with Aidan and the other men about the planned heist, as Linda needs his help making preparations for their vow renewal ceremony. Later on, Aidan hands Mick a Christmas present and he’s stunned by its contents. Is Mick getting in too deep? Thursday Max isn’t letting go of his revenge and once

After an accident at work forces her to think about the past, Morven begins questioning her ties to the hospital and what the future may hold for her. Meanwhile, Jac must finally decide whether being a mother means she must give up her Holby family. But when loyal friend Fletch struggles with the mounting winter crisis, Jac can’t help but get involved. Will she always be a surgeon to the core?

At The Rovers, the factory girls raise a toast to Aidan and brand him the saviour of Underworld.

Week Days 08:00 Breakfast with Peter Hurst 11:00 Mornings with Dennis Christian - DC, AM to PM 14:00 Afternoons with Alex Trelinski - Alex in the Afternoon. 17:00 Drivetime (AKA Tea Time) with Mark Nolan

Weekends Saturday 09:00 Breakfast with Tim Bridge 12:00 Saturday Afternoons with Paul Norman 15:00 Saturday Sports with Alex Trelinski 18:00 Entertainment Power 20:00 Northern Soul

Sunday 09:00 Breakfast with Tim Bridge 12:00 Soul & Mowtown 14:00 Gary Jackson 16:00 The Retro Chart 18:00 Classic Country

Email: radio@tko.media Facebook: tkospain Phone: 965 50 55 10 Text: 671 33 76 75

Friday TV 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Island Medics 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Street Auction 12:45 Fake Britain 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Doctors 15:15 Armchair Detectives 16:00 Escape to the Country 16:45 The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas 17:30 Money for Nothing 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 A Question of Sport Captains Matt and Phil are Premier League centurion Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Lions star Alun-Wyn Jones, Olympic sprinter Daryll Neita and World Champion swimmer James Guy. 21:00 EastEnders The pressure mounts for Max. 21:30 Still Open All Hours Granville has some outdated Christmas puddings to sell, but needs a clever plan to lure his customers into buying them. 22:00 Have I Got News for You Captains Paul and Ian are joined by guest host David Tennant. 22:30 Mrs Brown’s Boys When a handsome stranger appears in Foley’s Pub, everyone presumes he must be after Cathy. But the stranger reveals he only has eyes for one special woman: Agnes herself. 23:00 News 23:35 Graham Norton 00:25 Would I Lie to You? 00:55 The Apprentice 01:55 Weather 02:00 News

07:00 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 07:30 Island Medics 08:15 The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas 09:00 MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Coast 15:00 Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip 15:30 Home Away From Home 16:15 32 Brinkburn Street 17:00 The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway: The Final Countdown 18:05 The Blue Planet 19:00 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two 20:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Roberta Taylor and Trudie Goodwin set off from Glasgow and charge around Stirlingshire. 21:00 Mastermind Quiz 21:30 Only Connect The Detectives and Arrowheads return for the round two game. They’ll compete to draw together the connections between man-killer, Penthesilea, Sharron Davies, and Jeff Bezos company. 22:00 The Sweet Makers Four modern confectioners immerse themselves in the world of their professional predecessors, discovering how commercially canny sweet makers helped shape the way we celebrate Christmas today. 23:00 QI 23:30 Newsnight 00:05 Expedition Volcano 01:05 Panorama 01:35 Hotel For Refugees 02:15 Blitz: The Bombs That Changed Britain 03:15 This Is BBC Two

BBC Two to celebrate Michael Palin's life on screen

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts and BBC Two today announces that the life and career of Michael Palin CBE will be celebrated in an hour-long television special to be broadcast on BBC Two in the New Year. Michael Palin: A Life On Screen, co-produced by Bafta Productions and Whizz Kid Entertainment, will reflect on Palin’s fascinating career as a Bafta-winning actor, writer and presenter. The programme also hears from some of Michael’s closest colleagues and friends, including John Cleese, David Jason and Connie Booth, who share their fond memories and candid stories of working with Michael. Clare Brown, Director of Production at Bafta, says: “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to shine a spotlight on Michael Palin’s won-

derful career. Michael is hugely talented and his work has inspired so many people to discover their own love of comedy and travel throughout the past five decades. "Following the BBC Two broadcast of Sir Lenny Henry: A Life On Screen last December, Bafta Productions is proud to be continuing to profile incredible talent, and to make unmissable content for audiences around the world.” Katherine Allen, Executive Producer at Whizz Kid Entertainment, says: “We are delighted to be working with Bafta Productions and BBC Two once again, to celebrate the life and career of one of Britain’s best-loved actors and presenters, Michael Palin. Michael has some truly wonderful stories to tell and his in-depth interview for the programme is a joy to watch.”

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07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 News 15:00 Judge Rinder 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 News 20:00 Emmerdale Nicola is concerned. 20:30 Coronation Street Chesney goes to extreme lengths to punish Daniel. 21:00 Judge Rinder’s Crown Court The defence witnesses give evidence to clear James Byron, a man accused of murdering his wife. The fragile and complex nature of the victim is revealed as to how she'd cried wolf many times before. The defendant himself is also heard. Judge Robert Rinder provides a guide through this complex legal case, then reveals the verdict of the jury in the case that inspired the dramatisation. 21:30 Coronation Street Chesney accuses Daniel of assault.

07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:00 Jamie’s Festive Feast 13:00 News 13:05 Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 13:25 Film Christmas Magic (PG) 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Lost and Found 17:00 A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 18:00 Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast Jamie and Jimmy welcome guest Sarah Millican to their cafe at the end of Southend Pier. In a bid to get the comedian cooking from scratch and weaned off convenience food, Jamie tutors Sarah on recreating her favourite microwave meal. He also creates a pie packed full of roasted game. Meanwhile, Jimmy builds a soft-serve icecream machine for a child's birthday party. Plus, the boys hit the road to champion the ethical values of eating British rose veal.

22:00 I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! Viewers have seen them survive in the Australian jungle, but now the celebrities get ready for life back in the real world. How will they cope?

22:00 Gogglebox The armchair critics share their opinions on what they have been watching during the week. The programme captures their instant reactions and lively discussions from the comfort of their own homes.

23:00 News 23:45 Through the Keyhole 00:45 Play to the Whistle 01:20 Jackpot247 04:00 Storage Hoarders 04:50 ITV Nightscreen

23:00 The Last Leg 00:05 First Date 01:10 Film Monsters: Dark Continent (15) 03:15 Humans 04:10 Grand Designs Australia

ITV recommissions crime thriller Dark Heart

ITV has commissioned drama label Silverprint Pictures to produce six-part drama series Dark Heart starring Tom Riley as DI Will Wagstaffe, a man haunted by the murder of his parents when he was 16 years old. Set in London, the series is written by Chris Lang whose work includes award-winning drama Unforgotten, Torn, Undeniable and A Mother’s Son. Dark Heart is inspired by characters created by novelist Adam Creed, who has written a series of books featuring Will Wagstaffe. The 6 x 60 series is the first commission for Kate Bartlett’s new drama label, Silverprint Pictures, formerly ITV Studios Drama London, who are the team responsible for ITV’s multi-award winning drama Vera starring Brenda Blethyn and Kenny

Doughty which returns to the channel for an eighth series in January. Filming will begin on Dark Heart early Spring 2018 with Chris Lang writing the first two part story, Ben Harris (Marcella, The Musketeers) writing the second two part story with Chris writing episodes five and six. The series has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama Polly Hill. Commented Polly Hill: “We’re thrilled Tom Riley has agreed to return as Will Wagstaffe in Dark Heart. As the central character, he has immersed himself in police work to seek some form of closure for what has happened in his past. It’s a gritty, emotionally driven thriller from Chris Lang which I’m only too pleased to recommission from Kate Bartlett’s new drama label.”

07:00 Milkshake 10:15 The Wright Stuff 12:45 News 12:50 Film - Married by Christmas (PG) 14:35 Film - Once Upon a Christmas 16:15 Film - Mr Christmas 18:00 News 18:35 The Yorkshire Vet 19:30 News 20:00 The Gadget Show Ortis Deley visits the development studios of Far Cry 5 in Montreal to see how the video game is made. Meanwhile the GTeam’s latest assignment involves finding indoor training bikes and tech to help a keen cyclist get fit. 21:00 Brunel: The Man Who Built Britain Story of Brunel’s two masterpieces of ship design, the SS Great Britain and the SS Great Eastern, the world’s largest ship that dominated the final years of his life and generated such great controversy that it has been blamed for causing his death. 22:00 Strictly Come Dancing: Before They Were Stars Presenting clips that fans of “Strictly Come Dancing” may not be so familiar with, when the hosts, judges and professionals were struggling to make a name for themselves as dancers, presenters and comedians. 23:00 The Strictly Story: Fake Tan, Tangos and a Ten From Len 00:35 Lip Sync Battle UK 01:00 SuperCasino 04:10 When Calls the Heart 05:40 Access 05:45 House Doctor

07:20 Planet’s Got Talent14 07:45 Dinner Date 08:35 Emmerdale 09:30 You’ve Been Framed! 10:00 Ellen DeGeneres 10:50 Dinner Date 11:50 Britain’s Got Talent 12:50 Planet’s Got Talent 13:20 Emmerdale 14:20 You’ve Been Framed! 14:50 Ellen DeGeneres 15:40 Jeremy Kyle 18:55 Take Me Out 20:00 You’ve Been Framed! 20:30 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Film - The Hangover Part III (14) ITV 3 07:00 Judge Judy 07:20 Coronation Street 08:15 Heartbeat 09:20 The Royal 10:20 Judge Judy 11:35 A Touch of Frost 13:35 The Royal 14:40 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 16:50 A Touch of Frost 18:55 Heartbeat 20:00 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Tonight at the London Palladium 22:00 Tommy Cooper Forever 23:05 Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This 01:15 A Touch of Frost ITV 4 07:15 The Chase 08:05 The Chase 09:00 Cash Cowboys 09:50 Pawn Stars 10:45 Ironside 11:50 Quincy, M.E. 12:55 The Sweeney 13:55 River Monsters 14:30 ITV Racing: Live from Cheltenham 17:00 The Sweeney 18:00 The Professionals 19:00 Cash Cowboys 20:00 Pawn Stars 21:00 The Chase: Celebrity Special 22:00 Film - A View to a Kill (PG)

Biogs for The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds on Holiday

The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds is back for a one-off, and this time we’re going on holiday! The series that offers viewers a fascinating insight into the lives of our little ones has joined forces with Thomas Cook. Some familiar faces from the previous series are jetting off to the Sunwing family resort in Cyprus, and they are taking their families along too. Once more we’ll have the opportunity to observe how a group of four, five and six year olds interact and play together but this time all against the backdrop of sun, sea and Souvlaki. The children will be sampling everything that a holiday abroad has to offer; the frenzied excitement of packing and flying, the adrenaline rush of the water park and the first taste of exotic delicacies. They’ll be taking part in the holiday quiz,

learning to swim at the pool and there’s even the chance to make new friendships... The much-treasured family holiday abroad presents the perfect prism through which to observe childhood and child development. Our regular experts Professor Paul Howard-Jones and Dr Alison Pike will be offering professional insight in to developmental implications of all the activities. They’ll hope to reveal the science behind the children’s actions and reactions as they experience those special holiday moments, some for the very first time. Whether building cake-towers or learning to swim The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds On Holiday promises a sunfilled adventure to beat the winter blues! The Secret Life of on Holiday airs later in December.

Friday 15th December 2017

Strictly Come Dancing - The Final Saturday - BBC One

Sports Personality of the Year 2017 Sunday - BBC One

The wait is finally over, and after 13 amazing weeks of glitter, excitement and sensational dance performances, the most glamorous night of TV has arrived and the Strictly Come Dancing Final comes live to BBC One. Fifteen celebrities entered the ballroom, but now only the finalists remain. Each couple will perform in front of the judges and to the audience at home to battle it out in the ballroom for the very last time. The judges scores will be for guidance only and the winner will be decided by the

viewersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; votes alone. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will then reveal which celebrity and professional dancer the viewers

Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan present this year's ceremony live from the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Andy Murray was presented the prestigious main award in 2016, his third overall and second in successive years. However, he is not in contention this year after an injury-plagued campaign. The shortlist this time is world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, four-time Tour de France Chris Froome, have chosen to lift the winner famous Glitter Ball Trophy and be crowned the champions of Strictly Come Dancing 2017.

Feud: Bette and Joan

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, short-track speed skater Elise Christie, Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, British tennis number one Johanna Konta,

world superbike champion Jonathan Rea, Paralympian sprinter Jonnie Peacock, track legend Mo Farah and breaststroke world champion Adam Peaty.

Inside Bentley: A Great British Motor Car

Saturday - BBC Two Emmy-nominated drama, exploring the now-legendary rivalry between celebrated Hollywood actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The story picks up with the pair in 1962, as Joan comes to realise that good roles are not being written for women of her age. Chancing upon Henry Farrell's novel What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Joan decides she has found the perfect part to showcase her abilities, and convinces director Robert Aldrich to champion a movie adaptation. However, for the film to proceed, Joan realises she will need the talents -

Sunday - Channel 4

and raw star power - of her bitter rival Bette. Starring

Documentary going behind the scenes at the car company's plant in northwest England, as work comJessica Lange and Susan mences on a new range of 4x4s. Sarandon.

This is the first time cameras have had access to the plant, which is currently undergoing millions in new investment. The programme features the local people and master craftsmen working on the

factory floor as well as visiting the world's most exclusive car showroom in Mayfair and the secretive department where customers can obtain the latest upgrades to their bespoke vehicle.

Saturday TV 07:00 Breakfast 11:00 Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30 Nigel Slater’s 12 Tastes of Christmas 13:00 Football Focus 14:00 News 14:15 Sports Personality of the Year 2017 15:15 Bargain Hunt 16:15 Escape to the Country 17:00 Final Score 18:25 News 18:40 Pointless Celebrities 19:30 Strictly Come Dancing Tess and Claudia host the grand final, and in a “Strictly” first, all four couples will dance three times. Firstly the judges will pick a dance from the series which they think the couple can improve upon, then the couples will each perform their showdance in any style to showcase their creativity and dancing skills, and finally, each couple will dance their favourite routine from the series. Plus, there will be a performance from Ed Sheeran. 22:00 Michael McIntyre’s Big Show National treasure Miranda Hart bravely gives Michael her phone in Celebrity Send To All, and there’s music from global pop megastar Niall Horan. Plus, an A&E doctor is fooled into thinking the theatre is actually a grand hotel in the most ambitious Unexpected Star surprise ever.

07:15 Holiday of My Lifetime With Len Goodman 08:00 Nature’s Weirdest Events 08:30 Naomi’s Nightmares of Nature 09:00 Deadly 60 09:30 Show Me What You’re Made Of 10:00 Saturday Mash-Up 12:00 Penguins on a Plane: Great Animal Moves 13:00 Raymond Blanc: How to Cook Well 13:30 Tom Kerridge’s Best Ever Dishes 14:00 Homes Under the Hammer 14:45 Coast 15:20 Garden Rescue 15:50 Mastermind 16:20 Film - Possessed (PG) 18:05 Talking Pictures 19:05 Film - Escape to Athena A group of Allied prisoners of war plan to escape while excavating an archaeological site on a German-occupied Greek island, but the motley crew cannot resist the idea of taking some Greek art treasures with them. (PG) 21:00 Attenborough’s Life That Glows Sir David and a team of the world’s leading scientists and deep-sea explorers are on a quest to reveal the secrets of living lights.

www.thecourier.es

07:00 CITV 10:25 ITV 10:30 Saturday Morning with James Martin 12:20 Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape 12:50 Countrywise 13:20 Thunderbirds Are Go 13:45 News 13:55 Endeavour 15:55 Film The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas 17:35 The Chase 18:35 Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs 19:05 News 19:30 Film - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Unassuming hobbit Bilbo Baggins is pulled out of his comfortable life when Gandalf the wizard volunteers him for a dangerous quest. He joins a party of dwarves who are on a mission to reclaim their lost homeland, which has been taken over by a dragon. When the group journeys into the Misty Mountains, Bilbo becomes separated from the dwarves and falls into a cave, where he finds himself confronted by Gollum and forced to play a riddle game. It is set in Middle-earth 60 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings and is the first part of Peter Jackson's fantasy adventure trilogy based on JRR Tolkien's novel. Starring Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen . (PG)

22:00 Feud: Bette and Joan Cast aside by Hollywood, screen legends Joan Crawford and Bette Davis battle ageism, sex- 22:45 News 23:00 News 23:20 Match of ism and each other . the Day 00:45 The NFL 23:00 Film - The Hangover Show 01:15 Film - 23:45 QI XL 00:30 Jeff (18) 00:55 Tonight at the Surviving Christmas (PG) Lynne’s ELO 01:45 Film - London Palladium 01:45 02:40 Weather for the week Shadow of the Vampire Jackpot247 04:00 The Ahead 02:45 News (14) 03:10 This Is BBC Two Hungry Sailors

07:05 Adventure Racing 07:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 08:45 Frasier 09:40 The Big Bang Theory 10:35 The Simpsons 12:05 Film - Holiday in Handcuffs 13:50 Come Dine with Me 16:30 Grand Designs 17:30 Best Laid Plans 18:35 News 19:00 Word of the Year 2017

07:00 Milkshake 10:50 The Gadget Show 11:45 Film - Nativity 3: Dude Where’s My Donkey? (PG) 13:55 Film One Christmas Eve 15:40 Film - Love Always, Santa 17:25 Film - Mariah Carey’s A Christmas Melody (PG) 19:05 Sinkholes

20:00 Guy Martin vs the Robot Car Guy Martin investigates autonomous vehicles, attempts to build a robotic Ford Transit, and takes on an artificially intelligent race car. What’s fastest - man or machine?

20:00 Sinkholes Geologist Tom Backhouse investigates sinkholes caused by collapsed mine shafts, including one in Gosforth that opened up in front of a flat and led down to an abandoned coal mine. In Bury St Edmunds, a homeowner reveals how he is stuck in an unsellable house that is surrounded by sinkholes.

21:00 The World’s Most Expensive Presents Cameras follow craftsmen and women producing lavish gifts with price tags to match, including a 24-carat gold-plated bike worth £250,000. There's also a look at the dog owner who wants to impress guests at a glitzy party, so they dress their pet in a £40,000 ball gown. 22:00 Film - Pitch Perfect When a new student joins her college’s female a cappella group, she takes the women out of their comfort zone of traditional pieces and introduces them to innovative arrangements. (PG) 00:10 Film The Inbetweeners Movie (15) 02:00 Film - Tomorrow, When the War Began (12) 03:40 The Last Leg 04:35 Hollyoaks

21:00 Sinkholes In St. Albans 53 houses were cut off from the outside world, and a horse in Somerset found himself sinking deeper into a hole. 21:55 News 22:00 Football Colin Murray introduces highlights from the weekend's games, including Cardiff City v Hull City at Cardiff City Stadium, Birmingham City v Queens Park Rangers at St Andrew's and Sunderland v Fulham at The Stadium of Light.. 23:30 NCIS: New Orleans 01:15 SuperCasino 04:10 Harrogate: A Yorkshire Christmas 05:50 House Doctor

07:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 07:10 Emmerdale Omnibus 09:35 Coronation Street Omnibus 12:25 Take Me Out 13:30 I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 14:35 Mr Bean 15:45 Film - Mr Bean’s Holiday 17:35 Film - Yogi Bear 19:10 Film - Liar Liar (12) 20:55 Film - The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (PG) 23:00 Celebrity Juice 00:00 Family Guy ITV 3 07:00 On the Buses 07:25 Murder, She Wrote 09:25 Film - Ben-Hur (PG) 13:40 Columbo 15:40 The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes 18:00 Film Mamma Mia! (PG) 20:10 Agatha Christie’s Marple 22:00 Grantchester 00:10 Film - Hattie 01:55 Film Up Pompeii (15) ITV4 07:00 Sporting Funnies 07:10 The Protectors 07:35 The Professionals 08:35 Pawn Stars 09:00 Pawn Stars 10:30 ITV Racing: The Opening Show 11:30 British Touring Car Crashes and Smashes 11:40 Pawn Stars 12:10 Film - The Last Sunset (PG) 14:30 ITV Racing: Live from Cheltenham 17:00 Barcelona’s European Glory 17:10 Film - Paranoia (12) 19:20 Film - A View to a Kill (PG) 22:00 Film Navy Seals (15) 00:20 Film - Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (18)

Sunday TV 07:00 Breakfast 08:35 Match of the Day 10:00 The Andrew Marr Show 11:00 Fern Britton Meets... Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin 12:00 Sunday Politics 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:15 Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets 15:15 Songs of Praise 15:50 Film - Toy Story 2 17:20 Blue Planet II 18:20 News 18:45 Countryfile 19:45 Sports Personality of the Year 2017 Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan present the 2017 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year. Films, interviews and live performances re-capture the moments from the 2017.

07:05 Coast 08:05 Gardeners’ World 08:35 The Secret History of the British Garden 09:35 Countryfile 10:30 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:00 Nigel Slater’s 12 Tastes of Christmas 12:30 My Life on a Plate 13:15 MOTD2 Extra 14:00 Talking Pictures 14:30 Live: Olympia International Horse Show 17:35 Ski Sunday 18:20 Film - Nativity!

20:00 Life in Polar Bear Town with Gordon Buchanan Every autumn, polar bears gather on the shores of Canada’s Hudson Bay, waiting for the sea ice to form so they can begin their winter hunt. Right in their path lies the community of Churchill, Manitoba, 22:00 The Apprentice The where, for two months a two finalists take on their year, locals have to share last challenge to win a cov- their homes with them. eted investment from Alan Sugar, with hand-picked 21:00 James May’s Toy teams of contestants from Stories James attempts to the series returning to aid build a motorbike and sidethem in their endeavours. car entirely out of Meccano They face a three-day chal- to take on the TT circuit. lenge to create brands and adverts to pitch to a room 22:00 Alternativity full of experts - but a poor Following the production of commercial and an unin- a contemporary one-off spiring brand name do nei- performance of the nativity ther candidate any favours. play quite unlike any other. 23:00 The Apprentice: You’re Fired 00:00 News 00:30 Ronny Chieng: International Student 00:55 Weather for the Week Ahead 01:00 News

07:00 CITV 10:25 News 10:30 Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury 10:55 Countrywise 11:40 The Martin Lewis Money Show 12:10 Save Money: Good Food 12:40 How to Spend It Well at Christmas 13:40 News 13:45 Film Step Up (PG) 15:50 Midsomer Murders 17:45 Tipping Point 18:45 The Chase: Celebrity Special 19:45 The Chase Featuring all of the best gaffes by The Governess, The Beast, The Vixen, The Sinnerman, The Dark Destroyer and Bradley. 20:40 News

21:00 Film - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug The party of dwarves and their hobbit ally continue the quest to reclaim their lost kingdom, journeying through the forest home of ancestral enemy the elves and finally facing the dragon that drove them from their home. Meanwhile, Gandalf the wizard investigates the rise of a mysterious dark power. Part two of Peter Jackson's fantasy adventure trilogy based on JRR Tolkien's novel, starring Martin Freeman and 23:00 Detectorists 23:30 Ian McKellen (PG) Match of the Day 2 00:30 Insert Name Here 01:00 00:05 News 00:25 Through Keyhole 01:15 Talking Pictures 02:00 the Question Time 03:00 Holby Jackpot247 04:00 Tenable City 04:00 This Is BBC Two 04:50 ITV Nightscreen

07:10 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:05 Everybody Loves Raymond 09:25 Frasier 10:30 Sunday Brunch 13:30 Paul Hollywood: A Baker’s Life 14:00 Jamie’s Ultimate Christmas 15:05 The Simpsons 16:05 Film Jingle All the Way (PG) 17:50 Born Silly 18:20 News 18:50 Miracle on 34th Street A woman raises her six-year-old daughter to believe that Santa Claus does not exist, but they both have a change of heart after meeting a department store Father Christmas who claims to be the man himself. (G) 21:00 Coastal Railways with Julie Walters Julie travels from Cardigan Bay to Liverpool. Her trips starts in Aberystwyth, Wales, where she was once “banned from every pub.” 22:00 Inside Bentley: A Great British Motor Car Bentley have been building bespoke cars for the rich and famous for almost a century, and for the first time in their long history, the doors of its historic home have been opened to the cameras. 23:00 Film - Die Hard (14) 01:35 Film - Mercury Rising (PG) 03:25 Film - I Origins (14)

07:00 Milkshake 11:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:35 Football 13:00 Film - Season’s Greetings 14:50 Film - The Twelve Trees of Christmas 16:35 Film - A Perfect Christmas 18:20 News 18:25 Film - A Heavenly Christmas 20:10 Film - Legally Blonde A golden-haired sorority queen vows to win back her ex-boyfriend by gaining admission to Harvard Law School. (PG) 22:00 Film - Agatha Crooked Christie’s House Adaptation of the mystery novel, starring Max Irons and Terence Stamp. Charles, the son of the assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard returns to London from Cairo following the end of the Second World War, only to discover his fiancee's grandfather has been murdered. He uses his father's connections to become involved in the investigation, and finds the dead man's second wife a likely suspect. However, nobody in the household has an alibi, and Charles' fiancee may have the clearest motive for murder.(12) 00:00 Film - Sleepy Hollow (18) 01:55 Criminals: Caught on Camera 02:15 SuperCasino 04:10 Top 20 Funniest

07:00 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 07:25 Emmerdale Omnibus 09:55 Coronation Street Omnibus 12:50 Take Me Out 13:55 Film Mr. Bean (U) 15:00 Film Jack Frost (PG) 17:05 Catchphrase 18:05 Film Happy Feet (U) 20:15 Film - Gravity (12) 22:00 Film The Holiday (12) 00:45 Family Guy 02:40 American Dad! 03:30 Teleshopping ITV3 07:00 On the Buses 07:25 The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes 09:20 Heartbeat 11:25 Murder, She Wrote 14:30 Columbo 18:15 Film - Up Pompeii (15) 19:55 Doc Martin 22:00 Tommy Cooper Forever 00:00 A Touch of Frost 02:05 The Knock 05:00 Wycliffe ITV4 07:00 Goals of the 70’s 07:10 The Sweeney 08:00 The Professionals 08:45 The Sweeney 10:50 The Darts Show 11:50 Pawn Stars 14:10 Film - Red River (U) 16:55 Film Bend of the River (PG) 18:55 British Superbike Championship Review 2017 20:55 River Monsters 22:00 Film - Species 2 (15) 23:55 Film - Gangs of New York (18) 03:10 The Protectors

32 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Let’s Get a Good Thing Going 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Street Auction 12:45 Fake Britain 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Father Brown 15:30 Escape to the Country 16:30 The Instant Gardener 17:15 Money for Nothing 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 Panorama 100,000’s of Rohingya refugees have fled Myanmar to escape being killed, raped and abused by security forces. Using unseen footage, Justin Rowlatt reveals how the population has been isolated and weakened over recent years. 21:00 EastEnders The pressure mounts for Vincent and leaves him in an uncomfortable situation. 21:30 Mary Berry’s Christmas Party Mary opens her kitchen to some of TV's best-loved faces as they join her in cooking delicious dishes for a festive gathering.

Friday 15th December 2017

07:00 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 07:30 Island Medics 08:15 The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas 09:00 Mary Berry’s Country House Secrets 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 The Link 14:45 Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip 15:15 Home Away From Home 16:00 Inside Claridge’s 17:00 Alaska: Earth’s Frozen Kingdom 18:00 The Blue Planet 19:00 Celebrity Eggheads 19:30 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Linford Christie and Katharine Merry team up with experts in a race to make the most money. 20:30 Inside the Factory Gregg Wallace, Cherry Healey and Ruth Goodman, explore the fascinating factory processes and surprising history behind favourite festive treats. 21:30 University Challenge Quiz

22:30 Would I Lie to You? Rob Brydon hosts a festive edition.

22:00 Employable Me Psychologist Nancy Doyle invites a man with autism and a woman with Asperger’s to her centre where they learn the rules of the office environment.

23:00 News 23:45 Have I Got a Bit More News for You 00:30 Michael McIntyre 01:30 Graham Norton 02:15 Weather 02:20 News

23:00 The League of Gentlemen 23:30 Newsnight 00:15 Blitz 01:15 Countryfile 02:10 Blue Planet II 03:10 Nigella: At My Table

07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 News 15:00 Judge Rinder 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 News 20:00 Emmerdale A villager is arrested. 20:30 Coronation Street Gary distracts Phelan while Anna hunts for evidence. 21:00 Save Money: Good Food The team is in Scarborough to road test Christmas. When Matt is challenged to save money on the biggest and most expensive meal of the year, he raids the kitchen of the Hooper family to find treats to create homemade party food and make a Christmas feast for less than £5 a head. 21:30 Coronation Street Phelan blames Anna as Eileen is taken to hospital. 22:00 Birds of a Feather When Travis goes missing in Morocco, Sharon, Tracey and Dorien go on a mission to find him and bring him home for Christmas. 23:00 News 23:45 Killer Women 00:45 Fraud How They Steal Your Identity 01:35 Jackpot247 04:00 Jeremy Kyle

07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:05 The Big Bang Theory 12:05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 13:00 News 13:05 Jamie’s Comfort Food 13:20 Film Carry on Cleo (PG) 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Lost and Found 17:00 A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 18:00 Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 Paul Hollywood: A Baker’s Life Paul heads for Cyprus, where he lived for six years. He’s reunited with friends and makes a classic ham and cheese croissant, baklava, spanakopita, and a Cypriot village bread. 21:30 Supershoppers Anna and Sabrina visit one of Britain’s biggest supermarkets and find identical products under with very different prices. 22:00 Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds Residents of St Monica Trust are reunited with their young friends as they prepare together for a Christmas carol concert. 23:00 First Dates 00:05 Sarah Millican Home Bird Live 01:10 Film - The Woman in Black (14) 02:50 One Born Every Minute 03:45 Extraordinary Teens

Monday TV 07:00 Milkshake 10:15 Puppies Make You Laugh Out Loud 2 11:05 The Gadget Show 13:10 Film Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow 14:50 Film - Back to Christmas (PG) 16:35 Film - A Cinderella Christmas 18:20 Film Christmas Bucket List 20:00 Giants Live Series World’s Strongest Man Highlights of the Giants Live Scandinavian Open featuring Britain’s Mark Felix and Terry Hollands competing alongside the big-bearded policeman Martin Forsmark. 21:00 The Lego Story: Brick by Brick The Lego brick was developed in the 1950s and soon conquered the world. After a downturn around the millennium, a marketing revival saw it hailed as the greatest turnaround in corporate history. 22:00 ABBA: When All Is Said and Done The story of ABBA’s female members in the words of their close circle and through their eyes, tracing the highs and lows. A tale of two friends and mothers torn apart by being in one of the world’s most successful groups. 00:05 ABBA: Live in Concert 01:10 Greatest Ever Pop Families 02:05 SuperCasino 04:10 Top 20 Funniest

07:00 The Cube 07:45 Dinner Date 08:35 Emmerdale 09:00 Coronation Street 10:00 Ellen DeGeneres 10:50 Film - Mr. Bean (U) 11:20 Totally Bonkers 11:35 You’ve Been Framed! 12:05 Take Me Out 13:20 Emmerdale 13:50 Coronation Street 14:50 Ellen DeGeneres 15:40 Jeremy Kyle Show 19:00 Take Me Out 20:30 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Family Guy 22:30 Ghosted 23:00 American Dad! ITV 3 07:00 Coronation Street 07:55 Heartbeat 09:00 The Royal 10:00 Judge Judy 11:20 A Touch of Frost 13:35 The Royal 14:35 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 16:45 A Touch of Frost 18:55 Heartbeat 19:55 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Midsomer Murders 23:00 Cilla ITV4 07:10 The Chase 08:45 Cash Cowboys 09:40 Pawn Stars 10:35 Ironside 11:40 Quincy, M.E. 12:45 The Sweeney 13:50 The Professionals 14:50 Ironside 15:55 Quincy, M.E. 17:00 The Sweeney 18:00 The Professionals 19:05 Storage Wars New York 20:00 Pawn Stars 21:00 River Monsters 22:00 Film - First Blood (15)

Tuesday TV 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Let’s Get a Good Thing Going 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Street Auction 12:45 Fake Britain 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Father Brown 15:40 Escape to the Country 16:25 The Instant Gardener 17:15 Money for Nothing 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show 20:30 EastEnders Mick gets an unwelcome surprise. 21:00 Holby City Morven finds herself torn between her past and her future, Jac must decide which family she owes allegiance to, and Essie is surprised to bond with Gaskell over an unusual patient.

07:00 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 07:30 Let’s Get a Good Thing Going 08:15 Street Auction 09:00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 The Link 14:45 Olympia International Horse Show 16:00 Inside Claridge’s 17:00 Alaska: Earth’s Frozen Kingdom 18:00 The Blue Planet 19:00 Sacred Rivers with Simon Reeve 20:00 The Repair Shop A dedicated team of Britain’s most passionate and skilled crafts people are beavering away like busy Christmas elves repairing and rescuing beloved festive treasures.

21:00 MasterChef: The Professionals After six 22:00 U2 at the BBC A weeks of intense culinary world exclusive hour-long battles, just four talented music entertainment show chefs remain. As the tenpresented by Cat Deeley sion rises, the chefs need and broadcast on BBC to pull out all the stops for Monica and One. Recorded at the leg- Gregg, endary Abbey Road Marcus. Studios and produced by BBC Studios, two-time 22:00 Rick Stein’s Road Golden Globe and 22-time to Mexico Rick reaches Grammy Award-winning U2 Oaxaca, home to Mexico’s perform some of their national cheese Queso biggest hits, alongside Oaxacana and a land brand new tracks from their where vanilla grows wild. forthcoming album Songs 23:00 The League of Of Experience. Gentlemen 23:30 23:00News 23:45 Newsnight 00:15 NFL This Drugsland 00:45 KKK: The Week 01:05 Dara and Ed’s Fight for White Supremacy Road to Mandalay 02:05 01:45 Weather 01:50 News The Apprentice 03:05 Expedition Volcano

07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 News 15:00 Judge Rinder 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 News 20:00 Emmerdale A villager is kept in for questioning. 20:30 The Royal Variety Performance 2017 Miranda Hart hosts the annual event, this time from the London Palladium Theatre in the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The line-up includes Alfie Boe, Michael Ball, Seal and Britain's Got Talent winner Tokio Myers. Tom Allen and the cast of Benidorm are among the acts providing the laughs. Frasier veteran Kelsey Grammer also makes an appearance with the cast of stage hit Big Fish, and there will be a chance to see routines from musicals 42nd Street and Annie. Plus, music by Paloma Faith, the Script, and the Killers. The event is in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, the money raised helps those from the world of entertainment in need of assistance. 23:10 News 23:50 Lethal Weapon 01:35 Jackpot247 04:00 Loose Women

07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:05 The Big Bang Theory 12:00 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 13:00 News 13:05 Jamie’s Cracking Christmas 13:20 Film - Carry on Cabby 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Lost and Found 17:00 A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 18:00 Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 Jamie’s Italian Christmas Jamie Oliver draws inspiration from the snowy Alps of north Italy to help create his most delicious Christmas Day yet. In a cosy log cabin, accompanied by his mentor Gennaro Contaldo, the host cooks up an epic meal for the big day, taking turkey and trimmings and giving it extra sparkle with an Italian twist. 22:00 Shamed 27-year-old Sarah Ivy exacts finely choreographed revenge for an improper act from when she was 17. With the help of her brother, she kidnaps two men who she claims committed an act that made her world collapse. 23:00 Extraordinary Teens: Young, Gifted and Broke 00:05 Micky Flanagan 01:10 Naked Attraction 02:05 The Supervet 03:00 The Secret Life of the Zoo

07:00 Milkshake 10:25 Film - The Nutcracker Sweet (PG) 11:45 Film Free Birds 13:30 Film Five Children and It (PG) 15:10 Film - A Royal Family Holiday 16:50 Film - Hearts of Christmas 18:25 Film - A Prince for Christmas 20:00 Giants Live Series World’s Strongest Man Highlights of the British Open from the Doncaster Dome where Eddie “The Beast” Hall will be looking to take his fourth British title. 21:00 Jo Brand’s Cats & Kittens Jo spends Christmas morning at Laybourne animal centre and finds out exactly what happens there over the Christmas period, before playing Santa to the cats. 22:00 Britain’s Favourite Biscuit Celebrities including Sally Lindsay and Joe Swash reveal their verdict on the best biscuit before the results of a top 20 survey of the nation's favourite snack is revealed. There is also opportunity to see what copes best in a cuppa as cookies are put through their paces in the dunk test. 23:30 Greatest Ever Christmas Movies 02:15 SuperCasino 04:10 GPs: Behind Closed Doors 05:00 Now That’s Funny

07:45 Britain’s Got Talent 08:35 Emmerdale 09:00 Coronation Street 10:00 Ellen DeGeneres 10:50 Mr. Bean 11:30 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 11:45 You’ve Been Framed! 12:15 I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! Coming Out 13:20 Emmerdale 13:50 Coronation Street 14:50 Ellen DeGeneres 15:40 Jeremy Kyle 19:00 Take Me Out 20:00 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Film - The Hangover Part II (15) ITV 3 07:20 Coronation Street 08:10 Heartbeat 09:10 The Royal 10:15 Judge Judy 11:30 A Touch of Frost 13:35 The Royal 14:40 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 16:45 A Touch of Frost 19:00 Heartbeat 20:00 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Midsomer Murders 23:00 Cilla ITV4 07:10 The Chase 08:50 Storage Wars New York 09:40 Pawn Stars 10:35 Ironside 11:40 Quincy, M.E. 12:50 The Sweeney 13:50 The Professionals 14:50 Ironside 15:55 Quincy, M.E. 17:00 The Sweeney 18:00 The Professionals 19:05 Storage Wars 20:00 Pawn Stars 21:00 The Chase Celebrity Special 22:00 Film - Rambo: First Blood

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Friday 15th December 2017

Christmas TV Highlights Christmas Eve Sunday December 24th

Little Women - 9pm on BBC One - Based on Louisa May Alcott's universally beloved novel, this new three-part series is adapted by Call the Midwife creator Heidi Thomas.

The Snowman – 6.20pm on Channel 4 – On Christmas Eve a young boy decides to make a snowman. During the night, it comes to life...Raymond Briggs' classic Christmas animation is followed by The Snowman and the Snowdog at 6.55pm. The Snowman airs again on Christmas Day at 1.45pm, followed by The Snowman and the Snowdog at 2.20pm and Briggs' 1991 animation Father Christmas at 2.55pm. A Christmas Chase: Celebrity Special – 6.50pm on ITV – Bradley Walsh hosts a very special edition, as all five chasers try to catch Patti Clare, Matt Richardson, Kirsty Wark and Jimmy Osmond. Agatha Christie's Crooked House – Sunday, December 24 at 7pm on Channel 5 – Murder mystery based on the Agatha Christie classic and with an all-star cast, including Glenn Close, Terence Stamp, Gillian Anderson and Christina Hendricks. All Star Musicals – 7.40pm on ITV – West End legend Michael Crawford will be teaching stars how to sing and dance in a brand new ITV celebrity contest, hosted by Freddie Flintoff.

Dirty Dancing: Making Movie Magic - 9.30pm on Channel 5 – A trip down memory lane to Kellerman's Resort, to celebrate the movie that remains a phenomenon. Followed by the film itself at 11pm. The Miniaturist - 10pm on BBC One - A stylish adaptation of the runaway hit novel The Miniaturist, starring Romola Garai and Anya Taylor-Joy, is a spooky period thriller.

Doctor Who - 6.30pm on BBC One - The magical final chapter of the Twelfth Doctor's journey sees the Time Lord team up with his former self, the first ever Doctor.

Big Fat Quiz of the Year – 10pm on Channel 4 – Quizmaster Jimmy Carr tests a panel of A-list celebrities including Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding, David Mitchell, Big Narstie, Katherine Ryan and Roisin Conaty to see how closely they've been paying attention to the last year.

Strictly Come Dancing - 7.30pm on BBC One - Strictly veterans Katie Derham, Judy Murray, Kimberley Walsh, Colin Jackson, Robbie Savage and Jeremy Vine return to the dance floor for an all-star special. Paul O'Grady for the Love of Dogs at Christmas – 8pm on ITV – Heart-warming stories of homeless pets, with plenty of touching tales from Battersea Cats and Dogs home. Call the Midwife - 8.40pm on BBC One - a large snowfall covers the country, causing major disruption across Poplar, while an unmarried couple living in a caravan prepare for their baby to arrive. The Great Christmas Bake Off – 8.40pm on Channel 4 – Eight merry bakers from Bake Off past – including Val and Selasi, Paul Jagger and Beca Lyne-Pirkis – past join Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding as they do battle in festive-themed challenges. It's down to judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith to decide who wins the festive Star Baker title.

New Year's Eve Sunday December 31st Cannonball Splash Hits – 7.50pm on ITV – A best bits compilation: the screamiest screams, stingy-est splats and very best belly-busting flops from the last series. Antiques Roadshow - 9pm on BBC One - As part of its 40th anniversary series the Antiques Roadshow team grace the streets of Walford, pay a visit to its memorable landmarks, and watch as presenter Fiona Bruce has a drink in the Queen Vic with actresses June Brown and Letitia Dean. The programme includes the valuation of a variety of remarkable items, including the iconic axe from The Shining, props from the first Star Wars film, Harry Potter memorabilia, a script from the first episode of Doctor Who and many more. Alan Carr's New Year Specstacular 2017 – 10pm on Channel 4 – Sketches, party games and celebrity guests, with Big Narstie, Jonnie Peacock, Keith Lemon, Caroline Flack, Alex Brooker, Binky Felstead, Tom Davis, Charlotte Dawson and Kim Woodburn all joining Alan. The Graham Norton Show - 11.20pm on BBC One Hugh Jackman and The Greatest Showman co-stars Zac Efron and Zendaya join Graham, alongside Suranne Jones and Gary Oldman, with music from the Leading Ladies.

Mary, Mel and Sue's Big Christmas Thank You - 8pm on BBC One - Great British Bake Off veterans Mary, Mel and Sue surprise one exceptional group of people in South Wales with the most magnificent Christmas party their town has ever seen.

Jools' Annual Hootenanny - 12.20am on BBC Two Jools will be seeing off 2017 and welcoming 2018 in time-honoured style.

Winter's Weirdest Events - 9pm on BBC Two - From snowboarding crows to seemingly suicidal penguins, Chris Packham embarks on a fascinating journey to try to explain some of Winter's Weirdest Events. Michael McIntyre's Big Christmas Show - 9.30pm on BBC One - McIntyre hosts a Christmas variety show with festive treats and surprises.

New Year's Eve Fireworks 2017 - 12.55am on BBC One Victoria – 10pm on ITV – Set in Christmas 1846, the episode sees Victoria uncharacteristically melancholy as she prepares to tackle her first Christmas without her beloved Baroness Lehzen. Meanwhile, Albert is obsessed with staging the perfect family Christmas, transforming the palace into a magical festive wonderland. Tom Jones and Beverley Knight's Gospel Christmas 10pm on BBC Two - Sir Tom and Beverley join forces to celebrate Christmas in style as they perform a feast of gospel music.

New Years Day Monday January 1st The Great Festive Bake Off – 8.40pm on Channel 4 – Tis the season to be jolly. And what better way to celebrate, than with the second of two Yuletide specials from the Bake Off team.

Alan Carr's Christmas Chatty Man – 11pm on Channel 4 – Alan is joined on the sofa by Noel Gallagher, Christian Slater, Lorraine Kelly, Rob Beckett and Gogglebox stars Giles and Mary. Music and further chat comes from rock band Kasabian, Adam Lambert and Dua Lipa. Maigret in Montmartre – 9.30pm on ITV – Maigret investigates the random murders of a countess and a showgirl, and discovers a dark secret that links their past lives at the Grand Hotel in Nice. Christmas Carols on ITV – 12.45am on ITV – Alfie Boe leads the congregation of St Elisabeth's Church in Greater Manchester in a traditional Christmas Eve carol service, with festive performances from Nadine Coyle, soul singer Alexander O'Neal and more.

Christmas Day Monday December 25th The Queen's Christmas Broadcast - 4pm on BBC One and ITV - The annual festive message from Her Maj.

300 Years of French and Saunders - 11.35pm on BBC One - French and Saunders are back together for a special 30th anniversary clip show featuring their greatest hits and brand new material.

Boxing Day Tuesday December 26th Reindeer Family and Me - 8.30pm on BBC Two - Gordon Buchanan travels deep inside the Arctic Circle, to meet the ancient Sami people and the animals they hold so close: reindeer.

McMafia - 10pm on BBC One - This new international thriller charts Alex Godman's (James Norton) journey as he is drawn deeper and deeper into the world of organised crime.

Travel Man – 9pm on Channel 4 – In an hour-long Christmas extravaganza, Richard Ayoade is joined by Jon Hamm for a Yuletide yomp around Hong Kong, the most visited and most vertical city on the planet.

Mrs. Brown's Boys - 11pm on BBC One - Father Damien convenes a Neighbourhood Watch patrol to tackle the rising amount of crime in Finglas, but catching criminals isn't necessarily something Agnes and Winnie are cut out to do.

Wednesday TV 07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Let’s Get a Good Thing Going 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Street Auction 12:45 Fake Britain 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Film - Raiders of the Lost Ark (14) 16:35 Film - Chicken Run 17:55 Film - Book of Dragons (PG) 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show 21:00 Judi Dench: My Passion for Trees Dame Judi Dench journeys through the seasons on a mission to understand the vital role of trees in our history and our future, joined by some of the best tree scientists and historians to unlock the remarkable secret lives of trees and the stories that they cannot tell. Through the cycle of the four seasons, she’ll discover how they feel, learn how they communicate and discover how they fight off invading armies and extreme weather. 22:00 The Real Marigold on Tour Sheila Ferguson, Rustie Lee, Paul Nicholas and Dennis Taylor head to Iceland. In the small fishing village of Hausavik, the team go whale watching, before the foursome head six hours south to the capital city of Reykjavik. Here, the pensioners try out aqua aerobics and gymnastics, and Sheila goes on a date with an Icelandic man. 23:00 News 23:45 Male Rape: Breaking the Silence 00:25 Junior Doctors: Blood, Sweat and Tears 00:55 Weather for the Week Ahead 01:00 News

07:30 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 08:00 Nigella: At My Table 09:00 David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St Peter 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 12:30 Daily Politics 14:00 The Link 14:45 Terry and Mason’s Great Food Trip 15:15 Home Away From Home 16:00 Inside Claridge’s 17:05 Alaska: Earth’s Frozen Kingdom 18:05 The Blue Planet 19:00 Sacred Rivers with Simon Reeve

20:00 The Sweet Makers Four modern confectioners uncover the mystery of what a sugarplum is before decorating a series of exquisite Twelfth Cakes, affordable only to Georgian's wealthy elite.

21:00 Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape Often featured on bucket lists, the Aeolian Islands are the final destination on Gino’s epic coastal journey. He visits the two contrasting islands of Salina and Panarea to find out what they contribute the the Italian kitchen, and it turns out that it is quite a lot. Gino finds out what keeps Robert De Niro coming back to the islands.

21:00 MasterChef: The Professionals The four remaining chefs fight to secure their place amongst the final three, with one contestant leaving the competition after a cook-off in the Masterchef kitchen. 22:00 Peaky Blinders It’s the night of the big fight, Bonnie Gold versus Goliath. As the bell rings and the crowd goes wild, dangers lurk in the shadows for Tommy Shelby and his family. 23:00 The League of Gentlemen 23:30 Mock the Week 00:00 Alternativity 00:30 Cunk On Christmas 01:00 Road to Mandalay 02:00 Employable Me 03:00 Attenborough and the Giant Elephant 04:00 Rick Stein’s Road to Mexico

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20:00 Emmerdale A villager makes a decision. 20:30 Coronation Street Leanne dips her toe back into the dating game.

21:30 Coronation Street Leanne falls victim to a dastardly con. 22:00 A Night For the Emergency Services A celebration of the people behind uniforms. The show features talented members of the emergency services displaying their amazing skills in front of an audience made up solely of emergency service staff. 23:00 News 23:45 Car Crash Britain 00:45 Play to the Whistle 01:35 Jackpot247 04:00 May the Best House Win

07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:40 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:00 Frasier 11:05 The Big Bang Theory 12:00 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 13:00 News 13:05 Jamie’s Cracking Christmas 13:25 Film - Carry on Nurse 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Lost and Found 17:00 A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 18:00 Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 The Secret Life of the Zoo The keepers at Chester Zoo are busy making gifts for the animals, but there’s chaos when the chimps seek out their parcels. Horned rhino couple Beni and Asha are also experiencing family dysfunction. 22:00 The Channel: The World’s Busiest Waterway During the first summer since the camp known as the Jungle in Calais was demolished, ferry captain Mark and his crew guard their ship from migrants. Meanwhile, the programme also meets Stuart, a businessman from Surrey who runs a private high-security truck stop in Calais, where drivers can have their vehicles checked for migrants. Last in the series. 23:00 Gogglebox 00:05 Micky Flanagan: Back in the Game 01:40 Alan Carr Live: Spexy Beast 02:35 One Born Every Minute 03:30 The Supervet 04:25 Grand Designs Australia

07:00 Milkshake 10:15 Film - The Snow Queen 11:35 Film - Jack and the Beanstalk 13:25 Film James and the Giant Peach (PG) 14:55 Film My Angel (PG) 16:40 Film Christmas Carol 18:20 Film A Fairytale Christmas 20:00 Giants Live Series World’s Strongest Man Highlights of the Europe's Strongest Man event, which took place at First Direct Arena in Leeds, and featured Hafthor Bjornsson in action. Presented by James Richardson, with commentary by Colin Bryce and Danny Wallace. 21:00 GPs: Behind Closed Doors Dr Farida Ahmad tries to get to the bottom of why her patient Robert is complaining of dizzy spells whenever he goes jogging, concerned that his dizziness may be a sign of a tropical disease from working abroad. Meanwhile, doctors treat a man who is worried that he may be suffering from tinnitus, and a patient with a low blood count is sent for further tests at hospital. 22:00 Harry Potter: 20 Years of Magic Documentary film tracing the remarkable tale of the most successful and critically acclaimed literary and cinematic phenomenon of all time. Featuring cast and crew, literary and film critics, and celebrity fans. 23:55 Football 01:15 The Lego Story: Brick by Brick 02:10 SuperCasino

07:00 The Cube 07:45 Britain’s Got Talent 08:35 Emmerdale 09:00 All Star Family Fortunes 10:00 Ellen DeGeneres 10:50 Mr. Bean 11:20 Film - Jack Frost (PG) 13:20 Emmerdale 13:50 You’ve Been Framed! 14:50 Ellen DeGeneres 15:40 Jeremy Kyle 19:00 Take Me Out 20:00 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 22:00 Film - The Hangover Part III (15) 00:05 Family Guy 02:00 American Dad ITV3 07:00 Judge Judy 07:20 Coronation Street 08:10 Heartbeat 09:10 The Royal 10:15 Judge Judy 11:30 A Touch of Frost 13:35 The Royal 14:40 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 16:45 A Touch of Frost 19:00 Heartbeat 20:00 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Midsomer Murders 23:00 Cilla 00:00 The Guilty 01:05 Agatha Christie's Marple 03:00 The Knock ITV4 07:00 Snooker v Darts 07:05 The Chase 08:45 Storage Wars Texas 09:40 Pawn Stars 10:35 Ironside 11:40 Quincy, M.E. 12:45 The Sweeney 13:50 The Professionals 14:55 Ironside 15:55 Quincy, M.E. 17:00 The Sweeney 18:00 The Professionals 19:00 Storage Wars Texas 20:00 Pawn Stars 21:00 The Chase Celebrity Special 22:00 Film Rambo III (18) 00:05 Film Crank 2: High Voltage 02:10 River Monsters

Friday 15th December 2017

07:00 Breakfast 10:15 Let’s Get a Good Thing Going 11:00 Homes Under the Hammer 12:00 Street Auction 12:45 Fake Britain 13:15 Bargain Hunt 14:00 News 14:45 Film - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (14) 16:35 Film Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit 17:50 Merry Madagascar 18:15 Pointless 19:00 News 20:00 The One Show

07:30 Flog It!: Trade Secrets 08:00 MasterChef: The Professionals 09:00 David Suchet: In the Footsteps of St Peter 10:00 Victoria Derbyshire 12:00 News 13:00 Daily Politics 14:00 Snow Babies 15:00 Natural World 16:00 Victorian Bakers 17:00 Back in Time for Christmas 18:00 The Lake District: A Wild Year 19:00 Sacred Rivers with Simon Reeve

20:30 EastEnders Ian is left unnerved by Max’s strange behaviour.

20:00 Inside the Factory Gregg follows 24 hours of production at Britain’s biggest cake factory where they make 180 million mince pies each year. As he helps to mix pastry and stew mince, Gregg discovers the challenges of producing 2000 pies a minute.

21:00 DIY SOS: The Big Build Nick travels to Shropshire to meet ex-fireman Joe and his sevenyear-old daughter Lucy. Joe lost his wife Jess suddenly in 2014, partway through renovating an old cottage into what they had hoped would be a dream family home. 22:00 Love, Lies & Records Rob discovers the photographs Kate had hidden, and before long a series of secrets and lies come tumbling out between the couple. As Kate is forced to face the reality of her choices, her team at work prepares to set up a sting with immigration to catch Marcia in the act. But with the police back at the register office, she is worried what will happen if Rob and Rick end up together. 23:00 News 23:45 Darcey Bussell: Looking for Fred 00:45 New Tricks 01:45 Weather 01:50 News

21:00 MasterChef: The Professionals The final three professionals, who have created some incredible plates of food throughout the competition, face one challenge, to cook the best three courses of their lives for the judges. 22:00 Joanna and Jennifer: Absolutely Champers Best friends Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders visit France’s Champagne region during the annual grape harvest. 23:00 Absolutely Fabulous 23:35 Insert Name Here 00:05 QI 00:35 Dara and Ed's Road to Mandalay 01:35 Alternativity 02:35 The Apprentice 03:35 The Apprentice: You’re Fired 04:35 The Sweet Makers

07:00 Good Morning Britain 09:30 Lorraine 10:25 Jeremy Kyle 11:30 This Morning 13:30 Loose Women 14:30 News 15:00 Judge Rinder 16:00 Dickinson’s Real Deal 17:00 Tipping Point 18:00 The Chase 19:00 News 20:00 Emmerdale One villager is left heart-broken. 20:30 Tonight It might be the season of good cheer, but it won’t be for many this Christmas. Homelessness is rising and more people are said to be living in poverty. The team investigates why the festive season is going to be so hard for some families. 21:00 Emmerdale Paddy gets embarrassed.

07:20 3rd Rock From the Sun 08:35 Everybody Loves Raymond 10:05 Frasier 11:05 The Big Bang Theory 12:00 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 13:00 News 13:05 Jamie’s Cracking Christmas 13:15 Jamie’s Comfort Food 13:25 Film - Carry on Constable 15:10 Countdown 16:00 Lost and Found 17:00 A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 18:00 Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas 19:00 The Simpsons 19:30 Hollyoaks 20:00 News 21:00 The Supervet Professor Noel helps a Humboldt penguin with an unhappy foot. There’s also a three-legged cat and a husky from Thailand needing hip surgery.

22:00 Gordon, Gino and Fred’s Great Christmas Roast It’s a Christmas competition with all the trimmings as Gordon Ramsay and Gino D’Acampo battle it out to produce the ultimate festive menu for 100 diners. Tucking in are members of the public and the emergency services who bravely risked their lives during tragic events.

22:00 The Undateables at Christmas Familiar faces from the dating show sharing their extra special plans for the festive season, with Daniel from Brighton busy planning the release of his latest single, while also dreaming of a partner for Christmas and beyond. Surrey postman Sam hopes that a romantic date at Bath Christmas Market will prove the right setting for him to ask Francesca if she'll be his girlfriend, while Bournemouth poet Shaine is getting in the mistletoe in anticipation of a first-ever kiss with Gemma.

23:15 News 23:55 The Royal Variety Performance 2017 02:20 Jackpot247 04:00 Tonight 04:25 ITV Nightscreen

23:00 The World’s Most Expensive Toys 00:05 Father Ted 02:45 Britain’s Favourite TV Detectives 04:10 Extraordinary Teens

21:30 Coronation Street Peter and Billy get embroiled in a courtroom drama.

Thursday TV 07:00 Milkshake 10:15 Film - The Snow Queen 2 11:50 Film - Open Season 3 13:15 Film - Loch Ness 15:15 Film - Christmas With the Andersons 16:55 Film - Mrs. Miracle 2: Miracle in Manhattan 18:40 Film - A Royal Christmas 20:00 Giants Live Series World’s Strongest Man Highlights of the North American Open from Martinsville, Indiana, where 48-year-old Nick Best is determined to hold on to his title. 21:00 Britain’s Craziest Christmas Lights There’s at least one in every neighbourhood, it seems, the house that is decorated with Christmas lights so bright and excessive that Santa can spot it in his sled from miles away. This documentary takes a warmhearted look at those Christmas fanatics whose lives are fairly traditional for the most of the year but change in the run-up to the festive season. 22:00 Donny Osmond’s Easy Listening Christmas Donny kicks back into holiday mode with a special selection of the 25 greatest easy listening Christmas songs of all time, exploring who wrote each song, what it was written for, and why it is now considered a Christmas classic. 23:30 An Audience with Donny and Marie 0:30 Lip Sync Battle UK 01:00 SuperCasino 04:10 Top 20 Funniest

07:00 The Cube 07:45 Britain’s Got Talent 08:35 Emmerdale 09:00 Coronation Street 10:00 Ellen DeGeneres 10:50 Mr Bean 11:20 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 11:30 Film - Planet 51 13:20 Emmerdale 13:50 Coronation Street 14:50 Ellen DeGeneres 15:40 Jeremy Kyle 19:00 Take Me Out 20:15 You’ve Been Framed! 21:00 Two and a Half Men 22:00 The Great Christmas Rant 23:30 Celebrity Juice 00:30 Family Guy 02:30 American Dad! ITV 3 07:00 Coronation Street 07:55 Heartbeat 08:55 The Royal 09:55 Judge Judy 11:20 A Touch of Frost 13:30 The Royal 14:35 Heartbeat 15:40 Coronation Street 16:50 A Touch of Frost 18:55 Heartbeat 19:55 Murder, She Wrote 21:00 Midsomer Murders 23:00 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher 01:05 Agatha Christie's Marple ITV 4 07:00 Hat-trick Heroes II 07:15 The Chase 08:55 Storage Wars Texas 09:45 Pawn Stars 10:40 Ironside 11:50 Quincy, M.E. 12:50 The Sweeney 13:50 The Professionals 14:55 Ironside 15:55 Quincy, M.E. 17:00 Minder 18:00 The Professionals 19:00 Storage Wars Texas 20:00 Pawn Stars 21:00 River Monsters 22:05 Film Lethal Weapon 3 (15) 00:25 Film - Jaws (12)

Home Computing

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RICHARD CAVENDER

BlueMoon Solutions www.bluemoonsolutions.es

BlueMoon Solutions is the computer and IT services company on the Costa Blanca. BlueMoon Solutions comes to you at home or at work. Their personal service covers from Alicante to Pilar de la Horadada.

Richard moved to Spain ten years ago having left his management background behind in the UK and decided to use his IT skills to help home users and small businesses with their PC problems. Now a relaxed 'computer man' he is out and about in the Spanish sun every day, making house and shop calls and using his vast experience and qualifications to sort out the problem there and then. Computers are his hobby as well as his work so don’t be surprised to get an answer to your email in the early hours!

ADVICE: Joe was having problems connecting to his new ADVICE: Steve was receiving a message when using Google wireless Internet connection Chrome.

Hi Richard, our internet was re-set by the Provider and now laptop won't lock on to it. It says "settings saved on this computer for the network do not match the requirements of the network". The iPad attaches ok and it shows other networks that are close by, but my network shows a big red X. Cheers Joe

Hi Joe, you need to remove the old wireless connection, you can do this by doing the following...

Hi, I am receiving the following message on my laptop… "This computer will soon stop receiving Google Chrome updates because Windows XP & Vista will no longer be supported." This message is across the top of the screen on each new log in, can you help? Steve

Hi Steve, ok this relates to people using Windows XP or Windows Vista together with Google Chrome, essentially support for these operating systems will end soon, if you want to continue to use your old operating system then you should consider moving to another browser (like Firefox) that will continue to support 1. Right hand click the network icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen (this your operating system. Alternatively consider upgrading or replacing your computer looks like a wifi signal). with a more up-to-date one. 2. Click Open Network and Sharing Centre 3. Click 'Manage Wireless Networks' in the left hand panel 4. Click the wireless network you wish to remove, then click 'Remove' 5. Now close the windows and try to connect again to the wireless network, this time it should ask you for the new password.

Email: office@bluemoonsolutions.es Mobile: 655 044 970

Website:www.bluemoonsolutions.es NEW: Tel: 965 987 032

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bluemoonsolutionsspain/ Alternatively, why don’t you sign up for my newsletter. You can do this by going to:www.bluemoonsolutions.es/newsletter.

FILL IT IN

CODE CRACKER

Fit the words into the boxes.

Code Cracker is a crossword puzzle with no clues; instead, every letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number, the same number representing the same letter throughout the puzzle. All you have to do is decide which letter is represented by which number.

DOUBLE CROSS-WORD Solve the Double Cross-Word puzzle using either the standard or cryptic clues, the answers are exactly the same.

2 letter words Me So 3 letter words Ass Era Fat Fog Opt Psi Son Thy 4 letter words Ague Aids Ales Ammo Apse

Atom Axle Beer Brag Brim Cope Emit Here Ides Leap Lees Lens Liar Memo Pipe Pogo Role Sane

Shoe Sirs Slab Slug Swab Teen Togs Wash Wood 5 letter words Airer Axiom Cards Chips Heron Links Loose Orate

Oyers Pager Prior Rheum Rider Ridge Sands Scram Sedan Shoes Sonar Speed Staff Texas Those Times Tried Waxen

Whose Wrote 6 letter words Cinder Scones Shiner Sprees Stains Stress Strobe Walrus 8 letter words Freshman Workshop 9 letter words Mainsails Threefold

Standard Clues

Cryptic Clues Across

Down

Across

1 Location that sounds worth looking at (4) 3 In line for a haircut or grub we hear (8) 9 Dangerous boat incorporating Her Majesty’s unpaid debt (7) 10 Performers with direction for social group (5) 11 An alien gets to her and knocks her out (5) 12 The chap I account to is a madman (6) 14 Phased out and formed (6) 16 An effortless task in a gentle wind (6) 19 Journey the French make three times (6) 21 Born before Abel? What a cacophony! (5) 24 Pigment buried in Cumberland (5) 25 Claims Al’s glee is misplaced (7) 26 Torn, battered Bible swapped for summer shirt (8) 27 Invites not to start tasks (4)

1 Puss seen different Hitchcock speciality (8) 2 Flashlight reveals newt or chameleon (5) 4 Take for granted cook amuses (6) 5 Food firm caught in embargo (5) 6 In case some bounder is met in the fall (7) 7 Quits flat (4) 8 Frost per se makes my voice husky (6) 13 Broadcast this sect’s ill musicians (8) 15 Arab cot is redesigned for a gymnast (7) 17 Resists lurches holding one end of bar (6) 18 Group of ten become rotten we hear (6) 20 Money to be won and where to keep it (5) 22 Phoney takes us beyond the marsh (5) 23 Worker accepts posh relative (4)

1 Location (4) 3 Alfresco meal (8) 9 Important (7) 10 Social class (5) 11 Anaesthetic (5) 12 Insane person (6) 14 Formed (6) 16 Gentle wind (6) 19 Increase threefold (6) 21 Biblical tower (5) 24 Deep brown (5) 25 Claims (7) 26 Well worn (8) 27 Inquires (4) Down 1 Uncertainty (8) 2 Handheld light (5) 4 Take for granted (6) 5 Cured pig meat (5) 6 Steep waterfall (7) 7 Level (4) 8 Husky (6) 13 Musicians (8) 15 Tumbler (7) 17 Dissenters (6) 18 Ten years (6) 20 Money bag (5) 22 Fake (5) 23 Father’s sister (4)

Quiz Word

Across 1 Which hard reddish-brown timber from a tropical tree is used to make quality furniture? (8) 7 John Hanning were the first names of which English explorer who, along with Sir Richard Burton, was the first European to explore Lake Tanganyika? (5) 8 Which American actress won the 1998 Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Carol Connelly in As Good as It Gets? (5,4) 9 Which word means both ‘to fall behind’ and ‘to enclose in heat-insulating material’? (3) 10 Which organisation, which entered into force in 1949, sought to establish a military counterweight to the Soviet military presence in post-World War II eastern Europe? (4) 11 Which hardy cereal with coarse bristles extending from the ears, is chiefly for use in brewing and stock feed? (6) 13/22 Which conservative politician was prime minister of Britain from 1957 to 1963? (6,9) 14 Which 1977 David Bowie album contains the songs Beauty and the Beast,

Joe the Lion, Sons of the Silent Age and The Secret Life of Arabia? (6) 17 What do Americans call what is known in Britain as an underground railway? (6) 18 What last name connects cricketer Imran and squash player Jahangir? (4) 20 By what nickname was the US president Dwight D Eisenhower, usually known? (3) 22 See 13 23 What is the first name of the businesswoman who opened the first Body Shop in Brighton in 1976? (5) 24 The narrow leaves of which evergreen aromatic shrub of the mint family are used as a culinary herb, in perfumery, and as an emblem of remembrance? (8) Down 1 Which port is the capital of the island of Minorca? (5) 2 What name is given to a leather case for a pistol or revolver, worn on a belt? (7) 3/5 Which American dancer performed in and choreographed many film musicals, including An American in Paris and

QUICKIE Across

Down

1 Pick out (6) 4 Light teasing repartee (6) 9 Hospital social worker (7) 10 Circular, flat hat (5) 11 Ball (5) 12 Accuse of a wrong (7) 13 Honest (11) 18 Small piece of fried bread (7) 20 Humiliation (5) 22 Additional (5) 23 Inscribe (7) 24 Water ice (6) 25 Evaluate (6)

1 Beer and lemonade drink (6) 2 Yellow fruit (5) 3 Admit (7) 5 Fossil resin (5) 6 Make dirty (7) 7 Eye part (6) 8 Wage earner (11) 14 Adult male chicken (7) 15 Stands down (7) 16 Move towards (6) 17 Postpones (6) 19 Taunt (5) 21 Maxim (5)

SPANISH-ENGLISH CROSSWORD

Improve your Spanish - Clues in Spanish, answer in English or vice versa. Across Down 1 Island (4) 4 To quote (writer, line, passage, source) (5) 9 Cacahuetes (7) 10 Gum (round teeth) (5) 11 Swan (5) 12 Elected (7) 13 Sombra (6) 15 Camarero (en restaurante) (6) 19 Brooms (7) 21 Tío (5) 23 Cobertizos (para animales, herramientas) (5) 24 Pendiente (joya) (7) 25 Stamp (postage) (5) 26 Royal (4)

Fill It In

Sudoku

2 Focas (5) 3 Tile (floor) (7) 4 Lawn (6) 5 Ahí (en un lugar) (5) 6 Recibo (de haber pagado) (7) 7 Espacios (6) 8 Cat (domestic) (4) 14 Arqueros (7) 16 To bore (7) 17 Risk (6) 18 Mirror (6) 19 Oriente (este) (4) 20 Albahaca (5) 22 Climate (5)

Singin’ in the Rain? (4,5) 4 Which sweet product is made from sugar or honey, nuts, and egg white? (6) 5 See 3 6 Which pop group consisted of brothers Robin, Maurice and Barry Gibb? (3,4) 7 What name is applied to a person who harasses or persecutes someone with unwanted and obsessive attention? (7) 12 Montgomery is the capital of which state of the USA? (7) 13 From the Latin for ‘it dwells’, what name is given to the natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism? (7) 15 According to Shakespeare, what was the name of daughter of Polonius who was the rejected lover of Hamlet? (7) 16 What was the nickname of the American tennis player Richard Alonzo Gonzales? (6) 17 Which reddish-brown colour is particularly associated with early monochrome photographs? (5) 19 By what name was Ronald Reagan’s second wife normally known? (5) 21 How many players are there in a basketball team? (4)

SUDOKU

Last Week’s Solutions Quizword Across: 1 Latitude, 7 Brook, 8 Ulan Bator, 9 Hal, 10 Sole, 11 Avesta, 13 Miriam, 14 Lancet, 17 Tomato, 18 Eros, 20 Awe, 22 North Pole, 23 El Cid. Down: 1/5 Louis Botha, 2 Trawler, 3 Toby, 4 Dative, 6 Skillet, 7 Brosnan, 12/24 Raymond Chandler, 13 Mirages, 15 Carroll, 16 Starch, 17 Tench, 19 Spear, 21 Chin. Double Crossword Across: 1 Myths, 4 Carbon, 9 Rampage, 10 Stand, 11 Shoe, 12 Sundial, 13 Net, 14 Vile, 16 Edgy, 18 Bid, 20 Enlarge, 21 Call, 24 Units, 25 Cheroot, 26 Enlist, 27 Ditch. Down: 1 Morass, 2 Tempo, 3 Seat, 5 Assented, 6 Beating, 7 Nodule, 8 Least, 13 Neurosis, 15 Ill will, 17 Demure, 18 Bench, 19 Clutch, 22 Afoot, 23 Deed. Quickie Across: 1 Unzips, 4 Harass, 9 Tableau, 10 Aroma, 11 Usage, 12 Tadpole, 13 Poltergeist, 18 Moisten, 20 Conga, 22 Alien, 23 Promise, 24 Tender, 25 Remedy.

Span - Eng

Down: 1 Untrue, 2 Zebra, 3 Present, 5 Award, 6 Amorous, 7 Scales, 8 Guttersnipe, 14 Opinion, 15 Enclose, 16 Impact, 17 Lately, 19 Tense, 21 Noise.

Code Cracker

Friday 15th December 2017

MAKE IT A CLASSIC DATE! Next summer’s Silverstone Classic confirmed for 20-22 July

Next summer’s Silverstone Classic is now confirmed for the weekend of 20-22 July. The date had already been announced but remained ‘provisional’ until Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, formally ratified its 2018 calendar following a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council in Paris. With the British Grand Prix at Silverstone now rubber stamped for Sunday 8 July, the Silverstone Classic can officially take its place in the calendar a fortnight after Formula One headlines at the home of British motor racing. What’s more, though tickets have been on sale since October, cautious show-goers who were waiting for a verified date can still take advantage of the Super Early Bird offer available until the end of the year. Prices for these Super Early Bird tickets are frozen at 2017 levels and start from just £35 – a 20 per cent discount on Standard admission – with a three-day weekend pass currently available for £99. Details of all ticket prices, as well as hospitality and camping

options are available at silverstoneclassic.com. With the date for the dazzling three-day festival set in stone, full details of the on-and offtrack family entertainment will be announced in the coming months including the full roster of races, record-breaking car club anniversaries and the high-profile live music acts performing on both Friday and Saturday evenings. While the Silverstone Classic is renowned for serving up an incredible array of funfuelled activities and amusements for those all ages, it is the unrivalled line-up of evocative grids that remains the event’s heartbeat. As befits the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the event sets the gold standard when it comes to showcasing the cream of global historic action with more than 1,000 race entries dating back to the glorious heydays of Formula One, GT, Touring and Sports cars. Highlights of this year’s event can be viewed on ITV4 at 10:15 on Sunday 24 December.

STUDIO434 ACQUIRES SIR GEORGE MARTIN’S ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH

One of only nine bespoke Rolls-Royce Wraith models, produced by RollsRoyce to celebrate the global success of British popular music and one dedicated to the “fifth Beatle” the late Sir George Martin, has been acquired by the owner of Studio434, Rodger Dudding, and has now joined Rodger’s extensive collection of cars at his facility in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. The Sir George Martin’s signature Wraith has a number of important detailing elements including a celebration of Sir George’s 30 number-one hit singles with embroidery of each song title in the rear “waterfall” and the producer’s signature stitched into the headrests. Commenting on the car Sir George’s son Giles said, “My father had a huge

impact on British music during his career and this magnificent car is a tribute to a lifetime of achievement”. The Wraith was sold at an H&H Classics auction held at Kensington Palace to Rodger Dudding, a former Naval apprentice, and £66,667 of the price paid by Rodger went to The Fly Navy Heritage Trust of which Sir George was an ambassador and a previous observer in the Fleet Air Arm. Commenting on the acquisition Rodger Dudding said, ”I am proud to be the owner of this magnificent car and to support the nation’s naval aviation heritage. I know that Sir George wanted to ‘give back’ to a cause that he had personally given so much as a young man and I am thrilled to have this wonderful gem in my collection.”

WILLIAM MEDCALF VINTAGE BENTLEY TO HOST FIRST 2018 ‘DRIVE OUT’ ON JANUARY 7 After the overwhelming success of William Medcalf Vintage Bentley’s ‘Drive Out’ events in 2017, the West Sussex workshop and showroom is committed to opening its doors to the historic motoring community once again on Sunday 7 January. William Medcalf, who specialises in restoration and rally preparation of Bentleys from 1922 to 1932, held his first Drive Out event at the start of this year to something of a fanfare. The success of the inaugural event prompted an additional Drive Out day in the middle of the year, where motoring admirers were able to go to Goodwood circuit and enjoy a full demonstration of a World War Two Spitfire plane by a Spitfire pilot. The West Sussex showroom is home to some of the rarest and most valuable Bentleys ever made. Enthusiasts from across the country are now acquainted to the popular gatherings, where exclusive access to one of the world’s largest assemblies of vintage Bentleys is a paramount experience. The Drive Out days also offer an opportunity to converse and network with fellow devotees surrounded by some of the finest vehicles ever made. It’s been almost a century since W.O. Bentley fired up his first motorcar, but

interest in and love for the brand hasn’t dwindled and William Medcalf’s “Drive Out” events are a chance to go back and sample the very best of British motoring. Complimentary tours of the workshop facility will get under way from 10:00am on Sunday and refreshments are to be served throughout the morning. It is the perfect opportunity to discuss the cars and to talk about the upcoming activities for the 2018 season. Note, there will be no drive out this time, instead guests will be able to linger at Medcalf HQ to take in the spectacle until the event closes at 13.00. William Medcalf said: “Last January, we held the first ever Drive Out from William Medcalf Vintage Bentley and the success of the day required us to continue involving enthusiasts and aficionados with the cars we proudly showcase. “One year on, we are once again sincerely looking forward to welcoming visitors to our workshop, to get a sense of what it takes to keep some of the rarest and most beautiful Bentleys on the road and race circuits today. This is just the start of a great event calendar in 2018” To confirm your attendance at the event, please send an email to admin@vintagebentley.com.

ALL HAIL THE NEW TX ECITY LONDON TAXI

Today marks a momentous milestone in the life of the London taxi: LEVC (London EV Company)’s all-new electric TX taxi is now fully certified to carry fare-paying passengers. For the first time Londoners will be able to ride through the city’s streets in incredible comfort with technology at their fingertips, safe in the knowledge that they are sitting in the world’s cleanest, most advanced taxi ever. The new TX is a revolution for passengers who should expect unrivalled ride comfort, class leading wheelchair accessibility, air conditioning, phone charging and a much more spacious cabin with six seats. Features abound including wide opening rear hinged doors, power sockets for laptops, on-board wifi, contactless card machines and an expansive panoramic roof. Chris Gubbey, CEO of the LEVC, said:“After extensive testing, LEVC’s new taxi is ready to do the job it was made for: transport people around this great city of London safely, cleanly and stylishly. Better for passengers, more cost effective for drivers, it will play a major role in helping to improve air qual-

ity benefiting all Londoners. I am immensely proud of the work we have carried out so far: we have produced a new icon, the world’s most advanced electric taxi.” Having been put through the most rigorous testing regime in the company’s history, including extreme weather conditions in the Arctic Circle and Arizona, plus thousands of miles in the hands of real cab drivers in London, the new TX is ready to go to work – ahead of TfL’s January 2018 deadline when all newly licensed taxis need to be zero emission capable. Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, said: “These new electric taxis are at the forefront of green transport technology and will play a transformational role in the Mayor’s plan to phase out diesel and clean up the transport network. This will help to accelerate improvements to London's toxic air. “It’s great to have the first electric taxis on London’s streets and a testament to London’s leadership and that of LEVC. I look forward to seeing many more taxis on London's street in the coming months”.

MOIA PRESENTS RIDE POOLING CONCEPT WITH WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC RIDESHARING CAR MOIA wants to remove one million cars from cities

MOIA, the mobility startup from the Volkswagen Group, introduces its comprehensive ride pooling concept just one year after its inception. The MOIA concept provides new mobility options that will significantly reduce traffic in major cities. The startup will present its ride pooling ecosystem with the mission “One Million Cars off the Road” at TechCrunch in Berlin, where the self-designed MOIA car, that is fully electric and optimized for ride pooling services, will make its debut. “We started one year ago at TechCrunch in London with the vision of partnering with cities to improve the efficiency on their streets. We want to create a solution for the typical transport problems that cities face, such as traffic, air and noise pollution, and lack of space, while simultaneously helping them reach their sustainability goals. In a short time, we’ve laid the groundwork to add a new mobility component to the urban mix. In 2018, we’ll be ready to launch our ride pooling concept internationally and take the first steps toward our goal of reducing the number of cars in major cities by one million in Europe and the USA by 2025,” says Ole Harms, MOIA CEO. As a first project, the entire ecosystem including the newly designed car will launch in Hamburg at the end of 2018. “We’ll be able to offer the complete ride pooling value chain – as needed or just individual pieces,” says Harms. Various operator models will be possible and can be developed together with cities and partners. The last missing piece that of the complete pooling system is the MOIA car, which will be presented to the public for the first time at TechCrunch. In addition to the car, the system consists of a customer app, which passengers use to book and pay for a MOIA. The app shows which cars are available and how much the ride will cost before a customer books a trip. A pooling algorithm groups passengers with similar destinations together in order to increase the capacity for each car and to avoid detours. A driver app and comprehensive fleet management complete the system. The MOIA car is a fully electric car that provides space for up to six passengers to fit comfortably. The interior was designed to be spacious, with standalone seats, plenty of legroom, and enough space to move around and reach each seat with ease. The car was developed and designed exclusively for ride pooling services – every ride should be comfortable. Even those passengers who wish to have no contact with other passengers should feel comfortable onboard. The seats are equipped with convenience features such as dimmable reading lights and USB ports. Each car also offers fast WiFi for passengers. The optimized automatic door and handlebar make getting in and out of the car easy. And luggage can be stored in a spacious area next to the driver. “The car represents total comfort and is a crucial piece of our consistent service experience. We developed it using our co-creation process, which involved multiple rounds of potential users of various age groups testing cars and providing feedback.

Sport

Friday 15th December 2017

End Of The TV Judges

Golf’s infamous armchair vigilante squad has finally been disbanded. In moves which will delight professionals everywhere, including Lexi Thompson who was badly treated earlier this year, the game’s governing bodies have declared they will no longer consider viewer call-ins for rules infractions and will instead introduce the sport’s own version of the TMO. The 22-year-old American was on the way to the 13th tee in the final round of the ANA Inspiration in California when she was informed of a four-shot penalty. In that excruciating moment, Thompson went from three ahead to one behind, having been sanctioned two shots replacing her ball marker in an erroneous position on the 17th green during Saturday’s third round - and another two for signing for an incorrect score. The unnamed viewer had emailed in on Sunday afternoon. A working group led by the R&A and the US Golf Association - and also including representatives from the PGA Tour, European Tour and LPGA Tour – decided not to wait for the 2019 modernisation of the Rules of Golf and introduce this minor overhaul from the start of next year. So all those viewers who feel obligated to watch tournaments with one hand on the

Weekend Rugby

Last weekend’s FERRMUR Murcia federation rugby matches saw ITV Orihuela Vega Baja’s men’s team (action pictured) lose their home clash to Lorca by 28 points to 23. The result means that Orihuela are third in the table behind XV Rugby Murcia, and leaders Cartagena University, with Orihuela’s next match at XV Rugby Murcia this weekend. The Squalos Mar Menor team won their third match of the season, with a 13-nil

victory at XV Murcia B, and that puts them fifth in the table. They entertain bottom and winless side Totana at Torrevieja’s Nelson Mandela stadium tomorrow. The ITV Orihuela Vega Baja cadetes are away to Murcia University this weekend, whilst in the women’s division, Elche hope to get a 73-5 thrashing at Cartagena University out of their system, with a Sunday lunchtime clash with CUDER Murcia.

remote control and the other clutching a rules book can now just sit back and enjoy the action. As well as the videos changes, a new local rule has been announced that will discontinue the penalty for signing an incorrect scorecard when the player was unaware of the violation. So all those viewers who feel obligated to watch tournaments with one hand on the remote control and the other clutching a rules book can now just sit back and enjoy the action. As well as the videos changes, a new local rule has been announced that will discontinue the penalty for signing an incorrect scorecard when the player was unaware of the violation. “The message is, as a fan, enjoy watching the game and the best players in the world, but also have the confidence that the committee in charge have the rules handled,” Thomas Pagel, the USGA’s senior director, said. Padraig Harrington, Camilo Villegas and Tiger Woods have seen their hopes in events in recent years blow up because of eagle-eyed viewers flagging up misdemeanours only noticeable in slow motion.

Playas Youngsters

The Juvenil (youth) team of the Escuela Racing Playas de Orihuela deservedly came away with three valuable points from their visit last weekend to Algorfa Atletico, who are second in the league. It was a very dominant display from start to finish, with some great attacking play, which was backed up by some resolute defending in their four-one victory. The other results saw the Querubines side lose threetwo at home to Torrevieja,

whilst the Pre Benjamines won four-one at Almoradi. The Alvines also played their match away from home, and came away with a four-one win at Dolores; the Infantil Fed side beat San Bartolomé five-three; the Cadetes ran out threeone victors over Ilicitano Sporting; whilst the girls lost four-nil at home to Benidorm. More details on Escuela Racing Playas de Orihuela are available by visiting their Facebook page.

Torry Night Race

More than 500 runners from across the Costa Blanca took part in Torrevieja’s fifth Cross Nocturno La Purísima last Saturday evening (photo from the Información newspaper). The event organised by Torrevieja Athletics Club saw a record number of 540 participants running on a seven point two kilometre route

around the city, with some of the runners donning Santa hats for the race, or even competing alongside their dogs. There were a variety of different age categories across male and female sections, with the quickest runner being Morroco’s Hassane Ahouchar in a time of 21 minutes and 55 seconds.

Sport

www.thecourier.es

The Same Old Story

Away Day Defeat

CD TORREVIEJA 0 VILLAJOYOSA CF 0 Torrevieja’s home supporters one again were unable to witness their side able to find the back of the net, as the side returned to keeping a clean sheet after their three-nil defeat at Preferente Group Four leaders Hercules. It was a meeting between second-placed Villajoyosa and third-placed Torry, with both sides having gone off the boil recently, and the draw meant that Villajoyosa are still a point ahead of Torrevieja, who are now

joined on 27 points by Villena, Jove Espanol, and Alicante University. The Torry facts are that they are joint lowest scorers alongside Callosa Deportivo and Petrelense, whilst they have the best defensive record, with just eight goals conceded. A poor crowd at the Vicente Garcia stadium last Sunday witnessed a second-successive nil-nil scoreline, and it was the third successive match that Torry failed to find the back of the

net. They dominated the first half, but had nothing to show for it, whilst the visitors looked better the longer the match went on, and they would have been happier with the point. Torrevieja’s last match before the seasonal break sees them entertain 13th placed Elda this Sunday morning with an 11.45 am kick-off, with coach Pedreno certainly writing a letter to Father Christmas asking for a goalscorer as a present over the holiday.

CALPE CF 1 CD THADER 0 One of Thader’s most experienced players, defender Lloyd Dummett, returned to action in Sunday’s Preferente Group Four defeat at Calpe. Dummett has so far missed all of Thader’s season, as the side have struggled with injuries to key players, and he came on as a second-half substitute.

Unfortunately just seconds later in the 63rd minute, Connor got the only goal of the game, after a match that was even until that point. Thader had come off the back of a comfortable win over struggling Petrelense, whilst Calpe had drawn at Torrevieja and beaten leaders Hercules.

Despite conceding the goal, Thader battled hard, and would feel they deserved more from their trip to the northern Costa Blanca. They lie tenth in the table with 18 points, and go north again tomorrow (Saturday 16 December) for a 5.00 pm clash away to secondplaced Villajoyosa.

Free Scoring Monte

CALLOSA DEP B 1 CD MONTESINOS 5

More Almoradi Woe

JOVE ESPANOL 3 CD ALMORADI 1 Three successive defeats out of four outings for coach Coco has not been the greatest of starts for his tenure in charge of Almoradi (pictured in their away green kit at Jove), as they continue to slide down the Preferente Group Four table. The defeat at play-off contenders Jove Espanol means that Almoradi are just a point above the drop zone,

and it could get worse this Sunday morning as Coco’s strugglers entertain leaders Hercules with an 11.30 am kick-off. The only bright spot for Almoradi in their trip to Alicante last weekend was Hucha’s replacement striker Confi, who was signed from Racing San Miguel, getting his first goal for the club, as a late consolation, with a

couple of minutes remaining. Jove ran the show, scoring through Vendrell after seven minutes, and then Carlos making it two-nil in 21 minutes. Almoradi tried to fight back after the interval, but they were always secondbest, and Jove killed off the contest in the 73rd minute from Ibra.

On the back of putting seven goals past Cox, Montesinos scored another five at Callosa last Sunday morning to take them into third place in the Primera Regional Group Eight table. The result also means that Monte continue to be the division’s top scorers, yet Sunday’s clash was the proverbial game of two halves. Monte were awful in the first half and went in for a blast from their coach

Carlos Perez deservedly trailing one-nil at the whistle. He rang the changes in the second half with Maccan, Alex, German and Guirao all coming on, and they looked a different side. Luis struck a long-range free-kick into the top corner to draw level 10 minutes into the second half, and then the division´s top scorer, Vaz, lobbed the Callosa keeper in the 68th minute to put Monte ahead, before German added a third with

10 minutes remaining. Monte rubbed salt into the Callosa wound with two late strikes from Carlos Ventura, as the home side ended up being torn apart, in total contrast to what Monte produced in the first period. The final match of the year sees Montesinos entertain local rivals Racing San Miguel this Sunday 17 December with a 5.00 pm kick-off. Unfortunately, a large crowd are not expected.

Sport

Friday 15th December 2017

Unflustered Leaders

Bale’s Big Return

AL JAZIRA 1 REAL MADRID 2 VILLARREAL 0 BARCELONA 2 Goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were enough for Barcelona to pick up a win over 10-man Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday that keeps Barca on top of La Liga, as they remain five points clear of Valencia. The visitors were sluggish for long periods, but the dismissal of Villarreal's Dani Raba - in only his second La Liga match made their task that much easier for the final half hour. And the pressure told as Suarez finished smartly to give his side the lead in the 72nd minute, before Messi capitalised on some poor defending to make sure of the three points seven minutes from time - his 49th goal of the calendar year. Barcelona’s next match sees them welcome struggling Deportivo to the Nou Camp this Sunday.

Suarez Warning

Gareth Bale came off the bench to score Real Madrid's winning goal with his first touch in their Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Al Jazira on Wednesday. Bale, 28, scored moments after coming on for only his second appearance since suffering a calf injury in September. Al Jazira had taken a first-half lead through Brazilian forward Romarinho. Mbark Boussoufa then had a strike ruled out for offside by the virtual assistant referee before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised for Madrid. The Portuguese is now the all-time top scorer in Fifa Club World Cups with six - taking him past Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Cesar Delgado's five. The Club World Cup features Fifa's six reigning confederation champions plus the league winners, Al Jazira, of the host country, United Arab Emirates. Zinedine Zidane's side will now play Brazilian side Gremio in Saturday's final. Bale said: "It is great to get a goal. When you come on you like to make an impact like that. The most important thing is to get the win and get into the final.”

Mediocre Encounter

HERCULES CF 0 ELCHE 0 This local clash produced a decent away point for the Ilicitanos on Sunday, but over large periods of the match, the Alicante side were largely in charge and would have been disappointed not to have won. They certainly dominated proceedings in what was a pretty mediocre first half, with Elche keeper José Juan being kept busy, whilst at the other end all that the Ilicitanos produced was a speculative opportunity from Sory that was wide of the mark. They were fortunate to still be on level terms at the break and not to have been punished by Hercules. The entertainment value went up in the second period, and Elche starting getting into things and looked the team more likely to score towards the end, with substitute Collantes having a shot hit the post. All that being said, Elche lacked a lot of zip for a derby encounter that would not have needed much building up for in the dressing room, with supporters wondering what the club has achieved in recent weeks by sacking coach Vicente Mir when they were second in the Segunda Division B table. Under coach Josico they have slid to fifth-place and two points off the playoff positions. Their last match before the holiday break comes this Sunday at home to third from bottom Olot, and anything but a victory will leave the Ilicitanos fans in a very unseasonal frame of mind.

Five Star Real

Third Division News Luis Suarez has reportedly warned Barcelona against eyeing a deal for a new striker, or risk him leaving. That’s according to Diario Gol, who claim the Uruguay international is furious at rumours linking the likes of Antoine Griezmann to the Nou Camp. While Suarez is far from short of goals in La Liga with seven in 12 games, he has failed to find the net in six Champions League matches. And that has caused concern at Barcelona with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu keeping his options open about bringing in more firepower. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are ready to up their attempts to sign Eden Hazard from Chelsea with Zinedine Zidane demanding the transfer from Florentino Perez. Real were heavily linked with a move in the summer and Hazard has hinted he could be tempted to leave Chelsea on numerous occasions. Mundo Deportivo claims that Zidane has not given up hope of bringing the 26-year-old to the Bernabeu. It is said the Real boss held a meeting with Perez stating his desire to sign Hazard at the end of the season. And Zidane believes Hazard could be the perfect partner to Ronaldo in Real’s frontline.

REAL MADRID 5 SEVILLA 0 Real Madrid blew Sevilla away with a first-half blitz at the Bernabeu last Saturday after dishing out a comprehensive 5-0 thrashing. Last week’s Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, had a quick-fire double strike, after Nacho had opened the scoring after just three minutes. Toni Kroos then converted a superb breakaway goal before 19-year-old Achraf Hakimi coolly slotted in his first goal for the club three minutes before the interval to put Real five clear at the break, and that was it for the goal action. Sorry Sevilla attempted to salvage some pride in the second half but despite Real easing off the pace and substituting their key men, the hosts almost had a sixth when Karim Benzema headed against the woodwork. With Real in Club World Cup action tomorrow, the next La Liga match for them is the small matter of an El Clasico clash a week tomorrow, as they entertain Barcelona, who have an eight point lead over Real.

Second-placed Orihuela entertain fourth-placed Castellon this Sunday in their last home Valencia regional third division match before the holiday break. After their last midweek point at Eldense last week (squad pictured above), Orihuela are two points behind leaders Levante, who they then go to next Wednesday for a big preXmas six pointer. Crevillente’s recent run came to a halt last week with a Wednesday two-one home defeat to Paterna, and they are now ninth in the table, with 26 points, some 12 points behind Orihuela. They have the perfect opportunity to bounce back at secondbottom Almazora this Sunday morning with an 11.45 am kickoff, in what will be their last game before the seasonal break. Two more games remain for Elche Ilicitano before Christmas, as they lie just above the relegation zone. Firstly they’re at home tomorrow afternoon to Rayo Ibense (3.00 pm kick-off), with the visitors three points better off than Elche, and then go on their midweek travels to sixth-placed Eldense. The third division table therefore has Levante on top (40 points); Orihuela second (38 points); with La Nucia third (34 points) and Castellon fourth (34 points). The first set of games in 2017 are scheduled to take place on Sunday January 7th.

Spanish Double

www.thecourier.es

Froome’s Defence

FIXTURES 20:45 20:45

13:30 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 18:30

The International Tennis Federation has announced that Spanish duo Rafael Nadal and Garbine Muguruza have been named the 2017 ITF World Champions. Nadal receives the honour for the third time, while it is the first year Muguruza has been recognised. This is the first time since Americans Pete Sampras and Lindsay Davenport in 1998 that the men’s and women’s ITF world champions are from the same country. In their first seasons together, Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Marcelo Melo of Brazil, and Chan Yun-Jan of Chinese Taipei and the recently-retired Martina Hingis of Switzerland are named Doubles World Champions. David Wagner of USA becomes the inaugural ITF Quad Wheelchair World Champion; while Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina is named Men’s Wheelchair World Champion for the first time, and Japan’s Yui Kamiji earns her second Women's Wheelchair World Champion honour. The ITF World Champions will receive their awards at the 2018 ITF World Champions Dinner on Tuesday 5 June, in Paris, during Roland Garros.

Season Finale

La Manga Club rolled out the red carpet and put on the style as golfers from across Europe gathered at the resort in this month’s season-ending La Manga Club Golf Open. While the majority of the continent shivered in sub-zero temperatures, around 150 players from Spain, northern Europe and the UK headed to the Mar Menor to compete under sunny skies in the popular 54-hole event – the 17th successive year it has been held. This year’s tournament – which also featured a halfway cut and a consolation plate competition – took place on La Manga Club’s famed North and South courses, with men and women competing in a number of different categories for an array of top prizes. There was a popular success in the men’s event with England’s Ian McMeekin, a regular participant, taking overall victory with 103 Stableford points, while Spain’s Arceli Huici claimed the top prize in the ladies’ event.

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Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome says his legacy will not be tainted after returning an "adverse" drugs test at the Vuelta a Espana. The Team Sky rider had double the allowed level of legal asthma drug salbutamol in his urine. In a BBC interview in Mallorca, the 32-year-old said he "knows the rules" and there was "no wrongdoing". "I understand this comes as a big shock to people," he said. "I certainly haven't broken any rules here." Cycling's world governing body the UCI wants more details from Team Sky and says Froome is not suspended. The use of salbutamol is permitted, without the need of a therapeutic use exemption (TUE), but only within certain doses. Froome says he increased his dosage but it was within the legal limits, adding he was "only too happy" to help the UCI "fill in the blanks". Asked whether he felt his legacy was permanently tainted, Froome said: "No." He added: "I can understand a lot of people's reactions, especially given the history of the sport. This is not a positive test. "The sport is coming from a very dark background and I have tried to do everything through my career to show that the sport has turned around." Froome says he took his team doctor's advice to up his inhaler use after his asthma symptoms got worse during the Vuelta. He became the first Briton to win the three-week race around Spain, which finished in September - two months after his latest Tour de France victory. He was notified of the "adverse analytical finding" on 20 September 2017. The urine test, taken on 7 September, showed levels of salbutamol, which is commonly taken for asthma, were at 2,000 nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml). That compares to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (Wada) threshold of 1,000 ng/ml. "I have been a professional cyclist now, treating my symptoms and racing with asthma, for 10 years," said Froome. "I know what those rules are, I know what those limits are and I have never been over those limits”. "I have got a very clear routine when I use my inhaler and how many times. I have given all that information to the UCI to help get to the bottom of it." Dr Tom Bassindale, an anti-doping scientist at Sheffield Hallam University, expects Froome to have laboratory tests to try to explain the abnormal result. But he said he was surprised a drug as common as salbutamol had caused this issue. "The regulations allow the athlete to go through a controlled experiment where he will replicate the dosage taken and try so show why his body might have a different physiological make-up which gave the result," he told BBC Sport.

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Friday 15 December English Football League - Championship Sheffield Wednesday V. Whampton Wanderers English Football League - League Two Swindon Town V. Colchester United Saturday 16 December English Premier League Leicester City V. Crystal Palace Arsenal V. Newcastle United Brighton and Hove Albion V. Burnley Chelsea V. Southampton Stoke City V. West Ham United Watford V. Huddersfield Town Manchester City V. Tottenham Hotspur English Football League - Championship Birmingham City V. Queens Park Rangers Bolton Wanderers V. Burton Albion Brentford V. Barnsley Bristol City V. Nottingham Forest Derby County V. Aston Villa Ipswich Town V. Reading Leeds United V. Norwich City Millwall V. Middlesbrough Preston North End V. Sheffield United Sunderland V. Fulham Cardiff City V. Hull City English Football League - League One AFC Wimbledon V. Wigan Athletic Blackburn Rovers V. Charlton Athletic Doncaster Rovers V. Oldham Athletic Gillingham V. Bristol Rovers Northampton Town V. Walsall Portsmouth V. Bury Rochdale V. Oxford United Rotherham United V. Plymouth Argyle Scunthorpe United V. MK Dons Shrewsbury Town V. Blackpool Southend United V. Bradford City English Football League - League Two Barnet V. Morecambe Cambridge United V. Newport County Carlisle United V. Port Vale Coventry City V. Cheltenham Town Crewe Alexandra V. Crawley Town Exeter City V. Stevenage Forest Green Rovers V. Luton Town Lincoln City V. Accrington Stanley Mansfield Town V. Yeovil Town Notts County V. Grimsby Town Wycombe Wanderers V. Chesterfield Scottish Premiership Aberdeen V. Hibernian Dundee V. Partick Thistle Hamilton Academical V. Ross County Kilmarnock V. Motherwell Rangers V. St. Johnstone Scottish Championship Falkirk V. Brechin City Inverness Caledonian Thistle V. Dumbarton Livingston V. Morton Queen of the South V. Dundee United St. Mirren V. Dunfermline Athletic Scottish League One Alloa Athletic V. Arbroath East Fife V. Ayr United Queen's Park V. Airdrieonians Raith Rovers V. Albion Rovers Stranraer V. Forfar Athletic Scottish League Two Annan Athletic V. Stirling Albion Berwick Rangers V. Peterhead Cowdenbeath V. Clyde Edinburgh City V. Stenhousemuir Montrose V. Elgin City Sunday 17 December English Premier League West Bromwich Albion V. Manchester United Bournemouth V. Liverpool English Football League - League One Fleetwood Town V. Peterborough United Scottish Premiership Heart of Midlothian V. Celtic Monday 18 December English Premier League Everton V. Swansea City Tuesday 19 December English League Cup Arsenal V. West Ham United Leicester City V. Manchester City Scottish Championship Livingston V. Falkirk Scottish League One Stranraer V. Albion Rovers Scottish League Two Cowdenbeath V. Stenhousemuir

Information correct at time of publication but subject to change at short notice.

Sport

BAILLY CONCERN

TOO HOT TO HANDLE Manchester United defender Eric Bailly may need surgery on a "serious" ankle injury, says manager Jose Mourinho. The 23-year-old centre-back was injured while on duty with the Ivory Coast, and has not played for United since the start of last month. Bailly was the first player that Mourinho signed for United, joining from Villarreal in the summer of 2016.

OZIL’S PICK

Is the Premier League title chase realistically done and dusted as a contest ahead of the Xmas and New Year programme? Perhaps so (writes ALEX TRELINSKI), as having won over Manchester United, who were left crying over spilt milk last Sunday, Manchester City are 11 points clear of the old enemy, and handed out a midweek thrashing to bottom side Swansea into the bargain. City are seeking a 16th consecutive Premier League win this Saturday (6.30 pm kick-off), having extended their record to 15 against Swansea in midweek. Right now, nobody looks like being able to do anything about Pep Guardiola’s team, even for a Tottenham side returning back into form. Tottenham too were also victorious in midweek, with a third straight win in all competitions (two-nil at home Brighton), and mixed in with fortune from results elsewhere, that victory helped them climb back into the Premier League top four.

Vincent Kompany is a doubt for tomorrow, having missed the league leader’s trip to Swansea in midweek, whilst Spurs will be without Davinson Sanchez who is serving the third and final game of a three-match ban. Manchester United will almost certainly face a 14-point gap when they take on West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthornes on Sunday afternoon, with the Baggies getting an excellent midweek point at Anfield. After a routine win at Huddersfield (early season forgotten for the new boys as they continue to slide down the table), third-placed Chelsea will be confident of inflicting more misery at the Bridge against Southampton. The Saints must still be reeling from their heavy home defeat at the hands of Leicester City, especially with newish Foxes boss Claude Paul having the last laugh against his former side. Paul has done a great job so far (eigth in the table), and they welcome Crystal Palace for the Saturday lunchtime clash (1.30 pm kick-off).

SPANISH SHOWDOWN? Mesut Ozil, 29, would favour a move to Manchester United rather than Barcelona if he leaves Arsenal, according to UK reports. Ozil's agent has told Barcelona they must make a decision on whether or not to sign the Arsenal playmaker in the next fortnight. Meanwhile Barca captain Andres Iniesta says Liverpool forward Philippe Coutinho would be an "important reinforcement" for his club should they move for him in January.

British world boxing WBA and IBF champion Anthony Joshua could defend his heavyweight belts in Spain next year in a clash with Joseph Parker. Joseph Parker's promoter David Higgins has said that the deal to fight Anthony Joshua is "close" but there's still work to be done from both sides. Joshua, who is the reigning WBA and IBF world heavyweight champion, could fight WBO champion Parker from New Zealand as soon as March, with Higgins saying that Spain and Germany are potential venues for hosting the fight, along with the UK. Parker, who hasn't fought since beating Hughie Fury in Sept, recently revealed to broadcaster ESPN that a fight with Joshua is "close" to being finalised and his promoter

has further stated that the potential bout could go overseas to mainland Europe. "We all know the English and a lot of Europeans like a holiday in Spain," Higgins said. "There's a lot of expats in Spain. An event that size would attract maybe 50 thousand visitors that would stay maybe three or four nights. It would bring tens of millions of business into part of Spain.” "I reckon if you put it in a place like Barcelona it would still sell out. It would be a great weekend. Because it's not in peak season, it definitely has an economic benefit.” Joshua last fought in October at the Principality Stadium, retaining his belts via a 10th round stoppage over Carlos Takam.