Issuu

My La Marina

with local councillor

Darren Parmenter

Darren, what were you doing before you came to La Marina?

I was born and bred in East London, and worked as a Civil Servant for the Ministry of Defence in London in civilian personnel and then for an army branch. After eight years, I decided it was time for a change and joined a Recruitment Consultancy dealing with construction staff of all levels. I was there three years before moving to Spain to join my parents in 1989.

When did you come to La Marina?

After spending two years living with my parents in Campello I went to an exhibition in Benidorm and bought a small property in La Marina off plan. I moved here in September 1991 and my parents bought the house (where I currently live) in an adjoining street and also moved here in 1994. My Mum and Dad lived in La Marina until their deaths in 2010 and 2022 respectively.

What have you been doing in La Marina?

I have done a lot of things! I hosted Quiz Nights in the area, including Torrevieja and Ciudad Quesada, for 28 years, only stopping when I was elected to the council in 2019. I also achieved a long-standing ambition by working for a number of the local Englishspeaking radio stations between 2003 and 2015, and again briefly in 2021 during the pandemic. I have also worked as a reporter and writer for some of the ‘free’ English newspapers, and was News Editor for one of the, sadly, short lived publications.

How, and why, did you get involved with local politics?

Whilst being involved with the ‘free’ English newspapers in the area, I realised, as I was writing about them on a weekly basis, that other municipalities across the Vega Baja and Alicante Province were providing services and implementing initiatives that I’d never seen here in La Marina. I’d always said that I have no wish to change the way Spain does its politics…but I did want to introduce new ideas into the local area!

I had the honour to be elected in 2019 and was proud to serve as Councillor for Tourism and International Relations for four years. My overriding determination in that role was to help put the area back on the map after many years of ridicule and negativity and I consider that was achieved. What’s your favourite thing about La Marina?

Apart from meeting many people who have become life-long friends, some sadly no longer with us and much missed, my favourite thing is the wonderful choice of bars, cafés and restaurants on, as well as all the different supermarkets. We are genuinely spoilt and the variety of gastronomy on offer to suit all tastes and budgets is unique in the area.

And the future?

If everything goes to plan, I would like to continue to be a working Councillor until 2031 - the year I reach 70! After that, who knows? If I’m enjoying good health at the time and still have the desire, I might continue in politics; if not, I’d like to travel more around Spain taking advantage for the first time ever of being a pensioner!

For more info about the Seniors Friendship Association: ��Whatsapp 711 084 903

��C/Madrid 109, La Marina

��Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10.30am to 1.00pm

Alan Clayton is a retired gentleman living in Urb. La Marina and has lived in Spain for 22 years. This year Alan has decided to do a sponsored walk for 2 local charities the AAN & DEBRA.

In the UK Alan completed many walks in the Pennines so is clearly used to long distance and remote terrain. In early September Alan will set out to walk 1,000 Kilometres to complete the famous pilgrimage walk, The Camino de Santiago. Alan is going to complete the Via de la Plata, the longest route, starting from Seville, this will take Alan approximately 2 months to complete. Sue´s Kitchen at CC Bahia de las Dunas will be sponsoring Alan´s travel arrangements, if any other business or person would like to help with Alan´s expenses please contact either charity so this can be organised.

There will be sponsorship forms at Sue´s Kitchen, AAN Charity Shop Plaza Sierra Castilla No. 42 & the DEBRA Charity

Shop on Consum Square and hopefully many other outlets in Urb. La Marina, please help Alan to support his chosen charities and give him as much support as possible to complete this amazing walk.

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languages various languages residencia

Agent

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THE WRITING GROUP

Imagine !!!

By Paddy Christie

Just imagine how dull life would be if we could not dream of a future to see Picture in our minds a vision of life smiles on our faces without any strife. Conjuring images of events to unfold

unleashing pleasure like rainbows of gold

Immersed in our thoughts, forgetting life´s cares .in that very moment God answers our prayers.

Dreaming imagining is our safe space where we go when difficulties we face. Putting right to wrongs around us today we deliver the answer to save the day. Whether winning the lotto or scoring a goal beating dreaded cancer or taking control

Our imagination is personal our escapism real just be in the moment it´s no big deal.

Sometimes however we let a negative thought invade our mind´s eye causing us fraught Banish that impulse, give it the boot Always, think positive, help it take root.

COURAGE

By Carol Garret

A mother bird perched on a beam waiting patiently. Three babies flown, they were so brave proud she was to see. And now today one baby left lonely in the nest.

It cannot leave this warm soft place scared to fail the test

The mother bird sits quietly next to chick she’d bred.. Flap your wings fly high and soar the world awaits, she said. Baby flaps she soars airborne. Look at me, I fly . Courage found with mother’s help reaching for the sky.

Children too can be like birds not always brave to go. Encouragement is what they need Mother’s love to grow

Transfixed!!! By Paddy Christie

Following his wife´s death Peter returned to electrical jobs around the area. Today it´s a dishwasher. Arriving at the house he was greeted by a lady in her forties. Having completed his work, she offered him a cuppa. His eyes fixed on a picture hanging on the wall. He stood transfixed.

“That was my mum” Mary explained.

“Margaret Barnes” Peter blurted.

“Did you know her?”

“She was my first love” Peter explained “her family left Manchester and we lost touch”.

“ Yes, they moved to York. I was born shortly afterwards” Mary replied.

Peter was dumbstruck. This is probably his daughter.

The Writing Group is a friendly mix of local creatives who meet every second Tuesday at 11am in The Palm Tree Bar, La Marina, to share ideas, write for fun, and enjoy supportive, relaxed company.

For more info, email Paddy at paddychristie7@gmail.com or call/ whatsapp him on 634 343 956

La Marina Street Cats APPEAL

These 6 darling kittens were abandoned in the countryside. They are now with La Marina Street Cats and looking for a home. If you can help please call/Whatsapp Lorraine on 00 44 7485 585132 or email lorrainjohnson123@yahoo.com.

And...please come along to the La Marina Street Cats Beetle Drive at Bar 13 (23 July at 3.30pm).

LEGAL MATTERS

For years, property buyers in the Valencian Community have endured exceptionally high transfer taxes. However, June 2026 marks a historic turning point as the regional government officially attempts to rebrand the area as a Mediterranean tax haven through a series of significant reductions to ease the financial burden on citizens and property investors alike.

Second-Hand Property Tax (ITP): For a long time, the Property Transfer Tax remained at a flat rate of 10% for second-hand properties. As of June 1st, 2026, the general ITP rate has been slashed from 10% to 9% for properties valued up to €1 million, providing real savings for buyers.

Stamp Duty (AJD): This specific tax, tied directly to extension deeds, mortgages, and new properties, has also taken a step downward, moving from 1.5% to 1.4%.

with L&A Solicitors

Income Tax (IRPF) Relief: The regional government approved a reduction targeting their specific slice of Personal Income Tax. This measure is retroactive for the entire 2026 fiscal year and benefits 2.7 million taxpayers, with middle-income earners seeing the most significant relief when filing next year.

Inheritance Tax Breaks: Fiscal relief has expanded to the extended family tree—specifically siblings, uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces. Inheritances and gifts to these groups now benefit from a 25% tax allowance, which will increase to 50% by June 2027.

In short, while it may not be a fiscal revolution, it is a remarkably pleasant change of pace, creating a highly welcoming climate for anyone entering the Valencian property market. Note: Always consult official information sources for the most accurate and up-to-date guidelines.

SPANISH TIPS WITH CHRISTIAN

Navigating the electricity market in Spain can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down makes it highly manageable. The market is split into two systems: the regulated market (Mercado Regulado) and the free market (Mercado Libre).

Choosing between them dictates how much you pay and when.

1. Understanding the Two Markets

In the regulated market, the government sets the tariff, known as PVPC (Precio Voluntario para el Pequeño Consumidor). Under PVPC, electricity prices change every hour based on the wholesale market. It requires you to actively track prices, but it is often the most cost-effective option for households that can shift their energy use.

Conversely, the free market features private companies offering a variety of plans, including flat rates where you pay a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) regardless of the time. While this offers predictable budgeting, it usually comes with a 10% to 20% premium over the average regulated price.

2. Time-of-Day Tariffs (The 2.0TD Structure)

Whether you choose the regulated PVPC or a time-of-use plan in the free market, your consumption is divided into three distinct time bands from Monday to Friday:

• Punta (Peak): The most expensive periods. These run from 10:00 to 14:00 and 18:00 to 22:00. Avoiding heavy appliance use during these hours will protect your wallet.

Compare Electricity Rates in Spain+ 1

• Llano (Flat): The intermediate price bands. These occur from 08:00 to 10:00, 14:00 to 18:00, and 22:00 to midnight.

• Valle (Off-Peak): The cheapest hours. This window runs from midnight to 08:00. Crucially, all weekends and national holidays are classified entirely as Valle hours.

Savings Tip: Running your washing machine, dishwasher, or climate control systems overnight or during the weekend can substantially lower your monthly bill.

Here at La Marina Languages we have been helping many students learning Spanish for the last 4 years. Check out our website and say “hola”.

Christian is based in La Marina and offers one-to-one Spanish lessons at all levels (on-line or face to face). He will also accompany you as a translator for visits to doctors, lawyers, notary – whatever you need!

Tel/Whatsapp: 623 279 074 lamarinalanguages@gmail.com www.lamarinalanguages.com

3. Changing Providers

If you´re looking to change your supplier to cut your energy supplier there are a number of options so do your research. Alternatively there are businesses who can do it for you... for example are advertiser Livewire Electrical who could save you up to 40% on your current bill.

See their advert and details on the page next to this one!

4. Useful Spanish Phrases for Customer Service

When contacting an electricity provider to set up or change a service, having a few key Spanish sentences ready will help you navigate the conversation smoothly:

"Quiero dar de alta la luz." (I want to set up/ activate the electricity.)

"¿Cuál es mi número CUPS?" (What is my CUPS number? — This is your property´s unique 20-22 character electricity ID code.)

"Quiero cambiar a la tarifa PVPC." (I want to switch to the PVPC regulated tariff.)

"¿Tiene permanencia este contrato?" (Does this contract have a minimum stay penalty?)

"¿Me puede enviar la última factura?" (Can you send me the latest bill?)

Soul Notes The Light Within

by Nicola Dunsford

Hello Amazing Soul,

July carries the fullness of summerlonger days, golden light and a natural sense of expansion. The warmth of the sun invites us outdoors, energising the mind, body and soul. Beyond its physical warmth, the sun is a spiritual symbol of life force, clarity, and renewal.

Just as the earth turns toward the light to grow and flourish, we too are invited to reconnect with our own inner radiance. Summer reminds us that vitality begins within.

The Fire Element and Personal Energy

The energy of summer is closely connected to the fire element. Fire transforms, energises, and illuminates. In balance, it brings warmth, confidence, creativity, and motivation. When our inner fire is dimmed, we may feel depleted, uninspired, or disconnected from joy.

Reconnecting with this energy does not mean pushing ourselves harder or constantly staying busy. True vitality comes from being fully present with life and allowing energy to flow naturally through us.

The sun teaches us that beautifully. It shines steadily, without force or striving.

Receiving Energy from Nature

One of the simplest ways to restore vitality is to consciously connect with natural light and the rhythms of the outdoors.

Try this gentle practice:

Step outside for a few quiet moments each morning or evening.

Close your eyes and turn your face softly toward the warmth of the sun.

Breathe slowly and imagine golden light

Awakening Vitality Through The Energy of the Sun

filling your body with calm energy and renewal.

With each inhale, silently repeat: “I welcome light, vitality, and balance”

A few mindful moments in nature can restore both energy and presence.

Awakening the Inner Fire

Summer is also a time to nourish the passions, creativity, and joy that make you feel alive.

You may wish to:

Move your body in ways that feel energising and uplifting.

Spend time near water or nature to balance and restore your energy.

Use sound, breathwork, or meditation to awaken clarity and inspiration.

Vitality grows when we allow ourselves to experience life fully, rather than simply move through it on autopilot.

Balancing Fire with Rest

While summer energy can feel expansive, balance is still important. Too much fire can lead to burnout, restlessness, or emotional overwhelm. The invitation is not to do more, but to remain connected to your centre while enjoying the energy of the season.

Moments of stillness, hydration, rest, and quiet reflection help keep the inner flame steady.

Closing Reflection

The sun reminds us that light already exists within us. We do not need to chase vitality; we simply need to reconnect with what nourishes and awakens us naturally. May this season help you honour your inner fire, embrace joyful energy, and move through life with warmth, clarity, and renewed spirit.

Wishing you a radiant and soul-filled July, Namaste

Nicola is a Spiritual Life Coach and Energy Healer who leads the Soul Café. The group gathers fortnightly on Wednesday mornings.For more details, please call/message Nicola on 634 199 029 (phone or WhatsApp).

Brenda Bentley tells us about the AAN Charity – helping the needy of San Fulgencio and La Marina.

AAN stands for ´Asociacion de Ayuda Necesitado´ (´Help and assistance when needed´).

AAN was started 16 years ago by Pauline Prior (now back in the UK) and registered as a charity in 2014. It began with Pauline and her husband, Peter, doing quiz nights and using the money raised to buy essentials to help a handful of needy families.

Over the years AAN has grown – we have our shop in Plaza Sierra Castilla and we have up to 80 families a month that we help – spending an average of 3000 euros a month on food and cleaning and personal hygiene products.

The families are referred to us by local Social Services – we don´t have access to addresses or phone numbers for reasons of privacy but the families are given an AAN identification number so that we can keep track of the help we´re providing.

Food and other products are ordered from Dialprix and the families can then collect them once a month from the Catholic church here in La Marina ((on Calle Justo Antonio Quesada) where we have a large storage room.

AAN CHARITY

Asociacion De Ayuda Necesitado 'Help & assistance where or when necessary'

WE CURRENTLY HAVE THESE CUPBOARDS AND PUSHCHAIR AVAILABLE FOR SALE

They can be viewed at the church –come into the shop or call Brenda on 634 301 070 for more details.

And...every Christmas we do our ´Shoe Box Appeal”. I make a list of boys and girls from the families we help, with their ages, and people can put a gift in the box with a note detailing which child they think the gift would be suitable for – we usually manage to give two or three special Christmas gifts to each child!

Also, this year we have held two fashion (see the pictures on this page!), two race nights and we still have to come our Christmas Market on the 21st of November and our Gala Dinner on the 12th of December.

CLINICA VETERINARIA

GRAN ALACANT EXOTICS

Calle Holanda 9, MASA Square I T: 966 698 569

Monday - Friday 10:00 -13:00 & 17:00 - 20:00 Saturday 10:00 -13:00

Liliana Aldeguer Cerdán 793

English translation by Sergio Reina Esteban col 747

ENTERING AND LEAVING EU WITH PETS. WHAT’S NEW?

As everyone should know, travelling with pets from UK to EU and vice versa, despite successive agreements, became more difficult (and expensive) after Brexit. Since British European Pet Passports were no longer valid, a new document, the “famous” £200 British Health Certificate, appeared, so, no longer £0 for coming, €30-something for returning. But a temporary solution appeared: “making” the dog (or cat, or ferret; other species have a different regulation) “Spanish”. It was a good solution which allowed owners to save a lot of money.

The only problem was the mandatory rabies injection for keeping the passport valid had to be renewed in EU territory, since only EU Vets were allowed to sign injections at the passport. If you let rabies expire, EU Passport stopped being valid, so, back to the £200 certificate.

So far, so good, but somebody at EU realised, and then Delegated Regulation EU- 2026/131 appeared. It’s basically a reminder of the very well known importexport requirements for pets when entering and leaving EU (mandatory microchipping and rabies injection, 21 days period after the injection before being allowed to cross the border, countries from which pets are not allowed to enter the EU unless they prove they have an acceptable rabies antibodies titre, etc), except for article 18. In this article EU says the animal must have a valid passport or health certificate issued AT THE COUNTRY WHERE ANIMAL AND OWNER HAVE THEIR HABITUAL RESIDENCE. What does this mean? Now we have two different cases:

- let’s suppose you are an expat who have a home in Spain, and this home is your habitual residence, so you are registered at local Town Hall and everything, and you want to spend some time at the UK visiting your relatives or anything you want. In this

case, nothing to worry about: the Spanish (or other EU country) passport of your pet keeps being valid and you can come and go the same way you have been doing all the time. Of course, watch out for rabies injection expiration day, because if it happens while you are at the UK, no English Vet is allowed to update an EU passport, so this would imply back to £200 certificate for returning to your Spanish home.

-If you live at the UK, and you are registered there, and you are a tourist who is coming to EU for your holidays, even if you have a home here, you cannot apply for an EU passport for your pet, so, your only option is £200 certificate. Bad luck.

The only “good” thing with this new regulation, which is valid from last April, is EU will consider valid the health certificate for 6 months, which initially means if you are travelling 2 or more times from UK to EU in less than 6 months, you have to apply for £200 certificate just once. Another small (and not price-increasing) new thing that appears at 2026/131 is: if the animal is travelling with a person who is not the official owner, a signed authorization will be required.

Would it be a simpler and not so expensive way to travel abroad and returning with pets? Sure it is, but it would imply inventing a time machine for returning to the nonBrexitera. Sorry.

• BINNEN- & BUITENZONWERING

• INSECT HOR SYSTEMEN

• ROLLUIKEN

• IN & OUTDOOR SHADING

• INSECT SCREENS

• ROLLER SHUTTERS

Levert maatwerk sinds 2016. Bent u woonachtig of gevestigd aan de Costa Blanca? Dan komen wij graag bij u langs voor een vrijblijvende offerte.

Providing custom solutions since 2016. Do you live or are you located in the Costa Blanca? Then we will be happy to visit you for a no-obligation quote.

Cooking with Sue

Sue has been making us delicious home-made dishes at Sue´s Kitchen, here in La Marina, for over 3 years... and we´ve persuaded her to share some of her secrets with us!

Ingredients

For the sweet shortcrust pastry:

175g plain flour

100g butter, cubed

2tbsp icing sugar

1 egg, beaten

For the lemon filling:

Finely grated zest and juice of 3 large lemons

75g caster sugar

40g cornflour

4 large egg yolks

For the meringue topping:

4 large egg whites

200g caster sugar

Sue's Kitchen Centro Comercial

Bahia De Las Dunas, C/Mar

Mediterraneo 8, Unit 4, La Marina

03177 | Open Tues to Sat 9am – 4pm

SUE ALSO DOES OUTSIDE CATERING! FOR MORE INFO POP INTO SUE'S OR CALL/WHATSAPP 660 850 464

Instructions

You will need a 23cm fluted, loosebottomed tart tin.

First, make the pastry. Measure the flour, butter and icing sugar into a mixer. Whizz until the mix resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg and whizz again until the pastry comes together being careful not to over mix. Roll the pastry into a ball – lightly dust a work surface with flour and roll the pastry until flat, thin and slightly larger than the tart tin. Line the base and sides of the tin with the pastry then prick the base of the pastry with a fork and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 200C (Gas mark 6). To bake the pastry blind, line it with nonstick baking paper and fill with baking beans. Bake in a pre-heated oven for about 15 minutes then take out of oven and remove baking paper and beans. Return the pastry to the oven and bake for a further 5-10 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Reduce oven temperature to 160C (Gas mark 3).

Now make the Lemon filling:

Measure the lemon zest and juice, caster sugar and cornflour into a sauce pan and mix well. Gradually pour in 300ml of cold water, stirring all the time then whisk over a medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat.

Beat the egg yolks with a small whisk and add them to the lemon mixture in the pan, whisk again and and pour into the pastry case.