Gran alacant news 001 22 december 2017

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

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Gran Alacant News

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Welcome to Gran Alacant News We wish you all a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

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WHAT’S ON Locally!

Pages 17-19

KNOCK DOWN OR KNOCK HEADS? Gran Alacant News investigates why the Arenales Hotel remains in ruins PAGE 3

Furniture & Decor Store Tel. 966 698 661

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Page 2

USEFUL NUMBERS

Emergencies – 112 Fire Station – 085 Local Police (Gran Alacant) - 96 669 7749 Local Police (Santa Pola) - 96 541 11 03 Guardia Civil - 96 541 12 90 Red Cross – 96 541 69 36 Town Hall 96 669 77 49 Hidraqua - 900 210 100 Hidraqua (Leaks/Problems) 900 101 270 Iberdrola - 901 202 020 Airport - 96 691 9000 Library - 96 669 7110 Sports Centre - 96 667 8152 Health Centre - 96 691 2360 Health Centre Santa Pola - 96 691 5300 Tourist Office - 96 669 6052 SUMA - 96 529 2036 Taxis - 96 541 11 11 - 96 541 2525

Gran Alacant News

LOCAL WEATHER - Your fornightly forecast

Malcolm Palmer The Sports P20 Review GRAN ALACANT TOURIST TRAIN

Timetable FROM 16/SEPTEMBER TO 15/OCTOBER Monday to Sundays 10:00h to 14:00h and from 16:00h to 22:00h FROM 16/OCTOBER TO 31/MARCH Tuesday to Saturday 11:00h to 14:00h No service on Sundays or Mondays.

Exchange Rate 1.13 Euro = 1.00 Pound

FROM 01/APRIL TO 31/MAY Monday to Saturday 10:00h to 14:00h and from 16:00h to 20:00h

Last 7 days

Sundays 11:00h to 14:00h

Dec

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

Average prices

Fuel (Unleaded 95) Spain: €1.199 UK: €1.316 European Average: €1.265 Property UK: €255,794 SPAIN: €110,410

SUNRISE & SET

Rise Set 15 December 08:10 17:44 16 December 08:11 17:44 17 December 08:11 17:44 18 December 08:12 17:45 19 December 08:13 17:45 20 December 08:13 17:46 21 December 08:14 17:46 22 December 08:14 17:47 23 December 08:14 17:47 24 December 08:15 17:48 25 December 08:15 17:48 26 December 08:16 17:49 27 December 08:16 17:50 28 December 08:16 17:50

Stop for annual maintenance From 07/January to 31/January.

BUS TIMES Gran Alacant: Same as Santa Pola + 5 SANTA POLA - ALICANTE

Monday to Friday Santa Pola: 6.00am. 6.45. 7.10. 8.05.

8.25. 9.00. 9.30. 10.30. 11.00. 12.00.

13.00. 13.30. 14.30. 15.30. 16.00. 17.00.

18.00. 19.00. 20.00. 21.15.

(10.00 - Only Mondays)

minutes

Gran Alacant: 6.05. 6.55. 7.20. 8.35.

9.30. 10.40. 11.30. 12.10. 13.10. 13.40.

14.40. 15.40. 17.00. 18.10. 19.10. 20.10.

21.25.

Monday to Friday Santa Pola: 7.00. 7.30. 8.00. 8.30. 9.00.

10.00 11.00 12.00. 13.00 14.00. 15.00.

16.30. 17.30. 18.30. 19.30. 21.00

Arenales del Sol: Same as Gran Alacant + 5 minutes

Weekends & Fiestas Santa Pola: 7.00. 8.30. 10.00. 11.00 (Only Saturdays) 11.30. 13.00. 14.30.

16.00. 17.30. 19.00 20.30. 22.00. (Only Saturdays)

Weekends & Fiestas Santa Pola: 7.05. 8.05. 9.05. 9.30. 10.05.

11.05. 12.05. 13.05. 14.05. 15.05. 16.05.

17.05. 18.05. 19.05. 20.05. 21.05. 22.05 (Sundays & Fiestas in bold)

CHURCH SERVICES

Los Arenales: Same as Gran Alacant Pola + 5 minutes (Except 9.30. 11.05. 12.05.)

SANTA POLA - ELCHE

Saturdays & Evening prayer: 18.00.

Sundays & Fiestas 12.00.

DUTY PHARMACY Monte De Santa Pola, 32 Urb. Don Pueblo Gran Alacant. Tel. 96 669 74 71 REGIONAL & NATIONAL HOLIDAYS Monday 25th December Navidad Christmas Day - National holiday Tuesday Dec 26th St Stephen’s Day Local holiday Sunday Dec 31st New Year’s Eve Observance

AIPORT - ALICANTE

Every 20 mins (Bus C6)

GRAN ALACANT NEWS

EARTHQUAKE TRACKER Alicante has had: (M1.5 or greater)

Europe has had: (M1.5 or greater)

0 earthquakes in the past 24 hours 0 earthquakes in the past 7 days 0 earthquakes in the past 30 days 1 earthquake in the past 365 days Largest: 9 months ago 2.5 magnitude, 10 km depth - Benejúzar, Valencia, Spain

0 earthquakes in the past 24 hours 1 earthquake in the past 7 days 14 earthquakes in the past 30 days 246 earthquakes in the past 365 days Largest: 2017: 6.6 in Bodrum, Muğla, Turkey

MOON PHASES FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS - New Moon: December 18 7:30 am Micro Moon

Editor: Dave Bull Sales: 606

540 408

or: granalacantnews@gmail.com Deadlines: 7 days before publication date Next issue: 5th January 2018 Images/Graphics: 300DPI

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Gran Alacant News

Page 3

may this season bring you peace, joy and hope thank you for another wonderful year!

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KNOCK DOWN OR KNOCK HEADS? One of the most frequent questions I get asked, by locals and visitors alike, is when

By Dave Bull are they going to get on with the reforms at the hotel that stands derelict on the seafront in Los Arenales. For, getting on for, 35 years the place that gave its name to the town has sat empty and for most has been an ugly blot on the otherwise beautiful landscape.

Due to have been reopened in the summer of 2016 the construction company in charge of the work, Princesol, said back in January of 2017, after the work had been suspended by the ministry in charge of the coast, (Costas) that it had “tired of waiting and had decided to leave the project.”

How the hotel looks now

The current problems for the hotel begin back in 1988 when the ‘Ley de la Costas’ was passed meaning that no new buildings or construction work could be carried out within 100km of the beach. That means that when it was finally agreed to reform the building, after over thirty years of neglect, in July 2015 Princesol has to agree only to make improvements and carry out repairs and that the property could not increase in size. The State Attorney General’s Office, has ruled that the Costas regulations prevent the complete reconstruction of a ruined building and following an infringement of the law while carrying out works in June 2016, they stopped the company from continuing, imposing on Princesol a fine of almost 80,000€. Princesol also has to demolish the illegal work it has carried out. That was a section built onto the existing building which increased the square me-

Centro Comercial de Carabassi, Avenida de Noruega, 214, Local Nº7, 03130 Santa Pola, www.granalacantproperties.com +34 966 699 441

The sad situation of some of our local hotels tres of the property which was in defiance of the agreement of the previous year.

Now, the 15 million Euro project stands silent. The builders have not done anything to the place in 18 months and wont be returning according to Princesol. Meanwhile the government refuses to legalise the ‘illegal’ works and with the huge costs and stiff regulations covering properties on the cost it will be hard to find another company to step in and take over.

It seems mind boggling to me that someone in the government cannot step in and bang some heads together to sort out this problem which is, not only an eyesore in what is a pleasant little town, but one which, when resolved, would mean a huge boost to the area with the influx of guests to the hotel. The same could be said for the old Rocas Blancas Hotel that sits at the entrance to Santa Pola. Who wants a derelict, graffiti covered building standing as an emblem of the town. Opposite you have a roman tower and fantastic views so why can´t the place be sorted out and sold. The issues with crossing the road could easily be sorted out when the planned roadworks at that junction are carried out and the building of a bridge or a subway would surely be a small and worthwhile investment out of what will surely be a huge budget.

It’s not as if there isn’t a demand for more hotels either with well over forty million hotel nights booked in July alone, and that’s just in the Valencia region. That’s a figure that has increased year on year, as has that of the number of visitors to Alicante Airport.

Not only would it create jobs but as I said before, it would help the local economy.

Rocas Blancas Hotel

Why it closed its doors Opened in 1963, in what really was the middle of nowhere, Thomas Dura Bañuls and Maruja Sabater Carbonell, his wife, started an incredible adventure and created a holiday resort that now sees over 20,000 holiday-makers visit the town every summer.

The hotel closed in 1979 due to lack of financing (a 20 million peseta loan never materialised) and the last time the hotel opened its doors to the public was for the funeral of Thomas Dura in 1989, in the main dining room. Once he was gone the place was shut for good and the building, described at the time as the best coastal hotel in Europe, began to fall into disrepair.

The main floor, which was reached by Avenue boardwalk, entertained guests with its stone floors and marble and tile and glass walls, with the sea just 30 metres away. With 146 rooms on four floors the hotel also boasted an L-shaped pool, miniature golf, bowling, billiards and a Los Arenales del Sol Hotel in the early days

disco.

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Page 4

Gran Alacant News

COUNCILLOR FEARS MORE DELAYS FOR NEW GRAN ALACANT SCHOOL

Pet Owners Call For Bigger Dog Beach

“Gran Alacant school was already included in the Generalitat’s Budget”

The dog beach along the coast road to Santa Pola, La Caleta dels Gossets, has closed after its second season of operation with good results. The number of dog owners using the beach has increased this year by at least 9,000 animals. Last year (2016), 7,846 chips were detected (activated each time a different dog enters the beach), with 16,571 being recorded in 2017. That is an increase of over 111% on the previous year.

With the evidence clear that the beach is popular the department of beaches is under pressure from dog owners to extend the beach to allow more users to use it. However, mercedes landa, who is responsible for the beach, explained, “maybe we could but one somewhere else but that is difficult as they cannot be next to public beaches and we have to weigh up where where it would be best so as not to affect other beach users.”

La Caleta dels Gossets beach got it’s name from local schoolchildren and this summer, the services were extended with a caretaker and a first-aid kit. The best thing about the beach, according to mercedes landa, is that since its launch, “we have not had a single problem of coexistence”.

Political party Ciudadanos Santa Pola has wanted to show its distrust before the entry into force of the Plan Edificant of the Valencian Community, where supposedly the construction has been agreed of the new CEIP of Gran Alacant School and a new IES for Santa Pola. Eva Mora, councillor for the group stated, “Again we find an unexpected delay in the procedure, which according to the government team was supposed to start imminently; first the works, then the tender. Now, however, we find that we must follow the plan of the Generalitat and carry out procedure prior to starting work, which will mean a greater workload for our officials and obviously, will delay them in other tasks “

She went on to say that the latest news she had heard ensured that the construction of the second Gran Alacant school was already included in the Generalitat’s Budget and that the tender procedure would begin this year. “In spite of this, we will be in favour of accepting this plan as long as it presents concrete, immediate solutions that our town council is in a position to carry out.” She said. The councillor also pointed out that, “A second school has long been expected in Gran Alacant following the promises of the Popular Party when governing until the announcement of this plan. And up until it was declared that the construction of the second school would begin in the first half of 2017.”

Locals Donate to Pet Charity

The Association of European Residents of Gran Alacant delivered a donation to the Cuatro Patas Association on November 26th. A spokesperson from, ASVEGA told us, “we wanted to contribute our bit to help rebuild the animal shelter that was burned down not long ago and to thank Cuatro patas for taking care of homeless pets.” Since the fire on October 3rd there have been many efforts to support the animal association.

Santa Pola School Bus Driver Tests Positive for Drugs A Santa Pola school bus driver was reported on the 29th of November after testing positive for drugs. Local Police were carrying out routine checks on school transport when the driver was tested and showed signs that he had been using drugs. According to sources the driver was not arrested and will not face prosecution as he had not started driving the vehicle. However, the bus was immobilised and the bus company had to locate another vehicle to transport the children.

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

DON’T EVEN TRY TO EXPLAIN

By Malcolm Palmer

I do hope I’m ‘preaching to the choir’ here, and that those few of you to whom this is directed as a critique will have realised your mistake, acknowledged the error of your ways, gone to live in Widnes, or, failing all else, are considering an exit like that of the late Mr Slobodan Praljak - preferably without the audience! So how, on this sweet earth, could anyone, with anything between the ears, living here on a British pension, have thought it a bright idea to vote for Brexit?

The revolting Nigel Garbage and his xenophobic kind, spreading their evil scare-stories around the great unwashed, after upper-class twit Cameron’s cowardly pre-Brexit exit compounded a massive and seemingly irreversible error on Britain (by 1%!!) which can only plunge an already tired nation into further isolation and debt. And for what? To what end? To keep the pound sterling, as it drops in value against the euro? To keep out immigrants? – because that’s what aforesaid Mr Garbage wants – ha!

Have a walk around Bradford, Leeds, Southall, or just about anywhere, for that matter. They’re already there! And if they weren’t, who would wash the cars, dig up the spuds, drive half the taxis? So what else is worrying the ‘leavers?’ Paying their dues to the EU, I’ve heard mentioned, when some poorer nations don’t contribute much. Take a look at the standard of living in the UK – has anyone suffered because of the EU? Not a bit of it. Daft stories have appeared from time to time about regulations governing the shape of bananas and so forth, but wherever there is bureaucracy, there will be such nonsense.

For once, this is not a left or right issue, it’s simply one of swimming against the tide of unity, or with it. Great Britain? It was once.

Gran Alacant News

Page 5

IS EXPAT HEALTHCARE EU BARGAINING CHIP?

PENSION PAYMENTS TO STOP IF EU NEGOTIATIONS FAIL British pensioners in EU payments stopped after Brexit unless a deal is done The chair of an influential parliamentary committee is calling for urgent action to make sure that British pensioners living in Spain or other EU countries do not suffer when it comes to pension payments after Britain leaves the EU in 2019.Nicky Morgan, who is the chair of the Treasury select committee warned the chancellor that it may be illegal for UK firms to pay out personal pension or insurance contracts to UK expats and those residing in the EU after Brexit..

Currently, UK and the rest of the EU to sell pensions, insurance and savings products across borders using ‘passporting’ rights and unless some sort of deal can be done it will come to an end in 2019. Which means, if the UK end up with a ‘cliff-edge’ Brexit the companies will have the choice of breaking the law, if the make payments across the border or not paying out at all.

It appears that dealing with services is a long way down the list of deals to be done between the UK and The EU as many experts are claiming that very little thought has been given to the “hundreds of thousands of insurance contracts sold under passporting arrangements with a duration that extends beyond 29 March 2019”, said Morgan.

A spokesman for the industry said, “If nothing is fixed, insurers will be left in an impossible position and face an unacceptable choice: break their promise to customers or risk breaking the law.”

Some insurers are now setting up subsidiaries in EU countries but it takes a long time and needs approval in each state. Another option could be to sell on existing contracts to an EU-based insurer. The problem with this is time once again with the transfer of the business taking 18 months through UK courts.

However, it must be said that is in both the interests of the UK and the EU to solve the problem as both sides want, and need, as smooth a Brexit as possible.

DEAL OR NO DEAL WE CAN STAY IN SPAIN

The British government has failed to offer a guarantee for the continuation of reciprocal healthcare for pensioners living in countries in the EU and many expats are concerned as they rely on the current legislation in which the NHS reimburses UK pensioners for treatment in another country.

One pensioner, 78 year old Stephen Barker claimed he could not afford to pay hospital bills with his pension and that he would not be able to go back to the UK with his wife because she has been refused entry as she is a Russian national.

Some claim the situation is extremely serious and that they will only be able to stay here if they take out private healthcare insurance, which at an older age can be very expensive. Pensioners fear that their healthcare is at risk and being used as a weapon the the Brexit negotiations and British tourists may also lose out with their right to reciprocal healthcare being taken away which will mean the need for insurance on all visits to EU countries.

Elche Hospital

Spain’s foreign minister has said that expats can carry on living in Spain even if Britain leaves the European Union without any sort of deal. Alfonso Pastis declared that the government would guarantee no disruption to the lives of Britons residing in Spain are if that was the case.

Just over a third (101,045) of expats living in Spain are aged over 65 according to the Office for National Statistics.

Appearing on the BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show: “I do hope that there will be a deal. If there is no deal we will make sure that the lives of ordinary people who are in Spain, the UK people, is not disrupted. As you know, the relationship between the UK and Spain is a very close one in terms of economic relations and also social exchanges.

“Over 17 million Brits come to Spain every year and many of them live here or retire here and we want to keep it that way as much as possible.” The fear is that his comments may be used by pro-Brexit Conservatives who claim that there is no problem if the UK does not a get deal before leaving Europe.

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Gran Alacant News

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

SANTA POLA ACCIDENT BLACK SPOT TO BE MADE SAFER

Central Government will include different measures in budget to reduce accident rate

Back in march central government agreed to include funds in its General State Budget to pay for the work needed to improve the entrance into Santa Pola at the top of the hill, opposite the closed hotel.

The notorious accident black spot regularly sees collisions between vehicles and just two years ago a man was killed on a skateboard at the junction.

Locals have long been calling for action to be taken to reduce the accident rate but the problem has always been providing an alternative access to the town to take the pressure off of the existing ones both at this spot and further down the hill where the road from Elche enters Santa Pola.

Bureaucracy in Spain, as we have all experienced, grinds along slowly and the Government’s earlier target of having the work done my the end of the year has fallen short due to the number of meetings the legislature must go through to get approved. But, thanks to Councillor Loreto

Cascales the funds will be made available and the work will eventually be carried out.

Once completed the entrances to the fishing town will be rearranged in several ways. Firstly, a connection to the lower entrance road will be built and the route to Gran Alacant will be improved with the building of a roundabout and speed reduction lanes slow drivers as they approach.

Also, a third access will be created from the Playa Llisa access and heading into the town centre. This final stage is an old project for the town that will now have to be adapted to meet modern health and safety laws.

There is also a plan to put sound strips on the N332 at the black spot but, as with the other improvements, the government cannot give us a definitive timescale. We’ll keep you informed as we get more information.

Gran Alacant News

WATCH OUT FOR THE FLASH!

Drivers will have to kill their speed when on the N332 Heading towards or from Santa Pola after a speed camera was installed last month on the hill that drivers ascend on the way to Santa Pola, about 500 metres after the junction with the N332. It has not yet been verified whether the camera will regulate the uphill lane, the downhill, or both but what is clear is that it is strategically located, in a section that, in the direction of Gran Alacant many cars begin gathering speed as they head down the hill and often over the 80kmh limit. Some new signs have been erected warning of the camera but it has not been confirmed that the camera is operational yet, as under normal conditions these systems must go through a testing phase before being fully effective. If you happen to get flashed, let us know!

7 Items You Must Carry in Your Car in Spain

Don’t forget to always carry the following things in your car when travelling in and around Spain.

• • • • • • •

The new camera

Page 7

Passport or ID Card Driving Licence Insurance Certificate Original registration document Ficha Tecnica/itv (Mot) Two warning triangles Reflective Jackets

If you are driving a UK vehicle, there are two more requirements. You must also have headlight shades fitted to stop your lights shining into the eyes of oncoming drivers, plus Euro reg plates with the blue GB on or a GB sticker on the car.

If you don’t want to have your passport on you all the time – you can get a notorised copy for the car. They will copy your passport (10.00 Euros).

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

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Gran Alacant News

Radical Diet “Could” Denture Wearers May be Reverse Type 2 Diabetes at Risk of Poor Nutrition

HAVE A HEALTHY SMILE WITH JUANI

Studies by the University of Glasgow and Newcastle University. have shown the possibility to reduce the disease.

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 calories a day for 3 to 5 months. This is followed by a 2- to 8-week 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.

Many of you will recognise Juani in the photo and remember her as the happy and welcoming, and very helpful, Spanish receptionist at the health centre in Gran Alacant from several years ago. A lot of people have been wondering where she went when she left there and some have been lucky enough to find her again, not very far away at all, in fact just around the corner at the Santara Resort where she now helps run the impressive Salvum Clinic.

Still with the same cheerful disposition she took me on a tour of the place which is surprisingly big, and showed me the facilities and the very latest in technology for their patients. Salvum is not only a Doctors Surgery, at the clinic they cover pretty much all aspects of healthcare from a general blood test through to cosmetic surgery. Other healthcare available to patients include a dental clinic, medical for driving licences, radiology and cardiology amongst many others.

Patients also have the option of saving money by opting to join the Club Salvum, which offers the option of reducing the cost of treatment or consultations and of course the work with most major health insurance companies Juani and the team are multilingual and cover most languages to make things easier for patients with Russian English Spanish and all the Scandinavian languages are covered which means here in Gran Alacant we have access to top quality healthcare right on our doorstep and the friendly and helpful Juani to meet us when we go.

Reports that denture wearers are at risk of malnutrition because they can’t chew healthy food, and that they are at a higher risk of weak joints and muscles, in the British press turn out, (surprisingly...) to be exaggerated.

The headlines were based on a study which looked at dental health, nutrient intake and frailty (based on hand grip strength) in about 1,800 adults aged 50 years and over in the US. It found that people who had fewer than 20 teeth did have poorer nutritional intakes than those who had more teeth, regardless of denture use.

However, despite what the headlines suggest, people who wore dentures were no more likely to be frail than those who had most of their teeth. People who had fewer than 20 teeth and didn’t use dentures were more likely to be frail than those who did use dentures; regardless of the number of teeth in the latter group. This suggested that, contrary to the headline, dentures might actually be helping to prevent frailty.

What is clear is that adequate nutrition is important for older adults, and this study suggests that good dental health may be one of the many factors that help to achieve this.

The study was carried out by researchers from King’s College London Dental Institute at Guy’s, King’s College and St. Thomas’ Hospitals in London.

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Living

Life

Gran Alacant News

Page 9

Did you know?

50% of the world’s chocolate retail sales occur on the European continent.

By Mandy Tams

My Fair Lady The holidays over, the sun rushing off to a warmer climate, which gives us the chance to rest our tanned birthday suits, re-iron and moisten them ready to start burning the hell out of them again on its return.

No matter the medical opinion, we feel and look better with a tan. I noticed this year the amount of spray tans. My husband, a connoisseur of women who parade their bodies, you know the types when they get out of the water and stand whipping their still dry hair around their shoulders, making sure the sun glistens off the carefully applied oil, and then stretch themselves like film stars. He wants to know how I now they are fake, I point out; A normal tan leaves white marks under the chin, round the armpits and other tell tale places, spray tans reach every nook and cran-

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It’s like fake boobs, those that bounce are real, those that don’t move are fake. Thus the problem presents, do I get a fake tan and boobs to look fabulous at 60?

To be honest, I dismissed the idea, and I am not yet 60, and these are some of the reasons.

sagging upper lip and stop you smiling for days.

My friend did it, and she was wrinkly, not just crow’s feet, but a murder of them. Talk about happy feet, they were laughing all over her face. Anyhow, she did the Botox thing her eyes looked magnificent, but it pushed all her wrinkles down into her cheeks and under her chin, she looked like one of those neo mastiffs with too much skin and had to take two weeks off work, unable to face I asked myself these salient questions. the walk of shame and sniggers from her 1. Why should I, is it for me or the hoards mostly younger colleagues. of men out there desperate to date overAnyhow, back to making the best of our weight married women? Nahh don’t think maturing looks. Think about it cheese, so. wine and men tend to look better as they 2. Do I want to attract desperate age, while some women, like me, overweight married men? Nahh have to go down fighting. Why defo not.

Did you know? can’t a thick skin and a good 3. Would there be enough bouquet do for us what it The average Brit, silicone and spray in the does for them?

Swiss, or German world to do the job? citizen will each eat And then I ask, what sort of In my opinion, which doesn’t around 24 pounds things are out there to help mean a lot I know, but as of chocolate a revitalise my overused, worn women of a certain age, we year. out carcass? should wear our skin with pride 4. Should I go for Botox injected like battle scars, we need medals for straight into my already less than bloomwhat we go through as women. Let’s stand ing looks? loud and proud and do what we want without being shoehorned into someone They say there’s nothing like a dose of else’s ideas of what we should or should botulism to make your day, to stiffen that not do.

As if weathering a stressful event isn’t tough enough, new research shows these episodes might even widen a woman’s waistline.

Researchers analysed data on nearly 22,000 middle-aged and older women.

The goal: to assess the relationship between obesity and traumatic events such as the death of a child or being a victim of a serious physical attack - as well as negative events, for example, long-term unemployment or burglary.

About 23 percent of the women included in the study were obese.

Study participants who reported more than one traumatic life event were 11 percent more likely to be obese than those who did not experience a traumatic event, the findings showed.

In addition, women who reported four or more negative life events within the previous five years were 36 percent more likely to be obese than those who reported no negative events.

The link between stressful events and obesity was stronger among women with high levels of physical activity, but the reason for this was unclear, the study authors said

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Page 10

News GRAN ALACANT

Gran Alacant News

Have you got something to say?

Letters Page

granalacantnews@gmail.com

Top letter!

Not getting it at all....

Dear sir could you tell me what the average yearly temperature is in Gran Alacant? We're considering buying a property there and this could clinch it! Des Reygalt Hi Des, have a look at the article below, I think it will help with your decision.

Dear GANews I saw this on the Gasbags forum, 15 years he has lived in Spain and moans about them not understanding English!

It is emabbasing to be British sometimes especially when people say things like this and the Spansih see it:

Our Climate in Alicante

Living as we do in south eastern part of the country we have a semiarid climate which is predominant in the Alicante province and extends up to the Ebro valley in the north east and as far west as southern Navarre. There is also a similar climate in regions such as La Mancha and includes parts of Cuenca, Guadalajara, Madrid and Toledo provinces). It is different to the Mediterranean climate as the dry season continues beyond the end of summer.

Average Temperatures in the shade.

It is very hot during the summer when temperatures can exceed 40 °C (104 °F) and usually carries on well into the autumn.

“I'm just tired of Spain's ignorence of the English language Went to Town Hall to get a Padron, Sorry, they said - the rental agreement has to be in Spanish !!!!!

I am just asking, when do they wake up, when are they able to read English, like the rest of EU ???

So, we will not change our adress.

Wonder if they have calculated, how much it will cost them, cause I can't be the only one.

After 15 years in Spain, I still feel sorry for them.”

What are these people doing here at all?

Barbara.

Extreme temperature records in selected cities The records of temperatures in Spain have been, coldest: −32 °C (−26 °F) in Lago Estangento in the Pyrenees (Lleida), hottest: 47.2 °C (117 °F) in Murcia.

Which months are the warmest/coldest?

April Warmest October Coldest Location month month 21.3 / 10.9°C (70.3 / 51.6°F)

17.0 / 6.7°C (62.6 / 44.1°F)

Alicante

30.8 / 21.5°C (87.4 / 70.7°F)

&

24.9 / 14.9°C (76.8 / 58.8°F)

II

Highs & Lows Seville 46.6 °C −5.5 °C

Cordoba 46.6 °C −8.2 °C

Malaga 44 °C n/a

Granada 42.5 °C −14.2 °C

The Experts With Richard Harrison of

&

II

Do I need to allow updates for Windows on my laptop, they take ages sometimes? Stef.

Richard says: You don’t have to allow them strictly speaking but it is recommended to install them. Most of the updates issued by Microsoft typically address bugs in security or performance/stability.

Sometimes the bigger updates are more like new features i.e. Windows 10.

My Android box has lost its channels do you know what I can do?

Richard says: I’d need toknow which make/kind of Android box, you have, I’d need that information -call in and see me and i can do it.

Why doesn’t Whatsapp work without a sim card? I thought it worked over wifi?

Richard says: It’s because it relies on the sim card to store the contacts. There’s a way technically to do it without sim, but a bit convoluted to explain here. Please call in and i can show you.

My mousepad is not working on my laptop, any ideas?

Richard says: Does your laptop trackpad only work on the right hand side?

You may be able to us it with an external mouse. Possibly, might be a loose cable connection or failing completely.

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Record highs Record lows

Murcia 47.2 °C n/a

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Gran Alacant News

Page 11

Page 12

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

HOROSCOPES Aries March 21-April 20 Monday through Wednesday accents important emotional breakthroughs in long-term relationships.

Attached Aries natives may find that a spouse now reveals the deeper areas of their personality or explains past disappointments with lovers. .

Taurus April 21-May 20 For many Taureans three weeks of emotional confusion is now coming to an end. Before mid-week expect to feel a new awareness, freedom and a relaxed atmosphere of communication arriving in key relationships.

Gemini May 21-June 21 Before mid-week social energy is demanding. Friends and colleagues will be vying for your attention or pestering you with annoying questions. Not to worry, however; mostly this is a result of your lack of social communication.

Cancer June 22-July 22 Early this week someone close may ask business advice in a particularly tricky situation. Planetary movements suggest that this week others may rely heavily on you.

Leo July 22-August 22 This week a close friend or workmate may ask delicate questions or be in need of advice concerning a particularly complicated family dilemma.

Virgo August 23-September 22 Mid-week accents minor financial disappointments or unexpected changes in facts, figures, schedules and payments. Some Virgos may now experience a brief flurry of bothersome practical details that center around misplaced funds.

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Libra September 23-October 23 Marital relationships or long-term friendships may reach an unexpected stand-off this week. Emotional decisions or minor disagreements may best be left alone over the next few days.

Scorpio October 24-November 22 Working relationships and business discussions may be a struggle prior to mid-week. Avoid becoming too embroiled in emotional battles of will with co-workers or straining to get your point across to business partners.

Sagittarius Nov 23-December 21 Before mid-week watch for powerful and compelling emotional information to arrive in the form of dreams, insights or sudden flashes of wisdom. This week many Sagittarians will experience a remarkable breakthrough in relationships, inner awareness and confidence.

Capricorn December 22-January 20 Communications, news, messages and business changes are on the rise this week. Before Wednesday watch for the arrival of a series of small employment projects or new duties.

Aquarius January 21-February 19 Money details and quick communications from business partners, authority figures or governmental agencies are accented prior to mid-week.

Pisces February 20-March 20 Physical appearance, health and vitality may be a strong issue this week. much of your emotional vulnerability will be felt and expressed through changes.

Clubs & Associations Aircrew Association Costa Blanca Former and serving of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are very welcome to join this friendly organisation founded here in 1988.

Details from the secretary on 96 640 4123 Alcoholics Anonymous Costa Blanca South 625 912 078 www. aa-costablanca.org ASPETGA We are the Pet Owners Association of Santa Pola and Gran Alacant.

Together we´ll have more strength to defend our rights, to fulfill our responsibilities, to live in peaceful coexistence with our neighbours and to lobby for new projects. www.aspetga.es Costa Blanca Computer Club We meet regularly every Saturday from 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Sierra Bernia School, Alicante.

Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers The CBMW who get together twice a week to enjoy walking in the mountains of the Costa Blanca. Anyone is welcome to come along. Visit www.cbmwalkers.org for info.

Crime Watch Spain (Vecinos Colaborando) We try to reduce crime and vandalism in our communities. We try to look after the citizens. We also teach Spanish. Email: colaborando.crimewatch@gmail.com K9 Animal Shelter If you have spare time we would love to hear from you. 600 845 420 - 610 852 726

Ford C-Max 1.8TDCi one owner, low km’s, immaculate, extras 11995€

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 5 Door One Owner, Top Spec car 10995€

Gran Alacant News

M.A.B.S. CANCER SUPPORT We are here for you when you need us.

Call Bob Clayrton 96 679 0775 or 699 894 183 Pets in Spain - Animal Rescue www.petsinspain.com - info@petsinspain. com Road Bike Riding Group in GA We are a small group who spend most of the winter here in Gran Alacant. If you are interested in joining one of our rides look us up on Facebook Gran Alacant Road Cyclist (bici Gran Alacant) or email: gerard. elacey@gmail.com Royal British Legion Gran Alacant Meets on the first Monday of the month at 6.00pm at La Taberna, next to Monte y Mar Bowls Club, Plaza Mayor. You do not need to be ex-services to join. Contact Brian 639 917 971 or Robin 96 669 5423. Email, granalacant.secretary@gmail.com Samaritans in Spain If you have something on your mind give us a call. Talk to us any time you like, in complete confidence. You don’t have to be suicidal to get in touch. 24 hour confidential telephone support line on Freephone: 900 525 100 - pat@samaritansinspain.com Walking Football Any creaking oldies out there who would like to move about a bit more?

How about getting together for VERY SLOWLY walking football? (No walking sticks allowed) - Every Thursday. For more info: Barry at laneinspain@hotmail.com for start times, venue and weekly updates.

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Mercedes SLk 200 6 Speed FSH 23,000km, like new, fully loaded 24995€

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Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi 5 door, one owner, many extras, v. low km’s 9995€

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

CULTURE, ROMANS AND CHOCOLATE...A GREAT DAY OUT!

By Dave Bull

We’re fortunate (and wise of course) to have chosen to live on this part of the coast of Spain. A region heavy in culture, history and some exceptional landscapes, which makes it easy to write a feature such as this with so much to do and see nearby. Last month i took a drive heading north along the N332 and had a great time in three wonderful coastal towns.

Villajoyosa From there a short ride up the coast again brings you to somewhere different. Villajoyosa with its painted fishermens’ houses as well as its ‘must visit’ chocolate factory.

Just north of River Sella it’s an interesting place and is deep rooted in history and with beautiful views. The name of the town Villajoyosa means "joyful or happy town" which is understandable seeing as they have their own chocolate factory!

Valor, Spain's best-selling chocolate, has been making chocolate for more than 125 years and at this, it's main factory, there is a great, and free, tour, and you get to see the interesting, and fun, chocolate museum. Plus there’s free chocolate testing at the end...have i sold you on it yet? Find it at Calle Pianista Gonzalo Soriano, 13, it’s open all day from 10.00am until 9.00pm.

El Campello A short run up the coast is El Campello, a modern coastal resort boasting almost 24 kilometres of peaceful, white, sandy beaches just 14 kilometres north of Alicante.

Altea Old Town

lleta dels Banyets

With its mountain backdrop and great views it's a nice place to stop and have a coffee - especially at the 16th century tower where you’ll find ‘La Cova’ restaurant perched above the port. This is where you’ll also find the Roman remains at the lleta dels Banyets, a fascinating Roman baths. The first settlements found in El Campello date back to prehistory, back to before Christ, the Chalcolithic and the Bronze ages.

The tower was built as a lookout for Berber pirates and during the day smoke would alert nearby towers of pirates in the area.

Altea Another short trip along the coast and the lovely Altea comes into view with its beautiful blue-and-white tiled church dome standing out among the white houses in Altea’s old town which has become a landmark of the Costa Blanca.

Although Altea is just 10 kilometres from nearby Benidorm it is totally different in terms of its heritage and the visitors that go there. Both the Old Town and the beach are well worth a visit with the Old Town perched on a hill with wonderful views.

My suggestion to round the day off is to go to Chocalateria Valor in Calle de Altea, 24 and sample some more of the lovely chocolate of the region. Come and visit our chocolate museum and you will learn where the cocoa that we use

Gran Alacant News

FIESTAS & FESTIVALS 2018

Your guide to some of the best local & national events.

January 1: New Year’s Day (Red day) January 6: Dia de los Reyes Magos (Red day) February 2: La Candelaria, Madrid (food festival) February: Carnival celebrations across Spain February 28: Day of Andalucía March 1: Balearic Day (Red day in the islands) March 19: St. Joseph’s Day (parades in Valencia; Red day in Madrid ) March 25–31: Holy Week April 1–2: Easter (Pascua) Sunday and Monday (some Red day) April 15–22: Feria de Abril (April Fair), Seville April 23: St. George’s Day May 1: May Day/Labor Day (Red day) May 2: Madrid Day (Red day in the city) May 1–13 (likely): Córdoba Courtyards Festival May 10: Ascension May 10–13 (likely): WOMAD, Cáceres (Extremadura) (world music festival, free) May 11–15: Fiestas de San Isidro, Madrid May 20–21: Pentecost and Whit Monday (Red day in Barcelona) May 30: Canary Islands Day (Red day in the islands) May 30–June 3: Primavera Sound, Barcelona (indie rock festival) May 31: Corpus Christi June 9: Murcia/La Rioja Day (Red day in Murcia and La Rioja) June 14–16: Sónar Festival, Barcelona (electronic music) June 20–23: Bonfires of San Juan, Alicante June 29: Battle of Wine, La Rioja Late June–early July: World Pride, Madrid Late June–mid-July (3 weeks): Granada International Festival of Music and Dance July 19–22: Festival Internacional de Benicassim July 28: Institution Day (Red day in Cantabria) August 15: Assumption Day (religious festival; Red day) August 15–20 (likely): Gràcia Festival, Barcelona August 29 (likely): Tomatina Festival, Buñol, near Valencia September 1: Autumn Sherry Festival (flamenco, bullfights), Jerez September 25: Little San Fermín, Pamplona (concerts, parades) October 9: Valencia Day (parades, Red day in Valencia) October 12: Spanish National Day (Red day) November 1: All Saints’ Day (Red day) November weekends: Cartagena Jazz Festival November 3–11 (likely): Seville European Film Festival November 9–16 (likely): Zinebi International Documentary Film Festival, Bilbao November 20–December 16 (likely): Madrid Dance Festival December 6: Constitution Day (Red day) December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Red day) December 13: Feast of Santa Lucía December 25: Christmas (Red day) December 31: New Year’s Eve

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

DIGITAL TV & CLIMATE CONTROL Gran Alacant - Santa Pola

Gran Alacant News

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

TEA BREAK FUN Wordsearch

Across 1. New Delhi’s language 6. It’s built on 10. Parks of civil rights 14. Frank option 15. Like some exams 16. ‘’Roots,’’ for one 17. Way to meet 19. Raised seam 20. ‘’Phooey!’’

21. Table scraps 22. Casual slacks 24. Set up 26. Antares, for one 27. Way to talk 32. Practicing doctor?

35. Lord’s Prayer starter 36. Rock’s ___ Speedwagon 37. Acts the gadabout 38. Dew Drop ___ 39. It may create a tie-up 41. Furniture wood 42. ___-fi 43. Scholar type 44. Way to dance 48. Predecessor of Roger and Pierce 49. Critter with a pouch 53. Down Under carrier 56. Incite 57. Troop morale booster 58. Swift flightless bird 59. Way to battle 62. Combustion by-product 63. Other 64. Mountain chain 65. Daly of ‘’Judging Amy’’ 66. Uses a tuffet 67. They’re virtually pointless

Down 1. Teamsters notable 2. Hovering 3. More pleasant 4. Forest female 5. Chanters 6. Easier on the skin 7. Nest eggs, briefly 8. Part of a winning combination 9. ‘’College’’ member 10. Make electrical repairs 11. Dentist’s instruction 12. Farm structure 13. New Testament chronicle 18. Instrument with pedals 23. ‘’Yeah, right!’’

25. Bid for attention 26. Wow 28. Invigorator 29. In need of rain 30. Peace Nobelist Cassin 31. They may twinkle 32. Sporty Camaro 33. Ham’s pop 34. Receipts, collectively 38. It may open Windows 39. President Roosevelt 40. Hunan cookers 42. Hides, as loot 43. Move a growing house plant 45. Jackson’s Neverland, e.g.

46. Mauna ___ 47. Masses 50. Blue shoe material 51. Meter reader’s concern 52. Styles 53. Alphabetic quartet 54. Captain’s greeting 55. Light gas 56. Gone by 60. Yale student 61. With-it

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Gran Alacant News

Page 15

PUB QUIZ Answers & Solutions Page 18

Test yourself with 30 questions!

Round 1 - Movies 1. Which world famous Hollywood actress does one associate with the words “I want to be alone..”?

2. What are the genetically engineered robots called in the film ‘Blade Runner’?

3. In which films does John Malkovich play the following roles? One point for each correct answer: a. Cyrus ‘the virus’ Grissom; b. Vicomte Sebastian de Valmont; c. John Malkovich; d. Humma Kavula; e. Galbatorix; f. Osborne Cox 4. Spats Columbo is the bad guy in which popular black and white film?

5. Which anti-social television character does not like pickles?

6. The 1967 film ‘Casino Royale’ was an “absurd masterpiece” with an international all-star cast. With the aid of the following initials name some of those stars. One point for each correct answer: a. D N; b. P S; c. U A; d. O W; e. D K; f. W H; g. J P B; h. C B; i. R C; j. B C; k. P O; l. W A. 7. Which 2007 film, the third in a series, was the most expensive Hollywood film ever made?

8. What was the name of Sonny Crockett’s pet alligator in the cult TV series Miami Vice?

9. In which film does John Hurt play the following roles? One point for each correct answer: a. Kane; b. John Merrick; c. Winston Smith; d. The Marquis of Montrose; e. Quentin Crisp; f. Mr Ollivander 10. The Andrea Gail is an ill-fated ship in which Hollywood film?

Round 2 - General Knowledge 1. How many pairs of ribs would the normal human have?

2. Who wrote the classic novel ?Les Miserables??

3. What was the name of Sherlock Holmes Housekeeper?

4. Which actress played the part of Sybil Fawlty in Television?s Fawlty Towers?

5. What was the title of Beethoven?s only opera?

6. Which river flows through the city of Dublin?

7. Who appeared with David McCallum in the title role of the TV series ?Sapphire and Steel??

8. Which Irishman won the Tour de France in 1987?

9. In which European country is Cro-Magnon, famous for the discovery of four Palaeolithic skeletons in 1868?

10. Which town is the administrative centre for the Open University?

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Page 16

Gran Alacant News

ENTERTAINMENT in GRAN ALACANT Page 14

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Santa Pola Market

Voices Karaoke 2pm

Santa Pola Market

Bar Sioux Eyes Down 9.30pm

The Pub Family Fortunes & Blockbusters 5pm

Gran Alacant Market

Shooters Bar Karaoke 9.30pm

Shaker Maker 2 Tone Tuesdays 2pm

Zest Fun Darts 8.30pm

23rd

Christmas Fiesta 11am GA Commercial Centre Voices Karaoke 2pm Shooters Bar Karaoke 9.30pm Bar Sioux Karaoke 9.30pm Tablao Lunares Dinner-Flamenco 10pm Websters Karaoke 9.30pm

24th

25th

Molly Malone’s Live music - Paul Christie 1.30pm

The Leprechaun Tim Taylor & Paul Christie 3pm

The Pub Paul James Allan 7pm

The Pub Mr Bojangles 4pm Live music 6pm Kev’s Karaoke 8pm

Lounge D Quiz 8pm

Shooters Disco with Santa

26th

The Pub Onesie Day Shooters Evening Party with DJ Simon

27th

Voices Wed-Fri 6pm karaoke

28th

Shaker Maker Thirsty Thursdays 2pm Molly Malone’s Line dancing 4.30pm Brothers Bar Jam session 9.30pm Bar Sioux Quiz 9.30pm American rock Live Music 10pm

Bar Sioux Karaoke & Free Buffet

Walking Football Contact: laneinspain@ hotmail.com

American rock Live Music 10pm

29th

Websters Quiz & Karaoke 9.30pm Molly Malone’s 9.30pm Karaoke with Tony Hall American rock Live Music 10pm The Pub Susie’s Free Entry Quiz 4pm 7-80’s Disco 9pm

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Santa Pola Market

Voices Karaoke 2pm

Santa Pola Market

Bar Sioux Eyes Down 9.30pm

The Pub Family Fortunes & Blockbusters 5pm

Gran Alacant Market

Shooters Bar Karaoke 9.30pm

Shaker Maker 2 Tone Tuesdays 2pm

Zest Fun Darts 8.30pm

30th

Voices Karaoke 2pm Shooters Bar Karaoke 9.30pm Bar Sioux Karaoke 9.30pm

31st

Mollys Malone’s Live Music 8.30pm The Pub Mr Bojangles 8pm

1st

Lounge D Quiz 8pm

2nd

Voices Wed-Fri 6pm karaoke

Websters Karaoke 9.30pm

Got something on?

Get it in!

American rock Live Music 10pm

granalacantnews@gmail.com

Tablao Lunares Dinner & Flamenco Show 10pm

3rd

4th

Shaker Maker Thirsty Thursdays 2pm Molly Malone’s Line dancing 4.30pm Brothers Bar Jam session 9.30pm Bar Sioux Quiz 9.30pm American rock Live Music 10pm Walking Football Contact: laneinspain@ hotmail.com

6th

Websters Quiz & Karaoke 9.30pm Molly Malone’s 9.30pm Karaoke with Tony Hall American rock Live Music 10pm The Pub Susie’s Free Entry Quiz 4pm 7-80’s Disco 9pm

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Rojales Pantomime Group

AROUND THE REGION

Alibaba and the forty thieves. dates for the performance at Los Montesinos Escuela de musica are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11th, 12th & 13th January. evening performance Thursday & Friday start 7.30pm with Matinee Saturday 2.30pm. All the usual fun and frolics will be in this panto with slapstick ‘watch out for the custard pies!’

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Contact Clive or Wendy on: 617 872 405

2 Bed Terraced House

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63,000€ La Marina

LOCAL MARKETS Monday Callosa d’En Sarria, Dénia, Elche (Plaza de la fruta, Plaza de Barcelona and Plaza de Sant Josep), Ibi, Monovar, Petrer, SANTA POLA, La Nucia Tuesday Altea (farm produce), Aspe, Benidorm (farm produce), Elda. Jijona, Orihuela, Pilar de Horardada (Mil Palmeras).

Wednesday Alcoy, Banereres, Benejama, Benidorm, Callosa de Segura, Campello, Guardamar del Segura, Muchamiel, Novelda, Ondara, Petrer, Sax, Teulada, Polop de la Marina (farm produce).

Thursday Alicante, Agost, Albatera, Castilla, Cocentania, GRAN ALACANT, Jávea, Pego, Rojales, Villajoyosa, Villena.

Friday Alfaz del Pi, Azafara, Crevillente, Dénia (Rastro), Delores, Finestrat, Gata de Gorgos, Moraira, Muro de Alcoy, Monforte del Cid, Pilar de Horadada, La Nucia, Onil, Vergel and Torrevieja.

Tel. 686 520 186

Local Mechanic

GENERAL BUILDER Clive Coomber Fully legal Basements/Damp Int. Ext. Plastering Extensions

Tel.

Tiling/Painting Double Glazing Electrical Plumbing

669 593 212

clive _ coomber@yahoo.co.uk

Gran Alacant News

Saturday Alcoy, Alicante, Almoradí, Benejuzar, Benejama, Benissa, Calpe, Castalla, Cocentaina, Elche (Plaza de la fruta, Plaza de Barcelona and Plaza de Sant Josep, Elda, Novelda, Pinoso, Pedreguer, San Juan, San Vincente, Sax, SANTA POLA and Jálon (Rastro).

Sunday Elche (Plaza del Raval handicrafts market), La Alguena, La Matanza, La Murada de los Vicentes, La Nucia (Rastro), Pedreguer (Rastro) and Torremanzanas.

CHRISTMAS MARKETS & ACTIVITIES

18th Denia Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities El Campello Tapas 19th Altea Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities El Campello Tapas 20th Benidorm Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities El Campello Tapas 21st Javea Market Large Villajoyosa Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities El Campello Tapas 22nd Moraira Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities Alcoy Tirisiti Nativity Play El Campello Tapas 23rd Benissa Market Medium Calpe Market Large Denia Christmas Activities Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities Alcoy Tirisiti Nativity Play El Campello Tapas 24th Benidorm Market Large Albir Market Medium Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities Alcoy Tirisiti Nativity Play El Campello Tapas 25th Denia Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities El Campello Tapas 26th Altea Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities El Campello Tapas 27th Benidorm Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities El Campello Tapas 28th Javea Market Large Villajoyosa Market Large Alicante Christmas Markets and Activities El Campello Tapas

ELCHE ELCHE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (OSCE) New Year’s Concert 01/01/18 @ 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Gran Teatro, Carrer Kursaal, s / n Elche.

On the first day of the year, the OSCE meets with its faithful audience in what is a great musical celebration.

Page 17

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ALICANTE BEERPONG JOHN MULLIGANS Until Tue Dec 26th 2017 Alicante MAYUMANA - RUMBA IN ELCHE Gran Teatre d’Elx Thu Jan 18th 2018 to Fri Jan 19th 2018 at 20:30 Alicante, C / Kursaal, 3, Elche Mayumana is an Israeli dance troupe that combines dance, song and percussion. The word comes from the Hebrew for skill.

EXHIBITION THE DA VINCI SCHOOL OF ARTS. Philosophy and Art Place: Imaginalia Center - Alicante Date: Until January 19, 2018 PHOTO EXHIBITION HOMAGE TO ROALD DAHL Place: Forum of the Fnac Boulevard - Alicante Date: Until January 12, 2018 A century since his birth is celebrated - on September 13th, 1916, Roald Dahl was born.

LIVE MUSIC Friday 15 December 2017 Marwan live Sala the One - Antigua Nave 8, San Vicente Del Raspeig, Spain Saturday 16 December 2017 Vanesa Martín live Pabellón Esperanza Lag, Elche, Spain Saturday 23 December 2017 Sexy Zebras live Stereo Club, Alicante, Spain Friday 29 December 2017 Diana Navarro live Auditorio de la Diputación de Alicante

CINEMA

Kinépolis Alicante Plaza Mar 2 Avenida de Denia s/n Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2, La Goteta, Valencia 03016 Tel. 965220192 Star Wars: The Last Jedi December 15th 2 hrs. 33 mins.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle December 20th 1 hr. 58 mins.

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

What’s on locally..?

THIS YEAR’S TOP

In the search for the dragons...

Touring Elche in the hand of Ili Palmir is an exciting challenge for the little ones. And also for the adults who accompany them. The adventure begins in the tourist office and travels through the streets until dinosaur footprints guide you to the paleontological museum.

Tourist Info Elx: 96 665 81 96

5 XMAS PRESENTS

base, the BB-8 droid will keep rolling for approximately 1 hour.

3. Toilet Trouble from Hasbro

1. Nerf Nitro Longshot Smash from Hasbro Kids can design their own stunts and fire foam cars with powerful, high-performing Nerf blasters. This set includes two foam cars, plus a long-jump ramp for long-distance jumping challenges.

2. Star Wars: BB-8 from Lego Meet Sphero’s BB-8, an app-enabled droid. Based on your interactions, BB-8 will show a range of expressions and even react to voice commands. Set to patrol mode and watch it go out on its own and explore its surroundings, mapping out collisions with objects in the room and sending information back. Create and view holographic recordings via a smartphone or tablet device and watch its adaptive personality evolve as you interact with it.

The Sphero BB-8 comes with its own induction charging cradle and connects via Bluetooth Smart BLE with your compatible device. After a full 3-hour charge on its induction

Toilet Trouble is all about suspense: players take turns spinning the toilet paper roll, flushing the toilet handle, and hoping they don’t get sprayed with water. If you get sprayed, you’re out of the game.

4. Enchantimals Playhouse Panda Set from Mattel This panda playhouse looks set to enchant kids, with an exclusive Prue Panda doll and her cute animal features and an adorable animal friend, Nari. At home in their multi-level playhouse, Prue and Nari are ready for fun days in the forest and all other fantasy adventures kids can imagine.

5. FurReal Roarin’ Tyler from Hasbro The FurReal Roarin’ Tyler the Playful Tiger is always ready for fun and his favourite way to play is to roar.

When kids roar or make sounds at him, this playful tiger roars back, responding with 100+ sound and motion combinations. With soft fur and moveable back legs, he’s also rather huggable.

Tea Break Fun

!

S D I for K

Christmas

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES December 16: 11’00 14’00 h to. Christmas party organised by the Infant School Chiquitín. Carols, Attractions Inflatables, crafts, games and many surprises. Centro Comercial Gran Alacant.

December 18: 17’00 h. Participants visit stores in the Colla El Freu contest.

December 19: 17’00 h. Participants visit stores in the Colla El Freu contest.

December 23: 11’00 to 14’00 h children ‘s attractions at the CC Gran Alacant, with the presence of Santa Claus. Educational workshops: Christmas cards, Snowmen, balloon twisting and makeup by Fem Art. Organised by European Residents Neighborhood Association Gran Alacant.

17’30 h. Santa Claus presence in Glorieta.

Educational workshops: Christmas cards, Snowmen, balloon twisting and makeup.

17’30 h. Young Talents Contest Grand Final. “Demostra which waltz”.

Location: marquee on the side of the castle.

December. 24: 18’00 h. Santa Claus parade through the streets and Glorieta.

December 26: 17’30 h. Storytellers. EVA ANDÚJAR. Location: marquee on the side of the castle.

December 27: 17’30 h. Chocolate workshop Roquitas.

Location: marquee on the side of the castle. Organizers: Municipal libraries. At the end, Presence of 3 Kings December 28: 18’00 hours. Children ‘s magic show.

Location: marquee on the side of the castle. At the end, Presence 3 Kings December 29: 17’30 h. Plastic magic shop. Gran Alacant International Library. Organizers: Municipal libraries.

18’00 h. ROCK FESTIVAL GROUP “NAVIROCK” Place: marquee on the side of the Castle esplanade. Free admission December 30: 22’00 Verbena “ The return of the 60s”.

Live music for all ages.

Location: marquee on the side of the Castle esplanade. Free entry December 31: 23.30 h. New Year’s Eve party with Mobile Disco in the municipal marquee on the esplanade of the Castle.

RIDDLES A: Nothing A: Rain

Solutions From page XXX

8. Elvis 9. Six answers: a. Alien (or Spaceballs); b. The Elephant Man; c. 1984; d. Rob Roy; e. An Englishman in New York; f. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 10. The Perfect Storm 1. The MOBO Awards for (Music of Black Origin) 2. Glastonbury Festival (founder) Round 2 1. 12 2. Victor Hugo 3. Mrs Hudson 4. Prunella Scale 5. Fidelio 6. Liffey 7. Joanna Lumley 8. Stephen Roche 9. France 10. Milton Keynes

Elche Palmeral de Aventuras Elche Palmeral Aventuras is a leisure complex, integrated in one of the green spaces in the city of Elche, the palm grove of Travalón Bajo. leisure and adventure, consisting of sports and catering facilities.

Phone: 965 995 012 reservas@elchepalmeralaventuras.com

Gran Alacant News

in Alicante

Sunday 16th Art, history, tenderness and tradition Date: Permanent exhibition Where: Belenes Museum Address: San Agustín, 3 Price: free admission

Supercalifragilístico. El musical A musical for the whole family where magic, humor, dance and songs come together in an intimate story Children’s musical Date: December 22nd Where: Palace of Congresses of Alicante Address: Avenida Denia, 47-A 7.00PM Prices: 11,50 euros Advance sale: Redentradas.com Duration: 2 h (with rest)

The Jungle Book

the musical (Mowgli’s adventure) Date: December 30 Where: Gran Teatre d’Elx Address: Kursaal, 3 5.00PM Prices: From 6 to 15 euros Advance sale: Instant Ticket (www. instanticket.es, 902 444 300, Banco Sabadell terminals) Author: Rudyard Kipling Duration: 1 h 10 min Recommended for children from 4 years old Baladre School Farm ChildrenCampaments, School FarmsOndaraAlicante / AlacantBaladre is a school farm in which many activities are organized divided into thematic blocks.

Workshops at the Fnac store in Alicante ChildrenCommercial centers with children’s activities, Workshops Toys, books, comics, movies, stationery and ... workshops! The Fnac Junior zones of the Fnac stores organise it every Saturday and Sunday

Stationery Supplies Gift ideas Fax & Photocopy service School & Office materials Laminating & Framing

ANSWERS Round 1 1. Greta Garbo 2. Replicants (or ‘skin jobs’) 3. Six answers: a. Con Air; b. Dangerous Liaisons; c. Being John Malkovich; d. The Hitchiker’s Guide To The Galaxy; e. Eragon; f. Burn After Reading 4. Some Like It Hot 5. Dr Gregory House 6. Twelve answers: a. David Niven; b. Peter Sellers; c. Ursula Andress; d. Orson Welles; e. Deborah Kerr; f. William Holden; g. Jean Paul Belmondo; h. Charles Boyer; i. Ronnie Corbett; j. Bernard Cribbens; k. Peter O’Toole; l. Woody Allen.

7. Pirates of the Caribbean, At the worlds end.

Page 18

Hard

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

Wormwood 15th December

Available December 23 • Myths & Monsters: Season 1 Available December 25 • Cable Girls: Season 2 • Planet Earth II

ON TV

MOVIES

Errol Morris steps outside the comfort zone of his Interrotron for a wholly original docudrama hybrid: a four-and-a-half hour mini-series about the CIA’s real-life experiments with LSD.

TV

Available December 15 • El Señor de los Cielos: Season 5 • Erased: Season 1 • Reggie Yates Outside Man: Volume 2 • The Ranch: Part 4 • Trollhunters: Part 2 • Wormwood Available December 19 • The Indian Detective: Season 1 Available December 20 • La Casa de Papel: Season 1 Available December 21 • Peaky Blinders: Season 4 Available December 22 • 72 Dangerous Animals: Latin America: Season 1 • Dope: Season 1 • Fuller House: Season 3, New Episodes • Rosario Tijeras: Season 1 • The Toys That Made Us: Season 1

Available December 15 • A Five Star Life • Christmas Inheritance • Discovering Bigfoot • Drillbit Taylor • Freeway: Crack in the System • The Haunting of Helena • The Mafia Kills Only in Summer • Neverlake • Pottersville • Ultimate Beastmaster Available December 19 • Miss Me This Christmas • Russell Howard: Recalibrate • You Can’t Fight Christmas Available December 22 • Bright Available December 23 • Creep 2 Available December 26 • Todd Barry: Spicy Honey Available December 27 • Pusher Available December 29 • The Climb • Killer Legends • Shelter Available December 31 • Dave Chappelle: Equanimity • Fun Mom Dinner • Travelers: Season 2 • Bill Nye Saves the World: Season 2 • La Mante: Season 1

Aquarius RESTAURANT & BAR

Gran Alacant News

SPORT

FRI 15th DECEMBER Football Sheffield Wednesday 19:45 Wolves Championship, Sky Sports Football (19:00), Sky Sports Main Event Sevilla 20:00 Levante La Liga, Sky Sports Football - Red Button (19:55), Sky Sports Mix SAT 16th DECEMBER Football Leicester City 12:30 Crystal Palace Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (11:30), Sky Sports Premier League Manchester City v Tottenham BT SPORT 17:30 Cardiff City 17:30 Hull City Championship, Sky Sports Football (17:15), Sky Sports Main Event Aberdeen v Hibernian BTSPORT 19:45 SUN 17th DECEMBER Football Hearts 12:30 Celtic Scottish Premier, Sky Sports Main Event (12:00), Sky Sports Football (12:00) Bournemouth 16:30 Liverpool Premier League, Sky Sports Premier League (16:15), Sky Sports Main Event Barcelona 19:45 Deportivo La Coruna La Liga, Sky Sports Football (19:40)

Page 19

14th Dec - 1st Jan 2018

World Championship Darts Sky Sports Arena (19:00), Sky Sports Main Event (21:30)

SAT 23rd DECEMBER Football Real Madrid 12:00 Barcelona La Liga, Sky Sports Main Event (11:30), Sky Sports Football (11:30) Everton 12:30 Chelsea Premier League, Sky Sports Premier Kilmarnock v Rangers BT SPORT 12:30 Burnley v Tottenham BT SPORT 17:30 Aston Villa 17:30 Sheffield United Championship, Sky Sports Football Leicester City 19:45 Man United Premier League, Sky Sports Premier League (19:00), Sky Sports Main Event TUE 26th DECEMBER Football Spurs 12:30 Southampton Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (12:00), Sky Sports Premier League Dundee v Celtic BT SPORT 12:30 Burton Albion 15:00 Leeds United Championship, Sky Sports Football Liverpool 17:30 Swansea City Sky Sports Main Event (17:15), Sky Sports Premier League Brentford 19:30 Aston Villa Championship, Sky Sports Football

MON 18th DECEMBER Everton 20:00 Swansea City Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (19:00), Sky Sports Premier League

WED 27th DECEMBER Football Hearts 19:45 Hibernian Scottish Premier, Sky Sports Football Newcastle United 19:45 Man City Sky Sports Premier, Sky Sports Main

FRI 22ND DECEMBER Football Arsenal 19:45 Liverpool Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (19:00), Sky Sports Premier League

THU 28th DECEMBER Football Crystal Palace 20:00 Arsenal Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (19:30), Sky Sports Premier

Carabasi Centre Gran Alacant

Great quality, price & service - GUARANTEED! Why not try...

The famous Fish & Chips or the old favourites menu including, best seller Liver & Bacon with onions and mash.

Home made Stew or Cottage Pie or the international range such as, Curry, Chilli con Carne, Lasagna, Southern Fried Chicken.

Popular deluxe Burgers and Kebabs are a must!

Great choice of quality wines & beers Tel.

96 699 9601

Enjoy the Costa Blanca with us!

OPEN: 5pm till finish (closed Sunday)

La Cesta

Cafe & Bar Open: 8.30am Every day

Rental & Property Management for the Alicante Region

Panaderia Artesana

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Over 200 holiday homes available Car hire from our office or Alicante Airport

Desayunos - Almuerzos - Aperitivos Breakfast - Lunch - Apperitives Kontinental Frukost Och Kakor BREAD

PASTIES

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ENGLISH PIES

SAUSAGE ROLLS

Avenida Noruega 214 Centro Comercial Carabassi 1ª planta - local Nº 26 - 03130 Gran Alacant

Steve & Jan - Avda. Mediterranea 72 - Tel. 689 293 731

Tel. 966 698 967 www.granalacant.nl

Email: tom@granalacant.nl www.dreams-spain.com

Registered: EEAT-577 - Apartmento Turisticos Generalitat Valenciana

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 1 - Friday December 22nd 2017

News GRAN ALACANT

Gran Alacant News

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PUBLICITY

SPORTS REPORT

By Malcolm Palmer

STOKES OR WOAKES?

As England slide to a second Ashes defeat – not without quite a struggle, it has to be said – the question arises: Stokes, who pokes folks, or Woakes, one of the nice blokes? Takes me back to a few examples of badly-behaved cricketers on tour, Fred Trueman most notably. Perhaps some top sportsman need that spark of aggression to keep them performing at top level?

Others just seem to frown and get on with it, turn the other cheek. I’ve recently read the biography of Hedley Verity – perhaps

the finest left-arm spinner ever – he never had a bad word for anyone, and plenty of other ‘gentlemen’ have graced sports grounds over the years – Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Raul, Gary Sobers……………I could go on. But back to the question. I’m quite happy with Woakes, and although Stokes is clearly a better bat, I don’t see him as the answer to England’s woes.

What they really need out there is a genuinely quick bowler, like Starc, and perhaps our best weapon may be Liam Plunkett, who has that extra yard of pace that all the rest lack. And the batting! Cookie needs to spend some time in the nets, apparently, neither Stoneman, Vince nor Malan show any consistency – just not good enough! Is it time to send for Alex Hales (who should have been included anyway), or give Gary Ballance a chance? When all is said and done, the only real argument for including Stokes is that his fiery temperament might upset the Aussies a bit. But then, if that’s what we wanted, we could have taken Kevin Pietersen. That leads me on to another of my several ‘soapboxes.’ Do England want South Africans playing for them? Several have done so, and often successfully, but now that the Springboks are a test-playing nation – unlike the bad old days of apartheid – how correct is that?

Answers, please on a……………………..

TO VAR OR NOT TO VAR? La Liga is the only major European league that has so far not adopted the VAR. (Video Assisted Refereeing, just in case you’ve been on some other planet for a while) It is, one has to realize, not without its detractors. I, for one, am in favour, but it needs to be managed correctly. If you were watching Real Madrid’s World Club Championship semifinal, you will know just how badly it can be mismanaged.

The ref first disallowed a goal, then gave it, then referred it to the video guys, who disallowed it, after three whole minutes had passed. Such dithering cannot become the norm. FIFA must issue guidelines for the correct use of the technology.

In the same match, by the way, the referee ignored a clear penalty, and the video was not called into action. Surely the idea is that instant messages should be flashed to the referee, who has an unenviable job on the pitch, and only one pair of eyes. We have seen more than one ‘phantom goal’ this season, no end of blatant penalties ignored, red cards not given when horrible fowls have been committed behind the ref’s back, and I can remember at least

one occasion when a ball was pulled back into play, having passed way over the byline. Yep, give us VAR, but put a team of sensible ex-players in charge.