Gran Alacant news 002 5th january 2018

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

News GRAN ALACANT

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With only one way in to Gran Alacant from the N332 - is GA suffering?

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

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 fortnightly 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

Averages

Fuel (Unleaded 95) Spain: €1.23 UK: €1.32 European Average: €1.20 Salarys 2017 Average salary EU 1,520€ 2017 Average salary UK 2,102€ 2017 Average salary Spain 1,718€

SUNRISE & SET

Rise Set 5 January 08:17 17:58 6 January 08:17 17:59 7 January 08:17 18:00 8 January 08:17 18:01 9 January 08:17 18:02 10 January 08:17 18:03 11 January 08:16 18:04 12 January 08:16 18:05 13 January 08:16 18:06 14 January 08:15 18:07 15 January 08:15 18:08 16 January 08:15 18:09 17 January 08:14 18:10 18 January 08:14 18:11

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 January 6th Epiphany - Día de Reyes It is always celebrated on the 6th of January and commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi, or three wise men. In Spain it is known as ‘Three Kings Day’ and kids get presents too.

AIPORT - ALICANTE Every 20 mins (Bus C6)

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: January 17th - Illumination: 0%

GRAN ALACANT NEWS Editor: Dave Bull Sales: 606

540 408

or: granalacantnews@gmail.com Deadlines: 7 days before publication date Next issue: 19th January 2018 Images/Graphics: 300DPI

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

Gran Alacant News

Page 3

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

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

LET US SHOW OFF WHAT WE’VE GOT For a long time now locals have complained about the poor access from the N332 to Gran Alacant. (We could also mention the lack of signposts – or confusing ones – but that’s for another day.

The only way into Gran Alacant is over an undersized bridge that has no pedestrian access, nor is it wide enough for a car to safely pass a cyclist. Also the section of the N332 is one of the worst accident black spots in the Valencian region so why so much was spent on it not very long ago to ‘improve it’ all that happened was they repaired the crumbling concrete and gave it a lick of paint.

Take El Altet for instance, they have two exits to the N332 but Gran Alacant, with more than double population and five business areas, has just the one.

Not only does El Altet have two exits to the N332, it also has a

By Dave Bull

mostly think that Gran Alacant is just a group of urbanisations (did I mention dodgy signage?). Gran Alacant is no longer that block of flats, Gran Alacant is a cluster of urbanisations and, mostly, small businesses, that could benefit from tourists and residents from other areas coming into Gran Alacant. The town hall should be doing all it can to help promote the area (as mush as it does for Santa Pola at least) and get people here spending their money in GA. And as for the access for a population, that in summer can reach 40,000 inhabitants, we have one way in and out to the main road, a road that has not changed since the last century, in which endless queues form every time we go to work and in summer is hell.

In the next issue we’ll be looking at the odd, and sometimes even

GA exit onto N332

Narrow bridge direct exit towards Torrellano via the CV-849. A direct exit to the CV-851 towards Balsares and Elche plus two other direct exits to the road from El Saladar to go to Alicante, Urbanova or Arenales. El Altet has five exits and Gran Alacant only three, one to the N-332, another to Los Arenales and another to Santa Pola along the coast. It is necessary now, you could argue it has been needed for a very long time, to build more access to and from Gran Alacant joining Caridad Soler Durá street and the N332 by roundabout. Knock down the bridge and build a roundabout and a small pedestrian bridge with a bike path for those who want to cross the road, which they do.

Passers-by on the N332 on their way to the airport or Alicante

dangerous, placement of utilities in the streets of Gran Alacant.

It’s BIN Eventful...

On Wednesay 27th December a fire in a roadside bin, in Calle Monte de Santa Pola, opposite the Pharmacy in Gran Alacant raged for twenty five minutes before fire fighters could put out the flames.

By that time the bin was just a pile of ash and for a while the crew were worried about sparks jumping into the sierra and

creating bigger problems. Having dampened the terrain behind the bin the problem was avoided. They couldn’t say how the fire started but suspected a burning cigarette that had been discarded with rubbish.

Meanwhile in other bin news...

The day previously, Storm Bruno swept through Gran Alacant and left its trail of destruction, see image below.

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

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MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY With financial expert Dave Diggle C.A.T. DipFA

Use the 2017 data and be “canny” when planning the future.

For my first article with the Gran Alacant news, and given the time of year, it may well be worth reflecting on the year just gone with a few numbers that are relevant to expats here in Spain: Inflation - 2% is thought to be the best annual inflation target in order to strike a balance between stable prices and employment. We can see that the actual inflation figure for Spain for 2017 was under target and the UK figure was over target.

Exchange rate - There is not much I can say about the exchange Sterling/Euro rate except that I can only see an upward trend from here as I consider that it was artificially brought down from 1.30 to 1.18 overnight in the Brexit referendum. It may take a long time to improve though, so if

you are at the mercy of the exchange rates then you should use a currency company to transfer your Sterling pension or house purchase (or sale) monies as the exchange rate will be far superior than that offered by the banks.

Unemployment - Unemployment figures in Spain are clearly too high at 16.4% and of under 25 year olds, 37.4% are unemployed compared to 42.7% one year ago. As they will need to be producing the future cash inflows of Spain this data continues to be alarming. I don’t particularly trust the data to reflect the reality as many persons previously registered as unemployed in Spain are working elsewhere in Europe and are now contributing to those economies.

Bank interest rates - will be remaining at

Gran Alacant News

current extremely low levels for as far as I care to look forward and whilst inflation is not exactly at optimum levels, it does indicate that the that the UK economy is growing and low unemployment figures of just 4.2% would seem to support this.

It just goes to show that proper business is making money and if you have a few shares in these profitable businesses, you should also make some money. Accordingly, I am expecting most my investment clients to have made between 5-10% when I produce their year end valuations next week.

And my pension is where, exactly?

Summary – in relation to economic conditions nothing lasts forever. Good times don’t, and neither do bad times and currently we are somewhere in the middle. So businesses and people need to stay ahead of the curve in order to rideout the bad times by A) eliminating and reducing costs and B) sourcing consistent and sustainable income flows. I apply the same philosophy to my own life and as an example, allegedly the Spanish Government has just used its public pension fund to buy its own bond issues, so when it is time for me to collect my Spanish pension in 13 years – where’s the money coming from? In recent years I think we have all learned to expect the unexpected and based on Spanish young persons unemployment rates, they will contribute

very little cash to the economy, so I need an alternative plan for my future income and luckily I have one; The plan is nothing too clever or complicated, just a packaged investment that delivers consistent growth and avoids inheritance tax for me, my wife or my daughter, no matter who is last standing. This package will eliminate a few problems in the future for us and if I can do the same for you, it would be my pleasure so please contact me.

I wish all Gran Alacant News readers a very happy and healthy 2018.

Dave was brought up in Jersey and started working in the local finance industry in 1982. He later changed career and qualified as a Financial & Investment adviser to the level required to work in the UK. Dave moved to Spain with his family in 2006 and he has been the volunteer accountant for the Elche Children’s Home Charity since January 2014.

Dave Diggle C.A.T. (Certified Accounting Technician), DipFA (Financial and Investment Adviser) of David Diggle Financial Services for Expats.

(Volunteer Accountant of the Elche Children’s Care Home since January 2014) www.daviddiggle.es or e mail info@daviddiggle.es or tel 865751713

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

WHERE DO EXPATS LIVE IN THE UK? How many British expats (officially) live in the EU? The latest figures show that around 4.5 million Brits live in abroad and just over 1.3 million of them are residing here in Europe, according to figure from the UN. So which European countries do British expats live in?

The favourite places in Europe are, not surprisingly, Spain (with approximately 319,000), next is our close neighbours Ireland (249,000) and the France (with 171,000).

Where expats live in the EU Spain

Ireland France

Spain 319k

Ireland 249k

France 171k

Germany 99.9k

Italy 66k

Netherlands 47.3k

Cyprus 38.8k

Poland 35.8k

Other 148k

"Malcolm Palmer is wrong on Brexit" from reader Mike Ingle

I am writing in response to the arrogant and ignorant article ascribed to the remoaner Malcolm Palmer (GA News 22nd December 2017)regarding Brexit.

One of the main issues for many people was immigration. This is nothing to do with xenophobia but simple sums which, hopefully MP will be able to understand.

Back when Blair was PM he set up a working group of eminent people to look at all aspects of immigration and they studied the issue for 2 years. In 2008 or 2009 they announced their findings live on a news broadcast and stated that every immigrant - legal or otherwise - cost the taxpayer on average £16,000 a year. This item was shown a couple of times before (I presume) Blair slapped a D-notice on it as the report was buried and the media banned from reporting on it. The governments estimate for immigrants was a wildly optimistic 2.5 million as we now know that there are around 4 Million from the EU alone. Even so this would be a staggering cost to the Uk of £40 billion pounds a year.

If people wish to dismiss these figures then try another example.

An average eastern european family of mum, dad 2 kids.

If both were working 40 hours a week their gross would be about £30,000 a year between them. Take off tax allowances and they would pay about £1,400 a year in tax but receive about £1,700 a year in family benefit. Figures suggest £3,500 per person for NHS services and £6,000 per year per child for schooling. A total in excess of £26,000 per year for one family! That does not take into account other issues such as housing benefit rate relief etc for a low income family and again you

Gran Alacant News

can easily add this up to about £40 billion pounds a year.

Long before the UK joined the EEC people relocated to european countries quite easily but the current freedom of movement is virtually one-way traffic. About 4 million from the EU live in the Uk but only about 1.2 million from the Uk live in the EU. Of these, about 900,000 are pensioners, who would have been welcomed anyway, which leaves only 300,000 workers.

This begs the question why young remoaners are in such a flap especially as 4.5 million eligible voters under the age of 25 did not vote in the referendum!

The UK has a great history of welcoming immigrants into the country but these figures do not need a genius to see that they have to be financially viable and an extra £40 billion a year would resolve the Uk’s budgetary issues.

The NHS and schools could be properly funded and the housing issue could also be resolved.

If MP needs other reasons for leaving the EU then here we go.

The EU is corrupt beyond belief. Millions go missing every year and the accounts not signed off by the auditors for decades.

The EU is very wasteful. Example, 12 times a year the whole of the EU parliament is boxed up and trundled 441kms down the road to Strasbourg just to appease the french. That incurs 24 weekends of unnecessary work and millions extra wasted on travel, accommodation etc.

The EU is still run for the benefit of the original 6 countries. Example, of the 28 countries, one country France takes about 40% of the CAP fund and refuses to re-negotiate it. Also in the Brexit negociations only France and Germany had a say on the UK’s offer, the other 25 countries did not get a say.

Funding of the EU is another major issue.

Page 5

If you join a club and want full benefits then you pay a fee and would expect every other person to pay the same fee for the same benefits. There should not be a gap of €34 billion euros a year as there is between what the UK pays and what Poland receives. Of the 28 countries in the EU 18 of them are nett benefactors with 2 or 3 of those close to the line.

When a country that has paid as much as the UK has and decides to leave then that country owes the EU nothing. Had this been a country like Hungary leaving then all the discussion would now be over and this makes it very clear that all the EU want to do is punish the UK for leaving.

The final point I would make is this.If you look back 40 years or so and look how much the EEC has changed then look forward another 40 years and consider this.

If current “progress” continues then national governments will be abolished and unelected beaurocrats in Brussels will rule all.

Also there are 5 new nominated countries that are waiting to join the EU and these include Turkey and Albania where during their recent civil war severe atrocities were reported on a daily basis. These 5 countries would all be nett benefactors meaning the UK payments would have to increase massively. In 40 years time how many other countries would the UK taxpayer have to fund?

For me and the majority of people in the UK now is the right time to leave before the beaurocrats make it even harder for paying countries to escape.

The doom-mongers (the same ones that said the UK would not survive outside the ERM) have so far been wrong again and will most likely be proved totally wrong in the future. The UK has one of the strongest economies in the EU and the world and will remain so long after the EU and the euro have disappeared from history.

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

Gran Alacant News

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

SANTA POLA TOWN HALL APPROVES SIERRA PROTECTION PLAN

Gran Alacant Sierra

Central Government will ultimately decide whether the land can be protected

Santa Pola Town Hall gives the go ahead for the protection of the Sierra in Gran Alacant The region will have greater powers in the management of this nature zone - A technical party will now at ways to plan the uses of the are over the next two years. commission of participatory and consultative nature will draft the plan of uses of the area in a period of two years At a meeting at the town hall it was agreed to send the reasons for the request for

protection of the Sierra to the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, Climate Change and Rural Development. This project includes the extension to Gran Alacant and the Cabo.

After receiving the approval of the Generalitat for the report to start the procedures and develop the request for the Sierra to become a Protected Natural Area, the Consistory has already approved the referral of this report to the Ministry to continue the process that allows greater

Gran Alacant News

management by the municipal administration of the Sierra With this, a protected space will be created in order to maintain natural resources at the local level, promoted and managed by the municipal corporations.

The justifying report, which includes the commitments made by the town hall in terms of protection and conservation of the area, considers what is the public forest of Santa Pola and the Cape, what are its boundaries, the characteristics of the enclave, the uses allowed and those who will control it in the future, the plant and animal species that exist in the area and the general care of the territory, among others. In addition, the project includes the expansion of the areas to be protected, and therefore, to be added within the denomination of Natural Protected Area. So, it is not limited to the Sierra of Santa Pola, but it adds the sectors and ravines of Gran Alacant and the Cape, as pointed out by the Councillor for the Environment of the Consistory of the fishing village, Alejandro Escalada.

The next step now depends on the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, Climate Change and Rural Development, which has to issue its criterion of conformity to the justifying report and put it on public display for 45 days.

The Skywalk

Page 7

MEET (Graham) & TOO (much) VEG?

Monster vegetable grower, Graham Basset of Gran Alacant has been busy again, here below we’ve put together just a few samples. Maybe this year he could grow some giant sprouts for Xmas? At least that way we could tell the kids they only have to eat one!

Russian tomato

Giant red cabbage

Gisnt Cabbage

Giant onion

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

Page 8

ARE YOU A GRUMPY OLD MAN?

VOLVO OCEAN RACE HEADS FOR HONG KONG

Test yourself here!

1. YOU ARE IMPOSSIBLE IN RESTAURANTS When eating out you are certain that the portions are either too small or too big, that the print on the menu is unreadable, it's too dark, it's too bright, it's too noisy, it's like a tomb, it's too cold and why are they serving everything on slates?

2. CLOTHES EXIST FOR FUNCTION, NOT FASHION If you are in a relationship, you long ago gave up on trying to impress your other half with your sartorial flair.

You refuse to buy any new shirts until you have 'worn out' the ones you own 3. TECHNOLOGY REFUSES TO CO-OPERATE WITH YOU You're fine with mobile phones, email, even Facebook, but at the mention of Instagram or Amazon's Alexa you adopt the expression of a donkey watching a card trick. You yearn for the days of four (or even three) TV channels and one remote control.

4. YOU HAVE REPLACED CONVERSATION WITH COMPLAINTS If someone asks how you are, you don't say "fine", or even stretch to "well", but embark instead on a litany of physical ailments, imagined slights and grumbles about the state of the world (you blame Theresa May personally for the fall in the pound).

5. WATCHING TV AT HOME IS YOUR FAVOURITE PASTIME Finally - finally! - it is deemed an acceptable evening activity to settle down on the sofa with a glass of wine and a good show. (None of those box sets, mind you.) Let's be honest: Theatre?

Too expensive. Music concerts?

Gran Alacant News

In the five months since this race left Alicante, the fleet has visited Alicante, Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya and Auckland.

Now, they're in the toughest arena of all - the Southern Ocean - winging their way towards Itajaí. That's a lot of miles sailed.

Next they’re off to Hong Kong on the 2nd of January Leg 4 It’s 6,000 miles of racing; north from Melbourne to Hong Kong starting on 2nd January 2018 so they’re already on the way.

A quick glance at a map will tell you that there’s plenty of land between those two spots. At this point, we don’t know if the race officials will limit the course options, so we’ll deal with it in general terms – and this is another north to south leg passing through multiple climate zones. Remember, the earth’s oceanic climate features distinct bands, lying horizontally and looping the globe, running out from the Equator to the Poles in a mirror image.

from the start line, in which case the first section will be hugging the coast around Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland until they set out across the Coral Sea. The key feature of this section will be variability, and early on it’s quite possible that low pressure systems nudging north from the Southern Ocean will boost the fleet for a wild ride round the corner of Australia. Or it could be dominated by high pressure, in which case the daily cycle of heating and cooling of the land will create local thermal winds that the teams will need to focus on.

Once they get a bit further north, they will steadily come into the influence of the Trade Winds (moderate to strong winds that blow consistently towards the equator from the south-east in the southern hemisphere), and these will likely dominate the racing across the Coral Sea.

Melbourne has a temperate climate, lying as it does on a latitude that puts it on the border between the Westerly Storm Track (low pressure systems circulating west-to east around Antarctica and the Arctic) and the Subtropical High Pressure Zone (a stable, semi-static area of High Pressure lying between 30 and 38 degrees) for the Pacific.

Let’s assume that the boats will head east

HOW THEY STAND

Team Leg 1 Leg 2 Leg 3 Extras Total 1 MAPFRE

6 7 14 2 29 2 Dongfeng Race Team 5 6 12 - 23 3 Vestas 11th Hour Racing 7 5 10 1 23 4 Team Brunel 2 4 8 - 14 5 Team Sun Hung 3 2 6 - 11 6 team AkzoNobel 4 3 - - 7 7 Turn the Tide on Plastic 1 1 4 - 6

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018 Did you know?

Men lie 6 times a day, twice as often as women

Living

THOSE TV ADS I know many of you who will read this, unlike me, will watch British telly, but I do see a bit of Sky from time to time, and the ads don’t vary a lot from what we get thrust upon us by Spanish TV. Don’t you just love those car ads? The ones that tell you that you can buy a shiny new whatever From 8,850 euros. Ha! Just try. ‘Do you actually want wheels on that, too – and an engine? – That’ll be 14,800.’ And there’s occasionally a government piece saying that ads should be ‘honest, legal, and decent? – yeah. Like the ones before the football, where some ‘orrid guy with an Estuarine accent tells you he’s watching every second of every match, everywhere, as if that’s supposed to encourage you to bet. They must persuade a lot of gullible folk to part with their money and bet on football matches – there are so many ads – and the odds are always stacked against you winning much at all, of course. Then there’s poker, where you see ‘happy’ celebrities around a table.

Hmmmm. How do people think the companies pay for so much advertising?

Wherever there are huge profits, there are massive advertising campaigns, so apart from the incessant car ads, and the betting, you have the dental clinics, ineffective , even dangerous proprietary medicines, fast food that gives you cholesterol, and useless cures for cholesterol! Oh, and don’t forget the face creams that don’t work and haircare products.

Did you know? (washing-up In his lifetime, liquid with a man spends a drop of almost six months smelly stuff shaving added) Does give you time to make a cup of tea, though.

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

Life

A DEAR BEER!

Prices have gone up around three times their price since 1982, meaning that 300 pounds today would be the equivalent of 100 pounds back then, the year Prince William was born and Culture Club and Bucks Fizz topped the pop charts.

Below we’ve listed a few examples of everyday goods to compare prices with today and to show how much they have increased in 35 years.

Draught lager, per pint 1982 73p 2017 3.18p 336%

Bread, white loaf, sliced, 1982 37p 2017£1.34 Change: 235% Apples, per kilo 1982 68p 2017 £1.90 157% Milk, pasteurised, per pint 1982 20p 2017 49p 130% Sausages, per kg 1982 £1.59 2017 £4.75 177% Butter, per 250g 1982 50p 2017 £1.51 176%

Carrots, per kg 1982 35p 2017 94p 146% Sugar, per kg 1982 44p 2017 107p 123% Coffee, instant, per 100g 1982 97p 2017 £2.85 176% Eggs, per dozen 1982 73p 2017 £2.82 286% Vehicle fuel diesel, per litre 1982 36p 2017 £1.42 294%

Page 9

10 STRANGE SPANISH LAWS

1. There’s a limit to the amount of dogs you can have with you at the same time. If there’s eight or more on your leads, you’ll likely receive a penalty.

2. Flip-flops and any other shoe that isn’t deemed “complete” are not accepted when driving any vehicle throughout the country.

3. Basque People Could Die In Iceland This isn’t a law directly from Spain, but involves the Basque population.

Weirdly enough, Iceland had a law in the books until 2015 that stated it was legal for Icelanders to kill those people specifically.

4. No Groceries In Convertibles Don’t just loosely throw groceries in the back seat of any convertible. Doing so is against the law.

5. Prostitutes Need Safety Vests While prostitution is widely legal in Spain, they have to wear the right equipment for the job in Catalonia.

6. Can’t Ask For Time Madrid probably has one of the weirdest laws in existence. Between the times of 3:29 PM and 6:47 PM, people cannot ask one another what time it is.

7. No Rice Throwing At Weddings Cadiz banned the common tradition of throwing rice after a wedding ceremony for a few reasons. One, some couples got injured by tripping on the rice, and they didn’t want birds flocking into the area.

8. Fine For Being Shirtless Palma de Mallorca now charges 600 Euros for anybody that chooses to be topless in the city centre 9. Naming Regulations Throughout the country, there are some restrictions when it comes to naming children. For example, Mandarina is not acceptable because that is a fruit.

10. Keep Underwear Inside Seville law states that people cannot hang “indecent” clothes on a line. This obviously includes any underwear and suggestive attire.

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

Page 10

By Mandy Tams Christmas is over, the goose got stuffed and so did everybody else. The new year arrived, and now it’s the long haul through 2018 and also the time to think of the body beautiful and get it ready for the summer sun.

Some may think this is too soon, but you can never start early enough in my opinion, yes I looked in the mirror. I would like to pass on a little of my hard earned wisdom to all ages and sexes…

First, for the men, forget your six pack, no woman wants to go out with a bloke that looks fitter or prettier than her and get rid of the facial fluff how it became fashionable I don’t know. Next, please buy the right swimwear for your body, IE, not long shorts which you tuck up into nappy shapes to brown the top of the legs, buy trunks. If you are not endowed to show off anything in your budgie smugglers stick a piece of churro down there, you know them big long coloured floaty things everybody has, not the brown ones in the

HAPPY 2018 pools though. We don’t care; it’s your egos, not ours, we just hate to see rolled up shorts.

For the larger gentleman, that love the sun on their tattoos please, please, please, gentlemen, when you leave the beach, please wear a T-shirt.

Now for the ladies, well you are perfect already, so you have nothing to worry about, but if the pounds are a problem, you can always shed a few by buying lighter shoes and don’t carry a handbag. From my experience of them, which I admit is limited, and it still throws me when I see what some contain which is everything, including the kitchen sink, so ditch it and step on those scales free of impediments.

Don’t forget the end of March will be racing up to slap us in the face and we forward the clock, this is the time to turn back your scales by at least 10 pounds.

How do you know if you have put on a little weight? Well, for those in relationships it is usually your partner who tact-

Gran Alacant News Brexit - Get on with it Kelly McLachlan

fully lets you now by telling you that you are fat and he/she is ashamed to be seen with you. Partners are the most loving and the least tactful and say they only wish to help, well, the answer is simple, change them. It’s far easier in the long run. Have a blessed and Happy New Year.

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Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

Gran Alacant News

Fridays QUIZ NIGHT

Jim’s FREE entry quiz From 4.00pm

2 for 1 COCKTAILS

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Page 11

ALL LIVE SPORTS shown on 9 Screens LIVE Entertainment

Page 12

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

HOROSCOPES Aries March 21-April 20 Tensions in the workplace may be draining over the next few days. Prior to Wednesday colleagues or business partners may withhold important information or avoid direct questions. Later in the week, however, all returns to normal. A move abroad could be on the cards.

Taurus April 21-May 20 Home comforts and social events will revitalize your energy over the next few days. Recent business or financial demands now need to be balanced with family enjoyment, familiar activities and the safe expression of emotion.

Gemini May 21-June 21 Before Thursday friends and workmates may be mistaken concerning times, dates or schedule changes. Check facts and information thoroughly before committing extra time. Unnecessary workplace delays may be costly.

Cancer June 22-July 22 Subtle attractions or unique social messages will soon intensify. Before Thursday watch for friends and lovers to openly confront past ideas or make obvious romantic overtures.

Leo July 22-August 22 Early this week a close friend may be easily irritated by last minute social or romantic changes. Before midweek relationships may be unstable.

Virgo August 23-September 22 Quiet attractions or subtle overtures of love will be pleasing over the next few days. Long-term lovers or close friends may now be appreciative of your dedication, personal style or commitment. Plan new family activities or social events this week.

Citroen C3 1.4SX 5 Door Only 71k 3995€

Libra September 23-October 23 Past business or romantic partnerships may reoccur over the next few days. For many Librans postponed work aspirations or failed relationships will now become achievable.

Scorpio October 24-November 22 This week workplace instructions or social gatherings may require extra patience. Before Wednesday expect cancelled plans or revised work projects.

Offer assistance: friends and business associates may now need time.

Sagittarius Nov 23-December 21 Business decisions or newly revised contracts may soon require quick adjustments: expect work schedules or daily duties to now increase. Before Thursday a recently postponed project or delayed decision may arrive without warning Capricorn December 22-January 20 Romantic pressures or new home proposals may be a theme over the next few days. Before mid-week lovers and close friends may suggest new living arrangements or wish to expand emotional commitments.

Aquarius January 21-February 19 Before Thursday unexpected property matters or home agreements may demand attention. Large purchases may all need extra discussion and scrutiny.

Pisces February 20-March 20 This week new business alliances or career opportunities will offer surprisingly fast rewards. Tuesday through Thursday watch for revised instructions.

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.

Renault Twingo 1.5 Diesel 3 door, low km’s, full electrics 5495€

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

Jaguar XK8 Convertible only 90k, original Spanish car, totally immaculate POA

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

Petrol Station - La Marina Urb.

Tel. 96 Renault Kamgoo 1.5 DCi twin side doors, full electrics 4495€

Toyota Yaris 1.5 Sol AUTOMATIC 5 door, 1 owner, FSH, only 57k 5995€

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Peugeot 5008 2.0 HDI 7 seater Sportpack, fully loaded

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Kia Sportage 2.0 Petrol low km’s, service history, two owners 6995€

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Ford Fusion 1.4 5 Door 1 owner, Fsh, low km’s 6995€

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Cars UK & Spanish always purchased for cash.

Citroen Grande Picasso Diesel, 7 seater, AUTOMATIC, Top spec 8995€ FINANCE AVAILABLE SUBJECT TO STATUS

Peugeot 307 Coupe Cabrio 2.0 Litre, Many Extras, 5995€

Opel Agila 1.2 Plus 2 owners, only 64k, many extras 3695€

Peugeot 1007 1.4 HDi Diesel Sport, low km’s many extras 4995€

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

FIVE TREATS IN ALICANTE

By Dave Bull

Alicante’s Old Town

Immerse yourself in the Casco Antiguo and more!

The Romans, as ever, where the first to really put Alicante on the map and so they should they had seven hundred years to do it in but it was in the eighth century that the Moors arrived and civilised the place somewhat, bringing irrigation, medicines and books amongst other things.

Over the next several hundred years the city was under the rule of various leaders and had its up and downs in that time. However, these days the popularity of the region for its beaches and good all year climate sees over nine million visitors heading to Spain through Alicante airport. The new airport, finished in 2011, has a capacity for 20 million passengers per year.

1.Lucentum This roman site contains evidence of both the Iberian and the Roman eras with the Roman city being constructed over the Iberian one, of which practically nothing remains except for the walls. The lower level is contemporary with a necropolis excavated in the 1930s to make way for a road, and whose materials are now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Alicante. A fascinating place to wander and see the original site of the city.

2.Convento de la Sangre The Convent of the Sisters of Blood can be found in the old town of Alicante and has been declared an historical Monument by the regional government. Dating from

1732 it was conceived as a Jesuit school, but since 1790 has belonged to the Augustinian. In the chapel you’ll see an image of the Virgen de la Soledad dating from the XVI century which is one of the oldest in the city. Also, the convent houses a sculpture of the Virgin of Sorrows in Francisco Salzillo and other images such as the Christ of Divine Love.

3.Musa The Museum of Alicante offers a journey through the

Gran Alacant News

Page 13

history of the city and can be found at the Santa Barbara Castle where it has been refurbished and is now equipped with tenexhibition halls. The visit will show you archaeological materials discovered from many different historical periods which have been found in the various archaeological sites of the city.

4.Casa Gadea Known locally as the Casa de las Brujas, (the house of witches) Casa Gadea is one of the unique buildings in Alicante. Constructed in a Modernist in style, it was built in 1898 by the architect Enrique Sánchez Sedeño, pioneer of iron constructions in Spain. Although it preserves the classic structural layout, in 1911 it was endowed with a tower topped with heavily inclined deck, in the Nordic Gothic style. Inside, it has undergone contemporary decorative incorporations and in the exterior, on its façade, you can see good examples of art nouveau.

5.MARQ Museum MARQ is the impressive building that sits beneath Alicante’s ninth century castle on Mount Benacantil and houses one of Spain’s best archaeological museums (and was indeed voted Europe’s Museum of the Year in 2004) was inaugurated in 2000. Divided into severalthematic areas MARQ archaeology museum in Alicante is dedicated to displaying its collections in such a way that it provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy an emotive and educational journey through local history. A history that has a lot to talk about too with influences and relics ranging from the very first settlers in the region in pre-historic times to the Iberians, the Romans, the Medieval Age and the Modern and Contemporary Historical Periods. A great way to see any city is to hire a car from one of the market leaders in holiday car hire. With over 90 offices and 1,000 staff managing a modern fleet of more than 50,000 vehicles, Goldcar is the ideal companion on any holiday. Offering the very best deals on the market with Goldcar you can benefit from the many advantages of booking your car rental with one of the specialists.

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Page 14

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

Gran Alacant News

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

TEA BREAK FUN Wordsearch

Across 1. Thrashes 5. ‘’Diff’rent Strokes’’ character 11. Drinking-water tester (Abbr.)

14. Beware of this joint 15. Relaxed 16. Inaugural statement 17. Something fired 20. Love, Italian-style 21. Belittle 22. Cockroaches and cicadas, e.g.

25. Exude, as a poison 28. She played Rosemary 29. Muscle injury 31. Buy back 32. Maidens 34. New Testament chronicle 35. Something fired 38. Lose solidity 40. Off the beaten track 41. Knight mares?

44. Made haste 45. Where Bruce Springsteen was born 48. Small bags of scented powder 50. Common game piece 52. Drink a bit 54. Dish of potatoes or fruit, e.g.

55. Something fired 59. Five centimes, formerly 60. Seat of Pima County, Arizona 61. Of a similar nature 62. Sound of tires on the highway 63. Creates a glaze, in a way 64. 40-day period

Down 1. ‘’To life!’’

2. Kind of association 3. Champagne cocktail 4. Save 5. SPAR’s counterpart 6. Give-go link 7. Impart 8. Quaint roads 9. Chemistry exam topic, perhaps 10. New York lake 11. Fade away 12. D.C. dealmaker 13. Cobbler’s tool 18. Bees’ quest 19. Columbia University affiliate 23. Placement determinant, often 24. Dostoyevsky girl 26. Brandy amount, perhaps 27. The middle of summer?

30. Coral constructions 32. Cause for a 15-yard penalty 33. Takes a little off the ends 35. Alloy of gold and silver 36. Turn on the waterworks 37. ‘’Billion Year Spree’’ author Brian 38. Ed.’s pile for review 39. Socrates’ H 42. Train stations 43. Minnesota capital 45. Not similar to 46. Protect, as freshness 47. Like some fans 49. Piece of the pie 51. Type of cavity 53. Limerick language 55. Bat wood, typically 56. Note in a pot, perhaps 57. Bon ___ 58. Re-election seekers

Sudoku - Easy

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Q: I’m tall when I’m young and I’m short when I’m old. What am I? Q: Mary’s father has 5 daughters – Nana, Nene, Nini, Nono. What is the fifth daughters name?

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Gran Alacant News

Page 15

PUB QUIZ Answers & Solutions Page 18

Test yourself with some testing questions!

Round 1 - Movies 1. Which two English born actors have hosted the Academy Awards ceremony three or more times? One point for each correct answer.

2. In which three years were the Summer Olympic Games cancelled?

3. Which deviant group train at Westchester mansion?

4. Which unspecified ‘teen’ was first coined by the Army Signal Corps during World War I? 5. Code Red, Michelangelo and Conficker were all famous examples of what?

6. Invented by a French chef at the Ritz Hotel in New York City, what name was given to his cold puree of leeks, potatoes and cream?

7. On the 27th of March 2010 Russia had eleven. Today they only have nine. What?

8. The most decorated US soldier in WW II later became a Hollywood actor. What was his name?

9. The following lyrics are from which hot 1950s hit?

“Romeo love Juliet, Juliet she felt the same, When he put his arms around her, He said Julie baby your my flame” 10. As the winter draws ever closer, the skies are often filled with fascinating murmurations.

What are murmurations?

11. Who were the two members of the Jackson Five with the initials ‘J. J.’? One point for each correct answer.

12. Which two Asian men have been Secretary-General of the United Nations? One point for each correct answer.

13. The Russian word for an incident of wanton and unrestrained destruction on a mass scale, such as may occur during wartime. Six letters, second letter ‘O’.

14. Which two sports that start with the letter ‘C’ were once part of the Summer Olympic Games?

One point for each correct answer.

15. Which year is missing from both the Gregorian calendar and the Julian calendar yet present in the astronomical calendar system?

16. Which other ‘Mick’ was once a member of The Rolling Stones?

17. What was the name of the boat commanded

by Capt. Ramius?

18. The PINNA is the outer part of your what?

19. Who was American author Mona Simpson’s inspirational Brother, whom she did not meet until she was 25 years old?

20. Which car company, initially founded as the Swallow Sidecar Company, was forced to change it’s name after WWII to avoid the unfavourable connotations of the SS initials?the Open University?

21. What kind of films were banned in Monaco after April 18, 1956?

22. Which musical instrument is also the name for a Champagne glass?

23. The name of which US state translated means ‘snow’?

24. Akbar Shah, Cullinan, Taylor-Burton, Black Orlov, Koh-i-Noor and Golden Eye are all famous examples of what?

25. What was the original name for the band ‘The Shadows’?

26. The following mottos and slogans are associated with which company or product? One point for each correct answer.

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

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

Shaker Maker 2 Tone Tuesdays 2pm

The Pub Family Fortunes & Blockbusters 5pm

Gran Alacant Market

The Pub Susie’s Free Entry Quiz 4pm

6th

Voices Karaoke 2pm Shooters Bar Karaoke 9.30pm Websters Karaoke 9.30pm Bar Sioux Karaoke 9.30pm Tablao Lunares Dinner & Flamenco Show 10pm American rock Live Music 10pm

7th

The Pub Mr Bojangles 4pm The Pub Live music 6pm

8th

Voices Karaoke 2pm Lounge D Quiz 8pm

The Pub Kev’s Karaoke 8pm

SATURDAY 13th JAN Bar Sioux 5 year anniversary party Las Vegas show 10pm

9th

Voices Karaoke 2pm Bar Sioux Eyes Down 9.30pm

10th

Voices Wed-Fri 6pm karaoke Zest Fun Darts 8.30pm

COMING SOON! Gran Alacant Flea Market Sunday 21st Jan Next to Sports Centre

11th

Shaker Maker Thirsty Thursdays 2pm

12th

Molly Malone’s Line dancing 4.30pm

The Pub 7-80’s Disco 9pm

Brothers Bar Jam session 9.30pm

Shooters Bar Karaoke 9.30pm

Bar Sioux Quiz 9.30pm

Websters Quiz & Karaoke 9.30pm

American rock Live Music 10pm Walking Football Contact: laneinspain@ hotmail.com

Molly Malone’s 9.30pm Karaoke with Tony Hall American rock Live Music 10pm

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Santa Pola Market

Voices Karaoke 2pm

Santa Pola Market

Shaker Maker 2 Tone Tuesdays 2pm

The Pub Family Fortunes & Blockbusters 5pm

Gran Alacant Market

The Pub Susie’s Free Entry Quiz 4pm

13th

Voices Karaoke 2pm

14th

The Pub Mr Bojangles 4pm

Shooters Bar Karaoke 9.30pm

The Pub Live music 6pm

Websters Karaoke 9.30pm

The Pub Kev’s Karaoke 8pm

Bar Sioux 5 year anniversary party Las Vegas show 10pm

15th

Voices Karaoke 2pm Lounge D Quiz 8pm

16th

Voices Karaoke 2pm Bar Sioux Eyes Down 9.30pm

Tablao Lunares Dinner & Flamenco Show 10pm

Got something on?

Get it in!

American rock Live Music 10pm

granalacantnews@gmail.com

17th

Voices Wed-Fri 6pm karaoke Zest Fun Darts 8.30pm

18th

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

19th

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

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

AROUND THE REGION

Don’t forget...!

GRAN ALACANT FLEA MARKET Every 3rd Sunday Next to the Sports Centre, Avda Escandinavia

All Electrical Work Undertaken

CCW Electrical Services

EXPERIENCED

Free Estimates

Contact Clive or Wendy on: 617 872 405

2 Bed Terraced House

FOR SALE

63,000€ La Marina

Vintage, Collectables & Much More Every Saturday Bigastro road km3.5 Orihuela, orihuela

LOCAL MARKETS

HOME BEACH THE CHARMING SHOP DECORATIONS CERAMICS FURNITURE FLOWERS GAMES HOUSEHOLD FASHION JEWELERY GIFTS Centro Comercial GA Avda Finlandia Local 10 Tel. GRAN ALACANT

96 669 96 05

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.

Know of an event?

Let us know!

ALICANTE & ELCHE 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.

Equus

EXHIBITION THE DA VINCI SCHOOL OF ARTS. Philosophy and Art Place: Imaginalia Center - Alicante Date: Until January 19, 2018

Zürich Philharmonia

ADDA (Auditorium of the Diputación de Alicante) Paseo de Campoamor, s/n - Alicante Phone: 965 919 100 January 18, 2018 Time: 8.00pm

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

CINEMA

Kinépolis Alicante Plaza Mar 2 Avenida de Denia s/n Centro Comercial Plaza Mar 2, La Goteta, Valencia 03016 Tel. 965220192 Rigoletto Opera January 16th 2 hrs. 30 mins.

David McVicar’s acclaimed production of Verdi’s powerful and tragic opera is musically directed by Alexander Joel, with an excellent cast led by Dimitri Platanias, Lucy Crowe and Michael Fabiano.

Ballet: Romeo y Julieta January 21st 2 hr. 45 mins.

Live from the Bolshoi in Moscow. This brilliant and detailed adaptation of Prokofiev’s romantic and cinematographic score revives the story of the most celebrated lovers of the novel, like no other classical ballet choreographer.

Page 17

granalacantnews@gmail.com

Main Theatre Plaza Ruperto Chapí, s/n - Alicante Phone: 965 203 100 January 12, 2018 10, 12 and 15€ Time: 8.30pm

Tuesday Altea (farm produce), Aspe, Benidorm (farm produce), Elda. Jijona, Orihuela, Pilar de Horardada (Mil Palmeras).

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.

Local Mechanic

THEATRE IN ALICANTE

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

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

Tel. 686 520 186

ANTIQUE FAIRS ON THE COSTA BLANCA Antique & Period Furniture

Next market: 21st January

QUALIFIED

Gran Alacant News

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,

LIVE MUSIC El Consorcio January 13, 2018 Concert Schedule: 8:30 p.m.

Place: Auditorium of the Diputación de Alicante Alicante / Alacant Tickets: http://www.elcorteingles.es/entradas DJ Law Venue T.B.A. Doors open: 17:00 Tickets: www.songkick.com

Further Afield

20th January Sidecars La Llotja Cultural Hall Elche, Spain Doors open: 21:00 Tour name: Question of seriousness

ART EXHIBITION IN JAVEA

Until Mon Jan 15th 2018 at 11:00 Alicante, Calle Sor Maria Gallart , Javea Event Details Second exhibition of the artistic collective La Figuera with the theme La Sombra. In the Cactus Club Shop in Javea.

The opening will be Friday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. and the exhibition will be for a month.

Maximiliano Calvo Place: La cuna Teteria Elche, Spain Tickets: www.songkick.com

HemingwayBistro International Cuisine

Passion for exotic food

• • •

Starters Salads Pastas

• • •

Fish Vegetarian Pizzas

Avda. Escandinavia 72 Local 5 Gran alacant

Tel. 865 669 754

632 333 195

hemingwaybistro@gmail.com

Page 18

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

What’s on locally..?

Friday 5th January

19:00

4

Three Kings Parade

Route: leaving from the Palmeral, along Calle Elche, finishing at the Glorieta, where the presents will be given out.

Gran Alacant News

!

S D I for K

PANTOS

in Elche

Around the region

Cinderella, the musical with the rhythm of 50’s

ANIMAL MAGIC! Great places to interact with animals

The Cinderella story becomes a youth musical set in an American institute of the 50s Genre: Children’s musical Date: January 13, 2018 Where: Chapí Theatre, Elche Address: Luciano López Ferrer, 17 Hours: 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Prices: From 8 to 10 euros Advance sale: Instant Ticket (www. instanticket.es, 902 444 300, Banco Sabadell terminals)

Ice rink

Safari Aitana

Mundomar means taking a trip to the animal kingdom, both in and out of the water. Waterfowl, such as swans, ducks, pelicans or flamingos, greet you and then you can move on to the turtle ecosystem.

Thu Jan 18th 2018 to Sun Jan 21st

Safari Aitana de Alicante has a route of 7 kilometres that is travelled by car. The animals are in semi freedom in spaces that recreate their natural habitat. The area called Dactari can be visited on foot.

Río Safari Elche

Located in a unique environment between the Alicante towns of Elche and Santa Pola, Río Safari Elche has around a hundred different species of animals in its enclosures. The park is divided into different areas and offers workshops, exhibitions with animals and guided train routes.

Robin Hood the Panto Careline Theatre, Alcalali 2018 at 20:00 until 22:30 ADDRESS Alicante, Calle Calvari/ Valent 18, Alcalalí Event Details Careline Theatre is performing Robin Hood in Alcalali Matinees at 3pm on January 20 and 21.

Evening performances on January 18 to 21 at 8pm.

Tickets from the box office on 605 181 726 or email carelineboxoffice@gmail.come esplanade of the Castle.

Rojales Pantomime Group

Terra Natura Benidorm

An innovative theme park in the heart of Benidorm covering more than 320,000 square metres. This is Terra Natura. Divided into four large thematic areas that correspond to the fire, air, earth and water elements (Pangea, America, Asia, and Europe), its facilities house specimens of 200 species.

Tea Break Fun

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!’

Information and reservations Telephone: 965 453 446/965 453 473 E-mail: info@elchefitnessclub.es

Children’s Traffic Park

Traffic playground The Children’s Traffic Park is located next to the Vinalopó riverbed in the heart of the historic Palm Grove declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It occupies an area of 12,500 square metres and its location between palm trees and gardens give it extraordinary beauty. Its magnificent tracks and facilities for Road Education and the ornamental design, make this Park one of the most complete in Spain.

Information Av. Del Mayor Vicente Quiles, 1.

Phone: 965 45 23 42

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

RIDDLES A Candle A: If you answered Nunu, you are wrong. It’s Mary!

Solutions From page 15

ANSWERS 1. Two answers. Bob Hope (19) and David Niven (3) 2. 1916, 1940 and 1944 3. X-men 4. Umpteen (‘Umpty’ was slang for the Morse code dash. Many dashes were then called umpteen) 5. Computer viruses 6. Vichyssoise 7. Time zones (as of the 28th of March 2010 ) 8. Audie Murphy 9. Fever (Peggy Lee’s version) 10. The aerobatic displays of starlings 11. Two answers. Jermaine Jackson and Jackie Jackson 12. Two answers. Ban Ki-Moon and U Thant 13. POGROM 14. Two answers. Cricket and Croquet 15. The year zero. (Under those systems, the year 1 BC is followed by AD 1) 16. Mick Taylor 17. Red October 18. Ear (Pinna is Latin for ‘feather’) 19. Steve Jobs, Apple Inc. 20. Jaguar Cars

Mundomar Benidorm

skate-ice-2 Ice skating is a unique experience, especially for children. In addition, the Squash Sports Club offers visitors many other sports activities such as Spinning, , Pilates, Stepdance, Latin, Stretching, Defence, Aerobics/Aerodance, Gym, Turkish Bath, Sauna, Heated Pool, UVA, Soccer and Squash.

Hard 21. Grace Kelly films 22. Flute 23. Nevada 24. Diamonds 25. The Drifters 6. Four answers a. L’Oreal b. IBM c. Adidas d. Jaguar

Easy

Gran Alacant News Issue no. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

Camp X-Ray January 14th

January 15 Señora Acero Season 3 Wartime Portraits Season 1

ON TV

MOVIES

Camp X-Ray is a 2014 American independent drama film based on the detention facility Camp X-Ray at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. The film is the directorial debut of Peter Sattler who also wrote the screenplay. It stars Kristen Stewart and Peyman Moaadi with John Carroll Lynch, Lane Garrison, and Joseph ...

TV

January 6 Degrassi: Next Class Season 3 Mar de Plastico Season 1 One Day at a Time Season 1 Tarzan and Jane Season 1 January 10 Best Friends Whenever Season 2 We’re Lalaloopsy Season 1 January 13 A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 1 Historia de un Clan Season 1 The Investigator: A British Crime Story Season 1

January 6 Coin Heist Growing Up Coy January 7 Alpha and Omega 7 Miss Sharon Jones!

Under the Shadow January 9 Best and Most Beautiful Things Ratchet and Clank January 10 As I Open My Eyes Happily Married Jim Gaffigan: Cinco January 11 Disney’s Alice Through the Looking Glass January 13 Aquarius Casablancas: The Man Who Loved Women Clinical It Follows January 14 Camp X-Ray Cardboard Boxer Estar O No Estar January 15 A Beautiful Now Hostage to the Devil Twisted Trunk, Big Fat Body January 16 Flash of Genius Halloweed Rezort January 17 Fatima Neal Brennan: 3 Mics Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050

Aquarius RESTAURANT & BAR

Gran Alacant News

SPORT

FRI 5TH JANUARY Cricket South Africa v India 08:30 Sky Sports Cricket (08:25), Sky Sports Main Event (08:30) New Zealand v Pakistan 22:00 Sports Cricket (21:55), Sky Sports Main Event (22:00) Golf Tournament of Champions Sky Sports Golf (23:00) SAT 6TH JANUARY Cricket South Africa v India 08:30 Sky Sports Cricket (08:25), Sky Sports Main Event (08:30) Tournament of Champions Sky Sports Golf (23:00) SUN 7TH JANUARY Cricket South Africa v India 08:30 Sky Sports Cricket (08:25), Sky Sports Main Event (08:30) Tournament of Champions Sky Sports Golf (23:00) MON 8TH JANUARY South Africa v India 08:30 Sky Sports Cricket (08:25), Sky Sports Main Event (08:30) New Zealand v Pakistan 22:00 Sports Cricket (21:55), Sky Sports Main Event (22:00) TUE 9TH JANUARY Football Manchester City v Bristol City 19:45 League Cup - Semi-Final, Sky Sports Football (19:30), Sky Sports Main Event (19:30) Cricket South Africa v India 08:30 Sky Sports Cricket (08:25), Sky Sports Main Event (08:30)

Page 19

10TH JANUARY Chelsea v Arsenal

League Cup - Semi-Final WED 10TH JANUARY Football Chelsea v Arsenal 20:00 League Cup - Semi-Final, Sky Sports Football (19:30), Sky Sports Main Event (19:30) FRIDAY 12TH JANUARY New Zealand v Pakistan 22:00 Sports Cricket (21:55), Sky Sports Main Event (22:00) Golf BMW SA Open Sky Sports Main Event (08:00), Sky Sports Golf (08:00), Sky Sports Main Event (12:00), Sky Sports Golf (12:00) SAT 13TH JANUARY Football Cardiff City v Sunderland 12:30 Championship, Sky Sports Football (12:00), Sky Sports Main Event (12:00) Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa 17:30 Championship, Sky Sports Football (17:15), Sky Sports Main Event (17:15) Bournemouth v Arsenal 13:30 Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (12:30), Sky Sports Premier League (12:30) Liverpool v Manchester City 16:00 Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (15:30), Sky Sports Premier League (15:30) Tottenham v Everton 18:30 BT SPORT Golf BMW SA Open Sky Sports Golf (10:00) SUN 14TH JANUARY South Africa v India 08:00 Sky Sports Cricket (08:25), Sky Sports Main Event (09:00) MON 15TH JANUARY Manchester United v Stoke City 20:00 Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event (19:00), Sky Sports Premier League

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

• •

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

CAKES

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. 2 - Friday January 5th 2018

News GRAN ALACANT

Gran Alacant News

FREE

PUBLICITY

SPORTS REPORT

By Malcolm Palmer

A FUNNY OLD GAME?

So said ‘Greavesie’ – more than once – and he wasn’t wrong, was he? Football was, in

fact, never ‘funnier’ than it is for Real Madrid fans this season. Five trophies, league champions, Champions’ League, both supercups, and now World Club Champs (this last a bit of a gimme, let’s face it) – all in the space of 2017. But ever since the kick-off in the league season, they can’t seem to score goals. Benzema’s frailty as a forward has finally been exposed, as Zidane insists on playing him every game, Bale seems permanently injured, the midfield players are error-prone, and the defence is apt to go walkabout. Add to this that Keylor Navas has been out for much of the time, and his wooden replacement Kiko Casilla couldn’t catch a cold, and you rely on Cristiano Ronaldo to poke in goals at the other end. That just hasn’t happened. Missing the service of Gareth Bale, finding a succession of goalies in amazing form, suffering at the hands of some dodgy refereeing and a touch of bad luck, he has so far only found the net four times, despite scoring nine in the Champions’ League, in six matches! All this leaves Real Madrid way off the pace as the year ends, and Barcelona appear to have things all their own way, as do Manchester City, bossed by the supremely confident ex-Barça manager Pep Guardiola, in England. They should both beware, though – it’s a funny old game.

UPPITY MANAGERS There’s a lovely Word in Spanish: prepontencia (it doesn’t translate well, but you’ll get the idea) – and if ever there was a football manager who was prepotente, it’s got to be José Mourinho.

There are plenty of others not exactly blessed with humility – José’s not-sofriendly neighbour, Pep Guardiola, is no shrinking violet, and football history is peopled with strong characters, from Bill Shankly and Brian Clough to Alex Ferguson, but few have blown their own trumpet quite so loudly as the Portuguese – and not always preceding the most stunning of results. Okay, he had a good year or two at Chelsea, and one at Madrid, but since then, he has taken a lot of trouble to tell the public just how great he is. And as I write, his United side are way below their City neighbours, showing no sign at all of regaining the glory years of Sir Alex’s long reign.

He too was - is – a fiery character, given to chucking boots at players, (so we read)

but the numbers speak for themselves.

Meanwhile, at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger brings along young, unheard-of players, and keeps his team in the top flight without spending a lot. (His detractors will tell you he doesn’t win much silverware) Clown Prince Jürgen Klopp amuses everyone at Anfield, but there’s not a lot of trophy-winning going on there either. So just what is Pep doing right? Well, he’s simply got a great, attacking, team, backed up by a quietly workmanlike defence and midfield.