Euro Weekly News - Mallorca 19 - 25 March 2015 Issue 1550

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Healthy children AN AGREEMENT between Palma Council and the Education Regional Department has been renewed to provide healthy snacks to children of 75 families in need in the area of Son Gotelu.

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19 - 25 MARCH 2015

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Mallorca may be new Love Island

LOVE ISLAND, the reality television programme broadcast by ITV in 2005 and 2006, may have a surprise comeback with the help of a Mallorca council. The reality show in which viewers voted which celebrities should be coupled together, originally shot in Fiji, is currently negotiating with Ses Salines Council to record a new season in the town under the name The Resort. The filming would take

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ISSUE NO. 1550

place between June 1 and July 18, although preproduction would begin by April. Producers have put in a

request to the council to rent some plots and adapt them to host the programme, promising to leave the sites exactly as

they were found by the end of July. Palma Pictures, the company in charge of authorising audio-visual productions, has sent a request to the mayor, Maria Bonet, asking for her permission. However, concern has been sparked amongst some citizens, who are unsure if this kind of production would be positive for the town or would merely attract and encourage more ‘alcohol tourism’.

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INDEX News 1 - 16 Finance 17 - 22 Leapy Lee 23 Daily TV 30 Time Out 32 - 33 Letters 34 HEALTHY HABITS: Mum and dad know best.

Health & Beauty 35 Food 36 Classifieds 42 - 43 Boating 44 - 45 Motoring 46 Sport 48

Parents ate better

AS many as 65 per cent of people in the Balearic Islands claim that their diet is worse than their parents’ generation. More than 80 per cent of residents of the islands are concerned about following a healthy diet, according to a report by Herbalife on healthy life habits in Spain. On top of that 69 per cent

of the interviewees said that they would like to practice more sport and half of the total population of the Balearic Islands said that they did not ‘feel fit.’ The report shows that women have a wider knowledge on nutrition, and 55 per cent of the total claim to have enough knowledge on healthy life habits. However,

34 per cent admit to not eating healthily. The main reason given was the ‘temptation’ that junk food and other unhealthy snacks represent as opposed to other options like fruit, according to the interviewees. A majority admit to eating more processed dishes than their parents’ generation.

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NEWS Teaching hope TEACHING is the ‘dreamprofession’ for residents of the Balearic Islands according to the Cofidis Barometer on Job Hopefulness created through 2,200 professional interviews. More visits CAPDEPERA’S Council will launch a series of measures to improve the appearance and accessibility to the town’s castle to bolster tourism. The castle has been recognised as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC).

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ABC technology for airport RE-ENTERING the European Union through Palma Airport will be easier from July with the implementation of the ABC system. The Automated Border Control (ABC) management system allows staff to verify the passenger’s identity document, fingerprint and facial features within seconds. The news was announced in Palma on Tuesday

(March 17) by the Safety Secretary of Spain, Francisco Martinez, who explained the new system would allow EU resident passengers coming from outside the boundaries of

the EU to enter without having to wait in long queues to have the Guardia Civil officers confirm their identity. The new system only requires the passenger to be over 18 years old and have an electronic passport or identification card from any European Union country, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

Landslide prevention WORKS to prevent landslides on the Soller road have started. Plans are to install a metal mesh to hold back rocks. Works are expected to finish by next week.

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Shark caught

A 180-KILO injured thresher shark was caught by a fisherman’s net in Cala Murta, off the coast of Pollensa. The animal, which is usually found in tropical oceans, died a few moments after it was caught.

TWO young thieves, Russian and Italian, were detained by Andratx Local Police last Saturday after they were caught red-handed breaking into a car in Calle Cuba. They are suspected of thefts worth €10,000.

Square plans PEDESTRIANISATION works on the Plaza del Carme in Porto Cristo have started. Plans include the creation of gardens and children’s areas.

No dinner A RESIDENT of Manacor was taken into custody after he threatened and screamed at his wife because she had not made him dinner. The man also shook the couple’s 15day-old baby and broke furniture.

Increased benefit TOURISM-RELATED businesses of the Balearic Islands have registered a 5 per cent increase in revenue in 2014. Data was released by the profitability barometer of Spanish tourism destinations, created by Exceltur.

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Thieves held

Rockabilly concert THE band Boom Boom Baby will perform next Thursday (March 26) at 11.59pm in Shamrock Fun Place (Avenida Gabriel Roca, 3, Palma), featuring rockabilly covers of all-time greatest hits.

Fire death A 56-YEAR-OLD man died last Monday (March 16) in a fire at his flat in Palma. The fire forced all residents of the eight-floor building to be evacuated.

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LAS FALLAS: The huge papier mache models cost tens of thousands of euros to build.

Celebrating with fire ONE of Spain’s most famous festivals has been in full swing around the province of Valencia. Las Fallas are a five day celebration - running until tonight (Thursday) marked across the province in honour of San José. The focus of the fiesta for many is the creation and destruction of the ‘niñots’ - which are huge papiermache models. They cost tens of thousands of euros to build and take many months to construct by the various clubs or peñas. The themes are varied and satirical and reminiscent of the 80’s British comedy Spitting Image, where many of the models are caricatures poking fun at Spanish politicians and celebrities. The climax of the week long celebration takes

Quote of the Week It’s not very nice, that’s for sure. You have to hunt out specific places, the nice places,” said Spanish singer Edurne Garcia and Eurovision competitor when asked whether Manchester, where her goalkeeper boyfriend plays, was ‘uglier than the back of a fridge.’

place tonight, known as ‘La Crema,’ or burning of the fallas. While the most famous are held in Valencia City, many expats will see the three separate fallas in Benidorm - in the Rincon de Loix at the end of the Levante beach, Plaza Triangular at the end of the Avd Mediterraneo and in the Old Town on Calle Tomás Ortuño. A grand float procession with all the participants takes place at 6pm. The children’s fallas are burnt first - starting at 11pm then the main adult ones are set alight one by one at midnight. The one in the Rincon goes up followed at 12:30am with the Plaza Triangular and lastly, the one in the Old Town.

Number of the week

6.5

million is the number of people called to vote this Sunday, March 22, in the Andalucian elections. Of the total number of people eligible to vote, 245,202 will be doing so for the first time having recently reached the age of 18.

FOUR Guardia Civil officers accused of torturing and injuring two English citizens in 2009 in Palmanova (Calvia) have been acquitted as the alleged victims never ratified their lawsuit before a judge and did not attend the trial.

Cruise tourism ALCUDIA Port expects three visits of the cruise ship ‘Silver Wind’ and two of ‘Saga Pearl II’ in 2015 with an expected 2,000 passengers, almost twice as many as in 2014.

Prices up THE average rental of a property in the Balearic Islands has increased by 0.6 per cent in February, reaching an average amount of €7.34 per square metre per month, according to fotocasa.es.

And finally... Hackers who managed to block more than 400,000 files belonging to Madrid’s Ifema Fair and Congress centre were left looking rather silly when their demands for payment to undo their work were ignored and the centre’s technicians managed to restore all the servers within a day.

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Post Office a winner THE Automatic Post Sorting Office (CTA) of Palma de Mallorca has been awarded the National Prize for Environmental Commitment. This award given by CORREOS (the national postal service of Spain) honours the centre for being the one that

RAFA NADAL: Chosen as dream boss for 38.9 per cent of the Spanish population.

Rafa Nadal chosen to be ‘dream boss’

MALLORCA-BORN tennis player Rafa Nadal has been chosen by people in Spain as the person they would most trust to be their boss. Human Resources Company Adecco conducted a survey where interviewees were asked which figures of different fields such as economy, communication, sports and entertainment they would trust the most to be their boss. The survey showed that 38.9 per cent of participants chose Rafa Nadal as their dream boss, followed by basketball player Pau Gasol (25.7 per cent) and football player Iker Casillas (25.6 per cent). The survey was created on the occasion of the International Day of Happiness, which will be celebrated on March 20.

contributed most to reducing the company’s environmental and ecological impact. In addition, the award seeks to promote initiatives that raise awareness amongst CORREOS staff about the actions they can launch at their

workplace to reduce consumption and protect the environment. In choosing the recipient of this award, several factors were considered, such as energy consumption, measures taken to optimise lighting and reduction of paper usage.

Our View

Nowhere to run

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OR decades, Spain has been renowned as the place to run away to and hide for most of Europe’s criminal fraternity. But not any more! For the law-abiding British expats in Spain (about five million) who have had to live with jibes and jokes about ‘The Costa del Crime’, it has been a far from amusing experience. But last year saw a significant leap forward in British-SpanishEuropean co-operation and technology advances, which have quickly turned the whole game around. Successful initiatives like Operation Imperium, which cracked a Bulgarian mafia gang, arresting 31, Operation Captura, which is ongoing, the detection and arrest of numerous IS extremists this

month, as well as the news that the biggest gang of scammers on the south coast has been arrested, is evidence enough that the era of hiding in Spain has come to an end. What with mobile phones that know where people are, web connections that track origins, hi-tech cameras in the air, street CCTV running 24 hours, social media and international police operations, the world has become a very hard place in which to hide. Even more so in Spain. Here we have things like ID cards, road checkpoints, car park cameras and identification systems that even the UK doesn’t have. Some might say that the whole Big Brother feeling is a little intrusive. But the huge advantage is that Spain is now less desirable than the UK as a place for criminals to hide.

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Hotel room profitability increases THE profitability of hotel rooms in Palma was the third highest of the Spanish urban tourist destinations in 2014, only beaten by Barcelona and San Sebastian. It registered an 11.4 per cent increase in comparison with the year before, while the employment rate within this industry grew by 1.7 per cent. The data collected by Exceltur (Alliance for Tourism Excellence), in a report that shows the average revenue per hotel room in Palma was €58.2, 17.1 per cent higher than the other tourism destinations analysed. However, the 22,316 workers of the hotel industry registered in 2014 only increased half as much as the national average.

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Give it back THE Development Ministry has asked 796 youths from the Balearics to return the monthly €210 they received for 48 months to help pay their rent as they earned more than €22,000 per year.

Budget rise THE Balearic Islands regional government has increased by 20 per cent (€36,000) the budget allocated for gender-based violence studies at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB).

Road works MALLORCA’S Provincial Council has spent almost €600 million in the different municipalities of the Islands since 2011. A large part went on road improvement projects.

Angry fans THE cancelation of David Guetta’s concert scheduled for August 2, 2014 in Palma, caused 539 complaints out of the 6,685 total registered at the Consumption Office of the Balearic Islands during the last year.

Bus stickers PALMA Council together with municipal transport company (EMT) will collaborate to raise awareness of genderbased violence. Stickers will be placed in the town’s buses with the slogan ‘there is a way out.’

Cyclist hurt A GERMAN 70-year-old cyclist suffered severe injuries after being run over by a car in Palmanyola (Bunyola). Police believe he ignored a ‘Stop’ sign.

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Ten most wanted hunted in Spain THE British National Crime Agency has released details of 10 of Britain’s most wanted criminals, all thought to be hiding in Spain and mainly on the Spanish Costas. In an operation known as ‘Captura,’ police are appealing to residents and travellers in Spain to give any information that may lead to the arrests of these ten individuals. The 10 includes Shane Walford, who was convicted of the manslaughter of a firefighter and father-oftwo at a bar in Coventry. Walford was released on licence in January 12, but having failed to attend appointments with a supervising officer, the licence has been revoked and he

MOST WANTED: Believed to be hiding in Spain. has been recalled to prison. Many of the 10 men, who have been accused or convicted of crimes ranging from manslaughter, rape, assault and drug smuggling, are still thought to be a considerable danger to the public. British Police, working together with Spanish security services, want to find and extradite these men as soon as is possible.

Operation Captura is part of an ongoing push to track down British criminals hiding in a part of Europe still considered an easy refuge for UK criminals. Detailed information is available on the Crimestoppers website. Tel: +44 800 555 111. https://crimestoppersuk.org/get-involved/ourcampaigns/internationalcampaigns/operation-captu ra/

Improved services PATIENTS with kidney conditions in Inca will benefit from a new measure announced to extend hours of dialysis. The nephrology department of the regional hospital of Inca will increase its capacity by 33 per cent, offering services from Monday to Saturday, between 8am and 8pm. The statement released by the health department of the Balearic Islands ex-

Increase in passengers THE number of passengers who used the underground in Palma de Mallorca increased by 1,000 users in January when compared with January 2013. In total, 132,000 users travelled by underground in January, according to the data released by the National Statistics Institute (INE). This figure represents a 0.4 per cent growth so far this year, the third highest increase in national terms, after the Sevilla underground (3.8 per cent) and Barcelona’s (0.9 per cent).

plains that this extension was possible thanks to the recruitment of a new doctor, two nurses and one nursing assistant. It is estimated that the hospital will be able to treat 40 patients, 10 more than before. Last year, 5,343 sessions of haemodialysis were carried out, 192 more than in 2013.

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Burning issue THE PSOE socialist party of Binissalem has voiced complaints, claiming the municipal crematorium is unhygienic and unsafe.

Square work SANTANYI Council announced that the improvement work on Son Moja square would be completed in around a month and a half. The ongoing project includes paving work, a new irrigation system and new lighting.

Road open A NEW access road connecting the Llevant motorway to el Molina and el Cami Fondo has been declared open to traffic.

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New fast lane causes controversy at airport THE Son Sant Joan Airport in Palma’s new ‘fast lane’ service has sparked controversy amongst passengers. The service, which became operational on Tuesday (March 17), is earmarked for those users who wish to avoid traditional ‘zigzag’ queues and pay to go through a faster path to the security control area. Airlines will have to agree with the company in charge, AENA, on the

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SPEEDY SECURITY: But only for first class. use of this service, also called the ‘VIP lane.’ However, many flight companies have criticised

the plan, saying that the implementation of the fast lane came as a surprise and that staff did

not know which passengers were allowed to use them. A statement released by Air Europa, Air Berlin, Iberia, Vueling and other airlines explained: “We are still receiving information but for now, the tourist class passengers will not be able to use the fast lane. “Only passengers who travel in first class or have loyalty cards will be able to benefit from the new service.”

Car victim found well THE emergency services were called out on Tuesday March 17 in response to a 112 call stating that the car of a 30-year-old German woman had been discovered overturned on the road between Caimari and Lluc. A search was initiated for the missing woman by members of the fire service in conjunction with police, Civil Defence Volunteers and canine units. Early on Wednesday afternoon she was found dazed and disoriented, but unharmed in a house in Selva.

Come riding in Mallorca Extra parking on the way THE ATB (Balearic Tourism Agency) is taking part in the Equitania equestrian fair in Essen, Germany, to promote riding tourism on the islands. This is the first time the ATB has been to the fair, running from March 14-22, which covers all areas of the horse world including riding holidays, horse-care, breeding and training.

WORK has begun to create parking for 135 cars and other vehicles next to Pollença indoor swimming pool and sports centre. The 3,400 square metre municipal plot will be adapted to pro-

vide parking for motorbikes and bicycles, 135 cars and four adapted vehicles, and will also boast 280 square metres of gardens and direct access to the sports centre.

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Europeos por España talk in Palma EUROPEOS POR ESPAÑA has announced their first spring event scheduled for today, Thursday (March 19). EporE has been given the special honour once again of hosting an event in the won-

Agreement signed to aid jobless UNEMPLOYED people of Mallorca above 45-yearsold are in luck as up to 600 new jobs will be earmarked for them during the summer of 2015. An agreement signed by the Balearic Islands regional government and the Mallorca Hotel Federation (FEHM) will aim at boosting employment amongst members of this community during the next summer season. Head of the Hotel Federation Aurelio Vazquez, signed an agreement together with President of the Balearic Islands Jose Ramon Bauza to hire up to 600 people.

Low-cost airlines swell visitors LOW-COST flight companies have brought 76,476 passengers to the Balearic Islands during the first two months of 2015. This figure translates to a 21.8 per cent increase on the same period of the previous year, according to the data released by the General Sub-department of Tourism Studies of the Tourism, Industry and Energy Ministry. Palma de Mallorca Airport received 74,829 passengers out of the total, which represents a 21.7 per cent increase in comparison with 2014. In February, 42,667 passengers were brought to the islands, 25.1 per cent more than February 2014.

derful historic Sala de Plenos of the town hall of Palma at 5.45pm. This is where the mayor and councillors meet once a month for their plenary session and where all matters of impor-

tance to the town are debated, discussed and voted. Around the walls are portraits of VIPs of Palma’s past. If only these walls could talk! Well-known author and historian Andy Rawson will be

giving one of his excellent presentations on the history of the city of Palma, and will be introduced by multilingual deputy mayor, Ms Irene San Gil. Both are happy to participate in a question and answer

session from those attending. The event will be in English. Afterwards, they will be going for an aperitif and tapas in the area at 7.15pm. There is still time to RSVP to secretary@epore.org.

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Rock thrown off bridge onto road A MAN swerved violently off the Llevant motorway in Palma after his car was hit by a rock thrown from a bridge in the area of s’Arenal.

The incident took place at around 6pm. The man took the next exit and stopped his car to try and find the attacker. He alerted Local Police and Guardia Civil officers who began searching the area but could not find the perpetrator. It is not the first time that an incident like this one has occurred on the roads of Palma. The most severe one A 14-YEAR-OLD boy has suffered severe injuries after he was run over by a car in front of Palma’s happened back in December of 2014, when a Mallorca Cathedral. The incident took place at around 10pm when 54-year-old woman was the young man was crossing the road Ma-19, Au- hit in the face with a large rock which had topista de Levante, in front of the Par de la Mar. He was taken immediately to the Son Espases been also thrown from a hospital where he remained in a critical but sta- bridge and broke her nose and several other ble condition at the time of going to press. An emergency team contacted his parents and bones. are providing them with psychological treatment. It was thought that the boy was walking on a zebra crossing, but may have been crossing against a red light.

Boy,14, injured in car accident

10 year sentence

AXEL H, a German man who killed his wife and buried her in their garden in Canyamel (Capdepera) has been jailed for 10 years. The events took place in 2012, when he repeatedly hit the woman during a fight, breaking every bone in her head.

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Photo credit http://www.orisrallyclasico.com/

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BLACK RIBBON: Image displayed at the Rally’s official website.

Dramatic end to Oris Rally Clasico TRAGEDY struck Palma’s Oris Rally Clasico when a competitor died following a crash. The accident took place at around 12.20pm on Saturday at kilometre five of the road section between Coves and Campanet when the vehicle, which was driven by Jose Carlos Iscar and co-piloted by the victim, Jose Lumbreras del

Cabo, swerved violently off the road and crashed into a tree. The car burst into flames, killing the co-driver on the spot. The driver was taken to the Son Espases Hospital in Palma with severe burns to 10 per cent of his body. Fortunately, and according to a statement released by the hospital, his condition has stabilised.

Organisers of the Rally announced its cancellation and together with the sponsors and collaborators have sent their condolences to both families.

Protest for lighthouses THE GOB (Ornithological Group of the Balearic Islands) has requested a plan to encourage the use of municipal lighthouses as public facilities. In a statement, the GOB asks for the government to stop the privatisation agreed for some of these buildings and has encouraged the population to protest against them, as they claim the Port Authorities of the Balearic Islands are prioritising financial profitability over the citizens’ general interest. In their statement, this organisation reminds that some lighthouses are located in privileged natural spaces such as the Llebeig in Sa Dragonera and others that are included in urban sites which could be used as public spaces, museums or educational centres, such as those in Botafoc, Ciutadella, Portopi, Portocolom, Capdepera or Soller.

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Valldemossa will reward recycling with discounts ENCOURAGING recycling amongst residents has become one of the main priorities for Valldemossa Council with the creation of a complete campaign to do so. With this goal in mind, the local government has approved a fiscal regulation which offers €50 discounts on waste taxes to households and businesses that recycle and voluntarily show that they separate waste appropriately. More than 350 homes and 50 businesses have already joined the initiative, according to municipal sources. In addition, eight new recycling points for selective collection (24 new containers), have been placed in different streets around the town, where none existed before.

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Work on Calle Jaume to stop traffic for 10 days WORK to repair damaged pavements will interrupt traffic in Calle Jaume de Santacilia (Palma) for an estimated period of 10 days. Work started on Wednesday (March 18), and it is expected traffic will resume by March 27. Those who wish to access Calle Berenguer and Sant Joan y Baro de

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CALLE JAUME: Pavements to be repaired. Santa Maria del Sepulcre to park their vehicles at the different garages

located in the area can use an alternative route through Calle Bonaire.

Divorce increase

EVERY day, a total of nine marriages break up in the Balearic Islands. This figure represents a 10 per cent increase compared to the previous year, according to a study carried out by the Balearic Islands Family Policies Institute (IPFB). Specifically, the report shows that in 2014, 3,335 break ups (3,181 divorces and 154 separations) took place. “Ninety-five per cent of break ups were divorces and six out of 10 were

non-consensual or contentious,” says the report and adds that a stable family based on marriage is more often than not the one that shows the best results, as they receive stronger support from governments than other types of families. The PIFB defines a sustainable family as: “A family that ensures the wellbeing of all its members without putting at risk the wellbeing of the rest of society or future generations.”

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Mallorca small business boost A THREE per cent increase in sales has been foreseen by Mallorca’s small and medium-sized businesses association (Pimeco). Head of the association, Bernat Coll, announced the news in a press conference and stressed that 2014 had been the best year for the sector since the beginning of the financial

crisis. Mr Coll explained that in 2014 the retail industry generated a total of €94 million more than in the previous year. He added that in 2014, 10,551 self-employed people and 28,072 employees were registered in small and medium sized businesses in Mallorca, a 2.6 per cent increase in comparison with the previous year.

Easter expectations THE hotel businesses of Mallorca are expected to reach up to 75 per cent of their total occupancy during the Easter holidays. Eighty per cent of hotel establishments will be open during this period, according to Head of the Mallorca Hotel Federation (FEHM), Aurelio Vazquez. “We are starting a great tourism season that we think is going to be accompanied by a great reduction in the unemployment rate,” said Mr Vazquez, who added that the amount invested in the improvement of Mallorca’s beach areas was unprecedented.

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Drunken police urinate on separatists’ flag AN off-duty policeman has had his wrists slapped for making fun of, and urinating on the ‘estelada’ flag.

The officer, along with three other off-duty policemen, (who had been sent to the region by the Ministry of

the Interior as part of a reinforcement group to aid local officers after months of riots), drunkenly started making fun of the flag and the Catalonian independence movement before taking the flag down and urinating on it. According to the Spanish daily 20 minutos , the customers in the bar became concerned and telephoned the police who arrived immediately and removed the drunkards. However, it would appear that it’s unlikeRYANAIR: Were unable to issue a ticket in time. ly any charges would be brought against the three hours later. explain their predicament, officers, and according But when they tried to but to no avail. to local newspaper El buy a ticket at the Ryanair Fortunately it was reportPunt Avui, the Catalan counter, they were told it ed the family was able to police did not want to must be done online. They travel with Air Europa on a comment because no made a direct call to the flight that left just over an official report was Dublin office of Ryanair to hour later. filed.

Boy left at the airport A YOUNG boy needing an urgent double transplant was left stranded at Gran Canaria Airport last week by Ryanair because they could not issue a ticket in time. The call the boy and his parents had been desperately waiting for came from La Paz Hospital Transplant Service, Madrid, at 2pm, informing them a suitable donor had been found for his liver and kidney transplant. With the child urgently needing to travel from the island to the hospital, the next flight to Madrid was the Ryanair 16.50, nearly

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Lucky Lotto winners fraud LUCKY builder David Marjaliza won a total of €275,000 on eight separate winning lottery tickets within 16 months. Or so he would have the tax office believe! In fact, what police discovered after an investigation into the businessman’s fortunate lucky streak, was that he was laundering money. David Marjaliza was one of some 50 people, (including six mayors from the Madrid area) who were arrested last October suspected of forming a political corruption ring where €250 million was handed out in fake contracts. According to the tax office, laundering money through lottery prizes is a common and simple operation. This is normally done by the fraudster obtaining the identity and contact

WINNING TICKETS: Used to cover money laundering. details of a winner from the lottery office, then offering to buy the winning ticket from them (in cash) for more than its worth. While Marjaliza remains in custody pending further investigation, His case has brought to light the fact the problem may be more widespread than the au-

thorities initially believed. Apart from the 50 arrested with him, it would appear Carlos Fabra, a former PP leader in Castellón Province, who is currently serving a prison sentence for tax fraud, also won major prizes in Spain’s ‘El Gordo’ Christmas lottery on several occasions.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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inance F

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business & legal Castellon airport alive AFTER four years in limbo, Castellon airport is stirring into life. Ryanair will become the first company to operate commercial flights from the white elephant airport. It opened in March 2011 and cost Valencia’s regional government €120 million to

build, plus €50 million in budget overruns, compensation and overheads. To date it has been used only by charters and private aircraft. Detecting a tourism potential similar to Alicante and Cataluña’s, the Irish budget airline will fly regularly

No bank debts for Mercadona MERCADONA is in a solid financial position. At the end of 2014 it possessed €2.883 billion in cash and owed nothing to the banks. Its cash position was a record for the company and more than doubled the 2008 figure of €1.287 billion. It was in 2008 that Mercadona had more than €1 billion in available cash for the first time and although it trailed a financial debt, this was not large. In 2006 it had short and long-term financial debts of €19.1 million, gradually reducing these until they finally disappeared from the company’s balance sheets in 2012.

Mercadona’s net cash has continued to grow, increasing by 11.6 per cent between 2013 and 2014 despite spending €655 million on 60 new supermarkets, renovating 30 more and building a logistics centre in Abrera (Barcelona). The supermarket chain’s only liabilities correspond to payments to suppliers, a constantly fluctuating sum that at the end of the financial year stood at €2.096 billion. The chain acquired products worth €14.9 billion in 2014 and on average paid suppliers within 51 days after delivery, compared with 53 days in 2013.

between Castellon, Britain, Germany and Sweden. Canadian multinational SNC-Lavalin is the company which now runs the airport and hopes to receive 250 flights and 35,000 passengers this year. They are also negotiating with other companies, sources said.

B

usiness extra

Looking ahead BFA, state-owned mother company of partnationalised Bankia, allocated €943 million for possible compensation to clients who were missold preference shares or lost savings in Bankia’s flawed 2011 flotation.

Big contract PUBLICLY-OWNED Navantia will build three oil tankers with an option for three more ‘at international prices’ for Basque company Ondimar Transportes Maritimos. The end client is probably Cepsa.

Taxmen pay surprise visits SANTIAGO MENENDEZ, director general of Hacienda’s tax agency AEAT, recently detailed last year’s achievements. These included tracking down undeclared house and apartment rentals by cross-checking unexplained electricity and water consumption in properties that their owners claimed were empty. Web-pages were scrutinised and Hacienda inspectors spoke to concier-

ges and residents of randomly chosen apartment buildings. They paid 7,410 visits to properties whose rentals they suspected were not declared. In tourist areas inspectors questioned parents waiting to pick up their children from school. This helped detect 145 cases of foreign residents who had informed their own tax authorities they lived in Spain, where they paid tax at the lower non-residents’ rate.

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STAT OF WEEK IN 2014, 46 per cent of Spanish employers dismissed staff, compared to 56 per cent in 2013. Sixty-three per cent expect to take on staff this year, they said.

ROB WILSON / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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RYANAIR: Will be the first airline to operate from the airport.

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C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 16

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) 3i Group 485.10 Aberdeen Asset Mngmnt 457.85 Admiral Group 1,512.00 Aggreko 1,557.50 Anglo American 1,057.75 Antofagasta 699.50 ARM Holdings 1,194.50 Ashtead Group 1,108.50 Associated British Foods 3,004.00 AstraZeneca 4,507.75 Aviva 548.00 Babcock International 935.75 BAE Systems 534.25 Barclays 252.38 Barratt Developments 520.00 BG Group 814.60 BHP Billiton 1,399.00 BP 418.73

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. 4.10 0.85 6.55 1.45 9.00 0.60 5.50 0.35 2.75 0.26 1.00 0.14 8.50 0.72 1.50 0.14 20.00 0.67 -49.25 -1.08 5.00 0.92 2.25 0.24 1.75 0.33 2.38 0.95 2.50 0.48 2.00 0.25 9.50 0.68 0.48 0.11

NET VOLUME 4,675.48 6,069.50 4,138.54 3,995.45 15,070.08 6,905.93 16,318.06 5,602.22 23,686.89 56,579.56 16,205.33 4,705.58 16,871.20 41,993.25 5,163.14 28,632.16 30,318.79 77,678.49

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Units per €

US dollar ................................................................1.05305 Japan yen ...............................................................127.756 Switzerland franc ...............................................1.05891 Denmark kroner................................................7.46005 Norway kroner ....................................................8.65221

currenciesdirect.com/mallorca • Tel: +34 687 906 226 C O M PA N Y

PRICE(P)

British Amrcn Tobacco British Land Co BT Group Bunzl Burberry Group Capita Group (The) Carnival

3,641.75 831.50 451.85 1,847.50 1,868.00 1,174.50 3,157.50

DOW JONES

NASDAQ

C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 16

C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 16

C O M PA N Y MMM 3M AXP American Express T AT&T BA Boeing CAT Caterpillar CVX Chevron CSCO Cisco KO Coca-Cola DIS Disney DD E I du Pont de Nemours and Co XOM Exxon Mobil GE General Electric GS Goldman Sachs HD Home Depot IBM IBM INTC Intel JNJ Johnson & Johnson JPM JPMorgan Chase MCD McDonald's MRK Merck MSFT Microsoft NKE Nike PFE Pfizer PG Procter & Gamble TRV Travelers Companies Inc UTX United Technologies UNH UnitedHealth VZ Verizon V Visa WMT Wal-Mart

PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE VOLUME 162.74 80.60 32.76 151.57 79.23 101.62 27.94 39.91 106.44 80.50 83.87 25.04 189.34 114.82 154.28 30.93 99.21 61.00 96.35 56.20 41.38 95.81 34.00 81.83 106.72 118.74 115.25 48.84 265.03 81.90

-1.73 -0.96 -0.37 -0.47 -0.96 -0.80 -0.30 -0.66 -0.73 +0.10 -0.35 -0.36 -0.61 -1.28 -3.70 +0.13 -0.62 -0.37 +0.10 +0.03 +0.36 -1.23 0.00 -0.26 -1.11 -2.50 +0.37 +0.11 -4.55 0.00

-1.05% -1.18% -1.12% -0.31% -1.20% -0.78% -1.06% -1.63% -0.68% +0.12% -0.42% -1.42% -0.32% -1.10% -2.34% +0.42% -0.62% -0.60% +0.10% +0.05% +0.88% -1.27% 0.00% -0.32% -1.03% -2.06% +0.32% +0.23% -1.69% 0.00%

2.3M 6.9M 26.8M 3.6M 7.3M 8.3M 36.5M 17.4M 8.0M 8.9M 16.8M 45.3M 3.1M 4.6M 6.1M 48.0M 7.8M 16.5M 5.2M 13.1M 58.0M 3.7M 28.1M 7.5M 1.7M 7.4M 3.1M 20.7M 3.1M 4.8M

1.40363

0.71243

C H A N G E ( P ) % C H G. -2.25 7.00 0.05 3.50 24.00 1.50 26.50

C O M PA N Y

-0.06 0.85 0.01 0.19 1.30 0.13 0.85

NET VOLUME 67,881.63 8,209.13 36,555.37 6,162.00 8,203.62 7,737.15 6,690.03

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

$ 2.90 $ 31.31 $ 13.24 $ 24.87 $ 29.52 $ 55.66 $ 21.20 $ 95.66 $ 27.10 $ 4.80 $ 4.25

0.52 ▲ 21.85% 4.49 ▲ 16.74% 1.81 ▲ 15.84% 3.38 ▲ 15.73% 3.91 ▲ 15.27% 7.14 ▲ 14.72% 2.50 ▲ 13.37% 11.08 ▲ 13.10% 3.10 ▲ 12.92% 0.48 ▲ 11.11% 0.40 ▲ 10.39%

$ 5.90 $ 6.12 $ 4.25 $ 30.13 $ 9.26 $ 23.73 $ 23.02 $ 2.55 $ 2.41 $ 17.57 $ 4.37

1.86 ▼ 23.97% 1.08 ▼ 15% 0.64 ▼ 13.09% 4.33 ▼ 12.57% 1.15 ▼ 11.05% 2.70 ▼ 10.22% 2.43 ▼ 9.55% 0.2572 ▼ 9.16% 0.23 ▼ 8.71% 1.62 ▼ 8.44% 0.40 ▼ 8.39%

Most Advanced Amarin Corporation PLC Repligen Corporation Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. QAD Inc. Ebix, Inc. Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. QAD Inc. GW Pharmaceuticals Plc El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. China XD Plastics Company Limited BioScrip, Inc.

Most Declined Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc. Escalera Resources Co. Aemetis, Inc FTD Companies, Inc. Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Citi Trends, Inc. Epizyme, Inc. UTStarcom Holdings Corp Atlanticus Holdings Corporation Theravance, Inc. TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

C O M PA N Y PRICE(P) CHANGE Centrica 237.80 -0.10 Coca-Cola HBC 1,112.00 -8.00 Compass Group 1,185.50 18.50 CRH 1,759.50 -51.50 Diageo 1,855.75 -8.25 Direct Line Insurance 320.35 0.85 Dixons Carphone 427.80 1.10 easyJet 1,728.00 -3.00 Experian 1,125.50 -4.50 Fresnillo 646.50 0.00 Friends Life Group 416.85 3.15 G4S 293.25 0.85 GKN 371.35 2.65 GlaxoSmithKline 1,565.00 5.00 Glencore 276.38 -0.97 Hammerson 660.25 4.75 Hargreaves Lansdown 1,135.50 15.50 HSBC Holdings 563.50 2.20 Imperial Tobacco Group 3,099.00 3.00 InterContinental Hotels 2,669.00 30.00 International Consoldtd 578.25 2.75 Intertek Group 2,561.00 12.00 Intu Properties 345.25 3.25 ITV 252.35 1.55 Johnson Matthey 3,318.00 68.00 Kingfisher 356.60 1.90 Land Securities Group 1,226.00 6.00 Legal & General Group 287.90 2.10 Lloyds Banking Group ORD 79.04 0.04 London Stock Exchange 2,514.50 24.50 Marks & Spencer Group 498.75 5.15 Meggitt 583.25 8.25 Mondi 1,350.50 10.50 Morrison (Wm) Sprmrkts 201.55 -2.45 National Grid 851.40 0.70 Next 7,440.00 90.00 Old Mutual 224.10 1.70 Pearson 1,466.50 12.50 Persimmon 1,742.00 1.00 Prudential 1,689.25 19.25 Randgold Resources 4,654.00 85.00 Reckitt Benckiser Group 5,867.50 27.50 Reed Elsevier 1,138.00 13.00 Rio Tinto 2,832.25 22.75 Rolls-Royce Group 969.25 -0.25 Royal Bank of Scotland 354.70 -1.50 Royal Dutch Shell 1,921.75 0.25 Royal Dutch Shell 2,012.50 7.00 Royal Mail 431.60 1.60 RSA Insurance Group 421.45 0.95 SABMiller 3,638.25 0.75 Sage Group (The) 474.85 2.15 Sainsbury (J) 257.80 -1.30 Schroders 3,245.50 37.50 Severn Trent 1,946.50 -0.50 Shire 5,475.00 -50.00 Sky 1,000.25 4.25 Smith & Nephew 1,136.50 3.50 Smiths Group 1,167.00 4.00 Sports Direct Internatnl 661.75 4.75 SSE 1,465.00 3.00 St James's Place 942.50 8.50 Standard Chartered 960.95 5.75 Standard Life 467.00 11.00 Taylor Wimpey 149.25 0.65 Tesco 233.75 0.90 Travis Perkins 1,944.50 4.50 TUI AG 1,174.50 6.50 Tullow Oil 298.95 0.65 Unilever 2,855.00 10.00 United Utilities Group 891.75 -2.25 Vodafone Group 221.00 2.05 Weir Group 1,762.50 -25.50 Whitbread 5,380.00 45.00 Wolseley 4,132.50 31.50 WPP Group 1,574.50 10.50

% C H G. -0.04 -0.71 1.59 -2.84 -0.44 0.27 0.26 -0.17 -0.40 0.00 0.76 0.29 0.72 0.32 -0.35 0.72 1.38 0.39 0.10 1.14 0.48 0.47 0.95 0.62 2.09 0.54 0.49 0.73 0.05 0.98 1.04 1.43 0.78 -1.20 0.08 1.22 0.76 0.86 0.06 1.15 1.86 0.47 1.16 0.81 -0.03 -0.42 0.01 0.35 0.37 0.23 0.02 0.45 -0.50 1.17 -0.03 -0.90 0.43 0.31 0.34 0.72 0.21 0.91 0.60 2.41 0.44 0.39 0.23 0.56 0.22 0.35 -0.25 0.94 -1.43 0.84 0.77 0.67

VOLUME 11,994.93 4,040.91 19,294.70 14,723.65 47,339.79 4,815.00 4,947.98 6,879.65 11,304.45 4,815.60 5,908.16 4,507.38 6,011.12 75,315.65 37,414.52 5,094.00 5,298.14 107,668.97 29,526.25 6,266.55 11,621.72 4,098.59 4,456.18 10,035.42 6,719.25 8,295.90 9,470.57 16,952.73 56,528.00 8,639.22 8,079.79 4,475.69 4,884.30 4,847.63 32,168.87 11,305.00 10,971.09 11,871.91 5,326.28 42,625.15 4,257.81 40,978.07 12,729.95 40,402.16 18,167.02 22,929.96 76,401.83 50,101.63 4,258.00 4,256.92 58,620.87 5,134.12 5,047.78 7,221.42 4,713.58 32,186.56 17,035.46 10,200.13 4,602.84 3,916.95 14,725.47 4,921.76 24,207.65 10,978.20 4,831.39 19,149.95 4,891.99 N/A 2,806.66 36,180.72 6,154.04 57,499.15 3,898.47 9,545.66 10,534.59 20,364.59

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

EWN

19

Recession. What recession? WHEN businesses fail it is easy to blame the recession. In all but a few cases that argument doesn’t stack up. Failure is more often due to complacency and hapless management. Obliged to occasionally visit a splendidly situated restaurant, I hated the place as the service was excruciatingly bad. The owner, due to poor business, closed for the winter. Is he under the illusion that a little sunshine is enough to compensate for offhand foot-dragging staff? Other restaurants lacking such beautiful surroundings thrive. It is service, not location, that puts bums on seats. Having moved home I no longer

Talking shop Mike Walsh Mike Walsh was for 20 years Regional Assessment Manager for the Guild of Master Craftsmen, Britain’s biggest quality assurance body for businesses.

www.michaelwalsh.es • 966 786 932

shopped at Ferreteria La Florida near Torrevieja. Then, stuck for an item, I recalled how helpful the hardware store had been in the past. On this occasion I hardly recognised it. The business was bigger and busier.

Complimenting the owner, Juan, I remarked on the evident success of his business. He explained that he had since opened another branch in Quesada. I knew why he had succeeded during the most difficult years of the downturn but I asked him anyway what he owed to his success. “Service,” Juan explained and then confirmed everything I had assumed. His business mission is to offer a service that cannot be faulted. Unfortunately, well run businesses are few and far between, ineptitude being the No 1 business killer. It was a pleasing surprise during the same week to make the acquaintance of Oscar and

David, owners of a computer repair business. Having really messed up my mobile phone I was fed up to say the least. Before I even reached the counter, a cheery customer greeted me and smiled, “You have come to the right place.” Although my problem was minor in business terms I was given five-star business service. As a new customer I was introduced to the staff, given a tour and my problem was fixed whilst I enjoyed a coffee. Oscar and David will grow their business, because there is still desperate need for competence and recognition that the customer is king.

20

E W N 19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

How much to make you happy? Loose change A look at finance for females

Jane Plunkett jane.plunkett@euroweeklynews.com

YOUR local hairdresser hasn’t got a salary anything like a top executive, but they are just as happy with life, a new study suggests. Average salaries of over 200 different occupations were compared with workers’ reported levels of happiness, and while the study found that in general the higher the salary the happier workers reported to be, not all jobs fitted the trend. Fitness instructors in the UK, for example, take home an average of €14,000 a year, but are actually happier than lawyers who earn an average

HAIRDRESSERS: Perhaps not top earners, but they are just as happy with life. of €90,000. Meanwhile dental nurses, who earn an average of €20,000 were found to be happier than dentists who make an average of €65,000.

The study says that there is definitely a correlation between income and happiness, but that money actually buys less happiness than people

assume. And in some ways, it buys happiness only up to a certain point. Workers earning over €100,000 and upwards annually are not any happier

Change for UK Civil Service pensions Q. My UK Air Force pension, along with my old-age pension, is taxed at source in the UK. When I made my first tax declaration as a Spanish resident last year, I declared these pensions to my Spanish tax consultant. She charged me a further tax of 7 per

cent, saying the UK tax charged was 20 per cent and in Spain it is 27 per cent. Is this correct? I have read that, with the UK-Spain dual tax agreement, armed forces pensions are not subject to tax in Spain. M G (by email)

You and the Law in Spain By David Searl

A. First, your tax consultant is right about the difference between UK and Spanish tax. Your normal old-age pension is indeed subject to Spanish income tax. Because you were already taxed in the UK, she is right to assess you the difference of 7 per cent now that you are resident in Spain. However, she was not right to assess you the full amount of 27 per cent on your Air Force or other Civil Service pension. These pensions have been, as you have read, not subject to Spanish income tax. If you wish to make a claim for overpayment, you can return to your consultant and check to see if she charged you

for the full amount. Perhaps she only charged you for the old-age pension

difference. Remember, if you declared last year, 2014, this was for tax year 2013. You want to be sure when you declare for last year’s tax, 2014, you are not charged for your Air Force pension. As a result of a revised new tax agreement between Spain and the UK, Civil Service and other government pensions must now be declared. Article 18 of the new treaty, in Paragraphs 1 and 2, says the amount of a Civil Service pension will now be added to any other income, in order to determine the tax rate charged. Then the Civil Service income will be subtracted from the total. The remaining amount will then be taxed at the new, and probably higher, rate. This complicated operation allows the Spanish Tax Agency to collect some more tax while maintaining the principle that Civil Service pensions are not taxable.

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana & Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

than those earning a good salary below €100,000. Happiness levels don’t keep rising the more money one has! It turns out, what you do with your money seems to matter just as much to your happiness as how much you make. And the advice is to spend on experiences and not stuff. Material goods may last longer, but studies shows that life experiences - like trips, fancy dinners, and spa treatments - provide a person with much more satisfaction in the long run. For example, if you are a fan of the theatre, then go buy tickets to a play. That will make you happy. However don’t waste your money on experiences that are not your thing, as this type of spending is likely to leave us feeling just as empty as spending money on possessions that lose their novelty minutes after we buy them!

BUSINESS EXTRA

Oil from afar SPAIN imported 4.6 million tons of oil from 32 countries in January, 8.3 per cent below January 2014. Principal suppliers were Nigeria with 22 per cent of the total, followed by Angola (14 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (14 per cent) while imports from the US, Russia and Mexico all fell.

Gap widens WITH the exception of Asturias, northern regions outperformed those in the south, said Fitch Ratings. Best results came from Navarra whose GDP declined by 3.86 per cent between 2008-2013 compared with 5.96 per cent nationally. Asturias’s GDP fell by 9 per cent followed by Murcia, Valencia and Extremadura’s 8 per cent.

Service record TRAFFIC increased on motorways last year, said toll road operator Abertis although there has been an accumulated 34 per cent reduction since 2007. With takings at service areas falling proportionately, the company is remodelling those on the AP-7, AP-2 and AP-68 to attract more custom, announced director general Antoni Español.

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 March 2015/ Mallorca

EWN

23

OTHERS THINK IT

W

E’VE all done it, haven’t we? Finally ensconced in your ‘avion’ seat and ready to fly, your heart lifts slightly as you notice the two seats beside you are still empty. Glancing up, you also observe there are only a few unseated passengers still left in the aisles. With what appears to be all the travellers now on board, you tentatively allow yourself to consider that maybe, just maybe, you are the only occupant of your row of three - with all the freedom of movement and luxurious ‘spreading’ this unexpected flying bonus can provide. Wrong. Suddenly there is a bustle of activity and move-

PIO3

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

ment at the door. With much huffing, puffing and considerable disruption, the whole plane is subsequently confronted by two of the largest people it is possible to imagine. An enormous man and woman, clutching baggage and bags about their persons, have entered the cabin and begun to make their laborious journey down the centre of the plane. Frantically you glance around. Are there any other empty seats in the vicinity they could be heading for? Of course there aren’t. Puffing and panting they pause and peer happily at the numbers above your seat. You and your unexpected luxury have just disintegrated into an uncomfortable nightmare. As they noisily and disruptively begin to place their baggage in the overhead compartments, you reluctantly unbuckle your, somewhat optimistically, fastened seat belt.

/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The trials of flying ‘coach’

DASHED: Hopes of vacant seats beside you turn into a nightmare. Rising from your aisle seat (chosen for maximum freedom), you step aside and allow the couple to squeeze and wheeze their way into the seats that should really have contained your newspapers, magazines and repasts for the ensuing flight. (Dream on, Leapy!) The female vibrates down into her window seat and the

male (by far the largest) squashes down beside you. One enormous arm forces yours to the rear of the armrest, and there is now enough of your upper torso hanging in the aisle to make contact with most of the people who pass by, and especially the carts. And those, my dear esteemed readers, are the cir-

cumstances I am now enduring as I attempt to scribble this week’s blurb. I have complained, once, and was duly informed, in a guttural German accent (what else!), that he was ‘not interferink viz me’. Ah well, he’s too unpleasant to argue with. Goodbye the illusion of first-class silver service travel and hello the crunched-up reality of plastic forks, large rubbish bags, and the horrible discomfort of modern-day ‘coach’. “To the older amongst us who remember him, Leapy Lee (Little Arrows) died at the beginning of March this year.” So announced my obituary published this month in a local community journal. Still here, I’m afraid, folks. You don’t get rid of me that easily!

Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com Web: Leapylee.co.uk

24

E W N 19 - 25 March 2015/ Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION / FEATURE

Big switch-off for climate change A total of 125 Spanish towns and cities have pledged to turn off the lights on emblematic buildings at the end of March to raise awareness about climate change, organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Will you be spending an hour in the dark? ERIC LANCEE from Haco Muebles said the act of raising awareness was more important than the actual turn-off, and believed more should be done to combat environmental issues. “Our showroom has 2,000 square metres of solar panels so we are already eco-friendly, but more should be done and they need to look at targeting big industries and cars and planes,” he commented. Martin Eastgate from Laurel and Hardy’s restaurant in Quesada would support such a switch-off and is soon to re-

MARTIN: Supports town halls leading by example.

STREET TALK place all light bulbs in the restaurant with LED lights to reduce cost and waste and to be more environmentally efficient. He said: “It is good that town halls are taking the initiative and leading by example; they have to practise what they preach.” Paul Ross of Paul Ross Fitness in Huercal Overa,

PAUL: ‘We do what we can to look after the planet.’

Almeria, said: “This is the first I have heard about it, to be honest, so I hadn’t planned to sit in the dark. However, if these cities and other places get involved, especially if they all light candles like they did recently in Mojacar, then it could have a massive positive impact. We do what we can to look after the planet. We recycle all our water for watering outside and call it ‘watering the desert’.” Michelle Johnstone of Ace of Shades had not heard of the event either. “To be honest, this is the first time I’ve heard about it. The WWF could be doing more to publicise the event but, yes, I will switch off my lights to reduce my carbon footprint.” MICHELLE: ‘More should be done to publicise the event.’

ERIC: ‘Important to raise awareness.’

Advertising feature

Embroidery jewel of the north HORNBLOWER EMBROIDERY, founded in 2004, is a family-run business owned by Jan and Les O’Hara. They moved the business in 2010 to its current, beautiful location at Alcudiamar, Pto. Alcudia’s busy marina to the north of Mallorca, and haven’t looked back. The move allowed them to concentrate on the yacht and superyacht market, in terms of supplying and embroidering crew uniforms and bespoke bedlinen for those ‘crazy’ shaped berths. Additional customising and monogramming simplifies the ‘make-up’ process and ensures items are not mislaid at the laundry! The move has ensured a substantial growth in these key areas and has allowed them to partner with leading suppliers such as SLAM and MUSTO

EXPANDING: Jan and Les run a successful family business. for crew uniforms. Closely linked to this sector is the supply and embroidery of fender covers, which help maintain and enhance the look of any size craft. Most of the covers you will see on the yachts and motor yachts in Alcudiamar have been supplied and branded by Hornblower, and they are

now the leading supplier of fender covers in the north of Mallorca. Some local businesses have also stretched Hornblower’s repertoire. Along with supplying embroidered work and leisure

wear, from many leading brands, they have also branded large, bespoke point of sale items like parasols and awnings. Working island-wide with no minimum order quantity on any item has

proved very beneficial for clients both locally and in other areas on the island. They have recently expanded into providing vinyl printing onto garments for those larger logo designs, and have enjoyed making ‘specials’ for a local youth football team, after having won their championship! Another addition is personalised gifts by way of

photographs on mugs, tshirts, mobile phone covers, iPad covers, bags and purses, slate photo frames and so much more. All can be adorned with photos of your boat or loved ones the perfect gift, especially for Christmas! So today, there is a lot more to Hornblower Embroidery than just supplying uniforms, bedlinen and towels. Why not pop along or give them a call to discuss your requirements and mention this article to gain 10 per cent discount. Hornblower Embroidery is located near to the marina office in the Alcudiamar Marina. Hornblower Embroidery, Paseo Maritimo, 1, Alcudiamar Local 14b, Pto Alcudia, 07400, Mallorca. Tel: 871 518 572 Mob: 627 000 679 info@hornblower embroidery.com

26

E W N 19 - 25 March 2015/ Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

The poignancy of old letters “M

Y Dearest Kathleen, This is a last letter before I cross over the border into Spain. I will post it in the border town and then I will be on Spanish territory. This is a terrible long journey we are on now - about 15 hours.” There is a poignancy about letters written during times we can scarcely identify with. The letter was written to my mother, then my father’s fiancée, before a clandestine mountain crossing into Spain where Civil War raged. Father and his companions had hitchhiked from England to Spain as members of the International Brigade to fight Fascism. Later, letters were written during lulls in furious hand-to-hand fighting between Nationalists and Republicans at the Jarama

Mike Walsh Mike, based in Mediterranean Spain, is an international journalist, author and professional writer.

River near Madrid. A Nationalist force of 40,000 men, including men from the Army of Africa, had crossed the Jarama River on February, 11, 1937. On February 12, at what became known as Suicide Hill, the Republicans suffered heavy casualties. Tom Winteringham, the British commander, was forced to order a retreat back to the next ridge. The Nationalists advanced up Suicide Hill to be routed by Republican machine-gun fire. Coming under heavy fire, the British down to 160 men out of the original 600, established defensive positions along a sunken road. The attrition rate was worse than that at Ypres.

IN THE TRENCHES: Where notes were scribbled.

WOUNDED IN ACTION: The consequences of war.

On February 23, led by Robert Merriman, 373 members of the Abraham Lincoln Battalion moved into the trenches. When they were ordered over the top they were backed by a pair of tanks from the Soviet Union. On the first day 20 men were killed and nearly 60 wounded. February 27: Of the 263 men who went into action that day only 150 survived. One soldier remarked af-

Fred Copeman was wounded but survived. He later wrote about meeting Kit Conway at the hospital in Jarma: “Kit was obviously dying, in terrible agony, but his one concern was that he may have been responsible for the slaughter that had taken place. Of 630 men that had entered the line, not more than 80 were left unwounded, and the percentage killed was very high. It was hard to

terwards: “The battalion was named after Abraham Lincoln because he too was assassinated.” Edwin Rolfe survived but wrote: “When we were pulled out of the lines I felt very tired and lonely and guilty. Lonely because half of the battalion had been badly shot up. “And guilty because I felt I didn’t deserve to be alive now, with Arnold and Nick and Paul dead.”

convince him that our fighting had taken place in the toughest, bloodiest battle of the whole Spanish campaign, in defence of the Madrid-Valencia road.” My father’s notes, scribbled in those trenches, tell their story. And for what did they give their lives? Today, young men flock to Ukraine; the only thing men never learn from history is they don’t learn from history.

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

M

Y father believed that everyone possessed a talent of some description and regardless of background or education; each is born with a skill that sets them apart from the crowd. Being of average academic ability, with neither an artistic nor practical bent, I doubted that statement, because skill and talent to me were synonymous with success and making money. Much later on I realised that the true meaning of success goes much deeper. Dad worked in a factory all his life, but in his spare time he would retire to his shed and knock up a piece of furniture or model aeroplane. And occasionally he would produce a watercolour painting of some rural landscape. He was no Hepplewhite or Rembrandt, but he had a certain talent for these things and more to the point, it gave him pleasure. At the Orihuela Medieval Market, I was fascinated by a bloke who entertained the crowds by sticking flaming sticks into his mouth and

FIRE-EATING: An interesting way of spending one’s life.

It’s an ill wind Colin Bird Each week, Colin brings his slightly off-the-wall view of the world to the pages of EWN in his own irreverent style.

blowing out long plumes of liquid fire. I spent an interesting hour

in the bar with him, trying to understand why anyone would choose fire-eating as a way of life - although I kept a respectable distance between us, in case he decided to light up a ciggie. As bizarre as it all sounded, he is good at what he does and he travels to other loca-

tions in Spain and Europe throughout the year to take part in similar festivals. He admitted it is a hard life, but he is thoroughly content with his lot, and by definition therefore is successful. The king of them all though, was surely Joseph Pujol, a Frenchman who

EWN

27

went under the stage name of Le Pétomane. His act was quite unique and he became something of a celebrity in his day as a renowned flatulist. In other words he fluffed on stage for money. He was a baker by trade, and he would often entertain his customers by imitating musical instruments as they waited for their French sticks. Personally, I would never be able to look a custard slice in the face again if my baker insisted on trumping his way through Frère Jacques as he was serving me. Some of his specialities included sound effects of cannon fire and thunderstorms. He was able to blow a candle out at 10 paces, and at his peak, he appeared regularly at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. He died in 1945 at the age of 88 and was buried and not cremated, presumably on the basis that this would have been far too risky. My dad was right though. We all possess a talent of some sort, as off the wall as it might be.

28

E W N 19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

www.euroweeklynews.com

OPINION & COMMENT

Photo credit: Max Carr.

Get off your butt and exercise! Vicki Mcleod

Family Matters IT’S 10am Saturday morning. When I was young (er) and fit (ter) I would have been found on a Saturday morning roaming the local cafes in London searching for the best almond croissant and latte. These days I am racing to get my kid to her activities before dashing to my own. I’m in the gym at the Country Club in Santa Ponsa, lining up with my fellow Challengers to go through my final fitness test. We’ve been participating in the first Whole Life Challenge for 2015, and it’s been pretty tough. For a desk jockey like myself it’s vital to move my body before it atro-

CHALLENGING: The knowledge I am doing something for myself is worth it. phies into a sitting position, I get that: sitting down could be killing me slowly or at least could have some serious health implications. You’ve got to think of yourself as an animal, be-

cause essentially we are. Before civilisation there weren’t computer chairs to spin in or sofas to slob on. Biologically, sitting is a foreign activity when taken in the amount we do it, and our bodies suffer because

of this. Nearly 150 years ago, people spent nearly 90 per cent of their day moving around. In contemporary society, we are on our bottoms for approximately 60 per cent of the day.

This makes the daily exercise requirements of the Challenge even more important: at least 10 minutes a day, but preferably a whole load more. Plus stretching, and sticking to a Paleo diet (hard if you are a wannabe vegetarian because the focus is on plenty of protein, and very little carbs) and other weekly tasks. I’ve got to say I love the Challenge, not just because of the inspiration to move more, but the feeling of being part of my team of Challengers and the benefits that has brought me. Back in the gym the fitness test is short and intense. Ten burpees, 10 sit ups and 20 lunges followed by as much rowing as possible until we reach four minutes. The end result is measured in amount of calories burnt on the machine.

In January I managed to do 21 calories before my time was up, this time, eight weeks of training later, I burn 31. A 50 per cent improvement which I am thrilled with, it could have been better, it could ALWAYS be better, but that’s the beauty of it, there’s no end point, there’s always room for improvement. The Challenge takes commitment, making appointments with myself at the gym, negotiating child care and work, but the feeling of personal achievement and the knowledge I am doing something for myself is totally worth it. The trick is to keep it going in between times. There’s the real challenge. The next Whole Life Challenge starts on May 2. More info on my blog at familymattersmallorca.com

FEATURE

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19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

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Sterling’s lowest level since 2008 Commentary by Moneycorp EUR It was an exciting week for the euro. The European Central Bank (ECB) embarked on its 18-month quantitative easing (QE) programme. A public slanging match broke out between the Greek and German finance ministers over whether or not Wolfgang Schäuble had called Yanis Varoufakis ‘foolishly naïve’. And the euro fell rapidly. Then it stopped. When sterling touched the lows of 2007 and 2008 the sellers came out of the woodwork to buy the euro at its cheapest level in more than seven years. The euro bounced, reducing its losses on the week to four US cents and two cents against the pound. There is no way of knowing if this is a reversal of the euro’s fortunes or just a correction. Either way, would-be buyers of the euro might like to bear in mind that the last time sterling touched this level was in November 2008.

USD The dollar was the week’s runaway winner. It strengthened by more than four cents against the euro and went up by the thick end of four cents against sterling. It got off to a cracking start when last Friday’s US jobs data smashed investors’ already-optimistic expectations. Unemployment fell to 5.5% and nonfarm payrolls jumped by 295k. This week’s data attracted less attention: there were fewer of them and, anyway, investors were distracted by the sharp decline of the euro as the ECB’s money-printing QE programme got under way. That was just as well, because Thursday’s news of a -0.6% monthly fall in US retail sales was a big disappointment. Sterling missed the cut because of equally-disappointing UK production data and as a result of comments from the BoE governor. He said the strength of sterling reduced the upward pressure on interest rates.

Clarisse Musselwhite is Moneycorp’s Account Manager for Mallorca

She can be contacted on Tel: +34 902 887 243 Mobile: +34 687 932 472 Email:mallorca@moneycorp.com

902887243 mallorca@moneycorp.com CAD All three Commonwealth dollars had a reasonably good week, though every one of them lost ground to the class-leading US dollar. The Loonie was the least successful, strengthening by a cent against sterling and losing one and a half US cents. AUD The Aussie could not quite keep pace with the Kiwi: it added a cent and three

quarters against sterling and lost one and a quarter US cents. Business and consumer confidence were both weaker and mortgage lending was down by more than expected. On the positive side, for once the employment data were not wildly adrift from analysts’ forecasts: they showed 15.6k new jobs and the rate of unemployment ticked down to 6.3%. NZD The Kiwi was the most successful, strengthening by two and a quarter cents against sterling and losing one US cent. The NZ dollar did not get off to a great start but its breakthrough came on Thursday when the Reserve Bank of New Zealand issued its monthly policy statement. The bank presumably hoped it would send the NZ dollar lower when it said “a substantial downward correction in the real exchange rate is needed.” But it didn’t happen. Instead, the Kiwi promptly strengthened by three cents.

30

E W N 19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

Thursday BBC ONE 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm MasterChef 10:00pm The Truth About Sugar 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:45pm Question Time 12:45am This Week

BBC TWO 5:15pm Three Up, Two Down 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Britain's Got the Builders In 9:00pm Stargazing Live 10:00pm Banished 11:00pm Stargazing Live 11:30pm Newsnight 12:20am Quelle Catastrophe! France with Robert Peston

ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Tonight: The Food We Eat 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Double Decker Driving School 10:00pm The Triplets are Coming! 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm The Great War: The People's Story 12:40am River Monsters

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Supervet 10:00pm Things We Won't Say About Race That are True 11:25pm Britain's Benefit Tenants 12:30am Raised by Wolves

CH5 3:15pm NCIS 4:15pm Escape From Polygamy 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Classic Car Show 9:00pm Britain's Worst Crimes 10:00pm Holiday Love Rats Exposed 11:00pm The Mentalist 11:55pm Mummy's Little Murderer 12:55am Access

SKY1 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Arrow 10:00pm Forever 11:00pm Flintoff: Lord of the Fries 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

Friday BBC ONE 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm MasterChef 10:00pm The Musketeers 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show 12:25am Would I Lie to You?

BBC TWO 4:40pm Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em 5:15pm Three Up, Two Down 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 7:00pm Two Tribes 7:30pm Eggheads 8:00pm Britain's Got the Builders In 9:00pm Mastermind 9:30pm Gardeners' World 10:00pm Stargazing Live 11:00pm Stargazing Live 11:30pm Newsnight 12:00am Artsnight

ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Bear Grylls: Mission Survive 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm State of Play 1:55am Jackpot247

CH4 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm The Million Pound Drop 10:00pm Gogglebox 11:00pm Alan Carr: Chatty Man 12:05am Troy

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Gadget Show 9:00pm World's Scariest Animal Attacks 10:00pm NCIS: New Orleans 11:00pm NCIS 12:00am Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

SKY1 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Flintoff: Lord of the Fries 10:00pm Stella 11:00pm Quiz Nights 12:00am Wild Things

TV LISTING

www.euroweeklynews.com

Saturday BBC ONE 5:30pm Six Nations Rugby Union 8:00pm BBC News 8:10pm Regional News 8:13pm Weather 8:15pm The Voice UK 10:15pm The National Lottery Live 10:25pm The Voice UK 11:00pm BBC News 11:15pm Weather 11:20pm Match of the Day 12:45am The Football League Show

BBC TWO 5:00pm Escape to the Country 5:30pm Final Score 6:15pm Flog It! 7:15pm Gardeners World 7:45pm Kew on a Plate 8:45pm Dad's Army 9:15pm Murder on the Victorian Railway 10:15pm Now is Good 11:50pm Girl with a Pearl Earring 1:25am Michael Collins

ITV 6:30pm Local News and Weather 6:45pm ITV News and Weather 7:00pm You've Been Framed! 8:00pm Saturday Night Takeaway 9:25pm You're Back in the Room 10:25pm The Jonathan Ross Show 11:30pm ITV News and Weather 11:45pm Burn after Reading 1:30am Jackpot 247

CH4 5:10pm Come Dine with Me 5:40pm Come Dine with Me 6:10pm Come Dine with Me 6:45pm Come Dine with Me 7:10pm The Simpsons 7:40pm Channel 4 News 8:05pm Selling Off Britain 9:00pm The World's Weirdest Weather 10:00pm Richard III: The Princes in the Tower 11:00pm Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter 1:05am Alan Carr: Chatty Man

CH5 4:25pm The Woman with 40 Cats... And Other Pet Hoarders 5:25pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 6:25pm The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door 7:20pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away! 8:10pm Police Interceptors 9:00pm 5 News 9:05pm NCIS 10:00pm NCIS 11:00pm CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 11:55pm Law and Order: Special Victims Unit 12:50am True Crimes: The First 72 Hours

SKY1 3:00pm Harrow: A Very British School 4:00pm Inside RAF Brize Norton 5:00pm The Holidaymakers 6:00pm Wild Things 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 9:00pm Hawaii Five-0 10:00pm Lethal Weapon 3 12:20am Karl Pilkington: The Moaning of Life

Sunday BBC ONE 6:30pm BBC News 6:50pm Regional News 6:55pm Weather 7:00pm The Big Painting Challenge 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm Antiques Roadshow 10:00pm Poldark 11:00pm BBC News 11:20pm Regional News 11:25pm Weather 11:30pm Match of the Day 2 12:40am Football League Trophy Highlights

BBC TWO 3:50pm Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em 4:30pm Three Up, Two Down 5:00pm Hi-De-Hi! 5:35pm The Hairy Bikers and Lorraine Pascale 6:35pm Operation Stonehenge: What Lies Beneath 7:35pm Pompidou 8:00pm Six Nations Greatest Moments 9:00pm Caribbean with Simon Reeve 10:00pm Louis Theroux 11:00pm Bluestone 42 11:30pm Red Tails 1:25am Donkeys

ITV 4:30pm River Monsters 5:00pm Twister Film,1989 7:05pm Local News and Weather 7:15pm ITV News and Weather 7:30pm The Chase: Celebrity Special 8:30pm Off Their Rockers 9:00pm All Star Family Fortunes 10:00pm Mr Selfridge 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:15pm Bear Grylls: Mission Survive 12:20am LV Cup Rugby Highlights

CH4 3:00pm The Simpsons 3:30pm The Simpsons 4:00pm The Spy Next Door 5:50pm Channel 4 News 6:10pm Richard III: The Return of the King 9:00pm Great Canal Journeys 10:00pm Indian Summers 11:00pm Gogglebox 12:00am Breaking Dawn: Part 1

CH5 4:20pm The Borrowers 6:00pm A Cinderella Story 7:50pm 5 News 7:55pm Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life 10:00pm Alex Cross 12:05am Scream 4

SKY1 3:30pm The Real A&E 4:00pm Modern Family 4:30pm Modern Family 5:00pm Modern Family 5:30pm Modern Family 6:00pm Moone Boy 6:30pm The Simpsons 7:00pm About a Boy 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm Wild Things 9:00pm The Simpsons 9:30pm The Simpsons 10:00pm Hawaii Five-0 11:00pm NCIS: Los Angeles 12:00am NCIS: Los Angeles

Monday BBC ONE 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Inside Out 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Panorama 10:00pm New Tricks 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Have I Got a Bit More Old News for You 12:30am The Graham Norton Show

BBC TWO 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Antiques Roadshow 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Portillo's State Secrets 8:00pm Racing Legends 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pm Only Connect 10:00pm Kew on a Plate 11:00pm House of Fools 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm More Tales From Northumberland with Robson Green 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm The Mafia with Trevor Mcdonald 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm The Jonathan Ross Show 12:45am A Great Welsh Adventure with Griff Rhys Jones

CH4 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Dispatches 10:00pm Britain's Benefit Tenants 11:00pm Raised by Wolves 11:30pm 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 12:35am 24 Hours in A and E

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Gadget Show 9:00pm Police Interceptors 10:00pm Gotham 11:00pm Person of Interest 11:55pm Tears of the Sun 2:00am Super Casino

SKY1 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Modern Family 9:30pm Modern Family 10:00pm Moone Boy 10:30pm Arrow 11:30pm Critical 12:30am NCIS: Los Angeles

Tuesday BBC ONE 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pm Ordinary Lies 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm Call Security 12:35am A Serious Man

BBC TWO 5:15pm Three Up, Two Down 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Antiques Roadshow 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Portillo's State Secrets 8:00pm The Great British Bake Off 9:00pm Back in Time for Dinner 10:00pm Dara and Ed's Big Adventure 11:00pm Nurse 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm River Monsters 9:00pm Midsomer Murders 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm On Assignment 12:10am ICC Cricket World Cup Highlights

CH4 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm Deal or No Deal 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm From Burger Bar to Gourmet Star 10:00pm One Born Every Minute 11:00pm Teens 12:00am First Dates

CH5 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Police Interceptors 9:00pm Costa Del Casualty: Benidorm ER 10:00pm Breaking the Law 11:00pm Aidan: The Rarest Boy in the World 12:00am The Vow

SKY1 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm The Flash 10:00pm Critical 11:00pm Forever 12:00am Hawaii Five-0 3:15pm The Edge

Wednesday BBC ONE 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 9:00pm MasterChef 10:00pm The Billion Dollar Chicken Shop 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm A Question of Sport 12:15am The Devil's Double

BBC TWO 5:15pm Three Up, Two Down 5:45pm Hi-De-Hi! 6:15pm Antiques Roadshow 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm Portillo's State Secrets 8:00pm Britain's Got the Builders In 9:00pm Ladykillers 10:00pm Hilary Clinton - The Power of Women 11:00pm QI 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Weather

ITV 5:00pm 1000 Heartbeats 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV News and Weather 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Big Star's Little Star 10:00pm DCI Banks 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:40pm Pop Gold 12:40am A Night in with Olly Murs

CH4 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm Deal or No Deal 5:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:00pm Four in a Bed 6:30pm Coach Trip 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Three in a Bed 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm First Dates 12:00am One Born Every Minute

CH5 3:15pm NCIS: New Orleans 4:15pm Too Late to Say Goodbye 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Trauma Doctors 9:00pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 10:00pm OAPs Behaving Badly 11:00pm Slaughtered at the Murder Hotel 12:00am Born to Kill?

SKY1 4:00pm Harrow: A Very British School 5:00pm Futurama 5:30pm Futurama 6:00pm The Simpsons 6:30pm Futurama 7:00pm Futurama 7:30pm The Simpsons 8:00pm The Simpsons 8:30pm The Simpsons 9:00pm Wild Things 10:00pm Lethal Weapon 3 12:20am Stella

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E W N 19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

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MADDOCKS’ VIEW ON LIFE

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. The last part of Peter Jackson’s epic, special effects laden version of J.R.R Tolkien’s book becomes available in a special edition this week. Lots of epic scale battles echo the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the film features some good performances from Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen. This film also sees the death of the dragon Smaug the magnificent and offers an interesting introduction to the Lord of the Rings saga. Directed by: Peter Jackson and starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace. Rated PG, Runtime: 2h, 24 minutes.

TODAY TODAY

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

ALCUDIA

POLLENÇA

TOMORROW CALA MILLOR

INCA

CALVIA

CALA d’OR

PALMA ANDRATX

LLUCMAJOR MAGALLUF

Visit the stars, for details on our expanded range of services

Fri Sat Sun -

18 13 C 16 9 Sh 15 9 Cl

Mon - 15 9 Sh Tues - 16 9 Sh Wed - 18 10 Sh

tars

LEO (July 24 - August 23) At last it is clear that the future holds something quite exciting. Looking back during the past few years there has been a build-up to this moment. Treading a new path is half the story.

9-Star Quiz

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Be sure not to put up with tedious comments. Someone is trying to rile you. Who are they to think this way? It is foolish and impossible to please this person. SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Who wants you to go where and who wants you to do what? Each day seems to be spoken for before it arrives. Spending your life like this means running out of credit on your health.

Sudoku

CAPRICORN (December 22 January 20) There are plenty of people who will tell you that what you seek does not exist. They will also tell you that what you feel is unsustainable.

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

AQUARIUS (January 21 February 19) The last time that you sat down and thought about your finances it was confusing. Things are a lot simpler now. Keep emotions and the needs of others out of the equation.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

PISCES (February 20 March 20) Something comes to your attention that makes you feel both anger and injustice. As you are urged to speak out and put your cards on the table, you hesitate.

UK NATIONAL LOTTERY

UK THUNDERBALL

IRISH LOTTO

EURO MILLIONS

Saturday March 14

Saturday March 14

Saturday March 14

Friday March 13

17

24

29

33

36

2

5 19

17 37

2

6

8

34

36

40

BONUS BALL

THUNDERBALL

BONUS BALL

45

11

35

4

5 22

23

3

LA PRIMITIVA

EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA

Fri Sat Sun -

16 11 Sh 18 11 Sh 17 10 C

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 9 Sh Tues - 17 9 Sh Wed - 17 10 C

Fri Sat Sun -

MAX 17C, MIN 12C

TODAY: Fri Sat Sun -

S Sun,

17 7 Sh 17 4 Sh 14 3 C

MAX MIN

Mon - 14 3 C Tues - 17 3 C Wed - 18 6 Cl

Murcia

CLOUDY MAX 19C, MIN 11C 18 10 C 16 8 Sh 15 7 C

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 10 Sh Tues - 17 9 Sh Wed - 19 11 Sh

SHOWERS MAX 13C, MIN 9C MAX MIN

MAX MIN

Mon - 17 9 Sh Tues - 19 10 C Wed - 19 11 Sh

MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun -

19 12 C 18 9 Sh 18 9 Cl

Madrid

Mallorca TODAY:

TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 7 Sh Tues - 16 7 Sh Wed - 17 7 C Cl Clear,

SHOWERS MAX 19C, MIN 13C MAX MIN

Fri Sat Sun Fog,

Sn Snow,

20 12 Sh 19 10 Sh 19 9 Sh C Cloud,

MAX MIN

Mon - 18 9 Sh Tues - 19 7 Sh Wed - 22 10 C Sh Showers,

Th Thunder

Nonagram How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case D) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

TARGET:

Average: 6

Very good: 12

Good: 8

Excellent: 14

dale, dare, dart, date, deal, dear, deer, dele, doer, dole, dolt, dote, drat, lade, lard, lead, load, lode, lord, read, redo, reed, retd, road, rode, teed, toad, toed, told, trad, trod, adore, alder, dater, dealt, delta, deter, doter, eared, elder, erode, lated, oared, older, rated, tared, toted, trade, tread, treed, dealer, derate, dottle, elated, leader, loader, lotted, orated, ordeal, ratted, reload, retold, rotted, teredo, tetrad, alerted, altered, ladette, leotard, rattled, related, rotated, tetrode, totalled, treadle, treated, dotterel, TOLERATED

8

9

32

34

39

47

REINTEGRO 35

7

STEP

Sunday March 15

Saturday March 14

18

LUCKY STARS 1

SHOWERS

SHOWERS MAX 18C, MIN 13C

TODAY:

Malaga TODAY:

MAX MIN

Mon - 16 10 Sh Tues - 16 11 C Wed - 18 11 C

Word Ladder

LOTTERY 6

19 12 C 17 10 Sh 15 9 Sh

16 12 Sh 16 12 Sh 16 10 C

Benidorm

MAX MIN

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Your heart is saying 'Let’s get out and have some fun'. Your head is saying 'Okay, but let's leave it until later'. Which is right? Well, one thing is for sure, emphasis on finances is restraining. You are, however, building on something strong for the future.

Fri Sat Sun -

CLOUDY MAX 18C, MIN 13C

Fri Sat Sun -

SHOWERS MAX 16C, MIN 13C MAX MIN

Barcelona TODAY:

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) What others see as our way ahead is not always the path which we want to tread. It would be easy to be cosy and not take a chance. Is that what you really want?

Y S our

TODAY:

MAX MIN

MAX MIN

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) If you are James Bond, I see no surprises in the week ahead. If you are not, then I certainly do. Something quite shocking crosses your path, so be cautious in your approach to new situations. Keep your eyes and ears open and be prepared to seek advice.

BEAR WITH ME

MAX MIN

www.fiduciarywealth.eu

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Waiting for just the right time to do and say things this week can produce miracles. Spontaneity may be your watchword but forward planning is where real progress is at the moment. I

1. Actor Antonio Fargas played the ‘jive-talking’ informant Huggy Bear in the 1970s television series Starsky and Hutch, but which American rapper played the same character in the 2004 film version? 2. At which film festival is the Golden Bear awarded for best film? 3. From which country did Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear originally come? 4. In which country is the Great Bear Lake located? 5. Soldier Field is the home venue of which American football team? 6. What is the chief diet of the giant panda? 7. What is the Latin name of the constellation known as the Great Bear? 8. Which cartoon character was said to be ‘smarter than the av-er-age bear’? 9. Which mint sweets have been sold with the Peppy the polar bear icon on its packets since 1922?

Almeria

SHOWERS MAX 17C, MIN 13C

4

7 27

Move from the start word (STEP) to the end word (DOWN) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.

18 45

REINTEGRO 2

DOWN

SOWN DOWN

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Although you are feeling more confident in many ways, there is also a secret insecurity. There is a strange emotional atmosphere this week, which perplexes you.

Alicante TODAY:

STEP SEEP SEEN SEWN

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) There is a strong urge to be up and doing something to further your artistic needs. Be sure that you know what is important. Keep it simple and aim straight for it. There may be other options to be explored, but do not go off at a tangent.

1. SNOOP DOGGY DOGG also known as SNOOP DOGG (real name Calvin Broadus), 2. BERLIN, 3. Deepest, darkest PERU, 4. CANADA (Northwest Territories), 5. CHICAGO BEARS, 6. BAMBOO shoots, 7. URSA MAJOR, 8. YOGI BEAR, 9. FOX’S GLACIER MINTS

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CROSSWORDS

Crosswords

19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

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Cryptic

Quick

Across 1 Repeats Cup details by mistake (10) 7 Beg for change in net rate (7) 8 Sides heard rains (5) 10 Ruing a broken weapon (6) 11 Picture device arrived with artist (6) 13 Issue a novel for an antipodean (6) 15 Disturb child’s toy (6) 16 Student leader gets ice creams and cakes (6) 17 Mark, good man, one good with mum (6) 20 High jinks strictly for the birds (5) 22 Woman with others on a mountain (7) 23 Famous rebel acted poorly (10) Down 1 Prevent Ted returning to meet the queen (5) 2 Dislike price Jude arranged (9) 3 I turn to a trifle (4) 4 Creation from Middle Earth (3)

Across 5 Sandy shore (5) 8 Prior (8) 9 Not shut (4) 10 Passageway (8) 11 Fundamental (5) 14/18 Uncompetitive race (3,3) 16 Lively Afro-Cuban dance (5) 17 Become one (5) 18 See 14 20 Cooking herb (5) 24 Wealth stored up (8) 25 Wild mountain goat (4) 26 Well acquainted (8) 27 Oneness (5)

5 Basic part of a ukulele mentioned here (7) 6 Encountered a sailor, and another lacking T-bone (10) 9 As trappers find reserve supply (5,5) 12 A tenant initially receives so-

me people in the rooms (9) 14 Misfortune of company in a rush (7) 18 Overeating from meagre edible beans (5) 19 Generate support (4) 21 Look at the bishop’s seat! (3)

Code Breaker Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 5 represents Z and 14 represents Q, so fill in Z every time the figure 5 appears and Q every time the figure 14 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS CRYPTIC Across: 1 Rations, 4 Blast, 7 Skate, 9 Curtain, 10 Arrange, 11 Tense, 12 Askew, 14 Lager, 19 Rooms, 21 Austria, 23 Adamant, 24 Avert, 25 Scone, 26 Sterner. Down: 1 Rascal, 2 Ocean, 3 Sacred, 4 Biretta, 5 Again, 6 Tender, 8 Arras, 13 Ensnare, 15 Eyrie, 16 Treats, 17 Tastes, 18 Master, 20 Otago, 22 Shake. QUICK Across: 1 Situated, 5/24 Jail bird, 9 Thrones, 10 Allow, 11 Story, 12 Riposte, 13 Dollar, 15 Versus, 18 Support, 20 Sorts, 22 Unite, 23 Fragile, 25 Reverend. Down: 1 Sites, 2 Turmoil, 3 Annoy, 4 Ensure, 6 Atlas, 7 Lawless, 8 Magpie, 13 Disturb, 14 Avocet, 16 Sardine, 17 Stifle, 19 Prior, 20 Scare, 21 Steed.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Libraries, 6 Age, 7 Channel, 9 Pozo, 10 Boca, 14 Girasol, 16 Sea, 17 Demasiado. Down: 1 Lead, 2 Brezo, 3 Anchors, 4 Son, 5 Bell, 8 Arboles, 11 Cesta, 12 Eggs, 13 Caro, 15 Red.

21 Hut (5) 22 Moist (5) 23 Facial growth (5)

14 Remote, distant (3) 15 Religious woman (3) 19 Loud outcry (6)

English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English. Across 1 Sonido (5) 3 Tipos (5) 7 Dessert (6) 9 Merluza (4) 10 Viajero (9) 13 To roast (4) 14 August (6) 16 Fir tree (5) 17 Balloon (5) Down 1 Soup (thick) (4) 2 Nuez (3) 4 Oraciones (7) 5 Semilla (4) 6 Prescriptions (7) 8 Apellido (7) 11 Berry (4) 12 Monkey (4) 15 Búho (3)

Hexagram The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (FIERCE) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues. BURDEN

LEADER

CHEERY

LEARNT

CHINKS

LECTOR

DEACON

METRES

EVENTS

MILLET

FIERCE (10)

MUTTER

FLARES

PORTAL

GANDER

REELED

HEARTS

STREAK

ISLAND

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Funagram Unscramble the name of a musical instrument (one word): PINK COLLEGES FUNAGRAM SOLUTION: WOODY ALLEN, GLOCKENSPIEL

Unscramble the name of a famous American actor, writer, director, comedian, musician and playwright: ONE LOW LADY

Down 1 Small spot (5) 2 Gain knowledge (5) 3 Extremity (5) 4 Number puzzle (6) 6 Stress (8) 7 Think about (8) 12 The world, the universe (8) 13 About to occur (8)

1 Ceased, 2 Dozens, 3 Seduce, 4 Cinder, 5 Thence, 6 Phased, 7 Secure, 8 Sheets, 9 Artrows, 10 Checks, 11 Afresh, 12 Blouse, 13 Pieces, 14 Growls, 15 Reeked, 16 Specks, 17 Beards, 18 Discus, 19 Spears

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Unfair trial by media - it’s no coincidence I COMPLETELY agree with Norah Johnson’s article about Cliff Richard. Thanks to the disgusting conduct of the BBC and the South Yorkshire Police this man, who happens to be very famous, has been subjected to trial by media. It is no coincidence that the raid on Sir Cliff ’s home, with its legally-dubious search warrant and the BBC leading the chorus, was just prior to the Jay Report which reported on South Yorkshire Police’s failure to investigate the abuse of at least 1,400 girls. Sir Cliff Richard had not been interviewed and knew nothing of the allegations against him when the raid was broadcast on live television last summer, but that didn’t stop the police or the media blasting his name and reputation to hell. Naming anyone merely accused of an unproven, unsubstantiated alleged offence is wrong. It leads to the idiotic and flawed argument of ‘no smoke without fire’, the fallback position of people who have no idea what they are talking about. In this case the man was named and what he is accused of was mentioned numerous times, clearly enabling anyone else who wanted to come forward to know what they should accuse him of too. I have met Sir Cliff Richard. He is an honourable, decent man who would never hurt anyone, let alone a child. The fact that certain people cannot accept that someone would live a decent life says more about them than it does about him. I hope God will forgive these people, because I never will. Teejay (via the Euro Weekly News website)

Struck dumb AS my wife and I were leaving Villamartin Plaza (Alicante) we were approached by a man who gestured that he was unable to hear or speak. He thrust a grubby piece of paper towards us, which

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WHEN YOU WRITE All letters, whether by email or post, should carry the writer’s postal address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Letters may also be edited. Readers who have missed earlier correspondence can see all letters posted on:

Outlook unsure I HAVE asked the UK political parties and emailed 10 Downing Street regarding healthcare for UK pensioners living in the EU should the UK vote to leave. At present pensioners receive care under the reciprocal arrangement, but I presume this is linked to EU membership. We would therefore lose the right to treatment, leaving the options of private healthcare, moving back to the UK or paying into the Spanish system. Many could not afford private healthcare and I have been unable to find any that would cover the existing conditions which most pensioners have. Many no longer have family or links in the UK and their houses in Spain have been their homes for many years.

LIKE many expats, I am no longer allowed to vote in the UK. However, as I have dual nationality I can vote in Switzerland, where we vote on various issues during the year. This year they introduced e-voting. It took me all of three minutes to register my vote and saved me €1.20 postage. Rose Marie Hughes, France

From the far side

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claimed that he was collecting on behalf of a charity for the deaf. Being the hard-bitten cynic that I am, I told him to get lost. He eventually got the message that I was not going to give him any money and walked angrily away. As he did so, his mobile phone rang. He answered it and then carried out a conversation. Behold! The miracle of instant healing by mobile phone! Perhaps it was a call from above. Ian Sutton, Orihuela Costa (Alicante)

Easy does it

I MUST be getting old because the participants in the Fallas fiestas seem to get younger each year! Tom Dix, Valencia

I was unable to obtain any information about paying into the Spanish system because the conditions do not as yet exist. I have received no replies, probably because no one gives a damn. B McDonnell, Javea (Alicante)

Card-sharp EHICs are not only for British tourists travelling in Europe and are for everyone living in Europe. For people who live in Spain they are available for emergency treatment in any EU country except Spain. State pensioners apply for it directly from the DWP in the UK. Employees in Spain get it via a Spanish Social Security office. After being resident in Spain for one year, non-working people under state retirement age can pay into the Convenio Especial state system for €60 a month each, giving them access to state healthcare. For those over 65 but not receiving the state pension this is €157 each.

As they are paying into the system, surely they will be eligible for an EHIC via the social security? It is worth asking! Marion Woods, Mazarron (Murcia)

Out of town I FIND it almost impossible to believe that Denia wishes to close the railway station located in the town. The proposed PGE plan states that the station will be relocated to La Pedrera some two kilometres out of town, only to be served by buses and taxis. Are they mad? The railway line to Denia goes around the town, so how is this a bad thing for the residents? As buses no longer accept luggage it means that you would no longer be able to take the train from Denia to Alicante and the airport without a taxi to La Pedrera. These decisions are a mystery. M Mansfield, Denia (Alicante)

I SHOULD like to thank all the correspondents who sought to correct my view on their plights here in Spain. I am sorry if you are offended, but I am only speaking as I see it. Many of you have problems with exchange rates, unsaleable properties, poor health, failing economies. But do you ever consider the plight of your fellow patriots, who didn’t sell out to the dream? All those who stayed behind and contracted negative equity? All those who stayed behind and got bedroom tax? All those who stayed behind and saw inflation eat away all their savings? Who stayed and saw the power companies rip them off? No, you really only worry about the heating allowance or the loss of your franchise. If all of you who have been here for 15 years or more think that your vote should count, I humbly point out that you should not have the right to vote in an election for an MP who represents you, as opposed to the millions who stayed at home. The MP who seeks your vote on a policy that keeps your heating allowance which is paid for by the cancellation of a UK pensioner’s free bus pass, is not really worthy of consideration. If you wish to change the system, vote in the European elections. Michael Warren, Vera Playa (Almeria)

The views expressed and opinions given in Letters are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements, and reject claims arising out of any action that a company or individual may take on the basis of information contained therein.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

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We continue to pull together towards a happier destination Erica Russell Watson: My journey – and I’m driving

11th March TREATMENT number six and this was the first time I felt a little concerned. I had quite a rough time after the last chemotherapy session but it wasn’t feeling bad that worried me, but more the fact that my immune system wouldn’t be up to scratch. So with trepidation I went to the hospital for my blood tests. When you have had as many tests as me you notice different techniques. Well the lady this time just told

me to totally relax and she took the sample without me having to ‘make a fist.’ I have to say it was excellent, I hardly noticed a thing. I had my usual breakfast and went up to the eighth floor to wait to see my oncologist. There was a very funny elderly lady complaining about her doctor and asking everyone in the waiting room which doctor they had. She was not impressed with her oncologist and said that he had better be prepared because she was on form today and wasn’t taking any nonsense from him! I have to say that despite the hours you have to spend waiting, the Spanish are so entertaining that time seems to pass by quickly. The mood is generally upbeat. People don’t tend to speak about their treatment

too much but more about current affairs, family, the weather or in the case of this week, politics as local elections are coming up.

I was amazed to find my tests were good Finally I was called and it was the moment of truth. I was amazed to find out that my tests were good and I could go ahead with my treatment. So many times I have heard other people being sent home as they just aren’t in good enough shape to take a chemo treatment. I find myself becoming more impatient as I near the finishing line. My seventh treatment is on April 1.

Interesting date! I will have to call the radiotherapy department at Carlos Haya Hospital to let them know that I am nearing the end of my chemotherapy so that they can book a full CAT scan and also book me in for my radiotherapy sessions. I don’t know much about that yet as it depends on the scan results and my surgeon and oncologist’s assessment. I am not feeling as wobbly as I did last time but I do have lots of muscular pain. I am, however, more prepared for it. Just have to get through it. I had a great day after my treatment, a lovely walk by the sea and lunch out. You have to enjoy the good moments when you feel up to it. The weekend will be spent resting when I need to and doing things with the chil-

dren. For me the biggest test lately has been steering them through the last few weeks. They are very sad and find it hard to reconcile to the fact that they will never see their father again. I know that time will heal. They always say they wish they could talk to their Dad. So instead of bursting into tears which I can assure you I feel like doing, I ask them what they would say to him. It seems to help. Every time they feel low I just tell them to have a little chat with him and to tell him about their day and the funny things that have happened. Little steps are best, otherwise the enormity of recent events and the uncertainty of the future could capsize us and we need to stay afloat. So we continue to pull together, paddling in our boat to a happier destination.

E W N 19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

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In beer we trust........... and also in St Patrick! NOW there’s a fine thought, an Irish celebration with a hint of Pale Ale! St Patrick has a lot to answer for worldwide, as the good old saint seems to touch the hearts of all nationalities wherever you are. Or could it just be, in beer we trust! Sven and Marta, the owners of Forastera Brewery who are originally from

Berlin are planning to match the amount of

Guinness devoured by the Irish, by offering

their c u s tomers some of the finest ales and beers from their brewery. Forastera Cerveza Artesana are causing a bit of a stir in Mallorca and the word is rapidly getting around about what fantastic flavours they are brewing up there. Sven is proud to present some of his best creations in the beer world on March 20 in celebration of St Patrick’s Day. Come along and try some of the old and new favourites that Forastera are now sup-

ST PATRICK’S DAY: Touches the hearts of all nationalities. plying. You can usually try most of the beers at the feria Ran de Mar in August, but why wait until then. On the 20th there will be a chance to party at the brewery with music by DJ Chino to get the party into full swing, and there will be tapas available to accompany the beer tasting. All this starts at 7.00pm so be ready for a great night

a h e a d . Some of the finest ales and beers are just waiting to be tried, and once tasted, never forgot. You will find Sven and Marta at Forastera at Palma de Mallorca, El Molinar Calle Llucmajor no 61.

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E W N 19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

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Do not be negative David THE Dogman

Listen to David on TRE every Saturday 10 thru 11. Costa del Sol (Gibraltar/Sotogrande) 98.7fm (San Roque to Calahonda) 91.9fm (Calahonda to Motril) 88.9, Costa Calida 92.7fm Costa Blanca (Torrevieja to Elche) 105.1fm (Elche to Calpe) 88.2fm, (Calpe to Gandia & Ibiza) 104.6fm, (Denia to Valencia) 95.3fm Mallorca 103.9fm

NEGATIVITY is never good. Used with people or animals it can have a disastrous effect. When teaching an exercise of ‘Sit’ you pull up on the check chain, hand on your dog’s rump and tell him to ‘Sit.’ No reward is given. Is that good for the dog? Yes he will automatically

TRAINING TO SIT: Your dog will learn the repetition sit in time when you stop walking. He has learnt the exercise with the repetition of the action being used. This goes for all exercises you train him in, but something is lacking. He’s learnt of course, but where

is the joy and the outgoing exuberance. Remember you do have to train to the stage where just a quick ‘Good Dog’ is sufficient. He needs to work every time not just sometimes. Punishment of a dog

should never be used. However, correction of a dog should be done when it is necessary. I am not talking about if it makes a mistake in training. That’s usually your fault. You may not have taught it properly. You only have about four seconds to make any correction. Sometimes if the reason for the correction is sufficient you may need to physically grab the dog either side of the neck and even lift it off the ground using a firm grip and an even firmer voice. My best tip is for you to enrol at your local training club.

Cats meet their match online By Lamia Walker of HouseSitMatch IT hadn’t occurred to Edith when she and her husband moved to Almeria they would end up with a seven cat family. They had planned to enjoy an early retirement, in good health, making new friends, seeing new places and soaking up the rich culture in southern Spain. No sooner had they settled, Edith found she was heartbroken almost on a weekly basis seeing the abandoned, starving cats in the street.

It wasn’t a long journey between feeding the occasional cat, and eventually finding they had seven who were regular residents. However, to ensure the cats don’t get in the way of their long planned easy going lifestyle, she planned ahead and found catsitters through an online network. They found several good matches, where people come and stay. Download your Free Easy Guide to Housesitting from www.bit.ly/eurown001

Overseas aid spending - unrealistic and as mad as a Mad March Hare Nora Johnson MARCH MADNESS: Budgets have to be spent by the end of this month.

Breaking Views A Costa del Sol resident for a number of years, Nora is the author of psychological suspense and crime thrillers. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/columnists/nora-johnson

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HE Independent Commission on Aid Impact recently published a blistering report on the UK Government’s aid to developing countries. The Government’s programmes have unrealistic targets and are handed out to a few favoured contractors insufficiently assessed on their performance. Now, Tory leaders became obsessed by not being regarded as the ‘nasty party’ after a 2002 speech by Theresa May, and so, in government, insist on allocating 0.7 per cent of GDP (£12 billion or €17 billion annually) to aid.

Wouldn’t it be better, though, for the country to be run by people who want to get stuff done, not whether they’re seen as nice or not? People who can decide where to put new airports, who can get the results of investigations into past offences published before all the offenders have passed away. Implementing these aid programmes, civil servants of the Department for International Development, like the public sector in general, additionally suffer

from the curse of ‘March Madness.’ They have to spend their budget by the end of March otherwise arguably they could get by with less and it’d be reduced the following year. Meaningless projects will take place throughout March. Council offices will suddenly need new furniture, holes in the road mended - and aid money spirited away overseas.

We also need to be specific about what aid spending is for, but this issue applies to all Government spending. There’s the ongoing debate on defence spending, but no one’s made the effort to define exactly what the UK’s requirements/needs are (so we end up, for example, with obsolescent aircraft carriers with no planes). As a result, 2 per cent of GDP’s spent annually on defence and 0.7 per cent on aid. Maybe too much, maybe too little. Who knows?

The Government spends £1 billion (€1.4 billion) every month on partly unaccountable aid ‘projects’ rating success in terms of how much it’s managed to spend, not what it’s achieved, while simultaneously cutting away at care home, defence and road repair budgets. The Gates Foundation spends about 30 per cent as much and achieves about 10 times more. I know where I’d put my money. Incidentally, you may recall my article last week called ‘Cliffgate’ (about Sir Cliff Richard). I still haven’t heard any other journalist dubbing this ‘Cliffgate’ maybe this column can lay stake to that claim. You read it here first! Nora Johnson’s thrillers ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.nora-johnson.com) available from Amazon and iBookstore. Profits to Cudeca.

HOMES & GARDENS

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Dick Handscombe

MIXED LEAVES: Perfect for a fresh garden salad.

Gardening Corner By Spain’s best known expatriate gardening author living in Spain for 25 years.

F

OR most Spaniards and many expatriates breakfast is an important meal designed to set one up for the day and especially for Spaniards as a daily social and trading occasion. Wander into a Spanish bar between 9.30am and 11am and you will find that breakfast menus vary widely in the ingredients of plate assortments and bocadillo (long/French loaf sandwich) fillings, but the tables are normally set with mixed salads and portions of healthy peanuts, olives and sliced onions. Popular beverages are a beer or glass of wine, often summer wine diluted with lemonade, even during the winter months with a coffee or mint infusion at the end of the feast. The salads often contain more ingredients than a non-Spanish restaurant but not as many as from a garden, even from a mini allotment grown in a group of builders’ buckets. I have just enjoyed a home breakfast which I do five days a week; on the other days I breakfast with Spanish friends to keep up my Spanish language practice to understand what is happening in the village and local town and on Saturdays socialise after an early two to four-hour walk. With the Spaniards I join them with a bocadillo but at home I rarely eat bread at breakfast, preferring an omelette made with fresh eggs from the hens in the garden and an assortment of healthy fillings plus a tasty salad and flavoursome and per-

Breakfasting well from the garden fumed infusion. During the past week omelette fillings have been home-grown onions and garlic, chicory and dandelion leaves cooked with pine kernels and raisins, Swiss chard and rocket, broccoli, which is now abundant in the garden, wild asparagus growing in a corner of the garden and on local overgrown terraces and oyster mushrooms growing in a sack in the garage. All ingredients with health benefits and the salads added even more. Growing salad leaves is easy except in July and August when they need to be nursed and sheltered from the sun. Today my just-harvested salad included: - leaves of carrot, coriander, beetroot, lambs lettuce, lettuce, chive, marjoram, purslane, parsley, rocket, young garlic and onion plants - chopped broccoli, radish, onion and garlic - plus borage, lemon, nasturtium, rocket, rosemary, thyme and hibiscus

flowers. Many of the ingredients were harvested from my experimental builders’ bucket salad bar garden. This has never needed to be sprayed against any insect in four years as it is a diverse mass of herbage and not a mono crop field. This diversity also improves, plant by plant, the

health benefits of the salads. Also of course since the leaves were eaten within half an hour of harvesting they did not need to be treated to improve their keeping properties in transport, in storage warehouses, on supermarket shelves and in home fridges.

For liquid input I juiced three ripe late Valencia oranges plucked from the orange tree next to the chicken run when I collected the two eggs and made a healthy infusion. Today’s infusion used olive leaves and a rose-hip for longevity, mint as an awakener, dried marigold petals as good for the skin

and as it is now possible to sunbathe at midday on most days, a dried ginkgo balboa leaf for the brain, two lemon verbena leaves which are refreshing and calming, a hawthorn leaf to avoid blood pressure, a pinch of dried stevia leaves as a natural sweetener and finally rosemary for energy as I am going gardening once this article is finished and emailed. Yes, it would be too much for a small teacup so I use a half-litre mug. For the past 20 years such breakfasts have been part of my Mediteranan Diet health regime used instead of chemo and radio therapy to prevent a recurrence of cancer. It’s why I still have a head of hair to protect me from the sun. More about my health-oriented gardening can be found in the book ‘Living well from our garden - Mediterranean style’ available from Amazon Books or at the end of talks. Happy breakfasting from your gardens! © Dick Handscombe www.gardenspain.com March 2015

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PROPERTY

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HAVE you ever thought your house is a strange shape? What is the reason for that weird box room that serves no purpose? Why did they build that lump on the side? Here in Spain you don’t have to look too far or too hard to find some unexplainable feature on a property. From the huge cave houses found cut into the mountains of Granada, to the miniature 20 square metre village houses, giving the appearance they were squeezed in with a shoe horn.

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Choices, choices and even more choices!

THOUSANDS of people each year from a variety of backgrounds decide for one reason or another, that they would like to live the rest of their life in Spain. The first hurdle they tend to encounter once the blurry wobbly dream sequence has settled down, is they now have choices to make. Spain is a large country, more than twice the size of the UK, and has different climates depending where you go. For dry heat, sun, sand and little rain, you would need to look to the south. Lower temperatures, greener lands and a more temperate climate you would need to look to the north. Once the decision on climate choice has been made; will you go ‘inland’ or head for the coast?

MADRID: Some would prefer a luxury house in the capital.

The charm of different city habitats One option would be to live in the city. Again there are different types of city to choose from in Spain. You have the typical Andalucían capital of Sevilla: With its white houses, old world charm, to the more metropolitan Barcelona in the north. Or even the capital, Madrid. And of course what kind of luxury can you

get for your money? There is a wide and diverse choice available in whichever lifestyle suits your taste. For some, the idea of an idyllic Spanish life would be a large Hacienda in the rolling hills and mountains of Granada. For others, a luxury sun-drenched villa overlooking the sea in Marbella. There are even people whose idea of a Spanish dream home

would be in the middle of a pulsating city like Madrid. An inland country home has the benefit of having a peaceful and beautiful tranquillity attached at no extra cost. Typically near to small villages that have little or no need to understand the modern world In stark contrast, a luxury villa on the Costa del Sol can offer a life close to the British communities, and with the top notch nightlife and entertainment venues you would expect when living among the rich elite. However, whatever your dream, whatever your budget, if you look hard enough, it can be found. The choice is yours.

E W N 19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

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INSURANCE BUY & SELL PERGOLA, perfect for use in garden or carport. Very strong, treated, 5mx3m, never been erected, will deliver free, €485. Call Joanne or email 664 405 894, si.whitworth@ gmail.com (233533)

Price per word: 0,42€ + IVA minimum 15 words - Discount: Book 10 weeks, get 2 weeks free - Deadline: 4pm Mondays Contact: Phone (0034) 971 682 795 • Fax (0034) 971 680 438 • email classifieds@euroweeklynews.com • www.euroweeklynews.com

CLASSIFIEDS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FREE FOR YOU FREE. MOBILE PHONE SIM CARD CALLS TO THE UK FOR ONLY 1 CENT PER MINUTE FREE CREDIT WORTH 12 EUROS.FREE MOBILE PHONE CALLS. CALL NOW TO FIND OUT HOW. TEL 902 887 091 WWW.TELITEC.COM (0) www.euroweeklynews.com

REMOVALS / STORAGE

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19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

PROPERTY FOR RENT

REMOVALS/STORAGE

LLUCMAJOR. Completely furnished first floor apartment with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, lounge, terrace, 450 euros/month. Ref 2940 Inmobiliaria Llucmajor. Tel 971 662 402 (231391)

THE Man & Van Island wide removals & storage. Cheap, cheerful, fast, efficient and most importantly LEGAL. Tel: 626 792 037 (231491)

UNIQUE opportunity mezzanine office in Palma de Mallorca city centre, best location, 60mtr, favourable terms, 10 yrs low rental guaranteed. Call 971 711 033

PROPERTY SERVICES

XXX RELAXATION READERS OF A SENSITIVE DISPOSITION MAY FIND SOME OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS IN THIS SECTION OFFENSIVE.

SITUATIONS VACANT FULL and Part time opportunities, various duties including admin, driving and car valeting. Applicants should be computer literate, live within 20 minutes of Palma airport, have full driving licence and have own transport. Please send C.V. to info@ter ryscarhire.com (233654)

TELECOMS

SOOTY & SWEEP, Chimneys/Wood Burning Stoves, installed and swept. Tel 971 231 623 / 629 547 685 (228765)

FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (0)

WE CLEAR building rubble, garden waste, old furniture etc. Fast reliable service. Tel 971 231 623 / 629 547 685 (228765) THINKING of reforming your property? Visit the House Hospital for Quality 2nd Hand doors, windows and flooring. Tel 971 231 623 / 629 547 685 (228765)

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POOLS & SPAS

BIZARRE DREAMS and FETISH FANTASIES Tel 670 210 581 (209776) NICE AND SEXY GERMAN GIRL MAKES YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE 661 016 936 MANACOR, 6 girlfriends, 60€ half hour, bare blow job, Calle de la Pau, 25 bajos, 24h acclimatised (220259)

TV & SATELLITE

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BOATING

Eligibility extended for Certificate PREVIOUSLY, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) could only issue the International Certificate of Competence (ICC) to British nationals and residents, and to countries with special permission such as the Netherlands. However, since December 30, 2014, the organisation can now assign the coveted Certificate to citizens of all countries yet to adopt Resolution 40 and this includes Spain. Linda Revill, Principal of recognised RYA Training

Centre, Aigua Sea School, says, “Unlike the European driving licence for example, boating qualifications are neither harmonised nor accepted across the EU, and can be the cause of great confusion. “The ICC however is the most recognised document to have on your person while boating in Europe and reassures the local government of your competence. As a Spainbased RYA Training Centre, it’s fantastic news we can now issue this very

THE ICC: The most recognised document to have on you while sailing in Europe.

handy Certificate to nonBritish citizens including Spanish, Portuguese and Russians - despite them not having signed up to Resolution 40. It will make all our boating lives much easier.” Although not an actual qualification itself, the ICC provides documented evidence that the person in charge of the yacht officially has the necessary skills. The Certificate covers three categories -

sail, power (subdivided into under and over 10 metres) and personal watercraft (PWC). It can be issued for coastal waters and for inland should the applicant have passed a European Code for Navigation on Inland Waterways (CEVNI) test. Lorenzo Vila, Director of easyboats, who partners Aigua Sea School for training purposes, said, “Clients who purchase and charter yachts from

us are often asking about skipper training and refresher courses. We make it very clear that their certificates must be shipshape so as not to fall foul of the law, with minimum requirements being a one-day proficiency certificate to pilot a PWC, a two-day Level 2 certificate for a powerboat, a four-day Day Skipper course for a motor cruiser and a five-day Day Skipper course for sailing.

“With Aigua now able to secure an ICC on all of the above, whether you’re a British or Spanish citizen, the authorities will be more than satisfied that you’re capable and competent.” For more information on RYA Training visit www.rya.org.uk or www.aiguaseaschool.com. For further information on yacht charter, sales and management, contact easyboats on info@easyboats.com, telephone 0034 607 608 870 or visit www.easyboats.com . Facebook: https://www.facebook.co m/easyboats Twitter: @easyboats LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com /company/easyboats. We are also on Google+.

BOATING

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19 - 25 March 2015 / Mallorca

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MOTORING

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otoring M TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

SPONSORED BY For best rates in motor insurance call: 952 89 33 80

GOOD NEWS: The luxury electric car manufacturer Tesla has just announced a programme of installing charging stations nationwide.

Is Spain ready for the electric car? WHILE it would appear that the British public are starting to warm to the idea of electric vehicles, self-parking cars, and driverless taxis, will Spanish roads soon see a change towards ‘The Green’? A recent survey by GFK questioned the Spanish public on their opinions, and willingness to buy electric cars. They discovered Spanish consumers show a deep and clear divide between their knowledge about

electric vehicles and their willingness to buy one. The survey showed that more than half of Spanish car buyers are willing to select an electric vehicle, but only 15 per cent believe they know them well. For example; nine out of 10 people believed the only benefit to owning an electric car was the ‘low emissions factor.’ The survey did point out, however, the most likely sector to benefit primarily will be the luxury end of

the market. It would appear the drivers of large sedans would be more willing to pay up

to 10 per cent extra for a new electric equivalent of their car. Good news indeed for

Tesla, the luxury electric car manufacturer, which currently has big plans for Spain and France, and has

just announced a programme of charging station installations nationwide.

Green or Green IT would appear that everybody will soon be convinced into buying an electric car. But what will be the underlying push for change? Will it be for ‘green’ eco reasons? Or because of the huge greenbacks that will be up for grabs? On today’s roads, we drive a car managed by a mini computer that can access the web. It knows when something is too close behind, and can emergency brake to avoid the obstacle in front. It can park itself, and talk to GPS satellites. It can talk to your phone, and is only too keen to let you know when you don’t have your seatbelt on. In fact, we are very close to the point where the only thing in the car that is not needed… is you, the driver! With trials and tests of the new ground-breaking British led transport system going on in some of Britain’s major cities at the moment, the world and his dog are looking on in anticipation at the prototype driverless shuttle system and wondering, how long will it be before this is available in my town? Think-

ELECTRIC CAR: Will you soon be driving one?

MERIDIAN SHUTTLE: The new system is being hailed as the start of an environmentallyfriendly transport solution.

ing is, that it will be a lot quicker than most people would have thought. The fantastic new Meridian Shuttle system is being hailed as the start of an environmentally-friendly transport solution that could eventually replace

taxies, buses, coaches, and even trains. “Great!” come the cries from the eco-warriors, “We have changed industry’s way of thinking.” Business Secretary Vince Cable said in The Guardian: “The projects we are now funding in will help to ensure we are worldleaders in this field and able to benefit from what is expected to be a £900-billion industry by 2025.”

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SPORT

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Sport Mallorca’s best guide to local sport

Heather Watson GB’s Heather Watson has knocked World number 8 Agnieska Radwanska out of the Indian Wells Tennis Open in the USA. TO READ MORE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

Girls and youngsters rugby weekend IN the Women’s Senior Rugby League neither the rain nor the cold could deter the four girls teams that turned out in Puerto Pollensa on Saturday. Shamrock RC, suffering various injuries, were unable to present a team. RC Ponent made a return to form beating Corsaris RFC by 36 points to 0. The matches against Bahia RC and El Toro RC were more intense, but the girls in green managed to beat the former by 29 points to 7 and after a very closely fought battle with closest rivals El Toro RC, won by only 19 points to 15.

BALEARES RUGBY FEDERATION, RAUL MONTES DOMINGUEZ, IRENE SELVA RAMOS.

By Lynda Demangeat

COMPETITIVE: U12 teams ready for a scrum. El Toro RC opened its door for the teams taking part in the 10th in this series of matches for the Michel Rodier U18 trophy last Saturday. There were plenty of good tackles and hard bumps in the games between hosts; El

Toro RC A and B teams, Ponent Rugby A and B teams and the team from TRUC of Menorca. A sporting attitude and continued improvement from the players was obvious on the pitch as this tournament nears its end.

RUGBY DAY: Over 100 youngsters turned out. Over 100 youngsters turned out for the fantastic Rugby Day organised on Sunday by Dimonis RC in Manacor where the rain fortunately held off until the

last minute. A great time was had by all, players and spectators alike, and the competitiveness of the young players continues to show through the short,

but well fought matches. The results of the tournament between the U16 teams on the island were as follows; El Toro RC continued their winning run, followed by RC Ponent green team, Migjorns RC and RC Ponent white team. In the U14 tournament, due to a shortage of players in some teams, the youngsters made the most of the day and joined together to play a XV’s match in which a high level of rugby was evident. In the only match played in the Men’s Senior League, Ibiza RC beat a depleted El Toro RC by 60 points to 0.