Euro Weekly News - Costa de Almeria 19 - 25 December 2019 Issue 1798

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ISSUE NO. 1798

19 - 25 December 2019

Newspaper in Spain 2017 & 2018

COSTA DE ALMERÍA YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION

CURTAIN WILL GO UP

CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Los Gallardos Facebook @AYUNTAMIENTODELOSGALLARDOS

CULTURAL EPICENTRE: The mayor promised a programme of events designed to appeal across the board.

A BRAND new theatre and cultural event venue has opened its doors in Los Gallardos.

Los Gallardos mayor Francisco Reyes and Diputacion de Almeria Sport and Youth deputy Maria Luisa Cruz cut the ribbon on the facilities at the official inauguration ceremony last week in front of a large crowd.

“We understand culture as something essential for the human condition, therefore, this council wants to make culture a sign of identity and a reference for daily work as backing culture is to back our town’s present and future,” the mayor commented.

Reyes promised events designed to appeal to all residents, also making the point the venue will be a visitor attraction.

He took time to thank his local government team and the provincial administration for their work and for making the project possible. He also made special mention of the Los Gallardos theatre groups, the municipal band and choir, and the different local associations “for their contribution to culture.”

The Diputacion de Almeria provided a €755,000 investment for the new venue, which has capacity for 200 spectators. One of the most notable features of the facili-

ties is that the stage can also connect with the exterior so it can be used for open-air events.

The provincial administration funding also covered works on the area surrounding the venue, including creating parking areas and gardens, and connecting it to the rest of the municipality.

The Diputacion said the facilities were destined to

become “the cultural epicentre of the municipality,” adding that investments of this kind reflected the administration’s policy of equality of service among the province’s municipalities and efforts to combat depopulation in smaller, inland localities.

Events and activities at the new facilities got underway on Friday December 13.

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A S S O C I AT I O N S across Almeria have benefited from a fourth block of provincial gover nment funding for social and cultural collectives.

A total of € 117,500 has gone to 19, business, culture and social projects this time, and €275,000 funds to 55 projects in all this year.

Among the latest projects to bene-

Social support fund fit from the Diputacion de Almeria financial assistance were support for children with Asperger’s, campaigns to raise awareness about organ donation, help for families at risk, international cooperation and cultural and sporting activities.

The provincial administration said that funding reflects its ‘commitment’ to “the social well-being of Almerians through the development of the projects and initiatives of associations dedicated in their everyday work to culture, sport and those in need.”

Speaking at the formal presentation of the financial contributions, Diputacion president Javier A Garcia told the representatives of the recipient bodies, “your dedication and involvement is fundamental for carrying out social and culture projects

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which otherwise would not happen.

“You reach where the administrations don’t and your work is unpaid, hence any help we can offer from this institution is a small thing.”

Garcia also thanked them for their “commitment to society, making dreams, wishes and projects a reality for many people,” describing them as “the reflection of a grateful and caring society, as Almeria is.”

Coke deliveries CREDIT: Almeria Guardia Civil

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CAUGHT OUT: Officers caught the suspect with 12 packets of the drug.

GUA R DIA CIV IL arrested a 65-year-old man suspected of operating a cocaine delivery service in Adra.

The Guardia detained APV on drugs charges after catching him with 12 packets of the drug and €529 in cash.

Investigations into the ‘tele drug’ service came af-

ter the Guardia detected an increase in drug sales activity in the locality. It emerged that illegal substances were being handed over to clients by pre-appointment, the delivery locations normally discreet locations where the transaction would go unnoticed.

The drug peddler would sometimes go on foot to

meet clients and sometimes drive, always taking a roundabout route to try and evade being caught out by police. Following discreet surveillance and trailing the suspect, officers intercepted the suspect when he was on his way to meet a customer.

They found the cocaine hidden in the boot of his vehicle along with the cash.

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19 - 25 December 2019

Hospital open

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INDEX

THE new maternal-children’s hospital forming part of the Torrecardenas complex in Almeria city has opened, with the admission of its first patients. The full range of services the hospital will offer will be gradually incorporated over the first six months of next year.

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No change

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THE AP7 Vera-Cartagena toll motorway is excluded from the 0.84 per cent increase in tariffs on the national network due to come into force on January 1. The highway is excluded as one of the nine ‘rescued’ from bankruptcy by the State during the economic crash.

Prison move THE woman found guilty of killing eight-year-old Gabriel Cruz, Ana Julia Quesada, was last week moved from Almeria’s Acebuche prison to a jail in Brieva in Avila. The decision followed her request to be taken away from Almeria, where she was held separately from other inmates.

Baby thief THE owner of a Chinese shop in Roquetas de Mar stopped a young woman as she was about to walk out the premises with another woman’s child. The woman, who was later arrested, had started pushing the child away in its pushchair while the mother was browsing.

Station work GUARDIA CIVIL stations in Nijar, San Jose, Gador, Cabo de Gata and Garrucha are set to benefit from a €200,000 provincial government investment in reforms and modernisations to the facilities. Specific works will include upgrades to pavillions, plumbing terraces, garages and roofs.

Christmas delivery YOUR Christmas edition of Euro Weekly News will be distributed on Friday, December 27 rather than Thursday, December 26, due to the festive holiday. A very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all of our loyal and valued readers and advertisers.

LEAPY 34 LETTERS

Merry Christmas from the EWN family!

39 TIME OUT 43-46 HEALTH & BEAUTY 48-50

THE most wonderful time of the year has rolled around once again! And, as a new decade awaits, we can’t help but feel excited for all the adventures that are yet to come.

Although this has been a turbulent year for many, we have managed to overcome all of the hurdles together.

Brexit gave us much to talk and worry about during 2019. And although the outcome isn’t yet

clear, we await the new change with a positive outlook.

As a media company, we come across all of the bad news. But we also see all of the good, and it’s safe to say that it will always outweigh the negative. Your uplifting community stories of courage and success inspire us to do better.

At EWN we are ending the year on a high. Along with our readers, we have helped many causes and spread the love where it was within our reach. We are proud of what we have achieved as a

Community and plan to continue this into the New Year.

Christmas is a time to enjoy with the most special people in your life, so hold your loved ones close and enjoy the festive season. Our readers and clients complete us and our big EWN family.

From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you all the merriest of Christmases, may you enjoy a joyful and prosperous New Year.

From all of us at Euro Weekly News, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

SOCIAL 52-53 ALBOX 54-56 PETS

‘Narco killer’ held

Smell leads to find

POLICE have arrested a man the Almeria National Court was after to serve a prison sentence for a drug-related killing in Adra four years ago. Forty-year old DFP was detained in Balanegra in El Ejido after Local Police spotted him behind the wheel of a car.

They discreetly followed the vehicle until he stopped, at which point he was identified and cuffed. The charges date back to the end of 2015 when police found a body in the Parra de Adra area. DFP was accused, along with three other individuals, of a revenge killing related to the disappearance of a 500-kilo consignment of hashish.

Police said all four, along with a fifth individual, were members of a criminal gang dedicated to drug trafficking. The 40-year-old managed to elude authorities at the time and his whereabouts were unknown until this month.

GUARDIA CIVIL found 171 marihuana plants growing inside a Roquetas de Mar property following complaints from local residents. Calls to the Guardia from people living in the area about the overwhelming smell of the drug and the constant noise from the property prompted the launch of investigations into a possible indoor marihuana plantation.

The Guardia reported all the windows on the property had been covered and the only ventilation came from small holes covered with polyurethane foam. In surveillance of the location two individuals were observed constantly coming and going, sometimes with gardening tools. Guardia also identified their vehicles.

In the last phase of the operation officers searched the property.

They found marihuana plants distributed around various rooms and the two suspects inside. They also located an illegal hook-up to the power network. Officers arrested the pair on drug charges and for defrauding the electricity supply.

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NEWS CREDIT: Policia Nacional Almeria

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19 - 25 December 2019

Low season highs CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Almeria Facebook

CRIMINAL: The gang behind the operation charged the immigrants between €2,000 and €3,500 to make the crossing to Spain.

Boat owner caught with immigrants RESPECTABLE: Average occupation levels in the province’s hotels and rural accommodation on the bank holiday weekend reached just short of 80 per cent.

THE long early December bank holiday w e e k e n d b ro u g h t very re s p e c t a b l e numbers of visitors to the Costa Almeria.

Despite being the low tourist season, average occupation levels in the province’s hotels and rural accommodation was 78 per cent for the Friday and Saturday nights and averaged 60 per cent over the whole of the four-day long break.

Total bank holiday overnight stays in Almeria added up to 43,000.

The latest figures on tourism from the Andalucia Institute of Statistics also paint a pretty positive picture for the province this

autumn. Information relating to October shows that visitors to Almeria stayed for an average of 6.4 days, while the average for the whole of Andalucia was just over five days.

Among the Andalucia provinces, only Malaga registered typically longer tourist stays.

Foreign visitors to Almeria stayed for significantly longer than national tourists: an average of 12.2 days for other nationalities compared to 3.7 days for Spaniards.

Of the more than 6,000 arrivals over the month, only 1,935 were foreigners, but together they accounted for 23,514 of October ’s

registered overnight stays.

The institute figures also reveal that the British made up the biggest group of Almeria’s foreign visitors in October (773), followed

by French (219), German (202) and Belgian (199).

Roquetas de Mar attracted the month’s greatest share of travellers: 3,938, who clocked up 18,972 overnight stays in all and typically spent five days in the municipality.

Vera registered average stays of nearly eight days and 696 travellers.

Carboneras received 271 tourists, registering just over 1,200 overnight stays, and Nijar 738 and 2,219 stays.

POLICE arrested an Algerian fishing boat owner heading for the Almeria coast with 107 illegal Moroccan immigrants on board.

The Almeria maritime rescue service intercepted the craft in provincial waters after it set out in the early hours of the morning from Algeria.

The 12-metre long boat was no longer being used for fishing due to its poor state of repair, and when maritime rescue caught up with it, it was taking on water.

Investigations carried out with the assistance of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), along with interviews with the immigrants travelling on the boat, allowed police to establish that two months before setting out on their journey, the criminal organisation behind the operation had

started making contacts with different individuals in Algeria, offering a sea crossing to Spain for between €2,000 and €3,500.

The immigrants were told to go to a beach in Beni Saf, where after paying they were put onto a rubber dinghy which took them to the fishing boat.

The 50-year-old owner, who skippered the craft, positioned the immigrants for the journey according to their height and weight. He told his crew that in the event of being caught they were to say they had operated the navigation system between all of them.

As the journey progressed crew members had to start bailing out water. They also threw a number of fuel drums and a compass overboard.

The boat owner has been charged with a crime against the rights of foreign citizens.

Stuck in ice

A GUARDIA CIVIL patrol had to go to the assistance of a driver who got stuck in snow and ice in Calar Alto in Gergal.

The 50-year-old driver from Almeria City found himself unable to move his vehicle while driving on a mountain road last week.

When officers got to the motorist he was getting pretty anxious. There was no mobile coverage in the area, and he had hurt his hands trying to break the ice and free his vehicle.

He thought he was going to have to spend the night there.

Getting a tow-truck out to move the car was clearly not going to be possible. Instead, the officers used spades to remove the ice.

Finally after a two-hour effort they managed to get the car back on its way.

CREDIT: Guardia Civil Almeria

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ANXIOUS: The driver was worried he was going to have to spend the night in his car.

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Green nativity pieces picked up from beaches.

Vera Trade and Consumer councillor Ana Lourdes Ramirez said the main aim of the bio-construction initiative was to motivate residents to try and produce less waste and to recycle.

“This Christmas the council wants to preach to residents by example on the responsible consumption of resources, which is not buy, throwaway, buy, but rather with creativity, dedication and care you can use natural resources with respect, recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption, and of course enjoy socially and culturally, as is the case with our Christmas nativity.”

CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Vera

VERA is thinking about the environment as well as Christmas traditions this festive season with a municipal nativity scene made from recycled materials.

The installation in the town’s Cuatro Caño square features an entrance constructed almost entirely from agricultural residues, a roof formed by old hose pipes, flooring made with fertilizer canisters and a wheelbarrow turned into a cradle.

Old clothes and curtains were used for the figures’ costumes.

Other materials used to create the nativity include tyres, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, tetra packs, tins and bits and

RECYCLED: Materials used to construct the nativity scene include irrigation hose pipes, old clothes, tyres, cardboard, newspaper, magazines, tins and bits and pieces picked up from beaches.

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Beach defences THE national government is currently studying what would be the best defence s y s t e m f o r Ve r a P l a y a ’s beaches, the acting head of the Ministry for Ecological Transition’s Almeria Provincial Service head has told the Euro Weekly News.

Enrique Lopez Ramirez said the study of this part of the coast is being carried out with the aim of deciding what would be the most appropriate measures to adopt. He revealed that various possibilities are being looked at, including that of constructing a large groin in the Garrucha port area.

Lopez Ramirez also told EWN he was unable to say when the study would be concluded as no specific completion date had been set.

Recent stormy weather saw Vera’s beaches hammered once again by high seas. The waves come right up to the back of the beaches, leaving the sand in a sorry looking state.

The storms prompted renewed calls from some local residents and business people for something to be done to protect the municipal coastline more effectively.

Biometric signature pioneer VERA Council is leading the way on the introduction of biometric signatures for its resident attention service.

The local authority explained that from January onwards residents sorting administrative matters with the council will be able to digitally sign forms and requests, allowing the whole process to be done in an electronic format and saving time and paper.

Under the new system, a person’s biometric data is captured. That is a unique physical characteristic, like a voice or fingerprint. Hence the documents are linked to a specific person and cannot be manipulated or other documents inserted, the local authority pointed out.

The digital format documents are viewed on advanced electronic signature tablets for the person to sign and to look at. Multiple signatures on the same document are possible.

Commenting during the trial of the new system, Vera New Technologies councillor Belen Carnicer said the council “is working on the implementation of all the technolog-

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ical advances which directly or indirectly have repercussions for an improved service for residents and all the people using municipal administrative procedures and services.”

Once the biometric signature service has been fully implemented, the resident attention office will become the council’s register assistance office for presenting requests, documents and communications for any public administration, whether state, regional or local.

The office will scan requests and accompanying documentation presented by residents, returning the original to them along with a receipt accrediting they handed over the paperwork.

Antonio Ramos, who is responsible for Vera Council’s IT and one of the key people behind the implementation of the system at the town hall, said it means it “continues being one of the most technologically advanced Andalucian public administrations, with the main objective of offering the best possible service, without skimping on the necessary effort to achieve this.”

CREDIT: Stephen Brooks-Brown

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DESTRUCTIVE: Stormy weather can bring the waves right up to the back of the beach.

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NEWS CREDIT: Ramon Fernandez_PachecoM Twitter @RamonFPM

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ENCOURAGEMENT: A special skip with a design exclusive to Almeria now stands next to the town hall to remind local residents to recycle.

Glass recycling challenge HUERCAL-OVERA Council has set local residents the challenge of recycling 10 per cent more glass in December and January than last year.

The local authority has signed up to the ‘Reto Mapamundi’ campaign, an initiative to strengthen the locality’s commitment to glass recycling.

The campaign is promoted by the Junta de Andalucia, the Andalucia Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FAMP),

and the Ecovidrio non-profit organisation which manages glass recycling across the country, in collaboration with the Almanzora Levante Velez rubbish collection consortium and the council.

To try and encourage people to recycle even more than in 2018, Ecovidrio has installed a recycling igloo with a design exclusive to Almeria Province next to the town hall.

Huercal-Overa mayor Francisca Lourdes Fernandez and Environment councillor Monica Ruiz were joined at the cam-

paign inauguration by the Almanzora Levante Velez rubbish consortium’s chief Jose Lopez, and the service manager Carmen Moncada.

“Recycling glass containers is an important element in the contribution to sustainable development, developing the transition to a circular economy and the fight against climate change,” the mayor commented.

“The council joins this campaign convinced that residents’ response is going to be positive as they are already aware of the importance of recycling, hence we encourage them to carry on and to meet the challenge of increasing recycling by 10 per cent.”

The most recent figures available show that Huercal-Overa residents have recycled more than 180,000 kilos of glass in all, representing an average of 9.6 kilos per person.

There are 46 glass recycling skips around the municipality, or one per every 409 inhabitants.

A total of 40 localities in Andalucia are taking part in the Reto Mapamundi campaign. Those successful in the extra 10 per cent challenge will be rewarded with 10 recycling igloos with personalised designs .

To spread the word further about the initiative, information will be posted on participating municipalities’ and Ecovidrio’s social media platforms.

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THE bureaucratic process for launching some types of businesses has been simplified in most of the province, the Diputacion de Almeria reported The provincial government’s Municipality Assistance deputy Eugenio Gonzalez said 90 of Almeria’s 103 local authorities have the document which allows entrepreneurs and business people to start certain business or economic activities with just one procedure, and the councils

Caught out MORE than 28,000 Almeria motorists have been fined for using mobiles while driving since the points system for driving licences was introduced in Spain in the summer of 2006.

It is the third most common driving violation, behind speeding and failure to use a seatbelt or child retention system.

The statistics also indicate that drivers caught and sanctioned with the loss of three licence points and a €200 fine for mobile use has crept up in Almeria in recent years, having been steadily dropping More than 2,000 drivers have been penalised this year, up from 1,990 in 2018 and 1,720 in 2017. However this compares with 2,329 in 2016 and 3,200 in 2015.

Provincial Directorate General of Traffic chief Jose Maria Mendez reported that 70 per cent of deaths on Almeria’s ordinary highways occur when vehicles come off the road due to excessive speed, distractions, or both at the same time, and that using a mobile is one of the main reasons for a driver being distracted.

The Directorate General of Traffic warns that making or receiving a call, sending a WhatsApp, going onto social media or taking a look at an email while behind the wheel significantly increases the risk of having an accident.

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Simplifying matters have now approved the relevant by-law.

The change applies to businesses which do not require environmental controls. This includes small concerns dedicated to the sale of food products, drinks, textiles, furniture and electrical goods, as well as hair salons and estate agencies.

The deputy described the updating of the regulation as vital for “economic development, equal opportunities and for fixing population in the province’s smallest municipalities.”

Gonzalez said he believed this “administrative flexibility would contribute decidedly to the battle

against depopulation in Almeria’s municipalities, as it enables the immediate implementation of economic activities.

“We want to equalise opportunities in all municipalities of the province and for the population to rise in the rural world,” he added.

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CREDIT: PAWS-PATAS

PAWS-PATAS received a boost to its funds from last Saturday’s Iceland (Overseas) stores Vera branch fundraiser for the animal charity.

PAWS-PATAS volunteers spent the day packing customers’ shopping and manning the raffle stall, for which Overseas Supermarkets provided the prizes.

Dogs looking for ‘forever homes’ were walked outside and the Sue Moretta choir provided the entertainment.

By the end of the day customers’ generous donations to the collection tins, raffle and choir added up to €518.

This money, alongside €870 collected for ticket sales for a performance by the Incognito Choir on December 6, plus a further €901 from Shoestring Productions’ recent variety shows and raffles brought in an impressive total of €2,289.

“This is an amazing amount for PAWS-PATAS because the charity needs €9,500 each month in order to cover vets’

CREDIT: Liz Carey

Boost to PAWS funds

COMPANY: Ron and Jean Nield were joined by local moggie Felix.

BIG CHARITY DAY: Stuart Drury (Diego the dog), store manager Dave, supervisor Suzanne, PAWS-PATAS cattery manager Sam Spencer and PAWS-PATAS executive committee member Chrissie Cremore. bills, food, electricity, water and other general running costs,” PAWS-PATAS executive committee member Chrissie Cremore told the Euro Weekly News.

Chrissie reported that 2019 has been another tough year for the animal charity. The PAWS-

PATAS shelter located between Los Gallardos and Turre took in 357 dogs, and 148 kittens were abandoned at the gates.

Sadly 22 died of Panleukopenia.

The ‘heartening news’ is that 256 dogs were adopted in Spain, Holland, the UK, Germany and Belgium, 91 kittens and cats were homed and 130 neutered.

The next big annual PAWSPATAS fundraising event is the New Year’s Day swim in Mojacar Playa, organised by Ann and Brad Swift. The daring winter dip is at 11.30am in front of the Best Indalo Hotel.

PAWS-PATAS calls on ‘brave’ volunteers to help the

animal charity reach its target so it can build a vital quarantine unit at the shelter.

“Unfortunately, when infected puppies are dumped at the gates we have been forced to close the shelter, because parvovirus is an incredibly contagious disease with devastating symptoms,” Chrissie explained.

“The quarantine unit will help prevent a total ‘lock down,’ which of course is very distressing for the animals and the volunteers.”

For further information regarding volunteer work for PAWS-PATAS or donating, see www.paws-patas.org or email info@paws-patas.org.

Lucky dip to help cat charity THE Kitty Kat Almanzora Valley charity ran a lucky dip in Cantoria to raise funds for its feral cat neutering programme.

Ron and Jean Nield set up a stall outside the town hall on market day, helped by George from the local council.

They were joined by local moggie Felix.

The charity has had a busy year, neutering 40 cats and raising funds and awareness for their programme of trapping, neutering and returning cats in Cantoria and the surrounding area.

ASA spreads festive spirit AGE SUPPORT Almanzora spread festive spirit with donations of Christmas hampers to care homes in Albox.

Shop manager Hannah Taylor-Law and shop volunteer Pauline Kearns visited the new Residencia Albox home for the elderly where they presented physiotherapist Noelia with Christmas goodies for the 30 elderly residents of various nationalities.

The ASA elves then went to El Pino, where they met with manager Marion and presented a

CREDIT: Liz Carey

GOODIES: ASA shop manager Hannah Taylor-Law and shop volunteer Pauline Kearns presented a sweet-themed hamper for residents to the El Pino care home’s Marion and her family. hamper for residents with festive fayre including a

Christmas cake and mince pies.

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19 - 25 December 2019

BREXIT BRIEF

by John Smith FOR those who were worried that Britain would change following Brexit and feared that the USA would step into the NHS Service, there is no need to worry as the London Resort, the brainchild of Paramount Pictures with fin a n c i n g t h ro u g h M i d d l e Eastern money is due to open in 2024.

This theme park which will be built over more than 535 acres in Kent and remembers the once great history of the United Kingdom will be finished just as Boris Johnson is due to consider whether to stand for re-election.

Depending on how things go over the next five years, it will be very relevant to both remainers and leavers as it will either stand as a glowing

London Resort

THEME PARK: London as envisaged by the resort.

IN an interview with Irish media following the l a t e s t E u r o p e a n U n i o n s u m m i t , Ta o i s e a c h (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has acknowledged that the massive win by the Conservatives puts a new complexion on Brexit.

Leaders at the summit have accepted that Britain will leave in Januar y, but most are convinced that there will be insufficient time

Bare-bones deal to reach a detailed trade agreement between Britain and the EU before the transition period comes to an end in December 2020.

Rather than then face a no-deal situation Mr Varadkar has suggested that it may be possi-

beacon to the new strong Britain or will be a place to wander through to remember the past.

It will have a high street full of shops (which many towns no longer can boast) and it might even have a tribute to the NHS, as it was a major achievement bringing free medical attention to an entire country.

There will be a whole range of different historic areas with themed rides supplied by Paramount Pictures as well as other areas supported by the BBC and ITV hoping to take advantage of the potential licensing income that could be generated.

It doesn’t just look backwards but will also have a future section which the company promises to be exciting and will leave visitors “mesmerised at things that should be impossible but are not.”

Just five years to wait until we can all see the Shape of Things to Come.

ble to enter into what he described as a “bare-bones agreement” in order to ensure some form of agreed position before the final details are negotiated.

Having seen the fall of Unionist support in Northern Ireland following the General Election, he has warned that it is far too early to be considering forming a united Ireland.

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BREXIT EXTRA New beginning FORMER Buck’s Fizz singer Jay Aston stood for the Brexit Party in the Kensington constituency and ended up receiving 348 votes, but she might just have kept Labour out of the seat as the Tory candidate received just 150 votes more than her Labour opponent.

MEP support THE sister of Jacob Rees Mogg, Annunziata who is a Brexit Party MEP has, with two others, resigned from the party and will remain as Independents for the time being in order to support Boris Johnson’s Withdrawal Agreement.

Free trade NOW that Boris Johnson has such a large majority in Parliament it has been suggested that he will soften his demands for the final Brexit trade deal but a spokesman for Number 10 has denied this saying he wants a Canadian style free trade arrangement.

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AS the Christmas spirit begins to envelop us all, stockings fill up and twinkling lights gleam, Euro Weekly News visited the lovely children at Ciudad de los Niños orphanage in Malaga. The children greeted us with smiles and warm hugs as we arrived bearing gifts and a sprinkling of Christmas cheer, in what was a deeply moving moment. phanage, with a van full of presents in tow, the children couldn’t contain their happiness. In a flurry of excitement, the presents were set up as the children gathered round. And suddenly, the vibrant colours of red and green, the crisp packages and sacks full of gifts, lit up the orphanage and brought festivity into its halls.

Nicki Burgess, Operations Director at Euro Weekly and Lola Espinosa, Coordinator at Ciudad de los Niños, spoke to the children who cheered and clapped when they saw the presents. Lola had to remind them that they would still have to wait till after their Christmas Eve dinner! Brother Juan Correa, who runs the centre, came forward and expressed his appreciation as he assured that the gifts would complete Christmas.

EWN was deeply moved by the children’s reaction and their sincere gratitude. They were incredibly well-mannered and received the gifts with immense appreciation. As the team chatted and took photos with the children, they couldn’t help but feel deeply moved by the emotional moment. Once the excitement died down and the presentation over, the children accompanied the team to the car, beaming as they waved goodbye.

Back in October, our community came together for an amazing Halloween Party that raised over €10,000 for the children.

So many businesses helped us pull off the most Spooktastic event of the year! A special thanks to the Captain and members from Santa Maria Golf for their last-minute donation!

The money we generously raised together was to give children at Ciudad de los Niños some needed extra comforts as well a nice present to open on Christmas. With all the monies raised, the Euro Weekly team was hard at work to get the children’s presents ready. Like Santa’s Elves, we put together the most magical gifts that were sure to bring joy to those who need it most.

Baskets full of goodies including gloves, perfume and chocolate were prepared and adorned. Clothes and shoes were put in Christmas sacks, mattresses were ordered and delivered, gift vouchers for clothes were bought and presents were wrapped in festive paper. The EWN offices were suddenly transformed into Santa’s Grotto as the team prepared to put the presents under the children’s tree.

As Euro Weekly News arrived at the or-

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Together, as a Community, we have reached our goal. Our hard work put a smile on every child’s face at Ciudad de los Niños. And that, without a doubt, is the best Christmas Present of all!

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FEATURE

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19 - 25 December 2019

LEARNING how to identify and respond to hate crimes in the province was top of the agenda at a meeting organised by the Guardia Civil.

Staged in the municipal Music, Dance and Theatre School in El Parador de las Hortichuelas in Roquetas de Mar, in collaboration with the local council, the event was attended

by Guardia Civil and Local Police officers, and also by members of various provincial associations.

They included organisations for immigrants, the gypsy community, people with Asperger ’s and for persons with a disability.

The initiative came under an Interior Ministry plan, prompted, acting Interior Minister Fernando G rande- Ma r l a sk a h a s commented, because “unfortunately there still exis ts cr i m i n a l b e h a v i o u r motivated by hate and intoleran c e , wh i c h l i mits dignity and puts at risk the freedom and development of people in equal condi-

Addressing hate crime

CREDIT: Guardia Civil Almeria

14 EWN

DISCUSSION: Association representatives had the opportunity to relate their first-hand experiences. tions and opportunities.”

The meetings aim to update professionals on the issue and make them more aware of the early signs with a view to preventing hate crimes and to ensur-

ing a quick response when acts constitute a crime.

The gathering in Roqueta s e nde d w ith a roundtable discussion, which gave association representatives an opportunity to

relate their first-hand experiences and give their views on the problem, as w e ll a s to s tre s s to the professionals the need to ha ve dire c t c ha nne ls of communication.

NEWS

Cuisine campaign LOCAL cuisine is the main ingredient in a new campaign aimed at promoting Adra as a visitor destination.

Dubbed ‘Adra KM0,’ the year-long gastronomy-themed promotional drive will see an investment of some €156,000, 80 per cent financed by the European Regional Development Fund and 20 per cent by the local authority.

Unwrapping details of the project, Adra mayor Manuel Cortes described it as “a key piece in shining a light on our pride in our thousand-year-old gastronomy in a locality which is living an interesting present and which has a promising future.”

More specifically, the initiative is aimed at boosting tourism thorough a distinctive quality food brand and improving the competitiveness of municipal bars and restaurants.

Another central aim is to encourage the consumption of local, seasonal produce and to create incentives for buying

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

direct from small producers located within a 100-kilometre radius in order to reduce the distribution chain and to help create a sustainable local economy.

Commenting on the campaign logo and colours, Adra Economic Development councillor Carmen B Lopez said it “speaks of the products of a town a thousand years old, of the sea, of the land and of the light which penetrates everywhere.”

The councillor explained the year ahead is packed with food-related activities, including tastings, tapas routes and events orientated around particular products, with the participation of Adra’s restaurants. Also planned are cooking competitions, congresses and conferences.

Project director and wellknown Almeria chef Tony Garcia expressed his delight and pride at being involved in the campaign and the objective of putting Adra’s gastronomy in the spotlight.

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19 - 25 December 2019

Investing inland Struggle Against Depopulation deputy Fernando Gimenez had the job of officially awarding the financial assistance to the mayors of the respective municipalities, telling them his administration is committed to improving their residents’ lives.

“The Diputacion is always going to be by the side of the 103 municipalities to help with whatever they need.

“Assistance such as that we are handing over today fits in perfectly with the spirit of the Diputacion and is a direct benefit to residents,” he added, continuing, “what’s

ASSISTANCE: The Provincial Presidency and Struggle Against Depopulation deputy described this type of financial assistance as “a lifeline” for the smallest municipalities.

more, it is a lifeline for our smallest municipalities and a valuable tool which contributes to driving their economies and fixing population.”

The Laujar project will see the extension of what is Andalucia’s first Hispano-Filipino museum, which is dedicated to the Jesuit Pedro Murillo Velarde.

In Velafique the provincial funds are going towards works on the warehouse used as a sheep and goat enclosure, which the Diputacion said will help strengthen what is an important local industry.

The money for Lucainena is destined for measures to guarantee domestic water supply, while Almocita’s cash is for a meeting and conference on the issue of repopulation.

In Terque the subsidy is going towards a hostel for tourists and visitors.

The Almanzora Valley is one of the major beneficiaries

NEWS

of the round of investment.

Laroya has received a sizeable amount to renovate the Casa de Marques, which is at risk of falling down.

The local authority wants to restore the building so it can be used for social rentals, allowing the neediest to remain living in the municipality.

Tijola meanwhile is using its assistance to put on an equestrian show which will be a fusion of Andalucian horses performing and music.

Urracal is using the provincial administration assistance to create a natural interest area for tourists in a forested zone, complete with picnic facilities.

In Seron the funding is for the construction of a sewage system in the Canata district, and in Ohanes it is for improving energy efficiency in municipal buildings.

“We are going to carry on working so that councils can cover the needs of your residents,” Gimenez promised the mayors, “giving you the means to improve their quality of life and have the same services, wherever they live.”

Sector demands CREDIT Subdelegacion del Gobierno en Almeria

THE provincial government has announced it is allocating €200,000 t o c u l t u re , h e r i t a g e and infrastructure projects in 10 inland municipalities.

The Diputacion de Almeria said the investment in Laujar de Andarax, Lucainena de las Torres, Seron, Ohanes, Almocita, Laroya, Terque, Tijola, Velefique and Urracal would allow for the “regeneration” of some of the municipalities’ most important historic and cultural elements, improve infrastructure and boost key events, which will in turn stimulate their local economies and contribute to the localities retaining population.

Provincial Presidency and

CREDIT: Diputacion de Almeria website

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PLEDGE: The Government Sub-delegate promised to put the sector’s demands to the Agriculture, Fishing and Food Ministry.

REPRESENTATIVES from the provincial agrifood sector put several demands on the table when they met this week with the Government Sub-delegate in Almeria.

Spokespersons from the COEXPHAL, FAECA and ECOHAL traders’ associations and from the UPA, COAG and ASAJA farmers’ organisations told Manuel de la Fuente they

want to see the introduction of new inspection and control mechanisms for fruit and vegetables coming from third countries and more rigorous demands on compliance with European quality regulations and certifications.

De la Fuente promised to put the sector’s demands to the Agriculture, Fishing and Food Ministry.

NEWS

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19 - 25 December 2019

THERE were proposals and commitments at a Huercal-Overa Council session to mark the International Day for Disabled Persons.

Postponed for a week due to heavy rains, the meeting presided over by Mayor Francisca Lourdes Fernandez, brought together Social Wellbeing councillor Maria del Mar Meca with representatives from the Almeria Federation of Associations for Disabled Persons (FAAM) the Virgen del Rio Association for Disabled Persons and the Huercal-Overa branch of the National Organisation for Blind Spaniards (ONCE).

“The extension of the occupational centre with a residency is a shared challenge,” the mayor commented, adding that the local authority would manage the construction.

CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Huercal-Overa

PROPOSALS AND COMMITMENTS

UNITED: The mayor told the association representatives adding a residency to the occupational centre is ‘a shared challenge.’

“This is a medium to longterm job which we have to start with the search for possible plots which bring together all the necessary requirements to put to the autonomous community administration,” Fernandez

explained. “It is very important to have this resource in Huercal-Overa,” she affirmed.

Further council pledges include the creation of a disability local council and making it clear to the Junta de Andalucia

Health delegation that HuercalOvera hospital needs an accessible gynaecology consultation room.

Among the other matters discussed at the meeting were disabled access on municipal pavements and streets, adapting the football ground, traffic lights adapted to individuals with a disability and accessible businesses.

The mayor told the association representatives how important it was for them to make the demands of the collectives they represent known.

“The different areas of the council have to work for the inclusion of people with different capacities,” the mayor maintained.

“We will improve through the requests you put to us because it is you who knows best what your needs are.”

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Fighting addiction ADRA Council has repeated its commitment to fighting drug addictions.

The local authority presented details of a €12,000 ‘Antas against drugs’ programme, which is co-financed by the Junta de Andalucia health regional ministry and the council.

The local authority said the plan aims to reduce drug abuse and alleviate the effects of using, helping to improve the health of the local population. A further idea is to develop drug use prevention programmes aimed at families.

“The main objective of Adra against drugs is to raise awareness among the whole population, but especially young people, about the problems associated with consuming drugs, as well as the health and social problems which addictions lead to,” commented council spokesman Jose Crespo.

Promoting what he described as “responsible service in bars and pubs” is a further goal, Crespo said, as well as positive activities to promote physical, psychological and social health.

“Adra Council will carry on working to improve the quality of life and health habits of all Adra residents, with particular attention on those who need our help due to suffering from some kind of addition, so they can come out of it and get their lives back away from these harmful substances,” he added.

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19 - 25 December 2019

NEWS

Nativity unveiled THE Adra municipal nativity scene has been unveiled and blessed.

Mayor Manuel Cortes’ official inauguration of this year’s nativity at the cultural centre was followed by a blessing by curate Ruben Checa.

The ceremony also included the angelic voices of members of the Pedro Mena children’s choir, who performed Christmas songs.

The nativity, which features more than 200 figures,

CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Adra

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reflects some of the most important traditions in Adra’s history, notably farming and food production. It also features some of the biblical scenes represented in previous nativities, such as the exodus from Egypt and St Joseph’s dream.

The nativity can be visited during the cultural centre opening hours throughout Christmas.

FEATURES: The nativity reflects Adra traditions as well as biblical scenes.

CHILDREN in Adra have the opportunity to learn how to cook typical Festive Season fayre over the Christmas holidays thanks to local council-organised workshops.

In the first workshop on the morning of Saturday December 21 in the La Alcoholera, youngsters aged from six to 15 will find out how to make gluten-free sweet treats, suitable for celiacs.

Cooking for kids The focus will be on Christmas Eve in particular, with dishes including a Christmas cake, almond-based biscuits and cakes and a surprise mousse.

There will then be four further workshops on the mornings and afternoons

of Friday December 27 and Friday January 3.

Places on the workshops are limited.

Further information and registrations at the town hall Culture department in the Edificio Plaza.

Christmas activities NIJAR is celebrating the festive season with a packed calendar of Christmassy activities throughout the municipality.

The events have been organised by Nijar Council in

collaboration with various local associations.

NIjar Culture councillor and provincial deputy Yolanda Lozano underlined the fact Nijar is a large municipality, explaining, “what we

have done is try and organise varied activities in each place, and for this resident participation is fundamental, as thanks to them we can reach every corner.”

The councillor said the local authority had held a coordination meeting in which different associations, and representatives from the Local Police and civil protection had taken part, to “analyse the technical and manpower needs of each event.”

Highlights of the Christmas programme include Christmas markets, family shows and street processions in Campohermoso and Nijar town.

On the evening of Friday 21 there will be a Christmas concert courtesy of the municipal band and the Nijar Cultural Association in the Anunciacion church.

The Three Kings will be visiting Nijar on January 5, going through different areas and giving out sweets and gifts.

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19 - 25 December 2019

‘Anthology’ taster of artist’s work A NEW exhibition of Antonio J e s u s R o j a s ’ w a t e rc o l o u r s and oils gives just a taster of t h e H u e rc a l - O v e r a a r t i s t ’s full collection of work.

Speaking at the exhibition inauguration at Huercal-Overa’s Teatro Villa, the artist said the 40 works on show represent just a small selection “of all that I have done throughout my life.�

Huercal-Overa mayor Francisca Lourdes Fernandez and Culture councillor Di e g o Or t e g a w ere a mo n g those attending the opening.

The mayor congratulated the artist for the public recognition his work has received and invited local residents to make time to visit the show “in which Antonio Jesus reviews his artistic life, during which he has had import a n t a c h i e v e m e n ts a n d co n tributed so much to culture.�

Writing for the show introduction, University of Valencia history of art professor Francisco Javier Perez Rojas said of Antonio Jesus, “it is per-

CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Hueral-Overa

ACHIEVEMENTS: The mayor congratulated artist Antonio Jesus Rojas for the public recognition his work has received. haps in the landscape where his artistic sensitivity has been projected with the greatest insistence.�

Perez Rojas said Antonio Jesus’ de-

pic tions of H ue rc a l-O ve ra w e re among his most outstanding works, reflecting “these soft, undulating, and at times harsh and arid, landscapes.�

NEWS

Honouring Guardia Civil BALANEGRA has dedicated its main plaza to the Guardia Civil with a moving ceremony on Sunday attended by provincial dignitaries and local residents.

Diputacion de Almeria president Javier A Garcia praised the municipality for honouring the force in this way.

Garcia described the people of Balanegra as “hospitable and welcoming,� which was reflected in the decision to dedicate the town’s most central point to the security force. “This place has always been very special. It is the epicentre of the municipality and from today it is also a place which will always recall and give thanks for the job the Guardia Civil does, not only in this town but throughout the province,� the Diputacion head told the audience. “Dedicating this plaza to the men and women who make up this institution is a way of expressing what for us represents the Guardia Civil’s great work�, commented Balanegra mayor Nuria Rodriguez. “For their devotion and for contributing to peace and the defence of all our residents, we want this place to carry the name of the Guardia Civil forever.�

Almeria Guardia Civil colonel-in-chief Arturo Prieto expressed his gratitude for the move in the name of the 1,700 officers forming the Guardia Civil in Almeria. “For an institution which has existed for 175 years, it is an honour to have the affection of residents,� he said. “Our aim is to serve the citizenship, and for them to respond in this way is undoubtedly a privilege.�

As a mark of the Guardia’s appreciation of Balanegra’s gesture, the colonel-in-chief presented the mayor with a marble version of the force’s distinctive three-cornered hat.

Also to mark the occasion, members of the public were treated to displays by the Guardia’s different units, among them the canine drug and explosives detection service.

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19 - 25 December 2019

CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Mojacar

Emblematic corners

GREEN: This year’s official nativity is made entirely from recycled materials.

MOJACAR has unveiled this year’s nativity scene, which recreates some of the most emblematic places in the municipality.

Located in Mojacar village’s Plaza del Parterre, this year’s nativity features locations like the public fountain, the old ‘torreon’ toll house and the Santa Maria church.

It is the work of Mojacar’s Rey Alabez Institute year one to four pupils, guided by their art teacher Lucrecia Parra.

The idea for the project came up last year after the students created a nativity scene for the municipal multi-purpose centre.

Given its popularity, and following a request from Mojacar local authority, this year the youngsters worked on creating a nativity made entirely from recycled materials.

The result is the municipality’s striking official nativity scene, a reflection of the hard work and care which went into it.

Mojacar mayor Rosa Maria Cano and members

of her local government team officially inaugurated the nativity. Mojacar parish priest Jose Esteban Jerez then blessed the work.

He also encouraged all local people to create their own nativity scenes in their homes to ensure such an age-old Christmas time tradition does not become lost.

The inaugural act also included hot chocolate and typical Christmas sweet treats for the public.

The nativity scene will remain open to the public throughout the festive season holiday period.

Fire damage A 46-YEAR-OLD man was taken to hospital after a

fire broke out in a house in Turre in the early hours of

last Thursday morning, badly damaging the property.

The 112 Andalucia emergency service said a member of the public reported the blaze on the ground floor of the property in the v i l l a g e ’s C a l l e L a s Ti e n das.

The coordinator immediately advised the Levante firefighting consortium, t h e G u a r d i a C i v i l , Tu r r e Local Police and the h e a l t h e m e r g e n c i e s s e rvice.

The fire left the property uninhabitable, but did not affect adjacent houses and local residents did not have to be evacuated.

As to what sparked off the blaze, an investigation has reportedly been opened to establish the precise causes.

NEWS

Expats Guide to

Spanish Life Sponsored by Golden Leaves For more information about the sponsors go to www.goldenleavesinternational.com

Donating blood in Spain LIVING in Spain can bring with it an array of issues which may not have been encountered when living in the UK. There are lots of things to consider, and we are here to help try to make the transition and life in Spain a little easier by compiling a series of helpful facts and figures relating to a variety of topics.

In Spain, Blood Components and Services are provided by 17 Regional Blood Transfusion Services. Despite their autonomous operations management, every regional service is fully incorporated into a unique and common Public National Health System, supplying a cohesive blood transfusion care to all citizens, residents, and visitors in Spain based on 100 per cent voluntary and non-remunerated blood donation. For more general information, visit www.msps.es.

Anyone who has lived continuously in the UK between 1980 and 1996 (a minimum of one year) will not be able to donate blood in Spain due to the risk of transmitting mad cow disease. Similarly, there are restrictions if you have received a blood transfer in the UK. However, each region may have different rules about donation. Call the donation helpline on 935 573 500. Alternatively, visit www.donorsang.gencat.cat to find out if you are eligible.

If you are eligible, you can give blood at your local hospital, or via the Spanish Red Cross (Cruz Roja) at one of their clinics, or in one of their mobile units. You can check dates and locations by visiting www.donarsangre.org.

A donor card is not necessary to give blood. On the first visit you will have to provide DNI, NIE, passport or a driving licence. If you are already registered in the Blood Bank, you only need a donor card or a document with your name and surname.

The process of blood donation takes just 10 minutes in which 450 ml are collected (equating to 10 per cent of the total blood circulation of an adult person).

Despite huge technological advances, the only way for hospitals to obtain blood is through the generosity of the public. The blood is carefully screened for disease to make sure it is safe.

After a tattoo, you must wait four months to be eligible to donate.

After surgery, the exclusion period will depend on the type of intervention. After minor surgical procedures, you cannot donate blood for seven days or until you are fully recovered. After undergoing major surgery, you will not be able to donate blood for four months.

The rarest blood type is AB, present in 1 per cent of Caucasians, according to research by the America Red Cross.

Blood transfusions are carried out daily in Spanish hospitals with more than 6,200 patients being given them, of whom almost a quarter are fighting cancer and a similar figure receiving transfusions during or after surgery.

Spain has around two million donors in total, but needs closer to four million.

This information is for guidance only, and should not be taken as legal advice.

If in any doubt, seek professional help.

19 - 25 December 2019

www.euroweeklynews.com

NEWS CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Adra

24 EWN

GOOD NEWS: Mayor Manuel Cortes said inclusion in the programme meant the municipality can expect top quality cultural performances.

BIG BOOST TO CULTURAL SCENE THE cultural scene in Adra is set to get a major boost thanks to the municipality’s i n c l u s i o n i n a p ro gramme aimed at ensuring everyone has the chance to e n j o y p ro f e s s i o n a l theatre, dance, music and the like wherever they live.

The somewhat less than catchily-named State Programme for the Circulation of Scenic Arts Spectaculars in Local Entity Spaces, or PLATEA for short, is organised by the National Institute of Scenic Arts and Music (INAEM), in collaboration with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP).

Adra mayor Manuel Cortes described the news as

“very exciting” and the result of a lot of hard work.

“The town has been included in this initiative thanks to the cultural programmes we have been organising in recent years and is a reflection of the Culture department’s great job,” the mayor maintained.

Cortes said Adra’s inclusion in PLATEA means the municipality will “continue to grow in terms of culture, improving, reinforcing and expanding our agenda so that children and adults can continue enjoying the best cultural performances.”

The mayor commented that the local authority would continue striving to bring the best shows to town, adding that now Adra forms part of PLATEA it will mean a move upwards

in quality and a cultural programming “which is already ambitious and varied,” also encouraging local residents to go along to council-organised performances and events.

Adra already forms part of the Andalucia ‘Enredate’ public theatre network. The council said under the regional programme all sorts of shows have made it to Adra, including children’s spectaculars, dance and flamenco.

In addition, two years ago the local authority created the so-called ‘spectator card’ giving discounts to performances included on the municipal cultural programme.

Cardholders also automatically receive information about upcoming events coinciding with their tastes on their phones or email.

Carnival competition CHRISTMAS has not yet arrived, but Cuevas del Almanzora Council is thinking a h e a d t o n e x t y e a r ’s c a r n i v a l c e l e b r a tions.

The local authority has already launched a competition to find the winning design for the municipal Carnival 2020, which will run from February 22 to 29.

The competition is open to all artists who are residents or are EU citizens.

The designs presented must be original and unpublished, and not have won prizes in other competitions. The council also asks participants to take carnival themes

into account and for the designs to include the words ‘Cuevas del Almanzora,’ ‘Carnaval 2020, del 22 al 29 de febrero,’ and the town shield.

Entries must be handed in between Janu a r y 8 a n d 2 2 a t t h e C u e v a s To w n H a l l Residents’ Attention Point. It is also essential the council said that all the designs are sent in a digital format to the email festejos@cuevasdelalmanzora.es along with the entrants’ personal details during the established time period.

The winner will be rewarded for their design with a €300 prize.

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NATIONAL

‘Vile’ couple jailed for 21 years A PAEDOPHILE couple who made films of themselves sexually abusing young children, which included a oneyear-old baby, have been jailed for more than 21 years.

Mark Gable, 33, was arrested after police discovered a clip of him molesting an infant whilst raiding the home in Colchester, Essex amongst holiday snaps of the vile pair on the Costa del Sol, where they regularly stayed and visited Estepona.

Police went on to find a number of others that had been taken by his 27-year-old girlfriend Jessica Fry. She also appeared in a video showing a sex attack on a child.

The revolting pair, both from Colchester, admitted a catalogue of ‘horrific’ child sex offences committed between 2017 and 2019 at Chelmsford Crown Court, during an earlier hearing in September.

Gable was jailed for 11-and-a-half years and Fry was jailed for 10 years.

Gable pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by penetration of a

EVIL COUPLE: Jessica Fry and Mark Gable have been locked up for their horrific crimes.

child, one count of sexual assault of a child, four counts of taking indecent images of children and three

counts of making indecent images of children. Fry admitted one count of assault by penetration of a child, one

count of sexual assault of a child, three counts of taking indecent images of children and two of distrib-

uting indecent images of children.

Detective Constable Jeanine Atkins-Calver, of Essex Police, said: “Mark Gable and Jessica Fry are dangerous and methodical paedophiles. Gable and Fry worked together to not only abuse very young children, but also documented that abuse for their own gratification.

“Their crimes are horrific. To subject anyone to sexual abuse is abhorrent, but when that victim is so young it is unimaginable. They are a danger to the public and I am pleased they both now face a significant time behind bars.”

Meyrem Flint, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Mark Gable and Jessica Fry worked together to exploit children for their own gratification. This was planned, predatory behaviour targeting young children and the pair were determined to conceal their sickening crimes.

“We would like to pay tribute to the bravery and strength shown by the children and their families and we hope that today’s result brings a sense of peace.”

Boss flees the scene THE Guardia Civil has arrested a businessman in Jaen, south central Spain for crimes against workers’ rights after he fled when one of his employees suffered a fatal heart attack.

As reported by the police, the 31year-old worker went into cardiac arrest as he was tending to an olive harvest on a farm in Pozo Alcon owned by t h e b u s i n e s s m a n . T h e 3 4 - y e a r- o l d businessman then dumped the worker, who had already been dead for several hours, in front of a local hospital and fled from the scene.

BIRTH RATES: Record low in Spain.

Birth rate low THE 170,074 children who came into the world between January and June of this year represent the lowest figure recorded in Spain since 1941 - the first year for which data are available.

A record number of deaths, the economic crisis and late motherhood have all had an effect on statistics.

The country’s National Statistics Institute (INE) data on birth rate reflect that Spain is plummeting towards being an ageing country. Between January and June of this year, Spain recorded the lowest number of births since the Second World War.

In the first six months of this year only 170,000 children were born in Spain. The lowest figure since 1941, the first year since there have been records.

What’s more, the number of deaths has also grown meaning that there are currently more registered deaths than births. The negative trend began in 2015, and is forecast to last into the future.

Daniel Devolder of the Barcelona Autonomous University states that for fertility to rise there need to be conditions allowing couples to have a sense of security in terms of their medium-term financial outlook.

Sources close to the investigation indicate that the worker was an illegal immigrant from Moroccco and the businessman was fearful of the repercussions that would follow if it was found out that he had employed individuals without the right to work in Spain.

H o w e v e r, a n o t h e r w o r k e r f r o m t h e farm came forward to explain who the dead man was which led to the Guardia Civil proceeding to arrest the businessman on Monday, December 16, for crimes against workers’ rights.

39 cows starved to death A MAN is accused of animal cruelty after star ving 39 cows he kept on his farm in Chantado in Lugo, north wester n Spain which led to their death.

When residents made a complaint to police that they suspected the man had been maltreating his animals, officers from the Guardia Civil carried out an inspection of the farm in Axulfe.

Once at the scene they discovered 39 dead cows dumped on the land with obvious signs of malnutrition. In addition, dozens of other animals were in a shocking state of starvation with police reporting that the hygiene on the farm was also extremely poor.

When questioned by officers as to how the cows had died, the farmer attributed the deaths to bacteria in their food and that he decided to

slaughter them. However, later tests by veterinarians on the animals showed that they had in fact died from causes related to malnutrition, where they had not been fed for prolonged periods of time.

The farmer is due to appear in court today (Thursday, December 19) where prosecutors are asking that the man receives 14 months in jail and to be banned from keeping animals for three years.

FINANCE

UK investors’ stricken fund

WHEN he set it up, British in­ vestment manager Neil Wood­ ford quickly attracted £10 bil­ lion (€11.5 billion) in funds but as profits dropped, so in­ vestors left quickly.

By June of this year, things were so dire that all remaining funds were frozen and Mr Woodford was removed from his post.

Now, the Financial Conduct Authority has approved a re­ quest to wind up the fund and investors will be told next month how much their initial payment will be.

28

www.euroweeklynews.com • 19 - 25 December 2019

the amount that the Spanish public debt fell STAT OF in the third quarter of 2019 according to €3,595 million by figures released by the Bank of Spain WEEK

Minimum wage up?

NOW that the question of who will preside over Britain for the next five years is answered, all local eyes turn to Spain and the assumption that Pe­ dro Sánchez of PSOE and Pablo Igle­ sias of Podemos will be most likely to form a coalition government.

If this is the case, then the two leaders have been in negotiation with regards to increasing the mini­ mum wage in Spain from €900 to €1,000 per month as early as next year.

As should perhaps be expected, Podemos wants a quicker implemen­

By John Smith tation than the PSOE which would prefer to confirm in principle but sub­ ject to the financial ability of the economy to withstand what could be quite a considerable burden on busi­ ness.

Indeed in their election mani­ festos, both parties indicated a wish to see regular increases over the next four years in order to try to bring the minimum wage to the equivalent of 60 per cent of the country’s average salary earnings and if Podemos get

their way then by 2023, it should have increased to €1,200 per month.

In essence, both leaders are in favour of positive change, but differ mainly on how quickly it can be intro­ duced and the eventual amount that can be increased during the theoreti­ cal life of the parliament.

Both are also in agreement that the State has an obligation to intro­ duce legislation in order to ensure that the vulnerable in society are protected more thoroughly and there may even be new laws concerning employment contracts.

Breathing space for Arcadia AFTER nearly seeing his Arcadia business go into administration earlier this year, Sir Philip Green has managed to secure a £310 million (€360 million) remort­ gage of one of the company’s main properties in Oxford Street.

This is a short term loan but should giving breathing space to the various businesses in the group which have been strug­ gling due to falling sales and high rents.

It will also give new Chairman Andrew Coppel a chance to un­ derstand the various Arcadia businesses which include Top Shop and Dorothy Perkins.

LEGALLY SPEAKING Can he repeat 90-day stay?

Could you clarify for me how soon after the end of one 90­day tourist stay, I can recommence anoth­ er? I know that I must not exceed the total 183­day limit over the financial year without becoming tax resident. But, can I, for example, spend 80 days continuously in Spain, then go back to UK for a month, and then return again to Spain to spend another 80 days whilst managing total days over the year to be within the non­residency limit of 183 days? What flexibility is there for distributing the 183 days?

G E (Costa Blanca)

Let’s keep it simple.

Spanish law says YOU AND THE y o u c a n s t a y i n LAW IN SPAIN Spain as a tourist for 90 days in a calendar year. The 90 days need not be continuous. They can be three stays of 30 days each, for example. The same goes for the lim­ it of 183 days. The ‘calendar year’ provision means you could arrive in Spain in early October, stay for three months, then return to the UK over Christ­ mas, and come back to Spain in January of the next year to start a new 90­day tourist stay.

DAVID SEARL

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

BUSINESS EXTRA

Deal done THE name Mothercare will not disappear completely as a deal has been done with Boots for its products, much of which are expected to be surplus stock from its closed shops, to be put on sale in selected stores throughout the UK.

Making money INDITEX the Spanish clothing empire just can’t stop making increased profits as it has revealed that the results for the third quarter of 2019 show a further growth of 7.5 per cent over the previous year. Thanks in part to its better online presence.

Bankia future LUIS DE GUINDOS, former Spanish minister and now Vice President of the European Central Bank believes that it could be sensible to privatise Bankia in which the Spanish government still holds a significant percentage.

Lego expanding DANISH Lego brand knows that it has to innovate to keep its business continually growing and is increasingly turning to the internet in or­ der to keep customers inter­ ested.

The younger they are, the more likely they are to get their parents to purchase and, it is hoped that they will also encourage future generations to enjoy the hobby.

Some products are only available online, although in Spain they now have three shops selling just Lego prod­ uct and they plan to only produce sustainable pieces within the next 10 years.

30 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

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C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 16

COMPANY PRICE(P) 3I Group 1.081,00 Admiral Group 2.225,00 Anglo American 2.156,00 Antofagasta 937,08 Ashtead Group 2.348,00 Associated British Foods 2.614,00 AstraZeneca 7.302,00 Auto Trader Group Plc 582,40 Aviva 420,20 BAE Systems 577,20 Barclays 187,35 Barratt Developments 764,80 Berkeley 5.228,00 BHP Group 1.771,00 BP 466,60 British American Tobacco 3.130,50 British Land Company 631,60 BT Group 204,23 Bunzl 2.085,00 Burberry Group 2.177,80 Carnival 3.333,00 Centrica 88,78 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.501,0 Compass 1.852,00 CRH 2.994,00 Croda Intl 4.944,00 DCC 6.512,0 Diageo 3.079,49 Direct Line Insurance 316,80 DS Smith 389,60 EasyJet 1.463,00 Experian 2.485,30 Ferguson 6.708,00 Flutter Entertainment 8.928,00 Fresnillo 577,60 GlaxoSmithKline 1.745,6 Glencore 230,51 Halma 2.096,00 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.990,50 Hikma Pharma 1.922,50 Hiscox 1.378,00 HSBC 581,50 IAG 631,34 Imperial Brands 1.782,69 Informa 811,00 InterContinental 4.978,22 Intertek 5.580,00 ITV 152,54 J Sainsbury 226,26

CHANGE(P) +9,50 +12,00 +22,00 -1,32 +35,00 +15,00 +85,00 +8,60 +4,40 +2,60 +1,95 -0,20 +86,00 +32,80 +4,15 +89,50 +9,40 +2,65 +24,00 +58,67 +21,00 +2,27 +23,0 +13,50 +9,00 +68,00 +42,0 +28,48 +3,20 +3,30 -7,00 +43,76 +56,00 +46,00 +5,20 +12,4 +0,58 +22,00 +37,50 +33,50 +8,00 +6,90 +22,66 +40,30 +6,00 +31,12 +70,00 -1,79 +2,76

% CHG. +0,89% +0,54% +1,03% -0,14% +1,51% +0,58% +1,18% +1,50% +1,06% +0,45% +1,05% -0,03% +1,67% +1,89% +0,90% +2,94% +1,51% +1,31% +1,16% +2,77% +0,63% +2,62% +0,93% +0,73% +0,30% +1,40% +0,65% +0,93% +1,02% +0,85% -0,48% +1,79% +0,84% +0,52% +0,91% +0,71% +0,25% +1,06% +1,92% +1,77% +0,58% +1,20% +3,72% +2,31% +0,74% +0,63% +1,27% -1,16% +1,24%

NET VOL 50,14K 1,70K 189,66K 3,21K 54,59K 14,91K 68,89K 140,59K 593,92K 210,85K 1,05M 479,95K 48,03K 262,25K 2,19M 21,79K 175,29K 1,69M 19,70K 10,72K 7,69K 603,18K 24,46K 126,58K 82,33K 7,32K 7,21K 21,28K 139,25K 24,35K 63,93K 3,78K 22,01K 2,25K 31,07K 32,11K 407,36K 12,99K 24,49K 3,43K 32,89K 1,44M 147,84K 58,57K 53,39K 0,10K 8,81K 388,73K 196,33K

COMPANY Johnson Matthey Just Eat Kingfisher Land Securities Legal & General Lloyds Banking London Stock Exchange Marks & Spencer Micro Focus Mondi Morrison Supermarkets National Grid Next NMC Health Ocado Pearson Persimmon Phoenix Prudential RBS PLC Reckitt Benckiser Relx Rentokil Rightmove Rio Tinto PLC Rolls-Royce Holdings Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B RSA Insurance Sage Schroders Scottish Mortgage Segro Severn Trent Smith & Nephew Smiths Group Smurfit Kappa Spirax-Sarco Engineering SSE St. James’s Place Standard Chartered Standard Life Aberdeen Taylor Wimpey Tesco Tui Unilever United Utilities Vodafone Group PLC Whitbread WPP

PRICE(P) 2.937,00 788,60 225,00 1.008,00 306,90 65,46 7.318,00 227,50 1.053,00 1.711,50 198,00 931,70 7.248,00 2.517,00 1.251,82 651,00 2.851,47 738,00 1.415,50 259,70 6.083,00 1.831,00 428,10 641,60 4.374,50 691,00 2.160,25 2.145,50 574,00 740,20 3.396,00 527,26 872,60 2.402,00 1.740,00 1.640,50 2.776,00 8.640,00 1.415,90 1.161,50 714,60 318,88 197,73 255,37 977,40 4.561,00 900,34 148,60 4.991,00 1.017,50

CHANGE(P) +56,00 -1,40 +3,10 +9,64 +4,93 +0,72 +146,00 +1,12 +0,40 +15,00 +2,15 +3,30 +58,00 +53,00 +14,40 -9,00 +2,95 +8,80 +27,50 +7,90 +46,00 +26,50 +5,32 +0,60 +54,00 -11,03 +7,75 +10,00 +3,80 +7,80 +36,00 +4,26 +11,27 -18,00 +5,50 +21,00 +16,00 +40,00 -14,96 +13,00 +9,80 -0,72 -1,92 +4,67 +3,00 +125,08 -17,95 +2,36 +33,00 -5,50

% CHG.

NET VOL

+1,94% -0,18% +1,40% +0,97% +1,63% +1,11% +2,04% +0,49% +0,04% +0,88% +1,10% +0,36% +0,81% +2,15% +1,16% -1,36% +0,10% +1,21% +1,98% +3,14% +0,76% +1,47% +1,26% +0,09% +1,25% -1,57% +0,36% +0,47% +0,67% +1,06% +1,07% +0,81% +1,31% -0,74% +0,32% +1,30% +0,58% +0,47% -1,05% +1,13% +1,39% -0,23% -0,96% +1,86% +0,31% +2,82% -1,96% +1,61% +0,67% -0,54%

16,64K 15,61K 231,74K 67,09K 308,85K 5,80M 33,31K 122,93K 13,08K 61,00K 221,50K 481,52K 50,80K 61,62K 12,29K 154,93K 40,20K 37,95K 270,60K 4,81M 47,71K 149,11K 325,02K 53,83K 114,50K 50,69K 139,38K 260,83K 95,87K 86,16K 8,05K 220,44K 16,59K 57,16K 72,46K 13,21K 6,26K 12,94K 99,59K 58,16K 228,84K 25,98K 607,88K 379,20K 32,55K 14,92K 410,69K 1,69M 24,54K 31,32K

0.83235

1.20006 Units per €

US dollar ................................................1.11365 Japan yen...............................................121.885 Switzerland franc ...................................1.09591 Denmark kroner .....................................7.47319 Norway kroner........................................10.0432

currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 16

COMPANY 3M Alphabet C Amazon.com Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Exxon Mobil Facebook Goldman Sachs Home Depot IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Pfizer Procter&Gamble Tesla United Technologies UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walmart Walt Disney

PRICE 168,79 1.347,83 1.760,94 275,15 341,67 145,53 117,96 45,30 54,42 69,23 194,11 225,00 214,08 134,21 57,79 141,38 136,81 197,12 89,19 154,53 97,77 38,33 125,47 358,39 149,07 285,48 60,81 185,14 120,29 146,38

CHANGE% CHANGE VOLUME(M) +0,23 +0,14% 2,10M -2,44 -0,18% 1,55M +0,61 +0,03% 2,75M +3,69 +1,36% 33,43M -4,62 -1,33% 4,53M -1,25 -0,85% 3,31M -0,85 -0,72% 4,86M -0,37 -0,81% 21,80M +0,28 +0,52% 13,07M -1,11 -1,58% 12,28M -2,64 -1,34% 18,81M -1,05 -0,46% 1,91M +2,04 +0,96% 6,87M -1,11 -0,82% 2,53M +0,24 +0,42% 22,80M +0,04 +0,03% 4,26M -1,21 -0,88% 10,59M +0,81 +0,41% 2,08M +0,23 +0,26% 7,22M +1,29 +0,84% 23,85M +0,05 +0,05% 5,25M -0,21 -0,54% 15,82M +0,90 +0,72% 5,47M -1,29 -0,36% 6,57M -0,34 -0,23% 2,37M +1,87 +0,66% 3,60M -0,36 -0,59% 10,59M +2,50 +1,37% 8,56M +0,53 +0,44% 5,37M -0,50 -0,34% 9,35M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES D ECEMBER 16

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE NET / %

Most Advanced Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. Booking Holdings Inc. Atrion Corp.

CoStar Group Inc. Adobe Inc. Franchise Group Inc. SBA Communications Corp.

National Western Life Group Inc. Cl A Intuit Inc. LMP Automotive Holdings Inc. IAC/InterActiveCorp.

132.05 1,974 704.00 580.56 317.94 25.80 235.48 261.78 259.64 28.69 224.64

+31.43% +1.29% +1.88% +2.17% +3.92% +49.13% +3.26% +2.82% +2.73% +28.94% +2.88%

1,161 315.42 567.67 65.25 132.49 209.21 291.87 253.50 213.02 54.76 288.86

-2.29% -3.78% -2.12% -11.24% -5.07% -2.94% -1.84% -2.07% -2.42% -8.72% -1.64%

Most Declined Broadcom Inc. 8% Pfd. Series A Broadcom Inc. MercadoLibre Inc. Karuna Therapeutics Inc. Roku Inc. Cl A Galapagos N.V. ADR Costco Wholesale Corp.

Ulta Beauty Inc. Bio-Techne Corp.

VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX Short Term ETN LendingTree Inc.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

Christmas bonus from Treasury PRIZES won in the hugely popu­ lar Christmas Lottery, El Gordo have always been taxed once they break a certain threshold which until this year was €10,000.

The good news is that you don’t start paying tax on your winnings this year until they reach €20,000 and even if you win a really big prize then the first €20,000 is discounted for tax purposes.

So if you are lucky enough to win the biggest prize of €4 mil­ lion for a full ticket, you will only

Credit: YouTube

By John Smith

Children sing out the numbers.

The Boris Bounce ALTHOUGH things can reverse rapidly, as soon as the election poll results were released at 10pm on the night of Thursday December 12 showing a probable massive Conservative ma-

jority the pound started to jump and by the following morning stood at just under €1.20 to £1.

Shares also rose when the stock exchange in London opened the next day and it

seems that investors are expecting great things (at least in the short term) from a more or less certain Brexit which will allow business to plan sensibly ahead.

pay €760,000 in tax rather than the €780,000 you would have paid last year.

It is estimated that the Trea­ sury will collect €13.6 million less than last year but it will take a windfall of around €175 million to help Spain with its overheads.

All of the large prizes are paid out with tax already deducted so there is no need to make any de­ claration when you present your tax returns, unless of course you have invested the balance and received interest on your invest­ ment.

The other benefit for winners is that in the event that they need government financial assis­ tance for scholarships for their children, disability allowance or any other form of personal assis­ tance then their winnings will not be taken into account as cal­ culations are based on income rather than equity (except for value of property).

The Spanish love the Christ­ mas draw and it is televised every year with youngsters singing out the numbers as they are drawn.

EWN 31

BUSINESS EXTRA Less consumption A REPORT published by the Eurostat community statistics office shows per capita consumption in Spain was 14 per cent less than the eurozone average and 10 per cent less than the EU average.

Closed down JAMIE OLIVER’S Fifteen Cornwall restaurant is about to close but this was only connected with the TV chef as he allowed the Cornwall Food Foundation to use his name for the restaurant which found work for unemployed people near Newquay.

Share launch RENEWABLE energy company Grenergy is about to move from the Alternative Stock Market in Spain and is placing 10 per cent of its shares on the main market at the discounted price of €12.50.

Things look positive for the company’s future.

34 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT WELL, that’s that. At last we can finally enjoy a smidgen of respite from pontifi­ cating politicians promising untold re­ wards for plonking a mere kiss on a bal­ lot paper.

We bid a relieved farewell to bristling bearded Marxists. Whirlwind ‘jolly hock­ ey stick’ Girl Guide leaders and the green merchants of doom. But thankfully not to Boris. Boris Johnson; who was actual­ ly beginning to sound rather like a cracked needle himself, didn’t insult or indeed underestimate the people’s in­ telligence and won a resounding victory for common sense. Well, I wish every­ one who resides in the UK all the luck in the world as they step up into their chal­ lenges of a bright new and exciting fu­ ture. Let’s just hope the old British Bull­ dog spirit still survives somewhere among the diversified denizens that now make up the country.

A nation whose shores I departed from so long ago, but still holds a place very dear to the old boy’s timepiece.

Of course all this change won’t do anything to help me personally. It still depends on the sort of deal Boris has

FEATURE

Merchants of Doom

NICOLA STURGEON: Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). put forward. Worryingly, most, If not all of his deal proposals have been buried under the morass of ‘campaign trail’ en­ deavours and we really have little idea of what it, or the future holds.

We and thousands of other European expats are about to find ourselves aliens in countries that many of us have

resided in for years. I am however, somewhat pacified by the fact that there are also vast numbers of Euro­ peans living in the UK, so I truly do be­ lieve that, providing you tick all the right legal boxes, our pensions, health care and residential rights will be protected under fair and reciprocal measures be­

tween our countries. Just hope we don’t all finish up as ‘bargaining chips’ that’s all.

It’s Nicola Sturgeon who worries me.

This awful woman and her extremely in­ competent party, have only one ambi­ tion ­ to get rid of the English at all costs.

Of course she hates Boris. Boris is the

epitome of everything she seethes about. He also wants out of the EU. Something she truly cannot afford.

When the UK comes out of Europe and assuming a second referendum re­ sults in Scotland’s independence, she will then have to re­apply to join the EU. The chances of being accepted are ex­ tremely thin. Even if Spain were to relent on their anticipated veto, she still needs to reach the financial criteria required for entry, which she can’t, and if the EU were to make an exception, they would demand austerity measures on a par with Greece! So where would that leave Scotland? Up the loch without a caber, that’s where. They’ll need their own cur­ rency, negotiated trade deals with the UK and Europe. A hard border and pass­ ports to visit Newcastle! No thanks.

I’m proud to be aligned with Scotland and love my Scottish mates. The Scots have actually managed to retain their heritage and culture far better than the English anyway! Please don’t let this bit­ ter, bile spitting woman, make fools of you all.

Keep the faith, Love Leapy.

Leapylee2002@gmail.com

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

I’m still grumpy at Xmas MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION Views of a Grumpy Old Man I TRY and avoid buffets like the plague but sometimes there is no choice.

One of my reasons is that you stand in line ­ not me but Mrs S ­ and choose whatever you decide out of the hot dish­ es. They dollop it on to the plate and you then have to stand in line to pay for it.

Most of the time there are a few people in front of you and by the time you get to pay it’s cold. It’s not usually great food in the first place, but cold it’s abysmal. There has to be a better way.

If it was up to me I’d sort out a way to choose what you want off a menu and then pay for it and get a ticket. You then present that ticket to the person dishing up and get your plate of hot food and sit down. Doesn’t seem too difficult to me.

This is my last article before Christmas so I guess it should be all festive and jol­ ly. Full of Ho Ho Ho and goodwill to all.

The tree should be up and decorations all done. Well folks I’m sorry to disap­ point you because I’m just as grumpy.

Some say even more so. I don’t like Christmas. It’s OK for kids. Even I have to agree there is nothing better than seeing the little ‘uns believing in Father Christ­ mas and then opening their prezzies. But that’s it.

The strain on parents to have to get in­ to debt because little Johnny (it can be Janet or any other gender applicable) has seen this new €200 or more all singing, all dancing, latest thing on telly.

The problem is that it would be bad enough if it ended there, but it doesn’t.

It usually comes with add ons and then three months later a new model comes out. The kid has to get the newer one because one of their mates has already got one.

The other thing is everything you buy is half price two weeks later in the sales.

Oh and don’t forget all the nonsense about ‘let’s leave it till after Christmas’ when trying to get something done from December 10. That usually means wait­ ing till January 10 ... at least!

So have a merry Christmas and all that nonsense. Try and remember that it’s only once a year and it could be worse.

You could be the Queen having to make a speech to millions and not mention what an idiot Andrew is!

mikesenker@gmail.com

19 - 25 December 2019

EWN 35

36 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

FEATURE

Be your own Superhero ROBERT SHALLIS THE late Christopher Reeve, who played Superman in the 1979 movie, quoted, “a hero is an ordinary indi­ vidual who finds the strength to per­ severe and endure in spite of over­ whelming obstacles.” Life is full of challenges and obstacles which are all too easy to submit to. Some peo­ ple are actively looking for a reason or reasons to block their way or to excuse what they really want to achieve in life. Although this can feel like the easier option, it leaves us un­ fulfilled and without real purpose.

It can be all too easy to blame out­ side influences when it’s really only ourselves holding us back. It’s very easy to wait for someone else to come along and hopefully make the changes we want in our lives, well guess what ­ we could be waiting a long time for that superhero to turn up and save the day.

life leave this world without fulfilling their desires because many don’t be­ lieve they have what it takes to achieve their goals. Most of us are on­ ly using 5 per cent or less of our po­ tential, meaning we’re only experi­ encing 5 per cent or less of the fun, joy and rewards life has to offer.

Most people when asked, what it is in life they want, the answer is usual­ ly; money, happiness, health. These are just general conditions that everyone wants, we need to be more spe­ cific. When we are progressing to­ wards a de­

To make progress we need to look at our past achievements, if we dis­ cover upon reflection that they are not what we would have really wished for, then things surely need to change. Progress is impossible if we continue to repeat past behaviour, If our past results are no longer what we want, then we need to acknowl­ edge, stop focusing on it and start to focus on a result we do want. Imagin­ ing a desired outcome in a posi­ tive way is fun and produc­ tive. Dwelling on the past will only keep us back there. The majori­ ty of people in

SUPERHERO: Start to design, determine and create your own life today.

sired positive goal, the journey can be as rewarding as the outcome, regard­ less of the conclusion. If the goal isn’t achieved then this is where the ‘su­ perhero’ in you needs to come out and save the day. Set another goal and just start enjoying the journey again. Success is not necessarily the achievement itself but the progres­ sion towards a worthy goal.

Things may well change along the road to success so you too may need to adapt and change to steer you back on course to progress further. If you’re not sure what it is in life you really want to achieve or desire, write a list and choose the one which res­ onates the most, endeavour to make a start. It doesn’t have to be climbing Mount Everest or saving the planet, it can simply be what feels right and what gives you fulfilment and pur­ pose. Above all you will have direction and a valid reason to move forward, achieving something you never thought possible before.

A superhero is a person who saves the day. Why wait for one to come along. Be your own superhero and start to design, determine and create your own life today.

RUFF JUSTICE FOR BULLDOGS IN TUTUS NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

DID you read about the two French bulldogs in tutus and their owners who were ejected from a Norwegian Air flight to the USA after the animals ‘struggled to contain their emotions’?

Is it April 1st? Is this for real or have I woken up in a parallel universe?

The range of animals accepted as es­ sential props for travel have included kangaroos, turkeys and a miniature horse named Flirty. Just imagine in­ flight announcements: please put on your own mask before attending to that of your dog/cat/kangaroo...

But what’s a bit surprising here is the fact that the female owners concerned ‘gender­stereotyped’ their bulldogs by dressing them in tutus. Pink ones!

Though it may help explain why they needed emotional support animals...

Basically, it sounds as if their dogs could do with support animals of their own. All I know is I’d certainly end up in need of some sort of support if I tried to put a tutu on my cat.

FRENCH BULLDOG: Used as an emotional support animal.

To be serious, some of these ‘sup­ port’ animals are simply pets being transported by their owners, aren’t they? A peacock that was once rejected as an emotional support companion still made the journey by road, for in­ stance.

It looks as if it’s just a way for some people to take their favourite pet along with them in the cabin. In the world of private medicine, doubtless the doctors get appropriately high fees for their service in signing it off. Money talks.

Time this idiocy was stopped and all an­ imals refused entry to planes.

All, that is, except guide dogs and, err ... me! I’d very much like a tall, dark handsome man as my emotional sup­ port on my next flight, please. Because, frankly, it’d take more than a dog in a

tutu to calm me down on any Boeing 737Max flight.

Monty Python eat your heart out!

Just imagine what Cleese, Palin etc would have made of all this, back in the day, when a little satirical dig wouldn’t result in a snowflake blizzard of taking offence...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘Betrayal,’ ‘The Girl in the Woods,’ ‘The Girl in the Red Dress,’ ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retri­ bution,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Cleram­ bault Code’ (www.nora­johnson.net) available from Amazon in paper­ back/eBook (€0.99;£0.99) and iBook­ store. All profits to Costa del Sol Cude­ ca cancer charity.

38 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

THURSDAY - 19 DECEMBER

TV LISTING

FRIDAY - 20 DECEMBER

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Meet the Street at Christmas 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pmIsland Medics 12:45pmThe Customer is Always Right 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:05pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm Garden Rescue 5:30pm The Repair Shop 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Holby City 10:00pmClick and Collect 11:00pmBBC News at Ten 11:25pmRegional News and Weather 11:30pmWeather 11:35pmMrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie 1:10am Weather for the Week Ahead

9:00am MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00am BBC News at 9 11:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pmBBC Newsroom Live 1:15pm Politics Live 2:00pm Eggheads 2:30pm The Best Christmas Food Ever 3:15pm Holiday of My Lifetime with Len Goodman 4:00pmThe Importance of Being Earnest 5:30pm The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas 6:15pm Flog It! 7:00pm Richard Osman's House of Games 7:30pm Richard Osman's House of Games 8:00pm Heston's Perfect Christmas Dinner 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pmHeston's Marvellous Menu: Back to the Noughties 11:00pmI'll Get This 11:30pmCunk & Other Humans on 2019 11:35pmNewsnight 12:15am Weather

8:00pm University Challenge 8:30pm Secrets of Skin 9:00pm Wartime Farm 10:00pm Charles I: Killing a King 11:00pm The Story of A Fairytale of New York Richard E Grant narrates a look at the making of the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's classic bittersweet love song.

12:00am Wild West: America's Great Frontier 1:00am Peaky Blinders 1:55am Peaky Blinders 2:55am Peaky Blinders The third run of Steven Knight's period drama reaches its final episode, and yet again Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby finds himself in a seemingly impossible situation.

3:55am Charles I: Killing a King

7:30am King of Queens 8:45am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:40am Frasier 11:10am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:05pmUndercover Boss USA 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm The People's Vet 2:05pm Escape to the Chateau: DIY 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm Find it, Fix it, Flog it 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Kirstie's Handmade Christmas Kirstie Allsopp oversees the fun as four craft enthusiasts create Christmas stockings.

7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Buy It Now for Christmas 10:00pmNHS Whistleblower 11:30pmThe World's Most Expensive Toys

8:45am Top Wing 9:00am Paw Patrol 9:15am Floogals 9:30am Becca's Bunch 9:50am Little Princess 10:00am Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:15am Jeremy Vine 12:15pmChristmas by the Book 1:40pm Access 1:50pm Neighbours 2:15pm A Christmas Crush 4:00pm Christmas on Holly Lane 5:45pm 5 News at 5 6:00pm Friends 7:00pm Neighbours 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm World's Strongest Man 2019 9:00pm The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies 10:00pmFreddie Mercury: A Christmas Story 11:30pmRich House, Poor House 12:30am Caught on Camera 1:30am Caught on Camera

12:00pmIsland Medics 12:45pmThe Customer is Always Right 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm Father Brown 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm Garden Rescue 5:30pm The Repair Shop 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 Still Open All Hours 9:30pm EastEnders 10:00pmHave I Got News for You 10:30pmWould I Lie to You? 11:00pmBBC News at Ten 11:25pmRegional News and Weather 11:30pmWeather 11:35pmThe Graham Norton Show 12:30am Fleabag

7:30am Meet the Street at Christmas 8:15am Island Medics 9:00am Love in the Countryside 10:00am BBC News at 9 11:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:15pm Politics Live 2:00pm Eggheads 2:30pm The Best Christmas Food Ever 3:15pm Coast 3:40pm Talking Pictures 4:30pm The Bishop's Wife 6:15pm The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas 7:00pm Richard Osman's House of Games 7:30pm Only Connect 8:00pm Mountain Vets 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pm A Merry Tudor Christmas with Lucy Worsley 11:00pm Mock the Week 11:30pm Cunk & Other Humans on 2019 11:35pm Newsnight 12:05am Weather

8:00pm University Challenge 8:30pm Secrets of Skin Wherever they live, skin is critical in allowing animals to sense the world around them.

9:00pm Top of the Pops: 1988 10:00pm Top of the Pops: 1988 10:30pmCountry Music

by Ken Burns 11:25pm Country Christmas 12:45am Flat Pack Pop: Sweden's Music Miracle 1:45am Peaky Blinders 2:45am Peaky Blinders 3:45am Peaky Blinders

7:30am King of Queens 8:45am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:40am Frasier 11:10am Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA 12:05pm Undercover Boss USA 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm The People's Vet 2:05pm Escape to the Chateau: DIY 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm Find it, Fix it, Flog it 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm Kirstie's Handmade Christmas 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Flirty Dancing 10:00pm Celebrity Gogglebox 11:00pm The Last Leg 12:05amDaddy's Home 1:55am The Crystal Maze

8:25am 8:45am 9:00am 9:15am 9:30am 9:50am 10:00am

11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 4:00pm The Switch 4:59pm ITV London Weather 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm Cash Trapped 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News Round-up of the main national and international news.

8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Britain's Busiest Motorway 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Gino's Italian Escape: Hidden Italy 10:00pmThe Big Quiz 11:00pmITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pmITV News London 11:45pmPiers Morgan's Life Stories

7:00am The Planet's Funniest Animals 7:20am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:45am You've Been Framed!

8:10am Britain's Got Talent 9:00am Emmerdale 9:30am Coronation Street 10:00am Coronation Street 10:25am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:20am Dress to Impress 1:15pm Emmerdale 1:45pm Coronation Street 2:15pm Coronation Street 2:50pm The Ellen DeGeneres Show 3:45pm The Boxer & The Ballroom Dancer 4:50pm Dinner Date 5:50pm Dress to Impress 7:00pm Dress to Impress 8:00pm You've Been Framed!

10:00pmFamily Guy 10:30pm Family Guy 11:00pm Celebrity Juice

7:00am Classic Coronation Street 8:50am Heartbeat 9:55am George and Mildred 11:05am Man About the House 11:40am Agatha Christie's Marple 1:40pm Heartbeat 2:45pm Classic Emmerdale 3:15pm Classic Emmerdale 3:50pm Classic Coronation Street 4:20pm Classic Coronation Street 4:55pm Agatha Christie's Marple 6:55pm Heartbeat 8:00pm Agatha Christie's Poirot 9:00pm Vera 11:00pmThe Bletchley Circle: San Francisco 12:00am Cheat 1:05am A Touch of Frost

7:00am Football's Greatest: Johan Cruyff 7:15am The Protectors 7:40am The Saint 8:30amColumbo: The Murder of a Rock Star 10:25am Minder 11:30am The Sweeney 12:35pmThe Professionals 1:35pm The Saint 2:40pmColumbo Undercover 4:45pm Minder 5:50pm The Professionals 6:55pm The Sweeney 8:00pm The Chase 9:00pm Yorkshire Airport 9:30pm Yorkshire Airport 10:00pmFirst Blood 11:00pmFYI Daily A round-up of the latest entertainment news.

11:05pmFirst Blood 12:05amTremors 1:05am FYI Daily A round-up of the latest entertainment news.

1:10amTremors

7:00am Good Morning Sports Fans Bitesize 7:30am Good Morning Sports Fans Bitesize 8:00am Golf 11:30am Match Centre 12:00pmMatch Centre 1:00pm Sky Sports News 1:30pm Live World Darts Championship 5:30pm Sky Sports News 6:00pm Sky Sports News at 5 7:00pm Sky Sports News at 6 8:00pm Live World Darts Championship 12:00am Live NBA: The Warm Up A look ahead to tonight's fixtures.

1:00am Sky Sports News 2:00am Live NBA: L.A. Lakers @ Milwaukee 4:30am Sky Sports News 5:00am Sky Sports News

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am Judge Rinder 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Dickinson's Real Deal 4:00pm The Switch 4:59pm ITV London Weather 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm Cash Trapped 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 10:30pmBall & Boe: A Very Merry Christmas 11:30pmITV News at Ten and Weather 12:00am ITV News London 12:15am Bradley Walsh's Late Night Guest List 1:15am Ideal World

7:00am The Planet's Funniest Animals 7:20am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:45am You've Been Framed!

8:10am I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!

9:00am Emmerdale 10:00am You've Been Framed!

10:25am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:20am Dress to Impress 1:15pm Emmerdale 2:15pm You've Been Framed!

2:50pm The Ellen DeGeneres Show 3:45pm Supermarket Sweep 4:50pm Dinner Date 5:50pm Dress to Impress 8:00pm You've Been Framed!

10:00pm Family Guy 11:00pm Shopping with Keith Lemon 12:05am Family Guy 12:30am American Dad!

7:30am Classic Coronation Street 7:55am Classic Emmerdale 8:50am Heartbeat 9:55am George and Mildred 11:05am Man About the House 11:40am Agatha Christie's Marple 1:40pm Heartbeat 2:45pm Classic Emmerdale 3:50pm Classic Coronation Street 4:55pm Agatha Christie's Marple 6:55pm Heartbeat 8:00pm Agatha Christie's Poirot 9:00pm Vera 11:00pm Vera 1:05am A Touch of Frost

7:00am World of Sport: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly 7:10am The Protectors 7:35am The Saint 8:30am Columbo Undercover 11:25am The Sweeney 12:25pm The Professionals 1:30pm The Saint 2:35pm Kojak 3:40pm Quincy, M.E. 4:45pm Minder 5:55pm The Professionals 6:55pm The Sweeney 8:00pm The Chase 9:00pm Made in Britain 10:00pm Rocky 11:05pm FYI Daily 11:10pm Rocky 12:30am All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite 2:40am Bad Move

7:00am Good Morning Sports Fans Bitesize 8:00am Golf The Australian PGA Championship.

11:30am Football Centre A round-up of the latest news.

12:00pm Football Centre 1:00pm Football Centre 1:30pm Live World Darts Championship 5:30pm Football Centre 6:00pm Sky Sports News at 5 7:00pm Sky Sports News at 6 8:00pm Live World Darts Championship 12:00am Live NBA: The Warm Up 1:00am Sky Sports News 2:00am Sky Sports News 3:00am Live Fight Night International

Peppa Pig Top Wing Paw Patrol Floogals Becca's Bunch Little Princess Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom 10:15am Jeremy Vine 12:15pmChristmas Getaway 1:50pm Neighbours 2:15pm Shoelaces for Christmas 4:00pm A Christmas in Tennessee 5:45pm 5 News at 5 6:00pm Friends 7:00pm Neighbours 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Gadget Show 9:00pm Secrets of the Factories 10:00pm Cruising with Jane McDonald 11:00pm Inside Sandringham: Holidaying with the Queen 12:30am Inside...

1:30am Lip Sync Battle UK

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

OPINION & COMMENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION Letters should be emailed to oursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com

Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

IT’S TOO LATE I LIKE your article (Your Opinion), on poor Greta. Between you and me it’s a lost cause to save what’s left of this planet. These sum­ mits they have every year on the climate, what a whole lot of s**t, excuse my langua­ ge. The only thing they are interested in is where they are going to have dinner later on. Noone is trying to save this planet any­ way, it’s too late, it’s just a matter of time!

The Rothschild and company, they just think of getting richer. The proof is there, financial power is billions.

Example ­ in the 80’s we seldom heard of billionaires. Anyway the Vatican is so co­ rrupt, financially and I would add sexually.

Not to mention Putin who’s trying to get China and other Asian countries together to scare the USA. All that! Do you think they have got time to be climate concious. Poor Greta. You might think what a pessimistic chap. I have my hidden reasons, but that’s another debate. Be positive ha ha…

Serge Tiberi

In over her head HELLO Euro Weekly, I am absolutely sick to the back teeth of Greta Thunderface. Seemingly she first he­ ard about climate change in 2011, when she was eight years old? Aren’t most children playing with their toys or their friends at that age? That is what she is, a child, probably too far in over her head after being used as a figurehead for a new generation of activists and to get the young ones in on it.

I don’t disagree with actions against climate crisis that she is being used as a puppet to put across at all. However, I do believe she is just that, a puppet, a fa­ ce (annoying one) to draw attention away from crusty hippies of yesteryear who normally back such movements.

Where have the times of children being seen and not heard gone?

Will it all go pear­shaped when she discovers boys or wants to become emo and hide from the world in a darkened bedroom? I hope her supporters will still be there to pick up the pieces.

Graeme Pearn

Narco panic DEAR editor The drugs war on the Costa del Sol is

CLIMATE ACTIVIST: Greta Thunberg (centre). starting to get out of hand and four people have been shot and killed. I would like to know if, realistically, this will actually affect the average citizen.

I believe that as long as you aren’t mixed up in any illegal dealings, you will probably be safe. These gangs generally don’t touch innocent bystanders for fear of a strong res­ ponse by the government and police.

The question is how much are police ac­

HAVE YOUR SAY

tually doing? It’s no secret drugs bring in the cash and a lot of countries depend economi­ cally on this business. So maybe, the Spanish police could have a way to end this nonsen­ se but are ordered not to.

Nevertheless, I think the killings are really bad publicity for the area. And it’s never comforting to know that people are being shot on our doorsteps.

Allan White

All letters by email or post should carry the writer’s address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published.

OUR VIEW

Transitioning troubles THE term gender dysphoria Is becoming more and more common in our vocabulary, as the new age of society allows people to speak openly about their identity and sexuality struggles. However, in recent years, the topic of transgender children has been met with controversy.

Some children don’t identify with the gender assigned to them at birth, a condition that is often apparent from an early age. A lot of these children experience rejection and attempt to repress their emotions, which can sometimes lead to depression, substance abuse and suicidal behaviours.

The solution to gender dysphoria is generally considered to be transitioning to the desired sex, which includes hormone treatments and, in some cases, plastic surgery. Because children are dependent on their parents and most doctors are reluctant to provide treatments for them, transgender youth face more hurdles than adults.

A majority of people worry that the decision to transition shouldn’t be taken by children or teenagers, amid fears they could change their mind in the future.

Concerns have now arisen for NHS professionals who feel they are constantly put in the line of fire.

In the last three years, 35 psychologists have resigned from a children’s gender-identity clinic in London. They feel that gender dysphoria is being over-diagnosed as professionals fear being branded transphobic, resulting in unnecessary medialisation in children.

Now we want to hear your views.

YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION www.euroweeklynews.com Readers who have missed correspondence can see all letters - which can be edited before publication - posted on: www.euroweeklynews.com.

British Muslims start leaving UK after Boris Johnson wins COMMENTS FROM FACEBOOK

home in Murcia robbed last night, the children’s Xmas pre­ sents, iPads, TV and most of their clothes have all been stolen, she does not drink or smoke and struggles every month to pay the bills, maybe I should start a GoFundMe page, God knows they deserve it more!?

Andrew J Bryan

Sad that anyone, be it Muslims, Polish, African, whoever, feel so persecuted that they leave in fear of their own safety ­ what a racist and unwelcome place the UK has become.

Anita Oakes

Mo Farah’s knife attack brother deported and left to rot 4,000 miles from home

If his brother Mo doesn’t believe enough in him to bail him out then why would anyone else? He had his chance and thought he could cheat the law and the system now he can make it up in Somalia with his brother’s money.

Mark Free

Man viciously beaten and bitten by 10 people in horror attack Horror movies don’t cover this!!! What is happening!!!

Poor Man. Hope he recovers with the outside and inside scars. A horrific attack, hope the others recover too. Will jus­ tice be done to the vicious attackers if they are caught.

Lilian Benzies

Neighbours slam ‘Idle, dope-smoking’ unemployed couple with seven kids after GoFundMe plea for Xmas cash raised 3,500 pounds My daughter Sophie Bryan and grandchildren had their

LAST WEEK’S POLL:

• Yes, making a difference • No, she is manipulated

Protesters take to the streets in London chanting, ‘Not my Prime Minister’ Bit silly really after a democratic vote, whoever is in most of us want same thing. I’m sure some will be wanting Boris to fail just so they can say ‘I told you so. Very sad because wanting him to fail is wanting NHS, immigration, housing, elderly care to get worse which no one should want. I vot­ ed Tories, but if Corbyn had won I’d have wanted him to succeed for the benefit of everyone.

Philip Bradish

POLL OF THE WEEK

Greta Thunberg…Making a difference or a child manipulated?

29.42% 70.58%

Like us on Facebook (@EuroWeeklyNews) and get involved!

CORRECTIONS

EWN 39

Is Christmas a time to celebrate or just another expense?

• Yes, time to celebrate

• No, Another expense

At the EWN, we pride ourselves that reports are accurate and fair. If we do slip up, we promise to set the record straight in a clear, no-nonsense manner. To ask for an inaccuracy to be corrected. Email: editorial@euroweeklynews.com

40 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

SATURDAY - 21 DECEMBER

TV LISTING

SUNDAY - 22 DECEMBER

7:00am Breakfast 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30pmFlour Power 1:00pm Football Focus 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather 2:15pm Bargain Hunt 3:10pm Escape to the Country 4:10pm Money for Nothing 4:55pm BBC News 5:05pm BBC London News 5:10pm Weather 5:15pm Final Score 6:15pm Match of the Day Live 8:30pm The Hit List 9:15pm Michael McIntyre's Big Show 10:20pmCasualty 11:10pmBBC News 11:25pmWeather 11:30pmMatch of the Day 12:55am The NFL Show 1:25amLooper

7:20am Top Class 7:50am This Farming Life 8:50am MasterChef: The Professionals 9:50am MasterChef: The Professionals 10:50am Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical!

1:00pm Victorian Bakers 2:00pm Nature's Weirdest Events 2:45pm Live Equestrian 5:30pm Porridge 6:15pm Swallows and Amazons 7:45pm Natural World 8:45pm Dad's Army 9:20pm Natural World 10:20pm Dave Allen: God's Own Comedian 11:20pm Cunk & Other Humans on 2019 11:25pm Radio 2 in Concert 12:35amBehind the Candelabra

8:00pm Nothing Like a Dame 9:15pm As Time Goes By Special edition featuring clips from past episodes.

10:15pmMrs Brown Queen Victoria is helped by a nononsense Scottish manservant to overcome her long period of mourning for the death of her husband.

11:55pmPhilomena 1:30am Peaky Blinders 2:30am Peaky Blinders Tommy finds himself engaged in bloody battle with Luca Changretta and his gang.

3:30am Peaky Blinders

8:10amCapture the Flag 9:55am Everybody Loves Raymond 10:25am King of Queens 10:55am The Simpsons 1:00pmTwo by Two 2:40pmGarfield 2: A Tail of Two Kitties 4:15pmMadagascar 6:00pm Channel 4 News Including sport and weather.

6:30pm Kirstie's Handmade Christmas One-off special in which Kirstie Allsopp applies her craft skills to the festive season.

7:30pm Jamie's Easy Christmas Countdown 8:30pmMen in Black 10:20pmDaddy's Home 2 12:15amThe Inbetweeners Movie

11:00am Digby Dragon 11:10am SpongeBob Squarepants 11:25am Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:35am Access 11:45amThe African Queen 12:45pm Access 12:50pmThe African Queen 2:00pm The Goonies 3:05pm Access 3:10pm The Goonies 4:10pm Scrooge 5:10pm Access 5:15pm Scrooge 6:00pm Agatha & The Truth of Murder 7:45pm 5 News Weekend 7:50pm Britain's Favourite Christmas Carol 9:20pm Our Yorkshire Farm 10:20pm Jane McDonald & Friends 11:20pm Freddie Mercury: A Christmas Story

7:00am Breakfast 8:35am Match of the Day 10:05am Britain's Christmas Story 11:05amHome 12:30pmSnow Bears 1:30pm Hold the Sunset 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather for the Week Ahead 2:15pm Songs of Praise 2:50pmToy Story 4:05pmThe Penguins of Madagascar 5:30pmMerry Madagascar 5:50pm BBC News 6:05pm BBC London News; Weather 6:10pm Weather 6:15pmThe BFG 8:00pm Countryfile 9:00pm His Dark Materials 10:00pmA Christmas Carol 11:00pmBBC News 11:20pmBBC London News 11:25pmWeather 11:30pmMatch of the Day 2 12:30am Women's World Cup Review

7:15am The Instant Gardener 8:05am This Farming Life 9:05am Countryfile 10:00am MasterChef: The Professionals 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:30pm The Sweet Makers 1:30pm Talking Pictures 2:10pm Paint Your Wagon 4:40pm Finding Neverland 6:15pm Porridge 7:00pm Chris & Michaela 8:00pm Top Gear 9:00pm Dragons' Den 10:00pm The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan 11:00pm The Ranganation Romesh Ranganathan presents the best bits of series one.

11:45pm Cunk & Other Humans on 2019 12:15am Mock the Week 12:50amStarter for 10

8:00pm Mrs Dickens' Family Christmas 9:00pm Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em Betty agrees to look after two children for the day.

9:30pm The Good Life 10:00pm All About the Good Life 11:00pm The 12 Drinks of Christmas 12:00am Time Shift 1:00am TOTP2 2:30am Lucy Worsley's Christmas Carol Odyssey 3:30am Charles I: Killing a King Three-part documentary focusing on the monarch's final days.

7:05am Freaky Friday 8:45am The Harry Hill Movie 10:30am Sunday Brunch 1:30pm The Simpsons 4:25pm The Borrowers 6:05pm Channel 4 News Including sport and weather.

6:15pm Food Unwrapped 7:15pm Inside Cadbury: Chocolate Secrets Unwrapped Documentary examining the world of one of Britain's biggest and best-loved chocolate makers.

8:15pm Paddington An earthquake forces a bear from the Peruvian jungle to start a new life in London.

10:00pm Escape to the Chateau 11:00pmOffice Christmas Party 1:00am Dude, Where's My Car?

10:50am Digby Dragon 11:05am SpongeBob Squarepants 11:20am Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:30am Cruising with Jane McDonald 11:50am Friends 1:50pm Father of the Bride 2:50pm Access 2:55pm Father of the Bride 4:00pm Sister Act 5:00pm Access 5:05pm Sister Act 6:05pm 5 News Weekend 6:10pm Carols at Christmas 8:05pm Building the Ice Hotel 9:00pm Gregg Wallace's Magical Christmas Market 10:00pmSecrets of the Mega Christmas Buffet 11:00pm Greatest Ever Christmas Movies

9:25am ITV News 9:30am The Sara Cox Show 10:25am Saturday Morning with James Martin 12:35pmJohn and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen 1:35pm Nadia's Family Feasts 2:35pm ITV News and Weather 2:49pm ITV London Weather 2:50pm Midsomer Murders 4:50pm Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs 5:20pm ITV News and Weather 5:40pm ITV News London 5:50pmShrek 7:25pm The Chase Celebrity Special 8:25pm In for a Penny 9:10pmCasino Royale 11:55pmITV News and Weather 12:09am ITV London Weather 12:10amBasic Instinct

7:00am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:25am Emmerdale 9:55am Coronation Street 1:00pm The Big Quiz 2:00pm I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!

3:00pm You've Been Framed!

3:30pmJack Frost 4:30pm FYI Daily 4:35pmJack Frost 5:35pm Liar Liar 6:40pm FYI Daily 6:45pmLiar Liar 7:25pmFour Christmases 8:30pm FYI Daily 8:35pmFour Christmases 9:10pmThe Holiday 10:15pmFYI Daily 10:20pmThe Holiday 11:50pmFamily Guy 12:20am Family Guy 12:50am American Dad! 1:15am American Dad! 1:40am Family Guy

7:00am Rising Damp 7:25am Agatha Christie's Poirot 8:20am Agatha Christie's Poirot 9:25am Inspector Morse 1:55pm Agatha Christie's Marple 5:50pm Agatha Christie's Poirot The dapper Belgian sleuth receives several anonymous letters outlining a killer's intention to murder a succession of people in alphabetical order, prompting him to try to unmask the culprit before the body-count mounts.

8:00pm Midsomer Murders 10:00pm Midsomer Murders 12:00am Hattie

7:00am World of Sport: Kings of the Canvas 7:10am The Protectors 7:35am The Professionals 8:25am The Big Fish Off 9:20am Monster Carp 10:30am ITV Racing: The Opening Show 11:30amColumbo Goes to the Guillotine 1:30pm Mr. Bean 2:05pm World Cup Rivalries 2:30pm ITV Racing Live 5:00pm Aces High 6:05pm FYI Daily 6:10pm Aces High 7:15pm Where Eagles Dare 8:15pm FYI Daily 8:20pm Where Eagles Dare 10:20pm Rambo: First Blood Part II 11:20pm FYI Daily 11:25pmRambo: First Blood Part II 12:25amRocky II 1:30am FYI Daily 1:35am Rocky II

7:00am Sky Sports News 8:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 9:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 10:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 10:30am Saturday Social 11:30am Soccer A.M. 1:00pm Live EFL 4:00pm Live World Darts Championship Coverage of the first session of day nine at Alexandra Palace in London.

5:30pm Gary Neville's Soccerbox 6:00pm Live Premier League 9:00pm Live World Darts Championship Coverage of the second session of day nine at Alexandra Palace in London.

12:00am Sky Sports News

8:00am 8:05am 8:30am 8:55am 9:25am 9:30am

7:00am The Planet's Funniest Animals 7:25am Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records 7:40am Emmerdale 10:15am Coronation Street 1:15pm In for a Penny 2:00pm Catchphrase 3:00pm You've Been Framed!

3:35pm Shrek the Halls 4:00pm The Santa Clause 2 5:05pm FYI Daily A round-up of the latest entertainment news.

5:10pm The Santa Clause 2 6:10pm Elf 7:10pm FYI Daily 7:15pm Elf 8:00pm Uncle Buck 8:40pm FYI Daily 8:45pm Uncle Buck 10:00pmLove Actually 11:00pm FYI Daily 11:05pmLove Actually 12:45am Family Guy 1:15am Family Guy

7:00am George and Mildred 7:50am Heartbeat 9:55am Inspector Morse Drama series featuring Colin Dexter's enigmatic Chief Inspector.

12:10pm Agatha Christie's Marple Lady Virginia Revel receives a marriage proposal from an ambitious politician, but is reluctant to accept it, especially as she is also being courted by a dashing young suitor.

2:05pm Bugsy Malone 4:05pm Agatha Christie's Marple 6:00pm Midsomer Murders 8:00pm The Queen 10:00pm Victoria Feature-length festive special.

12:00am Agatha Christie's Marple

7:00am Football's Greatest: Johan Cruyff 7:15am Fifth Gear 8:00am The Protectors 8:25am The Professionals 9:20am Columbo: Sex and the Married Detective 11:20am The Big Fish Off 12:25pm Monster Carp 1:30pm Brannigan 2:35pm FYI Daily 2:40pm Brannigan 3:45pm Battle of the Bulge 4:50pm FYI Daily 4:55pm Battle of the Bulge 6:55pm The Green Berets 7:55pm FYI Daily 8:00pm The Green Berets 10:00pmDemolition Man 11:05pm FYI Daily 11:10pmDemolition Man 12:15amThe Fugitive 1:20am FYI Daily 1:25am The Fugitive

8:00am Total Goals A round-up of the latest football action.

9:00am Total Goals A round-up of the latest football action.

10:00am Total Goals A round-up of the latest football action.

11:00am The Sunday Supplement 12:30pm Live EFL Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City (Kick-off 12.00pm).

3:00pm Live Renault Super Sunday Watford v Manchester United (Kickoff 2.00pm).

Coverage of the top-flight clash from Vicarage Road.

5:00pm Live Renault Super Sunday 8:00pm Live World Darts Championship 12:00am Live NFL

Dare Master Mr Magoo Mr. Bean Robozuna ITV News The Sara Cox Show 10:25am Beautiful Baking with Juliet Sear 11:25am John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen 12:25pmNadia's Family Feasts 1:25pm ITV News and Weather 1:34pm ITV London Weather 1:35pm Midsomer Murders 3:35pm How to Spend It Well at Christmas with Phillip Schofield 4:35pm The Big Quiz 5:35pm ITV News and Weather 5:45pm ITV News London 6:00pmPride of Britain: 7:00pm Catchphrase 8:00pm Dancing on Ice 10:00pmQuantum of Solace 12:05am ITV News and Weather

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

42 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

TV LISTING

TUESDAY - 24 DECEMBER

MONDAY - 23 DECEMBER 6:45pm Pointless 7:30pm BBC News at Six 7:45pm BBC London News 7:55pm Weather 8:00pm A Question of Sport 8:30pm The Goes Wrong Show 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Still Open All Hours 10:05pmA Christmas Carol 11:00pmBBC News at Ten 11:25pmRegional News and Weather 11:30pmWeather 11:35pmKing Gary

1:40pm Flog It! 2:25pm Talking Pictures 3:15pmEntrapment 5:00pm Natural World 6:00pm Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby 7:00pm Nature's Weirdest Events 7:30pm Inside the Factory 8:30pmUniversity Challenge 9:00pm MasterChef: The Professionals 10:00pmA Life on Screen 11:00pmLive at the Apollo 11:45pmThe Lady in the Van 1:25amThe Manchurian Candidate

8:00pm Top of the Pops: The Story of 1979 9:00pmWhat We Were Watching 10:00pmMark Kermode's Oscar Winners: A Secrets of Cinema Special 11:00pmQueen: Rock the World 12:00am Queen: The Legendary 1975 Concert 1:05am Kate Bush at the BBC 1979 1:50am All Aboard! The Sleigh Ride 3:50am Charles I: Killing a King

12:05pmEverybody Loves Raymond 12:35pmEverybody Loves Raymond 1:05pm Frasier 1:35pm Lego Masters 2:35pmWhite Christmas 5:00pm A Place in the Sun 6:00pm The Simpsons 7:00pm Hollyoaks 7:55pm Channel 4 News 8:00pmInside the Toy Factory at Christmas 9:00pm Gogglesprogs 10:00pm8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 11:00pmThe Crystal Maze 12:00amThe Inbetweeners 2

5:10pm The Time of Their Lives 6:10pm Access 6:15pm The Time of Their Lives 7:05pm Neighbours 7:30pm Pets Do The Funniest Things At Christmas 8:00pm Tommy Cooper: In His Own Words 10:00pmClassic Christmas Comedy Moments 11:30pmSteptoe and Son Ride Again 1:20am Gallagher Premiership Rugby Highlights

5:35pm Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers 6:05pm BBC News at Six; Weather 6:20pm BBC London News; Weather 6:25pm Weather 6:30pm Beauty and the Beast 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Take Off with Bradley and Holly 10:00pmA Christmas Carol 11:00pm Not Going Out 11:40pmThe Vicar of Dibley 12:25am BBC News at Ten

5:00pm A Merry Tudor Christmas with Lucy Worsley 6:00pm Carols from King's 7:20pm The Morecambe and Wise Show: The Lost Tapes 8:00pm The Morecambe and Wise Show: The Lost Tapes 8:30pm University Challenge 9:00pm Dragons' Den 10:00pm Gareth Malone's Christmas Concert 11:00pmQI 11:30pmI'll Get This 12:15am Great Expectations

8:00pm James May: The Reassembler 8:30pm The Last Igloo 10:00pmTop of the Pops: 1982 Big Hits 11:00pm Martin's Close 11:30pmThe Turn of the Screw 1:00am The Lost Ghost Story with Mark Gatiss 2:00am TOTP2 3:30am Nothing Like a Dame

10:05am Hotel for Dogs 12:05pm Small Soldiers 2:10pm A Christmas Carol 4:15pm Father Christmas 4:50pm The Snowman 5:20pm The Snowman and the Snowdog 5:55pm Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas 6:20pm Channel 4 News 6:30pm Home Alone 8:30pm The Tiger Who Came to Tea 9:00pm Child Genius 10:00pmGogglebox 11:55pm8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 1:00am The Inbetweeners

12:10pm Grounded 12:50pmFriends 1:20pm Neighbours 1:45pm Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 2:45pm Access 2:50pm Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 3:55pm My Fair Lady 4:55pm Access 5:00pm My Fair Lady 7:35pm Neighbours 8:00pm The Yorkshire Vet 9:00pm The Wonderful World of Chocolate 10:00pmCruising with Jane McDonald 11:00pmCarols at Christmas

6:00pm The Chase Celebrity Special 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Countrywise 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pmGordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip 11:00pmITV News at Ten and Weather

3:45pm You've Been Framed!

4:10pm Catchphrase 5:10pmHow the Grinch Stole Christmas 6:10pm FYI Daily 7:15pmThe Secret Life of Pets 8:20pm FYI Daily 8:25pmThe Secret Life of Pets 9:00pmRogue One: A Star Wars Story 10:10pmFYI Daily 10:15pmRogue One: A Star Wars Story 11:45pmFamily Guy

7:00am Classic Coronation Street 7:55am Classic Emmerdale 8:25am Classic Emmerdale 8:55am Heartbeat 10:00am Peter & Wendy 12:05pmInspector Morse 2:25pm Inspector Morse 4:40pm Agatha Christie's Marple 6:40pm Agatha Christie's Poirot 9:00pm Vera 11:00pmVera 1:05am A Touch of Frost

11:25am The Sweeney 12:35pmThe Professionals 1:35pm The Saint 2:40pm Kojak 3:45pm Quincy, M.E. 4:50pm Minder 5:55pm The Professionals 7:00pm The Sweeney 8:00pm The Chase Celebrity Special 9:05pmJaws 4: The Revenge 10:10pmFYI Daily 10:15pmJaws 4: The Revenge 11:00pmLethal Weapon 3 12:00am FYI Daily

8:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 11:00am Football Centre 12:30pmRef Watch 1:00pm Sky Sports News 1:30pm Live World Darts Championship 5:30pm Sky Sports News 6:00pm Sky Sports News at 5 7:00pm Sky Sports News at 6 8:00pm Live World Darts Championship 12:00am Live NBA: The Warm Up 1:00am Sky Sports News

1:40pm How the Grinch Stole Christmas 3:40pm Santa Claus 5:45pm ITV Evening News 5:55pm ITV News London 6:15pm Elf 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm The Chase 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pmThe Jonathan Ross Show 11:05pmNot the Robbie Williams Christmas Show

3:05pm The Ellen DeGeneres Show 4:00pm Peter Pan 5:00pm FYI Daily 5:05pm Peter Pan 6:10pm Catchphrase 7:15pm Four Christmases 8:20pm FYI Daily 8:25pm Four Christmases 9:00pm The Holiday 10:00pmFYI Daily 10:05pm The Holiday 11:40pm Family Guy 12:15am Family Guy

8:45am Meet the Penguins 9:50am The Sound of Music Live!

12:30pmThe Making of The Sound of Music Live!

1:00pm Inspector Morse 3:20pm Inspector Morse 5:30pm Agatha Christie's Poirot 6:40pm Agatha Christie's Poirot 9:00pm Vera 11:00pmVera 1:05am A Touch of Frost 3:10am Inspector Morse

10:55am Goodwood Members Meeting 11:55am Columbo: Death Hits the Jackpot 2:00pm The Chase Celebrity Special 3:00pm Lawman 4:00pm FYI Daily 4:05pm Lawman 5:05pm The Cowboys 6:05pm FYI Daily 6:10pm The Cowboys 7:45pm The Alamo 8:45pm FYI Daily 8:50pm The Alamo 11:00pm Unforgiven 12:00am FYI Daily

11:00am Gary Neville's Soccerbox 1:00pm Ben Stokes: New Years Day Special 2:00pm Golfer Of The Decade 4:00pm Fights of 2019 6:00pm I'm Game 7:00pm Gary Neville's Soccerbox 8:00pm F1 2019 Season Review 9:00pm Ben Stokes: New Years Day Special 10:00pmFights of 2019 12:00am Class of '92: Full Time

7:00am The Royal 8:00am George and Mildred 8:35am Rising Damp 9:05am Agatha Christie's Poirot 11:25amCarry on Abroad 1:10pmCarry on Again, Doctor 2:55pmCarry on at Your Convenience Production at toilet manufacturers WC Boggs is brought to a halt when an overeager trade union representative calls a strike.

4:45pmCarry on Matron 6:30pmCarry on Camping 8:15pm Carry on Up the Khyber 10:00pmCarry on Doctor 11:50pmCarry on Girls 1:40am Agatha Christie's Poirot 2:45am Inspector Morse

7:00am World of Sport: TV Firsts 7:10am The Car Chasers 7:35am British Superbike Championship Highlights 9:25am Goodwood Festival of Speed 10:25am When English Football Ruled Europe 11:30am When English Football Ruled Europe 12:30pmOnly When I Laugh 1:00pm Mr. Bean 1:30pm Made in Britain 2:35pmThe Sting 3:35pm FYI Daily 3:40pmThe Sting 5:10pmSpartacus 6:10pm FYI Daily 6:15pmSpartacus 9:00pmRocky II 10:00pmFYI Daily 10:05pmRocky II 11:25pmTremors 12:25am FYI Daily

7:00am Sky Sports News 8:00am Good Morning Transfers 9:00am Good Morning Sports Fans 10:00am Gary Neville's Soccerbox 11:00am Gary Neville's Soccerbox 12:00pmThe Greatest Solheim Cup 2:00pm Ben Stokes: New Years Day Special 3:00pm F1 2019 Season Review 4:00pm Fights of 2019 6:00pm Live NBA: Boston @ Toronto 8:30pm Live NBA: Milwaukee @ Philadelphia 11:00pmLive NBA: Houston @ Golden State 1:30am NBA Heatcheck

WEDNESDAY - 25 DECEMBER 7:00am Breakfast 9:55am Stick Man 10:25am Zog 10:50am Piper 11:00am Christmas Day Mass 12:00pmWallace & Gromit: A Close Shave 12:35pmTop of the Pops: 1982 Big Hits 1:40pm BBC News at One 1:45pm Weather 1:55pm Moana 3:30pm The Snail and the Whale 4:00pm The Queen 4:10pm Finding Dory 5:40pm Strictly Come Dancing 7:00pm Michael McIntyre's Big Show 8:00pm Call the Midwife 9:30pm Gavin & Stacey 10:30pmEastEnders 11:30pmMrs. Brown's Boys

7:00am Chimpanzee 8:15amRise of the Guardians 9:40am Carols from King's 11:00am Inside the Factory 12:00pmThe Planets 1:00pm Dancing the Nutcracker - Inside the Royal Ballet 2:30pm Gareth Malone's Christmas Concert 3:30pmScrooge 5:30pm The Queen 5:40pm Raymond Briggs: Snowmen, Bogeymen & Milkmen 6:40pm Upstart Crow 7:20pm Dad's Army 8:00pm The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show 9:00pm University Challenge 9:30pmDolly Parton Here I Am 11:00pmGlastonbury 2014 12:10am Glastonbury 2019

8:00pm Magic Flute from Glyndebourne 10:40pmDetectorists 11:10pmThe Duchess Fact-based period drama, chronicling the life of Georgiana Spencer who became Duchess of Devonshire in 1774 at the age of 17.

12:55am Inspector Montalbano The curmudgeonly Sicilian detective investigates the killing of a local businessman.

2:40am Tom Jones & Beverley Knight's Gospel Christmas 3:40am What We Were Watching

9:05am The Bear 9:40am The Simpsons 11:40amIce Age 1:15pm Father Christmas 1:45pm The Snowman 2:20pm The Snowman and the Snowdog 2:50pm The Tiger Who Came to Tea 3:25pm The Alternative Christmas Message 3:30pm Channel 4 News 3:35pmBack to the Future 5:55pm Home Alone 2: Lost in New York 8:10pm The Great British Bake Off 9:30pmJamie and Jimmy's Festive Feast 10:30pmFirst Dates 11:30pmKylie's Secret Night 1:00amKylie's Golden Tour 2:00amSlumdog Millionaire

8:25am Paw Patrol 8:50am Peppa Pig 9:10am Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs 11:50am Carols at Christmas 1:50pm Neighbours 2:25pmScrooge 3:25pm Access 3:30pmScrooge 4:10pmOliver!

5:10pm Access 5:15pmOliver!

7:15pm Neighbours 7:40pm Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs 10:30pmThe Two Ronnies: The Unseen Sketches 11:55pmClassic Christmas Comedy Moments 1:25am Secrets of the Mega Christmas Buffet

8:05am 8:30am 8:35am 8:50am 9:10am

Mr Magoo Scrambled!

Mr Magoo Mr. Bean The Rubbish World of Dave Spud 9:30amScooby-Doo! Haunted Holidays 10:05am Wishfart 10:25amDisney's a Christmas Carol 12:10pmCountrywise 12:55pmMidsomer Murders 3:00pm Coronation Street at Christmas 4:00pm The Queen 4:10pm Shrek the Halls 4:40pm The Chase 5:40pm ITV Evening News 6:00pm Tipping Point: Lucky Stars 7:00pm The Chase Celebrity Special 8:00pm Emmerdale 9:00pm Coronation Street 10:00pmWho Wants to be a Millionaire?

9:35am FYI Daily 9:40amThe Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause 10:25am You've Been Framed!

10:50am Catchphrase 11:50amPeter Pan 12:50pmFYI Daily 12:55pmPeter Pan 2:00pm You've Been Framed!

3:00pmHow the Grinch Stole Christmas 4:05pm FYI Daily 4:10pmHow the Grinch Stole Christmas 5:10pmElf 6:10pm FYI Daily 6:15pmElf 7:00pmUncle Buck 8:05pm FYI Daily 8:10pm Uncle Buck 9:00pmJurassic World 10:05pmFYI Daily 10:10pmJurassic World 11:30pmCelebrity Juice 12:35am Family Guy 1:05am Family Guy

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of Euro Weekly News.

43

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TIME OUT

YOUR STARS FOR NEXT 7 DAYS AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) Your lot is to be optimistic and positive. Perhaps in the last few months there was the need to take on the problems of others.

However, you absolutely must get a balance here. Concentrate this week on getting your body and mind in good shape. That means being a little self-centred to start with. A good routine is essential and the will to stick with it.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) Your very nature can lead to internal struggles. In the coming months, however, the truth becomes clear. What is outside of your experience now will become a part of your make-up.

Any fear that you had of the unknown gradually diminishes.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20) There has been a very strong feeling through these last few weeks. This feeling has been one of spirituality. Your thoughts have been deeper than usual and the sense that there is more to life is acute. This, therefore, gives an impetus to everything that you do this week. The need to progress both on the home and business front has rarely been stronger.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) In the last few weeks there may have been a sense of being not quite in control. That is something to deal with this week. Real progress will only be made when you have faced what is not wanted. You will rid yourself of any negative emotions quickly by facing them.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) You are a great charmer but it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Is there the possibility that your romantic life needs tidying up? Perhaps the number of irons that you have in the fire is causing problems?

This week, make it a priority to simplify your life. Be strong and straight with others. A clean slate for the future means not letting small matters run away with you.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) The ever-inquisitive part of your brain is in high spirits. Clearly there is much to be known and enjoyed over the coming months. Begin at the beginning though. Before you throw yourself into a spiritual or

business endeavour, get the facts. I don't mean what people tell you they think. What you need right now is proof that your interest in a certain area is justified.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) Certainly there have been times that you felt crestfallen.

Sometimes circumstances bring us down. Avoid believing in the myth of ‘what should have been’.

What you are is not what others see but what you feel inside.

‘Greetings cards featuring artwork by AudreyQ are available at P.C. Highway, Javea with profits going to Aspadis, a Valencian charity for severely handicapped children.’

Cartoon by Audrey Quinton www.audreyq.co.uk

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) The changes that have already started in the way that you see your life have given pause for thought. You are sure that you could have done better but maybe it is not clear how. Take a step back now and see where you came from. Two years ago where were you heading? Do you still want to follow that path?

A need to get back on track can start this week.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) It becomes clear to you that some friends are drifting away.

We all have to make changes as life itself is a constantly shifting event. You prefer to hold on to what is familiar and you are not alone in that. At the moment, however, there is much for you to experience, see and feel.

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY Saturday December 14

2

21

23

32

44

49

BONUS BALL

56

IRISH LOTTO Saturday December 14

11

17

24

29

30

47

BONUS BALL

38

EURO MILLIONS Tuesday December 10

BONUS BALL

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) With a lot of pent-up energy and not a little determination the month is off to a strong start with you. Be aware, however, that treading on the toes of influential people is not to be advised. Your feeling that you are right is admirable, but be tactful.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) You of all people understand the importance of the spiritual side of life. Despite being successful in your own right there is the need to bring this to other people. In sharing your experiences this year you come to a better understanding yourself.

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Your practical streak is in full force. Over the next months you will bring much benefit to those around you, in financial terms perhaps, but also spiritually. This week, in itself, shows you how others value your presence and advice.

2

10

19

2 8

47

21

Friday December 13

BONUS BALL

9

16

18

2 10

32

23

EL MILLON: ZWJ16997 LA PRIMITIVA Thursday December 12

2

13

31

32

33

40

BONUS BALL

5 9

JOKER: 6 757 977 Saturday December 14

6

16

18

30

32

41

BONUS BALL

19

4

JOKER: 8 499 280 EL GORDO DE LA PRIMITIVA Sunday December 15

5

13 27

15 38

BONUS BALL

2

Famous quote

‘

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

Mother Teresa Credit: Biography.com

Women’s wit

‘

Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path. By all means you should follow that.”

Ellen DeGeneres

44

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Cryptic

TIME

Across 1 Comes back with Wrens as alternative (7) 5 Poor family dumped in street (5) 8 Knock down, we’re told, and build up (5) 9 Biggest triangles not in order (7) 10 Swashbucklers traipse around (7) 11 Clearing a good deal, possibly (5) 12 Raced madly round a shopping precinct (6) 14 Debt is compounded for small room (6) 18 Diminutive Egyptian king or teacher (5) 20 A drape cut in a right odd fashion (7) 22 Post in which a musical bloke may be heard? (3,4) 23 Venezuela teacher demonstrates lift (5) 24 Sailors going round northern mountain lakes (5) 25 River animals for worthless people (7) Down 1 Roman general with a firm hold on the borders of Padua (7) 2 A riskier finish for a winter sportsman (5) 3 Voted in by Dee, Celt is devastated (7) 4 News feature created by a diver (6) 5 Roughly grips an ornamental spray (5) 6 Room 101 returned cold sheets? (3,4) 7 It is included in the tax (5) 13 One may have provided food for pet

before end of December (7) 15 Make money and set out to be serious (7) 16 Small boats feature in an Eastenders’ episode (7) 17 Making jokes with no beginning, purely

Code Breaker

visual (6) 18 Health food for breakfast? (5) 19 Predicts socialists to hold American capital (5) 21 A byword for a commercial age (5)

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 15 represents M and 18 represents W, so fill in M every time the figure 15 appears and W every time the figure 18 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.

Across 1 Religious belief (5) 4 Songs of praise (5) 7 Longing for something past (9) 8 Playthings (4) 10 Writing or drawing instrument (6) 12 Dormant (6) 13 Small sleigh (4) 16 Kinfolk (9) 18 Hours of darkness (5) 19 Small, semiaquatic salamanders (5)

English - Spanish

Down 1 Frozen dew (5) 2 Small hotel (3) 3 Publican (4) 4 Warming device (6) 5 Enchanting (7) 6 Cover for head or shoulders (5) 9 Large tree trunk traditionally burned at Christmas (4,3) 11 Group of six (6) 12 Pinafore (5) 14 Human-like toys (5) 15 Small furnace (4) 17 Carpentry tool (3)

The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Across Down 1 Juegos (5) 1 Guirnaldas (8) 3 Jamón (3) 2 Esquiador (5) 5 Beso (4) 3 Humor (6) 4 Averos (6) 7 New (5) 6 Hielo (3) 9 Joy (7) 11 Chicas (5) 7 Birth (10) 12 Entertainment (9) 8 Ponche de huevo (6) 13 Gold (metal, commodity, currency) (3) 10 Recuerdos (9) 14 Agotador (6) 15 Banquete (5) 17 Árbol (4) 16 Red (4) 18 Toyshops (11) 17 Viaje (4)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION FACING PAGE

E OUT

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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 (ANGELS) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

AFLOAT ANGELS (10) BATEAU DAMSEL EMERGE ERRATA EUREKA INSULT INTENT ISLAND OFFEND PLENTY RESUME SHERRY STEREO SYNTAX TENURE URGING YEARLY

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 Trance 2 Legend 3 Teeing 4 Reload 5 Incise 6 Arrear 7 Iodide 8 Assert 9 Retail 10 Design 11 Regent 12 Needle 13 Nutria 14 Burden 15 Degree 16 Statue 17 Screed 18 Pretty 19 Desert.

Nonagram

Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.

TARGET: • Average: 17 • Good: 24

• Very good: 35 • Excellent: 45

SCORING: 4 letters: 1 point 7 letters: 5 points 5 letters: 2 points 8 or more letters: 6 letters: 3 points 11 points

Average: 11 Good: 16 Very good: 23

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Excellent: 29

earache earaches each ewes arch arches awes ages ache aches rage rages aura aurae ouch ours wear wage wages webs gear cage cages craw crag curd curds curdy curs curse chew urge cache caches coach coaches courage couch couches course espy furs bosh gods body bops sewage shew sods sops dogs dose dosh dopy dyne dynes dyes syne jobs josh pose posh pods yens

daft deaf deft fade fail fair fare fate fear feat felt feta fiat file fire flat flea fled flit frat fret frit leaf left lief life lift raft reft rife rift tref afire after defat delft draft drift fader fared fated feral fetal fetid field filar filed filer filet fired flair flare flier flirt frail fried lifer refit rifle adrift afield dafter failed faired falter fatted fatter filter fitted fitter flared lifted lifter rafted rifled rifted titfer trifle fattier flatted flatter flirted flitted flitter fritted trifled filtrate FILTRATED

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

QUICK Down: 1 Hoard, 2 Meander, 3 Sulk, 4 Cygnet, 5/17 Sit out, 6 Surge, 10 Crouton, 11 Rapier, 12 Copse, 14 Scans, 15 Meal.

CRYPTIC

ENGLISH-SPANISH

Across:

Across:

1 Ante, 3 Vicarage, 9 Kneecap, 10 Trots, 11 Nadir, 12 Strand, 14 Ambles, 16 Caesar, 19 Mirage, 21 Rated, 24 Agate, 25 Essence, 26 Eventual, 27 Soft.

1 Subtle, 3 Raisin, 8 Erroneo, 10 Fence, 11 Choir, 12 Believe, 13 Trozo, 15 Sorry, 20 Pesebre, 22 Debts, 24 Circo, 25 Cushion, 26 Shovel, 27 Tomato.

Down: 1 Arkansas, 2 Tweed, 4 Impose, 5 Altar, 6 Abounds, 7 Erse, 8 Accrue, 13 Gradient, 15 Brigade, 17 Arrest, 18 Geneva, 20 Alert, 22 Tango, 23 Sage.

Down:

1 Speech, 2 Burro, 4 Awful, 5 Sonreír, 6 Nieces, 7 Lobby, 9 Nariz, 14 Rosario, 16 Ondas, 17 Spices, 18 Teach, 19 Asunto, 21 Broke, 23 Boina.

App of the week Protection Bitwarden Password Manager offers a safe and easy way to store all of your logins and passwords while conveniently keeping them synced between all of your devices. Bitwarden stores all of your logins in an encrypted vault that syncs across all of your devices. Since it’s fully encrypted before it ever leaves your device, only you have access to your data.

QUIZ: CHRISTMAS FILMS 1. In the 1990 comedy film Home Alone, in which city is Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) accidentally left alone in as his family fly to Paris for their Christmas holiday?

2. In the 2003 Christmas comedy Elf, what was the first rule of the Code of Elves 3. In which 1942 Irving Berlin musical film did Bing Crosby first sing White Christmas?

4. Richard Attenborough played Kris Kringle in a 1994 remake of which 1947 Christmas film?

5. Which 1946 Christmas film, directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart as George Bailey, is based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story The Greatest Gift?

6. Which 1988 action film featured Bruce Willis as John McClane, a streetwise New York cop who foils a gang of terrorists on Christmas Day? 7. Which 1999 James Bond film features Denise Richards as American nuclear physicist Dr Christmas Jones?

8. Which Dickens character has been played on film by Seymour Hicks (1935), Alastair Sim (1951), Albert Finney (1970), Michael Caine (1992) and Jim Carrey (2009)?

9. Which singer/songwriter played the part of Major Jack ‘Strafer’ Celliers in the 1983 British-Japanese war film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence?

10. Who wrote the 1957 picture book that was the inspiration for the 2000 film How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

Not a lot of people know that… since 1997, a marathon of the film titled ‘24 Hours of A Christmas Story’ has aired annually on TNT (or TBS), comprising 12 consecutive airings of the film on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day each year.

Answers: 1. STATISTICS, 2. MY CAMERA, 3.

THE LAST TSAR AND TSARINA OF RUSSIA (Nicholas II and Alexandra), 4. PONZI SCHEME, 5. FLEETWOOD MAC, 6. PILTDOWN MAN, 7.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, 8.

CHARLES AND EDDIE (Charles Pettigrew and Eddie Chacon), 9.

DAVID MITCHELL and LEE MACK, 10. KEITH WATERHOUSE

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

CODE BREAKER

How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules?

• The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’.

They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

• Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms.

• No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice.

• No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

TARGET:

1 Homes, 4 Costs, 7 Alligator, 8 Dodo, 9 Rescue, 12 Corral, 13 Boss, 16 Prominent, 18 Enter, 19 Links.

Boggled

Kakuro

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 F) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

Across:

45

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Weather

Almería TODAY

TOMORROW VELEZ RUBIO

VELEZ RUBIO ALBOX

ALBOX

HUERCAL OVERA

HUERCAL OVERA GARRUCHA

GARRUCHA

MOJACAR

MOJACAR

ALMERIA

ALMERIA

ADRA

ADRA

ROQUETAS

Malaga

Almeria

Bilbao

Madrid

TODAY: MAX 16 MIN 15-SH

TODAY: MAX 18, MIN 15-SH

TODAY: MAX 16, MIN 10-SH

TODAY: MAX 12, MIN 8 -SH

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

18 21 21 21 20 18

15 - Sh 15 - Sh 13 - Cl 13 - S 12 - Cl 11 - Cl

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

19 20 21 20 19 18

15 - Sh 14 - Cl 14 - S 14 - S 13 - Cl 11 - Cl

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

14 18 19 18 16 14

10 - Sh 13 - Cl 13 - Sh 12 - Sh 10 - Sh 10 - Sh

Benidorm

Mallorca

Barcelona

TODAY: MAX 17, MIN 14-C

TODAY: MAX 18, MIN 14-C

TODAY: MAX 18, MIN 15-C

TODAY: MAX 15, MIN 13-SH

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

19 21 22 21 20 18

S: Sun

14 - Sh 16 - Cl 13 - S 13 - S 12 - Cl 11 - Cl

19 21 22 21 20 18

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Cl: Clear

14 - Sh 16 - Cl 15 - S 14 - S 14 - Cl 12 - Cl

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

17 19 21 20 19 18

C: Cloudy

13 - Sh 14 - Cl 13 - S 12 - S 12 - Cl 11 - Cl

ROQUETAS

SATURDAY

10 9 - Sh 15 11 - Sh 15 10 - C 13 9 - Cl 12 7 - Cl 12 5 - Sh

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

Alicante

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed -

16 16 19 18 17 16

10 - Sh 12 - S 11 - S 10 - S 10 - Cl 9 - Cl

VELEZ RUBIO ALBOX

HUERCAL OVERA GARRUCHA MOJACAR

ALMERIA RETAMAR ADRA

Sh: Showers

ROQUETAS

Th: Thunder

Sn: Snow

Euro Weekly News strives for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for any errors in published forecasts

BIRTHDAYS

SO LUCKY by Daw n O’Porter features three main characters with different desires and flaws.

B eth s hows th a t women really can have it all, Ruby lives life by her own rules and Lauren is living the dream.

B u t is everything a s perfect as it looks to the outside world?

In reality, Beth hasn’t had s ex in a yea r.

Ruby feels like she’s faili ng at everything an d Lauren’s happiness is basically fake news.

A n d it jus t takes on e shocking event to make the truth come tumbling out…

Fearless, frank and for eve ryone who’s eve r doubted themselves, So Lucky is the straight-talki ng new novel from t he Sunday Times best seller.

It may actually leave you feeling you’re pretty lucky to be you!

RETAMAR

RETAMAR

books@euroweeklynews.com

Sudoku LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

• Richard Hammond, Journalist and presenter; The American actor, film producer and civil December 19, 50 rights activist has won critical acclaim and The British broadcast journalist, writer and numerous accolades and awards. He is the entertainer co-hosted BBC Two car programme, highest-grossing actor of all time (when cameo appearances are excluded), having starred in Top Gear, which won an international Emmy Award in 2005. He was pulled from the wreckage Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Star Wars, Jurassic Annie Lennox. of a Rimac supercar worth €2 million that later Park and many more films. burst into flames after a horrific crash while filming in • Noel Edmonds, Radio host and presenter; December June, 2017.

22, 71 The British radio DJ and television presenter hosted the • Ashley Cole, Footballer; December 20, 39 The former England defender began his long career for his UK's Deal or No Deal, Top of the Pops, and Are You national team in 2001. He played for Chelsea and Arsenal Smarter Than a Ten Year Old? He also fronted Noel’s and was named the England Player of the Year in 2010.

House Party, which ran from 1991 to 1999.

• Jodie Marsh, Model; December 23, 41 • Samuel L Jackson, Movie actor; December 21, 71

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.

Marsh initially gained fame for adult modelling. She went on to star in her own reality show Totally Jodie Marsh: Who’ll Take Her Up The Aisle? The British personality competed on Celebrity Big Brother 4.

• Ricky Martin, Singer; December 24, 48 After launching his solo career in 1991, the Puerto Rican star gained widespread success for his self-titled debut album and the hit song ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca.’

• Annie Lennox OBE, Singer; December 65 The Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist has a reported net worth of €54 million.

One of the world’s best-selling music artists, Lennox has sold over 80 million records worldwide (including her work with Eurythmics and fellow musician Dave Stewart).

Word Ladder WORE

GIFT BACK

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

1808 - Classical One of the greatest pieces of music ever written, Beethoven’s Symphony No 5 in C Minor, Op 67 was given its world premiere in Vienna and became the world’s most recognisable piece of classical music.

1843 - Scrooge Charles Dicken’s classic story ‘A Christmas Carol’ is published. Ebeneezer Scrooge is a miser visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas past, present and future.

1888 - Ear, ear Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, suffering from severe depression, cut off the lower part of his left ear with a razor.

He documented it in a painting titled Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear. 1941 - Bad-a-bing ‘White Christmas’ has its world premiere on Bing Crosby’s weekly NBC radio programme, The Kraft Music Hall. It became one of the most commercially successful singles of all time, and top-selling single.

1979 - Invasion The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978.

Within a few days, the Soviets had secured Kabul, deploying a special assault unit against Tajberg Palace.

1988 - Bomb Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York explodes in midair over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members aboard, as well as 11 Lockerbie residents on the ground.

This week in history

Anyone’s life

Solution WORE SORE SORT SOFT SIFT GIFT

BOOKS

www.euroweeklynews.com • 19 - 25 December 2019

DVD

Cuck CREDIT: Amazon

TIME OUT

46

RONNIE lives at home with his mother. Sexually frustrated, he agrees to take part in cuckolding for a couple’s home video. Denied from military service due to mental instability, the isolated loner takes to the internet to produce his own video blog series online. Ronnie’s videos gain the support of online extremists, raising him up in the Alt-Right community. But those cuck videos have been found. Ronnie’s online masculinity is broken and he has only one thing left to keep his ego alive: his handgun.

HEALTH& Beauty 48

19 - 25 December 2019

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Packed with goodness VITAMIN C is an important vitamin re­ quired for the health of the skin and hair, as well as a healthy immunity.

But this water­soluble vitamin isn’t just im­ portant for making you look good. It has been known to fight the common cold as well.

The vitamin, which is found in abundance in citrus fruits and green vegetables, is also important for bone health as well as for ab­ sorption of iron in the body.

But it is particularly important for stimu­ lating collagen production in the skin and hence, for improving your skin quality. You can get enough vitamin C in your diet if you make sure to include a portion of fruits and green vegetables in your daily meals.

There are plenty of fruits and vegetables available during summers that are high in vitamin C content.

It is essential to consume vitamin C­rich foods because this vitamin is not made by our bodies and hence, the require­ ments must be fulfilled through exter­ nal sources like from food.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is about 70 milligrams for women and about 90 milligrams for men. There are a number of ways of en­ suring vitamin C intake in your body and fruit juices are one of them.

Great Vitamin C packed fruits include kiwi, orange, mango, pineapple and toma­ to.

HEALTHY SKIN: Vitamin C stimulates collagen production for improving your skin quality.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

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19 - 25 December 2019

EWN 49

Sport nutrition THERE are five goals of sport nutrition, according to the Association of UK Dieticians (BDA).

FILL UP: Carbohydrates are vital for best performance.

1. Mix it up ­ eat a varied and well­ balanced diet that supplies the right amount of energy and essential nutri­ ents.

2. Fuel right ­ choose a variety of food including foods that contain carbohydrates based on the amount of exercise.

3. Strive for five ­ eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day; fresh, frozen, dried, canned all count.

4. Refuel ­ if you need to recover quickly then start refuelling with carbohydrate foods and fluids as soon as possible after exercise.

5. Think fluid ­ ensure you are well­hydrated by drinking throughout the day as well as before, during and after exercise, as appropriate.

No matter what your chosen sport, carbohydrates are vital for the best performance. Exercising muscles rely on carbohydrate as their main source of fuel. The amount you need will depend on your training pro­ gramme and dietary goals. The more intense the pro­ gramme, the more carbohydrate you need in your diet.

A diet low in carbohydrate can lead to a lack of energy during exercise, early fatigue, loss of concentration and de­ layed recovery. In general people who do regular intense train­ ing should make sure they get enough food energy, which in­

cludes from carbohydrates as well as not forgetting the impor­ tance of fluid.

If the right amount of food and fluid is eaten and drunk before, during and after exercise, performance can be maximised during exercise and recovery after exercise supported.

Carbohydrate is stored in muscles as glycogen. The body’s stores of glycogen are limited and need to be topped up each day, particularly if you are exercising each day or exercising at a high intensity.

The best way to do this is to have a regular meal/eating pat­ tern which includes a low fat, high­carbohydrate snack or a light meal two to three hours before exercise. Then after exercise start replenishing your glycogen stores immediately with a high carbohydrate low fat snack. The most effective refuelling occurs within 0­30 minutes after exercise.

Estimated carbohydrate needs depend on a person’s activity level: 3­5 hours a week ­ 4­5g 5­7 hours a week ­ 5­6g 1­2 hours a day ­ 6­8g 2 + hours a day ­ 8­10g Choose a variety of food including foods containing carbohy­ drates, based on amount of exercise.  Split your total carbohydrate intake into several meals and snacks throughout the day.  Plan and prepare to fit your eating in around exercise.  If training for multiple hours or at a high intensity, sports drinks, sports bars and carbohydrate gels can boost your intake.

50 EWN

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19 - 25 December 2019

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Actress backs pain campaign AMERICAN actress and singer, Kristin Chenoweth, is sharing her personal experience with chronic pain to help spread awareness around the disease.

BioDelivery Sciences Interna­ tional, Inc, a rapidly growing commercial­stage specialty pharmaceutical company dedi­ cated to patients living with chronic conditions, last week an­ nounced the launch of This Is Pain ­ a long­term initiative that aims to improve the lives of over 10 million American adults living with chronic pain.

As part of the initiative, Kristin, has spoken out about her own suffering.

“In 2012, I suffered an injury while on set filming a TV show.

Even though I looked ‘fine’ I did not feel ‘fine’ and for me that is the hardest part about pain; it is impossible to see and it left me feeling very low. Thankfully I have great support, and I am lucky enough to be able to con­

KRISTIN CHENOWETH: The actress is sharing her personal experiences to raise awareness about chronic back pain.

tinue to work.”

Chronic pain is reportedly one of the most common reasons that Americans visit a healthcare professional and yet this disease is widely misunder­ stood and can be incredibly iso­ lating, debilitating and frustrat­ ing for those living with it. This is in large part, due to the fact that each person’s pain is highly indi­ vidualised and not visible to their peers, colleagues and wider society.

This Is Pain seeks to first con­ front the stigma around the dis­ ease state, creating widespread awareness and empathy, to ulti­ mately combat the systemic challenges those living with chronic pain face. These chal­ lenges include experiencing un­ fair treatment in the workplace and difficulty in accessing afford­ able treatment options. The long­term goals of the campaign include achieving the following: 1. Wider societal recognition of chronic pain as a disease state, not a symptom; 2. Policy change to increase access to safe and effective treatment options for individu­ als living with chronic pain; 3. Increased research funding to improve existing treatments and develop innovative thera­ pies for individuals living with chronic pain; and 4. Fairer treatment and repre­ sentation in the workplace.

“People living with chronic pain face unimaginable hurdles and struggles in their daily lives and I believe that we can allevi­ ate some of the challenges they face by first drawing attention to what it is really like to live with pain,” stated Herm Cukier, CEO of BDSI. “We know that change is borne out of a communal de­ sire to act and that is exactly what we need to achieve to im­ pact the lives of those living with chronic pain.”

To learn more about the This Is Pain campaign and chronic pain as a disease state, visit www.ThisIsPain.com and follow us on social media plat­ forms @thisispain.

U p d a t e o n f o o d , d r i n k , e n t e r t a i n m e n t s , w h a t ’s o n a n d w e e k l y h a p p e n i n g s

ECO STAR

SPANISH pop star Alejandro Sanz vowed to reduce his pol­ luting footprint at the Climate Summit in Madrid. The interna­ tional star spoke about his plans to use renewable energy and electric vehicles for his concerts.

Sanz said that he would be implementing studies to calcu­ late the amount of CO2 pro­ duced by his concerts and work

ROMANCE: The singer and his younger girlfriend raised eyebrows. towards reducing it. The singer’s ecological stance comes after a turbulent year in the spotlight.

The popstar announced his separation from wife Raquel Perera on social media in July.

After 10 years of marriage and two children, the news came as a shock to his fans. And just weeks later, Sanz was seen with new girlfriend Rachel Valdés, a 30­year­old Cuban artist.

19 - 25 December 2019

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Show stoppers SPANISH fashion label Desigual has never shied away from vibrant colours, optimistic messaging, or freedom of self-expression, and at this year’s edition of Miami Art Basel they presented events highlighting their playful approach to sexuality.

Spanish artist Miranda Makaroff shares a native home base with the label in Barcelona and drew on her endless love of pleasure to create a Spring 2020 capsule collection including technicolor renderings of the human form, contorted in sexual positions, depicted in various states of undress.

At one event a group of models wearing Desigual’s 2020 collection marched down the runway barefoot in a planned effort helmed by Catalan artist Carlota Guerrero and featuring Lola Leon, Madonna’s daughter. From the catwalk, they assembled in pairs and began an enticing seduction of each other starting with a kiss and ending in a show-stopping simulated orgy.

CREDIT: Twitter

CELEBRITIES

CREDIT: @alejandrosanz @ra chelvaldes_studio

SOCIAL SCENE

52

Fan frenzy

S U P E R S T A R and heartthrob Harry Styles is back at the fore­ front of the music scene, with the release of his highly antici­ pated album ‘Fine Line’ on De­ cember 13. Spanish fans went wild after the singer announced his 2020 tour ‘Love on Tour’ would be stopping in Madrid.

Harry Styles fans will be able to see their idol take the stage in the capital in April of next year, where he will get heartbeats rac­ ing with his performance at the WiZink Cen­

tre. Excitement began to go into overdrive when the former One Direction member dropped sin­ gles Lights Out and Watermelon Sugar ahead of the release of his new album and worldwide tour. And if his hot new tour dates weren’t enough for fans, the singer hosted an episode of James Corden’s ‘Late Late Show’ on TV. The two celebs appeared on popular section ‘Carpool Karaoke,’ as Corden poked fun at his flamboyant 70’s inspired fashion sense.

A PLAYFUL APPROACH TO SEXUALITY: Simulated orgy.

EAT WITH ELLIS

The Art of Brunch Curried Potatoes With Fried Egg spoons of sunflower oil in a pan, then add a ta­ AT one time my house was regularly full of an blespoon of mustard seeds. Let them start to assortment of my reprobate mates on a Satur­ pop in the heat. Then a crushed clove of day or Sunday morning. They would ar­ garlic, grated ginger, a tea­ rive late morning (well those that spoon of turmeric, a ta­ hadn’t simply stayed on my blespoon of curry sofa!) expecting to be powder and a fed after the adven­ chopped fresh tures of the night green chilli. Cook before. The usual for about 30 was a bacon seconds. Add a sandwich and a knob of butter Bloody Mary, and another ta­ with some blespoon of oil, sausages and once foaming eggs joining the add the potatoes. party. After trying Fry until crispy. something a little Remove everything spicier and different for to serving bowls.

Brunch at restaurant near BRUNCH: With a spicy difference.

Put a little more oil Portobello Road market I in the pan and add was hooked on the occa­ as many eggs as required. Sprinkle with chilli sional spicy brunch when the mood takes. flakes and crisp up some curry leaves if you Using some leftover plainly boiled potatoes have some. Add the fried eggs to the bowls from the fridge works really well, or just boil and scatter with chopped spring onions. Enjoy some and leave to go cold. with a correctly made Bloody Mary!

Over a medium heat put a couple of table­

elliswayman@hotmail.com

SOCIAL SCENE

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19 - 25 December 2019

Run-up to Christmas THIS Friday, children from the Barolome Flores infants and primary school will be singing their little hearts out at a morning carol concert in the village’s sports pavillion.

The place to be early evening is the multi­uses centre, where at 6pm sweet Festive Season goodies washed down with hot chocolate will be on offer, followed by performances by local dance schools Nicky Mainstone’s ProDanza and Natalia Lopez’s La Ultima Fu­ sion, as well as by the Em­ brujo Mojaquero choir and Grupo La Fuente.

Santa Claus is in town on Saturday, and specifically in Mojacar Playa’s Parque Com­ ercial, for the midday inaugu­ ration of an exhibition of Christmas cards by pupils at the Rey Alabez institute.

Embrujo Mojaquero will be back at the multi­uses centre at 8.30pm in the evening for

Festive season street entertainment ROQUETAS D E M A R Council has organised a whole bunch of street ac­ tivities and entertain­ ment in 25 different loca­ tions over the Christmas holiday period.

Between December 19 and January 4 members of the public can enjoy stuff like taking a photo with Santa and browsing two Christmas markets.

There will be handicrafts, traditional foods, bouncy castles, music and fun things for children up to December 23 in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the Avenida Carlos III boulevard in Aguadulce, morning and afternoon.

Performances to look out for in different venues over the Festive Season include a magic show, flamenco and ap­ pearances by groups from the municipal dance school.

CREDIT: mojacar.es

CHRISTMAS is being celebrated to the full in Mojacar, with a whole programme of events and entertainment in the run-up to the big day.

MUSIC: The Mojacar municipal band will give a Christmas concert with the Rociero choir.

a Christmas concert with the Mojacar municipal band.

Sunday sees the opening of a new exhibition at the La Fuente art centre: a collec­

tion of Lourdes Martinez de Arbuto’s watercolours.

It will be Christmassy­ themed fun and frolics for the children on Monday from

6 to 9pm at the multi­centre with activities including a snow party, photocall, lottery game, giant crystal ball, en­ tertainment and music.

EWN 53

Celebrated in art THE Arab legacy in Andalucia is showcased in art in a marvel­ lous exhibition running until the end of the year at the Roque­ tas de Mar auditorium. The ‘El Llegado Arabe Andalusi’ exhibi­ tion brings together 45 works by 15 painters and four photographers, all of them members of the APALI Almeria Inda­ lo artists’ association. The non­profit association was founded in 1999 with the aim of promoting art in the province.

19 - 25 December 2019

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS CREDIT: Keith Porter, Secretary Bowling Club de Zurgena

54 EWN

GUIDANCE: Club member Terry Lyons demonstrates how to select the right bowl.

Open day success THE Bowling Club de Zurgena’s first ever ‘open day’ proved to be a great success.

The club anticipated maybe a dozen or so people interested in trying their hand at bowls would show up to the event staged earlier this month. As it turned out more than 40 went along.

The majority of those attending the event were trying their hand at the sport for the first time, but there were also a handful who

had bowled previously and had decided to return to the game.

Club members were on hand for the ‘newbies’ to provide guidance and basic tuition.

Guests were advised on the selection of the correct bowl for each individual and then invited onto the rinks for a practice session.

Many of the people there said they will go back again and a good number have already committed to joining the club for the 2020 season beginning on January 1.

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

19 - 25 December 2019

REGISTRATION for Albox’s annual San Silvestre Maria Carmona Memorial Festive Season run is open.

This will be the 14th edition of the race, a sporting event wi t h o n e o f th e longest histories in the Almanzora Valley.

Organised by the Somos Alboje n se s C u l t u r a l a n d Sports Assocation in collaboration with Albox Council’s Youth and Sport Departme n t , t h i s y e a r ’s 4.5-kilometre run will be on Sunday December 29. The race gets underway at 11am at the Las Ventas municipal pavilion, starting with the youngest categories.

To register participants must donate non-perishable products, which will go to the Caritas charity and pay €5 for the junior to veteran catego r i e s, o f wh i c h € 3 goes to the AECC Spanish cancer charity. Registration for infants and younger is free.

It is possible to register online at www.lineadesali dan.net up to two days before the race.

In order to qualify for the gifts a n d p r i z e s a t h l e te s must be registered and run

ALMANZORA councils are doing their bit to encourage the use of less contaminating vehicles.

Seven local authorities have put in requests for European Regional Development Funds available through the Andalucia Energy Agency to go towards the cost of installing elec-

SELLING POINT: The Almanzora Valley Tourism Business Association hopes drivers of electric vehicles will be encouraged to visit the region.

CREDIT: Ayuntamiento de Albox

Sign up for race

HISTORY: The race is one of the longest running sports events in the Almanzora Valley.

th e co u rs e w e a rin g th e ir corresponding number accrediting them as a participant.

There will be a commemorative t-shirt for the first 250 people who do register, which the organisers will hand out on the day of the event.

An electronic chip system w ill b e u s ed to time the race. There will be controls at the start line, the halfway

mark and at the finish: runners must pass through all the controls or they will be disqualified. The same applie s for not running the w hole c ours e or for unsportsmanlike behaviour.

There will be an individual final classification for all the different categories, ma s c uline a nd fe minine .

There will be a general classification with trophies for junior, senior, veterans and

local for the top three, men and women.

In addition, legs of ham will be awarded for the best fancy dress. Individuals or groups choosing to do the run in costume have to fill out a special registration form.

The trophies will be repre s e nta tions of the A ra b towers which can be seen in various parts of the Almanzora region.

Thinking electric tric vehicle charge points.

The funding requests, which are being processed b y t h e A l m a n z o r a Va l l e y Tourism Business Associat i o n , c o r r e s p o n d t o A r-

boleas, Cantoria, Macael, Oria, Purchena, Bacares and Taberno.

The hope is that although not so many of the r e g i o n ’s r e s i d e n t s d r i v e electric vehicles, the availability of charge points will encourage visits from tourists who do.

Local authorities securing the funding will have to initially pay the full cost of installing the charge points themselves, which the tourism business association said totals some €10,000, but will then receive a subsidy for 70 per cent.

EWN 55

ALBOX & SURROUNDING AREAS

19 - 25 December 2019

CREDIT: Agrupacion Provincial de Almeria Andalucia PSOE

56 EWN

Municipal services cash THE Junta de Andalucia has awarded more than €160,000 in subsidies to five Almeria localities to finance municipal services.

The financing for Arboleas, Fines, Ta b e r n a s , S o r b a s a n d Z u r g e n a comes under the regional governm e n t ’s a s s i s t a n c e p r o g r a m m e f o r councils and local entities in localities with between 1,500 and 20,000 inhabitants for actions carried out in buildings serving as the bases for local government organisms or for local public ser vices. The financial assistance is also for the acquisition of equipment used in the provision of public services.

Each of the five Almeria municipalities has received a maximum of €30,000, and has to use the cash immediately.

Specifically, €30,000 has gone to Arboleas for upgrades to the Local P o l i c e s t a t i o n a n d f o r S o c i a l S e rvices offices, works which must be carried out within three months.

Fines gets the same amount for improving energy efficiency in and access to municipal buildings, and h a s a f o u r- m o n t h p e r i o d t o g e t t h e jobs done.

Tabernas will reform the locality’s permanent education centre thanks t o a € 2 9 , 9 0 0 s u b s i d y, w h i c h m u s t be used within a year.

Sorbas will carry out improvements to the Villaespesa theatre at a cost of €29,949, and has two months to do so.

Zurgena will use its €28,066 subs i d y f o r c o m p l e t i n g t h e l o c a l i t y ’s multi-uses uses building, works which will take nine months.

Junta territorial delegate for Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Adminstration Jose Luis Delgado said the financial assistance reflected the Andalucia governm e n t ’s c o m m i t m e n t t o l o c a l c o u n cils as “the first administration residents turn to, the closest representation, and therefore the most sensitive to their problems and needs.”

The “endurance and development” of the villages is vital for the future of Andalucia, according to Delgado, affirming, “This government takes the fight against depopulation ver y seriously and in this task the best strategy is to guarantee quality public services.”

DEMANDS: The provincial PSOE secretary general called for investments in roads, employment plans, desalination plants, rivers, schools and health centres.

PSOE criticises Junta budget THE opposition centreleft PSOE party criticised the Junta de Andalucia’s 2020 budget plans for the Almanzora Valley.

Almeria PSOE secretary general and Andalucia parliament member Jose Luis Sanchez Teruel called for investments of €14,850,000 to make up for what the party claimed is the relatively small impact the region has in the budget.

Sanchez Teruel maintained

various employment plans adding up to €2.5 million should be put in place to address what PSOE says is the depopulation many of the province’s inland municipalities are experiencing.

Other investments PSOE wants the Andalucia government to make include €3 million for the Almanzora dual-carriageway and Fines to Purchena highway, and €2.9 million for water desalination plant projects

in Cantoria and Arboleas.

A further €1.2 million should be spent on cleaning out the Almanzora river course and on the protection of the rive Armuña, the provincial PSOE secretary general argued.

In addition PSOE demanded the regional administration invest in €1 million of reforms to schools in Cantoria and Purchena and €350,000 in the Cantoria and Albox health centres.

19 - 25 December 2019

57

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www.euroweeklynews.com A NEW challenge has arisen in the prop­ erty sector and its starting to worry construction businesses: the planet is running out of sand. The UN has already issued warnings about the over­ex­ ploitations of the second most con­ sumed natural resource after water.

Every day, 18 kilos of sand are extract­ ed per each inhabitant in the world. The figure is astonishing and the all­impor­ tant resource can’t keep up with our building habits.

What can the property sector do to stop the impending crisis?

Sand is the key raw material in the construction sector, but also in many others. It is vital for the construction of roads, shopping centres, offices and homes. It is also used for the glass in windows, car windshields and even mo­ bile phone screens.

On average, to build a medium­sized house, 200 tonnes of sand need to be mixed with cement. For a small hospital, that would be another 3,000 tonnes and for just one kilometre of motorway, a massive 30,000 tonnes.

The UN’s report ‘Sand and Sustainabil­ ity’ leaves no room for doubt, sand is running out fast.

The high demand for this material comes mainly from regions that do not have local sandbanks and the demand is

PROPERTY

SHIFTING SANDS

KEY MATERIAL: Sand is vital for the construction of roads, offices and homes.

expected to increase a further 5.5 per cent every year.

Using the sand from deserts isn’t a vi­ able option as it differs in size and shape. Builders use the sand that is found in riverbeds, lakes and on the seashore.

The National Association of Aggregates Producers, Anefa, has assured that Span­ ish construction companies don’t face this problem and that the UN has gener­ alised a problem that only occurs in some areas of the world.

However, the humble material is now a scarce resource in many places, even more demanded than fossil fuels.

But its over­exploitation is causing devastating environmental effects such as destruction of natural habitats, the deterioration of the seabed and coral reefs and erosion.

If the fast­paced rhythm of sand ex­ traction continues, future generations will find themselves living in lunar style landscapes with rocky beaches, arid ter­ ritories and the extinction of flora and fauna. Investigators are working on new types of concrete based on ashes, crushed plastic or rice husks. But for the time being, there still isn’t a clear re­ placement that can be used in the ever­ growing business of property and con ­ struction.

58 EWN

www.euroweeklynews.com

19 - 25 December 2019

FEATURE

The IoT (The Internet of Things) and what exactly is it?

RONNIE ROCKS THE TECH THE IoT is a network of inter­ connected things/devices which are embedded with sensors, software, network connectivity and necessary electronics that enables them to collect and exchange data between each device.

This new wave of connectiv­ ity is going beyond laptops and smartphones, it’s going towards connected cars, smart homes, connected wearables, smart cities and connected healthcare.

Basically, a connected life and its anticipated that by 2020 connected devices across all technologies will reach 20.6 billion. Woah!

That’s a huge number, let’s just hope the network will be able to handle all this!

5G is on its way!

Your Laptops connected to your Smart Phone, your Smart Phones connected to your Smart Home and the back bones connected to your Thigh Bone come on Sing along be­

NETWORK CONNECTIVITY: Interconnected devices.

cause it’s coming your way with 5G which is the fifth gen­ eration of wireless technolo­ gy.... The connectivity benefits of 5G will make businesses more efficient and give con­ sumers access to more infor­ mation faster than ever before.

Super­connected au­ tonomous cars, smart refrig­ erators, smart communities, industrial IoT, immersive ed­ ucation ­ they will all rely in some way on 5G (fifth­gen­ eration cellular wireless) in the future.

Confused? don’t worry be­ cause you have been using 4G on your Mobile Phone for a while now it’s a fast network connection and WhatsApp’s free calls are great and FREE! You can watch TV or talk to the Grandkids and Family

from virtually anywhere you may be on your mobile device.

IoT and 5G allows for super­ fast and immersive game streaming services; a way to do stroke rehabilitation through Virtual Reality; smart bandages that track your heal­

ing; and a way for parents to interact with babies who are stuck in incubators. All of these ideas need either the high bandwidth, low latency and low­power­low­cost as­ pects of 5G. Autonomous cars will inter­ act with other Autonomous cars and smart roads to im­ prove safety and manage traf­ fic. Basically, everything on the road will be talking to every­ thing else!

A question for you all... if you happen to have one too many Cervezas and were in an Autonomous car and it was driving you home could you be found guilty of drink driving??

Email me your thoughts on that at ronhowells@theeu roweeklynews.com.

Virtual Reality, The IoT and 5G will start a revolution in Ed­ ucation, Industry and Health Care and off course the Mili­ tary ☹… So to wrap this up The IoT heralds in a new era of connectivity unseen in previ­ ous generations oh and by the way, guess what? You will need a new compatible mo­ bile phone to use this service!

59

19 - 25 December 2019 • www.euroweeklynews.com

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Happy Holidays from all of us at HouseSitMatch…

WHAT does free pet care at home offer?

Whether you are away over the holidays to celebrate with family, or planning a longer trip later in the year, you are likely looking for someone to care for your pets at home. HouseSit Match can help you find sitters who will step into your shoes to look after your pets and property without charging you anything.

Yes, they exchange their services for free accommodation.

Thousands of people are joining our membership now to benefit from finding checked pet lovers to care for their pets in the holidays.

How do home and pet owners benefit from HouseSit Match?

At HouseSitMatch we help you get registered, to build a profile and to get checked online. It’s

HAPPY HOLIDAYS: Our pets need good care at home all year round.

all built into our website. Just join as a homeowner and we’ll help you get started on your housesitting journey, to find checked house-sitters who will help to care for your pets while you are away. It’s a win win!

What makes HouseSitMatch unique?

Unlike other house-sitting and pet-sitting networks, at Housesit match.com we ID check all our members. We offer a police and background check on registration. We do this because it makes our network safer and helps us maintain a high bar for house-sitters caring for your precious pets and homes. Please check our Trustpilot reviews online to see what our clients say about our service.

Trustpilot Testimonials - 4.9 / 5 Excellent rating (New Trustpilot rating scale)

Here’s what members have said about usHouseSitMatch found us a perfect house-sitter…

HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house-sitter while we were away in Canada and we were delighted with the care and attention that HouseSitMatch took in helping us find the right person.

Ros Morris - Dog owner How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch. com - Choose a membership plan - Please note prices go up soon so sign up now on subscription to secure these prices: • Standard (DIY option) = £69 pa • Premium (with support at each step) = £89 pa

Do you need a house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation!

Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20 per cent discount using coupon code P2020 - an exclusive offer for readers.

To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.Housesitmatch.com.

Killing with kindness Brits feed their dogs harmful human foods NEARLY half of UK dog owners surveyed feed their pooch human food twice a week, with over a quarter letting their pooches indulge in cheese, dairy and salty foods, a new study reveals.

Research into the habits of 1,000 dog owners by Everypaw pet healthcare examined the daily diets of canines, finding that owners are willing to give their dogs human foods even if they may be harmful.

According to the study, nearly half of dog owners admit they give their dog human food one to two times a week, and over a quarter (27 per cent) are happy to let their dogs indulge in cheese, despite dairy foods being on the list of the most common food allergies in canines.

One in five (19 per cent) also think it’s fine to feed their dogs bacon, despite salt causing potential threats such as upset stomachs and bloating.

When looking into owner’s

views on the emerging dog food trend raw meat, nearly half (44 per cent) say their dogs are on a strict raw meat diet, even though vets say it could be harmful - as raw meat contains bacteria that could potentially cause food poisoning.

Everypaw vet Dr Anna Foreman BVetMed MRCVS said: “Most human foods should be avoided as they can be high in salt, fats and very calorific feeding your dog a can of tuna, for example, is equivalent to a person eating three doughnuts. It’s especially dangerous to feed dogs dairy products because, as well as being high in calories, dogs do not have the enzyme needed to break down these foods, leading to upset stomachs.

“The research shows that owners have a relaxed attitude to feeding their dogs bacon, despite higher salt foods predisposing to hypertension, heart disease and kidney

problems. Raw food is an emerging trend, but it may carry a greater risk of exposure to food poisoning organisms, including E Coli, Salmo-

nella and Clostridia.”

For more information on the study or to follow along with the Get Fido Fit challenge, head to Everypaw.com.

CLASSIFIEDS AIRPORT PARKING

CAR CLEANING

AA PARKING for all your airport parking needs. We offer secure and economical parking from 1 day to 1 year with combined contracts for Alicante, Almeria & Murcia Airports. Visit our website www.AAparking.es or telephone us 950 459 208. (1999)

AIR CONDITIONING

CARPENTRY SUPPLIES COMERCIAL AFL Custom furniture, wooden flooring, pergolas, kitchen units, garden furniture for all your wooden needs. Contact 722 376 675 (1999)

CHARITIES/CHURCHES

ARCHITECTS MARTINEZ DE LA CASA supply energy Performance Certificates for Almeria, Alicante & Murcia. Antiquity Licences, Occupation Licences & Structural Surveys. Call or Visit Our Website for more details: 665 810 411 www.mar tinezdelacasa.com (1999)

BUILDERS ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeri abuilders.com (253556) ANDALUCIAN BUILDING COMPANY. Est in Spain since 2002. All work guaranteed & fully legal.

Call Jason on 671 971 686 (283167)

BUILDING SUPPLIES CASA CONCHILLO construction / building Supplies for all your needs.

Skip Hire & Water Delivery available. Contact us by telephone on 950 430 740 or visit our website www.casaconchillo.es

CHURCH OF ENGLAND (ANGLICAN CHURCHES) Mojacar Eucharist Sunday 11am at San Pascual. Cantoria Chapel, Albox Eucharist 2nd and last Thursday each month 11am. Cantoria Chapel, Albox Evensong 2nd Sunday each month 6pm. Llanos Del Peral, Cucador Eucharist or Morning Worship Sunday 11am.

Church Wardens: Pam Carter 667 947 573. Janetta Causton 661 575 606. Priest in Charge Rev. Vincent Oram, 603 659 139. For more information go to their website at www.moja carchurch.org ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy.

We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com . If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to

speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishlegion.org.uk/c ounties/spain-north - ZURGENA branch meeting on the 1st Thursday of the month. Coffee morning 3rd Wednesday of the month. Quiz night with a hot and cold buffet last Friday of the month. We also arrange outings to places of interest and have regular lunches together.

(253989) GIRASOL COMMUNITY CENTRE. Mosaic Classes, Art Classes, Karate, Yoga, Thai Chi, Pilates, Health Screening every 6 weeks.

For Hire 5.00€ per hour.

Tel 639 089 170

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www.euroweeklynews.com • 19 - 25 December 2019

SPONSORED BY

DRAINAGE

HOME FURNISHING

ELECTRICS ABBOTT ELECTRICS. From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (282486)

ESTATE AGENTS

AGM

BUILDERS

INSURANCE

ODONTO STETIC is an English speaking Dental Clinic based in Los Gallardos. All Dental Specialists, Flexible Appointments, Later Clinic Opening Times.

All Our Treatments are Guaranteed in writing. For More Information see our main adverts or call on 950 398 993 / 722 706 732

DAMP PROOFING

For daily news visit www.euroweeklynews.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town.

They specialize in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (282397)

SLEEP CENTRE has now expanded to incorporate a Home Centre in their 2nd shop within Calle Malaga, Albox. For more information visit www.sleepcen trespain.com or call us on 671 715 294 / 868 931 872. (1999)

INSURANCE MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now!

(200726)

INSURANCE

ALBOX INSURANCE L i fe & M e d i c a l Po l i c i e s , Car & Motorcycle Cover, Travel, Business, House & Contents, Dental, Funeral & Pe t s . C o n t a c t A l b o x I n s u ra n c e o n 9 5 0 1 2 1 943 / Mojacar Insurance on 634 323 399 or visit our website: www.albox insurance.es (1999) Award winning Agent fo r A L L y o u r i n s u ra n c e n e e d s . L I B E RTY S E GUROS ALBOX/MOJACAR INSURANCE, ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399

KITCHENS ARTIZAN are British Kitchen Specialists, established 15 years in Vera.

See Our Main Advert on Page 8. (1999) www.euroweeklynews.com

CLASSIFIEDS

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LANGUAGE CLASSES

LOGS FOR SALE

MOTORING

PETS

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs 6.75 euros, medium dogs 7.50 euros, big dogs 8.25 euros, cats from 6.00 euros a day.

630 234 556 / the5bonehotelturre@gmail. com New opening hours Mon-Sat 9.30-12.30 and 18.00 – 19.00 Sundays 9.30-10.30 (279669)

PITSTOP OFFER Fixed Price Servicing on all makes & models. Cars also bought for Cash. Telephone 950 124 828 (1999)

WE will care for your pets at their home or ours. We have 8 years experience.

References available on request. Contact us for further information 676 389 592 (1999)

19 - 25 December 2019 REMOVALS/STORAGE

SATELLITE TV DIGITAL Vision is based in Mojacar, Almeria, Digital Vision provide digital entertainment services throughout the Costa Almeria. With over 10 years of experience in the audio, visual industry, along with several qualifications in electronics and consumer television products you can be confident that when you choose Digital Vision to provide and install your entertainment needs, the work is being carried out professionally and with expert knowledge. Visit our website for more information www.digitalvisiones.com or call on 950 472 081 (1999)

www.euroweeklynews.com

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 636 444 929 (287297)

SITUATIONS VACANT

KNOWLES PLUMBING No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (283784)

REMOVALS/STORAGE

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SITUATIONS VACANT

SOLAR ENERGY/POWER SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@suner gyalmeria.com (283174)

SUPERMARKETS HARRISON´S CONVENIENCE STORE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK. Over 3500 British products in store, fresh meat, groceries, toiletries, pet products, real ales & ciders. Find us on Avd Lepanto or call 643 518 352 (1999)

SWIMMING POOLS SITUATIONS VACANT ALL our pools are made with Gunite, all shapes & sizes catered for. Visit our website www.poolsur este.com or call 630 810 299 or 968 461 404

NAUTICAL PLUMBING SERVICES

EWN 61

Temporary Pool Safety Fencing €34.95 l/m + IVA/Shipping. Send dimensions & we´ll provide best route for you! www.adva solsolutions.com 952 955 018/677 024 899 (287103)

bmceuropean.com 18+ years experience. New Clean Vehicles running several times monthly.

ONLINE QUOTE. Insured with RSA. 1/2 cubic metre to 100+ from £80p cbm. Worried who to use? We’ll look after you. Call the BMC European Moving team free on Spain 900 984 960 or UK 0800 612 4677 (Don’t buy a dog - Rescue!) (287164)

SWIMMING POOL HEATING

ARE YOU SELF MOTIVATED and hard working?

We are looking for administration/telesales candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment @euroweeklynews.com.

SECOND HAND

FIND the right Heat pump for your pool with Poolworx. Don’ t be afraid of pool heating costs. Visit our website to see how little it would cost you. www.poolworx.eu (1999)

XXX RELAXATION Please note that in Spain there is NO legislation banning adverts in this section. Neither regional nor national governments are able to pass such a law due to rules governing freedom of publication and printing.

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

PERSONAL

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MALE/FEMALE viagra, cialis, kamagra jelly all areas mail order. 604 385 476. viagra4you19@gmail.com (287282)

MOTORING

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19 - 25 December 2019

to read more visit

www.euroweeklynews.com

Bold rejuvenation PEUGEOT fans can now order t h e 2 0 2 0 P e u g e o t 2 0 0 8 a n d e­ 2008 SUVs. Initially offered only in GT Line spec, the petrol and diesel pow­ ered 2008 starts at around €30,100. The new model is more stylistically assertive with a much more pronounced front end, a horizontal grille, optics directly borrowed from its little­sister 208, and the famous LED signa­ ture in the shape of a hook. In terms of dimensions, the new 2008 is a bit bigger as well, mea­ suring 5.5 inches with a slightly stretched wheelbase as well.

All 2008s are front­driven only but offer Grip Control, a stability control system for looser sur­ faces as an option.

The interior looks suitably fu­ turistic, with a small steering wheel, digital instrument panel and separate infotainment touchscreen with ‘piano key’ shortcut buttons underneath.

STYLISTICALLY ASSERTIVE: Beefier dimensions.

Like the 208, the 2008’s high­ mounted digital instrument clus­ ter can project crucial informa­ tion in enlarged ‘holographic’ form in front of it and Peugeot says this can shorten a driver’s

reaction time by half a second.

Like the rest of the Peugeot range, the 2008 is now available in Active, Allure, GT Line and GT trim.

The electric e­2008 costs

€38,000 after the €4,152.35 gov­ ernment plug­in car grant. Less e x p e n s i v e , e n t r y­ l e v e l m o d e l s will join the range at a later date.

Peugeot has put effort into making the e­2008 drive more

like a regular automatic car, too, and speaking of transmissions, the higher­powered petrols are available with an eight­speed au­ to as well as a conventional six­ speed manual.

The engine range echoes that of the Peugeot 208’s, but the power outputs are higher to compensate for more weight and size: the entry­level 2008 has 99bhp, and the top model is no longer the 134bhp EV, but a 153bhp petrol.

The electric feels like the most natural fit for the more glitzy, ex­ tra tech interior and the same mixture of 100kW power and 50kWh battery as the e­208 has been slotted under the e­2008, adding around 350kg to the kerb weight, but keeping it all in the floor. Better for handling, and it means room for people and lug­ gage is completely unimpeded too. The fully charged range is 193 miles.

MOTORING

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MERCEDES has revealed the second generation GLA with promises of new technology and greater comfort.

On the outside, the new GLA body features reduced lines and accentuated planes that convey serene sportiness with powerful shoulders of the bodywork. Coupé­like lines of the side windows and the con­ toured side profile give the car its dynamically elegant flair. All­ round protective cladding adds structure to the overall propor­ tions and emphasises the vehi­ cle’s off­road character.

The GLA can be equipped with the permanent all­wheel­ drive system 4MATIC with fully variable torque distribution as an option. 4MATIC compo­ nents include the power take­ off to the rear axle, which is in­ tegrated into the automated dual­clutch transmission, and the rear axle differential with an integrated multi­plate clutch. Unlike the previous model, in which the actuation was hydraulic, the clutch is electro­mechanically operat­ ed.

Via a two­stage spur gear and a ball ramp, an electric motor exerts an axial force on the clutch pack to open or

19 - 25 December 2019

Second generation close the plates. One element of this compact unit is the rear axle differential; this compen­ sates the different rotational speeds of the rear wheels. The advantages of this control sys­ tem are non­rpm­dependent operation across the entire ac­

RE-PLATE MATE Miles Better Don´t take a chance!

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tuation range and thus also the pilot control of the clutch while stationary, along with higher efficiency thanks to the ball ramp concept.

The interior instrument pan­ el features optical ‘cut­outs’ in the driver and front passenger

area. The cut­out on the dri­ ver’s side is dominated by the free­standing display unit, which is available in three vari­ ants: with two seven­inch dis­ plays with one seven­ and one 10.25­inch display and, in the Widescreen version, with two

10.25­inch displays. Included as standard is the intuitively operated MBUX infotainment system which can be individu­ ally configured with the aid of a range of options. The power­ ful computer, customisable presentation, full­colour head­

EWN 63

up display and voice control activated with the prompt ‘Hey Mercedes’ are the key ad­ vantages of the system.

The GLA 200, with a stan­ dard seven­speed dual­clutch automatic gearbox, can do 0­ 62mph in 8.7 seconds, hit a top speed of 131mph and achieve combined fuel consumption of 50.4mpg while emitting 129g/km of CO2.

64

SPORT

19 - 25 December 2019

England cricketer Ben Stokes was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019. to read more visit www.euroweeklynews.com

Rowe in June 2018. The group started with a small number of regulars and has grown with runners, joggers and walkers, who are permanent residents, regular visitors and holidaymakers, covering the five-kilometre Mojacar

Playa promenade.

The group welcomes all ages, nationalities and speeds. If you are interested in joining them go along on Wednesday and/or Saturday at 9am from October to April and at 8am from May to September.

Experience wins out EXPERIENCED player John Dedman won a really excit­ ing final against another long­time player Adrain Sus­ sex at the Indalo Bowling Club in the Veteran Singles Competition 2019.

To prove age is no barrier, 26 veterans ­ all over the age of 68, as required by the rules ­ entered this very pop­ ular competition.

One day was rained off due to the recent wet weath­ er, but play continued when the sun came out again, even though it was a bit chilly.

The competition was as competitive as ever, and af­ ter some very close matches the semi­finals were contest­ ed between Keith Lester and John Dedman. John was the

PRE-RACE: The El Bandido Runners stand out in their distinctive blue and orange kit.

POST RACE: El Bandido Runners with their trophies.

winner, the score 21 to 14.

John has been one of the Indalo BC coaches for quite a few years and enjoyed great success in past finals he has played in.

The second semi­final was played between Alan Saun­ ders and Adrian Sussex, with Adrian winning 21 to 5. Adri­ an has recently joined Indalo BC after relocating to the area. He had been a county grass rink player while living in England and was thor­ oughly enjoying playing on the Costa Almeria on a differ­ ent surface and in good weather!

The final was a very com­ petitive match. Both John and Adrian played some real­ ly good consistent and accu­ rate bowling to take the final score 21 to 20 to John.

An exciting game to watch and the spectators had no idea who would come out on top right to the end. Well done to both players for a fantastic match.

The Indalo Bowling Club gave a shout out to anyone who would like to take up a new interest in the New Year to go along and try bowling and have some fun. Details on the club website.

TOP PLAYERS: Finalist Adrian Sussex and winner John Dedman.

The meeting point is opposite the Best Indalo Hotel on the Paseo del Mediterraneo, apart from on the first Saturday of each month when they meet at the Red Cross roundabout at the end of the promenade to be nearer to the monthly post-

run breakfast chosen cafe.

For more information about El Bandido Runners contact Kevin on ironmankev08@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pg/el bandidorunners.

Excellent rounds in drawn triples THERE were some excel­ lent rounds in the Los Amigos Drawn Triples Knockout competition hosted by the Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club earlier this month.

As the name of the competition suggests, players are not allowed to pick who they play with as the names are drawn. This means they can end up on the same team as some­ one they are not used to playing alongside.

That’s the beauty of this event.

After some great play the finalists were Ian Jack­ son with Brian Willerton and Jenny Sheridan against Bob Craig with Arthur Lees (91 years young) and Dawn Scott.

Ian’s team started the better, and after 10 ends

CREDIT: Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club

MOJACAR’S El Bandido Runners were well represented at the Vera Christmas race last Saturday.

Members took part in either the 10-kilometre or 3.3-kilometre events in the seventh Carrera de Navidad, standing out in in their distinctive blue and orange kit and taking a number of podium places.

Karen Ayers and Catherine Kingswood were neck-and-neck with a sprint finish to take first and second place in their age group.

Tony Lloyd-Waldren, Ian Forrester and Corrine Cherel took third place in theirs.

The honour of last man to cross the line, with some of the loudest cheers of the night, went to John Ross.

El Bandido Runners is a local group, set up by Ironman Kevin

CREDIT: El Bandido Runners – Karen Ayers

El Bandido Runners storm Vera Christmas race on Costa Almeria

WINNING TRIPLE: Brian Willerton, Jenny Sheridan and Ian Jackson. were 18­6 up, mainly due to some excellent bowling

by Ian who was well sup­ ported by his team.

Bob’s team started to

come back, but sadly for them were unable to claw back against Ian’s teams lead. The final score was 22­17.