Costa Blanca South 8 - 14 December 2022 Issue 1953

HELP AT HOME

HELP AT HOME on the Cos ta Blanca has been a lifeline to many who have found themselves struggling or in a difficult situation.

The charity offers a wide range of services including respite care, companion ship, befriending, shopping services, advice and guid ance and help with trans port needs just to name a few.

They can also provide mobility and rehabilitation equipment which is avail able for hire or for sale, ranging from hospital beds, wheelchairs, walking frames, commodes, and crutches to accessibility ramps.

In order to fund the char ity, Help at Home have charity shops in Cabo Roig and Playa Flamenca. They also rely on charity events. So why not head along to support them on Tuesday, December 13, at the Milk & Honey Bar &

Bistro, Flamenca Beach, Commercial Centre, in what promises to be a fun packed day.

You will get the chance to do some Christmas shopping at the market of fering crafts, baked goods and much much more.

From 12.30pm until 1.30pm, the fabulous Royal

British Legion brass brand will get you in the festive mood with Christmas car ols. A little later in the af ternoon, there will be live Christmas music and a Christmas quiz which will start at 3.00pm. The quiz is only €1 per person entry. Mulled wine & mince pies will also be available for

just €2 which will go direct ly to the charity.

For more details on Help at Home and to find out more about what they do explore the website help athomecb.com . For more information email charity centre.helpathomecb@gm ail.com or call (+34) 965 328 794.

Supporting the community through the charity shops and fundraising events.

Wonderous walkers

MARIA and the Pink Ladies and Panthers AACC Cancer charity annual 5k Santa Walk started and finished at Zenia Boulevard shopping centre on Sunday December 4. As always it was a very festive atmosphere. The ladies would like to send lots of thanks, firstly to Simon Morton from Sunshine Ra dio and Spangles for enter taining everyone with Christmas songs.

Secondly to the Local Police for making sure the roads were safe for the walkers as they walked and danced along to the Christmas tunes being played.

And last but not least, a big thanks to the manage ment of Zenia Boulevard for their support of the Pink ladies and the AACC, and to all those that registered to do the walk. There were

well over 100 people walk ing. The total amount raised will be announced once all the donations have been counted, every cent of this will be donated to the can cer charity AACC. Thank you everyone for

A festive atmosphere.

your kind support. Once again the people of the Orihuela Costa were very generous by donating items of food, toiletries and bedding which have been passed on to Reach Out, the local charity for the homeless and people less fortunate than us.

Maria and the Pink Ladies and Panthers would like to wish all the readers a very Merry Christmas and a Hap py, Healthy 2023

Floral Lady Park reopens

PARC NOU, Crevillent’s prin cipal park, totally remod elled after a €1 million facelift, has reopened after 18 months, although the town hall said that some work was still outstanding. This included stabilising the park’s cave house while the proposed multipurpose sports track has been put on hold, municipal sources re vealed.

Fire puzzle

FIREFIGHTERS were called out to Torrevieja’s Calle Taga at 11.50pm on Friday De cember 2 after a parked car caught fire. They prevented the blaze from destroying the car, but ruled out a me chanical fault after finding that the fire had begun at the back of the offside front wheel.

First mayor

PILAR DE LA HORADADA’S mayor Jose Maria Perez or dered a day’s mourning with flags at half mast on Decem ber 4 following the death of Emeterio Samper Samper, aged 88. Following Pilar’s segregation from Orihuela in November 1987, Samper be came the town’s first mayor, a position he held until 1991.

Energy saving

SAN ISIDRO Town Hall is changing 310 of the munici pality’s street lights to LES lighting in a €150,000 pro ject, 50 per cent funded by the EU. The investment would pay for itself within two years thanks to lower power bills, San Isidro’s may or Manuel Gil Gomez Casas said.

Popular place

ALICANTE Province had 373,423 foreign residents in 2021, outstripped only by Madrid and Barcelona. Five of the 10 Alicante municipal ities that had the largest non Spanish populations were located in the Vega Ba ja, where Rojales topped the list with 68 per cent of its residents born outside the country.

ALMORADI was buzzing with people over the weekend of November 26 and 27. In the square was a Medieval Arti sans fair together with festivi ties for children.

At the Casino, the Associa tion of Movers and Shakers held a charity craft fair with a festive theme. There was a steady stream of people look ing for that extra special Christmas gift, whilst outside Marion and her helpers en ticed people with their tombola stall.

FOR the first time since 2019, Midnight Mass will be cele brated at La Siesta Church, Calle Granados, Urbanizacion La Siesta, Torrevieja on Satur day, December 24, at 11.30pm. Father Richard A Seabrook SSC, said he was de lighted that Christ’s birth could once again be celebrated: “It is truly something to be thankful for after three celebrations of Christmas without Midnight Mass.”

Altogether just under €250 was raised. This money will be used to support sufferers and their families living with Hunt ington’s; Ataxia; Multiple Scle rosis; Motor Neurone and

Parkinson’s in the Costa Blan ca area.

The organiser, Christine Watkins would like to thank the volunteers, stall holders and everyone who support

ed the event.

Another fundraising event for the Association will be a Dinner Dance, with a live band, at the Casino in Almora di on Friday December 16.

Further details can be found on the website: www.amscb.org.es, or email marion.smith@amscb.org.es

If you, or someone you know are affected by any of these diseases, or wish to be come a volunteer, please con tact the President, Marion Smith on (+34) 711 008 250.

Midnight Mass

There will also be a ‘Mass of the Day’ at La Siesta Church on Christmas Day, December 25 at 9.30am.

On Monday, December 19, at 6.30pm the Church is hold ing a traditional Nine Lessons and Carol Service followed by refreshments, all are invited.

Darwinian Gardeners

THE November event for Darwinian Gardeners (Humanists of Murcia group) was a visit to the Glass Museum and Factory in San ta Lucia, Cartagena. The group were joined on their tour by a large party of little schoolgirls who were impeccably behaved.

The tour started upstairs in the museum where there are unique, centuries­old pieces coexisting with other glass works made in the 21st century. Downstairs the group watched glass be ing etched, and later gathered behind a crowd barrier and watched the experts make a beautiful glass fish. It was a fascinat ing visit which everyone enjoyed.

Their next outing will be in February when they will visit a cheese factory. If you would like to join the next adventure please call 603 205 649 or email: darwiniangardeners@gmail.com.

We hope you never need it, but this Christmas the Euro Weekly News would like to remind all readers of Spain’s emergency services number for police, fire, ambulance and coastguard.

On Wednesday, December 21, there will be carol singing for an hour outside Lago Jardin Church opposite the Dna Monse hotel (CV95 as you go towards San Miguel). Wrap up warm and and join in the fun.

Father Seabrook confirmed:

Movers and Shakers More specialists

“The pandemic has given way to the war in Ukraine and the economic crisis, so Christmas reminds us that God offers us hope for a way that leads us through darkness into light.

“I’d like to wish everyone a happy, peaceful, and blessed Christmas.”

Linda Hall

PILAR DE LA HORADADA’S health centre will be able to provide services previously available only in hospital.

Health councillor Nieves Moreno, accompanied by Pi lar’s mayor Jose Maria Perez, recently met Dr Jose Gabriel Cano, the Torrevieja Health District’s new manager, to dis cuss promised improvements.

By March 2023, the centre will have its own radiography equipment and it will no longer be necessary to attend Torrevieja hospital for x rays, Dr Cano said.

has been assigned to the Torre de la Horadada primary care centre, Nieves Moreno said.

“This is a long standing need which we have been request ing for years, because the Torre has grown, but without receiving more doctors,” Moreno added.

THE Floral Lady has re turned to the Congress Centre with a new look.

The councillor for Maintenance, Hector Diez, presented the work that has been restored by the sculptor Manuel Gomariz, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the Iberian bust Dama de Elche.

The bust was removed in 2020 to undergo an in depth rehabilitation pro cess due to wear, both the floral bust and the metal structure on which it sits. The work was nec essary so the bust can continue to be an attrac tion and an identifying sign of the city.

The councillor ex plained that the work has focused mainly on the floral arrangement, the face of the bust and the structure.

“The Dama de Elche is part of the city’s heritage and an iconic element and, therefore, this piece is probably one of the most sought after and photographed in the municipality,” said Diez, who highlighted “the val ue of the location where it is installed due to the thousands of tourists who visit the Congress Centre every year for the many activities that take place.”

OFFICERS speak English, as well as many other European languages, and are your first port of call in an emergency.

The centre already has psy chology, rehabilitation and dentistry specialists and Dr Cano confirmed that ear nose and throat, orthopaedic, oph thalmology and gynaecology would gradually be added to the health centre’s existing de partments.

Meanwhile, a second doctor

CRAFT FAIR: Movers and Shakers raised funds for charity.

Image: Movers and Shakers

Share your toys Winter series

ORIHUELA’S Department of Youth has launched its traditional toy collection campaign because “We all play here. Give a toy and share the excitement.” The cam paign will run until January 2.

The councillor for Youth, Mar Ezcurra, explained: “We have in stalled toy collection containers in several places around the

town, in the Orihuela Costa Town Hall, in the Casa de la Ju ventud, in the Circo Atanasio Die Theatre, in the María Molin er Municipal Library and in La Lonja.

“This is with the aim that little ones leave there their used toys so that we can distribute them to other families. We would ap

preciate any new toys or any used toys that are in good condi tion.

“We encourage all citizens to participate in this campaign to collect toys so that the Three Wise Men can reach all the homes in Orihuela with their gifts and enthusiasm,” the coun cillor added.

Image: Orihuela City Council

THE second round of the Carp -R-Us W inter Series was fished at the newly cleared stretch of the Segura upstream of the CV91 (Eden 3). Members of the club have spent several ses sions clearing paths to the river and there are about 12 pegs on the stretch.

On what was official ly the first day of win ter in Spain, a cold front was crossing the area and rain was ex pected, but fortunately didn’t arrive. Although the river looked in good condition, a hard day’s fishing was ex pected. In the end, al though all but one of the nine anglers pre sent caught, but too of ten it was only one or two small fish. First again was Willy Moons with 4.62kg caught on his usual feeder tactics. Second was Roy Dainty who used pole with mainly maggots for 3.76kg.

Just behind was Jere my Fardoe with 3.54kg caught float fishing bread. Fourth was Paul Burton with 0.78kg. Further information about the club can be found on its website www.carp-r-us.weekly. com or on the Facebook page Carp -R-Us F ishing Costa Blanca.

GIVE A TOY: For onward distribution.

Covid-19 injection

THE Department of Public Health in Torrevieja is carrying out a massive vaccination campaign against the flu and Covid-19 for people over 64 years of age. The council will enable the Public Library on Calle Joaquin Chapaprieta, 39, to be turned into a vaccination point from 9.00am until 1.00pm, Monday to Friday, throughout December and January, where 1,300 unvacci nated people in Torrevieja can attend after re ceiving an SMS message.

The councillor for Public Health, Diana Box, confirmed that “reuptake is due to the high

percentage of people pending vaccination, tak ing into account that the flu vaccine is a safe and effective measure for the prevention of flu. For this reason, it is necessary to get vaccinated every year since the vaccine is adapted annual ly to the circulating virus.”

In addition, the vaccination of the fourth dose of Covid-19 is included for people over 60 years of age who have not had the disease in the last five months. People under 64 years of age may be vaccinated by making an appoint ment at their usual Health Centre.

Stylish raffle

A HAIR and beauty salon in Playa Flamenca, FP Stylists, are holding a raffle to raise much needed funds for Finca Happy Animals. With the cold winter months ahead, the salon would like your support, so please call in to the salon, on Calle Niagara, Torrevieja and buy a raffle ticket to raise funds for this won derful charity.

It is €1 a ticket or a strip for €4, prizes in clude a cut and style, an Indian head mas sage, a blow dry or gents cut and an amazing hamper donated by the charity. The raffle will be drawn on Saturday December 3.

RAISING FUNDS: A hamper is just one of the prizes to be won.

Image: FP Stylists Facebook.

Drowning dog

Linda Hall

A PASSERBY walking above Cala de La Higuera in Torrevieja at 8.30pm on December 1 could hear a dog whimpering below.

Aware that he had no way of getting down the sheer rockface to help the animal, he alerted the Emergency Services who sent out Local Police offi cers and firefighters.

Led by the distressed dog’s barks, they could tell that it was actually in the water and in danger of drowning. The firefighters then had to abseil down the steep cliff to reach the beach where they re moved the dog from the sea and carried it up to the top.

Here they dried off and reassured the terrified ani

mal, a small female York shire terrier. The dog is now in the care of the Al bergue Municipal shelter where a spokesman said that she was uninjured and in perfect health.

Police are now investi gating how the dog came to be in the water at that time of night and are try ing to locate the dog’s owners.

Generous donation

LOCAL fundraisers David and Lorraine Whitney would like to thank James Lound, manager of the Overseas Super market in Torrevieja who had kindly approved a trolley collection for the ‘Cruz Roja’.

The trolley was filled with food donations by customers and donated

Lara of ‘Cruz Roja’ receiving the donations.

Image:

to the Cruz Roja along side a massive donation of Cadbury’s Christmas Selection boxes.

The chocolate selec tion boxes will obviously put smiles on poor and needy children’s faces this Christmas, as too will the three large cud dly toys, a donation from David and Lorraine.

David Whitney

Busy bees

THE Torrevieja U3A group have had a very busy few days with hiking and walking, dinners, petanca and bridge games, a three day trip to Valencia, just to name a few of the events they have been up to.

Monday November 28 saw the meet ing of the Torrevieja U3A as well as the appointed speaker and entertainer, Gitte Lund, a member of the Torrevieja foreign residents department arrived to give voting information and a local so licitor provided details of new visas that are being offered to non EU residents. The official speaker for the meeting was Alison Mees, who is an accom

THE La Romana Town Council’s De partment of Commerce has announced the fourth Christmas decoration com petition for local businesses. Councillor Toni Navarro said “the aim of continu ing with this initiative is to boost local commerce and promote shopping in establishments in the municipality.”

The competition is aimed at all com mercial establishments, as well as bars and restaurants and the decoration can be interior and/or exterior.

plished wildlife photographer who has had a long career photographing African animals.

December’s monthly meeting will be held on the earlier date of the 12th with entertainment by Just Brass. Meetings will resume again on Mon day, January 30, 2023.

If anyone is interested in more de tailed information about any of the foregoing or would like to join the group visit the website torreviejau3a.org, where you will find details on how to join and information on all the activities that are available to the members.

Best decs

Three prizes of €500, €300 and €200 respectively will be awarded. Partici pants must register at the town hall until Sarturday December 10.

The Jury’s decision will be an nounced on December 26 during the Christmas Concert at the Casa de Cul tura.

Where’s the wind

THREE different online forecasts predicted winds of 10 to 13 knots on Sun day December 4, perfect conditions for the SAMM race competitors. What did they get? Zilch, nada, a flat calm.

The race officer decided to postpone the 11.00 start of the first race to 12.00, but still nothing, except a faint breath of air which enabled the two smaller, faster Shoestring Group dinghies to com mence racing, with the two bigger Balaton Group boats retiring after multi ple attempts.

The third Balaton sailed one lap which took 30 minutes and so decided to call it a day. This left Cua tro and Omega to battle for the win, Omega finally triumphing with three laps averaging 1,050 seconds over Cuatro’s two laps at 1,561 seconds although with good conditions a lap usually takes between 300

and 500 seconds.

Nobody wanted to try for a second race, so it was abandoned. Every body put their boats away and went for lunch. That’s when the wind

showed up at about the forecast strength. Some body’s law comes to mind!

Check out SAMM at www.sailingmarmenor. com.

THE Humanists of Murcia will be celebrat ing the Winter Solstice with a Charles Dar win Quiz, on Wednesday December 21 at the Golf Club, Camposol. Afterwards there will be a menu del dia.

If you would like to join The Humanists for walks, gardening outings, games’ evenings and lots of lunches you can get in

touch in the following way: see their Face book page, call 603 205 649 or email: hu manistsofmurcia@gmail.com or darwini angardeners@gmail.com.

For personalised weddings, funerals and naming ceremonies without religion, please contact the celebrant on Tel: 634 025 711.

Winter solstice Adorning Alicante

IN readiness for Christ mas, Alicante City Coun cil is once again recreat ing Christmas decorations with live plants in different signifi cant areas of the capital.

The Palacio Consistori al has been adorned with garlands of plants fram ing the doorways of the town hall. At the begin ning of the Explanada and on the Avenida de la Estacion, visitors are wel comed with Merry

Christmas and Bon Nadal signs, as well as stunning decorations at the en trances to the TRAM in the Plaza de los Luceros.

All these decorations are made up of live plants and branches of junipers, boxwood, euca lyptus and mastic, to gether with the tradition al poinsettias or Christmas flowers, which are displayed in the main streets and squares.

Christmas trees are al

so on display in the Plaza del Mar and a nativity scene with plant decora tions and LED lights has been installed in the Plaza Calvo Sotelo.

The councillor for the Environment, Manuel Villar, commented: “We want to contribute to beautifying the city by providing a plant Christ mas decoration that gives the city a more tra ditional and welcoming touch.”

The UK Autumn Budget

Having taken the decision to scrap the September mini budget, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt released his Autumn Statement 2022 on 17 November, with key aims to promote stability, growth and public services.

This budget focused on stability and fiscal sustainability – with plans to ensure the national debt falls over the medium term. The reduced debt should allow for more significant in vestment in public services, support the Bank of England’s efforts to curb inflation, and give greater confidence to businesses as they continue to in vest and grow in the UK.

Income tax, National Insurance Contributions and other relevant tax rates

The income tax personal al lowance, higher rate threshold, na tional insurance contributions (NIC), upper earning limit and upper profits limit were already frozen at 2021 lev

By Jon Pemberton, Partner, Blevins Franks

Freezing allowances and thresholds is often referred to as ‘tax by stealth’ since it increases taxation without putting up tax rates. Thousands more people will now pay more tax as wages increase alongside inflation.

The NIC threshold was raised from £9,880 to £12,570 in July, and the Social Care Levy (a 1.25% tax to

As previously confirmed, from April 2023 corporation tax will in crease to 25% for businesses with profits over £250,000.

Additional tax rate threshold, dividend allowance and capital gains

The autumn budget states that “the fairest way to restore the public fi nances is to ask everyone to contribute a little, with those on the highest in comes and those making the highest profits paying a larger share”.

With this principle in mind, the additional rate tax threshold will re duce from £150,000 to £125,140 from 6 April 2023.

The Dividend Allowance will re duce by half – from £2,000 per tax year to £1000 from April 2023 – and halved again to £500 in 2024.

The Capital Gains Tax Annual Ex empt amount will be more than halved – from £12,300 to £6,000 on 6 April 2023 – and similarly reduced

would allow you to take advantage of the higher threshold.

Inheritance tax

The inheritance tax thresholds will also remain frozen for a further two years until April 2028. The general nil rate band remains £325,000 (un changed since 2009) and residential nil rate band at £175,000. More fam ilies will get caught in the IHT net and lose more of their inheritance to tax.

Property considerations

The cuts in Stamp Duty Land Tax announced in September in creased the threshold from £125,000 to £250,000 for residen tial property purchases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to £425,000 for first-time buyers. These changes have now been de clared temporary and will end on 31 March 2025.

The Annual Charge for Enveloped

ATED is an annual tax typically paid by companies that own UK residen tial property above £500,000.

Looking ahead

With a new Prime Minister, new Chancellor and a fresh budget de signed to tackle the various economic challenges, hopefully these tough measures will achieve the growth and stability the government is aiming for. It will, however, be a difficult winter for many.

With regards taxation, even if tax rates do not go up over the coming years, the fact that so many al lowances and thresholds are frozen will have long-term implications. Getting reliable financial advice is more important than ever.

Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning tax ation are based upon our understand ing of current taxation laws and prac tices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; in

WALKING FOOTBALL TAKES A BREAK

WITH the Costa Blanca Walking Football League at the half way stage and most clubs taking a break for the Festive sea son, our weekly article will also take a break and resume mid January.

In the only match played Portobello entered the break with a resounding 6 0 win over an under strength Esquina Park Rangers on Saturday, December 3.

It only remains to wish all Euro Weekly News readers very best wishes for a hap py festive season from ALL Walking Football clubs on the Costa Blanca and

Murcia and we look forward to catching up in January,2023.

Make sure you get YOUR copy of the Euro Weekly News , supporters of Walk ing Football.

Hello campers

LOOKING for like minded campers to share tips and have fun? If you have a mo torhome, caravan or tent and enjoy meeting new friends, you may be interested in join ing the ACE group.

Dotted about Spain, the group is made up of mostly British expatriates, but all na

tionalities are welcomed with open arms.

The best part is that there are no joining or membership fees whatsoever and to join the group all you have to do is attend a rally, which they try to have on a monthly basis.

After being with the group for a year it is requested that you

volunteer to host a rally, which can be done jointly with other members.

If you are interested in re ceiving more details about the group, please contact Pauline by email on acerallies@ gmail.com or by mobile /WhatsApp on (+34) 617 114 933.

Portobello. Last season CBWF League Champions and current League Leaders.

Glittering business event

THE Euro Weekly News is marking the end of another busy year with a sparkling business event in collaboration with the British Cham ber of Commerce in Spain at Puente Romano, Marbella, on Friday December 16.

Bringing together their clients from across Spain, the Andalucia business event will see guests served canapes and cocktails alongside live entertainment, a rare moment for the business community to come together and simply celebrate the year’s achievements.

The Euro Weekly News is a proud member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, an organisation which works tirelessly to pro mote vital trade links between Spain and the UK.

Founded in 1908 as an initiative of the British Embassy, the British Chamber of Com merce in Spain is one of the largest chambers of commerce in the world.

It is the only independent British Spanish business organisation in Spain, and still works with the British Embassy, holding regular meetings with British Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott, as well as British commercial ser vices (UK Trade and Investment) and Spanish comercial abroad (ICEX).

The chamber has offices in Barcelona, Madrid, Marbella, and most recently Bilbao, and a total of 300 members, including multi national companies as well as SMEs.

Its work includes organising business events, publishing research studies,creating

committees to support the interests of mem bers, and promoting the business activity of its members through media platforms and communication channels.

British Chamber of Commerce Regional Vice President Derek A Langley said: “We greatly look forward to welcoming you to our very enjoyable event, where you can meet old and new business contacts and friends from across the Costa del Sol business com munity, and have a chance to mingle, net work, and celebrate the end of a successful business year at one of Spain’s most glam orous locations.”

DEREK LANGLEY: The regional vice president works to promote business across Andalucia.

Industrial innovation

ENVIRONMENTAL advance from beer manufacturer Heineken as the firm an nounced its latest venture to convert its Valencia factory to use solar power. The brand launched the project on Decem ber 1, saying that the factory will build a solar plant that will be operational from June 2023.

The solar plant means that the brand’s factory at Quart de Poblet will transition to become completely selfsustaining, thanks to Feder Funds which

are being used to finance the project. As part of the deal, Heineken will pay for the solar energy used for the next 15 years.

The solar energy generated at the plant will be used in the heating and packaging processes used to create beer in the factory.

The decision comes as the brand aims to become carbon neutral by 2025 and has a multi-pronged strategy in place to achieve the ambitious goal.

Antibiotic shortage

THE Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Prod ucts has announced on the online drug information cen tre CIMA that there are 22 shortages of different amoxi cillin drugs in tablets, pow der, and hard capsules.

Amoxicillin oral suspen sion has arrived at pharma cies in Alicante such as Mal luguiza, while amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid in sus pension, also for children,

has been out of stock for two days, reported local Spanish press.

The antibiotic is one of the 627 medicines that are suf fering from supply problems in pharmacies amid a wave of respiratory viruses, espe cially among children, with shortages also reported in Portugal and France. Amoxi cillin is a broad spectrum an tibiotic medication widely used to treat bacterial infec

tions, such as sore throat, si nusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and pneumonia in children.

Laboratories are beginning to release batches, especially for children, although it will still take time for the situa tion to normalise after weeks of shortages of the drug in pharmacies, this has coincided with the wave of bronchiolitis in Spain, which is collapsing hospital emer gencies.

SPAIN are pioneers in gender equality as the country registered the fourth largest proportion of female inventors in Europe, set ting an impressive precedent. Fig ures released on November 30 re vealed almost 24 per cent of people registering new patents in Spain are women, soaring ahead of most European countries.

Female first

In data collected by the Euro pean Patent Office, women regis ter just 13.2 per cent of patents on products, but Spain stood apart with a rate of 23.2 per cent.

Data revealed that Lithuania topped the list of female inven tors, with more than 30 per cent of new patents registered by women. Portugal came second

with 27 per cent, followed by Croatia with 25 per cent, before Spain in fourth place.

Analysts explained that al though this is good news for gen

der equality in Spain, there is still a remarkable gender disparity in patent registrations throughout the continent. There has been a significant growth in women reg istering patents since 1978, when just 2 per cent were requested by women.

The organisation say more must be done to ‘promote inclusion’ in invention.

Pope’s physio

POPE FRANCIS is currently receiving care from a top physiotherapist from Atléti co Madrid’s medical team.

The head of the Roman Catholic church reportedly sought help from the foot ball medic for an arthritic knee at the end of Novem ber.

The Pope’s knee had been causing him increasingly se vere mobility issues during the last few months, which caused him to cancel a trip to Africa. Pope Francis has opted to use a wheelchair or walk with a stick since the is sues intensified in June.

Speaking about the treat ment, Atlético Madrid head medic, José María Villalón described the Pope as “very nice” but also “stubborn”, as he refused to have knee surgery.

Villalón has an extensive history of treating foot ballers’ injuries as he has been with the club since 1995, and expressed his op timism that the Pope’s knee condition will improve.

The Argentinian Pope is famously a big football fan, but for his home team of San Lorenzo, from Buenos Aires.

Betty Henderson

BREXIT had repercussions for all Brits in Spain, from holiday makers to residents and busi ness owners to snow birds.

This is why Anne Hernandez MBE, founder of Brexpats in Spain (now Brexpats in Spain International) wanted to create a place to tackle some of that misinformation and help those whose lives and livelihoods

Anne Hernandez of Brexpats in Spain International

had been affected by Brexit. The Euro Weekly News sat down with Anne to discuss the inspiration behind the group which now has more than 40,000 members what it does, and its plans for the fu ture.

Anne explained: “I came here in 1999 with my mum and daughter.

“My mum used to go to a lo cal social group in Mijas and over time she would pass queries people had in the group about living in Spain on

to me. I ended up with so many I created a Facebook group to help people.

“After my mum died, Brexit happened. I was never political, but I wanted to do something to help and I went to speak to former Mijas mayor Juan Car los Maldonado, who said we should set up a local group, which became Brexpats in Mi jas. Within a month, we had 1,000 enquiries from across the country, so we made it Brex pats in Spain.

“When we first started, we sought experts in different fields including taxation, insur ance, medical, legal, education, to help tackle misinformation and give people the help they needed.”

After helping expats with is sues with everything from driv ing licences to residencia, Brex pats has for the last year been campaigning hard on local vot ing rights for foreigners.

She explained: “For many of us, if we’ve been out of the

country for 15 years we can’t vote in UK, EU, Spanish nation al elections. For many this will be the only election they can vote in.”

While British residents in Spain will now be able to vote in next year’s local elections, Anne warned: “You had to have proof of residency at the time of registering. If you don’t, we know that some people are being sent away and told to go to the National Police station to get extra documentation. We have forms to prove you are a permanent resident.

“The problem is the window to register is only until January 15. Keep an eye on the group for updates as the window is short.”

The group is also now joining together with other interna tional expat groups to push to get the UK’s Votes for Life bill through to secure life long vot ing rights for expats.

Alongside voting rights, Brex pats is continually innovating and finding ways to bring the expat community together; as well as to tackle some of the

biggest issues facing Britons in Spain.

She told the EWN: “Many people can find themselves iso lated here, which is why we now have seven groups overall for all sorts of different issues, including a support group.”

The organisation also now has Brexpats Buddies following the tragic death of an elderly expat who was not found for several days.

The WhatsApp group asks members to check in every day before 12pm just with a simple emoji or hello. If not, a local represenatative will be sent to check if they are in need of help. The initiative has even spawned an offshoot group in Nerja, where locals are now meeting regularly as a social group.

Speaking about the work of Brexpats in Spain, Anne said: “There are groups to help with all kinds of things. We’re also in regular contact with the British Embassy and can pass on your concerns for you.

“If you’re looking for support or information, join us.”

ANNE HERNDANEZ: Created Brexpats in Spain following queries after Brexit.

Credit: Anne Fernandez

No more lords

THE Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to abolish the House of Lords in his first term if he is elected, saying that the institution is inde fensible in its current form.

Speaking to a national news outlet on Mon day, December 5, Starmer said the abolish ment of the House of Lords was one of the rec ommendations contained in the report by Gordon Brown, who he had asked to look at how the economy and British politics could be fixed.

He said: “It’s one of the recommendations, as you know, in today’s report.” The report forms part of Labour’s blueprint for a ‘New Britain’, put together by a commission under the leadership of former Prime Minister Gor don Brown.

When asked directly whether that means the House of Lords will abolished, he replied:

INCREASED strike action on the UK’s rail system was an nounced on, Monday, Decem ber 5. RMT union boss Mick Lynch said additional industrial action will start from 6pm on December 24, and end 6am on December 27.

Speaking at a press confer ence, Mick Lynch stressed that an improved pay offer had not

“Yes, I do.”

Not everyone is sold on the idea, however, with Tory peer Lord Norton urging caution in a recent interview with a national news outlet: “The nation’s got problems, people must come up with constitutional reform because it’s a fairly simple, straightforward proposal, rather than actually getting down to the real issues.”

More action

been presented to his union. This gave them ‘no choice’ but to continue with the industrial action. He described the reject ed offer from the train operat ing Rail Delivery Group as ‘ex tremely detrimental'’

“I am sure the travelling

public will be really disappoint ed, irritated and angry,” he said, while reaffirming the strikes by Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union mem bers for January 2023. The two 48 hour strikes planned for next week will still go ahead.

Parliament could be very different.

Shutterstock.com/ Richie Chan

Stepping down

FORMER Chancellor and Tory leadership candidate Sajid Javid announced on Friday December 2, that he will step down as an MP at the next general election.

The shocking announce ment from the MP for Bromsgrove in Worcester, on the outskirts of Birming ham, came just hours after the Labour party won a his toric majority in the Chester by elections.

It also came after reports

Arrests made

OFFICERS have arrested a 58 year old Russian busi nessman on suspicion of money laundering, conspir acy to defraud the Home Office and conspiracy to commit perjury.

According to a national news outlet on Saturday, December 3 the National Crime Agency (NCA) arrest ed the unnamed man along with two others be lieved to be co conspira tors. The first is a 35 year old who is believed to have worked in the Russian’s multi million pound home in London and the second a 39 year old was arrested at his home in Pimlico.

Officers pounced after

the 35 year old was seen leaving the home with a bag containing thousands of pounds in cash. He is al so accused of obstructing an officer.

Some 50 officers were involved in the raid under taken by the Combatting Kleptocracy Cell, which re sulted in a large amount of cash and a number of digi tal devices being seized.

The men have since been released on bail and will be required to appear in court at a later date. They are according to the NCA the latest to be target ed in the efforts to disrupt activities of corrupt inter‐national business.

that the Conservative party told its MPs to decide their future and declare whether or not they intended to run by Monday December 5 with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson having de clared his intention to stand again for his Uxbridge and South Ruislip con stituency in London.

Current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak invoked Star Wars in paying tribute to his ‘good friend’, saying “May the force be with you, Saj”.

Announcing his decision not to stand in the next general election, which is to be held at some point be fore January 2025, the 52 year old said it had been “an incredible privilege” to serve his constituents.

Sweeping the UK

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy from a school in Lewisham, South East London, is the first pupil of secondary school age to die from the Strep A bug that is cur rently sweeping the UK. He is reported to have contracted the more seri ous invasive Group A Strep bacteria which caused blood poisoning.

An illness which usually only causes a mild sore throat and temperature has now claimed the lives of at least six children since September, as con firmed by UK health offi cials.

The previous deaths oc curred in pupils of primary school age. Health chiefs in the UK have urged par ents to be on the alert for symptoms, and to act promptly if they believe their child is affected.

Kids being shut away at home during the pandem ic lockdowns is one factor being blamed in many quarters.

This has subsequently lowered their immune systems, making them more susceptible to infec tions.

SAJID JAVID : Will not run for MP at the next election.

• December 8, 8pm Quiz night, The Captain’s Table Kitchen and Bar, Torrevieja

• December 9, 2pm, Music Bingo with Shirelle Frenzel, Bar Arianza, Orihuela

• December 10, The Troupers Swing Band, Lake View Bar and Restaurant, Quesada

• December 10, Chloe Jones, Singer, The Captain’s Table Kitchen and Bar, Torrevieja

• December 11, 5pm, Paula’s show, The Corner Flag, La Finca

• December 12, 8pm, Karaoke, The Captain’s Table Kitchen and Bar, Torrevieja

• December 22, 4pm, Cilla, Christmas with Cilla, At De Barra Irish Bar, El Galan, Orihuela Costa

Choral Christmas

TIS the season to be merry, so why not come and enjoy Christmas Carols with Son risas Harmony, who sing in four part A Capella harmo ny. Gaudete is always a favourite with the audi ence, and is sung in English, Spanish and even a taster of Swedish, as Sonrisas Har mony are a multinational Chorus. There are three performances over the coming days so you will have plenty of opportunity to hear them sing:

Friday December 9, carol singing at Galins Restaurant Oasis Boulevard (Exit Los Alcazares Norte AP7) 3pm.

Saturday December 10, Christmas comes to Perlitas Rio Nalon Los Alcazares 3.00pm.

Thursday December 15, Christmas Carols by the sea at Spinosas Ave Radio Bal

iza Oscar (GM 584929).

Unfortunately, due to pri vate events, Sonrisas Har mony are unable to take any more bookings for this year. So, if you would like to book for any event in 2023, please book early.

If you like singing, why

CRESCENDO International Choir are going to be busy over the festive period with several concerts planned. The first concert will be on Saturday, December 10, in Benijofar’s Catholic Church at 8.00pm with the second on Saturday, December 17, at 6.00pm at La Siesta Church in Torrevieja.

The choir will sing a variety of popular songs like The Rose made famous by Bette Midler, and Hallelujah by Leon Cohen. To get you feeling festive there will also be a few Christmas favourites like Jingle Bell Rock and White Christmas.

The Crescendo International Choir will also

not come along to one of the rehearsals. They al ready have over 25 mem bers and a great social cal endar too, or contact Lynda on 672 192 222 email son risasharmony@outlook.co m or FB page: Sonrisas Har mony (A cappella chorus).

Name that tune

be performing with the Royal British Legion Convert Band on Friday, December 16, where both groups will perform Christmas music to gether in the evening at the main plaza in Tor revieja.

If you are interested in joining the choir, please visit: crescendo choir.com. The group sings a mixture of songs in English and Span ish. Rehearsals take place at Rincon de Miguel Restaurant in Los Montesinos on Mondays from 5.45pm to 8.00m. All singers welcome!

Charity concert

THE Royal British Legion Concert Band commences a very busy December and is proud to present a Christmas Spectacular Charity Concert with all proceeds going to AAN (the Association of Aid for the Needy of La Marina

and San Fulgencio.)

The concert is at the Car dinal Belluga Theatre in San Fulgencio, on Friday, December 9.

Arrival at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. The concert has free admission so get there early to avoid disap pointment!

Also appearing at the Christmas Spectacular Charity Concert are the Crescendo Choir and guest singer, Leroy, with com pere Keith Nicol.

So please join the fun in what promises to be a fan tastic evening and you will be helping to raise money for a most worthwhile cause.

A warm welcome

ENJOY an evening of Carols and Readings this Christ mas season on Wednes day, December 14 at 4.00pm.

Mince pies and hot drinks will be served after wards.

There is no charge for this event.

Salt Church is located on Calle Daya Nueva 12, Poligono Industrial Levante II, 03187 Los Montesinos, Alicante.

For more information email: info@saltchurch.es or head to the website and Facebook page: @ salt churchspain

SONRISAS HARMONY: Go along and enjoy the carols.

Image: Kitreel/Shutterstock.com

Haka greeting

THE UK's Defence Minister Ben Wallace was greeted with the haka by Ukrainian defence force trainees dur ing a visit to inspect a train ing camp. The Ministry of Defence shared the video on Wednesday, November 30 showing the traditional Māori welcome.

The Ukrainian soldiers are being trained by a team from New Zealand in prepa ration for combat back home, as they fight to de fend their homeland from the Russian invaders.

Following the trainer’s ex ample around 100 trainees completed the haka to wel come the minister.

Although what appears to be an aggressive ap proach, the haka is a well known greeting that has been made world famous by the All Blacks rugby team. With England rugby struggling at the moment it’s possible the haka is the last thing Wallace wanted to see, but no doubt he was more than pleased with the training that is taking place.

In the mire

Peter McLaren Kennedy BUCKINGHAM PALACE is once again mired in con troversy after a staff member had resigned af ter making ‘unacceptable’ comments at a palace event.

A national news outlet reported on Wednesday, November 30, that Ngozi Fulani, the founder of Sis tah Space, a charity that supports African and Caribbean women affect ed by domestic violence, was asked “where she re ally came from.”

The incident arose after Fulani told the palace staff member at the Queen Consort hosted event, that she was born in the UK.

The conversation was posted in full on Twitter, however, she did not identify the person in volved.

Allegedly, the person concerned was Lady Su san Hussey, one of the

new ‘ladies of the house hold’. Hussey is not new to the palace having worked for Queen Eliza beth II in the past and was, some believe, the ‘number one head girl’.

Such controversy in Buckingham Palace is un usual where experienced staff are concerned, but with an apology made and the lady having re signed, hopefully that will be the end of the story and any future such slips.

STAFF: Queen Elizabeth II flanked by Lady Susan Hussey (left).

Credit CC Ibagli

GERMANY has signed a new 15 year contract with Qatar for a supply of liqui fied natural gas. German industrial experts signed the deal with the Gulf na tion for approximately two million tonnes of gas, as they rush to reduce depen dence on Russian pipelines.

State owned Qatar Ener gy announced the partner ship at the end of Novem ber, saying that supplies would begin from 2026.

American company, ConocoPhillips will be re

sponsible for transporting LNG deliveries from Qatar to the German LNG termi nal at Brunsbüttel.

There have already been mixed reactions to the poli cy, with some saying the decision undermines Ger many’s criticism of human rights abuses in Qatar and what this means for Ger many’s environmental

stance.

In response, German Economic Minister and Green Party Member, Robert Habeck said in the wake of the Russian inva sion of Ukraine and Ger many’s decision to stop re lying on Russian gas, the country needs to take gas from a variety of energy sources.

German goal Corruption crackdown

Betty Henderson

THE EU is seeking to block more than €13 bil lion of funding destined for Hungary due to persisting corruption issues in Victor Orbán’s government and holes in the country’s democracy.

The measure was first suggested in September, and Hungarian officials received a deadline of November 19 to fix the issues. The EU announced on November 30 that the measure would proceed to the next stage of a vote between member states af ter its 27 requirements were not met.

The 27 measures included 17 ways to re duce corruption and 10 ways to strengthen democracy through institutions including the country’s supreme court and National Judicial Council. The Hungarian economy is currently in decline, which could push Presi dent Orbán into accepting the measures quickly, to avoid losing out on billions of eu ros in funding. Hungarian officials have re peatedly clashed with fellow European Union members in recent months over is sues including corporate tax rates, the EU stance in solidarity with Ukraine and the use of sanctions against Russia.

Making it on Broadway

Peter McLaren Kennedy BROADWAY is for many people the pinnacle of a ca reer in theatre, but to master that when you come from a

disadvantaged background is quite an achievement.

Sheldon Epps, speaking ex clusively to Euro Weekly News about his new book,

said that the theatre business had and was continuing to evolve both in the USA and abroad. This he said was in large part being driven by money with the cost of stag ing a production having risen dramatically, running into millions on Broadway and in

London’s West End. That he said meant bene factors were increasingly dif ficult to find and those that are still will ing to fund produc tions, need and want to

know that their investment is safe and will bring a return. In that respect he said the atre had become like cinema, but maybe more worrying is that the high costs are push ing top theatre out of the reach of the average person, as tick et prices rise along with costs.

Sheldon is, however, not daunted by the challenge. As a black man in an elite world, he has risen to the top and has many awards and successes to his name, including three Tony Award nominations.

Speaking about his own career, he said it has taken a desire to succeed, hard work, creativity and perfection. But

he said it has all been worth while with the industry now fully integrated and provid ing more and more opportu nities for people from all backgrounds.

Although staging main stream theatre had become more costly and risk averse, he said there remained many opportunities for other forms of theatre and for exploring new topics. Speaking about the future he said he will be bringing new, previously un covered stories to theatres, an area that he said is burst ing with opportunity as audi ences evolve.

Sheldon’s book ‘My own directions A black man’s journey in American theatre’ is a must read for its insight into American culture and for what it takes to be successful in the creative world of the atre and film.

The book is out now and available online, you won’t be disappointed.

SHELDON EPPS: Spoke exclusively to Euro Weekly News.

credit Jonathon White PR

NEW BOOK: An insight into American culture.

Football fraud

THE Ukrainian bid for the 2030 World Cup has been scup pered, as top officials from the country’s football association have been arrested after accu sations of money laundering and fraud.

The President of the Ukraini an Football Association, Andriy Pavelko and the General Sec retary, Yuri Zapisotsky, were arrested on November 29 for the ‘embezzlement’ of nearly €700,000.

The funds were allegedly laundered under the guise of building an artificial grass facto ry, when the officials moved money sent to their associa tion from a company in the UAE without permission.

Pavelko and Zapisotsky are being held on bail following their arrests in Kyiv, and are barred from communicating with witnesses.

Last week as the charges were announced, the Ukraini an Football Association had ac cused investigators of acting on behalf of Russia.

Football experts expect the development to end the coun try’s bid to hold the World Cup in 2030 with Spain and France.

Medieval revival

AN ambitious proposal will see a team of French historians and designers team up to create a re construction of William the Conqueror’s boat that was used by the monarch when he arrived in Eng land in 1066.

The La Mora project was launched at the end of November with a bud get of €13 million to recre ate the ship.

The vessel was memori alised in the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the events which followed William of Nor mandy’s arrival in England from France, and the en suing Battle of Hastings.

William of Normandy was victorious during the battle, becoming King William I of England just

French team is work ing to recreate William the Conqueror’s boat.

days later.

The boat was thought to have been a 34 metre long longship, modelled on Viking longships. An is sue that designers will face is creating a sturdy boat that complies with current seafaring regula tions.

Members of the project want to see the boat sail in time for the anniver sary of William the Con queror’s 1,000th birthday, in 2027. It would then be come a tourist attraction.

A

Photo credit: Anton Seredin / shutterstock.com

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Netflix deal

FOLLOWING almost a year of hard negotiation, Netflix has reached an agreement with Danish film and TV producers which will ensure that the global giant will purchase Danish produced productions again after a dispute over payment which has cost the industry some €200 million.

THE NETHERLANDS

Friendly wolf

WOLVES are a protected species in Holland and a court has ruled that a plan by authorities to use paintballs to try to frighten an apparently tame juvenile wolf from approaching humans in the Veluwe national park is unacceptable following an appeal by conservationists.

BELGIUM

Harry Potter

THE Magical Music of Harry Potter tour came to Liège late November and was well received thanks to an exceptional performance by the Ukrainian Khmelnitsky Orchestra and actor Chris Rankin (who played Percy Weasley in the films), who was the presenter and host.

GERMANY

Dearer holidays

GERMANY is likely to become a more expensive destination for tourists from nonEU countries if they book holidays from local travel agents, as from January 1, those operators will have to charge VAT on their invoice and make tax returns in Germany.

FRANCE

Heritage bread

AS French as a man on a bicycle with a string of onions, the baguette, the Eiffel Tower of French bread has gained UNESCO recognition after being named on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage for ‘artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread’.

NORWAY

Not spruce

THE aptly named Richard Wood, British Ambassador to Norway has taken to Twitter to say that this year’s Christmas tree sent to Trafalgar Square was perfect when it left the country in response to criticism by other Twitter users, including Larry the Cat, calling it tatty.

FINLAND

Internet use

INTERNET supplier Valokuitunen Oy commissioned a poll of internet users to see how aware they were of the environmental effects of using the internet and some 70 per cent of those contacted admitted that they hadn’t even thought about it, let alone reduced usage.

IRELAND

Strange reward

A WHISTLEBLOWER who revealed information about Irish Rail eight years ago is still employed by the rail company at a salary of €121,000-a-year, but complains that because his work load has been reduced so much, he spends most of his time reading and eating sandwiches.

ITALY

Leaning Tower

THE iconic landmark in Tuscany, the Leaning Tower of Pisa isn’t leaning as much as it used to according to a new report from the local heritage protection agency. Its tilt was last corrected in 2001 and since then has straightened by four centimetres.

PORTUGAL

Welcoming city

LISBON has been named the second happiest city in the world for expats according to the latest German organisation Internations Expat City Ranking 2022. It came fourth overall when compared to 49 other cities around the world thanks to the welcoming locals, weather, culture and nightlife.

UKRAINE

UK assistance

THE UK and Ukraine have entered into a groundbreaking new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) that will help Ukraine rebuild its economy. This deal is the second such agreement and follows a decision to cut tariffs on all goods from Ukraine to zero.

SWEDEN

Greta Thunberg

TEENAGE Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg intentionally chose Black Friday to join with more than 600 young environmentalists to bring a class action against the government of Sweden alleging that it has failed in its Constitutional duty to take positive action to tackle climate change.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

More jobs

SPAIN’S unemployment fell by 33,512 people in Novem ber to 2,881,380, the lowest figure in a month of Novem ber since 2007 and the main beneficiaries of the drop have been women and young peo ple who have been the two sectors most affected by un employment.

Inflation slows

THE news that Germany, Spain and Belgium reported that inflation in November appeared to be slowing down could be good news for con sumers in the eurozone as apart from anything else, it may well encourage the Euro pean Central Bank to recon sider new interest rate hikes.

Lorry drivers

THE Spanish Ministry of Transport has approved the National Road Transport In spection Plan for 2023, which confirms that carriers work at a fair price, that the driver does not carry out, in general, the loading and unloading of merchandise and receive prompt payment.

HSBC closures

EUROPE’S largest bank by as sets, HSBC, has announced that it will close another 114 branches in the UK starting next April, as customers using them have fallen significantly since the pandemic and whilst it will try to redeploy staff, some 100 will lose their jobs.

Digital success

DIGITAL restaurant Vicio, which was founded in Barcelona by a former Mas terChef winner during the pandemic, offers a range of gourmet burgers with side dishes delivered to cus tomer’s doors and in its first year has generated a turnover of €4 million.

STAT OF WEEK €5 billion

Brexit food bill

BREXIT cost UK households an extra £5.8 billion for food ac cording to a report issued by the Centre for Economic Perfor mance (CEP) at the London School of Economics on Thurs day December 1.

This only covers the period from January 1, 2020 until the end of 2021 and according to the report, this was the equiva lent of £210 per British house hold.

It goes on to say that because low income households spend a greater share of their finances on food than richer families, these Brexit driven price rises had a proportionately greater impact on the poorest people.

The latest study confirms that food prices increased by 6 per cent and finds that for the poor est households, this equates to a Brexit induced rise in the overall cost of living of 1.1 per cent, which is 52 per cent more than the 0.7 per cent rise felt in the top 10 per cent of house holds.

While the Trade and Coopera

tion Agreement, which came in to force in January 2021, en sures that trade between the UK and the EU remains tariff free, post Brexit, there are more non tariff barriers (NTBs) be tween the UK and the EU which include new comprehensive cus toms checks, rules of origin re quirements and sanitary and phytosanitary measures for trade in animals and plants.

The study concludes that it is

these NTBs that have affected prices. The rise in consumer prices was driven only by prod ucts with high NTBs and there was no significant rise in prices for products with low NTBs.

The changes have benefited domestic producers of food, who now have less competition from European imports, but un like regular tariffs, NTBs do not generate any revenue for the government.

Competition for Amazon

WATCH out Amazon, Mi ravia is out to beat you in Spain as the Alibaba sub sidiary opened its website on Thursday December 1.

The unveiling ceremony took place in the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid the pre vious day and was a mix ture of hard sell and musical entertainment.

Alibaba is one of China’s biggest online presences and was set up in 1999 to offer a huge range of goods initially to the Chinese mar ket.

Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and is now said to be one of the largest companies in China, but it has fallen foul of US regulations and in or

der to operate in Europe, it needed to be more trans parent and also offer an effi cient speedy service.

Thus, Miravia was born and chose Spain as the first country in which it will oper ate and CEO Yann Fontaine, when speaking at the launch (according to Mar

keting4Commerce), said “Spain is one of the Euro pean markets with the greatest potential in the e commerce sector.

“It has great penetration on the internet and in mo bile technology, which means enormous potential for a platform like Miravia.

“We hope to cover all the needs of Spanish con sumers, while offering local and international brands greater tools to sell and en gage with their customers.”

Apparently, what makes it different to Amazon and other online shopping out lets, is that Miravia will not only be working closely with influencers and Artificial In telligence to create exclu sive content, but will also al low brands to design their own virtual stores and even operate affiliate pro grammes.

Time will tell, but to en courage customers to visit the new site, there will be introductory discounts for new clients.

Diversification

THE John Lewis Partnership has agreed a £500 million multi decade joint venture with global investment company abrdn to de liver around 1,000 new homes across three UK communities.

It will use part of its existing port folio of properties which are no longer in use to provide 1,000 new homes in Bromley and West Ealing where stores will be redeveloped to allow for housing and in Reading it will convert a disused ware house. The build to rent sector has a key role to play in addressing the shortfall in rental homes, which is set to increase further with the government’s help to buy scheme now coming to end and in London alone there is a shortfall of 75,000 rental properties.

Fewer iPhones

WITH consumers around the world gearing up for Christmas and other holidays, Apple Inc continues to appeal to many looking to either buy phones as gifts or hoping to use money given to them to make a purchase. It rather looks howev er that there will be a shortage of iPhones this year as workers at the Foxconn factory in Zhengzhouin, China who produce these products have been protesting about their conditions and walking out.

Whilst they have now reported ly been offered a better deal, there is still likely to be a holiday shortfall which consulting firm UBS suggests could total 16 million phones.

ITALIAN energy company Plenti tude is looking to invest €1 billion in Spanish renewable projects over the next four years, according to recently appointed CEO Stefano Goberti.

The first step has been to ac quire 100 per cent of PLT (PLT Ener gia Srl and SEF Srl), another Italian company subject to approval from the relevant authorities which is al ready installing wind farms on the Spanish mainland.

The existence of the European Recovery Fund has seen both Italy and Spain receiving the lion’s share of funding either as direct grants or low cost loans which is allowing ac celerated investment in renewable energy in both countries.

is the amount that energy company Cepsa will be spending using Spanish government Recovery Fund Money to finance a huge hydrogen production project in Andalucia.

SPENDING UP: Food price rises hit every UK household.

3I Group 1.320,50 1.324,50 1.306,50 112,65K

Abrdn 205,31 206,20 201,40 1,97M

Admiral Group 2.031,0 2.037,0 2.018,0 66,12K

Anglo American 3.396,5 3.401,7 3.313,5 81,64K

Antofagasta 1.456,50 1.463,50 1.439,00 177,14K

Ashtead Group 5.034,0 5.044,0 5.006,0 51,38K

Associated British Foods 1.660,0 1.676,0 1.650,5 155,72K

AstraZeneca 11.174,0 11.232,0 11.162,0 190,67K

Auto Trader Group Plc 581,00 581,60 574,00 268,63K

Aveva 3.185,0 3.188,0 3.183,0 50,32K

Aviva 446,25 448,80 442,30 467,68K

B&M European Value Retail SA420,90 422,90 418,30 216,21K

BAE Systems 812,00 815,40 806,00 673,07K

Barclays 158,38 158,42 156,06 4,71M

Barratt Developments 411,80 413,20 405,80 374,45K

Berkeley 3.858,0 3.864,0 3.832,0 41,01K

BHP Group Ltd 2.611,00 2.619,00 2.577,50 340,30K

BP 481,85 482,00 477,40 5,51M

British American Tobacco 3.414,4 3.434,5 3.401,5 257,58K

British Land Company 405,40 406,30 399,00 171,21K

BT Group 121,38 121,65 120,60 1,43M

Bunzl 3.044,0 3.050,0 3.022,0 25,63K

Burberry Group 2.141,0 2.161,0 2.135,0 188,88K

Carnival 713,4 714,2 701,2 210,97K

Centrica 95,58 95,84 94,70 1,36M

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.997,7 2.035,0 1.996,5 77,48K

Compass 1.870,00 1.877,50 1.854,00 223,24K

CRH 3.295,5 3.299,0 3.260,5 65,63K

Croda Intl 6.920,0 6.998,0 6.910,0 15,56K

DCC 4.413,0 4.421,0 4.376,0 14,12K

Diageo 3.810,0 3.850,5 3.809,5 214,13K

DS Smith 308,60 309,20 305,70 386,64K

EasyJet 392,30 399,40 391,50 290,16K

Experian 2.960,0 2.966,7 2.944,0 22,63K

Ferguson 9.590,0 9.620,0 9.501,5 10,24K

Flutter Entertainment 12.105,0 12.125,0 11.985,0 52,23K

Fresnillo 931,47 933,20 900,80 245,39K

Glencore 570,20 571,80 561,70 7,20M

GSK plc 1.405,94 1.413,80 1.403,80 109,63K

Halma 2.244,0 2.258,0 2.221,0 81,56K

Hargreaves Lansdown 867,20 871,20 858,00 216,07K

Hikma Pharma 1.542,00 1.543,00 1.518,00 78,32K

HSBC 499,79 500,49 494,85 328,57K

IAG 133,22 134,30 132,78 1,59M

Imperial Brands 2.108,00 2.117,00 2.090,00 220,19K

Informa 621,60 623,40 619,80 247,52K

InterContinental 4.767,0 4.783,0 4.744,0 35,04K

Intermediate Capital 1.255,50 1.262,50 1.240,00 80,30K

Intertek 4.131,0 4.152,0 4.109,0 42,65K

ITV 77,50 77,58 75,66 1,75M

J Sainsbury 224,40 224,60 220,80 370,25K

Johnson Matthey 2.130,8 2.134,0 2.097,0 30,55K

Land Securities 630,00 630,20 620,00 109,51K

Legal & General 258,70 259,20 253,60 1,34M

Lloyds Banking 46,72 46,84 46,31 8,20M

London Stock Exchange 8.122,0 8.268,0 8.120,0 94,37K

Melrose Industries 126,95 128,55 126,05 1,71M

Mondi 1.555,50 1.560,00 1.542,50 110,28K

National Grid 1.025,27 1.025,50 1.018,00 632,70K

NatWest Group 262,30 262,70 260,30 2,24M

Next 5.877,6 5.886,0 5.824,0 13,16K

Norilskiy Nikel ADR 9,10 9,10 9,10 0

Ocado 683,80 685,60 663,40 231,25K

Persimmon 1.289,0 1.293,0 1.245,0 229,44K

Phoenix 602,00 602,60 593,40 218,63K

Prudential 1.099,50 1.109,50 1.048,50 2,88M

Reckitt Benckiser 5.976,0 6.040,0 5.970,0 116,68K

Relx 2.329,00 2.335,00 2.313,00 385,77K

Rentokil 540,20 543,40 539,40 570,64K

Rightmove 568,00 568,60 560,74 23,19K

Rio Tinto PLC 5.784,0 5.790,0 5.651,0 497,75K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 89,24 91,07 89,22 4,10M

Sage 796,20 800,40 793,40 168,76K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.158,00 1.163,50 1.154,00 3,28K Schroders 466,2 467,9 459,9 163,09K

Scottish Mortgage 792,79 796,60 786,00 340,85K

Segro 831,00 832,20 817,00 381,72K

Severn Trent 2.745,0 2.748,0 2.720,0 30,27K

Shell 2.377,0 2.378,5 2.344,0 1,50M

Smith & Nephew 1.086,23 1.093,50 1.079,00 234,07K

Smiths Group 1.592,00 1.594,00 1.582,00 97,58K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.420,0 11.435,9 11.357,8 1,21K SSE 1.729,00 1.730,50 1.718,75 25,74K

St. James’s Place 1.183,50 1.194,00 1.181,00 84,06K

Standard Chartered 596,60 597,20 588,40 545,37K

Taylor Wimpey 105,75 105,90 104,20 1,38M

Tesco 229,95 230,00 227,00 280,77K

Tui 145,51 146,75 144,95 431,47K

Unilever 4.138,0 4.177,0 4.138,0 423,73K

United Utilities 1.053,00 1.053,50 1.048,50 203,67K

Vodafone Group PLC 91,68 93,18 91,04 17,06M Whitbread 2.608,0 2.622,0 2.599,0 47,96K WPP 877,80 879,40 869,40 345,82K

3M 126,99 127,25 1,82M

American Express 156,75 157,28 155,00 2,28M

Amgen 285,51 286,12 283,19 2,25M

Apple 147,81 148,00 145,65 65,30M

Boeing 182,87 183,45 172,85 10,50M

Caterpillar 236,13 238,47 233,59 2,21M

Chevron 181,03 183,63 179,93 6,78M

Cisco 49,70 49,84 48,92 12,31M

Coca-Cola 64,35 64,52 63,40 13,56M

Dow 51,55 51,70 50,43 4,85M

Goldman Sachs 380,58 382,52 378,40 1,92M

Home Depot 327,99 328,48 320,33 3,63M

Honeywell 219,08 219,86 214,72 2,18M

IBM 148,67 149,16 147,73 2,87M

Intel 29,41 29,43 28,71 31,49M

J&J 178,88 178,96 176,96 5,79M

JPMorgan 135,16 135,35 133,34 8,92M

McDonald’s 273,40 273,45 269,62 2,79M

Merck&Co 110,04 110,09 108,71 6,89M

Microsoft 255,02 256,06 249,69 21,33M

Nike 112,20 112,71 108,34 5,87M

Procter&Gamble 150,61 150,77 148,08 4,90M

Salesforce Inc 144,56 145,21 142,78 15,04M

The Travelers 189,54 189,94 187,79 1,28M

UnitedHealth 536,16 538,61 532,44 2,33M

Verizon 38,18 38,30 37,70 21,57M

Visa A 217,66 218,48 214,24 5,13M

Walgreens Boots 41,48 41,63 40,85 4,85M

Walmart 153,22 153,24 151,48 6,88M

Walt Disney 99,43 99,69 97,01 12,60M

Most Advanced

Most Declined

Cracker

CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. -11.58% 915,309

Zscaler, Inc. -10.73% 9.665M

Asana, Inc. -10.45% 12.786M

Veeva Systems Inc. -8.63% 2.551M

HF Sinclair Corporation -7.26% 4.431M

PBF Energy Inc. -7.08% 5.982M

CVR Energy, Inc. -7.00% 868,001

CyberArk Software Ltd. -6.96% 446,395

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC -6.51% 4.155M

Graham Holdings Company -6.42% 73,694

BUSINESS EXTRA

Genuine leeks

WELSH leeks have become the latest addition to the UK Geographical Indication (GI) Scheme, which protects the name, authenticity and characteristics of regional products. Shoppers will be able to clearly see a logo on the label showing they are buying the real thing,

Dearer mortgages

ALTHOUGH the Spanish government has indicated that it will make the cost of mortgages affordable, de spite increase in base rates, CaixaBank has raised the in terest rate on its 30 year fixed mortgage from 4.31 per cent to 4.79 per cent making it the most expen sive Spanish lender.

New law

MONEY from fines handed out to water companies in the UK that pollute rivers and seas will now be re in vested in schemes that ben efit the natural environ ment. Since 2015, the Environment Agency has concluded 56 prosecutions against companies, gener ating fines of over £141 mil lion.

Primark expands

PRIMARK, the international fashion retailer, has con firmed its commitment to Spain by announcing a capi tal investment of €100 mil lion in its Spanish business. The investment includes €80 million in eight new stores and one store exten sion and €20 million invest ment in upgrades and refur bishments in stores.

Over 1,000 jobs will be created over the next two years as part of the compa ny’s ambitious growth plans in the market.

Primark opened its first store in Spain 16 years ago in May 2006, in Plenilunio, Madrid and today has 56 stores across the country which makes it the second largest market for the Irish group.

Spanish State Deficit

THE Spanish State Deficit contin ues to head in the right direction after being a major bone of con tention with the European Union for many years.

In essence, prudent fiscal poli cy should see a country earn more than it spends on an annu al basis, but this has been a real problem for successive Spanish governments since the 2008 eco nomic crisis.

Clearly the pandemic didn’t help the current position as so much money was spent on sup porting business and families in need, but since 2021, Spain has seen a downwards turn as indus try started to recover after strict lockdown and isolation rules were relaxed.

According to Minister of Fi nance Maria Jesus Montero, in October 2021, the deficit stood at 4.93 per cent of Gross Domes tic Product (GDP) and totalled €59.468 billion, but at the end of October 2022 this had dropped

Comparing the inflation impact

INFLATION, Covid 19, and the Ukraine war have affected consumer behaviour in Eu rope, according to new data.

But there’s good news for people living in Spain, where people are spending less, and saving more, despite record inflation.

To mark World Savings Day, online bank N26 sur veyed customers to find out how Europeans are dealing with the impact of inflation.

The data shows which countries are still spending big on vacations and restau rants, whose incomes are growing, and the changes to spending habits.

Spending data and saving data of over 380,000 con sumers in five European mar kets (Spain, Germany, Aus tria, France, and Italy) were surveyed between January and August 2022.

Despite record inflation, customers in Spain saved the

most between March and August this year. Of all the countries studied, Spain ex perienced the highest infla tion rates overall.

Despite this, customers in Spain increased their savings, on average, from 4.6 per cent (of their average income) in January and February to 7.2 per cent from March on wards a relative increase of 57.2 per cent.

Following the overall EU trend, Spanish users were al so able to save the most in March 11.1 per cent of their

income, or €177.89 on aver age.

Of all the markets studied, customers in Spain have the highest savings ratio overall, setting aside, on average, 6.6 per cent of their income be tween January and August.

Elsewhere in Europe, signs of inflation were especially noticeable in the ‘food and groceries’ and ‘transport and cars’ categories but Spain saw a downward trend with Spaniards spending 1 per cent less of their average in come in this category.

by a significant 69.7 per cent to a much healthier €18.016 billion, equivalent to 1.37 per cent of GDP.

This has mainly been achieved by a combination of a 25 per cent increase in sales of non fi nancial products and a much smaller growth in expenditure of just under 2 per cent.

Tax collections on both pro duction and imports have helped considerably with VAT collec tions rising by 18 per cent in the period under review and Income Tax for both residents and non residents shooting up with tax on dividends making a big contri bution.

As companies earn more, so they pay more and the sale of shares and other assets has added to the amount of Capital Gains Tax being collected as well.

The payments to Spain from the European Recovery Fund have also helped the country to invest for the future.

Toy story

IN 2020, the Spanish government undertook a study into the way that children’s toys were advertised and whether they promoted gender stereotypes.

The conclusion was sufficient for the government to introduce strict new rules, effective December 1 this year, in time for Christmas and Three Kings.

The intention is that adverts should not target girls with traditional toys such as dolls, make up and cook ing, whilst there should be little use of the colour pink which is also associated with young females.

Equally, blue should not be used when promoting traditional boy’s toys, such as cars and similar ‘ma cho’ goods, as the intention is to ensure that young sters feel equal and not directed down one particular road.

Stop bullying

TUC figures show that nearly a third of people (29 per cent) in the UK believe that they have been bullied at work, with more than one in three (36 per cent) leaving their job because of it.

Research by employment and partnership law spe cialists Fox & Partners, reveals the number of cases heard by the Employment Tribunal which contain alle gations of bullying has increased 44 per cent from 581 in 2020/21 to a record high of 835 in 2021/22.

Some of those who claim to have suffered from such bullying are now lobbying MPs and Parliament to have workplace bullying recognised as a crime in UK law as is the case in countries such as Sweden.

President Sánchez with Minister Montero following 2023 Budget approval.

Credit: La Moncloa flickr

SURVEY: Euros real value continues to shrink.

Credit: Alexandra Koch CC

SELLING? WHAT DOES THE ‘DAY OF COMPLETION’ MEAN?

REBECCA SERWOTKA “We sell houses! It’s

ALL

do!” Your favourite local resale property expert, of Inmobil iaria Real Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada. Published author of ‘Moving Forward 25 Essential Rules For Buy ing & Selling Real Estate Without Going Crazy’. Request your FREE copy! Featured on Best Buy Spain. Pres tige Award Winner for ‘Real Estate Agency Of The Year 2021/22 & 2022/23’. Sold your proper ty? The next step is agreeing on a day for completion. The completion date

must be agreed between both buyer and seller. This will be the day you will receive payment for the property, which also means you have to vacate it too.

On the agreed day of completion, you will go a Notary to sign the house over to the new buyers. They will make the pay ment to you, and in turn you hand over all keys to them. After you’ve been to the Notary, you will not be allowed back in the house, so you need to make sure every thing you agreed to take, has already been removed.

what we do, it’s

we

Rebecca Serwotka.

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

Friend and foe

DELIGHTED to not be mentioned in the recent Diana Dors TV documen tary. I knew her extremely well for many years, probably better than anyone. We were very close during her difficult times, when she was struggling to keep her financial head above water, including the upkeep of her two young sons she had organ ised for her ex husband Richard Dawson; also an out of regular work actor, to look after in America.

This was of course later rectified, when in 1965 he obtained a starring role in the highly successful series Hogan’s Heroes, but his was also a terrible struggle before he clinched the role. She had engaged a new, fairly low key agent who began to book her in cabaret dates, mainly in the north of England.

This was some years before this ol’ boy cracked it with Little Arrows, so I was free to accompany her to many of these venues, which were spring ing up all over the country. After she had completed the appearance, we would leave for the hotel which she always booked for one! I would sub

sequently then sneak in and share the room for the night. She was earning £100 to £150 an appearance, out of which my share would be around 15 quid. Although that does n’t sound particularly copious, in those far off days it meant I could at least provide my own family with some security.

As a struggling actor myself, I was also discovering showbiz optimisms fraught with difficulty. She would then send most of what she could af ford to her husband in America. This went on for a number of years, dur ing which she occasionally managed to pick up a cameo role in a movie or TV appearance.

We shared some great times, until one day she told me she had been offered a starring role in a new West End play entitled ‘Three months Gone.’ Apparently, she wasn’t sure whether to accept it as she hadn’t been offered a wage, but only a per centage of the door. It was only after I had almost twisted her arm up her back with the insistence that she simply had to take on the role due to

the amount of publicity that could ensue, that she finally accepted.

The show was a resounding suc cess and suddenly she was back, earning really well. Life was good again and our friendship and social life grew even stronger. One day she told me she had met a ‘wonderful man’ named Alan Lake, who was al so appearing in the production, and thought she could be falling in love. She introduced me and frankly, I did n’t like him at all.

A few years later she conspired with him in an injustice, which ulti mately cost me my freedom and al most my career. It’s all in the books. Available on Amazon.

Keep the Faith Love Leapy

leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon, Wed, Fri. 1pm.

OIL OR ELECTRIC OUR VIEW

IN order to combat climate change, the perceived view is that the world should ban diesel and petrol engines and re ly on electricity. In theory this seems like a sensible idea, but there are a few problems with this, the foremost currently being the West’s ability to generate electricity and the prob lems that may occur in creating and later disposing of bat teries that will be strong enough to power vehicles.

With the European Union and other countries deciding to place a cap on the value of Russian oil that can be import ed and Russia’s indication that it just won’t supply those countries that implement such a ban, it immediately focus es our attention on how it will affect us.

The USA still has huge underground reserves and allows fracking which rightly or wrongly means it can generate even more oil so it won’t be hurt by the ban.

Some Scandinavian countries generate huge amounts of power using hydroelectrics and Norway of course has both oil and natural gas in abundance, but what of the others?

Already Switzerland has indicated that if it is short of elec tricity then it will seriously consider banning electric vehicles from its roads and other countries are advising owners of electric cars to stagger charging for fear of overloading their electric grids. This is hardly an encouraging start to the ush ering in of a new age of transport, especially when currently the costs of electric cars are higher than petrol or diesel and the vehicles themselves still don’t have the same range and take longer to charge.

At the moment, it seems that the safest way to proceed is with a hybrid vehicle which hopefully gives the best of both worlds.

AA Parking and Costa Coches

IF you are looking for secure, low cost, con venient parking for Almeria and Alicante Airport, AA Parking has the best deals and a quick and friendly service, also offering preferential parking rates at Murcia Air port.

Based in Mojacar, Almeria and Alicante, AA Parking provides private airport parking at Almeria and Alicante Airport and Costa Coches will provide you with a clean, well maintained and safe vehicle for your on ward journey.

With 12 years of experience in car park ing, you can have the peace of mind that your vehicle will be stored safely, securely and conveniently especially with AA Park ing’s handy meet and greet service, mean ing you can avoid lengthy transfers and loading heavy luggage on and off buses.

At AA Parking, your vehicle will be safe and protected from the elements for the same price as many companies that would leave your car out in the wind, rain, and sun, possibly causing damage and fading of

the paintwork.

With their convenient dual airport ser vice, you can take advantage of unlimited parking at both Alicante and Almeria air ports for 12 months. Contracts for six to 12 months include unlimited drop offs and

pick ups and, if you are a business traveller and travel on a weekly basis, AA Parking will provide you with a tailor made con tract to suit your needs and requirements. You will have unlimited use of both airport parking and you can even park at one and

pick up at the other!

AA Parking provide a variety of services for your vehicle including ITVs, garage servicing and repairs, valets, and bodywork while your car is parked all saving you time and money. The helpful and profes sional team will even ensure that your car starts and that the tyres are pumped up and ready for your onward journey when you collect it. When you leave your car with AA parking, it will be returned to you fully serviced and sparkling clean.

If you need to rent a car for a trip or holi day, Costa Coches is one of the most trust ed and reliable in Almeria, Alicante and Murcia even providing emergency and last minute vehicles. With over 10 years of experience in the car hire business, Costa Coches has perfected its business model to make it as convenient, low cost and effi cient for you as possible. Forget the days of waiting around with all of your luggage, you will be met at the airport of your choice and be on your way within 10 minutes!

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Suicide prevention

SADLY, suicide is one of the biggest causes of death in Spain and since overtaking road traffic accidents as the most common violent cause of death, suicides have been in creasing. Winter can increase feelings of depression.

While it is crucial to be aware that suicide can happen at any point of the year, some mental health conditions such as seasonal affective disorder can increase in winter, increas ing the risk of suicide.

Exercise

Boost your mental health over the Christmas period by making time to exercise or sim ply to get outside. Nature and exercise can both reduce feel ings of stress or anger and re duce symptoms of anger and depression.

Know when to get help

If you are feeling depressed, don’t leave it too late. The Spanish free suicide helpline is 024 and is manned by Red Cross workers 24 hours per day. There are also lots of on line resources to help you

through difficult times and therapists working online can help with suicidal thoughts.

Check on people Data in Spain shows that men die by suicide at three times the rate of women.

Mental health professionals highlight the need to reach out to people who might be strug gling, even if it doesn’t seem that way. Making human con nections can significantly re duce feelings of depression.

DINNER PARTIES FROM HELL

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

‘VLEATHER, we’re told, is still one of the hottest trends. In other words, ve gan clothes made of oil industry plas tics, with PVC the world’s third most widely produced syn thetic plastic polymer. Great! That’ll help the climate and the oceans. The irony! No animal died making these clothes, but many will when the clothes are discarded. Plastic parti cles are killing animals that are choking on the stuff.

Virtue signalling clothes made by people jetting across the world, made in sweat shops by children, like most of the fashion industry prod ucts. And inevitably, VLeather’s found its way into all the major fast fashion stores. Plastic shoes? Just call them vegan and

they’ll be fashionable! Just don’t ask about the Greta Footprint...

But let’s get to the meat (sorry, couldn’t resist) of the issue.

The problem with veganism (and vegetarianism) is that it seems to turn what simply amounts to a food choice into, basically, a religion.

One which apparently requires its adherents to try to make converts of the rest of us in a humour free, hectoring fashion with about as much warmth and brio as a dinner party jointly hosted by (politics aside) Nicola Sturgeon, Keir Starmer and There sa May.

Nora’s latest thriller.

Nora Johnson’s 11 critically acclaimed psy chological crime thrillers (www.nora johnson.net) all avail able online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audio books, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

NoraJohnson’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

LETTERS

Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: 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.

FOUL PLAY

I WAS stopped on the week end by the police for walking my dog along the beach. They said that they could see that I was a responsible dog owner as I had my bottle filled with water and washing up liquid and poo bags so I was sent on my way without any penalty. I do not have a problem with this and applaud them, it is just a shame that there aren’t more areas along the beach which are dog friendly.

David, Costa Blanca

Another con

I’M a long time reader and lover of your column and have emailed you in the past. Might I suggest a commen tary about the fraud that is the man made global warm ing con? Please see https://cli matediscussionnexus.com / for some down to earth facts. Either way, keep up the great work!!

Your fan

Not a supporter

SO Lee is not a supporter of the Conservative party but would support any others apart from Labour. I find this very strange that anyone who is not a supporter of a Tory government chooses to attack week after week the only credible opposition and not the party he purports not to support who are in government, and has never once condemned them.

try is drowning in, these anti Labour rants should be aimed in a different direc tion.

Ramon Osborne, Los Alcázares

Freedom of speech

Kite

His obsession of hate for the left is currently very much in the minority as Labour are miles ahead in the polls. His latest pathetic comment that their new idea of scrapping the House of Lords is a bumbling effort to gain popularity shows how completely out of touch he is as Labour promised this proposal 12 years ago if they ever got back into govern ment. Perhaps as he says the swamp of despair the coun

FULL marks to your newspa per for giving Leapy Lee the freedom to express opinions with which, I believe, most open minded people would agree. It takes courage these days of woke to tell it as it is when, according to the so called rules of today, you should avoid upsetting any one at all costs! Reading the bleeding heart criticism from some of your respondents, I truly wonder which fairy tale planet they presently occupy! Please keep telling it as it re ally is, and is likely to be come, Leapy.

Ken, San Fulgencio

Max

DOG FRIENDLY: It’s just a shame there are not more dog friendly beaches.

HomeEspaña celebrate 20th anniversary

THERE is no doubt that perseverance and en trepreneurial vision are foundational factors when establishing the main pillars of a suc cessful business. This is definitely the case with HomeEspaña a reputable real estate agency that emerged in Orihuela Costa, where the company has just celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The anniversary celebration was the per fect opportunity to bring together all its em ployees and review the trajectory of a real es tate company that keeps growing along with the European demand for property in the Costa Blanca, Valencia and Murcia. The cele bration was attended by more than 60 guests, including the company’s founder, Kieran Byrne.

HomeEspaña was founded in 2002 by Irish brothers Kieran and Noel Byrne, who both came from a background in financial services and media. They both shared a vision of im proving customer service and modernising the Spanish property market. As a result, HomeEspaña has been providing professional real estate services and advice to its national and international clients for the past 20 years,

with a company policy based on transparen cy, integrity and great customer service.

HomeEspaña has offices based in the Costa Blanca: La Zenia, Los Dolses, Benidoleig and Denia and in Valencia, consolidating its posi tion as a reference in the sector. With a wide range and diversity of properties, Home España has sold more than 5,000 properties

to thousands of clients and receives more than 150,000 monthly visitors to their web site.

The economic changes and the pandemic have had a significant impact on the real es tate market. However, one of Kieran’s many strengths is knowing how to keep calm, keep clients informed and put a plan in place to be

able to protect jobs and livelihoods, and help clients get back to their dream of owning a home in Spain. The company’s philosophy has been one of the main reasons for Home España’s success. So this celebration was not only for the company’s 20th anniversary, but also to maintain and strengthen the relation ships within the company. HomeEspaña has always had a friendly and enjoyable working environment, with an energetic, positive and optimistic team. Kieran continuously strives to keep his team happy and long lasting.

Indeed, HomeEspaña’s ethos is charac terised not only by maintaining the total con fidence of all customers by providing excel lent service, but also by giving back to the community by collaborating with various charities. HomeEspaña believes this is a pow erful way to invest in the people and places that make up our daily lives.

Joining HomeEspaña at the celebration were its sister company HomeFinance Spain, the Spanish financial services specialist and a specialist mortgage broker, Hipoteken, which helps national and international clients buy property throughout Spain.

Here to help

THE British Benevolent Fund tries to help British nationals in Spain who have found themselves in very difficult financial situations.

Often this is compound ed by difficulties with a challenging social security and health system.

One such case was John.

John lives in rural Spain. He moved there af ter his wife died and en joyed the tranquillity.

He quickly settled in, made friends, learned the language and found part time work.

He also registered as an official resident and had a modest income freelanc ing.

On a routine medical check up, they discovered a suspected tumour and needed to do more tests.

As a legal resident he was covered, but he had n’t reckoned with the bu reaucracy and the long

waiting list.

The doc tors ad vised surgery to re move a malignant tu mour close to his spine.

Within weeks the dam age caused to the spine left him with debilitating back pain and mobility is sues. He was soon finding it very difficult to walk.

As an official Spanish resident, he was entitled to healthcare and disabili ty payments.

However, he had to wait nearly six months for the surgery and was un able to work.

His savings were soon depleted.

Local social services contacted the local British Consulate who referred the case to us.

The BBF was able to pay for mobility and a

modest sum to cover liv ing and travel expenses to and from the hospital.

The surgery was a suc cess and John was able to receive disability pay ments.

He wrote to us after ward to say he was back to living a full life and to thank us.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the help you have offered me. After having fallen ill with cancer I was in a very dark place. I now have help from social se curity after a long wait. The BBF lifted a heavy weight.”

John is now working again and, in every sense back on his feet.

More than 60 guests attended the event.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

Most popular one

Betty Henderson

CATS are independent, and less demanding and easier to care for, but they can be cold towards people. Dogs are intelligent, affectionate and playful, but they re quire a lot of attention and time.

Ever wondered how peo ple around the world choose between the popu lar pets? A new study has revealed the popularity of cats and dogs as pets in each European country, and had some fascinating re sults.

Cat loving countries: Cats are more popular in more European countries than

dogs, with 27 countries choosing cats as their favourite pet. Top European countries for cats include Italy, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, Greece and, Romania.

Dog loving countries: Dogs were the pet of choice in 11 European countries in cluding Spain, the UK, Ire land, France, Croatia, Serbia, Albania, and the Czech Re public.

So, it looks like cats have the popularity vote in Eu rope. Reasons for the re sults include factors such as people living in apartments without space to exercise a

dog, or working long hours, making cats smarter choices for a pet.

Global data similarly re vealed that cats were more popular pets than dogs in 91

Advertising Feature

countries, with dogs more popular pets in 76 coun tries. But trends are chang ing all the time and the de bate over which pet is our favourite is far from over!

Taking good care of their eyes

IT is important not to neglect the eye health of dogs and cats as it can lead to a serious loss of their visual ability.

Owners must be vigilant and recog nise the symptoms of impaired eye health. These are the most common symptoms: Redness of the eyes.

Eye discharge Swelling eyelids. Cloudy appear ance of the eye

Signs of pain: eyes closed, scratching the face

Signs of anxiety or hesitation when in new places

Your dog stumbles with objects and suddenly does not want to go up or down stairs or jump on furniture, which he nor mally did.

It is important to visit the vet regularly and especially if you observe any of these signs.

Pet preening

THE winter brings par ticular challenges for pet owners thanks to wet weather and mud dy puddles. Keeping your pet clean and well groomed is crucial to its overall well being and happiness. Follow these tips from pet lovers to keep your pet having fun while keep ing it clean and healthy.

1. Bath your pet

A bath can help your pet to feel refreshed, just as we do after tak ing a bath or shower. Not all breeds love bathing but it is still im portant for your pet’s hygiene and to prevent parasites like ticks go ing unnoticed.

Regular baths can keep your pet’s fur from getting matted

and can help you to catch shedding hair, as well as helping you to keep your home clean!

2.

Tend to paws

Paws are particularly sensitive to cold weath er, wet surfaces, and fallen leaves. Tending to your pet’s paws with a cloth and some warm water can help you to catch dried or cracked skin, which could end up being painful for your pet if left untreat ed.

3. Brush their fur

As well as giving your pet regular baths, brushing their fur is a quick and easy way to keep your pet feeling fresh and clean. A quick daily brush of the fur can keep it looking glossy.

BATH TIME: Not all pets love a bath, but it is an important task to keep their skin and fur healthy.

Photo credit: 135pixels / shutterstock.com

Photo credit: Bachkova Natalia / shutterstock.com

CATS

being won by cats says a new study.

Emergency helpline which is available to both members a nd non- m e m be rs on 96 6 723 733 (95456)

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN A SS EM B LY, TORREVIEJA Call e Beniajan 16, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non denom inational church. Sunday morn ing Services at 11.00am. All na t i o n a li t i es we l co m e C o n tac t 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For o t h er c hu rc h ma t ters phon e : 966 799 273 / /617 215 46 3 www.icatorrevieja.org (95476)

L A SIEST A E V ANGE L I C A L C HUR C H on Urban i sat i on L a Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. Fo r more information, including de t ail s o f ou r ser vi ces , see ou r websi t e ww w.lasies t ae vangel i calchurch.org (10005)

PHILIP S C O TT L O DGE N o 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information (95459)

PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNI TY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none For further information, www pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009 SG/A (95463)

ROYA L A i r Force Assoc i at i o n Costa Blanca Registered Mem bers Group: The RA FA Cost a Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a so cial group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Assoc i at i on. C ontact w i th th e Royal Air Force Association and t h e RM G ca n b e m a d e v i a t h e RA FA webs i te ra fa or g.u k Te l 0044 800 018 2361. (238593)

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ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secre tary at granalacant.secretary@ rbl.community

ROY A L MARI N ES A S SOCI A TION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring t o gether not just ex R o y a l Marines, but ex Service person nel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details con t a ct Hon Se c P S Wilkins Tel : 966 194 158 ema il: in k i n spain@yahoo.co uk (10004)

RO Y A L NAVAL A SSOC IATIO N For information please contact Chairman Anthony Jenkins +34 693 866 709, V i ce C ha i rma n Dusty Miller +34 711 006 670, S ecret a r y Mi k e Co c kman +3 4 670 224 822, Tr easurer Car l Louden +34 678 518 202, email rnatorrevieja@aol.com (95455)

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THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. For m er & serv ing ai rcrews o f t h e UK or Alli e d A r m e d Fo rces ar e welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st y ea r ww w acacosta bl a n ca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465)

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THE BAKER Foundation Spiri t ual Cen t re Pl a y a F lamen c a Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Fla menca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre Or co n tact Lind a Sc hug Te l. 60 6 990 665 f or more de t ail s (95458)

THE P A TIE N C E L O DGE N o 2177 of the R.A.O B Please call S ecret a r y D a v e Tong e on 68 8 704 091 for further information. (253807)

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EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare.net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706)

GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinat ed, de-wormed, de-flead. volun teers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709)

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WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet in surance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excel lent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

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ROAD TEST

byMarkSlack

AS marques go, few can match Sir William Lyon’s Jaguar, especially when you consider he began building sidecars in Blackpool. In its mod ern incarnation Jaguar is now one of the companies that’s leading the charge to electrification. Their range already encom passes pure electric, plug in hybrid and mild hybrid models, including a mild hybrid diesel power unit.

The lead in XF is the R Dynamic S which is priced from €40,909/£35,100 with a 2.0 litre, four cylin der, mild hybrid diesel power unit. Even in this entry level model Jaguar don’t stint on the standard equipment with adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking and rear cam era, LED lights, auto lights and wipers, auto dimming

Refined with a sporting stance

an eight speed automatic

I’m a fan of more tradi tional, lighter and arguably more British interior style rather than the dark hues of many modern cars.

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Jaguar XF R-Dynamic S

• Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged diesel with mild hybrid assistance developing 204PS Gears: 8-speed automatic

• Price: €40,909/£35,100

• Performance: 0-100 kph (60 mph) 7.1 seconds/Maxi mum Speed 235 kph (146 mph)

• Economy: 4.99l/100km (56.6 mpg) combined driving –WLTP

JAGUAR XF: This car is a delight and still retains a special feel that some German marques lack.

rear view mirror, powered front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and powered door mirrors and more. Of course consult the options list to say it’s big is some what of an understate ment and the price can escalate dramatically.

Although only a 2.0 litre,

four cylinder mild hybrid diesel propels the XF past the benchmark 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and returns very decent fuel economy. The XF can also be speci fied with all wheel drive rather than the standard rear wheel drive along with a range of petrol en gines. All the XF range has

Much to their credit Jaguar offer a range of both light and dark interiors at no extra cost.

I criticised the original XE and XF for what I saw as a drop in quality. That has certainly been recti fied and the XF feels like it is back where it belongs on that side of the quality equation. There’s also a lesson for digitisation ob sessives in car design, it doesn’t have to be compli

• Emissions: 131 g/km – WLTP Model tested was UK-specification and equipment lev els and prices may vary in other markets.

cated and can be intuitive, as the XF demonstrates perfectly.

On the road the XF doesn’t disappoint and despite a mere four cylin ders retains a commend ably refined air. With ride options ranging from sport to waft mode it’s a delight and still retains a special feel that some

German marques lack..

On the debit side the XF isn’t that spacious consid ering its size. There are al so still traces of cheaper plastics that should never be allowed inside a Jaguar! Overall though this is a car that acquits itself with considerable aplomb and which can happily park on my drive anytime.

Hello hybrid

THE hybrid car market in Europe is bigger than ev er before, with more and more people thinking about switching to elec tric power without the high costs of a fully elec tric vehicle. As more in frastructure goes in across Spain to support the electric transition, hybrid cars are also get ting more affordable.

Here we share the three most cost effective hybrids in Spain right now. These three cars all made the category B for sustainability in Spain.

• Renault Clio E Tech

Similarly at the top of the list for affordability is the Clio E Tech, Re nault’s answer for a compact hybrid car. With two separate elec tric motors this car is al so particularly powerful. The car starts at the af

fordable €21,192, mak ing it slightly cheaper the others in this catego ry.

• Toyota Yaris After becoming a pio neer in the market, Toy ota sits at the top of the list for affordability and efficiency with hybrid cars. The Toyota Yaris hybrid model starts at €21,350 in Spain, which

is one the cheapest on the market for a car of its kind.

• Honda Jazz

The most spacious hy brid making the list is the Honda Jazz. The car has a large fuel tank as well as lengthy electric capability. In Spain, the car starts at €21,950, lower than many compa rable models.

WINTER is coming, and that means some extra car care is in order! Although Spain doesn’t get as cold as many other countries, common winter issues in cluding low temperatures, frost, and heavy rainfall can take a toll on your car. Here we share some top tips from mechanics on how you can ensure your car runs without a hitch during the winter.

1. Consider parking solu tions

Moving your car to an indoor garage is a smart choice during the winter. Inside, your car won’t be exposed to the elements which can speed up the wearing down process of your car. If you can’t store your car indoors, consider a cover which can protect the windshield from frost and stop your engine flu ids from freezing, saving you time.

2. Prepare for frost In the coldest months of January and February, frost can appear in many regions in Spain. Be pre pared by stocking up on anti freeze and purchasing

Winter ready

a scraper so you can get going in no time!

3. Tyre care If you live in a moun tainous area or plan on travelling to a snowy or icy area, consider switching to

winter tyres, or ensuring that you have all seasons tyres ready to go. These tyres are better equipped for wintery weather, pro tecting you against acci dents.

Photo credit: Ground Picture / shutterstock.com

RENAULT CLIO: Their compact hybrid car.