Costa de Almeria 29 December • 4 January 2022 Issue 1956

Fancy a dip

FOR eight years, the Mojacar Forum has been enticing brave folk to join in their New Year’s Day aquatic fundraising fun to raise as much money as possible for the Forum’s chosen charity, the Paws ­ Patas Animal Charity in Mojacar.

Not only has the New Year’s Day Charity Swim been growing year after year, it has now consolidated itself as part of lo ­

cal culture.

The beach opposite the Best Indalo Hotel is the meeting point. Registration begins at 11.00am, ready for the midday dip.

Fancy dress is always welcomed as is the brandy, wine and treats that flow at the afterparty.

With over 22,000 members, the Forum, which can be found on Facebook is for people who love Spain and

Mojacar and offers a wealth of information. For more information head to: https://www.facebook.co m/groups/3991668269541

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If would like to donate but are unable to make the event on New Year’s Day, you can make a bank transfer to PAWS ­ PATAS in Spain: IBAN: ES76305801 86342720002653, SWIFT / BIC: CCRIES2A.

Help from heroes

CHILDREN staying in the Huercal­Overa Paediatric Centre were in for a special treat on Thursday, December 22, thanks to a touching Christmas gesture from local firefighters.

The Levante Almeriense Firefighters’ Association gifted three model fire engines to the hospital to bring some festive cheer to children staying over Christmas. The children will get the opportunity to live out their dreams as firefighting heroes with the models which can be driven around or pushed by parents.

The model fire engines are the real deal,

equipped with Bluetooth sound systems, sirens and flashing lights. They are also exact replicas of the force’s own fire engines thanks to an incredible effort from local firefighters to decorate the models with stickers and accessories.

The firefighters’ meticulous decoration efforts cover all bases for patients, including hooks for IV drips and space for other medication.

The hospital received the fire engines with delight, praising the firefighters’ generous gesture which will bring smiles to many faces this Christmas.

Christmas miracle

AN abandoned dog found near Huercal ­ Overa is on track to make a miraculous recovery after being rescued by passing local residents. After being dis­

covered in La Parata on Saturday, December 17, Lula is now staying at the vets in Huercal­Overa.

Passing resident, Andy, found the dog (Lula) in a

dreadful state, showing heart ­ breaking signs of neglect.

After being transferred to the vets, Lula was calmed by professionals and given food before tests and samples were run to help with her treatment.

Local resident, Beverly Kearns took to Facebook to share the wonderful news of her recovery saying, “she is going to hopefully transition into becoming a glamorous girlie after her horrendous life of neglect and suffering.”

Others shared their delight at the dog’s recovery calling her a “Christmas miracle”.

The community has rallied behind Lula, Helping Animals Almanzora charity have taken charge of her recovery and 4Paws made a generous donation of €100 towards her recovery. She is now enjoying a nutritious diet.

SPECIAL TREAT: Firefighters in Huercal-Overa brought Christmas magic to a local children’s hospital with interactive fire engine models.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Mojacar (Via email)

NEW YEAR’S DAY: Come swim with us and raise money for charity.

Image: Paws-Patas Animaly Charity.

FRACTIONS of the 05490 first prize in the December 22 Christmas Lottery were sold in Almeria City, San Agustin and Roquetas as well as administrations in 31 other provinces. Punters who bought a ‘decimo’ or a 10th of an entire ticket each won €400,000 less the taxman’s cut.

Bah humbug

THE CSIF union, which represents most of the Andalucia’s health professionals, compared the SAS health service to The Grinch owing to delays in paying overtime that had been worked in November. Owing to the SAS’s ‘lack of foresight’ this would not arrive until January, a CSIF statement complained.

More services

THE Diputacion provincial council is improving services and municipal infrastructure in Lijar and Albanchez with respective investments of €220,000 and €172,500. Lijar will finally have a muchneeded Municipal Store with adapted washrooms, while Albanchez’s principal street, Calle Constitucion, will be extended and a new car park built.

Field work

PERSONNEL from the First Information Operations Regiment, based in San Juan de Ribera (Valencia), were sent on training exercises in different Almeria municipalities. Specialising in contact with civilian authorities on peacekeeping missions, the soldiers were able to put into practice their training in approaching local leaders or communities.

Slow coach

ONCE Almeria­Madrid high speed trains are operative, AVEs stopping at five stations in Vera, Lorca, Murcia, Elche and Orihuela will take four hours to reach Madrid. Others that also stop in Alicante, Villena, Albacete and Cuenca, will take more than five hours, longer than driving between the two cities.

Betty Henderson

MOTORISTS in Andalucia are preparing for changes as a renovation project gets underway to renumber kilometre markers on the A­7. The motorway, which lines the east coast of the country, is set for changes to kilometre markers to avoid duplication.

The scheme began back on Tuesday, October 11, and affects portions of the road from Almeria to Algeciras. The Ministry of Transport embarked upon the project to avoid duplication of kilometre numbers between sections of the road from its start in La Junquera in northern Catalonia to its end in the Andalucian city of Algeciras. The new system means that the road’s first kilometre is at its northern start, ascending towards the 1,122nd kilometre which is at its southern end point in Algeciras.

Various kilometre signs had to be changed in the south of the country including at Fuengirola, which changed

Shifting gears

Christmas crochet Fat prize

aware of the new numbering convention.

Motorists took to Facebook over the Christmas holidays to remark on the changes and in some cases, express confusion about the decision. Others were dismayed about the use of money, as the project cost more than €350,000, but authorities say the project is necessary to avoid confusion among emergency services and highway patrols.

THE festive spirit was all around in Nijar in the runup to Christmas, with a huge variety of decorations, including a crocheted Christmas tree. A whole host of festive activities also got underway in the town as the sun shone brightly after several weeks of heavy rain.

from kilometre 210 to 1015, and La Herradura which changed from 305 to 960. The changes mean that businesses will need to update any address information which refers to the kilometre number markers which could confuse customers.

Residents should also take care to ensure that any visitors who may have been accustomed to the old system are

Generous gesture

THIS Christmas Carboneras has helped to provide vaccinations to children in poverty­stricken parts of the world, thanks to a Christmas card campaign. The campaign has funded nearly 3,000 vaccination kits to fight measles. The council announced that its gesture of seasonal goodwill has helped to fund 2,790 vaccination kits in a press release on Thursday, December 22.

Local mayor, José Luis Amérigo chose to send UNICEF charity Christmas cards out to homes in the Carboneras area this year, sending heartfelt wishes from all at the council. The cards each contained a message signed by the mayor, wishing local people a festive period filled with joy, special time with family and friends, and a prosperous New Year.

The number changes date back to 2003 when sections of the older N­340 were connected with the current A­7 to create a faster nationwide highway. Kilometre numbers were not always updated, which resulted in the system which stood for almost 20 years, with some numbers duplicated throughout the country.

An impressive crocheted Christmas tree was one of the festive delights which appeared on Saturday, December 18 to welcome the festive season. The tree, standing at more than two metres, was created by talented members of the community in Barranquete.

Angelic voices

ALMERIA was serenaded by a host of angelic singers in the Concurso Local de Villancicos Carol Contest, which was held in the city on Saturday, December 18. Twelve local choirs took to the stage to perform popular Christmas carols and have a shot at winning a prize.

Melodic tunes were performed throughout the afternoon, but it was the choir from the British School of Almeria which stood out in both the infant and junior categories which includes performers up to the age of 15. In the adult category the Beviart Musical Association shone through to take first place.

An excited audience packed into the Auditorio Maestro Padilla to enjoy the music extravaganza and get into the Christmas spirit.

The event was also filmed by Interalmería TV who are set to broadcast the performance as part of their festive

programme. Each category in the contest offered an impressive cash prize of €865 for first place and a prize of €565 for second place. Following the performances, the winning choirs were each awarded their prizes by local councillor, Carlos Sánchez and journalist Alfredo Casas.

Every leaf on the tree was carefully crocheted and fixed onto a treeshaped structure to create the ‘marvel of craftsmanship’, as the local council called it. The tree, and other decorations in the town will remain up until the end of the festive period. Local children also enjoyed the most wonderful time of the year with exciting costume parades and fun at Christmas market stalls.

Children also came out to send their letters off to the Three Kings who are due to bring gifts to homes on the Epiphany (Friday, January 6).

New Year wishes

2022 HAS been a year of rebirth for Spain’s economy and tourism industry following two years of the pandemic.

Tourists have returned in their millions while the theatres, bars and restaurants which had been hit by Covid are booming once again.

Spain also saw some of the biggest names in music flock to its shores, with Craig David, Simply Red, Simple Minds and Texas all performing this summer.

2023 is now set to be an even bigger year of boom and the Euro Weekly News would like to wish all our readers and advertisers a very happy and prosperous New Year ahead.

With love, The EWN family x

Kilometre numbers in the Andalucía section of the A-7 have changed to avoid duplication along the nationwide motorway

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons / Kokoo

Two choirs from the British School of Almeria won top prize in a popular Christmas Carol Contest.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almería

Santa’s elves

A WHOLE host of local youth volunteers are coming together to bring the festive magic to all children in Nijar. Sol Descalzo youth group are leading a toy collection drive which they launched on Thursday, December 1 to run throughout the month.

Dedicated young volunteers from Sol Descalzo are working with staff at the Andalucia de San Isidro School, and CEIP Juan Sebastián El Cano school to collect toys and games.

The group aims to ensure that no child is left without a toy at Christmas, and encourages the community to get involved. Many of the toys will be donated to children in the social care system.

WINNING Ferrero Rocher’s Christmas illuminations competition brought more to Mojacar than the brightlylit Pueblo over the holidays.

The town is also featured in a Ferrero Rocher advertising spot shown on national television throughout the Christmas period.

The group are collecting donations at the schools and their headquarters, but are also running a collection service around Nijar which can be requested at: 643 241 614. The only request is that toys are in good condition so they can be

enjoyed by other children.

Sol Descalzo is a youth organisation that runs activities for children of all ages in San Isidro and Nijar, with the goal of promoting social inclusion and instilling strong community values in local children.

Free publicity

According to an independent analysis carried out for communications consultants Simbiu, Mojacar enjoyed publicity worth €693,640 between December 12, when the municipality was proclaimed the Juntos Brillamos Mas (We shine more brightly together) winner, and Tuesday December 20.

During this time Mojacar was referred to on 486 occasions, which included the internet editions of As, Hola and El Español as well as in the printed press, radio and television both regionally and nationally, the Simbiu analysis found. These references also provided indirect

advertising for Ferrero Rocher.

Although advertising spots were not included in the survey, the prime­time slot on the Cuatro television channel when popular presenter Jesus Vazquez announced the winner would have cost the municipality €33,000.

This was the ninth Juntos Brillamos Mas edition, which was previously won by Astorga (Leon), Guadalupe (Caceres), Morella (Castellon), Puebla de Sanabria (Zamora), Rubielos de Mora (Teruel), Valderrobres (Teruel) y Peñíscola (Castellon).

FESTIVE MAGIC: The group are aiming to equal last year’s huge collection of toys and games which were distributed among children in the community.

Photo credit: Sol Descalzo (Via Instagram)

ALMERIA GOES VIRAL

ED 1908 - JANUARY

THE Costa de Almeria brand went viral during the Fitur international tourism fair in Madrid.

Four of Spain’s most popular influencers have been singing the province’s praises on the social networks during Fitur, arguably the world’s most important trade fair of its kind, held this year between January 19 and 23.

Laura Madrueño, a journalist who is also Telecinco’s weathergirl, commercial pilot Lucia Pombo together with Marta Carriedo and Tomas Paramo, who are business ­ owners, have millions of followers between them.

Thanks to their massive following, visits to the Almeria Diputacion’s own social media networks have increased by 500 per cent, revealed Fernando Gimenez who heads the provincial council’s Tourism department.

“Influencers put us in touch with their millions of followers in an approachable and efficient way,” Gimenez said. “This is a public that ordinarily it would be complicated for us to reach.”

In recent years, the social media have become fundamental ­ and probably most influential ­ when tourists are choosing a holiday destination, he continued.

“With this operation we have succeeded in making ‘Costa de Almeria’ a fashionable holiday destination online,” Gimenez added.

Meanwhile, the Diputacion had also been practising an older form of networking, with important Fitur meetings, the provincial councillor revealed.

“We are getting very good sensations from them and we will go on working to make tourism a driving force that creates employment for Almeria Province,” Gimenez pledged.

Photo credit: Diputacion de Almeria

FITUR SUCCESS: Diputacion president Javier Aureliano Garcia meets the influencers.

New role for old station

ED 1910 - FEBRUARY

HUERCAL ­ OVERA Town Hall has finally realised its goal of turning a disused railway station into a leisure and sports centre.

Diputacion president Javier Aureliano Garcia and Huercal’s mayor Domingo Fernandez recently inaugurated the radically ­ transformed complex.

Converting HuercalOvera’s railway station,

which closed on January 1, 1985 when trains no longer used this part of the line, together with its outbuildings and water tower, has cost €380,000. The project was financed by Andalucia’s Planes Provincial scheme thanks to which, the Diputacion president pointed out, Huercal ­ Overa residents could now enjoy the historic property and its surroundings.

The station is also the

starting point for another town hall initiative, the 13 ­ kilometre Via Verde green route which follows the route of the original railway track

“We are proud to be part of a project that features one of HuercalOvera’s principal monuments,” Garcia said. “It is also going to improve services for the local population as well as the tourists who use these first ­ class services,” he added.

VIA VERDE: Green Route sets out from Huercal-Overa’s transformed station.

Photo credit: Huercal-Overa town hall

Charity triumph

1913 - MARCH

ONE un ­ neutered female cat could be responsible for a staggering 2,072,514 cats over an eight­year period.

“That’s why the Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) scheme for controlling feral cat colonies is so vital,” pointed out Chrissie Cremore, vice­president of the PAWS­PATAS animal charity based in Los Gallardos.

“PAWS­PATAS is proud to inform you that as of February 21 we have successfully trapped, neutered and returned 683 feral cats,” Chrissie told the Euro Weekly News.

“This is an amazing triumph for a small charity trying to solve a big problem,” she said. “There are only a few volunteers taking on this massive task and helping local communities in Mojacar and surrounding areas,” she said.

“PAWS ­ PATAS has prevented thousands and

thousands of kittens from being born into an unfortunate and unknown existence, either starving to death or dying from a painful disease.

“We have struggled for

decades with funding but thankfully a large legacy was donated specifically for our TNR campaign, but this amazing gift has now been exhausted,” Chrissie explained. “We receive no statutory funding, therefore without the dedication and generosity of our volunteers, fundraisers ­ and you, the public ­ we could not survive. Our thanks must also go to our fantastic and supportive vets,” she said.

“We are passionate about this campaign and want to continue our work and help with the feral cat population.”

To neuter a female cat costs between €60 and €80 and male between €35 and €55, Chrissie said, adding that readers who wish to help can donate via the www.paws­patas.org website or at one of their outlets in Turre, Las Buganvillas, Mojacar and Mojacar Playa, specifying that it is for TNR use.

ED

PAWS-PATAS SHELTER: Well-loved cats looking for purrfect fur-ever homes.

Photo credit: Chrissie Cremore

Just what’s needed!

ED 1917 - APRIL

THE Indalo Players are pleased to announce their new production, Murder in the Panto. After a long absence from the stage, they will be performing in Shea’s Bar Mojacar, which some will remember as The Kimrick, on Thursday April 21 and Friday April 22.

Tickets, which cost €18 per person and include the show and a two­course meal, will be available from the bar very soon. To avoid disappointment, book early.

“You can expect songs, laughter and a jolly good murder,” said the play’s author, Bill White. “So come along and just enjoy the show or, for those who take it seriously, study the clues, guess who did it and win a prize into the bargain.”

As usual the play will go on a short tour around the Mojacar area, so watch this space. “We could be coming to a bar near you,” Bill said. Murder in the Panto, his latest murder mystery, is based on an idea by fellow Indalo Players member, Jane Jordan Read, and tells the story of a dreadful murder that is committed during the pan ­

tomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

As in all Indalo Players’ productions, and especially as this is set in a panto, there will be lots of humour, songs and colour to cheer up the audience at a time when cheer has been in short supply

The group describe themselves as a “mixed crowd of all ages who sometimes perform comedy, sometimes drama, sometimes pantomime.”

For more information contact Bill at williamwhite9552@aol.com or on his mobile, 671 810 819.

Roses all the way

THE Almanzora Group of Friends had a great morning on April 23.

The Albox­based association were celebrating St George’s Day as well as Day of the Book and the Rose, when it is customary to give a book and a red rose to loved ones.

“The weather god smiled on us and instead of the forecast rain, the sun shone, although it was a little windy,” Shelagh Murdoch told the Euro Weekly News.

“We had some lovely raffle prizes, a superb selection of nibbles, the ever­ popular

Play your Cards Right, and a football game.

“Juliet Ryall entertained us with music and singing and there were red roses to give away with a book of choice,” Shelagh said.

Last, but far from least, were singing, dancing and recitations from nine talented pupils from the Virgen de Saliente primary school.

“Our sincere thanks to all our volunteers and donors of food, prizes and other items,” Shelagh said.

“As always, your generosity was very much appreciated and contributed to the success of the event.”

All proceeds will go the

Albox Ukranian appeal, which has already sent two buses loaded with food and clothing to the Ukrainian border, bringing back 110 people, of whom 95 are living in Albox.

Two more lorries have since repeated the trip with much­needed supplies.

“We have a collection box in our Plaza San Antonio library in Albox for anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause,” Shelagh said.

For more information about the Almanzora Group of Friends, visit the www.al manzoragof.org website or their Facebook page.

INDALO PLAYERS: Promise of songs, laughter and colour in their next production.

ED 1922 - MAY

UKRAINE FUNDRAISERS: Pupils from Albox’s Virgen de Saliente primary school contributed with their teacher, Francine.

Beauty(ful) donation

Linda

Hall

A SEVILLA cosmetics firm gh Gema Herrerias has donated €10,000 to assist the 43 Ukrainians now living in Canjayar.

Maria Dolores Esteban, who was born in Canjayar and is the mother of the firm’s founder Gema Herrerias, presented the cheque at the town hall on June 2.

The Ukrainians, who include 13 orphans aged between 6 and 17, arrived in Canjayarpopulation approximately 1,200 ­ last March after fleeing to Poland from their devastated and invaded country.

They reached Canjayar thanks to David Gonzalez, an Asturian now living in Laujar del Andarax who is a mountain guide, and Ramon Ortiz, a retired policeman.

Travelling to Poland with transport provided by Almeria travel company Frahermar, David and Ramon took donated supplies with them, before collecting the 43 refugees and

bringing them to safety.

Canjayar’s mayor Juan Jose Romero pledged to find help for the newly­arrived residents and that help has continued to arrive.

The town hall and Canjayar’s Nuevos Horizontes (New Horizon) women’s association have worked together to raise funds to help the Ukrainian residents, collaborating with the Indalvida Foundation which will now channel the gh Gema Herrerias donation, raised through the firm’s cosmetic sales in pharmacies.

“We wanted to help from the moment we learnt that Canjayar was taking in refugees from Ukraine,” Gema Herrerias announced in a statement issued when the donation was made public.

“This is my family’s hometown and it’s doubly satisfying that my mother should be presenting the donation,” she said.

“I want to give my profound thanks to all the Canjayar community, residents and authorities who are involved in this humanitarian undertaking.”

ED 1927

- JUNE

The pride grows The play’s the thing

Linda Hall

ED 1930 - JULY

THE Indalo Players recently presented the Los Gallardos­based animal shelter PAWS­PATAS with €650.

“This will go towards a new container for cat supplies as the old one had become unsafe,” explained PAWS­PATAS Jennifer Jordan, as she accepted the cheque from Players’ member, Bill White.

Curled up in the background, camera­shy Mrs Grumpy treated the whole affair with suitable disdain, unaware that all of this ensured her well­being and that of the shelter’s other residents.

Raffles held during performances of Bill’s latest play, Murder in the Panto, raised €567 for PAWS­PATAS thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the audiences. The cast then decided to round this up to €600 and in the end chipped in so much that they reached €650.

“Due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, we couldn’t extend the run to the planned 10 performances,” Bill told the Euro Weekly News.

“In the event, we could only perform the show four times but by popular demand, we’ll bring the show back between October 2022 and February 2023,” he announced.

“It’s always a pleasure giving money to deserving causes and the work PAWS­PATAS does here is of benefit to the whole community. I dread to think how many stray cats and dogs would be roaming around the countryside if the shelter didn’t exist,” Bill said.

ED 1931 - JULY

Linda Hall

THESE are exciting times for Vera and District Lions as they welcome 12 new members to the club.

Final figures are now in for their biggest event of the year, the Party in the Park held at the end of May in Ferial el Palmeral in Vera.

With 800 tickets sold, over 1,000 members of the public, volunteers, performers, traders and guests enjoyed the wide variety of music on offer and soaked up the sunshine.

After an absence of three years due to the pandemic, it was a great way to celebrate being able to stage the event again.

Final accounts show that Party in the Park generated

close to €6,800 which will help the club to assist people in need in the local community.

“Thanks must go to the hardworking volunteers who made it possible to stage the event and to the many performers who gave their time free to entertain everyone,” Ceri

Norman said.

“Thanks are also due to Vera Town Hall and the sponsors for their support.”

The Vera Lions now move into a new era with a new committee which will be appointed in the coming months, Ceri explained.

“Special thanks are due to our outgoing President

and Secretary, Andy and Jo Pearson for all their efforts over the last three years,” she said.

Anybody interested in joining the Lions and helping to serve the local community should contact their secretary Zoe at the ver alionssecretary@gmail.co m address.

VERA LIONS: The first batch of new members.

Photo credit: Vera and District Lions

Sahrawi children are welcomed

‘HOLIDAYS IN PEACE’, a project organised by the Almeria Friends of the Sahara Association, kicked off on July 29 with a formal reception for the group of Sahrawi children who have come to Almeria for the holidays.

A total of 38 families from 15 different municipalities have welcomed the children into their homes for the next six weeks. At the event, welcome packs full of gifts were given to the children, who received them excitedly. As well as spending their time enjoying

games and activities in Almeria, the children have access to medical care and have already had their first check­up with the Torrecardenas paediatrics team. Almeria has been carrying out the programme for decades, and 2,423 children have been part of it since it began.

“The children are political refugees and we have to keep that in mind. Refugees have all the same rights as everyone else and the Sahrawi people demand a just solution to their cause,” said María Ramírez, the president of the Almeria Friends of the Sahara Association.

Outstanding results

Tamsin Brown JAROSO SECONDARY

SCHOOL in Cuevas del Almanzora ended the year on an extremely positive note. At the end of July, the school received the statistics on how the results of its students’ university entrance exams (PEvAU) compared to those of students in the rest of Andalucia.

Jaroso was the only school in the region where all the students passed the exams, which were held in June, and the school’s average marks for almost all subjects exceeded the averages for both the province of Almeria and for Andalucia.

In core subjects such as Spanish, maths, business economics, geography, Greek, Latin, history of

Spain, philosophy and English, the average marks were well above those of both Almeria and Andalucia. For example, the average mark for maths applied to social science is 8.935 (out of 10), while the average for Andalucia

AMON FERNANDEZPACHECO visited the Cabo de Gata salt beds on August 5.

The former Almeria City mayor who now heads the regional government’s Department of Sustainability, Environment and the Blue Economy, was there to see first ­ hand the damaged channel which prevents seawater from flowing into the now­dry salt beds.

These dried up owing to the torrential spring rains which washed stones and gravel into the area, blocking and damaging the all­important channel. As well as a going commercial concern, Las Salinas are also home to thousands of birds, most of

is only 5.941.

“We can only congratulate the wonderful students, who are now starting a new stage, and the teaching staff at Jaroso Secondary School, who played an essential role in the students’ success,” said the town hall.

Salinas saved

which have had to migrate to wetlands in other Spanish provinces or further afield to Europe and Africa.

Thanking the Junta’s Environment Delegation to Almeria Province and the Union Salinera salt production company for their efforts in solving the problem, Fernandez­Pacheco listened to plans for repairing the channel.

Joseph Perez, Union Salinera’s industrial director for Spain, explained that specialists have now been brought in to remove sediment from the channel. This is expected to take between six and eight weeks, he added.

Talking to the Spanish media, Fernandez­Pacheco said he was confident that work would be carried out on schedule, provided that this was not interrupted by adverse weather conditions in the shape of heavy rains or a DANA high altitude depression.

Either could hinder the complicated project to solve the current problem and prevent a repetition in future, he said. Much of the work involves subterranean galleries carried out by experienced miners from Asturias and Leon in the north of Spain, the Environment chief explained.

CONGRATULATIONS: Jaroso Secondary School in Cuevas del Almanzora.

Credit: Cuevas del Almanzora Town Hall

ED 1941 - SEPTEMBER

MALAGA resident Christian Jongeneel intends to swim almost 100 kilometres across the Alboran Sea in Almeria to raise money for two charities.

These funds will help the Vicente Ferrer Foundation and Brazadas Solidarias ­ a charity which raises funds via swimming events ­ to pay for 135 young women from rural areas in India to study nursing.

Christian’s initiative is backed by Malaga’s provincial council, whose president Francisco Salado described the swim as “an unprecedented challenge,” as the 48 ­ year ­ old will be the first person to swim across the treacherous Alboran Sea.

Setting out from Alboran Island, which belongs to Almeria Province, Christian will have to deal with strong currents, high winds and jel­

lyfish, not to mention the constant presence of shipping.

Salado urged members of the public to follow the stages of Christian’s swim and take part in an adventure that will improve the young students’ lives as well as those of their families and the communities where they live.

Throughout September, Christian has been studying weather conditions to choose the best day to start out on the 24­hour ordeal between Alboran Island and

the Almerimar marina in Almeria Province.

He and his team are prepared to set out at a moment’s notice once the conditions are right for the swim, which is due to end at a point between Adra and the Almerimar marina in Almeria Province.

“What Christian Jongeneel is doing goes beyond sport,” said Victor Gonzalez, assistant head of the Diputacion’s Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Society needs more heroes like him.”

Heroic swim Cycling boost

ED 1940 - SEPTEMBER

ALMERIA’s recent Vuelta a España stage delighted cycling enthusiasts and was also a boost for the Costa de Almeria brand.

After setting out from the El Pozo Alimentacion plant in Alhama (Murcia), on entering Almeria Province the elite teams passed through Pulpi, Villaricos, Vera, Garrucha, Mojacar, Carboneras and Nijar before reaching the finishing line in Cabo de Gata.

Waiting for them were the Diputacion president, Javier Aureliano Garcia, and Almeria City mayor Maria Vazquez, accompanied by members of the local and provincial authorities.

“Today fans of international cycling discovered the beauty of our landscapes and roads and saw that the Costa de Almeria destination is one of the best places in the world to

enjoy cycling at any time of the year,” Garcia said.

“The sport­tourism combination is key to the sector, while creating prosperity and employment.”

La Vuelta’s caravan of more than 3,000 peoplewhich included the cyclists, their backup, organisers and all those responsible for keeping the race on the road ­ spent the night of August 31 in local hotels.

This, too, would have an immediate impact on the province’s economy, the President added.

He pointed out that the provincial council had doubled its involvement in La Vuelta and cycling in general over the last two years.

“This has enabled us to show 190 countries, and an audience of millions, that Costa de Almeria has spectacular mountain passes like last year’s Alto de Velefique and flat areas bathed by the Mediterranean like those we enjoyed today,” Garcia said.

Photo credit: Almerimar Puerto

CHRISTIAN: Will end his swim in Almerimar marina.

CAROL NEWTON, one of the Mojacar FaXtor organisers, recently contacted the Euro Weekly News with a surprise postscript.

The successful Ukraine fundraiser, which concluded with a €5,001 cheque for the Red Cross, included a raffle with a first prize of a seven­

Finishing touch Incredible challenge

night break for two in a studio apartment at the San Antonio four­star hotel in Malta.

This was available because Carol had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and, aware that they could

not take their usual holiday, she and her partner instead added the holiday to the raffle prizes.

“Let someone else enjoy it,” she declared when the Euro Weekly News first spoke to her in June.

The Mojacar FaXtor initiative followed on from Carol’s head shave that raised €2,011 and which she handed over to the Ukrainian Refugee Relief Fund.

Then came an even brighter idea.

Why not organise a talent contest to help the victims of the war­torn country?

This evolved into Mojacar FaXtor, with heats held in multiple venues in Mojacar and the surrounding area throughout the summer. Each heat winner secured a place in the Grand Finale that was held at the Miraflores Bar in Los Gallardos, with runners­up entering a local semi­final.

The overall winner was Julie Marshall, although there were also prizes for

those in second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth place.

The €500 prize money, raised from the raffle, was increased to €660 to ensure a cash prize for the six finalists and, after deducting minor associated expenses of €80, the Mojacar FaXtor was able to hand over €5,001 to the Red Cross.

There was also a heartwarming and unexpected sequel to the project, whose beneficiaries were nearer home.

“Good news!” Carol told us on October 22, shortly after returning home following her cancer operation at HuercalOvera hospital.

“The Malta holiday was donated back by the winner who was unable to use it,” Carol said.

“It was run as a separate raffle for the Vera and District Lions Club at separate events at the New Bar International in Arboleas and at the Miraflores Bar in Los Gallardos.”

This raffle, which raised a total of €700 for the Lions was drawn on Tuesday October 18 and went to a Miraflores resident, owner of ticket number 408, Carol said.

A GROUP of eight friends aged between 43 and 61 from Santopetar and Taberno are running in a triathlon on November 21.

The triathlon’s one ­ mile (1.6 kilometres) swim, a 20 ­ mile (32.1 kilometres) bike ride and a run of five miles, 385 yards (8.4 kilometres) are the equivalent of a marathon and Sarah Streeter intends to complete all three sections. Her companions will be carrying out separate elements.

“Have you always been a sportswoman?” the Euro Weekly News asked Sarah.

“Not really,” she replied. “I played netball and tennis, but only took up running in my 40s and 50s after I retired.”

The group have accepted the gruelling challenge to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK, the Brain Tumour Charity and the British Heart Foundation in the UK, as well as the Car ­

diology department at Huercal­Overa hospital.

The charities were chosen for reasons close to their hearts, the Euro Weekly News discovered after talking to Sarah.

A retired consultant Oncologist in the UK, she cared for and treated patients with prostate cancer and brain tumours, she told us.

“My father passed away 10 years ago with prostate cancer, having had the disease for over a decade,” Sarah explained.

“We are raising funds for the Brain Tumour Charity in memory of a young patient of mine, Shaun Lafford, who died in his early 30s.”

The eight friends ­ six are English, one Scottish and one Australian ­ are also helping the British Heart Foundation by holding the triathlon on what would be the birthday of Sarah’s father­in­law, who died from heart failure nearly five years ago.

Royal visit

ED 1950 - NOVEMBER

SPAIN’S king, Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visited Macael on Friday November 11 to present the Premios Macael awards for 2022.

As Don Felipe pointed out, “For me, this is the first time,” before adding, “but not for her,” referring to 2002 when the then Letizia Ortiz, a TVE television announcer, presented the awards ceremony.

The regional president, Juanma Moreno, Industry minister Reyes Maroto and the central government’s delegate to Andalucia, Pedro Fernande, were amongst the 650 people present for the gala, considered the national marble sector’s most important promotional event.

The King emphasised the challenges that the marble industry has had to face. “For instance, the irruption of the pandemic, Brexit, the Ukraine invasion or energy

prices, a phenomenon which, as we well know, has brought levels of inflation unheard of for decades,” Don Felipe said.

Despite these problems, the King referred to the marble industry’s capacity for response which, he stressed, had been key to adapting to the new scenario.

“In 2021, Spain was the world’s seventh largest natural stone producer and the sixth most important exporter,” Don Felipe pointed out.

Andalucia had the largest number of marble companies, of which almost 90 per cent were located in four municipalities, with Macael accounting for practically half of the total, he added.

The King also expressed optimism: “The natural stone and marble sector have an extraordinary future, especially for the areas where they carry out their activities,” he said.

ED 1951 - NOVEMBER

AN adorable adoption event in Vera will give animal lovers the perfect opportunity to adopt a furry friend. Local animal shelter Paws­Patas are hosting a special rehoming event on Saturday December 3.

Guests are invited to enjoy a chat and some delicious treats at a coffee morning while meeting the animals at PawsPatas animal shelter, and will get an opportunity to adopt a pet. Cats and dogs from the shelter will be present during the event from 10.30am until 1.30pm to meet potential

Rescue rehoming

owners and give lots of cuddles.

The shelter works to rescue and care for mistreated and abandoned animals in the Mojacar area and rehouse them to loving homes. The shelter has a lengthy history, operating since 1989 with the goal of rehousing as many animals as possible. Its comprehensive policy includes rescuing animals, and supporting them through foster care to adop­

tion.

The shelter is funded by the tireless work of dedicated volunteers who collect donations and man a charity shop.

The rehoming event is set to

take place at the shelter’s outlet shop in Las Buganvillas in Vera and will also feature lots of great bargains, an exciting prize draw and a lucky dip for guests to get involved with.

ENJOY CUDDLES: You could give a pet a lovely new home at the Paws-Patas rehoming event on December 3.

Photo credit: Paws-Patas (via website)

ED 1952 - DECEMBER

SARAH STREETER and a group of friends from Santopetar and Taberno ran a triathlon on November 21.

They were raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, the Brain Tumour Charity and the British Heart Foundation in the UK, as well as the Cardiology department at Huercal­Overa hospital.

All are close to their hearts for different reasons, explained Sarah, a retired Oncologist from the UK.

Their challenge completed, Sarah recently contacted the Euro Weekly News.

“Thankfully there were no injuries!” she told us. “It was a great day, and we raised more than €3,000 for the four charities.

“We are still in the process of collecting money for the Cardiology department in HuercalOvera and are likely to be doing so until our selfdeclared deadline of

Challenge completed

‘Three Kings’ Day’,” she said.

By then the group will know the final totals for each charity and will present the money they

have collected to the cardiology department in Huercal Overa.

“It’ll be a fitting end to a slightly crazy notion,” Sarah declared.

Super success

ED 1953 - DECEMBER

THE Age Support Christmas Fayre in the Arboleas sunshine raised a whopping €1,675 for the charity, to assist in its aim of improving the quality of life for older people in the Almanzora area.

Hundreds of people visited the fayre and enjoyed the live entertainment and shopping at the huge variety of stalls. The bottle tombola, run by Bev and Helen from Age Support, was a real draw.

Santa arrived and there was a free bouncy castle, kindly organised by the town hall.

Breeze FM hosted with Christmas music and they introduced Steve Jackson, 2CC and the All Aloud Community Choir who enter ­

tained with carols and well known Christmas songs to sing along to.

Vanya, President of Age Support Almanzora, is now preparing the second annual Christmas Gala on Friday, December 9, at La Parrilla,

a gala dinner with wine, entertainment by Abba solutely Fabulous, hosted by Breeze FM with a special guest. Tickets are €27.50 from the Age Support shop in Albox or call Vanya on (+34) 642 045 210.

XMAS FAYRE: Helen and Bev manning the bottle stall.

Image: Age concern

Linda Hall

WELL DONE: The roup of friends from Santopetar and Taberno (Almeria) complete the fundraiser triathlon.

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PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Racist outburst

NORMALLY there is little overt racism in Danish broadcasting, but there has been a major upset after speaking during a TV2 broadcast, journalist Christian Høgh Andersen compared pictures of Moroccan players celebrating their win to a ‘family of monkeys’ for which the company has apologised.

THE NETHERLANDS

Fair cop

DUTCH police were intrigued when they saw an extension lead running from a Tesla electric vehicle to a lamp post in a street in the town of Oud-Beijerland. The owner who it is assumed wanted to save money was arrested and charged with stealing electricity.

BELGIUM

Accessory ban

THE region of Wallonia has passed a new law banning the use of any accessories believed to cause harm to domestic animals and this includes a number of different dog collars, both electric and spiked as well as small aquariums and goldfish bowls.

GERMANY

Cunning stunts

THE latest attention seeking stunt by German climate activists Last Generation was to chop the top off a 15-metre Christmas tree outside Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and then unfurl a banner that read: ‘This is just the tip of the Christmas tree’.

FRANCE

Still Smokin’

A SURVEY of 23,661 adults has revealed that 10.6 per cent of the population have used marihuana in the past 12 months and almost half will have tried it at some time. Surprisingly the average age of a user has risen from 25 to almost 33.

NORWAY

FINLAND

Donkey drama

POLICE in Lohja, southwest Finland were surprised to discover a donkey called Judit, without the Virgin or Three Wise Men, wandering through the town late at night, but she was returned unharmed to her sanctuary in time for her to take part in their nativity show.

IRELAND

Polar theft

CUSTOMERS and staff at vegan restaurant Cornucopia in Dublin were devastated when a large polar bear plush toy known for giving ‘free hugs’ was stolen by a masked man, but it has been recovered in return for €40 and a bottle of Prosecco.

ITALY

Super car

IN 2017 the Italian police were given a Lamborghini Huracan, which has a top speed of 300kmh and it is now mainly used to transport organs, with the latest activity being a 570-kilometre journey from Padua to Rome via Modena delivering two kidneys.

PORTUGAL

Supermarket swoop

TWO supermarkets in Vila do Conde (Oporto) have been temporarily closed down as goods on sale, reportedly worth €180,000, were not properly labelled in Portuguese, thus, according to the Food and Economic Security Authority, making it impossible for consumers to make an informed choice.

UKRAINE

Pope speaks

AT a General Audience at the Vatican prior to Christmas, Pope Francis said ”We think of the Ukrainian people this Christmas, without light, without heating, without what they need to survive. Let us pray to the Lord to bring peace as soon as possible."

SWEDEN

King ill

NORWAY’S King Harald V, now aged 85, has been in an Oslo hospital for several days with an infection, but has now been discharged and returned home to complete his recovery. In the meantime, Crown Prince Haakon has taken over his father’s duties.

Not a belieber

ALTHOUGH Swedish fashion retailer believed that it had correctly negotiated a licence agreement for a Justin Bieber clothing range, it has had to withdraw it after the petulant singer wrote “I wouldn't buy it if I were you” and later called it “trash”.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA ABHOUT time

Price gap

UK Energy Minister, Grant Shapps has written to retailers of diesel and petrol complaining that a recent report from the Competition and Markets Authority suggests that many, especially supermarkets, tend to push forecourt prices up far quicker than they bring them down.

Xmas cheer

A REPORT by Spanish group Business Insider calculates that this year, (based on prices from Carrefour, Lidl and Mercadona), Christmas dinner will be 13.2 per cent more expensive than 2021 averaging €114 for four people and will increase by nearly €30 for each additional person.

January sale

BRITISH retailer Matalan has revealed plans for its ongoing sale and after assessing bids received from ‘a number of interested parties’ it plans to discuss various options with them with the intention of making an informed choice by the end of January.

Flagship store

BARCELONA has been chosen by British clothing and sports company JD Sports to be the city in which it will open its flagship store of more than 2,000 square metres (in a building valued at €80 million which previously housed Disney and H&M) early next year.

UK Budget

THE next UK Budget, setting out the government’s tax and spending plans, will be held on March 15, 2023, the Treasury has announced. In a statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the Budget would also be accompanied by a forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Spain and bribery

BRIBERY of foreign officials is a fact of life, but according to the Organisation for Economic Co­operation and Development (OECD) Spain has an appalling record of dealing with it!

Since the OECD Anti­Bribery Convention entered into force over 20 years ago, Spain has successfully convicted only two individuals in one foreign bribery case and has not convicted a single company.

The 44­country Working Group has just completed its Phase 4 evaluation of Spain’s implementation of the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related instruments.

The conclusion was that Spain continues to close cases prematurely.

Prosecutors have insufficient time to conduct their investigations and face challenges in deploying adequate investigative measures.

In addition to the issues described above, the report expresses concerns about the restrictive interpretation of

the foreign bribery offence by Spanish judges, the exceedingly short statute of limitations applicable to proceedings against legal persons, and how corporate criminal liability is triggered in practice.

Speaking exclusively to Euro Weekly News, a retired senior British company director explained that several years ago he had been invited to Nigeria to sign a contract with the country’s Central Bank but after arriving in Abuja found himself being stalled.

He eventually discovered that an attractive young lady who worked for a Spanish Government Agency had arrived and spent some time with a deputy Governor who inexplicably signed the very same contract with her organisation.

In fairness many forms of aid, especially to so­called ‘third world’ countries are tied up with terms which are beneficial to the political or economic benefit of the government granting the aid, which in itself is a legalised form of bribery.

Moderna UK deal

AMERICAN company Moderna partnered with the UK government on December 21 in a 10­year­partnership to produce vaccines and undertake research.

The company is to undertake mRNA research and development in the UK, and build a state­of­the­art vaccine manufacturing centre with the ability to produce up to 250 million vaccines a year.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay has heralded this agreement as NHS patients will have access to a UK­made supply of Covid19 jabs as well as cuttingedge vaccines developed for other respiratory diseases, such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus.

The partnership will create more than 150 jobs and further future­proof the UK

against potential pandemics, with patients to benefit from speedy access to the latest advancements in vaccine technology.

Developing vaccines on UK shores means it will be able to scale up production rapidly in the event of a health emergency, significantly boosting the NHS ability to respond to future pandemics.

Whilst a significant (cur­

rently unrevealed) investment has been welcomed by the UK government, there has recently been significant comment on social media about subsequent unexpected and unexplained deaths in the young, as possible side effects of the various untested ‘vaccines’.

The fact that Moderna will be running a significant number of clinical trials in

the UK and has also pledged to fund grants for UK universities, including PhD places and research programmes may be considered worrying by many.

The government contends however that by boosting the UK’s onshore vaccine manufacturing capability, Britain will be a step closer to becoming the leading global hub for life sciences.

NEXT year should see a new competitor for in home gym training companies when Portuguesebased BHOUT releases what it claims is the world’s first artificial intelligence enabled punch bag.

Launching initially in the UK and USA it has the added benefit of allowing those using it not only to compete with other owners, but if they are recognised of performing at a high enough standard, they can also become trainers and earn funds from their workouts.

The outside of the bag is made from organic material whilst the internal sensors calculate the power and location of each strike and transmit this information to the BHOUT’s internal brain.

UK rail fares

THE UK government has acted with the biggest intervention in its history to ensure rail fare increases for 2023 are capped at 5.9 per cent, 6.4 percentage points lower than the RPI figure on which they are historically based.

Fares will officially rise on March 5, 2023 and like last year, the government is freezing them for the entirety of January and February, giving passengers more time to purchase cheaper flexible and season tickets at the existing rate.

The government has aligned the increase to July’s average earnings growth thus more than halving the increase but also wants to see railway unions respond positively.

Economy shrinking

IT’S not good news for the British government or the Bank of England as latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the economy shrank by a greater amount than originally anticipated in the third quarter of 2022.

Although there is not a huge difference as the expected downturn of 0.2 per cent has been lowered to a final figure of 0.3 per cent, the ONS also revised down the figures for the first half of the year.

If this negative situation continues for a further quarter, as is expected, then Britain will officially be declared as being in recession.

is the amount that the President of Sabadell Bank, Josep Oliu, spent on December 20 to purchase one million shares in the bank that he heads.

MONEY TALKS: Bribery of foreign officials is a fact of life.

Credit: Lauren Hurley /Department of Health and Social Care

UNDERTAKING RESEARCH: Shaking hands on the partnership.

3I Group 1.322,50 1.325,50 1.314,50 148,40K

Abrdn 187,15 187,20 183,10 1,18M

Admiral Group 2.102,5 2.109,0 2.071,0 75,02K

Anglo American 3.241,5 3.256,5 3.194,0 407,53K

Antofagasta 1.546,00 1.550,50 1.530,50 75,92K

Ashtead Group 4.770,0 4.794,0 4.716,0 38,67K

Associated British Foods 1.587,0 1.592,5 1.565,0 92,62K

AstraZeneca 11.226,0 11.328,0 11.212,0 123,40K

Auto Trader Group Plc 521,20 525,60 520,00 218,06K

Aveva 3.216,0 3.218,0 3.214,0 37,28K

Aviva 446,50 447,60 444,20 429,89K

B&M European Value Retail SA409,30 413,90 408,30 171,44K

BAE Systems 851,00 865,80 849,00 1,18M

Barclays 157,76 158,34 156,64 1,92M

Barratt Developments 407,90 410,40 403,00 429,21K

Berkeley 3.850,0 3.868,0 3.817,0 41,94K

BHP Group Ltd 2.567,00 2.581,00 2.545,00 133,95K

BP 477,25 478,65 473,93 3,17M

British American Tobacco 3.328,0 3.333,0 3.311,5 191,30K

British Land Company 398,00 398,60 389,40 130,65K

BT Group 114,34 115,55 114,34 1,23M

Bunzl 2.772,0 2.790,0 2.756,0 45,09K

Burberry Group 2.021,0 2.028,0 2.019,0 338,85K

Carnival 576,0 581,4 571,6 158,66K

Centrica 96,20 96,32 94,56 2,08M

Coca Cola HBC AG 1.952,5 1.957,0 1.944,0 23,13K

Compass 1.935,63 1.940,50 1.923,50 231,18K

CRH 3.282,5 3.294,5 3.270,5 32,84K

Croda Intl 6.656,6 6.712,0 6.596,0 17,82K

DCC 4.091,0 4.104,0 4.068,0 16,32K

Diageo 3.654,0 3.673,0 3.635,0 343,37K

DS Smith 322,07 323,30 319,00 380,97K

EasyJet 343,80 344,10 336,30 280,73K

Experian 2.810,0 2.835,0 2.807,0 62,39K

Ferguson 10.295,0 10.345,0 10.235,0 81,94K

Flutter Entertainment 11.485,0 11.550,0 11.450,0 16,59K

Fresnillo 869,20 872,80 862,60 52,01K

Glencore 556,40 561,00 554,80 5,91M

GSK plc 1.454,04 1.463,80 1.453,00 488,93K

Halma 2.018,0 2.030,0 1.993,0 76,62K

Hargreaves Lansdown 853,80 856,40 840,40 75,63K

Hikma Pharma 1.541,00 1.570,00 1.535,00 84,87K

HSBC 511,60 513,10 508,90 1,55M

IAG 128,02 129,06 127,80 880,94K

Imperial Brands 2.083,00 2.091,00 2.072,00 159,24K

Informa 614,00 616,40 614,20 15,75K

InterContinental 4.742,0 4.760,0 4.717,0 50,40K

Intermediate Capital 1.143,50 1.148,50 1.129,50 35,53K

Intertek 3.999,0 4.016,0 3.978,0 52,96K

ITV 74,19 74,32 73,04 1,49M

J Sainsbury 220,48 221,86 219,60 122,33K

Johnson Matthey 2.098,0 2.119,0 2.085,0 25,06K

Land Securities 621,40 622,80 611,20 65,71K

Legal & General 251,49 252,70 249,60 1,29M

Lloyds Banking 46,18 46,34 45,86 7,10M

London Stock Exchange 7.160,0 7.204,0 7.152,0 33,23K

Melrose Industries 131,70 131,95 129,75 474,42K

Mondi 1.421,50 1.428,00 1.413,50 132,47K

National Grid 994,16 1.002,00 993,60 492,61K

NatWest Group 265,00 265,70 263,50 827,21K

Next 5.660,0 5.712,0 5.636,0 33,77K

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

Ocado 638,40 644,00 617,80 155,52K

Persimmon 1.243,4 1.249,5 1.230,0 150,85K

Phoenix 609,60 612,00 605,80 136,90K

Prudential 1.117,00 1.118,50 1.091,00 1,20M

Reckitt Benckiser 5.758,0 5.780,0 5.676,0 126,00K

Relx 2.298,00 2.315,00 2.296,00 304,06K

Rentokil 514,60 517,40 512,00 344,37K

Rightmove 515,00 517,20 512,80 26,29K

Rio Tinto PLC 5.795,0 5.814,0 5.753,0 214,68K

Rolls-Royce Holdings 91,66 92,47 90,86 3,69M

Sage 745,60 750,80 745,60 76,26K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.128,00 1.130,00 1.126,00 1,62K

Schroders 438,6 440,1 435,1 174,07K

Scottish Mortgage 724,02 726,40 716,00 344,94K

Segro 766,60 769,40 752,00 151,11K

Severn Trent 2.666,0 2.690,0 2.649,0 38,73K

Shell 2.360,5 2.362,0 2.343,5 888,55K

Smith & Nephew 1.108,50 1.114,50 1.101,00 241,39K

Smiths Group 1.598,50 1.606,50 1.589,00 58,22K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 10.705,0 10.740,0 10.540,0 0,74K

SSE 1.715,00 1.723,50 1.712,50 102,43K

St. James’s Place 1.099,00 1.102,50 1.086,50 86,05K

Standard Chartered 625,00 627,00 618,60 406,67K

Taylor Wimpey 103,65 104,55 101,90 2,59M

Tesco 227,00 228,43 225,40 631,91K

Tui 135,40 136,85 133,95 340,66K

Unilever 4.205,5 4.229,0 4.200,5 217,92K

United Utilities 995,00 1.004,00 992,80 160,01K

Vodafone Group PLC 84,09 84,60 83,76 13,84M

Whitbread 2.644,0 2.657,0 2.628,0 25,41K WPP 818,40 821,20 814,20 132,92K

3M 121,59 122,50 2,18M

American Express 145,31 146,70 142,72 2,82M

Amgen 265,26 266,17 263,19 1,92M

Apple 132,23 134,56 130,30 77,52M

Boeing 188,25 194,17 185,67 6,91M

Caterpillar 237,54 240,80 233,04 3,12M

Chevron 172,08 175,21 168,33 5,75M

Cisco 47,32 47,49 46,69 22,99M

Coca-Cola 63,34 63,59 62,65 9,62M

Dow 50,17 50,25 49,15 3,34M

Goldman Sachs 345,58 348,05 339,88 1,33M

Home Depot 316,12 316,40 310,73 3,06M

Honeywell 212,31 214,61 208,99 2,14M

IBM 140,88 141,44 138,62 3,33M

Intel 25,97 26,45 25,35 47,28M

J&J 177,03 177,51 175,34 5,70M

JPMorgan 130,66 131,30 128,41 8,60M

McDonald’s 265,77 268,12 263,65 2,36M

Merck&Co 111,24 111,68 110,21 8,37M

Microsoft 238,19 241,99 233,87 28,59M

Nike 116,71 116,82 114,06 17,02M

Procter&Gamble 152,19 152,41 150,88 5,90M

Salesforce Inc 129,19 129,54 126,34 9,97M

The Travelers 187,20 189,19 185,24 967,20K

UnitedHealth 527,09 529,01 521,63 1,85M

Verizon 38,31 38,32 37,37 26,50M

Visa A 205,06 206,65 202,13 5,69M

Walgreens Boots 38,44 38,46 37,56 5,87M

Walmart 143,48 144,98 141,93 4,35M

Walt Disney 86,67 86,73 84,69 15,45M

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AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. +75.18% 177.748M

Liontown Resources Limited +31.91% 25,080

Alvotech +17.35% 836,376

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. +11.83% 26.913M

Topsports International Holdings Limited +9.22% 92,437

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. +8.93% 45.748M

PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna Tbk +7.89% 99,279

Toshiba Corporation +7.78% 231,781

Olink Holding AB (publ) +6.51% 135,674

Federal National Mortgage Association +6.25% 155,777

Akero Therapeutics, Inc. +6.09% 1.08M

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Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited -16.90% 79,385

MP Materials Corp. -14.29% 7.393M

Saipem SpA -14.22% 60,999

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. -9.92% 1.424M

Tesla, Inc. -8.88% 205.38M

Atlassian Corporation -8.85% 4.558M

Lam Research Corporation -8.65% 3.177M

Teladoc Health, Inc. -8.54% 8.19M

Applied Materials, Inc. -7.84% 11.327M

Ameresco, Inc. -7.55% 167,587

Just Eat Takeaway.com N.V. -7.41% 100,302

BUSINESS EXTRA

Helping hand

LIBYA, which has suffered from civil war following the overthrow of President Gaddafi is looking to strengthen relationships with Spain and on Monday December 19 its Central Bank Governor travelled to Madrid for discussions about monetary policy with the Governor of the Bank of Spain.

Fewer shoppers

AS Christmas is one of the most important times of the year for retailers, a combination of freezing cold weather and rail strikes has meant that footfall in most UK high streets over the past few days has dropped dramatically, although it may boost online sales.

Recovery fund

SPANISH Economy Minister Nadia Calvino has confirmed that Spain will request a further €84 billion in loans and a €7.7 billion grant from the European Union Recovery Fund which means that if granted Spain will have received the entire amount offered by the EU.

Quotas agreed

FISHING in European waters has been a bone of contention for decades, going back to the so called ‘Cod Wars’ with Iceland and beyond.

In the run up to Brexit, several UK based fishermen sold their licences to Dutch and Spanish companies, but there is still a significant UK fishing fleet.

Despite disagreement on a number of matters, the UK has completed an agreement with the European Union concerning fishing quotas and the Spanish government has announced that it is very pleased with the results which allow its fishing fleets greater access to popular species in British waters such as hake and monkfish.

Cash is still king

A EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK (ECB) study released on Tuesday December 20 confirms cash is king and is still the most frequently used means of payment at the point of sale, but its share is declining.

According to the document on the payment attitudes of consumers in the euro area, cash was used for 59 per cent of point ­ of ­ sale transactions in 2022, down from 72 per cent in 2019.

It is the means of payment most often used for small ­ value payments in stores and for person ­ to ­ person transactions.

A majority (60 per cent) also consider it important to have cash as a payment option as consumers perceive cash as helpful to remain aware of their

expenditures, to protect their privacy and to allow transactions to be settled immediately.

At the same time, the trend

towards electronic means of payments has accelerated with the pandemic and many consumers now prefer to use elec ­

tronic payment methods.

The share of online purchases as a percentage of all euro area day ­ to ­ day transactions has increased significantly to stand at 17 per cent in 2022, up from 6 per cent in 2019.

For purchases at a point of sale, the share of card payments has grown by 9 percentage points to 34 per cent in 2022, with contactless payments now making up the majority of card payments.

Cards are considered faster and easier to use and are seen as reducing the need to carry large amounts of cash.

They are the most frequently used payment method for larger amounts and now account for a higher share of payments than cash in value terms.

Loan guarantee

EVEN though the Spanish government is one of the biggest borrowers from the European Union and has received hundreds of billions of euros from the Recovery Fund, it is still doing its bit to support Ukraine.

On Wednesday December 21, the World Bank announced its’ Health Enhancement and Life­saving (HEAL Ukraine) Project to improve and strengthen primary health care, address increased demand for mental health and rehabilitation services due to the war, restore and strengthen service delivery in hospitals that are facing capacity constraints and support capacity building for key health institutions.

King Charles banknotes

NEW King Charles III banknotes were unveiled by the Bank of England on Wednesday December 20 although they are unlikely to enter into circulation before 2024.

With the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it was clear that new coins and banknotes would need to be released featuring an image of the new monarch.

It is more than likely that preliminary designs had been drawn up before her death and indeed as they have to be approved by the Palace may even have been viewed by Her Majesty

and the then Prince of Wales.

Whilst coins have a long life, bank notes which are in constant use have a much shorter life span and are relatively expensive to produce, which is why the Bank of England decided to phase out paper notes and replace them with longer lasting polymer notes.

Rather than produce new designs for each side of the four notes that are currently in circulation, £5 ­ Winston Churchill, £10Jane Austen, £20 JMW Turner, £50 ­ Alan Turing, it has been decided to only change the design on

the side where the monarch’s portrait appears.

The King’s image will appear on the front of the banknotes, as well as in the see­through security window, but all other images will remain the same. The new banknotes will only be printed to replace those featuring Her Majesty that are worn or to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes, a decision which is in line with guidance from the Royal Household, to minimise the environmental and financial impact of this change.

Funding for the project includes a €100 million loan, backed by a guarantee from the Spanish government.

Password sharing

IT has been common practice (rightly or wrongly) for people subscribing to online streaming services such as Netflix to share passwords with friends and families who they don’t live with.

In the past year, Netflix in particular, which has been losing market share, has made it clear that it will try to stop this from happening, although it hasn’t threatened legal action as yet.

The UK Intellectual Property Office has however told the BBC that although it no longer states on its website that such sharing is illegal, the position remains the same and legal action could be taken against anyone found to be sharing passwords.

POPULAR PAYMENT: Cash machines are the easiest way to obtain cash.

Credit: Salvador SV flickr

ALL CHANGE: The design of the new £5 note.

Credit: Bank of England

Detrimental onslaught

BECAUSE the British Labour party were so severely routed in the last election its supporters are totally aware the the only chance they have of winning the next ballot is if the country is brought to its knees.

Subsequently, one of the conspiratorial ways they are conniving to achieve this outcome is by instigating as much alarm and anxiety among its citizens as possible. The union bosses, who are utterly in league with the Labour hierarchy, are revelling in and wholly supporting the crippling strikes which are sweeping the country.

The media, especially the BBC are positively churning out disparaging reports, blaming the Conservatives for any depreciating state of affairs they can divulge; and periodically with monotonous regularity, they slot in Starmer or a documentary that delivers some kind of statement as to how the Labour party would improve the situation.

What the left exponents are en ­

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

deavouring to do is create a misinformed and disheartened populace that also considers the only way to rescue its beloved country will be to elect a different government.

The faceless money men truly don’t care. They actually wouldn’t mind a Labour government taking control.

They are fully aware that the economics of a party that has to satisfy such a vast array of cross sectioned supporters to attain enough votes is easy pickings that will subsequently earn them even more power and financial gain until the party once again finishes up in exactly the same way as it did the last time.

Consequently losing their position to yet another brand new right wing government that has to

spend their first few years struggling to rescue the country from the social and financial hole it has once again been plunged into. The one issue I do think is a mistake for the left is to nose dive the country into all this social and political confrontation too early.

Most of the present financial problems have been brought on by the Covid pandemic and the world energy situation. In 12 months or so they could all be straightening out. Are the conspiritors really confident enough to continue this detrimental onslaught for another two years? Probably.

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Monday and Friday 1pm till 4

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OUR VIEW

A

CHRISTMAS THOUGHT

THAT’S another year almost over and having come out of two years of sporadic lockdown, no­one knew what it was going to be like.

Slowly but surely, for many, things started to take on a semblance of normality with international travel starting again and businesses (at least those that survived 2020 and 2021) being able to start trading once more.

For many of us, 2022 has been a tough but decent year although having lived through the epidemic which caused so much heartbreak and saw so many deaths, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a total surprise.

Just when it seemed that the world could rebuild, this pointless act by the Russian President knocked so many back and surprised many of us, both for the fantastic support that governments have given to the Ukrainian cause and how individuals and communities have responded to offer assistance to refugees from the conflict.

People are so resilient and the sight of Christmas lights and trees in the Kyiv subway has been an example of how people manage to cope regardless of how bad things may be.

We still have conflicts in Syria and Yemen, but they have been overshadowed by Ukraine, although most of us simply live our lives and just have to be thankful that whilst we may be suffering financially from the backlash of the invasion, we don’t have to fear that we might be blown up in our beds.

So, here’s to a better year to come and a prayer for all of those around the world who are suffering the inhumanity of civil war, invasion or crippling poverty plus, of course, all best wishes to our advertisers and readers.

WATCH OUT - THEY CAN READ YOUR MIND!

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

‘know’ and wait, ensuring they get what they want. She once caught one of them ‘drawing’ sketches on the kitchen floor with muddy paws. But then he is a Labradoodle...

DOGS may be able to understand our intentions, according to university researchers studying how they (the dogs, that is!) reacted when denied food on purpose or accidentally. Dogs seemed smart enough to know when people were being ‘clumsy’ with their treats and when they were being ‘mean’ and wagged their tails accordingly.

Hardly news to anyone who’s lived with dogs as companions. Supposedly dogs can’t do maths. Try putting three treats in your pocket then only giving them two!

A pal’s dogs always look at her ‘soulfully’ when she attempts to break a treat in half and implies they’re only getting two. They just

It baffles me why a university needed to research a subject that anyone who’s owned a dog knows already. University departments are constantly doing studies, the answers to which are patently obvious. It’s almost an industry.

The research team are now involved in the following costly, but very important new research project: ‘Do dogs like chasing cats and squirrels?’

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nora Johnson’s 11 critically acclaimed psychological crime thrillers (www.norajohnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

NoraJohnson’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

Nora’s latest thriller.

Sing, sing, sing, sing

LINDA HALL

A SPANISH Christmas retains its Spanishness by lasting until Twelfth Night so there is still much to look forward to even though Nochebuena has gone, while Christmas Day, a national holiday, is no big deal anyway.

There are no Boxing Day blues here, with turkey still on the menu, berries beginning to shrivel on the holly, tinsel tarnished, pine needles on the carpet and December 26’s origins significance largely forgotten.

Who remembers that this was when employees received Christmas Boxes back when every little extra helped?

What’s more, the form and the date vary but it’s still the season when people in Spain look forward to their own Aguinaldo or Christmas tip.

Any time between mid ­ December and January 6, it is appreciated if you cough up for those who deliver your butano, put the letters in your postbox or perform a small but regular

service for you.

There’s no getting out of that, even now, but what you don’t see ­ or hear ­ are the children who, preceded by giggles, would sing a line or two of a carol before knocking on your door for their Aguinaldo.

Perhaps they no longer need the extra money or, more than likely, their parents don’t want them out of doors, singing to strangers.

The last time I had to deal with juvenile Aguinaldo ­ seekers, in the late 70s, was after the New Year but within the Reyes cut­off date.

The knock preceded the serenading and I opened the door to be confronted by two awkward ­ looking girls in their early teens who proceeded to sing.

Wanting to put them out of their misery and mine, I fished around in my purse and shoved a 50 ­ peseta piece in each hand.

This was a long, long time ago when money went a lot, lot further than it does today and they looked at me, looked at each other and to our combined relief made a quick exit.

Political carousel

SALLY UNDERWOOD POLITICAL ANIMAL

IT’S the end of another political year and one which will go down in history as tying in joint first place with 1834 for being the year with the most UK prime ministers.

To put that into context, in 1834 six farmers were sent to a penal colony for forming a trade union, the public displaying of executed bodies in chains was officially abolished, slavery was ended across the majority of the British empire, and the Poor Law was amended to prevent the ablebodied from receiving government help unless they went into a workhouse (if a workhouse was the government’s idea of help, I’d be interested to see what their idea of hindering the poor was, but anyway). Oh yes, and in the same year the Houses of Parliament also literally burnt to the ground.

So it comes as something of a shock that 2022 has managed to

equalise with a year whose events sound like something out of the middle ages.

In October, Liz Truss managed another first for the UK, taking the dubious honour of being the shortestserving prime minister after just 50 days in office.

And even in that short space she’d managed to see the death of one monarch after 70 years and the bringing in of a new one; something which goes some way to showing just what a year of total democratic change 2022 has been.

To be fair to the UK, it is far from being the only country in the world to currently be suffering something of a political rollercoaster.

Between the war in Ukraine and a former president of the United States facing criminal charges for the first time in the country’s entire history, it’s safe to say the world is having a moment of political upheaval.

If this is what making political history looks like though, then I think we can all agree it would be preferable if next year is one not to remember.

Up (down?) the Escher stairs

CASSANDRA NASH

stitutional Court judges making the decision had a vested interested in preventing the reforms from going through.

Pedro Gonzalez ­ Trevijano and Antonio Narvaez needed to be replaced last summer, but neither politicians nor the judiciary could agree on who should take their place.

At present, judges with expired terms are not being replaced while a similar deadlock over renewing General Judiciary Council members is preventing vacancies from being filled. The same problem occurs with the Supreme Court.

No matter that the amendment had nothing to do with the Penal Code, as previous PP and PSOE governments both used the same ruse to camouflage urgent business in the past.

The PP and Vox applied to the TC to halt the reform as a precautionary measure before it reached the Senate for rubber ­ stamping on December 22. With six Constitutional judges known to be conservative (with a small ‘c’) the outcome looked like a foregone conclusion. And it was.

In a situation resembling Escher’s version of staircases, two of the Con­

The PSOE and UP parties lodged objections to Gonzalez­ Trevijano and Narvaez’s involvement in the TC’s deliberations on Monday December 19 as no ­ one expected them to fall voluntarily on their own swords to assist a government they are known not to support. As expected, their lordships ­ in this case sus señorias ­ threw out the objection.

At 10.30pm on December 19 the TC decided after hours of debate, and with the expected six votes to five, to halt the Senate vote on the amendment that could have expedited its renewal.

This was the first time in decades of post­Franco democracy that the TC has prevented the Spanish parliament from doing its job.

So who’s to blame? Sanchez for trying it on, or the Opposition for stopping him?

PEDRO SANCHEZ’S recent tweaking of the Penal Code included a stowaway amendment slipped in to bypass the Opposition’s ongoing obstruction of measures for installing new Constitutional Court (TC) judges.

Sally’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

A happy, healthy 2023

GOING into a new year is the ideal time to set some goals for a happier and healthier lifestyle. It’s a fresh start, making the perfect atmosphere to enter a new era of healthy living. Many people set resolutions related to fitness, but yours don’t need to be. Here we share some suggestions to change your lifestyle for the better, and they’re not difficult!

• Daily walk

Immersing ourselves in nature is one certain way to reduce the pressures and stress of daily life. Aim to take a walk into nature each day. Whether it’s just a fiveminute stroll some days or a three ­ hour hike on others, walking outside does wonders for your mental and physical health and what’s more,

Commit to a daily walk in 2023 to help reduce daily stress and unwind, and you could sleep better and feel energised.

it’s free!

• Eat fresh Eating a fresh, healthy diet can quite literally change your life with incredible health benefits, from lowering blood pressure to reducing your risk of heart disease. If you’re looking for a lifestyle change, trying to eat fresher could be it. And if you’re on the lookout

for a new hobby, why not try cooking and experiment with exciting new flavours and recipes.

• Indulge in self­care

From getting a massage to enjoying some yoga, there are plenty of types of self­care you can get into in 2023 that will leave you feeling more relaxed, with more energy.

Photo credit: Robert Kneschke / shutterstock.com

Seasonal supplements

VITAMIN D is so readily available during the summer in Spain that many of us forget that we need to maintain our supply throughout the year. In fact, one report found that Vitamin D levels are higher among people in Nordic countries than Spain, because supplements are more popular during the winter.

What does Vitamin D do?

Vitamin D is a nutrient which our bodies need to absorb and maintain calcium and phosphate levels, which are vital for bone health. Vitamin D also performs an important role in reducing inflammation and could even slow growth of cancer cells.

How can I boost Vitamin D naturally?

Vitamin D can be difficult to boost naturally since it doesn’t naturally occur in many foods. Some foods contain small amounts of this nutrient including cod liver oil, salmon, and mackerel as well as certain foods which are fortified with Vitamin D including orange juice and milk. Vitamin D naturally occurs in the sun’s rays which is the easiest way to get your quota during the summer.

What about a supplement?

Health experts recommend taking supplements to boost Vitamin D levels

as it can be difficult to absorb naturally. A daily supplement or multivitamin containing up to 600 IU (international units) is the recommended dosage for people aged one year to 70.

Scientists recommend taking a daily supplement containing Vitamin D during the winter to maintain bone health while there is less sunlight.

Photo credit: FotoHelin / shutterstock.com

SAME RESPECT FOR ALL

LEAPY LEE obviously knows very little about the LGBTQ community and trans gender folk in particular. Just because a person grew up in a certain place at a time in history doesn’t make them an expert.

I am probably the same age and same history timeline but a different place, yes I am queer and yes lived in the 60s. We were called queer as an insult but are now able to claim this insult as our own which mitigates the abuse by media et al.

All trans folk want is the same respect as any other person. Nothing woke about it, this is about human dignity.

In terms of toilets that Mr Lee seems obsessed about, where is the problem.

We woman have cubicles and as a queer lesbian I would not preclude my trans sisters from using the cubicle next to me. I hope Mr Lee would not stop trans men from using the next urinal.

If he wants a proper debate using gutter press images and language I will oblige.

Helen Hallam Malaga

Too many people

THANK you Mr Brian Johnstone for your comment re population, I’ve been saying this for years and cannot understand why our educated leaders do not see the obvious underlying reason for most, if not all, of the country’s problems today ie demand exceeding supply.

The simple answer would be in my view to set a suggested maximum of two children per couple for the next 25 ­ 50 years. Of course there would be an outcry from most religious groups who would say that their god will provide, but I think that mother nature may disagree.

In my lifetime the world population has doubled, if it continues at this rate we are all in big trouble, just do the figures, Barry Nerja.

& Pauline Reading

Did you even vote

THE misogynistic comments that I have been reading on social media platforms about how it is unfair that a women’s footballer should win the BBC sports personality of the year award, instead of a male golfer or cricketer, is shocking. Beth Mead was voted to win this award by the public, I’m sure most of the people moaning couldn’t even be bothered to vote. Well done Beth Mead you are a credit to your country.

Tracey Hunter

Older views

I HAVE always been a fan of Leapy’s and find the columns refreshing, however times are changing as they always have done and our views are now becoming outdated and to some offensive.

My opinions are becoming to my children and grandchildren like my grandfather’s were to me when I was young, really embarrassing but they could get away with saying belligerent things because they were old and didn’t mean any offence (although they probably did mean to offend and knew they would get away with it).

It’s funny how life can go full circle and you turn into the relatives you swore you would never be like.

Raymond Barry

TV twaddle

THOSE of you who have access to UK TV, are you as disappointed with the twaddle that was on over the Christmas weekend as I am? I don’t know how many more times I can watch a repeat of a so ­ called Christmas classic like Home Alone and the magazine shows such as This Morning were no better, how many times do I need to see how celebrities make their gravy?

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.

Barry

C Green

HUMAN DIGNITY: Every person is entitled to the same respect as any other person.

Always here to help

CHRISTMAS can always be a trying time for many people, all too often made harder due to loneliness and financial hardship. This was the case of Caroline, who came to the British Benevolent Fund, out of desperation on Christmas night, this time last year.

She had been given our details by the British Consulate and wrote to us describing her plight. She had given birth in Spain and found herself without resources.

Because the baby had been born in Spain she was required to register the birth here, had been unable to travel back because this process was ongoing ­ and it had already taken a month.

She was stuck in Spain with her newborn, but had no savings or funds to live off.

Her family wanted nothing to do with her and she had long exhausted the small amounts her friends had sent her. It was Christmas Eve, she was in a cheap hostal in a small room with a broken

bed, no heating and shared bathroom. It had cost her the last of her money, she would be homeless by Boxing Day, on the street in a strange place, alone with her baby.

She was terrified.

On Christmas Eve she got in touch with the BBF.

We were able to pay for her to move to a nearby hotel where she would have three hot meals a day, own bathroom and above all warmth over the Christmas period. The hotel provided a cot and the staff found her additional warm clothing for the baby. But it didn’t resolve the issueshe still couldn’t travel and the baby registration could be some time off.

She was able to find addi­

tional help though the Consular supported website https://www.supportinspain. info/ as well as the local town hall who were also able to speed up her registration.

With that completed, the Consular office was then able to issue emergency documentation for the baby as well as alert the airport care team and UK social services of her arrival. We got her and her baby home ­ but it had taken months and a heavy toll on Caroline. We could only help Caroline due to donations we receive. To help others please support us with a donation.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

IN Spanish, Italian and German, the pronunciation of words is clear, regulated and consistent. And normally in Spanish, if the stressed syllable is other than the penultimate, it is indicated by an accent. In German, vowel sounds are modified by the appearance of an accent (Umlaut). But in English there are no rules for pronunciation, while the spelling of some words is a free­for­all.

First, the letters ‘ough’ are pronounced in seven different ways. Cough, rough, through, plough, although, thorough and (with the added t) nought. And, to all but the discerning ear, the words paw, poor, pore and pour sound the same.

For those of us who can read without moving our lips, English is an especially frustrating language. The other 20 per cent have the advantage of reading word by word, rather than by text, and verbally working out whether the word ‘entrance’ should have the stress on the first or second syllable ­ whether

ENGLISH AS SHE IS SPELT

terval, in ­

it means entry point or to captivate. Many words change their meaning when the stress is shifted. In some cases, the spelling remains the same, as in the above example. In other cases, the spelling changes too, as in ‘incite’ and ‘insight’.

The stress on syllables is neither logical, nor is it indicated, as in Spanish, by accent. You just have to learn where to stress, for example, implicate, impression and imprecise; in­

ternment, interrupt.

Dozens of identical words have completely different meanings. And yet there are hundreds of combinations of letters that are simply not used. As the language is already mutilated in some way or other every day, why are these vacant letters in words not substituted to create new words in the interests of clarity of distinction.

For example, ‘rest’ can mean the

remainder or a crafty snooze. As the former originates from ancient French, why cannot the latter be known as ‘reft’. ‘Order’ meaning command is logical, but when used to mean sequence could be ‘urder’.

The word ‘race’ means either ethnic category or competition. A ball race is either a metal ring inside a ball bearing or (as I learned at school) a tomcat with 20 yards start on the vet.

As for the notorious irregular verbs! The logical past form of ‘I catch’ would be ‘I catched’, ­ and not ‘I caught’. Likewise, I teached, I fighted, I buyed, I bringed, I seeked, I thinked. Instead we have taught, fought, bought, brought, sought, thought.

Of course, English is a hybrid language, derived from several sources other than German, Norman and Norse. The Americans have tried to modernise and simplify it with more logical spellings, such as civilize, honor (why not onner?), program and plow. But they have also mutilated it with abominations like thru and donuts.

Finally, why does the noun ‘practice’ become ‘to practise’ as a verb? Except in North America. Zzzz. Goodnight!

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

The English language is completely illogical compared with Spanish. For more from our columnists please

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

Photo Credits: gettyimages and pinterest

WHILE not of all of us will be spending our Christmas holidays camping, now is a great time to check up on your equipment and think about investing in some new accessories.

Today, we’re talking you through what you should be looking out for in a camping stove to upgrade your experience.

• Style

There is a huge variety of camping stoves available on the market, and it can be difficult to know where

Cooking in style

to start. But a great starting point is to think about what you plan to use it for, and how you usually travel.

If you take your car camping, you can take a larger stove, but if you hike or cycle, a backpacking stove is ideal. The amount of people on your trip will affect your choice of stove too.

• Fuel type

Camping forecast

THIS year might have been a successful year for the camping industry in Spain, but travel experts are predicting the industry to boom in 2023. Recovery from the pandemic began in 2022, but it is set to continue into next year, when the industry will flourish.

End of year reports have found that camping reservation rates have soared during the last year, and nearly reached their pre ­ pandemic rates. The camping market in Spain is in a good position going into the new year, thanks to the popularity of the country as a destination, being among the favourite destinations for travellers from France, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland.

CAMPING opportunities are continuing to evolve in Spain thanks to initiatives across the country, including in Castilla­La Mancha. The camping community in the region recently held its first Camping Conference which was held in Cuenca on Monday, December 19.

At the meeting, camping industry professionals from throughout the region gathered to reflect on camping experiences during the last summer season, and to develop more robust policies for the coming year.

The day was a huge success with unity and cooperation at the focal point of the day’s discussions according to regional camping organisation president, Pablo Ramírez.

During the day, attendees got to listen to talks by a variety of different industry experts. Regional government experts also

On the up

shared policy advice to help campsite owners get on board with the latest camping trends including eco­friendly camping, gastronomic experiences, digital marketing, and taking advantage of the region’s location to attract travellers making road trips.

Castilla­La Mancha is emerging as a popular camping destination within the market, thanks to its varied landscapes and iconic Spanish imagery, including Don Quixote’s windmills and beautiful small towns. The region is becoming increasingly popular with cultural tourists, who the camping market aim to target with affordable and exciting opportunities.

Stoves run on different fuel sources which can also help you make a decision. Canister stoves are often easiest to use, but stoves running on liquid gas are a smart choice if you plan to travel internationally.

• Special features

If you have specific requirements when choosing a stove, or plan to make a particular dish regularly, looking at special features of stoves is a worthwhile activity. Some stoves offer low burning times or other feature, so think about what is important when you camp.

Treating seasonal sickness

DEALING with colds and flus can be hard enough for humans, but what do we do when our pets get sick with seasonal illnesses?

Today we’re sharing some advice to help you to care for your dog when it gets sick, which will get that tail wagging again in no time!

• Warm and dry

The cause of most seasonal sicknesses is extended exposure to cold and wet conditions. Combat this by keeping your dog in a warm and dry space while it recovers from sickness.

This could mean giving your dog a few extra blankets or using a lightly heated dog bed, but watch out for signs of overheating including heavy breathing or

panting.

• Hearty meals

Regular, healthy meals and increased hydration can help your dog to recover from sickness by providing missing nutrients. Sicknesses like colds can inhibit your dog’s sense of smell, so try heating up their food in the microwave for a minute which can make it more fragrant and appealing.

• Lots of rest

Dogs already need lots of rest for their active routines, and even more so when they’re sick. Make sure your dog has a comfortable place to sleep and cut back on walks until they perk back up.

Seek professional advice if symptoms don’t subside after a week.

And a study by accommodation giant Booking.com has found that people are even more optimistic about travel next year, with 80 per cent of Spanish residents saying that travel is always worth it. The study surveyed a massive sample of more than 24,000 people in 32 countries and found that camping is tipped to make a comeback next year.

Projected trends for the travel market next year are also set to have a positive impact on the camping industry, increasing investment, and therefore opportunities for camping lovers. Simple living is expected to be a key trend with people seeking to unplug and go off­grid.

A multi-burner stove is a great option and gives you lots of flexibility if you often take your car on camping trips.

Photo credit: vladimir salman / shutterstock.com

Photo credit: rawf8 / shutterstock.com

It’s important to continue to feed your dog as usual when they’re sick, the nutrients are vital for their recovery.

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LOCAL ANGLICAN (C of E) church services at Mojacar Los Llanos Del Peral and Alhambra. Communion every Sunday in Mojacar at 11am. Communion at Los Llanos every Sunday except the last Sunday in the month when there will be Prayer and Praise all at 11am. The services that were being held in the South American church Albox have now returned to the chapel and Communion is held on the second Thursday of the month at 11am. Priest in charge Rev Canon Alan Bennet telephone number 680 243 436. For further information, please go to The Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Calida web page. Or contact Tony Noble 950 069 103. (10002)

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 617 914 156 (10021)

small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishlegion.org.uk/ counties/spain-north ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at Bar Trinidad, Arboleas, for further details please email zurgenarblchairman @gmail.com - (253989)

ABBOTT ELECTRICS

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REMOVALS

2022 - year of the electric vehicle?

byMarkSlack

THIS year my test car list has included numerous electric vehicles, whether self ­ charging, plug ­ in hy brid or full electric. It’s not surprising as manufacturers up the pace of their EV production with many announcing fully electric ranges within a couple of years.

One of the main problems with EVs has, and in many cases re mains, the higher initial purchase price when com pared to equivalent specification models with combustion power. Part of this can be explained by the fact that any new technology, and despite electric vehicles having been around for many more years than people

imagine it is new technology, takes time to embed itself.

With the advent of new EVs such as the MG4, the technology is getting ever more affordable and ranges are increasing. Still not enough to match

combustion powered equivalents though. The biggest issue is infrastructure, or rather the lack of it. In the UK it is frankly awful with few fast chargers and even the moderately fast 50kw units so few that you in ­

variably end up having an excessive wait.

Although EV charging will never be as quick as fuelling a combustion car, more superfast chargers would reduce the time significantly enough to make it convenient. That,

along with pricing, is the main issue because convenience will lead to much greater adoption of EVs. Vehicle manufacturers have got their act together remarkably quickly, government now needs to do the same.

There have been many EVs on my driveway that have appealed, but the two that have personally appealed most come from BMW’s stable.

The MINI electric remains the most fun you can have in a battery powered car. It possesses all the elements of a tradi­

tional hot hatch in terms of acceleration and handling. Priced from £29k, it’s only real drawback is the 145­mile range. When you consider the MINI has been around for over 20 years, it’s a credit to BMW that it remains so competitive thanks to their careful evolution of the brand.

The second is at the other end of the scale in all respects; the BMW iX. It’s a real style statement that divides opinion, even the interior is more like a concept model. With prices starting from a shade under £70k it needs to be good and it delivers.

With a more useable, range of 253 miles the larger battery models will in theory take you to nearly 370 miles. If you’re thinking EV then whatever your budget, the options are growing.

ROAD TEST

THINKING EV: Whatever your budget, the options are growing.

Motoring’s most profitable

Betty Henderson

THE last year has been transformative for the motoring market, which has seen the return to a new normal after the pandemic and the transition to electric vehicles accelerate like never before.

The year 2022 was indeed a great one for many car manufacturers, whose most significant issue was supply issues.

Today we take a look at the companies who brought in the most profit this year.

1. Toyota

The Japanese manufacturing giant leads the list thanks to earnings of €25.7 billion and a major boost in its share value, taking it to the second position in global rankings.

2. Volkswagen

The German motoring brand took second place in the rankings with earnings of €22.1 billion, an im­

provement of more than €2 billion compared with last year. The company also has the largest number of employees worldwide.

3. BMW Third on the list is another German manufacturer, with projected earnings of €23.5 billion, a significant improvement of more than €5 billion on pandemic­struck 2021.

4. Mercedes­Benz

German car manufacturers dominated the top five this year with another company in fourth place. Mercedes ­ Benz actually took a tumble in earnings since last year with profit falling to €19.5 billion.

5. Ford

The American manufacturer made the top five, despite a fall in earnings from 2021 to make a total profit of €13.3 billion.

Photo credit: josefkubes / shutterstock.com

TOYOTA: The Japanese car brand had an excellent year, topping a global list for profitability.

The most liked Tributes for a legend

TRIBUTES flooded social media on Friday, December 23, following the news that George Cohen, England’s World Cup winning defender, had died at the age of 83.

Premier League side Fulham paid tribute to their former player, who spent his entire professional career at the London club.

“Everyone associated with Fulham Football Club is desperately saddened to learn of the passing of one of our greatest ever players ­ and gentlemen ­ George Cohen MBE,” the club wrote.

“A one club man, George made 459 appearances for his beloved Whites, in addition to earning 37 England caps, with whom he famously won the World Cup in 1966.”

The right ­ back then played all 120 minutes of England’s World Cup win over West Germany, which saw the Three Lions triumph 4 ­ 2 after extra ­ time.

George’s playing days were cut tragically short at the age of just 29, after suffering a devastating knee injury. Cruelly coming at a time when he was playing what he considered to be the best football of his life.

One of the biggest endorsements of his talent came when the legendary winger George Best described him as “the best full ­ back I ever played against.”

A POST on social media from Argentinian super star Lionel Messi on Tuesday, December 20, become the most­viewed of all time. The footballer took to Instagram fol lowing his nation’s World Cup victory over France on Sunday December 18. It has since received an incredible 64.5 million likes so far.

His follower count has also increased substantially, reaching 404 million. He still trails the 500 million that Cris tiano Ronaldo has though, a figure the Portuguese achieved last week.

Messi’s post read: ‘WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!

I dreamed it so many times, I wanted it so much that I still haven’t fallen, I can’t believe it…’.

It continued: “Thank you very much to my family, to all who support me, and also to all who believed in us. We demonstrate once again that Argentines when we fight together and united we are capable of achieving what we set out to do.”

Previously, the record had been held by a TikTok video titled ‘the egg’, uploaded in August 2020 by Bella Poarch which hit 56.1 million likes.

Cristiano Ronaldo had another huge hit last month just before the Qatar World Cup started. He posted a Louis Vuitton advert showing him playing a game of chess with Messi. It racked up an amazing total of 41.9

For womens sport

ENGLAND and Arsenal forward Beth Mead has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2022. The 27year­old has become the first women’s footballer to win the award.

England cricket’s Test captain Ben Stokes was second, with Winter Olympics curling champion Eve Muirhead third.

Mead’s fantastic performances at Euro 2022 saw her named the player of the tournament as well as winning the Golden Boot. Her six goals and five assists, led to the Lionesses winning England’s first major women’s football trophy, defeating Germany in the final at Wembley on July 31.

She was also named Arsenal’s player of the season, came second in the Ballon d’Or Feminin and won BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year award in 2022.

Credit: Instagram Leo Messi

Lionel Messi with the World Cup.