Costa Blanca South 13 – 19 April 2023 Issue 1971

Golden Leaves: Pioneering expertise and reliability with a human touch

The Euro Weekly News travelled to the company’s modern offices in Javea to meet founder Tony Rowland, chairman Steve Rowland and Chief Executive Officer Barry Floyd, to learn the history of how one of only two regulated companies in Spain came into being and how this historic brand earned its cast‐iron reputation for professionalism, quality and innovation.

FIRST, we met the company’s founder Tony Rowland, an avid fundraiser and bowler. In 1974 (whilst already a highly regarded funeral director in South London) one of his many business ambitions was to build a quality brand that would support and care for the needs of both those who unfortunately passed away whilst abroad and for those who wished to plan their future end of life services in advance. It was no surprise when tour operator Intersun asked Tony to repatriate the body of a holidaymaker who died in Mallorca in 1974. He seized the opportunity, dealing directly with the insurance company, the airline and the other parties involved. So efficient was his service that he was soon responsible bringing all deceased Intersun clients home. His reputation for exemplary and compassionate service soon led to other tour operators like Blue Skies and Saga following suit. Gradually he broadened the company’s area of influence and reputation (inspired by US schemes) by developing and launching a new brand promoting prepaid funeral plans throughout the United Kingdom and abroad.

The humble beginnings of Tony’s creation, Golden Leaves, soon became a thing of the past as it launched itself into the sector. It’s evolution at the vanguard of championing best practice throughout United Kingdom and abroad would see it swiftly grow to be recognised as one of most respected brands in the sector. Its reputation for innovation and ‘client first’ business practices preceded it, as the Golden Leaves brand soon became a symbol of quality, reassurance, and dependable compassionate service to tens of thousands of new customers.

As the decades passed, Golden Leaves secured its place amongst the most respected companies in the United Kingdom and Spain by being the ONLY business to have both its Chairman and Managing Director appointed to serve as directors on the board of the Funeral Planning Authority (the UK regulatory body in place at the time). Eventually, as the Financial Conduct Authority moved to bring Funeral plans under their statutory remit and replace the FPA after instructions from HM Treasury and parliament, Golden Leaves were once again at the forefront of discussion and debate with HM Treasury and the FCA, providing essential detail to assist the creation of the new rule book.

On July 29, 2022, all UK funeral plan providers must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to sell or administer a funeral plan, these also include ANY International funeral plans (those sold in Spain) that can also be utilised in the United Kingdom if desired. Golden Leaves is one of only two companies selling FCA regulated funeral plans across the Spanish mainland and both the Canaries and Balearic Islands.

Next we met Golden Leaves’ Chief Executive Officer, Barry Floyd, who has had a long career with the brand having been managing director for nine years before taking the reigns as Chief Executive Officer. Barry steered the business though its lengthy journey from self‐regulation to gaining full Financial Conduct Authority authorisation.

Barry commented: “The last two years have been a truly gruelling experience. Gaining authorisation from the UK’s statutory regulator is a very long, demanding and often extremely challenging process. Requiring many hundreds of hours hard work from the board, the management team and our regulatory lawyers in addition to a huge number of informational and documentary requirements, even to the point of competence and strategy interviews with the FCA interview panel.

“Consequently, only the best past muster and so when you do eventually emerge on the other side with approval, customers can have concrete trust in the fact that you are a quality professional, financially solid and dependable brand.

“Obviously, this is of paramount importance when a customer is deciding to purchase a funeral plan. Primarily as you need to know the company you are buying from will be around to look after you potentially many years into the future.

“It is common knowledge these days that purchasing a plan from a non FCA regulated planning company, leaves you seriously open to losing all of your money.”

Finally, we were also joined by company Chairman Steve Rowland, who sets the company’s ethos and ensures that the executive board operates correctly. However, like Barry, Steve is passionate about the social aspects of the service and being of assistance to those who have lost loved ones with the Rowland Brothers Foundation, which provides free bereavement counselling. Like his father, who has received an MBE for his incredible work raising funds for good causes, he works diligently to ensure that the Company is always customer focused first and that the quality of support is exemplary.

At the end of the day, what could be more reassuring than knowing that a brand like Golden Leaves and its dedicated staff, with decades of experience, will be there to look after you and your loved ones during the most stressful of times?

Emma Quantrill and Tony Rowland

Steve Rowland

Barry Floyd Tony Rowland

Betty Henderson

A GROUP of British expats once again took the lead in the Good Friday Processions in Pilar de la Horadada on Fri‐day, April 7, showcasing their love and dedication for their adopted hometown.

The British Expat Cofradia has had the privilege of par‐ticipating in and leading the Good Friday Procession for the past 14 years, after being welcomed by the head of the organising Junta Mayor in 2008. Initially with only six procession carriers, they were entrusted with a nearly finished wooden procession float by another local Cofra‐ dia to carry at Easter, with just two days to prepare for two processions on Good Fri‐day.

BRITS IN STEP 90% FULL

IN great news for the tourism sector Alicante has confirmed that it filled up for Easter with 90 per cent occupancy in hotels and apartments.

The Head of the Alicante City & Beach Tourist Board, Mari Carmen Sanchez, de‐scribed the figures as “very positive.”

“You only have to take a walk around the city to see the atmosphere that ac‐

companies an Easter Week which has now been de‐clared of National Tourist Interest.”

In addition, she pointed out that “the good weath‐er also has an influence on bookings.”

Sanchez also added that: “A good Easter Week makes us optimistic for next summer, despite the situation of inflation and loss of purchasing power.”

In 2017, they were asked to parade their Paso through the village of Campoverde, which was warmly wel ‐comed by the Heads of the Cofradias. Their dedication has not gone unnoticed, and in 2018, they were presented

with a specially constructed and more elaborate new Pa‐so.

The members of the Sem‐ana Santa parades and the people of Pilar have shown their gratitude and apprecia‐tion for the Cofradia and its founder Ray Marsh, who have become an integral part of the community and tradi‐tional Easter celebrations.

LOVE & DEDICATION: A unique Cofradia leads Good Friday processions.

Image: Ray Marsh

Warming hearts and homes

Betty Henderson

THE Freemasons of Dama de Elche Lodge No 163 have been recognised for their generosity and charitable acts with a prestigious Certificate of Appreciation from the Elche Children’s Home. The Lodge’s Brothers Mike Wyatt and John Lonsdale were presented with the award by Michelle and Jennifer from Elche Children’s Care Home, on Monday, April 3. The certificate was awarded in recognition of the Lodge’s kind donation of 1,000 litres of oil to help fuel the home throughout the winter.

CARP-R-US returned to El Bosquet on April 6 for the third round of its 2023 Spring Series. Sections 1B to 7 and 8 to 16 were used. The latter section is much deeper and only occa‐sionally used for matches. It al‐

Members of Dama de Elche Lodge were thrilled to receive the recognition, and their do‐nation was described as ‘very well received and much appreciated’. The charitable contribution went a long way in supporting the needs of the less fortunate in the home.

The Freemasons have a long history of phi‐lanthropy and community service. The Freema‐sons from the Dama de Elche Lodge’s act of kindness is just one of many examples of their commitment to making a positive impact on those in need in the Elche region.

Windy fishing

so tends to throw up the big‐ger weights and it fished to form once again producing six of the top seven weights.

The morning began chilly and misty but improved as the day progressed. A fairly calm morning led to a windy after‐noon, the wind cutting straight down from peg 7 to peg 1B. The deeper section was more sheltered.

Returning to the Club was Neil McBirnie, once known as the ‘Lad’ and from peg 11 he fought a close match with the ‘Unlikely Lad’ Steve Higgins on

peg 9. Neil ran out overall win‐ner with 24.80 kgs using a pole and maggot at 9m and feeder with pellet. Steve was a close second with 23.14 kgs fishing maggot with loose fed pellet at around 16m.

On the other section, former England International Vinnie Smith got off to a flying start with some large mullet. How‐ever, that end of the section died as the wind got up and the fish moved with it towards peg 1B. Alan Smith on peg 1 came out tops with 11.70 kgs with bread and maggot.

1 in 5

Brits, that’s 25%, describes themselves as an avid reader.

Nonagram 69

UNFORTUNATELY there was a small error in the Nonagram puzzle in Edition 1969 where the wrong letter was shown in the text and the centre of the puzzle. The correct letter should have been D. Apologies to all those who struggled to find the correct solution.

Fluttering funds

AN Easter Fayre in support of the DEBRA ‘Butterfly Chil‐dren’ charity was a triumph, raising a total of €541.86 through its tombola, raffle, cakes, and donations. Organ‐isers thanked all who con‐tributed, and look forward to continuing to fundraise.

Morris mania

THE Costa Blanca Morris Dancers, the only English Morris team in Spain are seeking new members! No experience is needed, just enthusiasm. The group meets on Fridays from 4‐6pm at Plaza Florida, Pinar de Campoverde. Visit Face‐book for more information.

Grand opening

DANISH furniture shop, JYSK opened its 111th Spanish shop in Orihuela last week with a grand opening cere‐mony. Visitors enjoyed a 75 per cent discount for the first week of shop opening.

Health issues

ADIEM, a foundation dedi‐cated to helping people with mental health issues, is col‐laborating with the Alicante Association of Journalists to create an Alicante‐based ob‐servatory to analyse the treatment of mental health in the media to improve un‐derstanding of issues.

Gym gala

ORIHUELA hosted an inter‐national gymnastics event over the weekend which saw gymnasts from across the world, including Olympic athletes, compete in several different categories. The Se‐daví Municipal Sports Centre hosted the event.

Mapping investment in Elche

Betty Henderson

ELCHE’S Plaza dels Algeps (also known as the Plaza de las Chime ‐neas) is now home to an exciting ex‐hibition that showcases 25 out ‐standing projects funded by EU’s EDUSI funds in Elche! The exhibition was previously located at the Plaza del Congreso Eucarístico but moved to the heart of the city for everyone to see on Thursday, April 6.

The EDUSI funds, worth a whop ‐ping €30 million, are aimed at en ‐hancing the lives of Elche’s resi ‐dents by promoting sustainability, technological innovation, and social

equality and have been subsidised by the city council.

From digitalising the city to ex ‐panding WiFi zones and launching

YOUR EWN HAS

the OMAC Digital initiative, some of the most remarkable projects of the EDUSI strategy are on display in the exhibition!

The exhibition displays the pro ‐jects on an interactive map which also highlights projects related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable mobility, and energy efficiency through the use of renewable energy, paving the way to a greener future.

The exhibition, which features in‐formative panels of the completed projects, will be open for visitors until the first week of May.

Factory fire extinguished Spam in Spain

ARE you receiving un ‐wanted spam calls?

Aspe Town Hall is here to offer advice.

To avoid receiving ad ‐vertising from entities or companies in Spain to which you have not given your express consent, you can register on the Robin‐son list. https://www.lis tarobinson.es/

If an entity or business wishes to send you per ‐sonalised advertising and you have not given your express consent to do so, it is legally obliged to con‐sult the Robinson List and, if you have regis ‐tered, it will not be able to send you the advertis ‐ing.

Anyone may register for the Robinson List ser ‐vice, voluntarily and free of charge. In the case of children under 14 years of age, parents or guardians must register on their be‐half.

This service is protected by the General Data Pro ‐tection Regulation (RGPD) and allows for quick and free registration with the aim of reducing the re ‐ception of commercial communications (calls, SMS, post and e‐mail).

Two months after regis‐tration, if you continue to receive advertising, you can file a complaint with the Spanish Data Protec ‐tion Agency.

TORREVIEJA’S Natural History Muse ‐um has opened its doors and is now offering free guided tours in English (and Spanish!) for three months throughout spring.

The councillor for Culture, Antonio Quesada, has reported that the Muse‐um, located on Avenida Estacion s/n, will be open Friday to Sunday from 10.00am to 1.00pm and Friday after ‐noon from 5.00pm to 7.00pm.

On the last Saturday of each month, the guided tours will be in English.

The Torrevieja Natural History Mu ‐seum has a great representation of the biodiversity of species that sur ‐round us, both marine and terrestrial, some in danger of extinction, others

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Centennial birthday in Alicante

A MAJOR fire that broke out at a pallet factory in the Altabix industrial es ‐tate in Elche on Friday, April 7 was finally extin ‐guished after an 18 ‐ hour struggle by 50 firefighters from eight stations in the region.

The blaze, which could be seen from several kilo‐meters away, was finally brought under control at 8am on Saturday, after it was reported at 10.30pm on Good Friday. The facto‐ry was not open when the fire broke out, but one se‐curity guard was treated for shock at the scene.

Local residents were struck by the sight of the flames, with many posting videos on social media.

Free tours

endemic to our area, and others so rare and admired that international experts come to Torrevieja to contem‐plate them.

The Museum contains specimens of Mammals, Ornithology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Marine Invertebrates and Malacology.

For more information, the Natural History Museum can be contacted at (+34) 966 706 838.

Prior registration for a tour is re ‐quired through this link http://turis modetorrevieja.com/web/?page_id=1 8911

Although the full extent of the damage has not yet been assessed, the factory suffered significant dam ‐age in some areas. The cause of the fire is still un‐known, but an investiga ‐tion is underway.

Authorities thanked fire‐fighters from eight stations across the region for their heroic efforts in controlling the fire. The incident serves as a reminder of the crucial role played by fire‐fighters in keeping our communities safe.

ALICANTE resident Rosa Bolufer Buigues, originally from Xábia has just turned 100 years old surrounded by her family. Rosa was born in 1923 and moved to Alicante when she met her husband. Rosa has five children, nine grand‐children, and five great‐grandchildren who all spoiled the centenarian with flowers, presents, and cake on her birthday.

Rosa, who speaks both Valencian and Spanish, re‐counts her memories of the war to her family and spends her time painting although not as much now. On good days Rosa likes to get to her local church for mass.

Rosas’s grandchildren explained that she was widowed 25 years ago and they marvelled at how she continued to live alone until she was 92 years of age. From all of us at the EuroWeekly News Happy Birthday!

Flames engulfed a factory in Elche last weekend.

Photo credit: Policía Local de Elche (via Facebook)

The interactive exhibition is an excellent opportunity for residents to see the EU’s investments in the region.

Photo credit: Ajuntament d’Elx

Top-notch

THE Brian O’Reilly local table tennis club has very kindly donated €300 of pet food to the animal charity, Asoka Orihuela.

The presentation took place on Friday, April 7, in the Social Centre, Calle Justo Antonio Quesada. 03177.

Asoka Orihuela currently has around 150+ dogs and 100+ cats. It is a government‐run facility but they pay for staff, a vet and the building only.

Funds for food, veterinary care, transporting animals etc still have to be raised. The shelter is desperate for funds as they have had an influx of sick and injured animals.

The charity is always looking for help. Whether you want to volunteer, help raise funds, adopt, or foster, the Asoka would be truly grateful.

If you are able to donate, the charity is always looking for food, blankets and dog and cat wares.

For more information about the charity or to make contact, head to the website: protectoraoriolana.org or email asokaori huela@gmail.com.

PROVERB OF THE WEEK

Blue Sea Dragon

THE rare Blue Sea Dragon (Glaucus Atlanticus) has reap‐peared in the waters of Ali‐cante, Torrevieja, Orihuela, and Guardamar del Segura.

It is a type of mollusc and marine biologists think it has been carried into the Mediter‐ranean by the Atlantic surface current. While there were re‐ports of their appearance just after the pandemic they haven’t been documented in these waters since 1705 and are described by marine biolo‐gists as an exceptional find.

The Blue Sea Dragon has been described by researchers as a small invertebrate approx‐

imately three centimetres long although larger examples have been found. They have ‘six highly branched lateral body expansions and a unique ma‐rine blue colouration on their belly and silver on their back.’ Their colouring allows them to camouflage on the surface

of the sea. They can be found floating belly‐up on the surface. Even though they are small they are certainly mighty, the Portuguese man o’ war is part of their diet! If you come across one don’t pick it up as their sting can cause a reaction like the Portuguese man o’ war.

The power of love

GUESTS are preparing for an unforgettable night of power‐house performances and timeless hits as the ‘Celine ‐My Heart Will Go On’ Celine Dion tribute band makes its way to Spanish shores with a performance planned for Tor‐revieja on Thursday, August 31.

This unique tribute show has been taking the UK by storm and is now set to blow audiences away in Spain. Fea‐turing a live sensational band, guests will be taken on a magi‐cal ride through four decades of hits that include ‘The Power Of Love’, ‘It's All Coming Back To Me Now’, ‘All By Myself’, ‘My Heart Will Go On’ and many more.

The striking concert has been described as “a power‐

Holy Week wonder

ELCHE’S Semana Santa celebrations received a major boost on Thurs‐day, April 6 as it was de‐clared a ‘Fiesta de Interés Turístico Autonómico’ by the regional Valencian government!

The recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the local churches, their vibrant brotherhoods, and their contribution to the city’s cultural her‐itage and economy.

The mayor of Elche, Carlos González, was de‐lighted by the news, de‐scribing it as “excellent news for Elche!”

house performance that deliv‐ers on every level” and is not to be missed. Organisers have also announced that they are working with the Spanish reg‐istered animal charity Helping Hands Sur to donate proceeds from ticket sales, so not only will guests enjoy an incredible tribute show, but will also be supporting a great cause.

Tickets for the Torrevieja tour date have not yet gone on sale, as the venue is cur‐rently being finalised,but fans can register for pre‐sale tickets online: https://www.carlton entertainment.co.uk/showsce

linemyheartwillgoon

The anticipation is already building up for what is set to be an unmissable evening paying homage to the Queen of Power Ballads.

The President of the Junta Mayor de Cofradías organisers, Joaquín Martínez, was al‐so thrilled, saying that the recognition acknowl‐edges the tireless work that the organising Cofradías have been do‐ing for years to make the city’s Semana Santa one of the most significant celebrations in the re‐gion.

This declaration means that Elche’s Sem‐ana Santa will now be even more visible, at‐tracting even more visi‐tors to the city and giving a boost to local business‐es such as hospitality and services. This is fantastic news for the city, and González hopes to go even further, making the celebrations a national ‘Fiesta de Interés Turísti‐co’.

RARE MOLLUSC: Beautiful but they can still sting.

“The quiet sow eats the food of the grunting one.”

This

is a medieval proverb meaning, whilst you’re busy complaining about your lot, someone else will have enjoyed it.

28% of white collar workers’ time is spent dealing with emails.

Photo credit Wikipedia Sylke Rohrlach

Betty Henderson

ART enthusiasts and history buffs rejoice! Ori‐huela is hosting the only exhibition in Spain to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of legendary Spanish painter Vicente López Portaña who lived from 1772‐ 1850. Titled ‘Vicente López. La corte y Orihuela’, this incredible exhibition features some of López’s most prominent works, as well as pieces depicting Madrid’s Royal Palace.

López, one of the greatest artists of the 19th century, is considered a significant figure in Spanish art history. The exhibition brings to‐gether more than 30 paintings by López, his col‐leagues and his sons, Bernardo and Luis, all of whom worked with the Royal Palace. His ex‐traordinary portraits showcase a stunning nat‐uralism and his unique style as a religious painter.

The exhibition opened to the public for the first time on Wednesday, April 5, at the Monas‐

ARE you looking to pick up some spring bargains? Head over to the Spring Fayre at El Capitan Sport Centre, Punta Prima, Calle Fragata in Orihuela.

Expect lots of great stalls offering bril‐liant bargains with something for every‐one.

The day will give you chance to enjoy fabulous food and drink with live music.

terio de Las Salesas and it will run until Mon‐day, May 29. A launch event for the exhibition on Thursday, March 30 was attended by Bish‐op Monsignor Monseñor José Ignacio Munilla and members of the Orihuela City Council who encouraged the public to take advantage of this rare opportunity to see original artwork by the renowned painter in a beautiful setting.

Picture perfect Spring Fayre

The Spring Fayre is on Saturday, April 15, from 11.00am until 2.00pm, and for more information, head to the Sports Centre or email: elcapitan.sportcen ter@gmail.com , or call: (+34) 621 247 379.

Authorities expressed their delight at hosting an exhibition of incredible centuries-old work by Vicente López Portaña.

Photo credit: Museo Diocesano De Arte Sacro De Orihuela (via Facebook)

Digital Nomads

WITH the introduction of Spain’s digital nomad visa many remote workers are now flocking to the Valencian city of Ali‐cante. Many choose this vibrant city over the likes of Madrid and Barcelona as it has an urban lifestyle, but at a slow‐er pace compared to the other large Spanish cities. The Mediterranean cli ‐mate encourages outdoor living and the streets of Alicante are alive with resi ‐dents enjoying some tapas and a glass of wine in the evening after work.

Alicante Airport located in El ‐ Altet is

the fifth busiest airport in Spain, accord‐ing to the statistics based on the figures in 2022, and is a huge draw for this coastal city. It is also possible to get around Spain by train from Alicante with many high ‐ speed train companies oper‐ating from the train station there.

Of course, the affordability of the city compared to others is a big attraction as is the fact that there are 28 international schools in the city. Alicante is now usual‐ly featured in many articles listing the best cities to be a digital nomad.

TUESDAY, March 28 wel ‐comed the Rock Against Cancer event at the Stagger Inn in Rojales followed by another at the Oasis Bar in Benijo ‐far.

Both events helped the charity raise money for the cause, with the help and support of a group of local businesses and both bars.

Rock Against Cancer Image:RockAgainstCancer

Rock Against Cancer would like to say a big thank you to Angie and her staff for keeping ev ‐eryone fed and watered and helping organise the event at the Oasis Bar and also all of the staff at the Stagger Inn for the same.

An event not to be missed is the Rock Against Cancer concert which is being held on September 8 and 9 in Torrevieja. Tickets are now available, grab them quickly before they sell out at any char ‐ity event or online at

www.rockagainstcan cer.es . The next event will be on April 25 at the Stagger Inn in Rojales, followed by the Oasis Bar on May 2.

All the support re ceived is truly appreci ated, no matter how much it all counts.

Zombie invasion

SATURDAY, April 15 Pilar de la Horadada will be invaded by zombies. This activity which has been arranged by the town hall will take place in the town centre. It begins at 11pm and finishes on Sunday at 5am.

The mayor of the town Susi Sanchez explained that “it is a zombie viral, which is an educational and healthy leisure event with zero alcohol, which promotes sport, teamwork, skill, and fun.”

The event is for all the public over the age of 12, but if aged between 12 and 14 you must be accompanied by an adult and participants aged between 15 and 17 years of age must have the authorisation to participate in the activity.

Various town facilities will be left open for this event. The mission will be to survive and flee from zombies. If they catch you, you must then become part of the zombie horde. Tickets are available on www.viralzombie.es or in Papelería El Pilar, Papelería Emilia, La Papelería de Miryam, and Horaprint.

ALICANTE: Many choose this vibrant city as it has an urban lifestyle but at a slower pace.

IT’S brilliant news for Elche as figures have been released which show Elche’s unem ‐ployed falls to 20,581.

The total number of unemployed in Elche de‐creased by 133 people in the month of March 2023 and stands at 20,581 people, which is the best figure in the en‐tire historical series since 2008.

This figure represents a decrease in unemploy‐ment of 6.7 per cent compared to the same

month last year, repre ‐senting a year ‐ on ‐ year increase of 1,482 work ‐ers.

In the Comunitat Va ‐lenciana as a whole, there has been a de ‐crease of 3,089 people in unemployment in March, according to da ‐ta published by the Min‐istry of Labour and So ‐cial Economy, which represents a decrease of 0.9 per cent compared to the previous month.

The regional figure for the number of unem ‐

ployed is the lowest for a month of March since 2008 and, moreover, in terms of Social Security enrolment, effective jobs created, it has in ‐creased by 19,224 peo ‐ple (+0.93 per cent).

Unemployment has decreased in all eco ‐nomic sectors, mainly agriculture and fishing (‐1.50 per cent) and ser ‐vices (‐1.49 per cent), al‐though it has increased among those without previous employment (+3.48 per cent).

As good as 2008 Elche CF defeated

ELCHE CF suffered a defeat in La Liga away from home in the Estadio El Sadar against eighth‐place Osasuna. Elche took the lead with a goal in the 44th minute by Tete Morente but Osasuna’s Morrocon forward Abde Ezzalzouli scored a brace, the first goal in the 71st minute

and the second in the 84th minute to dash the hopes of the Elche players. Elche stays bottom of La Liga 14 points behind 19th‐place Espany‐ol. They will face 11th‐place Girona on Sunday, April 16, and then Valencia who are also in the relegation zone.

Flamenco magic

Betty Henderson TORREVIEJA is set to be transformed into romantic and rustic rural Andalucia for an all‐day flamenco festival next month. The highly an‐ticipated Salinas de Oro de Torrevieja con Aires de Copla Flamenco Festival will be arriving in the city on Sun‐day, May 7, and it promises to be a day to remember!

Guests will have plenty of opportunities to see the tra‐ditional Andalucian art up close at the competition’s ‘Grand Finale’ in the Casa de Andalucia ‘Rafa Alberti’.

Performers will take to the stage from 7pm on the evening, showcasing a range

Fashion show is a success

of mesmerising and passion‐ate performances by contes‐tants.

The stakes are high for the performers in the competi‐tion! With prizes available up to a staggering €2,000 for the winner and €1,000 for the runner up, the competi‐tion is sure to be fierce.

Tickets are available from the box office as well as on‐line, for just €3: https://cul turatorrevieja.com/even

tos/festival‐flamenco‐sali nas‐de‐oro‐de‐torrevieja‐con‐aires‐de‐copla/. Tickets are selling fast, so guests are advised to book in advance for a chance to see this in‐credible art first‐hand.

THE first ‘fashion show’ was held at the end of March at the Marina Bar, Calle de las Rosas for the charity ‘Help Ve‐ga Baja’. The show’s organis‐ers David and Lorraine Whit‐ney had spent many hours in the Help Vega Baja charity shop in San Miguel sorting out a fine selection of clothes for the models to wear and also found a selection of tops, dresses, shoes, bags etc to go on sale after the models had strutted their stuff.

Together with a raffle of 41 donated prizes and other stalls the afternoon turned out to be a resounding suc‐cess raising €1,062 for this very worthwhile charity. Thanks to everybody who kindly donated to the day.

The turn out was, as usual, amazing and their generosity supporting the charity was very much appreciated.

Help Vega Baja President Michele Masson said a few words to describe the aims of the charity prior to the show and was there to answer any questions. David and Lorraine

sincerely hope that every‐body enjoyed the ‘Fashion Show’ as it was their first since Covid struck the world.

Onwards and upwards they are now busy thinking of their next fundraiser and thank everybody for their continued support.

Fighting loneliness

LONELINESS can be a real problem for the elderly, but help is on the way in Elche in the form of a new collaboration between the local government and the Red Cross.

The councillor for the El‐derly announced an agree‐ment with the NGO on Monday, April 3 to fight loneliness in the elderly.

The programme will in ‐clude a range of activities, services and volunteer op‐portunities designed to help combat loneliness among older people. Each

case will be studied individ‐ually to identify the specific needs and challenges faced by each person, and to de‐termine the best approach to addressing their issues.

The councillor for the El‐derly in Elche, Puri Vives, highlighted the importance of addressing the issue of loneliness among older people. “In our depart ‐ment, we are fully commit‐ted to finding solutions to this issue and want to re ‐mind older people that they are not alone.”

This heartwarming initia‐

tive shows the power of collaboration and the posi‐tive impact it can have on people’s lives, the project is sure to bring joy to local el‐derly people.

Flamenco performers will take to the stage for passionate performances in Torrevieja’s traditional Salinas de Oro Flamenco Festival.

Photo credit: Eduardo Dolón (via Facebook)

FASHION SHOW: The outfits went on sale afterwards.

Twice as many millennials eat breakfast out compared to the rest of the population.

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa and tax benefits

You may be able to move to Spain earlier than expected and not have to wait until retirement. The new Digital Nomad Visa enables UK and other nonEU nationals to live and work remotely in Spain, plus provide tax advantages.

The Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a key component of Spain’s ‘Start Up Law’. Approved in December, its main objective is to attract and retain investment and talent in Spain.

To qualify for a DNV, you must meet certain criteria, including:

• You work remotely (online) for a company located outside the EU/EEA or perform a maximum 20% of your professional activity for a Spanish based company.

• You have been working for the company for three months and your contract is for one year minimum.

• A clean criminal record.

By Jon Pemberton, Partner, Blevins Franks

• Proof you have €25,000 on deposit (plus €9,441 for each family member joining you) and private medical insurance.

• It is also possible to obtain a visa as an entrepreneur in Spain, if you meet the conditions.

Once approved for this visa your spouse and dependent children can live in Spain with you.

When applying at the Spanish

Consulate in your home country, the visa is initially valid for one year. You then apply for another three years. If you apply directly in Spain as a tourist, the visa covers three years.

Beckham Law beneficial tax regime

Once you are in possession of a DNV, you can apply to be covered by the ‘Beckham Law Regime’. This tax regime has been modified to make it even more attractive.

• You are considered non-tax resident for the year of relocation and following five tax years.

• While your employment income is taxed in Spain, the rate for income up to €600,000 is 24%. After that it’s 47% (which normally applies to income over €300,000). Non-employment income earned outside Spain is not subject to Spanish incomes taxes.

• Your solidarity tax liability will only be on assets located in Spain (and the allowances are very

high).

You can apply to be taxed under this regime if you have not been resident in Spain for the previous five years and are moving to Spain under an employment contract; with a Digital Nomad Visa, or as a director of an entity if you hold less than 25% of its capital.

Entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals are not eligible.

UK taxation

Employment income – if you are non-UK tax resident, only UK source income is taxed there.

Capital gains – while living in Spain under the Digital Nomad Visa, gains made on the sale of shares could potentially be free of capital gains tax in both countries.

Dividends – if the disregarded income treatment applies the UK tax liability is highly reduced or maybe nil. Dividends received from UK companies are not taxable in Spain.

This new visa obviously appeals

to digital nomads who fancy living in Spain for a few years. But it is attractive to UK professionals and businesspeople planning to retire in the coming years. If you are on a high UK salary can work remotely, you may be able to move to Spain under the DNV and pay less income tax under the Beckham regime. Dispose of UK company shares while living in Spain under this visa would save you tax.

Seek advice from a cross-border wealth management firm who understands the intricacies of Spanish and UK taxation and interaction between them.

The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual should take personalised advice.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.

Photography Competition

BUDDING photographers, grab your cameras as Aspe announces its 25th Photography Competi ‐tion.

The competition is aimed at non‐professional photographers who were born or are resident in the Valencian Community.

Three categories have been established for this year’s edition.

The first is for collec ‐tions of three pho ‐tographs, the second for individual photographs and the third for pho ‐tographs that reflect the flora, fauna, landscape or environmental impact in the municipality of Aspe.

Three prizes will be awarded in the first cate ‐gory: a first prize of

Betty Henderson

A STRIKE planned to take place on Tuesday, April 11 by health workers in Torrevieja was called off on Thursday, April 6 after a new agreement was made. The hospital’s committee and the Con ‐selleria of Health author ‐ity reached a deal to guarantee equal employ ‐ment conditions for per ‐manent and short ‐ term contracted employees within the local Depart ‐ment of Health.

The deal, which covers the next five years, marks a significant mile ‐

€2,000; a second prize of €1,400; and a third prize of €1,200.

In the second and third categories, three prizes are awarded in each: a first prize of €1,000; a sec‐ond prize of €800; and a third prize of €500.

Works may be submit ‐ted in person at the Wag ‐ner Theatre on September 19, 20, 21 and 22 from

10.00am until 2.00pm then from 7.00pm until 9.00pm and on Septem ‐ber 23 from 11.00am until 2.00pm.

They can also be sent by post or courier company, provided that they are re‐ceived between Septem ‐ber 19 and 22 with the de‐livery timetable being exclusively from 10.00am until 2.00pm.

Striking out

stone for the staff in their quest for adequate working conditions.

The deal will begin with reducing the maxi ‐mum annual working hours by 24 hours, grad ‐ually decreasing over the next five years to 1,513 hours, which is an aver ‐age of 35 hours per week.

Voluntary on ‐ call shift pay will increase to an hourly rate of €20 for hospital doctors, while

Crescendo Choirfree concert

THE very popular Crescendo Choir will be giving a free concert next Monday April 17 at La Siesta Evangelical Church, Calle Granados, La Siesta/El Chaparral.

The concert will begin at 6.30pm and there is no entrance fee. Come and listen, and maybe even join in, with the wonderful singing of this Choir.

At the end of the concert, there will be a ‘buck‐et’ as you leave the church ready to receive your donation towards the charitable work of the church.

Do come along and enjoy the music.

For more information about the church, visit our Facebook page or our website at Lasiestae vangelicalchurch.org.

nurses will receive €13 per hour, only 35 per cent less than physicians.

The hospital’s commit ‐tee expressed its grati ‐tude to the Conselleria of Health for its recent change in attitude and is hopeful that their posi ‐tive relations will contin ‐ue in further talks sched ‐uled for Thursday, April 20 and Friday, May 5, which will cover employ ‐ment equality and dis ‐ability benefits.

Hércules CF victory

HERCULES of Alicante Foot‐ball Club won away from home at the Camp d’Esports stadium against Lleida by one goal to nil. The only goal of the match came in the 25th minute from Roger Riera who was then sent off for a second yellow card in the 79th minute. Lleida then had one of their players sent off for a second yellow card in the 84th minute, midfielder Joan Monterde. That win leaves Hércules in 7th position in the Segunda RFEF (group 3) just two points off the playoff po‐sitions. Hércules play Olot on Sunday, April 16 at home.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: You now have the chance to win a prize.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Aspe

Betty Henderson RESIDENTS in Albox are warning others about a father and son who allegedly swindled hundreds of euros from local businesses and individuals, taking advantage of the community's kindness.

The pair arrived in the town claiming to be divorcees in need of a fresh start and established relationships with sympathetic locals who offered assistance. However, it later emerged that the men borrowed money from kindhearted members of the community without any intention of paying it back.

Kindness exploited

Sums of money borrowed are said to range from approximately €200 to €800, while the pair also reportedly have outstanding bills with local bars. At least three denuncias (complaints) have been made to the police, one of which the Euro Weekly News has had sight of.

Tenerife and Turre. Local resident, John Hillen explained “We are doing this to warn others and to put a stop to their activities if we can.”

While the allegations against the pair have yet to be proven, those affected are warning others to be cautious and have informed the appropriate authorities. The pair allegedly drove a Nissan Niro car with the registration plate PN70 NGZ.

Four-day working week

Residents are being warned to keep an eye out for two scammers who allegedly operated in the Albox region.

Investigations by local residents suggest that these individuals may have a history of similar fraudulent activities in other locations including

Dutch drug domination

IN an unexpected turn the Netherlands and Belgium have overtaken Spain as the primary gateway for cocaine entering Europe, with cartels using Mexican cartel techniques to control the market.

The news announced in an United Nations report on drugs (UNODC) on Friday, April 7 also revealed that these cartels have become so powerful that they have even displaced Spain as the main hub for drug trafficking in Europe.

Recent reports suggest that several cartels are taking over the drug markets in the Netherlands and Belgium and are now producing more and more methamphetamine locally. The availability of cocaine in Europe has increased dramatically over the past decade, with Holland and Belgium now being the key players in the trade.

The rise in prominence of these ports has been linked to their location in the

North Sea, which have seen a surge in trafficking activity. According to the UNODC report, Albanian gangs controlling the drug market in the southeast of the UK are also supplied by Dutch ports.

The days of Spain being the primary entry point for cocaine into Europe are now a thing of the past, as the Netherlands and Belgium have taken over the illicit industry.

STARTING on Monday, April 10, the city of Valencia began experimenting with the four­day working week. It coincides with three consecutive bank holiday Mondays after moving a holiday from January to this current month.

In a pilot project promoted by the city council, its objective is to test the impact of the application in the city of a four­day working week. It will analyse the subsequent consequences on productivity, leisure, mobility, the economy, and the health of the people involved in working 32 hours a week.

The scheme spans the four weeks of April 10, which includes Easter Monday, and April 17, which has the San Vicente Ferrer holiday. It also includes April 24, which becomes a holiday replacing January 22’s San Vicente Mártin celebration, and May 1, which is Labour Day in Spain.

Once the four weeks have ended, the city council’s Las Naves innovation centre will evaluate the results in order to have the conclusions of this test prepared by July 20.

Similar experiments have recently been conducted in other countries, including Lithuania, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Iceland, Portugal and Japan.

Photo credit: Maura Hillen (via email)

British buyers still rule

GOOD news for the Spanish house market as a new re‐port, from leading international property portal Kyero, has revealed that British buyers remain the biggest overseas spenders when it comes to buying property in Spain, three years on from Brexit and despite a 17 per cent fall in en‐quiries from British buyers last year.

In an analysis of one of the largest data sets in the indus‐try (consisting of buyers from 194 countries and 154,460 properties for sale with over 3,000 estate agents) it was found that the British, who have long played a significant role in the Spanish property market, have (just) managed to cling on to their number one spot.

This is despite losing significant ground to German and Dutch buyers since Brexit, but overall the number of inter‐national property buyers in Spain increased by 80 per cent in 2022 compared to 2019. British buyers continued to make up the largest proportion of overseas property spending in 2022 (12.54 per cent of the total market value).

However, compared to 2019 pre‐Brexit figures, the in‐crease in spending is one of the smallest of all nationalities.

SPANISH party resorts waging war against boozy Brits have been warned their efforts are “backfiring spectacularly” as demand for trips has since skyrocketed.

In what was dubbed the ‘Costa crackdown’, authorities in Malaga threatened rowdy British stags and hens with huge three figure fines if they stripped naked or brandished a blow‐ up p***s in public, while plans were even floated to install noise monitors in rooms.

Tougher rules were intro‐duced in Ibiza and Mallorca, with drinks limits imposed to try and curb drunken bad be‐haviour.

They have been part of a wider EU wide crackdown, which came to prominence

Party on

when stags and hens from the UK were urged to ‘stay away’ from Amsterdam as part of a major campaign launched by officials in the Dutch capital.

However, the boss of Britain’s leading stag and hen do provider said the only thing the “crusades” had suc‐ceeded in is making groups more determined to party in

these destinations ‐ with Brits seemingly undeterred by threats from the Spanish au‐thorities.

“Our Amsterdam stag do bookings are up 50 per cent since that campaign launched last week, so clearly the mes‐sage to ‘stay away’ isn’t get‐ting through,” said Matt Mavir, Managing Director of stag and party provider ‘Last Night of Freedom’.

And in the sunny Spanish party resort of Benalmadena, in Malaga Province, the com‐pany reported that bookings have increased by an aston‐ishing 200 per cent since the new rules ‐ aimed largely at stags and hens ‐ were publi‐cised last June.

“In Magaluf, bookings are up 60 per cent and it seems these rules are having abso‐lutely no impact on people’s desire to party in Spain and the EU.

“That’s why we are seeing unprecedented demand for budget‐friendly Spanish re‐sorts like Benidorm, and even though there are tough rules, that’s unlikely to put people off partying there,” he con‐cluded.

PARTY RESORTS: Companies say bookings are increasing.

1st Helsinki has the cleanest air of all world cities.

The Expert

WE all have our cultural biases. We can’t help it. We can only view things from our learned experience. But when we travel, we expand those experiences and broaden our views ­ perhaps changing how we see the world. And how others see us.

I only understood that clearly when travelling in the Middle East in my 20s. A teenage girl was introduced to me at a luncheon. When she heard I was from California, she became excited.

“Do you know Madonna?” she asked.

As if I, of the 38 million Americans residing in California, was the

next ­ door neighbour of Madonna. But now, living in rural small ­ town Galicia, I am experiencing something similar. We are well­travelled, especially in the US. I travelled for work a lot. And we travelled with our children for holidays to nearly every state in the union. So, I know a bit about each of them.

But the US is vast compared to countries in Europe. So big that there are varied cultural pockets where, while English is spoken, there are accents I can barely understand. But my fellow Gallegos don’t care.

It seems I am now the go ­ to person to consult when anyone in the area is travelling to the

US. Mothers, brothers, cousins, friends. It doesn’t matter. There will be a knock on my door. Someone I recognise will be there with someone I don’t recognise. Let the travel consultation begin. I almost feel like a medium. Perhaps I should light candles or lay out some tarot cards.

“I see a tall, handsome stranger in your future trip to New York.”

I have begun recycling itineraries, and custom Google maps for these people. Finding I get excited about their adventures. Remembering my own and doing my part to broaden their horizons, one Gallego at a time.

Betty Henderson

IT might be the French pension system that is in the news, but the Spanish system is also seeing change. In an announcement made on Thursday, April 6, the government is set to implement much more palatable changes that will help retirees choosing partial retirement, with other benefits planned. The pension reform was approved back in March and is focused on guaranteeing payments for

Retirees rejoice

the ‘Baby Boom’ generation in the coming decades by ensuring that enough income is entering the pension system. The new reforms also target the gender pay gap.

The changes are coming into effect in the next few weeks, with retirees able to start making claims to the Agencia Tributaria. The

Robotic revolution

AS artificial intelligence (AI) continues to come on leaps and bounds, many are concerned about the future of work. An alarming report released by Goldman Sachs released on Thursday, April 6 suggested that a quarter of jobs in Spain could be replaced by AI in the coming decade, but all is not as it seems!

According to the report, the rise of AI could destroy millions of jobs across the globe, with up to two thirds of all jobs worldwide at risk. The industries most affected by the AI revolution include administration and legal work, with almost half of all jobs in these sectors at

risk of being replaced by robots. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom, experts predict that while some jobs will disappear, new ones will be created to replace them. Spain’s significant service industry also means human workers will continue to be desired in many positions.

“AI has the potential to disrupt labour markets significantly,” warns Goldman Sachs.

“However, the combination of cost savings, job creation, and increased productivity for the remaining workers could lead to a productivity boom that substantially increases economic growth.”

plan also offers a €240 grant to help pensioners stay connected to the internet in retirement.

Partial retirement allows workers to receive a percentage of their contributory retirement pension while still earning a salary for a part­time job. Eligible workers can also claim other social security benefits such as unemployment or widower's pension.

With exciting changes in the pipeline, there’s never been a better time to plan your retirement in Spain!

Camel crash

AS reported by the Mossos d’Esquadra, the presence of a camel and two oxen on the N­II road as it passes through the municipality of La Jonquera in Girona caused a collision between two vehicles on Wednesday, April 5.

The strange and obviously unexpected sight the two motorists encountered resulted from the three animals escaping from an adventure centre located in the town of El Pertus, located very near the border with France.

Traffic on the N­II was diverted while the authorities dealt with the creatures. Neither of the motorists was hurt in the incident, which occurred around 9.30pm.

Unfortunately, one of the oxen was fatally injured in the collision. The remaining two escapees were rounded up and returned to their enclosures in El Pertus, as reported by a news source.

Changes have been in the pipeline for years now.

Photo credit: La Moncloa (via Facebook)

40% of what British consumers spend on dining out is spent on Sundays.

SPAIN is the place to be! That’s according to the country’s phenomenal tourism data for the beginning of 2023. Data released on Monday, April 3 revealed that the country welcomed a whopping 8.5 million international tourists during the first two months of the year.

The data revealed that Spain smashed last year’s figures by more than 50 per cent. And in a further positive turn, tourists are spending more than ever before, with a staggering €5.33 billion spent in February alone, beating pre­pandemic figures.

The Minister for Tourism, Héctor Gómez, is thrilled with the results and predicts that figures for this year’s Semana Santa will also break records for occupancy and spending.

In February, 4.3 million international

IN a move considered shocking to many, Spain is funding workshops on ‘sex toys’ and ‘trans identity’ in Latin America. It was reported on Friday, April 7 that the Spanish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (AECID) is financing workshops covering sexual issues, inclusive language, feminism, and gender ideology, including topics such as the use of sexual toys and transgender iden­

Tourism triumph

tourists arrived in Spain, an incredible 35.9 per cent increase compared to last year. The visitors spent €1.5 billion more on their trips than in February 2022, a 41 per cent increase.

The UK continues to be the top source of international tourists, followed by France and Germany, but other countries including the USA, Italy, and Switzerland have also seen significant increases in tourist numbers.

Las Canarias remains the most popular destination for tourists, with 1.2 million visitors in February.

Worries over workshops

tity in 10 Latin American countries. The Spanish government’s policies of gender and sexual liberation have made waves within its borders. However, perceived attempts by the government to export its policies on the matter to Spanishspeaking countries, have

sparked outrage in countries including Honduras. What many Spaniards find most disturbing is that this practice, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has now spread to 10 Latin American countries, with funding for workshops on sexual toys, indigenous feminism, and

Holy shift

Betty Henderson

SPAIN is traditionally associated with a strong Catholic identity, but recent reports show that Catholicism is on the decline in the nation. A report by the Ferrer i Guardia Foundation, released on Friday, April 7 revealed that a shift in religious attitudes is underway.

The report found that four out of 10 Spaniards now consider themselves agnostic, atheist, or non­believers, while new spiritualities are on the rise. The trend towards atheism began during the transition to democracy after the end of the dictatorship in 1978.

ple aged between 18 and 35 now saying that they do not believe in God.

‘trans poetry’, among others. The funding comes from taxes paid by citizens of the European nation.

The workshops have been offered through the AECID, 18 cultural centres in Latin America and as well as Equatorial Guinea (the only Spanishspeaking African country).

The pandemic also appears to have contributed to the rise in non­belief, as people re­evaluated their moral and spiritual beliefs during a time of crisis. The younger generation appears to be leading this shift, with six out of 10 peo­

However, the rise of nonbelief does not necessarily mean a rejection of spirituality. Many Spaniards are turning to new spiritual practices and beliefs. As Spain becomes increasingly diverse and open­minded, it is embracing new ways of understanding the world. The news came at a fascinating time as the religious festivals of Easter, Passover and Ramadan coincide in a rare overlap which only happens three times every century.

Easter processions attract huge crowds.

Photo credit: Hermandad del Baratillo (via Instagram)

Las Canarias registered the best tourism data in the first two months of 2023, in part due to Tenerife’s world famous February carnival.

Photo credit: Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (via Facebook)

To tip or not to tip? New system dispute

THE system of tipping that exists when paying a restaurant bill in countries like the United States appears to be catching on in Spain. There are already reports in recent months of establishments in big cities like Madrid and Barcelona operating in this fashion towards their customers. Some are known to be asking their customers for an extra 5 or 10 per cent of the total cost of the meal. This is a practice that has never existed

Andalucia’s reservoirs low

in Spanish restaurants before. While the hospitality industry claims that it is not mandatory to leave a tip, many consumers believe that this action ‘somehow replaces decent wages’.

The bills being given by the restaurants in question allegedly show the total without a tip, and then the amount with a suggested percentage of 5, 8 or 10 per cent, while some offer the option of a free tip at the customer’s discretion.

SPEAKING on Thursday, April 6, Ramón Fernández ­ Pacheco, the minister of Sustainability and spokesman for the Andalucian government, said that the data on the levels of the reservoirs in Andalucia cannot be described as “anything other than dramatic” as none of the basins currently reaches 30 per cent of their capacity.

“Andalucia today has more than 500 cubic hectometres less than we had the same week last year,” the minister stressed during an institutional visit to the town hall of Gador in Almería.

He continued: “We have been experiencing a series of months in which it has hardly rained and this has had a series of consequences that we are all noticing. In the agricultural sec ­

tor, it is more evident, but also in the natural environments themselves that are suffering from this drought, as well as for industry and tourism.”

Fernández ­ Pacheco stressed that water is “fundamental” for Andalucia. Given the state of the reservoirs, the responsible public administrations can only “invest, invest and invest in infrastructures that

make us more resistant to this drought situation,” he emphasised, as reported by a news source.

He also referred to climate change and its effects, such as the lack of rain and the high temperatures that are being recorded in an “unusual way for the time of year.” All of this contributes to a greater risk of forest fires he pointed out.

Ship’s oil spillage

ACCORDING to the group ‘Verdemar Ecologists in Action’, the remains of oil from the ‘OS 35’ ship that has been stranded east of Gibraltar since August 30 last year, are reaching the coast of the Cadiz region of Campo de Gibraltar.

In a statement published on Thursday, April 6, they argued that oil has appeared on beaches in the municipalities of Algeciras and Los Barrios.

“Today there were frequent oil stains from the Palmones river in Los Barrios to the beach of La Concha, in El Rinconcillo, in Algeciras,” they claimed. “Specifically, these were balls of oil mixed with seawater and oil stains. We believe that the vessel still has the remains in its holds and oil circuits of hydrocarbons that may come out as a result of the storm,” they added.

Jose Ignacio Landaluce, the mayor of Algeciras, confirmed in a statement the arrival of the remains of the spill on the Rinconcillo beach and called on Gibraltar to take responsibility for this situation.

Landaluce recalled that he has been warning of the danger of the ship remaining aground. It is a

warning that: “the governments of Spain and Gibraltar have ignored,” he insisted. “These problems are the result of these mistakes,” the mayor stressed.

The mayor reported that since early on Thursday morning, work had been carried out to remove the fuel oil deposits that had appeared on the coast.

34% of British households own a dog.

RESERVOIRS: Are currently below 30 per cent capacity.

Clean-up operation on a beach in Cadiz Province.

Credit: EMJAY SMITH/Shutterstock.com

Credit: Twitter@Verdemar_EA

5 identified for fires

ADRIÁN BARBÓN, the President of the Principality of Asturias, reported on Monday, April 10, that five complaints will be filed about five individuals identified as allegedly responsible for some of the forest fires that have affected Asturias recently.

He was speaking after participating in the meeting of

the advisory and management committee of the Emergency Civil Protection Plan for Forest Fires of the Principality of Asturias (Infopa). Barbón indicated that there is also another line of investigation that could affect at least another 10 suspects, although this is still in an early phase.

This latest wave of fires represents an “attack against Asturias” the President insisted, in which there is “clearly” an intention. These fires, he continued, “mark a before and after” in government policies, with aspects from which they should “humbly learn” such as improving the defence of towns.

Andalucia card discount

NEW fares for the Andalucian consortia network card came into force on Monday, April 10. It was applied after the consortia’s board of directors approved an increase from 50 to 60 per cent in discounts on public transport fares. The network is made up of the metropolitan areas of the eight provincial capitals plus the region of Campo de Gibraltar.

According to a press release, this new discount is carried out with the use of the card on buses, metros and trams in the Bay of Cadiz in compliance with the Social and Economic Pact for the Promotion of Andalucia. It is an agreement signed between the Andalucian Regional Government, the Andalusian Confederation of Employers (CEA), UGT­A, and CCOO­A.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Now even cheaper.

From January 2023, an additional 50 per cent discount was applied to public transport through season tickets and multi­journey cards (Consortium card and Youth Transport Card).

The new fares have already been applied to the three Andalucian metro passes since April 1.

Credit: Junta de Andalucia

Coronation performance

THE American singing and acting legend Bette Midler is reportedly being lined up to make an appearance at King Charles’ Coronation concert on Sunday, May 7. According to a news outlet, the 77­year­old star will allegedly fly to Britain to perform for the new monarch at Windsor Castle. She will join a line­up of top acts, including Take That and Lionel Richie. It has proved a daunting task to acquire some of music’s biggest names for the free show. The Spice Girls, Ed Sheeran, Sir Elton John, Robbie Williams, Adele, and Harry Styles have all reportedly turned down the opportunity for various reasons.

Dragons love Mood Bears

“Although booking performers hasn’t been easy, due to busy schedules and the last­minute nature of the gig, bosses are quietly confident that a very special event is coming together,” a source told the news outlet.

“Landing a Hollywood star like Bette is a real coup and she will add real old­school glamour to the line­up. Bette is delighted to be taking part, she thinks it’s an honour. Organisers are pulling out all the stops to give people a real spectacle, there’ll be something for everyone,” they added. The icon has already appeared in 2009 and again in 2014 at the Royal Variety Performance.

Housing asylum seekers

ON Wednesday April 5, the UK Home Office announced that an accommodation barge in Portland Port, Dorset will be used to reduce intense pressure on the UK’s unsustainable asylum system and cut taxpayers’ costs caused by the major increase in Channel crossings.

Currently hotel accommodation for asylum seekers is costing Britain £6 million (€6.86 million) per day.

The barge, called the Bibby Stockholm, will be moored in

Portland Port and will accommodate about 500 single male adults during the time their asylum claims are processed.

The use of vessels to house migrants brings the UK in line with other European countries, for example in the Netherlands where migrants have successfully been accommodated on vessels, and Scotland which has also used vessels for Ukrainian refugees.

Last week the government announced that surplus mili­

tary sites will also be used to accommodate migrants who have entered the UK illegally.

A NEW enterprise has been hailed as a project underpinned by empathy and caused quite a stir on the season finale of Dragon’s Den in the UK.

Jo Proud stood in front of the intimidating dragons Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, Touker Suleyman, Steven Bartlett, and Peter Jones and gave an emotional pitch while introducing her Mood Bears.

The Mood Bears were born from Jo Proud’s own struggle with mental health and while these bears were designed with children in mind, they have been known to help even

adults cope with their mental health issues also.

There are currently eight Mood Bears from Happy Bear to Sad Bear, and Nervous Bear to Angry Bear, the main emotions are represented. These bears certainly were emotive as one of the dragons Peter Jones, clearly moved by the project, called on all of the dragons to get behind this ‘movement’ as he described it.

He invited all the dragons to invest £4,000 for 5 per cent of the company.

Jo Proud was visibly moved by the reaction and could not believe it when

all five dragons agreed to invest all of the money, £20,000, for 25 per cent of the company between them.

With that amount of expertise on board, this is a product that is sure to succeed.

Each Mood Bear has its own colour and a small poem to help young and old cope with their emotions beginning ‘With feelings all confused and all in a muddle, each bear is unique and give the best cuddle’.

And really who doesn’t love a bear hug so if you want one visit https://moodbears.com/.

MOOD BEARS: The new project caused quite a stir on Dragon’s Den.

36% of British adults are bilingual. That’s over 24 million people.

Do not ignore iPhone warning

APPLE iPhone users are urged never to ignore the warning: ‘compromised passwords’, according to a news source on Friday, April 7.

The warning message

appears if one of your passwords has been leaked and could lead to extremely serious consequences.

Speed is of the essence. If you don’t respond

quickly enough, one or more of your accounts could be hacked.

Failure to deal with the warning can lead to a chain reaction, allowing criminals to access and

UK emergency alert

control even more of your accounts.

Although it has potentially dangerous implications, it can be easily fixed if you take action immediately.

The warning applies to customers who use Apple’s iCloud Keychain to store their passwords for apps and websites on iPhone.

Known password leaks are scanned by Apple and warnings are issued if one of your saved passwords has been compromised.

Apple explained, “When you create and store your own passwords for websites and apps, iPhone automatically identifies common weaknesses (for example, if they’re easily guessed or used multiple times).

“iPhone can also securely monitor your passwords and alert you if they appear in known data leaks.”

89.3bn

A NATIONWIDE test of the UK’s emergency alert service will take place at 3pm on Sunday April 23.

The government said it would only be used in “lifethreatening emergencies”, including extreme weather events like the wildfires and flooding seen last year.

Messages will pop up on mobile phones across the UK, along with a sound and vibration that will automatically stop after 10 seconds.

Minister Oliver Dowden said the alert service could one day “be the sound that saves your life.”

The government has worked with emergency services and other entities,

including the Football Association, to ensure it has minimal impact on major events for the test later in April.

It will coincide with some Premier League football matches and the London Marathon.

The government said the test was important as it will ensure people can recognise a real alert providing clear instructions about how to respond in an emergency.

The alerts are expected to be sent very rarely, only when there is an immediate threat to life, so it may be months or even years before you receive one.

Headache for The Crown

PRODUCERS of the highly acclaimed and controversial Netflix series The Crown have not succeeded in getting US actress Gillian Anderson to reprise her role as PM Margaret Thatcher, said a news source on Saturday April 8.

Gillian Anderson, 54, was praised for her portrayal of ‘Iron Lady’ Margaret Thatcher, winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her part in series four.

Anderson’s no­show has created a headache for Crown producers to rewrite the script after it was planned for Maggie to return in an episode about the golden wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.

The highly anticipated sixth series has already come under fire as to how it will handle the death of Princess Diana on August 31, 1997.

A spokesperson for the show said, ‘Gillian’s portrayal of Thatcher was met with global critical acclaim and she was a huge asset to The Crown.

‘It had been hoped she would be able to make an appearance in scenes around the golden wedding but sadly that has not been the case due to scheduling issues.

Number of times Google is visited per month.

CORONAVIRUS measures were finally lifted on Saturday, April 8, in Germany’s last federal state. As of April 8, there was no longer a requirement to wear masks nationwide, but, restrictions such as masks can still be imposed by the administration of health facilities if they deem them necessary, as reported by a news source.

The news was welcomed by Marco Buschmann, the 45year­old German Justice Minister. “The Corona measures massively interfered with ev­

eryday life and people’s basic rights,” he told the news outlet. “After the long period of restrictions in everyday life for people in Germany, freedom is now the rule again.”

Now that the country has managed to successfully cope with the epidemic, the minister advocated the annulment of amendments to the Infection Protection Act that allowed restrictions on rights and freedoms in connection with the epidemiological situation.

However, the 60­year­old

Remaining measures lifted Tag-team

constitutional expert Volker Boehme­Neßler disagreed: “As long as Paragraph 28a is still in the law, it lurks menacingly in the background.” The regulation is the basis for all restrictions he pointed out: “including the tough lockdown measures.”

“We need exactly the freedom we had before Corona. The lockdown paragraph was written into law for the corona pandemic ­ the pandemic is now over, so the paragraph must also be deleted again,” demanded Boehme­Neßler.

Toxic cloud

A STATE of ‘extreme danger’ was declared on Sunday, April 9, in the German city of Hamburg. The alert was the result of two warehouses initially catching fire in Billstrasse at around 4.40am, in the Rothenburgsort district. This subsequently produced clouds of thick black smoke which poured up into the sky, as reported by a news source.

THE French President, Emmanuel Macron, arrived in Beijing alongside the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen for a highly anticipated meeting with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping on Wednesday, April 5. The pair had a series of political and business engagements planned in the Asian nation.

The three leaders held a summit the following day to discuss a range of issues including the war in Ukraine with the European leaders pressing Xi to take further steps to halt the Ukraine war.

The pair took a ‘tag team’ approach, with Macron playing ‘good cop’ and von der Leyen playing ‘bad cop’, as they encouraged Xi to ex­

ert influence over his ally, Putin.

The leaders’ show of unity is an attempt to prevent the Chinese exploiting differences within Europe. Their joint arrival is also part of a push from European leaders to engage with China, despite the increasingly fraught trade relationship between the European Union and China, its biggest trading partner.

Their trip coincided with a business conference held in Beijing which was attended by a whole host of European business leaders with burgeoning interests in the Chinese market.

In an official warning on Sunday morning, the fire and the smoke development were classified as ‘extreme danger’. The population could be affected “by smoke gases and chemical components in the air we breathe,” the authorities warned.

Confirming the situation, a spokesman for Hamburg Fire Brigade said: “The centre of

Hamburg is completely dark.” The burning facilities were located along the banks of the River Elbe, east of the city centre.

Firefighters did not provide information on the contents of the warehouses. However, other sources suggested the warehouses were discharging hydrogen sulphide into the atmo ­

sphere. Firefighting teams were said to be unable to combat the flames without the use of breathing apparatus. Six fire appliances from the professional fire brigade, several volunteer fire brigades, the Technical Relief Agency and the police took part in fighting the fire. According to initial reports, no one was injured.

HAMBURG: The city was on extreme danger alert.

ABBA guitarist passes away

IT was revealed on Sunday, April 9, that Lasse Wellan‐der, the guitarist who played on some of ABBA’s biggest hit songs, passed away on Friday April 7, at the age of 70. He performed not only on their hits but al‐so during the 1970s and 80s, he was was an integral part of the Swedish band’s huge concert tours.

“It is with indescribable sadness that we have to an‐nounce that our beloved Lasse has fallen asleep. Lasse recently fell ill with what turned out to be can‐cer that had spread, and early on Good Friday he

passed away surrounded by his loved ones,” Lasse’s fam‐ily wrote in a statement paying tribute to him.

“You were a fantastic mu‐sician and humble like few, but above all, you were a wonderful husband, broth‐er, grandmother, and grand‐

father,” they continued, as reported by a news outlet.

When ABBA took to the road for a series of sellout concerts across the world in 1979 and 1980, Lasse ap ‐peared on stage nightly with the legendary mem ‐bers, Benny Andersson, An‐

ni ‐ Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Fältskog, and Björn Ulvaeus.

Lasse featured on no less than 24 of the group’s stu‐dio recordings as well as ev‐ery one of their eight al ‐bums. He was also involved with the 2021 album ‘Voy‐ager’.

Poland’s pledge Deportation delayed

THE temporary reprieve granted to Kathleen Poole, a 74 ‐ year ‐ old British grandmother with Alzheimer’s who was fac‐ing deportation from Swe‐den, has been met with relief from her family and the community.

On hearing the an ‐nouncement of a pause on her deportation order on Thursday, April 5, Kath‐leen’s family have re ‐newed their pleas for a permanent solution to the widow’s residency woes.

Kathleen Poole, who has been living in a care home in Sweden for 10 years, was told to leave the country after her ap‐plication to remain after Brexit was rejected. Al ‐though her removal has been put on hold until a new decision is made, her family remains fearful that the deportation could be ordered at any moment.

Despite being bedrid ‐den, having spent the last decade in a care home,

and having no family in the UK, Kathleen’s appli‐cation was rejected in September 2022. Her family has been left con‐fused by the situation and has been seeking a resolu‐tion for more than a year now.

The family are currently exploring options includ‐ing making a new applica‐tion for a UK passport. Meanwhile, MP Hilary Benn has urged the UK foreign secretary, James Cleverly, to intervene.

POLAND has pledged to send more fighter jets to Ukraine as the country’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, visited its west‐erly neighbour on Thursday, April 5.

During the visit, the Polish President, Andrzej Duda, promised to send his country’s remaining fleet of MiG‐29 jets to Ukraine should they be required, demonstrating Poland’s unwavering support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Du‐da also said that Russia must be punished for war crimes com‐mitted in Ukraine. In response, Zelensky expressed his grati‐tude for the support, which has been critical in Ukraine’s fight against Russia since the beginning of the conflict last year.

Tensions between Russia and the West continue to sim‐mer, as Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western in‐telligence services of being involved in terrorist attacks on Russia. Putin provided no evidence to support his claims, but asserted that third countries and Western intelligence ser‐vices had plans to sabotage and commit acts of terrorism against Russia. Meanwhile, the Polish Minister for Agriculture resigned on Thursday over an ongoing dispute and protests about cheap Ukrainian grain which has flooded the Polish market, slashing the value of Polish grain. An EU tax break on Ukrainian grain has exacerbated the issue.

Betty Henderson

Crowds greeted Ukrainian President Zelensky as he met with the Polish President, Andrzej Duda across the border.

Photo credit: Andrzej Duda (via Facebook)

63% of Google searches are on mobile devices.

Russia’s red card War crime justice

FRENCH judges ordered three top advisers to the Syrian President Bashar al­Assad to stand trial for their role in complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes in a court order signed on April 5.

The accused include Ali Mamlouk, head of security in the Ba’ath party, and intelligence officials Jamil Hassan, and Abdel Salam Mahmoud.

French prosecutors believe the trio is responsible for the deaths of Mazzen Dabbagh, a pedagogical adviser at the French school in Damascus,

and his son Patrick, who were arrested in 2013 and subjected to horrific torture that was “so intense that it killed them.”

The trial will be the first in

France directly directed at the Syrian regime, but not the first in Europe. In January 2022, a German court sentenced a former Syrian colonel, Anwar Raslan, to life in prison for crimes against humanity. While the accused are not expected to attend the trial or have lawyers represent them, French judges have taken the unprecedented decision of issuing international arrest warrants for them. The indictment was described as “historic” by the International Federation for Human Rights.

Catholic clampdown

THE Vatican City accused China of breaking a bilateral pact in an announcement made on April 4 after it appointed a new bishop to Shanghai, the largest Roman Catholic diocese in China. The Holy See was reportedly informed of the decision to appoint Shen Bin as bishop of Shaghai several days ago, and the news has caused a stir in the Catholic community worldwide, who fear that the Chinese Communist Party may be trying to exercise greater power

within the church.

Meanwhile, the Vatican has said that the city’s auxiliary bishop, Ma Daqin, should administer the diocese, but he has been under house arrest since 2012 when he publicly rejected the ‘Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association’.

However, in a positive step between the Vatican and China, both sides have recognised the pope as the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church for the first time since the 1950s.

Betty Henderson

THE UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin, has slammed the door shut on Russia’s involvement in European football competitions until the war in Ukraine is stopped.

The announcement was made as part of a powerful speech given by Ceferin as he was reelected as the chief of UEFA at the UEFA Congress in Lisbon on Wednesday, April 5.

The decision to ban Russian national and regional teams from UEFA competitions was made in February 2022 in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine.

The current ban permits Belarusian national football teams and domestic clubs to participate in European tournaments, but their home games must take place on neutral ground, behind closed doors.

However, Ceferin hinted that UEFA could consider banning Belarus from the

2024 European Championship if deemed necessary, but that decision would rest with UEFA’s executive committee.

Ceferin’s comments have come at a time of increasing concern over the impact of politics on international sporting events. The invasion of Ukraine has sparked a widespread boycott of Russian athletes.

Ceferin’s firm stance on Russia sends a clear message that UEFA is willing to

take a hardline approach towards countries that disregard international law.

Aleksander Ceferin has been reelected as President of UEFA, where he vows to take a tough stance against Russia.

A French court has launched an investigation.

Photo credit: UEFA (via Facebook)

Photo credit: Rasha Mahmoud / Wikimedia Commons

15.92% of all homes bought in Spain last year were bought by foreign investors.

A ‘reel’ treat

IT’S time to roll out the red carpet and get ready to enjoy a night of musical glamour and glitz.

The Torrevieja Symphonic Orchestra is all set to light up the stage with their upcoming concert, ‘Music from the Films’.

On Saturday, May 13 at 7pm, the symphonic orchestra, under the skilled baton of José Francisco Sánchez, will take the audience on a musical journey through the movies at Torrevieja Municipal Theatre.

Charity night

The concert promises to be a treat for all film and music fans, with the orchestra showcasing their musical prowess and bringing the silver screen to life.

The orchestra is sure to create an enchanting atmosphere with its thrilling and melodious tunes that will make all guest’s hearts sing.

The performance will also feature some stunning solos from Lucía Espana and Shani Ormiston, who will add an extra sparkle to the show.

All are invited to experience the magic of the cinema in a whole new way at the exciting performance.

Tickets for the show are on sale at the theatre’s box office and online at: https://cultura torrevieja.com/eventos/ viaje ­ musical ­ por ­ ameri ca

Betty Henderson

GET ready for a night of entertainment and charity as Casa Contenta in Rojales gears up to host a fundraiser in aid of the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre.

The event promises to be a memorable one, with an exciting line­up of talented performers set to take the stage on Saturday, April 29 from 8pm until 11pm.

The event includes an impressive line­up of talented performers. Joop Zorn and the People’s People, a dynamic pop and rock band, who will have the crowd up on their feet and dancing to their catchy tunes. Meanwhile, a stunning vocal harmony duo will captivate the audience with their beautiful melodies.

Entry to the event is free, but guests are invited to join in a raffle with a variety of exciting prizes. All proceeds from the raffle will go direct­

Hit the bullseye

ONE local venue is bring ing the heat with an excit ing charity darts event later this month. Local 42 in La Finca are holding an evening of compet itive fun with their chari ty darts night on Thursday April, 27 in aid of SAT animal rescue.

ly to the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre, ensuring that they can continue their vital work.

Guests will enjoy an evening of music while supporting the local charity’s mission of rescuing and rehabilitating abused, neglected and abandoned horses, ponies and donkeys, and advocating for better animal treatment in Spain.

The charity is also seeking passionate volunteers to help in providing a safe and loving sanctuary for rescued animals. Those interested can get in touch with Sue at 652 021 980.

The evening will get un derway from 7pm when guests are invited to team up in pairs and let the games begin! Organisers say there is no need to be a dart professional, just come out for a night of ‘good old fashioned fun’. The nine dart knockout tournament will have guests on the edges of their seats before a range of other exciting activities.

Following the tournament, guests can participate in a ‘Bullseye’ game show style activity as well as a raffle which boasts fabulous prizes.

Prior booking for the event is essential, guests interested in participating

can contact Local 42 on 603 233 944 to reserve their spot.

The evening will raise much ­ needed funds for SAT animal rescue which is based in Dolores. The charity has one kennel location to care for rescue dogs with another under construction to care for more dogs in need in the region.

Photo credit: Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre (via Facebook)

Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre provides a sanctuary for abandoned horses.

The funds raised through the charity darts night will help to find dogs like Goku a loving forever home.

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Face the music

HEDGE fund trader Sanjay Shah, a British subject, will be extradited to Denmark, after a Dubai court threw out his final appeal. Shah, who was arrested in Dubai last June, is wanted in connection with an alleged €1.7 billion scam that helped companies defraud Denmark’s tax authorities.

THE NETHERLANDS

Beach stop

ALTHOUGH work on the station began in 2017, the Rotterdam metro made its first stop at the new halt on the Hoek van Holland beach only recently. The multimillion-euro station’s design takes into consideration its proximity to the sea, with specific measures protecting it against sand, wind, and salt.

BELGIUM

Dearer food

BELGIUM’S government needed to freeze the prices of 100 basic products for three months to ensure people can afford to buy basic products, said consumer-protection organisation Test Achats. Groceries were 20 per cent dearer in March this year than they were in March 2022, Test Achats said.

GERMANY

Success story

RYYA ALSHEBL, a 29-year-old who fled Syria in 2015 and is now a German citizen, was elected mayor of Ostelsheim (Baden-Wurttemberg) with an overall majority and 55.4 per cent of the vote. Alshebl, who worked for the council in neighbouring Althengstett, described his campaign as “overwhelmingly positive.”

FRANCE

Official help

THE town of Denain in northern France is handing out €50 to every resident, regardless of income, in a bid to combat rising inflation and soaring food prices. This is the second consecutive year that the town council, statistically one of the poorest in the country, has run the scheme.

NORWAY

Salmon tax

SHARES in Norway’s salmon-farming industry plummeted last September after the government revealed plans to tax the industry, the country’s largest source of national income. Six months later the government said it still would press ahead with a 25 per cent tax on the sector’s biggest producers.

FINLAND

Be prepared

FINLAND’S Ministry of Defence announced in early April that the country intended to spend €316 million of acquiring the David’s Sling long range missile defence system from Israeli armaments firm, Rafael. The official announcement arrived a day after Finland was accepted into NATO.

IRELAND

Pro-choice

IRELAND’S Health minister Stephen Donnelly, announced that 8,500 pregnancy terminations were carried out in the country last year. Abortion was legalised in Ireland in January 2019 after a referendum held in May 2018 in which voters repealed the pro-life Eighth Amendment from the Irish constitution.

ITALY

Free speech

FRATELLI D’ITALIA (Brothers of Italy), the right-wing party led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, proposed a new law to “defend and promote” the Italian language by penalising the use of English and other foreign words in official communications. Transgressors would risk fines of between €5,000 and €100,000.

PORTUGAL

Polly stops play

A PORTUGUESE youth league match between the Estoril and Estrela da Amador teams was interrupted for several minutes when a parrot invaded the football pitch. Two men ran onto the field and used their jackets to try to catch the parrot which evaded them each time before finally deciding to fly off.

UKRAINE

Sleep well

UKRAINE therapists have received training from British psychologist Dr Justin Havens in helping those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) nightmares. He wanted to support people in Ukraine who suffered “a double trauma” during the day and in their dreams at night, Dr Havens said.

SWEDEN

U-turn

SWEDEN, formerly a pioneer in LGBTQ rights, has for the last year begun restricting genderaffirming hormone therapy for minors, which is now allowed only in very rare cases. In December 2022 it also limited mastectomies for teenage girls wanting to transition, citing the need for “caution.”

STAT OF WEEK €22.8 billion

was added to the personal fortune of Amancio Ortega, founder and principal shareholder of Inditex last year, thanks to the increased value of shares in parent company Zara.

BUSINESS EXTRA No energy FINANCE

Going down

SPAIN’S Industrial Production Index (IPI) fell by 0.8 per cent in February compared with February 2022. This was 2.2 points lower than in January, the National Statistics Institute (INE) announced on April 5, marking a return to negative year­on­year rates following January’s 1.2 per cent rise.

What goes up

TESCO chairman John Allan told a BBC interviewer that he could not forecast when food prices would peak. He countered claims that Tesco took advantage of higher prices to make bigger profits and said the supermarket chain’s 4p (€0.045 cents) in the pound margin was “slender” compared to other industries.

Time out

UNDER Spain’s recentlypassed Family Law, new parents may now take eight weeks’ leave, confirmed junior Employment Minister Joaquin Perez. Following pressure from the EU, the leave, which can be taken in one block or partially at any time until the child has reached the age of eight, will be paid.

Doing well

BANCO SANTANDER loans increased by 4 per cent so far this year and deposits by 6 per cent, executive chairwoman Ana Botin told shareholders. The bank was seeing a double­digit increase in earnings compared with the same period last year and had gained another million clients, Botin said.

Banks blanked

INSIDERS revealed that 4,000 of the UK’s 5,500 high street bank and building society branches could close between now and late 2024 as the sector refashions its services. Opening hours and, counter services will be drastically reduced and customers encouraged to use in­branch ATMs and machines, they predicted.

Brussels’ Orange alert

THE planned €18.6 billion merger between Orange and MasMovil can expect scrutiny from Brussels.

The European Union’s Competition Commission, headed by Magrethe Vestager, is launching an in­depth investigation that will assess all aspects of the Orange­MasMovil merger.

“The Commission is concerned that the transaction may reduce competition in the retail supply of mobile and fixed broadband services as well as of multiple­play bundles in Spain,” a Commission statement said.

Orange and MasMovil are respectively the second and fourth largest operators both at retail and wholesale level for fixed broadband and mobile services in Spain, the Com­

mission pointed out, citing Telefonica, Vodafone, Orange, and MasMovil.

“There are also several mobile and fixed virtual network operators which use these operators’ infrastructure to offer mobile and fixed telecoms services to their consumers,” the release continued.

The Commission concluded that by

reducing the number of Spain’s network operators, the merger would also eliminate “innovative and significant rivals” which could then lead to higher prices and lower­quality telecom services for customers.

Once merged, Orange and MasMovil would have “the ability and the incentive” to restrict virtual operators’ access to the wholesale mobile network, the Commission said.

“This could reduce the ability of such operators to compete, and in turn lead to higher prices and lower quality of services for end customers in Spain.”

The Competition Commission now has 90 working days, until August 21, to come to a decision.

Long drawn-out privatisation

THE UK government has given itself more time to gradually sell off its holding in NatWest. The rescue of the former Royal Bank of Scotland Group cost the taxpayer approximately £46 billion (€53.4 billion) when the government acquired an 80 per cent stake in 2008.

UK Government Investments (UKGI), which manages the holding on behalf of the Treasury, revealed that the scheme to reduce its NatWest Group holding, announced in mid­2021 and

Worst award

MEMBERS of the consumer group FACUA have chosen CaixaBank as Spain’s Worst Company of the Year in 2022.

In the annual poll that was held between March 15 and 30 this year, 39 per cent of FACUA members put CaixaBank at the top of their list.

CaixaBank won the dubious honour on several counts, which included failing to return all of the excess fee that was erroneously charged on mortgage agreements. Interest on loans was described as “usury”, commissions were condemned as “abusive” while the bank was also criticised for refusing to return sums lost to phishing and smishing scams.

originally due to be completed by mid­August 2023, would continue until 2025. The government’s stake fell from 54.7 per cent to 41.5 per cent between 2021 and 2023.

Doubts have been raised

as to whether the UK government will be able meet its self­imposed 2026 deadline to fully privatise the bank, approximately 18 years after coming to its rescue during the financial crisis.

The government gave no reason for the extension to its trading plan but the decision was made in what has been a turbulent period for large banks, including NatWest, all of which were affected by the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank in March, followed by the

Down to earth

SIR RICHARD BRANSON’S Virgin Orbit filed for bankruptcy protection in the US after last­minute attempts to find funding for the struggling space firm came to nothing.

Its share price dropped 17 per cent to a new record low the same day, valuing the company at less than $60 million (€54.8 million), more than 95 per cent below its $3.5 billion (€3.2 billion) peak in January last year.

In January, when Virgin Orbit unsuccessfully attempted to launch the first­ever satellite from British soil, Branson’s LauncherOne rocket reached space but fell short of reaching its target orbit.

The mission was hailed as a milestone for UK space exploration and was intended to represent a leap forward in converting Britain into a world player, from manufacturing satellites to building rockets and creating spaceports.

THOUSANDS of small UK businesses said they risked bankruptcy now that the government’s energy support scheme has ended.

Companies prepare for huge increases as support for nonhousehold power bills comes to a close and fixed rate deals terminate.

Their combined impact means that bills for many companies could soar by up to 133 per cent, according to Cornwall Insight, which provides energy market intelligence and analysis.

The hospitality industry, still recovering from the pandemic, could be particularly hard­hit, with one publican admitting that he might consider selling his pub to a developer who wants to convert the building into apartments.

forced rescue of Credit Suisse by its Swiss rival, UBS.

“The recent banking sector turmoil has sent shares in NatWest down by more than 10 per cent over the past month,” Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, pointed out to the Guardian. “This complicates the picture for the government which is trying to offload its stake at a time when investors are feeling nervous towards the sector,” she said.

Seat near the top

CAR manufacturer Seat is reaping the benefits of an improved supply of chips.

The Spanish company was particularly affected by the semiconductor shortage because the Volkswagen Group, to which it belongs, had consistently allocated chips to its most profitable firms.

SEAT has now seen its registrations rise 52.1 per cent to 18,040 units during the first quarter of 2023, boosting it to second place behind Toyota with 20,749 registrations. As a result Seat is once again jostling for a top position in the Spanish market after a grim 2022 when its domestic sales fell 30.2 per cent, after enjoying four years as Spain’s most­sold make.

Outside view

SPEAKING recently in Barcelona, Professor Paul De Grauwe from the London School of Economics said the EU was better off since Brexit.

Had the British remained, it would never have been possible to launch the Next Generation Funds introduced to offset the effects of the pandemic, De Grauwe told the Cercle d’Economia business forum.

“Let’s be realistic, the British would have been opposed to it,” he said.

“The reason they were in the EU wasn’t to strengthen it, but to weaken it from inside. That’s been their strategy for centuries.”

Moving off

OKYO PHARMA has applied to delist from the London Stock Exchange. The departure of the pharmaceutical company, which specialises in medication for ocular diseases, was seen in the City as another blow to London’s reputation as an international financial centre. The decision was prompted by the expense of ‘negligible’ trading on the main market, the ophthalmology drug developer told its investors. Okyo also reassured shareholders that the move would not affect its American Okyo Pharma Depositary Shares, which trade on the New Yorkbased Nasdaq exchange.

Magrethe Vestager: Heads the EU’s Competition Commission.

NATWEST: Due to be fully privatised by 2026.

Photo credit: CC/European Parliament Photo credit: Flickr/Emily Alexander

DOW JONES

BUSINESS EXTRA

Picture that

CINEWORLD will seek new funding as it announced having dropped plans to sell its US, UK and Ireland businesses after failing to find a buyer. The world’s largest cinema chain said it had struck a $2.26 billion (€1.9) deal with lenders to restructure its substantial debt and exit bankruptcy.

Gender gap

SPAIN’S National High Court in Madrid voiced gender discrimination concerns since cabin crew, 94 per cent of whom are female, receive lower travel expenses than pilots. Air Nostrum rejected employees’ claims, arguing that the groups were governed by different collective agreements and “did not perform work of equal value.”

A bite of the apple

APPLE’S principal subsidiary in Ireland, Apple Operations International Ltd, paid €7.7 billion in corporation tax last year.

At the same time, the company paid out $20.7 billion (€19 billion) in dividends to its California parent company, after reporting more than €63.5 billion in profits, a 2 per cent increase on 2021.

This meant the Cork­based company and its subsidiaries delivered a daily pre ­ tax €173.6 million over the 12 months to September 24 last year. Annual revenues rose

by $11.7 billion (€10.72 billion) to $223 billion (€207.92 billion).

It remains unclear which governments received the Irish company’s taxes, which

Outlook cloudy for many

FEW of Spain’s self­employed have noticed an improvement in their economic situation. This was the same or worse than a year ago, they said.

A survey by the Spanish Association of Self­employed Workers (ATA) found that, compared with the first quarter of 2022, their finances had improved for only 21 per cent of the self­employed.

It had remained the same for 46 per cent of Spain’s ‘autonomos’ while a further 33 per cent of participants in the poll maintained that their situation was now worse. Meanwhile, only 20 per cent believed their business interests would improve in the coming months, while 70 per cent calculated that it would remain the same or could even deteriorate.

Legitimate decision

amounted to 11 per cent of profits. Ireland charges a 12.5 per cent corporation tax rate, which would have resulted in a bill worth $8.7 billion (€7.9 billion)

Including deferred tax charges, Apple Operations International paid a total tax bill of $11 billion (€10.1 billion) for the period in question.

Apple has been present in Ireland since 198, currently employing approximately 56,600 staff, 6,000 of whom are based in Ireland.

In 2020, the European Commission ordered the Cupertino (California) technology company to pay a record €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland, on the grounds that it benefited from a sweetheart tax deal.

This amounted to illegal state aid between 2003 and 2014, Brussels said, enabling Apple to pay a maximum tax rate of just 1 per cent and as low as 0.005 per cent in 2014.

THE UK’s largest insurance broker warned of impending disaster if the industry had to pay claims arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The sector was not designed as a ‘backstop’ for the costs of war, David Howden, CEO of the Howden Group, told the Sunday Telegraph. “We’d all go bankrupt,” he maintained.

Howden’s comments came as the owners of approximately 500 commercial aircraft seized by Russia shortly after the invasion prepared to sue Lloyd’s of London insurers who refused to pay out around £8 billion (€9.12 billion).

Their decision not to pay up was legitimate, Howden argued. War had never been something covered by insurance, he said.

There was not enough capital in the insurance market to cover the impact of the conflict, he said.

“If policies were expanded the government would need to bail out bankrupt insurers,” Howden added.

APPLE: Irish subsidiary made €63.5 billion in 2022

Photo credit: Apple

Too much

RIO TINTO, which has raised its chief executive’s pay by 70 per cent, now faces a rebellion from shareholders at the next meeting. Jakob Stausholm took home £4.8 million (€5.48 billion) in 2022 after the FTSE100 mining giant made record profits on the back of soaring commodity prices.

Going down

SPAIN’S Industrial Production Index (IPI) fell by 0.8 per cent in February compared with February 2022. This was 2.2 points lower than in January, the National Statistics Institute (INE) announced on April 5, marking a return to negative year­onyear rates following January’s 1.2 per cent rise.

Holding on

MORRISONS said that cutting £700 million (€800 million) in costs over the next three years would allow it to reduce prices during the squeeze on consumer spending. The supermarket chain also announced a 0.1 per cent increase in samestore sales during the three months to the end of January.

RIP Josep Pique

JOSEP PIQUE, a Catalan politician, economist and businessman who headed several ministries between 1996 and 2003 during the governments of Jose Maria Aznar, died on April 6 in a Madrid hospital. The former president of Vueling, who was 68, had been suffering from cancer for some time.

Online flatline

UK customers return £7 billion (approximately €8 billion) of internet purchases each year, while more than a fifth of all clothes bought online are sent back. Increased returns owing to the cost of living crisis, were responsible for Boohoo’s 94 per cent slump in pre­tax profits, the retailer said.

It’s a tough job

Linda Hall

FOUR out of five UK companies and organisations still pay male employees more than females.

An analysis of the government’s report on wage inequality by the Guardian found an average pay gap of 9.4 per cent, the same level as in 2017­2018 when employers first had to publish this information.

The public sector’s gap has remained larger at 15.1 per cent compared with 8 per cent in the private sector. Both are similar to last year’s figures, the analysts found.

In practically half of companies and public bodies, males earned at least 10 per cent more than their female counterparts. In contrast, women

earned 10 per cent more than men in only 3 per cent of companies. Meanwhile, new research has found that women wanting to advance their careers must provide more evidence of their skills to reach leadership posts.

Alexandra Niessen­Ruenzi, head of

The next thing

the department of Corporate Governance at the University of Mannheim Business School (UMBS), and PhD candidate, Leah Zimmer, analysed the biographic details of 103,461 male and female directors.

Focusing on observable signals of professional and educational qualifications, plus past professional experience, the investigators established that women were consistently required to provide more observable skill signals. This was because employers found it harder to judge their unobservable qualifications for leadership, including emotional intelligence, communication skills, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability, they said.

Chatting up Vodafone

BRITISH telecoms group

Vodafone has been approached by potential buyers for the operator’s business in Spain, market sources revealed.

While not officially seeking a sale, Vodafone would allegedly consider an offer if the price were right, added the same sources who were recently quoted in the Spanish media.

The company’s Spanish operation is estimated to be worth around €3.6 billion but although discussions are said to be ongoing it is not a foregone conclusion that these will result in a sale and Vodafone has declined to comment on the rumours.

Between 2018 and 2022, Vodafone saw its Spanish earnings dwindle by 16 per cent to approximately €4.2 billion and the company’s share of the Spanish market has undeniably gradually shrunk as it has had to face competition from Telefonica, Frances Orange and MasMovil.

Vodafone’s former CEO Nick Read, whose departure was announced last December, earlier failed to pull off the mergers and acquisitions that might have produced more competitive players.

Instead the company was completely outma ­

MOSCOW has approved the sale of Inditex’s business operation in Russia to the Daher group, which owns the Dubai Mall shopping centre. The Spanish fashion chain originally announced that the sale would affect 514 shops in Russia which had provided work for more than 9,000 employees. Nevertheless, Inditex explained when presenting its 2022 results

noeuvred when the proposed Orange ­ MasMovil merger was announced in July 2022.

In the meantime, Read’s successor, Margherita Della Valle has downgraded Spain ­ previously one of Vodafone’s principal markets ­ to a smaller group of lesser operations like Ireland or Greece.

Inditex exit

that only 245 shops would finally be affected by the sale, which was announced in October while still awaiting the Russian government’s definitive agreement. Inditex reported that it had lost €840 million on its Russia investment totalling €1.02 billion, with the €183 million difference

REPORTING a record annual profit of £870 million (€994.65 million, Next announced that it expected to raise prices more slowly as inflation eased.

The company’s profits rose by 5.7 per cent in the year that ended on January 31, while its total sales from trading of £5.1 billion (€5.8 billion) were 8.4 per cent up on the previous year.

The clothing and homeware retailer also warned that 2023 would be “very challenging” as its customers coped with the cost of living crisis.

In consequence Next said that sales were forecast to fall by 1.5 per cent, while it also foresaw that profits would drop back.

Real & unreal

corresponding to the sale of its shops via the recentlyauthorised operation.

According to an October 2022 report by the online specialist publication, Retail Detail, the Doher real estate group also owns the Inditex franchise rights in the Middle East and North Africa.

Saga losses multiply

SAGA’S losses soared last year amid stiff competition and regulatory changes affecting its insurance division.

Losses for the firm, which offers insurance, holidays and cruises to the over­50s, shot up to £259.2 million (€296.5 million) for the year that ended in January 2023, compared to £23.5 million (€26.9 million) in January 2022.

During the first six months of 2022 Saga took a £269 million (€307.6 million) good­

will charge after insurance sales dropped in the wake of Financial Conduct Authority rules. These were aimed ‘price walking’ where new customers pay less for the same services.

At the same time Kent­based Saga also reported returning to an underlying pre­tax profit of £21.5 milion (€24.6 million) owing to an upturn in overseas travel, which reduced losses in the firm’s cruise and travel divisions.

DEPARTMENT FOR

WORK AND PENSIONS (DWP) statistics revealed that 8.8 million UK residents earned more than £1,000 (€1,143) a week during the year ending in March 2022.

In real terms the average household income after housing costs was a weekly £565 (€645) ­ approximately £29,500 (€33,722) a year ­ according to the DWP figures.

The department’s statistics also showed that median incomes were 1.2 per cent, or £7 (€8) a week lower in real terms than when these were at their peak in the 12 months ending in March 2020.

More clout

IBERDROLA has sold 78 per cent of its Mexican business interests to one of the country’s publiclyowned companies for €5 billion. The sale follows regulatory problems ­ and what were described as confrontations ­ with Mexico’s president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The move will give the energy giant more financial clout and fits in with growth plans for networks and renewables in the United States and Europe.

It will also improve debt ratios while strengthening the company’s financial positioning, the group’s Chief Financial Officer, JoseSainz, said.

PAY GAP: Women have to work harder for less.

Photo credit: Pixabay/David Mark

VODAFONE: Share of Spanish market has shrunk.

Photo credit: Vodafone

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO USE AN ESTATE AGENT?

REBECCA SERWOTKA ­ “We sell houses!

It’s what we do, it’s ALL we do!” Certified API Associate 00493. Your favourite local resale property expert, of Inmobiliaria Real Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada. Prestige Award Winner for ‘Real Estate Agency Of The Year 2021/22 & 2022/23. Luxury Lifestyle Awards Nominee, Alicante Spain 2023’.

Compared to the UK, fees for selling are very different. On average they can range between 3 per cent to 10 per cent. This is agreed between home­seller and Estate Agent. Usually plus 21 per cent IVA.

It’s the vendor that pays the Estate Agent not the buyer.

Beware, UNLICENSED Estate Agents

in the Costa Blanca may take advantage of you, as they’re not being regulated by the National Board of Real Estate Agents in Spain. Using an unlicensed API agent means they could be making more commission than what you agreed to pay them. No matter how astute you think you may be, you’ll never find out, especially if you agree to grant them Power Of Attorney to sell your property.

If they’re not legally registered, they’re flying under the radar in the hopes they won’t get caught. The licence is known as an ‘APIAgente De La Propiedad Inmobiliaria’. Don’t be misled if you see they’re a member of AIPP based in the UK. Remember to look for three letters ­ API.

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

I’VE never had much respect for politicians. Back in the 60s I witnessed a number of the ‘Old Boys’ club members with their trousers down, both metaphorically and in reality. Well I remember a prominent London MP rushing up to me at a Chelsea party.

Clad in a string vest and very questionable Y Fronts, he implored me to ‘take over upstairs’. Apparently the nubile and extremely eminent London agent he was cavorting with had become rather too much for him. I didn’t accept his offer I may add!

Another told me he thought smoking marihuana was ‘such fun!’ No I’m afraid politicians in general have never impressed me much. Boris and PartyGate was a mere bagatelle!

There is one overriding problem with the elder male occupants of the Westminster power corridors. The majority went to public school. These male dominated institutions meant that its students never really learned to mix with the female of the species. Their only experiences with the opposite sex were annual school dances and over bearing Nannies. This accom­

Seeing the light

panied by the odd fondle of the slightly more promiscuous young ladies from the local ‘St Trinian’s’, left women reduced to nothing more than subjects of locker room humour and ribald banter in the dorms.

The outcome of this attitude, resulted in the total absence of respect for those of a gender they considered not only mere objects of sexual titillation, but also intellectually inferior and subsequently had no important standing in the male dominated corridors of their future political ambitions.

Most of these elder statesmen on the benches fall into this category and still consider Westminster nothing more than an extension of their public school education and debating societies. As attitudes change, and more and more women are elected into the house, (over 50 per cent of the Labour party) these ex­public schoolboys are slowly becoming the dinosaurs of the political arena.

Frankly, apart from serious offences, consistently raking up ancient knee brushings and somewhat innocuous schoolboys sexist innuendoes is a complete waste of time and energy. (You

listening Ms Rayner!?)

Time to get back to more serious issues, like running the country for example! Thank the Lord the Labour Party has actually seen the light. At least they can use their female membership numbers against the Conservatives mere 24 per cent. Yet another weapon in their armoury of schemes and skullduggery to keep the government on the back foot till the next General Election!

Picked up a lovely piece of terminology in the news this week. ‘Non erotic cognitive distraction’. This is the condition of ladies having their moment of intense sexual arousal being spoiled by suddenly remembering they didn’t pay the milkman, or something of that ilk. Apparently sufferers of this unfortunate malady are encouraged to ‘stay in the moment’. The moment? Personally I would recommend a change of partner!

STRIKING OUT OUR VIEW

AT the time of writing, up to 60,000 junior doctors across the UK are striking for four days, delaying everything from routine appointments to vital cancer treatment.

Despite the obvious risks to health however, one poll found that 74 per cent of the British public supported the strike. Which begs the question, just how broken is the NHS that we support lives being put in danger ­ by the very people who have taken an oath to do no harm ­ to fix it?

It had always generally been accepted that doctors (particularly at the junior end) are overworked and underpaid. But the heavy weight that the pandemic put on those at the front line coupled with the resulting treatment backlog and a cost of living crisis seem to have equalled a work environment for doctors that we can no longer accept.

Where did it all go so wrong though? Launched an astonishing 75 years ago, the NHS brought universal health care to a population who, until then, may simply have died from a simple infection or injury because they could not afford to be treated.

The envy of the world for many years, the NHS also inspired many other great nations to roll out their own equivalents. We now regard free healthcare as one of the main marks of a civilised country.

Like anything though, a great concept only stays great if it moves with the times. And it’s fair to say that relying on a habitually underpaid, overworked workforce to simply put up and shut up forever is not a long term strategy.

Equally, with an ever growing population how long can we expect the NHS to roll on for without massive change before more wheels start to come off?

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS

A RECENT report moves the spotlight on to the fire and rescue services just after the Met was found guilty as charged of institutional racism, misogyny and homophobia in a similarly condemnatory report that showed public confidence in the force at rock bottom.

According to this latest scathing review, there may be ‘predators’ like Wayne Couzens lurking in the fire service’s shadows as the toxic culture uncovered was ‘just the tip of the iceberg’. Examples of this ‘hotbed of racism, misogyny and homophobia’ included firefighters acting out a rape, expecting women to make tea and viewing racist language as ‘having a laugh’.

A ‘hotbed of racism, misogyny and homophobia’: seriously? Then we read that ‘some’ examples of unacceptable conduct were found in only 11 of the 44 fire services. But, we are assured, this ‘could be’ the ‘tip of an iceberg’. So, no evidence was found in 33 out 44 services.

How on earth is that rampant? More likely it ‘could be’ a report determined to trash the reputation of the entire fire service. And yet another lesson in how to de­

Which will be trashed next?

ridiculous. There seems to be a growing appetite to label all our public services as racist, homophobic and sexist. Largely, it would seem, from those who like to feel morally superior while sitting safely behind their desks. God forbid they actually get out of their chairs and contemplate putting their own safety at risk for others (remember Grenfell?). And then they wonder why these services struggle to recruit and retain good people!

All our public services are being attacked one after another by the same band of people. It has to be stopped. This is a total waste of public money pandering to the politically correct and woke movement. Who next?

moralise the vast majority of firefighters, police officers etc who are honest and do a hard job very well.

Which British institution is going to be trashed next week? This is getting beyond

Firstly, firefighters do a difficult and dangerous job ­ nobody doubts this. Nobody says otherwise. Firefighters demonstrate bravery, courage, self sacrifice etc. They can be, and frequently are, saints, but that is not a job requirement. The willingness to run towards a fire when everyone else is running away, and to keep returning until everyone inside has been rescued and the fire extinguished, as well as a technical insight into controlling fires from different sources, are the primary characteristics. We are fortunate that such men and women exist and put their lives on the line for us. They may not always behave as squeaky­clean choristers, but they get the job done.

First it’s the Met, now it’s the fire and rescue services throughout Britain. Where will other revelations of racism, misogyny and bullying in sordid corners of British society be exposed next? The NHS? The Coastguard? The Monarchy?

Good grief, are the justices of self­righteousness making it their mission to denounce every last British public service as ‘hotbeds’ of bad behaviour? How profoundly demotivating for the many fine staff members in all our emergency services.

How I love being told who to dislike every week! Who do I get to hate next week?

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense 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.

Nora Johnson’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

Nora’s latest thriller.

Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

YOU can do it! How many examples have we seen of personal victory over adversity achieved through pure determination and courage? Throughout history, in many different fields, success has been attained against all the odds.

It’s no different in the world of music. Two of the greatest examples are from the unlikely pairing of Beethoven and Sutherland. Each had to overcome huge obstacles to produce the pinnacle of their art.

Beethoven’s triumph over tragedy and his journey from adversity to eternal glorification is one of the most inspiring in history. As a child he was bullied by his drunken father who was his first musical tutor and who beat him and locked him in the cellar whenever he made a mistake. From early childhood he suffered intestinal problems and was dyslexic ­ unable to read or write properly. His beloved mother died a lingering death when he was young. At 24 he developed a lung infection and then started hearing a buzzing noise in his ears. At 34 he had a fever for several months, abscesses in his jaw and finger and a septic foot.

For the rest of his life, his hearing suffered a gradual deterioration until he became

David

MUSICAL MIRACLES

ed and overcome so much suffering.

While Maria Callas is regarded as the greater operatic actress, Joan Sutherland was the Voice ­ the greatest of all coloratura singers. She took bel canto to new heights.

Joan Sutherland, a kind and modest person, was already, in her mid­20s, performing at Covent Garden, despite suffering severe sinus and dental problems. In addition she had to battle against acute back pain. She then had to take the risk of sinus surgery to clear the nasal passages. She was not a natural beauty but, despite her back, became strikingly elegant. Apparently, when Fellini was touring Rome seeking attractive female extras for a film, he singled her out in the street.

Despite the setbacks, she wanted to succeed and she worked on her voice. At Covent Garden in February 1959, she took the music world by storm with her performance of ‘Lucia’ and a global superstar emerged. The rest is history.

completely deaf by the time he was 46.

He became lonely and his love affairs were unhappy; he never married nor had children. But, despite this, he could transmit love and joy through music. In his last 10 years, totally deaf, he produced much of the greatest music ever conceived. At the premiere of the monumental Ninth symphony,

Beethoven, in the front row, was unable to hear the thunderous applause behind him. He was motioned to turn round to face the rapturous audience.

His only opera, Fidelio, with the emotional depth of its own story of triumph over adversity could only have been conceived and expressed by somebody who has confront­

Many celebrities have moved upward from difficult beginnings. So have even more who are only known within their immediate circle.

this QR Code

opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors

Supporting those in distress

THE British Benevolent Fund was founded over a century ago to provide assistance to Britons in Spain facing extreme financial hardship.

Financial difficulties is something most people face in their lives and whilst challenging can be overcome with thought and planning. Both of these are almost impossible when the person has mental illness where making the right decision is difficult and where holding down a job is even more so.

In the case of John, a 34­yearold single British man who lived in Spain, having moved with his parents from the UK when they retired. His condition was such that social interaction caused distress and he lived in his room and his parents looked after him ­ he had never worked and relied on his parents for food, lodging and all life’s necessities.

Except that they could not cope ­ they lived modestly off a small pension and had little to spare for their grown forever at home child who required constant attention ­ and medication. Then came Brexit and the realisation that the social service

support, medical cover and local help was at risk as they had never registered as residents ­ and were no longer eligible.

They got in touch with a local charity for support to apply belatedly which would take some time to process ­ however they were confident that having been settled here before the deadline date they were still in with a chance.

But in the meantime, the medicine costs were now high and beyond their small means.

The charity ­ one of many at the Support in Spain website contacted the BBF to see if we could help.

The BBF mission is to support those in distress and with a child with needs we wanted to help. The issue for the BBF is that wherever possible we seek that any funds are used to overcome

a particular challenge ­ not ongoing support. In this this case all revolved around their chances of being approved ­ which if they were not would mean an unsustainable situation in Spain. We agreed to provide a grant to cover the following six months of medicine costs which would be reviewed depending on the outcome of their application.

Thankfully within three they were given the green light and their application was approved meaning that all state support would be available as well as that they would be able to continue living in Spain.

The BBF can only help with your help. If you would like to support our mission for Britons in distress in Spain, please visit www.britishbenevolentfund.org

Thank

you.

Olaf Clayton, Chair BBF.

Worboys’s

Two incomparable but very different talents in the world of music overcame immense challenges.

For more from our columnists please scan

Photo Credits: pinterest and roh.org.com (Royal Opera House)

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

Snore warning

KING’S COLLEGE LON ‐

DON researchers have linked snoring and cognitive decline. Previous studies had detected a connection

but this latest investi ‐gation with otherwise healthy volunteers who snored heavily has confirmed their suspicions.

Participants wore electroencephalogra ‐phy skull caps while sleeping to measure their brain waves. Blood oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing and eye and leg move ‐ments were tracked, along with cognitive function.

Those who snored most were less alert and had more difficul ‐ty in meeting goals and staying focused, the investigators found.

BODY NEUTRALITY is the ability to accept the way we look, even if it’s not entirely what we’d prefer.

The term became popu‐lar thanks to Anne Poirier, a body‐ image coach who wrote The Body Joyful.

She began using the phrase in 2015 to help

WHITE spots on the finger‐nails could mean a diet that is insufficient in zinc, calci‐um or iron.

Oysters – if you can man‐age them – are zinc ‐ rich, but zinc is also plentiful in red meat and poultry. Oth‐er good sources are dairy products, beans, nuts, crab, lobster, and whole grains.

Turn to dairy again for calcium, along with seafood, canned fish, dark, leafy green vegetables, cal‐cium ‐ fortified food and fresh or dried figs.

For iron, choose eggs, poultry, shellfish, red meat and offal but vegetarians –and carnivores – will find plenty in nuts, pulses, peas, more of those dark leafy green vegetables and strawberries.

Nailed it

clients build a healthier, more harmonious rela ‐tionship with food and ex‐ercise.

“Body neutrality priori‐tises the body’s function

and what it can do, rather than its appearance,” she explained. “You don’t have to love or hate it. Just feel neutral towards it.”

Be impartial

30% Rise in demand for services at plastic surgery clinics in the UK in last two years.

Photo credit: Pixabay RitaE

OYSTERS: Rich in zinc, good for the nails.

Bouncing around

Linda Hall

BALANCE diminishes with age and falls are always a lurking danger as people get older.

Not that falls are restrict‐ed to the elderly, as World Health Organisation fig ‐ures show that falling is al‐so the third most common cause of unintentional in‐jury for the 18 ‐ 35 age group.

Fitness experts Juliet and Kelly Starrett recently rec‐ommended skipping as an excellent way to enhance balance. Haven’t picked up a rope since your pre‐teen days? Instead try bouncing which is a modified version of skipping.

With hands resting light‐ly on a countertop, rise up on your toes and quickly bounce up and down 50 times.

There’s no need to lower your heels to the ground each time; just drop them part‐way as you bounce.

SKIPPING: If you haven’t skipped for years, try bouncing

Don’t stop

VITAMIN D is known as the sunshine vitamin, and sunshine is the one thing that we can be sure of getting in Spain.

So do you still need a Vitamin D supplement?

“Yes, especially if you habitually use a sunscreen,” health ex‐perts ‐ including those from Harvard ‐ advised.

Most food contains only minimal amounts of Vitamin D, making it difficult to get the amount that you need from diet alone.

Vitamin D is absent from all natural foods except fish and egg yolks, and even when obtained from food, it must be transformed by the body before it can do any good, they said.

Photo credit: Flickr/LongitudeLatitude

Hello Leapy LETTERS

Further to your article in EWN this week, I presume that you are referring to Shoiba beach. I worked (for my sins) at the National Guard King Khalid Hospital in Jeddah from 1982 to 1984. When we first went to Shoiba as a BSAC dive group it was virgin, totally unspoilt. I went back in 1989 when the ragheads had found it and it was disgusting. Nappies, tin cans, rubbish everywhere. Ugh!!

Having said that, the diving in the early days was unbelievable! Probably the best in the world!

I attach some old photos for your interest. It was me who got the bus stuck in the sand!!

Best regards

Max Kite

Dear EWN

Just seen the article you posted about my art exhibition. Very grateful to you, as always. Happy Easter to all at Euro Weekly News.

Regards

Margaret Riordan x

Hi Bill

Bill took great care to avoid mentioning Nicola Sturgeon’s husband’s criminal activity; of course she will deny any knowledge of it and continue to bang on about Scotland’s ‘Independence’.

Leaving Britain and joining the EU is NOT independence.

Good article about Semana Santa though Bill.

Yours sincerely, Brian

Johnston Benalmadena

Editor , please let me know if you still require our NIE and address etc in order to make a comment !

Yes I am from Scottish heritage ­ the Johnston clan in Dumfries !

Dear EWN

I recently had my teeth whitened by a dentist in Fuengirola at a cost of €150. Whilst there was no guarantee that it would be permanent. I was very disappointed with the results. I was advised to eat only white foods and no coloured drinks for three days, which I did. The results were far from white. Just to let people know before they part with any money to get a guarantee. I did go back to complain but was told that at my age what do you expect. I am 83. I should have been told that in the first place and I would not have had it done. I gave since used a toothpaste whitener with better results for €4.00.

Yours, Mary

Dear all,

Lux Mundi Torre del Mar would like to thank you for the excellent coverage you have provided in this week’s issue. Best wishes to you all ,hope you had a good Easter.

Hi Leapy

Kind regards, Patricia

Rothwell

I am very sorry Leapy but I am going to hold you responsible for the state the world finds itself in.

Over 30 years ago I agreed with everything you said and asked you to take up the challenge and lead the world to a better future. You refused this challenge when you were obviously the only person that was talking any sense, and making your views known.

I am shocked and bewildered every day by the decisions our world leaders make, and feel so sorry that we are leaving our grandchildren such a catastrophic mess to deal with. Thank you for agreeing with me on most subjects and it is good to know there is someone else out there with some common sense. Keep up the good work.

Kind regards,

T Wiggins

Dangerous dogs

All these predatory breeds should be banned and current owners identified and told to surrender the dogs to the RSPCA. It’s time to get tough and protect ourselves and our families from people who feel the need to own these animals. Dog licences should be obligatory and priced to ensure that only genuine dog lovers can apply to keep a dog.

Alan

Big game

All endangered species are carefully watched by thousands of scientists, vets, field officers, ecologists, rangers and other professionals. You cannot hunt endangered animals and still get a hunting permit and import permits. The Southern Giraffe is the most numerous trophy ­ there are 30,000 and ranchers can raise as many as the market demands. They are not endangered. With rhinos, some private rhinos are offered for hunts in order to raise funds for protecting the rest, while wild rhino hunts are restricted to older males who deny younger, more virile bulls access to the cows.

The whole subject is far too complex and important to listen to deceptive emotionalism from HSUS/ HSI, an organisation that collects $200 million per year but little of it gets to save the wildlife of Africa.

John Nash

Yurt glamping

EXPERIENCE the latest trend in glamping with brand new wooden yurts at Daleacres campsite in Kent, England, from Ex ‐perience Freedom.

hustle and bustle.

Top tips for camping

SPENDING time in nature, sleeping under the stars, and disconnecting from daily life’s hustle and bustle. If this all sounds idyllic then camping is for you, it is sure to help you destress. To make your trip as stress‐free as possible here are some top tips to help you plan your trip.

1. Research the camp ‐site/destination in advance. Make sure you check the weather forecast, the services available, and regulations and restrictions. For example, camping is not allowed in Spain’s national parks except in high mountains.

2. Don’t over‐pack; if you

are new to camping, try a one‐night trip first and just take the essentials as a trial run.

3. Regardless of the weather forecast or destina‐tion, always bring warm clothes with you. For example a fleece or a windbreaker.

4. Bring the correct footwear. For example, if you are camping in the mountains wear boots that offer protec‐tion and stability.

5. Charge your travel lamp, GPS, mobile phone, and other electronic devices fully before you leave, and make sure to bring a powerpack with you, also fully charged!

Set in a pocket of grassy Kentish country ‐side close to sandy beaches in Hythe, the wooden yurts at Daleacres include com ‐fortable rustic double beds and two single beds ‐ one which becomes a sofa ‐ ideal for couples and families, electricity and appliances to help prepare simple break ‐fasts and light snacks during the day.

After a long summer day at the beach or visit‐ing the traditional mar ‐ket town of Hythe, glam‐pers can enjoy a cosy summer ‐ night setting ‐with fairy lights turned on to set the mood and

the fire roaring for some tasty campfire s’mores.

With the campsite’s proximity to Port Lymp ‐ne Wildlife Park, guests fall asleep to the magical sounds of the park ani ‐mals ‐ giraffes, bears, rhi‐nos and more.

During the cooler evenings or autumn

The main attraction

CARAVANNING continues to gain popularity year after year.

The freedom of movement (today beach/morning moun‐tain), without depending on weather conditions, without haste or timetables and in di‐rect contact with nature con‐tinues to be the main attrac‐tions of a sector that is already consolidated in Spain.

months, as the yurts are available until the end of October, a wood ‐ effect electric heater can keep you warm inside for a re‐laxing escape.

To find out more about Experience Freedom or to book, please visit www.experiencefree dom.co.uk

The Spanish Association of the Caravanning Industry and Trade (ASEICAR) estimates that more than 100,000 mo‐torhomes, campers and cara‐vans will travel our roads over Easter in search of beach des‐tinations, especially on the Mediterranean coast and in mountain areas.

Although it was still possi‐ble to find available rental ve‐hicles, 90 per cent of them have been booked for weeks, many of them since the be‐ginning of the year.

In addition to the 8,000 motorhomes and campers in the rental fleet, there will be more than 90,000 owned ve‐hicles, including caravans.

DISCONNECT: From daily life’s

photo credit Andril Lutsyk

WOODEN YURTS: Experience the latest trend.

Image: Camping & Caravan Club

PETS

Advertising Feature

My dog loses his balance and has his head tilted: Vestibular disorder in dogs

SIGNS of loss of balance should not be ignored since they can indicate a serious medical emergency. The vestibular system is com‐posed of portions of the brain and ear. It’s responsi‐ble for maintaining our sense of balance.

When vestibular systems go wrong, it feels like the world is spinning. Vestibu‐lar syndrome is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a ‘stroke’. The signs you may see are loss of balance, leaning or circling to one side, head tilt, rapid eye movements (nystagmus), reduced appetite and vom‐iting. Sometimes the loss of balance is so severe that the dog rolls over repeated‐ly.

Ear infection, Idiophatic Vestibular syndrome, trau‐ma/injury, stroke, brain tu‐

Caring for Nellie and Maisie

mours, brain inflammation, stroke are causes that can cause a vestibular syn ‐drome in the dog or cat. Metabolic diseases and in‐toxications can also cause it, such as Hyperadrenocor‐ticism, hypothyroidism, and metronidazole intoxi‐cation.

There are two types of vestibular disease:

Peripheral vestibular dis‐ease can be caused by a condition in the middle or inner ear such as ear infec‐tion, perforated eardrum, and ear mites.

Central vestibular dis ‐ease is typically due to a disturbance in the brain.

Diagnosis requires a physical and neurologic ex‐amination, blood test, x‐rays, CT scans or MRI. MRI is essential if brain injury is suspected.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

MANY of our pet owners find trusted pet ‐ sitters through our network be ‐cause the pets love the com‐pany. Nellie and Maisie have dog‐sitter Chloe to care for them while their owner is away on holiday. This collab‐orative arrangement suits ev‐eryone perfectly. If you are planning a trip later this year, register now to find pet‐sit‐ters in time. Even if it’s just a short trip, you’ll know that sometimes you just have to leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying in their own home, so they can fol‐low their routines undis ‐turbed. Let us help. Choose Housesitmatch. com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a home ‐owner on HouseSitMatch.

com

2. Choose a Premium ac‐count (£89 per year) to en‐sure you can help online when needed

3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small an‐nual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House‐sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets.

Trustpilot Testimonials ‐4.9 / 5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesit match.com

I have had nothing but good and helpful service from the people who run this site, and my experience has been excellent.

Tristram Cosgrave ‐ Dog and cat owner, Malaga How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesit match.com.

Do you need a housesitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 50% discount using coupon code 20EWN – an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com

Turtles perfect pets

Can animals speak

SOME people say the best conversations they have are with their pets, they listen and sympathise with us, but here is the question do they un‐derstand us? Can we actually communi ‐cate with our pets?

The answer is yes. We communicate with our pets verbal‐ly and with facial ex‐pressions and ges ‐tures. Our pets then answer us with cer ‐tain postures, and fa‐cial expressions, by barking and meow ‐ing, etc.. in fact, some animal experts have detected up to 21 different meows! Obviously, we can ‐not chat with ani ‐mals in the same way we can with our friends and family, but it has certainly been proven we can understand each other perfectly. Sci‐entists have com ‐pleted many studies to show that dogs can follow human communication. We all know that we can train a dog to follow certain demands like sitting, but a study also found that dogs interpret voices in the same part of their brain as we do.

IF you are considering the introduction of a new pet or even a child’s first pet, choosing the ideal type of animal is paramount. Tur‐tles tend to be the perfect pets for children, espe ‐cially as their first pets.

They are an ideal start ‐ing point for children as turtles are easy to care for and so children can get involved with the

tasks. Another plus point for turtles is their longevi‐ty, when cared for a turtle can be part of the family for a very long time.

A typical pet turtle can live from 10 to 80 years ‐some have been known to live until 150 years of age!

Many studies show the benefits of children grow‐ing up with pets. Children

tend to grow up happy, social, and more respon ‐sible. Turtles are a perfect first choice as they are undemanding and will be happy when they are cared for and well ‐ fed. Children can get into a good routine helping to take care of and prepar ‐ing them for possibly more complex pets in the future.

Not only that but it’s been shown that dogs use the left part of their brain to pro‐cess the meaning of a word and the right side to interpret the tone of voice used al‐so just like us and have been known to master words in the same manner as young human chil ‐dren.

So, feel free to continue chatting with your pets but maybe not in public!

Chloe the dog-sitter loves dogs and here she’s looking after Nellie and Maisie.

Photo credit Shutterstock: William Fuller

AIR CONDITIONING

ALARMS

AIRPORT TRASNFERS

ARTIFICIAL GRASS

AIR CONDITIONING

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

CONSTRUCTION

BALUSTRADES

BLINDS

BUILDERS

BLINDS

PAINTERS/DECORATORS

CLASSIFIEDS 54

ARCHITECT

BUILDING SERVICES

J & J PAINTERS. Insideoutside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (294244)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

FOR SALE Busy small shop on Campsite. Fantastic investment opportunity. Accommodation available. For more info call 619 003 258 (303214)

ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET? International Business Licences Available. Part Time. Home Based. Discover More algar83@gmail.com (303148)

BUY & SELL

PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

KENWOOD CentriFugal

Juicer Excel IE850 €99ono. 628 860 606 (303013)

CARAVANS

MOBILE homes & static caravans bought, sold and transported. +34 630 055 418 or elsyd7@hotmail.com (294686)

CARS FOR SALE

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life - damaging everything that is important to you. English-speaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www. aa-costablanca.org (93323)

CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER

in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campe llo@hotmail.com (95475)

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR

Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)

CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH

Tel: 950 617 549 www.giving light.com.(10006)

FREEMASONRY . Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various Lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@glpvalen cia.com Tel 600 841 064 (95477)

available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456)

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Beniajan 16, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Services at 11.00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorrevieja.org (95476)

LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. For more information, including details of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangeli calchurch.org (10005)

PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459)

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

ROYAL Air Force Association Costa Blanca Registered Members Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Association and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa.org. uk Tel:0044 800 018 2361. (238593)

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, http://branches.britishle gion.org.uk/branches/orihue la-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.orihuelacostarbl.co.uk. (95457)

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

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details contact Hon Sec P S Wilkins Tel: 966 194 158 email: inkin spain@yahoo.co.uk (10004)

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION

For information please contact Chairman Anthony Jenkins +34 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Dusty Miller +34 711 006 670, Secretary Mike Cockman +34 670 224 822, Treasurer Carl Louden +34 678 518 202, email rnatorrevieja@aol.com (95455)

dation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458)

THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807)

THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton’s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Sevrice at 11.30am. For further information: www.spiritualistcentrebenijofar.com. Telephone 711 060 171. Email martindroute 66@hotmail.com . Fiscal G54713789

INSURANCE

FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UP TO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsuranceinspain. com or email tracey@sosin suranceinspain.com (290139)

If you can read it, so can your clients. Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegaba ja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja.com. We also have a 24-hour Emergency helpline which is

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvis its@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with

STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers, with rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 653 588 475 English and 620 907 474 Spanish or email strokesupportgroup@hot mail.com, website: torreviejas trokesupport.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473)

THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablan ca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465)

THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461)

THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca. Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foun-

MOVERS AND SHAKERS We are a non-profit organisation that supports people and their families with neurological diseases such as; HUNTINGTON’S, ATAXIA, MOTOR NEURONE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and PARKINSON’S. Our MOVERS AND SHAKERS CLUB held every Friday @ 1pm – 3pm, is a chance for members to meet up socially, for a drink and a chat on a full range of topics and to exchange ideas and information. The club is held at O’Briens Bar in El Raso, Guardamar del Segura (except July and August). For more details, contact Marion Smith on 711 008 250, or email: marion.smith@amscb.org.es, or you can find us on Facebook : fb@movers and shakers www.amscb.org.es (295976)

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialinsuran ceinspain.com or visit www.be neficialinsuranceinspain.com for online quote. (302516)

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure.com

MASSAGE

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (291667)

ELECTRICIAN FOR SALE/WANTED

WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

GOLD WANTED

FRENCH, ELÉGANTE , slim, Sophie, 3 languages spoken. Experienced in a large variety of full body massages. Villamartin apartment or can travel to all areas. 693 357 526 (295405)

EXPERIENCE the best with a 1hr unique massage with Veronica. Shaving or permanent hair removal available. For appointments call 679 292 678

CLASSIC SPANISH LADY , Playa Flamenca area, private premises, all massage services from 40€. Ana 657 603 495

ATTRACTIVE, Girlfriend, Professional Masseuse relaxing and therapeutic Masseuse. Tel: 693 357 526 (295448)

HEALTH & BEAUTY

PERSONAL TRAINER, WEIGHT LOSS, TONING, RESULTS GUARANTEED. CERTIFIED WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. FORMER US KICKBOX CHAMPION. CALL 747 438 225 (301319)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (293273)

RELAXING MASSAGE FOR MEN - Mario qualified masseur in Alicante - Special Massage for Men - 7 days 10am to 10pm - APPOINTMENTS visit: www.masajeyrelax.es/en or WHATSAPP 649 761 607 (302598)

MEETING POINT

MISCELLANEOUS

GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

MOTORING

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

MOTORHOMES

MOTORHOME / Campervan wanted. Left or right hand drive. Cash waiting for right van. Tlf 650 722 905

If you can read it, so can your clients. Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

MUSIC TUITION

PIANO , Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (302201)

NAUTICAL

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (303137)

KAMAGRA Gold 100mg plus Kamagra Jellies. Collection or Delivery. ROY HAS A NEW TEL. - 613 584 915 (295447) tp

Male /Female viagra, cialis, kamagra jelly, mixed trial packs available, all areas mail order. 604 385 476. viagra4you19@gmail. com

TAILOR-MADE in durable canvas, pergola covers, sails, umbrella, spa and CAR COVERS. 10% off Cushions. Mazarron to Costa Blanca. RETIRING SOON DON’T MISS OUT Google: KrugerCanopies.com WhatsApp: 667 879 399 krugercanopies@ yahoo.co.uk (295010)

PET CHARITY PLUMBERS

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

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

P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708)

SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area. 500 animals awaiting rehoming. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spama.org and view our new blog at www.spama-safor.blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (291667)

POOL MAINTENANCE SPAS AND JACUZZIS

POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltechspain.com (290726)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (2001)

INSURANCE

Lexus ES300h Takumi - driving luxury

ROAD TEST

byMarkSlack

IT takes a lot of time, money and hard work to build a new brand, and many automotive giants have tried and failed over the years. One manufac ‐turer who succeeded is Toyota, with their luxury brand Lexus. Launched in the UK back in 1990 with the LS400, early second hand models with large mileages still fetch sur ‐prisingly good money. It was a car that was never going to set your driving senses alight but used the best quality materials and engineering and was supremely refined.

Although style is very subjective Lexus models have become less conven‐tional in their looks but continue to major on quality and reliability. The ES300 follows that theme with a drive train that’s

smooth, refined and eco ‐nomical, but not one to thrash across a twisting cross country road.

Priced from €45,561/ £40,000 the ES sits just below the largest Lexus offering, the LS, and has just one engine option of a 2.5 ‐ litre four ‐ cylinder petrol/ electric hybrid, mated to a CVT auto matic gear box. It’s a happier engineering union than a lot of CVT and double

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Lexus ES 300h Takumi

clutch transmissions. Changes are smooth and can be encouraged via flappy paddles. There’s a more noticeable rise in engine revs compared to

remain high until the speed catches up. Howev‐er, being a Lexus, every ‐thing remains pretty re ‐fined and quiet.

above a sporting drive. It’s a car that doesn’t par‐ticularly entertain, but is‐n’t designed to in fair ‐ness. The comfort levels

• Engine: 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol-electric hybrid

• Gears: CVT automatic

• Performance:0-100kmh (62mph) 8.9 seconds. • Maximum Speed 180kmh (112mph)

• Economy:5.3l/100km(53.2mpg) combined driving-WLTP

• Emissions:120g/km-WLTP Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

The ES is at its best as a comfortable cruiser and definitely for drivers who value quality and comfort

feeling of quali‐ty wherever you look. The front seats have heating and cooling along with a substantial array of individual controls even in the rear where

the seats are heated and recline. Other standard fare in the Takumi models includes, in a very long list, a fantastic 17‐speaker audio system, an electric rear sunblind, large multi‐media screen, head ‐ up display, powered tilt and slide sunroof, LED lights with corner ‐ing headlights and a veritable plethora of oth ‐er comfort, con‐venience and safety features. The interior as a whole is a very nice and impres ‐sive place. At €64,202 / £56,365 the ES Takumi is‐n’t cheap but it offers a size and level of equip ‐ment that puts others to shame.

If you like your automo‐tive luxury, and want to be wafted along, then the ES should be on your shopping list.

LUXURY: The interior is a very nice place to be.

MEASURES have been an‐nounced to increase the use of electric vehicles, as well as the production of sustainable avia‐tion fuel in the UK.

The UK government has now launched the £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastruc‐ture (LEVI) fund alongside an additional £15 million for the On‐Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS).

Taken together, the funding will support the installation of tens of thousands of new chargers across the country, in‐creasing EV infrastructure in every area and ensuring the UK’s charging network can support the increasing number of EV drivers.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Transport is one of the most important sectors for achieving net zero by 2050 and so we must accelerate our efforts to decarbonise how people get from A to B while growing our economy and supporting thousands of green jobs. From expanding our charging network to boosting production of cleaner aviation fuel, today’s announcement is a great stride forward.”

Price drop

UK fuel prices fell for the fifth straight month in March with an‐other penny coming off petrol and 4p off diesel, according to data from RAC Fuel Watch.

By the end of the month, a litre of unleaded was 146.5p (down from 147.56p) ‐ a price last seen at the end of January 2022, while diesel was reduced to 162.94p (down from 167.06p) ‐ its cheapest price since early March last year.

This means the price of petrol has fallen nearly 20p from 166p at the start of November, saving drivers almost £11 every time they fill up a 55‐litre family car (£91.3 in November 2022 to £80.57 ‐ March 31, 2023).

Diesel, however, has dropped 27.5p from 190.5p, saving drivers £15 a tank (£104.77 to £89.62).

While the diesel pump price reduction appears dramatic, the RAC believes it should have been far greater as its wholesale price was very similar to petrol for most of March.

In fact, diesel became cheaper than petrol on the wholesale market on March 23 and has stayed that way since.

SPACE, the final frontier.

With space tourism be ‐coming increasingly likely, it is time to address the mobility needs of extra‐ter‐restrial exploration and Opel is once again pioneer‐ing this new era.

The Rüsselsheim ‐ based brand has just released ad‐vanced information and images of its new space mobility concept: the Opel Corsa Moon II.

The brand with the Blitz will be the first mobility provider to start to offer tourism on the moon as of mid ‐ decade, once again sticking to its credo of mak‐ing innovations accessible to everyone.

Consequently, Opel’s lu‐nar vehicle is based on the German brand’s best‐sell‐ing battery‐electric Corsa‐e. The Corsa Moon II is equipped with space ‐ age technologies to offer the optimum balance between ride comfort, reliability and moon driving performance.

Based on the extensive knowledge gathered with the 1997 Corsa Moon con‐cept car, the Opel R&D

Corsa in space

team identified solar ener‐gy as one of the best op ‐tions for powering a lunar vehicle.

Built ‐ in solar cells effi ‐ciently will power the 500‐kWh battery of the Corsa Moon II in a sustainable

way.

The Corsa Moon II can cover up to 7,000 km in the ULTP (Universe ‐ wide har ‐monised Light ‐ duty vehi ‐cles Test Procedure) cycle on a single charge of the battery.

FUEL PRICES: Have fallen for the fifth straight month.

On the move Malaga CF have three points in the bag

MALAGA CF headed up to Castellon to take on Villar‐real B in their second con‐secutive match away from La Rosaleda in the last seven days. A loyal band of 500 Blue and White fans made the journey to the Estadio de la Cerámica on Friday, April 7, as re ‐ported by malagacf.com

Sergio Pellicer made some changes from the team that lost narrowly to FC Andorra on Sunday April 2 as the Costa del Sol club tries to keep pace at the top of Segunda B.

From the outset, Mala ‐ga CF came out with in ‐tensity, showing clear ideas both in defence and attack. Despite several at‐tacks from the home side, Pellicer’s team dominated the first half.

It took just 14 minutes for Pablo Chavarría to open the scoring. After a great assist from Julian Delmás, the Argentinian striker popped up at the near post to put his team 0‐1 up.

Continuing to press Iker Álvarez’s goal, Malaga once again, managed to generate a great chance.

Aleix Febas found Rubén Castro inside the penalty area and the number 24 crossed the ball to score his 194th goal in the Sec ‐ond Division. As a result, the legendary achieved a second milestone on the same day.

Castro is now the equal all ‐ time top scorer in the history of Segunda B along with Nino. On the same day, he became the player to make the most appearances in LaLiga, ac‐cumulating an astounding 710 appearances.

At the start of the sec ‐ond half, Pellicer brought on Ramalho to replace Es‐cassi ‐ who had been shown the yellow card. Shortly afterwards, Lago

Junior came on for Chavarría, but with his first touch of the ball, he sustained an injury.

Whilst the Malaga strik‐er was limping, Villarreal took advantage in the 63rd minute with Sergio Carreira’s shot making it 2‐1. Immediately after the goal, Álex Calvo came on for the injured Junior.

Malaga maintained their lead until the final whistle to seal an impor ‐tant victory. Next Sunday, the team will return to La Rosaleda to face Cartage‐na on LaLiga SmartBank matchday 36. A large crowd is expected as the fans will once again be de‐cisive in the search for a second consecutive win.

Candidate for Turkey AKP party

MESUT ÖZIL, the former Arsenal and Ger‐many midfield star has put his name for‐ward in Turkey as a candidate for Presi ‐dent Erdogan’s political party.

After hanging up his football boots, Mesut Özil, the former Arsenal and Ger ‐many legend, has positioned himself for a move into politics. According to welt.de, his name appears on the list of candidates for Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s party. This was also backed up by the Turkish news portal Haber7 which reported that the name of the 34 ‐ year ‐ old ex ‐ interna ‐tional player was on the candidate list of the Turkish governing party AKP.

Presidential and parliamentary elections will take place in Turkey on May 14. Presi‐dent Erdogan recently announced that ‘surprising names’ would appear on the list of candidates ‐ including a name from sports.

It comes as no surprise that Özil is run ‐ning for Erdogan’s party. The former foot‐baller has openly acknowledged his friend‐ship with the President for years, and in

2019 Erdogan was even the best man at Özil’s wedding.

Before the 2018 World Cup, Özil caused a stir by posting a photo online with the au‐thoritarian head of state. The midfielder, then a German international, did not dis ‐tance himself from Erdogan but did not want the image to be understood as a po‐litical message. In the course of the de ‐bates, Özil later withdrew from the nation‐al team.

Born in the city of Gelsenkirchen in west‐ern Germany, Özil has regularly comment‐ed on political issues in the past. Just two days ago, he called on his followers on Twitter to show solidarity with the Pales ‐tinians.

The ex ‐ professional posted a photo in which he was wearing a top with the in ‐scription ‘Freedom for Palestine’, in a mes‐sage directed against the State of Israel.

Özil is on course with President Erdogan: the 69‐year‐old politician has played down the Holocaust several times by comparing the Jewish state with the Nazi regime.

LIVERPOOL stalwart Roberto Firmino will be leaving Liverpool after eight years it has been confirmed.

Brazilian international and Liverpool star Roberto Firmino, 31, has decided he will not renew his con‐tract with Anfield bosses at the end of this season, wrote a news source, on Tuesday, April 11.

Full name, Roberto Firmino Barbosa de Oliveira signed for Liver ‐pool in 2015 and has scored 109 goals in 359 appearances for the Merseyside club.

Firmino’s place in the football marketplace, who is available on a free transfer, is sure to attract much interest, with no less than Real Madrid throwing their hat into the ring.

As reported by El Na ‐tional , the president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez is interested and could be set to ask the star to join them at the Santiago Bernabeu later this year.

Real’s Karim Benzema has yet to confirm his con‐tract, which is also due at the end of this season but if he does resign the com‐bination of him working with Firmino could be a powerful one.

In addition to the earli ‐er comments from El Na ‐cional, the choice of strik‐ers available to Real Madrid is limited, as they are either too expensive or not trusted by the club.

Madrid are treading carefully at the moment after spending £52 million on Luka Jovic, who strug ‐gled at Los Blancos, be ‐fore being released.

40,000

The number of registered association football clubs in England.

Ons fire

TENNIS’ World Number five, Ons Jabeur, claimed her first title of the season with a stunning victory over Belinda Bencic at the Charleston Open on Sun‐day, April 9.

The Tunisian tennis su‐perstar, who was the run‐ner‐up at both Wimble‐don and the US Open in 2022, defeated the Swiss player in a thrilling 7‐6 (8‐6), 6‐4 match that had the crowds on the edge of their seats.

Bencic, who was the defending champion, had to play two matches on Sunday, completing a rain‐interrupted semi ‐ final against Jessica Pegula before taking on Jabeur. But it was Jabeur’s day as she fought back from a breakdown in the first set before holding her nerve in the second to secure the title.

This was Jabeur’s fourth WTA title and second on clay. The Tunisian currently holds the most WTA victories on clay since 2020 with 37.

Jabeur’s victory comes after a difficult start to the sea‐son, which saw her struggle with injuries following her second‐round exit from the Australian Open in January. But her win at the Charleston Open is a testament to her resilience and hard work. The victory is sure to boost her confidence as she looks ahead to the rest of the season.

ROBERTO FIRMINO: Is sure to attract much interest.

Malaga CF played against Villarreal B at the weekend.

Tunisia’s Jabeur beat Belinda Bencic in Charleston.

Photo credit: Ons Jabeur (via Instagram)

Spain’s Jon Rahm wins the 2023 Masters in Augusta, Georgia

SPAIN’S Jon Rahm won the 2023 Masters after holding off the challenge of American golfer Brooks Koepka.

Rahm turned things around on the final day of the 2023 Masters at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club to win his first‐ever Masters tournament on Sun‐day, April 9.

American golfer Brooks Koepka led the field by two shots at the start of play. However, 28‐year‐old Rahm stunned his opponent by finishing on 12‐under after carding a three‐under last round of 69 to win by four shots and take the famous green jacket.

Koepka had to settle for second place, tying with the legendary Phil Mickelson. The 52‐year‐old American pulled out all the stops to finish on eight‐under after a stunning seven‐under round of 65. Further down the field, two previous champions, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, tied in sixth spot in this 87th edition of the event.

Scottie Scheffler, the defending 2022 Masters champi‐on could only manage a disappointing finish of four un‐der. The highest‐placed player from Great Britain and Northern Ireland was England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, the cur‐rent US Open champion.

Continuing a fine history of producing golfing champi‐ons, Rahm becomes the fourth Spaniard to win the pres‐tigious golf tournament.

Quite fittingly, his victory came on what would have been the birthday of Seve Ballesteros, the two‐time Masters champion in 1980 and 1983.

The other two Spanish golfers to win in Augusta were Sergio Garcia in 2017, and José María Olazábal who was victorious in both 1994 and 1999.

US Masters golf ball auctioned

A GOLF ball used by the legendary golfer Tiger Woods during the US Mas ters in 1997 sold on Sun day, April 9, for $64,124.40 (approx €58,723). During the final round of the tour nament at the world mous Augusta National Golf Club, the American star bogeyed the fifth hole. Woods subsequently gave his ball to Julian Nexsen, who was a nine year ‐ old boy at the time. The player went on to win his historic first major that day, becoming the youngest player in history to win the famous golf tournament. In the process, Woods broke the pre‐vious record held by Jack Nicklaus by racking up a four ‐ day score of 270, 18 under par.

On March 27, Nexsen put the ball up for auction with the Golden Age Auction

house. It started with an initial bid of $500 (approx €457.89) but its price

A spokesperson for the auction house said: “Unless Tiger himself or his caddie Fluff inten ‐tionally saved a ball from this historic final round (which we doubt), this may be the only confirmed golf ball from the final round of Tiger Woods’ first Major Championship victory.”

Many might doubt the authenticity of this ball but the moment when Woods handed it to Mr Nexsen was forever cap ‐tured in print the next day when the Washing ‐ton Times ran it on its front page. It wrote:

“After making his first bogey in 36 holes yester ‐day, Woods stopped on his way to the sixth tee to give a ball to nine‐year ‐ old Julian Nexsen of Greenville, SC.”

TIGER WOODS: His 1997 golf ball sold for €58,723.

Credit: Twitter@MalagaCF_en