Costa del Sol 7 – 13 December 2023 Issue 2005

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Photos: Marbella Town Hall

Costa del Sol • Issue No. 2005 • 7 - 13 December 2023

Turn to page 2 MARBELLA LIGHTS: Thousands attended the big switch-on.

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7 - 13 December 2023

LOCAL NEWS

from Front page

Xmas lights switch on THOUSANDS of people enjoyed the start of Christmas in the streets of Marbella and San Pedro Alcantara on Friday evening, December 1 with the switch­on of the Christ­ mas lights and performances by the singer Manuel Lombo and the group Siempre Así. The mayor, Án­ geles Muñoz, kicked­off the festive programme and encouraged every­ one to enjoy the activities organ­ ised by the town hall, here are just a few examples: From December 15 don’t miss the Christmas Parade ‘Father Christmas is coming’, accompanied by the Marbel­ la Musical Group. Also from that date, children can hand in their letters to Father Christmas at his house, located in the Paseo de la Alameda. And, on MORE than 3,000 people were packed into Estepona on Friday December 1 to see the Christmas lights switched on by the mayor, José María García Urbano.

Two­thousand blue and white LED lights trans­ formed the town into a spectacle of colour and joy.

Estepona’s pastoral groups, ‘Nostalgia Navideña’ and ‘Jesus Cautivo’, along with singer Martina Perez, per­ formed at the switch­on.

This year, the lighting has been extended in public places including the gar­ dens of the Botanical­Orchi­ darium Park, Plaza del Aje­ drez and the recently renovated promenade. In

Photo: Facebook / Marbella Town Hall

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FESTIVE PROGRAMME: Everyone can enjoy the activities organised.

December 20, there is the Chocolata­ da de Navidad in the park of Calle Jua­ nar with chocolate tasting and many other surprises.

For children during the holidays, the Magic Christmas Park installed in the Antonio Serrano Lima sports complex, opens from December 27 until Jan­

uary 4 with countless opportunities for fun including: a synthetic ice rink, Christmas train and bouncy castles.

Times, locations and full informa­ tion are all in the programme which you can download from the town hall website here ­ https://www.marbel la.es/agenda/eventodetalle/58522

Estepona shines Photo: Facebook / Estepona Town Hall

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SWITCH ON: Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas.

total, there are 114 arches of lights of seven and five metres in length, 333 deco­ rations, 143 12­metre strings and 140 curtains and

nets adorning the trees and main avenues of the town.

There will also be ‘Feliz Navidad’ signs and trees with lights over four metres

high decorating the round­ abouts. In addition, the streets of the old town, ren­ ovated in the ‘Estepona, Garden of the Costa del Sol’ project, will be illuminated with 85 LED light motifs, while 60 LED light curtains will bring the palm trees of the promenade to life.

The town has been trans­ formed into a fairytale full of lights and music that will enchant everyone. Im­ merse yourself in the Christmas magic of Es­ tepona.

Mijas turns on

MAYOR of Mijas, Ana Mata, switched on the Christmas lights on Friday December 1. Three and a half million ener­ gy­saving LED lights now illuminate more than 30 streets, avenues and squares in Mijas Pueblo, La Cala de Mijas and Las Lagunas. Christmas has now officially started in Mijas as, in addition to the lights, there is now a Christmas market, Father Christmas’s village and a whole series of events and activities culminating in the Three Kings Parade.

NIBS EXTRA Kidnapped twice SEVEN men have been ar­ rested and accused of twice kidnapping a businessman from Marbella. Allegedly, those arrested were mem­ bers of a criminal organisa­ tion of French origin and they demanded a payment of €5,000 a month from the businessman.

Empty fountains SAN PEDRO Town Hall has announced the decision to cut off the water from the town’s ornamental foun­ tains and instead, “to use these water resources for the irrigation of green areas, so that no litres are wasted,” said councillor, Diego López.

Pet shop A COMPLAINT has led to the removal of five dogs and two parrots which were on dis­ play in a pet shop in the Las Lagunas shopping centre in Mijas, which had already been denounced months earlier, according to the ani­ mal rights party PACMA.

Early booking DESPITE the increase in prices, Christmas dinners are being booked earlier and earlier. The president of the Association of Hoteliers of Malaga believes this is due to diners’ fears that they will not be able to find a table in a restaurant in December.

Sweet spot HONEY producers in Malaga Province have been hit hard by three factors: lack of rain­ fall; varroosis, a disease af­ fecting bees; and competi­ tion from cheaper foreign imports particularly from China, Poland and Argentina.

As a result, production has fallen by 80 per cent year on year.

Star student MARCOS MISTRY, head chef at Restaurante Marcos in Gi­ jón, has been awarded a Michelin star. Mistry was a student of the Escuela de Hostelería in Benahavis, where he trained and re­ fined his culinary talents.

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By Brian Bamford THE elderly of Torremolinos can enjoy the festive season with free Christmas snacks and music.

On Monday, December 11 it will be held at the La Carihuela centre and the performance will be given by the Pastoral del Mar de Vélez. Tuesday, De­ cember 12 it’s at the Playamar active participation centre with a performance by the Pastoral Amigos del Beta Málaga.

The Pastoral Santiago de Mi­ jas Costa will entertain the evening at the Centro Goya ac­ tive participation centre on Wednesday, December 13,

7 - 13 December 2023

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Xmas snacks 140

YOUR EWN HAS

and the Pastoral Familiar de la Asociación Peña Montesol Las Barracas de Málaga will per­ form at the Oeste ­ Cantar­ ranas active participation cen­ tre on Thursday, December 14.

Finally, on Friday, December 15, the elderly of the El Pozue­ lo active participation centre will enjoy a performance by the Pastoral Vecinos del Camorro de Mijas.

All take place at 5.30pm.

Photo: Torremolinos Town Hall

Performances are being given for the elderly to enjoy.

No LEZ A full programme THE Ombudsman has initiated pro­ ceedings against 33 towns in Spain due to the delay in the implementa­ tion of Low Emission Zones (LEZ).

Among the municipalities on which the institution has set its sights are Mijas and Malaga.

The first of these, Mijas, is on the list of the 18 which have not even be­ gun to process the LEZ, along with other Andalucian municipalities such as Motril, in Granada, Puerto de Santa María and San Lúcar de Barrameda, in Cadiz. In the case of Malaga City, the Ombudsman notes that, although the city council has begun the procedures, it is behind schedule in its implemen­ tation.

The regulation established dead­ lines for public administrations to pro­ mote the improvement of air quality by reducing emissions in the atmo­ sphere. Municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants were required to establish LEZs before January 1.

ESTEPONA Town Council has or­ ganised more than 30 cultural and leisure activities to cele­ brate Christmas, most of them free of charge, and will end with the traditional Cavalcade of the Three Wise Men on Jan­ uary 5.

There will be concerts, nativi­ ty scenes, musicals, ballets, fla­ menco zambombás, children’s parties, charity events, gastro­ nomic festivals and the tradi­ tional New Year’s concert. The Felipe VI Auditorium will be one of the main venues hosting a wide variety of performances, including the the ballets Sleep­ ing Beauty and The Nutcracker.

Another of the highlights of the festive season will be the traditional Christmas concert by the Municipal Band and the performances in the Auditori­ um will end with the traditional ‘New Year’s Concert’ on Jan­

uary 4, with the Malaga Phil­ harmonic Orchestra conducted

by Maestro Florian Csizmadia.

Other areas that will play a leading role during the Christ­ mas festivities include Plaza del Ajedrez, which will host various events. The former will host the traditional ‘Santa Claus Christ­ mas Village’, where children will be greeted by Father Christ­ mas and will have fun in the chocolate house, the Christmas train, Santa’s boat, with the ice rink, the crazy penguins, the ar­ tificial snowfall and much more.

The events to bid farewell to 2023 will end with the Popular New Year’s Eve Party, which will once again take place in the Plaza del Reloj, on December 31, and which will include the distribution of cotillion, the tra­ ditional chimes to welcome in the New Year and a great fire­ works display.

Toys for boys (and girls)

By David Hart AULA 47, with the collaboration of the Manilva office of Social Affairs, directed by Gema Zotano, is organising a charity collec­ tion of toys for the AVOI Association of the mother and child hospital in Malaga.

All those who wish to donate toys can do so in the area of Social Affairs, both in the building of Usos Múltiples in Sabinillas and in the town hall of Manilva and in the Aula 47 until December 22.

Since 1993, AVOI (Asociación de Volun­ tarios de Oncología Infantil) has been dedi­ cated to helping children in the Hospital

Photo: Shutterstock

LOCAL NEWS

A collection of toys for charity.

Materno­Infantil to make their stay as pleasant as possible. The aim at AVOI is that no child is left without playing and smiling.

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Twinning agreement

By Michael Carrington THE mayor of Es­ tepona, José María García Urbano, has held a working meeting with Petr Kratochvíl, councillor responsible for Public Transport in the Czech city of Brno, and members of his team. The mayor an­ nounced that both councils are working on a proposal for the twin­ ning of these two towns, which share a common interest in the preservation of histori­ cal spaces, a commit­ ment to the creation of green areas and the re­ vitalisation of these ar­ eas through cultural projects.

The mayor said that the teams will work to­ gether on future tourism and cultural ac­ tivities that will have an impact on the quality of life of the citizens of both towns.

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7 - 13 December 2023

By David Hart THE councillor for Fuengiro­ la’s downtown area, Cristina Bornao, has invited the peo­ ple of Fuengirola to share their ideas and needs with her through various means of communication.

Residents in this area of the town can contact the councillor via email centro@ fuengirola.org or telephone 952 463 525. In addition, ev­ ery Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon she will visit the different streets, squares, parks and shops in the centre because direct contact with the residents is a priority for the govern­

LOCAL NEWS

Direct contact Bees decimated

ment team.

Bornao said that, “as the person in charge of the cen­ tral area, my job is to take care of the neighbourhood and to verify that all our mu­ nicipal services work correct­ ly.” The councillor added that, “the central area is a lively, open neighbourhood, with a large number of people com­ ing and going every day, both for those of us who live here and for the number of visitors that our town receives on a continuous basis.

“That’s why I come at least

three times a week, Mon­ days, Wednesdays and Fri­ days, mainly in the after­ noons, although some days I also come on some mornings, Tuesdays or even weekends.

Because what interests me is to see and check the needs of my neighbourhood.”

1.4 billion The number of insects per person.

PROVERB OF THE WEEK “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”

This proverb is from Japan and teaches us that perseverance is one of the most important virtues. Whatever happens - keep on keeping on!

Jessica Sweeting A BEEKEEPER who lives in Mijas, Ana Inés Otero has issued a plea for support with peti­ tion on change.org which has already re­ ceived more than 25,000 signatures.

The whole problem as she sees it is that bees, the important pollinators for the whole world are under threat from alien invaders and her plea is as follows: “As a beekeeper, I have experienced first­ hand the devastating impact of invasive ex­ otic species such as the Vespa velutina, Ves­ pa orientalis and Vespa bicolor.

“These species have wiped out all the bees I had in my small apiary in Mijas, and most of the wild pollinators in the area.

“This has already happened with beekeep­ ers in the north due to the Vespa velutina and now with those in the south of Spain due to the presence of the Vespa orientalis and bicolor.

“The situation is alarming as these wasps are spreading rapidly throughout the Costa del Sol. “Bees are vital to our biodiversity and

Credit: Por un Mundo Con Abejas Facebook

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PETITION: Bees need to fight back.

economy. According to Greenpeace data, these small creatures pollinate 70 per cent of the crops we consume.

“However, their population is drastically declining due to the constant attack of these invasive wasps.

“It is essential that our authorities take ef­ fective measures to control and prevent the expansion of these invasive exotic species.

“We need effective programs to eradicate them or at least limit their spread.”

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7 - 13 December 2023 Photo: Fuengirola Town Hall

LOCAL NEWS

RECREATIONAL FACILITY: An ideal place to promote healthy living and outdoor recreation.

Fuengirola’s green lung

By Michael Carrington THE work on the Parque de La Loma, the great green lung of Fuengirola, is in its final stages, as the mayor announced during a visit to the area, which is located on a plot of almost 30,000 square metres; the equivalent of three stan­ dard football pitches.

Once the work has been completed, it will be the largest recreational facility in the town and will have sporting, leisure and relax­ ation areas for all tastes and ages.

“We are very close to starting to enjoy the

largest open­air space dedicated to leisure, sport and recreation. The works are nearing com­ pletion and will be a revi­ talising factor for this de­ veloping area. By the end of this year, we will be able to open it to the public,” said the mayor.

The new space will have a climbing wall, a seven­a­ side football pitch with ar­ tificial grass, paddle tennis, handball and volleyball courts, a pump track (BMX­type obstacle course for bicycles), running lanes, a cycle lane for adults and another cycle

lane for children.

The project also has ar­ eas for walking and relax­ ation among the more than 16,000 square me­ tres of landscaped areas.

More than 300 trees and some 11,000 shrubs have been planted for this pur­ pose.

There are picnic areas and a central square where public events of all kinds can be held. “In short, an ideal place to promote healthy living and enjoy with family or friends, activities or out­ door recreation,” said the mayor.

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Sustainable town

By David Hart MAYOR of Benalmadena, Juan Antonio Lara, took part in a new edition of ‘Rumbo, the fu­ ture of sustainable cities’ con­ ference, held at El Bil Bil Castle.

During his speech, the mayor stressed the importance of good planning based on a clear model of a town that Benal­ madena used to have but which the town has been los­ ing over time. The municipality is scheduled to receive €10 mil­ lion based on projects, of which, “after four and a half years, only €400,000 had been completed,” said the mayor.

The future House of Culture in Benalmadena Pueblo and the recovery of the prestige of the Marina are priority issues and a sustainable town model cannot be based on, “imposing a project on some residents, as happened in Avenida Antonio Machado by reducing a lane without first giving the resi­ dents alternatives,” said the mayor who added, “the first step is to create car parks for €1, making it easy to park so people can enjoy our streets

and squares.”

The commitment to the Senda Litoral (coastal path) and the creation of new green areas such as the Al­Baytar Park are some of the chal­ lenges that the government team is already working. On

other issues, such as the cur­ rent situation of Tívoli, the mayor said that the govern­ ment team is ‘working hard’ organising meetings with workers and investors, “and I will have as many as necessary in order to reopen its doors.”

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MARBELLA NEWS

Christmas Bazaar

By Kevin Fraser Park ÁNGELES MUÑOZ, mayor of Marbella, has spoken about the, “essential work” carried out by Cari­ tas, during the inaugura­ tion of its 18th Solidarity Christmas Bazaar, which brought together more than 100 stalls at the Adolfo Suárez Trade Fair and Congress Centre last weekend, with a comple­ mentary programme of activities including book presentations, concerts and children’s workshops.

“The city council is very proud to be able to con­ tribute to this event tak­ ing place every year,” said the mayor, who pointed out that, “practically ev­

Photo: Marbella Town Hall

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XMAS BAZAAR: Funds raised go to people in need.

erything that is raised in this initiative goes directly into the organisation’s coffers.”

The mayor was accom­ panied by the president of the bazaar, Antonio Belón, and the general co­ ordinator of the initiative, Alberto García, who ex­ plained that, “the configu­

ration of the stalls was changed this year to gain more space, to attract more people and for them to spend more time here with their families and friends.” All funds raised at the bazaar have gone to help the work of Caritas Marbella caring for people in need.

Toys for Christmas Leaflet drop MARBELLA Town Hall to­ gether with CIT Marbella and the Caixa Founda­ tion, have made a dona­ tion of €1,500 to Cáritas Divina Pastora, DYA and Aspandem for the pur­ chase of toys. The coun­ cillor for Social Rights, Is­ abel Cintado, praised, “the generosity and sen­ sitivity of the organisa­ tions who support the most vulnerable families in the municipality, which will allow the little ones to enjoy this festive season as they deserve.”

Juan José González, president of CIT Marbel­ la, said that, “for us it is a great satisfaction to be

able to continue to sup­ port corporate social re­ sponsibility, the genera­ tion of wealth and employment is essential to improve the lives of disadvantaged people, but sometimes it is also necessary to offer extra help, especially at Christ­ mas.”

The representatives of Aspandem, DYA and Cári­ tas Divina Pastora, María José Gutiérrez, Paqui Muñoz and Rafi Sánchez, expressed their gratitude for the cheque, which will enable them to con­ tinue focusing on fami­ lies with the greatest need.

MARBELLA City Council will distribute 5,000 information leaflets to publicise the Christ­ mas programme organised in collaboration with neighbour­ hood organisations, which will include some 20 events.

The councillor for Citizen Participation, Enrique Ro­ dríguez, presented the initia­ tive together with the council­ lor for Fiestas, Yolanda Marín.

The activities included in the programme include: a choco­ late party; a living nativity scene in the botanical garden of El Ángel; a Christmas party for children and many more activities. Rodríguez said that, “in addition to all these activi­ ties, there will be events organ­ ised by the town hall, all of which are completely free.

Solidarity Awards MARBELLA City Council last week recognised the work of volunteers in the municipality with the Solidarity Awards 2023, an event that took place at the Hospital Real de la Misericordia.

The councillor for Social Rights, Is­ abel Cintado, accompanied the differ­ ent organisations attending and said that, “it is essential to highlight the val­ ue of the service provided by this group, because thanks to their commit­ ment and dedication they create links, give a voice to the most vulnerable

groups and are the first to act in times of crisis, as was shown with the pan­ demic.” This year’s nominations were selected by the Volunteering Platform from among those submitted by local non­profit associations.

The award in the youth category went to Johana Quintero Scott, from the Ángel Rivière autism association, and in the veteran category Silvia López Álvarez, from the Global Gift Foundation’s Casa Ángeles was recog­ nised.

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7 - 13 December 2023

Benalmadena switches on THERE was a full house in the streets of Benalmadena on Friday night, Decem­ ber 1 for the switching­on of the Christ­ mas lights combined with a multitude of activities and events in the streets on a date chosen to increase consumption and sales in small shops and restaurants in the middle of Black Friday.

After the inauguration of the lighting, there was a big crowd at the Casa de la Cultura for a performance by the choir of the Miguel Hernández School. In or­ der to encourage people to stroll around Arroyo de la Miel, a parade with music was organised, which ended at Blas In­ fante to kick off the Christmas lighting.

FILM producer, Uri Singer, has secured the rights to bring Peter Viertel’s 1984 novel American Skin to the big screen. Production has been earmarked for Mar­ bella in mid­2024. Singer has engaged rising Spanish filmmaker and director Mariano Schoendorff Ares to adapt the screenplay and direct. Ares has a per­ sonal connection to the story, he would visit Mar­ bela as a child and his girl­ friend’s grandparents and Viertel were friends.

Eco marinas placement of pumping stations to safely collect and manage waste, waste oil collection tanks, recycling initiatives, treatment systems to re­ move suspended particles and heavy metals from the water, as well as monthly water quality test­ ing.

Beyond environmental initiatives, D­Marin Mediterranean Marinas will seek to integrate each marina

Photos: Estepona Town Hall

THE marinas of Estepona, Duquesa and Marina del Este are implement­ ing award­winning sustainability in­ novations. The company, Marinas del Mediterráneo D­Marin, plan to use solar panels to provide 100 per cent of the marinas energy con­ sumption.

In line with its commitment to sus­ tainability and the enhancement of marine life, D­Marin has plans to im­ prove sustainable development in the Costa del Sol by investing in the installation of solar panels, the

Walkways, Christmas trees, illumination of the façade of the town hall, innova­ tive decorative motifs and a spectacle of light and snow also reached the heart of Benalmadena Pueblo.

The reason why the lighting started on November 24 is to be on a par with large cities and towns on the Costa del Sol, “thus motivating residents and visi­ tors, thanks also to the good weather, to be in the street with a town ready for Christmas and Christmas shopping, all accompanied by an extensive pro­ gramme of activities to make Christmas last as long as possible,” said the coun­ cillor of Festivities, Yolanda Peña.

LOCAL NEWS

Marbella movie

SOLAR PANELS: To provide energy.

with the local community by ad­ dressing the needs of boat owners, fishermen, businesses and restau­ rants, expanding employment op­

Photo of Uri Singer: Wikimedia CC

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URI SINGER: Secured the rights to novel American Skin.

Passage Pictures CEO Singer said, “Peter Viertel’s

portunities and playing an active role in major regional conferences.

Konrad Tyrajski, COO of D­Marin, said: “Because of our position, we have the means to innovate and de­ velop luxury marinas with the high­ est standards of sustainability crite­ ria and the best customer experience throughout the Mediter­ ranean and beyond. All of its mari­ nas have received the Blue Flag award for water quality, environ­ mental management, environmen­ tal education and safety.”

legacy as a storyteller is un­ deniable. To adapt this hid­ den gem of a novel with Mariano, who is on the cusp of what promises to be a stellar filmmaking journey and has a very per­ sonal connection to the story, is a privilege for all of us at Passage Pictures.”

American Skin explores the expatriate lifestyle and cultural clashes along the Costa del Sol. The story centres on David Brandt, a handsome Californian who arrives in Marbella hoping to soothe the wounds of a recently ended affair and escape haunting memo­ ries.

It is Peter Viertel’s sixth novel, he is the acclaimed author of five previous novels, among them White Hunter, Black Heart and Bi­ cycle on the Beach. He lived with his wife, actress Deborah Kerr, in Klosters, Switzerland, and Marbella, where American Skin is set.

LOCAL NEWS

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7 - 13 December 2023

Cuppa and a chat

WE’RE now on the countdown to Christmas and the New Year. Plans are being made to come together with family and friends to enjoy the festivities and stress levels are rising while bank balances are falling.

Many of us have full and en­ joyable lives here on the Costa del Sol. But that means a lot of folk DON’T and they in particu­ lar dread this time of year.

Why? Because they now live on their own, in a lot of in­ stances because their life part­ ner has passed away and Christmastime is a painful re­ minder of what was ­ as in the above For them living on their own life is no longer a joy. They may have mobility and health is­ sues that prevent them from socialising and so the bound­ aries of their world start to close in. It’s not fun when the ‘friend’ you talk to is the TV newscaster. Oh yes it’s so true Age Concern Marbella ­ San Pedro understand what loneli­ ness and isolation means and we KNOW how to make

things better. But we need your help.

We are determined that our “‘cuppa and a chat’ initiative will help to change a life. For many who live on their own ‘depression’ in all its guises is never far away. People simply forget to look after themselves and become more insular.

What they NEED more than anything else is COMPANION­ SHIP. Just a couple of hours, as often as you can, will make a real difference to each person (and probably you too!).

All of us want to live our ‘best life’. It’s precious because it’s the only one we have. Such a small amount of time can re­ sult in such a big change to people who are, through no

fault of their own, facing a bleak future devoid of conver­ sation and companionship.

Helping others is in our DNA and this is an easy and fun way of making a real difference to the life of another person. Our older English­speaking genera­ tion are stoic and proud by na­ ture and they won’t ever ask.

Why? Because they would think that makes them a bur­ den. So, we are asking for them.

Please spare just a couple of hours for a ‘cuppa and a chat’ and help to change someone’s life FOREVER. Call or WhatsApp our Helpline on 689 355 198 ANY weekday from 10.00 to 6.00pm. You will speak to a helpful and knowledgeable volunteer who will explain what’s involved.

Or you can email us at in fo@ageconcernmarbella.com.

From all of us at Age Con­ cern Marbella ­ San Pedro we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and Miracle Making New Year!

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LOCAL NEWS

A new star

THE Michelin Guide 2024 recognises chef David Olivas of Back restaurant in Marbella which brings the total Michelin stars in Malaga Province to 11.

The Back restaurant in Marbel­ la, with chef David Olivas, has become the ninth restaurant in the province to have at least one Michelin star. David Olivas collected the jacket that recog­ nises him with this Michelin star at the gala held last week at the Auditori Fòrum of the Barcelona International Con­ vention Centre, where the Michelin Guide Spain 2024 was presented.

“Are you looking for haute cuisine but also the feeling of having fun? In this pleasant place, like a modern bistro, they aim for both premises and they certainly achieve them, but also... in a perfect balance! In a perfect balance,” is how the Michelin Guide de­ fines Back. The guide also praises its chef, David Olivas: “He presents modern­creative cuisine with the use of the best

Photo: Back Restaurant

DAVID OLIVAS: Presents modern-creative cuisine.

local products.”

In addition to Back’s Miche­ lin star, among others recog­ nised is Marcos Granda, who has obtained the star for Mar­ cos, in Gijón, and Toki, in Madrid. Granda is based in Marbella, where he already has three Michelin stars.

El Lago restaurant in Marbel­

la lost its Michelin star but the rest of the Michelin chefs in the province have kept theirs: Bardal, in Ronda (2), Skina, in Marbella (2), Nintai and Messi­ na, also in Marbella (1 each), Diego Gallegos’ Sollo in Fuen­ girola (1), and José Carlos Gar­ cía and Dani Carnero’s Kaleja in the capital (1 each).

Photo: Carrefour

Dani Garcia at Carrefour

New branded products.

CARREFOUR has launched, ‘Selection Car­ refour & Lord Dani’, a line of Carrefour branded products together with the renowned Costa del Sol chef Dani García.

The chef has shared his experience and ex­ pertise to create exclusive recipes together with Carrefour and its manufacturers. The products can now be found in Carrefour Market hypermarkets and supermarkets as well as at www.carrefour.es.

The launch of this new range of Carrefour products is part of the collaboration agree­ ment between Dani García, brand ambas­ sador and the retailer, with the aim of bring­ ing top quality cuisine at the best price to all households, especially at Christmas.

Beatriz Faustino, Marketing and Commu­ nication Director of Carrefour explained: “Dani García is the best ambassador for our

Carrefour brand as we share the same pur­ pose: to make this cuisine accessible to all customers.”

Dani García said, “It is a project that I am particularly excited about. With it, I have been able to express my passion for cooking with local products and the possibility of these creations reaching as many homes as possible.”

The range offers innovative dishes with af­ fordable recipes interpreted by Dani García, which can be enjoyed at home. For example, you can find a free­range chicken stuffed with foie mousse, quince jelly and sweet wine for €3 per person; roast turkey with apricots, dates and Iberian ham, ready to heat and serve for €5 per person or Dani García’s famous hamburgers for €3 per per­ son.

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Compass Clinic grand opening

Christmas treats

By Michael Carrington A TOTAL of 35 groups from the Mijas area gath­ ered on Sunday, November 26, at Cortijo Don Elías de Las Lagunas,at the Christmas treat or­ ganised by Mijas Town Hall to celebrate the ar­ rival of the festive season with the family.

“Thanks to these associations there are al­ ways activities to attend and there is always movement, this shows that Mijas is a very active municipality, where there is a wealth of people who do their bit to enrich the area,” said the

mayor of Mijas, Ana Mata, who added that, “we are starting this Christmas early, and we are do­ ing so with a very good atmosphere, where as­ sociations and entities meet in a place where you can enjoy home­made food.”

Mijas Town Hall invited all those attending to a hot chocolate, while each of the participating associations set up a stall to offer their Christmas sweets and drinks to all those attending, as well as making themselves known and creating a community with other entities.

GRAND OPENING: Various presentations were given.

each patient, from physical to mental health, including some complex conditions such as obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, food intol­ erances, depression and anxiety, chronic joint inflam­ mation, mobility disorders and autoimmune diseases.

The founders of the clinic are Dr Michael Peters, medi­ cal Director, Internist and Gastroenterologist and Mrs Montserrat González Tovar, managing Director and lawyer.

Dr Peters has a long medi­ cal experience of more than 20 years working in hospi­

tals in Germany, England and New Zealand and since he has been living on the Costa del Sol, he is dedicat­ ed to private medicine, where he ­ as medical direc­ tor at Compass Clinic and German Clinic ­ can apply his concept of medicine: listen­ ing to patients, giving them the time they need and use multidisciplinary treatment for complex illnesses.

Learn more about Com­ pass Clinic under www.com passclinic.es and get an ap­ pointment by calling 951 745 640 or writing to info@compassclinic.es.

By Brian Bamford LAST week, the mayor of Es­ tepona, José María García Ur­ bano, detailed the financial aid that the town hall awards an­ nually to different projects that help the most vulnerable groups in the town and said that, “Estepona would not be the same without the work they do to help those who need it most.” He also said that the municipal budget for 2024 will continue to have a strong social character, so that, “no one will be left without their basic needs covered.”

As well as financial aid, the council offers additional sup­ port including collaboration in

Charity funds Photo: Estepona Town Hall

THE Compass Clinic cele­ brated its grand opening on November 30. It is a new in­ ternational private clinic in Urb. Guadalmansa between Marbella and Estepona that offers patients individu­ alised medical care from an international team of highly qualified and experienced doctors in English, Spanish, German, Dutch and French.

Compass Clinic specialties are General Medicine (GPs), Internal Medicine, Gas­ troenterology, General and Digestive Surgery, Trauma­ tology and Orthopaedic Surgery, Dermatology, Psy­ chology, Nutrition, Physio­ therapy and Rehabilitation.

At the grand opening, guests had the pleasure of attending presentations by the various specialists who explained the latest tech­ niques, treatments, and multidisciplinary concept of the clinic. The medical team at Compass Clinic values and treats all aspects of

LOCAL NEWS

MUNICIPAL BUDGET: Everyone’s basic needs to be covered.

charity events and the free loan of municipal facilities for such events. The council also grants a rebate on Property Tax (IBI) to social groups that own their own premises and provides fiscal support to those

with fewer resources and allo­ cates more than €300,000 to cover the expenses (electricity, water and cleaning) for organi­ sations such as the Virgen del Carmen Residence for the El­ derly.

Favells lls

14 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

Charity trees “All the money raised will go to Cáritas Parroquial or to a project of Cáritas Dioce­ sana,” said María Jesús Moreno, a member of the organising charity, who told a press conference about

some of the locations of these solidarity trees. “The route will start at the library, and will continue through AFA Mijas, at the Juzgado de Paz, in Calle Malaga, in Mi­ jas Natural, and will end at Plaza Siete Caños,” said Moreno.

People who wish to col­ laborate with this campaign can do so by donating €1 when they buy the promo­ tional leaflet at the points set up by the organisation, including the Tourist Office, the Botello Pharmacy and the 7 Caños parapharmacy.

In this leaflet there is a map with the entire route and the location of each of the 17 trees taking part, as well as a window with three blank boxes for the public to vote for the three best trees.

On January 5, all partici­ pants will be entered into a draw for gifts, which have been donated to the cause by the traders, associations and neighbours of Mijas.

LOCAL NEWS Credit: United Nations

By Michael Carrington FROM December 8 to Jan­ uary 5, residents and tourists in Mijas will be able to visit the Charity Tree Route, now in its eighth year, which on this occasion has a total of 17 trees made exclusively with recycled material. All funds raised will go to the neediest families.

euroweeklynews.com

HUMAN RIGHTS: Celebrating the 50th anniversary.

SUNDAY December 10 sees the end of the 16 Days of Activism, the online campaign against violence against women, which started on November 25 and the 75th anniversary of Human Rights Day. In Spain, the campaign was run under the banner 25N and was promoted by all arms of government as well as women’s groups, schools, police and individuals.

It was on December 10, 1948 that the Uni­ versal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the newly established United Na­ tions and its adoption recognised human rights to be the foundation for freedom, jus­ tice and peace.

This was the first time that countries agreed on the freedoms and rights that deserve universal protection in order for every individual to live their lives freely,

Human Rights Day equally and in dignity.

Soroptimist International (SI) Costa del Sol have expressed their concern with the sud­ den disappearance of the Department of Equality and Diversity in Mijas and they be­ lieve that words matter, so, it is important to acknowledge that equality is the base of re­ spectful relationships between people and helps to eliminate violence.

SI Costa del Sol is part of a worldwide Non­ Governmental Organisation with more than 66,000 members in 120 countries, all profes­ sional women who want to help empower, enable and educate women and children.

For more information visit their website: www.costadelsol.soroptimist.es or send an email to soroptimist.costadelsol@gmail.com.

16 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

Severe drought Credit: R_Tee/Shutterstock.com

DESPITE the onset of winter, the Andalucia region is cur­ rently grappling with severe drought conditions.

The situation has prompt­ ed many municipalities, in­ cluding Marbella, to imple­ ment stringent water conservation measures.

Starting on Monday, November 27, Marbella’s city council announced the stopping of water being sup­ plied to the town’s 40 deco­ rative fountains. Councillor Diego Lopez explained this decision, stating, “using these water resources for the irrigation of green areas, so that no litre is wasted.”

The move is part of a broader strategy to address the water shortage crisis de­ clared by the Andalucian Government on October 24 for the Western Costa del Sol system, which includes Marbella.

The shortage has impact­ ed approximately one in three residents in Malaga, with larger towns like Rin­ con de la Victoria in Axar­ quia also feeling the strain.

The city council’s recent statement includes various measures to reduce water

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Water shortage.

consumption, aiming for a 20 per cent reduction.

Among these are restric­ tions on washing and irriga­ tion, prohibiting the filling and refilling of swimming pools, closing irrigation hy­ drants and showers, and limiting fountain use to hu­ man consumption only.

The community is being urged to adapt to these new norms as part of a collective

effort to mitigate the drought’s effects. Lopez em­ phasised the criticality of these actions, saying, “the city council has issued a statement with a series of measures, fundamentally aimed at reducing the de­ mand for water, to achieve the objective of 20 per cent savings.”

The redirected water from the fountains will be

used to maintain green ar­ eas, ensuring no water is wasted during this challeng­ ing period.

The situation has also forced Estepona to take drastic measures that will affect the consumption of drinking water in the munic­ ipality. Hidralia, the compa­ ny in charge of the supply in the area warns: “Irresponsi­ ble and unauthorised con­

sumption could lead to more recurrent cuts in sup­ ply and for longer hours.”

With just over 72,000 in­ habitants, the town and sur­ rounding areas will suffer cuts in the household supply network from midnight until 6am, according to Hidralia, the company responsible for supplying the service. In a statement, the company has indicated that there will be cuts but also drops in wa­ ter pressure in these areas: ­ The Marquis ­ Montebiarritz ­ North Atalaya ­ Nature Park ­ Poligono Industrial ­ La Lobilla ­ Calvario ­ North Seghers ­ Las Mesas ­ Reserva de Estepona, Es­ pronceda and Calancha streets ­ Estepona Golf ­ Buenas Noches ­ Cancelada North ­ La Resina

LOCAL NEWS

9,000 plants MIJAS Town Hall has decorated different parts of the munici­ pality with 9,000 plants of various shades that will com­ plete the Christmas decorations and which will bring colour to the town, promote tourism and benefit local business­ es.

There will be 6,000 cyclamen and 3,000 pascueros. These species have been chosen for their low water consumption and their resistance to adverse weather conditions, which will allow them to last longer. The interiors of the buildings will also be decorated with poinsettias and handmade Christmas trees.

18 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

INTERNATIONAL: Torre del Burgo, in Guadalajara.

Community of Madrid.

As of July 1, 2023, out of Spain’s total population, 42,009,804 are Spanish na­ tionals, and 6,335,419 are for­ eign residents. This surge is reshaping the demographic landscape of the country.

In most provincial capitals, foreign nationals make up less than 12 per cent of the population. However, cities like Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona exceed this average, with Almeria lead­ ing at 28 per cent. Towns such as Partaloa, Arboleas, and Bedar have even more foreign than national resi­ dents.

Torre del Burgo, spanning 4.91 square kilometres and

primarily driven by agricul­ ture, stands out with an as­ tonishing 87.13 per cent for­ eign population, which translates to 413 out of its 474 inhabitants.

Predominantly from Bul­ garia, but also including Pol­ ish, Romanian, and Moroc­ can nationals, the village’s unique demographic compo­ sition offers a glimpse into a diverse cultural landscape.

In this unique setting, a Bul­ garian greeting, ‘Zdravey, kak si?’ might be more common than the traditional Spanish ‘Hola, ¿como estas?’. This re­ flects the profound impact of the foreign population on the local culture and social inter­ actions in Torre del Burgo.

Supply shrinks by 4% in a year A RECENT study published

by Idealista has unveiled in­ triguing trends in the Span­ ish property market.

According to the study, the supply of homes for sale in Spain has experienced a 4 per cent decrease during the third quarter of 2023 com­ pared to the same period last year, indicating shifts in the country’s real estate landscape.

The majority of Spanish provincial capitals have wit­ nessed a decline in the avail­ ability of homes for sale, with notable reductions in Cuenca (­34 per cent) and Avila (­30 per cent).

Other cities experiencing significant decreases include Huelva, Santander, Valencia, Toledo, Soria, and Tarrago­ na.

However, nine provincial capitals have bucked this trend, with increases in housing supply.

Notable cities include Cor­ doba and Pamplona (10 per cent increase), followed by

Image: ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com

SPAIN has become home to many nationalities from around the world, but there is one municipality that has an overwhelming number of foreigners, where nine out of every 10 inhabitants come from another country.

Have you ever wondered which Spanish village has the most international popula­ tion? And where are they from? The answer lies in Torre del Burgo, a small but remarkable municipality in Guadalajara.

In the second quarter of 2023, as revealed by the Con­ tinuous Population Statistics conducted by Spain’s Nation­ al Institute of Statistics, the Spanish population reached a record 48,345,223. This signif­ icant growth is attributed largely to the influx of foreign nationals, impacting not just Torre del Burgo, but the en­ tire country.

Spain has witnessed a widespread increase in its for­ eign population, with signifi­ cant rises in regions such as the Balearic Islands, the Va­ lencian Community, and the

Credit: Emilio J. Rodriguez Posada

Most international village Spain’s housing market sizzles:

HOUSING STOCK: There has been a distinct decline.

Huesca (9 per cent), San Se­ bastian (8 per cent), Zaragoza (5 per cent), Cadiz (5 per cent), and Badajoz (3 per cent).

Vitoria has maintained a stable housing stock over the past year.

With varied dynamics among the major markets, several cities have wit­ nessed a reduction in hous­ ing supply, such as Alicante (­15 per cent), Palma (­11 per cent), Barcelona (­10 per cent), Malaga (­3 per cent), and Madrid (­1 per cent).

Conversely, Bilbao and Sevilla have experienced

slight increases of 2 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively.

At the provincial level, the situation mirrors the dy­ namics observed in provin­ cial capitals.

Cuenca tops the list with an 18 per cent reduction in housing supply, followed by Santa Cruz de Tenerife (­17 per cent), A Coruña (­16 per cent), and Avila (­15 per cent).

Notable decreases are al­ so observed in Soria, Lugo, Cantabria, Segovia, Valen­ cia, Teruel, Zamora, and Huelva (­13 per cent in each case).

20 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

NORWAY Fuel duel GREENPEACE and Friends of the Earth’s Norwegian branch launched a lawsuit challenging the government permission to open three new offshore oil and gas fields. Norway should leave the oil "where it is," they maintained, and accused the government of using petrol to extinguish the “climate crisis fire.”

In the dark A SPECIALIST firm was chosen to design minimal lighting for comfort stop toilets along the Hardanger section of the 18 roads included in the Norwegian Scenic Routes. The public loos designed by architect studio Code needed a ‘sensitive lighting scheme’ that would not stop visitors from appreciating the spectacular landscape.

SWEDEN

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EURO PRESS THE NETHERLANDS

Ottoman gift A HANDMADE carpet given to the Peace Palace in The Hague by the Ottoman sultan, Abdulhamid II in 1907, has been sent for restoration to Aksaray (Turkey). Twenty-five people will work for a year on the carpet before it is returned to the Peace Place, which now houses the International Court of Justice.

IRELAND Hygiene poverty A SMALL-SCALE survey carried out by Trinity College Dublin found that 65 per cent of respondents went without basic toiletries or hygiene items this year because they could not afford them. Sixty-nine per cent admitted feeling ‘embarrassed or ashamed’, while 61.2 per cent reported increased stress.

Charge it

NETHERLANDS: Turkey carpet will take a year to restore.

Photo credit: hurimg/i/hurriyet.com

GERMANY

EUROPEAN PRESS

FRANCE

EIGHTY-FIVE per cent of drivers with electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland said they found running costs were lower than their previous petrol or diesel car. A further 62 per cent of motorists who currently drive an EV said that they would happily buy another when choosing their next vehicle.

PORTUGAL

Fine example

Lucky star

Chanel myth

Fair shares

WHILE Tesla battles Sweden’s IF Metall for refusing to sign a collective agreement, the union’s lawyer, Darko Davidovic, has played a leading role in negotiations. Despite his criticism of the carmaker's stance, insiders revealed that Davidovic’s family currently uses a Tesla Model Y, while he drove a Model S in the past.

WHEN Lucy, a three-year-old tabby disappeared from her Wallensen (Hanover) home in November 2022, her family thought the worst until she turned up 60 kilometres away in Garbesen a year later. A cat lover took her in and, since Lucky was luckily chipped, she was immediately reunited with her family.

HISTORIAN Guillaume Pollack questioned the authenticity of new documents suggesting that Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel was a member of the Resistance as well as a Nazi informant during the Second World War. Chanel possibly used the documents to restore her reputation after the war, Pollack said.

ONE-HUNDRED teachers demonstrated in front of the Portuguese parliament, calling for the government to allocate at least 6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product on education. The teachers claimed that with tax revenue increased by €2 billion, it was a missed opportunity not to invest in state schools.

Cheaper coffee

Direct route

Metro hike

New foods

COFFEE prices dropped by around 6 Krona (€0.53) a kilo as prices stabilised following a steep rise in 2021 owing to poor crops in Brazil and higher shipping prices during the pandemic.

With the prospect of an abundant 2024 harvest, prices are now falling the Matpriskollen food price comparison website, said.

PART of German Rail’s future 150-kilometre line between Dresden and the Czech capital, Prague, will include the country’s longest tunnel. This will enable passengers to travel between the two cities in 60 minutes at a speed of 200 kilometres per hour once the line is completed in the mid2040s.

PARIS metro tickets will practically double in price between July and September next year to help meet the cost of expanding the city’s transport network for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Millions of people are expected to flock to the capital when the Games are held from July 26 until August 11.

MICROHARVEST, a German biotechnology company producing sustainable proteins through microbial fermentation has opened a pilot plant in Lisbon where it intends to speed up marketing of its single-cell protein additive. This has many uses, the company said, including environmentally-friendly aquafeed for fish farms.

DENMARK

FINLAND

BELGIUM

ITALY Fast fashion LUCA CIUFFREDA, director of Primark Italy, announced €50 million plans for five new stores, bringing a total of 20 nationwide.

Ciuffreda, who joined the fast fashion chain when it opened in Italy in 2016, revealed that the new shops would be inspired by the latest retail innovations and ‘Italian style and architecture’.

Expo letdown ROME lost out to Saudi Arabia which has been chosen to host the 2030 World Expo that hopes to attract millions of visitors.

Members of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris awarded runner-up Rome 17 of a possible 165 votes, with 119 going instead to Riyadh despite its human rights failings.

Epidemic level

Good dog

Mussel power

DENMARK’S State Serum Institute (SSI), responsible for the prevention of infectious diseases, prevention reported that atypical pneumonia cases had reached epidemic level, particularly amongst the six-to-12 age group.

The Institute’s Hanne-Dorthe Emborg said that a “significantly” higher number of cases were prevalent across the country.

PEPI, a sniffer dog that works with Customs officers in Turku, has been named Customs Dog of the Year. The labrador-retriever was responsible for locating several consignments of amphetamines as well as a stash of ecstasy that was hidden in children’s toys imported from the Netherlands.

BELGIAN scientists and mussel growers are collaborating on an experiment off the La Panne beach to prevent erosion. They have applied for a government grant to install mussel reefs between the shallow coastal waters and the North Sea to halt the powerful currents that strip sand from the beaches.

Getting colder SOME parts of Denmark experienced the coldest November night of the century as temperatures plunged to double digits below zero. Copenhagen’s Roskilde Airport’s weather station registered 15 degrees below freezing, while 7.7 degrees below zero in the city's Frederiksberg district was the lowest since 1919.

Post early FINLAND’S principal postal service, Posti, handled around 1.4 million parcels during Black Friday week, which also coincided with the beginning of the Christmas period. Posti has now opened 37 temporary pickup points and begun Saturday parcels’ deliveries in major cities to guarantee coverage over the holiday season.

Cut the cackle A NEW dating app called Breeze is unlike all others, as it provides no chat function but asks users who match if they are available for a date, which can they confirm for a €9 fee. “Singles no longer want to chat superficially and endlessly online,” co-owner Marco van der Woude said.

FINANCE DOUG PUTMAN, owner of HMV who hoped to rescue Wilko which collapsed into ad­ ministration with debts of £625 million (€723 million), said the failed retailer’s suppli­ ers and landlords were ‘super­ inflexible’. They did not think of the 12,000­plus jobs that would have been saved, Put­ man claimed.

Helping out YOUNG Spanish wage­earners are now earning less in real terms than their parents did at the same age, a BBVA­financed survey revealed. It also found that 37 per cent of the over­ 60s had helped their children over the last year to buy the weekly shop or to pay their electricity or water bills.

Big bills AROUND seven million square feet (650,321 square metres) of Canary Wharf office space does not comply with environ­ mental property standards, as the UK government imple­ ments its green agenda. Dock­ lands landlords will now have to spend £300 (€347) per square foot to convert proper­ ties and remain within the law.

EV delay SEAT’S Martorell (Barcelona) plant will start building electric vehicles in 2026, instead of mid­2024 as originally planned.

The delay is linked to doubts as to whether the batteries for the cars will come from the gi­ gafactory currently under con­ struction in Sagunto (Valencia) or the Salzgitter plant in Ger­ many.

Looking ahead ROLLS­ROYCE chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic plans to in­ crease medium­term annual operating profits to £2.8 billion (€3.2 billion) measured against the £1.4 billion (€1.6 billion) forecast for 2023. The Rolls­ Royce chief also wants to see a free cash flow of £2.8 billion (€3.2 billion) and £3.1 billion (€3.6 billion).

was spent on soft drinks in Spain last year, with sales that STAT OF were 15 per cent more than in 2021 and exceeded preWEEK €4.3 billion Covid figures for the first time.

Ferrovial leaves Heathrow SPANISH multinational Fer­ rovial is selling its 25 per stake in Heathrow airport for £2.4 billion (€2.7 billion).

Ten per cent will go to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund run by the Sau­ di crown prince, Mo­ hammed bin Salman, and 15 per cent to the French private equity firm Ardian.

The sale must first obtain regulatory clearance and it is also dependent on the rights of other shareholders in FGP Topco, Heathrow’s parent company. These in­ clude the Qatar Investment Authority and the Aus­ tralian Retirement Trust.

Ferrovial began trimming down its 56 per cent stake

Photo credit: CC/Orderinchaos

Too late

euroweeklynews.com • 7 - 13 December 2023

HEATHROW AIRPORT: Ferrovial sells its 25 per cent stake.

in Heathrow in 2012 and has held an unchanging 25 per cent since 2013.

Heathrow is currently running at a loss but the shortfall began to contract this year as passenger num­ bers returned to 2019 lev­

IBERDROLA, Europe’s biggest electrici­ ty company and the second­largest globally, intends to invest £12 billion (€13.9 billion) in the UK between 2024 and 2028.

The company’s executive chairman Ignacio Sanchez Galan explained Iber­ drola’s plans to the British PM, Rishi Sunak, and Defence secretary Grant Shapps during the recent UK Global Investment Summit.

Galan stressed that thanks to the UK’s stable and predictable regulatory frameworks Iberdrola was “more committed than ever” to continuing to invest in its networks and renew­ ables.

The company had invested approxi­ mately £30 billion (€34.7 billion) over

Chipping in AMERICAN companies are in­ terested in opening semi­con­ ductor factories in Spain, re­ vealed Mark Gitenstein, the US ambassador to the EU. Gitenstein said during a re­ cent visit to Madrid that there was growing interest thanks to the Spanish government’s €12.25 billion PERTE chip pro­ gramme.

“I know of at least two American companies consider­ ing Spain for this type of ven­ ture,” the ambassador said.

Semi­conductor giant Broad­ com announced plans to build an electronic chip plant here last July, suggesting that an­ other manufacturer is also eyeing Spain for future invest­ ment.

els, following the pandemic restrictions which at one stage grounded practically all air traffic worldwide.

The airport received 59.4 million passengers between January 1 and September 30, a 34.4 per cent increase

Iberdrola’s UK projects Photo credit: hbpl.co.uk

BUSINESS EXTRA

22

UK COMMITMENT: Rishi Sunak, Grant Shapps and Ignacio Galan.

the past 15 years in the UK’s electrici­ ty grid and renewable generation ca­

Float for buoyant Puig CATALAN fragrance, cosmetics and fashion company Puig is planning a stock exchange float for early 2024.

Amongst other brands, Puig owns Charlotte Tilbury, Carolina Herrera, Pa­ co Rabanne, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nina Ricci and Penhaligon’s.

Initial market valuations put a figure of around €10 billion on a future list­ ing but sources quoted in the financial daily Cinco Dias emphasised that the company’s plans are still at an early stage.

JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and STJ Advisors as well as the Linklaters and Cuatrecasas law firms were all named as consultants in the operation.

Puig reported revenues of €3.6 bil­ lion last year and €400 million in prof­ its, which was well ahead of its three­ year plan announced in 2022 that foresaw a turnover of €3 billion by 2023 and €4.5 billion in 2025.

on the same nine months in 2022.

Ferrovial, which has a 50 per cent holding in Ab­ erdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports and owns 49 per cent of Termi­ nal One at New York City’s JFK, remains ‘fully commit­ ted’ to carry on investing in its airport interests, Luke Bugeja, Ferrovial Airports’ chief executive said.

When markets opened on November 29, Ferrovial shares rose 2.5 per cent while Banco Sabadell ana­ lysts were quoted in the me­ dia as saying that the compa­ ny would now invest in projects “with more attrac­ tive returns than Heathrow.”

pacity, he added.

Meanwhile, ScottishPower was the UK’s first utility to generate 100 per cent green electricity.

Around two­thirds of Iberdrola’s 2024­28 investments will focus on transmission and distribution electrici­ ty networks, with projects including the £2.7 billion (€3.1 billion) Eastern Green Link 1 undersea transmission cable, which received the go­ahead in November this year.

Construction is due to begin in early 2024 and, once completed, will trans­ port enough clean, green, renewable energy to supply up to two million homes while increasing the resilience of the UK’s transmission grid, Galan announced.

Metro rescue METRO BANK shareholders have approved a £925 million (€1.07 billion) rescue deal.

A refinancing proposal re­ ceived ‘very strong support’ as more than 90 per cent of Metro shareholders voted for ‘all resolu­ tions’, the bank revealed on November 27.

Metro announced last month that it had negotiated a £925 mil­ lion package consisting of £325 million (€376 million) in new capi­ tal plus £600 million (€694 mil­ lion) of debt.

The bank’s largest shareholder, Spaldy Investments owned by Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilin­ ski Bacal, increased its stake from 9 per cent to 53 per cent by con­ tributing £102 million (€118 mil­ lion) of the new capital.

Slow to grow BANK OF ENGLAND governor An­ drew Bailey voiced concerns re­ garding the UK’s future growth prospects at the end of last month.

Days after the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) reduced its growth predictions for the next two years, Bailey told a Newcastle newspaper that the “supply side” of the economy had slowed.

“If you look at what I call the po­ tential growth rates of the econo­ my, there’s no doubt it’s lower than it has been in much of my working life,” he said.

Asked about interest rates, the Bank of England government an­ swered that they were unlikely to be cut “for the foreseeable future.”

Telefonica redundancies BETWEEN 2,500 and 3,000 of Tele­ fonica’s 17,000 employees are to be made redundant.

The company, which has not yet announced specific numbers, dis­ cussed the redundancies with union leaders on November 27, the Union General de Traba­ jadores (UGT) confirmed after a meeting to negotiate the collective bargaining agreement.

This was an unexpected move on Telefonica’s part, following last October’s rumours of early retire­ ment and ‘incentivised departures’ for 5,000 staff members.

Negotiating tables to discuss the collective bargaining agreement and the redundancies would be set up in early December, with an official statement regarding the number of workers affected.

Telegraph worries A GROUP of MPs asked minis­ ters to investigate a deal that would give control of the Tele­ graph to a United Arab Emi­ rates­backed consortium.

The call from MPs, who in­ cluded the former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith, asked ministers to use national security legislation to investi­ gate the Barclay family’s pro­ posed deal with RedBird IMI. The Abu Dhabi­backed joint venture is preparing to deliver a letter to the UK’s Culture sec­ retary, giving her 48 hours’ no­ tice that the Barclays’ £1.16 bil­ lion (€1.34 billion) debt with Lloyds Bank is ready for repay­ ment.

FINANCE

24 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

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LONDON - FTSE 100

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CLOSING PRICES 4 DECEMBER

PRICE(P)

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

InterContinental

6.336,0

+32,0

+0,51%

6,08K

Intermediate Capital

1.591,92

+6,00

+0,38%

6,28K

18,31K

Intertek

4.049,0

+15,0

+0,37%

7,77K

-2,36%

296,76K

ITV

60,94

+1,02

+1,71%

1,05M

-15,00

-1,00%

53,20K

J Sainsbury

284,60

+0,10

+0,04%

57,90K

4.903,0

+1,0

+0,02%

21,93K

Johnson Matthey

1.560,5

-11,5

-0,73%

12,16K

Associated British Foods

2.396,0

+9,0

+0,38%

53,30K

Land Securities

638,60

+5,00

+0,79%

125,49K

AstraZeneca

10.198,0

0,0

0,00%

32,28K

Legal & General

228,00

+0,50

+0,22%

431,06K

13,69K

Lloyds Banking

44,95

+0,46

+1,03%

11,31M

204,54K

London Stock Exchange

8.984,1

-10,0

-0,11%

8,39K

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

3I Group

2.257,00

+9,00

+0,40%

56,80K

Abrdn

166,70

+2,55

+1,55%

104,24K

Admiral Group

2.695,7

-9,0

-0,33%

Anglo American

2.256,5

-54,5

Antofagasta

1.480,50

Ashtead Group

Auto Trader Group Plc Aviva

724,40 418,20

+3,00

+0,42%

NET VOL

COMPANY

1.16541

0.85804

Units per €

US dollar (USD) ........................................1.0817 Japan yen (JPY)........................................159.71 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................0.9493 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4557 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................11.651

-1,60

-0,38%

B&M European Value Retail SA593,60

+4,60

+0,78%

81,56K

Melrose Industries

540,40

+6,60

+1,24%

126,73K

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BAE Systems

1.050,91

-8,50

-0,80%

252,27K

Mondi

1.438,50

-4,50

-0,31%

73,90K

THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

Barclays

142,82

+0,46

+0,32%

1,70M

National Grid

1.034,00

+1,00

+0,10%

134,71K

Barratt Developments

522,40

+2,60

+0,50%

138,26K

NatWest Group

213,60

+2,40

+1,14%

792,32K

8.082,0

+40,0

+0,50%

11,57K

+19,80

+3,33%

141,23K

Berkeley

4.739,0

+27,0

+0,57%

3,36K

Next

BHP Group Ltd

2.443,00

-31,50

-1,27%

42,83K

Ocado

614,48

BP

468,35

-10,05

-2,10%

2,28M

Persimmon

1.287,0

+4,5

+0,35%

24,65K

98,47K

Phoenix

471,62

+1,70

+0,36%

69,61K

Prudential

868,00

-0,80

-0,09%

147,77K

British American Tobacco 2.520,0

+12,0

+0,48%

British Land Company

363,20

+2,30

+0,64%

52,82K

BT Group

124,20

+0,55

+0,45%

744,56K

Bunzl

2.984,9

-11,0

-0,37%

2,89K

Burberry Group

1.511,0

+12,5

+0,83%

87,25K

Carnival

1.110,9

+30,0

+2,77%

22,34K

Centrica

151,75

-0,80

-0,52%

410,42K

Coca Cola HBC AG

2.220,0

+1,0

+0,04%

48,84K

Reckitt Benckiser

5.424,0

+8,0

+0,15%

34,80K

Relx

3.040,00

-10,00

-0,33%

135,18K

Rentokil

431,00

+2,90

+0,68%

170,62K

Rightmove

560,20

+8,00

+1,45%

59,28K

Rio Tinto PLC

5.454,0

-145,0

-2,59%

165,92K

Rolls-Royce Holdings

286,75

+10,00

+3,61%

4,23M

Sage

1.153,00

+4,00

+0,35%

76,84K

Samsung Electronics DRC 1.385,00

+7,00

+0,51%

0,69K

Schroders

407,3

+0,9

+0,22%

154,93K

Scottish Mortgage

721,90

+2,40

+0,33%

115,69K

Segro

827,80

+4,40

+0,53%

88,14K

Severn Trent

2.607,5

-9,0

-0,34%

67,25K

Shell

2.524,5

-43,5

-1,69%

568,43K

Smith & Nephew

1.038,73

+2,50

+0,24%

86,02K

Smiths Group

1.652,50

-7,00

-0,42%

23,88K

Spirax-Sarco Engineering 9.298,0

+20,0

+0,22%

3,01K

SSE

1.852,00

+7,00

+0,38%

74,73K

St. James’s Place

665,80

+7,60

+1,16%

63,43K

Standard Chartered

653,40

+0,80

+0,12%

161,60K

Taylor Wimpey

132,05

+0,90

+0,69%

465,78K

Tesco

281,01

+1,40

+0,50%

509,02K

Tui

501,50

+12,00

+2,46%

63,04K

Unilever

3.791,5

+11,0

+0,29%

114,15K 472,37K

Compass

2.035,00

+9,00

+0,44%

84,92K

CRH

5.058,0

+18,0

+0,36%

30,58K

Croda Intl

4.501,7

+23,0

+0,51%

5,19K

DCC

5.500,0

+14,0

+0,26%

3,20K

Diageo

2.816,0

0,0

0,00%

112,99K

DS Smith

302,84

+6,50

+2,19%

593,14K

EasyJet

478,00

+5,80

+1,23%

477,22K

Experian

2.928,0

+4,0

+0,14%

30,23K

Ferguson

13.320,0

-235,0

-1,73%

10,02K

Flutter Entertainment

12.240,0

-355,0

-2,82%

71,72K

Fresnillo

588,47

-3,80

-0,64%

46,20K

Glencore

447,05

-10,65

-2,33%

1,73M

GSK plc

1.454,20

+18,20

+1,27%

167,13K

Halma

2.144,0

+11,0

+0,52%

71,57K

Hargreaves Lansdown

716,00

+3,80

+0,53%

30,23K

Hikma Pharma

1.749,50

-8,50

-0,48%

13,03K

HSBC

603,40

-0,70

-0,12%

880,74K

United Utilities

1.081,00

-11,00

-1,01%

IAG

158,88

+2,38

+1,52%

926,60K

Vodafone Group PLC

71,56

-0,11

-0,15%

2,72M

Imperial Brands

1.876,50

+18,00

+0,97%

75,28K

Whitbread

3.194,0

+12,0

+0,38%

14,47K

Informa

763,00

+6,00

+0,79%

66,63K

WPP

720,80

+10,00

+1,41%

101,54K

DOW JONES CLOSING PRICES 4 DECEMBER

COMPANY

PRICE

CHANGE

CHANGE% VOLUME(M)

3M American Express Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Dow Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce Inc The Travelers UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walgreens Boots Walmart Walt Disney

99,85 173,75 272,45 191,24 233,85 256,76 144,81 48,47 58,63 52,30 348,59 319,68 197,78 160,57 43,74 158,38 156,93 285,92 103,44 374,51 113,48 152,67 259,99 182,01 547,01 38,57 257,05 20,79 154,35 92,55

+0,78 +2,98 +2,81 +1,29 +2,22 +6,04 +1,21 +0,09 +0,19 +0,55 +7,05 +6,19 +1,86 +2,01 -0,96 +3,72 +0,85 +4,08 +0,96 -4,40 +3,58 -0,85 +8,09 +1,39 -4,08 +0,24 +0,37 +0,85 -1,34 -0,14

+0,79% 2,70M +1,75% 2,91M +1,04% 2,02M +0,68% 40,06M +0,96% 6,44M +2,41% 3,03M +0,84% 11,09M +0,19% 18,00M +0,33% 13,74M +1,06% 3,32M +2,06% 1,88M +1,97% 3,23M +0,95% 2,81M +1,27% 4,78M -2,15% 39,51M +2,41% 8,59M +0,54% 8,49M +1,45% 2,90M +0,94% 6,52M -1,16% 29,21M +3,26% 7,69M -0,55% 5,29M +3,21% 14,23M +0,77% 1,16M -0,74% 3,31M +0,63% 17,89M +0,14% 3,78M +4,26% 12,12M -0,86% 11,20M -0,15% 9,96M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ CLOSING PRICES 4 DECEMBER

COMPANY Most Advanced Elastic N.V. UiPath Inc. Samsara Inc. Upstart Holdings, Inc. Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Vornado Realty Trust Carvana Co. HashiCorp, Inc. Lyft, Inc. Enovix Corporation

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

+37.13% +26.72% +25.60% +20.96% +14.45% +14.31% +13.68% +12.39% +12.14% +12.02% +11.92%

12.197M 53.009M 16.514M 17.616M 57.061M 5.431M 5.428M 12.032M 4.504M 32.276M 5.271M

-34.54% -7.27% -7.22% -6.56% -6.22% -5.26% -5.24% -5.19% -5.12% -4.66% -4.34%

159,078 8.582M 5.529M 836,350 42,995 25.376M 12.614M 14.19M 103.187M 1.485M 95,570

Most Declined Incannex Healthcare Inc. Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. VinFast Auto Ltd. Central Puerto S.A. Pacific Gas and Electric Company Marvell Technology, Inc. XPeng Inc. Dell Technologies Inc. Pfizer Inc. LifeStance Health Group, Inc. BOC Aviation Limited

‘

FINANCE

euroweeklynews.com

ASK THE EXPERT Peter Loveday

Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com

• Euro EUR/GBP: Down from £0.87 to £0.86 EUR/USD: Up from $1.05 to $1.09 The euro closed October on the back foot as the European Central Bank (ECB) ended 15 months of consecutive interest rate hikes by leaving its monetary policy unchanged at its latest policy meeting.

Weak Eurozone data and a cooling of inflation placed further pressure on the euro, before the single currency bounced back as we entered November, underpinned by its strong negative correlation with the US dollar.

Further support came from the release of stronger-than-expected German factory orders, while risk-off flows also buoyed EUR exchange rates. The euro then faced resistance in the middle of the month. While Germany reported a stronger-thanexpected rebound in economic sentiment, demand for the safe-haven currency was stymied by a sharp upswing in market risk appetite.

7 - 13 December 2023

US DOLLAR NOSEDIVES ON DISAPPOINTING DATA, POUND BOLSTERED BY HAWKISH BOE EUR exchange rates then struggled to find support in the second half of November, partly due to a warning from the ECB regarding the risks posed by weak growth and high interest rates to the Eurozone’s financial stability. Looking ahead, the immediate focus for EUR investors is likely to be the latest Eurozone consumer price index. Another cooling of inflation could push the ECB to begin discussing interest rate cuts when it holds it final policy meeting.

• Pound GBP/EUR: Unchanged at €1.14 GBP/USD: Up from $1.21 to $1.25 The pound traded in a wide range over the last month in response to mixed data and uncertainty over Bank of England (BoE) monetary policy.

After stumbling at the end of October amid UK recession fears, Sterling was rocked by the BoE’s latest interest rate decision. While the BoE left rates on hold, a surprisingly hawkish split within the Monetary Policy Committee, infused volatility into GBP exchange rates.

CURRENCY OUTLOOK: The pound could end the year on a high.

Dovish comments from BoE Chief Economist Huw Pill, then pulled the pound lower again as he hinted at possible rate cuts by the bank by the end of 2024.

Movement in Sterling then grew even more volatile in light of some mixed UK data releases. While GBP exchange rates were supported by surprisingly positive GDP and employment data. Cooler-than-expected inflation and an unexpected contraction in retail sales countered these releases.

The pound then rocked towards

the end of November. After initially finding support from some hawkish BoE commentary, Sterling sentiment faltered amid an underwhelming response to UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement.

The BoE is scheduled to hold one more policy meeting before the end of 2023.

If the bank continues to strike a broadly hawkish tone this could see the pound end the year on a high.

• US Dollar USD/GBP: Down from $0.82 to

EWN 25

$0.79 USD/EUR: Down from €0.94 to €0.91 The US dollar has fallen off a cliff over the past four weeks, with the currency sliding to new multi-month lows against the pound and the euro.

The collapse of USD comes as some high-impact US data missed the mark, which triggered a sharp pullback in Federal Reserve rate hike bets.

This was initially linked to the latest US non-farm payrolls data, after October’s figures printed well below expectations and shone a spotlight on the slowing US labour market. An even sharper USD selloff was then witnessed following the publication of the latest US CPI figures.

With both headline and core inflation cooling more than expected last month. This not only cemented expectations the Fed has reached the end of its hiking cycle, but also began to stoke rate cut speculation.

Looking ahead, the Fed is set to hold this year’s final policy meeting in December. No policy changes are expected next month, but the US central bank is likely to give a rough outline of its policy plans for 2024.

Could hints of a rate cut see the US dollar test new lows?

Visit us at our Spanish offices in Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria, North Costa Blanca and South Costa Blanca.

Telephone UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 Spain +34 950 478 914 • Email euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com • www.currenciesdirect.com.

euroweeklynews.com

NEWS

THE Euro Weekly News has teamed up with Age in Spain to uncover some of the great things happening around the country.

We want to find those un­ sung heroes who deserve to be thanked for what they’re doing. Dinner for two, a cer­ tificate for framing, and con­ gratulations from the UK Am­ bassador to Spain await the winner.

Has someone done you a good turn? Nominating them for the Good Neighbour Award is a great way to say thank you.

The outright winner last year was Lucia Miguel Bores from Carrion de los Condes, in Spain’s meseta. The lan­ guage school she founded has become a portal for new­ comers to Spain, not only to learn language skills ­ but through which people get help to deal with the chal­ lenges of life in a new coun­ try. Grateful students nomi­ nated Lucia for the award.

Credit: Holger Kraft/Pixabay

Good neighbour 2023 Shane McGowan passes

Does someone help you with the shopping?

There was a special com­ mendation for Kay Rowbot­ tom in Mojacar who, during lockdown, set up an online support group for women who felt isolated or vulnera­ ble.

Also, Kay Frances Sturdy­ girlsRus, beginning as a local group for Spanish women and incomers, it now has more than 1,500 members throughout the world.

With her late husband, Peter, Pat Love from the Loja area of Granada won special commendation for starting a

group for English­speaking migrants to Spain. Pat co­or­ dinated with UK Consular services in Granada and Malaga to help newcomers find their feet in their adopt­ ed country.

It takes two minutes to nominate someone (that person must live in Spain) and everyone nominated will receive congratulations from Age in Spain.

Go to www.ageinspain. org/goodneighbouraward to say thank you to that special person who’s helped you.

THE legendary Pogues front­ man has died, with tributes from politicians, fellow celebri­ ties and fans pouring in.

On Thursday, November 30, the world lost Shane Mc­ Gowan, one of Ireland’s most iconic singers, following a long­ fought battle against viral en­ cephalitis.

Shane, aged 65, was re­ leased from hospital only last week, but his wife Victoria Mary Clarke posted a message on Instagram to confirm on Thursday afternoon he had sadly passed away and paid her own heartfelt respects: “I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar posted: “Sorry to hear that Shane McGowan has passed.

He was an amazing musician and artist. His songs beautiful­ ly captured the Irish experi­ ence, especially the experi­ ence of being Irish abroad:

CC - Marcus Lynam

26 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

SHANE MCGOWAN: One of Ireland’s most iconic singers.

Shane MacGowan, Fairytale of New York singer, dies aged 65.”

Ireland’s President Higgins issued a statement in tribute: “Shane will be remembered as one of music’s greatest lyri­ cists. So many of his songs would be perfectly crafted po­ ems, if that would not have deprived us of the opportunity to hear him sing them.

“It was a great honour for me, as President of Ireland, to present Shane with a lifetime achievement award in the Na­

tional Concert Hall in January 2018 as we marked his 60th birthday.

“A richly deserved honour,” he concluded before offering his deepest condolences to Shane’s family.

Shane’s sister, Siobhan sim­ ply quoted the lyrics from one of Pogues many memorable songs: ‘So I walked as day was dawning, as small birds sang and leaves were falling, where we once watched the row boats landing on the Broad Majestic Shannon’.

euroweeklynews.com

Manilva Sabor THERE’S a double event at the Plaza de la Vendimia, in Manilva, firstly running from Thursday December 7 until Sunday December 10 is the Saborea Manilva Fair.

There are different events every night with switching on of the Christmas lights in Manilva on Thursday at 8.30pm and live music fol­ lowed by a DJ until 2am.

The second event is part of the Fair and the 15th Manilva Wine Competition takes place the following day start­ ing at 11.30am when the jury will deliberate on the various wines entered.

There’s plenty for adults and children that day, with oil and cheese tasting, children’s baking workshops, theatre and music again until late in the evening as well as an­ nouncement of the winning wines.

Saturday starts at 11.30am again with the chance to en­

Sample local produce.

joy some of the local produce and sample a paella there’s more workshops for the kids, a baking competition and an­ other night of music.

Sunday starts earlier as at 9.30am there’s the chance to join a wine trail in collabora­ tion with the KRUOS Hiking Club and at 11.30 there’s churros with chocolate, fol­ lowed by a charity ham slicing competition.

Then it’s music all the way until the fair closes at around 7pm.

COSTA DEL SOL DECEMBER 14 is fast ap­ proaching at which time the Triple A Christmas lunch will be held at La Sala Banus, one of the Costa del Sol’s most popular venues.

Triple A is an important animal charity in Marbella and looks after literally hun­ dreds of abandoned cats and dogs as well as trying to find them new homes not just in Spain but across Eu­ rope.

Although they receive some financial support from the Marbella Council, it is al­ ways a struggle to raise suffi­ cient funds to ensure that all of their animals are kept warm, fed well and are looked after by vets when­ ever they fall ill.

Events of this kind not on­ ly see supporters get togeth­ er and discuss ways of assist­ ing the charity but also

7 - 13 December 2023

Triple A Lunch

Four Triple A supporters at an earlier fundraiser in La Sala.

allows them to raise funds either from donations or from a raffle as they need around €50,000 each month to look after the animals in their care.

Cost of the three­course lunch which includes free flowing beer, cava, water and wine from 2pm to 4pm and entertainment from Gilly Sax is €39 per person and reservations must be made and paid for before

the event.

Commenting earlier this year about the generosity of supporters vice­president of the Triple A board Lily Van Tongeren said “The care for the many animals is an on­ going task and a responsibili­ ty that we cannot fulfil with­ out your support.”

Call +34 952 814 145 or email reservations@lasala banus.com to secure your place.

Charity brunch Christmas magic

ON Boxing Day, Tuesday De­ cember 26, in collaboration with The Fuerte Foundation, celebrate a charity brunch at El Fuerte Marbella. Make the day after Christmas a celebration to remember with your family and friends. The magic lingers and that’s why El Fuerte is ex­ tending the celebration with an enticing brunch at their iconic and newly renovated Marbella hotel. They’ve combined the charms of breakfast, cosy and modern luxury, and the tradi­ tion of a Christmas lunch to im­ merse you in an authentic culi­ nary experience: a selection of dishes with local flair and a touch of style in buffet format.

From midday until 2.30pm, price per adult is €90 and per child €45, (drinks not included), 10 per cent of the proceeds will go to the Fuerte Foundation.

Solidarity market SUNDAY, December 17 from 10am to 7pm there is a Christmas solidarity market in the ‘La Virginia’ Gardens of the Nueva Andalucia Town Hall. With a bar where you can enjoy the best paella and pinchos (tapas), fritters and candy floss stalls and a charity raf­ fle to support those who need it most.There will also be children’s entertainment, face­painting, bouncy cas­ tles and live music, flamenco zambomba, performances by choirs and dance groups.

More than 40 stalls full of Christmas gifts, fashion, handmade creations, sweets and home­made products will provide perfect Christmas presents, in an in­ comparable place to spend a magical day with family or friends.

Quiz night

THE magic of Christmas comes to life in Gibraltar with the en­ chanting world of Willy Wonka in the form of magician Adam Daniel Bosze.

Suitable for children and those in their second childhood, this season professional magician has performed across Spain, Hun­ gary and other parts of Europe for the last 12 years.

With a Willy Wonka theme aimed at Christmas as well he in­ vites the audience to escape reality and let the wonders of the holiday season unfold before their eyes.

There are two performances lasting 45 minutes starting at 7.30pm on December 13 and 15 at the Lecture Room of John Mackintosh Hall in the centre of Gibraltar.

Tickets cost £25 per person and can be reserved at https://www.buytickets.gi/events.

ON Saturday December 9, Darrell Coe, the proprietor of Restaurant La Gamba in Tor­ renueva is holding a Charity Quiz Night on behalf of PAD Dog Shelter. Entry is free.

Tickets are €20, which is de­ ducted from your final bill.

He is also donating vouchers of €100, €50 and €25 as prizes. There is a normal full menu and raffle. All takings on the night, with the excep­ tion of staff wages, will be donated to PAD. On behalf of PAD, we thank him for this very generous gesture.

IF you are not a great lover of ballet but do like classi­ cal music there is a special concert being held in Torre­ molinos which should be ideal.

On Saturday December 9, in the Parque de la Ba­ teria in Torremolinos mu­

sical Studies CEEM. This will be followed by a performance of the music from The Nutcracker pre­ sented by the Chamber Or­ chestra of the CEEM.

Music in the Park sic teacher Ara Vartanian will be conducting two pieces of music, the first a selection played by the youth section of the Ex­ perimental Centre for Mu­

euroweeklynews.com •

28 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

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euroweeklynews.com •

30 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

952 934 963

Zoco Home Christmas Market ZOCO HOME will organise an important Christmas market on Saturday, Decem­ ber 16, from 10am to 4pm at the Centro

Jingle Joy Photo: Facebook / Sophie Madsen

ON Friday December 22 at 3pm onwards there is fun charity event for ev­ eryone to dance to African drums and in­ struments. SPB the Movement together with Help Africa Chil­ drens’ Choir presents Jin­ gle Joy Harmony of Hope, a charity event spreading kindness through music and dance.

Bring your children to experiment this one of a kind experience with the children from the Help Africa foundation from Kampala, Uganda, teaching their culture through music, interac­ tive dances, teaching children how to make lo­ cal crafts and introducing them to African music instruments.

Idea facilities. The event carries a charita­ ble undertone with contributions to the Cudeca Foundation as part of the interior

Join in traditional Ugandan dances.

There will be lots of activities like face paint­ ing, magic shows, food and drinks, live DJ. Per­ formances from the Help Africa Choir.

Tickets are €15 per child and all proceeds go

to the Help Africa Chil­ drens Foundation.

Book your tickets by phoning Sophie Madsen on 602 407 288, the venue is Avd. Pilar, Urb. Rincon El Pilar 67, Es­ tepona.

design and furniture company’s corpo­ rate social responsibility. The Christmas market will feature a performance by the artist Bárbara Pereda, and will also in­ clude the sale of natural Christmas trees, decorations, activities for children, face painting, and a festive area for pets.

One of the main attractions of the mar­ ket will be Santa’s visit, who will come by to collect letters from the little ones and take photos with them.

There will also be face painting and drawing tables.

Regarding the culinary offerings at the market, burgers, tacos, Christmas pas­ tries, and hot wine will be available to en­ joy a brunch in the purest European style, provided by Banana Kitchen restaurant and café.

Collaborating companies and local pro­ ducers, will also showcase a variety of boutique wines from the Sierra de Mijas, jewellery, books, sculptures, ceramics, natural honey, photoart and plenty more.

As part of the commemorative events for its 10th anniversary, Zoco Home is or­ ganising this market to fill Centro Idea with Christmas spirit, and is expecting the presence of hundreds of families and chil­ dren. This is a collaborative effort with the Cudeca Foundation, which will also be part of the event.

Santa Claus musical ALTHOUGH everyone thinks they know every­ thing about Santa Claus, there is always some­ thing new to learn as can be seen in Papa Noel the Christmas Musical.

The cheerful bearded old man in the red suit will be making an ap­ pearance at the Juan Luis Galiardo Theatre in San Roque on Thursday December 21 at 5pm.

Produced by the On­ Beat stage company whose repertoire al­ ready includes Aladdin, Lion King and Origin of Frozen, this show promises a magical jour­ ney to the North Pole and a peep into San­ ta’s home.

Whilst as ever a cheerful fun­filled fel­ low, he is also very aware of the way that family life is some­ times affected nega­ tively by the current fast pace of life and this Santa is all about reminding children of the most important values.

There’s song, dance and even some games and it’s guaranteed that this will be a real event for the children to enjoy.

Tickets cost €5 and €9 can be ordered on­ line via http://ticken tradas.com.

euroweeklynews.com •

EVERY Sunday the Marina in Sotogrande hosts a very popular and trendy mar­ ket with a whole range of different crafts and other gifts as well as some great places to eat.

There are however free events on December 10 and 17 however as it’s time for the kids to have some special attention as Santa’s elves will be pre­ sent at a magical booth sit­ uated at La Ribera del Marlin.

On December 10 they can take part in a painting workshop decorating fig­ ures that can go on the Christmas tree as well as practise making cards for all of the family.

There’s also a festival of Christmas tattoos be­ tween 1pm and 2pm but don’t worry they won’t be indelible! On December 17 there will be plenty of cre­ ative advice on how to use coloured sand crystals, and

Credit: Soto Andalucía Facebook

Sotogrande Sundays

Santa leaves his reindeer behind for one day.

creation of cards, wooden figures and stickers.

From 1pm to 2pm there will be a seasonal magic show followed by a con­ test with prizes for the best items created in the workshop as well as best

Christmas costume being worn. The high spot of the day however will be the arrival of Santa Claus and all of the children will be able to hand over their Christmas letters in per­ son.

MANY Catholic countries or­ ganise nativity scenes in churches, but in Spain these scenes known as Belens go a step further.

Whilst some towns even have living nativities with more than 50 people dressed in clothes from the time of Christ and others wearing Roman Armour, it is more usual for models of varying sizes to be put on show.

They can be in council of­ fices, shops, railways stations and airports or in some parts of the Costa del Sol in the middle of open spaces such as small parks.

In the case of Benalmade­ na, there is an intriguing Mexican nativity scene at the Felipe Orlando Museum of Pre­Columbian Art situated

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Mexico in Benalmadena Credit: Museum of Pre-Columbian Art

32 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

NATIVITY SCENE: The Mexican Belen is intriguing.

in Avda. Juan Luis Peralta, 49, Plaza de las Tres Culturas which even includes a tradi­ tional pinata in the back­ ground.

Admission is free and it will remain open until Jan­ uary 7, but visitors can also enjoy viewing the many oth­ er artifacts on display and

IN the Christmas spirit of merriment and joy, Sean’s Bar in Puerto de Duquesa, Manilva, is hosting its very first Festive Bottomless Brunch.

It will be held on Sunday, December 17 at 11am, overlooking the lovely port!

Titled, Now That’s What I Call Christmas, the midday celebration promises its guests all you can eat, fantastic food as well as many drinks that will also be included: prosecco, beer, wine and special winter cocktails!

In addition to a super spread, the renowned DJ Paul Egan will be playing live and lighting up

learn a great deal about this unusual period in the history of Central and South Ameri­ ca.

The museum is open Wednesday to Saturday 9.30am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 7pm whilst on Sundays and holidays opening hours are 10am to 2pm.

Bottomless Brunch the fun, festive spirit by remixing some classic Christmas hits, as well as enticing the crowd in­ to some party games and dance offs.

This will be the first year that Sean’s Bar has hosted this exciting event, and interest is al­ ready high, so it is important to book your tick­ ets early. Entry is €25 per person and can be bought in person inside the bar.

Brunch and a boogie, what a way to keep warm this winter!

34 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com • THERE is little likelihood of the Pink Floyd ever getting back together again especially fol­ lowing the reworking of Dark side of the Moon by Roger Waters and his comment about the original.

From the Wall are an eight­ piece tribute to the Floyd who come from Alhaurin and oth­ er parts of Malaga Province.

Their show, which lasts more than two hours has gained very many favourable reviews but it will be interest­ ing to see how they cope with playing in the fairly small venue which is Louis Louie in Estepona on Friday December 15 kicking off at 11pm.

You can expect to hear ac­ curate renditions of some of

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From the Wall Credit: From the Wall

PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE: The band on stage.

the band’s most popular numbers such as Money, An­ other Brick, Hey You, Breathe, Eclipse, Comfortably Numb and Wish You Were Here which will be performed with special lighting and video back

projection.

Tickets cost €12 plus book­ ing fee at https://www.eventbrite.es/ or €15 at the door providing the venue isn’t already packed solid.

Father Christmas visits WHAT is more magical at Christmas time than meeting the big man himself?

Father Christmas and his elves will visit the town of Casares next week, bringing along with them snow, presents, candy and of course a lot of Christmas magic!

The enchanting ‘Town of Santa Claus’ will be installed on the Paseo de la Carrera de Casares and at the Casares Costa fairgrounds from De­ cember 8 to 10.

In Secadero it will take place from December 15 to 17 in the Plaza de Andalucia.

All towns will have a skating rink, a little train and many other children’s attractions to enjoy, as well as workshops and a Christmas market.

Not forgetting of course, a meeting with the one and only man in red, Father Christmas!

There may even be some snowflakes found to be falling from the sky, so wrap up in your winter hats!

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7 - 13 December 2023

EWN 35

Advertising Feature HARD ROCK HOTEL Marbella presents its exclusive Rock Spa, a sanctuary of serenity and revi­ talisation designed to pamper, soothe and recharge the soul.

With world­class facilities and carefully designed treatments, the space becomes an ideal ad­ dition for those seeking a com­ plete wellness experience.

Since its foundation, Hard Rock Hotels has excelled in pro­ viding guests with unique and unforgettable experiences, fus­ ing a passion for music with lux­ ury and hospitality.

The Rock Spa Marbella offers an idyllic environment for relax­ ation, with two rooms for mas­ sages, body treatments and fa­ cials, as well as a spacious couple’s suite with two massage tables. In addition, visitors have exclusive access to the water cir­ cuit area, offering the possibility to experience wellness through goosenecks and counter­current swimming, and a sauna room.

The spa opened its doors in March 2023 with a total of four

Rhythm & Motion

SYNCHRONICITY: Massage with selected soundtrack.

ROCK SPA: Pamper, soothe and recharge the soul.

employees.

Within its range of treat­ ments, the hotel introduces an outstanding innovation in the field of wellness with the pro­ posal of ‘Rhythm & Motion’.

This revolutionary concept, ex­ clusive to Rock Spa, provides an immersive experience through

vibrations ampli­ fied by a musical bell, applying pressures and sequences as fun­ damental elements.

At Hard Rock Hotel Marbella, four types of massages are cur­ rently offered that incorporate this technique, fusing music and exclusive technology from Rock

Spa. One of them is Synchronici­ ty, a massage that combines a carefully selected soundtrack with massage techniques. The precise integration of each note and rhythm, in sync with the massage, creates a multi­senso­ ry relaxation experience that re­

defines traditional standards of well­being. On the other hand, Face the Music is a designed fa­ cial rejuvenation treatment that fuses the therapeutic benefits of sound vi­ bration with clinically proven organic prod­ ucts, providing an ex­ perience totally differ­ ent to conventional facial care methods.

Smooth Operator and Wrap Remix are the two available body mas­ sage options using the Rhythm & Motion tech­ nique.

The experience at the Rock Spa in Marbella is available to external clients from €30, which in­ cludes a water area.

Detailed pricing information and the full treatment chart are available at the following link for your reference. https://www.hardrockhotels.co m/marbella/es/rock­ spa.aspx?overrideLanguage=1

For more information: Rockspa@hrhmarbella.com or 952 812 000

euroweeklynews.com •

36 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

Photo: Facebook / The Dubliner

THE next SoCCS charity quiz night, and the last one before Christ­ mas, takes place on Friday, December 15, at 7.30pm, at The Dubliner in Torreguadiaro. There will be a raffle, Christmas hamper tickets, and festive music. Entry is €5 per person in teams of up to six.

If you can’t make it to the quiz night, please consider helping by making a donation through the Facebook page or through the website. All proceeds go directly towards supporting SoCCS’ TNR (trap, neuter and release) and feeding programmes for street cats in and around Sotogrande.

SoCCS is an animal charity dedicated to working with communi­ ties and businesses to help manage the numerous stray cat colonies in and around the Sotogrande area. It is a registered non­ profit charity run by a small group of unpaid volunteers who work tirelessly to improve the lives of feral cats. SoCCS receives no sup­ port from any local authorities and relies completely on the funds raised through memberships, donations and events like this.

Book a tables, either in person at The Dubliner or by PM to Julie Taylor @julie.taylor.77377.

QUIZ NIGHT: Is being held in aid of SoCCS animal charity.

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The Rat Pack THIS incredible Rat Pack Tribute show is closest to the real thing you are ever likely to experi­ ence. With a vocal and visual delivery that has to be seen and heard to be believed.

They’re performing at La Sala Puerto Banus on Tuesday December 19 but really, it’s Las Vegas 1964, the dice are rolling, the bartenders are pouring and the atmosphere is electric because the boys are in town and there’s going to be a party! This dynamite show encompasses the personalities and unbeatable music of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr at the very height of their profession in the swingin’ 60s.

From the bar­room gags to the non­stop ban­ ter, the iconic humour is as impressive as the im­ peccable delivery of the musical repertoire. Each performer perfectly captures all of the personali­ ty and charisma of the original character, show­ ing enthusiasm and professionalism at all times in this two­hour extravaganza.

CELEBRATE Christmas 2023 at Donkey Dreamland with Christmas fun in aid of the donkeys on Saturday, De­ cember 16 from 10am until 4pm.

Come and have a chilled out Saturday afternoon in the company of the don­ keys with live music, food and drinks, games and

Christmas Concert Photo: La Sala

Helping the cats

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TRIBUTE SHOW: Closest to the real thing.

This Rat Pack Tribute show has been wowing crowds for the past three years on the Costa del Sol and at weddings, corporate and public events throughout Europe. For the most authen­ tic reproduction of the greatest Las Vegas leg­ ends, look no further. This show is not to be missed, tickets are €12.

Xmas fun for donkeys stalls.

There will be lots of activi­ ties for kids, including pin the tail on the donkey, mask painting and write a letter to Santa.

Plus stalls offering organic

jams and pickles, crafts, mulled wine, burritos and a selection of tapas, wine tast­ ing, a Polaroid corner (have a bad ass picture taken), crafts, and a fundraising raffle and charity auction.

Tickets are €10 for adults and €5 for children, book here: https://bookwhen. com/donkeydreamland.

ON December 20 in the Unicaja concert hall Maria Cristina there will be a Christmas Concert of the Choir of the Official College of Architects of Malaga directed by Anabel Sanchez Ramos.

The purpose of the concert is to raise awareness and funds to finance the Pallia­ tive Care that the Cud­ eca Foundation offers in the province of Malaga. Collaborating in this concert are the College of Architects of Malaga, the Choir of the Official College of Architects, the Unicaja Foundation and Entra­ dium Ticket price is a €15 donation and the con­ cert will start at 7.30pm with doors open at 7pm.

Tickets can be bought from the website: entra dium.com/events.

Celebrate

NEW YEAR’S EVE

More info.

Tel 619 613 321 info@sohomarketmarbella.com

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Photo: Wikimedia CC

Christmas recital

Let’s play the piano.

A VERY special con­ cert takes place on Friday December 15 at 8pm at Les Roches Marbella University School.

Admission is free and the school will offer the audience a complimentary cock­ tail at the end of the recital.

The Piano Orches­ tra of the ‘Tocamos el Piano?’ (Let’s Play the Piano?) project was born thanks to the support of the Mediterranean Music Outreach Centre (Musica con Encan­ to). On this occasion, the orchestra will perform a recital to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve. ‘Tocamos el Piano?’ is an educational pro­ ject for adults to learn music, and is now in its third year.

Every Tuesday of the year the orchestra meets for rehearsals and every Christmas gets together with an academy in the city including, this year, Les Roches Marbella University School.

This project repre­ sents for many a dream come true; music is the element that unites them all.

The group is cur­ rently made up of 24 members, all of them adult piano students, under the direction of María Testa.

• euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

11th Kilo Race

SAN PEDRO, is organising the 11th Popular Kilo Race on Sat­ urday, December 16 from 5pm. The aim of the event is to collect food to be donated for distribution to those in need.

To do this, all participants must donate one kilo or more of non­perishable food, clean­ ing products, toiletries, nappies, etc. in place of a registration fee. The first 300 people to pre­ sent their donations will re­ ceive a commemorative t­shirt.

Given the recreational, par­ ticipative and family nature of the event, runners are invited to dress up in fancy dress. The start and finish line will be lo­ cated on the Boulevard, next to

Photo: Rawpixel CC

DONATION: One kilo of non-perishable food is welcome.

the auditorium. The approxi­ mate distance is 1,700m (one lap) and you can check out the route here: es.wikiloc.com/ wikiloc/user.do?id=1663372 Anyone can take part, re­ gardless of sex or age. It can be

FRESCO GASTROBAR in Sotogrande is holding a ‘Carols by Candlelight’ concert on Friday, De­ cember 15 at 7.30pm featuring Camerata So­ togrande with proceeds going to Age Concern in Estepona/Manilva and the Charitable Soci­ ety of St George.

Camerata Sotogrande is an association dedi­ cated to singing.

They sing at masses, baptisms, weddings and they also organise the music for parties.

The Camerata promotes music, in particular

done either running or walking and, given the charitable na­ ture of the event, no prizes will be awarded for the winners al­ though there will be trophies for the top three: it’s the taking part that counts.

Carol concert choral music on the Costa del Sol. They organise concerts of all kinds and through music they have been able to help nu­ merous social causes.

Tickets are €40 for dinner and a welcome drink, reservations can be made by calling 956 616 011 or 644 740 520 and any gifts for chil­ dren will be gratefully accepted.

EWN 37

Family fun

COME and enjoy yourself at a Family Fun day held at the SOS shop, Las Galerias, Duquesa Port on Saturday, December 16 from 10am until 2pm, with lots of Christ­ mas activities and be entertained by the Love to Sing choir.

There’ll be a Tombola, a lucky dip, a craft stall, fudge, chocolate and other sweet treats, Swedish mulled wine and much more.

The shelter of the Perrera de Los Barrios is run by a group of volunteers who come together to save stray dogs from the kennel.

The volunteers have to raise money to buy food for the dogs, medicines, vet, cleaning staff, medical treat­ ment at the vet, blood tests.

At least €5,000 per month minimum is needed as there are 300 dogs and they are totally dependent on donations.

Help support the charity by joining in this Family Fun day.

euroweeklynews.com •

38 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

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20 Years of community & warmth in San Pedro FOR two decades, The Hogan Stand has stood the test of time, fostering an environment where friendships flourish and memories are made.

Since its establishment in 2002, this space has been at the heart of so­ cialising in San Pedro, welcoming all with open arms.

Enter The Hogan Stand, and you’re immediately embraced by an atmosphere steeped in comfort and familiarity. This establishment isn’t just a bar; it’s a place where families, friends, and newcomers alike come together in a setting that feels like an extension of their own living room ­ a testament to its fami­ ly­friendly ethos.

The Hogan Stand elevates the dining experience with its delectable bar food menu, offering quality dishes at prices that won’t break the bank. Daily from 5.00pm, indulge in a wide array of tempting options. Notably, their Sunday Lunch, priced at a remarkably rea­

THE HOGAN STAND: Welcomes everyone.

sonable €14.95, is a culinary delight that keeps patrons returning for more.

The Hogan Stand isn’t just about great food; it’s a buzzing hub of en­ tertainment. Live sports, from foot­ ball to hurling and camogie, grace their screens, catering to sports en­ thusiasts of all kinds. The Hogan Hackers Golf Society play weekly.

2023 has been a very successful year for the Hogan Hackers , Jimmy Nolan, President of the committee is looking forward to what 2024 brings.

And always happy to welcome newcomers to the club. The club play every Saturday, followed by a

debrief at the Hogan Stand. All informa­ tion on their QR code.

Moreover, weekends wit­ ness an array of lively events, from karaoke nights to quiz compe­ titions and live perfor­ mances ­ a testament to the vibrant spirit that per­ meates this venue.

Looking for the perfect venue for your gatherings?

Look no further.

The Hogan Stand caters to par­ ties with tantalising platters of party food, ensuring your celebrations are nothing short of fabulous. Don’t miss out on the Christmas Quiz hap­ pening on Thursday, December 21.

A delightful affair where your best Christmas jumper is the dress code for a night of laughter and festivity.

Tel: 952 786 231 thehoganstandbar@gmail.com Avenida Luis Braille, No 28 San Pedro de Alcantara

At the heart of The Hogan Stand is the dedication of Ross and Amy Duggan, who have poured their hearts into perfecting every aspect of this establishment. Their commit­ ment to excellence shines through, notably in their Guinness ­ one of the finest in town, as locals fondly announce.

The Hogan Stand isn’t just a bar; it’s a reflection of traditional Irish hospitality, where strangers be­ come friends, and every guest is welcomed with warmth and sinceri­ ty.

So, whether you seek a relaxed evening, an exciting weekend, or a venue for unforgettable gatherings, The Hogan Stand invites you to join in the celebration.

Experience the warmth, and Irish hospitality that make it a cherished hub for the community.

Come on over ­ here, there are no strangers, only friends waiting to be met.

euroweeklynews.com •

40 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

Nutcracker too

AS it’s Christmas, it’s hardly surprising that Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is being performed in one form or another along the Costa del Sol. The Marbella City Theatre will be hosting the bal­ let, which is presented by the Association of Ballet, Music and Performing Arts of the Costa del Sol, accompanied by local artists and students from Marbella’s School of Russian Ballet.

Tickets for the performance which starts at 6pm on Friday De­ cember 8 cost €15 per person from www.mientrada.net and there are special 20 per cent discounts for those who are dis­ abled, aged under 30 or over 65 or Members of the Friends of the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella Association if purchased from the theatre box office.

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BIOPARC Fuengirola has launched a new winter pro­ gramme to enjoy activities in its natural habitats. All the ac­ tivities have a common objec­ tive: to raise awareness about the fragility of our environ­ ment. Conservation of species is a fundamental part of the preservation of the planet and a central point around which the work of BIOPARC Fuen­ girola revolves. Every day, the park team works on the con­ servation of more than 200 dif­ ferent species.

BIOPARC Fuengirola now offers visitors a wide range of new activities for the 2023/24 winter season. Every day, at

Photos: Bioparc

BIOPARC winter programme LEMURS: Visit the island of Madagascar.

11am, the regular visits to the island of Madagascar begin.

This is an opportunity to enter the lemurs’ habitat and ob­ serve them without any barri­ ers. Alongside this activity, and also on a daily basis, there is a Birds and Mammals Exhibition in the park’s Jungle Glade.

In addition to these perma­

nent activities, there is a full winter agenda that begins on December 8 with a new guid­ ed tour ‘Nature in the open’ in which visitors can discover the park with the help of the Edu­ cation team. A perfect activity for the whole family to learn about the behaviour, conser­ vation and numerous curiosi­

ties of the species of BIOPARC Fuengirola. For those who are unable to enjoy this event, they will be able to do so again on Sunday, January 7.

On the weekend of Decem­ ber 16 and 17, it’s the turn of the children to take part in the exciting ‘Who are your helpers?’ gymkhana to save Christmas and become real jungle heroes.

Once the Christmas holidays are over, the programme con­ tinues throughout January and February. Those interested can check out all the details of each activity, as well as the registra­ tion forms on the bioparcfuen girola.es website.

Cudeca Christmas fundraiser THE 13th Charity Christmas Gala in aid of the Cudeca Foundation will take place at the Villa Tiberio in Marbella on Sunday December 17.

All guests will be greeted from 7.30pm with a welcome cocktail on the restaurant’s terrace, where they can enjoy Sandro Morelli’s beautiful gar­ den before being invited to take their seats for the Gala Dinner.

Apart from the superb three­course meal, the entertainment will as usual be plentiful with performances from lo­ cal favourites Vicky Jaye, Stelvis, Mr Maph, Mama Cath as well as others to be confirmed.

There will be a live auction as well as a raffle during the event and the evening will go with a real bang as thanks to Villa Tiberio owner and great

Credit: OPS

Charity art event in Manilva

A CHARITY event named, ‘In Lov with Hierro’, will be held at the Grand Art Estate in Manilva on December 15. There will be a cocktail reception, as well as canapes for guests as they delight in the many art works that will be on show. All pieces will be avail­ able to purchase, with 5 per cent of all art sales being donated to charity. This creative event will begin at 7pm and end at around 10pm. Guests are encouraged to ‘dress to impress’.

Sponsored by

Sandro Morelli at Villa Tiberio.

friend of Cudeca, Sandro Morelli there will be an exciting fireworks display for all to enjoy.

Tickets for this great evening out cost €75 per person of which €25 will be do­ nated to Cudeca and they may be re­ served by calling 952 771 799 or email­

ing info@villatiberio.com.

Local businesses and individuals wishing to donate their services or items to be offered in the charity auc­ tion may contact Esther Ráez on 693 792 605 or Sara Baena on 663 083 460.

Sandro and his restaurant Villa Tiberio have so far raised no less than €197,365.28 for Cudeca and of course this event will certainly see them top the €200,000 amount which is an in­ credible achievement.

The Cudeca Foundation in Benal­ madena which was set up by the late Joan Hunt in 1991 offers palliative care to those suffering from cancer, helps support their families, offers education­ al services to hospitals throughout Spain and also investigates new treat­ ments for sufferers.

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• euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

ON December 30, at the Palacio de Congre­ sos in Marbella, a concert by the renowned group ‘Así Canta Jerez’ (This is how Jerez sings) will take place.

This group from Jerez de la Frontera is widely known for its mastery in the perfor­ mance of Christmas zambombas, a tradition that represents the very essence of the An­ dalucian Christmas. Their tour visits provin­ cial capitals and large towns throughout Spain, such as Barcelona, Sevilla, Madrid this year is entitled ‘Jaleo’.

Directed by Luis de Periquín, this project was born from the union of a group of young flamenco singers from Jerez de la Frontera at Christmas. These young people have lived the tradition of the Zambomba festival in their family since they were children, a festi­ val that keeps alive a traditional­musical repertoire with cultural, social and ideologi­ cal elements typical of the land of Cadiz.

After the recognition obtained with their last two tours, selling out all their concerts, achieving a gold record and millions of downloads on digital platforms, they are back with a new project, a new tour and new music.

The show will transport theatre goers through song and rhythm on a journey to Andalucia’s cultural and festive roots. The members of ‘Así Canta Jerez’ are talented young people who have kept alive a tradi­

Photo: Facebook / Así Canta Jerez

Así Canta Jerez

JALEO: The band on stage.

tional musical repertoire, with Andalucian cultural roots, and now share their passion with the world.

This event not only aims to offer a magical night of music and tradition, but also has a charitable purpose: to raise funds for the many future projects of the Cofradía del Cal­ vario.

The Brotherhood of Calvary is deeply grateful for everyone’s support and is proud to share this exciting musical spectacle dur­ ing the Christmas season.

Tickets are available for purchase now from € 18 at www.giglon.com.

IS there anything more magi­ cal than the joy of children at Christmas? Seeing their little faces light up at the sight of Father Christmas, or watch­ ing as they marvel at Christ­ mas lights. This time of year is truly enchanting for our young generation, and with only a few short years of them truly ‘believing’, many parents and guardians like to make the most of the festive period.

Babycakes Marbella, a lo­ cal company who run work­ shops for children across the Costa Del Sol, are holding their final Christmas Party on Saturday, December 9. This highly anticipated event will be held at Kidz Kingdom in Es­ tepona and will begin at 11.30am. There will be a small ‘Rhyme Time’ session, lead by the lovely Chantelle, whom all the children adore, which involves Christmas songs, dances and games.

Following that, the one and only Father Chrismtas will come for a special visit and take a polaroid photo with all

Credit: Babycakes Marbella

Babycakes Christmas Party

A previous Babycakes Christmas Party.

the little guests as a souvenir.

There will also be a festive arts and crafts table, as well as Christmas tree decoration making and the assembly of the oh so necessary reindeer food to scatter in your garden on Christmas Eve! There is no minimum or maximum age limit, all are welcome! The price is €20 per child and €18 per sibling.

Booking is absolutely essen­ tial as tickets are nearly sold out. To reserve your place or for more information please contact Chantelle on 613 654 404 .

This event is one that is sure to leave a smile on both the children and adults faces, creating lasting Chrstimas memories that all can hold forever in their hearts.

EWN 41

euroweeklynews.com •

42 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

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Advertising Feature

A unique dining experience B A D A S S B I S T R O is set in a charming square in the heart of Fuengirola, and offers a dining ex­ perience unlike any other. Owned

by Paul Crumpler and Debbie Maclean, it opened in April 2021, and has rapidly gained a great fol­ lowing from locals and tourists alike, from all age groups and ev­ ery corner of the globe.

Paul, with over 40 years on the coast, was head chef at El Paraiso Golf Club in Estepona for eight years. Debbie, with 15 years on the coast, brings a background in customer service and tourism both here in Spain and abroad.

The bistro’s unique location, a two­minute walk from the beach or church square, creates a wel­ coming atmosphere away from the town’s hustle. The square is a great, safe place for the little ones to enjoy, and provides parents with a well deserved rest!

The warm reception and friend­ ly service, with staff fluent in up to five languages, add a personal touch.

The food concept focuses on Spanish­style ‘racciones’, taken to another level, with side orders, salads, and vegetarian options al­ so on the menu, creating a unique dining experience.

The menu spans a seafood sec­

BAD ASS BISTRO: A dining experience unlike any other.

tion with dishes such as Tempura king prawns ,fillet of salmon in a honey and soy glaze with a ba­ nana and lime chutney and Teriyaki Tuna steak. In the meat section, Bad Ass sweet and sticky Ribs, the Argentinian Entraña steak and the ‘Secreto Ibérico’ with a garlic and parsley oil are particularly popular.

The salad and sides sections of­ fer delights such as goat cheese and beetroot salad, wild mush­ room risotto, spicy provolone cheese and tempura or wok veg­ etables, to name a few.

Not forgetting the little ones, the menu caters to children as

well.

Indulge your sweet tooth with their home­made desserts, or one of their fantastic cocktails and a well­selected wine list, offering something for every occasion.

Ingredients are sourced daily by Paul ensuring quality and fresh­ ness of produce at reasonable prices. Specials with seasonal pro­ duce are constantly on offer.

The ambience, both inside and out, radiates comfort and charm with interesting décor, memora­ bilia, and fantastic music. With a 4.8­star Google rating and five stars on TripAdvisor, the bistro promises a unique experience.

Find them in Plaza del Yate, (next to Restaurante La Farola). Reserve a table on 951 430 637 or via Facebook.

Opening hrs: 1st October to 30th June: Tues, Weds, Thurs. 18.00 – 22.00 Fri, Sat, Sun. 13.00 – 22.00 (Kitchen hrs) Closed Mondays 1st June to 30th September: Tues – Sunday 19.00 til 23.00 (Kitchen hrs) Closed Mondays.

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Taj Mahal THE Arts Society Costa del Sol is holding its fi­ nal lecture of 2023 on Monday, December 11 at 4.30pm at the Salón Varietés Theatre in Fuengirola.

The theme is ­ The Architecture of Mughal India: Palaces, Mosques, Gardens & Mau­ soleums.

Before the British arrived in India, the Indi­ an subcontinent was ruled by the Mughal Emperors.

The stunning buildings and gardens they constructed from the 16th to the 18th centu­ ry have left an indelible stamp on India’s ar­ chitectural and cultural landscape. Mughal architecture fused elements from Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural tra­ ditions, and gave rise to some of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in the world.

From the Jama Masjid in Delhi, to the Taj Mahal in Agra, to the Shalimar Gardens in La­ hore, this lecture will take you on a tour of some of India’s greatest buildings, and pro­ vide insight into the historical contexts and colourful personalities involved in their con­ struction.

The lecturer is John Stevens, a Research Associate at SOAS, University of London, and a member of academic staff at the SOAS South Asia Institute. His PhD in History is from University College London. He teaches British Imperial history, Indian history and Bengali language, and is a regular visitor to India and Bangladesh. He publishes widely in the fields of British and Indian history.

• euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

Adana Christmas dinner dance ON Friday December 15, Adana Animal Shelter in Estepona will be holding their highly antici­ pated Christmas Dinner and Dance to raise money for the animals in their care.

The festive period is one of merriment and joy, and as from early December we all be­ gin to organise our Christmas parties and plan presents!

An important aspect of this holiday that must never be for­ gotten is that of love and giv­ ing, which is something Adana Animal Shelter embodies not just during Christmas, but all year round.

Adana helps many animals in need, rescuing them from the street, giving them shelter, love and care, whilst also working tirelessly to find them all forev­ er homes.

This charity relies completely on its volunteers and donations from the public, so this fantas­ tically fun event will be an op­ portunity to not only dance the night away, but to also support their worthy work.

This fabulous Christmas par­

Credit: Utiransa

FESTIVE DOG: Raising funds for animals in care.

ty will begin at 7pm on Friday December 15 and will be held at Duquesa Golf Club in Manil­ va. Tickets are €45 per person and include a delicious three­ course dinner alongside half a bottle of wine per person and tea and coffee.

There will be live entertain­ ment throughout the night for guests to enjoy from the talent­ ed and soulful singer Frankie as well as the magical musical duo Marlu.

These entertainers are well known for their special ability

to ‘get the party started’ and so the dance floor is expected to be full and the festivities pre­ sumed to go on well into the night!

Do not miss out on this op­ portunity to not only enjoy an entertaining evening, but also donate to this invaluable or­ ganisation and make sure those adorable animals get the Christmas they deserve too!

For bookings please email Sheldon on SHELGEE49@ GMAIL.COM.

EWN 43

Table top sale ON Saturday December 9 from 11am to 1pm, a festive Table Top Sale will take place at the beautifully decorated Carmen’s Restaurant in El Chaparral.

Among the items on sale will be Christmas items and decorations, Cakes, Cards, Books, Jewellery, Handbags, and Bric­a­Brac.

There will also be a Raffle, ‘Guess the Weight of the Cake to Win it’, and Tombo­ la.

Nancy Klein will be selling autographed copies of her books, and Francis Edwards will be available to tell us all about Tunnel Books ­ some­ thing really different.

There may be other at­ tractions on the day as well.

All money raised will be used for the mission work of La Siesta Evangelical Church, Calle Granados, La Siesta.

See their website for more details: LaSiestaEvangeli calChurch.org.

Hope to see you there!

CHRISTMAS in Estepona wouldn’t be Christmas with­ out a performance of the Nutcracker by the School of Russian Ballet.

It has become a Christmas tradition that this colourful ballet should play at the Fe­ lipe VI Auditorium in the run up to Christmas and it is the ideal setting for the corps of the School of Russian Ballet based in San Pedro to per­ form.

As well as past and present pupils, the cast of dancers will include stars from the Ruma­ nian National Opera.

The Nutcracker with music

by Tchaikovsky is based on a short story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and is perhaps the best known of his ballets thanks to The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Waltz of the Flowers.

The story unfolds as Christ­ mas sees a big party at Clara’s house and all the children re­ ceive a gift and her beloved godfather gives her a beauti­ ful Nutcracker doll so whilst the whole family sleeps, Clara and her Nutcracker Prince de­ feat the army of the King of the Mice.

This is a journey full of

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Credit: School of Russian Ballet

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44 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

RUSSIAN BALLET: Dancers from an earlier performance.

Christmas joy, dancing with snowflakes, dolls, clowns and flowers, led by the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her Knight to the kingdom of sweet delights.

Buy your tickets which cost €27 (including booking fee) at https://tafestepona.en tradas.plus/ for the two­hour performance which takes

place on December 10, but be warned they normally sell out very quickly.

Also make a note in your diary that the Kyiv Ballet

Company will be returning to the Auditorium on January 26, 2024 to once again per­ form their version of the Nutcracker.

Banus Opera and Ballet RED DOG BANUS is much more than a cinema. Red

Dog Cinemas brings live opera and ballet to Mar­ bella from the Royal Opera House in London.

Classics such as Madame Butterfly, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker are part of the programme that will run until the summer of 2024.

Enjoying live opera and ballet on the Costa del Sol is now possible. Red Dog Cinemas, the leading cinema in Marbella, brings the classic musical works of ballet and opera to the big screen with live screenings from an iconic venue: the Roy­ al Opera House in Lon­ don.

The first work to be screened on the big screen at Red Dog Cine­ mas will be the ballet The Nutcracker on Tues­ day, December 12.

Peter Wright’s beloved production for The Royal Ballet, with Julia Trevelyan Oman’s mag­ nificent period designs, stays true to the spirit of this festive ballet classic, combining the excite­ ment of fairy tales with spectacular dancing to the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s score.

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7 - 13 December 2023

A scene from this stunning production.

In the first act, she saves the boy from drowning and invites him to join her as she flies towards the warm sun and then returns to a won­ derful marine world.

Next they head to a fanta­

CHRISTMAS is always special at Salón Vari­ etés Theatre in Fuengirola and this year is no exception.

You can look forward to four concerts before the cast gets ready for this year’s pantomime Aladdin and these are: A Michael Bublé Christmas with Peet Rothwell today, Thursday December 7 at 7.30pm Rock of the Ages Christmas Special ­ Let’s Rock! On Friday December 8 at 7.30pm The Silver Beats ­ The Best of The Beatles on Saturday December 9 at 7.30pm Gemma Lloyd as Britney on Sunday De­ cember 10 at the earlier time of 7pm.

Then it’s the turn of the annual fun­filled Pantomime for all the family and this year it’s the turn of Aladdin which is directed by Keith Spitalnick, the choreographer is pop­ ular local entertainer Alexandra Avery and the script is adopted by Nigel Holmes.

Show dates are Monday December 18 to Saturday December 23 and then after a BENALMADENA is already living the ‘Picasso Year’ with the inauguration of the exhibition ‘Pablo Picasso, Obra Gráfica’, at the Centro de Exposiciones de la Costa, an exhibition that joins the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the death of the Malaga­born artist.

“This is an exhibition that has been carefully curated, taking care of every detail, in a unique place such as the Sala Terral of our cultural centre,” said mayor of Benalmadena, Juan Antonio Lara. Curated by Antonio Sánchez, the exhibition features around 30 prints from different creative stages of the Malaga­born genius along with pho­

sy palace where they enjoy watching songbirds, clowns and flying hats, but they are being stalked by an evil presence.

Evil enters the palace de­ termined to capture the fairy phoenix and kill the dreaming child but his life is saved by a clown and the fairy is imprisoned.

Finally the boy wakes to the sound of a saxophone and finds himself in a fairy forest where he finds some of the phoenix’s feathers but whilst he is despairing for her demise, she is re­ born in fire and the couple join together to show their love for each other.

Tickets for this colourful show are available at https://tafestepona.en tradas.plus/entradas and cost €20 or €24 plus booking fee.

It’s Panto time Credit: William Warby flickr

OFFERING a programme a little like a scaled down Cirque du Soleil, the Great Acrobatic Circus of China is performing in 20 Spanish venues this December.

Described by the New York Times as “a delight for all five senses” the troupe consists of some 30 artists, many of them Olympic medallists and others from the Cirque du Soleil itself.

They will be appearing at the Felipe VI Auditorium in Estepona on Monday De­ cember 18 with their four act show which lasts 100 minutes.

It’s the story of a dream­ ing young man who enters a fantasy world where he sees a beautiful phoenix fairy flying over the sea and the boy is so attracted by her beauty that he runs into the sea.

Credit: Great Acrobatic Circus of China

Chinese acrobats

Aladdin and his flying carpet in Disney World Florida.

break resume on Tuesday January 2 until Sunday January 7 nightly at 7.30pm.

There are matinees on December 23, January 3, 5, 6 and 7, but on those days there is no evening performance.

Book your tickets online for all of the shows at https://www.salonvarietesthe­ atre.com/ or in person from the box office.

Picasso exhibition tographs of his life, a representation of artist’s books produced by Picasso and an extensive biography of the artist’s work and life.

These 30 works belong to the Fracar­ al Collection, a family collection started more than 30 years ago, which thanks to their their generosity, can be en­ joyed until December 23 in Benalmade­ na with free admission from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 1.30pm and from 5pm to 7.30pm, and Sundays from 11am to 1.30pm.

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46 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

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La Pergola: An authentic Italian gem in Mijas WELCOME to La Pergola, an epitome of authentic Italian dining located in the heart of Mijas. As you step into this charming restaurant, the gen­ uine Italian charm embraces you, from the Italian chef and staff to the delightful Italian ingredients that define its ambience.

La Pergola exudes a warm and homely feel, adorned with classic red and white tablecloths and infused with aromas that transport you to the heart of Italy. It’s the per­ fect rendezvous spot, of­ fering ample parking and a welcoming atmosphere that invites you to unwind and enjoy. Open Monday to Saturday 6.00pm ­ mid­ night.

The menu at La Pergola is a delightful journey through

Italian flavours, encom­ passing a diverse range from delectable pastas to mouthwatering piz­ zas. Indulge in enticing appetisers like the seafood soup, or the de­ lightful prawns ­ a per­ sonal favourite. Cap off your meal with divine desserts that effortlessly capture the essence of Italy.

As the evenings turn cooler, La Pergola emerges as the ideal haven. Its cosy setting and Italian­inspired dishes offer warmth and comfort, making it an exquisite choice for a memorable dining experi­ ence. The attentive staff are always ready to sug­ gest the perfect wine to complement your meal, enhancing your culinary

Urb. las Mimosas 3, Local 27, La Cala de Mijas

journey.

It’s no surprise that La Pergo­ la has garnered the top spot on TripAdvisor. The combination of authentic flavours, reason­ able prices, and exceptional service truly sets it apart. If you haven’t yet experienced the delights of La Pergola, it’s a must­add to your list. Join the many who have discovered and embraced the Italian magic at this esteemed establish­ ment.

Embark on a culinary adven­ ture and savour the true taste of Italy at La Pergola. From the first bite to the last sip, it’s an experience that will leave a lasting impression. Highly rec­ ommended for an exquisite dining experience that cele­ brates the essence of Italian cuisine.

Reservations are advised 951 669 071.

FEATURE/NEWS

euroweeklynews.com

Mind boggling LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT IS there such a thing as a di­ versity biscuit? If so the del­ uge of TV commercial, Christ­ mas­tide presentations truly does take the full tin. A whole conglomeration of adverts has been sanitised by political correctness, dissected with diversity, mugged by multi­ culturist and treated to a pos­ itive blizzard of ‘snow­ flaking’ that is utterly mind boggling.

Mixed marriages and rela­ tionships abound.

Bunches of people in cars, restaurants and crowd loca­ tions, all contain the ‘correct’ number of white and ethnic minorities. Happy families, of carefully selected denomina­ tions, gather around tables groaning with Christmas fare; and all is well with the world on the birthday of Our Lord.

Unfortunately, this so­called ‘merry’ conception is in no way a true reflection of the main bulk of British society.

The great cities and commu­ nities of the UK are more seg­ regated than ever. Whole boroughs are dedicated to one particular race or religion.

Growing numbers of British citizens don’t even celebrate Christmas. Diversity is not working. Last December, on a short UK visit, I telephoned the Salvation Army, enquiring as to why I had noticed their Christmas Carol street ap­ pearances seemed to be missing in certain (often un­ likely) shopping areas; they informed me that they were very careful to now only pre­ sent the Christian Army Bands where they would be acknowledged! Until we face up to the truth, we will NEV­ ER find the Shangri­La of exis­ tence so desperately depict­ ed by these sadly delusional ostriches who are in utter de­ nial of the true state of affairs and seem to worm their way into every nook and cranny of our beleaguered social exis­ tence. It did strike me that the gatherings of those re­ sponsible for these ads must produce some of the most racial riddled confusing mish mash of problems imagin­ able.

Terrified of being declared non­PC, the selection com­ mittees, or casting agents, are no longer torn between those who may have more talent and be better qualified

for the gig, but more impor­ tantly are judged by their eth­ nic background and appear­ ance. The young Lady causing all the dissent on ‘I’m a Celebrity’ (something she most certainly is not!) is a prime example. Thousands of letters and comments on so­ cial media are voicing their dissatisfaction over her inclu­ sion and attitude. The whole thing has become utterly ridiculous. Nothing more than a pathetic attempt to fool the viewing public that good old diversity is truly working and we are all living the paradise of good will and human understanding.

Well I’m sorry, I maintain that truth in these matters, however hard it is to bear, is the only real pathway to the peaceful resolution most of us truly do crave. And for those who would rather not hear the truth, I leave you with an ominous reflection of the great George Orwell, who wrote. ‘The further society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it’! And ain’t that the truth.

Keep the Faith.

Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com

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

Bank telephone scam A SOCIAL media alert from a Marbella resident about a recent phone call from someone claiming to be from their bank set off alarm bells.

In this case, the call display made it ac­ tually appear that it had come from a bank and the person calling said that they had detected an attempt to withdraw money from a cash machine using the in­ dividual’s details.

The whole point of the exercise was to obtain confidential information which will allow them to access your account and of course if you have given this volun­ tarily there is a chance that your bank will decline to refund any money stolen, so take heed.

A British based organisation UK Finance confirms that individuals may receive an automated call claiming a suspicious transaction has occurred on their ac­ count.

Image: Atlantic Wreck Divers / Facebook

TAKE HEED: Don’t discuss personal matters.

The consumer is then invited to press a number on their phone to go through to a supposed agent who is in fact a fraudster.

The fact is that no bank will ever con­ tact you asking for your online banking password, your four digit pin number or insist you transfer money to a new ac­ count to avoid fraud.

The best advice is to simply refuse to discuss personal matters with anyone who might call you unexpectedly and hang up.

7 - 13 December 2023

EWN 47

48 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com INTERVIEW

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Imagine the joy of giving someone the gift of learning to drive. Autoes­ cuela Costa del Sol’s Gift Vouchers are a wonderful way to help someone embark on their driving journey. Whether it’s a teen ea­ ger to hit the road or a friend seeking inde­ pendence, this gift unlocks endless possibili­ ties. (Also present the voucher in their advert and receive one free practical lesson ) At Autoescuela Costa del Sol, the team of­ fers a range of classes tailored to individual needs. With a fantastic success rate, their courses cover all the necessary steps to pass the driving test, both for automatic and manual vehicles. With two schools , One lo­ cated in Elviria Commercial Centre on the first floor, and one in Neuva Andalucia, both schools boast a welcoming environment for learners.

One of the standout features of Autoes­ cuela Costa del Sol is their commitment to inclusivity. They provide theory exam prepa­

FEATURE

Javier and Felipe.

ration in English, German, French, and Span­ ish, ensuring a comfortable learning experi­ ence for diverse learners. Moreover, the school’s flexible schedule, open Monday to Thursday from 10.00am to 18.30pm, and Fridays from 10.00am to 16.00pm, accom­ modates various lifestyles and commit­ ments.

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Catch up with Jesse Meester WHAT does one do when they see a famous face casually walking across the street from them? Shout their name loudly at them of course (as if they didn’t already know it) and take a selfie to post on Instagram to prove it to your friends!

THAT was the story of how this good ‘tapear’. Next question, Euro Weekly News reporter do you prefer swimming in first met actor Jesse Meester, the pool or the sea? who is originally from the I am a sea kind of guy.

Netherlands. He explained The salt is great for the at the time that he had reskin too. Even now, in cently moved to the sunshine the winter, it’s an unCredit: Jesse Meester coast and purchased a property matched feeling of freeJesse in Estepona. in Estepona. One year later EWN dom in swimming in the vast caught up with Jesse again to see sea. Like a wild merman with no how the move from Amsterdam to Marbellimits! Cute. So aside from the all year la is unfolding for him. round swimming weather, what is the main Hello again Jesse! So, what attracted you difference between the Netherlands and specifically to the Costa Del Sol? Spain? Climate, culture, pace of life, and even Marbella is quite unique in its fusion of lux- the architecture are starkly different. ury and culture. Its stunning coastline, vibrant The Netherlands might be more known for lifestyle, golf courses and historical charm its bicycle-friendly cities (oh boy I miss that), make it the place to be. Now Malaga just while Spain has a deeply ingrained laid-back turned out to be the best city to live in, in the culture with a love for fiestas and leisurely world that is, did you know? siestas - haha. Got to love the siestas! So We did see that actually! So, what is your Jesse, lastly, but definitely not least(ly), Dutch opinion on Spanish food? girls or Spanish girls?

Spanish cuisine is amazing! From paella to Well, both are wonderful in their own tapas, the rich flavours and fresh ingredients ways. Dutch girls might be more straightformake dining an absolute delight. I love eating ward and open, while Spanish girls are light in the evening with just a few tapas. known for their passion and warmth. Beauty Yes, we agree with you there, EWN loves a truly lies in the eye of the beholder, doesn’t it?

NEWS

euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

EWN 49

ONE of Sweden’s most promising young athletes has died at the age of 21.

According to a statement released by the Swedish Athletics Federation on Wednesday, November 22, Emilia Brangefält took her own life.

They revealed that: ‘Dur­ ing her last months, Emilia felt very bad, both physically and mentally. She had good support from those closest to her, but on November 13, she ended her life.’

Kajsa Bergqvist, the cap­ tain of the Swedish Athletics Federation commented: “It is so deeply tragic. I have a hard time finding words. On behalf of Swedish Athletics, I send my warmest thoughts to Emilia’s closest be­ reaved,” she added.

The young mountain run­ ner displayed a glimpse of her future potential by win­ ning an SM gold medal in Genarp at the age of 20. She followed that performance with a WC bronze in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in her very

Credit: Emilia Brangefält on Instagram

DEEPLY TRAGIC: Swedish mountain runner Emilia Brangefält.

first international competi­ tion. This summer, Brange­ fält also came fifth in the WC in Innsbruck.

In an Instagram post on November 4, Emilia re­ vealed the problems she was dealing with. “Been a while since I’ve posted any­ thing here. And that’s be­ cause since the end of July my body shut down.

Haven’t been able to train anything due to an extreme­ ly high heart rate. (120­150 bpm) just standing up,” she wrote.

She continued: “Maybe it was too much for a 21­year­ old girl to run Transvulcania 48k and WMTRC 45k with less than one month in be­ tween. I am super sad be­ cause running and training means so much.

“But now, just living a normal life is difficult. I have spent more hours in bed than on my feet this past month. Maybe one day I will be back. Or I won’t. I hope my body can recover from this,” her post conclud­ ed.

By John Ensor IS the future of young drivers’ mobility about to change? The Ministry of the Interior, as part of its ‘Road Safety Strategy 2023′ plan, unveiled a new driving permit that could rede­ fine vehicular access for the youth.

The scheme, which was an­ nounced in the previous leg­ islative session, the B1 licence remains a key agenda and is expected to come into force in 2024.

The introduction of the B1 li­ cence was announced as a sig­ nificant development in the realm of road safety and elec­ tric mobility. This initiative aims to provide young individ­ uals, starting at 16, with a more gradual and responsible path to car driving.

The B1 licence, deriving from the existing type B li­ cence, has already seen suc­ cessful implementation in countries like the United King­ dom, Italy, and Portugal.

The B1 licence facilitates en­ hanced mobility for young drivers and contributes to the

Credit: BestPhotoSudio/Shutterstock.com

Athlete’s tragic death Green light to B1 Licence

YOUNG DRIVERS: A more responsible path to car driving.

broader goals of road safety and sustainable transporta­ tion.

It recognises the growing in­ terest among the youth in electric vehicles and aims to in­ tegrate them into the trans­ portation system safely and re­ sponsibly.

The B1 licence stands out with its eligibility age set at 16, a notable shift from the cur­ rent options limited to motor­ cycles and mopeds. This new category enables youngsters to operate motorised quadri­ cycles, tricycles, quads, and light quadricycles. These vehi­ cles can weigh up to 400 kilo­

grams (excluding battery weight for electric models) and have a maximum power of 15 kW. Particularly, it applies to L7e classified vehicles, pre­ dominantly electric, with pow­ er not exceeding 15kW. Validity of the B1 licence ex­ tends up to three years, post which holders can upgrade to the standard B licence upon reaching adulthood. To obtain the B1 licence, applicants must clear both theoretical and practical examinations.

The launch of this licence, initially scheduled for this year, was postponed due to political delays.

50 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com TESLA filed a lawsuit against the Swedish Transport Agen­ cy on Monday, November 27, at Norrköping District Court, in the region where the Agen­ cy is based. Similarly, Elon Musk’s electric vehicle manu­ facturer filed a case against the Nordic postal service Post­ nord, this time at Solna Dis­ trict Court.

The purpose of the lawsuits is to gain access to number plates for its vehicles that striking workers in Sweden have halted. “This behaviour constitutes a targeted, base­ less and discriminatory attack on Tesla, its employees and customers,” said Tesla.

A court order was also made, requesting a so­called interim safety measure that

NEWS

Tesla sues the number plates can be col­ lected directly from the plate manufacturer while the legal process is ongoing.

This request was duly ap­ proved by Norrköping District Court.

The district court’s decision read: ‘The Swedish Transport Agency is ordered to agree, at the latest within seven days of notification of the dis­ trict court’s decision at the risk of a fine of SEK 1,000,000, that Tesla can pick up licence plates for the vehi­ cles that Tesla owns.

‘According to the district

Credit: Holger.Ellgaard/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

The Tesla factory in Segeltorp, Sweden.

court’s opinion, the security measure is proportionate,’ the court added.

The Swedish Transport

Agency now has 14 days to lodge an appeal, after which the district court would have to re­examine the matter.

Wilders setback GEERT WILDERS suffered a major setback in his hope of form­ ing a governing coalition when a potential key partner ruled itself out on Wednesday, November 29.

The former Christian Democrat MP, Pieter Omtzigt, won 20 seats in last week’s election with new party Nieuw Sociaal Con­ tract. His support was considered to be crucial in helping the new PVV leader to form a coalition government.

Ronald Plasterk, the former Labour party minister, replaced Gom van Strien as the man tasked with identifying potential coalition partners. For a working majority, Wilders needs the backing of 76 MPs in the 150­seat parliament.

Omtzigt however reportedly informed Plasterk that he was not ready to discuss forming either a majority or a minority cabi­ net.

“All in all, the NSC faction does not now see any basis to start talks with the PVV about a majority or a minority government,” he said in a letter to the ‘scout’.

He added that he believed the PVV manifesto: “contains views which in our judgement go against the constitution... here we draw a hard line.”

HEALTH & BEAUTY

euroweeklynews.com

The road to recovery AS the weekend approaches, many of us look forward to letting loose and enjoying some well­deserved down­ time. However, it’s essential to understand the toll that a full weekend of drinking can take on our bodies and the misconception that a cup of coffee can magically speed up the recovery process.

After a weekend of indul­ gence, your body needs time to return to its normal state.

The liver, responsible for metabolising alcohol, works at its own pace, breaking down approximately one standard drink per hour. So, if you’ve had several drinks over the weekend, it might take several hours for your body to process and eliminate the alcohol.

Contrary to popular belief, reaching for that strong cup of coffee won’t accelerate the recovery process. While caf­ feine can help alleviate the grogginess associated with a hangover, it doesn’t eliminate the alcohol from your system

DESERVED DOWNTIME: But give your body time to recover.

any faster. The only effective way to recover is to give your body the time it needs and stay hydrated.

In conclusion, moderation is key to a healthier weekend.

Understanding the body’s

natural timeline for process­ ing alcohol and avoiding re­ liance on quick fixes like cof­ fee can contribute to a more mindful and balanced ap­ proach to enjoying leisure time.

7 - 13 December 2023 Finland's beauty and personal care market is witnessing a significant shift towards sus­ tainability. Finnish consumers, known for their environmen­ tal consciousness, are increas­ ingly seeking natural and eco­ friendly products. This change reflects Finland’s deep­rooted commitment to ecological re­ sponsibility.

The Green Shift: Finnish

EWN 51

Finland embraces green brands are responding by de­ veloping products that use or­ ganic, locally sourced ingredi­ ents and eco­friendly packaging. This approach aligns with the country's ethos of living in harmony with nature. Global Implica­ tions: Finland's move towards

sustainable beauty is not just a local trend; it sets an exam­ ple for the global market. By prioritizing the environment, Finland’s beauty industry un­ derscores the importance of sustainability in consumer choices, influencing trends worldwide.

52 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Nature’s healing power IN the hustle of modern life, the healing power of nature often goes unno­ ticed. However, recent studies reveal how time spent outdoors significant­ ly benefits our cognitive functions, particularly memory, imagination, and logical thinking.

• Memory Enhancement Natural environments have a restorative effect on memory. The serene backdrop of nature, free from the distractions of ur­ ban settings, allows our minds to relax and rejuve­ nate. This tranquility aids in better memory reten­ tion and recall.

• Imagination Boost Nature’s boundless and ever­changing scenery stimulates our imagina­ tion. The diverse land­ scapes and wildlife en­ courage creative thinking and inspire artistic expres­ sion, broadening the hori­ zons of our imaginative faculties.

NATURAL SCENERY: Can stimulate our imagination.

• Logical Thinking Engaging with nature al­ so sharpens our logic. Nav­

igating through natural terrains, observing pat­ terns in flora and fauna,

and understanding the ecosystem’s dynamics en­ hances our problem­solv­ ing skills and logical rea­ soning.

In conclusion, the natu­ ral world is not just a back­ drop to our lives; it’s a vital contributor to our cogni­ tive well­being. Embracing the outdoors could be the key to unlocking a sharper, more imaginative, and log­ ically sound mind.

Personalised physiotherapy ONE of our new services is per­ sonalised physiotherapy and re­ habilitation.

In our clinic we adapt the ther­ apy to each patient according to their needs to obtain the best results. IN THIS WAY WE MAKE SURE THE CLIENT RECEIVES THE BEST AND ADEQUATE CARE. Al­ ways taking care of you so that you feel in the best hands.

Avenida de España 20, Local 5 sitio de Calahonda, Málaga. +34 952 933 377

HEALTH & BEAUTY

euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

Dry shampoo

DRY shampoo has become a popular hair care prod­ uct for its convenience and time­saving benefits. It’s a quick fix for absorbing ex­ cess oil, reducing greasi­ ness, and refreshing hair between washes. But is it good to use?

The Benefits: Dry sham­ poo is excellent for those on­the­go days. It can ex­ tend the life of a hairstyle, preserve hair colour by re­ ducing the frequency of washes, and is a lifesaver for people with limited mobility.

The Limitations: Howev­ er, it’s not a complete sub­ stitute for washing hair with water and regular shampoo. Overuse can lead to build­up on the scalp, causing irritation, dandruff, or even hair loss.

It doesn’t remove dirt and sweat; it merely masks them.

The Verdict: While dry shampoo is a convenient option for occasional use,

it should not replace regu­ lar hair washing. It’s best used sparingly to keep hair looking fresh for a short period or in situations where a traditional wash isn’t possible. For optimal

s c a l p health, nothing beats the traditional method of cleansing.

Good for a quick fix.

EWN 53

54 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com IN the realm of daily personal care, encompassing soaps, lo­ tions, and cosmetics, emerg­ ing reports highlight concerns over potentially harmful chemicals.

Mercury in skin lightening creams, carcinogens in hair products, and fragrances linked to fertility issues raise alarms. Despite known expo­ sure to hazardous sub­ stances in their products, cosmetics and personal care items still remain no­ tably underregulated, with labels boasting terms like ‘naturally derived’ often serving as nothing more than marketing ploys rather than indicators of safety. Negotiating this landscape proves challenging for consumers, compounded by limited testing for individu­ al exposure levels.

Experts advocate for in­ formed choices, recommend­ ing scrutiny of product ingre­ dients and minimising overall toxin exposure. Common chemicals of concern in per­ sonal care products include butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), found in lipsticks and moisturisers, linked to stom­

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Beauty at a price

HARMFUL CHEMICALS. Check the contents carefully.

ach cancer and repro­ ductive issues; coal tar dyes (m­, o­, and p­ phenylenediamine) in hair dyes, associated with skin irri­ tation and increased cancer risk; diethanolamine (DEA) in shampoos, forming carcino­ genic nitrosamines; formalde­ hyde­releasers (DMDM hy­ dantoin, diazolidinyl urea) in cosmetics, with potential links to nose and throat cancers;

fragrance, concealing various undisclosed chemicals, some disrupting hormonal function; parabens in water­based products, linked to estrogen­ mimicking effects and breast cancer; and phthalates in vinyl plastics, affecting hor­ mones and fertility.

Awareness of these sub­ stances empowers con­ sumers to make informed choices.

FEATURE

euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

EWN 55

Advertising Feature

A beacon of creative education on the Costa del Sol SHINE International Academy, a British In­ ternational School nestled in the heart of Mijas is redefining education with its unique approach. Offering classes from Nursery to Year 7, and expanding to Year 8 next academic year, the school is rapidly becoming a hub for quality education.

What sets Shine apart is its ethos of be­ ing more than a school ­ it’s a family.

This sentiment resonates with the students and parents alike, fostering a close­knit community passionate about the school’s educational offer­ ings.

The academy’s child­centered methodology is a departure from tra­ ditional schooling. It employs the Inter­ national Primary Curriculum, which embraces the English National Curricu­ lum but delivers it through creative, project­based learning. This includes engaging activities like movement, problem­solving, teamwork, creativity, research, and communication, all aimed at nurturing independent, confident learners prepared to be global citizens.

The school’s founders, Aynsley Carter,

SHINE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY: Redefining education with its unique approach.

Katie Smith, and Paula Watch, bring over 50 years of combined experience in child

education and support. Carter, an occupa­ tional therapist with extensive training in

various therapeutic disciplines, is affiliated with multiple international occupational therapy associations. Smith, a specialist speech and language therapist, has a rich background in supporting children with special and additional needs. Watch, with over two decades in education, has an im­ pressive array of qualifications and experi­ ence in school leadership and educational improvement.

Shine’s commitment to education is evi­ dent in its small class sizes, diverse in­ school support opportunities, and excep­ tional teaching in inspiring learning environments. The school caters to fami­ lies from various geographical areas, demonstrating its wide­reaching appeal.

The academy welcomes visitors any day, with a special invitation to their Christmas Fair on December 17 at 2pm.

This is an opportunity for the community to experience the warmth and vibrancy of Shine International Academy.

Shine International Academy is not just a school; it’s a beacon of innovative edu­ cation, lighting the way for a brighter fu­ ture.

For more information or to arrange a visit, contact the school at enquiries@si-academy.com, or explore their website and social media for updates on events and activities.

Shine operates during term time from 9 am to 4 pm and can be reached on +34 951 744 876 or through their Facebook page.

Come and enjoy our new cafeteria which is open for visitors

56 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

Advertising Feature

Neater Heaters - a model that will suit anyone OVER many years Neater Heaters have be­ come the first choice of many expats living in Spain.

Behind our stylish Scandinavian designs are a modern state­of­the­art convector heater that can match any on the market for economy and efficiency, and beats all the serious competition hands down on price.

The real secret of these heaters is the computer­age technology in the form of extruded aluminium in the construction of the heating element. This material and the design creates a huge surface area for heat transfer, which means more air can be heated for less cost.

Neater Heaters use convection princi­ pals and are designed so that the electrici­ ty you put into the heater is converted to heat as cheaply as possible. When you turn on the heater the element warms up rapidly and heats the air around it, this air rises and draws more cold air into the heater. Because the element is extremely efficient and is de­ signed to have a huge surface area a large

NEATER HEATERS: Extremely stylish and practical.

quantity of air is heated very quickly. If your room has the correct sized heater, it will take

about 20 minutes to warm up from cold, after which the heater

NEATER HEATER DISTRIBUTORS: COSTA DEL SOL CALAHONDA: The Bed Warehouse Spain. Tel. 634 187 700 Heaters also available for purchase at our online shop with free home delivery WWW.NEATERHEATER.ES or Tel. 634 312 171 (WhatsApp available)

eases off and works at about two­thirds ca­ pacity, (depending on various external influ­ ences).

Our heaters are not only efficient, effective, and economical, but as you would expect from a Scandinavian product, they are ex­ tremely stylish and practical. There is a model that will suit anyone, from the BEHA, (Blue­ tooth option or Wi­Fi option) and the NEO Wi­Fi, so that you can control your heaters easily via a Wi­Fi APP but still being able to control them manually if preferred, or the trendy original style Neo with digital controls and a choice of colours and if you are limited for wall space, then available for purchase are factory designed feet to enable the heater to be freestanding.

However, a few years ago we added the NEO Wi­Fi Compact model. This heater shares the design technology and ethos of the current NEO heaters, but it has two differ­ ences: It is much smaller in length, thus able to fit into tighter wall spaces, plus this model has the added bonus of a 2.5 kw version as well.

NEWS

euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

E-Scooter certification IN the next few days, tak­ ing advantage of the Black Friday offers, many people may be thinking of buying an electric scooter as a gift for the coming Christmas season.

If this is the case, the Di­ rectorate General of Traffic (DGT) has taken the oppor­ tunity to remind everyone that, from January 22, 2024 only certified ‘person­ al mobility vehicles’ will be allowed to be sold.

There have also been re­ ports that, sometime in 2024, the DGT will intro­ duce an obligatory inspec­ tion for electric scooters, similar to the ITV for cars (the Spanish equivalent of MOT) to make sure the scooter conforms to the certified standards. An e­ scooter will also have to be easier to identify, with the equivalent of a number plate.

The reasons that have led the DGT to impose this measure is simply to im­ prove road safety by in­

Photo: Pexels CC / G-FORCE Bike

E-SCOOTERS: Soon only personal mobility vehicles to be sold.

suring that the Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) that are sold in Spain have the minimum quality and durability guarantees re­ quired.

The DGT recommends that citizens planning to purchase a PMV (electric scooters and electric bicy­ cles) consult the Agency’s website at www.dgt.es/vmp, where they will find the brands and models that have al­ ready been certified and that meet all the require­ ments.

From January 22, 2027 only PMVs that are certi­ fied by the competent au­ thorities will be able to used on the roads.

The DGT also restates that these vehicles cannot drive on pedestrian cross­ ings, interurban roads, mo­ torways and dual carriage­ ways nor on pavements in towns and cities.

Furthermore, as they are considered vehicles for all purposes, their drivers are obliged to comply with traffic regulations, just like everyone else.

EWN 57

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM

66

60 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

COMMUNITY

COMMENTS

THIS past week, food has caught the imagination of readers of Euro Weekly News and the two hot topics were the launch of the new M&S Spanish Chorizo Paella Croquetas and the love that readers seem to have for Spanish Christmas favourite Roscón de Reyes.

Some of the comments on the croquetas veered back to Jamie Oliver and his proposed use of chorizo in paella and the outcry from Spanish food writers decrying it and a selection follows;

“

Oh yes they are right up my street!!

Samantha Idle

Firstly there is no potato in a croquette. It's just a bechamel, thick and creamy.

All M&S are doing is making a chorizo croqueta (not uncommon these days in modern bars) more cheaply by padding it out with rice. I won't be rushing to try it.

I've never heard of, or seen or tasted this concocted dish in Spain. But if people buy it and like it, then good luck to them. What's the Spanish equivalent of Delhi Belly?

Kevin Barber

Chorizo Paella what is that?? Can't beat a proper Paella, I will not forsake my home country's national dish Kathy Hyett

Liz Kirkham

Looks good to me.

Teresa Tracy Ramsey

Well. The jury is out here. Not sure of the combination, but I love paella and I love croquetas. But it does feel a bit disrespectful.

Still Fusion food is a thing.

Roisin Maire Stephenson

I t's really a simple wording mistake by them.

Don't write Spanish on them. They don't make that flavour here, so it's not Spanish.

Maybe it's Spanish ingredients.

Paella can have anything in it, it is a working man's dish, made with whatever is to hand. Sometimes just vegetables, just fish, in the hills they use squirrel, up until about 25 years ago they sold skinned rats in some carniceros, for paella. Rabbit is also very common... there is more than one recipe.

Alex Murdoch

What on earth is a chorizo paella anyway. A complete mystery here in Mallorca. No doubt the same in Spain. Ridiculous!

Charmaine Mockett

Hand made in Spain? Where in Spain would they make this rubbish.

Let’s be honest, most Spanish food is not that great. I truly believe it too highly overrated and I genuinely mean that. So I will try the M&S dish because it cannot be worse than I get in some local restaurants around the Orihuela Costa.

Doug Haynes

Mike George

Gordon O'Keeffe

Sounds good to me.

Sue Peers

What a load of crap! That is not Spanish cuisine just another abuse of traditional food from another country that's full of crap! Why don't they promote healthy food? And the benefits of the Mediterranean diet!

Christina Ford

Thirty plus years in Spain, eaten with numerous Spanish families and never had paella that includes chorizo. First time I saw paella con chorizo was the food mishandler, Jamie Oliver. No. Alan

Turning to the Christmas delicacy, readers seemed to be in almost complete agreement; I loved both Christmas, and the cake.

Heath Savage

Don't worry Spain, it shall not pass my lips!

Stevie Rayner

I'm definitely the grinch, I hate Christmas Nigel Springall

As an ex M&S man, now living in Mojacar, I think they look brilliant.

Gerry Diamond

Love it. Always go to our Spanish neighbours.

Hopefully I get the king. Not the bean! Lol. Sheila Hounslow

Comments should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers.

No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

www.euroweeklynews.com • 7 - 13 December 2023

61

PETS

SPONSORED BY

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All the fun and frolics keep his owners fit. And when they travel on holiday they find dog sitters on HouseSitMatch. But they must be fit and active to keep up with Jake!

The pet­sitters come for free!

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Pets are living longer T H E longevity of our beloved pets has signifi­ cantly increased over re­ cent years. Various fac­ tors contribute to this trend, ensuring a longer and healthier life for our animal companions.

1. Advanced Veterinary Care: Veterinary medicine has made leaps in progress, offering treat­ ments for ailments that were once considered fa­ tal. Preventive care, in­ cluding vaccinations and regular health checks, plays a crucial role in ex­ tending pet lifespans.

2. Improved Nutrition:

The quality of pet food has drastically improved.

Now, pet foods are spe­ cially formulated to meet nutritional needs at dif­ ferent life stages, con­ tributing to overall health and longevity.

3. Awareness of Pet Health: Pet owners are now more knowledgeable about their pets’ health needs. This increased awareness leads to timely medical intervention and better care at home.

4. Indoor Living: More pets, especially cats, are living indoors, protecting them from external

threats like traffic, preda­ tors, and diseases.

5. Spaying and Neuter­ ing: These procedures can prevent diseases such as uterine infections and certain types of cancer, contributing to longer

lifespans.

6. Emphasis on Exer­ cise: Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining a pet’s health. It prevents obesity, which is linked to numerous health prob­ lems.

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Cat love signs CATS have unique ways of showing affection. Here are some: 1. Purring: Is a sign of contentment and affection.

2. Head­Butting: Cats share their scent as a mark of trust and love.

3. Following You Around: A sign they enjoy your company.

4. Bringing Gifts: Is a sign of affection and showing off their hunting skills.

5. Slow Blinking: The cat equivalent of a kiss. It shows they feel safe and fond of you.

6. Sleeping on You: Means they trust you and feel safe.

7. Showing Their Belly: Their most vulnerable spot. It’s a sign of trust.

8. Grooming You: If your cat licks you, it’s a sign of deep affec­ tion.

9. Kneading: Kneading with their paws on you is a comforting behaviour that originates from kittenhood.

10. Meowing: Frequent meowing can be a sign they’re seek­ ing your attention and interaction.

62 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023 AIR CONDITIONING

euroweeklynews.com DRAINS

AWNINGS

DANCE CLASSES

CONSTRUCTION

CLEANING SERVICES

GATES

DES A H S F ACE O

CARAVANS & MOTORHOMES

CONSTRUCTION

DAMP PROOFING

GARAGE DOORS

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

SERVICES

LEGAL

SERVICES MOTORING

INSULATION

euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

REMOVALS & STORAGE

EWN 63

64 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

euroweeklynews.com SWIMMING POOLS

REMOVALS & STORAGE

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

SERVICES

SERVICES

euroweeklynews.com

POOL HEATERS AND COVERS

WINDOWS

7 - 13 December 2023

WINDOWS

EWN 65

CLASSIFIEDS AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING by Cool and Cosy. The family company that cares. Installation and repairs. Quality machines.

Ecosense movement sensors supplied and fitted from 100 Euros. For other energy-saving products visit www.coolandcosy.es. 952 935 513. We are Junta de Andalucia authorised installers as the new law states (real decreto 115/2017). On the Costa del Sol since 1993 (303640) Quality Air Conditioning Installations. Economical heating, & silent in operation. 28 Years installation history in Spain. EnviroCare. All Areas Covered. 952 663 141/670 409 759 info@envirocare spain.com www.envirocare spain.com (304164)

AWNINGS ACE OF SHADES – All colours available. Urbanisations catered for, electric and manual operation; also recovery service available, largest selection of colours and designs on the coast. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceof shades.design T1(101730)

66 SAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER to improve your living environment. ian@solarshadetint ing.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (303296)

BUILDING SERVICES

ACE OF SHADES - Vertical, Venetian, Roman, Roller, Wooden blinds, various colours available, also blackout blinds. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceof shades.design (101730)

MR COOL – Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Heating Systems, Sales & Service – Call Christian +34 629 527 587 or Nick +34 618 678 853 – www.mrcool.es (304151)

BLINDS, awnings, mosquito screens, curtains, vast choice.

All areas covered. Coast and inland. 655 825 931 (302477)

AIR-CONDITIONING installations. Service & Repair to any make or model, commercial air conditioning, as well as Bar bottle coolers. Suppliers of catering equipment. All work guaranteed. All areas covered including campo. Contact Williams Refrigeration 952 596 404 / 679 284 959.

SOLAR BLINDS

MOSQUITO screens, sliding, pulldown, pleated, colours call Mosquito Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws

SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for large glazed areas to reflect heat / glare and stop furniture fading and still keep the view.

QUALITY renovation: Kitchens, bathrooms, tiling, windows, doors, plaste ring, Total property renovations info@masterbuildspain. com or 952663141 /670409759 Over 28 years renovating history in Spain (302479)

METALWORK NEW REJAS, GATES, Carports & Fencing, repairs & alterations.

Work Guaranteed. Reliable. 19yrs on Coast. Steve the Welder.

Call/WhatsApp 655 040 648 (304611)

SUNSHINE AWNINGS / BLINDS Awnings, Persiana, Shutter & Rejas Specialist. New & Repairs. 25yrs on the coast. 680 323 969 / 952 199 640 (304068)

BLINDS

7 - 13 December 2023 • euroweeklynews.com

JIM’S HOME IMPROVEMENTS. Bathrooms/kitchen reforms, repairs, plumbing, carpentry, painting, tiling, maintenance. Give us a call no job too small. 692 207 799 / 645 559 423 (304610) GENERAL BUILDER, Tiling, plastering, painting, electrician, plumber, carpentry. Reasonable prices. 635 913 885 (References available) (304615) SWINGLES CASAS SL. For all your building needs. Visit www.swinglescasas.com for more details or call 635 999 765 / 666 960 262 (303441) PLUMBING & GENERAL BUILDING All your plumbing needs. Bathroom, kitchens, tiling & painting. Benalmadena based, travel no problem. Glen 669 073 773 or Paul 642 098 115 (304246)

BUY & SELL HOUSE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTS, FULL OR PART CLEARANCE. ALL FURNITURE WANTED, WE PAY MORE. TEL 634 324 914 OR EMAIL houseclearanceman@ hotmail.com (303629) PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662) ALHAURIN FURNITURE EMPORIUM Buyers & Sellers of quality furniture. Top prices paid. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (303496) LOOKING TO PURCHASE Modern Ladies Gold Rolex watch. Genuine Cash Buyer. Call 654 499 804.

Genuine callers only, NO dealers.

(304743)

CAR HIRE ALH RENT A CAR – SHORT & LONG-TERM RENTALS FROM €15 A DAY. INSURANCE INCLUDED IN OUR PRICES. TLF: 638 846 909 or reser vasalhrentacar@gmail.com (303303)

CARS FOR SALE

COLLECTION. We sell good quality items, which then supports low-income families and the homeless in the community.

These items can be dropped directly to our charity shop Tienda Solidaria: Av. Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 4, San Pedro de Alcantara, alternatively, call us to arrange collection on +34 711 006 961 (295137)

CHIMNEY SERVICES CHIMNEY SWEEP. Clean reliable professional 608 377 497 (303436) APEX CHIMNEY SERVICES, professional chimney sweeping and smoke testing. NACS Qualified. Clean and efficient Tel: Bob 696 320 202 (303700)

CHURCH SERVICES BENALMADENA Elim Family Fellowship. Elimfamilyfellowship.com or call 951 912 525 or 952 446 627. (10011) CALAHONDA: Encounter Church (Elim), Family church with kids’ activities, Iglesia San Miguel, Sundays 4.30pm, Rev. David Hodgson, 695 115 496 (10012) THE Ark Christian Church. We meet at The Ark Christian School, Calle Río Darro 2 y Plaza Juncal, 29651, Mijas Costa (the road behind the Mijas Aquapark) on Sundays at 11.00am.

Pastor, Andrew Seale Tlf 682 713 491 www.thearkspain.com (293850)

CLEANING/MAINTENANCE ADVANCED Cleaning Services.

Professional carpet, upholstery cleaning, 27 years experience, wet/dry clean. Honest, reliable service 678 808 837 / 952 669 701 or email acservs@outlook. com (290189) UPHOLSTERY including leather cleaned also carpets. 685 524 921 (290189) STARLIGHT Property Cleaning & Maintenance. All types of cleaning. Any size of property. All Areas. Residential & Holiday Lets. 682 636451 www.star light-spain.com (303728)

DECORATORS ATD DECOR. British Painter. 30 Years’ Experience. Punctual. Great Rates. Call for free quote. 602 431 968 Facebook: @ATDDecorMala ga (304018)

DOMESTIC APP REP

CHARITY COLLECTIVE CALLING are urgently requesting donations of clothing, homeware & furniture, so if you are having a House Clearance, Please call us for FREE

DOMESTIC appliance repairs washing machines fridges cookers ovens water heaters gas electric professionally repaired 608 337 497 (303436) WASHING MACHINES, Ovens, Boilers etc. All work guaranteed by ex Zanussi technician. Reliable rapid service. Joe 609 345 096 (304441)

DRAINAGE BLOCKED DRAINS? Leak detection, CCTV survey, root removal, Tel 952 568 414 / 661 910 772 / drainspain.com (295026)

ELECTRICIAN ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL work, re-wiring, fault finding.

Professional & experienced.

Frank Tel. or Whatsapp 650 561 629 (304241)

FLOOR POLISHING MARBLE FLOOR (2.50€/m2) WHY PAY MORE. WE CLEAN, CRYSTALLISE, SEAL THEN POLISH YOUR MARBLE TO HIGH GLOSS, NON-SLIP. PROFESSIONAL GUARANTEED, FAST SERVICE. 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE. ALSO REPAIRS DAMAGES TO MARBLE, CLEAN AND SEAL TERRACOTTA TERRACES, COVERS ALL COSTA DEL SOL. TEL: 671 244 683 (303059) MARBLE FLOORS polished high shine non-slip. Fast Service Reliable, family-run business. TERRACOTTA CLEANED and sealed. No job too small. Cleansol 10am – 10pm 7 days all areas. 952 930 861 / 607 610 578 Discount code: EWN 1 CLEAN (206437) MARBLE POLISHING, CRYSTALLISING, LASTING, HIGH SHINE. REGRINDING, RESTORATION OF SALTY, DEAD FLOORS. 27YRS EXPERIENCE. RELIABLE. REFS AVAILABLE. CYRIL. 645 840 199 (303697)

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

FURNITURE FURNITURE wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (303496)

GARDENING

IRRIGATION IRIS-IRRIGATION and landscapes. TRENCHLESS NO DIG Irrigation installation, Cables, Fibre Optic, Electric & Lighting Cables. New Installations & problem-solving. Turf (supply and laying). Garden constructions. Tree surgeon. Clearing.

Astro Turf (Free Quotation) 676 747 521 (303376)

GATE REPAIRS ELECTRIC GATE/GARAGE DOOR automation repaired.

Free, no obligation quotation.

Call Colin - 636 394 641 (290156)

CLASSIFIEDS

euroweeklynews.com

THE FILMS SHOWING IN ENGLISH ARE FROM 07/12 TO 13/12

FILMS in English

7 - 13 December 2023 GATES ELECTRIC GATES/Garage Doors. Intercoms/access control systems and replacement remotes. New installs and repairs.

For all your electric gate and garage door requirements call us on 605 356 469/952 786 178. The Garage Door Co & 2 Way Gates. tgdc@hotmail.co.uk www.2way gates.com (295956)

GLASS CURTAINS

RED DOG CINEMA

Puerto Banus WISH

THU: 15:15, 17:10, 19:10 FRI, SAT, SUN: 12:00, 15:15, 17:10, 19:10 MON, TUE, WED: 17:15, 19:10

NAPOLEON THU, FRI, SAT, SUN: 15:00, 17:50, 20:40 MON, WED: 17:00, 20:00 TUE: 17:00

TROLLS BAND TOGETHER FRI, SAT, SUN: 12:30

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES THU, FRI, SAT, SUN: 15:15, 18:10 MON, TUE, WED: 17:30

GLASS CURTAIN repairs, specialist in replacement of discoloured plastic strips that act as a seal between the glass panels. Call Julian 655 825 931 (302477)

HANDYMAN HANDYMAN: General Building work, painting, wall/roof waterproofing & other jobs. Call Michael 622 755 666 (304677)

HEATING Fires: Electric, Gas. Quality guaranteed. EnviroCare. All areas covered. 952 663 141 / 670 409759. info@envirocare spain.com www.envirocare spain.com (304164)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

VINYL WRAP VINYL SOLUTIONS WHY REPLACE WHEN YOU CAN RENOVATE? Modern adhesive vinyl coverings in hundreds of styles and designs can renovate a tired kitchen, bathroom, wall panels, bedroom wardrobes, fridge doors.

Turn a tired looking wood designed kitchen into a modern solid colour or metallic look without painting or replacing. Work carried out on site with 10 year warranties Contact Ian 644 546 176 for design brochure and samples.

(303296)

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

INSURANCE

PAW PATROL : THE MIGHTY MOVIE FRI, SAT: 12:30

HOT TUBS AND SPAS HOT TUBS new used, bought, sold, hired. Also move & repairs.

Used good Hot Tubs for sale. 691 973 131 / +44 7836 379122 (303337)

HOUSE CLEARANCES ALHAURIN FURNITURE EMPORIUM furniture wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes.

697 511 071 (303496)

INSURANCE MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now!

(200726) STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure. com (291234)

LOCKSMITHS ENGLISH LOCKSMITHS, SECURITY & SHADE EXPERTS. FREE HOME SECURITY SURVEY. 636 770 865 / 952 660 233 WWW.SECURITYOF SPAIN.COM CONTACT DAREN (303056) T1 ENGLISH LOCKSMITH emergency & appointment, locks changed, patio doors & windows secured. All locks supplied insurance approved. Fast & reliable service. No hidden extras or nasty surprises. 657 466 803 www.a1locksmiths.es (290138)

MASSAGE RELAXING Massage for Men & Couples. Feel free from tension & stress Call Dany 603 202 758 (304729)

SAN PEDRO. Sandra. Professional relaxing, tantric massage.

Young, slim, work alone, unforgettable moments. Nueva Andalucia.

641 346 278 PURE RELAXATION in Nueva Andalucia with attractive independent masseuse. Tantric and other special massages in private apartment. For gentlemen and couples, with no rush attention to your needs 656 350 401 ENGLISH ELEGANT independent & affectionate lady in late 40s, gives a sensual golfers massage to relieve tension in her discreet private apartment. Satisfaction guaranteed. Call 680 177 569 (304160) RIVIERA DEL SOL. Dana, Cuban masseuse, fun and spontaneous. My hands will offer you a unique experience, with a mixture of smells, sounds, sensations .

Contact me without obligation 951274723, 650237145. (303656) CALAHONDA. Leila, Arab masseuse, expert in the art of seduction and tantric massage. Authentic masseuse who manages to transmit the physical and emotional pleasure with the 5 senses.

Tantric massage, sensual or body to body to perfection. Make an appointment. 650237145 (303656) BUTTERFLY - Massage, is the ideal place for people with high sensitivity, with a taste for body to body interaction, who enjoy the sensuality and magic, feeling the warm hands of an attractive masseuse running through their body. Our masseuses have been chosen not only for their physical attractiveness, but also for their sensuality and massage skills. Only by appointment 951274723 , 650237145 (303656) CALA DE MIJAS. Looking to get out of your routine? Excellent professional masseuse and with exclusive attention for people who want and wish to relax and live a unique experience. If you are looking for discretion and good treatment, here I am. I’m Sara and I hope you ask for your appointment as soon as possible because I am very busy. 650237145 (303656) RIVIERA DEL SOL . Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away by your imagination. I am waiting for you in an atmosphere suitable for relaxation and sensuality, without noise, with candlelight and soft music. Before you start, you just have to relax, breathe slowly to free your body and mind... I’ll take care of the rest.

Miriam, qualified masseuse with many years of experience. Book your appointment. 650237145 (303656) CALAHONDA. I am Mery, a young, simple and natural girl who hides among her shy appearance the best kept secrets of relaxing, descontracture and stimulating massage. I massage both men and couples. 650237145. by appointment only (303656)

WWW.RESERVAENTRADAS.COM/CINE/MALAGA/REDDOGCINEMAS/

NEAR Elviria. Viky, undoubtedly I am the most sensual and, sweet

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latin masseuse you have ever met.

Tantric sensitive massages very special, body to body with oil! I will make you feel very relaxed with a good massage and the end will be your choice. 951274723, 650237145 (303656) CALAHONDA. I am your ideal masseuse if you want to enjoy a massage, relaxing and sensual, I will use all my charm and my secret techniques of relaxation and mutual connection. Dana – 650237145 (303656) MARBELLA CENTRE - the ideal place for relaxing massage in the city centre. Available 24h and prices from €50. For reservations and information call 620 366 817.

(302600) PROFESSIONAL MALE muscled masseur. Full-body relaxing, deep tissue and therapeutic massage.

In/outcalls. WhatsApp me 607 595 906 (304067) FUENGIROLA - Johanna Brazilian 45yrs Mature Masseur. Relaxing Massages. Best relax guaranteed. Tel: 617.818.615 (296396) LOS BOLICHES - Carolina Pretty Masseur, 45yrs Relaxing Massage, Guaranteed relax - 634.703.111 (296396) BENALMADENA lovely lady, offering you a very relaxing body massage. Call for an appointment 634 209 427 (304825) FUENGIROLA. Japanese Shiatsu & Zen Ki relaxing and therapeutic massage. Excellent service guaranteed.

Home Visits. WhatsApp for appointment 693 988 340 (304785) ESTEPONA. Susana, Latin Girl sculptural body, trained for deep relaxing massage. 697 705 304 (FU 2786) AT MY Wellness Massage Studio your first visit will be the first of many. Tel: +34 623 492 262 (304620) JAPANESE massage. Marbella.

Relaxing, less stress. 664 177 216 (MI 559) MARBELLA Tantric ritual massage with aromatherapy to leave completely renewed. 642 751 070 (2907) MASSAGE! Outcalls everywhere in Costa del Sol! Independent lady offer sensual massage. 613 731 259. (FU 3127) SARA Venezuelan, professional relaxing therapeutic & sensitive massage. I can visit you. For more information contact me 632 770 051 (303021) BENALMADENA Private Villa: DANIELA from Colombia 19yrs Masseur. New on the Coast. in C/ Imperio Argentina N.1 in Benalmadena. Incalls Outcalls 24hrs. Tel. 679 267 197 (304855) BENALMADENA: IRINA Russian Masseur, model, slim, Russian, Spanish, English. Incalls & Outcalls 24hrs. Tel. 604 181 157 (304855)

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BENALMADENA Masseur, massage, jacuzzi, outcalls 24hrs. Incalls & Outcalls. 24hrs. Tel. 679 267 197 (304855)

ASIAN MASSUER offers relaxing full body massage. Home Visits. WhatsApp 641 980 066 for details (304011)

BENALMADENA: Maria - Colombian Masseur - blond long hair, Incalls & Outcalls 24hrs. Tel. 604 181 157 (304855)

FUENGIROLA Centre 3 beautiful girls enjoy with authentic beauties 603 366 841 (FU 3147)

SAN PEDRO BEACH. RELAXING AND SENSITIVE MASSEUSES WELCOME YOU IN A PRIVATE AND DISCREET PLACE. YOUNG, PLEASANT. WITH APPOINTMENT. EASY, PRIVATE PARKING. 666 194 079 - 674 679 757. (304868)

OLGA Mature Masseure relaxing & sensitive. Outcalls & Incalls. 24 hrs. Marbella – Tel: 632 467 580 (304040)

RELAXING Tantric Sensual Yoni/ Lingam Massage. Genuine trained Male Masseur. Marbella. 602 098 606 (FU 3149)

FILIPINO MASSAGE CENTRE, where hearts of Asian professional massage daily. 604 421 973 (MI 574)

THAI Benalmádena Costa. Bodybody full massages. Visits, hotels.

Whatsapp 689 387 448 (MI 575)

BENALMADENA: Alicia Spanish professional & relaxing Masseur..

Incalls & Outcalls. 24hrs. Tel. 679 267 197 (304855) FILIPINA/Thai, exclusive prostatic, deep, hard, soft massage pleasure to body mind therapy, exotic professional relaxation, clean, good atmosphere. Elviria. Marbella. 679 126 231 (MI 574) BOLICHES. Https://celina-16.jimdosite.com. Elegant loving kind lovely delightful lady for educated very discreet, respectable gentleman. Unique relaxing moments, hot sensual massages, private quite place. Enjoy full deep complete, excellent treatment, special attention of your needs and total satisfaction. Demanding impeccable hygiene. Previous appointment 11am/6pm. 622 210 797 (FU 3117) BENALMADENA: Sandra Spanish Masseur and Amalia - duo massage & relaxing. Incalls & Outcalls. 24hrs. Tel. 604 181 157 (304855) MARBELLA - Esther exotic tantric relaxing massage 19yrs. Incalls & outcalls 24hrs - visa & amex - Tel 680 556 14 (304861) NEW IN FUENGIROLA I am Daniela, 19 years old, massages and relax. 603 366 841 (FU 3147) ASIAN lady tantric sensory generate self esteem body technique, fantastic relaxation massage Marbella. 671 442 664 (MI 574)

NEW VILLA in Fuengirola. 4 masseuses. Total discretion. 632 018 105 (FU 3147)

FUENGIROLA. Relaxing massage, Venezuelan Ladyboy masseuse Violeta. Chiropractor.

660 867 374 (FU 3148)

ASIAN PROFESSIONAL Massage, sensual, relaxing & therapeutic, to release tension & stress.

Fuengirola. Call 613 592 062 (304091)

ESTEPONA. Hi! Beautiful masseuse, spectacular attributes.

Relieve stress, personalised massage, unforgettable sensations.

642 268 665 (3152)

FUENGIROLA. Marisa, 38 years old, mature, all kinds of massages.

Only WhatsApp. 631 659 408 (FU 3126) www.casakinkspain.com.

Heated pool, Jacuzzi and private bar. Inland private retreat with a full massage service. 662 913 428 (FU 3150) ASIAN ladyboy and gay, authentic professional/traditional massage therapy unique treatment, clean atmosphere. Marbella. 603 257 690 (MI 574) FUENGIROLA. Excellent company, massage and more... Blond, tall, pretty lady. In/outcalls 657 697 397 (FU 3139) GENESIS blond explosive masseur, men and women, from Venezuela. 24 hours - outcall / incall - visa & amex - Tel. 680 55 614 (304861)

SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA Camila Masseur 33, slim, pretty private apartment - 603 804 443 (304637)

COLOMBIAN. Yeraldin, I do massages and something else. I am independent 45 years old I am in Nueva AndalucIa 611 245 461 (FU 3151)

VANESSA Benalmadena excellent massage services. Relaxing & therapeutic. Home premises. Call me 624 811 098 (304730)

CASSIE. Mature English lady. Discreet and clean. Fuengirola. 667 914 732 (FU 3031)

NEW IN FUENGIROLA. I am beautiful brunette Luna, treat yourself to massages and relaxation 603 366 841 (FU 3147) ASIAN Touch try something different combination Oriental European, absolutely relaxing massage relief pain stress, luxury place. Marbella. Elviria. 633 705 558 (MI 574)

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

MOSQUITO SCREENS ACE OF SHADES - Don’t let the bugs get you! Available in enrollable, slider and pleated.

Large choice of colours including wood effect. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceofshades.design MOSQUITO Screens for windows, doors and a high-quality sliding patio door screen. All finishes available. Quick service. All areas covered. Call Julian 655 825 931 (302477) MOSQUITO screens, sliding, pulldown, pleated, colours, call Mosquito Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws

MOTORING

BARBARA mature masseur educated 42yrs, private, 24hrs, Marbella. Tel 613 213 030 (304740) CRISTINA and MIA - duo masseurs on holiday in Marbella infall & outcalls 24hrs - visa & amex - Tel. 680 55 614 (304861) ORIENTAL ladyboy pretty professional traditional, tantric massage relieving. Marbella. 604 428 812 (MI 574)

LAWYERS CAMPER VANS, CARAVANS, MOBILE HOMES, BOATS AND ALL PLANT, DIGGERS, DUMPERS, MOTORBIKES, CARS AND COMMERCIALS WANTED. BEST PRICE PAID, CASH TODAY, ANY REGISTRATION WITH OR WITHOUT PAPERS. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 (290189)

CARS, VANS, ANY RESGISTRATION, INSTANT CASH, FINANCE / EMBARGO UK OR SPANISH 685 524 921 (290189) CARS, VANS UK OR SPANISH BOUGHT FOR CASH. FREE COLLECTION IN SPAIN / UK. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 OR 952 669 701 (290189)

FOR SALE ROBERTSON CARS ...would like to thank all of my past, present & future clients for their continued support over the last 35 years here in Spain. Stay safe and outdrive everyone. If contacting Samantha in the afternoons, please only Whatsapp on 608 658 785 or Email therobertsonclan@ gmail.com as I am driving mostly & unable to take your calls.

ROBERTSON CARS CAR-ISMAS SALE THE TIME TO GO TOPLESS IS NOW AUTOMATIC / CABRIO MERCEDES SLK ONLY 57,000kms 2006 Stunning Silver only used as holiday car with 57,000KMS (Approx 35,000miles) 2 Seater Convertible have fun in the sun. Comes with New ITV until 2024 and history, Electric Roof folds into boot. Selling Under Book Price only €10,995. Now FINAL SALE PRICE €10,000. Classy Great Shape Cabrio. Mercedes, need I say more… See photos on my web page – www.robertson cars-spain,com or text me whatsapp 608 658 785 Email: therobertsonclan@gmail.com ROBERTSON CARS CAR-ISMAS SALE AUTOMACTIC / DIESEL MERCEDES C220 ESTATE 2013 ONLY 82,000KMS Yes Approx. 50,000 Miles. Electric Big Sunroof, this is no ordinary Mercedes this is my own much loved super Good Looking. Striking Shade of Grey Mercedes, New ITV till Augugst 2024 ,Sat Nav, Electric Everything, Parking Sensors, Fabulous Air-con, Samantha´s Hot Bargain WAS 17,995 Euros Now FINAL SALE PRICE €17,500. www.robertson cars-spain,com or text me whatsapp 608 658 785 Email: therobertsonclan@gmail.com ROBERTSON CARS CAR-ISMAS SALE AUTOMATIC / CABRIO SMART CAR Silver with Black Electric Hood, hood can be half opened or fully down, go top-less, 2 seater. Small Car Big Personality. Park anywhere, little beauty she has her own car cover.

Huge Service History originally from Germany, now Spanish Plates. Low KMS. ITV, Air-condition , Electric Windows and Locking, 2 Keys. Outstanding Condition, WAS €5,995 NOW SALE PRICE €5,250 Perfect Runaround. See Photo on my web page – www.robertson cars-spain.com or text/Whatsapp me: 608 658 785 Email therobert sonclan@gmail.com ROBERTSON CARS SALE SALE SALE NEW ARRIVAL CABRIO BMW 420 DIESEL AUTOMATIC ONLY 59,000KMS Comfortable fourseater, just services October, always kept n garage. Careful Expat owner, new grandchild

forces seal. Stunning white with tan leather, condition like new be quick bargain BMW for €25,995. Call/Whatsapp me: 608 658 785 phone me and I will bring it to you for a test drive. Email therobertsonclan@ gmail.com ROBERTSON CARS CAR-ISMAS SALE 4x4 RANGE ROVER SPORT 2022 LOWKILOMETERS Stunning in White, New ITV Till August. Always garaged, lady owner has looked after her. Arrive in style was €18,995 now FINAL SALE PRICE €17,500 See Photo on my web page – www.robertson cars-spain.com or text/Whatsapp me: 608 658 785 Email therobert sonclan@gmail.com ROBERTSON CARS CAR-ISMAS SALE 4x4 SUZUKI SAMURAI CABRIO This old warrior is in amazing condition. White with White Soft Hood. No Air-Con, just take the hood off! Drives like a tank great for campo. ITV until June 2024 only 77,000KMS. MUST BE SEEN €4,995. See Photo on my web page – www.robertson cars-spain.com or text/Whatsapp me: 608 658 785 Email therobert sonclan@gmail.com 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.

CAR SERVICES ENGLISH bodyshop, fully equipped, Mijas Costa. No Job Too Small. 952 667 074 (303219)

IMPORT/TRANSFER CARS TRANSFERRED, history checks, Imports and Embargo problems. Change of use and lost papers. Change your car to Spanish plates, simple efficient service. Cars bought and sold.

Please call 678808837 or email carsinspain@live.co.uk (290189)

WANTED WANTED, wanted, wanted!! All cars, all years, all models… from exotic to classic. Spanish, English, Dutch plated. Call us on 951 977 329 or 606 647 597.

(303386) WANTED CARS AND VANS, FREE COLLECTION, SAME DAY 685 524 921 (290189) CARS, VANS BOUGHT WITH / WITHOUT PAPERS. CASH WAITING 678 808 837 (303115) ALL CARS / Commercials wanted, runners or non-runners. Cash.

Buyer collects. Transfer included.

605 109 796 (303389) CARS, Vans, Bikes wanted. Any Reg, Anything Considered Call or Whatsapp 687 049 592 (304671)

CLASSIFIEDS MUSIC

DAVID CHRISTIAN-CLARK PLAYS POPULAR SPANISH GUITAR FOR YOUR EVENT. OVER 30 YEARS PRO EXPERIENCE BACKED

BY A DIPLOMA FROM GUILDHALL LONDON. SPECIALISES IN WEDDINGS.ECLECTIC PLAYLIST TAILORED TO YOUR TASTE. REASONABLE RATES BY NEGOTIATION.COVERS GIB TO NERJA.SEE YOU TUBE. ENQUIRIES davechristianclark@ gmail.com (304085)

OTHERS EDS? We have the solution, Kamagra pills & jells, Cialis, Sidenafil, over 7 products for men & ladies, mixed trial packs.Free delivery throughout Costa del Sol. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394

PASSPORT RENEWALS UK & IRISH Passport renewals including photos. Complete Service. Cath’s Cards. 952 885 759. www.cathscards.es (290153)

PEST CONTROL COCKROACHES, ANTS, insects, fleas, mice, rats, wasps, termite specialists. Fumigations, bars, restaurants, houses, etc. Sanitary department officially registered certificates. Serving the coast since 1985. Only legal English owned pest control company on the coast. If you want the best then phone N.P.S. Paul 676 700 370 (303636)

PETS LAGUNAPETHOTEL.COM Loving care for cats and dogs TEL 646 066 351 (302996)

KENNELS CAT & DOG World Kennels and Cattery. 952 112 978 / 630 197 435. www.catanddogworld.com (304722)

PET CHARITY ACE CHARITY ‘El Refugio’ in La Cala de Mijas is a registered charity. We have on average 275 dogs in our care and we receive no help from the town hall or the Andalucian government. We desperately need foster homes and adoptants for our many dogs, especially the small ones and puppies who do not do well in a big shelter. We are grateful for any help offered, including donations of food and blankets. Visiting times are from 13.00 to 15.00 and you can always turn up or make an appointment by calling Denise on 669 018 736. Our website is www. ace-charity.org where you can view all the dogs in our care.

(93320)

If you can read it, so can your clients.

Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

CLASSIFIEDS

euroweeklynews.com

ADANA THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN ESTEPONA. We always need volunteers to walk and socialise with our dogs and help with cleaning. We also need good homes for our animals that you can see on www.adana.es. Kennels open every day 10-1.30, Camino de Casares, near Parque de los Pedregales, Estepona. (5 minutes from the Poligono) For more information call 952 113 467, available from 10.00am until 2.00pm. (93319) ANIMEX Foundation offers free will upgrading when leaving something for abandoned animals. Contact animexfoundation@ gmail.com or call 692 166 434 now for this absolutely free service (288287) ARCH - The Andalucian Rescue Centre for Horses, registered charity 8448, the Centre is open to visitors every Sunday from 9am until 2pm. Working closely with the Spanish authorities, we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abused and abandoned horses and donkeys.

Come and meet our current rescues, learn about our work and how you may be able to help. Run solely by a small team of dedicated volunteers, the Centre is located between Alhaurin el Grande and Coin in Comm. de Viña Borrego behind Venta Miralmonte. For more information and directions see our website www.horserescuespain.org, our Facebook page Centro Andalusi de Rescate de Caballos or tel. 610 845 491 or 656 935 613 (93322)

veterinary care, we much appreciate the support we receive. We desperately need items to sell on our market stall to help raise funds and are happy to come and collect. So, if you are having a clearout, please contact us on 605 227 155. If you would like to know more about rehoming, please call 653 257 875. Visit our website www.sos-animals.org or please phone Sandy on 952 385 923 or 666 814 056 if you would like to make a donation or help in any way. (93317)

PLUMBING PLUMBING. Leak detection & blocked drains. Tel 952 568 414 / 661 910 772 / drainspain.com (295026)

POOLS

PLUMBERS

THINKING of selling your property or interested in a current valuation? We have clients actively looking for properties from Torremolinos to Calahonda. List with us and let us sell your property. Call Joe 626 864 683 (304019)

PROPERTY FOR SALE WWW.INTERMARBELLA.COM Costa del Sol Property for sale. All areas / all budgets / all types.

Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008 Email info@inter marbella.com (303052) SELLING UP?? Why not give us a call and let us give you an honest and realistic valuation of your property. List with us and let us take the stress out of selling your home. No sale no fee!! English agent on the ball with clients waiting. Please call 685 524 921.

(290189) FOR SALE URBAN PLOT 1200m2. Able to build 3 Houses of 143m2. Good investment in a prominent position Urb Sierra Chica Coin / Malaga. 130,000€ plus taxes. Tel: +34 696 376 454 (304791)

PROP MAINTENANCE PROPERTY

SEPE the horse and donkey charity is open to the public at weekends from 10.00 to 5.00. Volunteers are much needed in all departments and are welcome at any time. For our riding for the disabled classes, we are also in need of extra helpers. We are nationally registered by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (164640) but only with your support can we give the equine a voice. If you can just commit to 2 or 3 euros a month it will really help make a difference.

You can find us at Lauro Golf Equestrian Centre, Alqueria, Alhaurin de la Torre. Tel. 608 258 950 info@sepeonline.net www.sepeonline.net (93321) SOS ANIMAL REFUGE we have dogs, young and old looking for homes. Some of our dogs have been with us for some time and would love to find a cosy spot to curl up in and a knee on which to rest their heads. If you have room in your heart and home we would love to hear from you. We do not put our dogs to sleep - no matter how old, they are safe with us. For day to day needs and to pay for

7 - 13 December 2023

STARLIGHT Property Cleaning & Maintenance All Areas. Residential & Holiday Lets. Persiana repairs, Decorating, Electrial & Plumbing repairs. 682 636451 www.starlight-spain.com (303728)

PROPERTY TO LET WWW.INTERMARBELLA.COM Costa del Sol Property Long Term Rentals All areas / All budgets / All types. Spain +34 951 708 422 UK +44 208 144 5008.

Email info@intermarbella.com (303052)

REMOVALS/STORAGE 15 CUBIC metre van returning to the UK 22 nd December 2023. Space available each way. Tel. 639 928 090 (304200)

PROPERTY WANTED WWW.INTERMARBELLA.COM Costa del Sol Property Sales & Long term rentals wanted. All areas / All budgets / All types.

Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008. Email info@intermarbella.com (303052)

MAN AND VAN MAN & VAN, 20€ ph. Removals, Rubbish & House Clearances. Paul 634 112 677 (294214) 2 MEN, Van €30 p hour. House Clearances & Storage. 651 081 610 (303336) moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (295657)

STORAGE, Storage, Storage.

Man & Van Services. Call/Whatsapp 690 155 340 (304667) MAN AND VAN removals / storage service. House clearances Collections and deliveries Waste removal NO JOB TOO SMALL Call Mike on 604 380 570 (304093) A&J REMOVALS For all your clearance, delivery and removal needs. Moving never looked so good. Call us on 662534877

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL

ROLLER shutter repairs, 7 days a week, conversion from manual to motorised, new installations. All areas covered. Coast and inland.

655 825 931

SOLAR SOLAR Hot Water heating: FREE HOT WATER. 28 years installation history in Spain.

Envirocare. All areas covered.

Quality guaranteed. 952 663 141/ 670 409 759 info@envi rocarespain.com www.enviro carespain.com (304164)

SOFT FURNISHINGS CURTAINS, blinds, cushions and much more. Free estimates and home visits. Tel 657 369 343 or rosannacarmella8@gmail.com (304143)

SPECIALTY SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL LOCAL REMOVALS AT AFFORDABLE RATES. 1/2 DAY FROM €90. FULL DAY FROM €175.

WE ALSO PROVIDE A FORTNIGHTLY DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE TO UK AND EUROPE (INCL SCOTLAND). WORLDWIDE SHIPPING TO USA, AUSTRALIA, ETC AND FULL STORAGE FACILITIES. TEL (0034) 952 578 507 OR (0034) 637 892 278 / EMAIL garymoveit@yahoo.co.uk JDS EURO TRANSPORT & REMOVALS - Regular trips throughout Europe. Call or WhatsApp Julian 0044 7884 908 929. See Facebook Page for recommendations (304139) moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (295657)

STORAGE moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (295657)

ROLLER SHUTTERS ACE OF SHADES - PERSIANA (security shutter) electric and manual, various colours available including wood effect, we also offer a repair service.

Make your home more secure!

Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceofshades. design (101730)

3 IN 1. Nurse 17 years experience, Cleaner, Home help. English / Dutch speaking. Limited slots available €30 per hour. WhatsApp or Call 690 849 277, 24 hours (304638)

SWIMMING POOLS POOL MAINTENANCE, & Repairs, including heaters & regrouts. Friendly & reliable service. Malaga to Estepona & inland areas. 678 791 495 / 951 536 389 www.sparklenripple.net SWIMMING Pool Heating Pumps, Pool Covers, Rollers, Filtration Systems. 28 years installation history in Spain.

Envirocare. All areas covered.

Quality Guaranteed.

952663141 / 670409759 info@envirocare spain.com www.envirocare spain.com (304164) POOL MAINTENANCE & repairs. Special Winter Maintenance offer for Dec / Jan / Feb /Mar. Call NOW for more info 603 312 588 (304816)

SOLAR PROTECTION

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TRANSLATORS OFFICIAL TRANSLATIONS All Languages. 952 789 204 Mobile 654 613 094 sanpe drotranslations@gmail.co

TV & SATELLITE REPAIRS to TV’s, LCD, LED, -Videos, Hi-Fi, & Microwaves, Mag Boxes, UK channels installed. 35 years experience.

Free Estimates, Can Collect.

John 952 491 723 or 600 706 201. (304824)

UPHOLSTERY ADVANCED Cleaning Services.

Professional carpet and upholstery cleaning, 28 years experience, wet/dry clean. Honest, reliable.

678 808 837 / 952 669 701 acservs@outlook.com UPHOLSTERY including leather cleaned also carpets. 685 524 921 (290189) CARPETS AND SOFAS cleaned.

Reliable, fast service. Family run.

Cleansol 952 930 861 / 607 610 578. 10am - 10pm 7 days, all areas Discount Code: EWN 1 CLEAN (206437)

WATER HEATERS ELECTRIC & Gas Water Heaters. Quality Installations.

28 years installation history in Spain. EnviroCare. All Areas Covered. 952 663 141/670 409 759 info@envirocare spain.com www.envirocare spain.com (304164)

WINDOW TINTING

MOTORING

euroweeklynews.com

7 - 13 December 2023

EWN 71

Hyundai Tucson - ticking all of the boxes ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack I’M frequently told that all cars look alike nowa­ days, the only differentia­ tor being the badge on the bonnet. Well there’s no mistaking Hyundai’s Tucson SUV. It has an im­ posing front, that reminds me a little of the 1960s Dodge Charger RT, and the company’s stand­out styling has made it many friends in the showroom.

The front lights of the Tucson are shielded at the outer edge of the dominant front grille and provide an excellent level of light in terms of both spread and distance. It’s a neat styling touch that certainly makes drivers do a double take in their rear view mirror.

This current generation was launched back in 2020 and it’s still turning heads.

My test model was the

Premium full hybrid ver­ sion priced at €44,538/£38,140 and powered by a petrol 1.6­ litre engine bolstered by a 44kw electric motor to pro­ duce 230 PS. Standard equipment across the board in­ cludes heat­ ed front seats and steering wheel, climate, automatic lights and wipers, LED lights, cruise control, heated and powered fold­ ing door mirrors, auto­ matic dimming rear view mirror, parking sensors with rear camera, keyless entry and start, naviga­ tion, Bluetooth and wire­ less charging. It’s an im­ pressive list.

Thankfully in an age of digital mania Hyundai have sensibly maintained some buttons rather than burying everything in the digital menu of the large

HYUNDAI TUCSON: A family and work machine capable of everything from the school run to chauffering.

Facts at a Glance • Model: Hyundai Tucson Premium • Engine: 1.6-litre petrol, 44 kw electric motor mild hybrid, developing 230PS • Gears: 6-speed automatic • Price: €44,538/£38,140 • Performance: 0-100kph (62mph) 8.0 seconds/Maximum Speed 193kph/120mph • Economy: 5.7 l/100km/49.6mpg combined driving – WLTP • Emissions: 130 g/km – WLTP Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

touchscreen. The safety features such as lane­ keep are relatively unob­

trusive although a bit of a faff to switch off should you wish. Seating is very

comfortable with multi­ ple adjustment and no one will complain about a

lack of space as there is plenty of room for all along with their luggage.

On the road the Tucson has plenty of power from its 1.6­litre engine and is both smooth and refined, although it’s never going to set your driving pulses alight there’s a very re­ spectable eight seconds to reach the benchmark 100 kph/62 mph. It isn’t meant to be a drivers’ car, this is a family and work machine capable of everything from the school run to chauffeur­ ing for a black tie dinner.

There’s an upmarket and special feel to the in­ terior, not always a given these days and once you’ve mastered the push buttons for the automatic transmission it’s a gen­ uine delight to drive. Hav­ ing recently sampled the all­electric Ioniq 6 the Tucson may be more con­ ventional in some aspects but it’s a very big tick in the box for the Hyundai!

72 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023

Winter Olympics THE French Alps and Salt Lake City in the US were confirmed re­ spectively on Wednesday, November 29, as the sole candidates for the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games.

Karl Stoss, the head of the International Olympic Commit­ tee’s (IOC) future host commission, said Olympic chiefs would now move into ‘targeted dialogue’ with the two candidates.

‘The IOC will now start more detailed discussions with the Preferred Hosts, led by their National Olympic Committees (NOCs), with the aim of awarding both editions at the 142nd IOC Session in July in Paris,’ the IOC said in a statement.

This decision was announced at the expense of Sweden and Switzerland, the two other candidates. Salt Lake City was the only candidate to launch a bid to host the 2034 Games.

Last month, the IOC said it was aiming to make a double award by picking the 2030 and 2034 hosts together in July when about 100 members meet in Paris on the eve of the 2024 Summer Games. That plan could now change to avoid a conflict for IOC members to have to vote for a French bid in its capital city. France has hosted the Winter Games on three previous oc­ casions. Chamonix was the location in 1924, Grenoble in 1968, and Albertville in 1992. Salt Lake City previously hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.

euroweeklynews.com

SPORT

ANDALUCIA WALKING FOOTBALL LEAGUE

This week’s action!

AWFL Over 50s AC Benahavis 5 v 3 Real Calahonda Calahonda started in lethal fashion, scoring in the first few minutes through an au­ dacious effort from Simon Luke. A short time later Be­ nahavis levelled through a rocketed shot on the turn by James Quinn. Mark Cooper then put the home side ahead with a well­executed free kick move from 15 me­ tres out. Huge pressure en­ sued from the hosts but, against the run of play, Richard Rose clinically grabbed the equaliser for the visitors just before half time.

They then went ahead when Darren Canty spun his de­ fender and scored from close range. Jose Bermudez then levelled for the hosts, com­ ing in from wide on the left to slot home in this topsy­ turvy game. Cooper then bagged his second with a fine strike off the outside of his left boot and finally Bermudez did the same with a carbon copy of his first to give Benahavis all three points.

AWFL Over 60s AC Benahavis 9 v 1 Real Calahonda Benahavis began strongly and quickly raced into the lead with two penalties for encroachment into the goal area by the visitors. Then David O’Hara added a third for the hosts before half time with a delightful chip. In the second period, although Calahonda fought to try to stay in touch, they soon lost

Both Benahavis teams won against Real Calahonda.

their goalie to injury, and then Benahavis really turned the screw, scoring six more, the best of which was a su­ perb 25­metre strike from Peter Madden, capping a splendid all­round team per­ formance by the home side.

Goals came from O’Hara (3), Colin McGeary (2), Charles Kleimunt, Rob Fitz, Mark Cooper and Madden, with a consolation goal being scored by Steve Muschamp

for the visitors. Both games were excellently controlled by ref Oz Fenn.

AC Benahavis would like to dedicate this 60s match to Steve Duffell, a club titan, who tragically lost his daugh­ ter recently.

Axarfusion Cup Over 60s Nerja Utd. 3 v 1 Torrox Tornadoes (Sponsored by www.my­ lawyerinspain.com and www.axarfu sion.es)

From last week, three unreported league results: AWFL Over 50s Malaga WFC 7 v 0 Nerja Utd. AWFL Over 60s Malaga WFC 2 v 2 Nerja Utd. Competa Boca Seniors 2 v 4 Nerja Utd.