Costa Blanca North 28 March – 3 April 2024 Issue 2021

Save My Life

Anna Akopyan

ON April 28, Save My Life, is holding an impressive day of live entertainment at Benidorm’s largest event venue, the Benidorm Palace.

After successful donations in the past, the charity returns to the Benidorm stage for the 11th edition of Save My Life; established to ensure the well-being of local animals.

The shows in the past marked the life-changing rehoming of the local cats and dogs into the homes not only of Costa Blanca’s residents but also visitors across Europe.

Last year, Save My Life raised more than €23,000, €8,000 of which were spent on vet fees, €2,500 on food supplies, and a large

amount donated to local animal charities.

Hosting this fabulous event from 1pm, are Paul Thacker and Mark Ellis

(aka Benidorm’s own drag queen, Ruby Rox). Benidorm acts appearing include Beauty and the Beast, Crissy Rock, Jasmin, and Soul Girl.

Imagine Benidorm’s grand venue, filled to its 1,660-seat capacity, every ticket saving the life of an animal in need. €12 admission.

Get your ticket at Benidorm Palace or on the website https://benidorm palace.com/es/blog/ver/ eventos/save-my-life-11

If you want to donate, you can do so through PayPal savemylifecharity @gmail.com.

FREI GRATIS

GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS GRATUITO VRIJ

LIVRE ILMAINEN

G F E GRATIS GRATUIT S G

Hosts Paul Thacker and Mark Ellis aka Ruby Rox.

Credit: Paul Thacker

Costa Blanca North

Plant or litter?

WHEN visiting Mediterranean beaches, tourists may mistake the dead Neptune grass for waste or unwanted seaweed. Yet, this plant plays an integral role in the marine environment.

Also known as the Posidonia oceanica, this plant is widely common and necessary in the Mediterranean seas. It acts as a shelter for marine species, allowing them to feed and breed, as well as improving the oxygen levels in

the sea. In truth safeguarding our coasts, the plant is often disregarded by both tourists and local authorities. The Posidonia oceanica prevents erosion and disappearance of our beaches, yet it is currently in danger due to the polluted waste disposal and human invasion of marine species. With Semana Santa (The Holy Week) bringing a large number of visitors to the Costa Blanca, local authorities are still

receiving tourist complaints about the “rubbish” on the beach.

The municipality of Denia makes efforts to preserve its environment and leaves the weeds in place during the seasons low in tourism, but this Easter holiday, the local council is clearing up Denia’s beach for the sake of the bathers.

The dried Posidonia will be forwarded to provide bedding for livestock and horses.

The Posidonia Oceanica.

Credit: Jari, Flickr

Clocks go forward

DAYLIGHT Savings Time begins on Sunday March 31 at 2.00am. At this time, clocks will ‘spring forward’ as we welcome in the longer days and sunnier seasons of spring and summer.

Addendum

PLEASE note that the photograph that appeared on the front page of last week’s Euro Weekly News carried an image of Jonny Elraiz and the late Sherilee Ann Lynn.

Best hotel

THE Don Pancho Hotel in Benidorm was granted the TUI Global Hotel Award of 2024. The Hotel continues to be amongst the best-reviewed hotels in the world, based on visitors’ positive experiences and quality service.

Road change

THE traffic light in Albir ‘s Cap Blanc/Ctra del Albir, was eliminated, establishing a single direction in Albir from March 22. As an alternative route from Albir to Altea, use the N-332 road. Entry will be given to residents.

Draft plan

THE Animal Welfare Council and the volunteers of feline colonies united in Altea to develop a plan of action. A draft of the Colonial Management Plan was presented, to further efforts for animals’ safety.

Social homes

BENIDORM collaborated with the Generalitat to construct 90+ new social homes in a 4,000 square metre plot. Financed by the Next Generation EU Funds, 685 social homes will be built across the Valencian Community.

Anna Akopyan

AS farmers insist on institutional changes, the Javea Town Council reached an agreement and began to implement a plan in support of agricultural workers.

Since a plenary session last month, the local government, PP, CpJ and Vox have signed an agreement to assist the municipality’s farmers and ranchers.

The town council is now developing a Local Strategic Agriculture Plan, Fishing and Food to meet the demands of the farmers, who urge for a reduction in taxes and exibility of the environmental protection regulations. The Javea Town Council is communicating with the central government, encouraging an expansion of the Agri-Food Chain Law

Fight for farmers Hospital upgrade

THE Marina Baixa Hospital in Villajoyosa applies a €102.6 million budget to provide the best, renovated services to the local community.

The regional health councillor, Marciano Gomez, stated during the last weeks of March, that the budget for developing the Villajoyosa hospital has been increased from €57 million to €102.6 million.

The development project will increase the hospital’s capacity, adding 133 new beds for the patients.

Gomez emphasised that the remodelling will benefit not only the patients but also the professionals: “So they can provide quality attention.”

The construction has already begun, installing six new building blocks, with an extra floor on each. In these buildings, vital installations will be placed, including a diagnostic imaging area with two CT scan rooms, a mammogram X-ray machine, and an MRI.

There will also be a new emergency department with a short-stay unit, a new ICU, a sterilisation centre, and a reanimation unit, ensuring the efficiency of local healthcare and patient experience.

to ban unfair trade and ensure that the costs of production in the Spanish farms are covered by their income.

The council is also requesting aid to monitor the excess population of the species which cause agricultural and livestock damage, disrupting the rural labour and economy.

Javea holds a vast amount of agricultural workers. The local farmers were nally heard by the town council.

Free Easter bus

ONCE again, this year, the town council of Teulada-Moraira is launching a free bus service during the Semana Santa (The Holy Week).

From March 27 until April 10, exploring the municipality and gathering for celebrations will be ever so simple, thanks to the council’s offer of free bus transportation across Teulada-Moraira.

The mayor of the municipality, Raul Llobell, shared his enthusiasm for the service, proposing it as a solution for sustainable mobility.

During the Easter holiday, the municipality receives an increased amount of visitors, but these measures ensure that it doesn’t lead to a rise in car emissions.

The bus was implemented in the past during the festive seasons and has positively contributed to ecological preservation and improved the tourism experience.

The bus will connect the urban centres of Teulada-Moraira and its beaches, transporting people across the municipality, including the town hall square of Teulada and the Portet and Platgetes beaches.

Norwegian school

THE DNSCB (Norwegian School Costa Blanca), established in 1972, is taking on a building development to expand the school facilities.

The DNSCB is an established private school in Alfaz del Pi, following a Norwegian curriculum.

The principal, Bjarte Buen, announced: “After over 20 years of preparations, a new school building will be built.”

The development will be implemented by the JPC company, which constructed the school in the past.

Evaluating students’ needs, an allocation of more arts and crafts areas on the rst oor was decided, alongside the substitution of the swimming pool for a new sports eld.

The principal shared: “If everything goes according to plan, the school building will be fully updated

around Christmas time next school year.”

With a growing Nordic population in Costa Blanca, the school is accepting an increase in students and is ensuring the best conditions possible.

To nd out more, contact costablancascole@costablan cascole.com / (00 34) 965 887 767.

Located at Riu Guadiana 14, Urb El Oasis, 03580 L’Alfas del Pi.

THE NGO, Vision Sense Fronteres, is based in Calpe but continues to make healthcare accessible worldwide, serving patients across Africa.

The Organisation has launched a Vision Without Borders campaign, travelling to Africa to assist patients in need of visual health treatments.

Calpe Town Hall has awarded the Organisation with €15,000 for 2024, and Vision Sense Fronteres have since provided eye check-ups and cataract surgeries in Africa.

They recently travelled to Senegal to revise their existing patients. The team of optometrists and ophthalmologists aided a small clinic run by a Spanish nun, on the outskirts of Dakar.

After their return, they began a new campaign on March 27 and are currently preparing to visit Yaounde with a team of eye specialists and nurses.

Fruit market in Javea.

Credit: Javea Council, Facebook

4

Claude Norris

MARCH 30 is a special day for Brian and Stephanie, who will be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary in Albir.

65th Anniversary

In his early 20s, Brian left the army, moving across England with his family. The first job he found was as a bread delivery man, and it was there, working in the bakery, that he met his future wife, Stephanie.

“That’s how we met,” shared Brian, “throwing cakes and buns at each other.”

Brian was 21, and Stephanie 17, when they got married.

“I had a little car that my parents bought me and I’d take Stephanie out. One night in the car, I popped the question.”

They had a small, quiet, white wedding in a church, with family and close friends.

The couple moved to Spain in 2000: “The best decision of our lives.”

Now, their three children are married and live in Holland, England and the United States.

On March 30, the whole family flies to Spain to enjoy the couple’s tradition of dining out, this time in Albir, for the 65th time.

Denia’s glory

FROM March 17 until March 19, Denia hosted one the most vibrant celebrations of The Fallas in the Valencian Community.

Credit: Brian and Stephanie

The streets, crowded with local families, national tourists and visitors from Europe and beyond, lit up in the festive grandeur of the Spanish holiday.

One of the Falleros (participant of The Fallas), revealed: “In Spain, no one knows that here we do fallas but then they come and are left with their mouths open.”

Although the Canary Islands and Barcelona continue to be the high attraction points, the secret gems of the Valencian Community are becoming the favourite getaway of many tourists.

With Denia’s value of traditions and celebrations, the rate of visitors especially increases during the spring. Denia’s mayor, Vicent Grimalt, announced: “There have been more people than on many summer days.”

One of the Falleros shared the commitment which both the locals and the visitors have to the spring celebration in Denia: “They say that in Denia we are crazy, that the money we spend here on the Fallas is not normal.”

Brian and Stephanie out on a dinner.

Anna Akopyan

TEN men from Costa Blanca, make this month the time to prioritise their health, knocking out masculine stigmas and upgrading their lifestyle.

Andy Delderfield is a personal coach, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer but conquered the disease and ran an Ultra Marathon just a few weeks later.

To encourage other men to value their health, Cancer Care Javea are collaborating with the 10XMEN and Andy

Men’s Health Matters I

to raise funds by helping the men complete personal challenges. The donations will support the organisation’s nursing services.

Alex McEnery

Alex is a hard-working single father, who is suffering from what he calls ‘dad-bod’. This month Alex is going to undertake the challenge of hiking the Hell’s Ravine, in costumes, spon-

sored by Careline Theatre Alcalali.

Mike Tullet

A multi-European Freemason, Mike is also a real estate business owner.

He loves wine and beer, but this month, Mike is committed to losing six kilograms and adopting healthy habits.

Roddy

Roddy is a business owner

Most expensive Easter

THIS year marks a record-breaking achievement in the Spanish tourism sector, as the country holds the most expensive Easter in its history.

During the Semana Santa (The Holy Week) this year, Spain receives an impressive amount of visitors, with an occupancy of 75 per cent in the Valencian Community.

The Hosteltur report announced that the price of tourist accommodation in Spain will rise to €140, from last year’s €127 per night, on average.

Due to this increase, many tourists are considering alternative accommodation, including house exchange, motorhomes, and campsites.

The Home Exchange; an online service of this sector, expects more than 67,000 overnight stays in Spain throughout Semana Santa.

The prospects for Spain’s hospitality sector are highly ambitious, as the Spanish

Hospitality Association reports the price increase in bars and restaurants.

and advertising guru, and has been warned by doctors about his health.

Roddy is ready for a change: “I aim to lose a whooping ten kilos in one month.”

To donate, visit the Javea Cancer Care website.

Credit: Alex McEnery

Alex McEnery.

Tax for trash

SPAIN’S National Government approved a new tax, raising the price of landfill waste disposal across the Marina Alta, Marina Baixa and El Campello regions.

The authorities stated an immediate change; the price of landfill waste by tone will rise by €12.01.

The president of the Mare Consortium, Jose Ramon Gonzales de Zarate, said: “This new tax will increase the waste treatment costs of our municipalities.”

Urging action

CALPE’s garbage service urges Acciona to take action and implement changes to meet the requirements and improve the working conditions of the staff.

Calpe’s garbage services, CSIF, have declared to go on strike from March 25, during the festivities of Semana Santa (The Holy Week).

The union denounced the working conditions established by Acciona, a local waste collection and street cleaning company, whose work affects at least 30, 000 inhabitants of Calpe.

The CSIF, have denounced the “immobility” of the Acciona concessionaire in applying salary and social improvements, despite their recently renewed contract in 2021, which incorporates more vehicles and advanced technology.

The protestors stated that Acciona failed to implement the rotating shift update, which was approved in August 2023 and has reported this to the Labour Inspection.

The local authorities are concerned about how the strike will affect the upcoming holiday.

Diana Morant first speech

Claude Norris

THE Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, becomes the first woman to lead the PSPV-PSOE (The Socialist Party of the Valencian Community).

On March 25, she gave her first speech after being appointed the General Secretary of the PSPV. “You can count on me,” Morant encouraged the Valencian residents.

With Morant’s ascendance, the Xativa municipality will enter the Party’s Federal Committee for the first time.

The ayor congratulated Morant on her success: “Let’s go with Diana. We are prepared to

confront the right and the extreme right. We are prepared to return to the government of the Valencian institutions and win the next elections.”

The new General is highly supported by President, Pedro Sanchez. “You symbolise like no one else what we would like to have in the Valencian Community,” Sanchez said to Morant during the Benicassim meeting.

During her speech, the community united in singing together, in support of Morant. She expressed her ambition for the future: “I am going to go out and win and be the first president of the Generalitat in 2027.”

Diana Morant becomes first woman leader.

Credit: Diana Morant, X

U3A CALPE recently enjoyed a day trip to the Villajoyosa Valor Chocolate Factory. At 11.00am nine members boarded the mini bus at the Sol Ifach Hotel.

In less than 40 minutes they arrived at the Valor factory. There was time for coffee and a chat befo-

re they entered the factory for their tour.

The tour took 45 minutes and they learned about the introduction of the cocoa bean from Ecuador and its importance in the production of chocolate.

Coastal Michelin

EQUIVALENT to Michelin stars, the Soles Repsol (Repsol Suns) awards restaurants across Spain for their exceptional quality.

The Costa Blanca region currently holds 19 suns.

The BonAmb Restaurant in Javea, was awarded three suns by Repsol. The langoustine delicacy and creative aperitifs are offered in a beautiful green location.

Followed by BonAmb is the Tula restaurant, awarded two Repsol suns. Run by Borja Susilla, who had been inspired by his grandmother’s cooking, Tula provides dishes including the shisho leaf tacos with smoked eel and pork ears with roasted garlic.

La Perla de Javea, the hidden jewel, stands with one Repsol sun, with the freshness of grilled Spanish seafood.

The Quique Dacosta, in Denia, holds two suns, with beautiful desserts and paellas, presenting top quality cuisine.

The Beat Restaurant in Calpe, also holds a Michelin star. With its varied and explorative

Chocolate outing Ethics Committee

The family have been chocolatiers for 130 years from 1881. In 2006 on the 125th anniversary the factory was visited by the Prince and Princess of Asturias (now King and Queen). After the tour they

enjoyed free chocolate samples.

Before returning home they stopped for a leisurely lunch. Thanks go to Dorothy, Jo and Shirley for booking the trip.

For further information email u3acalpe.president@ gmail.com or visit www. u3acalpe.org.

menu, the Beat Restaurant beats everything else in the town.

The Casa Bernadi, in Benissa, is a two-sun-rated establishment, offering Italian cuisine, with freshly-baked artisan bread and every type of pasta imaginable.

AN Ethics Committee will be established in Costa Blanca, ensuring the well-being of the Social Services users.

The Ethics Committee of the Social Services of the Valencian Community was founded last year. Now, the Social Services departments of Costa Blanca are developing the same Committee.

The councils of Denia, Javea, and Calpe, are collaborating with the Valencian Ethics Committee to establish local ethics committees.

These committees will be made up of experts in the fields of ethics and social services, to identify, analyse and evaluate the conditions of professional practices, ensuring safety and improvement in the lives of those in need.

The committee will support all users of Social Services, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and people in shelters, by observing the practices of the Social Services specialists.

The U3A group members visited Villajoyosa.

Calpe’s park renovation

AIMING to preserve the natural environment and facilitate the residents and visitors of Calpe, the Alicante Provincial Council is investing €230,989 for the remodelling of the Parc dels Garrofers.

The remodelling will be produced by the Cemer Play SL company, executed within the next four months.

The Parc dels Garrofers is located near the

House of Culture and the Civic Centre, and has become obsolete in the past few years, as pointed out by the councillor for Urban Planning, Juan Manuel de Pino.

The renovation of the park includes an impact-absorbing pavement, benches and tables placement and access for people with reduced mobility.

The remodelling especially aims to attract visitors during the warm seasons, planting pergola and mulberry trees to provide shade and freshness to the local area.

Artistic achievements

Claude Norris

ON March 23, the eighth Altea Literature and Research Awards announced the winners of this edition’s outstanding authors.

At least 220 people attended the literary dinner held at the Palau Altea, with 136 works submitted for this year’s contest. Eighty-three were for novel and creative prose, and 43 for children’s literature.

With these figures, Altea’s competition establishes itself as one of the most attended in contemporary Valencian literature.

The winners of the eighth Altea Literature and Research Awards.

The mayor, Diego Zaragoza, expressed his pride in the town’s artistic success: “The town council gives €3,000 to the award for Children’s and Youth Literature and Caixaltea awards €5,000 to the prose.

The Chair of the Univer-

sity of Alicante, Joan Borja, stated: “Altea stands as the very worthy capital of contemporary Valencian literature.”

The winner in Children’s and Youth Literature is Calara Ribatallada i Torello.

The winner in prose is Joan-Lluis Monjo.

Hotel Race in Benidorm

THE spectacular Gran Hotel Bali in Benidorm is the tallest hotel in Europe, rising to 52 floors. On April 27, a group of competitors will race the Hotel stairs for a cash prize.

The Towerrunning World Association holds regular competitions in which participants test

their strength in the world’s most impressive buildings. This April, for the first time, the race will take place in Europe, in the city of Benidorm.

The astounding Hotel Bali stands 186 metres high and is often used for the BASE Jump Extreme World

Championships. On April 27, the participants will take 924 stairs up to the Hotel’s top and the winner of each category will be granted a €1,200 prize, as well as €150 for anyone who breaks a record in the Towerrunning World Association’s tours.

Glasses for Lions Club

EIGHT boxes of glasses have been handed over from Specsavers Ópticas Javea to Carole Saunders from Calpe & Benissa Lions Club, containing over 1,000 pairs of glasses. These glasses have been

there. Every pair will be put to good use.”

All six Specsavers Ópticas stores on the Costa Blanca collect used and unwanted glasses to be donated to worthy causes. Visit www.specsavers.es to nd your nearest store.

You don’t believe in ghosts?

NOËL COWARD would have you believe di erently. In his cleverly constructed play, Blithe Spirit, he conjures up a lot of fun, by having said spirit appear at the most inconvenient moments.

Novelist Charles Condomine wants some background information for his latest story about the occult, so invites the local clairvoyant to come and perform a séance. Unfortunately, Madame Arcati, does manage to contact Charles’ deceased wife, who was a bit of a bitch, if truth be told, and now, from the other side, she tries to disrupt his marriage to his second wife, causing no end of havoc. Imagine the scenario: Charles talking to his wife Ruth, with deceased Elvira making snide comments which only he can hear.

On from April 22 - 27 in the Unión Musical de Gata. For more information re Gala Night, prices and coach transport see: www. javeaplayers.com.

Cecilia Navarro & Maria Georgieva of Specsavers Ópticas Javea, with Carole Saunders, President of the Calpe & Benissa Lions Club.

James Grigor.

Photo Jávea Players

Budget in action

Trevor Colt

VILLAJOYOSA Council begins the implementation of its annual budget, launching environmental projects and building developments across the town.

This year, the municipality’s budget is €69 million, targeting every sector of the town.

The authorities announced the modi cation of sector PP-4 to create parking lots next to the Chocolates Valor Factory. They stated:

“With this action, we will facilitate urban mobility, reduce tra c, improve road safety, and increase the number of free parking spaces.”

Immediate development will take place to improve Villajoyosa’s infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of the Auditorium Theatre, the Llar del Pensionista Social Centre, the Maisa Lloret Sports Centre, and the Jose Calsita Sports City.

To foster sustainability, the renovation of the Censal Park will begin, and an urban waste collection will be installed across the municipality.

Advance in neurology

THE San Carlos Hospital in Denia has welcomed a new specialist to the Neurology team, Dr Paul Vinueza, beginning the advancement of Marina Alta’s medical services.

Dr Vinueza graduated from the Lozano Blesa University Hospital in Neurology, and Medicine from the Ponti cia Universidad Catolica of Ecuador.

He owns the title of Expert in Headaches from

the Francisco de Vitoria University and has extensive experience in hospitals.

“We are currently witnessing one of the great therapeutic revolutions that concerns headaches,” revealed Dr Vinueza.

“Among them, special emphasis must be placed on preventive migraine treatments.”

The medical tools Dr Vinueza refers to are already

Jukes entertain

available in the regional hospitals. He shares his enthusiasm for the medical developments, stating that these medications

ONCE again a wonderful afternoon was enjoyed not only by the residents of Benimeli Residential but also the performers, the Jukes of El Verger.

A concert took place of old and classic songs in order to get the audience dancing and singing along, which is therapeutic as well as great fun.

The Jukes of El Verger are a group of people who get together and enjoy playing for fun, they also do many free concerts during the year for a variety of local charities and organisations.

Pictured from left to right are: Pete, Jo, Pat, Bob, Gilly, Lynn and Richard with their leader Cazzie kneeling.

THE European Parliament has taken the rst steps to approve the introduction across the European Union of huge lorries known as gigaliners or megatrucks.

In the same way that we now accept (even if we can’t a ord them) Superyachts, these megatrucks can measure up to 25 metres in leng-

Megatrucks

th (roughly the size of a basketball or tennis court) and can weigh up to 60 tons.

Whilst some of these huge lorries are already on the roads of Finland, Germany, The Netherlands and Swe-

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den they do need good roads to operate on and in Spain, there are already ‘black spots’ where ordinary size lorries regularly tip over.

The argument in favour is that by increasing the size of lorries, it is possible to save fuel and carbon emissions but perhaps understandably both environmentalists and railway companies take a completely di erent view.

The EU seems to be putting out mixed messages as it has told Spain not to remove fees on toll roads as it wants to see more people using cleaner trains and even suggests that internal ights of two hours or less should be banned.

At the same time however it wants to see these monsters on roads within the 27 member states without apparently taking into account the quality of roads and bridges and the potential for real congestion as well as the dangers involved in much greater braking distances.

From ashes to glory

SINCE a devastating fire in April 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has been on a restoration journey filled with obstacles and victories.

Over five years, efforts have been underway to meticulously restore the iconic landmark, to complete the work by the end of 2024.

French President Emmanuel Macron set an ambitious timeline of five years to complete the restoration.

Important milestones include removing charred scaffolding around the spire, restoring the cathedral’s organ, and selecting historic French oak trees to rebuild the spire.

In September 2021, efforts to secure the cathedral’s structure were finished, thanks to the work of carpenters, scaffolding experts, and climbers.

In spring 2022, master craftsmen from across France began the careful process of cleaning and restoring Notre Dame’s famous stained glass windows.

Restoration efforts also received assistance from abroad, with Germany’s Cologne Cathedral helping with four windows.

A significant moment in the restoration occurred in July 2023 when massive oak trusses were installed onto Notre Dame, coinciding with preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In December 2023, a symbolic moment took place as a golden rooster, symbolising a phoenix, returned to the top of the spire, symbolising Notre Dame’s rebirth.

Religious relics, including fragments of Jesus Christ’s Crown of Thorns, were placed in a time capsule inside the golden bird.

In February 2024, the unveiling of the cathedral’s new spire, adorned with the golden rooster and a cross, offered a glimpse into Notre Dame’s future as it approached its grand reopening.

Restorers are optimistic that the cathedral will reopen to the public by the end of 2024, marking the conclusion of years of meticulous restoration efforts.

Notre Dame is being restored.

Image: Notre Dame Cathedral Paris / Facebook.

If your bank forced you to take out a life insurance policy or similar, it is possible to cancel it. Get back the money paid! Tied sales. Illegal practices. Insurance imposed by the bank.

THERE are many Spanish banks that ‘force’ their clients to take out life insurance or similar, in order to grant them a mortgage loan. Forcing the borrower (the client) to take out insurance with the bank, or with companies in the same group. Depending on how it is done, it may not be permitted by law. In these cases, there is a possibility of requesting the nullity of the insurance imposed by the bank.

Legal justification

Article 12 of the European Directive 2014/17/EU states that tied sales are prohibited, unless they result in an advantage or benefit for the consumer.

This limitation is also reflected in Spanish legislation, art. 17 of Law 5/2019, regulating real estate credit agreements, which is titled ‘Practice of linked and combined sales’.

Likewise, the information provided is sometimes insufficient. And the clauses of the product are not very transparent. This would also go against Spanish and European legislation on consumers.

Illegal banking practices

Some Spanish banks not only force customers to take out life insurance or payment protection insurance (which, in principle, would be prohibited). They also charge the customer for the policy in one go, and in advance. In addition to being a tied sale, this entails additional costs for the consumer. Because the cost of the insurance is included in the loan capital. And, therefore, it accrues interest, etc.

If the bank makes the granting of the loan conditional on taking out this insurance with them, this could be an illegal practice.

It should also be examined whether the bank’s actions were transparent or not. If the additional cost involved was correctly explained to the client. The possibility of contracting with other insurance companies. Whether the customer was informed of the possibility of paying monthly instalments, instead of a one-off advance payment, etc.

Thus, sometimes customers are deprived of the possibility of going to other entities and they are forced to take out the bank’s insurance or companies of their corporate group.

What do the Spanish Courts say

There are different rulings from the different Provincial Courts in Spain. The Spanish Supreme Court has not yet ruled.

Some have stated that the imposition of life insurance con-

tracts with the bank itself should be considered abusive and null and void. But each case is different and must be studied individually. It is essential to check whether:

- There is evidence that the bank imposed the contracting of the insurance with the entity itself.

- The bank informed about the possibility of contracting with other entities, conditions of the product, etc.

- They informed of the different types of insurance policies, their costs, etc.

- A single and initial payment of part of the loan principal was imposed and if the client was informed that this meant an increase in the cost, etc.

- The cost of the product is abusive or is it a normal market price.

Consequences in case of nullity

The nullity of these products could entitle the consumer to ask the bank to return the premium paid. And even the interest thereon.

Conclusion

If your bank forced you to take out insurance with them, did not inform you about the product, different options, etc you could claim the nullity of the contract and the refund of what you paid. For expert legal advice on the insurance imposed by the bank, do not hesitate to contact us.

The information provided in this article is not intended as legal advice, but merely conveys information related to legal issues.

SPAIN’S National Court ordered a temporary ban on the country’s fourth most-used messaging service, Telegram, on March 22.

FACUA (an NGO for the defence of consumer rights) released a statement that Telegram would cease to offer a service sometime the following day but complained that it would cause “enormous harm” to millions of users

The Court made the decision based on copyright infringement claims from a number of companies including Mediaset, Atresmedia and Movistar Plus.

Saved by the bell

The businesses declared that Telegram was granting users to upload content without permission. The service however continued over the weekend without any interruption.

It then transpired on Monday March 25, the Judge had rescinded his order to allow for a police report on the platform to be reviewed as well as explain how a ban would affect users. He also said to ban Telegram would be an “excessive and disproportionate measure.”

Cherry buds blossom

THE buds are appearing and will soon explode into a shower of pink petals.

The TV-Asahi cherry blossom avenue on the popular Berlin wall trail in Teltow is beginning to bud. The best time to see the cherry blossoms is from mid-March and mid-April.

The trail was built on the border strip directly after the fall of the Wall, with financial support from a Japanese television station.

The Asahi channel launched a fundraising campaign to send this positive message after the reunification of Germany. Over 1,000 Japanese ornamental cherries were planted between 1990 and 2010 and still bloom once a year.

For the past 20 years people have been flocking to the area to enjoy the blossoms and take selfies.

Las Fallas

Anna Akopyan

DATING back to the 18th century, Las Fallas is included in UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and continues to be an event which touches the hearts of families across Spain and beyond.

During the festive week, it is impossible to miss the Falleras. Dressed in traditional costumes, the young girls and women from the local towns parade proudly down the spring streets.

Being a Fallera is a commitment. The majority of the Falleras come from families in which generation after generation, women have been partaking in the celebration.

Dressed in traditional Valencian silk, embroidered and costly, the women and girls shine in family jewels as they

compete for the prestigious title of the Fallas Queen. It is not only the royal title which is associated with wealth and status, but the mere participation, being costly due to the exceptionally crafted costumes and jewels, is well-respec -

ted in the community. As grandmothers watch their granddaughters in family heirlooms, one can see their excitable faces, remembering their past and looking forward to the future: a spring rebirth which Las Fallas represents.

LAS FALLERAS: Dressed in traditional costumes.

Credit: Anna Akopyan

PEOPLE generally have more negative views towards a potential partner who uses OnlyFans compared to those who watch regular pornography.

In fact, attitudes towards dating someone who uses OnlyFans are similar to those towards dating someone who has paid for sex.

OnlyFans attitudes

But the survey also asked if people felt the same way about those who use sex services compared to those who provide them.

The survey revealed that 18 per

A recent survey on attitudes towards sex workers found that most people in Britain wouldn’t want to date or be in a relationship with a sex worker.

cent of Britons would consider dating someone who has paid for sex in the past, which is close to the 14 per cent who would date a former sex worker.

People are even more hesitant to date someone who subscribes to content creators on platforms like OnlyFans, especially if they interact with the creators.

However, a majority of people, especially women, would be unwilling to date someone who has paid for sex.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would be unwilling to date someone who subscribes to such accounts, with even more reluctance if there’s interaction involved.

Women are particularly put off by this behaviour compared to men, with a significant majority expressing unwillingness to date someone who subscribes to OnlyFans or pays for sex.

See-through suitcases

TRANSPARENT luggage filled with water rolling down the baggage reclaim belt at Faro Airport will raise awareness among arriving tourists to save water during their stay. The idea is part of a new Turismo de Portugal campaign under the slogan, ‘Be futuristic, save water’.

“We need to mobilise tourists, we should be concerned about leaving the right footprint in the destinations we visit. This is even more relevant and pertinent when we are witnessing worsening climate change, which has an ever-increasing impact on the pressure of our natural resources,” said Lídia Monteiro of Turismo de Portugal.

“The truth is that we use more water than we need, but most of us don’t realise it. And

that’s exactly what we’re aiming to do with this campaign: to challenge tourists, those who visit the Algarve, to do things differently during their holidays, that they can visit the Algarve in a more conscious way,” she said.

One way of making an impact, “is precisely to materialise what is most symbolic about a trip, in transparent suitcases that represent that you are travelling and, in this case,

by showing how much water per day you can save.” There will be six transparent, water filled suitcases, mixed in with tourists’ luggage, “which we believe will create interesting reactions among the new arrivals,” said Monteiro. “We deliberately chose to stimulate the adoption of behaviour in a surprising, intriguing way, with some humour that will also arouse curiosity,” she concluded.

Photo: Turismo de Portugal

TRANSPARENT LUGGAGE: Raising awareness among arriving tourists.

The Virgin de la Pieda

John Smith

SOME Spanish towns are known for street art, Smurfs or witchcraft whilst others stand out for a single event which takes place annually.

In the 15th century, a worker from the town of Guadix in Granada, Juan Pedernal, was demolishing a wall of an abandoned mosque in neighbouring Baza when his pickaxe almost destroyed a hidden 12th century statue of the Virgin.

Legend says that the Virgin uttered the words “Baza - Guadix, have mercy on me” as the pickaxe just touched her cheek and since that day she has been known as the Virgen de la Piedad (pity or compassion).

Where should the Virgin reside though? Both towns claimed her and it went to the courts but no formal decision was made, however it was agreed between the Burgers of the two towns that

it would stay in pristine state in the Merced church in Baza and once a year on September 6, a representative from Guadix could try to claim it.

Whilst it sounds easy, this is not the case as the person chosen, known as Cascamorras, a semi-religious character, dressed in a multicoloured costume, similar to that of a harlequin, leaves Guadix en route for Baza.

At 6pm on September 6, a rocket is fired and a drum is beaten and the

festival begins and to be successful the Cascamorras must recover the Virgin without a single stain appearing on his costume but locals who are out in force are armed with thick black paint and they chase him around the town ensuring that he and most of them are painted black.

From time to time, the people of Guadix are allowed to borrow the Virgin for a few days on the understanding that it is returned home on September 9.

The clean Cascamorras on his way to Baza.

Credit: Baza Council

IT’S arrivederci to Starbuck’s much hated palms and banana trees in Milan’s Piazza Duomo. Operations to dismantle the tropical owerbed designed by Starbucks in front of the cathedral began on the morning of Wednesday February 21.

Palms and banana trees have been decorating the owerbed in front of the cathedral since 2017: the tender for the arrangement of the small garden in the city centre was won at the time by Starbucks. A choice that aroused much controversy at the time and divided the city, between supporters of the initiative for its originality and detractors for its lack of adherence to the city’s history.

Renewed in 2019, the contract expired in 2023. The new tender was won by luxury group Zegna, which proposed a radical change: instead of palms and banana trees, plants typical of the Piedmontese Alps.

Banana trees replaced Dump it

AN interesting petition has appeared on the Change. org website which suggests that the Junta de Andalucia is wasting signicant amounts of money.

Elena Alba Escribano explained that her fatherin-law recently had a hip replacement and was supplied with a large number of very helpful appliances such as a zimmer frame, crutches, raised toilet seat and more.

Once he was properly recovered, the family wanted to return the items, only to be told that the Health Authority really didn’t want the material back and it could e ectively be thrown away.

Zegna’s project will bring to the centre of Milan more characteristic elements of the vegetation of the Oasi Zegna, an area of about 100 square kilometres in the Biellese Alps owned by Ermenegildo Zegna since the 1930s and planted with over half a million conifers.

The new owerbeds will feature a permanent basic structure consisting of four evergreen, leafy groves of bushy camphor trees of di erent ages. These will include, in rotation, rhododendrons from autumn to late spring, followed by philadelphus plants, which guarantee the creation of a favourable habitat for the presence of butter ies and pollinating insects in the centre of the city.

The retail cost of a cheap zimmer frame is around €50 and a pair of crutches about €30 but when you consider the number of people living in Andalucia, the cost of purchasing these absolutely necessary items is going to be colossal especially if they are not re-used.

Spain boasts about its ability to recycle and be green, but this is such an obvious and easy way of saving tax payers’ money and also stopping the wasteful use of materials when in most cases the applian-

ces can be cleaned, disinfected and put straight back into use.

It’s not as if all regional health authorities follow the Andalucian model as in Castilla y León there is a set procedure for dealing with the return of most of these items.

The petition calls for the Ministry of Health to urge all autonomous communities to make responsible use of public resources and implement a loan and return system for implements that can be sensibly re-used.

John Smith

The tropical flowerbed in Milan.

Photo: Flickr CC / Arcansel

WASPI Women compensation

FOLLOWING several years of investigation, the Parliamentary Ombudsman issued its findings on the way certain women were not properly advised on pension changes.

Effectively, it had previously found that those born in the UK between 1950 and 1960 discovered, often too late to do anything about it, that their rights to receive State Pension support had changed but now its March 21 document goes one step further.

It was known in advance that the British government wanted to increase the pension age for both men and women and to ensure that in the expectation of equality they should match each other. In essence however, the Ombudsman believes that the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) did not give adequate warning to those women who were likely to be affected, meaning that in many cases there were unable to take measures to allow them to take out private pensions to cover them. The DWP, whilst claiming that it has helped the enquiry at all times, doesn’t accept the findings which call for compensation

of between £1,000 to £2,950 so the office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman is calling for the government to accept responsibility.

WASPI (the female pressure group) which claims that already more than a quarter of a million women have died without receiving compensation continues to campaign vociferously, being seen by many as the natural descendants of the Suffragettes.

They have kept a very high profile and in an election year are reminding all parties that there are an estimated 3.5 million women who are affected and have the right to vote and they are lobbying Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt to table this matter in the Commons for a debate and vote.

There are potentially billions of pounds involved

if compensation is offered but equally 3.5 million votes could make a huge difference in the coming election.

Luxury uniforms

Nora Shephard

IN the world of luxury hospitality, the days of generic uniforms are over.

Now, hotels are opting for custom-made outfits designed by top fashion names.

At Istanbul’s Vakko Hotel, you’ll find doormen in stylish black tailcoats, peaked caps, and cream gloves, giving the place a timeless feel reminiscent of Europe’s historic luxury hotels.

While travellers don’t pick hotels solely based on staff outfits, uniforms play a big role in shaping the guest experience.

That’s why hotels are teaming up with fashion designers to make their uniforms stand out, reflecting the brand, identity, and location.

One example is NO Uniform, a company specialising in creating modern, eco-friendly attire tailored for the hospitality industry.

Stay away

THE Netherlands introduced ‘Amsterdam rules’ to reduce nuisance tourism with the use of specialised websites and campaigns.

The website, largely addressing visitors from England, Scotland and Ireland, holds quizzes which ask potential tourists about their plans in Amsterdam and targeting potential issues.

The city centre chief, Sofyan Mbarki, spoke about the campaign: “We are taking a different approach this time. Now we are focusing on the things some

tourists associate with the city, associations which we want to demolish.”

Videos in the ‘Stay Away’ campaign display the problematic situations which many tourists create when visiting Amsterdam.

“The site is now live for British nationals and will soon be published in Italian, Spanish and French. There will also be a website focused on Dutch tourists from outside the capital,” stated Sofyan Mbarki.

The city centre chief said: “We want a different image for our city.”

Inspired by Japanese culture, Nobu Hotel in London wears uniforms with kimono-style layers and obi-like sash belts, honouring the brand’s roots.

Started in 2002 by British designer Nicholas Oakwell, NO Uniform has worked with top hotels like Claridge’s, Raffles & Fairmont, and Rosewood, giving each collection a touch of luxury and flair.

The designer calls their approach “silent storytellers,” turning fabric into tales that capture each hotel’s spirit.

Their collaborations include Raffles Doha, blending Indian patterns with London’s classic style, reflecting the city’s diversity.

Meanwhile, Rosewood’s uniforms put a modern twist on British tailoring with lavish fabrics, adding to the brand’s elegant image.

WASPI women continue to campaign.

Credit: Councillor Julie Cambridge X

Good Neighbours

John Smith

THESE are the last of those commended for the Good Neighbour Awards 2024 as announced by Age in Spain.

Kimberly Olsson, from Torrevieja, has a reputation locally for caring for the feral cats in the neighbourhood. But recently, while feeding the colony of cats that come to her, she found a man whom she initially thought was dead.

When she discovered he was still alive, she took responsibility for finding him shelter, washing and ironing his clothes, and dealing with the bureaucracy around getting him into the social care system.

She registered him with Helping Hands in San Luis to provide food for him and has followed this up by ensuring that he is in contact with a

social worker. Says the neighbour who nominated this Good Samaritan “He is a gentle Spanish man who had fallen on hard times. Without Kimberly I don’t know what would have happened to him.”

The final commendation was for Esther de Veer from Lloret Blau, nominated by her 90-year-old neighbour whom Esther has been helping in all sorts of ways since the neigh-

bour had a bad accident.

Apart from shopping and cooking for her neighbour, Esther has been walking her dogs and dealing with all the requirements of daily life. Her neighbour commented “As I live alone and recently celebrated my 90th birthday, it gives me great peace of mind to know Esther is at the end of the phone.

“I believe she helps others, but she doesn’t talk about it.”

Kimberley Olsson. Esther de Veer.

IRELAND

Opposing views

MICHAEL HEALY-RAE, chairman of the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying, was accused of undermining the findings of the final report which recommended legalisation “in very limited circumstances.” Healy-Rae personally opposes the measure and fellow committee members said his position was now “untenable.”

From afar

FOREIGN AFFAIRS minister Micheal Martin announced that the Irish government is committed to contributing $2 million (€1.36 million) to developing a new venue for the Canada Ireland Foundation in Toronto. It will be housed on Eireann Quay near the memorial to Irish immigrants who arrived there during the Famine.

NORWAY

Scandi noir

NETFLIX plans to begin filming a series based on Joe Nesbo’s thriller, The Devil’s Star, which will be directed by Oystein Karlsen and produced by the UK production company Working Title. Nesbo, who is also responsible for the scripts that feature his antihero Harry Hole, will be making his debut as a screenwriter.

Cold call

PARATROOPERS from the Eleventh Airborne Division parachuted down to Norway’s Lake Takvanet on March 18 after taking off from Alaska and flying over the North Pole as part of their cold-weather field training. Together with 100 soldiers from Norway’s army, they were taking part in Nato’s Arctic Shock exercises.

EURO PRESS

DENMARK

Gender bias

ONLY five of Copenhagen’s 101 statues depict women, although 70 are dedicated to men and 16 to animals. Culture minister, Jakob Engel-Schmidt admitted that “mythical beasts and horses” outnumbered women and said the government would spend 50 million Danish kroner (€6.7 million) on addressing the imbalance.

ITALY FRANCE

Lost legend

MARCELLO GANDINI, the Italian car designer responsible for the “Lamborghini doors” also known as “scissor doors” used on luxury sports cars, died aged 85 on March 13 in Turin. Gandini created his first concept car when he was only 20 years old and joined the Italian industrial design company Gruppo Bertone aged 27.

Taxing times

ITALY’S tax authority, Agenzia delle Entrate, hopes to encourage more people to pay their taxes by making the system more user-friendly. Innovations include making more of the Agency’s services available online and introducing a system for a prior appointment instead of taking a number and joining a long queue.

GERMANY PORTUGAL

Flying visit

SMART detectors, which use robotic technologies and belong to Andalucia’s Astrophysics Institute, registered a fireball travelling at 61,000 kilometres per hour on entering the atmosphere over Portugal early on March 16. It broke up 87 kilometres after entry at an altitude of 19 kilometres near Cano (Alentejo).

Early settler

PORTUGUESE, Spanish and German paleontologists identified a new type of dinosaur that lived 150 million years ago in the Lourinha area. The relatively small herbivorous species, which would have walked on two legs, was first discovered in 2021 during excavations at the fossil-rich rock at Porto Dinheiro beach.

Sly spy

A PROFESSIONAL soldier posted to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, was charged with spying for Russia. Held in custody since August 2023, he offered his cooperation to the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian embassy in Berlin, Public Prosecutors said.

Plain speaking

THE Bavarian government approved a regulation that limits the use of gender-sensitive language in official documents and in public places. Officials and teachers in the region may no longer use asterisks, colons and other symbols to make nouns more inclusive “because language must be clear and understandable.”

Big honour

PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron presented the world’s richest man, LVMH-owner Bernard Arnault, with France’s most prestigious award, the Legion of Honour, at a state dinner on March 14. Also present were Beyonce and Elon Musk as Macron declared that Arnault “knew how to sell a form of eternal Frenchness.”

Drink up

THE outdoor terraces of cafes, bars and restaurants will be allowed to remain open until midnight instead of having to close at 10pm during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Paris City Hall announced. The ruling will benefit 3,000 of the city’s 15,000 business owners who have licences for summer terraces.

FINLAND

Not popular

AN online exit poll revealed that only 10 per cent of Russian citizens living in Finland voted for Vladimir Putin in the recent elections. Forty-four per cent had voted for Vladislav Davankov, 20 per cent deliberately spoilt their voting papers and approximately 25 per cent declined to reveal how they voted.

Drive on

FOLLOWING the March 15 “transition period” deadline, Russian-registered vehicles will be legal so long as the driver can demonstrate their legal right to use it. The Enforcement Department explained that the concession also covered individuals who have fled the Ukraine war and are under international protection.

SWEDEN

Drinking less

ALCOHOL consumption in the over-15s fell to 8.6 litres per head in 2023, according to the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN). Except for 2020 during the pandemic, this was the lowest level in almost 10 years, which CAN’s experts attributed to the economic situation.

Milk run

DRONES will soon be delivering milk in an initiative that debuts in May in Varmdo, near Stockholm, but will eventually reach the entire country. Customers using the existing Foodora food and grocery deliveries app can place orders that are delivered by Aerit Nimbi drones which can carry up to four kilos.

Protected past

FLEMISH HERITAGE minister Matthias Diependaele announced that the remains of a Carolingian-era fort in Lanaken will receive official protection as an archaeological site. Discovered by chance seven years ago, the fortress would have controlled the access road to the River Maas (Meuse) and Maastricht in approximately 750 AD.

Second-hand

ORANGE BELGIUM opened an online store for reconditioned smartphones, as the operator emphasised its commitment to a “green and circular” economy. In 2023, the operator collected 37,000 mobile phones and sold 13,500 refurbished devices in Belgium, where more than three million new smartphones are unused.

NETHERLANDS

Flower power

ROBOTS now patrol tulip fields examining plants for sick flowers, which they then remove along with virus-infected bulbs if necessary. The back-backing job was once carried out by human checkers but, as one grower said, “The robot is expensive, but there are so few people left who can detect sick tulips.”

Bank spoof

CENTRAL bank De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) warned that scammers are sending out fake emails, messages and phone calls from supposed employees. The tricksters persuade victims to transfer money or give access to their accounts after demonstrating that the number they are calling from appears on DNB’s website.

LITTLE MERMAID: Copenhagen landmark is a mythical female.

Singing for Easter - English Church

Anna Akopyan

JOIN the welcoming community of Costa Blanca’s English Church for the enchanting Sunday Service this Easter.

On Easter Sunday, the Benitachell Christian Fellowship invites families and friends to spend a tranquil and celebratory morning at the English Church in Cumbre del Sol.

From 11am, an Easter worship with an English choir and free refreshments will take place to start the Easter celebration with beautiful music and kind company.

BE amongst the first 100 customers of Mar i Vent to claim your free tasty burger by Calpe’s delightful beachfront.

Mar i Vent is no stranger to Calpe, having provided the locals and tourists with quality service and Mediterranean gastronomic experience for more than 10 years.

As you walk down Calpe’s promenade, the Mar i Vent is not hard to miss, positioned on the front line of the beach with stunning views of the sea and the Ifach mountain.

After being established as a family-friendly restaurant with delicious paellas, tapas, oysters and

Families are welcome to join with children and well-behaved pets.

The Benitachell Christian Fellowship is an interdenominational Church which holds

regular Sunday Service at 11am at Benitachell’s English Church.

On Good Friday, March 29, the festive Easter service will take place at the same time and location.

For more information visit www.benitachellcf. com Benitachell Christian Fellowship or call +34 678 980 151.

Located at El Puig, Calle Jacinto Benavente 3.

100 Free burgers

mussels, Mar i Vent has renovated its menu but contains its quality and traditional Spanish flavour; reopening on April 5.

As a special treat for the customers, the first 100 visitors will be awarded free burgers with crunchy vegetables and perfectly-seasoned meat. Book your spot by calling

965 874 371

Located at Playa Arenal C. Alemania, Edificio Europa II Local 1, Calpe.

Skyline film festival

FROM April 13 until April 20, Benidorm will become the centre of cinema and culture, with the eighth Benidorm Skyline Film Festival.

The innovative festival will take place across the city, with a diverse programme, including film screenings, activities for the film industry, workshops for young people, and master classes.

The director of Skyline, Beatriz Hernandez, attended the FITUR (International Tourism Fair), alongside the first deputy mayor of Benidorm, Ana Pellicer, to present the upcoming event.

Fusing classic and contemporary cinematography, the festival reaches every cinema-lover. Beatriz emphasised the importance of making movies accessible to all: “We have a product that is a film festival, so we asked ourselves, why not make this product accessible to everyone?”

The Festival is collaborating with ONCE (The Spanish National Organisation of the Blind), to ensure that cinematography faces no barriers.

A prize of €1,500 will be awarded to the best short film screenplay. Visit https://skylinefest.es for more info.

Black Flame - home-made but better

THIS month, the Black Flame Bar and Grill in Pedreguer celebrated its 20th anniversary and continues to be one of the most popular eateries in the town.

Originally named Monroe’s Carvery, it changed its name in 2018 in order to distinguish it from Monroe’s Carvery in Moraira, but also to allow this venue to create its own following and legend.

When you consider that owners Heidi and Sam can trace their involvement in the Costa Blanca hospitality sector back for 35 years, you know that any restaurant or bar that they are involved with is bound to be welcoming, and serves exceptional food at really sensible prices.

Looking at their previous experience, is like looking at a who’s who of popular and busy restaurants, so apart from Monroe’s Carvery and the Black Flame they have either owned or managed the iconic La Micheta, The Carvery and the Nags Head.

The past reveals their pedigree, but the present reveals what they offer today and that is really something special!

Homely and charming in every season, the Black Flame has a vast area of outdoor seating, live music space, TV for sports games, as well as pool and darts, providing not just food, but entertainment.

Open from 10am until it’s time to close, the day starts with a superb selection of breakfasts and there is quite a selection, including typical Spanish favourite, toast with tomato and oil, but it’s the English breakfasts that attract the most interest with the Greedy Boy Breakfast consisting of three of each, eggs, bacon, sausages and toast along with tomatoes, mushrooms and hash browns being the star and for a little extra you can add black pudding!

For lunch there is plenty of choice ranging from light bites, to a selection of tasty sandwiches and filled jacket potatoes.

There is also a very full a la carte menu to choose from,

day and evening which includes some vegan options, pizzas, grills, fish, hamburgers and salads.

With a familiar flavour of traditional English cuisine, the restaurant really does offer an extensive menu for the entire family and can host tables of 16 and more, to ensure every celebration can be catered for. Grilled to perfection, the rack of ribs remains amongst the favourite dishes of the customers, alongside the tasty Mega Tower Burger and the kids aren’t overlooked as they can choose from their own special menu.

After all of that choice, customers are encouraged to round off their experience at the Black Flame with one of many tasty desserts on offer.

What many regular customers look forward to is the carvery which is available on Thursdays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and Sundays from 12pm to 7pm with the main course consisting of Roast Beef and Roast Pork served with a selection of Yorkshire pudding, fresh vegetables and crispy roast potatoes.

There is also a selection of starters and desserts all very reasonably priced at €14.95 for two courses or €17.95 for three courses, so with such good value for money, it’s no wonder that bookings for the carvery are always recommended.

There’s also Fishy Friday with special options and you can also enjoy live Irish and rock music every Friday from 7.30pm performed by Larry McConville.

If all of this isn’t enough, there’s a great range of different drinks including no less than 14 cocktails, some of which are Black Flame specials and there are mocktails for the drivers, the teetotallers and yes, the kids, plus 4pm to 6pm is Cocktail Happy Hour.

We also serve gin, vodka and bacardi mixers during this time for €3.50 and a pint of lager for €2.40.

Norwegian Club

Claude Norris

JOIN the DnkCB (The Norwegian Club Costa Blanca) to celebrate Mediterranean life in a Nordic fashion with amiable, like-minded residents of the coast.

The Norwegian Club Costa Blanca continues to welcome new members who want to explore the coast and build lasting friendships.

In regular meetings, the Club members share their experiences living in Spain, update each other on social and cultural events and exchange friendly advice and laughter.

The Club is highly active, engaging in the best that Costa Blanca has to offer, including

golf tournaments, art exhibitions, local restaurants and trips to the breathtaking mountains.

This month, the community hosted a 10th-anniversary party for their clubhouse, which was attended by at least 200 people, including the mayor of Alfaz del Pi, Vicente Arques.

The mayor gifted flowers and gave a

A FULL day of festive events for kids and parents: already planned so you don’t have to look elsewhere. Spend April 1 at DAR Social Club & Community Centre.

From 10am until 4pm, the DAR Kids team hosts the Easter Monday Camp, where children partake in the April Fool theatre workshop, create a fabulous costume party, fly through the bouncy castles, and enjoy an Easter Roast lunch.

Between 3pm and 4pm, the whole family gets to undertake the Easter Bunny Hunt, discovering the best festive chocolates.

From 2pm until 5pm, mothers can

speech, emphasising the importance of DnkBC in the local community. With Costa Blanca’s residents being largely non-Spanish, the Club continues to uphold the Nordic community, making the coast feel like home, and even better.

Get in touch at info@ dnkcb.com / 965 888 186 or visit Den Norske Klubben Costa Blanca on Facebook.

Family Easter

relax while getting a manicure, consult with beauticians, and treat themselves at fashion stalls.

The fathers can play snooker, darts or table tennis.

From 5pm until 10pm, an Easter Buffet Tapas dinner will fit the tastes of both children and adults, with wine tasting for the parents and dancing for all.

To find out more visit Facebook DAR Social Club & Community Centre or call 615 930 039.

Located at Ctra. de Jesus Pobre 196, Javea.

Easter in Javea

FROM March 29 until April 1, Javea’s historic centre will host an unforgettable celebration of Semana Santa (The Holy Week).

Set up between the Church Square, the Calle Mayor and the Plaza de Baix, a market with authentic local products and 80 craft stalls, will be installed in the town.

March 29

12pm Inauguration of the Fair

12.30pm ‘La Joia Mes Preada’ festive concert at the Church Square.

6pm ‘Una de contes’ performance with live music at Placeta del Convent.

March 30

Workshops on candle crafting, pot-

tery painting, and live children’s entertainment. Music and dance by the Grup de Danses Portitxol de Xàbia, and La Marina Lindy Hop.

March 31

Clubs and associations meetings at the Church Square during the morning.

‘Tardeo’; a traditional Spanish Saturday night celebration by the Comissio de Fogueres in the Plaza de la Constitucion.

April 1

11am Children’s workshops; making board games from clay and painting tiles at the Church Square.

12pm Swing dancing by La Marina Lindy Hop.

Arroceria La Marina

ADVERTISING FEATURE

NESTLED within the picturesque beauty of Marina Baixa lies a culinary gem, Arroceria La Marina. Here, the essence of our cuisine is crafted with utmost care, blending the bounties of land, sea, and the war mth of fire to create an unforgettable dining experience.

At Arroceria La Mari na, we take pride in show casing the finest rice dishes, calderos, meats, and fish sourced from the abundant offerings of the Marina Baixa region. What sets our cuisine apart is the meticulous cooking process over vine wood, infusing each dish with a distinct smoky flavour that tantalises the taste buds.

is a celebration of flavours and togetherness.

What truly sets us apart is our dedication to catering to our patrons’ needs. Whether it’s a casual gathering or a special event, we offer custom menu options tailored to your preferences. Our commitment to excellence extends to our service philosophy, rooted. We treat every customer with the same warmth and respect that we would expect for ourselves, ensuring that your dining experience exceeds expectations.

Anna Akopyan

EVERY Sunday night

The Irish Tavern welcomes dashing musicians and music fans from Costa Blanca with Nicky´s Jam Session.

From 8pm until midnight, you get the chance to make your rockstar dreams come true. Grab a guitar, or the microphone and light up the Albir stage with the support of the talented house band.

Classic rock-n-roll tunes, bluesy melodies, and pop rock anthems of your youth, The Irish Tavern sways in rhythm every Sunday without a miss.

Sunday sessions

the week and great company.

Live every Sunday.

For more information

Whether you’re looking to indulge in a leisurely meal with friends or seeking a memorable family dining experience, Arroceria La Marina welcomes you with open arms. Our inviting ambiance coupled with unparalleled gastronomy ensures that every visit

Located amidst a natural backdrop, Arroceria La Marina offers more than just exquisite cuisine. Families are welcomed to enjoy our children’s area, making us the ideal destination for patrons of all ages. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, we provide the perfect setting for every occasion.

Partida Foia Manera 31, Cami del Palasiet, 03502, Benidorm 966 867 212 • arrocerialamarina.com

Bite into tasty burgers and hot dogs and enjoy a traditional Irish beer to energise before a night of thrilling dancing.

Organised by Nicky Chapman, the Jam Sessions will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this August.

Welcoming both professional musicians, beginners, and anyone craving relief from

head to the Irish Tavern at Camí Vell d’Altea, 20, Albir, Alicante 03581, or call (+34) 610 129 283.

German Euroclub

THE Eurocub of Denia; uniting German companions of Costa Blanca since 1986.

With at least 400 members from Altea to Oliva, the Euroclub has been the backbone of the German community living on the coast; a club where respect, support, and superb pastime are guaranteed.

The group’s weekly meetings are held in Denia; the municipality where Euroclub was born.

Held every Tuesday at 8pm during summer time and 7pm during winter time at the ISA Restaurant in Las Marinas, the regular sessions are your opportunity to share and meet like-minded people.

Trips within Spain and beyond, music and dance events, hikes and charity fundraisers; the Euroclub hosts a wide variety of events, appealing and accessible to every individual.

Celebrating 12 years

FISHY FISHY, the renowned restaurant nestled in the heart of Moraira on the Costa Blanca, is celebrating its 12th anniversary this July. As a British family-owned establishment, Fishy Fishy has become a culinary landmark, known for its genuine fish dishes and signature home-cooked, twice-fried chips. This unwavering commitment to quality has not only earned it a spot in the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame but also a loyal following, particularly appreciative of the support during the challenging pandemic period, which has recently led to an unprecedented surge in patronage.

Craig and Nicola, the proprietors, credit their success to a simple yet effective philosophy: offering excellent food, served by remarkable individuals, in a stellar location. Their menu, while anchored in seafood, offers a variety of choices including chicken, pies, sausages, burgers, and desserts, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Despite navigating the rough waters of Brexit and the Ukraine conflict, which have impacted supply chains and costs, Fishy Fishy remains steadfast in its commitment to serving only the finest North Atlantic Cod and Haddock, sourced sustainably. They stand by their principle of providing top-qua-

lity meals at competitive prices, a testament to their dedication to their patrons and the environment.

The restaurant’s adaptable approach is evident in its operational hours, now opening at 4.30pm to capitalse on the lingering winter sun, thanks to customer feedback. The establishment’s

spacious yet cosy indoor area is perfect for larger groups or private events, seating up to 20 guests comfortably in the downstairs restaurant.

As we transition from winter to summer, Fishy Fishy is excited to offer a unique dining experience close to the beach, perfect for parties or casual gatherings, with their takeout options making it a breeze to enjoy a beachside picnic, just a five-minute stroll away.

Their evolving menu, which caters to a wide array of dietary needs, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, features a ‘catch of the day’ fish, enveloped in a distinctive beer batter, accompanied by home-made tartar sauce. With set menus for lunch and dinner, kid-friendly choices, and takeaway boxes ideal for beach outings, Fishy Fishy continues to be a go-to destination for expats and locals alike, eager to indulge in a culinary journey that keeps them coming back for more.

For more information, visit their website at fishyfishy.es or call on 966

491 867. You will find us at Kristalmar 30F Ctra Moraira-Calpe, Moraira.

MARCH 20 marked the first concert by an all-ladies singing group, Caprice, in collaboration with Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus.

Uniting the talented vocalists of Costa Blanca and Mar Menor, the concert was organised with the Lions Club of Calpe and

Women in Harmony

Benissa, raising funds for the local Caritas Charity.

Jalon’s Social Centre was packed to full capacity and raised an impressive €700, all of which will aid the Caritas Charity. Caritas has been committed to

supporting the lives of the most vulnerable and excluded from our society for more than 70 years across Spain.

Caprice’s debut was exceptional as they performed a programme

arranged by the group’s Director, Aileen Lightfoot. From Helen Reddy’s I Am Woman, through to the modern pop anthems by Miley Cyrus and Adele, the women came in harmony, empowering the local

community.

Having had such a success, the Caprice singers are now preparing for their upcoming shows in September and are inviting music enthusiasts to stay up to date with the group on Facebook; Caprice and Spangles; Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus.

Spring is in the air

OTHERS THINK IT

DON’T be drawn into the misconception that the immigration foray may be letting up. Just because the biased British media has decided to ease up on its reporting; this year another 4,500 migrants have already traversed the channel to the UK’s ‘promised land’.

With the majority still appearing to be young fit men, does it not strike anyone that it is highly suspicious how they all manage to survive with no visible means of support? Many are wearing pricy designer gear and trainers, and just about all seem to carry expensive phones.

They also have to find the equivalent of £3,000-£5,000 to pay the people smugglers. Most, if not all, have travelled through a number of countries in their quest to reach soft touch Britain. How did they manage to even eat over the many months these treks lasted? They are all supposed to have originated in war torn impoverished countries, so where does all their mo-

ney come from? Someone somewhere is obviously bankrolling them. Are the women and children they’ve left behind being somehow supported? This of courses raises the obvious question as to why? Whatever the reasons, you can bet your lives it’s not from the kindness of anyone’s heart. There has to be an ulterior motive. Well I personally think someone is generating a sleeping army. There are now thousands of these fighting age Middle Eastern men entrenched all over the UK. If a non-friendly nation is paying the bills you can rest assured they will also have underground contacts creating arm caches and bomb factories everywhere.

Putting them up in hotels and lavishing them with benefits is actually verging on naïve lunacy. Don’t even bother to mention Rwanda! They should all be put into camps and intensely interrogated as to their origins, and specifically where their finances are coming from. You can rest assured that if it ever does become necessary for them to pay their particular piper; the UK could finish up looking like the aftermath of the Second World War.

The irony of that particular scenario is they will then have managed to turn the UK into something resembling the places they’re all supposedly trying to run away from! I also consider it highly suspicious, that of the thousands that have made successful crossings, one of the extremely rare sinkings usually turns out to be one that just happened to be a boat carrying women and children.

As I mentioned in a past column, if you want to throw the enemy off the scent, what better way to create a red herring than sacrificing a few female and children’s lives? Easily done; simply make their boat faulty, sit back, and when they all drown, watch the UK’s bleeding heart woke brigade give it maximum, sympathy provoking publicity. Far-fetched? I think not.

The Mid-Eastern masters of war have very little regard for human life - particularly when it suits their own evil ends. Ah well, spring and a possible election is in the air. Onwards and sideways. Never ends.

Keep the faith

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

Jimmy Page replica guitar

THERE are a lot of very expensive ‘boy’s toys’ about at the moment, but one of the newest is a limited edition double neck Gibson guitar with a price of $49,999.

This is the same type of guitar that Jimmy Page played live with Led Zeppelin on such blockbuster numbers as Stairway to Heaven and The Song Remains

The Same and he has been personally engaged in this project as Gibson celebrates 130 years of involvement in the music business

This is officially entitled the Jimmy Page 1969 EDS-1275 Doubleneck Collector’s Edition from Gibson Custom, produced in a limited run of just 50 guitars and not only has Page been invol-

ved in development at all stages, but will have personally played each one.

But that’s not all, as it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity Book, a wooden Pick Display with Herco® Flex pick played by Jimmy Page on the specific serialised guitar, a Premium Cherry/Black Leather Strap and Vintage Replica Strap, Schaller Strap Locks, an Embroidered Dragon Guitar Shroud, and a Gibson Doubleneck Stand.

For some lucky people this will be a dream come true, but for others, they’ll stick to their somewhat cheaper Air Guitars!

Leapy Lee’s opinions

Loves the lifestyle

FROM an early age, Antti Pekkarinen visited the Costa del Sol from his home in Finland as his parents owned a property here.

IT was in 2005 that he finally decided that the lure of what is known as Finland’s southern-most town (Fuengirola) was just too much to ignore and he moved over and se ttled here.

His first really successful venture was a weekly Finnish language publication Fuengirola.fi which was a great success and is still going strong all these years later.

Antti and his wife love the Spanish lifestyle and the fact that unlike his homeland things move at their own pace, so that if something isn’t done today, it will happen but there might be a bit of a delay and “let’s not get stressed.”

I make a point of returning to Finland for a month to enjoy the very short summer, that’s long enough and I don’t really miss anything except my family.”

“One of the reasons that I moved here was for that lifestyle which is helped so much by the climate and although

He works hard and apart from the newspaper also runs a very popular restaurant Kukko Events at Avda de Los Boliches 4, Fuengirola which is open for breakfast and lunch Monday to Friday and then in the evening with entertainment seven nights a week. When asked whether he had any advice for fellow countrymen thinking of moving to Spain, he said “it is different for everyone depending on age, whether they have families, want to set up a business or are retiring, but my one recommendation is simply come over and enjoy it!”

Antti Pekkarinen your host at Kukko Events.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Powering up

ROLLS-ROYCE will invest £55m (€64.4m) and create 300 jobs as demand grows for engines for large non-military aircraft, chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic announced. Half of the investment and 200 of the new jobs will go to the Derby plant while the remainder will go to Dahlewitz in Germany.

Tesla hike

OWING to stalled sales, the cost of Tesla’s Model Y went up by €2,000 on March 22 after the company announced price increases in several Europeancountries. Although the electric carmaker did not specify the countries involved beforehand, sources revealed that Spain, where the cheapest Model Y cost €42,900, would be affected.

Going further

ASTRAZENECA will pay

$2.4 billion (€2.2 billion) for Canadian cancer specialist Fusion Pharmaceuticals, which is developing nextgeneration treatments that minimise damage to healthy cells. This follows the UK company’s $1.2 billion (€1.1 billion) purchase of Chinese cell therapies company, Gracell Biotechnologies.

Slim chance

MEXICAN business magnate Carlos Slim controls practically all of Spanish property developer, Realia, after acquiring the 15 per cent owned by the Polygon Group for €138 million via FCC, which he bought in 2016, and his company Finver Inversiones. Slim now owns 92.6 per cent of Realia, valued at €865m.

Ads slump

AS advertising revenue dips, ITV is cutting jobs at its inhouse advertising agency and introducing £150m (€175.6m) cost-cutting plans a year earlier than intended. Chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall also reported further restructuring that would save an additional £50 million (€58.5 million) each year.

€2.98 billion STAT OF WEEK

turnover in 2023 for MasMovil - a 3 per cent increase on 2022 - during the company’s last year as an independent operator prior to its merger with Orange.

Going down, down

INFLATION in the UK dipped to 3.4 per cent in February, its lowest for two and a half years.

The decline in the consumer prices index (CPI) from January’s 4 per cent was partly due to slower price rises for food and restaurant price, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on March 20.

Second-hand car prices have fallen by 7.3 per cent over the last year compared with an annual decline of 5.9 per cent in January. The figure for core inflation, which omits unpredictable items like oil and food, dro -

pped from 5.1 to 4.5 per cent.

Services inflationclosely watched by the Bank of England for clues of an easing in domestic inflation - fell by 0.1 percentage point less than expected

TENDAM, best known for its Cortefiel, Springfield and Women’s Secret labels amongst others, is preparing to go public.

As predicted, based on October 2023 Reuters reports, Tendam has selected Paribas, Citigroup and JPMorgan as the lead managers and global coordinators of the initial public offer (IPO) with an estimated value of €2 billion.

Societe Generale, Credit Agricole, BBVA and CaixaBank will join the investment banks as co-managers, with the further addition of a ‘third line’ expected in coming weeks, the financial daily Cinco Dias revealed

from 6.5 to 6.1 per cent.

Earlier, analysts had predicted that the CPI would fall to 3.5 per cent instead of the 3.4 per cent that took inflation to its lowest level since September 2021 when it stood at 3.1 per

cent. It was also the fastest fall in inflation since 1978.

“Good news for you, your family and the country,” Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak said on March 30.

It was also good news for Sunak as well as the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, now that inflation gives every indication of being on track to reach its 2 per cent target by April 2024.

The February figures also give weight to the assumption that the Bank of England will now be able to cut interest rates in the summer.

Getting ready to float

on March 20.

The private equity groups CVC and Pai Partners, Tendam’s owners since 2005, have also appointed Rothschild as the operation’s financial adviser.

During the first nine months of Tendam’s financial year, which finished in February 2024, the company reported a turnover of €884.3 million, 5.2 per cent more than the previous year. It now expects a gross profit of €310 million for 2022-2023.

Inventive Spain Colour it green Nice work

TWENTY-THREE Inditex executives earned €116.5 million between them in 2023, an 11 per cent increase on 2022 and a new record for the company.

This does not include Inditex chief executive Oscar Garcia Maceiras, but covers members of the boards of Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti and Bershka, together with high-ranking employees responsible for Inditex’s Finance, Sustainability, Human Resources and Online departments.

As well as the executives’ salaries and bonuses, the €116.5 million included severance pay for those who left the company in 2023.

IBERDROLA, Spain’s biggest electricity company has accused Repsol, the country’s biggest oil company, of greenwashing.

Months of behind-the-scenes skirmishing were finally made public on March 18 when Iberdrola launched legal proceedings in Santander (Cantabria) where it is based.

Repsol’s advertising campaigns included “deception and misleading omissions” regarding the company’s environmental commitment, Iberdola said.

Repsol attempted to depict itself as an energy transition leader but was Spain’s “largest emitter of greenhouse gases”, a 107-page document submitted to the Santander court maintained.

This also pointed out that Repsol had already been sanctioned on two occasions by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for making similar greenwashing claims in its British campaigns.

SPANISH designers and innovators presented a record 2,111 applications to patent their inventions in 2023.

According to figures released by the European Union, the European Patent Office (EPO) processed 199,275 patents in 2023, an average increase of 2.9 per cent on 2022.

Spain’s applications rose by 6.9 per cent, the EPO revealed, most coming from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).

Global technology company Amadeus filed 47 applications, followed by Multiverse Computing (24), Telefonica (17) and the Tecnalia Research & Innovation Foundation (17).

MIKE REGNIER, chief executive of Santander UK, said that Britain was an “unattractive” place for investment owing to its high taxes.

Talking to the Treasury Select Committee, Regnier explained to MPs that Britain’s tax rates were higher than those of many other countries which Santander UK had to contend with.

“Even in a really good year, the level of returns that we’re able to make in the UK aren’t as high as the shareholders of our parent company would expect,” he pointed out, in an oblique reference to Spain-based Santander.

Veiled warning Virgin doubts

NATIONWIDE is facing calls to consult its 16 million members regarding £2.9 billion (€3.7 billion) plans to take over Virgin Money.

On March 7, the building society announced a preliminary agreement to pay its rival’s shareholders 220p (€2.58) for each share, a 38 per cent premium on Virgin Money’s current price. The deal, if allowed to go ahead, would produce the UK’s second-largest savings and loans group with 700 branches and assets of £366.3 billion (€428.8 billion).

It would also mean taking on the Northern Rock mortgage business while providing Sir Richard Branson with an a £400 million (€468.3 million).

Lighten up

THE British American Tobacco (BAT) dismissed rumours that it could leave London to list in New York.

Tadeu Marroco, BAT’s chief executive, told the Financial Times that he doubted the benefits were as evident as some reports claimed.

“There is nothing to suggest that it’s a no-brainer to go to the US,” he said, insisting that BAT was committed to Britain despite legislation disclosed at the Conservative party’s 2023 conference.

This would eliminate smoking by increasing the legal age by one year from 2027 onwards.

Photo credit: CC/ZaratemanSuzuki

Photo credit: Simon Dawson/No 10

GOOD NEWS: Britain’s Prime Minister and Chancellor welcomed February inflation figures.

TENDAM: Cortefiel owners preparing an IPO

That’s rich

BENTLEY, now owned by Volkswagen, delivered 13,560 cars in 2023, making an operating profit of €589m with sales of €2.9bn that gave the luxury carmaker its bestever year after 2022, the company announced. “Our customers can still afford our cars,” Bentley’s chief executive Adrian Hallmark said, “even if some hesitated at first.”

Home truths

FIFTY-ONE per cent of Spanish employees whose work could be carried out remotely told an EADA Business School survey they preferred this to working in an office, and felt they were more productive. Fifty-seven per cent said they would change jobs if their company was not prepared to let them work from home.

Ice-cream spinoff

UNILEVER will de-merge its ice-cream division as part of plans to save approximately €800 million over the next three years.

The Anglo-Dutch whose brands include Marmite, Dove and Domestos bleach, also intends to dismiss 7,500 of the 128,000 people it employs worldwide, although staff will be consulted about the reductions beforehand.

Cutbacks will affect office staff at Unilever’s

WALL’S ICE-CREAM: Owned by Unilever.

London headquarters as well as employees in other countries, said chief execu-

Grape profits

SPANISH private equity firm, ProA Capital, has engaged Deutsche Bank to sell its holding in seedless grape production company, Moyca.

ProA paid €200 million for a 50 per cent stake in 2016, ahead of other funds like Alantra or MCH.

Moyca president Enrique Moya has a 15 per cent holding in the company, while founders, the Canovas family, own more

than 30 per cent.

In 2021, the last year for which official records are available, Moyca reported a €144 million turnover and net profits of €5 million.

After eight years, ProA calculates that Moyca, which finished 2023 with a gross profit of €25 million, should bring in approximately €400 million, double its original investment.

The company produces five of the world’s 10 best-selling ice-cream brands which include Wall’s, Magnum, Ben & Jerry’s and Carte d’Or as well as the popular US make Breyers.

Industry sources believe that a spinoff of Unilever’s ice cream division, whose annual revenues of €7.9 billion account for 16 per cent of the group’s sales, was the most likely result of Unilever’s future plans.

The demerger is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, insiders said. Schumacher avoided revealing where the subsequent ice-cream business, currently run from Rotterdam, would be listed.

All options were being considered, the chief executive said. “But this doesn’t mean that icecream will be a Dutch company or a UK company,” he added.

Next up

FASHION and home products retailer Next said that despite the Red Sea chaos, its prices were 2 per cent lower than in 2023 and it foresaw a 0.5 per cent deflation by the end of the first half of 2024. Shipping times had increased by up to 10 days but this was factored into prices, the company said.

Fizz fears

CAVA, Spain’s answer to Champagne, enjoyed a record year with 252 million Designation of Origin (DO) bottles sold worldwide in 2023 and €2.2 billion in sales that were 8 per cent up on 2022. Bodegas nevertheless warned that drought will take a toll, especially in Catalonia where grape production has fallen by almost 30 per cent since 2021.

tive Hein Schumacher who took over from Alan Jope in 2023.

Photo credit: CC/Chris Sampson

By Karan Sud Dental

Dental Insurance plan

DENTISTRY in the UK has become almost non existent, impossible to get an appointment. We have so many patients travel here to get treatment.

They all have a similar fear that they may lose their registration, as our database of patients is phenomenal.

So we have decided to introduce a monthly insurance plan for peace of mind, similar to those in the UK such as Denplan.

Our scheme will be a monthly payment of €14 per person.

This will entitle the holder of the policy to have priority treatment including two exams, two scale and polishes and routine X-rays a year.

When we all worked in the UK, we found these plans work very well as it encourages patients to maintain their check-ups and cleans due to

the fact they are paying monthly, and it’s such a low cost amount you don’t even notice it.

We will develop more comprehensive plans in the future which will include discounts on fillings, crowns and bridges.

For more information or if you wish to sign up, please contact our reception and we can arrange a time for a chat.

www.ksuddental.com.

THE 46-year-old established athlete, Linda Stjernsten, prompts Swedish women to build muscles.

Linda Stjernsten became Hedemora’s first woman in 45 years to com-

By Clinica Britannia

Book an annual check-up

THE stress and lifestyle many of us live today, trying to fit in work, family and travel, this can have a negative impact on our overall health. But surprisingly for many of us a general health check-up is not a priority, until we are diagnosed with any specific illness or disease. ‘Surely prevention is better than cure’.

An Annual General Health checkup will help your doctor keep an eye on the well-being of your body and give early diagnosis to any underlying problems; they will generally ask for the following tests:

• Height, weight BMI and blood pressure.

• Standard blood test.

• Electrocardiogram.

• Spirometry to check lung func tion.

• Consultation with Gynaecologist inclusive of ultrasound, smear and breast ultrasound for women.

• Prostate check for men.

• Dental consultation.

With the results, the GP here can advise if any further treatment is necessary, for example seeing a Nutritionist if you suffer with diabetes, cholesterol or are over or under weight.

‘Health is Wealth’, and with the rising number of diseases, it always helps to detect them early.

Do not neglect your health, contact us here at Clinica Britannia and book your annual check-up, it will for sure bring in a significant difference to your overall health.

Appointments Landline: 965 837 553 / 965 837 851 • 24H/365D Emergency Number: (+34) 607 255 755 • Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 9:00am / 5:00pm

Clinica Britannia Calpe

Av. Ejercitos Españoles 16 BIS, 1st Floor, Calpe

Build muscle

pete in fitness at the local athletic club, becoming an inspiration to local women.

Linda began strength training as a teenager and spent 30 years prepa-

ring for her triumph on the sports stage, winning two fitness competitions at the

Lucia Cup last year.

“I think it’s cool and stylish. We also want to show our muscles,” stated an aspiring young athlete, Emelie Hammarström about women’s position in fitness.

bers and the 26-year-old Emelie is thrilled to work as a recruiter, empowering local women: “It’s not just big, tough guys who shout at the gym,” she says.

The main sports centre of Hedemora now has 20 per cent of women mem-

A recent study by Martha Gulati from Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, proved the benefits of strength training for women.

Eat your garden

A YOUNG entrepreneur, Allie Botold, encourages people to eat invasive plants: “There are a lot of natural treats here,” she said when presenting her cookbook to the Press.

Invasive plants are non-native species which spread out of control and can cause environmental, economic and human harm, yet Allie Botold, from Sweden, argues that eating invasive plants can be absolutely safe: “How many know that several of the invasive plants are edible - and actually considered good?

In collaboration with five classmates at Hitachigymnasiet in Västerås, Allie began selling her cookbook, which presents recipes based on invasive plants and has sold more than 100 copies so far: “We have found four invasive plants that can be eaten and have developed 20 recipes.”

The cookbook includes dishes made with parkslide, park lettuce, Canadian goldenrod, and ragwort, all of which are considered to be invasive plants.

Sleep better, live better

SLEEP disorders, particularly insomnia, represent a significant health concern globally. A staggering 62 per cent of adults worldwide express dissatisfaction with their sleep, highlighting a widespread issue.

In Spain, chronic insomnia affects over four million people, impacting their quality of life and increasing the risk of health complications such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Adopting effective sleep practices is a natural, cost-free way to combat insomnia. These habits foster a conducive sleep environment, helping you drift off more easily.

• Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can significantly improve your sleep quality.

• Use your bed only

for sleep to strengthen the association between bed and sleep.

• If sleep eludes you after 30 minutes, try a low-energy activity like reading in another room.

• Avoiding daytime naps can help ensure you’re tired at bedtime.

• The WHO advises 150 to 300 minutes of aerobic activity per week for adults.

• Consistent pre-sleep rituals, such as brushing teeth or preparing next day’s clothes, can signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

• A bath at body temperature can ease you into a state conducive to sleep.

• Cut out caffeine in the afternoon and eat your last meal at least two hours before bed.

• A cool, dark, and quiet bedroom environment supports better sleep.

• Reducing fluid intake in the evening can decrease night time awakenings.

• Avoid mobile and computer screens for at least two hours before bedtime.

A help or hindrance

HEALTH trackers have become obligatory in our quest for wellness, offering a myriad of benefits but not without their drawbacks. On the positive side, these devices provide real-time insights into our physical activity by counting our steps, monitoring our heart rate, and sleep patterns. They serve as motivational tools, encouraging users to set and achieve fitness goals. The ability to monitor progress fosters a sense of accountability, empowering individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices.

However, the reliance on health trackers has its downsides. Some users may become overly fixated on meeting daily targets, potentially leading to stress or an unhealthy obsession with numbers. Accuracy can also be a concern; not all devices provide precise measurements,

raising questions about the reliability of the data they generate.

Privacy issues loom large as well. Sharing intimate health data through these trackers raises questions about data security and potential misuse. Additionally, some individuals may find constant monitoring intrusive, impacting their mental well-being negatively.

In conclusion, health trackers offer valuable insights into personal well-being, motivating positive lifestyle changes. However, users should navigate these devices mindfully, addressing concerns such as accuracy, privacy, and the potential for obsessive behaviour. Striking a balance between leveraging the benefits and mitigating the drawbacks is crucial for harnessing the full potential of health trackers in our pursuit of a healthier life.

Credit: Shutterstock/ Andrey_Popov

RESEARCHERS have discovered that using a tool known as Artificial Intelligent Assessment (MIA) raises the chance of detecting breast cancers that might otherwise be missed.

NHS Grampian in the UK has been working with Kheiron Medical Technologies at the University of

AI detecting breast cancer

Aberdeen to evaluate the effectiveness of this tool.

Currently, mammograms are ‘double read’ by two readers from three professional groups: Radiologists, Radiography Technicians and Breast clinicians, but a shortage of staff has led to a workfor-

ce crisis in radiology, with fewer qualified staff available and staff ‘burnout’.

Such staff pressure can also lead to longer waiting times for women, and the risk of unnecessary recalls and biopsies due to staff erring on the side of caution.

By Clinica Britannia

Important dental check-ups

WHEN I was younger my Mum always took me for a six monthly dental check, something which I have neglected to do since leaving home. Is it really so important?

Many of us only visit the dentist when we have a Dental Emergency, but by taking a preventative approach and having regular check-ups, potential issues can be identified early enough to treat them before they become a problem.

The study of 10,889 patients discovered that MIA helps to increase accuracy, lowering ‘false positives’, and mitigates staff shortages, so saving costs. It is estimated that MIA increases efficiency by automating up to 30 per cent of reading workflow.

The researchers argue that more than two million women are screened for breast cancer in the UK every year, but 20 per cent of tumours are missed by mammogram screening.

They state the deployment of this tool across the entire NHS would result in a 12 per cent increase in the detection of breast cancer, allowing for earlier detection and better outcomes for women.

Even the most fastidious person can fail to clean the hard-toreach places in their mouth, with a good example being the back molars, which are notoriously hard to keep clean. Remember that when preventing dental issues rather than having to cure them, it will work out more cost effective for you.

During your dental check-up here at Clinica Britannia our Den -

tist will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums and tongue, looking for the warning signs of tooth decay and gum disease, which may be too subtle for you to have noticed for yourself. Sometimes they may need to take an X-ray to help check for these warning signs.

The whole process is quick and painless so please do not worry.

Our dental team will keep you keep you up-to-date on what treatment is necessary, fully discussing all the options available to you.

Appointments Landline: 965 837 553 / 965 837 851 • 24H/365D Emergency Number: (+34) 607 255 755 • Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 9:00am / 5:00pm

Clinica Britannia Calpe

Av. Ejercitos Españoles 16 BIS, 1st Floor, Calpe

No Need to Paint are looking for promotional homes

NO NEED TO PAINT, the number one Spray Coating for property exteriors have been established on the Costa Blanca since 1991.

One of our very first clients Mrs Ballmer of Javea has recently had her property recoated with No Need To Paint unique Andura, Long life Coating. It is proven to last in excess of 15 years and is fully washable which is important when the Sahara Sand rain comes.

It is breathable and will stop penetrating damp also, it will not fade appreciably in colour. No Need To Paint have a unique 15 year insurance back guarantee, which is testament to the quality of the product.

The treatment No Need To Paint we will carry out on your property is not a decoration. It is a renovation! The first process is to thoroughly wash all

the walls, using a treatment to remove surface contamination and algae etcetera. Once all the surfaces have been cleaned, any cracks are filled with

flexible fillers, loose render is repaired and reinstated. When the surfaces are 100 per cent sound all the walls are primed and stabilised.

The next stage is to mask, with paper and tape, all doors, windows and floors, not requiring treatment. The Andura Coating is then applied with a

heavy duty airless spray machine, applying a minimum of two coats to each section.

Finally, once the property has been fully coated the masking tape is removed and the site cleared.

The homeowner can now look forward to a minimum of 15 years, peace of mind! No regular repainting every three or four years, no more penetrating damp, which is a problem in Spain and walls that can be hosed or power washed to keep them looking their best No Need To Paint is offering a FREE survey and quotation service, where everything is put in writing and valid for up to three months. No Need To Paint is always looking for Promotional Homes to showcase their work with the homeowner enjoying a special discount, subject to certain terms and conditions.

• News Across The Regions •

Costa del Sol

The 20 happiest towns

RONDA is the ‘happiest’ town in Spain and four towns in Cadiz and Malaga Province are in the top positions.

Also making the top 20 is Benalmadena according to a study in which more than 1,000 inhabitants participated and voted for the happiest towns in Spain.

March 20 was the International Day of Happiness as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013. And to mark the occasion, every year the international ranking of the happiest countries in the world is presented.

A study was carried out which set out to discover which are the happiest people in Spain. The study concludes that these towns have conditions that favour the well-being of their residents, including a warm and friendly atmosphere, a slow and calm pace, free of stress, the enjoyment of the outdoors, and local cuisine.

Axarquia Care crisis

THE Cudeca Foundation, renowned for its palliative care for cancer and advanced illness patients, faces increasing demand yearly. As the number of patients seeking their services rises, the foundation emphasises the crucial role of community support in sustaining its mission.

“Our patient count escalates each year, underscoring the significance of your collaboration to maintain our entirely free care for individuals nearing the end of life,” stated a spokesperson.

The foundation appeals to individuals to become members and contribute to their cause. Interested individuals can sign up at cudeca.org/hazte-socio or reach out via email at socios@cudeca.org or phone 692 257 053.

By extending a helping hand, supporters not only aid in providing essential care but also offer comfort and dignity to those in their final stages.

Mallorca

Calvia culinary delights

THE Calvià Destino Gastro conference on March 25 presented a new concept to promote Calvia as a culinary destination.

Mayor Juan Antonio Amengual explained that the aim of promoting Calvia as a fine dining destination is to extend the tourist season. Deputy mayor for Tourism, Eli Montserrat, wants the municipality to become a benchmark for culinary excellence.

The culinary show in April, known as La Mostra takes place twice a year, in April and October. Many of the 52 restaurants participating in the Mostra have been collaborating for many years. The Gastro Menu offered by some establishments is a tasting menu with a free format and price (from €50).

During the weekends of April, complete menus are being offered at reduced prices.

Costa Blanca South Relocation quest

MARIA and the Pink Ladies, located at Playa Flamenca Beach CC, sadly have to close their office because of ongoing flooding issues.

For months, around 50 litres of water have been coming in daily from a leak in a unit two floors above.

Despite efforts to clean up by Carl, a member’s husband, the situation has become too difficult.

Because of safety concerns, the Pink Ladies have come to the difficult decision to stop working from this location.

However, they are still very much committed to helping the community and will keep arranging screening appointments for the public.

The ladies are now looking for a new place to work and are asking for help from the community to find an affordable place to rent.

Almeria Coffee morning

COMMUNITY Choir All Aloud hosted a charity Coffee Morning in Oria on Saturday March 23 to support the Children’s Ward at La Immaculada Hospital in Huercal-Overa.

The event surpassed expectations, raising over €1,100, with more donations still coming in. Attendees enthusiastically participated in activities like lucky dips, raffles, browsing the New-to-you clothes rail, and trying their luck at winning bottles of gin. However, the real highlight was the cake and pastry stand, where treats sold out rapidly.

All Aloud chose to support the Children’s Ward after learning their yearly budget for activities was a mere €100 and the group’s Treasurer, Dr Jan Wilson, organised the Coffee Morning to kickstart fundraising efforts.

This successful event marks a fantastic start to the group’s fundraising endeavours for the year.

Costa Calida

Underwater wine

IMAGINE wines ageing not in traditional cellars but beneath the sea’s surface. In Aguilas, Murcia, Bodegas Verónica pioneers this unique process, maturing wines at a depth of 40 metres below the sea, where darkness and marine silence contribute to their transformation. Spearheaded by entrepreneur Pedro Martínez Cáceres, this venture requires extensive knowledge of both winemaking and marine environments.

Over a decade of experimentation has refined the process, with wines of various origins and varieties undergoing underwater ageing, resulting in a reduction of acidity, moderation of alcohol sensation, and enhanced tannin definition. Despite challenges like preventing seawater contamination and adapting to marine conditions, the venture has garnered success, attracting partners and expanding operations to Cartagena.

My words of wisdom

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION

VIEWS OF A GRUMPY OLD MAN

SINCE I haven’t moaned to you all for some time I’ve got a bit a backlog of things that get on my nerves and stuff that’s just not right. For instance, what’s all this nonsense about a cashless society? Who does it benefit? Only big brother governments, banks and people that want to control everything we do. Many will say it helps stop tax evasion. Well bitcoin has already got round that one apparently. And what tax evaders? The girl that washes your hair at the hairdressers? The waiter that serves you that you bung a couple of euros to? I’ve already been told by a couple of waiters that they aren’t allowed to add a tip to your bill if you are paying by card, too much admin for the owner. I’ve watched people pay 80c on a card to park. It must cost more than that to process payment.

But I’m also worried about the bigger picture. What if ‘they’ actually want to control how much you spend? For example, you go to buy a new pair of trainers, you present your card and up comes a message in the shop and on your phone - ‘You’ have

already purchased three pairs of trainers this month. This purchase exceeds your limit. Please try again in three months.’ Ridiculous? I don’t think so. Just think about how many times you are discussing some product and suddenly you get these products, or similar, appearing on your phone apps like Facebook or Instagram. Lots of people complain about things that happen on social media but forget one thing - we are not the customer, we are the product. We’re being sold and traded to massive corporations and there is nothing you can do about it unless you get rid of all your technology. Be warned - remember Mr Grumpy’s words of wisdom.

Anyone watch Martin Lewis? He’s a great consumer warrior. But it made me think how things have changed from when, in 2011, he was advising how to get 20 per cent discount on your duvet purchase to now how he’s desperately telling you how not to get evicted, manage to eat and heat your house at the same time. I fear for our kids.

Also, how come fat chance and slim chance mean the same thing? And why do all aerosols pack up when only half used and it doesn’t matter how hard you shake just a feeble dribble just comes out?

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

Magic of baby talk

ENGAGING in baby talk with your furry companions is more than just a heartwarming gesture, it’s a powerful tool for building a stronger connection. Speaking to your pet in a higher-pitched, softer tone, often associated with baby talk, has been shown to soothe and comfort animals. This gentle approach communicates affection and reassurance, fostering a sense of security for your pet.

conveys warmth and love, establishing a positive association with interaction. Not only does this benefit your pet’s emotional well-being, but it also contributes to your own sense of joy and companionship. So, go ahead and indulge in those sweet, silly conversations with your pet.

Furthermore, baby talk can enhance the human-animal bond by creating a unique form of communication. It

The magic of baby talk is a delightful language that transcends species, creating a harmonious and loving connection between you and your cherished companion.

Do you have dogs who love company? Find dog-sitters

FINDING dog-sitters through Hou sesit Match gives peace of mind

Benji and Jonty’s owner travels quite a bit. And she can’t always find sitters nearby. So she places an advert on HouseSitMatch and the checked house-sitters apply through the site. The house-sitting is undertaken as a fair exchange for both parties. No money changes hands the dogs are cared for by pet lovers, in the dogs’ own home.

It’s a fair exchange

All our sitters offer a fair exchange - free accommodation for free pet care and an online review. It’s a win win!

If you’re planning a trip for the holidays, don’t delay. Register today as a member of our network to find affordable home and pet care.

Plan ahead to secure great sitters

However long your trip pets need someone with them at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from routines undisturbed.

Benji and Jonty tend to stay at home when their owner travel. She finds dog-sitters for them.

Plan ahead of time to find house and pet-sitters who will come to you for free!

Next steps to join Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com

2. Choose a Standard account

(£69 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed

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

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

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HouseSitMatch helps you find sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert with trip dates. House-sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter you want.

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House-sitting is a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20% discount code 20EWN.

UK’s illegal pet trade

THE UK government has announced its support for a significant step in combating the illegal smuggling of cats and dogs.

On Friday, March 15, a pivotal advancement was made with the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill.

Spearheaded by Selaine Saxby, this bill aims to plug the gaps that dishonest breeders and dealers use to unlawfully bring pets into the UK.

The UK is a pioneer in animal welfare, being the first country in the world to outlaw cruelty towards animals, and according to World Animal Protection’s Index is the highest-ranked G7 nation.

This new bill is a testament to the nation’s ongoing commitment. Each year, the UK sees a large number of pets entering the country, with 320,000 under the

Pet Travel Scheme and 44,000 as commercial imports in 2023.

The legislation seeks to amend the Pet Travel Scheme, limiting the number of animals per vehicle to five and three per pedestrian or air traveller. It ensures that pet movements coincide with the owner’s travel within a five-day window. This measure is designed to prevent the fraudulent import of animals under the guise of pet ownership.

Under the bill, future regulations will increase the minimum age for importing puppies and kittens to six months.

This change aims to spare young animals from stressful journeys that could affect their development and behaviour.Moreover, the bill will prohibit the import of pregnant pets and those subjected to cruel alterations like ear cropping or declawing.

Playing around

A PLAYFUL chase with your furry friend might just be the secret to longevity, suggests a recent study. This research indicates that incorporating short bursts of activity into your daily routine, such as a spirited game of fetch or a romp around the garden with your dog, could be linked to a lower risk of death.

These findings are a breath of fresh air for those who struggle to fit lengthy gym sessions into their schedules. The study posits that these mini workouts, however informal, count towards the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

Engaging in these spontaneous acts of movement not only strengthens the bond with your canine companion but also provides cardiovascular benefits, akin to more structured forms of exercise.

The implications are significant: every sprint and frolic with your dog contributes to your body’s overall health. Such activities can enhance heart health, improve agility, and elevate mood, combining the joy of pet ownership with practical health advantages.

In a world where sedentary lifestyles are common, this study provides a compelling argument for embracing the joyous chaos of playing with a pet. It’s a delightful and accessible approach to health that emphasises the fun in functional fitness, with man’s best friend as the perfect workout partner.

PLUMBERS

PLUMBING

REMOVALS

TV & SATELLITE

SOLAR ENERGY

CLASSIFIEDS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS

WASHING MACHINE

BROKEN? Call Bluesky Repairs for ALL your domestic appliance repairs. 626 430 671 (WhatsApp) (305215

ARCHITECTS

BUGGY TOURS

BUY & SELL

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

I BUY RECORDS 50s to the 90s. Best prices for good records. Tel: 622 750 117 / 962 851 809 (304500)

CARE HOME

PRIVATE CARE HOME Full Board and Care. Also, Dementia care. British Owned near Alicante. Luxurious Villa. €1,200 per month. Call 747 438 225 (305146)

CHARITY

EL CAMPELLO CHRIS

TIAN COMMUNITY – Life and Family Sunday Service at 11 a.m. Bilingual (English and Spanish) at San Bartolome, 35 (Bajo No. 6), El Campello. For more

information visit www. elcampellochristiancommu nity.org, email campellocc@ gmail.com or call Juan Zúñiga – 686203183 (Spanish) or Jim Eaton680594134 (English).

THE SALVATION ARMY English Speaking Church of Denia Worship Service. Sunday 10.30am followed by a time of Fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are! For more information: Dieter Zimmerer +34 698 609 658 or Barbara Zimmerer +34 652 319 810 Email dieterzimmerer @hotmail.com, www. centrosaron.com (10008) www.helpbenidorm. org and on Facebook VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, particularly if you speak Spanish, and have a car (although this is not essential). Tel President 607 387 040. We are an English-speaking charity that assists residents and tourists of all nationalities in times of crisis. We meet every Thursday at 11am in Jose Llorca Social Centre C. Goya s/n. Benidorm. We loan out mobility and medical equipment including oxygen concentrators on a short-term basis. (288658)

THE AIRCREW ASSOCIA TION COSTA BLANCA

This association, formed in 1988, exists to foster comradeship amongst those who, having been awarded an official flying badge, have qualified to operate military aircraft and are serving or have served, as military aircrew in the armed forces of the United Kingdom or those nations which are allies of the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS POPULAR ASSOCIATION, CALL the Secretary on 966 495 228. (295990)

THE ALFAZ SPIRITUAL FRIENDS CENTRE OFFER A WARM WELCOME AT ‘THE

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ELECTRICIAN

MB ELECTRICS. Appro ved electrician. Any electrical repair. Iberdrola paperwork. Affordable prices. Miquel 655 282 175 www.mbelectrics.es (302561)

FRIENDSHIP

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ALL METAL WORK AND MOBILE WELDING. +44 7787 585 714 (302963)

GOLD WANTED

INSURANCE

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

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@benefi cialinsuranceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsu ranceinspain.com for online quote. (303245)

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

MASSAGE

HEALTH & BEAUTY

WIGS

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RELAX CENTRE in BENIDORM - Excellent atmosphere. Expert Masseuses. 24/7 OutcallsTel: 603 324 564 (305206)

NATURIST male gives relaxing massage. Half price 1st time offer €25. For men and women. Private premises in Jávea, WhatsApp Rob on 613 831 380 (305183)

MISCELLANEOUS

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

METALWORK

AUTO BASTIAN mobile mechanic. Tel 608 860 725. (290141)

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 telephone: 952 147 834. (200726)

NURSING

MOTORBIKES

PETER ZWAAN MOTOR BIKES, A+ Occasions Showroom, Moto Guzzi California, 1100 cc, yr. 2007, 34.000 kms, E 6.400,= CostaBlancaMotorbikes. com (304978)

MOTORING

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PROFESSIONAL TANTRA MASSAGE in Denia. Ritual and deep relaxation. Teya: 692 450 679. (304390)

OTHERS

VIAGRA / KAMAGRA / CIALIS. BEST PRICES. FREE DISCREET DELIVERY. ALL AREAS COVERED. TEL: PETER 644 139 274 (305142)

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PAINTERS/DECORATORS

DECORATORS W.D. GILMOUR. Painter & Decorator. Established 35 years in Moraira. ESTIMATES FREE. Call William on 609 691 776 or 966 490 602 (304180)

PETS

NEED YOUR PETS TAKEN CARE OF? Not kennels, just a friendly home. Large fenced area. 699 790 080 Altea (1296233)

PROPERTY

HOUSE SHARE

Villa share available in Llieber Jalon Valley Call on whatsapp 618 499 889 (305679)

PROPERTY WANTED

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SITUATIONS VACANT

BLUE SQUARE REAL ESTATE is currently searching for Sales Executives to work in the Denia / Oliva area. A training package is provided and excellent incentives. Multilingual candidates, Spanish, French, Dutch and German are sought after. Please email hr@ blue-square.com your CV (304549)

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MARK PADDON BSc Hons. MCIOB, CAAT – for buyer’s survey & defects advice. Call telephone: 653 733 066 / 962 807 247 www.cos tablancasurveyors.com (294923)

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

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

IS it surprising that in this day and age, some still neglect the basic safety requirement of wearing a seat belt?

Until Sunday, March 17, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) ran a significant initiative aimed at enhancing seat belt usage across all road types, using a variety of monitoring tools.

This move sought to

Refusing to belt up

ensure that every vehicle occupant, front or back, adult or child, adhered to this crucial safety practice.

Last year, the stark reality was that 139 individuals lost their lives in Spain due to not wearing seat belts at the time of

their accidents, provoking an urgent wake-up call.

This accounted for 25 per cent of all road fatalities. The DGT’s recent campaign, leveraging the Guardia Civil, regional, and Local Police forces, highlights an intensified

Guardia Civil’s flag signals

FROM time to time, drivers in Spain may encounter a Guardia Civil traffic officer signalling with coloured flags.

Although the practice is quite rare, it is still one of the methods used by authorities charged with exercising traffic regulations.

Although it may seem obvious it is important that drivers are aware of this method, as understanding the instruction behind each flag colour is crucial to safe driving.

Grasping the meaning behind the colours - green, red, and yellow - is essential. Not heeding these signs might not only endanger lives but could also result in fines of up to €200 and the loss of up to four points on your driving licence, as ignoring them is considered a serious

offence.

The yellow flag, similar to amber in traffic lights, advises extreme caution. It suggests while it is permissible to continue, there could be potential hazards ahead so drivers should proceed carefully.

A green flag signals that traffic can proceed. This is usually after an incident has been cleared, allowing drivers to continue on their journey.

When a red flag is displayed, it means access is barred and drivers are required to bring their vehicle to a halt. This could be due to an ongoing incident, such as an accident or a breakdown.

By adhering to these signals, drivers can avoid not only legal penalties but also protect their lives and those of others.

patrol across different types of roads.

Aerial surveillance via helicopters and drones, complemented by 245 cameras on various roads, underscores the comprehensive nature of the campaign.

The regulations are particularly stringent for younger passengers.

Children measuring 135 cm (approximately 4’5”) or less are required to use child restraint systems, though it’s advised to continue their use until they reach 150 cm (approximately 4’11”).

Research conducted by the National Road Safety Observatory has revealed that men are less likely to wear seat belts compared to women.

Additionally, it was found that age and seating position influence usage rates, with older individuals and those seated in the front more inclined to buckle up.

Suzuki Swift SZ-T – hatchback impresses

By Mark Slack ROAD

TEST

SUZUKI’S Swift has always offered value for money and although the company has undoubtedly moved more upmarket the Swift continues to be an integral part of their range.

Priced from €20,041/£17,199, all Swift models are generously equipped with even the lead-in model benefitting from adaptive cruise control, rear parking camera, Car Play and Android Auto, auto lights, powered and heated door mirrors, privacy glass, tyre pressure monitoring and air conditioning.

All models come with mild hybrid assistance and a straightforward line-up sees three models in the standard Swift range with the entry level car having a manual five-speed gearbox and the other two a CVT automatic transmission. Just one engine, a 1.2-litre, 16-valve, four-cylinder petrol unit is utilised across the range.

My SZ-T middle of the range model adds additional equipment including high beam assist, rear parking sensors and a CVT automatic gearbox. I’m no fan of CVT boxes (not just Suzuki) because when you accelerate the engine revolutions remain high while the car

gathers speed. There’s not the immediacy of throttle control, it’s not a fault it’s just how CVT gearboxes work. If

CVT gearbox apart the Swift is a delight to drive with a peppy engine, despite its on-paper less than quick

Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 12.2 seconds/Maximum Speed 175 kmh (109 mph).

Economy: 5.1l/100km (55.3 mpg) Combined driving.

Emissions: 115 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

at its best in towns and on cross country drives. The ride comfort is as fine as one might expect with our awful roads, although others do perform better in that regard all be they quite a

Suzuki has resisted the march of oversized cars so the Swift is neatly compact yet offers decent interior space even for rear seat passengers. The interior is where you can see costs have been carefully managed with a lot of hard plastics on display. That said it all feels very well bolted together and is a pleasant place in which to travel.

All told the Swift is an enduringly likeable car that’s fun to drive, economical to run and feels like it will more than last the course of every day car ownership. Suzuki’s seeming policy of evolution rather than revolution with its design and character helps in that regard.

Personally the lead-in SZ-L model represents the best value and, crucially, with that manual gearbox proves to be the most fun.

Female Olympian retires

LAURA KENNY, the United Kingdom’s most accomplished female Olympian, has announced her retirement from competitive cycling.

At 31 years old, with five Olympic gold medals under her belt, she decided not to go ahead with the Paris Games this summer. She shared her thoughts with the BBC, marking the end of an era.

“I always knew deep down I would know when was the right time. I have had an absolute blast but now is the time for me to hang that bike up,” Kenny said, now that prioritising family time has become her main focus.

This decision comes after a celebrated journey in the sport, alongside her husband, Jason Kenny (seven Olympic golds), who holds the title of Britain’s most decorated Olympian.

Laura’s illustrious career includes victories in team pursuit and omnium gold at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, plus a madison gold in

2020.

With a haul that also features seven world championships and 14 European championships titles, her decision reflects a desire for new beginnings rather than a lack of achievements.

“Going on to win another gold medal, as much as I would love to do that, it wasn’t giving me the energy I wanted anymore,” she reflected on her decision.

Laura took the time to post a brief message on Instagram: ‘Thank you cycling for everything you’ve given meincluding a husband and our growing family!

‘Having people say I have inspired women and girls to get active and get on a bike means the world to me. Thanks to Team GB, British Cycling and all the partners who have supported my journey.

Looking ahead, although she rules out coaching due to the pressure, she is eager to support young talent in other ways.

F1 – A night-time spectacle?

THE Spanish capital, Madrid, is poised to make a grand entrance into the F1 scene in 2026 with the possibility of an innovative night race in the Ifema Valdebebas zone, drawing inspiration from the resplendent Arabian nights of Jeddah.

In January this year, representatives from Spain’s forthcoming Grand Prix visited Jeddah to observe the Saudi Arabia GP, which this year marked its fourth edition.

Their goal was to gather insights into hosting a night race, scrutinising not only the spectator and VIP accommodations, but also the logistical complexities of setting up a paddock for potentially more than 20 teams, including F2 and F3 contenders.

Organising such an event is no small feat, with considerations ranging from electrical installations to catering services for the numerous workers expected in 2026.

Madrid’s ambitious plan, heralded with the promise that ‘Madrid will be the best F1 experience in the world,’ aims to

blend a unique track design by Dromo with the allure of a night race, potentially a first in a major European city outside of the traditional Monaco Grand Prix.

The concept of night racing adds an extraordinary layer of spectacle, with plans for emergency lighting and generators stretching over 5.5 km.

After witnessing Jeddah’s dazzling setup, Madrid is seriously contemplating embracing this nocturnal approach, which could distinguish its race as an unmatched visual and sporting event on the F1

calendar.

While the event’s promoters are yet to be disclosed, speculation hints at a collaboration between Ifema, the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, Liberty Media F1, and possibly international entities like Mexico’s Ocesa.

Madrid’s return to the Formula 1 roster after 45 years promises not just a race but a spectacle, blending tradition with modernity.

As preparations continue, all eyes are on Madrid to deliver an unforgettable race night in 2026.

Credit: SaudiArabianGP/X

Ariel view of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.