RTN Newspaper - Costa Blanca South 31 March - 6 April 2017 Issue 910

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SOUTH edition rtnnewspaper.com Lonely dogs at Local Police Canine Unit in Alicante The seven German and Belgian Shepherd dogs are being taken home by agents in the afternoons and weekends to look after them p5

Anti prejudice campaign launches in Cartagena

Issue 910

31st march - 6th April

San Javier to Heathrow route launched

Cartagena aims to become a space of free rumours in a new initiative created by younger people in the city p13

Recent Inheritance Tax changes set to cause more financial strain to inheritors of Spanish Property!

Read more with Mark Roach p28

9 house plants you can’t kill • p44

by Andy Mansell Last Tuesday a British Airways A320 Airbus on a direct flight from London Heathrow touched down on the tarmac of San Javier Airport for the first time and received a traditional welcome from the duty firefighters in the form of an arc of water directed at the plane from two fire trucks.

The new route is an exciting development for the airport, linking it to the largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger numbers and the sixth largest in the World.

The twice weekly service flies into Heathrow Terminal 5, with easy onward access to central and West London. It also offers passengers from

the Murcia region the possibility of connections to airports worldwide.

British Airways commercial manager for Spain, Portugal and North Africa, Ron Sachs, speaking from London to the Spanish press said "we are excited about the launch of this new route and we are confident that it will be a great success for the population of Murcia and southern Alicante, who can now fly directly to London Heathrow Airport, and can connect from there with the 209 destinations we fly around the world.''

He also highlighted the Murcia region's attractions to passengers arriving from Heathrow. ''The area's amazing coastline, its gastronomy and its golf courses of recognized internation-

al prestige, will ensure these British Airways flights enjoy a great popularity among British tourists."

The 130 passengers who disembarked from the inaugural flight were greeted by warm spring temperatures and a light breeze from the Mar Menor.

Inside the terminal was the opening ceremony to celebrate the route's opening, also attended by British Airways customer service director for the Levante area, Xavier Serrano Pérez; Coordinator of Iberia ( fellow members of parent group IAG ) in Levante, Alfonso Sanz Tejero; the flight crew and Airport Director, Pedro Vicente Gallut.

Continued on page 3

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31st march - 6th April

News & views

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WEATHER IN BRIEF

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31st march - 6th April

Pensioner robbed of €12000 in scam

by Andy Mansell Guardia Civil officers in the Murcia region are alerting people to a scam, which this week saw an elderly woman robbed of €12,000.

The woman, in her seventies, from Mula, Murcia fell victim to the elaborate scam outside her house at around 11.00pm.

She was approached by a young woman with obvious learning difficulties, who said she was looking for a school.

Whilst the elderly woman was trying to help, a man appeared and asked the disabled woman what she wanted.

She produced a wad of euro notes, explaining she had found them in a container, she then accused the man of stealing over half of them, 6000 euros with accomplices.

He then disappeared, saying he would return with he money.

When he came back, he had a heavy chain which he put around the disabled woman's neck, threatening to kill the young woman unless the elderly woman emptied her bank account. He took her to Banco Sabadell in the town and forced her to withdraw two transactions, each of €6000 plus €260 for the disabled woman, which he took from her purse. He gave the now, confused victim 10 euros to buy biscuits for the disabled woman, but when she returned they had both disappeared.

The victim, now frightened and totally disorientated wandered the streets for hours before returning home, where here grandaughter alerted the Guardia Civil.

The unnamed victim is suffering from severe anxiety since the incident and can remember few details of the thieves.

Guardia Civil officers have issued the only information they have. The young disabled woman was traveling in a grey medium-sized car. The man is 1.65 meters tall, has a moustache and dark hair and was well dressed.

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Alahama robbers evade police

Local police in the Murcian town of Alahama de Murcia were left red faced and embarrased after thieves, who robbed a computer store in the town, were able to evade capture because their escape vehicle was faster.

The incident happened in the early hours of last Tuesday morning, when the Local Police were alerted to a break in at a computer store in the centre of Alahama.

When they arrived at the scene, the assailants were leaving the scene, so a high speed chase ensued through the streets of the town. At one point, the thieves, travelling in a black BMW X6 broke into the parking lot of the ElPozo factory using metal bars and wire cutters and waited for the officers to show. When the police arrived the thieves attacked their vehicle with the bars and sped off towards the AP-7 motorway.

The officers followed onto the motorway, but as they were travelling in a Police Van, were unable to keep up with the robbers, who sped off out of sight.

The Local Police department said they highlighted the problems they are facing months ago. They are unhappy as they are expected to patrol the town in either police vans, or unmarked cars with no flashing lights or sirens.

A black BMW X6, similar to the one used to evade the police in Alahama

Photo credit: Wikimedia

Continued from front page Gallut also highlighted the potential the route creates with 75 million passengers flying out of Heathrow each year, adding that San Javier Airport had normally been associated with budget airlines flying from smaller airports.

His thoughts were echoed by first passenger off the plane, head of the regional business collective CROEM, who stressed the importance of the route to business passengers in the post-brexit era.

The Tuesday and Saturday flights are part of the Summer schedule and will run until the end of october. In total the airport will be connected to 25 cities in six countries. With a 5.7% increase on passenger numbers on last year, the airport is approaching the 2 million mark it reached in 2006 and 2007.

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31st march - 6th April

National Police arrest two Romanian men in human trafficking case Release victim who had been forced into prostitution for seven years.

by Tahnee Wright Agents of the National Police have released a young girl who had been forced into prostitution for seven years in various clubs in Alicante.

Under the National Police Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings for Sexual Exploitation, two pimps, aged 44 and 45, who had European arrest and surrender orders issued by Romania, have been detained.

One of the men is also charged with a crime of sexual assault, as during the years in which he kept his victim captive, he repeatedly abused her.

Both men are of Romanian nationality and had in force European orders of Detention and Delivery issued by Romania.

They face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for their participation in the crimes of trafficking in human beings and belonging to a criminal organisation.

The investigation first began when agents of the National Police received falsified documents and later found that they belonged to a fugitive of Romanian nationality - claimed by the authorities of his country for crimes related to trafficking in human beings and membership in a criminal organisation.

The second man was in the same boat. After conducting a series of investigations, agents discovered that they lived together with a 28-year-old girl who had been forced into prostitution for seven years in various clubs in Alicante and also found that they had sometimes transferred her to other loca-

The girl, now 28-years-old has finally been freed

tions in La Junquera.

Apparently, the couple met their victim in Rome when she was 21-years-old, where they invited her to travel with them to Spain with the promise of work, accommodation and support guaranteed once they were in the country.

When they arrived in Spain, they settled down in an Alicante town where they forced her to engage in prostitution and seized all the money that she earnt, ‘paying’ her only six or seven euros a day.

After agents of the National Police identified the victim,

Ban the botellon A residents group in Cartagena is staging a fightback against the two scourges of modern life in urban areas, dog excrement and the ‘Botellon’.

The Grupo Municipal de Ciudanos de Cartagena voluntary group wants attention drawn to the repercussions brought by dog owners failing to pick up their dog’s excrement and the problems derived from the youth phenonomen, the ‘Botellon’, where a group of young people gather around a car on a piece of waste ground or car park, open the doors or hatchback, crank up the music on the car stereo to maximum and proceed to dance around, chat, drink alcohol and smoke.

They have formed a seperate pressure group called La Formacion Naranja calling on the City to mount a awareness campaign surrounding the anti-social nature of these activities. The aim of their initiative is to promote civility and a healthy coexistence between those who have and those who do not have dogs and between those who drink and those who inhabit those spaces.

Ana Rama, spokesperson for the group said: “Cartagena is a tourist city where 200,000 people live and both neighbors and tourists continue to suffer the lack of preventive initiatives by the municipal government to avoid the dirt generated by the lack of citizenship shown by people who walk their dogs and do not collect their excrement and those who drink in the street generating garbage, urine, or vomiting.’’

they quickly arrested the two men.

In their native country, they are said to have deceived others girls to travel to Spain under the false promise of a fixed contract of work and a higher quality of life, before forcing them into prostitution without any economic remuneration.

In addition to crimes relating to prostitution and the European arrest and surrender orders for the crimes of trafficking in human beings and membership of a criminal organisation, both men are accused of committing a crime of documentary falsification and one of sexual assault.

Youth footballer dies in Cartagena Cartagena FC was in mourning this week following the death of Juvenile player Houssine.

The talented attacking player was part of the of the youth team of Cartagena FC. He died last Thursday in the vicinity of the hospital of Santa Lucía after being hit by a truck, a tragic event that is being investigated by the Police. The Cartagena club showed its dismay in the loss of the youth player through social networks and has shown its support to the family of Houssine. The Football Federation of Murcia and numerous clubs in this Autonomous Community paid their condolences on social networks to the family of the deceased player as well as Cartagena FC. Emergency services and Security forces where at the scene of the accident almost immediately and applied medical assistance, but they could not do anything to save his life. Houssine, was of Maghreb origin and resided in Fuente Álamo. The young player was only 16 years old.

31st march - 6th April

Lonely dogs at Local Police Canine Unit in Alicante Dogs are left alone in their cages for 16 hours a day.

Two robbers arrested with a knife in the centre of Elche

The local police of Elche arrested two robbers on Wednesday morning who were armed with a knife in the centre of Elche.

The male and female duo pulled up in a car on la Avenida de la Comunidad Valenciana, next to Calle Lepanto and the male leaped out of the car before assaulting a pedestrian – who was on his way home from work - with an 11centimetre knife and several kicks, demanding money.

He then confronted another passer-by, threatening him with the knife whilst the female watched from inside the car.

Having had no luck in extracting money from either of their victims, the pair fled but were soon intercepted by the local police, who arrested them immediately.

by Tahnee Wright The seven German and Belgian Shepherd dogs that are part of the Local Police Canine Unit in Alicante - a unit of high-regard nationally which has previously received many awards - are left alone in their cages for 16 hours a day between 2.00pm and 6.00am for two weeks each month.

The situation comes as a result of the restructuring of the service which was promoted by Diego Maroto, head of the Legal Department of the Department of Security - a position that was augmented by Alicante Mayor Gabriel Echavarri.

Until the service was restructured, there was always someone present in the afternoons/ early evenings at the facility where the dogs sleep.

Police sources have confirmed that since March 6, there has also been no provision in place for the cleaning of the dog kennels, nor their cages.

Agents have begun taking some of the dogs home with them in the afternoons and even at weekends when off duty, claiming the conditions constitute

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Agents have begun taking some of the dogs home with them in the afternoons and even at weekends when off duty

animal cruelty. They fear that the dogs will become stressed and lose the abilities that they have been so rigorously trained to have, suffer anxiety and potentially start to bite.

The canine unit carries out daily inspections to detect drugs in public places such as the bus station. They also go to institutes to present addiction prevention programmes, give anti-bullying advice to children and hold various exhibitions.

Police sources have criticised the negative impact the restructure of the service has had on a once pioneering unit and has made an example of how, prior to this, there was one less agent in the unit, but the afternoons were sufficiently covered so the dogs were not left alone for long periods of time.

The Department of Security and the Local Police Headquarters are aware of the situation, having received several complaints.

Man run over by his own vehicle in Pinoso Last Friday afternoon the driver of a truck was run over by the cabin of his vehicle at Frutos Secos Manan after failing to put his handbrake on.

The man was transferred to the hospital Virgen de la Salud de Elda, with the two fractured legs.

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31st march - 6th April

Will Brexit abolish the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?

by Tahnee Wright For the millions of Britons travelling on the continent, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – which affords travellers state provided necessary medical treatment in the host country – has long been a default item to take on holiday.

It’s not a cover-all replacement for travel insurance should something go wrong, but it certainly helps.

They cover temporary stays in European Economic Area (EEA) countries, plus Switzerland, and over 27 million people have one, according to the Department of Health.

Patients are effectively treated as a resident of the country in question, either at a reduced cost or for free by the state healthcare system, with the home nation picking up the tab.

However, the future of this benefit has been thrown into doubt by the vote to leave the European Union.

They still work. And they will continue to work until the UK leaves the EU - which could take a decade. Nothing will happen to the EHIC when Article 50 is triggered,

as it merely starts the process of leaving the European Union.

One of the major factors in deciding whether the EHIC will remain available to British citizens is whether there is a separation from the EEA, as the card is not an EU initiative.

Currently, EHIC offers protection in Iceland, Norway, and Lichtenstein - who are EEA members but not EU members and accept the EHIC. The UK could feasibly adopt this model.

Outside of that, the UK has some form of reciprocal healthcare relationship with the following countries: • Anguilla •Australia • Bosnia and Herzegovina • British Virgin Islands • Falkland Islands • Gibraltar • Isle of Man • Jersey • Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) • Montenegro • Montserrat • New Zealand • St Helena

• Serbia • Turks and Caicos Islands Additionally, Switzerland - which isn’t in the EU or the EEA - it still accepts the EHIC as part of a deal with the single market and there has been speculation as to whether the UK could follow the Swiss model.

The knock-on effect to insurance costs could be significant if the EHIC becomes unavailable for British citizens. Insurers would have to take into consideration that they would be foot-

ing the bill for all medical treatment, rather than having a proportion dealt with through the EHIC system.

The card provides such good health protection that some insurers now insist you must have an EHIC to take out a policy and many will even waive your excess if you do have one.

A Government spokesman said: ‘At every step of these negotiations we will work to ensure the best possible outcome for the people of the United

Kingdom, including those travelling to and living in EU countries.’

‘Once the details of Brexit are resolved, we will then know if we remain part of the scheme – or if we will exit from the EHIC system.’

Given the number of EU nationals that go on holiday in the UK and UK nationals that visit Europe, it would make sense for an agreement to be made as part of the Brexit negotiations - but that can’t be guaranteed.

UK company creates Estonian company to guard against Brexit German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel rejects May's call for parallel talks on EU-UK ties

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has rejected the Theresa May’s plan for trade talks to take place at the same time as Article 50 secession negotiations.

Ms May had called for talks on a future comprehensive trade deal between the EU and UK to take place at the same time as the so-called 'Article 50' talks on how Britain will exit the bloc. However, the German Chancellor intervened just hours after the UK invoked Article 50 on Wednesday, confirming that talks on Britain’s exit would take place first, after which talks on a future relationship would ‘hopefully soon’ take place.

Merkel’s intervention could potentially make the Brexit process significantly more burdensome for the UK. ‘The negotiations must first clarify how we will disentangle our interlinked relationship... and only when this question is dealt with, can we, hopefully soon after, begin talking about our future relationship,’ Merkel said in Berlin.

In her letter triggering Article 50 Theresa May said she believed it ‘is necessary to agree the terms of our future partnership alongside those of our withdrawal from the European Union.’

UK company launches EU company to maintain EU links.

In the same week the UK government triggers Article 50 to exit the EU, UK company Red Robot Media (RRM) formally applied for registration of a new Estonian sister company.

The new Estonian company will allow RRM to retain a presence in the EU after Brexit. For EU clients, the move will also guard against Brexit uncertainty and give the company more flexibility post-Brexit.

RRM’s director Claire Broadley is a member of the Estonian e-residency programme. The programme allows individuals from anywhere in the world to set up an Estonian company and maintain close links with the EU after Brexit. There are currently approximately 1,000 UK citizens registered as Estonian e-residents.

Claire’s new company, Red Robot OU, will operate out of Tallinn, Estonia and will accept payments in euro from June, direct to its Estonian bank account, which will help it to protect against any further devaluation of the pound.

UK Estonian e-residents are creating companies to guard against Brexit uncertainty and ensure they can access valuable benefits of EU membership.

Companies set up in Estonia will be able to access all of the benefits of the Digital Single Market, a program which the UK intends to exit over the course of the next two years.

For micro businesses like RRM, Brexit presents challenges in terms of costs and legal compliance. In particular, it is difficult for a very small business to attract significant EU business in an unclear post-Brexit environment. The Estonian e-residency program allows micro businesses to put contingency plans in place.

31st march - 6th April

TVE Feature San Fulgencio Let's face it: not very many expatriates actually watch Spanish Television.

by Keith Nicol If they did, they might have seen the town of San Fulgencio being talked about on Wednesday's news to highlight the possible effects that the official launch of Brexit might have on the UK resident population in Spain. Let's also face the fact that it's not really San Fulgencio that was important to the news team, but actually the urbanization of La Marina, where the majority of the expats own homes.

The overall tone of the news piece was that British "Spanish" are very concerned about their future health care if they continue living in Spain. According to INE data as of 1 January 2016, in Spain there are a little more than a quarter of a million Britons, most of them on the Mediterranean coast or on the islands, and Alicante is the area with the largest number, with a total of 72,935, many of them with housing in urbanizations of Orihuela, Torrevieja, Rojales, San Fulgencio, Benidorm, Calpe or Jávea. Alicante is followed by Málaga, with 50,530 Britons, and the Balearic Islands (16,126), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (15,060), Almería (14,344) and Murcia (13,696) are the most distant.

Since the UK voted to Leave EU, Brexit has been a huge topic of rumour and conjecture and bar talk. The fact remains, that the UK have not entered into negotiations with any EU Members states about the exit plan. Thus anything has been mentioned by so-called experts, lawyers, gastors, news columnists,

etc, is nothing more than an opinion, an opportunity for them to make money or market their services, or pure conjecture.

TVE noted that Brexit has caused concern among the 254,000 British residents living in Spain and went to the Alicante town of San Fulgencio to speak to local politicians, bar owners, relators and the public, as this small town hosts the largest British colony in Spain.

Apparently the panic has led some to sell their homes in Spain, while the vast majority currently have their doubts about what happens if primarily the public health service would change in Spain. They did ask the question about the British continuing to work here?

Will they be caught in legal limbo? Will they have to get a private health insurance? However, San Fulgencio with it's British population being 90% retired, was not really the place to ask about employment. Madrid would have been a better place to ask that question.

In a statement from the UK Government, they say: “The rights and status of EU nationals in the UK and UK nationals in the EU is unchanged as we approach our exit. We want to seek the earliest agreement to protect the status of EU nationals who are already living in the UK, and the status of UK nationals already living in other Member States, following our exit. The Prime Minister has made clear that we stand ready to reach a deal on this right now. It remains an important priority for the UK and many other Member States to provide certainty to these groups as soon as possible.”

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31st march - 6th April

Tens of thousands of anti-Brexit activists join London march

by Tahnee Wright The Unite for Europe march that took place in London on Saturday coincided with events to mark 60 years since the EU's founding agreement, the Treaty of Rome, was signed.

The march, which was due to set-off from Park Lane at 11.00am, was delayed by more than an hour, with some suggesting police were unprepared for a turnout being much higher than expected.

Many EU nationals living in Britain joined the crowd, represented by the group ‘The 3 Million’, but many British citizens and families also marched to protest the Government’s plans for a hard Brexit.

Blue and yellow, the colours of the EU, dominated in the crowd and marchers carrying flags representing the countries of the union travelled along Piccadilly, Pall Mall and Whitehall before massing at Parliament Square.

A minute's silence was held to remember the victims of the Westminster attack after organisers refused to call off the event, saying ‘we will not be intimidated... We will march on the heart of our democracy and reclaim our streets.’

Some banners carried a despairing tone, with one declaring Brexit ‘a EUge mistake’, while another simply declared in big letters: ‘Tut’.

But among the crowd, there was almost a carnival atmosphere. In the heart of the throng, a full marching band of drummers kept up a beat and the crowd responded with cheers.

Alastair Campbell was spotted in the crowd taking a selfie

Photo credit: digitalspy.com

with one of the organisers. He also addressed protesters in Parliament Square and said: ‘We can persuade Theresa May to change her mind, she's already done it once.’

On its website, Unite for Europe says: ’We are the 48 per cent, who voted against Brexit and those who were not allowed to vote against it – the young and the EU nationals living, working and paying taxes in the UK. We are outraged by the government’s current direction in dealing with the result of the referendum.’

Making the case for those, who ‘fundamentally never wanted Brexit’, organisers hope the march will have prompted Parliament to listen to those who want the UK to remain a member of the single market, secure the benefits of the EU membership and guarantee that EU citizens already in the country will have a right to stay.

Rallies celebrating the 60th anniversary of the EU's founding treaty were also held in Berlin, Rome and Warsaw.

31st march - 6th April

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31st march - 6th April

Mazarron to get major road renovations

The section of Mazarron road due for resurfacing in a €400,000 project

by Andy Mansell Work was due to commence this week on the resurfacing and restructuring of the Mazarron port road close to the bridge crossing the Rambla de las Moreras.

The works have a budget of 396,908 euros and consist of the integral renovation of the road sign and repair of cracks and bumps detected in the section stretching from the 35.5 to 37.7 kilometer point of the road.

The completed job will allow sealing of cracks and leveling of pot-holes by extending double-layer aggregate. Work will also include repairing of embankments and ditches, renewing vertical and horizontal signaling, and clearing the road margins to

increase visibility.

The maintenance programme is expected to be finished within four months and will coincide with ongoing works on the construction of a new roundabout creating a direct access route to the Polideportivo sports center of Mazarrón. Replacing the current T-shaped intersection with a roundabout will give traffic more fluidity and improve traffic flow to the Centre.

This work is part of the first phase of a programme to create two lanes of traffic on this road that sees more than 13,500 vehicles a day.

The first phase roundabout has a budget of 258,371 euros and works are expected to be completed in the month of April.

Tozer opens its first trial farm in Murcia

Tozer Seeds has opened a 120,000€ trial centre in Murcia, its first outside of the UK. The company said the 12,000 m2 facility is already testing several varieties of celery, broccoli, leek, lettuce, cabbage, and baby leaves (rocket, mini kale, spinach, chard, pak choi, sprouts and Kalette).

‘We are very excited about the new farm, which is the culmination of two years of work and demonstrates our commitment to the region,’ said Jose Carlo Grajeda of Tozer Iberica. ‘Our intention is to test the improvements we have achieved in the UK in Spain to see how they behave in a Mediterranean climate.’

At the end of last year Tozer embarked on a major marketing push for its kale-sprout hybrid Kalettes and it expects to see strong growth across Europe in the coming years.

31st march - 6th April

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31st march - 6th April

Murcia placed fourth in Spain for longest surgery waiting lists According to data published by the Ministry of Health.

by Tahnee Wright For the first time, the central government has released statistics in their entirety detailing surgery waiting lists and times across Spain.

Comparing the situation of the Region with the rest of Spain, Murciano Health Service (SMS) is not left in good standing.

14 per cent - the percentage of Murcia patients whose waiting time exceeded the six months of waiting before June 30 2016. In the whole of Spain, the percentage was 8.8 per cent.

52 days - the average waiting time for an initial consultation with a specialist in June 2016, compared to 51 days of national average.

68 per cent - the percentage of Murcia patients who exceeded 60 days of waiting time. In the whole of Spain, the percentage was 40 per cent, representing a difference of almost 30 points.

In such a way, Murcian patients expected a waiting time of 95 days on average for a surgical intervention before June 30, 2016, compared to 83 days on average in Spain. Only the Canary Islands (162 days), Castilla-La Mancha (147 days) and Extremadura (128 days) exceeded

the delays recorded in Murcia.

The delays in these communities contrast with the scarce delays in La Rioja (46 days) and the Basque Country (49 days).

Murcia leads the wait in two specialties: Otorhinolaryngology (127 days of average delay compared to 75 of average in Spain) and Thoracic surgery (121 days of average delay compared to only 50 of average in Spain).

Waits are also triggered in Cardiac Surgery, where only patients in Extremadura are forced to wait longer than those in Murcia. In Murcia it takes 111 days on average for an intervention of this specialty, while in Extremadura it is necessary to wait for 126 days.

20.5 patients per thousand were waiting to be operated in the summer of 2016 in the Region.

Together with data from June 2016, the Ministry of Health has published all the complete statistics since 2012, which makes it possible to compare how the situation has evolved in different communities.

The worsening in the Region of Murcia is remarkable: it has gone from placing eighth in December 2012 to placing fourth in summer 2016.

Murcian patients expected a waiting time of 95 days on average for a surgical intervention before June 30, 2016

17 Elche establishments join municipality initiative to promote the responsible serving of alcohol Mayor of Juventud, Teresa Macia, visited 17 Elche establishments this week to award them with a badge recognising their cooperation with the ‘Servicio Responsable' programme - an initiative to promote the responsible serving of alcohol and the prevention of drug addiction.

The ‘Servicio Responsable' programme, headed up by Juana Barcala, has been promoted by the Community Prevention Unit in Addictive Behaviour (UPCCA) of the City of Elche, with the collaboration of the NGO Control Club.

Macia said: ‘the programme has been a great success, recognising Elche as one of the cities in which most businesses have adhered to the initiative.’

Created in 2009 as part of the collaboration agreement between the Government Delegation for the National Plan on Drugs and the Spanish Federation of Hospitality Industry, the ‘Servicio Responsable' programme is based on the promotion of good practices in the nightlife sector and hospitality industry as a tool for community,

school and/ or family action programmes to aid the prevention of drug and alcohol addiction.

The 17 establishments to receive the badges identifying them as responsible establishments are: Cadamunt, Suquer, La Cistella, Bar Casimiro, La Comedia Glorieta, La Puerta Verde, Flagherty’s, Pizzeria Cambra, Pub Ego, Pura Vida, Recreativos Levante, Salon De Juegos Jackpot, Recreativos Instanak, Cerveceria D’canto, Roser Gastrobar, Agila Bar and Restaurante El Galgo.

The establishments were recognised for: • Responsible serving of alcohol • Protection of minors • Control in the traffic and consumption of illegal drugs • Security and control of their facilities • Capacity of reaction in emergency situations • Adequate provision of the service and the attention to the clients Elche is the first city in Spain to incorporate gambling establishments into the ‘Servicio Responsable' programme.

31st march - 6th April

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Anti prejudice campaign launches in Cartagena Cartagena aims to become a space free of rumours in a new initiative created by younger people in the city.

by Andy Mansell The campaign ‘Cartagena Libre de Rumores’ aims to project a message of inclusivity, integration and diversity by sending a strong anti-prejudice message towards immigrants living and working in the area.

To coincide with the International Day Against Racial Discrimination, more than two hundred citizens, including young people from the Centros Interculturales de Cartagena, multicultural youth groups, marched through the streets of the historic centre, carrying banners and balloons bearing the campaign message, before arriving at a rally in the Town Hall Plaza.

Once in the plaza the large group created a fun, festive atmosphere, with singing, dancing and a presentation of the Brazilian dance form Capoeira by Adaba accompanied by

Voulez vous manger avec moi?

Rap Artist Dyba.

Deputy Mayor, Ana Belen Castejon addressed the gathering from the steps of the Town Hall, proclaiming ‘’ There is an alarming increase in the distorted and negative vision our citizens have of immigrants.’’

Explaining the message behind the Libre de Rumores campaign, she said ‘’ Our campaign is a clear and decisive commitment to value the management of diversity, to promote the breaking of stereotypes and prejudices between cultures and promote a message of cultural coexistence “.

She was very happy to inform the gathering that the initiative was organised and requested by younger people in the city who wanted to live in a ‘’Cartagena free of prejudice’’. At the end of the rally a large banner was placed outside the Town Hall declaring the message ‘Cartagena Libre de Rumores’.

Grupo Ya has opened a new restaurant in Elche.

El Monumental offers exquisite Parisian ambience on La Replaceta de la Fregassa, where Alacena used to be.

The grand opening took place on Tuesday evening and saw over 400 people representing various sectors of the society in Elche attend.

Photo credit: J. Albaladejo - Ayto. Cartagena

11 schools in the province excluded from voting

Of the 108 schools in the province of Alicante that have requested the Ministry of Education change the schedule for the next course and apply the ‘continuous day’, 11 have been excluded from voting.

On Tuesday April 4, the parents of students from 97 schools are called to vote as to whether they want the Ministry of Education to change the schedule and end classes at 2:00 pm or continue as per this schedule and end class at 5:00 pm.

The 11 schools that did not meet the requirements of the new school organization plan are the following, according to the data provided by the Department of

Education: 1. Ramon Llull de Alicante 2. The Bay of Elche Las Bayas 3. San Luis de Crevillent El Realengo 4. Cardinal Belluga de Crevillent San Felipe Neri 5. Torrevieja Sunrise 6. Secanet de La Vila 7. La Purisima de Beniarda 8. Perpuxent de Beniarres 9. La Rectory de Benimeli 10. Francisco Cloquell de L'Orxa 11. San Salvador de Tarbena

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Elche inaugurates the new bus route of the R2 service

The R2 service will now stop at Carrefour and Las Oficinas de Trafico

by Tahnee Wright The new bus route of the R2 service was launched this week in Elche. Buses on the line will now stop at Carrefour and Las Oficinas de Trafico.

The city councillors Esther Diez, Mireia Molla, Antonio Garcia and Felip Sanchez have been among the first passengers to open this new route, which has long been requested by locals.

‘Finally, after 34 years, the shopping centre has a bus service and we encourage all citizens to use the bus to travel around the city,’ said Mayor of Mobility, Esther Diez, who added that this is another initiative to encourage

the use of public transport and to make Elche a European Green Capital by 2030.

The R2 service will no longer stop at the Cementerio Nuevo however a new service has been commissioned.

The CN service will stop at the Cementerio Nuevo. The CN service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Sundays and public holidays.

‘We chose those days for the CN service which stops at Cementerio Nuevo to operate after detecting that they were the days when the service was required most’ said Esther Diez.

For more information on schedules and routes, please visit the Elche Ayuntamiento website or download the ‘Bus Elche’ app.

The heat is on for Spring

Three towns in the Murcian region were in the top ten of temperatures recorded in Spain last week as warm Spring weather hit the area.

Last Tuesday Archena which sits on the Segura River saw a temperature just 0.1 degree less than the highest temperature of the day. The thermometer touched 24.6 degrees at 4.00pm leaving it the second hottest place in the country that day behind Xativa in the Valencia region which peaked at 24.7 degrees.

The figures released by the State Meteorological Agency Aemet also showed both the towns of Molina de Segura and Mula were also in the top ten highest temperatures recorded that day. The good weather and higher temperatures are set to continue through the weekend across the whole of Spain with the thermometer expected to rise well above 24 degrees again. Archena in Murcia recorded the second highest temperature in Spain last Tuesday.

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Pinoso recognised for sustainable development

by Tahnee Wright The plenary of the City Council of Pinoso has approved its adherance to the agreement of the Consell of the Generalitat Valenciana of January 15, 2016 on creation of the Alliance of Cities for the sustainable development, with the purpose of promoting the principles and of urban sustainability and habitability.

This agreement will be notified to the General Directorate for Cooperation and Solidarity of the Department of Transparency, Social Responsibility, Participation and Cooperation.

This alliance aims to sensitise the Valencian society on the Sustainable Development Objectives approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations on September 25, 2015, with two very clear purposes: - To involve the towns and cities of the Valencian Community in the information, dissemination, awareness and commitment of the Sustainable Development Objectives (ODS), promoting the adoption of integral, participatory and good governance approaches of cities in all areas of the sustainable, equitable and inclusive development.

- Territorialising the ODS in the community so that all municipalities and cities work cohesively, as well as with the supra-municipal institutions,those entities related to municipalism and the policies that cooperate to express their interest.

There are 17 sustainable development objectives, with 169 goals of an integrated and indivisible nature covering the economic, social and environmental spheres: Objective 1: End poverty in all its forms around the world.

Objective 2: End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutri-

tion and promote sustainable agriculture.

Objective 3: Ensure a healthy life and promote well-being at all ages.

Objective 4: Ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Objective 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Objective 6: Ensure water availability and sustainable management and sanitation for all.

Objective 7: Ensure access to affordable, secure, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Objective 8: Promote inclusive and sustained economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Objective 9: Build resilient infrastructures, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.

Objective 10: Reduce inequality in and between countries.

Objective 11: Ensure that cities and human settlements are inclusive, secure, resilient and sustainable.

Objective 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Objective 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects.

Objective 14: To conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Objective 15: To protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and curb the loss of biodiversity.

Objective 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, facilitate access to justice for

The Sustainable Development Objectives were approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations

all and create effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Objective 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

Orihuela commemorates World Autism Day The Councillor for Social Welfare, Sabina-Goretti Galindo, presented on Monday the activities organised by Orihuela Council in commemoration of World Autism Day this week.

The Mayor, who was accompanied by the president of Dinoco, Laura Tomas and Cristina Albadalejo, president of the Libertea Foundation thanked the councillors for their efforts, remembering ‘since the beginning we have maintained our commitment to improve accessibility for those with special needs, creating an ‘Accessibility Table’ and installing pictogram references within municipal buildings.

This year, the council will take to the ‘Water Palace’, installing pictograms references throughout the facility, with focus on the locker rooms.

The initiative – made possible through collaboration of the Department of Social Welfare and the associations Libertea and Dinoco – will also run a ‘Blue Days’ campaign, with which it aims to ‘raise awareness and make visible the Autism Spectrum Disorder.’

On Thursday evening, the facade of the City Hall, La Lonja and Puente Viejo was lit up in blue and the documentary ‘A Shared Dream’ was screened.

On Friday evening, a storytelling session will be held from 6.00pm in the Centro de Mayores Virgen de Monserrate, adapted with pictogrammes. On April 1 and 2, the Teatro Circo will host the show ‘La Bella y la Bestia’, performed by Grupo Iraty with the proceeds of ticket sales to be donated to Dinoco and Mas Vida. On April 2, World Autism Day, the Teatro Circo in partnership with Hidraqua will host a balloon release at 5.30pm.

Laura Tomas of Dinoco thanked the City Council for ‘taking into account our requests – together we can reach the goal that Orihuela is a city adapted and aware.’

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Your town needs you

by Andy Mansell Town Halls across the region are being urged to request non Spanish residents to register on the padron of their local municipality, by a National statistics organisation.

Many foreign nationals are wary of registering for a number of reasons and receive mixed messages from officials, friends and even from the town halls themselves.

Spain's Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE - national statistics institute), recently released a report quoting the most recent statistics available regarding numbers registered on their local town hall's 'padrón'.

The report confirmed the confused messages residents receive. Most who had been in Spain since before 2009 will probably have been told that once they had registered on their local padrón, they did not have to update the information. However others may have been told that they do need to update their details, anything between every two and five years.

The actual rules are that since 2009, foreign residents coming from other European Union member states have been required to update their details every five years. Residents from non-EU countries are asked to renew every two years, in line with their residency papers. In both cases if they fail to do so, their names will be removed. Previously, foreigners, like Spanish residents, were kept on the register permanently once they had registered, The report stated that many non Spanish residents gave the reasons for not registering as the inability to communicate in Spanish when filling in the form. Some reported stories of officious clerks at town halls refusing to help them in their own language. Other reasons given were mostly financial worries, such as altered tax status and pension issues.

Antonio Requena Segovia from the INE said in the report, registering on the padrón, has nothing to do with paying taxes and it doesn't cost anything to register. He said he has been

made aware of the concerns and rumours that go around foreign communities that being on the padrón means that a foreign resident will be required to pay more taxes, which, he said, is "absolutely not true".

And whilst the police do have the right to consult town hall registers in the case of a foreign resident being arrested or involved in some way with a crime or incident, the information doesn't automatically get shared with the police or any other body, other than the INE. Although registering on the padrón is not a legal require-

ment, people are strongly encouraged to do so as population numbers relate directly to the amount of central government funding towns receive for services such as medical centres, fire stations, schools, cleaning and other municipal facilities.

He cited the case of a town with a registered population of 21,000 residents. If the population registered on the padrón remains above 20,000, the town is eligible for more funding for core services. Should the population drop below the limit, it is likely to lose key facilities. As Requena pointed out, foreigners who use these services should be part of the head count.

Spanish Stuttering Foundation AGM in Alicante The auditorium of the San Juan Complex of Alicante will play host this weekend to the Annual General Meeting of the Spanish Stuttering Foundation.

The meeting brings together over a hundred people from all over Spain each year and is one of the highlights of the foundation’s calendar. The event consists of one workshop each day over two consecutive days.

The first workshop invites members to relate to each other, share experiences and interact with others who possess the same ‘communication barriers’.

The second workshop will open its doors to professionals in speech therapy and psychology, as well as various political and cultural personalities of the City of Alicante.

The Spanish Foundation Stuttering is a non-profit organisation founded in 2002. Its mission is to help all those who stutter to try to improve their quality of life.

In Spain, more than 800,000 people stutter, but stuttering still remains ‘an unjustified reason for social and labour exclusion,’ according to the organisation.

‘We are frequently excluded in job interviews, even though we are fully trained and prepared, only and exclusively because we need a little more time to speak. Such events end up causing social and occupational isolation.’ In many cases ‘there are problems of social anxiety, fear of public speaking, withdrawal, we stop talking to people, we have difficulty making friends, etc.’

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Spectacular ceremony launches official countdown to Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 Emirati performers took to the stage as the UAE capital officially began the countdown to hosting the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

by Tahnee Wright Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance, empowering people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all.

The ceremony, watched by a packed stadium in the Austrian city of Graz and by millions on television around the world, celebrated the closing of this year’s Special Olympics Winter Games in Austria and featured UAE nationals from different segments of society, including UAE athletes who competed at the World Games days before.

The show used a traditional Bedouin desert setting to tell the story of how Abu Dhabi will use the Games to promote key values for all in society. The Abu Dhabi delegation also revealed the logo for the Special Olym-

pics World Games 2019. The logo - inspired by the Emirati tradition of palm frond weaving (Khoos) - is a metaphor for the unifying power of the Games.

The UAE delegation, including HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the first sponsor for the 2019 World Games, were all in attendance as the countdown began to the event in Abu Dhabi from March 14 - 21, 2019.

Sheikh Nahyan was joined by HE Mohammed Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi World Games Higher Committee, as well as other leading dignitaries and representatives of the Local Organising Committee from Abu Dhabi.

The Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 Local Organizing Committee also hosted a special reception for 300 people in Graz, which included an array of high-profile celebrities such as Hussein Fahmy and NBA Hall of Famer, Dikembe Mutombo, in addition to delegation representatives from more than

Football's heart

The logo, inspired by the Emirati tradition of palm frond weaving

100 countries competing at the World Games.

The handover signals 24 months until approximately 7,000 athletes from 170 nations descend upon Abu Dhabi for more than two weeks of competition. Male and female athletes with intellectual disabilities from numerous cultures and backgrounds will compete alongside each other in a worldwide competition that showcases their sporting abilities in 22 sports including Football,

Swimming, Cycling, Athletics, Equestrian and Powerlifting.

Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 5.3 million athletes and Unified partners in 169 countries. With the support of more than 1 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and over 108,000 games and competitions throughout the year.

Pilar de Horadada aerobic marathon draws in the crowds

Former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly once said: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.” And this quote came to mind last Saturday as the Torrevieja's Juvenile B team prepared to play, however, more on their mind than the football was the well-being of one of their own: 16 year old Lucas (wearing black number 19 in photo).

Last week, Lucas collapsed during a training session and the team and coaches quickly were at his side to make sure he was breathing OK and conscious. An ambulance was summoned and quickly arrived on scene to take him to hospital and carry out scans and tests. Having been a constant squad player for many years in Torrevieja, he has never shown any signs of ill health and so it was unusual for him to feel dizzy and lose his balance. But sometimes things happen for a reason and this was one of those occasions. The results of one scan identified a possible tumour putting pressure on his brain, which resulted in his bout of dizziness on the football field. Doctors said that this was something that had never been noticed before and he had never suffered any symptoms and so this had gone unnoticed, possibly since he was a baby.

Happening where it did, with trained footballers and personal around him, possibly could have been a life saver as otherwise this might never have been detected resulting in much more dangerous and life threatening circumstances later in life. On Saturday Lucas was very positive and appreciative as his entire football squad wore special T-shirts prior to the game to show their their bond and support for one of their own with all of us in the football community and at RTN wishing him a successful and healthy future and a return to playing football as soon as possible.

Over 300 eager fitness lovers turned up to participate in the annual Marato Aerobic in Pilar de Horadada last weekend.

The event, now in it’s twelfth year is organised by the town’s Department of Sports along with local fitness centres and clubs.

The aerobic marathon lasted for a gruelling two and a half hours consisting of Zumba, Jazz Latino, Aerohight, Flamenco Ariel and CBK sessions.

Prizes were handed out for the best male and female under and over 18 years old. The youngest participant was 18 months old and the oldest was aged 74.

Open registration for the II Campus of Futsal Room "Raúl Manjón" Easter is almost upon us and with that, Parents may be looking for something to keep their little ones occupied. If you've a football mad youngster running around the house, just after Easter from the 18th to 21st April, Torrevieja's Sports Palace will host the Campus of Futsal "Raúl Manjón": that's five-a-sides, to you and I. It's aimed at children between 5 and 14 years. The price for registration is 50€, although the children belonging to the Euroschool Academy and former students of the Campus will only pay 40€. The schedule of activities will be from 9.00am to 2.00pm. For more information and registration you can do this on Facebook "Adelante Torrevieja" or call the campus directly: 676 040 831 (Raúl) or 618 911 306 (Jorge).

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Market movers Although Torrevieja's street market was just about ready to move in June 2015, for one reason or another it's taken until now for the move to become a reality.

by Keith Nicol And surprise surprise, the Council has chosen a time and moment to do so, that the established market traders are not happy with.

On Friday Torrevieja Council tried to notify the 700 or so traders of the imminent move and transfer to the new flea market. Notices were hand delivered to them about the new market location and the positioning of their new stalls. However, the administrative procedure does not allow for an open period of allegations, as to the reason why the change of location will be effective in April.

In the letter, in addition to communicating the details of the new site next to the Water Park and Sports City, Nelson Mandela Stadium on Avda. Delfina Viudes, it indicated its location and the size of the the new market area. However, the document is not to open a period of allegations. That is to say, regardless of the claims that may be presented to the local administration in the coming days, the change of location will be a fact, for the last week of March or the first of April - although many of the merchants have already begun to complain that it should be postponed until after Easter so as not to disorientate those who spend their holidays in the city during that period.

The main concern of the market traders

and local customers is the lack of transport to the new premises, since it has only been announced that one of the conventional lines will extend its route from the Sports Palace to the immediate vicinity of the new premises.

However, the present council have had more than 18 months to sort this out. The present location of the Street Market was only meant to be temporary but has been there most than most International residents can remember. The street market is the largest Friday market in Spain and one the largest in the country although it has almost halved in size over the years, going from almost 1,500 to around today's average of 700. There are a vast array of goods on offer including decoration, textiles, clothing, interior design, craft, footwear, toys, electronics and horticultural produce at very reasonable prices, which can sometimes be good buys.

The street markets have a real Arab-style market atmosphere and have achieved great popularity amongst the Spanish and the thousands of Europeans that visit Torrevieja.

The venue will allow for better access, car parking, more space between stands offering a wider esplanade, improved set up and break down time for traders, will not close down the present area of the city on a Friday plus will increase security and emergency protocols and possibly cut down on the number of illegal traders and pickpockets.

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The day I stopped being British by

Barry Duke

In mid-March, when I went over to the UK to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Secular Society for my opposition to racism in South Africa, and my promotion of free speech, atheism and gay rights in the UK, I took the opportunity to catch up with old friends in Brighton.

Among those I met was a gay Spanish guy who settled there with his English partner around eight years ago. He took a job as a nurse at a local hospital, a job he enjoyed immensely – until Brexit happened. He began noticing, for the first time, a change in attitude towards him from some of his patients who decided that they no longer wished to be attended to by a foreigner.

When I met Alvaro (not his real name) he told me that he was contemplating returning to Spain because of the increased hostility he was encountering. Just that week, a large and belligerent man in the A&E let loose a torrent of abuse when he heard the nurse’s Spanish accent and threatened him with violence.

I was appalled, especially as I had come to the UK in 1973 as a refugee from apartheid South Africa and, on the whole, found the attitude of all the British I met both welcoming and sympathetic.

There were only two exceptions: a taxi driver, on hearing my South African accent, asked me if I was “a bloody Australian”. When I said no, his reply was “good, I hate Australians”.

Later, in Kyle of Lochalsh in Scotland, I asked a grumpy barman in an hotel what single malt whisky he could recommend (the bar was stocked with an incredible selection of brands). He snapped at me: “what would a @%&*ing Englishman know about whisky?”

After my conversation with Alvaro, I decided to become a “foreigner” for the duration of my stay in Brighton and London, and adopted a heavy mock accent – part Polish, part Spanish part Russian, part Swahili – to see what sort of reaction this would provoke.

An hour or so later, a woman approached me on the street and asked whether I spoke English. “Jus’ a leetle,” I replied. “Never mind”, she grumped, “I’ll speak to someone else.” Then she added: “Why don’t you %$*@-off back to from ever you came, you with your stupid gay moustache and beard.”

That was in cosmopolitan Brighton, a city I chose to live in for eight years because of its tolerant, laid-back atmosphere.

Brexit hasn’t just turned many British people into hateful xenophobes. A few weeks before I left for the UK, a long-time friend who had settled

in France many years ago emailed me to say that after the referendum French people he had known for years had suddenly become hostile towards him, and he now feared for his future.

Thank goodness a huge number in the UK are now coming to the realisation that Brexit was a ghastly mistake, and I was heartened to see that, at the weekend, there were huge demonstrations against it in London and Madrid. My only regret was that I was unable to attend either.

From now on, if anyone asks me my nationality, I will say “European – and proudly so!”

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Adventures of the Gingerbread Man

by

The Princess has one of those steam generator irons; the ones that sit on a launch pad type thingy that contains the reservoir for the water.

Colin Bird

She is on her second one and swears by it. Apparently it cuts her ironing time considerably because with things like sheets and such like, it eliminates the need to turn the item over and iron both sides.

Well I don’t know about that because it’s not my area of expertise, although whenever my chinos or jeans are up for a bit of pressing, then I take over.

To be honest I have always preferred to do these items of clothing myself, it’s something I partially inherited from my Dad who always pressed his own pants, and before that my Granddad who was a jobbing tailor, and which was part and parcel of his profession.

But I have to say it also stems from the day many years ago when I started at the big school - Ashmead Secondary Modern. The day that I wore my first pair of long trousers and one that is indelibly printed on my mind.

Mum decided that my new grey trousers needed a bit of tarting up after hanging n the wardrobe for a couple of weeks prior to the start of the new term, so while I tucked into my Sugar Pops she ran the iron over them.

When I slipped into my trousers I found to my horror she had put the creases down the seams instead of front to back so that I resembled a cardboard cut out of a school boy. It was obvious who usually undertook this task and it certainly wasn’t Mummy bless her. There was no time to rectify this mistake and it was out of the question that I should change into short pants – hell I was eleven years old for goodness sake.

I hurried to school which was less than a quarter of a mile from home, and finding the appropriate classroom, slunk in hoping that my new class mates would not notice.

Well they did notice of course and it did not help that I was as skinny as a rake and had hitherto been known as the galloping hairpin, because it took less than five minutes to be re-labelled The Gingerbread Man by our form master. Oh joy.

And so to this day, I always insist on ironing my own strides.

Man’s best friend?

by

Victor Pemberton

Emmy Award Winner

A few weeks ago the uncle of a good friend of mine was savagely killed by what was thought at the time to be a pack of wild boars. However, it soon emerged that it was not wild boars who attacked him but a pack of wild dogs. Although the man died from a heart attack, when they found his body it was covered in dog bites and deep scratch wounds. The owner of the dogs was arrested and now faces a charge of manslaughter.

If there is one issue that so often divides a community it is whether you love or hate dogs. I have two dogs of my own so I guess I am biased, but I can’t tell you how many times I have taken my dogs for a walk only to become embroiled in angry exchanges with well-meaning but ignorant passers-by who have falsely accused me of not picking up my dog’s droppings.

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, some of them muzzled because they are bad tempered, some of them pampered with their hair tied in coloured ribbons (ugh!}, but most of them interested only in one thing – the next smell. There is, however, a serious debate when discussing dogs as pets.

How responsible are we to prevent what happened to that poor man who was taken from us so tragically? Should we allow our dogs to be free from their leashes, when they could dash across a road, or attack a baby in a pram something that has happened too many times. After all a dog is an animal, and no matter how cute and lovable they are, all animals are unpredictable. I always tell anyone, especially children, to stroke my dogs as much as they like but never to put their faces too close.

I have to say though that a lot of dogs get a raw deal themselves. Many a time whilst driving my car I have turned a corner in a town or in the mountains and found some poor creature who has been thrown out of a car and left to fend for itself. It is to those so-called dog owners that I would direct my fury and bring the full weight of the law down upon them. Yes, a dog can be aggressive, but it is also vulnerable. Irresponsible dog owners are the real culprits and they should follow the same rules as the rest of us.

But what about cats! I love them too, but there they are sitting on the wall or up a tree, totally aloof from all of us, getting their free meals each day and dumping as much waste as they wish and wherever they wish. Of course there’s a lot to be said for cats. At least they don’t need bathing, and you can just open the door and let them out for an adventurous night out on the tiles. But remember, even cats have claws and they could give you a nasty scratch if you draw too close.

So let’s stick to the rules everyone. Let’s enjoy our pets, pick up their waste to stop us being accused by the over zealous of allowing our dogs to foul the pavements, keep them on the leash in busy areas, but above all remember that no matter how much we love our pets, they are animals and we are responsible for everything they do. Let’s make sure that we never forget what happened to that poor man and enjoy our dogs in a disciplined and controlled environment and keep clear of them when they are in a pack. They may be man’s best friend (and a woman’s too!) but more than a few of them could turn them into potential killers.

As for you cats. ‘Mee-ow’ to you too!

If you would like to join the controversial debate about dogs, please contact me: victorpemberton.com

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None dare call it treason by

Michael Walsh

keyboardcosmetics@ gmail.com

Occasionally I am asked when I left England. I reply that I never left England, England left me.

It is difficult to pinpoint precisely when Shakespeare’s sceptre isle betrayed its peoples. Perhaps it was when the MV Monte Rose, seized in 1945 as prize-of-war, was used to ferry subsidised cheap labour to the UK from the Caribbean. This betrayal coincided with the young of post-war Britain being shipped out to Australia and New Zealand on £10 government sponsored passages.

Again, I saw Westminster’s malevolence when on March 22 the outcome of their betrayal turned London Bridge blood red. I saw treason that same day when an English publisher’s ethnic-European wife was refused a UK visitor’s visa to visit her family in Britain.

Britain’s despicable governing elite lure destitute non-Europeans to England by waving a basket of unearned benefits under their noses. Simultaneously, this rotten to the core regime sniffily turns away a university educated schoolteacher who is well connected in the world of European culture. As a consequence, her British husband is exiled from the land of his birth.

The embittered ex-serviceman recalls an incident that occurred in a Lancashire Post Of-

fice. Inside stood a shuffling queue made up of mostly elderly Brits. With careworn expressions these outcasts of the islands lined up to purchase stamps to pay their TV licence fees, electricity and gas bills. Their pensions are the second lowest in Europe.

An adjacent queue snaked out of the door and around the corner. As each economic migrant reached the specially assigned Post Office teller he or she collected a wad of banknotes. Each being of non-European appearance it is doubtful if any had family, ethnic or religious connections in Britain.

One beneficiary of Middle Eastern appearance triumphantly waved his wad of British banknotes in the air. Giving the twofingered victory salute he screamed out, “F*** you, England.”

An elderly lady cowered. “Why doesn’t someone hit him?”

A gentleman tapped the pensioner’s shoulder: “If someone were to do so he would get two years for assault and his sentence doubled as it was a racially motivated assault.”

Some call this tolerance but most know in their hearts that it is base treachery.

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31st march - 6th April

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Bon Voyage Many sea loving enthusiasts will be happy to know that the sailing ship Pascual Flores is being rescued from rotting away in Torrevieja harbour.

This beautiful ship was laid up in the UK after being filmed in the 1970’s drama serial “ The Onedin Line”, she was then brought back to Torrevieja where she was built one hundred and ten years ago, this year.

The Partido Popular in Torrevieja spent a considerable amount of money to make her ship shape and sea worthy but the PSOE coalition council had no interest in her. The local branch of the Royal Naval Association was invited aboard and noticed she had no bell, so various fund raising activities were organised in order that The Pascual Flores should have a bell. A new bell was purchased and one of the RNA members donated a bell rope from the old aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal.

The Spanish Navy’s floating dry dock will arrive from Cartagena late on the evening of Friday, 31st March and early the following morning the crew will cast off the Pascual Flores’ mooring ropes and steer her into the dry dock. Once in position the water will pumped out, the Pascual Flores will settle down, the dock will rise and depart Torrevieja to the music of The British Royal Marine band various lo-

Photo: Flickr, Paul Townsend

Safe or not cal bands and choirs will also be taking part.

Providing all goes to plan she will leave Torrevieja arround 12 noon on Saturday and the flags flying from the foremast will read “Bon Voyage”.

Plenty of car parking space will be

made available so do come along and see this lovely ship off.

On arrival in Cartagena she will be rested high and dry on a concrete structure which is part of the Naval Maritime Museum.

Joe Billet, Quesada

I was watching TV the other morning, about how people in England wouldn't feel safe if the police officers started carrying guns or a Taser around with them in the wake of the recent terror attacks in Europe. I have lived in Spain for many years and the local police always carry a gun. Even the police officers that stop the traffic for me and my children to cross the road carry a gun. I have always felt 100% safe living here because of the way the Spanish handled things. Why are people in Britain so aganist it?

New tradition?

It is getting to that time of year where the Bull runs start. I love living in Spain and taking the family to see all the Spanish traditions. I do worry about the safety of my children though when we go to our local town to watch the bulls. I usually only take them to see the baby Bull Run as the older ones are far too aggressive. I read somewhere that in Madrid they have changed the tradition and instead of real bulls they use a large polystrene ball which they call "Boloncierro". Although still dangerous as this large 10 foot wide ball is rolling down the street, it is still just as exciting for the children to watch everyone jumping out the way. Do you think this new tradition will take part in other towns?

Citizens Rights...

We should all be DELIGHTED that MPs have refused to guarantee the rights of EU citizens in the UK! When negotiating, in order to gain concessions from the other side, you have to be able to make concessions - tit for tat, or win-win in management speak. The rights of EU citizens living in the UK are a powerful bargaining "chip" which Theresa May is absolutely right to hold on to. No sensible negotiator gives away anything for nothing, nor does she reveal her hand in advance. Surprise and the exchange of concessions are key elements in the negotiating process.

Had Mrs. May undertaken to guarantee these rights when the Lords (and many MPs, too!) wanted her to, every other European country would have been free to grab her promise with both hands whilst thumbing its nose and saying, "Thank you very much, BUT we're NOT going to reciprocate!"

This would have left the prime minister powerless to protect our rights.

Now, because of her prudent strategy, she can say to each country individually, "Yes, we'll guarantee the rights of YOUR citizens in OUR country but only if you do the same for OUR citizens in YOUR country."

Can so many people really be so ignorant of the negotiation process as to pillory Mrs. May in this way for her skilful negotiating strategy?

On behalf of all ex-pats living in Spain I'd like to say a heartfelt," Thank you!" to the prime minister for giving us the best possible chance of being treated with respect by our host government after the UK's exit from the EU. Well done, that lady!

A very grateful, Diana Stokoe Valencia

money

by

Christina Brady

Blacktower Financial Management Group

31st march - 6th April

Modelo 720 (Overseas Asset Declaration) – legal or not Over the past year I have come across many an expat, not just UK expats but Dutch, Belgium and German who have said to me, I am not doing the Modelo 720 as the EU has ruled it is illegal and also because the Spanish authorities will never find out if I don’t declare.

Sadly I have to tell them they are now wrong on both counts, firstly on 15 February 2017, the European Commission accepted that Spain has the right to require residents to declare overseas assets, what the Commission does disagree with is the severity of punishments for late or inaccurate submissions. The EU commission has given the Spanish authorities 2 months to rectify this, otherwise it will take the matter to the EU Court of Justice. The requirement to submit the Modelo 720 form, however, is not under challenge.

Secondly on the 31st May 2017, all EU countries plus the UK and its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, will automatically share all financial information on all financial assets held in their countries by tax residents of another country, to the country they are registered as being resident in.

They will report the value of all bank accounts, insurance policies, shareholdings, investments, Trusts etc (no matter what the balance) as at 31st December 2016. Plus they will notify them of what withdrawals have been made during 2016 and also if an account has been closed during 2016.

From May 2018 over 100 countries worldwide will automatically be sharing all financial information on an annual basis. The goal is to allow tax authorities to obtain a clearer understanding of financial assets held abroad by their residents, for tax purposes, and is primarily

aimed at preventing tax evasion.

There are ways to ease this reporting burden and to ensure you stay on the right side of the taxman, whilst minimising your tax liabilities, one such way is to use a tax compliant investment bond.

If you would like more information on this or any other financial advice please contact me by email christina.brady@ blacktowerfm.com or call me on 658 892 330.

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV. Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

Women better suited to leadership in almost all areas, says research

Women are better suited to leadership than their male counterparts in most areas, but definitely not all, according to Professor Øyvind L. Martinsen, head of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at the BI Norwegian Business School.

Martinsen and colleague, Professor Lars Glasø, surveyed the personality traits of more than 2,900 managers – more than 900 women, more than 900 in senior management and nearly 900 from the public sector – and found that female leaders score higher than men in four of the five categories measured.

Women rank higher in initiative and clear communication, openness and ability to innovate, sociability and supportiveness as well as methodical management and goal setting.

Martinsen says: ‘Businesses must always seek to attract customers and clients and to increase productivity and profits. Our results indicate that women naturally rank higher, in general, than men in their abilities to innovate and lead with clarity and impact. These findings pose a legitimate question about the construction of management hierarchy and the current dispensation of women in these roles.’

However, the research did indicate that women fell behind men in emotional stability and ability to withstand job-related pressure and stress.

Glasø says: ‘The survey suggests that female leaders may falter through their stronger tendency to worry – or lower emotional stability. However, this does not negate the fact that they are decidedly more suited to management positions than their male counterparts. If decision-makers ignore this truth, they could effectively be employing less qualified leaders and Photo credit: impairing productivity.’ capitolphotointeractive.com

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property

28

31st march - 6th April

Recent Inheritance Tax changes set to cause more financial strain to inheritors of Spanish Property! by

Mark Roach

Company Director and Spanish Tax Consultant

Wincham have the solution!!!!

Owners of Spanish property may not be aware that unlike the UK when we lose a loved one, the beneficiary is usually exempt from paying inheritance tax. In Spain this is not the case as the individual beneficiary is liable and the Spanish law distinguishes between four groups when inheriting depending on the relation of the deceased or donor.

Many of the Spanish regions in 2017 have introduced legal changes affecting Tax laws. Inheritance and Gift Tax modifications are part of these changes.

The Law 13/2016 of December 29, has changed the main Valencian Tax Law 13/1997. Until now, the Valencia Tax Laws foresaw a tax allowance of 75 per cent of the tax to be paid when the heirs belonged to groups one and two. For 2017, it has kept this allowance for heir’s belonging to group one, but for the heirs from group two, the allowance has been radically reduced

to approximately 50%. Spanish Gift Tax allowances for groups one and two no longer applies.

This raises the question will the other Spanish regions follow by reducing Tax allowances and how long until Valencia Region takes away the Spanish Inheritance Tax allowance in full?

Wincham International are Lawyers, Accountants and Tax advisers who specialise in providing professional advice to clients who own Property in the UK, Spain and abroad.

One of Wincham primary services is helping clients purchase and own properties in Spain within a UK Limited Company structure. So what are the benefits?

• Possible reduction of Property Purchase Tax on buying of Re-sale Spanish Property.

• Spanish Inheritance and Wealth Tax Savings.

• No Spanish Will/Spanish Probate required.

• Reductions in potential future Capital gains Tax. • No Off-Shore Company Tax.

Wincham International Limited, Wincham House, Greenfield Farm Trading Estate, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 4TR, England.

(Wincham International also have offices located on the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol) UK Tel: +44 (0)1260 299 700 | Spain Tel: +34 965 830 991 | Email: iht.info@wincham.com | Web: www.wincham.com

Mark Roach, Managing Director of Wincham International elaborates about one of the benefits; “Placing your Property into a UK Limited Company Structure, brings possible Tax savings. Our UK Company ownership model has been a proven solution and a peace of mind for our clients with assets in Spain and can be applied to any country that has treaties with the United Kingdom.”

To arrange a free consultation with one of our Consultants, please visit www.winchamiht.com where they will provide a free Spanish Inheritance Tax illustration demonstrating the liabilities you’re Beneficiaries would have when inheriting Spanish assets, in their personal names.

Please also visit www.winchamiht.com to watch our Wincham 4 Minute on-Line presentation about the Spanish Inheritance Tax problem and solution.

31st march - 6th April

financial news

29

2017 in set to be an epic year for copper Small-cap miner scoops up big-cap territory that could lead to the biggest discovery in the world.

2017 is shaping up to be a gamechanging year for copper. With Trump's $500-billion infrastructure plan, booming Chinese demand and the recent interest rate hike from the Fed, copper prices are soaring. And for this little known small-cap miner on the verge of discovering the world's largest deposit, the timing could not be better.

The place to be for copper's 2017 bull run is Chile, where Arena Minerals Inc. has gained access to one of the largest copper land packages in one of the world's hottest copper regions ever and they've got the cash, experience and local team base to do it.

Not only has Arena managed to get its hands on a massive property that was a highly sought-after piece of copper territory by many major miners in the world, there's a sudden new urgency to boost mining from copper and gold to lithium - and the venue is

fast becoming a foreign miner's best friend.

In the meantime, while major miners like BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Glencore and Anglo American lost nearly $20 billion in core earnings as commodities plunged in 2014 and 2015, 2016 saw a turnaround and 2017 is all about the bull - here's why: China copper demand is again on a boom swing. It happened in 2004/ 2005, when Shanghai inventories rose above the London Metal Exchange (LME) inventories, which is the world's standard. A massive bull market ensued and the same thing is happening again.

Trump's $500-billion infrastructure plan has already driven copper prices up and coupled with Chinese demand, this has real staying power.

Continued workers' strikes at major copper mines are further boosting prices.

The Fed raised key interest rates after a two-day policy meeting last week and this has weighed on the dollar and benefitted copper

prices, making it one of the best stocks to add to an investor portfolio right now.

The supply shortage is expected to become evident in the first half of this year, where investors could witness a repeat of the 'China boom' of 2005 or even better.

Goldman Sachs reaffirmed its bullish stance on the red metal and warns of a serious supply risk which could possibly lead to an aggressive price spike.

With no other mega-projects forecast and major deposits having already been found, Arena is sitting on what appears to be the only mega-copper venue that hasn't been explored and exploited - an unheard-of

achievement for a small-cap miner.

All of the catalysts can only be positive for copper prices - from the potential for higher demand in the U.S. under a new administration and stronger demand from China, to increased supply disruptions that are causing a rally right now and show no sign of abating and a lack of new copper projects forecast.

The most impressive thing on the copper scene right now is Chile's unexploited copper deposits and by far the most impressive move was Arena's scooping up of big-cap territory that could lead to the biggest discovery in the world.

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31st march - 6th April

currency

In the process of selling your house in Spain and converting the money back into Sterling? by

Kevin Wright Account Manager

Moneycorp

What can you do to make sure that you get the most for your money, particularly regarding the charges levied by your Spanish Bank?

All too often British people living in Spain assume that Spanish banks operate in a similar way to the UK. This is not the case.

In today’s current market place many people looking to sell a Spanish property will have had to reduce the price of their property to be able to negotiate a sale.

With all the associated costs and taxes that need to be paid out, maximising the amount of Sterling that you finally receive for your euros is vital. Clients need to be aware of two important factors that can cost you dearly when converting your euros into Sterling and moving those funds out of Spain.

Spanish bank charges Once your sale has been completed you will receive a cheque from the Notary. Many Spanish banks will charge a fee based on the value of this cheque to accept and clear the funds. They will then look to charge a further percentage fee to send your funds out of Spain. To put this into perspective, on the amount you receive, you could incur fees just to clear

your cheque and transfer funds out of Spain. As most clients close their accounts when they leave Spain, there is little room for negotiation. If you do manage to reduce the fees it is often based on leaving a lump sum on account for up to a year.

Exchange rate risk on repatriation The agreed sale price of a property is often based on the amount of Sterling that the seller hopes to receive, according to the exchange rate at that time. However, a Notary / completion date can take place some weeks or even months after the contract of sale has been signed. This means that sellers run the risk of the exchange rate moving against them and thus reducing the amount of Sterling that they receive. For example, with an exchange rate of 1.20, a sale value of 150,000€ will give you £125,000.

Should this exchange rate rise to 1.23, a rise of just 3 cents, this would give a return of £121,951 – that is £3,049 less Sterling hitting your UK account.

Moneycorp offers a range of service that allows clients to lock into favourable exchange rates at the time of the signing of the contract, taking away the risk of the exchange rate moving against them in the future. Using Moneycorp will also allow you to eliminate or significantly reduce bank fees leading to even greater savings.

For more information on how Moneycorp can help you to save on your Spanish bank fees as well as helping you get more pounds for your euros, contact us on 902 887 243 or email Moneycorp directly at kevin.wright@ moneycorp.com

legal

31st march - 6th April

31

Have you overpaid your bank? by

IGNACIO PELLICER MOLLÁ & PEDRO HEREDIA ORTIZ

LAWYERS

…You could you be owed thousands of Euros.

I have a mortgage in Spain. My friend has told me that I have to speak to you to get some money back.

Something to do with a floor clause or too much interest that I have paid….? What is he talking about?

Can I ask my bank for this money?

Your friend is talking about the new European Ruling that has been passed in relation to mortgages. This new ruling is a total U-Turn and will mean that banks will now have to pay back – to the last euro – all of the money paid by the clients from the date that overpayment took place.

In recent years many mortgage clauses have been declared abusive. Of these clauses, the best known is the floor clause.

There are more than 10 abusive clauses that you might find in your mortgage deed, for example regarding the maturity of the loan, the interest due to late payment and costs and expenses.

To find about more about abusive mortgage clauses and to arrange an appointment with us to study your case, please feel free to contact us today! Our team of specialist lawyers are standing by ready to assist you.

If you have any questions regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact us our team our experts will be happy to assist you.

Call 965 480 737 or 606 056 282 or email info@pellicerheredia.com Videos at www.pellicerheredia.com

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31st march - 6th April

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The Sound of music Ed Sheeran is still dominating the UK Singles Charts this week, however there are some newcomers pushing the redhead off the top spots.

Top 5 singles this week 1. Shape Of You Ed Sheeran 2. Galway Girl Ed Sheeran

3. Castle On The Hill Ed Sheeran 4. Passionfruit Drake 5. Something Just Like This Chainsmokers & Coldplay

On everyone’s lips

Probably this bunch of retards… NOT GOING TO GO THERE! *** KARDASHIAN PIC***

Silver Screen

MOVIE MANIA I love a good film session. There is nothing better than closing the curtains, grabbing a duvet and some snacks, and having a good old flick-binge. With so many ways to watch films these days, cinema, Netflix, downloads, streaming etc, its easy to get what we what, when we want it.

THE MONEY Movies generate income from several revenue streams, including theatrical exhibition (cinema), video/DVD, television broadcast rights and merchandising. However, theatrical box office earnings are the primary way in which to judge the success of a film. More importantly, if its going to be a BLOCKBUSTER. FAITH IN THE FRANCHISE In the good old days, Traditionally, war films, musicals and historical dramas have been the most popular genres, but franchise films have been among the best performers in the 21st century. These franchises have dominated the box office blockbuster list for years. Seven Harry Potter films (Grossing $7.7 Billion worldwide) and all six films from Peter Jackson 's Middle-earth series (Grossing $5.8 Billion) are included in the supersonic earnings chart, while the Jurassic Park, Transformers and Pirates of the Caribbean franchises feature prominently. Alongside wizardry and “wand-law”, the world has gone superhero crazy, with some of the biggest box offices dosh, coming from Batman and Superman (DC Comics) and films based on the Marvel Comics brand, such as Spider-Man, X-Men and films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which tops the bill at number 1. Wait for it… Worldwide Gross: $9,060,537,598!

A FEW STATS Here is the top 5 highest grossing films of ALL TIME. Shocking amounts of money if I may say so.

1. Avatar (2009) $2.7 Billion 2. Titanic (1997) $2.1 Billion 3. Star Wars – The Force Awakens (2015) $2 Billion 4. Jurassic World (2015) $1.6 Billion 5. The Avengers (2012) $1.5 Billion Amusingly, if you adjust these blockbuster earnings for inflation, some surprising classics enter the money race. Hits including Jaws, The Sound Of Music and E.T make an appearance, and top of the bill… Gone With The Wind. Adjusted for inflation as of 2014, this 1939 classic scoops $3.4 Billion in takings!

31st march - 6th April

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31st march - 6th April

television

31st March - 6th April

friday 31st March BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Holding Back the Years 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Fugitives 12:45pm Fake Britain 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm The Code 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm Money for Nothing 5:30pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm A Question of Sport 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm MasterChef 10:00pm Decline and Fall 11:00pm BBC News 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

7:30am Fugitives 8:15am Money for Nothing 9:00am Back to the Land with Kate Humble 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm The Daily Politics 2:00pm Two Tribes 2:30pm Holiday of My Lifetime 3:00pm The TV That Made Me 3:45pm Who Do You Think You Are? 4:45pm More Creatures Great and Small 5:15pm Life Story 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm The Repair Shop 8:00pm Great Continental Railway Journeys 9:00pm Gardeners’ World 9:30pm Only Connect 10:00pm The House That £100k Built 11:00pm QI 11:30pm Newsnight 12:05am Robot Wars

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 2:55pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

7:00am 7:45am 9:00am 9:30am 10:05am 10:35am 11:05am 12:00pm

7:00am 10:15am 12:15pm 1:10pm 1:15pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:15pm

7:00am 7:25am 8:15am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:35am 11:25am 11:55am 12:20pm 1:25pm 1:55pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:50pm 4:55pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 12:05am

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News ITV News London Judge Rinder Chopping Block Tipping Point The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories Coronation Street Lethal Weapon The Nightly Show with Gordon Ramsay 11:30pm ITV News 12:00am ITV News London 12:15am Play to the Whistle

1:00pm 1:05pm 2:05pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:10am

Countdown King of Queens Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier Undercover Boss USA Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Channel 4 News Vet on the Hill Posh Pawn Countdown Fifteen to One Sun, Sea and Selling Houses Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Unreported World George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces Gogglebox The Last Leg First Dates

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff To B&B the Best 5 News Lunchtime The Gadget Show Home and Away Neighbours NCIS Lost Letter Mysteries: From the Heart 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm The Gadget Show 9:00pm Tony Robinson: Coast to Coast 10:00pm Spectacular Spain with Alex Polizzi 11:00pm Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story

10pm Spectacular Spain with Alex Polizzi

E4 You’ve Been Framed!

Who’s Doing the Dishes?

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Emmerdale You’ve Been Framed!

Psych Below Deck You’ve Been Framed!

Who’s Doing the Dishes?

Emmerdale Emmerdale You’ve Been Framed!

The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Jeremy Kyle Show The Jeremy Kyle Show Judge Rinder You’ve Been Framed!

You’ve Been Framed!

You’ve Been Framed!

Two and a Half Men Two and a Half Men Hall Pass Family Guy

7:00am 7:20am 8:05am 8:35am 9:05am 10:00am 10:30am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 12:25am

The Hot Desk You’ve Been Framed!

Emmerdale Omnibus Coronation Street Omnibus Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway Britain’s Got Talent Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore FYI Daily Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore Mr. Bean Mr. Bean Evan Almighty FYI Daily Evan Almighty Scorpion The Mask FYI Daily The Mask Family Guy Celebrity Juice Family Guy

7:00am 7:20am 7:40am 8:05am 8:35am 9:00am 10:00am

Black-Ish Charmed Coach Trip Hollyoaks Rules of Engagement Last Man Standing Last Man Standing Charmed Charmed How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother Last Man Standing Last Man Standing The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Hollyoaks Brooklyn Nine-Nine The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Prometheus The Adjustment Bureau

SATURDAY 1st April BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

7:00am 11:00am 12:30pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 2:10pm 2:15pm 3:15pm 4:15pm 5:00pm 6:15pm 7:35pm 7:45pm 7:50pm 8:40pm 9:25pm 10:15pm 11:15pm 11:30pm

7:15am 8:00am 9:25am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm

7:00am CITV 10:25am Alphabetical 11:20am James Martin’s French Adventure 12:20pm Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury 12:50pm ITV News and Weather 1:00pm Rebound 1:55pm Beethoven’s 2nd 3:40pm Superman 6:30pm Local News and Weather 6:45pm ITV News and Weather 7:00pm You’ve Been Framed!

Let Loose!

8:00pm Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway 9:30pm The Voice UK Final 11:20pm ITV News and Weather 11:35pm Lethal Weapon 12:35am The Chase

7:05am 7:30am 7:55am 8:20am 8:45am 9:10am 9:35am 10:05am 10:40am 11:05am 11:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:35pm 6:35pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 11:45pm

7:00am 11:40am 11:50am 12:20pm 1:35pm

7:00am 7:10am 7:35am 10:05am 12:35pm

Breakfast Saturday Kitchen Mary Berry Everyday Football Focus BBC News Weather Bargain Hunt Escape to the Country Money for Nothing Final Score Madagascar BBC News Regional News & Weather Pointless Who Dares Wins Casualty All Round to Mrs Brown’s BBC News & Weather Match of the Day

1:30pm 2:15pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

6.15pm Madagascar

9:30pm 10:00pm 10:45pm 12:35am

A to Z of TV Gardening Beautiful but Dangerous We Dive at Dawn Natural World Homes Under the Hammer Raymond Blanc: How to Cook Well The Hairy Bikers’ Best of British Gypsy Natural World University Challenge Only Connect Flog It! Gardeners’ World Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby Grand Tours of the Scottish Islands Dad’s Army QI XL Jimi: All is by My Side Populaire

Triathlon King of Queens King of Queens King of Queens Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons Extreme Food Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me Come Dine with Me A Place in the Sun Location, Location, Location Grand Designs Channel 4 News Titanic: The New Evidence Colombiana

2:20pm 3:20pm 4:20pm 5:15pm 6:15pm 7:10pm 8:10pm 9:00pm 9:55pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm

Childrens TV Access Police Interceptors Police Interceptors On Benefits: Life on the Dole On Benefits: Life on the Dole Benefits: Breadline Britain Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!

Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!

NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS 5 News Weekend Football on 5 Football on 5 Mexico

2:10pm 3:15pm 4:15pm 4:20pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:05pm 7:05pm 7:10pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 10:05pm 11:05pm 11:30pm 12:15am

E4

9pm The Mask

11:35am 12:00pm 12:35pm J1:00pm 1:35pm 2:00pm 2:35pm 3:00pm 3:35pm 4:00pm 4:35pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 10:00pm 11:50pm

Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey Black-Ish the Purge The Goldbergs The Goldbergs Made in Chelsea Space Chimps 2: Zartog Strikes Back Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey Melissa and Joey The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Iron Man 2 The Transporter Gogglebox

SUNDAY 2nd April BBC1 7:00am 8:25am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:10pm 2:15pm 3:10pm 3:55pm 4:20pm 5:00pm 7:25pm 7:40pm 7:45pm 7:50pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:20pm 11:25pm 11:30pm 12:35am

Breakfast Match of the Day The Andrew Marr Show The Big Questions Sunday Politics Bargain Hunt BBC News Weather for the Week Ahead Homes Under the Hammer Countryfile Spring Diaries Escape to the Country Songs of Praise The Boat Race BBC News Regional News Weather Countryfile Antiques Roadshow Line of Duty BBC News Regional News Weather Match of the Day 2 I’m Different: Let Me Drive

BBC2 7:15am Island Parish Sark Winter 7:45am The Beechgrove Garden 8:15am Around the World in 80 Gardens 9:15am Gardeners’ World 9:45am Countryfile 10:45am Saturday Kitchen Best Bites 12:15pm Nigel Slater: Eating Together 12:45pm Simply Nigella 1:15pm MOTD2 Extra 2:00pm Figure Skating 4:00pm When Danny Won the Masters 4:30pm Holiday of My Lifetime 5:00pm The House That £100k Built 6:00pm Flog It! 7:00pm Inside the Factory 8:00pm Robot Wars 9:00pm Top Gear 10:00pm Turkey with Simon Reeve 11:00pm Live at the Apollo 11:45pm Dead Poets Society

ITV1 7:00am CITV 10:25am ITV News 10:30am Countrywise 11:00am Secret Dealers 12:00pm Wild Australia with Ray Mears 12:30pm ITV News and Weather 12:45pm From Russia with Love 3:00pm The Voice UK Final 4:50pm Little Big Shots 5:55pm Harry Hill’s Alien Fun Capsule 6:30pm Local News and Weather 6:40pm ITV News and Weather 7:00pm 5 Gold Rings 8:00pm The Voice Final Results 9:00pm Vera 11:00pm ITV News and Weather 11:15pm The Nightly Show Best Bits 11:45pm Hard Target

12.45pm From Russia With Love

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

E4

7:20am King of Queens 7:45am King of Queens 8:10am King of Queens 8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:30am Sunday Brunch 1:30pm The Simpsons 1:55pm The Simpsons 2:25pm The Simpsons 2:50pm Gogglesprogs 3:55pm Gulliver’s Travels 5:30pm Night at the Museum 7:35pm Channel 4 News 8:00pm Titanic 9:00pm Spying on the Royals 10:00pm Homeland 11:05pm Gogglebox 12:00am 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

7:00am Childrens TV

7:00am Emmerdale Omnibus 9:40am Coronation Street Omnibus 12:05pm The Voice UK Final 2:00pm 2awesome 2:05pm Guidance 2:40pm Fame High 2:55pm L.A. Story 3:10pm Side Effects 3:40pm The Hot Desk 3:50pm You’ve Been Framed!

4:20pm Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway 5:55pm The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement 6:55pm FYI Daily 7:00pm The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement 8:15pm Liar Liar 9:15pm FYI Daily 9:20pm Liar Liar 10:00pm Ibiza Weekender 11:00pm Family Guy 11:30pm Family Guy 12:00am Family Guy

7:00am Rude(Ish) Tube 7:25am Couples Come Dine with Me 9:25am Hollyoaks Omnibus 12:00pm Made in Chelsea 1:00pm Clueless 3:00pm The Goldbergs 3:30pm The Goldbergs 4:00pm The Goldbergs 4:30pm Black-Ish the Purge 5:00pm Baby Daddy 5:30pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 6:00pm Brooklyn Nine-Nine 6:30pm The Big Bang Theory 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm The Big Bang Theory 8:30pm The Big Bang Theory 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory 9:30pm The Big Bang Theory 10:00pm Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 11:00pm Tattoo Fixers 12:00am Celebrity First Dates

11:20am Football on 5 12:05pm Football on 5 12:35pm The Gadget Show 1:35pm Police Interceptors 2:35pm Operation Daybreak 4:50pm The Four Feathers 5:50pm 5 News 5:55pm The Four Feathers 7:15pm 5 News Weekend 7:20pm Inside Kensington Palace 8:05pm Inside Buckingham Palace 9:00pm Disobediant Dogs Make You Laugh Out Loud 9:55pm 5 News Weekend 10:00pm The Michael Mcintyre Story 11:30pm 20 Moments That Shocked Comedy

36

31st march - 6th April

television

31st March - 6th April

MONDAY 3rd April BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Countryside 999 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm The Sheriffs are Coming 12:45pm Fake Britain 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Doctors 3:15pm The Code 4:00pm Escape to the Country 4:45pm Money for Nothing 5:30pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News 7:30pm Regional News 8:00pm The One Show 8:30pm Fake Britain 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Panorama 10:00pm Child of Our Time 11:00pm BBC News 11:30pm Regional News 11:40pm Weather 11:45pm All Round to Mrs Brown’s 12:45am Have I Got a Bit More Old News for You

7:00am 7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:45pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:45pm 4:15pm 5:15pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

7:00am 7:45am 9:00am 10:05am 11:05am 12:05pm

7:00am 10:15am 12:15pm 1:10pm 1:15pm

7:00am

11:00pm 11:30pm 12:10am 12:15am

Flog It! Fugitives Money for Nothing Antiques Roadshow Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live Conversations Two Tribes Holiday of My Lifetime Who Do You Think You Are? More Creatures Great and Small France Life Story Antiques Road Trip Eggheads The Repair Shop Top Gear University Challenge Mary Berry Everyday Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby Cradle to Grave Newsnight Weather When Danny Won the Masters

TUESDAY 4th April

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News Judge Rinder Chopping Block Tipping Point The Chase Local News and Weather ITV Evening News Emmerdale Coronation Street The Kyle Files Coronation Street Broadchurch The Nightly Show with Bradley Walsh 11:30pm ITV News 12:15am Robson Green’s Tales From the Coast

BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:45pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 11:45pm

7:00am 7:30am 8:15am 9:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 2:45pm 3:45pm 4:15pm

5:15pm

6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:10am 12:15am

7:00am 9:30am 10:25am 11:30am 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

11:30pm 12:15am

Breakfast Countryside 999 Homes Under the Hammer The Sheriffs are Coming Fake Britain Bargain Hunt BBC News Regional News Doctors The Code Escape to the Country Money for Nothing Flog It! Pointless BBC News Regional News The One Show EastEnders Holby City Child of Our Time BBC News Regional News Weather The Richard Dimbleby Lecture 2017

Flog It! The Sheriffs are Coming Money for Nothing The Big Painting Challenge Victoria Derbyshire BBC Newsroom Live Super League Show Golf More Creatures Great and Small Kate Humble: Into the Volcano Attenborough’s Birds of Paradise Antiques Road Trip Eggheads The Repair Shop Great American Railroad Journeys Bake Off Crème de la Crème American Justice Inside No 9 Newsnight Weather Turkey with Simon Reeve

Good Morning Britain Lorraine The Jeremy Kyle Show This Morning Loose Women ITV Lunchtime News Judge Rinder Chopping Block Tipping Point The Chase Local News and Weather ITV Evening News Emmerdale Britain as Seen on ITV Save Money Good Food Play to the Whistle The Nightly Show with Bradley Walsh ITV News Prime Suspect 1973

Countdown King of Queens Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Undercover Boss USA Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA 1:00pm Channel 4 News 1:05pm Vet on the Hill 2:05pm Posh Pawn 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm Fifteen to One 5:00pm Sun, Sea and Selling Houses 6:00pm Couples Come Dine with Me 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Dispatches 9:30pm Travel Man 10:00pm 24 Hours in A and E 11:00pm How’d You Get So Rich?

11:50pm Britain’s Benefit Tenants

4pm Fifteen To One

2:15pm 2:45pm 3:20pm 4:20pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:05am

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff GPs: Behind Closed Doors 5 News Lunchtime Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!

Home and Away Neighbours NCIS Nightmare Nurse 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Lost at Sea: Air France 447 Police Interceptors Inside the Tube: Going Underground All New Traffic Cops Conan the Barbarian

7:10am 7:35am 7:55am 8:20am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:35am 11:25am 12:20pm 1:25pm 1:55pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:50pm 4:55pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 10:30pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

7:00am 7:45am 8:10am 8:35am 9:00am 9:35am 10:05am 10:35am 11:05am 12:00pm

1:00pm 1:05pm 2:05pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:40pm 12:35am

7:00am 10:15am 12:15pm 1:10pm 1:15pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:15pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

12:05am

7:00am

7:10am 7:35am 8:20am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:35am 11:25am 12:20pm 1:25pm 1:55pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:50pm 4:55pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:00am

Countdown King of Queens King of Queens King of Queens Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier Undercover Boss USA Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Channel 4 News Vet on the Hill Posh Pawn Countdown Fifteen to One Sun, Sea and Selling Houses Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Secret Life of the Zoo One Born Every Minute Catastrophe This is Us 19 Kids and Counting

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff GPs: Behind Closed Doors 5 News Lunchtime On Benefits: Life on the Dole Home and Away Neighbours NCIS: Los Angeles Strangers in Amish Country 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Police Interceptors Inside St Paul’s Cathedral Yorkshire: A Year in the Wild Restless Legs Syndrome: Desperate for Help Extraordinary People

E4 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records You’ve Been Framed!

You’ve Been Framed!

Below Deck The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Coronation Street Psych Below Deck Who’s Doing the Dishes?

Emmerdale Coronation Street Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Jeremy Kyle Show The Jeremy Kyle Show Judge Rinder You’ve Been Framed!

Two and a Half Men Two and a Half Men Family Guy The Great Indoors American Dad! American Dad! Family Guy

7:00am 7:40am 8:10am 8:40am 9:05am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Charmed Coach Trip Hollyoaks Melissa and Joey Rules of Engagement Last Man Standing Charmed Charmed How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother Last Man Standing Last Man Standing The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Hollyoaks Baby Daddy The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Made in Chelsea Empire The Big Bang Theory

E4 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records You’ve Been Framed!

Below Deck The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street Coronation Street Psych Below Deck Who’s Doing the Dishes?

Emmerdale Coronation Street Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Jeremy Kyle Show The Jeremy Kyle Show Judge Rinder You’ve Been Framed!

You’ve Been Framed!

You’ve Been Framed!

You’ve Been Framed!

Two and a Half Men Two and a Half Men Hell’s Kitchen Family Guy Family Guy Family Guy

7:00am 7:40am 8:10am 8:40am 9:05am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Charmed Coach Trip Hollyoaks Melissa and Joey Rules of Engagement Last Man Standing Charmed How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother Last Man Standing Last Man Standing The Goldbergs The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory Hollyoaks Black-Ish The Goldbergs The Goldbergs Tattoo Artist of the Year Bizarre ER The Big Bang Theory

wednesday 5th April BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:45pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm

7:00am Flog It! 7:30am The Sheriffs are Coming 8:15am Money for Nothing 9:00am See Hear 9:30am Mary Berry Everyday 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm Conversations 1:45pm Two Tribes 2:15pm Holiday of My Lifetime 2:45pm Who Do You Think You Are? 3:45pm More Creatures Great and Small 4:15pm Kate Humble: Into the Volcano 5:15pm David Attenborough’s Rise of

Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm The Repair Shop 8:00pm Great American Railroad Journeys 9:00pm Me and My Dog 10:00pm Second Chance Summer: Tuscany 11:00pm Jack Dee’s Helpdesk:

1st World Problems 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Golf

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 3:00pm Judge Rinder 4:00pm Chopping Block 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Local News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Little Big Shots 10:00pm Benidorm 11:00pm The Nightly Show

with Bradley Walsh 11:30pm ITV News 12:15am Crash:

Anatomy of an Accident

7:00am 7:45am 9:00am 9:35am 10:05am 10:35am 11:05am 12:00pm

1:00pm 1:05pm 2:05pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

12:05am

7:00am 10:15am 12:15pm 1:10pm 1:15pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:15pm

6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm

9:00pm 10:00pm

11:00pm 12:05am

7:00am

7:10am 7:35am 8:20am 9:00am 9:30am 10:35am 11:25am 12:20pm 1:25pm 1:55pm 3:00pm 3:50pm 4:55pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:05pm 12:05am

Breakfast Countryside 999 Homes Under the Hammer The Sheriffs are Coming Fake Britain Bargain Hunt BBC News Regional News Doctors The Code Escape to the Country Money for Nothing Flog It! Pointless BBC News Regional News The One Show MasterChef Panorama BBC News Regional News Match of the Day

9pm Masterchef

Countdown King of Queens Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier Undercover Boss USA Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Channel 4 News Vet on the Hill Posh Pawn Countdown Fifteen to One Sun, Sea and Selling Houses Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Location, Location, Location Marilyn Monroe Meet the Trumps: From Immigrant to President Gogglebox

Childrens TV The Wright Stuff GPs: Behind Closed Doors C5 News Lunchtime The Gadget Show Home and Away Neighbours NCIS Abducted: The Carlina White Story 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Tonight Revealed: The Truth About the Holy Grail - Ancient Mysteries GPs: Behind Closed Doors Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!

One Night with My Ex Gypsy Kids: Our Secret World

E4 Totally Bonkers Guinness World Records You’ve Been Framed!

Below Deck The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale You’ve Been Framed!

Psych Below Deck Who’s Doing the Dishes?

Emmerdale You’ve Been Framed!

The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Jeremy Kyle Show The Jeremy Kyle Show Judge Rinder You’ve Been Framed!

Two and a Half Men Two and a Half Men Horrible Bosses FYI Daily Horrible Bosses Family Guy

7:00am Charmed 7:40am Coach Trip 8:10am Hollyoaks 8:40am Melissa and Joey 9:05am Rules of Engagement 10:00am Last Man Standing 11:00am Charmed 1:00pm How I Met Your Mother 2:00pm The Goldbergs 3:00pm The Big Bang Theory 4:00pm How I Met Your Mother 4:30pm How I Met Your Mother 5:00pm Last Man Standing 5:30pm Last Man Standing 6:00pm The Goldbergs 6:30pm The Goldbergs 7:00pm The Big Bang Theory 7:30pm The Big Bang Theory 8:00pm Hollyoaks 8:30pm The Goldbergs 9:00pm The Big Bang Theory 9:30pm The Big Bang Theory 10:00pm The 100 11:00pm Supernatural 12:00am The Big Bang Theory

thursday 6th April BBC1

BBC2

ITV1

CHANNEL 4

CHANNEL 5

itv2

E4

7:00am 10:15am 11:00am 12:00pm 12:45pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:00pm 4:45pm 5:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm

7:00am Flog it! Trade Secrets 7:30am The Sheriffs are Coming 8:15am Money for Nothing 9:00am Gardeners’ World 9:30am Great British Railway

Journeys Goes to Ireland 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm Westminster in Review 2:00pm Two Tribes 2:30pm Holiday of My Lifetime

with Len Goodman 3:00pm Who Do You Think You Are? 4:00pm More Creatures Great and Small 4:30pm Natural World 5:15pm David Attenborough’s Rise of Animals:

Triumph of the Vertebrates 6:15pm Antiques Road Trip 7:00pm Eggheads 7:30pm The Repair Shop 8:00pm Great American Railroad Journeys 9:00pm Alone with the in-Laws 10:00pm The Last Kingdom 11:00pm Mock the Week 11:30pm Newsnight

7:00am Good Morning Britain 9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm ITV News London 3:00pm Grand National Festival 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Deal or No Deal?

Brexit Britain: Tonight 9:00pm Emmerdale 9:30pm Harry Hill’s Alien Fun Capsule 10:00pm Prime Suspect 1973 11:00pm The Nightly Show with

Bradley Walsh 11:30pm ITV News 12:00am ITV News London 12:15am Speeding Wars

7:00am 7:45am 9:00am 9:30am 10:05am 10:35am 11:05am 12:00pm

1:00pm 1:05pm 2:05pm 3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm

12:00am

7:00am Childrens TV 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 1:10pm C5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm Benefits: Breadline Britain 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:20pm NCIS 4:20pm Bond of Silence 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Nightmare Tenants,

Slum Landlords 9:00pm On Benefits:

Britain’s Most Married Man 10:00pm Rich House, Poor House 11:00pm Shannon Matthews:

The Mother’s Story 12:05am When Kids Kill

7:00am 7:10am 7:35am 8:20am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:35am 11:25am 12:20pm 1:25pm 1:55pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:50pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 12:20am

7:00am 7:40am 8:10am 8:40am 9:05am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Breakfast Countryside 999 Homes Under the Hammer The Sheriffs are Coming Fake Britain Bargain Hunt BBC News BBC London News Doctors The Code Escape to the Country Money for Nothing Flog It! Pointless BBC News BBC London News The One Show EastEnders MasterChef Galapagos BBC News BBC London News Question Time

Countdown King of Queens Everybody Loves Raymond Everybody Loves Raymond Frasier Frasier Undercover Boss USA Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA Channel 4 News Vet on the Hill Posh Pawn Countdown Fifteen to One Sun, Sea and Selling Houses Couples Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Great British Buildings Three Wives, One Husband Kitchen 999: Emergency Chefs Isis and the Battle for Iraq

Planet’s Funniest Animals You’ve Been Framed!

Below Deck The Ellen DeGeneres Show Emmerdale Coronation Street You’ve Been Framed!

Psych Below Deck Who’s Doing the Dishes?

Emmerdale Coronation Street You’ve Been Framed!

The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Jeremy Kyle Show Judge Rinder You’ve Been Framed!

The Mask Family Guy Celebrity Juice Family Guy

Charmed Coach Trip Hollyoaks Melissa and Joey Rules of Engagement Last Man Standing Charmed How I Met Your Mother The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory How I Met Your Mother Last Man Standing The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory Hollyoaks The Goldbergs The Big Bang Theory Gap Year Tattoo Fixers The Big Bang Theory

11pm Tattoo Fixers

31st march - 6th April

37

Life

XIV Exhibition of Naval Modelleling

On Saturday, April 1 at 11:30 am, the inauguration of the XIV Exhibition of Static Naval Modelling and Radio control "CIudad de Torrevieja" will take place in the Los Aljibes Exhibition Hall (Park of Nations). The exhibition will remain open until April 23rd, while each weekend various activities take place on the 'lake' including the highlight of the exhibition, the "VIII Sailing Regatta and Exhibition by Radio Control" on Sunday April 9.

Since its first edition in 2004, the event has been visited by more than 250,000 people, with the participation of more than 120 clubs and naval associations. Admission to the exhibition is free and is organised by the Museum of the Sea and Salt and the Naval Modelling Association of Torrevieja, which was also created in 2004, and consists of more than 90

members of diverse nationalities and of all ages.

It should be noted that the Exposition of Static Naval Modelling and Radio control "Ciudad de Torrevieja", is looked upon by the experts in this field as the one with the highest content and participation of those carried out in Spain. Since its first edition, in 2004, more than 1,600 models have been exhibited in the exhibition hall with 120 clubs and associations taking part. Since its inauguration in 2004, more than a quarter of a million people have visited this exhibition, which has become one of the most visited of all offered by the Municipal Institute of Culture "JoaquĂ­n Chapaprieta".

On display you will see a variety of models, from the simple to the most intricate dioramas with such subject matter as

Egyptian warships of first century BC, Greek triremes, passing through galleons, frigates, tugboats, fishing boats, Latin sailing boats, submarines, Roman ships, Sports, destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers, Ships, rowing boats, yachts, Olympic rowing boats, battleships, as well as dioramas of the XIX century, etc., providing a tour of naval history through all the times of navigation until the present, in addition to the numerous models of military elements such as helicopters, airplanes, tanks, amphibious vehicles, trucks, etc.. During the whole period of the exhibition, on Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm, radio-controlled boats will be exhibited. The exhibition is only closed on Monday and open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 2:00pm and in the evening from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

38

31st march - 6th April

people

‘Estopa’ complete this year’s Iberia Festival line up The rock band Estopa will headline the fifth Iberia Festival in Benidorm on the weekend of August 18 and 19, organisers announced this week.

Other artists performing at the two days of festivities include Loquillo, Pistones, Seguridad Social, Hombres G and Immaculate Fools.

Estopa, formed by the Munoz brothers, are set to play just five concerts in Spain this year and their appearance in Benidorm will be the only one within the Valencia, Murcia and Castilla La Mancha regions.

Their highly anticipated performance will close the event on the Saturday night after sets by Hombres G and Seguridad Social, with Loquillo headlining Friday night, after Immaculate Fools and Pistones.

Announcing the final line up and revealing this year’s publicity poster, Benidorm Mayor Toni Perez, standing alongside promoter Javier Ferrandiz and Natalie Caballe, from sponsors Servigroup, said proudly, ‘’This year’s incomparable line up is testament to the Iberia Festival’s five year ascent to become the main festival of Spanish pop-rock

throughout Spain”. A festival, he recalled, which was “born in Benidorm” by local entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile Ferrandiz agreed that this year’s acts were the best ever and included two of the top five best selling Spanish artists of 2016 in Estopa and Loquillo.

Natalia Caballé, said her company were also proud of their five years helping to consolidate the event on the festival calendar, adding ”We love participating in this way to enrich the cultural and leisure offer for those who visit the city”.

An announcement on the venue for the festival is expected within the next week, but tickets are already on sale.

An initial print run of 1,000 tickets a day at a price of €33 and 500 tickets for the two days for €54 will be released up to April 7 or until sold out and can be purchased through the official website of the festival - www.iberiafestival.com - or at any post office.

Photo credit: www.meristation.com

Superheroes save Monteagudo Monteagudo, a famous landmark on the outskirts of Murcia City with a Castle fortress sitting atop a mountain, visible for kilometres around, is the focus of a new exhibition promoted by the City’s Antonio Díaz Bautista Cultural Association.

The exhibition aims to show the beauty of the Monteagudo Castle from different perspectives and at different times of the day and has commisioned 21 photographers and 16 painters to make their interpretation.

The inaugural collaboration was with Marvel Artist Salva Espin, whose work was based on a group of Superheroes coming to reclaim the castle and it’s surroundings. His photos showed various famous characters such as Lobezno, Catwoman, Julie Andrews or The Avengers fighting for the cause with the fortress in the background.

His images caused a Twitter storm when he posted them under the hashtag #SalvemosMonteagudo

31st march - 6th April

food & drink

39

Gin is the word There's no escaping it ‌. Gin is the drink on everyone's lips right now.

Once considered to be a tipple for your grandma and her mates, or sipped by the aristocracy before dinner, it is now the trendiest drink around, adored by young and not so young alike.

Here in Spain, the gin phenomenon began a few years ago, with the opening of specialist gin bars, selling hundreds of different varieties alongside tonic waters of all flavours.

Now, we all love a well crafted Gin and Tonic, made with our favoured spirit and mixer, but look beyond the G&T a little and a whole myriad of drinks unfold before our eyes.

Gin has always been the perfect cocktail spirit, used as a base in many a mixologists repertoire and in most of the classic cocktails of the World.

To celebrate the advent of Spring, here's a duo of gin based cocktails guaranteed to get you in the mood for the warmer weather.

ARCHANGEL Dry, but fruity at the same time, the bittersweet Aperol adds brightness with rhubarb and bitter orange flavors, while the cucumber gives the drink an airy and refreshing side.

Use a London dry gin such as Beefeater 24, or try Hendrick's to rev up the cucumber flavor or Plymouth for an even lighter taste.

Ingredients: 3 x Parts Gin 2 x Parts Aperol 2 x Cucumber slices Lemon twist for garnish Add the cucumber slices to the bottom of a mixing glass.

Muddle them to break up, but do not pulverize completely.

Add gin and Aperol to mixing glass then fill 2/3 with ice and stir until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with lemon twist and serve.

BROWN GIN This recipe is a more bitter take on the classic Pink Gin. The original dates back to the British Navy in the 1800s, when sailors treated their sea sickness and other ailments with Angostura bitters. Bitters on their own proved a little too eye watering, so they tried mixing Plymouth gin with a dash or two of Angostura, to help it go down smoother. Hey presto, a classic was born.

This version is like Pink Gin on steroids, using 15 dashes of Angostura. In a larger dose the sugar in the Angostura will actually sweeten up the gin. The result is bitter and delicious. And, there's also a lemon twist thrown in to help prevent scurvy.

This is a must try for any lover of the other trendy bitter drink around at the moment ‌.

Jagermeister.

Ingredients: 3 x parts London dry gin 15 x dashes Angostura bitters Garnish with Lemon twist Add gin and bitters to a mixing glass.

Fill 2/3 with ice and stir until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with the lemon twist and serve.

Tapas with a twist One of the most enjoyable things about living in Spain is the opportunity to try local dishes and delicacies, none more so than the traditional Spanish tapas.

Who doesn't derive great pleasure from sitting on a sunny terrace, sipping a beer or aperetif, nibbling on small plates of delicious meat, fish and vegetables. It's one of life's great joys.

A new generation of chef's from Spain and beyond are now taking a new look at these dishes, putting their own slant on recipes passed down through the ages and creating new and exciting versions of the originals. Here are a few

worth trying in your own kitchen: SQUID WITH ROMESCO SAUCE Deep-fried squid or calamari is a classic Spanish tapas dish. Served with a Romesco sauce made with ground almonds, breadcrumbs and garlic, makes a delicious change from the traditional Aioli accompaniment.

SPRING ONION & SERRANO HAM SALAD WITH SHERRY DRESSING Salty ham, sweet roasted spring onions, fluffy potato and a sticky sherry dressing make this Spanish salad recipe a must-try.

SALMAREJO This classic Andalucian dish will appeal to lovers of the Spanish cold soup gazpacho. Adding breadcrumbs to the classic soup's ingredients makes it thicker and more substantial. Adding

chopped boiled egg and shavings of serrano ham when serving, makes it a meal in itself.

CHEESE AND CAULIFLOWER FRITTERS WITH YOGHURT DIP Sometimes the traditional tapas staple croquetas can be too heavy. These cauliflower fritters are great dunked generously in the herby yogurt sauce.

The ultimate cheesy and creamy snack or starter. Ideal for vegetarians too.

ROCKET AND CASHEW SPREAD Ideal for vegans by adding nutritional yeast to rocket, cashew nuts and lemon juice, before mixing lightly in a blender. The result is a chunky spread with a beautiful bright green colour.

The rocket, lemon juice and nutritional yeast make it just a little bit tangy.

Perfect served with crostini crackers or toasted baguette.

40

31st march - 6th April

Horoscopes and Puzzles

Code Breaker

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 22 represents N and 2 represents Z, so fill in N every time the figure 22 appears and Z every time the figure 2 appears.

Now using your knowledge of the English language work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

1

2

14

15

Z

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

N

10

11

12

13

23

24

25

26

POSTBAG

My Mother always said that talking to Spirits was in fact disturbing them when they really want to sleep. What has changed in the modern World?

Jaqui F. Much has obviously changed! We have all become travellers on this planet, and after a trip we make contact by text message or email, or we call, to confirm our safe arrival.

Was your mother saying that after the longest of journeys from the Earth Plane to the Spirit World our loved ones do not want those who they left behind, in death, to know that they are safe? Passing these messages to and from the living and the dead disturbs nobody and it brings a sensation of devotion and love.

Something maybe your Mother wouldn’t have understood?

If It’s Your Birthday This Week

Take responsibility for your actions as you are geared up to make the changes that will mean so much to you, and particularly those that you love. This is not the second time around but it is a solution without compromise for the astrological year ahead!

Mars and Pluto combine to help you to better see your options right now a decision is close. Balancing the positive and negative right now can help you move on to where you now need to be. Take what has been said to you with a pinch of salt, because standing at the current crossroads you have to be decisive for your very own good!

Moon magic illuminates the Ceres and Pluto trine this week. Time is on your side right now and your being slow to react only equates with your expert timing; since things had to come to this and come to a head. You are no longer the person that you were, and you may have learned the hard way, but what comes next is music to your ears!

Mercury enters into Taurus territory midweek and starts to help in creating dialogue which will greatly improve a situation which is based on silence and recurrent lies. Whilst there are things that you would rather not know right now, you cannot continue to live in suspicion without at least having a stab at what could be a very amicable compromise.

You can earn a lot about compassion from your opposing sign of Pisces. Since it was you who chose to just jump to conclusions, you are much to blame for the mess which is ensuing. In hindsight maybe you would never have got involved, but this week sees a liaison with Venus as the Goddess of Love enters dramatically into Piscean territory.

Ceres dabbles with Jupiter in your opposing sign of Sagittarius. This makes opposite negativity very attractive at the moment, and possibly has seen you taking a back seat. Whilst you could take all this on the chin, surely this is a time to be yourself and to show others, who may doubt you; that despite everything you are not to be messed with right now?

You can be remarkably stubborn if you want to be, but it is really now a matter of principle that sees you at sixes and sevens right now. Nobody will thank you for your intervention this week, so you are dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t! Do yourself a favour and just walk away with your head held high as others get their acts together!

Not having time for yourself means that this a time to take some much needed rest and relaxation. It will also allow you to focus on choices that are coming your way. Look to your opposing sign of Leo to apportion trust into a situation that has aroused your attention but which seems to mean that you will have to do the lion’s share of the work.

Moon magic illuminates the Ceres and Pluto trine this week. Time is on your side right now and your being slow to react only equates with your expert timing; since things had to come to this and come to a head. You are no longer the person that you were, and you may have learned the hard way, but what comes next is music to your ears!

Mars takes on Jupiter and some luck and good fortune should run by you in the form of a small windfall. You deserve right now and you should be rewarded for much of what you have done to bring light into a situation that appears to be veering out of control. Make it clear that even on the darkest night your door is open, and lave it at that!

An apology is due to you since you have been underestimated and left to pick up the pieces once more. Look within to your soulful energies right now because they hold the key that will see you taking a step forward in the right direction this week. It isn’t a case of look before you leap, but more a realisation that you have other fish to fry!

Mars and Ceres rub up to a transient Jupiter this week calling for a date and a time to be set. If you are any part of this then your inimitable style and considerable charm will show through and win the day as you delight in forward planning and enjoy doing the hosting. Don’t allow others to have their say, you alone should plan whatever comes next!

Fearlessly able to negotiate safely through the most difficult of situations; you will get no thanks for poking your nose into a relationship that seems to strengthen at all odds. Easier by far to just be there when you are needed, if not to say, “I told you so!”

But to be a supportive part of whatever comes next in the complexity of the situation!

31st march - 6th April

Cryptic Crossword

Across 1 Forces a ball into the wrong sport (6) 4 Eurostar very nearly contains nothing to eat (6) 9 A small furry animal ran around two hundred and two rings (7) 10 Trouble partly returns in socialites’ pub crawl (5) 11 Eager, but wrong, to go along with (5) 12 Or expel silly prospect (7) 13 Pinches seem generic, strange (11) 18 Keeps Celts’ as organisation (7) 20 Raring to go in bougainvillea, geranium gardens (5) 22 In Berkshire, a dyestuff is prepared (5) 23 Change key parcel that’s gone astray (7) 24 Tense in marine mammals’ lifts (6) 25 Mark’s confused arguments are held back (6)

Down 1 To start the race each athlete donates a ribbon (6) 2 Come to pass in our county council (5) 3 I reopen new trailblazer (7) 5 Thursday you hear a politician strike (5) 6 Bring back from rest or energetic exercise (7) 7 Starts eating into the never-ending this or that (6) 8 Makes any censures pointless (11) 14 Report period after confusion (7) 15 Heard singing bird is not as expensive (7) 16 Records grooves (6) 17 Requests food for classes (6) 19 Fast moulded alloy (5) 21 Look after a basketball position (5)

Quick Crossword Across 7 Supervise (6) 8 French red wine (6) 9 Hindu dress (4) 10 Intimidate (8) 11 Feeling guilty (7) 13 Be mad about (5) 15 Sovereign (5) 17 Large wild cat (7) 20 Poisonous (8) 21 Uncommon (4) 23 Simplistic (6) 24 Departs (6)

0’s 8 Survived the 80’s?

Quiz

Here’s 10 questions to test your memory of those golden years! Answers next week!

1

2 3 4 5

6

7

8

9

10

What TV actress co-starred in 1986’s “Howard The Duck”?

Name 5 movies made by John Hughes in the 1980’s What was the first video played on MTV? What was the name of Garfield’s teddy bear?

What was the name of the bar tender on “The Love Boat”?

Who was the head villian on “The Smurfs” and what was his cat’s name?

What was the name of the guy who couldn’t enunciate on “The Fat Albert Show?”

What was the name of the hollow hole-covered plastic ball kids used to hit instead of a baseball?

What was the name of the singer who died in Robotech’s first generation?

What was the name of Bo and Luke Duke’s automobile?

Down 1 Information (4) 2 Liquid secreted by the mouth (6) 3 Unbeliever (7) 4 Fright (5) 5 Danger (6) 6 Practice (8) 12 Cooking pot with a handle (8) 14 Pod (7) 16 Out of the ordinary (6) 18 Yarn (6) 19 Pugilist (5) 22 Submerged ridge of rock (4)

41

Fill the grid so every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9

42

24 feb 31st march - 2 march - 6th April 2017

health

Say hello to this 90-second energy-boosting shower trick And goodbye to your caffeine addiction.

If you struggle to maintain a high level of energy throughout the day and are constantly relying on coffee to get you through it, then you might want to try this 90-second shower trick. Experts believe that this hack can help to boost your energy and keep you awake all day.

So, rather than simply taking a hot shower first thing in the morning – which can be known to relax you rather you than wake you up – blast yourself with cold water for 30 seconds, then with hot water for 30 seconds, and then for a final 30 seconds with freezing water. This should be done after your regular cleaning routine, ensuring you end on freezing water.

The rapid change in temperature will open the capillaries, increase blood flow and provide a sense of stimulation to help energise your mind and body.

It's a trick that Victoria Beckham reportedly uses daily. And since she manages to run a fashion empire on top of looking after four children and undertaking numerous charitable pursuits, you’d be inclined to think it works!

As well as giving you this added boost of energy, the technique is also thought to have many other health benefits. The shower trick is supposed to help reduce stress (by building up your tolerance), improve your immune system (by increasing the number of disease-fighting white blood cells) and help burn fat (by the creation of more brown fat cells), so it's worth a try, no matter how daunting that 90 seconds may seem first thing in the morning.

The rapid change in temperature will help energise your mind and body

Ginger is a good thing Health experts are now telling us we need to introduce a little ginger into our lives? Now, that doesn't mean we have to adopt an Ed Sheeran look a like or buy a Cilla Black wig. We just need to use ginger in our daily routine and the health benefits will soon become apparent.

Ginger has been used as a medical aid for centuries.

It contains over 100 different chemical components, the most effective being Gingerol – a highly potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.If you are in pain, just nibble some ginger. It can help to reduce pain, decrease inflammation and inhibit bacteria such as protozoa and Salmonella.

Scientific research suggests it can also help your digestive system. You could boost your immunity, heal your ulcers and fight off cancer with this flexible ingredient and it can be consumed in many forms like tea, beer, ale and cooking.

So let's have a look at some of the alleged health benefits of this wonder plant It has anti-inflammatory effects Ginger is an anti-inflammatory that has been used as a valuable tool for pain relief, according to Dr. Mercola.

Studies have found it to be as effective as ibuprofen in relieving pain from menstrual cramps in women and it also helps with migraine, muscle and joint pain.

May protect against cancer Research has shown that ginger has the ability to

shrink tumours. It can be even more effective than many cancer drugs, according to Natural Society.

Ginger is excellent for your gut health Ginger helps with digestion, reduces nausea and may even help reduce stomach infections. It helps relax the muscles in your gut lining, which in turn helps food move through your system and relieves irritable bowel syndrome symptoms – gas, bloating, cramps and constipation.

Boosts immune system Ginger is a strong antioxidant that has been shown to naturally boost the immune system. It is packed full of vitamins, including magnesium, iron, zinc and calcium.

Ginger helps kill cold viruses and has been said to combat chills and fever.

Effective in the treatment of morning sickness and nausea During the first few months of pregnancy, some women can experience morning sickness, nausea and vomiting. Ginger has been shown to help soothe the stomach and relieve these symptoms. A good tip is to add a slice of raw ginger to tea or water.

Helps with arthritis There are numerous health benefits of ginger, one of which is its incredible pain reducing properties. It also helps reduce inflammation in people with osteoarthritis

and rheumatoid arthritis.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, use powder, extract, tincture, capsules and oils, up to 2 grammes in three divided doses per day or up to 4 cups of tea daily.

It's perfect for detoxing Ginger root has been shown to relax the intestinal tract and eliminate intestinal gas. It has the ability to help detox your body and remove unwanted toxins.

Ginger is a perfect ingredient to add to soups, stews, smoothies and ideal for juicing. Used in Thai and Indian curries and stir fry's it can bring a exotic flavour to your mealtimes. So, with it's wide availability in supermarkets, fruit and vegetable shops and markets isn't it about time you put a little ginger into your daily life?

31st 24 feb march - 2 march - 6th April 2017

43

health

Experts warn taking common How much painkillers like ibuprofen sugar is too ‘increases your risk of cardiac much? arrest by a third’

NSAIDS are among the most commonly used drugs across the world

As part of a new study, researchers identified all patients who suffered a cardiac arrest in Denmark between 2001 and 2010.

A person suffering a cardiac arrest will pass out unconscious after the electrical fault suddenly stops the heart beating.

It differs from a heart attack, where a blockage or clot stops oxygenated blood reaching the heart, causing it to affect the heart muscle.

The researchers also looked at all prescriptions for NSAIDS in Danish pharmacies since 1995.

These included the non-selective NSAIDS diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen, as well as COX-2 selective inhibitors, rofecoxib and celecoxib.

NSAIDs were linked to a 31 per cent greater risk of cardiac arrest, the findings, published in the European Heart Journal Cardiovascular

Pharmacotherapy, showed.

But the researchers found ibuprofen – the most commonly used of the drugs – increased the risk of cardiac arrest by 50 per cent. And diclofenac – marketed under the brand name Voltaren – the second most common NSAID used, had a 31 per cent increased risk.

Professor Gunnar Gislason, a cardiology prof at Copenhagen University Hosptial Gentofte, said people should only take the drug when absolutely necessary and should be cautious, adding that patients with cardiovascular disease or other heart problems should avoid them altogether.

‘Our study adds to the evidence about the adverse cardiovascular effects of NSAIDs and confirms that they should be taken seriously, and used only after consulting a healthcare

professional.’ he warned.

NSAIDS are among the most commonly used drugs across the world, while some do require a prescription, others like ibuprofen, don’t.

Experts have warned the drugs should not be available in supermarkets or petrol stations, and should be given out on prescription by a doctor.

He said people should never take more than 1,200mg of ibuprofen a day.

‘Naproxen is probably the safest NSAID and we can take up to 500mg a day,’ he added.

The most important message from this new evidence is to discuss taking these painkillers with your GP. Although not all NSAIDs were found to be associated with increased risk of cardiac arrest, discussion with your doctor is imperative to make an informed choice about the best treatment for you.

The World Health Organization recently recommended a sharp drop in sugar intake. Just 5 per cent of calories should ideally come from added sugars.

This is a sharp decrease from their previous findings which recommended a 10 per cent intake of sugar.

So, just how much is 5%? Well, the World Health Organisation translates this to about 6 teaspoons of added sugar a day. This equates to about the same as a standard can of soft drink, such as Nestea, The average European consumes almost quadruple the WHO recommendation, wait for it, a whopping 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day.

Reducing sugar in your diet can be tricky because it is so ubiquitous. Even healthy sounding foods like cereal and yoghurt are full of added sugars.

When you are food shopping, make sure you check the ingredients list on labels. Try to reduce your consumption of processed, packaged foods in favour of fresh produce and lean protein, such as poultry, fish and soy based products.

One simple, easy way to make a start is to cut down on cans of soft and sparkling drinks like cola, lemonade and sports drinks. Replace them with water and watch your skin, teeth and eyes improve as your body rehydrates and detoxes itself.

44

31st march - 6th April

home and garden

9 houseplants you can't kill Even the toughest plant is not indestructible - give a potted friend too much sun, or too much H2O and the roots won’t be able to handle the absorption and will start to rot, but with a few expert tips you can beat the odds.

Your best bet: Setting plants in gravel-filled saucers so they're not sitting in extra drainage water and built-up salt.

SPIDER PLANT

What's better than one spider plant?

Lots of spider plants. The fast-growing shoots actually produce little ‘babies’ you can repot for added greenery elsewhere. Just stick to well-lit spots and don't forget weekly watering.

PEACE LILY

Peace lilies can grow between 1 and 6 feet tall, so check the variety's estimated height before you buy. Bonus: These powerful plants can also filter toxins from the air, according to NASA.

ALOE

Those spiraling leaves certainly look cool and they'll really thrive on your desk or bedside table. Aloe loves indirect light, plus a good soak every week or two.

CALATHEA

‘Peacock plants’ are grown for their foliage alone and it's easy to see why. The purple, green pink and red leaves put on quite the show. For the best display, keep the plant moist (not drenched) and avoid bright light.

RUBBER PLANT

Rubber trees can measure over 100 feet tall in their native Asia, but regular pruning can keep the ornamental variety in check. If the broad leaves get a little dusty, bring out the mayo for a floristapproved polishing trick.

DRAGON TREE

Save some room on your windowsill and tuck this low-light variety in an unloved corner. Just be warned: Dracaena marginata is toxic to both dogs and cats, so keep pets far away.

JADE PLANT

Native to South Africa, jade plants are succulents that retain water in their round, green leaves. Desert and succulent plants ‘go dormant’ if they don't get enough water. If they do get water, they start to rehydrate and grow. Be mindful of the shallow roots, which can rot easily or fall out of the pot.

CAST-IRON PLANT

The sturdy cast-iron plant lives up to its name, surviving low light, poor-quality soil, spotty watering and a wide range of temperatures. Aspidistra elatior is the scientific name; elatior is Latin for ‘taller,’ which is apropos thanks to foliage that grows up to two feet high. The dark-leaved stunner likes to be left alone, so don't be too attentive.

BROMELIAD

Like the pineapple, the bromeliad belongs to the bromeliaceae family. This plants lasts a long time and produces pups or side shoots that will replace the original plant – just like a pineapple. Its favourite temperature is around 70 degrees, which makes it home friendly – just make sure to keep the plant away from cold drafts.

‘Mum, where’s the…?’

Over the past few years one of the most common requests of kitchen designers is to create a multi-use space where clients can cook, eat, open the post, entertain and help with the children’s homework. Dining rooms are increasingly redundant, sacrificed to create a single, larger space where people can gather and that’s why, regardless of your kitchen design style, organisation and layout are essential.

Though every home is different, there are four or five classic layouts, each with their own benefits: single and double galley kitchens with one or two continuous runs of cabinets; L-shaped kitchens that are built into a corner and offering optimum counter space; and U-shaped kitchens, which surround the cook on three sides with everything within easy reach.

Central to this is the installation of an island (or a peninsula), the ultimate multitasking space.

A work zone and social hub, the island provides additional work surfaces and can also include a breakfast bar. You can make it work even harder by incorporating sockets for charging phones and laptops and by Regardless of kitchen design style, organisation and layout are essential adding integrated coat pegs under the lip of the counter.

You could also add wine storage or bookshelves. Extra storage space can be gained from the island, allowing you the luxury of not having wall cabinets so that the space can remain light and open. And with the new generation of extractors, there is no reason not to have your hob located on the island itself. The island can also delineate the kitchen zone without cutting it off, a plus if you like to socialise with guests while cooking.

Sight lines are another important layout consideration, particularly when designing for an open-plan space. The sight lines from key views and entrances should be kept as clear as possible so that the room feels open and spacious.

Regardless of the layout, there are some key things that should be a part of everyone’s plan. Keep the dishwasher near the sink, and try to keep the bin within easy reach of the dishwasher, the food preparation area and the hob zone. This is all part of the ‘golden triangle’, a three-point rule for the placement of the sink, fridge and cooking areas. This is a good rule of thumb and is simply about keeping the most-used areas of the kitchen in close enough proximity to each other.

Finally, plan down to the last detail: utensil drawers, pots and pans stored next to the hob and oven, knife block and drawers adjacent to food preparation areas and, most important of all, measure all your crockery and tableware – you’ll want them to fit perfectly in your new kitchen.

31st march - 6th April

home and garden

45

Time to spring into cleaning

Not that you would know it after last weekend's dip in temperatures on the Costa Blanca, (they actually had snow in Madrid ), but at last, the clocks have gone forward and Spring has officially arrived.

It's been a long, cold, Winter, with some of the worst weather conditions in living memory at times, so you can forgive yourselves for not being as house proud normal over the last few months.

But with the warmer weather fast approaching, also comes the urge, or perhaps that should be necessity, to organise, unclutter and scrub your home from top to bottom, or from side to side, if you live in an apartment or bungalow.

The key to making spring cleaning a little less daunting is to double check you have all the essential tools before you begin. Here’s a shopping list of the necessities you shouldn’t be without when embarking on a Kim and Aggie, How Clean is Your House mission.

CLEANERS Multi purpose cleaner - For every stubborn work surface, cupboard, or ceramic stain, you’ll need a solution or spray that does the lot Washing up liquid - Whether it’s for your sink full of dirty dishes, or mixed with a little water for washing the floors, you won’t want to kick off cleaning without it Furniture polish - Make your coffee table shine again Bathroom cleaner - Your tiling might have looked like new once upon a time, and with a little elbow grease it can again.

Try using a bleach pen for stubborn mould and mildew.

Glass cleaner - Remind yourself what a smudge-free reflection looks like Baking soda - Easiest task yet: place a box in the fridge to absorb food odours instantly

Magic Eraser - The true spring cleaning secret weapon.

Makes all your white goods and surfaces as good as new again TOOLS Microfibre cloths - Dust doesn’t stand a chance Vacuum - For the floors, you’ll need a full size option, but use a hand held Dustbuster for those hard to reach corners. Now, if you’re really feeling plain lazy or you like your gadgets, try a robot vacuum that does the work for you whilst you watch your favourite soap on TV Mop - Mud stains and dirty paw prints ( animal and human ) will be a thing of the past Broom - A new broom sweeps clean as they say, so invest in a new head brush Bucket - An essential for mopping, or for simply stashing your supplies to make it easier to move from room to room.

Sponges - Of every size and shape are a necessity Empty spray bottle - If you’re a DIY diva, these are a must for mixing your own cleaners Rubber gloves - Preferably pink for maximum visibility to your neighbours

Toilet brush - Not the most pleasant task, but certainly a necessary one. After all, it's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it Dusters - Fans, shelves, blinds, it does it all Trash bags - You can't have too many of them Now that you’ve garnered your arsenal of supplies, it’s time to turn over every sofa cushion and table and address all the dusty corners you’ve been ignoring since the clocks went back last October.

Imagine the reward as you sit in the evening sun, sipping a Gin and Tonic, needing to wear shades to hide the shine coming from your sparkling surfaces.

46

31st march - 6th April

Tech

British government bans laptops on certain flights Theresa May recently announced that certain flights from the Middle East and north Africa will be banned from carrying laptops and other large electronic devices in their hand luggage.

The latest controls over aviation security introduce bans on devices longer than 16cm, wider than 9.3cm and deeper than 1.5cm. Kindles, tablets and iPads arre affected. Flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, coming into the UK are affected.

Airlines affected by these new rules are: British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson, while overseas airlines affected are Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines, EgyptAir, Royal Jordanian, Tunisair and Saudia.

If you are flying on one of these airways you will need to transport your devices in your hold luggage, or if travelling with hand luggage only, arrange to ship your device by post or courier, or pay the hold bag fee and take the extra bag.

Gadget of the week TrackR stops you losing anything again!

Lost your keys?, forgot where you parked your car?, want to keep track of the kids?

This tiny gadget hooks up to your smart phone and locates anything! About the size of a 2€ coin this tiny device is compact enough to attach to anything. Keys, pets collars, in your car or even in your wallet.

This high tech unit must be expensive? Nope, it costs just 50€ +/- and there are 50% discount offers to co incide with the launch. It is an American device but ships worldwide, and over 5 million units have already been purchased.

Go to buy.thetrackr.com for more information

Want a hard copy of that selfie?

It seems that with a smart phone in your pocket, photographs are a thing of the past?

It is always nice to have a hard copy sometimes though to give that memory to someone special. With modern portable printers this can easily be done. The Canon Selphy CP1200 Wireless Compact Photo Printer prints 4 x 6” photos in colour on the move.

Print from a wifi connection to your smart phone, or USB or memory card. Priced at about 120€ on Amazon, this is an affordable way to save your memories to paper

31st march - 6th April

47

Tech

Watching you, watching me, watching you...

Modern high resolution cameras are getting smaller and smaller and smaller...

Without wanting to sound paranoid, modern surveillance equipment could be watching you right now!

A myriad of websites sell tiny cameras built into just about anything you can think of.

The images can be stored or transmitted live via wifi or 4g to smart phones or computers anywhere in the world. There are benefits to this technology obviously for safety or security reasons, or surveillance of your child for example (The Nanny Cam). Also in store to help prevent shop lifting or to keep an eye on your car in a public garage, so it is not all 1984 George Orwellian big brother.

Spy pen with hidden camera

Smoke Detectors with hidden camera

Last Weeks Puzzle Answers (Issue 909) Quick Soloution Across: 1 Prayer, 4 Stream, 9 Risotto, 10 Bored, 11 Tunic, 12 Chortle, 13 Aristocracy, 18 Affects, 20 Cobra, 22 Tiara, 23 Utilise, 24 Ponder, 25 Recess.

Down: 1 Pirate, 2 Arson, 3 Entices, 5 Taboo, 6 Erratic, 7 Madden, 8 Hot cross bun, 14 Refrain, 15 Recline, 16 Laptop, 17 Caress, 19 Crave, 21 Bribe.

Cryptic Solution Across: 1 Aspects, 5 Picks, 8 Gradual, 9 Seals, 10 Extra, 11 Missile, 12 Robber, 14 Bright, 17 Formula, 19 Shock, 22 Exist, 23 Largest, 24 Tiger, 25 Pleases.

Down: 1 Angle, 2 Plant, 3 Courage, 4 Solemn, 5 Posts, 6 Coating, 7 Suspect, 12 Reflect, 13 Burying, 15 Reserve, 16 Gallop, 18 Utter, 20 Opens, 21 Kites.

Clocks with hidden camera

Button hole hidden cameras

Pop Quiz s ’ 0 8

1 Who played Axel Foley’s best friend in Detroit? - Paul Riser 2 What was the name of the funky van Scooby Doo and friends rode in?

The Mystery Machine.

3 To what does the obscure song “Turning Japanese” refer?

It is about masturbation.

4 Which red-head won Star Search and then went on a shopping mall singing tour that took America by storm in 1987 and 1988? - Tiffany 5 Which band had members Robert palmer, Andy and John Taylor, and Tony Thompson?

The one-album project band, The Power Station.

6 What were the names of all five Huxtable kids on “The Cosby Show?”

Sondra, Denise, Theo, Vanessa, Rudy

7 What were the names of the four Golden Girls?

Dorothy, Rose, Sophia Petrillo, Blanche 8 What was the claymation Domino’s Pizza thing to avoid? - The Noid!

9 What oldies song was revived by the movie about a certain principal named Joe Clark? - Lean On Me, but Club Nouveau went to number one with their version a year before with Lou Rawl’s number one classic was revived.

10 What was the name of Ripley’s ship in Aliens? (not Alien or Alien3) SULACO was the Marines Cruiser she was on, NARCISSUS which was the shuttle that Ripley used to escape from the NOSTROMO from the first movie.

48

31st march - 6th April

All Major Credit Cards Accepted - 0.42€ per word + IVA 0.55€ for printed and online versions

Book your advert now 965 83 37 39

email: admin.rtn@ewnmediagroup.com

Classifieds&Services ALARMS

ALARMS & CCTV: All types, quality systems, very reasonable, guaranteed. Tel: 966 797 370 / 662 243 099 (245707) BUILDING SERVICES

J & J PAINTERS. Inside outside - clean - fast - low cost.

Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (244772) ALL types of construction services, reforms, reconstruction: kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, tiling, floors, plasterboard, bricklaying, plumbing & facades.

Reasonable Prices. Torrevieja & surrounding areas. Call 672 929 913 any time (250584)

BUSINESS FOR SALE

SMALL property rental business for sale. Potential to build and grow or add to an existing portfolio. Plug and play operation. Email: managedpropertymurcia@ hotmail.com (250577) CARAVANS

WE BUY, sell & transport all makes of static caravans 630 055 418 Elsyd7@hotmail.com (249246) CHARITIES/CHURCHES

LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English speaking Church. We hold services each Sunday and everyone is welcome. Our 11.00 am Services are held every 2nd and 4th Sunday in the month (and 11.00 am on the 5th Sunday, if this applies.)

On the 1st and 3rd Sunday’s

our Services are at 9.30 am.

Our choir sings at our 11.00 am Services and there is also a Sunday School, called Stepping Stones, on these Sundays. We welcome residents, visitors and children. For more information see our website www. lasiestaevangelicalchurch.org or telephone Pastor Keith on 666 180 108.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life – damaging everything that is important to you. Englishspeaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia.

Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: *648 169 045* or Costa Blanca South: *625 912 078* or Costa Calida *679 385

105*. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablanca.org (93323)

ROUNDABOUT CHARITY SHOP. We are now into summer and very soon we will be feeling the heat! It is time therefore for another visit to the shop where you might find a bargain or two. Choose from the clothing selection, jewellery, household goods, books or bric a brac.

There is usually something there for everyone --- but not always. Charitable donations have recently been made to The Alzheimers Centre, Cancer Research and The Amigos Ambulance Service. We still need your help with donations etc. Please keep them coming in! We are situated on Avenida Del Furs close to the Fountain Roundabout and immediate left by Don Colchon bed shop.

(93325)

THE ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION, Torrevieja Branch, meet at 17.00 on the first Wednesday of each month at the Restaurante El Paraiso, Urb. Jardin del Mar 3 (behind Carrefour), Torrevieja. Contact Paul Edwards, Chairman 618 644 934 or Margaret Forshaw, Secretary 966 921 996. (95455) THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Orihuela Costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier.

The branch meets at Olympia restaurant, Mil Palmeras on 3rd Thursday of each month at 19.00 - 19.30pm. More info can be found on branch website www.orihuelacostarbl.co.uk.

(95457)

HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a nonprofit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle

Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). Both offices are open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 1.30 pm and the Helpdesk at La Marina is open every Thursday (10 am to 1.30 pm) at the Hope Fellowship Church (opposite the Thursday Market site) at Avda de Justo Antonio Quesada, Urb. La Marina (Tel 615770145). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja. com We also have a 24 hour Emergency help-line which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456) THE BAKER FOUNDATION for SPIRITUAL AWARENESS. 16 Nicolas De Bussi Ave, Playa Flamenca. Sunday Service every week 11am to 12 noon, everyone welcome. For further

31st march - 6th April details please phone/fax 966 760 665 (95458) THE PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB meets every Friday in the Bar Catorce, Benijofar. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information.

(95459) CHARITY BOOK STALL PEGO THURSDAY MARKET. Selection of over 500 books, all proceeds given to the elderly/disabled of Pego and local Animal Rescue.

More stock always required please contact Chrissie 965 977 228/617 647 395 (95460) THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188 (95461) CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462) PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH, Calle Canalejas, 3.

Pilar de la Horadada. Sunday Service at 11am & Thursday at 5pm for Prayer and Praise and Worship. Home groups meet during the week. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463) TORREVIEJA Christian Fellowship (TCF) is an English speaking lively church located at Avenida de las Valencianas 68, Torrevieja 03183.

Residents and holidaymakers are welcome to attend our services with communion and ‘kids church’ each Sunday at

10.30am. We have a Fellowship Meeting (Bible Study) each Wednesday at 6.00pm. For further information see our website www.tcf-Spain.org or tel 966 700 391. (95464) THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www. acacostablanca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465) THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION JAVEA BRANCH meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month @ Scallops Rest on the Arenal at 11.00am. Everyone is welcome to attend as a visitor and join the branch if they wish. Anyone needing any help or advice on welfare, or any information regarding the branch can contact either Sheila on 965 791 270 or Roger on 965 790 123 (95472) TORREVIEJA STROKE SUPPORT GROUP meets each Friday 2.45pm to 5pm in The Annex, (behind Age Concern Centre), Calle Paganini, Urb. La Siesta.

Our aim is to support stroke survivors and their carers by a range of facilities from speech therapy, rehabilitation exercise, group discussion etc.

For info: Louie 966 718 964 or 965 071 920, e-mail: strokesupportgroup@ hotmail.com Donations and further voluntary helpers are needed and guest speakers with relevant knowledge or

experience are very welcome.

(95473) THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch meets 1st Monday of every month (except July and August) at Bar Sioux , Avda Escandinavia GA at 7pm for 7.30pm prompt.

For further info contact Brian, Branch Secretary on 639 917 971 / email secretarybr3606@ gmail.com (95474) CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer has opened a charity shop at C/Virgen de los Desamparados No 13 (next door to Mas y mas) El Campello. The shop is open Mon-Fri 10 - 2pm and is run by unpaid volunteers and all monies raised goes to the AECC. We urgently need donations of clothes, books, large and small furniture etc, and we will arrange collection of large items. We need volunteers to help out in the shop and also clothes rails, shelves etc. for display.

Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please stop by at the shop. Contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@ hotmail.com (95475) INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Calle Urbano Arregui 23, Torrevieja Evangelical non-denominational Sunday services 11am Children’s church 11am House groups in Torrevieja, Los Balcones,

San Javier Ladies meeting Thursdays 11am. Pastor, Rafael Restrepo All nationalities welcome 966 799 273 / 660 127 276. (95476) ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca). The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines.

We meet on the last Tuesday of the month at Casa Ventura, San Luis Urbanisation, at 6.30pm.

For further details Hon Sec 965 724 652 FREEMASONRY Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact Harry Palmer Membership Committee Tel: 966 712 326 or email: palmers.quesada@yahoo.co.uk (95477) ROYAL AIR FORCES Association Branch #1359 Costa Blanca The Branch meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the El Paraiso Restaurant located close to the Carrefour Supermarket in Torrevieja.

The meeting starts at 1430 hrs. You do not have to be an ex-member of the RAF to join this friendly Association which supports the welfare of the RAF family and provides a social hub for ex RAF members and their friends.

For further information about the Association and its activities please contact the

Chairman on 692 508 916 or the Welfare Officer on 615 048 892 or visit our website: www. rafacb.com.

MEETS at Hamilton´s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. Also, every alternate Thursday from 23rd February, there is an Development/Awareness Circle where you can develop your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday after the service.

The Divine Service with Mediumship on 19th February will be taken by Ray Bailey.

Len Cox will take the Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday, 14th February. The Divine Service with Mediumship, on Sunday, 26th February will be taken by Anna Marie.

Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiritualistcentrebenijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gmail.com or info@spiritualistcentrebenijofar.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789.

CHIMNEY SWEEP

PROFESSIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP. Family Business established over 60 years. 660 478 881 (247324) DAMP

www.dryzone-espana.com - We are the longest established Damp Proofing company in Spain. We can cure Rising Damp, leaking Flat Roof or Terrace problems quickly & safely. We can make your Underbuild Dry. Villa Paint Due! We can protect your villa &

49

stop PENETRATING DAMP with a Protective Coating. Call us for a survey now; Tel: 634 322 672 (250384) ELECTRICIAN

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (245706) house clearance

INSURANCE & iNVESTMENTS

SOS <http://www. sosinsuranceinspain.com> Insurance in Spain. Best prices available. CALL US FIRST for all your insurance needs, including best deals on Funeral plans.

Buildings and contents cover from just 82 euros per year and cars from 120 euros. Tel 966 787 123 / 622 275 561 / 686 116 297 / email info@ sosinsuranceinspain.com (250254) locksmith

50

31st march - 6th April Saturday mornings.

667 879 399 krugercanopies@yahoo.co.uk (247317) PET CHARITIES

INTERNET

GET YOUR business noticed online! Make sure that expats in Spain can find your product, service, restaurant, bar or shop.

Contact Spain’s newest and brightest online directory TODAY. Call 952 561 245 or email mark.w@euroweeklynews.com for more details.

METALWORK

MOBILE Metal Work Any welding or plasma cutting work carried out. For a free quote call 639 487 503 (250579) www.eriksmetalwork.com.

ALL METAL WORK UNDERTAKEN. Costa Calida. stan@eriksmetalwork.com.

636 050 008. (248027) MOBILITY

MOBILITY equipment wanted. Cash paid. Scooters, wheelchairs etc etc Phone Will´s 602 547 878 (250705) MOTORING

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance.

Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726) WANTED

WANTED Cars, vans, caravans, 4 X 4’s British Spanish 600 781 873 ibuyanycar@hotmail.com (249193) MUSIC TUITION

PIANO, Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (240072) PERGOLA COVERS

TAILOR made, durable canvas, sails, umbrella, spa and BBQ covers. Mazarron based, and at Procomobel Market, Guardamar

EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare.net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706) SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area. 500 animals awaiting re-homing.

Shelter open 7 days a week 12noon - 2.00pm & 3.30pm - 7.00pm. (Spanish speaking staff) or phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spama.org and view our new blog at www.spama-safor.blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707) P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog, or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals.

Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com EURO WEEKLY NEWS CLASSIFAX AGENT (95708) GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community.

Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, defleed. We also need volunteers to help Car boot sale in Polop on Sundays Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709) PET TRANSPORT

PET TRAVEL UK Family pet transporters Spain/UK. Travel with your pets for free.

All air conditioned vehicles (no vans) www.pettraveluk. co.uk. Removals also arranged in other vehicles. Tel UK 0800 612 4922 or Spain 960130537 (250330) PLUMBING

MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (245706) POOLS

POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call

965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltechspain.com (248286) Pool Maintenance, Repairs, spares and leak testing. Call 965725565 / 676945360 www.pooltechspain.com PROPERTY FOR SALE

CIUDAD QUESEDA Villa 500m2 plot, 4 double bedrooms, large bathroom and shower room.

Large Balcony, Cloakroom, lounge dinner, large kitchen (white goods included). Oil central heating though out.

Double glazed conservatory, car port. 10x8 solar heated pool. Screened BBQ area, plus much more seeing is believing.

340,000€. Contact 688 486 752 private sale (250716) REMOVALS AND STORAGE

MAN AND VAN UK - Spain. 2 vans travelling twice a month, Murcia - North / South UK. Storage in Spain. Tel 610 846 260 or 0044 751 918 6355 email van.man@hotmail.co.uk (249229) UK - SPAIN -Anywhere Europe!

Masses of experience. New clean vehicles. Insured with Royal Sun Alliance. Genuinely CARING service. FULL and / Part moves. ONLINE QUOTES!! www.bmceuropean.com Tel: UK 08456 443 784 / ES 634 344 787 FIND US ON FACEBOOK! (243375) UK-SPAIN-IRELAND. Removals with the personal touch. Pets carried with care 965 696 750 / 0044 (0) 7447 918 589 e-mail chrisyounge73979@aol.com (249024) SPANISH MOVES Small removals and deliveries.

Spain/UK Budget prices. Last minute jobs undertaken. www.spanishmoves.net. Pet transport also arranged in our air conditioned pet/people carriers. Telephone UK 0800 612 4922 or Spain 960130537 (250330) SEWING

QUALIFIED SEAMSTRESS 40 years experience, turn-ups to tailoring patterns taken from your favourite cloths, reasonable prices. Torrevieja, Sandra: 966 799 188 / 680 486 336 (248315)

SITUATIONS VACANT

DO YOU CARE? If so, why not join our team of carers who work in the UK. Earn from £952 - £1,456 for 2 weeks. Good written/ spoken English, British or EU Passport required. Contact Sandra on 658 965 204 or email s.field@consultuscare.com (253024) EARN 300€ to 2,500€ per month working with a reputable British PLC. Flexible Hours.

No Selling. Local Training & Support. For more information go to www.the-vista-group. com (250266) FIELD SALES positions available.

Must have own transport, English and Spanish preferred, but not essential, must have local knowledge of the area and be smart and presentable.

Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@euroweeklynews. com.

SWIMMING POOLS

WOODEN POOLS LIMITED. Manufacturers & installers of wooden above ground pools.

Take the plunge with one of the above ground pools. Best of all “No Planning Permission Required” Tel: 634 322 672.

Phone or email for a FREE COLOUR BROCHURE & PRICE LIST NOW. www.woodenpools. limited info@woodenpools. limited (250384) TELECOMS

FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (0) TRANSLATION

WE CAN TRANSLATE FOR YOU AT THE NOTARY’S OFFICE FOR PROPERTY SALE/PURCHASE, POWER OF ATTORNEY OR CONTRACTS. WE CAN HELP YOU OBTAIN N.I.E, RESIDENCIA, S.I.P CARDS, GUARDIA CIVIL ETC. Tel. 692 144 411 (247447) WANTED

DIESEL car LHD and motorhome right or LHD wanted.Cash waiting Tel 650 722 905 (247258) WANTED Quad Bike and Jet Ski. Call 650 722 905 (247257)

RECORDS & CDs WANTED. Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues. Top cash paid.

Henry 630 665 363 (248884) XXX RELAXATION

Readers of a sensitive disposition may find some of the advertisements in this section offensive.

SOPHIE. Escort, sexy, slim, élégante, naughty lady, home or hotel. 3 languages spoken.

693 357 526 (247441) Bisexual Gay, slim & sexy, mature. 70€ full service. 10 mins outside Quesdada. Call Tracy 604 332 601 ENJOY Veronica´s exciting full 1 hour massage. Fully qualified.

For an appointment call 679 292 678 (247404) SPANISH lady - classic. Playa Flamenca, private house, 35 years, attractive. All erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie. From €40. Ana 865 646 437 (254520) LA ZENIA. Sexy 20 year old Spanish girl. Natural French, anal, lesbian, all services. I love white party. 645 385 461.

(248284) FRIENDLY MATURE ENGLISH lady offers massage plus escort service in a comfortable apartment in San Javier area.

Call Vicky on 691 842 737 for further information. (236602) www.chicosorihuela.com. Guys, transvestites, complacent, feisty. We are eager and hot.

DARE!!! 616 804 411 (240271) SPANISH lady. La Zenia, erotic massage with happy ending.

Private house. Sexy, elegant, 33 years. On whatsapp or call 611 472 803. (236718) KAMAGRA Gold 100mg plus Kamagra Jellies. Collection or Delivery. Roy- 602 579 481 (250580) VIAGRA/Kamagra/Cialis/ Weight loss pills the best prices in Spain! BUY ONE GET ONE FREE on certain items. Order securely & discreetly online: www.costapills.net Postal Nationwide delivery sales@ costapills.net (251393) VIAGRA, cialis, kamagra all areas 604 385 476.

Viagra4you19@gmail.com (249545)

31st march - 6th April

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24 feb 31st march - 2 march - 6th April 2017

motoring

UK Toughens up on drivers using mobile phones Mobile phone use whilst driving has become an “Epidemic” Over 20 people were killed last year and 99 seriously injured as a direct result of using mobile phones whilst driving. New legislation has doubled the penalty points issued for this to 6 points which means newly qualified drivers could lose their licence for one infraction. Drivers can have their licence revoked if they accrue six points within two years of passing their test. Those caught using their mobile twice, or who accrue 12 points on their licence, will face magistrates’ court, disqualification and fines of up to £1,000.

Studies have shown that reaction times for people texting on their phones whilst driving is double that of people that have been drinking.

Chief constable Suzette Davenport, the head of roads policing on the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “These new penalties reflect the seriousness of the offence and will strengthen the deterrent against using a mobile phone at the wheel. We need people to understand that this is not a minor offence that they can get away with.”

2017 Audi A6 The new Audi A6 has sharper body lines and a sumptuous cabin. With a base entry level setup of 252hp and a 2 litre turbo engine with 7 speed automatic transmission, this car is a joy to drive.

A supercharged 3 litre V6 with 4 wheel drive is also available at the top end of the pricing structure. A 7 inch infotainment centre is standard with night vision, Android auto, Apple carplay and auto braking available as optional extras.

Top speed of 205kph and 0-100kph in just 4.6 seconds make this executive car no slouch.

Uber suspends fleet of self-driving cars following Arizona crash Uber has removed all it’s self driving cars in three American states following a collision with one of it’s vehicles. It is thought that the accident was caused by a secondary vehicle that did not give way to the Uber car. Currently the self drive cars still have a driver or technician at the wheel to take over from auto driving mode. However, pending further investigation, the company has removed all its self-driving cars from the road in Arizona, as well as test sites in Pennsylvania and California – all three states where it operated the driverless vehicles.

Photo: Reuters

31st 24 feb march - 2 march - 6th April 2017

How do you like your American Muscle?

American cars even from the early 1950’s have always had plenty of power. While in the UK a 2 litre car was considered sporty and powerful, the Americans less concerned with fuel consumption, always believed bigger was better!

The 1956 F-100 is a one-year only body style. The 1956 F-100 is easily identified as it has vertical windshield pillars and a wrap around windshield as opposed to the sloped pillars and angled windshield of the 1953-55. The 1956 model also offered a larger wraparound back window as an option.

Also in 1956, seat belts became an option. A 4.5 litre V8 engine was almost standard in cars from this era, putting out a respectable 152hp.

Dodge Viper

The is unmistakably an American icon. The familiar lines, broad shoulders and carbon fiber hood, roof and decklid blend with aluminum door and sill panels for a truly aerodynamic look. Utilising a huge V10 8.4 litre power train, 0-60mph is a tad over 3 seconds and a top speed of 206mph is acheivable

V10 8.4 litre

Viper Engine

2015 TOYOTA YARIS 5 door hatchback, air-con, CD/radio with USB plug-in, 33,000kms.

2015 SEAT IBIZA 1.2i REFERENCE only 28,000kms, climate control, CD/radio with USB plug-in 2014 FORD FOCUS 1.6 TI POWERSHIFT AUTOMATIC TRENDLINE, CD/radio, USB plug-in, 46,000kms 2014 FORD FIESTA 1.5TDCi in flame red, CD/radio with USB & AUX plug-in, 35,000kms.

2014 VW POLO TSi air-con, CD/radio with USB & aux plug-in, alloy wheels, 41,000kms.

2014 LANCIA YPSILON 1.2 GOLD 4dr, air-con, alloys, CD/radio & USB, city steering 36,000kms.

2014. FORD FIESTA 1.25 TREND grey metallic 45,000kms Climate control, USB media music system.

2013 FIAT 500 1.2i LOUNGE in white, CD/radio with US. & AUX plug-in, city steering, 54,000kms.

2012 CITROEN DS5 1.6HDi 115cv COLLECTION CMP AUTO 116,000kms, air-con. Sat-nav, cruise control etc.

2010 PEUGEOT 308CC 2.0HDi 140bhp, AUTO, 53,000kms, FSH, climate control, heated leather seats etc.

2009 NISSAN QUASHQAI 4x2 2.0i CVT AUTO TEKNA climate control cruise control alloy wheels lovely condition.

2009 OPEL CORSA 1.2i AUTOMATIC air-con, CD/radio, alloy wheels, 71,000kms.

2007 FORD FIESTA 1.6TDCi ST DAYTONA yellow with black chequered roof, alloys, 122,500kms 2006 SUBARU IMPREZA genuine Pro-drive car with certificate, 83,000kms 2000 RENAULT MEGANE 5DR 1.6i AUTOMATIC EXPRESSION air-con, CD/radio, well looked after 1997 SUBARU LEGACY 2.0 GT-B TWIN-TURBO estate fully restored good Tyres 300+ BHP 1971 ALFA ROMEO 1750 SPYDER genuine 55,000kms in Corsa Red with black roof, increasing in value 1966 ROVER P5 MARK III 3ltr COUPE classic car recently restored, only 400 cars left in Europe!

WAS 9,995€ 9,500€ 12,995€ 10,500€

9,995€ 7,995€

9,995€

7,995€

13,995€

12,995€ 11,995€ 7,500€

4,995€

10,995€ 2,300€ 3,995€

8,500€

14,995€

NOW SOLD 11,995€ 9,500€ 7,500€ 8,995€ SOLD SOLD SOLD 6,500€ SOLD 9,995€ 2,995€ SOLD 12,995€

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24 feb 31st march - 2 march - 6th April 2017

sport

Murcian cyclist rides to victory in the Volta a Catalunya

Murcian Team Movistar cyclist Alejandro Valverde holds the trophy aloft after his victory in the Volta a Catalunya last Sunday

Alejandro Valverde from Las Lumbreras in Murcia Province, underlined his crushing domination of the 2017 Volta a Catalunya this year with a superbly timed sprint to a third stage win on Sunday, this time in a small group finish in the Montju誰c park in Barcelona.

On Sunday's seventh and final stage the Movistar rider chased down a surging late attack by Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors) with just three kilometres remaining in the last of eight hilly laps in Montju誰c. Valverde then fended off the rest of the group, crossing the line just half a bike length ahead of Jarlinson Pantano (Trek-Segafredo) to take his seventh career Volta stage win and to wrap up his second overall career title in Catalunya.

In the closing stage of the Volta on the traditional series of 6.6 kilometre laps over eight climbs around the Montju誰c park that always concludes the event, Valverde and Martin held off the front group of around 15 riders by a handful of seconds on the fast descent to the finish.

Valverde said that he had not been expecting to put on such a stellar performance in the race, where he took three stages, the overall victory and the King of the Mountains jersey.

With less than a month to go before his 37th birthday, the veteran cyclist continues to perform at a level that would be exceptional for many riders ten years younger.

Valverde's triumph in a race he last won in May 2009 continues one of his best springs of recent years, with two overall victories, in the Ruta del Sol and Catalunya, as well as a win on home soil in the early season Vuelta a Murcia one-day race.

Alberto Contador was runner up in the competition and Marc Soler capped a great race for the Spanish Movistar team by finishing third and helping them to win the the overall team competition.

Britain's Team Sky rider Chris Froome bounced back on the final stage on Sunday, with a late attack on the Montju誰c circuit.

Ultimately though, the attack came to little, as Froome moved up just one position on GC, but it was a show of pride after losing so much time the day before. On Saturday, during stage 6 of the race Froome and Team Sky were caught out on an early descent and would eventually lose over 26 minutes and drop from second to 31st overall.

Orihuela CF draw against bottom club Segorbe The yellow shirted 'Amarillos' of Orihuela CF could only manage a draw against Segorbe, who sit nine points adrift at the bottom of the table, last Sunday, putting a severe dent into their hopes of promotion.

The 1-1 draw was particularly disppointing as the home side's leaky defence had already conceded 73 goals this season.

The visitors started brightly, pressing forward in numbers, so it was no surprise when they took the lead with a magnificent volley scored by the impressive Nico. With the home side sitting back, Orihuela continued to dominate, but couldn't take advantage making too many mistakes in the centre of the pitch causing attacks to break down.

The visitors dominance continued into the second half against a Segorbe team lacking confidence and happy to let the visitors keep possession, whilst hoping to breakaway on the counter attack, which is exactly what happened in the 6oth minute. They quickly broke forward, causing panic and confusion in the Amarillos defence and Ahmed slotted the ball home past away keeper Emilio.

The final half hour saw Orihuela coach Roca make three substitutions bringing on Ruben Moreno, Antonio in a quest for the elusive goal that would win the match. But despite having all the possession, they couldn't make a breakthrough. The visitors knew it just wasn't going to be their day, when a Fleki shot from outside the area rattled against the post and bounced to safety.

This result, following on from the draw against Novelda CF in paterna leaves Orihuela five points adrift of the last promotion play off place with six games left to play.

With the next match being a home fixture against league leaders Xativa Olimpic, the Yellow Shirts will need to raise their game substantially if they are to get anything out of the match.

Medals galore for Alicante The Real Club de Regatas of Alicante had an unforgettable weekend at the SUMA league Championships, which took place at Dock 14 of Alicante Port last Saturday and Sunday.

They won a total of two Gold medals, one Silver medal and three bronzes.

The Golds were won in the Juvenil Masculino and Absoluto Masculino Categories, the Silver in Cadete Masculino and the Bronzes in Cadete Masculino, Veterano Masculino and Feminino Absoluto.

To cap an amazing weekend, another team from the club put in a fine performaance at the Open de Primavera at Banyoles in Girona Province, winning a Gold in Absoluto Masculino, and two bronzes in Femininas Absolutas and Cadete Femenino.

31st march - 6th April

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World Cup qualifiers weekend round up A good weekend for the home countries culminated with a late 1-0 win for Scotland at Hampden Park in a match manager Gordon Strachan described as must win game against Slovenia. Substitute Chris Martin slid the ball home off the post two minutes from full time helping to keep the Scots hopes of qualifying from Group F alive and in the process, probably save the under pressure Strachan's job.

In the same qualifying group, England cruised to a routine 2-0 win over Lithuania at Wembley. Goals in each half, from Jermain Defoe and substitute Jamie Vardy ensured a comfortable, rather than crushing win against a team ranked 107th in the World. Defoe capped a good performance with a goal after returning to manager Gareth Southgate's squad at the ripe old age of thirty five.

England,yet to concede a goal, now sit on top of the group on 13 points, four ahead of Slovakia in second, with Scotland fourth on 7 points.

In group D, Wales qualification hopes look increasingly re-

Jermain Defoe sidefoots the ball into the net for England's first goal in their 2-0 win over Lithuania at Wembley

mote despite a battling goalless draw against Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Friday. Gareth Bale twice went close in a game marred by a horrific injury to Irish Captain, Seamus Coleman, who was carried off with a broken leg, after a tackle from Wales defender Neil Taylor, which resulted in the Welsh defender's sending off. They are third in the group on 7 points behind Ireland in second on 11 points and Serbia who lead the group on goal difference.

Northern Ireland' hopes remain high after an impressive 2-0 win over Norway at Windsor Park, Belfast.

First half goals from Jamie Ward and Steven Davis kept them

Match number 1000 for Rafa

Rafa Nadal celebrated his 1,000th Tour match with a 0-6 6-2 6-3 victory over German Philipp Kohlschreiber at the Miami Open last weekend.

World number 31 Kohlschreiber was superb as he took his first set against Spaniard Nadal to love in just 21 minutes. It was the first time Nadal had failed to win a game in the first set of an ATP Tour match since 2008 but the 30-yearold produced a typically gutsy comeback to claim his 822nd career victory and move into the quarter finals.

American Jimmy Connors is number one on the list of most matches played with an incredible 1535, so Rafa still has a long way to go to beat him.

However, speaking after the match, the 30 year old, fourteen time Grand Slam champion said "One thousand matches is a lot of matches. Obviously that's good news because that says I am having a long career." During a lot of years, I heard that I'm going to have a short career, so it's something important for me. I remember the first match very well because it was at home in Mallorca.

It was my first victory on the ATP and was a great feeling."

on track in second place on 10 points, two ahead of Czech Republic in third and five behind group leaders Germany.

Elsewhere, Spain cruised to a 4-1 victory over Israel to remain leaders of Group G on goal difference from Italy with 13 points.

Meanwhile Netherlands sacked Head Coach Danny Blind after losing to Bulgaria 2-0 in Group A. Blind had managed Holland for two years, but this latest setback left them in fourth place on 7 points, six points behind leaders France.

With the group games now at the halfway stage there is still a lot of twists and turns to come for the countries hoping to be at the World Cup Finals in Russia next Summer.

Hamilton still confident after losing opening race Lewis Hamilton expects a close battle with Sebastian Vettel in the months ahead after losing the Australian Grand Prix to the German in Melbourne on Sunday in the first race of the new Formula One season.

The Mercedes driver finished second to Vettel, despite starting in pole position and leading for the opening laps. However, his pace was slow and after an early pit stop, he was held up by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, allowing Vettel to get ahead.

Hamilton never had a chance to get past Vettel's Ferrari during the rest of the race and had to settle for second place. Afterwards he said: "I wouldn't say I'm happy. But all things in perspective. To see where we have come from, with massive rule changes and to come here and be battling so close for a win and missing out marginally, there are a lot of things to be proud of.'' adding "It is going to be a close race. I truly believe we can beat them. It's great to see Ferrari there.''

Vettel remained cautious after his victory. He said "There is a long, long way ahead.

We have a lot to prove still but for now we are just happy. It is March now. I know people start to get excited but it is our job to work and I am much happier if we are working now and not talking."

Next up on the Formula One calendar is the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Sunday April 9.

Vettel takes the lead in the pivotal moment of last Sunday's Australian Grand prix in Melbourne

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24 feb - 2 march 2017