RTN Newspaper - Costa Blanca South 29 June - 5 July 2018 Issue 975

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COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

29th June - 5th July

HUNDREDS of dead fish have suddenly appeared at the mouth of the River Vi n a l o p o i n S a n t a Pola, although many thousands have been spotted further along the river.

They were discovered on the La Gola b e a c h o n Tu e s d a y morning and were in an advanced state of decomposition when found by a Red Cross volunteer.

The find of what are understood to be mullet, was immediately reported to the nature branch of the Guardia Civil (Seprona) who are investigating both the cause of death and the origins of the fish.

Plastic ‘ban’ for local beaches DON’T take anything plastic to the beach! That is the latest campaign launched by the Orihuela Council on the eve of the influx of summer visitors to the area with the aim of keeping the beaches and the sea free of such items.

The awareness campaign has been set up by the Orihuela Department of Street Cleaning which includes responsibility for the state of the municipality’s beaches and is against the background often witnessed in the media of the high amounts of plastic pollution.

There are 16 kilometres of coastline controlled by Orihuela, with 11 of their beaches awarded the prestigious blue flags.

This makes them second on the list in Spain.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Mystery of the dead mullet

Issue 975

CAMPAIGN: Orihuela joins in fight against plastic waste.

The main campaign gets underway on Monday and goes on until Sunday July 8 with a series of games, events, workshops and en-

tertainment which will teach the importance of recycling and the resulting dangers to the marine environment once plastic has been

Montebello, Algorfa - Exit 745, AP7

A fantastic selection of freshly prepared international food, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Live music Friday and Saturday nights!

In house pianist entertains during Sunday lunch!

Wednesday night is curry night!

Sunday night is quiz night!

All World Cup football matches shown!

abandoned on beaches.

An estimated 500,000 million plastic bags are used annually across the world, with at least eight

million tons of material ending up in the oceans... the equivalent of unloading a rubbish truck every single minute.

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29th June - 5th July

Brexit could be good news for criminals IN what is really an extraordinary situation of cutting off your nose to spite your face, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said that with Brexit the UK would have to give up the European Arrest Warrant provisions.

In a clear example of duckspeak (from Orwell’s 1984) he explained that it would not be fair for Britain to remain in the system because it intended to leave the EU’s court and free movement scheme.

Figures published by the National Crime Agency show that the 27 EU members requested the arrest of 14,279 suspects known to be on British soil in 2015/6 whilst in the same period, Britain had asked for 241 suspects to be apprehended of which 150 were actually arrested.

It may well be that there will be some special agreement entered into between the UK government and the European Union but, as time hurries by and bureaucracy inevitably becomes involved, the future for ease of arrest and ex-

by John Smith

tradition becomes more questionable.

From one point of view, Britain doesn’t appear to have too many identified criminals within the EU, although some communities may suggest that there are quite a few who come into Spain for example under the radar, but it must be quite worrying to consider that 14,000 plus suspected criminals (528 for each member state) could potentially remain in the UK thanks to the EU decision.

Whatever happens with regards to the Irish border, it is clear that it cannot be policed 24 hours a day along the entire 310 miles and this also means that Irish criminals could easily flee

into Northern Ireland, and vice versa, secure in the knowledge that they will be safer if no agreement is in place.

This is not the only potential threat to Britain’s security as currently it belongs to Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency whose main goal is to help achieve a safer Europe for the benefit of all EU citizens.

They do this by assisting the European Union’s Member States in their fight against serious international crime and terrorism.

It is not a large operation, does not have the power to initiate investigations, cannot arrest anyone, is not affiliated to Interpol, which has a completely different role, but is vital to the protection of member states against organised crime, money laundering and terrorism.

Analysis is at the core of their activities and Europol employs around 100 criminal analysts who are among the best trained in Europe and it is they who constantly update European police agency knowledge based on the flow of information that is trans-

BREXIT: Sir Robert Wainwright (left) and the Dutch minister of Justice. ferred through their offices on a day to day basis.

What is clear however is that Europol is involved in over 10,000 cross-border investigations each year and basically is positioned in many cases to take a piece of information from one country and by computer analysis match it with information from one or more other countries in order to predict or solve crimes.

It is possible to work with Europol outside of the EU, but this would be on an associated basis rather than being one of the decision making partners in this important European policing operation.

From 2009 until 2018, the head of Europol was Sir Robert Wainwright a former MI5 officer who could no longer remain in his post as Britain has to leave the organisation.

So there you have it, in an ideal world, arrangements will be made to ensure a very speedy transition so that foreign criminals are still brought to account for crimes they may have committed in one country and need to be returned.

In a worst case scenario however, the British public, in particular, could face greater threats from organised crime and terrorist attacks.

29th June - 5th July

CREDIT: Richie Sparks BIG FM

Arrest leads to drugs and arms stash

TRIBUTE: Many of Peter's current and former radio colleagues paid their respects.

Peter’s final, tearful home run

by Darren Parmenter FAMILY, friends, fellow broadcasters and listeners filled the Rojales Tanatorio to capacity yesterday (Thursday) morning as they gathered to pay their respects and to say their own sad farewells to radio favourite Peter Hurst.

The very popular BIG FM presenter died suddenly last Friday evening after suffering a massive heart attack within hours of finishing his week of afternoon shows.

During the emotional and tearful civil service that saw over 100 people attending, his full life was shared alongside some brave readings and poems from his daughter and good friends.

The service ended with ‘Mr Blue Sky’ from ELO and accompanied the mourners as they left.

Peter Hurst had been working on local Costa Blanca radio for the past eight years, with stints on Real Radio, TKO and, since January, with BIG FM. His rich voice made him ideal for the world of radio and, combined with his love and knowledge of music, he became a favourite with the listeners in a short time.

As the news of his death was shared on social media, the shock and disbelief at Peter’s passing was palpable, especially from those listeners who had only spoken and interacted with him on air just hours earlier.

A number of his current and former radio colleagues - several also attended the funeral - were equally saddened and shared their own heartfelt tributes and memories of a special person who will be much missed.

Yes, Spain does import lemons THE port of Cartagena has so far seen around 15,000 tons of citrus fruit arriving this year - double the amount for the same period in 2017 - and the forecast is for the figures to triple over the next six months.

Lemons have made up the significant majority of the produce which mainly comes from South America, and makes up for the lack in the market during the times when there is no

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local production in the region.

The latest season began at the beginning of June with the arrival of the ship ‘Crown Garnet’ under the flag of Panama, which unloaded 6,400 tons of fruit.

Cartagena’s port has a dedicated area to accommodate horticultural products that includes a cold storage chamber with a capacity of 10,000 pallets.

KNOWN to the Guardia Civil as ‘El Solitario’ (the lonely one), one of the Vega Baja’s most wanted people has been arrested in Albatera.

The 37-year-old Moroccan national was detained in his home that, according to reports in the Spanish media, was full of secret passages throughout, and in it the Guardia Civil found 275 kilos of a variety of drugs with a street value of €1.5 million. They also discovered a number of guns and ammunition.

The narcotics discovered are believed to be as a result of rival gangs being robbed.

At the same time, another couple were arrested - a 19-year-old Moroc-

can man and 32-year-old Spanish woman - with a 54-year-old Spanish man also being investigated for his alleged part in the crimes.

‘El Solitario’ was wanted in connection with six alleged crimes across Spain, that included Orihuela and Elche, and he made his home in Albatera a virtual fortress.

He was described as ‘the perfect neighbour ’ by local people but little did they know about his dangerous criminal past which had seen him spend time in prison. He carried a fake ID and drove a car with false number plates, but he is now in custody having been part of a major police investigation since December.

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29th June - 5th July

Five-year-old in pool drama Photo credit: Google Maps

A LIFEGUARD and two Local Police officers are being held up as heroes after saving the life of a five-year-old boy who almost drowned in a public swimming pool.

The incident happened in Dolores just before 7pm on Saturday evening when the boy, in the pool with his parents, suddenly disappeared from view under the water.

Fast work from the lifeguard on duty grabbed the child from out of the pool and with the help of a local nurse - also on duty in the first-aid station - performed a series of CPR procedures on the unconscious boy.

The resuscitation continued once the Local Police arrived and it took more than three minutes to get the boy to show any signs of life, at which point he brought up the water he’d swallowed and began to breathe again, albeit with some difficulty at first.

Such was the seriousness of his condition at first, a helicopter was put on standby, but paramedics

Watering under WiFi control

SERIOUS: Young boy now out of danger after almost drowning in municipal pool. eventually decided to immediately take him to the Vega Baja Hospital instead... from where he was transferred to the ICU of the Alicante

General Hospital. He was out of danger within a few hours and kept in for observation.

The boy’s father was also admit-

ted to the Vega Baja Hospital following what was understood to be an angina attack brought on by the stress of his son’s experiences.

MURCIA has installed some of the most upto-date technology across its green areas to monitor the irrigation systems.

It controls more than 300 hectares by using state-of-the-art systems such as WiFi and GPRS and allows faults and leaks to be detected.

In addition, in the event of changes in weather conditions such as heavy rainfall - it can shut down the watering network by the push of a button.

A team of five plumbers, gardeners and the managers of the company that hold the contract, STV Gestion, are constantly monitoring the area of which 700,000m2 are in the city of Murcia.

Torrevieja murderer gets 20 years FOLLOWING a court ruling that has only been made public this week, Alicante’s Provincial Court has sentenced Luis Antonio to 20 years imprisonment for strangling his wife in Torrevieja.

He later hid the body in an electrical store room.

During the trial, at which the man admitted strangling his partner on their terrace at their home on Calle Ramon y Cajal in Torrevieja, his defence team, the pros-

ecutors and the jury all agreed on a sentence of 20 years.

The events go back to last summer when the man cornered the woman by surprise and killed her without having any chance of defending herself.

The murderer then took the body from the building’s roof and took it to a room which contained the electric meters for the block and covered it with cement and bricks.

The body was discovered more than two months later - on August 17 - in an advanced state of decomposition, and the man was arrested on the same day by the Guardia Civil.

As well as the prison sentence handed down, the man must pay €100,000 in compensation to the murdered w o m a n ’s m o t h e r a n d €150,000 to each of the couple’s children.

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29th June - 5th July Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela

Two detained after 2 hours OFFICERS of the Guardia Civil have arrested two men in Torrevieja, believed to be behind the attempted theft of €22,000.

The pair, aged 34 and 47 and both Chilean, are also being investigated for a further 13 crimes in both the Alicante and Murcia provinces... all of which were carried out using the same modus operandi.

In one case, a man who had just visited his bank

discovered a flat tyre while driving home.

When he stopped to change the wheel, the two men approached to ask for directions and while being distracted tried to steal the bag containing €6,000.

After this incident was reported, Guardia Civil officers immediately searched the area for the robbers’ car and discovered it and the men, just two hours later.

Boss involved in electric fraud NATIONAL POLICE officers have arrested a total of 10 people believed to be part of a fraud that saw more than €750,000 taken from a Crevillente-based electricity company. According to the Spanish media, one of those detained was a senior official from the company, and was found to have allegedly issued a number of fake invoices.

Five of those arrested were caught in Alicante, with four others in Madrid, and during the subsequent searches of property important and potentially incriminating documentation was found as well as large amounts of cash.

We arrange

COUNTDOWN: Cala Mosca beach, close to the proposed development.

Cala Mosca building a little nearer ONE of the last pieces of undeveloped land along the Orihuela Costa has now been fenced off, and has been seen by many as the countdown to building works starting on the Cala Mosca.

After a number of years that has threatened the start of construction in the already built-up area, according to the Spanish media the promoter Playa Salvaje SA has secured the land in preparation for 1,500 homes.

The fence which has been erected is in line with re-

quirements laid down by the Ministry of the Environment which demonstrates that the promoters are preparing to set the project in motion.

However, there is still no set date for when the construction will get underway along the approximately one kilometre of land on the coastal side of the N-332. The promoter must still meet a number of conditions before receiving the final permission to increase further the number of homes on the Orihuela Costa.

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29th June - 5th July

French national cut-free A COLLISION between two vehicles on the N-332 between El Altet and Gran Alacant needed a woman driver to be cut free from her vehicle by the emergency services.

The trapped driver, a French national, had to be rescued after the passenger side of her car had been severely damaged. The accident left another person injured and according to the Spanish media, neither needed hospital treatment.

The accident happened on a stretch of the N-332 that sees a number of accidents at all times, but especially during the busy summer season.

City-centre car blaze ORIHUELA’S firefighters were called to extinguish a blaze in a vehicle parked in Calle Cardebal Desprades in the city centre close to the theatre.

It is understood that an electrical fault caused the fire that engulfed the minivan in a matter of seconds, and also caught alight the car parked alongside it.

The fire attracted the attention of a number of local people who were concerned at the fate of their own cars, but the fire was brought under control before any further damage was caused.

The minivan was, however, completely burnt out.

Busy bonfire night M U R C I A r e g i o n ’s emergency services attended close on 200 separate incidents during the ‘Night of San Juan’ at the weekend.

T h e 11 2 c o n t r o l centre received 289 calls relating to bonfires and which had got out of control as people celebrated the annual ‘Hogueras’ fiestas.

Compared to the same night last year, there was a 7 per cent increase in fires but almost the equivalent amount of calls made.

The busiest municipality was Cartagena with 79 incidents, followed by Murcia (35) and La Union (14).

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Copper thief caught by the cops LOCAL POLICE in Dolores have arrested a man suspected of stealing an amount of copper wire from an abandoned building. It’s alleged that the man, who was caught after officers chased him through the streets of the municipality, gained entry through one

of the windows. He was detained by an off-duty member of the Guardia Civil on his pushbike in the Cardenal Belluga School playground after climbing over a fence. All of this took place in front of the children who were enjoying a break at the time.

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29th June - 5th July

Arrested ... three times in four days Photo credit: Flickr

by Glenn Scott A MAN who had publicly threatened to kill his former girlfriend on Facebook has been arrested by National Police officers in Elche ... for the third time in four days.

The victim had already reported the detained man some days earlier for alleged gender violence, after threats were made via the telephone, and a protection order had been put into effect.

The man was arrested on the third occasion, after a mutual friend saw his threats on the social media portal and reported them to the National Police.

As the investigations got underway, it appeared that the man posting the threats could be in the Canary Islands as the account holder listed as staying on Gran Canaria.

However, combining information received and making more detailed checks on the suspect they discovered that he was living in Elche.

The police’s first concern was to protect the woman and so they

SPOTTED: Man detained after friend spots online threats. went to her home to check all was well.

Shortly after, the man was traced and arrested in a hostel in Elche where they also found computers

that were allegedly used to issue the threats and contained a number of different social media profiles which the man used.

The first arrest was in connection

with the telephone threats, the second for an unrelated legal issue, and the third after the public threats on Facebook to kill his exgirlfriend.

Mobility card fake found TO R R E V I E J A’ S council is carrying out an investigation into a resident of Madrid who was caught using a fake mobility card that was allegedly issued by the municipality.

The card allows the holder to park in reserved areas for those with reduced and is issued by the Local Police after an assessment of the applicant.

A report in the Spanish media said the card used in Madrid stated that it had been possibly issued in To r r e v i e j a , but there was no record on the official database of this particular document or its user.

Municipalities combine to fight harassment A GROUP of municipalities in the Vega Baja Region have combined forces to launch a campaign against sexual harassment during fiestas. They want to ensure that women can feel

free to enjoy attending these events without being in fear of abuse.

It’s part of the initiative #notienesmipermiso (you don’t have my permission), aimed at making such ha-

rassment a crime that is recognised by the authorities, and runs alongside a petition via the Change.org forum asking for the Spanish government to put such offences into law.

The municipalities involved are Redovan, Jacarilla, San Miguel de Salinas and Algorfa and during their local fiestas a number of trained specialists, wearing orange wrist bands, will be on hand to help and advise should any incidents of sexual harassment take place.

People witnessing such incidents are also encouraged to report them to those on patrol for further action.

According to a report from the Agency of the Fundamental Rights of the EU, one in every two women over the age of 15 has suffered sexual harassment in one form or another, and during the period from 2016 to 2017, sexual related crimes grew by 10 per cent in Alicante alone.

29th June - 5th July Photo credit: Guardia Civil

DEDICATION: All night searches pay off for Guardia Civil.

Rubbish arsonist has ‘bin’ caught

by Darren Parmenter GUARDIA CIVIL officers have arrested a 57-yearold Spanish national in Almoradi, believed to be the person behind a series of arson attacks on recycling bins over three consecutive days.

The resulting fires in the 21 bins also affected cars parked close by to some of the containers, causing more than €16,000 damage to them.

The arson attacks caused a great deal of worry among the local residents over the three days June 11, 12 and 13 - with 14 containers being set alight on the first of the nights.

The man was eventually caught after dedication by the Guardia Civil almost beyond the call of duty.

From dusk to dawn for an entire week after the incidents, they patrolled the urban area of Almoradi, during which they inter-

viewed business and their customers which were open at those times.

These included latenight bars and bakeries in an attempt to find witnesses. In addition, they viewed all the available footage from security cameras in the affected areas.

The hard work paid off as they focused their attention on one man they had seen wandering the streets for several nights and fitted the description from witnesses.

Gunshots lead to drugs find EARLIER this week, the Local Police in Elche were able to dismantle a marihuana plantation... by accident.

They were called to a property in La Hoya between La Marina and Elche - after a number of residents called the police upon hearing gunshots in their neighbourhood.

As the Local Police arrived at the scene and were about to enter the p r o p e r t y, a m a n c a m e running out and fled past them before being caught and held on the ground. When they entered shortly after, they found a second man inside covered in blood although his injuries were not serious.

According to a report in the Spanish media, precautions were taken by the police in view of the possibility that guns were involved before deducing that an attempted

robbery had taken place.

It was during the subsequent search of the house that they stumbled across a room containing marihuana being

cultivated with more than 200 plants growing.

The two men arrested, aged 50 and 56, were detained for alleged drug trafficking.

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29th June - 5th July Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja

VARIETY: Councillor Manuela Osuna (left) at the launch of the ‘Shopping Night 2018.’

Late night retail therapy for all

by Darren Parmenter TORREVIEJA’S Councillor for Commerce, Manuela Osuna, has announced the municipality’s next staging of their ‘Shopping Night.’

With the participation of 45 shops and businesses, the extension of shopping hours in Torrevieja will take place on Friday July 13 and will see them opening from 8.30pm until midnight.

To e n c o u r a g e m o r e people to come along and shop in those extra hours, the City Council

has organised a variety of activities during those few hours.

Children can take part in a special football championship which is being held to take advant a g e o f t h e Wo r l d C u p taking place at the time; the final is on Sunday July 15 and Spain could well be in the final once again.

There will also be a number of other workshops which will feature H a r r y P o t t e r, D r a g o n Ball, Pokemon and a selection of other video games.

In addition to live music

to suit all tastes - from jazz to rock to traditional Spanish music to classical - there will be loads of street activities supporting the establishments which have agreed to take part in the Shopping Night 2018 project.

Two of the attractions worthy of note are demonstrations from professional graffiti artists and the chance - thanks to modern technology - to have photographs taken in a number of different cities across the world.

Further details can be found at www.shopping torrevieja.com.

Murcia’s high poverty levels ACCORDING to a report from the Living Conditions Survey (LCA), the Murcia region has the fourth highest rate of poverty in Spain.

The figures showed a level of 30.1 per cent which is almost 9 per cent higher than the national average (21.6 per cent).

For 2017 as a whole, the region was ranked as second with the highest percentage of households that reach the end of each month experience finan-

cial difficulties.

Data also showed that the Murcia region was the second lowest in terms of average annual income across Spain.

The national average income is €11,074... Murcia’s is €8,702 with only Extremadura registering a lower amount.

The LCA survey also stated that 3.8 per cent of people in Murcia cannot afford a meal containing meat or fish every other day.

29th June - 5th July

Runaway car ends up beached LOCAL POLICE in Torrevieja were called to the beach of La Mata to help four people escape from their car which had crashed into a stack of sunbeds... on the beach.

According to witnesses, the car was originally parked 200 metres away and when the driver began to move it he appeared to lose control and careered down the road for reasons which are still being investigated.

After crashing through a hedge, the car ran onto the beach and crashed into the sunbeds and umbrellas which prevented it making further progress towards the shore.

Had the accident happened some hours earlier, the area would have been full of people.

The car’s occupants, a Russian family with two children, were not injured.

Just a little longer... until 2020 at least

by Glenn Scott FOLLOWING the recent publication of the Official State Bulletin of Spain (BOE), the frustrated drivers that endure the daily traffic jams along the N-332 through Torrevieja... will still have to wait just a little longer.

The document confirmed that a tender has been awarded to a company to draw up the plans which will see the cloggedup stretch being widened to two lanes in each direction, and at long last match the majority of the coastal road at one of its

most congested points.

Consultrans SU is a company that specialises in such planning projects and has secured the contract at a rate of half that originally budgeted for at €492,000.

They have until the end of December 2019 to complete their task, and if everything goes to plan, the next stage - the awarding of the contract to carry out the work itself after a tender process - can begin. Upgrading the eight-kilometre length of the N-332 will cost an estimated €40 million, and will probably get underway at the end of 2020.

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Early morning black-out RESIDENTS of the Murcia municipality of Balsicas had their Sunday morning dominated by a large column of black smoke caused by a fire in a waste management centre.

The blaze broke out at 10.40am in the nearby village of La Maraña, Torre Pachecho and eight fire engines were sent from bases in Mar Menor, San Pedro del Pinatar and Molina de Segura.

The fire was quickly brought under control and work continued afterwards by the firefighters to clear up the remains of the building and its contents... reported to be at least four metres high in some places.

29th June - 5th July

HAVE YOUR SAY

Plastic ‘ban’ for Costa Blanca beach 15,463 people reached 345 reactions Andy Walker Why ban plastics? Why not just fine people for leaving plastic and all the other s***e they leave at the beach? I always take plastic bottles but use the same ones many times and then recycle them.

Police unions issue volunteer warning WITH the Local Police in Orihuela refusing to do any overtime, the Council has opted to strengthen the municipality’s security by taking on extra Civil Protection volunteers.

They will be deployed to cover any events and fiestas planned to take place over the next few months, and certainly until any agreement is reached with the Local Police to end their workto-rule.

The Local Police have taken this decision to de-

Patricia Marsh It’s just so sad that ppl do not respect what a litter bin is there for the use of, if you were to walk into someone’s home & left a trail of rubbish behind you & walk back out what would their reaction be?

mand an improvement in their working conditions and will maintain the status quo until the issues are solved.

Unions representing the police - UGT, CSIF and the SPPLB - said in response that the volunteers cannot provide the same tasks as their members.

They warned that they will take matters further if volunteers take on too much of the work that should exclusively be in the remit of the officers.

This would include actions such as cordoning off roads and traffic control.

According to a report in the Spanish media, the unions have been negotiating with the Orihuela Council for several weeks, but they consider that things aren’t progressing as quickly as necessary.

Most liked posts from this week • Arrested … three times in four days.

• Five-year-old saved from drowning in Costa Blanca pool.

• BITING BACK: Costa Blanca begins mosquito war with €3 million budget.

• Spain set to sizzle with temperatures of up to 40°C this weekend.

• Tributes pour in following the death of Costa Blanca radio favourite.

News & Views from the North & South Costa Blanca & Costa de Sol

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CLEANER: Volunteers collect more than 1,600 kilos of rubbish from the River Segura.

TV among waste found in river clean-up

by Darren Parmenter OVER 500 volunteers on foot and using a variety of small boats gathered at the weekend to clean the River Segura in Murcia.

In particular, it was the stretch between the Contraparada to the Fica that was tidied up and, after a hard day’s work, collected more than 1,600 kilos of waste and rubbish.

Organised by the Murcia

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City Council, the project ended up removing 200 kilos of paper, 300 kilos of packaging, 700 kilos of miscellaneous waste and 400 kilos of bulky items that included furniture, mattresses, pillows and even a TV. Adults, children and even their pet dogs turned up in force to lend a hand and do their bit to improve the local environment following an initiative from the City Council and collaboration with cleaning company Ferrovial Servi-

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cios and a number of other local associations.

The mayor of Murcia, Jose Ballesta, also joined in as the volunteers began their mammoth task at 9.30am, some arriving in canoes to get greater access to the waste deposited in the river.

In addition to cleaning up the area, there were a number of activities organised to keep people entertained that included a giant paella for all those involved.

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29th June - 5th July

by Barry Duke

Credit: Joe Belanger Shutterstock

A REPORT in RTN earlier this month about the thousands of items lost each year in Benidorm reminded me of the time I stood staring, open-mouthed, at a big black coffin languishing in London Transport’s cavernous lost property depot in Baker Street.

This was back in the late 1980s, and the coffin had been left on a bus. Someone with a strong sense of the surreal had placed a stuffed vulture on the coffin’s lid. The tatty old bird had been lost (or abandoned) on a tube train.

I cannot remember the name of the manager of the depot, the biggest in Europe, but what I do remember was her sparkling wit and her bubbling enthusiasm for her job of managing a team handling tens of thousands of items left each year on the underground and in buses and taxis.

“Forget Lourdes,” she chuckled, “more miracles take place within London’s public transport system than at any religious shrine.” And to prove it she led me to a section of the vast three-

Lost and found

LOST PROPERTY: Now, are these my teeth? level underground repository where the wheelchairs, walking sticks, crutches and artificial limbs were stored.

“The fact that this stuff is rarely reclaimed tells me that people with disabilities are miraculously able to walk without aids after a journey on the tube or a bus,” she added.

I was being given a tour of the depot because I had been asked

by LT (now Transport for Lon-

don) to write an article about lost property for its the quarterly magazine, London Lines, which I then edited. I can honestly say that the two hours I spent there were so fascinating that the busy manager eventually had to shoo me out the door.

But, before leaving, I got to see something I wished I hadn’t: the dentures section. Dozens of boxes, each marked with the dates on which sets of artificial

gnashers had been handed in, were neatly stacked on shelves.

One had been taken down and placed in front of an old codger who, to my horror, began popping set after set into his mouth.

I was too grossed out to watch whether, in the end, he found the ones he’d lost on a bus.

I was also shown the sections that contained laptops, mobile phones, briefcases and umbrellas, but what intrigued me most was the vast miscellaneous section that contained, among other things, a 6ft grandfather clock, also found on a bus.

People who come to reclaim lost items are charged fees ranging from £5 to £20. But I was told that a forgetful diamond merchant was asked to pay a surcharge after he’d come to reclaim his briefcase for the THIRD time in three weeks.

Each time the case was handed in, staff had to count the money it contained - £10,000!

The merchant had the habit of taking home that amount every Friday night, and on three Fridays running he left his briefcase on a tube train. He complained loudly about having to pay extra for its return, but the case never

again found its way back into the depot.

Today, the depot is managed

by Paul Cowan, who, in a Guardian article last year said “If we wanted to charge an accurate price for what it costs us to return each item, it’d be £100”.

This does not surprise me, given the amount of work involved in dealing with lost items, 332,077 of which were logged in the 12 months between March 2016 and March 2017. These are dealt with through systems involving catalogues, serial numbers and pink laminate sheets strung from the ceiling.

“The systems themselves are very old, quite complicated, but they seem to work for us,” says Cowan. “I tell the guys as long as they can find an item in under 30 seconds, I don’t mind how they do it.”

This efficiency, coupled with the honesty of a Londoner who recently handed in a bag containing £30,000, certainly proved good news for a Chinese student who had left it on a tube train.

If I had that much dosh, I'd be travelling in London in a chauffeur-driven limousine.

29th June - 5th July

Keep a little sand between your toes HALF of the footbaths installed on the main Postiguet beach in Alicante have been without water.

The problem was caused by a ruptured valve and left a significant number of beachgoers unable to wash their feet after spending time on the sandy beach.

According to a report in the Spanish media, regular users of the beach have said that this is nothing new, and at the same time the Valencian Tourism Agency (VTA) has confirmed that the repairs will be undertaken “immediately.”

All the water supply was turned off awaiting the repairs, and in the meantime half of the washing areas along the beach have seen portable containers of water available instead.

S o u r c e s f r o m t h e V TA s a i d : “ We don’t want to waste valuable drinking water in this way, but we have to provide a service to the population. As soon as the authorities fix the problem, all the footbaths will be working again.”

There are a total of 22 footbaths, with two located at each of the 11 different access points to the Postiguet.

Aquarius refugees escape within minutes TWENTY EIGHT of the over 100 refugees taken to Alicante after they l a n d e d i n Va l e n c i a o n the Aquarius boat almost immediately escaped from the reception centre.

Tw e n t y f i v e o f t h e m were found within a few hours and at the time of going to press, it’s understood that the remaining three are still at large.

The refugees were transported by coach to an Alicante hostel on Monday where, according to a report in the Spanish media, they arrived ‘tired and happy.’

Many were taken to the San Juan Hospital where they underwent a series of X-rays, examinations and detailed tests in order to determine their ages.

The purpose was to confirm if the 61 boys and girls - all claiming to

Photo credit: @MSF_Sea Twitter

Photo Credit: Carlos Quesada Wikimedia

IMMEDIATE: Repairs promised to broken water pipes.

15

TIRED: Some of the refugees arriving on board the Aquarius

be 16 years old or younger - were the age they stated, and there were doubts on the part of the authorities.

These tests are required as their legal status is completely different should they be categorised as children or youths. The results revealed that at least 20

were over 20 years old.

After the alarm was raised following the escape of the refugees, National Police and the Guardia Civil were able to pick up all but three of them; one was walking along the N-332 and another four on the road o u t o f t h e c i t y t o Vi l lafranqueza.

16

29th June - 5th July

Eighteen tons of beach rubbish ELCHE Council were faced with more than four hours cleaning work in the aftermath of last weekend’s fiestas.

They cleared away an estimated 18 tons of rubbish from the municipality’s beaches which were covered with glass and plastic bottles, paper, cans, containers and remains of the bonfires.

Local residents stated that they noticed the beaches were especially busy this year and suggested that they attracted visitors that would normally have gone to nearby Guardamar, La Mata and Torrevieja areas where the traditional bonfires were banned at short notice by the local authorities.

The cleaning operations began at 6am and the beaches were all perfectly clean to receive the Sunday beachgoers by mid-morning. The cost for this extra work was believed to be €8,000.

Time to pick and choose PILAR DE LA HORADADA will today (Friday) launch its latest project to involve its citizens in deciding on some of the projects that council money will be spent on for the next financial year.

The ‘Citizen Participation School’ is being held in the Municipal Sports Centre and will feature a number of workshops, stands and people on hand to advise on a number of projects that can be suggested by the local population.

The scheme follows on from a similar initiative for this year’s budget, which saw a total of €600,000 awarded to such projects.

A woman’s best friend is her Rottweiler A ROTTWEILER dog that was rescued in a Guardia Civil operation against a network of drug traffickers will now have a new lease of life.

The dog, recovered after being discovered living in the most appalling conditions in Torrevieja, will now undergo a course of training to protect a woman who has been the subject of gender violence.

Thanks to the ESCAN Project Association, the dog - recovering in the municipal animal shelter since its ordeal - has now found a new owner. With them both having suffered differing forms of mistreatment in their lives, having the new pet in the woman’s life can only

bring happiness. As such, the dog has been given the name of ‘Happy.’

In order for this placement to happen, a judicial permit was required because the dog was taken into care as a result of criminal activities which saw 30 people arrested.

In addition, there were 20 dogs, three horses and a ferret rescued from the premises.

According to a report in the Spanish media, Councillor Carmen Morate said that this is the first dog in the Valencian Community that has been used for the purpose of giving protection to its owner in this way. “He is a pretty big Rottweiler,” she said, “and quite imposing, although he’s a good dog and has

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela

RESCUED: Carmen Morate (left) with ‘Happy’ the Rottweiler. been especially chosen.” an immediate bond which The new owner has alwill continue over the ready met her companion coming weeks and months and seemed to strike up of formal training.

29th June - 5th July

17

RTN Feature

by Jennifer Cunningham

WHAT a mess the whole of parliament seems to be in, with no one agreeing with anybody.

Such divisions within each party. Meanwhile, what is happening to the normal running of the country? With murders happening daily in the streets, obesity within the population including children, out of control, drugs on the increase - what happened to the beautiful country I left? Do they really think coming out of the EU is going to make Britain great again? In my opinion, they are all in for a very great shock, if it even gets that far.

The boom in the property business is quite awesome and the amount of construction going on takes me back years. If you are planning to come to Spain, it would be advisable to do this before the Brexit date next year. I sincerely hope that Spain, especially along the coast, will not be offering houses that are, for one reason or another, unavailable to sell due to legal problems and also that no construction is carried out on land without permissions.

Whilst I was visiting the southern offices

Jennifer’s sound advice recently, I was appalled to listen to a very sorry story. A British couple, having insured their car with my company, returned to insure their new villa and took out a very comprehensive house insurance policy, where everything was explained to them and they knew exactly what they were insured for.

Imagine their shock when, a month later, they were informed by their solicitor that she had also recently insured their house on their behalf, with a Spanish company, via the bank, so no special expat policy.

They were not asked about the amount of cover required for contents, if there were any special items, like jewellery, no water damage, total loss or accidental damage.

A direct debit was set up on their behalf and the money taken from their bank account, all without their prior knowledge. Be careful in the choice of solicitor and make sure that he or she is independent of the estate agency.

I realise the banks are offering special incentives if you do insurance with them.

Please take care - they are not insurance companies or specialists - they just want your business and they will get this, sometimes by even using threats, and this also applies to life insurance.

I can assure you that under EU laws, you

are no longer required to go with the mortgage lender. If you decide to pay a premium price on life insurance via the bank, make sure it is only for one year and never be tempted to purchase health insurance via them. All the policies that the banks sell are designed for the Spanish market and not tailor-made for the expats, as they are with my company, and could work out a disaster for you.

Always remember that your house is possibly the biggest asset you will have, so protect yourself well by doing your homework, whilst a verbal assurance means nothing unless it is in the policy terms and conditions.

Onto car insurance and I will ask this question again - do you know if all five seats in your car are insured? If they are not, you could be in serious trouble if a passenger suffers injuries or death. Basically, you would be on your own. Do not lend your car to anyone who has a drink - as this automatically invalidates your insurance and a good deed could result in you losing your vehicle with no regress.

Do you know how your insurance company values your car after a total loss? You may be in for quite a shock! Do you know if the grua services are limited? Does your insurance cover you when you are hit by an

uninsured vehicle, or are you left to pick up the costs yourself?

For those who assume that the laws and regulations are in place to protect you are the same as in the UK - let me assure you that they are not. Many industries here, including the housing market, do not carry the same governing bodies and, for those who are arriving from the UK, this may be quite a shock, and it can be a daunting experience if anything goes wrong. Sadly, this can apply to the insurance world here as well.

Let me assure you that the insurance companies that I work alongside are regulated by the DGS and are also strictly selfregulated. Liberty Seguros is one of the five largest insurance companies in Spain, and part of the Liberty Mutual Group, therefore very experienced and financially secure. My company has strict guidelines from Liberty, including training and exams, to protect the clients at all times.

I have worked in Spain for over 25 years and have the knowledge and experience of operating here to give the clients the best possible old-fashioned, honest, regulated service and advice.

For more information, please contact one of my sales consultants, email info@jennifercunningham.net or visit the website www.jennifercunningham.net.

29th June - 5th July

Santa Pola weather upgrade THE municipality and people of Santa Pola now have the use of two weather stations which will enable them to have realtime access to the prevailing conditions.

Information ranging from current temperatures, rainfall, wind speed and levels of humidity can be obtained from the equipment via w w w. a v a m e t . o r g or from the accompanying mobile app.

The new weather monitoring stations are located at the town hall in Santa Pola and the municipal buildings in nearby Gran Alacant.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela

PROMOTION: Noelia Grao (right) and Sofia Alvarez encourage more non-Spanish to register.

Campaign to sign-on launched ORIHUELA Council has launched an official campaign aimed at getting its foreign residents to register on the local padron.

Both the town halls based in Orihuela itself and on the Orihuela Costa are hoping that the estimated 30,000 non-Spanish nationals living within the municipality who are not on the padron can be encouraged to do so.

According to official data, the Orihuela Costa has a total population of 23,000 habitants, 17,000 of which are foreign.

Drug trafficker arrested LOCAL POLICE in Murcia have arrested a 64-year-old man in connection with alleged drug trafficking offences.

According to the Spanish media, the man was detained in Avenida Ciudad de Almeria after the police searched one of his ‘clients’ and found five pieces of hashish in his pocket. The arrest came as a result of a pre-planned surveillance operation in the El Carmen district of Murcia by the Special Citizen Security Group (GESC) after observing the interaction between the suspect and two young people.

19

The Russians are... here!

TORREVIEJA’S Councillor for Culture Domingo Perez has announced full details of the International Russian Film Festival that gets underway today (Friday).

It will be held at the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre

until Tuesday.

There will be eight films during the five days, all of them subtitled in Spanish, as well as two plays and a comedy show... all free of charge.

Councillor Perez said: “It will be a spectacular festival as it has attracted a

number of great Russian actors and performers, ready to be welcomed by an excited audience.”

As well as showing the quality of Russian entertainment, the festival intends to strengthen the ties between both countries.

Swedish surprise for Local Police LOCAL POLICE based in El Altet - close to Alicante-Elche Airport - have accidentally found a stolen car after intervening during an argument between two people in the vehicle.

The police were called by neighbours reporting shouting a n d s c r e a m i n g f r o m t h e c a r, and when they arrived at the scene and began questioning the pair and checking on the car ’s documentation - all part

of the routine - they found it had been stolen in Sweden.

But that was only part of the story.

As they searched the Mercedes after confiscating the keys, they found 350 grams of cannabis in the vehicle.

And so, what started off as a suspected domestic argument ended up with the two being charged with car theft and alleged drug trafficking offences.

20

29th June - 5th July

Alicante’s beaches clean again

TRAIN operators RENFE have announced that they carried over nine million passengers on their high speed trains (AVE and Alvia) during the first five years of service.

A grand total of 9,565,949 people travelled on the route between Madrid-Cuenca-Albacete-Villena-Alicante, with more than 70 per cent of passengers taking advantage of the entire route between Madrid and Alicante.

Data for 2017 shows that 2,052,000 customers used the service and an increase of 42,000 travellers when compared to the previous year. Those on the journey between the two cities of Alicante and Madrid without getting on or off in-between totalled 1,427,000.

The AVE service has completely revolutionised the transport habits of people when travelling between the Spanish capital and Alicante.

Compared to five years ago when rail use accounted for 77 per cent of the market

Photo credit: Namor88 Wikimedia

ALICANTE Council has officially revealed the scale of the clean-up operation following the week of fiestas that formally ended last Monday.

They estimate that they have removed more than 3.8 million kilos of rubbish from the streets, beaches and the waste bins between June 19 and June 25. The figure is 200,000 kilos more than the same period last year.

In addition, a total of 2.4 million litres of water was used for washing the streets and pavements, but the operation continued for a few days after the conclusion of the Hogueras (Bonfires).

Councillor Israel Cortes said: “We will carry on thoroughly cleaning the area to get rid of any lingering stains and smells that still exist after the initial washing with the aim of getting the city back to its very best as soon as possible.”

The clean-up was helped with the installation of an extra 250 containers and 150 rubbish bins dotted around Alicante throughout the month of June.

Councillor Cortes also took the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the operation for their “hard work and diligence that highlighted the city’s commitment and goal to keep Alicante clean at all times and maintain its attraction to visitors.”

Five years of high speed train travel

SUCCESS STORY: Over nine million passengers since the AVE began. and 23 per cent by aircraft, the same figures are now 81.4 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.

The data also revealed

how the speed of the trains has changed over a period of time. The old Alicante to Madrid train operated by Talgo had an average speed of

99 kph, compared to the current AVE average of 226 kph today... faster than services offered in both Japan and France.

Son arrested after body found A MAN wanted in connection with the violent death of his mother in Elche has been arrested in Granada; three weeks after the search for him began.

The woman’s body was found wrapped in a blanket under a bed in her home in Elche at the end of May, where it was dis-

covered she’d died as a result of a series of blows and stab wounds It was the 69-year-old Spanish woman’s daughter who raised the alarm, and from day one the son was the only suspect being sought in connection with the killing.

22

29th June - 5th July

Bike for life 2018 helps AECC

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Albatera

THE grand total of €2,500 was raised for Maria and the Pink Ladies / Panthers on behalf of the AECC... the charity that helps in the early detection of all types of cancers. This latest amount was as a result of ‘Bike for Life 2018’ which started and ended at the Olympia Bar, Mil Palmeras last Saturday and was followed by a superb paella and an afternoon of entertainment.

The organisers of the event would like to take this opportunity of thanking David from Costa Blanca Bike Hire for all of his help and support in making the day the great success it was.

RETURN: Mayor Ana Serna (second right) presents the Breva Rock festival.

Rock fiesta back for second year THE mayor of Albatera, Ana Serna, has announced the return of one of the most awaited festivals in the area.

On September 29, Breva Rock is back and will once again be held in the Municipal Sports Area.

During the announcement, it was stated that the concert had been moved to September to give it greater prominence as it

was now part of the town’s fiestas in honour o f t h e Vi r g e n d e l Rosario.

Mayor Serna said that the Breva Rock “is a festival that many of the local people have asked for as it has featured some of the great names of Spanish rock over the years.”

Albatera have been able to present the event under the name of Breva Rock as they

have now officially registered the trade mark that originally wasn’t theirs.

Event organisers S u ff e r i n g & E n j o y i n g and Factor Q - already promote other similar festivals such as Legends of Rock or Rabo Lagartija, and are delighted that the event synonymous with Alicante is returning to the stage with such a strong backing.

Seventies superstars in Orihuela IN the latest of a string of events across the Alicante Province, Orihuela City Council has announced its programme to celebrate and promote awareness of the LGTBI population.

Orihuelas’s Gay Pride got underway on Tuesday but the diverse entertainment will continue into the early part of July with a band containing an original member of Boney M closing the programme on the night of July 5.

Councillor for Culture, Mar Ezcurra, said that the two main objectives of the Orihuela Gay Pride event were “to demand equal rights for the LGTBI collective of people” and to “celebrate the right to be who we are and to fall in love

with whoever we want.” There will also be a particular focus on transgenderism, this year, as well as equality between men and women.

The events for the second part of the programme are: Tuesday July 3: Presentation of the book ‘Bitch She’s Madonna. The Queen of Pop in Contemporary Culture.’

Wednesday July 4: Showing of Oscarwinning film ‘Llámame por tu nombre’ by Luca Guadgnino.

Thursday July 5: Huge party at the Recinto Ferial Los Huertos, with a concert featuring the songs of the legendary disco group from the 70’s and 80’s Boney M - closing the celebrations.

24

29th June - 5th July Credit: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela

Torrevieja demonstrates its pride Photo credit: Juan Tello YouTube

by Ray Chadwick MORE than 3,000 people filled the Eras de la Sal zone at the weekend to celebrate Torrevieja Pride.

It was the second year in succession that the event has been held, something that many cities across Spain have hosted for some years with Benidorm - in early September - being one of the most well-known.

In the case of Torrevieja, the venue was packed to see the popular Spanish performer Mario Vaquerizo with his group the Nancys Rubias... and they didn’t let their fans down.

It was Vaquerizo himself that received the biggest reception of the night when he appeared on stage to make a speech that defended the rights of the LGTBI group (lesbian, gay, transsexuals, bisexuals and intersex). He denounced the ‘suffering of anonymous victims and the institutions and laws that don’t protect and guarantee people being able to live in an egalitarian society.’

After his words and a short break, Vaquerizo returned to the stage with the Nancys Rubias and entertained the crowd with a series of their best known songs. They took the opportuni-

INITIATIVE: The rainbow crossing.

The Orihuela rainbow connection

by Darren Parmenter

POPULAR: Mario Vaquerizo on the stage at the Eras de la Sal. ty to show off some new scenery and some spectacular costumes which were inspired by Elvis Presley and Las Vegas.

In addition to the concert, there were

other events in Torrevieja during a very busy day, one of which was a giant portrait of fictional characters painted on the outside wall of the Vista Alegre Exhibition Hall.

‘RED and yellow and pink and green, orange and purple and blue’ is the first line of the song ‘I Can See a Rainbow.’

In Orihuela, on Monday, many people saw their own rainbows as they crossed a number of roads in the municipality... but just for a few hours.

Twelve pedestrian crossings had their traditional white markings exchanged for the colours of the rainbow in an initiative set up by the Culture Department to promote LGTBI awareness and the

forthcoming Orihuela Pride.

However, just a few hours after the crossings were painted, Orihuela’s mayor Emilio Bascuñana signed a decree ordering them to be returned to their original white and restore the safety of the roads in the process.

According to the Spanish media, it appears that the rainbow painting had been carried out without authorisation... something that those in the council behind the colouring deny, saying it was discussed at a recent meeting to decide the future Orihuela Pride events.

29th June - 5th July

money

Cancer patients struggle with travel insurance

Record levels for Spanish pension payouts Photo credit: Avij Wikimedia

SPENDING on the monthly state pension payments in Spain has reached record levels.

For the first time, over €9 billion was paid out and showed an increase of 3 per cent when compared to the same month in 2017. During that time period, the average amount of monthly pension rose by 1.93 per cent.

According to figures published on Monday by the Ministry of Work and Social Security, the average amount of the retirement pension is now €1,083.67.

However, when all benefits are taken into account such as widows’ pensions, disability payments, etc the average is reduced to €937.14 per month.

Retirement pensions accounted for €5,919,154 of

27

INCREASE: Monthly Spanish pensions rise by 1.93 per cent

the €9 billion total for June 2018.

By Autonomous Communities, the highest average retirement pension was again that of the Basque Country (€1,339.27), followed by Asturias (€1,315.14), Madrid (€1,277.27), Navarre (€1,229.58), Cantabria (€1,152.45), Aragon (€1,133.60), Cataluña (€1,102.34), Castilla y Leon (€1,062.96), La Rioja (€1,028.77) and Canary Islands (€1,016).

On the other hand, the lowest average retirement pension was that of Extremadura (€892.67), followed by Galicia (€904.32), Murcia (€956.91), Andalucia (€976.21), Community Valenciana (€988.20), Baleares (€998.34) and Castilla-La Mancha (€998.56).

A REPORT from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reveals that cancer patients in the UK are finding it harder and harder to get affordable travel insurance ... even after their treatment has terminated.

The FCA are now determined to work with the insurance industry to ensure that, in future, such customers are able to obtain a form of specialist cover, and it’s hoped that their actions will help some 15 million people suffering from long-standing medical conditions.

The report particularly highlighted those that have had cancer treatment, and it’s those who appear to have become marginalised by the insurance sector.

Professional standards director at the Chartered Insurance Institute, Melissa Collett, said: “One in three people living in the UK are likely to get cancer at some point in their lives and it is absurd that this large group are prevented from travelling because they cannot get insurance, or worse are forced to risk travelling without it.

“Many people living with cancer and those in remission live healthy and full lives and we should be doing all we can to support them in this.”

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29th June - 5th July

Credit: THMEYA Shutterstock

Last Tango in Stansted

by Colin Bird The opinions published in Colin’s weekly column are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or newspaper sponsors.

IT had been a long day, but the palaver when attempting to check in at my hotel and the bizarre sight of a pyjama clad bloke tucked up in bed in the foyer, had now taken me past sleep and I felt wide awake.

I was famished and, once ensconced in my room, eagerly demolished my steak pie bought that morning in Los Dolses and unwrapped a chocolate bar dessert which, because of wear and tear, had been obliterated into a thousand pieces. But chocolate is chocolate in whatever condition.

I needed sleep so, having taken a hasty shower, I switched on the TV, folded my clothes carefully (I’m a very tidy and well trained boy) and settled down under the duvet.

Forget sleeping pills; just sit on the sofa in front of a television at home and you are guaranteed to drop off, only to find yourself wide eyed and fully alert

BREAKFAST: So near and yet so far.

once you have dragged yourself upstairs, brushed your teeth and got into bed.

My thinking, therefore, was to be in position when the TV worked its magic.

I must have drifted off, but then: Arghhh! Excruciating leg cramp.

I leapt out of bed, danced a tango across the room and even tried running

on the spot in order to alleviate the torture until, very gradually, the pain subsided and I tentatively returned to my bed.

The process was repeated at regular intervals throughout the long dark hours and if I wasn’t getting any sleep, then neither were the people in the room below me.

I had never experienced such prolonged bouts of cramp, but eventually I managed to drift off pain-free and I awoke feeling somewhat refreshed.

I glanced at my watch, 10.10am.

What!

I was picking up my hire car at 12 and before that the important business of indulging in the hotel’s excellent unlimited breakfast - always the highspot.

I threw on some clothes and sprinted through the corridors to the stairs, taking them two at a time only to find a ‘closed’ sign at the restaurant. Breakfasts finish at 10, it seems.

I felt like crying for my mum. In 24 hours I had eaten only a well travelled pie and an exploded chocolate bar.

Not only that, but I had paid for my breakfast in advance when booking the room.

There was no point hanging around so, collecting my luggage, I made my way down to the lobby at 10.35 only to find that the terminal shuttle which had just left was not due to return until 11.30. Its half-hourly schedule interrupted for the driver’s morning break.

The day had started as the previous day had finished, and before the grinning figure in the foyer bed could say anything, I cut him dead with a killer glare.

29th June - 5th July Credit: The New Cardenal Belluga Theatre Group

THE CAST: Are getting ready for the performance.

Show Time kicks off in September IF you are a fan of good family entertainment and can get to the San Fulgencio area then there are some useful dates to add to your diary.

Tickets for Show Time which combines, singing, dancing and comedy cost just €7 with proceeds going to local charities as usual.

The New Cardenal Belluga Theatre Group rehearsing hard to ensure that

this will be an enjoyable show which will take place at the theatre on September 19, 20 and 21.

You can purchase your tickets from Tourist and Council offices on the Urb La Marina, Cards and More, and The Post in Benijofar, alternatively call, Linda 966 712 089, Sue 966 713 822, or Pam 966 796 828 to make your reservation.

Musical theatre STUDIO32, the theatre company serving the Benijofar / Los Montesinos area saw their production of Chicago play to sell-out audiences last week.

By all reports, from the moment the lights went up until the final curtain the audience was treated to a truly professional show.

So where next for this very talented musical theatre company?

They’ve just announced their winter show, The Wiz, a modern musical interpretat i o n o f t h e Wi z a r d o f Oz. Tickets are already on pre-order and early booking is strongly recommended. For information on STU-

DIO32 and their shows visit their website

www.studiothirtytwo.o rg.

29

Neighbourhood watch A GOOD turnout of residents attended the San Luis/La Siesta Neighb o u r h o o d Wa t c h a n d R e s i d e n t s group meeting chaired by NHW president Doug Allen this week.

Guest speakers included the mayor as well as Councillor Carmen Morate, Director of Foreigners Office Carlos Gonzalez and Local Police officers Paulino and Augustini.

The lively meeting questioned the mayor on progress of the La Siesta Park which has been closed for three years. The mayor indicated that the original €900,000 budget has been reduced to €200,000 although it was anticipated that the works would be completed in five months.

He agreed to hold a meeting with the group and the parks department to see what could be completed from the requested area improvement plan.

On discussing the new waste contract, the mayor felt it would not be in place until the New Year although the contract did include service improvements.

There was provision to change the current green waste bins to larger metal bins with lever operated lids.

Because of their larger size there would be fewer of these. The meet-

ing asked for more detail on the provision of the planned new 500 recycle bins.

A question was raised about the withdrawal of the unmarked police car used effectively by Local Police in deterring waste tipping. This was a police decision.

The meeting expressed members’ thanks on the recent efforts to clear weeds and debris from roadways and piles of rubbish from green areas, though it was disappointing to note that there was no provision to prevent continued dumping.

The mayor responded that it was for Acciona to provide the warning signs and prevent access to green areas as a means to stop commercial dumping.

When seeking responses to resid e n t s ’ i s s u e s o n p o o r t r a ff i c a n d speed signs, faded road markings and lack of clear vehicle warning signs, the mayor indicated the budget had been devolved to the police.

The group asked if they could be included in the police review of road signs etc.

The next meeting of the group is September 24 and the Facebook site will continue to provide crime and local information reports.

FRIDAY 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Crimewatch Roadshow Live 12:45pm Island Medics 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News at One 2:30pm BBC London News 2:45pm The Boss 3:30pm Escape to the Country 4:30pm Garden Rescue 5:15pm Flog It! 6:15pm Pointless 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm DIY SOS the Big Build 9:00pm EastEnders 9:30pm Room 101 10:00pm EastEnders 10:30pm Our Friend Victoria 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:25pm BBC London News 11:35pm The Graham Norton Show

4:20am This is BBC Two 7:15am Flog it! Trade Secrets 7:45am Richard Osman's House of Games 8:15am Coast 9:00am Gardeners' World 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 12:00pm BBC Newsroom Live 1:00pm The Daily Politics 2:00pm Tennis 6:15pm Money for Nothing 7:00pm Richard Osman's House of Games 7:30pm Curious Creatures 8:00pm How the NHS Changed Our World 8:30pm Britain's Best Junior Doctors 9:00pm Gardeners' World 10:00pm The Bridge 11:00pm Frankie Boyle's New World Order 11:30pm Newsnight 12:05am Romper Stomper 1:00am Romper Stomper

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 Judge Rinder's Crime Stories 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm ITV News London 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm James Martin's American Adventure 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm Lethal Weapon 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm ITV News London 11:45pm Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior 1:30am Jackpot247

9:55am Frasier 10:25am Frasier 10:55am Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Practice 1 Live 12:35pm A Place in the Sun 1:05pm Channel 4 News 1:10pm Couples Come Dine with Me 1:55pm Find it, Fix it, Flog it 2:55pm Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix Practice 2 Live 5:00pm The £100k Drop 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Posh Frock Shop 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm George Clarke's Amazing Spaces 10:00pm The Crystal Maze 11:00pm The Last Leg 12:00am The Big Narstie Show

9:55am Nella the Princess Knight 10:05am Mofy 10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm The Hotel Inspector 1:10pm 5 News Lunchtime 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm Cagney and Lacey 4:15pm Jesse Stone: Sea Change 6:00pm 5 News at 5 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News Tonight 8:00pm Arctic Icebreakers 9:00pm Building Britain's Canals 10:00pm Cruising with Jane McDonald 11:00pm Dale Winton's Florida Fly Drive 12:05am Before They Were Stars

5:10am 7:00am 8:50am

My Pet Dinosaur So B. It Victoria and Abdul An ageing and isolated Queen Victoria begins an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk My Pet Dinosaur When a young boy accidentally discovers a strange and mischievous little creature his already troubled town is plunged into chaos.

The Snowman Marshall My Pet Dinosaur Victoria and Abdul The Snowman The Night Watchmen B&B

12:30pm Football's Greatest: Head to Head 1:00pm Greatest Moments in Football 2:00pm Phenoms - The Playmakers 3:00pm Phenoms - Spain 4:00pm Football's Greatest: Head to Head 4:30pm Football's Greatest: Head to Head 5:00pm Greatest Moments in Football 6:00pm Phenoms - The Goalkeepers 7:00pm Football's Greatest: Head to Head 7:30pm Football's Greatest: Head to Head 8:00pm Phenoms - England 9:30pm Greatest Moments in Football 10:30pm Phenoms - Germany 12:00am Everything But the Game 12:30am Phenoms - England

8:55am 9:25am 9:30am 10:25am

8:10am Everybody Loves Raymond 8:35am Everybody Loves Raymond 9:00am Frasier 9:30am Frasier 10:00am Frasier 10:30am The Big Bang Theory 11:00am The Big Bang Theory 11:25am The Big Bang Theory 11:55am F1: Grand Prix Practice 3 Live 1:25pm F1: Grand Prix 1:55pm F1: Grand Prix Qualifying Live 4:45pm A Place in the Sun 5:45pm Escape to the Chateau DIY 6:50pm Channel 4 News 7:20pm Titanic 11:00pm Taken 2 12:50am Micky Flanagan: Back in the Game 2:20am The Big Narstie Show

6:35am Wildlife SOS 7:00am Milkshake!

11:10am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:40am Make You Laugh Out Loud 12:05pm Police Interceptors 1:05pm Police Interceptors 2:05pm Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords 3:05pm Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

4:05pm Legally Blonde 2: Red White and Blonde 5:55pm 5 News 6:00pm The Wonderful World of Puppies 7:00pm Blind Date 8:00pm Karen Carpenter: Goodbye to Love 10:00pm Carpenters: Their Greatest Hits 11:00pm The Michael Mcintyre Story

4:30am Slumber 6:15am Top Ten Show, the 2018 6:30am Anon: Special 7:00am So B. It 8:50am My Pet Dinosaur 10:40am Victoria and Abdul 12:50pm Flatliners 2:55pm The Snowman 5:10pm My Pet Dinosaur 7:00pm Victoria and Abdul 9:00pm Flatliners 11:00pm The Snowman 1:05am The Night Watchmen A group of inept security guards are forced to spend a night battling for their lives after a horde of bloodthirsty zombie vampires attack their office block.

2:35am B&B 4:20am Marshall

12:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 1:00pm Playoff Finals Highlights 2:00pm Playoff Finals Highlights 3:00pm Playoff Finals Highlights 4:00pm Championship Season Review 5:00pm EFL Greatest Games 5:15pm EFL Greatest Games 5:30pm EFL Greatest Games 5:45pm EFL Greatest Games 6:00pm Football Years 6:30pm Football Countdowns 7:00pm EFL Greatest Games 7:15pm EFL Greatest Games 7:30pm EFL Greatest Games 7:45pm EFL Greatest Games 8:00pm Playoff Finals Highlights 9:00pm Playoff Finals Highlights 10:00pm Best Championship Goals 2017/18

7:05am 7:30am 8:00am 8:25am 8:55am 9:25am 9:55am

6:00am 6:10am 6:35am 7:00am 11:10am

4:20am 6:30am 7:00am 8:40am

1:30pm EFL Play-Off Highlights 2:00pm EFL Play-Off Highlights 2:30pm EFL Play-Off Highlights 3:00pm EFL Play-Off Highlights 3:30pm EFL Play-Off Highlights 4:00pm Play-Off Final Highlights 5:00pm Play-Off Final Highlights 6:00pm Play-Off Final Highlights 7:00pm Football's Greatest 7:30pm Football's Greatest 8:00pm MLS Greatest Games 8:10pm MLS Greatest Games 8:25pm Major League Soccer 10:30pm Football 12:35am MLS Greatest Games

10:55am

12:45pm 3:00pm 5:10pm 7:00pm 9:00pm 11:10pm 12:40am

SATURDAY 7:00am Breakfast 11:00am Saturday Kitchen Live 12:30pm Simply Nigella 1:00pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:10pm Weather 2:15pm Wanted Down Under 3:00pm Escape to the Country 3:30pm Match of the Day Live 6:10pm Money for Nothing 7:10pm BBC News 7:20pm Regional News 7:25pm Weather 7:30pm Match of the Day Live 10:15pm Mrs. Brown's Boys 10:45pm BBC News 11:00pm Weather 11:05pm Little Fockers 12:35am Match of the Day

9:45am Deadly Dinosaurs with Steve Backshall 10:15am Natural Born Winners 11:15am Homes Under the Hammer 12:15pm Second Chance Summer: Tuscany 1:15pm Tennis 4:00pm Coast 4:25pm Natural World 5:25pm World's Most Extraordinary Homes 6:25pm The World Cup: Heroes of '66 7:00pm Managing England: The Impossible Job 8:00pm Coastal Path 8:30pm Dad's Army 9:00pm NHS: To Provide All People 10:00pm Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars 12:05am Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll

10:55am 11:55am 12:50pm 1:00pm 3:30pm 6:15pm 7:00pm 7:15pm 7:30pm 10:15pm 11:00pm 11:15pm

Drop Dead Weird ITV News Zoe Ball on Saturday James Martin's American Adventure Long Lost Family: What Happened Next The Best of the Voice Worldwide ITV Lunchtime News ITV Racing: Live From Newcastle FIFA World Cup 2018: Round of 16 Catchphrase ITV Evening News Regional News and Weather FIFA World Cup 2018: Round of 16 Bear's Mission with Anthony Joshua ITV News Rocky IV

SUNDAY 12:00pm 1:15pm 2:00pm 2:10pm 2:15pm 2:30pm 3:05pm 3:30pm 6:10pm 6:20pm 6:25pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 10:10pm 11:10pm 11:30pm 11:35pm 11:40pm 12:40am

Sunday Politics Bargain Hunt BBC News Weather for the Week Ahead Points of View Songs of Praise The Silent Child Match of the Day Live BBC News Regional News Weather Countryfile Match of the Day Live Poldark BBC News Regional News Weather Celebrities on the NHS Frontline Match of the Day

8:10am 9:10am 10:05am 10:35am 12:05pm 1:00pm 2:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 12:00am

Gardeners' World Countryfile Beechgrove Garden Saturday Kitchen Best Bites Wimbledon 2017 Review Athletics Athletics Flog It! Into the Woods: Stage to Screen Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Russia with Simon Reeve The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan The Fourth Estate Best of Glastonbury 2017

7:55am The Oddbods Show 8:05am Ninjago 8:30am The Haunted Hathaways 8:55am Drop Dead Weird 9:25am ITV News 9:30am Zoe Ball on Sunday 10:25am To be Announced 11:25am Midsomer Murders 1:20pm The Best of the Voice Worldwide 2:20pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:30pm To be Announced 3:30pm FIFA World Cup 2018: Round of 16 6:15pm Catchphrase 7:00pm ITV Evening News 7:15pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm FIFA World Cup 2018: Round of 16 10:15pm Caught on Camera 11:00pm ITV News

11:00am 2:00pm 2:40pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:15pm

Motorsport Mobil 1 Motorsport Frasier Frasier Frasier Bake Off: The Professionals Sunday Brunch F1: Grand Prix Live Build Up F1: Grand Prix Live F1: Grand Prix Live Reaction Bang on Budget Channel 4 News Escape to the Chateau Bake Off: The Professionals The Handmaid's Tale Night and Day Walter Presents.

11:45am 12:10pm 1:05pm 1:55pm 2:50pm 3:50pm 4:50pm 6:55pm 8:25pm 8:30pm 10:00pm 12:05am 2:15am

Access HouseBusters Wildlife SOS Milkshake!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Make You Laugh Out Loud Blind Date Police Interceptors Police Interceptors Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

Can't Pay? We'll Take it Away!

Bewitched Bride Wars 5 News Dirty Dancing: Making Movie Magic Dirty Dancing The Best of Me Cricket on 5

9:00am 11:05am 1:00pm 3:15pm 4:55pm

6:50pm 9:00pm 11:20pm 1:20am 3:05am

Marshall Anon: Special My Pet Dinosaur Top Ten Show, the 2018 The Snowman Flatliners Call Me by Your Name My Pet Dinosaur Victoria and Abdul An ageing and isolated Queen Victoria begins an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk.

The Snowman Call Me by Your Name Flatliners B&B The Night Watchmen

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of RTN.

MONDAY 7:00am Breakfast 10:15am Right on the Money 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Rip Off Britain 12:45pm Caught Red Handed 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Wimbledon 2018 3:30pm Match of the Day Live 6:10pm Wimbledon 2018 7:00pm BBC News 7:15pm Regional News 7:30pm Match of the Day Live 10:10pm EastEnders 10:40pm Room 101 11:10pm BBC News 11:40pm Regional News 11:50pm Weather 11:55pm Have I Got Old News for You

4:10am This is BBC Two 7:15am Flog it! Trade Secrets 7:45am Richard Osman's House of Games 8:15am Bargain Hunt 9:00am Antiques Roadshow 10:00am Victoria Derbyshire 11:30am The Daily Politics 12:00pm Wimbledon 2018 9:30pm Today at Wimbledon 10:30pm Versailles 11:30pm Newsnight 12:10am Weather 12:15am Japan's Secret Shame 1:15am Exposed 1:45am Countryfile News and stories concerning the heart of the British countryside.

2:40am Back to the Land with Kate Humble 3:40am This is BBC Two Highlights of programmes on BBC Two.

9:30am Lorraine 10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm Regional News and Weather 3:00pm Judge Rinder's Crime Stories 3:30pm FIFA World Cup 2018: Round of 16 6:15pm Catchphrase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:15pm ITV Evening News 7:30pm FIFA World Cup 2018: Round of 16 10:15pm David Walliams Presents...Return of Alright on the Night 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather 11:30pm Regional News and Weather 11:50pm To be Announced

10:00am 10:35am 11:05am 12:05pm

7:30am 8:10am

10:25am The Jeremy Kyle Show 11:30am This Morning 1:30pm Loose Women 2:30pm ITV Lunchtime News 2:55pm Regional News and Weather 3:00pm Judge Rinder's Crime Stories 3:30pm FIFA World Cup 2018: Round of 16 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:15pm Catchphrase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:15pm ITV Evening News 7:30pm FIFA World Cup 2018: Round of 16 10:15pm David Walliams Presents...Revenge of Alright on the Night 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather

10:35am Frasier 11:05am Car S.O.S 12:00pm Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA III 1:00pm Channel 4 News Midday Summary 2018 1:05pm Come Dine with Me 2:05pm Find it Fix it Flog it 3:10pm Countdown 4:00pm A Place in the Sun 5:00pm The £100k Drop 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Posh Frock Shop 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Ackley Bridge 10:00pm Bride and Prejudice 11:00pm 999: What's Your Emergency?

12:00am 24 Hours in a and e 1:05am One Born Every Minute

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

Frasier Frasier Car S.O.S Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares USA III Channel 4 News Midday Summary 2018 Come Dine with Me Find it Fix it Flog it Countdown A Place in the Sun The £100k Drop Come Dine with Me The Posh Frock Shop The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Jamie's Quick and Easy Food Food Unwrapped 24 Hours in Police Custody Inside the American Embassy 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

5:45am 6:10am 6:35am 7:00am 10:15am 12:15pm 1:10pm 1:15pm 2:10pm 2:15pm 2:45pm 3:15pm 4:15pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:55pm 12:55am

House Doctor HouseBusters Wildlife SOS Milkshake!

The Wright Stuff On Benefits: Life on the Dole 5 News GPs: Behind Closed Doors Access Home and Away Neighbours Cagney and Lacey The Killer Nurse 5 News Neighbours Home and Away 5 News Moto GP Highlights The Yorkshire Vet Hercules Fights, Camera, Action Police UK: Armed and Deadly

4:35am 6:30am 7:00am 8:35am

So B. It Anon: Special B&B Call Me by Your Name 10:55am The Snowman 1:00pm FML Raucous road-trip comedy following two unlikely friends - a middle-aged comedian and a teen social media star - as they embark on a quest to reach a million followers.

2:50pm Flatliners 4:50pm My Pet Dinosaur 6:40pm Call Me by Your Name 9:00pm The Snowman 11:10pm FML 1:00am Flatliners 3:00am B&B

3:00pm Phenoms - Italy 4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Scottish Cup Greatest Games 5:15pm Scottish Cup Greatest Games 5:30pm SPFL Round Up 5:45pm SPFL Round Up 6:00pm Greatest Moments in Football 7:00pm Football's Greatest Head to Head 7:30pm Phenoms - Brazil 8:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 8:30pm EFL Goals: Leagues 1&2 9:00pm SPFL Round Up 9:15pm SPFL Round Up 9:30pm SPFL Greatest Games 9:45pm SPFL Greatest Games 10:00pm Greatest Moments in Football 11:00pm MLS Round Up Show

5:15am 7:00am 8:50am 11:00am 12:50pm 2:45pm

4:00pm Football's Greatest 4:30pm Football's Greatest Teams 5:00pm Scottish Cup Greatest Games 5:15pm Scottish Cup Greatest Games 5:30pm SPFL Round Up 5:45pm SPFL Round Up 6:00pm Greatest Moments in Football 7:00pm Football's Greatest Head to Head 7:30pm Phenoms - Argentina 8:00pm EFL Goals: Championship 8:30pm EFL Goals: Leagues 1&2 9:00pm SPFL Round Up 9:15pm SPFL Round Up 9:30pm MLS Round Up Show 10:00pm Greatest Moments in Football 11:00pm Phenoms - Russia

TUESDAY 10:15am Right on the Money 11:00am Homes Under the Hammer 12:00pm Rip Off Britain 12:45pm Caught Red Handed 1:15pm Bargain Hunt 2:00pm BBC News 2:30pm Regional News 2:45pm Wimbledon 2018 3:30pm Match of the Day Live Live coverage of a key football fixture.

6:10pm Wimbledon 2018 7:00pm BBC News 7:15pm Regional News 7:30pm Match of the Day Live 10:10pm Our Girl 11:10pm BBC News 11:40pm Regional News

9:00am 10:00am 12:00pm

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

Right on the Money The Super League Show Highlights and analysis from the opening round of fixtures in the Super League.

Super Powered Squirrels Victoria Derbyshire The Daily Politics Political show examining the latest news, views and moves in the world of politics.

Wimbledon 2018 Today at Wimbledon Rhs: Hampton Court Palace Flower Show QI Newsnight Weather

10:15am The Wright Stuff 12:15pm On Benefits: Life on the Dole 1:10pm 5 News 1:15pm GPs: Behind Closed Doors 2:10pm Access 2:15pm Home and Away 2:45pm Neighbours 3:15pm Cagney and Lacey 4:15pm Wall of Silence 6:00pm 5 News 6:30pm Neighbours 7:00pm Home and Away 7:30pm 5 News 8:00pm Shop Smart: Save Money 9:00pm The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies 10:00pm The Hotel Inspector 11:00pm The Boy with Giant Hands 12:05am Little Divas: Tantrums and Tiaras

4:30pm

6:50pm 9:00pm 11:00pm 12:40am 3:00am 4:50am

My Pet Dinosaur FML The Snowman So B. It Flatliners Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1 Call Me by Your Name Sublime coming-ofage love story charting the summer romance between a precocious teen and a visiting grad student.

The Snowman Flatliners Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1 Call Me by Your Name FML B&B

The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of RTN.

32

29th June - 5th July

WEDNESDAY 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:40pm 11:45pm 12:30am 1:30am

Regional News Panorama The Street Food Servants DIY SOS the Big Build Death in Paradise BBC News Regional News Weather Barry Davies: The Man, the Voice, the Legend Reggie Yates' Extreme Russia Weather for the Week Ahead

9:30pm Today at Wimbledon 10:30pm RHS: Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 11:00pm Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing 11:30pm Newsnight 12:10am Weather 12:15am The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan 1:15am See Hear Magazine programme for the deaf community.

1:45am Ambulance

3:00pm

Judge Rinder's Crime Stories 4:00pm Tenable 5:00pm Tipping Point 6:00pm The Chase 7:00pm Regional News and Weather 7:30pm ITV Evening News 8:00pm Emmerdale 8:30pm Coronation Street 9:00pm Paul O'grady: For the Love of Dogs 9:30pm Coronation Street 10:00pm The Big NHS Singalong Live 11:00pm ITV News at Ten and Weather

3:10pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun The £100k Drop Come Dine with Me The Posh Frock Shop The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Great Rail Restorations with Peter Snow 24 Hours in a and e Stath Lets Flats Lookalikes 24 Hours in Police Custody

5 News at 5 Neighbours Home and Away The NHS at 70: A 5 News Tonight Special 8:00pm The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies 8:55pm Welcome to Paramount Network 9:00pm The Highland Midwife 10:00pm Secrets of the National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh 11:00pm The Sex Business: Porn Stars

6:30am

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Special 7:00am So B. It 8:45am Call Me by Your Name 11:05am Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1 12:45pm The Snowman 2:50pm FML 4:40pm Flatliners 6:40pm Call Me by Your Name 9:00pm The Snowman 11:10pm Tom of Finland 1:15am Alien Invasion: S.U.M.1

5:30pm 5:45pm 6:00pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun: Winter Sun 5:00pm The £100k Drop 6:00pm Come Dine with Me 6:30pm The Posh Frock Shop 7:00pm The Simpsons 7:30pm Hollyoaks 8:00pm Channel 4 News 9:00pm Supershoppers 10:00pm Humans 11:00pm First Dates 12:05am Bride and Prejudice 1:05am Naked Attraction

Home and Away The NHS at 70: A 5 News Tonight Special 8:00pm The Wonderful World of Puppies 9:00pm Bad Tenants, Rogue Landlords 10:00pm Nando's: A Peri Peri Big Success Story 11:00pm Notorious Fritzl: What Happened Next 12:05am Countdown to Murder: The Soap Star Killer

10:40am Call Me by Your Name 1:00pm The Midnight Man 2:50pm The Snowman 5:00pm FML 7:00pm Flatliners 9:00pm Call Me by Your Name 11:20pm The Midnight Man A group of friends stumble on a game that summons terrifying creature The Midnight Man 1:00am The Snowman 3:15am Tom of Finland

5:00pm 5:30pm 5:45pm 6:00pm

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

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

SPFL Round Up SPFL Round Up Greatest Moments in Football Football's Greatest Head to Head Phenoms - Mexico EFL Goals: Championship EFL Goals: Leagues 1&2 SPFL Round Up SPFL Round Up SPFL Greatest Games SPFL Greatest Games

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:15pm 9:30pm 9:45pm

THURSDAY 2:30pm

BBC London News 2:45pm Wimbledon 2018 7:00pm BBC News at Six 7:30pm BBC London News 8:00pm Fake Britain 8:30pm EastEnders 9:00pm Would I Lie to You? 9:30pm EastEnders 10:00pm Celebrities on the NHS Frontline 11:00pm BBC News at Ten 11:30pm BBC London News

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

Victoria Derbyshire The Daily Politics Wimbledon 2018 Today at Wimbledon RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2018 11:00pm Mock the Week 11:30pm Newsnight 12:15am Frankie Goes to Russia 1:15am The Bridge 2:15am Grammar Schools: Who Will Get In? 3:15am The Truth About Carbs 4:15am This is BBC Two

6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:30pm 10:00pm 11:00pm 11:30pm 11:45pm

The Chase ITV News London ITV Evening News Emmerdale Violent Britain: Drugs, Knives and Gangs - Tonight Emmerdale Best Walks with a View with Julia Bradbury Police Tapes ITV News at Ten and Weather ITV News London It's Not Just Cricket

3:10pm 4:00pm

7:00pm 7:30pm

7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 11:05pm 11:35pm 12:05am

Phenoms - Uruguay SPFL Round Up SPFL Round Up Greatest Moments in Football Football's Greatest Head to Head Phenoms - Uruguay EFL Goals: Championship EFL Goals: Leagues 1&2 Major League Soccer Phenoms - Brazil Phenoms - USA Phenoms - Mexico

this week weather FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

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June 29

June 30

July 1

July 2

July 3

July 4

July 5

34º/14ºC 32º/16ºC 32º/14ºC 32º/14ºC 32º/17ºC 36º/19ºC 40º/21ºC Partly sunny

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Brilliant sunshine

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The schedules for the television programme pages are provided by an external company: we regret that any changes or errors are not the responsibility of RTN.

29th June - 5th July

Word Ladder Can you by changing 1 letter at a time, get from the first word to the last word in the given number of moves?

Puzzles Page

SURF 1 2 3 4

Kenny Corris For Readings, Consultations and Castings kennycorris@hotmailcom www.kennycorris.net Mobile: 686 361 594 / Tel: 965 878 424

Aries. Mercury plans to confront Mars in opposition this week, and whilst Mars adds a certain oomph to the proceedings; Mercury is quick to find subtle ways to show you the appropriate way ahead. Seems as if you are heading for a showdown, but know that your cause is a salient one and somebody’s bark worse than their bite!

Libra. If you had known what was behind a recent request you would never have said yes. Now you can see that the goal posts are already being moved, what is to happen next?

Venus is in cahoots with Pluto this week, bringing a distinct elevation of your psychic senses. Better to walk away with your head held high than wait to face the music.

Taurus. If at first you don’t succeed then trying again is a way to get you ahead. You are storing anger within, which neither suits you, nor is it good for you. Venus trines Kora midweek serving to let the cat out of the bag, and the reality of truth will be too much for someone who needs to back off, and mind their own business, into the bargain.

Scorpio. Mercury opposes Mars and is influenced greatly by the buoyant energies of current host, Leo. Having open channels of communication helps you to see just where you are and illuminates where you should be and how you get to go there. Take some good advice because the next steps are the vital ones and they demand your co-operation.

Gemini. Mercury’s take on Saturn may be just a real blessing in disguise right now. You are under pressure and dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t. For once be decisive and stick to your guns. Nobody has a right to pressurise you for any reason, and the fastest way to solution in this case means not making any compromise.

Sagitarius. Plans need to be made right from the start, and be a part of this to ensure what you get is what you want. There will be no comeback if you fail to participate and nobody to blame but yourself if it all goes pear shaped! The Sun trines Jupiter midweek bringing a blessing that, though it may be in disguise, is what you are waiting for!

Cancer. Nip something nicely in the bud whilst you can. This is your parade and nothing and nobody can be allowed to rain on it. The current phase of Moon supports change, and the inherent freedom to move on at long last is too good an opportunity to miss. You will regret not taking a chance offered, and it’s on the cards right now.

Capricorn. Seize the moment when it comes this week. So much seems to be happening that you are advised to take things in your stride nevertheless. The Mercury square on an ebullient Uranus brings enterprise and innovation, plus the means by which to use what you have to your very best advantage. A loophole beckons you on!

Leo. Mercury enters this week, bringing a speedy solution to an unresolved niggle, and backing the need for confrontation in a meaningless squabble you are implicated in.

Such trivia is demanding more from you than you know and resolve is needed. Mercury illuminates the way ahead and plans to put you centre stage, where you belong.

Aquarius. You are a true survivor and you have got just what it takes to work miracles around all that you do. Recently there has been a focus on necessities and your priorities alone establish that you are in the right place right now. What comes this week is a hot spot trine between your planetary leader and an inspiring Ceres!

Virgo. The direct entry of Ceres this week serves to regulate and restructure your busy schedule right now. There seems to be so little time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labour, and whilst you enjoy keeping busy; your routine needs to allow you the rest and relaxation that you deserve. Plan your leisure and indulge yourself! Why not?

Pisces. The Sun will shortly trine with Neptune. Just part of the mechanism that wants to work with you, bringing rich reward for your caring, sharing, endearing love of life.

There have been setbacks, but you are poised to make the most of whatever you can. It is only right that the Sun should smile beneficially on all that you about to do!

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Cryptic

Down 1 Arrive Tuesday for the space traveller (5) 2 Daring knight returning with a monarch (7) 4 Schedule for a general prosecutor (6) 5 Southern tipple given to pigs (5) 6 Rearrange car test and flee (7) 7 Stuntmen did several reconstructions (10) 9 Informal neckwear injured people (10) 12 Cancel religious education and poetry (7) 14 Outdoor area where a caterer served up (7) 15 Speak in ceremony outside city (6) 17 Crack only found outside civic centre (5) 19 Louts destroyed a plant (5)

DOWN Weekly Stars

Across 1 Alternative in church's centre (4) 3 West Indian songs about plays in Greek island (8) 8 Communication from dining room takes a long time (7) 9 Bring tea round in porcelain (5) 10 The first ceremony is ordinary (5) 11 Socialist leader in fitting decline (7) 12 Reading, for example, about Tory leader's shame (6) 13 Troubled waters for this reprobate (6) 16 Trace singlet one returned for example (7) 18 A society role model is buried in Austria (5) 20 Goes round for some bread (5) 21 Nice tax break is incorrect (7) 22 Raised tax in East Leeds endlessly (8) 23 Small county in which flowers are grown (4)

Code Breaker

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 3 represents X and 5 represents M, so fill in X every time the figure 3 appears and M every time the figure 5 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.

Play on Words

Answers In aid of.

Take a back seat.

34

29th June - 5th July Across 2/18 Exploit, cheat or overcharge (3,3) 5 Small river fish (4) 6 Show the way by going first (4) 7 Beer (3) 8 Small wooded hollow (4) 10 Largest continent (4) 13 Bucket (4) 16 Assists (4) 18 See 2 19 Excludes (4) 20 Highest point (4) 21 Sense organ for hearing (3)

Quick

Down 1 Completely unclothed (4) 2 Authentic (4) 3 Defendant's answer to a charge (4) 4 Asian garment (4) 8 Immerse for a time (3) 9 Hawaiian flower necklace (3) 11 Glide over snow (3) 12 Donkey (3) 14 Slightly open (4) 15 Fail to win (4) 16 A long way off (4) 17 Profound (4) Across 1 Este (zona, área) (4) 3 Predicador (8) 9 Technician (7) 10 Cart (wagon) (5) 11 Now (at this time, immediately) (5) 12 Más fácil (6) 14 Nails (metal) (6) 16 Estatua (6) 19 Cartera (6) 21 Cervezas (5) 24 Flecha (5) 25 Enemy (7) 26 Guapo (8) 27 Mediodía (4)

Down 1 Entrada (lugar de acceso) (8) 2 Sacred (art, musical) (5) 4 Reabrir (6) 5 Arches (5) 6 Cosecha (7) 7 Tejado (4) 8 Liver (anatomical) (6) 13 Cucharilla (8) 15 Saffron (7) 17 Mesas (muebles) (6) 18 Arroyo (riachuelo) (6) 20 Céspedes (5) 22 Hedgehog (5) 23 Baño (4)

English - Spanish The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Kakuro Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.

Sudoku

Funagram Unscramble the name of a famous 1984 American supernatural comedy film (one word): SHORTEST BUGS Unscramble the name of a famous British former professional boxer: RUN FOR BANK ANSWERS: - GHOSTBUSTERS - FRANK BRUNO

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

35

Kenny’s Postbag Kenny, My dog gets spooked and barks at the wall. He is very intelligent usually, but I wonder what or who he sees that makes him behave in this way?

Suzanne M. Dogs are known to have significant psychic skills and can see things that many of us do not. The intuitive energies of your dog are picking up on a vibrational energy of a previous occupant of your home maybe.

Whether he sees or feels the bark is normally directed right at the spot of contact, since he is protecting you instinctively!

Kenny Corris

Don't forget to email or message me with your Postbag Questions!. Check out my new website: www.kennycorris.net

36

29th June - 5th July

LAST Friday saw the exciting launch party of Barkinside’s new website www.Barkinside.es at Tipsy Terrace in Hondon de los Frailes.

There were dog agility displays and obedience demonstrations, delicious cakes made by volunteers and doggy goodies to purchase.

La Casa Canina showed that any dog, regardless of size or breed, can enjoy the excitement of jumping, going through tunnels and weaving through poles!

The audience watched puppy Mozart with his owner 10-year-old Fanette who are the future of agility, beginner Denise and her labrador Poppy, the more experienced Tiko and his galgo Largo and finally Diego with his champion border collie Enya.

Enya showed exactly how she wins competitions throughout Spain. Finally a strange looking dog called Kimble and its owner came on to show how it isn’t done with a little comedy routine!

Following this Danny de Castillo, the acclaimed assistance dog trainer, asked his own dog Voltio to demonstrate an amazing range of obedience and skills including opening fridge doors, helping his master undress and balancing sausages on his forehead!

There was a fantastic turnout of

Helping to save dogs

LAUNCH PARTY: Dogs of all shapes and sizes turned out for Barkinside.

people. It was a great opportunity for them to meet and cuddle some of the beautiful dogs that have been abandoned and rescued.

Two dogs were reserved that morning and a total of €941.70 was raised for all the dogs who are being cared for at Barkinside, a rescue sanctuary run by Jacqueline Peter Roberts and her husband Roy, based near La Romana/Novelda.

All are welcome to come and visit the dogs and see first-hand the work that Barkinside does.

Two people kindly offered to foster dogs. Barkinside encourages fostering, for either long or short term - even just a weekend. This gives a dog the opportunity to experience a loving home, possibly for the first time in its life, and gives the fosterer an opportunity to experience looking after a dog for a limited period without commitment.

This fun-packed morning delighted everyone whilst at the same time introduced everyone to the new website www.Barkin side.es which showcases all the abandoned and rescued animals in their care.

Well done to all the staff at Tipsy Terrace for coping with the onslaught! For more information see www.Barkinside.es or call Jacquie on 697 122 883.

More E-IE root-changing verbs (querer, sentir) Basic Spanish for everyday needs

by Jane Cronin

WE are still on our first category of ‘e to ie’ root changing verbs, and so far we have looked at an example of an ‘-ar’ verb, namely ‘cerrar’ which means ‘to close’. Exactly the same root change occurs with certain ‘-er’ and ‘-ir’ verbs as well, so we will now look at a couple of examples of these.

Let’s take ‘querer’ which means ‘to love’ or ‘to want’. The infinitive form ‘querer’ may not look terribly familiar, but if you have learnt any Spanish at all, you will certainly recognise one of the forms. Remember that we are now using the standard ‘-er’ endings which do not vary.

Quiero Quieres Quiere

Queremos Queréis Quieren

You can see that our root ‘quer’ changes to ‘quier’ in the usual places (first, second and third persons singular and third person plural). The beat goes on these root changes when we speak, like this: quiEro, quiEres, quiEre, quiEren.

In the first and second persons plural, the root returns to ‘quer’ and the beat goes on the endings, like this: querEmos, querÉis.

Of course the word that we all know is ‘quiero’ meaning ‘I want’ which just goes to illustrate the best way of learning rootchanging verbs, which is by using them. When my beginners Spanish students learn ‘quiero’ I simply tell them that it means ‘I want’ and can be used in this, that and the other situation. If I were to say to them. Now we will learn ‘quiero’ which is the first person sin-

gular of a root-changing ‘-er verb’, then I probably wouldn’t see them for dust and they would be none the wiser.

Now here is an example of an ‘-ir’ verbwhich makes the same root change of ‘e to ie’ and which also contains a familiar word. The verb is ‘sentir’ and it means ‘to feel’. Since it is an ‘-ir’ verb, we now have to remember to make the distinctive ‘-ir’ ending changes, which are the same for all ‘-ir’ verbs. So, this gives us:

Siento Sientes Siente

Sentimos Sentís Sienten

which mean: I feel, you feel, he or she feels and so on, as usual.

Now the word ‘siento’ ought to

look familiar, from our phrase ‘lo siento’.

You probably know that ‘lo siento’ means ‘I’m sorry’ but you may not realise that the literal translation of this is ‘I feel it’. If you’ve been taught good spoken Spanish you will also know that we use this expression to make a genuine apology and not just when we’ve stood in someone’s way for two second in the supermarket. People who keep saying ‘lo siento’ every time they would say ‘sorry’ in English sound a little strange in Spanish. If you tell yourself that it really means: ‘I do apologise’ then you will realise that the Spanish must be tempted to ask: ‘Why, what have you done?’ The correct word, if any, for these minor apologies is of course ‘perdón.’

Now here’s a question for you to think about for next week. If ‘lo siento’ means ‘I’m sorry’, how do we say ‘We’re sorry’ in Spanish? Don’t spend too long worrying about it, but the answer is completely logical - of course! See you next week.

29th June - 5th July

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The Spanish miracle Credit: Angel Arredondo Prieto Shutterstock

by Michael Walsh

keyboardcosmetics@gmail.com MY Spanish miracle occurred in the late summer of 1960 just after my ship docked in the Spanish port of Vigo.

As my parents were ardent Republicans I had been led to believe that any brush with the law merited death at dawn after torture.

Such thoughts weren’t far from my mind as, during a stroll through the port’s working class areas, we engaged in an impromptu game of street football with several Spanish youngsters.

As we sailors kicked the ball from wall to wall and got the better of the younger Spanish kids my sea-eye spotted approaching Spanish police.

The sight of their pea soup green uniforms and their black tricorne caps (gorra) chilled my sailor’s bones. The pearls dropping from my lips are unprintable.

Relief: Franco’s two cops discarded their military headwear.

Then, with the help of their street urchin amigos, we Jack Tars were

SEAT 600: Started the Spanish automobile industry and is still loved today. shown how to play football; a super experience.

Back then, the Brits of our generation viewed Spain as a backward Fascist equal to Marxist Albania. Spain was a woeful nation where the ass was the favoured means of transport.

It was fake news again, what has been dubbed The Spanish Miracle (El Milagro Español) was

the name given to a broadly based economic boom that occurred from 1959 to 1974.

Whilst strike-ridden Britain reeled under 17 per cent inflation, a new breed of Spanish politicians, dubbed the technocrats, was unleashed by General Franco.

From 1959, Spain enjoyed the second highest growth rate in the world, only slightly behind that of

Japan. Spain became the ninth largest economy in the world, and was just behind Canada. The economy of Franco’s Spain was a world-class economy and it boasted a world-class industrial base.

The rapid economic expansion reinvigorated old industrial areas: the Basque Country and Ferrol northern coast (iron and steel, shipbuilding), in and around Barcelona (ma-

chinery, textiles, cars and petrochemicals). It also drove an enormous expansion in refining, petrochemicals, chemicals and engineering.

There was massive government investment in key state owned companies like the national industrial conglomerate Instituto Nacional de Industria, the mass market car company SEAT in Barcelona and the shipbuilder Empresa Nacional Bazán.

These companies led the industrialisation of Spain, restoring the prosperity of industrial areas like Barcelona and Bilbao and creating new industrial areas. These enterprises remained under state control.

The automotive industry was one of the most powerful accelerants of the Spanish Miracle. In 1946 there were only 72,000 private cars in Spain, in 1966 there were over one million.

The icon of economic surge was the SEAT 600 car produced by the Spanish company SEAT. More than 794,000 were made between 1957 and 1973. It was the first car for many Spanish working-class families; at its end it was the second car for many more.

Mike Walsh’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of the publishers advertisers or sponsors.

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29th June - 5th July

health Advertising Feature

Healthy hearing = Healthy body & mind MANY people suffer hearing problems as they get older, but there is now no need to suffer in silence.

Mr Gary Hagerty of Apple Hearing & Healthcare is committed to bringing the clarity and volume back to sufferers on the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida.

Your overall health and wellbeing can be linked to your hearing health. Untreated hearing loss is connected to many other health conditions. You also lose your mental sharpness. If your brain must work harder to comprehend what it is listening to, it loses brain capacity for other routine tasks, like ‘where did I put my keys?’ etc.

Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia than those who retain their hearing. Adults over 50 with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report depression,

HEARING LOSS: Don’t suffer in silence. anxiety and paranoia than peers who wore hearing aids. People with mild hearing loss are three times more likely to have a history of falling.

Heart disease, stroke and diabetes have all been related to hearing loss, with sudden hearing loss being an indicator of a forthcoming stroke in many cases.

Some studies have also linked untreated hearing loss to many conditions, fatigue, social withdrawal, impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks. Hearing loss also reduces your alertness and increases the risk to your personal safety.

If you feel you might be suffering from hearing loss, it is very important to have your hearing

tested. The sooner you get hearing aids, the better, because it reduces further hearing loss.

Aids can have multiple programmes and you can choose which programme depending on the environment. Don’t let your hearing affect your body and mind as well.

Let Apple Hearing & Healthcare and Mr Hagerty help you.

Mr Hagerty has more than 20 years’ experience and esteemed qualifications as a fully registered hearing aid dispenser. He is also a member of the UK’s Health and Care Professional Council.

Keeping updated with the latest advancements in hearing aid technology from the world’s leading hearing aid suppliers, Gary is an ambassador to his profession. He works to provide precious relief for those with the most severe hearing impairments and other conditions such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Apple Hearing & Healthcare offer: Free hearing tests, free 30-day trials with money back guarantee, free advice and demonstrations, free home visits, free lifetime aftercare service, repair and servicing. They also stock batteries and hearing aid maintenance products.

Book your FREE, NO OBLIGATION hearing appointment: Visit Apple hearing centres in Quesada - Calle de Los Arcos, 5, Benidorm Avenida Doctor Severo Ochoa, 7, Local 4. or Cartagena - C/Soldado Rosique, 2, Bajo. E-mail: info@applecares.eu Call them on 965 080 813 or visit www.applecares.es / Face book (Apple hearing & healthcare Spain).

AROUND 13 million Spaniards suffer daily from eye fatigue and dryness as a result of frequent use of computers and electronic devices.

It can be a problem especially for those who work in offices where lighting or ventilation conditions are not adequate. However, according to international studies, seven out of 10 adults accept

Avoiding eye strain with computer work the symptoms of visual fatigue as ‘normal’ as the population has become more accustomed to the

consequences of a digital lifestyle.

Spending at least two hours in front of electronic devices can lead to the eyes becoming dry, tired and red, leading to blurred vision and difficulty in focusing. Visual fatigue can also create physical discomfort such as headaches, neck, shoulder and back ache.

To try and prevent symptoms, it is recommended to rest every hour and look away from the screen. Remember to blink. It may sound simple, but constantly staring at the screen results in reduced blinking and this is essential for moisturising the eyes. Maintain the correct distance between your eyes and the computer screen. Sit parallel to the screen and ideally keep it 50cm from your eyes.

Temperature, humidity and ventilation can all put the eyes under strain if at extreme levels, so it is important to check the humidity and ensure there is adequate ventilation.

29th June - 5th July

by Robert Shallis

DOES wealth really bring you happiness?

Credit: Jacob Lund Shutterstock

DOES wealth really bring you happiness?

Many believe it does whilst others would argue the contrary.

How is it that we can visit the poorest of countries and experience real happiness amongst such poverty?

Whilst employed as a trainee finance broker in the City of London, 30 years ago, a senior member of staff once said to me “However successful and wealthy you become, you will never be any happier than you are right now.”

I didn’t fully understood what he really meant, and he didn’t elaborate, and found his statement rather strange especially as it came from a well-respected, successful person that ‘appeared’ to have everything; dream house, prestigious cars, holiday home, designer clothes etc.

My naive perception at that time was that surely he must be very happy with everything he already has.

Many people spend a lifetime pursuing happiness under the misconception that financial wealth is the answer, only to find themselves unfulfilled, confused and empty when they eventually reach their goal or dream, if at all.

The most common fear, is that of poverty, which simply puts the emphasis on wealth.

39

PRECIOUS GIFT: Money isn’t everything.

Many are confused between happiness and pleasure, often seeking outside ourselves for something to make us feel good inside. We have become conditioned by consumerism and marketing. As an example, the novelty of a holiday, sports car, boat or simply more money, brings us only short term pleasure, changing our state for a brief period of time, and ceases when the law of familiarity kicks in. Each time this happens, we become more desensitised, leaving us striving for more and more to reach that same level of pleasure and selfworth.

You see, trying to find yourself through wealth and possessions doesn’t work, if anything, it really just keeps the consumerism wheel turning. If everyone could readily afford exclusive, expensive designer labels, such items would lose their perceived value and we would be left with nothing more than their material value.

People that tend to gravitate towards such things would quickly lose their identity and the significance they attach themselves to no longer has any value, rendering the person struggling with their very own identity. I cannot stress how important it is, not to

lose oneself in things that wealth can buy, as it is not the answer to long term happiness.

Wealth gives many people their ‘identity’ and people allow it to become ‘what they are’ leaving them struggling to find ‘who they are.’ They’re identified by their job and possessions, giving them a certain perceived status in society.

If they were to lose their job, wealth or possessions, then they would simply be lost, they have simply forgotten who they are.

So what is true happiness?

It’s appreciating the things you have rather than focusing on the things you don’t have. It’s being grateful. Selflessly giving without the expectation of reward.

Happiness cannot be pursued, but you can pursue a lifestyle that truly results in happiness. True happiness and success comes from the realisation of a ‘worthwhile’ goal or dream for the ‘greater good.’ It’s the process and the journey in doing so where you will find fulfilment and happiness over and above short term pleasure.

Happiness is all around us if we choose to look, it’s a way of being and not having.

It’s ok to enjoy life’s hard earned pleasures of course, but the way to grow truly rich is by giving.

Life is a precious gift to us all, how we choose to live it is our gift in return.

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29th June - 5th July

pets

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Fancy a spot of cat-sitting?

MILO needs a sitter - can you help?

Milo is a well-travelled cat, having come over from Hastings on his own with a specialist pet transportation company. He did well and has begun to settle into life in his new home near Marbella.

However, his human mum is worried that leaving him again when she goes on holiday this August might disrupt his sense of well-being, having just settled in to their new Spanish home and garden. So, she is looking for a cat-sitter to stay with and be a companion to Milo this August.

Cat-sitters give peace of mind.

Lisa his owner says it took him a few weeks in the house before he was calm and settled. He had already moved house with them once in the UK, yet he was still a little unsettled at first.

After a couple of months of

management of his routine, she said he was calm and relaxed and enjoying his new life in Spain. The search for Milo’s cat-sitter is on.

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are police checked by us.

We charge for membership to ensure that there is a commitment from both parties and we can afford to manage our network online professionally.

How you benefit as a home and pet-owner Our membership offers you a secure network to help you find suitable sitters. We don’t reveal your contact details or your address. You post an advert ahead of your travel dates, we publish the advert then house-sitters apply.

You can view their profiles and chat with them before you accept your choice of applicant.

If you join as a premium member we can also help you at each stage of the process to get you started and to manage your account.

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Register online at www.Housesitmatch.com.

Unconventional pets NOT all people have a place in their hearts for the traditional pet. Some prefer the challenge and thrill of owning something unique and eye-catching.

However, many are put off by the thought of owning and caring for a non traditional pet, but would be surprised to know that some are actually relatively low maintenance.

Hedgehogs, for example, are often mistaken for prickly and unintelligent, but these gentle souls are actually quite shy.

Only stiffening their

LEGAL ALIEN: The Axolotl is incredibly unique.

spines when threatened, they are a humble and easy pet, often comparable to hamsters. With time and commitment, owners can expect to develop a strong bond with this interesting pet.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Axolotl, a unique pet that looks a little like a domesticated alien. Proving to be a very weird pet, it is able to re-

generate any part of its body in due time, ideal for anyone with a feisty aquarium environment.

The Axolotl is a type of salamander which originated in Mexico. They grow to be quite large and require quite specialised care and equipment, making it a little more high maintenance, but otherwise a fantastic pet for those with a taste for the unique.

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29th June - 5th July

ARCHITECTS

ELECTRICIAN MR. FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs.

No call out charge. 698 320 434.(260205)

HOME IMPOROVEMENTS BATHROOM & KITCHEN conversions. Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434 (258561)

INSURANCE

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 951 386 161 or e-mail mark.w@euroweeklynews. com for more details.

LOCKSMITH

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BOILERS

BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available.

Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (whatsapp) info@beneficialinsur anceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsurancein spain.com for online quote.

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PET CHARITIES 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.spamasafor.blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)

MEETING POINT

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Email carsinspain@ hotmail.com Tel. 0044 7553367285

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of firect 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).

GRILLS

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

POOLS

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 01209 630604 or Spain 960 130 537

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

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POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltech spain.com(259394)

PROPERTY FOR SALE LA SIESTA DETACHED VILLA. PRIVATE POOL, 4 BEDROOMS, 2 BATH ROOMS, FULLY FURNISHED. INCLUDES ALL WHITE GOODS. €210,000. 649 189 930

REMOVALS/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

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.

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29th June - 5th July REMOVALS/STORAGE

SITUATIONS VACANT 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 recruit ment@euroweeklynews.com

TELECOMS UK-SPAIN-IRELAND. Removals with the personal touch. Pets carried with care 965 696 750 / 0044 (0) 7447 918 589 e-mail chrisy ounge73979@aol.com

SPANISH MOVES, small removals and deliveries.

Spain/UK budget prices. Last minutes jobs undertaken www.spanishmoves.net Pet transport also arranged in our air conditioned pet/people carriers. Tel: UK 01209 630604 or Spain 960 130 537

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44

29th June - 5th July

MISCELLANEOUS

REMOVALS & STORAGE

SPANISH COURSES

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29th June - 5th July

45

sport

La Finca (formerly Elite) Golf Society (34), 4th Ole Dibbern (34), 3rd Russell Gordon (34), 2nd Eric Owens (36) and 1st Mike Stott (38) playing off +1.

Best dressed golfer was Robert Macdonald.

La Finca Golf Society meets every Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays at La Finca with first tee time around 9am. Saturday is main competition day with various competitions which are Spanish Federated and to be eligible to play you need a handicap of 16 or less.

For more information call Barry on 666 694 467 or 966 731 033.

CD TORREVIEJA is proud to welcome new signing Juan Felipe González Zea (born in Colombia, in 1987) to the club after an agreement was reached between the two parties.

He will play in the right midfield position, although he is also able to hold an attacking

midfielder position as well.

Zea stands out for his speed, explosiveness and his great vision in every game.

The Colombian footballer played semi-professionally up until 2012 in his native country, but also went on to play in other countries such as Argentina in 2013, Colombia

again in 2014 and Hungary in 2016.

On coming to Spain in 2012, he formed part of the City of Benidorm Football Club where he progressed through various stages, two promotions to Preferente and became one of the Club’s most representative players.

Credit: CD Torrevieja

LAST Saturday 18 members played on a very warm day.

The course is looking really good after the recent changes following the hollow tining and course maintenance with the new bunkers settling down.

Nearest the Pins were Stuart Tosh (3), Gavin Parke (6) Jerry Coneybeare (13) and Robert MacDonald (16). There were three two’s Russell Gordon on the 3rd, Mick Elliot on the 13th and Mike Stott on the 16th. Hole 6 was pulled out of the bag so it is a roll over.

Fifth place went to Brian Bevan

Felipe Zea, new cornerstone for CD Torrevieja

Las Salinas Petanca League WEEK 10 DIVISION 1 Franco Belgas Justin had a resounding away win over the Falcons by 7-1. Los Bandidos won away to Los Altos Diablos by 62. El Mirador entertained Franco Belgas Lucky at the new location at Las Filipinas, it was the visitors who felt at home winning by 6-2, which moves them into third place.

DIVISION 2 Very up and down results, Lakeside Hellcats gained the double over Lakeside Lions. The Pirates won away at El Rancho by 62. And Los Altos Dragons won at home to San Miguel by 6-2.

DIVISION 3 Guardamar drew away to Rojales Thader 4-4 to stay in first place. Blagul had an impressive win over Amigas Belgas by 62, to maintain second place. A rare win for Peacocks Allsorts they defeated Laguna Rosa 6.2.

The Las Salinas Presentation and Dinner will take place on July 13 at the Sunrise Restaurant, the menu is now being circulated and offers a wide choice over the courses.

WEEK 11 DIVISION 1 Los Bandidos closed the gap with an 8-0 home win over El Mirador. Los Altos Diablos won away to the Pumas by 5-3. Franco Belgas Lucky and the Falcons had a hard fought match resulting in a 4-4 draw.

DIVISION 2 Lakeside Lions, recovered from last week’s heavy defeat returning an 8-0 away win over San Miguel. Los Altos Dragons won away to Peacocks Red by 5-3. Lakeside Hellcats won at home to El Rancho by 5-3.

DIVISION 3 Blagul moved into first place with a 5-3 away win at Peacocks Green. Guardamar with a free week remains in second place.

Rojales Thader won away to Laguna Rosa by 8-0 Amigas Belgas also hit top form defeating Peacocks Allsorts by 8-0.

With only three weeks remaining a lot can happen with promotion and relegation being decided.

EL RANCHO are looking for more players, the summer is a good time to come and have a try.

LAGUNA ROSA also welcome newcomers, they are situated in Torreta 3.

EL LIMONAR are pleased to announce that they will be entering a second team into the Winter League.

FELIPE ZEA: A new signing for CD Torrevieja.

TPGS Villamartin Golf

TPGS Winners

THE Plaza Golf Society entertained a healthy 55 players at Villamartin which was in great condition with the greens back to their very best following recent maintenance.

Scores were pretty good overall with the lowest score being 16 points.

The two’s pot only produced four winners which was surprising bearing in mind the number of players and was shared between Barry (I’m the loudest player) Mitchell, Christian Attwood, Jon Thelwell and Floody.

The guest section proved very competitive with Peter Hunt third with 32 pts, Jon Thelwell visiting from USA second with 33 pts and winning was Gary Harper with 36 pts who now qualifies as a full Society member.

Nearest the pins sponsored by The Alehouse were won by Big Jimmy Gray, Christian Attwood,

Rob McDowell, Hans Arvesen and Callum Hitcham.

The best Lady on the day with a great score of 34 was Society Secretary, Liz Sully.

Onto the main categories, third in Silver went to Liz Sully, second Barry (still the loudest player) Mitchell with 36 pts and winning on count back the consistent Bob Kemp also 36 pts.

In Gold third was Christian Attwood with 36 pts, second Colin Wilson courtesy of count back also with 36 pts and impressive winner playing off a handicap of four scoring 38pts was Callum Hitcham.

The next event is again at Villamartin on Friday July 6 which at the moment is fully booked, but please look at their website for all future events and use this to log on and pre-book events to avoid disappointment. www.theplazagolfsociety.com

46

29th June - 5th July

motoring

Dacia Duster is cheap and cheerful THERE’S no mistaking the new Dacia Duster for its predecessor, despite it being based on t h e

DUSTED DOWN: The new Dacia Duster is a major improvement.

same platform and sharing all but the same dimensions.

This speaks volumes of how thorough and widereaching the changes have been in developing the seco n d -

generation Duster.

In fact, you’re more likely to confuse it with a Jeep Renegade than an MK1, especially if you stare too hard at its square tail lights.

The new model shares not one single exterior panel with its predecessor, and its designers have pushed a range of new features.

These include the grille, headlights, sills and window line upwards and downwards to emphasise its chunky proportions, giving it a rugged feel.

It’s worked too, t h e

Duster is now a handsome SUV and is looking to muscle into the market.

What hasn’t changed is the starting price, which at €11,300 is aggressively competitive.

In addition to the new bodywork there is a completely overhauled interior with a much higher quality feel to it.

The plastics are still of the hard variety, but they fit together better than before and the facia has piano key buttons and rotary heating controls.

Interior storage is generous, there is room for five adults and the new front seats are larger with more features.

With increased sound insulation throughout the car, and thicker glass in the front windows, the new Duster is significantly quieter than before but, overall, should make a noise in sales.

29th June - 5th July

Stadler arrested in ‘ dieselgate’ probe AUDI CEO Rupert Stadler has been arrested in relation to the emissions cheating scandal.

A spokesman for parent company Volkswagen confirmed the development and said: “The hearing to determine whether Mr Stadler will be remanded is ongoing.

“We cannot provide more information about the investigations in progress, and he is still presumed innocent.”

The Munich prosecutors said Mr Stadler’s arrest was not made at the behest of US authorities.

A judge in Germany has ordered Mr Stadler to be remanded in custody to apparently prevent him from obstructing or hindering the diesel investigation.

Police searched Mr Stadler’s home as part of an operation against suspected fraud and impropriety with documents.

UNDER PRESSURE: Rupert Stadler is under scrutiny for his role in the scandal.

A total of 20 people are under suspicion in the probe, which focuses on cars sold in Europe that were believed to be equipped with software which turned emissions controls off during regular driving.

Mr Stadler has been under fire since Audi admitted in November 2015, two months after parent company Volkswagen, that it also installed illegal ‘defeat device’ software to cheat US emissions tests.

Volkswagen has pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the US and nine managers, including former CEO Martin Winterkorn, were charged there.

Two managers are serving prison terms, although Winterkorn and others in Germany are unlikely to be extradited.

Audi had said in a statement that it is ‘co-operating with the authorities.’

47

Volkswagen T-Roc stamps its authority VOLKSWAGEN has finally moved into the SUV market of higher-riding medium family cars with its VW T-Roc. The manufacturer loves to begin the names of its larger cars with a ‘T’ - Toureg, Touran, and Tiguan, but the T-Roc is smallest of the gang.

However, it is going to expand in the next few years, first with a rumoured 300bhp R version, and then a convertible in 2020.

It might be worth imagining the five-seater hatchback as a Golf on stilts to get a good idea of its size.

VW expects the small SUV market to grow f rom 6. 4 mi l l i on t o 10. 6 mi l l i on i n t he next decade, and that 80 per cent of the T-Rocs they shift will be petrol.

There are five engines available, two fourcylinder petrols, a 1.5L and 2L as well as a 2L diesel.

The big petrol engine with the auto box will sprint to 62mph in 7.2 seconds, but the smaller and lighter models handel better.

The T-Roc is available in 25 colours and the modern design includes a roof spoiler, bulletshaped LED running lights and aggressively raked C-pillar.

Boot space comes near top of the class with 445 litres, which almost trebles with the seats down.

Safety features include auto brakes so it stops itself for cars in front and pedestrians if it thinks a collision is imminent.