Axarquia 24-30 August 2023 Issue 1990

TREASURE TROVE

HOLD onto your hats, architecture enthusiasts!

The Regional Ministry of Public Works, Territorial Planning, and Housing has crafted something incredible, an inventory spotlighting over 7,200 public gems of architectural and local significance across Andalucia.

In this treasure trove, a total of 132 public wonders grace the Axarquia region’s landscape.

Each one has its own story to tell, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of Andalucian culture.

Among these, Velez­Malaga proudly stands tall, boasting a whopping 29 architectural gems. But it doesn’t stop there ­ Torrox, Nerja, Rincon de la Victoria, and other charming towns follow closely behind, showcasing their unique architectural flair.

Rocío Díaz, the councillor for Development, Territorial Planning, and Housing, believes that this comprehensive inventory is a key to unlocking the rich heritage of Axarquia’s towns.

But here’s the beauty: it’s not just about architecture.

The inventory takes a holistic view, appreciating not only architectural

IMAGINE a day filled with laughter, creativity, and a whole lot of geeky fun, exactly what the very first charity Geek Market brought to the vibrant San Francisco de Velez­Malaga market on a sunny Saturday, August 19.

Lourdes Pina, the councillor for Youth, joined the festivities and couldn’t hide her excitement as she shared the news of the event’s resounding success.

From morning until dusk, the market was alive with a colourful array of activities that catered to kids of all ages.

Wandering through the market’s enchanting stalls, visitors found themselves surrounded by an assortment of treasures.

What truly warms the

Historic relations

IT’S nice to get along with your neighbours!

This is why the mayors of Velez­Malaga and Alhama de Granada recently met to discuss improving communications between the two municipalities

The mayor of Velez­Malaga, Jesus Lupipanez, and his counterpart in Alhama de Granada, Jesus Ubina, held the meeting to discuss issues concerning both municipalities and to emphasise the need to improve road communications between the two towns. Currently, Velez­

Malaga and Alhama de Granada are separated by almost an hour’s drive, a distance of 44 kilometres, via the A­402.

Despite the distance, the historical relationship between the two municipalities has led to a continuous exchange.

From the trade that existed decades ago to the more incipient tourism, the two heads of the Axarquia region and the interior of Granada on the border with the province have created permanent alliances.

value but also elements of ethnology, history, urban planning, and more.

This forward­thinking approach ensures that Andalucia’s rich tapestry is captured in all its diversity.

Of the 7,200 treasures catalogued, a remarkable 1,446 have been handpicked for restoration under the Junta de Andalucia’s programme.

It’s a win ­ win situation, not only does this initiative preserve architec­

tural heritage, but it also paves the way for the revival of structures that may have faded into disrepair.

As we flip through this newfound inventory, we’re not just exploring buildings; we’re immersing ourselves in the pages of history, culture, and identity. The architectural heartbeat of Andalucia beats strong, thanks to these efforts to protect and celebrate our heritage.

Geek Market

heart about the Geek Market is its noble cause.

The proceeds of this event are dedicated to supporting the efforts of the NGO Infancia Solidaria.

Infancia Solidaria is more than a charity, it’s a

beacon of hope for children facing serious heart conditions or incurable diseases. Their incredible work revolves around bringing these brave little souls to Spain, where they receive life ­ saving

medical interventions.

Through partnerships with hospitals across the country, the foundation has been able to gift countless children the chance to live healthier, happier lives.

Image: BAHDANOVICH ALENA / Shutterstock.com

VIBRANT LANDSCAPE: Plaza de la Constitucion of Velez-Malaga.

An assortment of treasures.

Image: Ayuntamiento Vélez-Málaga / Facebook

Image: Ayuntamiento Vélez-Málaga / Facebook

Jesus Lupipanez, Jesus Ubina and mayor of Ventas de Zafarraya, Jose Manuel Moreno.

DURING the exciting Frigiliana 3 Culturas Festival, happening from August 24 to 27, you’re in for a treat with the delightful Tapas Route, open for indulgence from 6.00pm until midnight. There are not one, but two wonderful routes to explore, and each route is brimming with eight scrumptious tapas options.

And here’s the cherry on top: when you finish one of these tempting routes and cast your vote for the tastiest bite, you’ll receive a fabulous t­shirt as a token of appreciation!

News splash Tapas Route

But if you’re up for the ultimate culinary adventure and complete both routes, not only do you get to pick your favourite tapas by voting, you’ll also walk away with not one, but two snazzy t­shirts and a stylish bag to carry your memories in. Feeling thirsty? Don’t worry, a drink along with a delectable tapa will be yours for just €3. Get ready to treat your taste buds and enjoy the festival!

ROCIO RUIZ, the councillor for Sports of VelezMalaga, recently dropped by the indoor swimming pool to check out the renovation progress.

A whopping €28,300 has been invested to give the pool a much ­ needed facelift.

The old, worn ­ out upper windows have been

Free paella and fun galore!

Anna Ellis

GET ready for a blast of excitement as Velez­Malaga proudly presents the muchawaited Ecce­Homo y Amor Festival, returning on Saturday August 26th!

Bringing back this cherished tradition for the 18th year in a row, the festival promises a fantastic time for all. It’s your chance to revel in the festivities and have an absolute blast.

Starting from midday, the day is packed with a whirlwind of events, including lively dance performances, adorable face painting for

the little ones, a thrilling taekwondo exhibition, a heart­pumping zumba master class, plus a lineup of fantastic musical acts.

And that’s not all, a generous helping of free paella

awaits, along with exciting raffles and a lively bar to keep the energy going.

So mark your calendars and spread the word. Let’s bid August goodbye with a bang!

swapped out for brandnew ones, bringing in a breath of fresh air. And that’s not all, these new windows come with a cool crossed ­ air ventilation system, making your swimming experience even more refreshing.

But wait, there’s more! The council didn’t stop at just the windows. They have given the hot water recirculation system a makeover, ensuring that your swims are nothing short of cosy and comfortable.

Rocio Ruiz confirmed:

“We have taken advantage of the summer weeks to complete the work so that in September the improved facility can be enjoyed by all.”

Get ready to make a splash this September in the improved indoor swimming haven. It’s all about taking your swim to a whole new level.

CHERISHED TRADITION: A fantastic time for all.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Velez-Malaga

Acting quick

THE Local Police and the Firefighters of Veleza­Malaga had to act quickly on Saturday August 19. Mid­afternoon in Calle Fortaleza a fire broke out on the slope of Fortaleza. A few days ago a palm tree also burned, in that same area.

Centre reopens

THE mayor of Torrox, Oscar Medina, attended the reopening ceremony of the Torrox­Costa Senior Centre. Improvements have been made amounting to €59,000. Plans are to expand the building which will cost the council €168,000.

Free buses

VELEZ-MALAGA is encouraging residents and visitors to take advantage of the free bus service on Friday, August 25 so you can enjoy the celebrations of the Night of Candles and not have to worry about driving home.

Helicopter help

ON August 19, a man in his 50s was taken in a 061 emergency medical helicopter after suffering a fall from a ladder while installing an air conditioning unit in Nerja. The events took place around 11.30am when witnesses called 112 after seeing their neighbour fall.

24-Hour party

AUGUST 19, saw more than 40,000 join together to enjoy the Elrow Festival when it arrived at the Velez­Malaga fairgrounds. The great show of electronic music which kicked off at 6.00pm was a huge success with revellers partying till 6.30am the following day.

Drought damage

THE extreme drought affecting the Axarquia region, the main producer of raisins in the province of Malaga, will take its toll on this year’s harvest. The Union of Small Farmers is forecasting it will drop by up to 30 per cent compared to a normal year.

3 Cultures Festival

Anna Ellis

THE Frigiliana 3 Cultures Festival is turning sweet 16 this year and to celebrate they are bringing a whirlwind of fun from August 24 to August 27.

You are in for a treat, as always, with three stages rocking Arab, Christian, and Sephardic music.

Brace yourself for two mind ­ blowing pyro ­ musical shows, mind ­ bending mapping projections, and an artisan market bursting with around 100 stalls of crafts and mouthwatering bites.

Feeling peckish? Dive into the tapas galore with more than 16 food

havens to explore. There is a special children’s corner and every ­

Amazing bridge

WALKERS, do you know about the El Saltillo Suspension Bridge?

This amazing bridge, made from a mix of steel and wood, is nestled along the Gran Senda de Malaga trail as it winds through Axarquia, connecting the charming towns of Sedella and Canillas de Aceituno.

Picture this: the bridge is one of Spain’s top three largest suspension bridges that guides you through breathtaking natural landscapes, treating you to views that’ll leave you in awe.

Spanning a length of 50 metres, the bridge boldly stands 50 metres above the Almanchares River channel, right in the enchanting El Saltillo region. The

YOUR EWN HAS

one is invited to get their hands dirty with workshops for both children and grown­ups.

Not to be missed is the artisan bazaar, dazzling street parades, kiddie shows, circus and fairground.

The lovely village of Frigiliana in the heart of Axarquia is set to be transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours and pure magic for four days straight.

All of this is absolutely free! Head along to Frigiliana and join the party!

Health app

ARE you a phone or tablet techno fan who enjoys using apps?

If you are looking for another app to download why not join over 7.5 million other users and download the health service Salud Andalucia app.

63 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

The Great Path

THE Great Path, Gran Senda, runs through 54 urban centres and 61 municipalities, as well as crossing four natural parks, two nature reserves and three natural sites.

A pretty phenomenal achievement.

bridge is located right in the heart of the Sierra Tejeda, Almijara, and Alhama Natural Park. It’s a gateway to discovering the diverse plant and animal life that call the Almanchares River canyon home, you might even spot ibex mountain goats roaming around the area.

If you are ready for a walking adventure, El Saltillo Suspension Bridge is waiting to dazzle you!

The app has now reached a whopping download total of 7,672,062, which is an increase of 1.5 million downloads in the last six months and reflects a notable increase in the use of the application by residents.

Salud Andalucia is an application that gives you

Mobile MOT

FOR those of you who need to get your mopeds checked out for their MOT (ITV) here is some good news, it can be done in Nerja on Wednesday August 30 and Thursday August 31.

The mobile ITV unit will be setting up shop at the Plaza Mercado, at the end of Calle Cisne.

The unit will be there on August 30 from 7.30am until 12.45pm, and on the 31st, from 7.30am to 11.30am.

Getting your ITV done is a piece of cake. Just bring your bank card or pay­

ment voucher for payment, your Vehicle Registration Document, the Technical Inspection Card, and proof that your mandatory insurance is up to date.

If you’re interested, make sure to book an appointment beforehand. You can do that easily through the website at www.itvcita.com or call on (+34) 959 999 999.

The moped’s first ITV is due three years from when the moped was first registered. After that, it’s every two years.

access to all information from the Andalucian Public Health System (SSPA).

It is a simple and secure way to access a range of health service information on your smartphone or tablet, such as dates of forthcoming appointments. During the pandemic caused by Covid19, the Salud Andalucia app played a key role in the need to verify the health status of citizens to allow access to a large number of services and establishments, incorporating services such as the European Union’s Covid Digital Certificate.

Malaga Provincial Council has now put out to tender the maintenance and conservation work on the almost 900 kilometres that make up the Gran Senda de Malaga (GR249) for a period of four years.

Every year, almost two million hikers walk along the stages of the Gran Senda de Malaga (GSM).

The route also links up with the Mozarabic Way of St James (GR245) and with the GR92 E­12 European longdistance footpath, which crosses the Mediterranean arc and ends in Greece.

WHIRLWIND OF FUN: Head along to Frigiliana to the party.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Frigiliana

Pedestrian suspension bridge over El Saltillo road in Canillas de Aceituno.

Image: Miguel Perfectti / Shutterstock.com

Anna Ellis

IF you are looking for an evening of culture then look no further than VelezMalaga.

The town hall has now announced the extensive programme of activities that will take place on Friday, August 25, when the streets of the Historic Centre will host the awaited Night of Candles, Noche en Vela.

Noche en Vela is a cultural evening in which the town will be beautifully decorated with more than 7,000 candles in the streets and emblematic places.

The councillor for Culture, Alicia Ramirez, confirmed:

PROVERB OF THE

Night of Candles Lux Mundi trip

“The Noche en Vela is approaching which is a great night of fun for locals and visitors.

“It will be a great cultural event in which Velez­Malaga will open its doors to all its cultural spaces.

“The town will be illuminated by more than 7,000 candles to give the event a peculiarity and uniqueness. These candles will be distributed making figures, monuments and streets stand out and will be one of the hallmarks of the night.”

There will be organised night­time and photographic tours, parades through the centre, music bands, a brass band, music for young people, activities for children and open art exhibitions, all free of charge.

THE new generation mobile phone service (that’s 4G and 5G) has recently arrived in the Nerja area!

Exciting times, but there’s a little something to keep in mind, it might affect your regular TV signal (digital terrestrial TV or DTT).

To make sure your TV watching remains uninterrupted while the new mobile stations are being rolled out, the super helpful team at LLEGA700 is there to do all the tech magic needed on your TV setup.

The best part? It won’t cost you a thing!

Ring LLEGA700 on the free phone number 900 833 999, and they will sort everything out for you.

FROM October 3 to 7 Lux

Mundi are running an excursion to Puerto de Santa Maria, Jerez and Cadiz. The itinerary is as follows:

Tuesday ­ Arrival in Vejer de la Frontera for a two hour guided tour in English, followed by free time for lunch. Departure at 3pm for Puerto de Santa Maria for four nights, accommodation and breakfast at 4 ­ star Hotel Monestario de San Miguel.

Wednesday ­ Breakfast, followed by a guided of San Marcos castle plus a tasting of three sherries and a Ponche wine. Then free time to visit the market, church etc.

Thursday ­ Breakfast, then travel to Jerez. Free time to explore the city until 5pm.

Friday ­ Breakfast followed by Catamaran to Cádiz. Tourist bus in Cádiz and then some free time. Returning to

Puerto de Santa María on the catamaran at 5pm and to the hotel by bus.

Saturday ­ Breakfast. Then a visit to Medina Sidonia for a two hour guided tour in English at 11am. Free time for lunch and departure at 3.30pm for the return trip. A stop en route and arrival in Torre del Mar at approx. 7pm. Tickets from the Centre, Price €395 pp double/twin room with a Friends card €415 pp for visitors. €495 single room with Friends card and €515 for visitors. Insurance included. Proceeds for fundraising. Pick up points:Algarrobo (Lidl) 07.15, Caleta (Vets) 07.20, Torre del Mar (bus station) 07.30.

For further information please contact the Centre, Torre del Mar Tel. 952 543 334 E­mail: luxmundi@luxmundi.org

August deadline

According to the official rules you have six months from when the new mobile stations went live to ask for help with your TV setup.

The deadline for this in Nerja will be on August 31, so don’t leave it too late to ask for help.

If you have any questions about the stations in your area or need some extra details, call LLEGA700 on their freephone number. They have all the information you need about any possible bumps in the TV road caused by the mobile stations.

21,000 Black taxis in London.

CULTURAL EVENING: The town will be decorated by candles.

Image: Ayuntamiento Vélez-Málaga / Facebook

WEEK

“All’s fair in love and war.”

Means that in love and war you do not have to obey the usual rules about reasonable behaviour. This phrase was first used in 1578 in a novel, Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit, written by John Lyly.

Anna Ellis

FREE Wi ­ Fi coverage has now been extended to the beaches of La Caleta de Velez, in the area of Las Palmeras.

The service will be operational all year round, in summer from 9.00am to 9.00pm, and in winter from 9.00am until 2.00pm.

The councillor responsible for Information Technology, David Segura, confirmed: “Our main objective has been to provide a fluid and accessible connection for residents and visitors.

“To access the Wi­Fi you just simply deploy the Wi­Fi networks on your device

Free Wi-Fi

The councillor added: “This service is aimed both at recreational use and also in view of the boom that has taken place, especially in the wake of the pandemic, for those who telework.

IT’S absolutely wonderful to see that Canillas de Aceituno is becoming increasingly popular! On Saturday, August 19 the town had the pleasure of welcoming a charming group of cyclists from Axarquia. They opted for the town’s

challenging slopes as part of their training regimen. Following a fantastic breakfast, the cyclists also managed to take some time to explore and experience the charm of the town.

(smartphone, tablet or laptop) and connect to Playa Palmeras Caleta. A welcome portal will ask us to accept

CELEBRATIONS are set to be held on Monday August 28 in the Plaza de las Flores in Benagalbon.

The Rincon de la Victoria Town Hall will hold a series of commemorative events to mark the 188th anniversary of the constitution of the first town council of the municipality in the village of Benagalbon.

The mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, Francisco, explained: “This year, we will focus on the events in Benagalbon, where the first town council of the mu­

the conditions of use (which initially have been limited to a connection time of two hours per day per user).”

“We are taking advantage of this new tourism of people who live in other cities or countries but thanks to teleworking prefer to come to such wonderful surroundings as the Pueblo de la Caleta and telework from here.”

188th Anniversary

In 1835 Benagalbon was separated from Moclinejo and formed its own town hall. In 1850 the village of Benagalbon had 70 houses of very poor quality.

In 1878 the phylloxera plague invaded Malaga, wiping out all the vineyards in Benagalbon and most of the province within a few years.

The small landowners were unable to

afford the cost of replanting and there was an avalanche of emigration to the coast, or to America in search of work.

In 1948 the Benagalbon Town Council agreed to transfer the capital to the district of Rincon de la Victoria, and in 1950 the change of capital and name of the municipality to Rincon de la Victoria was

EXTENDED COVERAGE: Can also be enjoyed by teleworkers.

Anna Ellis

FOR the first time, Rincon de la Victoria will host the Andalucian Women’s Badminton Club Championship on September 3.

The championships will be held at the Ruben Ruzafa Municipal Indoor Pavilion in Torre de Benagalbon.

The event, which offers free entry, will start at 9.00am and is scheduled to finish at 9.00pm. There will be medals for the first two finishers in each modality and category.

The event will bring together the best teams in this exclusively women’s only competition which is the only one of its kind in Spain.

The councillor for Sports, Antonio Jose Martin, said: “We will continue to host high­level badminton competitions, after holding the

Badminton

second Women’s Badminton Cup last year.

“We continue to support all kinds of disciplines, including badminton which is a sport that continues to grow in Rincon de la Victoria."

The mayor, Francisco Sal­

ado, added: “This shows our commitment to sport. We are making Rincon de la Victoria a fixed destination for holding regional, national and international events that have an important promotional and economic impact on our municipality.”

Neighbourly visit

WHAT a wonderful Friday it was on August 18 when the mountaineers from the Playas de Torre del Mar Sports Club paid a special visit to Canillas de

Aceituno!

This exciting event marked their eighth journey as part of the ‘SendeViernes 2023’ initiative.

Over the past few

Rincon Rally

RINCON DE LA VICTORIA is excitedly preparing to host the second BTT School Rally and is expecting more than 200 participants between the ages of eight and 14.

The event, which is included in the 25th Provincial Cycling Circuit Diputacion de Malaga, will be held on Saturday September 2 from 10.00am.

If this sounds like your children’s cup of tea, you have until Thursday August 31 to register on the website: diputacionmalagabtt.com , the entry fee is €2 and €7 for non­federation members.

The Rincon de la Victoria Cycling Club explained, “Last year we introduced the municipality into this provincial circuit, as this is the second time they are hosting it appears the event is consolidated for the coming years.”

The mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, Francisco Salado, confirmed: “This type of event attracts participants from the province of Malaga and Andalucia who will spend a day in the municipality with their families. Sport is clearly another tourist attraction in our municipality.”

The councillor for Sports, Antonio Jose Martin, added: “The provincial circuit consists of 12 races, with Rincon de la Victoria being one of these stops.”

years, the path leading to the Saltillo Bridge has become a beloved classic route, capturing the hearts of Torre del Mar club members and walkers alike.

After conquering the route, the adventurers had a blast treating themselves to the delectable culinary delights that Canillas de Aceituno has to offer.

The town’s array of charming restaurants became their playground for post ­ adventure feasting.

Speaking of the SendeViernes, these are no­fuss trails that are just perfect for dipping your toes into the world of hiking while making new friends along the way.

These exciting excursions are thoughtfully organised by the Playas de Torre del Mar Sports Club and take place every Friday during the sunny summer months, either in the laid ­ back afternoon or the early, golden ­ hued evening.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to bask in nature’s beauty while enjoying great company.

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP: The best women’s teams will play.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Rincón de la Victoria / Facebook.

Health care help

IT is a little­known fact that Spain’s paediatric specialists, such as cardiologists, pulmonologists, oncologists, allergists and 23 other specialists, who care for millions of children and adolescents in Spain, are not officially recognised by the Spanish national health system.

The 12,000 paediatricians of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics (AEP) are fighting for the recognition of paediatric specialists, a vital step to ensure the quality of medical care for children and adolescents.

For years, the AEP has been battling for the official recognition of paediatric specialists. The public has been asked to give their collective weight by adding their names on Change.org

Without formal recognition, the future of child healthcare is jeopardised.

The fight for recognition is not just a professional matter; it’s a right that children and adolescents deserve. There are five good reasons to sign the petition.

• More than six million Spanish children and adolescents are attended by medical specialists who are not officially recognised. Paediatric specialists deserve the same recognition as adult specialists.

• They request a specific training itinerary for the primary care paediatrician within the MIR programme in Paediatrics.

• The lack of Paediatricians in Primary Care is causing many deficiencies within Spain. They demand that the authorities adopt the necessary measures to attract pediatric professionals to primary care centres.

• The lack of recognition of paediatric specialities makes it

difficult to offer public employment positions to paediatricians with specific profiles. They urge that a geographical map be drawn up to estimate the need for paediatric specialists in relation to the paediatric population in order to plan the specialised human resources needed in the future.

• Paediatric specialities are recognised in the European Community and in other countries of the world.

Due to the lack of recognition, Spanish specialists have difficulties in obtaining recognition for their paediatric degrees in order to be able to work in other countries.

PAEDIATRICIANS: Deserve to have some recognition.

What to do in a Wildfire

Jo Pugh

WILDFIRES are now a reality, and can strike at any moment. From a lightning strike, a discarded bottle or a lit cigarette carelessly thrown from a window, a raging fire can be alight and spread in a matter of moments. Preparation is key.

As catastrophic wildfires continue to increase each year, make sure to protect yourself and your family ­ plan, prepare and stay aware. This is where the crucial Evacuation Pack comes into play. Designed by Jill Leonard of the Wildfire Watch App, this advice is essential reading. Keep a copy of this article somewhere safe.

Contents of your evac­pack

1. Emergency food and water. Snacks, baby essentials, bottles of water and pet food.

2.Photos. Put memory sticks of photos in the pack.

3. Papers. Put all your ID and all important papers in the evac­pack.

4. Medicines. Don’t forget to take your medications with you. Don’t forget the ones that have to be refrigerated like insulin. If you have spare medication put them in the evac­pack.

5. Money. The evac­pack is where you

would keep an emergency amount of money. You may not be able to use an ATM in the event of a power outage.

6. Petrol or Diesel. If you can make sure your car always has half a tank of fuel. Evacuation routes could be bumper to bumper traffic.

Having a tank at least half filled will keep you less stressed.

7. Address and phone book. If you don’t have the important addresses/ phone numbers stored on your phone then use an address book and keep it in your evac­pack.

8. Chargers. Keep them handy to throw in the evac ­ pack at the last minute! Chargers for phones, tablets, laptops etc. Buy a powerbank.

9. Emergency clothes. According to the weather conditions put a change of clothes in the evac­pack.

10. An old calendar. Handy to have stashed then you won’t forget those important dates.

11. Personal protection for ladies. Ladies do have ‘that time of the month’! Be sure and pack a spare box of your preferred protection.

12. Battery powered radio. Worth considering. Tune it into a local radio station which you know is likely to have emergency bulletins.

13. Photos or videos of your house and contents. Insurance companies are asking for proof of your belongings and the contents of your property when they are processing a claim.

14. Patience: This is one of the most important things to pack. Keep it inside of you so that you have a clear, calm head.

If your phone is on Pay ­ as ­ you ­ go, make sure it is topped up.

Finally, make sure you have somewhere to take your pets or farm animals.

WILDFIRES: Make sure you protect your family - plan, prepare and stay aware.

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THE Royal Household of Spain has released the first images of the Princess of Asturias at the General Military Academy (AGM) of Zaragoza, which she entered on Thursday, August 17. In the different photographs, the heiress to the throne is seen wearing a military shirt, a camouflaged Army uniform and a badge on her chest with the shield of the military teaching centre, cadet stripes and her last name ‘Borbón Ortiz’.

The images show her with a serious face in formation in the courtyard, in class (writing with her left hand, as she is left listening to the instructions of an other soldier, and taking a canteen from its packaging. She wears a military hat and her hair is pinned up in a bun. She wears no earrings and her only accessory is a digital watch with a plastic strap.

During her first two weeks at the academy, the lady cadet Borbón Or tíz (which is her military name) is following the phase of adaptation to

military life, before beginning the first academic year, which will conclude on October 7 with taking an oath. The princess shares a dormitory with 11 other companions, with communal toilets and showers.

The only private space for her is a work table and a wardrobe.

Her captain, who received her on Thursday at the entrance to the academy, where the King, Queen Letizia and her sister, the Infanta Sofía, went to see her off, is

The heiress to the Crown will spend three years in the academies of the Army (Zaragoza), the Navy (Marín) and the Air Force (San Javier), where she will prepare to assume her responsibility as Supreme Command of the Forces in the future Armed Forces, which the Constitution attributes to the Head of State.

The Princess of Asturias will turn 18 on October 31.

The Princess of Asturias.

Credit: The Royal Household

FOOD PRICE RISES:

Are groceries cheaper in Spain or the UK?

As food inflation in Spain increased by half a per cent in July and fell over 2 per cent in the UK, we ask: Are Spanish supermarkets still cheaper than their British equivalents?

INFLATION rates in the last year have been running rampant globally, but it has been the eye­watering increases to food prices that have regularly hit news headlines across Europe. The UK’s Office for National Statistics have reported that food inflation decreased by over 2 per cent in July; by comparison, Spain’s National Statistics Institute revealed that inflation on food rose by 0.5 per cent in July to 10.83 per cent. What often gets missed in the headlines is that all a decrease in the inflation rate means is that food is still increasing in cost, just not as quickly as previously.

Most expats living in Spain will relay glowing tales of how much cheaper it is to eat out than the European country they hail from; the low average cost of a drink and a tapa is a particular favourite to get family and friends back in the home country bubbling with envy and idly considering making the move themselves.

The received wisdom amongst Northern European expats is that supermarket shopping in Spain is also significantly cheaper, but is that actually true? We created a Euro Weekly News grocery basket and took to the price comparison sites to find out. The results may just shock you.

all countries (eg Lidl) and differences in produce seasonality, brands, package sizes and temporary discounts all add to the complexity. We created a basket of 22 items commonly bought by expats and used online price checkers on August 20, 2023 to find the cheapest non­discounted version of each item in five of the most popular supermarkets in Spain and the UK:

● Apples ­ 1kg

● Onions ­ 1kg

● Potatoes ­ 1kg

● Iceberg Lettuce (Whole)

● Semi­Skimmed Milk ­ 1L

● Butter ­ 250g

● Cheddar Cheese (Mature) ­ 300g

● Dozen Eggs

● Medium Whole Chicken

● Mince Beef ­ 500g

● Instant Coffee ­ 200g

● Whole Oats ­ 500g

● Large Sliced Loaf

● Olive Oil ­ 1L

● Tuna in Oil ­ 360g

● Mayonnaise ­ 500g

● Tomato Ketchup ­ 500g

● Long Grain Rice ­ 1kg

● Spaghetti (Dried) ­ 1kg

● Toilet Rolls ­ Six Pack

kets in the UK and this is despite the Spanish government dropping VAT on many of the items in our list at the start of 2023, whilst the UK government have taken no measures to halt price hikes

● The most expensive supermarket basket overall was from French owned Carrefour.

France was highlighted by the BBC in June as having the highest food prices out of a comparison study of five European countries and the price of food there is, on average, 11 per cent higher than in other EU countries.

● The difference in price between the cheapest and most expensive food basket was a staggering €23.85.

● The average price of the food basket was €53.67, over €10 more expensive than the cheapest from Aldi UK.

The ranking in full:

1. Aldi ­ UK €43.12 (£36.87)

2. Tesco ­ UK €50.02 (£42.76)

3. Sainsburys ­ UK €51.64 (£44.16)

4. Asda ­ UK €52.09 (£44.45)

5. Aldi ­ ES €53.11

6. Morrisons ­ UK €53.63 ( £45.86)

7. Mercadona ­ ES €54.29

8. Consum ­ ES €54.75

9. Dia ­ ES €57.10

10. Carrefour ­ ES €66.97

Food Basket in both Spain and the UK was courtesy of Aldi, the German discount store, BUT this win has a twist because whilst the Spanish Aldi basket was €53.11 its British counterpart came in nearly €10 cheaper at €43.12 (£36.87) making Aldi UK the cheapest supermarket overall in our price check.

Is the cost of food in the supermarkets starting to bite for you?

We’d love to hear your comments and any tips and tricks you have to keep food costs down.

Unsurprisingly, comparing the prices of food across supermarkets and across different countries is a painstaking task. Not all popular supermarkets have price catalogues online in

Digging in to the results highlights a few surprises and busts a few myths:

● The four cheapest food baskets were all from supermar­

• Is Grocery Shopping Cheaper in Spain?

• The EWN Grocery Basket

Comparing the prices of food.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Down-and-out

LONDON’S increasingly tawdry Oxford Street could become a blueprint for Britain’s high streets, warned the Retail Sector Council. Richard Pennycook, the council’s vice­chairman and former Co­op chief executive, said towns and cities could become ‘wastelands’ owing to lack of investment incentives for retailers.

Sort it out

BARCELONA­based Picvisa specialises in sorting and classification technologies which use artificial intelligence, artificial vision and optical sorters. The company has now developed a ‘deep learning’ machine that sorts different types of rubbish and detritus while identifying the discarded objects and even their make.

Right royal

THE Spanish Royal Household’s bank balance increased to €6.05 million in 2022, rising from €5.78 million in 2021, thanks to having made savings of €273,643. The Crown received €8.431 million last year, €4.02 million of which has been spent on personnel, the Household’s biggest outlay.

Branching out

AGNELLI, Ferrari and Stellantis’ largest shareholder, acquired a 15 per cent stake in under­pressure Philips which has had to recall millions of faulty sleep apnoea machines. The £2 billion (€2.33 billion) deal also enables Agnelli to increase its stake by up to 20 per cent and possibly take a seat on the Philips’ board.

No biggie

BRITISH companies are progressively more downbeat about the benefits of postBrexit free trade deals, according to a Department for Business and Trade survey. More than 3,000 companies revealed that 58 per cent of firms now believe that the deals will not have a positive impact, the department found.

STAT OF WEEK €25 billion

in overseas trade for Spain’s 170 pharmaceutical companies which overtook the car industry as the country’s principal export sector in 2022, boosted by sales of Covid-19 vaccines.

Issas move Higher interest rates looming

Linda Hall

SALARIES increased more than predicted in June, fuelled by a one­off payout to NHS employees.

In consequence, the Bank of England is once again under pressure to raise interest rates owing to the higher wages.

Raised borrowing costs are on the cards, even though the UK jobs market indicated that employers were letting staff go as economic activity began to slow down.

Redundancies increased and unemployment rose by 0.3 of a percentage point to 4.2 per cent in the second quarter, the Office

for National Statistic (ONS), announced.

At the same time, pay increased at its fastest since records began, the ONS said. It grew by 7.8 per cent during the second quarter of this year, exceeding predictions and comfortably above the previous record

TESLA SPAIN’S sales rose 55 per cent last year, bringing a net profit of €2.64 million, 52.6 per cent more than in 2021.

The company is a subsidiary of Dutchregistered Tesla Motors Tesla Motors Netherlands BV, which in turn depends on Elon Musk’s parent company based in Delaware in the US.

Last year Tesla Spain distributed 4,607 vehicles, a 44.5 per cent increase on 2021 according to accounts submitted to the Registro Mercantil, equivalent to Companies House in the UK.

The increase was the result of the Spain’s expanding market for electric vehicles, assisted by government subsidies for non­polluting vehicles.

The company explained that energy costs had risen and some raw materials

VAT spat

JEWELLERY brand Pandora was the latest retailer to call for VAT­free shopping for UK visitors.

Rasmus Brix, general manager for the UK and Ireland, said the firm was one of many that were missing out since PM Rishi Sunak jettisoned the tax break in 2021.

Around 350 businesses now back the Daily Mail’s Scrap the Tourist Tax campaign, prompting Brix to agree with the newspaper that getting rid of the tax would “significantly boost” the retail sector and the economy.

“This would help to offset some of the disruption we’re seeing as a result of the weather, cost­of­living and ongoing train strikes,” he said.

of 7.3 per cent.

The unanticipated increase encouraged traders to give 84 per cent odds that the Bank of England would announce a further interest rate rise of a quarter of a percentage point to 5.5 per cent next month. Others spoke of a

16 per cent likelihood of a bigger, half­point hike to 5.75 per cent.

Interest rates are forecast to reach a 6 per cent peak next February, higher than the 5.75 per cent that was foreseen before Tuesday’s labour market report was released.

Responding to fears that pay increases would generate a wage­price spiral, the UK’s prime minister Rishi Sunak declared that bringing down inflation was his “number one priority”.

There was “light at the end of the tunnel” in the cost­of­living crisis, the PM insisted.

Positive charge for Tesla

Sales of Model 3 fell by 4 per cent, but still accounted for 59 per cent of the total with 2,736 vehicles. In contrast, Model Y sales rose by 464 per cent to 1,828 vehicles, with Model S and Model X responsible for just 1 per cent.

So far in 2023, Tesla Spain has sold 2,048 cars, 45.35 per cent more than during the same period in 2022.

THE billionaire owners of Asda and the EG Group of petrol stations are selling off US convenience stores to settle billions of pounds of debt.

Brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa sold 63 EG Group­owned shops in Kentucky and Tennessee to the Casey’s General Stores chain for an undisclosed amount.

News of the US sales coincided with Moody’s warning on August 15 that Asda, which the Issas bought for £6.8 billion (€7.93 billion) in 2021, was under intense pressure owing to competition in the grocery industry.

EG Group’s debts stood at $9.67 billion (€8.96 billion) by late 2022, company accounts showed.

Wrong calls

were now more expensive owing to the Ukraine war. The impact of the conflict on its finances depended on “future events which could not be predicted with accuracy,” sources added.

Banks want interest

THE Spanish government dismantled the failed Castor underwater gas storage plant off Vinaros (Castellon) in 2019.

The controversial plans were abandoned after the installation caused 4.1 earthquakes and tremors that were felt on land for weeks. In October 2020, the National High Court in Madrid ruled that Santander, CaixaBank and Bankia (subsequently merged with CaixaBank) were entitled to €1.35 billion compensation.

The ruling excluded interest, which the banks immediately decided to fight for, a battle they have not yet won. The National High Court recently threw out Santander and CaixaBank’s appeals against an earlier ruling that rejected their separate claims for interest which amounted to €100.12 million between them.

It is not yet known whether the banks intend to appeal against the latest ruling or intend to continue taking legal action.

Turnover reached €229.2 million, 51 per cent more than last year while income from services rose almost fourfold to 244.6 per cent to €112 million. The company paid €894,087 in corporation tax last year, compared with €595,590 in 2021.

Making hay

SPANISH hay as well as wheat and other grains has been hit by drought.

Hay is one of Spain’s lesserknown exports, although producers habitually supply markets in North Africa, the Persian Gulf, Taiwan and Japan.

This season they face problems in supplying their traditional clients owing to high prices and lack of supplies, said the owner of Nual, a company in Arenillas de Muño (Burgos).

Another producer, Europaja, estimated that not only would it have difficulty in meeting its export orders, but imports would increase with hay fetching €12 a kilo at source and fodder costing 40 cents a kilo.

NATWEST was ranked Britain’s worst bank for repaying fraud victims. Recently hit by the debanking scandal, NatWest rejected more than 5,000 fraud compensation claims since 2020, according to the Telegraph. Approximately 3,300 NatWest resolutions were later overturned by the Financial Ombudsman Service, with the bank making the wrong decision in 54.4 per cent of cases.

Santander, which erroneously rejected 53.6 per cent of customers’ claims, was ranked second­worst. It was followed by HSBC, which the Ombudsman Service considered had wrongly rejected 53 per cent of fraud victims’ requests for compensation.

Basques in US

US president Joe Biden visited the Milwaukee (Wisconsin) plant of Basque­headquartered Ingeteam on August 16.

Biden was received by Alex Belaustegui, Corporate Development director of the firm which specialises in energy conversion. It has now produced more than 4,000 generators for the wind­energy sector and supplied four gigawatts of solar and energy storage inverters for the US market.

Contracts for an additional 1.1 gigawatts for the same sector are in the execution stage and scheduled to be installed by end of the 2004’s first quarter.

INTEREST RATES: Bank of England expected to announce hike in September.

ELON MUSK: Founder of Tesla, whose Spanish profits are on the increase.

Photo credit: CC/James Mitchell

Photo credit: CC/Steve Jurvetson

DOW JONES

Soft loans

GIBRALTAR’S Minister for Business, Vijay Daryanani announced the launch of the Gibraltar Enterprise Scheme, an initiative providing soft bank loans for startups and existing small businesses operating for less than three years. Participating banks are Trusted Novus Bank and Gibraltar International Bank, and the scheme will be fully guaranteed by the Gibraltar government.

New role

OSCAR­WINNING compos­

er Hans Zimmer, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of the Working Title film company have purchased the BBC’s Maida Vale studio for £10.5 million (€12.28 million). The new owners intend to convert the building, which has hosted famous stars from the Beatles to David Bowie and Adele, into a school for aspiring musicians.

Malhotra steps down

HARVEY NICHOLS’ chief executive Manju Malhotra is not leaving due to an alleged dispute with the store’s shareholder as extensively reported by the media.

“The Group would like to reiterate that this is incorrect,” a Harvey Nichols spokesperson told the Euro Weekly News on Tuesday August 15.

“The departure is on amicable terms with Manju working her notice period to ensure a smooth transition. “It is also incorrect that

Harvey Nichols is owned by Dickson Concepts, which is

Spain down under

A SUBSIDIARY of Spanish engineering and infrastructure company ACS won a six­year

AU$500 million (€300 million) contract with Australia’s Department of Defence.

UGL, now part of ACS’s CIMIC Group, will provide services covering strategic advice, supply management, operations, and maintenance for the Australian Defence Force’s fuel network.

The Spanish parent company announced

recently that UGL has secured five further contracts worth AU$600 million (€370 million) with Australian energy and mining firms. These include constructing two additional processing trains for US company, Albemarle, at its Kemerton lithium hydroxide plant. This will enable Albemarle to increase lithium production to an annual 100,000 metric tons, facilitating the manufacture of an estimated 2.4 million electric vehicles each year.

Digi does it

a listed company in Hong Kong. Harvey Nichols is owned by Sir Dickson Poon in his private capacity,” the statement continued.

“Any investment made in Harvey Nichols in recent years is from Sir Dickson Poon in a private capacity, and not Dickson Concepts.”

Having joined Harvey Nichols in 1998 as a newlyqualified chartered accountant, Manju Malhotra held several roles prior to becoming Group Finance Director in 2010.

She was promoted to the role of co ­ chief Operating Officer in 2018, with joint responsibility for leading the business before promotion to chief executive in January 2020.

“I have had the most amazing 25 years at Harvey Nichols,” she said. “I have been fortunate to work with many wonderfully talented people and partners both in the UK and internationally.”

DIGI, the Spanish subsidiary of the Romaniabased telecoms operator, reported revenues of €299.7 million during the first half of this year, 30.9 per cent more than during the same period in 2022. The low ­ cost company now has 5.7 million clients, 1.4 million of whom moved to the company over the past year, an increase of 33 per cent.

Back on track

MARKS & SPENCER could reenter the FTSE 100 after its market capitalisation surpassed £4.3 billion (€5.028 billion) as shares soared to a 19month high. Thanks to providing England’s Lionesses with their non­ sports uniform, plus increased holiday wear, homeware and food sales, M&S’s April­ August turnover has grown by 6 per cent when compared with the same period last year.

HARVEY NICHOLS: London’s iconic and luxurious department store.

Photo credit: CC/Jordi Ferrer

An absolutely brilliant service

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

THINK IT

THOUGHT I’d scribe events by way of a change this week. In truth this last year has been a bit of a medical nightmare. Some months ago I experienced a fall while walking de dawg, which resulted in a brain bleed. I then broke a leg in the garden.

Shortly after, I received a marvellous (Bionic Man!) heart pacemaker. The final disaster found me tripping over on a dodgy terrace, which resulted in a broken shoulder. (Ooh ooh the pain).

Worry not; the ol boy isn’t looking for sympathy, I just need to state loudly and clearly, that throughout the whole sequence of events, the Spanish hospital and medical staff have been absolutely brilliant.

Personally I have had no experience of services on the Spanish mainland, but can categorically assure everyone that on this beautiful island of Mallorca, the whole National Health Organisation is first class.

Emergency staff, doctors, nurses and (as we speak) physio workers, plus the speed of the appointments simply can’t be faulted. I would like to thank every single one of them for the care and treatment I have received and am still experiencing. Thank the Lord I didn’t go through it all in the UK.

I can imagine even the very waiting periods would have been horrendous. In their endeavours to keep the whole British nation on a knife edge before the next election, I have no doubt the NH unions, in solid league with the Labour party, are fully delighted to see medical staff packing the streets with derogatory placards; while the long suffering patients experience fully extended periods of suffering, cementing a determination to vote against the conservative party next year.

Ninety nine per cent of the staff in the Balearics are Spanish national locals and you can literally feel the bond this creates throughout the whole organisation. Absolutely nothing like the attitudes and often sheer chaos that ensues throughout the UK system of immigrant workers and racial or political disharmony.

FOOTBALL FREEDOM OUR VIEW

One colleague of mine informed me that many of the main floor workers are so low in intellect they have to move them to different departments, because to actually fire them would result in an uproar of racism accusations. Heaven help the lot of ‘em.

And thank the lord for heaven consistently helping the wonderful health workers of Spain.

This now remarkably fit 84­year­old ex­patient will be forever in your debt. In this week’s final note, let’s just hope that the result of the horrific case of UK nurse Lucy Letby also ensues in sackings and resignations from responsible health workers, staff and police who should have detected something amiss far earlier.

And make certain that this maniac baby killer doesn’t finish up being mollycoddled in some cosy country institution.

Thanks for all your letters. I can’t reply to them all, but believe me I read every one. Keep the faith

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com

Mon. and Fri. 1pm till 4

THERE is no question that women’s football has really come of age and the international interest just keeps growing.

With our links with England and our base in Spain, it was very appropriate that the final should have been contested between eventual winners Spain and England.

Unless you are a dyed in the wool supporter of either team, the outcome wasn’t really that important, with the way in which the women’s version of the sport has grown in stature so quickly being more significant.

Certainly, the USA was for years the home of women’s football with large numbers of young women taking up the sport in college, perhaps because it isn’t as physically demanding as American Football and it can lay claim to being the true ‘beautiful game’.

It took much longer to take off in Europe and it wasn’t that long ago that FC Barcelona were being called out for booking the men’s team in business class and the women’s team on the same flight in economy.

England winning the European Trophy certainly helped promote the popularity and TV programmes such as Dorking ‘Til I Die which relates the role of Calum Best as Chairman of Dorking Wanderers FC Ladies helped to spotlight the growth on the women’s game in England.

Now that the new professional season has started again, expect to see larger crowds at women’s matches, but it will still take a long time for female players to have the same astronomic price tags as their male counterparts.

What is positive however is that there has been another area where the role of women in today’s society has seen the glass ceiling at least cracked if not shattered.

Leapy Lee’s

LIVING IN A COMFORT ZONE

THIS is a boring story. Difficult to believe, but amazingly it’s true.

About 15 years ago I got to know a couple in their 60s from Cheshire. Albert and his wife Kathleen have a holiday home on the Costa del Sol which they occupy for the month of April. For the past 13 years they have always turned up on a Wednesday as close to the first of April as possible, arriving late morning on the same flight. Once settled in, after a light snack on their terrace they take an afternoon siesta before changing for their evening meal at La Golondrina, a small restaurant by the beach.

They are not sufficiently confident to say ‘Hola’ or ‘Gracias’ in Spanish. However, when they arrive at the restaurant at seven o’clock, they are expected.

Owner: “ Hola, amigos. Good to see you again. Here is your table by the window.”

The following day, a Thursday, the evening routine is repeated. At the crack of 7pm (opening time) they arrive at La Golondrina and are welcomed again by the owner, Paco. Having accompanied Albert and Kathy on a couple of occasions, I can imagine the conversation: “Hola, amigos. Good to see you again. Here is your table by the window.” “Thank you, Paco”.

The procedure is repeated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They always arrive at opening time and sit at the same table by the window. Almost all the customers are English and each day there is a special of the day.

On Tuesdays it is roast pork, on Wednesday roast chicken, Thursday roast lamb, Friday fish and chips, Saturday vegetable curry and Sunday roast beef.

Apart from Fridays and Saturdays, the vegetables are always the same. They both have the special every day with a shared bottle of mineral water and no dessert.

Barring illness or exceptional circumstances they are there from Tuesday to Sunday every night of their holiday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

On Mondays Albert and Kathy patronise Big Ben’s Steakhouse in the town. Every Monday!

On the last day of the holiday, at the end of April, Paco awards them a free brandy at the end of the meal and they reserve the same table by the window for seven o’clock for the following year. A week before they return next year Albert will phone the restaurant to confirm that all is in order.

On very rare occasions, I have encouraged them to be driven along the coast to a Spanish restaurant for lunch. They were never interested in trying the paella but, being carnivores, normally settled for a steak. Being out of their comfort zone, they would then have to decide whether or not they had the appetite to support Paco at La Golondrina that evening.

They probably enjoyed a stress­free holiday ­ except, perhaps, when I broke their routine.

ACTOR’S LATEST ROLE: NARRATING MY AUDIOBOOKS!

zon/Audible of ‘Death in Windermere’ etc. My latest, ‘The Couple across the Street’, is currently in production and will soon be available!

BACK in 1878, shortly after he’d invented the phonograph, Thomas Edison had an idea. Leaning over his new machine he recited: “Mary had a little lamb. Its fleece was white as snow.” As he created the first ever audio of the spoken word, Edison dreamed that the technology might eventually allow a whole novel to be recorded. Nearly 150 years later, he’d be pretty impressed to be able to download 75,000+ audiobooks!

Rayner Bourton, who created the role of ‘Rocky’ in the original London production of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’, has produced all my psychological suspense crime thrillers, each one expertly narrated with authentic accents. Listen yourself to free audio samples on Ama­

I often get requests from readers (and arts/book clubs), but not all pan out. Would I ‘ghost’ someone’s life story? (This from retired accountants and librarians. Riveting reading, right?) Another wrote enthusiastically and exhaustively about his project ­ a memoir he’d imaginatively titled: ‘My Autobiography’. Maybe I missed a bestseller (and blockbuster movie) there. Anyway, his ‘life story’ turned out to be more OTT bonkers than bizarre...

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.nora­johnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

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

Choosing the same flight every year and the same window table every evening can make for a stress-free holiday - if the routine is not broken.

Photo credits: travelnews.co.za and fellingproducts.com

LETTERS

What do you think about this?

READERS will know that every week, Euro Weekly News publishes a column written by Leapy Lee who has a reputation for being outspoken and on some occasions his personal views cause division amongst our readers.

We have received just two letters disagreeing with his observations in his article ‘A Diverse Dilemma’ but feel it both appropriate and fair that we publish these missives (although one is slightly edited) so that readers can form their own opinion.

Please feel free to let us know your feelings on Leapy’s articles via info@euroweek lynews.com.

Freedom of speech

I read ‘A Diverse Dilemma’ by Leapy Lee 10 – 16 Aug edition, and was a little baffled about the issue that was being addressed.

While I may concede that there may be an issue with BAME actors playing a historical figure like Henry VIII, I don’t see what the issue is with adverts showing multicultural families. After all, we live in a multicultural society. What do you mean, “It smells like leftie missions to normalise racial relationships…” Are you suggesting that mixed race relationships are not normal and should be verboten? If so, where do you draw the line?

Lee then jumps to freedom of speech, suggesting that white people are not allowed to use their freedom of speech to comment on the above perceived misrepresentation in TV ads. You will be pleased to know that I am an advocate of freedom of speech too but that does not absolve the speaker from the consequences. So, if you come out with racist statements, one of the consequences is that others perceive you as a racist. I think what you are advocating is the right to be offensive without any consequences either formal or informal.

If Lee is such a strong advocate of the principle of freedom of speech, he could take a look at the current legislation passed by the right wing conservative government. They have passed Anti Strike Laws that will make striking illegal. Employers will be able to force people to work longer hours for example and sack them if they don’t agree. There have been people locked out of the electoral process ­ voter ID and the right to protest has been curtailed.

The statistics on knife crime quoted on face value may be correct but what are you implying? That the BAME population are genetically predisposed to knife crime? If you really believe this, I’d love to hear Lee defend that and retain any credibility.

Dr James Alexander published research in 2020 stating that knife crime is fuelled by poverty and social deprivation and BAME are twice as likely to live in such areas. The MET have been shown to be institutionally racist and their knife crime initiatives have targeted the BAME community disproportionately as research by Dr Elaine Williams from the University of Greenwich in 2022 states.

The UK is not heading to a China regime, we are already living in an Ultra­Right Conservative Dictatorship like Salazar’s Portugal!

Finally, I would love to see Lenny Henry play Henry VIII, he’d make a damned good job of it.

Old dinosaur

I am writing to express my disgust at the Leapy Lee article, you have distanced yourselves from said article, but have allowed him to print his dog whistle racist diatribe in your paper, he is an old dinosaur who should not be allowed to use your informative paper to promote his extremely racist ideas to the public, he deserves cancelling for his venomous thoughts on the general public, printing figures that suit his personal beliefs, seriously disappointing from a European paper.

New law

I don’t think the new animal welfare law is helping the animals that really need it. The law is not applicable to hunting dogs, who are the most abused and ill­treated. Also it says that dogs are not allowed to be kept on balconies or terraces, but nothing about being kept chained up 24/7, or confined to a small concrete cage in the garden.

Surely these are things that can be policed much easier than checking that someone has an insurance policy for their dog!!

Carol Smith

180-day rule

Why does everyone bang on about Spain not bringing in 180 days for UK visitors as has happened in the UK.

In the UK it only has to answer to itself for any changes, but all the EU states must agree to any change as above and there is not a snowball in hell’s chance that all will agree. I expect most Spaniards would be only too happy for this to happen as it brings in valuable income.

Roger Fell

PETS

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If you’re planning a trip register now as a member of our network to find an affordable home and pet care solution. Whether your trip is short or long, you’ll know that sometimes you must leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying at home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Join our pet and house­sitting network, and the sitters come for free!

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

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSit Match.com

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Water features for birds

This is Lossit who loves play with housesitters when his owner are away on holiday.

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

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

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To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com

AS expats embracing the vibrant Spanish culture, we constantly search for ways to blend the best of both worlds, especially when it comes to the well­being of our pets.

One delightful way to pamper our four­legged companions is through home­made treats, crafted with love and local ingredients. Not only do these treats provide a healthi­

Home made pet treats

er alternative to store­bought versions, but they celebrate the rich flavours of Spain.

Imagine blending ripe olives, fresh from the orchard, into a soft dough for dogs, or incorporating sun­ kissed tomatoes into a delicious puree for cats. The local markets brim with fresh produce

that can be creatively adapted into treats. From Iberian meats to freshly­caught fish from the Costa, the culinary possibilities are endless.

Moreover, crafting homemade treats offers a beautiful opportunity to delve deeper into Spanish culinary traditions. Incorporating ingredients like manchego cheese or aromatic herbs can introduce your pets to the very essence of Spain’s gastronomic legacy.

In essence, these treats aren’t just about nutrition but also a celebration of the life we’ve chosen here. They embody the spirit of Spain, a testament to our journey as expats and the ever­evolving bond we share with our pets.

REFRESHING: From cleaning their feathers to frolicking in playful splashes.

FOR birds, the allure of water isn’t just about quenching thirst; it’s a portal to their natural inclinations, an avenue to exhibit instinctual behaviours. Their connection to water extends beyond drinking, playing a pivotal role in their daily routines, from cleaning their feathers to frolicking in playful splashes. A basic, shallow dish with fresh water can be transformative. Strategically placed within their living space, it grants birds the

opportunity to wade, splash, and indulge in a refreshing bath. This not only aids in keeping their feathers in pristine condition but also offers a source of entertainment and exercise.

For those wishing to further mimic nature’s touch, consider a mister. The light, fine droplets it releases can simulate the gentle rainfall of a tropical rainforest, offering hydration and a whimsical playground for your avian companion. This subtle rain shower not only

moisturises their skin and feathers, but also brings a touch of the wild right into their domesticated environment.

However, it’s imperative to tailor water features to the specific needs and likes of your bird. While a parrot might enjoy a sprightly splash, a canary might prefer the serene calm of still water. Observing and understanding your bird’s preferences ensures that the water feature enhances their quality of life.

THE art of capturing character photographing pets isn’t merely about getting them to sit still in front of a camera. It’s about capturing a fleeting moment, a mischievous twinkle, or a relaxed sigh that embodies their entire personality.

How do you encapsulate the spirit of a being that communicates more through gestures and purrs than words?

The magic often lies in the subtleties. Think about the warmth of the early morning sun filtering through the window, casting a golden hue on your cat’s fur. Natural lighting doesn’t just illuminate; it ac­

centuates, lending depth and richness to your images. And unlike the harshness of a flash, it won’t startle your pet or mar the photo with the dreaded red­eye. However, it’s not just about the environment. Perspective plays a pivotal role. Imagine viewing the world from the eyes of your pet. Dropping down to their eye level creates an intimacy in the shot, turning it

most magical shots are unplanned. Pets, much like us, have their candid moments of unguarded emotion.

Patience then becomes the photographer’s best tool. Waiting for that spontaneous yawn or playful leap can lead to unexpectedly perfect captures. To add a dash of playfulness or context, introduce familiar toys or props. They not only di

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Greenwood’s career over

THE football career of Mason Greenwood is over as far as Manchester United are concerned.

An internal investigation that was subsequently conducted by the Old Trafford club into Greenwood’s behaviour after he was arrested in January 2022, has now been completed the Premier League giants confirmed on Monday, August 21.

Even after a case against the 21­year­old including accusations of attempted rape, assault and coercive control was previously dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in February, his future at United was always hanging in the balance.

A statement from the club read: ‘Manchester United has concluded its internal investigation into the allegations made against Mason Greenwood’.

It continued: ‘Our process commenced in February 2023, following all charges against Mason being dropped. Throughout, we have taken into account the wishes, rights

and perspective of the alleged victim along with the club’s standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible. This has required us to proceed with sensitivity and care to obtain evidence not in the public domain, including from those with direct knowledge of the case’, the statement explained.

‘Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged. That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for’, it continued.

‘All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United. It has therefore been mutually agreed it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome.’

‘Inappropriate’ kiss

John Ensor

WAS it a simple show of affection or an act of inappropriate behaviour? The question lingers after Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales kissed Spain’s football star Jenni Hermoso on the lips.

The incident took place as Hermoso was proceeding to the podium to receive her Women’s World Cup winners’ medal, following Spain’s triumph over England in Sydney on Sunday, August 21, according to a news source. The victory was sealed by Olga Carmona’s goal on the date of the final match.

After being awarded her medal by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, Hermoso was embraced by Mr Rubiales, who lifted her into the air. A short dialogue between the two ensued, culminating in Mr Rubiales pulling Hermoso close and planting a kiss on her lips.

The act quickly ignited a storm on social media, with fans and former players accusing Mr Rubiales of misconduct. Former England player Casey Stoney tweeted: ‘Would he kiss a male player like this? This is NOT ok.’

Another said: ‘This is harassment, Bro took advantage of the situation’. While another said: ‘He kissed and hugged all of them which was already embarrassing, but this was cringe­worthy. He should be banned’.

When questioned about the incident, Hermoso spoke to Spanish TV network La 1, stat­

Off to the UK

SPAIN men’s national walking football team hope to emulate the ladies World Cup success this week when they travel to the UK to participate on the International stage, looking to lift walking football’s biggest prize.

banned.

ing: “Eh... yeah, I did not enjoy that.” Mr Rubiales, in response to the uproar, told Radio Marca, “The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots everywhere. When two people have a minor show of affection, we can’t listen to idiocies. We are champions and that is what stays with me.”

The 33­year­old Hermoso, who has had illustrious stints with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona and now plays for Mexican team Pachuca, adds the World Cup to her impressive career achievements.

Carmona’s goal in the first half, reflecting Spain’s elegant playing style, was enough to secure victory against the Lionesses in Sydney, avenging their loss in the quarter­finals of the previous year’s European Championships.

Laporte’s possible move to Saudi

THE Spanish international defender, Aymeric Laporte, is poised to sign a three­year deal with Al­Nassr according to the Foot Mercato journalist, Santi Aouna.

He tweeted on Sunday, August 20: ‘Aymeric Laporte has said YES officially today to join Al­Nassr. Contract until June 2026 and ~€25m salary by year. Agreement already reached between the clubs. Last details’.

Fabrizio Romano, the respected Italian football transfer expert also posted: ‘Aymeric Laporte and Al Nassr are now in advanced discussions over three­year deal ­ player has accepted the Saudi destination. Salary being discussed ­ $25m per season as @Santi_J_FM called, but now negotiating around $20m. Fee for Man City will be in excess of €20m’.

Should he complete the lucrative switch to Al­Awwal Park, Laporte will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar was the catalyst that sparked a mass exodus of top players from Europe to the Middle East.

Al­Nassr have already acquired the services of the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich striker Sadio Mane. Seko Fofana made the same move from Ligue 1 club Lens, as did the

Croatian international midfielder, Marcelo Brozovic, who arrived from Inter Milan in Serie A.

Laporte will be joined in defence by the former Manchester United fullback, Alex Telles. The 30 ­ year ­ old Brazilian international completed a €4.6m transfer to the Riyadh­based outfit according to transfermarkt. com.

The recent arrival at the Etihad Stadium of the Croatian international centre­back Josko Gvardiol from RB

Leipzig means that Laporte’s chances of first ­ team action would be very limited this season.

He joined City for £57m in January 2018 from La Liga side Athletic Bilbao and has since made 180 appearances in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s all­conquering team.

The Premier League transfer window closes at the end of August, but in Saudi Arabia clubs have until September 20 to finalise any more deals.

A 12 man squad picked from sides competing on the Costa del Sol and Alicante region lock horns with England, Wales and the Czech Republic amongst others in a tough looking group.

Despite an unkind draw the team’s player/manager, Mark Coleman, was positive in his thoughts ahead of the World Cup Of Nations tournament held at the HQ of English football, St George’s Park.

“We go with high aspirations and feel that we can get to the knockout stages , that’s our minimum objective, to do well would really boost this football format and encourage participation in Spain.”

The tournament starts today, Thursday August 24 ­ Saturday August 26 and Spains matches are being shown live on the Recast TV App.

A huge coup for Spurs

SPURS will be hoping to make amends for what was a shocking season last time out as they battled against relegation, despite going on a spending spree 12 months ago, and without January recruit and World Cup ace Bethany England, Tottenham could well have been a Championship club.

The North London outfit have been active this summer as well, however, they are looking to be in a better spot than 12 months ago because they’ve not gone crazy, with just three new recruits having arrived thus far in the form of ex­PSG star Barbora Votikova, Luana Buhler and Grace Clinton from Manchester United on loan.

That likely won’t be enough to see Spurs start challenging the bigger clubs in the Women’s Super League, or even get on the same level as someone such as Aston Villa who were very impressive last term, but it should mean that they have a solid foundation from which to build upon.

Especially when they are getting in­house business sorted out too, because while fans crave new signings to help improve their side, keeping together a core group of players who know the club inside and out is equally as important, so seeing long­term star Zadorsky commit her future to the club is huge news. The Canadian international was the club captain two seasons ago, such is the respect she has from inside the dressing room, and with the defender also being away on international duty this summer with her national side, to have kept her at the club and fend off interested parties must be seen as a huge coup for Spurs.

Zadorsky has been with Spurs since she departed Orlando Pride on loan initially back in 2020, before then making it a permanent switch the following January and has since gone on to become a regular for Spurs and a household name in the WSL and on the international scene having won gold with her country at the last Olympic games.

CRINGE-WORTHY: He should be

MANCHESTER CITY: Stand to receive a fee in excess of €20 million for the transfer.