ISSUE 625 • 23rd February - 1st March 2018
EST 2005
CREDIT: WIKICOMMONS
Brit facing time behind bars
ON TRIAL: The Brit is on trial at the Provincial Court of Almeria.
By Ben Park A BRITISH expat has appeared in an Almeria court on suspicion of attacking an elderly couple in Arboleas. During the hearing, the prosecution requested a nine-and-a-half year sentence. The man allegedly entered the British couple’s property after jumping the fence wearing a Spanish flag wrapped around his face to conceal his identity. He then tried to enter the home of the victims, now
aged 71 and 74, who weresavagely beaten by the defendant as he ‘repeatedly hit them with a metal object.’ The Brit continued to hit the elderly man until he was unconscious in order to steal his house keys, before also attacking the woman to get the keys to her car. A wallet containing €260 and several cards was stolen during the raid, as well as a keyring and a mobile phone that was later sold on to a third party. As a result of the beating,
the man suffered a traumatic brain injury due to fractures and suffered hearing loss in both ears which now forces him to wear an aid. Subsequently, the prosecutor has asked for a total of nine-and-a-half years in prison for the crimes of theft
and serious assault alongside a fine of €10 a day for three months. In addition, they have also asked for almost €20,000 in compensation for the couple. , alongside €455 for the stolen items.
2 NEWS BITES
Living on the veg FRUIT and vegetable cooperative Unica Group has revealed that English children eat more of their products than their Spanish counterparts, with a 500 gramme pack of cocktail tomatoes selling particularly well in British schools.
First class CARBONERAS Council has announced the installation of two free parcel ‘terminals’ at the village post office, allowing residents to pick up or deposit parcels throughout the day by registering on the website www.citypaq.es.
Chill factor A FRESH blast of icy weather is set to hit Almeria, with temperatures expected to plummet from today (Friday), and scattered rain forecast from Monday, according to state weather office AEMET.
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23rd February - 1st March 2018
“We just want to try and recover our lives” Priors finally receive compensation TEN years after their home was illegally demolished, Len and Helen Prior have finally received a payout. The couple, who are now in their 70’s, were paid a settlement of almost €236,000 by Vera Council a decade after their dream home was demolished. “Now this is over, we just want to try and recover our lives, we have lost 10 years that no amount of money can replace,” Helen said. Mrs Prior continued to thank lawyers Victor Martinez and Jose Contreras for their “hard work over the last 10 years,” while also stating that the payout was “very poor” consider-
ing their home originally cost the couple €350,000. She said: “The house was legal and demolished for political reasons, we were scapegoats. “I was awarded €1,500 for ‘moral damages’ and my husband €7,500 for 10 years of suffering, ridiculous. In any other EU country the amount would have been much higher,” she added. The Priors’ story is one known internationally after their home was bulldozed in 2008 due to ‘planning irregularities.’ Their two-storey Almerian villa was torn down despite the couple insisting
that the town hall had granted them a municipal construction licence in 2002, and they were forced to live in a garage for four-and-a-half years. A Constitutional Court later annulled the demolition order and the couple thought they finally had a breakthrough in 2016, after a court awarded them €425,185 compensation. But despite their initial request for €800,000 including €200,000 in emotional damages, the Andalucian High Court of Justice later ruled that they should only receive just over half that amount which they have finally been given.
A DECADE LATER: The Priors, now in their 70’s, have finally received some compensation. Gerardo Vazquez, lawyer and spokesperson for the Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No (AUAN) campaign group, said: “As a spokesperson for AUAN, I am very happy for the Priors. I hope that you can at least continue with your lives more peacefully.
“With the good humour that has characterised them during the last 10 years their struggle has lasted, they have shown great tenacity and resistance and are an example to all of us. “I give all my love and admiration to the Priors.”
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Police hit right note NATIONAL POLICE in Almeria have recovered eight musical instruments reportedly valued at more than €15,000. An 18-year-old man has
been arrested on suspicion of burglary. A police investigation began after reports of a robbery at a school located on Calle Padre Mendez. Multiple items were stolen during the robbery, including several appliances from the cafeteria, five guitars, a tenor trombone, a cello, an alto saxophone, a violin, various other instruments and €1,400 in cash. Police quickly located a home in the area, where a
teenager was allegedly selling the stolen musical instruments on the black market for much lower than their real value. In one instance, he had reportedly sold a trombone, worth an estimated €4,500, for just €600. After a search of his house, the majority of the items taken during the robbery, including kitchen appliances, were recovered and have been returned to their rightful owners.
NEWS BITES
Surprise arrest A 59-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested in Almeria after allegedly being stopped before attempting to rob a shop. The man was surprised by police at the door of a supermarket carrying both a revolver and a knife.
Killer crash A 51-YEAR-OLD motorcyclist has died after colliding with a car on the Camino Rambla del Mar in Viator. No fur ther injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Identity theft TWO people have been arrested in Garrucha accused of multiple crimes including identity theft, fraud and falsification of documents. The pair allegedly posed as one of their neighbours to steal almost €12,500.
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23rd February - 1st March 2018
WORLD-RENOWNED vocal group Il Divo will play a concert in Almeria in September as part of their world tour. The quartet has been confirmed for a performance at the Teatro Apolo in Almeria on September 6. The news was officially announced by Councillor for Culture for the City Council, Carlos Sanchez, on Twitter. He said: “Confir med! Il Divo will be in Almeria on September 6.” Il Divo have confirmed three dates in Spain so far as part of their tour, which will also see the group perform in Argentina, Mexico and the UK before heading to Spain. Including the Almerian date,
CREDIT: @AYTOALM/TWITTER
Il Divo to perform in September
PERFORMANCE: Il Divo will perform at the Teatro Apollo on September 6. performances have also been confirmed for Marbella on July 28 and Merida on September 8. Tickets for the concert will officially go on sale on Tuesday, Feb-
ruary 27. Prices start at €50 each and are available at www.almeri aculturaentradas.es or via the municipal box office located at the Teatro Apolo.
New Hollywood blockbuster delayed FILMING in Almeria for the brand new Hollywood thriller ‘The Rhythm Section’ starring Jude Law and Blake Lively has been postponed. The movie was expected to begin filming in Almeria in the first quarter of this year, but has had to be delayed due to a wrist injury suffered by Blake Lively, who is still recovering. Filming will now be postponed until the end of June, when the actors will head to the region for a week-long shoot. During their time in Almeria, pictures are expected to be shot in Almeria City, in the Pescaderia neighbour-
STARS: Blake Lively and Jude Law will star in the film. hood, the jewel, the port and different streets of the historic centre, including Real, La Reina and Arraez.
The Rhythm Section, directed by Reed Morano, is expected to hit cinema screens in Februar y, 2019.
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Parador celebrates 90th anniversary THE National Parador hotel chain celebrated its 90th birthday with an open day. Residents and guests were given the tour around the hotel and told about its histor y from midday onwards. An original painting by Spanish artist Cesar Manrique that hangs in the lounge area and an eighth centur y cabinet were among the items shown to those in the tour. It ended with a film showing of a video made by the National Parador Group to celebrate the anniversary. “The presence of a Parador in Mojacar is a very important mainstay for local tourism and promotion. It also provides employment to 46 employees who are in charge of making sure it runs smoothly,” Mojacar’s council said. The hotel, one of 16 in Andalucia, opened the first of its
CELEBRATIONS: The Parador hotel. branches in 1928. Mojacar saw the opening of its Parador in 1966 and it is still the only one in Almeria. Jacinto Alarcon, the mayor of the town at the time, pushed for the opening of the Mojacar chain in the 1960’s. It was opened by the Minister
Fraga Iribarna. Iribarna also took photographs of the sea at Palomares at the time to show it was safe following the accidental dropping of nuclear bombs in what became known as the Palomares incident.
Spanish royalty as well as leading intellectuals, artists and film stars have all stayed at the Parador since the opening of the first of the chain in the 1920’s. The Mojacar hotel is located by the Mediterranean with each room enjoying sea views. Around 45,000 people stayed at the site, an occupancy rate of 70 per cent. Bookings have increased year on year and the trend is expected to continue into 2018, according to a statement from the company.
Car fraud THE GUARDIA CIVIL has arrested two Almerian residents accused of forgery and fraud involving the irregular sales of up to 18 different vehicles. The pair would allegedly rent vehicles from agencies and then fraudulently sell them on.
News CREDIT: AYUNTAMIENTO DE ZURGENA
23rd February - 1st March 2018
ALL SMILES: Mayor Diaz has reduced debt by more than €470,000 since 2013. ZURGENA has reduced its debt by 40 per cent over the last five years. According to the most recent figures released by the town hall, on January 1 Zurgena’s debt stood at €718,202, meaning a reduction of more than €470,000 since socialist Mayor Luis Diaz came into power in 2013. When Mr Diaz came into the mayor’s office, the town’s
Debt down debt reportedly stood at more than €1 million, specifically €1,190,000. In the past year alone, debt was decreased substantially by €110,798, the biggest in Diaz’s tenure. On the reduction Mayor
Luis Diaz, said: “The important thing is that this important reorganisation of the council is compatible with good management and allows the town to grow and make a better municipality for our neighbours, while we also fulfil our obligations to our suppliers. “We will continue in this line of economic sanitation to leave our children a Zurgena better in every way.”
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Positive promotion A NEW competition is set to begin in Andalucia aimed at promoting healthy body images. Until May 30, people between the ages of 18 and 30 can submit their registration for the second ‘Image and Health Short Stories Contest.’ The idea behind the competition is to submit a compilation of short stories that promote aesthetic and social values related to a positive body image. The top three stories which best promote the knowledge, values and beliefs of having a healthy body image will be rewarded with prizes. Top prize will be awarded €400, with second receiving €300, third €200 and three runners-up will be given €100 each. Proposals for the competition, which will be presented in Spanish, must be original, unpublished
works that are not competing in another competition. To be considered for a prize, stories must be a minimum of three sides of A4 paper and a maximum of seven, each page containing 25 to 30 lines. Stories can be submitted, along with a pseudonym and title, by mail or directly to the Official School of Psychology of Eastern Andalucia, Calle San Isidro 23, 18005 Granada; as well as the Official College of Psychology of Western Andalucia, Calle Espinosa y Cárcel, 17 Acc. C, 41005 Sevilla. Winners will be announced on Friday June 29, with winners being notified by email. http://almeria360.com/so ciedad/15022018_concurso-relatospremiara-fomento-una-vision-salud able-la-imagen-corporal_165371.html.
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Pattinson papped promoting Mojacar HOLLYWOOD actor Robert Pattinson has been spotted wearing a t-shirt sporting a logo from Mojacar.
The British actor, who has starred in the Twilight and the Harry Potter series, was seen wearing a t-shirt that read ‘The Cave Bar, La Cueva, Playa de Mojacar’ at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival.
He was there to promote his new film ‘Damsel’ alongside costar Mia Wasikowska and set tongues wagging as he appeared in a casual outfit, wearing bright yellow chinos, a leather jacket and the t-shirt promoting the Mojacar bar. The 31-year-old reportedly spent time in Almeria back in 2012, where he visited a market, and it is believed this is when he picked up the t-shirt. PAPPED: Pattinson (left) wearing the t-shirt at the Berlin International Film Festival alongside co-star Mia Wasikowska.
Murder matinee MOJACAR amateur dramatic group Indalo Players will perform their first matinee of ‘The Speakeasy Murder’ in the Roof Garden, Parque Comercial, Mojacar on Thursday March 22. Entrance is by ticket only, available from the Roof Garden at €15 each including a meal. First course of the meal will be served at 2pm and the show will start 2.30pm. Following the group’s first matinee, they will be at La Magnifique, Mojacar Playa on Wednesday, April 11. Once again, the event will be ticket only and available from the venue, priced at €16 each, including a free glass of wine with a meal. Now is a good time to join
the Indalo Players as rehearsals have just commenced for the group’s next murder mystery, ‘The Mississippi Murder’ with the group also hoping to recommence rehearsals for ‘The Plaza Suite’ in the near future. The group rehearse in Bar Solare, Turre every Tuesday from 4pm until 6pm and those interested in joining the group are invited to go down to the bar and meet the group. Indalo Players are always looking for new talent, with positions available both on stage and back stage Alternatively, contact Bill White on 671 810 819 or email williamwhite9552@ aol.com.
NEWS BITES
Around the world AN estimayed 1,000 children enjoyed a performance of Around The World in 80 Days at Huercal-Overa’s Villa Theatre.
Andalucia day PUPILS from the CPR Father Historian Tapia de Barranquete primary school in Nijar have taken part in a series of activities to commemorate Andalucia Day, which is on February 28.
Park repairs THE City Council of Almeria has announced works to improve the dog park in the region’s ‘Parque del Andarax’ will be carried out within a month.
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23rd February - 1st March 2018
NEWS BITES
Dance Weekend
MUSIC AMIGOS: Will open the club’s 2018 schedule.
A merry musical mix CABRERA Music Club will welcome professional trio ‘Music Amigos’ for their first event of 2018. Music Amigos will open the club’s 2018 schedule and are known for their musical mix of
saxophone, clarinet, trombone, flugelbone and violin. The event will begin at 8pm on Friday, March 16 at the Los Pastores Bar in Sierra Cabrera, with tickets priced at €10.
Put out FIREFIGHTERS and volunteers have extinguished a small fire in Turre after the small blaze broke out in Cabrera. No-one was reported injured as a result of the fire which was put out shortly after it began.
Albox RBL introduce new programme ALBOX Royal British Legion has introduced a new community support programme. The programme will support all members of t h e L e g i o n ’s A l b o x branch, who hold many social events and trips throughout the year. The branch currently hold monthly coffee mornings on the first Thursday of the month at 11.00 at Maloans Restaurant Albox, opposite the BP garage, followed by meetings every third Thursday at 11.30am. Members do not have to have ser ved in the armed forces in order to
to join the branch. For more information about the RBL, or to find out more about other meetings in the Baza and Albox areas, please email Ken Matthews on Albox. Chairman@rbl.commu nity or Esther Navarro Albox.ViceChairman@r bl.community.
THE Vera Dance Weekend will return this year on March 3 and 4 at the Cultural Centre of Garrucha’s Town Hall. Tickets are €35 for a weekend pass from www.ticketsmoon.com.
Elders’ week THE day centre in Garrucha hosted a weeklong event full of activities for elderly people. Activities included preparing carnival costumes and gifts for Valentine’s Day.
Women’s Day VERA’S municipal centre for women will host a dinner to coincide with this year’s Women’s Day on March 9. Tickets are available from the organisation until March 6, at €25 each.
Charity meal ON Saturday March 3 the Albox Municipal Band will perform at a charity dinner held at the Parrilla Restaurant. The evening will begin at 9.30pm, with tickets costing €25 which will be donated to charity.
Working well RENOVATION works on Albox’s Plaza Mayor continue to move at a ‘good pace’ according to the Town Hall. When finished, 80 per cent of the space will be available to the public to use.
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Band raises almost €500 for Paws Patas Ed. 625
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MOJACAR based band FUSION have donated close to €500 to Mojacar charity Paws Patas towards the fund dedicated to building the muchneeded Quarantine Unit at the animal shelter. FUSION, who raised the money from their recent gigs, consists of baritones, ukuleles (acoustic and electric) plus an array of percussion instruments. Their upbeat personalities deliver a range of 60/70 classics from the likes of The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Creedence Clear Water, TRex, Bob Dylan and more. They are perfect for any occasion and are willing to play for ‘free’ for any charity. To book them contact Lesley Darling at CliniVet in Turre or email her: lesleydarling@hot mail.com. The band, who were without percussionist Ray, visited the shelter with a heavy bag of money and were wel-
DONATION: Members of the band with Nouka. comed by Nouka, who was abandoned in September 2016. Nouka is super cuddly and friendly, about five years old, weighs 30kg and is 55cm high. She loves people, attention and lying in the sun. Although she
has a hip displaysia on one side this does not bother her but limits the amount of exercise she can do. If anyone can give her a forever home contact Paws-Patas on 678 490 217. Visit www.paws-patas.org.
23rd Februar y - 1st March 2018
Weekender
Pets Feature
Page 17
Fresh kitchens Page 16
Food for free Page 18
Ageing secrets
New SUV
Page 20 - 21
Page 31
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Weekender
Pause for Lent NOT having been brought up in a family that followed the religious calendar, I always thought Lent had something to do with borrowing and was quite puzzled when I first came across friends at school ‘giving things, and particularly sweets, up for Lent.’ In the 40’s sweets were rationed and hard enough to get at the best of times, so why give them up? And why should they be lent? You’re not going to want them back after someone else has had a good chew, so why would you lend them? Teachers, overhearing my confusion, patiently explained (religious education in school was permitted in those days) that Lent was a time of year when Christians remembered Jesus going into the desert, living without food for 40 days and being tempted by the Devil. So, I was informed, we should give up things we enjoy so we could be like him and experience a little of what it felt like to go without food for six weeks. At the time I recall being singularly
Feature
23rd February - 1st March 2018
unconvinced, offering to give up school, if that would help, and explaining that I didn’t have to stop eating the few sweets then available in order to experience temptation! And still the term ‘Lent’ confused me as nobody could properly explain its meaning; the best explanation I could find being that it was a contraction of the word ‘Lengthen’ as in daylight lengthening at this time of year. So ‘Lent,’ I gathered, was basically another word for spring, that wonderful time of year when we see new life springing up all around. And yes, perhaps Lent isn’t such a bad name as it reminds us that we have little control on the length of our lives and are all actually living on borrowed time, lent to us by a caring God. So as St Paul wrote to Christians living in Corinth ‘You don’t own your lives, for a high price has been paid for you’; the life, he explains, of Jesus, given that first Good Friday. And it was in preparation for this that he fasted 40 days in the desert, a time we rightly remember during Lent.
Duncan Burr is Licensed Lay Reader for the Anglican Chaplaincy of Costa Almeria and Costa Cálida (further details available at www.mojacarchurch.org) and may be contacted at djburr@avired.com
The dark side of the moon #2
By Jos Biggs
THE English speaker had grasped the bones of the situation - we had a fire in the campo, and we wanted the Bomberos. ‘Where is the fire?’ ‘In Limaria.’ ‘Santa Maria.’ ‘No, Limaria.’ ‘Ah!’ she said in tones of enlightenment. ‘Santa Maria de la Nieve.’ ‘No. Limaria. L.I.M.A.R.I.A I spelt it out. ‘Where is Limaria?’ ‘Near Albox.’ ‘In Albox.’ ‘No. It is between Albox and Los Higuerales.’ Silly me! ‘Where is Los Higuerales?’ ‘Would you like me to give you the satnav coordinates?’ ‘No. Just tell me where Limaria is.’ ‘From Albox take the road past Alhambre to Limaria, which is the Albox side of Los Higuerales and Cucador.’ ‘It is in Alhambre?’ Oh no, I thought. She’s got hold of the wrong Alhambre.
‘No.’ I uttered urgently. ‘It is between Alhambre, the village outside Albox, and Los Higuerales.’ ‘Not Santa Maria?’ ‘No. I screamed inwardly. ‘Limaria is one of the villages belonging to Arboleas.’ ‘The fire is in the campo?’ ‘Yes.’ Patience of a saint. ‘Is it a big fire?’ By now I thought it probably was. ‘Yes.’ ‘Can you see the fire from the road?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘In Limaria?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘You want the Bomberos?’ Halleluja! Praise the Lord! ‘One moment.’ She paused to digest the salient points: Fire. Campo. Bomberos. In a village on the dark side of the moon. ‘I will call the Bomberos.’ ‘Thank you.’ If this had been a house fire it would have been pointless calling the Bomberos - as it would be nothing more than a smouldering heap by now!
josbiggs@hotmail.co.uk
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23rd February - 1st March 2018
Ant and Peck By Graham Braben YOU’RE not going to believe this, but it’s true, even the bit about the seagulls. I suppose if we’re honest we’ve all done things that, on reflection, are a little embarrassing, if not downright dim. A couple of weeks ago for instance, I made a complete fool of myself by walking into a closed glass door in a shop. Embarrassing! But, compared to what I’m going to tell you about, my glass door escapade was small fry. A man in America had a problem with ants last year and, instead of calling pest control or buying cans of instant ant killer, he decided he’d do it his own way. He doused his house with
petrol and set fire to it. To be fair, you can’t argue with his choice of extermination - it got rid of the ants, in fact he completely obliterated them, nest and all. However, I don’t think his extermination method of choice will catch on with the wider public. What he needed were seagulls. Not to fight the fire, but to get rid of the
ants. According to the Society of Biology, seagulls have developed quite a taste for ants because the formic acid in the ants’ stomachs reacts with the seagulls’ insides, causing the gulls to get drunk pretty quickly. Yes, I thought it was pretty disgusting too! Anybody who’s seen Hitchcock’s film ‘The Birds’ will know that, once out of control, those things can be intimidating, but imagine hordes of seagulls, drunk on ants, dive-bombing people at will. You thought Ant and Dec were frightening - wait until you come face to face - or should that be face to beak with Ant and Peck! SEAGULLS: Like ants.
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Feature
23rd February - 1st March 2018
Behind the music:
Paul Carrack By V L James WELCOME to my new weekly music column. As someone who has been obsessed with music my whole life, it is an honour to be given the chance to talk about the subject. This week I would like to talk about Paul Carrack (known as 'The Voice’ in the business). Paul is a pretty shy and down to earth guy
THE VOICE: Paul Carrack.
who has never courted fame. He just loves to sing, play and write.
‘Who is Paul Carrack?’ you may ask. Well, do you remember 1974’s How Long by Ace, 1981’s Tempted by Squeeze or the worldwide No 1 The Living Years by Mike and The Mechanics? (a song Paul wrote when his father died)... just a fraction of his outstanding canon of work. How Long (Has This Been Going On) was not written about an adulterous lover, but about Ace’s bass player who was secretly playing with another band! As a musician Paul has played on albums from such diverse artists as The Smiths, Elton John, Roxy Music, Simply Red, BB King, The Pretenders and many more. www.paulcarrack.net
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Home & Garden
How to freshen up your kitchen
IT’S getting to that point in the year when it’s a good time to give your kitchen a spring clean, so why not give it a bit of a makeover while you’re at it? It’s normal to get tired of the décor in rooms you spend a lot of time in, and kitchens are often the busiest rooms in the house. Not only is it a place where you cook your meals, but it is also common to use the space for entertaining and relaxing. While pulling out the cabinets can be pricey and time consuming, there are plenty of ways you can transform the kitchen without spending a lot of money. There’s not much that beats a fresh lick of paint - from experimenting with on-trend grey shades to adding a new bold feature wall, there are limitless possibilities. You could also add stylish wallpaper to help section off dining areas or add some interesting tiles for some extra detail. Lighting also has the power to
STUNNING: Give your kitchen a new lease of life. transform, so how about adding some hanging lamps over your kitchen island or installing some LED lights in your cabinets to really add a wow factor. Buying new kitchen accessories is also a quick and easy way to
change things up; even a new colourful bin or dish rack could make all the difference. You could also put up some new shelving to display any interesting knick knacks or pots and pans you have lying around.
PETS Feature
23rd February - 1st March 2018
TWINS: Matching pet outfits are expected to be all the rage this year.
Pets unleashed! Top trends to watch out for in 2018 PETS are everywhere you look nowadays. Especially in Spain, it seems that every corner you turn you find yourself trying not to get in the way of yet another adorable animal. We all love our pets and looking after them and here are the top four trends to expect in 2018. • Clean eating As pet lovers, many of us want the little furballs to live a long and healthy life and for them to be full of energy as they get older. To achieve this, a pet’s diet is vital. Over the past few years, what began as a niche market, clean eating has now gone mainstream with a number of supermarkets swapping their normal pet food ranges to cater for more high quality, biologically appropriate foods. Recently there has been a huge upturn in ‘healthier alternatives’ such as natural grain, free, organic pet foods as opposed to the normal grain and ash foods. • Lookalikes The trend of buying matching outfits for owners and their pets has been around for a while but 2018 is expected to see the ‘twin-
ning’ trend hit the mainstream taking it from just novelty items to designer fashion labels. Many pet lovers are already going head over heels for matching pyjamas, and outfits for colder evenings, there is something out there for everyone to match with their best friend. • Dog days in the sun Taking your closest companion on holiday is by no means a new trend, but 2018 could see more pooches on parade than ever before. According to research undertaken by American Express, Britons alone will spend a staggering €256 million (£227 million) on taking their dogs on holiday this year, while trips abroad are expected to skyrocket. • In-house cats As more and more continues to be unveiled about the day-to-day behaviour of modern cats, owners must now adapt to provide the right kind of indoor environment for their feline friends. According to pet website Styletails, more cat owners will bring ‘the outside in’ for their pets, whether that be creating an indoor cat gar-
den or simply giving the house a ‘cat makeover.’ Several items including ramps, wall-mounted perches, hammocks and built-in scratchers.
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Food & Drink
23rd February - 1st March 2018
Foraging for OLIVE TREE FARM was set up about four years ago with the intention of achieving a level of self sufficiency. We have poultry for meat and eggs, goats for milk, rabbits and small pigs for meat and harvest our 70 olive trees each year for oil. We also grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.
free food ALTHOUGH we grow an array of vegetables and herbs here at Olive Tree Farm, including brassicas, onions, garlic, rosemary, basil, thyme, parsley and asparagus, just to name a few, we do like to go for walks in the countryside here and see what we can
find by foraging! Certain times of the year bring seasonal goodies and at this time of the year, our goal is to find wild asparagus! If anyone fancies trying to go and look for it, you only have a small window of time to get it before it goes woody and basical-
ly not worth trying to cook. We usually look for the plants first which are fern like in appearance. There are a couple of different plants, but the easiest to spot is almost bluey/green in colour and stands out a mile once you know what it looks like and they are in
ASPARAGUS: Can only be found in a certain window.
abundance in the Ramblas. If you keep a close eye on your Spanish neighbours, you will see them early in the day wandering around with a bag, and over the next couple of weeks, this is what they will be looking for. The soft tender shoots, which is what you are hoping to see, will be in the centre of the bush which is quite spikey. It is a bit of a battle to get to them but is well worth it. The shoots are much finer than the
ones in the shops and the flavour is milder. Once picked give a quick wash in cold water and pat dry using paper towels. If it is really young, there will be nothing you need to trim off and it will be lovely and soft from the tips and right down the stalk. Simply fry off gently in a bit of butter or olive oil and lightly seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Not only is it delicious, there is something quite satisfying about eating food for free!
FEATURE
23rd February - 1st March 2018
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Advertising Feature
No need to paint with Andura GIVE your home the ultimate spring clean with Andura Abroad No Need To Paint system. Every home owner on the Costa Blanca is aware of the continual struggle to upkeep and retain the fresh, clean appearance of the exterior of their Mediterranean home, but with Andura, this spring clean is one that will last for years. Thanks to the Andura Abroad No Need To Paint system, repetitive house painting is a thing of the past, as this specialist exterior wall coating lasts up to 10 times longer than any ordinary paint. The system has been in place since 1979 and has been on the Costa Blanca in Spain for 25 years, transforming the exterior appearance of thousands of homes. Andura wall coatings offer numerous benefits over standard ex-
ANDURA WALL COATINGS: Offer numerous benefits. terior paints. The coating is made from a flexible resin allowing it to expand and contract with the building, preventing cracks and blisters. It is 10 times thicker than paint offering an unrivalled coverage and resists strong sunlight and UV rays. The coating creates an impenetrable barrier which prevents any water getting into the fabric of the building, but also allows internal moisture to escape. It prevents mould and fungus
and also acts as an insulator to the building. As well as vastly improving the appearance of your property it also adds value. The coating comes in a standard range of 12 colours and the professional team will offer the best service possible working on your home until it is completed. The service begins with the walls being cleaned to remove dirt and loose paint and surface imperfections are carefully treated.
Doors and windows are masked up and plants and lawns are fully protected by tarpaulins before the primer and coating is applied. Andura Abroad No Need To Paint is so confident of the long lasting finish you will obtain, they offer a 15-year guarantee and an insurance backed guarantee is available. Promotional homes are currently wanted across the Costa Blanca. For nearly 20 years the company has successfully used the open house/open day promotional homes concept to promote the products and services they offer as the home owner enjoys substantial discounts on the normal cost of the Andura coating. So for more information or to arrange a free on site survey and assessment, contact the team today.
No Need To Paint • Calle Cristo del Mar 29, Javea Port • Calle de la Goleta 6 Denia • Grupo San Roque Los Dolores Callosa de Segura Tel: 659 692 540 Visit: www.noneedtopaint.com Email: contact@noneedtopaint.com
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Weekender
Just beet it BEETROOT has long been known for its ‘super food’ properties - it is jam packed with other essential nutrients as iron, potassium, magnesium and manganese - but did you know it can also help your muscles to recover after a workout? Beetroots are full of nitrates which release oxygen into the bloodstream and boosts circulation to the places that need it. This helps to aid muscle recovery, especially after high intensity interval training, and can even lower blood pressure. The increase in oxygen levels also brings along other health beneSUPER FOOD: Beetroots have been proven to reduce post-workout pain.
Health & beauty
23rd February - 1st March 2018
fits, such as improving concentration, increasing stamina and helping to prevent illnesses caused by high blood pressure such as heart attacks and strokes.
The secret to ageing
Could a few glasses of wine a day help you MODERATION: Drinking in moderation may help you to live past 90. A STUDY has claimed that drinking a few glasses of wine a day can help reduce the chances of an early death. Dr Claudia Kawas, a specialist in neurology from the University of California, recently told the annual conference for the American Association for the Advancement of Science about her past 15 years worth of research. She and her team, who
first began ‘The 90+ study’ in 2003, have investigated the reasons why some people reach the age of 90 and why some unfortunately don’t. Over the years they have analysed an estimated 1,700 nonagenarians and have examined how their daily habits among other factors affect their longterm health. They reportedly discovered that those who con-
sumed an estimated two glasses of beer or wine a day were on average 18 per cent less likely to find themselves come to a premature end. The study also found that those who were slightly over weight, not obese, had a 3 per cent reduced chance of an early death, which scientifically, Dr Kawas claimed there was still no explanation for. “I have no explanation for it, but I do firmly believe that modest drinking improves longevity,” she told The Independent. And it wasn’t just moderate drinking that had a positive impact on participants. Regular exercise alongside time spent practising a hobby were also factors that are associated with helping to live longer. Participants that spent two hours a day on a hobby were 21 per cent less likely to die prematurely, while just 15 to 45 minutes of physical activity every day also helped to reduce the risk of an early death by 11 per cent.
Health & beauty
23rd February - 1st March 2018
Floored by
the flu
live past 90? But when all is said and done, for some, making it past the age of 90 could simply be related to their genetic makeup. Scientists from Chicago’s Northwestern University have carried out a study of their own which explores the memory of people aged over 80. According to their results, the individuals, who they class as ‘superagers,’ had a greater concentration of ‘Von Economo’ neurons in their brains as opposed to some aged far younger. The term ‘superagers’ were coined by neurologist Marsel Mesulam to categorise people whose memor y and attention span reflects that of someone far younger. Similarly, Von Economo neurons are a type of brain cell that are believed to increase social behaviour, which in turn could help that person retain their memory for much longer and researchers reportedly even found that some ‘superagers’ had more of these cells in their brains than some people in their 20’s.
THE flu, seemingly impossible to avoid and responsible for one in five sick days in Spain, according to health insurance providers Acierto. The main symptoms of flu include fever, headaches, muscle soreness, sneezing, coughing and a sore throat and it is passed on by touching a person or surface that has come into contact with the virus. Flu cases have nearly doubled in the past year according to the Spanish influenza surveillance scheme - rising from 121 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 208 - while 25 per cent of those who fall ill take seven days off work to recover. So it shouldn’t come as much of a sur-
OUT COLD: One in five sick days are caused by the flu.
prise that the illness also takes a hit on the economy, reportedly costing Spanish busin e s s e s m o r e t h a n €1 . 5 b i l l i o n i n l o s t working hours each year. The best way to fight the flu is to avoid getting it in the first place. If you haven’t already had it, it may be worth getting the flu jab. Flu shots are only effective about 40 to 60 per cent of the time so you can still get the flu despite being vaccinated but the injection could help make the symptoms milder. Yo u s h o u l d a l s o m a k e s u r e t o wash your hands regularly and eat a diet rich in vitamins and nutrients.
Weekender 21
Leisure CREDIT: TWITTER
23rd February - 1st March 2018
FILM REVIEW I, TONYA is a ‘rough’ depiction on the infamous events leading up to the 1994 Winter Olympics, when Nancy Kerrigan, darling of US figure skating, was clubbed in her knee seven weeks before in an attempt to take her out of the competition, while her rival, Tonya Harding, got all the blame. The assailant who took out Kerrigan was reportedly hired by Harding’s exhusband Jeff Gillooly but it remains unclear how much she knew about the plan at the time.
I, Tonya Starring Margot Robbie, Alison Janney and Sebastian Stan. Directed by Craig Gillespie As the media frenzy erupted following the incident, Harding ceased to be known for her skating and was transformed into the ultimate villain, whose comeuppance seemingly came when she only placed eighth at the Olympics while Nancy recovered in time to place second.
Film & TV Guide OUR PICK OF THIS WEEK’S MUST-SEE
FILM OF THE WEEK
As Margot Robbie has repeatedly revealed during the press tour for this movie, both Harding’s and Gillooly’s version of events - which the film is loosely based on - wildly deviate from the other, so it is difficult to take everything that happens in this film as fact. That doesn’t stop the film from being wildly entertaining, and at times ridiculous, with both Robbie and Alison Janney - who plays Harding’s overbearing mother LaVona Fay Golden - delivering stellar performances.
I TONYA: Fully entertaining but blurring the truth.
ONE TO WATCH
Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway Saturday, 7pm-8.30pm, ITV BACK AGAIN: Ant and Dec return for a brand TV’S favourite duo return with a brand new series of new series of Saturday Night Takeaway. their ever popular Saturday Night Takeaway. The regular weekend variety show returns with audience surprises, outlandish stunts and a tonne of celebrity guests. Kylie Minogue will open the show with a live studio performance while Olly Murs swaps The Voice for a seat in the announcer’s booth. Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden becomes the first famous face to fall victim to the latest round of undercover pranks, while Stephen Mulhern returns to watch over another Ant versus Dec contest; which in this episode features Monster Trucks. Scarlett Moffat also returns to take part in more extravagant challenges while the pair also launch their biggest ever Place on the Plane competition.
OUR CHOICE AWARD WINNING: Damon and Affleck won Oscars for their performances.
Good Will Hunting Starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck and Minnie Driver Saturday, 9pm-11.35pm, Dave A TROUBLED maths genius refuses to use his gift, preferring a simpler life and working as a janitor at a school. After years of hiding his genius, a university professor persuades him to see a psychologist who ends up befriending him. When the two begin to work with one another, the psychologist proves that the he is the only person able to help him come to terms with his talent and past traumas and become the man he deep down wants to be.
CREDIT: TWITTER
Weekender
Six Nations - England vs Scotland Saturday, 4pm-7pm, BBC One JOHN INVERDALE presents coverage of this year’s Calcutta cup as Scotland host England at Murrayfield. Both teams head into the match full of confidence with TOUGH TO CALL: England ran out 61-21 England registering wins over Wales and Italy, while winners in last year’s competition. Scotland picked up a rare win against France following an opening day defeat to Wales. England are unbeaten in the last 10 meetings between the two sides, having drawn one and won nine, thrashing Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham in last year’s competition. Commentary comes from Andrew Cotter, Brian Moore and Chris Paterson, with analysis from Andy Nicol, Jeremy Guscott, Martin Johnson and Paul O’Connell and pitchside reports by Sonja McLaughlan. In the weekend’s other fixtures, Ireland host Wales while Italy head to France.
CREDIT: TWITTER
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Weekender
Puzzles
23rd February - 1st March 2018
Wordsearch Farm Animals
Boggled How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.
TARGET:
BUFFALO DUCK TURKEY LLAMA COW
PIG CATTLE HORSE GOAT BISON
CHICKEN SHEEP LAMB GOOSE
Quick
Across 1 Filled pasta (7) 4 Clean with hard rubbing (5) 7 Small mouse-like mammal (5) 9 Superficial (7) 10 Futile (7) 11 Male duck (5) 12 Hard, thin pointed object (5) 14 Chose (5) 19 Separate into parts or portions (5) 21 Walk unsteadily (7) 23 Look at closely (7) 24 Aviator (5) 25 Pay out (5) 26 Witchcraft (7)
Down 1 Free from harm or evil (6) 2 Brink or border (5) 3 Beg persistently and urgently (6) 4 Burn caused by hot liquid (5) 5 Stop holding on to (7) 6 Felt hat that is round and hard with a narrow brim (6) 8 Smash or break forcefully (5) 13 Throb 15 Having a full rounded shape (5) 16 All one's resources (6) 17 Appraise (6) 18 In a tidy way (6) 20 Attempted (5) 22 Where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom (5)
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
• Average: 14
• Very good: 28
• Good: 20
• Excellent: 36
etch fess fesse fees feet fete fetes fetch fens erns erne itch inset iris vies egis irises ivies infuse gees geese genre genres gens gene genes geneses genet genie genies genii genius gins girn girns frisk frisks fries frit frier friers five fives firth firs furies furs fuse fusee fusees
SCORING: • 4 letters: 1 point • 5 letters: 2 points • 6 letters: 3 points • 7 letters: 4 points • 8 or more letters: 11 points
Cryptic
Across 1 Another name for a round sail (5) 4 Deputy head put in control in small group (5) 8 Missile I’d find in the river (7) 9 Flower seen in a dell up in the Lake District (5) 10 Comments about stone (5) 11 Objects to most gifts (7) 12 Naval Airmen in disguise (6) 14 Dominate horrible bosses (6) 18 Don't vote with a black spot (7) 20 Overeat in the deep ravine (5) 22 A small department for expert (5) 23 Smile after tea, with embarrassment (7) 24 Mexican snacks, initially tried with a lettuce (5) 25 Strike a chord in Harry S Truman's speech (5)
Down 1 Roman general married? Quite the opposite (7) 2 Being a dimwit, I do it wrong (5) 3 A cowboy hat, keep it, boy (7) 4 Provides food but reacts badly (6) 5 Hands out some judo lessons (5) 6 Big stretch of river sheltering vessels (7) 7 Penalties if fen is damaged (5) 13 Most promising funny stories (7) 15 The poor food in pubs (7) 16 All about bird's chest part (7) 17 Criticises strikes (6) 18 Use a yashmak, so to speak (5) 19 Opposed to college head acting like a clown (5) 21 More uncommon rubles are registered (5)
Puzzles
23rd February - 1st March 2018
IRREGULAR SUDOKU
SOLTIMES STAR QUIZ : ALLHALLOWS EVE The first letters of the answers to the first nine questions spell out the word HALLOWEEN 1. What was the first name the US-born author of the classic gothic ghost story The Turn of the Screw? 2. How is Vincent Price’s character, Dr Phibes described in the title of a famous 1971 British horror film? 3. What was the stage surname of the Hungarian-American actor who was famous for portraying Count Dracula in the original 1931 film and for his roles in many other horror films? 4. Howard Phillips were the first names of which American author who achieved posthumous fame through his influential works of horror fiction? 5. Which word completes the tagline of a 1976 American-British supernatural horror film: You Have Been Warned. If Something Frightening Happens To You Today. Think About It. It May Be ‘The
(what)’ 6. The title of the famous song/dance that features in the rock musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show is The Time (what)? 7. The title of the 1984 American supernatural slasher film written and directed by Wes Craven, and the first in a series of nine ‘sequels’ was A Nightmare on (which) Street? 8. Which 2008 British horror film written and directed by James Watkins starred Kelly Reilly as nursery school teacher Jenny, Michael Fassbender as Jenny’s boyfriend Steve and Jack O’Connell as gang leader Brett? 9. What is the first name of the character played by Anthony Perkins in the classic 1960 American psychological horror thriller Psycho? 10. What was the working title of the 1978 horror film Halloween: (a) Hide-And-Seek, (b) The Babysitter Murders or (c) The Haddonfield Horror?
Kakuro
Answers 1. HENRY James, 2. ABOMINABLE, 3. Bela LUGOSI, 4. (H P) LOVECRAFT, 5. The OMEN, 6. WARP, 7. ELM, 8. EDEN LAKE, 9. NORMAN Bates, 10. B - THE BABYSITTER MURDERS
SUDOKU
Weekender 25
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.
LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
CrosswordSolutions from last week Quick
Cryptic
Sudoku
Irregular Sudoku
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Weekender
Leisure
23rd February - 1st March 2018
YOUR WEEKLY HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 21 - April 20) Surprising and happy news about the 28th really puts some bounce into you. Having been so busy recently, you may not have noticed that someone has a special interest in you. Another surprise then, but how will you react?
TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) Family members bring a sparkle to your eyes and a spring to your step. When there is so much going on it is easy to forget how much we are part of a whole. If you have neglected keeping in contact of late, this serves to remind you to try to do better.
CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Expecting others to automatically know what you want is unrealistic. Even dropping heavy hints can go well astray of the mark. Although it is unpalatable to your sensitivity, plain talking is needed. Stop wanting everyone to like you and your personality will grow in leaps and bounds. .
LEO (July 24 - August 23) Oh, gosh, this is a really sensitive time for Leos. Although it is easy to upset you, it is equally easy to fire your enthusiasm. Anyone considering not keeping a promise or appointment with you should beware because they will be whipped into shape.
VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) This is a week of deep thinking and meaningful conversations. Someone's opinion of you reaches your ears and pleases you greatly. Work that has been progressing at home faces hold-ups and tact is needed to avoid a row. Some compromise is required at work, perhaps related to a planned holiday.
LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) Take extra care where finances concern your home. A legal matter should be considered carefully. When planning home improvements, get plenty of good advice and do not trust your heart. A new activity means new friends.
SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) Being protective of those close does not mean worrying all the time. With their co-operation, the burden, welcome though it may be, can be lightened. There is the opportunity to have fun with some young friends, which may not come again for some time.
SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) Be determined to make a budget and stick to it. Even if you are arranging a holiday, resist the urge to splash out. Because this is such a busy week, it may not seem that there is time to read the small print. However, that would be a mistake, causing problems later.
CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) With a big event coming up, you need someone to give plenty of love and support. Starting a new interest could lead you into their path. Going for looks alone will do you no favours. Be as broad-minded as possible when it comes to making friends.
AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) An area in which you have experience means that you are able to help someone close this week. Keep the advice free from personal opinions wherever possible. Some upsets on a day-to-day basis are all minor and will pass. Your sensitivity this week is certain to cause frustration and even mayhem. Being in a calm situation will help
PISCES (February 20 - March 20) What will really be appreciated this week is if you will give your time to others. I realise that your life is busy but the emotional rewards from helping someone will be more than worth it. To see yourself in a truly positive light, imagine being in the positions of those round you.
GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) A trip to the cinema or theatre makes you take notice and may even shock. There are many things in life that normally do not touch us but, once we are aware, there seems to be a need for action.
BOOK REVIEW
Honeymoon in Paris by Jojo Moyes “I CAN’T be this woman. It’s who my mother was and it terrifies me.” This is Moyes’ first collection of short stories taken from ‘Paris For One and Other Stories.’ Honeymoon in Paris is more novella than short story and satisfying to read. Two newlyweds are celebrating their ‘lune de miel’ at different times, one in 2002, the other in 1912 with uncanny similarities and tensions. They are certainly love matches but is this a solid enough foundation for marriage and all the challenges that they are going to be faced with? An artist, or more specifically, a painting, links the newlyweds a century apart. Liv Halston looks down from the iconic Eiffel Tower alone, already regretting her marriage to David who designed and built properties. She was reflecting on how disastrous her honeymoon in Paris had been. She had cele-
brated two days of married bliss before David had returned to work. One week of celebrations had been reduced to five days and now this. Inevitably Liv was angry. Her friends had warned her to take it slowly, reminding her of the consequences of marrying in haste. The Goldsteins wanted to see David’s designs and it was important for David. He had been working towards this for months. Liv felt just how fragile her happiness had now become: ‘as if it is built on shakier foundations than they had realised.’ A solo visit to the Muse d’Orsay helps to fill those lonely hours and she meets an attractive and charming man, Tim Freeland. It is here she sees a picture that resembles her current mood: ‘Wife, out of sorts.’ Through this observation she sees her mother’s marriage and life which un-
settles her and this leads to questions about why she married him. She tells David the marriage has been a mistake and she shows him the painting, telling him of how she resembles the woman in the painting. the outcome is for you to discover! Edouard Lefevre was an artist, talented but hopeless with financial matters. He had just married Sophie the little shop girl and provincial. His friends had called her that sour-faced shop girl. Sophie encouraged him to chase up his debts to avoid endless more weeks of bread and cheese. In fact she did it for him but it caused quite a scene. His friends advised Sophie to allow him certain freedoms: ‘he will soon return to his old ways.’ She is devastated to think that he will sleep with his models now that he is married.
LOVE MATCHES: Two newlyweds on their honeymoon. “I could see only this thin, watchful woman whose happiness felt suddenly as if it were built on shifting sands.” Just so like Liv. Edouard was mortified at the thought of losing Sophie that he had returned to painting and it was a portrait of a mute and furious Sophie which was eventually hung in the Muse d’Orsay, the painting that unsettled Liv.
Feature
Weekender 27
23rd February - 1st March 2018
by Sandy Shore
Driven to distraction WE all have ways of coping with tedious car journeys. During our weekend commute my son and I amused ourselves by identifying by age or sex drivers ahead. As he was studying to be a doctor it did no harm to observe human behaviour. Premature lane selection before a junction or excessive caution would suggest a woman driver. Young men drove fast and furiously, whilst uncertain driving might identify a driver of advanced years. We got it right most times. Here in Spain the same diagnosis usually result in my being hopelessly wrong. Impressed by the speed and dexterity of an urban driver in front I presumed a self-confident reasonably experienced male; perhaps an off-duty cab driver.
Being an ex-taxi driver I was one of the few with the skill and the courage to close the gap on this Formula 1 aficionado. On my drawing closer I could clearly see the blue-rinse lady racing driver was of advanced years. Often I see a motorist ahead whose driving pattern is cautious, uncertain and unnecessarily slow. Perhaps an elderly person but no, here again, the offender is often a young man. As a general observation young Spanish women seem to drive like young male drivers in Britain and the driving of male Spaniards suggest a harassed mum on the school run. What I am trying to say and perhaps doing so badly is that in Spain it is useless to play the same game as we played on British car journeys. You cannot
identify by sex or age a Spanish driver. There is only one kind of motorist whose behaviour is 100 per cent predictable. These are the social menaces predisposed towards purchasing what are known as Chelsea Tractors. These are the ridiculously expensive 4 x 4 vehicles that will never be driven off-road and serve only as a status symbol. Quite a contradiction as for most of us there is no presumption of the driver being a success other than as a lout. Chelsea Tractors are otherwise known as Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV). This term suggests that these autos are best suited to rough ground. As motorways here tend to be better made and maintained than British roads the rough ground specification
SUV: Drivers should be given £25 per day congestion charge.
doesn’t apply. Each to their own but I often wonder at the personality of those predisposed towards purchase of Chelsea Tractors. Easily identified by their drivers bumper-butting the unfortunate driver in front
who finds himself on the road he seems to own. I am no fan of former Mayor Ken Livingstone but I agree with him, the drivers of SUV should all be given a £25 per day congestion charge.
PHOTO CREDIT BBC
BBC hits back at critics and says its TV drama is not ‘in crisis’ Richard Shanley
Dishing the Dirt
OF EUROPA DIGITAL
THE BBC has classily hit out at a column arguing that its drama is ‘in crisis,’ responding that we are living in ‘a golden age of British drama.’ The Telegraph published an opinion piece by writer Ben Lawrence last week, arguing that a number of series such as Troy: Fall of a City were full of ‘glossy, easily-exported blandness.’ Ouch. Auntie Beeb did not hold back in their response, listing a number of series you cannot really argue with. “I would like to defend the BBC’s commitment to making a broad range of drama and correct the assertion that we are over-subscribed with ‘glossy, easily-exported blandness’,” Piers Wenger, controller of BBC Drama wrote, “and defend
‘GLOSSY, EASILY-EXPORTED BLANDNESS’: Lex King as Aphrodite in Troy: Fall of a City.
the drama industry’s commitment to homegrown British drama as a whole - you do not have to look far to see we’re living in a golden age of British drama across all the UK broadcasters.” He then noted the diversity of shows such as The Moorside and The Boy with the Top-
knot, home-made shows such as Line of Duty and Doctor Foster, as well as series with strong female leads like Little Women and Call the Midwife.” Oh, and there’s also that whole Doctor Who and Sherlock thing. Can’t really argue with those, to be honest. “The BBC is a home for new and estab-
lished talent to take risks, be bold and ambitious,” he continued. “Without commercial imperatives or the influence of marketeers, the BBC uniquely gives writers and producers the freedom to tell an extraordinary range of stories in all shapes and forms.” Seriously though, guys, stop slagging off the BBC. Yes, not everything is perfect - but for every misfire, there is always a Line of Duty, Sherlock or Top of the Lake to restore our faith. If you would like me to answer any questions you may have on satellite TV or to expand on anything I have written about please call me on 678 332 815 or email richard@europa-digital.com. I look forward to your comments and questions. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show every weekday from 10am on Spectrum 96.1 and 106.8FM, now covering almost 3,000sq kms of Costa Almeria and Calida or listen online at costaalmeria.spectrumfm.net.
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BUILDERS ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders.c om (253556)
CARS WANTED CARS WANTED For Cash. Classic Cars & Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Defenders & Discoveries. Please call: 659 685 133 (253556)
CHARITIES/CHURCHES GIRASOL COMMUNITY CENTRE. Mosaic Classes, Art Classes, Karate, Yoga, Thai Chi, Pilates, Health Screening every 6 weeks. For Hire 5.00€ per hour. Tel 639 089 170
THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton´s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente, Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Service at 11.30 a.m., a Tuesday Evening of Mediumship at 7 p.m. Open/Development Circles held on Thursdays, where you can develop your skills commencing at 6.30 p.m. Spiritual healing is available every Sunday and Tuesday
Classifieds
23rd February - 1st March 2018
after the service. The Divine Service, with Mediumship, on Sunday 25th February will be taken by Rochelle Ferguson (UK Medium). The Evening of Mediumship on Tuesday 27th February, will be also taken by Rochelle Ferguson. The Divine Service on Sunday, 4th March will be taken by Maire Davies, a UK Medium. Contact Wendy on 965323028. www.spiritualistcentre -benijofar.com New email is phoenixchurch23@gm ail.com or info@spiritualistcentre -benijofar.com Identificacion Fiscal G54713789.
DRAINAGE
HEALTH & BEAUTY GIRASOL HEALTH FOOD SHOP, Calle Malaga, Albox. For all your dietary needs, health foods, organic foods, supplements, super food powders, organic eggs and veggie box scheme. Est 2006. Tel 639 089 170
HOME MAINTENANCE MARKS Home Maintenance services. Painting General Maintenance. Kitchen Unit Renovation. References available. 634 908 475 (259695)
INSURANCE
ALBOX/MOJACAR INSURANCE, Award winning Agent for ALL your insurance needs. ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399 MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 902 123 309, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 902 123 309 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)
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 email mark.w@euroweeklynew s.com for more details.
DRAINAGE
FOR SALE 40 LP’S Eclectic mix 1960 onwards in original sleeves, 100€. TEL. 950 439 004 (258206)
LOCKSMITH PHILL THE PICK, LOCKSMITH-24hr. Locked Out? Locks fitted/upgraded, house safes. Arboleas and surrounding. Special Weekend Rate. Tel 697 243 181 (257799)
MOTORING WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309.
REMOVALS/STORAGE FULLY Insured UK/Spain Removals & Storage, UK Trading Standards Approved www.indalotransport. com 634 33 64 68 or Freephone Uk 0800 999 33 68 (253596)
SITUATIONS VACANT WE ARE looking for a full time local reporter for the Almeria edition of our newspaper. Candidates must have relevant experience and Spanish is a bonus. Please contact me for further details jackie@euroweeklyne ws.com ARE YOU self motivated and hard working? We are looking for administration/tele sales candidates. Experience not essential as full training is given. Applications by email with full CV should be sent to recruitment@eurow eeklynews.com.
SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria. com (257746)
Services
23rd February - 1st March 2018
BUILDERS
CONSTRUCTION
REMOVALS & STORAGE
LOGS FOR SALE
REMOVALS/STORAGE
SERVICES
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Sport
23rd February - 1st March 2018
2018 CAA Mixed Rinks Knockout
ALL SMILES: The winning team. who were successful over another Indalo team, Dennis Leigh, Keith Lester, Chris Ivin and J Wilson. In the Semi-Finals Tony’s team were the winners over another Indalo team, Gill Atkinson, John,
19th Hole head to Aguilon
and Jan Dando, J Thompson the other was when Dennis Leigh’s team won over a team from Almeria Bowling Club, Reg Birmingham, Graham Patrick, Sylvia Pritchard and Stephen Byatt. Both the Semi-Finals and Final
were hard-fought battles. The Final started well for Dave Brannan’s team in the first four ends with the score at 6 -1, Dennis’s team then scored four shots giving the message that this was going to be a good final.
It was, however Dave’s team which never let Dennis and his team get ahead. However, on the 18th end with the scores at 15-14 the excitement of those watching could see a possible win for Dennis’s team. It wasn’t to be, and Dave Brannan and team scored one shot taking the deserved championship. On completion of the competition the Delegada, Ruth Compton, thanked all those that had made the last four days so successful. This included the Indalo Club Committee, Tony Lear for running the competition, John Sephton, Colin Wright for umpiring and the bar staff mainly Debbie Colquhoun throughout the days. Ruth then presented the Trophy and prizes.
Futsal champ honoured CREDIT: AYUNTAMIENTO DE NIJAR
THE CAA Mixed Rinks has taken place at Indalo Bowling Club. A preliminary game was played to commence the competition and play continued until Sunday February 18, when the Semis and Final took place. After the prevailing cold and damp weather before the competition, it started off lovely and sunny for the first three days. Finals day was damp and cloudy, with some rain in the morning when the Semi-Finals took place but brightened up in the afternoon for the Final. The competition was open to all local clubs including, Mojacar, Cabrera, Almeria and Indalo bowling clubs. The winners were a team from Indalo, Dave Brannan, Tony and Mary Mullen, Andy Cooper.
AGUILON was the venue for the 19th Hole to play the first Medal competition of the year and it was the ladies who mastered the course. Nekane Galindez captured the Ladies’nMedal scoring net 70. Hard on her heels with net 71 was Karyn Esposito, while Vaughan Williams won the Mens’ Medal with a creditable net 74 which was only one shot better than Tommy Seed net 75. Vaughan’s game has been steadily improving since he joined the society. There were four two’s recorded on the day - Doug Birrell 12th, Jerry Edwards 14th, Karyn Esposito and Steve Lawrie both 17th.
• Nearest the pins :3rd Doug Birrell. 4th in 2 Chris Gledill. 8th Nick Pogson. 12th Bob Tagg. 14th Jerry Edwards. 17th Terry Ayling. The 19th Hole Golf Society play every week on local courses. Contact mikeesposito54@yahoo.com for information.
CHAMPION: 16-year-old was hailed an ‘example to other young people’ by mayor of Nijar, Esperanza Pérez Felices.
MAYOR of Nijar, Esperanza Pérez Felices has hailed young Nijaran athlete Nerea Segura an ‘example for other young people’ after winning the U17 Women’s Futsal Spanish Championship as part of the Andalucian side. Esperanza Pérez congratulated the new champion at an event held at the town hall and told Segura: ”All your achievements make our munici-
pality proud and you have become an example for other young people.” Earlier this month, she went to Galicia for the Spanish Championships where they managed to win gold. In a tense final, the side were up against a team from Murcia and narrowly came out on top 1-0 winners. The young female goalkeeper, who is only 16 years old, already has a
wide range of sporting achievements to her name. She has been champion of Andalucia as part of the Almerian side and is also a cadet with the District of Nijar. Nerea is very clear about her sporting and professional goals and wants to continue in football and study physical education to become a coach in the future in order to help pass on her values to other players.
Motoring
23rd February - 1st March 2018
SEAT announce name for new SUV SEAT’S brand new SUV will be named the Tarraco after a public vote. More than 146,000 car enthusiasts from 134 different countries voted in the final stage of the #SEATseekingName competition to name the brand’s third SUV. Tarraco received a total of 51,903 votes ahead of Avila (41,993), Aranda (39,321) and Alboran. The Tarraco, is the first SEAT model name to be chosen by popular vote and is aligned with SEAT’s values and per fectly matches the personality of the new model. Commonly known now as Tarragona, the city is the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula and was one of the major metropolises of Hispania during the Roman Empire. The Mediterranean City remains a legacy of culture, youthfulness, history and architecture, values which SEAT identifies with
TARRACO: The name of SEAT’S newest SUV was decided by a public vote. CREDIT: SEAT and conveys through its vehicles. The Tarraco becomes the 14th SEAT model to have a Spanish place name since the first, the Ronda, 36 years ago in 1982. Since then, SEAT have released the ever-popular Ibiza alongside Malaga, Marbella, Toledo, Inca, Alhambra, Cordoba, Arosa, Leon, Altea, and two most recent models, the Ateca and Arona. With the new SEAT Tarraco, the company is adding a new model to its
biggest product offensive carried out to date and completes its SUV range, which already comprises the Ateca and the sevenseater Arona. The company’s SUV offensive kicked off in 2016 with the launch of the Ateca and continued in 2017 with the Leon facelift, the fifth generation Ibiza and the new Arona crossover. The SEAT Tarraco will be officially launched towards the end of this year.
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