The Weekender Issue 11 Marina Baixa (Benidorm)

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ISSUE 011 IssueB #144

Friday 8th September

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End the torture

By Jack Troughton ANIMAL rights activists are staging a growing number of protests across the Costa Blanca with the battle cry “cruelty is not culture”.

Demonstrators are targeting

tourists visiting local fiestas in a bid to get the message home how animals were exposed to panic, stress and humiliation.

They aim to get the government to outlaw bull

fighting, bull running, and ‘bous a la mar’ – where bulls are goaded into a charge that ends with the animal in the sea.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

ENOUGH! Bull fighting protest hits the streets

By Jack Troughton

From Front Page...

And they are demanding the end of the “torture” of animals being used as entertainment in Spanish festivals.

In Javea Port on Sunday a small but vocal group formed a picket line around 200 metres from the arena where the annual ‘bous a la mar’ was being staged as part of the Virgen de Loreto festival.

At the end of July, more than 100 animal lovers gathered in Denia to protest at the annual ´bous a la mar’ in the town – a fiesta that is a huge attraction for visitors to the Marina Alta.

During the Javea demonstration, it was claimed “most Spanish people, around 70%, were against bull fighting” and placards called for animals to be left in the country rather than the arena.

With an escort of Guardia Civil and Policia Local, around

35 protesters shouted ´”Basta!”

(Enough!), “bull torture”, and “bull torture is not Spanish culture”.

The protest was organised by animal charity ERA and supported

by PACMA, the Spanish political party campaigning for animal rights and speeches were made in Spanish, Va l e n c i a n o , English, French and Dutch.

B r i t i s h campaigner Zoe Gumm said people needed to know about “bull torturers” and what happened to animals during ´bous a la mar’.

She said:”You might think this is all incredible fun but it is at the expense of an innocent animal; they don’t usually die but sometimes they do – they are hit, pulled and pushed into the water.

“Would you put your dog in that position? I imagine you would not…bull torture is not Spanish culture.”

She said a man was seriously hurt during the event on Friday evening “and that’s not OK”; but said he chose to take part.

“He took part voluntarily but his family didn’t; if

something serious happens to that man, his family could suffer and that’s not right.”

Another protester said: “In this town, it is safe for people but not for animals at festivals such as ´bous a la mar´!”

Another shouted: “Animals are hurt, they suffer a lot. It is not innocent fun”.

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

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THE conveyer belt of fast food slowed down this week as McDonald’s workers staged a strike – the first in the UK since the American burger chain opened its first restaurants in Britain more than 40 years ago.

The 24-hour stoppage is part of a heated row over the use of zero-hour contracts, the minimum wage, and claims of workplace bullying.

The walkout took place at two branches of the chain, which first started selling burgers in the UK in 1974. Staff at Crayford, near Dartford, and Cambridge stopped flipping burgers and marched on Parliament, around 200 with a point to make.

The Baker’s, Food and Allies Workers Union (BFAWU) said the staff had been left no alternative but to take “the historic step” as management failed to meet calls for better job security by ending controversial zero-hours contracts.

The workers are not even officially unionised but are taking on the might of the golden arches after being represented by the BFAWU in the dispute. The union’s ballot found 95.7% wanted industrial action.

Staff want pay to be increased to £10 an hour, up from the minimum wage currenty paid, £7.50 for those aged 25 and above.

BFAWU said the fight for higher wages follows a campaign in the US, where workers are

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fighting for $15 an hour.

McDonald’s, which employs about 85,000 people in the UK, said it gave its staff the choice of flexible or fixed contracts with minimum guaranteed hours, but 86% chose to stay on flexible contracts.

With 1,270 restaurants across the UK, it pointed out only two branches were involved and workers had enjoyed three pay rises during 2016, increasing average hourly pay by 15%.

A spokesman for the fast food giant said the grievance is related solely to internal procedures and would affect less than 0.01pc of its workforce across just two of its 1,270 UK restaurants.

And the dispute even made Prime Ministers Questions. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – possibly after seeing the Ronald McDonald costumes outside – urged Theresa May to support the workers over zero-hour contracts.

The PM said the action was a matter for the fast food giant and flipped the burger back at Mr Corbyn; asking why Labour did nothing about them when the party enjoyed 13 years in power.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Lucky to be alive Atlantic

crossing

By Jack Troughton

PUPPY Eliza Alma has a lasting reminder of how lucky she is to be alive – a missing toe on a front paw.

Locked in a hunter’s shed in Xativa, she was rescued by concerned animal lovers and found to have been attacked by rats; one rodent responsible for chewing off the toe.

At 10-weeks-old, she has been nursed back to health by Jacky Hazeleger, who runs Tanamera in Javea, a sanctuary for the Spanish hunting dogs and greyhounds.

“Rats actually ate part of her toe; however, she has part of it left and can balance properly,” Jacky said.

The puppy is named after a friend who helped rescue the dog, while ‘Alma’ was added as it means ‘soul’ in Spanish. “I normally only name dogs when I am sure they will live; I though having two names would bring her luck.

“She is worth every hour through the night we had to get up and feed her; all the worry and stress. She is absolutely beautiful.”

Eliza Alma is a purebred podenco ‘xarnego valenciano’ and is now

By Jack Troughton

a playful bundle of fun after her ordeal.

Jacky said she was warned a hunter had a pregnant dog but only wanted two of the litter so she arranged to take the rest. However, the mother was very young, just sevenmonths-old, and killed the other two babies.

“My friend Eliza visited the remaining puppy and took a picture and sent it to me; she was kept in horrible conditions, she was very underweight and mum did not want

to feed her,” she said.

“We ended up calling the hunter every five minutes, he agreed after a day we could take the baby – otherwise we knew she was going to die.”

Jacky added: “To be honest I didn’t think she stood a chance she was barely alive and couldn’t lift her head.

“I thought we would lose her but we fed her every hour using a syringe and puppy milk, after six days she started eating and drinking on her own”.

SPAIN’S Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has accepted an invitation to visit the White House for talks with US President Donald Trump.

It will be their first ‘head-to-head’ official talks since the controversial US elections, although they have met at the G20 summit in Hamburg and a NATO summit in Brussels.

Last month the American leader called Mr Rajoy to present his condolences after terror attacks in Catalonia left a total of 16 people dead and 120 injured.

However, the first phone conversation between the two leaders was back in February when President Trump assured Mr Rajoy the United States remained committed to NATO - despite earlier criticism of the transatlantic military alliance.

During the conversation, they agreed “to continue close security, economic and counterterrorism cooperation”.

Mr Rajoy, in power since 2011, visited the White House in January 2014 to hold talks with Barack Obama; Mr Trump’s predecessor made an official visit to Spain in July last year.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Catalonia’s indy vote

By Jack Troughton

SPAIN faces a political crisis as legislation passed by Catalonia’s regional parliament opens the way for a controversial independence vote on 1st October.

Politicians approved a bill for the referendum despite the ruling last February by Spain’s Constitutional Court that the ballot was both unconstitutional and illegal.

As Madrid attempts to bring Barcelona to heel, the president of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont and his cabinet signed a decree calling for the vote – a united front against the threats of legal action being voiced by the Spanish government.

output but Spain’s ongoing economic Opinion polls show Catalans headache and the perception there are around 7.5 million people Catalonia pays more in tax living in the region which has its than it receives from own language and culture Madrid has made - are equally divided independence a over independence. centre stage A symbolic issue rather non-binding than a matter poll was staged let in the in 2014 when backwater around 80% of of regional those taking part politics. backed a split from P u b l i c Spain. However, only p r o s ecutors 2.3 million people voted Carles Puigdemont announced they would seek criminal from a potential electorate of 5.4 charges against Carme Forcadell, million. president of the Catalan parliament, The region accounts for around and other officials for allowing the one-fifth of the country´s economic

vote on referendum law.

She has called for judges at the Constitutional Court to be disqualified, most were appointed

by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, and branded them “another extension of the state which has lost all legitimacy”.

Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said even before Catalonia passed the law, the government had asked the Constitutional Court to declare agreements “void and without effect”.

As the bitter row continues, she said passing the legislation without proper debate was an “act of force” and more characteristic of “dictatorial regimes”.

Thieves that go bump in the night

By Simon Russell

THREE men have been arrested after being caught breaking into an Alicante property using the “bumping” method to try and gain entry. This involves using a special type of key on a door which is then struck with another object to allow access.

They were found with various tools that would be used in this type of crime and police believe they may be behind several recent burglaries in the city.

The gang are all of Bulgarian descent and aged between 33 and 45; they have been charged with burglary and belonging to a criminal organisation.

Fiesta fatality

By Simon Russell

A seventeen year old youth was killed by a car during the Moors and Christians festival in Santa Pola last weekend. Two other teenagers were also struck in the accident which occurred in the small hours of Sunday 3 September. The driver of the car tested positive for both drugs and alcohol according to police sources and is likely to face serious charges after being detained without bail.

The two injured youngsters, aged 15 and 17, are both in Elche and Vinalopo Hospital on basic life support.

After the tragedy the Town Hall and fiestas committee decided to suspend the Moors and Christians until 6 September and declared three days of mourning. When the festivities resume they will be a more sombre and abridged version, although it was felt nothing would be gained by cancelling them completely. The planned fireworks show will be held in tribute to the dead youth.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Jihad ‘jokers’ grounded

By Jack Troughton

NINE men were hauled off a Ryanair flight from Brussels to Madrid after sparking a terror alert later described by police as “a crazy joke”.

Passengers were evacuated and the flight was delayed for two hours as police searched for explosives after the group of Belgian men started making jokes about being Islamists with bombs.

Prosecutors later said the men appeared to be drunk as they boarded the flight early on Saturday morning – one man, aged in his 50s, was later led away and will face prosecution.

Police spokesman Peter De Waele said: “The flight commander refused

to take nine people; one of them made a crazy joke and started calling out ‘Allah Akbar’ (God is great).”

He said all the luggage was removed from the plane and examined by bomb squad sniffer dogs.

The airport and the city’s metro station remain on high alert after a terrorist attack in April 2016 killed 32 people; while Spain’s latest terror outrage claimed 15 victims in Barcelona and Cambrils.

Low cost carrier Ryanair has repeatedly stated it will not tolerate unruly or drunken behaviour on its aircraft following a number of incidents on its aircraft; a BBC documentary last month claimed arrests of intoxicated passengers was up 50%.

DNA pinpoints fire-starter

By Simon Russell

A man has been arrested in the Northern Spanish town of Burgos, after a cigarette butt linked him to a major forest fire back in 2014. 750 hectares of forestry were lost in the fire which also claimed the life of

one man, something which meant that the Guardia Civil have given the case a high profile.

The butt, which was believed to be the cause of the fire, was tested for DNA and the results fitted that of a man who lived and worked locally, one of a handful of suspects who had

been in the remote area.

The jump in technology will serve as a warning to both arsonists and those who are careless around forested areas, with the fires being a regular occurrence in this part of Spain.

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Darker side of Brit resort

By Mathew Richards

FOURTEEN people, twelve of them British nationals, have been arrested in the Mallorcan resort of Magaluf on drugs charges.

Armed Guardia Civil officers raided an apartment on 2 September and seized three kilos of pure cocaine as well as cannabis, ecstasy and amphetamines alongside about €100,000 in cash. It is believed that the drugs were

for onward sale to tourists in Magaluf, famous for its clubs and the antics of the mainly young British crowd who holiday there. However in recent years the resort has also gained a reputation as somewhere illegals drugs can be readily bought and sold.

The raid, which was the culmination of Operation Tatum, is tied in with a previous one

in July where four British and Spanish nationals were arrested in possession of 4.8kg of cocaine.

Paternity plea to crooner

By Simon Russell

A Valencian man who is “99.9 per cent certain” that he is the son of Spanish superstar Julio Iglesias has made calls for the singer to be officially tested for paternity.

Javier Sanchez Santos claims that his mother always said that she was Iglesias’ son

and unofficial DNA testing earlier this year carried out by a specialist firm appeared to support his claims. It has not been disclosed how the tests were carried out without Iglesias co-operation, but it is rumoured that a water bottle used by the singer may have been the source of his DNA. Javier made a short speech

with his lawyer outside the Palace of Justice in Valencia saying “27 years have passed without a test. We still have time to rectify this; it’s time to take a step forward.” Javier has insisted that this is not about money and he leads a quiet and happy life in Valencia.

Julio Iglesias has an estimated net worth of

around €300 million, built largely on a worldwide singing career in the seventies and eighties although he has remained a huge name ever since, especially in Spain and Latin America.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Airline feeling the heat

By Simon Russell

RYANAIR is being investigated after allegations that it let some if its groundstaff work in extreme heat without proper protection.

They had previously been warned about the issue at Alicante airport but unions say they failed to

properly address the issue.

Disciplinary proceedings have now started against Lesma Aviation which provides staff for Ryanair at the airport.

It is alleged that staff, mainly runway workers, were working in 40 degree plus heat with little or no protection from the sun

or heat. This resulted in health problems including headaches and dizziness as they worked eight hour shifts without even hats or sun-cream. Alicante’s Labour Protectorate has received a number of complaints and has now decided to investigate the issue officially.

Ryanair cuts cabin baggage limit

By Matthew Richards

BUDGET airline Ryanair has announced new changes to it luggage policy. The main change is that travellers will now only be permitted one item of luggage in the cabin. They are also cutting charges for luggage from £35 to £25 or €25 in the Eurozone. The carrier complained that too many

people were taking advantage of its policy of allowing two bags in the cabin, resulting in costly delays and often irate customers as those boarding last struggled to find locker space. One of the results of this change is that the unpopular wheelie bags will no longer be permitted, with the exception of priority boarders who pay for the privilege.

Myth-busters

By Simon Russell

THE University of Alicante this week held an International Course on the issue of pseudo-science in the information age. Looking at everything from ”fake news” spawned by social media to aliens the course aims to debunk some of the more common myths in the age of the Internet - and how to spot them. There

will also be a look at the rise of false health professionals peddling miracle cures and more mainstream alternative medicines that have been generally proven to have little or no real benefits. Much of the course will look at how easily it is for myths and lie to quickly become seen as the truth due to the way they are spread round the internet, often fooling even mainstream news agencies.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Too heavy on the horn

By Simon Russell

CAR horns can almost seem as much a soundtrack to Spanish living as anything else, but the traffic authorities have pledged to crackdown on unnecessary use of them by drivers. Technically drivers are only allowed to use their horns in an emergency – which does not constitute a three second wait at the traffic lights or picking up someone without leaving a

car. Offenders could be fined €80 on the spot while other offences include customised horns or not having one at all, both liable for penalties of up to €200. As well as the noise pollution issue, there is also the fact that when a genuine emergency does arise the honking is often ignored as it has become such a common sound on Spanish roads.

Passion in pictures

By Jack Troughton COSTA Blanca artist Anthony Creasey has a passion for tango, flamenco and jazz and they play a key role in his work.

An exhibition of his pictures is being staged at the Denia Marriott Hotel this weekend in aid of the Javea-based charity Todos Juntos.

As a youngster, Tony wanted to go to an art college but his father underlined

the importance of having a career, so his dream of being an artist was put on ice while he entered the world of engineering.

However, when he and wife Josie moved to Spain in 2002 he was able to follow his creative instincts. The couple, now retired, made their home overlooking the Orba Valley after falling in love with area.

Wimbledon-born Tony, he moved to the West Country in 1972, enrolled on

a drawing and water colour course but found he was not sufficiently inspired; instead he took a step back to think which medium most appealed and would give him the most satisfaction.

And in 2010, despite growing health problems, he started another course in Javea with tutor Marc Meyer and has since excelled with his interpretation and use of charcoal and acrylic.

Encouraged by his family, friends and

a growing list of clients, his portfolio is inspired by a love of dance and music, as well as undertaking commissions and portraits.

The exhibition in the Denia Marriott Hotel’s La Sella Ballroom is open tomorrow (Saturday 9th September) from 10am until 7pm, and on Sunday 10th September between 10am and 5pm. For more information call 96 558 3199 or 674 621 114 or email tony@creasey.es.

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Back In

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

WHEN I SAID DROP IN ANYTIME…

By Simon Russell

A man was injured when a car crashed through the wall of his house and into the living room where he was on the sofa watching TV in Clifton, York.

Although he suffered nasty leg injuries the incident could have been much worse and a young child and the man’s wife were also both in the house at

the time, although neither was hurt. After the smash the car burst into flames and police and fire crews had to rescue the three occupants of the house as well as the three young men in the vehicle. The car, described as a “souped-up VW”, is believed to have been travelling at speed.

described ck lo b ce ffi o n o as Lond ideous messg"liehst "bright red eh e UKs u been nam d th Cup

rbuncle on won the 2017 Ca Nova Victoria, Lond it as “cringe-worthy”. ribing ndon building with one judge desc nsecutive time a Lo co th It is the six ilding Design Bu nour run by ho s ou bi du e th d has scoope Architects Magazine (BD).

PLP described the £380m office complex as a “distinct and architecturally daring” building.

Stork to visit palace

Jack Troughton

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third child - the Queen’s sixth greatgrandchild - Kensington Palace announced on Monday.

The Queen, the Royal Family, and the duchess’ family are said to be “delighted with the news” of a brother or sister for Prince George, 4, and two-year-old Princess Charlotte.

It is understood the news was released early because as with her previous pregnancies, the 35-yearold duchess is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum; severe morning sickness.

It means the couple have again made their news public ahead of the usual 12-week mark, when most women have their first scan, because Catherine will have to cancel official duties – at least in the early stages - to receive treatment.

The condition affects around one in every 200 pregnancies and results in severe nausea and vomiting; and risks dehydration.

And before both previous births the news of the royal couple’s joy went viral early – ahead of George’s birth the duchess was admitted to hospital in December 2012 because of the condition, and the news of her pregnancy with Princess Charlotte was announced ahead of schedule as she was treated at Kensington Palace.

The Duke of

Cambridge’s brother Prince Harry said the news was “fantastic” and he was “very, very happy”; Clarence House, on behalf of the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, said the couple was “delighted”; and Prime Minister Theresa May said it was “fantastic news”.

The expected child would become fifth in line to the throne behind Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte – Prince Harry would drop to sixth in line – after legal changes in 2015 which prevented royal sons taking precedence over female siblings.

History shows it is rare for a third-born royal child to become king or queen in the UK. However, William IV reigned from 1830 to 1837; he was the third brother and became the Hanoverian monarch after the death of oldest sibling George IV without an heir and was ‘next in line’ at the age of 62 because brother Frederick, Duke of York, died.

n Britain

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

DANCING ON ICE

THE NUMBER’S UP

By Jack Troughton

YELLOW Pages is to stop appeari ng in printed form in January 2019 after 51 years of people letting their fingers do the walking through the once essentia l guide.

The announ cement to halt publica tion comes from owner Yell, who will continu e to produce the househ old telepho ne director y as a fully digital listing.

The first Yellow Pages appeare d in 1883 in the United States. A printer publish ing Cheyen ne, in director y a Wyomi ng, ran out of white paper and substitu ted yellow.

Britain waited until 1966 for the Post Office to launch the director y and the guide was later part of British Telecom .

The Busines s Pages appeare d in the mid 1980s when BT was privatis ed and it was sold to private equity compan ies in

2001fo r £2.1 billion.

And the 1980s also saw a string of success ful advertis ing ‘JR includin g campai gns; Hartley ’ despera tely seeking a copy of his book on fly fishing.

The first of the final 104 editions of Yellow Pages will be distribu ted in Kingsto n in January 2028 and the last 12 months later in Brighto n; where it was first publish ed in 1966, the year Englan d won footbal l’s World Cup. There will be 23 million copies of the final edition and

Yell hopes they will be a prized souveni r; once a vital tool in finding service provide rs and tradesm en, the rise of social media and comput er search endings hit demand for printed copies. executive chief Yell’s Richard Hansco tt said: “After 51 years in product ion Yellow Pages is a househ old name and we’re proud to say that we still have custom ers who’ve been with us from the very first Yellow Pages edition in 1966.

How many brands can say they have had custom ers with them for over 50 years?”

The company will still help people find “a million ” busines ses be found, chosen and trusted. ..but online. “We’re well-pl aced to continu e to help local busines ses and custom ers to be success ful online both now and in the future.”

Legendary skating duo launched in 2006, with many Jayne Torvill and Christopher of them taking up skating as a Dean will be reunited with result. We can’t wait to be back original hosts Phillip Schofield on screen in 2018, with a bigger and Holly Willoughby on the and better series for a brand show that sees celebrity skaters new audience.” take to the ice in a bid to dance Phillip Schofield said “I’m and dazzle their way to glory. often told how much people With a brand new cast have missed Dancing on Ice, of celebrities plucked from and with the show so fondly the world of TV, music and remembered, it’s exciting for showbiz, a refreshed line up us all to now have the chance of skating professionals, a to breath new life into the show, spectacular new set, and more and of course spending an extra ambitious routines than ever day of the week with Holly is before, the show’s revival the icing on the cake!” will prove unmissable event Holly Willoughby said television.

“I’m so excited to be returning Torvill and Dean will to a show that I love so much! both sit on a revamped ice Working with Jayne and Chris panel alongside two additional is always such an honour and judges, to be announced in due it’s even more special as it’s course. the show that Phil and I first Having originally run on worked on together ... it’s full of ITV between 2006 and 2014, wonderful memories and I can’t the series pairs famous faces wait to make some new ones... “ alongside professional skaters, ITV’s Director of Television who each week perform in a bid Kevin Lygo said “Dancing on to impress both the panel and Ice is a wonderful show for all the viewers at home. the family, and weekends have Jayne Torvill and not been the same without it Christopher Dean said “We are in our schedule. I’m delighted thrilled that Dancing On Ice is Jayne and Chris are on board returning to ITV next year and and on the panel, and Holly delighted to announce our new and Phil are hosting, and I roles on the judging panel. The think we’re all very excited to show struck such a huge chord be returning with some starwith the viewers ever since it spangled skating in 2018.”

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Out & About

Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

Molly’s Restaurant

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Eating out at Molly’s Restaurant in the Old Town Benidorm is not only enjoyable but has the most comfortable surroundings with the most relaxing atmosphere.

The menu has a great choice of fresh food. Where else can you find Wagyu Steak; a Japanese beef similar to rump but looks like a fillet; served with home-

made chips and side-salad.

It’s simply mouth watering.

Mike and Helen take great care serving home cooked food from 10am with their varied breakfast menu including “The Flying Scotsman,” An Irish Feast as well as the Classic English. Their very own recipe butchers style sausages that are also used in classic dish of “Bangers

and Mash” served in a traditional style with rich onion gravy and mustard mash. The other pub favourites I can describe only as mouth-watering. A well presented range of dishes that include fish cakes, Scotch Pie, Chilli-conCarne, Spaghetti Bolognese and Vegetable Curry.

For me it’s all about the burgers. Homemade seasoned fresh beef that tastes delicious served with a Mayonnaise with lemon and chilli sauce and classic melted cheese in a bun, and if that’s not enough then try the Molly Special Burger, or the Texas Squealer!

The burgers are all served on a slate with a salad - it looks fantastic and tastes great. You would be impressed and almost certain to spread the word on this hidden gem of a eatery. If your watching your

waistline then choose a salad from a classic Ceasar, Greek, Five Bean or Molly’s House Salad.

When eating out, the thing that grabs me is a venue that gives not just great food but the surroundings are just as important - to sit and relax with great service and this is exactly what Molly’s has to offer.

Without wanting to spoil the fun and tell you everything about Molly’s, allow me to mention the “Bistro Selection;” There are six great choices - so take the opportunity for a great night out or drop by for a breakfast on the sunny terrace. Being in the heart of the Old

Town, you can be sure to soak up the vibrant Spanish surroundings.

Calle Moli 3, Old Town Benidorm, Spain 03501 +34 865 881 856

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017 Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

Out & About

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Boats & The Coast

Change of season

By Simon Russell

AS we get into September, things gradually start to return to normal across the Costa Blanca. Most of the Spanish tourists, particularly from Madrid, will have returned home by the end of August and the beaches and roads will be noticeably quieter

while parking will be easier.

The schools have another week before returning on 11 September, although primary school pupils will not commence full days until October. There will also be a new intake of pupils at all levels, starting with the youngsters born in 2014 who will be starting at “pre-

escolar”, something nearly all kids of that age take advantage of, although schooling is not compulsory until the first year of primary school proper.

Be aware that many beaches will begin cutting back on services, including lifeguards and medical facilities, check before you go to the beach if you’re not

sure. The police presence will also be cut back around the beaches and many officers hired just for the summer rush will be released. Chiringuitos that just hold a licence for the summer will start being taken down, while outdoor municipal pools generally close once the kids go back to school. However for many

Beached boat

By Mathew Richards

A twelve metre boat was driven into the shallow waters off Levante Beach in Benidorm during the stormy weather at the end of August.

The yacht was stranded and the

“Bahia de Benidorm”, that usually takes tourists on local pleasure trips, helped the Maritime Police tow the vessel to safety once the weather had calmed down.

The rescue mission took under an hour allaying fears that the yacht

would break up, leaving hazardous rubbish on one of Europe’s busiest beaches.

Benidorm’s Councillor for Beaches, Lorenzo Martinez, thanked Excursiones Maritimas, the owners of the “Bahia de Benidorm”.

residents September is their favourite time of year, with its milder weather and fewer visitors. A number of Northern European tourists also prefer to come to the Costas at this time of year, taking advantage of the cheaper deals available and knowing that the sunbeds by their hotel pool are more likely to be available.

Migrant death toll continues

By Simon Russell

IT was three years ago, on 2 September 2015, when the image of a drowned three year old migrant seemed to soften the debate about the number of people coming by sea to Europe illegally. However since the death of Syrian Alan Kurdi, whose body washed up on the beach of a Turkish resort, an estimated 8,500 people have died in the Mediterranean alone trying to make the perilous crossing. Many of these are

heading for Spain while Italy, Turkey and Greece are all aimed for destinations – although tragically many never make it that far.

While a series of events are being held to mark little Alan’s death, in many parts of Europe efforts to keep migrants out have strengthened.

These even include privately funded patrol boats operated by groups such as “Defend Europe” which uses dubious tactics to ensure the migrant boats don’t reach European shores.

16

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Out & About

Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

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Boats & The Coast Happy snappers

By Simon Russell

A photo competition organised by the Costa Blanca Tourist Board which ran over the summer on social media received 2,215 entries. The #MiVeranoCostaBlanca contest invited holidaymakers to upload their favourite pictures of them on their Costa Blanca vacations, using either Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

The campaign is seen as a great free publicity tool for

542

the area as the images can be viewed from anywhere in the world as soon as they are on-line.

T h e contest ended on 31 August and the various prizes, including theme park tickets, golf breaks, spa breaks and visits to wine caves were announced over the three platforms this week. The #MiVeranoCostaBlanca hashtag received over a million impressions during the peak summer period.

Participants

2215

ed Images Upload

A Europe for all citizens

By Simon Russell

ALTEA has joined a network of European cities which share a common belief that their immigrant community has added to their cultural identity in a positive way.

The “City Networks” project is funded by the European Union and the aim is to share the positive experiences of immigration

with one or two day events in each area. This will involve local sectors such as business, education and social services as well as focusing on general citizenship.

This will be done through events such as workshops, exhibitions and conferences over the next 18 months.

Other cities taking part include Lublin (Poland), Tindari (Italy) and Mesogaias (Greece).

Over 300 kids attend summer school

By Simon Russell

V I L L A J OYO S A’ S sport themed summer school had 325 children attending throughout July and August at the Mare Nostrum primary school.

Of these 98 received subsidized places to assist families with childcare requirements during the long summer break. Sporting activities held includ-

ed indoor and outdoor football, table tennis, padel, basketball and handball.

Away from the sports there was a visit to the town’s famous chocolate factory, road safety courses and English lessons.

There was also beach rugby, a cinema day and a display by magicians, while the whole thing ended with a foam party.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017 Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

Out & About

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Would you like to see your news here? Email us Newsroom@Weekender.News

Ringing in the change

By Jack Troughton

HUSBAND and wife team Marian and Rudd Lakerfeld are ringing up the changes after taking over the till at the Moraira Charity Shop.

The couple are the new managers at the shop and take over from Chris and Kath Taylor - who ran the shop for

seven years and have been involved with its team of volunteers for 12 years.

The shop plays a key role in raising money for the Masonic Home of Valencia Association – up to €40,000 a year - and supports good causes across the region.

Pictured (from left) are Kath, Marian and Rudd, and Jenny Hart, President of the association.

The shop is currently running a halfprice sale; this will continue until next Friday..

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Out & About

Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

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The big flick ofF FINGERTIP skills will do the talking as table top football returns to the Costa Blanca with the opening Javea of the Subbuteo Club.

The new club in Javea hopes to attract those who remember the thrill of playing on the green baize - and those wanting to have a go for the first time.

Javea Town Hall is backing the club as an official extracurricular school activity and the c l u b kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am in the sports centre Palau Municipal d’Esport Miguel Buigues Andres in Javea Port.

The computer age may have dented the appeal of table soccer but there are dedicated players – even professionals – competing at club level, with area and national leagues, a champion’s league, international competitions and even a world cup.

Pascual Carrassi has founded the Javea Subbuteo Club and believes British expats will be keen to have a go; older people who remember playing with their own sets and introducing youngsters to the game.

“There is a great nostalgia surrounding Subbuteo; everything vintage is very popular,” he said. “We have to fight the supremacy of computer games but we hope to have enough people for a league and we want to stage tournaments locally and also further afield.”

Subbuteo was invented by Peter Adolph after he was demobbed after serving in the RAF in the Second

World War; adapting it from ‘Newfooty’, another table football

game created by Liverpudlian William Lane Keeling in 1929.

Players, collectors and modellers

were attracted by Adolph’s game as it evolved. Subbuteo had hundreds of teams – and accessories including stands, television crews and cameras, even a miniature Queen Elizabeth to present the FA Cup. “A lot of people prefer to play the original Subbuteo while now there

is also table soccer with slightly different rules and the players are different,” said Pascual.

“I was playing when I was younger; I didn’t play for 30 years and only recently rediscovered the game. There I people playing in Valencia and I thought ‘why not try

and move the game here?’ That’s how it started.”

The club will meet at the sports centre from 10am until 2pm every Saturday from 9th September. Pascual can be contacted by calling 654 887 301 or by email to kpky23@yahoo.es.

19

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Property

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MORTGAGE NEWS: Interest rates fall in August, lending up in June Mortgage base rates in the Eurozone dropped to another record low in August 2017, whilst the latest data shows new mortgage lending increased in June.

12-month Euribor – the rate used to calculate the majority of mortgage interest payments in Spain – came in at -0.156 in August, compared to -0.154 in July, a percentage difference of 1.3% (and

225% compared to August 2016) As a result, borrowers in Spain with annually resetting Spanish mortgages will see their mortgage payments fall by around €5.50 per month for a typical €120,000 loan with a 20 year term.

New residential mortgage lending was up 12.9% in June to 25,016, according to the notaries, with an average loan value of €129,704 (up 6%).

The Weekender recommends source - www.SpanishPropertyInsight.com

NOTARIES: Home sales up 17.4pc in June, house prices up 1.4pc Spanish home sales and house prices rose in June, according to the latest figures from the Association of Spanish Notaries.

There were 51,477 home sales witnessed by notaries in June, including homes subsidised by the Government (VPO), an increase of 17.4% compared to the same month last year (+16.8% seasonally adjusted).

Excluding subsidised

housing, resales were up 19%, and new home sales up 10.8%.

The average price of property sold in June was 1,358 €/m2, up 1.4% in a year.

The chart above shows how sales and prices compare to June 2007 at the peak of the real estate boom. Sales are still 40% below their peak (left chart), and prices 30% below (right chart).

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Property

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More mortgages

By Simon Russell

MORTGAGE loans, one of the

amount of the mortgage is also

key indicators of the state of the

on the increase and now stands

housing market, increased by 18.5%

at â‚Ź83,000, 9% higher than the

in June across Alicante province.

previous year. The amount of new

There were 1,237 new loans in the

loans across Spain is the highest

province according to figures just

since September 2011, and there

published by the government’s

were a shade under 30,000 made

statistical department. The average

across the country as a whole.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Property

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BANKS PREDICT GROWTH IN SALES AND PRICES IN SPANISH PROPERTY MARKET FOR FORESEEABLE FUTURE The residential property market in Spain is set to see a steady rise in home prices in the foreseeable future, according to the real estate branch of one of the country’s banks.

According to Solvia, the property division of Sabadell bank, average Spanish house prices will rise by 7.3% between now and 2020, although there is likely to be wide regional variations.

Meanwhile, another Spanish bank Bankinter is forecasting that house prices will have risen 4% by the end of 2017 and are set to increase by between 4% and 5% next year.

Regions with the strongest demand and economies such as Catalonia and Madrid are likely to see the biggest rises and the Solvia forecast suggests increases of 11% and 14% respectively.

Solvia also expects sales to increase, predicting growth of

between 7% and 8% each year until 2020 while Bankinter suggests transactions could rise even more quickly. Sales are likely to be strongest in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Malaga and Alicante, where demand is high.

Meanwhile, demand for property on the Spanish island of Ibiza is pushing up sales and homes are selling faster, according to the latest analysis report from Engel & Volkers.

‘Demand for high end residences on Ibiza remains significantly higher than the supply available. In addition, we registered a rise in average property prices in 2016,’

said Florian Fischer, managing partner of Engel & Völkers on Ibiza.

Ibiza benefits from strong international demand and last year Engel & Völkers brokered properties to buyers from 17 different

countries.

The report reveals that Germans top the group of overseas buyers, followed by British, French, Swiss and Italian buyers.

Ibiza Town is set to continue to be one of the most in demand markets on the island and

redevelopment of the centre is due to be completed this year, while some of the most exclusive residential areas can be found in the south and southwest of the island. Properties vary here from contemporary designer villas through to traditional old fincas.

‘This year has got off to a great start and we are building on the positive sales growth of 2016. To date we are ahead of sales target and continue to see demand from a wide variety of international buyers who are looking for premium property often with sea views,’ Fischer explained.

‘Continued investment into the island’s infrastructure is key to meeting the demands of the high end market that Ibiza is renowned for. New local regulations and restricted building permissions in rural areas will protect the island’s countryside but also impact limited supply and push prices up,’ he added.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Business & Finance

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Jack talks

By Jack Troughton SUMMER is officially over and the boys and girls have started a new term in the Palace of Westminster anxious to learn what’s happening in Brussels.

David Davis came hot foot back from the latest round of talks and wrote the word ‘Brexit’ on the blackboard and admitted there were “significant differences” between the UK and the European Union.

The Brexit Secretary said the latest shenanigans centred on the ‘divorce bill’; the EU indicating the cost of leaving the bloc could be around the €60 billion mark; Mr Davis saying there were “very different legal stances” between the two sides.

He told MPs talks had been “tough and at times confrontational” and the UK wanted to “intensify” the timetable of negotiations ahead of the proposed departure in March 2019 – a spit in the eye for those European types who accused Britain of not taking things seriously.

The class of 2017 was told that it was hoped to begin talks on trade next month; the government was urged to remain in the single market and customs union during any transitional period.

The good news was “concrete progress” over the summer in areas including protecting the rights of expats in the EU (that’s us!) to access to healthcare and over the future of the Irish border.

In regard to paying the piper over Brexit, Mr Davis he said both the UK and the EU would honour “financial obligations to each other on exit” but bridges needed to be built over a settlement.

The right honourable gentleman did have to put up with a bit of stick from the opposition benches; Labour claiming “fantasy was meeting brutal reality” over what was achievable in the negotiations.

And Sir Keir Starmer – the shadow Brexit secretary – said the slow progress of the talks

was “becoming a real cause for concern” and there would be serious consequences should trade talks be pushed back.

Sir Keir said: Too many promises have been made about Brexit that cannot be kept.

The Secretary of State has just said nobody was pretending that it would be easy...they were pretending it would be easy.”

The rising star of the Tory backbenches Jacob Rees-Mogg chipped in to warn the EU against demanding money “with menaces” over the ‘divorce bill’; saying it was ridiculous Brussels should seek a “dowry” over the UK’s exit.

After the update from our man sometimes in Brussels, MPs must prepare to debate the government’s EU Withdrawal Bill, which transfers EU legislation into domestic UK law.

Labour has announced it will oppose the bill at its second reading on Monday.

The party maintains it opens the door to a government “power grab” from Parliament and the Conservatives would slash workers’ rights, cut consumer protection, and damage the environment.

Leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party “will not allow this government to destroy parliamentary democracy by giving themselves unlimited powers.”

However, Mr Davis said anyone opposing the bill would have to answer to their constituents and insisted the proposed legislation was a practical bill designed to protect British businesses and citizens. “That is what it is there for; nothing else.”

Meanwhile at the first Prime Minister’s Questions of the new term, Theresa May promised to “listen very carefully” to concerns about the legislation but said change was needed to ensure “an orderly exit”.

She admitted the ‘B-word’ – that’s Brexit – would continue to dominate Parliament proceedings in the coming weeks.

IVF ENDS WHERE IT

BEGAN

By Jack Troughton

FREE NHS fertility treatment is to end in the area where it was first developed almost 40 years ago - a victim of cuts.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is the third area of the United Kingdom to withdraw free IVF in a move described as “devastating” – and thousands have signed a petition calling for health chiefs to think again.

It will save £700,000 a year and follows a 20-week public consultation. The decision has immediate effect but there will be a review in April 2019.

The IVF procedure was pioneered by biologist Robert Edwards, who with

gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe, fertilised the first human egg in a Cambridge laboratory in 1978. Over the next 40 years almost four million children have been born using the technology the pair perfected.

Government guidelines recommend women under the age of 40 should be offered three free cycles of IVF if they have been trying to conceive for three years.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough clinical commissioning group (CCG) has joined

boards in Croydon and parts of Essex in ending routine free IVF. And the CCG chair Dr Gary Howsam, said it was “one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to take.

“I think there’s a recognition that the NHS funding situation is desperate in our region. The CCG has finite resources to fund a whole range of health services and treatments.

“We need to save £46.5m this financial year, and so we have had to review all areas of our spending and to make some difficult decisions.”

He described suspending routine specialist fertility services as “financially necessary”.

Cambridge University Hospitals Trust, which provides the national health IVF service, said it was still committed to helping as many patients as possible start families.

However, consultant embryologist Stephen Harbottle described the decision as “devastating” and said: “NHS care should be available equitably to everyone. Even within the eastern region, care is still available but the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will not have access to it.

“People see IVF treatment as non-essential care but the effect of withdrawing it can be devastating for their mental health, their relationships, and financially.” .Infertility affects one in six people and is categorised as a disease by the World Health Organisation. Privately, cycles of IVF can cost between £4,000 - £5,000.

Professor Sir Robert Edwards (L) with Louise Brown (R) and her mother

Rain a mixed blessing

By Simon Russell

WHILE the recent unseasonal rainfall has helped some local crops after a long dry spell, farmers fear others will have been damaged.

Elche’s pomegranate crop benefitted from the rain and producers are

expecting this year’s crop to be of a high quality. Likewise the artichoke and citrus crops in the Vega Baja will have welcomed the water although some varieties of grapes have suffered.

Overall, the rain will

only have had minimal impact on the water shortage the area is facing, says Farmers Union spokesman Pedro Valero, and he reiterates that the need for a national water pact remains urgent.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Business & Finance

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Did you work in retail, manufacturing or banking in the UK?

By Tracy Storer Senior Partner Chorus Financial

In all the years that I have been advising people on transferring pensions, I have never seen such astronomical transfer values, especially in the finance, manufacturing and retail industries.

In the past, Final Salary pensions were seen as the ‘gold plated’ pension option, however, over recent years, opinions have changed dramatically.

Many UK schemes have unprecedented levels of debt and transfer offers are at all-time highs.

Transferring away from your final salary pension has

never been so popular, with 10,000s of applications each year.

It was due to a similar article over a year ago that my client contacted me. He had worked as a store supervisor in a leading supermarket chain, and had no idea what his pension options were.

He was 52 years of age and wanted to start thinking about when he could retire and what his annual pension would be.

After initially meeting with him, I sent off for a transfer value, and a few weeks later I was sat back in front of him.

In short, he could expect an annual pension of £10,200 at the age of 60, or, he could leave the scheme with a pot of £350,000, or approximately 35 times his annual pension.

There are lots of factors that need to be considered before deciding if a transfer is right for you, however, for this client, the high transfer value, along with being able

to retire 5 years early, were significant. I was happy to recommend that we move his £350,000 transfer offer into a UK based private pension, and have his pension funds managed by a well-known, FTSE 100 company.

He would not only have full, flexible access to this pot from 55, but should anything happen to him, his entire pot of £350k would be left to his loved ones, something that his final salary scheme did not offer.

This isn’t an isolated case, I’ve seen pension values, especially from banks, retail and manufacturing companies, as high as 40 times the annual pension. I will re-iterate that it is not always beneficial to transfer your final salary pension, they are very valuable and offer benefits that cannot always be replaced. What I will say, is that requesting a valuation is simple, free and can be life changing.

If you would like to know what your pension transfer value is email me: t.storer@chorusfinancial.es or call 693 107 044.

The examples given in this article are for illustrative purposes only. Transferring a pension from a final salary scheme means sacrificing effectively guaranteed benefits for non-guaranteed benefits and a full review of your circumstances must be undertaken before a recommendation to transfer can be given.

Tracy Storer is Senior Partner at Chorus Financial and has been advising expats in Spain on their financial planning and investments since 2011.

Chorus Financial is a trading style of Tourbillon Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar), Licence Number FSC1118B and registered with the UK FCA as an EEA Authorised firm, reference 539348.

Chips are down

By Jack Troughton

ONLINE gambling company 888 has been hit with a record £7.8 million penalty after failing to protect problem gamblers.

Regulator the Gambling Commission found “significant flaws” in the firm’s social responsibility processes designed to protect vulnerable clients – it is believed around two million people in the UK have or risk developing a problem.

It was discovered a technical failure meant 7,000 gamblers who chose to bar themselves from an 888 account were still able to have a flutter; and other client bet more than £1.3 million in 13 months before being identified

as having a problem.

Gambling Commission chief Sarah Harrison believes hitting 888 with the penalty will mean “lessons are learnt”.

She explained: “Our requirements are that every company must provide the facility for every customer to be able to bar themselves from gambling. These 7,000 people looked to do that – these 7,000 looked to do that, but 888 didn’t deliver it as effectively as they should have done.

“There are round two million people now in Britain who either are problem gamblers or are at risk of problem gambling.

“Companies are beginning to put different practices in place to identify people right up front, but more needs to be

£7.8 M

done. We need to go further and we need to go faster.”

Part of the 888 penalty will be used to repay £3.5 million in deposits to clients who had ‘barred’ themselves but found themselves able to play the firm’s bingo platform The customer who staked more than £1.3 million – including £55,000 stolen from their employer – gambled three or f o u r times a day

over 13 months, placing a large number of bets and £62,000 will be returned to the employer.

And another £4.2 million will go to a socially responsible cause to be invested in measures to tackle gamblingrelated harm.

888 said it had cooperated with the regulator and the review resulting in the voluntary settlement. It said it was “committed to proving players with a responsible as well as enjoyable gaming experience.”

A rival gaming company said the whole sector was on a steep learning curve over how best to manage the problem of vulnerable players; it said the industry was on a “journey” but working with the Gambling Commission.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017 Family | Garden | Health | Home | Style | Wellbeing

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Do I Need to Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

Yes! Home dental care is one of the best ways to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Start as early as possible in your canine friend’s life so he or she will become accustomed to the brushing process.

What should I use to brush my dog’s teeth?

Use a moistened dog toothbrush with soft bristles. If you do not have a specially designed pet toothbrush, you can also use a child’s toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, gauze around a finger or a cotton swab.

Do I need special toothpaste to brush my dog’s teeth?

Pet toothpaste, often flavoured like poultry, malt and other dog-friendly varieties, is your best option. Never use human toothpaste, baking soda or

salt. While safe for you, these cleaning agents can be harmful to your dog if swallowed.

At-home teeth cleaning tips Keep the following tips in mind to make the process easier for you and more comfortable for your dog. You can also watch our at-home dental care video to see the process in action.

- Use a specially designed dog

toothbrush or a recommended alternative.

- Never use human toothpaste.

Instead, use petsafe toothpaste with a flavor favorable to your dog’s taste buds.

- Give your dog a small sample of the toothpaste to introduce the taste.

- Lift the lip to expose the outside surfaces of your dog’s gums and teeth.

- Brush with gentle motions to clean the teeth and gums, as you would your own.

- Clean the outside (cheek-facing) surfaces, as most pets will not allow you to brush the inside surface of the teeth.

- Be sure to reach the back upper molars and canines, as these teeth tend to quickly build up tartar.

Reward your dog with play, petting

or a favourite activity to positively reinforce the brushing process.

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth at home?

Your dog’s teeth should be brushed as often as possible, ideally every day. There are numerous dental care products, pastes, solutions, brushes, chew toys and dental diets that help you provide your dog with the home dental care he deserves.

How often should I have my dog’s teeth professionally cleaned?

Even with a diligent at-home dental care routine, adult dogs should have their teeth professionally cleaned at least once per year. These cleanings allow us to assess your dog’s overall oral health and thoroughly prevent against tartar buildup, gingivitis or gum disease and other conditions that can lead to life-threatening illnesses such as organ failure and heart disease if left untreated.

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017 Family | Garden | Health | Home | Style | Wellbeing

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Prostate Cancer – Some Facts!

Incidence:

Survival:

• In males in the UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer.

• Approximately 130 new cases are diagnosed every day.

• Since the early 1990s, prostate cancer incidence rates have increased by more than two-fifths (44%) in the UK; this is linked with PSA testing.

• Incidence rates for prostate cancer are projected to rise by 12% in the UK by 2035.

• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

• Around 4 in 10 prostate cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage.

Mortality: • Prostate cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the UK .

• Prostate cancer accounts for 13% of all cancer deaths in males in the UK. • In males in the UK, prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death.

• Over the last decade prostate cancer mortality rates in males have decreased by more than a tenth (13%) in the UK.

Read Online

• Mortality rates for prostate cancer are projected to fall by 16% in the UK by 2035 to 48 deaths per 100,000.

• Prostate cancer deaths in England are not associated with deprivation.

• Approximately 84% diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive 10 years or more.

• Approximately 94% diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive 1 year or more.

• Prostate cancer survival in the UK is higher for men diagnosed aged 60-69 years old. This is likely to be due to PSA testing.

• Prostate cancer diagnosis has tripled in the last 40 years. This is likely to be due to PSA testing.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

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Family | Garden | Health | Home | Style | Wellbeing

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Top 5 Rejuvenating and Anti-ageing Foods

What you eat is what you are. Eating foods that are harmful for the body leads to ailments, low energy levels, depression and can even be fatal. Following diets that are lop sided like the Atkins (which recommends only protein consumption) or the South Beach Diet only leads to temporary weight loss and almost permanent damage in terms of health and energy.

What you really need is a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats as well as fiber to ensure a healthy and long life. Aging is the process that occurs when the body cells fall prey to external elements and wither off. If the body cells remain well oxygenated and healthy aging can be postponed. Certain foods can help in preventing cell degeneration.

Below is a list of the top 5 anti-aging foods that help regain vigor and vitality.

1.

Avocado – This is one of the most alkalizing foods available. Avocados are very high in vitamin E which is essential for glowing skin and shining hair. It also help keeps those wrinkles off your face. Have a raw avocado salad or a steamed one with some salt to add effect.

2.

Berries – All berries, especially Gooseberries, are very rich in vitamin C and therefore highly useful to the body. Vitamin C helps in proper blood circulation and provides minerals and salts to all the body parts. Needless

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to say this helps the body to fight against aging and keep fit.

3.

Green vegetables – Broccoli, spinach, lettuce, salad leaves and other such greens are highly beneficial for the body. Not only do they help keep the body weight low but also help fight toxins. Fighting toxins is important because a highly toxic body is like a magnet for all kinds of diseases that can harm the body.

4. Garlic – This is one of the most important foods provided to us by nature.

The benefits of garlic are numerous. It helps prevent cell degeneration, helps keep the blood thin and also prevents heart diseases. It is most beneficial when eaten raw.

5.

Ginger – This root facilitates digestion and is therefore essential for the body. Ginger keeps bowel movement in shape, thereby enabling good gut health.

It also provides fluidity for the flow of blood. At least 8 glasses of clean pure water must be consumed on a daily basis.

There is no need to look your age anymore. Flaunt a younger look and live much longer without having to bother to go under the knife. A good exercise routine and a table that offers anti-aging foods are the answers to obesity, illness and wrinkles.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017 Family | Garden | Health | Home | Style | Wellbeing

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GARDENING ON THE COSTA BLANCA - Part 6 REFERRING to last week’s article about plants of the Bignonia family, perhaps mention should have been made of Campsis x tagliabuana (most often encountered in the variety ‘Madame Galen’) or C. radicans as

other drought resistant plants to be seen - for some reason many of them are climbers or at least scramblers.

One scrambler is Plumbago or Cape Leadwort – both names referring to its use against the poisonous effects of lead (Latin plumbum).

Most established Plumbago specimens are pale blue

Campsis x tagliabuana (‘Madame Galen’)

being readily available locally. Both are tough and floriferous climbers – this time bright orange red in colour.

Locally they flower in the summer and are commonly known just as the Trumpet Vine. As there are about 800 species in this family, you may well come across more. (Incidentally, the “x” above means that ‘Madame Galen’ is the result of a cross between the 2 species in this genus - Campsis radicans and C.grandiflora.

Although the Bignonias are such conspicuous features of gardens locally, there are of course many

Plumbago / Cape Leadwort

Blue Passion flower

and the Blue Passion flower (Passiflora caerulea) Once established, the only problem is likely to be keeping them in check but they can be pruned savagely. Incidently, although the fruit of this Passion flower can be eaten, it is insipid and probably not worth the trouble!

Something else which definitely

or perhaps white but increasingly the plants available are a deeper and, perhaps, more desirable blue.

Beware, however, that Plumbago and long- haired dogs do not go together – their coats are magnets for the sticky dead flower heads!

Because of their sticky seeds, birds will very often introduce both the local Lonicera (Honeysuckle) Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

should not be put in your mouth is Oleander (Nerium)! All parts of it are considered to be poisonous – it is even said that some of Wellington’s soldiiers died during the Peninsular War, which began in 1807, after cooking meat on oleander skewers over fires burning dead oleander!

While this is one of those stories which is impossible to prove, it is probably not a good idea to test the story yourself! (Despite the fact that Oleander grows wild in dry river beds in Spain, a study carried out showed that over the 5 year period beginning in 2008 there was only one reported case of poisoning from ingestion of oleander material while 9 other plants were involved in the total of 14 cases reported – no case was fatal!).It is, nevertheless, a very attractive, very

Nerium (Oleander)

tough plant. So tough in fact that its siting should perhaps be considered carefully as, once established, its removal may prove to be somewhat difficult! Flower colour ranges from red to white while, in size, different varieties go from 6 to 12 feet or even more while, if trained as a tree with a single stem, it may reach about 20 feet so choose your variety carefully.

More next week..

We are a friendly group who enjoy gardening and gardens. Our meetings are normally held on the 1st Wednesday in each month from October to June in Meeting Room (Aula) 1 on the 1st floor of La Senieta in Moraira next to the free car park used for the Market on Fridays. Meetings commence at 2:30 pm and finish at about 4:30pm.Visitors including holiday makers are always welcome – admission is by a donation of 3€ per person. Our attempts at a regular meeting date are sometimes interrupted by Fiestas etc and it is for this reason that our next meeting is on Wednesday, 11th October at 2.30 in La Senieta. Contact Numbers:- Chairman Joan Birch 697320169 / Secretary Joy Lally 966498681 or typing in Costa Blanca Gardeners will get you to the Website.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017 Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles | TV

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What’s ON TV Gogglebox New series. The fly-on-the-wall series turning the cameras on TV’s most vocal armchair critics returns, as the show’s regular gaggle of families, friends and viewing party acquaintances settle down to share their thoughts on what they have been watching during the week.

Channel 4 10:00pm Fri 8 Sep

Cold Feet New Series. After agreeing to take things slow, Adam and his landlady Tina have rarely been apart over the past 10 months.

He is keen to dive into the next phase of their relationship, but will commitmentphobe Tina commit herself?

ITV 10:00pm Fri 8 Sep

Little Voice (1998)

A painfully shy woman has a talent for impersonating famous performers including Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. She is spotted by a greedy promoter who instinctively realises her considerable money-spinning potential, but the shrinking violet proves reluctant to step into the limelight. Comedy drama, with Jane Horrocks, Michael Caine, Brenda Blethyn, Ewan McGregor and Jim Broadbent

BBC1 12:35am Sat 9 Sep

Strictly Come Dancing

2017 British Triathlon Mixed Relay Cup

Strictly Come Dancing Launch Show 2017 New series. The pro-celebrity ballroom contest returns, with an opening spectacular featuring last year’s champions Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton performing their winning routine, plus music from Shania Twain and Rita Ora.

BBC1 8:00pm Sat 9 Sep

The X Factor

Episode 3. Dermot O’Leary presents as the nationwide talent contest continues apace in the third rounds of auditions.

Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell all take their places at the judges’ desk, to assess the potential star-power of another selection of auditionees, who must perform in two stages.

ITV 10:00pm Sat 9 Sep

The Tourist (2010)

A fugitive’s girlfriend is being watched by the police while travelling from Paris to Venice. She seduces an unsuspecting American tourist to make them think he is her lover with his appearance altered by plastic surgery, leaving the baffled holidaymaker pursued across Europe by the cops and rival gangsters. Romantic thriller, with Johnny Depp, &Angelina Jolie

Channel 4 12:40am Sun 10 Sep

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017 TV | Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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V This Week

All T i Show mes n Ar e Span ish

Upstart Crow

Grand Prix (1966)

An American Formula One driver’s career seems to be over when he is blamed for an accident that has left his British rival severely injured. He joins a Japanese team and begins planning his comeback, while also having an affair with the wife of the man he injured. Drama,

ITV 8:00pm Sun 10 Sep

Victoria

Warp and Weft The queen is moved by the plight of a silk weaver in Spitalfields, and decides to throw a lavish medieval ball at the palace to help, with all attendees wearing outfits made in the area.

ITV 10:00pm Sun 10 Sep

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)

Premiere. A streetwise teenager is taken under the wing of his dead father’s old colleague, an agent working for a super-secret spy organisation. Will the youngster prove to be a chip off the old block by proving useful during a battle against a twisted, hi-tech genius?

Action comedy based on a comic book, starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Samuel L Jackson

Channel 4 10:00am Sun 10 Sep

New series.

Green-Eyed Monster New series.

Will is desperate to make a good impression with the College of Heralds so he can get his family a coat of arms and finally make the Shakespeares posh. So when African royal Prince Otello comes to town, the aspiring playwright decides that befriending him is the perfect opportunity to make a favourable impression amongst the gentry.

BBC2 9:30pm Mon 11 Sep

The Undateables

New series.

The return of the programme following disabled people as they try to search for romance, and experience the delights and pitfalls of blind dates, matchmaking and speed dating. In the first edition those seeking a partner include transport fanatic

Channel 4 10:00pm Mon 11 Sep

Liar

New series. Recently single teacher Laura Nielson is set up with Andrew Earlham, a widowed surgeon and the father of one of her students. The two enjoy a first date, but the next day rumours and accusations begin to circulate and the two find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and confusion. Thriller, starring Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd.

Channel 4 00:05am Mon 11 Sep

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

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Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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QUICK CROSSWORD

Across

1 Unit of power (4) 3 Female child (8) 9 Fishing vessel (7) 10 Inflexible (5) 11 Incite (3,2) 12 Brief period of rain (6) 14 Red Indian warriors (6) 16 Piece of sculpture (6) 19 Cuban leader since 1959 (6) 21 Stand-offish (5) 24 Stay in bed longer (3,2) 25 Breastbone (7) 26 Organism that lives on another (8) 27 Necessity (4)

Down

1 Yorkshire racecourse (8) 2 Nasal tone (5) 4 To the opposite side (6) 5 Zest, relish (5) 6 Cut into three parts (7) 7 Floating platform (4) 8 Fair-haired (6) 13 Scented (8) 15 Non-professional (7) 17 London’s river (6) 18 English county (6) 20 Melodies (5) 22 Light weight (5) 23 Cut with shears (4)

For crossword solutions - See Page 41

Sudoku

Easy

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

Down

1 Confounded plot involving birds (7) 1/30 Funny man repairs broken statue (6,6) 2 Child about ten? Aye, a poet (9) 30 Funny man repairs broken statue (6,6) 3 First Lady taking a little liquor in New York without hiccups 4 Mouse found by servant in empty bottle (5,3) (6) 9 Intellect required by royal bodyguard (6) 5 Play instrument audibly (4) 10 People treated badly falling in love with stardom (8)6 Oarsman turns up in jail showing signs of stress (8) 12 An oil company abroad made to pay (5,3) 7 End of rope to secure antelope (5) 13 Country quarters with original garden (6) 8 Old sect member guarding a bit of cheap perfume (7) 15 Legal document unaffected by revolution (4) 11 Lady Diana’s first university game (7) 16 Sort of Green getting map to recycle? (10) 14 Traitor’s initial motive for disloyalty (7) 17 Poet’s rump coming out on top (9) 19 Players without a religious medal (6,4) 18 A sap in St Helier may be an environmental problem (4,4) 20 Bigwigs backing dodgy dealer (4) 19 Permanent dwelling (7) 23 Tristram’s love is Old English (6) 21 What’s in the oven is only meat (7) 25 Ale in Manx resort (4,4) 22 Prime minister at wit’s end - flipping slippery character!

27 For apes it’s a time to go ape (8) (6) 28 Flowers a follower bestowed on weavers (6) 24 Cider-drinking girl seen, head to foot, in willow (5) 29 Brave leader gives region new way of working (8) 26 Country without any bug (4)

Medium

Hard

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017 Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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LIBRA (Sept 24th-Oct 23rd) ARIES (March 21st-April 20th) You feel compelled to share Hardly a run of the mill week for less with others this week, and you, Aries, and you might not I’m sure that you have your have banked on what one person own reason for this. Make sure is planning. But if promises seem though that you don’s isolate exaggerated or unrealistic, that’s yourself too much though, and probably because they are.

ARIES LIBRA that there’s a healthy amount Don’t lose your spark because of letdowns, or let wet blankets allow you to feel of give and take in ALL of your relationships. deflated. There’s normally always plenty of fight You’re also happy to let somebody else hog the limelight if it makes them happy. in you and it’s no different this week.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

SCORPIO (Oct 24th-Nov 22nd)

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23rd-Dec 21st)

You find out who your friends The cosmos boosts your are this week. The forward confidence and self esteem, motion of chatty planet Mercury and the rest is down to you and should also ease tension and your own self-belief. Should reduce setbacks, although you go out on a limb and take a TAURUS chance? That’s entirely your call. SCORPIO more so towards the end of the week. Work on your own hopes, Just be sure to make informed decisions, and this might involve canvassing dreams and ambitions for the future instead of worrying about whether other people are the opinions of the people that you trust. making the most of life. Good news arrives by the weekend.

Take a step back for an objective You prefer to take your time this look at what’s causing any week and to take a step back to blockages in your life or any see things from other people’s issues that just seem to be point of view. You also tend dogging you at the moment to think of the consequences GEMINI before doing anything anywhere SAGITTARIUS with no sign of departing. Could it be that people are being too near impulsive. Single? An ex might get in touch, or you could meet someone demanding but you don’t like to say so? Are you with a ring of familiarity about them. Be patient sick and tired of history repeating? Are you always the one picking up the pieces? Might be time to with family. lay down some new ground rules, Sagittarius.

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

CAPRICORN (Dec 22nd-Jan 20th)

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd)

AQUARIUS (Jan 21st-Feb 19th)

VIRGO (August 24th-Sept 23rd)

PISCES (Feb 20th-March 20th)

The forward motion of Mercury Be with people that cheer you removes feelings of vagueness up this week. Those that bring and uncertainty and this couldn’t out the best in you. Those that have come soon enough as far just don’t want to offload on as you’re concerned, could it you and then spring off leaving CANCER you weighted down with all CAPRICORN Capricorn? It’s also going to be rather a hectic week all round so their woes. Don’t let anxiety or restlessness push you into impulsive actions please pace yourself. People that gossip about either, even if you feel slightly under pressure. others irresponsibly get on your nerves because you value discretion, plus it makes you wonder Steady as you go. what they say about you when you’re not around!

Try to stay focused over You’re lucky to have a lot of financial matters, or you might support and encouragement agree to something you don’t from the people that matter fully understand or commit to this week. What you aim for a ‘contract’ that you might later over work or love could actually want to get out of because materialise, and if you’re single LEO of hidden clauses. Mercury AQUARIUS there’s a greater chance of you going forward in your sign will put an end to taking a shine to a person and them taking a confusion, but not until the weekend. Fantasy shine to you too. If someone’s messed up, you can muddle clear thinking. Be wary. may yet give them another chance.

It’s time to sit down and work Mercury going forward should out what you want the next help things run a lot more 12 months to bring you on a smoothly than they have been personal level. All I ask is that doing, and preferably in a fairer you keep it real and manage way for all concerned too. There your expectations with a healthy PISCES might be a cluster of minor VIRGO dose of practicality. You find it hurdles to get over along the way, easy to connect with others at the weekend, and that’s all, but they’re nothing that you can’t clear you can be extremely charming when you want with relative ease. Focus more on having fun at the to be. And generous. But why pick up the tab all weekend. the time?

REMEMBERING SPAIN’S “FIRST SEX SYMBOL”

By Simon Russell By Simon

ANTONIO Moreno had a film career which started on the silent screen along such icons as Gloria Swanson, Dorothy Gish and Marion Davies.

The Spanish star died 50 years ago on 1 September 1967 and a number of tributes are being paid by the nation’s film industry, with many of his films being shown in special screenings. As well as the sex symbol tag Moreno was Spain’s first international film star and if the script called for “a latin lover” he was seen as the actor to turn to.

His career moved successfully from the silent screen to the first “talkies” and his credits include parts in “Lola’s Promise (1912), “The Spanish Dancer” (1923)

and as director of “Santa” (1932), best known as the first talking picture made in Mexico.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Local Lookout

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Missing tot

Keeping the city moving

was watching TV

By Simon Russell

AN eight year old British girl who went missing in Albir, sparking a major alert, was found safe and sound watching telly in a restaurant.

The girl was reported missing at about 2am by her parents who had been having a drink and meal in the beach resort. Police and the family searched through the night until at 8am a Guardia Civil officer noticed that the

TV was on in the restaurant next to the one where the child disappeared from, although the establishment was not open.

It turned out that the girl had wandered into the restaurant while her parents were eating next door and promptly fell asleep, switching the TV on when she woke up in the morning. The youngster was unharmed by her adventure and has been reunited with her relieved family.

L’Alfás Del Pi celebrates Fira #10

By Spencer Williams

More space for shopping

L’Alfas del Pi will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Fira L’Alfás from the 8th to the 10th September 2017.

During these dates all sorts of local shops and services will be offering their goods at discounted prices. There will also be events and gastronomy.

The feria will take place in the Placa de la Casa de Cultura from 17:30 to 02:00 the following morning on Friday and Saturday and from 12:00 to 21:00 on Sunday.

Keeping busy in the Third Age

By Simon Russell SEPTEMBER is the third anniversary of La Nucia’s 3rd Age Casilla and there is plenty on during the month for its members.

There is a photo contest (closing

date for entrants 15 September) on the theme of “Yesterday and Today” with a first prize of €300.

Also on the cultural side of things the premiere of short film “El Tapete”, created by the Casilla and featuring local actors, will

COMPLETING the pedestrianisation of Calle Gerona is among the proposals submitted

by Benidorm’s Mobility Council.

Calle Gerona is the resorts busiest street and popular with both locals and visitors with its vibrant nightlife and scores of al-fresco drinking and eating areas. Other changes include Calle San Antonio becoming pedestrianised and traffic calming measures on various street using items such as street furniture to create zigzags for traffic. They are also spending around €50,000 on replacing the retractable bollards that many pedestrian streets have for resident access. Work on most agreed projects is due to start in the last quarter of this year, after the peak summer months.

be shown on 28 September.

On the evening of 20 September, the date of the anniversary itself, there will be live music, entertainment and a few surprises, all for a nominal €3 entry fee. The month will also

see the usual set activities such as yoga and gym classes specially designed to cater for seniors, theatre workshops, petanque and an “intercambio” language exchange with English speaking residents of the town.

THE Lidl supermarket next to La Marina Shopping Centre in Finestrat is expanding by using the area in the now vacant McDonald’s next door. The fast food giant previously rented the site from Lidl’s but have recently moved to a new unit close by.

The La Marina complex continues to change and expand, with sports retailer Decathlon having just started building their new store while international furniture firm Conforama have just opened a new superstore on the retail park.

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

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Local Lookout

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Mojiteros sentenced

By Simon Russell

THREE drinks vendors in Benidorm who ended up in a vicious brawl with police last month were sentenced to between a year and fifteen months in jail earlier this week. The local police started questioning the men on 11 August and as the exchange became increasingly heated a major tussle broke out with both a number of police and aggressors needing hospital treatment.

The “mojiteros” as they are commonly known - after their

most popular drink – were also fined a total of €5,360 to compensate the injured officers.

As is often

t h e c a s e w i t h sentences of less than two years the jail-time has been suspended but will be immediately

Champ takes pair out on a “Benidorm bender”

By Matthew Richards

TWO British tourists were sat at a Benidorm beach bar when they spotted ex-heavyweight world boxing champion Tyson Fury wandering in. Adam McCoy and Kailem Donovan, self -confessed Fury fans, ended up spending an evening with the former champion which they described as “legendary”.

The night out included watching the Mayweather-McGregor mega-fight and even a KFC to end the evening.

Describing Fury as totally down to earth, the pair said he had chosen them for a night out after finding out that Kailem had travelled to Germany to watch his fight against Wladimir Klitschko

in 2015, when he gained his world crown.

applied should they fail to pay the fine or offend again. Police in Benidorm have been cracking down

on people selling drinks to tourists on the cities beaches as the practice is both unlicenced and a potential health hazard.

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Local Lookout

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Greener and cleaner

By Mathew Richards

AN increase in the amount of recycling containers in a Costa Blanca town has dramatically decreased the amount of waste in the town. El Poble Nou de Benitatxell now has thirty containers after having only three before. Many of the new bins have been placed around

urbanisations that make up much of the municipality’s population and had missed out before.

Organic waste has been halved compared to the same period in 2016; many recyclable materials were previously ending up in landfills meant for organic waste, although they are generally non bio-degradable.

Sunny side up

By Jack Troughton

THE famous Cava Breakfast returns to the Costa Blanca on Monday 18th September, a traditional treat in aid of the Anglican Chaplaincy.

A ‘full English’ is on offer, with a glass of chilled cava or buck’s fizz to make it just a little more special.

The fund raising team of La Fustera Anglican Church returns to Calpe and the home of Andrew and Kathy Johnson for one of the most popular events of the year.

And if bacon and eggs does not

By Simon Russell

Not so good Samaritan

tempt, there is a healthy option that can be ordered when places are booked.

There are three sittings: at 10am, 11.15am and 12.30pm.

Entry is by Cava Draw ticket at €12. The meal is always a ‘sell out’, so it is essential to book in advance; call 965 832 111 or email andrewjis@ outlook.com.

All the funds raised will be used to finance the continuing work of the Church of England’s ministry

By Simon Russell

on the Costa Blanca, including the provision of Sunday services at seven local churches, funerals and pastoral care to the sick and bereaved. More information is available at www. costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org.

AN 81-year-old man was robbed in Valencia by a man who offered to help him access his apartment block.

The pensioner has mobility problems and requires a walker, so welcomed the offer. However once inside the foyer the man took his wallet and ran off to a waiting car. Shortly after a 61-year-old man was robbed close to the first incident, by a man snatching his phone and escaping in a nearby car.

Police believe the two were carried out by the same youth and have now arrested a man and charged him with two counts of robbery with violence.

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

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Local Lookout

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Drug ring dismantled

By Simon Russell

NATIONAL Police have arrested ten people in Villajoyosa who they believe are the main protagonists in a major drugs organisation. In the culmination of a four month operation they also seized quantities of heroin, cocaine, marijuana and hashish as well as precision scales and a stolen mobile phone.

The operation was started after a couple, travelling with their small child, were arrested near Elda in possession of

100 grams of heroin. Similar finds were made after stopping people near Alicante and Elda again over the next two months.

Police believed this was all part of a pattern and slowly closed the ring on the gang until this week’s arrests. They believe Benidorm was also a key market for the drugs, always sold through intermediaries who would not arouse suspicion. For example the couple with their young child thought they were less likely to attract suspicion as a family.

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U3A bounces back THE many groups of U3A Marina Baixa are ‘back to normal’ in September following the summer break.

New faces always receive a warm welcome and the team believes there is something to interest everyone at the University of the Third Age. Meeting weekly are the following: Spanish Language; Intermediate Bridge; Golfing Group; Guitar Lessons; Chaps; Chatter and Coffee; Calligraphy; Crafts; and Petanca.

And getting together on a monthly basis are: Watercolour Painting; Writers Group; Ten-pin Bowling; Picnic Group; Classical

Music; Café Philo; Spanish Culture; Dining Out; Sunday Strollers; and Solo Amigos.

U3A Marina Baixa also has an ‘on demand’ Members Assistance Group to provide assistance where needed.

General meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month in the auditorium at the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi. The next Meeting is on Monday 25th September.

Doors open at 10am and the desks close at 10.50am for a prompt 11.00 am start.

For more information about U3A and the groups, visit www.u3amarinabaixa.com or the Facebook page; alternatively call secretary Joan Flint on 96 586 1226 or 663 637167.



By Jack Troughton

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Motoring

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Maserati Levante (2016)

It’s a sign of how the the car market has changed in recent years that Maserati - one of the most exotic car manufacturers around - now has a diesel SUV in its line up. We kind of expected it from Porsche with the Cayenne, but Maserati...

So this is the way forward it appears. After all, everyone wants SUVs these days. You only have to drive into any town centre car park to see that. How many actually go off road? Zero. But do people still buy them? Yes. They’ll say it’s for practicality and the like, but much of it is for status. An SUV is seen as that bit posher than a saloon or hatchback.

And when it comes to status, few brands carry as much weight as Maserati. Drive a Levante and you’ll attract plenty of attention, much more so than a similarly expensive BMW or even a

Porsche. It’s this exclusivity and brand image that is a big part of the appeal for the Levante. If you want something different from the crowd, the Levante is it.

This does come at a price, though. The Levante starts at more than £55k new, although in context that’s actually not bad at all. It’s close in price to a Cayenne diesel and similar to a high-spec Audi Q7.

From launch, only a diesel Levante was available. The same big 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that’s used in the Quattroporte and the Ghibli.

With 275PS, it’s not short of power - but it’s the 600Nm of torque that makes this SUV so driveable. In mid-2017, the Levante S was added which has a 430PS 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.

Built by Ferrari no less.

The standard gearbox is an eight-speed automatic and the Levante comes well equipped with air suspension as standard, a torque vectoring system, adaptive cruise control and of course navigation. That’s not to say you won’t find it easy to add on £10k worth of options without even trying.

It’s described by its maker as ‘the Maserati of SUVs’ and it certainly follows the same path as the Ghibli and Quattroporte. That means the Levante is powerful, incredibly comfortable on the move and has a top quality interior. Yes the gear selector is clunky, the brakes could do with more bite and the steering lacks feel through corners, but that doesn’t detract from what is one of the most appealing and desirable SUVs around.

FRIDAY 8TH JULY 2017

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Motoring

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Motoring

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Forgers get off lightly

By Simon Russell

A gang of ten people found guilty of forging Spanish driving licences were sentenced to between three and nine months in prison by a judge in Alicante, although the prosecution had asked for sentences of at least two years. The case dates back to

2008 when the counterfeit documents were being sold in

Switzerland for €700, the buyers being well aware that they were forgeries as they had supplied photos and other documentation to the forger’s go-between.

A plea bargain had been the main reason behind the reduced sentencing of the Dutch controlled gang, whose ringleader was not present at the sentencing.

Double trouble

By Simon Russell

LOCAL Police in Elche stopped a man they suspected of being drunk while driving and then found out that his licence had been suspended until 2019 for a similar offence.

The car was seen moving erratically and they stopped the driver who was clearly under

the influence of alcohol, which he then tested positive for. He now faces separate charges of driving under the influence and driving while his licence was suspended.

The Department of Transport has said that up to half the road accidents in Spain involve alcohol and is something they are determined to crack down on.

This Week In Automotive History

Puzzle Solutions

After being turned over to 1,785 Type 1s in 1945, nearly all British control following World of which went to occupying forces.

War II, Volkswagen is handed back On January 17, 1949, the first to the German people this week VW landed in the United States in 1949. Volkswagen, as it is well aboard the Holland America Line know, was a project started by Westerdam when it pulled into New Hitler to put Germany on wheels York Harbor. Ben Pon, a racecar by producing an affordable and driver from the Netherlands, economical “People’s Car.” In brought the vehicle over, hoping 1934 Ferdinand Porsche, who just to enjoy the same success he a few years earlier started and experienced in Rotterdam selling automotive consulting firm, was the car. He sold two cars that year. hired by the Nazi party to design The next year Max Hoffman of Park the vehicle. The result became one Avenue showroom fame was able of the best selling cars of all time. to sell 157 of the vehicles. Between Following WWII the allies 1949 and 1977 21,529,464 Beetles worked to put German people rolled out of dealer showrooms back to work to help them rebuild around the world. their country that had been destroyed by war. A big part of this was getting manufacturing facilities, such as VW at Wolfsburg, back up and running. The plant, which had been almost completely dismantled during the war, was back up and running a few months after the Germans surrendered and they 1949 VW Type 1 were able to produce

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FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

43

Local Sport

ALFAZ FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Just as the Alfaz Fantasy Football League gets going we are interrupted with an International Break, well at least it’s not meaningless Friendlies and I.m sure everybody is looking forward to seeing our Home Nations qualify for next Years World Cup in Russia.

The break gives us chance to look back on this Season’s Fantasy League so far.

There was a flurry of Transfers last week before the Window closed as most teams tried to improve their Squads.With the exception of Arsenal’s Gabriel, all the top Players remained in the Premier League, don’t forget if you have a Player who has moved Clubs like Ox-Chamberlain it doesn’t affect the points gained so far in the Fantasy League because he has stayed in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s performance in the Transfer Market was a joke after refusing to sell want away Alexis Sachez at the last minute they changed their mind and accepted the improved bid, then they tried to sign Lemar and were turned down by the Player. Tell me why was everything left to the last minute!

With 3 weeks gone Kevin’s team, Mason United are setting the pace at the top of the A.F.F.L. along with Kim’s Ginger United.Both teams are full of Manchester United’s Players which has helped them get off to a flying start mainly because the United defense has yet to concede a goal and also the in form Striker Lukaku, who has bagged 3 goals so far has contributed 16 points to their scores.

West Ham Fan Adrian is struggling with his Fantasy team Chico Time at the wrong end of the table as they trail Micky’s Woodside by 8 points.

The Newcomer to the Fantasy League is young Harrison, whose team Boden’s Boys have taken an early19 point advantage at the top of our U.K.T.V.SPAIN Junior League over Luca’s team confidently named Already Won It.Young Ollie’s team Oly F.C. have got off to a bad start and are finding it difficult to get away from the bottom spot, at the moment they are 6 points away from Calum’s Eccles Red Devils.

In our Mark Carter Ladies Section Kim’s team, Ginger United have taken full control in the early stages with a massive 30 point gap between her team and Val’s Borobabe. Three teams have had the pleasure of holding everybody else up at the bottom and they are Lyn’s Handbrake City(1st week), Laura’s Legends(2nd week) and the team at the moment Sue’s London F.W.9.

The Golden Boot League has been very competitive already with no fewer than 5 teams sharing the Summit in only 3 weeks.Presently Dani’s team Chicken Tikka Mosalah and Adam’s Bacon Sane share the pole position 1 point ahead of Luca’s Already Won It. The previous

leaders were Dave’s Pensioners & Ian’s School of Science who were fast out of the traps in the 1st week then gave way in the 2nd week to last Season’s Fantasy top Manager Wayne when his team Two Years Running, Maybe took over.At the other end of the table Chris’s In It to Win It & Oly F.C. have yet to get off the mark and are both stuck there on a big fat Zero.

A quick breakdown of the most popular Players chosen are as follows- Top Keeper is not surprisingly is Manchester United’s brilliant goalie David de Gea who has yet to pick the ball out of the net this season and has already collected 18 points which will please the 50 Fantasy Managers who put their faith in the Spanish Super Star.Chelsea’s Courtois was the 2nd most selected Keeper 7 picks behind and has only managed 1 clean sheet so far.for me, the bargain in this section is West Brom’s Ben Foster who has already kept 2 clean sheets and has a strong defense in front of him.Only 2 Managers selected him I’m glad to say I was one of them!

Most selected Defender was Manchester City’s new signing Kyle Walker with 62 selections.unfortunately for him and the 2nd most selected Chelsea’s Gary Cahill (57) have both received red cards and have yet to get their Season underway.Top Defender so far is Manchester United’s Eric Bailly with 21 points.

Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne gained the most votes in Mid-Field 7 in front of Spur’s Dele Alli. Two Players are the top scorers in this Section and they are Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Liverpool’s Mo Salah both on 20 points.

The Most Managers selected Manchester United’s new Striker Lukaku 120 to be precise and they have not been disappointed as he has notched 3 goals and scored 16 points so far despite having a penalty saved by Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel.Spur’s Harry Kane kept up his record of not scoring in August was the 2nd most selected Striker only 4 selections away from the Belgium marksman.

Liverpool’s Mane is the top scorer in the Golden Boot League having scored 3 goals this Season with 21 points 1 ahead of 2 Defenders Manchester United Bailly & Chelsea’s Alonso.

Overall the Season started well with a blockbuster 1st week but since then it has slowed down with only 73 goals being scored in 30 matches,24 clean sheets,104 yellow cards and 9 red ones. This time last Season only 2 red had been shown, are the Referees getting stricter or are they making more mistakes.(I know what I think).

Anyway, let’s hope all our Players come back from the International Break free from injuries and ready to go again this Weekend.

La Vila has all to play for

By Tony Fox

With the rugby union season in the UK now in full swing here in Spain we start on September the 17th. The La Vila XV that swept all before them in gaining promotion to the premier division last season start their campaign with a mouth-watering home game against the team that topped the premier league last season EL SALVADOR. Will this be a baptism of fire or will La Vila be up to the challenge? Jason Craig, club President, told me: “Although our team from last season should be able to hold their own we need to bolster the line up with some new blood. We have signed three new Argentinian players and we are in the process of some exciting new signings.”

Next week I will be able to give you

Jason Craig

the details of all the new team members.

Jason continued “Our aim for the coming season is to finish midway or better in the league. We know from past experience that this will not be easy. As well as

Jukebox Football Predictions League

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having great coaching and fitness regimes, financially we have to be on a stronger footing to fully achieve our potential. Sponsorship is of paramount importance and we are doing our utmost to obtain sums via this route.

Thankfully we have our socio members and supporters who help us with ‘bums on seats’. Entrance fee to our home games is being maintained at just 5€ with children under 18 free, so let’s kick off the season with a bumper crowd on the 17th. At our home ground in Vilajoyosa.

You can easily find us taking exit 66 off the autopista from there it is well sign posted.

Readers will know that I am a keen

follower of La Vila and I agree entirely with Jason’s sentiments. From what I saw in a friendly against premier division 3rd place Sanitas Alcobendas the current players, whose scrums were magnificent but line-outs abysmal, once they solve their hooker problem with the promised exciting new comers they should be equal to the task ahead. Rugby fans should not miss what promises to be an exciting match on the 17th. Kick off 12.00.

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45

FRIDAY 8TH SEPT 2017

Sport

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Pulev confirms Joshua fight in Cardiff Joshua is back in action after his epic win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium, and the unbeaten British star now heads to Wales’ national stadium to face IBF mandatory challenger Pulev.

Bulgarian Heavyweight boxer Kubrat Pulev has revealed that he will square up against Anthony Joshua the WBA heavyweight world champion on 28 October.

The Bulgarian boxer is the mandatory challenger for the IBF title which Anthony Joshua currently holds.

“I am preparing really hard for this game even though I don’t have a lot of time,” Pulev wrote on his Facebook page and also confirmed that the fight will be in Cardiff. Klitschko is the only fighter to have defeated Pulev in his over 20 games career but has won the 5 of his last fight and is now

the mandatory challenger for the IBF title.

Anthony Joshua’s two belts are expected to be put up for a fight in the next coming months and have maintained a 100 perfect record since he broke into the professional boxing world.

Tickets for the blockbuster Heavyweight World title clash between Anthony Joshua MBE and Kubrat Pulev go on pre-sale to Matchroom Fight Pass members at midday on Monday and general sale on Tuesday ahead of the October 28 event live on Sky Sports Box Office.

Tickets go on sale to Matchroom Fight Pass members at midday on Monday September 11 via www.

StubHub.co.uk Tickets go on general sale at midday on Tuesday September 12 via www.StubHub.co.uk

Sky’s Kirsty admits drink driving

By Jack Troughton

SKY Sports presenter Kirsty Gallagher has been banned from driving after being stopped three times over the legal limit.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to drink driving on Saturday 12th August in Eton and was banned for two years, ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay and £85 fine for the “very serious” offence.

The court was told Gallagher, of Virginia Water, was suffering from stress at the time as a result of divorce proceedings.

Divorced from ex-rugby union star Paul Sampson, the presented was on her way to meet her children for a day out at Windsor Castle when she was stopped by police.

The court heard she was seen driving erratically in her BMW X4 before Thames Valley Police officers tracked her parked car.

A breath test showed her alcohol level was 106 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 35mg per 100ml.

The court was told an apologetic Gallagher was “horrified” to be over the limit the morning after a night out; and had been going through “tough” divorce proceedings.

Jennifer Dempster, defending, said her client was not someone who normally drank to excess and was of good character.

“This is not intentional drink driving, she was not leaving the pub at midnight and driving home. She is horrified to be in this position,” said the lawyer.

“This is a young lady; it has been a stressful time. There are difficulties arising from the breakdown of her marriage.”

Rooney who was also caught drink driving last week is due to appear at Stockport Magistrates Court on September 18. The 31-year-old has been charged with drink driving after he was stopped by police at around 2am last Friday.

SPORT Week Saturday 9th September 13:00 Real Madrid v Levante - La Liga 13:30 Man City v Liverpool- EPL 16:00 Leicester City v Chelsea- EPL 16:00 Brighton vWest Brom- EPL 16:00 Arsenal v Bournemouth - EPL 16:00 Everton v Spurs- EPL 16:00 Southampon v Watford - EPL 16:15 Valencia v Athletico Madrid - La Liga 18:30 Stoke v Man Utd - EPL 18:30 Barcelona v Espanyol - La Liga

Fixture

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Sunday 10th September 14:30 Burnley v Crystal Palace- EPL 17:00 Swansea v Newcastle- EPL

Monday 11th September 14:30 West Ham v- Huddersfield EPL

RUGBY LEAGUE FIXTURES Betfred Super League Friday 8th September

21:00 - Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos 21:00 - Hull FC v Wigan Warriors

Saturday 9th September 14:30 - Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield

Giants

Super League - Qualifiers Saturday 9th September

16:00 - Warrington Wolves v Leigh Centurio ns 16:15 - Hull K R v Widnes Vikings 18:15 - Catalans Dragons v Featherstone Rovers

Sunday 10th September

16:00 - London Broncos v Halifax RLFC

TENNIS - US OPEN 10th September Men & Womens Finals

L A ON E FORMSU eptember 17th Singapore

48

FRIDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2017

Weekender Sport

EARLY FINISH

Premier League clubs have voted to close the summer transfer window before the first game of next season.

The current window closed on Aug. 31, more than two weeks after the start of the domestic campaign, but this will now change to 5 p.m. on the day before the start of the season.

The vote, which was not unanimous, took place at a shareholders’ meeting, after it

had been widely reported that the majority of clubs were in favour of the move.

Several major sides saw their start to the campaign disrupted by transfer sagas, including Liverpool with Philippe Coutinho and Arsenal with Alexis Sanchez.

The fact that Alex OxladeChamberlain joined Liverpool only five days after playing for Arsenal in a 4-0 defeat at Anfield was raised as an example of the

extended window’s potential threat to the integrity of the league.

Not every club has been convinced of this argument, though, with several understood to be concerned about closing the window much earlier than other European leagues. The decision means Premier League clubs will be unable to replace players they lose to foreign teams in the last few weeks of the window.