The weekender issue 23 marina alta (north)

ISSUE 023

IssueB #156

Friday 1st December

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Trial sparks anger

By Jack Troughton

THE ‘Wolf Pack’ rape trial has shocked Spain and triggered angry protests after an alleged attack on an 18-year-old at the world-famous Pamplona bull running festival.

Legal experts and equality campaigners believe the hearing which finished hearing evidence on Tuesday – has seen the victim rather than her alleged assailants on trial over the 2016 incident.

It is seen complaints of “patriarchal justice” and setting back the drive for equal rights for women in a country trying to ramp up the campaign against gender violence.

And there were demonstrations outside the courts in Pamplona and other cities as the hearing drew to a close; people held posters reading ‘Enough Now!” – in reference to the number of sex assaults at the festival – “I believe you” in support of the victim; and ‘no means no!”

Continued page 2

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Mass protest outside court

By Jack Troughton

Continuation from front page...

The judge is now considering his verdicts but is already under fire over his rulings during the trial where he allowed evidence to be presented about the teenager’s personal life and character; but ruled as inadmissible text conversations between the accused men, from Seville, as they apparently discussed plans to sexually assault women.

Searching through group social media messages of ‘La Manada’ – or ‘the wolf pack’ – police discovered a number of incriminating conversations and photographs.

The trial has come at a time when the world’s attention is focussed on behaviour after a series of highprofile figures were named in allegations of sexual assault.

The five defendants, who are aged 27 to 29, maintain the woman, a student from Madrid, consented to

sex but the prosecution argue that the alleged victim only met the men seven minutes earlier and did not know their names.

Public prosecutor Elesa Sarasate said in a public session of the trial: “There was serious intimidation and it prevented resistance or flight, she had no option but to submit.”

If found guilty the men face up to 25 years behind bars but there are already complaints of a systematic bias against women.

“In this trial, it seems that what is being judged is not the crimes but this woman’s honour,” said Amalia Fernandez, president of Themis, a Spanish organisation of women jurists and a watchdog of the system.

“We live in a society of patriarchal attitudes.

Courts reflect society leading to a double victimisation as in this case. In crimes against women, the victim is turned into a suspect, something that never happens to complainants

in other crimes.”

Lawyer Laura Nuno Gomez, a Madrid expert on equality, believes the protest was sparked by an “accumulation of setbacks” for women’s rights recently.

And sociologist Maria Silvestre at a Bilbao university, who studies violence on women, believes the victim was being judged “not just by a judge but the whole society.”

Amnesty International has said in a statement that women sexually abused in Spain “regularly face prejudice on the art of the authorities who question their testimony.”

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

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Welcome to the first day of December – many readers might be thinking ‘thank God it’s Friday’ – but today is important; it marks the official start of the festive season.

Charities have been hard at it, raising funds for good causes for several weeks now – there are only so many weekends ahead of the big day - but it is, actually unofficially, all systems go for Christmas.

The change in the weather and the wind coming from the north (pole-ish) means mulled wine and mince pies are consumed with authentic festive cheer, tinsel and holly look, well, rather jolly.

Galaxy Radio will now (yes, really officially) have Christmas records on the turntable – hopefully kicking off with the greatest of them all ‘Fairytale of New York’; or maybe just Slade, or Wizzard, or Bing Crosby.

A White Christmas is a touch unlikely, certainly for coastal dwellers, but Spain gives everyone sunshine and carols, rather than drizzle and sleet. It is a win, win situation; turkey tastes

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Marco Baiardo

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just as good, although mums always say Brussel sprouts need a touch of frost. Traditional roasts are rather in at the moment, just ask Prince Harry (congratulations sir!).

And that Santa chappie gets around. Perhaps that’s why there are so many early Christmas fairs. Time is tight for the big man as December 25th approaches and perhaps by meeting the kids earlier, he can discuss wish lists - and avoid last minute eyestrain from reading all those letters before driving his sleigh around the world (that’s why there are time differences…or so I’m told).

There is even talk of Christmas tree in The Weekender offices in Javea, perhaps some decorations and fake snow on the windows. ‘Tis, after all, the season; however, there is no need for crackers…the sense of humour could not get any lower.

Jack Troughton

Editor

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Senior Reporter

Simon Russell

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18 Month Manhunt Now Over

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Christmas calendar girls

By Jack Troughton

By Simon Russell

AN operation lasting over 18 months to track down two men who stole 100 mobiles in Valencia has resulted in the arrest this week of two Moroccan men in Madrid. The operation has remained a priority as when the men evaded capture they seriously injured a Guardia Civil officer in the process.

They stole the phones, worth an estimated €20,000, from a shopping centre in Alfafar in May 2016. The thieves were armed although the injury occurred when the car the officer was in was deliberately rammed before the men made their escape. DNA evidence led the authorities to the pair who wereboth living in the Vallecas and Usera districts of Madrid. They have been charged with robbery, car theft and attacking a police officer.

Police also found tools and other equipment that they believe were being used to continue carrying out thefts.

B I G - H E A R T E D photographer Claire Nicholas snapped away to capture scenes of Calpe and has put together a charity calendar for 2018.

Sales will help the Marina Alta town’s families struggling to make ends meet but Claire is delighted to put her favourite hobby to good use.

It is the second year she has stepped up to help the town’s food bank – Calp Ayuda – and she is again helping sell the calendar and hopes to improve on the €2,500 raised last year.

There are 13 scenes of Calpe – one for every month and a sea shot of a wave taken with an underwater camera for the cover – were mainly taken during 2017 by Claire who has lived in the Marina Alta town for six years.

“Last year’s total was really good but it was hard work; taking pictures is easy but the calendar needs organising with the printers – and it is selling

them that is difficult,” she said.

“Taking pictures is very much a hobby, I just love taking photographs. It is the second year I have done it and it is for a very good cause.”

The calendar is produced in association with Calpe Town Hall and its food bank, sales last year gave children vouchers for gym shoes and books.

The calendars can be bought at five ‘kiosks’ on Gabriel Miro, Margaret and Elena’s Card and Book Shop, and at Christmas fairs and charity shops. Claire added: “I think it makes a very good Christmas present or a souvenir.”

Councillor Carole Sanders who is pictured (pictured left with Claire and the calendar) said: “I think once again it is absolutely fabulous and she has worked really hard to produce them.

“It is especially good because the businesses help sell them for us and the collaboration between them and the town hall is very successful.”

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rent a property on a long term basis and want to add your own security system then Tyco are the people to talk to.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

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Green water Fair play

By Simon Russell

ALICANTE’S primary water management company stressed its ecologically friendly policies at a recent conference about the environment and climate change. Amelia Navarro, the firm’s director of sustainable development said “At Hidraqua we are committed to the challenge of combating climate change.

Our business strategy is aligned with the United Nations Agenda 2030 programme which concerns the urgent actions needed regarding climate change.”

Citing evidence, she said that the agricultural

areas of Alicante are irrigated using 70% recycled water, a measure that also addresses the on-going drought problem. The company also uses 100% green energy and continually monitor their carbon footprint. Using energy efficient measures in 2016 it was calculated that Hidraqua saved water equivalent to what a city of 430,000 people would use in a year, Ms Navarro went on to say.

The conference was organised by the Valencian Government and had key note speakers from many local and national firms, addressing the issues of climate change and their own impact on the environment in general.

TRAIN DERAILS

By Matthew Richards

AT least 21 people were injured, one seriously, after a train derailed on route from Malaga to Seville. The accident happened in the Sevilla province on 29

November in the morning.

A helicopter, ambulance and mobile aid vehicle were first on the scene and the injured have been airlifted or driven to nearby hospitals.

The heavy rain that swept across much of

southern and eastern Spain on Wednesday is believed to be behind the accident, although not all details are clear at this stage.

Rail traffic in the area was disrupted and where possible alternatives such as buses were laid on.

By Matthew Richards

DENIA has announced the timetable and other details for the town’s annual toy and collectibles fair.

This is the twentieth edition of the popular event and will be held on 9 December on the Marques de Campo.

There will be around thirty exhibitors from all over Spain and their stalls are open from 9am to 3pm.

There will be traditional games for both adults and children and a guided visit to the Toy Museum at 11am.

Staff from the Denia library will be presenting a story telling session at midday and all kids attending will receive a copy of the story to keep. Other events are planned for the day, contact the Town Hall or tourist office for further details.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Murdered for his flat

By Simon Russell

THE trial of a man who allegedly killed his neighbour so he could move into his apartment has started in Alicante this week. The incident took place in November 2015 when the defendant was alleged to have beaten and then strangled his 70-year-old neighbour on Calle Topacio in Alicante City.

Prosecutors are saying that the murder was premeditated and done solely for the purpose of taking over the apartment of the deceased who had no family or other close ties.

They are demanding a sentence of 16 years if the defendant is found guilty. He was charged

Research recognised

By Simon Russell

after being found two days after the killing in possession of the victim’s house keys and other items. His girlfriend was

originally implicated in the crime but charges against her were later dropped and she will now be appearing as a witness.

Paedophile hacker

By Simon Russell

AN international task force co-ordinated by the FBI helped capture a man in Alicante who had been sharing “extreme” paedophile material on-line.

He was trying to cover his tracks by hacking into other

user’s wireless networks without their knowledge and clearly had extensive computer knowledge said the authorities.

However, technical experts from the taskforce were able to trace him and the man, a Romanian national, was

arrested earlier this week by the National Police. Although based in Alicante he had been sharing the content with at least 24 users in 11 countries all of whom will be of interest to the team.

The National Police computer crime squad have

reminded people to minimise the risks of security breaches and hacking by using secure passwords that are regularly changed on your router and PC. Change your account name regularly and networks should employ firewalls as a further line of defence.

Boats & The Coast

THE Thea Sinclair Award for Research Excellence has gone to a team from the University of Alicante (UA) for their work on the tourism sector. The team’s paper, published to great acclaim in the academic world, is about the effect of the economic crisis on tourist destinations.

Spain was their primary model for the research as world leaders in tourism and a country that suffered badly during the last global recession.

The annual award is named after Thea Sinclair, a Nottingham and Kent University professor and researcher who died in a riding accident in 2006. Before her premature death she was regarded as the foremost expert on the subject of economic tourism.

CBYA Adds a new Dinghy sailing boat to the Fleet!

Tanya Bultje CBYA Public Relations Co-ordinator

The Costa Blanca Yacht Association (CBYA) has recently added another sailing dinghy to their fleet, and the CBYA now owns three dinghies.

The ‘Flying Fish’ is a 14 foot, general purpose sailing dinghy, with tiller steering, full mainsail and a hank-on headsail.

These three dinghies are located in the beautiful Paradise Beach at El Portet in Moraira, and are available for CBYA members to sail.

This fleet of yachts offers great opportunities to learn how to sail, or to fine-tune your sailing skills. These boats involve basic sailing, which requires no motor, no instruments and no fancy equipment, just an opportunity for great sailing at its core!

Dinghy sailors offer the chance to really connect with the water and the wind, and to enjoy great fun on the boats.

The CBYA provides many exciting opportunities for members to get out on the water in various ways. With a fleet of dinghy sailors, TOMs racing sailboats out of Calpe, and

day yacht charters out of Denia, there is always something for everyone, no matter what skill level a member may have.

The next CBYA Dinghy day will be Wednesday, December 6 at 11:00 am at El Portet Beach, Moraira.

Memberships to the CBYA are minimal at just 25 Euros a year for singles or 35 Euros a year for couples, and members are of all nationalities. www.cbya.org https://www.facebook.com/ CostaBlancaYachtAssoc/?fref=ts http://www.rcnc.es https://www.facebook.com/Real.Club.Nautico.

Calpe/?fref=ts https://youtu.be/lN-6mD3RKOQ

Flying Fish 4,80m x 1,78m Maximum draft 1,2 m Metal centreboard.

Aluminium alloy mast 6,95m Max. 3-4 crew, ideal for two.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

KIDNAPPER IN HOT WATER

By Matthew Richards

A 64-year-old woman has been arrested after refusing to let a plumber leave her home until he had restored her hot water supply. The incident happened in Granada where the man had called to fit a new water heater. He told the woman that he couldn’t carry out the work as the heater was too large for

the space it needed to be installed in. She said she was unable to cope without hot water and locked the man in her apartment “until he resolved the issue”. As the plumber could not get the woman to release him, he eventually called the police who arrived at the scene and later charged the lady with illegal detention.

Little miracles

By Matthew Richards

SPAIN has one of the best survival rates in the world for babies that are born prematurely. 95% of new babies that are delivered between 28 and 37 weeks survive, higher even than the US which has been at the forefront of neonatology – the medical care of ill or premature infants.

Spanish neonatology is highly regarded globally with state of the art maternity units and highly trained staff. Pre-natal care is also regarded as crucial to detecting and preparing for premature births.

Survival rates among extremely premature babies – those born at less than 28 weeks – are also very high when compared to other countries and stands at 65%.

KILLER WASPS

By Matthew Richards

A man died after disturbing a nest of hornets while he was pruning an apple tree. The insects have been confirmed as Asian Hornets (Vespa velutina), a type of wasp that has been invading parts of Spain. The incident happened in the Pontevedra region

in northern Spain where the wasps are becoming a problem; it is not believed they have made it to the south of the country.

The hornets sting would not normally be lethal and it is believed that the 54-year-old man either had an allergic reaction or suffered complications from the large number of stings inflicted.

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Itchy outbreak

By Simon Russell

A centre for mental health is trying to contain an outbreak of scabies after eight patients were found to be infected this week. The cases were detected at the Hospital de Sant Joan d’Alacant and it is believed that the first patient may have contracted the infection outside of the centre where it has quickly spread.

Those infected have been quarantined to prevent further spreading and treated with permethrin. Scabies is a highly contagious skin infection caused by mites which burrow under the skin. Although not deadly the disease causes severe irritation and itching; it can be particularly virulent in children.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Spanish island cleans up its image

By Simon Russell

EFFORTS by notorious Mallorcan resort Magaluf to change its image and, consequently, the type of people that go on holiday there appears to be working. For years the town has been a favourite destination for rowdy foreigners, mainly young British, intent on drinking as much as possible in the shortest possible time. However this has put off other sectors of the holiday market and the numbers of couples and families travelling there had been dropping each year.

To combat this, in 2015 measures such as cracking down on drunken behaviour, bans on drinking on

the street and regulations on deals such as two for ones offers have all been put in place. There has also been a drive to build better quality accommodation with more 3, 4 and even 5 star hotels being constructed.

Tourism figures for this year show that 70% of hotel guests in the resort this summer were couples or families, an increase of 13% from 2013. Meanwhile the less desirable “young traveller” sector has dropped by about 7%. The changes are working and the resort is changing as well.

One British tourist returning after a few years said “My perception of Magaluf has changed 180 degrees.”

Officer cleared of homicide charges A Guardia Civil office has been absolved of blame in a case where the drummer of a well- known band was shot and killed. The incident dates back to August 2015 when two officers attended a scene in Gulans (Pontevedra)

where domestic violence had been reported. They arrived to find Javier Fernandez in an “extremely agitated state”; his wife had fled the house and their baby had been handed to a neighbour.

Hernandez attacked one of

the officers with a knife and fork he had grabbed from the kitchen and was becoming increasingly out of control according to the pair. After fearing for his colleague’s life the second officer shot Fernandez who died from

stomach wounds. The family of 40-year-old Fernandez, a drummer with “Los Piratas” felt that the un-named Guard had used excessive force. However, this week a judge in Pontevedra ruled that the actions taken were justified and within the law.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Musical tribute

MASTERCHEF

By Simon Russell

NAZARET is a social institution in Alicante that was set up in 1957 to help young people at risk of social exclusion and also works with families who are also on the fringes of society. To mark the group’s 60th anniversary a special concert is being held at Alicante’s ADDA auditorium.

This will be held on 17 December and will feature 350 local musicians and singers, led by composer Luis Ivars.

The event will be interspersed with film and testimonials from people who have been involved with Nazaret. There will be performances from the Immaculada and Cantabile Choirs and various orchestral groups as well as individual performers throughout the evening;the show starts at 6.30pm. @TheWeekenderES

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By Simon Russell

A special event was held in Teulada-Moraira in honour of chef and restaraunter Rafa Soler who has just received his first Michelin star. The event was held at the Town Hall and Rafa’s friends and family were there to see Mayor Carlos Linares present the award to the local celebrity as well as a sculpture and an apron with the town’s name embroidered onto it.

Rafa said that the food in his restaurant in nearby Calpe is inspired by his home town, especially the culinary heritage of the local

fishermen. Asked about a possible three stars in the future he said he already had three stars at home – his wife and two children.

The list of Iberian Michelin starred establishments was announced at a special event in Tenerife on 24 November to mark the publication of the 2018 guide for Spain and Portugal. Two Spanish establishments were awarded the elite three stars for the first time, bringing the total across the country to eleven.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Finance Feature

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.

provided by...

“I just couldn’t understand why their financial advisor had recommend that fund!”

By Tracy Storer

Senior Partner Chorus Financial

Just as we were expecting to be winding down for Christmas, Chorus has experienced an influx of people coming to see us to have their existing investments and pensions reviewed.

One such gentleman, we’ll call him Mr Smith, had a feeling all was not right with his portfolio. Around 18 months ago, Mr Smith’s advisor here in Spain had recommended he sell all the funds in his portfolio and buy a fantastic ‘exclusive’ fund his financial advisory’s company now

had access to. To gain access to such a special fund would cost Mr Smith 5%, but Mr Smith was assured it would be worth it.

18 months later and Mr Smith hadn’t even covered that 5% entry charge, and despite strong markets his portfolio has gone down in value.

So, what had happened?

One tool I use to research funds is a website called Trustnet. This is the World’s largest independent analyst of funds, and always a good place to start if you want to do a little research yourself. This ‘fantastic’ fund Mr Smith had had his retirement pot put into was in fact number 295 out of 314 funds in that particular fund class… so in the worst 6% of funds available! Whilst the benchmark fund in that category had returned 45% over 5 years, this particular fund had only returned 14% over the

same period. It also carried a risk factor around 20% higher than the average fund in this class, meaning the client had been taking 20% more risk to make less than a third of the returns. Even worse was that this fund was costing a whopping 2% a year, with the average fund cost in that category around 0.5%.

I just couldn’t understand why their financial advisor had recommend that fund!

After our meeting, I decided to call the Fund-house offering this fund to find out what possible reason Mr Smith’s current advisor had for recommending such a fund. It turned out that all of the 5% entry fee had gone to Mr Smith’s advisor, and that of the 2% annual fee, half was being paid as a hidden ‘trail’ to Mr Smith’s advisor each year. This practise is illegal in the UK, but sadly still

practised by the majority of firms out here in Spain.

I explained to Mr Smith that Chorus clients benefit from truly independent advice, and that when we choose funds for our clients we promise to never receive any fee from the fund provider. This means that our choice is based purely on the very best, most appropriate funds for our clients from thousands available worldwide, following extensive research, rather than one or two ‘inhouse’ options that offer incentives to financial advisors.

If you are currently considering an investment, including a pension transfer or Spanish bond, or would like a second opinion on an existing investment or pension, please call me on 693 107 044 or email t.storer@chorusfinancial.es

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Manhunt ends

By Simon Russell

AN operation lasting over 18 months to track down two men who stole 100 mobiles in Valencia has resulted in the arrest this week of two Moroccan men in Madrid. The operation has remained a priority as when the men evaded capture they seriously injured a Guardia Civil officer in the process.

They stole the phones, worth an estimated â‚Ź20,000, from a shopping centre in Alfafar in May 2016.

The thieves were armed although the injury occurred

when the car the officer was in was deliberately rammed before the men made their escape.

DNA evidence led the authorities to the pair who wereboth living in the Vallecas and Usera districts

of Madrid. They have been charged with robbery, car theft and attacking a police officer. Police also found tools and other equipment that they believe were being used to continue carrying out thefts.

Home grown produce

By Matthew Richards

VALENCIAN supermarket giant Mercadona have answered criticism of their purchasing process by stating that 90% of their oranges are grown in Spain.

The 10% that are imported from abroad are during late August to October when local supplies cannot keep up with demand. They buy a quarter of a million tonnes of the fruit from around 2,500 suppliers in Valencia, Andalusia,

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Gender paygap warning

By Simon Russell

THE European Commission’s draft employment report for next year has said that Spain’s situation regarding equal pay between sexes is at a critical level, ranking them alongside the likes of Lithuania and Bulgaria as the worst offenders in the EU. Other aspects of the report were more favourable, with overall unemployment falling as well as the number of people

Murcia, Catalonia, Balearics and Canary Islands depending on the growing season. A spokesman for the firm said that Mercadona always look to use Spanish and local producers for all fruit and vegetables, only importing where home grown supply fails to meet demands.

Congratulations to Nicholas and Emily on the birth of their new baby girl Rosie!

Love from The Weekender Team

at risk of poverty. The economy grew 3.2% in 2016, better than forecast. However as people return to work the gender pay gap is not being addressed. There is also a worrying gap between the wages of low skilled and skilled workers, highlighting the need for more investment in training.

Furthermore, Spain has a very high school dropout rate of 19% against an EU average of just 10%, again adding to the national skills shortage.

Back In

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

SPRING WEDDIN G FOR WINDSO R

By Jack Troughton

PRINCE Harry and actress Meghan Markle will tie the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in May after news he romantically proposed over a roast dinner.

The 36-year-old star of US legal drama Suits met her prince on a blind date in July last year and have been busy getting to know each other ever since; amidst mounting speculation of an engagement announcement.

The secret was out on Monday and the venue for the wedding announced soon afterwards.

The 33-year-old prince revealed in interviews they had fallen in love “so incredibly quickly” and it seemed proof that the “stars were aligned”; saying the “beautiful” actress “just tripped into my life”.

Today they are in Nottingham, carrying out their first public duty together and both intend to work as a team and are committed to supporting good causes.

The pair are staging a walkabout in the city and will visit the Nottingham Contemporary, which is currently hosting a Terrence Higgins Trust World Aids Day charity fair; and they will go to Nottingham Academy to meet teachers.

In relaxed interviews, Prince Harry said he thought the bride-tobe and his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, would

have been “best friends” and “as thick as thieves”.

And the fifth in line to the throne admitted he popped the question during a standard night for the couple at his home in Kensington Palace as the couple were making a roast chicken

dinner.

Meghan said: “It was just an amazing surprise. It was so sweet, and natural and very romantic… he got on one knee.”

Prince Harry added: “She didn’t even let me finish. She said ‘Can I say yes’. There were kisses and hugs and I had the ring on my finger.

“I said ‘Can I give you the ring?’ She said ‘Oh yes, the ring’.

It was a really nice moment, just the two of us.”

Meghan is to give up her role in Suits and the acting profession but she said she plans to give her all to causes that are important to her – she has already been a champion of humanitarian work and is a women’s advocate for the United Nations, another role she will be giving up.

“I don’t see it as giving anything

up. I see it as a change; a new chapter,” she said. Turning to Prince Harry, she added: “Now it’s time to work as a team with you.”

And the prince confirmed: “I know she will be incredibly good at the job part of it as well…both of us have passions for wanting to make change for good.”

The Royal Family is to foot the bill for the wedding; including the service, music, flowers and reception and the prince has already said the celebration would reflect who the happy couple were.

The exact date of the big day has yet to be announced but May avoids a potential clash with the birth of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge’s third child and the Queen’s appearance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London; both scheduled for April.

Social media speculated on the chances of a bank holiday to mark the wedding but Downing Street has said there were no plans for one – although No 10 did send the nation’s congratulations to the happy couple.

Britain

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

CHANGING

By Jack Troughton

the from SAILORS Royal Navy have performed the Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace for the first time in its 357-year history.

The change marks 2017 as the ‘Year of the Navy’ and 86 sailors from 45 ships and establishments have spent a month rehearsing ahead of taking part in the first ceremony last Sunday.

Changing the Guard is usually the privilege of one of the five regiments of Foot Guards from the Army’s Household Division but the change was described by former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon as marking “the start of a new era of maritime power.”

Changing the Guard can be traced back to King Henry VII, when a royal bodyguard was first created. It is the ceremony where one set of guards - the Old Guard - hands over the responsibility of protecting Buckingham Palace and St

THE GUARD

James’s Palace to another set of guards - the New Guard.

The Old Guard march from the forecourt of Buckingham Palace at 11am, accompanied by a regimental band. The New Guard then march, again with a band, from Wellington Barracks to take over.

The sight draws many tourists, taking place every other day during the winter months and every day over the summer; and the ceremony itself has been taking place since the restoration of King Charles II in 1660.

Lt Cdr Steve Elliott, 44, from Portsmouth, will be Captain of the Queen’s Guard - believed to be the first in the Royal Navy since Sir Walter Raleigh in 1587.

“As we march out of Wellington Barracks for the first time I’m fairly sure everyone will grow a good eight to 10 inches,” said Lt Cdr Elliott.

“It’s great to do this ceremonial piece and have the Royal Navy back in the public eye as well as act as a capstone to the year of the Royal Navy. We couldn’t ask for anything better.”

CHURCHILL’S TWINKLE IN THE EYE

By Edward Graham

ACTOR Gary Oldham is the latest to take on the “challenge” of being Britain’s war time leader Sir Winston Churchill in new film ‘Darkest Hour’.

Early screenings have won praise for Oldham and the drama itself; there is even talk of him lifting an Oscar at the Academy Awards.

It sees the quiet-spoken actor transformed into the bellowing leader and he said he was “very privileged” to get the part.

“I knew I didn’t look like him, I thought that with some work I could approximate the voice. The challenge in part was the physicality because you’re playing someone whose silhouette is so iconic,” said Oldham.

“So I went to the newsreel, and what I discovered was a man who had this very athletic tread. He would skip around at 65 like a 30-year-old, he had a sparkle, the eyes were alive, and he had a very sort of cherubic grin.

“You know we think of this sort of rather depressed grumpy

13 man with a cigar, and from the footage and from what I was reading I discovered someone who was just really alive and dynamic. And that’s what I hoped to really bring to it, and give him a bit of a twinkle in the eye.”

Churchill is one of Britain’s best known historic figures; his speeches are famous in the UK and abroad.

“I think you get to a point where it has to become creation rather the impersonation, you try and get the spirit of the essence of the man,” said the actor.

An additional complication is that Churchill has been played many, many times on TV and in film by a succession of distinguished actors.

“You’ve not only got this sort of beloved Briton, this iconic figure who is arguably the greatest Briton who ever lived,” said Oldman, “But you’ve also got the gallery of other people.

“So you’ve got this image of Churchill, but is that contaminated or in any way influenced by Albert Finney as Churchill or Robert Hardy as Churchill?”

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Local lookout

Javea-Xabia Taking on water!

By Simon Russell

FIREFIGHTERS had to pump several thousand litres of water from a fishing boat that had been docked in Javea port last weekend. The 21 metre “Nuevo Pedro y Loli” is registered in Torrevieja but was stopping over at the Marina Alta port.

Witnesses said that the boat had been in danger of sinking although the skipper denied this. After repairs to the flooded electrical system the boat was able to return to sea 48 hours later.

No Amata fair in Javea Port on the 10th of December

On the 10th of December, visitors to the port of Jávea will look in vain for the craft stalls that use to set up shop every Sunday morning on the the sea side boulevard. As the 8th is a bank holliday, there are many fairs of more days being held in the long weekend of 8, 9 and 10 December. Some of the regular participants have booked a space in the Christmas fair (with a live nativity Scene!), organized by their craft association, Amata, in

Benigembla (some 20 kms. inland from Jávea).

Others will participate in the fair that is held, at the same time, in the Old Town Centre of Jávea.

But all will be back in their regular place on the sea front boulevard of Jávea Port on the 17th of December, so passers by (and intentional

visitors) can buy their hand made Christmas presents there and then. For more information ring 639 979 678.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Local lookout

Javea-Xabia

Back in the saddle

By Simon Russell

SEVEN months after being seriously injured in a horrific accident that resulted in two friends and his own father being killed, brave Javea cyclist Andrea Contreras has been riding his bike once again.

Andres filmed himself for a

documentary that he is making, and dedicated the event to the three dead cyclists who were mown down near Oliva by a driver who had been drinking and taking drugs.

Andres is still recovering from the accident and required a specially adapted bicycle, but said that he had been dreaming

about this moment throughout his long spell in hospital.

His rehabilitation is ahead of schedule and he had not expected to be able to ride again until the end of the year. The other surviving cyclist involved in the accident, British national Scott Gordon, was recently released from hospital.

Friendly fishermen

By Simon Russell

THE eco-friendly fishing day held in El Poble Nou de Benitatxell was such a success that another one is already

being organised for December.

The workshop was held at the Moraig bay and aimed to show children about sustainable fishing. All fish captured were identified and discussed before

being thrown back alive. Before starting the kids had been shown how to make their own rods and how to tie and bait them. The most common types of fish caught in the area were

Shellfish off the menu

By Simon Russell

REGARDED as a local delicacy tellinas, a type of clam, are in danger of disappearing from their local Valencian environments which include the Cabo de San Antonio off Javea. Fishing for them in recent times has been heavily restricted or stopped altogether, but in an area such as San Antonio where you could previously expect to find up to 800 tellinas per square metre the figure is now about ten.

Catches have reduced from 300,000kg to just 1,900kg in the last ten years meaning they are an increasingly rare sight in shops and on menus. Lack of nutrients due to drought conditions, marine pollution, sand erosion and an increase in jellyfish (which feed on the larva) have all been blamed for the dramatic reduction in numbers.

Marine life experts believe that the little clams could be wiped out completely within the next few years, at least in this area.

pointed out, as well as though that can be dangerous to handle or eat.

The next event is planned for 16 December and will once again be organised by Myra

van’t Hoff from the Department of Education. The first event proved so popular that some children who wanted to take part in this week’s workshophad to be turned away.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Local lookout

Benidorm Gold standard for hotel chain

By SImon Russell

BRITISH holiday provider David Urquart Travel has awarded the Servigroup of hotels in Benidorm its prestigious Gold Award. The award recognises personal service, quality of facilities and the individual character of the hotels.

The seven Servigroup establishments in Benidorm are the Orange, Castilla, Calypso I and II, Nereo, Venus and Pueblo. David Urquart Travel has been operating for

over 30 years in the UK and about three million people a year take holidays, often packages, arranged by the firm.

Off roader ready

By SImon Russell

BENIDORM’S Public Security Department now has a new off road vehicle, primarily for use in surveillance at rural areas such as forestry. This has been acquired using the same leasing system which allowed the team to take possession of three hybrid vehicle earlier this year. The fleet of 20 vehicles is now almost up to date, awaiting the arrival of a new patrol vehicle and some mopeds.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Local lookout

17

Benidorm

No Half Marathon 10k Run Goes Ahead

By Simon Russell

In previous years the Love Benidorm race has been run on the same day as the Benidorm Half Marathon. However, earlier this year the Town Hall took the decision to move the race to March. This was partly due to the

Fatal Smash A 30-year-old man was killed and four other people have been badly hurt after a head on collision on the N-332

as it passes through Villajoyosa. Police and ambulances were called to the scene at around 3am last Tuesday

clash with the November fiestas but also so that the format of the competition could be changed to a night race - an innovation they are confident will improve the event.

The Weekender will print more details closer to the time.

morning and ambulance crews immediately started attending to the victims. There was nothing they could do for the dead man and the other four people, a woman and three men

aged between 18 and 29, were transferred to the Marina Baixa hospital which is located close to the scene. All are said to have multiple injuries; the reason for the crash is unclear at this stage.



ABOUT 1,000 people took part in the 10 kilometres “Love Benidorm� run last weekend. The sun was shining as the runners started out from Plaza Reyes de Espana before heading off to Avenida Mediterraneo and the Rincon. A number of foreign athletes took part and Mounir Hassini was the first across the line while Lelia Amoush was the quickest woman.

The fastest runner from Benidorm was Juan Antonio Cantos who came in fourth, about a minute behind the winner. There was also an event for children (two to 15 years old) which was held after the main race.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Local lookout

Benidorm

U3A has a ball

By Jack Troughton

PARTY people from U3A Marina Baixa enjoyed a Grand Ball to mark the end of their 10th Anniversary Year combined with an early Christmas celebration.

More than 150 members turned out for the occasion and enjoyed putting on the glitz at the Kaktus Hotel in Albir.

The evening started with a

glass of cava, followed by a five-course dinner, including drinks and then everyone getting up and dancing to the excellent duo, ‘Don’t Ask’.

And the whole evening was described as “superb from beginning to the end” including the room and table decorations; members offered their sincere thanks to Marilyn and husband Peter for organising the night.

U3A Marina Baixa usually holds its general meetings on the fourth Monday of each month in the auditorium at the Casa de Cultura, Alfaz del Pi. However, there is no meeting in December, so the next will be held on Monday 8th January 2018.

More information about the association is available at www.u3amarinabaixa.com, the Facebook page, or by calling Joan Flint on 96 586 1226 or 663 637 167.

Driver feels the heat A man was lucky to escape unhurt after his car suddenly caught fire while he was driving along the

Benidorm to La Nucia road. He managed to pull over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The fire

brigade were called out and managed to extinguish the blaze now engulfing the vehicle, a Citroen C5.

Traffic disruption was kept to a minimum and no fire fighters or civilians were hurt in the incident.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Local lookout

19

Alfas, Albir & Altea, Ending the macho culture

By Simon Russell

THE L’Arabi School in Alfaz del Pi currently has a display of photographs and images aimed at increasing awareness about gender violence, particularly on-line abuse. The exhibition has been curated by the IVAJ Valencian Youth organisation and hopes to stem the macho

behaviour that many young men still display, often as a result of what they have observed in their own families.

300 youngsters from the school have also participated in gender violence awareness courses, all of which coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November).

Big occasion events fair

By Simon Russell

Have an opinion?

Have your say!

Letters@weekender.news

THERE is an Events Fair this weekend (2 and 3 December) at the Finca la Campaneta

in Altea. The fair is aimed at people that are planning a big occasion such as a wedding or communion, and representatives from

local establishments that can cater for this will be exhibiting there.

Over the weekend there will also be children’s games, workshops,

musical recitals and much more. For the full timetable of events go to www.alteadigital.es or visit the Town Halls Facebook page.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

21

Property

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www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

Who pays the community fees for properties that have never sold?

There are still many buildings and complexes in Spain with a large number of homes, premises and parking spaces still in the hands of their developers. This situation is much more common in coastal resorts where there’s an abundance of holiday homes. In these cases, who should pay community fee debts when properties haven’t been sold?

The person responsible for community charges is the owner and therefore, in this case, the developer is obliged to pay the fees for the upkeep and maintenance of the communal services and facilities in the building or complex. This includes extra charges approved by the community, for which the owner is liable until the property is sold.

This means that any clause included by the developer

in the community statutes stating he is not liable for community fees is null and void. Such a clause would give the developer and future buyers an advantage and negatively affect the rest of owners who would have to pay higher fees.

They would not be legally liable to pay these according to Article 9.1 in the Community Properties Law (Ley de Propiedad Horizontal in Spanish). This article outlines owner obligations to contribute to all general expenses to maintain the property and any services, charges and responsibilities that are shared by all owners.

It’s worth pointing out that Article 9.2 explains that even if an owner doesn’t make use of particular service, he is not exempt from paying costs towards it.

Lastly, if the developer isn’t up-to-date with payments, a situation that usually have grave financial consequences for the community, he or she loses his right to vote at meetings. This is the same for all owners who owe community fees. This allows

the rest of owners to come to necessary agreements over taking legal action.

It’s particularly interesting to note that a new owner is liable for community fee debts for the year to date and for the previous three years (four years in Catalunya). Buyers interested in purchasing a new build should therefore demand that the developer provides a certificate stating the property’s debts.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Business & Finance

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Jack talks

VIRTUAL

VALUABLE REALITY

By Jack Troughton

Sponsored By

By Jack Troughton

DIVORCE is an expensive business and the cost of parting company with the European Union will be an eye wateringly costly business; money talks after all.

Speculation this week is putting the pounds, shillings and pennies down on paper in, well, the papers. Brexit’s socalled ‘divorce bill’ is again the talk of the town on both sides of the Channel.

In new money, one of the world’s newest currencies actually but not quite as modern as bitcoins, there is talk of an increased offer to the EU of a mere €55 billion; a steep rate of inflation given just over a week ago it was to be €28 billion.

The amount of cash to change hands has been one of the major sticking points as the Brexit negotiations continue. Back in September, Prime Minister Theresa May was speaking of being willing to sign a cheque for €20 billion.

And the reason why this is so important? Mrs May has an appointment with the big hitters in Brussels next week to report on progress, trying to unblock the logjam ahead of being allowed to talk about trade.

No 10 Downing Street is reluctant to talk about exact figures at the moment; according to insiders an offer has been sent to the EU ahead of Mrs May’s visit and given a “broad welcome”.

Trade is what the UK wants to talk about in the next round but ‘the bloc’ will only do this when it is convinced “sufficient progress” has been made in the opening round (the bell someone please!) – and that means citizens’ rights; the Irish border, and the damned bill.

The EU says Britain has financial obligations. The UK agrees is owes a debt and has already promised not to leave any other country out of pocket in the current EU budget set down to cover 2014 and 2020.

Brexit is scheduled for March 2019.

The crunch comes in midSeptember. There is a very important summit between E u r o p e a n

leaders and the UK will be pressing for talk to turn to trade. The bait is the unconfirmed offer.

Downing Street remains tightlipped, saying: “Negotiations are ongoing. There is, as yet, no settlement.”

All right. There may not be a final figure but even the BBC ‘understands’ that a possible settlement will be between €40 billion and €55 billion.

Interviewed on Radio 4 this week, Transport Secretary admitted: “There’s lots of speculation around numbers.

There are no numbers for us to discuss this morning. We haven’t committed to numbers, what we’ve simply said is we will fulfil our obligations built up during our period of membership.”

He also played down any acrimony between the divorcing sides. “We want to leave as friends, good neighbours and carry on trading with the EU. It’s right and proper that we meet our obligations and that’s what we’re intending to do”.

And asked similar questions in Berlin, the EU’s main man at the negotiation talks, Michel Bernier refused to talk about the settlement figure; he said: “I don’t want to talk; still working, still working.”

Nigel Farage, former UKIP leader and a leading voice in the Leave Campaign, said the figures reported would mean: “Christmas has come early” for the EU. A keen Brexiteer, he said Britain would be “selling out” and even if the cash meant access to the EU markets, it would not be worth it. In a tweet, he said EU should “go whistle” for the €50 billion and asked campaign ally Boris Johnson “please tell us why this is a good idea?”

Even the remain side was shocked; one MP saying such a divorce settlement would end any talk of the NHS cashing in with a £350 million a week subsidy – one of the ‘promises’ of the leave camp before last year’s referendum.

THE value of a single bitcoin – the virtual currency – has soared past a $10,000 benchmark just days after topping $9,000.

It is new heights for a “cryptocurrency” first produced in 2009 and only trading at $1,000 at the beginning of the year.

Some experts believe it has far to go in value; others believe the rise is a speculative bubble with nothing at the core and the market could burst at any time.

The continued success this year – bitcoins were first valued at $1,000 in late 2013 before falling back – means those in existence are worth $167 billion.

From the launch of the currency, it took a long time to be accepted – and allow the virtual currency to have a value that could be transferred and swapped for more usual cash.

Analysts are not entirely clear what has driven the sudden rise in value, especially as some regulators have looked to limit its use. However, one factor in its favour has been a United States derivatives company announcing it will start a bitcoin futures market.

One early transaction involved using 10,000 bitcoins to buy two pizzas.

However, its boom has led to a general rise in many other virtual currencies.

There is also a dark side; many people are trying to profit less honourably from the growing interest in virtual currencies.

Bad guys are seeking to install software on vulnerable websites that create the – or ‘mine’ – the coins; and scammers are sending fake messages to try and convince people they own a stake in a bid to entice them to open a dangerous link.

GLOBAL ECONOMY GROWS The global economy improved in 2017 and will reach an eightyear high next year according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. But needs private investment to sustain growth into 2019.

The global economy improved in 2017 and will reach an eightyear high next year according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. But needs private investment to sustain growth into 2019.

The organisation nudged up its estimate to 3.6 percent for this year from 3.5 percent in its last forecast to reach 3.7 percent in 2018.

Catherine Mann, OECD Chief Economist, says several factors contributed to the improved economy.

“First there has been a continued monetary policy accomodation,” she explains. “But perhaps some people don’t know that actually there is quite a bit of fiscal stimulus in the system and that is added to the growth. The third element is that trade has recovered and it’s moving along quite smartly right now.”

With its strongest growth in a decade, the euro area was also seen outpacing other major developed economies this year and was up on previous forecasts. The OECD forecasts growth of 2.4 percent for 2017 dropping to 2.1 percent in 2018.

“There is no question that 2017 is a much better year for the euro area,” says Mann. “What we would like to do is to ensure that the momentum that is in place right now continues through 2018 and 2019.”

But Brexit means Britain is missing out on global growth. The OECD’s 2017 growth forecast of 1.5 percent makes Britain the weakest economy in the G7.

‘Well there is uncertainty and there is a timetable for resolution of those uncertainties,” says Mann. “What we need to do is get to the position of a close economic relationship between the UK and the EU, that is better for both of them.”

UK Banks though seem to be ready for the worst case scenario. For the first time since the financial crisis, all of the UK’s biggest lenders have passed the Bank of England stress tests.

“Informed by the stress tests at our own risk analysis, the Financial Policy Committee also judges that the banking system can continue to support the real economy even in the unlikely event of a disorderly Brexit,” said Bank of England governor, Mark Carney.

But the OECD says high consumer debt coupled with stagnant household income is still a major financial stability risk in the UK.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

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Business & Finance

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QROPS and SIPPS THE FACTS

By Christina Brady

BLACKTOWER Financial Management More and more lately I am being asked questions about QROPS and SIPP´s and there seems to be a lot of misinformation being touted around, so here are the answers to the most common questions/queries people are coming to me with: • I have been told by a local financial adviser that if I do a SIPP with them it will be covered by the UK FCA and FSCS compensation scheme is this correct?

As long as your Spanish based Financial Adviser is directly registered with and regulated by the UK FCA, then this is correct. But it is very unlikely, the FCA states that: If a Company offering pensions advice is not authorised or regulated by the FCA, you would have NO right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service or to claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if things go wrong.

Always check that anyone providing you with advice on your pension pot who claims you will be covered by the FCA (FSCS) is authorised by the FCA and has their permission to give advice on pensions: if they are, their individual name and Company name will appear on the FCA register, which you can access through the FCA website (www. fca.org.uk).

If they have told you this, when in fact this is not the case then steer clear - why are they making claims that are not true!!!

• I am concerned that a Financial Adviser based in Spain I have been to see is recommending a product/bond

based purely on its low cost, am I right to be concerned?

An experienced and professional Financial Adviser would never try to sell you a product/bond based solely on costs, they would evaluate all the options available that meet your own personal needs and circumstances, discuss the options with you and then use the product that meet your needs always bearing cost in mind.

• I have been told I shouldn’t do a QROPS , I should do a SIPP , if I do a QROPS I will be subject to a 25% UK tax charge?

Philip Hammond introduced the OTC (Overseas Transfer Charge) effective from 9th March 2017, which means certain transfers to and from a QROPS will be liable to a 25% tax charge. If the QROPS is outside the area that the member lives in then the OTC applies, so if you live in the EEA and your pension provider is in the EEA i.e Malta then you are not liable for this tax. Also this tax is not applicable after the relevant 5 year period has expired.

So you may ask what’s the problem, well due to Brexit this is a grey area, if you move back to the UK within the 5 year period will this tax apply or not? It depends on whether the UK decides it will or won’t be a member of the EU or EEA . If the UK decides not to be a member of either then the OTC may apply (again a grey area, the UK could decide members moving back to the UK are exempt).

• S I P P ´ s are subject to UK emergency tax on income payments which can be as high as 45%?

All SIPP Income paid to you including flexi-access drawdown is subject

to UK income tax under PAYE , so if you don’t have a UK tax code, an emergency tax code will be applied by HMRC, this can be as high as 45%.

To avoid this you need to complete the following HMRC form, United Kingdom/Spain Double Taxation Convention (SI 1976 Number 1919) APPLICATION for relief at source from United Kingdom income tax and CLAIM to repayment of United Kingdom income tax .

For use by an INDIVIDUAL resident of Spain receiving pensions, purchased annuities, interest or royalties arising in the UK. If at the end of the tax year you think you have paid too much tax to HMRC, you should claim a refund by writing to your local UK tax office, if you live in Spain you will have to prove that you have paid the appropriate tax on this income in Spain before you will get a refund.

• If I do a SIPP and die after 75, my SIPP will be subject to up to a 45% UK death tax, whereas if I have a QROPS this is not the case?

This is currently true at the moment,

Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV.

the fund can be paid to any beneficiary, but will be taxed at their UK marginal tax rate, as a lump sum, annuity or as a drawdown pension. The fund can be paid to a trust as a lump sum less a 45% tax charge.

So at the moment it is most probably better if you are in your mid to late 60´s or 70´s that you do a QROPS to avoid this potential tax for your beneficiaries.

If you have any subjects that you would like me to cover in future articles, please email info@ blacktowerfm.com or if you need advice or have any questions please contact me by email christina. brady@blacktowerfm.com or call me on 658 892 330.

Blacktower Financial Management has been established for over 32 years and have worked with clients through the good and the bad times, offering sound independent advice, we will be by your side both now and in the future.

The above information was correct at the time of preparation and does not constitute investment advice and you should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity.

Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

red cross appeal for children at xmas On behalf of Cruz Roja Xabia, a festive evening with acoustic style live music with great diversity.

With this lineup, Yvonne, Niamh, Robban Jansson & Out of the blue, it will be GREAT entertainment all night !

Menu for 20 Euro per person bookings and ARE advised as these mixed events tends to get ! quickly fully booked See who’ll raise the roof !

BOOKINGS preferably via; 966 472 424 Remember - ALL proceeds go to the Cruz Roja Jávea and EVERY artists participates for free for this worthwhile cause.

Facebook.com/events/1959027364419262/

the most w time of t It’s that time of the year again and the English Choir of Teulada/Moraira are well into rehearsal for their annual Christmas concert. This takes place in Moraira parish Church at 7pm on Wednesday 6th December.

Following the sell out success of “A little light music” in the Autumn, the choir is hoping for another full house and to making another substantial donation to the Alzheimer’s day centre as well as spreading some seasonal good will.

The Christmas concert promises to be great fun with plenty of audience participation. Carol sheets will be provided and the congregation will be invited to join in with old favourites such as Good King Wenceslas, Deck the Halls, Silent Night and many, many more.

Under the mighty baton of Joanna Baldwin and fantastic organist Heather Butcher the choir will sing for

GET INTO THE CH

SANTAS GROTTOS - CHRISTMAS FAIRS

WITH SO MANY THINGS GOING ON OVER C SO WE CAN SHARE THE INFO WITH

wonderful the year! you the theme from The Snowman, then the very dramatic March of the Kings to a traditional French tune and Schonberg’s Bethlehem. They will also delight you with a John Rutter favourite Angel Tidings, along with Little Drummerboy, Winter Wonderland and of course the 12 days of Christmas.

Something here for everybody and we look forward to singing with and for you.

Our ticket secretary is Janet Brown, telephone 965 745 091 or email her janetbrowncraft@gmail.com to pre order your tickets. Price of the tickets are 5euros each and proceeds will be towards Church funds and the Alzheimer’s society.

For any further information about the choir or future events please phone Judith 966 480 195

just in time for christmas MAIL order delivery giant Amazon has installed 19 mailboxes across the Valencian Community to allow customers to pick up their orders if that is more convenient for them than home delivery. Six of these boxes are in Alicante, all at Repsol service station; these are located at San Vicente, Guardamar, Altea, Pinosa and two in Alcoi.

Customers choose a location when ordering and are then sent a unique code with the address and opening hours of the mailbox (often 24 hours a day).

They then have three days to collect their package before it is returned to Amazon. 70 of the 120 boxes across Spain are at Repsol stations but shopping centres, Telepizza stores and Dia supermarare kets also being used.

HRISTMAS SPIRIT!

S - SANTA FUN RUNS CHARITY EVENTS

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Out & About

FRIDAY 24TH NOV 2017 Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017 Food | Drink | Leisure | Events

Out & About

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Gift wrapped! Blues planet evolves

By Jack Troughton

CHRISTMAS arrived early on Sunday as a festive fair attracted hundreds of people and Help of Denia and the Marina Alta open an early gift.

The second of two festive fairs at Salones Carrasco in Javea, it was busy as soon as Santa Claus performed a short ceremony and open the doors – and later presented Help with nearly €1,700 from the two events.

Everyone pays €1 to entrance and more than 600 browsed over 50 stalls last weekend at an event oozing Christmas spirit.

Father Christmas was kept particularly busy as children queued to tell him their wish list and meet the man in red – Papa Noel was unable to attend earlier this month at the first Grand Christmas Fair.

Help president Candy Wright said: “It was really a great day and the place was packed with lots and lots of children; all eager to meet Father Christmas.

“This was the second of the fairs and was packed with atmosphere, the true spirit of Christmas.”

She thanked organiser Lesley Clark for all her hard work in attracting the crowds over two days and selling the stalls to help raise more money.

By Jack Troughton

housing the new Blues club and I hope everyone can come along and give it their support as they did in the past, keeping the music calendar full,” said Buddy Paul.

The club opens on Saturday 9th December with the appearance of the Maho Blues Band from the city of Valencia. Tickets are €15 including a fish and chips lunch (a carvery meal is also available); guests will be sat down from 12.30pm, the meal will be served from 1pmand the band should play from 2pm to 2.30pm.

“The aim of this club is to keep the Blues alive and attract some top bands from around the globe to blow us away; meanwhile we’ll just keep blowing our socks off,” added Buddy Paul.

“So it is a bright-looking future for Buddy Paul Blues n Boogie Club at the Bull and Bear...and yes, it’s a real pub.”

To book for 9th December, call Buddy Paul on 640 353 304 or email buddypaulmusic@gmail.com; or visit the venue and ask for Steve.

MUSIC fans are in for a treat with a new club opening next month and the visit of the Maho Blues Band.

Celebrated blues musician Buddy Paul, who is based in Valencia, returns to the north Costa Blanca and the Bull and Bear in Benitachell to start a new era of live music.

The pub now hosts the Buddy Paul Blues n Boogie Club, the former musical director of the Costa Blanca Blues starting a new chapter in the club’s history.

He said: “We have a new venue for Blues lovers and I am glad to say we can carry on the tradition that Karla Darocas – founder of CBBlues – started six years ago.

“Karla has stepped aside for a bit due to commitments and is taking a well-earned rest. I came on board about three years ago helping to find the bands that came to entertain us – we had great parties with local Blues guys and it grew and grew.”

He said he helped bring a number of musicians and bands to the area, including his first band The Crazy Goats, and organised ‘harp attacks’ and music workshops.

“Basically I think we had a great time; so blues on guys and girls. As I BENISSA 445.000€ mentioned, the Bull and Bear will be

Fantastic villa Sea views Unfurnished Underbuild / Incomplete 3 Bed, 3 Bath, Living room, Kitchen, Porch, Terrace Garage & Garden 204 m2 / 807 m2 Call: +34626997736

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017 Family | Garden | Health | Home | Style | Wellbeing

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Protect your pets against rabies

By Simon Russell

VETERINARY associations have reminded dog owners of the importance of vaccinating their pets against rabies. As the jabs are not mandatory many pets are going unprotected; however vets believe there has been a significant increase in the risk due to an increase in domestic animals travelling to countries where rabies is a problem.

Africa and Eastern Europe both have problems with the disease which kills over 50,000 people each year, although it is a number of years since there has been a death in Spain.

95% of these global deaths were due to bites or scratches from infected animals which also affects cats and ferrets.

Rabies in dogs

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical symptoms. In up to 99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans. Yet, rabies can affect both domestic and wild animals. It is spread to people through bites or scratches, usually via saliva.

Rabies is present on all continents, except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in the Asia and Africa regions.

Rabies is one of the neglected tropical diseases that predominantly affects poor and vulnerable populations who live in remote rural locations. Although effective human vaccines and immunoglobulins exist for rabies, they are not readily available or accessible to those in need.

Globally, rabies deaths are rarely reported and children between the ages of 5–14 years are frequent victims. Treating a rabies exposure, where the average cost of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is US$ 40 in Africa, and US$ 49 in Asia, can be a catastrophic financial burden on affected families whose average daily income is around US$ 1–2 per person.

Every year, more than 15 million people worldwide receive a post-bite vaccination. This is estimated to prevent hundreds of thousands of rabies deaths annually.

Eliminating rabies in dogs Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people. Dog vaccination reduces deaths attributable to rabies and the need for PEP as a part of dog bite patient care.

Symptoms The incubation period for rabies is typically 1–3 months but may vary from 1 week to 1 year, dependent upon factors such as the location of virus entry and viral load. Initial symptoms of rabies include a fever with pain and unusual or unexplained tingling, pricking, or burning sensation (paraesthesia) at the wound site. As the virus spreads to the central nervous system, progressive and fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord develops.

Rabies has two forms People with furious rabies exhibit signs of hyperactivity, excitable behaviour, hydrophobia (fear of water) and sometimes aerophobia (fear of drafts or of fresh air). Death occurs after a few days due to cardio-respiratory arrest.

Paralytic rabies accounts for about 30% of the total number of human cases.

This form of rabies runs a less dramatic and usually longer course than the furious form. Muscles gradually become paralyzed, starting at the site of the bite or scratch. A coma slowly develops, and eventually death occurs. The paralytic form of rabies is often misdiagnosed, contributing to the under-reporting of the disease.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017 Family | Garden | Health | Home | Style | Wellbeing

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Christmas Gifts...

What do you give somebody who has EVERYTHING? A Christmas gift idea that may never have entered your head is to give a gift voucher for use in the Family Medical Centre, Albir!

This may seem a ‘strange’ gift but if you think about it most people (especially as they get older) really have enough ornaments, picture frames and knick knacks to last them a lifetime! However, one thing we do all need from time to time is medical care.

Family Medical Centre Vouchers (see sample) are available from 20€ upwards. They are valid for one year and may be redeemed against a wide range of consultations, treatments and tests including G.P. or nursing appointments, laboratory tests, physiotherapy / osteopath sessions, podiatory (chiropody) treatments or even for something like a relaxing,

therapeutic reflexology treatment.

The choice is endless!

For those looking for a ‘Rolls Royce’ type of gift for that extra special person in their life we also have available special gift vouchers (298€) for a complete Gold Health Check (worth 504€) As well as assessing the risk of developing health problems, a health check gives advice on how to prevent them. The risk levels vary from person to person, but everyone is at some risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. A health check can detect health problems before they do real damage.

So with just 3 weeks to go until Christmas, forget the strain of Christmas shopping and treat a loved one to a voucher towards a Healthy New Year!

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LAST CHANCE TO SUPPORT THE ONCE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN AT SPECSAVERS OPTICAS Specsavers Opticas have been fundraising for the ONCE Foundation for the Deaf-Blind (La Fundación ONCE para la Atención de Personas con Sordoceguera - FOAPS) since July, with the aim of raising 6,000€ for the charity. If they reach their goal, they will be able to fund 400 hours for interpreters to be the eyes, ears and voice of vulnerable deaf and blind people in Spain.

To raise money, Specsavers Opticas are asking everyone who has one of their free comprehensive eye tests to donate 1€ to FOAPS after their test. Having a quality eye test at Specsavers is an important health check, as well as making sure that your vision is good, so taking part in the campaign is a great way to look after yourself, as well as helping others.

FOAPS is a charitable organisation formed in 2007 by leading Spanish charity ONCE to develop programmes to help deaf-blind people.

They are particularly interested in helping with education and employment, improving the quality of life and encouraging integration and development. FOAPS provide interpreters, who can help the deaf-blind communicate and interact with the world.

José Ángel Moral-Tajadura from Specsavers Opticas is asking for the public’s support to reach their goal. He explains, “The FOAPS interpreters are the eyes, ears and often voice of the deaf-blind and have a crucial role to play.

We only have one more month to raise enough money to fund an extra 400 hours of interpreting support and we are short of our 6,000€ target, so

Read Online Weekender.News

Residencia canina y felina Boarding kennel & Cattery

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RESIDENCIA CANINA Y FELINA BOARDING KENNEL & CATTERY Habitaciones individuales Ozono Hilo musical Calefacción Parques ajardinados Servicio a domicilio Admitimos todas las razas

Individual rooms Ozono Music Heated floor system Landscaped playgrounds Free home delivery service All types of dogs & cats allowed

we are asking anyone who hasn’t had an eye test in the last year to come into their nearest Specsavers Opticas and get their eyes tested before the end of the month. Please help us to reach our goal!”

Visit www.specsavers.es to find your nearest store and book an eye test.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017 Family | Garden | Health | Home | Style | Wellbeing

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> All editions of “Gardening on the Costa Blanca” can be found at www.weekender.news/CBGC or visit www.costablancagardeners.weebly.com for more information.

GARDENING ON THE COSTA BLANCA - Part 18 A bit of “semi-trivia”:- if you have ever wondered why wasps are more of a nuisance in the autumn than earlier in the year, here is the answer. Apparently their dietary needs change. In the spring, they are more interested in protein sources, rather than carbohydrates, and will hunt for insects, leaving sugary food sources alone. During this time of year, wasps forage up to about a

Paper Wasp quarter of a mile away from their nest and eliminate large populations of garden pest insects from the areas surrounding their hives. Large quantities of proteins are needed for feeding the queen wasps and their young larvae back in the nests. Wasp larvae secrete a sugary substance that worker wasps eat and this is the main sugar source that the adult wasps consume throughout the summer.

Towards the end of summer, the workers find fewer meat sources

Paper Wasp Nest to feed the larvae, causing the larvae to secrete less of the sugary substance so wasps begin to forage for sources of sugar, such as the juices of ripening and overripe fruits, sweet human foods, sweet drinks and rubbish in bins.

Mention has been made before that many of the local nurseries are actually more retail outlets than proper plant nurseries and one of the areas in which this can lead to difficulties is in plant names.

Oviously names are normally given in Spanish (or Valenciano?)

- although in this area most of their customers are probably not Spanish!

– and some of these are very different from both English and botanical names. You’ll probably be able to find most of these in a dictionary or on-line, however. Many names are similar to the botanical names just as many English ones are, although there may be slight variations in

the spelling e.g. Zinia for Zinnia and Dalia for Dahlia. Others are changed to make them easier to pronounce for Spanish speakers e.g.

Hedychium (Ginger Lily) becomes Edichio and Phlox becomes Flox Yet others are virtually a translation of the ordinary common English names - thus Bird of Paradise Flower (Strelitzia) is Flor Ave del Paraiso and Firethorn (Pyracantha) is Espino de Fuego. Some, of course, will just be downright wrong! A common local (?) habit is substituting an “m” for an “n” but you can obviously get

Zinnias

Bird of Paradise

past that problem. Although online sources can help, they seldom deal with anything out of the ordinary and the only good news is that there probably won’t be a Spanish name for anything unusual either so something closely approximating the botanical name will be used. That can be looked up!

This brings us neatly to the hoary topic of the use of common (or garden?) names or botanical names but this will probably take up too much space to be fitted in this week so see next week’s article.

Ginger Lilies

Pyracantha

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, 13th December at 2.30 in La Senieta.

Google “Costa Blanca Gardeners Circle” will provide you with our website.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017 Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles | TV

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What’s ON TV

We Have Been Watching

XMAS SPECIAL John Challis, Sue

Holderness, Sally Phillips, Sarah Hadland, Ricky Tomlinson, Ralf Little, Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani watch clips from festive shows including Morecambe and Wise, Father Ted, Only Fools and Horses and The Royle Family, providing fresh insight, smart observations and hilarious anecdotes

GOLD 2:40pm Fri 1st Dec

The Graham Norton Show

Legendary rock star Elton John, actor and writer Stephen Fry, Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan and pop star Robbie Williams join the host to wax lyrical about what they have been up to recently. Plus, singersongwriter Pink performs her song What About Us.

ITV 11:35pm Fri 1st Dec

Total Recall (1990)

A construction worker pays to have fake memories of a dream holiday implanted into his brain, but discovers his mind has already been tampered with apparently to erase his true identity as a secret agent from a colony on Mars.

He journeys to the planet in search of the truth, but is drawn into a conflict between the tyrannical ruler and a rebel faction.

ITV1 12:15pm Fri 1st Dec

The X Factor

The X Factor: Live Final

Weeks of lively auditions, gruelling boot camps and tense on-stage showdowns draw to a close with the first instalment of the talent show’s grand final. Before the winner is announced, remaining acts Grace Davies, Kevin Davy White and RakSu face another stand-off, as judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne deliver their verdict on each act’s performance.

ITV 8:05pm Sat 2 Dec

Rugby League World Cup

Australia v England.

Tanya Arnold introduces highlights of the final at Brisbane Stadium, where the winners of the tournament were decided after 28 matches

BBC2 7:00pm Sat 2 Dec

I, Robot (2004)

The inventor of an advanced form of intelligent robot is found dead, and the detective investigating the case is certain that one of the scientist’s mechanical creations is responsible but no one believes his theory because the robots have been programmed to prevent them from harming humans.

Sci-fi thriller, inspired by the Isaac Asimov stories, starring Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan and Alan Tudyk

Channel 4 10:25pm Sat 2 Dec

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017 TV | Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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V This Week

All T i Show mes n Ar e Span ish

The X Factor

The X Factor: Live Final Dermot O’Leary introduces the climax of this year’s talent contest. The results of last night’s performance at Wembley Arena are in and one of the three finalists has been eliminated from the contest. The two remaining acts must give one final performance to impress the viewing public and the judges, before one of them is crowned as this year’s winner.

ITV 8:15pm Sun 3 Dec Nov

Blue Planet II

Coasts Footage of animals that live on the coast, including sea lions working in packs to hunt tuna in the shallows and moray eels that venture out of the water to seek out food on dry rocks.

Puffins must brave predators to bring a mouthful of food back to their young and king penguins must avoid elephant seals and go without food for a month while they moult. Plus, footage of the bizarre Leaping Blenny, a fish that hates the water

The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 OF 11

Dave Myers and Si King create festive recipes and chat to celebrity guests, with Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones joining them on the first edition.

BBC1 4:45pm Mon 4 Dec

The Real Marigold on Tour

NEW SERIES - CHINA Participants

from The Real Marigold Hotel are reunited for another global adventure, beginning with Miriam Margolyes, Wayne Sleep, Rosemary Shrager and Bobby George sampling retirement in Chengdu, the capital of China’s Sichuan province. It is a bustling city of more than 14 million people, and everyone finds the language barrier difficult, while Miriam in particular struggles with the regional cuisinem

BBC1 9:00pm Sun 3 Dec

BBC1 10:00pm Mon 4 Dec

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Live and Let Die (1973)

ITV2 7:20pm Sun 3 Dec 25 Nov

ITV4 10:00pm Mon 4 Dec

A gifted teenager investigates the secrets hidden in his dead parents’ past, leading him to a mysterious corporation and an incident that imbues him with superhuman powers. A personal tragedy drives him to use his new-found abilities to fight crime, and he is soon drawn into a deadly battle against a former colleague of his father, who has undergone a devastating transformation of his own.

James Bond’s investigation into the murder of three British agents leads him to a connection between the dictator of a Caribbean island and a notorious Harlem drug kingpin - along with a plot to flood America with limitless supplies of free heroin. Spy adventure, with Roger Moore in his first appearance as 007, alongside Yaphet Kotto and Jane Seymour

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Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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QUICK CROSSWORD

Across 1 Down-at-heel (6) 4 Motive (6) 8 Florida resort (5) 9 Type of mandarin orange (7) 10 Narrow-edged tooth (7) 11 Indian monetary unit (5) 12 The recent past (9) 17 Bicker (5) 19 Far (7) 21 Pig’s foot (7) 22 Strained (5) 23 Cure (6) 24 Soaked thoroughly (6)

Down 1 Peak (6) 2 Lawlessness (7) 3 Great happiness (5) 5 Came in (7) 6 Baffle (5) 7 Closer (6) 9 Cede (9) 13 Perfumed (7) 14 Longed (7) 15 One who dies for a cause (6) 16 Scattered (6) 18 Despondency (5) 20 Fight (3-2)

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1 Grouse meat (4) 3 A disc jockey with a little money nearby? (8) 9 Disappointed town led astray (3,4) 10 A profit? Another time! (5) 11 Long story about English leader (5) 12 I clear off for a cake (6) 14 Everyone that is joining duke is in league (6) 16 Dicky O’Neill’s forename (6) 19 It’s futile going back in time, so it often appears (6) 21 Constant amount for aviator (5) 24 Some bedlinen he’s put outside (5) 25 Relevant language on the fourth of June (7) 26 Put in new resident (8) 27 River goddess in Egypt (4)

Down

1 A goat is able to provide a campfire container (8) 2 Resident in Essex travelling more (5) 4 Academic opener for an ass (6) 5 Benefit that makes a small number suffer (5) 6 One tail wagging with great joy (7) 7 Head back with a fish (4) 8 Loaf in living-room (6) 13 Conspirators - about 50 snooker players (8) 15 Mail from settler (7) 17 I’m getting wine to bring in (6) 18 B-bird dog (6) 20 Animal that’s not terribly content (5) 22 Plenty of cargoes (5) 23 Sparkling wine found in tasting (4)

For Crossword & Sudoku answers - See Page 40

Sudoku

Easy

Medium

Hard

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017 Chat | Travel | Celebrity | Puzzles

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Far right columnist on way out

LIBRA (Sept 24th-Oct 23rd) ARIES (March 21st-April 20th) It’s another day where fate is You’ll even manage to turn asking you to take it easy, so failure into success today, but don’t get involved in issues that you really need to focus all your sap your energy and resolve. attention in specific directions You’ll tire easily at the moment if you’re to show others your which is why its best to watch worth. You’re surrounded by ARIES LIBRA and wait. By tomorrow things warmth and support even though the weather is the opposite, but your should be back to normal, but for now, you just need to relax. cheery smile will light up everyone’s mood.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

SCORPIO (Oct 24th-Nov 22nd)

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23rd-Dec 21st)

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 strongest instinct in your A healthy dose of good luck life today is to make money. will help you achieve some of Several major planets point in your objectives whilst others that direction and all of them are accomplished due to your are encouraging you to go for ability to focus and work hard.

TAURUS Merely agreeing or disagreeing SCORPIO it. To many Scorpios that makes eminent sense so if you’ve been with others wont be enough today because you’ll be expected to take the hanging back through lack of confidence, its now time to apply yourself. Don’t lose sight of lead. People trust you implicitly. common sense.

If communications of any You have an insatiable kind have been up in the air appetite for new experiences, recently, you’ll see a marked impressions and situations. improvement today. You’re You’ll be socially responsive to regaining your voice and that’s others and may well be making GEMINI new friends around now. With SAGITTARIUS great, but don’t run before you can walk, and don’t take any Christmas coming into view the social whirl is just beginning and you’ll take chances. Your confidence in situations you the lead into making sure everyone has a good know is high, so focus on them. time.

Any intellectual work you’re Try to leave any major decisions involved in is highly rewarding, Everything is working well and communications are well for you as this month draws highlighted too. Your mind to a close, but the realisation and your heart are stimulated that tomorrow is the start of CANCER December could still come as CAPRICORN through new ideas and you’re well able to offer good a bit of a shock. You’ve been too busy to look at the calendar and now its guidance to everyone. Something you hear on almost Christmas time. Talk to others in your the grapevine confirms your suspicions about an acquaintance. household and start making plans.

It’s a time for some small Today’s focus is on your personal indulgences, so social arena. If there are any you’ll treat yourself more than invitations on offer today grab would normally be the case. them with both hands. You Socially you’re happy to hog need the support of friends the limelight and others will and relatives if you’re going to LEO be pleased you’re taking centre AQUARIUS get the best out of any given stage again. Not everyone loves you of course, situation. What you definitely don’t need is but that’s just what happens when you’re a fire to be nagged, so stay away from people who sign. moan about anything you do.

There’s every possibility you’ll You can make an extremely express yourself a bit vaguely powerful impression on today as you’re unlikely to take those further up the tree sufficient time out to work out than you, and you’ll want to what you should be saying. do everything you can to be When it matters the most and PISCES noticed at the moment. There’s VIRGO you’re dealing with someone much to be gained by being you love deeply, words won’t be important watched, even if it goes against the grain in anyway, a single look may be enough. some way. It would be a great time to take a trip.

KATIE Hopkins, the controversial columnist and presenter has left her job with the Mail Online “by mutual consent.”

Pitching her commentaries to the far right, probably her most controversial statement was her demand on Twitter for a “final solution” for Muslims after the Manchester Arena bombing. This comment was enough to lose Hopkins her presenting role at talk radio station LBC, while her references to migrants as cockroaches and calls for gunboats

patrolling the Mediterranean to search for illegal immigrants have made news over here in Spain.

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Motoring

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BMW 5 Series The 5 Series is a superb executive saloon, with top notch refinement and quality throughout. Like its predecessor, BMW’s trademark driving enjoyment shines through on a challenging road, although some might feel that the interior feels a little flat against the equally excellent Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

However, if your heart’s set on the BMW, you’re unlikely to be disappointed. It has a wonderfully finished cabin and is packed with the latest convenience and safety tech. It also provides ample space for a family of four and is an outstanding long-distance motorway cruiser.

That’s true even if you go for the basic 520i or 520d.

Despite forming the entry point into the 5 Series range, both come with an automatic transmission as standard, plus they are powerful, torquey and quiet, providing

(2017)

plenty of overtaking punch. However, if your budget or company car allowance permit then the 530d is even better, yet still economical.

As good as the 5 Series is on a long run, it really stands out on a country road. Compared to rivals from Mercedes-Benz and Audi, the BMW is a touch much more poised and direct, giving a real sense of connection between the driver and the road. If you really enjoy driving, this is the best car in its class.

The front seats provide plenty of adjustment, while the back row provides plenty of space.

The boot, too, is a decent size but since this is a saloon its practicality is limited if you want to carry bulky stuff. But if space is a big concern you can always go for the Touring version, which is about as practical as cars come.

As good as the 5 Series is, the E-Class does feel a little more polished, refined and luxurious from the driver’s seat.

But the BMW isn’t far behind and it’s more involving and fun to drive. That means it’s very easy to recommend – but do make sure you try both to figure out which fits your needs best.

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

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GRUPO

Benissa - La Nucia

Opposite Benissa Motorway Entrance

BENISSA

OPEL Astra ST CDTi Enjoy Year 2011 1700cc, 110 hp Manual, Diesel 108,000 km 8,995€

FORD Fiesta Sport Year 2010 1600cc, 120 hp Manual, Petrol 84,000 km 6,795€

(+34) 965 733 311

Auto Mart Benissa Ctra Nacional N-332 Partida Bonaire 60

WhatsApp 609 234 847 info@automartbenissa.com 9

3 6

Monday to Friday 9.30 –19.00 Saturday 10.00 –14.00

90+ vehicles to choose from

FORD KA Collection Year 2006 1300cc, 70 hp Manual, Petrol 90,000 km 3,795€

PEUGEOT 207 Year 2009 1400cc, 75 hp Manual, Petrol 55,000 km 6,995€

PEUGEOT 208 Year 2013 1600cc, Automatic, Diesel 31,000 km 9,995€

NEW ARRIVAL

KIA SPORTAGE EMOTION 4X4 AUTO Year 2007, 2700cc, Automatic, Petrol 60,000 km 7,995€

KIA Sportage 4WD 2.0 CRD Year 2006 2000cc, 140 hp Manual, Diesel 69,000 km 8,995€

HYUNDAI I10 STYLE Year 2010 1200cc, Automatic, Petrol 67,000 km 6,995€

OPEL ZAFIRA CDTI Year 2006 1900cc, 120 hp Manual, Diesel 114,000 km 6,995€

NISSAN Qashqai 1.6 Acenta 4x2 Year 2009, 1600cc, 115 hp, Manual, Petrol 119,000 km 9,995€

SEAT Ibiza TSI Style Year 2015 1200cc, Manual, Petrol 35,000 km 11,295€

RENAULT CLIO YEAR 2008 1600cc, 110 hp Automatic, Petrol 75,000 km 7,695€

BUYING a Car includes: 1 year’s warranty ITV and full check Road tax paid for the year Name and transfer plus paperwork Part-exchange welcome

SELLING a Car

FIAT PANDA Year 2008 1200cc, Manual, Petrol 94,000 km 4,995€

FORD Fiesta TDCI Trend Year 2015 1500cc, 75 hp Manual, Diesel 49,000 km 9,995€

BMW Serie 3 320d 165 Year 2007 2000cc, 165 hp Manual, Diesel 125,000 km 9,995€

WE BUY CARS FOR CASH! Avoid the pitfalls of private selling; we do ALL the work.

Car transfers processed within 7 days Proof of ownership transfer provided

automartbenissa.com

Monday to Friday 9.30 –19.00 Saturday 10.00 –14.00

LA NUCIA

T 682 455 828 info@automartlanucia.com

grupo

NISSAN Qashqai Year 2008 2000cc, 140 hp Manual, Petrol 84,000 km 10,995€

CITROEN C3 Year 2006 1400cc, 75 hp Manual, Petrol 104,000 km 4,495€

CHRYSLER PT Cruiser Cabrio Year 2005 2400cc, 145 hp Manual, Petrol 13,000 km 7,995€

FORD Focus 1.6 Trend Auto Year 2009 1600cc, 100 hp Automatic, Petrol 48,000 km 8,995€

Benissa - La Nucia

Auto Mart La Nucia Calle Callosa de Ensarria 32 Poigono Industrial La Alberca La Nucia BUYING a Car includes: 1 year’s warranty ITV and full check Road tax paid for the year Name and transfer plus paperwork Part-exchange welcome

SELLING a Car

TOYOTA Aygo Auto 1.0 Year 2008 1000cc, 70 hp Automatic, Petrol 83,000 km 5,995€

FORD Focus Xenon Auto Year 2005 1600cc, 100 hp Automatic, Petrol 124,000 km 5,995€

RENAULT Clio Business DCI - 5 puertas / 5 door Year 2013 1500cc, 75 hp Manual, Diesel 81,000 km 9,695€

PEUGEOT 208 VTi Active Touchscreen Year 2013 1200cc, 80 hp Manual, Petrol 62,000 km 9,395€

We buy cars for cash

Avoid the pitfalls of private selling; we do ALL the work.

Car transfers processed within 7 days Proof of ownership transfer provided

automartlanucia.com

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Motoring

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Cost cutting moves

unpopular

By Matthew Richards

Puzzle Solutions

UNIONS representing staff at Ford’s massive factory in Almussafes near Valencia are unhappy with some cost cutting proposals by the US motor giant.

These include a crackdown on

absenteeism and reduced rates of sickness pay for longer term cases. There are also proposed changes to travel allowances which again the unions are unhappy with. This week saw the first formal meeting between Ford management and the unions

QUICK CROSSWORD

and negotiations are on-going.

The Almussafes plant – known informally by locals as Ford City – employs around 7,000 people directly and accounts for an estimated 20,000 indirect jobs. It has been estimated that it is responsible for over 8% of the entire gross domestic product for the Valencian Community.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

SUDOKU MEDIUM

SUDOKU HARD

FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

41

Sport

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Mountain biking Brits

By Simon Russell

A team from Play Sports Network, a TV channel dedicated to cyclists, have been in Alicante all this week. They are looking at different routes and facilities for both road and mountain bikers and are planning videos promoting the area for the sports. The channel has about 7 million visitors a month, mainly from the UK and Ireland as well as the US, and was set up by professional cyclists.

Alicante’s Regional Secretary for Tourism, Francesc Colomer, said that

By Matthew Richards

JUKKA Vastaranta from Finland was the winner as 550 cyclists too part in La Nucia’s 18th annual mountain bike race. Cycling clubs and individuals from all over the Valencian Community and Spain took part in the event last weekend, as well as a number of foreign riders such as the Finnish victor, a the region is “a spectacular space for lovers of mountain biking with an all year round climate suitable for the activity.” There are ten BTT

Take to the slopes THE Youth Department in Callosa d’en Sarria is organising two skiing trips for the first quarter of next year, the peak period for the sport in Spain. The first trip will be to Granada’s

Flying Finn

Sierra Nevada Mountains from 16 to 18 February. This is priced at €225 and includes a half board hotel, transport, ski pass and insurance.

The second trip is on 4 to

mountain biking centres in the province, all of which will help to appeal to the key British and Irish tourist sector.

8 March and is to Andorra at a cost of €395. As well as ski passes and insurance this covers transportation and full board hotel accommodation. For more information go to the Municipal Sports stadium or telephone 965 881 867/638 925 718.

professional rider.

Mountain bike world champion Manuel Sanchez Aldeguer also took part in the race which was organised by the Valencian Cycling Community and the La Nucia Cycling Club. World champion Aldeguer could only manage fourteenth place, and admitted he was not in peak condition after a three week lay-off.

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Sport

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Benitachell Bowls Club strikes gold

By Jack Troughton

From Back Page..

“They are here for four days and using our facilities for training sessions but also facing opposition from three clubs; the crème de la crème of

the Marina Alta.”

Trevor said one of the club members lived in Northern Ireland and knew one of the national team’s managers. “He said ‘why not come here’ and everything was set up.”

And he said: “We have a really fast carpet and they wanted the practice in similar conditions to

Australia.”

BBC president Yvonne Brown added boys were playing boys and girls were against girls in the two days of competition.

“They are deciding about their players for the games and the players are obviously out to win and show their best.

“It is also so good for us; we have obviously had members playing for Spain but they have all played teams from all over the world – we hope we can give them a real game.”

BBC won praise for its “exceptional facilities” and a green that would play at a similar speed to the Commonwealth Games surfaces.

Managers Neil Booth and Tommy Smith said: “This a brilliant club and has been fantastic in helping us out… we only wish we had known about Benitachell many years ago.”

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

Local Sport

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Play Goes Ahead Despite Rain Threat

Our original start sheet showed in excess of 24 members to play at this venue. Alas on Tuesday evening they were all calling to ask if we had cancelled it due to the heavy rain that had been forecast.

The Secretary insisted that the competition would go ahead and that the forecast was not always correct!

The 11 members that did actually turn up to play were rewarded with a course that was in great condition with ONLY our 11 members on it and yes, you’ve guessed it we had almost no rain!

The buggies were confined to the cart paths which did mean a little walking, especially if you were playing on the other side of the fairway, in fact thee course was almost dry and

the buggies could have been used as normal. However this did not dampen our day’s enjoyment and we completed our round in just 4hr. 10 mins. Results: N.T.P.’s Hole 3 D. Sullivan, Hole 6 O. Rong, Hole 8 J. Dean, Hole 12 S. Sonesen, Hole 15 NADA, Hole 17 B. Gillies. Sverre Sonesen and Bill Gillies also made 2’s and shard just €10 for doing so. 3rd Place Kenny “Isaac” Hunter 31 pts. 2nd Place Bill Gillies 32 pts.

1st Sverre Sonesen 32 points but on lower handicap. To catch up on all of our Societies activities log on to www.tmgs.org or visit us via Facebook @TMGSGOLF. Call our Secretary on 661 524 101

Javea Green Bowls Club Winter League go from strength to strength Javea Green´s Winter League team continued their winning streak when they welcomed The Emerald Isle Bowls Club on Wednesday.

Anticipation for a good result was high and from the onset Javea stamped their mark on the game. Ahead from the onset on all five rinks they finished with a shot difference of plus 53 and the all important 12-0 scoreline. Javea´s Berleen team were also victorious. Emerald Isle´s Captain was kind enough to say that Javea are the team to beat this year.

This puts Javea in the enviable top of the league spot, 8 points clear of their nearest rivals.

If Javea dominated on the green then Emerald Isle certainly made their mark during the post

match lunch with impromptu singing and joke telling. Javea´s Winter League Captain Clive English commented that ¨This is what the winter league is all about, meeting up with old friends, making new ones and playing good competitive bowls in a great sporting spirit before sharing an enjoyable lunch¨ The next match is away to our nearest club and rival Benitachell.

Javea´s Northern league results were a loss of 2-8 to Onyx against Calpe and a close 6-4 loss for Opal away to BBC Tigers.

Share your news!

Do you have a club or team that you run or take part in and would like the world to read your news and reports?

We would love to hear from you email us now newsdesk@weekender.news

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FRIDAY 1ST DEC 2017

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Wembley wears poppies Rooney Gives Big Sam Dream Start Lewis Hamilton Secures and Grabs 1st Everton Hat Trick 4th World Title >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

PLAYERS running out However, there was a re- tin Glenn called it “a show of tonight (Friday) at Wembley think this year and last month solidarity and unity”; all four for the England and Germa- the rulebook was changed. home nations said they would home nations for job permission wear ny friendly will last wear black but David to Unsworth At long Everton have The a not to have beenwere reeledgiven in. That asksmall has mercifully off with a manager and at the longiconic last Everton is until Rooney his pophat-trick poppies during signed internationals armbands bearing permission to wearhitthe win star and Allardyce has pedigree have three points. goal impecible fashion fromDutch poppy symbol ahead of heRethe in opposing and staged during Lewis Hamilton says planspy to ifgo Red Bull’steams 20-year-old MaxNovember. inspiration to keep pushing in this regard.

They have Sam Allardyce, briefly of inside his own half.

Everton membrance Day. the competition organiser And DFB president Reinout at the top but is not about to “do the Verstappen -- the winner on Sunday -- it. Same with wins, same breathing space thanks to a night England, reports forcounduty today look alive following agreed.

Grindel underlined the A thing” year ago all the easy like former Mercedes team leading a new consecutive generation.hard with championships.” that coudln’t have gone any who is exand is tasked with maintaining drubbings.

Tonight’s tribute is about poppy armbands were not tries of the home nations mate Nico Rosberg who quit days after McLaren’s double title-holder FerHamilton, better.

Big Sam kept Sunderland confidence in the squad following Allardyce watched this “political propaganda”.

He –winning England, Scotland, Wales the remembrance of members last year’s Formula One world nando Alonso will also potentially be in a pected to agree a contract and“They’re Crystal Palace inrememthe top Tuesday night’s Wayne Rooneyencounter live and inand the flesh about and Northern Ireland – were of the armed forces the at said: championship. extension soon, said the more competitive car. flightthe in kind similar circumstances inspired win against West Ham Goodison Park and said is saidthe to be bering fined by FIFA after internasacrifice they made, of values Hamilton clinched his fourth title in “It’s kind of cool to be in this battle fact that that Vettel had signed but kicked the plight here is all in the United. He knows exactly what charging a premium sum for his were Association (FA) tional governing Mexico football’s with two races to spare onFootball Sun- with three more years with him,” the Briton, who now has to a theforground baffling considering that he’s let himself in for.offEverton services, presumably more than twomore and German Football AssociWorld Wars but are cherbody flagged they were day, becoming the most successful British record 72 pole positions and the second Ferrari, keeping him there this by was football: supposed to be the might well have been two was asking two weeks ago ished side for political ationhe(DFB). driver ofdisplaying all time, buta he reassured reportmost wins (62) after Michael Schumacher untilrespect, 2020, was also a season Everton claimed their Rooney goals clear by half-time FA before Everton’s board came tolerance, symbol. chief executive Marand humanity.” ers that he was far from done. source of motivation.

(91), said of his new arch-rival Vettel. place among the top teams of the but they were pinned back and crawling back.

“Four is a great number. But I want “He got 50 poles yesterday (Saturday) “I’m like:‘Ferrari are can count themselves fortunate Turning Everton around is no division. number five now,” declared the 32-year- and I’m like ‘Hmm, I don’t want to give not going to like me for the make it as hard as it can possibly be for old, who also races with the number 44 him any more poles because he gets clos- next couple of years’,” he said. them to win championships. I really am on his car. er to me’. So I’ve got to keep on, act as “But it’s OK because we are going to looking forward to that battle with them.” ”I want to go out at the top ... I could do the easy thing, like obviously Nico did, which is just stop and retreat with these four titles. But I think there’s more in me.

Rafael Nadal “I think there’s more to come, more of This year’s Grand expects to be fit England cricketer a challenge.

There’sfor harder times ahead Group A Group E Slam will be held the ATP Finals but Benthat, Stokes will play for challengMICHAEL from VAN GERWEN will Gerwen The nightWright also features and I like I love that.

That’s Michael van (1) openingPeter (2) Novemberbegin 11-19 will of the will see hisbeknee Canterbury his and defence Steve Beaton taking Irish debutant Rob William Cross Alanon Norris ing and ithow would soprovince boring without it.”

Joe Murnan CoreyJames CadbyWilson’s feature a Hill record prize fund reacts practice in to New Zealand’s World Darts Championship title William O’Connor, Rosberg announced last December, Ross Montgomery Glen Durrant domestic on the opening night of this year’s meeting with Polish ace Krzysztof of £450,000, with 24 PDC sessions before days after securing hisone-day first title, that he competition starting tournament Thursday December Ratajski and Gerwyn Price up players joined by eightonBDO deciding whether was retiring after a he career spent battling Group B Group F on in Sunday, 14. against youngster Ted Evetts, who representatives. can play London. despite Hamilton.

Raymond van Barneveld (8) Dave Chisnall (7) being barred fromman, made Reigning World Champion Van won Monday’s PDPA Qualifier.

The 32 players are initially The 16-time The German, a family Gerwyn Price Stephen Bunting play as he will take on fellow Dutchman Legendary Jeffrey 16-time World split into eight with grand slam Steve Lennon de Zwaan clear international he hadchampion been drained by the 2016 clashGerwen at thegroups, Obolon Arena.

Joe Gomez, Ruben Loftuswaits learn Christian Kist each in thefor first round of Champion Phil Taylor will begin his Jamie Hughes Scott Mitchell the top two players from pulled outand oftothe Paris campaign was not whether prepared to expend The goalkeepers the Cheek and Tammy Abraham have he ahead will be of charged overand mental the million tournament, grouptrip (following the roundMasters the same amount ofhis physical are £1.8 Norwich City’s Angus which final World Championship challenge been named in Gareth Southgate’s Group C Group G 15 against in aa title nightclub is being held at London’s Alexandra on Friday December robin Dunn, phase) progressing to quarter-final against energyhis to part defend that had been so England senior squad for the first Shrewsbury’s loanee Phil Taylor (5) from December 1. Chris Dobey. Mensur Suljovic (6) the knockout stages.

Filip Krajinovic last I am able to be 100 per cent to hard toassault win. in September. time. fromPalace Manchester United14-January Dean Wade James Michael Smith The William seed Van week dueCanterbury to who injury, putting his intercompete. The Hamilton, is Cricket developing Henderson, andGerwen, Newcastle United respective Liverpool, Top Robbie Green James Wilson confirmed on Thursday Hill World Darts who has claimed the title participation at the O2 Arena in “If nothing happens, then I ests outside of the sport in music, film Crystal Palace and Swansea ‘keeper Freddie Woodman. Peter Machin Mark McGeeney that it had approved asked the prosecution service for Championship will be consecutively in 2015 and doubt. will play.

I visited my doctors and fashion, said he too had considered The defenders selected are players, the latter two both on loan Stokes’ selection for Nadal the Canterbury ”charging advice” after concluding held Group from H December 14 Group D 2016, will begin his quest World number one after the Paris Masters – it was a a change of scene but that was still some right-back Trent from Chelsea, were not named Liverpool team are which will play Otago in a daytheir investigation the assault to January 1 at London’s Gary Anderson (3) for a hat-trick of Grand Slam said there no guarantees he tough me having to into pull way down the road. in for Aidy Boothroyd’s U21 squad Alexander-Arnold, LeicesterDaryl left-Gurney (4) Darren Webster Simon Whitlock match at Rangiora, near Christchurch. in which a 27-year-old man suffered Alexandra Palace, and titles back in Group alongside Everton’s will“Ifeature in the to season-ending Pulling out of will continue race while I love out it, of Paris. to face Ukraine in any a European Ben A Chilwell, Mark Webster Berry van Peer live His selection has also been approved a fractured eye socket.

The incident will be broadcast Rob Cross, Murnan and event, but is hopeful he than canever,” tournament in the world is tough, I’ve enjoyed it this year more Jonjoe Joe Kenny, Tottenham’s Kyle Noppert Qualifier.

Danny Cameron MenziesSky by the England Cricket Board, New occurred while Stokes and England on the dedicated Ross Walker-Peters, Montgomery. will be attempt of Parisconfirmed he said. to win the tournament but pulling out Theof the FAcitylater Hull’s loanee impressive Keiran Dowell, Aston Villa’s Zealand Cricket and the New Zealand teammate Alex Hales were celebrating Sports Darts channel; joinedfrom in Group A by Fikayo fellow Tomori, for the first time. is especially me. the trio had ”I do think about how it would be so Chelsea on tough Twitterfor that loanee from Tottenham Josh Onomah Cricket Players’ Association.

England’s win over the West Indies in The quarter-finals will be European Championship finalist Rob and runner-up Wade, PDC Maitlandqualifier “Hopefully thejust knee is good,” how it is.

I went nice at some stage to live in one place, “That’s Nottingham Forest’s Joseph received their firstback senior callArsenal James youngster Ainsley The decision to select the 26-year- a one-day international. held on Friday December Cross,Worrall Bolton’s and Joe Murnan and BDO Niles.

Robbie Green and World Trophy winner the seed told Sky Sports. home and visited the doctors to a lottop more socializing, walking your dogs ups instead.

Boothroyd has Middlesbrough’s old New Zealand-born allrounder Stokes hasn’t played for England 29, with the semi-finals stalwart Ross Montgomery.

Peter Machin.

“I’ve done I’ve do some treatment.

I expect Jake the Clarkeevery coincides day or surfieverything ng. in Chelsea’s Up-front he on will Saturday select from Everton with news that police in drafted since. The England and Wales Cricket Dael Fry, as well as Clarke-Salter December Six-time champion Phil Taylor will duo Two-time World Champion Gary needed tothen do I’m in order to get ready treatment to work and be ready “But thinking, there’s a lot of and Tuanzebe.

Salter, Manchester United’s Axel Ademola Lookman Dominic CalvertEngland have passed details of their Board placed him under suspension 30 ahead of the final on be appearing in this tournament for the Anderson lines up in Group H alongside for for here.

I know I’m confident lifeLondon. to investigation live beyond 40.

There’s a lot to go.”

In midfield, Boothroyd will Tuanzebe and Norwich’s James Lewin, Leicester’s Demarai Gray, into the Sept. 25 assault but the ban applies only to England Monday January 1.. final time aheadfrom of his retirement at the New WorldYorkGrand Prix finalist Simon ”Now it’s athe moment to four wait because Maddison I’m having a raised great Next season will see two choose Bournemouth’s inittheir steadsnoand all City player Jack outside Bristol nightclub totimes Britain’s matches and has objection See the fullHarrison, fixture end of the year, and ‘The Power’ has been Whitlock and debutant duo Berry van and practice at the O2 over the season with one event to go.

I am world Crown champions, Hamilton and Ferrari’s will playing travel with theZealand team toand Lewis Cook, Everton’s Tom Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke Prosecution Service.

The Avon three to Stokes in New list and order of playand at drawn in Group C alongside two-time Peer and Cameron Menzies. next couple of days.

Let’s see if here to try my best.”

Sebastian dueling on said track they with had Kiev Thursday ahead Maddison. and Vettel, Somerset police for theon province in which he of wasthe born. Davies, Nottingham Forests’s www.pdc.tv/news

Grand Slam of NADAL to test Ben Stokes to return to William Hill World Darts knee group phase cricketinin London New ZealandDarts Championship Schedule

Trio get first England call-ups

Read Online

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SPORT Week Saturday 2nd December 13:00 Barcelona v Celta Vigo La Liga 13:30 Chelsea v Newcastle EPL 16:00 Stoke City v Swansea EPL 16:00 Brighton v Liverpool EPL 16:00 Watford v Tottenham EPL 16:00 Everton v Huddersfield EPL 16:00 West Brom v Crystal Palace EPL 16:00 Leicester v Burnley EPL 18:00 Arsenal v Man Utd EPL 16:15 Athletico Madrid v Real Sociadad La Liga 20.45 Athletico Bilbao Real Madrid La Liga

Sunday 3rd December 14:30 Bournemouth v Southampton EPL 17:00 Man City v West Ham EPL 20.45 Getafe v Valencia La Liga

Tuesday 5th December 21:00 Man Utd v CSKA Moscow 21:00 Chelsea v Athletico Madrid 21:00 Roma v Qarabag FK 21:00 Celtic v Anderlect 21:00 Bayern Munich v PSG 21:00 Celtic v Anderlect 21:00 Barcelona v Sporting 21:00 Olympiacos v Sporting Lisbon 21:00 Shakhtar Donetsk v Man City 21:00 Liverpool v Spartak Moskva 21:00 Totenham v Apoel Nicosia 21:00 Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund

RUGBY UNION SATURDAY 2nd December

Wales v South Africa 15:30

World Darts Championship Quarter-finals Friday December 29 Semi-finals on Saturday December 30 Final on Monday January 1..

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FRIDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2017

Your Weekend Starts Here!

Weekender Sport port S

Benitachell Bowls Club Challenge The N.Ireland Commenwealth Team

By Jack Troughton

I N T E R N AT I O N A L bowls came to the Costa Blanca this week with sportsmen and women from Northern Ireland testing their skills on the green ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games down under.

Benitachell Bowls Club hosted a four-day visit by the eight-strong men’s and women’s squads of the Northern Irish National Bowls.

The showing will result in a difficult cut; the squads will be now trimmed down

to two teams of five ahead of the Games in Brisbane on Australia’s Gold Coast.

There were two training days at Benitachell and two days when the visitors took on players from the club and others from Javea Green and El Cid.

BBC club captain Trevor Evans told The Weekender: “There is eight men and eight women in each squad. The object of the exercise is to choose five from each squad of eight.

Continued Page 42...