Torrevieja weather for Saturday 7 July 2018

Water reservoirs in the Valencian Community are at the some of the lowest levels in the whole of Spain with its reservoirs at 30% and 34% of its capacity in the Segura and Júcar basins respectively, according to the latest data from embalses.net. Meanwhile, in the rest of the Iberian Peninsula there are places where …

In the winter of 1878, on March the 2nd t be precise, Alicante city saw the hottest temperature ever recorded for the season, with thermometers registering 31 degrees. According to the state meteorological office, AEMET, today, the 10th of March, 2017, at 12:50, temperatures peaked at 32.5 degrees, thus making today the hottest winter day

The Ministry of Health has launched a meteorological monitoring system for the summer to help prevent and treat health problems as a result of extreme temperatures. The campaign, named “Ola de Calor 2015”, will operate throughout the coun...

The AP-7 motorway in the Barcelona area of Olèrdola was closed to traffic on Wednesday, as fire fighters tackled a blaze on a truck that was travelling on the road. Emergency services were forced to stop traffic in both directions at 13:45 whil...

Here on the Costa's golf is one of the biggest leisure time activities for both tourists and resident alike and with this in mind we have secured the services of Mike Probert of Costa Blanca Green Fee Services to provide a weekly round up of local golf...

I am after some more on-line news coverage and twitter support – for Warrington lads – Woolston Bike Riders -my brother Martin Finnegan and his friends Mick Skerrett, Wayne Buckles, Stuart Hardman and Terry Reid and Mascot Dave. who over ...

I had dinner with George again last week. As regular readers will probably remember, George is an elderly friend of ours, whom we have known for many years. I sometimes wonder why I bother with George, since he spends most of his time complaining. Ge...

Following a 13-fold rise in the number of expats claiming the Winter Fuel benefit in the last decade it is not really surprising that the government is looking at the figures with a view to reducing or even discontinuing the benefit for those living overseas, and if any scrutiny were carried out in an evenhanded way I am sure that many of us would welcome its conclusions.

Unfortunately, rather than fulfil such a study the Chancellor has simply announced ‘a crackdown' which those rather more cynical members of the expat society feel is simply a case of winning a few votes prior to the UK elections, rather than any real attempts at making monetary savings.

This crackdown would disqualify an estimated 120,000 people and, according to Osborne, save £30million a year after 2015/16, when it is expected to come into force.

There are other figures in circulation that suggest that the numbers could well be much, much lower. The latest information for Spain shows 33,815 pensioners living here receive the payment, worth £200 for the over-60s and £300 for those over the age of 80. This costs taxpayers £5.8million a year.

Unfortunately the perception is, with temperatures in Spain often reaching the low 60's in December and January, the allowance is not required.

What the Chancellor hasn't considered is the regularity with which night time temperatures fall to freezing or below and the relatively poor insulation suffered by us in the majority of Spanish properties - NO GOVERNMENT GRANTS FOR INSULATING YOUR DWELLING OVER HERE FOLKS!

The fact that many Spanish residents are also paying UK taxes is perhaps another detail that has been conveniently ignored by Mr Osborne.

Also worth noting for Spain is that the Canary Isles and the 2 North African enclaves are included in the "average winter test" whilst the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the Indian Ocean islands of Réunion and Mayotte and French Guiana in South America were added to average temperatures in mainland France.

We should also be aware of the proven meteorological figures that in Chingford Essex, the constituency of the current Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, residents enjoy a warmer climate than parts of both France and Spain, which many expats will confirm, especially in the winter months, that temperatures can drop to -20°C, resulting in high energy and fuel costs on top of the increases in fuel costs levied by the major energy providers.

Well at this stage not all has yet been lost because there is currently an E-Petition in existence, which has already attracted over 13,000 signatures, which really could make a difference and which is desperately waiting for you to sign. But you only have until 31st March to get signed-up and neither do you have to live abroad to sign it!

The threshold that we need to reach if we are to ensure that the matter is considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee is 100 000 signatures.

The contact details are:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/73368/signature/new

If you don't have access to the internet then I suggest you find someone who does.

The important thing is that your name is entered onto that petition……NOW!

In recent developments British MP Roger Gale has tabled a motion in the House of Commons asking for the ‘statutory instrument' (SI) axing the payments to be anulled. It is now vital this obtains support from other MPs.

Sir Roger said: “People must now contact their own MPs [in the case of expats, MPs for the last UK constituency where you were registered to vote] explaining why they have an interest. Tell them: ‘I am going to lose my WFP, which matters to me; this is unfair because...' and please therefore will they sign EDM 695 which is a prayer against the statutory instrument.'

You can find your MP's details here:
www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

Readers should also ask their MP to be kind enough to confirm that they have done this.

If you have an opinion on the matter that you would like to share with Leader Readers email a letter to office@theleader.info and we will publish on the Letters Page next week.

According to the Spanish association of pest controllers, ANECPLA, one visitor to our homes will become more frequent for the next few years, unless proper precautions are taken. President of the association, Milagros Fernández de Lezeta, warn...

The chills were felt this week as temperatures dropped to levels not seen since February. As autumn is well and truly taking us towards the winter months, Tuesday saw temperature peak at just 14.8 degrees in Alicante, the coldest since the 12th of F...

FAMILY BENEFITS

Barcelona´s El Prat airport now has a special filter lane through security for passengers travelling with young children, with the aim of reducing waiting times for families. According to the airport operator Aena, the new filter is located in terminal 1, on the left hand side of the usual security checks. The fast-track route was already available for those with mobility problems, but this additional allowance is hoped to reduce the stress for others waiting to board their flights.

COLOUR ME BAD

Whilst the summer drought has caused problems for countless crops across Spain, the unusually high temperatures of October are delaying citrus fruit from colouring in areas such as Cordoba, Seville and Huelva. As temperatures reached 35 degrees, rains have been scarce, apart from a few sudden downpours. Initial assessments reveal fruit with higher calibres than usual, which consequently results in a lower yield, although the quality is good, with a good level of sugar and juice.

PRINCESS CHARGED

The courts of Palma de Mallorca have dropped Money laundering charges against Spain´s Princess Cristina, but the royal will face charges for tax fraud in connection with one of the most famous cases currently moving through the judicial system, the “Caso Nóos”. The allegations are that the Princess defrauded the tax office in connection with a company she owns with her husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, of a sum of 337,138 euro in personal income tax for the years 2007 and 2008.

JAPAN STYLE

Spanish high street fashion store Stradivarius, aimed at the young female clientele, has opened its biggest store to date, in Osaka, Japan. As part of the Inditex group, the store marks the latest in a portfolio of 6,460 global stores for Inditex, 1,839 of which are in Spain, and covers 720 square metres of retail space over 2 floors.

OLD PATROL

During a routine patrol in September, a team from the Guardia Civil´s environmental division, SEPRONA, stumbled on an unusual looking and very shiny rock on a hillside in Ciudad Real. Recognising the uniqueness of the stone, the officers called in archaeologists who now confirm that they had stumbled on something known as the “Estelas de Guerrero”, which dates back to the Bronze Age, dated between 1150 and 850 BC. The officers were involved in the removal of the stone which was taken to the Ciudad Real museum this week for further analysis.

RICH BANKERS

Banco Santander, one of Europe´s largest banks, reported a 52% increase in their third-quarter profit this week, with an increase of 1.61 billion euro, up from 1.06 billion for the same time last year.

MADRID INVADED

The Spanish capital came to a standstill on Sunday as a massive flock of sheep were herded past Madrid's major landmarks including the Puerta del Sol and the Bank of Spain headquarters, causing many of the city's main roads to be closed and traffic to come to a standstill. Shepherds said thatthey hoped to raise awareness for the protection of ancient grazing and migration rites that are becoming increasingly threatened by urban settlements, railways and roads and modern farming techniques.

BULL RELEASE

Spanish bullfighter, José Ortega Cano, who was eventually incarcerated after avoiding serving the two and a half year prison sentence for a year, despite being found guilty of being drunk when he drove his car into 48 year old Carlos Parra in 2011, subsequently killing him on the spot, has been released from prison this week and transferred to a hospital, amid fears that he showed signs of suffering from pneumonia.

WE CAN MAKE IT

Manufacturing output in Spain is at a 4-month high, according to the latest data released by Markit's purchasing managers' index (PMI). The index was 52.6 in October, the same as September, higher than the 52.3 forecast, with any figure over 50 showing growth.

BET YOU CAN

Internet gaming in Spain has opened up to operators once again, after new legislation on behalf of the regulator the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) and the Ministry of the Treasury we published, which also enables existing operators to submit applications to add slots and exchange betting to their offerings. The licence tender process will close in December.

ORANGE BENIDORM

Mobile phone operator Orange has launched the advanced 4G telecom network in Benidorm, after a 2 million euro investment packages was spent on its mobile transmission network. Orange customers will now be able to access higher data connections throughout the centre of Benidorm, as well as the Terra Mitica and Terra Natura theme parks. Orange has confirmed that it remains on course to cover two thirds of the Spanish population with its 4G network by the end of the year.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

A party formed in January has become Spain's main political force one year before national elections, an opinion poll showed, shaking up a two-party system that has dominated since the country's return to democracy in the 1970s. Podemos ("We Can") has ridden anti-establishment sentiment for months by fielding young candidates new to politics and tapping into the "Indignados" movement calling for a new political model. The poll showed Podemos winning 27.7 percent of the vote if it was held today, just ahead of the Socialists with 26.2 percent and with the PP trailing a distant third with 20.7 percent.

DEAD LINE

Valencia is leading the way in using new technology, especially in an area so far untouched, those who are no longer with us. It is now possible to have your funeral streamed live on-line, with those mourners unable to attend in person able to watch the chapel and crematorium via a secure internet link. The system is

WATER PARTNERSHIP

The Spanish Ambassador to India, Gustavo De Aristegui, has called on Punjab Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, to develop a partnership on key areas of strategic development in the areas of water treatment and renewable energy. Sukhbir Singh Badal is expected to lead a delegation to Barcelona later this month in order for them to attend the Smart City Expo 2014.

EURO FOOD FUNDING

Spain is to receive a grant from the European Union in order to improve the competiveness of the agriculture and food sector, by developing measures such as restructuring of farms. The 8,290 million euro funding aims to “establish the strategy for the optimal use of the Structural Funds and the European Investment in the country”. There will also be extra funding for financing territorial cooperation, youth employment, rural development and the fisheries and maritime sectors, all aimed at boosting the production within the agriculture sector.

ART EXHIBITION

An exhibition of paintings by the ladies of the Campoverde La Amistad Association (a social and cultural international association) will be held in the Casa Cultura in Pilar de la Horadada from 7th to 28th November, inauguration of the display will be at 7pm on 7th November. The Casa Cultura is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 2pm and 4pm to 9pm and entrance is free. These ladies, some starting to paint for the first time have produced a really interesting display of their work. The Casa Cultura also houses a museum that focuses on local life from Roman times up to the present day and is located on the corner of C. Bailen and C. La Isla.

PILAR GETS MOBILE

Pilar's Local police added two new cars and two motorcycles to its fleet last week. The presentation of was made by the mayor, Fidel Ros, and the councillor of Public Safety, Lancharro Francisco, with a symbolic handover to the chief inspector, Jose Antonio Hernandez. The new vehicles will be used to improve surveillance in rural areas. However, whilst the 2 bikes are additional to the transport fleet the new cars will simply replace lease vehicles.