The star letter each week receives a 10€ voucher to spend in the Post Room. To claim your prize, call to the Post Room (address above) with identification.

Letter of the week:

Dear Sirs
Can I through your newspaper take this opportunity to thank Jenni at Casa Pedrera for such a great day on Sunday at the Lake Challenge.
Along with my partner John and my sister in law June we did the 20k walk around the lake, it really was perfect weather for the walk and although it was not a race for us we were pleased that we completed the walk in good time. Everything was well organised with clearly written instructions and markers along the route. It was great to see children doing the walk too and families walking together. At the end of the walk we were guided in by the smell of the BBQ and then there was a raffle.
May I also say Thank You to all my friends who sponsored me helping to raise money for deserving causes.
Well Done Jenni and helpers for organising a great day and I hope there will be many more to come.
Heather Meston

Dear Editor
I take issue with Mathew Elliot of the taxpayers Alliance in which he states we (meaning the UK government) should start with winter fuel allowances to ex pats living in Portugal and Spain amongst other countries. He indicated that these payments are an unnecessary luxury that the country could not afford. I got the impression he lives in cloud cuckoo land if he thinks that it does not snow or get cold in the countries he indicated. People like me and many others have paid into the system , me personally for forty five years which is probably longer than his present age. If he wants to pick something out then he needs to go closer to home where there are thousands of illegals claiming benefits, housing allowances, etc who have never paid a penny into the system. Also a corrupt government who have shamed our political system like no other party before and still have the gall to think the people of Britain should vote them in again. Mr Elliot get a life you obviously cannot see the forest for the trees.
Richard
Los Montesinos

I retired to Spain
3 years ago, I have no health insurance here, thanks to the agreement between the Spanish government and the UK. I paid into the UK system for 44 years, never ever claimed anything from the state system in terms of welfare, social, or unemployment, do not get anything other than the winter fuel allowance.
I am 64 years old, No state pension yet either. The UK does not supply me with health, spec's, teeth, free bus pass or anything else however, if I had been an eastern European, or for that matter from anywhere else in the world, the UK is a great place to be Mr Elliot you may wish to become something of a political animal, so you can milk the system in some legitimate way, but first talk to your father and mother about your grand parents and how they made it in the United Kingdom. When the Brits have left, bet you’re not the one still there to turn the lights off. You should applaud us ex pats because we are not the drain on the system, I have read about the MP's expenses etc.
Have a good life, but leave us alone, we only left because you lot could not organise a P--- up in a brewery.
Colin Capper
Ex Pat with Espana residencia.

Does Mr. Elliott recall
that Mrs Thatcher attacked the State pension 20 years ago by re-basing it on prices instead of wages?
If the pension had been left alone there would be no need for the gimmicks of WFA and the £10 Christmas Bonus. Then Brown comes along and attacks private pensions with a £5 billion p.a tax.
If the allowances were put into the pension most of us would pay tax on it and the government would save the admin. costs.
I have paid tax all my working life and I still pay U.K. tax and Spanish tax.
Means Testing is divisive - some people will be just the wrong side of the line.
Sincerely,
Mike Stretton

On 20th March
2010 a team from .INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL RESCUE. will be visiting Orihuela Costa to trap and sterilise feral cats in that and surrounding areas. They will be here for one week and the purpose is to reduce the numbers of feral cats and to offer a healthier lifestyle for the current cats. If you have feral cats which require sterilising please telephone .ASSOCIACION STREET CATS. on 661 077589 in order that your details may be entered onto the list being prepared.
J. Harrower
.Assoc. Street Cats.
Registered Charity.