NOISY protesters marched through shocked holidaymakers sunbathing on a busy beach yesterday in the latest in a series of anti-tourism rallies.
Flag-waving local residents beat drums and blew whistles as they wandered along the shoreline in Playa de las Americas in Tenerife.
One carried a poster which read: “Tourists, go f***ing” home.”
Another poster stated: “The Canaries have a limit. More trees, less hotels.”
The 2,000-strong group had diverted from a planned march route after gathering in a nearby shopping centre.
The protest was among six coordinated to begin at midday, each on a different Canary island.
Another was at Maspalomas — a popular resort with Brits on Gran Canaria.
Several thousand people there demonstrated over problems campaigners blame on mass tourism, such as a lack of affordable housing and environmental damage.
Some walked behind a banner which read: “We’re foreigners in our own land.”
One man was arrested after marchers shouted at police.
Further protests were held in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma and El Hierro.
THERE may be precious few reasons to raise a glass when Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils her Budget next week.
But she could lift spirits by pulling out all the stops to give the hospitality trade some help.
After brutal years of Covid, a near-recession and the wholly unnecessary threat of banning smoking outside, pubs and restaurants in the UK are already on the brink of bankruptcy.
But they now face another collective £1billion hit.
Failing to extend their 75 per cent business rate discount — due to end in April — would be a fatal mistake by the Chancellor.
It would decimate already-fragile takings and put thousands of jobs at risk.
Ms Reeves would do well to maintain that protection and by doing so throw a lifeline to an industry vital to so many in our depressed communities.
It could also give her something she so desperately needs — some economic growth.
LAST week another 979 migrants arrived illegally in Britain on 16 new boats.
They will join the big-city-sized group of asylum-seekers now being housed in hotels at a cost of £4million per day before most are inevitably allowed to live here permanently.
Among those trying to cross this weekend was a baby boy who drowned after falling overboard as his dinghy sank.
“He slipped out of my hands,” says his shattered father.
Families desperate to get to Britain are still prepared to ignore the obvious dangers.
Which is why these journeys must be stopped before boats even leave the beaches.
In Belgium police are doing just that.
Only one boat has arrived in Britain from there this year.
In neighbouring France — handed £500million by Britain to tackle the problem — cops stand and watch as the migrants gamble with their lives.
What are we paying them for?
IT is scarcely believable that a man with such superhuman strength and fitness as Sir Chris Hoy should be struck by terminal cancer.
Sir Chris conquered all his rivals in the Olympic velodrome.
It must have been a crushing blow to this born winner to be told he can never beat his illness.
Yet his courage — and that of his wife Sarra, now diagnosed with MS — remains undimmed.
We salute his bravery as he now no doubt proves a huge inspiration to all those affected by this cruel disease.
A MAN who bought a crumbling house has transformed the ruin into a retirement fortune worth millions.
Richard Morris and his wife, Joy, got their hands on the Newton Court Farm in Monmouth after finding retirement too boring and struck gold with their decision.
The 72-year-old told WalesOnline how he built Ancre Hill estate piece-by-piece with the winery now consisting of three vineyards totalling 22 acres.
Richard has now made the decision to put the site, which produces around 30,000 bottles a year, up for sale for a whopping £3.4 million.
Originally looking to retire in his 40s, Richard sold his transport and logistics company to travel with his wife and visit as many vineyards as they possible could.
However, the retiree “soon got bored” and “felt it was too early to call it a day” and so bought a seven-bed house surrounded by vacant fields.
He even returned to school, achieving a diploma in viticulture from Plumpton College, Brighton, to learn about the technical processes of vineyards.
Richard said: “It’s been fantastic. Instead of being stuck behind a desk all day or sitting in a car all day, I’m out in the fresh air in the vineyard or I’m in the winery but I can’t go on forever.”
Being one of the most sustainable wineries in the world, the structure was originally made from straw and rendered lime mortar.
The first vines were planted back in 2006 and since then Richard and his wife have developed the site to what it is now.
Describing the original farm house as “basically falling down” the money the couple have spent to renovate has clearly paid off in the long run.
Their venture in producing wine has developed beyond a retirement hobby with the pair establishing sales in Michelin star restaurants and others across the globe.
Richard even found a South African winemaker, Jean Du Plessis, to oversee the incredible feat ensuring the smooth-running of the wine produce.
Despite the challenging weather that the UK climate can bring, Richard continued to explain how much he enjoys the process.
Beyond the environment, Richard has other factors that are out of his control including the steep levy which UK wine is subject to.
From February 1, the number of tax bands for wine is expected to increase from one to 30 and Richard claims that supermarkets have been frustrated with the move to hike up taxes on the products.
Despite the few negatives, he still works three days a week across the different vineyards which have pinot noir, chardonnay, albarino and other hybrid varieties planted.
With the wine being particularly popular amongst young people, the business has been exported to Canada, Singapore and Hong Kong.
They now hope to find further buyers elsewhere, including Scandinavia.
