The Almeria Focus – April 2023

The Almería Focus

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Eastertime Once Again

Recently, several matters relating to the UK are having an effect on some Brits living in Spain. After a lot of false starts, major confusion and fines, the vast majority of Brits living in Spain with a UK driving licence can exchange them for a Spanish one, within the six-month period from March 16th. There is a reciprocal agreement for Spaniards resident in the UK. Within this six-month period, prior to requesting a Spanish licence, people with a valid UK licence can continue to use it without any fine being issued by Spanish police if they are stopped. Spanish driving licences last for 10 years, or for five years if over the age of 65. Applicants will be given a document that is valid for three months justifying that a Spanish licence is being prepared. The ‘DGT’ (Spanish Traffic Authority) state that the new licence will be posted to your address about 45 days after the application has been processed.

Passport staff in the UK intend to go on strike from April 3rd-May 5th, designed to cause major disruption. If a UK passport is due for renewal within this period, this may well cause problems in early summer. People who have plenty of time before a renewal is due are asked to wait.

The Channel 4 programme “A Place in the Sun” has been very popular, and a tool for estate agents in Spain to highlight their properties. With no warning, it was not shown on Thursday, March 9th, nor Friday, March 10th. Instead, the Crufts dog show was shown live. Following on from Monday, March 13th, it was replaced by “Tool Club”, a programme with 15 episodes to help people improve their DIY capabilities. Fans of “A Place in the Sun” needn’t worry though because future episodes are being filmed.

Stock exchanges and European banks, including major ones in Spain, saw shares drop in value by up to 13% after the collapse of the US ‘Silicon Valley’ bank and the bailout of ‘Credit Suisse’. Cristine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, stressed that there was no problem in the EU, and intervention and funding were in place in the remote likelihood of any action being needed.

The Junta de Andalucía Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Arturo Bernal, has confirmed that Mojácar is being awarded the status of ‘Tourist Municipality of Andalucía’. There are various requirements, based on population, the number of tourists in a given period compared to residents, and overnight stays. The award entitles Mojácar to receive special grants to expand the quality of tourism with the funding intended to improve municipal services in public places. In 2022, Níjar received the same award and funding totalling 185,000 euros. In our “In the News” section we comment on Garrucha becoming a city and the expansion of their promenade. We similarly feature plans in Bédar to open one of their iron ore mines to tourists.

The Spring and Summer season for tourists started on March 26th, and Almería airport expects 5,100 airline arrivals and departures with potentially 720,000 passengers up to the last week in October. 303,000 are tourists from outside Spain, principally from the UK (226,000), Belgium (47,000) and Holland (28,000). Flights will come from 22 destinations in Spain and abroad, and it is hoped that 80% of 2019 numbers will be achieved.

Thursday in Holy Week that this year is on April 6th, and Good Friday on April 7th, are fiesta days in Andalucía when town halls, official offices and many businesses will be shut. Monday, May 1st (day of the worker) is a national fiesta.

In the News

Inflation In Spain

During March the inflation in Spain went down to 6%, but only 5.9% in Almería province. Towards the end of March, UK inflation figures for February had risen to 10.4%. In Spain the price of many foods were still at a high level. At the end of February, they had gone up by 16.6% compared to February last year and were higher than the 15.4% in January. This was the highest rise since 1994. The government have scrapped or reduced IVA (VAT) on a number of items, but there are calls for this to be extended to fish and meat. The major rises in cost are sugar (52.6%), butter (39.1%), sauces and condiments (33.8%), olive oil (33.5%) and whole milk (33.2%). This is partly because of bad weather in some parts of Spain and other countries, and rising costs for growers of electricity, fuel, seeds and fertilisers. Economic experts and the Spanish Agriculture Minister, Luis Planas, claim that the prices are peaking and will start to come down. Some items have come down slightly including eggs (minus 0.8%), cereals and flour (minus 2.7%), and yogurt (minus 0.9%). Figures for food prices in other European countries are similar or worse. In Germany, food went up by 21.8% in February, up from 20.2% in January, but experts there also think that prices have peaked. Inflation is affected by wage increases and a 17% wage increase, over four years, was negotiated by the main unions for large companies such as Ikea, El Corte Inglés, Carrefour or Eroski among others. This benefits around 260,000 employees, and sets a minimum wage of almost 18,000 euros gross per year for 2026 (in 2022 it was 15,029 euros). The inflation target in the Eurozone is 2%, but it seems likely that this will not be achieved in general until 2026 at the earliest. Spanish companies are optimistic and are expecting an increase in trade during this year. The number of new businesses, including the selfemployed, went up by 15% in February which also shows a healthy expansion and an air of confidence.

Refusing An Inheritance

People who are left property and money in a will would seem to be very fortunate. In Andalucía, tax on inheritances or gifts are nil (up to 1 million

euros) for immediate family members. There is some tax for other family members, but a much higher tax for non-related beneficiaries. In Spain, inheritors can go to a notary and refuse to accept the inheritance. In 2022 this applied to 15.6% of inheritors in Spain (55,500) and in Andalucía there was the highest number when 11,100 inheritors out of 54,000, so 21%, did this. There are various reasons and one of them, common in small family businesses, is that debts have to be paid. During the pandemic many businesses obtained loans to keep them afloat, and an unexpected death of the owner may result in too much liability. Another reason is that if a property is left to an heir or heirs that has been in the family for a long time, the cost of capital gains can be too high and beyond their financial resources. Taxes that have to be paid cannot come out of the inheritance, they have to be paid first within 6 months. However, on some occasions the ‘Hacienda’ (Spanish tax department) will allow a property to be sold to release the taxable assets. Otherwise, if heirs inherit a property that is not their family home and receive inheritance tax exemptions, they cannot sell it for three years from the date it was put in their name(s). If a person or persons go to a notary and declare that they are going to refuse the inheritance there are sometimes “grey cases” where the liability and assets are difficult to quantify. In this case the notary will suggest seeking expert financial advice as to the exact amounts of money. Assets that are refused revert to the Spanish state. We have stressed previously that a non-married couple in a stable relationship, where there is property or assets, should register this as a “pareja de hecho” union that gives them the same inheritance tax relief as a married couple. Most town halls keep this register, or it can be done in Almería city. It is extremely important that a UK national living in Spain has a Spanish will to dispose of their Spanish assets as this gives them complete freedom of choice as to the disposal, which does not apply to Spanish nationals nor UK nationals dying intestate.

The “Ciudad” of Garrucha

With a population of just over 10,000 inhabitants,

In the News

Garrucha is now officially a “ciudad”. This will mean that they will receive extra funding, and there are various projects that the council intend to put in place. They have been given a 1.7 million euros EU “Next Generation” grant that will extend the promenade from the castle to the petrol station which is actually on Mojácar municipality land. There will be an area for exhibitions or similar uses, a water feature with jets that people can walk on, a parking area with palm trees, beach bars and a new roundabout to improve access to the petrol station. The work is expected to take 11 months. Some years ago, Mojácar ceded land to Garrucha as the Mojácar boundary was beyond Garrucha school and part way down Calle Mayor.

‘Cosentino’ Expansion Approved

The Junta de Andalucía have approved major expansion plans put forward by ‘Cosentino’, the multi-national company based in Cantoria. They intend to spend 719 million euros over the next ten years at Cantoria, Partaloa and Fines that will give direct employment for 740 people and 1,900 indirect employees including construction company personnel during the building work. Cosentino employs 4,500 people worldwide and 2,000 in our province. The additions to the existing factory and the new installations will cover an area of 268 hectares (just over 1 square mile). Cosentino is intending to became a public company with a share issue put at 2.52.8 million euros and the three brothers who own the company will be majority shareholders.

The Vera ‘AVE’ Station

Between Lorca and Almería city on the ‘AVE’ (High speed train) line project, there is one station that will be built alongside the road from Las Buganvillas to Vera, opposite the petrol station. The Basque company ‘Saitec’ who have a lot of experience in rail and infrastructure projects has been selected, following a competition, and have 18 months to draft the complete design. There is then a 12-month construction time, so even if the contract had been signed during March, the finish date is September 2026. The full completion of the

line from Murcia city to Almería city is supposed to be finished during 2026, and the Spanish government have earmarked money for the AVE from the last tranche of the 79 billion euros EU “Post Pandemic Recovery Fund” for Spain, due during 2026. If the AVE project is not finished, the money cannot come from the EU, or would have to be paid back. When the project has been completed there is then a testing period along the whole line, that in other parts of Spain has taken 18-24 months. ‘ADIF’, the Spanish Rail Authority, claim that the testing period on this stretch will be shorter. Cynics consider that if passengers can get on trains during 2028, they will be very lucky! Alongside the station, which will be called “Vera-Almanzora”, there are plans for a 40,000m2 commercial centre including a rent-a-car facility, cafeteria, garden centre and a large DIY and Home store.

The 0.7% Income Tax Donation

There is no state religion in Spain, but Roman Catholicism has been the predominant one for centuries. The annual ‘Moors & Christians’ event that this year starts on Friday, June 16th, celebrates the date when the Moors in Mojácar surrendered peacefully to the Christian forces from Granada. By the end of June, people in Spain have to submit their income tax returns known as the “Renta” for 2022, and there is a special provision of a donation, that is voluntary, of 0.7% of the tax due. There are two boxes that can be marked with an “X” and one of them donates the 0.7% to the Catholic church. The other box donates the money to major charities, and either box, or both, or neither, can be selected. The donation is paid by the ‘Hacienda’ (The Spanish tax authority) and makes no difference to the amount of tax that is due or any refunds. If neither box is marked with an “X” the Hacienda pay the 0.7% to the Spanish state for a variety of uses that benefit the general population. 244,900 people or small companies completed the 2022 income tax returns in Almería province based on their 2021 tax liability, and 107,000 donated the 0.7% to the Catholic church. In monetary terms this was just over 3 million euros. This was more than in 2020 with an increase

In the News

of 2,150 people or companies donating their 0.7% to the church, but it may have been affected by the new Bishop of Almería revealing that there were very major bank debts that had to be paid.

A New Telephone Number

Up to now, people being contacted by health professionals in our province receive calls or messages from a variety of phone numbers, and sometimes it is not possible to ring the number. The Andalucía Health Department has now standardised this, and all such calls will come from the number 950 800 008. This is partly because some scammers and fraudsters have been exploiting the system knowing that their numbers could not be recognised. They may set up false appointments that give them the time a property will not be occupied or other scams. The individual telephone numbers of health centres can be obtained from the Andalucía Health Department website for people wishing to ring them, and the 24/7 ‘Salud Responde’ number for information and making appointments is still 955 545 060.

No Verdict Yet

The investigation labelled “Caso Poniente” relates to a corruption scandal in El Ejido involving the town hall, a multi-service company, and a number of other companies and individuals. Specialist police made raids in 2007 on the town hall and the multiservice company and executed search warrants on a number of homes and companies of people they considered were involved. The allegation in 2009 was that the multi-service company invoiced the town hall (with the fraudulent approval of various people including the mayor and the municipal auditor) for highly inflated amounts of money that was shared between the town hall bosses and the companies and individuals. The court case in the Almería Provincial Court did not start until 2020 with further delays due to Covid, and 44 people were accused of crimes, over 54 court sessions. The case was heard in the conference centre in Aguadulce, as there was no other building that could accommodate all the accused and their lawyers. At the end of last February, the ruling on

the court case and sentencing had been delayed for 19 months, despite the judge who was writing up the findings being relieved of working on any other cases. The President of the Superior Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA), Lorenzo del Río, visited Almería province on December 13th and held a meeting at the Provincial Court to inquire about the situation. Before his visit he made his position quite clear stating, “A more than reasonable time has passed and the delay does not seem justified, in this period the sentence should have already been issued.” At the end of February, the Provincial Court announced that their ruling and sentencing would be published during March. Following this, it is absolutely certain that appeals will be made to the Supreme Court in Andalucía, and then to the Supreme Court in Madrid.

Dreambeach 2023 New Names

The organisers of the 2023 Dreambeach Festival at Villaricos in August have announced the names of another 20 performers. Headline names include Hedex, I Hate Models, Natos & Waor, Andrés Campo, Acraze and Daría Kolosova. The rap duo Natos &

In the News

Waor from Madrid will present their latest album “Lula Llena” and mainstream sound comes from the American Acraze with his hit “Do it To it” along with Hedex. Underground techno is represented by I Hate Models and Daría Kolosova. Performers with an international reputation include Andrés Campo, Brian Cross, Dub Elements, Pacheco and the Spanish performer Raúl. Hard style names include Radical Redemption and the famous Vicente One More Time. Other groups on the list include Alterminds, Dhuna, Inma B, JZIK and Parkineos. The festival is from August 9th-13th and tickets are on sale at their website from 77 euros.

Radar Speed Camera Allowances

In our February magazine we explained how speed limits apply in Spain, and the allowance before radar cameras are triggered and a motorist will receive a fine. We mentioned that in Spain there was the “7” and “7%” rule that determined the allowable speed. The ‘DGT’ have recently published data that shows where the 42 fixed and mobile radar cameras in Almería province are situated, together with more information. They have pointed out that the excess speed allowance is different for fixed radar points and mobile ones. Where there are fixed radar detectors, the allowable speed limit starts at 5km/h in a 50km/h zone, so travelling at 56km/h is an offence, and this goes up by 1km/hr successively. This translates as being an offence at 67km/h in a 60km/h zone, 78km/h in a 70km/h zone, going up to 111km/h in a 100km/h zone. In 110km/h or 120km/h zones, the maximum speed before an offence is being committed is 5%, so 115.5km/h and 126km/h. Where there are mobile radar devices in use, in a vehicle or set up at the side of the road, the allowance is 7km/h or 7%. Travelling at 58km/h in a 50km/h limit is an offence and 68km/h in a 60km/h limit up to 108km/h in a 100km/h zone. In 110km/h and 120km/h zones the cameras will activate at more than 7%, so over 117.7Km/h and 128.4km/h respectively. These are subtle differences between speed allowances for fixed and mobile radar cameras, but the message from the DGT is to observe the speed limits, not the allowances.

A controversial rule has been that motorists can overtake another vehicle at up to 20km/h over the limit on a conventional road. The DGT wanted to scrap this, but it was not approved in the Spanish Parliament when normally any recommendation by the DGT is rubber stamped. It is still controversial, but has been scrapped for 12 months starting on March 21st prior to the Easter period to “see what happens” to accident statistics, as the most deaths and injuries are on conventional roads.

The Bédar Mine Project

Starting in 1897, mining in Bédar for iron ore was a major motor of the economy, which kept going until the 1920s when the cost of obtaining the iron ore was greater than the selling price. There was a dedicated rail link from the mines to the Garrucha port that can be seen at the entrance to Garrucha just before the castle. In 1972, Orson Wells came to the province to film ‘Treasure Island’. Garrucha port became Bristol port and the San Andrés island in Carboneras became Treasure Island. Filming took place in Mojácar at Playa Sombrerico, the present Manaca beach bar area, and the large Mulata mine in Bédar became the location of the treasure. People from Bédar became “extras” during the filming including the father of the present mayor, Ángel Collado. This mine is one of the largest, and the Mancomunidad (the association of various municipalities in our Levante area) have given Bédar 60,000 euros to turn the entrance and part way inside into a tourist attraction. The mine is near to the centre of Bédar, very spacious, perfectly stable and wellventilated. There have been two investigations by archaeological staff and students from a French University who comprehensively mapped out the workings. They recommended it could either become a mining museum or the site of a light and sound show with videos depicting the mining. Bédar town hall plan to complete the work this year, and in the future they would like to extend the area that tourists can visit.

COVID-19 Third Anniversary

On March 12th , 2020, Spain found that the first

In the News

cases of Covid-19 were being reported, and in Almería province a man living in Almería city, returning from Italy, became the first confirmed case. Figures published this March revealed that 158,000 people in our province had been diagnosed as being positive, 1 in 25 finished up in hospital, with 1,380 deaths directly related to the virus. The worst day in Spain was January 26th, 2021, with 1,284 confirmed cases in 24 hours and just a few days later there were 465 people in hospital. Over the three years there have been 96 days of people confined to their houses, a large number of closures of premises and restricted hours, and 87.6% of the population have been vaccinated with all the prescribed doses. Health authorities in our province consider that Covid infections are “almost coming to an end”, but a new variant might be a big problem. Almería province had the best figures in Andalucía on March 12th with only three people in hospital because of Covid, and none of the three were in intensive care beds. Sadly, after nearly three weeks without any deaths there had been two deaths of elderly people in the previous seven days, where Covid was determined to be the major cause, leading to other complications that proved fatal.

Silicosis in Marble Workers

Last month we commented on a court case involving ‘Cosentino’, the multi-national company based in Cantoria, and silicosis. The National Institute of Statistics state that in the period from 2008-2020, 33% of marble companies have closed and the number of workers has fallen by 40%. The Spanish Association of Marble Workers, ‘Fedesmar’, is a non-profit organisation which collects information from 300 companies and 3,000 workers, some of them involved in the working and cutting of the ‘Silestone’ quartz worktops. A report in February states that in the 1990s, workers were not aware of the problems with cutting quartz-based materials because to some extent the dangers were hidden.

From 1990-2006, the Spanish Social Security Department listed 609 reports of silicosis in the industry that went up to 3,809 cases from 2007-

2019. Three years ago, ‘Fedesmar’ introduced the annual “Day against Silicosis” on November 9th, the birth date of the Italian pulmonologist Achille Visconti who first used the term silicosis in 1871. ‘Fedesmar’s’ latest report states, “We work permanently with associations of affected people, social agents, researchers and interest groups to disseminate useful information annually in order to prevent the disease, organising information days throughout Spain among professionals in the sector to communicate the serious consequences of silicosis, and work to provide solutions.” At the end of February ‘Cosentino’ announced that they were joining forces with the Spanish ‘Association of People Affected by Silicosis’ with the aim of arriving at solutions for those people affected.

The Slowest Journey for 100 Years

On March 6th, passengers at the Atocha station in Madrid boarded a Talgo train coming to Almeria at 8.15am. The normal journey time of just over six hours is the longest one from Madrid to any provincial capital city, with an arrival time in this case of 14.27pm. Near Aranjuez, 50km from Madrid, the 30-year-old locomotive hit some obstacles on the track that stopped the train from continuing. The rail operator ‘RENFE’ subsequently stated that the fuel tank had been perforated. A local train took them to Aranjuez where they waited for a new locomotive to bring the Talgo train there that took five hours, and passengers eventually arrived in Almería at 8pm with a total journey time of just under 12 hours! A spokesperson from ‘RENFE’ apologised and stated that when the train reached Alcázar de San Juan all the passengers were given a bag with food and drink. As is their normal policy with abnormal delays, all the passengers were able to claim a refund of their ticket price. This total journey time was officially the longest one over this distance since rail travel records were kept in Spain starting 100 years ago! A current complaint is that since the pandemic, when there was only one train every day from Almería to Madrid and back, this is still the same, including Easter when there will be a spike in passengers. There are currently 8

In the News

trains on weekdays from Madrid to Cádiz, 10 to Málaga, 13-14 to Seville, 18 to Córdoba and 7 to Granada. A spokesperson from Almería city council states that quite often, the 194 seats on the train to Madrid are sold out and they were pressurising ‘RENFE’ to provide more trains. At present, there are final installation and tests taking place at a location near Granada that will allow “hybrid” trains to automatically change from the Spanish width track to the international width track. The onward journey of 181km to Madrid will be able to be on the ‘AVE’ high speed train line, cutting the journey time from Almería to Madrid down to 5 hours. This is supposed to be operative by the end of the year.

Energy Companies Declare Huge Profits

In September 2021 the Spanish Government became the first European country to announce major proposals to stop the drastic rise in energy costs. The tax (duty) was cut from 5.1% to 0.5%, IVA (VAT) had been reduced from 21% to 10% but it went down to 5%, and the 7% generation tax that supply companies paid to the government was suspended. The cost of this in 2021 was 1.4 billion euros, and 6 billion over 12 months. Spain and Portugal then negotiated the “Iberian Exception” legislation with the EU allowing both countries to put a cap on the price of gas at power stations. Finally, Spain imposed a 1.2% windfall tax on energy company revenue in 2022 and 2023 that the EU approved in principle. The affected companies, including Endesa with 10.5 million clients, complained bitterly that this was entirely unfair, and would stop investment in renewable energy. However, published figures for 2022 showed that Endesa (but not just in Spain) had net profits of 2.54 billion euros, 77% up on 2021, with a revenue of 32.9 billion euros compared to 21 billion in 2021. They announced that dividends for shareholders would go up higher than anticipated and their investment went up by 8% in 2022 to 2.3 billion euros, with much higher figures projected in 2023. Their CEO, José Bogas, still claimed that the windfall tax was unfair and they were going to court to have it set aside, but it seems unlikely that they will win! Endesa puts the 1.2%

tax for 2022 at approximately 280 million euros, Repsol estimates that it will have to pay some 450 million, and Naturgy calculates that it will have to pay approximately 300 million. The large energy company Iberdrola declared a revenue of 54 billion euros in 2022, up from the 39 billion in 2021, from all the countries where they operate.

Recycling Glass Bottles

50% of bottles put into the green recycling containers come from hotels and restaurants, and meetings with these establishments recently took place in Vera, Huércal-Overa and Cuevas to see if any improvements were necessary. There are special containers with a lid near the top, and hotels and restaurants can obtain wheely bins that they fill with bottles. At the container they latch onto the lid and are emptied in a few seconds. Glass bottles are melted down to make new ones, and there is no limit to the times that this can be done. ‘Ecovidrio’ is a non-profit organisation that provides and empties the green recycle containers throughout Spain. They award prizes for the most glass collected, and Mojácar has consistently been recognised as being in the forefront.

Marriage and the Age of Consent

On February 27th, the UK raised the minimum age for marriage and civil partnerships to 18. Since 2015 the age in Spain is 16, with permission from a judge, parent or legal guardian, instead

In the News

of age 14 before this change. If no permission is forthcoming the legal age is 18. The age of consent in Spain, where it is considered that persons can consent to intercourse or sexual acts and it becomes legal, was also raised from 13 to 16. Owing to a change in the law and sentencing, the prison sentence for a British teacher of Economics at the private St. George’s School in Roquetas de Mar has been reduced by 3 months to 11 years and 3 months. Aged 39 and a father of two children, he indulged in full sexual relations over a six-month period with a girl who was aged 14 when it started. The school was fined 25,000 euros because some months after the man was hired it emerged that he had been sacked and tried in the UK in 2010 for “Causing or enticing sexual activity” relating to a 16-year-old girl at a school in Cheshire. Despite this, no investigation or action was taken by the school in Roquetas de Mar, or after reports by two other teachers that had seen him with the girl out of school hours. The mother of the girl made an official complaint to the police when her daughter told her what was happening. The mother subsequently took her daughter to live in Germany, but the teacher visited them to try and persuade them to drop the allegation, although he was banned from leaving Spain and had a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the girl. This resulted in a further consecutive prison sentence of 12 months.

Tourism In Private Properties

Latest figures for Almería province show that there are 40,324 beds in 8,216 registered private properties for tourism in 56 municipalities. This compares to 35,205 in 304 pensions, hostels and hotels from 1 star to 5 star. Since 2016, persons wanting to cater for tourists in their properties have to register with the Andalusia Tourism Department who set guidelines as to the facilities, including tourist information and a complaints book. Properties advertised have to show the registration number. Photo id of all the renters has to be uploaded to the Guardia Civil police, the same as when people stay at other locations. It is estimated that there are 3,000-

4,000 properties that have not registered. The municipalities with the most properties registered are: Vera (1,858 properties and 8,556 beds), Mojácar (1,422 with 7,202), Níjar (985 with 5,162), Pulpí (614 with 3,077) and Carboneras (357 with 1,748). As regards cities, Roquetas de Mar has 1,252 properties with 5,793 beds and Almería city has 885 with 4,441. New regulations are being introduced that will stop an owner of an apartment in a community from renting it out if this causes problems for other owners. This has become a real problem in some parts of Spain via portals such as ‘Airbnb’ where tourists only occupy a property for one night with a continual turnover. ‘Airbnb’ do stop some customers from doing this at particular times of the year. Throughout Andalucía there are more than 98,000 properties with 515,380 beds, and the authorities state that the economic impact of this type of accommodation was 157 million euros in 2019, and an estimated 195 million in 2022. During the pandemic, there was a large rise in persons wishing to have a holiday in private accommodation, as they thought that staying in a hotel was too risky.

No to Offshore Wind Farms

Electricity from wind farms is a large part of plans to switch to sustainable energy and reduce CO2 emissions, and offshore wind farms produce the most electricity because the winds are stronger. Spanish companies such as ‘Iberdrola’ are leaders in this field internationally, and a company in Granada produce enormous turbine blades that are shipped from Almería port to Germany. Two companies working together put forward proposals for an offshore wind turbine farm named “Mar de Ágata” with 20 turbines off the coast of Cabo de Gata and the Isleta de Moro, one of the most popular tourist attractions and an environmentally protected area. The Junta de Andalucía ruled that the project could not go ahead as planned, and the company stated that they would put forward an amended plan with the farm further away from the coastline. The objection to the planned project was because there were sharks and turtles that come through

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the Straits of Gibraltar and travel through this part of the sea, and the bird species ‘Balearic Shearwater’, the most endangered one in Europe, also flies over it. Now the complete project has to be abandoned after a central government “road map” of where offshore windfarms can be sited. The ban extends to any offshore wind farm off the coast of Almería province, and the nearest place where they can be built is off the coast of Motril. There are 19 areas of Spanish sea where wind farms can be installed that cover 5,000km2, and the distance from the shore is also specified. Another consideration was whether a wind farm would interfere with maritime transport in the area. Each project will still be liable for environmental approval, but companies now know where they will be allowed to site them if they comply with the regulations, and where they are prohibited.

Obtaining EU Funding

The Junta de Andalucía, the ruling body for Almería province, are embarking on a scheme to make sure that all EU funding that is available is applied for. Juanma Moreno, the President of Andalucía, has stated previously that grants that are available were not solicited as much as they could be under the previous Junta government. Carolina España, the Junta Delegate for the Economy, is intending to visit all the provinces and hold meetings so that grants such as the “Next Generation” one, available from 2021-2027, are understood and requested. So far, the Junta has received 40% of the 4 billion euros available. In another news item we mention the 1.7 million euros grant that Garrucha have been given.

Another Euribor Interest Rate Rise

People with variable rate mortgages have found that their payments have gone up considerably due to the ‘Euribor’ (an inter-bank lending rate) having gone up from a negative amount to 3.5% in only a few months. Mortgage lenders add their own interest rate, quite often about 1%, to the Euribor rate. Christine Legarde, President of the Central European Bank confirmed in early March that the Euribor rate was being put up to 4%.

More bad news was that she didn’t consider the rate would come back down before 2025, and it will never become a negative rate when it does come down. Raising the interest rate is one of the measures designed to lower inflation that has a target of only 2% in the Eurozone. We have mentioned before that banks now have a “code of practice” that is designed to make changes in the mortgage terms for people experiencing hardship. These people should go to their bank to see what can be done. Christine Legarde criticised banks for not offering any interest, or only a very small amount, to people who were fortunate to have savings accounts and suggested they changed banks if this was the case!

The UK Vegetable Shortage

At the end of February, consumers in the UK suddenly found that supermarkets were rationing the purchase of vegetables, particularly tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and cucumbers. ‘Coexphal’, a large collective of growers in Almería province pointed out that at the recent large “Fruit Logistic” event in Berlin, attended by growers and buyers from many countries, they had warned UK buyers that there might be supply problems. They put forward various reasons, including UK companies switching purchases to Morocco and North Africa, despite warnings that there would

In the News

be problems in winter if there was bad weather, which proved to be the case. The authorities in Morocco banned some exports of vegetables so that there was no problem with the supply there. The collective blamed ‘Brexit’ for some of the problems that had led to Morocco becoming the main UK suppliers of tomatoes. When there was a shortage of vegetables in Spain, companies preferred to trade with EU states where they had existing purchase contracts, with none of the costly import documentation problems in the UK, apart from transport costs. They noted that politicians in the UK had been claiming that ‘Brexit’ was not part of the supply problem, but it was! ‘Coexphal’ also pointed out that unusually good weather in November and December in our province had resulted in crops such as tomatoes needing to be picked earlier than normal. The cold weather during the end of January and February had slowed production down but this would only be a temporary glitch. The Spanish ‘Datacomex’ trading index shows that in 2022 Spain exported fruit and vegetables to the UK to the value of 2.2 billion euros, with 1 billion euros for fruit and 1.2 billion for vegetables and canned goods. In volume it was 1.5 million tons, 624,000 tons of fruit and 871,000 tons of vegetables. The main imports were lettuce, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, citrus fruits, melons and apricots.

Netflix Changes

We have commented before that Netflix, strictly speaking according to their terms and conditions, only allow a subscription to be valid in one household. Nearly 40% of their customers share the password with other relatives or friends. A court in the UK has agreed with Netflix that this is a breach of copyright. Netflix is trying to stop this and has introduced amended contracts that are now in force in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. A subscriber can pay for one or two persons not in their household to share the subscription. In Spain, on the standard 12,99 euros per month contract, and the premium 17,99 euros per month contract, an additional person now costs 5,99 euros, and these people will have

their own username and password. The company will allow people currently getting a free service from friends to transfer their viewing history and preferences to the new subscription rate. How they will try and enforce this, and whether this is possible, has not been revealed. The company justifies the changes by stating that the cost of a normal subscription and for two authorised users, divided by three, is a big saving. Netflix accepts that this is not a popular move, and in the short term they anticipate that some subscriptions will be cancelled. They are gambling that this will not be too significant. At present, there is no indication when this will apply to the UK. Financial analysts expect Netflix will have to introduce some adverts on their standard and premium packages to try and obtain increased revenue, and this is being actively discussed.

The Train Fiasco

Last month we commentated on the fact that the manufacture of 31 trains costing 258 million euros was being delayed until amended design specifications have been completed. This followed the manufacturer stating that in their opinion, the trains were too big to fit inside the 19th century narrow tunnels on the Asturias and Cantabria lines. As a result, the Spanish Minister for Transport, the head of ‘RENFE’ the train operator and the Transport Delegate in Cantabria submitted their resignations. Asturias is to have 10 new trains and the rest are destined for Cantabria where the whole fleet of trains is being replaced. The new delivery date is 2026, and ‘RENFE’ announced that there will be entirely free travel on the existing trains to compensate passengers until then!

Losing Prescription Glasses

A burglar robbed three houses in the same street in Roquetas de Mar, making off with various items. On the next occasion he was caught by the owner and a scuffle developed. During this the burglar dropped the items he was stealing and also his prescription glasses. From the glasses, other information and a patient investigation by police, he was identified and arrested.

So Now You Know...

Meteor Showers

April is a great month for meteor showers and the major Lyrids meteor shower can be seen in Spain in 2023 on April 22nd-23rd. Another one, called the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, can normally be seen at the end of April, but this year it does not occur until May 6th-7th. A meteor is a space rock, or meteoroid, that enters the Earth’s atmosphere. As the space rock falls toward Earth, the resistance or drag of the air on the rock makes it extremely hot. What we see is a “shooting star.” The bright streak is not the rock itself but it is the extremely hot surrounding air. They are almost always small enough to quickly burn up safely in our atmosphere.

Sinking of the ‘Titanic’

On April 15th, 1912, the ‘Titanic’ hit an iceberg and sank at 2.20pm. The ship had collided with the iceberg at 11.40pm 400 miles off Newfoundland, Canada. The collision created a gash that was 240 feet long, and five watertight compartments were flooded. If only four compartments had been damaged the ship could have stayed afloat. When the distress signal was sent out, the closest ship was The Carpathia, but it was over 58 miles and 4 hours away. The Titanic had a total of 1,178 lifeboat places but many lifeboats left only half full. Daniel Buckley got into a lifeboat disguised as a woman and survived.

The Chernobyl Disaster

The Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine is just south of what is now Ukraine’s border with Belarus, in the former USSR. The explosion occurred on April 26th, 1986, and forced everyone within a 300-mile radius to be evacuated. Starting in 1977, Soviet scientists installed four RBMK type nuclear reactors at the power station. Routine maintenance was scheduled on the fourth reactor, and workers planned to use the downtime to test whether the reactor could still be cooled if the plant lost power. A catastrophic power surge explosion exposed the nuclear core, spewing radioactive material into the atmosphere.

Apollo 13

On April 11th, 1970, Apollo 13 was launched and ran into difficulties about two days later. The Apollo 13 mission was supposed to be the third lunar landing in American history, but it failed when one of the oxygen tanks on the spaceship called ‘Odyssey’ exploded. It was then that the famous line “Houston, we have a problem” was supposed to have been uttered. It was in fact a line spoken by Kevin Bacon playing Jack Swigert in the classic 1995 film. What Swigert actually said was, “Okay, Houston. I believe we’ve had a problem here,” and Jim Lovell repeated, “We’ve had a problem here, we’ve had a main B bus undervolt.”

George Washington

George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on April 30th, 1789. In 1787, state representatives attended a Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the delegates wrote the United States Constitution document. This created a strong federal government, two chambers of legislators, a federal court system, and the position of an elected US President. George Washington won the vote for President, and John Adams who received the second largest number of votes became Vice-President. The written Constitution still serves as the foundation for US lawmakers today.

Mount Vesuvius Eruption

One of the most violent eruptions in the history of Mount Vesuvius reached its peak on April 7th, 1906, killing over 200 people, but the 79AD eruption, that buried the city of Pompeii, may have claimed 13,000 to 16,000 victims. On April 5th, 1906, the expulsions of lava had become more explosive and an ash cloud had formed in the sky above the crater. The cost of repairing the immense damage and looking after the thousands made homeless fell to the government in Rome. They had to abandon their plans to host the 1908 Olympic Games on the grounds that they could no longer justify the expense. They were held in London instead.

Spanish Companies in Russia

Untilthe war with Ukraine, many Spanish companies had a large presence in Russia. As a result of the sanctions, or a voluntary decision, the situation has changed drastically.

Total pre-war annual turnover was about 2.3 billion euros with a 320 million profit, involving 20,000 workers. Some companies have merely shut shop, particularly manufacturers, but a large number operate franchises that are very common in Russia. Unless a Western-based company gives their business away free of charge to franchisers, there are special regulations if the company wants to sell it. A protracted Russian government audit has to be undertaken to determine the value, and the sale price cannot be more than 50%.

‘Inditex’, the multinational Spanish fashion company, with brands such as Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Pull&Bear and Stradivarius had the largest foothold in Russia, with their second highest sales worldwide. They had 502 shops with 9,000 employees which was 5% of their turnover totalling 1.3 billion euros. The company was sold, but wages had to be paid until the sale was concluded, with a total 230 million euros deficit. They have 79 shops in Ukraine but some are destroyed or shut. Another Spanish fashion company, ‘Mango’, stopped trading, and gave shops to 55 franchise partners, but they still have 50 shops of their own and hope that one day they may be able to re-open. The fashion company ‘Tendam’ had 50 shops with 350 employees, but they gave 21 to franchise holders and have kept 29 where trade is currently suspended pending the outcome of the war. The jewellery company ‘Tous’ gave their 32 shops, which had been 5% of their world income, to the franchise owners.

‘Amrest’ had the KFC franchise with 217 restaurants and 6,700 employees, generating an annual pre-war income of 184 million euros, and their negotiated sale to a Russian company will “hopefully” bring in 100 million. The ‘Amrest’ CEO states that selling a service company, not a retail one, is easier.

Manufacturing companies pulled out quickly

including ‘Roca’, the company manufacturing ceramic sanitary ware and taps who had seven factories with 2,800 workers, generating 141 million euros, 7% of sales. They gave the manufacturing plants to the local managers and ceased all their activity in Russia, preferring to make a clean break. ‘Gestamp’ had four factories employing 450 people manufacturing components for the automobile industry with a turnover of 100 million euros. They reduced manufacture to meet existing orders but then closed down. Two other smaller automobile component companies, ‘CIE’ and ‘Antolín’, shut their factories as well. This has had a knock-on effect in Europe that relied on these components, which now need to be sourced elsewhere.

‘Ténicas Reunidos’ is a special case, in that they had a contract worth 234 million euros to supply specialised equipment to the Gazprom oil and gas company in Moscow. They have lost this contract, but are not facing any direct financial loss apart from the cancelled order. The same thing applies to ‘Talgo’ with a signed contract worth 5 million euros for train maintenance in Moscow.

Now that the war with Ukraine has been going on for over a year, Spanish companies who hoped that the war would be over quickly, and could re-start suspended businesses, have found that this is not the case. With no projected end to the war that may grind on for a long time, these companies have to review their strategy. Meanwhile, the Russian population are deprived of buying a large range of Western goods, not just those from Spanish companies.

Electric Scooters in the News Again

DuringMarch, Almería city council introduced a print and social media safety campaign underlining the existing regulations that apply to the ‘VMP’ Personal Mobility Vehicles, principally electric scooters. The Councillor for Mobility and Security, María del Mar García Lorca, pointed out that the DGT (Spanish traffic authority) were working on their own “clear and definitive” national guidelines and regulations, intending to come into force in 2024, but the council wanted to act now. Part of the initiative involved more patrols by the local police stopping and talking to people who were not observing the regulations, without any on the spot fines.

It is estimated that there are 8,000 electric scooters in our province. This is partly due to the recent high cost of petrol and diesel, people not having the money to buy a car or normal scooter, and the convenience of using them for short journeys. María del Mar pointed out that as users do not have to pass a driving test, quite often young people are not familiar with the highway code, and many of them are not aware of current regulations. Last year there were 450 fines, the vast majority for using the scooters on pavements or in pedestrian areas.

At present, it is the municipal police who are responsible for enforcing the regulations according to local by-laws that are not uniform, and the Guardia Civil Traffic Police are only involved if there is a serious accident.

It is anticipated that from next January there will be permits that town halls issue, with documentation needed showing that the scooter complies with regulations such as a top speed of 25km/hr and other specifications. Some early models have a top speed of 40- 60km/hr that will be illegal at some future date.

It is mandatory that users wear a helmet, and also a reflective jacket depending on the municipality, and scooters have to have front and rear lights, reflective markings on both wheels, and at least two brakes. It is anticipated that all new scooters

will have to have a speedometer, a battery level indicator and a warning device such as a bell or horn. They will have to have a parking stand, similar to those used on bicycles and motorbikes.

Insurance, at least third-party insurance, will probably become compulsory. A parent is liable for the cost of any damage, or compensation for injury or death, involving a scooter driven by a minor. A survey by the Linea Directa insurance company concluded that 73% of users drive them on pavements, 50% do not wear helmets, and 45% exceed the speed limit with older scooters.

National accident statistics from January 2021 to December 2022 reveal that there were 385 recorded accidents, 65 serious accidents and 18 deaths. Two of the deaths were people aged 15 not using a helmet, and travelling at 40-50km/hr. On five occasions death was caused by falling off against curbs, five from a collision with another vehicle, three when they were run over, and three elderly people were killed when a scooter collided with them. In fatal or serious accidents where police went to the scene, 38 drivers were over alcohol or drug limits that results in a fine of 1,000 euros. The alcohol limit for minors is nil, so 0.0mg/l.

In Barcelona, electric scooters have been temporarily banned on all public transport after a battery caught fire on a train, with three people needing medical treatment by paramedics after ingesting noxious fumes. Transport chiefs are currently reviewing the regulations.

The Palomares Saga Continues

Whentwo US military planes collided during refuelling over Palomares in 1966, four unarmed nuclear missiles were jettisoned. A total of 1,600 members of the US Air Force and civilians came to Palomares, along with a flotilla of 25 ships. 150 divers and four submersibles were tasked with locating one of the missiles that fell into the sea, and subsequently a fisherman from Águilas told them where he had seen it come down. The nose cones of two of the three nuclear missiles that came down on land broke on impact, and dispersed plutonium dust over a wide area.

Air Force servicemen, including untrained cooks, clerks and even members of an Air Force band were involved in the clean-up and packed radioactive soil into 4,800 steel barrels over several weeks, and they were shipped back to the US. Many servicemen later contracted cancer that they blamed on the clean-up with no protective clothing other than basic face masks, but the US authorities refused to accept that this was the case.

Finally, the ‘US Association of Palomares Veterans’ have been successful in claiming compensation in a class action (where all the claims are lumped together) that started in 2019. It relates to 26 people who were traced and suffer from various cancers, considered to be directly related. It was ruled that the refusal to admit liability was based on unscientific criteria. Last August, President Biden signed the ‘PACT act’ that recognises the right to compensation and health care from exposure to radiation for military personnel. Importantly, compensation will be paid to the relatives of the large number of service personnel who have already died from cancers. Health experts on radiation state that a single microgramme of plutonium, if ingested, is enough to be harmful and can cause cancer. The US Atomic Energy Commission have put the plutonium dust released at more than 3 billion microgrammes.

There have been repeated attempts over many years to get US personnel to remove the

contaminated radioactive soil that is still there, and take it to the US. In early March it was announced that the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs had made a renewed formal application to the US and initial indications were positive. In 2015, John Kerry, then US Secretary of State, came to Madrid to thank Spain for letting the US extend their naval base at Rota, near Cádiz. He signed a “nonlegally binding memorandum” that discussions would take place for removing the contaminated soil, but without any subsequent action. The situation now is that Spain has agreed that two more destroyers can be stationed at Rota, with an extra 600 troops and civilians, so this is another lever for some action.

US Nuclear Agency personnel came to Palomares to assess the situation a few years ago. The current plan is that the soil would be carefully excavated and put into small 1m3 containers on site, with the aim of filling between 20-40 each day. Lorries that can carry 10-12 containers would then take them to Cartagena for shipment to the US. Estimates are that the removal would take from 12-24 months and cost 640 million euros, with a proposal for a dedicated road built from Palomares to the port at Cartagena, that is partly a Spanish Navy base. Ecologists want to know what is wrong with Garrucha port, and any work that might need doing there will be far cheaper than a new road! They also claim that the current plans are electioneering, as General Elections take place in Spain later this year.

ACCOUNTING

AIRPORT PARKING

ANTIQUES

ARCHITECTS

ART & ARTISTS

AUTOMATIC DOORS

CARD SHOPS

CATERING / EVENTS

CATTERY see Kennels

CLOTHING (Personalised)

DOG

DOORS

ECO-FRIENDLY

ELECTRICAL

ESTATE AGENTS

FIRE

FIREPLACES

FISH &

FISHING

FITNESS & DANCE

FOOD SHOPS

GAS TANK SUPPLIERS

HARDWARE OUTLETS

HOME CARERS see also Nursing

HORSE RIDING

HOTELS & HOSTALS

INTERNET CAFES see Cybercafes

INTERNET TV

KENNELS, CATTERIES & PET SITTING

See

LEISURE ACTIVITIES and TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

The Almería Focus is the magazine that everyone keeps to hand.

To advertise your business call or WhatsApp Clare on 667 80 11 40 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

PHOTOCOPIES

PHYSIOTHERAPY

PICTURE FRAMING

PIZZERIAS

POSTAL SERVICES

PRINTING & GRAPHIC DESIGN

PSYCHOLOGIST

RADIO STATIONS

REFRIGERATION

REMOVALS &

RESTAURANTS, BARS & CAFES See

RETRACTABLE

ROOFING

RUGS & CARPETS

RURAL TOURISM

SATELLITE TV

SCREENED PATIO & POOL ENCLOSURES

SCUBA DIVING

SECOND HAND

SWEET SHOPS

TATTOO ARTISTS

TAXIS (Legal)

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

TRANSLATING

TUITION

TILING & PATIO WORK

See also Building Services

TV & AUDIO REPAIRS

TIMBER SUPPLIERS

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

UPHOLSTERY

UNIFORMS

VAN & MAN HIRE See

VEHICLE IMPORTATION

VEHICLE REPAIRS

VETS

Useful Numbers

A Run/Walk to Celebrate International Women’s Day

Under the slogan: “Together we are strong”, Mójácar Council in collaboration with the Almería Provincial Council and Mojácar Red Cross organised a solidarity Walk-Run in celebration of International Women’s Day. Also collaborating on this festive day were Platino Fitness Center, DCM and Los Bandidos, who along with the other participants filled the town’s promenade with pink T-shirts in a fun “pink” tide that filled Mojácar beach with light and solidarity.

On Sunday, 12th March, close to 300 people took part in this solidarity event held on the Mojácar paseo. The participants signed up for a symbolic price, all destined for the Red Cross, which included a bib, a pink T-shirt commemorating the day and a serving of paella to end the day. 897 euros were collected, which will be a great help for this association.

Prior to the walk, several workshops were organised on the promenade, such as laughter therapy and bio-dance, in which so many volunteers took part that it was necessary to double the number of monitors.

The route from the Red Cross headquarters to the Hotel Indalo and back was about 5km, which some did running and others at a sedate walk. There were participants of all nationalities: families, also including babies in their pushchairs accompanying

their parents, grandparents and pets; young sportspeople and the not-so-young, but all united on a day to enjoy the celebration of Women’s Day and to show solidarity with Mojácar Red Cross, which does such important work in the locality.

There was a prize for the first three to reach the finish line. In the men’s category, Steven Murton of Los Bandidos came first with a time of 19 minutes, followed by Ángel José Blazquez and Sebastián Reading. In the women’s, victory went to Ana Cristina Minoya, Alejandra Bohorquez obtained second prize, followed by Carole Cabrellc.

Mojácar Moors & Christians Poster Competition

The Mojácar Moors and Christians Association has published the rules which will regulate the competition to select the official poster for the Moors and Christians 2023 festivities.

Anyone who wishes can participate and can present a maximum of three originals, which will have to be unpublished. The theme of the works will be based on any of the diverse and multiple representative aspects of the Mojácar Moors and Christians festivities. They can be created using any technique in the form of expression, but it must be taken into account that in the event of being chosen it can be reproduced without any technical difficulty in four-colour process.

The works will have to be 50 x 70cm, without a margin and with vertical orientation. They should not be signed and must be presented in one go by emailing to almosaquer@gmail.com, or via WeTransfer to the same email, indicating an attached text file which contains the first name and surnames, nationality, date of both ID, NIE or passport, mobile phone number and email address.

The Mojácar Moors and Christians Association is committed to the responsible and legal use of the information provided and to its destruction, if necessary, in all cases respecting current legislation.

In the works presented, a mandatory text has to be

Community News

incorporated, which can be freely composed on the poster, and which will be:

MOJÁCAR MOORS & CHRISTIANS 2023

From 16th to 18th June

Receipt of the works will be up until 00.00 hours on Tuesday 9th April, 2023, establishing a single prize of 300 euros. The Mojácar Moors and Christians Association already has all the machinery in motion for the celebration of one of the municipality’s and the province’s most important festivities, which this year celebrates its 35th anniversary.

Catnip & Tuck!

By: Chrissie Cremore

Dedicated animal lovers Babs Williams and Richard Brotherston-Barnett share a passion for helping animals in need and creating healthy and manageable feral cat populations, together with educating young people about animal welfare. Two years of turning ideas into action has resulted in a new non-profit organisation CatnipTNR being launched with its base in the UK but with a global mission. The organisation is excited to have Dinah Ashley-Cooper, Countess of Shaftesbury as its patron who is herself a worldwide advocate for animal welfare.

With the assistance of Victoria Merino Machuca, a school teacher in Burjulú, CatnipTNR have developed an exciting educational programme for schools. The aim is to ensure future generations are informed from an early age about animal welfare and this combined with working with local communities to Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) feral animals ensures that colonies can remain as healthy and manageable as possible. A feral cat can have up to 8 kittens with 2 to 3 litters per year. Over a period of 5 years one un-neutered cat and its own un-neutered offspring can result in 12,000 unnecessary kittens being born.

The school in Burjulú has had a feral colony of cats living alongside it for many years and the children, under supervision, have provided food for the animals and taken an active interest in the colony. Victoria heard about CatnipTNR and got in touch to

bring the idea of creating a permanent shelter for the cats (a Cat Hotel) and to develop the education programme. The Head of the school together with Cuevas Del Amanzora Ayuntamiento have given the scheme their full backing. Babs reported “taking the Cat Hotel and giving our initial presentation to the school was an incredible moment. The children are so eager and excited to be taking part!” CatnipTNR now include information about caring for dogs too given that much of the fundamental principles are the same. Richard added “this is our flagship project and we are absolutely thrilled to have such a positive response from all of the local partners here in Andalusia. Our intention is to raise funds to build many more Cat Hotels across the region and to be able to extend this essential programme as far as possible”.

To find out more about the project and to enquire about volunteering or to donate to this amazing cause please visit their website: www.catniptnr.org or email: babs@catniptnr.org / richard@catniptnr. org.

PAWS-PATAS is Desperately Seeking Volunteers

Do you love dogs and/or cats? Would you like to improve your physical fitness and mental health? Would you like to give something back to the local community?

We desperately need volunteers at our shelter near Los Gallardos for: feeding, exercising, cleaning, socialising, walking, laundry, and obviously poopicking-up! Full training will be given and you’ll be working alongside a wonderful bunch of people, some of whom are part of our international volunteer team, and come back whenever they can! Christine Logan, who has been volunteering for a number of years says ”It’s an amazingly fulfilling thing to do, and whilst it’s certainly not the most glamorous of jobs, the overwhelming satisfaction of working alongside like-minded people and the love you get from the dogs makes it all worthwhile!” Go to https://paws-patas.org/volunteering. Please email: shelter@paws-patas.org. Visit www.pawspatas.org

What’s On

Almería

De Simba A Kiara is a Lion King tribute performance by the Onbeat Company. It comes to Teatro Cervantes in Almería city on Sunday, April 16th at 12 noon and 6pm. Following performances in Madrid, it has been hailed as the best Lion King tribute. Tickets are 15 euros in advance or 18 euros at the door.

Pérez y la Ruta de tus Sueños is a musical for children telling the story of a young boy who sets off to get his tooth back from someone who had stolen it, to give to the ‘Tooth Mouse’. It comes to Teatro Cervantes in Almería city on Sunday, April 2nd at 5.30pm. Tickets are 15 euros in advance or 18 euros at the door.

Los Músicos de las 80s & 90s, a concert, comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on Saturday, April 15th, at 9.30pm, following very good reviews in Madrid. Tickets are 18 euros in advance or 20 euros at the door.

The musical La Bella y La Bestia (Beauty and the Beast) comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on Saturday, June 3rd, at 5pm, intended to be a family event. Tickets are 15 euros in advance or 18 euros at the door.

Mediterráneo Homenaje a Joan Manuel Serrat is a tribute concert to the singer / songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat. It comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on Saturday, May 13th, at 9.30pm. Tickets are 15 euros in advance or 18 euros at the door.

Black Ice is a tribute concert to AC/DC as part of their “50th Anniversary AC / DC” tour. It comes to Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, on Saturday, June 17th, at 11pm. Tickets are 12 euros in advance or 15 euros at the door.

Tickets for Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, from box office at Calle del Poeta Villaspesa,1. Open Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm & 4pm-7pm, Saturday from 11am-2pm, or 1hr before performances, or from www.todaslasentradas.com

What’s On

Tickets for concerts in Almería (except Teatro Cervantes) available from the ticket office in the Teatro Apolo, 25 Rambla Obispo Orberá, Almería , tel: 950 230 922. Mon- Fri, 10.30am-1.30pm & 6-8pm, or Sat, 11am-1pm. Tickets can be purchased from 2hrs before performances at the venue or from www.ticketmaster. es or call Ticketmaster: 902 1500 25. Main branches of ‘CaixaBank’ have machines which issue tickets; including Vera near the church square.

Águilas

El Reino del León is a Lion King tribute musical that comes to Águilas Auditorio on Sunday, April 23rd, at 5pm. Tickets are 16 euros.

for clarinet and orchestra, and Stravinsky’s Firebird. The concert is conducted by Gonzalo Berná Pic, and soloists are Laura Rodríguez Moreno (violin), David Apellaniz (cello), Carlos Apellaniz (piano) and Ángel López Soler (clarinet). Tickets are 20 euros.

Aguilas tickets from Victoria Travel 968 410 929 & www.bacantix. com, Museo Arqueológico, www. auditorio-aguilas.org or from 2hrs before performances at the box office.

Huercal-Overa

Lo Mejor del Último is a tribute concert to Último de la Fila & Manolo García that comes to the Teatro Villa in Huércal-Overa on Friday, April 12th at 9pm. Tickets are 15 euros in advance or 20 euros on the day.

Tickets can be bought from the ticket office open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am1.30pm & 5pm-8pm, and on Fridays 10am-1.30pm, the day of the performances, or from www.entradasho.es.

Villaricos

Dreambeach 2023. The electronic music festival at Villaricos takes place from August 9th-13th. We have the latest information in our “In the News” section.

Vera

Roquetas de Mar

Una Noche de Amor Desperada is a Triana tribute concert that comes to the Roquetas de Mar Aditorio on Saturday, April 22nd at 8.30pm. Ticket prices were not shown at time of going to press.

Roquetas de Mar Auditorio tickets are on sale at www. teatroauditorioroquetas.org or their ticket office, open Tuesdays to Fridays from 11am-1pm & 6pm8pm.

Exhibitions

The 2022-2023 Promusica series of concerts continues with a performance by the Region of Murcia Symphony Orchestra on Friday, April 14th, at 8. 30pm. They perform Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in D major for violin, cello and piano, Debussy’s Rhapsody

The ‘Beatle’s Hearts Club’ is a Beatle’s tribute concert performed by a company from Slovakia. It comes to Vera Municipal Auditorio on Sunday, April 23rd, at 8pm. Tickets are 18 euros from Convento de la Victoria, the auditorio box office, and www.bravoentradas.es

The Doña Pakyta Museum in Almería city has an exhibition entitled ‘La Chanca’ in their Espacio Camina area until June 4th, including works from the 1940s to the 1970s by Pérez Siquier, Visconti, Czech Canton and Perceval. Room B has an exhibition until April 9th, including works from the 1800s to 1975, from Goya up to Antonio López. The museum is at 2, Plaza Emilio Pérez and is open from 10.30am to 1.30pm, and from 5pm to 8pm Tuesdays to Saturdays

What’s On

and the same morning hours on Sundays. Admission is free.

Miscellaneous

The Garrucha Tapas Route is from April 14th-23rd with an anticipated 50 restaurants and bars taking part. A tapa and a drink costs 3,50 euros and a card has to be stamped by 10 establishments, with prizes awarded in various categories. The winner of a draw will have a holiday in the US with stopovers at San Francisco, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The 2nd Mojácar Short Film Competition (Certamen de Cortometrajes) in conjunction with the Almería Provincial Council’s Film Department, is on Friday, April 28th and Saturday, April 29th at the Centro de Usos Múltiples (Artisan Centre). There will be talks by various film professionals, and the producers Antonio Casado and JagDreams Producciones, together with Mojácar Council, have organised a competition with prizes for the best short

film selected by members of the public and by a professional jury. In addition, there will be a concert of film soundtracks.

Mojácar Moors & Christians Festival. The town hall has announced that the Moors & Christians weekend this year will be from Friday, June 16th to Sunday, June 18th, not the previous weekend as in other years. This is due to religious objections that the event would start on June 9th.

The Paws / Patas Spring Fete is on Sunday, April 16th from 2pm at the Oasis Pool bar, Camping Los Gallardos. Entrance is 2 euros with live music all afternoon, stalls, food & drink and a raffle, along with their dogs and cats. If you’d like a stall (bring own table/chair) this costs 5 euros. For more info please email claire@paws-patas.org

PAWS-PATAS The second hand book sale at Scotty’s El Tropico is held on the second Tuesday of the month, 10.30am - 1pm. All proceeds to stray cat neutering.

What’s On

Market Days

Monday:

Tuesday: Wednesday:

Thursday:

Huércal-Overa, Antas, Berja

Albox, Los Gallardos, Cuevas del Almanzora

Mojácar, Bédar, Lubrin, Vélez Blanco, Palomares, Tabernas

Cuevas del Almanzora, Olula del Río, Carboneras, Sorbas

Friday: Saturday: Sunday: Rastros, Car Boot Sales, etc.

Garrucha, Turre, Zurgena

Aguilas, Vera, Arboleas, Vélez Rubio

Villaricos, Purias, San Juan de los Terreros, Fines

Saturday: Sunday:

Los Llanos, between Arboleas & Albox

Chiringuito Extreme, Hostal Rural, Turre

Plaza del Rey, Velez Rubio

Mojácar Rastro, Multiple Use Centre

Activities - Clubs - Associations

Clubs, Societies & Activities

Almanzora Group of Friends

Library and Information Centre, Tues - Fri, 10am-1pm, Plaza San Antonia, Barrio Alto, Albox. Extensive English Library, DVDs and talking books, monthly magazine, monthly quiz, trips. www.almanzoragof.org or Facebook: Almanzora Group of Friends. Tel: 602 495 306

Almeria Link Friendship Group

Membership is free and open to all. We meet at weekends in the Mojacar area to enjoy dining experiences and form friendships. New members are always welcome. Please contact Bob on 950472551

WOW Women on Wednesday

Scotty’s, Mojácar Playa, 2pm. Get together, buy, sell, swap, meet new people.

Dames in Huércal Overa

3rd Wed. of the month, 10.30am, Tennis Club, Huércal Overa. All welcome. Tel. Jan Oliver 642 413 945.

Dames in Turre

12pm, last Tuesday in the month, Hostal Rural, Turre. Talks, trips, support for local charities. New members & guests welcome. Chairman, Barbara Wardley, 950 529 168. Secretary, Moira Armatage +34 711 007 192, mogsy2009@live.com

Mojácar Community Library

Multi-Use centre. Mon, Wed and Fri, 11am - 1pm .

Flamenco Forum for English Speakers on Facebook. Information and events. Tel: 687 480 694

The Royal British Legion - Zurgena & District Branch

La Parrilla, Albox, first Thursday of the month, 11a.m. Email zurgenaRBLsecretary@yahoo. co.uk. See www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches /zurgena

Indalo Hash House Harriers

Meet 2nd and 4th Sunday, 11am, various locations. www.indaloh3.com

Mojácar Bridge Club

Contact Les Brice 697 297 991 or Ron Hounsell 711 064 726. www.bridgewebs. com/mojacar/

Vera & District Lions Club

We meet regularly including social events. For more information please contact by email veralionssecretary@gmail.com or email/telephone President Zoe Rylett on zoerylett@gmail.com - 639 036 051. All items gratefully received at The Lions Charity Shop in Turre. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:00 - 14:00. Mobility equipment available. Donations and Standing Orders to Vera And District Lions Fundraising. ES19 3058 0186 3527 2000 7801

The Royal British Legion, Mojácar

First and third Thursday of every month (except July and August) at 11am, coffee and chat at Cokkia Restaurant (opposite Neptuno). Ex-Forces and non-Service people all welcome. We hold lunches and other events which we publicise at the coffee mornings and on local media. For welfare advice and help for the exForces community in need of support email SpainNorthCommunitySupport@rbl. community. If you wish to hold an event in aid of the Poppy Appeal or help at our collection points in October and November please email Mojacar.Committee1@rbl. community or ring 699 953 222. We are now on Facebook, click on Groups and search for Royal British Legion Mojacar Branch.

AUAN - Abusos Urbanisticos

Almanzora No

Association campaigning for the legalisation of homes in the Almanzora Valley built without proper authority. Meeings on 3rd Saturday of every other month, 11am, La Parrilla, Albox. Tel: 617 118 209 www.almanzora-au.org

Vera Photo Club

First Sunday of month, Bar La Pará, Turre (opposite the Vet), 10am - 12.30pm. Presentations by invited speakers, field trips, instruction, studio photography, monthly assignments and exhibitions. All levels welcome. Phone Sarah 670003717 or Claus 628585538.

Freemasons in the Province of Almeria

Craft & Chapter. 661 026 912 or 670 27 27 37

Freemasons – The Side Degrees

Mark, RAM, RSM, OSM & Allied. 678 574 579

Albox Computer Club

Hotel La Parrilla, Albox. Fri, 10am. All levels of experience are welcomed. www. alboxcc.com

Traditional Japanese Reiki and Gendai Reiki Ho

Classes, workshops, and Reiki shares in Mojacar. Tel: 634 347 930, website: www. gendaireikispain.com

Ancestry Club for Beginners & Intermediate Tel. 634 309 590

Psychic Development Circle

Various classes at different times. Everyone welcome. Tel: Barbara 637 469 937 barbaramoonlight@gmail.com

Send details of your group to almeriafocus@gmail.com or WhatsApp: 667 80 11 40

Activities - Clubs - Associations

Clubs, Societies & Activities continued

Amigos de los Coches Clasicos

Local multi-national group of classic car enthusiasts. Meetings the first Thursday of the month, 3pm, Hotel Rural Miguel Rosi, junction 559 E15/A7. www.a-c-c.es, email: info@a-c-c.es, tel. David 630740502

Miraflores 1/10 Scale RC Club

Thursdays, 3pm. Tel: Richard on 666 274 861 for more details.

Model Aero Flying Club, Cortijo Grande

Sun. & Wed., 10.30am. Contact Jeff on 950 469304 or Colin on 666 982186

Aeroclub ULM Günter (Vera)

Tel: 607 316 553

Pita Escuela Agave School of Río Aguas. A multicultural, environmental and musical project, specialized on the integral usage of the agave plant and the processing of its wood.Tel 630 66 18 65 (Timbe) pitaescuela@hotmail.com

Sunseed

A hands-on practical centre for low-impact living and environmental education in Los Molinos del Rio Aguas near Sorbas. Free tours at 4pm. www.sunseed.org.uk Tel: 950 525 770

Religious Groups & Churches

Church of England (Anglican Services)

Mojácar, Sundays, 11am; Llanos Del Peral, Sundays,11am; Aljambra Chapel Albox, 2nd Thursday monthly at 11am. For directions, details and all church activities please see www.almeriaanglican.com or contact Tony Noble on 634303807. Also available Funerals, Wedding Blessings, Wedding Vow renewals and Baptisms.

Kingdom Hall, Jehovah’s Witnesses

Tues 7:30pm & Sun 10.00am. Poligono Aljoroque - C/El Cajete 6, Antas. Contact: 652 293 269

Turre Evangelical Church

Sundays at 10.30 – worship, a not too long talk from the Bible, coffee and cake. Welcoming and relaxed – all welcome. Find us on Turre’s main street, Avenida de Almeria, corner of C/Alberquillca. Email: contact@turrechurch.es Tel: (0034) 711 035 486 Web: turrechurch.es

New Life Church, Huercal-Overa

We are a Jesus centred church family learning to love one another. Sunday service at 11 am, www.newlifechurch.eu tel. 685 628 184

Living Water Church Mojacar Playa Opposite Red Cross Centre and Salas Farmacia. Sunday Service 11am. Bible study, Tuesday 10am. Prayer, Wednesday 5pm. Cafe Church, Thursday 11am to 1pm. See FaceBook or visit www.livingwaterchurchmojacar.com

Aguaviva Evangelical Church

Near the health Centre, opposite BiciBox, Albox. Tel: Rod Southwood, 687 560 544

Roman Catholic Masses

These can be found on www.misas.org for most places.

Support Groups & Charities

MACS Cancer Support Group

General Enquiries call 634 328 334 10am to 4pm. 24/7 Careline: 634 656 555. Fully Spanish registered charity. Shops in Mojácar, Turre, Albox and Huercal-Overa open Mon-Fri, 10-2pm www.macscancersu pport.com Email: macscancersupport@ live.co.uk

Stepping Stones Carers Support Group

Turre Evangelical Hall, Thurs, 11am-2pm. Tel 950 472 822 or 677 683 385 www. steppingstones.group

Age Support Almanzora

Shop and welfare office near Peugeot garage, Albox. Helpline 642 045 210

A.A. Alcoholics Anonymous

Mojacar Area Meetings:- Monday 6pm, Turre Evangelical Church (Avenida de Almeria, Turre). Friday, 6pm, Living Water Church, Mojacar Playa (opposite Red Cross building). Tel: 634 300 364 or email aaspain@gmail.com

Al-Anon Family Groups

for people whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking. Meetings Mondays, 4:45 - 5:45 at Turre Evangelical Church. Tel: 698460801 or email AlAnon. LaAlfoquia@gmail.com

Universal Wonderful Street Academy

NGO that supports street children in Accra (Ghana). Registered charity. www. universalwonderfulstreetacademy.org. Beatriz: 617 182 154

Harmony Community Support

Providing assistance to those in need. Tel. 634 339 192 Mon - Fri, 11:00 - 14:00 help@harmonycharity.com

Walk for Life Arboleas

If you have been diagnosed with cancer or have a loved one who has, and need help or support contact our welfare team. Email irenewalk4life@icloud.com Tel. 643 63 81 77. If you want to volunteer to help at any of our events and become a Friend of Walk for Life email claire.walk4life@gmail.com Tel 644602249.

Activities - Clubs - Associations

Music & Drama Groups

Indalo Players

Well established drama group always looking for new members to act or help back stage. Contact Jennifer Jordan email jenniferjanejordan@gmail.com/ phone 34 722 860 085.

Independent Theatre Group

Always looking for new people, novices & full blown Thesbians. Call Ian Jones on 950 436 581 or 666 375 688 or e-mail independenttheatre@hotmail.com

The Luvvies

New members always welcome for acting or work behind the scenes etc. Tel. 634 346 309 or e-mail theluvvies@hotmail.com

Jacqueline Welby Productions

New members always needed to act or work back stage or with any other activities. Tel. Jacqueline Morris Welby 634 313 531

Orquesta Ciudad de Vera

A friendly group of musicians of various ages and levels. All newcomers welcome, only requirement is to play an orchestral instrument and read music. Rehearsals Vera Auditorio on Saturday mornings. See www. ocv.org.es for details.

Vera Voces

A friendly choir singing classical music, directed by pianist, singer and director, Barry Jobling. All welcome, no auditions. Rehearsals Mondays, 5-7pm, at Vera Auditorio. Facebook: Vera Voces. Contact veravoces1@gmail.com

All Aloud Community Choir meet every Tuesday at Charlotte’s Bar and Grill, formerly Chapman’s Bar, Albox, from 2.45 pm until 4.45 pm. All Welcome.

Albox Ukebox

A friendly group that meets weekly on Tuesday afternoons in Charlotte’s Bar (formerly Chapman’s) in Albox to learn and sing songs with the ukulele. All welcome. For details tel. Chris on 634 375 471.

Yoga

Sol Yoga Centre, Arboleas Tel: 686 400331

VaVa Yoga Studio, Vera. Tel: 642 314 316

Yoga Therapy with Portia Oliver. Tel: 681301474 www. portiaoliver.es

Arts & Crafts

Sewing Group, Mojacar

We meet at Scotty’s el Tropico bar for sewing, knitting, crochet etc. Weds.

10.30 to 12.30. Tel. Brenda 634 34 34 92. We are a friendly group meeting for coffee and chat.

Ladies Sewing Circle

Evangelical Church, Turre, Wednesday

10.30 – 12.30 Tel: 667 702 774

Picante Quilting Club

Scotty’s El Tropico, Mojacar. First Thurs of the month, 10am-12.30pm. Beginners welcome. For more details or to book your place, please email Jo at jogibson787@yahoo.co.uk

Cloud Zebra Craft Workshops & Clubs

In Almanzora and Oria, Tues 10-2, Thurs and Fri, 10.30 -2.30. Call 744 60 96 30. No experience needed.

Bedar Arts Centre

Ceramic classes, Mondays and Wednesdays. Painting classes Tuesday 10:301330. For info, call 664 896 555

Dance

Strictly Line Dancing

Salon de Actos, Centro de Usos

Multiples, Mojacar. Fridays, 4–7pm. Beginners welcome. Contact: Glynis 648217503 or Mary Beth 661671526 or strictlylinedancingmojacar@gmail.com

Eleanor & Gilly’s Line Dance Class

Chapman’s Bar, Albox, 2pm- 3-45pm, Mondays. All levels welcome. 950439003.

Step2It - Line Dancing

Arboleas. Weds: 6.45 p.m-7.30 p.m, First Steps/Intro. 7.30 p.m-10.30, Beginners / Improvers /Intermediate. Carrie Ann 627279584 www.carrieanngreen.com

Almeria Line Dancers

Julie - 634304625 / 950110433

Ceroc Dancing

Artisan Centre, Mojacar, Tues 8.15pm Beginners/Improvers/Advanced. All welcome. Contact Tracey 687251799

Belly Dancing

Mojácar, Garrucha & Huércal-Overa. Contact Fatima: 610 472 596

Bellydance Classes

Mojácar, Turre, Palomares. Call 639 724 521

Dance Classes with Hollie Newell Ballet, tap, contemporary, modern, jazz, lyrical, zumba and more. Based in Turre. Tel: 634 317 391

Performing Arts Centre DanZaVera

54 Verasol, Vera. Royal Academy Ballet, Imperial Society Modern, Tap and Jazz. Also Hip-Hop, Oriental Dance, Spanish Classical. Tel Anita: 670 715 787

Complete Beginners Flamenco Mojácar. No specialist shoes or equipment required, friendly hour long class. Email info@lagitanainglesa.com

VaVa Yoga Danza (Spanish)

With Barbarito. Cuban & Latin Salsa, Bachata & Merengue. Tel: 642 314 316

Send details of your group to almeriafocus@gmail.com

WhatsApp: 667 80 11 40

Activities - Clubs - Associations

Sports

Almería Lawn Bowling Club

Contact Shirley: 679 970 399

Bowling Club de Zurgena Friendly, social and competitive bowling, all levels & standards. zurgenabc@gmail. com. www.zurgenabc.com

Cabrera Lawn Bowling Club www.cabreralbc.com

Indalo Lawn Bowling Club

First class facilities with all levels of bowling catered for. Visit our website http://www. indalobowlingclub.org

Mojacar Bowls Club

Behind Marina Mar Hotel. Everybody welcome - Tues, Thurs and Sat starting with coffee at 9:30. Contact Janet 627204422, janlawspain@yahoo.co.uk

Aguilón Amigos Golf Club

Aguilon Golf Course on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays teeing off just before 9am. If you would like to play email aguilonamigos2021@gmail.com

Badgers Golf Society Mojácar

We play every Wednesday and alternate Saturdays. All are welcome. Contact Paul Cunningham on (0044)7775837453 WhatsApp or badgersmojacar@mail.com

Boxers Golf Society Albox

All welcome to join us as members or guests. Call in at the Why Not bar in Albox on Saturday mornings or email peterstooks@avired.com

Forum Golf Society

Plays friendly events at local courses twice a month. Richard Price. Telephone 850993073 or rfp53@yahoo.co.uk. www.forumgolfsociety.webs.com

Golfing Guapas Society

We are a group of ladies of all nationalities meeting one Friday in the month...golf followed by lunch and prizes. All welcome. Call Vivienne 683 558 696.

Valle del Este Golf Society.

Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays. Contact Alan Townsend Tel. 690 090 982

Almería Golf League

Contact Les on 950 619 273.

Marina Phoenix Golf Society

Visitors welcome Mondays and Thursdays. Tel Don Atkins 605 051 238. Email marinaphoenixgs@gmail.com

Huzzah Golf Society

Friendly group of all abilities, playing Aguilon golf course each Monday and local courses. All welcome. Call Eric & WhatsApp 643 04 96 96. Fb: Huzzah Golf Society. Email: huzzahgs@gmail.com

Albox Club de Tenis

Sun & Thurs mornings, Tues afternoons. Tel Sue: 950 064 369 Fb: Albox Club de Tenis

Cabrera Tennis Club

Contact info@ cabreratennisclub.com www.cabreratennisclub.com

Club de Tenis y Padel Indalo Vera. Tel: 950 59 28 77 - 608 250 607

Tennis Coach

Diego Rodriguez Tel: 689 688 226

Padel tennis lessons

At home. Tel: Ulises Gutiérrez, 606 902 691

PartyLevante Sailing Club

Initiation for children from 7 yrs in small groups. Email info@partylevante.com or call 680942141 www.partylevante.com

Santa Irene Sailing Club

Come and join us out on the watersailing or crewing our safety boat. Every Sunday at 10:30 in the boat park at the north end of Garrucha harbour. Email info@santaireneclubdevela.com www. santaireneclubdevela.com

Adelante Gimnasia Artìstica

Huercal-Overa.Classes for fun gymnastics, competitive levels, pre school and adults. Fully qualified coach. From 2 years. Tel 622 129 702 or info@adelanteartisitca.es www. adelanteartistica.es Facebook Adelante Gimnasia artistica.

Walking Football Club

Turre football ground, 9.30am, Monday, for training, exercise & playing. www. fclosamigos.com

Los Bandidos

Run, jog , walk a 5km route along the Paseo. Free to all. See Facebook. Contact Kevin on ironmankev08@gmail.com

Arboleas Table Tennis Club

Mon/Wed/Fri, 9.30 - 10.30 am, building with blue door next to swimming pool bar, Arboleas. Beginners welcome. Contact Chairperson - Keith tel 634 326 350.

Fitness & Martial Arts

Girasol, Albox

Pilates, children’s karate & Tai-chi. Tel 639 089 170

Aerobics or Pilates

Campo de Futbol, Turre. Contact Vicki 650 764 623 or vicki.lynch@live.co.uk

Slimming Group

Sophia Wellness Centre Arboleas, Thurs

12.30pm, Contact Vicki 650 764 623 or vicki.lynch@live.co.uk

Mojácar Taekwondo

5 years to adults. Various classes & times. Contact Serge 646844708. Facebook GTF Spain

Sophia Wellness Centre, Arboleas Various activities. Tel. 950 449 451.

Fitness with Alison, Mojácar

Full Body Workout, Pilates, AquaZumba, Zumba, Step Aerobics, Total Toning, AeroFit. Tel 666 273 168.

Hollie Newell Zumba Almeria

Turre, Los Gallardos, Arboleas and San Juan. Contact: 634 317 391

Jova Gym, Mojácar

Various activities. www.jovasport.es 671 247 035. See facebook.

Qigong

Group courses and personal training. Partaloa and Albox area. Contact Ilse +32 497451953 or +34 643489975

https://ilsevanbrabant.com/en/course/

Qigong Classes

Mojácar & Lubrín. Call 711 096 381.

Send details of your group to almeriafocus@gmail.com or WhatsApp: 667 80 11 40

Coffee Break

Jokes of the Month

The Password

A company recently had a password audit to make sure employees were not using simple insecure passwords and it was found that a blonde was using the following one: “MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofyWashington”. When asked why she created such a long password, she said she was told that it had to be eight characters long, and include at least one capital.

The Man On The Island

A cruise ship passes by a remote island, and all the passengers see a man with a long beard running around and waving his arms wildly. “Captain,” one passenger asks, “Who is that man over there?” “I have no idea,” the captain says, “But he goes nuts every year we go by.”

Going To School

Custody

A husband and wife were at the Custody court. The judge looks sternly at the ex-wife. Judge: “Why do you think you deserve custody of the child?”

Ex-wife: “I brought him into this world so I should have custody of him.”

Judge: “That is a simple, yet good reason.” Then the judge looks towards the ex-husband. Judge: “Why do you think you deserve custody of the child?”

The ex-husband thought long and hard about his response, and then he replied, “If I put money into a Pepsi machine and a Pepsi comes out, is it mine or the machine’s?”

Too Risky

My nagging wife, who never stopped moaning at me for 50 years, died suddenly on a trip to Jerusalem. Funeral director: “Sir, it will cost about 45,000 dollars if we send her home back to the states for her funeral there, or 500 dollars if we bury her here in Jerusalem.”

Me: “Ship her home.” Funeral director: “But sir, why don’t you bury her here in the Holy Land and you can save a load of money.” Me: “A long time ago, a man was buried here and three days later he rose from the dead, I can’t take the chance of it happening again!”

A boy was on his way to his first day at school, and he looked very worried. In the car, his dad asks him, “What’s wrong?” Nervous, the kid asks, “How long do I have to stay at school for?” “Until you are 18”, says the father. The boy is silent, frowns, and seems to be thinking hard about it. When they get to the front gates of the school and he gets out of the car, the boy says, “Dad, you will remember to come and get me when I’m 18, won’t you?”

Hospital Rules

Hospital rules stated that patients being discharged must be in a wheelchair. One day, a newly qualified nurse came into a room to find an elderly man fully dressed. He was sitting on the bedside chair, with a small suitcase at his side. She went to fetch a wheelchair but the elderly man was adamant that he was fully capable of walking. The nurse told him that rules were rules and he had to sit in it. So he did, and then she wheeled him out to the lift, despite him saying he didn’t want her to put him in the lift. The nurse told him rules were rules, so reluctantly, he let her wheel him in. Going down, she asked him if his wife would be outside waiting for him? “I don’t think so,” he replied. “It takes her a while to change her clothes, so I expect she’s still upstairs in the bathroom in her room, taking off her hospital gown and getting dressed, ready for me to take her home!”

Mother’s Day

Two children ordered their mother to stay in bed on the morning of Mother’s Day. As she lay there looking forward to breakfast in bed, perhaps with a flower on the tray as well, the smell of bacon floated up from the kitchen. After a good long wait she finally went downstairs to investigate. She found them both sitting at the table eating bacon and eggs. “As a surprise for Mother’s Day,” one explained, “We decided to cook our own breakfast.”

The Walker

A fellow was walking along a country road when he came upon a farmer working in his field. The man called out to the farmer, “How long will it take me to get to the next town?” The farmer didn’t answer. The guy waited a bit and then started walking again. After the man had gone about a hundred yards, the farmer yelled out “About 20 minutes!”

“Thank you. But why didn’t you tell me that when I asked you?”

“I was waiting to see how fast you could walk”.

The Haircut

I was in a barbershop when a man and his young son walked in to get a haircut. The man asked the barber to give his son a haircut while he went shopping nearby. The barber finished giving the boy his haircut, but there was no sign of the father. After an hour, the barber asked the son where he thought his father was. The boy said, “That man was not my father. He just told me that if I wanted to get a free haircut at the barbershop, I should come with him.”

The Homework

The Hearing Aids

An elderly man was having hearing problems and went to see a specialist. The specialist fitted him with some hearing aids that brought his hearing back to full strength. They were the sort that went right into his ear, and couldn’t be seen unless you looked very closely. After about six months the man came back to make sure they were still working properly. The hearing specialist said, “It all seems perfect, there is not a problem. Your family must be delighted that you can hear everything they say now.” “Oh no,” the man responded, “I haven’t told any of them. I just sit quietly, listening carefully. I’ve changed my will four times.”

The teacher called Little Timmy to her desk. She said: “This homework you’ve written about your pet dog, is word for word exactly the same as the one your brother has written. One of you must have been cheating.” “Of course they’re the same.” said Timmy. “It’s the same dog.”

The Drunk Woman

A man and his wife are at a restaurant, and the husband keeps staring at an old drunken lady swigging her gin at a nearby table. His wife asks, “Do you know her?”

“Yes,” sighs the husband. “She’s my ex-wife. She took to drinking right after we divorced seven years ago, and I hear she hasn’t been sober since.”

“My God!” says the wife. “Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?”

Your Stars

Mar. 21

- April 20

Positive changes regarding your personal status are evident. You can get a promotion if you put in a little extra detail. You can make extra cash by moonlighting. Your dramatic nature may be too much to handle. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Sept. 24 - Oct. 23

You may find that family members may not be too easy to get along with. Job changes are in order. Go for interviews or send out resumes. You could experience unusual circumstances and meet eccentric individuals. You will not be able to trust someone you work with. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

Apr. 21

- May 21

You may find a rare antique this month. It may be a disappointing day emotionally. Your stability will aid you in getting support from your fellow workers. Some of your new friends may not be that trustworthy. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

Oct. 24

- Nov. 22

You will do extremely well if you get involved in competitive activities this month. Don’t let someone you work with put words in your mouth. Stress coupled with diet will add to stomach problems. You can make some money if you get involved in a conservative financial prospect that is presented to you. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

May 22

- June 21

Don’t let them blame you. Move into a leadership position if you are determined to do so. Travel will promote new romantic en counters. Take time to do something nice for yourself. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

Nov. 23

- Dec. 21

Resist any idle chatter. You can set your goals and make a beeline for your target. You will be entertained and intrigued by the logic foreigners possess. Deception regarding joint finances or investments will cause upsets between family members. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

June 22

- July 22

Family outings or a quiet stroll through the park will lead to stimulating conversation and a closer bond. Now is a good time to ask for favors. Unpredictable events will disrupt your routine. Do not get involved with individuals who are already committed to others. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

Your diplomacy will be of utmost importance this month. You’re not your usual self this month. Having your own business is a good idea. Have some fun, but draw the line if someone tries to fast talk their way into your heart. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Dec. 22

- Jan. 20

Romance will be on your mind, and chances for ideal connections are in the works. Try to get every one involved; it will help bring you closer together. Try not to let your emotions interfere with the completion of your work. Your interest in helping others may take you back to school. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Aug. 23 - Sept. 23

Someone around you may not be trustworthy. Don’t let others bully you into agreeing with them. It might be best to spend time fixing up your premises and making changes that will be appreciated. Losses could occur if you haven’t been careful when dealing with joint financial ventures. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

Jan. 21

- Feb. 19

You’re in the mood to get out and visit friends. Your practical approach to life may charm someone who has been observing you. Although up setting, changes in your domestic situation will be favourable. Romantic relationships could be under pressure. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

You can make changes to your living quarters that should please family members. So smile! You can come up with future trends in creative fields. This is a great day to start that new health regimen you’ve been talking about. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Feb. 20

- Mar. 20