The Almería Focus – March 2023

The Almería Focus

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Heading for Spring

Apart from the rising cost of mortgages, the price of food is putting a dent in our pockets. The average price of basic items remains high, with sugar going up by 50%, milk by 38%, eggs by 30%, bread by 15%, oil and fats by 41% and vegetables by 12%, over the last 12 months. IVA (VAT) is a tax that the government can play with, as the money raked in from the percentage of IVA goes up in line with higher prices. Last month we explained that IVA on some food products has been scrapped or reduced until July 31st. IVA on sugar, meat and fish is still 10% and it is anticipated that it will be reduced to 5%.

Ironically, despite the rise in the cost of vegetables, agriculture is still the main motor of the economy in our province, and total exports from Almería and Andalucía in 2022 were a record high. Almería province exported goods to the value of 7.8 billion euros, a rise of 18% more than the high figures in 2021. Exports from Andalucía in 2022 went up to 43 billion euros compared to 35 billion in 2021.

Some years ago, the original Mojácar bypass was planned to go from the petrol station to the other side of the Hotel Indalo (the newest hotel was not there then), and join the road to Carboneras, taking all through traffic off the beach road. This had to be scrapped for fauna and flora restrictions as it would have gone through an area with a very rare plant. The new bypass, that the town hall state will be completed before the end of 2024, is designed to give access to various residential areas instead of from the beach road. ‘Salvemos Mojácar’ is an environment and ecology pressure group. They claim that the new bypass will not be built, as the feeder roads go through protected areas of fauna and flora, including land where the endangered ‘Tortuga Mora’ tortoises live. They also claim that permission for the ’Cosentino’ company to revamp and extend the Macenas beach complex will be refused for similar reasons!

This month, hopefully much warmer than the cold spell that coincided with the Carnival dates, there is a strange event, almost exclusive to Mojácar and the surrounding area, although the same thing happens in some places near Málaga, in Catalonia and in France. It is Día de la Vieja (Old lady day) which takes place on the third Thursday before the Thursday of Easter week, so March 16th this year. An effigy of an old woman is made of brightly coloured tissue paper wrapped round a wooden cross, with sweets packed into the head, and they are taken into the countryside or near a beach. Planted upright, children throw stones to get at the sweets. The origins of this are unclear, but as it is the middle of the solemn time of Lent with few festivities, grannies may have taken their grandchildren into the countryside for a treat. Businesses will be closed in the afternoon, and the ritual is usually combined with a barbecue, drinks and a good chat!

St. Patrick’s Day is on Friday, March 17th, and

Sunday, March 19th is ‘Día del Padre’, Spanish Father’s Day. In most parts of Spain this is a fiesta day, so will slide to the Monday. In Andalucía it is not a fiesta day as the Thursday of Easter week is a bank holiday instead. Sunday, March 19th is also UK and Irish Mother’s Day. Clocks in Spain go forward one hour on Sunday, March 26th, at 3am.

In the News

Good Economic Forecast

The EU Commission has published their predictions for growth in 2023 and 2024 in the Eurozone countries. They state that there is still cause for concern regarding a recession in the Eurozone with low figures relating to the Gross National Product (‘PIB’ in Spain). They have predicted a +1.4% growth for 2023 in Spain, and +2% in 2024. They put this down to Spain reducing the ‘IVA’ (VAT) and tax on many products, measures to reduce energy costs, and a rise in employment. The +1.4% is the highest in the Eurozone, compared to + 0.2% in Germany, +0.6% in France and + 0.8% in Italy with an average of + 0.9%. In the UK the GDP in the last quarter of 2022, compared to the same quarter in 2019, was minus 0.8%. The G7 countries forecast for the UK in 2023 is minus 0.4% although the IMF put the figure at a low of minus 0.6% with a sluggish rise in 2024. Inflation figures in February in Spain were reduced from 4.8% down to 4.4%, with a predicted 2.3% in 2024 which is very good news. UK inflation dropped to a 40 year high of 10.1% in January with the Confederation of British Industry predicting 6.7% in 2023 and 2.9% in 2024, but the target of 2% is estimated to take three years to achieve. The general population in the UK, with a steep rise in the cost of living, consider that they are experiencing a personal recession with increased debt.

Aid For Rural Areas

People moving out of rural areas, particularly young people who leave to find work, is a major problem in keeping these areas alive. Of the 740,000 official inhabitants in our province, 72 % live in towns, predominantly on the coast, and this percentage is estimated to increase. Incentives are being put in place to stop the exodus, and there are already special incentives for young people to set up businesses. The latest project has identified 72 municipalities in our province, out of the total of 104, that have populations less than 3,000. In our area these include Bédar, Chirivel, Fines, Los Gallardos, Lubrín, Lucainena de las Torres, Oria, Partaloa, Purchena, Serón, Sorbas, Taberno, Vélez-Blanco and Zurgena. People buying houses are to be given tax relief relating to the

Property Transfer Tax (IPT) that will be reduced from 8% down to 3.5% providing the purchase price is less than 140,000 euros. In the case of a registered physically challenged person, the purchase price cannot exceed 200,000 and for large families (there is a legal definition), the property cannot cost more than 250,000. There will be a 0.3% reduced document tax (AJD), instead of 1.5%, for first-time property purchasers below the age of 35, along with a grant of 15% of the cost of a mortgage, with a property purchase price less than 150,000 euros. There will also be a reduction in income tax of 400 euros per child. The project “Almeria, Youth Employment against Depopulation” (funded by the EU) remains in force with grants for people to start their own businesses, particularly women, and this is stated to have applied to 47 new businesses in 30 municipalities so far. Grants of between 4,000 and 8,500 euros for persons aged 18-29 who set up a business, are extended to municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants which applies to Macael, Olula del Río and Vélez-Rubio. The money for this comes from the EU “Youth Guarantee” scheme and it should apply to young Brits who are legally resident in Spain. Town halls in the municipalities where grants are available will have more details for potential applicants. (The 0.3% reduced AJD document tax for first-time property purchasers below the age of 35 is a general one, not just for rural areas, along with a grant of 15% of the cost of a mortgage, with a reduced property purchase price of less than 130,000 euros). There is also an initiative to install multiservice bank machines in rural areas with low populations and no banks, to stop economic exclusion.

Anti-Dog-Wee Lampposts

Almería council have been conducting an experiment for the last four months to see if special paint on the bottom of lampposts stops dogs peeing against them. The conclusion, despite initial scepticism, is that it does work. Margarita Cobos, a spokesperson for the council, states that they will extend the treatment to the rest of the city progressively. “We started testing the product,

In the News

which is harmless to animals, in November and we were surprised that it works, so we decided to apply it to the lampposts in the Nueva Andalucía area.” The corrosive effect caused by urine on the columns which is considered to be a common problem, particularly in cities, is difficult to control, and reduces the life of the lampposts that can cost up to 1,000 euros to replace. The company ‘Citilum’, who have the maintenance contract for the lampposts, will now start to extend the area where the paint will be applied.

Flights From Almería to Seville

The journey from Almería to the capital city Seville is extremely time consuming by road or rail. In 2009, the Junta de Andalucía accepted that there was a special public service need for partly subsidised air travel, and were given permission by ‘Aena’ (the Spanish air travel operating company) to start this in February 2010. Since then, the operating contract has been regularly renewed. A new contract has been signed that is in force until at least October 2024. Air Nostrum and Mel air have to provide a service that is regular, permits travellers to go to Seville and return the same day on weekdays, and meets minimum standards of service, the cost of tickets, and the availability of seats. 2021 saw a restriction in flights due to the pandemic, but in 2022 passenger numbers went up 21% to 24,000 passengers on 640 flights. The occupancy was 52% which is expected to increase this year. The Junta have budgeted 3.9 million euros for their contribution towards the operating cost. At present there are only flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays as the airline states there is not a sufficient demand, but they will have daily flights when it is feasible. There are also subsidised flights from Almería to Melilla.

Almería University Needs More Space

Recently, a new Faculty of Medicine was opened at the University in Almería together with a new Faculty for Economics and Business. Work will soon be finished on a Computer Information and New Technology building. There is also a new Sports Centre that will open soon, and a Natural History

building with exhibitions, that will be opened to the public in April. The rector of the university, Carmelo Rodríguez, is having a meeting with Almería city council to discuss the provision of additional land alongside the existing campus at La Cañada, that is now fully occupied. The 2023 budget, taking into account income and expenditure, has gone up by 8.6% to 116 million euros.

150 Archaeological Treasures

A total of 150 items considered to be of extreme archaeological value have been taken to the Almería museum where they will be classified and put on display. The National Police in Almería city became aware that a collector had acquired the items from another collector who had died. It was determined that the items should not have been in the hands of any collector and were of extreme cultural heritage. The items include Roman amphorae, ceramic containers, antique mill stones, an Argaric cup and bowls, five ceramic vessels from Africa, eight from South America, ceramic figures from the same area, a flute, drumsticks and glass containers. Many of the items seized do not have any documentation, and experts at the museum will have to determine their age and likely origin. Spanish law decrees that the discovery of archaeological items has to be reported within 24 hours, and they should not be moved as their extraction may involve experts, and the location is important to determine their age.

The Oldest Woman

On January 17th, María Branyas, who lives in Girona near Barcelona in a residential home, became the official oldest person in the world, aged 115, and she will be 116 on March 5th. This followed the death in France of a nun who was 118 and would have been 119 on February 11th. The California University keep records of births worldwide that are documented, and María will now feature in the Guinness Book of Records. María was born in 1907 in the US to Spanish parents and she survived Covid in 2020. The absolute world record for documented age belongs to Jeanne Calment from France who died in 1997, aged 122, and was a smoker from the

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age of 21 until she was 117 and had sight problems. Scientists consider that extremely old people have a “Methuselah” gene that enables them to live so long, and they rarely suffer from any illness.

Cheaper Basic Food Items

The ‘Unidad Podemos’ political party formed a coalition with the P.S.O.E. party in 2018 that gave the two parties a joint overall majority in the Spanish Parliament. Last month, we explained that ‘IVA’ (VAT) has been scrapped or reduced on a range of basic food items. Despite this, the prices according to the latest cost-of-living index, have not gone down as much as was hoped. The Podemos party have proposed that there should be a “temporary and extraordinary” further discount on 14 basic products of 4.2%, which is the difference in cost over the last twelve months. The subsidy would be shown on till receipts, the same way that the 20 céntimos discount on fuel was shown. (This was discontinued for the general public in January when fuel costs came down). The loss of IVA from the present reductions is estimated to be 700 million euros. The proposed extra discount, if it was in place for one year, would cost an estimated 2.3 billion euros. This year there are General Elections in Spain, and the political parties are looking at ways to keep or gain votes. The P.O.S.E. party initially dismissed these proposals but indicated that the IVA on meat products might be reduced.

A Historic Synagogue

The town of Utrera is 30km from Seville and in the 1980s there was a very popular cocktail bar and nightclub, ‘Los Montoya’, run by a legendary music producer, where the most famous flamenco singers and guitarists performed. Archaeologists have been following a detailed description as to where there was a Jewish synagogue that features in a document from 1604 written by Rodrigo Caro, a poet and historian. From detailed dimensions they have discovered that part of the synagogue is under the floor of the nightclub. The building was purchased in 2018 by the Utera council in order that archaeologists could carry

out investigations, and excavations have revealed that this is the most important Jewish synagogue in Spain. There are only three others, in Toledo, Segovia and Córdoba. Jews started occupying the site in the second half of the 13th century and the synagogue has a large variety of rooms where the main chapel was located, a room for scrolls, a bench where they could be studied, a purification area with immersion in water, and an area reserved for women. The location of the Rabbi’s house has been determined along with a room for scholars and an inn for guests. Fine examples of pieces of ceramic and glass show that they were of the highest quality, as befitted the important building. The glass is considered to have come from lamps used for illumination. Eventually, the expulsion of the Jews was ordered by the Catholic Monarchy. The Utrera council intend to eventually open up the site for visitors to see their historical heritage.

Motorhomes

A spokesperson from the Spanish Association of Motorhomes claims that Almería city and other municipalities in the province are “fighting a war” with regard to motorhomes when they should be accepting them as a vital part of tourism. He claims that it is a false idea that motorhome owners expect everything to be free, and in fact they make a high contribution to the economy as they eat in restaurants and stock up with provisions at supermarkets and other shops. Motorhome owners have a high spending power as they may have spent up to 180,000 euros on the most modern ones. They are attracted to Almería and the province for the usual reasons

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to do with climate, but they are also interested in gastronomy, public monuments and cultural activities. Some motorhomes have the autonomy of not needing to fill up with water or dispose of waste water for up to four days, so they present no problem in this respect. He agrees that motorhomes cannot be parked for weeks in the same place but states that a period of 48-72 hours has been put in place in other parts of Spain. He also criticises regulations that prohibit the owners of motorhomes from extending awnings and sitting outside with chairs and tables that are in reality are not illegal. Also, in other countries there are municipal areas for parking, where a motorhome owner pays an overnight fee, with basic facilities that they need, just the same as at private sites. The money from this would be added income for the municipalities without much investment. The P.S.O.E. councillors in Almería city have been calling for dedicated sites at places such as Las Salinas, Retamar and Cabo de Gata that would minimise any problems, and the cost would be more than recouped from a nightly fee for water, electricity and disposal of waste water. The provision of toilets and showers as an added incentive would also be paid for over a short period of time.

Exports From Almería & Andalucía

2022 was a boom year for exports from Almería province, exceeding the very good numbers in 2021, and the pandemic has not had a major impact. Companies invoiced 7.8 billion euros, a rise of 18%, and this was 13% of all exports in Andalucía. Total exports in Andalucía in 2022 were 43 billion euros compared to 35 billion in 2021, and these two totals are the highest since information started to be collated in 1995. The rise of 24.3 % was higher than the rise throughout Spain which was 22.9%. There are 19 autonomous communities in Spain, and Andalucía exports were only exceeded by the community of Madrid and Catalonia, which includes Barcelona. The best sales figures were from olive oil that went over the 3 billion euros for the first time and finished up at 3.3 billion. Vegetables went over the 4 billion sales figures with a growth of 13.9%, and fruit exports were just under 3 billion

euros. Exports to the USA rose by 34% and sales in Asia were up by 26%, with a 122% rise in sales in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsular. Sales to all European countries were up, and sales to the UK were also up with a rise of 5% to 2.18 billion euros. The A400M military version of the Airbus assembled in Seville has experienced some further losses in revenue, but in 2022 a total of 10 were delivered, two more than in 2021. The plane received major publicity when the evacuation in Afghanistan took place at Kabul airport, with regular flights from various countries. 116 of the 178 so far ordered have been delivered, mostly to countries that helped with development such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom. Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg and Turkey have also taken deliveries. The Ministry of Defence in the UK has indicated that their order of 22 planes will probably be increased. The Airbus CEO, Guillaume Faury, is confident that more orders will be placed this year. In 2021 both Indonesia and Kazakhstan ordered two planes, and four have been delivered to Malaysia.

Revamping Bus Stops

Almería county council have announced that with 80% funding from the EU ‘Feder’ programme, money is being spent to revamp and modernise bus stops in Carboneras, Los Gallardos, Mojácar, Cuevas, Pulpí, Vera and Villaricos. These locations have been chosen as it is considered that the existing bus stops do not cater for the demand. Some bus stops will be moved, access improved with pedestrian crossings where needed, modern bus stops will be illuminated, and passenger information along with bus times will be improved. New bus bays will be constructed where buses that are stopped cause a traffic problem. The budget price for all the work is 293,000 euros and tenders had to be received by February 14th.

More Trains From Almería and Granada

From February 20th, ‘Renfe’, the Spanish train operator, has provided two more ‘Media Distancia’ train journeys at 6.20 am from Almería to Granada, and 11.10 am from Granada to Almería. This brings the daily number of trains up to four that depart

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from Almería at 6.20 am, 10.35 am, 14.28 pm and 18.04 pm. In the case of Granada, the departures are at 11.10 am, 15.12 pm, 18.12 pm and 22.05 pm. The first and last trains from Almería are the slowest as they stop at Gádor, Gérgal, Fiñana, Guadix and Iználloz. The second and last trains from Granada stop at all these stations as well, but all the other trains only stop at Guadix. The journey times for the 109km are approximately two and a half hours.

End to Masks on Public Transport

Wearing masks on public transport in Spain is no longer compulsory. This applied to taxis, buses, coaches, metro and other trains, ferries and aircraft. It was never 100% observed on ferries and aircraft, as quite often it could not be enforced. It was observed on flights within Spain, but in theory, it applied to all international passengers on aircraft arriving and leaving Spain. There was a moment of humour for viewers when a television journalist Sandra Mir, from Telecinco, was carrying out live interviews of passengers on the busy metro in Madrid, to obtain their reactions to not having to wear masks. At one metro stop she stepped off the train onto the platform to talk to a passenger, but the doors shut with her cameraman still on the train! They were eventually reunited when he got off at the next stop and came back to where she was. Masks are still obligatory for staff and visitors at pharmacies, medical centres, hospitals and residential homes. They no longer have to be used at opticians or in auditory or orthopaedic centres. Health officials still recommend that people, particularly the elderly, should wear masks in areas with a high density of people.

Nudity Regulation Struck Down

The Spanish High Court has issued their ruling regarding eight people who wished to wear clothes in the pool area and communal gardens in a community of owners in Vera Playa. They were told it was only for nudists and a security guard insisted that this was the regulation as well. A court in Almería had upheld this exclusion but the High Court stated that their judgement was flawed. The High Court ruled that the community statutes did not support the exclusion, and it was a deprivation of

equal rights if persons who wanted to wear clothes were told that they couldn’t. The court stated that people who wished to use the facilities without clothes had a perfect and legal right to exercise their choice, but they could not impose this on others. The court concluded that the eight people should each be paid 1,000 euros in compensation.

Help from Spain for Turkey

When the devastating earthquakes took place in Turkey and Syria, the authorities appealed for help. The Spanish Navy ships Juan Carlos I and Galicia immediately set off with 500 marines and aid material. A fireman from Almería was part of a specialist team of 12 people sent there from the Spanish GEA Search and Rescue Organisation trained to respond to natural disasters. Within a few hours of arriving at Andana in Turkey, he and other specialists rescued a woman and a child. Two military aircraft took off with UME (Unidad Militar de Emergncias) troops, from the unique Spanish branch of the army that solely train and respond to disasters. It included rescue personnel and firefighters and normally they only operate in Spain. In exceptional circumstances such as these, the Spanish Prime Minister, in this case Pedro Sánchez, can order the unit to respond to international disasters and liaise with NATO. The UME, which was formed in 2005, operates from five bases in Spain, and the one that responds to any emergency in Andalucía and Almería province, such as firefighting, is based at Morón near Seville. Altogether, the UME is made up of 3,000 soldiers who have trained on land, in the air and at sea, with their own fixed wing planes, helicopters, drones and amphibious boats.

Trains Too Big!

‘Renfe’, the Spanish rail authority, ordered 31 trains at a cost of 258 million euros in 2020, to replace older trains on the lines in Asturias and Cantabria. Luckily, none of the trains have been manufactured. The design has had to go back to square one, as they are too big for many of the tunnels! These lines are termed the ‘FEVE’ narrow gauge ones, but 19th century tunnels in both places are smaller than normal. Renfe has announced that it is working closely with the manufacturer CAF

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to resolve “technical problems” and the trains will be manufactured and put in service as soon as possible, hopefully by 2026. Asturias is to have 10 new trains and the rest are destined for Cantabria where the whole fleet of trains is being replaced.

Centenarians

Many countries are worried about the older population increasing to the extent that income from workers will not match the money needed for old-age pensions. In our province in 1998, there were 51 people over the age of 100 that by 2013 had risen to 78 people, and at the end of 2022 there were an amazing 215 centenarians. People over the age of 90 has also gone up dramatically to 5,146. Spain is now officially the country where people live the longest, and in Almería the average life expectancy is 85. Women live to age 87 and men to age 83, and there are 18,686 people over the age of 65 who live on their own, which is 20% of this age group.

May 28th Municipal Elections

Political parties are starting to publish their lists of councillors for the municipal elections on May 28th. The number of councillors in each municipality varies according to the population, and political parties compile a list of proposed councillors, with a couple of extra ones. The person who heads the lists is the intended mayor or mayoress and in Albox, both the P.P. and P.S.O.E parties have a woman at the top of their lists who may become the mayoress. Rosa María Cano, who has been mayoress for 16 years in Mojácar, has announced that she will stand as a councillor, but not as the mayoress. Voters cast their vote for one of the political parties, not individuals, and the elected councillors will be in place until May 28th, 2027.

The New Minimum Wage Agreed

Spain has a minimum wage for a 40hr week that is periodically increased. In 2022 it was 1,000 euros per month paid 14 times a year (with the two extra payments in early July and November) so a total of 14,000 euros. The government and unions have been debating the amount of the rise for 2023 and this has been fixed at an increase of

8%, so 1,080 euros. The new annual wage becomes 15,120 euros, and it has been backdated to January 1st. Employers divide the annual amount into 12 monthly payments, but public service employees and pensioners receive the 14 payments. Since 2018 the P.S.O.E. party (roughly speaking a Labour party) has been in government in Spain, and the minimum salary has gone up each year from 735 euros 14 times a year, a rise of 47%. The aim is that the minimum salary is 60% of the average salary in Spain, but it is not quite at this amount yet

‘Dreambeach’ 2023 Line Up

The 9th Villaricos ‘Dreambeach’ Music Festival takes place this summer from Wednesday, August 9th to Sunday, August 13th, not during July which was tried in 2022 but resulted in fewer visitors. It has been announced that the Dutch performer Hardwell who retired from the scene in 2018 will return to Villaricos this year. His real name is Robert van de Corput, director of Revealed Recordings and he was named DJ of the year in 2013 and 2014 in the publication DJ Mag. He has a new album, Rebels Never Die, that will be presented for the first time in Villaricos. He started the foundation United We Are and since 2017 he has been working with 100,000 deprived children in Mumbai to help them with education and aid. The names of all the other performers are still becoming known, but the present line-up includes The Prodigy, Brennan Heart, Hernán Cattaneo, Morton, Loco Dice, Deborah de Luca, Dellafuente, Shlømo, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox and international prestige artists Andrea Oliva, Apashe, Ida Engberg, Klangkuenstler, Mariana Bo, Arodes, Gonçalo, Laidback Luke, Mike Williams, D Block & S-te-fan and Whipped Cream. Dellafuente

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is well known for her spinning rap and trap, with pop, Latin and even flamenco roots. French Shlømo is one of the new artists and is one of the most representative producers of underground French techno. Loco Dice is a must in the techno scene of recent years, and will be one of the protagonists of the ‘Dreams Tent’ stage. Deborah de Luca, the Neapolitan DJ has managed to gain an important foothold in the international clubbing circuit thanks to an ultra-danceable sound. Another name that could not be left out is the Portuguese Gonçalo, a regular at Dreambeach since its first edition. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday there is a simultaneous program on three large stages: EDM, Mainstream, Hardstyle Techno and Drum & Bass. The camping area, planned to accommodate more than 25,000 people, will have two zones. The first is in the Playa de Quitapellejos pine forest, and the second one is at the swimming pool in the centre of the campsite. Tickets can be obtained from www.dreambeach.es/tickets/www.dreambeach.es

Gunning For Amazon

In August 2021 the “Rider” law came into force in Spain that ruled that companies who used delivery people, and claimed they were self-employed, were committing an offence if they substantially controlled their activity. By not employing them, they did not pay into the Social Security system for employees which saved them a lot of money, there were no normal benefits for an employed person, and no cover for sickness or paid holidays. This applied to companies such as Just Eat, Deliveroo, Amazon, and the Spanish company Glovo. The Spanish Minister for Work, Yolanda Díaz, has stated that since 2018 there have been 50,000 people who were, in reality, employees, but the companies they worked for claimed they were self-employed. As regards Just Eat, she stated that a person with a bike (that they had to provide), who delivered goods for a specific company was by no means an entrepreneur. Companies had three months to regularise the situation, and the British owned Deliveroo company announced that they were pulling out of Spain, as their market penetration was very small compared to other companies. Just Eat claimed that they had “substantially” complied

before the legislation became law, but Glovo announced that only 2,000 of their 12,000 riders would be made employees, and they had changed the work conditions for the other 10,000 that were now sub-contractors. Legal opinion by employment experts is that Glovo will not be able to avoid employing their riders when they are taken to court. As we mentioned last month, the new law did not have many “teeth”, and a new regulation makes it a criminal offence for directors of companies, if they do not comply, with a prison term from 6 months to 6 years. A court in Madrid is looking at the situation with Amazon-Flex, the company that makes all home deliveries. 2,000 people who do this in the Madrid area have to provide their own transport and fuel, continually communicate using an amazon App, and the parcels are on a delivery schedule. It is anticipated that Amazon will be told that they cannot continue to claim that their delivery people are self-employed. As regards Social Security, if a court ruling is that their delivery people are employees, the company has to pay backdated contributions that can total an enormous amount of money. To be legal, the “self-employed” riders have to pay their own Social Security.

A Lot More Toll Roads in 2024

The EU has set up a post-pandemic recovery fund for member states, and Spain is being given 79 billion euros up to the end of 2026. The stage payments are conditional on reforms that the EU consider Spain has to put in place, such as changing workers on temporary contract onto fixed permanent ones, and changes in the pension system. Another one, that is a very hot potato, is making all motorways and major roads into toll roads. This is supposed to come into force in 2024, but as there are General Elections in Spain this year, the present government are hoping it will be a problem for the next government, and not lose them votes in the forthcoming elections. Up to now, with the end of toll concessions on many motorways, the tolls have been scrapped. The EU rationale is that it does not make sense that the maintenance of the roads continues to be paid for with general taxes when Spain has a greater need for money spent on social improvements.

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The road system in Spain totals 24,500km of which 12,000km are high density motorways, toll roads and major dual carriageways. These will, in theory, all become toll roads, but not the 12,500km of single carriageway roads. Spain has told the EU that they will introduce tolls on motorways by 2024, with other main roads to follow in due course. The system will work in all probability, by numberplate recognition cameras that will be able to quantify the distance a vehicle has travelled, and make a corresponding charge that will have to be collected. One way is by pre-paid cards for a certain amount of money that will be “spent” over journeys. There will have to be a method of charging people of all nationalities who use the roads, but do not live in Spain. Pere Navarro, the head of the ‘DGT’ (Spain’s traffic authority) has stated that the intention is that people making journeys to work, to places of study such as universities, and journeys for medical reasons will not have to pay, but how this will work has not been revealed! One suggestion is that the charge for cars and vans would be four céntimos per km, so a 100km journey would cost four euros, with a charge of 14 céntimos per km for heavy goods lorries. Critics say that the scheme will result in drivers using secondary nontoll roads, as they did when many roads became toll ones, and this will result in more accidents, injuries and deaths. There is also criticism that long distance haulage companies using the roads will have to pay substantial amounts of money.

Mojácar P.G.O.U. Approved

Every municipality has to have a document known by the initials P.G.O.U. which is an urban planning document that defines future development and services. When the document has been put together it has to be submitted to the Junta (in our case Andalucía) for study and approval. This is not a quick process at all, and it may be sent back for changes and modifications. Mojácar town hall has announced that their document has been approved after a study as to the sustainability declaration and the town council can now fully approve it as well. The mayoress, Rosa María Cano, is delighted that the plan has been given the green light and states that this has come about after a

period of 35 years. Rosa María congratulated the Junta in already approving the construction of the new health centre, the bus and taxi centre, (both near the petrol station), the new sewage plant that serves various municipalities as well as Mojácar, and the new junction where the Mojácar by-pass joins the Garrucha to Los Gallardos by-pass.

Spanish Singer’s Net Worth

David Bisbal aged 44, is the internationally famous singer who comes from Almería, and has sold almost 7 million copies of his various albums, with 60 of them having gone platinum in several countries. From these sales and his Spanish and world tours his net worth is estimated to be 5 million euros. When he has a new tour, he always has a concert in Almería city. During 2023 he has a “20-year anniversary” tour with 20 concerts in Madrid, at the same location from March 7th to April 8th. These feature his new album and video “Tú Me Delatas” . Several concerts are already sold out, and ticket prices are 45, 85 and 120 euros. He has been featured several times in the “Costa de Almería” road show designed to attract tourists, and he made a video when the Ferrero-Rocher competition took place in Mojácar.

Charging For Tap Water

In Spain, a restaurant has to supply tap water “agua del grifo”, if a customer asks for this, and it has to be free of charge. In Segovia, which is a popular tourist area, a restaurant owner is charging 4,50 euros. He justifies this by explaining that the water is free, but customers have to pay for a glass, freshly wiped clean, served by a waiter or waitress and then the glass is cleaned again and recycled. Also, he pays Social Security for his staff and has to cover the expenses of running a dishwasher. He goes on to say that there is completely free water in the toilets, if the customer takes a glass there from the table! On the drinks menu there is also “Km 0 water” that costs 2,75 euros a bottle. This is tap water that the owner claims has been “micro-filtered” to take out smells and any dirt and then bottled. The consumer organisation FACUA states that the normal profit from food and drink pays for all the services and tap water has to be completely free. They agree that some restaurants don’t supply tap water if

In the News

asked, but this is because they do not know that they have to. They also noted that the policy for the restaurant in Segovia was explained in a video, but the owner did not seem to be charging the 4,50 euros at present. He was getting a large number of general reviews and comments on social media as a result of the video that was very good publicity.

High Speed Transplants

In Madrid there is a co-ordination centre manned 24/7 that match donated organs to patients who need them. Their “zero” category are patients who are very likely to die if there are no organs available quickly. There is a similar system in Italy, and recently two kidneys were available at a hospital in Padua. They were needed urgently in Moderna which is 170km away, and in Rome which is 400km away. The Italian police have a Lamborghini Huracan ,and a special refrigerated box is installed in the small “boot” that is at the front of the car, for emergency transport of organs such as these ones. They completed the total journey of 489km in just over two hours, travelling on the motorways at an average speed of 230km/h and peak speeds of 300km/h, and both patients received the kidneys in time. Apart from organ deliveries, the high-speed 640hp car, that goes from 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds, is used to catch speeding criminals. Other police forces use high performance cars, and in Germany for several years, there are a number of Porsche 911’s used on the autobahns. In France, their traffic police have recently bought a turbo-charged Alpine A110 with a top speed of 250km/h. In 2012 in the UK, Ben Westwood was being chased by police on the M6 in the West Midlands in his Audi RS5, and was travelling at up to 180mph over a 65-mile distance, considered to be the highest UK speed pursuit by a police vehicle. A police helicopter had a job to keep up with him!

Bob Dylan Signature

Last year, Bob Dylan published his first book since 2004 which is a collection of over 60 essays on songs by other composers. The book “The Philosophy of Modern Song” is as yet only available in hardback, with a retail price of 45 dollars in the US. A special limited edition of 900 copies

was made available with his signature, and fans paid 599 dollars. On eBay, after they had all been purchased, copies were selling for 2,000 dollars or more. However, it soon became clear that many of the signatures were identical and had been “signed” with a machine! Bob Dylan apologised profusely and pointed out that he had signed some books, but the publisher Simon & Schuster had organised the mechanical signature, and was offering a full refund for angry purchasers. A new world tour is planned and fans will have to switch their mobile phones off and put them in a bag which costs the equivalent of two euros. If the bag is then opened, an alarm will sound, similar to the alarm sounding if clothes are taken out of a shop and not paid for!

How Old Are You?

When a baby is born, 12 months later it has their first birthday and becomes age 1. This is the case throughout the world except in South Korea and Taiwan. In South Korea, since 1962, they use the normal “international” way of determining age, but alongside this, in some parts of the country, they still use the “Korean” system originating in China. This states that a baby is age 1 when it is born, and on January 1st the following year it becomes age 2. If a baby is born on December 31st age 1, then the next day on January 1st it is age 2! A third calculation made in other parts of Korea is a combination of both systems. A baby is age 0 when born, but age 1 the following January 1st. This third way of calculating age is used for compulsory National Service, primary and secondary education and the legal age for drinking and smoking. There are online calculators where a person puts in their birthdate, that then determines their age for various bureaucratic purposes. This year, the National Assembly has ruled that all ages are being recalculated, in line with the normal international system of ages increasing on each birthday. The three systems have become an administrative nightmare and were a big problem when COVID-19 initial vaccinations were given for different age groups, and then the booster jabs. The authorities anticipate a great deal of confusion in the first year! In Taiwan they use the third system, and everybody adds a year to their age on January 1st.

Non-Spanish Population in Almería Province

Inan unprecedented step, the Spanish Election Authorities sent personal letters to all British registered on the ‘Padrón’ (The official list of residents in every municipality) who are entitled to vote in the municipal elections on May 28th.

People from the EU living in Spain are entitled to vote, along with people from 14 countries where there are reciprocal arrangements. People who had voted in the last elections in 2019 were kept on the list, apart from the British, but all other people eligible to vote were also sent personalised letters inviting them to apply for a vote. If the vast majority of these people and Brits applied to vote, this is a very large sector of the population.

At the end of 2022, information from the Spanish Institute of Statistics, was that out of the 732,000 population in Almería province, 163,000 were nonSpanish which is 22%. There are 120,00 people of working age, and only Alicante had a corresponding high number. Of the 163,000 some 32% were Moroccans, 12% were from Rumania, followed by 10% from the UK.

The Spanish Social Security Department have published their own statistics, which showed that in 2009 non-Spanish workers made up 19% of the working population of 261,000 with 50,000 workers, in 2018 there were 63,000 and over 77,000 in 2022, out of the working population of 323,000, so a large increase.

We all will have met people who are not Spanish or British as they can be found in a very large number of different activities. 32,000 men and 13,000 women, predominantly Moroccans, work in agriculture which is the main motor of the economy in our province. In 2000 there were 12,500 nonSpanish workers engaged in agriculture which was only 6.5% of all workers, but two decades later workers from 140 countries make up 65%. Export sales have been increasing substantially every year and Brexit has had almost no effect. The number of non-Spanish agricultural workers in our province is four times the number throughout Andalucía, and three times the national average.

11,000 non-Spanish workers are employed in the sales or repairs of vehicles, 5,000 in transport or distribution warehouses, 3,800 in restaurants and bars, 2,000 in the construction industry, 1,000 in manufacturing companies, 1,000 in administrative or auxiliary services, 500 in the property sales or rental businesses, 200 in the IT or telecommunication sector and 100 in the fishing industry. As regards their sex, there were almost twice the number of men.

In our province in 2022, the number of registered unemployed persons fell by 5% with respect to 2021, finishing up at a total of 53,500 out of the population of 737,000. In Spain as a whole in 2022 some 80,000 people came off the unemployment register and the number of unemployed persons fell to 2.9 million out of a population of 48 million, the lowest number of unemployed since 2007. 278,000 people started paying into the Social Security system as employees, or setting up their own businesses, so apart from the 80,000 who ceased to be unemployed, almost an additional 200,000 were in work. During and post-pandemic, there has been a large increase in online sales at the expense of face-to-face sales, and there is a distinct shortage of IT workers.

Despite the pandemic, good employment figures, increased output and financial help from the EU saw the ‘PIB’ (Gross National Product) in Spain go up to plus 5.5% in 2022, and inflation was just under 7% at the start of 2023, the lowest of any EU state.

So Now You Know...

The ‘Worm Full Moon’

The final full moon of the 2023 winter period can be seen when it rises at about 5.30pm on Monday, March 6th, when it is very bright. Unusually, on this night, it does not pass the Meridian. On Tuesday, March 7th, the moon rises about 6.30pm and is the brightest moon with an illumination of 99.6%. If there is light rain on these nights with water droplets, this can cause a rare “moonbow” just like a rainbow, but generated by the light of the moon not the sun. If there is one, it will be visible shortly after sunset. This full moon is called the “Worm moon” thought to refer to beetle larvae coming out of the bark on trees when the temperature rises.

Coventry Cathedral

The foundation stone of the new Saint Michael’s Coventry Cathedral was laid by Queen Elizabeth II on March 23rd, 1956. During WW2 many cathedrals were damaged by bombs, but the most severe damage was at Coventry Cathedral on November 14th, 1940. Coventry was a scene of intense bombing owing to the manufacture of engines, aircraft, and munitions, vital to the UK war effort. A bombing raid in October resulted in lead sheeting on the roof being taken off in case it melted. Three incendiary bombs landed on the cathedral in the November raid, causing fires that were impossible to extinguish. 500 people were killed in the city.

The ‘Herald of Free Enterprise’

On March 6th, 1987, the British owned roll on /roll off cross-channel ferry, the ‘Herald of Free Enterprise’, set sail from Zeebrugge in Belgium on its way to Dover. The bow doors had been left open causing the sea to flood in, and 193 passengers and crew died. As was common then, with these types of ferries, there were no watertight compartments so it very quickly turned on its side. An inquiry determined that the assistant boatswain, who was responsible for checking that the doors were closed, was asleep in his cabin. The lack of supervision and staff training was considered to be the most serious cause of the tragedy.

First Concorde Flight

Concorde, the Anglo-French supersonic aircraft built in the UK by the British Aerospace Corporation, took off on its maiden flight on March 2nd, 1969. It was the first aircraft to take off as the French version had not been finished. The deltawing design was a technological masterpiece from engineers in both countries and it regularly flew at 1,354 mph / 2,179km/h or Mach 2.04, twice the speed of sound. The reduced flight time from London to New York was about three hours. The development costs could never be recovered, so financially it was never profitable. Despite this, it was tremendously morale boosting.

World Hearing Day

Friday, March 3rd, is the annual World Health Organisation “World Hearing Day”, to raise awareness of the problems of hearing loss, and treatment in primary health care. Over 190 million people in the WHO European area suffer from some sort of hearing loss, and hearing aids or cochlear implants can substantially improve their quality of life. The WHO has introduced “hearWHO” a free mobile phone App and web-based software for screening hearing loss in English, Spanish and Chinese. It can be used by individuals at home and health professionals to ascertain hearing loss and refer sufferers for testing and treatment.

The Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race

On March 28th, 1912, both the Oxford “dark blue” and Cambridge “light blue” rowing boats sank during the annual side-by-side ‘Varsity’ race along the river Thames. Both boats had become waterlogged, and the Oxford boat was steered to the shore to empty out the water. When they had done this, the Umpire’s launch came alongside and told them that the Cambridge boat had already sunk, and it was being declared a “No race”. With the agreement of the Port of London a second race was held on April 1st when it was extremely windy. Oxford won by six lengths, the largest margin since 1903, but the race time was the slowest since 1901.

Cosentino and Silicosis

Themultinational company ‘Cosentino’ based in Cantoria, is 100% owned by three brothers and they are preparing to go public and be listed on the Spanish stock exchange, with an anticipated share issue of 2.5 - 2.8 billion euros. In 2021 they invoiced products to the value of 1.4 billion euros with a net profit of 140 million. Currently, financial analysts are of the opinion that the process of going public may be slowed down following a report in the Spanish daily newspaper ‘El País’.

Their two flagship products are ‘Silestone’ (principally worktops) and their floor and wall covering product ‘Dekton’. Recently, Francisco Martínez Cosentino, one of the brothers, admitted via a video link to a court in Vigo, that the company had downplayed the very real risk of silicosis, which is a result of cutting their Silestone quartzbased worktops. It is alleged that this affected nearly 1,900 workers from 2007-2019 who were diagnosed as having contracted silicosis. The court in Vigo were hearing a case brought on behalf of five operatives (one died very recently) in Galicia, who regularly cut the worktops and were unaware of the dangers. ‘El País’ claims that there are 23 court cases pending, with one in Almería.

Francisco, aged 71, accepted a suspended prison sentence of six months, although the ‘Fiscalía’ (Spanish Crown Prosecution Department) had asked for a real prison term of three years. It was revealed that the company had paid the workers 1.1 million euros in compensation, in settlement of an action in the civil courts, but their lawyer said that the amount of money took into account that the company the men worked for at the time had gone into liquidation. Another allegation is that the company has made large numbers of financial settlements with a confidentiality clause in the agreement, and the true number of these cases has not been made public. The company has agreed that the diagnosis of silicosis was confirmed in 95 cases between 2019-2021.

Silestone was introduced in 1990 and it is alleged that it was not until 2005 that a label was fixed

to the product warning of possible risks. The label was updated in 2009 with more information and explained that “Prolonged and/or massive inhalation of crystalline quartz can cause pulmonary fibrosis and pneumoconiosis such as silicosis.” An e-mail was sent to 3,000 companies in 2010 warning of the risks. Medical experts say that the health problems occur within 5-10 years, not over the very longer period of time that is the case with people working and cutting granite or marble. They state that the problem is caused by the microcrystal particles of quartz dust aspirated by the operators, which increase by weight and size in the lower respiratory tract and lodge in the alveoli sacs. The lungs defend themselves by forming nodules leading to severe fibrosis.

Francisco stated that these were “historic” cases that went back 20 years when regulations in the workplace and understanding hazards with working particular materials were nothing like they are today, although they had been fined 40,000 euros in 2002 because they allegedly exposed workers in Cantoria to toxic dust. It was stated in court that a patented process termed ‘HybriQ+’ greatly reduces the amount of quartz in the worktops. The former owner of the company in Galicia accepted a suspended prison term of 15 months, for not having in place even minimum safety precautions.

‘Cosentino’ recently bought the Macenas beach complex in Mojácar that they plan to modernise and extend with the building of a hotel and golf course.

Banks Raking It In

With people in Spain having to pay higher prices for food and higher prices for domestic electricity and gas, the major rise in cost has been mortgages.

Conversely, 2022 profit margins from Spanish banks that have recently been published show the best figures since the heyday of 2007. Bankinter made a profit of 560 million euros, an increase of 28%, followed by Sabadell with 859 million, a 62% increase, and Unicaja declared a 260 million profit, double the amount in 2021. The three largest banks in Spain followed on with BBVA announcing the highest profits in its history of 6,420 million, Santander’s profit of 9,620 million was another record, and Caixabank weighed in at 3,145 million euros even after the cost of the merger with Bankia.

In all fairness, some of the profits by the major banks were not just from Spanish banking, and BBVA stated that the 2022 profit from Spain was only 1.7 billion euros, up 8.5%. Santander at 1.6 billion was nevertheless a profit of 148% but the Caixabank overall profit of 3.15 billion pulled in 2.8 billion from customers in Spain.

5.6 million shareholders will receive a much higher dividend, but clients with deposit accounts are getting nil, or an extremely small rate of interest. The average interest rate on fixed-term deposits from Spanish banks is only 0.65%, compared to 1.2% in the Eurozone. For fortunate people who have a good balance in their current accounts, and want a sensible interest rate from a deposit account, some banks do provide this. The online bank Wizink offer fixed term deposits of 18, 25 and 36 months with an annual net interest of 1.985% - 2.477% paid quarterly, with a minimum deposit of 5,000 euros.

The Euribor (the interbank lending rate) that applies to all variable rate mortgages was a negative amount in February 2022 but it then started to rise to a positive amount that was 3.34% this January. This is the main reason why the

cost of these mortgages has gone up. In February, Yolanda Díaz, who is one of the vice-presidents in the Spanish government, called for a cap on the rise in cost on her personal Twitter page, backed up by the Podemos party who are in a coalition government with the P.S.O.E. However, this is considered to be extremely difficult to implement, and would have a major impact on bank structure. Another Spanish Minster pointed out that the “Code of good practice” to be implemented by banks where clients have problems with paying their mortgages, is the best way forward. Banks have to offer a reduced Euribor rate, an increase in the mortgage term of up to seven years, and convert variable rate mortgages to fixed rate ones, where clients are experiencing hardship.

Spain is unique in the EU in that they have dictated a windfall tax of 4.8% on the amount of money that banks in Spain collect from interest and commissions, and this will apply to 2022 figures payable at the end of this year and the same for 2023. Banks have been threatening that they would appeal this ruling in the tribunals, but they haven’t done this yet, and the proposed action has died down to some extent. The opinion now, in view of their large profit margins, is that they will probably have to knuckle under. Ana Botin, the CEO of Santander, has recently stated that “in general” her bank does not refuse to pay taxes, but the levy should apply to other entities that make large profits as well.

ACCOUNTING

AIRPORT PARKING

ANTIQUES

ARCHITECTS

ART & ARTISTS

AUTOMATIC DOORS

BEDS & BEDDING

BOAT TRIPS

BEREAVEMENT/WILL

BICYCLE SALES

BLINDS see Awnings & Blinds

BUTCHERS

CAKES TO ORDER

CATERING /

CLOTHING (Personalised)

DIVING See Scuba Diving

Free directory entries: WhatsApp 667 80 11 40 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

DOORS

ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS

ELECTRICAL GOODS

ELECTRICIANS

The Almería Focus 5,000 copies delivered monthly to 250 places.

Advertise and get your business seen. Call or WhatsApp Clare on 667 80 11 40 or email almeriafocus@gmail.com

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ESTATE AGENTS

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

FIREPLACES

FISHING

FITNESS

FROZEN FOOD SUPPLIER

HARDWARE OUTLETS

HOME CARERS see also Nursing

HORSE RIDING

HOTELS & HOSTALS

INTERNET CAFES see Cybercafes

INTERPRETING/TRANSLATIONS

IRONING

JEWELLERY

KENNELS, CATTERIES & PET SITTING

KITCHENS

The Almería Focusis 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

MASSAGE

MATTRESSES

MEALS DELIVERED

METAL WORK

PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES

PIZZERIAS

PHOTOCOPIES & SCANS

PLASTERERS

PHYSIOTHERAPY

PICTURE FRAMING

POSTAL SERVICES

PRINTING & GRAPHIC DESIGN

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

PROPERTY PROMOTERS

PSYCHOLOGIST

RADIO STATIONS

REFRIGERATION

REMOVALS &

RESTAURANTS, BARS & CAFES See

RETRACTABLE ROOF SYSTEMS

RUGS & CARPETS

RURAL TOURISM

SATELLITE TV

see Removals & Storage

SWEET SHOPS

TATTOO

TAXIS (Legal)

TRANSLATING

TILING & PATIO WORK

See also Building Services

TUITION

TV & AUDIO REPAIRS

UPHOLSTERY

VAN &

VEHICLE

VEHICLE

VETS

WINES

WOOD & PELLET STOVES

ZOO & PARK

Useful Numbers

Vera Lions - Worldwide Friendship

By: Chrissie Cremore

Dave Turner was more than happy to meet Vera and District Lions Club new President Zoe Rylett and swop “friendship banners”, especially as it meant joining their monthly meeting in Los Gallardos in Almeria, Spain, rather than on a cold, dark night in the small town of Market Deeping in Lincolnshire. Isn’t it just wonderful to know that by being a member of this international charity, one is able to meet Clubs worldwide, and to date, Dave has been lucky enough to personally visit and swap banners in Auckland, Hong Kong, St Lucia, Barbados and Cologne...just to mention a few!

Just like Zoe, Trustee and former Treasurer Dave joined The Lions when it became apparent that they wanted to get involved in their incredible charity work. Dave explained that the main charities they support are Brain Tumour Support, British Heart Foundation and MacMillan Cancer Research. However, he is particularly proud of perhaps their greatest achievement which was the construction of a “sensory garden” for the charity SENSE supporting badly disabled children. Likewise, Zoe is passionate about what The Lions can do to help local communities. And apart from supporting the food banks in Turre and

Vera which currently assists 1400 families, they consistently give aid to the St Agustin Children’s Home in Vera and are now on a mission to raise much needed funds for major renovation work on the building which is 151 years old. There are many other avenues that these charities support, be it personal issues or indeed the local Air Ambulance in the UK. Each individual Club is aware of what help is needed. They are just ordinary people doing extraordinary things!

One can become A Member whereby your input, knowledge and support is greatly appreciated or just become “A Friend” which means you can be on hand to help at events or with certain situations when you have time and are able.

Dave and his wife first visited Spain in the winter months 13 years ago and their love affair with this region has continually blossomed. They return to the UK feeling refreshed and energised to face the year and raise money. Preparing Giant Easter Egg Raffles, Carnivals plus Santa and his Sleigh. But to date, their world famous event is the Duck Race which saw 3,000 yellow plastic ducks released into the local river! “Ah!“ thinks Zoe...”where can I get this many ducks and where can I release them? Watch this space!

For further information, email veralionssecretary @gmail.com or zoerylett@gmail.com. Tel: Zoe Rylett 639 036 051. Visit their charity shop in Turre. All items welcome. Donations and standing orders to Vera and District Lions Fundraising ES19 3058 0186 3527 2000 7801

The Market Deepng Duck Race

Community News

Scotty’s Little Soldiers

Gus Kaye is raising money for Scotty’s Little Soldiers by taking part in the Commando Speed March in Spean Bridge in Scotland in March. Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity for bereaved children who have experienced the death of a parent serving in the British Armed Forces. If you would like to donate, go to www.justgiving.com and search for Gus’s Commando Speed March.

Los Bandidos Honoured by the Ayuntamiento of Mojácar

The theatre in Huércal-Overa hosted the 1st Levante Sports Gala, organized by Total Sport Mediterranean, representing 14 municipalities: Antas, Bédar, Carboneras, Cuevas del Almanzora, Huércal Overa, Los Gallardos, Lubrín, Lucainena de las Torres, Mojácar, Níjar, Pulpí, Turre, Sorbas and Vera. The event was attended by representatives of each municipality as well as the award-winning athletes and their companions. The annual awards will be a reflection of the success of athletes, from a wide variety of sports, involved in achieving success for the Levante Almeriense region.

Representatives from Los Bandidos were honoured to attend the gala to receive their award, which the Ayuntamiento of Mojácar gave in recognition of Los Bandidos’ passion and commitment to promoting sport in Mojácar, and for the important work Los Bandidos do to integrate all those who participate.

Founder member, Kevin Rowe accepted the award on behalf of all Los Bandidos and thanked everyone for making the group so special. The awards were celebrated with a post-gala buffet.

Los Bandidos was set up in June 2018 with a small group running the 5k Mojácar Paseo, and now has road cycling, sea swimming and triathlon groups. All ages, nationalities and speeds are welcome, whether permanent residents or holiday makers.

If you would like more information please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ groups/490933409244200

Great Start for PAWS-PATAS Adoptions

It’s been the perfect start for many of our shelter animals, as they begin 2023 in their forever homes. We still have lots of cats and dogs looking for their new homes so please visit our website to see who is available: www.paws-patas.org

Throughout 2023, PAWS-PATAS will be holding various fundraising events to allow our team of volunteers to continue to help rescue and rehome animals here in the area. With regular puppy and kitten meet and greets scheduled for our outlets, we will also be holding a Spring Fete on Sunday, 16th April at the Oasis Pool Bar, near Los Gallardos. Entry will be 2 euros on the door, with food and drink available and acoustic music to provide a relaxed atmosphere to meet some of our animals and peruse stalls selling handmade and artisan products. If you’d like more information or want to book a stall, email claire@paws-patas.org.

We’re also looking for volunteers to help out at our shelter, with accommodation available to livein if needed. Your contribution makes a world of difference to our animals!

Dogs and cats are continually brought to the shelter (sometimes even abandoned overnight outside the gates) and we work tirelessly to better the lives of these animals and find them loving, forever homes.

More information about volunteering can be found on our website: https://paws-patas.org/ volunteering/

What’s On

Almería

El Origen del Hielo is a tribute concert to “Frozen” and comes to Teatro Cervantes on Sunday, March 5th, at 6pm. There have been excellent reviews following performances in Madrid. Tickets are 12 euros in advance and 15 euros at the door.

‘OCAL’ The Almería City Orchestra have a Beethoven and Mozart concert at the Maestro Padilla Auditorio in Almería city, on Saturday, March 18th at 8.30pm. They perform Beethoven’s Cariolan overture opus 62, his 8th Symphony opus 93, Mozart’s Piano Concerto 23. K 488, and his aria Vorrei spiegarvi, o Dio. K 418. The conductor is Michael Thomas with piano soloist Rogelio Gil and soprano Elena Gallardo. Tickets are 10 & 12 euros.

Michael’s Legacy is considered to be one of the best Michael Jackson tribute performances and comes to the Teatro Cervantes on Friday, March 3rd, at 9.30pm. Tickets are 18 & 25 euros.

Niño Josele, the highly acclaimed guitarist who comes from Almería, presents his latest album “Galaxias”, which is a flamencofusion compilation, at the Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city, on Friday, March 10th, at 9.30pm. Tickets are 12 & 15 euros.

La Húngara is a pop-flamenco concert celebrating 20 years of performances by one of the most highly acclaimed Spanish artistes. It comes to Teatro Cervantes on Saturday, March 11th, at 10.30pm, and tickets are 18 euros in advance and 20 euros at the door.

The opera Turandot composed by Giacomo Puccini is performed by the soloists, choir and orchestra of the 2001 Opera Company at the Maestro Padilla Auditorio, Almería city on Sunday, March 12th, at 7pm. Tickets are 28 & 35 euros.

La Gran Noche de las Musicales, performed by the AEDEA theatre and dance company comes to Teatro Cervantes in Almería city on Sunday, March 12th at 7pm. It features excerpts from many famous musicals and tickets are 10 euros in advance or 12 euros at the door.

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 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.

The Buzz Lovers are a Nirvana tribute group who have won many awards and they come to Teatro Cervantes in Almería city on Friday, March 31st at 11pm. Tickets are 12 euros or 15 euros at the door.

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.

Tickets for Teatro Cervantes, Almería city, from box office at Calle del Poeta Villaspesa,1. Open

What’s On

Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm & 4pm-7pm, Saturday from 11am-2pm, or 1hr before performances, or from www.todaslasentradas.com

Águilas

The 2022-2023 Promusica series of concerts features the opera Turandot composed by Giacomo Puccini, performed by the soloists, choir and orchestra of the 2001 Opera Company at the Águilas Auditorio, on Friday, March 24th at 8pm. Tickets are 35 euros.

The musical Mary Poppins comes to the Águilas Auditorio, on Sunday, March 26th at 5.30pm. The poster gives the ticket price at 10 euros, but the website in this case is https://entradas360. com/espectaculo/21389-marypoppins that shows the price at 12 euros. Children under the age of two that sit on a person’s lap have free entry.

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.

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.

The Film Symphony Orchestra comes to Roquetas Auditorio as part of their Krypton tour on Saturday, March 4th, at 7.30pm. Tickets are 35, 37 & 42 euros.

Luz Casal, the famous Spanish Pop-Rock performer who has won many international awards, comes to Roquetas Auditorio as part of her 2023 tour on Saturday, March 25th, at 9pm. Tickets are 35, 42 & 45 euros.

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

What’s On

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.

El Mesías Cantores de Híspalis is a religious oratorio that comes to the Teatro Villa Huércal-Overa on Friday, March 3rd, at 9pm. It deals with events related to Jesus Christ, and has projections and effects as well as music from soloists and a camera orchestra. Tickets are 30 & 35 euros.

Tickets can be bought from the ticket office open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am-1.30pm & 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.

Exhibitions

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

Miscellaneous

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.

Murder In The Panto, by local writer Bill White. A performance by the Indalo Players on Thursday, March 30th at the Maruja Cintas Theatre in Bedar. Tickets are 10 euros from Bedar Town Hall and Olive Properties. Doors open for refreshments at 18:00. Performance starts at 20:00. To book the theatre email: mmaysimpson@gmail. com. For further information about Indalo Players Email: jenniferjanejordan@gmail.com

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. (Except February). 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

Living Alone in Spain?

We are a 60+ group of friends who meet for lunch every Wednesday in the Mojácar area. Tel. Cynthia 693 789 742

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, Hostal Rural, Los Sabores de Miguel. All welcome. Tel. Carolyn 637 798 494

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

Bar Trinidad, La Alfoquia, 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

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

Mojácar Bridge Club

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

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

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

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 or Sylvia 628 006 197. 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

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/

WhatsApp: 667 80 11 40

Coffee Break

Jokes of the Month

Not a Man

Two crows were in a field when they noticed a figure that looked like a man in the distance. “See that over there? What is it?”, asks the first crow. The second crow takes a long look, “That’s a scarecrow. Looks authentic though, doesn’t it.” “How can you tell it’s a scarecrow and not a person?”, asks the first crow. “It’s easy. Look at its hands, no mobile phone”, says the second crow.

The Choice

400 passengers, but only 200 meals, were put onto a flight from Delhi to New York. It was only discovered two hours after takeoff when the flight attendants started going through their preparations to hand out the meals. So the airline had bungled in a major way, and the crew was in a fix. But one smart flight attendant had an idea. She nervously announced, “Ladies and gentleman; we don’t know how this happened, but we have 400 people on board, and only 200 dinners. Anyone who is kind enough to give up their meal to someone else, will receive unlimited free drinks for the duration of the flight!” Her next announcement came three hours later: “Ladies and gentlemen; if anyone wants to change their mind, we still have 180 dinners available.”

Not Stupid

A young boy goes into a barber shop and the barber whispers to his customer, “This is the dumbest kid in the world. He’s always coming in here, and watch while I prove it to you.” The barber puts a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, “Which do you want, son?” The boy takes the quarters and leaves. “What did I tell you?” said the barber. “That kid never learns!” When the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of an ice cream parlour. He goes up to him and says, “Hey, son! May I ask you a question? Why did you take the quarters instead of the dollar bill?” The young boy replies, licking his ice cream, “If I took the dollar bill the game would be over, and I wouldn’t keep getting quarters.”

At the Doctor’s

During my check-up I asked the Doctor, “Do you think I’ll live a long and healthy life then?” He replied, “I doubt it somehow. Mercury is in Uranus right now.” I said, “I don’t go in for any of that astrology nonsense.” He replied, “Neither do I. My thermometer just broke inside your back passage.”

Not Popular!

Checking the Tyres

The wife and I live in a small town in the countryside and took a drive into the city. I pulled over to fill up with petrol and check the tyres and she was amazed to see that there was a charge of one dollar to check the tyres. She asked me, “Why in the world do they charge for AIR?!” I told her, “I asked the man at the till the same question” and he replied, “Inflation.”

Putin is held hostage by a terrorist. A Russian truck driver stops at the back of a long queue on the motorway and he sees a policeman walking down the line of stopped cars and trucks, talking to the drivers. As the policeman approaches his truck, the man rolls down his window and asks, “What’s going on?” The policeman replies, “A terrorist is holding Putin hostage in a car. He’s demanding 10 million roubles, or he’ll douse Putin in petrol and set him on fire, so we’re asking all the drivers for donations.” The truck driver says, “OK then, how much do people donate on average?” The policeman replies, “About one gallon.”

Photographing Food

I slipped up the other night at my favourite restaurant. I ordered an expensive medium-rare sirloin steak, with sautéed potatoes and caramelised vegetables. I was so hungry, I started eating it before I had taken a photo to send to all my friends. I solved the problem however. I ordered an identical meal, photographed it, and then asked for a doggy bag.

Not So Serious!

I was just about to start an important meeting with my senior employees when my secretary told me she had to put a phone call through to me. It was a neighbour living near my elderly father. She told me that my father had fallen off a 20ft ladder and had been taken to hospital in an ambulance. I kept telling him he was too old for DIY projects. So, I drove really fast on the 50-mile journey, and no doubt triggered several speed cameras. I rushed into A & E and they told me where my father was. Inside one of the curtained off bits, I found him sitting in a chair, with a sticking plaster on his forehead and another one on the back of one hand. He said, “Hello son, I’m just about ready to go home, the doctor says I don’t have any concussion symptoms.” I said, “I rushed over here thinking you were severely injured!” He replied, “Well, I was only two rungs up when I fell off!”

Out With A Bang

A tough old cowboy from Texas told his granddaughter that if she wanted to live a long life, the secret was to sprinkle a pinch of gun powder on her oatmeal every morning. The granddaughter did this religiously until the age of 103, when she died. She left behind 14 children, 30 grandchildren, 45 greatgrandchildren and a 40-foot hole where the crematorium used to be.

Playing Golf

Tim decided to tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend. One evening, after the honeymoon was over, he was checking all his golfing equipment. His wife was standing nearby watching him for ages. After a long period of silence, she finally speaks, “Tim, I’ve been thinking, now that we’re married maybe it’s time you quit golfing. You spend so much time on the course away from me, I’ve hardly ever seen you at weekends. You could probably get a really good price for all your clubs.” Tim turns to her with a horrified look on his face. His wife says, “Darling, what’s wrong?” He replied, “You’re beginning to sound like my ex-wife.” “Ex-wife!” she screams, “I didn’t know you were married before!” “I wasn’t,” he replied, “I’m talking about you!”

Inheritance

A man in a bar sees a friend at a table, drinking by himself. Approaching him, he comments, “You look terrible. What’s the problem?” “My mother died in August,” he said, “and left me $25,000.” “Gee, that’s tough,” he replied. “Then in September,” the friend continued, “my father died, leaving me $90,000.” “Wow. Two parents gone in two months. No wonder you’re depressed.” “Then last month, my aunt died and left me $15,000.” “Three close family members lost in three months? How sad.” “Then this month,” continued the friend, “absolutely nothing!”

Your Stars

Mar. 21

- April 20

Don’t get talked into get rich quick schemes. A need to be in love may fool you. Look into projects that you feel would con tribute something to your appearance. You probably aren’t getting straight answers to your questions. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

Sept. 24

- Oct. 23

You can easily impress others with your generous nature. Changes in your home will be positive. Property in vestments should payoff. You are best to stick to yourself this month. Gambling will be a waste of time and money. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

Apr. 21

- May 21

You can make favourable changes in your home environment. Spend some quality time with your lover. Organize your house and be sure to include the whole family in the projects you have set out to do. A change in position could be better than you thought. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

Oct. 24 - Nov. 22

Limitations with females could lead to unfortunate circumstances. Your childlike quality may get you into big trouble this month if you neglect your responsibilities. You should be making plans to spend some time with the ones you love. Try to get others to stand behind your good judgment. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

May 22

- June 21

Don’t expect anything for nothing and you won’t be disappointed. Efforts made to improve yourself will turn out to your satisfaction. Hard work will not go unnoticed. Take time to catch up on gossip and make plans to do a little adventure travel. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Wednesday.

Nov. 23

- Dec. 21

Get involved in worthwhile endeavours and meet new friends. You may be ill-treated if you have to deal with institutional environments. You can make money if you’re willing to push your ideas on those in a position to support your efforts. Minor accidents could cause trauma and major setbacks. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

June 22

- July 22

Older family members may try to make demands that are impossible for you to handle. You will benefit through hidden assets and property investments. Talking to those you trust and respect will help you sort out any problems. Take time to listen to children and help them with projects that seem impossible to them. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

Dec. 22

- Jan. 20

Your tendency to overreact could get you into trouble. Do not force your opinions on others the connections will be short lived. Opportunities will unfold; however, you must be willing to pay the price. The experience will be good. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday.

July 23 - Aug. 22

Finish off old projects before starting something new. Do your best, but don’t make too many promises or you may exhaust yourself. You could do extremely well in competitive sports events. Your ability to come up with original ideas will bring recognition from superiors. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Tuesday.

Jan. 21

- Feb. 19

Don’t reveal information that is personal or confidential. You will have to put those you live with in their place if they try to interfere with your work. Don’t be too eager to cut those who have disappointed you from your life. Your ability to converse with charm will entice someone you may have had an interest in for some time now. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

Aug. 23 - Sept. 23

Old friends may not like your choices. Use your high energy and dynamic approach to win favours from superiors. You will have to control the way you feel. Dead end projects could plague you. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday.

Feb. 20

- Mar. 20

Good friends will give you honest answers. Avoid any gossip and be careful that you aren’t misinterpreted. Unique forms of entertainment could capture your attention and bring about a romantic interest. Be considerate and avoid being overly opinionated, or arguments will ensue. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.