Axarquia 2 – 8 February 2023 Issue 1961

GEO JITSU

TORROX’S Jiu Jitsu talent has gone global with one local resident winning the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation Championships in Paris last week. Gleb Loginov, who trains in Torrox Costa’s Progress Academia won the prestigious title on Thursday, January 26.

Fifty ­ two ­ year ­ old Gleb Loginov travelled to the World Championships which were held in Paris from Monday, January 23 to Monday, January 30. He fought in the blue belt middle heavyweight masters category, clearing out his category to walk away with the gold medal.

The now­World Champion, Gleb currently lives in the nearby town of La Viñuela and has lived in Spain for the last 30 years. He has trained with the Torrox club for the last three

years where he continually impresses coaches with his skills. Gleb is also a yoga instructor, owning his own

school, the Tao Centre. Club owner, Chris Birchall expressed his delight saying “This is one of the toughest

Fast growing

town

competitions in the world to win and we are very proud of him and his achievements.” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is notoriously one of the most challenging martial arts disciplines, often described as ‘human chess’ for the mental and physical control it requires.

Chris Birchall’s Progress Academia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club opened just a couple of years ago, but has already been making a name for itself on the national, European, and now international stage. The club teaches a range of classes in both English and Spanish.

For more information on the club and its classes, please contact them via email: info@progress academia.es or visit their Facebook page: www.face book.com/Progress AcademiaBJJ/.

Medal of honour

A BRITISH­BORN resident in Almuñecar, Cecilia McWeeney Chacón has been recognised for her incredible contributions to the town. Cecilia accepted the award as ‘an adoptive daughter of Almuñecar’ at a ceremony on Tuesday, January 24.

In an awards ceremony at the town hall, Almuñecar councillors, Francisco Robles and Jaime Martos presented Cecilia with the town medal, recognising her achievements. Cecilia was initially nominated for the award before the pandemic, but the ceremony was repeatedly de­

layed. Bradford born and raised, Cecilia spent the first 20 years

of her life in the UK before arriving in Almuñecar in the 60s. Cecilia’s chance move to the

Axarquian town was inspired by a fellow traveller from Almuñecar who she met while on holiday in Scandinavia.

Cecilia’s interest was piqued and she soon became one of the first bikini­clad visitors to the beach town a year later. Since that fateful summer, she fell in love with Almuñecar resident, Paco Chacón, staying ever since.

Cecilia has since become one of the most well­known residents in the community, known for her business career and support for dozens of local charities including Caritas, the AECC and the AA.

TORROX was the only town in the Axarquia region to register a population growth rate above 5 per cent in 2022. The coastal town’s population is now just below 20,000.

Data released by the National Institute for Statistics on Sunday, January 1 was analysed by the town’s council and released in a report on Friday, January 27. Latest data revealed that the population has increased by a staggering 24 per cent in the last eight years.

Year­on­year data revealed that the town’s population grew from 18,937 residents on January 1, 2021 to 19,997 on January 1, 2022, an increase of 5.3 per cent.

Torrox’s pleasant climate and abundant attractions are thought to be behind the most recent increase.

Photo credit: Alexe Marcel / shutterstock.com

Cecilia McWeeney is recognised by Almuñecar Council for her contributions to the city with the ‘adoptive daughter of the town’ award.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almuñécar (via email)

Torrox resident Gleb Loginov topped the podium at an international Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championship.

Photo credit: Chris Birchall (via WhatsApp)

Recipes from Rincon

THE taste of Rincon de La Victoria will now be memorialised for future culinary lovers thanks to a special edition recipe book which the town launched in Malaga on Monday, January 30.

The ‘De Rincon, el Boquerón’ recipe book is in fact the fifth volume in a popular recipe book series created by local cookery experts, showing cooks traditional and creative modern ways to use

the ‘boquerón’ fish in dishes.

The recipe book contains 45 unique local recipes from a variety of restaurants around Rincon de La Victoria, Torre del Mar and as far afield as Madrid. The restaurants that contributed to the book are all part of the Boquerón Victoriano Restaurant Network and are experts in cooking and pairing the fish with other dishes.

The book was launched at a ceremony in the Victoria beer factory in Malaga after it was first announced at the FITUR tourism fair in Madrid earlier in January.

Local councillor for Tourism, Antonio José Martín, spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of culinary tourism to Rincon de La Victoria, saying initiatives like this give the local cuisine the attention it deserves.

NERJA hosted a group of 40 students from Royal Holloway University in London last week. The geography students arrived in the Axarquian town on the weeklong field trip on Monday, January 23.

The council officially welcomed the students with a ceremony in the town hall on Friday, January 27, where students were also encour-

Field trip fun

aged to ask questions and conduct research.

Snow time to lose

IF you have yet to take advantage of the snowy season in the Sierra Nevada, there is still time to do so! Almuñecar Council is organising a trip to the national park in Granada on Sunday, February 26.

The Sierra Nevada is a mountainside ski resort located in Granada Province. The town offers plenty of opportunities for snow sports as well as shopping opportunities and the chance to soak up the mountainside atmosphere.

After a sold-out trip to La Alpujarra in Granada last weekend on Sunday, January 29, tickets for next month’s trip are likely to sell quickly. The trips are popular with local residents who can enjoy smooth transport to unique destinations in the region and further afield.

Those interested in the trip can register at Almuñecar’s Casa de la Juventud. Tickets for the trip which includes return coach transport costs €5, the coach will leave Almuñecar at 7.30am and leave the Sierra Nevada at 4pm to return. Children on the trip must be accompanied by an adult.

Further information is also available by sending an email to: juventud@almunecar.es or by calling: 665 261 366

The students from the university’s human and physical geography departments were tasked with carrying out field work on a variety of different subjects including the impact of Brexit on the town, environmental, coastal, and agricultural projects and tourism development.

The university’s physical geography department looked into the coast at Rio de la Miel while the human geography team looked into the urban environment and culture of Spain present in Nerja. The students thoroughly enjoyed the trip and experiences they developed.

The trip isn’t a new development however, the university has a lengthy relationship with the town, bringing first year geography students on field trips for the last 20 years. The British university is part of the University of London and currently has more than 7,700 students.

Students from Royal Holloway University.

Social club

A GROUP of international people have set up a conversation club in Torre del Mar to meet new friends and socialise. The group meets every Friday at 1pm at the Bodega La Barranca bar, and is keen to welcome new members.

Artisan market

TRAPICHE Market has returned for 2023 with new stall owners. The artisan market sells a range of handicrafts and gourmet local food created by small businesses. The market is held in Velez­Malaga every Tuesday from 9.30am until 1.30pm.

Coin counting

VOLUNTEERS from APAA animal rescue organisation undertook the mammoth task of counting all of the donations collected in their charity pots in Nerja and Frigiliana, to find a total of €1,150. The money will fund their life­saving animal rescue work.

Rural robber

POLICE in Nerja have arrested a 40­year­old man on suspicion of committing several robberies of rural properties in the region. Police believe the man staked out empty homes before robbing belongings, cash and machinery which he tried to sell on.

Relaxing time

THE Partido Popular in VelezMalaga are pledging to build a 185,000 square metre logistics centre in the region. The centre would have more than 500 parking spaces and a recreation area for drivers to take a break and relax.

Motorbike maintenance

THE mobile ITV motorbike unit returns to Nerja on three dates in February to get motorbike owners roadworthy and certified to drive. Motorists can sign up online at: www.itvcita.com for the sessions on February 15, 22 and 23.

NERJA’S 41 Club recently had the pleasure of getting to know ‘Balish’, or as we now know it, Velez ­ Malaga. The group took the ‘Theatrical Walking Tour of Balish’ in the Axarquian town on Thursday, January 19.

The tour brings to life the town’s religious coexistence with characters in costume including a young Moorish girl reciting poems and songs in Arabic, a character in the Jewish Quarter and a mayor struggling with the imminent loss of the town to Christians in 1487.

Club Chairman, Peter described the tour as “charming,” adding “I had expected the usual nice walk round the old town, with some names and dates ex­

Balish discovery

plained, but instead the tour involves four actors in period costumes who play real characters from Balish’s Moorish past. 41 Club Nerja is part of the international association for past Round Tablers. The group currently has members from nine countries and is active socially and within the local community.

More information on the group’s meetings and social plans is available online at: 41clubnerja.org , or by email: 41@41clubnerja.org.

The Theatrical Tour of Balish can be booked by email: sharqandalus@ gmail.com.

Park in peace

A MEGA investment from authorities in Torrox will mean that the town’s municipal car parks have stateof ­ the ­ art CCTV systems. Residents and visitors will be able to park their vehicles with peace of mind against accidents or burglaries.

The council announced its investment of more than €130,000 for local car parks on Monday, January 30, saying that it would now move to the bidding stage for contractors to install the system.

Security will be improved at both El Pontil and La Almedina car park sites. As part of the security package, Local Police will also be able to control access to municipal car parks 24 hours each day.

El Pontil car park is also set for a major maintenance project, to improve fire safety, electric wiring, lighting, signage and painting.

Town mayor, Óscar Medina announced the scheme, highlighting his administration’s commitment towards safety, “We are continuing to work on our car park to make them some of the best in the entire country.”

Fabulous facilities

AUTHORITIES in Rincon de La Victoria unveiled the latest improvements to local sports facilities on Monday, January 30. The maintenance projects received an investment of €90,000 and were completed during the last year.

The improvements include new artificial grass for two pádel courts in Los Almendros, painting and surface repairs to the athletics track at Amirax, painting and maintenance of the multi­use sports pitches at Jaime Pimentel Sports Centre and paving repair at the tennis courts in Añoreta.

Local councillor, Antonio

Record donation drive

NERJA’S Partido Popular beat records with their festive foodbank drive. The group delivered a total of 8,450 kilograms of food products to two local charities, Cáritas and Nerja Solidaria, it was announced on Sunday, January 29.

This year’s campaign was the seventh edition of the event which the political party carry out each Christmas. The group collects non­perishable food items and other essential items such as hygiene products and clothing in the campaign which runs for several months up to December, before delivering the goods to local charities to

Walking wonders

HIKERS from Club Deportivo Playas de Torre del Mar have dusted off their boots for the new year. Thirty walkers took to the Axarquian countryside on Sunday, January 29 to check out the incredible almond blossom flower which is currently blooming.

distribute. The local president of the PP and mayor, José Alberto Armijo thanked local people, organsations and business owners for their donations which helped the group to beat their previous donation campaign records saying “the generosity of our community knows no bounds.”

Armijo also highlighted the value of the charities in the community saying that they do amazing work to support vulnerable individuals and families in the Nerja area. The mayor added the importance of supporting local charities during the cost of living crisis.

José Martín described the upgrades as “Necessary due to the conditions of the facilities, which were difficult to use due to the length of time since maintenance and heavy use.” He added “We have responded to the needs of local people with this project.”

The mayor of Rincon de La Victoria, Francisco Salado also expressed his satisfaction with the scheme, saying “This administration is committed to offering our residents top quality facilities for sports practice and leisure sports. We pledge to keep local sports facilities in optimal condition.”

Walkers enjoyed the natural sights during the trip, as well as discovering more of the town of Arenas and its lengthy Moorish history. The group will next meet on Sunday, February 12 for a medium­difficulty walk to El Grajo covering 17 kilometres. The group has also set a date for one of their most challenging walks of the year, the ‘Travesía de Resistencia del Aceite Verdial’ which crosses tricky olive growing terrain in a scenic route from Periana to Alcaucin.

The 27­kilometre walk is set to take place on Sunday, February 26, to also mark Andalucia Day. Hikers wanting to join the group on any of the adventures can get in touch by email: actividades playasdetorredelmar@g mail.com. Participants can also receive accreditation with the Andalucian Mountaineering Federation through the group.

41 CLUB: Members were transported into the past on a theatrical walking tour of Balish, or as it’s now known, Velez-Malaga.

PREPARATIONS are underway for one of the year’s most exciting events in Nerja. The town’s Carnaval is set to return from Thursday, February 16 until Sunday, February 19 and will see revellers take to the streets in all manner of flamboyant and creative costumes.

This year’s celebrations will be the first without any kind of restrictions since before the pandemic and will see fierce competition in four different costume competitions as well as a vibrant parade through the town.

The costume contests are one of the deepest­rooted

Carnival craze

traditions of the three­day carnival extravaganza and offer huge cash prizes for winners.

Registration for some of the costume competitions can be completed at the Oficina Municipal de Atencion al Ciudadano until Wednesday, February 15.

Local sports clubs and charities can also apply now to have banners and run two bars in the main tent at the carnival celebrations.

Curiosity killed the cat

Water win

THE regional government has announced its plan to fund improved water treatment plants across Axarquia, bringing fresher and cleaner water to homes across the region. The regional authority is investing more than €10 million in the project.

The maintenance project, which has already begun, will now receive a further investment of €10.6 million, the authority announced on Monday, January 30. Twenty four local water treatment plants will be upgraded to the latest technologies to serve the 35,000 local residents who receive water directly from the sites.

Regional President, Francisco Salado said that he recognises that the project is not the most popular use of funds but described it as necessary, considering the treatment plants serve so much of the local community.

Salado added, “With clean and purified water it will be easier to address future irrigation problems and to plan the urban and tourist development in our region.”

The improvements are particularly important as the region looks to optimise water saving after 2022 saw drought across many parts of the region. The modernisation work on the water plants should be finished by the end of 2023.

This proverb is used to tell people to mind their own business and to stop asking questions that don’t concern them. The earliest reference was in 1958 in a play, Every Man in his Humour, that was written by Ben Johnson and adapted to by William Shakespeare

PROVERBOFTHEWEEK

This

year’s carnival in Nerja will not be affected by restrictions, although competitors took it in their stride for the costume contest last year.

Photo credit: Tradiciones

Populares Nerja (via Facebook)

World Cancer Day

WORLD CANCER DAY is a leading international awareness day, held every February 4, and is a global uniting initiative.

By raising worldwide awareness, improving education and catalysing personal, collective and government action, we are all working together to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are saved and access to life­saving cancer treatment and care is equitable for all no matter who you are or where you live.

Created in 2000, World Cancer Day has grown into a positive movement for everyone, everywhere to unite under one voice to face one of our greatest challenges in history.

Each year, hundreds of activities and events take place around the world, gathering communities, organisations and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, marketplaces, parks,

community halls, places of worship ­ in the streets and online ­ acting as a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in reducing the global impact of cancer.

While we live in a time of awe ­ inspiring advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, many of us who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn. Income, education, geographical location and discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle are just a few of the factors that can nega­

tively affect care.

So this year’s World Cancer Day’s theme, ‘Close the Care Gap’, is all about celebrating progress in its many forms that enable more people to seek and receive the care they need and deserve.

It is about providing the momentum to fuel our fight for fairness. We will build stronger alliances and innovative new collaborations; we will mobilise friends, family, co ­ workers and communities because we know that united, we are stronger.

Close the Care Gap.

A DRIVER who caused traffic chaos on the A7 in Marbella on Monday, January 30 when thousands of Euros in cash flew out their car was reportedly on their way from Valencia to the Costa del Sol to buy a car they had found online.

The young driver was reportedly with three friends travelling with a backpack filled with €20,000 in cash when they were hit by a truck at kilometre 181 of the A7, forcing open the trunk of their Seat Toledo. A flurry of notesmostly €50 but some €500followed, causing chaos as fel-

CASH RAINFALL: Drivers stopped to collect cash on

low motorway goers stopped their cars to grab as much cash as they could. Videos of the cash rainfall went viral online, with many speculating that the

Bad luck! American ally

money belonged to drug traffickers. According to reports, the four Moroccan men in the Seat Toledo have no police records however and are instead the victims of a very unfortunate series of events.

THE United States thanked Spain for its decision to send a shipment of Leopold tanks to support the Ukrainian war effort against invading Russian troops. The USA expressed its gratitude to Spain for the practical gesture on Wednesday, January 25, saying the countries will continue to have a strong relationship.

The American spokesman for the US National Security Council, John Kirby said, “Spain, obviously has been one of the countries that has contributed to and supported Ukraine. That’s something that the President always welcomes.” Kirby added, “We look forward to continuing to work closely with Spain in the future.”

Spain’s Executive made the decision to send the shipment of tanks to Ukraine to show unity with other NATO countries and show its opposition to Russia’s military offensive in the country. The tanks will add to other tanks and military equipment recently provided by Germany and the USA to Ukraine.

Spain’s football fixing scandal

A TOTAL of 23 members of an alleged betting syndicate have been arrested on suspicion of fixing football games in the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the Gibraltar National League and the Andorra League. Among those arrested are several footballers who are suspected of having used their position to steer the outcome of games in which they participated in.

It is unknown exactly how much the group lost, but they are reportedly now able to denounce the drivers who stopped to grab their cash.

These arrests took place in November 2022 in several Spanish provincesBadajoz, Cadiz, Ciudad Real, Cordoba, Tenerife and in the Autonomous City of Ceuta - and follow the arrest of 21 other members of the same criminal organisation in 2021.

Known as Operation Conifera, this investigation into match-fixing was carried out by the Spanish National Police in a joint operation with Europol and Interpol.

A total of 30 football

matches are currently being investigated in this case. The profits generated are estimated at over half a million euros.

Europol’s support was central in the development of the Spanish inves-

tigation. Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime Centre has been providing continuous intelligence development and analysis to map out the different targets and their criminal activity.

the A7.

0.5% will be the reduction of the special tax on Spanish electricity.

Voice of Tiritiri Matangi

an insight into her inspirations.

“On a warm summer evening in 2008, I was nearing 50 and had been married to my

husband, Steve, for 20 years. We sat playing music, drinking wine and having an intense conversation about life.”

One of us asked: “Will we always live here in the UK?”

It was the catalyst for events that saw the author leave her home, husband, teenage son and dog to take up a managerial position in Auckland, New Zealand.

Berni added: “Steve and my son agreed that I would go and lay the foundations of a new life for us, they would follow in a few months. No one knew the timing could be so wrong, as 2009 was the start of a worldwide economic downturn.”

The author reminisces that her life in New Zealand was incredible. Her employers were dynamic, she rented an apartment on the beach and quickly made new friends.

“Almost immediately I started volunteering on the conservation island of Tiritiri Matangi,”

Berni confirmed. “I would catch the ferry, sail across the waters of the Hauraki Gulf and spend days with other volunteers, cutting back overgrowth, making bird boxes, anything that needed doing

“At lunchtime, I would sit in front of a 950­year­old Pohutukawa tree. Its twisted roots spread out across the beach as if it were reaching for the waters. Its bark and branches were dry and brittle and full of holes where animals had once made their homes. I wondered to myself about the incredible stories it could tell if it could talk.”

Berni described how the tree would have witnessed the Maori settlers, the battles between tribes for land, the European settlers, the changing landscapes, the wildlife that was wiped out by man and the volcanic eruptions which destroyed communities.

After a challenging year of

closures and redundancies, Berni was due to return to the UK. It was then she decided to give the tree a voice, to tell people about its life.

“I began to write my book which took almost three years to finish and Leamington Spabased artist, Guy Chapman brought my words to life with his illustrations.

“I self­published and we sold our book at local book fairs and

high­end craft events.”

Berni added: “It was the start of my writing and propelled me to reach into the creativity that is inside all of us.”

The Written Word Group welcome new members at their regular meetings in Albox, Almeria. For more information about The Old Man of Tiritiri Matangi or the literary group, please email: balbrighton@ gmail.com.

THE brains behind The Written Word Group and author of The Old Man of Tiritiri Matangi, Berni Albrighton, has shared

BERNI ALBRIGHTON: Creativity is inside all of us.

Image: Berni Albrighton

MATT GOSS is planning a comeback for Bros, the band he started with his brother Luke.

According to a UK news outlet on Saturday, January 28 the 54 ­ year ­ old singer spoke of his desire to reunite with his brother for a new album and tour in 2024.

The pair last played together in 2017 with two concerts at the O2 in London. Those were followed by a documentary on the band entitled ‘Bros: After the screaming stops’.

Bros broke up over jealousy between the two broth­

Bros to make comeback

BROS: Hoping to unite in 2024 for a new album and tour.

ers with Luke feeling second best.

Goss said: “Bros, in the next couple of years it will happen, absolutely. I think in 2024. I would like to think that will

be a year we can think about another documentary and do some shows. Alongside that, we’d like to do some new music together. We want to get on to the festival circuit. We want to document how that experience is for us.”

The band were very successful back in the 80s and early 90s with a number of singles and albums hitting the charts. Their debut album Push back, released in 1988, reached Number 2 on the UK Albums Chart.

Reckless jet skiers

ANYONE caught riding a jet ski recklessly or causing harm to others in the UK could now face up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine, thanks to a change in the law.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are set to be granted more powers to prosecute, as the government works to ensure the UK’s waters continue to be some of the safest in the world.

The new law will come into force on March 31, before the busy summer period and will enable watercraft users to be prosecuted and bound by the same laws that apply to ships in

order to help to prevent accidents.

The move follows a boom in the watercraft industry during the pandemic, with the number, size, power and availability of watercraft like jet skis increasing, and their use in UK waters rising significantly. Maritime Minister, Baroness Vere said: "The watercraft industry is thriving and it’s great to see more and more people enjoying leisure activities. However, they must do so safely."

"We’ll continue working to ensure our country’s coasts and waters are safe for everyone."

Image Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Card sharp

FINANSFORBUNDET, the trade union that represents employees working in Denmark’s finance sector, reported that 2022 was the country’s first year without a bank robbery. As more people use cards, banks are keeping less cash on their premises, relieving workers of the ‘extreme stress’ they experienced during robberies, the union said.

THE NETHERLANDS

Fire hazard

THE Netherlands should prepare to fight more wildfires owing to rising temperatures and increased periods of drought, experts from the Institute of Public Safety (NIVP) and meteorological institute, KNMI, warned. Fire departments, used to dealing with burning buildings, will need more training in extinguishing wildfires in rural areas, they said.

BELGIUM

Strong arm

A 2022 by the Le Soir newspaper and broadcaster RTBF found that many Belgians were disenchanted with parliamentary democracy, with 70 per cent preferring referendums on key issues. A further 69 per cent said that they would back a strong leader who ‘understood people’ and was capable of ‘restoring order’.

GERMANY

Zebras crossing

A RESIDENT in Geldern in Germany’s Lower Rhine-Westphalia area alerted the police after he had spotted two zebras wandering loose. Assisted by members of the public, they were able to round up both animals and return them unharmed to their owners who welcomed them home with a bucket of carrots.

FRANCE

Unequal rights

A FRENCH government report found that sexism remained in all areas and the situation was worsening, especially for younger women. Investigators observed that women were targeted via new types of harassment which included online violence, abuse on social media and pornography with ‘barbaric’ content while discrimination had reached ‘alarming proportions’.

NORWAY

Paint query

BERGEN University research into whiteness and paint is examining whether the Norwegian-developed pigment, titanium dioxide, has contributed to white supremacy and ‘has made the world whiter’. Although not a conventional colonial power, the project will investigate whether Norway has helped to establish white as a ‘superior colour’, university sources said.

FINLAND

Be ready

FINLAND risks more power cuts this winter than other EU countries but is also better-prepared thanks to the Defence Ministry’s annual brochure. This advises the population to store sufficient food, water and medicines to see them through 72 hours during the coldest months and to invest in a battery-operated radio.

IRELAND

Spare time

IRELAND’S president Michal D Higgins called for a ban on homework. Speaking on national broadcaster RTE, Higgins, a former Arts minister, argued that school activities should end at the school gate and eliminating homework would provide extra time for young people to engage in more creative pursuits outside school hours.

ITALY

London’s loss

THERE is an increasingly buoyant market for luxury properties in Milan, the financial capital of Italy, as bankers, fund managers and private equity investors are choosing to abandon London following Brexit. They have also been enticed by the offer of generous tax breaks introduced in 2017 to attract new arrivals.

PORTUGAL

Come hither

A SHORTAGE of doctors in Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS) prompted the government to launch an incentives programme in hopes of attracting them to sparsely populated areas. Sweeteners include higher salaries and free accommodation for resident doctors who decide to carry out their specialist training in hospitals in the interior.

UKRAINE

Build it up

UKRAINE’S president Volodymyr Zelensky and Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock Inc, the New York-based multinational investment company agreed to coordinate and channel investment in rebuilding the country. Ukraine’s Economy Ministry and Blackrock’s Financial Markets Advisory division signed a memorandum of understanding in November.

SWEDEN

Stay loyal

SWEDISH newspaper Dagems Nyheter allegedly received documents revealing that before leaving China more than 30 doctoral students bound for Lund University had first to sign a pledge. They were reportedly obliged to promise to ‘serve the regime’s interests’ and never participate in activities ‘that flouted the wishes of the authorities’.

STAT OF WEEK €56.7 million

is the amount of the fine that on-demand courier service Glovo will have to pay for employing foreigners without work permits and imposing work conditions on the self-employed.

BUSINESS EXTRA Mahou victory FINANCE

Cough up

THE Crown Estate is suing Twitter for allegedly defaulting on the rent for the company’s London headquarters located near a prime Piccadilly Circus site. Billionaire Elon Musk, who also owns Tesla and Space X, took control of Twitter in October.

Record demand

ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS’ revenue rose during 2022’s final weeks after increased demand and higher prices. Turnover rose by 16 per cent to £6.7 billion (€7.6 billion) in the 20 weeks ending on January 7 in all ABF’s companies, including Primark.

Pay rise

TELEFONICA ESPAÑA employees will receive a 7.8 per cent pay rise backdated to last January after reaching agreement with the UGT and CCOO unions. After reviewing increases introduced since 2019, Telefonica is adjusting salaries in line with the present CPI.

Big problem

THE BIG ISSUE, which is sold by the homeless, almost went under during the pandemic, admitted its founder and editor­inchief John Bird. Having survived, sales are currently affected by the cost­of­living crisis as millions across the UK struggle with inflation.

Ibex debut

ALMERIA­BASED marble company Cosentino, which trades in 40 countries, will be listed on Spain’s Ibex 35. The familyowned company has engaged JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs to oversee the operation and will be worth an estimated €3 billion, insiders said.

Not hacked

CAJAMAR clients could not use their digital banking app for three days last month owing to an internal technological incident. The bank reassured its 3.7 million customers in southwest Spain and Castilla y Leon that it had not suffered a cyberattack.

Supermarkets under fire

JUAN ROIG, president of the Mercadona supermarket chain, recently introduced the New Economic Forum held in Valencia.

Days earlier Ione Belarra, Social Rights minister in the PSOE­Unidas Podemos coalition governing Spain, called Roig “a pitiless capitalist” who was currently “lining his pockets.”

Belarra, speaking in Zaragoza at a meeting of Podemos, the party to which she belongs, was not representing the central government at the time, but her declaration immediately became a national issue.

Presenting the Forum, Roigwhose supermarket chain has a 25 per cent market quota and employed 93,500 people in 2021 ­ maintained that business­owners gener­

ated wealth and well­being.

“If those who manage the businesses know how to run them, there is prosperity for all. If not, there is confrontation,” Roig said.

On leaving, he was besieged by reporters asking him for his opinion of Belarra’s comments but he declined to answer their questions. Smiling cheerfully and repeating a polite

“Thank you, thank you” he made a speedy exit without giving anything away.

According to annual reports published in 2021, the last available year, Mercadona had a 2.7 per cent profit margin, with Carrefour reporting 4.6 per cent and Lidl 3.1 per cent, compared with the sector’s 2.3 per cent average nationally.

Initially the big chains absorbed the increases but have now been forced to pass them on to the consumer.

The sector pointed out that higher prices have not brought more profits, particularly for own­label products, where increased sales mean a bigger margin for the manufacture rather than the distributor.

Help from Down Under

BRITISHVOLT, hailed as a prime example of the government’s success in securing UK business investment, went into administration last month.

The electric car battery manufacturer had hoped to build a £3.8 billion (€4.3 billion) factory near Blyth in Northumberland with government funding if it found investors.

This would have met the demand for electric vehicles ready for the UK’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. Instead Britishvolt collapsed after a rescue bid by

Going further

THE H2Med pipeline sending green hydrogen from Spain and Portugal to France is to be extended to Germany.

It enters into the road map on hydrogen recently revealed in an announcement from the French and German governments as they increase investment in the latest technologies, particularly renewables and low carbon energies.

The H2Med undersea pipeline between Barcelona and Marseilles, expected to be operational by 2030, will carry hydrogen that has been produced via renewable energy.

It is expected to transport up to two million metric tons of green hydrogen a year.

several investors fell through, with most of its 300 employees immediately made redundant.

Now help could be at hand following a non­bind­

ing offer from Recharge Industries, an Australian startup linked to New Yorkbased investment firm Scale Facilitation, which intends to build a battery factory in Geelong, the former car manufacturing centre near Melbourne.

Thanks to Australia’s mineral deposits, the proposed lithium­ion plant would not be dependent on Chinese or Russian materials and risk supply chain holdups.

A Britishvolt deal “made strategic sense” Geelongborn David Collard, Scale Facilitation’s founder and chief

Four-day week

THE four­day week has become more likely thanks to the pandemic when both employers and employees began to rethink workplace flexibility.

One fewer working day doesn’t mean less work or a pay cut, however, as employees are paid the same, receive the same benefits and maintain the same workload.

Proponents hail the four­day week, arguing that if worker satisfaction increases, so will productivity, and Spain has already started a trial phase after the government launched a modest programme project in December..

The Spanish pilot scheme is a test to see if productivity will be boosted, as its advocates maintain. Meanwhile participating companies can receive aid from a €10 million government fund, although they will be expected to come up with ways of increasing productivity, Spain’s Industry Ministry Reyes Maroto said.

BREWERS Mahou have finally won their eight­year battle with Spain’s tax authority, Hacienda.

The Supreme Court in Madrid has cancelled the €1.08 million fine that Hacienda imposed on Mahou in December 2014, owing to what it saw as irregularities in the Corporation Tax (IS) the company paid during 2008 and 2009.

The disagreement between Hacienda and Mahou centred on calculations for advertising and publicity spending on major events.

In 2021, the National High Court in Madrid confirmed a 2018 ruling backing Mahou, prompting the brewer to lodge its successful appeal to the Supreme Court.

More prizes

executive told the international media.

Referring to the spirit of Aukus ­ the trilateral security pact between the UK, Australia and the US ­ Collard said that strengthening connections with “our friends in the UK” was in the general interest “especially when most others are kicking them when they’re down.”

Rob Fitzpatrick, Recharge Industries’ chief executive, explained that should the offer proceed, the operation would also provide the Australian company with greater access to Europe.

Speeding up

SPAIN’S car factories are gradually upping production but they are still far from returning to pre­pandemic levels.

According to the country’s Association of Automobile and Heavy Vehicle Manufacturers (Anfac), Spain’s automotive industry produced 2.2 million new vehicles last year, 21 per cent below their output for 2019.

Anfac’s director general, Jose LopezTafall, revealed that although the flow of raw materials had improved, together with the availability of chips, many plants were having to endure interruptions to their supply chains and were obliged to work at a reduced rhythm.

Despite these problems, production increased by 5.8 per cent last year, compared with 2021 with a ‘significant’ 18.9 per cent improvement in December.

PREMIUM BOND holders now have a greater chance of a win after National Savings and Investments (NS&I) upped the prize fund rate from 3 to 3.15 per cent. The new rate, a 14­year high, comes into force from February onwards.

Premium Bonds earn no interest but instead the interest rate funds the monthly tax­free draw. The bonds are the UK’s biggest savings product, with more than 21 million participants investing £119 billion (€137 billion) in them.

Nevertheless, the chance of each £1 (€1.13) bond proving a winner is still fixed at 24,000 to 1, since the number of prizes worth between £50 (€56.75) and £100,000 (€113,472) will increase in the next draw, but there will be fewer £25 (€28.38) prizes.

Deposits vary

THE European Central Bank hiked interest rates but the yield on deposits varies throughout the eurozone.

With a two­year fixed deposit account paying an averaging 0.69 per cent compared with the eurozone’s 1.20 per cent average, statistics office Eurostat found Spain trailing its neighbours by an average 73 per cent.

The difference over longer periods widened to 86 per cent, with Spain averaging 0.97 per cent compared to Eurozone’s 1.81.

Italy and the Netherlands pay most on a 24­month fixed deposit account, averaging 1.8 per cent, followed by Estonia (1.73 per cent) and Finland (1.63 per cent). At the other end, Cyprus pays 0.11 per cent, followed by Greece (0.20 per cent) and Portugal (0.35 per cent).

Photo credit: Bankinter

MERCADONA: A 25% market quota. Photo credit: Britishvolt

BRITISHVOLT RESCUE: Non-binding offer from Recharge Industries.

DOW JONES

Currency outlook: US dollar slumps amid fading Fed rate hike bets, Euro underpinned by ECB interest rate speculation

USD/GBP: Down from $0.82 to $0.80

Euro

EUR/GBP: Unchanged at £0.88

EUR/USD: Up from $1.06 to $1.09

Recent movement in the euro has been largely tied to European Central Bank (ECB) rate hike expectations, helping the single currency rally since the start of 2023.

This helped to underpin EUR demand through the first half of January as hawkish ECB rhetoric bolstered expectations the bank will continue to deliver 50bps rate hikes through the first half of the year.

However this also led to some volatility in the second half of the month following a Bloomberg report in which it was suggested the ECB might be considering slowing the pace of its monetary tightening following its February meeting.

Elsewhere the euro also faced some headwinds as a result of weaker-than-expected German economic data as well as fears of an escalation of the war in Ukraine.

In light of the recent Bloomberg report, the ECB’s next interest rate decision will be the primary focus for EUR investors over the next month. If the ECB confirms it will ‘stay the course’ with the current pace of rate hikes, the euro is likely to strengthen.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Hard times

AMAZON workers in the UK recently went on strike, protesting over pay and conditions. Employees said they were constantly monitored and warehouse robots received better treatment.

Deaf ears

ANTONIO GARAMENDI, president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE), warned that the government’s ban on one ­ use plastics would hurt the agrifoods industry.

Heavy duty

A NEW £100 million (€113.6 million) customs inspection site at (Sevington (Kent) with space for 1700 lorries is under­used and the only regularly inspected imports are household pets arriving from Ukraine.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Unchanged at €1.13

GBP/USD: Up from $1.20 to $1.24

After a muted end to December, the pound spent the first half of January struggling to find any sustained support.

Sterling initially wavered this month on the back of some mixed PMIs. While an upwardly revised manufacturing PMI buoyed the pound, these gains were swiftly reversed after the subsequent services index printed below forecast.

An increasingly gloomy outlook for the UK economy then kept the pressure on GBP exchange rates through the second week of Jan-

uary, with only some modest relief being seen after the latest domestic GDP figures bolstered hopes the UK avoided a recession in 2022.

However, the pound then bounced back as we entered the second half of the month.

Stronger-than-expected UK wage growth and inflation figures bolstered Bank of England (BoE) interest rate hike expectations and propelled Sterling to a one-month high.

Looking ahead, the BoE’s February policy meeting could trigger some GBP selling pressure if the bank’s forward guidance indicates appetite for further hikes remains limited.

US Dollar

Big plans for ports

OCEAN CAPITAL PARTNERS

(OCP) calculate that Spanish ports will require a €4.5 billion investment if they are to meet low­carbon energy targets.

This is the amount that will be needed nationwide for installing renewable energy sources, the electrification of ports and producing biofuel for vessels.

OCP, which manages the passenger terminals at the ports of Malaga and Algeciras and is the majority shareholder in Malaga’s super­yacht marina, estimates that producing biofuels like methanol, ethanol or hydrogen alone would account for €4 billion.

Reducing Spanish ports’ carbon footprint to 50 per cent of 2019’s figure will require installing 300 megawatts of renewables, involving almost €300 million. It will cost another €450 million to provide the electricity supply for vessels in all Spanish ports while complying with European directives, OCP believes.

These decarbonisation objectives were included in the

targets.

central government’s Strategic Framework for General Interest Ports. Approved in 2022, this set out a route map for an informatically­smart, well­connected system able to deal with freight and passengers in safe and sustainable conditions.

For OCP, meeting these targets involves challenges like digitising the ports, which it considers will require greater public­private collaboration.

Royal Mail update

ROYAL MAIL’S Matthew Harris contacted the Euro Weekly News on Thursday January 26 with an update on the international delivery service.

“Although we recently resumed International Tracked & Signed as well as International Signed services to all destinations for business account customers and customers buying postage online, we have not actually resumed international services,” he said.

The halt was the result of a cyberattack by a Russia­linked ransomware gang named Lockbit discovered on January 10.

“Following the cyber incident, we have been temporarily unable to despatch export mail parcels to overseas destinations,” he added. “We have temporarily asked customers not to submit new export parcels into the Royal Mail network until further notice.”

USD/EUR: Down from €0.94 to €0.91

The US dollar opened 2023 on strong footing, the currency storming higher in the first week of the year as it was bolstered by a technical correction as well as stronger-than-expected employment figures.

But the ‘greenback’ struggled to maintain this momentum as USD investors continued to scale back their expectations for future Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

This lead to a particularly strong response to the latest US consumer price index as another cooling of domestic inflation further undermined Fed rate hike bets.

The US dollar then sought to claw back some of its losses after some particularly disappointing US data stoked recession fears and bolstered demand for the safe-haven currency.

However, this only temporarily offset a prevailing risk-on mood, which also contributed to USD selling pressure over the past four weeks.

The Fed is widely expected to deliver a 25bps rate hike in February. Another slowdown of the Fed’s tightening cycle could extend the US dollar’s losses into the coming month.

Currencies Direct have helped over 430,000 customers save on currency transfers since 1996.

Indian rhapsody

DE LA RUE is entangled in a corruption probe involving India’s former Finance secretary Arvind Mayaram.

The Gateshead company, which produces bank notes, recently learnt that India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI­I) began investigating Mayaram’s activities before 2016.

Together with Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India officials, he faces charges of criminal conspiracy, corruption and abusing his official position.

All allegedly conspired to unduly favour De La Rue in a deal to sell bank note security features “to the detriment of the Indian exchequer.”

De La Rue learnt of the scandal following Press reports and said it had not worked for the Indian government or central bank since 2016.

Eurostar slowdown

EUROSTAR’S chief executive, Gwendoline Cazenave, announced that the UK­Paris trains now carry 30 per cent fewer passengers.

The company currently runs 14 trains each day between London and Paris compared with 18 in 2019, owing to holdups in stations resulting from post­Brexit border checks and fewer border staff, Cazenave explained.

Suspended trains included the direct service from London to Disneyland Paris and connections for the Ebbsfleet or Ashford International stations.

The Eurostar boss said that faced with these problems, it was possible the company would decide not to restore some of the suspended services, although it was at present “working hard” with both the French and UK authorities to find solutions.

STERLING:

The pound spent the first half of January struggling to find any sustained support.

ALGECIRAS PORT: Big outlay to meet low-carbon

PLEASANTLY surprised to read an article published in the UK Sunday Times last week. Nice to know there are still a few respected columnists who hold the ‘old fashioned’ views of Leapy to their journalistic chests.

The article stated, among many other observations; and I quote ‘There is now a full­on left wing campaign to unstitch and burn the very fabric of Britain’ (unquote). It went on to state that in a typically military style operation the woke society had already seized control of the TV and radio stations, to such an extent that recently at the end of the BBC’s News at Six, the presenter actually announced ‘Now over to our LGBT and diversity correspondent’. You really couldn’t make it up.

According to the same report, the diversity outfit has now moved their operation to schools, endeavouring to convince (and confuse) young children that their misinformed parents have also embraced racism and prejudice in the past. Well this ol’ boy has been taking plenty of flack (and often very welcome agreement) about these types of observations for some years, nice to have some consensus from other pretty well placed sources.

Also pleased to witness a keen example of the excellent reputation our own publication enjoys for allowing different opinions to flourish among its broad

Vindicated

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

spectrum of columnists.

To be honest I’ve gone off the current Conservative Party (not difficult!). Far too many alternating opinions and ideas. Abundant disagreements, unfortunately giving the opinion that the whole operation is slowly falling apart.

The Labour party, with its media and Union supporters, of course absolutely loves it. Well I can assure them they would never get this ol boy’s support.

One of their serious problems is their so­called leader. I say ‘so­called,’ because I believe he is a weak ineffectual individual, who presents only carefully pre­prepared statements to the House and is manoeuvred and manipulated by his members to front up an operation which will probably remove him if they find themselves once more in power. Should they be successful, prepare for wide open immigrant flood gates, diversity being more important; political

CULTURE CLASH OUR VIEW

opinions that consider the power structure of white predominately able­bodied male gender heterosexuals is intent on destroying the earth and drag queens in full regalia voicing their opinions in the house.

You can also be ready for the likes of Eddie Izzard, Diane Abbott, Angela Rayner and grinning Union leaders traipsing out of number 10; benefit scroungers retitled ‘Needy Members of Society,’ legalised drugs, plus a whole glut of put down Royalty scandals and a country going completely bankrupt.

As a final word this week, I also noticed that Keir Starmer recently actually had some trouble declaring that ‘only men were able to grow penises!’ Good luck everyone.

Keep the faith, Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon. and Fri. 1pm till 4.

For more from our columnists please scan this QR Code

THE claim that one convicted rapist transitioned to become a woman in a bid to avoid male prison in the UK has reignited the currently ever burning topic of trans rights.

Let’s be clear; the level of respect any one human being is entitled to can never have anything to do with their race, gender, sexuality, or other inherent characteristic. However, the issue of whether trans people can compete in their new gender’s sports’ categories, change in their dressing rooms in shops and serve time in their prisons is one that sees an almighty clash of rights, most often between women and trans people.

While it wouldn’t be right to dismiss the needs of a trans person to be treated with respect in their new gender, it can never be right to make other women fear for their safety. Especially not in surroundings in which control over your own space and safety are at a minimum, like prison.

Whenever issues surrounding equality are brought up for the first time, there is often a period where the courts (and often the general public) take time to work out how this should be balanced. When gay marriage was first introduced, there were multiple Christian businesses who asserted their own rights not to recognise this as a Christian concept.

In short, there’s always a clash when one set of rights ends up conflicting with another.

With tensions getting higher and higher over the trans issue though, and with the safety of both women and trans people being put at risk in the fallout, let’s hope there is a resolution to this one sooner rather than later.

Tried to stop drinking? And you can’t?

WAS January a tough month for you? Traditionally supposed to be the most depressing month of the year, cold, dark, and summer seems a long way off. Even here in Spain the days are shorter, and the temperatures lower. The post­festive buzz has well and truly worn off, the credit card statement is in, and most of our New Year’s resolutions went up in smoke by the end of Three Kings.

Was one of your resolutions to cut back on the booze? Did you try, and found you couldn’t? Has your drinking increased? Are you struggling to stop completely, even for a short period of time? Is your alcohol use, making you, or those around you, miserable?

Maybe lockdown was the trigger for you, feelings of isolation and loneliness led to a change in your drinking habits, perhaps larger volumes, or more frequent binges. Possibly it was the move to Spain, living here full­time is entirely different to a two­week vacation, and it is easy to get sucked into daily­drinking. Or it could be

for a completely different reason.

If you regularly drink more, or for longer than you planned to; have tried to cut back (or stop) and found you couldn’t; drink to deal with feelings and emotions; or if your drinking is interfering with your life, then you could have a problem with alcohol.

you are ready to stop drinking, or want support to help you try, then don’t wait until it gets any worse.

Here a member talks about how their drinking led them to get in touch with AA, and how they now enjoy all the benefits of being sober…

“My name is Jacob, I am happily mar­

my gin. A couple even called me an alcoholic, but I brushed it off. I was functioning, I still held down a good job (two in fact), I still had a wife and a car!

By the end, I had to have a drink in the morning to stop the shakes, my whole day was centred around where the next drink was coming from. I wasn’t eating properly, and there were a lot of arguments, slamming doors, and shouting. I was lying and being dishonest, I was leading a double life. Till my wife made me get help.

There is a solution, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) ­ a 12 Step fellowship; a peersupport group that has helped millions of people, all over the world, with their problem drinking. If the consequences of your alcohol use are getting too much, if

ried in my 50s. I run a successful business, based on the Costa del Sol. But my life wasn’t always like that.

The comments first started in my 20s, people would say; maybe I should have water with my wine, or a bit more tonic in

The most amazing thing about AA is there are no rules. Not on what you must do, or what you should believe. It is not like a church or a school, it is a group of people trying to get themselves off the drink, and into a better way of living, using a spiritual programme, and a set of principles as guidelines… And it is completely free.

If you think you might need to look at your drinking, or need some help to stop, then get in touch with AA. Come along to a meeting (or a few) and just listen.

There are meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, with friendly people who will understand, held daily throughout the Costa del Sol. Meetings are free to attend, and anyone who thinks they may have a problem with alcohol is welcome.

LeapyLee’sopinionsarehisownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.

DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD

DESPITE the lack of sunshine, I love the country I grew up in.

When I was quite young, it was a united country whose people had shown courage, discipline and humour throughout and after the deprivations of the Second World War. ‘Made in England’ had a reassuring suggestion of quality.

We had respected institutions such as the Church of England, the BBC, the NHS and the National Gallery. We were blessed with a highly regarded monarchy, parliament and judiciary. And we had the dance music. It was a pleasant country to live in.

Some of the institutions have deteriorated or lost support. Many others still remain intact. We have Covent Garden opera, Arsenal, the Bank of England, the Financial Times and Oxfam. If there were such a thing as the capital of the world, it would still be London. Oxford and Cambridge remain among the most prestigious universities. English

PRIDE BEFORE A FALL

make Manchester the most glamorous city in Europe.

villages are among the most charming anywhere and we have the Lake and Peak districts, the Chilterns and the Cotswolds.

There was ­ and is ­ a lot to be proud of, but there has always been an undertone of arrogance and perceived superiority, probably resulting from the possession of a vast British Empire. It took us half a century to come to accept its disintegration (or its members’ liberation ­ or independence!).

It is natural to want to see arrogant attitudes humbled. Unfortunately, despite its problems and failures, the UK, especially England, falls into that category. From the days of imperialism and colonialism through sport and politics to Brexit, the UK still appears to consider itself too superior to listen to and learn from others. Pride (or complacency) is one of the major causes of the current demise.

Presently this manifests itself most clearly in the complacency of Conservative government ministers who, after more than 12 years of catastrophic failure, repeatedly express pride in what they and their party have achieved. They promise a worldbeating NHS and an education system second to none. While there is nothing wrong with optimistic and ambitious targets, this is about as realistic as a pledge to

THE British Benevolent Fund is one of the oldest charities in Spain for the British community. It was set up under the auspices of the embassy and with whom it still maintains a close relationship through the consular network.

Many people assume that the consulate have the financial resources to fund Britons in need and distress, which they do not. Instead the consulates look to partners, including the British Benevolent Fund across the country to step in when there are no other alternatives.

After Brexit there are many Britons who had been living in Spain who found themselves as not officially resident with no right to Spanish state support or healthcare.

For those who have health issues and no resources for private health care this increasingly means a return to the UK.

Many times, those returnees are alone with no family, elderly with health issues and no or limited resources. Imagine the feeling.

It’s not a happy ending to a life lived in Spain.

The consulates do the heavy

And I believe it is this arrogance that led to Brexit and all the UK’s economic, political and social woes. If deep concern for my country’s future makes me a ‘Brexit moaner’, so be it. When you look at our current predicament, membership of the EU, for all its shortcomings, worked well for our country for 47 years, with free movement of people, goods and services among and within our most important partner countries. But no! It was not considered good enough for the UK. Getting back into the club is probably about as likely as Russia being admitted, but I fear we would be too proud even to think about it.

Support us

lifting of finding accommodation and ensuring that the person has access to NHS care, which many times is neither easy or quick. One such case was an 80­year­old man, who had lived off grid for decades in Spain. He had no residency or any paperwork and was no longer able to support himself nor pay for medication and was increasingly found in emergency waiting rooms for pain that he could not bear.

The consulate was able to help place him in the UK for healthcare provision and he was fortunate that he was found a nursing home to go to.

The BBF was able to pay for his return flight as well as help with the costs for his passport.

It was a modest sum which although not the happiest cir­

cumstances allowed him to receive the care he needed.

There are many more like him.

We can only help them with your generosity, any donation goes a long way for people like him.

If you would look to support our work please write to me:

olaf.clayton@britishbenevo lentfund.org.

David Worboys’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

England’s green and pleasant land is not what it used to be, thanks to years of national complacency.

Photo Credits: David Worboys and bamn.com

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

MIJAS IN WHITE

LET it snow, let it snow, let it snow... Well, I hope. It felt like just a little bit of home seeing Mijas dressed in white, especially in the middle of January. I do love the sun but how amazing would it be if it did snow. I don’t know if Spain would be able to cope, the UK can’t. I wonder if anyone would have any sledges to use if it did heavily snow... Do you think any of the shops stock them?

Denise, Mijas

Imagine making it to 115

JUST imagine, this story really took me by surprise, and I can’t help but continue to think about it. Maria has lived through so much! Two pandemics, countless wars, Presidents, Prime Ministers, the reign of Franco and so much more. I wonder how many books she has read or how many times she has thought “oh here we go again...” 115 is remarkable, I don’t know if I will be here until 115 but if I am, I hope I have lived half of the life she has.

Nicky, Costa Blanca

Nature trails

YOU know that is something that I really miss from home that I don’t think is talked enough about. At home everyone goes for a walk ­ up Cave Hill, the Mournes, Slieve Donard and the Black Mountain. I don’t know if us people from Belfast are just the walking kind, but I would love to learn more and where there are accessible trails to walk in the area. Especially with the beautiful scenery of Spain and before it gets too warm as well!

Philomena, Belfast

Mr Blobby

WELL, if that isn’t a blast from the past, who else got a massive flash back to their childhood when they saw that article? I know I did. The big box TVs, the flap or door at the front that wouldn’t close where the buttons would be, the aerial that always made the screen go grey and the youngest ie, me having to get up and fix it because ‘you’re the youngest’ was the only valid reason. Watching Mr Blobby cross­legged in front of the TV has brought back so many memories and I hope it has for you too. A real hit of nostalgia but I don’t know if I would have paid €19,400 for it though.

Almeria

Holiday hotels

THIS article was quite eye opening, I have never thought about things in the way Nora has thought and written down. But nothing irks me more than travelling all day only to arrive at the hotel and for the room not to be ready. Coming from a large family and having a large family, grumpy, tired, men and children I can

only deal with for so long after travelling all day. It’s even worse when the front desk mess up the booking and you go to open the door of the hotel room, only to be greeted to one double bed for a family of six. I had to stop the kids from jumping about! And take them all the way back down to reception... with all the luggage... and the grumpy man. Let’s just say I took full advantage of all the exclusive drinks package after that.

Victoria, Dublin

Health is wealth

I THINK it is one of the best quotes to exist and it is so true. I don’t think people these days understand how important your health is and what it can allow you and not allow you to do. You don’t know until it’s too late. Take it from someone who is a bit older now and wishes he could do what he once did. I used to run for miles and miles but it’s just not the same anymore. I still take advantage of the good sea air and take nice long walks. But it isn’t the same as the wind cutting your cheeks when you’re sprinting about and the feeling you get after a long run and finally get to sit down. I feel that now after two miles, never mind 12. Look after your health and utilise it as much as you can!

Billy, Axarquia

I won the lottery!

THAT was quite the headline, I was so pleased for David only to find out he didn’t. But it got me thinking, what would you do if you did win the lottery? I think I have an idea, but I also feel like I have my own internal battle. Do I want to go mad and spend all of it... or most of it. Do I want to give it all to charity? I’m not leading a bad life at the moment. Or do I just pack everything up and call it a day, travel the world and just go on world cruises. There are people who do that you know, just do cruise to cruise and never go back ‘home’ and you technically don’t need to either. You have your accommodation, you’re seeing somewhere new every day, the food is unlimited, and the service is incredible. Different shows every night, casinos for if you wanted a real wild night and you would be constantly meeting new people and experiencing new cultures! I think I have made my mind up now after writing this letter haha. But what would you do? Honestly, if given the chance.

With love, Patsy

Animal allergies

YOU don’t understand how severe this feeling can be, the itchy eyes, skin, the works. I grew up around animals and after not having been in proximity of them for so long I do now unfortunately have an allergy. I know my one will go away with time; it always does but the itchiness is something I can’t deal with, the price you pay to cuddle with cuteness.

Rose, Birmingham

Jennifier,

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PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

New Life Church Whether you live in Nerja or are visiting our area, you are very welcome to come and join us at our Sunday gathering. Join us for a time of Holy Spirit led worship and experience the presence of our God. Our teaching is Bible based as we honour God and obey His Word. During this time of uncertainty, God’s Word reminds us that the Gospel shines brightest in times of darkness. Our service lasts for about 1 hour and 30 mins. With Tea and Coffee afterwards. Sunday Service 11.00am; Prayer Meetings Wednesdays 11.00am; Pasaje San Miguel, Nerja, 29780

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CHARITY Shop Pocapecunia we need things for the house/kitchen, decoration, vases, plates, cups, saucers, kitchen tools, paintings, pottery pots and pans etc. Prolongacion Avd. Rodgriguez Acosta, Nr the Parador Roundabout, opposite café Trébol, Nerja (294373)

CHURCH

THE ANGLICAN Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar. Every Sunday there is a Holy Communion service at midday in San Miguel church in Nerja. Every Wednesday morning at 9.30 we have an online ‘Zoom’ HC service - please contact Fr Nigel with an e-mail address if you would like to join us. Priest in Charge, Father Nigel Thomas. Tel: Church House951 815 736, Mobile: 608 695 756, e-mail: cofenerja@ gmail.com

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GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

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WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834.

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SITUATIONS

DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS wanted for Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical. One day per week. Must be legal to work in Spain, have own transport, know the areas and be reliable. Please send CV with covering letter to Martyn by email mab021262@gmail.com

SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for Large Glazed Areas to Reflect Heat / Glare and Stop Furniture Fading and Still Keep The View. Save Heat in the Winter to Improve Your Living Environment. ian@so larshadetinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (258409)

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Big News for Walking Football…… ……and specifically Torrox Tornadoes!

AFTER several years of long negotiation and completion of numerous pieces of paperwork, Steve Lynton, Torrox Tornadoes club member and acting League President, has finally been able to persuade the Junta de Andalucia to recognise Torrox Tornadoes as the first Sports Walking Football Club in Andalucia.

Although the full benefits of this breakthrough may take a while to be felt, it is thought that, after further discussions with the Junta de Andalucia and their local town halls, other Costa clubs will be able to access more municipal pitches and facilities, benefit from low/no ground costs, and be able to attract a greater number of players of all nationalities through the heightened awareness of the health

and social benefits of walking football.

This acknowledgement of walking football as a ‘legitimate’ sport should give it a far heightened status in the eyes of the authorities, who hopefully will be accommodating when it comes to supporting the organising of special events, finals, tournaments, etc. Congratulations, Steve!

• EWN Walking Football 50s and 60s League News

Nerja Utd 60s 1 v 4

Walking Dead 60s

Nerja Utd 50s 6 v 3

Walking Dead 50s

Last weekend saw more Walking Football League action in Nerja. Nerja Utd 60s lost to the Walking Dead 60s 1 v 4. However, Nerja Utd 50s gained some measure of revenge by beating the Walking

LaLiga club fires new manager

Dead 50s 6 v 3. Both games were hotly contested with plenty of action at both ends of the pitch.

These would have been two excellent games to demonstrate to any newcomer to the sport just how exciting it can be! They were both refereed splendidly by a new addition to the leagues’ small but intrepid band of officials, Steve, who no doubt will be featured in our future refs’ profile slot before too long!

• A Walking Dead Gala Night For Your Diary

The Walking Dead WFC announce a Gala night being organised at the Millenium Cocktail Bar, Calahonda on Saturday March 25, the proceeds from which will go to Prostate Cancer UK. More details at Facebook walking footy.com

GENNARO GATTUSO has been fired by Spanish LaLiga side Valencia CF after just seven months in charge at the Mestalla.

Spanish LaLiga club Valencia CF on Monday, January 30, parted company with its 45­year­old Italian manager, Gennaro Gattuso. The former midfield enforced had only been at the Mestalla stadium for seven months. They are currently languishing in 14th spot in the table.

“Valencia CF announces that on Monday, January 30, the club and the first team coach, Gennaro Gattuso, have decided by mutual agreement to end the contractual relationship that united the Italian coach with the VCF,” read a statement released by the club.

It continued: “The Club wants to thank the coach for his commitment and work in these months in charge of the first team and wish him the best of luck in his future. The team will return to training on Tuesday, January 31, under the orders of ‘Voro’ Gonzalez.”

Since taking the job last June, the Spanish giants have only won five out of their 18 matches under Gattuso. A 10 defeat at home to Real Valladolid was clearly the last straw for the club’s hierarchy.

As announced, Voro Gonzalez will take charge while Valencia searches for a new manager.

This will be the eighth time he has taken temporary control of the team during his time at the Mestalla. His current spell could not start with anything worse than an away match at Real Madrid’s Bernebau today, Thursday February 2.

WELL DONE: The Walking Dead 60s team who beat Nerja Utd 4-1 away last weekend.