A tartan tribute to Bill Anderson

ON Wednesday January 25, the Costa del Sol community came together and paid tribute to respected Mijas councillor Bill Anderson on Burns Night at the Green Label Restaurant, Mijas.

More than 100 attendees in traditional Scottish attire created a sea of tartan for the festivities, which were commenced with a quote that set the scene for the night. “Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends,” by William Butler Yeats.

The traditional night then followed the set Burns Night pattern with the piping in of the haggis, toasts and poetry, as well as tributes to Bill Anderson.

Bill told the Euro Weekly News: “Community is so important. I am a public person, but I am happy to do my work behind the scenes. I think they decided to have my tribute on Burns night so I couldn’t say no!

“I am excited for tonight, it is so nice to have guests and contacts come in from everywhere.

“I feel very humbled, I am the only foreign councillor to over 29,000 internationals - expatriates in Mijas. That’s over a third of the population.

“Coming and adapting to Spain isn’t easy and getting your head around things is difficult and we have a right to be represented.”

He added: “We need more people as councillors, and we need more people to register to vote and that’s some- thing that I really advocate for the international community to do. Ninetytwo per cent of internationals didn’t vote last election and that can make a huge difference.

“More foreigners on the council can change the way things are done. Whether you be English, Danish, Swedish, come forward, we need more representation.”

Lisa Burgess, organiser of the event said: “It is important for events like this to happen.

“He does so much for the foreign residency here and is a great personal friend. He is a really good guy and is well respected by the community, both Spanish and English expatriates.

“The response for tonight has been amazing, with over 100 people in attendance and at such a beautiful location too.”

Franck said: “I am happy to be here and support Bill. It takes guts to be a councillor and especially a foreign councillor in Mijas.”

Charmaine Arbouin, former consul, said: “I worked for the Consulate for nine years. During those years, six were to do with Brexit and two were to do with Covid and Bill was a god send. He took his role so seriously and kept everyone informed.

“When I was asked to come along to his tribute, I couldn’t say no. I am excited for the evening, and I can’t wait to see what it brings.”

End of an era

Credit: Theratpacklive.com

RAT PACK: Dave Lee is performing his last concert.

ON Sunday, February 5, Costa del Sol legend Dave Lee will perform his last gig in Spain before he and his wife, Marissa, move for their new life in the Philippines.

Dave will perform with Rat Pack colleague Martin Joseph at Bobby Jones & Spikes Miraflores Golf Club. Guests can either have Sunday lunch while the gang peform or simply have a drink and enjoy the show. Martin is encouraging everyone to come down to pay tribute to the brilliant Dave Lee at his last Costa del Sol gig for a while. The Euro Weekly News would also like to wish all the best to Dave and Marissa on their new adventure!

A JEWELLERY shop was robbed in broad daylight on Tuesday, January 31, in Marbella. Specifically, the incident occurred at the Time Outlet Marbella jewellery shop, located on Calle Padre Francisco Echamendi in the old town neighbourhood.