Axarquia 15 – 21 June 2023 Issue 1980

HIGH FLYERS

MORE than 150,000 people gathered on the beaches of Motril to enjoy the 17th Ciudad de Motril International Air Festival organised by the Orion Aeronautical Association.

The main flypast was on Sunday June 11 and once again, the range of different aircraft was exceptional and happily there were no accidents to mar the event.

Local mayor, Luisa García Chamorro, was full of praise for the organisers and congratulated the Orion Andalucian Aeronautical Association and “especially José Miguel Pérez Juárez, who not only organises this festival but also Motril Armed Forces Day.”

With so many people arriving on the beaches, it was very important that all of the local officials such as

police, firefighters and paramedics were on hand to ensure that all ran smoothly and by all accounts everyone enjoyed the spectacle.

This annual event is the busiest

Safety first

that the town sees and whilst many people only visit for the day, they still bring much needed publicity for the town as well as custom for nearby businesses.

Frigiliana Fair

FRIGILIANA travelled back to its traditional roots from Friday, June 9 until Tuesday, June 13 as it celebrated its San Antonio Fair.

The town came to life over the long weekend with processions featuring farm animals and ornate floral displays and residents in traditional flamenco dress.

There was entertainment for people of all ages with the religious processions, a vibrant fairground area filled with rides and amusement stalls, and musical and dance perfor ­

mances. The activities extended to all of the neighbourhoods in the town, ensuring nobody missed out.

The band Siempre Así and Estopa tribute band,

Fuente de Energía, graced the stage over the weekend with energetic performances. Saturday, June 11 also saw the crowning of the fair Queens and Gentlemen in a special cere ­

IN a positive turn, the Cueva de Nerja Foundation announced that they have financially recovered from the Covid­19 pandemic. The foundation revealed the positive development on Tuesday, June 13 after a successful board meeting. Thanks to their recovery from the pandemic, the board gave their unanimous approval for crucial upgrades at the attraction. This includes improved fencing and new safety features in the parking area. The foundation also plans to commit to quality services by holding consulting meetings.

Javier Salas, the president of the Cueva de Nerja Foundation and local government representative held the meeting with representatives from local authorities and cultural groups

During the meeting, Salas highlighted the impressive recovery that the iconic cultural heritage site has undergone. The cave attraction welcomed a staggering 436,107 visitors in 2022, mirroring visitor figures from the pre­pandemic year of 2019. This resurgence in visitors has sparked a remarkable economic revival for the foundation.

SUPPLEMENT PAGES 8 PROPERTY INSIDE

mony that was followed by DJ performances by Elías Moreno and Golden Deep.

Monday was dedicated to the elderly residents of the town with a special luncheon at the town’s pavilion, accompanied by live music.

The celebrations came to a close on Tuesday as the town bid farewell to the celebration with a traditional pilgrimage procession through the scenic Jardines de la Era and a firework display at midnight.

Credit: Motril Air show

Enjoying the annual flypasts.

The fair’s Queens wore traditional flamenco dress.

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Frigiliana

Chipping in Passing the baton

THE third edition of Golf Tournament Against Cancer in Eastern Costa del Sol­Axarquia prepares to tee off this Saturday, June 17 and Nerja Council has thrown their support behind the event.

The charity event, hosted by the Spanish Association Against Cancer at the prestigious Baviera Golf Club in Velez­Malaga, also has the support of regional authorities in Malaga.

with international golfing groups to join in the journey towards the Solheim Cup 2023. The event joins in the journey towards the premier international women’s golf championship whose trophy has already visited the distinctive Balcon de Europa and the Cueva de Nerja cave.

Tournament Against Cancer’s growing prominence, becoming one of the biggest charity golf events in the region. “Combining sport and giving to raise funds for such an important cause as cancer research is always a victory!” he explained.

THE Nerja and Almuñecar Anglican Church charity shop on Calle Malaga in Nerja is seeking fresh faces to take charge.

Diane and Brian Elliott, the current joint managers, decided it’s time to pass on their responsibilities, stepping down after nearly seven years of service on Friday, June 9. This part­time, unpaid role offers a unique opportunity for someone to make a difference in the community.

After years at the helm, Diane and Brian reflected on their journey. “We have enjoyed working with our team of volunteers in the shop but it’s not been without its challenges along the way,” Brian shared. “Covid

was our most testing time,” he added.

Diane highlighted the value of donations, saying “We are very grateful for the steady stream of donations to the shop. This helps folk pass on items they no longer need.”

The church expressed their appreciation to the pair for their tireless work.

The ideal candidate should have experience in retail and managing staff or volunteers. The shop opens from 10am to 1.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Church Warden John Hodgson for further details or to express their interest: 665 534 373.

Adding to the excitement, the tournament has also joined forces

The mayor of Nerja, José Alberto Armijo, shared his delight at the Golf

As in previous editions, the tournament has a Best Ball­Stableford format. The tournament’s award ceremony will be held on the same evening at 9.30pm at the clubhouse terrace.

Picasso’s flamenco flair

IN the spirit of Malaga’s ‘Picasso Year’, the ‘Y Picasso recordaba el flamenco’ exhibition is set to arrive in VelezMalaga on Friday, June 16.

The exhibition celebrates Picasso’s artistic legacy on the 50th anniversary of his passing.

Curated by talented artist Emmanuel Laffont, the unique showcase explores the fascinating connection between the globally acclaimed painter and the traditional world of flamenco

through a collection of 20 stunning images.

Emmanuel Laffont himself will be present on the opening day to share his creative vision with visitors. Each artwork, beautifully crafted with graphite on paper, creates a dreamlike story, featuring flamenco­inspired lyrics that blend the two forms of art.

Based on the popular book by Francis Mármol, the exhibition will be housed in the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) in Velez­Malaga until Saturday, July 22. Entry to the

THE village of Corumbela, located near Competa, celebrated the second edition of Rustic Bread Day, Día del Pan Cateto, on Sunday, June 4.

The event celebrated the artisanal and healthy product with 600 handmade loaves baked by the talented

exhibition is free, allowing all to discover more about an artist who shaped the future of the genre.

Francis Mármol, the book’s author, will also join the

opening day to introduce his literary work. Published by La Térmica, the book explores the major influence late 19thcentury Malaga music had on Picasso’s life and art.

Slice of heaven

women of the village.

The day aims to honour the history and traditions associated with breadmaking, paying homage to the generations of women who pro­

vided sustenance for their families as well as the rustic loaves of bread themselves.

The bread, a staple of the Mediterranean Diet, is still made using traditional methods, hand ­ kneaded and baked in wood ­ fired ovens.

Last year’s inaugural edition of the Rustic Bread Day was a resounding success, attracting food enthusiasts from all over Malaga and beyond. This year, organisers invited everyone to return and experience Corumbela’s rich culture while taking in the picturesque surroundings.

Celebrations began at 12pm in La Era and included a speech about the bread and the village, a ceremony of recognition for local artists and bakers, musical performances, paella tastings, and a marketplace offering typical products from the region. Activities for children were also available.

Photo credit: Laurie Bidwell

Diane and Brian Elliott have done a sterling job at the church.

Photo credit: Laurie Bidwell

Artist Emmanuel Laffont presents the exhibition to visitors.

Appeal launch

THE Asociación Protectora de Animales del Rincon de la Victoria ( APARIV ) has launched an appeal for donations for their charity shop. Volunteers are seeking clothes or other used goods for sale in their shop, and dog food donations for their shelter.

In memoriam

A MUCH-LOVED member of the community and Lux Mundi Torre del Mar, Bill Harbour, sadly passed away on Tuesday, June 6. His beloved wife Christine announced the sad news saying he passed away peacefully after battling health problems.

Digging deeper

MORE than 100 engaging activities are being offered for free in Nerja and El Cantal’s caves from Friday, June 16 until Sunday, June 18 as part of European Archaeology Day. The initiative aims to showcase the region’s unique heritage.

Market mania

PERIANA monthly market is set to return on Saturday, June 25 and there is plenty of time to book a stall. Local businesses or craftspeople can book a table by calling the town hall: 693 256 849 for the cost of €5.

Shore secure

BEACHGOERS in Nerja and Maro can enjoy the summer with peace of mind thanks to the towns’ strengthened lifeguard service. An expanded team of 46 professionals, including 40 lifeguards, three managers, and three skilled boat captains are working in the area.

Busting crime

THE Guardia Civil recently launched a crackdown on drug trafficking and robberies across multiple locations in the Axarquia region. Undercover and uniformed officers conducted searches and made several arrests.

Recipe for success

THE 24th edition of Almuñecar’s Food Fair proved to be an irresistible delight, drawing a crowd of more than 9,000 food enthusiasts to Parque Majuelo for a three­day extravaganza from Friday, June 9.

Organised by the Almuñecar Tropical Valley Hospitality Association (AHVT) and the local council, the event received positive feedback from both residents and visitors.

Featuring 17 different food companies, the fair was a gastronomic paradise for visitors,

allowing them to savour an array of dishes in one location. The event was a vibrant celebration of local cuisine, boosting the local economy and delighting tourists.

The fair also featured an assortment of delightful drinks, including renowned D O Granada wines and awardwinning Costa Tropical chirimoya fruit. Visitors sampled

exquisite wines from approximately 20 vineyards, as well as learning more about the chirimoya fruit.

Breaking free from the pandemic after years of disruption, this year’s fair embraced a sense of normalcy, welcoming record­breaking numbers of attendees.

Participating businesses were a mix of returning favourites and new faces, but they all shared satisfaction with the warm reception they received and thanked organisers for a brilliant event.

Celebrating sultanas Beats and eats

RIOGORDO is preparing to bring back its sensational Summer Fest, marking the official start of summer. The second edition of the festival promises an impressive lineup of world­class artists that will leave music fans starstruck.

On Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24, the town’s El Paso venue is set to come alive with electrifying reggaeton, electronic beats, and urban rhythms. Friday features Danny Romero, Jaime Bermejo, Ballesteros, and Juni. Saturday brings Juseph, Carlitos Arlés, David Akosta, and DJ Michenlo from Tomorrowland 2023.

Beyond the music, guests will enjoy international food from food trucks, colourful photobooths, and a temporary tattoo area.

Led by the visionary entrepreneur Paco Ternero, CEO of Pacopas, the festival aims not only to provide exceptional entertainment but also to engage the local community. The local council is partnering with the businessman to put on an unforgettable event.

Tickets, including VIP options, are available on the festival website: www.summerfestrgd.com. Guests can purchase rechargeable wristbands which ensure seamless transactions, with refunds available if necessary.

Transport from nearby locations is also available.

VELEZ­MALAGA’S local Tennis & Padel League Finals took place on Sunday, June 11. The sun was shining, encouraging a fantastic turnout with more than 300 participants.

The League Finals were held at the Fernando Ruiz Hierro Polideportivo and in the Maria Zambrano Park, where the best local players of these sporting disciplines offered a great day’s entertainment

A total of 11 categories in padel (three of them for minors) and two in tennis took place.

Padel has become an increasingly popular sport in Spain. It is a mix between Tennis and Squash. It’s usually played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by glass walls and metallic mash. The court is one­third of the size of a tennis court.

The ball can bounce off any wall but can only hit the turf once before being returned.

101

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S

Father’s Day

WISHING a happy Father’s Day to our British dads. Celebrating special days, such as those dedicated to mothers and fathers, can be different when you are living overseas.

SABOR A MALAGA is supporting the second edition of the painting competition aimed at promoting the Axarquia Muscatel sultana entitled: Windows to Art and Muscatel, Ventanas al Arte y al Moscatel.

The competition theme revolves around the grapes, sultanas and muscatel wine of Axarquia, in addition to the tasks that are performed both in the vineyards and wineries.

The painting competition offers three prizes: the first, worth €2,000; the second, €1,500. There

Tennis & Padel

will also be a special prize awarded for the painting chosen by the public worth €1,000, awarded by Sabor a Malaga.

The public can cast their vote with the name of the chosen work while the works are on display in each municipality, as the exhibition will be itinerant and can be visited during local festivities.

Entries must measure 81×65 centimetres (universal size of frame number 25), either vertical or horizontal, and must be delivered to the Iznate Town Hall before August 1 where they will be on display from August 2 until 4.

The actual day which is chosen as a tribute, and the style of celebration, sometimes leaves us confused as to where and how to celebrate.

Spain celebrates Father’s day every year on March 19, whether it be a Sunday or not! This coincides with the saints day of St Joseph ­ the father of Jesus.

In many parts of Spain, this day is so important it is a public holiday. A lucky bonus to the many Spaniards called José. With that in mind we want to wish a very Happy Father’s day this Sunday, June 18 to our British readers who are living here in Spain, and to all their family.

Points can be scored when the ball does bounce twice in the competitor’s field.

POSITIVE FEEDBACK: A toast to the food festival.

The best of local players took part.

Image: Ayuntamiento de Velez-Malaga Facebook

Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Almuñécar

Night trail Active Alcaucin

RINCON DE LA VICTORIA

is set to host the sixth edition of its famous Night Trail La Jabega on August 5.

Registration can be made via the website: www.dorsalchip.es. Acting mayor, Francisco Salado, confirmed: “Very few races in Spain allow you to run at night. The race starts and finishes on the shores of the Mediterranean, it is enjoyed enormously and has a huge appeal among

athletes.”

The sixth CxM Trail Nocturno La Jabega will start at 9.30pm and will have, as in previous years, an attractive route of 16 kilometres.

For this edition, the Club Atletismo Rincon has prepared some novelties. Acting Sports councillor, Antonio Jose Martin, explained: “One of the novelties will be the Mixed Pairs format. One of the members of the pair will start in the same direction of the race and the other will start in the opposite direction until reaching the geodesic point. The first of the two to arrive can help their partner to reach that particular point and, subsequently, both will continue to the finish line in the direction of the race.”

PROVERB OF THE

WALKERS from the Active Alcaucin community were treated to a delightful, cloudless sky as they gathered for a hike on Sunday, June 11.

The group met at Casa Arts restaurant just before 10am for the ‘lollipop’ shaped route. Spanning approximately eight kilometres, the walk lasted around four hours, with a total ascent of 495 metres, including a couple of challenging sections.

Walkers enjoyed the shade of the forest before being treated to panoramic views of La Viñuela lake and charming Alcaucin.

While the walk itself was completely free, a collabora tion with the Casa Arts restau

Walkers enjoyed bright sunshine and stunning vistas.

rant meant that walkers were offered a threecourse meal for €15.

TORROX Hub in Torrox Costa is set to host an engaging awareness day on Wednesday, June 21, dedicated to the welfare of cats in the area.

Many of the walkers chose to stay for lunch after the walk, tucking into freshly baked bread and refreshing with homemade lemonade.

Evelien, one of the event organisers, was thrilled to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new participants while basking in the warm June sun. The next walk is set to take place in July but anyone interested in joining can keep up to date via their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/961 338564367567. Alternatively, contact Evelien (+44) 7934 139067 to join their WhatsApp group.

Community cat care

The event at Torrox community and business hub aims to raise awareness, funds, and collect donations of food to support the feline population of Torrox.

The ‘cat lady of Torrox’ as she is affectionately known, Ann Kelleher is set to give a talk at the event along with Michelle, covering the basics on cat care. Ann and Michelle are aiming to shed light on the dire situation these felines face, with countless pregnant cats being

Meaning people do things more quickly and easily when they work together. A very ancient proverb known to both the Greeks and the Romans - it first appeared in English by John Heywood in 1546.

ONE Axarquia town is embracing the LGBTQ+ community by hosting its inaugural pride event this summer. Salobrena will hold the SALO Pride Festival on Saturday, July 1 at the 18 Nudos Surf

abandoned and innocent kittens carelessly discarded in bins.

The pair will be at the venue from 10am until 4pm, answering questions from visitors. Donations of cat food and money will be gladly accepted.

Ann is well­versed on the cat situation in Torrox, having personally taken on the noble responsibility of feeding over 100 abandoned cats each day, at a monthly cost of €450.

Ann highlighted the hard work by the community, particularly from Mayor Óscar Medina in neutering cats and TAIL animal rescue for their assistance, but said more must be done.

SALO Pride Festival

Club venue.

The community will come together to celebrate diversity, promote respect, and amplify the voices and the visibility of those in the LGBTQ+ community. The event is also set to be a celebration of selfexpression and acceptance with lively entertainment featuring music, theatre and activities from sponsors including Anderton Motors, Spain’s biggest supercar provider.

Renowned artist Antonio Bueno will launch the festival with a speech, before the per­

formances get underway.

The festival lineup is packed with talented performers such as Los Quintana, David Quintana, Joan Salas, Kañasur, DJ Xexu Q, Poli Dark, Maripimienta, Mimi Tazi, as well as exceptional dancers. Other guest performers are set to be revealed soon, adding another layer of excitement.

The outdoor venue will also hold thrilling watersports activities, and offer delicious food and refreshing cocktail options.

WEEK

“Many hands make light work”

The number of overseas territories the UK has across the globe.

Keeping you safe

IN a bid to offer better protection to citizens, the Local Police of Rincon de la Victoria now have new individual fenders.

These new weapons complete the overall renovation of the municipality’s police officers initiated in recent years.

The acting councillor for Local Police and Public Safety, Borja Ortiz, confirmed:

“We continue to work so that our Local Police officers can carry out their work in the best possible way as this will result in a better service for the citizens.

“Rincon de la Victoria is one of the safest cities in Spain. This is not only because of the high level of our police officers but also because of the boost given to their equipment so that

Masterpieces galore

they can do their job in the best possible way.”

The councillor added: “These new 60 new fenders complete the equipment of each member of the Local Police of Rincon de la Victoria as part of the process initiated in recent years with the aim of completing, improving and standardising the technical means of our Local Police.”

Nominated the best

RINCON DE LA VICTORIA’S Villa Antiopa has been nominated as the ‘Best Andalucian conservation project’ in the third edition of the EXPONE Awards.

The EXPONE Awards were created in 2020 to recognise the value, effort and excellence of professional practice in projects or strategies developed by museums and exhibition centres based in Andalucia.

The organisers of the awards have highlighted the high quality of the nominations for this edition which have exceeded 50 on this occasion.

The winners will be announced on Tuesday June 20 at the CM MALAGA: Culture & Museums, International Tech Forum which will bring together the main agents involved in cultural and museum management.

Villa Antiopa competes for the EXPONE Award with two other candidates in the category of ‘Best Andalucian Conservation Project’. These are the restoration of the Santa Clara Church in Sevilla, and ‘Multiple simulation in the museum of the city of Antequera and the municipal historical archive. Learning to rescue Andalucian heritage after an emergency’.

THE mountain village of Competa is preparing for an art extravaganza as the Art and Craft Ruta returns for its second edition on Wednesday, June 21.

Following the tremendous success of its debut edition in May, the monthly art event is set to return, offering visitors a unique insight into the village’s vibrant art and craft scene.

The Art and Craft Ruta takes visitors on a captivating tour of permanent venues, including studios, shops, and an art gallery. It offers a visual feast and a chance to discover unique artworks and handmade treasures.

The inaugural event held on Wednesday, May 24, received rave reviews as the village came alive with art enthusiasts. From luxurious fabric creations to nature ­ inspired collages, handcrafted leather products to captivating sculptures, there was some ­

thing for every art lover.

With artists from France, Spain, Italy, the UK, and the Netherlands, the event combines an international atmosphere with the rich cultural heritage of Competa.

June’s event will run from 10.30am to 2pm, reopening from 3.30pm to 6pm. To stay updated and

learn more about the event, visit the art event’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.co m/artcompeta or follow @artcraftrutacompeta on Instagram.

After a summer break, the art collective has exciting plans ahead, returning with an art walk from Friday, September 15.

The talented artists are based in Competa.

Photo credit: Lieuwke Loth

THERE is a long history of impersonators in the UK and the latest name to catch the attention is Danny Posthill who is a regular visitor to both the Costa del Sol and Mallorca.

Following a recent visit to see his aunt Sylvia who was celebrating her 90th birthday in her home in Fuengirola he was catching up with friend, popular local singer Mario Ross who asked if he would act as auctioneer at the Children with Cancer UK fundraiser at Villa Tiberio in Marbella on Sunday May 28.

After returning to the UK and then flying out to Cyprus for a show, Danny found time to speak exclusively with Euro Weekly News about his career and the way in which it has blossomed since reaching the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2015.

Asked about how he discovered his talent for voices

Danny explained “I guess that most impressionists will tell you it dates back to schooldays, I wasn’t a great scholar but could make my friends laugh by mimicking

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The bloke who does voices

the voices of various teachers.

“One day everyone was amused by my take on a science teacher and suddenly the room went quiet and I sensed a presence behind me and sure enough it was that very teacher.

“Soon after I moved to a new class and the joke was on me, because my new teacher had obviously heard about that discovery and simply refused to allow me into his class in case I did the same, before telling me he was winding me up.”

As it happened, he went on to win the school talent show and then decided to get into entertainment, firstly working in holiday camps, being in charge of competitions for the kids and then it was off to Mallorca, but times were hard and he end­

ed up sleeping in a hotel sauna because he couldn’t afford a room.

Things got better and as he honed his skill, he got a job on a cruise ship but always wanted to be a full time entertainer and in 2013 he got an agent and became a full time professional.

“It’s not really a proper job, and although sometimes it’s stressful and there is a lot of travelling, I’m doing what I love and it’s so nice that I can make people laugh.”

Quite surprisingly, Danny mimics a number of female celebrities because he recognises his vocal range and doesn’t stray out of it, although he suspects it may change as he gets older.

“Basically, I have a fairly high pitched voice which means that I can become Sarah Millican, Dianne Ab­

bott, Priti Patel and Nicola Sturgeon, although I have to admit that my two favourite impressions are Donald Trump and Michael Mcintyre.”

If you visit Danny’s website https://dannyposthillofficial.com/ you can arrange to have a personalised message from any of the above and many more to be sent to as a special greeting to a friend, family member or as a prank.

“I think it helps that my partner Aimee Cole is a dancer and choreographer so we both have to make allowances for the other’s working pattern and it certainly makes life easier for us both.”

From early days working at the Yaramar Hotel in Fuengirola, to his time in Mallorca (where he still performs regularly) and of course his aunt being here means that he is drawn back regularly and he and Aimee will be holidaying in Spain in September.

That is if a prospective script for a TV series which he has written doesn’t suddenly take off!

Credit: Dany Posthill Facebook

Danny and Aimee outside Villa Tiberio.

British Embassy Cocktail Party

IT was with great pleasure that the proprietors of Euro Weekly News , Michel and Steven Euesden were invited to the Spring Cocktail Party at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Madrid on Tuesday June 6. It was a glorious day and there was a very large number of guests who took advantage of the large garden which gave them the opportunity to chat with friends old and new.

Temperatures were soaring in Madrid, a true reflection on the world of commerce in the region and it seems that the after effects of Brexit and Covid now seem to be a distant memory.

Speaking to those present, Ambassador Hugh Elliott explained that interrelationships between Spain and the rest of the world have never seemed to have been in such a sturdy state.

The investments coming in from South America are most definitely making the economic recovery a far easier journey with regards to the economic growth of Spain and the region and coincidentally there has been a massive hike in property prices in this region.

La Cámara, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce saw a change of President ­ Hugh Elliott gave a massive thanks and round of applause to demonstrate his appreciation

for all the work done by Aida Garcia ­ and welcomed the opportunity to work with lawyer and long­standing member of the BCC, Ralph Smith.

The Ambassador was in excellent form on this occasion and Olaf Clayton was a wonderful networker and introducer which comes as no surprise given his role in the British Benevolent Fund, which is the oldest charity for foreigners in Spain today and Olaf is THE conduit of communication between a problem and a solution.

Be it a victim of domestic abuse ­ violence

dependency ­ when all help fails us the foreigner here in our adopted land ­ Olaf and his team somehow find the resources to offer a solution.

It was a superb evening of celebration and almost gaiety, although the tide of business attire did not reflect the optimism and excitement of times to come here in Spain

It is getting towards the end of the tenure of Hugh Elliott and although the Euesdens have said it about the past three Ambassadors they do believe he has survived

some hard times with aplomb.

He is very much like the IF character of Rudyard Kipling…

IF ­ you can keep your head when those around you are losing theirs … They were and he did!

Apart from the many people they met at the event, Michel and Steven were pleased to catch up with their friend Derek Langley of the British Chamber of Commerce and would like to thank the Ambassador for such a superb evening of commercial celebration ­ it was an honour to be invited.

Olaf Clayton with Michel and Steven Euesden. Ambassador Elliott and Steven Euesden. Guests at the event.

Look Right, look Left

Linda Hall SPAIN, which was not due to hold a general election until December this year, will go to the polls on July 23.

Following dismal results for the governing PSOE and Unidas Podemos (UP) coalition in the May 28 local and regional elections, the president of Spain’s government, Pedro Sanchez, announced the new date the following morning.

Which way will the Spanish vote?

Partido Socialista Obrero Español (Spanish Workers’ Socialist Party) Written and referred to as PSOE (pronounced pay ­ soee) it is Spain’s oldest political, founded in 1879 by Pablo Iglesias. Middle­of­the road un­radical socialism, although the party shies away from mentioning or laying claims to being a centrist party. It has been in government since June 1, 2018 after a no­confidence vote defeated Partido Popular president Mariano

Rajoy. In power thanks to an uneasy alliance between the PSOE and far­left UP, which itself is a coalition of the Izquierda Unida and Podemos parties.

Party logo: a fist clenched round a red rose.

Partido Popular (People’s Party) Written and referred to as PP (pronounced paypay), the Partido Popular dates back to 1989 as the result of a rebranded Alianza Popular, founded in 1977 to stand in Spain’s first democratic general elections.

Middle­of­the­road conservatism now headed by Alberto Nuñez Feijoo who was president of the Galicia region between 2009 and April 2022 when he took over as the PP’s president.

The PP was phenomenally successful in the May 28 municipal and regional elections, and now controls all but two of Spain’s regional governments and most of its important city halls.

Party log: a blue seagull.

As neither the PSOE nor the PP is likely to wake up on July 24 with an overall majority, Sanchez will have to look further to the Left and Feijoo to the Right if either is to form a government.

Sanchez already knows that he will have backing from

Sumar A coalition of 15 parties to the Left of the PSOE that was only registered on June 9. Created by minister of Labour Yolanda Diaz, who belongs to Izquierda Unida and consistently overtakes Pedro Sanchez in popularity polls.

Feijoo will have no problem in enlisting the help of Vox Formed in 2013 by Santiago Abascal, Vox entered the Spanish parliament in 2019. It is old­school, antiimmigration, anti­LGTB, antiabortion, anti­EU. Although he knows Vox’s cooperation will be forthcoming, Feijoo also realises this could cloud the PP’s centre­right reputation and ambitions.

Property pursuit

Betty Henderson

AMERICAN business magnate Warren Buffet has set his sights on Spain’s booming property market.

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Buffett’s luxury property firm, recently expanded its presence in Spain with a second office in Malaga. The company announced plans to continue growing by targeting the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and the Mediterranean coast on Friday, June 9.

CEO Christy Budnick sees immense potential in Spain’s luxury housing sector. She is pleased with the company’s progress, focusing on exclusive areas in Barcelona, Madrid, and Mar­

Anna Ellis

SPAIN’S unemployment fell by 49,260 people in May to 2,739,110.

The decline extends to all economic sectors, to all autonomous communities and to both men and women. The rate of monthly percentage decline in youth unemployment is double the overall rate.

The number of people registered in the State Public Employment Service Offices (SEPE) at the end of May fell

Complete recovery

bella. Despite rising interest rates affecting the property market, Budnick believes luxury property prices will continue to rise, especially in exclusive locations. The Covid­19 pandemic has shifted housing preferences, with buyers seeking comfortable homes with outdoor spaces for family and friends.

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services acquired Catalan firm GTS last year and is considering acquiring companies in Ibiza, the Costa Brava, and the Valencia region to strengthen its Spanish presence as well as its ventures in Mallorca.

The luxury property business has a presence in 14 different countries across the globe.

More in work

by 49,260 people (­1.77 per cent) compared to the previous month.

Registered unemployment stood at 2,739,110 people, the lowest figure for the month of May since 2008.

This is a very positive decline in the context of quality recruitment and record highs in both affiliation and the labour force.

In year­on­year terms, un­

employment has fallen by 183,881 people, a hefty percentage drop of 6.29 per cent.

Unemployment of young people under 25 fell in May by 7,208 people (­3.69 per cent) compared with the previous month, doubling the percentage rate of the general decrease. The total number of unemployed young people is the lowest in the historical series: 188,043 people.

Anna Ellis SPAIN received 7.2 million tourists in April, which is 20 per cent above the best prepandemic figure.

In the first four months of 2023, Spain received a total of 21 million arrivals, 32.4 per cent more than in the same period of 2022.

Visitor and spending records were also broken in April: €8.48 billion, 22.7 per cent more than in 2022 and

Betty Henderson

THE ongoing negotiations between Spain and the United Kingdom regarding Gibraltar’s post­Brexit status have hit a roadblock due to the recentlyannounced Spanish elections.

The elections, which have been announced for Sunday, July 23, could bring about a change in national leadership.

When the European Union and the UK finalised their Brexit agreement, they failed to address the pressing issue of Gibraltar’s border condi­

20.2 per cent more than the best pre ­ pandemic figure (2019).

Spain was visited by 7.2 million international tourists in April, 18.5 per cent more than in the same period of 2022, and 1.2 per cent more than in April 2019.

These figures represent an all­time record in terms of visitor numbers and spending: €8.48 billion, 22.7 per cent more than a year ago and

20.2 per cent more than the best pre­pandemic figure, according to Frontur and Egatur data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, Hector Gomez, confirmed: “These are extraordinary figures that demonstrate, once again, that Spain is at the forefront of world tourism, and that the tourism recovery is complete.”

Gibraltar’s gridlock

tions. As a result, negotiations have been ongoing for two and a half years, with 13 formal rounds of talks held since October 2021.

However, with the Spanish democratic process now in full swing, sources from the Gibraltar government have confirmed that both the UK and the EU have agreed to suspend further formal meetings until a new Spanish government is established. Infor­

mal discussions, however, are expected to continue.

5 M passports issued in the UK every year

PRESS EUROPEAN

DENMARK

Dry spell

ON June 7 Denmark’s meteorological agency DMI announced that the country had seen no rainfall for more than two weeks, the longest dry period in 17 years. Episodes without precipitation could be related to climate change, they said, although this was an area of ongoing research.

THE NETHERLANDS

Night out

A COMPUTER outage disrupted rail travel in Amsterdam and also affected other parts of the Netherlands on June 4 and 5, the Dutch railway company NS said. Hundreds were stranded and 150 people spent the night at Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome concert hall, unable to return home after a Harry Styles concert.

BELGIUM

SpyING

BELGIUM’S public prosecution service launched an investigation following complaints from the BBTK union that ING had accessed the emails of around 2,000 of its employees. According to the union, the bank viewed email traffic following the dismissal of a BBTK member alleged to have leaked sensitive information.

GERMANY

More nurses

AS part of a bid to attract more skilled workers from non-EU countries to the German employment market, Germany and Brazil have signed a declaration of intent for “fair immigration.” The main focus is on nursing, a field in which Germany faces a growing shortage, Labour minister Hubertus Heil said.

FRANCE

Not trending

THE draft of a new law regulating the activities of social media influencers, approved by French politicians from all parties, will curb the promotion of dangerous products and trends with fines and even prison terms. “We can be proud of this unprecedented agreement,” declared senator Amel Gacquerre.

NORWAY

Helping hand

NORWAY’S emergency services rescued a Russian who needed medical assistance while on board a scientific vessel stuck in ice near the North Pole. The authorities dispatched a helicopter from Longyearbyen, which was 500 nautical miles (926 kilometres) away from the ship and only just within range.

FINLAND

Not safe

FIGURES released by the Finnish Crash Data Institute (OTI) revealed that half of the people who were killed in urban accidents between 2012 and 2021 were pedestrians or cyclists. The same figures showed that 44 per cent of the pedestrians who died in built-up areas were killed on zebra crossings.

IRELAND

New idea

SOME archaeologists are beginning to question the accepted theory that Ireland’s first human inhabitants arrived from Scotland. In prehistoric times the Irish and Welsh coastlines were much closer than they are now, they pointed out, suggesting they could have crossed from Pembrokeshire into southeast Ireland.

ITALY

Home again

LAST year the US authorities returned 58 looted antiquities worth $19 million (€17.7 million) to Italy. Very often stolen from archaeological sites and smuggled out of the country over the past 50 years, they included 27 items seized from the Met in New York and the collection of billionaire Michael Steinhardt.

PORTUGAL

Angola aid

ANGOLA and Portugal signed a new cooperation agreement covering 13 areas ranging from finance to legal issues which will be in force until 2027. “We have significantly increased our line of credit from €1.5 billion to €2 billion,” Portugal’s prime minister Antonio Costa announced while visiting Luanda.

UKRAINE

Looking ahead

THE World Bank will support Ukraine with a rapid assessment of damage and needs after the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric dam. Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s managing director for operations, estimated that it would cost $411 billion (€381.3 billion) to rebuild Ukraine’s economy after the Russian invasion.

SWEDEN

New route

UNPRECEDENTED confiscations of cocaine in Sweden in recent months highlighted the country’s increasing role as a gateway for cocaine from Latin America to the rest of Europe. Swedish customs seized 460 kilos of cocaine during their latest haul at Helsingborg port, according to a government statement.

€500 note still legal

WHEN the concept of introducing a euro zone currency was first muted, each member state was invited to join and to confirm what denomination of coins and bank notes they wanted.

At that time Germany, supported by Austria didn’t want to see large notes disappear as many transactions in those two countries were carried out in cash and as Germany had a 500 Deutschmark note, it was agreed that there should be a €500 note.

As time passed and the membership expanded to 20, so did the fear that many countries had that a €500 note was ideal for money launderers and smugglers as well as counterfeiters.

It was calculated that if they wanted to move €1 million anywhere around the world, the weight when using €500 notes was 2.2 kilos as opposed to 20 kilos if using €50 notes and obvi­

Anna Ellis

HOTELBEDS is seeing a notable rise in consumer demand for luxury travel with travellers around the world seeking more premium experiences than ever before.

The United States, Mexico and Europe are among the largest source markets for luxury travel for Hotelbeds, while travellers from India (109 per cent), Australia (216 per cent), China (78 per cent) and Spain (66 per cent) have been increasingly looking for a premium experience over the

Betty Henderson

ously the packages were much smaller as well.

When new bank note designs were being considered, the European Central Bank confirmed that with effect from the end of 2018, no new €500 bank notes would be printed, except in Austria and Germany where they would continue for a further three months.

Many people in Spain are of the opinion that the €500 note has been withdrawn completely, but in fact they are legal tender across the Euro Zone and

may be used legally for transactions in Spain, although there are rules concerning the amount of cash that may be tendered when settling an invoice.

1,900 Banco Santander branches in Spain

66 per cent

“The post­Covid carpe diem mentality shows no sign of abating.”

Luxu ry travel on increase.

past year versus the previous 12 months.

Nicolas Huss, Hotelbeds’ Chief Executive Officer, doesn’t see this momentum subsiding any time soon.

SPAIN continues to bask in the glory of international recognition as it adds another accolade for its tourism industry. The Spanish city of Bilbao was named as one of the best cultural destinations in Europe by European Best Destinations. The tourism industry portal revealed their top picks in their Traveller Review Awards 2023, released on Thursday, June 8. Bilbao emerged victorious in the ranking, leaving popular destinations across Europe trailing behind.

Bilbao was the only city in Spain to make the top 12 list which was created based on more than 500,000 votes from travellers from more than 178 countries globally.

The north city rose above the competition to

The CEO added: “Travellers want to make the most of every day and they don’t want to compromise. We’re seeing spending on travel remaining a top consumer priority with people actively seeking unforgettable trips and are willing to pay for a high­quality experience.”

Cultural crown

claim its spot among the world’s cultural elites thanks to its unique attractions. Bilbao’s charming old town, culinary delights, the iconic Guggenheim Museum, and its unusual spider sculpture helped to secure its well­deserved position on the European Best Destinations list.

These awards celebrate exceptional accommodations, transportation services, local experiences, in cities and regions and are highly regarded in the international community.

The incredible rating goes to show Bilbao’s cultural wealth and its opportunities for visitors.

LEGAL TENDER: Real or fake?

Credit: Ivan Radic flickr

Image: Antonio Guillem Shutterstock.com

Golden Leaves Funeral Planning: Reliability with a human touch

OVER the decades, Golden Leaves has been recognised as one of the most respect ed brands in funeral care and planning. Its evolution at the vanguard of cham pioning best practices throughout the United Kingdom and abroad and its reputation for innovation and ‘client first’ business practices have firmly placed Golden Leaves as a symbol of quality, reassurance, and compassion ate service to thousands of customers.

International Operations Director of Golden Leaves, Emma Quantrill, leads her team in helping clients to navigate which plan is best for them and their loved ones from their direct, simple, tra ditional, and repatriation plans. Each of these plans has been designed with the expat in mind, guaranteeing to cover the cost of your funeral when the time comes. Emma and the team's caring, thoughtful, and sensitive approach helps take away the pressures of having to ar range a funeral while supporting grieving families and friends during these tu multuous times.

Specialising in providing funeral services and plans for expats living in Spain, Golden Leaves has unrivalled international expertise in understanding the unique requirements and providing services that are tailored to cultural and religious preferences. The multilingual services help to bridge the gap with language barriers, offering full support and ensuring clear communication and understanding throughout.

“My husband and I arranged funeral plans with Golden Leaves a year ago. The staff are amazing - kind and always helpful and professional, just as you would hope they would be in this type of industry. I have no doubt that, when we come to avail ourselves of the funeral service itself in the fulness of time, they will be every bit as helpful, kind and professional.

“I was very impressed with the process from the start to the sale. I would recommend this service to everyone.

The documentation was clear and a credit to you all.

On July 29, 2022, all UK funeral plan providers must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to sell or administer a funeral plan, these also include ANY International funeral plans (those sold in Spain) that can also be utilised in the United Kingdom if desired. Golden Leaves is one of only two companies selling FCA-regulated funeral plans across the Spanish mainland and both the Canaries and the Balearic Islands.

Inspired by her team and the service they provide to their clients, Emma told the Euro Weekly News that it is their range of plans, customer support, and payment plan options that set Golden Leaves apart from the rest. The team has helped thousands of expats in Spain prepare everything for their funerals, providing a dedicated and caring support system in times of needwhatever your financial situation. Here at Golden Leaves we give a helping hand.

all the paperwork in Spain when you need it most.

Thank you, Golden Leaves.”

– Janet Lambert

Planning a funeral is a stressful and emotionally challenging process, particularly with the complexities of navigating foreign procedures and another language to contend with. Emma and her team at Golden Leaves understand this situation deeply and have been helping thousands of expats put their minds at ease by getting their affairs in order before the time comes. With a ‘one call does it all’ service to help take care of

Their prepaid funeral plans allow individuals to arrange and pay for their funeral in advance, taking the stress and worry away from grieving family members and friends. This provides the peace of mind that everything is taken care of and that all of the financial arrangements are in the best possible hands. Their range of funeral plan options are flexible and accommodates different preferences and budgets –whether it be a simple and small ceremony or an elaborate service with many guests to cater to.

Website: www.goldenleavesinternational.com

“Many thanks for your help in the few days leading up to Christmas and your extra efforts on Christmas Eve staying at work to do all you could to help us. It was most appreciated. You will be pleased to know that my son managed to get his emergency passport and arrived on the morning of the funeral service.

We would also like to thank all those in Spain who helped us provide a wonderful celebratory service for Mum. Thanks to all of you for doing more than providing a professional service and providing a helpful and personal one.” - The Dorrington Family

Address: Avenida De La Pla 123 – 125 Edificio Caribe, Local 1, Javea 03730 Alicante Telephone: +34 966 493 082

Email: info@goldenleavesinternational.com

Golden Leaves accept both Euro and Sterling payments, with options to suit all budgets and requirements.

Emma is an avid believer in the product.

Thank you” - Christine O Peckham

Golden Leaves’ Emma Quantrill: Caring for you and your loved ones

PLANNING our funeral isn’t something most of us like to consider. However, it is especially important for those living in a foreign country to plan ahead for when the time comes, alleviating some of the stress for bereaved loved ones and giving them the peace of mind that everything is arranged and paid for. That’s where Golden Leaves can help, a professional and empathetic company that has been in the funeral planning sector since 1984.

The international team, led by international operations director Emma Quantrill, provides support to friends and family of the deceased during these tumultuous times by alleviating some of the stress. Particularly for those living abroad, the multilingual professionals will explain everything in a language that you can understand, giving you full confidence and peace of mind.

“Golden Leaves were a godsend in guiding me through the residency process; they booked my appointments, and ensured I had met all the requirements, including health cover to ensure a swift process. A special thank you to Victoria for her assistance.”

Deborah Lomax

We spoke with Emma about the services from Golden Leaves. Emma told us: “In our case when dealing with funerals, we see many people grieving and not thinking as they normally would. We are there to safeguard the client and ensure that everything is carried out as per their wishes, taking the distress and financial burden away from family and friends when the time comes.”

Although death can be an uncomfortable subject for many of us, Emma’s leadership, humility, strength, and dedication to her clients allow her to deal with situations compassionately. In what has

been a male-orientated profession for centuries, Emma has broken the glass ceiling to lead one of Spain’s most trusted and respected funeral plan providers over the past nine years. This extraordinary woman has become wellknown as a caring, thoughtful, and committed leader in the field, supporting many in

“I decided it was time to consider a funeral plan so my family had no worries when I am gone. Golden leaves were very helpful and the staff are amazing . After a chat I decided to proceed and they helped me all the way. So easy thank you Golden Leaves.” –

Jacqueline Gage

their time of need.

We asked Emma how she achieved her success and what inspires her to provide such amazing service through Golden Leaves. Emma told us: “My life in the sun began in 2007 and I have worked as the International Operations Director at Golden Leaves since 2015. A huge part of my success is the passion I have for our products, and I am an avid believer that a funeral plan is vital for expats to have their affairs in order when living in a foreign country as we don’t always fully understand the system and legalities.”

We asked Emma about her journey in Golden Leaves, and

“I contacted Golden Leaves as I needed quotes for a few different insurances. They were very friendly and helpful, and they talked me through everything. They are always happy to answer any questions I have and it’s good to be able to have all my insurances in one place. An excellent service and I would recommend them to anyone.”

Callam

now with insurance company ASSSA – who provide British nationals with insurance policies in Spain – Emma told us: “I had worked in the industry previously for a number of years and gained a lot of experience, then I discovered

“Just a note to say thank you for the friendly and efficient manner in which you handled my recent insurance claim for expenses incurred following a car accident in the UK. I would heartily recommend your services to any one seeking travel insurance.»

Pat McCue

provider of pre-paid plans in Spain.

I felt aligned with their focus on customer care, services, range of plans, and payment options – and I still feel the same nine years later.

I am proud to be a part of this innovative and ground-breaking company, and I am proud to lead the international team at Golden Leaves.

I believe it is hugely important to love where you work; this is my inspiration and what motivates me to achieve the best for our clients every day.”

We asked Emma what motivates her to provide the best services to expats and what she enjoys most about her role, she told us: “I am motivated and inspired by my team, our clients, the company and the products that we offer. Also knowing that we are in some small way helping that individual and their families at a very difficult time in their lives, this is something we are very privileged to be part of.”

“I really enjoy helping clients and, secondly, seeing my team flourish and the business growing,” she added.

Funeral plans with Golden Leaves are designed around your needs.

The international team led by Emma can help you to navigate which plan is best for you and your loved ones, from their direct, simple, traditional and repatriation options.

Here at Golden Leaves we give a helping hand.

Emma Quantrill and her team has helped thousands of UK expats in Spain.

Testimonials and Reviews – Golden Leaves

Victoria Gregory, UK

“I already had a plan with Golden Leaves for some six years which is why my friend asked me to join her when she went to make enquiries about a plan for her. The experience was exemplary and Emma, the interviewer (or Operations Director for Golden Leaves as we since found out!) was outstanding. Empathetic, informative, practical and what was most welcome in view of the conversation taking place, enormous fun. Not surprisingly my friend after talking with her family (at Emma’s strong recommendation) took out a plan. Taking out a funeral plan does not speed up your demise but it does make the inevitable a less stressful and more comforting experience for your loved ones…..so my advice would always be ‘go for it’. Huge thanks to Emma and the team…..and my friend and I will certainly be taking you up on that offer of a cuppa in the near future.”

Callam

I contacted Golden Leaves as I needed quotes for a few different insurances. They were very friendly and helpful, and they talked me through everything. They are always happy to answer any questions I have and it’s good to be able to have all my insurances in one place. An excellent service and I would recommend them to anyone.

Christine O Peckham

I was very impressed with the process from the start to the sale. I would recommend this service to everyone. The documentation was clear and a credit to you all. Thank you.

Julian Taylor

We got in touch over the phone and the helpful representative... thoroughly explained everything in a dear and informative manner. We both chose a plan, and it was such a relief to know we were covered for when the time came.

Pete Freestone

Explained everything perfectly. Very pleasant and efficient handling of the paperwork (thanks Emma). Hope all goes well when the time comes but not yet thanks!!

K White

I called Golden Leaves, a representative came to visit and explained everything to me. They payment was taken over the phone and my wife covered immediately.

The Dorrington Family

Many thanks for your help in the few days leading up to Christmas and your extra efforts on Christmas Eve staying at work to do all you could to help us. It was most appreciated.

You will be pleased to know that my son managed to get his emergency passport and arrived on the morning of the funeral service.

We would also like to thank all those in Spain who helped us provide a wonderful celebratory service for Mum.

Thanks to all of you for doing more than providing a professional service and providing a helpful and personal one.

Many thanks

L. Musgrove

My mother felt that she didn’t want me to have to deal with all of this alone when the time came, so she set up a Golden Leaves Funeral Plan, taking away all the worry and stress.

Golden Leaves were a godsend in guiding me through the residency process; they booked my appointments, and ensured I had met all the requirements, including health cover to ensure a swift process. A special thank you to Victoria for her assistance.

We don’t say we are the best - we leave that to our esteemed clients as seen below.

Deborah Lomax

PASSIONATE about helping people in their time of need, Golden Leaves’ International Operations Director Emma Quantrill has been assisting clients in the UK and Spain to plan their funerals since 2015. A dedicated, caring, and empathetic leader of the international team, Emma will now be working with trusted insurance company ASSSA, offering clients the peace of mind that their health and safety are taken care of.

ASSSA is a well-respected and renowned national insurance company with more than 80 years of experience in providing quality health insurance primarily in Spain. With comprehensive English-speaking assistance for those living abroad, their customer service representatives and medical professionals can assist you with any inquiries or medical needs.

ASSSA Insurance offers a range of healthcare coverage options, including medical, dental, accident and other health-related services, and their plans typically provide coverage for consultations, diagnostic tests, hospital stays, surgeries, and emergency medical care.

When considering insurance

Golden Leaves’ Emma Quantrill partners up with ASSSA Insurance

providers, it's important to carefully review the terms and conditions, coverage limitations, premiums, and any exclusions or waiting periods that may apply. Additionally, speaking with insurance providers and obtaining quotes can help in making an informed decision based on your unique circumstances and preferences. ASSSA places a strong emphasis on personalised attention to its policyholders, and provides a high level of customer service support and advice on all of their policies.

Offering tailored solutions based on individual needs and preferences and different plans with varying coverage options, you can choose the policies to suit your requirements and budget. Characterised by providing quality, solvency, care, commitment, and vocation, ASSSA’s extensive experience has made them one of the most experienced entities in the health insurance sector.

Emma’s involvement with

ASSSA is a natural progression from the sensitive subject of helping people to plan and prepare for their funerals. The Euro Weekly News spoke with Emma about working with ASSSA and her dedication to helping expats in Spain, she told us: “ASSSA are a name that people can trust, which is what attracted me to the company and what led me into insurance after enjoying such success with funeral plans and Golden Leaves.”

When asked about her passion for continuing to look after those in their adopted land of Spain, Emma said: “The synergy

was obvious. After taking care of such delicate matters of the aftercare of loved ones – the most valuable and important people in our lives – it made sense to work alongside another reputable company such as ASSSA. The Golden Leaves team takes care of policies for assets such as your home, your car, and your boat, as well as your health, the health of the loved one in your life, and the health of your family pet.”

After more than a decade of looking after people who have chosen a life in another country, Emma is never phased by any situation and has come to learn to always expect the unexpected. She is calm under pressure, with a relaxed manner that will put your mind at ease, navigating her way through any and all obstacles or pitfalls you may encounter. The combination of using such a trusted company like ASSSA, with Emma providing you with all of the information and advice you need, is a quick, reasonable, and profes-

sional service that is tailored to you as an individual.

ASSSA Insurance has thousands of happy expats across Spain, with Leslie William Willis and Sheila Willis praising the company. They said: “Like many British, we decided to make a life for ourselves here in Spain and were impressed by ASSSA's professional service. We can truthfully say that keeping our ASSSA policy has been the best thing we could have done.”

The benefits of ASSSA’s experience in serving the expat community, together with the best doctors, the best technology and a personal service in your language, are available whenever you need them. You will have a lifetime guarantee, immediate access and no waiting lists, a choice of the top doctors and medical professionals, no premium increase, and no co-payment health policy to pay. Your health and safety, as well as that of your loved ones, are in the best hands with ASSSA Insurance.

Their Basic, Standard, Plus, Master, and Summum health policies offer various coverages to suit your needs and are suitable plans for visa and residencia applications.

Authentic Axarquia

LOCATED in the province of Malaga, Axarquia is known for its charming towns, natural beauty and pleasant Mediterranean climate. Drawing in plenty of tourists and expats alike every year, it is the perfect location for a holiday or to relocate.

Axarquia is surrounded by stunning landscapes, including rugged mountains, fertile valleys, and picturesque coastal areas. From the beautiful beaches of Nerja and Torrox Costa to the dramatic landscapes of the Sierra de Almijara, nature lovers will find plenty to explore and enjoy here.

Axarquia is also home

to numerous charming towns and villages that offer a traditional Spanish atmosphere and experience.

Some popular towns in the region include Nerja, Frigiliana, Competa, and Torrox, each with its own unique character and attractions and often featuring narrow streets, whitewashed houses, and vibrant local culture.

The relaxed pace of life, friendly local communities, and a strong sense of belonging make Axarquia an appealing place to live. The region offers a laid-back lifestyle with a focus on enjoying the natural surroundings and embracing the local way of life.

The mild climate with warm winters and hot summers benefits from more than 300 sunshine-filled days a year, making it the ideal place for outdoor activities and a relaxed lifestyle. Torrox Costa is also regarded as having the best climate in Europe, and is described as ‘the town of the eternal spring’.

Property in Axarquia is varied, with options to suit different preferences and budgets. You can find traditional Andalucian-style villas, townhouses, modern apartments, and even rustic countryside properties. The architecture often features a whitewashed Mediterranean style, which adds to the region’s charm.

Axarquia is known for charming towns and villages, mild weather, and a stunning coastline.

Image –Artur Bogacki/shutterstock

Be a smart buyer

IF you are thinking of purchasing a property either as a forever home or as a holiday paradise, take time, espe cially with a second hand property, to consider all of the pros and cons.

You need to be certain that there is a proper title to the land so that there is no unwelcome surprise further down the line if it was built without permission.

In the past, there have been some prob lems with this in Axarquia but although it has very much been resolved, it is im perative that you ensure that you are assured that the title to the property is correct in order to save heartache in the future.

If it’s part of an urbanisation, find out early what your monthly or annual community charge is going to be and whether it’s managed by fellow residents or is out-

sourced to a professional company. In the UK we tend to have properties surveyed either in order to obtain a mortgage or to ensure that the property we have fallen in love with is generally considered sound and won’t fall down around us.

For some reason, people don’t appear to be quite so worried about surveys in Spain but there are good surveyors around, so you need to consider whether Spain should be any different than at home.

Next think about glazing, air conditioning and heating as some properties can get very hot in the summer and chilly in the winter and you want to ensure that you are comfortable.

Nowadays so many of us are environmentally conscious so perhaps look into the possible cost of solar panels to save electricity charges.

Music the Food of Love

THERE could be a misconception about entertainment on the coast as some may erroneously think it’s all night clubs and tribute shows, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

If that is what you are looking for, then you won’t be disappointed, but there is so much more to enjoy.

Admittedly because there are so many big festivals on the Costa del Sol this year, it’s not as busy in Axarquia but if you are happy to drive, then the distance isn’t great and you can have the chance to see some top stars appearing at major concerts in Marbella, Fuengirola and Mijas as the Costa del Sol welcomes Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Florence and the Machine, Iggy Pop, Robbie Williams and literally dozens more top artists.

Axarquia has its own Weekend Beach Festival in Torre del Mar which continues to expand and runs from July 5 to 8, but this is very much a home for Spanish and Latin performers rather than British and American bands.

All four events are sponsored by local councils, so you know that organisers are going to have to ensure proper safety measures as well as underwriting the money spent on tickets.

This is just the tip of the iceberg as all during the summer months in particular, even the smallest village hosts its own fiesta with a fantastic range of entertainment including musicians of all types.

If you like classical music then there’s plenty of that around as well as blues, jazz and Andalucia’s own Flamenco.

Benefitting from solar panels.

Credit: Neil Cummings flickr

GOLFERS on the Costa del Sol are spoilt for choices with more than 60 courses running along the coast mainly between Fuengirola and Casares, although further afield there are championship courses at Valderrama near Sotogrande.

Axarquia has taken a little while to catch up and there are certainly two exceptional

Ideal for golf

courses, one near Torre del Mar and the other near Chilches, but the good news is that several new courses are being planned.

Every time a new course is built you can be sure that

there will be a development of housing, often a mix of apartments, townhouses and villas and those who purchase a property around a new golf course can normally expect to negotiate very good club membership delas.

So, expect new courses near La Viñuela, Nerja and Torrox.

It seems almost perverse that an area that doesn’t have a huge amount of annual rainfall and can be very hot for those enjoying the

pastime is looking to build more courses, but you can reckon if these companies are prepared to invest 10s of millions of euros, their research will have shown that the market exists.

Golfers are often happy to travel a reasonable distance in order to play on different courses and as they become more skilled, they want to be on the most challenging.

For the first time ever, the Sondheim Cup, which is the premier competition for women and juniors with Europe versus the USA will be held in Spain at Finca Cortesin in Casares in September and this will see many visitors arriving.

Bringing nature indoors

AN increasing number of people are incorporating plants and flowers into their homes and offices, either in pots, hanging baskets, plant walls, plant ladders, or a good old vase. Bringing nature indoors can clean the air and remove toxins, enhance mood, increase productivity, and even help with sleep. The Euro Weekly News has been looking at some of the best reasons to bring plants into your home and office spaces, and how they can improve our health and well-being.

As well as providing decoration, plants can help remove toxins from the air, such as carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzene. They also release oxygen, which can help improve air quality.

Plants and flowers can have a positive effect on our mood and mental health and can help improve our overall outlook, making us feel happier. Nurturing and caring for plants in the home also has a calming effect and can reduce stress levels and blood pressure. Having plants indoors can also increase productivity and concentration levels. Studies have shown that plants can help reduce distractions and improve focus, and that people with plants in their workspace feel more productive, happier, and calmer.

Plants and flowers can add a beautiful and natural touch to any indoor space, and some plants, such as lavender and chamomile, are known for their relaxing properties as well as helping to improve sleep.

Snake plants, spider plants, rubber plants, peace lilies, ferns, and English ivy are some of the best indoor plants for increasing oxygen levels and purifying the air.

Credit: Bavaria Golf Facebook

Off-plan properties

OFF - PLAN properties are homes that are still in the design or planning phase, meaning that the construction has not yet started.

Purchasing off-plan has a range of advantages, with the main draw being more reasonable pricing. Let’s take a look at some of the other advantages of buying an off-plan property!

Perhaps the most exciting part of purchasing an off-plan house is that you will have more design options, for example, the choice of an open plan kitchen and living room

rather than two separate rooms. Another benefit is that today’s construction rules are more centred around sustainable and environmentally-friendly designs, meaning you will be saving money on energy bills.

Off-plan properties in Spain are much cheaper than resales or finished homes, priced at almost 15 - 20 per cent cheaper than existing properties. They are also a great investment opportunity, as the value of the property will increase as it gets closer to comple-

tion. This means you may have profit at good rates while waiting for the con struction to be completed.

Off-plan properties also offer better payment plans. A downpayment of 30 - 40 per cent in instalments is usually expected, and the remaining value will be paid after completion. When buying a prop erty from a construc tion company in Spain, the seller has to guarantee the important parts of the property against any

NewhousingSpanish law

AT the end of April 2023, Spain’s housing law was updated to solve issues on annual rent increase rates, price limits, and eviction procedures in the country. But what does the new law mean for homeowners?

Annual rental increase rates will now be capped to reduce living costs and lessen the burden on tenants. The new law will cap the rental price increase at 2 per cent in 2023 and 3 per cent in 2024.

There will now be no agency fees for tenants and all estate agency fees must be covered by the landlord/homeowner.

There will be new control mechanisms over vacant properties and if the landlord will not live in or rent their property for a period of two consecutive years, they will receive a fine. If the property remains empty without justifiable reasons for over two years, the penalty will be applicable on the IBI tax amount, which changes between 50 per cent and 100 per cent.

Landlords who own five or more properties in a stressed area will be considered ‘large landlords’. They will be distinguished from regular owners and will have specific measures to comply with as large property owners.

There is now an improved eviction system whereby tenants can only be evicted by a predetermined date and reason. Tenants will now have enough time to find an alternative living place until their eviction date and it is prohibited for the landlord to evict the tenant before this pre-set date.

Purchasing an offplan property has many advantages.

Image –Iammotos/shutterstock

AH well, where shall we start this week ­ what about with young Prince Harry? Firstly we can’t of course refer to the ginger whinger as ‘poor’ Harry. He is actually sitting on millions, or the wife is! This henpecked hustler is now using up his precious gift of time by endeavouring to get a whole corporation of journalists prosecuted for handing out publicity which made him feel uncomfortable when he was a teenager.

This, sadly pathetic individual, who has been brought up with no financial or real survival worries whatsoever, has now married a partner whose life has probably been positively riddled with obstacles.

This mixed race young actress, who, when you examine her friends and non­association with her own father, or her attitude toward British royalty, appears to rather dislike anyone bearing Caucasian originality, has now obviously succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. She has reached the staggering achievement of becoming a globally recognised

Fancy a bet?

Princess/Duchess, a Queen of Hollywood, a Royal sister ­ in ­ law and an advisor to the brother of the future king of England. Not bad apples. She obviously already rules the roost; in fact he’s actually just announced that he’s bringing the whole case just for her. That should get him a few cuddles! I’ll give ‘em a couple more years. Anyone fancy a bet?

Moving on. The conspiracy to bamboozle the public, particularly the youngsters, that the UK is a blissful society of mixed marriages and culturally entwined citizens is gaining ground by the day. Not only is the media now so full of misrepresentations and non­existent standards, it is guilty of committing enough false impressions to be up for prosecution. It has now been joined by the woke academics of the university of Cambridge, which is insisting to its students that Anglo Saxons actually didn’t exist as an ethnic group.

A further part of their conspiratorial efforts to undermine what they call the ‘myths of nationalism’. In other words they are now trying to

SAFER DRIVING OUR VIEW

maintain that our ancestors never truly existed.

This of course gives even more ammunition to the multi ­ culturist brigades who are intent on overpowering the rights of the millions of true Anglo Saxon descendants that still dominate the citizenship of the United Kingdom (85 per cent)! Are they winning? Well they may be under the impression that they are, but of course the true battle, which they are too full of their own importance to realise, is actually the ever growing threat of Artificial Intelligence. When this takes over, which it will, all their bull…t attitudes and theories will disappear along with the rest of us firmly entrenched under the new rulers of our planet ­ the purveyors of Artificial Power. An outcome which will ultimately be impossible for any of us to compete with. Whatever colour or nationality you happen to be.

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon and Friday 1pm till 3pm.

IT must be assumed that speed limits in Spain are set with an eye to making it as safe on the road as possible for all parties.

However, it is not unusual to see drivers speeding and if the government really wanted to enforce the law and make a lot of money in fines, then speed cameras in every tunnel on every motorway would be the ideal option as few drivers seem able to drop from 120kph to the average 80kph which is the norm.

The Guardia Civil issue regular explanations about the proper use of lanes in roundabouts and considering how in Spain, roundabouts are almost national monuments with each being named and having special decorations, you would think that most drivers would understand the rules and follow them.

In the UK, drivers should stop if they see pedestrians waiting to move onto zebra crossings but pedestrians are taught to actually check the safety of the road whilst the Spanish seem to have a belief that they should just be able to walk straight onto the crossing expecting as a matter of fact that drivers will automatically stop for them even if the paint on the road is so indistinct that unless you know the area, you might not even be aware that the crossing exists. Perhaps one of the most dangerous habits in Spain is the fact that many drivers of school coaches simply don’t take any notice of the speed limits, especially on dual carriageways and whilst they are charged with delivering their charges safely to and from school, they not only speed but then stop wherever they feel like to drop the children off.

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

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Budget meltdown

WOKING Council is effectively bankrupt with debts of £2 billion (€2.3 billion) following predecessors’ risky investments involving skyscrapers and hotels. Its chief executive said the full impact on residents was not yet clear, but all spending for non ­ essential services had been halted after issuing a Section 114 notice.

Fully-owned

AFTER obtaining a 60 per cent stake in 2021 and increasing this to 62.5 per cent last year, Santander Bank bought the remaining 37.5 per cent of its Brazilian subsidiary Toro Investimentos. Santander did not reveal the sums involved on acquiring the online brokerage company, which has 1.3 million clients.

Sad loss

THE death was announced on June 7 of Sir Ivan Menezes (63), British ­ American long ­ time chief executive of Diageo, following a brief illness. He joined London­listed £75 billion (€87.2 billion) Diageo, now the world’s largest spirits manufacturer, after its formation following the 1997 merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan.

Nadal plans

FOLLOWING the success of Tatel in Madrid, and the Toto Italian restaurants, tennis ace Rafael Nadal and Baleares hoteliers, the Matutes family, intend to open similar restaurants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There are also future plans for more eateries in Marbella, London, New York and Milan.

Tough times

CHALLENGING months lay ahead, the owner of the Simply Be and JD Williams home shopping companies warned after going into the red. Shares in N Brown Group, which also owns men’s clothing brand Jacamo, slumped after reporting annual losses of £71.1 million (€82.6 million) for the year ending on March 4.

Linda

Hall

SPAIN will ask Brussels for a total of €94 billion from the Next Generation’s Recovery and Resilience plan introduced to offset the after­effects of the pandemic.

“This will activate all the transfers and loans that have been assigned to Spain,” announced Nadia Calviño, who is the government’s principal vice­president as well as minister of Economic Affairs minister.

Addressing the June 6 Cabinet meeting, Calviño explained that Spain has also added a request for a further €10.3 billion to its initial recovery plan via the Next Generation fund. This will be used for 12

STAT OF WEEK €1.5 billion

plans to build Spain’s biggest shopping centres in Torremolinos and Valencia have been renewed by Eurofund Group following changes in the local governments after the May 28 elections.

More cash from Brussels

CALVIÑO: Spain has applied for all assigned EU cash, Economic Affairs minister said.

strategic projects that are already underway, she said.

The €84 million in ‘soft’ loans will provide Spain with a safety net which would permit ‘a strong rhythm’ of public and private investment for the future.

Calviño stressed that

CHIEF executives at companies linked to the UK’s soaring household bills have enjoyed multimillion paydays.

According to figures released on June 6, the National Grid, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer rewarded their top people with top earnings although all have been accused of profiteering from food inflation and the energy crisis resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

National Grid’s John Pettigrew received £7.2 million (€8.4m) for the last financial year, compared with £6.6 million (€7.7m) in 2021 according to the FTSE 100’s Power Networks Company. Pettigrew’s fixed pay fell although his variable pay, which included bonuses and long­term incentives, increased

Sandals in

PROFITS slid by 10 per cent for Dr Martens boots, the Northampton company’s most famous product. Sales fell 10 per cent in 2022 following errors in the US after the company concentrated on other items and battled problems at its Los Angeles warehouse.

Distribution in Latin America and China was also affected. In contrast, the footwear specialist said that sales of its sturdy sandals and shoes rose by approximately 50 per cent and represented approximately a third of total sales.

The ‘challenging consumer environment’ also produced a fall in demand in the US owing to high inflation, the company announced.

Best yet

These loans will be channelled through various financial vehicles, Calviño said, citing the Autonomous Communities’ Resilience Fund, which would be allocated €20 billion to finance sustainable investment projects.

MAHOU SAN MIGUEL reported a €1.7 billion turnover last year, 18.4 per cent more than in 2021 and the best figure in its history.

this did not imply an immediate increase in the country’s debt as there will be a 30 ­ year repayment period with an extra 10 years’ grace. The government calculates that this works out at around 35 basis points cheaper than raising the money through Treasury bonds.

The EU cash is to be handled in collaboration with the European Investment Bank, the vice­president said, although the Official Credit Institute would channel a further €22.5 billion to be used for business projects ­ particularly those involving green investment ­ with €1 billion set aside for tourism.

Payday bonanza

year and earned £4.9 million (€5.7m), overtaking his rival at Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, after reaching profit, cashflow and personal targets.

The increase was partly due to a £2.3 million (€2.7m) long­term bonus, although Roberts also received a £1.7 million (€1.9m) annual bonus together with a 3.5 per cent rise that brought a £905,625 (€1.05m) salary.

Sales were boosted by higher consumption of beer and water, the company said, although net profits fell by 0.8 per cent to €102.1 million, affected by lower margins owing to higher costs.

These were not entirely passed on to consumers, while the company explained that it spent €499.2 million31 per cent more ­ on modernising factories, as well as a 6 per cent rise to reduce the impact of inflation on Mahou San Miguel’s 4,068 employees.

Good news

THE Organisation for Economic Co­operation and Development (OECD) increased Spain’s 2023 growth forecast from 1.7 to 2.1 per cent.

The OECD also increased its 2024 forecast from 1.7 to 1.9 per cent.

from £5.2 million (€6m) to nearly £6 million (approximately €7m).

Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive received a 3.5 per cent rise last

Bank takes action

THE Daily and Sunday Telegraph will be auctioned off after their owners, the Barclay family, lost control of their two principal media assets.

Earlier, Lloyds Banking Group had threatened to put Press Acquisitions, which owns the newspapers’ parent company Telegraph Media Group (TMG), into administration after the breakdown of talks regarding loans that had accumulated over time.

On June 7, the UK media reported that Lloyds had appointed consultants AlixPartners as the official receiver for the Barclay family’s shares in the holding company which controls both newspapers and the Spectator magazine.

‘Multiple’ sources revealed that the bank, finally frustrated over repayment of a loan of ‘hundreds of millions’ of pounds, had decided to take action by removing Barclay family­appointed board members before auctioning the Telegraph titles and the Spectator magazine.

As sales and profits jumped, Stuart Machin, Marks & Spencer’s co­chief executive, received £2 million (€2.9m) last year, which included a £1 million (€1.16m) bonus.

Push off

UK banks will eventually have to refund all victims of authorised push payment (APP) fraud within a week.

These scams occur when criminals trick victims into handing over a security code sent by their bank, allowing them to ransack their accounts.

Last year victims lost £485.2 million (€564.4 million) to this type of fraud, but banks are currently not obliged to refund them, although many have signed a voluntary agreement requiring them at least to consider cases.

In practice, however, banks refuse to pay around half of APP fraud refunds but Britain’s Payment Systems Regulator plans to introduce stringent rules for refunding customers in 2024.

The organisation placed Spain’s economic progress at the head of the eurozone, expecting growth of approximately 0.9 per cent this year and 1.5 per cent in 2024.

In the “challenging environment” caused the Ukraine war, the OECD predicted that inflation in Spain would fall more rapidly than anticipated, averaging 3.9 per cent both this year and in 2024.

CBI wins vote

THE Confederation of British Industry emerged unscathed from a confidence vote in London on Tuesday June 6.

Ninety­three per cent of the 371 members of Britain’s foremost business lobby group backed proposals to overhaul its ‘governance, culture, and purpose’ in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations. The result was “a really strong mandate from our members,” the CBI’s director general, Rain Newton ­ Smith said although leading companies including Aviva, BMW, BT, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and Rolls Royce, have either left or suspended their membership.

NADIA

NATIONAL GRID: Chief executive John Pettigrew received €8.4 million last year.

Photo credit: Pool Moncloa, Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Photo credit: Pexels/Jan van Bizar

- FTSE 100

DOW JONES

Turkish delight

STRUGGLING Asos shares rose by 7 per cent following reports in the Sunday Times that it had received a £1 billion (€1.16 billion) takeover bid from the Turkish online retailer Trendyol last December.

Asos, which owns Topshop and Miss Selfridge, was valued at between £10 and £12 (€11.64 and €13.96) a share by Trendyol.

Old favourite

LINGERIE and stockings

company Marie Claire, founded in 1907, is in talks with the unions, employees and clients that include El Corte Ingles to find a solution that will allow it to survive. If an answer cannot be found, the firm will be obliged to start insolvency proceedings involving the loss of 280 jobs.

Whistle-blowing pays

Linda Hall

THE UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is stepping up its enforcement work against illegal cartels. These are businesses which cheat customers by agreeing not to compete in order to keep prices high, stopping the public and other firms from getting a fair deal and also stifling competition.

People who tell the CMA about unlawful cartel activity they have witnessed can now claim a reward of up to £250,000 (€290,308), in ­

Domestic priorities

IBERIA’S domestic flights provide 1,852 jobs and contribute €130 million to Spain’s gross domestic product as well as €199 million to tourism. Spurred by France’s decision to eliminate routes that could be covered by train in two and a half hours, the airline, together with consultants PwC, analysed the consequences of introducing a similar measure in Spain.

Economic considerations apart, the study

also established that 40 per cent of passengers took domestic flights to connect with another flight.

Eradicating these flights would require between eight and 10 high speed trains, connecting travellers with Spain’s Adolfo Suárez­Madrid Barajas airport on an hourly basis.

“At present there are none,” pointed out Iberia’s Sales director Beatriz Guillén.

No win

creased from £100,000 (€116,134).

“Businesses that participate in cartels, knowing them to be illegal, often go to great lengths to keep the cartel hidden and secret,” the CMA said.

“This makes them difficult to detect and harder to bring eliminate.”

The CMA’s ‘Cheating or Competing’ campaign has advice for people and businesses to help them spot, report and deter illegal anticompetitive practices. It encourages those who have witnessed illegal activity to report it by protecting their anonymity as well as offering a reward.

Businesses found to have been involved in illegal cartels can be fined up to 10 per cent of their annual turnover. Individuals directly involved can face up to five years in prison, while company directors risk disqualification from holding directorial positions for up to 15 years.

CORREOS cancelled the fouryear, €67 million contract for telecommunications services that it signed with Telefonica in February.

The decision to cancel the deal followed an appeal from Telefonica’s rival Orange, previously barred from the tender for alleged breaches, after the French company complained that revealing Telefonica’s financial offer had put all the other competing companies at a disadvantage.

Playing safe

JOHN LEWIS PARTNERSHIP, which experienced a third year of losses and axed the staff bonus for only the second time since 1953, is spending more than £1 million (€1.16 million) on revitalising its children’s range. Executive director for John Lewis, Naomi Simcock, said the business wanted to create “an immersive experience” and a destination, “not just a shop.”

ILLEGAL CARTELS: Britain’s CMA will pay for information

Photo credit: Pixabay/elbgau

Beer crisis

SMALL craft beer manufacturers are going out of business as consumers choose cheaper options due to the cost of living crisis. Forty­five breweries entered insolvency in the year ending March 31 compared with 15 in 2022, according to Insolvency Service statistics.

Bank on it

SPAIN’S BBVA and Santander banks are amongst those handling America Movil’s 130 billion peso (more than €7 billion) fiveyear bond issue. The phone company, which is Telefonica’s principal rival in Latin America, is also using the services of the HSBV, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan banks.

Cleaning up

MITIE, a UK professional services and outsourcing company, announced a record full­year £4.05 billion (€4.7 bn) compared to £4 billion (€4.6 bn) in 2022. Contract wins, renewals, acquisitions and inflationary contract repricing offset unrenewed contracts and the previous year’s benefits from shortterm Covid work.

Football fans

TURNER, a subsidiary of Spain’s ACS Group which is chaired by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, will build the €1.4 billion New Highmark Stadium, future home of the Buffalo Bills American football team. The installation, with a capacity for 63,000 people, is due to open in 2026.

Ash cash

WE SODA, the world’s largest producer of natural soda ash, will be 2023’s first major float in London. The Turkish chemicals giant announced that it would seek a stock market listing this year in a deal that could put a value of between £6 to £7 billion (€6.97 to €8.13 billion) on the company.

Brexit seen from afar

Linda Hall

BREXIT was a “historic economic error” that helped to fuel the UK’s high inflation, a former US Treasury chief declared.

Talking to the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme, Larry Summers said Brexit and other policies meant Britain’s economic problems were more acute than those of most other major countries.

“The UK’s economic policy has been substantially flawed for some years,” Summers said.

“Brexit will be remembered as a historic economic error that reduced the competitiveness of the UK economy, put downward pressure on the pound and upward pressure on prices, limited imports

and the supply of labour,” he added.

This all combined to contribute to higher inflation, maintained the for­

Gigaplant

mer Secretary of the Treasury who had advised both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Summers also slated the Bank of England, saying it had kept interest rates too low for too long, while the UK’s higher levels of inflation were reinforced by “very ill­judged” monetary policies that were too expansionary for too long.

The Bank of England has raised rates 12 times since the end of 2021, taking it to 4.5 per cent in May, although Summers said the only option was to stay the course with base rate hikes, although this would inevitably hit activity and growth.

“I’d be very surprised if Britain avoids a recession in the next two years,” he told the BBC.

Breaking more records

INDITEX earned a record €1.2 billion during the first quarter of the company’s fiscal year, 54 per cent more than during the same period in 2022.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased by 14 per cent to €2.2 billion. Earnings before interest and taxes rose 43 per cent to €1.5 billion, while profits before tax rose by 52 per cent to €1.5 billion.

The Galicia ­ based clothing giant, which owns the Zara, Massimo Dutti and Bershka labels amongst others, pointed out that this year’s results were especially buoyant, bearing in mind that last year’s first quarter figures had included a €216 million provision for Russia and Ukraine.

“The Spring ­ Summer collections continue to be very well received by our customers,” the Inditex interim report revealed. “Store and online sales between May 1 and June 4 have also increased by 16 per cent compared with the same two months in 2022.”

The Board of Directors will propose a dividend of €1.20 per share for the 2022 fiscal year at

A MULTINATIONAL car manufacturer intends to build a €4.5 billion gigafactory in the Valencian Community. The news was initially reported in the regional daily Levante­EMV and subsequently the national publication, Cinco Dias.

The regional government has signed a confidentiality agreement with the company in question while negotiations are underway. Although no name has been revealed, Tesla was mentioned by sources close to the process. Should the project materialise, investment would top Volkswagen’s €3 billion plant producing battery cells for electric vehicles in Sagunto (Castellon), although this could increase to €4.5 billion by 2026 should annual production capacity increase from 40 gigawatts per hour to 60.

Pensions result

the Annual General Meeting to be held next July.

The first interim payment of €0.60 per share was made on May 2 this year and the final dividend payment will be paid on November 2, Inditex announced.

Looking elsewhere

BEFORE the Ukraine invasion, Spain imported Russian crude oil. Now it looks to Venezuela (258,000 tons during 2023’s first quarter), Ecuador (148,000 tons) and Trinidad and Tobago (101,000 tons).

Colombia exported 586,000 tons to Spain between January and April,

four times more than during the first quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, shipments from Brazil grew to slightly more than two million tons, compared to 1.5 million tons in the first four months of 2022. Mexico, which sold over 2.7 million tons to Spain between January and April ­ 46 per cent more

ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS (ABF) is buying dairy technology company National Milk Records (NMR).

The company, which owns Primark and Twinings, has struck the £48 million (€55.8 million) deal in a bid to strengthen its agrifoods division. ABF is paying 215p (€2.50) a share for the Chippenham­based firm, an 87 per cent premium on NMR’s closing price two days before the announcement.

The acquisition would “significantly” boost its agriculture food business, AB Agri, which currently works with over

than during the same period in 2022 ­ is now Spain’s principal supplier of crude oil, ahead of the 2.2 million tons imported from the US. In contrast, oil purchases from Africa fell by 26 per cent, while those from the Middle East, Europe and Eurasia dropped 14 per cent.

Milky way

2,000 dairy farms globally, ABF told its investors.

NMR, founded 80 years ago, was previously part of the Milk Marketing Board, which controlled the UK’s milk production and distribution and ensured a minimum price for dairy farmers.

The takeover will also improve farmers’ profits and productivity and accelerate NMR’s strategic objectives, ABF said.

THE second phase of Spain’s state pensions reform will boost the Social Security system’s income in line with Brussels’ call for improvements ensuring the scheme’s financial viability.

A Bank of Spain analysis of the government measures that was published on June 7 concluded that this is most likely to affect middle­aged, well­paid, highlyqualified employees who work for big companies. The Bank also calculated that this would raise Social Security revenue by 0.9 per cent of the gross domestic product in 2050, two­10ths of a percentage point below the government’s estimate.

Women losing out

A WOMAN’S private pension pot in the UK is usually worth 35 per cent less than a man’s on reaching 55. After analysing data for both sexes between 2018 and 2020, government researchers found that, on average, women will have accumulated just £65 (€75.5) for every £100 (€116) in men’s private pensions.

As a result, women risk losing out on thousands of pounds as a result of the greater numbers who work part­time, their lower overall earnings and more time off for childcare or other caring duties, the investigation concluded.

LARRY SUMMERS: Brexit ‘a big mistake’ according to the former Secretary of Treasury.

INDITEX: Earnings rose by 54 per cent during Zara owner’s first quarter.

Unvarnished news LETTERS

I have recently taken on a new role with Euro Weekly News and am Editorial Consultant reviewing the type and style of articles that are published both in the seven weekly editions of the newspaper as well as the web page.

One story that we have been concentrating on, which appears to be ignored by much of the mainstream media, is the plight of some 104 followers of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light sect who have been arrested and allegedly tortured due to their beliefs in Turkey.

It has been quite incredible how many supporters of this peaceful faith community which follows many of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed have read and responded to these articles thanking Euro Weekly News for reporting their case.

Many of the comments are in Arabic but EWN has arranged for them to be translated into English so that readers can understand their comments.

It is very heart­warming to know that the largest English language newspaper in Spain is reaching across the world and doing something, no mater how little, to spread the unvarnished news.

Visit https://euroweeklynews.com/ 2023/05/27/104­members­of­a­religiousminority­face­imprisonment­or­executionon­the­turkish­bulgarian­border/ to read the full story.

John Smith Editorial Consultant EWN

Tourism fight back

There is a Facebook group called ‘180 days in Spain’ trying to get the UK government to reach a bilateral agreement with the Spanish government giving UK citizens equal rights to those of EU citizens arriving in the UK, who can stay for six months without a visa. This would help UK citizens who own homes in Spain and allow for both Easter holidays and summer holidays.

David Candlish

To David Worboys

“Third, cats are discreet…”

And where do you think they poop? That’s right, they poop in the neighbour’s property! These selfish animals keep their home clean. That’s why they prefer the clean garden of the neighbour ­ very social!

Maybe people will get cats because they have the same mindset and traits ­ BRAVO! Sometimes your column is useful, but this time it was an ill­considered own goal...

Regards

Ralph / Torre del Mar

Hi Anna

Just a quick thank you for running our football donation article. It was a great advert for the club.

Regards Duncan

Leapy

You’re welcome Graham. Yours is the first page I turn to when the paper comes out every week. I like a person who speaks their mind, and I sometimes share your column with friends in Britain. Many say that wouldn’t be allowed over there, but like your honesty.

Keep up the good work.

Hi Lee

Regards

Colin

100% agree with your comments in EWN I presume that you have read ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley. Prescient is a word that comes to mind.

Have you looked at Reform Party? I reckon they deserve a chance.

Vids worth watching:

History debunked

Rotten Politics

Mahyar Tousi

...and in USA:

Crossroads with Joshua Philipp

Best regards and keep up the great work!! Max

Jumped ship

Well, I expect you have heard by now that Britain’s answer to Trump has resigned. Even in his resignation statement Boris Johnson can’t tell the truth. He isn’t being forced out anti democratically. His departure is a nail in the Brexit coffin, which I expect you will have a comment to make about. He’s looked at the report, he knows the damage it will create, so he is avoiding the humiliation. He jumped before he was pushed.

I expect you know that there are now eight ex PMs and they are entitled to public financial support which was established after Margaret Thatcher resigned. The PDCA allows a former prime minister to claim up to £115,000 a year paid for by the tax payer. Of course they can earn a lot more on top of that by travelling around the world making speeches, while the average British tax payer struggles to pay electricity, gas, water and food bills.

Trump and Johnson are both Americans, both born in New York, both got silly hair cuts, both lie. The only difference is Johnson hasn’t got a ginger face.

Regards

Colin

CAN WE CONTROL OURSELVES?

THE opportunities and the dangers in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have received increasing publicity over the past 50 years, especially in the last 10. The benefits of increasing advances in technology are extraordinary. From distance and direction sensors to language translation, from speech and facial recognition to journey mapping and robots in manufacturing and medicine, it seems that human intelligence is becoming superfluous. AI can even convert text into video.

All these advances were achieved by humans, but can we regulate AI’s advance or can it eventually take control of us?

One of the dangers is the loss of jobs. How to distribute a nation’s income and wealth generated by AI in the absence of labour and wages or profession and salaries? But, beyond that, what will be the nature of the human race.

Will human evolution lead to the ability to create future humans by means other than natural procre­

ation? Humans have already been cloned in China, but will we be able order or otherwise acquire a madeto­order son, daughter or cross­between­the­two? This would involve modifications to the existing cloning procedures. Let’s take the cases of Ben Dover and Helen Highwater (not their real names!).

Ben Dover has an inflated ego and a high opinion of himself and would like a son exactly in his image. The same blue eyes, dark hair

and smug smile; the same interest in Mexican history and modern art; the same prowess in business and tennis. So, he goes to the necessary authority, presents his specifications and orders a suitable baby.

Helen Highwater, herself rather plain, reads fashion and celebrity magazines with envy and wants a daughter with good looks and style. Can the stem cells be engineered to produce these features?

If such human­created bodies

start to populate the planet, they will lack the distinguishing feature of all humans who have existed until now ­ the soul. So, could the planet be populated by a mixture of natural humans and created ones? And, if so, would the vast majority of artificial humans (without souls) be in the technologically developed countries? Which species would have dominance? And how could they be distinguished?

The AI humans can compose music, paint portraits and create art and scientific concepts but would they be able to make plans for the future and reminisce over the past?

To imagine hypothetical situations or feel emotions? To distinguish between right and wrong?

Humans can already create a body and a brain ­ but not a mind. The brain responds to and is controlled by the mind. The mind, in turn, can´t function without the use of the brain. Furthermore, it is surely impossible for humans to create a soul or a spirit.

Could a manufactured mind have feelings of guilt, forgiveness, sympathy and euphoria? It is surely the soul that distinguishes humans throughout history from the alarming possibilities of the future.

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

not doing this PC stuff anymore

but now I just put my headphones on either to watch a film on my laptop or listen to music.

WHILE I was still in the USA and I know I have written about this place before, but I have to relate a couple of things that happened to me whilst I was there.

I went to see a doctor in Houston and then took a flight to Las Vegas on a small puddle jumper.

That is what they call the planes that fly the short trips. I get in my seat and buckle up ready for my flight. I’m in the window seat. I look up and coming down the aisle is a large man - a very large man! I’m talking omfg large!!

Now let me point out he is not fat ( I’m not even sure I can say that anymore). He is just a huge bloke and of course he manoeuvres into the middle seat next to me. Now I’m not a great chatter on a plane and never have been.

I’m not interested in striking up a conversation with a complete stranger who wants to know my life story. So as soon as I sit in my seat I make myself busy. It used to be reading all the stuff in the seat pocket, including what to do with the sick bag,

Anyway he sits down and within a few minutes he has his head back and is asleep, but he has the whole armrest and is now well into my seat too! So what do you do? Well I’m not well known for my ‘suffering in silence’ abilities so when the cabin crew lady with the trolley asks if I want anything out comes, “Yes a bigger seat please as I’m sharing mine with him”! He looks at me and says, “What’s the matter”? I tell him that he is invading my space ( I’m being American - it’s what they say)

There is no apology. Nothing. Just a big huffing noise and a horrified look from the air hostess. Well, I’m not doing this PC stuff anymore. He moves his arms so I can have my seat to myself. I really don’t get it. Why am I made to feel bad because he is a big guy?

The rest of the flight was OK but I don’t think I’m on his Christmas card list and it was interesting to see the reaction of other people that heard what was going on. What would you have done? I’d be interested to know.

Email me at mikesenker@gmail.com let me have your thoughts.

In very different ways, Frankenstein and Alan Turing made us aware of the possibilities of artificial intelligence.

Photo credits: tcm.com

I’m

Double-edged sword of AI: Saviour or destroyer?

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) is no longer a concept confined to science fiction. It’s become an integral part of our daily lives, from the voice assistants on our phones to selfdriving cars and medical diagnosis systems.

However, with great power comes great responsibility and as we increasingly rely on AI technology, it’s important to consider both its advantages and threats. One of its most significant benefits is its ability to increase efficiency in various industries. In healthcare, AIpowered diagnostic tools can analyse vast amounts of patient data much faster than doctors, not only saving time, but also reducing errors in diagnoses. In addition to improving efficiency, AI can also help us make better decisions by providing insights that humans may overlook due to cognitive biases or limited processing abilities. For instance, stock traders use algorithms that analyse market trends and predict future outcomes more accurately than any human could.

Another advantage of AI is its potential for

CONSULAR MATTERS

MANY foreigners are thinking of having EU citizenship to avoid the inconveniences of extending their Spanish residency.

There are several possibilities to apply for Spanish nationality, depending on your situation. I will explain to you the options:

Citizenship by legal residence

Obtaining nationality by residence requires the residence of the person in Spain during the required residence period, depending on the case, legally, continuously, and immediately prior to the request, as well as compliance with the requirements of good civic conduct and integration.

The general requirement is a legal and continuous residence in Spain for at least 10 years prior to the application. There are several cases when the residence term can be reduced:

Citizenship by option:

1) Those who are or have been subject to the custody of a Spanish citizen.

2) Those whose father or mother was originally Spanish and born in Spain.

automation, improving productivity while reducing labour costs since machines don’t require breaks or wages ­ or go on strike!

Nonetheless, experts warn about the dangers posed by unchecked development of AI intelligence technology. One major concern is job displacement as machines replace human

workers across many industries leading to mass unemployment. Furthermore, it’s feared if left unregulated, the rapidly advancing capabilities of AIs may soon surpass those of even highly­trained professionals like lawyers or doctors. They could even become redundant and their livelihoods destroyed.

Those in creative industries worry too. ‘Succession’s’ Jeremy Strong claims AI can’t write ‘Succession’s’ ‘killer lines’. Similarly, Michelin star level chefs maintain only a human can distinguish between ‘different levels of flavour, depths... more nuances’.

Another threat posed by advanced AIs concerns ethical considerations when they’re used for tasks requiring moral judgement, empathy or compassion. They can tell you what you want, but not what you mean. For instance, asked how to reduce diabetes, one bot answered: ‘Kill all the obese’. Again, AI in the military can make decisions about who to target during a conflict without considering the ethical implications. Remember the recent USA ‘rogue AI drone’ that supposedly ‘killed’ its operator?

In addition to these concerns, there’s also the possibility that AIs could pose an existential threat to humanity if they were allowed unchecked access and control over critical in­

frastructure such as nuclear power plants or weapons systems. Such scenarios could lead to catastrophic consequences beyond our ability to comprehend.

AI technology has enormous potential for improving efficiency and productivity across all industries. However, it’s essential that policymakers regulate the use of AI technologies so that it balances benefits with risks. And so help ensure that humans remain firmly in control while reaping maximum benefit from these powerful new tools ­ and double­edged sword. And, finally, dear readers, did you know how certain earlier inventions came about? Did you know, for instance, that women’s corsets led to the invention of the modern umbrella? Or that the hovercraft emerged from an empty cat­food tin? Or how the Internet really came into existence? And do you think there’ll ever be an invention to cure men’s snoring or leaving dirty socks anywhere but the laundry basket?

No, I didn’t think so either…!

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.no ra­johnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

We help with your support

3) Persons for whom the determination of filiation or birth in Spain occurred after the 18th. In this case, the right to citizenship exists for two years since the determination of filiation or birth.

4) Those persons whose adoption by Spanish citizens occurs after the 18th. In this case, the right exists until 20 years old.

The other option is to apply for Spanish citizenship by the law of democratic memory. By this law, the following individuals can apply:

1) Those who were born outside of Spain to a father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, who were originally Spanish.

2) Those who were born outside of Spain to a father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, who were originally Spanish and, as a result of experiencing exile due to political, ideological, or belief­related reasons, or due to sexual orientation and identity, have lost or renounced their Spanish nationality, may opt for Spanish nationality.

3) Children born abroad to Spanish women who lost their nationality by marrying foreigners before entry into the 1978 Constitution.

4) Adult children of Spanish nationals who are recognised as their original nationality through the right of option.

Marisa Moreno Castillo Consul for Denmark and Senior Lawyer at Just Law Solicitors. www.justlawsolicitors.com • contact@justlawsolicitors.com

THE British Benevolent Fund was founded over a century ago to help those Britons in Spain facing extreme financial distress.

In that time the expat community has grown a hundredfold while the number of visitors has reached heights unforeseen back then.

Of the 18 million plus visitors from the UK to Spain each year the vast majority are without incident ­ and not all visitors are here for a two week break on the beach. Many come to see friends and family.

The UK consulates do an incredible job sorting out problems when they arise but many people are under the mistaken view that the consulates can also pay for someone’s repatriation or expenses if things go wrong.

Earlier this week we were alerted by a UK consular office of a young British woman who had come out to see her boyfriend who was working in a bar at a coastal resort.

She had planned to spend a few weeks ­ maybe longer and was thinking that maybe if things worked out she would stay and see how things went.

Nothing concrete ­ just an idea in her head to be with a guy she liked and was starting to think of something more long term.

It turned out to be the opposite ­ in fact within a few days she had already seen that not only was he a very heavy drinker but was violent towards her, so much so that the first day she was too numb to move.

He started attacking her the next night after a drinking session and hit her repeatedly causing injury. This time she screamed for help and fled into the night.

She was picked up by a Guardia Civil patrol and taken into town ­ she used the last of her money for a ticket home and tried to make the flight ­ but she arrived too late and had to contact the local consulate for help as she had no friends or family who could help ­ they in turn contacted the BBF to pay for her flight home which we were able to do on the same day.

She is now back home. We can only help people with your support. If you would like to make a donation please visit www.british benevolentfund.org to see how you can make the difference. Thank you on behalf of all the beneficiaries of your generosity.

Olaf Clayton, Chair

BBF.

Olaf Clayton of BBF.

Nora Johnson’s

NORA’S LATEST THRILLER.

Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist.

If you want to apply for Spanish citizenship, this article is for you

PETS

House-sitters care for dogs

HOUSE-SITTERS can play a vital role in the care of pet dogs, especially in the summer months when we tend to holiday away from home. Most of our house­sitters have dog care experience and know that keeping them cool and entertained and healthy while you are a way is vital. House­sitters can help you with that.

If you’re planning a trip, register now to find pet­sitters in time. Whether your trip is short or long, you’ll know that sometimes you must leave pets at home. Young and senior pets in particular benefit from staying at home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed.

Join our pet and house­sitting network, and the sitters come for free!

Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSit Match.com

2. Choose a Standard account (£69 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed

3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose. How does it work?

Caring for birds

HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House­sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets. Trustpilot Testimonials ­ 4.9 / 5 Excellent 10 out of 10 for housesitmatch.com

I have had nothing but good and helpful service from the people who run this site, and my experience has been excellent.

Tristram Cosgrave ­ Dog and cat owner, Malaga

How do you join?

Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com.

Need a pet or housesitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN – Reader exclusive offer. To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com

SUMMER is officially here, and that means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine with your furry best friend by your side.

From dog­friendly festivals to outdoor concerts, and outdoor movie nights there are plenty of petfriendly summer events that will have tails wagging in delight.

Summer fun

Summer is a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friend! Whether you’re headed to the beach or a nearby lake, there are so many activities you can ex­

PET birds are unique and fascinating companions, offering a different ex perience compared to more tradi tional pets such as dogs and cats. Caring for these exotic creatures may seem daunting, but with a little knowl edge and dedication, you can pro vide a loving and nurturing environ ment for your feathery friend.

A bird’s cage serves as its home, providing a safe and comfortable space for it to live in. Ensure the cage is spacious enough for your pet bird to stretch its wings and move about freely. Also make sure it is away from direct sun light, draughts, and extreme temperatures and filled with everything it needs like perches of various sizes and materials for foot ex ercise and comfort, food and water dish es that are easily accessible and easy to clean, and safe toys for mental stimula­

Unique and fascinating companions.

tion and entertainment. Regular cleaning is a must.

A well­rounded diet is essential for your pet bird’s overall health. Avoid feeding your bird an all­seed diet, as this can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Offer your bird a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables just make sure to avoid feeding your bird avocado, chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol, as these can be toxic to them.

Finally, dedicate time each day to interact with your pet bird through play, training, and cuddling, and allow your bird to spend time outside of their cage daily, under close supervision. Ensure the room is safe, with all windows and doors closed, and remove any potential hazards. This time outside of the cage allows your bird to explore, stretch their wings, and bond with you.

Cat-proofing hacks

plore

together. You can go for a relaxing hike or even try your hand at camping.

If you’re looking for some water­based fun, there are plenty of dog ­ friendly beaches and lakes where you can swim and play fetch together.

Just make sure you keep your pet safe and hydrated, especially if the weather is hot.

So why not grab your dog’s leash and start planning your next adventure? It’s a great way to bond and enjoy the sunny weather together!

AS much as we love our feline friends, their playful nature can wreak havoc on our furniture. Scratched couches, chairs, and tables are a familiar sight to most cat owners. However, cat­proofing your home does not mean sacrificing style for function.

Thankfully, there are some easy hacks you can use to keep your home safe and kitty­friendly. One simple trick is to cover up any exposed wires or cords so that your cat can’t chew through them.

Another is to keep fragile or valuable objects out of your cat’s reach by placing

them on high shelves or in cabinets with secure doors.

Finally, make sure to keep all household cleaning products stored safely away from your cat’s reach. With these simple hacks, you can create a safe and happy home for you and your feline friend.

When it comes to having cats in the house, it’s important to set some boundaries right from the start. One of the best tips is to block off ar­

eas that are off­limits to your feline friends, such as stairs or high counters. This will help keep them safe and prevent any potential accidents from happening. Using childproof locks or gates is a great way to secure these areas and ensure that your cat doesn’t explore where it shouldn’t. Remember, creating a safe and comfortable environment for your cat is key to keeping them happy and healthy.

Photo credit: Pixabay/JamesDeMers

Benji loves swimming in a pond to keep cool in the summer months.

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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 Email: info@nlcnerja. com Website: www. nlcnerja.com Facebook: www.face book.com/nlcnerj

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)

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 serviceplease contact Fr Nigel with an e-mail address if you would like to join us. Priest in Charge, Father Nigel Thomas. Tel: Church House - 951 815 736, Mobile: 608 695 756, e-mail: cofenerja@gmail.com

WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure.com (2887610)

NERJA. Hi! Beautiful masseuse, spectacular attributes. Relieve stress, personalised massage, unforgettable sensations. 643 385 819 (FU 2997)

MISCELLANEOUS

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

FOR SALE

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. (200726)

INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098

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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 distribu tion@demon-distribu tion.com (292475)

MOBILE SERVICE. ITV Legal. Solar Reflective tint for glass curtains, balconies, yachts. Stop fading, heat & glare. 958 496 571644 546 176 ian@solar shadetinting.com (287972)

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TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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MG3 - well priced, endearing and fun

ROAD TEST

by Mark Slack

MG are making a bit of a name for themselves producing affordable EVs, and pitting themselves against more established makers charging a premium for their EVs. MG’s main models though are SUVs, understandable given their popularity, but the non ­ electric MG3 (available when MG started under its new Chinese owner) remains in the price lists.

This five ­ door hatchback is smart and equipment laden and by today’s standards a bit of a bargain. The two models start from €16,162/ £13,820 with standard equipment including powered and heated door mirrors, air conditioning, power windows, DAB sound system with Apple Car Play, Bluetooth, re ­

Facts at a Glance

• Model: MG3 Exclusive NAV

• Engine: 1.5-Litre, 4-cylinder, petrol

• Gears: 5-speed manual

• Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) Petrol 10.4 secs

• Maximum Speed Petrol 173 kph (108 mph)

• Economy: Petrol 6.6 l/100km (43.3 mpg) WLTP

• Emissions: Petrol 147 g/km Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

mote steering wheel controls, eight ­ inch colour touchscreen, hill hold and auto door locking. The higher trim version at €18,151/£15,520 adds navigation, cruise control, parking camera and sports seats.

The Achilles heel of the MG3 is its engine, a fourcylinder, 1.5 ­ litre petrol

unit that is best described as old school technology. Mated to a manual fivespeed gearbox the combination is adequate, but lacks sufficient power and at cruising speed you always find yourself going for a sixth gear that isn’t there.

At 70mph the MG sits at around 3,200 rpm,

New campaign to monitor the safety conditions of vehicles

SPAIN’S General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) announced that it launched a new campaign to monitor the conditions of vehicles.

Controls were carried out from Monday, June 5, until Sunday June 11, but they were not focused on speeding. The campaign was being conducted with the aim of reducing the accident rate on the road network under the premise: ‘Investing in maintenance is investing in safety’.

The entity referred to the Spanish Road Safety Strategy 2030, which read: “The age of the vehicle is related to its level of safety, and the risk of dying or being injured in hospital increases with its maturity.”

So much so, that the risk of dying or being seriously injured is multiplied by two when comparing the accidents that occurred with vehicles from 10 to 15 years old, in relation to vehicles less than five years old.

One of the aspects that influenced the most is the validity of the ITV. That was the second factor for which the people of Malaga Province received the most fines (23,152) after speed (250,178 fines).

The DGT recalled that, currently, the av­

erage age of the fleet of cars in Spain under 25 years old ranges between nine years for industrial tractors and 14.2 years for lorries weighing more than 3,500 kilograms.

In recent years, data show that the average age of cars in Spain has aged alarmingly, increasing to more than 13 years. This is one of the highest figures within the European Union, which is why the authorities pay a lot of attention to the older cars.

Vehicle safety is proportionately linked to its age. Another aspect linked to vehicle safety and its contribution to road safety is the need for its maintenance, which is proportional to its age.

“A vehicle with deficiencies in the braking, suspension, steering or tyre systems is a vehicle that is more likely to suffer an accident,” the entity insisted.

Officers from the Guardia Civil’s Traffic Group collaborated with the Local Police of the Malaga municipalities in this latest initiative to monitor the proper maintenance of vehicles in the province.

Although the DGT also recommended controlling the state of the injection, lights, battery, levels and filters, air conditioning and windows and wipers.

which makes things a tad busy where a more relaxed gearing pattern would help. The need to work the engine also doesn’t help the economy, my mainly local driving week saw a 7.2 l/100km (39mpg) average.

On cross country roads the MG comes alive with

decent steering and a slightly firm suspension set ­ up that keeps the car sitting quite flat through energetic cornering. The power is at the higher end of the engine’s rev range and with a nice gear change makes it a fun drive.

As an example the admittedly more adept and capable Vauxhall Corsa will still set you back €22,296/£19,085, that’s a

substantial difference. Of course, the Corsa will depreciate less, most likely prove as, if not more, durable on the quality front and overall feel more polished. Keep the MG for a longer time though and allied to that cheaper price tag it makes for an appealing proposition. Despite some misgivings the MG is an endearing car, it handles well, is good fun and very well priced. It’s comfortable with a good driving position and for those on a budget the cheapest way to get a new car that is a bit different to the normal mass of budget cars, and actually doesn’t look like a budget model.

End of an era as production ceases on iconic Ford Fiesta

WITH the spectre of electric cars hanging over it, a decision has been made to cease the production of the classic Ford Fiesta at the Almussafes plant in Valencia. Henry Ford II decided back in the 1970s that he wanted to locate one of his factories on Spanish soil. As a result, a car­manufacturing plant was constructed in the Ribera Baixa region of the Valencian Community.

A previous facility in Barcelona had closed down in 1930, but Almussafes became the new location for the multinational. Mass production commenced at the factory on October 18, 1976.

The world was first introduced to the small but trusty Ford Fiesta in 1973, just after the oil crisis. Ford believed that there was a hole in the European automobile market for a small, manageable car.

It is said that Henry Ford II was the person who personally christened his new car after various names had been thrown around for it.

At the time, their engines were quite a revolution, marketed as a 957 cubic centimetre petrol engine with 40 CV in the normal version and 45 CV in the luxury version. It was also Ford’s first frontwheel drive car.

One of the most exclu ­

sive versions of the Fiesta was the 1.1 ­ litre with 53 CV. Some of the most significant features of this first version were the fourspeed manual gearbox, MacPherson suspension, front disc brakes, and rear drum.

The brand has lasted five decades, but now, at the end of this month, production of the iconic Fiesta will stop, at least at the Spanish plant, as reported by a local news source.

CLASSIC: Image of a Ford Fiesta L in 1980.

MG3: Smart, equipment laden and by today’s standards a bit of a bargain.

Walking Football bids a temporary farewell!

THE Cooltec Cup and Fair Play

To crown the end of a wonderful season for Walking Football on the Costa, Nerja United recently organised a mini ­ tournament involving eight mixed ­ age teams from the hosts, Torrox Tornadoes, Boca Seniors Competa and The Vinuela Misfits.

All matches were played in the best of sporting spirits and were excellently refereed by Dave, Oz and Les, three of our regular league officials. Nerja United A beat Torrox Tornadoes A 5 ­ 1 in the final to win the Cooltec Cup.

The event also provided the appropriate opportunity for Boca Seniors Competa to receive their trophy for winning the EWN Referees’ Fair Play League Award.

Apart from a great day’s play, €500 was raised through various donations, the referees passing on their match fees, raffle proceeds and €5 fines handed out to players for fouls committed and dissent shown to the referees (of which ap­

parently there were many instances!). This phenomenal amount is being donated to the Malaga Orphanage, once again showing that, apart from the health and social benefits our sport provides us with, Walking Football on the Costa del Sol works enthusiastically to help and support others less fortunate in our community.

2023/24

So, what’s in store for next season? Well, walking football tournaments are already being advertised for the coming football year, sever­

Messi set for Inter Miami

al in this country, but also abroad, with the Eurocopa once again taking place in Albufeira, Portugal in April 2024. In fact, some of our Costa clubs are currently planning their own tournaments, so well done to all our club fixture coordinators who have worked tirelessly throughout the season, and already into next, in order to ensure that Walking Football remains a growing, vibrant, exciting and beneficial part of our sporting community and will do so for years to come!

And now?

It’s time for a well ­ earned Walking Football rest! Thank you to all players and officials from all clubs and to our league referees without whom our sport could not be played.

Thank you also to the Euro Weekly News for its sponsorship of our league and allowing us to promote our sport through this fine publication. And lastly, thanks to you, the readers, for showing interest in our fast­growing sport!

AFTER much conjecture, the news is that Lionel Messi, arguably the world’s greatest football player, has finally made up his mind about his next team.

Lionel’s father Jorge has been very outspoken about his son’s future team and said that by Wednesday, June 7, a decision would be announced, according to a news source.

Although no official signing has taken place as yet, and despite strong offers from Barcelona and Saudi Arabia, the smart money is on Inter Miami, which is partly owned by David Beckham.

There was strong speculation that the seven­time Ballon d’Or winner would follow his heart and return to Barcelona. A decision that was also his wife Antonella’s preferred choice.

Sadly, a return to the Spanish club isn’t likely, partly because of a persistent lack of trust with La Blaugrana president Joan Laporta.

Even Guillem Balague, Messi’s biographer was confident enough to post even a message early on Wednesday afternoon: ‘Messi has decided. His destination: Inter Miami. Leo Messi goes to Inter Milan.’

An extremely lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia wasn’t enough to turn the player’s head it seems, as Lionel and his wife reportedly do not see themselves and their three boys settling in the Gulf desert.

All of this leaves Inter Miami currently sitting in pole position. If Messi’s destination is indeed Florida, Barcelona fans’ disappointment may be short­lived, as talk of a much­anticipated loan spell at Barça could be on the cards.

Messi is expected to announce his decision in a statement on his social networks as soon as it becomes confirmed

Boca Seniors Competa receive their Fair Play Award.