RINCON DE LA VICTORIA will see the return of its beloved Christmas treasure hunt on Friday, December 27. The event, dubbed Tesoro de la Navidad, promises a cracking evening of clues, costumes, and cash prizes.
Organisers are encouraging participants to don their finest fantasy attire, with a special prize for the best-dressed character - think wizards, warriors, and whimsical creatures with a festive twist. Kids, young and old, are welcome.
Last year, the event saw a whopping 400 participants across 75 teams, and organisers are confident that 2024 will top the charts.
This year, organisers are introducing new challenges and over
No need to be alone for Christmas “Did someone say treasure hunt?” “Care home’s holiday invitation”
AN Almuñecar residential home has extended an invitation to three senior citizens who would otherwise be alone over Christmas.
The Residencia Maria Auxiliadora and the town hall’s Social Services department have between them come up with the idea of inviting three people to spend the afternoon and evening of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at the care home.
Here they will be sharing dinner with all the trimmings and all the seasonal celebrations with the Maria Auxiliadora residents instead of probably spen-
€1,000 in prizes. The fun kicks off at 6pm from the old railway station (Avda. Mediterrá-
neo, 140), now the Tourist Office. Armed with a digital map and social media updates from
ding the festivities with no company but their own.
Social Services counci-
llor Maria Carmen Reinosa, explained that the o er was part of the town hall’s
Christmas treasure hunt!
@juventudrinconv, players will follow clues through landmarks like the Municipal Library and Paseo Marítimo.
For those up for the challenge, prizes of €700, €200, and €100 await the top three teams. Sign up online or in person on the day!
Local businesses are pitching in with gifts, while Radio Victoria keeps the buzz alive on 107.1 FM.
To sign up in person, swing by the Tourist Office (Avda. Mediterráneo, 140) on the day of the event between 4pm and 5.30pm.
Got a team? Great! Just make sure at least one member is aged between 12 and 35 years old to meet the requirements.
It’s absolutely freeso what are you waiting for?
‘No senior alone at Christmas’ programme, complemented by this year’s slogan ‘Let this Christmas shine with special moments’.
The initiative is aimed at elderly persons who live alone, are non-disabled and would like company on what are the two most important days of Spain’s festive season.
The Maria Auxiliadora residence would arrange transport, Reinosa, said, adding that lots would be drawn should there be more than three people respond to the Christmas and New Year invitation.
A toy for every child
DONATE toys for Christmas so that every child gets to feel festive cheer in Axarquia.
The Christians Association of Axarquia said “we have seen too many families who cannot give their children a toy for Christmas.”
And as such, they’ve pledged to collect donated toys for those families who most need a little help at Christmas time.
Toy donations will be collected from Torre del Mar by volunteers from the Christians of Axarquia, Thursday December 19 and Friday December 20.
They will be at 26 Avenida de Andalucia in Torre del Mar from 10am to midday and then again in the afternoon from 5pm to 8pm.
The group have said they are “committed to reaching out to families so that not a single child in Axarquia is left without a toy.”
The event promises a cracking evening of clues, costumes and cash prizes.
Credit: Shutterstock, AlyoshinE
CHRISTMAS COMPANY: Almuñecar Social Services announce the Residencia’s offer.
Photo credit: FB/Almuñecar-La Herradura town hall
Photo credit: Shutterstock Veja
43rd Annual Migas Fiesta - Torrox Putting people first
Abigail Frazer FESTIVALS centred on food always make for the best experiences and Torrox’s 43rd Annual Migas Fiesta is no exception.
While everywhere else is gearing up for Christmas this town makes Migas like no other, it’s a whole day devoted to crumbs.
This year’s feasting festival is on December 22 and will begin at 11.00am in the Plaza de la Constitución.
The festival has been declared of National Touristic Interest in Andalucia.
Migas is a dish traditionally made from stale breadcrumbs which are revived by sautéing in olive oil with garlic and adding ingredients like semolina flour, water and salt.
Each household has their own custom recipe, but Torrox, has a town-wide event devoted to cele-
brating the dish every December.
At the festival they cook the Migas in big open pans over a flame, right in front of you and they serve it with an Arreira salad which will include oranges.
And it won’t just be all about food, as a community Torrox town will come together to celebrate with music and dance.
Between 11am and 2pm various choirs will give a performance in the town square, at the end of which there is a procession to the point where the Migas are served.
The dishes are served at 2pm and at 3.30pm other musical concerts will begin and continue throughout the rest of the afternoon and evening.
The festival will be finished off by a fireworks display at 9pm.
Linda Hall
RINCON DE LA VICTORIA’S 2025 Budget amounting to €57.24 million is its biggest ever and 3.47 per cent more than 2023’s.
Outlining the town’s economic plans for next year, Rincon de la Victoria mayor Francisco Salados, accompanied by Finance councillor Antonio Lopez, declared that the local government would, as always, put people and their needs first.
“We shall have the backs of the most vulnerable, going in the same direction we took seven years ago to improve people’s day-to-day lives but also embarking on large-scale projects,” Salado said.
It was essential to respond to the demands of the local population, he added. With this in mind, the mayor announced that there would be increased
allocations for Social Services, Transport, Public Safety, Mobility and Sport, while also stressing that next year’s Budget would be balanced between income and expenditure.
Rincon de la Victoria had undergone a spectacular transformation over the last few years, Salado pointed out.
“And it happened thanks to a local gover-
nment team that has known how to incorporate external funding from the European Union or our great ally, Malaga’s provincial council,” he said.
“I don’t think I’m mistaken when I say that this is the best possible Budget we could have for 2025, taking into consideration that we are talking about a realistic Budget.”
Migas is a traditional dish.
2025 BUDGET: Rincon de la Victoria’s mayor and Finance councillor reveal next year’s plans.
Photo Credit: Ayuntamiento de Torrox
IMAGINE - making a difference this Christmas
From
30 years of living within this incredible community and providing you with
As a family, let’s take a moment this Christmas to think about those around us who might be vulnerable - the elderly, the needy, and those struggling quietly in our community. For many, the season can be a lonely time, but we can change that together.
Imagine living in a foreign land and, for various reasons, not having a family, a home, or even a warm meal. Imagine being homeless, feeling unseen, and having no one in the world to care for you. This dark and lonely place is a reality for far too many people. But we can make a di erence.
So, let’s make this Christmas one to remember, not just for ourselves but for everyone around us. Prepare an extra plate of food for a neighbour, or invite them to join you at your table. Share not only your food but your love and your time. There is something truly magical about opening your heart and home, creating memories that will last long after the Christmas lights are taken down.
Let’s remember that Christmas isn’t about how much we give in material terms but how much we give of our-
warmth
2025 electricity price surge
VAT rise impacts households and businesses
SPANISH households and businesses are bracing for a sharp increase in electricity costs starting January 1, 2025. The return of VAT on electricity to 21 per cent will end three years of reduced rates introduced during the cost-of-living crisis. This marks a signicant shift after VAT was lowered to 10 per cent in 2021 and further reduced to 5 per cent in 2022. The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) has expressed concern, noting that other European countries like Portugal and Belgium maintain reduced VAT rates for electricity.
The nancial impact will be signi cant:
• Households: An average monthly increase of €5.42, amounting to €65 annually.
• Small and Medium-Sized Businesses: A monthly rise of €114, totalling €1,372 per year.
In addition to the VAT hike, changes to the social bonus will reduce discounts for
vulnerable consumers. Adustments will phase out extra support, leaving lower reductions:
• Vulnerable Consumers: From 50 per cent in January to 35 per cent by July.
•Severely Vulnerable Consumers: From 65 per cent in January to 50 per cent by July.
These measures will a ect approximately 1.8 million households, with projected nancing costs of €284.8 million in
To counter rising expenses, residents are encouraged to compare energy providers for better rates.
Services like Spanish Energy o er free price comparisons and assistance with paperwork.
Spain faces an uphill battle as electricity costs soar, pushing households and businesses to explore alternatives and reduce consumption.
selves. A simple act of kindness - sharing a meal, donating to a cause, or checking in on someone who might be lonely - can light up someone’s world in unimaginable ways.
‘And the world will live as one’.
Let’s set aside our di erences, extend a hand, and touch someone’s life with compassion, if only for one day. Imagine the ripple e ect of kindness, spreading warmth and hope where needed most. Together, we can bring more joy to the world, one thoughtful gesture at a time.
This season, let’s embrace the true spirit of Christmas by living John Lennon’s timeless dream: ‘To imagine all the people sharing the world’.
SPAIN is facing a growing labour market conundrum. Despite an unemployment rate of 11.2 per cent and over 2.5 million job seekers, the country has a record number of unfilled jobs. Experts warn that unless structural changes are made, this mismatch could harm Spain’s economy.
Spain’s job vacancies are projected to reach 153,000 by Q3 2024, a 4.3 per cent increase from the previous year. In 2023, the figure was 148,000, marking a 50 per cent rise since 2019. Despite this surge, Spain’s vacancy rate remains the lowest in the EU at 0.9 per cent, compared to the European average of 2.6 per cent.
Recruitment challenges are particularly severe in sectors like hospitality, transportation, and healthcare. Job shortages in these fields are threatening business operations and public services.
From all of us at Euro Weekly, thank you for being part of our family. We wish you peace, love, and a seasonlled with moments that truly matter.
High employment, yet record job vacancies light unimaginable ways.
Spain’s labour market paradox
Key reasons behind Spain’s vacancies include:
• Skills mismatches: Many jobseekers lack necessary qualifications.
• Unattractive roles: Jobs with low pay and tough conditions struggle to attract applicants.
• Demographic shifts: An ageing workforce means fewer younger workers entering demanding professions.
This shortage costs Spain’s economy billions. In 2023, unfilled positions were estimated to have cost €8 billion in lost GDP.
The Spanish government is implementing immigration reforms to address these gaps, aiming to bring 900,000 foreign workers into the workforce by 2026.
The challenge is clear: bridging the gap between unfilled jobs and available workers is crucial for Spain’s economic stability.
Lennon’s timeless dream: ‘To imagi-
Guided Nativity Tours
JOIN guided tours to view nativity scenes throughout Velez-Malaga this December and enjoy their historical town with a Christmas twist.
In Velez-Malaga the councillors of Culture and the Historic Centre have teamed up to offer professionally guided tours every Saturday morning over the Christmas period.
The brand-new route will run every weekend December 21 until January 4, 2025 and will take visitors to every corner of the historic zone of Velez-Malaga.
Professional guides will be giving you historical and local information as the route progresses, whilst showing you all the best Nativity scenes and dioramas that the city has to offer.
Councillor for Culture, Alicia Ramírez has said that people should register prior to attending
by sending an email to the culture section of the town hall via cultura@velezmalaga.es
She also said that the route was set up so that anyone can learn about “the tradition, the way they are made and the historical context of the building of each Nativity scene”
The guided route begins at the door of the town hall, with a visit to the Municipal Nativity Scene.
For those wishing to take the same route a different day, without a
professional guide there is a mapped route and more information on the town hall website.
The councillor for the Historic Centre of the town, Juan Fernández Olmo said “It’s a great
way to delve into and know more about the historic town of Velez-Malaga.”
There are various activities on in and around Velez-Malaga - check out the town hall website.
Andalucia’s pensioner perks
Marc Menendez-Roche
IF you’re over 65 and living in Andalucia, you might be missing out on a raft of benefits designed to make life a little easier - and cheaper. The Tarjeta Andalucia Junta 65 offers access to discounts and
services aimed at pensioners, but are these perks really worth it? Let’s take a closer look.
The Tarjeta Andalucia
Junta 65 comes in two versions:
• Gold Card: For those on the lowest incomes (below 75 per cent of the
IPREM), offering the most generous benefits.
• Green Card: For pensioners earning above this threshold but still eligible for plenty of discounts.
All you need to qualify is to be over 65 and a resident of Andalucia.
The card claims to offer pensioners access to ‘exclusive discounts’ and ‘services to improve quality of life’. Among the highlights:
• Cheaper travel: Intercity bus fares slashed by 50 per cent, making trips across Andalucia more affordable.
• Legal advice: Free sessions for cardholders at local community centres.
• Cheaper meals: Subsidised menus at centres run by the Junta de Andalucía. Gold Card holders get an extra 50 per cent discount.
• Discounts on glasses and hearing aids: Up to 55 per cent off glasses and 35 per cent off hearing aids. The card also opens doors to discounts on:
• Hotels, rural retreats, and Inturjoven hostels
• Cinemas, theatres, and sports events
• Spa treatments and beauty services
But are pensioners fully aware of the benefits available, or are these offers going unnoticed?
Guided Nativity Tours
Joyful seniors taking a group selfie - Over-65 friends gathered in Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, laughing together while capturing a happy moment.
Air show tragedy
OLIVER FRUTOS, a 49-year-old aerobatics expert, was killed on December 14 when his single-seater plane crashed at the Leoni Benabu aerodrome in Velez-Malaga.
According to a witness, the plane plummeted to the ground near the River Benamargosa, not long after takeoff and only metres from the runway.
An ICU ambulance, firefighters and police rushed to the scene after the emergency services received a call from the aerodrome at 12.30, requiring assistance for a pilot trapped inside a crashed plane.
Despite medics’ efforts to revive the victim, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
Frutos, a Real Aeroclub instructor and a skilled aerobatics pilot, was due to take part in an airshow in honour of the patron of aviators, Our Lady of Loreto.
The dead pilot, origina-
WRECKED AIRCRAFT: Accident occurred shortly after take-off.
lly from Granada, was married and had a daughter.
Heartrendingly, members of his family are said to have been present at the display.
Spain’s Aviation Safety Agency (Aesa) has already launched an enquiry into the apparently inexplicable accident.
Nor was this the Leoni
Benabu’s first involvement in an accident this year, as a plane crashed as it came in to land last June, although the pilot was unhurt.
Taking into account this most recent tragedy, 15 people have lost their lives in 20 accidents in the area immediately adjoining the airport since 2003.
Benajarafe’s €200k makeover
BENAJARAFE is set to shine with a €200k cash injection as the Velez-Malaga Council revamps roads and drainage systems in a bid to modernise local infrastructure. Dubbed the ‘road to improvement’, the works promise smoother streets, safer systems, and a brighter future for residents.
The streets of Miosota, Aldebarán, and Sirius have been given star treatment with reinforced surfaces and a new drainage network. Meanwhile, locals in Los Girasoles joined forces with the council to fund improvements, proving that teamwork makes the dream work.
Mayor Jesús Lupiáñez, alongside Benajarafe’s Deputy Mayor Rocío Ruiz and Infrastructure councillor Jesús María Claros, inspected the progress and praised the project’s impact on residents’ lives.
This investment of over €200,000 reflects the local council’s commitment to ‘modern, functional, and secure infrastructure,’ according to Lupiáñez.
Here’s where the money went:
Street resurfacing:
Miosota, Aldebarán, and Sirius received reinforced tarmac with a €48,264.75 council spend.
Drainage improvements:
Aqualia handled new sewer works on Miosota at a cost of €109,505.50.
Neighbourly spirit in Los Girasoles: Residents chipped in €30,998.89 for a drainage network and another €6,390.10 for paving.
Mirador de las Adelfas:
This picturesque area will also see road reinforcement, costing €12,804.47.
Benajarafe’s streets get a £200k makeover: Council promises smoother, safer roads.
Photo credit: Consorcio de Bomberos Diputacion de Malaga
Beloved cartoonist dies at his Alhaurin home
A MUCH-LOVED British cartoonist known for his work with Fleet Street publications, with Euro Weekly News and also hit children’s TV cartoons died peacefully at his home in Alhaurin el Grande, Malaga.
Born in Birmingham in 1928, Peter Maddocks loved drawing from childhood. In 1939, he began his formal studies at the Moseley School of Art. One of his tutors was Norman Pett, the creator of the highly popular ‘Jane’ cartoon strip from the time.
Although he earned a name for himself as a political satire newspaper cartoonist, he later had great success creating cartoons for children. Working with his sons, they set up Maddocks Cartoons and had long-running TV hits with series such as The Family Ness, Jimbo and the Jet Set and Penny Crayon.
After moving to Spain, aged 72 in 2000, to escape
‘London’s gloom and bustle’, Peter was asked to produce cartoon strips for both the newspaper SUR and Euro Weekly News. Later, he began painting and became an active member of the local art scene. His paintings have been exhibited in the Artsenal Inoxis,
a cultural space and art gallery in Alhaurin al Grande. Peter passed away aged 96 after a short illness at his home in his beloved Alhaurin el Grande. He will be sadly missed by his family and the many friends he had made along the Costa del Sol.
Sweden’s electricity prices surge
HOLD onto your spettekakas, Sweden. Southern Sweden is bracing for an electric shock as energy prices are set to skyrocket to a jaw-dropping 167 times higher than up in the north.
While northern Sweden enjoys winter bliss at -40 degrees C with cheap and steady power to go round, the south faces a power play of epic proportions. But what’s behind this energy gap, and who’s to blame, if anyone? Let’s plug into the facts.
Sweden’s power grid is split into four regions, running north to south. The southern regions, kicking off around Uppsala, are facing a price surge that’ll leave residents seeing red.
On the afternoon of December 11, the spot price in southern Sweden is set to reach five kronor per kilowatt hour, according to energy market Nord Pool. Meanwhile, northern Sweden is coasting on a chilled-out 0.02-0.03 kronor - barely enough to spark concern.
And it’s not just a one-off. The daily average price shows the same shocking disparity, with southern regions at 2.28 and 2.63 kronor, while the north remains cheap and cheerful.
Stay tuned as the power struggle continues - and let’s hope for smoother currents soon (pun 100 per cent intended).
South Sweden’s electricity bills will be 167 times higher than the north.
Glacier flood horror
Marc Menendez-Roche IN a chilling first, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have captured the dramatic moment when one of the world’s largest glacial lake floods tore through East Greenland. Over 3,000 billion litres of meltwater - enough to fill three years’ worth of Denmark’s water needs - burst free, making it one of the top three largest events of its kind ever documented. The energy unleashed by the flood was equivalent to the output of the
3,000 billion litres of meltwater unleashed in Greenland. In the image, an example of a towering melting iceberg in the icy ocean.
world’s largest nuclear power plant running at full tilt for 22 days.
Picture a mountain-top
bathtub the size of a country, brimming with water, suddenly tipping over. That’s exactly what happened when Catalina Lake, a colossal glacial lake in East Greenland, gave way. Between September 23 and October 11, its water level plunged 154 metres, releasing a staggering 3.4 cubic kilometres of water into Scoresby Sound fjord, the planet’s largest fjord system.
While this event unfolded in Greenland’s icy wilderness, experts are urging people around the world to sit up and take notice. As global warming continues to melt glaciers, these potentially devastating outbursts are only set to rise. The question is, will we be ready when they strike closer to home?
The much-loved cartoonist Peter Maddocks has died aged 96.
MOTALA, SWEDEN: An electricity bill from power company.
Repatriation for Robyn
ROBYN, daughter of Anthony and Karen Sumner, made a pre-Christmas trip from the UK to see her parents and the family reunited and spent a lovely time together. However, the day before she was due to fly home, they found her collapsed in the bedroom and had to rush her to hospital. Out of nowhere, Robyn, just 34, had suffered a major stroke that then led to a brain haemorrhage. Worst was to come, though, as while recovering from the surgery, she had a second, far more serious brain haemorrhage, and Anthony and Karen found themselves having to give consent to life-saving surgery that would leave their daughter with brain damage. Unfortunately, Robyn, like so many other people who make short trips, did not envisage needing extensive travel insurance, so she visited her parents on a GHIC Card, which she thought would suffice. As things currently stand, Robyn does not have sufficient cover to get the rehabilitative brain treatment that she so desperately needs in Spain. Therefore, her family urgently need to get her repatriated to Macclesfield, where she lives in the UK. They have been in touch with UK Social Services, and bed-to-bed specialised repatriation will cost in the region of €12,500, and this is money they simply do not have.
Credit: Anthony Sumner
Therefore, with the help of their nephew, her parents have set up a JustGiving page in the hope that the generosity of others will get their daughter the support she needs which will be covered under the UK National Health Service. As of writing, they have managed to raise €8,000.
If you want to support Robyn and her family, please visit www.justgiving. com and add ‘Stephen Sumner’ to the search bar.
Help Robyn’s parents repatriate their daughter to the UK.
AXARQUÍA - MÁLAGA EAST
Packed Christmas Programme: Benajarafe, Chilches and Los Puertas
CHRISTMAS cinema, markets, arts and crafts and so much more to do and see says deputy mayor of Benajarafe and Chilches.
Rocío Ruiz, deputy mayor, has released the Christmas programme for the upcoming festive season.
In Benajarafe, Father Christmas will arrive on December 20, at the sports centre at 5.30pm, there will also be workshops for children, face painting and bouncy castles.
On December 21, a flash mob will take place in the Paseo Marítimo, everyone, both locals and visitors have been invited to take part.
December 22 there will be a Christmas breakfast with chocolate and churros at 10.30am, as Santa makes his way to Chilches and Los Puertas.
Highly anticipated Christmas film days will happen on December 23 at 6pm and December 29 at 8pm where there will be screenings of Christmas films in Benajarafe’s covered pavilion.
Ruiz said: “One of the highlights of the Christmas programme in Benajarafe will take place on December 28, with the traditional Day of the Migas.”
Families will be able to experience and take part in a flamenco zambomba and a Christmas party.
In the days before the arrival of the Three Kings, there are many traditional activities also scheduled, in both Benajarafe and Chilches.
For example, two afternoons devoted to eating Roscón on January 2 in Los Puertas and January 3 in Benajarafe and Chilches.
Festive Market Magic: Rincon de la Victoria
Abigail Frazer
THE beautiful Christmas markets of the North meet the warmer weather of Rincon de la Victoria this festive season.
A Christmas market filled with wooden huts has taken root in in the heart of Rincon de la Victoria.
Plaza de la Constitución will host 12 Christmas stalls until January 6, 2025, opening Monday to Thursday, from 11.00am to 9.00pm and an hour later at the weekends.
Those opening hours will be slightly adjusted on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to 11.00am to 6pm, but the market will still be open for last minute shopping.
The market has been described by the councillor of Commerce Lola Ramos as “in the purest European style”.
She went on to say that it is different to any other market in the Axarquia region and as such will attract locals and visitors to shop there.
Ticking off gifts from the shopping list should be easy because of the variety of products the stalls are selling.
There are food stalls, artisanal craft stalls, places to buy clothing, cuddly toys and perfumes, to name just a few of the options available to customers.
As well as this spectacular Christmas Market there will also be plenty of other activities around Rincon de la Victoria, including a Christmas village with workshops for children.
Plus, live music concerts on December 20, December 26 and January 2, from DJ Jorge Conde and the bands Los Mickis, Comando Bandera and Comando G.
Nerja Christmas Park
THE councillor for Commerce has announced that Santa will gift free passes to the Christmas Park.
Santa Claus will be touring the commercial streets of Nerja and giving away more than 200 free tickets to locals and visitors for entry to the park.
The Christmas Park has previously been kitted out with bouncy castles and an ice rink at this time of year and is always great fun for the family.
The festive activities will be open to the public soon and will be based in
Fairies and Elves
VELEZ-MALAGA can’t wait to announce its fun-filled ‘Hadas y Duendes’ (Fairies and Elves) bonanza this festive season with activities for all of the family to enjoy.
At the San Francisco Market, prepare the whole family for days and days of fun between December 21 to January 3 with games, puppets, workshops and surprises galore as the town comes to life with magic and endless delights.
The Christmas spirit is here with a family theatre performance during the afternoons at 7.30pm and mornings at 1pm. Even better, this will be divided
Plaza de España.
Councillor for Commerce Antonio López said that this was part of a wider programme of activities to boost the local economy over Christmas.
He said it is being done with the aim of encouraging both residents and visitors to make their purchases in the town’s establishments.
Other activities to take part in, include a Christmas raffle organised by the Outdoor Shopping Centre in Nerja with various prizes.
Those taking part in the
raffle could win anything from two passes to enjoy a SPA, a leg of Iberian pork, through to a 55-inch smart TV.
All that shoppers have to do, is make a purchase in Nerja at one of the shops attached to the Outdoor Shopping Centre and fill in the ticket provided by that business.
The president of the Open Shopping Centre, Enrique López Cuenca, has thanked the town council for its continued support of activities that encourage Christmas shopping.
into two exciting shows: The Story of Christmas (El Cuento de Navidad) between December 21 to 27 and Lunay, the Legend of Water (Lunay, La Leyenda del Agua) from December 28 to annuary 3.
Velez-Malaga Town Hall will be bringing magic to life every single day apart from December 25 and January 1 with a line-up of activities from 5pm to 8.30pm. Please note that
on December 22, 24, 29 and 31, the fun will be in the morning hours between 10.30am to 2pm.
Velez-Malaga has worked with great enthusiasm to design a historic Christmas, focused on children, hoping to sow special memories that they will keep forever.
Bring the whole family and make 2024 an extraordinary Christmas to remember!
Photo Credit: Shutterstock, Brenda Kean
Credit:Abigail Frazer
Photo Credit: Ayuntamiento Rincón de la Victoria
Tree traditions
THE Christmas tree, as we know it today, has its roots in Germany, where the tradition began in the 16th century.
Early records tell of devout Christians bringing decorated trees into their homes as part of their holiday celebrations. In areas where wood was scarce, people even built wooden Christmas pyramids adorned with evergreens and candles.
One of the most famous stories surrounding the Christmas tree is that of Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer. According to legend, while walking home one winter night, Luther was captivated by the sight of stars shining through the branches of evergreen trees. Inspired by this scene, he set up a tree in his home and decorated
it with candles to recreate the beauty he had witnessed for his family.
In the UK, the tradition is often connected to Prince Albert, the German husband of Queen Victoria, who helped popularise the custom in 1840. However, it was Queen Charlotte, a German royal, who introduced the Christmas tree to Britain earlier, in 1800, by decorating one in her home.
The earliest recorded decorated Christmas tree appears in a 1605 diary from Strasburg, which was then part of Germany. The tree was decorated with paper roses, apples, and candies, showing the creative ways people made their trees festive.
Record-breaking Santas
THERE are definitely worse things to be known for than holding the world record for both the largest and the smallest Santa Claus. Not only is the giant Santa Claus an impressive 21 metres tall but it is adorned with over 250,000 vibrant LED lights that twinkle and shine, creating quite the Christmas spectacle. It is no wonder then that it has become known as an iconic symbol of the town, Águeda in Portugal.
Between November 18 and January 7, this colossal Santa
Claus can be seen from, well, just about anywhere in the town, I would imagine! In reality, it is situated at Largo 1 de Malo, right along the banks of the Agueda River. At the other end of the spectrum, Águeda, not content with one Santa Claus-related world record, also holds another one. This time, for the world’s smallest Santa Claus, thanks to the help of British artist Willard Wigan.
This truly tiny Santa Claus, known as a nanostructure, can-
not be seen by the naked eye. In fact, it is so small that it has been created to fit in the eye of a needle, so it must be viewed through a microscope.
As well as a mini-sculpture of the ‘big’ man himself, the intricate design also features a decorated Christmas tree, complete with Santa appearing to be climbing down the inside edge of the needle to leave a gift taken from the sack he carries over his shoulder.
Family & food Nordic Noel
CHRISTMAS in Italy is all about food and family. The holiday begins on Christmas Eve with a big dinner called La Vigilia, which is traditionally meatfree. Following an old Catholic tradition, the meal focuses on seafood instead of meat.
Depending on the region, you might find dishes like marinated anchovies, tuna, baccala (salted codfish), mussels, clams with pasta, and risotto.
On Christmas Day, Italians celebrate with a huge family lunch in the early afternoon, which often includes over a dozen dishes. The meal starts with antipasti, featuring cured meats and cheeses, followed by frittata and baked pasta.
The main course is roast meat, often pork, beef, or lamb, served with vegetables like green beans, carrots, and roasted potatoes.
For dessert, Italians enjoy sweets like panettone (a sweet bread with candied fruits and raisins), pandoro (a similar bread without fruit), and in the south, mostaccioli (spiced nut pastries). While Christmas traditions differ by region and fami-
CHRISTMAS is an important celebration in Norway, especially in rural and coastal areas where traditional customs are still followed.
On Christmas Eve, the workday ends in the afternoon, and families dress up for the occasion. A special tradition involves families making their own Christmas tree decorations, rather than buying mass-produced ones.
Christmas Eve (Julaften) is the main celebration in Norway. Families come together for a festive meal and exchange gifts. Singing Christmas carols is an important part of the evening, with everyone holding hands and walking around the Christmas tree in two circles moving in opposite directions.
For those who follow old superstitions, all brooms are hidden on Christmas Eve, as it was believed that witches and mischievous spirits would appear that night and use brooms for flying. Another tradition features Nisse, an elf-like creature who takes care of farm animals. Children leave a bowl of special porridge for Nisse, or he might play tricks on them.
On Christmas Day, after church services, children visit neighbours to sing Christmas carols, known as Julebukk.
In return, they receive treats. The Julebukk tradition differs across various regions in Norway.
CHRISTMAS crackers are a festive tradition in the UK. They were invented around 18451850 by Tom Smith, a London sweet maker. During a visit to Paris in 1840, he saw ‘bonbons’ - almonds wrapped in decorative paper - and began selling similar treats in England, adding jokes or riddles inside. But they didn’t sell well at first.
In 1861, Smith introduced crackers with a ‘bang’. Inspired by crackling logs in a fireplace
What a cracker
(or possibly buying the formula from Brock’s Fireworks), he added a popping sound to make them more exciting. The name ‘cracker’ may come from the term ‘cosaques’, referring to Cossack soldiers known for loud gunfire.
After Smith’s death, his sons improved the crackers. Walter added
paper hats, possibly inspired by crowns from European Epiphany cakes, and travelled to find unique gifts for the inside. The company also created themed crackers for bachelors, suffragettes, and even royal events. Luxury crackers sometimes contained extravagant items like gold jewellery,
and the Royal Family still has custom crackers made.
Today, crackers are colourful cardboard tubes placed on Christmas tables. When pulled, they pop and release a party hat, a small gift, and a joke. The hats symbolise the Wise Men’s crowns from the Nativity story.
FINANCE
BUSINESS EXTRA
Murky waters
THAMES WATER warned that unless it secures £3 billion (€3.6 billion) in emergency funding it will run out of cash by March 2025. The UK’s biggest water supplier admitted that its net debts had grown to £15.8 billion (€19.2 billion) over its last half-year, compared with £14.7 billion for the same period last year.
Deal off
FRENCH sporting goods
retailer Decathlon put on hold its plans, announced in July, of acquiring Suma Capital’s 30 per cent holding in Tradeinn, Spain’s network of online sports equipment shops. “We are not interested in having them as partners,” Tradeinn’s chief executive David Martin said on December 11.
Harrods strike
NINETY-FIVE per cent of Harrods staff voted in favour of striking on December 21, 22 and 26 in a dispute over pay and perks. Unions said shop assistants, restaurant staff and cleaners all agreed that industrial action was their only option after Harrods management had refused to “recognise or engage in” negotiations.
No change
UVESCO, owner of the BM supermarket chain, remains in the hands of French private equityfirm,PaiPartners,which rejected Carrefour’s recent offer. Pai Partners bought a 70 per cent stake in Uvesco in 2020, with the remainder belonging to the Fernandez de Barrena family which founded the Basque chain.
HSBC cull
HSBC’s new chief executive George Elhedery intends to cut costs by $3 billion (€2.85 billion) by sacking hundreds of employees as part of a farreaching revamp. According to Bloomberg, managers learnt details of the overhaul which sets out to reduce HSBC’s $32.6 billion (€31 billion) overheads by 10 per cent.
STAT OF WEEK
€4.45 billion
net profit for Zara-owner Inditex between February and October 31, an increase of 8.5 per cent on the same period in 2023 but slightly below forecasts.
Boots sale in the air
WALGREENS BOOTS ALLIANCE (WBA), owner of Boots the Chemist, is said to be in talks centring on a possible Sycamore Partners takeover.
Sycamore, which formerly held a stake in the UK shoe and handbag brand Kurt Geiger, has also made several unsuccessful bids for the Ted Baker fashion label in the past.
A deal with the US private equity giant could put a $10 billion (€9.5 billion) price on WBA, whose value has slumped from approximately $100 billion (€95.2 billion) in 2015 to its present $7.5 billion (€7.14 billion).
Sale rumours that were first reported in The Wall Street Journal had boosted shares by more than 20 per cent at close of business on December 10.
Sky News reported on December 11 that should the deal go ahead, Sycamore was likely to seek separate ownership for Boots, which WBA acquired in 2014 for $4.9 billion
THE Spanish government is selling some of its CaixaBank shares, insiders revealed.
The state became a CaixaBank shareholder via its €22.4 billion Bankia bailout during the 2012 crisis, followed by Bankia’s subsequent €4.3 billion Caixabank merger in 2020.
CaixaBank now has a €39 billion market value.
The sale would be minimal, but still expected to bring in between €75 and €100 million, the same sources continued, as the government does not wish to increase its holding which
(€4.6 billion).
The familiar UK high street chain, founded in 1849, currently has around 1,900 stores and employs 52,000 people.
The WBA’s chairman, Italian dealmaker Stefano Pessina, has been involved in several major transactions involving Boots that fell through after offers from parties including Apollo Global Management
were regarded as too low.
Pessina is expected to play a central role in any divestment of Boots, Sky News said, quoting a source who predicted that Pessina, owner of a WBA stake of around 17 per cent, “was likely to end up as Boots’ principal shareholder.”
This would be conditioned by the structure of the Sycamore deal, the source added.
Government business
has risen from the original 16.1 per cent through buybacks.
Buybacks are a common practice parallel to dividends where banks reduce share capital by buying their own shares, which gives investors both a larger stake in the company and a higher return on future dividends. This has increased the government’s CaixaBank holding to 18 per cent, a stake which it does not wish to continue growing.
SUPERMARKETS’ premium mince pies will cost up to 40 per cent more this Christmas thanks to the soaring cost of sultanas.
Two years of bad harvests in Turkey, the world’s largest sultana-grower, drove prices up to $4,060 (€3,864) a ton in July, compared to the $1,550 (€1,475) average per ton for 2022.
Although sultana prices have now fallen to $3,600 (€3,426) a ton, according to Expana Benchmark Prices, the reduction arrived too late to make a noticeable difference to the UK’s mince pie manufacturing sector.
UNIQLO will open a third store in Madrid next spring and also announced plans for further expansion outside the Spanish capital. This will be the seventh Spanish store for the Japanese fashion brand owned by Fast Retailing whose global sales place it third after Inditex and Swedish label H&M.
Uniqlo’s market value, however, place it second only to Galicia-based Inditex.
The new Madrid store will be located in the central and upmarket Paseo de la Castellano in a building that also houses Ireland-based multinational, Accenture.
HOPES of selling the City skyscraper, known as the Can of Ham owing to its shape, have fallen through.
Prospective buyer Blackstone had been talking to Nuveen, owner of the office block whose official address is 70 St Mary Axe, and was willing to pay £300 million (€364.5 million).
Nuveen, asset management arm of TIAA, the US pension fund, was unwilling to go below its £322 million (€391.2) asking price.
GRUPO DIA supermarkets has signed a refinancing agreement with 10 unnamed banks and investors for €885 million.
The retailer has undertaken to repay this within a period of between three and five years.
This substitutes the syndicated loan taken out in late 2018 when the group was immersed in an internal crisis, and which was refinanced in 2021 during recapitalisation.
Spain’s National Stock Market Commission (CNMV) revealed that Dia will use €755 million for early repayment of the outstanding balance due on the syndicated loan and redeeming 2017 bonds that mature in 2026.
Dia will also settle a €7 million bilateral loan with one of its creditors, the CNMV said.
CYVN Holdings, managed by Abu Dhabi’s trillion-dollar sovereign wealth fund, bought British supercar manufacturer McLaren in a deal overseen by the Emirate’s crown prince.
McLaren, previously owned by Mumtalakat, Bahrain’s state-owned holding company, posted a record annual loss of £924 million (€1.12 billion) in 2023, compared with a £349 million (€424 million) shortfall in 2022.
Mumtalakat has repeatedly needed to pump in tens of millions of pounds to keep the carmaker afloat, The Telegraph said on December 11.
The holding company is selling McLaren’s automotive business but retains control of McLaren’s racing brand, which CYVN enters as a minority shareholder.
NOW that Nestle’s contract with Coca Cola to produce and distribute Nestea in Spain has expired, the iced tea will be produced by Damm.
The Catalan company has already begun manufacturing the full range of Nestea varieties at its Salem (Valencia) plant and will start marketing them in Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra on January 1. Meanwhile, Coca Cola launched a rival, Fuze Tea, in September which it claims “has the same bottle and flavour that consumers know and love.”
CARLOS CUERPO: Economy minister revealed ‘minimal’ sale of Caixabank shares.
BOOTS: Could be sold by owners Walgreens Boots Alliance.
3I Group 3.657,00 3.667,00 3.640,00 14,82K Admiral Group 2.655,0 2.658,0 2.651,0 4,14K Airtel Africa 107,26 107,50 106,90 56,84K Anglo American 2.462,0 2.471,0 2.455,3 65,16K Antofagasta 1.677,00 1.689,00 1.674,50 41,68K Ashtead Group 5.200,0 5.220,0 5.184,0 41,03K Associated British Foods 2.135,0 2.135,0 2.127,2 23,25K
10.550,0 10.570,0 10.508,0 42,63K Auto Trader Group Plc 817,60 817,80 815,40 20,02K Aviva 473,90 476,61 473,00 293,13K
B&M European Value Retail SA 366,40 371,70 366,40 62,06K
British American Tobacco 2.991,0 2.996,0 2.984,0 83,32K BT Group 151,55 151,80 151,00 778,58K
3.586,0 3.620,0 3.550,0 53,22K
130,05 131,05 129,77 173,54K
2.784,0 11,57K
2.662,00 2.669,00 2.657,00 62,81K
Group 232,60 234,40 232,60 59,94K
Intl 3.420,0 3.436,0 3.418,0 4,4K
5.360,0 5.435,0 5.350,0 18,03K
2.610,5
BUSINESS EXTRA
Rock
steady BLACKROCK, the US asset manager, arrived in Spain 30 years ago where its investments have reached €69 billion. It is a majority shareholder in several Ibex 35 companies, although investments are always made via funds and always in the name of its clients.
It’ll cost you
AN average UK family will spend around £32.57 (€39.54) on their Christmas dinner this year, according to Kantar. The higher cost of ingredients has pushed up prices by £2 (€2.43) or 6.5 per cent, the grocery data experts said.
ASHSTEAD GROUP, one of the UK’s leading FTSE 100 companies is switching its listing from London to New York.
The move that will take between 12 and 18 months to complete dealt a new blow to the London Stock Exchange (LSE), which has seen 45 companies decamp so far this year.
Ashstead, valued at £27 billion (€32.8 billion), rents out industrial equipment and was founded in Ashstead (Surrey) in 1947. It was first listed in the UK in 1986.
Since the beginning
Leaving London
Trawlers all at sea
AFTER long drawn-out negotiations, European Union member states reached agreement on trawling in the Mediterranean.
After an outcry from Spain, Italy and France, the European Commission backtracked on previous plans to allow trawlers to go out for only 27 days each year, which all three countries predicted would sink the industry.
The trawlers can now return to last
year’s 130-day quota, so long as boats commit to fishing sustainably.
Javier Garat, the Spanish Fishing Confederation’s secretary general, hailed the agreement as a “new chapter” for the sector, but warned that regulations were complex.
They required close analysis, Garat said, adding that not all boats would be able to comply with all the sustainability requirements.
of this century, the company has enlarged its US operations and most of its employees and executives are now based in South Carolina where it trades as Sunbelt Rentals, the second-largest equipment rental business in the country.
The North American market was Ashstead’s “natural, long-term listing venue” now that 98 per cent of its profits came from the other side of the Atlantic, the company said.
The departure from London was in the company’s best interests, giving access to “deeper US capital markets” while aligning the location of most of its business with its listing location, it added.
Meanwhile, Ashstead will retain a listing in the UK, although this would be on the LSE’s international companies’ segment.
Crying shame
MIKE ASHLEY, whose Frasers Group owns 28 per cent of the fashion group Boohoo, described its founder as an “egotist” who had run the online retailer “into the ground.” Ashley, who hopes for a seat on Boohoo board, pointed out that the firm’s shares had fallen 90 per cent in the last five years.
BASQUE steel company Sidenor would pay €4 per share for Trilantic’s 29.9 per cent holding in train-maker Talgo, compared to the €5 that Hungarian consortium Ganz-Mavag’s offered in a takeover bid vetoed by Spain’s government. Trilantic, Talgo’s majority shareholder, rejected Sidenor’s offer although this valued its holding at €148.13 million compared to the stock market’s current €131.1 million.
ASHSTEAD GROUP: Plant hire company will list in the US, not London.
Photo credit: Ashstead Group
It’s an utter disaster
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT
PRIOR of course to the horrendous storm incident, which mentally and I still believe physically, took me to the portals of death on my flight back to Mallorca last week, I had been visiting my old haunting ground of Londonthe city I resided in for over 30 years. I can honestly say my once favourite metropolis has now developed all the appearances of utter disaster.
I simply couldn’t believe that its Mayor Sadiq Khan has been recommended for a Knighthood! Frankly I’m convinced the majority of individuals who reside in the city, particularly those who conduct vehicles, would rather see him removed.
The whole place, particularly its highways, are an unmitigated disaster.
On Wednesday we set out from Fulham West London to traverse across the city to Sadlers Wells theatre, a journey which would normally take some 45 minutes. It took us over two hours and wasn’t even during the rush hour! Roads that used to be almost pleasu-
rable and fairly easy to negotiate are now jammed with traffic squeezed between cycle lanes that are virtually devoid of bikers, which, when they do materialise, sail past solidly jammed traffic at what appears to be a rate they should actually be arrested for. In many areas lorries and cars are of course now restricted to 20 miles an hour, which means precisely nothing, because for most of your journey you are lucky to get above two!
Vehicles are no longer allowed to ease the crush by negotiating the back roads as the fines for doing so can amount to as much as £140.
Periodically you squeeze past the ‘parkettes’, wooden constructions which jut into the road creating ridiculous seating areas which even cyclists have to navigate by walking out into the traffic.
I saw precisely no one using these areas to rest in, which didn’t surprise me, because the fumes from billowing exhausts and sitting to gaze inward at often boarded up shop windows really wasn’t the relaxing opportunity most people would jump at. Except of course the beggars and down and outs who now abound on many of Lon-
don’s pavements in Khan’s wonderful city of the future. As for the bridges over the Thames, they simply defy the imagination.
Hammersmith bridge, linking Barnes as a main route, has been closed for FIVE years. Putney Bridge has been full of chaotic road works for three months. Wandsworth bridge, another main artery, which used to have two lanes on either side, now has a bicycle lane and a bus lane on both sides thus cutting it down to two congested single lanes in the middle of the bridge.
There are now major roadworks all over London, bringing traffic in many places to a complete standstill. And they want to give the main instigator of all this a Knighthood!
Thank the Lord, I left it all over 40 years past. My views would have probably have found me jailed aeons ago. Most of these situations are of course those that arise when the low intellect woke brigade gain a foothold - and they are now everywhere. Stay alert.
Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com
Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
Most Instagrammable
TITAN Travel’s recent analysis has identified the European cities leading social media in 2024 and predicted the destinations that could dominate in 2025.
According to the Social Travel Index, which measures TikTok and Instagram posts, Google searches, and trending interest, the most popular cities to tag this year were all in Europe.
Nice, France, unexpectedly claimed the top spot, followed by London, UK, as the second most popular city, which also ranked as the world’s most Instagrammed destination. Paris, the host city for the upcoming Olympics, took third place.
Looking ahead to 2025, the study analysed Instagram post growth between 2023 and 2024 to predict which destinations might see a surge in tags.
Among the trending cities, Palma de Mallorca in Spain stood out, receiving over three million Instagram posts in 2024. The Balearic Island capital is admired for its stunning beaches and architectural highlights, though it has also been a focus of protests against over-tourism.
Rhodes in Greece is another standout, predicted to become the fifth most popular city next year after an 8 per cent increase in Instagram tags. The island remains a photogenic favourite, known for its medieval charm and rugged coastlines.
INTERVIEW
Ion and Aliona’s journey to Sotogrande
Ion And Aliona Vrabie, founders of Challenge Jet Charter, (private jet and helicopter charters) made their dream move from the UK to Sotogrande, Spain, in September 2023, seeking a sunnier and more fulfilling lifestyle with their two young boys.
ORIGINALLY from Moldova, the Vrabies were drawn to Spain’s weather, active lifestyle, and vibrant community. “The main reason was weather, longer days, good food, and living a more active life with energetic children,” they explained.
Life in Spain has been rewarding, thou gh not without challenges. Adjusting to the slower pace and navigating local paperwork took patience. Language has also been a hurdle, but their children are thriving in a local Spanish school.
One highlight has been the community. “We’ve made more connections here in a year than in 10 years in the UK,” Ion shared. Events and networ-
king in Sotogrande have introduced them to people from several countries across Europe.
Transitioning their private jet business wasn’t easy, but the proximity to Gibraltar and Malaga airports has been ideal for their VIP clients. While they miss family in Moldova and some UK conveniences, Sotogrande currently offers the perfect balance of business and family life.
Contact Challenge Jet Charter Centro Comercial Sotovila 4, Local 33, 11311 Sotogrande, Cadiz
Tel: 658 550 292
| fly@challengejet charter.com
| www.challengejetchar ter.com
Villefranche sur Mer between Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera, Cote d’Azur, France.
Image: Armando Oliveira / Shutterstock.com
Aliona and Ion Vrabie.
Credit: Themselves.
Paying your bills in Spain
DIRECT debits are the common way to pay utility bills in Spain. Upon signing the contract with a utility company, you will also sign a direct debit mandate. Direct debits are simple and convenient and require minimal input from the customer, ensuring that bills are always paid on time.
While setting up direct debits in Spain is fairly simple there will be utility companies which only accept payments from Spanish IBAN accounts so a Spanish account is often required. Bueno was the first non-bank in Spain to offer Spanish IBAN accounts with the same functionality as Spanish banks, offering foreign property owners an alternative to Spanish high-street banks.
Switching your direct debit from one bank to another
In Spain there is no Account Switch Service Guarantee, updating payment accounts can become complicated when switching banks. Most banks
will offer a switch service, often claiming it will be 100 per cent digital and only take minutes. The reality is that many utility companies have manual processes and an automated approach will often fail. In fact, it’s one of the reasons people don’t change banks, even if the benefits are much
Some service providers may allow the customer to change payment details on their online platform but many others require a lot more effort on the customer’s part. At Bueno, however, our goal is to simplify property ban-
king - including paying utility bills and switching over direct debits. We understand that different processes and languages can cause confusion and easily become time-consuming. That’s why we offer a dedicated service designed to help you easily transfer your direct debits to a Bueno account. You’ll work with one of our multilingual consultants who will happily make the switch for you or guide you through the process. They’ll need a couple of pieces of information, including your customer reference numbers, and will contact the service provider on your behalf. In the case that the service provider requires the customer to make the change, they’ll guide you through the process.
At Bueno, your money is always secure. Our services are powered by SEFIDE EDE SLU, a trusted electronic money institution authorised by the Bank of Spain (Reference: 6705).
greater elsewhere.
Bueno makes switching easy
• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •
Costa del Sol Estepona garden pride
ESTEPONA Council, for the fifth time, has received the highest award given by the ‘Andalucía en Flor’ awards, presented by the Multisectoral Association of Andalucian Gardening (AMJA) to towns that are committed to green management and the health of their citizens, an award recognising sustainable policies and environmentally-friendliness.
The western Costa del Sol town has been honoured for its positive evolution with regard to the extension and quality of its green areas, for the implementation of specific plans and measures aimed at sustainability, giving special emphasis to the rational use of water, phytosanitary treatments, and the management of green waste, soils and substrates.
Estepona is considered among the greenest towns in Andalucia for its management in urban green infrastructure, environmental awareness of its citizens, as well as for its sustainability.
Costa Blanca North A sprinkle of Xmas joy
IT’S been seven weeks since the devastating DANA impacted Valencia, and the road to recovery remains challenging for many residents still trying to regain some sense of normality. In the wake of this tragedy, fundraising has taken place through various events hosted at The Irish Tavern, Justabar both in Albir, and Buddies Bar in Benidorm, among others.
Wishing to spread some Christmas cheer and sprinkle a little joy to those who need it more than most this year, one of the coordinators. Sharon Bell (Coffee 4 All Homeless Support) joined Jonny Elraiz from City Streets Community Project on a very special trip to Catarroja, one of the badly affected towns.
They went along to deliver much-needed supplies and to give touching Christmas gifts to both adults and children. For the adults, the Justabar knitting group created 100 hats for men and women.
Then, with some of the funds already raised,
Mallorca Green flag for autonomos
AT last, the self-employed (autonomos) in the Balearics are receiving some good news.
It’s not quite a company Christmas hamper, but it’s close. Margalida Prohens, President of the Govern de les Illes Balears, has unveiled the 2025 aid plan for the self-employed, aiming to support the islands’ economy.
The aid, strengthened by the positive results of 2024, will include programmes for the consolidation of the autonomo and the Cuota Cero (reduced flat rate of the Social Security monthly payment) initiative.
The consolidation programme focuses on innovation, digitalisation, sustainability, and competitiveness. It has a budget of €1 million, and applications can be submitted from January 1 to March 31, 2025.
This scheme has a budget of €1,400,000 for 2025 and 2026 and the information from previous grants can be checked on.
Costa Blanca South Alicante on the rise
ALICANTE has confirmed its position as the 10th most populated city in Spain, with 358,720 residents according to the latest official population figures. This represents a growth of 9,438 people compared to the 2023 figure of 349,282 residents.
With this increase, Alicante has surpassed Bilbao, which now has 348,089 inhabitants, positioning Alicante ahead in 10th place. The city remains above Bilbao, following Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which holds the ninth spot with 380,436 registered inhabitants.
Alicante’s population growth has been steady, mirroring the increase seen in 2023 when it recorded 349,282 residents. In 2022, the city had 338,577 inhabitants, marking over 20,000 additional residents in just two years.
Mayor Luis Barcala reinforced predictions that the population could surpass 500,000 by 2050, underscoring the city’s sustained development.
Almeria Singing for smiles
IT was all smiles and singalongs at La Inmaculada Hospital in Huércal-Overa on December 12, as the All Aloud community choir capped off a busy year with a concert to remember. This festive event, held to support the hospital’s children’s ward, brought together patients, staff, children, and the choir for a cheerful musical morning. All Aloud performed a mix of Spanish favourites and well-known classics, and it didn’t take long for the audience to join in. The children then took their turn, singing their hearts out for the choir, creating a warm, family-like atmosphere. The hospital thanked the choir in style, presenting musical director Donna Walker with flowers and a special presentation piece that read, ‘Thank you for fulfilling dreams in paediatrics, for your altruism, your desire to help, and your enthusiasm.’ It’s been a year of giving back for All Aloud, from the laughter to the spontaneous singalongs, it’s safe to say this wasn’t just a performance, it was a celebration of community and joy.
Costa Calida Panto gives back
AFTER enjoying a festive Christmas lunch with the staff and students at Afemar, pantomime producer Eric Berg and scriptwriter Jane Cronin were pleased to present a donation of €2,000. The funds were raised during this year’s performance of Snow White and the Seven Guiris, a crowd-pleasing production that brought laughter to the Mar Menor community.
Afemar is a local association dedicated to supporting people with mental health challenges. Their day centre provides a wide range of services, including family support, specialised help for children and young people, and various projects aimed at promoting integration and understanding. This donation will help Afemar continue its vital work, which makes a real difference to many lives. To learn more about their efforts, visit afemar.org.
Meanwhile, the Adapt Theatre Group is already looking ahead to next year’s show.
PETS
TIP ‘Windows to Wellness’
CERTAIN essential oils, like lavender or chamomile, can help with pet odours if properly diluted, but many oils are harmful to pets. Always consult a vet before using oils for this purpose.
Fresh furry fix
ELIMINATING stinky pet smells can transform your home into a fresh and welcoming space. Start by grooming your pet regularly and cleaning their bedding often to prevent odours from building up. For immediate odour control, baking soda is a household hero. Sprinkle it on carpets, rugs, and
upholstery, letting it sit for a few hours before vacuuming thoroughly.
Baking soda effectively absorbs and neutralises pet smells. Apple cider vinegar is another powerful natural deodoriser. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly mist areas where odours lin-
ger. This solution breaks down the odour-causing bacteria without using harsh chemicals. Additionally, ensure good ventilation by opening windows to let in fresh air. Consistent cleaning routines and these natural remedies will help keep your home smelling clean and pleasant, even with furry friends around.
Ruby likes staying home with the dog-sitter
RUBY is a friendly dog, and loves company. She also prefers staying at home when her owner Sarah leaves for holidays. We are often looking for pet lovers to join us as house and pet-sitters to look after pets like Ruby in their own home.
Would you like to care for pets in new and exciting locations? We have house-sits in the UK, Spain, in Europe and further afield.
HouseSitMatch Saves You Money - Pet-sitting is Free
If you use HouseSitMatch you find free checked petsitters who pay their way to stay in your home caring for your pets young and old in your absence. It’s a house-sitting arrangement facilitated by a managed online system. Our house and pet-sitting works as an exchange of services - Free accommodation for free pet care!
HouseSitMatch is Safe - All Members Are Checked
All members are checked for safety, and you choose which house-sitters come to care for your pets in your absence.
Your pets stay at home - Safe and Undisturbed
All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care and peace of mind for you and your pets.
If you’re travelling in 2025 join now and get organised today:
1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch. com
2. Join for as little as £89/€99 per year
3. Create a profile with photos of your pets and home
4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.
How does it work?
Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety, then build an advert to find sitters. House-sitters see your advert, respond and you choose from the applicants.
Trustpilot Testimonials - 4.9 / 5 Excellent
We’ve used HouseSitMatch for the last few years to find caring pet-sitters for our family of pets. It’s been a great experience; the sitters are caring and we’ve made some wonderful friends through the process.
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Could you care for Ruby in her own home?
CHARITY
Acosta, Nr the Parador Roundabout, opposite café Trébol, Nerja (294373)
BLINDS
BUY & SELL
SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for large glazed areas to reflect heat / glare and stop furniture fading and still keep the view. SAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER to improve your living environment. ian@ solarshadetinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (287972)
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. facebook.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
CHURCH SERVICES
THE ANGLICAN Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar. Every Sunday there is a Holy Communion service at midday in San Miguel church in Nerja. Every Wednesday morning at 9.30 we have an online ‘Zoom’ HC service - please contact Fr Nigel with an e-mail address if you would like to join us. Priest in Charge, Father Nigel Thomas. Tel: Church House - 951 815 736, Mobile: 608 695 756, e-mail: cofenerja@gmail.com
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INSURANCE
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MISCELLANEOUS
GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)
MOTORING FOR SALE
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ANDALUCIA WALKING FOOTBALL LEAGUE More League Action
AWFL Over 50s
Malaga WFC 6 v 0 Canadon
Old Boys
This was an extremely tight game throughout the first half, Malaga going ahead with two well-placed penalties from Captain Fran, but little to separate the teams in open play. However, the game opened up in the second half and the league leaders went further ahead with strikes from Victor and Marcello. Canadon then had a chan ce to reduce the deficit but their penalty was we ll-saved by Paco in the Malaga goal. Marcello then completed his hat-trick with two further goals to seal all three points and keep Malaga’s 100 per cent record for this season intact.
AC Benahavis 2 v 8 Real Calahonda
The hosts quickly fell behind to two clever strikes from Paulo Silvestre before Simon Dunkley added a third. Benahavis brought on Alfredo Aceituno, who quicly pulled one back. However, with both teams playing splendid one touch football, it was Calahonda who increased their lead, Silvestre achieving his hat-trick and Dunkley bagging his second. After the break, Benahavis forced the visiting keeper into several saves before Laurent Palermo eventually fired home. However, des pite all their best efforts, the hosts were unable to add to this and it was left to Darren Canty to score a last 10 minute hat-trick to give Real a comfortable win.
Marbella Marbesula 3 v 4 Internacionales Mollina (no match report available)
Mollina scorers were Paul Blackwell (two pens), Ian Gray and Andy Barnett.
AWFL Over 60s
AC Benahavis 8 v 4 Real Calahonda
Athletico threatened from the start but the visitors scored first through Dave Cass-Williams. The hosts were soon back in the game when Gary Stevens’ deflected shot went in, Rob Fitzgerald quickly added a second and Peter ‘Popeye’ Madden set up Terry Norrington to make it 3-1 at the break. The second half began in the same fashion, with Norrington adding his second, although Cass-Williams responded for Real with his own second. Then the hosts stepped up a gear and hit the post twice before Marc Morris scored, quickly followed by one from Mark Cooper. Cass-Williams then completed his hat-trick for the visitors but Cooper picked his spot to score his second for Athletico. Jeff Miller in the home goal saved a Calahonda penaty, but soon after, Cass-Wiliams scored his fourth to cap a fine individual display. However, Benahavis had the last say in the match when Cooper completed his hat-trick.
Walking Football’s benefit to others
After the Malaga v Canadon game, a special presentation of €2,500 was made to a children’s charity, AVOI, which endeavours to improve the lives of pediatric oncology patients. This amount was raised through Malaga club members selling raffle tickets, the prize being a motor scooter. Appreciation for all their efforts in organising this go to club players Andres and Javi. It’s just another thing we do in the AWFL! Have a great Christmas and we’ll see you in the New Year!
Sports Personality 2024
OLYMPIC Gold Medalist
Keely Hodgkinson has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024.
Hodgkinson is the fourth successive woman to win the award after Mary Earps (2023), Beth Mead (2022) and Emma Raducanu (2021).
Sarah Storey, Alex Yee and Jude Bellingham were also shortlisted for the prestigious award with the final winner being decided by a public vote.
At the final presentation, second place was awarded to Darts player Luke Littler and third to England’s cricketer Joe Root.
Keely’s coaches, Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, also jointly took the title of BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year.
In addition to their success preparing Keely for her Olympic win, the married couple also coached 2024 Paris Olympic Team GB
the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
medallists Georgia Bell and Lewis Davey from their Manchester M11 Track Club.
Twenty-two year old Keely said the Award had come as a bit of a shock. However, the athlete should be well used to success after her incredible achievements in athletics this year.
The pinnacle of this success was receiving a gold medal for the Women’s 800m race at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This was the first women’s athletic Olympic gold for Team GB since Jennifer Ennis’ 2012 gold. Keeley’s 2024 gold also made her one of only 10 other British women to ever win an Olympic gold medal for athletics.
