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Issue 783
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NORTH EDITION
roundtownnews.com
Limited options with the Black Horse BANKING GIANT Lloyds has taken a “strategic decision” to concentrate on UK accounts and is limiting services available to expats. Page 6
17-23 OCTOBER 2014
High five to HiFX MAKING A colourful impact on the north Costa Blanca, international money transfer specialist HiFX has a bustling office in Calpe – overlooking the historic Las Salinas salt lake. Page 8
Showbiz Goss NOT A sweet lump of sugar in sight! Page 44
Montgo’s road to recovery by Jack Troughton MOTHER NATURE has taken a hand in the regeneration of the Montgo Natural Park from the devastation of last month’s fire where almost 450 hectares of land were destroyed. Green shoots are literally rising from the ashes of the areas worst affected and nature lovers believe a programme of replanting trees could include a number of Mediterranean species other than pine – attracting more wildlife. David Bowyer, who runs Aragon Birding in Zaragossa, is a frequent visitor to the area to watch and photograph birds on the Montgo and the neighbouring wetlands of the Pego and Oliva Natural Park. He was staying in Javea at the time of the blaze and took dramatic pictures of the flames on Cap de San Antonio as the fire spread. “It’s a mess but not that bad, it’s not a total disaster in my view. There are lots of pockets of untouched vegetation – insects and reptiles will have been able to survive there,” explained David. “A lot of pine trees have not been killed – they are burned but not destroyed. One thing for sure, in the areas that were burned, all the plastic rubbish will have gone – and lots of non-combustible rubbish like tins and cans could be cleaned up now.” And he added: “And there is a tremendous opportunity to plant a variety of different trees – that will increase the variety of wild birds and wildlife up there. “It is also an opportunity for some thought and some good management in the regeneration of the area, I’m quite sure the town halls and the park team are capable of that.” TERRACES He said the now bare terraces where pine trees had grown were once covered in olive trees and vines – and could easily be replanted with new native species. David said Javea stood on the most easterly point of mainland Spain and was called the ‘Amanaser de Espana’ – the Dawn of Spain because of that. Fire damage Continued on page 3