June 2017 El Periódico Inglés de Gran Canaria The English Newspaper P U B L I C I D A D
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QUEEN OF PUERTO RICO Brexit What lays ahead?
Join a FREE sunset sail seminar aboard the new
Afrikat 69 - June 16th - Puerto Rico
Interpreting the News, Views & Sunshine from around Gran Canaria for English speakers of all nations
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The Award Winning Afrikat 69 is the ultimate adventure
Afrikat Catamaran Cruises are in the business of creating memories to last a lifetime. The difference in service that you receive with Afrikat Catamaran is no accident. They ensure that everyone joining them on board receives their absolute attention. Starting June 2017, their newest catamaran, Afrikat 69, starts operating from Puerto Rico, along the Costa Mogán on the South West coast of Gran Canaria. Designed by the Afrikat team and built in Valencia, Afrikat 69 is an award winning 21-meter catamaran aimed at accessibility for all. With custom built open access, toilet facilities and mobility throughout the deck area, they welcome customers with all levels of ability on board. Afrikat
69 received the Gran Canaria Accessible award from the Cabildo of Gran Canaria for its innovations, and was also publicly voted and awarded best Experience and Adventure in The Canary Awards 2017. Afrikat 69 also boasts a spacious, luxurious sun deck, a main deck interior salon with seating for 30 persons a bar and cocktail machine, swimming access sun deck and an impressive fly-bridge sun deck with barbecue. They believe in sustainable tourism and use only reusable eco-friendly drinking glasses on board.
Corporate & Group Events One of the most enjoyable ways to recognise your best employees and motivate your staff is an all-inclusive corporate cruise. The memories last a lifetime and your team returns home from the experience re-energised and focused and ready for another great year. Want to say thank you to your most important clients or impress existing ones, in a way that will ensure that they talk about the experience and your hospitality for many years to come. Then think with an open mind and forget the wine pack or lunch invitation and let Afrikat organise an amazing experience at sea. For all of your corporate and group get togethers, Afrikat are able to tailor make events suitable for you; catering options, drink packages, water sports packages, entertainment on board, themed events...the sky (or the sea!) is the limit! Weddings For unrivalled romance, there is no better way than celebrating your love on board Afrikat Catamaran, on the Atlantic Ocean. Formal or informal, as either a reception venue, or your ceremony to declare your love and union-ship, Afrikat can provide bespoke weddings to suit your wishes, providing either morning or romantic sunset cruises.
What Afrikat do every day: • Excursion leaving from Puerto Base, Puerto Rico and cruising the coastline to the bay of “El Perchel” & Anfi del Mar • Drinks & food included • Speedboat ride to visit the sea caves (included) • Snorkelling equipment on board (Masks & snorkel included) • Discounted water sports (jet ski, parasailing, inflatables, flyboard,banana boat) • Crew speak Spanish, English, Dutch, German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, French & Finnish. • Return transport from hotel (dependent on area) • Maximum capacity 67 people • Morning cruises operate daily. Midday fun & Sunset cruises during Summer months. • Suitable for all ages • Wheelchair friendly decks
To Book Just Visit Afrikat.com, for the ultimate holiday experience! Editor-in-Chief Edward Timon .:. Editor@TheCanaryNews.com TheCanaryNews.com/Contact-Us
Tel: 928 987 952 / Office Open Mon - Fri 10am - 2pm Sales & Marketing: Sales@TheCanaryNews.com via 928 987 952 Accounts: Accounts@TheCanaryNews.com Production: Production@TheCanaryNews.com
The Canary is independently owned and operated by unpaid volunteers working as part of a cooperative to provide useful information and entertainment to English speakers based on Gran Canaria. The publishers accept no responsibility for claims made by advertisers, either in advertisements or advertorial, nor can they be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors in advertisements or advertorial. This publisher accepts no responsibility for poor quality artwork or logos supplied by advertisers and no responsibility is accepted for loss or damage caused by any error or inaccuracy or nonappearance of an advertisement or advertorial. Every effort will be made to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of articles and advertisements in this publication, however the publisher does not accept responsibility for claims or opinions in the same. Contributions can be offered for publication, though no fee will be offered: Submission@TheCanaryNews.com
Reproduction of any part of this newspaper is permitted only with appropriate credit & notification under Creative Commons 3.0 rules of Attribution, unless otherwise stated. Edita: JDC Canarias SL, Imprime: Informaciones Canarias, Gran Canaria, España. Deposito Legal GC1291-2013
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Brexit and what lies ahead on board the Afrikat Catamaran Join Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd for a sunset sail aboard the brand new Afrikat 69 Catamaran
Friday, 16th of June 2017 4pm - 9pm Sunset Sail Puerto Base - Puerto Rico - Gran Canaria In attendance will be industry leading and expert guest speakers providing insight and advice regarding: • Brexit and your retirement • Local tax laws • Residency Guests will be able to enjoy: • 5 Star VIP Cruise • Complimentary Champagne, Caviar & Canapés • Saxophonist • Courtesy coach (pick up & drop off at selected points)
Ally Kerr, Director of Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd and David Miller, Executive Director at Quilter Cheviot Investment Management will be on board offering their opinion on subjects such as Brexit and other topical issues for expats living in the Canaries.
Afrikat 69 Catamaran
There are a limited number of spaces available, so to apply for your free invitation you will need to register in advance by contacting Michael McSeveney by email: michael.mcseveney@blacktowerfm.com or call 822 047 044 Offices United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Portugal, Spain, Mallorca, Canary Islands, France, Italy, Malta, Germany, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands, Grand Cayman Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd is licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission. Licence 00805B and the DGS in Spain Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority
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Brexit What lays ahead? Join a free sunset sail seminar aboard the new Afrikat 69
As Brexit talks commence the negotiations present an array of variable outcomes and time scales with connotations that will be felt both politically and financially for years to come. No one person can predict the ultimate effect that will be experienced by both U.K and E.U nationals especially for those E.U citizens living in the U.K and vice versa for U.K citizens residing in the E.U. In the short term the resulting decision by the majority of British people to leave the E.U has already seen financial repercussions for British Expats living in the E.U, the large majority of which live in Spain. The fall in value of Sterling since the ‘Brexit vote` has been seen by many back at home in the U.K to have provided a boost to the British economy. This on the other hand has had a negative impact for many British expats, a large number of whom are retired and rely on pensions and savings that are still based in the U.K in order to provide an income in their retirement years. Although it is impossible for anyone to give definitive answers regarding the final results of Brexit negotiations, it is important however to have an understanding of the consequences of the various outcomes and there impacts that will be felt financially, politically and socially. This in turn can help us plan effectively in order to minimise and prepare for any conclusions that may be cause for concern in both the short and long term. With so much uncertainty ahead and in order to help advise and best prepare British expats based in the Canary`s, Blacktower Financial Management (International) LTD will be hosting a seminar on board the brand new catamaran Afrikat 69, sailing at 4pm from Puerto Base in Puerto Rico on Friday the 16th of June. Local advisers will be on hand to answer queries and questions along with the seminars main expert guest speaker, David Miller who is an award winning fund manager and financial commentator based in London. David’s success and experience as a
fund manager and an investment director at Quilter Cheviot fundamentally involves analysing, planning and preparing in order to preserve and grow his clients wealth in a range of prospective scenarios that can result from financial and political events both close to home and globally. It is David’s success in his role that means there are likely to be few better placed to offer expert and valuable opinion as to the short and long term financial consequences on the variables that will result from ‘Brexit`negotiations. Quilter Cheviot manages investments on behalf of over 37,500 clients with assets in access of £20 billion. David joined Quilter Cheviot in 2007 following on from investment directorship roles with JP Morgan and Royal Bank of Canada. As member of various investment committees he writes regular notes about a variety of investment topics and is quoted in national and international press whilst having made appearances on the BBC, Sky, CNN and Bloomberg. David is the fund manager of Libero Cautious which won the 2013 City of London Wealth Management Award for best performing fund and recently won Best Industry Commentator at City of London Wealth Management Awards 2014. There are a limited number of spaces available on the sunset sail seminar aboard Afrikat 69 and it is advised to apply as soon as possible for your FREE invitation to this 5 star event that includes entertainment (saxophonist), unlimited champagne, beer, caviar and canapés. To apply for your free invitation please contact; michael.mcseveney@blacktowerfm.com Tel: 822 047 044 Mob: 636 933 616 Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission, Licence 00805B and is registered by both the DGS and CNMV in Spain.
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British Ambassador meets The British Club
Ambassador, Simon Manley, visited Las Palmas, to talk to members of The British Club about the upcoming Brexit negotiations, and to try and answer a few questions from concerned residents. His over arching message was not to panic, nothing has currently changed at all, and in fact until those negotiations have concluded, there is nobody who can offer better information than the foreign office at their website GOV.UK Q - Sometime it is hard enough just trying to get members of the same family to agree, how do you think we will be able to get all 27 Eu members to agree? - Betty Burgess “There's a lot of talk in the media about how the Brits want to divide and rule, how they want to kind of pick of individual member states, but to be honest nothing could be further from the truth, and I think to be fair to the European Union, or the EU27, to make the distinction, the 27 remaining states of the European Union and the European Commission, they have been clear that they need to be very united on this issue, and I actually think they have been pretty successful in doing so. They have elaborated a set of guidelines that will govern the negotiation, a set of principals, though very general at this stage, those principals will then form the basis for more detailed mandates by the European commission, those guidelines or principals are going to have to be signed off by the 27 heads of government. And I think what has been
striking to me, in working with the Spanish government day in and day out, how careful they have been over how they think of those guidelines, and the fairly pragmatic attitude they hold on a lot of these issues; they've been very careful, particularly in public not to give the impression that there is any daylight between them and the other 26 remaining members of the European Union. To be honest, negotiating all of this in just two years, as everybody keeps reminding us, is going to be quite a challenge. It's going to be quite a challenge for us to negotiate this just with Michel Barnier, but frankly it would be a whole lot more difficult if we had to negotiate this, not just with monsieur Barnier, but with 27 member states. So I think its in our interest that we are able to negotiate with a single European negotiator. His orders, at the end of the day, come for 27 member states, of course we are going to be talking with those member states, we going to be trying to influence those member states, but one negotiation is going to make things much simpler.�
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British Ambassador, Simon Manley, discusses the UKs Brexit negotiations Q - I feel like we've been disenfranchised. People like me, I've been here for 40 years, we haven't been able to vote for or against the exit, or Brexit, but of course it will affect us very seriously. As members of the EU we have a vote, for the ayuntamientos, with the city councils and so on, now we are probably going to be totally disenfranchised, no vote in Britain and no vote here. What can be negotiated on those lines, giving us a vote back in Britain again? The French, of course, have overseas MPs, who French people can vote for in their local election, and those people sit in parliament as MPs representing the community abroad. Everybody who is French has a right to vote, we don't have a right to vote, and this needs to be taken into consideration, a whole community disenfranchised. - Dr David Bramwell “I think it's a genuinely tricky constitutional issue. Different countries treat this in very different ways. Hungary has a very controversial law that allows people of Hungarian ethnicity to vote outside of the country, and people criticize that. The French system is a very amiable one, but of course different states have different approaches to this. As you'll know, the conservative government was elected in 2015 with a manifesto commitment to end the current 15 year rule, the rule that says if you have been living out of the country for more than 15 years you will no longer be on the electoral roll, and indeed they certainly had every intention of bringing forward legislation to give effect to that. It wasn't possible to bring forward that legislation before the referendum, and actually when you look at how you do it, it's actually quite complicated. Because we don't have the kind of continuity that say France has, where everybody has always been on the electoral roll, and therefore there is no question about people's right to participate, we would be starting off from a very different position, which is that we would have to create that electorate. People who had lived overseas for more than 15 years, and had lost their right to vote, would have to reregister, and there would be a whole question about how we do that, and having looked very briefly at the work that has already been done on this it would be initially quite tricky.” Q - Of course many years ago we did have a situation where British subjects were encouraged, if not obliged, to register at the consulate. Isn't that one way of keeping track of people? “I don't think we'll be doing that again.”
The ambassador had many things to say primarily trying to put people’s minds at rest, based simply on the fact that Britain is not planning to abandon her subjects, saying that issues like pensions and residency were, in all likelihood, going to remain very similar to the way things are now, but of course nobody has all of the answers until the conversations have been had and agreements made. We’d like to hear any concerns or questions you may have with regard to Brexit. We hope to have a further opportunity to put them to the ambassador at an other session later in the year. If you have an interest in voicing your concerns please write to us at
Brexit@TheCanaryNews.com or call +928 987 952
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Newsbrief
Reviewing some of the stories we’ve covered over the last few weeks. Stay up to date at TheCanaryNews.com
Mogán mayor wants to #RemoveTheFences on Tauro beach Mogán mayor, Onalia Bueno, has been refused permission to re-open Tauro Beach. According to Spanish language daily, La Provincia, the Subdirectorate General of Coastal, Maritime and Public Domain Land, in Madrid, blocked the move at a meeting to discuss removing the fences, which have been in place for a year, so as to make the beach available for enjoyment this summer, so long as it meets all the required conditions. “It will be impossible to stop the avalanche of [visitors] who are going to want to access the beach
this summer, and the Townhall will not be responsible for entering or removal of fences as happened last Easter” said the Mogán councillor. The mayor said that she was not convinced by the explanation offered, that the fences should remain pending a decision on whether to withdraw the management concession for the beach from the Anfi group, who last year placed some 70,000 tons of sand, controversially imported from Western Sahara, in order to start their latest development in the area.
Six Blue Flag beaches for the south, 15 for Gran Canaria in total The Blue Flag environmental program announced last month that the Canary Islands have been awarded 48 Blue Flags for beaches and 5 for marinas this year. It is also the first time that all the 7 islands have blue flags. In total, 29 municipalities in the Canary Islands have been awarded the Blue Flag. The island of Gran Canaria received the highest number with 15 blue flags for its beaches, Tenerife 12, Lanzarote 5, Fuerteventura 8, La Palma 5, La Gomera 2 and the Island of El Hierro, 1.
When it came to marinas, Gran Canaria won 2 Blue Flags, Lanzarote 1, and Tenerife 2, making Gran Canaria the island most recognized for water quality
and beach cleanliness, among other factors considered. Gran Canaria’s 15 flags for beaches were awarded to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Las Canteras. San Bartolomé de Tirajana: San Agustín, Maspalomas, Meloneras, El Inglés. Telde: Hoya del Pozo, Salinetas and Melenara and also La Garita beach ( new flag). Mogán: Amadores, Mogán. Arucas: El Puertillo, Los Charchones. Gáldar: La Sardina (new Flag) Villa de Agüimes: Arinaga (new flag)
False compensation claims alarm Canary Island hoteliers
British tourist scams, encouraged by unscrupulous lawyers, making false claims of food poisoning in Canary Islands hotels, in the hope of compensation, have reportedly caused alarm at the sub tropical island holiday destination. More than €12 million worth of claims are said to have been received in just the last year, with hoteliers having announced that they are not willing to pay for fake claims. More and more frequent reports of British “law firms” approaching tourists and explaining to them that if they present a food poisoning claim against the hotel where they are staying, even if it is false, they could receive significant compensation. They only need to buy a prescription drug at the nearest pharmacy and keep the bill as proof. They can file their complaint long after the holiday, even months later, from the UK. The problem, say local commentators, is that British legislation more readily leans toward protecting the
consumer, with the burden falling on the establishment accused to prove their innocence. This means that the tour operator can often be required to refund up to the full amount of the vacation plus damages allegedly caused, with necessarily having sufficient proof of an incident ever having occurred. It is usually cheaper for the tour operator to pay up rather than to go to trial, and then deduct the amount directly from any settlement of the bill that must be paid to the establishment, so that the latter, the hotelier, is the one who must assume the costs, which they often only find out about when their due payment arrives. The result has been that in Spain, in 2016, some 10,000 claims were registered (said to be a 700% increase), with an estimated cost to the hotels of €60 million, according to HOSBEC (Hoteliers Business Association of Benidorm, Costa Blanca and Comunidad Valenciana).
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Harrod’s Design service • For all your design needs T 928 767 927 • M 666 217 350 • E harrods.ds@gmail.com
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Image CC2.0 – El Coleccionista de Instantes
Controversial Land Law adapted to reflect residential reality The controversial Canary Islands Land Law is to be adapted to consolidate the de facto reality that some owners of apartments on tourist ground have been happily residing at their properties for many years. The amendment, expected to come into force this summer, makes plain that anyone who has been living in their tourist zone property prior to January 1, 2017, will be protected by the law, however they still can not use them for other uses, such as short term holiday rentals. From that date forward, the guidelines prohibit breaking the established principle of “unit exploitation” (ie licensed operation of tourism apartments) and new residential uses on tourist parcels are prohibited. All political parties in The Canary Islands’ Parliament
las month supported this compromise amendment to the draft Land Law, to solve what they recognise as such a ”complex” problem as the coexistence between residential use and tourism. The socialist PSOE and Podemos political parites are in agreement that the new norm draws a temporary line to consolidate rights of those who reside in apartments located on tourist parcels of land and will refer the proposal to their respective parties to endorse. Making residential use compatible with tourist unit exploitation has become one of the headaches of the Canarian Government and of the parliamentary groups who are tasked with creating legislation to meet the demands that are put before them by various citizen groups and associations.
Two shopping malls for Puerto Rico & a new supermarket approved The Municipality of Mogán apparently closed the 2016 fiscal year with a budget surplus, in terms of national accounting, having €4,049,607.94 extra. This was announced at the end of April in an ordinary session of the municipal plenary, held in 27 of April, where, additionally, final approvals on three urban agreements were given. The three urban developments green lighted, under the Costa de Mogán Plan for Modernisation,
Improvement and Competitiveness Enhancement, had been agreed back in August 2015. The newly approved conventions on Puerto Rico will now allow construction of a shopping centre on the land occupied by the abandoned water park to be undertaken by Comunidad de Bienes Mogán Mall, with companies including Fundgrube, Inditex and Hiperdino. Installation and opening of the commercial center, will boast
a useable area of 14,740.72 square meters, located in Avenida Tomás Roca Bosch 9. Another shopping centre is also to be constructed on the municipal wasteland, by the entity Tourin Europeo SA (the commercial name being Gloria Thalaso & Hotels ) And construction of a supermarket is also to be moved forward by Mercadona in Motor Grande. Shopping as well as nightlife in PR!
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Gran Canaria’s highest ever record tourist expenditure Gran Canaria saw its highest recorded first quarter tourist spending in history with more than €1.53 billion showing a 10% increase compared to the same period of 2016, in which the recorded expenditure was €1.39 billion. This year has therefore experienced growth of 140 million euros in tourism spending. The latest report, prepared by the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics (ISTAC), points out that Gran anary slands request cannabis Canaria increased in terms of tourist arrivals by 7.5% between January and March, having received more cultivation and use regulation than 1.2 million visitors, 85,000 more people than last The Parliament of the its therapeutic effects, year. (It should also be noted that the year 2016 saw Canary Islands has but also that it must be the highest ever numbers of visitors to the island) asked the Spanish regarded as a substance Spending at destination has increased by 11.5%, to central government and that is consumed €441 million which is an increase of €46 million that the Cortes to regulate socially and therefore has remained entirely on the island. Expenditure has cannabis use, “from the its use should not be perspective that it is a stigmatized, since no ban also been higher than in the first quarter of 2016, with growth of 9.5% seeing €95 million more, which product that carries risks helps reduce use. translates into a total of more than €1 billion. to health.” Only the The deputy of the Can conservative PP, Paritdo Maria del Río considers Average spending per tourist on Gran Canaria has Popular, opposed the risen 1.7 % to have now reached €1,348 euros, of it essential that not only request. which €395 per head remains on the island, 2.8% consumption, but also The non-legal proposal, its cultivation, be legally more than in 2016, when that average on-island per person retention figure did not exceed €384. jointly promoted by the regulated. Canarian Coalition , It is estimated that PSOE, Podemos and there are about 50,000 ASG, also argues that therapeutic cannabis as long as there is no users in Spain among state regulation, cannabis the four million people clubs and associations estimated to consume it. in the Canary Islands That is why regulation establish de facto has to be “integral”, mechanisms for selfregulation, good practice because if only therapeutic use is and collaboration with regulated, the problem the administration . “is half solved” The proponent groups because there would be argue that the use of widespread fraud within cannabis should be a black market, he said. addressed not only for
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Police seize invasive alien species, California King Snake for sale
The GRUMA Canarian Police Environment Group on Gran Canaria seized a specimen of the species Lampropeltis Californiae last month, commonly known as the California King Snake (Culebra Real de California in Spanish), a species included in the Spanish Register of Invasive Exotic Species, which was being offered for sale through the internet. The California King snake, a native to southern United States, has seen a wild population explosion on Gran Canaria because of suspected escapes or intentional release in to the natural environment, where it has adapted perfectly, without any natural predators and abundant prey. They are now impossible to eradicate.
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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria since 1478
By Matti Mattila – Las Palmas, CC BY-SA 2.0
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has celebrated founding festivities since June 24, 1478. The city, with more than five centuries of history, was at its birth a military camp, with the name “Real de Las Palmas” – from which began the conquest of Gran Canaria led by Juan Rejón, a captain of the Crown of Castile The fierce all out war, against the aboriginal native GuancheCanarios who were defending their island, lasted five years. The Canarios lacked sufficient means to defend themselves against the armies commanded by the Catholic Monarchs but even so, their resistance was prolonged, with many bloody battles and casualties. The official end of the conquest came in Spring of 1483, with the incorporation of the island into the Crown of Castile by Pedro de Vera, who succeeded in subjugating the Canario capital of Gáldar on the northwestern coast of the island.
Plaque commemorating the foundation of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by Juan Rejón. Ermita de San Antonio Abad, district of Vegueta, city de Las Palmas.
The 24th of June in 1478 has thus been the registered date of foundation for the capital of the island of Gran Canaria.
In a short time, the city transformed from military stronghold to a merchant port town full of life. The little Hermitage of San Antonio Abad and the Museum of the House of Columbus, today stand at the site of the original military encampment and where the Castilians began gradually to settle. El Real de Las Palmas, now called Barrio de Vegueta, was built on the southern bank of the Guiniguada ravine, the dividing line between the two kingdoms of Gran Canaria, Gáldar and Telde. It was the first marine urban centre of its kind, in Europe, and served as a template from which to create hundreds of colonial cities in America, from Patagonia to the United States. Las Palmas, and The Canary Islands, served as the original model for administrative, agricultural and cultural transfer from the newly unified peninsular Kingdom of Castile to a conquered native population. It acted as the model for conquest in the soon to be discovered New World. When the conquest of the island was officially concluded after five years, colonisation began with the distribution of land among Spanish settlers, the introduction of sugar cane and the manufacture of sugar destined for European markets, were their first major industries. It is this crop, thought to have been imported by Genoese merchants, that became the most important economic, demographic and urban development driver of the city. The labour intensive crop saw also the rise of indentured and enslaved plantation workers, from here both trades were transplanted to the New World.
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The growing town managed to make the jump to the other side of the Guiniguada and gave rise to the formation of Triana. This neighbourhood lay between the original port, San Telmo, and from its first beginnings was important for trade and commerce. For centuries, Gran Canaria’s capital was limited to one zone or the other, behind walls that served for its defence in the face of the multitude of pirate attacks experienced throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. In October 1595 Canarian militias repelled the onslaught
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English are coming!”, it is thought that this is why from then on any north European stranger becoming known as El Inglés to working Canarios. The Cochineal industry and the construction of the new port in the nineteenth century brought to an end much of the impoverishment of previous centuries. The colonial settlement, by then extending to the bay of La Isleta, where the current Puerto de La Luz now is, having become, by then, an already influential tri-continental gateway, between Europe, Africa and the Americas, and whose British merchant-funded extension and reconstruction, in 1883, helped modernise the capital city. In 1927, a Royal Decree from the infamous Miguel Primo de Rivera ended what was then known as the Province of the Canary Islands, giving birth to the two current provinces of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria became the capital of the latter, which integrated administratively the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. 539th Foundational Celebration of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria See our article on TheCanaryNews.com for program highlights of the planned festivities The main event will be the night of June 23rd, San Juan
of 27 ships led by British corsairs John Hawkins and his nephew Francis Drake; In June 1599, the Dutch ViceAdmiral and Privateer, Pieter Van der Does, staged one of the most tragic invasions in the city’s history, with the looting and burning of the most representative buildings. On the morning after the 121st founding day celebrations the residents of Real de Las Palmas awoke to an unusual spectacle: a huge fleet of 73 ships, thousands of men, under the Dutch flag were anchored in the Bay of La Luz. Just 200 soldiers were stationed in the Las Palmas garrison, and though outnumbered by nearly 40 to 1, they valiantly resisted and laid down their lives to give the towns people enough time to escape into the hills. The invaders were defeated in the famous battle of El Bátan, between Montelentiscal and the settlement of Santa Brigida, just two weeks later after native islanders united with the Castillian settlers in response to their call to “Hunt Dutch”. At the time those peasants who remembered Hawkin’s and Drake’s attack four year’s earlier confused them with the new invaders erroneously crying “Vienen los Ingléses!” “The
The Battle of El Batán Monte Lentiscal by Carlos Morón.
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No-where in Europe does Hot Fashion & Swimwear quite as well as Gran Canaria. The Cabildo launched this year’s Gran Canaria Fashion Month “to fill June with swimwear, lingerie and prêt-à-porter pieces.” Gran Canaria Industry Minister Minerva Alonso presented the program for a star event Semana de la Moda Baño Gran Canaria - Swimwear Fashion Week, unique in Europe. El Mercado Secreto The Secret Market, beach fashion, showroom for buyers and an outlet show looks set to delight the public The star event of Gran Canaria Fashion Month will of course be the Semana de la Moda Baño Gran Canaria Swimwear Fashion Week, at the Expomeloneras Palacio de Congresos from June 15 to 18, with various novelties promised to be unveiled soon, all set to emphasise promotion through social networks, essential to publicising these top local brands nationally and internationally.
Another Fashion Month initiative will see companies that have paraded their collections during Swimwear Week participate in catwalk shows on June 18 and 20, in Expomeloneras, in a space where designers will be able to make direct contact with potential buyers elaborating on details of the creations and this year’s collection. This Gran Canaria Moda Calida is being presented as a great opportunity for increased commercialisation of local design brands and their collections shown on the catwalk over the previous days, Alonso told reporters. The Fashion Month program will close with the Gran Canaria Moda Calida Fashion Market from July 4 to 8 in La Sala de la Fedac in the capital of Gran Canaria, a great opportunity to purchase clothes from previous seasons at attractive prices. All information will be made available at GranCanariaModaCalida.com
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energy certificates for the home buyer in the
Canary Islands
At present, concern for energy efficiency has very different perspectives. The most important, is concern for carbon footprint and the impact that we as individuals have on the environment, but also from the practical side, searching for savings on bills and taxes. For a buyer, there are several reasons why you should pay attention to the energy certificate when looking for a new property. Personal Shopper Real Estate The fact is that energy certificates are mandatory and irreplaceable. A transaction on the real estate market that is made in the absence of an energy certificate is one that can be declared invalid. Accepting a property that has not been energy rated is an unnecessary risk, which can lead to economic and legal problems, and also means losing the protection of the law in the event of any disagreement with the owner. Every person who intends to sell a house, must have the certificate for the property’s energy rating. Secondly, the sale of a home is often a choice based on various details. And the fact is that a residential property with a higher energy rating represents a home that performs better in two areas: thermal comfort and savings on electricity and gas bills. Thermal comfort offers the tranquillity of having a house that in summer will not be too hot and in winter you will not need to use large amounts of energy to heat the property. To acquire the type of structure necessary to provide this comfort the
building must have adequate thermal insulation and use materials in doors and windows that allow you to maintain a suitable temperature. Thermal insulation is, in fact, one of the most important architectural improvements throughout the real estate sector that is being developed at the present time to achieve energy efficiency and provide day to day comfort for those who live there. Can there be anything more comfortable than being able to walk around your own home without shoes regardless of whether it is winter or summer? Property finder In terms of savings on bills, it is important in the real estate market to consider whether a house with a good energy rating also has a water boiler using the latest technology, which will help ensure low energy consumption in terms of heating, and that energy consumption to produce domestic hot water will be as low as possible. These are not minor considerations. It is clear that residential real estate assets with a good energy rating may offer a slightly more expensive rental income. However, this increase is amortized due to savings and convenience, which offers better evaluation in terms of the proper use of energy. These can be increased still further if the property has options for renewable energy use. So as a buyer, our advice is to pay attention to the presence of the energy certificate when buying a home and to review the energy rating well so as to properly evaluate the pros and cons of the property in question. Natalia Villendrup Real Estate Personal Shopper
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Shimmering Magical Light Taste the Enchantment
A magical, visually astounding new beverage has arrived on Gran Canaria. Shimmering with the mystical light of a thousand stars, this enchanting new summer drink will bring delight and wonder to any social occasion. Made from a delicious mixture of lightly sparkling white wine and sweet summer fruits, Cloud of Fire is infused with a secret ingredient that your guests are unlikely to have ever encountered before. To be enjoyed with friends, on a night out or an adventure into the wilderness. Cloud of Fire never fails to impress the adventurous or the fun loving. Available exclusively this summer. For more information call +34 928 987 952 or contact CloudofFire@TheCanaryNews.com
*contains alcohol, not for sale to minors - Drink Responsibly
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June 17
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The Canary Awards 2017 was held at a glamorous rooftop venue over looking Puerto Rico
45photos were there to capture the event
Cloud of Fire launched their new wine
An amazing meal for 60 was prepared by Master Chef Jacqualine
A great team of professionals came including Dean Facey & Hayley Bull
New friends and old came along to enjoy the evening
TheCanaryNews.com
The shortlisted finalists for Business Person of The Year were ALL Business Women Hospitales San Roque won Healthcare
Dario accepted Best Bar award for The 19th Hole, Meloneras
Founding member of GLAY John Charnley was honoured
Anna Luijsterburg of Anna Rentals, a popular shortlisted finalist in two categories
Paul Gilliam, Personality of The Year
Lilly Rikhter Fitness Guru was a finalist
Finalists for Experience & Adventure category, won by Afrikat
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Finalists Bernie Garside & Wendy Grobben
Community Superstar Jenni Hymoff
Marcos Cruz, Best Restaurant, Fusion
John ‘Quinny’ on top form all evening
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The brains behind the award winning Canarian Legal Alliance Cristina, Jasmin and Csilla Steve and Sandy (for Betty Burgess)
Toast to all from Bernie for a top night
John Charnley for helping found PRIDE Jenni’s award for Mogan foodbank
Jesus & Jacqualine our hosts
Fusion, Restaurant of the year
Helen Gaye Oulten for innovation
Winner Lisa Martinica and staff
Martin Starman of Astrotrek Winner Nicky Gordon and finalist Diego Mesa
Sanna Nevalainen for outstanding commitment
Finalists WapaTapa
Wendie Grobben of Afrikat 69
Potter, Martin, Julia & Rosa Adventure & Experience
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Best of The Best Most Recommended 2017
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Puerto Rico has a secret. In amongst countless jobbing go out and get a new one. So a little heartbroken I performers and entertainers, bringing much joy to our continued on without it” visitors on holiday, a shining star has begun to emerge. At 16 he got his first manager who took him to Bringing passion and elegance to his countless various local labels with demos but to no avail as he renditions of well known soul hits, one young man was deemed shy and unmanageable, or at least so has been turning heads for at least a couple years he was told. He moved to London when he was 18 now, no less for his sincere passion, beaming smile to pursue singing and with another manager made and outstanding manly beauty, as for the delight more demos to shop around the record companies. with which he enthuses crowd after crowd once they Though he got some interest he says he still needed discover his delicious talents on the mic. Humble and to work on his live performance as he hadn’t yet professional in every sense, it is easy to see that love found the confidence to project himself to a crowd. shines form his heart, as his audiences are transported So eventually, not sure if he should continue, he took to a glamourous musical world beyond the swimming a job in Greece working with a covers group in hotel pools and palm trees of sub-tropical Gran Canaria. entertainment and after a little while was spotted and He also has very shiny white teeth. invited to go and work in Turkey where, after having “done a lot of growing up”, performing nightly, he Mister Dean Facey grew up in a little village in says his singing and confidence grew. Bedfordshire England, the oldest of four children. He came from a family of singers and from the age of Dean was asked to come to Gran Canaria to perform 5 used to regularly attend the local church with his in a group for a while, but eventually started to put grandmother. They, along with his uncle and aunts, on his own one man soul and Motown show, which used to sing in the church choir and from about the opened him up to some great opportunities working age of 7 he had already developed a deep passion on projects and collaborations with some of the really for song, as strong as his earliest love for his nan and wonderful professional musicians that play across her “epic west indian cuisine.” the island, allowing him to move out beyond tourist entertainment. At school he says “the head mistress used to play the piano at assemblies and you could always hear For his latest project he has teamed up with a Cuban/ me the loudest,” which led her to encourage him to Spanish/RnB fusion 6-piece, complete with dancers and sing and take up the violin. “I would have loved to backing singers, and with big plans, looking set to take continue to play, but one day I managed to break my Gran Canaria by storm toward the end of this summer. instrument, and we weren’t a family that could just
TheCanaryNews.com
Though he realises he’ll still need lots of luck, as seasoned as he is now, he also sees that hard work and commitment could well bring him places he’s always wanted to go. The first thing most people notice about Dean Facey seems to be the surprised realisation that what they have been listening to, while they initially chatted, is truly top-drawer vocals, from a genuinely talented live performer, and not just some recording on a jukebox. The second thing they might see, as they look up from their drink to find him, is the starlight in his eyes shining from a beautiful, angelic face, enraptured in producing satin sounds as pitch-perfect, strong and evocative as any of the greats they may have loved and listened to before. Then they too start to sing, pausing only to marvel at his vocal dexterity. “To live, laugh and love, doing that which I love, has always been my dream and all the hard work seems to be coming to fruition now. Sharing it with audiences just seems so natural for me to do. Gran Canaria has just been a magical place for me.” The island has a new star, which looks set to go supernova across the island, and no matter who else notices that bright light that he produces, and wherever in the world that might take him, Gran Canaria will be able to say, that his is one of ours, a testament to hard work and believing in yourself. His Nan would be so proud, we all are.
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Young Entrepreneur, Diego Mesa, first came to us in 2014 with an idea to start a business that focussed specifically on foreign residents on the south of Gran Canaria, and native Canarian’s who work with them, to improve language skills, both in Spanish and in English for those who had an interest. After looking at various publications in which to market his service he asked if he could supplement his advertising campaign with a regular article about life on the island, its history, and introduce some of the thousands of unusual and unique Canarian words that developed over the years here to supplement and enrich the local Andalusian derived Castilian Spanish spoken by the locals. He tells us that he has never looked back, steadily increasing the size of his advertisements as he has grown his business. Now boasting clients on the north and the south of the island, Diego is a real success story, a success he puts down to hard work, perseverance and in some small way his partnership with The Canary News, Views & Sunshine We are thrilled for him and very proud that he chose us to represent his public face, and that this has been of real use to him and his venture. Thank you Diego, we look forward to new horizons with you.
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The two “finest Indian restaurants this side of New Delhi” have been delighting visitors and residents on the south of Gran Canaria for a couple of years now. Ever since they first opened, one in Puerto Rico followed by their second in Playa de Mogán, they have been two of the most highly rated and positively reviewed eateries on the island. Proprietors, Ellis and Tanya, say this is solely down to their commitment to fresh produce, great service and the most authentic cooking methods. You’d be a fool to miss out on what is bound to be the most memorable experience of real Indian cuisine in your life. Try for yourself and see...
Lovin’ Food in Playa de Mogán
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If you need to find a place to rent, you might find this lesson useful. Rentals can be short or long-term - a corto plazo or a largo plazo. ¿Particular o inmobiliaria? A private rental - alquiler particular saves you paying a month´s commisison to an estate agency – una (agencia) inmobiliaria. The comission is paid by the tenant and varies so you might want to ask what the agent charges: ¿Cuánta comisión cobra usted? You can find both prívate and agency rentals listed at Spanish websites like: Fotocasa.es, milanuncios.com, and idealista.com (also an app for your phone). Key words for these sites are ‘Las Palmas’ (covering the whole island) and alquiler. If you only speak English, check out Facebook pages such as ‘rent and share Gran Canaria’. Note that good properties go super fast so telephone the owner or propietario (male)/ propietaria (female) immediately. Por teléfono Hola, ¿todavía tiene el apartamento para alquilar? Hi, do you still have the apartment to rent? If they say yes – sí – ask when you can see it: ¿Cuándo puedo verlo? Before visiting, you might have a few key questions: ¿Cuál es la dirección exacta? What is the exact address? ¿El alquiler incluye luz y agua? Does the rent include electricity (light) and water bills? ¿Cuántos metros cuadrados tiene? How many square metres is it? ¿Está en un barrio tranquilo? Is it a quiet area?
TheCanaryNews.com
Language Exchange GC -
with
Theresa Coe
¿En qué planta está? What floor is it on? ¿Está en el campo? Is it in the countryside? ¿Hay mucho ruido del tráfico/de la calle? Is there much noise from the traf- ¿Está en una zona turística o una zona fic/from the street? residencial? ¿El contrato es para séis meses o Love thy neighbour mínimo un año? Is the contract for six ¿Cómo son los vecinos? What are the months or minimum one year? neighbours like?
¿Hay (pronounced ‘eye’) - Is there…. ¿Es gente mayor, gente joven o
ascensor? (lift)
wifi? (pronounced wee-fee) horno empotrado? (fitted oven) lavadora y lavaplatos? (washing machine and dishwasher) balcón, terraza o azotea? (balcony, terrace or roof-terrace)
familias? Are they older people, young people or families? ¿Puedo conocer a los vecinos? Can I meet the neighbours?
¿Está permitido (is it allowed)… tener mascotas? To have pets fumar dentro? To smoke inside
aire acondicionado o ventiladores? (air- cambiar los muebles? To change the conditioning or fans)? furniture? Información personal camas individuales o una cama doble? (single beds or a doublé) Tengo un gato/perro – I have a cat/dog jardín privado o piscina comunitaria? Quiero alquilar con mi pareja (pa-reh(prívate garden or shared pool) ha) – I want to rent with my partner vistas al mar? (sea views) Tengo un trabajo fijo y puedo dar referencias – I have a fixed job and I can give plaza de garaje? (prívate parking) references Si no, ¿Dónde puedo aparcar? ¿Necesito pagarlo? If not, where can I park? Do Somos responsables, limpios y tranquilos – we´re responsible, clean and quiet I need to pay for it?
Alquilar o alquiler? First, pronunciation. ‘Qu’ sounds like an English ‘k’ so you pronounce these two key words al-kee-LAR and al-kee-LER. The first one means to rent (the verb) while the second one means the rent.
Good to know Types of homes: un piso/estudio/ bungalow/casa/dúplex – a flat, studio, bungalow, house or duplex. You can also rent una habitación en una casa compartida – a room in a shared house.
La ubicación Flats come amueblados (furnished) or Meaning ‘location’, this is crucial too. ¿Está cerca de (is it close to)…. Una parada de guaguas o taxis? A bus stop or taxi rank? Los restaurantes, bares y supermercados? The restaurants, bars and supermarkets? ¿A qué distancia está de la playa? How far is it from the beach? ¿Es una zona con mucho viento? Is it a windy area? ¿Está céntrico? Is it central?
sin muebles (without furniture).
Normally you need to pay a month´s deposit – una fianza de un mes, and a month’s rent in advance - un mes por adelantado. Note that it´s common to lose your deposit if you leave before the first six months without good reason. After that, you need to give a month´s notice: un mes de preaviso.
Hear it pronounced
Go to www.spanishdict.com and click on the speaker button to hear how words and phrases are pronounced. This is an excellent dictionary and translator.
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Quinny
It’s been five years since we had the great pleasure of meeting Puerto Rico’s young rogue-about-town, Mr John Quinn. Good natured, and generous of spirit. On overhearing a conversation, between volunteers, about our struggles to keep producing this little newspaper, and understanding that despite our lack of capital we needed any sort of help we could find to assist in building an organisation that was able to stand on its own two feet, this cheeky Geordie tearaway stepped forward to offer what help he could in the form of a little quiz to go on the back pages. In doing so, he proved to us that the idea of community is alive and well in Puerto Rico. His quizzes and occasional articles have become one of the more popular and beloved regular features of the paper. Knowing that he has been under the weather of late we just wanted to take an opportunity to say Thank You, Quinny!
Individually tailored, fun and lively private tuition (South Gran Canaria)
Low cost guaranteed - 1st class FREE Last edition’s winner is Marita Ruppertđ&#x;˜ who has won a trip for two on the Afrikat Gran Canaria - Call 928 987 952 to arrange availability.
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1. Negro, 2. Everton, 3. Bay City Rollers, 4. Whiskey, 5. Trees, 6. Sylvester Stallone, 7. Barker and Corbett, 8. Spencer, 9. Hungary, 10. Vodka
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06.
A stroll through the history of MUSEUM • WINE CELLAR
-10%
off on the price of tickets showing this coupon
Gran Canaria
Only 10 minutes from Maspalomas (in Juan Grande)
Botanical Garden, Tipical Canarian Architecture, Tapas Gourmet and Saturday Live Music
GC 1 → exit 37 → GC 500, km 2,2, Juan Grande Bus lines: 1, 8, 25, 36
MUSEUM VISITING HOURS Tours 1st: 10:30 h 2nd: 12:00 h
Free Parking
Entry by the Church
(+34) 637 610 548 ✉ museo@fincacondal.com www.fincacondal.com Finca Condal