Mallorca Olive Press - Issue 52

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Property

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HE average property price in Spain has two consecutive years for the first time grown for Prices rise for two consecutive years, The national average house price rose in a decade. from between while mortgage values continue 3.9% to 8.4%, according to various sources. to grow Along the Mediterranean coasts and most foreigners buy, the average price on the islands, where Balearic Islands. hike has been 4.06%, ac- “Prices have cording to Tinsa, Spain’s leading property been rising most years since the recovery began, But the figures have mostly not yet made appraisal company. but nothing like they did in the boom years, and nowhere near during the long six year recession, with up for the big drops enough to claw back the ground lost in the bust,” the exception of the respected analyst explained Mark Stucklin, of Spanish Property Insight.

However, he added ‘at the very least, the Spanish property continued to grow lastdata suggests that the year.’

Mortgage lending to home buyers meanwhile was up 6.1% in January to 19,390 new loans, according to the Association of Spanish Notaries.

The average new loan made in January an increase of 0.9% in a year. As long had a value of €135,616, as mortgage lending for residential acquisitions continues to increase, as it has done for the last few years, the Spanish property market is set to grow.

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face the music

Vol. 3 Issue 52 www.theolivepress.es April 12th - April 25th 2019

SUMMONS: Kirby

Judge set to take further steps after expat boss of suspect investment company fails to turn up at court

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

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THE beleaguered boss of a failed wealth management company which allegedly lost expats more than €20 million has ignored a summons to court.

Darren Kirby, of Alicante-based Continental Wealth Management (CWM), failed to turn up at Denia court on March 26.

According to Olive Press sources he was due to turn up, alongside former business partners, who did turn up.

The case involves a trio of investors, who lost substantial amounts of money when the company folded in 2017.

Kirby allegedly fled to Australia following the collapse, finally returning to Alicante last year.

“Darren has been sent a Burofax which he didn’t sign for, so the court will now have to pursue him in other ways,” a source said.

“A judge is dealing with this and it’s under legal review,” he added. “We understand he is currently in England.”

The Olive Press exclusively revealed how CWM abruptly folded in 2017,

Expats who lost millions rage at ‘unauthorised’ deals involving ‘worrying’ signing of blank sheets

CATALUNYA’S beleaguered leader has vowed to fight on from abroad.

It came after Carles Puigdemont handed himself in to Belgian police when a European arrest warrant was issued.

He and four other politicians are accused on charges of rebellion, sedition, misuse of public funds, disobedience and breach of trust.

A judge in Belgium now has up to two weeks to decide if they will extradite the group to Spain.

EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan

Fight Given the whole extradition process can take up to 60 days, it means he may have to run his entire election campaign for the Catalan European Democratic Party from Belgium.

His party wants him to fight for continued leadership of the regional parliament in the December 21 elections.

Puigdemont denied he had fled to Brussels to avoid justice but that he left because the Spanish government was preparing a ‘wave of oppression and violence’ against separatists.

“I’m absolutely convinced that the state was preparing a harsh wave of repression for which we would have all been held responsible,” he said yesterday.

“The Spanish state is committing a brutal repression… if we don’t battle repression together, the Spanish state may win this fight.”

In a show of support to the deposed president, around 200 Catalan pro-independence mayors travelled to Brussels on Tuesday to stage a rally.

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What do Fatboy Slim, director Paul Haggis, John Travolta, Dean Norris and Pilou Asbaek have in common? They’ve all had links to the Balearics this week

Govt in exile

Pension peril

BRITISH expats who lost up to €20 million in a failed pension advisory firm believe their signatures may have been photocopied onto investment documents.

Around 300 Brits, most living in Spain, are battling to retrieve their funds after Alicante-based firm Continental Wealth Management (CWM) folded in September, as first reported in the Olive Press a month ago.

Boss Darren Kirby left for Australia following the closure of the company’s main Javea offices.

Victims, who are spread across Spain, as well as in Ibiza, Mallorca, Portugal, France and Turkey, fear illegal practices after being asked to sign blank dealing instructions.

Their pension pots were then invested in high-risk assets which promised to pay out large commissions.

One 69-year-old pensioner told the Olive Press he lost €210,000 after transferring €470,000 despite stating he BOSS: Kirby now in had a ‘low to medium aversion Australia to risk’ attitude to investment.

“I was asked, ‘Can you sign this he said.

“They should have been looking blank form. We will fill in 1the 16/06/2017 15:36 were just Untitled-1.pdf that trusting they out for me but they nests. To details.’ I did their own would act in my best interests,” feathering

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rying’.

“This negates the very essence me they knew what they were of the service they are meant to doing.” offer,” said Flores. “It is a blank He added: “I believe some of cheque to invest wherever, the investments were made whenever. without my knowledge. I think “If standard practice, this is that is the case because I do not very worrying. recall signing sheets for all the has gone down by half and I “Signing blank documents investments I had.” need compensation to get it would be seen An email, seen by the Olive back on track. as irregular in a Press, shows CWM asking a cli“But some people court of law. The ent to sign and return a blank with have lost everyproblem dealing instruction. thing and don’t these firms is that Another British expat, 55, who have enough to they were all inis trying to recover around live on. One rein highly €200,000, said some pensionPENSION vesting tired victim only investments ers ‘have lost everything’.

OUTRAGE risky has €50,000 left without the cli“My paper work that I sent from €480,000.” ents knowing.” has been altered, my risk level Andalucia-based He claimed that was changed from ‘medium’ to lawyer Antonio losses sustained ‘high’ and my dealing instrucwhose investors Flores, photocopied by been tions have Lawbird firm would hopefully repeatedly for buying and sellrepresentare recoverable be ing assets I didn’t authorise,” ing some CWM as the investments that failed he said. victims, said signing blank into perform, or went bust, were “I still have some money left vestment sheets was ‘very worlinked to life insurance policies. and I am still young enough to Pension trustees Momentum get compensation, but my fund and Trafalgar are now attempting to recoup CMW clients’ losses.

The Olive Press has so far been unable to discover if CWM was SPECIALIZING IN: registered to provide investment advice with Spain’s offiCRIMINAL LAW cial financial regulator CNMV. New quality homes since 1958

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Expats lose millions in life savings through failed investment scheme EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan

HUNDREDS of British expats are battling to retrieve their pensions after losing up to £20 million in a failed pension OFF TO OZ: Boss Kirby and (above) team at March investment scheme. charity bash Spanish-based financial adviIt is believed at least 300 of sory firm Continental Wealth One Marbella-based expat remain anonymous.

Management (CWM) folded told the Olive Press he sunk “The adviser kept telling me, CWM’s 900 clients have had last month obliterating many £59,000 through CWM, only ‘This is guaranteed, it can’t go their pension pots decimated, with victims shocked to later heartbroken Brits’ life savings. realising he had lost £39,000 below a certain level’.”

Many of them had transferred when his pension trustees sent His money, and that of others discover the value of their intheir private UK pensions a statement. across Spain and France, was vestments had plummeted through the company, whose “I couldn’t believe it. I have put into high-risk ‘profession- dramatically.

Untitled-1.pdf 15:36 boss Darren Kirby has now1al- 16/06/2017 lost thousands of pounds,” al investor only’ assets, it has However, a source close to the case insisted: ‘There are legedly moved to Australia. revealed the victim, asking to been claimed. still many customers who are happy with their pension portfolio.’

Andalucia-based tax specialist Angie Brooks, a leading expert on pension liberation schemes and the founder of Pension Life, has now launched a fight to help get victims’ money back.

She is working alongside pension trustees Trafalgar Inter-

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national and Momentum Pensions.

“People are terribly distressed,” Granada-based Brooks told the Olive Press.

“They have lost large amounts of their retirement savings.”

She added: “Some of these people are going to end up back in Britain on benefits.”

“I have nothing but praise for Tony Barnett [Trafalgar MD] and Stewart Davies [Momentum chef executive]. They have been magnificent in trying to recoup people’s money.”

The Olive Press understands it

is highly possible legal action may be taken by some parties against CWM, based out of headquarters in Alicante, and its executives.

Both the office in Javea and the website have recently shut.

The group were pictured celebrating at a charity ball as recently as March this year.

When the Olive Press spoke to boss Kirby he ‘definitively’ denied responsibility over the crash. “I have lost my world,” he said.

A close associate of Kirby’s said former CWM staff were all ‘very upset’.

“It is still quite raw for them, and they are working out what to do next,” he said.

Opinion Page 6

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A PALMA thief is facing 18 months in jail for stealingCY a leg of ham.

CMY Prosecutors are requesting the lengthy term for taking K the eight kilogram leg of 'Cinco Jotas' ¡ jamon from a shop in the capital.

The Iberico ham is valued at €685, and has yet to be recovered.

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Who’s paying us?

CONFUSION reigns over who should foot the bill for Mallorca hotels hit by the collapse of airline Monarch.

Balearic hotels are facing a €10million bill over the collapse that saw the emergency repatriation of over 110,000 back to the UK, many from Palma.

Administrator KPMG told the Olive Press ‘the debt owed by Monarch to hoteliers will rank as an unsecured claim’ against the defunct airline.

“They will have to file a claim to the joint administrators for all the money they are owed,” said a spokesman.

“It has not been determined (yet) how much money will be available to creditors.”

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BACKING DOWN: Carles

Confusion reigns

SPAIN’S prime minister has accused Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont of causing ‘confusion’ after signing a declaration of independence.

Mariano Rajoy demanded he clarify if he had really declared independence following Tuesday’s nail biting address to the Catalan parliament.

If so, Rajoy insisted he could trigger Article 155 of Spain’s constitution to allow Madrid to take direct control of Catalunya.

“There is an urgent need to put an end to the situation that Catalunya is going through - to

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Opinion Page 6

BACKING DOWN: Carles

Confusion reigns

SPAIN’S prime minister has accused Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont of causing ‘confusion’ after signing a declaration of independence.

Mariano Rajoy demanded he clarify if he had really declared independence following Tuesday’s nail biting address to the Catalan parliament.

If so, Rajoy insisted he could trigger Article 155 of Spain’s constitution to allow Madrid to take direct control of Catalunya.

“There is an urgent need to put an end to the situation that Catalunya is going through - to Continues on Page 7

Who’s paying us?

EXCLUSIVE

They’ve been getting stoned for centuries.

Now UNESCO is interested in Mallorca walls.

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Brits’ life savings.

the company,

whose boss Darren Kirby has now allegedly moved to Australia.

One Costa-del-Solbased expat told the Olive Press he sunk £59,000 through CWM, only realising he had lost £39,000 when his pension trustees sent a statement.

“I couldn’t believe it. I have lost thousands of pounds,” revealed the victim, asking to remain anonymous.

“The adviser kept telling me, ‘This is guaranteed, it can’t go below a certain level’.”

His money, and that of others across Spain and France, was put into high-risk ‘professional investor only’ assets, it has been claimed.

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PENSION OUTRAGE

Expats lose millions in life savings

CONFUSION reigns over who through failed should foot the bill for Mallorca investment hotels hit by the collapse of airscheme line Monarch.

Balearic hotels are facing a EXCLUSIVE €10million bill over the colBy Joe Duggan lapse that saw the emergency repatriation of over 110,000 back to the UK, many from HUNDREDS of BritPalma.

Administrator KPMG told the ish expats are battling Olive Press ‘the debt owed by to retrieve their penMonarch to hoteliers will rank sions after losing up to as an unsecured claim’ against £20 million in a failed pension investment OFF TO OZ: Boss Kirby the defunct airline. and (above) team at “They will have to file a claim to scheme. the joint administrators for all Spanish-based finan- March charity bash the money they are owed,” said cial advisory firm Continental Wealth Mana spokesman.

“It has not been determined agement (CWM) folded Many of them had (yet) how much money will be last month obliterat- transferred their private UK Untitled-1.pdf pensions available to creditors.”

1 16/06/2017 ing many heartbroken through15:36

SPECIALIZING IN: CRIMINAL LAW CIVIL LAW BANKING (FLOOR CLAUSE) FAMILY LAW

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SEE PAGE 20

It is believed at least 300 of CWM’s 900 clients have had their pension pots decimated, with victims shocked to later dis- to end up back in Britcover the value of their ain on benefits.” investments had plum- “I have nothing but praise for Tony Barnett meted dramatically.

However, a source [Trafalgar MD] and close to the case in- Stewart Davies [Mosisted: ‘There are still mentum chef execumany customers who tive]. They have been are happy with their magnificent in trying to recoup people’s pension portfolio.’

A n d a l u c i a - b a s e d money.” tax specialist Angie The Olive Press unBrooks, a leading ex- derstands it is highly pert on pension lib- possible legal action eration schemes and may be taken by some the founder of Pension parties against CWM, Life, has now launched a fight to help get victims’ money back.

She is working alongside pension trustees Trafalgar International and Momentum Pen- based out of headquarters in Alicante, and its sions.

“People are terribly executives. distressed,” Granada- Both the office in Javea based Brooks told the and the website have Olive Press. “They have recently shut. lost large amounts of When the Olive Press their retirement sav- spoke to boss Kirby he ‘definitively’ ings.” denied She added: “Some of responsibility over the these people are going crash. “I have lost my world,” he said.

A close associate of Kirby’s told the Olive Press former CWM staff were all ‘very upset’.

“It is still quite raw for them, and they are working out what to do next,” he said.

Opinion Page 6

HOW WE TOLD IT: Our 2017 reports in Mallorca

losing hundreds of expats’ life savings in the process.

The firm, which was based out of the Marriott Hotel, in Denia, had ‘eight to ten’ telesales staff and clients scattered around Europe, revealed a former member of staff.

“It was a prestigious place but one day they just shut the door,” she said, asking not to be named.

Victims had raised fears about being asked to sign blank dealing instructions and their pensions being invested in high-risk assets which paid large commissions.

One pensioner based in Mallorca told the Olive Press he lost €210,000 after transferring €470,000 despite stating he had a low toUntitled-1.pdf medium risk attitude.

“I was asked, ‘Can you sign this

blank form. We will fill in the details.’ I did that trusting they would act in my best interests,” he said.

“They should have been looking out for me and they were just feathering their own nests. To me they knew what they were doing.”

Lawyer Antonio Flores, whose firm Lawbird is representing a number of victims, said signing blank investment sheets was ‘very worrying’.

“This negates the very essence of financial advisory services,”said Flores. “It is a blank cheque to invest wherever, whenever.

“It is very worrying as they were investing clients’ money in highly risky investments as well as dubious funds just because they paid the higher commissions.”

He added that losses sustained by investors should however, be recoverable as the investments that failed to perform, or went bust, were linked to life insurance policies.

When the Olive Press finally got hold of Kirby in October 2017, he denied all responsibility. “I have lost my world,” he said.

Are you a victim or former staff

Do you know more about 1 member?

16/06/2017 15:36

the case? Contact the Olive Press at newsdesk@theolivepress.es

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NEWS IN BRIEF Fierce competition MORE than 4,000 people have applied for the 450 open positions as administrative assistants for the Ministry of Health.

Detention ups SCHOOL suspensions have increased by 75% in just threes years in the Balearics.

Education officials say the increase is due to an increase in neglected and struggling children.

Click ‘n’ Buy HALF of Balearic residents shop online, making it one of the communities in Spain where the most online purchases are made.

Flood damage THE government has already paid €30.5 million in aid to towns, businesses and individuals for the damages of the deadly floods in Mallorca last October.

Death with dignity EUTHANASIA has been the topic of hot debate and is close to being legalized in the Balearics with carefully set laws around it.

Palma council slaps ‘ridiculous’ yellow lines on bar owner’s terrace leaving no room for a table A BRITISH expat cafe owner has been left fuming after council workers marked off her terrace making it too small for tables and chairs.

Maggie Smith, 72, from Surrey, has run the Palma business for 19 years, but now fears her trade could be severely affected.

The mother-of-one told the Olive Press she was ‘shocked’ to discover her seating area had been confined to a tiny painted box on the pavement outside Bar San Marino, in San Agustin.

“The chairs and tables have always been in the same

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April 12th - April 25th 2019

Out of line EXCLUSIVE

By Charlie Smith

place,” the retired financial advisor said, “but now they will have to be moved right next to the road.”

Despite requesting a 5.7 square metre terrace outside her cafe, which employs three Spaniards, the council issued Maggie just a meagre 4.23 square metres.

The demarcated area also includes a large tree, making it impossible to seat any customers, while doors from parked cars also intrude across the lines.

Meanwhile, Maggie is also applying for the relocation of an intrusive parking meter

Booze patrol

A BAR in Magaluf has been fined after offering ‘20 hours of free drinks’ online.

The venue was one of eight sanctioned for promoting binge drinking this week as part of a crackdown by Calvia town hall and local hotel associations.

A party boat was also fined for the first time after illegally using the dock to transport 180 revellers from a bar to the lighthouse.

Others were sanctioned for offering ‘happy hours’, which authorities see as working against their efforts to attract ‘higher quality’ tourists.

Venues face fines of up to €1,500 for advertising alcohol consumption, with researchers tracking buzz words like ‘free bar’, ‘2 for 1’ and ‘3 for 1’.

OUTRAGE: Bar owner slams council markings

that was installed outside the cafe prior to the yellow lines.

“If I’m forced to put people in the new area, I’ll have to buy something to cover over it and I’ve only just bought new chairs and tables,” she added.

“People won’t want to sit out there in June, July and Au-

gust.”

Maggie serves a range of hot and cold dishes at her cafe, including a classic Spanish breakfast of a tostado and cafe con leche.

Palma City Council was contacted by the Olive Press, but declined to comment.

Flaming Red outrage road A SPANISH fireman has been accused of human trafficking and faces 20 years in prison after he saved thousands of migrants in rescue missions.

A NEW poll has found that the PSOE will win the April 28 election by between 123 and 128 seats, but Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will fall short of an absolute majority.

Power grab SPAIN’S PP party has set out audacious plans for a power grab to take back control from the Balearics and the other autonomous regions.

Leader Pablo Casado announced his commitment to strengthen the central government’s role in the run up to national elections in a fortnight.

He insisted that such a move would prevent corruption and lead to a drop in taxes.

It comes as the party attempts to see off the threat from an insurgent Vox Party, whose leader has described the autonomous parliaments the ‘cancer of Spain’. Under the plan, the PP wants to increase resources for regional government delegations and paralyse any further transfer of power to the regions.

Constitution Casado insisted the move would see Spain being administered ‘more effectively’.

The election hopeful stated that his party would carry out a sweeping review of how the regional authorities operate looking at ‘efficiency and equity.’

Spain’s quasi-federal political system of ‘autonomous states’ was added to the constitution in 1978. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez strongly opposed the plan, insisting the PSOE would defend ‘tooth and nail’ the principal of regional self-government.

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You’re not alone HE may have won an Oscar for his role in hit movie No Country For Old Men, but job offers don’t come easy for Javier Bardem in Spain.

The actor, who lives in Madrid with wife Penelope Cruz and their two kids, has revealed he does not receive any scripts from Spanish filmmakers.

The 50-year-old actor said: “I work much less in Spain than I would like to.

“I don’t get the scripts because people think I live abroad, or that I would be looking for stratospheric money, which is not true.”

Spain has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe with 14.1% out of work.

THE mother of British celebrity Katie Price, aka Jordan, has been blasted for voting Leave in the EU referendum despite living in Spain.

Amy Price told Good Morning Britain she voted out in the 2016 vote ‘to take back control’ of the UK. “I hate the fact that we are being told what to do by the EEC, the Europe thing,” she told presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid.

The Brit, who lives on the Costa del Sol, then added: “I’ve been to Spain and the roads over there are absolutely immaculate. All paid for by us. Yet over here our roads have potholes every-

EXTRAS have been flocking to Palma in hopes of being cast in Netflix’s Mallorcabased White Lines.

Around 600 people are expected to be cast for various extra positions and roles through Palma Pictures after more than 1,000 people showed up to the open casting call.

The series, which will shoot from May until September, is about a woman from Manchester who travels to the Balearics to find the truth behind her brother’s disappearance 20 years ago.

Its production team is behind hit shows like The Crown and while its writer

where.”

She insisted she only lived in Spain for health reasons, after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2017.

“The dry air is so much better for me, and the warmth. I am coughing more here. Whereas in Spain it’s easier for me to walk more and do more.”

Former glamour model Katie, who appeared on the show with her mum, added that she didn’t vote in the referendum.

Pres a manger

Barack Obama zooms in for Cadiz-style meal during Spain trip

BARACK Obama made sure to go for a presidential-style eater during a three day trip to Spain.

The former US President took FOOD FRIENDS: Obama (right) with chef Alcantara

Extra, extras!

STAR: Idris Elba Alex Pina is the man behind Netflix’s most popular nonEnglish series, La Casa de Papel.

White Lines will be the second Netflix series to film in Mallorca following Turn Up Charlie starring Idris Elba, which was shot on the island last year.

Filming is set to take place in Palma, Valldemossa, Santa Maria, Pollenca and Escorca.

a group of friends to the trendy Bache de San Pedro restaurant in the heart of Sevilla old town.

He insisted on visiting the restaurant run by Cadiz-born Ale Alcantara, where he ate a stunning display of Andalucia’s best produce with a Japanese and Middle East twist.

This included gyozas of Andalucian veal with pickled ginger, alongside a kebab of Cadiz pork scratchings (chicharrones) with a sauce made from payoyo - an award-winning cheese from Grazalema.

Wearing a navy suit, he was joined by former US ambassador to Spain James Costos and his boyfriend Michael Smith, among others.

He had been recommended to Alcantara, who opened his first restaurant in Madrid, after training under Martin Berasategui, Eneko Atxa and Sergi Arola.

Obama was seen exiting a black

van, surrounded by security, before later waving to cheering crowds who had gathered to snap a pic of the much-loved ex-president.

They took up three tables and sat alongside various tourists including a pair of Americans ‘who couldn’t believe it’.

The feast came after Obama took in the sights during a three-day working visit to Sevilla. The former US President enjoyed a private tour of the Real Alcazar after being a keynote speaker at the World Travel Tourism Summit conference.

The 57-year-old was escorted around the Arabic palace by the city’s mayor Juan Espadas.

The father-of-two stayed at the iconic Alfonso XIII hotel.

It came after he had emphasised the need to ‘build bridges and not walls’ during a meeting with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez.

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ECONOMICAL: Queen Letizia with Prince Charles in London and (below) recycled dress QUEEN Letizia is not shy when it comes to wearing the same outfit twice.

The thrifty royal admitted it after stepping out during a visit at the School of Engraving in Madrid, donning the same outfit she wore in Madrid in October last year.

It’s no surprise she elected to wear it again, looking chic and perfectly transeasonal in a colour-blocked Hugo Boss skirt and matching geometric blouse and camel coat.

The double take comes after the former journalist met with Prince Charles to open a brand new exhibition of Valencian artist Joaquin Sorolla at London’s National Gallery.

Afrojack is back

AFROJACK has announced his return to Mallorca for the first time in three years this July with a concert at the BCM Planet Dance club.

The world famous Dutch DJ is well known for his hits and remixes, and has worked with superstars like Madonna and David Guetta.

Paris

AfroJack, who used to date Ibiza’s favourite female DJ Paris Hilton, is a popular act around the Balearics, with planned gigs throughout the summer.

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Live in Mallorca more than four weeks a year?

Here's why it's worth pre-planning your funeral as an expat

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t’s probably the last thing you want to think about when you’re enjoying your life in the sun, but planning ahead for your funeral is something all British expats in Mallorca should do.

Arranging a funeral is a stressful experience, but when you’re having to navigate a foreign funeral system, it can make a tough time even more difficult. When the time comes, will your loved ones know what to do and how to arrange a funeral in Mallorca? The funeral system in Spain has some key differences that catch many expats unaware.

Your next of kin might have to pay up hundreds or thousands of Euros before the funeral can take place.

Traditional Spanish funerals happen as How the Spanish quickly as 24 to 48 system differs hours after the person Funerals take passes away. Funerals place 24-48 hours for British expats can after death take longer to organise, Funeral Directors especially if friends and may ask for family want to fly out payment upfront to say their goodbyes.

Language barrier But beware – this delay could cost your loved ones hundreds of Euros in extra mortuary expenses, which are most often charged by the day.

In addition, it’s common practice for Funeral Directors in Mallorca to request either part or full payment upfront. That means your next of kin might have to pay hundreds or thousands of Euros before the funeral can take place.

And that means it’s much harder to shop around.

Language barriers, unfamiliar funeral systems and different customs mean that your loved ones might find it difficult to compare funeral services and make a choice.

EUADOP1104

Avoid complications and unexpected costs Like so many things in life, planning ahead is the best way to avoid surprises. Whether you live in Mallorca the whole year round, or have a summer home here, a prepaid funeral plan is a sensible way to make sure everything will be taken care of when you’re gone.

An Avalon funeral plan lets you pay for your funeral in advance, either in a lump sum or affordable monthly payments, so that your loved ones don’t have to deal with complicated funeral arrangements or unexpected costs.

Avalon plans are specially designed for British expats. If you split your time between the UK and Mallorca, an Avalon funeral plan is valid in both countries so you can choose to have a funeral either in Mallorca, or back in the UK. Their local, specialist advisors are on hand to talk through the range of plans and your options so you can relax, knowing everything will be taken care of and your family don’t have to worry about arrangements.

Avalon is the fastest growing provider of funeral

“In difficult circumstances, with myself and two brothers spread around the world, it was impossible for us all to get together for the funeral, which was required to take place within a short timeframe. Mike at Avalon offered us considerable help and support to enable everything to be arranged in a dignified and timely manner.”

Avalon Customer, Kevan - Spain plans in Europe, helping more than 70,000 customers across Europe and the UK for over 25 years. They work with a network of local and independent Funeral Directors to help your loved ones cope with the unfamiliar Spanish funeral system, and give you the send-off you want.

Why choose Avalon?

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24/7 expat bereavement helpline

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We work with local, independent Funeral Directors

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Book a free home consultation with Avalon today Talk to us on +34 911 142 502 Or visit us at www.avalonfuneralplans.com/mallorca

*Based on over 1,500 reviews on Trustpilot

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

Hacked off A SENIOR government press officer has been forced to resign after he faced charges of helping to cook up false claims against Spain’s left wing leader Pablo Iglesias.

The former editor of Interviu magazine, Alberto Pozas, 59, has been accused of helping to trash the reputation of the Podemos leader, with claims that both Iran and Venezuela funded his party.

It came after he admitted to a judge in Madrid that he had handled a pen-drive, which was full of personal information on Iglesias.

Much of the information which appeared in his magazine in 2018 - was acquired after one of Iglesias’ assistant’s had her phone stolen.

One of the allegations, followed up by the national media, showed that Venezuela’s communist Maduro government paid Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias $272,000 through a bank in the Grenadines.

However it has since emerged that a bank statement had been rigged using online screenshots.

Judge Manuel García-Castellón believes Pozas worked alongside disgraced former police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo, who is awaiting trial for countless charges of fraud, phone tapping and other criminal behaviour.

He oversaw a group - dubbed the ‘Patriotic Brigade’ - who were allegedly tasked under former PP leader Mariano Rajoy’s government of finding, or fabricating, evidence against opponents.

April 12th - April 25th 2019

ORF WITH THEIR HEADS Poll claims to show that nine out of ten Mallorquins want to end the monarchy NEARLY 90% of Mallorquins would like to scrap the monarchy.

An incredible 87% of 3,500 people polled in a dozen towns would like to see a republic.

The shocking news comes as the Royals are set to arrive on the island for their regular Easter break.

Valldemossa was the first town to hold the non-binding vote, followed by 11 more towns over the following days.

By Gillian Keller

“What really matters is that we’re now finally able to discuss openly the role of the monarchy,” said local politician Didac Alcala.

His party Valldemossa We Want hosted the vote at a weekly market.

However, not everyone in the town supports his views.

PP party councillor Ninona Mayol described the poll as

Top culture PALMA has ranked sixth out of Spain's most cultural cities.

The ranking takes into account the number of theatres, museums and art galleries in 60 Spanish cities.

The ranking by holidu.es found 74 cultural sites including 28 art galleries and 23 libraries in Mallorca's capital.

Palma ranks only behind Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla and Malaga.

5

BBQ Shocker

A LOCAL man remains in critical condition after burning 95% of his body while attempting to light a barbecue.

The 41-year-old from Santa Eugenia was rushed by plane to a hospital in Barcelona after the flames crawled up to the bottle of lighter fluid he was using.

He was first rushed to Palma hospital, but the second and third degree burns required him to be rushed to Barcelona soon afterwards.

Poo patrol BAD NEWS: Royal Family are set to land in Mallorca this week ‘ridiculous’ adding: “I respect However, a survey published different opinions, but not in January by conservative when the only goal is to divide newspaper La Razón claimed our society.” almost 60% of respondents She continued: “We’ve seen wanted to keep the monarin Catalonia how these things chy. develop: You plant a seed in The Spanish royal family the minds of people and then returned to the throne two end up with a huge conflict.” days after the death of dictaA poll however, at the Univer- tor Francisco Franco in 1975, sity of the Balearics in Febru- and have been holidaying in ary found that 91% of the 1475 Mallorca ever since. They are students that voted wanted keen sailors and bring global an end of the monarchy.

PR to the island with their Last year a survey held by visits Podemos found the more Their home, the Marivent than half of participants in Palace, on the outskirts of Spain wanted a referendum Palma, is regularly host to on whether to keep the mon- various members of the famarchy. ily.

ve

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ALL dog owners in Son Servera will have to register their pet's DNA into a local database in a new crackdown on owners who don’t pick up after the pooch.

The town of 12,000 is the first in the Balearics to introduce the high tech system, which start in June.

Dog owners are obligated to register their pet, through blood or saliva samples, at specified vet clinics.

The dogs will then receive an DNA tag which must be attached to its collar.

Owners will be fined when their dog's poo is found left around town and identified through the program.

6

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than 500,000 people a month.

OPINION Must face justice The dissolution of Continental Wealth Management (CWM) in 2017 was a scandal that saw over hundreds of victims lose millions of euros.

As we reported exclusively at the time the firm cut many corners and seemingly flaunted the law.

But the bigger scandal is how many people behind the company have so far been brought to justice.

An Olive Press report in 2017 discovered how CWM clients had their signatures copied onto high-risk pension schemes they did not agree to.

One pensioner said he lost €210,000 of an initial €470,000, and has not seen a cent of compensation.

Former director Darren Kirby - and his various deputies and partners - should face justice for the many victims their financial gambling has harmed.

It’s not going to be easy, particularly as Kirby has a habit of vanishing at key moments.

In the meantime, expats seeking favourable pension schemes should check and double check the companies they invest their futures in - and still get third-party approval from an expert.

Dark arts THE ‘cesspit of the Spanish state’ has been laid bare by the news Alberto Pozas faces charges for his role in the character assassination of Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias.

The left wing leader was targeted by smears disseminated by the ‘Patriotic Brigade,’ a taskforce set up by former PP leader Mariano Rajoy to undermine his political opponents.

The former editor of Interviu magazine Alberto Pozas was implicated in the desperate and vindictive plot and he has since admitted possession of a pen drive containing personal information on Iglesias.

Podemos supporters will not be the only ones deeply troubled by this rotten conspiracy by Rajoy and his cronies.

The lies and forgeries not only damaged the political ambitions of Pablo Iglesias but also the relatively young democratic institution of the Spanish state.

The disgraced former police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo is now awaiting trial for countless charges of fraud, and so is Spain’s Machiavellian political culture.

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FEATURE

Rise of the Far Right After a dangerous neoNazi was captured in Mallorca, the Olive Press investigates the growing threat from far right terror in Spain and abroad, by Timothy McNulty

T

HE neo-nazi bomb maker scurried out from his Mallorcan villa hideout over to the bins where the police officers lay in wait.

Wanted throughout Europe, the 28-year-old terrorist had tried to maim and kill hundreds with a pipe bomb in the small German town of Burglengenfeld.

Michael Leopold Stiegler hid in the tourist town of Peguera, only venturing out to dump his rubbish which is when the Guardia Civil made their move.

Though Stiegler is now in custody awaiting extradition to Germany, the far-right hatefilled ‘trash’ that inspired him continues to litter the globe and fester.

Stiegler is believed to be a member of the staunchly neo-Nazi Reichsbuerger movement, a desperate collective of unapologetic racists and anti semites.

Small-

The self styled ‘Citizens of the Reich’ refuse to accept that the German Reich was abolished at the end of World War Two. The growing movement had 16,500 supporters in 2018, including a former ‘Mister Ger-

Vox spread fear and division as they mount far right election push ahead of national polls

THE forces of Spain’s reactionary right stand at the threshold of entering the country’s parliament for the first time since democracy returned in 1975.

Vox head into the early general election later this month on the back of a breakthrough performance in the Andalusian polls.

The ultra-nationalist movement has enjoyed a quick rise and now calls France’s hard-right leader Marine Le Pen and former KKK leader David Duke friends Nationally Vox, which means ‘Voice’, are on track to win as many as 37 seats, a worrying time for Spain, Europe’s most tolerant country.

Hardline

Santiago Abascal, Vox’s hardline leader and his budding MPs have called feminists ‘bitches’ and ‘scum’, want to undo gay marriage and mimic Trump's anti immigrant border wall.

Meanwhile, the party’s election campaign has lurched from one controversy to another as it looks to weaponize fears of immigration and frustration at corruption.

Prosecutors in Valencia have mounted an

2016 - 2019 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.

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DEFUSED: Neo-nazi bomb maker accosted by Guardia Civil in Mallorca

?

Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017

AWARDS

April 12th - April 25th 2019

CONTROVERSIAL: Paz and (right) deputy leader of Vox Ortega Smith

many’ winner who has been charged with the attempted murder of a policeman.

Fortunately in Stiegler’s case the bomb in Burglengenfeld did not explode and was spotted by relieved residents.

Explosive experts later found the powerful device had been made with gunpowder and mercury, the latter added to inflict even greater devastation.

The resurgence of extreme rightwing terrorism has now reached Spain’s idyllic coastline and following Stiegler’s arrest, police spoke openly about their ‘growing concern’.

Violent nationalist groups have been on the march throughout Europe thanks to growing discontent in the wake of the financial and migrant crisis.

According to Interpol, the number of individuals arrested in relation to right-wing terrorism offences almost doubled in 2017.

The surge comes as right-wing antiestablishment parties have made electoral gains such as France’s RIDING INTO POWER?: Abascal Front National, Italy’s The League and the Freedom Party in Austria. investigation in connection to a rally in which In Spain, the rise of Vox has seen Vox’s deputy leader whipped up a crowd with far right extremism break into maintalk of a an ‘Islamist invasion.’ stream politics for the first time It comes as Spain’s Jewish community consince the death of General Franco. demned the party’s nomination of a holocaust Vox whipped up fears over crime denier as candidate for the April 28 elections. and immigration along the way to The pseudo historian-cum-candidate, Fernando their electoral breakthrough perforPaz, has previously questioned the official narmance in Andalucia’s last regional rative of the Holocaust and labelled the Nuremelections. berg Trials a ‘farce.’

The radical right-wing party won Vox has recruited three former generals to their 12 of the 109 seats in Andalucia cause, two of whom have openly expressed and became the kingmakers in the support for the military uprising that ignited the People’s Party taking power, ending Spanish civil war. decades of PSOE control.

The inclusion of openly pro-franco candidates When in power, Vox plans to dealso marks a port all illegal immigrants, build clear break a Trump-like wall around Spain’s from politics as normal in a country still bearing the scars of General Franco.

However, with a record number of voters yet to decide how to cast their vote, the vox populi may yet block the far right’s path to power.

RESEARCHER: Ignacio Jurado

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

7 olive press online

April 12th - April 25th 2019

Spain Spain and and Gibraltar’s Gibraltar’s best best English English daily daily news news website website

The top three most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: HATE: Vox leader Abascal has targeted Muslims

Border tangle

NAZI SALUTE: At a German ale event in Mallorca

1

- Benidorm introduces bans on mobility

scooters in new crackdown on ‘uncivil tourism’ (27,703)

2 3

- WATCH: Snow falls on hills of Costa del Sol

A SHOCKING line of new razor wire has been installed to the border fence between Ceuta and Morocco.

The government in Rabat installed the wire as well as a two meter deep ‘anti immigration trap’ after receiving EU funding.

It comes despite Spain’s interior minister Fernando Grane-Markaka promising to remove the lethal wire from the border in February.

Some 1,979 immigrants scaled the fence around Ceuta, last year.

Moroccan Association for Human Rights’ Rachid Aouli said: "It is inhuman and cheating. Spain removes the wire but Morocco now puts its up paid for by Europe.”

as downpours forecast for Monday (20,785)

- WATCH: Entire Costa del Sol on ORANGE

ALERT as six-metre waves batter Malaga (20,365)

Visitors: 289,194

Page views: 401,187

Average time on site: 4:57

Defend

KILLER: Spanish neo-nazi Jose Estebanez stabbed man to death on Madrid metro and (above) named on New Zealand gunman’s magazine north African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and reclaim Gibraltar from Britain.

The rhetoric coming from the far-right has fuelled a rise in hate crimes, with a recent report by the interior ministry revealing a 120% increase in anti-Muslim attacks.

The Movement Against Intolerance, which works directly with victims, registered 602 incidents in 2018 connected to hate crimes.

The organisation estimates that annual hate attacks in Spain number between 4,000 and 6,000, although the majority go unreported to police or judicial authorities.

Experts have linked the rise to the use of racist, anti-Muslim messages by parties like Vox as part of their election platforms for the country's upcoming general election on April 28.

Vox’s leader Santiago Abascal has spoken of a new ‘reconquista,’ referring to the historical battles between Moorish and Christian kingdoms for control of Spain.

Ignacio Jurado , a senior lecturer in politics at the University of York told the Olive Press: “Spain is not different to other countries, in the sense that people feel more legitimised to hold certain attitudes and opinions that in the past they might have been ashamed to express publicly.

“In other words, some attitudes have become more normalised. Having parties with representation that hold certain views contributes to this de-stigmatisation. This is many steps away from actually engaging in violent behaviours but it shows a context where these behaviours can be more likely to emerge.”

The move came as the leader of far right party Vox echoed US president Donald Trump with a call to build a ‘great’ wall to stop immigrants coming to Spain.

Santiago Abascal called for a ‘insurmountable wall’ to be built at the borders of Spain’s two north African enclaves to halt the ‘wave of illegal immigrants.’

Abascal argued Morrocco should pay for the wall and the soldiers at the borders should be given the ‘necessary orders’ to defend them.

Polls suggest Vox could be the first far-right party since the 1970s to win seats in the Spanish parliament in the upcoming general election on April 28.

Soaring high A TOTAL of 20,000 visitors are using the Olive Press website on a DAILY basis.

That’s over 600,000 visitors a month… or well over SEVEN MILLION a year!

On any given day we get a great balance of visitors from around the country as well as Europe, with many from Sweden, Holland and Germany.

Having a new paper in Alicante is helping the figures soar, as is an investment in two new NCTJ-trained journalists.

Providing original content on an almost hourly basis, seven days a week, means that our Alexa ranking - created

by Amazon.com, the world’s biggest online retailer - has continued to soar. http://www.theolivepress.es Analytics As well as being in the top 12,000 in Spain, we are apwww.theolivepress.es proaching 180,000th place in the world.

Audience Overview And, if you were to doubt Amazon’s own statistics (believing theyAllwere Users in some way manipulated) then you could 100.00% Users use Google’s very own analytical programme to verify our claims.

Overview Here are two recent days, with reports freely available to any potential advertisers.

They show exactly how many visitors we get each day plus Users the amount of time they spend on the site.

FYI,2,000it is currently running at about five minutes. That is three minutes longer than most of our jealous Go torivals! report 

The violent behaviours Jurado has spoken the murderer and fundraising for his family. of have already been manifested - most hor- The then 25-year-old was travelling to an anrifically in the recent massacre of Muslims in ti-immigration rally when he spotted a group New Zealand. of counter demonstrators The country’s deadwaiting to board. liest ever terror- Shooter Brenton He pulled a knife and stabbed ist attack saw Carlos Palomino in the heart Tarrant paid a gunman open shortly after the 16-year-old fire on men, boarded the train. homage to women and Tarrant is knownhttp://www.theolivepress.es to have travAnalytics children from eled widely in Spain last year, www.theolivepress.es a convicted 1,000 close range passing through Granada, Audience Overview at two Spanish neo-Nazi Cordoba and Ronda. http://www.theolivepress.es Apr 2019 - 5 Apr 2019 mosques in Police are now investigating Analytics 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 510:00 All Users …

01:00 02:00 03:00www.theolivepress.es 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17 100.00% Users the city of what possible links the AusAudience Overview Christchurch, killing 50. tralian supremacist had with far right netRetu Overview http://www.theolivepress.es Shooter Brenton Tarrant paid works here in Spain.

Users New Users Sessions All Users Analytics 100.00% Users www.theolivepress.es homage to a convict17,034 7,741 21,194 ed Spanish neo-Nazi Audience Overview Users Overview during his rampage, 2,000 THE EUROPEAN DENTAL PRACTICE Users per User Number ofAll Sessions Page Views Pages/Session which was streamed 100.00% Users live on social media 1.24 28,665 1.35 Users 1,000 using a Go-Pro. Overview For appointments: +(34) 971 681 439 3,000 Tarrant wrote the Avg. Session Duration Bounce Rate name of Jose EsteDra. Mónica Bonet Hempel. …Uni. Barcelona 01:00 de 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 2,000 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:04:42 12.94% banez on the maga Users Dr. Yasmina Adebibe. Uni. of London. zine of his rifle in 3,000 Returning Visitor New Visitor 1,000 http://www.theolivepress.es Users New Users Sessions white marker, alongSusan Taylor-Vickers. B.Sc. E.D.H.A Go to report  Analytics www.theolivepress.es 2,000 side a host of other …

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8 www.theolivepress.es 8 April 12th - April 25th 2019 what’s on

S

amba sense

MALLORCA'S only samba festival comes to Muro from April 26 to 28, with Batucada bands and musicians coming from all across the globe with performances, workshops and flavourful market stalls.

z

est for life

SOLLER, Port de Soller and Fornalutx all host the Fira de la Taronja from April 12 - 14, a series of street events that celebrate oranges and lemons.

S

UP race

STAND-UP Paddle once again takes over Port Adriano with a SUP race on April 20 – the event will be the headquarters for the national championship.

O

n ya bike

CYCLISTS will take over the road linking Playa de Muro and Alcudia for the RoadBike Festival in Muro April 1213, featuring the latest gear, live music and test rides.

April 12th - April 25th 2019

Send your informa newsdesk@theolive tion to press.es

Palm-a sunday

How to take full advantage of Mallorca’s capital during Semana Santa

EASTER is just around the corner and you can expect plenty of parties for what is one of Mallorca and Spain’s biggest holidays.

Parades of carapunats, or hooded penitents, will fill the streets from April 14 to 21.

The biggest processions are usually on Holy Thursday, although these are

WORSHIP: Holy Thursday sees the largest parades

very slow and carry a sombre tone.

And it’s no surprise, as

many of the processions represent one or more of the stations of the cross,

Easter in style Many top hotels and estates around the island host special Easter brunches.

The Son Julia country house hotel in Llucmajor (right) is a popular spot down south for a decadent morning out.

Nikki Beach in Calvia celebrate with a famous Easter brunch accompanied with creative cocktails and the finest champagne.

An Easter roast is always an option, and Casa Font i Roig in María de la Salut is a charming 16th century mansion with a fivecourse modern Easter dinner on offer.

Whether eating in or dining out, picking up some of Mallorca's most famous Easter pastries is a must.

Ensaimadas, rubiols, panades and other flaky pastries are made by the masses for Easter week – some of the best pastries can ONLY be found in bakeries just before Easter.

The most famous Mallorcan cookies for Easter are the crespells, a buttery biscuit in fun shapes dusted with sugar.

the journey Jesus took to his crucifixion.

The biggest celebrations are in Palma, where there are a total of eight different Easter processions with some 4,300 participants.

Palma's popular Thursday procession, Crist de La Sang, begins at 7pm at the Anunciació church, and on Friday a reenactment of Christ's passion is at the Cathedral at noon. Another procession will start at Sant Francesc church at 7pm.

On Sunday Palma cathedral hosts a traditional Catholic mass, one usually attended by the royal family who holiday in Palma for Easter.

Artá, Sant Llorenç, Felantix and Pollensa are all towns that host popular Easter celebrations and processions throughout the week.

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AWARD winning photographer Frank af Petersens is the latest artist to have his works featured at Palma's Rialto Living.

Sweden-born Frank af Petersens grew up 'living the nomadic life' in Afghanistan, Yemen, Libya and Somalia.

He regularly returns to Africa to photograph the people, wild animals and jaw-dropping landscapes.

For the past decade the documentary photographer has been volunteering to capture the brutal poaching wars in Africa while working with some of the world's top foundations to save elephants and rhinos.

Step into the living store in the heart of Palma until May 25 to see his incredible work.

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Property

Sp a pr in’ m op s b ag e e az rty st in e

www.theolivepress.com

Issue 28

April 2019

DREAMY: Period home restored by British couple in Spain, see page IV

WOAH: Emerging from the rock, this stunning home in Valencia is trademark Fran Silvestre, a Spanish architect who is continuing to make his mark in the architectural world.

See Fran-tastic page VI

Rock steady

T

HE average property price in Spain has grown for two consecutive years for the first time in a decade.

The national average house price rose from between 3.9% to 8.4%, according to various sources.

Along the Mediterranean coasts and on the islands, where most foreigners buy, the average price hike has been 4.06%, according to Tinsa, Spain’s leading property appraisal company.

But the figures have mostly not yet made up for the big drops during the long six year recession, with the exception of the

Prices rise for two consecutive years, while mortgage values continue to grow

Balearic Islands.

“Prices have been rising most years since the recovery began, but nothing like they did in the boom years, and nowhere near enough to claw back the ground lost in the bust,” explained respected analyst Mark Stucklin, of Spanish Property Insight.

However, he added ‘at the very least, the data suggests that the Spanish property continued to grow last year.’

Mortgage lending to home buyers meanwhile was up 6.1% in January to 19,390 new loans, according to the Association of Spanish Notaries.

The average new loan made in January had a value of €135,616, an increase of 0.9% in a year. As long as mortgage lending for residential acquisitions continues to increase, as it has done for the last few years, the Spanish property market is set to grow.

PROPERTY

II

April 2019

End of a golden era?

EU condemns Golden Visa investmentfor-residency scheme popularised by Spain, writes Mark Stucklin

P

RESSURE is building in the EU to end so-called ‘Golden Visa’ schemes that offer residency and even citizenship in return for money.

Back in January the European Commission expressed its opposition to

Golden Visa and Golden Passport schemes in Europe like the one in Spain that offers qualified residency and a path to long-term citizenship in return for an equity investment of €500,000 or more in property.

Now the EU’s parliament in Strasbourg has added its voice to the condemnation of residencyby-investment programmes in Europe, with a vote supporting a hard-hitting report from the parliament’s committee on financial crime and tax evasion calling for all Golden Visa schemes to be

GAME OVER?: EU report calls for Golden Visa schemes to be ‘phased out’

‘phased out’ as soon as possible. are a gateway for money laundering The parliament passed a resolution and organised crime,” said Markus stating that residency and citizenship Ferber, head of the conservative group by investment schemes ‘do not offset in the parliament’s economic committhe serious security, money laundering tee. and tax evasion risks they present’. In response, the Investment Migration Council, representing The resolution is nonthe residency-by-investbinding on member industry, claimed states.

Unlike Portugal, ment that killing the schemes EU lawmakers see the would cause economic business of selling visas the Spanish damage and threaten and passports as an inGolden Visa vitation to tax-evasion vital investments in ‘peand money-laundering scheme has not ripheral economies’.

The Spanish Golden by wealthy individuals from countries where attracted scandal Visa was introduced by the right-wing Popular corruption is rife. The Party in 2013 during report also accused Luxembourg, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta, the depths of Spain’s recession when Hungary, Belgium and the Nether- times were hard, money short and lands of acting as tax havens. property abundant. Too bureaucratic “A good first step to combat intra-EU and unattractive, at first it was a flop money laundering would be to get rid but after tweaking to make it more of the so-called ‘golden visas’ which attractive to residency investors it be-

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES Finca, Sineu - 1,100,000

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Andratx, Cala Llamp - 735,000

Ref: INM2007 Bedroom: 2

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This very quiet and private finca sits on a 3.500m2 plot in Sineu.

It has a heavenly garden and a beautiful saltwater swimming pool in front of the main house and the guesthouse.

First class renovated, the main house has two bedrooms each with en suite bathroom and access to a terrace with panoramic views upstairs.

On the ground floor there is a living area with fireplace, a fantastic kitchen and a dining room as well as a guest toilet.

The terraces of the house invite you to relax. In the outdoor area is also a BBQ and a wood stove.

The guest house has a living area, a bedroom and a bathroom, handy to receive visitors.

Light-flooded sea view apartment in Puerto Andratx – Cala Llamp The furnished apartment is decorated in noble white and offers a living / dining area with integrated Nolte kitchen, two bedrooms with sliding doors, two bathrooms and a 45 m2 terrace with south exposure.

The well-maintained complex with only 26 units has a communal pool with terrace. The apartment also includes one covered parking space.

Port d’Andratx is located in a picturesque setting in the southwest about 5 km from Andratx city. Palma can be reached in about 30 minutes by car. The apartment is located in a pure residential street with no through traffic.

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came the most popular scheme in the EU, with 24,755 Golden Visa issued since 2013, according to a Transparency International report published in 2018.

Unlike Portugal, the Spanish Golden Visa scheme hasn’t been hit by any scandals, at least not yet.

Now the Socialists are at least temporarily in power in Spain, supported by the hard left Podemos party, and with a General Election coming this month opposition to the Spanish Golden Visa scheme might soon come from closer to home. Obviously the hard left hate the scheme because it attracts foreigners with money to Spain. If the left win power in the General Election, will they keep the Spanish Golden Visa scheme alive or close it down? It’s clear that the powers that be in the EU would urge them to do so.

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Immunity and impunity Antonio Flores explains how the Crown Dependencies are likely to be immune from Brexit, while an unprecedented civil fraud trial begins in Spain

F

OR financial and insurance compa- tial fees for managers and brokers. nies based in the Crown Dependen- Many of these victims have lost substancies (Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jer- tially, and some have nothing to show for sey), the advent of the long-awaited it.

Brexit will have no impact whatsoever, as In these Crown Dependencies, the word these territories are not part of the Eu- ‘consumer’ has no space. ropean Union (EU) and are not included Fortunately, Spain thinks differently and within the scope of the UK’s membership in the first of its kind, a case for civil of the EU. fraud against Old Mutual International Because but for those very companies, Isle of Man is going to trial in Marbella, whether ‘Brexiteers’ or ‘Remainers’, op- on the 20/5/2019. erating within the EU was Not even the best lawyers never a problem despite money could buy has saved not being licensed, authothis company from being They were rized or regulated. closer to having its bestillegally selling preserved secret aired pubBut how so?

If we take the example of licly: that they were illegally insurance in Spain, the likes of Old Muselling insurance in Spain, Spain for years for years, with absolute imtual International, RL 360 or Generali have operated punity. with impunity with infinite impunity for If the Court of First Instance years, selling all manner rules that Old Mutual did of unregulated single-preindeed operate in Spain mium life insurance policies or, rather unregulated, hundreds - thousands perfancifully described, investment-linked haps - could follow suit and trigger yet assurance schemes (‘ILAS’) through another scandal in the already dubious equally unregulated brokers.

Isle of Man, where insurance represents It is believed that British expats in Spain 14% of the economy (and financial serhave tens of millions deposited in a vast vices more than 32%). array of financial and investment prod- To be updated on this case you can call ucts that these insurance platforms ped- or email us and of course, feel free to dled for years, in exchange for substan- attend the public trial should you wish.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

III

April 2019

Tourist magnets POLLENSA has more tourist rentals than anywhere else in Mallorca, new figures have revealed.

More than 21% of homes in Pollensa are tourist rentals, while its neighbour Alcudia has the second highest percentage of tourist rentals at nearly 19%.

The two highly seasonal tourist-towns in the north have led the way in renting homes to tourists, starting more than 30 years ago before spreading to other areas.

Top marks for Germans GERMAN buyers had a record-breaking 2018 in Spain, new figures have revealed.

The Germans bought 4,902 homes last year, up 3% on the previous year, and more than 100% up on 2013.

However the Germans have now overtaken the French as the second biggest group of foreign buyers after the British, representing 9.7% of the foreign market in 2018, compared to 8.8% for France and 15.5% for the UK. There was however a decline in demand from Germany in the last two quarters of 2018.

Moor luxury for Mallorca hotel

LANDMARKS: The rooftop bar offers extensive views of the old town

THE history of Palma has inspired the opening of a new luxury spa hotel to be located near some of the city’s ancient landmarks.

El Llorenc Parc de la Mar in La Calatrava offers sweeping views of Palma Bay, the Cathedral and charming rooftops of the old town.

La Calatrava has Jewish, Muslim and Christian architectural influences and contains the Arab baths, the Church of Santa Fe and the Church of Monti-Sion.

The hotel interiors are the work of

Swedish designer, Magnus Ehrland and will tap into the island’s rich Moorish history.

Guests can enjoy expansive views of the bay from the rooftop bar, Balinese beds and the largest infinity pool in Palma.

Hotel manager Joan Comas said: “El Llorenç Parc de la Mar is a unique hotel that embodies the best of what Mallorca has to offer, whilst also offering something that hasn’t been seen on the island before.”

Star power Lionel Messi to open new hotel on the island to help boost luxury tourism model LIONEL Messi’s newest adultonly hotel is set to open in Mallorca on May 2.

The Argentine Barcelona foot-

ball star is opening his Fona Mallorca, in S’Illot, in time for the summer season, before planning to completely reform the building during the quieter winter months.

Messi bought the hotel in February with his brother and business partner through their

REFERB: The interior of the adult only hotel

Rural SOS

OPENER: Messi’s new hotel will open in time for summer

property company Explotaciones Rosotel, which belongs to his holding company Limecu

Live to your lounge A HOTEL suite with a private view of the Mallorca Live festival could be YOURS for a whole weekend.

Melia Hotels is offering the suite, which features all the comforts and services of one of its typical five-star hotels, to one lucky couple on May 10 and 11.

The winners are allowed to invite a group of friends to the private balcony to watch the concerts, which will include Two Door Cinema Club and Jamiroquai.

The ‘hotel’ room is built inside a recycled container, and as with all Melia hotels, everything is made with sustainable materials and care for the environment in mind.

To win, upload a photo or video to instagram, singing a song on your bed and tagging Melia Hotels and the Mallorca Live festival alongside the hashtag #StayCurious.

SPACIOUS: Suite offers a private view of the Mallorca Live festival stage

España.

The purchase was welcomed by the authorities as the product itself and Messi’s star power both have the potential to attract high quality tourists to the island.

The hotel sits on the Costa del Cold beach and boast 98 rooms spread over four floors.

But this will soon change with a planned bid to expand the site at the end of 2019 in a bid to win five star status.

The private dwelling boasts swimming pools and large terrace areas with stunning sea views.

The east coast hotel, formerly the Sea Sun Fona, is Messi’s third hotel, with the legendary player already owning others in Ibiza and Sitges.

HUNDREDS of thousand of protesters have descended on Madrid demanding an urgent investment into Spain’s dying towns and villages.

The protesters insisted that something must be done to help the country’s isolated rural communities that are vanishing at an alarming rate.

Dubbed the ‘revolt of an empty Spain’ they are demanding better infrastructure, investment and services. It comes after it emerged that almost half of Spain’s municipalities have a population density less than 12.5 inhabitant per square kilometer, a ratio considered ‘very low’ by the EU.

Hemorrhaging Guadalajara province counts on the lowest density in Europe, and less than much of Russia.

Between 2011 and 2017, approximately 62% of the country’s settlements lost inhabitants, and even many sizeable towns up to 50,000 people in size have seen a dramatic decline.

“The hemorrhaging needs to be stopped,” said Spanish TV presenter Campo Vidal. “Today in Spain, 26 provincial capitals are losing inhabitants. If these key towns are declining, imagine what is happening to towns and villages!

“We need to make urgent changes.”

IV

April 2019

PROPERTY

Period drama

WELCOMING: The revamped 18th century guest house in Extremedura pays homage to its period features

Local heritage rescued from ruin by British couple

A

N architectural gem in Extremadura’s wine-growing region has been given a new lease of life as a family-run guest house.

The 18th century private home, considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the town of Villalba de Los Barros, has been lovingly restored to its former glory by Madrid architects Lucas y Hernandez-Gil. Mortar walls, clay floors and original vaulted ceilings have been retained in a sensitive conversion for a British couple who wanted a guest house and a family home for their two children.

Commanding pride of place in the main square of Tierra de Barros, La Hermandad de Villalba started welcoming guests this year.

“The project underlines every single one of the home’s original strengths that were lost over time,” according to the architects, who installed a series of rustic living spaces, making sure to honour the original designs and outdoor space.

“Simultaneously it adapts to and adds new uses, which can be seen from a contemporary perspective.”

The property’s structural shell was retained by coating the existing walls with raw lime mortar before whitewashing. Local potters created clay tiles to replace the almost non-existent flooring while the original carved wooden doors were painted green in a nod to the region’s vineyards.

The second floor, previously a larder and store for cured meats, has been entirely rearranged to accommodate four bedrooms.

MORTGAGE THINK TANK

by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

Keep calm

Latest figures show expansion is slowing but there’s no reason to panic, writes Tancrede de Pola

T OUR SERVICES We offer a wide range of services at very competitive prices – managing every detail of the preparation of the property to ensure your stay is hassle free.

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HE number of homes sold in Spain in January barely increased compared to the same month last year, new figures have shown.

According to the Spanish Land Registrar, some 42,850 homes were sold in the first political problems in Catalunya no longer month of this year, just above the 42,745 alarm investors. sold in January 2018.

This could be a sign of things to come for Small markets saw strong growth in the likes the Costas when the Brexit fiasco is finally of Extremadura, Huelva and Teruel, but tourdealt with. ist hotspots, including the Canary Islands, Uncertainty surrounding the UK’s divorce is the Balearics, Costa del Sol no doubt having an impact on and Costa Blanca all saw a British buyers, the biggest forUncertainty year-on-year drop in sales. eign market for Spanish propBut what does this mean? erty by far. surrounding While on a national level there Once some certainty is has been an increase in sales, Brexit is no doubt brought back - and hopefully the figures to some suggest a soft a Brexit as possible that the expansion enjoyed having an impact the pound will likely bounce over the last few years could on British buyers back strong and buyers will be slowing down. feel more comfortable taking It is the first time growth has the plunge. been in the low single digits for It’s also important to rememthree consecutive months since the market ber the property figures tend to be quite volturned the corner around the end of 2014. atile, so we will get more of an idea of how In fact growth has been consistently lower much the steam is running out, if at all, in since May last year. the next few months.

However, sales were up in the Catalan provSo while it has been a slower start to the inces including Barcelona, the Costa Brava, year, don’t panic, things are still looking and Costa Dorada, perhaps because the healthy!

To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: 951 203 540 or email: tdp@thefinanacebureau.com The Finance Bureau Centro Commercial Guadalmina, 2nOffice No. 7 Guadalmina, 29670

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The Olive Press: Costa del Sol / Gib / Mallorca editions – 342mm x 256mm

10 April

PROPERTY

VI

April 2019

Fran-tastic Valencia architect blazes a white-hot trail across the world with his signature designs

R

ENOWNED Va l e n c i a n ‘starchitect’ Fran Silvestre has unveiled his latest jawdropping home in Portugal (right).

The curiouslycontoured property on the fringes of Lisbon, sits atop a golf course with distant views of the capital city.

Consisting of two elongated box shapes joined at the base - one wing for communal living areas, the other for private spaces - the head-turning home completed last month was commissioned by an unnamed but ‘very wealthy family’.

They had requested an open plan abode which was also very private and nestled into the landscape.

Silvestre, head of multi award-winning Valencia firm Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, has become a household name in recent years for his iconic houses which are predominantly white with edgy, clean cut lines.

On his seeming obsession with white, Silvestre explains: “We use white for three reasons.

“There is a strong contrast between blue and white. It is a symbol of culture. The second reason is scientific. When you have a white interior it makes it look more spacious.

“There is also the thermic question.

You cannot have a big black box under the Spanish sun. And lastly, it is the subjective reasons about the perception of beauty.”

Join us on a tour of his most impressive works around Spain.

COMPLETE: Fran Silvestre’s latest home in Portugal is now ready for a ‘very wealthy family’ who asked for a property with ‘privacy’ which was immersed into the landscape

www.themallorcadeal.com

VII

April 2019

CONTRAST: A home in Valencia (left) is true Silvestre style with sleek white lines aplenty, while (above) another Valencia project has the effect of protruding from the rocky landscape, a common theme in the maestro’s work

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Magnificent apartment offering 107m2 and 13m2 private terrace situated in the heart of La Rambla. The apartment has two lifts to the 11th floor of this historical building. Public parking area opposite the property.

This apartment has been refurbished to a very high finish, luminous living, open plan kitchen which includes ultra modern and energy saving equipment.

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PROPERTY

VIII

April 2019

PIXELATED: The architects behind this modern Menorca home say its blocks are inspired by pixels

THINK OUTSIDE THE BLOCKS A

COLLECTION of bright white cubes forms the just completed Villa Catwalk in Menorca.

Designed by Barcelona-based Nomo Studio, the house in Coves Noves consists of two piles of bright white cubes placed on either side of a 28-metre-long central block, called the catwalk.

The runway, part internal and part external, offers views of both the sea and mountains.

“The platform was conceived as an outdoor space, which would house the most important common areas and could when necessary be protected from the wind through invisible sliding windows,” a spokesperson said.

The cube units are described by the architects as ‘pixels’ and are arranged on a three by three by three grid and comprise five bedrooms and bathrooms, the kitchen and garage.

“Breaking down the program into smaller units made the house look less massive and integrated into the landscape,” added the spokesperson.

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18

April 12th - April 25th 2019

Brits deliver BRITS have been visiting Spain in higher numbers and spending more, after 2018 saw a disappointing summer for the country’s tourism sector.

Both visitor numbers and spending were up in the second month of this year for six months in a row.

Government figures revealed a total of 4.4 million holidaymakers visited Spain in month of February, representing an 3.8% increase on last year.

The UK was once again the main tourist market for Andalucia. The average daily spend of Brits was also 7.2% higher than a year ago at €124.

Seeing is believing

BUSINESS

Streaming giant Netflix opens new hub in Madrid with promise of ‘investing for the long term’

NETFLIX has unveiled plans for a huge recruitment drive in Spain at the official launch of the company’s first European production hub in Madrid.

The streaming giant hopes to nearly double employment on productions from 13,000 in 2018 to as many as 25,000 this year.

Spain, together with the UK, is the location of Netflix’s heaviest volume of production.

CEO Reed Hastings called

Cash stream

“We’re investing for the long term.”

Alongside the hub, Netflix also announced two new projects to be produced in Spain.

The first project is a six episode series from director Mateo Gil entitled The Favourites of Midas, based on the Jack London shortstory.

Thriller

RECRUITING: Netflix is investing heavily in Spain the new hub evidence ‘that we’re going to be a part of the Spanish creative ecosys-

tem forever.’

“We’re not just experimenting and trying something.

Hosting the sail

THE Lions Club in La Cala de Mijas has teamed up with Specsavers to collect glasses for those in need. All Specsavers stores in Spain are carrying the appeal, including Fuengirola, Benidorm and Mallorca.

Volunteers from the charity, known for fighting blindness, are collecting the glasses.

“We take it for granted that we can correct our vision with a pair of glasses, but many people don’t have that luxury,” said Amrik Sappal, of Specsavers Optica Fuengirola.

WORK has began on the set up for Mallorca’s leading nautical trade show with a new emphasis on environmental protection.

The Palma International Boat Show, organised by the Balearic Institute for Business Innovation has become one of the industry’s leading international fairs.

The complex infrastructure, includes a floating gangway which measures 72 metres in length and five metres wide, has required 150 people to work round the clock.

The fair has embraced nautical sustainability to celebrate its 36th edition with several exhibitors showcasing new technologies in electric and hybrid engines.

DOCKING SOON: Palma boat show

Other environmental initiatives on display include reusable water bottles and solutions to purify seawater.

The show will take place from April 27 to May 1 at Palma’s Moll Vell.

The second, El Inocente, is based on a novel by American thriller writer Harlan Coben and will be directed

by Oriol Paulo “We’ve been investing tremendously around the world — in France, Italy, Denmark, Germany and, in particular, in Spain — because the stories are very well done, there’s a great professional spirit and work ethic, and tale,” said Netflix’s Business Development VP Maria Ferreras Netflix’s new production hub, located about 20 minutes outside Madrid in Tres Cantos, has three sound stages in operation and another two under construction.

Hastings said: “We’re producing shows all over Spain, with only two shooting currently at the hub.

“So, this is a small sample of the impact around Spain.”

Baggage claims THE European court is set to decide whether airlines should pay out thousands to travellers in lost luggage compensation.

Under proposals, flight operators could have to automatically pay €1,400 when they lose a passenger’s luggage, while currently payouts vary depending on individual court rulings.

It comes after a preliminary case in Barcelona was brought against Spanish airline Vueling over its baggage handling procedures.

Airports lose more than 20 million bags a year while the average amount claimed by air passengers for missing luggage last year was €808.

A decision is due in the coming months.

Better grades SPAIN’s economy has seen stronger than expected growth in early 2019 thanks to higher domestic demand, according to the country’s central bank.

Growth in Spain’s economy in the first quarter comes as Germany’s, the eurozone’s largest economy, came close to recession.

Spain’s GDP, meanwhile, grew 0.6% in the January to March period after a similar rate of 0.7% at the end of 2018.

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

See salt

A SALT fair is coming to Colonia de Sant Jordi on April 20 with food exhibits, art shows, a craft fair and plenty of live music.

The fair celebrates Ses Salines, the main salt mine in Mallorca, which has been in use since the Roman times.

Guided tours will be available, along with an entire market for salt as well as workshops.

Local restaurants will also be offering special menus honouring simple salts.

FEAST: Cheap food for Calvia

19

April 12th - April 25th 2019

THE neighbourhoods of Calvia have come together to offer bargain deals on set menus every Friday throughout April.

As part of the Calvia Cooking Shows, or Mostra Cuines Calvia, dozens of restaurants will offer set menus from €12 to €16.

Today’s (April 12) participating barrios include Cas Catala, Portals Nous, Costa d’en Blanes, Illetes, Bendinat

What’s on for foodies!

MEAL DEAL and Son Caliu.

On April 19, the Palma Nova’s Cappuccino cafe joins 18 others from Magaluf, Sonnerer and Sol de Mallorca.

Many of the area’s most popular dinner spots are taking part, including My Thai, Brisas, Tabú, El Mundo and Bondi Beach.

Tastemakers Roca brothers create new miracle menu to help people with no sense of taste

IDYLLIC: The salt mine

A-peel to the senses CITRUS fruits are the star of the show at Orange Fair taking place in Mallorca's 'Valley of the Oranges' until April 14.

The ‘valley’ consists of the village and port of Soller and the picturesque village of Fornalutx, where the fair will be all things oranges and lemons.

Nine popular restaurants are offering special set menus with tangy citrus fruits taking centre stage.

THE world-famous Roca brothers have begun developing menus for people that have lost their sense of taste.

Jordi, 40, Joan, 55, and Josep Roca, 53, are the chefs behind the three Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, which has twice been crowned ‘best restaurant in the world’.

But now the trio have turned their attention to the development of personalised menus with the help of psychologists, nutritionists and neurologists.

The Rocas have centred their project around chocolate, in order to bring back memories for those who suffer with

what is commonly referred to as ‘dysgeusia’ - a distortion of taste.

Cocoa was chosen because ‘it is a global and evocative element that can be associated with personal experiences’.

That is according to Dr Jesus Porta-Etessam, head of Neurology at Madrid’s San Carlos Clinical Hospital, who has been working with the Roca brothers.

Jordi, the youngest of the trio, began experimenting with memory and taste after his friend and fellow chef, Oriol Blanes, said that he could no longer taste his food.

Dr Porta added that the main hypothesis of this pioneering

C

uttlefun

ALCUDIA'S annual cuttlefish fair returns April 12 to 14, with market stalls and restaurants offering tasty ways to eat sepia. A parade of giants is at 4pm on Saturday with family fun all day.

T

apa tren

EVERY Friday from now until May, Sa Pobla is putting on a special Tapa Tren (Tapa Train), with half a dozen of the town's best bars and live music.

F SENSITIVE: Roca trio are at the vanguard of taste work is to see whether ‘it is possible to recover the sensation of taste in people through the stimulation of senses and associated memories’.

Around one in five people suffer a lack of taste, which can

often be the result of physical disorders like cancer or mental illnesses such as depression. The Rocas’ work is being made into a mini documentary by BBVA called El Sentido Del Cacao.

BOTH Santa Eugenia and Santa Margalida host an Agricultural Fair full of animals, market stalls and entertainment. Visit Santa Margalida on April 14 and Santa Eugenia between April 12 and 14.

Friends.

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At OD Port Portals we have our own star rating. In fact, we have all the stars of the Mallorca sky and we will enjoy them all together every summer night at OD Sky Bar, on our spacious terrace and at our restaurant On Top. A hotel full of local experiences, music, art, gastronomy, yoga, pre-parties, flea markets, brunches, concerts, Pilates, tardeo, sea, sun and all the stars. A hotel full of life.

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20

April 12th - April 25th 2019

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

Biowars Spain’s fruit and veg is facing its biggest threat since Brexit and this new nemesis also involves pests and parasites – but local science has found one solution, writes Charlie Smith

B

REXIT spells much uncertainty for Spanish fruit and veg on its way to the UK. Import tariffs, working restrictions, border queues - the list goes on.

But this year alsobegan with Spain’s fresh produce facing down a series of threats much closer to home.

Pests and parasites. Not the Westminster or Moncloa kind but the insect, fungal and animal varieties.

In March came news from the north of Spain that olive harvests had decreased by as much as 50% in some areas.

The olive fly was behind the devastation in Aragon, one of Spain’s worst-hit regions.

Meanwhile the Balearics announced it was flying 46 people out to California to study the Xylella bacteria, another pest which attacks olives.

The pathogen has decimated crops in Mallorca, since it was found on the island for the first time in November 2016.

But it isn’t just olives, Mallorca and Ibiza’s almonds are also under threat.

In Palma, a study of Xylella was conducted on 17 almond and 29 olive varieties to test which are the most resistant.

Balearic nuts also face an assault by the Asian wasp ‘Vespa velutina nigrithorax’, which has brought significant economic damage to the region.

Another big concern is bees after it emerged that the Costa Blanca had seen its bee hives on the decline by 13.5% over the past decade.

Now it’s emerged that a small mite called the ‘Varroa destructor’ clings to bees and slowly kills them.

In February more bad news broke that Malaga was beginning to import prickly pears - or chumbos - which usually doesn’t happen until the end of summer when stocks run low. The reason: cochineal beetles. A plague sweeping through Spain saw some plantations totally wiped out.

Now avocado harvests are firing up and set to keep growers busy until mid-May - that’s if the avocado’s arch nemesis - the ‘Rosellinia necatrix’ fungus - doesn’t wreak its usual havoc.

But there is hope on the horizon.

Recently Andalucian researchers discovered that a unique fungus is able to surround an avocado tree, fighting off Rosellinia necatrix while leaving the plant unharmed.

‘EnHV1’ is the name of this heroic pathogen.

But while there may be an answer to ensure the continuation of the avocado boom, not all Spanish crops are created equal.

Here we look to Spain for the fruit and veg most under threat from pests.

EARLY: Chumbos imported to Malaga, while (right) the cochineal beetle

Prickly pears The cochineal beetle is farmed and bred to produce the ‘carmine’ dye that colours red food and many other products. But in Spain it is the enemy of the prickly pear, locally known as the ‘chumbo’ and the fruit this bothersome beetle likes to call home.

In February a beetle plague devastated crops in five Andalucian provinces: Cadiz, Huelva, Malaga, Granada and Almeria.

Only Cordoba and Almeria are still growing prickly pears with each province having just 14 hectares of dedicated land.

The fruit you can often pick up from a roadside seller for next-to-nothing had to be imported early on in the season from as far away as Sicily, with prices oscillating between €2.40 and €3.50 a kilo.

Chestnuts

At this time of year pests pose little threat to chestnuts but come October, all hell looks set to break loose in Andalucia again.

Last Christmas, the chestnut gall wasp from China was responsible for plunges in the crop’s production of up to 30%.

The tiny Asian creature was behind a trail of destruction in Ronda’s Genal Valley where chestnuts bring in €10 million annually.

The female of this wicked wasp (below) lays eggs in the buds of the tree, disrupting the fruiting process and reducing the yield of a tree by up to 70%.

Almonds Ibiza saw a devastating 65% drop in its almond harvest last year, while neighbouring Mallorca experienced a 40% drop.

As well as bad weather, the Xylella bacteria was largely responsible for this nut slump.

The Balearic Islands are famous for almonds, producing most of Spain’s 60,000 tonne total last year.

Bees pollinate about 80% of the Balearics’ cultivated and wild plants, including almonds but they also have a nemesis: the Asian wasp ‘Vespa velutina nigrithorax’, which wreaks significant economic and ecologi-

cal damage on the insect’s populations.

The threat from this pest to the region is so real that an app - Vespapp - was even designed at the University of the Balearic Islands in order to detect Asian wasps.

21

April 12th - April 25th 2019

Avocados

Olives Aragon in northeastern Spain has just rounded off the olive season from hell - largely thanks to its foe, la mosca del olivo - the olive fly.

Some areas in the region have seen downturns of 50% compared to last year thanks to the pesky insect.

But Mallorca too faces an olive threat, namely the ‘Xylella fastidiosa’ bacteria, which can be carried by 309 different insects.

This pathogen can cause so-called ‘olive quick decline syndrome’, which can cause the fruit to whither and drop from the tree prematurely, or cause fungal infections.

Female flies can also lay larvae in olives which can lead to a 30% decrease in yield.

The ‘green gold’ is Alicante’s most important crop, yielding a bumper harvest of over 600,000 kilos in 2017 - 50% up on the previous year.

It is also very important to Malaga’s Axarquia region.

Spaniards devoured 19 million more avocados than they ate in 2017, a 35% increase, according to the World Avocado Organisation.

But avocado amor could be nipped in the bud if ‘Rosellinia necatrix’ has its evil way. This fearsome fungus rots the plant’s roots, an affliction that could prove fatal to the Spanish avocado sector.

The Hass avocado - the common bumpy kind, which accounts for 70% of national production - is particularly susceptible to this predatory pathogen.

So despite scientists locating a ‘counter fungus’ in the EnHV1, to rely so much on one variety of avocado could spell trouble for Spain in the future.

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PARASITES: ‘Varroa destructor’ and (right) zoomed in

Honey

For honey-lovers bees are man’s best friend but the ‘Varroa destructor’ is definitely not the best friend of bees.

This parasitic mite feeds on the bee’s fat reserves by latching on to its abdomen and slowly killing the insect. And the Costa Blanca is one of the areas where honey production is most at risk from this pest.

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It emerged in February that 13.5% of Valencia’s hives had disappeared since 2008, while bee organisation Asaja Alicante said it was at a ‘clear disadvantage’ to other communities.

Meanwhile Jose Luis Herguedas, secretary of the Apicultural Fair Foundation, said: “At the moment, it is the disease that is causing the greatest number of bee deaths in apiaries.”

22

April 12th - April 25th 2019

COLUMNISTS

Bracing for summer The busy season is a love-hate relationship for columnist Lesley Keith

AS we creep into April and finally get to possibly the latest Easter on record, thoughts turn to long evenings and heat.

There are many things I don't like about

By Lesley Keith summer means as well as many that I do.

On the negative side many of the best Yes, I totally understand his need to enbeaches become festooned with grass courage business to his establishment topped umbrellas, play-parks, bouncy but why put the stands in between you castles and canoe or jet-ski hire plac- and the view? Surely putting them to es. All these things are great, fully ap- one side would work just as well. He ofpreciated and used by hundreds of visi- fered to move my table off to the side, tors but when they put them on a small sort of missing my point so I left and beach it seems to remove the ability for went to another cafe that was bike rack free! it to be an actual beach.

The other change of You can't even see the course is the visitors. sea from some waterThis year the numbers front cafes because Just a few more of bookings are seof all the apparatus down apparently. plonked on the sand. weeks and quilt verely I'm sure there's many Surely these things reasons for this, Brexit should be on a large wrestling will maybe or the fact that deep beach where the be a mere bad the UK had such a great impact of various equipsummer last year and ment doesn't detract dream... everyone's waiting to from it being an area see if they can get away of enjoyment in its own with staying at home. right.

I once had a 'lively discussion' with a I will say that the two times I've left the cafe owner because he'd put cycle island and flown back to the UK this stands in front of his outside tables as year, the flights have been nearly full so I don't think it's going to be as bad so many cafes seem to do.

Now this particular place has arguably as everyone's dreading. one of the best sea views on the island I've also had my first two mosquito and I'd driven there especially to enjoy bites this week and I've seen the little tinkers lurking on my bedroom walls, it.

Mallorca diaries

HOLIDAYS: For Lesley Keith summer isn’t as much of an attraction as it is for the rest of the island’s expats so it's been the compulsory trip to the shops for repellent, anti-itch dabbers, fly killer, plug in repellents and batteries for my hand-held, tennis racquet shaped zapper. Good thing my job at the airport has restarted because this stuff doesn't come cheap!

Let's not be all negative though because on the plus side of course are all the obvious things such as long light evenings watching the sun go down with an ice cream in hand.

The heat warming you through, no need for jackets or warm clothing. Now the pollen's finally gone the plants everywhere will burst forth with vibrant flowers and wonderful green leaves leaving their fragrances lingering on

the balmy evening air.

For me, however the absolutely number one advantage to the summer time is that it's so much easier to make the bed.

This may seem strange to most of you but let me tell you my bedroom is not very big yet my bed is humungous. In Winter therefore I have to wrestle with a huge quilt in an attempt to get it into its cover. I've even watched 'YouTube' videos to try and find a more efficient way of doing this but it always comes down to crawling inside the cover with the quilt corners in my hands. At this point I'll either realise the cover is inside out, I've chosen the wrong corners and I need to turn it long-ways or worse still the doorbell rings.

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Of course then each morning I have to re-negotiate my beloved electric blanket back into position, as it always works its way down the bed under the sheet. I have to pull the aforementioned quilt back to its proper place whilst getting the sort of matching throw thingy to sit neatly on top. It's such a joy therefore in summer to just get up and all that's needed is to straighten the top sheet. Throw into the mix the joy that you can remove the bedding, wash, dry and replace it in a couple of hours and it's all good. We're not quite there yet however, but just a few more weeks and quilt wrestling will be a mere bad dream..

SPORT Not the Messi-ah THE Pope Francis has declared Lionel Messi ‘is not God’ despite the talismanic Barcelona striker being revered by millions around the world.

The leader of the Catholic Church risked outrage from the fellow Argentine’s faithful fans by suggesting the five Balon D’Or winner was not divine.

Messi is currently the top scorer in Las Liga with 31 goals and lead his team to the treble this season.

Pope Francis said: “People say ‘God’ like they say ‘I adore you,’ adoring is only for God, they are expressions people use.

23

April 12th - April 25th 2019

Young british coach set to become youngest ever UEFA Pro Licence holder at the age of 19 A TEENAGE expat in Spain has set his sights on becoming the youngest person in history to achieve Europe’s highest coaching qualification.

19-year-old youth coach Jay Clarke has been working towards his UEFA Pro Licence qualification and is set to complete the course this summer.

Clarke, at age 16, got hooked on coaching while living in Granada and took his UEFA B licence.

“It all started with my father really, he coached my town’s team at age group level I was in and we won so many tro-

Coach Clarke DREAM TEAM: Clarke phies that he was very admired,” said the Londoner, who’s family moved to Spain

Ber-new-beu REAL Madrid’s president has revealed the design for the new €575 million Bernabeu stadium.

Florentino Pérez unveiled the designs for the new Santiago Bernabéu grounds during a ceremony attended by Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena.

Work will begin on the new futuristic site at the end of

FUTURISTIC: New look for Real Madrid’s ground the season with work not set to finish until at least 2023.

Among the most striking feature of the new look sta-

dium is a retractable roof, which will take 15 minutes to deploy.

Perez said ‘it will be the best stadium in the world.’

when he was three.

“It was great learning from him – the way he got the best out of players and also out of me – so I guess he was my idol in that sense.”

Despite the Pro Licence taking up to five years to complete, a year on Clarke had already obtained his UEFA B and A licences.

Clarke said: “It is very serious here in Spain, you undertake a wide range of subjects from tactics to psychology.

Youngest

“Coaching certainly isn’t just picking an 11, putting cones down and setting drills. It’s much more than that and that’s why these licences exist.”

Clarke had to study six hours a day, two times a week and alongside his coaching at Spanish side Peña Deportiva.

However Clarke is keen to put skills to use and is not limiting himself to Spain.

He said: “One of my dreams would be to coach and play in the UK, it is where I was born at the end of the day.”

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FINAL WORDS

Dried up BALEARIC bars and restaurants are in need of more seasonal workers as local associations report 'between 15 and 20% more staff are required' for Easter and the summer holidays.

No butts CALVIA has announced that the area’s three main beaches will be supplied with cigarette butt disposal cans to keep the sands cleaner.

Save a life A CPR training day has been announced for May 5 at Palma’s velodrome, free to residents who want to learn how to save a life.

(Free or paid for)

Vol. 3 Issue 52

www.theolivepress.es

April 12th - April 25th 2019

Milking it!

Local astronomer may have cracked the code to the Milky Way’s age A MALLORCAN astronomer claims to be able to work out the age of the Milky Way. Alberto Rebassa has become the first person to calculate the mass and radius of a star in the galaxy.

“We found an eclipsing binary system (two stars that over-

shadow each other), the most important star for our study was born when the galaxy was formed about ten billion years ago – it is one of the oldest in the Milky Way,” said 37-yearold Rebassa.

The Mallorca-born astronomer has spent the last year

THE majority of cannabis sold in Spain contains dangerous levels of faecal matter, a new study has revealed.

Analysts examined 90 samples bought in Madrid and found large traces of E.coli and the Aspergillus fungus.

The most lethal samples were found inside plastic ‘acorns’ due to the fact that they are usually smuggled inside someone’s anus.

Researcher Jose Manuel Moreno Perez, from Com-

Bong pong plutense University, added that 40% also had the ‘aroma of faeces’.

Perez collected samples straight from dealers to test whether or not the drug was safe for human consumption.

Some 93% contained dangerous levels of E.coli, while 10% contained Aspergillus, a fungus that can cause serious health problems.

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HOLIDAYMAKERS on an Easyjet flight to Palma were greeted by a flamingo walking across the runway.

Holidaymakers were stunned as their plane, which had just touched down in Mallorca, was forced to slow down to avoid the bird.

An airport worker caught the hilarious incident on camera, as the plane beeped its horn to warn the animal.

Beast

GIG IS UP: Age of the Milky Way close to be revealed leading a team, with mostly British astronomers, to calculate the rare star’s age.

“The fact that one star eclipses the other is a very valuable peculiarity, and that’s what allowed us to measure its radius and mass at the same time,”said Rebassa.

“There are not many stars that are so old and it is very difficult to study them because of their low luminance.”

His findings come as a new astronomy association was

formed with around 60 people attending the first meeting.

According to the group, AstroMallorca, the Balearics are behind in the space-viewing scene, especially for an island with such low light and air pollution.

Mallorca is ‘far behind other islands, where many already have permanent observatories,’ explained a spokesman.

The group have discussed organizing meetings in Ibiza and Menorca soon.

952 147 834 * B a s e d

Kicking up a pink

The pilot can be heard saying: “We have a pink flamingo and it's no joke.

“An Easyjet plane has had to brake.”

The flamingo can then be seen spreading its wings and taking flight.

It comes after a hippopotamus was caught on camera in Roquetas de Mar, Almeria, after it escaped from a circus.

The beast was filmed running around and eating grass on a roundabout, before circus staff re-captured the animal.

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