Mallorca Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 11 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Caught The rise and downfall of Mallorca’s Tolo Cursach

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London calling By Joe Duggan in Westminster

AN estimated 50,000 antiBrexit supporters have protested on the streets of London. The People’s March for Europe went from Park Lane to Parliament Square where the mixed crowd heard speeches from Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative politicians. Sir Bob Geldof sent a message of support, with ex-Liberal Democrat cabinet minister Sir Ed Davey telling the crowd he felt ‘embarrassment’ at the current Brexit negotiations. “I've gone from anger to distress, from fury to despair. But since the Brexit negotiations begun there's a third emotion I've been feeling...Embarrassment at our country's leaders. Embarrassment for Great Brit-

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Vol. 1 Issue 11 www.theolivepress.es September 14th - September 27th 2017

EXPAT: ‘I’ve been fined €60,000 over rental’ A LEADING Mallorca businessman has told the Olive Press how he paid a €30,000 fine this month after inspectors turned up unannounced at one of his rural rental properties. The expat, who has asked not to be named, paid a 50% reduced penalty within the ‘two-week discount period’ after originally being fined €60,000. He revealed he was visited by an inspector after expecting to rent his

Exclusive By Jon Clarke

€3,000-a-week property - via Airbnb - to a family of four from Madrid in August. He was caught as he only has one licence for three adjacent units and, according

to the new law, he needs three - one per unit. “He turned up and the first thing he asked for was my licence number,” he told the Olive Press. “I told him I had only one for three rentals and I was fined €30,000 per unit. “He had booked

through Airbnb so there was nothing I could do - I lost a whole week’s money.” He added: “It's really unfair as the law came in so fast and it's clear they are after the expats who have money. “Where I live there are loads of local Spanish who didn't get touched. “Another expat I know got caught last week via Airbnb whereas his six neighbours, who also rent via Airbnb, but didn't get caught.”

Locals rally around family accused of being ‘lady bosses’ in sickness claim scandal

‘not guilty!’ CUFFED: Expat family accused of €60 million fraud

ain,” he said. There were heated scenes outside the Lord Moon of the Mall pub when Leave and Remain supporters traded insults before Remainer Middleton Mann defused the situation by hugging one of the Leave supporters. “Remaining is all about kindness, unity and togetherness and the spirit of solving problems together,” Londoner Mann, 51, a creative agency manager told the Olive Press. “It didn’t solve anything by booing at him so I gestured at him to come over and have a hug. We are not going to get anywhere fighting.” Further up the Mall, Boris Johnson lookalike Drew Galdron entertained crowds with a live music performance, holding a Theresa May puppet. “Since anti-Brexit events like the Number 10 vigil started I have been at quite a few of them performing songs lampooning Boris,” he said.

By Joe Duggan and Ben Reus

MALLORCA’S expat community has rallied round Debbie Cameron and daughter Laura Joyce following their arrests last week. Friends have spoken of their ‘shock’ after Brits Cameron, 59, and Joyce, 28, were held over an alleged €60 million sickness-claim scam involving UK tourists. Joyce, who is eight months pregnant, appeared in court alongside four alleged ‘claims farmers’ last week, after the family’s Bendinat villa was raided. Cameron, who denied the claims and was released the following day, has hired top

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the papers’.” A young hairdresser from Cambridge and a middle-aged woman from Edinburgh are among those alleged to have been paid commissions for providing bogus ‘victims’. The pair are said to have enlisted the holidaymakers and filed over their information to UK lawyers who made the fraudulent compensation claims. EXPATS: Debbie and Laura and (right) with beau Another friend of Cameron’s said ‘I can’t believe she would lawyer Jaume Riutort, famous “I am massively shocked,” have any involvement in it or for securing the acquittal of said one friend. “Debbie is know what was going on’. Princess Cristina, King Fe- very religious and does a lot of Altogether, seven people, sevlipe’s sister, over alleged tax work with charities. eral of them Brits, were arrestevasion. “I have spoken to Laura who ed in last week’s raids on four But people close to the family has thanked me for my sup- homes and two businesses in have expressed surprise over port and said: ‘don’t believe Portals Nous, San Agustin and last week’s arrests. everythingUntitled-1.pdf you have read1 in 16/06/2017 Bendinat,15:36 with Joyce allowed

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to return to her family last Thursday. Self-professed ‘rich mum’ Cameron, originally from London, and Joyce were detained during the raid on a luxury property in Bendinat. Meanwhile large quantities of documents were seized at a popular sports bar in Portals Nous, run by Laura's husband Stuart Joyce. Another friend said: “I'm pretty shocked by it. Laura was always nice to me and always looked after her staff. “It's a small island and even smaller as an expat. Things like this can really make or break a small community.” A Guardia Civil spokesperson confirmed that an investigation into the allegedly fraudulent claims began at the end of May after Alcudia hotel bosses filed denuncias with the police. Last month, leaked police documents revealed that Mac Hotels had allegedly been hit with €4m of sickness claims, some 800 altogether. Claims are made against UK tour operators, who then deduct payments and legal fees from Spanish hotels.

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Members of British drug gang rounded up in huge drug raids worked as ‘ticketeros’ for local clubs

PR pushers

Exclusive By Ben Reus

THE majority of British expats arrested in a massive drugs swoop in Magaluf worked as ‘on street PRs’ for local clubs and at a hairdressing salon. The 12 Brits - including four women - were well known in Punta Ballena and openly bragged on social media about their work with local clubs and lap dancing bars, the Olive Press can reveal. The group, who were picked up in Operation Tatum, had been supplying a huge range of drugs to the island’s party crowd. Guardia Civil confirmed they had dismantled the gang to the

September 14th- September 27th 2017

BUSTED: (From left) Kerry Scott, Karl Clegg, Jess Rushton and Meghan Tattershall

‘highest level’ in coordinated raids that snared over €100,000 in cash and huge quantities of drugs, worth over €150,000. In total, police seized 3 kgs of co-

Fake off TWO men have been arrested after trying to 'launder' hundreds of euros of fake cash on the east coast of the island. The pair would stop by bars and clubs in Cala Rajada, pay for only one drink, with their fake €50 or €100 notes and then leave with the substantial change to repeat the process at another venue, according to police reports. They were arrested in Capdepera carrying €450-worth of forged bank notes on August 28, but the Guardia Civil investigation is still ongoing as they believe the accused must have had accomplices.

caine, huge quantities of MDMA tablets, methamphetamines, hippy crack (nitrous oxide) and hashish, all set for distribution in and around Magaluf’s notorious party district, Punta Ballena. It comes after the Olive Press reported last month how police got involved when one of the gang leaders was arrested following the ‘battering’ of one of his own gang. An incredible €103,000 in cash, luxury watches and four top-end cars were also seized during 12 raids in Palma, Magaluf and Barcelona. Six British men Derrick Lee Rushton, 28, Aaron Michael Harden, 32, Karl Clegg, 37, Lee Ryan Ford, 30, Dean Alexander Christie, 24, and Jamie Thomas Burton, 41 and four British

women, Jessica Jean Rushton, 26, Meghan Lauren Tattershall, 22, Kerry-Anne Scott, 40 and Stephanie Margaret Morgan, 25, have all been charged, while they await trial. Bail has been refused as they are deemed a flight risk by the judge. Two other British men were released without charge and a Spaniard and a Dominican, both as yet unnamed, are still in custody. Olive Press sources confirmed that the vast majority of the group worked on and off as ‘onstreet PRs’ for Magaluf's nightspots. In many cases their Facebook pages confirmed it. According to police this would give them easy, unhindered access to thousands of punters,

without their legitimate bosses' knowledge. Two of those arrested KerryAnne Scott and Jamie Thomas had access to many partying holidaymakers through work at a well known local hairdressing and nail salon. Meanwhile, Aaron Harden claims he was ‘PR manager for Baywatch in BCM square’, while Meghan Tattershall had done ‘PR for Secrets Lap Dance’. Jessica Jean Rushton and Lee Ford, among others, also claim to have worked at party venues. Operation Tatum involved wiretaps by the Guardia Civil’s specialised Organised Crime Unit (ECO), as well as canine units and helicopter surveillance. It followed up July’s Operation Daju, where the Guardia Civil seized 4.8kgs of cocaine also set for distribution to holidaymakers, mostly by night-spot PR personnel known as 'ticketeros'. "We realised that although we had cut the supply of drugs (through Daju), the dealers remained active," a Guardia Civil spokesperson explained. "This investigation has dismantled their operation from its highest level, right down to the streets." Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido congratulated police, tweeting: “Congratulations to the Civil Guard for dismantling a gang selling cocaine in Magaluf. There are 14 detainees.”

‘Forcedfed’ drugs A TEENAGER 'forced to swallow' five bags of ecstasy tablets was found lying in a pool of blood by the hotel cleaner, an inquest has heard. Aspiring 18-year-old law student, Rebecca Marie Brock had been in Ibiza in celebrating a friend's birthday party on September 28, 2015 when what police described as a 'body pack' containing five bags of tablets exploded. But her mother Margarita Brock told Nottingham Crown Court although the 'academically gifted' teenager had 'experimented' with cocaine before, she had irritable bowel syndrome as well as great difficulty swallowing, so 'would not have willingly ingested the bags of pills'. Rebecca, who was on her third trip to Ibiza that summer, arriving this time from the Netherlands, died of 'acute MDMA poisoning', 48 hours before she was found by staff of the Hotel Marco Polo, in San Antonio.In response to Mrs Brock's belief that her daughter may have been forced to swallow the bag of drugs, Nottinghamshire coroner Mairin Casey said it was 'impossible to say how a pack or packs were ingested'.

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E once tipped the scales at an incredible 136 kg due to ‘sheer laziness’ and eating too much. But now Asier Santa Cruz, from Pamplona, is down to a very healthy 94 kilos, having lost 42kgs in just 18 months. His impressive drop will see him attending the final of the International Slimmer of the Year finals organised by Cambridge Weight Plan (CWP) in the UK this November. It comes after he pipped fellow finalists Alicia Whelan and Rosa Torrens at the regional final in Malaga last week. He told the Olive Press how the weight plan had ‘given him back control of his life’. “It has been amazing as has winning this award,” he said. “I simply had no one else to blame for my massive weight gain. I just ate too much and was lazy.” Asier will join slimmers from more than 30 countries at the grand final in Telford, in November, including Gibraltarian Alfred Traverso, who lost 31kg in just nine months. CWP has over 30 years’ experience in more than 30 countries worldwide, in helping people lose

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September 14th- September 27th 2017

tearing up the waves

WORKOUT: Flores squat

Chico time FORMER Mallorca football star Chico Flores has posted a quirky video in his old Swansea City kit three years after leaving the team. Chico, 30, posted the spoof work-out video while on holiday in Mallorca. The 30-year-old captioned the work-out post: “Cree en ti y todo…sera posible”, “Believe in yourself and everything…will be possible.” The Andalucia-born defender spent a year with RCD Mallorca while on loan from Genoa CFC in 2011.

Wayne’s woes PREGNANT Coleen Rooney cut her Mallorca vacation short to confront husband Wayne over his drink-driving shame with blonde Laura Simpson. Coleen rang Simpson to clear things up, before turning her fire on her Everton-star husband. It’s not the first time Wayne has been caught cheating on his wife. Wayne reportedly told his upset wife he will behave himself if she goes on fewer holidays and spends more time at home. While the England footballer has been spotted still wearing his wedding ring, the same can’t be said for 31-year-old Coleen who hasn’t sported hers since returning home. This week, it was reported she had asked Wayne to take time off from his Premier League schedule so they can iron out their marriage problems.

IT was never going to take long before he splashed some of the €100 million he made for his 30-minute superfight battle with Floyd Mayweather last month. And Cage Fighter Conor McGregor, 28, did it in style by sailing around the Balearics on a megayacht. He has been joined by his girlfriend and their young son Conor Jack McGregor Jr on the 100ft yacht as he ponders his options. He was seen with a bunch of mates swimming in the sea and riding a jetski around the island. The group was in Ibiza for close pal Lee Dunphy’s wedding. He posted pictures of himself on Instagram with his son and eating on the boat. The 29-year-old is

King Felipe attends Palma wedding with dad’s rumoured old flame KING Felipe of Spain has attended the Mallorca wedding of goddaughter Martina Jáudenes De Diego, with his father’s alleged former mistress Marta Gaya, also a guest. Juan Carlos, who was notable by his absence when Queen Sofia holidayed in Palma last month, set tongues wagging after holidaying in Ireland with Gaya this summer.

expected to return to mixed martial arts after his ‘boxing experiment.’

Don Juan?

OLD AND YOUNG: McGregor

Imogen holiday

Rekindled

Newspaper reports suggested that he had rekindled an alleged romance with the 68-year-old former flame. It is rumoured that notorious lothario Juan Carlos, believed to have had hundreds of lovers, had an affair with Gaya in the nineties. Queen Letizia did not travel to last w e e k e n d ’ s wedding, w h i c h took place in Palma Old Town’s San Nicolás church. De Diego tied the knot

CANDID: Miss Wales Imogen Thomas

FORMER FLAME: Gaya in attendance with King Felipe

with r e s t a u rateur Luis Abascal before a lavish party was thrown at San Carlos castle, close to SINCE 1998

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the royal family’s Marivent palace. Also among the wedding guests was Spain’s former finance minister Rodrigo Rato, who was sentenced to four-and-a-half

years in prison after being found guilty of embezzlement. Rato was one of 63 people convicted over the fraudulent use of Bankia company credit cards.

BIG Brother star Imogen Thomas has been spotted with partner Adam Horsley and their two daughters soaking up the Mallorca sun. The holiday is the former Miss Wales star’s first appearance since going under the knife last month for a breast reduction. She unveiled her new look recently and was oozing confidence as the model laid by the pool. “I'm naturally a curvy woman, but after having kids and getting older it's hard to maintain your figure,” she said. Earlier this year, Imogen talked about her body confidence, admitting 'I'm totally body conscious.’

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4 NEWS IN BRIEF

Immediate closure THERE have been 6 bars whose licences have been revoked over the use of their buildings for prostitution.

Protest PALMA taxis have planned a protest on September 13 against restrictions on working hours. The association wants 24 hour ability to work, compared to the current 16 hours.

Pollution THE Blue Flag at Can Perre Antoni beach has been removed after reports of partially burned plastic. The flag represents the eco friendly status of the beach. It will be raised once the problem is solved.

Number 3 IN a recent study, Palma was voted number three out of 100 of the best European beach cities. The GoEuro study analyzed over 1,000 cities.

September 14th- September 27th 2017

Not letting it go Tourism Ministry launches battle against rental fraud

Exclusive By Ben Reus

HOLIDAY rental scams are under fire as Mallorca's Tourism Ministry rolls out a new scheme to combat the growing fraud, including fines of up to €400,000 for offenders. The plan, which involves an online catalogue and accompanying app, will list all legal rental accommodation on the island. It comes after the Olive Press reported last issue that more than 2,000 British holidaymakers have been victims of online rental scams this year. Since then we have been contacted by another victim, who was left €3,000 out of pocket by a bogus site, while an owner told us his property had been illegally advertised on rentalia.com. The plan, set to be rolled out next month, by the Balearic Tourism Ministry, will publish a list of illegal sites as well as a catalogue of all legal properties. Under new rules every single rentable property on the islands, be they hotels, apartments or holiday villas, is being given a unique registration number. “And any advertising platform, online or otherwise, is obliged by law to publish this

UNDER THREAT: Scam rental sites unique license number in its advert,” vice president Lexa Wilms told the Olive Press. "Holidaymakers will be able to check the registration number matches our authorised property list via our website or the app. "This will help, not only in cases like those you have brought up, but will also help stop rentals in 'plurifamiliar' buildings, such as in private blocks of flats, which is completely prohibited.” She added: "We have already sent writs to most of the biggest online sites who have

until September 20 to remove any rental properties without an authorised license.” Booking.com had already introduced a policy to not accept new adverts without a licence number, she continued. "As from the end of September we will be sending out cease and desist notices to any site that does not comply with these new rules." Owners of unauthorised rental properties will be fined up to €40,000 and any platforms advertising bogus or illegal properties will be fined €400,000. However, some agents have claimed the new licence fines could make online scams worse. “People are saying it will get rid of the scams,” said Clare Taylor. “It won’t. It will actually make them worse as scammers will just copy the licence number and use it.”

Red alert BURNED OUT: Mallorca bus

Blaze destroys second bus

A PASSENGER bus was totally destroyed after an inferno ripped through it on the road from Pollensa to Palma on Wednesday. It is the second time in recent weeks that a Mallorca bus has caught fire, with British tourists forced to flee a bus blaze on August 25. The blaze, which broke out around 10am, left a dense column of smoke which could be seen from miles away The undercarriage of the 340 TIB bus reportedly caught fire before the flames quickly spread and the driver hurried passengers off. It is not yet known what caused the fire, although no injuries have been reported. The road was temporarily closed in both directions as the fire brigade battled to control the flames. Last year, Palma’s councillor for transport, Joan Ferrer, promised the city’s fleet would be checked thoroughly after two EMT bus went up in flames.

THREE Mallorca beaches were red-flagged after heavy rains caused human waste to flood the Mediterranean. Emaya confirmed the health risk at Can Pere Antoni, Ciutat Jardí, and Playa de Palma beaches after rain flooded the sewer system. It is the fourth time this year that Can Pere Antoni has been closed due to sewers flooding the sea. Every time Mallorca gets more than a light rain, surrounding waters are contaminated due to insufficient city pipes unable to hold the surplus. This year Can Pere Antoni lost its Blue Flag due to flooding sewers and molten plastics from the port expansion, which the Olive Press has reported on extensively. Recently, the local government signed off on an expansion of the wastewater treatment plant in Coll de’n Rabassa. Emaya reports the hightech expansion will need a budget of around €80 million.

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September 14th- September 27th 2017

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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 Sick feeling EVERYONE the Olive Press has spoken to who knows Deborah Cameron and Laura Joyce has expressed their shock at last week’s arrests. The glamorous mother and daughter are, of course, well-known all over the island. So the allegations have sent shockwaves through the expat community here. Everyone who knows the family will hope the arrests are nothing more than a terrible mistake. The fake holiday sickness scam has become the hottest topic on the island this summer. It has cast a shadow over British holidaymakers in general. It is also an appalling image for the island to have to carry, and has led to the UK government taking firm action against companies and individuals Most of all, it is an outrage that Mallorca hotels are being fleeced by unscrupulous Brits from UK-based lawyers, claims agents down to the farmers touting for business at holiday resort. The authorities have decided enough is enough this summer and, for everyone affected by the scammers, the end is hopefully in sight,

Flaming hell HERE we go again. Just two weeks after tourists fled for their lives from a burning bus, a second vehicle ignites into a terrifying inferno. Fortunately, nobody was injured or killed, but it is becoming a worryingly common experience. The same TIB buses as the one from Wednesday’s blaze have been involved in similar incidents in recent years. In June 2016, in Valldemossa, a bus burned to pieces. Again, fortunately, everybody escaped, although trees overhead almost caught fire. Two years previously, on the same stretch of road, the same bus went up. In 2016, the same thing happened with two EMT buses. Whatever the technical faults are which are causing such mayhem, it needs to be addressed quickly before someone is hurt or killed.

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September 14th- September 27th 2017

Cocaine, rent boys and hookers, politicians, policemen and murder: The spectacular rise and downfall of Mallorca’s prince of darkness, Bartolome ‘Tolo’ Cursach, began on the tennis courts, and ended in a different sort of court, writes Ben Reus

EW long term expats in Mallorca will be surprised to have read that a witness in the Tolo Cursach trial was run off the road in July. Nor, that one of his cronies turned up at another witness’s home, last month, telling him that the judge in the trial had been nobbled and it would not ‘end up well’ for him. Then there were the police, a court heard, who were selling cocaine mixed with paint in his nightclubs and the politicians in his payroll regularly lavished with champagne and prostitutes to buy them off. In short he was for decades one of Spain’s leading mafia figures. And he got away with it thanks to owning and running the island of Mallorca, with a vast army of police, lawyers and politicians eating out of his pocket. “Tolo acted with impunity as far as the councils were concerned,” said fellow nightclub owner Ángel Ávila. “He ended up with everything. He became overlord of the night. His cash was limitless. He threatened anyone he came up against and destroyed other people’s businesses so he could snap them up at rock-bottom prices.” So after a crime career spanning over four decades, much of the island took a sharp intake of breath, when he was finally arrested in February this year and charged with a string of offences, including bribery, child sexual exploitation, extortion, money laundering, homicide and corruption. Alongside cohort Bartolome Sbert, he is fac-

He was a people person with a great eye for who the movers and shakers were ing 80 years in prison and awaiting trial on the mainland, removed from the island so he cannot bribe the local prison guards. Is it any wonder both the prosecutor and judge in the trial both asked for special permission to carry guns, throughout the duration of the case? Yet, Tolo’s journey to the High Courts, as one of Spain’s leading gangsters, could not have begun more innocently. We must journey back to the 1960s to the leafy suburbs of Palma city and a well established tennis club, founded in 1924. It was here, at Mallorca Tennis Club, that a young Tolo arrived at the age of 13, helping out his uncle Miquel, who was the then head groundsman and doing well by Cursach family standards. Like the majority of Mallorquins before tourism took off Cursach’s family was poor. They eked a living IN WHICH TOWN, WHERE AND DOING WHAT. At the tennis club, where he worked as a ballboy and maintaining the courts, there was a sniff of opportunity and young Tolo knew exactly what he wanted. ‘I’ll be one of THEM one day’, he told an Olive Press source, who has known him since they were boys. And by ‘them’ the teenager meant the island’s elite, Mallorca’s high society, that spent their weekends playing tennis at the club and poker in one of its back rooms. More of which later. Fast forward 50 years and Cursach had become the biggest nightclub magnate in the Balearics and dubbed as ‘untouchable,’ when he was finally arrested and charged

Court to caught

IN THE DOCK: (above) Alvaro Gijon and (below) Tolo Cursach’s nephew Pedro Rossello

on March 3 alongside Sbert. His arrest and trial is just the latest chapter in a story of corruption that has seen a veritable cornucopia of politicians of different parties line their pockets through backhanders, rigged public works tenders, nepotism and money laundering. But his story is perhaps, its most sordid. People who have lived on the island since the 80s have long heard the stories about Cursach. That he was a drug trafficker, that he bribed local officials, that he was a mafioso. But the rumours were always just that, rumours. No newspaper dared to publish a word.

Tens of thousands frequented his nightclubs in Magaluf, the infamous like BCM (immodestly named after himself: Bartolome Cursach Mas) where the Spice Girls’ Geri Halliwell had first cut her teeth as a dancer (in a cage no less)...or packed like sardines into Tito’s, one of Palma’s biggest cash cows. But that’s just it, Tito’s had a licence for 700 punters and yet it habitually hosted parties with more that 2000 - and BCM - also dubbed the ‘Bank of Cocaine Mallorca - didn’t have a licence at all, it has since emerged, and ended up getting one years later through Tolo’s ‘special relationship’ with the powers that be. Young Tolo had always had a talent for business. He was a people person and had a great eye for who the movers and shakers were. A passionate tennis player, he even began training to go pro, but he was also a great fan of poker and gambling in general and it was here that he saw his real future. As a youth in the 1970s he won over some powerful allies playing poker at the Mallorca Tennis Club, as it was there - odd as it may sound - that police chiefs, bankers and other high-flyers all hung out. It was them that bankrolled his first business venture, a small nightclub called Smash, that was no more than a shack. And it was them that helped him expand his empire by removing the competition and turning a blind eye to his business licences. The most flagrant case of this was at BCM. Although one of the largest clubs in Europe, it had operated without a licence since 1989. For the club to remain open, it was supposed to be soundproofed and unapproved air-conditioning units were to be moved to comply with licensing laws. Cursach applied to amend these details after high season, but never did. Despite this, he received his final licence approval to remain open during Calvia’s former socialist mayor Francisco Obrador’s term in office and, of course, subsequent PSOE and PP mayors did nothing until a competitor filed a complaint in 2014. Heads rolled, but it was not that of Tolo’s, nor anyone at the town hall… it was, in fact, Calvia Police’s chief inspector Pepe Navarro who lost his job. By now Cursach was unstoppable. Through the 1990s he grew and grew acquiring a total of 30-plus establishments, including more of the island’s main night spots such as Riu Palace and Megapark. But there was something little Tolo still craved; the tennis club that had been his springboard to success and what was, in his eyes, a symbol of success. Instead he was declared ‘persona non grata’ by its members after drugs were found at BCM, causing it to close temporarily in 1992, and rumours spread about how he removed unwanted competitors.

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4 Those rumours turned out to be true. His modus operandi, according to witness statements in Judge Manuel Penalva’s investigation included beatings, death threats and in one instance even using BCM bouncers to barricade streets with 100kg tables chained together so punters could not actually reach neighbouring businesses that Tolo did not own. He was able to do all this by allegedly bribing politicians and police officers who also harassed competing businesses through inspections and daily raids, (one business on Tolo’s blacklist received 25 ‘inspections’ in 12 days). Tolo generally never got his hands dirty himself though. That was what his partner Tolo Sbert was allegedly for, and fellow accused Antoni Bergas, a former Local Police inspector who left his job to join Cursach’s staff and passed on Tolo’s ‘presents’ to police. According to various witnesses in the Cursach case, cops and politicians of all sides were allegedly at one time or another paid off with lavish parties at any number of his night spots, with direct bribes, with drugs BCM: Inside one of Tolo’s infamous clubs and free booze. In total, 28 local policemen on the island Investfootball, an investment fund in Genehave been implicated in the case, so far. It is alleged, that Cursach was joined by PP va run by his nephew Pedro Rosello, who is MP for the Baleares Jose Maria Rodriguez also now in prison for threatening a witness. and regional councillor Alvaro Gijon for sor- This was possibly the high point of Tolo’s did cocaine-fuelled sex sessions including ‘career’ and by the early noughties he was rent boys and hookers, some of whom were hobnobbing with the sports stars, governbeaten so badly as part of the ‘fun’ that the ment ministers and even royalty, watching mattresses had to be changed after the ‘ses- Mallorca play Real Madrid in the Super Cup in August 2003 alongside former King Juan sion.’ Some of these sessions lasted up to two Carlos, his daughter the Infanta Cristina and days, according to recent statements by a her husband Inaki Urdangarin before he was brothel madam in protective witnesses cus- sentenced for tax fraud. Through his umbrella corporation Grupo tody. Pages of her diary, presented in court as evi- Cursach with a staff of 1,700, serving 1.5 dence and seen by this paper, detailed the million customers a year, Tolo now owned girls requested, what they should wear and clubs, bars, hotels, huge tracts of land both included huge sums of up to €36,000 for here (2.5% of the whole island’s developable land) and in Brazil and just one of these ‘parties.’ the Caribbean. And while it is only Rodriguez Closer to home he also and Gijon who have been Tolo now owned owned the Poligono de Son brought to book for allegValenti industrial estate, edly ‘indulging in these sessions, the diary supposedly clubs, bars, hotels where he would begin his next venture, the €30 milfeatures other names, which and 2.5% of the lion luxury sports centre have not yet been released whole island’s Megasport, a brand he and details how payment planned to roll out across was to be collected from developable land Spain, although it later ‘Tolo,’ ‘at Mega’ or, of course, flopped, just like his very at a ‘tennis club.’ own airline BCM. But, despite his amassed wealth and seemingly endless power, those It was around this time that the most exhe so desperately wanted to be accepted by, pensive public works tender in the island’s the members at his former tennis club, had history, the €635 million Son Espases Hosshunned him. It was a tough blow but, un- pital, was rigged by the then Baleares Govdaunted, he decided to show them that no ernment president Jaume Matas and former health minister Aina Castillo. one rejected Tolo. And so it was the ‘king of the night’ made This was the incident that brought Tolo bea move towards the light, albeit still very fore people who might actually do somemuch in the shadows. By the end of 2002 thing about him for the first time, as he was he owned a controlling share in Mallorca FC, later forced to appear in court after witnessafter loaning the ailing football club’s execu- es claimed he had been given insider infortive president Mateo Alemany €10 million to mation about the Son Espases sale before he bought 150,000 square meters adjacent pay its players. As a guarantee, he kept the rights to Franco to it for €13 million, on which he hoped to and Samuel Eto’o (later an expensive signing build a geriatric unit. for FC Barcelona) and financed it all through Tolo’s efforts failed, however, after the then

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councillor for urban planning Javier Rodrigo de Santos blocked any building on the land. A second refusal to Tolo’s plans would cost de Santos dearly. After de Santos later denied Cursach’s application for an extension to his Megapark nightclub in Arenal, Tolo did some digging and discovered that de Santos was a paedophile who had spent €50,000 in gay brothels, which he’d charged to Palma Council’s expense account. Playing the hero, Tolo gathered up the families of the abused young men and helped them take de Santos to court, where he was finally convicted of child abuse and embezzlement. But Tolo’s days in the light would soon be over, although not without one more final farcical detail. The catalyst that started the chain reaction that would see Tolo’s kingdom crumble was a 2012 claim that Palma’s Local Police examinations had been rigged. As Tolo’s friends also began to believe in their own invincibility, PP politician Jose Maria Rodriguez thought he might as well mould the police force into a more amenable bunch that would serve the interests of the PP in particular, but no doubt their ‘friends’ too. In doing so he colluded with the now ex-director general of Palma Council’s Citizen Security department, Eduard Calvo to send the questions that would come up in these examinations to two ‘likely’ candidates. A complaint was made and Judge Penalva began what would become a rollercoaster ride into police corruption, sexual exploitation and drug trafficking that took down three of Palma’s top Municipal Police officers; Antonio Vera, Juan Mut and Antonio Morey, as well as 25 Local Police officers who had taken sexual favours and drugs to ignore inspections, the beating of prostitutes and extortion and put Tolo under a spotlight. Not a tennis court floodlight as he might have liked, but Cursach could very well get to serve quite a lot....of time.

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September 14th- September 27th 2017

Roid raid

driving in the buff

ELITE bodybuilders were among 41 arrested as Balearic police helped smash the biggest illegal steroid-selling ring in European history. Operation Vitra, which started in Mallorca, uncovered the multi-million-euro doping operation, which was run in gyms across Spain. Guardia Civil agents raided 45 premises in the Balearics, Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and the Canaries, with officers believing the ring used 4.2 million doses of doping products. Large quantities of banned medicines associated with sports doping, including hormones and anabolic steroids, were seized along with €180,000, speed and hashish as cops targeted gyms. “Among those arrested were elite bodybuilding athletes with numerous national and international titles,” a police spokesperson said. The investigation started this year after one Balearic gym was found to be distributing the steroids without medical clearance. Most of the drugs were smuggled in from Portugal, with police identifying and trailing the gang’s ringleader. Substances were also illegally imported from Greece, Poland, the USA, Bulgaria and Hungary. Money was smuggled into countries where the drugs originated from, with police uncovering €80,000 hidden in a shipment of printer cartridges bound for Greece.

A TOURIST has been arrested for drinkdriving in the nude in Paguera. He is one of 101 people who have been fined for public nudity or having sex on the street this summer in Calvia, it has been revealed. The group have incurred fines of up to €600 each after being caught in the streets of the municipality wearing nothing more than

their birthday suits in the three months to August. Most of those arrested for public indecency were in Magaluf. Of the 2.456 fines handed out by Calvia Police this past summer, 283 were for being drunk and disorderly or drug possession, 1.603 for hawking, or illegal on-street sales, and 99 for offering unauthorised massages on the street.

Brit tourist in stab horror Three injured after the suspect goes on the rampage outside nightclub

THREE people have been stabbed, with one 28-yearold seriously injured, after a British tourist allegedly went on the rampage in Magaluf. The attack, near Boomerang nightclub, at 6.15 am on Tuesday morning left the injured men lying on the street. The most seriously wounded victim was rushed to hospital after

being stabbed in the chest and abdomen and found unconscious. One eyewitness who rushed to the scene said one of the victims ‘was in a bad way’.

Catch

“I ran onto the beach to try and catch the person who was stabbing people,” bar worker Sean Burnfield

told the Olive Press. “The Guardia got one of one of the friends, but somehow the others got away. They will find them if there are cameras in Boomerang.” A Guardia Civil spokesperson told the Olive Press that one victim remained in hospital. Police believe the main suspect they are now hunting is a tourist.

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Mes mates MALLORCA Més politicians have backed pro-independence Catalans as hundreds of thousands of protesters marched through Barcelona. Crowds took to the streets on Catalunya's national day ahead of a planned referendum next month on ceding from Madrid. Mariano Rajoy's government has declared the vote illegal and battled in the courts to ban it. However Mes secretary general Bel Busquets, who marched alongside the separatists on Monday, insists it can't be stopped. “Today more than ever it was necessary we were in Barcelona to support the Catalan people,” said Barcelo. “Solidarity is the poetry between our people, and Mes will always be on the side of people that ask for democracy and liberty.” Protesters built traditional Catalan casteller human towers as the centre of the region's capital became a sea of red and yellow.

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Return warning for expats

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The good eggs

As anti-tourism protests gather pace across Spain, we remember the original expats who helped shape the country SEE PAGE 16

A BRITISH expat who returned to the UK has been found sleeping rough after his local council refused to house him. David Sutcliffe, 82, was starving and forced to live on the streets after he returned from EXCLUSIVE Spain a few weeks ago followBy Laurence Dollimore ing a relationship breakdown. But despite living in Spain for A BRITISH-hotel has accused just two years, Bournemouth a local lawyer of involvement Council has told the penin a terrifying hand-grenade sioner he is not entitled to attack. council housing. They said he The manager of Marbella’s Sisu had failed the ‘Habitual Residence test’, hotel claims legal eagle Antomeaning nio Flores is linked to a middon’t they night attack that left the hotel believe Daunable to open this Spring. claim, manastounding vid intends the In to settle in ageress Ale Valdivia insisted the UK. live on television that the boss A member of Lawbird legal practice - a of the public long-time Olive Press columnotihad nist - was ‘in some way inpolice fied volved’. after seeing It comes after the hotel, owned him so malby British businessman Neil nourished Acland, released CCTV footage a man dousing its trousers shows ‘his which LOST: were falling interior with petrol, before lobDavid down’. bing in a hand grenade. Sutcliffe Claire MatThe suspect, wearing a basethews, foundball cap and bandana, is now the subject of a police investier of Hope for Food charity, gation, that has become a nasaid it has been left to voluntional news story. teers to help David and try While there is no suggestion and trace his estranged son. that the assailant is lawyer She said: “It’s a disgrace Flores, hotel manager Valvidia, that in 21st century Britain claimed on two national TV an 82-year-old man can be programmes that he was beliving on the streets and nohind the March attack. one wants to take respon“It’s ridiculous,” Flores, 45, sibility. “He’s been passed told the Olive Press, this week. from pillar to post and left to “And we are taking action for a charity and the kindness of libel.” the public to put a roof over The Marbella-born lawyer his head.” (right) insists the TV apKelly Ansell, head of housBorpearances, the releasing of Bournemouth at ing the CCTV footage and the ough Council said: “We are accusations against him unable to comment on an are merely ‘a distracindividual case due to confition’ from the real dentiality.” story. Can’t be trusted, p 11 “The owners of Sisu are clearly involved in Opinion Page 6

Lawyer link to grenade attack British hotel bosses claim legal eagle is behind ‘gangland’ style bombing

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claims the company allowed him a grace period on paying the rent in return for construction works and improvements made by Sisu. But Locrimar claims the contract for this ‘rent holiday’ is fake. It claims it has been signed by an ex-employee and has been backdated to 2011, leading the case to become criminal.

The Olive Press can reveal that company Hotel Locrimar SL is suing Acland and partners for allegedly not paying rent since 2009. The hotel, which allegedly turns over around €4 million a year, is accused of owing the owners of the building at least €1.2 million. In the ongoing legal dispute, Acland

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IREWORKS, flags and at the ready... beers ready to rumble The Rock as Gibraltaris prepares for niversary National its 50th antions. Day celebraHalf a century endum that on from the with Britain, unequivocally refersided taller than the Rock is standing ever. An abundance of local means that the former pride day event onea week of now spills over into music of celebrations - includall genres, phy, competitions, ing arts, food, photogralocals and a rally onto their tourists alike into plenty to bring feet. the street It’s a chance and to show the really is nowhere world that there is no quite like there Gibraltar, group of people quite like and Gibral-

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IT has been dubbed the of the 1967 referendum, ‘party of a generation’ And when residents unanithe fun is soon to kick mously voted to stay off for National Day A G British. The Septem2017. ber party, nicknamed In a clear snub to ‘please refrain, Spain,’ A trip Spain, the rock is through will be packed with entime preparing to host its tertainment and patrimost patriotic bash otic fervour. To celebrate in history as it celedon’t miss our special brates the 50th anniversary eight-page pullout inside. l• A n n

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He continued: “The suggestion that there has been something untoward is concerning. I sincerely hope it is not the case.” He is now demanding that Justice Minister Neil Costa comes clean on the affair and clarifies the real reasons why the £130,000-a-year judge has not had his contract renewed. He revealed that the GSD has now written to Costa and called on him to issue a statement. “Costa must make a comment and he has not given one yet. He has been very quiet and this is a very serious matter.” He explained that he would be under pressure to be completely truthful as the minister must swear an additional separate oath in parliament as the Minister of Justice. Clinton added that saving

Gibraltar winner

PAGE 8

The Rock’s original community newspaper

e cI A

eXclUSIVe by Jon clarke

Gibraltar culture

‘Ruffled feathers’ THE Leader of the Opposition has claimed that ‘government interference with the judiciary’ could be behind the departure of a leading judge from Gibraltar. Roy Clinton fears that outgoing Judge Jack (below) fell out with the government after ‘ruffling its feathers’, and the failure to renew his contract is not due to saving money. He told the Gibraltar Olive Press there are ‘obvious concerns of interference with the judiciary’. “I know certain feathers have been ruffled (by Jack). I fear that is the real reason he has gone.”

l e tt e r s

www.theolivepress.es

tarians. This year, it’s a statement tion; because as well as a celebrait’s a tense what with time advent of the 50th anniversarypolitically, Brexit looming. and the But that only fuels cals. the fire of the loFor just as the Rock the country’s is a symbol of the people strength and charm and are a reflection unity, up as one character and of its ognisable of Europe’s moststand landmarks. recPassion truly makes this and organisers 30,000 revellersexpect moreparty... than the monkeys - not (Barbary to mention if we are macaques, being pedantic) the celebrations. - to join For outsiders, September 10 is Continues

show me the money

could this number cruncher run the rock?

By Laura Duckett

SPAIN’S generals believed they could seize the Rock in just 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler’s troops predicted two or three days, at the start of the Second World War. The claims are all part of a fascinating new book on Gibraltar, Defending the Rock - How Gibraltar Defeated Hitler, by Nicholas Rankin.

New book details Gibraltar’s importance in World War II and how not seizing it was Hitler’s ‘biggest regret’

Timed to come out just before the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum vote, the book highlights Hitler’s regret at failing to take Gibraltar. It also explains the terri-

tory's strategic importance during the war and its history before it. One of its main thrusts tackles its defences, with even the British highly concerned at how easy it

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The Olive Press can teach the other papers on the island a thing or two about local reporting. It's fresh and innovative and I am now happy to wait for its fortnightly issue to find out what is happening ALL over the island. Susan Ryan, Palma

Big fan I’m a huge fan of the Olive Press, compared to your other free newspaper rivals mostly because it is actually written FROM mallorca, unlike the other, which is solely written from the mainland. The Olive Press are around town interviewing people and uncovering things. They are also in this Facebook group (IHAQ), which is smart! We're a group of 10,000 english speakers connected to Mallorca one way or another. They WANT us to reach out.

Olive Press meets new GSD boss Roy Clinton

How we DefeateD HITler! on Page

One to beat

See pAGe 6

CASH IS KING: Roy

would have been to thing he expected to haptake the Rock. pen quickly. Indeed, aide to the This flew in the face of Hitthen-governor, acler’s plans, which were to tor Anthony Quayle, see an invasion launched thought the Garrison in January 1941. was ‘as impregnable But he was somehow talkas a poached egg.’ ed out of it during a long “The Spanish could nine-hour meeting with have walked in with a Franco on the border with troop of boy scouts,” he France. later claimed. Franco recognising HitHowever Franco feared ler’s vulnerability prethat if he were to take the sented a long shopping list Rock, the British would that included the annexaretaliate by invading the tion of Morocco and large Canary Islands. quantities of wheat. It led to him remaining It was a step too far for neutral until Germany had Hitler, who later reflected defeated Britain - somethat he would prefer to have had ‘three or four teeth taken out’ rather than to go through the meeting again with Franco. The plans were called off. Hitler later hinted that his failure to take the Rock was his gravest mistake during the war. Defending the KEY MEETING: But Hitler could Rock is released not get agreement with Franco on September 7.

In Gibraltar

Jules Jameson, Palma ED: Thanks for your com-

ments, Susan and Jules, which I can promise are not made up. While journalism is an increasing tricky business, we still believe in proper journalism, and currently have three journalists working for us on the island.

September 14th- September 27th 2017

Plastic shocker

More to discover

Investigate further and follow the money. This will be another pay-off within the environment department.

Bad call!

Fred J, Mallorca

I don’t understand who thought this was a good idea? Dumping dirty molten plastic into the Med to expand a port, when it was so clearly not contained and contaminating the water. Poor judgement that should be severely punished. Make an example of them and change some behaviours! Jess Syverson, Manacor, Mallorca

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Must keep probing plastics!

Eco group calls for charges over Palma burned plastic

Small change

€45,000 is nothing in the waste business. They’ll pay it and continue dumping. Chas, Palma de Mallorca

Shame

ECOLOGISTS are demanding an investigation over the alleged illegal dumping of burned plastic in the sea around Palma. Described as an 'ecological crime', the Balearic Ornithological Group

This is a disgrace. There is no excuse for allowing this to happen, everyone knows the current fragility of the world’s oceans, we are living in a time of mass pollution and mass extinction. Shame on the powers that be for letting this happen!

(GOB), claims there is 'no evidence' of proper analysis carried out on the materials used in building work at Palma’s Moll de Ponent port. Broke

It comes after the Olive Press broke the exclusive story that recycling plant Tirme, Palma Port Authority and Mallorca Council

Port faces plastic

penalty

EXCLUSIVE

PALMA Port Authority faces a fine of up to €45,000 over the alleged illegal use of burned plastic in building works. But campaigners have criticised the penalty against the port and the Tirme incinerator as too weak and demanded the pair are forced to clean up nearby beaches where molten slags have washed ashore. The Olive Press understands 60,000 tonnes of the waste has fed into waters around the port. A spokesperson for the environment department told the Olive Press this week it believed an offence had been committed. “The Port Authority and Tirme have used the molten slags without authorisation,” she said. Last week, it was revealed that Ca’n Pere Antoni beach had been stripped of its coveted Blue Flag as a result of burned plastic washing ashore.

Look in mirror

Readers react to Palma Port Authority’s possible €45,000 fine over molten plastic waste.

the

I live in a part of Chiclana which has no tourists. All locals. The streets are disgustingly filthy around here. A small park and a children’s playground near my house are always littered with cans, plastics bottles, takeout food papers, etc etc. There are bins within a few meters, but nobody knows what each bin is for! Adults as well as kids just throw everything on the ground. Complete lack of education about being clean! Dog poo is a big problem as well. Only a few people pick up after their dogs. Even in the high school yard there are cans and bottles and other litter scattered around the grounds. I was disappointed about the litter and dirtiness when I came here after living in Portugal for two years. There seems to be little encouragement to use bins. Perhaps if the council was a lot more proactive about bins / recycling of glass, plastic, cans the

people might be more inclined to be clean and have some civic pride. Portugal is much cleaner. There are recycling points in every small village and town - in fact in my small village there were 3 such areas in which to separately deposit the glass, cans, and plastic. I do not see enough of them here and generally most people just don’t seem to care. Maybe it is time for some Spanish people to look to themselves to have civic pride instead of looking to blame others. Margaret Lennon, Chiclana

Buyers beware People considering purchasing on Mallorca should be aware of the olive tree ebola blight that is currently affecting the island. The EU have said that mass (islandwide) removal of vegetation must take place, potentially changing the island landscape forever. Having visited recently, the issue has led to local farmers battling the

Anonymous, Santa Ponsa

authorities to stop removal of plants and trees (infected olive trees must have all vegetation within a 100 meter radius removed). Very sad indeed; it will change the landscape of Mallorca forever. Fred Smith, Barcelona

Special case? I know someone who looked into going back to that area - even into a caravan - and he couldn’t afford it. They are inundated there with pensioners and he was told there was a wait of possibly two years. You would be treated as a foreigner if you decided to go back! If you are on the health service here there’s no need to go back - you are far better looked after here. It annoys me that we have all cut our ties with the UK to live here but expect that we can just go back and be treated as a special case! There are so many young couples who cannot get accommodation either. Kath Edwards, Malaga

Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@theolivepress.es or alternatively message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @ olivepress

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-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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Do you have a what’s on?

September 14th- September 27th 2017

Students strum

sic school has opened in Palma for children to learn rock and pop from profes- Fortune teller sional gigging musicians. NOT the Andre Ruffell has launched daughter of Mallorca’sThe first rock school Olive Press after years of playing large Salvador Dali UK festivals TOPand fortouring news ten in Spain! countries with Iron Maiden. after DNA test The project currently has over 60 schools in the UK A DNA test has proven and Ireland, but the Sep- once and for all that Saltember opening in Palma is vador Dali is not the father Spain’s first. of 61-year-old Spaniard “As a former student of both Maria Martinez. Palma Queens College and The Academy, I felt it was Exhumed valuable to give students on the island access to con- A Spanish court had ortemporary music educa- dered Dali to be exhumed tion, which was not avail- in July at the request of able when I was a student,” Martinez- a fortune tellAndre told the Olive Press. er- in a ruling which was “Our sessions promote indi- highly controversial. vidual talent and are a great A large stone slab had to means of boosting confi- be removed so forensic scientists could access the dence in young people.”

back. “It’s the law of physics, any force you apply will resist back, you’re asking for trouble,” Leigh told the eager group of listeners. In 2004, Leigh’s sister passed away after a three year battle with cancer, then her father developed a large tumour in his throat, and shortly after that her mother passed away, also from cancer. By the time Leigh was diagnosed in 2012, she firmly believed the NHS and modern health care would not save her life, but a combination of listening to what her body tells her, a specific diet, and seeking alternative natu-

ral remedies could. “A healer told me my cancer was a gift, a gift to make me dig deep inside myself,” Leigh explained. “You have to change the way you look at adversity, it’s what builds your inner strength and soul.” The audience, who ranged from mid twenties to nineties, all had a connection to cancer either through a loved one or themselves, and many spent the lecture taking notes on diet recommendations and inspiring and informative books to read.

what’s on

ood fes t - until September 24

Seafood rice , barnacles, octopus feira and lobster empanadas are some of the dishes of fered in the huge 1,000 square metre tent at Palma’s Gran Fiesta del Marisco.

Didn’t see D that coming

oggie Race - September 30 Por t Adri-

ano opens its doors to the Doggie Race, a unique two kilometre race where participants can run or walk with their pets, and ever y pooch gets a prize.

Dali Foundation said they were unsurprised by the discovery. “There was no indication from the very beginning that this paternity claim had any veracity,” it said. Martínez’s lawyer, Enembalmed body In their state- rique Blanqes, said he and take samples ment on would not comment from the body. Wednesday, the until he has read the forensic report.

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Facing cancer without modern medicine

DOZENS gathered at Mood Beach in Portals to hear advice, information, and an astounding story of self-awareness and inner strength turning a growing cancerous tumour benign. Expert on most things Mallorca and local columnist Amanda Bulter organized the entire event in just a week. Download our app now and Most might say she beat breast cancer, or begin enjoying the best Spanishfought it and won, but Leigh Titus doesn’t think of it like that. The half Kiwi, half Britnews on the go. ish mother of two firmly believes a powerful force such as cancer should be fought, but embraced in order to take the power THE first Rock Project mu-

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The 61-year-old Martinez (pictured right) said her mother, a maid at one of Dali’s homes in Port Lligat, had a clandestine relationship with the artist. She has been attempting to prove that Dali is her father for more than a decade.

ennis heaven - October 5-8

Watch some of the greatest tennis legends play Palma Spor ts and Tennis club . Tickets star t at €35.

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John Noakes MUCH-LOVED Blue Peter presenter John Noakes’ love affair with the island got off to a stormy start. While attempting to sail round the world with wife Vicky in 1982, the couple were forced to abandon their mission after a hurricane wrecked their boat. Trying again two years later, they initially planned to stay a few nights in Mallorca, but ended up settling in Andratx. The Noakes’ ran a boat-rental company, living aboard their boat moored in Puerto Andratx during the summer. Noakes, regarded as one of the most loved British children’s television presenters of all time, died in Mallorca in May this year aged 83 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was best remembered for his action-man-style stunts and catchphrase ‘Get down, Shep!’ said lovingly to his faithful sidekick Shep the dog.

As anti-tourism protests sweep across Spain, it’s time to remember the truly great things British visitors have done for the country

Thomas Osborne THE famous Osborne bull which has become a symbol of Andalucia can be traced back to this Devonshire winemaker (left). Thomas Osborne Mann founded Bodegas Osborne in Cadiz town El Puerto de Santa Maria and today, 230 years later, the winery is still thriving. Born in Exeter he joined up with a large firm of wine dealers, Lonergan & White, in el Puerto and with another Englishman Sir James Duff they became key players in the Masonic Lodge in Cádiz. His legacy lives on today - in particular with around 100 iconic bulls lining Spain’s roads

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington ONE of Britain’s most famous military heroes, who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, he also played a huge part in Spanish history. An influential participant during the Peninsular Campaign, he was the driving force in preventing France from invading Spain, yet his name rarely shows up in Spanish accounts of the Napoleonic Wars. This is thought to be because he heavily criticised Spanish soldiers later on. He was however, gifted an estate after the 1814 peninsular war ended. Known as La Torre, in Granada, it has been used by the British royal family to hunt ever since and his great granddaughter Charlotte Wellesley got married there last year.

Kenneth Tynan

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent PRINCE Edward wasn’t just Queen Victoria’s dad. He was also known as the ‘Father of the Canadian Crown’ for sustaining Britain’s authority in Canada. History also suggests he fathered a few bastards in his time, some of which was spent as Governor of Gibraltar. While ruling the Rock from 1802-1820, there were rumours he kept a mistress or two outside the enclave in an Andalucian farmhouse (supposedly in Ronda) and, although details are sparse, he had at least three others while in England.

THE British drama critic, playwright and novelist who opposed theatre censorship and was the first person to utter the Fword on British TV was a huge bullfighting fan. He attended over 80 corridas in Spain and wrote Bull Fever, regarded as one of the most eloquent English books on the genre. A view that could be seen as controversial today,

he was impressed by the sport’s ‘love of grace and valour, of poise and pride; and, beyond these, the capacity to be exhilarated by master of technique.’ No surprises then that he was a regular visitor to watch bullfights in Ronda, but he also had quite a number of holidays in Mojacar, in an ‘obscure corner of Spain,’ where he once got robbed and wrote about a string of vigorous, sex sessions with then lover Nicole.

HAT did the British ever do for Andalucia? Like Monty Python’s Down with the Romans sketch, the answer is - actually quite a lot. British entrepreneurs, explorers, writers, artists, politicians and even kings have been fascinated with the region for centuries and left their mark in a generally very good way. They fought wars for the locals, built railways, wrote poetry to its cities, introduced sherry and laid the foundations for tourism itself, as the Olive Press explains. Among the hundreds who did their bit, here are 13 notables. Any other sug-

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13 13

Agatha Christie

Benjamin Disraeli FROM 1830 to 1832, two-term Prime Minister Disraeli took a break from politics to do some travelling and became Andalucia’s first unofficial PR man. In particular, he was impressed by Sevilla and Cadiz, and wrote of seeing a ‘Figaro in every street and Rosina in every balcony,’ in reference to the characters from Rossini’s Barber of Seville. He was also complementary of Gibraltar, describing it as ‘a wonderful place, with a population infinitely diversified.’

THE bestselling crime writer took inspiration from Mallorca after visiting the island for the first time in 1932. Arriving in Palma, she was unable to book a hotel due to the large number of British tourists (a familiar gripe with many even now). Passing through Puerto de Pollensa on her way to Formentor, she is said to have exclaimed ‘this was the site I was looking for.’ Christie stayed at the Hotel Illa d’Or, dining at Hotel Mar i Cel with both venues part of her Mallorca tale Problems at Pollensa Bay. She returned to the island in 1935 and again after the Civil War, when Robert Graves presented a signed copy of his book The Golden Fleece to Christie and husband Max.

Sir Alexander Fleming IN 1928, the Scottish biologist Sir Alexander Fleming famously discovered penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic. His newfound medicine would later save the lives of millions of people across Spain, many of whom were professional matadors. In gratitude, Spanish bullfighters erected a statue of Fleming outside the main bullring in Madrid, which still stands today. There are also streets named after ‘Doctor Fleming’ in almost every big city. The doctor himself is said to have visited Andalucia on various occasions and loved a glass of sherry. The great doctor once wrote: “If penicillin can cure those that are ill, Spanish sherry can bring the dead back to life.” His grandaughter Penelope Fleming recently died here, having lived for decades in San Pablo de Buceite, in Cadiz.

Bradley Wiggins

Sir George Langworthy KNOWN as ‘El Ingles de la Peseta’ (the Englishman of the Peseta) for giving away his fortune to local Andalucians, Sir George Langworthy died a poor man. Much of his wealth came from running the Castillo Santa Clara hotel in Torremolinos, one of the first on the Costa del Sol and certainly within Torremolinos, which opened in 1930. He is honoured as the town’s adopted son and is remembered for kick-starting the coast’s tourism industry. But best of all he is known for his extraordinary generosity that gave poor people help if they were starving, as long as they were prepared to read a passage from his bible. He moved here in 1890 and had first turned grief to charity after the death of his wife Margaret, aged 40, in 1913 shortly before the outbreak of World War I.

HE may be a Kilburn lad through and through, but Britain’s first Tour De France winner toiled his way to peak fitness on Mallorca’s mountains. Wiggins, who owns a holiday house in Puerto de Pollensa, describes the island as his ‘home from home.’ Team Sky and British Cycling have adopted Mallorca as their pre-season training base, and Wiggins could be frequently spotted scaling up imposing Serra de Tramuntana on his way to the coveted Yellow Jersey. Wiggins’ memorabilia, including one of his world time trial bikes, can be seen at popular cyclists’ restaurant Tolo’s, where Wiggins is a regular patron. Prior to the Rio Olympics last year, Wiggins took part in the Challenge Mallorca road race, before going on to win gold in Brazil that summer. He retired from professional cycling in December 2016.

William Mark MALAGA’S singular English Cemetery owes its existence to the city’s British Consul from 1824 to 1836. Disgusted that while Catholics were allowed a decent church burial, British Protestants were disposed of on the beach buried up to their necks in sand - Mark successfully appealed to the Spanish government for a dedicated plot of land, now the oldest non-Roman Catholic cemetery in Spain. Visitors today will find the two lions guarding the tombstones of many influential people, a number of them British, in what is the quintessential ‘corner of a foreign field that is forever England.’

Hugh Matheson THIS 19th-century Scottish industrialist was founding president of the Rio Tinto Mine Company in Huelva. As well as becoming one of the world’s leading producers of copper, the company left a strong British legacy in terms of local architecture and leisure activities, including tennis and cricket (introduced for ‘men-only’ to prevent miners from having affairs with the locals). Most notably, in 1889 the miners formed the first football club in Spain. The uniquely British sport gained traction and within years there were clubs sprouting up everywhere.

Glyndwr Michael MORE famously known as ‘The Man Who Never Was’, this drifter who died from eating rat poisoning played a vital but unknowing role in the fall of the Axis Powers during WW2. It is a fascinating story that saw British forces using his body as a decoy during 1943’s Operation Mincemeat in Huelva, dressing his corpse in the uniform of an Allied Forces captain and planting false documents alluding to an Allied invasion of Greece. Hitler fell for the subterfuge and, while Nazi troops moved into Greece, the Allies invaded through Sicily.

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Germans, British, Swedish and Swiss buyers are among the most active, says Pritchard, who has lived in Mallorca for 25 years. “As foreign investment is set to break a new record this year, according to a recent JLL report, we expect the growth in international buyers to continue at Taylor Wimpey Espana,” he said. “The sales success on all our current projects has been the biggest achievement for us on the island so far.” The company is set to release two new developments in Cala D’Or and on the south of the island this autumn. Other building projects are pencilled in for 2018, which Pritchard predicts will be another positive year for the industry in Mallorca. “The increase in land values linked to limited availability might have an impact on house prices,” he said. “But despite that, for 2018, the outlook seems steady as the island will maintain its stronghold as a highly desirable destination.”

Double trouble TOURISTS staying in Balearic Islands hotels will be hit with twice as much tax next year. The tax, which was introduced last summer, will be hiked to €3 a day during summer months with fivestar and city hotels raising the charge to €4 for guests over 16 years old. The government of the Balearic Islands hopes the increase will rake in €90 million a year, with tourism minister Biel Barcelo calling the raise ‘justified’. Tourist flats will also be hit by the new charges, which will run from May to October. Cruise ships and rural hotels are also set to charge passengers €2 a day, with campsites levying a €1 tax

predicts a 5% increase in 2018 alone. Regions with the strongest demand and economies such as Catalonia and Madrid are likely to

A HUGE US property fund is splashing €45 million on three new Costa del Sol developments. The American bosses Real Capital Solutions behind have snapped up sizeable plots in Estepona, Mijas and Benahavis and continue to look at further opportunities along the coast. The company, based in Marbella since 2013, already has five other developments, including The Retreat, in Elviria.

“We have spent around €86 million here so far and have a fund of €100 million to spend,” plained Managing Partner exWells, based in Colorado. Peter “We are one of the largest opers on the Costa del develSol and our emphasis is on distressed properties.” He added: “Also we do transparently and always things try and deliver on price and quality.” The company - which made hundreds of millions buying ing distressed propertiesand sellUS - has 16 staff working in the its office at Centro Plaza. out of Local boss Taylor Cox, added: “The coast is really starting come alive and it’s a pleasure to to live in such a beautiful part of the world.”

Napier

Rol

ESTATE agents in Spain lining themselves up for and Gibraltar are the busiest July on record. It comes as some British buyers put purchases on hold due to referendum on June 23.the forthcoming EU Most agents the Olive Press firmed they had various spoke to con‘paused’ awaiting the result,sales currently despite the British market remaining The majority believe that strong. pected result - to stay in the ex- will lead to the pound Europe strengthening with a red hot summer of sales to follow. Ben Bateman, at Holmes Sotogrande, described the lead up as a ‘pause forreferendum British buyers’ due to thought for concerns over the weak pound. “After a remain vote however, we expect to see a strong finish to the den wave of bids from year - and a sudBritish buyers,” he told the Olive Press. One agent in Gibraltar has gone one step further actually employing July. Savills director Sammy extra staff for Cruz-Armstrong said: “Everything is on but I am convinced we hold due to Brexit, and am taking on extra will stay in Europe with the expected delugestaff in July to deal Benahavis agent Scott of business.” Marshall of Proper-

Spanish property sales

tieSpain, meanwhile, described the pause as ‘very psychological’. He said: “It’s a combination the vote and the exchange of the uncertainty of While many agents have rate right now.” rently on hold, some havea couple of sales cur“We have up to ten sales seen more. til after the referendum,” currently on hold unboss of Castles, in Manilva.said Victor Witkowski, “Buyers are not necessarily they are biding their time pulling out, but to see what happens.” Fellow Manilva agent, confirmed a slowdown, Shani Hamilton, also predicting a huge influx but added: “We are of business as soon as a decision is made.”

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Where is Gillian buying?

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PAGE 24

Deals

by nationality and quarter

Source: Registradores

Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 Q1 2015 Q2 2015 Q3 2015 Q4 2015 Q1 2016

Currency Exchange

Ibiza, meanwhile, is selling so fast it is becoming unable to cope with demand. Solvia forecast the biggest “Demand for high end residences on Ibiza rises will be in Catalonia remains significantly (11%) and Madrid (14%) higher than the supply available,” said Florian Fischer, managing partner of Engel & Völkers on Ibiza. “In addition, we regisBankinter predict a average tered a rise in average growth of 5% just in 2018 property prices in 2016,” said Florian Fischer, Engel & Völkers brokered properties to buyers from 17 different countries last year. Sabadell Bank forecast 7.3% The report reveals that Gernational incease by 2020 mans top the group of overseas buyers, followed by the traditional British, French, Swiss and Italian buyers. It comes after Spain ensee the biggest rises and likely to be strongest in joyed a record-breaking the Solvia forecast sug- Barcelona, Madrid, Se- July in terms of internagests increases of 11% and villa, Malaga and Alicante, tional tourism numbers, 14% respectively. where demand continues smashing all previous records. It added that sales are to be high.

Keys Isl nd

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a ‘record’ year for foreign buyers in the Mallorca property PROPERTY prices in market. The company, which has Olive been Malaga The Pressare expected to building in Mallorca for six soar by 5% next year to increasing dedecades, has seen huge TOP forsucnews thanks in Spain! cess in the Marina Golf and mand. Bahia San Pere developments. It comes after Solvia, And with average prices of the property division €415,000 across the island, of Sabadell bank, Taylor Wimpey Espana can forecast an averstill offer two-bedroom apart- age increase in house ments for around €215,000 at prices of 7.3% across the the north-east resort of Bahia country by 2020. San Pere. Bankinter, meanwhile,

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Either way, official statistics out this month confirm the British market remains strong and tens of thousands continue to look for their dream home. Respected analyst Mark eign demand for SpanishStucklin insists that forin the first quarter with property was up 16% of foreign buyers at 22%Brits the biggest group “The British still dominateof the market share. property and there is no the foreign market for able decline in demand evidence of a noticeas yet,” he said. And certainly not everyone One agent, Graham Govier is suffering. of Inland Andalucia has seen ‘no negative impact’ at all during the referendum lead-up. “In fact it is the opposite. cheap right now and we Prices are extremely are selling two times as many properties as we were He added: “My salesman last year,” he said. Paul already a bit of a local celebrity - has just enth consecutive sale and completed his sevpeople are buying because they can see that won’t wait around for themthe incredible deals Paul made headlines in forever,” he added. the Olive Press last year when he sold an impressive nine properties in a row.

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King Calvia CALVIA is one of Spain’s four most popular locations for Brits buying abroad, a new report says. The south-western Mallorca resort continues to attract investment from the UK, with Taylor Wimpey Espana seeing the most enquiries about Calvia this summer. Townhouses at Marina Golf from €590,000 were particularly popular, with the properties situated next to Santa Ponsa III golf course. Other areas which showed huge interest from British buyers were Torrevieja, Marbella and Mijas. It comes as Spain’s Institute for National Statistics (INE) reported 10.5 million tourists came to Spain in July 2017 - 10% up on last year's figure. British travellers made up the largest number, with more than 2.3 million arriving that month.

Why this mountain village could be the perfect place to buy

to the

Why not invest in Fornalutx, or as it’s more famously known, Spain’s ‘most beautiful’ town?

ften referred to as the ‘Prettiest village in Spain’, Fornalutx is located on the northwest of Mallorca, nestled high up the Tramuntana mountain range overlooking the picturesque Sóller valley. The pretty cobbled streets, traditional stone façades, and red tiled roofs have been well maintained creating one of the most beautiful and best-preserved villages in Spain, having received awards for conservation since the 1980s. Renowned for its orange and lemon groves, the warm afternoon breeze lifting through the Soller valley combines to provide a heavenly sensory experience.

By Amanda Butler

Sitting pretty

Propert

y of the

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Conquests Originally an Arab farmstead dating back over 1000 years its current unspoilt form started taking shape in the 13th century after the Spanish conquests. The population has of course steadily grown with an expanding international community, particularly with the opening of the Soller Tunnel, but it still remains small and refreshingly quaint. The traditional beauty attracts thousands of visitors every year. The town hall stands out in the centre with a 17th century defense tower. The church was built in 1639 with a mixture of its original gothic features and baroque renovations creating a striking blend. Fornalutx is a mecca for hikers and bikers with numerous walking trails enabling stunning views of olive and orange groves climbing ever higher until they reach the pine-clad foothills of Puig

Major., and views through to the sea beyond towards The Port of Soller. There are a number of terrace restaurants and bars where you can sit back and a handful of local shops. There there are plenty more facilities in Soller just 2 km down delightfully small winding roads and sweet smelling orange groves.

A gorgeous stone faced village house with panoramic mountain views. A spacious entrance hall welcomes you to the heart of this 5-bedroom home with large dining table which leads up into the lounge and fully fitted kitchen with family dining area. This opens out onto a large terrace with al fresco dining and seating area. On the first floor the Master Bedroom incorporates a dressing room and bathroom with shower and bath, with 3 further bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, one en-suite.Guest House and games room. The stunning property comes complete with a fireplace, wooden floors, tiled floors, covered terraces, CCQ, and central heating.

Contact Amanda J Butler to buy or sell your home: Tel: +34690075169, www.mjcassociates.net. Your professional one stop property shop around the Island!

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Spain smashed all tourism records in July thanks to UK holidaymakers

Download our app now and SPAIN will not be joinbegin enjoying the best Spanish ing the race to deploy 5G, news on the go. the fifth-generation mobile

last year. Spain hosted more than 10.5 million foreign tourists in the seventh month of the year, adding to expectations that 2017 arrival numbers will reach new heights. From January to July, the number of visitors rose 11.3% on last year to 46.9 million. Research carried out by Caixabank predicts a total of 83 million international tourists by the end of 2017. Barcelona in Catalonia is a big favourite among Brits, Catalonia was the most vis-

network standard that the world’s most developed nations are trying to roll out as soon as possible. holidaymakers Countries are keen to adopt BRITISH this next-generation tech- have helped Spain smash its nology that multiplies the record for international tourspeed of today’s 4G connec- ist arrivals. It comes after the National tions by 250. The Olive Press But Energy, Tourism and Statistics Institute (INE) revealed the number of visitors Digital Agenda Minister Al- in TOP for news Spain! varo Nadal has confirmed in July soared by 10.1% on there is no planned date for Spain to deliver this new technology, and that the government’s priority for now is to deploy 4G and THE Spanish Government has ruled that all informafixed broadband connectivition concerning defence contracts with Saudi Arabia ty across the entire territory, are to be classified at secret. where 30% of the population An agreement has been signed between the two counstill lacks this technology. tries on the basis of ‘mutual protection of classified For the time being, the govinformation in the field of defence.’ ernment will let Spanish Between 2013 and 2016 Spain exported arms worth a operators carry out 5G tests total value of 1.3 billion euros to Saudi Arabia. on the 3.5GHz bandwidth, A total of 24 companies, two business associations said the minister. But Nadal and the Nuclear Safety Council accompanied King added that it is too soon to Felipe during his visit to the country earlier this year, talk about auctioning off the underlining the importance of Saudi Arabia to the frequencies that will carry Spanish economy. the new services.

Saudi Secrets

Sandy shores

If you still have assets in the UK, you may be paying too much tax and damaging your long-term income

15 15

S a British expat living in Spain, you no doubt have existing savings and investment plans (ISA's, PEP's, National Savings, Onshore and Offshore Investment Bonds etc). These investments were good planning when you were a UK resident. However, they are now unlikely to be efficient as the Spanish Tax Authorities (Hacienda) simply ignore the tax wrapper and look directly at the cash value. What does this mean for you? Your previously tax-efficient investments are now taxable annually in Spain as part of your income on the growth / interest received. Add to this the fact that any investment above €50,000 needs to be declared to the Hacienda on your annual tax return modelo 720 and failure to disclose carries hefty fines with expats seen as ‘soft targets,’ and it is no surprise that you are concerned about what to do. What needs to be declared? Declaration of Assets (Modelo 720 Form) Spanish Residents (are you certain you are not considered resident in Spain? (see below)) must declare overseas assets worth more than €50,000 on the Modelo 720 Tax Form.

●● ●●

Property (your old home you kept for let in the UK perhaps). ISA’s, PEP's, NISA's, Investment Bonds both Onshore and Offshore etc. (the Span-

THE Spanish food and drink industry warns of significant economic damage and disruption if the UK does not stop the flow of EU nationals leaving due to the uncertainties Brexit has forced upon them. Retailers, farmers, food processors and pub and restaurant owners have banded together to combat a ‘cliff-edge’ Brexit, which would have very negative impacts on these industries.

New fines THE national tenancy act states that owners who rent out property must pay the deposit for the rental into a bank. After the law being loosely enforced, it now comes with fines of up to €3,000.

BEACHES: One of many reasons Brits come to Spain ited region in July. Hotel groups and government ministers have so far dismissed concerns that the attacks in Barcelona could affect figures, saying cancellations since have been isolated. According to a survey by ITB World Travel, two thirds of international travellers only go to destinations they perceive as safe. Tourism has accounted for around 11% of economic output during Spain’s economic recovery since the devastating 2008 crash. It’s an essential industry for

the country, employing 13% of the population. British tourists remained the largest group of visitors, accounting for 22.1% of the total, despite Brexit and the plummetting pound against the euro. “There is no noticeable impact of Brexit on our future bookings, which remain positive,” a spokesman for Thomas Cook said. “The annual sun and beach holiday is resilient.” More than 2.3 million Brits travelled to Spain in July, up 7% from 2016.

No more night flights PALMA wants to end night flights to and from the airport. This would range from 11 at night to six in the morning. The justification for the proposed banned is to cut back on noise pollution.

Finance writer, Sandy Paterson, of Blacktower, who is here to help make the most for your finances

Mind your assets

These include:

Economic damage

ish Government looks straight through the tax wrapper as if it was not there). What can be done to avoid the ● ● Bank accounts. tax? ● ● Protection policies. Spanish Compliant Investment Are you a Spanish resident? Whilst it seems complicated, es- plans on the other hand offer tablishing residency in Spain is a direct tax advantage. Specifirelatively simple. You are a Span- cally, designed plans for Expatriates in Spain will offer income tax ish Tax Resident if: and succession tax ● ● You live in advantages. They Spain for more the added than half a year Have the added have advan(not necessarily advantage that t a g e in one sitting). that the Or; the Hacienda Hacienda ● ● You have your recognises them recognis‘centre of vies them tal interest’ in as tax-efficient as tax-efSpain. These ficient inrules have been vestments tightened up to catch those who deliberately in Spain. spend less than 183 days a These are very useful for the folyear in Spain to avoid tax. We lowing reasons: have heard of cases where ● ● No need to be declared on Modelo 720. the location of the family dog ● ● The structure of the Bond is came into play!

●●

such that they are ‘compliant’ as seen by the Hacienda. Any tax liability due (usually a small amount) is calculated by the bond provider and paid direct to the Hacienda. Avoid the need for probate on death. ●● Can be denominated in GBP, Euro, Dollars and other currencies. ●● Inheritance Tax efficient. Tax treatment is very favourable in Spain when compared to not using this method so potentially large tax savings can be made Large range of investments, asset classes and different risk profile investments available within the bond including some capital protected funds for low risk investors

The use of Spanish Compliant Investment Bond products created specifically for Expats in Spain enables you to save tax and have the peace of mind needed for a comfortable retirement. Take advice now to make sure you are not inadvertently paying too much tax or facing stiff fines for not declaring assets outside of Spain.

Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission. Licence 00805B and is registered by both the DGS and CNMV in Spain. Blacktower Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Presidential perfect

TIRED of going for a drink and getting bad service? Try no service at all! DR!NK is not only Mallorca’s newest bar, located in Can Pastilla, it is also the first of it’s kind anywhereDownload in the world. The our app nowlatand est technology meets local beer begin enjoying the best Spanish and wine in the easy-to-use manews on the go. chine operated hang out. “We thought, why not take what technology exists today By Ben Reus and apply it to the hospitality business,” Jon Graham, who established the bar with part- MICHELLE Obama surner Heike Göltenboth, told the prised the village of CaiOlive Press. All that is needed is some cash mari when she arrived to sample some traditional The Olive Press to put onto a beer card, then simply grab a glass, put your Mallorcan food and wine. The former first lady and card above the for tap and pour! TOP news inAsSpain! the drinks come out, the money her entourage arrived in is taken straight off the card; the Tramuntana village ‘like something out of a only pay for what is poured. Over in the USA, some large movie’ according to Ca Na breweries use the technology Toneta’s chef Maria Solivto let customers sample small ellas. amounts of many different ales, but this is the first time an Chatting entire bar has been run of the “We spoke like we’d system. DR!NK offers Spanish, German known each other a long and English beer, shandy, an time,” Soliveles said. alcohol free option, cider, four “She had obviously been wines and a few spirits, with a informed about us, but it few more coming soon. The led to a delightful convermodern tech is balanced by a sation.” sleek charcoal look, with a pro- About an hour before jector screen for sporting events Obama arrived, Solivelles and a pool table at only a euro said her team of 16 came a game.

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Ex-president’s wife in awe of mountain village as she wines and dines on traditional fare the chef said. “But it all went well.” Ca Na Toneta specialises in a strictly seasonal Mallorcan menu, which changes daily, but includes an appetiser, soup, and a ‘coca’ (a kind of focaccia), fish and meat dishes and dessert.

Double A

OBAMA: Meeting the locals on the street

by to check everything was in order in a display that seemed to her ‘like something out of a Hollywood

movie,’ as villagers gathered in the street to greet her. “We were a little nervous,”

Obama dined on Almond and albacore soup, coca ‘de trampo’ (finely diced tomatoes, sweet onion, and pepper) with squid, aubergine cream soup and smoked llampuga (a type of native fish), which she is said to have ‘very much enjoyed.’ Reservations for Ca Na Toneta must be made well in advance as the restaurant is already very popular.

Post for pudding SNAPPING a shot of the stunning starters or mouthwatering mains at the Pez Playa will earn a free dessert. The restaurant, inside the hotel ME Mallorca in Magaluf, is the first ‘instagrammable’ restaurant by design. The waiters also advise how to get the best shot and the lighting is just right for food photography, which can be a tricky thing. Diners simply need to upload a photo of their meal to instagram with the hashtag #ilovepezplaya to get their dessert on the house.

Wine boom SPANISH wine exports have reached a record high of €1.33 billion in the first half of this year, up by 6% over the same period in 2016. The increase is largely put down to the growth of the Chinese market, which has jumped by a massive 53.7% in a year.

Love, love will take you there...

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Asturias

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Asturias has become one of the must visit places for the latest in Spanish food styles, hot on the heels of the Basque Region, writes Olive Press editor Jon Clarke

S POURING AWAY: Waitress

LOVING LIFE: Jesus

MELLY cheese and lots of beans… that is pretty much how you would have summed up Asturian cuisine a few decades ago. The guidebooks didn’t suggest otherwise and there was certainly nothing much to alter that view when I was a regular visitor to the region from Madrid in the early 1990s. Introduced by my then-girlfriend, an actress from its biggest city Gijon, I got to love the rugged coastline, reliable waves for surfing and the party-loving people, who drank a lot of cider and proved to be friendly and straight-talking. As far as food was concerned it was even more straight-forward. No matter where we ended up, we would eat blue cheese from Cabrales and grilled meats, apart from when we ate ‘chez actriz’, when out came the ‘fabas’ beans. Her mum would spend all morning preparing her legendary fabadas which came with lashings of salted meats, sausages and black pudding. And what monsters they were; delicious and full of goodness, if just a touch bloaty on the stomach. Very much a dish for lunch, not dinner, they would set you up for the rest of the day, whatever the weather, but be careful when you were in polite company. These days the fabadas of Asturias are so famous that chefs guard their exact recipes with their lives, and an annual competition pits 100 restaurants against each other with their best efforts. Some chefs are so concerned at the softness of the skin of their white beans - a key factor - that if there is a hint of toughness, they will bale out of the competition before it starts. “We decided on giving it a miss this year for that exact reason,” explains Maria Dolores, the manageress of the coast’s top five star hotel Palacio de Luces (www.palaciodeluces.com). “Our chef Ignacio Garcia Canellada had been struggling to get the right supplier of beans this year and the ones he grew

THREE PICKS FOR ASTURIAS SEAFOOD MARVEL Beach restaurant Gueyu Mar, in Ribadesella, is original, hip and hard to get a booking CREATIVE DATE Make sure to try Casa Marcial, in Arriondas, which has been setting the agenda in modern Asturian cuisine for two decades

HOMEGROWN: Lola pods faba beans

DIVINE: Cecina cured beef

FOODY HOTEL Palacio de Luces, in Lastres, has a superb restaurant, where chef Ignacio Garcia Canellada has the pick of the best of Asturian produce

September 14th- September 27th 2017

reborn FISHY: Fish soup and sea urchins in Castres port he just didn’t have confidence in, so we pulled out at the last minute. “It’s a shame, but we didn’t want to take the risk of not getting into the final.” Just behind her stunning hotel, in Lastres, you will find the perfect example of how serious the locals take their beans (recipes for Asturias fabadas go right back to 1884). It is well after lunchtime on a Friday and in a well-ordered storeroom, Lola is hard at work podding a basket-full of white beans. Carefully sifting through her haul and laying them out to dry, she explains that she’ll be using them later that weekend to cook. She and her partner Jesus have a well organised almacen (store room) full of their own homemade cider and plenty of dried vegetables and fruits. “So many things grow around here,” explains Lola. “Almost everyone has their own vegetable garden and most families have a few cows they take out to graze.” There are indeed cows in every direction wherever you land in Asturias...cows of all different sizes and colours. Much of their milk goes into cheeses which are said to number over 40 different types in Asturias, three of which have Denominación de Origen status. Few places in the world - even in France can boast such variety over such a small area. The most famous is Cabrales, which is a strong rival to Stilton or Camembert for taste. Many families will have a herd and as soon as school breaks up for summer, they will take off for the high pastures, where they

will spend the whole summer, making accident. cheeses which will be brought down in His creativity has led to local competition, with a second restaurant in Arriondas El September to cure in special caves. The caves are still a key element in the Corral de Indianu being awarded a star, making of Cabrales and the other great while other chefs such as father-and-son team Pedro and Marcos Moran, at Casa Asturian blue cheese, Gamonedo. The caves are normally bored into the Gerardo, are breathing down his neck, hillside and are damp and musty with a with in particular a legendary fabada. naturally powerful stink. This is where the Another amazing place worth checking cheeses will be stored until mature and out is Gueyu Mar, on Playa de Vega, in Ribadesella, where the ritzy crowd from Ovieready to eat. do and Gijon head Most families also for the weekend. have a grain store Here chef Abel Ál- known as an varez not only guarhorreo - where they antees to find THE will store their other best seafood on the produce. entire coastline, he Designed to stay cooks it almost endry and keep out tirely on a series of rats, on one outing, hand-cranked grills. we came across a “We’ve been doing woman with her hait now for a couple zelnuts, just picked of years and we are from the nearby really starting to see hills and absolutely success,” he told delicious, despite me. “It takes a while still needing a few to understand how days to dry. best to do it, but it It is in these horreis not only delicious os that you will find but more healthy the most amazing this way.” array of natural The most famous Asturian dish In particular, his products from the is the fabada, a hearty stew of smoked oyster is green and giving fabas (white beans) mixed in incredible, as are hills, making Asturwith smoked meats and sauhis percebes (barias one of the most sages, various vegetables and nacles) and razor productive places spices, often including saffron. shells. The wine list in Europe. Other dishes include fritos is also superb. All in all then, it was de pixín (deep-fried monkfish But Asturian cuisine only really a matter pieces), menestra (vegetable is generally getting of time before Asstew), empanada (a thick crust better known on turias went through pie), torto de maíz (fried maizethe international a food revolution, flour flatbread. The seafood, stage, much of it particularly given landed at the busy fishing ports thanks to the work its geography so of Gijón, Lastres and Avilés, is of Jose Andres, posnear to the Basque second to none. sibly Spain’s most Region. famous chef thanks And this is indeed to his close connecwhat has happened over the last decade, as a range tion to former American president Obama of creative chefs have sprung up to take and his ten restaurants around the US. He has taught at Harvard and most imporadvantage of its amazing products. A lot of this began with Nacho Manzano tantly created a 26-episode show Made in (see review on page18) who over the last Spain, in which he promoted his native two decades has brought the modernisa- Asturias (he is from Mieres), as much as tion of Asturian cuisine to a top level of humanly possible. There are now eight Michelin star restaurefinement. At his restaurant Casa Marcial in Arrion- rants in Asturias and with such amazing das he now has two Michelin stars, and produce right on their doorsteps it is exthe place has got better and better since tremely likely that this number will double I first tried it two decades ago, entirely by over the next decade.

Fabada and more

food SPECIAL

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CONCENTRATION: Nacho prepares sea urchin

September 14th- September 27th 2017 September 14 - September 27 0th 2017

arvellous arcial

Asturias leading restaurant Casa Marcial has not lost its rustic charm despite gaining two Michelin stars, discovers Jon Clarke

STYLISH: The place is beautifully lit and the dishes compliment that

HE first time we ate at Casa Marcial we litso grand, and it’s kinder to your pocket! erally stumbled across it on a muddy hike Broadly, you have a choice of two set menus: a around inland Asturias. traditional one, called the ‘roots menu’, and a It appeared at the top of a steep hill like a more modern seasonal version, known as the ray of sunshine after a storm … a magical spot in ‘horizontal menu’. a tiny hamlet with marvellous views of the soarAnd, best of all, you can divide both in half - ading Picos de Europa mountains in the distance. visable at night - and end up with nine courses It needed a double-take to notice that the small instead of around 15, for €98 including IVA. stone cottage had a menu on the door. On closer Our culinary journey started with the most reinspection, it jumped out as both original and markable seafood spread, hidden in a rockpoolgood value. style presentation in which a clam, a mussel and While we’d missed the midday service (we’d ala whelk were lurking. ready wolfed down a packed lunch, in any case) It continued with a ceviche of avocado with the we were suitably inspired to pop in and book for peel of sardine, which was tasty, followed by an that evening. enoki mushroom with squid and ‘soil ink’, which And what a joy it turned out to be, with its young sounded odd but hit the spot perfectly, rich in chef Nacho Manzano not long in the kitchen and both flavour and originality. a year or so before winning his first Michelin star. An eel served with ‘scanda’ wheat was delicious The food was fresh, the service charming and while the grilled grouper, served with edible flowNacho himself was personable and engaging. ers and mixed leaves, was cooked to perfection. We returned to our simple rustic hostel Easily the strangest dish of the night was that night noting that it had been the cow’s tongue served with lenthe highlight of the holiday. tils and a mole sauce (that’s the Fast-forward two decades and chocolate version, not the furry we are being chauffeured animal), but it was also one of from - ironically - the very the finest. same hostelry, now an inHowever, it was trumped credible five star spa hotel and it is rare that I say this called PuebloAstur. - by an amazing chocolate, This time we’re clad in mint and passion fruit our glad rags and have a pudding, washed down reservation, made three with a fabulous 10-yearmonths earlier via the old Madeira. website. On the subject of wines, I Casa Marcial is an entirely am not normally a big fan different prospect today. of ‘maridaje’ wine pairManzano has been dubbed ing but on this occathe region’s top chef with two sion we succumbed to Michelin stars here (the only the charms of the somone in Asturias) and another in melier. nearby Gijon. The small stone A massive fan of shercottage has been spruced up ries, he explained how brilwith a Guggenheim-style extenliantly they worked with the The main changes sion jutting out back. seafood/mountain mix of Now part of the upmarket Relais Nacho’s food. It was hard have been to the & Chateaux chain, it has all the to disagree, particularly menu, which is attractive flourishes you would with the amazing saltiness expect from a two-Michelinof the boutique UBE wine creative without starred joint, inside and out. from Bodegas Cota 45 in losing its soul and The lighting is fabulous and the Sanlucar de Barrameda, a decor more contemporary, yet it perfect partner for the seastill very much part has managed to hang onto its food starters. of its surroundings original rural charms, much of Other standout wines were this thanks (it is said) to a certhe bone dry El Prohibido tain Scottish designer who spent from Ribeira Sacra and the a couple of years living nearby. Portuguese Vertice Gouveio 2008. The red The main changes have been to the menu, which Massuria 2013 from Bierzo complemented is creative without losing its soul and still very the cow’s tongue to a tee. much part of its surroundings. All in all, it is great to see that the changes at Described as being ‘neither traditional, nor vanMarcial haven’t affected the food. Who knows, guardista, neither from the sea, nor the mounif the quality keeps up, Nacho could be heading tain… but a mix of them all’, probably best sums up Asturias’ first three-star restaurant anytime it up. soon. What you eat at Casa Marcial is in every way up there with the celebrated dining temples of San Sebastian and Girona. It is just not so fussy, nor Casa Marcial, Calle La Salgar, 33549 Arriondas, Asturias, 985 840 991

Spain

RETURN: Jon and Gabirella

ORIGINAL: Beef tongue

STAFF: Polite and informative

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In a new section, the Mallorca Olive Press drops in to test some of the island’s hottest dining secrets

ALLORCA is so much more than packed beaches and overcrowded resorts. And, when it comes to food it is a lot more than its half dozen Michelin star restaurants. There are, in fact, more than 5,000 eateries according to Tripadvisor on the island and at least 10% of those are more than capable of whetting your appetite. We were recently asked by friends for some dining recommendations in Port de Mallorca Pollença, within easy walking distance of their seafront hotel. Recommendation is a totally personal thing, so I hoped my restaurant choices (out of over 100 in the port) didn’t have an ‘off night.’

food and drink extra

Perfect port call of

September 14th- September 27th 2017 September 14th- September 27th 2017

La Llonja is a good spot to dine in Port de Pollensa, insists Peter Clover IDYLLIC: taste the flavour of the sea

us into our culinary adventure. I opted for a delicious crêpe filled with pumpkin, leek and spinach served with a basil drizzle, while my other half had a generous homemade tagliatelle with tender pork fillet in a creamy, wild mushroom sauce.

Main course

BERTH: Located in the old fishing port of Port de Pollenca

Firm favourite

Thankfully, my friends enjoyed all of them, but their firm favourite was definitely La Llonja, and reported back with such enthusiasm that I just had to revisit myself. Situated on the site of the old fishing dock, La Llonja enjoys whispering breezes across the water to cool those hot summer nights. Our amiable host Miguel gave us

a fabulous table on the open terrace with a great harbourside view, which we prefered over the slicker, more modern dining room inside upstairs. Head chef Alex was in charge and we selected the three-course set menu with wine, water and coffee at €34.80 per head. Crusty bread, ‘ramallet tomato’ for the traditional rubbing with olive oil, and homemade tapenade led

Our John Dory fillet, as a main, came served on creamed potato with a generous garnish of asparagus, prawns, clams and mussels. For pudding it was ‘chocolate fondant’, which are tricky devils and demand precise timing. Without the release of a molten filling, a chocolate fondant is not a fondant, it’s a ‘cupcake.’ All in all top marks go to La Llonja for recognising and delivering that respected standard of excellence. La Llonja Restaurant. Moll Vell, Port de Pollença. Tel: 971 868 430

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Sports & yachting

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September 14th- September 27th 2017

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Little and BE BE‘APPY! ‘APPY! BE ‘APPY! large

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Mario’s Mallorca magic

TWO stunning sailing ships, built 90 years apart, have dropped anchor in Palma Bay. Download Download ourapp appnow nowand and Download our app nowour and The 289-foot Maltese Falcon, begin begin enjoying enjoying thethebest bestSpanish Spanish begin enjoying the best Spanish with three distinctive masts, news news on on the the go. go. news on the go. boasts a gym and a luxury outdoor cinema, the largest of its kind on any superyacht. The charter vessel, built in 2006, also holds artwork from the yacht owner’s private collection as well as a reading room and skylights spilling natural light into its The ThePress Olive OlivePress Press spacious The salon. Olive Nestled next to her in the RAFAEL Nadal stormed his way to an Bay thisTOP week, 121-foot TOP TOP for for newsininSpain! Spain! forthe news in news Spain! ‘unbelievable’ US Open victory with a Joseph Conrad, which was straight-sets win over Kevin Anderson. launched in 1916, holds eight The Mallorquin wrapped up a 6-3, 6-3, passengers and five crew 6-4 win to secure his 16th Grand Slam, members. his second this season after triumphing in the French Open for the tenth time. Nadal dispatched South African Anderson in two hours 27 minutes as his extraordinary renaissance continued. “It’s unbelievable what’s happened to me after a couple of years of injuries, playing not so good,” said Nadal, who is expected to stay world number one this year. “But I’ve been playing a high level of tennis and the crowd here brings me

BORUSSIA Dortmund star Mario Gotze didn’t look too down after being dropped for Germany’s World Cup squad. The 25-year-old spent his weekend off sunning himself on board a superyacht at Port Adriano with his former lingerie model girl-

Sweet 16

friend Ann-Kathrin Brommel. The pair, who have been an item since 2012, frollicked in the water during their Balearic break. Gotze, who scored Germany’s winner in the 2014 World Cup final, exploded onto the football scene in 2012.

Rafa rocks New York to claim US Open win over Kevin Anderson

BOAT: Leviathan of seas

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to a higher level of energy.” The six-foot eight Anderson rained down his serves on Nadal, but the Spaniard was able to take control of the match playing deep. By game six of the second set, Nadal had lost only seven points in nine service games and went on to clinch the final with a serve and volley on his second match point. The Flushing Meadows final marked the last Grand Slam where Nadal would be coached by his uncle Toni, with Carlos Moya taking charge of his training next year. "I can't thank him enough for all the things he did for me," Nadal said of his uncle.

GRAND SLAM: Taste of success

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FROOME: Jersey winner

Froome’s Spain gain

CHRIS Froome has become the first British rider to win the Vuelta a Espana after sealing a historic victory in Madrid. The Kenyan-born Team Sky leader made it a season double after winning the Tour de France in July, the first rider to bag both Grand Tours since Bernard Hinault in 1978. Froome, who has won the Tour de France four times, said this year’s Vuelta was the toughest tour he had ridden in. “Not even the Tour was like this. There were a couple of transition days in the Tour when it was more relaxed but here it’s just felt like everyone is on that physical limit,” he said. “Every day someone has gone full gas.”

Boats, bikes and automobiles… Hamish Goddard gearing up for Port Adriano judge role

Mallorca revs up for car wars

y feature a few weeks ago talked about chartering a yacht in September and the benefits of doing so – better value, emptier bays and restaurants, warm water, etc... I was only wrong about the emptier bays, having been involved in a wonderful anchoring ‘dog-fight’ with numerous other hopefuls in the beautiful bay of Portals Vells last Sunday. I dare say that the bays will become emptier, but the island remains hugely popular in September, albeit with a different demographic – couples and friends rather than families and kids. A ‘quick’ blast in the R32 with my 87-year-old mother to Cap Formentor was abandoned when the ‘Goldcar’ queue to the lighthouse at the most north-eastern point of the island made actually getting there impossible! Combined with the arrival of the first big cycling tours, it was not a day to appreciate our perfect driving roads at anything more than cycling pace, although enough to enjoy the stupendous views. It’s always nice to see a newcomer´s reaction to what residents on the is-

MALLORCA CLASSIC WEEK

CAPTION. land have perhaps become used to, although it hasn’t dulled for me after two years of living here. Neither have the views of Palma Bay with the world’s two biggest private sailing yachts in attendance this week – the ground-breaking and beautiful Maltese Falcon, and another three-masted giant that is commonly known as ‘Sailing Yacht A,’ owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko and exteriorly

styled by the same Philippe Starck as the aforementioned new marina at Port Adriano. I have to say that my view on ‘Sailing Yacht A’ is a widely held one; as undeniably impressive as she is - both in her sheer size and incredible engineering - she could have been a little more aesthetically pleasing to look at. One of her more unusual features is an underwater observation pod built into her keel with 30cm-thick glass... And why not…?!

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MALLORCA will welcome the return of last year’s inaugural International Concours d'Elegance event for vintage cars on September 23 in Port Adriano. I will be donning my familiar ‘Jury’ boater as one of the judges, as Port Adriano and the main classic car clubs – Escuderia Driving Mallorca, The Mallorca Classic Car Club and The American Car Club, cooperating under the banner of Mallorca Classic Week for the benefit of local charitable beneficiaries. Port Adriano and the Philippe Starckdesigned marina building provide the perfect setting for an event of this kind for individuals and families, as much as for enthusiasts. Admission for spectators to all elements of the Classic Festival and the Concours d'Elegance on September 23 is free. As well as the numerous restaurants on site, affordable food and drinks facilities will be available following the theme of the American Car Show .

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Mallorca diaries By Lesley Keith

Spain’s hospitals can offer high quality care with the patient in mind, unlike much of the UK

NE thing I’ve used quite a bit since living here is the health service. I can’t speak for anyone else but my experiences have been excellent. My UK GP was pretty good as surgeries go, an appointment could normally be arranged on the day you called. Mind you to achieve this you needed to call at the dot of 8am and keep trying repeatedly for approximately 30 - 60 minutes until you finally got through. A doctor would then call you back to see if they could get out of giving you an appointment. Over here it seems you just walk in. There’s two centres to choose from where I live and basically you just turn up, go in and see a doctor. The first time I went I was surprised to see an old banger parked right outside with a scruffy bloke in a woolly hat, smoking a roll up, working on its engine. Rather inappro-

Columnists

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Happy patient

priate I thought but, hey ho, live fortable chairs. When finally seen, and let live. I reported at reception you either end up lying half naked and was told to report to door 10. in a public corridor with no knowlNo one else was about so as I sat edge of what’s happening or why, down my name was called and I or alternatively you are sent away went straight in. to be told an appointment with a The doctor was the very same specialist will be sent to you, which scruffy mechanic it is several weeks from outside! Well later. Of course by who cares about then you are either that, I was listened My experience of dead or better. to, repaired and Inca hospital howUK hospitals is went off happily. ever is a new light one of huge old and airy building just The next ill health experience was a the motorway. ex-work-houses off visit to A&E at Inca The A&E or ‘Urgenhospital to check with peeling paint cias’ is easily accesout a painful and sible and there’s a bony lump growing comfortable waiting on the back of my room. Within five foot. Now my experience of UK hos- minutes of arrival I was called in pitals is one of huge old ex-work- to triage where they assessed the houses with peeling paintwork in situation and sent me back to the city centres, expensive car parking, waiting room. Another five minutes if indeed a space is available and and I saw a doctor who said I needendless hours of waiting on uncom- ed an x-ray.

September 14th- September 27th 2017 September 14th- September 27th 2017

In fact the whole process from walking in the door, to being xrayed and sitting discussing said xray with the same doctor and going home took less than 40 minutes. Incredible, surely this must have been beginners luck? Well no, as I’ve been back both for me and for my partner and it’s the same every time, seen and sorted in under an hour. Sadly my friend needed to be admitted recently and again I am amazed at the quality of the place. For one thing there’s a large free car park on site plus the whole place is spotless and smells wonderfully fresh. All wards are only two-bedded, with an en suite bathroom no less. Every room has a door to an outside garden with a seating area with a mountain view! You control the lighting and temperature and the food is hot and varied and delivered on time. Visitors can come at any time and stay as long

as they want, overnight if necessary. A doctor visits every day and if you want to speak to the specialist they will visit you in your ward, you just have to ask. Throw in a café that does take away food and coffee for visitors at very cheap prices and I think you’ll agree this is a health system with the patient in mind. A far cry then from the multi-bedded, noisy, continually lit hell holes back in Blighty. Visiting is 1 – 2 or 6 – 7, no exceptions and privacy is something you leave on the mat as you enter the doors. A bathroom at the end of the ward shared by 12 or more people and no sign of a doctor unless there’s 6 or more students accompanying him. No one relishes the idea of being in hospital but I have to say, if you could take away the fact that you have to be ill to stay in one I think I could handle it very well!

Almost there Patiently beckoning the end of the summer season

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MERICAN Punk Band Green Day (and I know that for those of you reading this who were around in 76 when the Sex Pistols, The Clash et al broke over the prog rock-infested British music scene like a tidal wave over a village fete “American Punk Band” is as much of an oxymoron as “Saudi Arabian Campaign for Real Ale”) have a song called Wake me up when September ends. Maybe it's my inner Cranckmeister being released, but I'm writing this column from the terrace of my cottage overlooking the Istan lake.

Piercing screams

Normally is a perfect vision of tranquility, with black bass leaping to break the surface of the still waters, while mountain goats silently come down at dusk to drink. I half expect David Attenborough to be spotted in the shrubbery at some point, providing a low key running commentary. But it's August and I've just glanced across the lake to see at least five inflatables – including this season's must have, a giant swan – on the water. And the people in the water are enjoying their holiday in true Spanish style – with the volume turned up to eleventy stupid – while the children raise the kind of piercing screams that make me wonder if a great white shark has somehow made itself into the water and is rendering them limb from bloody limb (a fervent wish, trust me). Away from the lake, every trip to the coast is undertaken with the same stoic sense of resignation as soldiers heading to the Eastern Front. Tales of huge queues to get into town centres, 40 minutes driving around aforementioned town centres to find parking space, the illegal use of elbows, shoulder charges and other dark

arts not seen since the French front row in the 70s to get a space at the bar and lines at the checkouts that stretch as far as Extremadura. Maybe it's because - the terrible events in Barcelona notwithstanding – Spain continues to be seen as a mature and safe destination that this summer seems to be even busier than previously. Or perhaps it's the high profile that the British tourists have kept this year (running each other over outside beach clubs, staggering drunkenly around town with their tops off, casually lobbing hand grenades into hotel lobbies – you know, standard British 'boisterous' behaviour – and the subsequent outcry in the Spanish Press about 'Marbeluf’. Or maybe it's just because as I get older and wiser (and that's an oxymoron in itself) that I no longer look forward to the annual influx of party hungry tourists that I did as a younger and much, much wilder twentysomething, that I now find myself picking out Wake me up when September ends from my Spotify playlist, and longing for autumn, the season of 'Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness.-' And somewhere to park the car...

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September 14th- September 27th 2017

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Wedding smasher A BRIDE has allegedly fled with money raised for her fiance’s Ibiza stag parties as well as her own hen-do. Rachel Doran, 29, is said to have scarpered with €6,600 she collected from 20 pals for her pre-nuptials night out in Edinburgh. But it is also claimed she swiped €14,300 from her 27-year-old betrothed Chris Mahone’s 29 stags who had planned to head to Ibiza. A source said: “The wedding is off and the hens are desperate to know where their money has gone.”

Vol. 1 Issue 11 www.theolivepress.es September 14th - September 27th 2017

Thief breaks his leg as he flees a robbery in Santa Catalina Exclusive By Ben Reus

A THIEF received 'instant justice' after badly breaking his leg and smashing his face up while fleeing a robbery on Palma's Paseo Maritimo. The con fell down a flight of steps leading to the marina having just robbed a British jogger in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood.

September 14th- September 27th 2017

A 'GARDEN gnome’ has forced a road closure outside the government’s Palma HQ. Police sniffer dogs and the bomb squad were alerted after a man left the 30 cm clay figurine outside the Consell Insular. The little man led to the street being barricaded off by cops. Francisco Covas, a security guard at the government buildings, told police he saw a 'rather unkempt-looking' man leave the garden gnome and flee. After seeing the suspect, Covas immediately placed a 'Caution' sign next to the figurine and called police. "I was quite scared, you can't be too careful", he said. Two members of Palma's bomb squad checked the wee figurine out and verified he was not a threat before roads were reopened 20 minutes later.

Instant karma

Eagle-eyed

"He'd obviously robbed her and fallen down the stairs as he ran off,” British expat Jo Lucas, 49, told the Olive Press. The eagle-eyed reader, who was with her husband John, 53, continued: "We saw this man running then heard a lot

Shady figurine

SCENE OF THE CRIME: Off Palma’s Paseo Maritimo

of shouting and screaming so we went over and saw the guy laying on the ground with his leg all over the place and his face all smashed. “This lady was running down the stairs after him, shouting at him in English to give all her stuff back.” Despite his predicament and a small crowd gathering, the man - described as 'about 23 and Eastern European' - was still reluctant to return the woman's purse and phone. "There was about three of us by then telling him to give the woman her stuff back and he soon realised he couldn't go anywhere or get out of it, so he gave the things back." One man at the scene called an ambulance, while Lucas, who now lives in Santa Catalina, flagged down two police officers on motorbikes who happened to be passing by. Having got her things back, however, the jogger did not want to press charges. "It's a shame he didn’t get prosecuted", Mrs Lucas said. "But he really got his justice in other ways".

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