Gibraltar Olive Press - Issue 87 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR READERS AND ADVERTISERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, BRING ON 2019

Brexit should ‘boost’ border relations

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The 10 coolest barrios in Andalucia and Spain worth a visit this year

By Elisa Menendez

BREXIT is a ‘nasty shock’ that should encourage cross-border relations between Spain and Gibraltar, the Cross Frontier Group has said. The organisation announced in a statement that Britain’s departure from the EU should inspire residents of the Rock and the Campo de Gibraltar to ‘redouble efforts’ to foster dialogue and cooperation. “It has been a nasty shock, especially given Gibraltar’s overwhelming support for the European project at the referendum,” said the group. “But the Brexit impasse must surely serve to sharpen our wits and redouble our efforts.”

Lobbied

Founded five years ago, the group campaigns for crossborder workers’ rights and have lobbied politicians from the European Parliament, Westminster and Andalucia. The Cross Frontier Group has also established an EU Territorial Grouping in a bid to ensure future cooperation between Gibraltar and the Campo, which is now being considered by Spain. “But the Brexit impasse must surely serve to sharpen our wits and redouble our efforts,” the group added. “For if, to date, we have been considered reliable and truthful interlocutors in the dialogue between citizens and their institutions, in the current, delicate circumstances our role becomes even more important.”

WORK TOGETHER: Gib and the Campo

See page 22

Vol. 4 Issue 87 www.gibraltarolivepress.com January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Just how do you get a coveted Michelin star? We reveal the trade secrets

Spain is heading for climate disaster and it’s already begun See page 10

See page 24

Final countdown With just 85 days until Brexit, Spain promises to protect our rights while British government launches outreach programme for expats

By Laurence Dollimore

BRITISH expats will have their rights protected NO MATTER what happens with Brexit. That is the promise made by Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, who vowed that even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on March 29, the more than 300,000 Brits registered here will continue enjoying the same rights. “Their rights will be preserved whatever the scenario,” he said at the endof-year news conference on Sunday, traditionally given by the Spanish leader. Sanchez added that by February Spain would have drawn up a law covering citizens’ rights and plans to preserve bilateral commercial relations. It comes as the British government and expat groups, including Brexpats in Spain, have ar-

‘Give us dual nationality’

CLOSE TO AGREEMENT?: Pedro Sanchez and Theresa May

ranged a series of Brexit meetings across Andalucia in January (see page 5). The meetings will update residents with the latest information on Brexit and what it means for UK nationals living in Spain. A spokesperson told the Olive Press: “The Consul-

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ar team will be joined by experts on a range of issues, including residency, registration, healthcare and pensions – so whether you have a specific question about living in Spain or simply want to know more about how Brexit might affect you, please come along and talk to us.” Favourite As well as the large number of expats, many of whom live on the Costa del Sol, Brits are also Spain’s largest visiting group. Spain is also the UK’s favourite retirement spot,

while the Brits are also the largest group to use Spain’s health care system. Although 300,000 British expats are officially recorded as living in Spain, the number is actually thought to be over 750,000, as many don’t register. It means any expat who wants to guarantee their lives will continue unaffected must register or sign up to the padron before March 29. British Consul Charmaine Arbouin said: "I continue to urge all UK nationals living in Spain to ensure you are correctly registered and stay up to date with the latest news.”

Tel: 902 123 902 123 282 See page 2

A GROUP of expats have officially asked the Spanish government to offer dual citizenship, an option currently only available for soldiers from the international brigadistas and descendants of Sephardic Jews. In a document handed to Madrid, the expats plead for a new law which will allow for Brits who have lived or worked in Spain for 10 years to attain dual nationality. Madrid-based Eurocitizens, ECREU (Alicante) and Brexpats (Malaga), argue the case whether there is a deal or not, as currently to get Spanish nationality they have to renounce their British citizenship. “Breaking all ties with the UK means losing the right to relocate there, even if you have to return for family reasons,” the document reads. It added grave concern regarding the more than 107,000 British pensioners living in Spain. If they become ‘third-country nationals’, they may not reach the €26,000 per year minimum income that is required to have a non-profit residence (average British pension is €9,000). While Sanchez has vowed to protect their rights, it is to be on a reciprocal basis. In the UK meanwhile, Theresa May’s government has told EU citizens to apply and pay a small sum to be granted ‘settled status’.

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Beast from East CHINESE gall wasps have wrought havoc on Ronda’s sweet chestnuts causing crops to plummet by 30% over Christmas.

Pension hike SPAIN will increase pensions by 1.6% in 2019 with those on minimum allowance, including non-contributory individuals, to see their pensions rise by 3%.

Kicking off EX-Real Madrid and Liverpool footballer Xabi Alonso could face five years in prison over tax fraud charges.

Shaky ground THE PSOE has announced that Franco’s remains cannot be moved to Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral for security reasons and is seeking an alternative location.

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Hash and grab

42 arrested including footy team in huge hashish bust off Gibraltar A FOOTBALL team have been arrested in the Strait of Gibraltar in a multi-million euro drug bust. Police detained 42 people in two large operations that seized 3.25 tonnes of hashish, five stolen vehicles, five boats and 1,300 litres of petrol. Those arrested in Ceuta, Malaga and Cadiz, are sus-

pected of trafficking hashish between north Africa and southern Europe. The ‘Cansinos’ operation, which began in September, saw 21 people who trained together as a football team arrested in Manilva. This group’s leader was a former Real Balompédica Linense footballer and club dean in La Linea.

SEIZED: Drugs from RHIB boat He is known to have a chalet in Manilva and is thought to have kept his players welldrilled to detect errors in the drug-trafficking operation.

Cruel camel car park A CARAVAN of camels has been rescued from an Andalucian car park after being forced to offer ‘Christmas rides’ to shoppers while being kept in inhumane conditions. PACMA slammed the operation in Ecija, Sevilla, after images circulated online appeared to show the animals locked in a cage. The footage shows three camels in the multi-storey lot of a

shopping centre fenced into a couple of parking spaces with a thin layer of straw. The animals rights party labelled the camel enclosure ‘abusive’ and said: “They can feel fear, anguish and pain.” It added: “We believe it is necessary for the head of the centre to understand that the animals are sentient beings.” The shopping mall suspended its Christmas camel rides.

ABUSIVE: Camels in car park

The suspected drug clan were discovered as they unloaded 57 sacks containing 1.75 tonnes of hashish on Borondo beach in San Roque. Another investigation, known as ‘Reque-Oliveros’ saw another 21 people arrested for drug trafficking offences and a further 1.5 tonnes of hashish seized. It is estimated by Guardia Civil agents that this group brought half a tonne of hash into Spain every month in recreational and semi-rigid boats. A van packed with 1,300 litres of petrol was also discovered on the beach of Guadalmesí in Tarifa, while cash, weapons and other property worth €100,000 were also seized.

A bed to die for A PRISONER has killed his elderly inmate on his FIRST day behind bars after arguing over who should have the top bunk. The 28-year-old, known only as JMRH, was spending his first night on remand for attempted murder at the Soto del Real jail, outside Madrid, when prison bosses placed him with an older, more seasoned inmate hoping he would settle in easier. However after returning from supper, a fight between the pair broke out over who should sleep on the top bunk. By the time the guards arrived, the older man was critically injured and lying on the floor of the cell. Efforts to save his life failed and he died shortly afterwards of severe head and facial injuries. The killer has been placed in solitary confinement.

Death drive A YOUNG Spaniard has died after being stabbed and thrown from a moving car before being run over by a tourist. The victim died at around 6am on Malaga’s Pablo Ruiz Picasso seafront. The specialist homicide division of the police are now working with forensics to establish the details of what is likely to be the latest mafia murder in southern Spain.

902 123 282 * Fu l l y c o m p r e h e n s i v e o f f e r v a l i d f o r n e w c u s t o m e r s o n l y. G u a r a n t e e s u b j e c t t o c o v e r, r e p a i r a t a p p r o v e d g a r a g e , a n d c o u r t e s y v e h i c l e a v a i l a b i l i t y. S u b j e c t t o c o n d i t i o n s . O f f e r e n d s 3 1 / 0 1 / 1 9 .

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January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Spoilt...plane and simple

THE prince of Morocco received a private jet for his 15th birthday, it has been revealed. Costing a cool €57 million, the jet was gifted to Prince Moulay Hassan, the son of King Mohamed VI and heir to the Alaouite throne in May. The aircraft, which carries 12 people, was built in 2015 and is top of the range, capable of reaching 1,100km/hr and built with its own anti-missile defence system. Developed by the Israeli military, the system detects the heat of the missiles before scrambling their signals and making them change trajectory. The Gulfstream G650 plane, capable of travelling 13,000km non-stop, also came with a personalised number plate.

LUCKY: (Inset) Prince Moulay and plane complete with personalised number plate

PIC EXCLUSIVE

Hoffy New Year! DAVID Hasselhoff has been spotted ringing in the New Year on the Costa del Sol. The Baywatch star was seen hanging out with pals at a exclusive Marbella hotspot Nobu, owned by fellow Hollywood actor Robert De Niro. The Hoff donned a grey blazer with a white striped shirt and was later seen taking pictures with fans at the Puente Romano hotel on the Golden Mile. LEGEND: Hoff in Nobu

Life’s a beach World-famous surf rockers the Beach Boys coming to Marbella

ICONIC: Beach Boys coming to the costa

TIMELESS: Letizia in dress worn by Queen Sofia (inset)

THE Beach Boys will perform at this summer’s Starlite festival in Marbella. The star-studded festival will host the California surf rockers on July 11, with doors opening at 8:00pm. Organisers said: “Few acts can match The Beach Boys’ spirit and performance, and therefore it will no doubt be a very special night at Starlite 2019.

Blowing in... LEGENDARY US singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will perform on the Costa del Sol this year. The 77-year-old will play at Fuengirola’s Mare Nostrum on May 4 as part of his Neverending Tour. The tour began in 1988 and has not stopped since, comprising 100 performances around the world each year. Dylan will play eight shows in

“For them, the beach isn’t just a place where the surf comes to play, it’s where life is renewed and made whole again.” The two-time Grammywinning group have an impressive back catalogue of 29 studio albums, including the hit singles Good Vibrations, Surfin and I get around. Having sold over 100 million records worldwide the Spain, including Sevilla. Tickets went on sale on Decem- American muber 28 from 11am exclusively sical legends were named from www.riffmusic.es. by Rolling

Stone as the 12th greatest band of all time in 2004 and in 1980 were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston lead the current lineup of the iconic band, who return to the Costa del Sol after performing at Starlite 2014. After making their debut over 50 years ago, the Beach Boys come to Andalucia in the middle of their Now and Then tour. Joining them at Starlite will be Il Divo, who return from last year’s event, as well as Maluma, Noche Movida, Diana Krall, Raphael, Melendi, David Bisbal, Ketama, Morat, Los Morancos, God Save the Queen and Malu, among others.

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Something borrowed... QUEEN Letizia snubbed a host of designers in favour of her mother-inlaw’s dress for the National Fashion Awards. In her last royal event of the year, the former journalist opted for the red blouse and skirt set once worn by King Felipe’s mum, Queen Sofia. Sofia first rocked the look in 1980, pairing it with a pearl necklace and detailed hat. Letizia switched up the ensemble some 38 years later with Magrit heels and a python-effect bag from Carolina Herrera at Madrid’s Museo del Traje.

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January 3rd - January 15th 2019

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EMBATTLED: Diaz

Hunger games

THE brewing internal PSOE battle will erupt into ‘the Hunger Games’ this month, a party representative has said. It comes as current Socialist leader Susana Diaz has not given any signals that she plans to resign after her decision to call a snap election on December 2 massively backfired, ushering in a right-wing government in Andalucia for the first time in 36 years. Diaz is attempting to persuade the centre-right Ciudadanos to abandon the pact it made with the Partido Popular and farright Vox, before the three officially form a coalition government on January 16. However Vox has announced that it will pull out of the pact unless Andalucia opts out of recent gender violence laws. Meanwhile, Diaz maintains that her party won the most seats in the elections and that keeping the far right out of the government is the most important objective. This has seemingly fallen on deaf ears, with the names of her potential replacements already doing the rounds. The most likely candidate is Maria Jesus Montero, the current finance minister and leading figure in Pedro Sanchez’s femaleled government. Montero has already made a name for herself and was awarded the gong for ‘best relationship with the press’ by the Association of Parliamentary Journalists last month.

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Rock an honour Rock cops and bank whizz join Twiggy and Michael Palin in New Year’s Honours list THE Queen has recognised Gibraltar’s police force and a Rock banking guru in her New Year’s Honours list. Assistant Commissioner Richard Ullger was recognised for his policing efforts with the Overseas Territories Medal (OTM). Ullger was one of the cops who attended the brutal Rock murders in 2015 where a couple and their two daughters

were all stabbed to death. Likewise his colleague Chief Superintendent Richard Mifsud gets the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) for his services policing the British Overseas territory. The other Gibraltar-based honour recipient is Albert Langston who has become an MBE for his work in Banking and Lay Magistracy, after being made Chair of Governors of Gibraltar University in September. Gibraltar Governor, Lt Gen Edward Davis also doled out three Gibraltar Awards to coincide with the Queen’s annual prize-giving.

LEADER: Iglesias

Driven potty By Heather Galloway

WINNERS: Ullger (left), Mifsud (right), while (below) Langston

Charitable

ICONIC: (Below) Twiggy and (above) Palin

Doctor William Fitzpatrick made the cut for his healthcare services, while Stewart Harrison got his for work in IT and Charles Marfe for services to the Calpe House Charitable Trust. It comes as fellow British Overseas Territory the Cayman Islands was snubbed by the Queen’s celebrity-packed honours list. The list of over 1,100 people included the model Twiggy (Damehood), travel journalist Michael Palin (Knighthood), England football manager Gareth Southgate (OBE) and England cricketer Alastair Cook (Knighthood). More unusual recipients in-

cluded the divers that rescued 12 trapped Thai schoolboys and their football coach,

while Microsoft UK CEO Cindy Rose was honoured for her services to UK tech.

POLICE guards have been forced to install a portable toilet outside Pablo Iglesias’s home after the Podemos leader refused to let them use his toilet. It comes after the Guardia Civil union filed a complaint in October over the ‘lack of amenities’ for guards who protect the property of the left-wing politician in Galapagar, outside Madrid. “Normally, the security installations are set up inside the property of the person being guarded,” union spokesman Guillermo Freire told the Olive Press. “But in this case this has not been allowed. We imagine it is the owner who has said no.” The union is asking the Galapagar council for permission to install a decent prefabricated hut with central heating and other conveniences outside the perimeter of the property where officers are posted 24/7. “The council is collaborating,” added Freire.

Our three year hell EXCLUSIVE By Charlie Smith

TWO British expats are suing Spain for €630,000 after they were ‘wrongly fingered’ for fraud and arrested at gunpoint by undercover agents. Expats Scott Cattell, 47, and Rob Herring, 41, were seized by armed cops and bundled into police vans just hours after collecting chairs from an Estepona office as part of a seemingly innocent odd job in July 2015. The pair were unaware that the office was being staked out by police after it was revealed to be the HQ of an illegal boiler room. The fraudulent Renty123 property company was dedicated to ripping off holidaymakers by posting fake rental properties on FlipKey, TripAdvisor’s rental platform. “The police put two and two together and got five,” Herring told the Olive Press this week. After a police photographer snapped them entering the building they were handcuffed on Cattell’s driveway later the same day. Despite what the expats described as a ‘severe lack of evidence’, the pair were suspects for more than two years before finally being dropped from the case in October 2017. However with no passports and most of their time and

WRONGED: Rob and Scott are suing Spain funds spent on fighting their cases, both men, from Essex, spiralled into debt and saw their mental health suffer as a result. Project manager Cattell suffered with PTSD and was hospitalised from alcoholism, while business development manager Herring plunged into a €35,000 debt as the cost of the case rose and he struggled to find work. “I’m never going to be the same person again, it has ruined our lives,” Scott told the Olive Press. Scott also saw his relationship with his fiancé of six years ripped apart due to the stress surrounding his travel restrictions. When she got a call at 3am to say her son had died, a judge prevented Scott leaving Spain and even stopped him attending the funeral, which he says left him ‘broken’ and only ‘fu-

elled his alcoholism’. “My anxiety has tripled the worries that I have,” he said. “I wake up sweating in the middle of the night and have panic attacks driving down the road.” Rob and Scott claim TripAdvisor are a ‘total disgrace’ and are accusing the site of trying to ‘hide their negligence’ from customers who have lost money from the company. They allege TripAdvisor leant on the judges at Marbella’s Court No 2, in order to protect their reputation on the Costa del Sol, where tourism is vital for the economy. Although FlipKey pledged to investigate the fraud committed by Renty123, Rob and Scott want more, which is why they made their patrimonial claims for a combined €630,000. TripAdvisor refused to comment on the allegations.

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OPINION Worrying pattern THE story of Rob and Scott is, unfortunately, all too common. We have reported countless occasions of Brits having simply been at the wrong place at the wrong time, becoming unnecessary victims of Spain’s painfully slow justice system. In the past 12 months at least four Brits have detailed how they have been wrongly accused of a crime and had their passports confiscated and in some cases locked up for months on end without being charged. Lest we forget the plight of Robert Mansfield Hewitt, who has been behind bars for seven months after a property he was renting for a weekend was raided and found to have contained marijuana. He has still yet to be charged. Elsewhere, Scot Robert McMiller has been stuck in Spain for over a year and has yet to face trial for an identical case. Spain is a great place to live but always keep your wits about you to avoid nasty surprises like Rob and Scott’s. Publisher/ Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

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FEATURE

Disenfran January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Will X still mark the spot for expats after Brexit? Amidst a deafening lack of information Lenox Napier looks at voting rights

HE European Union was always more about trade opportunity than displaced citizens’ rights. And nowhere is this more obvious than in our supposed (and somewhat modest) political privileges here in Spain. Indeed, it’s hard to even plan for power and influence when you don’t know how many people are going to participate in elections and are in doubt as to how they might vote. This was the conundrum that faced Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba back in 1995 when President Felipe Gonzalez, observing a small but significant change in the Constitution made in 1992, decreed that Europeans living in Spain would be able to vote in European and municipal elections that same year. Rubalcaba, Minister of Presidential Affairs (the man who much later substituted our residence cards for the handy A4 police letter and passport combo), was appalled. ‘God only knew how they might vote’, he thought. Thus he allowed European residents to go ahead in the European elections (after all, they were voting for people who represent Spanish interests in Brussels) but postponed the municipal vote (claiming there wasn’t time to organise it) until the following elections in 1999. The constitutional change of 1992 was interesting. It gave European residents (who now had to register both on the electoral role – padrón – and their separate plea to vote) active and passive rights. Significantly, they could now join or even lead a local political list. Some of us eventually did and Rubalcaba will have been pleased to note, four years after his meddling, that we voted locally for local candidates and, in short, behaved ourselves. However most of us did not vote. Even today, there are only a modest number of foreign councillors scattered across Spain, in local government or the opposition, and just ONE foreign mayor Belgian-born Mario Blancke, who wears the chain of office for Alcau-

VOTING RIGHTS: Could be a sticking point for British expats after Brexit

cín, Málaga. vote. Most of these few foreign councillors are Secondly town halls, like any other political British, and thus under threat from Brexit. agency, would take less notice of a popuIn all, there are 37 of them. lation that had no suffrage. Proportionally speaking, forThirdly, British residents Even today, eign residents are woefully themselves would be in under-represented. the unenviable position of there are only a So, what would happen if ‘taxation without representhose British councillors be- modest number tation’ - an ugly place to be, came disenfranchised, as is currently suffered by many of foreign the current scenario under other foreign nationals living the Spanish electoral comin Spain. Although not all of councillors mission which states that them as Spain has bilateral ‘‘when and if the UK impleagreements with some third ments Brexit, their nationals, resident in countries. Spain, will lose their right to vote’. Norway was in from the beginning, later Firstly, candidates followed by Iceland and a few South Amerfrom other EU ican countries along with New Zealand, countries - South Korea and (for some reason - worMayor Mario thy, no doubt, of a separate investigation) Blancke for Trinidad and Tobago, which has just 22 of example - its nationals resident in Spain. would lose Citizens from these countries may vote, way as the but not present themselves as candidates result of on electoral lists. the much However an article in El País over the holis m a l l e r days suggested there may be a change to f o r e i g n the game-plan, with the British and Spanish authorities discussing an eleventhhour agreement to give their guests the vote with both active and passive rights. ‘The Government hopes that the bilateral agreement would be applied already in

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FIRST: Foreign mayor Mario Blancke

FEATURE

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January 3rd - January 15th 2019

olive press online Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

- PURE EVIL: Backpackers beheaded and stabbed to death in Morocco before video shared online in ISIS-inspired attack (10,311)

- Costa del Sol man held over attempted murder of teen who he rammed with car after Christmas club row (7,904)

3 4 5

- 7 New Year’s resolutions for British expats living in Spain (5,770)

- EXCLUSIVE: David Hasselhoff spotted partying for NYE on Spain’s Costa del Sol (5,623) - FLIGHT SHOCKER: Spain could be left with almost no domestic flights in a no-deal Brexit (5,188)

Visitors: 145,134 Page views: 186,011

CRUNCH TIME: Theresa May and Pedro Sanchez have promised equal rights for their respective citizens

the municipal elections of May 26th’ reported El Pais. In this agreeable situation, we Brits could keep our vote in local elections even if we were to lose it in the European ones – a small price to pay as things stand. Of course, it wouldn’t be so agreeable for many other nationalities who don’t have the vote here, or the right to appear on an election list. Will those nationals ask themselves once again: just what is it about the Brits?

PIONEER: Rubalcaba

However, in a caveat which would please Rubalcaba, the article states ‘...Once it is signed, the deal will be in the same category as any other international treaty and will require ratification by the Spanish and British parliaments. This will probably not happen in time for the May 26 elections next year, diplomatic sources have admitted’. Roll on the 2023 elections? Maybe we won’t have to wait that long because the article continues: ‘In order to work around this problem, the Spanish Foreign Ministry is considering the option of making the agreement go provisionally into force as soon as it is signed by both governments...’. You know it makes sense … but it would have made more sense to have started this conversation two years ago, instead of last week... Anyway, the electoral commission says it will be sending out an explanatory letter to all registered foreigners who are potential voters. Of course maybe (just maybe) the UK will stay in the EU after all – either via a postponement of their Brexit departure or a second referendum with a happier ending (and hello Westminster, it would be nice

FOREIGN MINISTER: Josep Borrell

if we expats were invited to have a say in that vital plebiscite this time around). If that were the case, we foreign residents would still need to register to vote – by asking for the hoja de inscripción del voto in our local town halls - before January 15 (or December 31 if you are not from the EU). Would there still be time to revise our candidate lists for next May, in the event we keep our vote? Barely.

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GREEN SPECIAL

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Andalucia coastline

IMPACT

The polar ice cap meltdown will accelerate due to rising global temperatures, wreaking havoc along Spain’s 8,000 km of coastline. By 2100, sea levels along the likes of the Costa del Sol are expected to rise between 10 and 86 centimetres. Many crucial beaches are at risk of being washed away while large areas of the coast and its resorts could be flooded. Areas under significant threat include the deltas along the Ebro and Llobregat rivers, the seaside spit La Manga del Mar Menor in Murcia and Andalucia’s Donana coast.

Climate change is already wreaking havoc in Spain but the worst is yet to come... THREE QUARTERS of Spain could become a barren desert wasteland within 100 years if climate change is not dealt with. That’s just one of the many stark warnings to come out of the latest Greenpeace report which warns of an increase in forest fires, flooding, coastal erosion and the extinction of

glaciers in our own lifetime. In its annual report this year, the environmental group detailed the devastating impact climate change has already had on Spain’s environment and the further devastation likely to come. Here we have rounded up eight ways Spain as we know it is under threat.

Desertification

Vanishing ecosystems

Around 20% of Spain is already classed as a desert, but if nothing is done to prevent rising temperatures, this could soar to 75%. According to Greenpeace, desertification is also being caused by the over-exploitation of water resources, poor agricultural practices in elevated areas, overgrazing, intensive agriculture and needless urbanisa-

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), around 50% of species studied have been impacted by climate change. The disappearance of bees, in particular, will be a serious threat to Spain’s vital agricultural industries, which see 70% of crops relying on such insects for pollination. The number of bees has plummeted this century due to insecticides and the arrival of predators like the Asian hornet. Meanwhile, deforestation is expected to become more widespread following an increase in intense fires and a decrease in the ability for forests to recover.

Urban erosion

While Spain’s property market and its recovery has been celebrated by economists, the boom on its coastlines over the last three decades has only

Heatwaves The four hottest years in Spanish history have all occurred in the last eight years (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017). And while the whole world will notice a rise in temperatures, Spain’s latitude makes it especially vulnerable to global warming and temperature spikes. It means the country will experience more intense and longer-lasting heatwaves.

Goodbye beaches

Rising sea levels and the changing force and direction of waves will increase flooding and coastal erosion to such an extent that many beaches in Cantabria and the Basque Country could be left without sand. Meanwhile,

cities along the coasts of A Coruna, Gijon and San Sebastian will be partially flooded and, in the second half of this century, more than 200 hectares of coastal land in the Basque region will be at risk of flooding.

helped to degrade the environmental conditions of the shoreline. Its ability to withstand flooding of coastal ecosystems has de-

Last of the glaciers At the current rate of global warming, all of Spain’s glaciers will be gone by 2050. In the Pyrenees, 80% of the glaciers have already disappeared. The glacier at Monte Perdido has shrunk by five metres in the last few decades. Between 1980 and 2010, there has been a 50-metre loss of glaciers across the Pyrenees. There were once 53 glaciers in 1850, there are now 20. As Jordi Camins, glaciologist at the Catalan Group of Climate Change Experts said: “The Pyrenees are the only mountain range on the planet where the extinction of glaciers will happen in one generation: ours.”

Wildfires Climate change is without doubt the leading cause behind the rise in deadly forest fires, and they are only going to become more frequent and more intense. Last year wildfires destroyed 150,000 hectares of land in the first six months of last year after one of the driest winters on record. Since 1968, rainfall has decreased by 25%, meaning Spain is losing out on 16 billion litres of water while average temperatures have risen by between 5C and 8C. Less rain makes the forests much drier and far more susceptible to long-burning fires. Meanwhile, drought and extreme temperatures change the forest mass, making it burn faster. This has already been seen in recent years with fires becoming larger - mostly consuming more than 500 hectares - and harder to bring under control.

Photos by: Pedro Armestre

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HISTORIC: Carmona

Magnificent Seven TWO Andalucian villages have made Homeaway’s Seven Rural Wonders of Spain list. Voted for by the travel website’s clients, in fourth place the Moorish hilltop white village of Vejer de la Frontera charmed visitors with its crooked streets and secret flower-filled patios. Set in a fertile green valley surrounded by the orchards of Cadiz, this best-kept village has been declared a historical-artistic complex. Carmona near Sevilla, whose stunning Roman necropolis is one of the best-preserved in Europe, came sixth on the shortlist of 20. The village is loved for its impressive castle and Roman and Arab remains and lives up to the motto bestowed on it by King Ferdinand when he recaptured it from the Moors in 1247: ‘As the morning star shines in the dawn, so shines Carmona in Andalucia’. The list was topped by the obscure hamlet of Robledillo de Gata in the Sierra de Gata mountain range near Casares.

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Cirque du Soleil set for a stellar 2019 Costa del Sol comeback

HOLD on to your seats because the world’s most thrilling show is coming back to the Costa del Sol. The iconic Cirque du Soleil is officially returning to Malaga in 2019 with an all-new show that promises to enchant and shock audiences in equal measures. Kooza is set to premiere on September 13 under Cirque’s iconic Big Top tent at Malaga’s Cortijo de Torres Fairground. The French-Canadian collective goes back to its roots with Kooza - a show that will ‘captivate your imagination and make your heart race’ by

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

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what’s on

ROCK Against Addiction are hosting Nolan Frendo and other Rock musicians at a festival on January 11 at 41 Town Range with all proceeds going to Action on Addiction.

LEGENDARY: Cirque de Soleil is in town this year combining acrobatics and the art of clowning, while taking audiences through a journey of fear, identity, recognition and power. Performers will take to the enormous spinning Wheel of Death, balance, turn and twist

between numerous hoops at ing village on the shores of the once, teeter along tightropes St. Lawrence River near Que25 feet above the stage and bec City. join forces for the Skeleton It was dubbed Cirque du Soleil Dance. as ‘the sun symbolises youth, The show was born in the energy, and strength’. early 1980s when co-creator The troupe toured the US for Gilles Ste-Croix took a troupe the first time in 1987 with sellof performers out shows, that were taken on to the streets to London and Paris. of Baie-Saint- Tickets are on sale now at Paul, a charm- www.cirquedusoleil.com A HOST of British comics are coming to the Costa del Sol to kick the new year off with a laugh. Run by Stand-up Comedy Spain, the jokes will start on January 17 when four of the UK comedy circuit’s funniest will perform at Estepona’s Louie Louie bar. UN HOMENAJE A LOS ORÍGENES, CIRQUE EN ESTADO PURO The event is hoping to be monthly, with its debut offering featuring Vladimir McTavish, JoJo MÁLAGA ESTRENO 13 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2019 Sutherland, John Newton and Nik Coppin. BAJO SU GRAN CARPA Tickets start at €12 and can be bought at www. RECINTO FERIAL CORTIJO DE TORRES eventbrite.es.

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Jan 3rd - Jan 15th 2019

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Plaza pleaser

Best landmark in Europe in Sevilla, according to Tripadvisor award

EVILLA’S iconic Plaza de España has been crowned Europe’s ‘best landmark’ in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards. Destinations, landmarks, hotels, beaches and even airlines all compete at the awards, which honour the highlights in travel by analysing reviews left by tourists. Voted for by the TripAdvisor community, it’s not hard to see why this beautiful square in southern Spain has been crowned Europe’s top dog. “As seen in several movies. Amazing architecture. We only walked

around on the exterior but were very impressed by the size and scope. If you are in the area walk by. Worth the walk,” wrote one reviewer. The Moorish style gardens and square, built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition, have indeed had several silver screen appearances. George Lucas chose the perfect plaza for Anakin Skywalker and Princess Amidala to stroll along in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002). Played by Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman, the pair appeared

Sevilla has never shied away from Hollywood royalty. Here are four more blockbuster moments for the city: • Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven (2005) shot at Sevilla’s Casa de Pilatos Spanish film Nobody Knows Any• body (1999) utilised the passageways of Santa Cruz • Richard Gere visited the city last year, filming new BBC series MotherFatherSon (2019) Season 3 of Netflix epic The Crown (2019), • starring Olivia Coleman, will also shoot there

DID YOU KNOW?

with the droid R2D2, as Sevilla’s square was transformed into the kingdom of Naiboo. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and The Dictator (2012) are among the other big-money blockbusters to use the landmark as a location. The European Film Academy (EFA) have even recognised the plaza’s onscreen contributions, inducting it into their ‘Treasures of the European Cinematographic Culture’ in 2017. With 36,588 reviews on TripAdvisor, the Plaza de España is ranked as the top thing to do in Andalucia’s capital and there are countless ways to explore its beauty. The review site recommend a nocturnal flamenco tour, electric bike excursions or some more traditional sightseeing. A masterful combination of Renaissance and Moorish architecture, visitors are bound to see live photoshoots and TripAdvisor urge tourists to ‘bring a camera!’ As well as claiming the top spot in Europe, the Sevilla landmark was voted second-best in the world after Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple complex. The Asian network of ancient architec-

ON SET: Plaza de España and (inset) Star Wars ture was given a five-star average by 43,175 reviewers and as one of the world’s largest religious monuments, second place for Sevilla isn’t so bad. Even more impressive is the beautiful European landmarks that Sevilla beat to claim the top spot continentally,

The Plaza de España may grab the glory, but which other Sevillan landmarks are worth a trip? Alcazar - The UNESCO World Heritage-protected monument is one of the oldest European palaces still in use Catedral de Sevilla - Also recognised by UNESCO, the cathedral, with its Gothic vaults and 24 bells, dates back to the 15th century (left).

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none more so than St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, which came second. Another Andalucian beauty, Cordoba’s Mezquita Cathedral, bagged third place, while Italy’s Duomo di Milano and the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest came fourth and fifth respectively.

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More areas hit by serial dog killers

Continues on Page

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BACKING DOWN: Carles

BACK FROM BRINK

Stitch-up Eco-warrior claims expat

‘mafia developers’ planted

Continues on Page 7

CONFLICT: Galle wants to develop, while Clavero is opposed

week: “It was a complete up and like third world stitch countries where drug traffickers reign. “It is inconceivable developers

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the land for €11 million a San Roque developer from believed to be launching and is an market hunting business upWhen Clavero returned there. car Guardia Civil officersto his waiting, pulling out a bag were taining the drugs after a consearch of the vehicle. He was taken to Ubrique station where he was keptpolice overnight. “We are certain that there Clavero has been involved connection to the closureis a of a series of protests against in public paths in this stitch-up,” the blocking of footpaths he said. and a He added that his group development in the celebrated Sierra de Grazalema natural now identified the name had and address of the person responPark, between Grazalema and sible for planting the drugs. Ronda. “It has been given to police On the morning of his arrest on the courts, but let’s see and August 26, he had taken part in what a protest against the estate, happens next. by Jerez-based company run “I am not aware Marnix del Agua Investments SL,Breña has anything to do with Galle the village of Benamahoma.near but he should investigate this, The company is owned by actions of his employees the and gian tycoon Marnix Galle, Belclarify what they are is said to be building a who against those who defenddoing huge 800-metre-square mansion of way on public roads.” right on the land. In his court case, last month, Galle, one of Belgium’s the judge at Ubrique richest property developers, purchased ruled that Clavero was thecourt vic-

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By Joe Duggan SPAIN and the EU breathed a sigh of relief as Catalan’s leader A LEADING ecologist failed to declare independence blamed ‘mafia methods’ has in a critical parliament speech drugs were planted in his after last night. car to stop him protesting against Instead, Carles Puigdemont the blocking of footpaths. reiterated the region’s right Juan Clavero, a regional break from Spain following to organiser of green group Ecologistas month’s referendum, when this 90% en Accion, believes expat-linked of 2.4 million Catalans voted developers could be behind to leave. the seizure of 47 grams of cocaine Switching between Catalan and found under a car seat. Spanish, Puigdemont offered Clavero, who was arrested an olive branch, proposing charged over the offence, and logue with Madrid after ten diadays now been found innocent has of mounting tension. a judge dismissed the case.after “We propose to suspend He told the Olive Press dependence declaration inthe inthis to work towards puttingorder practice the result of the into referendum. “We are making a gesture of HUNDREDS of Brits responsibility in favour of diain Spain are demandlogue.” ing action after losing He added: “The ballots say up to £20 million in a to independence this is the Yes will failed pension investthat I want to go forward ment scheme. Pension “I want to follow people’s with. will for boss Darren Kirby has Catalonia to become an indefled to Australia, leavpendent state.” ing a string of allegaHe also called for internationtions in his wake.

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HORROR: For Donald

Tragic end

A BRITISH rally champ has died after the plane he was piloting collided with a helicopter in Alicante. Milne Donald Scotsman (above) , an instrumental figure in the early success of rallying superstar Colin McRae, died on impact as a chopper struck down the plane he was piloting at the private Mutxamel airfield. The 65-year-old was, according to eyewitnesses, ten metres above the ground when his Bucker Biplane was brought down as the helicopter’s rotor clipped the wing. The father-of-two was immediately taken to Alicante General Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival and will be survived by his wife Fiona and sons Quintin, 37, and Freddie, 28. Milne started his career in the Aberdeen oil industry in the 1970s but got involved in rally driving in 1988. He gave McRae cars to drive in to hone his skills and McRae went on to be the youngest person to win the world title but tragically died in a helicopter crash as well in 2007.

The first sunset of 2018 taken in Malaga, sent in by Olive Press reader Martyn Wilkes

Net-mare! Hundreds of punters protest after their internet vanishes over festive period

it became clear they would EXCLUSIVE have no Internet over ChristBy Laurence Dollimore mas. they had been BRITISH expats are de- They claimed promised that the manding answers after be- repeatedly went down in ing left with no internet for service that would quickmore than four weeks over early December It was not. the Christmas and New Year ly be back. Lynda Woodin, 70, whose inperiod. is crucial to her Hundreds of angry custom- ternet access business, magazine of online offices the on ers decended made a ‘priority OliveNet in Marbella when said she wasearly December, concern’ in but she has still not been reSITE: Of fatal crash connected. AS? CHRISTM “It’s just not good enough,” STUCK FOR A PRESENT THIS she told the Olive Press, “I Vrun and I have a business to have just been passed around constantly. JEWELLERS | PAWNBROKERS | ANTIQUES “After visiting the head offices today I was told it would PARKING OPEN: 10AM-2PM MON TO SAT | EASY time I got the be sorted by .COM

ders. “They also said if I needed someone to come and fix something that I would be charged, it’s a disgrace!” Woodin was told again last night that it would be fixed, but within an hour of her internet coming back on it stopped working. OliveNet someone to mbeen yet. offered to send home, but it hasn’t her home in Marbella, but video to able been haven’t “I said it would cost 40 euros call family in Australia for per hour. weeks. outrageous,” added “It’s all but apology an for “I asked “Considering what shrug of the shoul- Woodin, I got was a m

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we have been through they should be sending out repairmen free of charge.” Customers were reportedly sent a letter at the beginning of last month explaining that there would be some issues between December 5 and 11 but that everything would return to normal afterwards, but for most that hasn’t been the case. Another expat businessman claims he had a ‘nightmare’ Christmas period and was also given false promises that it would be fixed within 24 hours on several occasions. “I have no idea what is happening or what has gone wrong, but they are definitely hiding something from their customers,” he told the Olive Press. The restaurant owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said a protest could have erupted last week at the offices in San Pedro. “There must have been 200 people there wanting to know why they have no internet, it was utter chaos.” OliveNet were unable to comment before we went to press.

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THE Spanish Prime Minister has promised that a deal will be agreed with the United Kingdom over Gibraltar ‘in the coming months’. Mariano Rajoy revealed that bilateral talks between the two countries were ongoing and progressing well. To the relief of many on the Rock, Rajoy also confirmed that the issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty would not be up for debate. Instead, he said that the priority for Spain was safeguarding the livelihoods of those living in the Campo who depend on Gibraltar for their income. It is believed that 8,000 Spanish workers cross the frontier each day making Gibraltar the second biggest employer in A £100,000 the Andalucian region. “We have already started bi- reward has lateral talks with the United issued for Kingdom, these are progress- been ing satisfactorily,” he said. anyone with info “(Any deal should) first enfinds Lisa sure that the situation of fron- that tier workers is maintained and improved, which is out eXClusIVe priority, and reasonable soBy elisa Menendez and lutions to a number of issues Aleesha Hansel which have been adversely affecting Gibraltar.” THE family of missing ScotThe news comes as the UK retish expat, Lisa Brown, have vealed the terms of its initial draft withdrawal agreement been plastering the streets of with the EU which would see Gibraltar with posters in a Gibraltar leave the union at bid to gather more informathe same time. tion. The draft confirms that the It comes after a new public UK will leave the EU on plea was launched last week March 29 2019 but that it in which a reward of up to will then be given a 21 month £100,000 will be offered to transition period whereby it those that can help unravel could secure new trade deals. the mystery behind Lisa’s The deals, which would also disappearance, after she apply to Gibraltar, would then went missing from her home come into play after the tranin Cadiz in November 2015. sition period finished providBrother Craig Douglas, 48, ing a degree of certainty for sister Helen, 51, and mum business. Cathy, 73, were seen putting It has certainly been a good up reward posters - while fortnight of Brexit negotiations for Gibraltar. wearing t-shirts printed with Crucially, the UK governLisa’s image - on the Rock ment confirmed that Gibralthis weekend, a short distar would have barrier-free tance from where the expat access to its financial services used to live. and online gaming markets The Guardia Civil are curafter Brexit and until 2020. the investigacontinues on page 4

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With spring rapidly approaching, we roundup the properties in Andalucia with the most enviable gardens

RITISH demand for properties in Spain has remained strong despite uncertainty surrounding Brexit. The last quarter of 2017 showed a 7.6% increase in prices and a huge 19.8% increase in sales. Meanwhile foreign year on year sales rose by 20.4% to 15,266 purchases. Foreign sales in last three months of

Costa

Brits refuse to stop investing in Spanish homes despite Brexit fallout and uncertainty

2017 were led by the British with 2,384 sales, followed by French and German nationals with 1,242 and 1,198 purchases respectively. This rise in British engagement was also a quarter-on-quarter increase of 0.9%.

UK nationals now account for 16% of the overseas property market share in Spain, which is an 8% lead on French nationals who account for the second highest number of foreign homeowners. Experts at A Place in the Sun said:

See page xx 5

“Although Brexit has understandably stalled decisions for some, many British nationals continue to proceed with their property purchases in their number one overseas destination. “It could be suggested that British nationals during this period were encouraged by Alfonso Dastis’ (Spain’s Foreign Minister) pledge in October that British expats living in the country would face “no dis-

ruption” post-Brexit, amongst other positive comments surrounding pensions and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) benefits at the time.” It added that it saw 55% and 28% increases in Spanish property searches and property enquiries by Brits respectively.

See Mark Stucklin analysis overleaf

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679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_40x40_M 23/02/2017 IJAS_COSTA.indd 11:31 1

Outpouring of grief for millions as body of Gabriel Ruiz, 8, is found strangled, allegedly by his expat stepmother

Pipe ban FRUIT growers in the Axarquia are facing a 60% reduction in water use from the La Vinuela reservoir with no solution in sight. The Junta has decided to limit its use as the reservoir is already at 22.7% capacity and could drop even lower if the dry weather keeps up.

demolished

A HOTEL is to be knocked down for not having enough class! Benalmadena’s Hotel Vista de Rey must be demolished within three months, a court has ruled, Andalucia’s Superior Court of Justice ruled that the hotel falls short of its four-star requirement.

MISSING: Lisa Brown

Lisa’s son Marco knows his mum is missing, he does not understand the gravity of what has happened. “His room is absolutely covered in photos of his mum. “But how a 10-year-old can even comprehend to cope with that, we don’t know,” he EVIL: Ana Quezada added. Lisa was reported missing briel Cruz - nicknamed in November 2015 after she Pescaito, or ‘Little fish’ affailed to pick up Marco from ter his love of the film Findschool. He now lives with faing Nemo. Craig and Cathy ther Tony. DEMANDING ANSWERS: Helen, leading to the arDouglas said the most diffi- They braved howling winds and rain in Almeria to join tion but officials are urging for information conviction of those cult part for the family is not Junta and rest boss Susana Diaz ‘citizen collaboration’. or results in idenbeing able to take flowers to a and Home Secretary Juan The reward will be paid out responsible grave. the whereabouts of the Ignacio Zoido offering to any providing substantial tifyingThe reward will be valid “These past 28 months have condolences to in body. his been the most painful of all tated parents Angeldevasfor six months dating from Cruz our lives… I don’t have to tell and Patricia Ramirez. March 23. you that the pain of losing The vast majority filed out A small group is thought to someone never goes away,” in tears after seeing the be behind the disappearance heartbreaking images of said Douglas. of Scottish expat, Lisa Brown, The family of Lisa are working his small white coffin bewho has been missing since with UK NGO Crimestoppers, November 2015. the British Embassy in Spain The information was excluand the Cadiz Government sively revealed to the Olive fresh finding disappearance Dougof Craig sister’s hopes the his in Press by brother, leads. las, following a new public among the expat community. Further details of the investi- Director of Crimestoppers, plea for information. at Roger Critchell, said: “We just revealed be after cannot weeks just gation comes It genuinely don’t know what Lisa’s then boyfriend, Simon this time. reCorner, 35, who has been the A £100,000 (€114,000) for happened to Lisa.” The Guardia Civil are curmain suspect in the investiga- ward has been offered including free information on the where- rently leading the investigation, went on the run. for Douglas, 48, believes that abouts of Lisa, 32, from Alex- tion but officials are urging Sun and uV tint ‘citizen collaboration’. now Corner has absconded it andria in Dunbartonshire. on one pair could lead to the break down Speaking of the family’s heartof the ‘wall of silence’ around ache, Douglas said although

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than permitted. Although the town hall and developer maintain this excess was later corrected, the judge ruled that the rectification would have taken place after the granting of the licence, so does not count. The building has 61 apartments and 46 parking spaces. The original building was granted planning permission by then mayor Enrique Bolin in 2001.

SMUGGLERS’ WALL POLICE officers have formed a human wall along a beach in La Linea to ensure that the construction of a beach wall went ahead. The wall, between the church of Nuestra Senora del Carmen and the perimeter wall of the fishing port of La Atunara, hopes to

By Laurence Dollimore

IT’S the murder that has shocked a nation. An eight-year-old boy strangled to death and thrown down a well - with his evil expat stepmother now admitting to his murder. This week thousands of mourners queued up for hours to pay tribute to the coffin of the small boy Ga-

NEWS

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deter drug smugglers from using the beach as a drop off zone. A combined police presence of Guardia Civil, local and national officers were present as fears grew that drug smugglers would try and disrupt the work.

December 6th - December 19th 2017

From Page 1

He even got himself a financial advice slot on a well known radio station, through which he snared unsuspecting victims. However, a comprehensive Olive Press investigation exposed his scams that involved stamps, coins and gold. We also revealed how he and his close pal Barry Nathan wined and dined up to a dozen criminals, anonymously, through the food column. He eventually fled the country following our expose, but we soon tracked him down to the UK, where he had changed his name by deed poll and was selling coins and antiques on eBay from a small Berkshire cottage. He was quickly found guilty under English law of conning people and given a suspended prison sentence only due to health reasons. “And because he promised to never go back to his online cons,” one of the British victim explained. But this is apparently not the case with two victims claiming he is still using eBay to sell ‘dodgy’ coins and stamps from his unpaid flat in Brighton, using the names ‘gqtrading’ and ‘gqtrading2’. “We are pretty sure he has broken his bail conditions and will have to finally go back to prison,” said one victim. “The nerve of this man is unbelievable.” His landlord last night insisted he should have known something was up from the start. “When we met to sign the contracts I thought he was a bit slippery, I went to pay for my coffee only for the barista to tell me he had left without paying his bill.” He continued: “He paid for the first couple of months but then just stopped. He told us his account had been frozen due to a money laundering investigation, which is probably true. “He then told us to stop contacting him and accused us of harrassment. “Now he is claiming he is seriously ill and can’t work to make payments. “We’ll see him in court.”

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Magic of the Orient

O wrote Laurie Lee of his first visit to the Costa Tropical, just before Spain was engulfed in its murderous civil war. Drive the coast today and you can still along appreciate his dramatic imagery. Once upon a time this stretch of the Mediterranean was dubbed the Costa del Sol Oriental. Then, believing that they were sidelined by the rival resorts up being in Malaga province, the folk in the road Granada province woke up. They decided to call their coast the Costa Tropical. And with good reason… not only does it play host to one of the best climates in Europe, it is also one of the most stretches of coastline on the Med.scenic To be exact, the Costa Tropical extends from the eastern edge of Malaga ince close to Nerja, to the frontier provwith Almería and La Rabita; some 80 kilometres of stunningly varied scenery. Development has yet to make inroads because of the rugged heavy so forget the miles of ribbon terrain, developments you see around Benalmadena and Fuengirola. It’s unspoilt here. These days they are great to have a poke Soaring headlands and cliffs are inter- and get a photo with the stunning backdroparound here. spersed with small coves, except of the Make sure to head mountains dropping into the sea. into town to see the seafront the Guadalfeo river flows across where The first village monument that recalls Spain’s a flat, encountered fertile delta near Motril. Nerja is La Herradura, on a heading east out of disaster. It occurred in 1562 whenbiggest naval beautiful horseshoe 28 ships carHere and there, on prominent head- bay. Until tourism arrived it was one of the poorest rying provisions and the families of soldiers from lands, ancient watchtowers Málaga to Orán on the African villages on coast took refuge coast. These torres vigía orguard the These daysthe coast. here from a storm. it’s a charming spot, sitting on are a reminder of the time whenatalayas stretch of coastline a pretty The wind turned, with extreme violence, trapping and with an attractive low “¡Hay moros en la costa!” warnedthe cry feel to it. Plenty of expensive homes dot the rise the fleet between two headlands, Cerro Gordo and vaders from Africa and sent whole of in- de la Mona area, and include that of Spain’sPunta Punta de la Mona. communities rushing for the hills. cele- Altogether, brated guitarist Andrés Segovia, who had a house to 5,000 an incredible 25 vessels sank leading people losing their lives.

David Baird takes a drive through

the fabulous, little explored region

of the Costa Tropical

Moving along, we come to the the Costa Tropical, Almuñecar. other key resort of When Laurie Lee trekked across vividly recorded in his book As Spain in 1935 — Midsummer Morning — he cameI Walked Out One to a halt in ‘Castillo’, a village, ‘backed by a bandsaw of mountains and fronted by a strip of grey hoped would be an attraction sand which some Castillo was in fact Almuñecar.for tourists’. Lee changed the name to protect his friends. To-

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Goodbye little fish

decked with his favourite toys. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy summed it up when he said he shared ‘with all Spaniards the pain for the loss of Gabriel’. It was February 27, when Gabriel had last been seen leaving his grandmother’s home in the tiny hamlet of

in sleepy Cabo de Gata, to play with his cousins just 100m away. His grandmother and Dominican stepmother Ana Julia Quezada were the last to see him alive, leading to a two-week search involving over 700 local volunteers. Extending over a 70km radius, the story had soon

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gone viral on social media and made the front pages of most national newspapers. But few could have imagined the drama when this Sunday police suddenly ambushed the car of Ana Julia, to find his body in the boot. It emerged they had been watching her actions over Continues on Page 2

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PRO CHOICE: Suarez (left) and Struggles the Rock, keeping their nations secret and not termi- decriminalise the act. ing further medical care seek- Ireland is also about to hold very conservative place. The over a referendum fears news of their abortion on the issue in aratepair say they want to sepreligion from the May. will spread. and allow women the finalstate “We however are the only Coming on the 100th say naversary of British womenanni- tion in Europe who the UN on their bodies. being able to vote, its first are not working with,” Suarez “The Catholic church lobby on abortion as they did bers believe it is forcing mem- said. gay marriage a couple against many “They might think women to have abortions of years in same laws as the we have the ago. It is wrong.” Spain, or worse, undertake UK but in The assocation fact we are very different.” is now set to backstreet treatments write to the UN to plead on the Suarez and Rock. Struggles it hement their group are ve- opens dialogue with the Gi“Migrants and refugees is probraltarian are choice, not pro-abortion government over particularly vulnerable per the issue. as they se. are unable to attain visas It will to go They believe it to Spain,” said spokeswoman should be up to to the also present its findings government. a woman to decide what Anne-Marie Struggles, to do When contacted with her body. this week the She and her colleague 51. Tamsin “The criminalisation government refused Suarez are now fighting to supof aborverse the law and raise to re- tion leads to discrimination port any reform of the law. “Abortion other than aware- and infringes ness of the issue with the in ceron women’s tain, defined, medically UN. dignity,” Struggles told It comes after they discovered certithe Gi- fied circumstances, is that only three other countries braltar Olive Press. under Gibraltar law,” illegal “We’ve gone in Europe (Poland, a govIreland on this issue!” back 100 years ernment spokesman told and Malta) ban abortion the all are in talks with the and “There is a lack of women’s Gibraltar Olive Press. “The Cabinet UN to rights in Gibraltar and it’s a changing has not considered this policy.”

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The mon h saw our co umn nches devo ed o he rag c murder o e Gabr e Cruz who was crue y s rang ed o dea h by h s s epmo her n he Campo de G bra ar we me w h he am y o L sa Brown who announced a 100 000 euro reward or n orma on ead ng o he so v ng o he case

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An Olive Press campaign leads to landmark breakthrough for lethal drug which killed countless expats

SEE PAGE 6

April 25th - May 8th 2018

DeAl wIth the DeVIl

GREEn groups are warning that pollution from ships could be seriously damaging the health of Gibraltarians. A damning report by Ecologistas en Accion, alongside German ecological group NABU, claims that ultra-fine particles from boats in the Straits are up to 70 times higher than in cities. The study claimed that one recent reading measured 143,000 ultra-fine particles per cubic centimetre in the air near the Rock. While the local group Verdemar admitted the measure was taken just after the departure of a ship the differBy laurence Dollimore ence between ‘normal’ city levels of approximately 2,000 particles per cubic centimetre A GIBRALTAR office building is ‘alarming’. owned by the uncle of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad is beSerious ing bought in a knock-down It added such levels could deal by a company linked to a cause ‘serious environmental government minister. and health problems’ to the Europort Trust, managed by Filocal population. nancial Services Minister Albert The European Commision Isola and two of his relatives, is has already calculated that selling 6-9 Europort owned by up to 50,000 people die pre‘the Butcher of Hama’ Rifaat maturely from air pollution al-Assad for £13 million under caused by ships, in particular a valuation price, a court judgedue to emissions of sulphur ment shows. and nitrogen oxide. The sensational ruling - which Both groups are calling for the Isola family tried to keep much stricter regulations on private - reveals that the proppollutants by these vessels, in erty was bought for £17.5 mila bid to cut back on pollution. lion, well under its official £31 million value. Continues on Page 4 And furthermore, the contro-

Trust linked to government minister buys key Rock property from Syria’s evil ‘Butcher of Hama’

1982 - is currently under investigation in many countries. He is alleged to have invested hundreds of millions into property in France and Spain - with more than 500 properties in Marbella alone, it has been alleged. Spanish police raided 15 of his properties in Marbella last year after judge Jose de la Mata launched a money laundering investigation. Many of his Spanish properties were allegedly bought through trusts set up in Gibraltar. According to a high level Gibraltar source, Assad is ‘likely MAKING A KILLING: selling the Gibraltar property Rifaat cashing in via Isola to unlock some cash while his accounts and property have versial deal was brokered by been embargoed in Spain and a sister company - Fiduciary and his own civilians - includcourt ruling, the property is beFrance’. - also run by the family trusts ing many children - during the ing sold to Glenthorne Trust, He added: “Whatever way you of lawrence, Albert and Peter bloody civil war. which, again, is Ironically the buildlook at this, this is bad for GiIsola. 75% owned by the CRIME braltar PlC. It is not good for The purchase is set to go ing houses various family trusts of key government No bail for our reputation. through despite hundreds of Spanish lawrence, Albert includjewel thief “It is surprising that the French Assad’s properties around bodies, and Peter Isola. and France, Spain and the UK being the Financial Spanish judges did not As revealed by the force an embargo in Gibraltar ing currently embargoed by the Intelligence Unit Olive Press, last istoo. authorities, while he is being (GFIU) and even sue, Rifaat - who “Ultimately where did this probed for money laundering, Albert Isola’s own earned the nickFOUND IN FUENGIRO Ministry of FinanLA money come from in the first corruption and tax evasion. name ‘the Butcher 091 place?” It also comes to light in the cial Services. of Hama’ when he A legal source added: “This same month that Syrian dicta- Under the deal, killed up to 25,000 is huge and the whole thing tor Bashar Assad was accused which has been people in a ruthstinks. It’s unlikely to go away again of gassing opponents revealed by a less crackdown on public Supreme in a hurry.” BUTCHER: Last issue Sunni Muslims in 2

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Walk of shame

TWO Gibraltarian men have been extradited from Spain, frontier, aftervia the land a European Arrest Warrant was issued for GBH last August.

Ganja getaway

A DRUG who rammedsmuggler a Guardia Civil police leaving an officer car, hospitalised, has rested. The been arold from La 60-yearcaught with Linea was cannabis. 27 bales of

Dole dupe

SOME 43 people identified in a have been rity racket thatSocial Secudefrauded more than Conspirators €15 million. were found in Cádiz, Granada, Malaga and Sevilla.

Stories and features in this edition of Gibraltar’s original community newspaper

Trial set for exiled Syrian who used Gib companies to invest ‘stolen money’ into Spanish properties

Washed out April 11th -

April 24th 2018

THE uncle of A SPANISH dent Bashar Syrian Presirefused bail thief has been after being nally set to faceal-Assad is ficaught with watches a Europe-wide trial following ellery worth 50,000 and jewleged ill-gotten probe into alpounds. Builder Antonio Dubbed the gains. his properties Sanchez, from Miguel Leon Hama’, Rifaat ‘Butcher of in Marbella and Puerto been charged Marbella, has al-Assad, 80, from Syria’s amassed his Banus last year coffers by Rifaat after judge Jose fortune in Syria the property with theft at when during the 1980s, launched a moneyde la Mata 1980s. he was exiled in the Wharf, where in Cormorant before allegedly using laundering he was underinvestigation. taking a renovation Rifaat and his Gibraltar and companies in A total of 76 Panama to purjob. believed to haverelatives are The owners informed chase more than companies and bought 503 ‘BUTCHER’: 16 people connected 500 properpolice properties, including of items missing ties in Spain Rifaat to the holiday property and dozens garages, once the works had been chateaus in France. of accounts empire, had their homes, France. completed. apartments and luxury hotel frozen. While Spanish cops His largest property Sanchez country esSome €300 raided 15 of tates. in Spain the theft forensic denied is the 3,000 lieved to havemillion is be- Most of the been looted La Maquina, hectare estate of matched his DNA analysis in the Marbellaproperties are which takes up to DNA third of the area a found on the jewellery as well as in of Benahavis es. boxand is worth a reported €60 The million. builder argued in court The total market that he had merely moved value of the all the family’s AN Irish expat properties sonalboxes and other perwanted for the in Spain is reported a dissident republican belongings stored murder to be a wardrobe whopping €691 in a five years ago of for his trial and been arrested so he could replace disappeared Last year, €862million. flooring. Dean Evans, on the Costa del Sol. has girlfriend. with his million was confiscated by Evans, along men chargedfrom Dublin, is one of three thorities, wherethe French auMcGrathand with 35-year-old Edward of-three Peterwith the murder of fatherhe is set to go and 46-year-old Scientific on trial later ly, was dead in a car Butterfly, who was Sharif Kelshot nected due to stand trial on charges He may also this year. However March 2013. park in County Meath with the murder conin Butterfly. Switzerland, face charges in with his this was at odds Spanish police initial police Butterfly was of 35-year-old arrested 27-year-old been under where he has view when interin a car found collapsed ans on Thursday investigation he denied seeing Ev- from a park after he had been since 2013 lunchtime in them or touching rola. car and for war crimes shot at Fuengi- It allegedly committed was alleged died shortly after. A European inside the wardrobe.anything in the Stipendiary 1980s. while he was that Evans shot Butterfly by the Specialarrest warrant was issued Rifaat’s brother Magistrate McGrath andsat in the back of the car. last year, afterCriminal Court in Ireland Charles Pitto expelled him Evans failed from Syria in denied bail, life in prison Kelly were sentenced insisting his to show up the 80s because after to standing he account feared he was Evans. trial without was at organising a odds with the political coup. court’s eviment on a trial An announce- dence and the supporting is expected in scientific evidence. the coming weeks. Sanchez

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(Free or paid for) Costa del Sol Hot hotel has three ‘He deserves it’ water12 Issue Vol. months to 287 www.theolivepress.es March 14th - March fight decision 27th 2018 before it is SOME 14 fire bosses have been arrested for allegedly embezzling €7 million in public funds. The Policia Nacional found that the Consortium of Bomberos Cadiz took out mass early retirement insurance policies. But when their employees retired early, chiefs siphoned off the money from the payouts. Authorities also found discrepancies in the consortium’s training courses. Large sums were paid to a company to provide training courses, but no evidence has been found that these courses took place. Meanwhile, irregularities were also found in grants and subsidies, which cops believe were used to pay for private trips. The irregularities date back to 2008 and cops believe at least €7 million has been stolen by those at the top.

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Embezzlement

Guerrero is facing eight years in prison for zling €65 million of embezfrom the €647 millionmoney emergency public fund that managed between 1999 he and 2008. The money had been set aside to support struggling Andalucian businesses. Instead, Guerrero allegedly awarded fake grants to companies registered eXClUSIVe names of more than in the by Joe wallen 100 of his family members, friends and fellow PSOE politicians. THE Government has His driver, Juan Francisco to consider changing refused a law, Trujillo - nicknamed which is forcing women the ‘cocaine chauffeur’ - claims travel abroad for abortions. to he set up bogus shell compaIt comes after a woman’s nies to receive public group launched an appeal to to spend on ‘cocaine, money overturn parties the ‘draconian’ law, and drinks’. which is the strictest in EuHe is also accused of rope. sending ‘retirement money’ Currently, any Gibraltarian his mother-in-law and to plus anyone assisting - faces mother of his driver for the LIFE imprisonment comfor termipanies that never existed. nating a pregnancy. On one day alone, Guerrero Under Section 16 of the 2011 Crime Act a pregnant Continues on Page ‘who, with intent to woman 4 her own miscarriage… procure is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.’ The Gibraltar Women’s ciation believes it is nowAssotime to change the law. The group claims to know many women who have of suf- forced to travel to fered physical and Spain for health problems aftermental poor quality operations. being The women then return to

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March 2018

Campo de Colombia

MAYFAIR ONMAIN

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We exc us ve y evea ed how sen s ve gove nmen n o ma on may have been s o en n a cybe a ack on G b a a by he n a mous g oup Anonymous n ano he shock ng a e we spoke o an ex RAF expa who once augh P nce Ha y a e he was a acked by a squa e w h an axe n Sev a We a so evea ed ha Pau a Nea e had fina y been a es ed

HACK FEARS

THE Campo de Gibraltar the ‘Colombia of Spain’, is becoming gangsters and drug lords and Spanish po- used as lice have warned. an entry point to Europewas for Colombian According to Spain’s United Police It comes cocaine. Union (SUP), young people after 20 masked men sucin areas cessfully stormed like La Linea are idolising a hospital bar (right) and becoming Pablo Esco- Linea to rescue their drug bossin La from involved in the drug trade.increasingly police custody last week. And just a few days ago, The SUP added that the a police danger of becoming likearea was in was purposefully smashed into car by a the 1980s, when it was Galicia in ‘hitman’ who was hired to intercept overrun by a

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THE alleged lynchpin in Spain’s biggest ever political fraud claims he made SIX previous confessions up. Former Junta employment boss Francisco Guerrero insists he did not personally gain from the ERE scandal, that saw up to a billion euros embezzled over a decade. He claims he only gave details of the so-called fund’ that he allegedly‘reptile saw, after police put overconsiderable pressure on him.

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We revea ed how an exp os ve fire n Man va may have been a d stract on tact c for drug traffickers after a 4x4 was found dumped on the beach the fo ow ng morn ng And as the temperature soared we set off to Ec a the fry ng pan of Spa n on beha f of the London Even ng Standard to d scover f ts n ckname s a t s crack ed up to be We a so first revea ed the p ght of Br t sh bus nessman Robert Mansfie d who was thrown nto a ce w th ter ror sts after an A rbnb apartment he was rent ng n La L nea was unbeknownst to h m found to be a drugs stash The story was p cked up by severa Br t sh nat on a s nc ud ng the Da y M rror and the Metro n G bra tar we revea ed how pharmac es on the Rock were se ng No ot desp te the pa nk er hav ng been banned n the UK

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sea weed

POLICE in Gibraltar have seized £1.35 million worth of cannabis, following a dangerous high-speed chase at night. Four drug traffickers led the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP), HM Customs and Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) on a wild goose chase off Europa Point. The men sped around the Rock’s southernmost tip in their inflatable boat, powered by three yamaha 350 HP outboard engines. Eventually they dumped a total of nine bales of cannabis resin, with a street value of £1.35 million, into the sea.

Delighted

“I am delighted that local law enforcement agencies working in close collaboration were able to frustrate a drug trafficking operation of some magnitude,” said RGP Commissioner Ian McGrail. He added: “We will continue to work tirelessly to make life difficult for those who engage in illicit activity in surrounding waters and send a clear message to drug traffickers that we will be out there in numbers policing the area to thwart their criminal undertakings.”

Plummet

It comes after the Rabobank in london warned that a nodeal Brexit could end in euro-sterling parity, while last week saw the pound plummet to an eight-month low. British expat Karen Watling, from Sheffield, claims she has lost as much as a third of her monthly budget. “over two years this has caused us problems financially,” she told the Olive Press. “Prices and commodities have also risen so it has been like a double hit.” The exchange rate was an avTurn to page 4

EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez, Luke Madeira & Laurence Dollimore

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EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore

are A BRITISH expat couple Malaga fighting to save their over a home from demolition technicality. 74, Gill and Bob Ward, both a battle have been locked in which with their town hall, claims their house in Almayate is illegal. couJust yesterday the retiredgiven ple from Cornwall were

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August 2nd - August 15th

EXCluSiVE By laurence dollimore

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CAMPAIGNER: Cristina

olive Press medical campaign finally draws blood with Nolotil regulation close EXcluSiVE By Elisa menendez

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with AndaHe answered questions on his cooperation Gibraltar region lucia’s government and the Campo de workers in order to serve the interests of cross-border and the communities on either side. with the EU, a In the UK’s overall Brexit negotiationsbe the principal hard border in Ireland is thought to remaining sticking point. the Brexit withTheresa May confirmed this week that drawal deal was ‘95% done’. than 500,000 It comes despite a protest of more referendum, people in London demanding a second attended by many expats from Spain.

DIsgrace eXcLUsIVe By charlie smith

Taxi company leaves disabled pensioner in a rainstorm outside restaurant for two hours A GIBRAlTAR taxi company left a 93-year-old disabled woman screaming in agony for two hours while thunderstorms raged on Sunday. Mariola Summerfield MBE, who has no legs and needs to take tranquilizers, was left freezing in her wheelchair by the driver who refused three times to pick up her up. It came as some of the heavi-

est rain in Gibraltar’s history saw 250 litres per square metres fall in just a few hours. Mariola, who was awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth II, shivered under a blanket in the street, having just celebrated a birthday lunch for her grandson in the De Juan fish restaurant. “It was horrible to see her like that,” Mariola’s granddaugh-

ter Gail, 45, told the Olive Press. “We had used the service before,” said Gail, who called the Gibraltar Taxi Association, specifically requesting wheelchair access 15 minutes prior to leaving the restaurant. Gail explained that the first time the ‘rude’ driver pulled up, he told her grandmother: ‘I’m not here for you’. After a second and third time being refused by the driver, the Summerfields were angry and Gail’s father, John, 65, began shouting abuse at the driver, running after the car, which sped off into the rain

Summerfield ON FILM: Taxi and (right) Mariola screaming in pain towards without passengers. the end of the experience”. “It was disgraceful,” said As a co-founder of the HouseGail. “you can’t justify the wives Association, Mariola unjustifiable, she was literally is a hero for Gibraltarians due to her work defending the sovereignty of the British overseas territory, which saw her present a petition to the Queen in 1966 at Buckingham Palace. Mariola, who was also Gibraltar’s first female juror, chronicled her heroic life in her book, A woman’s place, published in 2007. The Gibraltar Taxi Association - who describe their drivers as ‘extremely professional and courteous in their approach’ - have asked Mariola and family to their office ‘to work something out’, but Gail maintains they ‘did it on purpose’. The firm officially declined to www.eliteglasscurtains.com comment.

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that’s for sure. I have had support from every healthcare professional I have spoken to. “If I hadn’t come across your article I wouldn’t have realised what was happening to the English community,” she added. We launched our ‘Kill the Drug’ campaign against the painkiller last August, after learning that dozens of British and Irish expats had died after their immune systems were allegedly destroyed by the commonly prescribed drug. A trio of families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarily in excruciating pain. Yet, authorities refused to take our claims seriously, despite the evidence being backed up by local doctors. Fortunately, Ali-

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THE Olive Press is giving away pairs of tickets for two of the best three concerts on the Costa del Sol this summer... And all you have to do is answer two simple questions!

Michael Bolton takes to the stage for an emotive end of season night at Marbella’s Puente Romano on August 10, while Estepona is set for its biggest rock concert in years with mammoth

Doctors and dentists join olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil EXcluSiVE By laurence dollimore

tribute bands Think Floyd, Deeper Whole Lotta Led rocking out the Purple and greatest hits of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Led at the Plaza del Toros on August 26. Zeppelin For a chance to win a pair of tickets to see Bolton, just answer the question; what year was Michael Bolton born in? For the Pink Purple Zep Fest in Estepona, tell us; Where was Jimmy Page born? just Email answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es.

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Need for more research

Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care the campaign, telling the Olive Pressin Marbella, fully supports the drug is not something she prescribes. “It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe she said, “And after seeing what and standard medication,” I won’t be using in the future.” damage it can do, it’s a drug Marbella-based private doctor Almeda also agrees the drug is Dra. Victoria María Chacón dangerous. “I don’t prescribe the drug,” she told the Olive Press, “I have lots of British patients and I am aware of what it is capable of doing. “There needs to be a lot more research on its impact.” doctor to get a renewal in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low. Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and required ‘radical surgery’ to remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life.

The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil. Another British expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same medication for mild shoulder pain on the Costa del Sol. He developed severe head Continues on Page 2

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Nolotil, or Metamizol, is still one of the most popular painkillers in Spain, yet the most feared side effect is agranulocytosis, a severe and rapid drop in white blood cells, which leaves patients unable to fight infections. Garcia del Campo noticed that a large number of other English

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and Irish patients had been suffering with sepsis at hospitals along the Costa Blanca. “I thought, this can’t be normal,” explained the translator, from Madrid. And after looking at patients’ notes, she found that each had one thing in common - they were all taking Nolotil. Although manufacturers list side effects such as agranulocytosis, necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis, they are considered ‘very rare’ affecting one in every 10,000. The figures did not seem to add up to Garcia del Campo so she set about doing her own research. However, no information existed in Spanish media. The only articles she could find on the drug and its lethal side effects was in the Olive Press. “I was in disbelief,” continued the Javea-based translator, who lived in the UK for 18 years. “I thought this was surely wellknown and someone was doing something about it. Except it wasn’t. “I felt I had to inform Spain Continues on Page 2

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said with the amount of pain I was in it would be stronger,” she told the Olive Press this week. “I was also taking 600mg ibuprofen and 500mg paracetamol but he suggested I should take the nolotil instead of paracetamol.” Another Gibraltar resident also confirmed she took the drug on the Rock. “I go to the chemist and just buy them, never heard of needing a prescription,” she said. After we launched a campaign to have the drug regulated

Beach cam fail

A SERIES of new beach webcams are being bizarrely turned off at night. The government claims the switch off from 10pm to 7am is due to ‘data protection’ issues, not to protect late night illegality. It was forced to give the reason, after being accused of protecting smugglers who were allegedly filmed Eastern Beach on the first night they were operational. According to GBC, one of the six new cameras recorded a group of men tobacco smuggling at the beach. The government insists this is entirely untrue and uses other ‘more sophisticated, intelligence-led’ measures to stop smuggling. The live camera feeds, similar to the ones at the border, allow beach-goers to check for up-to-date conditions and access updates on weather conditions.

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in Spain last summer, health campaigner Cristina Garcia del Campo took up the cause and has managed to take our case studies and around 100 more to the country’s top health chiefs. A decision on whether to bring in new regulations is imminent. It came after we reported how the drug left several British expats dead or fighting for their lives. Benalmadena-based Hugh Wilcock, 80, had to plan his own funeral after being prescribed the drug for pain relief following several back operations. But six weeks into taking the pills, he developed sores on his forehead and felt weaker and weaker until he had to be rushed to Malaga’s University hospital, where he remained in intensive care for weeks until his immune system recovered. He is just one of dozens who have been brought close to death. The Gibraltar government did not get back to us as we went to press last night.

Destitute

McGough, 60, was left destitute after it emerged she didn’t have insurance on the property by the Arabic Baths, in the heart of the historic old town. She had been unsure where to turn when she was left with ‘only the clothes on her back’ after the Rio Guadalevin flooded her home ‘almost up to the roof’ a

These were the intended last words of a British teen who had embarked on a suicide pact with her 16-yearold boyfriend in Marbella. The privately-educated expat, 14, added: “I’m Sorry: To anyone who has ever loved/known or supported me, thank you, I love you and I will miss you.”

EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez

fortnight ago. Everything inside was ruined, after an ancient wall of the 14th century baths collapsed. She was forced to throw out most of her furniture, with the Ronda town hall merely offering her a skip. “Everybody has been amazing,” said the Dubliner, “there’s still good people in the world. “Thank you so much to the Olive Press and everyone who has helped.” Following the appeal, numerous expats got in touch to help Trish clear out her home and offered blankets and clothes. One expat visited the retiree over the weekend to help tidy up the house and drove a number of salvaged belongings to Trish’s friend’s house, where the Dubliner is tempo-

Bizarre

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GIVE IT BACK WITH RESERVATION

EXPATS may have lost millions over the suspicious collapse of a foreign exchange firm being probed over ‘criminal activity’. Dozens of victims have lost up to €400,000 each after Premier FX Limited was forced into administration by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It comes after the firm - which operated from Mallorca, Portugal and London - suddenly stopped trading on July 27, following the death of director Peter Rexstrew. Since then, hundreds of clients, many of them expats,

Expats demand the return of millions after FX company collapses amid fraud probe have been left completely in the dark and unable to access their funds. The group have now formed an action group with nearly 200 members demanding immediate answers. One British expat, based in Mallorca, told the Olive Press she has no idea what has happened to the €30,000 she was holding with Premier FX. “I had used them for many

EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez

years and there were never any problems,” explained the 69-year-old, who asked to remain anonymous. “I had transferred the money and was waiting for the exchange rate to improve. “The next thing I knew, the money was gone. I feel sick

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about it,” added the pensioner, based in Palma. Another entrepreneur told the Olive Press she is missing a staggering €400,000. businessUK-based The woman, who previously lived in Portugal for ten years, has made three monthly transactions with Premier FX for 12 years. Despite knowing former director Rexstrew, who also lived in the Algarve, she was given no warning. “I tried to make a transaction but no one would answer the phone. I then emailed and I

received this automatic reply saying they had ceased trading and there’d be no further transactions. “I immediately smelt a rat,” she added. When she called Action Fraud, an operator explained he knew nothing about it. “I’ve been stuck for two months without that money and have no idea whether I’ll get it back. “It’s not just affecting people buying holiday homes, it is also affecting business owners, who can’t pay staff or clients.” Both victims had been promised by Premier FX that their money was being held in ‘segregated, personal accounts’ with Barclays, but administrators now think this was not the case. The FCA has since discovered that the company, set up in 2006, was operating without full authorisation. It was forced into administra-

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EXPAT: Andrew Jones

Unfair cop EXCLUSIVE

A GAY couple have denounced a Guardia Civil officer after he allegedly assaulted them. Expats Andrew Jones, 36, from London, and Mario Dieni, 39, from Argentina, claim they were ‘pushed and grabbed’ for no reason. The couple have called in the British embassy and filed an official denuncia over the incident, which took place near Torrox, at the weekend. Jones, who has bipolar disorder, told the Olive Press he was ‘really shaken up’ by the alleged assault, which came after they were routinely stopped at 1am.

Aggressive

“He was immediately aggressive. We are gay and he saw us together, perhaps it is discrimination. I don’t know,” he said. The British expat, who works in marketing, had been driving home having picked up his partner from work at a hotel in Nerja. “He went absolutely berserk, pushing me so hard that the officer behind had to catch me,” added Jones. “He then grabbed Mario and tossed him to one side.” Eventually the officer was moved away by colleagues, who then gave the couple his badge number, so they could file a complaint. A Guardia Civil spokesperson confirmed the incident was ‘being investigated’.

September We d d t We made t to 300 ssues and apt y gave you another exc us ve packed ed t on The co apse of an FX com pany eft expats n Spa n m ons of euros out of pocket wh e over n Torremo nos a gay expat coup e fi ed a de nunc a aga nst po ce for an a eged homophob c assau t We a so aunched an exc u s ve appea to find the mur derer of a Br t sh teen who s be eved to have escaped to the Costa de So

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November 7th - November 20th 2018

Andalucia’s city in the mountains is a hot ticket for world leaders and their wives despite Hemingway’s lukewarm words, writes Elisa Menendez

‘

NICE promenades, good wine, excellent food and nothing to do…’ Thus Ernest Hemingway wrote off the town where he spent numerous holidays drinking the local wine and carousing at corridas, no doubt disappointing many of Ronda’s proud residents with his puzzlingly lacklustre review. Most of today’s travellers - including Britain’s last two prime ministers and an American First Lady - would certainly disagree with him. Ronda has been crowned Andalucia’s third most-visited town and it’s not hard to see why. The so-called ‘City of Dreams’ is a true wanderlust gem and somewhat of a celebrity hang-out. This year alone, Theresa May, Anne Hathaway, Ricky Gervais, Jodie Whittaker, Gordon Ramsay, Kristin Scott Thomas and Spain’s ex-premier Mariano Rajoy have all allegedly visited the stunning mountain town... so say locals in the know.

Obama

Michelle Obama also made headlines when she visited in 2010, touring the old town and discovering the Moorish dynasty with her daughter Sasha. Celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli went house hunting in the town after falling in love with it in 2009. With its spectacular high sierra setting, leafy parks, cobbled lanes and atmospheric ventas it’s no wonder Ronda has stolen the hearts of so many travellers. Over the centuries a slew of writers have waxed lyrical about its timeless character, stunning views and charming locals. The German poet Rilke baptised it the ‘City of Dreams’, Orson Welles took a shine to its bullfighting scene and Continues on Page 18

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A BRITISH expat couple are fighting to save their home from demolition Malaga over a technicality. Gill and Bob Ward, both 74, have been locked in a with their town hall, battle which claims their house in Almayate is illegal. Just yesterday the retired ple from Cornwall were cougiven

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Irish tourists. Expats in Spain will now be administered Nolotil on a short term prescription only. Furthermore it can only be prescribed after a detailed analysis of CAMPAIGN: Previous SALE issue 59 the patient’s medical hisdespite various side effects,Mosquito tory and heritage. Screenswhich It will also have to be can cause a rapid drop in white blood much more closely mon- cells, leaving patients unable to fight infections. Medical translator, Cristina itored. It comes after an Olive Garcia del Campo, who has pulled toPress investigation into gether hundreds of case studies from the mysterious deaths victims for the AEMPS’ probe, said she was ‘very happy’ the authorities of expats from have finally reacted. Folthe drug was lowing the results of her See page 43 launched KILL THE rigorous investigation she in 2016, DRUG has now demanded that along with a the drug must not be sold 1,000-strong without a prescription and a depetition to have it regutailed patient analysis. lated a year later. Nolotil, also known as “I am very happy that the problem has Metamizole, is banned in been dealt with,” she told the Olive the UK, the US and most Press. “I will be making sure that the AEMPS recommendations are carof Europe. Despite this, the drug is ried out and if necessary make sure it’s still one of the most pop- banned completely.” The Olive Press ular painkillers in Spain, began investigating after a trio of expat families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarCASHBACK ON ily in excruciating pain, after taking the drug in Andalucia. YOUR HOUSE In April, the paper revealed the first steps towards regulation had been taken, with Marina Salud, a big health network in Alicante, issuing a warning to PAYBACK WHEN stop administering the drug to British, Irish and Scandinavian YOU SELL patients. fuengirola@ibexinsure.com

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THE Olive Press is giving away three pairs of tickets for two certs on the Costa del Solof the best conAnd all you have to do is this summer... answer two simple questions! Michael Bolton takes to the stage for an emotive end of season night Puente Romano on August at Marbella’s 10, while Estepona is set for its biggest rock concert in years with mammoth

Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil

THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban ter Briton Graham Ward, afcomplained to the Olive 75, Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by tist last week. It’s thea denone month to knock down very Dr Nina King, of Oasis same drug that was Dental Care in Marbella, only property (pictured their blamed the campaign, telling the fully supports for killing his wife in 2006. Olive Press the drug is not In a court order seen above). she prescribes. by the something The Marbella-based Olive Press, the Wards “It’s not a drug I use, I stick was furious when he wasexpat warned they will be held are told she said, “And after seeing to safe and standard medication,” to take the painkiller nally responsible if they crimiwhat damage it can do, I won’t be using in the it’s a drug Spanish dentist, after by his “I don’t know what to refuse. sufferMarbella-based privatefuture.” ing from a difficult abscess. more, I’m at the enddo anyAlmeda also agrees the doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón His wife Mary, 59, had tether” Gill told the Olive of my died afthe drug,” she told the drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe Press, ter being prescribed the “I’m totally exhausted from tients and I am aware ofOlive Press, “I have lots of British pathe drug following a double same whole ordeal.” vasec“There needs to be a lot what it is capable of doing. tomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. more research on its impact.” The retired pair, who have “Within 24 hours she spent thousands of euros now in intensive care, her was doctor to get a gal costs, bought the old on lewhite blood cell count plummeted The dad-of-two renewal in April, house ‘in ruins’ in 2004,farmto zero within days,” explains later died from tests showed the were given permission and Graham, a former computer septic shock – drug had caused Velez-Malaga town hall from HAPPIER TIMES: Graham to retechnician, from London. believed to be a toxic poisoning build it. with wife, and Billy She never regained conscious- again. Smyth linked to taking in his bone marBut when the original wall ness and was on a life support “He the Nolotil. Metamizole, row and his lapsed of its own accord colmachine for FOUR months, she said she would be alive if in the US, theNolotil is banned blood cell white Another construction, the Wards’during BritUK, Ireland and was hadn’t taken it, but I have before spending three ish expat Hugh most of Europe, dangerously tect told them it would archiheard fighting the impact years and from dozens of Brits scribed widely but it is pre- Billy, a low. Wilcox was preand that he would let thebe fine of the keen in Spain. Irish who have been given drug, which led to organ scribed the same Irishman sportsman, develhall know. Unfortunatelytown William fail- it,” added Graeme. ‘Billy’ oped ure. for medication Smyth was sepsis for It is the third victim “The chief surgeon at the of the course of thegiven a five-day necrotising and mild Continues on Page shoulder drug fasci8 drug in Februpital promised me he hos- portedthe Olive Press has re- ary. pain on the Costa itis as a result and on in under a year. never prescribe that would Sometimes del Sol. But when the 66-year-old required ‘radical surgery’ drug known also as turned reto He developed severe head to a different Spanish remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life. Continues

banned for tourists in Spain. In a breakthrough move, The Spanish Medicine Agency (AEMPS) has finally issued a directive to all healthcare bodies to stop giving the drug to British and

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November 7th - November 20th 2018

errania de Ronda

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ENVIRONMENTAL groups are taking legal action against the Junta for ‘failing to tackle toxic air’ in the Campo de Gibraltar. Ecologistas en Accion has filed a complaint with the Health Ministry, claiming nothing has been done to protect citizens from a rise in air pollutants caused by the expansion of ‘toxic’ industries in the Bay of Algeciras. According to the green group, more than 10,000 tonnes of dangerous pollutants were released into the atmosphere last year. This includes potentially lethal cancer-causing chemical benzene, as well as other fine particles. The writ comes as Cadiz province was officially declared to have the worst air quality in Spain. And alarmingly, La Linea, which borders Gibraltar, ranks as the 30th most polluted place in the world in terms of air quality. The shocking stats were revealed in a damning World Health Organisation report which lists the world’s ‘most contaminated’ towns and cities. Continues page 11 Adding salt to the wound, Cadiz also came bottom in

TOXIC: Oil refinery plumes black smoke into the Campo

However, her heartfelt messages had a cruel, bizarre twist, when her British-Brazilian boyfriend Richard Fitzsimons managed to take his life off the top of the Corte Ingles department store, while she miraculously survived. It came as a hero security guard somehow managed to grab the girl before she was able to plunge to her death after her lover. In a tragically sad incident - that has shocked the coast and made headlines around the world - the teenager, who we are not naming for legal A LETHAL painkiller believed to be rereasons, is now requiring serious sponsible for the deaths of dozens of expats is finally being regulated in Spain. Nolotil, which the Olive Press has invesContinues page 2 tigated for nearly two years, has been

December

Issue 304

GRAND TOUR-ISTS: Painters tackle the gorge, while (inset) recent visitors Anne Hathaway, Gordon Ramsey, Jodie Whittaker and Ricky Gervais

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Vol. 13 Issue 304 www.theolivepress.es November 7th - November 20th 2018

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or in this case THEY say good things come in threes, 300! with In our fitting 300th issue we are packed than ANY other exclusives and original content - more English paper in Spain. TripAdvisor ongoing our and Aside from the news culinary delights probe, we have food features on the on how an of the Basque region, as well as a missive UK’s literacy rates Andalucian weed helped boost the in Victorian times. Valley of the Plus our in-depth dispatch from the with Fallen, where Franco is soon to be exhumed, leading Spain’s of three from exclusive commentary and Giles Hispanists, Paul Preston, Ian Gibson Tremlett. issue, 300th our mark to And in a special supplement came to be we tell the story of how the Olive Press currently and where many of our former reporters work, with some in Russia and America. grab a coffee back, sit So inside. lot a is there Yes, with your or reach for your glass of wine and relax favourite fortnightly newspaper. Hope you’ll still We’re here for at least another 300. be too.

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SPAIN’S government has declared areas of Malaga, Sevilla and Cadiz as disaster zones following last month’s flash floods. It comes as hundreds of residents are still struggling to get in and out of areas like Forest Hills

What do a British pilot, Country Life magazine and two English teens have to do with Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War?

Voted

November 7th - November 20th 2018

KIND-HEARTED expats have rallied round an Irish lady, who lost everything after her home was destroyed in the Malaga flash floods. Well-wishers have donated almost €2,000 so far to help Trish McGough following an Olive Press appeal to help her get her Ronda home back to normal.

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Voted

See page 18 xx

EXcluSiVE By laurence dollimore

A BRITISH expat couple are fighting to save their Malaga home from demolition over a technicality. Gill and Bob Ward, both 74, have been locked in a battle with their town hall, which claims their house in Almayate is illegal. Just yesterday the retired couple from Cornwall were given

THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban after Briton Graham Ward, 75, complained to the Olive Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by a dentist last week. It’s the very one month to knock down their same drug that was blamed only property (pictured above). for killing his wife in 2006. In a court order seen by the The Marbella-based expat Olive Press, the Wards are was furious when he was told warned they will be held crimito take the painkiller by his nally responsible if they refuse. Spanish dentist, after suffer“I don’t know what to do anying from a difficult abscess. more, I’m at the end of my His wife Mary, 59, had died aftether” Gill told the Olive Press, ter being prescribed the same “I’m totally exhausted from the drug following a double vasecwhole ordeal.” tomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. The retired pair, who have now “Within 24 hours she was spent thousands of euros on lein intensive care, her white gal costs, bought the old farmblood cell count plummeted house ‘in ruins’ in 2004, and to zero within days,” explains were given permission from Graham, a former computer Velez-Malaga town hall to reHAPPIER TIMES: Graham with technician, from London. wife, and Billy Smyth build it. She never regained conscious- again. But when the original wall colMetamizole, Nolotil ness and was on a life support “He said she would be alive if in the US, the UK, is banned lapsed of its own accord during machine for FOUR months, she hadn’t taken it, but I have most of Europe, Ireland and construction, the Wards’ archibefore spending three years heard from dozens but it is pretect told them it would be fine fighting the impact of the and Irish who have of Brits scribed widely in Spain. and that he would let the town drug, which led to organ fail- it,” added Graeme. been given Irishman William ‘Billy’ hall know. Unfortunately for Smyth was given a five-day ure. It is the third “The chief surgeon at the hos- drug the Olive victim of the course of the drug in FebruContinues on Page 8 Press has re- ary. pital promised me he would ported on in under But when the 66-year-old renever prescribe that drug Sometimes knowna year. also as turned to a different Spanish

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Mosquito Screens

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Mijas Costa

Save our home!

679702_DFS_SPANISH_BOX_AD_40x40_MIJAS_COSTA.indd 23/02/2017 11:31 1

59 APPEAL: Our Mosquito Screens campaign last year

Stars from Anne Hathaway to Jodie Whittaker keep visiting Ronda, find out why in our travel supplement inside

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MESSAGES: Left for teen

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cante-based Garcia del Campo spotted our campaign, while working with an Irish expat who suddenly became critically ill with sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis after taking the drug. He died later in November.

WIN, WIN!

Expat whose house was ‘ruined’ in floods says thank you for generous donations “IT’S a dirty world that I don’t want following an Olive to Press appeal live in anymore.”

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macy told a journalist he could be given the painkiller with a prescription. A parallel investigation by GBC found six pharmacies selling the drug, and was able to buy a packet for £2.50. The Gibraltar government is now looking into several pharmacies for illegally selling the painkiller. It came after one Gibraltarian, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was sold the drug at a pharmacy in March without a prescription. “The man just sold it to me and

UK ‘reach deal’

May. was a bit more While Chief Minister Fabian Picardoa deal would be cautious he said he was ‘optimistic’ some fine tuning. reached, he confirmed there was still issues like the After flying to London to discuss key said: “Nothing is tobacco trade and citizens’ rights, he agreed until everything is agreed.” Gibraltar Day - a He spent a few days in london for links with the UK. celebration of business and political of Lords EU He also appeared in front of The House final details of Committee to give evidence over the Brexit.

A French expat deta ed the horr fic myste r ous sp der b te she rece ved at a popu ar naut ca c ub wh ch saw her eg beg n to rot Then came the b b ca floods some of the worst ever seen n Ronda and Ma aga n G bra tar we revea ed how a d sab ed pens oner was eft n the pour ng ra n by a heart ess tax dr ver Two staff were d s m ssed fo ow ng our Around the wor d exc us ve On a more pos t ve note we aunched our expat he roes sect on a show case to the great and the good done by Br ts and other nat ona t es v ng n Spa n

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was available or ‘sometimes in stock’ in at least three pharmacies. An employee at Wesley Phar-

the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE). Analysts suggest a good portion of the recovery in housing is being driven by foreigners buying homes on the Costa del Sol and in cities like Barcelona. And despite Brexit, the largest number of foreign homebuyers are British, followed by the French, Germans, Belgians, Italians and Swedes. The outlook for Spain’s housing market remains upbeat, with house sales expected to rise by between 10% and 15% to reach about 550,000 transactions this year, according to TINSA, the country’s official valuation and surveying body.

WITH RESERVATION

READ IT HERE FIRST: (Inset left) Our campaign last year and (right) recent story www.ibexinsure.com

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AN Olive Press health campaign has led to ‘the biggest’ drug probes in Spanish history. Our investigation into the mysterious deaths of expats from the painkiller Nolotil last year, is finally being acted on. In a landmark breakthrough, a national probe is expected to lead to new regulation of the drug, which is banned in the UK and most of Europe. “It has been a long time in coming and by raising so much awareness, I am sure lives have already been saved,” medical and legal translator Cristina Garcia del Campo told the Olive Press. The medical professional found our 1000-strong petition online and took it forward after one of her patients died from TRAGIC: Graeme Ward with wife Mary (left) and the drug. “Spain wants to help, Billy Smyth, who both died from Nolotil

need for more research

estepona@ibexinsure.com

HE Costa del Sol and Barcelona are driving up demand in Spanish property. Data from Spain’s Instituto Nacional de Estadistica shows that, on an annualised basis, house prices grew 6.8% in the second quarter of 2018 with new-build price tags rising 5.7% (see report page IV). However some areas are clearly picking up more of the slack than others, with Catalunya rising 3.7% while Galicia by just 0.7%. The data is the latest confirmation of a trend of strong demand for Spanish property.

Novembe saw he news we had been wa ng 5 o yea s o hea F he egu a on o NoSLoNEWS n eba D NG N TO XMAS Spa n op Spa n came a e we aunched a campa gn mo e han wo yea s be o e o o be banned ou gh We a so a sed mo e han €2 000 o sh expa T sh whose Tragic end home had been de s oyed by floods n Ronda Y u Top We aunched ano heo un y ho n d y u appea o he p ou he w ns E k and A ex a 4 who despe a e y need hou sands o eu os o be e D a e one de a ed d agnose a de e o a ng eye cond on wh ch Tel: 902 123 282 902 123 282 cou d eave hem b nd

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Deeper Purple and tribute bands Think Floyd,out the greatest hits Whole Lotta Led rocking and Led Zeppelin of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple August 26. at the Plaza del Toros on pair of tickets to see For a chance to win a question; what year Bolton, just answer the in? was Michael Bolton bornFest in Estepona, just For the Pink Purple Zep Page born? Email Pink Purple Zep Fest tickets tell us; Where was Jimmy WIN WIN WIN: Bolton and answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es.

Kill ThE drug

on THE Olive Press is calling Spain to ban a lethal painkiller of unthat is killing countless suspecting expats. doctors British dentists and afare supporting the ban 75, fully supports Dental Care in Marbella, ter Briton Graham Ward, Dr Nina King, of Oasis Olive Press the drug is not something Press complained to the Olive the the campaign, telling the of how he was prescribed medication,” she prescribes. a denstick to safe and standarddo, it’s a drug deadly Nolotil drug by very “It’s not a drug I use, I what damage it can tist last week. It’s the she said, “And after seeing blamed future.” same drug that was I won’t be using in the doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón their one month to knock down for killing his wife in 2006. Marbella-based private drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe above). expat only property (pictured by the The Marbella-based Almeda also agrees theOlive Press, “I have lots of British patold In a court order seen was furious when he was the drug,” she told theof what it is capable of doing. are by his Olive Press, the Wardscrimito take the painkiller suffertients and I am aware more research on its impact.” warned they will be heldrefuse. Spanish dentist, after “There needs to be a lot nally responsible if they do anying from a difficult abscess. died afThe dad-of-two “I don’t know what to of my His wife Mary, 59, had same later died from doctor to get a more, I’m at the end Press, ter being prescribed thevasecseptic shock – renewal in April, tether” Gill told the Olive the drug following a double believed to be tests showed the “I’m totally exhausted from tomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. was linked to taking drug had caused whole ordeal.” “Within 24 hours shewhite now the Nolotil. a toxic poisoning The retired pair, who haveon lein intensive care, her BritAnother in his bone marspent thousands of euros farmblood cell count plummeted and Billy Smyth ish expat Hugh row and his white gal costs, bought the old and to zero within days,” explains HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, Wilcox was prebanned blood cell was house ‘in ruins’ in 2004,from Graham, a former computer Metamizole, Nolotil is scribed the same UK, Ireland and dangerously low. were given permission to reagain. technician, from London. for alive if in the US, the medication but it is pre- Billy, a keen Velez-Malaga town hall “He said she would be She never regained consciousshoulder develsupport she hadn’t taken it, but I have most of Europe, mild build it. ness and was on a life scribed widely in Spain. ‘Billy’ sportsman, colpain on the Costa oped sepsis and from dozens of Brits Irishman But when the original wall William machine for FOUR months, during given years heard fascidel Sol. five-day lapsed of its own accord archibefore spending threeof the and Irish who have been Smyth was given a Febru- necrotising head itis as a result and He developed severe drug in added Graeme. construction, the Wards’be fine fighting the impact to fail- it,” the third victim of the course of the required ‘radical surgery’ in tect told them it would town It is drug, which led to organ ary. 2 tissue Continues on Page the Olive Press has re- But when the 66-year-old re- remove the affected and that he would let the for ure. hos- drug save his life. hall know. Unfortunately different Spanish an attempt to “The chief surgeon at thewould ported on in under a year. also as turned to a 8 pital promised me he drug Sometimes known Continues on Page never prescribe that

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away three THE Olive Press is giving of the best conpairs of tickets for two this summer... certs on the Costa del Solanswer two simAnd all you have to do is ple questions! the stage for an Michael Bolton takes to at Marbella’s emotive end of season night10, while EstePuente Romano on Augustconcert in years rock pona is set for its biggest with mammoth

Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil

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deal over GibralSPAIN will not block any final BrexitSanchez has contar’s future, Prime Minister Pedro firmed. to leave the EU It means that Gibraltar will be able with no drastic in March next year alongside the UK, changes. in arriving at a “Gibraltar will no longer be a problem Sanchez at an Brexit deal,” said Spanish leader Pedro EU leaders summit last week. great. If not, it “If we reach an agreement (soon), to reach one,” doesn’t matter because we’ve got timeleader Theresa he added, after discussions with UK

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lETHAl painkiller nolotil is being sold in Gibraltar despite being banned in the UK and other parts of Europe. It comes after a two-year Olive Press investigation in Spain linked the drug to at least 10 deaths of British and northern European patients. The drug - also known as Metamizole - is believed to attack the immune system by depleting the patient’s white blood cells. While not yet banned in Spain it is currently under investigation, following our probe, and is unlicenced in the UK, US, France, Australia and elsewhere. Incredibly though, the Olive Press this week found a number of pharmacies still apparently handing out the drug on the Rock. An undercover Olive Press journalist was told the drug

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Everyone has heard the claims that Andalucia is hot enough to cook an egg on the pavement in the summer... we visited the ‘Frying pan of Spain’ to test out the theory,

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Pension shocker BRITISH pensioners in Spain claim to have lost more than a fifth of their spending power over the last two years as a direct result of Brexit. Richard Hill, vice president of Brexpats in Spain, claims plummeting exchange rates, taxes and a rise in the cost of living have caused significant income losses. It comes as the pound sunk to a new low of just 1.10 to the euro last week, as worries of a hard Brexit magnified. The pensioner, who claims he’s around 22% ‘worse off’ since the referendum, believes expats will struggle regardless of whatever deal is reached ahead of Britain’s exit from the EU. The pensioner added: “The significant problem at this stage with Brexit is the fluctuating exchange rate. “Obviously fluctuations are normal, however the steady downward trend is seriously affecting people.”

August 15th - August 28th 2018

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The ast month*Offerof 2018 brought some unexpected drama to ends 30/11/18. Not valid for renewals. Subject to conditions. the Span sh po t ca scene when Susana D az ca ed for a snap e ect on n Anda uc a and u t mate y ost Most concern ng y E S A K MEN A far r ght Vox party ga ned 11% 2/8/1of 8 17:01 HEA H the vote 12 seats the pre ude to a new r ght w ng coa t on that w end 36 years of soc a st ru e n the reg on We a so unpacked menta hea th fo ow ng the trag c su c de of Br t sh teen R chard F tzs m mons who threw h mse f off the E Corte ng es n Marbe a n September n our ast ssue we rev s ted Robert Mansfie d who amaz ng y s st beh nd bars w th ETA terror sts desp te NOT be ng charged Expect more on th s story th s year

BUSINESS

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Jan 3rd - Jan 15th 2019

Kicking and streaming SPAIN’S Policia Nacional have seized 800 illegal decoders in just three days as part of a clampdown on illicitly broadcasting football. The operation revealed that 60% of venues visited broadcast LaLiga using boxes with private signals in order to escape paying out thousands of euros in annual streaming fees.

Cybercrime

Officers from the Central Cybercrime Unit visited 2,000 bars on December 11, 12 and 13 after a complaint from Spanish football’s top tier. Broadcasting football in public is more expensive than at home, with Orange charging bars €338.80 a month and Vodafone €395.67. A LaLiga team of 100 staff already detected 9,000 illegal emissions of the beautiful game in 2018 following 20,000 visits to public establishments.

CRACKDOWN: On streaming

SKY HIGH: National debt

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Thanks a trillion THE NATION’S foreign debt shot over the €2 trillion mark for the first time ever in 2018, according to the Bank of Spain. Data from the financial institution showed that an increase of just €9 million (0.4%) between July and September, tipped Spain over the unwanted milestone. The exact amount, €2.004 trillion, comprises 167.4% of Spanish GDP

and is the second-highest in the euro zone after Italy. An excessive debt imbalance is any figure above 35% of a country’s GDP, according to the European Commission. At the peak of the housing bubble the Spanish state borrowed around €100 million, which was also used to help companies and banks expand.

Flight freeze

airport until January 21. Their refusal to work began on December 21 and was or-

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ganised by the union, Alternativa Sindical. Union representatives alleged that security officers who patrol inside and outside the airport have not been paid their promised bonus. The workers group also claimed the ‘law of prevention of occupational hazards’ is being breached as the staff are not being provided with warm clothes for the cold weather ahead. Meanwhile, Ryanair staff in Spain have planned another round of strikes in the new year, calling the airline ‘childish’ and claiming that 1,800 workers are made to suffer. An agreement has still not been reached between the Madrid workers and Eulen, as it is claimed that the company ‘persists in breaches’ over labour and wages. The company claimed the strike was ‘almost imperceptible’, as extra staff were brought in to cover the shortfall. Eulen did however criticise Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government for ruling that even during a strike,

Pension perk THE government has confirmed it will scrap automatic pension rises of 0.25% in Spain for the first time in five years. Instead of increasing by a standard minimum amount, in 2019 the benefit will rise by 1.6%, a figure based on the real CPI (Consumer Price Index) of the last 12 months. The rise is set to be effective from February and will cost Spain around €128 million. The changes will be made by Royal Decree and were labelled a ‘measure of extraordinary and urgent necessity’ by the government, who aim to give pensioners their purchasing power back.

Brits abroad could face New Year travel chaos as Madrid airport workers and Ryanair strikes planned AROUND 300 Madrid airport workers are set to strike because it is too cold are placing thousands of British holidaymakers in jeopardy. As New Year arrives, staff from the company Eulen have said they will strike at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas

PROTESTING: Pensions

Dirty phone calls ORANGE and Jazztel head Spain’s league table of telecom spammers, pestering customers with an average 20 sales phone calls per user. Adeces, Spain’s Association for civil, economic and social rights, has slammed the strategy as ‘commercial aggressiveness, excessive and disrespectful’. And their 11th annual Customer Service Report reveals other big differences between phone companies. STRIKES: Across Europe 95% of services must be covered. It comes as Spain saw its overseas visitor numbers drop by 4.9% in July in 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. This decrease was the biggest in Spain for eight years, although thousands of Brits were expected to flock to the southern European country over the festive period. Brits are still Spain’s biggest tourist market with 18,779,466 visiting in 2017.

Nuisance

Those least likely to stalk users with nuisance calls are Movistar, Pepephone, R and Telecable who call each customer only once. Movistar also heads the rankings for the quality of their customer service - followed by MasMovil and Vodafone - and technical assistance while MasMovil comes top for response time in resolving problems. Adeces recommends phone companies should reduce waiting time and be more transparent with their clients.

The rail deal

SPAIN’S national rail operator has confirmed it will increase regional train fares in 2019. Renfe admitted its regional rates will rise by 3.5%, while Avant train journeys on the AVE tracks will be 7% dearer. The state-owned operator will however freeze Cercanías ticket prices in Spain’s major cities for a fourth straight year. Cercanías, the metropolitan division of Renfe, carried 423.6 million passengers in 2017, while a further 23.6 million used the medium distance trains and 7.65 million used the Avant.

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January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Gangsters Paradise Despite a record year for drug seizures, business is booming for narco-terrorists while Nordic mafias present a new threat on the Costa del Sol

DYCO-Costa del Sol isn't an organisation you hear much of. Working in the shadows, the Unit against Drugs and Organised Crime for Malaga province has has been instrumental in bringing down a host of drug traffickers and their counterparts in 2018. In fact, it was a record 12 months for the undercover unit whose intelligence tactics including phone hacking and the analysis of bank accounts - have lead to more than 500 arrests and double 2017’s drugs haul. In 2017 UDYCO helped seize 24 tonnes of drugs in Malaga and last year that tally soared past 40 tonnes. Of 2018’s haul, 30 tonnes of hashish were seized and 10 tonnes of cocaine, with the rest made up of marijuana plants, heroin and other narcotics. UDYCO has cost the illegal drug trafficking economy €100 million in 2018 by disrupting the network with its raids and arrests. But despite being the best year 'in a long time' - with some 500 arrests - Chief Inspector Antonio Rodriguez Puertas believes there is still much work to be done as the activity of drug gangs is increasing and the killing shows no signs of abating. It was a 'particularly violent' year which saw around 25 assassinations or settling of accounts in Malaga province alone. And although at least 60 criminal gangs have been dismantled, with Spanish, Moroccan, Dutch, English and French the most predominate operators on the coast. But like cutting off the head of the Hydra, other gangs are stepping in to replace them. What has been most surprising this year has been the arrival of mafia from the Nordic countries - and every year gangs are joining forces. "We constantly find ourselves with more transnational organisations, meaning members from up to three or four different countries," says Puertas, who reveals that 33% of such groups in Spain are based in Malaga province. For UDYCO it was a 'peculiar' year, as it had to deal with its first cases of 'narco-terrorism' following two bomb explosions in San Pedro de Alcantara and Benahavis, followed by another device which had to be detonated by cops in

Marbella. The reasons behind the surge in violence and activity are numerous, according to Chief Inspector Puertas.

Police pressure One reason, he suggested, may be due to the increased arrests and seizures made by police this year. This can cause paranoia and fury among drug bosses, who may fear a leak in the organisation, leading to more bloody reprisals. Additionally if the shipment is intercepted, those responsible for the failure will also likely face deadly repercussions.

biggest cause of last year’s intensified violence has been the 'rollovers'. This is when drug traffickers steal shipments or hauls from another gang or refuse to pay for the goods. "At least 70% of the settling of accounts this year are related, in one way or another, to the theft or non-payment of merchandise," explains Puertas. But the Chief Inspector had a stark message for the so-called 'narcos': "Work is being done with much intensity and, sooner or later, all those cases will be answered. "Your destination will be jail,” he warned. “The coast is not, and will not be, a pleasant area for the establishment of these organisations."

BUSTED: Police crackdowns increased in 2018

Power struggles Often, hits carried out by cartels or gangs are related to turf wars back home. If two Irish gangs are battling for control of an area or are in a violent feud like the Hutch-Kinahan gangs hits can be carried out in Spain where they are based. But according to Olive Press sources, it is the winding down of Irish activity on the coast which has lead to the significant increase in violence. The Irish mafia has suffered from a continued Garda-Spain crackdown in recent years, causing them to focus more on the Middle East and other markets. It is believed to have left somewhat of a power vacuum in southern Spain, leading to increased competition from English, Spanish, Swedish and other mafias who have tried to fill the void.

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Campo crackdown The Campo de Gibraltar has long been a hotbed for criminal activity and a reliable hideout for drug traffickers. This has somewhat changed over the past couple of years with the Government in Madrid sending thousands of Guardia Civil officers to the region in a bid to crack down on the rise in mafia activity. Most recently it announced a €1 billion investment plan in the region aimed at creating a business hub and eliminating organised crime. It has meant that drugrelated activity usually concentrated in trouble spots like Algeciras and San Roque or La Linea has now spilled over to the tourist resorts of Costa del Sol, with safe houses, shipments and assassinations popping up in the likes of Estepona and Marbella.

'Rollovers' POWER VACUUM: More international gangs are pushing there way to the Costa

According to the Chief Inspector, however, the

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Jan 3rd - Jan 15th 2019

Miró is back THE ART studio built by renowned artist Joan Miró in Palma has been restored and opened to the public. Miró designed the studio with help from friend Josep Lluis Sert, with local terracotta tiles and tall ceilings and skylights, letting in as much natural light as possible.

Dream

He built his dream studio in 1965 when he was in his 60's, and created many of his masterpieces there until his death in 1983. The artist's workshop was left with unfinished works scattered around, many of which the Miró Foundation have collected and 65 replaced with replicas. The aim of the studio's renovation was to give visitors a sense of the real environment that Miró created and worked in and see his influences first hand.

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Power to the people

Property law overhaul as communities given power to ban new tourist blocks THE government has granted neighbours powers to limit the expansion of tourist renters in their building. Following the success of rental platforms like Airbnb, the Ministry of Development has used a Royal Decree to curb tourist rental effects on local communities. In a bid to put Spanish citizens first, the government

has reduced the required majority to ban new tourist flats from being built in an area. Previously, a unanimous decision was required from residents, but under the new reforms, groups of residents will only need a majority of three fifths. This will make it easy for communities to limit or apply conditions to tourist

THE former mayor of Madrid Ana Botella is facing a multimillion euro fine after being found guilty in a major housing scandal. Botella, also the wife of former PP president José María Aznar, was convicted by the Court of Audit of selling off 1,860 supported housing flats in October 2013 to two so-called vulture funds at a cut price, alongside seven other senior officials. Both funds belonged to Blackstone, an international group that set up Spain’s biggest property empire on the back of the deal, specialising in the acquisition of repossessed housing.

Transparency

SPAIN FIRST: Jose Luis backs new bill

rentals in their areas. It will therefore be far easier for residents groups to bump up the price for tour-

Razed to the ground

ON THE WARPATH: Illegal homes being destroyed

Vulture culture

ALMOST 20 illegal homes have been destroyed in Malaga province over the past year. The Prosecutor’s Office revealed that 19 were razed in total, with 16 of those voluntarily destroyed by those responsible. But the Environmental Department has admitted that the true number of illegally built residences could be even higher. “Among other reasons, it is because there is no way to control the actual demolitions carried out with the current media,” explained a department spokesperson.

ists renting in their area, as well establishing special quotas. Spanish Minister José Luis Ábalos backed ‘more people who use the common areas paying more’. This Royal Decree of Urgent Measures has also been employed to change Urban Leasing Law so that it no longer covers tourist properties, which instead will be regulated at a regional level. The new measures ‘help the autonomous communities to mitigate the difficulties of control of housing of tourist use and gives more capacity to the communities of owners’, according to Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

Currently Blackstone owns one in four of the Spanish estate agents listed on the stock exchange and rents out 22,000 properties in the country. According to the 90-page court report, the sale by the City’s Property and Land Company (EMVS) of the capital’s supported housing together with a large number of other public properties involved passing privileged information to the funds and the absence of either an ‘initial evaluation’ or public auction. This resulted in a general lack of transparency designed to benefit the buyer. “The sale price of all these properties was under the legal minimum,” concluded the Court of Audit, which has demanded those convicted pay €25.7 million between them for the detrimental effect on the public coffers. Botella and the seven officials said they will appeal.

End the struggle Can you keep up with mortgage repayments this winter?

ITH the winter months closing in the off season for property rentals across Spain is upon us. Declining rental income makes it difficult for borrowers to maintain their mortgage repayments, community fees and IBI tax. EU Property Solutions receive an increase in enquiries at this time of year as many borrowers find it difficult to repay their monthly mortgage and are ‘topping up’ the property from their own funds. For many this is hard to take given their property could be in Negative Equity i.e. the outstanding mortgage is greater than the property value. Many overseas borrowers dream of owning a home in the sun has become a nightmare and financial drain due to no fault of their own. They are a victim of the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 and subsequent Spanish market decline which no one foresaw. EU Property Solutions offer tailor made solutions to borrowers in Spain struggling with mortgage repayments, suffering negative equity or cannot sell their property. Below is a little more about us: • •

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Twobut gentlemen • Want to sell can’t? purchased a property in the popular Guadalupe Hills in the Costa Del • MortgageSol. greater than value? The property value was €50,000 which was meagre in comparison to the €120,000 • Lost Deposit? mortgage outstanding with a large Spanish W • Can’t make yourwho mortgage lender acquiredpayments? the mortgage. The longall a termperiod tenantending? left the property and it was be• Interest Only coming a financial headache and burden. • Generally Struggling with your Spanish Property? One gentleman held a high-profile job with a large multinational in New York and the other party based in the UK had significant property assets. They were rightly concerned over EU Property Solutions are a team of Insolvency and debt consultants who sp their exposure to the Bank. Nonetheless EU provide tailored pre-insolvency strategies, we will look at your situation and Property Solutions achieved the following: • • • •

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL www.gibraltarolivepress.com

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Grapes of wealth

SPANISH company AMC Fresh will make new grape varieties for Walmart in a deal thought to be worth €100 million. The country’s largest fruit producer will use biotechnology to create new types of table grapes for the US supermarket giant. “It is not genetic modification,” said the fruit firm, who are exclusively producing the new fruit for Walmart, who spend around €1 billion annually on table grapes alone. AMC Fresh distribute to 60 of the 100 largest companies in the world, including British retailers Marks & Spencer and Morrisons.

World’s first carnivore holiday pitches up in southern Spain THE world’s first ever carnivore retreat is officially heading to Andalucia this year. 100% Carnivore… and Beyond will take visitors back to the bare bones of our ancestors’ diets, with talks from leading carnivore and paleo medicine

experts and doctors in the setting of a plush monastery in the Campo de Gibraltar countryside. The three-day event, in Finca Monasterio in San Martin

Food fight

BATTLE: In streets

A FLOUR and egg battle has returned to the streets of Ibi, where locals celebrated a 200year tradition outside the town hall. Every December 28 the Alicante town celebrates the Els Enfarinats festival, where revellers hurl eggs, flour and hundreds of fireworks at each another in a staged battle. The fight is split into two sides, the ‘Enharinados’, or the ‘floured’, and the opposition who try and restore order. In Roman times it was the

Unicorn tears

Meat-up EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez

slaves who took over for a day, but now friends and neighbours wage war on one another. Participants don military uniforms for the food fight, which began again in 1981 as Spain emerged from the dictatorship of General Franco.

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January 3rd - January 15th 2019

del Tesorillo, offers the chance for guests to sink their teeth into workshops, private consultations and food tasting. Organised by Dr Lynn Hardy and health consultant Phil Escott - both carnivores - the pair hope to encourage others to consider a lifestyle change which also explores emotional balancing, cold thermogenesis and sun exposure. Lifestyle consultant and personal trainer, Escott, 56, found carnivorism after he became seriously ill with psoriatic arthritis and autoimmune conditions, leaving him unable to move

TRANSFORMED: Phil

without severe pain. Escott, a former vegan, insists it is a ‘total con that we need any fruit or veg’ and claims he was cured after radically changing his eating habits. “It’s not whacky, it’s not an extreme diet, it’s taking us back to the basic food of our ancestors. “I got so many health issues as a vegetarian and vegan. When I dropped the last of the plant matter in my diet, that’s when things cleared up,” added the dad-of-three based in Skelmersdale, in Lancashire. His book Arthritis, The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me became an Amazon Kindle bestseller and has since set up a Facebook group which has garnered almost 7,500 members. Tickets for 100% Carnivore… and Beyond cost between €132 for a day pass and up to €1,370 for a private suite for the weekend and can be purchased on eventbrite.com

THE Spanish winery made famous for their blue wine has done it again with a new sparkling rosé called Unicorn Tears. Gik is the Basquebased drinks company behind this fabulous bottle of fizz and claim to have made the ‘pinkest rosé that has ever been created’. Rebranding as ‘Gik Live!’ for this release, the firm says its new creation is tears from an ‘actual unicorn’. Gik, who employ chemical engineers to achieve the drink’s bright colours, say their millennial beverage tastes of candy, while its sparkle comes from natural mineral pigments. Bottles of the 12% volume bubbly are available in threes and upwards, with a triple pack retailing for €39 online.

SPARKLES: Pink bubbly

CalleCool 18 18

FOOD,DRINK &

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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

the Olive campaigning, community newspaper, in ress represents the huge expatriate community including the pain with an estimated readership, a month. ebsites, of more than 500,000 people

OPINION Absolutely criminal

now leading to OIL refineries and other industries are suggests. more deaths than ever, the latest evidence which places The World Health Organisation report, like DelLa Linea alongside other pollution hotspots who are at hi, will make very scary reading for locals, a higher risk of cancer than most. and San Fert is wrong that towns like Puerto Real the national nando have cancer rates far higher than average in Spain. - even when We do not hold big business to account things need but jeopardy in public health is placed Linea will go to to change. With elections looming, La minds. the polls with the pollution issue on their Prime Minister Andalucia leader Susana Diaz and their sociaPedro Sanchez will need to demonstrate in divestment list principles and show a real interest from fossil fuels.

About time

to painkiller AFTER countless families lost loved ones Nolotil, finally Spain has regulated it. been kept in Victims have had fingers amputated, suffered horriglass-walled solitary confinement and fic illnesses after taking it. Their voices have now been heard. Garcia del In an incredible act of community, Cristina rallied together Campo and expats in Andalucia have listen. authorities to make the Spanish thank you The Olive Press would like to say a huge the countless to Cristina for all her hard work andtell their Nolotil readers who bravely contacted us to stories, which helped us to raise awareness. saved with We are sure many lives have already been

the new regulation. suffeLet’s hope this will be the end of unnecessary ring for tourists and expats. PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

SALES Sam Adams (+34) 634 611 836 newsdesk@theolivepress.es sam@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618

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FEATURE

November 7th - November 20th 2018

Not cool! Not everyone in Madrid’s Lavapies appreciated the neighbourhood being labelled the ‘coolest in the world’, discovers Heather Galloway

felt HE urban bible Time Out may have it was doing the Madrid barrio of Lavapiés a favour last month when naming it the coolest hood in the world, but for the majority of its longterm residents, it was anything but. “What’s happening is not at all cool,” says a member of cultural centre, Tabacalera’s Promoción del Arte team who prefers to remain anonymous. of lot “These kinds of labels do a harm. Flagging it up as trendy means inwhile (above) tourists and that rents go up and there’s anas an NOT FOR SALE: (Left) Sign in Lavapies streets creased police presence as well classes locals stroll along the barrio’s colourful increase in racism because social rebecome polarized. It has pretty negative recovered from the downturn Ahora Madrid, were and havingeconomic crisis, they have now percussions.” at demos-citizen platform during the area and MalaAnother from a recycling art collective went incensed afresh. stance. caught up with the Palacio Lavapiés now Tabacalera’s social space next door It’s not hard to understand their According to idealista, to the world’s coolest area saña. the cenfurther. has the fifth most expensive rents in is ruin- Being elevated “This is exactly the kind of thing that voted. I according to Time Out’s criteria of ‘afford-a ter, trumping areas such as Chamberi and and ing the barrio. I don’t even know who ability’, ‘cool new venues opening’ people Moncloa. So will its new status as the very buzz – ‘This is where mean, who said that? It just depersonalizes multi-cultural cool accelerate its rise? urban of essence the barrio. It’s capitalism run riot.” 15th cen- from near and far live side by side, cooking According to Manolo, one way this could be Since it first came into being in the by those up a bustling cultural life’ – inevitably kills averted is reintroducing five-year term rent in the 2019 tury, Lavapiés has been consideredseedy, no- the goose that lays the golden egg. Tourists the contracts – one of the proposals Iglesias on the ‘right’ side of the city as a streets, flood in along with the well-heeled and budget signed this month by Pablo go area, with its steeply inclinedthe city’s immigrant, artistic and activist communities and incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sánpoverty and distinction as home to responsible for the label find themselves chez. from an once it – lent Those who originally I stroll up and densest immigrant population from squeezed out. are What comes to mind as of Barea, elsewhere in Spain and more recentlyin be- air of street credibility and authenticity down streets where the mother side Senegal to Shanghai and everywhere forced south to barrios such as Carabanchel once carried laundry from the other de Vallecas. According to Manotween. of the divide to the River center of and Puente In 2004, it made headlines as the who met lo Osuna from the NeighManzanares, is the old adoperations for the 11/M bombers phones bours’ Association La Corrala age about the sow’s ear in La Alhambra restaurant and used Jamal Latina-Rastro-Lavapiés who and the silk purse. However barrio for 50 to trigger the multiple explosions from much real estate investment If this goes on It has lived in the Zougam’s phone shop on Calle Tribulete.ter- years, “I like the label and I companies such as EnfoKawill be the we to turn Lavapiés was, then, touted as a hotbed of Islamic like it. On the one hand, want don’t might rorism, an image that has been conveniently it makes me proud because victim of our own into the next Notting Hill, relegated to history. for so long nobody wanted to there is some way to go begoal. was considered their It Curiously, there was a Muslim community here. meet success come they fore just outhere in medieval times. Situatedfor Jewish dangerous and there were no Despite the presence of the It was thanks side the city walls, it was a refuge Centro Dramático Nacional, the young people. immigrant population and Muslim converts and it is thought the University Library in the feet – on to the and area was called Lavapies – wash the local that there was any life at all. ruins of the Iglesia de las Escuelas account of the cleansing rituals inout of the On the other hand, I don’t like it, becausea hip watering holes such as SalaEquis it into fountain of people coming in and it brings more tourists and turnsmy neigh- mentioned in the Time Out report or La on Calle I once knew 90% of neighborhood. become theme park.I barely know 10%. If this goes Playa de Lavapiés and La Libreof Madrid By the 18th century, Lavapies had bours, now Argumosa,this is still a corner the victim of our own success.” where drunks feel at home and dog ownstrongly working class with the Tabacalera 6,000 on we will be mema around HAPS, is providing do words factory pets cigarette ers turn a blind eye when their the cor- Echoing Manolo’s women and 300 men with jobs whilemuch of ber of Fisidici cooperative, which has a sign their business on the pavement. It is also repair shop that says ‘Laten to a ralas peculiar to the area provided mi- outside its bicycle an area where migrants sleep Podemos se vende’. Commenting on the and the accommodation. Gradually, families of Spain vapiés noperplexed tourists on guided walk- room in shifts and activism gravitate grating to the city from other parts groups of thrive. And while tourists might through the area, HAPS says, “We’re to Airbnbs here, the city’s mayor Manuelaid the foundations for the multi-cultural the same abouts not particular this buzz associated with the area. At with the turning into a zoo! A recreational barrio, curb to hopes la Carmena time Lavapies became synonymous essence somewhere that people work and live. The trend with El Plan Especial de Usos del term castizo, used to describe the of these solution has to be both political and local.a Hospedaje that is set to wipe out around accommodaof us who live here have to put up of hailing from Madrid. But neither tourist Those of kind this of be 95% to attributes were considered at the time tion in the city center. to Arturo fight.” particularly desirable. According A Rebel Since 2010, the immigrant population has She does, however, have something of a to Housy, Barea,the author of The Forging of a laun- dropped from 33 % to 22.6%. The exodus of battle on her hands. According trilogy, who lived with his mother, 1914, was kicked started by the urban plan which manages Airbnbs, more in an enforced refurbish- an agency dress, in the hood between 1905 and of 1997 that subsidized buildings – subsidies flats than ever are being refurbished little sign of old residential “At that time, Lavapiés was the frontier by the area for tourist lets with the world ment of Madrid. It was where the city and the limits that according to Manolo were exploited a slowdown in response to the measure. ended (…). People had christened The New investors. Prices doubled and doubled again, It seems sad but almost inevitable that long conof the barrio, The Americas and neighborhoods like Lavapiés, so subjectworld. World. It was, without doubt, another sidered beyond the pale, are now – or inas far as Civilization and the city reached ended.” ed to a different kind of ‘Injuria’ is cool that. And that was where they both belching sult. Raw and colourful, the barrio here Barea talks of open sewers, smoke streets communities the precisely because the Time from factories and blackened putridfrom the don’t care about being ‘cool’ in as prices and the smell of mule dung rising of which Out sense of the word. Ironically, will leave and central patios of the corralas, all Injurias, communities these up, go Conseearned it the moniker, Barrio de los take their ‘coolness’ with them. to just meaning the Neighborhood of Insults. ethnic quently, Lavapies will be reduced seekRecently, however, its castizo and another overpriced shell and those factor credentials have elevated it to an altogether ing to capitalize on the elusive cool priced only condifferent realm. When Time Out not will be chasing the very people they firmed that it was shedding it down-at-heel Tourists get a tour of the baout of their homes south of the river. of cool, image but declared it the champion for Po- ATTRACTION: €43 rrio– advertised on Trip Advisor for its residents, 56% of whom voted

VERY city in Spain has its colourful neighbourhoods whose rhythms move according to the culture and customs of their inhabitants.

Lavapies in Madrid - recently crowned the ‘world’s coolest’ - is no exception, famed for its bustling multi-ethnic vibe, striking street murals and edgy art scene. But

it’s not the only barrio on the block with personality. To prove it, the Olive Press trekked halfway across Spain to come up with our own Top 10.

Chueca (Madrid) Lavapies has a rival on its own doorstep. Chueca is one of the Madrid neighbourhoods which has evolved enormously since the gay community settled in and smartened it up. Now it’s a groovy social hub. With modern and classic architecture anda huge variety of places to eat and drink, from old-school taverns to modern restaurants, Chueca should be checked out.

Lavapies, a Madrid barrio with a name that translates as ‘foot wash’ recently won Time Out’s ‘coolest neighbourhood in the world’ award but Pablo Balbontin can find cooler

Plocia Street (Cádiz) Since Cadiz is a beautiful but small city, the interesting stuff can be found in certain streets, rather than neighbourhoods. Some years ago Plocia Street was run down with a dodgy reputation but today it’s one of the best places to eat in Cadiz. It’s loaded with restaurants of every kind, from traditional ventas to burger joints to Italian restaurants, along

with top quality gastro haunts like La Bodeguita, El Patio and El Aljibe

Alameda (Sevilla)

Gracia (Barcelona) The Gracia neighbourhood is a patchwork quilt of people of all ages getting along together. There are the elders whose families have lived here for donkeys years, the young entrepreneurs who’ve set up all kinds of funky businesses and the backpackers who patronise them. The cultural offer is unbeatable, with restaurants of all variety, tons of theatres and concert halls and, of course, Gaudi’s Park Güell, one of the most iconic places in Barcelona.

Another district that has gone up in the world over the last decade. No longer just a place to drink yourself silly until dawn, now it’s up everyone’s alley - for a quick breakfast, a coffee while your kids play around or a quiet dinner at one of its numerous restaurants. The dinky buildings, crooked streets and gigantic Pillars of Hercules columns at the end of the wide tree-lined Alameda avenue remind you that you’re in Sevilla, which always does things on a grand scale and knows how to hang on to its history.

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Soho (Malaga) Numerous tourism experts have raved about the cultural revival of Malaga displacing Sevilla. The Soho district is one of the guilty interlopers. The hip new side to Malaga, poised between the city centre and the sea, is also home to the Contemporary Arts Centre, the Alameda Theatre and - thanks to MAUS - Málaga Arte Urbano en el Soho - a growing gallery of street graffiti. Art is everywhere you look, signed off by both local an international artists. In fact it’s not really a barrio at all but one seamless open air museum.

Ruzafa (Valencia) Raunchy Ruzafa has morphed from decadent to dynamic in the space of a decade and now this multicultural barrio is one of the places everyone wants to be. It’s heaving with offbeat emporiums, from manga comic shops to art galleries and gastronomic clubs to its great central market. It’s a trendsetting place that will cue you in to the latest groundbreaking fashions, cultural movements and gastronomic experiences but traditional businesses also thrive in this hip hangout.

Santa Catalina (Palma de Mallorca) Some people call it the ‘Soho balear’ (Balearic Soho) and they are right. Santa Catalina is brimming with cultural and gastronomic offers - a place to enjoy a few beers, go shopping or just chill. The Market of Santa Catalina is the beating heart of the neighbourhood which is rammed with art galleries, design shops and craft stores as well as mountains of fresh and local produce. It also caters for exotic tastes with everything from sushi bars and Lebanese restaurants to vegan eateries and South American cuisine.

Albaicin (Granada) This Moorish barrio is designated a Unesco ‘Heritage of Humanity’, something you truly understand when you see it. Like a guardian angel, it watches over Granada from its high pinnacle, bottling the essence of Islam throughout its tricky maze of streets. Its traditional carmen houses with their own walled gardens and water source evoke wonder but there’s always something new to see. As the locals often say, come in and get lost, because in every corner there might be some new bar or event to discover. It’s a neighbourhood full of surprises.

Santa Cruz (Alicante) The old town of Alicante is colloquially known simply as El Barrio but it’s multi-façeted. Plaza de San Cristobal is the perfect spot for al fresco feasting; Centro 14 is a cultural hub offering all kinds of activities, courses and training workshops for youngsters; and then there’s the ruta de la madera (wooden road) a legendary route of bars that started to spring up in the 1980s and has become a right of passage for generations of youngsters growing up in Alicante.

La Marina (Ibiza) As well as being the Med’s party central, the White Island has its more offbeat diversions and the cool La Marina barrio is one. Found in the old town, its distinguished by its narrow streets, antique walls and tiny wooden houses. During the day craft stalls, Adlib shops and decor shops are the main protagonists, inviting you to wander at will. By night it ramps up the tempo and becomes the meeting point for a rainbow crowd of families, couples and the LGBT community.

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

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FOOD,DRINK &

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

How to get a Michelin Star After Dani Garcia announced the closure of his restaurant after winning a third star, we take a look at the

“

ONCE you reach this point, you have to carefully think, what else is there? What is life without a dream ahead? Now we will chase another dream.” These were the words of Marbella chef Dani Garcia, just 22 days after achieving almost every chef’s fantasy of winning his third Michelin Star on November 21 in Lisbon. The news that the 42-year-old will close his restaurant in October 2019 to focus on new projects - but keep his three stars was something that shocked and even dis- a p pointed

Open Tuesday to Sunday. until 22.00 Closed 12.00 until mid February

customers and admirers. he decided to focus on a new project, El BulAlthough Garcia is possibly the quickest to li1846, a gastronomical research centre. throw in the towel at the peak of his culinary Meanwhile, dad-of-two Garcia said his decicareer, he is not the first. sion came from a ‘personal need’ to take his Before him famous Spanish chefs such as unique ‘vision of Andalucian gastronomy to Sergi Arola, Carme Ruscalleda and Ferran every corner of the world’. Adria closed their eateries citing the immense Whatever their reasons were for shutting up pressure of maintaining the accolade, eco- shop at the top of their A-game, the age-old nomic factors and new ambitions as their question still remains. motives. How exactly does a chef attain, and more imMichelin starred-restaurants portantly, maintain the prestimay be prestigious but it is gious accolade? well-known that they are not British-Spanish Michelin financially sustainable. Star-trained chef, Sebastian Maintaining Most decorated chefs make admits that the three stars is a Menendez, their money from books, TV guide is ‘elusive’ and the criteshows and guest apfor achieving and keeping lot harder than ria pearances rather an award is ‘vague’. getting them than through the “They don’t ever tell you why business, which has you’ve gained or lost a star to fork out wages they try to be very smoke and for an army of chefs, mirrors about it all,” says the kitchen porters and waiters, who work 29-year-old who worked at the former onewith astronomically expensive ingredients starred Ockenden Manor Hotel in Sussex for and equipment. over a year. Staff wages are believed to reach 50% of “We only found out we’d maintained a star a Michelin-starred restaurant’s expenses, for the 14th year when the Michelin Guide ardespite salaries being notoriously low for rived at the restaurant. We opened the book and saw it, there was no further explanation. DONE: Ferran Adria closed three-star El Bulli 16-hour working days. Catalunyan chef Ser- Chef thanked us for our hard work and we cargi Arola was forced ried on.” to close his epony- Eventually, Sebastian decided to leave the mous two-starred Michelin world for more sociable hours, betrestaurant in 2015, ter pay and above all, the opportunity to create leaving a debt of €7 his own masterpieces in other kitchens. He million, while Carme went on to work as a head chef at fine dinRuscalleda - the only ing restaurants and hotels in the UK, Bilbao woman in the world and Ibiza. with seven Michelin His former restaurant, housed at Ockenden after the reality TV programme yachting quarter. Stars - closed her Manor Hotel, lost its only star in recent years ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ started Always loved, forever captithree-starred Bar- and although the reasons have not been resending its ‘stars’ to ‘Marbs’. vating... celona eatery, Sant vealed, Sebastian suspects it was down to a Kebab shops now populate Despite the issues endured in Pau, last October in ‘reluctance to re-invent’ its menu. the road behind the designer recent years, Puerto Banús has a bid to pursue pas- The Mancunian cook, now based in the Chanboutiques, with the arch of the always had charisma. nel Islands, says he is ‘not surprised’ at Gartures new. main entrance to the yacht harIt remains a place where lovThe owner of five- cia’s move and believes creativity and change bour all but impassable after ers of the good things in life can time winner of the are key to staying at the top of the culinary the sun goes down, populated find fine dining establishments, World’s Best Restau- world. as it is with prostitutes and touts designer clothes stores and exrant, Ferran Adria, “Maintaining three stars is a lot harder than hawking all manner of counterclusive jewellery shops. closed three-starred getting them, you have to be constantly creatfeit goods. To both the left and right of the El Bulli in 2011. Ex- ing mind-boggling recipes because the whole Bars that were once elegant, harbour visitors will discover hausted with the world is looking at you. glamorous venues for the some of the best beaches on business which he “The third star is the highest you’re ever going ‘beautiful people’ have had to the Costa del Sol. Surprisingly called ‘a monster to to get. After achieving it you can understand employ beefy security guards, wide and decked with soft pale tame and transform’ that many want to slow down and be with the ever vigilant for the trouble sand, they are hosts to charmthat can occur when groups of ing chiringuito beach bars, fun young people imbibe alcohol in bars and classy restaurants. hedonistic holiday quantities. The resort’s large cinema Signs of improvement... complex offers a great variety Locals have been concerned for of films and its programme alsome time about the change to ways includes original versions certain areas of Puerto Banús of foreign films for the local and the unpleasant behaviour communities of non-Spanish of some of its new clientele. The nationalities. In summer, the famous marina was in danger large square in the middle of of losing its prestigious and Puerto Banús is decorated with glamorous reputation, yet new small white marquees that sell hope has been proffered this clothes, jewellery and many year as authorities attempt to other interesting products, turn the tide. overlooked by the grand departMarbella Town Hall has now ment store of El Corte Inglés. issued widely publicised edicts The core chic essence of Puerto warning of stiff fines for disorBanús remains firmly in place. derly conduct, including on-theAs the positive action to manspot fines for improper public age the bad elements from attire. Signs of improvement out of its second line streets are already being seen and continues, both residents and hopefully this year residents visitors alike can feel positive won’t have to endure any unthat Puerto Banús will remain pleasant behaviour when strolla fashionable resort for another ing through this once-elegant 50 years to come.

Rebirth of Banus Puerto Banus is on the up, writes Adam Neale

HE famous marina of Puerto Banús has a rich and interesting history but its reputation in recent years has been rather less glamorous than its auspicious beginnings. Since the earlier days of its genuine film star allure, the Costa del Sol’s star attraction has been courting a less exclusive crowd and their unfortunate behaviour has concerned residents and regular visitors to the area. Today local authorities are stepping up to address the issues created by over-refreshed lads, ladettes and other seedy reprobates, and the future is once again looking positive for the iconic yacht harbour. Illustrious beginnings... Contrary to its appearance, Puerto Banús is not an authentic fishing village at all but a venue purpose-built in the early 1970s as a pleasure ground for the international jet-set. It was deliberately modelled to look authentically Andalusian, with high-rise buildings tacitly forbidden and a yacht harbour designed to accommodate all but the largest private craft. Once completed, the marina witnessed the arrival of the elite, including Saudi princes and Hollywood movie stars, who could access their sumptuous holiday homes via the sea and in consummate style. The Marbella Club Hotel initially

instigated the reputation of Marbella as an exclusive holiday destination and it was followed by the Puente Romano Hotel. These two illustrious establishments, located just a short drive from Puerto Banús, have continued to maintain the highest standards of luxury ever since. A change of scene... The advent of the cheap package holiday had a distinct impact on towns such as Torremolinos and Fuengirola further along the coast. But initially it appeared that Puerto Banús had escaped the flood of mass tourism by maintaining its air of exclusivity. The attractive waterfront was able to preserve its air of elegance due to the impressive luxury boats in its moorings and the first class restaurants and designer shops located on the port’s frontline. However, eventually the hen night and stag party brigade began to infiltrate the second line of Puerto Banús during the past decade, bringing an unwelcome air of debauchery and an increase in petty crime. As budget airlines enabled raucous youngsters from above all the UK to descend on Marbella for holidays and mini-breaks, parts of the famous port began to cater to a more downmarket crowd. And what was already becoming a problem turned into a PR disaster for the town,

gruelling Michelin world and why the accolade is so hard to attain and more importantly, maintain

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TO CLOSE: Dani Garcia’s Puente Romano while (right) three-starred dishes family again instead of spending 16 hours a day in a high-pressured kitchen. It’s really tough physically and mentally,” adds Sebastian. Although Michelin has always kept the details of its rigorous approach under wraps, the guide does outline five criteria that must be met - quality of the products, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in his cuisine, value for money, and consistency between visits. The Michelin inspectors - made up of ‘passionate’ catering and hospitality experts - dine out anonymously and pay for their meals to ensure they do not receive any special treatment. After dining at a restaurant a number of times, the inspectors decide if it is deserving of an award, with one star for ‘very good cooking in its category’, two stars for ‘excellent cooking, worth a detour’, or the maximum three stars for ‘exceptional cuisine, worthy of a special journey’. Below chef Sebastian helps break down what the all-important criteria entails. Quality of the products “First and foremost the products have to be of the best quality, but they also have to be in season and artisan. That’s crucial,” adds the chef. “For example, we used around 40 different types of tomatoes - yellow, purple, orange, red, yellow with black spots - I didn’t even know that many existed until I went to a Michelin starred-kitchen. You have to adapt dishes to the season.” Sebastian notes that many haute cuisine kitchens also work with a lot of ‘live’ products and prepare everything from scratch. “You’ll find everything from bresaola moulding in the basement, to home-smoked salmon, and freshly made bread rising in the oven. It’s a scientific stepby-step process for most of the dishes,” he adds. Mastery of flavour and cooking techniques Investing in the best kitchen equipment on the market is not only a luxury, it is a necessity, it would seem, in the Michelin world. But it comes at an expensive price. “When we refurbished the kitchen, it cost around £180,000 [€200,000] for equipment. That isn’t even including the fridges, or labour costs etc,” adds Sebastian. Top pieces of kit include a ‘sous-vide’ water bath - a process in which food is vacuum-sealed in a plastic pouch and placed in a hot water bath, which locks in nutritional value, keeps meat succulent and eliminates contamination risks. Meanwhile, a ‘dehydrator’ can turn a piece of raw, wet beetroot into a dry crisp, or a ‘rational’ fan oven heats up to 300 degrees and includes a built-in temperature probe which can be set at a desired temperature to cook meat and hot hold it. One of Sebastian’s favourites is a ‘thermo mixer’, costing around £3,000, which he describes as similar to a blender but ‘spins twice as fast’ to make puree sauces ‘ultra smooth’. “In order to create dishes you won’t find at home - like emulsions - you need to use this specialised equipment.” Personality of the chef in his cuisine This step is essentially the head chef putting his spin on

What is the Michelin Guide?

1889: Brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin found the Michelin tyre company in France. 1900: First edition of the Michelin Guide is published covering The ‘road atlas’ contained maps, tips on how to change tyres,France. to find lodging, and above all, lists of petrol stations with quality where to stop at while waiting for a car to be repaired. By showcasing cafes places to visit, the brothers hoped more people would buy a all the vehicle, meaning more people would buy (Michelin) tires. As petrol station restaurants improved and started speciali sing in certain dishes, the guide became more refined. 1926: The guide begins to award stars for fine dining establishments, initially marking them with a single star. 1931: A hierarchy of zero, one, two and three stars is introduced. 1936: The criteria for the starred rankings are published. 2006: Michelin expands outside Europe with the launch of its New York guide, later expanding to some other major US cities and to parts of Asia. 2018: The Spain and Portugal Guide includes 11 restaurants with three stars, 31 with two and 148 restaurants have one star. The GB and land Guide includes five restaurants with three stars, 20 restauraIrents with two stars and 150 establishments with one star.

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dishes that already work, sums up Sebastian. “We all know things like cheese and onion go together, or beef and horseradish, but it’s taking those flavours and creating something totally different,” he says, before adding that he believes the guide should have a sixth step for creativity. “Your food could have personality but that doesn’t mean it’s creative. Dishes with personality that have been done 1,000 times before aren’t creative anymore.” Value for money “For me this point is a bit irrelevant when you’re talking about three-star restaurants because you’re spending hundreds before you’ve even paid for a wine pairing. It’s always going to be expensive,” adds the Manuncian chef. Although most Michelin starred-restaurants offer menus that will not suit the majority of diners’ budgets, experts have said this category is more about whether the ‘experience’ was worth the price. Consistency between visits In order to get an idea of how a restaurant truly operates, Michelin inspectors will usually visit the restaurant twice in the same week - on a busy day and a quiet one - to observe whether the different teams work to the same standard. “They try to catch you out. It’s completely different coming on a busy weekend when the A team is fully prepped, to a quiet Monday night when you might have your B team on,” insists the chef. “It cannot slip, not even for one service.” But how do you maintain such a high standard every day? By weighing every single ingredient by the gram and cutting every slice to the exact same millimetre as the last, says Sebastian. “You have to achieve perfect consistency every time. It has to look exactly the same and taste exactly the same every time, no matter who has made it. You have to measure absolutely everything. “No step can be skipped. That is true consistency and it’s incredibly important.”

TOP TIPS: Chef Sebastian Menendez

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COLUMNISTS Breaking bed 22 22

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“

I TOLD you it was too big!” Storming back up to the apartment I leave my husband and two Spanish delivery men on the staircase lodged behind one very obstinate king sized mattress. Slamming the door behind me I wipe the sweat off my menopausal brow and pick up a copy of the Olive Press, fanning myself into some semblance of sanity. Within four weeks of saying ‘I do’ to our little Fuengirola flat, papers were signed, hands were shaken and just 18 hours earlier the majority of the profit from our Hastings home had been handed over to three squabbling siblings in exchange for a key. But before we can settle into our new life in the sun, we need something to sleep on, and that something is nestling half way up the staircase. My husband summons me from outside and I peer over the railings to see two tanned, plus one beetroot face, looking up at me. “They’re going to wrap a rope around

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

New wife in the sun

Creating the Spanish apartment of your dreams takes some hard graft, Paula Leskovits learns the hard way

it and I’m going to haul it over the balcony…either that or they are going to hang me so PLEASE open the door and let me in!” Reluctantly I press the buzzer, mumbling profanities before ‘he who knows best’ puffs past me and heads out onto the terrace. Five minutes later a makeshift pulley has been attached to the railings and my husband stands precariously on the wrong side of the balcony facing the busy road. One hand grips the wrought iron balustrade and the other a piece of cord which is attached to a very large and cumbersome mattress. The two delivery men haul the bed above their heads and start the countdown. My husband, tethered to the railings by his dressing gown belt, leans precariously over the edge and grabs

the hem of the polythene cover with his fingertips. One worker vaults onto his partner’s shoulders, gives the mattress a shove and husband, bed and common sense fall backwards over the balcony railings, landing together in a heap on the terracotta floor. Brian (the brave) having watched all this from the comfort of a shady corner, meanders over and circles the area a couple of times before settling himself on the mattress, currently on top of my motionless husband. Shoving the disgruntled hound off his new bed, I grasp my spouse’s hand and haul him out from under his plastic prison and we lay the mattress against the apartment wall. Looking around the white-washed walls, an empty shell full of possibilities, the truth hits home and I realise I will never, ever have to mow a wet lawn in November again. No

ROPEY: Hauling a mattress up a flight of stairs is no mean feat mortgage, no biting winters, no more poundland….no more. A thought suddenly strikes me and it chills me to the core, what the hell am

I going to covet now whilst watching Channel 4? Follow our further adventures on www.anewwifeinthesun.com

Festive no man’s land We all get a little bit lost in that weird limbo between Xmas and new year but there’s always Quality Street and Baileys, writes Giles Brown

ONGRATULATIONS! You’ve made it through to another year, as well as getting through that testing time between Christmas and new year when you aren’t really sure what day it is, who you are and what you are supposed to be doing. The only one thing that is certain, however, is that that Festive No Man’s Land period is the only time of year when it is socially acceptable to start the day with a handful of Quality Street and a large Baileys. Unless you work in media, of course. How was it for you? For me, Christmas and new year were the usual hectic blur of visiting friends and family, with my now traditional routine of Swedish style Christmas Eve celebrations with one of my goddaughters. This includes traditional games such as ‘The Bear’ and the ‘Swedish Ring Game’. In case you were wondering, the latter involves secretly passing a ring on a piece of string between players. Just don’t try Googling it on certain search engines, trust me… My Boxing Day bash was a little more subdued than normal. I had planned to make it a smaller affair this

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year with my close friends and family. The only problem was, however, that when you have friends like mine, they started celebrating at lunchtime on Christmas Eve and so by the time December 26 came along, many of them were in no fit state to move off the sofa, or were still out there! Meanwhile, those with children were unable to extract their little darlings from playing with their presents without provoking an under 10-year-old thermonuclear meltdown. Not being ‘blessed with children’ myself, I was able to spend most of the festive season on the radio, which, along with my live Christmas morning and New Year’s Eve shows, included presenting a series of ‘Best of Giles’ shows. Being something of an oxymoron in itself, these shows mainly consisted of pressing the play button on pre recorded interviews, throwing on a couple of songs, and then settling back with a cuppa to work heroically through a selection of mince pies, After Eight mints and the aforementioned Quality Street. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it! Wishing you all the best for a happy and healthy 2019!

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“No Worries, Just Memories”

SPORT

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

Year to beat

As we look ahead to a new year of sport, we can only hope it was as exciting, emotional and inspiring as 2018 PALS: Nadal and Julen

From Madrid to Mexico RAFAEL Nadal has joined forces with former Spain and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui to open a new resort in Mexico. The new luxury site is located in Tulum, near Cancun, and will be funded by Secrets Aura Cozumel, a firm jointly owned by the Spanish sporting duo. Lopetegui will bid to put a disastrous 2018 behind him with this latest venture, after he left the Spanish national team to take the helm at Madrid, only to be sacked months later. Nadal meanwhile hopes to kick his 2019 season off with a bang, as he takes to the court at the Brisbane International in Australia.

23 23

Here we take a look back at the best sporting moments of last year: 1. FOOTBALL: Spain lose to England on home soil for first time in 29 games. The youngest Three Lions side since 1959 battered the Spaniards 3-2 in the Nations League in October and were 3-0 up inside 40 minutes. Gareth Southgate’s team had an average age of just 23 and showed the world just how bright the future of English football could be. 2. HOCKEY: Ireland women lead country to first World Cup final in any

What a good sport THE Queen has not forgotten to recognise British sports stars in her 2019 New Years Honours list and here are the pick of the bunch. 1. Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, who skipped the Vuelta a Espana becomes an OBE. A terrific 2018 saw the Welshman becomes the first ever Brit to win the infamous Alpe d'Huez stage of the French cycling race. 2. England football boss Gareth Southgate joins Thomas with an OBE, while his star captain and Tottenham striker Harry Kane, scoops an MBE. The Three Lions heroes led England to their furthest journey in a World Cup Finals since 1990, as the nation was gripped by football fever this summer, as it looked like it was coming home. 3. Meanwhile, netball star Geva Mentor has become a CBE, after the Bournemouth-born defender helped lead England to a first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. The 34-year-old former Sunshine Coast Lightning captain, with whom she won back-toback titles, has also been honoured for her diplomatic service.

sport. Gillian Pinder’s goal in the semi-final penalty shootout against Spain made it 3-2 and took her team to the World Cup final in London in August. It was goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran who grabbed the headlines though, after she made three saves and her team defied all odds. 3. FOOTBALL: Gibraltar get highest ever FIFA ranking after historic Nations League wins. The British Overseas Territory jumped eight places to 190 in the world back in October, after following up their first ever win with another just a week later. Ending a 22-match winless run, the Rock’s 1-0 win over Armenia and 2-1 victory Liechtenstein secured the largest jump up the world rankings by any time.

Silva lining MANCHESTER City star David Silva is the only Spaniard who has made it into the Premier League team of the year. The 32-year-old attacking midfielder made his way into the 2018 XI, chosen by Robbie Savage, following a blistering campaign for the sky blues, already scoring six goals and registering two assists this season. Silva’s national teammate, Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea was the notable exception from the list for the Express.

VICTORY: Lions beat Spain

in December and the teen, whose mum caddies for her, was even showcased on Sky Sports for her efforts. The Andalucia competition has previously been won by Women’s British Open-champion Georgia Hall and US Open winner Justin Rose.

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4. GOLF: Holly Haslam becomes first girl to finish under par in prestigious Spanish tournament. The 18-year-old, from Essex, celebrated the historic win on her birthday

January on GBC TV includes: ‘A Life Abroad’ ‘Mickey’s 90th Spectacular’ ‘Review 2018’ ‘Three Kings’ Cavalcade – LIVE’ ‘Vicky’s Natural Kitchen’ GBC TELEVISION

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FINAL WORDS

GIBRALTAR has been ordered by the EU to pay back €100 million in tax benefits that aimed to lure multinational firms to the Rock.

All-time high 2018 saw Spain reach a new record in migrant arrivals by sea, with 57,250 making the crossing, according to International Organization for Migration.

Going green STATE-owned hotel chain, Paradores, has announced that all 97 of its establishments will use only renewable electricity from January 2019.

Vol. 4 Issue 87 www.gibraltarolivepress.com January 3rd - January 15th 2019

January 3rd - January 15th 2019

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Barrel of laughs Man sets off on epic Atlantic voyage in wooden barrel

A DARING adventurer has set sail from Spain in a barrel in a bid to float across the Atlantic Ocean using only sea currents. Jean-Jacques Savin, 71, aims to reach the Caribbean in three months after beginning his bizarre voyage in El Hierro, the Canary Islands. At just 3m by 2.10m, the bright

PHONEY: Priest

orange barrel, complete with a kitchen and bed, cost €60,000 and features a porthole in the floor for watching fish. “The weather is great. I've got a swell of one metre and I'm moving at 2-3km/h... I've got favourable winds forecast until Sunday,” said Savin. The Frenchman departed with

Cheeky trousers

WANT to be more daring with your fashion choices this year? Look no further than these ‘assless’ trousers, designed by Andalucia’s very own fashion student turned designer to the stars. The Palomo Spain ‘tailored chaps’ have a removable back, for those who want to keep it professional during the day and be the toast of the party at night. You can find the pantalones in the brand’s winter sale for around €300.

Cut and priest

a bottle of white wine to see in the new year, a bottle of red for his birthday on January 14 and even a block of foie gras pate. The former military paratrooper aims to reach Barbados, but joked that he would ‘like it to be a French island’ as it would ‘be easier for the paperwork and for bringing the barrel back’. The resin-coated reinforced plywood capsule is built to be wave-resistant and is strong enough to resist killer whale attacks.

Although the French veteran’s excursion is reminiscent of an old storybook, the trip will help oceanographers from JCOMMOPS study sea currents. Those interested in the mammoth journey can keep updated through the ‘TESA : Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau’ Facebook page.

A FAKE priest in Andalucia has been rumbled after 18 years evading the Catholic Church and conducting hundreds of ceremonies. Miguel Angel Ibarra, from Colombia, has now been dismissed, amid revelations that none of the communions or confessions he heard will be honoured. His holy bosses also revealed that the ‘cut and paste’ method had been used on his ordination papers back in 2011. The former singer, who practiced his pretend priesthood in Medina and Jimena, protests his innocence, claiming he was properly ordained in 1998.