Mallorca Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 9 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Late run BRITISH pensioners are flocking to Spain to see out their later years. A financial advice firm that helps Brits move to Europe said interest from UK retirees had doubled in 2017 as Brexit looms. But a migration expert warned any post-Brexit deal will make moving to the EU much harder for older British citizens. “The thing about retirees is they are expensive,” said John Springfield from the Centre for European Reform. “There is no way Spain would allow lots of Brits to retire there and use their health system unless young Spanish people could come and work in the UK. “If we don’t have free movement it is very unlikely we would have retirement rights.” A spokesman for Blevins Franks, which offers financial advice for people retiring into Spain, Portugal or France, said the company has seen a 20% to 25% increase in business. There had been 900 inquiries on its website in 2017, up from 450 the previous year.

Licence to ill RENTAL firms have hit back after being warned they face fines of up to €400,000 for advertising unlicensed properties. One British agent in Mallorca told the Olive Press she has lost around 40% of her rental homes following last week’s Balearic ruling. It comes as it was revealed Spain’s central government is examining if the new regulations, which aim to curb spiralling rental costs, break EU law. “They’ve never made it clear who can get a licence, how to get a licence,” said Clare Taylor, an agent who has lived in Mallorca for 17 years. “This is total scaremongering and it could flood the market with properties to sell.” She added: “Closing one property directly and indirectly affects about 15 people’s livelihoods.” This week, online rental platform giants Homeaway slashed its number of advertised Mallorca flats from 3,363 to 2,800. Businesses advertising properties on the site were given 15 days to comply, with unlicensed homeowners facing fines of €400,000. No new licences will be granted for one year under the government’s plan, with rental licencContinues on Page 5

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Vol. 1 Issue 9

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August 17th - August 30th 2017

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King Felipe VI of Spain has been looking cool while riding the waves at the Copa del Rey

SEE FEATURE ON PAGE 6

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: OLIVE PRESS TALKS TO ANTI-TOURIST ANARCHISTS Defiant antitourism activists Arran to ramp up Mallorca protests EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan

ANTI-TOURISM protesters have vowed to step up their campaign in Mallorca. In an exclusive interview with the Olive Press, a defiant Arran spokesperson added the anarchist group was not worried about a €1,200 fine for targeting a Palma restaurant popular with holidaymakers. “It won’t affect our summer campaign in the slightest bit,” he said. “And when the fine actually arrives - if it arrives we will appeal it in the first instance.” The hard-left activists, who are 500 strong between Catalunya and Mallorca, recently joined forces to plaster 1,000 rental cars with anti-tourism stickers. They have also held protests outside busy restaurants. It led to Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy to condemn Arran’s ‘crazy’ actions, with the group hitting back accusing him of ‘giving little importance’ to concerns over ‘unsustainable’ tourism. “We will continue to carry out all the actions we have planned this summer,” the spokesman, who refused to give his name, told the Olive Press this week. “We know tourism is something we can’t avoid, but we want people who come to enjoy our island to realise they are contributing to the contamination and destruction of Mallorca.” While refusing to give details of specific protests, Arran’s current campaign wants to ‘ban

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PROTESTS: Anti-tourism groups fly banners and spray graffiti aimed at tourists tourist flats, regulate rental prices and expropriate the main tourist businesses’. The spokesperson added: “The current situation is incompatible with (locals leading) a dignified life. A change in the economic model of the island is necessary.

“We don’t want to damage it, spraying diners with confetti as they unveiled anti-tourist banwe want to change it.” Arran, linked to the radical-left ners. group CUP, says its broad aims In Barcelona, Arran activists are to promote ‘feminism, inde- have vandalised tourist rental bikes and graffitied a tour bus, pendence and socialism’. Last month, 20 protesters but the group claims its controversial actions are justified. stormed aUntitled-1.pdf Palma restaurant, 1 16/06/2017 15:36 letting off smoke flares and “It is necessary to pressurise the

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government to find solutions,” the spokesperson continued. “We want tourists to see they have to consume responsibly so we can all enjoy this island.” Large tourist companies, the Balearic Islands government and Madrid are to blame for Mallorca’s ‘saturation’, the spokesperson claimed. During a visit to Palma last week, Rajoy raged: “What we can’t do is kick people who come here to spend money. That seems to me to be crazy.” Rafael Gallego, chair of the Spanish Association of Travel Agents (Feaav), branded the protesters 'fascists' and said he feared their actions will get worse.

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Gijon accused UNDER-FIRE politician Alvaro Gijon sacked a top police officer who was inspecting a journalist the then-Palma mayor felt threatened by, a court has heard. Gijon is being investigated over corruption and drug charges linked to Mallorca nightclub owner Tolo Cursach. Antoni Mesquida, a former inspector from Palma’s Local Police, testified that Gijon had absolute control over his force’s Green Patrol. Mesquida claimed Gijon dismissed him after his Green Patrol investigated El Mundo journalist Eduardo Inda for carrying out illegal building work on his home. Inda was reported to police by neighbours for the building work in 2007. Mesquida claims Inda then ‘asked for his head’. He also said Gijon was overheard speaking to someone on the phone who said, ‘Your head or Mesquida’s. Front page. I've already spoken to Pedro Jota (director of El Mundo).’ Mesquida later won a case for unfair dismissal. The trial continues.

PRESSURE: For Gijon

August 17th- August 30th 2017

Kinahan clan crackdown Member of Irish ‘mafia’ dragged out of bed by armed Policia Nacional in dramatic arrest

Asylum attackers

TRAGIC: Niccolo Ciatti

A SENIOR member of notorious Irish crime clan the Kinahans has been arrested in Spain. The 34-year-old suspect, who is wanted on suspicion of murder, was seized by armed Guardia Civil during a filmed dawn raid on a hotel 60 miles south of Barcelona. The fugitive is wanted for questioning over the 2010 slaying of gang boss Eamon “The Don” Dunne. During the raid, masked officers brandishing semi-automatic weapons could be heard screaming ‘Manos, manos’ (‘Hands, hands’) as the suspect lay in bed watching television.

HANDS UP: Kinahan member was watching TV in bed when he was cuffed

A bloody turf war between the Kinahans and the rival Dublin Hutch gang has claimed a dozen lives. “Investigators were made aware the fugitive left Ireland to head to Spain in May 2016 using a passport issued by the Irish authorities which he had in a false name,” a Spanish

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police spokesperson said. “Efforts to locate him centred on the province of Malaga due to his alleged links to the Kinahan organised Irish crime family.” In 2016, the suspect reacted with ‘extreme violence’ during an attempt to arrest him at Malaga Air-

port, fleeing across a busy motorway to evade cops. Last year, an innocent Irishman was gunned down in a botched Mallorca hit, with the father of one shot in the back in a case of mistaken identity. The arrested suspect was driven to Madrid for an extradition hearing.

Finish off Franco AN association aiming to heal the effects of the vicious three year Spanish Civil War has called for a pro-Franco group to be disbanded. The Association for the Recovery of the Historical Memory (ARMH) has presented a letter to parliament demanding the National Foundation of Francisco Franco (FNFF) is made illegal. The group, which locates unmarked graves of Republicans murdered by Franco’s troops, claims the FNFF has violated human rights and defended Franco’s legacy.

A BRAZEN thief pretended to be her own sister so she could steal from her bank account. The woman has blamed her actions on being ‘hard-up’ after being caught by police. She admitted stealing her sibling’s DNI number and withdrew €600 from a Palma bank before returning the next day. But that time, staff spotted that the signatures didn’t exactly match and called the police.

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THREE Russian men have been arrested after they allegedly beat an Italian tourist to death in a Spanish nightclub. The victim, named as 22-yearold Niccolo Ciatti, was pronounced dead on Sunday, 24 hours after he was punched and kicked unconscious in Girona. All three suspects, from Chechnya, are believed to have been seeking Asylum in Spain. They were cuffed on the Costa Brava after horrific footage emerged showing of Ciatti, a fruitseller from Florence, being beaten to death in a nightclub. He was enjoying a holiday with friends. Police say the suspects and victim did not know each other, and there was no verbal altercation before the beating started.

Transexuals freed from gang SPANISH police have dismantled a prostitution network that exploited transsexuals who thought they had won a ‘new life in Spain’ at fake ‘Miss Trans’ competitions in Venezuela. Police more than 20 victims on Monday, who had been forced to live in ‘inhumane conditions’ in overcrowded apartments in Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca where they had to pay off debts through prostitution and drug dealing. The network lured transsexuals to Spain

by offering to pay for their travel and accommodation, along with new breast implants, police said in a statement. The network's leader promised them ‘great prosperity.’ When the individuals arrived in Spain, the network confiscated travel documents and imposed a debt per person of €15,000 for their return. They had to be available 24 hours a day to clients. The ring had earned around €1 million in five years. Some 14 people have been arrested.

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Marcel hits right note LOVE ISLAND romeo Marcel Somerville is launching a solo music career. The Blazin’ Squad band member’s single Someone was released last week as he embarks on a mammoth UK tour. As well as his new solo project Marcel, 32, revealed that Blazin’ Squad are reuniting for a one-off comeback gig at London’s Koko venue in November. “I have my own single on my own label coming out this week,” he said. “But I wanted to do something with the boys.” During the hit ITV show, Marcel found love with stunner Gabby Allen (pictured).

August 17th- August 30th 2017

Bolton wanderer MICHAEL Bolton fans swooned as the legendary crooner jetted in for a Mallorca gig. And one lucky Olive Press reader was in the crowd at Palma’s Son Fusteret. Kelly Kasey-Smith won our competition for two tickets to see Bolton perform classics How Am I Supposed to Live Without You, How Can We Be Lovers and Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Day. “The concert was great, with songs old

and new and of, course, the classics,” said Kelly. “A great atmosphere and his band was brilliant. I've only ever won one thing in my life before which was a Michael Bolton cassette twenty years ago! So I was very surprised and happy to win concert tickets too. Thank you The Olive Press for giving me the opportunity to see him live!” Bolton thrilled his Mallorca audience two days after performing in Marbella.

COUPLE: Marcel and Gabby

Bad boys A MAJOR Hollywood studio is poised to sign a deal with Nigel Farage and Arron Banks to make a £60million, six-part film of Mr Banks’ best-selling diary of the referendum campaign The Bad Boys of Brexit. The script is nearly finished and shooting will start in the New Year. The series will air in April, once the deal is signed next month at a meeting in Los Angeles. The story is told from the point of view of Gerry Gunster, a US pollster who advised the Leave.EU campaign, and tells how Mr Farage and Mr Banks won against the odds and ended up campaigning for Donald Trump's successful campaign in the US presidential election.

‘BAD BOY’: Nigel Farage

Top fear

CONCERN: For British TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson

JEREMY Clarkson almost died after being rushed to hospital with severe pneumonia in Mallorca. However, the former Top Gear presenter was this week seen cruising round the island on a luxury yacht - minus his beloved cigarettes, at least. After three nights of spasms, Clarkson, 57, went to hospital where he was told he was to be admitted for at least a week. Clarkson said he had too much to do, but a doctor replied, ‘do as I say, or you will die.’ “All there was to watch was golf. In Spanish,” he said of his week-long stay. “For me it was a new experience. And a weird one. Because I was in a room with nothing on the walls except wallpaper, and most of that was coming off.” He claimed he hadn’t had a day off work since 1978. The controversial presente posted an In-

Clarkson told ‘you will die’ if he left Spanish hospital

stagram photo of himself on a drip after being taken ill . He became ill while on holiday with after filming of his Grand Tour programme finished. Clarkson joked his Mallorca doctor hand told him his smoking was, ‘good, that keeps me in work.’ He later quipped ‘not this week it doesn’t’ under an Instagram photo of a newspaper article claiming smoking brings in €16.5 billion to the public purse. The motor head detailed his deadly battle with pneumonia in his weekly Sunday Times article, where he said he will be taking it easy for the next two months.

Towie tongues wagging TOWIE star Chloe Lewis has been soaking up the sun on a Mallorca break. The curvy beauty cuddled up to beau Danny Flasher as they shared a steamy seaside smooch. Chloe showed off her figure in a black and white swimsuit as she showed she is well over her break up with fellow TOWIE star Jake Hall in 2016.

Swedest feeling SWEDISH Royals Queen Silvia and Princess Victoria looked their regal best at a Palma de Mallorca wedding. The nordic royals joined 100 guests to celebrate the nuptials of the Queen’s niece Helena Christina Sommerlath and Ian Martin in the stunning setting of Palma’s Cathedral. There was a heavy police presence around the place of worship, with dozens of well-wishers gathering outside. Princess Victoria, the heiress to the Swedish throne, wore a sweeping cream dress with a floral pattern and waved a fan to cool off. Queen Silvia wore one of her favourite dresses, a sequined two-piece that she wore previously

Bun in the oven BRITISH soap star Danniella Westbrook is said to be expecting a baby with her husband-tobe, just weeks after the couple met. The owner of a Costa del Sol strip club, 44, and her toyboy lover Alan Thomason, 34, have enjoyed a whirlwind romance after meeting just weeks ago. Danniella later appeared to confirm her engagement after flashing a ring on her finger during a day out in Spain. Danniella is now expecting her first child with Alan.

BABY: For Danniella

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Tourism trouble MALLORCA and Ibiza have passed strict laws that will cap tourist beds at a combined 623,624 in an attempt to lessen the negative effects of tourism in the areas. Those who attempt to rent out unlicensed properties could face steep fines of up to €400,000.

It’s Electric AN electric bus, provided by Irizar, will be trialed for one month in Calvia and Alcudia. If proven successful and reliable, the buses, which have no emissions and low noise pollution, will be implemented on a larger scale.

Grape prices HIGH demand for grapes in Mallorca is causing their prices to rise. Vines are the most profitable crop for the agricultural sector, thus increased grape prices mean prices of wine will increase which could negatively impact wine sales.

EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan

Sickening Magaluf attacks are worse than being reported and ‘little is being done’ claims source ATTACKS on tourists by prostitutes and gangs in Calvia are ‘much worse’ that previously reported, it has been claimed. So far this year, one victim had his penis half cut off by one hooker, while another 18-yearold tourist was raped by African ‘looky, looky men’. According to the well-placed source, who we are protecting for legal reasons, many of the assaults are far more violent than recent newspaper reports suggest. And ‘little is being done’ despite the attacks taking place ‘every day’, It comes after one 28-year-old British dad was badly beaten and stabbed by 10 Magaluf prostitutes. “What happened to that guy

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August 17th- August 30th 2017

Turning a blind eye is quite mild in comparison to some of the things that happen to British people here,” the source said. “One guy had his penis half cut

Slave labour A PALMA bar owner has been arrested for using workers as ‘slaves’. The unnamed boss imposed 17-hour days on contractless staff paid €3.50 an hour, refusing to give them holidays. Waiters, cooks and cleaners at the cafe worked seven-day weeks and were not allowed to keep their tips.

off by one of the African prostitutes. “I also know of an 18-year-old boy who came out here for the first time and was raped by the looky looky men.” He continued: “Just last month, some young workers had a knife held up their throats by a pimp. “But despite it being reported, nothing is getting done. “The police turn the victims away and say they haven’t got the time.” The source revealed that the infamous Magaluf prostitutes are being bussed in from Palma in the evening and go back on the 8am bus.

“They are like a pack of animals and they seem to have a lot of power as they always get off in court. “A lot of people are too often scared to go to the police.” This month, father-of-two Michael Taylor was left with stitches and bad cuts and bruises after ten prostitutes ambushed him. His phone, keys and nearly €200 were stolen in the latest in a long line of sickening assaults by the African gangs. Mallorca police warned this month that organised Nigerian mafia are becoming one of the main problems in Magaluf.

Balearic prostitute crisis AROUND 100,000 men visit prostitutes in the Balearic Islands each year, it has been revealed. Some 2,530 female prostitutes work on the islands in an industry worth €50 million annually. According to the new report from The Study Group for Prostitutes on the Balearic Islands (GEPIB), 5,000 local men pay for sex five times or more times a month. Around 15,000 men visit prostitutes three or four time a month while 25,000 do so around once a month. The study also revealed that 600 of the women are forced to sleep with men 20 times a week or more. It went on to say that Spain’s economic recession had seen a rise in women aged 40 or over turning to prostitution to pay bills.

BUSY: Lady of the night

AN EXCLUSIVE AND VARIED SPREAD WITHIN just four short months we have worked very hard to get the Mallorca Olive Press into ALL the places that matter on the island. With over 400 drops, we can guarantee our readers are an even spread of expats of all ages, nationality and social bracket. We have strived to get into a mix of exclusive restaurants, top hotels,

Where to find your copy of the Mallorca Olive Press golf clubs and the best businesses, like Currencies Direct and Specsavers. You will also find us in all the Capuccinos on the island, various yacht clubs…and even the Robert Graves Museum in Deia. Last issue we gave you a list of 100 of our most important drops…here we

list 100 of our more varied, exclusive places to find us. But you, the readers, and more important than anyone else… if you know a great drop, or you cannot find the papers at any of these places within two or three days of our fortnightly issue date, please get in touch at

admin@theolivepress.es <mailto:admin@ theolivepress.es> and newsdesk@theolivepress.es <mailto:newsdesk@theolivepress.es> You are our eyes and ears!

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BUSINESS

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Business

Alcanada Andratx BENDINAT BENDINAT Cala D’ or CALVIA Cala Llamp CAMP DE MAR CAMP DE MAR Canyamal CAN PASTILLA Can Picafort Costa den Blanes Deia Deía Deía EL TORO Inca MAGALLUF Maioris Sa Torre MARIVENT PAGUERA Palma PALMA PALMA

Alcanada Golf CCA Andratx Golf de Bendinat Lindner Golf & Wellness Resort Yacht Club Cala d´Or HOTEL CAN ESTADES Gran Folies Beach Club Golf De Andratx Campino Camp de Mar Canyamal Golf CLUB NAUTICO CAN PASTILLA Ponderosa Beach Bar MOODS Robert Graves Museum Hotel Es Moli Hotel La Residencia HOTEL PURE SAL Cellar Can Amer Golf Club Pontiene Maioris Golf Club Mhares Sea Club Il Paradiso VILAMIL HOTEL Palma Planas BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT ROTANA

PALMA PALMA PALMA PALMA PALMA PALMA PALMA PALMA NOVA PALMA PALMA STP Palmanyola Pollensa PORT ADRIANO PORT ADRIANO PORT ADRIANO PORT ADRIANO Port Andratx Port Andratx Port Pollensa Port Pollensa Port Pollensa Port Pollensa Port Soller PORTALS NOUS PORTALS NOUS Portixol

CLUB DE MAR CAFÉ Bar Cuba REAL CLUB NAUTICÓ DE PALMA Cappuccino San Miguel Cappuccino Passeo Maritimo Cappuccino Bourne Cappuccino Palou March CAPPUCCINO Puntiniro Golf Verdano Son Termens Golf Pollensa Golf Restaurant Bruno Harbour Grill Sansibar Brunos Tims Bar Cappuccinos Cappuccinos Gran Café Real Club Nautico The Stay Jumeriah Port Soller Hotel & Spa KING RICHARD III COLLEGE Chammelis Portixol Hotel

PUERTO ANDRATX PUERTO PORTALS PUERTO PORTALS PUERTO PORTALS PUERTO PORTALS PUERTO PORTALS PUERTO PORTALS SANTA CATALINA SANTA CATALINA SANTA CATALINA Santa Catalina SANTA PONSA SANTA PONSA MARINA SOL DE MALLORCA Soller Soller SON BUGADELLAS SON CALIU NOU Son Gual Son Servera Son Servera Valldemossa Valldemossa Palma

Hotel Villa Italia WELLIES KEY WEST REEVES Cappuccinos Ritzi Tahini Hotel Hostal Cuba Ziva Restaurante Sumaq FIBONACCI BAKERY GOLF CLUB CLUB NAUTICO Cap Falcó Beach Ca´s Xorc Gran Hotel Soller Ziva to go Hotel Punta Negra Golf Son Gual Pula Golf Son Servera Golf Hotel Valldemossa Cappuccino Restaurant Café Pesquero

Advertise with The Olive Press TEL: (+34) 951 273 575 EMAIL: sales@theolivepress.es

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Help us A BALEARIC children’s charity is searching for volunteers. The JoyRon Foundation wants the support of local companies and individuals to help needy youngsters on the islands. In the two years since it was founded, JoyRon has funded a children’s cinema at Son Espases Hospital, organised a trip to Disneyland for a seriously ill child and built a new aquatic centre children in Mallorca suffering from cerebral palsy. Companies or individuals making an annual fee donation will become a JoyRon ambassador. Anyone interested should contact info@joyronfoundation.org

Rain drain BRITS have been flocking to Mallorca to escape a wet and windy summer in the UK. Travel agents reported a surge in last-minute interest, with bookings up double on last year. Self-catering firm Novasol experienced a 26% year-onyear rise, while flight specialists Skyscanner saw a 22% increase in British searches on its website. A Thomas Cook spokesman said: “The not-so-great British summer has provoked a last-minute dash from Brits to get on a plane. “We are seeing similar bookings for the next few weeks.” Package holiday group TUI said bookings were up 150% as the UK was lashed with 38mm of rain in the first ten days of August, 43% of the month’s entire average.

POPULAR: Mallorca

Record breakers OVERSEAS buyers ploughed a record-breaking €888 million into Spain’s property market in the first half of 2017 as interest in Mallorca continues to soar. The astonishing figure smashed last year’s record of €330 million with the Balearic Island also seeing a 20% increase in UK visitors in May. This year, Taylor Wimpey Espana has seen buyers from 15 different nationalities snap up homes across Spain. German, Scandinavian, British and Russian buyers have been the most active. “A decade on from the crisis and Spain’s property market is not only back on its feet but thriving,” said Marc Pritchard from Taylor Wimpey Espana. “The appeal of owning a second property in Spain, be it to enjoy holidays with friends and family or to relocate, has endured. “I have no doubt the country will welcome another record year of international investment.” Taylor Wimpey Espana’s new development Camp de Mar Beach has also been receiving interest.

August 17th- August 30th 2017

Holiday hell

MADNESS: At Barcelona airport

QUEUES at Barcelona’s biggest airport were not as bad as feared as security staff went on a 24-hour strike this week. Guardia Civil officers manned checkpoints at El Prat airport as the Catalan government took the unprecedented step of demanding compulsory arbitration talks. It comes after baggage handlers also walked out after rejecting a pay-rise offer and called for an indefinite strike. The government has vowed to maintain 90% of its regular service during the strike. Security staff are protesting against salaries as low as €800 a month and understaffiing.

Must keep probing plastics! Eco group calls for charges over Palma burned plastic ECOLOGISTS are demanding an investigation over the alleged illegal dumping of burned plastic in the sea around Palma. Described as an 'ecological crime', the Balearic Ornithological Group (GOB), claims there is 'no evidence' of proper analysis carried out on the materials used in building work at Palma’s Moll de Ponent port. Broke It comes after the Olive Press broke the exclusive story that recycling plant Tirme, Palma Port Authority and Mallorca Council could face penalties over the alleged use of the burned plastics. And GOB is keeping the pressure up, insisting that

Bad for business FROM FRONT

ment’s plan, with rental licences now having to be displayed on all adverts. Meanwhile, another British agent, Jan Dexter from Parasol Property Mallorca, said the move would ‘ruin’ some homeowners who rent out their property. “I just paid €6,000 for a new webpage and in the space of a week probably lost 40% of the rental properties I was offering,” she said. “They are shooting themselves in the foot. It’s crazy.” An Airbnb spokesperson told the Olive Press the new law was ‘complicated and confusing’. One well-placed source even claimed hotel companies own many of Mallorca’s flat-rental licences already granted. “Decades ago the hotel owners ran the flat-rental business,” he said. “When hotels were full they put tourists in apartments. They would then build shops inside the hotels.” He added: “In Mallorca we always wanted tourists who ate in our restaurants with us, who bought in our shops, not always staying in the hotel and having an experience you can have anywhere. “We have that now, it’s more democratic and money goes to everyone,not just hotels. But it’s at risk.” Debbie Davies, a Partner at South West Mallorca Holiday Rentals, admitted, ‘I don’t know any agent that hasn’t been affected’ by the new regulations. “I can't begin to imagine the impact on small businesses if most of the apartments are removed from the rental market,” she said. SEE PAGE 19 FOR MORE

ACTION NEEDED: Calls for bigger effort to tackle plastic pollution

he 'persistent presence of half-burned plastics’ in the sea and around Can Pere Antoni beach needed to be properly investigated. "We consider that pour-

ing [molten slags] directly into the sea represents a serious risk to ecosystems and human health.” said a spokesman. After the group requested a suspension of sludge

Flying into trouble

IT’S ALL OVER: For Air Berlin

AIR Berlin, until recently Mallorca’s most popular airline, has filed for insolvency. Flights from Germany’s secondlargest carrier will continue for now despite the company posting a €782m loss in 2016. The German government has provided a €150m loan to keep the company afloat. Ryanair, which recently overtook Air Berlin as Palma’s most popular airline, claims the government’s intervention breaches competition rules. The Irish firm believes the loan will allow Lufthansa to snap up the troubled airline.

dumped in the sea in June, the council stepped in to stop it… but the material is still in the water. The spokesperson added: "[This] could potentially be considered an ecological crime due to the presence of plastics that are spilled at sea." The hard-hitting statement also said the use of such molten slags could be 'a risk to ecosystems and human health'. This month, bathers as far away as Ibiza and Alicante reported burned plastics washing on shore. More burned plastics appeared around Palma last week, local residents told the Olive Press. But a Tirme spokesperson told the Olive Press: “They don’t use molten slags in the building work at the port. “It is impossible that the plastic on Can Pere Antoni beach comes from the work.”

Pound plummet THE euro will be worth more than the British pound by the end of the first quarter of 2018, analysts from Morgan Stanley has said in a client note circulated this week. In the bank’s latest FX Overview paper, it is argued that a combination of a stronger euro and a weakening pound will combine to make the euro more valuable than the pound for the first time in its history, and make it — in terms of pure value — the strongest major currency. The euro has been on the up this year as investors have taken note of the improving fortunes of the bloc’s economy. Countries like Spain and France have helped the bloc recover to its best levels since the eurozone debt crisis. The forecasts suggest the euro will continue to strengthen and will move ‘beyond parity’ with the pound during the first three months of the year, hitting a peak of £1.02 before weakening a little as the year progresses. By the end of 2018, €1 will be worth £0.91

Fe atur e

www.theolivepress.es Mallorca’s original community newspaper

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

OPINION Turismofobia UNDERGROUND movement Arran has emerged into Mallorca’s summer light with a number of high-profile protests. The far-left group’s direct action aims to draw attention to tourist overcrowding. In terms of publicity, they couldn’t have asked for more. With impeccable timing, they plastered 1,000 rental cars with stickers the week Mariano Rajoy jetted to Palma to meet King Felipe. Arran’s name is now on the lips of Spain’s leader, and in countless newspaper columns in the British and Spanish press. Millions of tourists, too, are now aware of the group. And while these young agitators have sparked a degree of panic, they raise important questions in our exclusive interview. Scaring off tourists will harm the local economy. But at the same time, the influx of visitors each month has impacted the local community in negative ways. Resolving this dilemma requires politicians with the skill of tightrope walkers. In their absence, Arran has become the most visible manifestation of an issue which is the talk of Mallorca this summer - turismofobia.

Property principles AS the Tourism Law kicks into action, property owners, rental businesses and agents who face fines of up to €400,000 for unlicensed properties are, understandably, voicing their displeasure. One agent described the government’s move to impose the stiff penalties as ‘gestapo’. Others who have worked on the island for years, even decades, told the Olive Press they are thinking of leaving the island. All raise the prospect of damage to Mallorca’s economy. But they do recognise something must be done about tourist numbers pushing up costs (implementation of the fines at the height of the tourist season, however, was not appreciated). Other concerns included homeowners ‘sitting’ on precious licences for years, leaving others unable to claim one. Politicians struggled to come up with a solution this summer. Implementation may prove even more problematic. Depòsito Legal PM: 610-2017

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August 17th- August 30th 2017

As King Felipe jousted for this year’s Copa Del Rey, Joe Duggan took to the high seas

T’S a crystal-clear August day and we’ve just motored past the King of Spain. On Day Four of the Copa del Rey MAPFRE, King Felipe’s boat, the 50-metre-long Aifos, is top in the 35-strong BMW ORC 1 class. Our photographer’s hat has just gone flying past our heads as our press launch powers around Palma Bay at breakneck speeds, As was pass the Aifos, monarch at the helm, crew scampering around, I get to see up close the sheer energy sailors expend during the Mediterranean’s most prestigious regatta. On a blistering hot day, a yacht carrying Queen Sofia, the king’s mother follows the action from a safe distance. The searing 40 C temperatures are certainly causing me a few issues on our open-top boat. I trowel on the factor 50 and search in vain for the sanctuary of some slither of shade. Aside from blasting alabaster-white British journalists, the scorching conditions have impacted this year’s race, as our launch pilot Gabi explains. “The weather this week has stayed really hot

The thickest of sails in his BMW class gives the impression of an advancing armada during the night,” he said. “This has affected the winds, which have been quite low this week. “Normally we would get winds of up to 18kts, but this year the wind has been very light.” For the Copa del Rey, the Bay of Palma is separated into four racing zones, in which 10 different classes compete with one another. In the Maxi 72 class, the largest ships in the competition size each other up, with no hull longer than 72ft permitted. Meanwhile, the GC 32 class sees flying catamarans pirouette from the waves, skimming the surf while balanced on one hull. (Monaco royal, Pierre Casiraghi, raced in this category this year, bagging a win with his Malizia Yacht Club Monaco). Foiling, whereby catamarans lift out of the water to gain more speed, is an adrenalinefuelled spectacle, man harnessing nature’s power in an electrifying manner to propel him on. Friday’s races brings the Maxi 72 and the BMW ORC 1 ships to do battle in the same section of water. The rules are reasonably straightforward. Boats make two circuits of the bay. Seconds are then added to your overall finishing time according to your boat’s size. After a five-minute countdown - the radio announcer shrieks a shrill warning on every minute mark - we’re away. First off, are the four Maxi 72 class ships. These, tall elegant yachts with their soaring sails could almost have been transported from another era. For the untrained eye, it is thrilling to watch these majestic boats do battle with each other for sea supremacy. Skippers bark orders, boats

Royal rumble

COOL AS A CUCUMBER: King Felipe VI riding the waves weave around each other motor past. and sails are raised and From a distance, the thicket of sails in his BMW taken down with eye-waORC1 class gives the impression of an advanctering speed and military ing armada. As the boats approach the buoy precision. marking the turning point, it’s clear Rats on Fire ‘Hiking’, whereby crew memis having a good day. The Swan 45 yacht turns bers race to sit on the side of back towards Palma Bay in the lead, but the the ship in order to decrease the chasing pack are close on their tail. By the time amount the boat heels, is fascinatthey reach the finish mark, King Felipe’s Aifos ing to observe. The crew move as one, has come home first, but once time penalties instantly dashing to their allotted spots before are added Porron IX is announced as the winner leaning all their weight over the yacht’s side, in the day’s first race. legs dangling, doubled up and leaning forward In the Maxi 72 class, it’s been a good afterto maximise the downwards pressure. noon’s sailing for Cannonball, who win the first Of course, in the heat of battle things get tense. race of the day. At one point, we are ‘advised’ in no uncertain Back on dry land, Royal Club Nautico de Palma terms by the captain of one ship that our phopresident Javier Sanz talks me through how the tographer is proving a distraction to his crew. week has gone. A native of Madrid, Sanz has The press boat behind is treated to a commonlived in Mallorca for 32 years, competed in the ly-used Anglo-Saxon oath indicating roughly ‘I Copa del Rey 15 times, and raced this year in think you should move away a bit, chaps’. the Swan 42 class on board the Red Electrica Even on King Felipe’s boat the language gets Espana. a little ripe, someone letting rip with the mag“The Copa del Rey is the most important regatta nificently profane, ‘Joder, no me jodas’ as we of the Mediterranean,” he said. “We have the best sailors and the best boats. And this year, with nearly 140 boats, we are seeing the most important Copa del Rey ever. “People come here to win and so this is the most competitive regatta too. I grew up in Madrid, and obviously there is no sea there. But I moved here and we are surrounded!” The fine showing by King Felipe, who has led from the start, has been one of the talking points of the regatta. His father, King Juan Carlos, won the coveted trophy five times. King Felipe is now on course to lift his first. “It’s no surprise the king is doing well because he is a good regattista,” says Sanz. “He and his father’s characters are very similar. King Felipe’s father won many times and was very competitive. But we are delighted they have both been part of the Copa del Rey, which means so much to Mallorca.” King Felipe, however, must wait another year to try and break his duck. On an extraordinary final day’s sailing, Rats On Fire overhauled a six-point gap to take the class overall. A second-placed and fourth-placed finish were enough to seal victory for Rats on Fire. That night, weary sailors, family, friends and local dignitaries gather in the shadow of Palma Cathedral for the prize-giving ceremony. A fittingly grand location to round off one of the highlights of Mallorca’s year. SAILS UP: Fleet of boats during the Copa del Rey

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Code name: Broken Arrow As the US and North Korea square up with their nuclear toys, Olive Press Mason Cox uncovers the incredible near miss that almost wiped out Andalucia during the last Cold War

But all of a sudden, all hell seemed to break loose,” US Air Force pilot Major Larry G. Messinger on January 17, 1966, after a nuclear spy mission goes wrong over Andalucia.

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Ring any alarm bells? Messinger and Trump’s statements, although separated by five decades, are almost interchangeable as our post-Cold War world begins to look scarily like the 1960s. With the rise of North Korea’s nuclear capability and the United States’ stance towards the rogue nation, the stage is again set for two nuclear powers to flex their muscles in an attempt to personify the ‘Don’t Mess With Us’ narrative. And although no nuclear weapons were fired some 50 years ago, there were dozens of near misses, some of which could be repeated if today’s trend continues.

Disasters

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“They will be met with fire, fury and frankly power the likes of which this world has never seen before,” President Trump on North Korea, August 8, 2017.

But, how many people know that perhaps one of the biggest nuclear disasters to strike in peacetime actually happened in the late 1960s right here in Andalucia. It was on a sunny January morning during the Cold War in 1966 that a US B-52 bomber carrying four nuclear H-Bombs was scheduled for midair refuelling 9,450 metres off Spain’s Almeria coastline. US nuclear deterrence at the time hinged on the constant aerial monitoring of the USSR’s borders, code-named Chrome Dome. This particular bomber was on the return leg of a non-stop journey that had taken it from Seymour Johnson air base in North Carolina, over the Atlantic on a non-stop flight path over Gibraltar and along the Mediterranean coastline to the borders of the Soviet Union. The purpose of the non-stop flight was to allow the US to strike the USSR at any given moment. However, just before 10.30am that day, disaster struck. As the KC-135 refuelling plane approached the B-52, it accidentally overshot the bomber midprocess and the planes collided. The bomber’s left wing was ripped off, causing an enormous explosion with 30,000 gallons of kerosene going up in flames, and the bomber broken apart. As Major Larry G. Messinger insisted later ‘all hell did break loose.’ The four men on the KC-135 and three of the seven men on the B-52 died. But of even greater significance was the cargo now hurtling to the ground. The plane was carrying four hydrogen bombs. A payload 100 times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945 was plummet-

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ing towards Andalucia. Or, more specifically, to the tiny fishing village of Palomares, where the Almeria locals were going about their daily lives as usual, oblivious of the terror poised to rain down from the skies. Half a century on, little is still known about this devastating event, even though the cleanup from the fallout is ongoing, with America signing an agreement to remove further quantities of contaminated soil as recently as October 2015. Few people speak about the incident, while conspiracy theorists talk about a cover-up between America and Spain, which was then under General Franco’s dictatorship. So what do we know? A number of locals later revealed how they saw and felt an explosion, while one five-year-old girl claimed to see the sky ‘raining fire’ from shrapnel. This was later confirmed to be radioactive material,

CONTAMINATED: Farmers’ land in Andalucia’s Palomares

+TheolivepressEs including plutonium, that leaked into the subsoil over a wide area of the surrounding countryside. But somehow, by incredible fortune, it was not a repeat of Hiroshima. A hydrogen bomb needs to be ‘activated’ before it can detonate. This means that the electrical circuits in it must be wired correctly in order for fission and fusion to start. Without properly preparing the bomb, a radioactive explosion will not happen. So the ‘orange fireball’ in the sky, described by 83-year-old fisherman Pedro de la Torre Flores was not actually nuclear armageddon but something more akin to a ‘dirty bomb’. And the payload from the bomb that exploded in front of him only knocked him off his feet, leaving him with scratches … at least on the surface. One bomb landed in a dry river bed, another only half exploded, the fourth fell into the sea and was only retrieved months later. The bombs fell with such force because their parachutes failed and much of their radioactive material was buried underground. The region was declared radioactive, in secret, and the Americans sent in a team to cleanse the area. Not 24 hours after the mishap, President Lyndon B. Johnson was in the ‘situation room’, where he and his administration were operating under a codename for the loss of a nuclear warhead: ‘Broken Arrow’. Over subsequent weeks, the US removed 5,000 barrels of radioactive soil, in addition to compensating farmers for the loss of their tomato crops. However, it was of little comfort to the locals, many of whom, it has been claimed, died from cancer in their younger years. There is however, no concrete evidence to this, as Franco destroyed the medical records. Indeed, it was not until four decades later in 2008 that the Spanish government discovered contamination was still present on 12 acres of land. Secretary of State John Kerry has since pledged to clean up the mess once and for all. A bill for nearly €29 million has been agreed and is certainly preferable to something that could have been incredibly worse. Indeed, given the current dangerous gameplay between Kim Jong Un and President Trump, it may turn out to be trivial.

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ineu market BE ‘APPY! August 16

A traditional market in rural Mallorca, the main attraction is livestock and food.

FESTIVAL promoters are demanding bigger fines for safety breaches after highprofile incidents in Spain this summer. The death of an acrobat at Madrid’s Mad Cool and a fire that sent 20,000 revellers fleeing from Barcelona’s Tomorrowland have raised concerns over the 1,000 festivals held annually in Spain.

oscowDownload bal-our app now and let atbegin Palma enjoying the best Spanish Auditorium news on the go. August 25

Per formances include Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and Sleeping Beauty. The show star ts at 9 pm, and tickets are online.

ACCUSED: Botin

Billionaire accused of smuggling €26 uta mar tiana The Olive Press Picasso million tapas route August 29 out of Spain collection TOP of bars for news in Spain!

A have gotten together to of fer their customers a special discount on beers and tapas. The event stars at 7 pm, and will continue until closing.

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On the edge of La Llotja, the night market will host dif ferent kinds of handmade jeweller y and craf ts.

A BILLIONAIRE accused of smuggling a Picasso out of Spain on his yacht is facing prison. Prosecutors are demanding Jaime Botin, a member of one of Spain’s most successful banking family, is locked away for four years and hit with a €100 million fine. Botin, the owner of the €26 million Head Of a Young Woman, is suspected of trying to take the Picasso painting out of the country without an export permit. French police seized the painting on a yacht in Cor-

Break

CAPTURED: Police show off recovered Picasso classic

Artful dodger?

sica in the summer of 2015. The painting was named a cultural treasure by the Spanish National Court in 2015. It is currently on display at Madrid’s Reina Sofia mu-

seum until an investigation is complete. The prosecutor is calling for the work of art to be returned permanently into the state’s ownership. Botin’s lawyers have argued that the banker was unaware that sailing in Mediterranean EU waters breached the export ban. In 2012, Christie’s Iberica

requested permission to export the painting out of Spain on behalf of Euroshipping Charter Company Ltd, a company linked to Botin. Spain’s then-minister for culture, Jose Ignacio Wert, turned down the request. Picasso painted Head Of a Young Woman when he was 24-years-old.

“Above all, fines for not complying with the rules need to be raised. The current penalties are not dissuasive,” said security expert José Luis Gómez. “If a businessman wants to break the law, the first thing he does is to calculate how much a fine will cost him.” “If the gain is greater than the fine, it’s worth it for him.” However, one promoter, Albert Salmerón, said despite recent high-profile incidents such cases are ‘minimal’. “Festivals are secure and follow very strict rules with evacuation plans,” he said. Aunque Pepo Márquez, spokesperson for the music industry trade union the USM said festivals may be saving money on security. “Contracting people on double shifts, for example. There are security staff that spend 12 hours a day on their feet and then when you demand 100% from them they can’t do it,” said Marquez.

Campaigners unite

Royal walkabout KING Felipe and Queen Letizia visited Soller’s Miro and Picasso exhibition during a trip to Mallorca. The royal couple and their children walked to the Can Prunera Modern Museum during a weekend excursion to see 'Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro. History of a Friendship' The king and queen have been holidaying in Palma, with King Felipe taking part in the Copa Del Rey.

BULLFIGHTING fans, hunters and farmers are joining forces to battle the Balearic government. A coalition of protestors under the name Defence of a Rural World are campaigning against bans and restrictions on popular cultural activities. One group is angry after bicycles and horses were recently banned from travelling along the Sa Canova dunes. July’s Animal Protection Law forbid the harming of bulls during bullfights, with campaigners accusing the government of ‘cutting rights’.

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THE Pollenca Festival continues with three more concerts this month. On Saturday, Brazilian classical pianist Nelson Freire will play pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach and Robert Schumann. On the following Saturday, August 26, the Quartet Manderling perform Mozart’s Quartet No 17, Debussy’s Quar-

tet en Sol Menor and Dvorak’s Quarter Number 12. The 56th edition of the festival concludes with tenor Christoph Pregardien and pianist Julius Drake rendering Franz Schubert’s The Lovely Mill Maiden on Wednesday, August 30. Concerts take place at Pollenca’s Convent de Sant Domingo

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Spain’s young designers are taking the fashion world by storm... here we pick our top 10

August 17th- August 30th 2017

ver since Beyonce’s Instagram photo with newborn twins Sir Carter and Rumi, in which she wore a beautiful, floral coat designed by Alejandro Gomez Palomo, was posted on July 14th, the 25-year-old designer has been the center of attention in the world of Spanish fashion. A native of Cordoba, Palomo grew up in town teeming with a unique culture. Influenced by this cultural style, and driven by a desire to blur the boundaries of gender in fashion, specifically in menswear, Palomo has succeeded in creating collections that have caught the eye of the fashion industry. This distinct style, and

the recent debut of his work by superstar Beyonce, make Palomo a designer that the fashion industry will have its eye on in the coming years. While the fashion industry has its eye on Palomo, we should have our eyes on these eight, young, Spanish designers, who are not only taking their first few steps into the world of fashion, but are making a splash in the industry, with promising talents and styles that create the looks of an even more promising, and fashionable, future.

Juan Carlos Pajares Winner of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Talent Award, for his True Cost collection, Pajares emphasizes a more sustainable and ethical use of natural resources in order to create his line of woman’s clothing. He combines art and architecture in order to create fashion, without sacrificing the element of femininity in his clothes. Born in 1993 in Guadalajara, the young designer graduated with honors from the Superior School of Design of Madrid and the Central Saint Martins of London, and now collaborates with international brands such as H&M and Missoni.

Pablo Erroz One of the new princes of pret-a-porter, Erroz is deemed the best designer of menswear in Spain. Born in Palma de Mallorca in 1989, his ready-to-wear brand for men and women gives a fresh twist to classic styles, emphasising sustainability and quality materials. Since the launch of his brand in 2010, his collections have featured on runways at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, Vienna Fashion Week and 080 Barcelona Fashion Week and he has also scooped the prestigious Woolmark Company Prize.

Amai Rodriguez Born in Pontevedra in 1985, Rodriguez utilizes an interesting concept as the inspiration for her designs. Her collection plays with the idea of an astronaut, who is a lonely man that gets lost in a strange realm of other-worldly colors and lush vegetation, and his relationship with a sad woman who yearns for his return. The goal of the designer, who studied Fine Arts at Vigo’s University and Fashion design in Galicia, is to evoke feelings in the observer by telling a specific story with every collection.

Nacho Costa Costa, a designer from San Fernando, Cadiz, studied at the School of Art in Cadiz. His style is inspired by instrumental music; the shape of the instruments, as well as the sounds and rhythms they create. The designer blends these qualities with an architectural structure of creating clothes, resulting in straight lines and neutral colors that work in harmony with one another to form styles reflecting the unseen, internal portions of instruments such as xylophones and drums. His color palate often ranges from off-white to light gray.

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Rosa Esteva Mallorca-born designer, Esteva is the creative mastermind behind the Cortana brand, launched in Barcelona in 2001 and named after her paternal grandmother. Esteva takes pride in her roots and incorporates influences from her background in all her designs. Fun, feminine, island-inspired pieces occupy her completely handmade collection. She has also created a line of bridal gowns that ooze ‘Balearic elegance’.

Rocio Laseca Like Maria Luna Prados Soto, the Samsung ECO competition was Laseca’s first big fashion show. Wanting to reflect this new step, in her career path, in her work she boldly chose to work with new materials, such as methacrylate and silk. Her collection,

appropriately named ‘Who Are You?’, was inspired by the iconic British music group, The Who. The designs and materials of the clothing reflect the clothing of this time period (1960’s), and reflect the idea of the youth rebelling against the establishment.

Maria Luna Prados Soto(Marlina Pradsot) This designer, from Jaen, is a student at the School of Art of Cadiz, and recently experienced the first debut of her work at the Samsung EGO competition during Madrid’s Fashion Week in February. Her designs stem from ideas of the human obsession that surrounds reaching a state of perfection. Soto uses only white shades, and gives her clothing a structure that is meant to distort human shape, and thus, play with this concept of perfection. Her philosophy is that error is a part of maturation, and even with error, this process is beautiful.

Adriana Cagigas

Alejandra Jaime Mendoza

Influenced by Asian culture and the Japanese aesthetic, Cagigas is the creative force behind the brand Threeones. Her philosophy includes the idea that beauty is incomplete, imperfect and impermanent, and she uses simple lines and neutral colors, which are inspired by the style of traditional Japanese ceramics, in order to accomplish this. In addition to this, Cagigas also places emphasis on the eco-friendly processes of reconstruction and up-cycling in order to create her masterpieces, and believes the future of fashion must involve sustainability. She has a degree in Fashion Design from the University School of Design, Innovation and Technology in Spain.

From Huelva, 26-year-old Mendoza is the designer behind the brand Maria Magdalena, a controversial name that reflects the controversial issues that her designs grapple with. This designer, who adds Spanish flare to her styles by utilizing ruffles and traditional ‘Sevillana’ silhouettes, works toward fusing the details of the conflicting styles prominent in Sevilla during the 2000s. This style is meant to highlight the figure of the woman in society, and draw attention to the power of women vs the inequality, and stereotypical gender roles that society places on them. Mendoza also plays with the idea of humans as animals that need to satisfy natural and basic needs. Her brand is two seasons into hitting the catwalk, and won first prize in a contest for young Andalucian designers, and was debuted in the Samsung EGO for young designers during Madrid Fashion Week.

David Mendez Alonso The designer behind the Outsiders Division brand, and the ‘Fantasy Forever’ collection, Alonso is able to transport observers back to

their childhoods by submerging them in a fun and magical world full of vibrant colors, eyecatching patterns and denim. Born in Galicia in

1988, Alonso now lives in Barcelona where he continues to work on designs and continues to incorporate converse shoes into all his works.

12 12

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August 17th- August 30th 2017 August 17th- August 30th 2017

18 – 22 august 2017

Exciting new music festival ‘reflects on man and nature’ and mixes the best of Andalucian cuisine and international artists

RTIST Andy Goldsworthy says ‘to be disconnected from nature is to be disconnected from ourselves’; these days, most of us are. The gulf between most people and the natural world has never been so great. We lead fast-paced, urban lives, and few of us can remember the last time we stood barefoot in the grass or walked through a forest. That's not good for our mental health and spiritual well being; and it's not good for the natural resources we're busy wasting, either. Which is why an intriguing new Andalucian music festival is inviting you to pause.

TALENTS: Big range of artists

The idea of pause is to focus on the big things that really matter while enjoying some deep natural immersion. Over the course of five days from this Friday (Aug 18), one of the most exciting, exclusive mountain retreats in Spain is hosting a series of concerts and improvised sessions featuring musicians from around the world. The venue, La Donaira, is mixing up ancient-old traditions with new technology and ideas in a quest to find the best, most sustainable way, of doing things. This includes everything from traditional farming methods to rewilding bees and from smart innovative design to luxury tourism - eight suites and a yurt - and is a true, inspirational eye-opener. On this amazing 250-hectare Andalucian estate, close to the Cadiz/Malaga border, you will find the breeding Lusitano horses and rare cattle, as well as organic winemaking and field-to-fork organic gastronomy – as well as just simply living in general. The finca is run by a collaborative team and is a hub of activity with a constant flow of guests, including WWOOFERS, visiting enthusiasts, neighbouring farmers and experts from all walks of life, all sharing ideas.

•

finca la donaira

www.pausefestival.com

Time

for a

pause

pause festival information

Date: Aug 18-22: Events start 19:00, and include

a tapas dinner and drinks, followed by the main concert performance (21:30), and then performances from featured artists and informal improvisation sessions until the early hours, all on the open-air stage. Shuttle transport provided all night between El Gastor and La Donaira (10 mins away). For programme details, 1-day tickets (€65) and 5-day passes (€275) plus help booking local accommodation, visit www.pausefestival.com; email: info@ pausefestival.com

Venue: Finca La Donaira: The festival is taking

place at this 250-hectare sustainable farm, equestrian centre and smart design retreat in the heart of the Serrania de Ronda.

A breathtaking location in idyllic mountain scenery, it sits on the border between Malaga and Cadiz provinces, near the white village of El Gastor.

artists: Members of the Partitura Movement,

an international collective of young, exciting musicians founded by the world-renowned Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires (who performs on Aug 22): Miloš Popović, piano; Lilit Grigoryan, piano; Julien Brocal, composer & piano; Julien Libeer, piano; Talar Dekirmenjian, soprano, as well as cellist Camille Thomas; renowned flamenco cantaora Mayte Martín; composer & pianist Rupert Huber; composer & jazz pianist Juan Ramón Veredas Navarro. See www.pausefestival.com/programme/ for full details.

La Donaira has hosted workshops, equestrian events, summer camps and concerts, but pause is the very first festival. The open-air stage with its cool breeze and spectacular views of the surrounding fields and mountains is the perfect place for pausing from busy lives. It will be a delight to simply sit (or recline on cushions) and listen to some of the world's most beautiful music as the sun sets and sheep and horses graze in the surrounding fields. A host of international artists, including the classical musicians who make up the Partitura Movement, have agreed to grace the stage. Founded by the Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires, Partitura's mission is to share music with new audiences outside the concert halls, and all take time from their own tours to perform together in unusual places: prisons, hospitals, schools... and now an Andalucian mountain farm. The theme for this year's pause festival is 'reflections on man and nature', and to keep things BLISS: A room for a night peaceful and dreamy. Tickets are limited to just 100 each night. Small is beautiful. So don't miss out! Plans for pause 2018 are already underway, but in the meantime, watch this space and follow La Donaira for news of arts, food and equestrian events and workshops throughout the year. Pause pausefestival.com; info@pausefestival.com Finca La Donaira (information, reservations, events) www.ladonaira.com; info@ladonaira.com; www.facebook. com/ladonaira; www.instragram.com/ finca_la_donaira

BREATH-TAKING: Views from La Donaira and the grounds

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Vol. 11 Issue 271

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

ple 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 EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

Doctors and dentists join Olive Press appeal for ban on dangerous painkiller Nolotil EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

one month to knock down their only property (pictured above). In a court order seen by the Olive Press, the Wards are warned they will be held criminally responsible if they refuse. “I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m at the end of my tether” Gill told the Olive Press, “I’m totally exhausted from the whole ordeal.” The retired pair, who have now spent thousands of euros on legal costs, bought the old farmhouse ‘in ruins’ in 2004, and were given permission from Velez-Malaga town hall to rebuild it. But when the original wall collapsed of its own accord during construction, the Wards’ architect told them it would be fine and that he would let the town hall know. Unfortunately for Continues on Page 8

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 same drug that was blamed for killing his wife in 2006. The Marbella-based expat was furious when he was told to take the painkiller by his Spanish dentist, after suffering from a difficult abscess. His wife Mary, 59, had died after being prescribed the same drug following a double vasectomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. “Within 24 hours she was in intensive care, her white blood cell count plummeted to zero within days,” explains Graham, a former computer technician, from London. She never regained consciousness and was on a life support machine for FOUR months, before spending three years fighting the impact of the drug, which led to organ failure. “The chief surgeon at the hospital promised me he would never prescribe that drug

tribute bands Think Floyd, Deeper Purple and Whole Lotta Led rocking out the greatest hits of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin at the Plaza del Toros on August 26. 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, just tell us; Where was Jimmy Page born? Email WIN WIN WIN: Bolton and Pink Purple Zep Fest tickets answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es.

KILL THE DRUG

Need for more research

Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care in Marbella, fully supports the campaign, telling the Olive Press the drug is not something she prescribes. “It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe and standard medication,” she said, “And after seeing what damage it can do, it’s a drug I won’t be using in the future.” Marbella-based private doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón Almeda also agrees the drug is 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.”

HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, and Billy Smyth

again. “He said she would be alive if she hadn’t taken it, but I have heard from dozens of Brits and Irish who have been given it,” added Graeme. It is the third victim of the drug the Olive Press has reported on in under a year. Sometimes known also as

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Metamizole, Nolotil is banned in the US, the UK, Ireland and most of Europe, but it is prescribed widely in Spain. ‘Billy’ William Irishman Smyth was given a five-day course of the drug in February. But when the 66-year-old returned to a different Spanish

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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. keen a Billy, 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. BritAnother ish expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same for medication shoulder mild pain on the Costa del Sol. He developed severe head Continues on Page 2

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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

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In Spain GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR NEWS CULTURE PAGE 3 PAGE 8 GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR GIBRALTAR NEWS CULTURE CULTURE BUSINESS PAGE 3

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GIBRALTAR July 19th - August GIBRALTAR July 19th - August 1 22 1st 2017 1 1st 2017 August 2nd - August 15th 2017 BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS 1 PAGE PAGE 22 19 The Rock’s PAGE 22 original original community The Rock’s community newspaper community original newspaper www.century21gibraltar.com newspaper www.century21gibraltar.com www.century21gibraltar.com community Century21 Tel: 00 350 200 51020 Century21 FREE Vol. 3 Issue 50 www.gibraltarolivepress.com Century21 Tel: 00 350 200 51020 202-204 Main Street Tel: 00 00 350350 20056523000 51020 Augustnewspaper Mob: Vol. 3 Issue FREEFREE 2nd - August 202-204 49 www.gibraltarolivepress.com Main Street 15thMob: 201700 350 56523000 Vol. 3 Issue 49 www.gibraltarolivepress.com 202-204 July 19th - August 1st 2017 Main Street Mob: 00 350 Gibraltar 56523000 July Gibraltar PAGE 3

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RECYCLING bins have been installed on ALL beaches in Gibraltar. Some 26 recycling units have been placed on all six beaches, with each containing four bins - a yellow one for plastics, cans and tetra brik containers, green for glass, blue for paper and cardboard and black for other general waste. The initiative forms part of a plan to increase recycling rates and reduce littering. The bins are being serviced daily and additional, larger recycling and general waste bins are also available on all beaches if the smaller units are full.

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202-204 Main Street Mob: 00 350 The Gibraltar Olive 56523000 July 19th - August the Rock’s original olive press 1st 2017 Gibraltar info@century21gibraltar.com Press is celebrating its community Red, newspaper white 50th issue. throughout. See and We have come a long FREE a message from way in just over two publisher Jon Clarke years and we have inside been proud to be SEE PAGE 6

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FORMER deputy chief minister Keith Azopardi has said he will consider running for leader of the GSD after rejoining the opposition last week. “I have rejoined to play my part in any renewal of the party to the extent that the current leadership, MPs, the Executive and members desire,” he said. Meanwhile, others anticipate party founder Peter Montegriffo's return. “If Peter Montegriffo stands I will support him,” said Azopar-

di. “If he does not then I will consider throwing my hat in the ring.” Another rumoured contender Damon Bossino, has not confirmed whether he intends to stand for leadership. It comes after former leader Daniel Feetham announced his resignation from the post earlier this month due to 'personal family reasons.' Roy Clinton has taken over in the interim until a permanent leader is chosen.

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Beasley told his rescuers that he was on the run from gangsters. When they asked him if he required assistance, he said: "No radio, no engine, no electricity." It comes just weeks after the Olive Press exclusively revealed Beasley was ‘hiding from crimiBeasley’s yacht was found drifting nal gangs’ in a port in Portugal. without power in a busy shipping lane Beasley, who was friends with 200 miles from Gibraltar Brown and her now-suspect boyfriend Simon Corner, told the Olive Press how he had ab- mation in the case. Beasley said he knew nothing of sconded from bail after being Brown was due to start her disappearance. arrested for withholding infor- job in Gibraltar when shea new went Speaking on a mobile from his missing in November 2015, but boat in Portugal, he added: “The

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Exclusive look at Pixie Geldof’s star-studded wedding

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A THIRD British man arrested over pat Lisa Brownmissing exhas fled to Portugal on boat, it can behis grandson’s revealed. The Olive Press to the Welsh has spoken who confirmed pensioner, currently ‘living that he was in a Portuguese port’, but refused to give further details. Ron Beasley, he had broken71, confirmed ditions, which his bail conrequired him to report to San Roque police every day, but had been forced to leave Spain to escape the clutches of the ‘Costa del Sol drug mafia’.

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However, he insisted he is entirely innocent wrongly dragged and was into the investigation over missing Brown, who mysteriously vanished November 4, 2015. Beasley was pals with Lisa’s boyfriend at mon Corner, the time, Siboat engine to.who he sold a He was pulled in for ‘withholding information’, alongside Stephen Jackson and Corner, are still underboth of whom “I was held investigation. for three days and grilled constantly,” del Sol drug he He says theymafia’. told the Olive in Alcaidesa port. had anythingPress. “If they be a police believe he could “I’m just gave me a guy on a boat have charged they would being docked informant after ing to try- they said24 hours to leave or enjoy the easy they would slit it’s ridiculous, me by now, who work in close to people mind my my the drugs trade I told them own business. life, I throat.” everything I know,” “But they came to me and He added: “They think I’m Speaking on grass, if I go a mobile from back to Spaina his boat in Portugal, I’m a dead man.” ed: “The last time he addHe claims I saw Lisa was on November pleaded withhe has been Lisa’s sister, 1, (three days before the British Helen Jordan, Embassy for family will never when I askedshe vanished), body had not help, but noquit until 50, has insisted her her if she had behind bars. got some antiques returned his It comes two those responsible are calls. I had delivered to her Corner was months after Simon Lisa’s sister home. “If I knew where claimed she ing €10,000.released on bail, paycould not comment would have told Lisa was, I directly “We are Lisa’s about his involvement. the police.” He is now involved voice now and never stop Helen Jordan, will tussle with Spanish in a legal Jordan toldpushing for answers,” “We just want 50, said: have his passport police to “The people the Olive Press. the truth and him to tell returned. The Swansea-born is are living who know where she authorities will maybe the who has a wooden expat, then help you. They are normal lives among him.” leg and needs heart walking your and are dangerous.” streets claims he was medication, Police fear If you have forced to leave La Linea home beforeshe was murdered at tion contact informaby the ‘Costa her body was out to sea. Press on 951 the Olive thrown 273 575 or at newsdesk@theolivepress.es

Missing expat Lisa Brown suspect to escape Costa del Sol ‘drug flees Spain mafia’

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BRAVE: Ignacio and Sergio (right)

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Spycatcher Spy Garbo’s links to Malaga

England rugby international holiday scam demands website that netted nearlyaction over sophisticated €50,000 from him

Mauled

Page 18

A PAIR of Spanish heroes came to the aid of Londoners attacked crazed terrorists. by three Ignacio Echeverria and Sergio Farina stepped in to save the lives of innocent bystanders caught up nage that killedin the carseven and injured 48. Fears however are now growing for Ignacio Echeverria (pictured top left), from Madrid, EXCLUSIVE ed a woman who defendBy Joe Duggan the terrorists. from one of Echeverria, RUGBY star to have been39, is said Dean Schofield is urging action home from a on his way after mauled in a the Saturdayskate park on sophisticated being day shakedown. holihe attempted night when Wasps international a woman with to defend (above) and Dean board in Boroughhis skate38, were setwife Gemma, both Market. He was last other stories break to Spainto take a dream the pavementseen lying on emailed the came up. When we celebrate the with friends to ily have beenand his famEngland internadealing with person we’d been unable to tional’s retirement. locate him sent an abusivecalled ‘Flavio’ he SCAMMED: But the vacation the Spanish despite calling email back. Holiday group “Luckily we nightmare after turned into a were in a fortunate hospitals. consulate, and and (right) position where The group fake site with 16 from Cheshirethe group of The Red Cross we could arrange an alternative scam, via only rumbled the “We profile stolen unwittingly booked via made an appeal has also from Oz agent still get villa and com, the day rentholidaysvillas. foundwere very angry when the flight day website a fraudulent holito locate before they flew. him. we out,” if we were from over. But what a horrible homes on thethat has dozens of Olive Press Gemma told the Costa del Sol. ily and couldn’t a normal famthis week. “It weren’t sure moment and we In total, scammers what to do. was “We afford to come? We were at Onslaught started Googling took payment and the holiday.”least able to salvage it and (£5,000) deposit of €5,700 Rentholidaysvillas.com The group had and €11,400 (£10,000) come across US-based stunning six-bedroom is hosted the fore swiping respectively beby with warned as server GoDaddy, which villa with a huge pool (£26,000) for another €29,800 was and law enforcement by a leadinglong ago as April of got in touch and grounds and on alleged have processes la in Mallorca,their stunning vilfraud When asked holiday rental site the scam anyone which is owned for taking The websitevia email. by a wealthy believes in why it was GoDaddy Digital British owner. still live thisSpain. ed they should they have been action. If credible and looked extremely week, Contact defraudCrimes boss contact law explained: of its alleged even had a photo Ben Butler, enforcement.” “We communicate your owner, ‘Flavio and email local police and Action nandes Davila’, Herregularly who did the Fraud you’ve been newsdesk@theolivepress.es gotiating. nescammed. if “I must confess we did think it was a bit was, and it incheap for where it fact rents for more,” admitted a lot 1987 Gemma. Thankfully, Patience a Santo! of adults and the group of eight 2017 are still oneight children who holiday are The Olive Press trying to reclaim now JOINING their money toasts the 30th as the booking three decade anniversary was made via CLUB! credit card. of two of Andalucia’s a yet leading hotels, The website despite beinghowever is still live, Santo and Sunset Molino del reported to its hosting company web Beach Club by the Olive Press and to The website UK police. CELEBRATIONS: boasted that ‘you Inside

In a second roic Spanishincident, a hewaiter put his life on the line during the onslaught. CCTV footage shows Sergio Farina, from Galicia, throw himself against the door of his bar to prevent one of the knife-brandishing terrorists from entering. He managed man at bay, to keep the ing the door before opento help another person find “You do not safety. about it,” he even think have simply said. “I could one did, but left, as everyleft 28 peopleI would have He added thatbehind.” see was a guy ‘all he could with dynamite’ as he tried to lower the bar shutters. He added: “We did not know how many terrorists there were and whether they would return.”

STOP THE

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THESE rental companies are thugs all the way through (Taken for a Ride, Issue 8). You have to double check and take pictures of every little detail and then confirm images BEFORE driving away to have everything on paper and signed. Otherwise you just pay the full insurance and no hassle (yes that's how they earn their money).

SO make sure you have excess insurance (Taken for a Ride, Issue 8). Less than £50 a year in the UK. Once Record Go know you’ve got it, they don’t keep pestering you to take out their insurance.

AS a regular traveler to Malaga airport and hiring cars (Taken for a Ride, Issue 8). I have had regular arguments with car hire receptionists who have tried to bully me into accepting their overpriced car excess I am a regular hirer of cars aged 82 with no claims for at least 20 years but most hirers insist that I must take out their full insurance which is currently close to €200 and for a second driver we have to pay around €10 euros a day so for a 28 days hire it's capped at around €100 euros so with the all the add on to hire a small car for 28 days the costs can be as high as €600. My wife and I have now decided to buy our own car in Malaga not necessarily to save money but to avoid running the gauntlet of these rip off artists.

Anonymous, UK

Bert Smith, Malaga

I HAD this problem last year with a company called DelPaso who are in Malaga (Taken for a ride, Issue 8). I GOT stung for €764 for two alleged scratches on a newish car. One mark, I could just see under the door, caused I presume by a blade of grass on the edge of the road and the other I couldn't see at all. The Delpaso receptionist was making me feel as though I was mad by not being able to see it. The €764 was to polish them out! As the company was off airport, we had to rely on their courtesy bus to get us to the terminal, so they kept us waiting while the car was washed and inspected again, we now had a serious risk of missing our flight, as they wouldn't give us the bus until I had signed their paperwork admitting the damage, even then we only just made our flight. This, I believe, was because I didn't take out their insurance, as I had an annual policy from the UK (I have been travelling to Spain every 6-8 weeks for the past 2 1/2 years and still am). He said to me that I could claim on my insurance and what did I expect as I had paid so little for the hire.

Lex Bailey, UK

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THE Olive Press is demanding action against a string of fake holiday falsely advertisingrental sites las across Spain. luxury vilIt comes after we reported last issue that scam daysvillas.com site RentholiBritish tourists was conning sands of euros out of thoueach year. One of its victims Dean Schofield Rugby star nearly 50,000 shelled out fraudulent villa euros for a In total, Britishbreak. victims lost €8.16 million in holiday scams last year, a year-on-year rise of 20%, claims the British Travel Association of Agents (ABTA). OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER

7 June

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We have now discovered many other websites similar fraudulent running schemes, including Spainvipholidays.com, Luxurydreamsvillas.com and www.digitaldreamsholidays.com. Top-end properties bella and Sotograndein Marare being marketed by the scammers at massively reduced prices to lure Helle Heredia,victims in. from Costa del Sol-based rental firm Novasol, said she to 30’ recent had heard of ‘25 cases of people being scammed there are ‘many but believes more’. “It’s so scary with these scam sites - they pop up with just one purpose; of robbing people of their money in the most important time of everyone’s year - their holidays,” she said. “It is too easy to make a website today - just be tempted by ensure not to by companies fantastic offers heard about. you have never Don’t let scam-

Mosquito had delivScreens ered to her home, and that’s all I know. 286 Main Street Gibraltar, where Lisa was, I GX11 1AA The Kaskazi managed to tow “If I knew (+350) 200 75913 have told the police.” the yacht to the Portuguese would info@mayfaironmain.gi He is now involved in a legal www.mayfaironmain.gi coast, 13 hours away tussle with Spanish police to have his passport returned. The Swansea-born expat, who needs heart medication, claims he was forced to leave La last time I saw Lisa was on NoLinea by local criminal groups. vember 1, (three days before He says they believe he could she vanished), when I asked her be a police informant after beif she had got some antiques I ing docked close to people who work in the drugs trade and illegal dealings in Alcaidesa port. MAYFAIR “I’m just a guy onAaI Nboat trying ONM to enjoy the easy life, I mind my own business. Gibraltar’s luxury hair “But they came to me and gave salon experience MAYFAIR me 24 hours leave O Nto M quality A I N &or they said they where would slit my matterthroat. “Theyservice think I’m a grass, if I luxury go Gibraltar’s back to Spain I’mhair a dead experience 286 salon man.” Main Street Gibraltar, where He claims & pleadhe quality GX11 has 1AA been service ing with matter the British (+350) Embassy 200 75913 for help, but that they had not info@mayfaironmain.gi returned Beasley’s www.mayfaironmain.gi 286 at time Main Streetcalls Gibraltar, of press. 1AA Lisa’s sister GX11 said she75913 could not (+350) 200 comment directly about his ininfo@mayfaironmain.gi volvement. Helenwww.mayfaironmain.gi Jordan, 50, said: “We just want him to tell the truth and maybe the authorities will then help him.”

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FIRST Minister Fabian Picardo has given a warm to the Olive Press’ welcome launch in Gibraltar. The father-of-two paper’s original saluted the reporting and insisted his would give its fullgovernment aid our growth in support to “I am delighted the enclave. to cooperate and to ensure you the help you need receive all those who choose to inform Press for their news.the Olive “Welcome to the media stable in Gibraltar.”

The Rock’s leader was talking alongside his lawyer wife Justine ahead of his at National Day, key speech ‘most significant one of the He told the Oliveever’. Press: “It is particularly auspicious this year with the day commemorating the 75th anniversary of great evacuation as well as comingof the Rock, in the week the Queen becomes the UK’s longest serving monarch.” A highlight of his watching Kings of week was Leon at the Gibraltar Music Festival. “Not at the front have got crushed,”as I would “But I was blown he joked. I saw everyone’s away when hands in the air for Sex on Fire, the best rock song of the As for a date forlast decade.” election contest, his first rebe on November rumoured to “The only person 20, he said: who knows is my wife.”

stagecoach.gi

A SUSPECT in the Lisa Brown case has been found adrift in the Atlantic. 71-year-old Ron Beasley, from Wales, was found drifting 200 miles off the coast of Portugal. The sailor, who has a wooden leg, was said to be so disoriented he was unable to recall his name when an Italian catamaran crew came across his shipwrecked yacht, the Doolou. His ship was drifting without electricity or engine power in a busy shipping path and was at risk of being mowed down by a freighter.

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Politicians call for to be permanently British Royal Navy gunships stationed in Gibraltar defiant National Day during speeches

DEFIANT calls battleships to be for British Navy stationed again By Tom Powell Gibraltar have been in made during a raucous National got the biggest Day rally. cheer, when he A group of 11 British sisted inlivered rip-roaring politicians de- again the Royal Navy should - once - have battleships speeches focussing on recent tensions ly stationed in Gibraltar.permanentand backing Gibraltar’s with Spain “The people of Gibraltar right to selfdetermination. are a part of the Great British family and I would The Casemates crowd like to and white – echoed – a sea of red hend see a battleship here to appreany Spanish ship the patriotic sentiments as Chief to illegally enter British waters,” Picardo delivered Minister Fabian Democratic he said. Unionist MP Ian centering around the final address, added: Paisley “These are a salute to the ‘evacuation generation’ waters, this is our our international PARTY MODE: of 75 years Gibraltarians ago. our people and country, these are inflatable barbary celebrate National we must support Linking it to the macaque Day with them.” current refugee crisis engulfing Europe, “We will never surrender “National Day he vowed to help as much as will never ever this rock!” he roared in a rousing diminished. In fact, be cent years plea that ‘sharingpossible under the After due to its environmental it will only get waving a letter ofaddress. is caring’. bigger. We stand impact – took place. But it was Conservative ‘best wishes’ together, red white from and free!” he bellowed. Then, as the crowds MP for finallythe Queen, the Chief Minister Romford, Andrew gazed up at the Following the speeches, vowed to Rosindell, who red and white speckled Day celebrations increase National the tradi- Turner’s tional releasing in years to come. Simply the Bestsky, Tina which has causedof the balloons – through the blasted controversy in resound system, signalling the start of an almighty party.

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Three pairs of tickets to some of the Costa del Sol’s hottest summer concerts are up for grabs. SEE PAGE 3

In Gibraltar

They are con men and prey on the weakest (Taken for a Ride, Issue 8).

Steve Giedziun, Andalucia

Simon Fullerton, Mallorca

Hitting the right note I have read the Olive Press for the last few years and the many interesting articles you have published. I just wanted to say what a good article that was on Chopin and Sand (Winter in Mallorca, Issue 8); better than the book which Sand wrote, and I read years ago, which went on and on about the rain and the hostile people. A visit to the place they rented reminded me of the orange-ochrecoloured out-boarding house - next to my own property in the Alpujarra, which was built and used as a respiFEATURE ratory-disease nursing home olive press online from about 1936 onwards for a few years. As in Valldemossa, in the length of the pokey rooms 1 north-South was almost the 2 T 3 full width of the building, the 4 slimmest of corridors running 5 the length of the back of the building with stairs up from and under the first floor to one end. I wondered where Chopin's piano was located because and it's a good 15 years since I visited - .I don't think his or any of the rooms was wide or long enough to fit either the width or the length of the piano, which I assume or seem to recollect was a Pleyel piano. WEBSITE

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Ahead of this month’s Chopin festival we look at how the Polish composer and his lover, writer, George Sand found themselves in Valldemossa, by Joe Duggan

Winter

HiS month, classical music enthusiasts will flock to Valldemossa for the annual Frederic Chopin festival. The concerts, held in the elegant cloister of the village’s Monastery, pay musical tribute to one of the region’s most beloved adopted sons. Famously, Chopin and his lover, Romantic novelist, George Sand escaped here in 1838. Despite the much-cherished link, it was not an idyllic retreat. Sand left France for Mallorca in search of warmer climes to help her 15-year-old son, Maurice,who had rheumatism. The writer had two children and was separated from their father when she eloped to Mallorca with the Polish composer. Arriving in Barcelona on November 7, they set off for the Balearic island that was to become their new home. Initial impressions were certainly favourable. “I’m in Palma, between Palm, cedar, aloe, orange, lemon, fig and pomegranate trees; the type of trees that will never grow in The Garden of Plants there in Paris,” glowed Chopin in a letter.

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Promised land

ARTWORK: Portraits of Chopin and George Sand protested with all his might – and he was “The sky is turquoise, the sea blue, the right to – against the childishness of such mountains emerald, and the air? The air is aural imitations. His genius was filled with as blue as the sky. The sun shines all day the mysterious sounds of nature, but transand people are dressed as in the summerformed into sublime equivalents in musical time, because here it is hot.” thought, and not through slavish imitation Sand, originally referred Mallorca as the of the actual external sounds.” ‘promised land’. But with accommodation inheaded they Many critics believe the composition Chopin capital, the in find to hard was playing to Sand that stormy night was land to the 16th century town of ValldemThe Raindrop. ossa. Soon afterwards, however, they were of because Sand herself saw the Preludes as inspired lodgings kicked out of their by their surroundings. They conjured ‘viChopin’s lung condition,their landlord consions of dead monks and the haunting cerned about contagion. sound of funeral chants’, she wrote in her It was not an auspicious start, but things famed novel Winter In Mallorca. It was an memoir History of My Life. got worse. Moving into the abandoned enmity the locals repaid in full, refusing to In January 1839, despite his sickness, Cho13th century monastery that Sand used as sell Chopin and Sand supplies, such was pin was ready to dispatch his new composia writer’s studio,they found that the build- their suspicion of the composer’s chronic tions to France. "Dear friend,” he wrote to ing’s thick walls, effective at keeping out lung ailment. the virtuoso pianist Camille Pleyel. ”I am the raging Spanish summer heat, encour- Sand was finding the environment unconsending you the Preludes. aged an icy chill in winter. With no heating, ducive to her craft. Far from spending her “I finished them on your cottage piano and a savage winter gripping the island, the days writing, she was left nursing Chopin which arrived in perfect condition in spite of couple soon found Mallorca was not the all- and looking after her children. the sea-crossing, the bad weather and the year-round sunshine haven they had hoped The arrival of Chopin’s Pleyel piano was Palma customs." for. As the wind and rain made the roads yet another arduous chapter. Taking three couple the impassable, instrument from Valldemossa months to arrive, the prized found themselves effectively isolated in was transported by donkey after arriving in their new home. Palms. His beloved Pleyel was loadBy February, it became apparent that Cho“We lived in the middle of the ed onto a ship in Marseille, with pin’s health was deteriorating. Throughout clouds, and fifty days had Chopin receiving instruction he their winter on the island, his state of wellpassed without being able must pay a 500 franc import being had been a constant theme in letters descend to the plain; the charge. In the meantime, to friends. roads had become torChopin had hired a local “I get no sleep. I can only cough,” he wrote. rents, and we did not piano which, according to Three doctors had visited Chopin during his see the sun,” Sand latSand, ‘gives him more vexashort spell in Mallorca, one in Palma diager wrote. tion than consolation’. nosing TB - ‘the first said I was dead, the It wasn’t just a physiWhen Chopin’s piano arsecond that I am dying, and the third that cal disconnect. Social rived after being held in port I'm going to die’, he remarked with gallows exclusion from the confor a week it was the subject A humour.’ deepwonder. villagers servative of the villagers’ The couple packed their belongings, and ened Chopin and Sand’s sketch by Sand’s 15-year-old headed back to Paris in order to save Chosense of marginalisation. son, Maurice, shows Chopin dipin. They left on the ferry El Mallorquin Sand, a cigar-smoking playing for a crowd of astonbound for Barcelona, their fellow passenvorcee renowned for openly ished onlookers, who appear gers 200 seasick pigs.The captain refused in awe at what they conducting affairs, was fond open-mouthed u n to allow the clearly unwell Chopin the best of wearing men’s clothes, an are hearing. bed for the crossing, complaining he would thinkable outrage in deeply LOVERS: Chopin and Sand Despite his worsening health, have to burn it if he did. Catholic 19th century MalChopin composed Prelude After two weeks in Barcelona, they boarded lorca. Whatsmore, the cou[Op.28, No.15] (which, given Le Phenicien back to France.The couple’s ple’s refusal to darken the door of the lo- the inclement weather he endured, is aprelationship began to unravel. Chopin, horcal church further scandalised locals. Their propriately known as The Raindrop) and rified at Sand’s cruelty towards her daughCarthusian monastery,with monks’ cells Ballade [Op.38] while in Valldemossa, the ter, Solange, refused his partner’s demand cells’ Nos. 2 and 4 reputedly where Sand former’s mournful air said to mirror Chothat he never speak to the girl again. Chopin time. the and Chopin stayed, became an outpost. pin’s mindset at died destitute aged in Paris on October 17, “This is the devil's own country as far as the One night, after Sand and her children had 1849, two years after breaking with Sand. post, the population and comforts are con- returned home in a howling gale, Chopin from letter a in The couple’s conflicted relationship with were Chopin you cerned,” lamented exclaimed ‘ ‘Ah! I knew well that Mallorca remain a source of fascination, December that year. dead’ . While playing to her, Chopin claimed with tourists still flocking to the ValldemRemoved from the creative circles they to have had a vision. pair ossa museum erected in the memory of the moved in in Paris, where the bohemian “He saw himself drowned in a lake. Heavy three months they spent on the island. were at the heart of a ??? movement, there drops of icy water fell in a regular rhythm on "His first days here were ones of great happiwas precious little to link them with their his breast, and when I made him listen to ness," said Mallorca pianist Joan Moll. "They newfound surroundings. the sound of the drops of water indeed fallproduced works that are intimate, contemSand was scathing in her assessment of ing in rhythm on the roof, he denied having plative and as luminous as the landscape. the benighted Valldemossa inhabitants and heard it,” she wrote. “Then he realised his sickness was incurtheir entrenched social mores,referring to “ He was even angry that I should interable.” them as ‘’barbarians’ and ‘monkeys’ in her pret this in terms of imitative sounds. He

Deteriorating

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THEY are a bunch of trot idiots bent on destroying our economy (Anti-tourism brigade runs riot, Issue 8). Anonymous, Pollenca

Mad house HAVE we gone mad or what, Mallorca functions because of tourism as do many other places in Spain (Anti-tourism brigade runs riot, Issue 8).

Sick notes

Tam, Mallorca

INSTEAD of blaming naive, greedy holidaymakers, rather, set about the ambulance-chasing solicitors, without whom this situation would never have arisen (UK’s ambassador to Spain Simon Manley slams sickness claim scams, online) Also, the hotels share much of the blame, by lazily paying out instead of fighting their corner from the start. If they had stood their ground and demanded real proof of illness in each case, these crooked, former "whiplash" lawyers would not have been able to have such a beano. Stefanjo Liwinski, Marbella

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TRUE HEROES

A PAIR of roes came Spanish heLondonersto the aid of attacked by three rorists at crazed terthe weekend. Ignacio Echeverria and Sergio Farina stepped lives of in to save the standers innocent bycaught up the carnage in seven and that killed It has nowinjured 48. been confirmed that Ignacio Echeverria, drid, who from Madefended woman from one a the terrorists, of died in the attack. Echeverria, said to have 39, is been his way home fromon skate park a urday nighton the Satwhen attempted to defendhe woman with his skate-a board Market. in Borough He was last seen lying on the pavement.

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Victorious

SON Sant Joan airport is set for Shepherd, an IT specialist, its busiest ever day this week. A record 190,000 passengers based in Santa Ponsa, won and 1,117 flights are due to land back all three children after or take off this Saturday, with a taking the case to the Hague plane landing or arriving every Convention, and was victorious in every subsequent cusminute. “From June to September we tody court battle. have more flights than Madrid But after the doting dad flew and Barcelona,” said airport to Norway to collect the children in February, Bjornsen boss Antoni Planells. This summer, 18% more Ger- hid in the church in Alesund mans have flown to the island, with Maia before Shepherd with a 14% increase in British won a final court battle in visitors and 5% more Span- July. “It was very emotional when iards. I saw Maia again,” Shepherd told the Olive Press. “There were tears in both our eyes. “I hadn’t seen her for nearly a year. It’s almost impossible to describe that moment when you haven’t seen your own child for such a long time. FAMILY SELFIE: Maia with “There are just so many emodad Dominic and brothers Tobias and Christian tions flowing but obviously ger she was.” just one of huge relief. She Shepherd’s plight was reportBjornsen now faces two crim- ed “I am so happy with your Untitled-1.pdf had grown 1 a lot as well. It was exclusively in the Olive help...although 16/06/2017 15:36 inal charges in Spain over the Press one Norwequite a shock how much bigbefore being covered in gian abduction case. journalist gave me a bit the Mail On Sunday. of stick for how direct you

Dominic Shepherd, Santa Ponsa

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We must help sealife

8 PALMA Aquarium has blasted the plastic pollution harming Mallorca’s marine life. In a damning interview its conservation boss insists the problem is ‘getting worse’ and there is an ‘urgent need’ to tackle it or face seeing hundreds more turtles, sharks and dolphins die. It comes after the Olive Press revealed that the authorities are being probed over the alleged illegal use of plastics in the expansion of the Muelle de Ponent port in Palma. “The rubbish we find in the sea is just horrendous,” Aquarium director Debora Morrison told the Olive Press. “It is very rare we do not find a turtle that is not affected by plastic. “Seven years ago one of the major problems was fishing hooks. Now most of our animals - I would say 90% - are entangled in plastic or ropes. “We had one this week with a EXCLUSIVE quarter of her shell missing. By Joe Duggan She was wrapped up in a massive ball of plastic and ropes. A MALLORCA-BASED dad We operated on her yesterday.” She added: “It is definitely get- has thanked the Olive Press after he was reunited with ting worse.” Morrison’s team has been sub- his seven-year-old daughter contracted by the Mallorca after she was ‘abducted’ and government to rescue and re- taken to a Norwegian church habilitate turtles, sharks and by his ex-partner. British expat Dominic Shepdolphins since 2014. And as the summer months herd, 40, said he was ‘elated’ bring tourist crowds to the after winning back Maia, six island, the problem of rub- months after Tonje Bjornsen, 37, fled to the church seeking Continues on Page 5 ‘asylum’ with their child. As we reported exclusively two months ago, Bjornsen ‘abducted’ Maia and her 10-year-old brothers, Tobias and Christian, last year after claiming she was going to Norway to visit her sick mother.

Onslaught

In a second incident, heroic Spanish a waiter put his life during the on the line onslaught. CCTV footage PLEA: Dominic EXCLUSIVE Sergio Farina, shows Shepherd By Joe Duggan Galicia, throw from with kids AN expat himself against the door of his appeal tohas made an urgent bar to prevent have his year-old one of the knife-brandishing sevendaughter Choking back from a Norwegian returned terrorists tears, from enterish expat, ter his ex-partner church afing. worship in continued:the Britjust concentrating February. ran off with their child. “I am He managed Despite ing my head on Heartbroken to keep holding’ the man custody ofShepherd winning together keepher daughter Dominic from enterthose their three herd, 40, joining her ing, before Shepborn children, from want kids need a dad. because Britishnightmare is involved in We just opening Mallorca. twin brothers in Maia the door allowing his Bjornsen is not a battle with to help a normal back so we can live Tonje Bjornsen, daughter “I’m numb, other leave Spjelkavik anlife.” ex Maia to His but the sought ‘refuge’ 37, after she make me safety. person find Ålesund. Church in boys whenordeal began last strong,” Shepherd, in the place August, an IT expert, “You do not Bjørnsen She now faces with left Spain based in even think criminal Ponsa, about it,” es in Spain Santa for the children, ostensibly for ‘illegallycharg- “I’ve hadtold the Olive Press. a holiday, could have he said, “I nothing with- from after living the island simply left, as everyone on friends and but support However for three years. family.” did, I would have left but received atwo weeks later he people behind.” 28 ner to say call from his partHe added she was not back. coming could see that ‘all he Mystified, was a guy with dynamite’ was forcedthe distraught dad tried to as he DE MALLORCA Convention to use the Hague windows’lower the bar shutters. tody of their to win legal cusHe added: But despite children. “We did not know three court dicts in terrorists how many verMORE forced tohis favour, he was there were and whether revenue with to get his travel to Norway would return.” they German clients! Bjornsen children back after Dozens of refused to pedestrians them. Put your ads return were mowed in After picking by a van down EL AVISO on London Tobias and up the two boys Bridge before newspaper! school, he Christian from attackers stabbed was stunned learn Bjørnsen a police officer to and their daughter had fled with lers around revelCONTACT - whose inside day is this Borough US Market Ave de Gabriel week - to birthlocal church. 971 619 234 live in a Roca 4, Palma knives. with 12-inch “I was utterly 661 901 290 More than said Shepherd,lost for words,“ Info@el-aviso.es in a critical 20 remain who has spo condition. Continues

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FLASHBACK: June 9th were. “But I told her it seems to have worked and it was the angle we wanted to go in on these are British citizens and they have been abducted illegally’.” He continued: “Basically people stood up and listened and I’m sure I got more cooperation from the government in Norway because of the press articles.” Maia wasn’t allowed to leave the church to go to school, could only access a swing at the back of the church to play on and passed time learning to play the church organ. “She didn’t have any friends to play with,” said Shepherd. “She turned seven in there. I asked her how her birthday was and she shared it ‘with another girl’. “I said, ‘That’s nice, how how old was she?’ She said, ‘98’.” Shepherd is now hoping to get Maia into the same school as her brothers in September. “It was very emotional when they all met up again. Christian broke down crying and gave her a big hug. They all missed each other. “I feel elated. To have all three back together and see them all grow and develop together. “They shouldn’t have had to go through all this. But I couldn’t be prouder of all of them.” on Page

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

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Booming July predicted following ‘pause’ in run-up to EU referendum Special report by Iona BOSSES: Cox and Wells

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

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

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

Spanish property sales

Roll on Remain

Where is Gillian buying?

PAGE 19

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

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

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Balearic property boost

HOUSE sales in Spain leapt by 19.3% in June with the Balearic Islands leading the FLORENTINO Perez is sellcharge, new data shows. ing his stunning Mallorca The region recorded the highest number of mansion. sales (165) per 100,000 inhabitants, ahead According to Vanity Fair, of second-placed Valencia (159) and Mathe Real Madrid president’s 15,000-square-metre Villa YasminDownload is on the ourmarket app nowwith and Engel&Völkers. begin enjoying the best Perez bought the propertySpanish in the go. Las Bri2005 innews theon exclusive sas urbanisation which offers majestic views of the coastline near Port d’Andratx and Cala Llamp from the Puig de Marmacén mountains. Boasting two swimming pools, a gym, beautiful gardens, a small heliport and a gym, Villa Yasmin has a main The Olive Press villa next to two other buildings. One TOP of Perez’s neighbour for news in Spain! is said to have been British journalist Selina Scott, King SANTANDER Bank has Juan Carlos’s biographer and sold €10 billion of dismaker of the documentary A tressed Spanish property after its takeover of Banco Year In Spain. Perez also kept his yacht Piti- Popular. na III on the island, mooring In Spain’s largest-ever property sale, Santander it at Puerto Portals.

drid (144). Andalucia saw the largest number of sales altogether with some 8,551 sets of keys exchanging hands. Altogether, 44,135 homes were bought by new owners across Spain, the highest

number since February 2011, according to Spain’s Institute of National Studies (INE). In April, overall property sales across Spain had dipped by 8%, putting an end to 40 straight months of increases, before bouncing back in May and June.

‘Biggest ever’ sell-off

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Spanish bank Santander flogs housing stock to US investor for knockdown €10 billion

lar the rest. It comes two months after Santander rescued Banco Popular, snapping up the crippled bank for a fee of €1. The stock sold includes land, hotels, apartments and houses. Despite Spain’s booming property market, some half a million homes lay empty following a crippling recession from 2009 onwards. According to Spain’s Economic Ministry, more than a third of the €22 billion of foreign investment in Spain was from the property market.

sold the stock to US investor Blackstone Group as the country’s housing market continues to recover. The housing was originally worth €30 billion, but plummeted in value after Spain’s savage economic recession bit home. The deal will see a new company created with Blackstone owning 51% of the stock and Banco Popu-

Through the Portals CELEBRITY hotspot Portals Nous is one of Mallorca’s most sought-after locations. And with marina Puerto Portals offering a beautiful harbour, yachts of up to 60 metres can be berthed just some 10 km from Palma. International real estate experts Engel & Völkers are selling first-class apartments, starting from an average of €700,000 in the area. A spokesperson said: “You appreciate the qualities of a residential location with appealing shopping facilities, exquisite cuisine and pleasant climate in a tranquil setting, but would not want to miss the proximity to big city and travel opportunities? “A house or a villa in Portals can meet all these requirements.” Designer stores and boutiques and a fine range of high-end restaurants make this the perfect spot to snap up a luxurious holiday home.

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By Amanda Butler

Peace of history

Why this tranquil and historic southeast town could be the perfect spot for you

F Bulldozer for Franco leftover PALMA Town Hall has received two offers to demolish a banned Franco-era monument. In June, councillors voted that the Sa Feixina statue, which honours Nationalist dead from the Spanish Civil War, should be pulled down. The space is set to be paved over after completion of the demolition work, which is tipped to cost €170,000.

ELANITX is a small market town in the southeast corner of Mallorca just 45 minutes by car from Palma, and lying just 15 minutes inland from its closest sea port of Portocolom. It is set in beautiful countryside with both the Sanctuary Sant Salvador and Castle Santueri perched on hillsides looking down above the town and out to sea. The name Felanitx is derived from the Latin ‘Fenalicius’ which refers to haymaking, and the town had strategic importance in ancient times due to its far-reaching views from the hill sides. With evidence of it being a sacred place of worship since pre-historic times thanks to Bronze Age remains tracing back to 2200 BC, it was also one of the old Moorish strongholds of the island with the current

fortress walls at the Castle Santueri dating back to 903 AD. As its name implies, it offers fertile lands. In 1749 over 60 distilleries were recorded in the region, and today it is the second largest wine producing area in Mallorca, with Pla & Llevent producing both white and red award winning wines. The town is also known for its capers which are sold at its Sunday market and throughout Mallorca. There are also many shops, restaurants and bars to choose from locally. Further afield there is the 18 hole Vall dÓr golf course situated just 15 minutes drive away, and the yacht club of Portocolom a little further on. There are some beautiful beaches close by, again only 15 – 20 minutes drive including Cala Varques and Cala Sa Nau.

Propert y of the week

Beautiful Felanitx Finca with delightful views of the countryside and distant sea views towards Cabrera Stone faced finca set in 24000 m² of land offering the peaceful tranquility of the countryside yet less than 5 minutes to the town of Felanitx. Offering a light-filled and spacious living space of 440 m² with country kitchen and beamed ceilings. There are 3 large bedrooms en suite in the main house and 1 in the guest accommodations with potential to amplify property. Underfloor heating, satellite, landscaped gardens with orchard, pool and covered bbq outdoor dining area, and easy walking distance to the town and San Salvador. Good rental with license. Price: €2,350,000

Contact Amanda J Butler - +34690075169, www.mjcassociates.net. Your professional one stop property shop around the Island!

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Unlicensed homeowners to face €40,000 rental fine

Fine mess

NEW fines can now be imposed on Balearic Islands flats rented illegally to tourists. From Monday, the government can slap fines of up to €40,000 on homeowners who break the new law, a fivefold increase on the previous maximum penalty. Companies like Air BnB could be hit with a whopping €400,000 penalty. Tourism Minister Biel Barceló (Més) said the new sanctions will be easier to document and implement. He added the government wanted to promote tourism that was ‘sustainable, responsible and fair’. In Mallorca, there are currently 15 inspectors with five more set to be recruited.

Illegally

Altogether, there are 623,624 tourist spaces to rent in the Balearic Islands, said tourism minister Pilar Carbonell. During inspections made in April and July, some 350 apartments were found to be illegally rented out. Of those, 330 were found in April and 20 in July as homeowners grew wary of breaking the new law. Authorities have written to around 30 tourist accommodation websites, giving them 15 days from August 8 to adhere to the new rules or to face an automatic fine. Before a fine is issued, authorities must ascertain if a person renting a room for less than a month is a resident or a tourist.

August 17th- August 30th 2017 August 17th- August 30th 2017

1919

MORTGAGE THINK TANK

by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

N the real world, most people learn by their mistakes. But when it comes to picking a mortgage, you may only get one shot as it is virtually impossible to reverse a decision that goes against you! That is why it is essential not to make the wrong decision when choosing the right mortgage provider for you. But fear not that is what mortgage brokers are for! And while it may make sense to go to the experts for advice, there will always be those who think they know better and will still go it alone regardless… Good luck to them (they are going to need it). There are many hurdles that can trip you up when looking for a mortgage. Here are five of the most common mistakes made by buyers without a broker:

1) Hold the phone

When going it alone the internet is the place that most people start. From there they head to the telephone. Both bad decisions. Choosing a loan provider based on a telephone conversation or internet search is more likely to reveal the biggest liar rather than the best quote. In order to weed out the snakes, buyers need to understand the difference between posted prices and quoted prices. Posted prices are those that lenders distribute to their loan officers and place on their website and on other websites. The posted price is the price the lender would lock to a qualified borrower whose application has been fully processed. However, on the phone or via internet searches, buyers are more likely to come across quoted

One is the loneliest number Searching out a mortgage on your own can be a minefield of mistakes

prices: usually a low price communicated to the buyers in order to rope them in and move the process along until it is too late and the real price has skyrocketed. Long story short: the best deal is not online or over the phone! Beware catchy advertising

2) Flashy ads are a no go

If a mortgage lender is splashing big bucks on advertising, it means one of two things: The company is hugely successful and can afford to do so with no effect to its customers. Or - and much more common - its prices are going to be higher than its competitors to pay for the cost of mass advertising. Long story short, a buyer is more likely to find a good lender by picking a page in the yellow pages than they are by responding to an advert.

3)Tomorrow never comes

When shopping around it is important to remember that a quote from Bank A on Monday cannot be compared to Bank B on Tuesday. In other words, unless a buyer receives a quote from all lenders on the same day then they probably wasting their time. One of the values of a broker is the ability to approach multiple lenders at the same point in time to compare relevant prices.

4) Agreeing to incomplete T’s & C’s

Each loan agreement has many sub sections that must be ironed out before a complete quote can be formalised. However, lenders will offer buyers the opportunity to sign on the dotted line of a partially completed quote. This leaves the buyer vulnerable to hidden costs or rate increases at a later date. The crux of the point: don’t deal with lenders whose price quotes are incomplete.

5) Too quick to be true

When searching for a loan, a lender will need access to accurate information about the buyer e.g. annual income, credit score etc. If a lender is offering a quote before obtaining this information then alarm bells should be ringing! Like many things - especially in Spain - working out a loan takes time, and in this case there is good reason for it. The moral of the story: A simple way to avoid making these mistakes is to use a mortgage broker!

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

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High times

RYANAIR has overtaken Air Berlin as Mallorca’s most popular airline. The low-budget Irish airline carried 1.79 million passengers to or from Son Sant Joan airport in the first half of the year. German carrier Air Berlin lost 485,000 passengers during the

first six months of 2017, a 22% fall in business. During the same period, Ryanair gained 128,000 travellers with Vueling seeing a 132,000 increase. Norwegian saw one of the biggest leaps in the number of air travellers, with 454,000 more choosing to fly with them

Seabin scores new funding Plastic pollution campaigners win €350,000 grant

cal time for Seabin, with the initial crowdfunding seed capital coming to an end and then an emergency fund campaign to stay alive for the next two months before the anticipated commercial sales start this summer.” As well as a €350,000 grant, the team received a further €10,000 The new funding is set to be used to expand Seabin’s twoperson full-time team into a six or seven-person team. This month, Seabin reached

Sandy shores

Why it may be the right time to invest into the Spanish economy

EN years ago, no conversation with Spanish friends was complete without mentioning ‘la crisis’. The credit fuelled construction boom leading to bad debt and a dramatic property price collapse, combined with the global downturn, conspired to produce one of the worst financial problems in European history. Banks collapsed under the pressure of the bad loans and homeowners simply handed back the keys. Fast forward ten years and today we see a completely different Spain. Construction only represents around half of its previous weight in the Spanish economy, exports are up from 25% of the economy to 33%. Meanwhile, energy companies, banks and financial institutions (with the notable exception of Banco Popular) are posting huge growth in their values. All of this has sent the IBEX 35 ever higher with 19.66% growth this year to date. Even unemployment, traditionally Spain’s Achilles’ heel, has fallen from a peak of 26% to a still high 17.1%, according to the EU.

almost 120,000 likes on Facebook as the company’s popularity continues to grow. Last month, Seabin members took a series of photos showing the extent of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean waters. “The packaging on these ocean plastics ranged from English, Spanish, Moroccan and a plastic bag from the US Postal Service,” a spokesperson said. “We realized that we were surrounded in ocean plastics and had not seen a single fish.”

forecasts from the OECD and the IMF, may even be enough for Spain to begin to reduce the National Debt (currently 99% of Gross Domestic Product). All of this paints a very rosy picture for the future of

NEWS IN BRIEF

Tackling illegal selling A DOCUMENT to reduce illegal street selling is being drafted by the national government's delegation in the Balearics and the Guardia Civil. It comes after sellers have returned to the streets even after being charged.

Back to business THE continuous increase of Balearic companies, of almost 3% in the first half of 2017, has signaled that businesses are back to pre-crisis levels. This growth is predicted to continue.

No cheap holiday HOLIDAYMAKERS have been told to consdier avoiding Spain by travel agents TUI due to saturation of the market and price increases.

Fnance writer, Sandy Paterson, of Blacktower, who’s here to help make the most for your finances

Crisis, what Crisis?

Still a long way to go on this one particularly bearing in mind the youth unemployment rate of around 38%. Economic growth of 3.2% in both 2015 and 2016 and projected growth of 3% for 2017, according to

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August 17th- August 30th 2017

Double+TheolivepressEs Bubble BE ‘APPY! THE amount of British holidaymakers travelling to Spain has almost doubled over the last 20 years. According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics today, SpainDownload is the top our app now and UK holiday destination, with begin enjoying 12.9 Britons visiting last year, the best Spanish on the go. up from 6.9 millionnews in 1996. The figures also showed holidaymakers are rejecting Egypt, Tunisia and Kenya amid fears of future terrorist attacks. France has also seen its figures over the past 20 years drop from six million to 5.6 million last year. Olive Press The ONS said the The explosion in budget airlines offering cheap flights all over Europe TOP for news in Spain! could have also contributed to France’s downturn in popu- A MALLORCA company batlarity. tling ocean pollution has Belgium and Turkey, which scooped a new €350,000 fundhave seen devastating terror ing grant. attacks, have both dropped Seabin, the brainchild of Ausout of the top ten. tralian expats, was one of seven The series of statistics put out startups chosen from 700 at the by the ONS also showed that Holland event, which was run the traditional two-week holi- by booking.com. day is in decline as Brits are The team’s invention sits in mamore likely to opt for shorter rina waters and sucks in plastic breaks. from the harbour’s waters. They also revealed that The- So far, Seabin has been trialled resa May and Jeremy Corbyn in six locations, including Mal– who holidayed in Italy and lorca, and is about to be put Croatia respectively – are on the market for commercial bang on trend as both coun- sales worldwide. tries are enjoying a British A Seabin spokesperson said: tourism boom. “The funding comes at a criti-

August 17th- August 30th 2017

the Spanish economy with of years, but a longer view most economic commenta- may be needed. Consider tors agreeing the tide has the backdrop of the fallturned and Spain is on the ing exchange rate between up. GBP and Euro, the possibili“That’s all great” I hear you ty that the UK economy may say, “but how be overcan us Expats heated, benefit?” over-priced If my expeand due a rience with It may be pruder to correction, clients is anyunthink of the wider Brexit thing to go certainty by, the major- market rather than and politiity of, for excal instajust the UK ample British bility and Expats, still it may be have their prudent to i nve s t m e n t s think of the in UK assets and in Ster- wider market rather than ling, despite living in Spain just the UK. and needing Euros to fund With that in mind it may be their lifestyle. This may an idea to consider investhave been relatively good ing in the economy of the news from a growth point country in which you live of view over the last couple and take advantage of the

upturn in the Spanish economy to improve your personal economic situation in the process. There are a large number of investment funds which invest either wholly or in part (via a European fund) in the Spanish stock market. Tax-efficiency is important when considering the most appropriate Financial Instruments in which to hold the investment to make the most of your money. Expats can access investment in Spain via Pension (QROP’s, International Self Invested Pensions), Lump sum investments via Spanish Tax Compliant Bonds (more on these in a future article) or monthly Savings Plans. Exactly how this is structured needs to take account of your circumstances, risk profile and many other factors. Maybe it is time to think outside the box, what do you think? Got a question? Then Ask the Expert and drop Sandy a line. Sandy Paterson DipFA, CeMAP, MLIBF - International Financial Adviser Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd – Mallorca Office Tel: 971 42 59 86 Email: sandy.paterson@ blacktowerfm.com Web: www.blacktowerfm. com/locations/mallorca

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

22 22

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Driven to distraction

CAR-RENTAL firms have denied saturating Balearic Islands’ roads this summer. Representatives from Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt rejected accusations that subsidiary, low-cost rental firms hadn’t subscribed to a government code of good practice. A spokesperson from car-hire rental body ANEVAL, which represents Spain’s five largest car-hire companies, met with government officials to discuss the issue recently. The ANEVAL spokesperson expressed ‘Profound concern about information published recently that indicates the carhire sector is partly responsible for road saturation.’ The official went on to state ANEVAL shared the government’s concerns over ‘the environment and the preservation of the islands’ roads’. The government is exploring ways of limiting ca-hire number in the Balearic Islands. Currently, only 20 out of 140 rental firms inform the government of the number of cars they rent. Official figures show there are 41,000 rental cars on the island, with the real figure thought to be closer to 100,000.

Yoke’s on EU

Spanish airport workers threaten 25day walkout over pay AIRPORT staff are threatening to paralyse Spanish airports with a wave of strikes. Unions CC.OO, UGT and USO vowed to walk out over 25 days from next month if their pay demands aren’t met. Workers’ representatives issued an ultimatum to airport operators AENA, giving bosses until August 16 to respond. “There are places of work where employment precariousness is extremely high, jeopardizing the safety of operations and the quality of services,” a statement from the workers read. If the strikes to ahead, they would interrupt some of Spain’s busiest holiday periods, including the puente bank-holiday breaks in October, November and December. Staff are angry about an 8% cut in their salaries since 2010 and the proposed axing of jobs with AENA and 250 with ENAIRE

Strike misery? MERCADONA has opened a new revamped store in Palma de Mallorca. The supermarket, situated on Calle Cottliure, features new designs to improve shoppers’ experiences. The €1.4 million makeover

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Notaries and Supreme Court at war over validity of powers of attorney (POA)

Take note

ccording to the General Council of Notaries, these highly qualified professionals fulfil an essential part of the judicial life of this country by bringing legal security and certainty. Their website states the following: “Notaries are state civil servants required to provide citizens with the legal certainty guaranteed by Article 9 of the Spanish Constitution within the context of extrajudicial legal dealings.” A recent ruling by the Supreme Court - and more so a previous one of 2013 - seem to cast doubt over such convincing and forceful statement in respect to one the main functions of Notaries: granting POAs and their presupposed validity if the grantor challenges them in court. The 2013 sentence - supported by a prior one of 2010 - shook the notarial establishment when it declared that POAs to settle, dispose of, mortgage or perform any other act inherent to ownership (art. 1713) would have to […] clearly specify the object and subject, in a clearly defined and predetermined manner. The high tribunal’s interpretation of general POAs to sell or mortgage is thus far-reaching: if the POA does not specify the property or the lender, the transaction can be rendered null and void. Again, in 2016, the Supreme Court stated that those transactions where such POAs were used could also be declared null and void where the recipient abused or exceeded the instruction. This is how the Court explained it: […] In this context, the will of the parties stands as the guiding interpretation

SPAIN is hoping to up its EU egg exports as a Europe-wide crisis deepens. Thousands of eggs from Holland contaminated with a toxic insecticide are believed to have been sold to Germany, France, Sweden and Switzerland with millions of eggs destroyed. Spain is the third biggest exporter of eggs in the EU, with Holland number one, and could now see exports rocket. “Although we still don’t know how things will work out, Spain could end up seizing part of the Dutch market,” said Maria del Mar Fernandez director of the Spanish Association of Egg Producers.

Supermarket sweep

AGONY Property ANT

August 17th- August 30th 2017 August 17th- August 30th 2017

criteria, ruling out an automatic or mechanical reliance on the literality of the POA granted, but principally on the intention and will of the grantor to establish the purpose and sense of the instruction. And secondly, the obligations of fidelity and loyalty are indispensable guidelines connected to carrying out the instruction. The importance of these rulings (dated 2013 and 2016) is that they rendered a Deed of Gift and a deed of sale of shares null and void, even if the POAs were - allegedly - properly granted in front of notary public, with all the required solemnities and formalities. For its part, notaries believe that their job is separate from that of courts and that the above rulings represent solutions to specific disputes brought before them.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

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Columnists

Mallorca diaries

Food for thought

Marbella diaries By

Natalie Rose Kern

By Lesley Keith

HIS week I’ve finally been looking at TV options. Being a founding member of the Olympic procrastination team, I had hoped it would have just sorted itself out by now. But having lived here for several months, I have realised I really need to do something to improve my viewing enjoyment. When we first arrived all those months ago we were in a friend’s place. There was no WIFI and only Spanish TV. Now TV is one of those subjects that I never think people are particularly honest about. They say things like ‘Oh I never really watch it’ or the usual ‘Load of rubbish on the telly’. But when you go to their homes the TV is always on, day and night, and they pay substantial sums for the privilege. This makes me think that whatever we say, TV is a very important part of our lives and if it was taken away we’d suffer badly. So we were in our friend’s flat with approximately 20 channels. Surely, we thought, there must be something worth a look at there. However we soon realised these channels never changed their content, instead only showing episodes of the same type of programmes over and over again. We basically had the following options; two Spanish news channels, three children’s channels showing non-stop cartoons, two supposed Spanish comedy channels, one with dreadful vintage cowboy B films, six German channels, a local Mallorcan news channel using only Mallorquina, two channels showing badly dubbed US cop dramas, and one showing very strange sports (for instance women’s veteran basketball or paraplegic volleyball). There were also two channels in English showing dysfunctional and ugly people living in remote and very dirty places or buying and selling things loudly with a lot of swearing and arguments, and finally a channel totally dedicated

August 17th- August 30th 2017 August 17th- August 30th 2017

Why is there so much hate for vegans?

Can’t switch off Life without British TV has been harder than new expat Lesley had anticipated

to showing ‘Walker, Texas Rang- gested trying filmonTV.com. With er’ and nothing else. That was my this I could pull up any channel favourite, but for some reason my in the world using my ancient partner refused to watch. He was laptop. Easy, free, versatile, what probably jealous of his white hat. could be better? Great, except Another joy was that all chan- we had no WIFI! Well, we thought nels had commercials which ap- we did from the restaurant downpeared with no warning whatso- stairs, but the swines closed for ever. What seems to be the case the winter the week after we got is that after watching approxi- there taking their WIFI with them, mately 40 minutes of your pro- how very inconsiderate! We begramme these friended some adverts cut in, other residents usually mid-senand they let us tence, and go on theirs, sadly I want Strictly, I use for long enough as they were for you to do want Corrie and I two floors up your weekly this was only shopping or re- want The Antiques strong enough decorate a bedif we stood on Roadshow room. The prothe kitchen gramme returns worktop and it for another two wasn’t raining. to three minutes By the time we’d and then a second slot of adverts moved to our own place and got appear. You have to really want to real WIFI setup, this option was know how things finish to stick it no longer on offer so we had to out to the end. think again. To be fair once the After some continual moaning to clocks went forward and the friends about this someone sug- warmer brighter weather arrived

it really wasn’t such an issue. If desperate I could tolerate a quick fix of ‘Pawn Shop Wars’ or ‘Mountain Men’, however the thought of another winter without familiar UK TV does not appeal. I want Strictly, I want Corrie and I want The Antiques Roadshow and frankly I don’t care who knows it! As I said at the beginning we don’t seem to be very honest about our viewing habits and if it’s a winter’s night and cold, damp and dark outside what could be better than snuggling down with Grantchester or Britain’s Got Talent? Mind you I’ll have to cope with that weekly disappointment that is Match of the Day, where I wait up until midnight to see that Crystal palace, my beloved team, are only being shown for two minutes despite winning 3 -0. (Yeah, right….). Maybe I could forego that. This is all supposition of course because unless I actually get something sorted it’ll be more black and white evenings of Jack Palance on a black horse doing dastardly things to the good guys. Today, I’ll do it today….

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HEN I was seventeen, I had a boyfriend who was a vegetarian. My father – a macho, perma-tanned Robert De Niro-style character, automatically assumed he was gay, because ‘all real men eat meat’ and so when we broke up a few years later, it came as no surprise to him, because ‘David always batted for the other side anyway.’ David has been happily married for ten years now. To a woman. Imagine though, my father's horror upon discovering that his own flesh and blood would one day become vegetarian – or vej-ans as my father calls us, as he announces in dismay to our waiter at a family outing upon his visit last week. "They're vej-ans, can you believe this? I don't know what I've done wrong! I've got children who are vej-ans!" The waiter looks mildly amused and my siblings and I smile uncomfortably. This is my father's noun; 'The vejan'. Vegetarians are vejans, vegans are vejans, anyone who does yoga is a vejan and anyone who shops organic or favours homeopathic remedies over pharmaceuticals is also a vejan. Artists are vejans, feminists are vejans, activists are vejans, anti-establishmentarians are vejans and anyone who supports Jeremy Corbyn is probably a vejan too. "My youngest is a university student, so it's to be expected that she would be a vejan," he continues, in a lamenting monologue to the waiter. "But my Nattie, you cannot imagine how she used to love her meat. Even as a baby she would chew on a juicy lamb chop with gravy all over her chubby face!" ‘Oh save me’, I think, feeling the colour rushing to my cheeks, as the waiter looks meekly in my direction. "That's not a problem," he tells my father, "We have a wide range of dishes for vegetarians and vegans alike," and my father nods while holding his head in his hands in mock despair. I read a Facebook post this week that went viral about a young vegan holidaying in Malaga whose salad was not up to her expectations. But it was the comments underneath left me wondering why there is so much animosity towards those who have removed animals from their diets. My father is not an exception - in fact, my father is like so many others who will not hear or accept anything other than what he has always believed. And this has nothing to do with meat. It has to do with change. He believes that ‘vejanism’ is a trend, a fad, a fashion, while failing to realise

ANIMAL LOVER: ‘The Monkey’

that it's a movement towards a more conscious way of living. The movement away from meat products is surging – veganism alone has increased by 500% since 2014, spurred on my documentaries such as If Slaughterhouses had Glass Walls, Cowspiracy, Earthlings and the latest Netflix series to be taking the world by storm, What the Health. Of course, my father refuses to watch any of these movies or TV shows - perhaps because deep down he knows that, were he to watch them, he might have to make a conscious decision about so many of his life choices and beliefs, after all, ignorance is bliss. Social media has played a great role in spreading awareness, not only about the inhumane suffering of animals and the destruction of the planet, but also the antibiotics, puss and poisons we are inadvertently feeding our bodies. Is it any wonder that obesity, cancer and other fatal illnesses are at an all-time high despite medical advances, and that our bodies are sicker than ever before. I suppose what people hate most about vegans is being preached to. And yes, many of them can seem preachy. It's like carbon emissions, recycling and the volume of plastic in our seas... it's an inconvenient truth. And one that gets in the way of our comfortable existence – but at what expense? I know that with characters such as my father, preaching is of little good, so instead I send him links to documentaries shows such as What the Health, so that he is free to make up his own mind. But sometimes the simplest wisdom comes from a nineyear-old boy, as I discovered last week, when The Monkey was asking for new ways to entertain himself (yes, the endless summer holidays are still ongoing!) "I'd like to do some graffiti on walls," he announced casually, and I reprimanded him explaining why graffiti is bad."Yes," he nodded, "But I would just do a picture of a big dog and it would say 'Would you eat your dog?' That's all I would do... and then people would see it and think about it." Food for thought indeed.

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OlivePressNewspaper olivepress olivepressnews +TheolivepressEs Grapes of wrath BE ‘APPY!

August 17th- August 30th 2017

EU’s crop plague fears

THE price of grapes has leapt to an all-time high as demand for Mallorca wine continues to soar. The average price of a kilo of grapes is now €1.30 Download app now and compared to 90ourcents ten years ago, hike the of best over beginaenjoying Spanish 40%, according to presi- Brussels news on the go. dent of Binissalem Denominacion de Origen, officials admit José Luis Rose. A shortage of grapes has olive and seen prices rocket, with almond blight wineries now sowing their own vineyards to lessen is beyond reliance on the market. control

The Olive Press EU officials have admitted Pricier they are powerless to halt

a plague scything through But Mallorca re-Spain! TOP for wines news in main pricier than other Spanish crops. mainland Spanish De- The Xylella blight has hit nominacion de Origen almond, plum and olive trees as well as bushes and wines, such as Rioja. “The price depends on the shrubbery, as a Brussels type of contract you have audit claims the situation irreversible. with the owner, the grape is The disease has devastated variety and the type of large swathes of Mallorca’s vineyard,” said Rose. countryside, with the EU “Here we pay a lot more, now saying ‘the eradication almost triple, than for ex- of Xylella will be very hard ample in La Rioja. We can to achieve’. not compete with the Pen- Current EU laws say a insula." Last year’s drought also pushed up prices, added Rose. This year’s Binissalem harvest began last week, one week earlier than in 2017, with the recent heatwave accelerating the growth of the grapes.

Out to lunch IT’S the Spanish court sandwich break ruling that’s sure to send the bread rolls flying. A High Court judge has decided employees at a Valencia orange juice company don’t have the right to be paid for half of their 15-minute daily bocadillo break. Bosses at Zumos Valencianos del Mediterráneo stopped paying staff for half the time taken, with the court backing their decision this month. Union officials had called for 7.5 minutes of the daily break to be paid to their members.

IN DANGER: Spain’s olive trees three-hectare clear area should be cut around any affected zone.

Troubling times THE US Department of Commerce has launched an investigation to determine whether or not Spanish olive farmers are dumping their products in the US market. They also want to know if they are being ‘unfairly favoured’ by the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy program’s subsidies, thus violating fair trade laws. Spanish table olive producers are growing concerned over the possibility of facing harsh protectionist measures. “Dumped and subsidized Spanish ripe olives are severely impacting our industry,” said the CEO of US company Bell-Carter Foods, Tim Carter. Dumping, which is viewed as a means to hurt American producers, is illegal under US law. If the government uncovers unfair practices through dumping and subsidization it could announce sanctions on Spanish table olive imports as soon as September of 2017.

Meat mugger A THIEF who stole 80 kg of Mallorca delicacy sobrasada has been jailed for a year. The meat-loving burglar broke into a finca near Andratx and made off with some €1,440. A judge suspended the sentence for a year on the condition the male intruder repays the value of the stolen food. The man, who pleaded guilty at a Palma court, broke into the farmhouse before making off with the spreadable meat, which fetches up to €18 a kilo.

So far, 351 cases of the bacteria have been reported in Spain, with more than half reported in Mallorca. The Mallorca Council’s environment department fears more almond crops will be affected in the coming weeks. The variety of plants affected as well as the presence of different strains of the bacteria have complicated the battle to contain Xylella. The first Spanish outbreak was reported in Mallorca in October 2016, with three cherry trees infected. The European Commission describes Xylella as ‘one of the most dangerous plant bacteria worldwide, causing a variety of diseases, with huge economic impact for agriculture, public gardens and the environment’.

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Don’t worry, be hoppy! Danielle Fortuna dons her beer goggles to tap into the brewtiful history of Spanish cerveza

T’S hard to picture summer without the accompanying image of a condensation-coated glass, filled to the brim with ice-cold beer and placed beside a plate of tapas. Seeing that Spain is Europe’s fourth largest beer producer, right behind Germany, the UK and Poland, and that the average Spaniard consumes anywhere from 46 to 86 litres of it per year, it seems that most inhabitants of Spain would not disagree with this statement. Beer’s introduction here is usually attributed to Roman Emperor Charles V, who gained power of Spain in 1516. Charles hailed from the ale-drinking

nation of Flanders (modern-day Belgium). So that he could continue to enjoy beer in a country that strongly favored wine, he ordered brew masters to accompany him to Spain, and even had a brewery opened along the Manzanares’ River. His son Philip II opened more breweries when he came to power after his father’s death. Yet despite the growing industry, the beverage remained widely unpopular. Some historians attributed its lack of favour to the people’s dislike of the emperor; others said that it remained runner-up to wine because wine was tastier and cheap.

The beer downer continued until vesa has different names depending around the 20th century, when ma- on the glass it is served in. A caña jor breweries such as Aguila, Cruz- is a small glass often served with tapas, the idea being campo and Damm that the beer won’t be began opening. Beer warm by the time you became cheaper than wine, and the The word cerveza are done drinking it. emperor’s strange comes from the If you have a stronger thirst, you can order a choice of beverage became the staple Gallo-Roman word tubo, a tall, thin glass, or a pinta, pint. and beloved cerveza cerevisia What is poured into of Spain. the glass also differs, The word cerveza depending what region comes from the Gallo-Roman word cerevisia, which was you are in. In Spain, the beer indusmeant to honor the Roman Goddess try is dominated by breweries such of the harvest, Ceres. In Spain, cer- as Heineken España, Mahou-San

Miguel, Damm, Hijos de Rivera, Alhambra and Ambar. If you are walking along the streets of any town in Andalucia, you’ll be very unlikely not to encounter at least one Cruzcampo sign hanging above a restaurant doorway. Cruzcampo, a Heineken España product, dominates in Southern Spain. Mahou is prominent in Castilla, while San Miguel claims the market in the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, the Basque region and Navarra. Ambar is popular in Aragon, Estrella Damm in Catalonia and Estrella Galicia in Galicia. Raise your glasses as we take a pub crawl through Spain’s top breweries.

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Cruzcampo MAPPED: Where each beer dominates in Spain by sales

This Sevilla-based brewery, also with a footprint in Jaen, has been owned by Dutch brewmasters Heineken since 1991, and is the biggest-selling beer in Spain, as well as one of the top selling brands in Europe. Founded in 1904 by two brothers, the name came from the phrase, la cruz del campo, which means ‘the cross of the field’, and refers to the location of the first factory. A very popular choice in Andalucia, this company was the first to produce a cerveza sin - beer without alcohol. Their latest product is a malty premium Gran Reserva 1904 (6.4%), which costs €2.50.

MahouSan Miguel This company was born in the fields of Manila, where Spanish Monks brewed it in the San Miguel district of the Philippines’ capital. In 1957, a Spanish businessman bought the rights to the beer and started producing it in Spain, where it became part of the Mahou-San Miguel Group. Now widely popular, this company controls 30% of the Spanish market. In 2004, they introduced the first organic beer to Spain, San Miguel ECO, and also have an apple, alcohol-free beer. The San Miguel factory in Malaga even welcomes visitors to make an appointment and experience the brewery for themselves. Their highest ranked products are the Mahou Maestra (7.5%) at €2, and the San Miguel 1516 (4.2%) at €0.80.

Alhambra As you probably guessed by the name, this beer originates from Granada, its two lions symbol referencing the Patio de los Leones at the Alhambra Palace. Partly owned by Andalucia’s first independent brewery, Alhambra SL, and now by Mahou-San Miguel, its Cordoba factory boasts a production of 60,000 cans per hour. Alhambra even dedicated a red ‘Abbey’ beer to the city of Cordoba, called the Mezquita (7.2%), which sells for about €2. The Alhambra 1925 (6.4%) was featured as one of Spain’s best beers, costing €1 and available in most supermarkets.

Damm Founded in 1876 by August Küntzmann after he and his wife fled Alsace and the Franco-Prussian War, this lager-producing company is based in Barcelona, and is the oldest in Spain. The beer they brewed was lighter than central European ales and more suitable to the warmer, Mediterranean climate. Now the most dominant brand in Catalonia, Damm’s Inedit (4.8%), priced at €3.95, and Vall-Damm Doble Malta (7.2%), priced at €1.10, are two of Spain’s highest-rated beers.

Hijos de Rivera (Estrella Galicia) Not to be confused with Estrella Damm, this completely family-owned business was started in 1906 by Jose Maria Rivera Corral after he returned to La Coruña from his travels in Cuba and Mexico. Unsurprisingly, this beer dominates the market in the Galicia area. One of their top-ranked tipples is Estrella Galicia 1906 (6.5%, €0.80), a malt-flavored beer with toffee, flower and herb undertones, which was created to commemorate the company’s anniversary.

La Zaragozana Group (Ambar) Aragon’s abundant barley inspired a group of friends to set up this brewery in 1900. They then took it on a promotional tour, after which it became well-known in London and Paris as well as Madrid. Today, the Ambar Export Tres Maltas (7%), an extra lager priced at €0.90, is considered one of the top beers in Spain. Based in Zaragoza, the brewery always welcomes guests, inviting them to see and enjoy this ‘live museum of beer’.

Mallorca, Sullerica

THE Orange Express is the charming 19th century train that chugs from Soller to Palma. And a refreshing citrus tang marks out local tippler Sullerica. Spain’s growing fascination for craft beers has spread to Mallorca, with this Soller brewery pumping out four different orange-scented ales. Founder Guillem Coll was determined to add an essence of what made Soller special, with orange blossom added to his enticing brew. A golden ale, a dark-brown ale, a mild wheat beer and a strong bitter with an intense flavour are enough to satisfy any beer-drinker's palette. Sadly, though, this is mainly a Mallorca secret, with Sullerica available only at points around the island.

Wheel ale IF you have a thirst for something more adventurous than a brewery tour but still want to taste Spain’s speciality tipples, why not hop on a beer bike? The activity is exactly as it sounds; you sit on a communal bike that doubles as a bar, and enjoy different types of beer while pedalling through the city, quenching your thirst in the cooling breeze. You can find them in Tarifa, Sevilla and Granada this summer, and in Cordoba during September. If that sounds too much like hard work, many food and tapa tours in Malaga and Granada include beer tastings where you can enjoy your cerveza at a more chilled pace. Salud!

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+TheolivepressEs Tyre-d+TheolivepressEs out BEBE‘APPY! ‘APPY!

Alive and kicking FORMER Barcelona striker Neymar said he feels ‘more alive than ever’ after marking his Paris St-Germain debut with a goal and an assist at Guingamp. The 25-year-old became the most expensive play-

er in history when he joined PSG from Barcelona for €222 million euros this month. He set up Edinson Cavani for his side's opener on Sunday before scoring the final goal in a 3-0 victory.

SPANISH cycling champion Alberto Contador is set for retirement after the Vuelta a Espana this September. The twice tour de France winner announced the end of his 14-year cycling career BUZZING: Neymar Download Download ourourapp appnow nowand and on his Instagram account on Monday. begin beginenjoying enjoyingthethebest bestSpanish Spanish "I am retiring from profesnews news on on the the go. go. sional cycling. I say this happy and without sadness. “It's a decision I have thought over very well and I don't think there is a better farewell than in the race in my country. I hope it will be three wonderful weeks," he said of the September 10 race. The TheOlive OlivePress Press Contador won his first Tour de France in 2007, and his TOPfor fornews newsininSpain! Spain! second in 2009. TOP He also won the 2010 race, but was stripped of the title in 2012 after testing CRISTIANO Ronaldo has been given a five-match ban after pushing a refpositive for the banned sub- eree during a game. stance clenbuterol at the It is the first time the 32-year-old has been sent off during El Clasico race, which he blamed on a against Barcelona. contaminated steak. It comes as he faces allegations of defrauding Spain by not paying tax on As well as his Tour victo- the sale of image rights. ries, he won the 2008 and He has also received a €2,900 fine for the incident on August 13, which 2015 Giros and the Vuelta came after Burgos Bengoetxea penalised Ronaldo with two yellow cards in 2008, 2012 and 2014. during the Camp Nou game - the first for taking off his shirt to flex his muscles, and the second for diving. The Real Madrid player has now missed the second leg in Madrid and will not play four La Liga matches. Madrid side took the lead early in the second half through an own goal from Gerard Pique but Barcelona levelled the field thanks to a penalty goal by Luis Suárez. Ronaldo scored with a strike to make it 2-1 in the 80th minute, after which Marco Asensio scored following a lethal counter attack which secured the team’s fate. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 11 goals in his last 11 games at Camp Nou. CIAO: To Contador He has appeared in 28 El Clasico games.

Pushy

"People think that leaving Barca is to die, but it's the opposite," he said. "I'm more alive than ever. I play, I am very happy and football is the same. Only the country, the city and the team change, but football is the same."

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ON THE BENCH: Cristiano Ronaldo

RAFAEL Nadal is set to return to world number one for the first time in three years after Roger Federer withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters with a back injury. The Swiss star, ranked No. 3, is sidelined along with No 1 Andy Murray, No 4 Stan Wawrinka, No 5 Novak Djokovic and defending champion and world number six Marin Cilic, leaving Nadal as the top-seeded player remaining in the draw. "It's just coincidence," he said. "We're not 20 years old any more. We're not playing all the weeks. It's part of our sport. I've been in their position lots of times. I've missed more events than the other players. It's part of the game. I wish them all a speedy recovery. We need them in the game. I hope they get back soon." It means Nadal will return to the top spot when new ATP rankings are released next week. "It's been tough to get back to No. 1," he said. "I'm happy to have the chance to be in that position.”

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STYLISH: Borromeo

Monaco marvels STYLISH Monaco royal Beatrice Borromeo was on hand to cheer on hubby Pierre Casiraghi during this month’s Copa del Rey MAPFRE. The 32-year-old journalist rocked up in a boho-chic pair of cut-off jean shorts and a white shirt as Casiraghi competed in the GC 32 class on Malizia. Borromeo is known for her casual but classy dress sense, once remarking ‘I'm a reporter, and I have the salary of a reporter.I'm not going to put half of my salary into a pair of shoes.’ Casiraghi secured a famous win during Day Four of the regatta

Olympic king THE King of Spain has joined Barcelona’s ‘92 Olympic sailing heroes at Mallorca’s Copa del Rey MAPFRE on Wednesday. King Felipe attended the ceremony at the Real Club Náutico de Palma on the 25th anniversary of the games being held in the Catalan capital. Alejandro Blanco, the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee, was among the dignitaries also in attendance. An invitation was given to all Spain’s sailing regatta competitors from the Barcelona games. Blanco said the group’s achievements ‘made us tall’. “The have written in golden letters most shining pages of sailing and also of sport,” he continued.

Science break A LUXURY scientific yacht set to sail round the world for three years docked in Mallorca this month. The Yersin stopped off in Palma ahead of its mammoth navigation of the globe, part of a fact-finding mission sponsored by the Prince Albert of Monaco. Alvaro de Marichalar and his 35-strong crew are set to explore the ocean world with the project funded the Prince Albert’s Monaco Foundation “It’s a life dream and took ten years of work to get to this point of departure,” said Yersin owner Francois Fiat. “It is exhilarating to see this project realized which also has real scientific ambition.. The themes of the missions were determined by scholars from all over the world and with the encouragement of Prince Albert II.”

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August 17th- August 30th 2017

Momo, there’s no limits German crew toast Copa del Rey MAPFRE win in Maxi 72 class

MOMO secured victory in the Maxi 72 class in this month’s record-breaking Copa Del Rey MAPFRE. The German crew toasted their regatta success back at Palma’s Royal Club Nautica after holding off three other teams, including Cannonball, who won races on Friday and Saturday.

THOUGHTS: With Nietos

Angel ashes scattered

Shocking

Owner Dieter Schon’s win means Momo are the third different Maxi 72 ship to win a fleet regatta this season, picking up victory in the biggest-ever Copa del Rey with 138 crews taking part, Tactician Marcus Wieser said: “Dieter Schön our owner put in a lot of effort after a shocking year last year. We were not fast. “We changed some of our sails, some of our trimmers and the whole set up. Now it is coming together. We are relieved as much as anything after the work we put in.” Pedro Campos, the Copa Del Rey’s most successful ever skipper, secured his tenth

win after coming from behind to claim the BMW ORC 2 trophy with Sum Innovation. Campos said: “It’s beautiful but I think this has been my hardest Copa and the one I’ve enjoyed the most because we started with

problems, mistakes, bad luck… Three days ago wining seemed impossible, but here we are!” Meanwhile, Rats on Fire powered past King Felipe’s Aifos to take the BMW ORC 1 class after the king’s crew

had led all week. British boat Alegre won a fiercely contested Mallorca Sotheby’s IRC class. In the BMW ORC 2 class, Malaga crew Grupo Ceres toasted their third Copa del Rey victory.

THE family of Spanish Grand Prix legend Angel Nieto have scattered his ashes from a Balearic yacht. Nieto, who died aged 70 on August 3 after being hit by a car Ibiza the previous week, won 13 Grand Prix motorcycling races. Some of his ashes were dropped into the Mediterranean off the coast of the island of Es Vedrá, near Ibiza, by his widow and sons. The rest have been taken to Madrid where a number of tributes will be held in his honour

Boats, bikes and automobiles…

Royal approval

Summer has flashed by again - but with an extra special visitor this year

HAT a busy month it has been on the water! After the spectacular TP 52 Super Series took place out of Puerto Portals, it was straight off to

one of the Mediterranean's most important regattas – the Copa del Rey hosted by Real Club Nautico Palma. This - combined with one of the most intense Mediterranean heatwaves that we have seen for years - was unquestionably the hottest week of my life.. In cricketing terms, it would be fair to say that we didn't really 'trouble

Boat of the Week

the scorers', it being a new boat and a new crew from the start of the week, emphasising again the importance of teamwork in sailing and why it is such a popular team building exercise for the corporations that utilise the sport. In spite of the sweltering heat and obscene amounts of Aquarius drunk by all on board, it was magnificent to be out there with so many amazing boats, current America's Cup and past Olympic sailors - not to forget His Majesty King Felipe of Spain.

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Talking of whom, I was pretty Memorial Classic Car Show in impressed His Majesty stayed Palma on August 23. to mix among the crowd at the I arrived on this island a little post event prize-giving and pose over two years ago, on the for endless selfsame weekies with happy end that Russweaty yachtssell, the former man. I cannot manager of quite see Queen driving MallorElizabeth doing ca, was killed that... He is no in an AC Cobra slouch on the on his way to water either a children's with his Olymcharity event at pic credentials, Llucmajor racalthough would ing circuit. perhaps have His contribubeen disaption to the pointed with founding and his fourth place early success in this year’s of the club is event, having undeniable awarded The and each year King’s Cup to RIP: Russell Stevens around 100 of himself on occasions in the past the island's finest classic cars It seems scarcely believable that meet to celebrate his life and it is nearly September already enthusiasm. So I suggest anywithin an endless stream of bril- one able to come along to The liant events making the summer Boat House restaurant and pass in a flash. bar on the Paseo Maritimo in However, late summer also Palma does so, and that they blows the klaxon for the begin- will enjoy a wonderful evening ning of the classic car season of noisy, beautiful cars, great in Mallorca which kicks off with food and a wonderful event to the wonderful Russell Stevens commemorate his life.

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Doggy doo Clean Up WASTE management firm Calvia 2000 and the town hall are collaborating with the Balearic Red Cross on a new beach dog poo clean-up initiative. No Más Colillas En El Suelo De Las Playas de Mallorca, takes place on August 18 on the beach of Es Carregador in Palmanova. Local volunteers will be cleaning the beach and collecting abandoned dog poo. The Red Cross will also be bringing awareness to smokers about discarding cigarette ends on beaches and roads.. The group will be handing out reusable ash trays to the area which has been funded by the Mallorca Live Festival 2017 proceeds. All are welcome to join in the beach clean which starts at 5pm, or are encouraged to take action at a beach closer to home.

Vol. 1 Issue 9

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They’ve really teed us off! A SUPERYACHT owner has been filmed firing golf balls into the sea from his luxury boat. Environmentalists from Terraferida posted a video of the man and a friend teeing off as the vessel was moored near sa Foradada.

The campaigners, who recently published a video of a tourist flying by helicopter to swim at a protected beauty spot, blasted the golfer and put a link on Facebook tracking his yacht. “We are told that he did not put up a net or send anyone to pick up the

balls,” a Terraferida spokesperson said. “When one of the crew noticed the recording he ran to cover the name of the ship.” The yacht made its way to Soller following the impromptu round of golf.

Safety first IT has to be one of the most horny heists ever. Three suspected thieves have been arrested in Catalunya after stealing €1,000 of dildos, condoms and sex aids from a shop vending machine. The randy Romanian group were caught on camera clambering over a wall into a store near Tarragona before scarpering

Sex-mad thieves make off with vibrators and condoms worth €1,000

with their swag. Altogether, more than 300 condoms, ten vibrators, ten fake vaginas and 12 sets of female vagina balls were swiped by the optimistic opportunists. They first tried to steal

A SPANISH restaurant owner has spoken out after a British vegan blasted his salad on Twitter. “We are not a vegetarian restaurant, never mind vegan,” the owner of the Malaga Bahia eatery Ruben Gómez explained to press. “At the entrance to our restaurant we have a counter full of different cuts of steak, but we make every effort to ensure our vegetarian and vegan clients are well served.” It comes after British blogger Gabbie Jarvis’s tweet of her ‘minimalist’ tomato and onion salad went viral (above). The tweet, which she has now deleted, received at least 1,100 replies, 16,000 retweets and 61,000 likes. Gomez added that there were dozens of ingredients she could have added. The blogger has now shut down her Twitter account altogether.

the items by putting their arms into the vending machine before scaling the partition. Cash and sweets were also stolen by the gang, who were aged 17-20. One of the defendants has three previous convictions. It is not known how many of the condoms were recovered.

Snappy snap

Third time unlucky WE’VE all had trouble trying to find a summer parking space in Mallorca. But one motorist took matters into his own hands when he plonked his car on top of a garden wall near Font de Sant Joan, an area popular with Prince Harry. Astonishingly, it is the third time a car has landed in the same house’s garden. The dozy driver lost control of his rental vehicle and plummeted 15 metres from the road before coming to rest on a stone wall. The unnamed 40-year-old was uninjured after careering from the Ma-1031 from Andratx to Capdella at 5.30am. One local resident described his lucky escape as ‘a miracle’.

A GERMAN holidaymaker had a rude awakening when he checked his phone after a heavy Mallorca night out. Fliegbert Von Sichthofen and a pal were sleeping in their hotel room when a mystery woman snuck in and took a photo of herself next to the dozing duo. In the morning, Von Sichthofen found the snap of a woman blowing a kiss next to the blissfully unaware dozing duo “Looking for the unknown woman who came to our room last night, took my phone and took a photo of us,” he posted “Who are you?? And how did you come to us??” Fortunately the pair were introduced the following morning with ‘mystery’ snapper Eva-Marie Lechner revealing Von Sichthofen had fallen for her friend. “I just saw the open door and grabbed the phone and took the picture,” she told the Olive Press “After that I closed the door. We met the morning after and now we are all friends.” Unfortunately for Von Sichthofen the holiday ended on a negative note. “We also missed our flight.”

We are back on August 31. In the meantime visit our website www. theolivepress.es for daily stories... and send comments to newsdesk@theolivepress.es