Olive Press Gibraltar Newspaper Issue 16 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

A Mijas ll about

A BELEAGUERED international firm with an office in Gibraltar has found itself at the heart of the world’s biggest leak of secret information. A total of 11 million documents were released from Mossack Fonseca’s head office in Panama linking 12 world leaders and countless celebrities with alleged tax evasion. While it has had a ‘service office’ on the Rock for eight years, its Gibraltar boss claimed however that it merely acted as a ‘conduit between intermediaries and trust companies’. Managing Director Nick Poole told the Olive Press that it did not enter into client contracts nor invoiced for its services. He insisted the office in Neptune House, in Marina Bay, had ‘operated in compliance with appropriate Gibraltar laws’ and complied with the ‘highest professional standards’. Gibraltar is NOT included in a list of UK Overseas Territories and dependencies named in the ‘Panama Files’.

- April 26th

2016

Napier

GIBRALTAR

ANCIENT: Ermita de la Virgen de la Pena EISTY flamenco in lunch in a secluded the street, mian den, crashing walled garartists and writers in and ‘60s, birthday party a back-street bistro the 1950s it was immortalised rassingly, and, most ald Fraser’s on a saddle, in Ronstorey car getting trapped in embar- and continues1973 book, white stallions€15 in a carriage) park at 2am The Pueblo, a multito cast a spell jamming my to the bearing Cinderella-style today. after repeatedly carriages. on visitors my ticket) business card (rather Mijas is coming Set just up than – above the These are in the machine! and it’s not on in leaps and bounds Spain is coming some of my square, Tuk-Tuk just about ories of Mijas. overriding donkey taxis, to year and mem- zippy has been the end of its first colourful the famous thrill-seekers But there’s a major draw Segway-mounted tuk-tuks and visits with no time to dwell and anyone The latest for stamina to the spring on news is the police. lacking the scale hilly and an Andalucian weather uponpast million renovation enormous, From Mijas. €4.7 what the burro stables rediscover. treasure trove us which is in the you can see to formed seeing the main town centre most looks like a massive The classic square transhilltop town beyond newbies. The boulder to from Chelsea coming direct recognition, of Mijas, known de la Pena Ermita de with 70% la Virgen box charm, to China for its is, in fact, While change from the European unpretentious chocolate an kitty. vibe at just nails the quaint-small-tow little chapel. endearingly in Plaza Virgenunfolds before Forget the a stone’s your eyes checked tiles coast. throw from n as usual for de la Pena, it’s or the Sagrada of business the guaranteed most, and Discovered Familia’s Notre Dame elled tourists are by the globe’s spiky, bejewstill lowed interior. The hermitage The ways a fabulous visit. more boheout was holfrom the to get around are in the 17th by a single Carmelite two dozen myriad, monk burro-taxis Outside, a century. stone gargoyle (€10 spouts water Continues

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April 13th

A lot can change in 12 months but Mijas is still the the most polished jewel in the Costa del Sol crown, writes Iona Napier

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They Stayed at home HE calls himself a ‘friend of Gibraltar’ but the fact that nobody turned up suggests otherwise. Indeed, less than a dozen people were at a Casemates rally to listen to MP Andrew Rosindell insist that Gibraltarians should be supporting Brexit. Speaking on behalf of the pro-Brexit group

Grassroots Out (GO) he later told the Olive Press there will ‘be no Gibraltar’ if the UK stays in the EU. He insisted the Rock would be in line for an MP if the UK votes to leave the EU, a plan labelled

Stub it out! Turn to Page 6

GHA faces calls to ban ‘indecent’ smoking from hospital grounds EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan

THE father of a seriously ill child has slammed the Gibraltar hospital for allowing smoking in its grounds. Charlie Victor has now complained to the Health Minister John Cortes about visitors - and, in

UNWELCOME SIGHT: Staff smoking and (right) Victor with son particular, staff - smoking by the back entrance to St Bernard’s Hospital.

The 34-year-old - whose son was born with a rare, life-threatening disorder

New leader for Spain?

HAS Spain found the answer to its political stalemate? With no government in office and politicians pulling in opposite directions, could Chief Minister Fabian Picardo’s Easter visit to the capital have wider implications?

Taking the family to Madrid during Semana Santa, it is unclear whether Picardo threw his hat into the ring to lead the country out of its political mess. Either way he looked happy as he posed with wife Justine and kids Sebastian and Oliver in Madrid’s Retiro Park.

Vacterl Association - is demanding the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) acts to bring it in line with other UK hospitals. Despite being a smoker himself he finds the permissive nature of the hospital ‘bewildering’. “I have been to several hospitals around Europe as my son has required many operations and Gibraltar is the only place like this,” he told the Olive Press. “Even as a smoker I find it bewildering that you can smoke on hospital grounds in this day and age. “It is just common decency. You do not expect to see staff smoking and then go in to look after patients.” Mr Victor, whose wife is expecting their second child, is adamant a complete ban at St Bernard's would benefit everybody. A spokesperson from the GHA management told the Olive Press: "At present there is a designated smoking area outside the hospital building, in the

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courtyard.” However, he admitted: “All such policies are constantly under review." The GHA’s website meanwhile states it ‘encourages a smoke free environment for the benefit of everyone’. Hospitals in Scotland banned smoking on their grounds last year, with Northern Ireland following suit last month. Most hospitals in England have also brought in bans. In Spain, smoking is banned completely from hospitals. Last month, the Gibraltar government banned smoking in cars containing children. On last month’s National No Smoking Day, GHA nurse practitioner Elizabeth Borges, who runs the No Smoking clinic, described smoking as ‘still the biggest cause of premature death in the UK’, adding ‘there is nothing good about smoking’.

Opinion Page 6

April 13th - April 26th 2016

Young crooks A GIBRALTARIAN man and his juvenile accomplice have been handed a suspended three month sentence for involvement in a £110,000 illegal tobacco operation. Shane Soiza, 19 and the unnamed 16-year-old were also fined £1,500 each. Their lawyers argued they were mere foot soldiers, but Magistrate Charles Pitto said regardless of the details of their involvement, they were still in possession of 700,000 cigarettes when arrested.

CRIME NEWS

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Corner spotted!

Slap on the wrists

CLOSING IN: On Corner

Lisa Brown boyfriend spotted in Thai party town days after European Arrest Warrant is issued for his arrest THE AWOL boyfriend of missing expat Lisa Brown is allegedly hiding out again in Thailand.

Weapon stash THE GUARDIA Civil has uncovered a secret hideout stashed with lethal weapons in Ceuta. Four handguns, two submachine guns and several knives were reportedly found alongside objects that could be linked to terrorist organisation ISIS. Spain’s national police have begun an investigation into the weapons’ origins, saying that although they have not ruled anything out, early indications point to organised crime.

By Rob Horgan Liverpudlian Simon Corner - now the subject of a European Arrest Warrant - is believed to be living in Pattaya, a resort infamous for its large concentration of prostitutes. A tourist claims to have spotted the 33-year-old, who is wanted in connection to the disappearance of mother-of-one Brown, from Sotogrande, in November. The tourist reported the sighting after seeing the former yacht dealer at the popular party resort. “I recognised him from the pictures online,” he said. “I am sure it was him, I saw him walking around.” Originally fleeing to the Far East, Corner allegedly returned to Malaga in Janu-

ary to answer questions. He was pictured supposedly arriving at Malaga airport, however he failed to hand himself in and has not been seen since. Lisa’s brother Craig Doug-

MISSING: Lisa Brown

las, told the Olive Press that he is not surprised that Corner has again fled to Asia. “We knew he wouldn't hand himself in despite all the promises,” he said. “If people out there know where he is and if they have any sort of conscience they should look speak up. “If you know anything, give him up. We will never stop.” Spanish police are now working closely with police in Scotland and on Merseyside to locate Corner, after the official warrant went out for his arrest this weekend. A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: “We’ve been contacted by the Guardia Civil over the investigation into the disappearance of a Scottish woman near Gibraltar. “We’re working with them, Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency in trying to locate a man with links to Merseyside.”

A DRINK driver who crashed into 11 motorbikes outside the police station has been handed a £700 fine. Polish national Marchin Szarek, who lives and works in Gibraltar, has also been handed an 18 month driving ban following the incident. Found at the wheel of his car, 35-year-old Szarek fell asleep at the wheel before crashing into the line of motorbikes outside New Mole House Police Station. He told the court how he had been at a party in La Linea the night before and had driven home under the influence.

WHOOPS: Carnage

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NEWS

In a buoyant mood!

STRONG: Manar

Ain’t no mountain high enough AN inspirational woman suffering from cerebral palsy has completed her personal challenge of climbing the Med Steps. 22-year-old Gibraltarian Manar Bentahayekt took two and a half hours to finish the trek with the support of friends, girl guides and a retired teacher friend. Manar trained for a year to scale the path ‘to prove people with disabilities can also achieve their dreams’. A popular Gibraltarian Facebook group erupted in support of the woman, with over 2,500 ‘likes’ and almost 300 messages of support and congratulations. “I am lost for words right now and am going through different emotions,” she wrote, afterwards. “Determination and willpower has helped me through it all and I hope that now people start seeing beyond the disability.”

HOLIDAYING: Hughton

HE may be on the verge of promotion to the richest football league in the world, but Brighton manager Chris Hughton still found time to visit Gibraltar. The 57-year-old former Spurs star and Ireland international flew to the Rock for some muchneeded relaxation. Hughton, who previously managed Newcastle and Norwich, devoured a Sunday lunch at La Sala on the Sunborn. He is one of many football figures to own shares in the Costa del Sol restaurant chain. Brighton are currently second in the league, attempting to reach the Premiership for the first time in their history.

Night nurse

Nurse swaps syringes for decks at top dance festival

By Laurence Dollimore

A GIBRALTAR DJ will play at Croatia’s Outlook festival in August after a ten year time out. Cheryl Jeffries, 31, began DJing at the age of 19, but the discs stopped spinning when she turned 21 and left home to study law in Southampton. But since getting back on the decks a year ago, the trainee nurse will represent UK music collective SILO after her recording of a set for them last year led to the offer. “They called me and asked if I wanted to play at Outlook, I thought what a stupid question, of course I want to

Back in town

EVA Longoria will be returning yet again to Marbella to attend The Global Gift Foundation’s gala on July 17. The Desp e r a t e Housewives star will join the Costa del Sol’s philanthropic community for an evening of art, glamour and giving at the Melia Don Pepe hotel.

TALENTED: Nurse DJ Jeffries play,” said Cheryl. “It’s incredible, it’s a dream come true for me.”

Corbett: Remembering Gibraltar’s most famous ape! HE was one half of Britain’s best-loved comedy duo. But Ronnie Corbett, who died last month, was once cast as a Gibraltar barbary macaque in war film Operation Snatch. Director Robert Day’s World War Two comedy, in which he appeared as an ape, led to Hollywood hotshot Kubrick offering Corbett a role as a monkey in his famous film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Speaking on a Graham Norton TV

April 13th - April 26th 2016

show, he recalled: “The theory was if there was a sudden drop in the population of barbary apes, the UK would lose control of Gibraltar. “So they had soldiers playing barbary apes to make it look like there were loads of apes. “Kubrick really did ask to see me. He saw me in the Gibraltar (film). But I turned it down as it got too technical,” Corbett laughed.

Cheryl, AKA Basscake, has also been nominated for Best Bass Music DJ at the International Break Awards, alongside four other girls from the Underground Female Movement - a female DJ collective based in Spain and Gibraltar that she is a part of. “We are all so pleased for each other we don’t even care which one of us gets it, it’s so exciting, I’m just grateful to have received the recognition.” The Gibraltarian-born DJ is currently sitting exams to become a staff nurse. “I compare playing music to patients,” she said. “They’re both so personal and at the end of the day you’re looking after people just in very different ways.” You can vote for Cheryl to win the IBA, which will be revealed at an event on May 7 at www.internationalbreaksawards.com

Eagle eyed THE Spanish monarchs have found a highflying way to get around pesky drones stalking their every move. Eagles specially trained to take them out are set to swoop around Madrid’s Zarzuela DRONE FIGHTING: Eagles Palace after unwanted attention from the flying objects last summer King Felipe VI and his family got the idea from the Dutch police who were the first to train a fleet of drone-catching eagles. Now Spanish bird trainer Jesus Gomez and his eagles are being commissioned by the royal family to protect their privacy. The identity of the person who sent last summer’s drones was never discovered.

NEWS

March 30th- April 12th 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

Chamber meet PARLIAMENT will not meet again until after the Brexit referendum on June 23rd. A meeting of Parliament has been scheduled for the following week along with a budget session.

Out of fuel THE Environmental Safety Group ‘totally opposes’ plans for a land-based fuel storage facility on the Rock, claiming ‘further industrialisation will lead to damaging effects on our environment’.

New centre A NEW Alzheimer's and Dementia centre at the former Royal Naval Hospital will be open in the next few months.

Border force THE European Commission continues to closely monitor the border situation, following a question tabled before the European Parliament by Gibraltar MEP Julie Girling.

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

Fight this hatred! EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan PATRIOTIC Gibraltarians have launched a campaign to remove a ‘fascist’ Facebook page which claims Spain’s right to the Rock. Hundreds of complaints have been formally lodged to Facebook over the ‘racist’ group Gibraltar Espanol. The group - which demands the ‘decolonisation of Gibraltar’ - was temporarily suspended for a few days by the social media platform three years ago over its racist content. However, Facebook did not ban the group, which is now back with over 110,000 followers. Those opposed to the group claim it ‘incites hatred and demonstrates deeply worrying

Campaigners call for removal of ‘racist and fascist’ Facebook group racist tendencies’. “There are many Gibraltarians who find this group totally offensive, racist and fascist,” one Facebook user told the Olive Press. “The group has been reported for being ‘offensive’, yet despite hundreds of complaints Facebook refuses to ban the site.” Among recent posts, the group has uploaded a photo of the Rock painted in the Spanish flag (see image right). Another post includes a short

PRAISED: Officer Oton

Award for paedo fighter UPLOADED: Image of Rock painted with Spain flag video of the Rock being bombarded by Spanish missiles. Leo Olivero of the group Defenders of Gibraltar, said: “Running on nationalist platforms, far right ultra groups like ‘GE’ clearly promote the

Balloon burst THE bold red, white and blue message has been sent out across the Straits for decades. But now, in a victory for environmentalists, the National Day release of 30,000 balloons has been scrapped. A spokesman for the release described the decision as ‘regretful’ as the balloons had become a key part of the day’s festivities. “Seeing the red and white balloons floating in the sky has evoked passion and sentiment in a huge number of Gibraltarians as the symbolic representation of our freedom.” He admitted that the ‘difficult’ decision had been made on the grounds that the helium filled balloons were ‘harmful to the environment’. Green groups argued that the balloons, which eventually dropped in the sea, could be damaging to marine species. CHANGE: For Gib

current Spanish unadulterated hate for Gibraltar, which is also clearly manifesting itself daily from the central government in Madrid.” He added: “Their hate is all about fear, stupidity, jealousy and ignorance.” A spokesman for Gibraltar Espanol however insisted it was a ‘freedom of speech’ issue. “It is not the first time we have been reported to Facebook and most likely it will not be the last.” He added: “Freedom of speech is fundamental to Facebook’s users.” A Facebook spokesman told the Olive Press that ‘all complaints against Facebook users, groups and pages is investigated with the greatest sincerity’. He added: “This is particularly relevant when it comes to accusations of racism.”

A GIBRALTAR police officer has been commended by US Homeland Security. Jason Oton from the High Tech Crime Unit was praised for his role in exposing online child pornography users. In particular, DC Oton identified an American, Michael Pierce, creating and exchanging child pornography with a Rock resident. An Interpol investigation led to Pierce’s arrest last month and the seizing of hundreds of videos. The Rock resident is already behind bars having been convicted of possession of indecent photographs of children in 2015. Praising DC Oton, the US Homeland Security said the ‘offender would have most certainly continued these alleged offences against children’ had it not been for the RGP.

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OPINION Smoked out IT was estimated that the UK’s smoking ban would save 40,000 lives in its first 10 years. That’s 40,000 more families spending precious years with their loved ones. It’s 40,000 less people suffering preventable deaths which cost taxpayers billions. The new Gibraltar ban on smoking in cars will protect children from deadly secondhand fumes. The facts are undeniable: smoking bans save lives. So it is perplexing that hospitals, whose dedicated staff are at the sharp end of the misery it causes, should still permit smoking on their grounds. Hospitals should surely lead by example on the issue. Many in the UK have done so and banned smoking outright. It can only benefit Gibraltar to do the same.

Follow their lead

THE story of Malian Amadou Siribe is truly inspiring. Fleeing his home country before risking his life to reach Europe, Siribe’s success with La Linea’s football team is a credit to himself and to the club. But it is not just a story about one man’s struggle, it is a tale that we can all take something from. Turning a perilous situation into a fairytale story, the way Siribe has integrated so well in Spain is to be admired. Equally, the way Real Balompédica Linense accepted the African striker into their fold is an example to be followed both in Gibraltar and Spain. With the number of immigrants going up, the way he’s been treated is an example to us all.

BREXIT - Your vote matters Do you qualify for June 23 vote? Overseas UK nationals who have been registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years can vote in UK Parliamentary General Elections, UK-wide referendums, and European Parliamentary elections.

Register You will need to know you National Insurance number and date of birth, and have your passport to hand if you have one. If you don’t have a National Insurance number you can still register, but may have to supply more information to show who you are. You have until May 16 to register.

Declare You have to sign an annual declaration once you have registered to renew your registration every year. So if you were registered to vote for the 2015 General Elections you will have to renew your registration with your local Electoral Registration Officer in the UK or register again.

Vote You can choose how you wish to vote. You can vote by post, by proxy (voting by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf ), or even in person at your polling station.

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

the

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Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 Rob Horgan rob@theolivepress.es Iona Napier iona@theolivepress.es Joe Duggan joe@theolivepress.es Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Designer James Partington design@theolivepress.es Admin & Accounts (+34) 951 273 575 Mirian Moreno – General Manager admin@theolivepress.es

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April 13th - April 26th 2016

Decision of a generation Brexit fever has swept the nation, the continent, and even the world. Rob Horgan goes in search of answers among expat and Gibraltar business owners

ROM euphoric pleas from politicians and world leaders to whispers down the pub between builders and bankers, the only thing anyone is talking about is Brexit. Since the referendum was announced for June 23 everyone - allegedly including Her Majesty the Queen herself has thrown their two cents (or pence) in. Closer to Spain, Gibraltar’s Chief Minister has called on British expats to vote to stay in the EU. In an exclusive Olive Press dispatch last month Fabian Picardo urged voters to avoid ‘pointless risks’, pleading with Spain’s 319,000 British voters to join Gibraltar’s 23,000 votes to stay in.

Impact After all, Spain has threatened to shut the border and pounce on Gibraltar should the UK leave. But the far reaching impact of Brexit stretches further than Europa Point. Just last week Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said ‘everyone’ down under is backing Britain to stay in, and at the end of the month US President Barack Obama will jet into the UK to urge Brits to

CONCERNED: Obama (top) and Picardo stay in the EU. And as voters gear up to go to the polls, an overwhelming focus from the world’s media and political figures has been on us expats, particularly in Spain. Things were kicked off by Paul

Drechsler, the boss of the UK’s most powerful business body, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), who threw his weight behind the Remain campaign. He claimed that ‘nothing’ about a Brexit ‘would be better for economic growth’ and that Britain and British expats faced ‘a significant period of uncertainty’ should the Leave campaign succeed. In fact, two-thirds of London’s insurers, brokers and service providers agree with Drechsler that Brexit would ‘severely damage’ the UK economy, according to business strategist Haggie Partners. Drechsler’s claims were supported by Europe Minister David Lidington who warned of ‘a decade of uncertainty’ which involved the prospect of British people not being allowed to live

Poor turnout for leave rally From front Page

‘a publicity stunt’ by the Gibraltar government. “If there's no sovereign Britain, because that's where we are heading, then there will be no Gibraltar because it won’t be sovereign,” said Mr Rosindell. “I have spoken to many people in Casemates today and I was surprised at how many people

are going to vote to leave. “I think it would be a shame for the government to dismiss that there are two sides to this. The people of Gibraltar should listen to all the facts.” The rally comes the same week as the Gibraltar Stronger In Europe campaign is launched ahead of the June 23 referendum.

Will anything change? What will be the fallout from the leaked Panama Papers?

O the Panama Papers are out. Billed as the biggest leak in secret records about offshore accounts purportedly held by some of the world’s biggest movers and shakers, some 11.5 million private documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca were given to a German newspaper. Released with much fanfare, they are still being pored over by an international consortium of investigative journalists. But will there be any significant consequences? Will people be arrested? Will governments be brought down? When Wikileaks released a batch of secret US State Department cables in 2010 there was a barrage of outrage around the world about Washington’s spying. The international whistle-blowing website exposed US diplomats gossiping and speculating about world leaders and monitoring telephone calls. But no country severed diplomatic relations with the United States after the scandal broke. Even Washington did little to deny the information, except to issue a string of apologies at the State Department and explanations that these were routine observations

in Spain. British ambassador Simon Manley has also been urging expats to vote to stay in. A spokesman for the ambassador’s office told the Olive Press that leaving ‘would have many serious implications for many of us living here’. Europe expert on university studies Helen Drake heaped more misery on the prospect of Brexit, claiming that British students wanting to study abroad would likely be excluded from the Erasmus project which has enabled 200,000 EU students to study abroad since 1987. Other sector officials have put forward similar concerns: interrailing around Europe will be closed off to Brits, roaming charges and mobile phones tariffs will increase and air travel will go through the roof, are just some of the fears Brexit brings with it. And yet, despite all the neighsaying, there are still few answers as to what Brexit could mean to expats and expat businesses in Spain. Here are a few voices from around Andalucia and Gibraltar on how Brexit will, may and already is affecting their solace in the sun.

RIO

ALEGRI

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Gibraltar Olive Press represents the local and expatriate communities working or living on the Rock with 10,000 copies distributed fortnightly on a Wednesday. Clarke Media Ltd. Registration number: 113878 Suite 2B, 143 Main Street Gibraltar Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A.

FEATURE

MADRIDS MATTER

carried out by foreign diplomats. The biggest revelation coming out of the Panama Papers points a finger at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s associates, who allegedly stashed some $2 billion through a complex paper trail i n offshore accounts in various tax havens. The papers don’t mention Putin by name but the connection seems obvious. Will the Russian people take to the streets and demand his resignation? No doubt the information from a data base at Mossack Fonseca – a law firm which has said that it has respected anti-money-laundering laws – is juicy story for any journalist. Among those in Spain who have reportedly used Mossack Fonseca’s services, according to the leaked information, are Barça soccer player Lionel Messi, filmmaker Pedo Almodóvar and his brother, and King Juan Carlos’s sister, the infant Pilar de Borbón. But as with Wikileaks, this too will all soon be forgotten after the storm passes.

FEATURE

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

April 13th - April 26th 2016

The Rock’s In campaign

Campbell Ferguson, chartered surveyor, Survey Spain, Estepona Brexit has probably already affected my business, in that there is uncertainty by buyers from the UK as to how they are to be treated in the future. If the decision is taken for the UK to withdraw from the EU then the period of uncertainty will last considerably longer until people find out what is to happen administratively. There could also be some panic selling by UK owners. Other nationalities might take it as an opportunity to acquire properties from 'distressed' sellers. In the long term, the effect is unknown, but it's logical that Spain will endeavour to make things as easy as possible for their major market. However, one person's logic is not always the same as another's! Most expats are likely to carry on as before and deal with matters as they occur. However, there will be some businesses that will be directly and immediately affected and they will have to make the decision whether to hang on or close down.

THE Gibraltar campaign to keep Britain in the EU is being backed by the Rock's three main political parties. Gibraltar’s 23,000 voters could possibly sway the crucial vote on Britain's future. Gemma Vasquez, Chair of the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses, is the campaign's spokeswoman. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, Deputy

Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia and the Leader of the Opposition Daniel Feetham have all confirmed their support for the campaign. The campaign was officially launched on Tuesday at the Piazza. Meanwhile, Mr Picardo has confirmed there will be no meetings of the Gibraltar parliament prior to the June 23 vote.

Ian Le Breton, managing director, Sovereign Trust, Gibraltar

This referendum really does matter to all Britons – including those of us based on the Rock. The financial implications are of great interest to Spain, Gibraltar and the UK. If we don’t like the incumbent government in Gibraltar or UK, there is an opportunity to change it every four or five years at our parliamentary elections. But the decision as to whether we remain in the EU is not one that can be reversed in a few years’ time; it will be final. The only certainty is that the uncertainty will grow over the coming weeks until ‘R-Day’ – Thursday, June 23 – when we go to the polls. And markets hate uncertainty. I imagine the foreign exchange market will be one to watch and,

of course, the euro to sterling exchange rate is always a hot topic on and around Gibraltar. Similarly we can expect the stock market to wobble as the date approaches and the pollsters issue their predictions. I may not be allowed to tell you how to vote but, with the decision apparently finely balanced, I can say that every vote will count; our freedom to exercise our democratic rights has never been more important. Our referendum definitely matters and the government will take note of the result and we will all have to live with the consequences for years to come.

Georgina Shaw, marketing expert, Shaw Marketing Services, Marbella I personally believe that we should stay in the EU, as all of us expats are enjoying the benefits of free migration, Spain benefits from us as tax payers, plus our different ideas and cultures. As a Londoner I strongly feel that the city has been enriched by all the cultures who have moved there and that the vast majority of immigrants

Tancrede de Pola, mortgage broker, The Finance Bureau, San Pedro Whatever side of the fence you sit on, you cannot argue that a Brexit - and even the build-up to a referendum - is proving bad for business. Last year was undeniably the best year since the crisis for economic growth and the restoration of the property market.That was largely due to Brits investing their hearty pound in business and property on the Costa del Sol. But that trend has already begun to falter. Since the Brexit debate began, I have had clients prefer to put off their purchase because they are worried about Britain pulling out of the EU and the resulting effect on Sterling. There is no doubt in my mind that the referendum is already taking its toll on expat business in Spain. Unsurprisingly, scores of ready-to-be expats are postponing their foreign adventures until after the vote. No doubt they will come flooding back and Brits will continue to invest in Spain should the UK vote to stay. As far as I’m concerned it is much better to stick with what we’ve got than twist and risk upsetting the apple cart.

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Alex Radford, Solicitor, My Lawyer in Spain, Marbella The referendum to either leave or remain in the UE is a once in a lifetime decision which will have a profound impact on the future the EU and of the UK. If the UK votes to leave then the UK will have a period of two years in which to negotiate its exit. Brits living in Spain for more than 183 days a year who present annual tax returns are considered Spanish tax residents. For foreigners living in Spain who are Spanish tax residents, I do not anticipate that much will initially change. However for Brits not living in Spain for more than 183 days a year, I expect the burden of tax relating to capital gains tax, inheritance tax and non residents income tax to increase. Spain in the past has had a tendency to tax Brits and foreigners, who are non-Spanish tax residents, more than Spanish tax residents. This practice, quite rightly, has been brought

are benefiting the community by doing jobs that most English people don't want to do, starting businesses and paying taxes. I don't think that an exit would impact our business very much as we are a Spanish registered company, predominantly dealing with local companies. I would imagine it will have a short term impact on the amount of people moving to Spain as the uncertainty will make people think twice. But I think the relationship between the UK and the Costas will stay strong Brexit, or no Brexit.

to the attention of the European Court of Justice and Spain has been found to be discriminating against non Spanish tax residents. Interesting to note that it was the European Court of Justice’s decisions which benefited Brits rather than the actions of the UK Government, and if there was a vote to leave the EU, the ECJ would no longer be looking after our interests. Being outside the EU would likely impact income tax for expats. Typically it represents about 0.5% of the value of a property. Currently that rate of tax is 19% for residents of the EU. If the UK were to leave the EU then this rate of tax is likely to increase to 24%, the rate that already applies to non EU residents. Spain in all likelihood, would move quickly to strike a trade agreement with the UK to settle any nerves and ensure that we Brits continue to visit and invest in Spain. I don’t expect British love affair with Spain to fizzle out just because of a relatively minor increase in taxation. However it would be important for those negotiating a trade deal with Spain to ensure that the British people are treated the same as Spanish tax residents.

Andy Chapell, hotel owner, Molino del Santo, Benaoján It is very difficult to predict what will happen to our business in case of a Brexit. I feel sure that the pound will buy many fewer euros at least in the short to mid term. This will mean that our prices will seem more expensive to the British market which is an important proportion of our trade. We know from experience when the exchange rate last dropped that we will sell fewer of our more expensive wines, for example. However I don't think a poor exchange rate alone will deter people from visiting Spain from the UK to any significant extent, anymore than more complicated entry procedures if border controls tighten. I suspect a Brexit would hit harder for Expats living in Spain over the next few years. As many ‘locals’ visit Molino del Santo for special occasions I would expect that trade to experience a small downturn. As an expat myself, on a personal level I am very concerned about a Brexit in terms of how it will complicate my life here and when I return to the UK. All expats must support the Remain campaign as far as I understand the issues.

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CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR

April 13th - April 26th 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

FUTURE CROSSING? Bridge between Spain and Morocco mooted

Car crackdown FIVE luxury 4x4 BMWs have been recovered from Thailand after they were stolen in Spain and the Netherlands and shipped from Algeciras.

Choppy waters DRUG smugglers managed to evade capture after a high speed boat chase forced them to land on the shores of Borrondo beach, San Roque.

Twin town LA Linea has put forward a proposal to be twinned with Gibraltar.The motion was put forward at the monthly council meeting of PSOE and Partido Andalucista representatives.

Doctor, doctor THE Campo de Gibraltar Health manager Mari Ruiz has urged the Junta to provide the area with more neurologists after two doctors recently retired.

www.gibraltarolivepress.com www.theolivepress.es

SUCCESS: Kerry and Lisa

Continental drift

TWO women who swam the Strait of Gibraltar have been celebrating completing the third quickest British female crossing ever. Kerry O’Hara and Lisa Williams, 38, endured rough seas, jelly fish bites and sunburn while crossing from Tarifa to Morocco in just four hours and 14 minutes on Sunday. The Londoners raised more than £8,700 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which they chose after close friend Elaine D’Costa died of the disease aged just 39. “The first hour was calm but then the wind picked up and the waves thrashed us about for the last two and a half hours. The current was really pulling us around,” Lisa told the Olive Press. “But we had a lovely sunny day for it. It was all a bit last minute as we didn't get into Tarifa till gone midnight on Saturday and we had our briefing after that just in case there was a possibility we could go yesterday.” The pair, who recently swam the English Channel, celebrated with dinner and plan to explore Gibraltar and Cadiz for the rest of their stay.

Bridge over troubled waters

Engineer’s €4 billion bridge design to unite Spain and Africa

A SPANISH engineer has designed a radical two-km long bridge to link Africa with Europe and save Mediterranean cities from the effects of global warming. Engineer Juan Valle Anguita’s €4 billion bridge would unite the two continents by filling the Straits of Gibraltar with heavy rocks to form a base for the 100-metre high bridge.

According to a video released by Anguita’s company Presa Puente Estrecho de Gibraltar, the bridge would create 350,000 jobs and contain at least 20 traffic lanes and two railway lines. “The bridge would leave from Tarifa and go to the Moroccan coast to Jebel Tula, betweenTánger y Ceuta, a 14.5 km distance,” Anguita told the Olive Press. “The journey would take nine minutes and the funding would come from from tollbooths.” the Befesa plant, which is responsible for the treatAnguita, believes the bridge ment of waste and its would control rising sea levels transfer to the La Doctora threatening cities like Venice landfill in San Roque. as well as help alleviate African poverty.

Refinery fined THE Acerinox refinery in San Roque is to be fined €160,000 for a pollution incident last December. Ash fell on Palmones from

Migrants sail for Algeciras A GROUP of 50 sub-saharan migrants have been moved to Algeciras from Ceuta. The immigrants will now be the responsibility of non-governmental bodies throughout Andalucia. The group, which included four women and three minors, had entered Ceuta from Morocco intending to cross the Strait of Gibraltar. Their departure will alleviate the strain on Ceuta’s Center for Temporary Stay of Immigrants (CETI) which currently houses over 600 immigrants, well above its 512 capacity.

Huge hash haul

A 2.7 tonne haul of hash has been seized by police after a sea-bound chase near San Roque. The Guardia Civil’s surveillance system spotted a boat heading towards the Spanish coast from Morocco and gave chase. After colliding with the Guardia Civil boat, the gang sped off to Borondo-Guadalquitón beach, where one of them was arrested. The Guardia Civil uncovered 85 bales of hash during the operation.

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la cultura

GREEN NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

www.gibraltarolivepress.com 9 April 13th - April 26th 2016 April 13th - April 26th 2016

Rock’s backgammon bid

What’s up, dock?

L’Austral’s ooh la la landing FOR the first time, luxury French vessel L'Austral has docked in Gibraltar. The sister ship of Le Boréal and Le Soléal was built in Italy’s Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in 2010 and made its maiden stop at the Rock on March 31. The 10,700 tonne mega-yacht is a whopping 142 metres long and can fit 264 passengers and 136 crew. Its sleek outline and elegant contours offer a great balance between chic and comfort. And with two restaurants, one swimming pool and a library, L'Austral passengers are sure to enjoy a high time on the high seas.

prestigious tournament. Licudi brushed up on his moves last month at the Nordic Backgammon Open, which hosts some of the world’s top talent. He said: “The First Gibraltar Backgammon Championship

held last February has had a real impact in the international backgammon community. “Almost everyone was talking about it.” The second Gibraltar championship is due for the Caleta Hotel in February 2017.

Go Gorham Go!

GIBRALTAR will learn this month whether its World Heritage Status application will be recommended and independently verified. The Gibraltar Neanderthal Caves and Environment Site is the UK’s nomination for the UNESCO honour. Advisory body The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is set to announce its decision this month. Professor Finlayson of the Gibraltar Museum told the Olive Press: “If we do get a recommendation it will be great news but that will not guarantee that we will get inscription. “That will be decided by the World Heritage Committee at its July meeting in Istanbul. A recommendation, should we get it, will obviously help.” The Gorham’s Cave Complex

Verdict awaited on Gibraltar’s World Heritage Status application

Photo: Gibraltar Museum

GAME ON: In Gib

THE Rock is steadily becoming one of backgammon’s hottest venues. And following this year’s Gibraltar backgammon championship, education minister Gilbert Licudi has been spreading the word at the game’s most

STATUS AWAITED: Gorham’s Cave hoping for World Heritage status is one of the last explored sites of known Neanderthal habitation in the world. The four caves that make up the

complex - Bennett's, Gorham's, Vanguard and Hyena - are formed in jurassic limestone. Gorham’s Cave is named after

Captain A. Gorham of the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusilies, who discovered the caves in 1907.

RANTZEN: 2015 guest

Festival booked IT’S one of the standout cultural dates in the Gibraltar calendar. And this time round the fourth Gibraltar International Literary Festival will take place from October 20-23. Last year’s festival brought star names such as Esther Rantzen, Guillem Balague, Marcus Brigstocke and Antony Worrall Thompson to the Rock. Minister for tourism, Samantha Sacramento said: “We want to build up on the success of the previous editions and deliver another prestigious festival packed with leading authors and celebrities. “We look forward to another great edition.”

Caption

la cultura

S the meeting point between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the seabed under the Gibraltar Strait is teeming with species unique to both. Add a strong naval history dating back to Phoenician times and you have a small stretch of coastline with a wealth of interesting undersea locations waiting to be explored. I made my first dive at 16 and was instantly hooked. My love of the oceans and the creatures that inhabit it drove me to study Marine Biology and embark on a research career. The wrecks are a magnet for marine life and I would like to share my top three. The SS Excellent was built in Sunderland in the 1880â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, a 260-feet steamship weighing 1,082 tons. In February 1888, en route to Philadelphia with a cargo of fresh fruit, she stopped off at Gibraltar for resupply. It proved her undoing. Whilst at anchor, strong currents caused her to collide with two other vessels. She began to take on water and sunk relatively quickly. Fortunately, all her crew were saved. She lies on her side on a sandy substrate just off the detached mole. At 25-30 metres deep, light levels are low and bright colours canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be seen without a torch. In two pieces since the bow broke off from

Poisonous weaver fish, sunken ships and a conger eel called Eric, according to ace Gibraltar scuba diver Lewis Stagnetto. Join him on a deep dive to discover the wrecks that rock

What lies beneath

IMPRESSIVE: Sunken anchor the main hull, her engine room can be entered from port side where one of her two boilers is still in situ. The site contains a wide variety of life for those with a keen eye. Sea pens - soft corals sonamed because some varieties look like feather quills - protrude from the sandy seabed around the wreck while, hidden inside, you might also disturb

a weaver fish. Be careful as their venomous sting will require medical attention. White fan-like gorgonian colonies are scattered all over the wreck while lobsters, octopuses and moray eels lurk in the nooks and crannies. Another impressive steamship is the 340-feet Rosslyn. Built in Cardiff in 1902, she weighed 3,679 tons and is the largest

11 April 13th - April 26th 2016

what’s on

Photos by Shaun Yeo and Clive Crisp

oyal Lectures April 20 The Decorative and Fine Arts society is holding lectures on art patrons Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at The Eliot Hotel. Info: eliothotel.com

ibraltar Horticultural Society April 21 The Horticultural Society will have a flower show all day at the John Mackintosh Hall, with a prize giving late afternoon. Info: 350 2007 3660

MYSTERIOUS: Underwater world

wreck in Gibraltar’s waters. of curious creaIn February 1916 she was tures. Of most anchored off the south mole notoriety are the when a storm hit, dragging her scorpion fish which anchor towards the mole. Two litter every crevice. A Government tugs were called sting will hurt about as much in to rescue the crew before a bee, with no serious medishe collided with the mole and cal implications attached, but sunk. they should At a depth of be avoided 23 metres, she none-the-less. At night, the also lies on Slug-like nuswim-through sand. The main dibranchs are cargo hold is also plentiful. feels like accessible for Measuring only those with the something out of a few centimenerve to brave tres, the palman Aliens film it, the midship tree like struccontains two ture on their huge boilers dorsal side is side-by-side and the cast iron actually gills. Each species has propeller and rudder are still a unique and ornate coloration connected to the stern - an im- and even amateur spotters pressive sight! should be able to find tens of The wreck is home to a variety varieties.

ong Festival April 23 The International Song Festival will see performers from eight different countries compete for the grand trophy and a £4000 prize. Info: gibraltarsongfestival.com

Of all the sites, the S.S. Rosslyn boasts the largest shoals of fish found along the coast. Various species of bream and bass swim within the vicinity whilst, closer to its protection, schools of squirrel fish peek out. The 482 and Batty’s Barge were intentionally sunk in 1990 as part of the artificial reef project off Camp Bay. The 482 was a Royal Navy cable-laying vessel measuring 30 metres. Both barges rest alongside each other at a

17 metre depth and are home to a conger eel fondly named Eric! He resides in the hollow of a collapsed mast and extends some 2.5 metres in length. Internally, the 482 has been made diver safe and all rooms are accessible to explorers with wreck spec qualifications. At night, armed with torches, the swim-through feels like something out of an Aliens film. Much of the marine life found at this site is a combination of

what can be found at the other two, with Eric the notable exception! Recent changes to the marine environmental conservation act require divers to hold a valid Environmental Department permit.Or if you book with one of Gibraltar’s PADI or BSAC dive centres their operator licence will cover you for exploring these incredible shipwreck reefs.

rafts Fair Fundraiser April 23 From ceramics to collectables, the St Andrews Church craft fair will offer guests cake and free wifi, with proceeds going to the Church Restoration Fund. info: 350 540 23 166

POKER lounge

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LETTERS

April 13th - April 26th 2016

POTTED POINTERS EMERGENCIES Police 199 Medical service 190 Fire 190 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.14 American dollars 0.80 British pounds 1.47 Canadian dollars 7.44 Danish kroner 8.84 H Kong dollars 9.35 Norwegian kroner 1.53 Singapore dollars ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 62.25% Same week last year: 81.19% Same week in 2005: 65.18%

What’s in a name? DEAR OP, I wonder if you could give me an answer to something that I have never been able to get an answer to, particularly as it frequently appears in your Olive Press. In Spain, when using the Spanish language, Radio, Television, newspapers and other publications use the word LONDRES for LONDON. However, when using the English language SEVILLA remains SEVILLA and not the English equivalent, SEVILLE. Why? Charles Rosado, Gibraltar ED: I can easily clear that up. As our readers live here and work here we use the local Spanish spelling for towns, hence Sevilla not Seville. And Catalunya not Catalonia.It’s been our rule for some time.

Football crazy

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ALLEGATIONS of match fixing are damning to Gibraltar’s hopes of one day playing in a World Cup (Foul play? issue 15). Regardless of whether or not UEFA or FIFA launch an investigation into last month’s friendly, this sort of speculation will do the national team no good. I personally would not be surprised if something untoward was afoot. I love football and have done for many years, but

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

Strawberry fields

Bigger problems

THE Spanish Ministry of Agriculture is blaming berry farms for depleting local water supplies, but is also blaming the increasing demand of water from Matalascañas and its golf course (Strawberry fields not forever, issue 15). There are more than 7,000 hectares of strawberry fields in Huelva, and about 2,000 hectares for other berries. Only 1,500 of those hectares are being blamed. The Junta is many years late with an irrigation infrastructure that is supposed to bring water from nearby dams and prevent farmers from drilling for water near Doñana. Some of that land would fully comply with the law if the irrigation channels and lines had been completed. Please note that these irregular farmlands were not created yesterday. They are between 20 and 30 years old, and were created before all these environmental regulations were set. Hundreds of families earn their living there. The real environmental disaster is yet to be seen, as the Spanish government has just approved gas drilling in the park! Mariano Rajoy’s government has done a favour for his friends and the international community seems to be doing nothing about it.

Berry boycott I PERSONALLY boycott strawberries from Huelva, which are offered from February to April in all German supermarkets. I decided to do this after I saw them being cultivated in the Donana park and I realised how much water they were using. It really is not sustainable.If we can encourage Lidl, Aldi, Rewe and Edeka to refuse buying early strawberries from Huelva, then these farmers will soon have to stop their illegal deeds for economic reasons. Then again economics always outweighs morality.

Javier Arizmendi, Huelva with the amount of money involved these days I fear for its future. Big business, after all, leads to big corruption. Ryan Jones, La Linea

Messy business I VISIT Gibraltar each year and

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

walking to Morrisons on the path by the bay from town was like a minefield (Pick it up!, issue 15). I love the social responsibility of Gibraltar, but dog muck is so bad there I will not

Wolfgang Trench, Sevilla

Mindless FIRST the Junta let a gold mining company build a defective holding dam for arsenic contaminated water which burst and now they let strawberry growers destroy it by taking the water. Where is the EU to step in and order decisive action to stop this environmental disaster? Stuart Crawford, Coin walk there again. If you own a dog in Gib you are not on a 50acre farm so take responsibility. Pedro Sanchez, London

Letters should be emailed to letters@ theolivepress.es. The writer’s name and address should be provided. Opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

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Vol. 10 Issue 237 www.theolivepress.es

April 13th - April 26th 2016

Shine bright like a diamond

Photo by Iona Napier

A lot can change in 12 months but Mijas is still the the most polished jewel in the Costa del Sol crown, writes Iona Napier

ANCIENT: Ermita de la Virgen de la Pena

F PICTURE PERFECT: Photogenic Mijas Pueblo

EISTY flamenco in the street, lunch in a secluded walled garden, crashing a back-street bistro birthday party and, most embarrassingly, getting trapped in a multistorey car park at 2am after repeatedly jamming my business card (rather than my ticket) in the machine! These are some of my overriding memories of Mijas. But there’s no time to dwell on past visits with the spring weather upon us and an Andalucian treasure trove to rediscover. The classic hilltop town of Mijas, known from Chelsea to China for its chocolate box charm, nails the quaint-small-town vibe at just a stone’s throw from the coast. Discovered by the globe’s more bohe-

mian artists and writers in the 1950s and ‘60s, it was immortalised in Ronald Fraser’s 1973 book, The Pueblo, and continues to cast a spell on visitors today. Mijas is coming on in leaps and bounds – and it’s not just about the famous donkey taxis, colourful tuk-tuks and zippy Segway-mounted police. The latest news is the enormous, €4.7 million renovation in the town centre which is seeing the main square transformed beyond recognition, with 70% coming direct from the European kitty. While change unfolds before your eyes in Plaza Virgen de la Pena, it’s business as usual for most, and tourists are still guaranteed a fabulous visit. The ways to get around are myriad, from the two dozen burro-taxis (€10

on a saddle, €15 in a carriage) to the white stallions bearing Cinderella-style carriages. Set just up above the square, Tuk-Tuk Spain is coming to the end of its first year and has been a major draw for thrill-seekers and anyone lacking the stamina to scale hilly Mijas. From the burro stables you can see what looks like a massive boulder to most newbies. The Ermita de la Virgen de la Pena is, in fact, an endearingly unpretentious little chapel. Forget the checked tiles of Notre Dame or the Sagrada Familia’s spiky, bejewelled interior. The hermitage was hollowed out by a single Carmelite monk in the 17th century. Outside, a stone gargoyle spouts water Continues Page 20

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A Mijas Hilltop harmony ll about

From Page 19

into a grand font. Inside, the candle light, bumpy floor, six ornate gold benches, fresh flowers and a small exhibition are a real treat. Leaving the chapel, I see a pair of pale-skinned Japanese tourists sitting on a bench hollowed out of the rock using an umbrella to shade themselves from the early-April sunshine. Al fresco dining has been up and running in the hilltop town for several weeks, with not a table free near the Mirador del Compas, where you can dine to the musical swoosh of water - provided by the charming fountain, not Handel! “It may be busy today but Mijas is popular all year round, like diamonds,” confides Francisco, a nut seller who has lived in the town all his life. Rightly, he is capitalising on the buzz to flog his delicious candied almonds which give me renewed strength to hit the ground r u n ning. Mijas is designed for its multicultural tourist scene – with around 20,000 foreign residents and many, many more visitors. Signs appear in English and there is even an impressive machine

CHARMING: Bilingual shoe-seller Celia

HILLTOP TOWN: Whitewashed Mijas Pueblo tucked beneath the mountain vending t-shirts, maps and guides after trading hours. Welcome to the future, I chuckle. And yet the human reception is second to none. Carmen in the Tourist Office, who hails from Valencia, gives me the inside track on just about everything in immaculate English. In fact she offers maps and info in an incredible 16 languages! There is a fabulous Picasso, Dali and Miro exhibition running at the Centro de Arte until June 1 and well worth a visit for

ORNATE: Sculptures

a measly €3. Plus free flamenco in the main square every Wednesday and Saturday at noon, weather permitting, rivalling any you’ll see at Sevilla’s tobacco factory or in Granada’s celebrated caves. Let’s not forget the countryside. There are beautiful hiking trails waiting to be explored. Sign up for ‘senderismo’ at the tourist office for any one (or all) of three weekly routes. Multilingual guides lead groups of up to 30 around paths of varying difficulty – an energet-

ic and sociable affair. “The biggest reason Mijas draws people in is because we are close to the biggest Costa towns yet a typical Andalucian pueblo blanco which people love, complete with donkeys and mountains,” explains Carmen. Get a free town walking map that emcompasses the key sites in a leisurely two hour stroll – providing you don’t make too many watering hole stops. Several museums and plazas are worth a look-in, in particular, the ovalshaped bullring built in 1900 and the main folk museum adorned with speciality esparto products and some fabulous photos. Here you will also find the room where the ‘mole of Mijas’ lived (see panel opposite). On top of this is the

intriguing miniatures museum, squeezed into a conspicuous yellow caravan, as well as the handsome town hall and even the popular Mayan Monkey Mijas chocolate factory. Rest your weary legs in the tranquil Plaza de los Siete Canos and poke a nose inside the eighteenth-century Ermita de Nuestra Senora de los Remedios before wending back to central Plaza de la Libertad via Calle Larga del Palmar and Calle San Sebastian. The latter is ‘officially’ Mijas’ prettiest street and houses much of Canadian businessman Thomas Weller’s restaurant empire, including Aroma Café & Secret Garden, Meguinez, and the Mariposa shop (Bana Bana and Latitud 36 are elsewhere). Sof tly -spoken Weller can often be seen

Between sea and mountain. . excellent food, memorable evenings and great entertainment

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Opening Hours Mon-Sat: evenings from 7.30pm Sun: winter months lunch only, summer months evenings only

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Carretera de Fuengirola a Mijas (A386) Km 14 29650 Mijas, Malaga, Spain Reservations: (+34) 952 485 975 (+34) 952 485 996 Email: info@valparaisomijas.com

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April 13th - April 26th 2016

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BOULEVARD DE LA CALA, EDIF. ELENA, LOCAL 2, LA CALA DE MIJAS, COSTA DEL SOL

MIJAS MAN: Antonio while (left) the oval bulllring tearing between his numerous establishments. Bana Bana won Mijas’ top tapas award last year for the second year running, thanks to head chef Txelo’s daffy duck confit and truffle milhojas with lemon ice cream! There are tapas haunts and restaurants to suit every taste and budget in Mijas, while the open air auditorium becomes a great concert venue, often hosting tribute acts in the summer. Every local I meet seems to have lived here their whole life: sun-shrivelled Antonio, who cannot remember his own age, clutches my arm enthusiastically to lead me to the art museum while telling me about how the town has changed. We pass boutiques, delis and a baking dynasty that has been going since 1904, with grandson Francisco now in charge. It’s easy to fall in love with this enchanting pueblo. At a zapateria, fresh-faced shoe-seller Celia recalls how her Liverpudlian mother met an Andalucian in Ibiza in the 60s, married him, moved to Mijas and never left. Shoe fetishist Nikki who has a pair of alpargatas (espadrilles) in more than 30 colours – the sign of a true española – was similarly smitten.

Cosmopolitan

“I went to Liverpool to study languages as my mum did,” says the 34-year-old who is a perfect example of the cosmopolitan population in Mijas. “But I came back here to raise my daughter; it is the most wonderful place.” A cool glass of tinto de verano later and I feel so welcomed by Mijas’ residents that I’m dreading getting back in the driving seat to head for the coast to the municipality’s ‘other half’ - Mijas Costa. But the welcome in La Cala is equally good – restaurateurs, professionals and locals are all desperate to tell me about their slice of paradise by the beach.

Be it a Sauvignon Blanc in Olivia’s - run by TOWIE star Elliott Wright - or a pint of Guinness at Biddy Mulligan’s

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THE MOLE OF MIJAS

T is one of the most remarkable stories to emerge from the Franco era. Now best known as ‘The Mole of Mijas’, Manuel Cortes Quero (right) was the last Republican mayor of the pueblo, from March to November of 1936. However, when the town fell to dictator Franco’s nationalist troops during the Spanish Civil War he was forced to abandon his wife and newborn daughter and flee the town under the cover of darkness. However he returned in 1939, willing to sacrifice his freedom in exchange for living under the same roof as his family, making himself a prisoner in his own home. For 30 years the Mole stayed hidden, tucked in a cramped space under the stairs behind a false wall. “I pulled out my own teeth, as soon as I got an ache,” Cortes told his biographers Jesus Torbado and Manuel Lequineche, authors of the book ‘Los Topos’ (The Moles). “I would work at the tooth until

- run by David from Ireland there is something for everyone in La Cala to sit back and unwind. (see Page 23) But as Francisco the nut

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it was loose and then I would yank it out with my fingers, without any pliers or tongs. I pulled out nine or ten teeth this way.” In 1960, after 21 years of hiding, Cortes’ daughter Maria got married. “I had to make do watching her come out of church through a little hole above,” he said. “The wedding procession left the house and after the ceremony Maria scurried away to come to my room and kiss me, just as we had planned.” Listening to the radio on March 28, 1969, with his ear pressed to the wall, Cortes heard the news that he had been waiting 30 years to hear. The government had granted amnesty to those people who had committed crimes from July 18 1936 to April 1 1939. “I got a lump in my throat because of the emotion of the moment,” said Cortes. “I couldn’t think straight.” The then mayor of Mijas, Miguel Gonzalez Berral, accompanied Cortes to the headquarters of the Guardia Civil in Malaga, where the world’s press waited to hear the confirmation that he was finally free. “Was it worth it?” asked Cortes. “I never lost faith in democracy. The tyranny of the dictatorship could not last forever.”

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El Jinete is nestled in the mountainside above La Cala de Mijas within La Cala Golf Urbanisation. It’s a short drive up from the coast road, turning off at La Cala. Ctra. La Cala Golf, km 4.5, La Cala de Mijas OPENING HOURS With the exception of Friday, Venta el Jinete is ready to cater for your lunches and dinners all week. Enjoy live guitar or piano performances most evenings as you dine. Call for more information on our line-up. Kitchen is open from Monday to Sunday, except Friday 13:00 - 16:00 & 19:00 - 23:00

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Steve Berry, 53 and wife Tracey from Yorkshire This is our third time here, we love the churches and castles and the views are fantastic, it makes a nice change from a lot of the coastal towns. It feels a lot more cultural here. It’s actually our 25th Wedding anniversary today, I was looking at a Cartier watches but he was having none of it!

Mijas

Perfecto

SMART TEAM: At Smart Currency Exchange

Smart move

It’s ‘authentic’ and ‘the real Spain’… What makes Mijas top of the pueblos? Laurence Dollimore hit the cobbled streets to find out what its residents and visitors think

Fiona Campbell, 40, from London

Barry, 80 and Shirley Smith, 78 from Derby

Nick and Jackie Taylor, from Gloucestershire

It’s so beautiful and the views are lovely! It’s so relaxing here compared to other parts of Spain that I’ve visited, it has a real calm and tranquil air about it. I’m looking around at the medieval church while the rest of family have gone off for a tuk tuk ride.

We absolutely love it here, we have been coming here for over 13 years. It’s the beauty of it, the ambience about the place, the people are so friendly and the food - wherever you go - is wonderful with very reasonable prices, and the shops have really good quality stuff. This is the loveliest village we have found on the Costa del Sol. We are seriously considering moving here out here.

This is our first time visiting Mijas and we will definitely come back, the stillness and calm of the village makes it such a peaceful experience, and the views that you get here are fantastic.

Expat Sue Townsend, 64, and friend Sue Sheppard, 65 from Mijas

Tony and Sheila Bailey of London The food is really good value and we have really enjoyed looking around the more artisan places and shops, it feels like an old Spanish town but there is new life in terms of shops and restaurants.

It’s so quaint here, it actually reminds me a little bit of Cornwall, there’s so much to see hiding in all the nooks and crannies

and it feels very authentic, it’s what I would call the real Spain. As soon as you arrive you feel as though you have stepped into the real Spain.

CALA

THERE will be plenty to celebrate at Smart Currency Exchange's second anniversary this June. The La Cala-based company offers UK clients buying in Spain superb money-saving services. It is the only currency exchange service recommended by Rightmove Overseas and A Place In The Sun, with even the Radio Times recommending the team to its readers. Jo Kilcourse, who oversees the Spanish operation from the office in the heart of La Cala, is delighted with the location. "It's very central and ideal as most of our business is done between Malaga and Estepona and there are lots of already established businesses here," says Jo, who has lived in Spain for 13 years. She and her team, including Tracey, Katie and Mark Rickard, put their success down to client care. "Our traders are not paid in commission so we are able to give our clients much better rates. In fact, we are one of the only currency companies to do this as we believe in helping our clients save as much as possible. "We can sometimes get our clients up to 5% more for their money than using the high street banks which means that buyers can look at more expensive properties and sellers are getting more for their money when sending their funds back to the UK." Smart Currency Exchange, which has grown ten-fold in two years, also works with sister company, The Spain Buying Guide. As part of the service, they can help their clients buy safely in Spain by recommending estate agents, solicitors and even mortgage companies. Contact the team at www.smartcurrencyexchange.com, or on 951 401 921 or email jo at joanne.kilcourse@smartcurrencyexchange.com

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HESE days you’re hard pushed not to spot a famous face on a wander through star-studded La Cala de Mijas. Well-known characters such as Elliott Wright from The Only Way is Essex and TV chef Steven Saunders run their bustling restaurants with panache while Marbella’s ‘it’ crowd is never far away. Long gone are the days when the place was merely a haunt for gangland heroes, including ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser, Kray minder George Dixon and notorious Ronnie Knight. These days there is a distinct sense of glamour about the charming village, which has become a genuine foil to the buzz of Marbella. Alongside a mix of well-heeled international tourists, keep your eyes peeled for British celebrities including Antony Worrall Thompson, Chris Tarrant and Rick Parfitt of Status Quo who have been spotted there. Thanks to the prime location between Marbella and Fuengirola, visitors are close to urban action while revelling in the provincial charm of a waterfront fisherman's cottage or backstreet bar. The eighteenth-century watchtower, recently restored, stands as a beacon to the town’s history, with almost all local trans-

Mijas

April 13th - April 26th 2016

The planks were laid a year ago in La Cala de Mijas helping to bring a slice of celebrity stardust to the area, writes Iona Napier

STAR-STUDDED: (From top left) Wright, Saunders and the 18th century watchtower

Fortress of fun port conducted by donkey up to the 1960s! The defiantly low-rise La Cala has preserved its Spanish charm while absorbing waves of tourists and smartening up its act in recent years. And with the boardwalk, completed a year ago, which connects the village with Riviera there is all the more reason to strut your stuff in La Cala. It is fast becoming a little corner of Marbella in Mijas, with a booming property market, a

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splendid promenade and vibrant bar and restaurant scene. It was here that TOWIE’s Elliott Wright chose to sink €3 million in stunning restaurant Olivia’s last year, rather than in the perhaps more obvious resort of Marbella. “The only way is La Cala these days,” he explains. “Bit by bit it is getting more and more glamourous and more and more upmarket. “Forget Marbs, this is the place to hang out these days.” Fellow restaurateur Steven Saunders, of Ready Steady Cook fame, agrees. “It is incredible how much this area has come up in the last year. “It has always been charming

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“What we were selling for €130,000 two years ago is now easily selling for €170,000 and more,” he reveals nonchalantly. “Our big problem is high demand but very low supply: everybody wants to be close to La Cala, with a sea view and walking QUAINT: Backstreets and (left) distance from new beach walkway the centre, and nobody wants to compro- front I drop into Olivia’s, where Elliott treats me to an ice-cold mise.” The 48-year- Sauvignon Blanc on the roof terold continues: race. “Most agents This is a glamorous spot, soon are receiving to be seen regularly in a new TV ten requests show on his life in Spain. every day for long “It’s going to be a lot of fun to term lets here and watch,” he says with his tradethere simply isn’t the sup- mark grin. Down the road, for a totally difply.” Dodd adds that as well as ferent atmosphere, Olive Press Brits, the Scandinavians and columnist Saunders and previthe Dutch are coming in their ous Michelin star chef is gearing up for his evening service at The droves. After a stroll along the beach- Little Geranium. Wearing a natty black trilby (‘It’s from the days where I had to rush between my 15 restaurants and chefs hats got in the way’) and a denim chef’s top, Saunders personally explains each course of the seven-plate tasting menu to enthralled dinCASHING in on a great start to business ers. in La Cala, Aladin’s La Cala keeps on His restaurant has been full to expanding. bursting every day since he reRun by charming Brit Chug, Aladin’s has opened on February 1. recently installed a cashpoint on site. Tourists are flocking to Mijas Offering something for everyone, Alaand it’s easy to see why - a meltdin’s provides the best second-hand ing pot of glitz and glam and furniture on the Coast. down-to-earth family values, La “And there’s plenty more to come from Cala is most certainly moving in us,” reveals Chug. the right direction.

but now there is a real buzz about the place.” The central hub for many an expat in La Cala is Irish bar Biddy Mulligan’s meanwhile. The perfect place to watch sport or grab a Guinness, manager David Reilly explains how La Cala is going from strengthto-strength. “La Cala de Mijas is the best kept secret on the Costa del Sol,” he says. “It really is an amazing village with everything you could wish for - all within a short walk from each other. “There are fantastic restaurants, a picturesque beach and a family friendly atmosphere.” La Cala’s star really is in the ascendent and estate agent Andrew Dodd, at Homefinders, has the numbers to prove it.

The genie cashes in

18 Now also in Calahonda! ll about

Next to the camping Los Jarales

Mijas

Mijas and, in particular, La Cala is developing an exciting restaurant scene, writes Dining Secrets of Andalucia editor Jon Clarke Open Everyday tel: 951 082 349 email: info@pandelux.com www.pandelux.com C.Cial los Jarales, No.5, Sitio de Calahonda, 29649, Mijas

OU blink and you’ll miss a new restaurant opening in La Cala these days. In the coast’s most exciting culinary development for years, the village is developing a distinct food culture. Spearheaded by British restaurateurs Elliott Wright and Steven Saunders, at least half a dozen new restaurants have appeared this year. Former Michelin-starred Saunders, an Olive Press columnist, sums it up succinctly: “It is a very exciting change and well overdue to create a foil to the dining scene in Marbella.” The former Ready Steady Cook star’s restaurant Little Geranium has been winning consistently good reviews since opening last Spring.

Charming

Saunders, who has served up celebrities including David Beckham, Rihanna and even the Queen, is a huge purveyor of organic produce and a firm believer in seasonal menus. His charming

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Mijas

April 13th - April 26th 2016

WHERE TO EAT

FOODIE REVOLUTION LEADING LIGHTS: Little Geranium and Olivia’s (above)

joint sits on a pedestrianised street and is the epitome of warmth and charm. Expect to find Steven in the kitchen with his trademark trilby hat, while his stunning wife Michele bosses the restaurant with aplomb. For a totally different experience head to Olivia’s, on the beach. Here, TOWIE star Elliott Wright has invested €3 million creating the ultimate dining experience.

With fantastic sea views, stunning decor and a menu to match, this is an excellent addition to the Mijas dining scene and, contrary to popular belief, Elliott is actually a very experienced restaurateur and knows how to deliver. The first thing to note is the large Asian influence on the menu, inspired by Elliott’s love of the Far East and his favourite restaurant in London, Nobu. Dishes include Maplewood smoked tuna, with Japanese tea noodles, and pork spring rolls with

shredded Asian vegetables. My favourite pick is Miso cod, with pickled ginger imported from Japan, which was succulent and has a great mix of flavours and vegetables. For yet another completely different style, head 400 metres inland to find the fantastic family-style Ole restaurant, where Juan Gomez has been on the go for 22 years. Juan is a charming host – speaking perfect English – and puts a great emphasis on fresh ingredients, much

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April 13th - April 26th 2016

Mijas

Top tip(ple)

HOSTS: At La Reja and Valparaiso and (left) prawns at Aroma

from his finca near Ronda. Expect to eat fantastic stuffed red peppers, delicious lettuce hearts with anchovies, and great salmon cooked in a spicy dill sauce. Nearby make sure to look out for Captain’s Bar, which is excellent for a tapa, full sit down meal or a game of pool. Run by Claire, Gary and Lesley, there are daily specials and some excellent tapas, including chorizo in tomato and delicious meatballs (see picture right). The fish and chips are also said to be legendary. Bought in 2001, it still. Also, look out for El Oceano restaurant, which has just reopened after a stunning refit. Sitting literally on the rocks at one end of La Cala, the dining room is inspirational in the extreme and the Sunday lunches, with their classic entertainment, famous around these parts.

Varied

The menu is rich and varied and the wine list also detailed and complex. (see pullout, right) Heading inland from La Cala you can opt for a formal meal up at La Terraza at La Cala Resort, where you will be taken care of by an experienced team of chefs, who have worked at Spain’s leading restaurants (see Page 27). Nearby one of the true dining secrets of Mijas, the classic rural venta, El Jinete, can be found. This authentic farmhouse has been nicely converted keeping its old beams and painted an atmospheric plum red, while its terrace outside on warm days and evenings is difficult to beat.

FRESH: Salad at Ole

IF credentials were needed to run a wine bar, owning your own vineyard would certainly help. But, where Bernardo Diego Pullido, 30, is concerned, his 2.5-hectare estate in Riax Baixas, where he produces his fine albarino Estrada Vello, is irrelevant. After all, he spent five years studying winemaking in Galicia (not to mention working in restaurants in London) before making the plunge and opening his distribution business La Pura Cepa in Mijas, half a decade ago.

What began as a wine shop is now one of La Cala’s finest places to tapear and, of course, drink wine. There are always more than 40 wines by the glass and around a dozen fabulous tapas to dip into. There is also an amazing list of gin and tonics, should you decide for something stronger.

AUTHENTIC: El Jinete

Paradise is closer than you think! THE coast’s number one beachfront venue, the stunning El Oceano, has re-opened its doors for another wonderful season! Having undergone further renovations throughout winter the entire waterfront terrace and bar have had a total transformation. Actually more of a metamorphosis into the pinnacle of elegance and exclusivity. The breathtaking view is one of the most iconic the world has to offer. You could be looking out on Miami Beach, except their is no road to spoil your view, just the boardwalk, blue skies and the wide open ocean. An oasis of laid back luxury where comfort and satisfaction is paramount, pamper yourself with exquisite cuisine, top class live entertainment almost every evening and during ‘famous’ Sunday lunch! Mixologists offer hand shaken classic martinis and contemporary cocktails, and you don’t need to drive home if you book into one of the 58 bedrooms, most of which offer mesmerising sea views. Why not relax and top up your tan by spending the day relaxing around the Polynesian pool area? El Oceano Beach Hotel, in Miraflores Playa, is open everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Call 952 587 550, email info@oceanohotel.com or visit www. oceanohotel.com. Run by Karen Wilson and Argentinian husband Roque Martinez, it specialises in meat on the barbecue, but the menu also yields up some splendid chestnuts, such as an avocado tartare with prawns, not to mention an excellent braised rabbit, which came with a very generous serving of potatoes and vegetables. Heading up to the village look out for celebrated Valparaiso restaurant, where just about every famous person has come to eat for the last three decades. Everyone from Liam Gallagher to David Beckham and from Ronnie Corbett to Bruce Forsyth have graced the tables at this legendary spot. Their mugshots are plastered all over the walls, and it is not hard to see why when you see the menu and experience the fantastic friendly service. Up in the pueblo look out for the oasis that is known

as the Secret Garden, which sits behind its more typical white-walled sister restaurant Aroma. This amazing garden is a delight to kick back and dine in good weather and the menu is a nice mix of authentic Iberian dishes alongside Argentinean fare – particularly steaks. Part of a group of restaurants, make sure to look out for Taberna Meguinez which has an excellent menu, as well as Latitude 36, a new fish restaurant. Another authentic restaurant in the pueblo is Restaurante La Reja, which is charm personified and has an amazing dining terrace looking over Mijas and the faraway hills. Run by Manolo and his wife, it has a simple good value menu, described as ‘traditional Andalucian kitchen’, and expect to eat delicious aubergines in honey, perfect steaks and the freshest fish.

19 April 13th - April 26th 2016 April 13th - April 26th 2016

20 April 13th - April 26th 2016

Selling property in Mijas for 31 years, Susanne Teres of Mijas Properties is as excited about the year ahead

Pillar of success

STABLISHED agent Susanne Teres has built up an unparalleled reputation on the Mijas property scene. Originally going on holiday and falling in love with the whitewashed village over 30 years ago, Susanne has not looked back since and is still proud to call Mijas her home. In the early ‘80s she opened up Mijas Properties, a real estate business which offers everything from sales to holiday and long term rentals to property management. With a great experienced staff operating in English, Spanish and French who all share Susanne’s enthusiasm and dedication to their clients. “Mijas is really on the map now,” she explains. “I have watched the village grow over the last three decades and it is more popular than ever now!

“Although we still have a lot of British clients, we also have many other nationalities who are drawn to this part of Andalucia.” She adds: “It’s also wonderful to have clients returning to us year after year and I am so grateful for their loyal support.” Mijas Properties’ bright spacious offices have undergone recent refurbishment, and have fabulous panoramic views overlooking the sea. Situated in the heart of the village , close to the town hall and next to the Zurich Insurance offices. As Susanne explains “It is the unrivalled views from Mijas Pueblo and the traditional charm of this white washed village that encaptures visitors with its magic.” For more information please call 952 48 50 25 or visit www.mijasproperties.com

ARTISAN TOWN CREATIVITY AND RESOURCEFULNESS: Mijas workers created an industry around the weaving of esparto grass, men picking it in the high mountains and women folk creating a range of baskets, hats and even shoes, with examples at the Mijas folk museum (see right) meanwhile other snapshots of Mijas in days gone by inclde an underdeveloped La Cala in the 1960s

Mijas Properties was established in 1984 by Susanne Terés Specialists in Mijas Pueblo and the surrounding areas for over 30 years! Sales & Management Holidays – Long Term Rentals

Ref: V2234POR Price: 290,000€ Luxury apartment between Mijas Village and the coast 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Ref: V.2236JON Price: 480,000€ Attractive Villa near Mijas Golf 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

Ref: V.2212IAN Price: 680,000€ Charming Villa close to Mijas Village 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Ref: V2225VAL Price: 995,000€ Stunning Villa walking distance to Mijas Village 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

Here are just a few of the fantastic properties we have on the market – for more information on these properties and others available – please visit our website or pop in and meet us! Located on the main street in Mijas Village, close to the Town Hall, next to Zurich If you are thinking of putting your property on for sale or rent, please d not hesitate to call us!

Top Dollar

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

April 13th - April 26th 2016

Moneycorp heading to Gib ONE of the UK’S biggest foreign exchange provider is heading to Gibraltar. Moneycorp Bank has successfully completed its bank licence appli-

LINING UP: Rock delegates

Shipshape cruise liners

GIBRALTAR was well represented at a prestigious American cruise liner conference last month. Albert Poggio OBE led the Rock’s delegation at the Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Gibraltar was a participant in the pavilion for MedCruise, which represents more than 100 ports in the Mediterranean. Mr Poggio told the Olive Press: “The Gibraltar Delegation was able to meet many of the executives who are responsible for scheduling calls into Gibraltar.” Gibraltar is one of the main cruising ports in the Mediterranean, and hosted over 200 calls and 345,000 passengers last year, with 227 stops scheduled for 2016. The largest ship scheduled to dock this year is Royal Caribbean’s new 4,905-passenger Ovation of the Seas on May 8.

cation on the Rock and will be operational from May 2016. The move will allow Moneycorp Bank to hold deposits in multiple currencies and service the pay-

ment needs of clients in Gibraltar. The bank will be regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission.

Jet-set record Tourists set to double on the Rock as extra flights are brought in A RECORD number of air passengers could be flying to Gibraltar this summer. The number of weekly flights to the Rock – recently named the world’s second most convenient airport by The Telegraph – is set to increase by 35% over the coming months. And that could mean over 40% more visitors. Minister for Tourism, Samantha Sacramento, said: “It is very encouraging to see our partner airlines placing their confidence in Gibraltar and increasing capacity substantially. Not

only to core destinations, but also to regional departure points.” British Airways is adding extra early morning departures from Heathrow on Monday and Friday, with further flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 3. LIFT OFF: Rock readies for record flights Easyjet’s twiceweekly service to ham, as well as a fourManchester will also come flights from July 19. into effect from July 3, as Monarch is also laying on times-a-week service from well as two extra Gatwick extra flights from Birming- Gatwick.

NEWS IN BRIEF Slice of the action MADRID-based Telepizza is planning to offload public shares worth up to €600 million in a push to reduce debt.

Slim’s pickings MEXICAN tycoon Carlos Slim is pushing for further investments in Spain, having reportedly tabled a six-figure bid for Barcelona based Fomento de Contrucciones & Contratas.

Flying visit SPANISH airline Iberia Madrid is launching a new service between Birmingham Airport and Madrid.

Buyer bo om ONLINE shopping in Spain grew by almost 30% in the third quarter of last year with more than 74 million transactions worth €5,302 million.

UNIT 10 AND 18 NEW HARBOURS BUILDERS – DIY TRADE CENTRES

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Top Dollar

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www.theo-

WHEN Arturo Maria Capurro set up his insurance company in 1876, little did he realise he was laying the foundations for one of Gibraltar’s most enduring businesses. Over the past 140 years, Gibraltar’s oldest insurance company, Capurro Insurance & Investments, has gone from strength to strength. The intermediary insurance firm specialises in everything from commercial insurance and professional indemnity, to motor and marine insurance. And all these years later, MD Patrick Sheppard-Capurro (Arturo’s great-grandson) says the company’s core values remain the same. “Doing the right thing,” says Patrick. “Eating it for breakfast. It’s probably the reason Capurro’s still going today, and probably the reason we are thinking ahead to the next 100 years. “It is the client we are always looking after. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients. If the insurer does not want to pay the claim we will fight our client’s corner.” The exceptional all-round knowledge of Capurro’s team of 20 is underpinned by their individual expertise in niche sectors of the market. Operating in Gibraltar, Spain, the UK, Portugal

22 April 13th - April 26th 2016

Clients come first Advertorial

Gibraltar’s oldest insurance firm Capurro is still being run by the founder’s great-grandson, discovers Joe Duggan and Malta, the business has grown hugely since the 1980s when just two staff catered for the Rock’s population. Patrick, who joined the family firm in 2000, underlines the importance of good service: “I always stress to the staff that we have to make ourselves different in some way,” he says. “People could go straight to the insurer, so why go through a broker at all? “But what happens when you have a claim? Guiding someone through that process isn’t easy at all. That’s probably the more difficult part of the process. And that’s where we come in.” It is very much a family-run business, with three out of four directors sharing the Capurro surname. And with thousands of Gibraltarians choosing that name for their insurance,

the company is set to remain a pillar of the Rock’s economy for the foreseeable future. Visit capurroinsurance.com or call (+350) 200 4085

TEAM GAME: Dedicated experts

Like father like great grandson

GOOD SERVICE: Capurro

PATRICK Sheppard-Capurro joined the family firm Capurro Insurance & Investments in 2000. The born-and-bred Gibraltarian was schooled in the UK before studying business and marketing at university. But, in the end, the lure of the Rock proved too much. “I tried my hand at a career in the UK, then realised the lifestyle here had too much to offer,” says Patrick. “Gibraltar’s a great place to live, and a good place for doing business. A friendly place,”

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he says. Initially, he decided not to work for the family business and instead got a job with the Bland Group, gaining valuable business experience. A keen yachtsman, Patrick also worked at Sheppard’s, a marine company, where he combined business with pleasure - his love of the sea! “But,” he says, speaking 16 years on, “I ended up being swayed and joined the family firm”.

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FOLLOWING the publication concerned, it is interesting of what appears to be a mas- Fallout of Panama to note that offshore compasive 11.5 million leaked doc- Papers has got the nies do provide a significant uments from a Panama law degree of anonymity. In fact, firm, Mossack Fonseca, this world’s attention… offenders have generally small Central American terri- but what exactly been caught as a result of tory will no longer be rememtip-offs, police raids on law bered for its canal or for be- does it mean? firms during fraud investiing the country that the U.S. gations or through massive invaded in 1989. document leaks – such For the record, It must be said that in most as the Panama Papers. Unfortunately for modern jurisdictions it is not illegal to ei- many of those caught, tax evasion can lead ther have an offshore bank account, an to charges of money laundering, as these offshore company, or both. What is against are connected crimes. the law is to be a resident of a ‘norFans of offshore banking, often in mal’ country where one pays taxes places with appealing names such regularly, and to have money, as Belize, the Cayman Islands interests, shares or any other or Seychelles, need to accept valuables hidden in an offonce and for all that responshore jurisdiction or under the sible fiscal planning has nothmattress. ing to do with fictitious resiIn Spain alone, according to dencies and other forms of the 2015 Tax Control Plan concealment. by the AEAT (Spanish Tax One can have millions Office), 7,000 taxpayers stashed away via a Turks and are already under investigaCaicos company, a boat in the tion by the Tax Agency either name of a Madeira-registered for not presenting form 720 entity and the villa via a when they should have done, Gibraltar company, proor for not declaring their vided they are properly foreign assets correctdeclared in the counly. With the Panama try of residence. And Papers scandal, there is no tailored or this number will ‘bespoke’ tax advice or certainly double. planning that will alter As far as Spain is this obligation.

Property

April 13th - April 26th 2016

Mons Calpe Mews ready to open RUN DOWN: Old Town

Home help A HOUSING campaign group is demanding action to halt the ‘urban decay’ in much of Gibraltar’s old town. Action for Housing is calling on the government to work in tandem with private landlords to combat the issue. The charity’s spokesperson Henry Pinna has called for abandoned buildings to be refurbished to help alleviate the housing waiting list. He also called on the government to publish details of its urban renewal programme.

THE first two blocks of Mons Calpe Mews are ready to be occupied. Gibraltarians who have purchased the affordable housing in Abyla Lodge and Seagull Lodge can collect their keys once they have

completed. Express Lodge and Basha Lodge are due to be ready by the end of April, and the final two blocks, Viking Lodge and Seamaster Lodge, by the end of May.

University challenge Man behind Gibraltar’s university reveals the complexities of restoration IT’S the pride and joy of Gibraltarians and the seat of Rock learning. And now one of the surveyors behind

the University of Gibraltar campus has revealed the complexities of restoring the former military base. Jorge Carcelen was part of the team tasked with respecting the site’s historical legacy as well as creating a campus fit for the 21st European Court of Justice ruled that the century. “The site has had many charges were ‘discriminatory’. The Spanish authorities raised the tax uses, from a fort in the charge when a foreign owner of a home seventeenth century to a died and passed it on to his family. military installation in the The inheritance tax levied on non-resi- nineteenth century,” said dent homeowners usually amounted to a Carcelen. third of the property’s value and had to be “The new university compaid within six months of inheriting. plex not only retains what

The big tax payback A GROUP of British holiday homeowners in Spain have been refunded €3.3 million in taxes they should never have been charged. The Spanish Hacienda (tax authority) is being forced to hand back millions of euros worth of punitive taxes to Brits who were overcharged on inheritance tax. Another €7 million-worth of claims are still to go through the courts, after the

TRICKY JOB: At university

was there before, it has managed to uncover architectural details that had disappeared.” The Europa Point complex has retained its essence, but plays with light and glass and offers stunning views of Africa, the bay of Algeciras and the Straits of Gibraltar. “The project’s central idea is the atrium which connects the two historical buildings and which facilitates meetings between students, teachers and visitors to the University,” he added. And with 2,400 Gibraltarians visiting the university on the first open day, the building has been a huge hit.

Nazareth House helpers KINDHEARTED students from Gibraltar College have raised £500 for the Nazareth House charity. The level one pupils raised the money for the soup kitchen during Valentine's week by selling cards and gifts made by teachers and students. They set up a stall at the Piazza to sell the homemade goods, and later presented the cheque for Father Charlie at Nazareth House. The soup kitchen is based in a former school building on Hospital Hill and provides food, clothing and showers for those in need.

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Ivy league power

Gib maitre’d to the stars reveals the secrets behind London’s one of most famous restaurants and how he turned away Sir Alec Guiness

FROM Noel Coward to David Bowie, London’s The Ivy has been home to the stars since 1917. And Fernando Peire, the Gibraltar-born director of the Michelin-starred restaurant, has revealed its secret is to treat all diners like royalty. But Peire - regarded as London’s top maitre’d - had just started working at The Ivy in 1990 when a famous-sounding voice called to make a dinner reservation. "My instinct was to take the reservation: He had the most elegant voice I had ever heard," says Peire, 56. "But I was new, and the general manager was standing in front of me shaking his head." Although Peire offered the

Dream team ONE of Marbella’s most popular restaurants is teaming up with a top Italian chef. Cibo Italiano, on the Golden Mile, has brought in Simone Riccioni as its new head chef. Trained by Cerlo Cracco, the host of the Italian Hell’s Kitchen, Riccioni learnt his trade at Michelin-starred restaurant Mamma Rosa before opening his own eatery in Italy. “We are excited to have Simone join us at Cibo. He is bringing a wealth of experience in modern Italian cuisine” restaurant manager Szabi said. “We can now see new dishes and new styles appearing on the menu and regular specials”. For more information visit www.cibomarbella.com

EXPERT: Chef Riccioni

IVY: Peire (above) and Guiness (top)

caller a place to eat in the bar, the man was not amused. "This is Sir Alec Guinness,” boomed Obi-Wan Kenobi himself. "I have never taken dinner in a bar in my life and I don't intend to break that rule tomorrow. I shall dine elsewhere." Peire’s success in the glitzy

world of high-end dining also led to his own Channel 5 show The Restaurant Inspector. And as Peire says, a good maitre’d must be appropriately attired, friendly, and act as the host of a party. "Most of our regulars are not famous people. We just treat them all like stars,” he says.

Asian delight

WAGAMAMA is opening a Gibraltar restaurant this summer, the first in the Iberian peninsula. The mouthwatering pan-Asian menu will be tantalising Ocean Village tastebuds from an expected July date. And with fragrant ramen soups, succulent katsu curry and fresh, healthy ingredients, Gibraltarians’ dining-out options are about to be boosted. General Manager, Sergio de Souza said: “Wagamama will be a strong addition to Gibraltar's restaurant scene and undoubtedly attract many customers from across the border too." Wagamama’s casual, inexpensive canteen-style service has won it many fans across the world, with more than 160 restaurants in 18 countries. The British group opened its first restaurant in 1992 in Bloomsbury. FRESH: Dish

Calentita on the menu AS the summer nights lengthen, al fresco dining is all the rage. And what better place to tickle the tastebuds than Gibraltar food festival La Calentita. The tenth anniversary of the gastronomic gala will take place in Casemates Square on Saturday June 18 and will be organised by Word Of Mouth. Last year’s event drew thousands of foodies to the Rock to sample cuisine from nearly 50 stalls. And with sizzling weather,

SUMMER FUN: Calentita EURO 2016 and fine food all on the menu, it promises to be a street party to remember.

The Rotunda Winston Churchill Avenue Tel: +350 200 66991 (Onine shopping) Tel: +350 200 68666

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26 26

Perfect tonic CO-FOUNDERS of a luxury tonic brand which saw its international break in a Spanish restaurant have netted £18m after selling off shares. Fever-Tree founders Charles Rolls and Tim Warrillow sold 1.9 million shares for £12.3m and 854,000 shares for £5.4m respectively, following demand from investors wanting to buy in. The company was thrust into the international market by Adria Ferran in 2012, when he decided to stock the luxury mixer in El Bulli - his since closed Michelin star restaurant in Catalonia. Fever-Tree's stocking in the famous restaurant came at a time when gin consumption in Spain was increasing by 15% each year. Since the fortuitous pairing, Fever-Tree has been stocked in seven of the world's top 10 restaurants and has continued to take advantage of the growing demand for gin and upmarket mixers.

SUCCESS: For founders

FLOWER POWER by Steven Saunders of the Little Geranium

The real paella This week, Michelin-starred celebrity chef and restaurateur Steven Saunders of TV’s Ready Steady Cook and The Little Geranium restaurant in La Cala de Mijas investigates …The real paella!

OST people think that paella is a Spanish national dish but many foodie Spaniards disagree. This is mainly because paella originates from Valencia, and in just two guises: the Valencian paella with meat or with seafood. It was never intended to be regionalised. Paella is thought to have originated in the 10th century when the Moors first began rice cultivation. Rice became a staple food, and cooks and chefs often combined it with meat or with fish, but never both. In the 19th century the ingredients of paella changed to include rabbit, chicken, duck and even snails. The complete list of ingredients in this era was short-grain white rice (Bomba rice) chicken, rabbit, snails, duck, butter beans, runner beans, artichoke (a substitute for runner beans in the winter), tomatoes, fresh rosemary, sweet paprika, fresh saffron and garlic, salt, olive oil and water. That doesn’t sound anything like the paella we have on the Costa del Sol, does it? Paella is like a lot of classic recipes which have been adulterated as years go on for simplicity, speed and budget. How the beautiful and original Valencian paella can end up with rice coloured yellow with food colouring, frozen peas and sausage, is beyond me! I’m a real foodie and I love original recipes to be kept to their original format except maybe sometimes when there is a need to modernise bits, especially where presentation is concerned because things evolve. I was once quoted as saying that the best paella comes from Colchester. The reason for this is not because I have ever had a great paella in Colchester – because I haven’t – but I have never as of yet had a great paella in Spain! If you love paella, and want to enjoy the original thing, then do try this authentic recipe. I would love to have some feedback on it. Email me anytime.

The real Valencian paella First and foremost you will need a special paella pan called a paellera or just a paella. The special pan is essential! Ingredients: 1 tablespoon good olive oil   1/2 whole free range chicken, cut into 6 pieces 1/2 rabbit, cleaned and cut into 4 pieces   1 head garlic, cloves separated peeled  & sliced 2 tomatoes, finely chopped   1/2 kilo fresh green beans  sliced thinly Canned butter beans  ( approx. 400g) 1 teaspoon mild paprika 1 generous pinch saffron threads   1 flat dessert spoon of dried thyme 1 flat dessert spoon chopped rosemary, Approx 500g of Bomba rice (paella rice) Heat a paella pan over medium-high heat, and coat with the olive oil. Add the chicken, rabbit and garlic; cook and stir until nicely browned. Move the browned meat to the sides of the pan, and add the tomato, butter beans, and the sliced green beans. Season with paprika, and mix well. Fill the paella pan almost to the top with water. This is to help you to determine how much rice to add. Bring to a boil. Simmer for about 1 hour to make a nice broth. Season with a generous amount of salt, and just enough saffron to make a nice yellow colour. Season with the thyme and rosemary. The secret is to make a rich tasting broth that will soak into the rice to make it delicious. Stir in half as much rice as the amount of water in the pan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed (about 20 minutes). Allow to rest for 10 minutes and serve.

Steven Saunders FMCGB - www.thelittlegeranium.com - steven@thelittlegeranium.com +34 952 49 36 02

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Stars align

Constellation of top chefs unite under one roof in Marbella

TOP chefs with a total of 71 Michelin stars between them will be cooking up a storm in Marbella. Now in its third year, Dani Garcia’s gastronomic chef-fest, A Cuatro Manos, takes on an international flavour, as it pays tribute to French legend Joel Robuchon. Celebrity participants flying into the Costa del Sol from the United States, France and Germany to join Spain’s own homegrown talent. For four days from April 18, the Hotel Puente Romano will be the venue for some mouthwatering and spectacular demonstrations of good cooking. The first day sees chefs including Ferran Adria’s elBulli Founda-

TOP TALENT: Sebastian Frank and Joel Robuchon tion, New York’s Daniel Humm and Berlin’s Sebastian Frank uniting in a gastro-tribute to the great French chef and res-

STAR CHEF: Daniel Humm

taurateur, Joel Robuchon – ‘Chef of the Century’ (the last one) according to the Gault Millau guide. They’ll be knocking up 20 of the French maestro’s most iconic dishes at the resort’s Dani Garcia restaurant. On Tuesday at the ‘Unplugged’ event, Dani Garcia, Paco Morales and Angel Leon will create a feast without using any techniques developed after 1995. Garcia will cook with Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm on April 20, and create a dazzling meal with Horvath Restaurant Sebastian Frank, from Berlin, on the 21st. All events are open to the public.

All you need is

‘Bringing music to your ears, and Gibraltar to your screen’

April on GBC TV includes: ‘Underground Gibraltar’ ‘Viewpoint’ ‘The Hub’ ‘Just Another Day’ ‘The Powder Room’ ‘The Sports Locker’ GBC TELEVISION

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LOCAL TALENT: Dani Garcia For more information visit www.grupodanigarcia. com/acuatromanos

Columnists

April fool April 13th - April 26th 2016

A tall story about Toy Story proves all too believable in the land of the far fetched

KNOW, I'm a terrible person but I couldn't help myself. In my defense, it was April Fool's Day so I couldn't resist posting a blog story that Disney had announced that it was making a bid to develop Marbella's beleaguered Al Thani Port project into a water-based theme park based on movies from the Pixar studios such as Toy Story. "Marbella has the fantastic climate, the infrastructure and is already a hugely popular destination for tourists, so taking over the Al Thani Port project and developing it in the same way as our other parks makes perfect sense. There is also synergy between Pixar movies, and Marbella - the luxury car market with Cars, fine dining with Ratatouille and, as we are on water, we are especially looking forward to the Finding Nemo area of Pixar Park." I quoted an anonymous spokesperson as saying, finishing with the line ´This is no Toy Story. It really will take

DUPED: Agents fall for Giles’ gag

Marbella`To Infinity and Beyond'. I thought that my April Fool Story would be quickly spotted, but maybe it says something for the market in Marbella that my blog story began to pop up on real estate websites as a bone fide news report. 'Great news for Marbella' one agent commented while another called me from Dubai saying he had seen the news on Social Media and wanted in! I thought that my original story was pretty far fetched, but then remembered that it wasn't so long ago that ex mayor Jesus Gil proposed floating tourist islands off Marbella...

Remembering Ronnie Ronnie Corbett was part of the fabric of my early television viewing. As a 70s child, my Saturday evenings nor-

mally finished after watching The Two Ronnies’. It seems that everyone has a Ron-

nie Corbett memory after his recent death, so here is mine. And it even has a Marbella connection.

Adios amigos

WISE old journalist once told me that the reporter should never become the story. But if you can’t go a little offpiste in your last ever Olive Press article, then when can you? After all, I’ve written about fraudsters, thieves, gangsters and every type of low-life Costa criminal under the balmy Spanish sun during a fantastically eventful two-and-a-halfyear stint. It’s time to give the likes of Nigel Goldman and co a week off. Instead, with my last few taps of this well-worn keyboard, I want to celebrate the three most valuable lessons I learnt from living in a new country, from people I will never forget. Let’s go back to the beginning, when Donald Trump was still a blithering idiot of a businessman and Brexit sounded like a tasty breakfast cereal. I’d left London, my friends and my cosy life behind in search of something new. First of all was the man who picked me up from the bus station and rented out his room to me in the heart of Estepona. A typical Esteponero – who stuggles to understand why anybody would want to ever leave the town – he took me under his wing and introduced me to Andalucian life. Tapas, ice-cold lager, happy hours at the port and tapas was the menu del dia, almost every dia. But the one thing he taught me, above all the cultural hints and tips, is to make sure there

In his final Olive Press dispatch, former Chief Reporter Tom Powell remembers the three key lessons living in Spain has taught him

In the 80s several of the leading lights of light entertainment´had villas in Marbella. Bruce Forsyth had a place just below the Banus bullring close to what is now La Sala, while Jimmy Tarbuck had a villa in El Paraiso, not far from Cilla Black’s house. Puerto Banus was a lot smaller in the 80s, and being a teenager on the town, it wasn’t too long before we bumped into their children. Jimmy Tarbuck Jr and Ed Allen (son of Irish comedian Dave) became friends, and one of my mates, Scott, started dating Ronnie Corbett’s daughter Sophie.

Dancing

LESSON LEARNT: For a wet Tom Powell are no soap suds left on plates on the draining rack. ‘You can taste soap next time you eat’. Yeah, right. Moving swiftly onwards, another memorable lesson came while staying in an idyllic hotel in the Serrania de Ronda with a singer from Chicago (that’s a sentence which makes my life sound far cooler than it is). We arose on the Sunday morning and ventured uphill to mooch around the pretty, white village of Benaojan before heading back down the coast. It was an overcast day, pregnant with misfortune, but, ever the optimist regarding weather, I led us forth despite a lack of raincoats. Then the inevitable happened.

The heavens, hells and all other biblical lands opened and the rain began to pour, and by pour I mean a billion hydrocharged hoses attacking one tiny, shelterless village. Every part of me was soaked wet through and we had completely lost track of the path back down to the hotel. And then I spotted a door slightly ajar as we desperately huddled under a roof-edge. A plump, old lady’s face peeked out at us, with a frail arm slowly extending. There, clasped in her hand, was our holy grail; an umbrella. We thanked her inordinately, promising to return the brolly once the storm had passed.

What we didn’t know, however, was that the teenage Sophie had a strict curfew. And so it came to pass that late one evening we were all drinking and dancing in the legendary Joe’s Bar, the place where everybody ended up in Banus. (This was the 80s. The second line that now houses Linneker’s was the forgotten end of Banus. Hard to believe I know). Suddenly the door curtain flew open and a very small and VERY angry Ronnie Corbett marched in. Spying his daughter with Scott, he grabbed her by the arm, at which point Scott tried to intervene. I’m not going to repeat what Ronnie Corbett said to Scott, or where he told him to go, but safe to say it used language never employed in his famous armchair monologues!

la sala TM

a tr a n i S g

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TRIBUTE

An uncanny resemblance to ‘Old blue eyes’ Martin

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