Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 282 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Stitch-up Eco-warrior

BACKING DOWN: Carles

BACK FROM BRINK

claims expat

‘mafia developers’

planted cocaine

in his car

EXCLUSIVE

SPAIN and the By Joe Duggan sigh of relief as EU breathed a failed to declareCatalan’s leader A LEADING CONFLICT: independence in a critical parliament Galle blamed ‘mafia ecologist has methods’ after wants to develop, speech last night. drugs were planted the land for €11 million from Instead, Carles while Clavero stop him protesting in his car to a San Roque developer is Puigdemont reiterated the and is blocking of footpaths.against the opposed believed to be region’s right launching an upbreak from Spain to Juan Clavero, market hunting following this a regional organmonth’s referendum, iser of green group When Clavero business there. when 90% returned to his of 2.4 million Catalans en Accion, believes Ecologistas car Guardia Civil voted to leave. developers could expat-linked waiting, pulling officers were be behind the Switching between seizure of 47 grams taining the drugsout a bag conCatalan and of cocaine after a search Spanish, Puigdemont found under a of the vehicle. car seat. offered an olive branch, Clavero, who was He was taken to arrested and logue with Madridproposing diacharged over station where he Ubrique police week: “It was after ten days the offence, has a complete stitch was kept overof mounting tension. now been found night. up and like third can use these mafia “We propose to world couna judge dismissedinnocent after “We are certain methods to tries where suspend the inframe environmentalists. Clavero has been the case. drug traffickers dependence declaration He told the Olive connection to that there is a reign. “I have never been a series of protests involved in in order Press this to work towards public paths in the closure of involved “It is inconceivable against the with drugs blocking of footpaths this stitch-up,” practice the result putting into and the judge developers he said. agreed.” and a of the referdevelopment in endum. He added that the celebrated Sierra de Grazalema “We are making now identified his group had natural Park, between responsibility in a gesture of address of the the name and Grazalema and favour of diaHUNDREDS Ronda. person responlogue.” sible for planting in Spain are of Brits On the morning He added: “The demand“It has been giventhe drugs. ing action after August 26, he of his arrest on to independence ballots say Yes had taken part the courts, but to police and losing up to £20 million a protest against in that I want to go this is the will happens next. let’s see what in a failed pension by Jerez-based the estate, run “I want to follow forward with. company Breña “I am not aware people’s will for ment scheme. investdel Agua Investments Marnix Galle Catalonia to become Pension has anything SL, near boss Darren Kirby the village of Benamahoma. an independent state.” but he shouldto do with this, has fled to Australia, The company He also called is owned by Belactions of his investigate the leavfor internationing a string of gian tycoon Marnix clarify what employees and Galle, who tions in his wake.allegais said to be Continues on they are doing Page 7 building a huge against those who 800-metre-square of way on public defend right mansion on the land. roads.” In his court case, Galle, one of Belgium’s last month, SEE PAGE 4 the judge at richest property developers, Ubrique court ruled that Clavero purchased was the vic-

EXCLUSIVE

Expats lose million in life€20 through failedsavings investment scheme

Continues on Page 4

oN all varifocal lENSES

Pet poisoners

More areas hit by serial dog killers

LARGE parts of southern Spain could be desertified by the end of the century. It comes after climate scientists projected that global temperatures will rise by 3.2C by 2100 if drastic measures are not immediately taken. They say the earth will soon reach ‘the point of no return’, which spells almost continual drought conditions for most parts of Andalucia. The entire region is susceptible to desertification, alongside an alarming 70% of Spain, according to official government statistics. In the doomsday scenario, a third of Spain will be as arid as the desert of Tabernas in Almeria. Meanwhile, the narrow green strip running along the north of Africa will disappear, devoured by the desert, and dramatically worsening the migration crisis. Spain’s forests will end up confined to the highest hilltops, while cities, including Malaga and Cadiz, will face ‘severe scenarios’ as sea levels are set to rise by up to a metre, leaving large areas underwater. Meanwhile Madrid will suffer one of the biggest temperature rises in the world, making the city almost uninhabitable in summer. Green group Climate Central said it would worsen the capital’s ‘heat island’ effect, with temperatures rising between 4.3 degrees and 8 degrees in summer. Due to its contamination and altitude only three other cities Sofia, Skopje and Belgrade - will fare worse. Dozens of cities across the country could have average temperatures in

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Happy New Year!

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HORROR: For Donald

Tragic end

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

SITE: Of fatal crash

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

Net-mare!

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

BRITISH expats are demanding answers after being left with no internet for more than four weeks over the Christmas and New Year period. Hundreds of angry customers decended on the offices of OliveNet in Marbella when

STUCK FOR A PRESENT THIS CHRISTMAS?

ANTHONY’S

it became clear they would have no Internet over Christmas. They claimed they had been repeatedly promised that the service that went down in early December would quickly be back. It was not. Lynda Woodin, 70, whose internet access is crucial to her online magazine business, said she was made a ‘priority concern’ in early December, but she has still not been reconnected. “It’s just not good enough,” she told the Olive Press, “I have a business to run and I have just been passed around constantly. “After visiting the head offices today I was told it would be sorted by the time I got

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home, but it hasn’t been yet. “I haven’t been able to video call family in Australia for weeks. “I asked for an apology but all I got was a shrug of the shoul-

ders. “They also said if I needed someone to come and fix something that I would be charged, it’s a disgrace!” Woodin was told again last night that it would be fixed, but within an hour of her internet coming back on it stopped working. OliveNet offered to send someone to her home in Marbella, but said it would cost 40 euros per hour. “It’s outrageous,” added Woodin, “Considering what

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Hundreds of punters protest after their internet vanishes over festive period

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

Merry Christmas and happy New Year

S A

17 www.

theolivewww.theolivepress.es ll about

CRIME

January 4th - January 16th 2018 See page xx 2

FREE

News IN BRIEF

Spy kids PARENTS are allowed to spy on their kids WhatsApp messages after a Spanish court set a precedent for online privacy in Pontevedra.

Golden fraudster

SPAIN’s tax agency will invest €500,000 in drones in an effort to clamp down on illegal smuggling in Gibraltar and Andorra. Gibraltar has long been a hotbed of illegal cigarette trafficking while Andorra is the main thoroughfare for money mules to bring in undeclared wads of cash. The Agencia Tributaria have decided enough is

Spy in the sky

enough and are investing the money in drones as well as hidden camera technology to catch smugglers in the act. Once potential smugglers have been identified, the drones will track them, allowing authorities to close in. The Rock will be a contentious issue due to previous

incidents with the airport being so close to security checkpoints. However, in Andorra it is the opposite as smugglers can go through any number of routes. Camouflaged devices, 360-degree video and what Spanish authorities describe as an ‘arsenal of cameras’ that operate in day and night should help stem the flow of criminal activity.

Ten years on

THE Spanish tax authority has said Cristiano Ronaldo should be in prison for allegedly defrauding the taxman of €15 million.

First light CARLOS Fernandez, a former Marbella councillor has spoken out for the first time in 11 years as to why he went on the run to escape a prison sentence.

Big brother

By Laurence Dollimore

SPANISH authorities will keep more detailed records of AirBnb and Booking.com in the aftermath of terrorist attacks last summer.

THE family of missing expat Amy Fitzpatrick have pleaded for those with information to come forward. The desperate plea came yesterday as relatives released doves outside Mansion House in Dublin to mark the

TRAGIC: (left) Amy and (above) killer stepdad

Family say Christmas and New Year’s Eve ‘will never be the same’ tenth year of her disappearance. Amy’s aunt Christine said those who know what happened need to come forward saying: “Somebody needs to

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know something.” Amy was 15-years-old when she went missing as she walked home from a friend’s house in Mijas on the evening of New Year’s Day 2008. The teenager, from Dublin, had been living in Spain with her mother Audrey Mahon, Audrey’s partner Dave Mahon, and her brother Dean. Dean was stabbed to death in May 2013. Dean’s stepfather, Dave Mahon, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for his manslaughter. Speaking at the ceremony at Mansion House, Christine said her brother Christopher, dad to Amy and Dean, was

too unwell to attend. Christopher said: “Christmas and New Year’s will never be the same again after this killer’s damage to my children. “I am still devastated over the loss of my two children, Amy and Dean. Things will never be the same again since Dave Mahon came into my children’s lives.” He appealed: “I would like to ask people, who were there 10 years ago when Amy went missing and may have information they can now share, to contact the police. “People went back to the UK and different parts of the world afterwards, and they should come forward. “We just want to find Amy. We know where Dean is, but to bring Amy home would be great.”

Paedo ring busted SEVEN paedophiles have been detained by the Policia Nacional after sharing child pornography through video chat, including an 18-year-old boy from Granada. Further arrests are not being ruled out, after an extensive network of contacts were found around Spain including Cadiz and Madrid. The investigation started, after a tip off from the social media platform and information received from international channels. One of the detainees is a minor who is also believed to have been sexually abused by adults. The three most active users arrested are from Badajoz, Salamanca and Madrid who had taken the time to individually label the pornography and segregated them into folders on their personal computers. In a statement a man from Valladolid said hat he has been sent the files ‘by mistake’, after downloading and distributing pornography of girls between five and ten.

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PERPETRATORS behind a ‘Nigerian letter’ lottery scam have been arrested in Malaga, Barcelona and Segovia. The Policia Nacional detained six people who between them defrauded €700,000 from 12 victims across Spain, Europe and Australia. The letters urged victims to send money in order to pay tax, before receiving their alleged lottery winnings. One Australian victim, who alerted au-

ERE Reptiles facing justice 22 Junta politicians go on trial

Page 8

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3rd 2018

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EXCLUSIVE

Expats’ desperate plea to save ‘tortured’ dogs illegally chained up for Christmas By Jed Neill

CRY FOR HELP

THERE can be few more pitiful sights on a freezing cold morning in December. Clearly undernourished and surrounded by junk, two dogs stare out, almost pleading for a Christmas miracle. Chained up and covered in sores, the dull-eyed animals begin to howl a distressing chorus that echoes around the hillside and does not abate for hours. It is a sight that is sadly far too common in this part of southern Spain. But, it is not for the want of trying that this junkyard, on the outskirts of Estepona, remains akin to a crime scene on CSI International. Expat neighbours of the finca in El Padron, close to Carrefour supermarket, have tried to raise the alarm on numerous occasions, both to police and local town hall. “We have tried several times to get something done,” said FOLORN: Chained in hut

CHAINED: Ill-looking dog is tethered 24 hours a day at finca (far left)

one local English business- promised to get back in touch, woman, who has lived nearby but nothing happened,” she for the last year. said. Asking to remain anonymous This week the Olive Press also she added: “Our neighbour is attempted to contact the ownclearly badly abusing animals. er and speak to police to raise “His dogs are illegally chained the alarm over the plight of the up 24/7 and are clearly starv- animals. ing and on the verge of death. “There are five of them there Incapable and they are covered in sores When we visited the farm we and look very miserable.” The 30-year-old Londoner were shocked to see the state has called police several times the animals were in. and even visited her local sta- Two dogs at the entrance to the finca were clearly incapation to report the situation. Each time however, she has ble of moving more than three been fobbed off with a num- feet, while others, according ber for the Guardia Civil’s to sources, are chained at the environmental arm Seprona, back. “One of the dogs is really unwhich has not got back to her. “I spoke to someone who well and foaming at the mouth

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SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 4

952 887 125 Fuengirola

December

The British heroes who tried to save a tragic truck driver

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OVER 75% of expats living in Catalunya are strongly opposed to the region obtaining independence, according to a new survey. Shockingly, 45% of those polled also revealed they were considering leaving Catalunya as a result of uncertainty surrounding the region’s future. The results of the study come before Catalans head to the polls this week to elect a new regional parliament. While Inés Arrimadas’ Ciutadans (Cs) party is predicted to win the most seats, a coalition between pro-independence parties Esquerra (ERC), led by Oriol Junqueras, and Junts per Catalunya, headed by the exiled Carles Puigdemont, are expected to form a government. “The independence movement has come to dominate public life but the identity politics of it leaves many expats cold,” said Mark Stücklin, of Spanish Property Insight that conducted the poll. “Expats choose to live in Catalunya because of its high quality of life, so they struggle to relate to the historical grievances and nationalist emotions of the independence movement. “An exodus of expats would be a disaster for Catalunya,” he said.

Continues

BEST

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Mijas Costa

Expats’ fear independent Catalunya

Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada has all the white stuff for a winter wonderland getaway, writes Jed Neill (right)

HE doesn’t know the mountains how lucky he is, with friendly expat on his doorstep,” says his four-year-oldClive Jones, referring to son, as the Emile ski Allais slaloming skierslift takes us skyward, soaring above lourful outfits. zig-zagging down the pistes in coThe little boy tling with thisstares unblinkingly down, why are your thought, before piping as if wresFearless and skis bigger than mine?’ up: ‘Daddy ence is easily icicle cool, the high adrenalin experifor this intrepidaccessible fun-filled day in the snow Mum and dad tot. dropping junior have bucked the parental trend of him the ropes off at ski school and are teaching The smiles on of the slopes themselves. their faces probably to do with leaving have something the Welsh countryside live and work Murcia, underin the sunnier pastures behind to mier ski resort.three hours away from of Aguilas in Spain’s preI met the family on a gondola wards the transport out of Pradollano nexus of Borreguiles. to-

Photo by Telemark

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See you on the slopes with our special Sierra Nevada pullout

Voted

Pic by Olive Press Spain

ll aboutthe olive press AXARQUIA ierra Nevada - October 30 - November 12 2014

Creche course Vol. 12 Issue 281

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS...

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from a lack of food,” said the source. Another local expat couple from Newcastle told the Olive Press that the owner, an elderly Spanish man, visits the finca once a day and gives them ‘some bread and water.’ “He is set in his ways and old fashioned and will just not listen to us,” he said. However, the law clealy states that animals cannot be kept in this state. “It’s upsetting and frustrating that so often no action is taken on complaints,” said Mary Page, president of local animal charity ADANA. “It is against the law to chain dogs and has been for some time.” She continued: “Many things are tolerated, which are considered primitive by many Northern Europeans.” Estepona Town Hall refused to deal with the matter, while a spokesman for Seprona said that until it had received an official denuncia it was unable to comment. Opinion Page 6

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POLICE have launched an investigation into animal cruelty following an Olive Press appeal last issue. It comes after we uncovered more than a dozen malnourished and mistreated dogs living in squalor in a finca in Estepona. Expats were so enraged they formed a group and with the help of animal charity ADANA filed a denuncia against the Spanish property owner. “If you want police to take action you must file a denuncia,” ADANA president Mary Page told the Olive Press, “it can be done by anyone in Spain as long as you have an NIE number.” To file a report, you need photos of the wrongdoing, an exact location, preferably printed, and fluency in Spanish - as expats cannot rely on officers speaking English. Page said in this case the town hall has a contract with Seprona to take in unwanted dogs. “We’ve done all we can and they must do something about the chains. That is illegal,” said Page.

Fake toys recalled MORE than 3,200 toys have been withdrawn from sale by the Guardia Civil following concerns for safety. The toys, mainly sold in lowcost bazaars, were found to not have meet standards set out by the European Council. Legally a ‘CE’ mark is needed to sell a child’s toy within the European Economic Area, which certifies compliance with the regulatory requirements of the rules of commerce. However on inspection, the marks had different spacing between the two letters, meaning ‘China Export’ instead of the European Community symbol. Complaints of irregularities and safety were received more than 1500 times for over 350 types of toy. Customers reported a lack of data on the toy such as no manufacturer details, no instructions and or them not being in Spanish.

Out of luck thorities to the scam, was defrauded of €500,000 after receiving a letter informing him he had won just over €1.9 million. Police officers managed to find the scammers’ ‘ghost’ bank accounts into which they received the money and used to withdraw cash.

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TOWIE star James ‘Arg’ Argent has revealed that he is househunting in Marbella ahead of buying a property there in 2018. Argent, from Essex, is believed to be considering a permanent switch to the Costa del Sol town. Following the collapse of his romance with on-off lover Gemma Collins, Argent is believed to want to start afresh.

YOU may know him as the man who can fix your pipes come rain or shine. Between fixing David Cameron’s tap and Simon Cowell’s leaky loo, Charlie Mullins is Britain’s most famous plumber. The 65-year-old Londoner was so good at serving the rich and famous he was awarded an OBE from Prince Charles.

Perfectionist

But now the Pimlico Plumbers perfectionist is turning his eye towards the Costa del Sol in an effort to add to his growing property portfolio having stumped up thousands for a gated house in Marbella. Searching between La Cala de Mijas and Las Chapas with bustling bars and restarants, the only requirement for Mullins and his girlfriend Julie Anne Morris is ‘to be within walking distance of activity and life’. “The outdoor lifestyle is amazing. The weather makes all the difference and my attitude changes the second I get off the plane,” said Mullins. He recently appeared on BBC’s Question Time, Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire and How’d You Get So Rich?

Royal approval

Marbs move

Summer plumber

January 4th - January 16th 2018

PRINCE Harry shared a joke with a heroic amputee Royal Marine ahead of his recordbreaking attempt to row from Gibraltar to South America. Lee Spencer, who spent 24 years as a Marine - including three tours of Afghanistan - only to lose his right leg while helping out in a traffic accident, sat down for a cup of tea with the British royal. Discussing Spencer's final preparations in becoming the world's first physically disabled person to row solo and unsupported

The new life

from Europe to South America, the Royal quipped: “At least you won't have to make conversation.” Spencer is setting off from Gibraltar on January 18 in nothing but a 7-meter rowing boat, and attempting to row solo and unsupported 3,500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. The double Guinness world record holder is setting a new world record and also attempting to beat the current able bodied record of 96 days, 12 hours and 45 minutes.

Expat couple to appear on British TV show about building new life in Spain

EXCLUSIVE By Aleesha Hansel

CHANNEL 4 has been busy in Manilva, following the journey of an engaged couple starting A New Life in the Sun. Danielle Carroll, 25, and Michael McGuinness, 26, (right) due to be married in September 2019, left the corporate life behind to open McGuinness Irish pub in Sabinillas. After leaving their jobs in January the couple, orginally from Newry in Northern Ireland, had planned to move to Spain the following month, but delays in building work meant watching lots of daytime television. While watching an episode of the second series, which

ON SET: McGuinness bar and (right) couple

follows expats abroad, the company advertised that they were looking for future participants. Carroll told the Olive Press:

Soaking it up EX On The Beach starlet Jess Impiazzi soaked up the sun in Tenerife before heading into the Celebrity Big Brother house. The 28-year-old beauty is sure to turn heads as she joins an all-female line-up for this years Suffragette theme. Impiazzi will be joining Rachel Johnson, sister to Boris as the only other confirmed female celebrity. Although fans speculate Made In Chelsea's Louise Thompson, retail guru Mary Portas and Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati may make an appearence.

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“I knew the filming was going to be long as they want to capture every little detail but I never realised how difficult it was gonna be having a camera in your face.” And although the couple had a good background to renovate and open a pub, with Carroll having a masters in property development and both working part time in their own crepe bar, not everything ran smoothly. The public however seem to appreciate all the couple’s effort with the venue currently rated second on Tripadvisor in Sabinillas. After seven months of capturing the launch and progress of the bar, the programme will be aired next month.

Remodelled beauty PENELOPE Cruz has transformed into Donatella Versace for a new role about the legendary fashion label. Forever striking, the 43-year-old Spanish actress oozed sophistication for her upcoming series American Crime Story. The third instalment of the hit FX show tells the story of Gianni Versace, who was gunned down on the steps of his mansion in 1997 by a serial killer and will debut next month. Cruz said: “I didn’t want to do an imitation of Donatella, or a caricature’ adding, “I wanted to try to capture the essence of who she is.”

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news

January 4th - January 16th 2018

What a dump TRAGIC: Loran

Bring her home THOUSANDS of euros have been raised to fly the body of a British woman home after she plunged to her death on the Costa del Sol. Loran Atkinson, from Blackburn, was partying at a hotel in Fuengirola on December 23 when she fell over her balcony to her death. The 29-year-old was staying at the adults-only, four star Hotel Yaramar. A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed: “We are aware of the death of a British woman in Spain and we are providing assistance to her family.” A GoFundMe page has raised more than €5,000 to have the body flown back to the UK, more than €1,000 over the page’s target. Friends called Loran ‘a lovely, beautiful girl’ who would ‘do anything for anyone’. Schoolfriend Heidi Grunshaw said: “Loran was a lovely, beautiful girl who I’ve known for many years. My fondest memories are right back in primary school, singing Take That and Boyzone in the playground.”

EXCLUSIVE By Aleesha Hansel

PHOTOS of human faeces and fast food wrappers strewn across a protected natural park have shamed the organisers of one of Andalucia’s top nature spots. The images, taken at Sierra de Grazalema, show several vehicles and tents using the area to sleep despite signs banning camping. The tourist who sent in the footage told the Olive Press: “We couldn’t believe our eyes, it was absolutely disgusting. “We don’t know how people can live like that. “It has definitely put us off returning, at least until we know the problem has been dealt with.” Declared a biosphere reserve in 1977 and ranging across more than 50,000 hectares, the park includes a range of mountains and lakes. It is known for its extensive and stunning flora, and is home to seven species that only exist in its habitat. As well as plants, the rock crags are the perfect place for numerous communities

Six paws under

Tourists shocked after having to side step human faeces

SHOCKING: Faeces and overflowing rubbish

of birds to flourish, including the rare Egyptian vulture. Environment group Ecologistas en Accion blasted the makeshift camps, saying it was a clear violation of the

laws as well as the huge signs dotted around the park which specifically forbid any camping or dumping of rubbish. But locals clearly have no respect for the laws, with

the pictures showing rubbish bins strewn across the ground and human faeces clearly visible to all hikers and tourists. Police failed to comment comment before going to press.

A CEMETERY on the outskirts of Malaga has announced its plans to expand and include a pet area by 2019. If approved, Parcemasa says it will to offer a range of services including corteges, farewell ceremonies and burials. The pet cemetery, measuring in at 15,000 square metres, will have a separate entrance and cost one million euros to build. It is estimated that some 7,500 dogs die in Malaga city each year and the company believes one in three owners would be interested in using the new pet cemetery’s services. Prices will start at 140 euros for a cremation and 150 for a shared grave.

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OPINION Justice needed IT has been ten years and the people responsible for Amy Fitzpatrick’s disappearance are still roaming the Costa del Sol. Spare a thought for the family who will never have a Christmas or New Year’s Eve without being reminded of their young daughter’s disappearance. Meanwhile, the man they believe is responsible has still evaded justice. Anyone who thinks they have information has a moral duty to come forward. For those who are keeping quiet, shame on you, put yourselves in the shoes of the Fitzpatrick family, who wake up everyday not knowing where their daughter is. If you have any shred of decency, you will do the right thing and tell the police what you know.

Sherry shenanigans HERE at the Olive Press we take our food and wine very seriously…and there is no better time to get together and share it with the ones you love than at Christmas. We love the traditional fare of Buck’s Fizz, mulled wine and eggnog but sometimes change is as good a rest. That’s why we are all very excited about the cocktail recipes, that give a slight twist on the classics. We might not be James Bond, but we’ll have ours shaken and not stirred any time. Publisher/ Editor

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As the migrant route across the Straits triples this year, the Olive Press sent Joe Wallen to spend a weekend with a house of refugees about to set sail out of Tangier. In a moving dispatch, he hears of frequent attacks and even witnesses them himself... but even in the most hopeless of situations, there is optimism for a better future

January 4th - January 16th 2018

‘They treat us worse than dogs in the street’

T is just past midday in Amy’s Restaurant on Rue Khatib, a simple, yet charming Senegalese kitchen hidden in the catacombs of Tangier’s Old Town. The place is packed and animated chatter fills the air as refugees from across West Africa tuck into local delicacies including ‘yassa poulet’ and ‘thie bou dienne’. It emerges that just yesterday a ‘pantera’, or makeshift dinghy, more at home in a swimming pool, has successfully landed on the Costa del Sol. LIFE ON THE BORDER: A cafe for migrants and (below) one of the many narrow streets The big group of Gambians, Cameroonians and Nigerians on board have made it to the promised land – Fortress security concerns in crossing to Italy Europe. from Libya, with much of the country run Selfies they took as they were rescued by lawless militias, resulting in many miby the Spanish Red Cross near Tarifa grants being literally sold into slavery or have been printed off and stuck on a forced into sex work. pegboard, along with dozens of others Footage recently obtained by CNN shows who have recently made it. a group of migrants from Niger and Sen“There is very little for us to celebrate egal being sold to the highest bidder in here so when our brothers make it, it is a ‘safehouse’ outside of Tripoli. as if everyone of us has made it,” says Another reason is a new agreement beChristopher, 28, from Sierra Leone. tween Italy and Libya, which has helped “We all dream of making it onto the Hall the Libyan coastguards find it much of Fame one day,” he continues laugheasier to catch the migrant boats, being, pointing at the pictures of those fore they arrive in Europe. who have succeeded in going the ‘Back With thousands of these new migrants Way’. now congregating in Morocco, I decided “They are our Biggie Smalls, our NWA, to take a ride across the Straits to seek our Dr Dre,” the hip-hop fanatic jokes. a few of them out and see how they are Christopher is already one of the luckier faring. ones. It takes a while but in the heart of TangHe was granted refugee status in Moier city, I eventually bump into Chrisrocco three years ago after an arduous topher, who agrees to let me visit his journey across the Sahara Desert, via cheap rented home. rible day he heard of his friend’s death. He calls it ‘African House’ and he shares Guinea, Mali, and Algeria. He tells me in impeccable English how “It is basically a complete lottery,” he it with 20 other migrants who have all explains. “They called the escaped persecution and repressive rehis parents had been Red Cross as the boat be- gimes around the continent. killed in Sierra Leone’s gan to sink, but no one One of his flatmates Habas, 34, from Lilong civil war in which 300,000 civilians died I’d rather drown in was on duty, so it slowly beria, tells me how he has so far made went down and down. in bitter conflict between FOUR unsuccessful attempts to cross to that sea than stay “I pray that when I finally Spain. 1991 and 2002. get my chance, it is on “I’d rather drown in that sea than stay He had finally made it to Morocco with his two best here or be forced one of the better days.” here or go home,” he tells me. friends, one of whom has to go back home The Morocco to Spain mi- He is currently on crutches with a brogrant route has exploded ken leg, the result of falling off the bornow made it to France to in popularity in 2017, with der wall in an attempt to get into the successfully claim asyover 15,000 people so far nearby Spanish enclave of Ceuta. lum, while the other died in the Mediterranean when his boat rescued in the Straits, marking a 338% And he will make a fifth attempt as soon increase on last year alone. capsized in July. as his leg is back to full strength, he inFighting back tears, he recalls the hor- The reasons for this are the very real sists.

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TANGIER LIFE: Alfonso and Dieudonne and (centre) Christopher in his room and Habas with his crutches

BE ‘APPY!

Meanwhile, Diallo, 23, from Mali, tells Out of nowhere a Moroccan man lurchme a harrowing story about watching es into the café and takes a swing at his wife raped and kidnapped on the Al- me, shouting ‘sympathisant de nègre’. gerian border after he ran out of money The phrase needs little translation, but to pay his smugglers. it is no less shocking. He has literally no idea where she is Several of my new friends leap up imnow. mediately and block the assailant and Alfonso, 27, from Cameroon, shows me the incident is over before it has begun. a criss-cross of scars across his fore- As shocking as the attempted attack on head and neck, the complexity of which me is, over the next 48 hours I am spat far outstrips the layout of Tangier itself. it, sworn at and barked at by groups of He claims he got the locals on various occascars after being beatsions. en up by the Moroccan Complicit in the treatComplicit in the ment of the migrants are police in the hills near Tangier, all for daring to treatment of the the Moroccan police who live there. I learn play a vital role in migrants are the assisting the migrants in This cruelty at the hands of the Moroccan po- Moroccan police, their arduous sea crosslice becomes a running ing. they claim theme of my two days “It is the biggest game spent with the group. you will ever play,” laughs “Here in Morocco there Dieudonné, a Cameroois a modern-day apartheid, they treat nian who has just paid for a berth on us worse than the dogs in the street,” one of the lethal ‘panteras’ this week. claims Christopher, adding that none of Dieudonné has had his hair done for the the 20 flatmates has a job. journey and dreams of becoming ‘the “No one will hire us and the only work biggest reggae star since Buju Banton’ we ever get is occasional construction and wants to arrive looking the part. work. In fact we can only make money We laugh together as he performs for when tourists take pity on us and we the appreciative restaurant. can work as guides.” It turns out the police are the main All claim they have experienced unpro- source of the migrants’ ramshackle voked violence at the hands of Moroc- plastic boats. cans, almost on a weekly basis. They purchase them from plain clothes Their claims ring true later that day as officers who have previously seized we sit having dinner in Café Africain. them and sell them on.

“They come round every week with a selection of photos and once a house has enough money they buy one – it is our very own Christmas catalogue,” he says completely deadpan. A typical journey costs between £1000 and £1500 in a rubber ‘paddle’ boat but for an extra £1000, they can pay the Moroccan police off. “Basically this involves telling them the beach we are going from and the time and they just go elsewhere,” Dieudonné says. “The next night they will be back but we are long gone, to freedom,” he laughs. Regardless of your views towards these refugees and migrants it is hard not to be overwhelmed by the hardship they have suffered to reach Morocco and their optimism despite the dangers that lay ahead. As my 48 hours in the house comes to an end, Christopher shows me his prized possession. It is a poster of US hip-hop legend Tupac, who was shot dead in 1996. “Is it a crime, to fight, for what is mine?” he raps from the song Only God Can Judge Me. “Everybody’s dyin’ – tell me what’s the use of tryin’,” the song goes. “I’ve been trapped since birth, cautious, cause I’m cursed,” it continues. After everything the group have been through, I can only hope they are successful in making it onto their very own Hall of Fame.

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JAIL: In Malaga

Migrant suicide

POLICIA Nacional have launched an investigation after discovering a dead migrant in Malaga. The 36-year-old had been held in the Archidona prison since November 20 and is reportedly from Algeria, in Africa. He was found lifeless by guards, who said they tried to resuscitate him, but to no avail. A court in Murcia authorised the man’s internment in November and ruled he could be held until January 18. Policia Nacional are investigating the death and say they are awaiting forensic results. Sources say the evidence points towards a suicide. Since November, migrants who have been rescued or washed up on the shores of Murcia and Almeria, have been moved to the newly built prison in Archidona. The Ministry of the Interior justified the controversial decision, saying the prison is currently not in use and that the measure is temporary.

THE only child of Spain’s dictator General Franco has died from terminal cancer. Carmen Franco, 91, was born in Oviedo in 1926, and is said to have had a lonely and secluded upbringing. She was used as the face of fascist catholic youth in Spain by her father, and the Third Reich even profiled her in their propaganda bulletins. Carmen married a neurosurgeon with aristocratic ties in 1950 and they both acted as Franco’s foreign ambassadors and bore him seven grandchildren.

Residents furious over ‘successive failures’ of town hall

IN what is another blunder for Mijas town hall, the PP is demanding to know why the town hall is facing a fine for not paying on time. Back in August the town hall failed to pay social security for its staff and is now facing a fine of €190,000, which only came to public attention in December. Residents are furious and have taken to social media to express

January 4th - January 16th 2018

Franco child dead Despite her father’s death in 1975 and Spain’s transition into democracy, her family was able to hold onto most of their assets and property. She was awarded the title of Duchess of Franco with Spain’s Greatness by the newly reinstated monarch at the time, King Juan Carlos.

The title maintained her place in Spanish aristocracy. She would go on to chair the National Francisco Franco Foundation (FNFF), which is dedicated to promoting the fascist dictator’s legacy. She did this proudly until her death. Francisco Franco is said to have been responsible for the deaths of 300,000 people during his reign.

Mijas blunder their regret over mismanagement and disorganisation of the current PSOE ruling party. The Social Security Adminis-

tration noticed the payments were received several days late, something the town hall say was just an ‘administrative

MIGRANTS triple THE number of migrants arriving by sea to Spain more than tripled in 2017 compared to the year before. Almost 21,500 migrants, mostly Algerians and Moroccans, crossed the strait of Gibraltar last year, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

In 2016, just 6,046 migrants made the crossing but the treacherous journey has also meant the number of people who died has gone up to 223, 95 more than 2016. “At the end of the year, the tally is devastating,” said the Spanish Commission for Refugees.

failure’ after taking over the finance department last year. But in a previous interview with Diario Sur in 2015 Maldonado admitted that they lack people with the financial know-how to carry out these payments. “We have to manage our economics well but the PSOE lacks the right people to respond to these issues,” he said. The PP is calling on ex-socialist town hall leader Juan Maldonado to find the person responsible and a formal investigation to be carried out.

Catalunya rolls on

MARIANO Rajoy has said the new Catalan parliament should hold its maiden session on January 17, the first step in reinstating local government after Madrid fired the old regional administration for illegally declaring independence. Once the parliament is formed, potential leaders of the regional government will put themselves forward for a vote of confidence, although it could take months for a new government to emerge. “I hope that as soon as possible we will be able to have a Catalan government that is open to dialogue and able to relate to all Catalans, not just half of them,” the Spanish Prime Minister said in an end-of-year address to the nation. His comments follow the December 21 regional election that he hoped would quash the Catalan independence movement and help put an end to Spain’s worst political crisis in decades. But parties favouring secession instead gained a slim majority, and may struggle to form a government, as one leader, Oriol Junqueras, is in custody in Madrid and the other, Carles Puigdemont, in self-imposed exile in Brussels. Rajoy added: “The only shadow looming over our economy is the instability generated by the political situation in Catalonia.”

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January 4th - January 16th 2018

Filthy capital

Harnessing life

Killer corridor A SPECIAL whale corridor has been agreed upon at the Barcelona Convention (COP 20) in Albania. Stretching from the Balearics to the eastern coastlines of Catalunya and Valencia, the 45,000 square kilometre corridor will become a protected area allowing fin whale to migrant to their north Mediterranean feeding grounds in peace. Known as the Corridor of the Mediterranean, the area will also help protect sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins and the loggerhead turtle as well as various species’ of bird. In an effort to stave off oil exploration in the area whose sounds disrupt whale life, Spain is also pushing ahead with a proposal to designate four species of deep-sea Anthozoa coral as endangered.

THREE beaches in Marbella will receive mechanised orange floats to save lives all year round. Known as, punto naranjas, their highly visible colour consists of a harness linked to a rescue float in the sea with a 400 metre long cable. The device will enable those in distress to clip onto the cable to then be winched onto the float if they are in

In less than two years global deforestation has resulted in a loss of trees to cover Spain SINCE the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 by 195 countries, deforestation has resulted in a loss of land mass to cover the whole of Spain, equal to 493,716 square kilometres. According to new data released by Global Forest Watch (GFW) deforestation has decimated the equivalent of the surface of Spain and accounts for 10 to 15% of global carbon emissions. 2017 has seen more wildfires on more continents than any other time in history. Dubbed ‘wildfire season,’ Iberian fires across Portugal and north western Spain claimed the lives of 49 people and the Lucifer heat wave that struck the Med this summer killed five as temperatures soared to 40 degrees centigrade. GFW research associate Liz Goldman said: “Forests are

SINGLE IMPLANT

danger. The device also means that if there is no lifeguard on duty, there is still an emergency response as once connected to the float an automatic call is sent out to emergency services for the person to be rescued. They will be installed on La Venus, Cabopino and San Pedro beaches in 2018.

Lucifer’s breath fundamentally hard to protect - they are in remote frontiers or in countries with weak governance.” She added: “But this doesn’t mean deforestation pledges are

not having an impact - many of these agreements are still at an early stage.” Since 2001 the GFW have tracked tree loss but in 2015 things took a dip, particularly

IMPLANT BRIDGE

New Guinea where deforestation jumped 70% as oil companies plundered the land. Then in 2016 fires across the globe plummeted tree stocks by 51% and 2016 was one of the hottest years on record, just like 2017. As hotter drier forests are harder to put out, the recent Californian wildfire in December was their third largest in history. The scale of tree loss means more still needs to be done, according to Goldman. “These large-scale fires damage the forests’ natural structure, affect the habitats of plant and wildlife, and release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air,” she said.

MADRID city council have announced limits on traffic in the capital to comply with EU regulations as it fails to cap its pollution levels for the seventh year in a row. Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), the main city pollutant, have increased by 38 micrograms since 2016 as officials struggle to control the effects limited rainfall. According to data by Ecologistas en Acción, levels of harmful NO2 are increasing year-on-year with nearly half of the city’s pollution stations exceeding limits imposed by the EU.

Royal prerogative KING of Spain Felipe VI has called for the defense of the environment in his Christmas message to the nation. In a speech aimed at patching up Spain’s tumultuous 2017, the King also drew attention to the importance of the environment as Spaniards endured a record-breaking year. He said: “The defense of the environment and the fight against climate change are not minor or secondary problems because we are already suffering from the impact it is having.

IMPLANT DENTURE

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ERE Reptiles facing justice

22 Junta politicians go on trial

Page 8

The British heroes who tried to save a tragic truck driver

Pic by Global Radio

OVER 75% of expats living in Catalunya are strongly opposed to the region obtaining independence, according to a new survey. Shockingly, 45% of those polled also revealed they were considering leaving Catalunya as a result of uncertainty surrounding the region’s future. The results of the study come before Catalans head to the polls this week to elect a new regional parliament. Arrimadas’ Inés While Ciutadans (Cs) party is predicted to win the most seats, a coalition between pro-independence parties Esquerra (ERC), led by Oriol Junqueras, and Junts per Catalunya, headed by the exiled Carles Puigdemont, are expected to form a government. “The independence movement has come to dominate public life but the identity politics of it leaves many expats cold,” said Mark Stücklin, of Spanish Property Insight that conducted the poll. “Expats choose to live in Catalunya because of its high quality of life, so they struggle to relate to the historical grievances and nationalist emotions of the independence movement. “An exodus of expats would be a disaster for Catalunya,” he said.

Pic by Olive Press Spain

2 See page xx

Expats’ fear independent Catalunya

SEE FULL STORY ON PAGE 4

CHAINED: Ill-looking dog is tethered 24 hours a day at finca (far left)

Expats’ desperate plea to save ‘tortured’ dogs illegally chained up for Christmas

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one local English business- promised to get back in touch, woman, who has lived nearby but nothing happened,” she said. for the last year. Asking to remain anonymous This week the Olive Press also she added: “Our neighbour is attempted to contact the ownclearly badly abusing animals. er and speak to police to raise “His dogs are illegally chained the alarm over the plight of the up 24/7 and are clearly starv- animals. ing and on the verge of death. “There are five of them there Incapable and they are covered in sores When we visited the farm we and look very miserable.” were shocked to see the state The 30-year-old Londoner the animals were in. has called police several times Two dogs at the entrance to and even visited her local sta- the finca were clearly incapation to report the situation. ble of moving more than three Each time however, she has feet, while others, according been fobbed off with a num- to sources, are chained at the ber for the Guardia Civil’s back. environmental arm Seprona, “One of the dogs is really unwhich has not got back to her. well and foaming at the mouth “I spoke to someone who

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Expats Catalunya terror

By Gillian Keller & Kirsty Tuxford

Christmas might be associated with gold, frankincense and myrrh, but a different kind of treasure has been found in the waters off Mallorca. Discovered in separate locations, two hauls of Roman antiquities were retrieved from the bottom of the sea by police divers early this month. Among the booty recovered by the Guardia Civil’s underwater team (GEAS) was an anchor from a Roman galleon, believed to have sunk in the Marina de Llevant nature reserve around 100AD.

OVER 75% of expats living in Catalunya are strongly opposed to the region obtaining independence, according to a survey run by Spanish Property Insight. Shockingly, 45% of those polled also revealed they were considering leaving Catalunya as a result of uncertainty surrounding the region’s future. The results of the study come ahead of Catalans heading to Treasures the polls today to elect a new regional parliament. The anchor and the rest of Arrimadas’ Inés While the loot, which included Ciutadans (Cs) party is prea pottery jar dating back dicted to win the most seats, from the third century BC, a coalition between pro-incould be worth mildependence parties Esquerra lions. (ERC), led by Oriol Junquerde Consell as, and Junts per Catalunya, Mallorca’s headed by the exiled Carles a r t p e d Puigdemont, are expected to of ment form a government in a real heritage blow for Madrid. w h i c h “The independence moveauthoment has come to dominate rised the public life in Catalunya, but recovery, the identity politics of it will now leaves many expats cold,” said Mark Stücklin, head of decide how Spanish Property Insight. best to dis“Expats choose to live in play it. Catalunya because of its high Speaking to the quality of life, so they strugOlive Press, a Guargle to relate to the historical dia Civil spokesman said: grievances and nationalist “Many ancient cultures emotions of the indepensailed through these magdence movement. of expats would “An exodus 15:36 16/06/2017 1 Untitled-1.pdf be a disaster for Catalunya.”

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2018

Vol. 3 Issue 59 www.gibraltarolivepress.com December 6th - December 19th 2017

Is the future of budget air travel in jeopardy? The Olive Press investigates SEE PAGE 6

www.hungrymonkey.gi

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

Hard lessons for Azopardi EXCLUSIVE By Joe Wallen

THE new leader of the opposition has promised a radical overhaul to the education system in Gibraltar. In his first in depth interview since being elected GSD leader, Keith Azopardi told the Gibraltar Olive Press about his radical nine-point political plan. Azopardi - who beat Roy Clinton in Thursday’s leadership election - promised to get straight down to business. In particular with the education system. “Not enough is being done for non academic people,” he insisted. “We want more practical opportunities for our youth.” “It is a policy priority, not only to cater for academics but for non-academic youngsters.”

Concern

His comments come after GSD MP Elliott Phillips stated his concern that the current government had created a ‘lost generation’ by pushing too many students into higher education. Lawyer Azopardi takes the subject particularly seriously, with two daughters currently going through Alevels and GCSEs. He admitted it had certainly been ‘a frenetic time’ since becoming leader but was looking forward to the dust settling so he could debate policy with party members. “It’s a great privilege and an honour to lead the GSD and I’m very grateful for the support I have received,” said Azopardi, who won Continues on Page 4

Find out why Spain’s Guadalhorce valley could be the perfect winter getaway SEE PAGE 11

G V Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ... Issue 59

uadalhorce

December

Picardo hits out at Theresa May in Brexit blast By Laurence Dollimore

6th - December

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National INDING Park the top a red telephone makes of a Spanish box (below) you question mountain at left home peak whether It’s a talking at all. you really ro de Hijar, point in one of thethe courtyard hotels, of the CerBut as although you country’s most can’t phone isolated cleavagethe clouds part of the and the home on it. itself, I Guadalhorce deep green missing. realise what home hasValley reveals But don’t always just take been tional government my word The Sierra agrees. for it. Spain’s to become de las Nieves naMalaga’s is currently only the first third in on track Parts have Andalucia.national park….and 1989 and had natural its heartlandpark protection is a UNESCO since reserve biosphere is set to but now its status Largely soar. tourists, untouched despite by connections its close to it is a quick, the coast, way to spend hassle-free a weekend. The park’s biodiversity, wealth of the celebrated including fir trees, Pinsaop ibex and populations, are key otter ponents coveted of its bid forcomtitle. the Approaching be new this wouldal park kid on the nationblock, it go through is best mountain Tolox, back to door to range. If Coin this incredible Nieves, sits at the foot of the At this then Tolox is Sierra the toenail. de las dimplestime of the year, the trees green andburned into are auburn an otherwise tres, there’swith the highest seamless plenty to peak But with go round. at 2,000 meresting eight municipalities a tough your head after to choice. long dayschoose from, One place walk can the centre that is off be the grid With arab of authentic but Spain is very much in tre of town,archways running Alozaina. it is a firm reaching through the At the top the Moors were.reminder of how cenis the Iglesia church farDe Santa the side.with a Romanesque Ana, a small ing at a Inside, three tower glued cross. Catholic onto After spending women sit starand a beer €3 on bread, at Bar de Barman Olivo, I fried squid tapas Hector will change felt good. Santos in mid-2018.if national thinks the park status whole area is granted

Full story on accused Carolina Lishman killer on page 4

ForgEt mE not! Continues

GIBRALTAR’S leader has blasted Theresa May and Brussels for forgetting the territory during the latest round of Brexit negotiations. It comes after a bitter row over whether to allow Northern Ireland to stay in the EU threatened to put a spanner in the works. Now after Wales, Scotland and even London suggested they could have separate trading deals, leader Fabian Picardo warned the UK not to overlook them as wrangling over trade talks goes to the wire ahead of a crunch EU summit in 10 days.

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The Chief Minister said: “We can’t forget that thousands of people will need to be able to continue to freely cross the frontier between Gibraltar and Spain after Brexit — it’s not all about the border with Ireland! “The Gibraltar frontier affects families, tourists, businesses and workers. “It has to continue to work without Madrid or Brussels bureaucrats putting unnecessary obstacles in people's way to punish us for Brexit. “And this matters as much to Gibraltarians and Brits as it matters to Spaniards and other Europeans.” In the furious broadside,

he also took a pop at Spain, adding: “13,000 Spanish residents work in Gibraltar every day - and many kids come into Gibraltar for private schools here too! "We musn't let stale Spanish

or European politics get in their way." It comes after Prime Minister May came up with a breakthrough plan to allow Northern Ireland to remain in the EU, while the UK left,

as she met with EU negotiators in Brussels on Monday. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted staying in the EU was the ‘right solution’ for Northern Ireland, but added that she saw ‘no

good practical reason’ why other regions couldn’t stay in. London mayor Sadiq Khan joined in, insisting there would be ‘huge ramifications for London’ if it could stay in the single market and customs union after Brexit. “Londoners overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU and a similar deal here could protect tens of thousands of jobs.” Picardo agreed with the leaders, saying: “If differentiated solutions are a possibility, they should be a possibility for each of the relevant nations, Gibraltar included.” Some 96% of Gibraltarians voted Remain last year. Sadly the DUP and Northern Ireland assembly opposed the plan, putting a spanner in the works insisting the party had not been properly consulted. High level negotiations are set to continue all week.

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THE former Spanish foreign minister has claimed ‘Gibraltar may be Spanish in four years’. José Manuel García-Margallo made the claim during a private interview with members of the Andalucian Management Club. He believes a drop in living standards will occur when Gibraltar leaves the EU, making Gibraltarians more sympathet- ic to an allegiance switch. “This is an opportunity that we have not had since 1700 and the Treaty of Utrecht, since at the same time that the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, so does Gibraltar,” he said. “A bilateral negotiation must be established between Spain and Great Britain. “Staying outside the EU and not being able to access the European market would affect their standard of living, giving us the upper hand in any negotiations.”

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are still some gems out there just waiting to be discovered.” In tandem to recovering treasure underwater, the Guardia Civil has also been busy retrieving some that had already made it to land. saw Garum, Operation teams swoop in on a number of homes belonging to a trio of local divers, finding 42 items. The three men have been accused of stealing treasure rightfully belonging to the country, by trawling the sea bed with fishing nets.

nificent waters and as they such some hold treagreat This sures. is not the first time we have found items of such archaeological importance.” “It is very likely that there

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HE doesn’t know how lucky he is, with the mountains on his doorstep,” says friendly expat Clive Jones, referring to his four-year-old son, as the Emile Allais ski lift takes us skyward, soaring above slaloming skiers zig-zagging down the pistes in colourful outfits. The little boy stares unblinkingly down, tling with this thought, before piping as if wreswhy are your skis bigger than mine?’ up: ‘Daddy Fearless and icicle cool, the high adrenalin experience is easily accessible fun-filled day in the snow for this intrepid tot. Mum and dad have bucked the parental trend of dropping junior off at ski school and are teaching him the ropes of the slopes themselves. The smiles on their faces probably have to do with leaving the Welsh countrysidesomething behind to live and work in the sunnier pastures Murcia, under three hours away from of Aguilas in Spain’s premier ski resort. I met the family on a gondola out of Pradollano towards the transport nexus of Borreguiles.

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HE doesn’t know how lucky he is, with the mountains on friendly expat Clivehis doorstep,” says his four-year-old son,Jones, referring to as the Emile Allais ski lift takes us skyward, soaring above slaloming skiers zig-zagging down the pistes in lourful outfits. coThe little boy stares unblinkingly down, tling with this thought, as if wreswhy are your skis bigger before piping up: ‘Daddy than mine?’ Fearless and icicle cool, the high adrenalin ence is easily accessible fun-filled day in theexperifor this intrepid tot. snow Mum and dad have dropping junior off bucked the parental trend of him the ropes of theat ski school and are teaching The smiles on their slopes themselves. faces probably have to do with leaving the something live and work in the Welsh countryside behind to Murcia, under three sunnier pastures of Aguilas in hours away from Spain’s mier ski resort. preI met the family on wards the transporta gondola out of Pradollano tonexus of Borreguiles.

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Guadalhorce

As President of ADANA, the Estepona charity that takes in and cares for abandoned dogs, it is annoying that self-proclaimed animal lovers, who when confronted with animal abuse, sit back and expect others to take action. This is in response to the front page story in the Olive press which featured distressing photos of neglected dogs in a finca in the El Padron area of Estepona and I became aware of this neglect shortly before publication. Yet other people had witnessed this first hand but had seemingly complained to the authorities without making a formal denuncia. Until a formal statement, CRY which are made under FOR strict confidentiality, is givHELP en and signed with the denouncer’s personal details, no action can be taken! The ADANA Board makes many denuncias against ANTHONY’S people who abandon their dogs in their individual capacity. I recently made a denuncia against a neighbour in my village who had a dog chained up. Many of our volunteers deserve recognition, those who turned out in the rain on Christmas Day to clean pens and feed hungry dogs at our shelter in the Parque de los Pedregales. We are a small charity, totally reliant on public generosity and we are lucky to have so many active supporters who have helped us find homes for over two hundred and fifty dogs in the past year. We all hope that in 2018 more people will recognise that it is the responsibility of all of us to denounce illtreatment wherever we see it. Don’t be an armchair activista and not leave it to others to do so.

January 4th - January 16th 2018

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+TheolivepressEs Cadiz tradition should be recognised by BE ‘APPY! Royal Spanish Academy, says Podemos

Zambomba is the biz

PODEMOS in Jerez de la Frontera is pushing to have Download officially our app nowrecand the Zambomba enjoying best Spanish ognised begin by the Royalthe Spanish Academy. news on the go. The tradition dates back to the 1700s and has experienced a comeback in the last few years, even being added to Spain’s cultural heritage list in 2015. While the rest of Spain may consider a Zambomba no more than a rustic musical The Olive Press instrument, in Jerez the word has a much richer meaning. It sees TOP locals the Cadiz forinnews in Spain! town bonding around a bonfire on wicker chairs while a selection of liqueur wines, Ibérico cold cuts and Christmas sweets do the rounds. Carols are sung by flamenco singers while guitar players strum dozens of original songs learned and added to CULTURAL: Traditional Zambomba dance over generations.

Singers’ repertoires include songs about Baby Jesus becoming drunk from the fruit of the strawberry tree and others on love affairs and quarrels. “The Zambomba is participatory by definition. Even the most tame and timid take part in it,” said Miriam Morales, commercial director of the Atalaya Museums. The decree from the Culture Council which recognised Zambomba as an important cultural heritage, defines the tradition as an ‘authentic ritual’ which mixes different flamenco palos or styles, from bulerías to rondas and more

DESPACITO was the most listened to song in Spain for 2017, it has been revealed. According to Spotify, the Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee hit of the summer beat out big hitters Ed Sheeran and Shakira to nab the ‘most streamed’ spot. Second place went to Me Rehuso by Danny Ocean, followed by Shape of You by British star Sheeran. Felicos los 4 by Maluma and Subeme La Radio by Enrique Iglesias filled out the top five. Despacito was such a hit that the original and remix sat in second and third place on the global streaming rankings, while Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You took first place.

MALAGA’S baroque murals are easier than ever to find thanks to a new interactive map. More then 60 of the historic murals have been geotagged by Monumental Malaga, a group dedicated to celebrating the city’s historic monuments. It comes after the association held a photo contest of the best 18th century murals in the city. First place, with a cash prize of €300, went to Simon Flynn and his photo of The Five Balls. Second went to La Casa del Obispo by Nina Rodriguez and third went to The Tower of San Felipe by Feliciano Ruy. You can see the interactive map on Monumental MalaWINNER: The Five Balls ga’s website.

Word of the year APOROFOBIA has been named as Spain’s word of the year for 2017. It means phobia of poor people and is described as any ‘rejection or aversion to the poor’. It was chosen by Fundeu BBVA, which

has been selecting the country’s ‘words of the year’ for the last five years. Aporofobia was coined by the Valencian philosopher Adela Cortina in several press articles in which she argued that it was what best explained Spanish society’s

what’s on

rejection of immigrants and refugees. The term has just been incorporated into the Dictionary of the Spanish language and last September the Senate approved a motion asking for the inclusion of aporophobia in the Penal Code.

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“It is a cultural industry that is already being exported elsewhere in Andalucia,” said local Podemos member Manuel Ruiz, who holds a PhD in history and is campaigning for the RAE to broaden its definition of Zambomba.

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A VICTORY for mortgage owners been awarded by the European has Court of Justice. The court has ruled that two million mortgage holders in Spain are entitled to additional refunds from the banks because they paid too much interest. It came due to the so-called ‘floor clauses’ that saw most Spanish banks fail to lower their interest rates to rowers to match the base rate setborby the European Central Bank. The court ruled that it was unfair that repayments should cover and entire life of the mortgage during the time that interest rates were low the and continue to be. When the central bank base rate was lowered to stimulate the eurozone economy some years ago, mortgage repayments should have tracked it to 1.5% to 2%, however many borrowers continued to pay 3.5% and more. The surprise ruling is final and cannot be appealed. Around two million borrowers should now be set to receive repayments, estimated to be worth billions of euros.

Little slice of home

BRITISH expats are on a buy-to-let spree in London and the south east of England. According to mortgage lender Skipton International there has been a significant rise in expat investment over recent years. New figures reveal 40% of expats’ to-lets are in the UK capital, while buy25% are in the pricey south east. “Prices in London have increased significantly in the past few years, meaning that capital gains have been very attractive for investors,” said Skipton mortgage director Nigel Pascoe. “Expats have many reasons for investing and long term investment is usually the most important.” The trend has occurred as it has come easier to secure lending for bepats, who previously struggled exwith credit checks and recent credit history. Some 35% of expats cited long term vestment as their main reason for ining, while another 19% said it was buypart of their pension plan.

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We s a ed he yea o w h wha u ned ou o be one o ou mos ead s o es o 2017 B sh expa L ona M che s a m dogs we e me c ess y k ed by Span sh hun e s n e a a on o he bann ng he b ood spo on he and Ou exc us ve nves ga on was p n ed on page five o he Da y Ma and was p cked up by seve a B sh pape s as we as he Span sh na ona p ess Un o una e y he nves ga on has a ed o cha ge anyone ye Meanwh e B sh expa s h back a e be ng c c zed o fly ng home o be pa me ca e s a e he UK p ess abe ed hem as unqua fied wh e we evea ed how he a e S a us Quo on man R ck Pa fi had p anned o spend he yea w h h s am y be o e h s un me y Ch s mas dea h

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villa on the shores of Marbella

AND THE KING OF ALL RENOVATION JOBS

MALAGA province’s second biggest €2 million project failed to take off castle will finally be renovated after a almost a decade ago. La Estrella castle is spread over 25,000 square metres and is currently being used during the filming of ‘Douglas, el Guardian de Historia’ Spanish TV series which features the –a A project to give the structure a face battle of Teba, where the castle lies. onset of the global financial crisis. lift was abandoned in 2008 at the It now back on, and will improve investigation, consolidate the wallsaccessibility, undertake archeological and generally improve the existing structure.

PAGE 13

Bracing for Brexit

THERESA May has vowed Britain won’t accept a ‘half in, half out’ Brexit in a landmark speech that is likely to have long-lasting effects on Gibraltar and all expats in Spain. The Prime Minister issued a 12-point plan to take Britain out of the EU, with Downing Street looking to scrap EU single market and current customs union access. In the biggest speech of her sixmonth tenure, she said: “To be clear, what I am proposing cannot mean membership of the single market.” She added Britain would no longer give ‘huge sums’ to the EU, however she conceded that Parliament will have the final vote on the deal. Maintaining the common travel area between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland is also a priority during the Brexit negotiations. However, the border of Gibraltar with Spain was not mentioned.

Control

SLAUGHTER ssly Expat’s rescue animals mercile killed over ‘hunting row’

EXCLUSIVE By Gabrielle Pickard-Whitehead and Laurence Dollimore

A BRITISH expat has called in police in after finding five of her dogs executed a late-night massacre. The Guardia Civil are now investigating the horrific attack that also left one of Illona Mitchell’s horses with its eye gouged out. The detectives from the environment section Seprona told Mitchell, 48, that it was one of the worst attacks they had seen and were visibly shocked by it. They have put on extra patrols to keep at an eye on the estate at weekends and night. “I am sickened as to why someone would carry out such a cruel and barbaric attack on innocent, defenceless animals,” she told the Olive Press this

“We want to control our immigration from the EU,” said May. “We also recognise the importance of the brightest and the best coming here. We recognise the contribution they have made.” May is believed to favour a workpermit system as she looks to trigger Article 50 by March. It comes as the House of Lords published data showing a border closure with Spain would put 40% of jobs at risk in Gibraltar. The 32 page-report, based on Gibraltar government evidence, estimates 10,500 of the Rock’s 26,000 workers crossed the border daily. “A frontier which lacked the necessary fluidity would therefore put directly at risk the jobs of 40% of the Gibraltar workforce,” said a spokesman. May’s speech was cheered by Leave campaigners, who are pushing for a ‘hard’ Brexit. She said:“We do not seek to adopt a model already enjoyed by other countries. We do not seek to hold on to bits of membership as we leave,” said May. “The British people voted for change. And it is the government’s job to deliver it.”

in 2004, found the five rescue dogs shot of in their pens on January 6, the night the Reyes (Three Kings). Her beloved seven-year-old Dizzy, ‘one of the friendliest dogs you will ever meet’ and a puppy called Maisie were shot dead at the gates of their pens. Meanwhile Coco and Domingo, were shot in their beds, with Mitchell believing they had cowered in their kennels before being killed in cold blood. Coco, two, had been shot at point-blank range between the eyes, while threeyear-old Domingo was shot through the side of his face. They later found Jack, a six-year-old week. German Shepherd, having convulsions bought who The mother-of-one, above, a nearby tree, but despite being her estate in mountains near Granada under

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rushed to the vets he died 30 minutes later. An X-ray showed he also had a bullet shot through the roof of his mouth. Meanwhile, one of Mitchell’s 12 horses its was also attacked, so savagely that eye may have to be removed. Vets have been struggling to treat the four-year-old, named Rocco, because he has become too nervous and skittish. Deeply traumatised by the attack - that thankfully was not seen by her daughter Ella, 11 - Mitchell continued: “I am so angry that someone would do something as disgusting as this to innocent animals.” atMitchell, from Chester, believes the to tack is linked to her recent decision ban hunters from her huge 173-hectare in estate that sits in stunning scenery the Sierra de Baza.

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ELL we a knew 2016 cou dn be opped wha w h B ex T ump and he b b ca oods ha pu Anda uc a v ua y un de wa e bu 2017 ce a n y d d

a good ob o y ng F om he ongo ng B ex ope a o he Ca a u nya c s s he yea has been u o b g s o es bo h oca and na ona We weeded ou seve a Cos a de So c on es W

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M As he ann ve sa y o Made ene McCann s d sappea ance ap p oached pub she Jon who was one o he fi s ou na s s on he scene ecoun ed h s s eps and o e ed h s v ew on wha ea y happened was one o ou mos ead ea u es h s yea ecev ng hund eds o housands o h s on ne We a so exc u Italian s ve y evea ed how a popu a sh pub was be ng sued by s wo k s a bemng ove Uo wo ked and un de pa d

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EXPATS in Spain could hammered by the British be government’s approach to EU citizens, a leaked document suggests.

To the surface

Brex t tens ons bo ed over n February as expats demanded answers and assurances on the r future status n Spa n Ambassador S mon Man ey to d Br ts t was n Spa n s econom c nterest to ensure ts re a t onsh p w th the UK rema ned as status quo as pos sbe E sewhere we uncovered a robbery r ng operat ng n Nueva Anda uc a and revea ed how ch d pornogra phy on a aptop of a Br t sh rank ng so d er was the rea reason beh nd huge border de ays n G bra tar

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn insisted that the aggressive approach of the Tory is putting ‘families, jobsParty homes in the balance’ and and showing the ‘human cost’ of Brexit. He urged the government to act swiftly to end migrants and expats uncertainty guarantee their rights and main in their countries to repostBrexit.

The story behind the Lord set to be risen from the Clive deep

Page 6

Brits are valued Exclusive interview with bassador Simon Manley am-

ISSUE PAGE 17

Holy ow!

Voted BEST expat paper in Spain

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Aggressive

February 1st - February

ED Sheeran has revealed with pain while getting how he fainted mous Spanish church. a tattoo of a faThe British Shape of You singer, worth €40 million, has had Barcelona’s Familia inked onto his stomach Sagrada during his trip across Australia last “I passed out while it year. said Ed, 25, who has 60was being done,” tattoos covering his body and wants 30 more.

14th 2017

Hunger Games

“There must be an end to this Hunger Games approach to Brexit negotiations, which gives no consideration to EU nationals in our or British nationalscountry abroad,” Corbyn said. living He was reacting to a report drawn up by the European Parliament’s legal affairs committee, warning that nent residence status apparent reticence to give the ish nationality may or Brit- has been an almost colour 50% rise in EU citiEu- member ropeans permanent residence states’ approach to zens applying for status in the UK could this lead to port. matter,” stated the re- permanent residency a backlash abroad. in the UK, according “The fact that it appears The to be out document also pointed to the Guardian, that particularly difficult it could now be eign nationals, even for for- individual member left up to was leaked the report. states to There has also been ried to UK nationals if mar- decide if British nationals an can apparent drift of in the UK to acquire or born live in their country. permaexpats back to Since the June 23 vote, there the UK, with a

Expats’ livelihoods Brexit, says Labour‘in the balance’ over leader as Brits abroad launch a fight for their future

Page 11

Zest to know

Do you know your satsumas from your ponkons?

Page 42

EXCLUSIVE

to Spain. The commercial relationship between the two countries worth some €46 billion, is he said, with a €10 billion surplus to Spain and trade €1 bilrise in home sales reportlion to Andalucia. ed by the official governManley told the Olive ment body in Malaga “From Prime MinisterPress: Rathat monitors property joy down through to regional sales. government presidents and The leak comes after many city mayor all of them the UK’s ambassador tell me they value the to Spain Simon ence of Britons in Spain.”presManley highlightHe hinted that Spain might ed the economic make a separate bilateral benefit of expats rangement with the UK arexpats in both countries. over

An arrested soldier, a halted RAF plane...how a laptop with child porn caused a tense two-hour Gib border closure STANDOFF MYSTERY PAGE 5

INTRIGUE: The RAF

Hercules was held

up due to a laptop

with sexual material

And during a meeting between Rajoy and Theresa May month, it is believed the last discussed an amicable pair, arrangement for both countries. Meanwhile, campaign Bremain In Spain group have backed demands for Brits to be issued with EU passports by Brussels after Brexit. If their petition gains one million signatures from at least seven EU countries, proposed legislation will be put before the European Parliament. Next Friday, The Guardian’s Madrid-based correspondent Giles Tremlett will address an Bremain In Spain discussion group in La Cala de Mijas.

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March 1st - March 14th 2017 Vol. 11 Issue 260 www.theolivepress.es

Spanish A BRITISH rocker is suing the for a government after being fingered murder he didn’t commit. jusExpat Gary Owens is also demanding tice from the UK after a 25-year nightmare for the saw him jailed twice - wrongly - 1991. of a Scandinavian expat in FIGHTBACK: Owens (left) murder

By Joe Duggan

GARETH Bale’s future at Real Madrid could be put in jeopardy once the UK pulls out of the EU. The Welsh wizard is now being urged to support a battle to give expats in Spain joint nationality by the Spanish government. If not, he would become classified a non-EU player and Real already have three players in that category. He would either have to be sold, or Real would need to unload one of trio James Rodriguez, Casemiro or Danilo. To avoid this, British journalist Giles Tremlett is calling on Bale to join his battle to give expats joint nationality.

Battle

The Madrid-based Guardian writer is lobbying for Brits in Spain to be given Spanish nationality. Tremlett is meeting with Spanish constitutional lawyers this week to create a draft law for his joint-nationality plan, which he will take to Spain’s central and regional parliaments. “Bale’s situation is just another of the messes imposed on UK citizens resident in Spain by Brexit,” he told the Olive Press, this week. “The Spanish government could fix this with an act of generosity by offering Brits installed here prior to Brexit Continues on Page 8

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been The 56-year-old, who has now on recompletely cleared, was twice held mand in 1991 and in 2008, on suspicion

Ex-Marbella Belle banged up over Gibraltar fraud charges

ex-partner, a wealthy British restaurateur, now based in Malaga. Marriott, the former partBy Joe Duggan ner of a senior figure of the coast’s Ferrari club, she A FORMER TV star has been drove a Mercedes 4x4 and is charged with six counts of believed to own property in fraud. Sotogrande and the UK. ITV Marbella Belle Louise A former co-star of the hit Marriott, 51, has been refused ITV show Marbella Belles, bail, after being charged with described her as ‘stylish and false representation and decoutgoing’. larations. “Louise was always out Diana’s The close pal of Lady with the high rollers,” said former lover James Hewitt Barbara Fawcett, 55. “She was arrested over her runwas always very stylish and ning of Gibraltar’s City Inglamorous and always had ternational School of Beauty. and (right) with James Hewitt her hair done immaculateShe is accused of conning FACING TRIAL: Marriott ly.” clients out of £15,500 (€ “Full accreditation can only does not exist. She continued: “It was no was bail for application Her 18,130). when she ended up come through the correct exThe reality TV actress, who ams which were due to hap- denied and the case was ad- surprise close to James. He growing moved from Marbella to Gi- pen later this year when an journed until March 21. then the manager of the braltar a few years ago, is ac- examiner comes to Gibral- “If she is convicted she could was House restaurant in Polo classes spa considerable be looking at a cused of running and she was there tar.” without correct accredita- Marriott’s bank account with prison sentence,” said Per- Marbella quite a lot. “They seemed to tion. £2,000 in it has been frozen alta. Olive Press can reveal get on very well.” One former The “There are six complaints by the police. co-worker of that she is not accredited The court also heard that that the mother-of-three was Gibraltariansaid he was ‘surto run these courses,” said Marriott had applied for previously involved with a Marriott’s at her arrest’. “She prosecuting lawyer Sharon a Gibraltar ID card on the health business in Marbella, prised’ as good as gold and very Peralta at a magistrates court strength of an address that called Posh, alongside her was reliable,” he said. hearing.

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A Place in the Sun presenter Jasmine Harman wades in on ‘terrible’ Brexit in an exclusive interview with the Olive Press.

Page 3

We’ve got Andalucia covered

Notorious costa conman finally ordered to prison after a decade-long legal battle

parties, or even local banks. In most cases he managed to get his victims to sign over power of The Fuengirola fraudster - who attorney, may have conned up to 200 ex- perwork’,often ‘to lighten the pawhich enabled him to pats in shady deals - has been take out big mortgages in their found guilty at a Malaga court. names. Maseda, 75, has been ordered to Victims only became aware return €95,000 to British busi- when instalments began to be nessman Gareth Malone or head charged monthly or in some straight to jail. cases when they were contacted Last night the company director, by the banks for defaulting on 36, based in London, told the Ol- repayments. ive Press: “I couldn’t let him get One lawyer, Juan Carlos Carrasaway with it. co Garcia, who represented a “He simply had to pay for what number of victims, praised the he has done, and I know there Olive FACING JAIL: Maseda are lots more victims out there the Press for its reporting at time. Mollina, near Antequera. like me.” He said: “It is an important Maseda, who claimed to be a The Olive Press first reported case in the fight against lawyer, financial consultant on Maseda in 2009, revealthe corruption that exand tax advisor, agreed to help ing how he had convinced ists on the Costa del Sol.” manage the paperwork for the hundreds of clients to invest Malone (left), has been €350,000 four-bedroom villa. their money from his chasing Maseda since “Maseda made me sign docuEurobrokers office, in he solicited his serments giving him power of atArroyo de la Miel. vices as a lawyer in torney and promised to organise Most cases were 2006. it all.” strikingly similar, Maseda had promHowever, a year later he began with smooth-talkised to help him receiving letters demanding that ing Maseda havorganise the renta strange mortgage be paid off ing been recomal of a property on the property. mended to them he had inherited It emerged that instead of makvia a series of third from his family in ing Malone a landlord, Maseda

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A NOTORIOUS costa conman may finally be put behind bars. Jose Luis Garcia Maseda has been sentenced to two-and-ahalf years in prison after a decade-long battle with a victim, who refused to give up.

Opinion Page 6

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BALLS TO BREXIT

ROCKER: Gary Owens

DESIGNER GLASSES FROM

Vol. 11 Issue 261 www.theolivepress.es March 15th - March 28th 2017

Let’s go outside!

an album. Within weeks he was dead and Owens was picked up in Tenerife by 15 police at gunpoint. “Yet they had no evidence against me - they even found shoe prints at the scene that were much larger than mine. “I want to know why things are being covered up.” Eleven other people were arrested in connection with the killing but it remains unsolved. Incredibly, Esther Diaz, the judge who sent him to prison as a suspect, became the first in Spanish history to be suspended in 1994. “It is outrageous that my life and career was ruined. I had been about to work with AC/ DC, then suddenly it was all taken away. I want justice.” The UK Foreign Office said: “We provided consular assistance to a British man and his family after he was imprisoned in Spain in November 2009.”

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owner. of killing wealthy Norwegian club prison, In total, he spent three years in over without being formally charged, was the death of Torbjorn Heta, 33, who found down a well in Marbella. A II However, the guitarist, whose band Z played with the likes of Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, is now in the clear. “Our lives have been ruined,” he told the Olive Press, this week. “We need an investigation and public enquiry at the national level both here and in the UK. “I want to know how the Spanish justice system could destroy my life...it is a total disgrace.” Owens, who lives in Nerja, explained how he had only met the victim briefly to discuss using his recording studio for

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had actually taken out a €95,000 mortgage in his name and pocketed the money. “He set up a bank account with Bankinter under my name and transferred the money to himself. “My age, passport number and address were all wrong, how can a bank do that? It’s unbelievable.” Maseda initially began sending Malone money, claiming it was from tenants, but then it dried up. When the Londoner began questioning Maseda in 2007, he was nowhere to be found. “He literally disappeared off the face of the earth, he’s a real piece of work.”

Battle

Malone began his legal battle the following year and has been chasing Maseda ever since.

While he declared himself bankrupt and unable to pay some years back the court has ordered him to pay €95,000 mortgage as well legal costs or face jail time. Malone, who owns a Telecommunications company in London, is hoping other victims will follow his lead. “He should spend the rest of his years in prison, he deserves it,” he added. At least 45 victims have pursued him in the courts, but there could be up to 200 victims, estimate lawyers. While the amounts stolen are around at least €1.4 million, the actual figure could be far higher. Opinion Page 6

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Call Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws nick@mosquitonick.ws

April We c eared the coast of another sw nd er after our sp ash on V ncent Ware s g ass and stee company wh ch was tak ng thousands of euros from expats w thout f n sh ng or start ng the work caused h m to f ee back to the UK Our dogged reported Joe Duggan got up c ose and persona w th C udada nos eader A berta R vera who to d us he fu y supported Br t sh expats E sewhere our appea to he p a home ess Br t sh coup e who had been k cked out by the r Ma aga and ord bore fru t as a very generous reader Joe Kennedy gave the coup e €500 to he p them f nd a p ace for a month

March

WILL BREXIT AFFECT YOUR PROPERTY?

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11th 2017

Issue 13

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EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

EXCLUSIVE: Agents unite as some ‘bad apples’ are slapping fees on buyers without finders warning

STRUGGLING TO

To find out more,

A WORD IN YOUR SHELL LIKE: Olive Press reporter Joe Duggan interviews Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera

www.theolivepress.es

MORE than 160,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org asking for a street in Marbella to be named after brave cancer sufferer Pablo Raez. The campaign has been set up in response to Raez's inspirational campaign to increase awareness, as well as the num-

NEWS

ber of bone marrow donations. Raez sadly lost his battle to leukaemia in February, but not before launching a campaign that went viral, its aim being to increase donors from 230,000 to one million. The petition has now been submitted to Marbella mayor José Bernal.

March 15th - March 28th 2017

Homeless plea 4

Long term expat couple need urgent help after being forced to live between their car and a hut

By Chloe Glover

A BRITISH couple have pleaded for help after eviction left them living between their car and a shed. Leslie and Paul Dunt are desperately hunting for somewhere to live for themselves and their 17 rescue dogs after being thrown out of their home in Coin. Paul, 56, who has a pacemaker, and Leslie, 63, who has a serious back problem, now fear for their health, as they struggle to survive on a small plot of land of a friend in Alora. “We can’t believe what’s happened,” said Leslie, who comes from east London.

Eviction

www.theolivepress.es March offer

revealed that he was offered a €187 discount if he did a bank transfer immediately. “The man’s impossible to deal with,” said Jones, 69. “We could never get him again. “We have used another company now. I just want my money back from Ware.” Another victim, Pete Jones, paid Ware half of a €9,000 quote for bifold doors in his kitchen in October. After hearing nothing for five weeks, Jones was told by Ware via text that he was having computer problems and that work would start ‘imminently’. “Of course, nothing happened,” said Jones. “Since then I have been constantly two patio doors in Estepona trying to contact him without luck. last October. Jones, from Cheltenham, “I am sure, like others who have lost money, there is very little that can be done. “I think exposing his practices will at least help people in towards a deposit for a the future.” flat, which they are in the One client, hotelier process of looking for. Andy Chapell, was “If it wasn’t for groups forced to go to court and people like Joel, we to demand the rewouldn’t be as close to turn of €800 paid finding anywhere,” said for a safety fence, Paul. “We are very gratewhich never arful for their generosity and rived. support.” DONOR: Joel Malaga Court ruled

Olive Press story helps homeless couple March 1st - March 14th

+IVA

2017

believes

citizens Expat with cystic fibrosis THE number of EU insave lives By Chloe Glover leaving the UK actually new pills could help for creased by 17% last year.amount A BRAVE expat is pleading In the year of Brexit, the EU or a vital help after being denied of people returning to the lung transport operation. cystic moving elsewhere increased in one Becky Baker, who has on an from 85,000 to 103,000 fibrosis, currently relies year. that oxygen mask to breathe.Coin, is New figures also revealed as UK The 32-year-old, from to get Spaniards registering asking Olive Press readers residents also fell by 2,000. been a behind a nationwide campaign Meanwhile, there has number new US to legalise a pioneering sharp increase in the foldrug called Orkambi. of Brits leaving the country someresult She is also searching forhelp her lowing the shock June 23 one who may be able to last year. for find alternative medication. The figures from the Officethat Becky, “I just want to live,” said her National Statistics show rose who moved to Spain with and before emigration from the UK BurnBecky Baker, now 2015 to mum Sarah Spencer from lungs. 20 BRAVE: by 9%, from 297,000 in to push cluding my newa chance that I 323,000 in 2016. ham-on-Sea in Somerset Fibrosis Quística Málaga “If there was years ago. every for its legalisation. more treatment or a “I’m fighting to stay alive am in “We’ve been campaigning to could get in the UK I would go year transplant single day of my life and weather there is reget it legalised for the past costing back but the lungs and I don’t constant pain. my stone) and yes it’s expensive “I’ve lost eight kilos (1.25 alone, €120,000 per patient per year…. ally bad for be here now if I’d WORK is underway to repair by in the last few monthsday and but when you consider that think I would Malaga beaches wrecked have to take 50 pills a night as some people who are using it stayed. floods. of any other oth- “If anyone knows help I would last December’s spent have to be tube fed at as now don’t need to take their may A total of €4.1m will be rehospital treatment that I’m burning so many calories and as I am er medication or stay in love to hear from themthe moon restoring sand my heart rate is so high. of down at doc- it’s not bad.” pairing the infrastructure refused feeling very “At the moment, Spanish from to help Spanish doctors recently ment.” coastal areas stretching tors won’t do anything a campaigning me to give Becky a lung transplant, hope Becky, who has Off CF Spain, Manilva to the Axarquia. been me. They will only keep which had been her main website called See Diggers have already stable. one stretch legal in of survival. launch a fundraiser for “But Orkambi, which is been “It’s because I have amyloidosis hopes to into more cystic fibrosis moving sand from in Esteresearch of beach to another the US, is a drug that has by as well,” said Becky. and at Casares Marina, I had a cures. proven to boost lung function “They said that even ifthe con- To get in touch with Becky to pona were both badly hit thinning mucus. lots of kidney transplant too would find out how to help, go to www. which “I’d love to try it, as would from floods. dition would return and other people I know here.”charity damage my other organs, in- seeoffcfspain.com She has teamed up with

A HOMELESS couple have received much needed financial help thanks to an Olive Press story. Leslie and Paul Dunt, who were left sleeping between their car and a shed, have been offered €500 by good samaritan Joel Kennedy who read about their Contact spencersarah46@yahoo.com or visit www.seeoffcfspain.com if you can help

www.legal10abogadosmarbella.com

info@mortgagesolutionsinspain.com

MAKESHIFT: Leslie and Paul are living between a Ford Fiesta and a hut

“We are really grateful we have this hut for now, but it has no running water, electricity, heating or gas. “I’m really worried what effect living in these conditions will have on Paul’s health and my own,” she continued. The couple, who moved to Spain 15 years ago, had fallen into financial difficulties last year when Paul had to stop working when he had a pacemaker fitted following a heart attack. As he was unable to continue running his mobile car valeting service they quickly fell behind in the rent. “The heart attack left him dependent on crutches to walk which meant he couldn’t work for 18 months,” added Leslie. After receiving a letter in January from the landlord telling them he was taking them to court, they were evicted on March 7. “It was horrible to find to leave. police and bailiffs bang- “Fortunately we were able ing on our door telling us to move our belongings to

We’ve got Andalucia covered

A DETERMINED expat is devastated after being told she cannot have the drug she has been campaigning for. Doctors told Coin resident Becky Baker, who has cystic fibrosis, she is now too ill to have the Orkambi drug, despite being well enough when she first requested it a year ago. It is the latest blow for Becky, 32, who spoke to the Olive Press last issue (see left) after MalaNE WS ga’s Carlos Haya hospital, where she Br-exodus as they is a patient, €245 said she was no longer to Drug plea -fight leave UK!eligible for for a lung transplant due to having too low a lung function. She had been campaigning to have American drug Orkambi legalised in Spain, which thins mucus, to help Coast clear those with the progressive lung condition. “For the hospital to only say now I could have had the drug were I betDue money back on your ter when I began to campaign to get it so long ago is so gutting,” said Becky, originally from mortgage? Spanish Somerset. FREE Call us today HerRISK family has ramped up its plea to find an alternative - 952 78 03 38 647 20 20 29 treatment. - NO FEE NO WIN “If anyone In association with...out there has any other suggestions for us or would like to fundraise to enable more research into CF that would be great,” said Becky’s mum, Sarah.

are desperate and don’t know what to do.” Their good samaritan, a local Spanish landowner, jumped in to help after seeing a plea a friend of theirs had posted on Facebook. He quickly offered blankets and dog food and allowed them to live in the hut on his land. “But now we need something permanent and would be over the moon if anyone out there could help us. “We almost have enough to pay a deposit and would find enough money somehow. “We just need a little help to get us over this hump. It is incredible how quickly you can fall here.” our neighbours’ houses temporarily and live in our Ford Fiesta, but we

Anyone able to help can contact Leslie and Paul via newsdesk@ theolivepress.es

www.mortgagesolutionsinspain.com

plight last issue. Kennedy, who runs the Help the Homeless Costa del Sol Facebook page, said the money had been left over from a recent group fundraiser. Paul will put the money

Continues Page 4

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SOUGHT: Boss Vincent Ware and (above) Rudi

for Becky

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March 29th - April 11th 2017

Expats take legal action on double glazing firm over thousands of ‘missing’ euros

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sands of euros of work has not been completed by his former firm Andalucia as deposits on contracts Glass & Steel. He admitted he ‘could not that were never completed, take it anymore’ after re- some up to €20,000.” ceiving a barrage of com- Kaiser, who lived in London plaints and being cited in for 30 years, began work at the Marbella-based compavarious court cases. “I have been tarnished by ny four years ago working this company and I’m not as a salesman and on social happy about it,” the Ger- media. man told the Olive Press However, it soon became apparent that boss Vincent this week. “We are talking about large Ware, also 58, was not de- Jones, claims he never livering what he promised. MARBELLA amounts heard from Ware again afLastpaid LANDMARK FORof money, ditch One victim, expat Graham ter transferring CANCER BATTLER plea €2,000 for

I’m backing British expats

BACKING BRITS, PAGE 9

T is a practice that most property professionals was a thing of the past. had hoped But Olive Press Property can reveal that tionable practice of “I have no objection charging buyers asthe ethically quesrearing its head again well as sellers is but I do object whento agents operating with a finder’s fee, According to sources, on the Costa del Sol. without declaring fromthese so called buyers bill both sides at least two agents area have recently the outset that they in the Marbella He added: “When unscrupulous stung their buyers will be doing The so called ‘finder’s with bills of up to 5%. agents abuse the systemso.” adding extra amounts, mission from the seller.fees’ are in addition from taking com- scene’, especially when you consider by “Beware of this sharp the whole industry suffers. high purchase taxes they already have “It’s disgusting,” said practise.” “We as agents are which are often in excess of 10%. very Legal expert Antonio Flores added nothing wrong with Terra Meridiana’s Adam Neale, “I paid by the that such practises be can ent beforehand, butfinder’s fees if you agree it with thehave a fee to a buyer,” he said, “On sellers and we never charge “It deemed illegal. is not illegal to have the whole our industry certain agents are I have heard from several buyers cli- very well as it is, without the need your to start charging suchworks with the agreement of the commission built into the price, “It’s bad ethics andadding a 5% fee with no prior warning.that additional fees to buyers. We vendor,” he told the high The problem gives agents on the should be encouraging Olive Press. name.” Costa del Sol a bad to invest here!” them but does not is when an agent adds a commission Ben Bateman of Holmes tell the buyer or seller. on top Mike Smith, Chairman in Sotogrande added “This he was aware partieshappens when the agent is the agreed that charging of Marbella-based First Choice Spain, of the practice happening ‘in middle man and a few cases’. potential buyers such are not in “It fees was ‘ob- tionis totally unethical and gives our business criminal offence.” touch via their lawyers. This is actuallythe for sharp practices,” a bad reputaa he said. Have you been a victim? Email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

WHAT A P A N E!

AN employee at a well known glass and windows company has come clean after dozens of clients complained about unfinished work. Expat Rudi Kaiser, 58, revealed that tens of thou-

ALBERT Rivera is giving his support’ to British migrants ‘total living in Spain. The Ciudadanos leader told the Olive Press he realised the importance of British expats and tourists on the costas. In the week Brexit is being invoked, he promised to back our rights to stay here. He later told a rally in Mijas he was going to be fighting corruption in Andalucia over the coming and hoped to bring a train years line to the coast.

Call Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws nick@mosquitonick.ws

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today

We opened the can of worms on what wou d be a who e summer of ho day renta scams We exc us ve y revea ed how rugby star Dean Schofie d had been scammed out of more than €30 000 after he and 15 fr ends booked a v a n Spa n that d dn t ex st We a so tracked down another L sa Brown suspect who had fled to Portuga and bro ken h s ba cond t ons He to d us he was runn ng from the drug mafia and that he feared for h s fe f he returned Meanwh e our exc us ve coverage of P x e Ge dof s wedd ng n Ma orca got p cked up by the Da y Ma and the Sun n the UK

Mauled EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan

The h d mon h o he yea was u o ex c us ves Jus ce came knock ng o Cos a conman Jose Maseda who had conned a ound 200 expa s h ough va ous scams ove he yea s as he was sen enced o wo and a ha yea s hanks o he de e m na on o a s ung B We a so o d he amaz ng s o y o Ga y Owens he Manches e ocke who spen yea s n and ou o a o he mu de o a No we gan c ub owne n Ma be a desp e a comp e e ack o ev dence aga ns h m

June

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ted demands action over sophistica England rugby international nearly €50,000 from him holiday scam website that netted

1 February / 15 February

EXCLUSIVE STORIES FROM COVER

June 8th - June 21st 2017

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RUGBY star Dean Schofield is urging action after being mauled in a sophisticated holiday shakedown. Wasps international Dean (above) and wife Gemma, both 38, were set to take a dream break to Spain with friends to celebrate the England international’s retirement. But the vacation turned into a nightmare after the group of 16 from Cheshire unwittingly booked via a fraudulent holiday website that has dozens of homes on the Costa del Sol. In total, scammers took payment and deposit of €5,700 €11,400 and (£5,000) (£10,000) respectively before swiping another €29,800 (£26,000) for their stunning villa in Mallorca, which is owned by a wealthy British owner.

other stories came up. When we emailed the person we’d been dealing with called ‘Flavio’ he sent an abusive email back. “Luckily we were in a fortunate position where we could arrange an alternative villa and still get the flight over. But what if we were from a normal family and couldn’t afford to come? moment and we We were at least able to salvage “We were very angry when we a horrible the holiday.” The group only rumbled the found out,” Gemma told the weren’t sure what to do. scam, via rentholidaysvillas. Olive Press this week. “It was “We started Googling it and The group had come across the stunning six-bedroom villa with com, the day before they flew. a huge pool and grounds and got in touch via email. The website looked extremely on alleged fraud credible and even had a photo hosted by with law enforcement is If action. las.com for taking Rentholidaysvil of its alleged owner, ‘Flavio Herwhich was and have processes have been defraudUS-based server GoDaddy, nandes Davila’, who did the nethe scam anyone believes they law enforcement.” of April as ago long as warned gotiating. in Spain. ed they should contact by a leading holiday rental sitethis week, Contact your local police and Action Fraud “I must confess we did think live if still was it livepress.es why asked When it was a bit cheap for where it Ben Butler, and email newsdesk@theo GoDaddy Digital Crimes boss regularly you’ve been scammed. was, and it in fact rents for a lot explained: “We communicate more,” admitted Gemma. Thankfully, the group of eight 1987 adults and eight children who are still on holiday are now 2017 Patience of a Santo! trying to reclaim their money as the booking was made via a credit card. The website however is still live, despite being reported to its web hosting company by the Olive The Olive Press toasts the 30th Press and to UK police. anniversary of two of Andalucia’s The website boasted that ‘you

STOP THE SCAMMERS

THREE DECADES IN BUSINESS

Food, drink & travel

www.theolivepress.es

2000 WEDDING MADNESS

Few weddings match the Brits (and their guests) who got married in their full Wild West costumes with sixshooters… and in July. The ceremony takes place in 4pm as the mercury nudges 40ºC with the bride arriving on a white steed to meet her groom in chaps and a Stetson and to the sound of gun shots.

we can afford to multiply and we have our first heiress – and Carmen’s arrival reassures locals that these weird foreigners may not be so strange after all.

1993 DOCTOR’S KNICKERS

At the village health centre opening party one of the doctors gets so inebriated she chooses to relieve herself on the lawn and rejoins the party with her skirt tucked into the back of her knickers. It’s a night to remember.

1987 MISSED DEADLINES

1988 COLLAPSING PARTNERSHIP

It quickly becomes clear that four bosses are too many and the partnership collapses with huge stress for everyone involved and Andy and Pauline go it alone, thankfully with the help from their friends at a few key moments.

1989 DESIGNER CLOTHING ROW

Unfortunately a recently-painted white

June 8th - June 21st 2017

sleep on oblivious and normal breakfast service begins at normal at 8am

T is 30 years ago this Spring that two British teachers left their steady jobs in UK primary schools to make a living in Spain with a couple of friends. Despite having no experience of the hospitality trade, they decided to convert a run-down watermill in rural Ronda into a small hotel. Fast forward three decades Andy Chapell and Pauline Elkin run one of Spain’s most successful small hotels, Molino del Santo, employing 25 people and accommodating thousands of guests each year. But, it has certainly been something of an emotional rollercoaster with plenty of hiccups and unusual goings on along the way, as the pair reveal:

It’s not a fantastic start as our shoestring budget only allows for seven rooms which, being Andalucia, are not open in time. Delayed by a week, guests have to be accommodated in alternative hotels

www.theolivepress.es

June 8th - June 21st 2017

A year in the life of Andalucia’s favourite molino hotel, as it reaches its 30th birthday

1994 BEST RURAL HOTEL

reception counter comes into fresh contact with a customer’s very expensive mohair sweater. Limited edition clothing costs more to replace than expected. It’s a costly start to the year.

1990 POLICE VISIT

With the season in full flow, local police arrive demanding paperwork which it is virtually impossible to obtain. Threats of immediate deportation are only prevented by legal intervention. And, typically of course, four years later a very large fine is sanctioned despite no other hotel within 100kms having the correct pa-

perwork.

1991 NAKED ACTRESS

While filming in the area, a famous and very attractive Spanish actress arrives to eat with friends. She asks if she can swim in the pool and then changes into her bikini on the dining terrace in no rush and without any need of a towel… one memory which is hard to forget.

1992 HEIRESS NUMERO UNO

As the business starts to grow nicely

Seafood Restaurant

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After seven years graft we are selected as the ‘best rural hotel’ in Spain at a glitzy London ceremony. It’s all go from here.

1995 HEIRESS NUMERO DOS

With the birth of Rosanna we are finally accepted, properly, into the village.

1996 FAMILY ILLNESS

It’s a year of back and forth after Andy’s mum is diagnosed with a terminal illness in the Channel Islands. Resources are stretched and you soon see how being away from your home and business brings all kinds of practical issues.

1997 VIPS DINING

As our fame grows, we have the head of the Junta, no less, turn up for lunch. He arrives with full entourage and security and guards stand at all entrances with all our staff getting frisked before being allowed to serve the guests. It’s a long way from a class of nine-year-olds in Hampshire.

1998 GUIDING GUESTS

By now with 15 rooms we get recognition by Michelin, The Good Hotel Guide, Alastair Sawday and The Rough Guide all helping to spread the word. (ED. Olive Press owner Jon Clarke and wife spend a night here while on holiday)

1999 A DIFFICULT NIGHT

We are awoken to discover that a guest has died, quickly confirmed by the Dutch doctors in the room next door. The local medic is called and arranges for an undertaker to arrive at 5am to take the body – the rest of the guests

2001 POLITICAL SHENANIGANS

A famous MP, a regular guest here, has such a wild wedding anniversary night that he forgets he has changed rooms. His wife goes to bed before him with the room key so he has to serenade her to get in during the wee hours. A shame it’s the wrong door!

2002 BARKING SPECTFUL

DISRE-

The hotel policy is to allow pets but some guests go just too far, when they take down their curtains to make a bed for their dog to sleep on. There is fur everywhere and the drycleaning bill is horrendous.

2003 SEMI ROYAL WEDDING

An aristocratic Spanish family choose Molino for the wedding of their da

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 June 8th - June 21st 2017

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Molino del Santo - the best-loved hotel and restaurant near Ronda - is celebrating 30 years in business with 30 special offers in the hotel and another 30 in the restaurant

HOTEL OFFERS

30 ROOM NIGHTS - we are offering JUST 30 room nights at very special rates between the 15th June and the 26th July 2017. 30% DISCOUNT - yes book a stay with us within the above dates and you will get a FULL 30% discount on our normal rates - BUT it only applies to a total of 30 room nights - once they’re gone, they’re gone. Maximum of two nights per booking at this special rate. Subject to availability.

RESTAURANT OFFERS

30 MEALS - we are offering JUST 30 meals at very special rates between the 15th June and the the 26th July 2017. 30% DISCOUNT - yes book a meal with us within the above dates and you will get a FULL 30% discount on your final bill - BUT it only applies to a total of 30 meals - once they’re gone, they’re gone. Maximum of two people per booking at this special rate. Subject to availability.

HOW TOAN GRAB OFFER We will only accept bookings for these special offers via e-mail. Mention this advertisement when you enquire. info@molinodesanto.com. Don’t leave it too late - once 30 people have booked we’re closing the offer.

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More information of any kind e-mail

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www.molinodelsanto.com | info@molinodelsanto.com | 952 16 71 51 ESTACIÓN DE BENAOJÁN, NEAR RONDA, MÁLAGA

yet leading hotels, Molino del Santo and Sunset Beach Club

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July

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xx See page 4

Pet poisoners dog More areas hit by serial killers

We launched an ambitious campaign to have Nolotil banned in Spain following the deaths and near deaths of dozens of expats after taking the lethal painkiller. Despite thousands signing our petition, we have to date been ignored by all the relevant health authorities, but we will carry on this campaign into 2018. Our exclusive on two West End stars being rejected from a Malaga nightclub because they are black was picked up by the Sun.

ttles.com

ply-shuttles.com

nsuls and Jon Clarke ef Marc Fosh

for the property on asa Click Facebook med ‘there is no standing’ at the forl Grill, now named

sponsibility for any s, Molinari labelled xxxxxd’, a ‘txxt’ and hild’ when he com-

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buy a fake Italian nce with a differnd address while

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rom a long time ot want to know ut that. I do not you are talking

ll being involved t before hanging

Olive Press call, tacted one permised to return next day. mbert was cond by false repBournemouth ourt after conn the UK out of

Vol. 11 Issue 272

BACK FROM BRINK

SPAIN and the EU breathed a sigh of relief as Catalan’s leader failed to declare independence in a critical parliament speech last night. Instead, Carles Puigdemont reiterated the region’s right to break from Spain following this month’s referendum, when 90% of 2.4 million Catalans voted to leave. Switching between Catalan and Spanish, Puigdemont offered an olive branch, proposing dialogue with Madrid after ten days of mounting tension. “We propose to suspend the independence declaration in order to work towards putting into practice the result of the referendum. “We are making a gesture of responsibility in favour of dialogue.” He added: “The ballots say Yes to independence this is the will that I want to go forward with. “I want to follow people’s will for Catalonia to become an independent state.” He also called for internation-

THE Olive Press has received its Kill nearly 1000 signatures for the Drug campaign. onSo far 700 have signed the which line change.org petition in aims to outlaw the drug Nolotil

Spain. for the It comes after we reported the lefourth time on victims of Metthal painkiller, also known as amizole, over the last year.

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

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Mijas Costa

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expat paper in Spain

Vol. 11 Issue 271

xx See page 18

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EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

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

Need for more research

in Marbella, fully supports Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care the drug is not something the campaign, telling the Olive Press she prescribes. and standard medication,” “It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe it can do, it’s a drug she said, “And after seeing what damage I won’t be using in the future.” Victoria María Chacón Marbella-based private doctor Dra. “I don’t prescribe Almeda also agrees the drug is dangerous. “I have lots of British pathe drug,” she told the Olive Press,capable of doing. tients and I am aware of what it is on its impact.” “There needs to be a lot more research

HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with

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

Complete glasses from

Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella SHOWROOM: Calle St Maria, 29670, San above GM Cash & Carry) Malaga (next to Maxi Dia Supermarket and Tel: 951 979 221 | sales@oaklandfurniturespain.com

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

952 887 125 Mosquito Screens 952 581 561 Nick

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HAPPIER TIMES: Graham with wife, and Billy Smyth

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

info@simply-shuttles.com Tel: 951 279 117 www.simply-shuttles.com

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

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19 July

In a heartfelt plea from the other side of the world, former expat Gina Harris opens up her photo album to the Costa del Sol community to see if anyone can solve the mystery of her father’s sad death

September

t is a question that has tormented Australian Gina Harris for over 50 years: what really happened to my father on the Costa del Sol? The last time she saw him was at five years old when she waved him goodbye from the Torremolinos finca her parents built in the 1950s. Too young to be aware of her parents marital prob- GINA: Today lems, all she knew was that she and her sister Anne-Marie were going with mum on a trip to Australia. “My father struggled with his sexuality, it was not a good time to be gay or bisexual,” Gina confides. “We had a guy called Pepe working for us and I understand they had a romance, my mother freaked out and needed a break.” But one year later, Geoffrey Harris was dead. “My mother got a phone call to say he had passed away,” recalls Gina, who runs a travel agency in Melbourne. “She let out a huge scream, it was awful. “To this day we don’t know how he died or what happened to our home.” Her mother, Judith Harris, wrote to embassies and authorities in Spain but no one could tell her what happened. “I personally spent hundreds of euros on Spanish lawyers myself to find me a death certificate but they have continued to come up short,” adds Gina, 61. Now taking matters into her own hands, the mother-of-two has shared her precious family photograph album with the Olive

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WHAT HAPPENED?: To Pepe

A BRITISH expat who returned to the UK has been found sleeping rough after his local council refused to house him. David Sutcliffe, 82, was starving and forced to live on the streets after he returned from

Spain a few weeks ago followSCENERY: Views of vintage Torremolinos ing a relationship breakdown.

couple didn’t need to earn a living. “They didn’t do much work,” says Gina. “My dad had a mink factory in Kent, England but they ran out of minks and so moved to Spain.”

I’m not looking for a payout or to take the building back, I just want answers And the love affair for all things Spain seems to be in the genes. Gina’s son Manos, an architect based in Paris, speaks Spanish and is a gifted flamenco guitarist. “He teaches the guitar to Spaniards,” she says, “I guess our love for the culture is in our bones.” Gina, who will be in Torremolinos with her son from September 19 -25, is now appealing to any locals who might have known the family and may know the truth behind what happened to her father. “We think the building might have been put into a local’s name. “I’m not looking for a payout or to

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

But despite living in Spain for A BRITISH-hotel has accused just two years, Bournemouth a local lawyer of involvement Council has told the penin a terrifying hand-grenade sioner he is not entitled to attack. council housing. They said he The manager of Marbella’s Sisu had failed the ‘Habitual Resihotel claims legal eagle Antodence test’, nio Flores is linked to a midmeaning don’t night attack that left the hotel they unable to open this Spring. believe DaIn the astounding claim, manvid intends ageress Ale Valdivia insisted to settle in live on television that the boss the UK. of Lawbird legal practice - a A member long-time Olive Press columof the public notinist - was ‘in some way inhad volved’. fied police It comes after the hotel, owned after seeing by British businessman Neil him so malAcland, released CCTV footage nourished which shows a man dousing its ‘his trousers LOST: interior with petrol, before lobwere falling David bing in a hand grenade. down’. The suspect, wearing a baseSutcliffe Claire Matball cap and bandana, is now thews, foundcharity, the subject of a police investiFood for er of Hope gation, that has become a nasaid it has been left to voluntional news story. teers to help David and try While there is no suggestion and trace his estranged son. that the assailant is lawyer She said: “It’s a disgrace Flores, hotel manager Valvidia, that in 21st century Britain claimed on two national TV an 82-year-old man can be programmes that he was beliving on the streets and nohind the March attack. one wants to take respon“It’s ridiculous,” Flores, 45, sibility. “He’s been passed told the Olive Press, this week. from pillar to post and left to “And we are taking action for a charity and the kindness of libel.” the public to put a roof over The Marbella-born lawyer his head.” (right) insists the TV apKelly Ansell, head of houspearances, the releasing of ing at Bournemouth Borthe CCTV footage and the ough Council said: “We are accusations against him unable to comment on an are merely ‘a distracindividual case due to confition’ from the real dentiality.” story. Can’t be trusted, p 11 “The owners of Sisu are clearly involved in Opinion Page 6

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A SUPERGRAN has been labelled a ‘true heroine’ after she jumped in to save a pub owner from being bottled. The 77-year-old expat Elizabeth Trueman didn’t hesitate when she saw the attacker smash his beer glass and lunge at publican Paolo Mortoni. The Glaswegian pensioner stepped in when a drunken builder got into a heated argument with Mortoni over the payment of a round of drinks. The regular of Bar Mortoni, in Fuengirola, tried to stop the attack, getting battered to the ground and knocked unconscious in the chaos. “She was so brave wading in

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British grandmother, 77, knocked out trying to defend publican attacked by thug with broken glass

made a lunge to hold him back. “But as she grabbed him he turned round and smacked her in the face. “It was a big punch and it knocked her straight to the ground. “It was terrifying...She was out cold for three minutes, she could have easily died!” Luckily Trueman, a regular visitor to the coast, where her daughter lives, came round

RELIEVED: The Mortonis

like that,” wife and co-owner Hayley Mortoni told the Olive Press. “She didn’t hesitate and

compaThe Olive Press can reveal that Acland ny Hotel Locrimar SL is suing paying and partners for allegedly not rent since 2009. over The hotel, which allegedly turns accused around €4 million a year, is at of owing the owners of the building least €1.2 million. Acland In the ongoing legal dispute, some sort of gangland feud and are trying to bring as much attention on themselves to put off more attacks. “The more public they

claims the in regrace period on paying the rent and imturn for construction works provements made by Sisu. for But Locrimar claims the contract claims it this ‘rent holiday’ is fake. It has been signed by an ex-employee leadand has been backdated to 2011, ing the case to become criminal.

are the more likely it won’t happen again.” He added that the accusations against him stem from a legal battle between one of his clients and the hotel, which is a popu-

lar spot for football players and celebs like the TOWIE cast. He claims that his client is the real owner of the hotel, forContinues on Page 2

LOCK: Thief

A BRAVE expat chased down and grabbed a robber after she stole her grandmother’s purse. Mary Turner, 52, ran after the female thief who had nabbed the purse by slicing a hole through it. “My great-granddaughter saw what happened and told my granddaughter, who ran after the thief, grabbed her and put her in a headlock,” said June Turner, 69, based in Torrox. “I then got my phone out and took

Continues on Page 2

a snap of the thief to give to police. It was a real team effort.” But when the family called the Policia Local, they were told to report the crime to the Guardia Civil, which they did later that day. “We ended up having to let her go, which is annoying even though I have got my stuff back,” continued June, from London. “I now just want to make others aware of this woman and let them know they should be careful.”

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NOTORIOUS expat fraudster Nigel Goldman is facing a Christmas behind bars after failing to pay his landlord €4,500 in rent. Goldman - AKA Howard Del Monte and now Nigel Montgomery - is due in court on December 11 for skipping four monthly rental payments on an apartment in the UK. His Brighton landlord Robert Jones told the Olive Press he will immediately call in the bailiffs if the former Costa conman - who is wanted in Spain - fails to show up. “We will call in the removal men,” said the businessman, who works in London. Three-times jailed Goldman

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

fled Spain in 2014, having fleeced dozens of expats out of millions in a string of investment scams. According to Marbella lawyer Roberto Sanchez, of Lawbird, he will be arrested if he returns to Spain, after an international arrest warrant was issued via Interpol. “There are two ongoing criminal cases against him,” said Sanchez, who represents half a dozen victims. “One in Marbella and one in Almeria. “Together the claims I have total around €1 million, although

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how much he really stole is over €3 million. “Unfortunately, the Spanish system is slow and the criminal courts don’t see cases like these as a priority.” One of his victims, British expat, 78, is demanding €550,000 from the conman, after he took the money in various phoney investments. “I would love to see him hung up by his heels,” he told the Olive Press, this week. “He has conned a lot of good people out of millions, he deserves everything that is coming to him.” Goldman reinvented himself as the very pinnacle of respectability, when he based himself in Marbella, after leaving prison for fraud in the UK. He bought himself a knighthood and eventually snared himself a regular weekly restaurant column with a downmarket local newspa

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calated after we left, we just want answers. “My sister passed away last year, and I’d like to find out the truth so it isn’t lost forever, I would truly like some closure.” Geoffrey Cameron Harris was among the first resident expats on the Costa del Sol and, as revealed in Gina’s pictures, was one of the lucky few to experience the area before it became hyperdeveloped. “They were a very flamboyant and party-loving couple,” remembers Gina. “They loved having local people over to the house and some of them worked for them. Fabulous food and entertainment including a 5* Christmas “I can’t remember much but the or New Years Eve Gala Dinner with fine wine young local girls loved dressing me and my sister up in flamenco FOR GOLFERS outfits and my mum drove a white includes 3 rounds of golf sports car.” Mum Judith came from a wealthy f a m i l y, meaning the

Exile

Given the whole extradition process can take up to 60 days, it means he may have to run his entire election campaign for the Catalan European Democratic Party from Belgium. His party wants him to fight for continued leadership of the regional parliament in the December 21 elections. Puigdemont denied he had fled to Brussels to avoid justice but that he left because the Spanish government was preparing a ‘wave of oppression and violence’ against separatists. “I’m absolutely convinced that the state was preparing a harsh wave of repression for which we would have all been held responsible,” he said yesterday. “The Spanish state is committing a brutal repression…if we don’t battle repression together, the Spanish state may win this fight.” In a show of support to the deposed president, around 200 Catalan pro-independence mayors travelled to Brussels on Tuesday to stage a rally.

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FAMILY: (Left) mum, Torremolinos home and (right) father’s lover Pepe

CATALUNYA’S beleaguered leader has vowed to fight on from abroad. It came after Carles Puigdemont handed himself in to Belgian police when a European arrest warrant was issued. He and four other politicians are accused on charges of rebellion, sedition, misuse of public funds, disobedience and breach of trust. A judge in Belgium now has up to two weeks to decide if they will extradite the group to Spain.

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Press and will make the 10,700 mile journey from Melbourne to Torremolinos later this month in pursuit of the truth. “There were suggestions he killed himself but I don’t think that was the case,” she says. “He liked to drink and it’s thought this es-

See page xx 9

- Marbella mayor revokes Sisu hotel’s music  VIDEO: Floods hit Costa del Sol license and vows crackdown oncontinues loutish- touas heavy rain 4604 rism as at least ten businesses views threaten to leave Puerto Banus (6,290)

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It was the biggest story of the sum2 mer by far: the biggest party hotel for M 3 Brits on the coast was attacked by 4 grenade-throwing arsonist - and the 5 boss blamed one of our columnists, who happened to be a leading Marbella lawyer. The war of words continued over the following months before the Sisu had its music license suspended by Marbella town hall. It has vowed to Posh Pets be back in business for this summer. Spain Elsewhere, our plea on behalf of AusDog eggs & Cat The good Grooming Salon sie Gina Harris to find out what hapBoutique Dog Hotel pened to her gay father who died in & Catterylink yer Law Pet Grooming Courses Torremolinos in the 1950s went viral, ade to gren Pet Transportation and was picked up by several SpanShop attack ish newspapers. Olive Press readers managed to find the family home and Useful numbers a few more clues, while we continue tel: 0034 952 597 035 SALE www.poshpetsspain.com 59 to investigate for a death certificate, watch this space. Book with the coast’s most trusted transfer company

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The thinker’s finca

DON’T think about it too long… but owned by one this historic home just come up of the godfather’s of Spanish once for sale. philosophy has The 1,500 metre square once owned by Mallorcancountry home, Casa Mata, wrote in Catalan. philosopher Ramon was Llull, who Credited as being one of the forefathers of the Catalan language, Llull sity named aftereven has a univerhim in Barcelona. On sale via various agents, stunning hunting the estate in Mallorca has 53 hectares of prime and numerous outbuildings. land The 13th century writer and was hugely influential on artist land

the isand once taught BRITISH buyers king James II of Aragon. bounced backhave Llull lived in ANCIENT: a Llull in the huge estate Spain over book Algaida from 1250 near the second half of the until a series of six religious According to year. leave his family visions led him to a missionary one key converting Muslims to lead a life developer, the cism. as and Jews to catholiber of British numHe wrote over ers has more buytomb in Palma’s200 works during his life and has basilica of St doubled on the than ing restored. a Francis, currently beHis family sold period last year.same the home in the It sits near Llucmajor Between July 16th century. and on the road from Montuiri. October Randa to homebuilder 2017, Wimpey has Taylor a whopping seen PHILOSOPHER’S 118% STONES: Thinker increase in stunning Casa Llull (left) once Mata lived in from the UK. buyers “We are extremely proud of the generated toresults date in 2017,” said sales boss Marc Pritchard. “And it is great see the British to buyers back. “They have been PAIN’S property market is set of the buyers half for another healthy in the Another 12 months last four months.” Sales and prices year. So far this to rise… as long are expected more sales - as long of growth in Spain with 10% been year, as there are no sudden economic Spain’s as Catalunya is leading called for December one of the country’s shocks, predicts 6.9% this year. dealt with 21, and the housebuilder situation has calmed has According to Anticipalargest agents. reported a down. Prices for However, this 13% insales will rise 9.3% next year has not stopped crease in sales by meanwhile, resales and new builds direct rule. of Spain’s largest to 526,000 properties, some properties) (388 are expected up from 481,000 The region is property to commore than in 2016.this year and 21% to increase by 5.8% over continue est in Spain regarded as the wealthi- with links to the region, companies pared to and its quarter of this seeing their 342 homes the fourth has share Prices are also year. last year. seen some of capital Barcelona Merlin prices slump. the highest property Properties 6.1% next year, expected to rise by The firm’s latest report, however, price rises 5.3% and 6.4% and Colonial fell by Enquiries for holion top of an expected compiled before was It is hoped this year. day homes Catalunya respectively at that independence height of the independence during the the summer and Madrid declared ty will not affectthe political uncertain- Investors, crisis. imposed ticulary sales too much, season par- and see’ though, are adopting a ‘wait were up by 13% as regional elections - the policy in the have now elections. run up to the biggest growth seen in the last six years.

SPREADING: The march of desertification is moving from east to west Andalucia

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of Spanish TV talent show Visitors: -final 180,758

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BUGGERED Huge finca of ex-Marbella town planner sold

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THE HARRIS’: The first expat family to move to the Costa del Sol

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BUY IT Where to get a 13th century philosopher’s home

Book with the Expat heroes were a plenty as Glasweigan Voted coast’s most BEST trusted gran Elizabeth Trueman jumped to the aid expat transfer paper company of a British barman in Fuengirola who was in Mijas Costa Spain info@simply-shuttles.com about to be bottled by a group of thugs. She was knocked out cold but luckily survived unUrgent action needed as Andalucia to be almost uninhabitable by 2100 scathed. Olive Press appeals for action Meanwhile, a granddaughter in Torrox chased as scientists forecast threedown a woman who stole her grandmother’s degree global temperature rise purse and took a picture of her for the cops. And in one of our most striking front page of the year, we pleaded Spain to commit to its Supergran environmental goals following doomsday reports from several 70% of Spain in danger of desertification world bodies that preMadrid to be 8C hotter in summer dict 70% of Spain beMalaga and Cadiz under a metre of water coming a desert by the 50% end of the century. www.oaklandfurniturespain.com SALE

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BUYING Find out where Harry Winks is investing on the coast

October 2015

“The best link to my early years in Malaga are these wonderful photos I inherited from my mother. In particularly I love the ones of the local people who looked after my sister and myself and in one picture, the girls who looked after us were twins, I think. The guy on the end of one of the pictures looks like the same one in the photo below with me. Maybe that’s Pepe, my father’s lover? My sister and I grew very close to these people and we only spoke in Spanish. All I know is that my parents built their home, somewhere in Torremolinos in the mid-to-late 1950s and the building may have been put in someone else’s name.”

Family Quest

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Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on September 13th - Septemberwww.theolivepress.es 26th 2017 And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

Gina on her precious family photos:

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doctor to get a renewal in April, tests showed the drug had caused a toxic poisoning in his bone marrow and his white blood cell was dangerously low. Billy, a keen sportsman, developed sepsis and necrotising fasciitis as a result and required ‘radical surgery’ to remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life.

50%

the land for €11 million from a San Roque developer and is believed to be launching an upmarket hunting business there. When Clavero returned to his car Guardia Civil officers were waiting, pulling out a bag containing the drugs after a search of the vehicle. He was taken to Ubrique police station where he was kept overnight. “We are certain that there is a connection to the closure of public paths in this stitch-up,” he said. He added that his group had now identified the name and address of the person responsible for planting the drugs. “It has been given to police and the courts, but let’s see what happens next. “I am not aware Marnix Galle has anything to do with this, but he should investigate the actions of his employees and clarify what they are doing against those who defend right of way on public roads.” In his court case, last month, the judge at Ubrique court ruled that Clavero was the vic-

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

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Dr Nina King, of Oasis Dental Care in Marbella, fully supports the campaign, telling the Olive Press the drug is not something she prescribes. “It’s not a drug I use, I stick to safe and standard medication,” she said, “And after seeing what damage it can do, it’s a drug I won’t be using in the future.” Marbella-based private doctor Dra. Victoria María Chacón Almeda also agrees the drug is dangerous. “I don’t prescribe the drug,” she told the Olive Press, “I have lots of British patients and I am aware of what it is capable of doing. “There needs to be a lot more research on its impact.”

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We were full of exclusives again, revealing the shocking story of how a green campaigner trying to stop a development in Ronda had cocaine planted in his car - luckily the judge saw sense and threw out the case. Dog poisonings rocked the coast as expats’ and locals’ pets were killed by toxic substances from Marbella and as we revealed, as far as Estepona, where the town hall refused to comment on rumours its pesticide could be to blame. Meanwhile, we sent our newest reporter Joe Wallen to the frontlines of the Catalunya vote, the only English-speaking paper based in Spain to report live from the referendum.

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er, the riate d reade than

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nother chanwelcome.

The dad-of-two later died from septic shock – believed to be linked to taking the Nolotil. BritAnother ish expat Hugh Wilcox was prescribed the same for medication

shoulder mild pain on the Costa del Sol. He developed severe head

OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER 19 July

at the time, told the Olive Press: “I knew something one month to knock happendown their was strange the bouncer only because property (pictured above). ing for their In a court order by the askedseen Olive Press,student the WardsIDs are warned theywhich will be held they crimiwith nally responsible if they do refuse. didn’t “I don’t know whatpeople. to do anywhite more, I’m “It at the of my wasendclearly tether” Gill told Press, attempt anOlive justthe “I’m totally exhausted fromexthe to find an whole ordeal.” cuse to keep The retired pair, have now out.” themwho spent thousands of euros on lewho Abdullah, gal costs, bought the old farmwas on an Erashouse ‘in ruins’ 2004, and mus inplacement were given permission from the sumfortown Velez-Malaga hall to remer,it.claimed his manager build for bringchastised But when thehim original wall colclub, the ing the lapsed of itspair own to accord during on them in after hooking construction, the Wards’ archinearby. a street tect told them it would be fine saying excuses made “Hethat and he would let the town bring people I couldn’t hall know. Unfortunately for

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were just trying to make up stupid excuses,” said Callender, who is playing the key roles o f MadiJames son and Hercules Mulligan in The Hamilton. pair were also asked to show student their IDs, which is not the club’s door policy. story Their came to light British after club promoter Beijan Abdullah approached the Olive Press in a bid to expose what he claims is an alarming ‘no-blacks’ policy at the club. The 22-year-old London law student, who was working for Sala Wenge

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Clavero has been involved in a series of protests against the blocking of footpaths and a development in the celebrated Sierra de Grazalema natural Park, between Grazalema and Ronda. On the morning of his arrest on August 26, he had taken part in a protest against the estate, run by Jerez-based company Breña del Agua Investments SL, near the village of Benamahoma. The company is owned by Belgian tycoon Marnix Galle, who is said to be building a huge 800-metre-square mansion on the land. Galle, one of Belgium’s richest property developers, purchased

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wife, and Billy Smyth

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

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can use these mafia methods to frame environmentalists. “I have never been involved with drugs and the judge agreed.”

EXCLUSIVE HUNDREDS of Brits in Spain are demanding action after losing up to £20 million in a failed pension investment scheme. Pension boss Darren Kirby has fled to Australia, leaving a string of allegations in his wake.

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

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

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

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

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

THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists and doctors are supporting the ban after Briton Graham Ward, 75, complained to the Olive Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by a dentist last week. It’s the very same drug that was blamed one month to knock down their for killing his wife in 2006. only property (pictured above). The Marbella-based expat In a court order seen by the was furious when he was told Olive Press, the Wards are to take the painkiller by his warned they will be held crimiSpanish dentist, after suffernally responsible if they refuse. ing from a difficult abscess. “I don’t know what to do anyHis wife Mary, 59, had died afmore, I’m at the end of my ter being prescribed the same tether” Gill told the Olive Press, drug following a double vasec“I’m totally exhausted from the tomy at Costa del Sol Hospital. whole ordeal.” “Within 24 hours she was The retired pair, who have now in intensive care, her white spent thousands of euros on leblood cell count plummeted gal costs, bought the old farmto zero within days,” explains house ‘in ruins’ in 2004, and Graham, a former computer were given permission from technician, from London. Velez-Malaga town hall to reShe never regained consciousbuild it. ness and was on a life support But when the original wall colmachine for FOUR months, lapsed of its own accord during before spending three years construction, the Wards’ archifighting the impact of the tect told them it would be fine drug, which led to organ failand that he would let the town ure. hall know. Unfortunately for “The chief surgeon at the hospital promised me he would Continues on Page 8 never prescribe that drug

ven a 12-month er, ordered to ehabilitation acompensation to court charges.

am of moving a horrific

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cell destroying their white bloodbeen count. Our petition has since reported on by foreign DRUG press, including the Irish Independent. KILL THE One person to sign, Theresa American DRUG Bridgette, wrote simply: “This drug killed SALE last 59 ALARMING: Our my father,” alongside her Mosquito Screens SEE MORE PAGE 8 front page signature. EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

A TALENTED British actor has vowed to never return to Malaga after he was allegedly refused entry to a nightclub because and Roberts he is black. TURNED AWAY: Callender (left) Tarinn Callender 21, was polo celebrating landing two when the pair were re- had to be wearing t-shirts, roles in London’s West fused entry to popular city shirts instead of away. End musical Hamilton, centre club Sala Wenge, and so were turned inwhile his friend Caleb because of their skin co- “We looked at people side the club and lots of Roberts, 21 - also black - lour, they claim. thad just landed a part in After they approached the the guys were wearing shirts, so we knew they King Lear. door they were told they But their trip turned sour

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

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A BRITISH expat couple are POLICY CLUB HAS ‘NO BLACK PEOPLE’ fighting to save their Malaga

SHOCKING CLAIMS LEADING

Screening row AN expat is demanding answers after thermal imaging of her breasts missed a life-threatening tumour. German Anke Werner (above), 53, claims the screening at a Marbella clinic failed to recognise the cancerous lump under her arm, with doctors diagnosing it as a lymph gland that simply needed draining. Instead of noticing the 30mm tumour, the report advised arm exercises and a review in three months time. “Thank God I got a second opinion and had it checked somewhere else,” Nerja-based Werner told the Olive Press. “Now I fear there may be many other people out there whose lives could be in danger, who need to go for further tests.” Werner, from Dusseldorf, had visited Marbella’s Bodyworks Clinic clinic in December after discovering a hard lump under her arm, just six months after removing a tumour from her breast in June 2016. “I assumed that it might be scar tissue from the breast operation or maybe a swollen lymph gland,” she explained. “But thought best to be certain.” According to Werner, one of the clinic’s doctors insisted she receive thermal imaging of her breasts in early January instead of the typical mammogram. “I had not heard of this before, but after they explained that it was safe, non invasive and the

UK, Nolotil, which is banned in the westUS, Australia and most of ern Europe, has led to a number of side effects and been blamed for leading to deaths. It is known to have brought to the brink of death dozens of unsuspecting expats by poiand marrow bone their soning

CONFLICT: Galle wants to develop, while Clavero is opposed

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EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan

A LEADING ecologist has blamed ‘mafia methods’ after drugs were planted in his car to stop him protesting against the blocking of footpaths. Juan Clavero, a regional organiser of green group Ecologistas en Accion, believes expat-linked developers could be behind the seizure of 47 grams of cocaine found under a car seat. Clavero, who was arrested and charged over the offence, has now been found innocent after a judge dismissed the case. He told the Olive Press this

Continues on Page 7

August 16th - August 29th 2017

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October

Stitch-up

BACKING DOWN: Carles

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his car developers’ planted cocaine in Eco-warrior claims expat ‘mafia

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As we enter our 11th year, we vow to be the only paper to bring you exclusive-packed issues every fortnight, with real, quality reporting. Below we look back at 2017’s biggest stories.

Mijas Costa

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again this year, from dodgy glass and steel CEOs to conmen legends like Nigel Goldman. We campaigned for greener spaces, safer medicines and helped homeless expats find their feet again.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

January 4th - January 16th 2018

STUNNING: Breathtaking views of ‘The Beast’ and (below) Ronda’s world famous bridge

PICTURESQUE: Grazalema Square sits in a traditional white village

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BULLFIGHTING: Arena in Ron

On your bike! CHURCH: In Olvera

alucia on In a bid to get fit this month, why not discover the white villages of and two wheels, writes Ashley Higgins of Andalucia Cycling Experience

HERE is no better way to discover rural Spain than on travellers to admire the breathtaking views. two wheels and the Serrania de Ronda and Graza- We start the White Villages Tour riding through the Guardiaro Valley lema Natural Park boast some of the most beautiful towards Benaojan, where you can stop for a swim at a fresh water Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) in Andalucia and in- lagoon followed by lunch at Molino Del Santo, (one of Claire and my deed Spain with Ronda, Setenil and Olvera all being favourite restaurants in this area) before riding through Benaojan listed in the Top 25 most beautiful villages in Spain. I'd and Montejaque and on to your accommodation for the night, the add to that Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema as two of my personal stunning Cortijo Las Piletas where you can relax and unwind around favourites. the pool enjoying a sangria or two before dinner at the hotel. My wife Claire and I moved to Montecorto near Ronda Your tour then takes you to Grazalema, a pretty in 2004 to set up the Andalucian Cycling Experience mountain village, set in the Sierra de Grazalema and our White Villages of Andalucia Tour combines Natural Park and surrounded on three sides by our passion for pedalling with our passion for excelmountains. Its steep cobbled streets are lined with Window boxes lent cuisine and wines. white whitewashed houses whose window boxes bringing a splash Whilst cycling in the heart of rural Andalucia, through bringing a splash of colour to this lively little village. beautiful white villages with picturesque and draAfter lunch you'll then ride onto Zahara de la Sierra, of colour to this matic scenery we will also recommend places to a Moorish town which was fiercely fought over by stop for lunch and provide you with a comprehensive lively little village the Moors and Christians. The prominent Moorish list of local wines and tapas to try enroute. During Castle, which can be seen from miles away, towers the White Villages Tour you'll have the opportunity to above this stunning hilltop village which is located dine at three of our favourite restaurants in this area. at the foot of a beautiful lake. Your hotel has an Riding on a combination of country lanes and dirt tracks, your week's infinity pool that looks out towards the Sierra Lijar. In the evening cycling meanders through the Andalucian countryside by rivers, you can dine at the hotel or go to Restaurant Al Lago (another one of lakes, cork forests, the Via Verde and many beautiful white villages Claire & my favourite restaurants in this area) and dine Al Fresco on that are synonymous with Andalucia visiting Benaojan, Montejaque, the terrace enjoying sunset views over the lake. Grazalema, Zahara, Prado Del Rey, Olvera, Setenil de las Bodegas We then move onto Prado del Rey, Puerto Serrano and Montellano and of course Ronda. staying over night in a traditional Spanish Hacienda where, once This village to village adventure starts in Ronda , one of the oldest again, you can relax and unwind around the pool enjoying a beer or and most beautiful cities of Spain. Situated on an impressive plateau glass of local wine or two before dinner at the hotel. and surrounded by mountains Ronda is famous for its spectacular Next you ride along the Via Verde, an old railway line, perfect for cygorge 'El Tajo' the cliffs are spanned by a bridge, a popular place for cling, as it rolls through the breathtaking scenery of the Andalucian

countryside where we see the historic, cultural and natural delights of the 'real' Andalucia. The Via Verde will bring you to Olvera one of Andalucia's most dramatic 'pueblos blancos' which is overlooked by a Moorish castle and stunning church here you can stop for lunch before riding onto Setenil de la Bodegas. Setenil is a unique little town with the overhanging limestone cliffs providing shelter from the elements and forming the shops, cafes and cave houses that run through the centre of this village. You'll stop in Setenil for the evening giving you chance to explore the bars and restaurants set in the caves. We'll recommend our favourite places to dine in the tour notes. Finally we end your tour back in Ronda, visiting the Roman Ampitheatre at Ronda La Vieja along the way. Once back in Ronda you'll have the chance to explore this historic town which has established itself as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain and has become reknown for its fine cuisine. We'll recommend our favourite places to dine in the tour notes, notably Restaurant Almocabar (another one of Claire and my favourite restaurants in this area) or our favourite Tapas Bar La Taberna Amongst the many highlights of the trip are; the beautiful Grazalema Natural Park, the Moorish castle at Zahara, the PeĂąon Zaframagon, a craggy out crop which is the home to the largest colony of Griffon Vultures in Andalucia and last but by no means least the stunning Gorge, which splits Ronda in two. For further information contact us at Email: ashley@andaluciancyclingexperience.com Telephone: 0034 952 184 042 Mobile: 0034 677 028 469 or 0034 671 966 376 Website: www.andaluciancyclingexperience.com

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COPS in Spain will be keeping a watchful eye on rental and accommodation portals like Airbnb in the aftermath of attacks by jihadists in Catalunya last August. As partDownload of the governour app now and ment’s Antiterrorism Pact, begin enjoying the best Spanish Spain’s Interior Ministry news onsome the go. of the has revealed measures the government plans to adopt in their fight against the increasing num- Hollywood ber of jihadist cells operat- icon to cash in ing on Spanish territory. Authorities will keep more as he expands detailed records of people hotel business booking temporary accommodationThe acrossOlive Spain Press on to Costa del Sol hotel and short-term rentROBERT De Niro’s Nobu Hoal sites TOP such for as Airbnb news inorSpain! tels chain is nearly doubling its Booking.com.

MARBELLA town hall has been forced to outsource the conservation of its green areas after admitting its Parks and Gardens department is ‘woefully understaffed’. Up to €9.9 million will be awarded to a company with a two year contract from 2018 - 2020, with the possibility of said contract being extended to 2023. The full amount could rise to €19.8 million. The town hall said whichever company wins the contract, it must preserve the green spaces, improve quality and reduce costs for the municipality. It added that the current state of Marbella’s green areas ‘leaves much to be desired’ and ‘is below the standard that would be desirable for a tourist municipality such as Marbella’.

portfolio in 2018 as it expands to the Costa del Sol. The company already has seven hotels open and this year it plans on introducing five more, with one opening in Marbella. The highend chain was created in 2009 with De Niro, celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and Hollywood producer Meir Teper as co-owners. The first Nobu opened in 2013 as a boutique hotel inside Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas. The first to open this year will be the Nobu Hotel Marbella

A BRITISH expat’s home has taken just five hours to assemble. The minimalist Casa Montaña was built in four months in a factory in Madrid before it was moved to Asturias and erected in almost record time last month. The small prefab house is built on two levels, with the social areas downstairs and the bedrooms located on the second floor. “The interior design is kept simple, with wooden flooring and black and white wall finishes,” said the English landscaper who owns the property, and who asked to remain anonymous.

Robert dinero in March. As Nobu’s second resort in Spain following the Ibiza property, the new hotel will have 81 suites. Guests can look forward to priority access to the new Nobu restaurant, a private swim-

ming pool and top quality amenities. Nobu Matsuhisa’s exclusive inroom dining menu will also be available around the clock. Nobu will be based within the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa, which will be entirely transformed into an all-suites resort. Some 184 recently refurbished suites set across 27 Andalucian villas, will offer access to the resort’s famous amenities and Six Senses Spa, as well as the new Nobu. Nobu will also open new branches in Chicago, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Barcelona and Miami.

The ONE regular in-depth Property Magazine YOU CAN’T afford to MISS

Hot stuff SPANISH real estate is at its highest point since the 2007 crash, and experts say it will continue to rise in 2018. Heavy investment in malls, warehouses, hotels and offices meant Spain’s economy was outpacing the rest of the continent towards the end of 2017, according to Savills Plc. Spanish real estate was steadily rising since 2014 and reached new heights in 2017, peaking at €8.9 billion, just short of the 2007 high of €10.8 billion. “2018 is basically the year when it’s all going to come together,” said Ismael Clemente, founder and CEO of Madrid-based Merlin Properties Socimi SA, Europe’s third-largest real estate investment trust.

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January 4th - January 16th 2018

Terror checks

+TheolivepressEs

Good year for spain economy

economy grew by 3.1% in BE ‘APPY!SPAIN’S 2017 and the forecast is bright.

Up in arms

The Bank of Spain predicted that domestic demand would contribute 2.6% to gross domestic product

Almost 20 million Brits Download our app now and begin enjoying the best Spanish Spain in visited SPAIN will boostnews its military on the go. 2017 spending by more than 80%

by 2024. The agreement comes after SPAIN has officially smashed US president Donald Trump 2016’s international tourism blasted NATO members for record before December figures not contributing enough to have even been counted. From January to November the military alliance. End-of-year forecasts suggest 2017, some 77.8 million interthat only five of the 28 Mem- national visitors came to Spain, from 75.6 million during the The ber states – the US, the Olive UK, upPress Estonia, Poland and Greece whole of 2016. – have met theTOP 2% of forGDP newsAccording in Spain!to Frontur, the tourism branch of the countarget agreed in 2014. Spain will have spent 0.92% try’s National Institute of Staof its 2017 budget on defence, tistics, the figure for 2017 is making it one of the low- likely to rise above 80 million est spending in the alliance, once December figures are alongside Belgium and Lux- collected. That estimate represents a embourg. NATO has demanded an- growth of five million tourists swers from the 23 Member since 2016. states that haven’t made the The continued tourism boom mark, inspiring the Spanish comes despite Catalunya’s tourgovernment to commit €18 ism activity which took a 15% billion over the coming years hit as a result of the region’s political instability in October, and to its military spending. That takes the percentage of a 2.3% hit in November. the GDP devoted to defence The numbers are good news for to between 1.5 and 1.6%, still the industry, especially considshort of NATO’s required 2%. ering that Catalunya received a

(GDP) growth, external demand would contribute 0.5%, and employment would increase by 2.9%. Its economic forecasts were in line with the Spanish government

which also predicted 3.1% growth for 2017. The Bank of Spain expects the country’s economy to grow by 2.4% in 2018 and by 2.1% in 2019 and 2020.

Beach boom

quarter of all foreign visitors to Spain in 2016. “The tourism sector is one of the most strongly affected by the instability,” Prime Minister

Mariano Rajoy told Parliament at peak of the Catalan crisis. Fortunately, it hasn’t seemed to have affected tourism as much as feared.

The region itself remains the most visited in Spain, ahead of the Balearic Islands and the Canaryies, despite its recent slump. The rest of Spain saw a 7.4% rise in foreign tourism numbers in November 2017. So far this year, 18 million Brits have chosen Spain as their holiday destination, a 7% increase compared to the same 11-month period in 2016. In second place came German tourists – 11.4 million, up 6.1% – followed by French visitors, 10.7 million of whom have headed for Spain so far this year.

BRITS hiring cars in Spain will have their data shared with Spanish police looking for terrorists under new government proposals. The plans lay out how rental car firms will have to register their customers on a database the government can access. Under the proposals, checks will be made before the vehicle is released for hire, although more specific details have not yet been released. Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido announced the plans at a press conference where he said the idea was to ‘identify people who show patterns of behaviour compatible with terrorists’. News of the planned Spanish crackdown comes after it emerged drivers in Britain would face extra checks when renting cars and vans to ensure they are not extremists. The Barcelona terrorist attack this summer was carried out by a young man who had rented out a Renault Kangoo van. The new Spanish law is expected to be in place next year. Zoido said the measures, part of a package of anti-terror measures including tighter controls on the sale of gas cylinders, were in ‘their concluding stages.’

February 2018 &

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E all want to help the planet by cutting our carbon footprints but sometimes it seems a lot harder than it should be. But thanks to Energy Nordic, a Danishowned, multilingual electricity supplier, making an impact has become a lot easier for expats in Spain. The company, which boasts a central location in Fuengirola, provides 100% green electricity Spain-wide, and is here to take the confusion out of selecting an electricity plan, also supplying you with easy-to-read electricity bills. The company boasts a qualified, friendly, team that can attend to you in English (or, indeed, in Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and German – with more languages soon to be Expats can available). Energy Nordic was receive bills in founded by Jesper Wagsimple English ner (CEO) and Christian and rely on expert Larsen (Partner and Director of Marketing), knowledge who built up electricity companies in Denmark for many years before setting up on the Coast. They are joined by Marianne Dahlgaard (Customer Service Manager), who has a detailed knowledge of the electricity service industry in Spain, and Phil Mitchell (Commercial Manager), who says the state of the electricity market in Spain (where clients are often unaware of the options available to them) is ‘similar to the Danish market six years ago.’ He says there is no reason to think that you must rely on one supplier in particular. With Energy Nordic, expats can receive bills in simple English (or another chosen language) and rely on expert knowledge that will enable them to find the most convenient plan possible. “Currently,” says Phil, “Many people don’t really know what they are paying for. We inform them of important considerations such as their contracted power, the actual energy they are using, taxes, etc.” If having a dedicated, specialised team attending to you and answering all your queries in your language of choice, and finding a more reasonably priced plan doesn’t convince you, this surely will: “All electricity supplied by Energy Nordic is sustainable green energy,” explains Phil, “anyone who is interested in learning about how we can help them can feel free to contact us for more information.”

The enthusiastic directors at Energy Nordic have placed a strong emphasis on finding the right team; since clients hail from a host of different countries and have varying needs.

Welcome It is important to have a committed staff that is passionate about offering customers the best, most personalised solutions possible. “You are always welcome to call us or drop by as we would like to talk to you” says Phil. The success of Energy Nordic in this sphere is testimony to the fact that making things simple may take plenty of work, but the result is worth it – in this case as much for clients as for renewable energy producers and our fragile Planet. The right energy programme can potentially reduce the price of your bill and there are two current plans offered at Energy Nordic: “One is called Flex Price. It is for those who wish to obtain energy at the exact cost price. We buy power on the energy market every single day, and sell it to you at exactly the same price that we pay – with no hidden tariffs or charges. If electricity prices fall, so do your costs. You pay us a small (€5 monthly)

Plans available

handling charge for trading your energy daily on the market.” The second plan, called the Flat Rate plan, is ideal for holiday homes which you may only use occasionally. Phil explains: “You pay a fixed rate every month, regardless of your usage and no matter how much time

you or your family spend in your Spanish home. Your Flat Rate is calculated on the basis of your previous usage, which places you in a certain price group. You can use as much electricity as you need within the group you have chosen.”

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MINI DIGGERS & JCB 3CX HIRE WITH DRIVER. ALL DIGGING & CONSTRUCTION WORK. UNDERTAKEN INCLUDING. HOUSE. PAINTING. GARDENING & CESSPITS. REFERENCES AVAILABLE.

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recruitment Care and Nursing at Home

Work as a carer in the UK, up to £580/wk Free training and selection event 4th–8th Dec 2017 Find out more Call Jayne Vale on 658 521 907

pool shop

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services

Urb Dona Pilar, Ctra de Mijas Below restaurante Valparaiso splashpools@electronbox.net www.splashpoolsmijas.com www.splashpools.es

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Darrell Everest

Tiling & decorating services

€450 + IVA €580 + IVA

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THE POST SHOP

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Spanish speaking providing legal advice: conveyancing, residency and commercial matters.

housekeeper HOUSEKEEPER who enjoys cooking and likes to take care of the household as if it where her/his own. Availability of a house on the domain that is fully equipped and maintained which guarantees privacy. DEVOTION and MOTIVATION is a MUST. Driving license required or willing to obtain one. Good contract. Marbella area. E-mail: pierre.bettens@telenet.be or call: 0034 630 691 310

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1 hour free consultation Contact Victoria at: www.britishlawyerspain. com or 678826771

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motors January 4th - January 16th 2018

Tel: 951 273 575 Mob: 655 825 683

RECRUITMENT Older people prefer to live in their own home... Do you want to be part of making that happen? Permanent contract • Guaranteed work • Paid holidays Subsidised travel costs • UK based roles on flexible shifts i.e.: 2 weeks on/ 2 weeks off – Ideal for people living in Spain to have a good work/life balance We are the only dedicated 24/7 Live in Care provider to be rated as outstanding by Care Quality Commission.

Eurodog Boarding Kennels & Cattery

Do you want to make a difference to someone’s life whilst developing a career with a leading live in care provider. Contact: Tracy Jackson on 0034 951 507 423 or 0034 622 047 351 email: Tracy.Jackson@thegoodcaregroup.com

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STORAGE

Fully Licensed Sanitary Approved Large Secure Runs Purpose Built Secure Play Area Established For Over 20 Years 5 Minutes From Fuengirola

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MAYFAIRONMAIN Calling all qualified, experienced and creative stylists. Gibraltars luxury hair salon experience where quality and service matter: Mayfair On Main, launched in April 2017, now with a busy clientele we are looking to expand our team to cope with client demand. Are you NVQ qualified, a motivated team player, passionate about hair, committed to providing high quality service and keen to be part of the team set to revolutionise the hair industry in Gibraltar. Email your CV and covering letter to info@mayfaironmain.gi or call us on 00350 20075913 using the reference Olive Press.

Need a UK Base?

Holiday Homes available on lovely park in Devon UK from £26,995 to £150,000 Open 11 ½ months. Email: Michaela37@hotmail.com for more information

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17 YEARS

OF PORTRAYING MARBELLA’S BEST

® essential marbella magazine W W W. E S S E N T I A L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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Food, drink & travel January 4th - January 16th 2018

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Mediterranean staple makes kids smarter and more rested CHILDREN who eat more fish have higher IQs and sleep better than those who eat less, a new study has found. Parents on the Costa del Sol will be pleased to hear that, according to the University of Pennsylvania, kids who eat fish at least once a week sleep better and have an IQ up to four points higher on average than those who consume it less often or never.

Let them eat fish!

Intellect

Closed until mid February

The findings add to the evidence of previous studies that had shown a relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and sleep and intellect. The case studied 541 children between 9 and 11 years old from China (54% boys, 46% girls), who filled out a questionnaire about the frequency with which they had eaten fish in the last month. They also took IQ tests. Then, their parents answered questions about

sleep quality using a standard questionnaire that included topics such as sleep duration and the frequency of nighttime wakefulness or daytime sleepiness. Likewise, the researchers also took into account the educational level of their parents, their

occupation, marital status and the number of children in the home. By jointly analysing all the data, they found that children who said they ate fish every week scored 4.8 points more on IQ tests, compared to those who ate it rarely or never. And

those who eat them sometimes presented 3.3 points more. In addition, the increase in fish consumption was associated with fewer alterations at bedtime, which according to the researchers indicates a better overall quality of sleep. "Lack of sleep is associated with antisocial behavior," said Adrian Raine, author of the research, who recalls that other studies have pointed out that omega-3 supplements reduce antisocial behavior, so "it's not too surprising that the fish is behind this. " Given this finding, the authors suggest children eat a small amount of fish, from the first year of life, provided it has no bones and scales and is cut into small pieces.

Bac-on track restaurant | lunch and dinner

CANCER-free bacon has arrived to save the British breakfast. A technological breakthrough - thanks to a Spanish scientist has led to the creation of Naked Bacon, which contains no nitrites, which are known carcinogenics. It comes after the WHO warned that just two rashers of normal bacon a day can increase the risk of cancer by one fifth, which in turn caused sales of the pink meat to plummet by 25.4 million packs the next year. Denis Lynn, chairman of Finnebrogue, the company behind Naked Bacon said: “The problem with bacon is dead simple. “Our Naked Bacon is not only safer than any other bacon on the market, it also tops the charts in blind taste tests. The new bacon product will be available in Waitrose, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.

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SHERRY is poised to continue its comeback in 2018. The classic tipple from Andalucia’s Jerez region has seen sales boom across Spain and particularly in the UK. Sales among Brits were up 8% last year and are poised to rise by 18% in the country by 2021. The comeback has been spurred by hipsters falling in love with the drink and with Sherry bars popping up across the likes of London. The fortified wine is best enjoyed in Spain with a plate of jamon or manchego.

OP - Food Promos January.pdf

28/12/2017

12:01

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The Festive Season Is Over... But Olivia's Is Still Handing Out Presents, Why Not Come In And Enjoy Our Amazing Offers!

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26 26

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health

January 4th - January 16th 2018

Holiday nightmare

Drownings up ALMOST 500 people drowned in Spain in 2017, new figures have revealed. According to the national lifeguard federation, 481 met their deaths in Spanish seas last year, a 10% rise on 2016. Some 2,487 people had to be rescued after getting into trouble in Spanish waters. The figures do not include migrants who died off the coast of Spain, but focus on incidents that took place on beaches, lakes and at swimming pools across mainland Spain and the Canary and Balearic Islands. Most drownings occurred in peak

summer season in July and August. The Canary Islands had the most deaths, with 93, followed by Andalucia with 74. Valencia had 67, Galicia 58, Catalunya 44 and the Balearics 28. Those most at risk of drowning are men over the age of 35 who choose to swim at a beach where there are no lifeguards present, the report found. Some 80% of those that died were male, 73% were Spanish, 71.9% were over 35 years-old and that more than half of drownings occurred at a beach (52%) and 90% of them when there was no lifeguard present.

A BRITISH mother is suing Thomas Cook after spending thousands on Spanish doctors treating her daughter for Lyme Disease. Gemma Moran alleges her eight-year-old daughter Clio caught the life-long disease after she was bitten by ticks while staying in a ‘disgusting’ apartment in Mallorca. The 31-year-old mother says when they arrived at the Playa Ferrera Apartments in August, their flat had dirty sheets and was infested with creepy crawlies. Originally thinking her daughter had been bitten by a mosquito, Moran took her to the doctor on three separate occasions, costing €650 in total. Despite taking out holiday insurance, more money was spent on antibiotics to treat Clio after Spanish medics confirmed Lyme Disease from its ‘bullseye’ bite marks. Moran, from Hambleton,

Care for Me – Marbella ...NEW SERVICES As well as care at home and nursing services we now provide the following exclusive services: • Blood tests at home • Benefits: convenient, no driving to the clinic/ hospital after fasting, hassle free, results sent directly to your doctor. • Medical assistance insurance – we escort clients and translate between you and your medical professionals. • Benefits: For a flat monthly fee of 35€ you can avail of the free Spanish Healthcare, no need for private medical insurance

Dream Spanish holiday turns to hell after daughter contracts Lyme Disease

MUM: With Clio

North Yorkshire said: “This holiday was supposed to be a break for the family but it turned out to be a holiday from hell. “Clio was treated in Spain for tick bites and an ear in-

fection, which the doctor said came from the pool. “The bed sheets were filthy - there were ants dropping out of the canopy above us.” Last minute flights home meant the family-of-six forked out €4,500 and received just €520 from their tour operator, Thomas Cook. Upon returning to the UK, British doctors confirmed the diagnosis and Clio has since been taking antibiotics to treat the disease. A spokesperson for Thomas Cook said: “We are always concerned to hear reports of illness, especially when they involve a child. “It’s not clear that it came from the hotel and we haven’t had any similar cases reported as you would expect with an illness of this sort.”

email: nursemanager@careforme.es tel: 952 636 900 tel: 682 870 120

www.careforme.es

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January 4th - January 16th 2018

Smoke free zone

CLINICA

SANDALF

SIX centres in Malaga have been awarded for helping 8,686 people quit smoking in 2017. The health centres of Alhaurin de la Torre, Capuchinos, El Palo, La Luz, Miraflores de Los Angeles and Victoria have won bronze awards from the Andalucian Health Services and Free Spaces Network of Smoke (RASSELH), which honours centres that uphold high standards in turning people off smoking. The centres have been praised for their approach in providing primary care nurses and therapy sessions to help smokers overcome their dependency on tobacco. Every year more than 10,000 people die in Andalucia from smoking-related causes including mouth and lung tumours and respiratory diseases.

OUTBREAK: Of flu

Health boost

Flu season

MARBELLA town hall has granted a building licence for

a long-awaited health centre in San Pedro. The building plans, originally approved in 2010, were put on hold due to financial issues after the 2007 crash. The health centre will replace an existing building on a 3,000 square metre site to provide primary healthcare for San Pedro, Nueva Andalucia, Benahavis and the eastern side of Estepona. Marbella Mayor Rafael Pina said he was committed to ensuring planning permission was sped up so ‘the Junta can start the process of awarding the contract and beginning the building work on these muchneeded health facilities’. The Junta earmarked €4.3 million for the project in April and expect work to begin in February 2018.

we keep you going

AN influenza epidemic is devasting some parts of Spain as more cases are being detected. The rate has now risen to 121 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Asturias, Castilla, the Basque Country, Madrid, Extremadura and Andalucia since the week of December 18 to 24. The Spanish Flu Surveillance System has linked 22 deaths to the outbreak of the mostly B strain of the virus. More than half of those who died had the B virus and 68% were men. Another 247 patient required urgent medical attention. According to a report from the Carlos III Health Institute, the general mortality observed ‘does not exceed the expected mortality for this period’.

The full spec on eyewear

e’ve been asked to go back to basics for this month’s column by someone who thinks they may need glasses but doesn’t know what the options are!

What are single vision lenses? These are lenses which have a single prescription over the whole lens. If you only use glasses for driving or reading, you might be prescribed these.

January 4th - January 16th 2018

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love your smile

What are trifocal lenses? T hese multifocal spectacle lenses correct all three working distances and, like bifocal lenses, have visible lines that separate the three segments.

What are varifocal lenses?

These are multifocal lenses that correct vision at different working distances, from reading distance to long distance. Unlike bifocals, they feaWhat are multifocal ture a gradual change in lenses? prescription with no visible Simply book an lines separating the segAs their names suggest, eye test and let ments, so they look just multifocal lenses enable the same as single vision you to have more than our highly trained lenses. The distance vision one prescription built into specialists test part of the lens is usually the lens so that you only in front of the pupil, with your vision need one pair of glasses the near vision part in the for multiple uses. There lower section of the lensare several kinds includes. If you've been wearing ing bifocal lenses, trifocal lenses and single vision lenses, it might take some varifocal or progressive lenses. time to adjust to wearing them.

What are bifocal lenses?

To sum up

This type of multifocal lens has two prescriptions - one for distance at the top, and one for near vision at the bottom - with a visible dividing line or curve on the lens. There are four types of bifocal: D Segment, Executive, Round Segment and C Segment; your optician will prescribe one of these shapes, depending on your lifestyle and visual needs.

Don’t worry about what type of glasses you need, simply book an eye test and let our highly trained optometrists test your vision and ask you questions about your lifestyle to determine the best kind of glasses for you. Advanced eye tests at Specsavers Opticas are FREE in January. To find your nearest store visit www. specsavers.es

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Dr. Sacha Miller-Wojtan

28 Columnists

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January 4th - January 16th 2018 January 4th - January 16th 2018

Calling all Christmas Crack Up optimists W

APPY New Year. We are in January now, the month By Bill Anderson named after the Roman God Janus, deity of endings and beginnings. Janus had two faces: one looking back and one looking forward. I guess we do tend to do this a bit at this time of the year. Have you made any resolutions? Have you thought about what you failed to do last year and what you’re determined to get right this year? I just love an optimist! But what is this happiness we write of on ‘Happy New Year’ cards and is it supposed to keep us content? One dictionary defines happiness as ‘a state of contentment, carefreeness or enjoyment’. Don’t we wish that for everyone, all the time? Another take on ‘happy’ is ‘having a sense of trust and confidence in a person or a situation’. Might I suggest that if we rely on the performance of other people to make us happy, we are already up to our nostrils in the foul-smelling brown stuff. We place our trust But that is exactly where we find ourselves, folks. and confidence We live in a western dein our elected mocracy, and we place our trust and confidence members in our elected members to create a situation where we feel content and can enjoy our local environment. We trust them with the education of our children, with our health services, with security, and to provide a clean environment which we can show off to our family and friends with pride. It states quite clearly on the label that I am working with Angel Nozal and the Partido Popular in Mijas towards the 2019 elections. But when I put on my Janus face and look back over the year, I cannot honestly say that I like what I have seen: poor management of our money; bottom of the league table in transparency; endless complaints about cleanliness in public areas; and a rising crime rate. So, what about the forward-looking face? It’s a pre-election year, and I expect things will improve just a little. Politicians rely on people having short memories! What will make me happy is if I can get expats a lot more involved so they feel pride in their community, instead of hoping others will make things better. For Brexit and for Mijas, get onto the Town Hall Register, and onto the Voters’ Roll. Meanwhile, I would like to wish a Happy 2018 to you and yours. Take control, and don’t rely on others for your happiness!

MIJAS MATTERS

Bill Anderson is a university lecturer, author, and General Secretary for the International Community for Malaga Province with the Partido Popular.

ell. I survived Christmas 2017 with considerably fewer scars than in previous years. While most of Spain slumps into a Crimbo couch coma over the Festive period, for a freelance broadcaster such as myself, Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year. My colleagues at the radio station spend Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the week leading up to New Year’s Eve at home in “the loving bosoms of their families” – which in reality probably means spending most of the time wondering what day it is and whether it is socially acceptable, not to mention festive, by starting the day with a large Baileys and handful of Quality Street before collapsing on the sofa for the day in front of ‘Strictly Celebrity X Bake Off on Ice in the Jungle’ Christmas Special or some such. Being a single fortysomething male (and this is possibly the last time I am going to be able to write this as it’s a ‘landmark’ birthday in midJanuary) who lives alone with a cat means that I get to stand in for the other presenters at this

time of year. So much so that I briefly considered getting a hammock and a festive hamper and moving into the studio. It would be churlish of me to complain, however. The Christmas Morning Show is my favourite of the year. It really is a case of pouring an extra strong cup of coffee, lining up a selection of Christmas classics and sitting back and enjoying the show. The fact that most of your listeners are already on their third Bucks Fizz of the day or on a hyper excited sugar enhanced adrenaline rush and playing with their new toys – and in some cases both – means that you always have an appreciative audience. I even caught myself shouting along with Noddy Holder as he bellowed ‘It’s Chrisssssssstmassssss’ on my final track of the show. Having said that, I did manage to celebrate Christmas both Scandinavian and traditional British style. First it was up to the campo to spend the night of December 24 with my Swedish Cuban friend and her family (a dynamic combination if ever there was one) who had the wicked sense of humour in making

me Godfather to one of her daughters. As well as a superb meal, they also gave me a huge array of gifts including thermal socks, sweat shirts, beanie hats and a rather fetching hot water bottle. “Our aim is to keep you warm, dry and alive!” said my friend’s mother, only half jokingly. The following day I enjoyed a Christmas Day lunch with some British friends and after demolishing the turkey, trimmings and all, it was time for a traditional festive quiz, which my team won. Not only that, but I received more presents, this time five litres of virgin olive oil from the village and Russell “ Everybody’s Favourite Celebrity Ex Junkie ” Brand’s book on addiction. It rounded off Christmas Day perfectly as I sat at home in front of a roaring fire, naked apart from thermal socks and beanie hat, smothered myself in virgin olive oil, popped a choccie in my mouth and, flicking through the Brand book, and wondered which addiction I should try next…. 2018 is going to be an interesting year!

Family fortunes From sweating in the kitchen to arguments with the relatives, every Christmas is stuffed with drama

Marbella diaries

By Natalie Rose Ke rn

HEN I was about eight years old, I read that my name, Natalie, is derived from the Latin Natalia, meaning Christmas Day. "Oh!" I thought, "How wonderful! I am named after the very best time of the year; the time of parties, presents, lights, chocolate and magic!" And from then on, I've forever chased that picture-perfect Christmas Day. 25 years later and I've had to accept that my name is actually — and perhaps more fittingly — synonymous with the most stressful, manic and chaotic time of year. "I'm not sure that 'Christmas Day' was such a great name choice," I mutter to my mother on the 25th of December, as I stand dishevelled, sweating and swearing in oven gloves and reindeer antlers in her sweltering kitchen. Children are shrieking in the next room, as they run around in a sugar-fuelled frenzy, hitting each other with lightsabers and firing Nerf guns into ornaments and poor Uncle Vinnie who seems to have

peaked too early and is snoring loudly by the fire. A tipsy game of Twister has been abolished after a glass was kicked over, and a few of the 'bigger kids' are engaged in loud, drunken debates on politics, religion, racism and the economy — a disaster waiting to happen! Auntie Tina who traded breakfast for mulled wine to peel the potatoes this morning keeps appearing to ask if dinner is ready yet and to inform me that "One should always partboil."

I've mistimed the vegetables, the oven is smoking... and a remote control car smashes into my bare ankles for the tenth time. My mother looks up from behind the steaming pots and pans, "You weren't named after Christmas at all," she laughs, "You were named after Natalie Wood. I just loved her in the film West Side Story." And just like that, the spell is broken, and I can finally stop pretending to love Christmas. Overeating, overspending, overacting and

Monday to Fr ida Open from 4.3 y 0pm Food Served 7pm-11pm Saturday & Sund Open from 12 ay .30pm for Brunch

WEEKENDS

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overindulging... the best part of Christmas is the fact that it's finally OVER. Large families are wonderful, but after seven days under the same roof as four of my siblings, uncles, aunts and extended family, all fantasies of 'Love Actually' style scenarios have been replaced by an all-singing, all-dancing, highdrama, feuding-family production, comparable in fact to West Side Story. As 2018 begins and I sit down to list my New Year's resolutions, I can't help but laugh at my own absurdity. Last year was an endless stream of MORE. More activities, more jobs, more work, more regimes, plans and projects... and this year it is quite the contrary. LESS. Buy less. Spend less. Hurry less. Worry less. Less deadlines, less drama, less haste, less waste and ohhhh less stress. I announce my ‘desire for less’ as we say our goodbyes on the final day, packing bags, hugging and crying, as family members set off for the airport. ‘Peace, quiet and serenity... that's what I'm after this year’ I sigh, hugging my sister, ‘No drama!’ A writer friend looks over at us and raises an eyebrow, ‘But it's all material!’ he grins. Outraged, my sister jerks around. "IT IS NOT! She shrieks, "There's no padding at all!" And before anyone has time to explain, she grabs my hand and places it firmly over her breast. "See! No padding! It's NOT all material!" "Writing..." I begin, slowly, "Writing... The drama is all material for my writing... May I remove my hand now?" For the next five minutes we all laugh, shaking and wiping tears from our eyes, as the hysteria overwhelms us and the pure comedy is genius. ‘Same time next year?’ My sister smiles, and I can't help but nod. And so another 365 orbits around the sun begins... A year of meditation, minimising... and perhaps just a sprinkle of madness — after all, it's all material!

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January - January 2018 If you4th have a sports16th story, contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call 0034 951 273 575

Friday 17th - St. Patricks Day 2.00pm 3.00pm 3.00pm 4.00 pm 7.00pm 9.00pm 10.00pm

Facing the spotlight

t r a d i t i o n a l MANCHESTER City boss Pep Guardiola

served all day independence supporters during the CataGuinness, Kilkenny, Magnerslan €4 crisis. St Patricks Day Shots €2 The 46-year-old regularly appeared at multiple pro-Catalan rallies, including a FACE PAINTING speech he made on June 11 where he read saturday 18th - 6 Nations Final outDay a pro-independence manifesto. 1.30pm Scotland vs Italy Spanish authorities view this act as ‘mo3.45pm France vs Wales

Taking charge 6.00pm 9.30pm

Ireland vs England Live Music with Layla

We examine some of the highlights for Checkcycling out our Facebook BRITISH champ page for our Virtual Tour, Special Offers, Coming Up sport Chris Froome, if able to clear Whats Spanish his name, could be appearing at the Vuelta a Andalucia this year and Ruta Ciclista Del Sol on Feb- the players that ruary 14-18. The race, which was the stage made history Sunday 19th - Premier League 1.00pm 3.15pm 5.30pm 9.30pm

Tracking progress

Cheltenham Races All Ireland GAA Club Finals 4€ Biddy Mulligan´s Golf Society Party Live Music with John Maddocks Ireland U20´s vs England U20´s Ireland Women vs England Women Live Music with Alan Shiels

St. PATRICKS DAY menuis under investigation for stirring up pro-

Middlesbrough vs Man Utd Spurs vs Southampton Man City vs Liverpool Live Music with Sean Murray

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for Froome’s dramatic 2015 victory, is one of Spain’s most well known early season events, as cyclists climb from the Med into the Granada mountain range. Froome is expected to start his 2018 season either in Andalucia or southern Portugal at the Volta ao Algarve. If he chooses Andalucia then Froome will be racing against former Team Sky teammate Mikel Landa but first the case surrounding his double dosing of his asthma medication, salbutamol, has to be concluded.

Tel: 952 494 877

THIS year has been phenomenal for Spanish sport featuring old dogs with new tricks and new players with innovative techniques. Coming in at number one is none other than Balearic tennis talisman, Rafael Nadal. After a rocky few years, the 31-year-old defied age and proved once again why he is one of the greatest, winning six titles in 2017, including two grand slams to finish the year world number one. Outside the court the tennis ace also won a defamation suit

bilising’ anti-governmental opinion. “The manifesto was read by Josep Guardiola and was done so to mobilise all the supporters of independence,” an official statement read. Guardiola’s name also appears with various pro-independent leaders including Jordi Cuixart, Jordi Sanchez, and Neus Lloveras.

Sporting greatness against France’s former health minister Roselyne Bachelot, where Bachelot was ordered

to pay Nadal €10,000 and a €500 fine. Next up is golfing titan Sergio Garcia, who at 37-years-old reinvented himself and his career. In his 74th major championship, Garcia broke through to earn his first green jacket at the Masters. This was then built upon as the Spaniard won the Andalucía Valderrama Masters and was then crowned the European Tour Golfer of the Year. Hot on the heels is Garbiñe

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Muguruza, who has proven women triumph just as much as the men. The 24-year-old won Wimbledon defeated Venus Williams to claim her second major tournament title since turning pro in 2012. Muguruza finished the season as world number two and has described Nadal ‘as a role model for all of us’. “I’m motivated to take everything I’ve learned this year and apply it to my work next season,” she added.

ESTEPONA town hall has given the green light for construction to begin on a new athletics stadium complex. The site, covering 34,132 square metres, will feature an athletics track, football pitch and a halfpitch for seven-a-side, a BMX track, and an underground car park for one thousand cars. Mayor Jose Garcia Urbano hopes to build one of Andalucia’s go-to athletic complexes, fit with manicured gardens. “It is one of the biggest projects for Estepona in the current council legislature and it will be available for a wide variety of uses,” Urbano said. Adding that the stadium would consolidate residents in the northern part of town and complement existing sites like the fairground and Felipe VI auditorium. The construction will cost more than €6 million from town hall coffers and is expected to be completed at the end of 2018.

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Looking down

FINAL WORDS

JOBLESS Spaniards in Huelva turn their noses up to 12,000 strawberrypicking jobs in a region where 850,000 people are out of work.

Christmas angels THE Ángeles Malagueños de la Noche association handed out 3,000 meals and 50,000 kilos of food to the underprivileged in the centre of Malaga on Christmas Eve.

Water stewards SPAIN’S maritime rescue service says it has rescued 55 migrants trying to cross the Med from a boat near Alboran Island.

Residents have been left appalled at the eroticism of religious nativity scenes BETHLEHEM is not known for its Christmas farm animal eroticism. But residents were left stunned after farm animals were placed atop one another while the figure of Mary was bent over the crib in a position suggesting she was giving oral sex to Joseph. Religious Now a criminal complaint is being investigated on a roadside junction in the town of Boadilla del Monte, outside Madrid. Filed by a local Popular Party politician, police are being asked to check

Vol. 12 Issue 282 www.theolivepress.es January 4th - January 16th 2018

Randy Rudolph CCTV footage ‘to see if the perpetrators could be

identified’. The figures, made out of bent white cables and one and a half metres in size, caused outrage as residents say it is a violation of religious freedom.

A PP spokesman said: “It constitutes a clear lack of respect for the traditions and religious beliefs or a large part of the population of the municipality. “In addition to vandalism, it is an intentionally offensive attack on our religious freedom, we demand respect for the freedom of beliefs.” A town hall spokesman said the nativity scene was quickly restored to its original form. “We fixed the vandalism as soon as it was reported.”

Winging it A RYANAIR passenger has been arrested after he forced his way out of a plane using the emergency exit while it was sat on the tarmac at Malaga airport. The man, reported to be a 57-year-old Polish national, ended up sitting on the wing of flight FR8164 with his hand luggage. He was eventually talked into getting back on board by ground staff and held until he was arrested by local police. Reports of the man having an asthma attack and saying that he ‘needed air’ have surfaced. However, follow passengers have stated that he seemed to have been frustrated after the plane was delayed leaving Stansted by almost an hour on New Year’s Day.

A spokesman for Ryanair said: “This airport security breach occurred after landing in Malaga airport on 1 January. “Malaga airport police immediately arrested the passenger in question and since this was a breach of Spanish safety and security regulations, it is being dealt with by the Spanish authorities.”

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Wired up THE opening of a new zipline in Casares is the perfect way to shake off those back-towork blues. The newly opened ride runs for 300 metres at a height of 80 metres, taking 30 seconds to complete. In an effort to boost tourism in the area, it joins the El Chaparral viewpoint and the Las Penuelas area. The zipline was constructed at a cost of €36,000 - a third of which was raised from town hall coffers, the rest from government grants. Tickets cost €12 and can be bought from the Blas Infante house but it is only open on certain days, so plan ahead.

Chocolate threat CHOCOLATE could be a thing of the past if climate change continues on its course. Scientists from the University of California say the cocoa plant is scheduled to disappear as early as 2050 due to warmer, more arid conditions. But the scientists have teamed up with choc giants Mars to save the crop by using new gene-editing technology called CRISPR. The technology aims to create more climate-resistant varieties of the cocoa plant. Currently, the plant can only grow in a narrow strip just below the equator and more than half of the world’s chocolate comes from two countries in west Africa - Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Jesus walks BABY Jesus keeps going missing as the town hall in San Fernando struggles to find the cuplrit. The town hall appealed for the help of the public in finding baby Jesus after he went missing for the first time from the wooden manger in the town’s main nativity display. The town, near Cadiz, then suffered another blow as a young couple gave an interim Jesus to the town hall to be a replacement until the real baby Jesus was found. But this too went missing. Authorities will be placing another Jesus in its place just before celebrations begin for the Three Kings.