Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 246 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

Appeal for expat MPs

Voted BEST expat paper in Spain

EXCLUSIVE

A MEMBER of the House of Lords is demanding constituencies for expats living in Spain. Peer Paul Tyler, who served as a Lib Dem MP until 2005, wants all disenfranchised Britons living in the EU to have their own MPs. In a similar arrangement that exists for French and Italian expats, Tyler believes that it is fairer than expats having a vote in their UK constituencies. In a letter sent to expat rights campaigner Brian Cave, Tyler wrote: “Expatriate constituencies is the only rational solution. “Put yourself in the shoes of the MP; faced with the problems, concerns and special interests of 75,000 constituents how many will give appropriate attention to a few dozen voters living hundreds of miles away?”

Pressure

The move comes as it was revealed former UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s promise to extend voting rights to expats has been blocked. The move is allegedly seen as too complicated with few UK constituencies having records going back more than 15 years. The UK boundary commission - which looks at electoral constituencies - is due to meet in early 2018 to look at all the possible options. France-based campaigner Brian Cave urged expats across Europe to put as much pressure on the UK authorities as possible. He told the Olive Press: “Britons abroad should not be ignored.”

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August 17th - August 30th 2016

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A fight on the beaches Why are two beach-goers battling over this patch of blocked sand?

Passport control See Back Page

To the bar

Road-sweeper becomes lawyer Page 3

Brit MP nicked in Spain Page 11

Danczuk probed in assault claim

‘Deal me in’

Catalan leader slams Rajoy Page 11

British businessman’s shady dealings lead to the seizure of 97 expat and Spanish passports

80 years on Since Lorca’s death Page 19

EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan

ALMOST 100 expats are battling to get their passports back after police confiscated them two years ago over a car import scam. The group are being investigated for fraud and being part of a criminal organisation after using a shady British-owned

SCAM: Car Import Spain boss Chris Dann and (left) the Van Wershovens company that dealt with the paperwork. A total of 97 people, which also includes a few Spanish, all unwittingly used the company

Car Import Spain to transport their vehicles. Despite British boss Chris Dann allegedly taking the blame, the clients have had

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their passports seized and must report to court twice a month as part of the investigation. One victim, Dutch expat Johan van Wershoven, is now appealing to the court in Barcelona to speed up the investigation so he can get on with his life. “I cannot believe this is still dragging on,” Van Wershoven, 51, told the Olive Press. “When I was first called to Malaga court in 2014 I thought they had made a mistake.” Van Wershoven and his wife Ria used the Barcelona-based company, which set up in 1990, to transport their BMW 535i when they moved to Mijas from California in 2013. Despite obtaining Spanish registration and a Baja Consular (a document needed to cover import tax), Tarragona-based Dann submitted forged documents to the traffic department. Continues Page 4

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SPAIN is on the brink of ending its eight-month political deadlock with the PP set to strike a deal with Ciudadanos. The deal hinges on a vital sixpoint reform plan, which would lead to Albert Rivera’s centreright party supporting Mariano Rajoy’s bid to continue as prime minister. The PP is expected to accept the proposals this week, with Rajoy ready to make an official leadership bid in September. The PP won 135 seats in June’s second general election, with Ciudadanos taking 34, short of an overall majority of 176. With the two parties joining forces pressure would build on the PSOE to abstain in September’s vote.

Summer fruit Spain’s tomato fetish explored Page 36

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MUM: Jan with Leonie

Bring her back A SCOTTISH mother has been told that her eightyear-old daughter may never be returned to the UK after her ex-partner fled to Spain with their child. Christopher Stuart, 27, moved to Spain with the couple’s daughter, Leonie Stuart O’Hara, in the middle of a custody battle in 2011. Jan O’Hara, 28, has been battling to force Christopher to return her daughter from Spain since. She even solicited the help of Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish government but has now been told that there is little hope that her daughter will be returned to Scotland as she has been living in Spain for five years. “No-one could help me, on every door I knocked it felt like there was no answer,” O’Hara said. “He just gets away with it and I’m here brokenhearted unable to hold her, speak to her or see her growing up.”

BRITISH police are investigating allegations that a Marbella-based junior tennis player was deliberately poisoned during this year’s Wimbledon Championships. Future British tennis star Gabriella Taylor was forced to pull out of the girl’s tournament midway through her quarter-final match after being struck down with a mystery illness. Her condition deteriorated so rapidly that her mother claimed she ‘nearly died’ during her stay in hospital. Police are now investigating allegations that 18-year-old Taylor was deliberately poisoned while competing in London last month. One theory being explored is that Taylor was targeted by an organised crime betting syndicate. Her mother said: “What happened to Gabriella has opened our eyes to a world we did not know existed. “In the past we have been very naïve, but from now on we will be extra careful and make sure we know exactly what she eats and drinks when she is on the tour.” She added: “Gabriella is very,

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Poisoned at Wimbledon! Investigation launched after Marbellabased junior tennis star nearly died from poisoning

very disappointed. It is going to take her a very long time to recover from this physically and mentally. She almost died.” Taylor is now back training in Marbella where she has based her training camps for the last four years.

GABRIELLA: In Marbella after ‘nearly dying’

THERE’S No love in war AS if an ongoing gang war was not enough to worry Daniel Kinahan (left), it appears that his love life is also taking a turn for the worse. The Estepona-based crime figure has allegedly put his relationship with blonde bombshell Caoimhe Robinson (right) on hold until the feud with rival Hutch gang cools off.

Robinson previously dated drug lord Michael ‘Micka’ Kelly before he was gunned down outside their west Dublin home. The ongoing feud has also taken its toll on the lovelife of Kinahan association ‘Fat’ Freddie Thompson, whose relationship with wife Vicky Dempsey has also reportedly come under pressure.

Pink Panther nabbed POLICE have arrested five suspected members of the notorious Pink Panther gang of jewel thieves. A special unit caught the thieves, all of Serbian origin, as they tried to make their getaway after robbing a jewellery shop on Barcelona’s famous Passeig de Gracia avenue, the city’s biggest shopping street. It took the thieves just 48 seconds to steal €400,000 worth of jewellery before police swooped in. Interpol believes the gang made up of 200 ex-military personnel - have carried out at least 380 armed robberies, stealing €334 million between 1999 and 2015.

Locked up A BRITISH English teacher has been arrested in Spain for storing and sharing child pornography online. The teacher, who lived in Barcelona, was one of seven locked up following an investigation that began last year. The investigation was given a major boost when a computer firm handed over a customer’s damaged hard drive that contained more than 27,500 images of child abuse. The subsequent raid on the customer’s home in Esplugues de Llobregat near Barcelona led to the exposing of six others.

NE WS

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Puss in Banus

Get away

MALAGA'S most famous son Antonio Banderas has paid his yearly visit to Marbella's Starlite festival. The Zorro and Puss in Boots star posed for photos with fans before hosting the annual auction. Accompanied by girlfriend Nicole Kimpel, Banderas' visit will stand out as a highlight at the seventh edition of the festival. The biggest sale of the night went to a Swiss businessman who splashed €40,000 on a Ford Mustang. The festival has featured the likes of Tom Jones and Robert Plant this year, with British rockers Status Quo scheduled to bring the curtain down on August 20.

JOHNNY DEPP jetted in to Ibiza just days before his domestic abuse court case. The Pirates of the Caribbean star donned jeans, a poncho and dark circular shades as he partied on a yacht the weekend before his court showdown. The 53-year-old’s legal wrangling with his estranged wife and model Amber Heard, 30, has now begun in California.

Clean sweep! www.theolivepress.es

Road-sweeper passes legal exams and is set to start working as a lawyer next month

Kiss and tell ONE of London’s biggest radio stations is taking its decks on a Spanish roadtrip. Kiss UK will be broadcasting live from a pool party at Plaza Beach in Marbella later this month. Favourite Djs Rickie, Melvin and Charlie from the Kiss Breakfast show will be broadcasting live poolside with guests Justin Wilkes and The Dixon Brothers. Events are also lined up in Mallorca and Ibiza.

A MULTI-LINGUAL roadsweeper has become a lawyer after passing the bar. Francisco Rodriguez Sendra, 55, is now hoping to help immigrant and expat communities in the Campo de Gibraltar area after receiving his degree from Cadiz University. “I’m very happy,” the Manilva road sweeper told the Olive Press, “I’m excited to start making an impact and help the lives of immigrants and the British in Algeciras. “If the British have any problems here, they come to me!” The grafter, who the Olive Press first unearthed in

Joyful

EXCLUSIVE Well By Laurence Dollimore good AN auction at a Marbella event raised almost €10,000 for cancer charity Cudeca. The auction at the Living Well Marbella event saw a chartered private jet to Las Vegas go for €6000 while watches and week-long getaways in Europe racked the total up to €8,040. Businesses and residents gathered at Puente Romano’s Sea Grill restaurant following a day of guest speakers and networking at the event, run by Louise Van Der Velde.

March (see right), will continue his job as a road-sweeper until he begins working on his first case in September. He will also continue his work as a chess teacher at various schools in the area. “I have spoken with the mayor of Manilva and several other lawyers and I’m hoping to be representing my first clients in September,” he said. Algeciras-born Sendra added that he also hopes to help Ni-

Gonna give UK up... for sunny Spain

FLAMBOYANT 80s crooner Rick Astley is planning to give up the UK for the costas. The former pop star admitted he is hoping to open a bar on the Spanish or Italian coastline by the time he is a pensioner. But the 50-year-old, who lives in Richmond, London with his wife Lene Bausager and daughter Emilie, insists he will never give up his beloved singing. “By 70 I want to have opened a bar on the coast in Italy or Spain, where I’ll wear no shoes and a different coloured velvet jacket every night and Lene will be the permanently tipsy maître d’,” he said. “I’ll walk from the bar to the stand, sing a couple of numbers if I’m in the mood and then sit down to a big bowl of pasta. It’s going to happen.”

by dedicating their performances to Juan Carlos senior. Juan Carlos, his daughter Infanta Elena and his

granddaughter Victoria Federica presided over events from the royal gallery in his first trip to iconic the Maestranza bullring since former PERFORMING in front of the 2008. king must be an uplifting experience The king - who for most bullfighters. was visiting for Rey it But for Peruvian Andres Roca when the city’s anwas for all the wrong reasons,a bulls nual Feria de he was lifted into the air by Abril - inaugubackthe in spiked horn after being rated a statue side. of his mother seriThe matador incredibly avoided on the Paseo by the ous injury despite the attack de Colon. angry 530kg bull.

Bummer…

Night nurse

A GIBRALTAR DJ will play at Croatia’s Outlook festival in August after a ten year time out. Cheryl Jeffries, 31, began DJing at the age of 19, but the discs stopped spinning when she turned 21 and left home to study law in Southampton. But since getting back on the decks a year ago, the trainee nurse will represent UK music collective SILO after her recording of a set for them last year led to the offer. “They called me and asked if I wanted to play at Outlook, I thought what a stupid question, of course I want to play,” said Cheryl. “It’s incredible, it’s a dream come true for me.” Basscake, AKA Cheryl, has also been nominated for Best Bass Music DJ at the International Break Awards, alongside four other girls from the Underground Female Movement a female DJ collective based in Spain and Gibraltar.

Bad jokes

Back in town EVA Longoria will be returning yet again to Marbella to The attend Gift Global Foundation’s gala on July 17. The Desp e r a t e Housew i v e s star will join the C o s t a del Sol’s philant h r o p i c community for an evening of art, glamour and giving at the Don Melia Pepe hotel.

UK national treasure Lorraine Kelly has been showing off her new figure in Spain. The morning TV host posted photos of herself walking along the Rio Chillar, in Nerja. “Great walk today at Rio Chillar! #fun #fit #happy,” she wrote. Earlier this year, the 56-yearold Scot helped her viewers get ready for swimsuit season with Lorraine's Bikini Promise + One Campaign. She said: "This plan is all about feeling healthy, fit and happy. I'm in much better shape. But it's more than that: I feel better, I feel more healthy. It's taken me a long time but I finally feel I've arrived at my ideal body."

April 13th - April 26th 2016

NEWS

And the three bullfighters, Enrique Ponce, Jose Maria Manzanares and Peruvian Andres Roca Rey, celebrated the royal presence

TALENTED: Nurse DJ Jeffries

RETURNING: Banderas

NEVER one to mince her words, glamour model Katie Price has landed herself in hot water after making an ill-judged joke about her disabled son Harvey while holidaying in Spain. Video footage shows Price telling a crowd at the luxury Santa Ponsa resort in Mallorca: “I’m not f****** blind you know, not like my son.” After being booed, she said: “It’s the truth. If Harvey was here he’d be like ‘woo, go on mum’.” She later admitted that ‘she had too much to drink’ and apologised for her comments. During her trip Price will make appearances at the Bananas and Carwash clubs.

Lorraine in Spain

RINGS AROUND THE KING

A TRIP to the bullring was perhaps a predictable way for Spain’s former king to celebrate his first trip to Sevilla in eight years.

STAR: Astley

August 17th - August 30th 2016

PUERTO Banus party-people were out in force to celebrate three years of popular night spot Joys Live. Singers, fire jugglers, unicyclists and locals mingled for the party. The Marbella landmark is gearing up for an actionpacked season with Mica Paris and Seal set to perform.

POPULAR: Banus venue

UPWARDLY MOBILE! Bilingual road sweeper to sweep up votes for mayor

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore A ROAD sweeper training to be a lawyer also has his sights set on becoming his town’s mayor. Multi-lingual Rodriguez Sendra - who has been sweeping the streets of Manilva for seven years - is set to graduate from Cadiz University in July. The 55-year-old, who is also a qualified priest, is hoping to get a full-time post at law firm Savier Avila, in Algeciras, before going into politics. Currently undertaking work experience at the firm, he had to reign in his hopes and get a job as a road sweeper when the recession kicked in.

aims high BRUSH STROKES: Road sweeper ren Assembly, in Algeciras, “It was the best way to make added that it had paid his money when the recession way through his seven-year started seven years ago,” he degree. told the Olive Press. “It’s a sta- The Spaniard, who is a chessble job and it pays the rent.” master and speaks English, The Pastor at the Church of Portuguese and French says England's Christian Breth- he now wants to become a lawyer to help people. “I want to help the local expats, the British, South American and French communities!” a high-flying way to THE Spanish monarchs have found When asked if he will run for their every move. get around pesky drones stalking mayor he laughed: “Well I out are set to swoop Eagles specially trained to take them know the mayor well so that after unwanted attenaround Madrid’s Zarzuela Palace could be awkward, but yes, tion from the flying objects last summer. maybe in five years’ time!”

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gerian immigrants who have issues with documentation and finding work. The aspiring lawyer, who speaks English, Portuguese and French, added that he won’t let his new career get in the way of his chess-tutoring duties, which involves him

teaching at three schools each week (including Sotogrande International School). “Chess is very important to the kids, it’s great for the development of their minds and I will work out a way to carry on teaching it to them,” he added.

Say yay! EUROVISION entry and famed Spanish singer Barei opened the Malaga feria. The 34-year-old donned a black mini dress as she sang her entry song Say Yay and her new hit Foolish nana. Thousands descended on the city to enjoy its famous annual August feria, which included live music, flamenco, bullfighting and fair rides.

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FIT: Lorraine Kelly

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www.theolivepress.es News IN BRIEF

Plague of pests A BIGGER and more aggressive variety of mosquito has returned to plague residents around the mouth of the Guadalhorce river in Malaga.

Rocky road THE notoriously bumpy A-377 road between Manilva and Gaucin is finally going to be renovated with a €6.4 million investment this autumn.

Fighting flames FIREFIGHTERS in Spain have been pushed to the limit battling wildfires that have killed at least one person this month and forced hundreds to flee their homes.

Lots of love SPANISH Olympic weightlifter Lidia Valentin melted crowds in Rio by blowing kisses and forming a heart shape with her hands after winning bronze in the women’s 75kg.

Fine dodgers SPAIN will not be charged by the EU for missing its deficit targets, despite repeatedly failing to meet targets to reduce public debt.

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Hung out to dry EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore and Joe Duggan A GROUP of expats have been left without water for the past six months. The group in Villafranco del Guadalhorce have been given a series of excuses for the shortages that began in February. According to bosses at Alhaurin el Grande, that administers the village, the problems began when a pipe split on private land. The town hall insists that engineers have been unable to fix the breakage,

Outrage as expat homes are left without water for six months despite knowing that the residents have no access to a regular water supply. One British resident, Roy Packham, who has lived in Villafranco for 15 years, is furious that nothing is being done despite sending countless emails to the town hall. Londoner Packham, 75,

No interest

Roy is now considering installing a 5,000 litre deposit tank, but says he is reluctant to fork out its €1,000 cost. “I cannot believe that, in this day and age, it has now been more than six FED UP: Roy Packham months and still this problem has not been solved and that the Town Hall is not prepared to intervene. “Water is a vital neweeks after setting off from cessity of daily life Gibraltar House, in London, and I am at a comon his mammoth trek. plete loss to know After leaving his hotel in Huerwhat further action I cal-Overa, he headed towards can take.” Albox but didn’t arrive at His Spanish neighBaza, where he was expected. bour Diego Martin, Now, as the Spanish authori68, a retired police ties scale back the search opofficer, added: “It’s eration, his niece Gemma Oldterrible for everyman told the Olive Press: “This one, especially in the is not a memorial. It is two summer months, lots months now, but we are clingof people are very ing to hope until we hear othLOST: Family fears angry.” erwise.”

Walk for missing hiker

THE family of a missing hiker who disappeared while walking from London to Gibraltar are set to retrace his last steps. The family of missing David Oldman, 66, are walking 20km of the stage between Huercal-Overa and Baza, in Almeria, where he was last seen on June 9. They hope to raise awareness of his disappearance and are ‘clinging to hope’ he is still alive. Oldman went missing a few

said: “The town hall has shown almost no interest. They simply blame the problem on the president of the community.” He and his neighbours are being forced to use untreated canal water which they fear may be a risk to their health.

Import nightmare From Front Page

“I have no idea why he didn’t submit our genuine documents,” computer programmer Van Wershoven continued. “He obviously cut corners to make his life easier, but despite knowing all this, the courts still refuse to give my passport back.” While can travel around Europe under his Dutch ID card, he revealed that a number of British clients are ‘unable to travel and are stuck in Spain’. Van Wershoven and his wife have since moved to Portugal, to ‘get away from the awful Spanish bureaucracy’.

Nightmare

“I love Spain and its people. But this has left a bitter taste in my mouth,” he said. “Our lives now revolve around the days I have to check in at court, twice a month. “Every time I cross the border I am reminded of the nightmare I have been living.” A new law that insists passports can only be held for six months in investigations, is currently under appeal. Car Import Spain has long ceased trading, with Dann’s mobile number now cut off and emails bouncing back. A spokesman for Barcelona’s Court number 12 confirmed the case was ongoing but refused to comment further. If anyone knows where Dann is or more about the case, email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

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GRE EN

Cat out the bag

www.theolivepress.es CEMETERY: Of trees

Voted Scorched fields top forev er expat paper in Spain

A FIREMAN has converted a burnt out forest in Spain into a tree cemetery. The work of art in Barcelona was inspired by the forest fire that broke out in July 2015. Firefighter turned artist Marc Sellares combated the flames, but not before it destroyed 1,293 hectares of trees in the Anoia area of the northern city. Other than a few hours help from a friend, Sellares completed the work by himself, describing it as an ‘act of mourning’. He hopes it will reinforce the message that people need to take extra care in the summer to avoid creating similar incidents in the future.

OPINION Rough justice

Voted BEsysST THE snail-like pace of Spain’s judicial Expat New spaper in Spain tem never fails to amaze! For the 97 people who have (almost certainly wrongly) gone without their passports for two years it must be infuriating, to say the least. And going on the usual time it takes to get to court, they may have to wait another few years! With over 610,000 cases currently open in Spain it seems that reforms are urgently needed to speed things along. A new vital ruling in December that holding passports for more than six months was illegal seemed like a step in the right direction. However, investigators appear to have found a loophole to wriggle out of that one as well. Mañana, Mañana is one thing… two years without a passport and no answer is quite another. Dining Secrets

The Olive Press Insider’s Guide

The Olive Press Gourmet Guide

Shameful IT is little short of amazing that homeowners in Europe are being left without running water for months. This is Europe… and whether it be due to the owners of private land or town hall incompetence it is time to get a grip. It is time Alhaurin Town Hall took responsibility for this group of English and Spanish pensioners, who have gone throughout the summer with an inadequate supply. Access to clean water is a human right and solving this issue for these desperate residents should be a top priority!

AWARDS

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Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.

2012 - 2016

Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

ADMIN/SALES (+34) 951 273 575 Newsdesk (+34) 665 798 618 A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in southern Spain - 200,000 copies distributed monthly (130,000 digitally) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month. Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5 Calle Espinosa 1 Edificio centro comercial El Duque, planta primera, 29692 San Luis de Sabinilla, Manilva

Publisher/ Editor

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 Rob Horgan rob@theolivepress.es Joe Duggan joe@theolivepress.es Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Admin & Accounts (+34) 951 273 575 Mirian Moreno – General Manager admin@theolivepress.es Maria González accounts@theolivepress.es (+34) 658 750 424 Héctor Santaella hector@theolivepress.es

Designer James Partington design@theolivepress.es Distribution Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es SALES TEAM: sales@theolivepress.es Chris Birkett - Head of Sales chris@theolivepress.es (+34) 652 512 956 Kerry Hicks kerry@theolivepress.es 655825683 Spanish Sales Irene Fernández irene@theolivepress.es (+34)692 725 475

A PUMA may be on the loose in Estepona. A video which appears to show a large feline prowling in scrubland close to the Costa del Sol town has gone viral online. More than 19,000 people have watched the clip, posted by expat Daniel Kelly, while it has been shared by around 200 Facebook users. The animal, which only appears for a few seconds before disappearing into trees, has raised serious questions along the coast. An Iberian lynx has been suggested, but it is thought the animal is too big and its tail too long. Instead, most believe it is a puma, also known as a cougar

www.the

olivepress.es August 3rd - August 16th 2016

fe at u re

ON THE PROWL: Puma spotted in Estepona

or mountain lion, weighing approximately 30-35kg. The Guardia Civil and Seprona (animal protection) think it may have been released or escaped from a private residence, as local wildlife parks do not house such big cats. It comes after years of sightings of the La Cala cougar. First spotted in 2007, police

undertook a search for the cult cat after a pig farmer reported over a dozen of his pigs had been slain. In September 2014, the Olive Press revealed the cougar could have resurfaced after cat-lover Marion Lancaster, 71, spotted a feline ‘the size of a puma’ while on holiday in the region.

Cleaning flo atseason... It’s the silly ers

Innovative ocean cleaning bins could soon be on the Costa del Sol

Flashback: Last issue

so after reports of a big cat on the loose, the Olive Press asked Ana DeJesus to investigate all the Hist oric voyage rare beasts living in Spain’s back garden

OCEAN-CLEANING sea bins have begun their trial-run in Spain. The Balearic Islands have allowed the Seabin company to test out its latest prototype, which uses a solar-powered pump, in four different ports. If successful the bins are likely to be used throughout Spain. This will be welcomed by Costa del Sol swimmers after experts have recently warned that its sewage systems are overflowing into the sea because of people flushing wet wipes and frying oil down the drain. The submerged bins are fitted to suck rubbish from the sea’s to a pontoons and use a pump surface. When the bins get full up the

THE first ever solar-powered aircraft to travel round the world has completed the feat after touching down in Abu Dhabi.

Solar Impulse 2, piloted alternately rd and Andre Borschberg, travelled by Bertrand Piccain a total of 17 stages without using almost 43,000km any fuel. The plane, which has a wingspan 747 and carries more than 17,000 wider than a Boeing solar cells, began its journey in March 2015 in Abu Dhabi, spending a total of 23 days in the air. It stopped in Sevilla at the end of June after crossing the Atlantic.

plastic can be emptied and recycled. The ingenious invention was created by two Australian surfers Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski, who are based in Mallorca. They were inspired to tackle pollution by being confronted by waste regularly while surfing. “It catches everything floating in the water – plastic bottles, paper, oil, fuel, and detergent,” said Ceglinski. “The majority of my childhood was spent in the water. There’s

Born to be wild

CORK,NDALUCIA BLIMEY!is famously the last refuge

of the endangered Iberian lynx. It may be hard to believe, but brown bears still roam the remote forests of north-

MORE than 4,000 trees in the Serrania de Ronda are set to be stripped for cork, the town hall has announced. In total, 4,100 trees in the Berrueco area are marked to be de-corked, with 1,000 of those only turning 25 years old this year. Virgin cork is the first cork cut after a tree reaches about 25 years, and is a lesser quality than A cork of 50 years is needed to a more mature bark. make bottle stoppers for wine and champagne. Cork oaks live between 150 ANDALUCIA and 250 years and the bark RESERVOIR can be harvested every nine to 12 years. LEVELS A bumper cork harvest of This week: 77.67% around 428,350kg is expectSame week last year: ed, making a profit of around 73.85% €600,000. The Iberian Peninsula is Same week home to more than half the in 2006: 69.77% world’s cork forest.

NEW: Seabins and (top) inventors

nothing worse than being out there surrounded by plastic. “The Seabin project is helping create a better way of life for everyone and every living thing.” The bins are safe for fish as they do not go close enough to the surface to be sucked in. After successful rounds of funding and development, the bins are expected to go into mass production in early 2017, when they will be available in 17 countries, including Spain.

ern Spain while Iberian wolves dwell in the mountains a mere 60km from the capital of Madrid. Only last month, a video appearing to show

Wild Boar

If you’ve ever tried a juicy jabali steak, you’ll know these wild porkers are delicious to eat. You may even have spotted one snuffling through the undergrowth in Alcornocales Natural Park, Cadiz. The Mediterranean boar (Andalucia) and Central European boar (northern Spain) are among 16 subspecies, and while not the biggest piggies in the pack, the muscular tusked males are renowned for their pugilism. Breeding females will also fight to protect the family when cornered. Covered in coarse bristles, with a large head and muscular shoulders for digging, the omnivore boar eats every-

August 17th - August 30th 2016

thing from nuts and roots to worms, rodents and snakes. The fierce adult males have a piercing combat call and a mane which stands on end when agitated. They are rarely attacked, even by wolves.

a large feline prowling in scrubland close to Estepona was posted on social media. Believed to be a puma, also known as a cougar or mountain lion, these big cats can reach a top weight of 35 kg – five times the size of the average well-fed house cat. The Guardia Civil’s Seprona animal protection unit thinks it may be a pet that escaped or was released from a private residence, as local wildlife parks do not house these big cats. The report comes after years of sightings of the legendary La Cala cougar, first spotted in 2007. Police combed the area for the cult cat after a farmer reported over a dozen of his pigs had been mysteriously slain. In September 2014, the Olive Press revealed that this stealthy hunter may have resurfaced after cat-lover Marion Lancaster, 71, spotted a feline ‘the size of a puma’ while on holiday in the reA grand old boar may live to gion. see 25 and weigh over 100 So if you go down to the woods today, kilos so watch your step in the watch out. Although you’re unlikely to forest. These super-pigs can encounter packs of killer pumas on run at 40 km per hour and your country walks, bumping into a jump to a height of four feet. wild boar or a brown bear could still be a grizzly experience.

Iberian Wolf After an absence of 70 years, the wolf is making a comeback in Spain, as livestock farmers can testify. Exterminated and hunted down to a handful of packs during the 1960s, there are now thought to be more than 250 breeding groups and 2,000 individuals in central Spain. The rugged Sierra de Guadarrama is ideal wolf territory. Extending from Avila across the planes of Madrid to Segovia, attacks on livestock there have risen from 1,500 annually to over 2,000, with the loss of 13,000 sheep, 200 goats and several hundred cows in the last seven years. Wolves also eat rabbits, deer, ibex, wild boar and even fish. An alpha male may weigh 50 kilos, almost double the weight of an Alsatian. Wolf hunting is banned in Portugal but still allowed in some parts of Spain.

Barbary Macaques The pride of Gibraltar and one of its top tourist attractions, also found in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco. Sir Winston Churchill was particularly fond of these tailless monkeys and legend says if they leave the Rock, Gibraltar will cease to be British. The Upper Rock Nature Reserve affords visitors the opportunity to observe the energetic antics of these semi-wild animals. Feeding them is an offence punishable by law as the macaques can become dependent on humans, which causes them to forage in the town. Direct contact is also highly discouraged although that doesn’t stop many tourists from snapping selfies with a monkey on their back.

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es And our site is updated August 17th - August daily30th with 2016 the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

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Cantabrian brown bear The largest predator on the Iberian Peninsula is also one of the animals most at risk of extinction in Spain, on the endangered species list since 1973. Human pressure has caused destruction of their habitat and hunting has decimated their numbers. As of 2014, the population was estimated at just 300 bears. Dwelling in the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain, these 180 kg heavyweights can reach two metres in height, dwarfing the tallest humans. They require vast tracts of land to satisfy their huge appetite and omnivorous diet of fruits, roots, small animals and carcasses. Characterised by their large heads, beady eyes, small, rounded ears, black paws and dark brown, blondetipped pelt. In the wild they can live to 25 or 30 years. They spend the hot summer hidden in the forest shade and are best spotted in cooler months. But be careful in spring when mother bears give birth to their cubs. Although timid, they are unpredictable so if one crosses your path, pretend to be a tree.

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Griffon Vulture This Old World vulture, also known as the Eurasian Griffon, feeds mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas, often in flocks. The Pyrenees population has been affected by an EC ruling that carcasses cannot be left on fields due to mad cow disease fears. To see these scavengers at work, take the Vulture Walk, a circular trail starting and ending at Casares that takes you below the crags of Crestellina, the nesting site for a colony of Griffon vultures.

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Pyrenean Ibex A.k.a. the Iberian wild goat, in 2003 it became the first extinct species to be reborn. Hunted out of existence, the last living bucardo, named Celia, died in 2000 after being hit by a falling branch. Using her DNA from frozen skin samples, scientists were able to make clone embryos by inserting the goat’s DNA into domestic goat eggs emptied of their original genetic matter. A cloned foetus was successfully implanted in the womb of a living domestic goat although it died seven minutes after birth, from lung defects. The project continues.

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Iberian lynx Thanks to conservation efforts, the lynx population has recovered from under 100 in 2002 to 404, according to the World Wildlife Fund’s 2015 census. Heavily spotted for camouflage, with long legs and a short blacktipped tail, there’s no mistaking their characteristic ‘face beards’ and tufted ears. These tawny felines live in the Mediterranean forests of the Iberian peninsula and depend mostly on wild rabbits, almost wiped out themselves by myxomatosis. An adult lynx needs at least one a day, and triple that for a mother with growing kittens. Still endangered, although no longer on the ‘critical’ list, most unnatural lynx deaths are the result of being hit by cars. Their diminishing habitat is now restricted to pockets around the Sierra Morena in Huelva, the Sierra de Andujar in Jaen and Donana National Park. March to May is the best time for lynx spotting but if you sight more than the spore of this timid creature you can count yourself lucky.

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Trouble at home A DEEP North-South European divide has been confirmed in a new poll… at least in terms of perception. While more than 80% of Greeks, Spaniards and French describe their economies as ‘bad’, an incredible 76% of Swedes, 75% of Germans and 60% of the Dutch believe theirs are doing well, according to a Pew survey. Greece was the worst affected, with only 2% of its population viewing its economic outlook positively. Some 49% of Poles and 47% of Brits also said their current economic situation was positive.

Wish you were here SPAIN is by far the most popular destination for Britons moving abroad after retirement. A total of 19.4% of pensioners would choose Spain as their top destination, compared to just 6.1% in France and 5.6% in Italy. Although pensioners in the UK would jump at the chance to relocate, the poll revealed a significant drop in confidence post-Brexit. Some 62% of respondents of a RetireTHE UK has more people living ment Adabroad than any other country in Eu- v a n t a g e Survey rope. the Some 4.9 million Brits live elsewhere, said with over 300,000 residing in Spain, result has the biggest recipient of UK citizens in made them the EU. less likely Poland and Germany have the second to move and third highest amount of citizens abroad. living abroad, with 4.4 and 4 million A smaller respectively. 38% said it In terms of its citizens living in Eu- has made rope, the UK comes in fifth with them more around 1.3 million, behind Poland, likely to Romania, Germany and Italy. move.

Foreign affair

news

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Flight of fancy

Gaming sector demands flights between Malaga and Malta

EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan POLITICIANS, gaming bosses and businessmen are campaigning to introduce flights from southern Spain to Malta. More than 500 people have already signed a change. org petition which claims hundreds of work hours are lost every month as workers travel from Malaga and Gibraltar to Malta. There is CAMPAIGNER: c u r r e n t l y no direct McGillicuddy flight from Malaga or Gibraltar to Malta, despite thousands of workers - mainly in gaming - making the commute every month. Set up by Irish expat Oisin McGillicuddy, the petition has garnered the support of ‘a number of Gibraltar poli-

FLYING HIGH: New link proposed ticians’, gaming bosses both sides of the border and the CEO of Malta airport. Others supporting the bid are the CEO of Gaming Innovation Group and the boss at venture capitalist firm Optimizer Invest. “The support has been amazing, but I am not surprised,” 39-year-old McGillicuddy, who lives in Fuengirola, told the Olive Press. “Travelling to Malta is currently a massive expense and is enormously inconvenient. “Sometimes the layover in Barcelona, Brussels or Paris can be as long as 11 hours.”

Place to be OVER 32 million tourists have visited Spain in the first six months of 2016, showing a 12% increase on last year. A staggering eight million were Brits, 16.5% up on last year, meaning a whopping 12.5% of the UK’s population have visited the holiday favourite so far this year. Spain is believed to have become the destination of choice for holidaymakers who are steering clear from rival destinations like France, Egypt and Turkey, which have been plagued by terrorist attacks and political instability. While Brits were by far the largest group, Germans were second with 4.9 million, followed by France with 4.5 million.

He added: “It is crazy that a flight has never been put on from Gibraltar or Malaga to Malta before now.” The petition titled ‘Schedule direct flights from Malaga and/or Gibraltar to Malta’ is addressed to Norwegian Air. It is also being actively directed at other low-cost airlines including Ryanair, Vueling and Transavia. Visit: www.change. org/p/norwegian-airplease-schedule-directflights-from-malagaand-or-gibraltar-tomalta-and-back

JUMP: Tourist surge

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Lord on the Rock FORMER leader of the UK Liberal Democrats, Paddy Ashdown, will speak at the Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival.

Passport control A CAMPAIGN has been launched by the Foreign Office to make people ‘passport aware’ after 21,000 British passports were lost or stolen last year.

Lighting up TOBACCO sales in Malaga and Cadiz have increased by 7% thanks to improved measures against smuggling.

Driving plan THE government is aiming to publish its Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan before Christmas to outline ways to improve congestion.

FURY: Rabbi Hassid

By Joe Duggan CONTROVERSY surrounds a decision to bring gay marriage one step closer to the Rock. Religious leaders are expected to widely slam the plan that will finally permit same sex marriages to take place. Last night, Chief Rabbi Ron Hassid described the decision to move forwards as an ‘aberration’. “This makes a statement that this is normal behaviour,” the holy man told the Olive Press. “By doing this they are undoing thousands of years of civilization. “I think we are walking on dangerous ground when a government has the power to do this. Who gives them the right? This is to do with morality. They have gone too far.” Church of England Dean John

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Wedding crushers! Anger as government finally agrees to allow gay marriage

Paddock insisted there was ‘nothing to add’ to the church’s official position. However, he added: “There is a view of marriage, which you only have to read the Holy book to see”. Earlier this year, all the Rock’s religious leaders issued a joint letter refusing to support the move. However, the decision announced this week, was well

RAINBOW: On castle received by the LGBT community. “It’s a great step forward for equality,” insisted one gay gov-

Iphone sicko jailed A PERVERT has been sentenced to six months in prison for filming underage girls at Catalan Bay. Martin Luke Darnbrook, 29, was caught recording a 12-year-old child and another underage girl on his iphone. When arrested, police found a total of 22 videos of beachgo-

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ers on his mobile phone. Darnbrook (above), who has been on remand since the incident in May, admitted to the offences. The La Linea resident has since sent letters of apology to the families of the children and the community of Gibraltar in general.

ernment employee, who asked to remain anonymous. Felix Alvarez of the Equality Rights Group added: “Parliament will now finally address the notion that the equal application of the law to all citizens is an inviolable and necessary principle of our society,” he said. The government’s bill launched on Monday - will amend the Civil Marriage Act to include marriage between two people of the same sex. While it has yet to be debated and voted on in Parliament, it is expected to receive cross-party support. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the ‘response and engagement on this issue has been remarkable’. However, he added: “I wish to make it clear that this relates to civil marriage and not to the sacrament of Holy Matrimony or the rites of marriage in any religion.” It is expected the bill will be debated in parliament after the six-week publication period has passed. It is likely to become law later this year. A public consultation on the subject attracted more than 3,400 people.

Admiring Nelson THE bosses of the Lord Nelson pub have been lauded for teaching staff how to deal with children with learning difficulties. Mother-of-two Laura JayneReyes praised staff at the Casemates pub after her five-yearold son Pernod ‘was on the brink of a breakdown’ during a live concert. It comes just a fortnight after a Gibraltarian family were booted out of a hotel in the UK, as reported in the Olive Press. W e l s h national Jayne-Reyes said the ‘awareness shown by members of staff was incredible’. “I cannot praise the PRAISE: staff enough,” Mum’s joy Jayne-Reyes, 32, told the Olive Press. “I was with my mother and my two sons, when Pernod became agitated as he wanted to watch the band play one more song. “I explained the situation to the bar staff and even though it was a busy Friday night, they let us stay until Pernod had calmed down.” She added: “In my opinion, Gibraltar is much more understanding of children with learning difficulties than in the UK.” When contacted by the Olive Press, staff at the Lord Nelson confirmed that they had been taught how to deal with situations involving autistic children.

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P O LI T I C S

August 17th - August 30th 2016

PM’s broken promise CLOSING IN: Rajoy

Catalan leader slams Rajoy THE leader of Catalan Socialist party the PSC has ruled out doing a deal with acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. Miquel Iceta broke his silence after the Socialist PSOE refused to do a deal with the PP to form a new government. Ciudadanos have offered the PP a six-point plan in exchange for its support, with the two parties combined seats totalling 168, just short of an overall majority of 176. But Iceta, whose party hold 16 seats, has indicated the PSC would back a different PP candidate. Iceta said: “There are many possibilities that can be explored. Other PP candidates, candidates from other parties or independent candidates.”

A MILLION British expats are set to lose out after David Cameron’s pledge to extend voting rights was scrapped. Under the former Prime Minister’s plan, expats living in Spain and elsewhere for more than 15 years would be granted a vote in UK general elections. The current law blocks expats who have been living abroad for more than 15 years from voting in the UK. But it is believed Whitehall has scrapped the plans as electoral registers are only kept for 15 years.

Expats’ voting rights to be blocked by Whitehall ruling Last month, the Olive Press launched a campaign demanding better dual nationality for expats in Spain who have no political representation. Expat campaigner Brian Cave told the Olive Press: “Very large numbers of British citizens resident in the other EU States are worried and at worst profoundly fearful for

Brexit board

their future. “The story suggests it is the Civil Service which has come up with this ‘too difficult’ argument. “We are not governed by the Civil service are we?” He added: “The French and the Italian expats have politicians who represent them why not Britain? “As I have been saying for years, a key issue facing expats is a lack of communication between them and politicians. The heart of our cause is to get a voice in Parliament.” Cameron’s proposed change to the law, which was included in the 2015 Queen’s Speech, would have seen expats given a vote in the last British constituency they lived in. Brits who have been living in Spain for more than 15 years are hit twice as they cannot vote in the Spanish general election either.

Brit MP arrested in Spain

LABOUR’S disgraced MP Simon Danczuk has been arrested in Spain over an alleged domestic incident involving his estranged wife Karen. The Rochdale MP – who was suspended earlier this year for exchanging sexually explicit text messages with a 17-year-old – spent a night in the cells after being arrested at an apartment in Algorfa, Alicante. His estranged wife Karen, AKA ‘selfie Queen’, was reportedly treated at a hospital for minor cuts and bruises. Danczuk appeared before court, however he walked free after KarDISGRACED: Danczuk with estranged wife en refused to press charges.

A POST-BREXIT committee is to be formed on Gibraltar to help negotiate Britain’s tricky exit from the EU. The cross-party committee will be made up of four members nominated by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and two members selected by opposition leader Daniel Feetham and Independent Member of Parliament Marlene Hassan Nahon. The Select Committee on the EU is being set up to determine the ‘impact of a potential withdrawal from the European Union, and Gibraltar’s future relationship with the EU’. The Committee will also be in direct contact with the British government and will be ‘fully involved in the formulation of the United Kingdom’s policy on Brexit’. It comes as UK ministers warned that Britain could remain in the EU until late 2019, almost a year later than originally predicted.

Town’s rock

ANY decision Spain makes in respect of Gibraltar needs to factor in La Linea, mayor Juan Franco has said. In a TV appearance, he added that the border town’s economy depends entirely on the Rock’s, highlighting that over 10,000 people live and work there. According to Juan Franco, the town simply cannot afford measures that restrict the free movement of people and goods across the Gibraltar frontier. “What we want, is for sense to prevail,” he said, “We want Spanish and UK governments to reach a position that is as beneficial as possible.”

A xa r q u i a

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Picture show DEPUTY mayor of Torre del Mar Jesus Perez Atencia has presented a new photography exposition showcasing photos and facts that reveal the history of Torre del Mar.

Cleaning up NERJA businesses have called for emergency disinfection of its drains due to a growing rat and cockroach problem.

Got his goat GUARDIA Civil officers arrested a suspected Ibex hunter in Alcaucin as part of a larger operation against poachers in the Sierras de Tejeda and Almijara, which stretches from Nerja to Fornes.

Dog days A STRIP of beach near Mortero in Torre del Mar is now reserved for dogs making it the fourth dog beach in Malaga.

August 17th - August 30th 2016

open night at the museum

VELEZ-MALAGA is throwing open the doors to its theatres, cinemas and museums for an open night on August 26. The Axarquia town is offering free entrance to its cultural attractions for residents and visitors from 7pm onwards. Indian-flavoured flamenco from Bombay Axarquia, as well as performances from the Stella Marris choir and woodwind

group Nawar will provide musical entertainment on the night. “The historical, monumental and folk heritage of Velez-Malaga is extensive and worth visiting,” said tourism minister Juan Penas. “There aren’t only beaches in the Axarquía. It has a beautiful interior which offers many possibilities.”

PP slams ‘deceit’ over €1.5m funds NERJA’S PP party has furiously denied owing the Junta €1.5 million for a health centre that was never built. Last year, Andalucia’s High Court ruled the right-wing political party should repay €1.2 million plus more than €300,000 in interest. But the PP this week accused Nerja’s PSOE mayor Rosa Arrabal of ‘deceiving Nerja residents and hiding the truth’ by again de-

Nerja politicians at war over health centre money

manding it repays the money, which it received while in power in 2008. A PP spokesman said: “Nerja Town Hall doesn’t have to repay any funds to

SPARRING: Rosa Arrabal (PSOE)

the Junta as the money was repaid from 2008 to 2009. “The €1.2 million received

Shade in the rainbow TORROX Town Hall has installed over 600 colorful umbrellas in the Plaza de la Constitución to beat the heat and attract tourists for the second year in a row. This year umbrellas have also been placed in Plaza de San Antonio.

KEEPING COOL: In Torrox

by the Town Hall for the health centre was repaid in full to the Junta between 2008 and 2009.” Arrabal, who became Nerja’s first PSOE mayor in 20 years last June, claims the PP knew that land where the health centre was to be situated was not fit to build on. “The non-repayment of these funds was one of many surprises we have discovered in our first year in charge,” Arrabal said.

PARCHED: Axarquia

Drying up THE Axarquia economy is under serious threat from a lack of rainfall. According to local farmers, water levels have reached a record low, leading to clashes with the authorities which are seeking to limit water use. Measures to resolve the water woes have included using recycled water and improving infrastructure, but they have done little to help the area, which is renowned for growing avocados, mangos and olives. Almuñecar’s mayor Trinidad Herrera Lorente has said the Rio Verde will soon ‘die of thirst’, and has slammed emergency measures promised by the Junta for taking too long to arrive. The Junta is now considering constructing dams in the Chillar, Algorrobo and Torrox rivers.

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14 BRAVE: Firefighter tackles blaze

G reen

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Fire in the north WILDFIRES have decimated some 1,200 hectares of forest in the north of Spain. The equivalent of nearly 2,000 football pitches have now been affected by fires in Galicia which continue to burn. Strong 100km/ per hour winds are fanning the flames and could pose a threat to nearby residential area Faro de Vigo. The region typically faces summer wildfires with almost 12,000 hectares of forest affected last year.

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Model behaviour Claudia Schiffer and neighbour at loggerheads over chopped down pine trees

GERMAN supermodel Claudia Schiffer has been summoned by a Spanish court for allegedly chopping down her neighbour’s trees in Mallorca. Willi Weber, the former manager of F1 racing driver Michael Schumacher, is said to be suing Schiffer and her British husband, film producer Matthew Vaughn, after discovering the trees had

SUMMONED: Model Claudia has been summoned to court

been removed. Weber claims a gardener acting on Schiffer’s orders

Different strokes BATHERS now have a safer way to swim in the water on Spain’s Costa Brava and Costa Barcelona. Vies Braves is a simple solution to the problem of swimming in busy seas. A series of lanes from 500 metres to 2 km long in the water off the Catalonian coast are buoyed off from boats so that people can explore the coast safely, swimming from beach to beach. There are signs at the start and end of each lane with a map of the area, distance and estimated time, any hazards or currents, and return land routes for those who want to swim just one way or walk along. So far there are 25 routes and more than 25 km of buoyed lanes from Sitges to Portbou on the French border. Vies Braves can be explored on organised trips tailored to a group, joining sessions with swim guides or by going alone.

cut the pine trees from his land on July 6 last year. He says a specialist trespassed on his land after ignoring a warning to leave the trees alone and took them away with him after using a chainsaw to cut them down. Schiffer’s gardener reportedly told a judge that he got a specialist to do the job after Schiffer told him to cut down the trees. While giving evidence, the specialist is said to have admitted chopping them down `after Schiffer’s husband pointed them out to him from a distance.´ Weber has said he plans to build a high wall between his home and his neighbour’s and bill them for the cost after what happened. “Otherwise I will plant so many trees that they can only smell the sea,” he said.

Soaring high SPAIN’S Iberian Imperial Eagle’s population numbers have soared after being on the brink of extinction. The results are thanks to the Donana National Park in Sevilla, where the birth of 15 chicks alone this season have contributed to the historic boom. “It's been a milestone,” says Carlos Dávila, a biologist and technician with the Spanish NGO BirdLife. “We have recovered the numbers we had in the 1980s. It's a triumph.”

DAZZLING: Meteors

Case of seeing stars SKIES have been ablaze with shooting stars thanks to the Perseid meteor shower. The shower will continue until the end of August with this year’s shower particularly visible. NASA meteor expert Bill Cooke said: “This year, instead of seeing about 80 Perseids per hour, the rate could top 150 and even approach 200 meteors per hour," meaning that there is a better chance of seeing a meteorite. The best time for viewing is from 11pm to 4:30am at a location like the beach or the mountains, far away from light pollution. Once you have settled in at your observation spot, face half-way up toward the northeastern portion of the sky. Since the shooting stars are visible to the naked eye, there is no need for binoculars or a telescope which can actually limit your field of vision. Shooting stars or falling stars are streaks of light caused by tiny bits of dust and rock called meteoroids falling into the Earth’s atmosphere and burning up. The Perseid occurs when Earth crosses the orbital path of the Comet SwiftTuttle. In Spain the phenomenon is known as Lágrimas de San Lorenzo (tears of St Lawrence) because the best viewing nights often fall around the August 10 feast day of the Spanish saint.

ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 62.13% Same week last year: 62.27% Same week in 2006: 59.87%

LE TT E R S

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Get rid

JAN BRINKMAN guy has left a trail of scams in the Netherlands, as bankruptcy fraud, forgery and various rogue webbased business for which he is already convicted and still wanted for (Costa del Sol links with dutch crime family, Issue 245). Thanks Olive Press for shining a light on his crimes, it is time that he be lifted from his bed and spend the next sixty years in jail. This is the only remedy to be rid of him. Dutch expat (anonymous), Marbella

Bless you

TO the Spanish couple who faced abuse from an unkind lout not everybody wishes EU citizens to go home (Tale of two cities, Issue 245). From someone who lives in the sticks I have never understood the lure of London but each to their own and to you God bless you and I hope you stay for as long as you want in the city you love. Susan Oak, Malaga

Good news

THIS is good news and my thanks goes to those who worked tirelessly to get it through (30,000 homes in Andalucia made legal in urban planning law change, online). My understanding is that this particular law change applies to properties built on segregated land – these are the people who were in immediate danger of having their houses demolished and they must be very relieved. There is still some way to go on this with more law changes needed to cover thousands of other so called illegal properties in the region. Beth Cross, Almeria

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Brexit battle goes on Never surrender GIBRALTARIANS will never, ever surrender sovereignty to Spain so get used to the idea because it will never happen, neither now or in the future (Back off, issue 245). Spain seems to conveniently overlook the fact that Gibraltar is an incredibly successful place with full employment and 10,000 Spaniards cross the border everyday to work there – small matter of. There are benefits on both sides of the border with increased economic activity and tourism in La Linea so suck it up. Judy Smith, Sotogrande

Ugly side WHATEVER point of view you might have about Brexit, it certainly seems divisive and has brought out the ugly side of human nature i.e. jealousy, bitterness and in some cases, downright hatred. You only have to look at the comments section on any article in the UK press about expats in Spain to see that many people are actually revelling in the misfortunes of others brought about made in a recent Olive Press article by one resident have made us feel unfairly pigeon-holed (One stop paradise, issue 245). All my family have tattoos and enjoy tattoo conventions also but apparently Sotogrande ‘doesn’t attract the tattoo brigade’ and instead ‘attracts well behaved people’! I can assure you that me nor any of my family and friends who have tattoos are trouble makers. We abide by the rules the law and pay are taxes like everyone else!

Tattoo talk

by Brexit. It doesn’t matter how long ago a person left the UK, if they paid into the system and clocked up the right number of years, they are entitled to a UK state pension, end of. Jane Goodall Estepona

Europat and proud SO why not take Spanish citizenship? Well, why should I? I’m European (Citizen Spain, issue 245). What would be much more useful to me would be an internal European Passport – a European I.D. that would keep me safe from the piffling British jingoist politicians. Similarly, while Giles Tremlett is right to call for national MPs to care for the British diaspora (the French parliament has several), we should take this further and look for MEPs in Brussels to represent that same 20 million collective – the Second Class Europeans. Frankly, I don’t see myself as an ex-pat: I’m a Europat. Lenox Napier, Albox

Flawed fad THE latest beach craze appears to be the lay bag - an inflatable sack which (if the video is to be believed) goes up with a flick of the wrist. In reality catching air between the two tubes of the lay bag is near-on impossible. The only time I’ve nearly succeeded in getting it up was in Tarifa, where the wind was blowing a gale. Nice idea, marketed well but in reality it is impossible to use. Ben Godden, Estepona

Mrs Newsam, Sotogrande

I LIVE with my husband in Sotogrande and have done for years. We have always felt welcomed. However, comments

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

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6 gold medals were won by British athletes in one night, making it Britain’s best Olympic day since 1908.

43%

of Spaniards said beer was their favourite drink in the summer.

million international travelers, a record number, visited Spain last year, making Spain the third top destination in the world.

90%

of Spaniards prefer to stay local during the summer holidays, according to the Spanish Holiday Habits survey.

500

complaints have been made by Barcelona residents on a website set up to report apartments being rented out illegally by websites like Airbnb and Homeaway.

6,000 Bears (large and hairy

gay men) are expected at the 10th Madbear Beach Festival in Torremolinos.

8,492 parking spots will be

available at the main fairground for the Malaga feria.

15,000

Spaniards are expected to head to France this year to take part in the grape harvest according to labor unions.

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Number crunching

Calle Burgos 3 952 917 164 FUENGIROLA

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Download our app now andYOUTH is a busy man. The multi-million selling music probegin enjoying the best Spanish ducer is putting the finishing news on the go. touches to three albums when the Olive Press calls his London studio. But the musical maverick who has produced records by Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, The Verve and Kate Bush - to name a few - has still got time for Spain’s only English-language investigative newspaper. The Olive Press “I’m a big fan of the Olive Press,” A SPANISH short film has he says in a laconic drawl. “I’ve been nominated for news a prestifollowed it for years. I always TOP for in Spain! gious LGBT award in the UK. read it when I’m in Spain.” Letargo, directed by Xavier Currently, it’s a new Spanish Miralles, follows the story of a enterprise that is consuming separated gay couple who are his time. forced back together when the Next month, Youth - AKA Mardog they bought is rushed to tin Glover - launches the Pura vet and placed in a critical etone Resonate Festival with a condition. special gathering ahead of the The film has been nominated festival in 2017. for the International LGBT His legendary Space Mountain Short Film Prize, which, sup- studio, on the slopes of Granaported by The Michael Bishop da’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Foundation, awards the win- Ambient artists like The Orb, ner €35,000 . Roger Eno, Jah Wobble and The awards take place at the Coldcut’s Matt Black will be annual Iris Prize Festival in bringing blissed-out vibes to Cardiff in October. campers over three nights.

LEGENDARY: Youth (right) and Space Mountain studios in Granada’-s Sierra Nevada mountains

In line for LGBT award

Built in a 60-acre olive grove, the eight-bedroom Space Mountain - complete with a Hobbit-themed wing - is a stunning setting. “The local mayor and friends have encouraged me,” he says. “They are very interested in bringing artists to the area so I decided to open up it up. “This year will be more like a launch party for around 1,500 people. But I want to open it up next year along the whole valley.” Youth’s music career has seen him run the full gamut of musical genres. He’s invented a few, too. Starting as bassist in cult

Calais sessions

A POPULAR orchestra has choMIGRANTS in Calais have released an alsen to end its world tour in bum. Spain. With the help of 200 volunteers from Spain The West-Eastern Divan Orchesand the UK, The Calais Sessions was recordtra and its conductor, Maestro ed in the Calais ‘jungle’ camp. Daniel Barenboim, will play The 13-track record is said to contain mutheir only Spanish concert in Sesic with influences ranging from the Middle villa on August 18. East to the Balkans, and to Spain, and is perTheir performance of Mozart’s formed mostly by amateurs. Symphonies No. 39, No. 40 and It is available on Bandcamp for €11 for a digiNo. 41, organised by the Barental download and €17 for a CD. boim-Said Foundation, is at the Around €4,600 has been raised to benefit Teatro la Maestranza 9pm. refugees Olive Pressde Advert – Gaston:Layout at 1 08/07/2016 13:27 Pageand 1 Citizen UK, a British charity.

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August 17th- August 30th 2016

Youthful vision

Legendary music producer Youth opens up his stunning Granada studio for an ambient festival. Joe Duggan hears why

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post-punk band Killing Joke, he joined ambient-techno pioneers The Orb. As a producer, international awards and accolades have piled up like the snows of a Sierra Nevada winter. A film about his career hits cinemas later this year. He has sold 20 million records. But this son of the British counter culture is fully wired in to Granada’s rich musical traditions. “The musical heritage there is so strong. It is a big part of why I am there. I’m a huge fan of Camaron de la Isla, Paco de Lucia, Morente,” he said.

what’s on

alaga, August 13-20

Malaga feria’s intense week of music, dancing, partying and fun begins on August 13 with daytime activities in the city’s historic quarter and night events at the Real Cortijo de Torres

uengirola, Ongoing

The now-famous Fuengirola Beer Festival inspired by Munich’s Oktoberfest runs until August 31 at Sohail Castle

“I take artists into Granada to see flamenco and they get inspired.” Space Mountain was born out of Youth’s frequent visits to Granada in the late 80s, where he befriended Keith Webb, a former session drummer with Jimi Hendrix and Donovan. “I bought the land to build a studio there in 1998 as I couldn’t face more basement studios in London,” he said. “It was the beginning of the end for big studios in London, but I still needed a facility. “But these mountains bring out a different kind of vibe. That epic sublime nature - it resonates with your emotional geography.”

lmáchar, tember 3

Sep-

The Ajoblanco festival is the most famous in Almáchar with thousands coming to get a free taste of the traditional dish

arratraca, September 9-11 The al-Andalus En-

chantment festival in Carratraca revisits the town’s Moorish past with the marketplace converted into a medieval market with cultural activities

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The Olive Press Insider’s Guide

www.allaboutandalucia.com

la cultura

All white on the night ONE of the biggest beach parties of the summer is set to light up the Costa del Sol. Manilva residents are ready to turn white as the annual La Luna Llena (full moon) festival draws ever closer. While live music and pop-up bars will go in along the paseo, this year’s full moon party will be missing the traditional Chinese Sky Lanterns. The lanterns were deemed a fire hazard by the town hall and banned.

Art attack

There is a whole new way to discover Andalucia @allaboutandalucia @aboutandalucia @allaboutandalucia All about Andalucia

August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

AN exhibition of 10 local and expat artists is on display in Estepona. Works by eight Spanish artists as well as British expat Louise Gale and Danish creative Mette Nissen are currently being showcased at New Longman’s. The collection features everything from paintings to ceramics and watercolours and runs until September 8.

Queen Marta MARTA SANCHEZ, “The Queen of Spanish Pop,” automatically became the queen of the Malaga feria as the headliner. With a 23-year career the Galician songstress is best known for Latin pop but occasionally releases songs in English.

FIESTA: Full-moon festival in Manilva minus the lanterns

Almodovar and Julieta

Top Spanish director takes latest film global

LEGENDARY Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar is showcasing his latest blockbuster around the world. Premiering in London last week, Almodovar’s latest film Julieta hit Spain’s big screens in April. It is the first time the film has been shown abroad, and a showing in New York is scheduled for later this month. Adapted from several of Canadian author Alice Munro’s short stories, Almodovar claims to have

FAR-REACHING: Almodovar’s film screens internationally

changed his style in order to match the ‘pain of the story’.

“I used to make a lot of melodramas, I mean dramas with a lot of humour, music and strange situations,” the Oscar-winning director said. “But in this case, there is so much pain in this story that I wanted to make it in a more softer way. “It was something new for me and it’s related more with a dark drama than with melodrama.” The plot follows a single mother drifting into depression as she searches for her missing daughter and discovers much about her traumatic past is not what it seems.

Democracy

DISCOVERED: Cave drawings

Ancient art TUCKED away in a network of caves beneath a Caribbean island are inscriptions in Spanish that reveal a peculiar collision of religions. Scientists from Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom recently announced that carved into the limestone rock in the Mona island caverns are religious motifs depicting the spiritual beliefs of the native islanders alongside Christianity, as practised by 16th century Spaniards. In 2013, researchers found a mix of native anthropomorphic swirls going back to the 12th century as well as newer stylised crosses and Latin and Spanish inscriptions. The location of the Christian markings alongside, but not covering, the native ones is thought to indicate the colonists had respect for the native population, contrasting the popularly held belief that they treated them like savages.

Debuting his 20th film, Almovodar looked back on his own career, saying he ‘had dreamed of being a director’ since childhood. He also claimed that his country’s diverse culture and rich history was ‘at the heart’ of his work. “In the 80s I was starting out, and also the country was starting in a new period - it was the moment when the Spanish democracy birth again,” he said. “It was a decade full of passion, full of freedom and it was a big explosion, it was a unique moment in the history of my country.” The film opens in cinemas across the UK on August 26 and hits the United States on December 21.

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August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

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Resurrecting Lorca

EDERICO GARCIA LORCA is one of the most important Spanish poets of the 20th century. Much of his work was infused with flamenco and gypsy culture and revived the tradition of Spanish folklore. His travelling theatre company, La Barraca, which toured impoverished rural Spain sought to bring plays to people who had never been inside a theatre. The experience transformed Lorca into a passionate advocate of social action, questioning comfortable conventions and taboos, a socialist stance that put him in grave danger from the outset of the Spanish Civil War. Specifically in Granada, tensions between Right and Left that characterised the political situation throughout Spain were heightened by a rigid class divide. Brought up among the right-wing propertied elite, the poet held Leftist political views, declaring himself on the ‘side of those who have nothing’. Perhaps unsuprisingly, Lorca did not survive to see more than the first few weeks of the conflict. It is thought that he was shot dead by Nationalist militia on August 19, 1936. His books were soon banned in Granada

As the 80th anniversary of the poet’s death sees another attempt to locate his remains next month, Ana DeJesus digs up 20 fast facts about the revered Spanish author

and then from Franco’s Spain but the war played a prominent role in the canonisation of the poet as one of the epoch’s most prominent martyrs. He became a symbol of a progressive culture cut down by Franco’s illegitimate coup but to this day, no one knows where his body lies. In October 2009, at the request of another victim’s family, archaeologists began excavations outside the city of Alfacar at a site flagged by a man who claimed to have helped dig Lorca’s grave. The poet is thought to be buried with teacher Dioscoro Galindo and the anarchists Francisco Galadi and Joaquin Arcollas. Eventually, Lorca’s family also gave their permission to exhume the remains but a two-week dig produced zero evidence of bones or bullet shells and it was determined that the soil was too shallow for a grave.

Now Alfacar town hall has approved a permit requested by the organisation Regreso con Honor to resume excavations started in 2014 by Miguel Caballero, author of The Last 13 Hours of García Lorca, and the archaeologist Javier Navarro. Both men believe they were 20 metres away from discovering Lorca’s final resting place when, of all things, snow in Andalucia forced the Junta to reclaim the team’s only excavator. The transformation of the land from military training camp to motocross track (and almost into a football field before Lorca’s sister Isabel intervened) may have been the reason for their previous failed attempts. With money raised through crowdfunding and individual donations, the team will begin the dig on the Peñon de Colorado in late September and should be ready to publish their findings in October.

MARTYR: Legendary poet Lorca was assasinated by fascists

20 Fast Facts about famed Spanish POET 1

His return to Spain coincided with the fall of the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera and the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic.

Lorca was born on June 5, 1898 in Fuente Vaqueros, a small town a few miles from Granada.

His father owned a farm in the fertile vega surrounding Granada and a comfortable villa in the heart of the city. His mother was a teacher and talented pianist.

In 1931, Lorca was appointed director of a student theatre company, Teatro Universitario La Barraca, charged with touring rural Spain.

While touring with La Barraca, Lorca wrote his now best-known plays: the Rural Trilogy of Blood Wedding, Yerma and The House of Bernarda Alba.

The family’s best-known residence in Granada is the summer home known as the Huerta de San Vicente, on the outskirts of the city. For the rest of his life, Lorca maintained the importance of living close to the natural world, praising his upbringing in the country.

His work challenged the accepted role of women in society and explored taboo issues of homoeroticism, sexual desire and class.

Lorca wrote little poetry in this last period of his life, declaring in 1936, ‘Theatre is poetry that rises from the book and becomes human enough to talk and shout, weep and despair’.

collections, Canciones (Songs) and Romancero Gitano (Gypsy Ballads), in 1928 to great acclaim. The collections are a highly stylised imitation inspired by the ballads and poems that were still being told in the Spanish countryside.

He published his first book, Impresiones y Viajes, in 1919, printed at his father’s expense.

Lorca went to Madrid in 1919 where he entered the Residencia de Estudiantes and befriended Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dali.

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In 1927, Lorca gained fame with his romantic historical play Marina Pineda, with scenery constructed by Salvador Dali. He published his best-known poetry

Lorca was passionately involved with Dali. But the surrealist rejected the poet’s advances and became estranged from him after the success of Gypsy Ballads.

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Lorca felt torn between his public persona of successful author and his authentic homosexual self, and suffered from depression.

He took a trip to New York and Cuba from 1929 to 1930.

The poet lived in the Huerta de San Vicente, now a museum, in the days leading up to his arrest and assassination in August 1936, aged 38. Although his drawings don't often receive attention, Lorca was also a talented artist. The year 1953 saw Franco authorise publication of Lorca’s Complete Works, although heavily censored and contained in a costly, leatherbound volume.

Only after Franco's death could Lorca's life and death be openly discussed in Spain. This was due to political censorship and the family’s reluctance to publish unfinished works before an uncensored, critical edition of his poems and plays.

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Walking the planks As the marathon to link 14 Costa del Sol resorts with the longest beach boardwalk in Spain passes the halfway stage, Lance Rutkin jogs through the need-to-knows

ICE has its Promenade des Anglais, California has Venice Beach and southern Spain will soon have its own marathon walkway running the length of the Costa del Sol. Providing a bracing non-stop coastal stroll, bike ride or jog from Nerja’s Balcony of Europe to the sands of Manilva, it will make Atlantic City – allegedly the world’s longest boardwalk at 7km – look like a dander in the park. When completed, La Senda Litoral will stretch for a heart-racing 160 km, putting the coast into the Olympic Champions League for fitness challenges. Over 65% of the ambitious project is now in place with fresh air fiends already walking the planks. The aim is to connect the whole of the coast, from Axarquia to Castilla de la Duquesa in Manilva with a scenic footpath. A Malaga province initiative in conjunction with the Junta and the 14 municipalities it connects, one of La Senda Litoral’s greatest transformation can be seen in Mijas, where just under 5km of work has been completed since the beginning of the project in 2014. And the biggest change is the 3km strip linking the rocky shoreline from La Cala via Playa del Bombo to Riviera del Sol. In the evening when the coastal ridge shields the beach from the sun, sporty sorts can jog, while dog owners can stroll in shade and families have far easier access to the sands and rock pools beyond the rugged coast. Nothing says summer like the feel of sand and wooden decking beneath your feet while in winter it’s a great vantage point for watching the turbulent waves battering the rocks below. The varnished wood structure rises and falls as the terrain demands, providing a smooth and seamless experience. Retiree and 10-year La Cala resident John Steadman delights in the refreshing and healthy change of lifestyle the walkway now offers him. “This is what I imagined when I moved to Spain: a glass of wine and a nice walk on the beach,” he enthused. “You can’t top walking on the boardwalk with the breeze in your hair and the sound of the waves crashing beneath you. “I’m really excited for when the walk will go up to Fuengirola. It’s just a pity so

many take along their dogs, even though I do like canines,” he added. And as well as a health boost for the local population, the Senda Litoral is already proving a commercial success. Many beach bars now open earlier and close later, with British holidaymaker Irene Muralla, from Windsor, admitting her regular visits to La Cala have been boosted by the boardwalk. “I enjoy a lunchtime sardine snacky with family, and in the evening I just love walking and choosing a chiringuito for a wine,” she said. “Now so many different beach-side outlets are easy to reach.” One study by Costa del Sol Tourism estimates that the new boardwalk will create 400 jobs and give the area a €40m economic boost when completed. But despite this mammoth financial incentive, La Senda Litoral still has a long way to go with some 64 kilometres to complete before it reaches the finishing post. And a quick study of the facts and figures shows that the work has not exactly been a race against time. According to figures obtained by the Olive Press from Malaga’s provincial government, while 28% of the walkway is at some stage of construction, another 10% remains completely unplanned. And although 96 km is traversable today, most of it (around 84 km) was walkable promenade before the project began, such as Estepona’s beachfront strip running from the port to Buena Vida. Do the maths and you discover that, since 2014, the amount of completed work stands at a paltry 12 km. However only four municipalities still have sections completely devoid of planning with Marbella having the greatest amount of work to do, followed by Mijas, Estepona and Malaga. Malaga Town Hall had no information on future progress and the other three municipalities did not respond to requests for comment. But with a further 44 kms not too far off completion, it’s still a mega attraction worthy of Guinness World Record book status and already focusing the attention of the sporting and holidaymaking worlds. Could we see Olympic athletes coming to the c0osta to brush up for the 2020 Games in Tokyo? Watch this space!

Manilva Total coastline: 9.3 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 55%

Casares Total coastline: 2.2 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 31%

Estepona Total coastline: 22.9 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 48% (6% unplanned)

la cult

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Mija

Total co 12.1 km Percent o way to b pleted: 54 unplanned

ltura

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August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th- August 30th 2016

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Nerja

Malaga

Total coastline: 5.2 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 69%

Total coastline: 19km Percent of walkway to be completed: 21% (5% unplanned)

oastline:

of walkbe com4% (43% d)

Algarrobo Total coastline: 1.5 km Walkway complete

Rincon de la Victoria Total coastline: 9.5 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 2%

Torrox

Torremolinos

Total coastline: 4.4 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 32%

Total coastline: 6.1 km Walkway complete

Fuengirola Total coastline: 7.1 km Percent of walkway to be completed: >99% (20m left to build)

Marbella Total coastline: 26.8 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 50% (31% unplanned)

Benalmadena Total coastline: 9.5 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 9%

Velez-Malaga Total coastline: 19.5 km Percent of walkway to be completed: 66%

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August 17th - August 30th 2016

“Just when you think things are about to get better…”

- Quentin Sellar / International Financial Adviser Costa del Sol Retired People The drop in interest rates had an immediate impact on the GBP/Euro exchange rate and we are likely to see more volatility in rates over the coming months. This obviously affects your income if your pensions are paid in GBP. It will also have a double impact if you draw an income from savings accounts in the UK to supplement your pension income. Lower growth and less for your pound when you convert into euros. How much of a negative impact will this have on your lifestyle? We do have additional options for you that, depending on your personal situation, could have a more tax effective and better growth rate than you are currently getting. Six weeks ago there was a vote on whether the UK would stay in the European Union and the majority of voters decided they wanted to leave. Total confusion arose in the following days. David Cameron resigned from his role, along with some others who had promoted the leave vote. Sterling dropped in value and the markets plummeted. Then things settled down again for a few weeks. The markets recovered and as I write this article, the FTSE 100 in the UK has opened at its highest point since July 2015. So things are looking good aren’t they? Well that depends on who you are and where you live. Yesterday Mark Carney announced that the Bank of England were reducing the interest rate to 0.25%, along with some other initiatives to stimulate growth and protect the UK economy from a possible recession. There were also hints that the rate may even reduce to 0% in the coming months. So, if you have a tracker mortgage on a property in the UK then congratulations, however if you live overseas and are either working or retired then the situation is not quite as pleasant.

Employed People (or people not yet taking income from a pension) If you are working here and earning in euros then none of these changes will have an impact. However if you have a pension that is still in the UK then you should be worried, and I mean really worried about your future financial security. These are just a few of the headlines I have seen in the past week. “The unprecedented low rate means it is now the worst time ever to be making a retirement decision, explaining that for those looking to buy an annuity will be locked into super low returns for life” – Steven Cameron, Pensions director at Aegon “Measured deficits on company pension funds are already at record levels and further falls in interest rates are likely to make matters worse”. – Steve Webb, former Pensions Minister

existing Final Salary Pension Schemes, 4995 of them did not have sufficient funds to meet their future liabilities. This was at the end of June and the amount of the deficit was £383.6 Billion – up from £294.6 Billion the previous month. That was before yesterday’s decision by the Bank of England. The government are considering taking action to resolve this situation but it is unlikely to be to your benefit. In Katie Morley’s article she states that “millions of workers could be denied flexible access to their final salary pension pots if a radical shake-up to let companies ditch pension promises made to staff is passed by government.” Summary I know from talking to my clients that they are very concerned about their future financial security. Our advice over the past few weeks has been not to panic but to review their personal situation with us and see if any changes need to be made. However my message to any of you that are concerned is to contact me on the number below or by email and we can have a chat to see how we can help. Finally, if you have a final salary pension scheme and you haven’t started taking benefits remember, what you think you will get and what you may end up getting could be very, very different. It really is in your best interest to contact us and we can discuss your options on +34 679 018 284 or email quentin.sellar@blacktowerfm.com

“Pension Freedoms under threat for millions of final salary savers” – Katie Morley, Daily Telegraph The first statement is pretty clear – DON’T buy an annuity. To qualify the second quote, in the Pension Protection Fund PPF 7800 index of 5945

Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd is licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission Licence 00805B and with the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

Looking for peace of mind? • Expert wealth management • Effective tax planning • Tailored investments • International Pension Transfers • Private Banking • Discretionary Fund Management Contact the Marbella or Gibraltar Office: O T +34 952 816 443 | +350 200 42353 E info@blacktowerfm.com Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed by the Gibraltar FSC Licence 00805B and registered with the DGS in Spain. Blacktower Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

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Property

Away from home

Top British football referee eyes up Costa del Sol dwelling

How to tell if your property is legitimate

T last the Junta has passed legislation to bring an end to some of the nightmares engulfing owners of homes that have been found to be illegal. For a property to be legal, it must be built within the urban ‘envelope’ of a municipality as shown on their Town Plans and to comply with all the planning and construction regulations. Unfortunately, in the ‘Wild West’ boom period around the millennium tens of thousands of properties were built in Andalucia outside of these ‘nucleus’ areas. They became ‘graffiti’ on the hillsides and whilst giving the new owners views ‘to die for’ and privacy and remoteness, they also destroyed the environment for others, caused pollution and eventually gave the Junta a real headache when it belatedly woke up to the situation (and realised that there was tax and licence income being lost). They couldn’t just declare them legal as they weren’t and didn’t fit in with any of the planning requirements. Often too, as we have seen during our surveys, they can be really ramshackle and don’t meet many of the building regulations. They were built and bought naively by eventual occupiers because ‘everybody else was doing it’. Much of the locals’ attitude may have stemmed from previous times when

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Booming July predicted following ‘pause’ in run-up to EU referendum Special report by Iona

BOSSES: Cox and Wells

IN COME THE BIG BUCKS!

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

Where is Gillian buying?

Napier

ESTATE agents in Spain lining themselves up for and Gibraltar are the busiest July on record.

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

Spanish property sales

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

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by nationality and quarter

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

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Prime time REFEREE: Clattenburg and (below) his new tattoos

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

successful year. The ink shows the Champions League trophy on his wrist with the words ‘Final Milano 2016’ and the Euro 2016 logo on the inside of his bicep. Mick Mahon, who did the tattoo, wrote on her Facebook page: “It’s not every Sunday you get to tattoo the world’s top football referee… Mark Clattenburg back for more!”

Legal, Regular or Outlawed? planning was flouted and it was legalised by the payment of fines. However, many landowners, politicians, architects, lawyers and other ‘con men’ knew full well what was going on and made much money out of it. So semantics came to the Junta’s rescue and they can now ‘regularise’ these homes. However, they have to comply with a number of points, so many will still be illegal and possibly subject to fines or even demolition. 1. It must be at least six years old. Why six? I don’t know, but that’s what the regulation says. And is that at the start of construction or when they were first occupied and how is that proved? 2. It must be on the list of irregular constructions in a municipality that has submitted the list and had it approved by the Junta. Apparently as many as 60 of the 103 municipalities in Malaga province alone haven’t yet submitted their list. 3. It must not be in a specially protected area

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

August 17th - August 30th 2016

SPAIN has risen to the seventhmost popular country for Chinese private investors. The low prices in its still-recovering housing market have proved alluring to the East Asian counDownload our app now and try’s burgeoning middle classes. enjoying the best Spanish “Spain’sbegin appeal is growing rapidly among Chinese investors due news on the go. BRITAIN’S top referee Mark Clattenburg may to the good investment opporhave to start issuing as many postcards as reds tunities there,” says Jan Kot of Chinese property portal Juwai. and yellows. The most popular areas are reThe Champions League and Euro 2016 final portedly Barcelona, Madrid, Alireferee has been looking for a permanent holicante, Valencia, and Marbella. day home in Spain. Spain’s simple ‘golden visa Friends of the 41-year-old told the Olive Press system’, which awards anyhe was looking at properties in La Cala de Mione willing to invest more than and that he seemed keen to invest in a boltThe Olive Press jas, €500,000 immediate residency hole along the Costa del Sol. and access to the Schengen Area, While on holiday in Marbella, the ref also got is also TOP attracting invesfor Chinese news in Spain! two tattoos on his arm to commemorate his tors.

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PRIME real estate in Spain has been instrumental in local recoveries and is on the rise. A new report by Global Knight Frank has found that global luxury property sales have reached a two-year high. In Spain they increased by 2% in April year on year, with areas like Marbella and Madrid seeing an influx of foreign buyers. According to the report, Marbella has seen an increased interest from Middle Eastern buyers while in Madrid, where there has been a spike in Latin American interest, foreign buyers made up 30% of the sales.

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Buy, buy, buy! HOUSING sales in Spain increased by 19.4% year-onyear in June. The 36,856 units sold represents the largest figure since January 2013. According to the Spanish Statistical Office, housing sales have risen for five consecutive months on an inter-annual basis. The second-hand market mostly fuelled the rise, with a little help from the sale of new homes. The first half of 2016 has now seen the number of registered housing sales increase by 16.4% on last year.

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August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

Flat fanatics

Drones being used by authorities to catch illegal building works SOLD: Dublin hotel

Emerald in the crown

SPANISH hotel group Riu has bought Dublin’s Gresham Hotel for €92 million. The four-star, 323-bedroom hotel was on the market for €85m, but refurbishments and added costs pushed up the final price. Manager Luis Riu said: “We always search for cities that are attractive for business travellers, but also have the history, heritage, beauty and attractions that make it a fascinating tourism destination. And Dublin has all of these.” He added that the hotel group may look for a second property in Ireland once the Gresham sale is approved.

House spies THE treasury has deployed drones to catch tax cheats carrying out unregistered building work. The light aircraft are taking aerial photographs of properties across the country where building work has been carried out and not declared. This includes additions that would increase the value of a property and

SPAIN has the highest proportion of flat-dwellers in Europe and the lowest percentage of people living in houses. According to a new Eurostat report, two out of three Spaniards live in a flat while more than 80% of people in countries like Britain, Croatia, and Norway live in houses. However, unlike most Europeans living in flats, Spaniards tend to own theirs - 80% own while only 20% rent. Spanish people’s preference to live in a smaller space has WATCHING: Drones catch unregistered construction been linked to their outdoors lifestyle. In addition, Spain is a highly therefore the amount of liable tax, gan in 2014, has so far resulted in the urbanised society with a popusuch as extensions and swimming collection of an extra €1.25 billion. lation that tends to cluster pools. The highest number of fraudsters in certain areas despite the By not declaring such work, tax cheats were detected in Andalucia, where sprawling landscape. have been able to dodge a higher tax inspectors found 373,224 undeclared In exchange for the jobs and bill payable by all property owners in buildings. opportunities in cities, many Spain based on the perceived value of A new stage of the operation is now peoplre choose to sacrifice a the property. underway to survey 6,331 municipal large house for a cozy downtown flat. The treasury’s operation, which be- areas with drones.

Record tourist numbers and the ongoing recovery of the housing market look set to make this one of the best summers on record

The Property Insider

by Adam Neale

Sun still shining A

PLANNER: John Green celebrated for gated community

Expat honoured

A BRITISH developer has been awarded for masterminding one of the first gated-communities in Marbella. Pioneer property developer John Green, 84, has been named Chairman Emeritus of the Community of Proprietors in El Ancon Sierra, I,II,III. He developed the urbanisation on Marbella’s Golden Mile in the early 1980’s, where he was the first community president and still has a home. A commemorative plaque has now been installed thanking John for ‘his vision and talent in creating this exceptional residential estate’. El Ancon Sierra was one of the earliest gated communities in Marbella, with

full services unheard of at the time, including central gas, 24-hour security, an administration office with a secretary to look after owners’ needs, a heated pool, a clubhouse with a restaurant, and many other features. John - a property developer in London in the 1960s - came to Marbella in 1970 with his company City and Saint James. He first developed the well-known El Ancon project of 12 villas on the Marbella beach, east of the Oasis Club, followed by the El Ancon Sierra project whose first phase was finished in 1983 when the clubhouse was inaugurated by Princess Michael of Kent.

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T the end of last month, the National Statistics Institute of Spain released some very positive tourism figures for June, officially the first month of the summer, building upon the successes of the first semester of 2016. Across Andalucia, hotel occupancy rates (up 4.7%), nights sold (7.5% higher), and, most important of all for the local economy, the number of people employed in the region by the tourism industry (40,000, a 6.7% increase over 2015) saw significant rises compared to the previous summer. From January to the end of June, Andalucia welcomed close to 8.4 million visitors, 9.2% more than in the same period of 2015, and sold 22.7 million hotel nights, an 11% jump. The Costa del Sol led the way in June, with 2,047,650 tourists spending at least a night in one of its many destinations. More than 75% of total visitors were from overseas. After posting a 79% hotel occupancy rate in July, the Hotel Owners' Association of the Costa del Sol (AEHCOS) is now forecasting 85% for the month of August and 75% in September for the whole of Malaga province, with demand on or close to the beach expected to be even higher. Many tourists this year are reportedly firsttime visitors, who are choosing the Costa del Sol as a safe spot to enjoy the summer sun, compared to other destinations like Egypt, Tunisia, or Turkey. Meanwhile, the Costa del Sol's property market continues to consolidate its recovery, with prime locations like Marbella

and Estepona leading the way over the last couple of years. According to Aguirre Newman's Costa del Sol Market Report 2015, over 15,500 new homes came on to the market between May 2015 and May 2016. And, for the first time since 2007, the number of new developments is on the rise, both in terms of apartments in developments and singlefamily villas. At the same time, the time required to sell an apartment or villa reduced by half over the 12-month period, with the average time to find a buyer for a single-family home now less than two years. While Aguirre Newman noted that prices for bigger, single-family homes increased over the period, due to the ongoing shortage of stock and the launch of luxurious, new-build developments in premium areas, the price of apartments has remained more or less stable over the 12-month period, meaning it's still a good time to buy if you're in the market for a property on the Costa del Sol. Although overseas buyers were involved in more than one in five property sales across Spain in 2015, according to Aliseda Inmobiliaria, the percentage of foreign purchasers on the Costa del Sol is much higher. While towns like Benalmadena and Mijas attract overseas and Spanish buyers in almost equal numbers, hotspots like Marbella and its surrounding area see foreign buyers account for around 75% of the marketplace. Even after the Brexit vote, the British continue to lead the way, followed by French, German, Belgian, Swiss and Nordic buyers.

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ILLEGAL: Container

Shack attack RESIDENTS in El Palmar are lambasting the town hall for failing to control a rise in illegal constructions. The increase in low-cost tourism in the area has led to an influx of containers and shacks being built, with estimates putting the number of illegal dwellings at 1,000. There is no running water or sewage facilities while power cuts are a regular occurrence. Paco Rosado, president of the residents’ association, says the boom was triggered by the opening of a beach bar in 2000, which quickly turned El Palmar into a trendy, alternative destination. The dwellings are built on land ceded to families who came to work there in 1931. Local PP mayor José Ortiz admits that the town hall lacks the resources to deal with the crisis, which recently saw two policemen implicated.

Noble departure Billionaire landowner leaves behind mammoth Spanish estate A BILLIONAIRE British Duke who owns huge swathes of land Spain has died after suddenly falling ill. The Duke of Westminster, Gerald Grosvenor, passed away aged 64 at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire and bequeathed his estate to his son Hugh.

He was worth around €10.9 billion and was the third richest man in the UK. As well as owning land in the exclusive Belgravia area of London, he also owns thousands of hectares in Scotland and Spain. His most famous property in Spain

MAMMOTH: Duke of Westminster’s estate

LUXURY: Tennis court (left), gardens and (below) whole estate

Los Andalucia

RENOWNED Spanish architect Raphael Manzano Martos has finished building one of Los Angeles’ biggest mansions. The curator to King Juan Carlos has created a 51,000 square-foot Andalucian-style country estate, complete with nine bedrooms, 25 bathrooms, a guesthouse, two ten-

nis courts and two pools. The Hacienda de la Paz also boasts a 10,000-square-foot underground hammam, or spa, and a 15,000-square-foot indoor tennis court that doubles as a ballroom. It was created for owner John Z. Blazevich, the CEO of Contessa Premium Foods.

August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

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Gateway to history

DUKE: Gerald Grosvenor

is in Cordoba, which remains one of Europe’s most secretive boltholes. The 15,000 hectare estate, which was leased by the Duke, is a popular retreat for Europe’s elite, with Princes William and Harry making repeated visits. The previous King of Spain was also known to hunt wild boars, stags and game birds there. Finca La Garganta – meaning ‘the throat’ – is tucked away in the Sierra Morena mountains in Ciudad Real province. The estate boasts its own petrol station, a private railway station and accommodation for 100 staff. Within its 50km perimeter the estate teems with wildlife, and provides a safe haven for a number of protected species including three types of vulture and imperial eagles.

PIECES of 18th century Spanish architecture have been found at the site of one of America’s most famous battles. A 300-year-old gate has been unearthed at a site of the Battle of Alamo when Mexican forces wiped out the American soldiers defending the Alamo. Excavations at the Texas battleground have now revealed the Mexican compound as an early example of original Spanish colonial architecture.

BATTLE: Alamo

The Olive press launches a 26 www.theolivepress.es special regular section on the many issues for expats over Brexit

BREXIT Bulletin

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Brexit brands

Fab’s Khan-do attitude GIBRALTAR´S Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has vowed to 'work together' with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan after they met at City Hall. Following the talks, Picardo stressed London and Gibraltar must protect financial services in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum result. Both London and Gibraltar voted to remain in the EU on the June 23 referendum, with Khan since pushing for London's financial service industry to retain its vital passporting rights, which grant banks access to the single market, once the UK exits the EU. Picardo said: "There are many similarities in the issues that we face, although of course for London the scale of matters is clearly greater. "Sharing views and aspirations will nonetheless be an important part of how relevant political decision makers shape the best future for the United Kingdom and Gibraltar. "It is a pleasure to have been exposed to the clear thinking and drive which characterise Sadiq Khan and his team." He added: "Financial Services is hugely impor-

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UNITED: Picardo and Khan tant to London and to Gibraltar and we have agreed to stay in touch and work together on how the future for that industry can be fashioned after the result of the EU referendum. "With strong leadership in London and the United Kingdom the post-Brexit future will bring new opportunities to work with and does not need to be disconnected from Europe."

FORGET London and Scotland VS Wales and England, sausages and EasyJet defined voters in the June 23 referendum on Britain's EU membership. Campaign Live has used polling company YouGov's profiles to correspond declared Brexit voting intentions with brand consumption.

Leave voters

INBOUND: Tourists

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The result is a list of 10 brands that are most popular with both Leave and Remain voters. The Leave brands are more likely to be seen as traditional, simple, friendly and of good value. Meanwhile, brands associated with Remain supporters are seen as progressive, visionary, socially responsible and intelligent. Emily James of Campaign Live said: "The old fault lines that divide our nation – income, education, ethnicity, gender and politics – are as pronounced as ever. "But, since the referendum, something deeper has surfaced. We appear now to be divided according to our basic 1. BBC.co.uk value systems; the things that define how we see the world 2. BBC iPlayer and how we see ourselves, i.e. 3. Instagram the very underpinning of our 4. London cultural identity." Researchers say the governUnderground ment may want to look at 5. Spotify brands like M&S, Money Sav6. Airbnb ing Expert and TK Maxx, all 7. LinkedIn of whom are able to bridge the gap between the two groups 8. Virgin Trains by championing something of 9. Twitter importance to a wide range of 10. EasyJet people.

Top 10 brands: 1. HP Sauce 2. Bisto 3. ITV News 4. The Health Lottery 5. Birds Eye 6. Iceland 7. Sky News 8. Cathedral City 9. PG Tips 10.Richmond sausages

17 YEARS

What your brand favourites reveal about your stance on Britain and the EU

FLIGHT bookings to Britain rose in the month following the Brexit vote. Inbound flight reservation rose 4.3% in the 28 days to July 21 compared to the same period last year, according to travel information firm TravelKeys. International visitors sought to take advantage of a cheaper UK holiday after a slump in the pound. The weakening of the pound against the dollar and the euro made it cheaper to visit. Bookings from outside Europe were up 8.6 % in the 28 days after Brexit compared with the same period last year, driven by visitors from Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States.

Remain voters

Sour grapes

A NEW poll has shown that Europeans want Britain to be punished in the Brexit negotiations. While an Ipsos Mori survey of people from 16 different countries found that 49% of Brits were sad about their departure from the EU, some of their closest neighbours are hoping to serve them their ‘comeuppance’. The French were the least upset by the divorce with only 25% saying they were sad to see Britain leave. But to add insult to injury, they had the most amount of people who think the UK should be given an ‘unfavourable’ Brexit deal, with 39% beBREXIT has given a boost to the lieving it will discourage UK’s cinema business as gloomy other exits. Brits have sought to escape postBelgians came a close secBrexit Britain. ond with 34%, while 30% Cineworld said the weeks folof Spaniards and 28% of lowing the Leave vote have been Italians also believe Brit‘strong’, and they expect the ain should be punished. trend to continue. Some 43% of Italians are “Sometimes in very difficult ready to boycott British years for the economy, you get goods, the most inclined more people into the cinema to do so, followed by the because it’s still a cheap place Spanish with 37% and to go to spend good time with Germans on 33%. your family or on your own,” Some 56% of Brits said said deputy finance chief Nisan the UK should be given a Cohen. favourable deal. The company, which last month Adults aged under 65 bought five Empire cinemas were quizzed online in including Leicester Square, is Belgium, France, Britain, looking to grow further and is Germany, Hungary, Italy, negotiating on other ‘strategic’ Poland, Spain, and Swelocations in London. den.

Br-escapism

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Gaining BE ‘APPY! ground THERE has been an increase in the average size of the top 250 companies in Malaga, according to a survey by the Download ourAnalistas app now and Economicos de Andalucia enjoying the best Spanish partbegin of Unicaja. news on the go.

Taking off

round-up

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Wheeler dealers

TOURISTS are being duped MALAGA airport is into taking out ‘rip-off’ car among the fastest rental insurance which can growing in Europe with double what they pay. an increase of 14.6% in Firms are using high pressure passenger numbers tactics – including threatensince last year, according travellers with bills of up ing to Airports Council to €3,000 if they are involved The Olive Press International Europe. in an accident – to charge up to €35 a day for protection. TOP for news in Spain! Cost-cutters But experts say this is more BANCO Popular is considering putting its Miami-based TotalBank up for sale which it bought for €218 million in 2007, in a bid to cut costs.

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August 17th - August 30th 2016

Blowing up SPAIN’S arms exports grew by 16.1% last year, with the bulk of non-European sales going to Saudi Arabia. According to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, the government sold €3.7 billion worth of arms in 2015, with the Saudi kingdom taking almost 15% of all sales. Together with Oman, Bahrain, Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, Spain’s arms exports to the Middle East totalled €715 million. The growth in sales has mainly derived from the country’s Airbus Defence and Space company, which produces transport aircraft that can carry weaponry and carry out surveillance and refuel other aircraft mid-air. Aircraft sales made up 86% of last year’s exports. Germany was Spain’s biggest arms client, splashing €647 million on its neighbour’s weaponry, while the UK spent €474 million, coming in third after Saudi Arabia. Some countries were denied sales, including Israel, whose order of rubber bullets was blocked due its ‘possible use in internal Exchange rates to repression’. 1 euro is worth It was also denied the sale of rocket propellant substance 1.12 American dollars due to the region’s current in0.86 British pounds stability. Egypt and Venezuela were 1.45 Canadian dollars also denied sales - tear gas car7.44 Danish kroner tridges and truck engine parts 8.67 H Kong dollars respectively. 9.18 Norwegian kroner Russia has undergone several denials of hunting rifles and 1.50 Singapore dollars guns since it annexed Crimea.

Fast track success

Car rental firms slammed for springing ‘threatening’ insurance fees on tourists hand over their credit cards. Car rental firms have wrongly told customers that the cheaper policies they bought before they travelled were worthless. To collect the car they were told they needed to buy extra cover or put down a deposit for around €1,200 on their credit card, which the company keeps if the car gets damaged. Experts have labelled firms ‘outrageous’ for charging up to €270 for a week’s insurance on a car that cost €325 to rent. Bob Atkinson, of website Travelsupermarket.com, said: “Sales staff at car hire firms are misleading customers, making them scared and worried when they don’t need to be just to bump up their revenues.” Some companies included different hidden costs, including breakdown cover and insurance to cover administration costs if the motorist was fined. When comparing insurance costs for renting a car in Malaga this August, some were

JULY brought huge growth to Renfe, as over three million passengers chose the Spanish train service for their holidays. Renfe reported that this represents a 4.6% increase from more than the cost of renting the same month last year. Its high-speed arm AVE is responsible for the impressive the car. Europcar’s weekly rental cost growth, with 1,839,000 passengers using AVE in July, a was €189, while the insurance 6.7% year-to-year increase. And it seems that a fair number of these passengers headed was €197. Hertz weekly rental was €205, to the Costa del Sol. and the insurance €187, while Malaga was among Renfe’s most popular destinations in GLintrental Summer Quarter Olive Press 126x170mm.qxp_Layout 27/06/2016 17:05 Page 1 thead first half of the summer, along with1Madrid, Barcelona, Avis’ wasSpecial €197 and the page Sevilla, Valencia and Alicante. insurance €100.

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Vroom boom! SPAIN has become Europe’s second-biggest car manufacturer after Germany. Flexible labour laws and a vast network of local parts suppliers have encouraged companies like Volkswagen and Daimler to ramp up their production capacity, with the former investing €1 billion into its Pamplona plant this year. The car sector accounted for 8.7% of Spain’s gross domestic product last year, up from 5.2% in 2005, according to ANFAC, the country’s association of car manufacturers. It now employs 9% of Spain’s workforce and produced a record 2.7 million vehicles last year, 80% of which were exported. The boost has been linked to reforms brought in by the PP in 2012 which made it easier to lay off longtime employees.

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Poke-hunters TROUBLED: RTVE

Out of touch STATE broadcaster RTVE is ‘out of money’ and ‘out of ideas’, according to a new report. SEPI, the state body run by the Economy Ministry that controls 95% of the broadcaster, says it has failed to adapt to the changing habits of viewers or the demands of the digital age. Its financial results speak volumes, as rivals Mediaset and Atresmedia reported profits of €166 million and €99 million respectively last year, RTVE lost €37 million. The report says it is in urgent need of a strategic plan for the future if it is to meet the internal and external challenges it faces.

Budding gamers are forking out thousands of euros for Pokemon Go tours

SAVVY Spanish entrepreneurs are jumping on the back of the latest gaming craze to earn a quick buck. With Pokemon Go becoming more popular by the day, opportunistic businessmen are launching Pokemon tour services for budding gamers. Some tours are even fetching four-figure sums for overseas trips. Granada-based travel agent Junior Travel was one of the first companies to introduce the tours and received 2,000 applications for the job of tour guide. A tour guide must have

ON TOUR: Pokemon Go players can now take tours around towns reached level 20 (out of 40) on the game and gives city tours of Pokemon hot-

Defying odds SPAIN’S GDP forecast has been raised to 3.1% by BBVA. The forecast represents an increase of 0.4%. The news comes despite fears that Brexit and Spàin’s political deadlock would have had major negative impacts on the economy.

ity game, which uses satellite locations, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay the cartoon creatures on real-world settings, has taken Spain by storm. Junior Travel's tours will see customers driven around in a bus and given expert guidance on hunting Pokemon, for €43 a day. But Junior Tavel is not the only company profiting from Pokemon in Spain. Felices Vacaciones offers an 11-night travel package for €1,695 euros to hunt rare Pokemon in the United States.

In safe hands LIBERTY Seguros is the number one expatriate insurance provider in Spain with over 175,000 international clients who are cared for by over 300 agents and brokers. The beauty of choosing Liberty Seguros, apart from the competitively priced insurance packages and flexible pricing structure, is the advantage of placing all your insurance needs with one company. Products include: Car, Home, Life, Marine, Business and Commercial, Personal Liability/ Accident, Leisure (for example Golf), Pet and Communities Insurance. Plus, Liberty Seguros provides its services in many languages, while all brokers and agents are experts in their field. Incorporated in 1912, Liberty Seguros is part of the giant Liberty Mutual Group, one of the world’s largest insurance and financial institutions. The company has been insuring millions of people over five continents for over a century so its strength and foundations are unsurpassable. For more information or the name of your nearest broker call 902 255 258 or visit the web site at: www.libertyexpatriates.es

Property AGONY ANT

Unblock-buster PARAMOUNT Pictures has agreed to end its geoblocking restrictions in the European Economic Area. The move comes after the European Commission began an antitrust investigation into the film and TV production company. Geoblocking is the act of restricting access to something based on the consumer’s geographical location, and it is now considered to be anti-competitive. All viewers in Europe will now be able to stream or view Paramount productions, regardless of their location.

spots to rookie players. The company is also launching the tours in Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid. "Every minute we get three or four applications," said Antonio Barragan, manager of the travel agency. "The HR guy is a little overwhelmed." He added: “The routes are so that people don't get bored of the game in their city, and go hunt Pokemon in other provinces." The augmented real-

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Illegal Investments

OR the first time, a Spanish Court has found a complaint to sufficiently allege a breach of fiduciary duty against a bank. Santander, it was found, opened an account to an unauthorised financial investment company and allowed it to take clients’ deposits for unregulated investments. Needless to say, their money was almost all lost. According to the Madrid Appeal Court, the unauthorised firm acted illicitly by breaching its contractual terms with its clients and more importantly, the Court deemed it was offering the public an investment service in blatant violation of mandatory regulatory laws. The directors of the unauthorised company have also been found to have acted illicitly –for the above reasons- and as a result, deemed personally responsible for the losses of clients’ savings. Santander, more crucially, was found to have acted reprehensibly by allowing the unauthorised firm to operate freely by opening bank accounts, authorising transfers and permitting other typical banking transactions reserved to authorised firms. The Court invoked article 7 of the an-

Fiduciary duty claim against Santander Bank sticks

nex to the Financial Markets Code of Conduct that prohibits dealings with illegal companies: It reads: “Entities will refuse any op-

Santander allowed an unathorised company to take clients’ deposits for investments eration from non-authorised intermediaries, as well as those in which they have knowledge that the relevant legislation applicable to the former may be infringed.” Such ‘knowledge’ was decisive in this case for the Court to rule that Santander was in breach of the above obligation and order the bank to compensate the client for the losses sustained by

the boiler room. The events leading to this ruling happened prior to the approval of the Anti-Money Laundering Act whereby banks –and other obliged parties- are obliged to obtain information as to the ‘purpose and expected nature of the business connection of the client and in particular, the nature of the professional and/or business activity, carrying out those measures to reasonably prove the information”, as well as a “continuous follow up of such business connection, inclusive of scrutiny of any dealings conducted throughout the relationship’. On this basis, we believe that the above ‘knowledge’ is no longer essential and therefore banks that facilitate any person, company or otherwise to illegally operate in the financial markets could be deemed responsible for the losses sustained by their clients/victims. For the avoidance of doubt, an unauthorised entity (or ‘fly-by-night operation’ as described by Spanish regulators) is any such that offers investment or insurance services and is not approved by the CNMV (Financial Conduct Authority) or the DGS (Insurance Regulator).

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.es

HEALTH

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Pricekillers

Pill poppers

SPAIN could be on the brink of a prescription drug addiction epidemic. A new study among five EU countries revealed that Spanish adults (18.3%) were the most likely to abuse prescription painkillers across their lives, with British adults coming second on 14.6% and Germans the most sensible on 9.6%. Published by BMC Psychiatry, the study shows that opioid abuse is occurring despite the fact that doctors in Europe tend to be more cautious in prescribing painkillers.

E-cig scare E-CIGARETTES have been linked to an irreversible and debilitating respiratory condition. A Harvard School of Public Health study has found that the electronic cigs, which have seen a boom in Spain in the last two years, can cause what is known as ‘popcorn lung’. The diacetyl, acetoin and pentanedione chemicals used in the product cause scarring in tiny air sacs in the lungs, leading to shortness of breath and excessive coughing. Experts fear the amount of people contracting the condition may increase sharply over the next few years given how new e-cigarettes are. They are particularly concerned that flavours like cotton candy, popcorn and apple will attract young users whose lungs have not yet developed fully.

OVER-THE-COUNTER and prescription drugs have dropped in price, saving Spanish households up to €14.6m a year. Stomach protector Omeoprazol, anti-inflammatory Ibuprofen, and sleeping pills Lorazepam are among the

Insure and tuck

Surgery addict insures body after botched nose job A COSMETIC surgery addict who lives in Marbella has insured his body for €1.1 million. Air steward Rodrigo Alves, 32, has undergone 43 operations in a bid to look like ‘Barbie’s Ken’, but has now insured his body after a nose job ended in disaster in April. His sixth rhinoplasty, performed in Iran, took a nosedive when his septum collapsed upon arrival in Marbella. The Brazilian native had to fork out €47,000 to fix the

botched job, which had caused necrosis, a flesh eating infection. He has insured his body to prevent future mammoth costs. Rodrigo said: “I've spent nearly €400,000 on procedures over the past 11 years and I needed some insurance. “I pay a monthly premium and from now on if anything goes wrong I can get it fixed. if I'd been covered it would have paid for my last operation. “It makes sense really, it's a bit like having comprehensive

Casting history

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cover with your car insurance.” Rodrigo’s obsession with his looks developed from being severly bullied as a child. He was diagnosed with a hormone dysfunction which meant he was unable to develop muscle. “I was physically bullied, boys

14,479 types of medication whose prices have dropped. Pharmacies will save €126m since the end price to the customer is lower when drugs come on prescription and regional authorities refund the difference to high-street chemists.

NOSE-Y: Obsessed would push me down the stairs,” said Rodrigo. “When I was a kid I wanted to be beautiful and work as a flight attendant.” In the past year alone he has spent an incredible £95,000 on 20 surgeries, travelling to clinics from Iran to the United States.

29 29

Bunny virus THE UK has had to import vaccines from Spain in a bid to tackle a highly contagious rabbit virus. The RHD-2 virus - a haemorrhagic disease that kills rabbits within days - has killed 400 pet rabbits in the UK in the last six months, with owners being warned of a mutated strain. The virus, which has almost no symptoms, may have killed 2,000 rabbits since it was found in the UK in 2014. While a further 1.3 million pets are at risk, the UK has no vaccine, leading to frantic requests for shipments from Spain and France. European vaccine firms are applying for licenses to provide the vaccines in the UK.

RUN RABBIT: Vaccine

Advice from Specsavers Opticas Fuengirola Store Director Amrik Sappal

Young eyes

e hope you’re enjoying the long, hot summer and that the kids are having lots of fun on the beach, by the pool and at home. This time of year there are lots of hazards for the eyes from the sun, to the sand and chlorine, so in this column, we wanted to answer two important questions which parents often ask us. Q. How can I teach my child to look after his eyes? A. This is always a worry and you need to educate them so they can make the right choices even when you’re not there. Here are seven things to teach them 1. Never poke things into your eyes, not even fingers. 2. Never play with strong chemicals, like washing-up liquid, washing powder or bleach. Getting these in your eyes can be very dangerous. 3. Never throw sand or dirt in anyone’s face. 4. Never look straight at the sun – not even through dark glasses. The bright light from the sun can burn your retina.

5. If an optician suggests you need to wear glasses – wear them! 6. Always wear sunglasses which block out the sun’s harmful rays in bright sunshine. 7. Always wear safety glasses when you handle harmful substances. Q. How can I tell if my child is struggling to see? A. Look out for signs such as sitting too close to the TV, rubbing their eyes, being clumsy, or complaining of headaches and take them for a test right away. Also, take them to the optician for a full eye test every year from the age of three, they don’t need to be able to read to have one. Eye tests are free at Specsavers Opticas in Marbella and Fuengirola for all children under 16 years and we recommend getting your children’s eyes tested before they return to school. Visit www.specsavers.es for more advice and information about eye care, to find your nearest store and book a back to school eye test.

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Joe Duggan visits a very special centre helping kids from the school of hard knocks qualify for life in the outside world

EDUCATION

August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

Lessons in love

OSE Manuel is showing me his lovingly-cultivated vegetable patch. The green-fingered teen and his team of junior gardeners have studiously plucked every weed from the surrounding soil and ingeniously reinvented the husks of old computers as plant pot holders. There are even stripped out toilets serving as feeder beds. “We grow everything for the kitchen here, and all the herbs - thyme, rosemary, mint,” he tells me as we walk past neat rows of young green lettuces and plump cauliflowers. He seems no different to any lively 15-year-old. But unlike other kids, Jose Manuel will not be going home after school to tell Mum and Dad how his day went. He is one of 61 pupils living and studying at La Residencia Escolar San Isidro Labrador in Los Barrios during the week, where the only ‘entry qualification’ is a troubled background. For now, his classmates and six teachers are his closest ‘family’. One of 63 special needs schools in Andalucia funded by the Junta, the residencia welcomes pupils aged six to 20 from all over the Campo de Gibraltar and even further afield. Most are referred by social services and come from deeply deprived families or dysfunctional homes. All have their own heartbreakingly sad story. And many are really heart-wrenching. Most of them are able to go home at weekends (although ‘at least half’ would prefer not to), but when they go back for holidays, particularly the KIDS PLAY: (Top) gardeners and triplets (below) long one in the summer, The children wake up at 8am for breakthey mostly come back withdrawn and fast before starting their school day, traumatised due to their incumbent fam- which takes place at a normal comily problems. prehensive next door. Any problems at “It takes us many weeks to get them school, health, disciplinary or otherwise back on an even keel,” says school sec- and one of the staff from San Isidro deals retary Miguel Martinez, 37, a qualified with it. PE teacher, from Granada. “And most “I’m often called to take someone to see of them are very sad when they have to a doctor or deal with an emotional outgo home for their summer holidays with burst or something or other,” continues plenty of tears. It is heartbreaking.” Miguel, a father-of-two, who has been It is all indicative of the high unemployworking at the centre for ment and attendant five years. social problems that After lunch, between 4 have ravaged this part It’s incredible and 6pm, homework is the of Spain more than priority; and after 6.30pm to see the any other and, such is pupils explore their interthe demand for places, transformation ests through workshops in many children are everything from English and of these children turned away. cookery to handicrafts and But since the school after they are here horticulture. opened 48 years ago, Later in the evening, they the teachers at San can watch films or football Isidro Labrador have matches before bedtime at 10pm. created a safe environment where hun- “Their day here has a routine so they dreds of children have flourished. develop good habits – eating the right “It’s really like a family here,” continues things, sleeping at the right time, and Miguel, a father-of-two, who has been learning,” explains Miguel. working at the school for five years. “We want to give them the basic skills “It’s incredible to see the transformation needed to enter the job market or to go of these children after they have spent into business when they are older.” time here.” Miguel leads me into the school workFrom Monday to Friday, pupils stay and shop where 11-year-old triplet Laura is sleep on the premises, with the day di- hard at work pressing metal badges. She vided into activities designed to boost presents me with a beautifully-designed confidence and develop life skills.

Spain’s stark social statistics

2.6 million (35.4 %) Spanish children at risk of poverty or social exclusion (EU) 744,000 children living at risk of poverty in Andalucia (Save The Children) 512,373 children living at risk of poverty in Andalucia (Junta) 489 residencias in Spain 10% of minors suffering from ‘serious material deprivation’ (Save The Children) 8% of children living in unheated homes (Save The Children) Sixth-worst developed country for childhood inequality (Unicef) 5.1 million Spaniards in 2013 living in extreme poverty (Caritas) 5.2% of Spaniards unable to pay for medicine (Spanish Health Ministry) bespoke Olive Press badge and a beaming smile. Along with baking biscuits, badgemaking is one of the school businesses that the kids run themselves, raising funds by taking orders and selling their wares to fellow pupils, friends and the local community. “It is a great way for them to learn commercial enterprise,” explains Miguel. “We encourage basic commerce and monitor it carefully. It is great for their self-esteem.” A classic example is Laura, whose sisters Elena and Marta also attend the school. She is one of five appointed ‘commercial directors’, taking orders for biscuits and

GRILLING: Joe interviews kids

HARD AT IT: Miguel (top right), kitchen staff and (inset) baking

badges. (Among the children, there is as trips to new places help to broaden also a ‘president’, an ‘accountant’ and a the children’s horizons. ‘head gardener’). “There is a shortage of money, so the However, despite her sales skills, confi- kids can’t travel much,” he says sadly. dent, clearly clever Laura has her mind “Perhaps if somebody could donate set on a different career path. a bus for the day we could take them “When I’m older I’d like to be a vet be- somewhere a bit more often.” cause I love animals,” she confides. “I Finances are an ongoing problem made like it here because you can make lots of worse by Spain’s savage economic crisis friends and learn a lot.” which has given the province of Cadiz a The children respond to the business-like particularly hard time. structure, Miguel explains. “We don’t have enough places now. We “If they are good in activities other than get lots of applications, and we have to studying, then it makes their self-esteem turn plenty away,” says Miguel. go up. “These workshops suit them be- But the dozens of smiling little faces I cause they develop skills and talent in saw at San Isidro represent a triumph of one or other of the activities.” hope over adversity. And their happiness A heavenly aroma of baking entices us is a tribute to the remarkable devotion of down to the kitchen where a busy bri- the staff. gade of young commis chefs is receiving Later that evening, we join Miguel to instruction from head cook, Petra Robles watch a Real Madrid game in Estepona, Valera. She also prepares breakfast and near where he lives. lunch from Tuesday to Friday. Today she’s Suddenly, a little boy in full Los Blancos helping the kids to make tarta de aceite, kit comes bounding up to Miguel and magdalena cupcakes and chocolate and gives him a huge hug. orange biscuits which He’s a former San Isidro they will then sell on pupil, it turns out, now hapto pupils from the orpily back home living with The workshops ganisation’s four other his mum after completing suit them because three successful years at nearby schools. One of her helpers is the school. You literally they develop 15-year-old Manuel couldn’t make this up and, skills and talent in from La Linea. He has even better, he disappears, been based at the different activities returning five minutes later school for six years and with his older sister, also a holds two prized posiformer resident, who also tions - ‘chief accounshares beams and hugs. tant’ and ‘social media boss’, respon- Their mother is running a bar around the sible for Facebook and YouTube uploads. corner, having rebuilt her life following a “The food here is always great and we family crisis. can watch the football on TV here,” chips It’s good to be home with mum, but La in 14-year-old Felicísimo, a Real Madrid Residencia Escolar San Isidro Labrador, fan from La Linea. their old alma mater, will always have a “And we do lots of nice things. I really place in their hearts. liked going to the cinema to see Star Wars, and once we went on a trip to Se- To get in contact to order badges or villa.” to perhaps sponsor a coach trip pls The infrequency of such excursions is contact Miguel at miguemm@gmail. one aspect Miguel would like to improve, com

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EDUCATION

August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

31 31

Too much info? Planting seeds TWO British dads’ book that encourages children to get involved in nature has proven a hit in Spain. Ian Hamilton and Sam Frith created Hugly and Friends when they became sick of how much time their kids were spending staring at computer screens. The book follows Hugly and his friends as they search for some missing carrots before he realises that he has forgotten it is his birthday, and that his friends have ‘stolen’ the carrots to make him a cake. It comes with a packet of carrot seeds and advice for planting and growing the orange vegetable, as well as a recipe for a delicious carrot cake. Within a month of its release, people from Spain, America, Italy and Australia have posted pictures of themselves with their copy. The creators say they want to rebrand nature as positive and fun.

Teachers tips

with Stephen Cov

entry

THE UK is requiring its schools to detail the nationality of its students. Spanish and other foreign parents in the UK are concerned at the Department of Education’s plan to collect data on children’s country of birth and nationality in order to ‘monitor the scale and impact’ of immigration in schools. The information will be gathered on

Banana strategy STUDENTS from Spain have won the Most Innovative Product Award at the 2016 Junior Achievement Europe Company of the Year Competition. The team won with their ShellBag, an already patented product which consists of a biodegradable bag made out of banana peel, with an adhesive strip that easily sticks to any bag of your choice. Created by students at the Sacred Heart College in Bilbao, the bag is used to hold nut casings, fruit peels and other waste products. "Shellbag is the easiest and most economical way to maintain clean cities, parks, football

Schools in UK requesting nationality of every student for government database

for three years, this is the first time details of the children’s birthplace have been requested. “This information will be used to help us better understand how children with, for example, English as an additional language perform in terms children aged two to nine and added of their broader education and to asto the National Pupil database. sess and monitor the scale and imAlthough the database has existed pact immigration may be having on the schools sector,” a spokesperson for the DfE said. Some parents feel the data could be used to underline the idea that there are not enough school places in the UK due to the number of foreigners, doing little to undermine the xenophobic attitudes that have been encouraged post-Brexit. The UK government has also reportedly made plans to ‘crack INNOVATIVE: Winning Spanish students down’ on higher More than 200 students gathstadiums and all those sites education stuered in Lucerne, Switzerland, where major events are held," dent visas in to celebrate the top mini-comsaid Junior Achievement in a a bid to bring panies from across Europe. statement. down immigration numbers.

GCSE Results Day!

ou've spent the summer trying to forget about them, but now it's Thursday 25th August 2016, and time to see what your GCSE results look like. Your future may be printed on a piece of paper. What will it be? Below I explore three typical students with three very different sets of results. Student 1. My grades are great! - Congratulations! You worked hard and got the results you deserved. Let your family and friends know! You've got lots of choices, so choose wisely. The most obvious way forward is to consider taking A levels. However if all that studying (whilst successful) was a nightmare for you, A-levels may not suit you. Perhaps you know what you want to do in the future. A more vocational route might be better. There are many courses available that will train you for a particular career, e.g. veterinary nurse, IT technician or teaching assistant. Often you can work and attend college at the same time. If you want to be a doctor, lawyer or other highly skilled professional, A levels then University is the best route. Take advice from teachers and career advisors before you decide. Don't be afraid to break from the norm and live your life differently. Whatever you choose, ensure you have an aptitude for it AND that you are interested in it. Beware choosing a career "just" because it is well paid. There is more to life than money! Student 2. My grades were disappointing - In the first instance, speak to a teacher or the exam officer. They can request a copy of your marked paper, to see if an enquiry about results is appropriate. Have a look at your UMS score and check it against the exam boards UMS Grade Boundaries. If any of your scores seem strangely low, or if you have missed a higher grade by only a few points, you could ask the exam officer to obtain a review of marking or request a remark. Try to do this soon after you receive your results, as there are deadlines involved, and fees for remarking. If all else fails, you can consider a resit.

How to deal with your GCSE results, however good or bad

Some subjects matter more than others. If you achieved a Grade D in Drama of a Grade E in Geography it is unlikely to make a huge difference to your life. However you will need a pass in Maths and English. These are core subjects. If you have achieved a low grade in either of these you should consider taking them again. They really do matter. Student 3. My GCSE Grades Were Rubbish! - It's horrible to think that you've just sat through two years only to be presented with a series of U's or F's, but you have choices too; you're not necessarily excluded from any part of your future. GCSEs are the jumping off point to decision-making, and they will make things easier at this stage, but it isn't the end of the world if you didn't achieve anything. Studying in school does not suit everyone. If you are more practically minded or have an aptitude for something you haven't yet officially studied, take a look at the routes you need to get to where you want to be. You may find a vocational course at Gibraltar college or in the UK; something which combines working and learning. The positive thing that you can tell potential employers is that you stuck at the courses, even though you didn't do well at the end. Employers, colleges and universities want proof that you are going to stay and can see a course or job to the end. Dropping out when you turned 16, without taking any exams would have been the worst thing you could do. Conclusion: Whatever your situation remember, "time is on your side". You are young and have lots of opportunities ahead of you. Stay calm! Some very successful people hated school and left at 16, for example Joss Stone, Alan Sugar and Ozzy Ozborne. They did mundane jobs until they found what they were good at. Once you have found your "thing" go for it! As Steve Jobs says, "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know what you truly want to become." Good Luck! Steve Coventry Excel Tutors

Octonauts are go SPAIN’S national publicly owned broadcaster RTVE has snapped up underwater preschool series Octonauts from UK-based Silvergate Media. The Octonauts follows an eight-strong underwater crew made up of stylized animals who go on big expeditions. The educational show sees the crew encounter real marine animals in their natural habitats.

No subs REPLACING sick teachers with healthy substitutes may increase the spread of an illness, a Spanish study has found. Published in Nature Physics, the study found that teachers who become ill should be replaced much faster and that the replacement should be vaccinated two weeks before entering an infectious setting. It added that schools are a key transmission point for diseases such as influenza as children are one of its primary drivers.

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August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

Excess all areas Working with the good, bad and ugly of showbiz

’M a huge live music fan. Back in my everyone from Madness to Seal to Deep teens I fancied myself as the sensitive Purple. singer-songwriter type and regularly used As a freelance editor, I’m used to tight deadto inflict my acoustic guilines, constant stress and huge tar versions of The Police egos, and working with famous and James Taylor numbers Rockers wouldn’t musicians multiplies this by a on an unsuspecting and factor of around 70. Putting on stay in hotel generally unimpressed aua concert on the Costa del Sol dience. rooms because involves crisis management Thankfully for music lovers and chaos theory at all times, the number was with a huge slice of Murphy’s everywhere, I eventually realised that I was never Law thrown in for good meaunlucky going to be the Costa del sure. Sol’s version of Sting and There was the all-girl group haven’t picked up a plectrum in public for who almost refused to go on stage because years. These days, the nearest I get to pertheir driver (who was told to stay silent) had forming live is frantic air drumming on my asked them to wsing Happy Birthday to his radio show when I sneak in the occasional mate down his mobile. Or the time that a (difFoo Fighters’ track. ferent) limo driver reversed into blind singer Although I never made it live on stage, I’ve Jose Feliciano and shouted ‘Didn’t you see spent plenty of time behind the curtains as me?’. Or the Rock Gods who wouldn’t stay I tend to get roped into production at any in certain luxurious hotel rooms because number of Costa gigs. I’ve been spotted the room numbers were unlucky. They also dashing manically around backstage for brought their full stadium sound rig to play

Art galleries are the perfect space for brushing up your Spanish, as Lily McNally discovers

ATTENDED my first official ‘Meetup’ this month. I have often found social media an isolating experience. With simulated friendships and virtual validation it has, more often than not, left me feeling pretty empty. But this was different. I would be meeting the people behind the avatars; real human beings who drink coffee, laugh and converse. Exciting stuff! I was off to visit Malaga’s Contemporary Art Centre with an English/Spanish-speaking group. My own Spanish is very basic and I was sure I wouldn’t master it by the weekend. On the train I studied some key phrases to see me through, and blanked on every one when the time came to use them. It was silly, and a little colonial of me, to think that knowing phrases without understanding the language would help in any real sort of conversation. The expats spoke excellent Spanish and I was more than a little embarrassed. The Spanish were practically fluent in English, with more than a few rivalling the breadth of my own vocabulary. But they were all overwhelmingly kind and welcoming. And, as I discovered, art with its interpretive quality is the perfect communications medium. It has the ability to hold an infinite amount of meaning for an infinite number of people. We could talk and talk about how we saw this painting, this sculpture, this photograph, whilst sharing our different cultural and personal perspectives. Visiting galleries in Britain, I have felt nervous, thinking that the way I react to art should somehow be ‘right’. This has left me scanning the handy blurbs that accompany each piece. Not at CAC Malaga where they’re in Spanish. (I honourably skipped the English handouts.) I bonded with one Spaniard over Science Fiction, or Ciencia Ficción. I practised saying it as we looked at Dauphin Island I, 2012 by Dionisio González. It reminded me of the futuristic homes of Tatooine, left to the whims of nature. Yes, I had just made a Star Wars reference. We were both drawn to Souffles Dans le Verre, a large upside-down bouquet of silver balloon shapes blown from glass. Each reflected back a tiny distorted image of ourselves, like a fun house mirror! There’s always space to behave like a big kid in a gallery. My Spanish friend helped me understand the political backdrop to Manuel León’s satirical Semana Santa collection and I started to get it. This led onto Spanish politics coupled with a little Brexit chat.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Giles

a medium sized bullring and left us deaf for days afterwards… Big stars tend to have a support network of personal assistants who can also be tricky to work with. We were warned that we couldn’t speak directly to one singer, and when the aforementioned star asked out loud what the time was, one of the production crew was shoved out of the room when she started to say ‘It’s ten past…’ But despite huge egos, stress and lack of sleep, there are still some hysterical moments. Like the time the President of Ghana showed up to a concert and brought his own security, without bothering to inform us that he had put snipers on the roof. That led to a VERY interesting conversation/armed standoff with the nonetoo-impressed Guardia Civil on a lighting gantry 80 foot on the air. One of my best moments came with the great George Benson (who is brilliant to work with, by the way, and even helped me lug a I brought my love of Shakespeare to an installation sound bag on stage). by Pilar Albarracín, featuring a large stuffed donkey It was the afternoon atop a pile of books and magazines. It reminded of the concert and I me of Nick Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s was in the middle of Dream after his transformation by Puck. buying ham, cheese I was then offered an explanation of the word ‘guaand bread for the crew, pa’ which was hand-stitched onto a banner above who were busy building two stuffed peacocks. It means beautiful, but it’s the stage. Suddenly more like shouting ‘you’re hot’ at a passer-by. the promoter rang. I was given a demonstration and it was pretty much ‘Giles, have you seen hollered across the room, reminding me of Scottish George?’ lads shouting ‘Oi legs!’ out of their souped-up Cor‘No,’ I replied. ‘I’m busy sas. I laughed as I noted the common courtship buying lunch for the rituals across both cultures. crew.’ Ultimately, the day was a success. I really enjoyed ‘OK,’ said the promoter. gaining the perspectives of other people, from oth‘But have you seen er places, and can’t help but think of The Death of him?’ the Author by Roland Barthes. He suggests that art I was hot, tired and iris ‘a tissue of quotations drawn from the innumerritable and shot back, able centres of culture… everything is to be disen‘Not unless he’s moontangled, nothing deciphered.’ lighting behind the Thank you Meetup, CAC Malaga and my new cheese counter at Sufriends. per Sol!’

My first meet up

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Waste not, want not VEG PATCH: Allotment

Giving back GARDENERS in Spain are giving back what they grow. Social allotments in Antequera have donated 500 kilos of vegetables including tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, aubergines and courgettes. The impressive amount of food will go to the Antequera Solidarity Platform, which manages the local food bank.

FEARS: For anchovies

Troubled waters ONE of Malaga’s most popular dishes in under threat. The Andalucian anchovy, or boqueron, is in desperate need of protection as overfishing threatens the species. Over 70% of officially-licensed boqueron fishing boats dock in Malaga, leading to a depletion of the species in the region, according to the ministry of agriculture, fisheries and environment. Calls to introduce a ‘boqueron season’ similar to the tuna fishing restrictions are now growing. Currently the fish is caught all year round with no limit on the number of fish that can be netted.

AN app has been launched in Spain to reduce the amount of food waste produced throughout the country. Yo no deperdicio app allows people to exchange surplus food with each other before it goes out of date. The goal is to help curb waste from es-

British expat launches cookbook to keep your body in check

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tablishments that typically toss out perfectly edible food at the end of the day. A similar app - Too good to go - has also been launched in the UK, while in the states the Food cowboy app has been set up to distribute vegetables deemed ‘too ugly’ by supermarket chains.

Beating cancer

IT can take quite a wake up call to get on the path to a healthy lifestyle. For Lorraine Ereira, author of Love and Wheatgrass, that wake up call came when her husband, Simeon, was diagnosed with cancer. A sports therapist for 15 years, Ereira, who moved to Benalmadena from England in 2014, found that research into traditional medicine and natural supportive approaches to treatments was her best coping strategy. Her book is the result of that hunt for information in hopes of helping other people who find themselves faced with the harsh reality of traditional medicine’s impact on the body. Love and Wheatgrass is divided into sections that detail Ereira and her husband’s journey with cancer as well as detoxifying diet plans to strengthen the body before treatment and post treatment tips for maintaining health. Wheatgrass played a large role in the therapy of Ereira and her husband as it helps treat anemia, a common side effect of cancer medicine that reduces the effect of the therapy. According to Ereira, she and her husband are healthier posttreatment since they are aware of the impact of lifestyle on the way their bodies function. The couple stick to a largely

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HEALTHY: New book organic diet, eat less meat, avoid toxic exposure from household cleaning products, air fresheners, and body products, and make time for relaxation and meditation.

Love and Wheatgrass details this as well as natural supportive approaches to cancer treatments and is available to purchase from Amazon as a paperback or e-book.

Volleyballs and vol-au-vents FANS of beach volleyball and fine dining are in for a treat. Olivia’s restaurant in La Cala is hosting a two-day beach volleyball bonanza followed by after party at the glamourous restaurant. National professional players will be taking part in the competition on La Cala beach on August 22 and 23. With games being played from 4pm until 10pm, Elliott Wright’s eatery will remain open until 2am with music, drinks and entertainment by the bucket load. For more information visit www.oliviaslacala.com

FAST FOOD: Delivery firm

Go-Glovo! A SPANISH food delivery start-up has received €5 million in funding. Barcelona-based Glovo, which operates across Spain, delivers hot food from nearby restaurants to your door. It hopes to expand into delivering other non-food items too, like electronics and pharmaceuticals. The new funds will be used primarily to consolidate its presence in the countries it already operates in, mostly Spain, France and Italy.

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Food, drink & travel

August 17th - August 30th 2016

Fancy fruit Ana DeJesus uncovers the best tomatoes found in Spain

PAIN has a fruitful relationship with the tomato. An enthusiastic grower and consumer, Spain produces a fifth of all the tomatoes in Europe, exported principally to Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and

France. The country is also among the highest in the world in terms of consumption of tomatoes. Although it’s hard to imagine, the ruby red fruit wasn’t always an irreplaceable part of Spanish cuisine like it is now.

Raf tomato The Raf Tomato originated in Almeria as the result of selection and crossing of traditional tomato varieties. Thanks to the mild climate of its birthplace in Andalucia, the Raf is most commonly available from December to April, a rare winter fruit. This tomato is characterised by its flattened shape, grooved sides, and dark green streaks of color. The darker the color, the sweeter the

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Tomatoes are natives of the New World and were brought back to Europe by Spaniards in the early 16th century. The Spanish word tomate comes from the Aztec word tomati. But because they are part of the nightshade family of plants, which are poisonous, Europefruit, though the Raf does have a bit of acidity. Rafs ripen from the inside out, meaning that they are ripe and sweet on the inside while retaining their firm and crunchy texture. Esteemed and highly fashionable fruit, Raf tomatoes are so representative of Andalucia that twostar Michelin chef Dani Garcia created an award-winning dish called Our Raf tomato, stuffed with pipiranna, Motril shrimp, green bean juice and aromatised green onion.

ans were suspicious of the new fruit and used them as decorative plants. It took almost two hundred years for the tomato to become an integral part of Spanish cuisine. In Spain, tomatoes are generally used fresh in salads or for cooking although canned products like tomate frito (tomato and olive oil sauce) have always been popular. The classic Spanish dish gazpacho is perhaps the country’s greatest homage to the tomato. The oblong Roma variety is typically used for this cold soup along with bell peppers, bread, olive oil, vinegar and garlic. Salmorejo and pisto, a type of ratatouille, also utilise the fruit. And sofrito, a blend of garlic, onion, and tomato, serves as a base for a multitude of Spanish dishes. It’s not a surprise, then, that Spanish growers produce some of the most tasty and high quality varieties of tomatoes. Though for the best kinds, you may have to venture outside the supermarket.

Pink tomato of Huesca (Barbastro) A Spanish variety grown in the northern part of the region of Aragón in the foothills of the Pyrenees, this pink tomato has long been cultivated in small plots in the province and is traditionally sold in local markets around Huesca. Larger in size with thin skin, a pinkish colour, and fleshy interior, the tomate rosa’s intense, delicious flavour and few seeds mean that it is becoming more popular in the Catalan market, as well as Madrid and northern Spain, and is best appreciated in a simple tomato salad.

Green Tomatoes

Kumato

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A Kumato basically comes with a quality guarantee. Developed in the early 2000s in Murcia, this variety is Spain’s response to consumer’s demand for a tomato with taste. Not your average salad tomato, the Kumato is edible whether ripe or not and, like the Raf, it ripens from the inside out, making it intense, sweet, and juicy with a firm texture. This fruit is known as a ‘black’ tomato with a shiny, perfectly round appearance a dark shade of green. Kumatoes are a favourite with Michelin star chefs like Joaquin Felipe who makes a Kumato tartar with Bluefin tuna, Ramon Freixa who created a baked Kumato with shrimp tortita and egg yolk, and Adolfo Muñoz’s recipe for Kumato pisto with jamón Serrano, among others.

It’s easy to confuse green tomatoes with similar-looking Mexican tomatillos. Here’s the difference. Green tomatoes are essentially hard, unripe tomatoes that have not yet changed color, with the exception of a few varieties that stay green when ripe. They’re usually sold in the fall as cooler temperatures mean that the fruit does not receive enough heat to ripen fully. Green tomatoes are firm and tart so they are usually cooked and most often fried. Tomatillos are the fruit of a different plant entirely. They are coated in a sticky residue and protected with a papery husk when picked. Tomatillos have a tart, fruit, and slightly herbal flavor so they are often used in salsas and sauces. Fried green tomatoes are a common tapa dish and a great option for vegetarians looking for a crunchy treat.

with DINING SECRETS of www.theolivepress.es August 17th - August 30th 2016 ANDALUCIA.com

BOXES

Eating is not the only activity done with tomatoes in Spain. The famous food fight festival, La Tomatina, is held every year on the last Wednesday of August in the town of Bunol near Valencia. Thousands of people come from all over the world to throw more than one hundred metric tonnes of over-ripe tomatoes in the street.

Monserrat tomato

Pink Tomato of Aracena

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Perhaps best known as the heritage tomato of Catalan, this fruit, named after the holy mountain of Catalonia and Our Lady of Montserrat, patroness of Catalonia, has been grown for generations in El Vallès. It has always been popular among locals but was not known beyond the region and is only now being planted more widely. The Montserrat is considered one of the prettiest tomatoes. With its flawless, undulating form that seems carved from red wax, slices of its sweet, juicy flesh have an almost floral design. Perfect for stuffing and baking, the Montserrat is also delicious in salads with Figueres onions and white beans, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

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This little-known tomato variety comes from the mountains of Aracena, in the province of Huelva. The tomate rosado of Aracena can grow to a pretty large size and has a delicate skin that requires wooden boards to prevent the fruit touching the ground and rotting when ripe. It has a delicate, sweet flavour and is traditionally eaten fresh or bottled for the winter. This pink tomato is the key ingredient in a local dish called distraído, bread topped with extra virgin olive oil, tomato pulp, and thin strips of tocino Ibérico.

Traditional Gazpacho Recipe Ingredients

10 oz of bread 21 oz. of tomato 2 cloves of garlic 2 onions 2 red and green peppers 1 cucumber (optional) 7 tablespoons of oil 2 tablespoons of vinegar 1 1/2 tablespoon of water Cumin (optional)

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www.molinodelsanto.com Preparation In a big mortar mash the cumin, the garlic and the soaked bread, in a plastic bowl mix the chopped onion, the chopped tomato, the oil, the vinegar, the salt and the contents of the mortar, mash it with the mixer and add very cold water to mix everything. Add salt and strain it. Keep it in the fridge until served. Serve with the tomato, the cucumber, the pepper and the toasted bread cut to dices. Recipe from spain-recipes.com

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Food, drink & travel

August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

A Roman Oasis in the making

FROM A FIELD TO FUN, FUN, FUN: The Roman Oasis has changed a lot over its 30-year genesis

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ED up with chiringuitos and tapas bars that all look the same? Then head to Casares for a truly unique experience at The Roman Oasis. As owner Paul Hickling readies himself to pull the curtain down on the restaurant’s 34th summer, time is running out to sample the extravagance of the Oasis! Andalucia’s most eccentric restaurant, The Roman Oasis shuts its doors on August 31 for another year. “It really is book now or miss out,” Paul says. “We are already booked up for closing night but there are still tables available for the next two weeks.” Near the celebrated Roman baths in La Hedionda, hence the name, just up the road from the Lidl in Sabinillas, the summer barbeque restaurant is wellknown on the coast for its delicious

Closing night is drawing in at the coast’s most exuberant restaurant

Dine like a Roman

food and delightfully quirky decor. (Not to mention resident parrot Ruby, who can be heard repeating orders across the restaurant.) A full-size cannon, a skeleton that lights up when you walk past and a King Arthur’s sword wedged in one of the tables are all part of the world of owner Paul Hickling. Once the stomping ground of TV chef Keith Floyd (this was his favourite restaurant in Spain) The

Roman Oasis should not be missed. Guests dine in a charming courtyard under the stars, entertained and looked after by Paul, easily one of the coast’s most ebullient and amusing hosts. For more information call 952 892 380 or visit www.romanoasis.com

CHEERS: Owner Paul with the late Keith Lloyd

Sour grapes ENGLISH wine has been voted the fourth best in the world ahead of Spain, New Zealand and South Africa. A survey of 2,000 drinkers for trade publication The Grocer showed 11% prefer a British bottle of plonk, with French the most popular at 36% and 15% preferring Italian. Only 7% of those surveyed opted for Spanish wine, with experts expecting English wine to surge ahead in popularity in the coming years. “I expect England to climb the ratings as English wines continue to grow and more consumers are surprised and delighted by the quality of our homegrown produce,” said Mark Harvey from Chapel Down, one of the UK’s biggest homegrown producers.

Roca tour THE most famous culinary brothers to come out of Spain have hit the road. Landing in London the Roca brothers - Jordi, Josep and Joan - have been putting on a masterclass for budding chefs. Cooking up beef checks and oyster floats, the boys behind world-renowned El Celler de Can Roca served a class of students at Westminster Kingsway College.

Sport

www.theolivepress.es GRFU denied membership of Rugby Europe after secret lobbying BALLERS: Adrian (Right) and Pablo in Rio

The Beach Boys

A LA LINEA native has done his town and country proud at the Rio Olympics. Adrian Gavira, 28, had been representing Spain in the Men’s beach volleyball with his partner Pablo Herrera. The pair, despite being ranked 15th in the world, defied expectations when they won their extremely tough pool, making it through to the final 16. They went on to face Brazil’s Bruno Schmidt and Alison Cerutti in the first match of the knock-out stages, but were unable to defeat the home favourites, who won in straight sets 2-0. The reigning world champions did not have it too easy in the first set, having to win on a tie break, but they cruised comfortably through the second, taking the match 24-22, 21-13. Adrian and Pablo would have felt history was repeating itself, having been eliminated at the same point during the London 2012 games, again losing to a Brazilian team.

Bowled over

SPAIN and Gibraltar’s cricket teams are gearing up for their first competitive match in the T-20 World Cricket League Europe Division 2. The round-robin tournament in Sweden will pit Gibraltar against Israel, the Isle Of Man, Sweden, Germany and Spain with the top-two teams qualifying for Division 1. Gibraltar, ranked 12th in Europe and 59th worldwide, has the smallest population of any International Cricket Council (ICC) member. But manager Sunil Chandiramani is confident his team will acquit themselves well. A number of friendlies have recently been played to test the squad against the best of the midweek players that aren't travelling,” Chandiramani told the Olive Press. “Despite being a relatively young squad, well over half of the team have had past experience of playing for Gibraltar at international tournaments and 95% of the squad have come through the age groups over the last decade or so. “There are no ex-pros amongst us, we are all either in full-time employment or education, however it is fantastic to see 90% of us are born-and-bred Gibraltarians.”

EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan SECRET Spanish lobbying has scuppered Gibraltar’s bid to join governing body Rugby Europe, the Olive Press can reveal. Jose Maria Epalza, Rugby Europe’s Spanish treasurer for 24 years, is believed to have turned countries against Gibraltar at a crucial membership vote in June. Gibraltar needed 200 of the 300 votes at the meeting in Georgian capital Tbilisi, but secured 186, with Gibraltar Rugby Football Union (GRFU) chairman Chad Thomson fingering Epalza for blame. “Epalza has embarrassed himself within Rugby Europe. A lot of people are saying what he is doing is very wrong,” Thomson told the Olive Press. “We were told by other nations the evening before that he was lobbying against us. He has cost us membership. “Membership would mean our athletes could pit themselves against smaller sized nations like Cyprus or Luxembourg. There is no reason they should not be able to do that. It’s very frustrating.” A June court ruling had overturned a 2013 decision to block Gibraltar’s membership, with an unauthorised speech by Epalza in 2013 against the Rock cited as the cause. Thomson, who has led Gibraltar’s six-year bid, has received support from Rugby Europe President Octavian Morariu and leading International Olympic Committee (IOC) lawyer Francois Carrard, who believes the GRFU meet all requirements.

August 17th - August 30th 2016 August 17th - August 30th 2016

Spain blocks Gib rugby bid

DRIVING ON: Gibraltar rugby team

The GRFU has now called for a new vote, which will be held at the end of the year. “I think that here was massive political intervention from the Spanish foreign ministry in 2013,” said Thomson. “We will be going back in December for another vote. We will get there.” Ezpalza failed to respond to Olive Press questions when contacted.

PARALYMPIAN: Jesus

Slam dunk

A MALAGA-BASED wheelchair basketball player is gearing up for the Paralympics. Representing Spain, Jesus Romero, 31, will be going for gold in the wheelchair basketball from September 8 to 18. “I’m very happy, it’s been quite difficult to be here, because there’s such a high standard,” he said. “I have to keep working and give everything to pursue the best possible position.” He added that Spain can ‘do a good job’ and is optimistic about their chances. This is Romero’s second appearance at the Olympics, having helped his team achieve 5th at the London 2012 games. The Velez-Malaga Sports Facebook page said: “Our great local wheelchair basketball athlete will be an Olympian again, this time at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games. Congratulations champion. Proud of you.”

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ON THE RISE: Sam Clucas

The Graduate ALUMNI of Glenn Hoddle’s Jerez academy Sam Clucas has made his Premier League debut. The former Jerez Industrial midfielder donned the orange

Slip up KIND judges kept the Olympic dreams of one Spanish swimmer alive in Rio. After Miguel Duran Navia slipped into the pool before the gun it appeared he would be disqualified from the men’s 400-metre freestyle event However, the judges met and decided to allow Navia to compete, stating that noise in the arena had led to the false start. Navia finished seventh in his heat so he did not advance to the final but the 20-year-old got to fulfill his dream of swimming in the Olympics.

and black of Hull as the Tigers beat champions Leicester 2-1. Spending two years at Hoddle’s academy Englishman Clucas then transferred to Hereford United before spells at Mansfield Town and Chesterfield.

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A BRITISH girlfriend has come up with - August an ingenious wayAugust to keep 17th her hubby in 30th 2016 check while he’s away in Mallorca. Edinburgh lass Whitney Travers has provided her boyfriend with a 10-step rulebook for his trip to infamous Magaluf. The rules for Scot Kieran Lumsden include: ‘Do not follow girls on social media, not to get a tattoo because he'll be checked when home, not to mix drink, and that drugs are for mugs’. It continues: ‘No girls whatsoever. Don't look. Don't talk. Do not touch!!!!!! (Cheat and I will destroy everything Celtic, I will also make your life a living hell)’. Kieran tweeted a pic of the booklet which has been completed in gel pen, stating: “She's taken psycho-ness to a new level.”

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THE Guardia Civil performed 50 controlled explosions to save the life of a 37-year-old French caver who was injured and trapped underground for three days.

FINAL WORDS

Jam packed

advice

AROUND 6 million people descended on Malaga for the 2016 feria, one of Europe’s biggest and oldest street festivals.

A TOTAL of 10 people have drowned on the Costa del Sol since the beginning of the summer.

Tipsy Traveller A DRUNK Easyjet passenger who drank two bottles of wine before his Malagabound flight was arrested after the pilot was forced to turn back to Bristol.

A PAIR of battling beachgoers have become an internet sensation after rowing over a spot of sand that’s been allegedly reserved for OVER A CENTURY! The spat in Gibraltar surrounds a two-metre square section of beach bagged by the same family since 1912. In a claim that would put the Germans to shame, four chairs, a plastic dining table and two umbrellas sit on Catalan Bay protected by four metal barriers.

Beachgoers row over spot of sand claimed by the same family since 1912 EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore A placard attached to one reads: “No trespasing (SIC), this spot belongs to the Hayes Yanito family since 1912.” Viewed by thousands on Facebook, the video hears another beachgoer questioning

Tranquilo,

the validity of the spot, just before the ‘owner’ arrives. Clearly angry as he puts his towel and rucksack down, the man apparently from the Hayes family barks: “My family have been here for over 100 years.” Talking in a mixture of Spanish and English, he continues: “My great grandmother used to come over here at

Wolfman

POSSESSIVE: Hayes and (left) his area of beach this same spot, my grandparents used to come to this same spot and my mother used to bring us and she broke her waters here before she gave birth to me.” But the filmmaker, fellow Gibraltarian Monique Benatar, is clearly unconvinced by the claim. After angrily dubbing his reservation skills ‘unacceptable’, she inexplicably throws a glass of water over him. The video has been liked by almost 2,000 people since it was added to a private Gibraltar community Facebook page.

SPANISH parents have won the right to name their newborn son Wolf. Madrid couple Ignacio and Maria Javierre were given official permission to name their son Lobo following a high-profile campaign and petition. The name had been rejected for its potential to do harm to the child because it's an animal’s name, as well as on the grounds of it being more commonly used as a surname. The parents argued that wolves stand for strength, protection and intelligence, before gathering over 20,000 signatures on a Change.com petition from people supporting their choice. Even Pablo Iglesias, the leader of the leftist Podemos Party, weighed in, saying on Twitter: “I think Lobo is a lovely and dignified name. If you can call a child Paloma (Dove) or León (Lion), why not Lobo?”

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