Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 315 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

We probe the rise of the far right in Spain

Banderas and our guide to Semana Santa SEE PAGE 9

SEE PAGE 6

PLUS don’t miss the coast’s Property coolest Property Magazine FREE ROCK STEADY INSIDE be Ma st lag ma pro a’s ga pe zin rty e

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April 2019

remarkable centre could win Spain PLASTIC FANTASTIC: How this architectural prize, See page IV

important

WOAH: Emerging from the rock, this stunning home in Valencia is trademark Fran Silvestre, a Spanish architect who is continuing to make his mark in the architectural world. See Fran-tastic page XVI

grown for HE average property price in Spain has in a decade. two consecutive years for the first time from between The national average house price rose 3.9% to 8.4%, according to various sources. the islands, where most Along the Mediterranean coasts and on been 4.06%, according foreigners buy, the average price hike has company. to Tinsa, Spain’s leading property appraisalup for the big drops But the figures have mostly not yet madethe exception of the during the long six year recession, with

Prices rise for two consecutive years, while mortgage values continue to grow

Balearic Islands. the recovery began, “Prices have been rising most years since and nowhere near but nothing like they did in the boom years, the bust,” explained reenough to claw back the ground lost in Property Insight. spected analyst Mark Stucklin, of Spanish

data suggests that the However, he added ‘at the very least, the year.’ Spanish property continued to grow last was up 6.1% in Mortgage lending to home buyers meanwhile to the Association of January to 19,390 new loans, according Spanish Notaries. had a value of €135,616, The average new loan made in January as mortgage lending for an increase of 0.9% in a year. As long as it has done for residential acquisitions continues to increase, market is set to grow. the last few years, the Spanish property

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Gibraltar has announced a major new £300 million development. Victoria Keys will create up to 60,000 meters of new land from reclamation. The project will be made up of housing, leisure, community, retail and commercial space.

Power grab

SPAIN’S PP party has set out audacious plans for a power grab to take back control from Andalucia and the other autonomous regions. Leader Pablo Casado announced his commitment to strengthen the central government’s role in the run up to national elections in a fortnight. He insisted that such a move would prevent corruption and lead to a drop in taxes. It comes as the party attempts to see off the threat from an insurgent Vox Party, whose leader has described the Junta and other autonomous parliaments the ‘cancer of Spain’. Under the plan, the PP wants to increase resources for regional government delegations and paralyse any further transfer of power to the regions.

Supremacy

The supremacy of the National Police and Guardia Civil over regional security bodies would also be enshrined under the proposals advanced by PP. Casado insisted the move would see Spain being administered ‘more effectively’. The election hopeful stated that his party would carry out a sweeping review of how the regional authorities operate looking at ‘efficiency and equity.’ Spain’s quasi-federal political system of ‘autonomous states’ was added to the constitution in 1978. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose party drafted the constitution, strongly opposed the plan, insisting the PSOE would defend ‘tooth and nail’ the principal of regional self-government.

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Vol. 13 Issue 315 www.theolivepress.es April 10th - April 23rd 2019

Homeless expat’s desperate plea after tenant refuses to pay rent or leave his home

Get out of My home BATTLE: (Above) For home and (right) Patrick with proof of ownership

Tel: 952 147 834 See page 31

902 123 282

AN expat has been made homeless after his British tenant refused to move out and allegedly ‘threatened to kill him’ if he returned. Patrick O’Loughlin, 72, is appealing for help after being forced to sleep rough after finding himself unable to afford the cost of a hotel. The British pensioner, from London, has

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been dossing down on benches at train stations and Malaga airport. Despite having evidence that he owns the property, the Londoner says he has had little help from the cops and that his case is making its way too slowly through the courts. “My wife left me that home when she died eight years ago and I can prove it,” O’Loughlin - who suffers from high blood pressure - told the Olive Press. “My tenant agreed to move out in February but she is still there and now there is a huge man living in my bedroom and they won’t leave. “They both owe me at least €1,500 in rent.” www.eliteglasscurtains.com O’Loughlin said when he calls po-

lice to the home in Fuengirola, his tenant, a British woman, manages to ‘sweet talk’ the cops with her fluent Spanish. He also believes the tenant - who the Olive Press exposed several years ago in a furniture scam - has used his bank account to pay for the internet and other items. “She has totally conned me,” the fatherof-one continued. “She under-paid her first month’s rent and asked me for my bank details to pay me the rest. “Stupidly I gave her them because I trusted her, and now there’s a string of strange charges on my account.” The Olive Press has seen bank statements which appear to back up O’Loughlin’s claims. The expat, who has lived in Spain for decades, has asked Olive Press readers for help. “If anyone can offer me a place to stay for a few days or can offer any legal aid it would be brilliant, I need all the help I can get to get. I just want them gone.” O’Loughlin’s son, who asked not to be named, showed messages to this paper, from the tenant, threatening to kill his dad if he tried to enter his home again. The Olive Press visited the property this week but the tenant was not available to comment. Email newsdesk@theolivepress.es if you can help

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Flaming outrage A SPANISH fireman has been accused of human trafficking and faces 20 years in prison after he saved thousands of migrants in rescue missions.

Don’t worry THE Junta has doubled down on its commitment to give owners of illegal homes in Andalucia a ‘second chance’, in new legislation announced by President Juanma Moreno.

Red road A NEW poll has found that the PSOE will win the April 28 election by between 123 and 128 seats, but Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will fall short of an absolute majority.

EU-turn THE EU has agreed to extend the Brexit deadline to June 30.

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

Golf assault

Missing mystery POLICE are searching for a British father and son who mysteriously vanished while on holiday in Spain. Daniel and Liam Poole have not been seen since April 1 after arriving on the Costa del Sol for a six-day break. Cops in Spain and the UK are appealing for information over the whereabouts of Daniel, 46 and Liam, 22, who were staying at the Valle Romano hotel, in Estepona, when they disappeared. “This is completely out of character for them,” Daniel’s partner Tara Poole told the Olive Press, this week. “They never have their phones off and always keep in touch, we are so worried.” Tara flew out with Liam’s girlfriend on Sunday in a bid to find answers and help from Spanish police. “We can confirm we are now investigating but cannot release any details at this time,” a spokesman for the Policia Nacional told the Olive Press. Tara last heard from Daniel,

Leading European club cancels further golf breaks to Spain after member accused of sexual assault at five-star Costa resort A LEADING European golf club has slammed Spanish police after one of its members allegedly groped a female bartender while on a golf break. Austrian golfer Wolfgang Habersatter, 55, has been accused of sexually assaulting the worker, while drinking at the bar of Estepona’s five star Gran Hotel Elba. The father-of-two was arrested by police in his hotel room on Saturday evening. Witnesses insisted he had been drinking and his friends were ‘behaving rowdily’. But the manager of Salzburg’s exclusive Radstadt golf club told the Olive Press

that Habersatter was ‘completely innocent’. Executive Director Horst Watzlik vowed the 20 members who had made the trip, ‘would not return to Spain’ due to the ‘upsetting’ events. He added that police had ‘reacted heavily’ and the incident had been blown out of proportion. He said Habersatter had merely ‘touched the girl’s back’ and it did not constitute assault. “Wolfgang was upset when I saw him,” he told the Olive Press, “we are all upset,

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Family affair

TWO British expats have been arrested after allegedly posting drugs to the UK. The duo allegedly hid MDMA and hashish among packages of food products and sent them from various locations in Cadiz. Police raided two homes in San Roque and Manilva seizing 13,480 kg of hashish, 10,300 MDMA pills and 16g of marijuana. They are awaiting trial.

EXCLUSIVE By Charlie Smith

A GUARDIA Civil officer and two of his kids have been arrested for money laundering. The family trio were arrested in Estepona, where the cop was on holiday. He was previously arrested for similar crimes while working in Algeciras. The public official is now awaiting trial.

DENIAL: Golf tourist Habersatter many of our members don’t want to go back to Spain. “He is a good golfer and I think he is happy that the problem has gone away.” Policia Nacional are continuing to investigate the case after officers were alerted to the hotel, when the bartender filed a denuncia. According to a regular guest at the hotel, Habersatter was ‘drunk’ with his friends. Gran Hotel Elba Estepona was approached for comment, but said it could not give further details due to ‘data protection’. A spokesman for Estepona’s Policia Nacional confirmed: “We arrested a man, 55, at the hotel on Saturday night at 20.30 for allegedly sexually assaulting a member of staff.”

who owns a car garage in Burgess Hill, Sussex, at around 6.30pm last Monday. Their last known whereabouts was at an internet cafe, in Estepona, where they spent around €12, Tara has discovered. “We are trying to piece together what happened but none of it makes sense,” she added. “We think they might have been caught up in something bad.” Daniel is described as white, 5ft 9in, of a stocky build and has short, grey hair. Liam is white, 6ft tall, medium-sized and has short, light-brown hair. Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or Sussex police.

Fishy business Crypto kush

COPS swooped on a fishmonger selling an illegally caught bluefin tuna in Marbella. Officers seized the rare 180kg fish after the market stall was unable to provide documentation to prove it was a legal catch. They were working with the Junta’s Fisheries Inspection unit to clamp down on the illegal sale of one of the world’s most endangered species.

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SEVEN drug traffickers have been arrested after they hid their profits using cryptocurrencies. A Policia Nacional investigation began when officers discovered a house in Algeciras used to grow cannabis. The criminal network, which extended up to Barcelona, also used fake companies names in order to cover their tracks.

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You’re not alone HE may have won an Oscar for his role in hit movie No Country For Old Men, but job offers don’t come easy for Javier Bardem in Spain. The actor, who lives in Madrid with wife Penelope Cruz and their two kids, has revealed he does not receive any scripts from Spanish filmmakers. The 50-year-old actor said: “I work much less in Spain than I would like to. “I don’t get the scripts because people think I live abroad, or that I would be looking for stratospheric money, which is not true.” Spain has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe with 14.1% out of work.

Queen of thrift

Price of leaving!

JOBLESS: Javier Bardem

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

THE mother of British celebrity Katie Price, aka Jordan, has been blasted for voting Leave in the EU referendum despite living in Spain. Amy Price told Good Morning Britain she voted out in the 2016 vote ‘to take back control’ of the UK. “I hate the fact that we are being told what to do by the EEC, the Europe thing,” she told presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. The Brit, who lives on the Costa del Sol, then added: “I’ve been to Spain and the roads over there are absolutely immaculate. All paid for by us. Yet over here our roads have potholes everywhere.”

She insisted she only lived in Spain for health reasons, after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2017. “The dry air is so much better for me, and the warmth. I am coughing more here. Whereas in Spain it’s easier for me to walk more and do more.” Former glamour model Katie, who appeared on the show with her mum, added that she didn’t vote in the referendum.

Pres a manger

Barack Obama zooms in for Cadiz-style meal during Spain trip

ECONOMICAL: Queen Letizia with Prince Charles in London and (below) recycled dress

BARACK Obama made sure to go for a presidential-style eater during a three day trip to Andalucia. The former US President took

UK press pylon in

Fight the power!

AN Olive Press campaign to stop electric pylons ruining one of Andalucia’s most emblematic areas has been followed up by the UK press. The Mail on Sunday followed up our Fight the Power campaign revealing that comedians Rowan Atkinson and Alexei Sayle and songwriter Paul Weller have all joined the battle for the Lecrin Valley and the Alpujarras. Our campaign aims to stop the network of 362 pylons going into the area. A spokesman for the Di No a las Torres group, said: “There is now a huge groundswell of opinion against these monstrous pylons, which will do considerable damage to the area.”

A-LIST BACKERS: Weller, Atkinson and Sayle

FOOD FRIENDS: Obama (right) with chef Alcantara a group of friends to the trendy Bache de San Pedro restaurant in the heart of Sevilla old town. He insisted on visiting the restaurant run by Cadiz-born Ale Alcantara, where he ate a stunning display of Andalucia’s best produce with a Japanese and Middle East twist. This included gyozas of Andalucian veal with pickled ginger, alongside a kebab of Cadiz pork scratchings (chicharrones) with a sauce made from payoyo - an award-winning cheese from Grazalema. Wearing a navy suit, he was joined by former US ambassador to Spain James Costos and his boyfriend Michael Smith, among others. He had been recommended to Alcantara, who opened his first restaurant in Madrid, after training under Martin Berasategui, Eneko Atxa and Sergi Arola. Obama was seen exiting a black

van, surrounded by security, before later waving to cheering crowds who had gathered to snap a pic of the much-loved ex-president. They took up three tables and sat alongside various tourists including a pair of Americans ‘who couldn’t believe it’. The feast came after Obama took in the sights during a three-day working visit to Sevilla. The former US President enjoyed a private tour of the Real Alcazar after being a keynote speaker at the World Travel Tourism Summit conference. The 57-year-old was escorted around the Arabic palace by the city’s mayor Juan Espadas. The father-of-two stayed at the iconic Alfonso XIII hotel. It came after he had emphasised the need to ‘build bridges and not walls’ during a meeting with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez.

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QUEEN Letizia is not shy when it comes to wearing the same outfit twice. The thrifty royal admitted it after stepping out during a visit at the School of Engraving in Madrid, donning the same outfit she wore in Madrid in October last year. It’s no surprise she elected to wear it again, looking chic and perfectly transeasonal in a colour-blocked Hugo Boss skirt and matching geometric blouse and camel coat. The double take comes after the former journalist met with Prince Charles to open a brand new exhibition of Valencian artist Joaquin Sorolla at London’s National Gallery.

A PAIR of expat bar owners have been chosen to appear in hit series A New Life in the Sun. Husband and wife Sally Jackson, 52, from London, and Jan Versteeg, 54, from Enschede in the Netherlands own bistro B-Marbella.

Raising the bar The pair, who have lived in Spain for 15 years, are set to reopen their restaurant and bar on April 20, a few days after the Channel 4 show is set to be broadcast. “We are looking forward to seeing our bar on the TV show and it inspiring people to visit Marbella and enjoy what we have to offer,” dad-of-two Jan said.

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Mijas-gate REVELATIONS of phone tapping at Mijas town hall may be linked to an earlier recording of former mayor Angel Nozal allegedly offering bribes to a fellow councillor. Attempts by current mayor Juan Carlos Maldonado to have the investigation shelved were voted down as the board agreed to continue looking into allegations of mass illegal surveillance. Maldonado first called into question the credentials of lead auditor Cesar Gil Mauriz and then reported him to the Guardia Civil on suspicion of fraud.

Espionage

Mijas town hall was rocked by allegations of espionage after Mauritz supposedly recovered computer files containing confidential recordings of councillors, and municipal employees. Maldonado said that the audit process had been ‘in no way clear" and that, in his opinion, it had caused public unease, ‘based on nothing up to now’. This comes despite the fact the preliminary report into the illegal activity was signed by a second accredited professional. See Mijasgate page 54

Hacked off Government press officer probed over links to ‘patriotic brigade’ who trashed PP opponents and faked stories A SENIOR government press officer has been forced to resign after he faced charges of helping to cook up false claims against Spain’s left wing political leader Pablo Iglesias. The former editor of Interviu magazine, Alberto Pozas, 59, has been accused of helping to trash the reputation of the Podemos leader, with claims that both Iran and Venezuela funded his party. It came after he admitted to a judge in Madrid that he had

handled a pen-drive, which was full of personal information on Iglesias. Much of the information which appeared in his magazine in 2018 - was acquired after one of Iglesias’ assistant’s had her phone stolen in 2016. The stories, which also appeared in online news website OKdiario, came from fake documents allegedly obtained from ‘police informers’. One of the allegations, followed up by the national me-

Fiscal revolution RESIDENTS in Andalucia are set to pay less income tax under new Junta laws. Despite claims that a drop will impact social services, leader Juan Manuel Moreno will introduce the ‘fiscal revolution’ this year. As part of a three year plan, the Junta aims to lessen the tax burden on both the lowest and highest earners. “It is a massive drop in taxes and as long as another government doesn't repeal what we are doing, we will lower taxes every year so that from 2019 to 2022 we have the same taxation as Madrid," he said. Currently workers in Madrid pay between 9% and 21% income tax depending on how much they earn. The lowest earners in Andalucia pay 10% while people earning above €120,000 per year pay 25.5%. Moreno said reducing the gap will benefit families and attract investment.

SINGLE IMPLANT

dia, showed that Venezuela’s communist Maduro government paid Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias $272,000 through a bank in the Grenadines. However it has since emerged that a bank statement had been rigged using online screenshots, and the names of various Venezuelan departments. Judge Manuel García-Castellón believes Pozas worked alongside disgraced former police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo, who is awaiting trial for countless charges of fraud, phone tapping and other criminal behaviour. Villarejo - a shady figure who oversaw the ‘cesspit of the Spanish state’ under the PP party - amassed millions of euros, dozens of gold bars and hundreds of properties around Spain during his 20 years as the head of the Policia Nacional. He oversaw a group - dubbed the ‘Patriotic Brigade’ - who were allegedly tasked under former PP leader Mariano Rajoy’s government of finding, or fabricating, evidence against political opponents. Villarejo is also linked to the ‘Operation Kitchen’ papers, which were stolen from former PP treasurer Luis Barcenas and showed how PM Rajoy had been closely involved in wide-scale corruption and fraud.

IMPLANT BRIDGE

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

NOLOTIL ACTION STILL NEEDED Expat handed lethal painkiller after routine operation

BRITISH patients are still EXCLUSIVE being handed the banned By Timothy McNulty painkiller Nolotil despite a directive issued to health bodies after we launched our Kill last year following countless The Drug campaign in 2017. Nolotil has been found to deaths. The Olive Press can reveal cause sepsis and a rapid drop that a hospital on the Costa in white blood cells leading to del Sol handed expat pen- the deaths of several british sioner Keith Caldwell, 78, holidaymakers. Fortunately, the danger drug following an in this case Keith suffered no ill effects, but Sylvia has said operation this month. Fortunately his wife realised the ‘scary’ incident left her soon after doctor’s adminis- deeply concerned for other expats. Medical tered the drug, translator Cristina which has been Garcia del Campo, banned in the UK, who has consistently US and most of campaigned against Europe. the drug for years, “When we realitold the Olive Press: sed he had alreNOLOTIL “Unfortunately, this ady had two bottVICTORY is happening quite les of Nolotil I was a lot, people never shocked,” Sylvia know when they are Caldwell, 71, told 902 123 282 going to be given Nolotil. the Olive Press this week. “I know it does not affect “I believe people will only everyone but there is always be safe once it has been fua chance which was worrying. lly banned.” In November Caldwell had been adminis- Spain’s medical agency AEtered Nolotil via a drip while MES issued a directive to recovering from a gallbladder all healthcare bodies to stop operation at Malaga’s CHIP giving the drug to British and Irish visitors, unless caprivate hospital. This was despite hospitals refully monitored. It came and clinics around Spain out- after Garcia del Campo prelawing or warning patients sented hundreds of cases in about the drug, including Madrid, many of whom had Marbella’s Costa del Sol hos- been uncovered by the Olive pital. The Olive Press helped Press. The hospital failed to raise awareness of the drug comment. WIN, WIN!

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

New Andalucia Rough Guide See inside

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Vol. 13

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Issue 304

November 7th - November 20th 2018

errania de Ronda

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November 7th - November 20th 2018

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

‘

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

Obama

Picture by Jon Clarke

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

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

Continues on Page 18

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

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

SEE PAGE 13

‘You’re killing us!’

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

MESSAGES: Left for teen

Tragic end

“IT’S a dirty world that I don’t want to live in anymore.” These were the intended last words of a British teen who had embarked on a suicide pact with her 16-yearold boyfriend in Marbella. The privately-educated expat, 14, added: “I’m Sorry: To anyone who has ever loved/known or supported me, thank you, I love you and I will miss you.”

TOXIC: Oil refinery plumes

black smoke into the Campo

Lethal painkiller BANNED for Brits after hard-fought battle

Bizarre

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

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Save our home!

Vol. 11 Issue 271

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EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

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

Irish tourists. Expats in Spain will now be administered Nolotil on a short term prescription only. Furthermore it can only prescribed after a detailed analysis be of the patient’s medical his-

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THE Olive Press pairs of tickets for is giving away three tribute bands certs on the Costa two of the best con- Whole Lotta Think Floyd, Deeper Purple and Led rocking out the And all you have to del Sol this summer... greatest hits of Pink Floyd, Deep do is answer two simple questions! at the Plaza del TorosPurple and Led Zeppelin Michael Bolton takes For a chance to win on August 26. emotive end of season to the stage for an Bolton, just answer a pair of tickets to see night at Marbella’s Puente Romano on was Michael Bolton the question; what year August 10, while Estepona is set for its biggest For the Pink Purple born in? rock concert in years with mammoth tell us; Where was Zep Fest in Estepona, just Jimmy Page born? answers to the newsdesk@theolivepress.es. Email WIN WIN WIN: Bolton

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

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

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THE Olive Press is calling on Spain to ban a lethal painkiller that is killing countless of unsuspecting expats. British dentists are supporting and doctors the ban after Briton Graham complained to the Ward, 75, Olive Press of how he was prescribed the deadly Nolotil drug by a dentist last week. one month to knock down their same drug that It’s the very only property (pictured Dr Nina King, of Oasis above). for killing his wifewas blamed In a court order in 2006. the campaign, telling Dental Care in Marbella, fully The Marbella-based Olive Press, the seen by the supports the Olive Press the she prescribes. expat drug is not something was furious when warned they will Wards are he was told “It’s not a drug I use, to take the painkiller nally responsible be held crimishe said, “And after I stick to safe and standard medication,” if they refuse. by his Spanish dentist, “I don’t know what I won’t be using in seeing what damage it can do, ing from a difficultafter suffermore, I’m at the to do anyit’s a drug Marbella-based the future.” His wife Mary, 59, abscess. private doctor Dra. tether” Gill told the end of my had died afAlmeda also agrees Olive Press, Victoria María ter being prescribed “I’m totally exhausted the drug,” she told the drug is dangerous. “I don’t Chacón the same from the drug following a whole ordeal.” prescribe the Olive Press, “I tients and I am aware have lots of tomy at Costa deldouble vasecThe retired pair, who Sol Hospital. “There needs to be of what it is capable of doing.British pa“Within 24 hours spent thousands of have now a lot more research on its impact.” in intensive care, she was gal costs, bought euros on leblood cell count her white doctor to get house ‘in ruins’ the old farmplummeted in 2004, and to zero within days,” renewal in April,a were given permission The dad-of-two from Graham, a former explains tests showed the Velez-Malaga town later died from computer hall to retechnician, from drug had caused build it. HAPPIER TIMES: septic shock – London. Graham with She never regained a toxic poisoning But when the original wife, and Billy believed to be Smyth wall colness and was on conscious- again. in his bone marlapsed of its own linked to taking a life support “He said Metamizole, machine for FOUR she would be alive row construction, the accord during the Nolotil. if in the US, theNolotil is banned bloodand his white months, she hadn’t before spending tect told them it Wards’ archiUK, Ireland and Another cell was three years heard fromtaken it, but I have most of Europe, Britfighting the impact dangerously low. and that he wouldwould be fine dozens of Brits ish expat Hugh let the town of the and Irish scribed widely in but it is pre- Billy, drug, which led hall know. Unfortunately Wilcox was preSpain. a keen to organ fail- it,” addedwho have been given Irishman for ure. Graeme. William scribed the same ‘Billy’ sportsman, develIt is the third victim Smyth was given Continues on Page “The chief surgeon medication a five-day oped sepsis and of 8 for pital promised me at the hos- drug the Olive Press has the course of the drug in Febru- necrotising fascimild shoulder re- ary. he would ported on in never prescribe itis as a result and pain on the Costa that drug Sometimes under a year. known also as But when the 66-year-old re- required ‘radical surgery’ del Sol. turned to a different to He developed severe head Spanish remove the affected tissue in an attempt to save his life. Continues

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despite various side effects,Mosquitowhich tory and heritage. Screens It will also have to be can cause a rapid drop in white blood much more closely mon- cells, leaving patients unable to fight infections. Medical translator, Cristina itored. It comes after an Olive Garcia del Campo, who has pulled toPress investigation into gether hundreds of case studies from the mysterious deaths victims for the AEMPS’ probe, said she of expats from was ‘very happy’ the authorities the drug was have finally reacted. Follaunched lowing the results of her KILL THE in rigorous investigation she 2016, DRUG along with a has now demanded that 1,000-strong the drug must not be sold petition to have it reguwithout a prescription and a detailed patient analysis. lated a year later. Nolotil, also known as “I am very happy that the problem has Metamizole, is banned in been dealt with,” she told the Olive the UK, the US and most Press. “I will be making sure that the AEMPS recommendations are carof Europe. Despite this, the drug is ried out and if necessary make sure it’s still one of the most pop- banned completely.” The Olive Press ular painkillers in Spain, began investigating after a trio of expat families told us how their relatives had died unnecessarCASHBACK ON ily in excruciating pain, after YOUR HOUSE taking the drug in Andalucia. In April, the paper revealed the first steps towards regulation had been taken, with Marina Salud, a big health network in Alicante, issuing a warning to PAYBACK WHEN stop administering the drug to British, Irish and Scandinavian YOU SELL patients. Fuengirola

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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION Dark arts

THE ‘cesspit of the Spanish state’ has been laid bare by the news Alberto Pozas faces charges for his role in character assassination of Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias. The left wing leader was targeted by smears disseminated by the ‘Patriotic Brigade,’ a taskforce set up by former PP leader Mariano Rajoy to undermine his political opponents. The former editor of Interviu magazine Alberto Poza was implemented in the desperate and vindictive plot and he has since admitted possession of pen drive containing personal information on Iglesias. Podemos supporters will not be the only ones deeply troubled by this rotten conspiracy by Rajoy and his cronies. The lies and forgeries not only damaged the political ambition of Pablo Iglesias but also the relatively young democratic institution of the spanish state. The disgraced former police chief Jose Manuel Villarejo is now awaiting trial for countless charges of fraud, and so is Spain’s machiavellian political culture.

Immerse yourselves IN Spain there is more to Easter than just chocolate eggs. Spaniards celebrate ‘Semana Santa’ from April 14-21 in a week-long event involving various traditions and rituals. And perhaps for those born outside of this country, this period can also serve as a time for reflection. Amid guzzling down Sunday roasts and English breakfasts, we might want to wonder why thousands flood the streets of cities throughout Andalucia and Spain at this time. These ‘Procesiones’ allow Spaniards to focus their faith and commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Whether you are religious or not, there is much to be gained culturally from Semana Santa. And where better to soak up one of the most emblematic dates in the Spanish calendar than right on your doorstep. Malaga, Manilva, Marbella, Estepona and Sevilla are all hosting Semana Santa events (see our guide on page 10).

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FEATURE

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

Rise of the Far Right After a dangerous neoNazi was captured in Mallorca, the Olive Press investigates the growing threat from far right terror in Spain and abroad, by Timothy McNulty

HE neo-nazi bomb maker scurried out from his Mallorcan villa hideout over to the bins where the police officers lay in wait. Wanted throughout Europe, the 28-year-old terrorist had tried to maim and kill hundreds with a pipe bomb in the small German town of Burglengenfeld. Michael Leopold Stiegler hid in the tourist town of Peguera, only venturing out to dump his rubbish which is when the Guardia Civil made their move. Though Stiegler is now in custody awaiting extradition to Germany, the far-right hate-filled ‘trash’ that inspired him continues to litter the globe and fester. Stiegler is believed to be a member of the staunchly neo-Nazi Reichsbuerger movement, a desperate collective of unapologe-

DEFUSED: Neo-nazi bomb maker accosted by Guardia Civil in Mallorca

tic racists and anti semites. The self styled ‘Citizens of the Reich’ refuse to accept that the German Reich was abolished at the end of World War Two. The growing movement had 16,500 supporters in 2018, including a former ‘Mis-

ter Germany’ winner who has been charged with the attempted murder of a policeman. Fortunately in Stiegler’s case the bomb in Burglengenfeld did not explode and was spotted by relieved residents. Explosive experts later found the powerful device had been made with gunpowder and mercury, the latter added to inflict even greater devastation. The resurgence of extreme right-wing terrorism has now reached Spain’s idyllic coastline and following Stiegler’s arrest, police spoke openly about their ‘growing concern’. Violent nationalist groups have been on the march throughout Europe thanks to growing discontent in the wake of the financial and migrant crisis. According to Interpol, the number of individuals arrested in relation to right-wing terrorism offences almost doubled in 2017. The surge comes as right-wing anti-establishment parties have made electoral gains such as France’s Front National, Italy’s The League and the Freedom Party in Austria. In Spain, the rise of Vox has seen far right extremism break into mainstream politics for the first time since the death of General Franco. Vox whipped up fears over crime and immigration along the way to their electoral breakthrough performance in Andalucia’s last regional elections. The radical right-wing party won 12 of the 109 seats in Andalucia Molino del Santo is open every day from now until October. We think we and became the kingmakers in

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FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

olive press online

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website The top three most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

HATE: Vox leader Abascal has targeted Muslims

Border tangle

NAZI SALUTE: At a German ale event in Mallorca

- Benidorm introduces bans on mobility

scooters in new crackdown on ‘uncivil tourism’ (27,703)

2 3

- WATCH: Snow falls on hills of Costa del Sol

A SHOCKING line of new razor wire has been installed to the border fence between Ceuta and Morocco. The government in Rabat installed the wire as well as a two meter deep ‘anti immigration trap’ after receiving EU funding. It comes despite Spain’s interior minister Fernando Grane-Markaka promising to remove the lethal wire from the border in February. Some 1,979 immigrants scaled the fence around Ceuta, last year. Moroccan Association for Human Rights’ Rachid Aouli said: "It is inhuman and cheating. Spain removes the wire but Morocco now puts its up paid for by Europe.”

as downpours forecast for Monday (20,785)

- WATCH: Entire Costa del Sol on ORANGE

ALERT as six-metre waves batter Malaga (20,365)

Visitors: 289,194

Page views: 401,187

Average time on site: 4:57

Defend

KILLER: Spanish neo-nazi Jose Estebanez stabbed man to death on Madrid metro and (above) named on New Zealand gunman’s magazine

the People’s Party taking power, ending decades of PSOE control. When in power, Vox plans to deport all illegal immigrants, build a Trump-like wall around Spain’s north African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and reclaim Gibraltar from Britain. The rhetoric coming from the far-right has fuelled a rise in hate crimes, with a recent report by the interior ministry revealing a 120% increase in anti-Muslim attacks. The Movement Against Intolerance, which works directly with victims, registered 602 incidents in 2018 connected to hate crimes. The organisation estimates that annual hate attacks in Spain number between 4,000 and 6,000, although the majority go unreported to police or judicial authorities. Experts have linked the rise to the use of racist, anti-Muslim messages by parties like Vox as part of their election platforms for the country's upcoming general election on April 28. Vox’s leader Santiago Abascal has spoken of a new ‘reconquista,’ referring to the historical battles between Moorish and Christian kingdoms for control of Spain. Ignacio Jurado , a senior lecturer in politics at the University of York told the Olive Press: “Spain is not different to other countries, in the sense that people feel more legitimised to hold certain attitudes and opinions that in the past they might have been ashamed to express publicly. “In other words, some attitudes have be-

The move came as the leader of far right party Vox echoed US president Donald Trump with a call to build a ‘great’ wall to stop immigrants coming to Spain. Santiago Abascal called for a ‘insurmountable wall’ to be built at the borders of Spain’s two north African enclaves to halt the ‘wave of illegal immigrants.’ Abascal argued Morrocco should pay for the wall and the soldiers at the borders should be given the ‘necessary orders’ to defend them. Polls suggest Vox could be the first far-right party since the 1970s to win seats in the Spanish parliament in the upcoming general election on April 28.

Soaring high A TOTAL of 20,000 visitors are using the Olive Press website on a DAILY basis. That’s over 600,000 visitors a month… or well over SEVEN MILLION a year! On any given day we get a great balance of visitors from around the country as well as Europe, with many from Sweden, Holland and Germany. Having a new paper in Alicante is helping the figures soar, as is an investment in two new NCTJ-trained journalists. Providing original content on an almost hourly basis, seven days a week, means that our Alexa ranking - created by Amazon.com, the world’s biggest online retailer - has continued to soar. http://www.theolivepress.es Analytics As well as being in the top 12,000 in Spain, we are www.theolivepress.es approaching 180,000th place in the world. Audience Overview And, if you were to doubt Amazon’s own statistics (believing they were in some way manipulated) then you could All Users 100.00% Users use Google’s very own analytical programme to verify our claims. Overview Here are two recent days, with reports freely available to any potential advertisers. They show exactly how many visitors we get each day plus Users the amount of time they spend on the site. FYI,2,000it is currently running at about five minutes. That is three minutes longer than most of our jealous Go torivals! report 

come more normalised. Having parties The former soldier became a cult figure for with representation that hold certain views racist extremism after killing a left-wing accontributes to this de-stigmatisation. This tivist on the Madrid subway in 2007. is many steps away from Estebanez is revered as an actually engaging in violent ‘idol’ on the white supremabehaviours but it shows a Shooter Brenton cist forum Stormfront, with context where these behanumerous Spanish threads Tarrant paid viours can be more likely to in support of the murderer emerge.” and fundraising for his fahomage to The violent mily. Analytics http://www.theolivepress.es www.theolivepress.es a convicted behaviours The then 25-year-old was 1,000 Audience Overview Jurado has Spanish neo-Nazi travelling to an anti-immigrahttp://www.theolivepress.es spoken tion rallyAllwhen he spotted a Apr 2019 - 5 Apr 2019 Analytics 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 510:00 Users … 01:00 02:00 03:00www.theolivepress.es 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17 Users of have group of100.00% counter demonstraAudience Overview a l r e tors waiting to board. Retu ady been manifested He pulled a knifeOverview and stabbed Carlos Palohttp://www.theolivepress.es Users New Users Sessions All Users Analytics 100.00% Users www.theolivepress.es - most horrifically in mino in the heart shortly after the 16-year17,034 7,741 21,194 the recent massacre old boarded the train. Audience Overview Users Overview of Muslims in New Tarrant is known to have traveled widely in Users per User Number ofAll Sessions Page Views Pages/Session Zealand. Spain last year, passing through Granada, 100.00% Users 1.24 28,665 1.35 The country’s deadliest ever terrorist attack Cordoba and Ronda. Users saw a gunman open fire on men, women Police are now investigating what possible Overview 3,000 and children from close range at two mos- links the Australian supremacist had with Avg. Session Duration Bounce Rate ques in the city of Christchurch, killing 50. far right networks here in Spain. 2,000 00:04:42 12.94% Users Shooter Brenton 3,000 Returning Visitor New Visitor 1,000 Tarrant paid homahttp://www.theolivepress.es Users New Users Sessions Go to report  Analytics www.theolivepress.es ge to a convicted 2,000 … 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17 17,034 7,741 21,194 Spanish neo-Nazi Language Audience Overview 1,000 during his ram1. en-gb Ret http://www.theolivepress.es 8 Apr 2019 - 8 Apr 2019 Users Analytics www.theolivepress.es New Users Sessions page, which was NumberAll of Users Sessions per User Page Views Pages/Session 2. en-us 100.00% Users … 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:0 streamed live on 26,780 11,573 32,088 1.24 28,665 1.35 3. es-es Overview Audience social media using Overview Retu 4. en-ie a Go-Pro. Users New Users Sessions All Users Users Avg. Session Duration Bounce Rate 5. nl-nl Number of100.00% Sessions per User Page Views Pages/Session Tarrant wrote the 29,515 11,064 35,156 00:04:42 12.94% 1.20 41,881 1.31 6. fi-fi Users name of Jose EsOverview 3,000 7. sv-se tebanez on the Number of Sessions per User Page Views Pages/Session magazine of his ri8. nl-be Avg. Session Duration Bounce Rate 2,000 1.19 45,292 1.29 fle in white marker, Users Language Users % Users 9. nb-no 00:03:46 26.21% alongside a host 1,000 3,000 1. en-gb 11,909 69.65% 10. en-ca of other notorious 2. en-us 2,736 16.00% Avg. Session Duration Bounce Rate 2,000 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 … 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 far-right killers from 3. es-es 451 2.64% 00:05:12 18.25% around the world. Language 1,000 2,000

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www.theolivepress.es

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

LA CULTURA

NEWS NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

Down with the kids

A BRITISH expat has launched a new career as a child author to widespread acclaim. Ken Hayes decided to publish his series of children's illustrated novels just one year after joining a writing group near his home in Iznajat, near Cordoba. Advances sales of The Dorp Rescue have already catapulted the novel into the top five of Amazon’s Top 100 bestseller children’s books. The debut series has already received some high profile fans. CBeebies Presenter Chris Jarvis said: “This is a great book... it’s certainly very different from anything I’ve seen and I guess that’s one of the most important qualities of any new book for children. The distinctive characters are brought to life with superb illustrations.”

FUN: The Dorp Rescue

Do you have a what’s on?

Soul sessions

Huge festival will see 27 FREE soul concerts along the Costa del Sol

THE stage has been set for a brand new three day soul music festival on the Costa del Sol. The aptly named Costa del Soul Festival will run from June 21 to 23 with dozens of top international artists such as Gibson Brother and Marta High & The

DON’T MISS: Marta High & The Soul Cookers

Soul Cookers. Entry to all 27 concerts will be free and perfor-

mances will be held all along the coast including the promenade of Estepo-

Ronda expo A GROUP of expat artists have come together for a new exhibition in Ronda. The ‘foreign’ art exhibition will show work, both old and new, by long time Ronda residents David Seaton, Edda Marenzi, Ida Idea, Lies Wajer and Jaime Boyd In 2009 the artists came together to form the art collective ‘Grupo NIE’, reflecting their different expat backgrounds. In a previous exhibition, ‘Grupo NIE’ showcased the work of artists such as Alistair Boyd, Philip Amis, Miles Ri-

na, Plaza de la Mezquita in Benalmadena and the promenade of Rincon de la Victoria. The deputy mayor of Estepona Pilar Fernandez Figares said the free tickets, together with the different dates around the night of San Juan, ‘practically guarantees the success of the event and its continuity over the next few years.’ The touring festival has been launched by promoters Costa del Jazz, who have had many years of experience running the Festival Open Jazz in Malaga.

Benchmark

chmond, Michael Fletcher and Julia Vezza. Their latest exhibition, Retroperspectiva, can be found in the Covento de Santo Domingo, Ronda.

The Diputación de Málaga, Estepona, Benalmadena and Rincon de la Victoria town halls, Unicaja Banco and hotel associations collaborated in the launch of the festival, which aims to become a benchmark event in Europe. Figares said: “The goal is for the festival to run through all the municipalities of the Senda Litoral in successive editions, thus serving to increase the cultural offer of the province.”

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

what’s on Triple trouble A TRIO of comics, including Matthew Baylis, is taking over the Salon Varietes Theatre in Fuengirola on April 12 and 13.

Crystal ball KEEP June 14 free if you want your future predicted by UK psychic Hedvig Starhawk at Bar La Plaza in Cutar.

Am dram IF musicals are more your thing, get down to Moonlight in Benalmadena on April 20 for ‘Curtain Up’, a celebration of the West End and Broadway.

Charity bash PADRE Manuel in Estepona hosts indie rock star Sami James on April 26 in aid of the ADSI charity.

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Send your informa tion to newsdes April 10th -live April k@theo press.es23rd 2019

Holy moly What’s happening during Semana Santa in a town near you?

MATRICULATION OPEN – PLACES GOING FAST

Early Bird Discount up until 15th April

SEMANA Santa, or Easter to the Brits, is one of the most emblematic and important celebrations in Spain. The week long event from April 14-21 means something to everybody and is not an event to be missed. For most it is a time to focus on their faith, never missing the so called ‘Procesiones’, which see hundreds and in some cases thousands flood the streets. Each town has their own traditions and rituals, as well as some spooky looking costumes, but don’t worry, it’s all innocent. Below we have rounded up what to do and see along the Costa del Sol.

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get cooking Mary Berry’s Quick Cooking by Mary Berry

MARY Berry’s new cookbook to go along with her series on the BBC is packed full of easy, tasty recipes. Inspired by cuisine from all over the world (including Spain, Morocco and Italy) Mary has put together a collection of recipes that can be made in under 30 minutes using easy to find ingredients. The recipes are very easy to follow and there is a good range of vegetarian, meat and fish dishes as well as delicious deserts. The pictures are beautiful and the quick meal ideas and tips are a great addition. Our favourites include Glazed Coriander Chicken and Cauliflower & Potato Cakes. A wonderful addition to any kitchen! €16.90, Available from The Bookshop San Pedro www.thebookshop.es

Manilva

SWAMPED: Malaga city centre

Malaga ‘Los Legionarios’: La Legion is a special unit of the Spanish Army which on Sunday (April 21) will be seen carrying the statue of the Cristo de la Buena Muerte over their shoulders for more than half a mile through Malaga centre. They will sing their hymn ‘Soy el novio de la muerte’ (I am the partner of death) before performing drills with their guns. Each year, Hollywood actor

and Malagueño Antonio Banderas famously takes part in the La Borriquita procession on April 14, with 2019 set to be no exception.

‘La Soledad’: Every town and village in Andalucia has their traditions, and Manilva is no exception. La Soledad begins on Friday (April 19) in total silence. The silence is meant to act as a mourning symbol and commemorates the death of Jesus Christ. Palm Sunday will then see the traditional blessing of Las Palmas before the La Borriquita procession takes to the streets of Manilva. Other processions will occur throughout the week.

Marbella

Procesion in black: Marbella has plenty of procesiones during Semana Santa, but the most popular is the Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (Our Lady of Solitude) on Friday (April 19), which is known for being one of the darkest in Andalucia as its Nazarenos (brotherhood members) are dressed head to toe in all black velvet costumes. The get up is designed to represent a procession of shadows, mourning the death of the saviour Jesus Christ.

Casares Minimalistic celebrations: The procesiones have to adapt to the characteristics of the town. Since Casares is a humble town, its Semana Santa is simple and without decorations. Pure faith is all that matters here. Although, unlike much of the rest of Spain, the heavy lifting is split between the sexes, with the Christ statue being carried by women and the Virgin statue by men.

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Sevilla

‘La Madruga’: For many this is the most magical night of Semana Santa and Sevilla’s celebration is famous around the world for its sheer size and turnout.

Estepona The two processions to look out for in Estepona are the La Borriquita on Sunday April 14 and the Sunday of Resurrection a week later. The first starts at 5pm and will last four and a half hours and sees a statue of Jesus on a donkey exit the Church of our Lady Carmen, before passing through Calle Navarro Mollor and several other streets before reaching the central Calle Terraza. The second, following the

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

For seven days, starting on Palm Sunday, more than 50,000 people wear traditional robes to parade in one of the 60 procesiones that take place. The origin of these festivities dates back to the 16th century when Sevillanos started to celebrate the passion and death of Christ. In order to confer solemnity to the event, religious brotherhoods (hermandades and cofradias) organised processions. Through Thursday night (April 18), the biggest Procesiones - the Esperanza de Triana and La Macarena - and their followers flood the streets of the Old Town until same route, begins at 11am dawn. and sees Jesus standing tall It’s a sight to behold but with a gold crown on a bed brace yourself if you are of flowers, with Mary dresin groups as it is easy to sed in white behind him. get lost or be separated.

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

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Don’t give a scoot

In Gibraltar - Issue 93 The Rock’s ONLY free local paper

Mijas Costa FREE

Vol. 4 Issue 93 www.theolivepress.es March 27th - April 9th 2019

EXCLUSIVE By John Culatto

THE government pulled no punches when it hit back at snooker pro Ronnie O’Sullivan for his incendiary comments about the Rock this week. The world n u m b e r one, 43, had mocked the Gibraltar Open snooker tournament, saying he would ‘rather sleep in a pigsty’, than take part. His inflammatory comments enraged those in the Ministry of Culture, who said O’Sullivan ‘does not speak from any firsthand experience’. “Ronnie O’Sullivan has never played in this tournament in Gibraltar before,” a spokesperson told the Olive Press. “This is feud that he has with the snooker authorities and we have been caught in the middle. “If you check reports by other players who actually came to Gibraltar, they are very positive.”

PROTEST: Puns, pets and expats Spain were all at the anti-Brexit from march in London, as Fabian Picardo calls for article 50 to be revoked

HOUSE RULES

Failed

It comes after O’Sullivan also blasted the facilities of the competition, which was held at the Tercentenary Hall from March 13-17. He was joined by scores of online critics who pointed out that organisers of the Gibraltar Open had failed to provide a warm-up table. However the Government spokesperson said: “The event is produced by World Snooker and it is therefore up to them to provide the table and not the Ministry of Culture. “With all the new facilities we are building, we will soon have more options and first class venues to host all these and more tournaments of this sort.” Stuart Bingham was the eventual winner of the Open.

UK Parliament takes back control as MPs seek to break Brexit

It comes after thousands of expats joined a million marchers at a massive anti-Brexit protest in London at the weekend. “It was great to be there making history I hope,” said Sue Wilson of Bremain in Spain. “It is not the first time we have voted with our feet, but it was our biggest ever march contingent,” she added. “It was a sign of commitment that so many members joined us in London.” MPs used Monday night’s vote to express their discontent at Theresa May’s stubborn refusal to set a fresh approach to Brexit. Parliament will now hold a series of ‘indicative votes’ today Lettings | Sales (Wednesday) in an attempt to break the Investments | Relocations Brexit deadlock after the Government lost Commercial and Residential

By Timothy McNulty

deadlock, in an unprecedented move for the House of Commons

ANXIOUS expats breathed a sigh of relief this week after Parliament voted to wrestle back control of the Brexit process in yet another humiliation for Theresa May. The fresh blow for the British Prime Minister has put the future of a million expats in Europe firmly into hands of MPs, who are expectedthe to avoid a hard Brexit.

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HOUSE RULES anti-Brexit protest in London

ANXIOUS expats breathed a sigh of relief this week after Parliament voted to wrestle back control of the Brexit process in yet another humiliation for Theresa May. The fresh blow for the British Prime Minister has put the future of a million expats in Europe firmly into the to hands of MPs, who are expected vote against a hard Brexit. It comes after thousands of expats joined a million marchers at a mas-

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Celebrating the end of the Spanish Civil War

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sive at the weekend. “It was great to be there making of history I hope,” said Sue Wilson pressure group Bremain in Spain. “It is not the first time we have voted with our feet, but it was our biggest ever march contingent,” she added.so “It was a sign of commitment that many members joined us in London.” exMPs used Monday night’s vote to

NAZI SWOOP in Calvia, Police seize wanted terrorist of far right while confirming ‘resurgence’ which could endanger the island

A DANGEROUS neo-Nazi has been managed to trace and ing ‘Host’) snared after a right wing bomb plot 4 4 NEWS went to The device comprised various powEU PHEW the fugitive, who reportedly was foiled in Germany. and metal compounds and was great lengths to avoid detection. Police swooped on Michael Leopold ders carried in a glass vial. his being The wanted terrorist only left Stiegler at a luxury villa he was stayhas Police in Germany and Spain rented hideout once a day to put out ing at in Peguera, Calvia, which launched Operation Huestes (meana large German expat community. The 28-year-old - described as ‘very dangerous’ - had fled Germany after Site for a powerful homemade bomb, consore eyes! in taining mercury, was discovered Bavarian the town of Burglengenfeld this year. A EuroSolar secrets pean arrest warrant was issued for Stiegler after Death of the potentially a giant devastating de15:36 16/06/2017 was spotted 1vice Untitled-1.pdf Page 5 by neighbours See page 2 and defused. THE EUROPEAN DENTAL PRACTICE www.theolivepress.es For appointments: +(34) 971 681 439

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Stand together Authorities join forces to stop construction of ‘controversial’ shopping centre

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By Gillian Keller in Playa de Palma

PALMA city council, the Consell de Mallorca and the Balearic Government have joined forces to try and stop construction of an ‘outsize’ shopping centre in a valuable green area near Palma. They have been joined by local expats and green groups to prevent the Palma Springs project from being built in a green area in Playa

A PLAN to build a huge solar power park beside a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mallorca has ‘angered’ locals and expats. The 35,000m2 project in Selva, in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana, will feature 12,600 solar panels that will each be 3m high. So far, over 300 residents of the idyllic valley - recognised as a ‘cultural landscape’ - have signed alegaciones forms to object to the proposals. They are now set to protest in the town of Selva this weekend. Finnish architect, Evi Wager, 67, originally from Helsinki, was ‘shocked’ when she realised the site would be just 20m from her porch. “Nobody has been informed,” the mum-of-three told the Olive Press this week. “This has been going on behind our backs. “The location is wrong, you can’t just place a large industrial site in a rural area like this. “It is not only going to ruin the views, it will act as a precedent for 20 other sites in mallorca.” It comes after consultancy firm Podarcis found that the plans will lead to the ‘destruction of vegetation and the disappearance of animal species’. Evi, who is an ‘avid gardener’, also alleges that politicians have flouted the rules governing development on rural land, by classifying the solar park as a site of ‘general interest’. Swathes of farmland, and the celebrated hiking trail to Lluc, are set to be divided by the green energy site. Madrid-based green energy firm, Good Wind Entertainment, which is behind the solar park, was not available for comment to the Olive Press. The company has also planned two other solar parks, each costing €2.5 million, in nearby Alaro, and Sant Rafael, in Ibiza. The Balearic Islands government failed to comment before we went to press. HATED: Proposed solar farm

902 123 282

A no deal Brexit was last night dramatically ruled out by MPs by just four votes in excellent news for expats in Spain. In yet another defeat for the government , MPs ruled by by 312 votes to 308 that the country should not leave the EU without a deal in any circumstance. The Spelman amendment vote comes after the Prime Minister's withdrawal agreement was heavily defeated in the commons on Tuesday. Yesterday, May said: “Voting against leaving without a deal, and for an extension, does not solve the problems we face. “The EU will want to know what use we want to make of that extension. The house will have to answer that question.” MPs will now get the chance to vote on possibly extending Article 50 in another vote today.

COMING SOON?: New shopping centre

de Palma. They have agreed to fight together to stop the controversial scheme after Madrid’s Supreme Court turned down an appeal to stop the scheme

PROTESTORS: Fighting the solar panels

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SNARED: Moment cops arrest

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Olive Press reviews Madrid’s hottest hotel PageTM20

in the natural wetlands of Ses Fontanelles. The 80,000 square metre centre was originally granted a licence in 2014, but works did not start within the timeline and it expired. Later a new license was rejected as laws had changed, better protecting the area - south Mallorca’s largest wetland area - from development. But developers Unibail Rodamco Westfield have continued to fight for the licence taking their case as far as the Supreme court. Its lawyers argued that it should have a similar permit to that of the nearby Fan shopping centre, that opened in 2016. "We are continuing the process to make this great project a reality," said a spokesman for the firm, this week. Environmental group Amics de la Terra Mallorca have major concerns, not only for the environmental impact but because of the traffic problems on nearby roads, already congested due to the nearby airport.

SPECSAVERS in Santa Ponsa has been spreading awareness during World Glaucoma Week – with an estimated one million people suffering from the eye disease in Spain alone. The local optician, part of the largest in Europe, warned that around half of those with glaucoma do not know they have the degenerative eye disease that can cause blindness. Stop by an optician to discuss any vision concerns.

Ashamed

Fellow green group GOB, added that the scheme ‘makes us feel ashamed to be citizens of these islands’. Local expats such as Jamie Foster, from Nottingham, agreed. “Parking is already atrocious in this area, I dread what it will be like if this mall opens up,” he told the Olive Press. “Traffic on the road by Palma Springs is already gridlocked every afternoon, adding thousands of people to the area will just cause chaos,” the 33-year-old teacher added. Another expat Nicky Bowdidge added: “Tourism has encroached on most of the dunes that used to be along the seafront, the ecological impact of this wasn't understood at the time. “We mustn’t lose more valuable virgin land.”

TRAGIC: Man dies

IT was meant to be a joyous parade celebrating the 120th anniversary of the death of the founder of a church in Campos. But joy turned to tragedy when one of the men, carrying a giant figurine, collapsed and died during the event. The local, 35, died of a heart attack while carrying the socalled ‘gegant’ which is 3.4m tall and weighs 38kgs. He was rushed to hospital, but died before he arrived. The annual parade for the Sor María Rafela foundation was suspended until the next day when a minute’s silence was observed for the victim.

Stiegler

the rubbish, which is when police made their move. Stiegler is believed to be a member of the radical Reichsbuerger movement, which has often been involved poin violent clashes with German

lice. the Reichburger or ‘Citizens of Reich’ is a collective of neo-Nazis who insist the German Reich, which in ended after World War II, is still

existence. The growing movement had around 16,500 members in 2018, according to Germany's domestic intelligence agency. are Police in Mallorca said they monitoring the resurgence of right wing terrorism with ‘growing concern.’ as “They could cause incidents as tragic a the recent attack perpetrated againstby New Zealand mosque, committed a far-right nationalist Australian, that caused 50 fatalities and 50 wounded," a spokesperson said.

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HOUSE RULES

ANXIOUS expats breathed a sigh of relief this week after Parliament voted to wrestle back control of the Brexit process in yet another humiliation for Theresa May. The fresh blow for the British Prime Minister has put the future of million expats in Europe firmly intoa the hands of MPs, who are expected to vote against a hard Brexit. It comes after thousands of expats joined a million marchers at a mas-

What drove this expat to cut off his member? Page 7

Celebrating the end of the Spanish Civil War Page 14

Costa Blanca home is voted best in Europe Page 20

Olive Press reviews Madrid’s hot new hotel Page 26

Border battle as nuisance neighbour forced to cut down intrusive cypress trees

AN expat is celebrating after his nuisance neighbour was told to trim a row of ‘intrusive’ trees, following an Olive Press probe. American expat Gordon Capps, 59, is overjoyed after police confirmed they had ordered his Portuguese neighbour to cut the line of cypress trees to just 1.5 metres in height. Capps had sought our help after the ‘disturbed’ 30-something neighbour planted a dozen trees alongside his garden fence, threatening to block his stunning views of the Sierra de Bernia y Ferrer. The 59-year-old film worker said the move was the ‘last straw’ in a bizarre ongoing feud with the neighbour, who he claims recently approa- CONCERNED: Capps points at home of his ‘threatening’ ched him with a rifle on his and armed neighbour who worked as a prop master shoulder. everything about it, except Benissa last March with his “It feels like he’s putting up 12 for CSI Las Vegas, told the that one thing.” French wife Catherine, a retimiddle fingers at us,” Gordon, Olive Press. “We love this place, we love Capps, from Los Angeles, red yoga teacher. bought his stunning villa in But things quickly began to

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sive anti-Brexit protest in London at the weekend. “It was great to be there making history I hope,” said Sue Wilson of Bremain in Spain. “It is not the first time we have ted with our feet, but it was our vobiggest ever march contingent,” she added. “It was a sign of commitment that so

PROTEST: Puns, pets and expats were all in attendance at the antiBrexit march in London at the weekend

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go awry with his neighbours, who he insists refused to be friendly ‘from the outset’. Capps, who trained as a paramedic, claims the neighbour’s four dogs barked continually and their owner hid inside the house whenever approached. Despite calling in the Guardia Civil to investigate and contacting the mayor of Benissa for help, he said the neighbour refused to negotiate a compromise. A letter to the town hall, seen by the Olive Press, pleaded for help, insisting the man was deliberately threatening them and that he carried a gun.

Could I please appeal to the mayor of Torremolinos to ban the use of electric motorbikes on the Paseo before somebody is killed or seriously injured. I cycle most days on the Paseo and they have missed me by inches on several occasions. Some of these people are driving these motorbikes in the most dangerous manner, taking selfies and going too fast, three or four abreast. On one occasion I called out to four young lads to be careful and they very were abusive to me.

Continues overleaf

Auto vice Quick Ser Donkey wrong

Opening times: 9am - 6pm Mon-Fri Tel: 952 493 997

Mob: 629 270 222 Email: info.autoquick@gmail.com C/ Fuengirola 2 (Bajo Gasolinera BP) 29649 Mijas Costa (Malaga) www.autoquick.es

A very glowing piece about Mijas in this week’s edition of OP (Pueblo perfect, Issue 314, pg 17). The lovely little donkeys get a mention of being a tourist attraction and there’s a picture of two trussed up in those ghastly decorations, but no mention of the miserable existence the poor little creatures have to endure, and the horses likewise. I’ve only been to Mijas once and wouldn’t go again for a million pounds unless I was assured there is a vast improvement in the quality of life for these animals. I’m sure you won’t print this letter, but I hope you do.

It is about time for this ban. Half the people on mobility scooters are just fat, not disabled. It’s shameful.

Francesca Khan, Paris

Meddling kids

Carolyn Lloyd, Borth, Wales

Isn’t it time to crack down on the hideous roller sneakers that the unruly kids wear though.

Ed. Thank you for your letter Carolyn. The poor treatment of the donkeys in Mijas is something we have frequently highlighted and exposed. In our latest piece about Mijas we sought to highlight the many positive aspects that also exist.

Gordon Hulme, York

Raise me up We saw two guys who were off their faces fall off the pavement on a mobility scooter. And we saw a young couple who rented one to get up a steep hill to their hotel.

Gun

As well as asking the town hall to check if he had a licence for the rifle, the September 2018 missive asked if local police could speak to him about his dogs. Capps claimed he was ‘worried for his life’ and that the neighbour appeared to have ‘mental health issues’. Another neighbour, Spaniard Jaime Serra Ortola, 43, has also denounced the neighbour for ‘death threats’ against him and his dog. “I’ve denounced him countless times and the police have twice been round. It’s fair to say he is unhinged,” he told the Olive Press. The feud began when Capps put up a low bamboo fence to create some privacy from the neighbour who spied on him while swimming, and then reacted furiously, screaming ‘this is war!’ Capps now fears the trees will not only block his view, but the roots could destroy his pool. The Olive Press was unable to speak to the neighbour, despite various visits.

March 2019

F you’re looking for a typical Andalucian town to charm your socks off then further than white-washed Mijas. look no The classic hilltop town, just a stone’s throw from the Costa del Sol, is quintessentially Spanish and packed full of surprises. Discovered by the globe’s more bohemian artists and writers in the 1950s and 60s, it was immortalised in Ronald Fraser’s 1973 book, The Pueblo, and continues to cast a spell on visitors today. A recent €4.7 million renovation which saw the main square transformed beyond recognition has helped (and for that you the EU, which coughed up 70% ofcan thank the funding). If you are visiting on a clear day, don’t forget to enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the coast from the cliff-edge view point on the of the pueblo - although you mightoutskirts have to wait for snappy happy Instagram ‘influencers’ to end their posing session before you can

Not disabled

Ed. Thank you for your letter Noel. We will raise your concerns with the mayor, Jose Ortiz Garcia. You may have also noted from our recent coverage (right) that Benidorm has cracked down on mobility scooters on its streets. Like the bikes you speak about, the scooters were considered a menace. We will begin investigating the use of the bikes.

Service

C/ Fuengirola 2 (Bajo Gasolinera BP) 29649 Mijas Costa www.autoquick.es

Helena Paling, Benidorm

Noel Peers, Torremolinos

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Mijas is a suprisingly authentic village with a buzzing coastline, discovers Laurence Dollimore

This is very sad for the REAL disabled people who rely on mobility scooters as their only mode of transport.

Dear the Olive Press,

Issue 314

Pueblo Perfect

Moving the goalposts

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STOP: Mobility scooters banned in crackdown

the vote by 329 votes to 302. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said: “Another humiliating defeat for a prime minister who has lost complete control of her party, her cabinet and of the Brexit process. “Parliament has fought back - and now has the chance to decide what happens next.” A softer Brexit will likely be one of options to be voted on as will staying in the customs union and even another referendum. Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo claimed Brexit options getting ‘starker and starker’ as are renewed calls to revoke Article 50.he “The land of milk and honey which was presented to the voters has materialised,” Picardo insisted. not “As we all know, the best trading lationship, the best deal, that can rebe secured with the EU is clearly continued EU membership.”

Mijas

ll about

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April 10th - April 23rd 2019

Tessa Green, Castellon de la Plana

Justice must be done

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

Most political parties are sticking to the Pact of Forgetting, or in Spanish: Pacto del olvido (Grave news, Issue 314, pg 4). It’s well overdue to make up for the Franco terror and pin down those responsible.

Olive Press Crossword 1

Ketil Næss, Oslo

8 9

Rural vandalism 10

I read your thorough and excellent coverage of the Red Electrica pylons case (Pylons in paradise, Issue 313, pg 6-7). The perpetrator of this unnecessary rural vandalism displayed further contempt for people who live and visit the area, implying that an improved electricity supply was in some way a major magnet for tourism. Being a lifelong lover of travel and a valley resident, I have never thought ‘I’ll go and check out the electricity somewhere’. What I am attracted by is the uninterrupted views which Red Electrica are intending to ruin. Their conduct at consultative meetings also fell well below accepted business etiquette standards and demonstrated contempt and a clear assumption that it is a done deal.

14 15

17 18

Across 1 Stopping place (7) 5 Goat's milk cheese (4) 9 Appreciative (8) 10 Uncommon (4) 11 Basic unit of heredity (4) 13 Capital of Inner Mongolia (6) 14 Horned African animal (Abbr.) (5) 15 Agile (4) 17 Keen on (4) 18 Avian incubators (5) 19 Drinking vessel (6) 21 Easy stride (4) 23 Separate article (4) 24 Old liners (8) 26 Sweet palm fruit (4) 27 Armed robbery (5-2)

Down 2 Californian resort lake (5) 3 Leather factory (7) 4 Rotten (3) 6 Soil (5) 7 Aerodrome (7) 8 Tavern (8) 12 Very large woman (8) 16 Schemed (7) 17 Mohammedan (7) 20 Boundary (5) 22 Hidden (5) 25 Corrode (3)

Mark Ashdown, Lecrin Valley

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OPINION Humiliation

HUMILIATED by yet another heavy xit deal, Theresa May’s authority is defeat on her brenow well and truly shattered. Her desperate pleas and bribes were to overturn the historic defeat she not nearly enough suffered in January. A route out of the latest Brexit disarray to wrestle back control by extending is for Parliament Article 50 in today’s vote. And then to order another referendum for everyone to vote understanding and, next time, the full implications, with no lies and spin. For expats, fearing the loss of their cess to healthcare, anything to wardpensions and acming exit date now is worthy of pursuit.off the UK’s looMay’s attempts to run down the Brexit clock has backfired spectacularly forcing her to concede Tuesday’s vote and possibly over the coming days her premiership. Expats currently watching this pitiful years of work will hope that any time climax to three her in a renewed focus on their plight.added on will us-

Separate lives

TRIBUTES have poured in for Spanish mother Gloria Tornay, who was allegedly stabbed tish husband of 30 years, Geoffrey to death by her BriElton at their home in Estepona. Gloria’s neighbour Carmen was among those grieving, as she described her friend as ‘generous, kind and hard-working’.

Her words contrasted sharply however, neighbours had shared a drink with to the news that ffrey hours before the brutal murder. Gloria and GeoThese details demonstrate how quickly life can change and that you never know what is going on behind closed doors. Although the dust has not yet settled on this tragedy, it is clear that locals were surprised such a horrific crime could have occured on their doorstep. Many expats can feel isolated and conversation is so important for ourlonely in Spain, and If you notice a neighbour or someonemental health. acting strangely, offer a friendly facein the community and do not hide away behind the walls of your urbanization.

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

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12th 2019

POWERLESS:

The Holdups

Black out

A BRITISH expat couple are facing a ‘disaster’ after they learnt one of the ‘monstrous’ electricity to be built in their backmasts (left) is garden. Steve Holdup, 62, and wife Karen, 61, who live on a self near Orgiva, could sufficient farm lose their sole sourceironically even solar panels, which of power from are in the way. The retired teachers, from Cumbria a decadewho moved ago, claim they have been kept energy company REE, in the dark by out about the pylon and only found from a friend. Steve told the Olive Press: “From having a fantastic from scratch ten house we rebuilt years ago, we’ve ended up with a disaster. “We put all of our and now we face life saving into it having to live with a 220 volt tower directly behind our home.” If built, the tower and adjoining service road will cut right through their field of 13 solar panels. “So somebody in Germany gets a load of electricity from Morocco as a result of putting a of our house and tower at the back the little electricity we end up losing ves.” He added: “Itwe have for ourselthe most chevalier has been done in fashion you could imagine.

of pylons set to ruin series of celebrated tourist valleys

POWER STRUGGLE: Christ Stewart and Dr Robert (inset above) join X-GENESIS drummer long, snaking protest against Stewart has joined Chris Over Lemons novel pylon project made the the fi- gion famous ght against a ‘motorway’ - added his name reEXCLUSIVE of growing to a power lines planned While supposedly By Tim McNulty for An- expats collective of campaigning dalucia’s iconic Alpujarras necessary to take battling the proposal. electricity from Morocco region. Howard, The British author to Europe, Valley who has lived in the Lecrin - whose Driving These include former 80s star it is set to ruin the again private financial for two decades, Docuntouched tor Robert, from interests are of the area, TM the Blow Monkeys, riding roughshod enjoyed by tens ofbeauty ve Press: “The project told the Olito take these thou- massive the rights of the over the will and sands of nature lovers who pylons people, leaving, each year. lias The Di No A Las Torres an abomination.across our valley is ves in the ever, a wake of heedless destrucIt will have devas(Say No n e a r b y tion,” Stewart told the Olive Press, The Towers) group argues high To tating consequences environmentavoltage towers would L e c r i n this week. have a ‘devasta- lly and economically. ting effect’ on tourism “It’s a magical place, V a l l e y , “One day the tide will turn and and agricul- ppiness’, a ‘Vale Of HaTM which is reasonable, sustainable ways more ture, as well as health. as the Moors called it, a also set to prevail; but seemingly not yet; will A petition has been launched, while place of natural beauty and conserbe badly it’s back to the barricades again.”so... a protest saw over a thousand peo- vation. ple march near a f f e c t e d The outrage comes after it was the village of Con- “These giant pylons will vealed re- char on Sunday. scar the landscape, could by the ca de energy company Red Electri- The protest, tourist businessesdestroy the local España (REE) plans See pages 40 which included project. and ravage the to install many environment. “ O n c e a network of some 211 giant pylons expats and children, is the start many to stop the across the two valleys. of “There are no benefits at all for Blow Monkeys scheme. local singer Robert people - we must fight to stop them.” Ecotourism is vital to the region, which was nominated as a UNESCO World in 2017, mainlyHeritage site some of the world’sfor having oldest olive groves. Some 245 businesses work in rural tourism and which is set to havethe valley 109 of the Reliable private pylons - receives hire transfer 2/8/18 an estimated 17:01 for services 8,000 visitors every any occasion for Spanish The figures for the weekend. • Luxury vehicles Alpujarras, residents which will see • Door to door service ching all the waypylons stret• Airport collections to the Almeria border, are certainly • Weddings transport much higher. • Sightseeing day trips Scottish expat See page 2 • Restaurant shuttles Keon, 49, who hasTeresa Mcbeen at the forefront of the campaign, Find out more at: told www.simply-shuttles.com the Olive Press: place is going to “The whole tel: 951 279 117 it is just awful... be destroyed info@simply-shuttles.com www.eliteglasscurtains.com it really is awful.”

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By Tim McNulty, Charlie Smith & Joshua Parfitt

“

IN the softening light of the afternoon I drove high up and found a spot where I could see the whole valley, green and lovely and apparently inaccessible.” That is the description of life in one quiet corner of Granada’s Alpujarras by one of the founding members of Genesis, Chris Stewart. Writing in his seminal book Driving Over Lemons, published in 1999, the ex-drummer extols the rolling beauty of the fertile that sit below the snow-capped Sierra hills Nevada. After buying his El Valero farm near Orgiva in 1988 with wife Ana, Stewart like many other expats of the era - upped sticks and left the UK in search of a simpler life. But that paradise, home to thousands of

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PARADISE LOST: The beautiful vistas under threat from mega pylons and page last issue (above our front

expats and locals alike, is now under The Junta de Andalucia has given threat. types of complaints against the plans was partia- fortunately lly state-owned company Red Electrica extended to March 7, such was the green light to install a nethe outpouring of rage. twork of 362 giant electricity One form alleges that the pylons across the Alpujarras pylons would be damaging “I think the and neighbouring Lecrin Vafor local business, including lley. tourism, while the other electricity Stretching over more than claims the unique flora and 100km of rural landscape, company thought fauna of the area would be the blueprints include towers put at risk. it would be a big Michele up to 80m high, which has Howard is one local British expat who has walkover” enraged campaigned against the Flight Risk cl oomcmau l plans and has been gathering some of the 4,000 nities. More than 200 protected species could be alegaciones (claim) forms sent to GranaThe long, ugly line of da City affected by the power lines, of which Hall and other local councils by metal has no human lo- residents. over half are birds. They include the gic, arriving as often on The wife iconic Bonelli’s eagle which is unthe peaks of hills as in told the of Blow Monkeys singer Dr Robert Olive Press that she and other camder threat of extinction. the gardens of locals. paigners The large bird of prey is underThousands of people box full have been collecting a cardboard going a serious decline in Spain are affected and the about of forms every day, since they found proposed route, which “I thinkthe infrastructure project last month. mostly due to electrocution, begins in Fargue in the would the electricity company thought it illegal shooting and habibe a big walkover,” she told us from west and ends at Bena- her idyllic tat destruction. hadux in the east, was lush Lecrinterrace, which looking down the Juan Manuel PlegueValley, where numerous celebriapproved back in 2015. ties, including zuelos Zoology Professor at the University But such is usually the di, of Doctor Alexei Sayle and Peter Capalof Granada said: “Spain is home to over way in Spain, oppo- Dr Robert, Who, and Blow Monkeys singer have homes. 75% of Europe’s Bonelli eagle population nents of the plans, in- “These and therefore holds the greatest responsicluding many who are tionally areas are very well-known internability for its conservation.” set to have pylons or klash. and there has been a huge bacaccess roads encroa- “It’s a paradise this place, it’s just ridiculous ching their land, claim what they they were not told until here will are doing, to put pylons through devastate the area socially and a month ago. economically.” The deadline for people Tour manager Michele is the organiser of to register two different protest group Di NO a las torres de alta ten-

BLOTTED: The route the pylons will

take around the town of Orgiva

Local business could be devastated

SOUTH OF GRANADA: Alpujarras on map of Spain sión en el Valle de Lecrín. The platform claims tourism is one of the ‘few remaining industries’ left in the area and Michele herself believes the pylons risk leaving the valleys ‘impoverished’. will Of Andalucia’s 30.5 million tourists 2018, 15.3% visited Granada, including in area where the pylons are to be built. the Along with hikers and cyclists, one of the most common types of visitors to the Alpujarras and the Lecrin Valley is the eco-tourist. And many of those who are after a holiday, away from the hustle and ‘greener’ bustle of the Costa del Sol, end up at British Rita Islip’s hillside cortijo just outsideexpat va, the spiritual heart of the Alpujarras.Orgi“I don’t have fences or a pool but people want that back-to-nature experience,” tells us as we sample her cold-pressed she olive oil, made at her home, which she rents out to weary backpackers chasing down remains of the area’s Moorish history. what “I am very successful in that and unique, I’m booked up from June I am quite “It was a massive shock when I to August. about the pylons after 36 years offound out living like

Business has been excellent over the last two years with tourism booming, explains estate Agent Martin Leenaars. “Buyers came here for nature and because they are put off by how busy the coast has become” he explains. But the 67-year-old power line project drive away is already seeing the potential buyers. “I had a couple from South Africa but then heard about the who wanted to buy a cortijo, project and pulled out. “Another couple lived here 20 years ago and wanted they heard about the electricity to come back, but ses a year, so that’s a significantposts and pulled out. We sell 4 or 5 houLeenaars is clearly concerned: part of our income.” weeks so I don’t know what “I have some more viewings in the coming finitely affect our business, their reaction will be. But the project will deI don’t know why they don’t motorway, why cross our valleys?” go alongside the

this, it’s going to be very harmful for tourism. “People come here from all over but they won’t want to come herethe world, anymore if its ugly and spoiled.” And Rita is more affected than most, points to where the pylons will run as she invasively, directly over her house. Her anger is shared by neigh-

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Almeria. But the energy giant assured the Olive Press this week that it has ‘nothing with taking electricity from Morocco’. to do “It’s a project for a region that fficiently connected to the grid,”is not suinsisted

spokesman Jose Montero. bour Ian who popped by with “It’s true that a number of foarchitectural plans to show us how both their houses, “Spain views the reigners will be impacted, but there are thousands of peoand their other neighbour Alpujarras as ple in Granada demanding Dan’s, are not even recognisome backwards more energy.” sed by Red Electrica. But despite Red Electrica Pointing to the three blue place where the claiming marks he has added to symthey have been down to speak to local resibolise their homes, you get a Moors lived” dents, the company’s plans sense of the scale of the fido appear to show a lack of ght that residents of ‘Driving care for the area, its history Over Lemons’ country are up against. and its current populations. The situation is best described by of the Blow Monkeys, who shares aDr Robert, “I get the impression the rest of Spain views house in the Alpujarras as the hills with his wife Michele. some backwards where the Moors once lived,” Ian told place “It’s a ‘David and Goliath’ situation,” us, rehe told ferencing the last Sultan of Granada’s banius. “The multina- shment in 1492, before he rushed off down Famous faces in the Lecrin valley and the tionals are moving the valley to Alpujarras help Michele and the others file in and everyone is the last of the Robert and Michelle fell in love alegaciones forms before the saying ‘no’.” Red deadline. from 80s band Killing Joke), comewith the area 18 years ago and Electrica, Spain’s This is a view dian Alexei Sayle, and actor Peter see it’s eco-friendly culture as shared by most people who main electricity su- live in the valleys Capaldi (below) have also set up a microcosm of what the world - and none more so than pplier, is a multina- Chris Stewart, base here. The sublime landscape could be. But the Blow Monkeys whose arcadian escape now tional in the truest seems destined also inspired the literary frontman (below) and his wife are to become an area many sense. giants of the 1930 may want to flee from. not the only creatives to call the Rumours like the Bloomsbury have “Once again private financial valley home. Record interests are been rife about riding roughshod group’s Gerald Breover the will and the rights producer Martin why the €1.4 bi- of the people, nan (pictured) and Glover (Youth llion-a-year com- truction,” he leaving as ever a wake of desVirginia Woolf. pany plans to ins- Red Electricatold the Olive Press. tall its electricity would not be remains firm that the route moved, however admitted ‘mischeme. nor adjustments’ could Local residents Either way, it confirmed be made. that the thousands claim the pylons of alegaciones will now be studied and set to tear their more announcements will be made later lives apart are this year. transferring so- In the meantime, the Olive Press has starlar-generated elected its first tricity from Moroc- stop to the campaign of the year - putting a pylons in the Lecrin Valley and co to France, via the Alpujarras.

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Issue 28

April 2019

PLASTIC FANTASTIC: How this remarkable centre could win Spain important architectural prize, See page IV

WOAH: Emerging from the rock, this stunning home in Valencia is trademark Fran Silvestre, a Spanish architect who is continuing to make his mark in the architectural world. See Fran-tastic page XVI

Rock steady

HE average property price in Spain has grown for two consecutive years for the first time in a decade. The national average house price rose from between 3.9% to 8.4%, according to various sources. Along the Mediterranean coasts and on the islands, where most foreigners buy, the average price hike has been 4.06%, according to Tinsa, Spain’s leading property appraisal company. But the figures have mostly not yet made up for the big drops during the long six year recession, with the exception of the

Prices rise for two consecutive years, while mortgage values continue to grow

Balearic Islands. “Prices have been rising most years since the recovery began, but nothing like they did in the boom years, and nowhere near enough to claw back the ground lost in the bust,” explained respected analyst Mark Stucklin, of Spanish Property Insight.

However, he added ‘at the very least, the data suggests that the Spanish property continued to grow last year.’ Mortgage lending to home buyers meanwhile was up 6.1% in January to 19,390 new loans, according to the Association of Spanish Notaries. The average new loan made in January had a value of €135,616, an increase of 0.9% in a year. As long as mortgage lending for residential acquisitions continues to increase, as it has done for the last few years, the Spanish property market is set to grow.

PROPERTY

April 2019

End of a golden era? EU condemns Golden Visa investmentfor-residency scheme popularised by Spain, writes Mark Stucklin

RESSURE is building in the EU to end so-called ‘Golden Visa’ schemes that offer residency and even citizenship in return for mo-

ney. Back in January the European Commission expressed its opposition to

Golden Visa and Golden Passport schemes in Europe like the one in Spain that offers qualified residency and a path to long-term citizenship in return for an equity investment of €500,000 or more in property. Now the EU’s parliament in Strasbourg has added its voice to the condemnation of residency-by-investment programmes in Europe, with a vote supporting a hard-hitting report from the parliament’s committee on financial crime and tax evasion calling for all Golden Visa schemes to be

GAME OVER?: EU report calls for Golden Visa schemes to be ‘phased out’

‘phased out’ as soon as possible. are a gateway for money laundering The parliament passed a resolution and organised crime,” said Markus stating that residency and citizenship Ferber, head of the conservative group by investment schemes ‘do not offset in the parliament’s economic commithe serious security, money launde- ttee. ring and tax evasion risks they pre- In response, the Investment Migration sent’. The resolution is Council, representing non-binding on memthe residency-by-investber states. industry, claimed Unlike Portugal, ment EU lawmakers see the that killing the schemes business of selling visas would cause economic the Spanish and passports as an indamage and threaten Golden Visa vitation to tax-evasion vital investments in ‘peand money-laundering scheme has not ripheral economies’. The Spanish Golden by wealthy individuals from countries where attracted scandal Visa was introduced by the right-wing Popular corruption is rife. The Party in 2013 during report also accused Luxembourg, Cyprus, Ireland, Malta, the depths of Spain’s recession when Hungary, Belgium and the Nether- times were hard, money short and lands of acting as tax havens. property abundant. Too bureaucratic “A good first step to combat intra-EU and unattractive, at first it was a flop money laundering would be to get rid but after tweaking to make it more of the so-called ‘golden visas’ which attractive to residency investors it be-

ANDERS@ABCPROPERTYEXPERTS.COM GERRY@ABCPROPERTYEXPERTS.COM WWW.ABCPROPERTYEXPERTS.COM

came the most popular scheme in the EU, with 24,755 Golden Visa issued since 2013, according to a Transparency International report published in 2018. Unlike Portugal, the Spanish Golden Visa scheme hasn’t been hit by any scandals, at least not yet. Now the Socialists are at least temporarily in power in Spain, supported by the hard left Podemos party, and with a General Election coming this month opposition to the Spanish Golden Visa scheme might soon come from closer to home. Obviously the hard left hate the scheme because it attracts foreigners with money to Spain. If the left win power in the General Election, will they keep the Spanish Golden Visa scheme alive or close it down? It’s clear that the powers that be in the EU would urge them to do so. www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

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III

April 2019

ICONIC: Post office in Malaga

Top marks for Germans GERMAN buyers had a record-breaking 2018 in Spain, new figures have revealed. The Germans bought 4,902 homes last year, up 3% on the previous year, and more than 100% up on 2013.

Overtake However the Germans have now overtaken the French as the second biggest group of foreign buyers after the British, representing 9.7% of the foreign market in 2018, compared to 8.8% for France and 15.5% for the UK. There was however a decline in demand from Germany in the last two quarters of 2018.

Malaga makeover I

Malaga makeover II

MALAGA’S iconic post office is set for a makeover thanks to a group of Belgian investors. It comes after the building was handed to the Junta from Madrid as a way of cancelling out a historic debt of €30 million. It is currently earmarked for public use but Malaga city hall wants to re-zone the property for it to be developed privately.

A STUNNING Roman ruin is to be converted into a new cultural centre. A million euro project will renovate and protect the ancient sixth century bathhouse in Rincon de la Victoria for tourists. Spain’s Ministry of Public Works is to stump up 70% of the funds for the Axarquia project. Archaeologists discovered the baths, which have a series of stunning mosaics, in 1989.

NEW LOOK: Roman ruins in Rincon de la Victoria

BIG SPLASH Huge new €150 million hotel with 11 swimming pools coming to Costa del Sol A MASSIVE hotel project counting on a dozen swimming pools is set to make a big splash on the Costa del Sol this year. The Ikos Andalusia project

will also include seven restaurants, as well as a theatre, spa and huge sports centre. Costing €150 million, the 15-month project will see the hotel opening in Estepona in May 2020. Built on the site of the former Princess Hotel, it is the first hotel built in Spain by huge Greek hotel chain Ikos. FIVE STAR: Rooms will be of a luxury standard “This has

What a view! A MASSIVE €130 million is to be invested into a new development in Benahavis. The View Marbella will consist of 120 luxury apartments spread over a 50,000sqm plot, with work scheduled to begin within two months. The impressive project will feature a spa, swimming pools, gardens, 24 hour security and a concierge service. The homes, built by Wilma Europe Holding and Sierra Blanca Global, will offer ‘impressive panoramic views’ and will help create 250 direct jobs and around 500 indirect ones.

COMING SOON: The View

HUGE: Ikos Andalusia will be open by May 2020

been the largest investment on the Costa del Sol in recent years and one of the most important in Spain in 2018,” explained a spokesman. He added that the resort

would become ‘the hallmark of the all-inclusive concept of luxury at an international level.’ Spread over 33,000sqm, the resort will have 411 rooms which have been designed to reach five-star ratings.

Corfu The 11 outdoor pools and one indoor pool will be surrounded by canopies and native vegetation and will sit in the centre of seven blocks organised in a U-shape formation. The project is being constructed by UTE Acciona Construcciones and Sando and will be Ikos’s fifth resort, with locations already including Cos and Corfu.

Rural SOS HUNDREDS of thousand of protesters have descended on Madrid demanding an urgent investment into Spain’s dying towns and villages. The protesters insisted that something must be done to help the country’s isolated rural communities that are vanishing at an alarming rate. Dubbed the ‘revolt of an empty Spain’ they are demanding better infrastructure, investment and services. It comes after it emerged that almost half of Spain’s municipalities have a population density less than 12.5 inhabitant per square kilometer, a ratio considered ‘very low’ by the EU. Guadalajara province counts on the lowest density in Europe, and less than much of Russia. Between 2011 and 2017, approximately 62% of the country’s settlements lost inhabitants, and even many sizeable towns up to 50,000 people in size have seen a dramatic decline. “The hemorrhaging needs to be stopped,” said Spanish TV presenter Campo Vidal. “Today in Spain, 26 provincial capitals are losing inhabitants. If these key towns are declining, imagine what is happening to towns and villages! “We need to make urgent changes.” See Fighting Extinction, page XII

April 2019

PROPERTY

Conference COOL Palencia’s plastic fantastic conference centre is bidding for best design award

S it a spaceship, an iceberg or a massive plastic bag? This extremist piece of architecture set in the extreme landscape of Extremadura is closest to the latter - a vast conference space wrapped in a translucent skin of energy-efficient plastic foil. In fact it is the Plasencia Auditorium and Congress Centre, one of five finalists shortlisted for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award, a biannual gong recog-

UNIQUE: Conference centre in Palencia fills with sunlight during the daytime due to plastic exterior

nising the best piece of architecture on the continent in the past two years. It was designed by José Selgas and Lucía Cano of Madrid firm SelgasCano who won a competition to design it back in 2005 but it was not completed until 2017 due to financial problems. Originally planned for a site on the urbanised northwest of town, instead the architects chose the opposite side where the wild natural landscape extends as far as

the eye can see. Although plastic has understandably not had a fantastic press, the material enabled the architects to create an eye-catching,

energy efficient building on a shoestring budget, a technique they have used in other iconic buildings such as their Serpentine Gallery Building in London. The faceted white façade emerging from the rust-coloured Extremadura landscape belies a vibrant interior filled with multicolored acrylic walls, brightly painted ceilings and dyed rubber flooring which glow invitingly through the translucent cladding at night. It has certainly made its mark on Palencia but will it impress the judges? The winner will be announced later this month. Other finalists include Skanderbeg Square by 51N4E, PC Caritas by Architecten de Vylder Vinck Taillieu, Terracehouse Berlin by Brandlhuber + Emde and Transformation of 530 dwellings by Frederic Druot Architecture, Lacaton & Vassal Architectes and Christophe Hutin Architecture.

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The Olive Press: Costa del Sol / Gib / Mallorca editions – 342mm x 256mm

10 April

April 2019

PROPERTY

Set in stone

New Costa Brava property is expertly carved into rocky landscape

ORDEST Arquitectura has outdone itself with this ‘rock star’ home, carved into the mountainside of Begur, in Catalunya. The property exploits natural stone sourced directly from the site to create the illusion that it is growing out of the landscape. The staircase up to the entrance was excavated out of the bedrock while the sunken garden, complete with pool, uses the contours to shield it from strong winds sweeping over the hills. The main living space floats above the terrain in a cantilevered block with vast windows commanding views to the far horizon.

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VII

April 2019

PERFECTION: The home perfectly uses locally sourced stone to build a home into the rockface of Begur, in Catalunya, complete with an infinite swimming pool and jaw-dropping views

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VIII

April 2019

PROPERTY

PIXELATED: The architects behind this modern Menorca home say its blocks are inspired by pixels

THINK OUTSIDE THE BLOCKS A

COLLECTION of bright white cubes forms the just completed Villa Catwalk in Menorca. Designed by Barcelona-based Nomo Studio, the house in Coves Noves consists of two piles of bright white cubes placed on either side of a 28-metre-long central block, called the catwalk. The runway, part internal and part external, offers views of both the sea and mountains. “The platform was conceived as an outdoor space, which would house the most important common areas and could when necessary be protected from the wind through invisible sliding windows,” a spokesperson said. The cube units are described by the architects as ‘pixels’ and are arranged on a three by three by three grid and comprise five bedrooms and bathrooms, the kitchen and garage. “Breaking down the program into smaller units made the house look less massive and integrated into the landscape,” added the spokesperson.

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PROPERTY WELCOMING: The revamped 18th century guest house in Extremedura pays homage to its period features

April 2019

Period drama Local heritage rescued from ruin by British couple

N architectural gem in Extremadura’s wine-growing region has been given a new lease of life as a family-run guest house. The 18th century private home, considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the town of Villalba de Los Barros, has been lovingly restored to its former glory by Madrid architects Lucas y Hernandez-Gil. Mortar walls, clay floors and original vaulted ceilings have been retained in a sensitive conversion for a British couple who wanted a guest house and a family home for their two children. Commanding pride of place in the main square of Tierra de Barros, La Hermandad de Villalba started welcoming guests this year. “The project underlines every single one of the home’s original strengths that were lost over time,” according to the architects, who installed a series of rustic living spaces, making sure to honour the original designs and outdoor space. “Simultaneously it adapts to and adds new uses, which can be seen from a contemporary perspective.” The property’s structural shell was retained by coating the existing walls with raw lime mortar before whitewashing. Local potters created clay tiles to replace the almost non-existent flooring while the original carved wooden doors were painted green in a nod to the region’s vineyards. The second floor, previously a larder and store for cured meats, has been entirely rearranged to accommodate four bedrooms.

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April 2019

PROPERTY

Fighting extinction In rural Spain, humans are an endangered species despite initiatives to address the spectre of ‘ghost villages’. Heather Galloway reports from Guadalajara, the ‘Ground Zero’ of depopulation IT is hard work reaching paradise and there are more than a few potholes to negotiate along the way, but deep within an oak and pine forest in the province of Guadalajara lies the enclave of Fraguas, where a group of idealistic young men and women have breathed new life into a hamlet that was expropriated in 1968 by Franco’s dictatorship and reduced to rubble during military exercises in the 1980s. It is ‘the good life’ transported to one of the most severely depopulated areas of Spain in the region of Castilla La Mancha. And on a sunny Sunday in March, chatting over platefuls of beans, pizza and cold home-made beer, I could almost see myself there tilling the land and taking showers warmed by solar panels in the outhouse. “There are lot of initiatives all over Spain like this one,” says Jorge, an environmental science graduate who moved into a room above the workshop just over a year ago, after working on agricultural programs in Nepal. In fact, it was a ‘tour’ of similar collectives that brought him to Fraguas, which he considers a place of self-discovery

LIVING ON A PRAYER: Campaigners inside their home in Guadalajara ahead of potential sentencing while (top left) residents rebuilding town

and learning. “Everyone is welcome arguably go some way to easing its sehere,” he says. “You don’t need an area verity. However, as Fraguas lies within the protected boundaries of the Natural of expertise. You learn as you go.” Known as’ the Ground Zero of rural Park of the Sierra Norte de Guadalajadepopulation’, Guadalajara province ra, designated in 2011, the regional gocovers 4,200 km2 but has only 8,900 vernment is proving intransigent despite inhabitants, the equivalent of 2.1 peo- fierce local support for the collective. ple to every km2. In the nearest town of Arbancon, an But it is not alone. Much of Spain’s inte- elderly woman tells us: “These kids harior fanning north from Madrid is seeing ven’t done anything. I wouldn’t mind its inhabitants board up their homes to signing something to stop them from seek work and company in the cities or going to jail.” along the coast, a trend that began with Some 10 km from Fraguas, two other the much-documented Rural Exodus of villages are teetering on the brink of the 1960s. extinction: Arbancon has Burgos and Soria now 157 inhabitants; its neighbour, Monasterio, has have 162 and 116 villa‘There aren’t ges respectively with less just 11. It would seem than 100 inhabitants – a many of us and that, in the balance, any third of what there were sign of life is to be treawe don’t have sured. during the 1990s – while Teruel and Valladolid Sanz, spokesman much electoral Diego have some 90 villages for La Otra Guadalajara, weight’ between them hanging the provincial platform on by a thread. lobbying the government According to the goverto address the issue of nment’s Commission for Demographic dwindling numbers, tells me: “Initiatives Challenge, 53% of the country is at se- like Fraguas could have a place in rural rious risk of depopulation. Spain, but it’s a bit of a one-off. Really And last month a huge protest brought politicians should be coming up with hundreds of thousands of rural dwellers policies. There aren’t many of us and onto the streets of Madrid to highlight we don’t carry much electoral weight but the issue, a big contingent from Fragua. concentrating everyone in the big cities Back in 2013 when the first six settlers leads to environmental problems such arrived in Fragua, expertise was needed as urban pollution and rural degradaand there was plenty of it to go around. tion. All were graduates, some of architecture “We want to see tax incentives for small and engineering. And any gaps in their businesses – currently, a small shop owknow-how were plugged by friends who ner here in Alsustante, a village of just could easily be persuaded to make the 90 inhabitants, has to pay the same tax two-hour trip from Madrid to collabo- as if he had set up in the Puerta del Sol,” rate in the resurrection of a village that he adds. once consisted of 23 homes, 80 inha- On the last day of March, La Otra bitants and a town hall that doubled as Guadalajara was joined by 15 other a jail! platforms from across rural Spain - inIt is these pioneers, known as ‘the Fra- cluding Soria Ya! and Teruel Existe! - in a gua Six’, who are now just months away demonstration in the capital to highlight from being put behind bars themselves. the problem and urge politicians to put Last May they were sentenced to a it on their agenda. year-and-a-half of jail time on top of a But as the Mayor of Olmeda de la Cues€2,700 fine to pay for the demolition ta in Cuenca, 51-year-old José Luis of the handful of houses they have so Regacho Duque pointed out: “None of the political parties are involved in beautifully restored. It is a strange twist to a tale of innocence the demonstration. Politicians don’t do and renewal that may not solve Spain’s anything if it’s not for votes. And there’s rural depopulation problem but could only a handful of us.”

XIII

April 2019 Municipalities that have lost population in the 21st century

HAD ENOUGH: Protests in Madrid over depopulation crisis

DESERTED: Areas in dark green are at most risk of abandonment and with a ‘very low’ population density

José Luis has featured in newspapers around the world for his tireless efforts to keep the village he grew up in on the map, turning it into a symbol of Spain’s rural depopulation crisis. During his childhood, Olmeda de la Cuesta had 300 inhabitants. In 2014, it was being hailed as Spain’s ‘oldest’ village as among the remaining 35 inhabitants the average age was 75. Now, he tells me, some of those have

departed not for the city but to ‘the other side’ and the official population has shrunk to 28. However, a scheme to sell off 250 m2 plots for the bargain price of €1,300 four years back means that six additional households now swell the figures on weekends and holidays. “There is an increasing tendency for initiatives like Fraguas,” says José Luis, who has a myriad of strategies aimed at turning the tide.

“I’m trying to get that kind of thing off the ground here, speaking to the owners of houses that have fallen into disrepair to see if they can be persuaded to allow volunteers to rebuild them in exchange for free rent for a period of, say, 20 years. “If people want to start a market garden and try self-reliant living, there is plenty of land,” he adds, explaining that only last week a group of artists from Madrid

approached him over such a possibility. Nor is he ruling out the villages’ potential as a tourist attraction; a series of stone and iron sculptures as well as a Guernica Tree symbolising peace have meant the village now gets its share of visitors. But the scale of these initiatives in no way matches the size of the problem. “The government needs to see this is as seriously as what is happening in Catalunya,” he says. “They do a lot of talking but they must put the money where their mouths are. The central government should allow the council to have more of a free reign when it comes to abandoned properties. Because if there were more people here, we could provide jobs for the unemployed in Madrid. We could produce clean energy. We have a lot of resources.” And he is not the only one trying to persuade owners of abandoned or ruined houses to part with their property. Two estate agents, Aldeas Abandonadas and Galician Country Homes, are making good business out of sorting through the paperwork so that small, uninhabited hamlets can find new owners. “Now with Internet and globalisation, it’s feasible to get back to our roots,” says Rosi Adkinson, whose British hus-

band Mark set up Galician Country Homes 15 years ago. “Mark and I live in one of Galicia’s smallest villages and we deal with people in over 150 countries around the world,” she says. Rosi has watched the business boom over the last three years and says 90% of her clients are British. “But we also have people from Canada and there’s even a businessman from Afghanistan. The people we sell to want to integrate and respect the environment. Some are looking for a place their extended family can come to, some want to set up a rural hotel and we had a group who wanted somewhere they could retire together.” Prices range from €60,000 to over a €1 million, depending on the state of the hamlet in question and its location and viability for business.But whatever the starting price, Rosi explains, it will probably cost over €1 million by the time the buyer is finished the renovation work, though EU grants may cover 45% of the cost. It is obviously a more commercial scheme than those being proposed by José Luis. But the mayor of Olmeda de la Cuesta is far from against it. “It could be the only way to repopulate the countryside,” he says. “To stop us being the Lapland of the south.”

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April 2019

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XVI

April 2019

Fran-tastic

PROPERTY

Spanish architect blazes a white-hot trail across the world with his signature designs

ENOWNED Va l e n c i a n ‘starchitect’ Fran Silvestre has unveiled his latest jaw-dropping home in Portugal (right). The curiously-contoured property on the fringes of Lisbon, sits atop a golf course with distant views of the capital city. Consisting of two elongated box shapes joined at the base - one wing for communal living areas, the other for private spaces - the head-turning home completed last month was commissioned by an unnamed but ‘very wealthy family’. They had requested an open plan abode which was also very private and nestled into the landscape.

Silvestre, head of multi award-winning Valencia firm Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, has become a household name in recent years for his iconic houses which are predominantly white with edgy, clean cut lines. On his seeming obsession with white, Silvestre explains: “We use white for three reasons. “There is a strong contrast between blue and white. It is a symbol of culture. The second reason is scientific. When you have a white interior it makes it look more spacious. “There is also the thermic question. You cannot have a big black box under the Spanish sun. And lastly, it is the subjective reasons about the perception of beauty.” Join us on a tour of his most impressive works around Spain.

COMPLETE: Fran Silvestre’s latest home in Portugal is now ready for a ‘very wealthy family’ who asked for a property with ‘privacy’ which was immersed into the landscape

CLIFF EDGE: This huge mansion in Alicante is one of Silvestre’s most famous works, offering unbeatable views and an enviable infinity swimming pool

XVII

April 2019

CONTRAST: This home in Valencia takes on a different look at night and is true Silvestre style with sleek white lines aplenty

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XVIII

April 2019

Fran-tastic cont.

Continuing a tour of Spanish architect Fran Silvestre’s homes, this Valencia project has the effect of protruding from the rocky landscape, a common theme in the maestro’s work

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April 2019 SLEEK: This home in Sotogrande is cooler than cool and comes complete with swimming pool and rooftop ‘chillout’ area

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Grass with class April 2019

INSTAGENIC: Eyecatching products like esparto cacti have generated a buzz on social media

Esparto is no longer just for espadrilles as the world warms to the eco credentials of Andalucia’s ‘green’ grass of home, writes Dierdre Tynan

MULTI-PURPOSE: Esparto blinds repel insects and preserve the ambient temperature of rooms

ROM rustic Andalucian kitchens to Insta-cool loft living in Manhattan, the traditional Spanish craft of esparto grass weaving is making a comeback in the most unexpected places. The material once used for Spanish peasant footwear and shopping baskets is enjoying a revival in high-end interior decor thanks to its versatility and vegan credentials. Business has never been brisker at the artisan workshops of Perez y Perez in the pretty historic village of Porcuna in northern Jaen province, where craftsmen have been making traditional esparto products since 1957. However of late the family-owned business has branched out into commercial designs with international appeal that run to a lot more than baskets, blinds and traditional bulls’ heads. Think furniture, curtains, aw-

nings, umbrellas and even TV set designs. “We’ve had the privilege of making products for important businesses, companies and television programs like Kitchen Nightmares, La Peste and Still Star Crossed,” enthuses Vicente Perez Jimenez who learnt how to collect and weave the grass from his parents and grandparents as a child during the school holidays. Perez y Perez also works closely with fashion designers and stores across the Iberian Peninsula creating eye-catching window displays with textured lamps and matting in pale earthy tones, perfect for achieving ‘a touch of the desert’ says Vicente. Esparto’s global revival is thanks in part to its Instagram appeal with pictures of six foot esparto cacti (above)

gracing homes from Santa Fe to Copenhagen popping up all over the social media channel. A playful bulls head sent design mavens into overdrive when it was featured as an ‘object of desire’ on Remodelista.com, a cult American website dedicated to luxurious, eco-friendly interiors. Esparto weaving is an ancient skill specific to Mediterranean areas where the grass grows abundantly. The technique is virtually unchanged from the Neolithic period. Esparto grass baskets of more than 7,000 years old have been found in caves in Granada, while the ancient Greeks and

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XXI

April 2019 RESURGENCE: Trendy interior designers and native Andalucians are both behind the esparto renaissance

A genuine esparto product will contain only natural materials – such as grass, wood and sisal rope – to sew the plaits of esparto together. “We harvest the esparto in June, July and August from the Sierra Magina, the nearest Andalucian mountains to us,” says Vicente. “The harvest must be carried out with special care to leave enough fibres for the next harvest,”. The walls of the Perez y Perez workshop are lined with traditional and contemporary esparto designs inclu-

Phoenicians used it to make ropes for their boats. “We consider genuine esparto to be an ecological material since it is collected In the mountains, and no chemical or unnatural components are applied,” explains Vicente. “With proper use of the product, it does not require additional maintenance and once its useful life has ended, which can take decades, it can be used as fertiliser since it breaks down like any other plant,” he added.

ding baskets, mats and lampshades in a variety of styles, from understated to conversation starters. The display emphasises the two sides of the artisanal output – home crafts and high-end design on a commercial scale. “This work, like that of any other craftsman, requires a lot of time to learn. It’s will and persistence that allows you to understand and learn improvements to the trade,” says Vicente. “In our case, we work with multiple professionals in the world of

decoration - window dressers, interior designers, architects - which requires us to innovate continuously to adapt to their needs. Each new product requires a different technique of interlacing esparto.” One of the workshop’s biggest projects in 2017 involved creating an esparto lining for a 2,000 square metre co-working space at the Impact Hub in downtown Madrid. “It is the first building completely lined with this natural fibre and the environment this material creates in a room gives a great feeling of tranquility and harmony,” says Vicente. Native Andalucians are also driving

the esparto revival, remembering it from their childhoods and incorporating it in their modern homes for the same reason their grandparents did, as it is ideal for the local climate. Esparto blinds and curtains are a particular bestseller as they preserve ambient temperature in the home, they are anti-mite and naturally repel insects and noise in addition to their decorative appeal. Further info from the Perez y Perez online shop in English and Spanish: www. tienda.artesaniasperezyperez.com/en/

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XXII

April 2019

Blocked off

PETTY?: Blocks placed on terraces in row

PUERTO Banus has placed ugly anti-terrorist blocks on the terraces of businesses who are refusing to comply to rent hikes. It comes after the company behind the port announced it would increase the average square metre of terrace space by extra €480 per year, causing some business owners’ rents to soar by 700%. Some 25 shops, bars and restaurants claimed in a denuncia that the concessionary company also disabled their access cards, meaning they could not make deliveries. "It is a measure of harassment aimed at increasing the pressure on the owners to accept the new rules," the complaint read.

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Keep calm Latest figures show expansion is slowing but there’s no reason to panic, writes Tancrede de Pola

HE number of homes sold in Spain in January barely increased compared to the same month last year, new figures have shown. According to the Spanish Land Registrar, some 42,850 homes were sold in the first month of this year, just above the 42,745 sold in January 2018. Small markets saw strong growth in the likes of Extremadura, Huelva and Teruel, but tourist hotspots, including the Canary Islands, the Balearics, Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca all saw a year-on-year drop in sales. But what does this mean? While on a national level there has been an increase in sales, the figures to some suggest that the expansion enjoyed over the last few years could be slowing down.

It is the first time growth has been in the low single digits for three consecutive months since the market turned the corner around the end of 2014. In fact growth has been consistently lower since May last year. However, sales were up in the Catalan provinces including Barcelona, the Costa Brava, and Costa Dorada, perhaps because the political problems in Catalunya no longer alarm investors. This could be a sign of things to come for the Costas when the Brexit fiasco is finally dealt with. Uncertainty surrounding the UK’s divorce

is no doubt having an impact on British buyers, the biggest foreign market for Spanish property by far. Once some certainty is brought back - and hopefully a soft a Brexit as possible - the pound will likely bounce back strong and buyers will feel more comfortable taking the plunge. It’s also important to remember the property figures tend to be quite volatile, so we will get more of an idea of how much the steam is running out, if at all, in the next few months. So while it has been a slower start to the year, don’t panic, things are still looking healthy!

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

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PROPERTY

XXVI

April 2019

Go go Gaudi Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia finally receives planning permission, 136 years after building work began IT is one of the longest-running building projects in the world. Under construction since 1882, Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia cathedral is now finally edging one step closer to completion. It comes after the building, designed by Antoni Gaudi, got final planning permission after a two year tussle between authorities and the

Airb’n see ya OVER 95% of the rentals on Airbnb in Madrid have been ruled illegal. It comes after the city ruled that all properties that rent for over 90 days a year need to get a special tourist licence. They will only be issued for properties that have their own private access to the street, independent of other neighbours. The law has been brought in to prevent an increase in the number of tourists staying in housing blocks and to prevent a worrying rise in gentrification.

Catholic church. The functioning church, which is visited by 4.5m visitors a year, and counts on Unesco world heritage status is now set to be completed by 2026. Gaudi took on the project in 1883 after the original designer quit and worked on the project for the rest of his life. The famous architect was advised to put his plans and ideas down on paper but he

ICONIC: The Sagrada Familia

White out THE number of deaths resulting from heat waves each year could be reduced by painting roofs white, according to new research. Scientists in the UK have found painting roofs in colours that reflect the sun can keep buildings significantly cooler. Dr Clare Heaviside of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, said: “Climate change

agreed to pass the final stages of planning permission after the Catholic Church, which owns the site, agreed to pay €34 million towards community projects. If followed, Gaudi’s original design would require the demolition of almost two blocks near the site. The President of the project’s construction board Esteve Camps said: overheating in cities. “As the heirs of “Building interventions Gaudi we want have the potential to reto push his vision through to duce this risk.” the end.”

never did so before before being hit by a tram and killed in 1926. Barcelona’s city council

and increasing urbanisation mean that future populations are likely to be at increased risk of

CH143

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Aguilar de la Frontera Cordoba This fantastic single storey, 4 bedroom chalet with private pool is located on the outskirts of Aguilar de la Frontera. It has a summer kitchen, bar area and spacious patio

White Design’s three top tips for buying outdoor furniture

UTDOOR furniture is so important when living on the Costa del Sol. The outdoors here become an extension of the lounge with the same comfort but the added bonus of dining or lounging under the stars. There is such a large choice of furniture and decoration for the terrace now ranging from all weather rattan, wood, aluminium to outdoor rugs, to mention but a few. Here are three top tips from White Design Company when considering new furniture or decoration. 1.

Before you purchase your outdoor or glass curtain area furniture, you should analyse the space where it will go. Think about what you’ll need it for. Is it for lavish dinner parties or quiet newspaper-and-coffee mornings? Or simply lounging? How many people will you be to catering for? Does the space get a lot of sun or wind? We can quite often help with multipurpose pieces to accommodate smaller areas. Dining and lounging in one for example. If you are buying a dining table and chairs we will measure the space you have. Keep in mind that the chairs around the table need approx. 60cm of space behind to move the chair out and ideally another 60cm for people to walk around. Oval or Round tables also allow for an extra chair or two to be added with comfort when required. Which materials you choose is also very important. It must be durable to withstand the elements, but you also want it to look nice and be low maintenance. Weather can have a serious effect on your furniture. The summer sun and the cold winter can be brutal on furniture. Here’s some information on some of the most popular materials: All Weather Rattan, which is wrapped around a steel or aluminium frame, making it more durable and easier to clean. Wrought iron is indestructible but can rust easily. If the paint chips, it’ll need to be touched up. It’s heavy, so it’s best for patios or decked areas rather than for grass. Aluminium or powder coated aluminium is lighter than wrought iron and doesn’t rust.

This may come with a wood look material, glass or textylene for comfort. Natural Wicker is more fragile for the outdoors, still nice for a terrace that is covered in with perhaps glass curtains. It is always a good idea to varnish the natural Rattan once a year to keep it in good condition. Outdoor furniture made out of wood makes for a nice earthy look but it will change as the sun and rain hits it. Teak is the toughest of the woods and will need treated every year but is always lovely. And finally, resin not the most comfortable without cushions but often a good choice when renting your holiday home.

tel: 952 49 41 55 info@whitedesignco.com Mon-Fri: 10.00-18.00 Sat: 10.00-14.00 La Cala de Mijas, Mijas Costa 29649 www.whitedesignco.com

XXVIII April 2019

PROPERTY Albarracin, Teruel Height: 1,182 Population: 1,054

ANCIENT: Roman bridge is stunning feature of Navarredonda de Gredos in Avila, pictured from above below Navarredonda de Gredos, Avila Height: 1,523m Population: 458

STUNNING: Albarracin has some of the most incredible Moorish and medieval architecture in Spain and has been crowned the country’s ‘most beautiful’ town in the past

Getting high You’ll have to work hard to find better views at Spain’s most vertiginous villages

OU’VE heard of the ‘most beautiful towns in Spain’ list, but now there’s a new way to rank the incredible collection of hilltop white villages dotted around the country by how high above sea level they are. Spain’s cliff-hanging enclaves hark back to the times of medieval conquest and even Roman occupation when they were built strategically on summits to command the best view of enemy invasions.

However as populations continue to move to the cities and coastlines, these historic marvels are coming under threat. While some have benefited from nearby ski resorts, others are facing extinction with populations as low as 41. Below we have rounded up a guide to some of the loftiest villages from around the country which you should visit while you have the chance.

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Bronchales, Teruel Height: 1,575 Population: 480

XXIX

April 2019 Gudar, Teruel Height: 1,588 Population: 73

JAW-DROPPING: Gudar (above) nestled atop a hill while the charming Meranges and Navadijos (below) have less than 150 inhabitants between them

Meranges, Girona Height: 1,539m Population: 91

Navadijos, Avila Height: 1,520m Population: 41

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XXX

April 2019

PROPERTY Hoyos de Miguel Munoz, Avila Height: 1,534m Population: 43

Valdelinares, Teruel Height: 1,692 Population: 120

COMPACT: Valdelinares’ tightly knit homes give a strong impact form afar while (left) Roman pillars still stand strong in the ancient town, which is home to just 120 people

Griegos, Teruel Height: 1,601 Population: 143

AGONY Property ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Immunity and impunity Antonio Flores explains how the Crown Dependencies are likely to be immune from Brexit, while an unprecedented civil fraud trial begins in Spain

OR financial and insurance compa- tial fees for managers and brokers. nies based in the Crown Dependen- Many of these victims have lost substancies (Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jer- tially, and some have nothing to show for sey), the advent of the long-awaited it. Brexit will have no impact whatsoever, as In these Crown Dependencies, the word these territories are not part of the Eu- ‘consumer’ has no space. ropean Union (EU) and are not included Fortunately, Spain thinks differently and within the scope of the UK’s membership in the first of its kind, a case for civil of the EU. fraud against Old Mutual International Because but for those very companies, Isle of Man is going to trial in Marbella, whether ‘Brexiteers’ or ‘Remainers’, ope- on the 20/5/2019. rating within the EU was neNot even the best lawver a problem despite not yers money could buy has being licensed, authorized saved this company from They were or regulated. being closer to having its illegally selling best-preserved secret aiBut how so? If we take the example of red publicly: that they were insurance in Spain, the likes of Old Muillegally selling insurance in Spain for years Spain, for years, with absotual International, RL 360 or Generali have operated lute impunity. with impunity with infinite impunity for If the Court of First Instanyears, selling all manner ce rules that Old Mutual of unregulated single-predid indeed operate in Spain mium life insurance policies or, rather unregulated, hundreds - thousands perfancifully described, investment-linked haps - could follow suit and trigger yet assurance schemes (‘ILAS’) through another scandal in the already dubious equally unregulated brokers. Isle of Man, where insurance represents It is believed that British expats in Spain 14% of the economy (and financial servihave tens of millions deposited in a vast ces more than 32%). array of financial and investment pro- To be updated on this case you can call ducts that these insurance platforms pe- or email us and of course, feel free to ddled for years, in exchange for substan- attend the public trial should you wish.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

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BUSINESS

Brits deliver

BRITS have been visiting Spain in higher numbers and spending more, after 2018 saw a disappointing summer for the country’s tourism sector. Both visitor numbers and spending were up in the second month of this year for six months in a row. Government figures revealed a total of 4.4 million holidaymakers visited Spain in month of February, representing an 3.8% increase on last year. The UK was once again the main tourist market for Andalucia. The average daily spend of Brits was also 7.2% higher than a year ago at €124.

Seeing is believing

THE Lions Club in La Cala de Mijas has teamed up with Specsavers to collect glasses for those in need. All Specsavers stores in Spain are carrying the appeal, including Fuengirola, Benidorm and Mallorca. Volunteers from the charity, known for fighting blindness, are collecting the glasses. “We take it for granted that we can correct our vision with a pair of glasses, but many people don’t have that luxury,” said Amrik Sappal, of Specsavers Optica Fuengirola.

Streaming giant Netflix opens new hub in Madrid with promise of ‘investing for the long term’ NETFLIX has unveiled plans for a huge recruitment drive in Spain at the official launch of the company’s first European production hub in Madrid. The streaming giant hopes to nearly double employment on productions from 13,000 in 2018 to as many as 25,000 this year. Spain, together with the UK, is the location of Netflix’s heaviest volume of production. CEO Reed Hastings called

Cash stream

“We’re investing for the long term.” Alongside the hub, Netflix also announced two new projects to be produced in Spain. The first project is a six episode series from director Mateo Gil entitled The Favourites of Midas, based on the Jack London shortstory.

Thriller

RECRUITING: Netflix is investing heavily in Spain the new hub evidence ‘that we’re going to be a part of the Spanish creative ecosys-

tem forever.’ “We’re not just experimenting and trying something.

All aboard! THE Royal Caribbean shipping company has chosen Malaga for the first stop of its new ship, the Spectrum of the Seas, which will arrive at the port on April 16 from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. Considered the ‘most technological and avant-garde ship’ in the Royal Caribbean fleet, the giant has the capacity to house almost 9,000 people, including passengers and crew. Designed specifically for the Asian market, the new ship will arrive at Malaga and from there it will sail to Barcelona, the city from where its Global Odyssey voyage will begin.

DOCKING SOON: Spectrum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean said: “The port and this city are key for the company. Proof of this is that we have chosen this enclave for another year to make its first stop on its new ship.”

The second, El Inocente, is based on a novel by American thriller writer Harlan Coben and will be directed by Oriol Paulo “We’ve been investing tremendously around the world — in France, Italy, Denmark, Germany and, in particular, in Spain — because the stories are very well done, there’s a great professional spirit and work ethic, and tale,” said Netflix’s Business Development VP Maria Ferreras Netflix’s new production hub, located about 20 minutes outside Madrid in Tres Cantos, has three sound stages in operation and another two under construction. Hastings said: “We’re producing shows all over Spain, with only two shooting currently at the hub. “So, this is a small sample of the impact around Spain.”

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

Baggage claims THE European court is set to decide whether airlines should pay out thousands to travellers in lost luggage compensation. Under proposals, flight operators could have to automatically pay €1,400 when they lose a passenger’s luggage, while currently payouts vary depending on individual court rulings. It comes after a preliminary case in Barcelona was brought against Spanish airline Vueling over its baggage handling procedures. Airports lose more than 20 million bags a year while the average amount claimed by air passengers for missing luggage last year was €808. A decision is due in the coming months.

Better grades SPAIN’s economy has seen stronger than expected growth in early 2019 thanks to higher domestic demand, according to the country’s central bank. Growth in Spain’s economy in the first quarter comes as Germany’s, the eurozone’s largest economy, came close to recession. Spain’s GDP, meanwhile, grew 0.6% in the January to March period after a similar rate of 0.7% at the end of 2018.

Notice of changes to THE VICTOR CHANDLER (INTERNATIONAL) RETIREMENT SCHEME GIBRALTAR AND VICTOR CHANDLER GROUP RETIREMENT SCHEME With effect from the 02 July 2018, “The Victor Chandler (International) Retirement Scheme Gibraltar” and “The Victor Chandler Group Retirement Scheme” (the Pension Schemes) trusteeship transferred from STM Fidecs Pension Trustees Limited to Sovereign Trust International Limited, a company registered in Gibraltar (company registration number 44491), with its registered office at Suite 2B, 143 Main Street, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA. If you were previously employed by a company within the BetVictor Group and you may have retained pension benefits in either Pension Schemes, and you have not yet received a letter from Sovereign Trust International Limited informing you of the forthcoming changes, please contact the administrator, Sovereign Pension Services (Gibraltar) Limited as follows: By email to betvictor@SovereignGroup.com or by post (marked Private & Confidential) to Sovereign Pension Services (Gibraltar) Limited, Suite 2B, 143 Main Street, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA providing your name, current address, date of birth and the dates of your employment with BetVictor (or the relevant company within the group).

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Eat that!

Best in Spain

A CHEESECAKE made by a Marbella chef has been crowned ‘the best in Spain’. Malaga-born cook Fernando Alcala, owner of the city’s Kava restaurant, claimed the title in the Campeonato Nacional de Tartas de Queso. His tarta de queso was recognised for its crisp, toasted outside, creamy centre, and excellent flavour. “The secret of our cheesecake is in the delicious contrast between the toasted exterior and the creamy interior,” Alcala said. The Malagueño described his cake as a

WINNER: Marbella cheesecake

‘classic of our dessert menu’, after receiving the accolade at the inaugural edition of the competition held in Gran Canaria.

Tastemakers Roca brothers create new miracle menu to help people with no sense of taste

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

THE world-famous Roca brothers have begun developing menus for people that have lost their sense of taste. Jordi, 40, Joan, 55, and Josep Roca, 53, are the chefs behind the three Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, which has twice been crowned ‘best restaurant in the world’. But now the trio have turned their attention to the develo-

SPAIN is among the countries with the least food-related deaths, a new scientific study has revealed. Frequently praised for its ‘Mediterranean diet’, Spain finished third in the global list, just behind Israel and France. Spain has 89.5 food-related deaths per 100,000, while Israel and France have 88.9 and 89.1 respectively. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded the research into 195 countries, which was published in the Lancet. Deaths caused by eating badly, including heart attacks and obesity, total 11 million per year worldwide, which is more than tobacco-linked deaths, which account for 7 million.

Rice try

SENSELESS: Roca trio are at the vanguard of taste pment of personalised menus brothers. with the help of psycholo- Jordi, the youngest of the trio, gists, nutritionists and neu- began experimenting with rologists. memory and taste after his The Rocas have centred their friend and fellow chef, Oriol project around chocolate, in Blanes, said that he could no order to bring back memo- longer taste his food. ries for those who suffer with Dr Porta added that the main what is commonly referred to hypothesis of this pioneering as ‘dysgeusia’ - a distortion of work is to see whether ‘it is taste. possible to recover the sensation of taste in people through the stimulation of senses Evocative and associated memories’. Cocoa was chosen because ‘it Around one in five people suis a global and evocative ele- ffer a lack of taste, which can ment that can be associated often be the result of physiwith personal experiences’. cal disorders like cancer or That is according to Dr Jesus mental illnesses such as dePorta-Etessam, head of Neu- pression. The Rocas’ work is rology at Madrid’s San Carlos being made into a mini doClinical Hospital, who has cumentary by BBVA called El been working with the Roca Sentido Del Cacao.

THE European Parliament has caused fury among Spaniards after serving up a ‘paella salad’ in its canteen. A picture of the creation online attracted harsh criticism from Spaniards, who saw it as an affront to the Valencian dish. Beatriz Rios, the journalist who saw the food, called it a ‘culinary attack’, while another online user said: “Do you remove the lettuce to warm it up?” The label on the €6,25 dish says it contains ‘paella-style rice, mixed peppers, prawns, cherry tomatoes and salad’. Proper ‘Valencian paella’ is made using rice, green beans, seasoning such as saffron and meat, often rabbit and chicken.

‘AFFRONT’: Paella

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April 10th - April 23rd 2019

Family fun In a new regular series on a different side of Gibraltar, Jon Clarke carts his mum and kids around the top of the Rock

T was always going to be something of a Mission Impossible, carting two kids and your 76-yearold mother to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar and back. And it was only 10 minutes into the walk, up Europa Road by the famous Rock Hotel, that my nine-year-old Alfie declared: “I’m bored, I wanna go back.” Indeed, had it not been for the promise of wild apes somewhere ahead in the distance, it would have been game over within the hour. And so we found ourselves on a mammoth tour of Gibraltar’s wonderful - and surprisingly wild - Upper Rock Nature Reserve, Shanks Pony, rather than the normal taxi or minibus. Ambitious perhaps, but as

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SNAP: Monkey with bread

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FOOD,DRINK

my mum, Gillian, had insisted the day before, ‘If I can do two 18-hole rounds of golf a week, I can do a couple of hours around the Rock.’ Within half an hour we had arrived at the rather unusual sounding Jew’s Gate. Here, as minibuses and taxis careered around us, we were thrust a map from the car park attendant and pointed towards a small track off to the right. Shown as ‘Martin’s Path’ on the map, we were soon walking at an almost vertical incline through the most breathtaking mountain countryside imaginable. Lush vegetation of olive trees, lavender, fennel and campion, gave off a wonderful Spring fresh smell, as the views just got better and better. Suddenly, there was the hint of wilderness and the sense that, maybe, just maybe, a wild primate would jump out through the trees. At least, that is what I kept reminding Alfie. And then suddenly we arrived at an attraction, where

Spring fun

HE annual Spring Festival is set to be ‘an intense period of cultural activities’ according to the Gibraltar Minister for Culture. The popular festival will start with free entertainment on May Day and go on for the next seven weeks. Most events will take place around Casemates Square, however on May 4 there will be art dance show at John Mackintosh Square. An art exhibition is scheduled for May 7 in the Fine Arts Gallery at Casemates while a Zarzuela performance takes place on May 8 at John Mackintosh Hall. “Many of the events are organised specifically for this cultural platform, including the Young Shakespeare Company, the Spring Visual Arts Competition and a celebration of opera,“ said Minister for Culture Steven Linares. A competition to find the logo for the event has been won by Stefano Pantone.

PINNACLE: Top of the Rock and (below) nature signs

everyone was getting off entertained for nearly an buses. hour. ‘Where are we?’ I asked. ‘St And then we were off again, Michael’s Cave,’ a taxi dri- down one of the steepest ver revealed. flights of steps I’d ever And next, we were inside seen. the most amazing caver- Called, I think, Charles V nous expanse with the kids wall, it was difficult enouquickly vanishing out of sigh coming down with bits ght. of handrail missing, not It served as a good stop- to mention a phalanx of ping off place for a coffee. monkeys tinkering around Tempted to on the other call it a day, side. we were suiAfter telling From all tably jeed on mum and the by the kids directions trooped kids not to desperate to look at them, the primates, get up to the we slowly top to see the from every tree, crept past and monkeys. got to the botevery wall So off we trudtom. ged. And anoIt was some ther quarter of relief. an hour later. From here though we went From all directions trooped East, far East as it turns the primates. From every out, on a long windy lane tree, every wall, every batt- past pretty cottages, a farm lement. even. A joy to behold and a sight I Called Queens Road, it carwill never get bored of, they ved through a big swathe of skipped about and kept us woodland and went on for

WILD: Martin’s Path takes visitors on a quiet backwater

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

& TRAVEL

April 10th - April 23rd 2019

What’s on Gibraltar

Gibraltar

A lineup as bedazzling as the backdrop.

Hero’s dinner THE Lounge are holding a welcome home barbecue for ex-Marine Lee Spencer who despite being an amputee famously rowed across the Atlantic Ocean.

Cave Joker

some time. Mum just kept going. Like a tank, with a smile on her face and bounds of enthusiasm, it was probably her that got us all to our last main port of call. The World War tunnels museum. Next thing we were exploring the depths of the Rock,

not to emerge again for about an hour. And we still had some walking to do, back down into town to locate our car. But not before a more than welcome pint of bitter and a decent ploughman's lunch at one of the pubs on Main Street.

Faure-n sounds BEETHOVEN, Schumann, Faure and Brahms will feature in a concert at the Convent Ballroom on April 18 with Steven Isserlis on cello and Connie Shih at the piano.

Gibraltar. Sun, sea and history served with a very British twist. PROUD

BRITISH

Heritage STREET PARTIES MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE HISTORY MUSIC

For further information call: Gibraltar Tourist Board +350 200 74950 Or to download a brochure go to: www.visitgibraltar.gi

Phoenician Empire Calentita

Jazz

INTERNATIONAL

THE ROCK The MoorishMusicCastle Festivals Food Festival Pillars of Hercules National Week, Chess, Snooker, Backgammon Championships 100000 YEARS Darts, Neanderthal Settlements LITERARY FESTIVAL

ibraltar

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A year of Culture

Bring hearts, minds and souls

HIGHLIGHT: Incredible St Michael’s Cave

With a UNESCO world heritage site offering 120,000 years of human history and only short drive from the Costa del Sol, enjoy the warmth of the British Gibraltarians and splash out VAT-free in Sterling.

AG A

LONDON DJs will be at Casemates nightclub Ekahi Ohana for a 12 hour house music extravaganza to raise money for Ghana school project Help Me Learn Africa.

Charity rave

Make this your year to celebrate the rich, diverse and fascinating world of Gibraltar

TOP British stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr will be at St Michael’s Cave (left) on May 15 with his own brand of humour as part of his World Tour.