Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 163 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 7 Issue 163

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STILL MISSING: Amy Fitzpatrick

EXCLUSIVE By Mason Jones

2008 – was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later. Mahon, a former Calahonda estate agent, has admitted stabbing Dean outside the Dublin flat he shares with Amy’s mother Audrey, but claims it was self defence. Amy and Dean’s aunt, Christine Kenny, who

JESUS - THE SECOND COMING! Following our reports on how a British woman faces losing her home over a defunct property deal, we tracked down and investigated the man behind Palmera Properties, Porschedriving, Puerto Banus based born-again Jesus Gotardo. See pages 6 and 7

see page page47 13

June 12 - June 26, 2013

APPEAL FOR AMY

THE family of missing Amy Fitzpatrick has relaunched an appeal for information on the teenager’s disappearance. The news comes as Spanish police vowed to extradite any suspects from Ireland, following the fatal stabbing of Amy’s brother by their mother’s partner Dave Mahon. Dean – the brother of La Cala resident Amy who went missing aged 15 in

Don’t let the Don’t thein bankslet cash banks cash in www.hifx.co.uk www.hifx.co.uk see page 13

Missing teen’s family makes emotive Olive Press appeal following brother’s killing

worked closely with us to investigate Amy’s disappearance in 2008, told the Olive Press: “It is urgent now that people come forward to discover once and for all what happened to Amy. “If there is anybody in Spain who knows, who was perhaps too scared to talk before, well please ring us... there shouldn’t be any fear now.” After an extensive investigation in 2011, the Olive Press published an in-depth profile on the tragic teenager in the months after she disappeared on New Year’s Day in 2008. It served as a damning indictment of her mother and Mahon, with sources telling the paper she had been neglected and was not happy at home. It emerged she had not been attending school and had sometimes been living rough near the family home. We can now reveal she had

even been working in a local bar. “This poor child is still missing,” added the heartbroken aunt who hopes Dean’s death may lead to more information on his sister. “The Olive Press did a great job in shining some proper light on the case back then and now let’s hope you can do it again.”

Explanation

A detective who has been investigating the case for five years revealed last night that Amy’s mobile phone could be the key to the case. Liam Brady said: “We know from her friends that she had her mobile phone on the night she went missing, but that same mobile phone turned up in her mother’s hands on a TV show in Ireland five months later. “Neither Audrey nor Dave have ever explained why or Turn to page 2

Black mark for Tarifa TARIFA has landed a massive black mark from Spain’s leading environmental group. Its two main beaches Playa de los Lances and Valdevaqueros have received socalled ‘black flags’ from ecologistas en accion for plans to build a massive ‘macro urbanisation’ on virgin land beside them. The pressure group’s annual coastal report slams the scheme, which comprises 350 villas and 1,400 hotel rooms over 71 hectares alongside Valdevaqueros beach.

Damning

Describing it as ‘unacceptable and unsustainable’, the project is to be built on land designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, alongside the Alcornocales Natural Park. The report, which comes out alongside the annual Blue Flag awards, made for particularly damning reading for Andalucia this year. In total the number of black flags issued is up dramatically to 80 (up from 64 last year), while there are also 97 so-called puntos negros, or black spots (up from 80 last year). Marbella was awarded an incredible 20 black flags, in particular Linda Vista and Pinillo for recently legalising construction durTurn to page 36

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

CRIME NEWS

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Police bust ‘voodoo’ hooker ring

By Mason Jones

Six Nigerians arrested for using torture and voodoo threats to control victims POLICE have smashed a Nigerian ring that forced women into street prostitution in Malaga and Barcelona by using voodoo rituals. Six Nigerian nationals have been arrested, including the suspected woman ringleader. It is alleged that the ring targeted women in the rundown Nigerian port of Benin. Most of the victims were

struggling to raise children because their husbands and fathers had died, so were vulnerable to the gang’s tactics. The ring then transported the women overland to Morocco from where they were smuggled into Spain on small wooden boats. They were then forced to work as street prostitutes in Barcelona and Malaga. “The control exercised over

Stowaway arrives on ferry engine AN Algerian stowaway has been arrested trying to enter Spain by clinging to the back engine of a ferry right next to the razor-sharp propellers. The 48-year-old suspected illegal immigrant was picked up at Tarifa, after completing the treacherous two-hour journey across the Straits of Gibraltar. It is understood that he boarded the ship at Tangiers in Morocco, and had planned to jump into the water as the ferry came close to land and swim to shore, but was arrested after doing so.

women was total, involving verbal threats as well as physical violence and various voodoo ceremonies to terrorise them,” police said in a statement. “The ring caused them serious injury through bites or by using an iron to cause second-degree burns.” The arrests are part of an investigation launched last year after one of the prostitutes filed a complaint with the authorities. Often the victims are taken to shrines before they leave Nigeria where they swear to pay their debts to the group and not to report them to the police. Many are instructed to leave fingernails, hair, underwear and other personal items at the shrines, which they are told will give voodoo priests the power to harm them and their families if they break their promise.

APPEAL FOR AMY From Page 1

how that is.” “We also understand she had another phone that was smashed a few weeks earlier by Audrey’s partner.” He continued: “We are very disappointed that the Irish authorities have not officially opened a proper investigation into the case despite promises.” However, this week a Guardia Civil spokesman stated that officers are not only prepared to travel to Ireland, but will also apply to extradite any suspects identified. “Police in Spain are aware of Dean’s death. They have been in touch with gardai and are co-coordinating with them,” added the spokesman.

Alive

It has also emerged that in days leading to Dean’s death, the pair’s father, Christopher Fitzpatrick, believed his son was about to share new information on his sister’s disappearance. Amy, 15, was last seen after visiting childhood friend Ashley Rose. Rose, who lived just 10 minutes away, said this week: “It was someone out there

FAMILY: Audrey, Mahon and Amy who knew her, that’s my opinion. “I know Amy’s dead. I don’t hold on to any hope of ever finding her alive. “We all had someone on our radar at the time and that hasn’t changed over the years,” she added. Irish police confirmed Mahon, 42, is still a suspect and they are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Audrey Fitzpatrick, who has continued her relationship with Mahon, did not attend her son’s funeral last week. Fitzpatrick told the Irish press she ‘wasn’t feeling well’ but was later pictured waiting for a taxi with Mahon. Although Amy’s devastated father was unable to talk, his sister Christine Kenny

added: “There has never been any evidence to say that Amy has passed away, or that she is alive. “A team of Irish investigators should be in Spain with the Guardia Civil, we need a fresh mind and fresh eyes on this and for people to come forward,” added Kenny. As one former neighbour of the family told us last night: “There is quite a lot more that could come out. Plenty of neighbours heard and saw plenty of stuff.” Anyone with information on Amy has been urged to contact Christopher and Christine at www. searchforamy.com, liam@ liamabrady.ie, or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es 003530872566697

NEWS

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the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

Penelope Cruz to become oldest Bond girl ever

Money Pené REAL PUSSY GALORE: Penelope Cruz

HOLIDAY HEARTBREAK FOR JOEY AND SAM IT looks as though all the Marbella madness may have ended in heartbreak for TOWIE couple Joey Essex and Sam Faiers. Following an emotionally turbulent holiday on the Costa del Sol, the pair parted ways with a tearful heart-to-heart at Sam’s holiday villa in Marbella. Joey called time on the volatile relationship after accusing his fiancée of spending time partying with other men on their annual Spanish holiday. But given the on-off nature of most TOWIE relationships - and the fact the couple have already been seen dining out together back home - chances are it won’t be long until Essex’s favourite duo are back together again. It was also anything but a plain sailing week for fellow star Lauren Pope, who got punched on the nose during a scuffle at a nightclub. While it was not broken, she revealed she did need to have a veneer replaced on a tooth.

Bolton for Banus EXCLUSIVE

GRAMMY award-winning singer Michael Bolton is set for his Costa del Sol debut. The multi-million selling artist, whose hits include How am I supposed to live without you?, will perform at the Hotel Puente Romano for one night only on August 1. Promoter David Giles, explained: “I’m very pleased to bring Michael to Marbella for the first time. He will complement the stunning setting of the Puente Romano perfectly”

SHE’S one of the hottest actresses on the planet so it’s perhaps fitting that Penelope Cruz should star in the latest James Bond film. But what many 007 fans may find surprising is that when filming begins Cruz will have passed her 40th birthday - making her the oldest Bond girl in history. The Spanish actress, who is pregnant with her second child, will start work on the 24th Bond instalment next summer. A source close to the production of the £100 million movie said: “The producers have tried to get Penelope before, but she has never been available.” The Oscar-winning beauty will take the

title of oldest Bond girl from British actress Honor Blackman, who was 39 when she appeared in the 1962 Goldfinger as Pussy Galore. Madrid-born Cruz is married to actor husband Javier Bardem, who played villain Raoul Silva in last year’s Skyfall. The couple still live in their native Spain with their two-year-old son Leo and are expecting their second child any day. The source added: “She got back into shape fast after the first baby and will no doubt regain her figure quickly this time. She’ll be a great Bond girl. Bond girls are always brainy as well as sexy, and that’s totally Penelope.”

Double take as holidaymakers spot Joan Collins in Benidorm SHE was the last person you might expect to turn up in Benidorm. And Joan Collins certainly brought a rare touch of old-school glamour to the downmarket Costa Blanca resort. The actress, who has just celebrated her 80th birthday, was actually filming a couple of scenes for the forthcoming series of ITV hit show Benidorm. In the sixth series she will play the hotel guest Crystal, joined by fellow guest stars Ken Morley - who played supermarket manager Reg Holdsworth in Coronation Street - and Loose Women’s Sherrie Hewson.

Dynasty

The veteran actress starred as Alexis Carrington Colby in the 1980s drama Dynasty alongside Linda Evans as her rival Krystle Carrington. Announcing the news of her latest project on Twitter, Collins said: “Looking forward to going to Spain to be in #Benidorm. “And I’m playing Crystal, yes I am!! But not the Dynasty one.”

a n i l e g n ? a a Br r Bell fo

EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood couple set to head south for the launch of Pitt’s new movie – at one of Europe’s first open air premieres

THEY would be the biggest A-list Hollywood couple to visit the Costa del Sol for years. But superstars Brad Pitt and his wife Angelina Jolie are rumoured to be attending the Spanish premier of his movie World War Z, set to take place in Marbella next month. The blockbuster, which launched in the UK last week, is scheduled to be unveiled as part of the Starlite festival in July. The premier will be one of the world’s first to take place ‘open air’ if, as planned, it is screened at the Marbella Auditorium, which is carved out of a quarry. Sources at Starlite confirmed that the film would be receiving a red carpet Marbella premiere and hoped that Brad, 49, who lives in Europe with fellow actress wife Angelina Jolie, would ‘be attending’. “We are in high level talks with his people, via Antonio Banderas, at present and hope that we can swing it. We are keeping our fingers crossed,” said the source. “It would be amazing for the coast if they came.” Brad has long been a fan of Spain, it can be revealed. He actually honeymooned in Andalucia with his first wife Jennifer Aniston, staying at luxurious 5-star Hotel Bobadilla, near Granada. In 2007, he and Angelina took a secret visit to vineyard/hotel Marques de Riscal, in Rioja, where they picked up tips for their recently launched first wine label from France. The pair own a vineyard in the south of France Miraval, which in March produced its first 6,000 bottles of organic rosé. Celeb spotters and the Starlite Festival organisers will be hoping that Brad raises a glass of something bubbly to toast his film in Marbella this summer.

NEWS

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

News IN BRIEF

Chef’s Special Chef Dani Garcia received the Marbella Resident of Honour award at a ceremony during the town’s feria earlier this week.

Cazorla Blues Legendary Blues Band George Thorogood and the Destroyers are confirmed to headline the Bluescazorla Festival this year.

Dog Award Bomb sniffer dog Ajax has became the first Spanish dog in history to receive the Gold Medal of the PDSA, considered to be the canine equivalent to the George Cross. It has only ever been awarded to 21 dogs and only twice outside the UK.

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PAELLA PUNCH UP Holidaymakers beaten up, imprisoned and found guilty of assault on a police officer over a €15 paella addition to their lunch By Annabel A BRITISH couple were thrown into a Spanish jail over a mix-up involving a €15 paella they never ordered. Geoff Cox and his partner Bridget Keyes, from Surrey, had been enjoying a relaxing cycling holiday from Cordoba to Granada when they stopped off at the res-

taurant for a meal. When the bill arrived, the couple noticed they had been charged for an extra paella and complained to the waiter. But he insisted they were wrong and the argument quickly escalated into pushing and shoving. “We pointed out the extra

Return to Sender A SPANISH town is keeping its streets clean of dog mess - by sending offending deposits back to the owners in a box marked ‘Lost Property’. The council of Brunete, near Madrid, launched the campaign to crack down on irresponsible dog owners by sending 20 volunteers to patrol the town’s streets on the lookout for dog owners who failed to scoop. Once spotted, they approached the owner and struck up a casual conversation to discover the name of the dog.

“With the name of the dog and the breed it was possible to identify the owner from the registered pet database held in the town hall,” explained a council spokesman. The volunteers then scooped up the poop, packaged it in a box branded with town hall insignia marked ‘Lost Property’ and delivered it by courier to the pet owner. A total of 147 deliveries were made during the course of the week-long scheme and the town has since reported a 70% drop in dog fouling.

Grossman

paella and the waiter went off like a firecracker,” said retired hosiery salesman Mr Cox, who is in his 50s. “We put down €105 and said we would pay that, but he wanted €120. “It got a bit ugly and when he said he would call the police we said, ‘Right, fine’, because we were certain they would side with us.” But when officers arrived, the pair found themselves in the middle of a scuffle which saw Mr Cox’s glasses broken and both Brits arrested. To make matters worse, the police later claimed that the couple had assaulted them and demanded compensation. The pair were fingerprinted, had their shoelaces confiscated and were even left in separate cells for the night without anything to eat or drink. Mr Cox said: “Two lawyers and a translator turned up 12 hours later - we had had no information, no food and no water. “I was told I was charged

SHOCKED: Geoff Cox and partner Bridget Keyes with assault on the police, resisting arrest and defrauding a restaurant, that these were criminal charges and I could get a year in jail.” After another agonising seven hours the couple were told the criminal charges were dropped but the damages claim remained, so they should return to court two days later. “That messed up our holiday plans as we were off to Sevilla,” Mr Cox continued. “We came back to Granada at a cost of €200 to have our day in court. “We still didn’t know what was happening. The prosecution demanded fines of €360 each, plus €260 damages to the police.

“In the end we were fined €78 and €250 damages for me throwing my face against his fist. With the cost of legal fees added on, the pair has been left severely out of pocket and seriously shaken from the whole experience. “I’m an ordinary, middle class, respectable citizen who has never had any trouble with the police,” Mr Cox added. “It’s a bloody outrage and we must still make sure our fine gets paid to the right place. “If it gets lost in the system we could find ourselves facing a European extradition warrant, so I’m still worried about it.”

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NEWS

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

FEATURE

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

Jesus – the second coming!

OPINION Not a fair cop ALTHOUGH we all know that the Spanish economy is on its knees, it’s rather worrying to see the lengths the police will go to in order to fill the coffers. The incident in which two British holidaymakers were arrested over a mix up involving a €15 paella seems to indicate that the national police are one more name we can add to the list of corrupt institutions. Apart from the emotional trauma of spending hours in a prison cell and the disruption to their holiday, the couple were forced to shell out hundreds of euros in compensation... this despite insisting they had never even ordered the paella or assaulted the police in any way. It’s important to note that the alleged assault on the police could indeed have occurred and it’s possible that the holidaying Brits were at fault. But the evidence appears to point to the fact that Spanish police are simply using underhand tactics to make a bit of cash. If Spain wants to encourage tourism and help its flailing economy, incidents like this have to be stopped and a tighter grip needs to be employed on the local police.

Democracy up in smoke The fact that a fatcat US casino billionaire may have the power to force the Spanish government to do a U-turn on new anti-smoking laws is not only ridiculous but also alarming. If reintroducing smoking in certain public spaces could single-handedly kickstart the Spanish economy and end the country’s financial woes, then, of course, it might be understandable. But chances are all this law change would do is to put more money in the pockets of the billionaire bigwigs. And increase the risk of cancer. There seems to be little reason why Sheldon Adelson can’t continue with his plans to build hotels and a casino without pressurising the country to change its health laws and making even more money from an already beleaguered public. Of course, no one would turn down the chance to create tens of thousands of jobs while unemployment is soaring. But it seems that the last thing Spain needs right now is a casino complex where they can gamble and smoke their money away, just so the rich can get richer.

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The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

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Tel: 951127006/951166060 (admin/editorial/sales/ advertising) or admin@theolivepress.es A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in southern Spain - 198,000 copies distributed monthly (130,000 digitally) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month. Luke Stewart Media S.L - CIF: B91664029 Urb Cayetano Arroyo, Buzon 13, Arriate 29350 Malaga Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Editor: Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Reporters: Annabel Grossman annabel@theolivepress.es Mason Jones mason@theolivepress.es

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SLIPPERY: Gotardo (left) and (inset) our story on Joan Deak last month

The Olive Press can reveal that despite leaving thousands of buyers with broken dreams, the maligned born-again boss of Palmera Properties, Jesus Gotardo, has landed himself a top job as a food company rep and still lives the high life with a fancy new car and a new trophy wife

T is yet another nervewracking month for British pensioner Joan Deak. For at any moment the 61-year-old fears the knock on the door at her leafy four-bedroom home in West London, from a bailiff telling her she must fork out up to €50,000 euros following a court hearing in Fuengirola. In a completely shocking case, reported in the Olive Press over recent issues, the retired businesswoman is being forced to pay €25,000, plus legal fees against a house she sold on that had not been built. Incredibly it is not the developer, nor the builder, nor the agent, who are being held responsible for this debacle, but Deak herself. And this, despite the developer/agent Palmera Properties not only being the company that introduced her to the unbuilt development at Mirador de Torreblanca, in Fuengirola, but the company that brokered the deal with the new buyer, who has successfully sued her. “It must surely be Palmera he should have gone after, after all it was responsible for making sure the property was built,” she said. “Now because of this I face losing my home.” So what happened to the owner of Palmera Properties Jesus Gotardo Rodriguez Cortes, who has yet to be punished, despite being arrested for fraud five years ago and despite a supposedly dogged campaign by an action group and its lawyers to make him face the music? Well, the Olive Press has discovered that, perhaps unsurprisingly, Gotardo is still living

EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION By Giles Brown and Jon Clarke the high life in a luxury apartment in Puerto Banus. Despite being arrested and bailed over the fraud claims in 2008, he has been able to land himself a plum job as Spain’s main representative for international farming feed supplier Rumenco, who are unconnected to Palmera. Driving a top-of-the-range brand new BMW estate, he goes by the name ‘Jesus Ro-

Driving a top-of-therange brand new BMW estate, he goes by the name ‘Jesus Rodriguez’ driguez’ and ‘spends much of the year travelling,’ according to his father. Tanned and immaculately groomed, Gotardo recently married his attractive young second wife and took a long honeymoon first in Venice and then in the Far East, with obligatory pictures being posted on his Facebook profile, now recently removed. It is a picture likely to stick in the craw of many people’s throats. For young Gotardo’s company Palmera was responsible for the loss of millions of euros of investment in defunct property schemes around Andalucia. While his father this week claimed he is ‘also a victim’, the hundreds of members of various joint action groups, who invested in good faith,

will be demanding to know why justice has not been done. It is certainly a spectacular trail of misery that the boss allowed Palmera to leave in its wake. The Olive Press first reported on his company’s failures to provide what it promised some six years ago. While hundreds (even possibly thousands) of investors have failed to get the properties they invested in, some are now being threatened with the loss of their assets in the UK, as in the case of Joan Deak. Peter Shaw is just one of the many people who lost money with Palmera Properties. The Mijas-based businessman invested €18,000 with Palmera Properties for a villa in Reserva del Higeron, coincidentally where Gotardo’s father currently lives in a halfa-million euro home. “We thought that Palmera was the developer which owned the house, but what we were to find out later was that Palmera didn’t actually own it at all and had simply used our money as a down payment to get a mortgage. “We were unaware of this until two days after Christmas in 2010 there was a knock on the door at 9pm. It was a representative from the CAM Bank, who was checking to see if the house was occupied or not. “Obviously this was a little unsettling as the representative said that no one had been paying the mortgage. So what happened to the money that

we gave Palmera?” As is often the way in Spain these days, when Peter took the bank to court the judge found in the bank’s favour. “He ruled that the contracts weren’t worth the paper they were written on. Eventually we were told to vacate the premises within 10 days. If we didn’t they would send in the bailiffs and if we resisted we would be arrested. The lawyers were not allowed to appeal.” Others including Trina and Tony Abrahams, 46, put down €108,000 on a four-bedroom home in Fuente de Piedra, which was only half completed three years later. “We thought we were getting a big four bedroom house with a garage and garden,” said Tony. “But the fourth bedroom turned into an attic, there was no garden and the garage turned into a car port.” Worse than that, having sold up in England, they ended up being forced to buy another flat to live in for two years after shelling out ‘a fortune’ in rent. So angry were the family from Bedfordshire they ended up moving out of Spain. “Thanks to Palmera our dream move turned into a shattered dream,” added Tony. Another victim Robert Hayles, 42, from Newcastle, put down a deposit on a beachfront apartment in Benalmadena, but three years later, ‘not a brick’ was laid. Ella Munro, 52, of Brighton, put down a €20,000 deposit, describing her predicament as ‘a fiasco’ and ‘deeply upsetting’. The modus operandi of Palmera seems to have been to get people to fork out an

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FEATURE

NEW LIFE: Gotardo’s younger trophy wife, a BMW and his parent’s property early down payment on properties that had frequently not even got planning permission. Working with a number of construction firms, including Mirador, whose bosses have now gone to prison, the developments frequently did not have more than basic plans. Much of the ruse fell onto the shoulders of Palmera, whose Porsche-driving boss was impeccably dressed and groomed and exuded confidence. “Gotardo was a real smooth talker with fantastic English and

LOSERS: A trio of losers including Peter Shaw, Trina and Tony Abrahams and Joan Deak (inset)

very believable. So many of us fell for him in the exact same way,” explained Peter Shaw. A classic case of this involved Beverley Jackson, 41, from Bolton, who spent €40,000 on a development in El Rosario, near Marbella, which has still not been built. “Palmera really rushed us for the deposit, being told that the property would be gone within 28 days if we didn’t get the money down,” she said. “They pressured us into making a fast, hasty decision, which was obviously the wrong one.”

And then came along the so-called white knights, in the guise of the Costa del Sol Action Group, who promised to step in and help. Like many of the victims, Beverly was quickly enlisted to the ‘joint action’ being handled by the group’s lawyers IURA in Fuengirola. The cost of the joint action... a cool €1,000. “The attempt to get our monies back certainly seems to be taking a long time, but IURA have informed us that this is because there are more and more claimants against Palmera,” she said, perhaps somewhat hopefully. Other clients however are rather less forgiving. Paul Regan, who lost ‘tens of thousands’ on three properties he bought in Mollina in 2005, and then spent €500 on the joint action said: “It is five years since IURA got involved and that is excessive indeed. “They state their hands are tied, and it’s the courts adding new cases en masses. But for how long until they proceed? “We have endured years of misery and uncertainty. Gotardo was arrested and bailed

five years ago... it’s embarrassing that it should take so long. Many victims will probably have died by now from the stress or old age.” Strangely, the law firm was unwilling to discuss the case, this week, with Senior Partner Tomas Rodriguez only prepared to meet up with us in person... after publication. “It’s a complicated case and we are not happy to talk about it over the phone,” said his secretary. Fortunately however, fellow lawyer Antonio Flores, of Lawbird, was rather more forthcoming. Having written about Palmera a number of times on his own legal blog – and even caught them out continuing to sell properties after Gotardo’s arrest - he made no bones: “It shouldn’t have taken this long. I don’t understand what IURA are doing. “It should be straight forward. We argue that Gotardo’s a crook, who ran away with people’s deposits. He took deposits off genuine buyers and then used it as his own money. And we are talking about a lot of money.” It is a certainly a claim that

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013 rings true with the anecdotal evidence of one of the victims Peter Shaw. He explained: “My partner, who is a clothes designer, did some work for Gotardo’s first wife and when he went over to their house to get paid she walked into the bedroom and pulled out a stack of money from underneath the bed. “There were literally hundreds of thousands of euros kept under the mattress. This couple were clearly very, very wealthy.” Intriguingly, this first wife Silvana, an Argentinian, has now apparently fled to South America, after discovering that her name was included – unbeknown to her – on many of the official documents. Nobody knows of her current whereabouts, but it is rumoured she is living in Mar de Plata, in Uruguay. Her brother, himself a lawyer, in Fuengirola declined to comment on the case, but a friend told us: “She was completely stunned by what he did to her and, after getting some pretty serious threats from people who lost out, decided it was best to leave as quickly as possible.” It is certainly odd that Palmera has got away with it for so long. Despite police arresting Gotardo for ‘fraud and the misappropriation of funds’ in connection to the so-called Mirador case in May 2008, he was quickly bailed. And when the case came to trial two years ago, he was not sitting in the dock when the judge found the bosses of Mirador, the Faura brothers, guilty and sent them to prison. Somehow, despite there being at least 30 civil claims against him in a Madrid court, Gotardo has not been prosecuted. A court in Malaga also quietly ‘archived’, or sidelined, a claim against him insisting that it should be a civil action.

Ultimately, it turns out, Gotardo also claims to be a victim in the saga, insisting he was suing Mirador and claiming he was a big loser. His father, Antonio, an evangelical priest from Argentina, who often goes by the nickname ‘Pasha’, insists his son has ‘lost a lot of money’. Talking outside his luxury home in the exclusive gated development of Reserva del Higueron, in the hills above Benalmadena, he told the Olive Press: “He is also owed millions and has had a terrible time. “It is not his fault those homes were never built. Look at the way the economy suddenly turned and he has a number of colleagues who got off completely.” He continued: “The courts took everything off him, they embargoed everything. He has no money now and the

He took deposits and then used it as his own. And we are talking about a lot of money” Porsche, which he leased, has gone back.” And most intriguingly, he added: “But he does however have God, for he has become a very good Christian. He has learnt to turn the other cheek.” Indeed, the Olive Press has learnt that Jesus has become a regular attendee of the Wave evangelical church in Puerto Banus. A regular born-again Christian he goes every Sunday and frequently says his prayers. Unfortunately despite repeated attempts to contact him via his new company and via his parents, we were were unable to speak to Gotardo this week. Perhaps he got wind of our story by divine intervention.

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

News IN BRIEF

War Graves The Junta will recognise the Civil War mass grave at Barranco de Víznar in Granada. It’s thought that there may be as many as 2,000 victims at the site. The cost of the project is estimated to cost €40,000

NEWS

Bus wars By Mason Jones

ANGRY travellers have complained about the abusive treatment from bus

Lecheritas Let Down!

Picasso album A new exhibition, Picasso. Family Album will be the second organised this year to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the inauguration of Malaga’s Picasso Museum.

Shuffle Up Casino Marbella will be hosting the prestigious Pokerstars tournament for the first time between June 10 -16. Over 1000 poker players from around the world are expected to take part.

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THE long-awaited first live performance for pre-teen pop princesses Las Lecheritas was cancelled at the last minute at the weekend. The trio, whose catchy song Take me to Marbella has had over 170,000 views on YouTube, were due to debut at Sala Beach’s Gold and White Party. But restrictions on music levels from the town hall left the young trio ‘disappointed and upset’. “It was quite a strange atmosphere” said one party-goer “Sala Beach looked stunning but it was weird that there

was no music at all. “On the plus side it meant you could actually have a conversation!” Guests included footballer and Sala partner David Bentley, as well as ex Birmingham captain Stephen Carr, Arsenal player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and QPR’s Jermaine Jenas along with Liverpool’s manager Brendan Rogers. After enjoying the party guests headed over to Aqwa Mist nightclub in specially provided buses, where the music was more than loud enough!

drivers following a shake-up of the coastal routes. Dubbed ‘Bus Wars’ by locals, Estepona’s new urban line has left some passengers stranded at bus stops and others kept on board against their will. In what is believed to be a business deal agreed with the town hall, the new Autocares Ricardo service has resulted in a shake-up of the well-established and popular Portillo line. Expat Alan Harris, 57, who has used the Portillo line for over a decade, was left fuming when a bus stopped to take on passengers, but wouldn’t let him and his wife off. In a bizarre state of affairs, when they then walked to the front of the bus and tried to get off there, the driver blocked their way and shouted at them. “He insisted that as we had paid to go to Guadalmina we could not get off before,” said the puzzled Cancelada resident. Eventually they were forced to push past the driver, who

Transport users left ‘baffled’ and bruised by rival bus firm deal

BAFFLED: Alan Harris at his normal stop started screaming at them as they got off. Baffled tourist, Ian Jones, from North Wales, also experienced problems after boarding the same bus in Estepona town to Villacana. The driver would not allow Jones to leave the bus at a usual stop, and he was instead forced to travel to San Pedro before he could get off. Jones was then left to board another bus to travel back to the destination he had al-

ready passed. “Surely in these difficult times tourists should be encouraged to come here rather than antagonising them like this!” he added. It emerges that the problem has come since a new route, the L2, was introduced, which is meant to stop at all the local stops, while the Portillo bus is meant to now be an express bus. “However this does not explain why it stops to pick up passengers,” said Harris.

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NEWS

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NEWS

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Truth commission

Anti-Franco groups unite to demand a comprehensive dictatorship probe

VICTIMS of the Franco regime are calling for a new initiative to ‘clear up the crimes of the Spanish Civil War’. Over 40 separate groups helping those affected by Franco’s regime have united to demand a comprehensive investigation into the dictator. The moves are being backed by former High Court judge, Baltazar Garzon, who was suspended from judicial activity while investigating crimes committed under Franco’s dictatorship. Garzon insists that the umbrella organization is needed to investigate ‘the crimes of

the Francoist dictatorship, the suffering of those who disappeared, and the victims of assassinations, extrajudicial executions, summary trials and baby theft.’ At a conference organised by the groups, he added: “It is shameful that it has not yet been done, but reason is on our side.” Julia Merino, 79, the daughter of a couple who were executed during Franco’s dictatorship said: “We’re dying. There are very few of us left. Our last hope lies in the truth commission.” Cristina Almeida, a lawyer and longtime member of Spain’s Communist Party

Human torch

A SPANIARD attempted to kill himself outside a job centre in Malaga by setting himself on fire. Leandro Munoz Garcia, 36, was rushed to hospital with second degree burns to 63% of his body after first dousing himself with petrol. Garcia, who was about to lose his monthly unemployment benefits, had previously announced his intentions online. See Letters on page 20

added:”In order to forget, as they ask us to, first we need to know. “Everyone wants to turn

By Mason Jones

the page of war, the page of dictatorship; but in order to turn a page, first you have to read it.”

Flying high as couple win big against Monarch A BRITISH couple who waited 26 hours for a delayed flight from Mallorca have won a landmark case against one of Britain’s largest airlines. Kim Brittain, 61, and his wife Sue, 55, sued Monarch after 200 tourists were stranded at Palma de Mallorca Airport. Their victory is one of the first of its kind in the British courts and could open the floodgates for thousands of other cases. It comes after the European Court of Justice declared that airlines must pay compensation for delays caused by their own failures, such as technical faults and staff problems. A judge at Worcester County

Court awarded them their full compensation claim of €504, plus legal costs. The ruling follows a judgement last October in which the European courts found passengers should be entitled to compensation of up to €560, plus expenses, for delays longer than three hours.

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NEWS

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Hurrah for Heredia

IT can certainly be termed a success. And for the artist even more so, with half the paintings selling in just two days! But the art exhibition of James Foot’s work at the offices of estate agent La Heredia Real Estate Solutions even produced the Londonbased artist several new commissions.

So successful was the exhibition of his figurative watercolours created on his travels around Andalucia, that he now plans a painting workshop later in the year and another exhibition. “It was a real success and James will be back for more,” explained Fiona Sweeten, who set up covering the La Heredia, El is now covering all parts of her agency with husband Madroñal and La Zagaleta the Benahavis municipality Tom in 2010. Originally communities the company and San Pedro area.

PP WEDDING SCANDAL EXCLUSIVE

By Mason Jones

New details of Gurtel ring emerge as judge demands more in Barcenas case A SHOCKING €32,452 of public money was used to pay for the wedding of former Prime Minister Aznar’s daughter. A High Court judge has revealed how a PP slush fund provided the cash for generators, lighting, and even a sound system at the 2002 wedding of Ana Aznar and Alejandro Agag, which was attended by the Spanish royal family and even UK leader Tony Blair.

The organisation was left to Valencia campaign manager Francisco Correa, who is the svengali figure in the so-called Gurtel corruption scandal. Meanwhile in Madrid, Judge Pablo Ruz has ordered the PP party to provide details about every financial transaction it received from 30 companies between 1990 and 2005. All of the firms mentioned appear in the handwritten

Two months to save our beach

UNSPOILT: El Palmar and (inset) Cornwall

CORRUPTION: Even over Aznar’s daughter’s wedding

OPPONENTS of a huge ‘macro development’ on one of Andalucia’s last stretches of unspoilt coastline have been given another two months to gather names on a petition. The protest group opposed to the massive 600-room hotel project, near El Palmar beach, on the Costa de la Luz, need 40,000 signatures to force the scheme to be debated in Parliament. Currently the group Salvar el Palmar (PELP) has over 25,000 signatures, but is expecting thousands more with both Sevilla and Cadiz universities getting involved this month. Developers Chival Promociones plan to build two luxury hotels and create 300 jobs in the area. Backed by UK celebrities including Hugh Cornwall, from the Stranglers, Pelp was originally set up when the plan was first presented in 2009 by Vejer Town Hall. A spokesman Lola Yllescas said: “This will destroy one of the last undeveloped nature spots in Andalucia. It is a disgrace.” The petition can be signed at http://www.salvarelpalmar. es/

secret ledgers kept by former party treasurer Luis Barcenas. The ledgers, which appear to show how the PP party’s raised at least €38 million in an offshore slush fund, have now been authenticated by handwriting experts. The money was raised in a series of payments from businesses, with at least 30 of them being over the legal limit of €60,000. The money was used in turn to give cash bonuses for high ranking politicians in exchange for government contracts. The judge has also ordered the head of security at the PP’s headquarters to provide detailed information on any visits by eight people whose names appear on the ledgers. An investigation has also been launched in connection with art sales Barcenas and his wife used to allegedly launder 560,000 euros in cash. It comes after Argentinean art collector, Isabel Mackinlay admitted taking €1,500 in exchange for signing a sales receipt which was allegedly used by Barcenas’ wife to offset tax.

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NEWS

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Fire season starts in the Axarquia, as Fire Watch 2013 gives important guidelines on how to stay safe

And we’re ablaze

AXARQUIA NEWS

RESIDENTS on the coast are being warned to keep vigilant for wild fires as the summer season gets under way. It comes after a trio of wildfires razed parts of the Axarquia, emphasising the dangers of living in southern Spain in summer. The first fire was near Velez-Malaga, followed by another in Frigiliana, while a third affected an area of scrubland in Torrox. The Torrox incident (above) was captured by Olive Press reader Craig Mahoney who reported that a dozen or so firemen, a helicopter and two tenders fortunately had the blaze under control within an hour. As we went to press another fire was put out near to Estepona, near the indus-

Axq IN BRIEF Beautiful Nerja NERJA residents, Cristina Gutierrez and Raquel Ramos, have both made it to the Miss Spain competition with hopes of qualifying to the Miss World stages.

Good karma Over 2,000 Buddhist monks will gather at the Karma Guen centre in Aldea Alta, Velez-Malaga, today for a meditation course by Lama Ole Nydahl.

Tourist hook Torrox town hall has passed a motion to allow every catering establishment in the town to grill sardines outdoors to promote the traditional practice as a tourist attraction.

Rincon robber Police in Rincon de la Victoria have arrested a man for stealing at least eight vehicles within the last few months in the area.

trial estate. The first fires of the season arrived as Fire Watch 2013 was launched by victims of the huge fires that ravaged more than 8,000 hectares of the Costa del Sol last summer. Members of the group prepared a document that includes preparing a Fire Plan with escape routes and an evacuation list including important documents and sentimental items. Preventative measures include clearing and ploughing your land before the summer months, ensuring that you have a water supply with hoses and sprinklers and being aware of the 30/30/30 phenomenon; 30 degrees of heat, 30kms of wind and 30 degrees of humidity – the perfect conditions for fire.

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What a sheep shearer! CELEBRITY expat Chris Stewart is back doing what he does best. The former Genesis drummer has been spotted showing off his sheep shearing skills on a woolly friend at Nerja’s Donkey Sanctuary. Stewart was helping the rescue centre celebrate its ninth birthday by treating resident sheep Chuleta to a celebrity shear. The rock-star-turned-sheep-shearer-turned-best-selling-author escaped to southern Spain nearly 25 years ago and now owns a sprawling farmhouse in Alpujarras. He recounted his experiences in the best-selling book Driving Over Lemons, making a name for himself in the literary world. And after two equally popular sequels he insists rural Spain is now his home for life. Along with his shears, Stewart also brought his guitar to the sanctuary and was joined by local musicians to provide live music for the birthday celebration.

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GIB NEWS

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No funny games

Online gaming companies to avoid EU tax crackdown

By Rebecca Maguire

THE EU has promised not to target Gibraltar’s online gaming industry. It comes after a Belgium

MEP claimed that the enclave’s operators were engaging in anti-competitive behaviour and evading taxes.

ON the Rock

New Olive Press guide to the best of What’s On in Gibraltar over the next two weeks Thursday June 13. King’s Bastion Cinema. Showing: Oblivion, The Fast and the Furious 6, Olympus has fallen, The Hangover 3. More information from http://www.kingsbastion.gov.gi/cinema/ Thursday June 13. The Queen’s Birthday Parade, 6pm from Casemates Square. Friday June 14 and Friday June 21. Book signing of best seller ‘Nepenthes’ by Elena Scialtel, from 9.30am to 2pm at Cork’s Wine Bar in Irish town. Tuesday June 18. The Gibraltar Museum Lecture Series 2013. Part 3: The history of a port by Dr Geraldine Finlayson, 7pm at John Macintosh Hall. Wednesday June 19. World Music Festival. ‘A Passage to Asia’, Concert by En Chordais at 8pm and The Sweet Canary Ensemble at 9pm. St Michael’s Cave. Tickets £25, or £40 for both events, available from Gibraltar Productions or Bland’s Travel in Irish Town. Saturday June 22. The Calentita Food Festival in Casemates Square. To set up a stall email info@calentita.gi Saturday June 22. Pramathon organised by Babysteps. £5 per person, 10.30am from John Macintosh Square. Sunday June 23. The Med Steps Marathon, in aid of Gib Mission Africa, 6.30 -10pm. Further information on Med Steps Marathon Facebook page.

However, European Commissioner for Taxation, Algirdas Semeta, has backed the gaming companies. He said: “EU member states can establish the tax regimes they see fit, if they comply with EU law.” He also confirmed the commission would not investigate the economic impact of Gibraltar’s gambling operators or its impact on the European job market. A total of 25 betting and casino style e-businesses – including Ladbrokes, Party Gaming and Victor Chandler - employ around 2,300 staff on the Rock, around 10% of its employment. In a recent interview, Chief Minister Picardo dubbed Gibraltar, ‘The Silicon Valley of online gaming’. Currently around 60% of all UK bets are processed in Gibraltar. The issue has emerged as e-gaming profits are taxed where bets are processed, not where they are made, so gaming companies pay 10% corporate tax in Gibraltar, while in the UK they pay rates of 15%.

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GIB NEWS

Muslim wins Miss Gibraltar Proud of multicultural Gibraltar, stunning Maroua Kharbouch is on her way to Miss World contest

SHOCKING frocks, camp glitz and glamour, it could only be the Miss Gibraltar contest! After six weeks of continuous photo opportunities and promotional work, seven contestants faced their public for two and a half hours this weekend. In a series of alluring costumes, the group paraded around before finally nervously giving a short speech. Maroua Kharbouch, a Gibraltarian from a Moroccan Muslim family, won the title and will take part in the Miss World beauty pageant in Indonesia later this year A well-known face on Gibraltar’s party circuit, Maroua was no stranger to Gibraltar’s various beauty contest opportunities, having entered a string of competitions since her teens. The 22-year-old – who most recently won the Miss Motors title in 2010 – is a keep fit fan, who does a lot of volunteer work. Most importantly she is a fan

of the multicultural melting pot of Gibraltar. After winning she explained: “I want young girls to look up to me and I want to be an extremely good example. “I want them to say – look at her, if she can do it, so can I, being Moroccan Gibraltarian, whatever they may be, I feel I can truly inspire them.”

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

Gib IN BRIEF Border protests A conference held in La Linea by the Spanish Group for the Recovery of Gibraltar was met by protests from both Gibraltarians and Spanish nationals.

Peninsula pride Gibraltar will be staging its first ever Pride event on June 15, to celebrate friendship and diversity throughout the community.

GIBRALTAR NEWS

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‘Showpiece for regeneration’ IT is being described as ‘a showpiece for urban regeneration’. And plans to create two new schools and a sports centre out of a crumbling old hospital are certainly exciting. The government has announced a scheme to redevelop run-down St Bernard’s Hospital, which it hopes will be a dynamo to spark regeneration in the upper town area. Under the new project, the old building will house both the current St Bernard’s and Sacred Heart schools. The relocation will allow Sacred Heart to take the same number of pupils as other middle schools, with 16 classrooms and additional rooms for music, arts and sciences. It will be renamed St Bernard’s Middle School. The first school will have eight classrooms, a range of specialised teaching areas, music and ICT rooms and a library.

Shot in the arm for education as old hospital gets new lease of life, writes Rebecca Maguire

LANDMARK: St Bernard’ during visit of KIng in 1935 On top of this, a playground and sports hall will be shared by the two schools and will also be available for community use. “We hope it will be a show-

PM SUMMONS PICARDO OVER TAX

GIBRALTAR leader Fabian Picardo is to have a high level meeting with David Cameron this weekend on the issue of taxation. Cameron has called the meeting ahead of the annual G8 conference next week, which will be focussing on corporate and individual tax avoidance issues. Cameron, who is chairman of the meeting, in northern Ireland, has also summoned other leaders from UK territories, including those from Bermuda, Guernsey and the Cayman Islands.

piece of urban regeneration that combines heritage with educational needs and facilities that the whole community can enjoy,” said Minister for Education, Gilbert Licuidi. “It is also an excellent opportunity for the restoration and renovation of iconic nineteenth century buildings.” The old hospital moved to a new site in 2005 and has since fallen into disrepair. An ancient building it served as a hospital since 1567 and was badly damaged by Spanish bombardment during the Great Siege and it was not rebuilt until 1815. Later in 1935 it was visited by King George V.

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LETTERS

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POTTED POINTERS ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 85.50% full Same week last year: 66.43% Same week in 2003: 67.05% AIRPORTS Gibraltar 00350 22073026 Granada-Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000 EMERGENCIES Police 091 Guardia Civil 062 Medical service 061 Fire 080 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.33 American Dollars 0.85 British Pounds 1.36 Canadian Dollars 7,46 Danish Kroner 10,29 H Kong Dollars 7.61 Norwegian Kroner 1,64 Singapore Dollars

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Franco DID enter WWII Dear OP Blackmail and extortion is just one more count on the docket of war crimes committed by Franco, so I’m uncomfortable with the headline Bung kept Spain out of WWII. Spain wasn’t out of that war. Rather, Spain had been in that anti-fascist war for four long years before Britain entered it. Thousands of Spanish soldiers and civilians, died at the hands of Franco’s Axis-financed death squads before, during and after the official duration of WWII. Alun Whittaker

A real treasure

BUNCH OF BANKSTERS! Dear OP I believe one of the main functions of government is to protect and care for its citizens. When people are taking their own lives because of the financial situation they find themselves in, then clearly government is being derelict in its duty towards the people. With austerity measures, the raising of VAT, the increases in utilities and throwing good money at bad banks, this government seems to be doing everything possible to make things worse for the people. Why it has not been overthrown yet is quite beyond me. Hugh Gentry Dear OP Having seen the story about the man who set himself on

fire outside an unemployment office on the website, I don’t agree with his action but understand how predatory financial institutions created this avoidable economic crisis. Plenty of Greeks have committed suicide - grandparents jumping off of buildings etc and these are the fruits of the corrupt global financial order whose strategies we are taught not to question and whose banking monopoly is the King beyond reproach . We never get to elect a banker but they can ruin our lives, they screw the third world and are now squeezing Europe - time for a change - DOWN WITH THE BANKSTERS! Dylan Russell Estepona

Dear OP I have much enjoyed your Dining Secrets website, but was very frustrated to find the telephone number for Tesoro, near Tarifa, was incorrectly printed. Luckily, after much research I did find the correct number, reserved a table and had a wonderful experience there. For your information the number is 956 23 63 68 or 606 37 78 71. Jan Milner ED: We do of course say that finding Tesoro was like finding the proverbial treasure at the end of the rainbow... It is a very hidden, exclusive and delightful spot, one of our favourites and perhaps subconciously we didn’t want anyone to go. Dear OP In regards to the article on the Cepsa San Roque refinery. Wasn’t the refinery opened around 40 years ago? There has definitely been reported a higher than normal correlation of cancer in the immediate area. To

High levels of cancer my understanding this has even been acknowledged by the Spanish Health records. The question is still if it’s related to the plant or not. I live in Sotogrande and some evenings (particularly in win-

CROSSMOT 9

ter) if you go outside between 2am and 7am it absolutely reeks of pollution/ chemicals. Driving past the refinery at these times (if it’s in full ‘smoking’ mode) makes you almost sick. Is there supposed to be this level of air pollution? Or is this abnormal? Rob Boles Sotogrande

Cancel siestas Dear OP While in Andalucia last summer, I heard talk of doing away with the siesta and have businesses open longer hours. Would that help ease working worries in Andalucia? I love all of Spain and just want things to be better for this beautiful country and its people. Maureen Thompson London

Van man scam

Across 1 Basket (7) * 5 Manzana (5) * 8 Slips (2,7) * 9 Their (3) * 10 Cresta (5) * 12 Extremo (7) * 13 Despair (13) * 15 Tráfico (7) * 17 Hero (5) * 19 Pierna (3) * 20 Really (9) * 22 Tierra (5) * 23 Mayor (7). Down 1 Sew (5) * 2 Inclinación De Cabeza (3) * 3 Los Sistemas De (7) * 4 Unlike (1, 10, 2) * 5 Aparte (5) * 6 Hind (9) * 7 Oriental (7) * 11 Unload (9) * 13 Detail (7) * 14 Avergonzado (7) * 16 En lo Sucesivo (5) * 18 Cada (5) * 21 Ni (3). L = 198

Dear OP, We want to contact a certain Tony Morgan regarding Jeremy Griffiths at One Way Van Hire ... indeed anyone else affected by this man and his companies. You ran a story about us in October and we would like to get together with Mr Morgan to denounce Griffiths and take further legal action. Contact 693462975 or email annsteel43@yahoo.co.uk Ann & David Steel Puente Don Manuel

Letters should be posted to Urb. Cayetano Arroyo, Buzon 13, Arriate 29350, Malaga or emailed to letters@theolivepress.es The writer’s name and address should be provided. Published opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

la cultura 31

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21 21

what’s on

arbella, now

until June 15, The San Bernabe feria, processions throughout the town, live music and fairground rides.

ranada, June

WARRIOR: Statue of Hasekura

Sevilla Samurai

Japanese royalty to celebrate Andalucian history A JAPANESE prince is set to visit a small Andalucian town as it celebrates its 400-year relationship with samurai culture. Tiny Coria del Rio, near Sevilla, will host Crown Prince Naruhito, 53, as he begins a week long tour of Spain next Monday. Naruhito, who will also meet the Spanish royal family on his trip, will honour the samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga who led Japan’s first diplomatic mission of Europe in 1613. Although Tsunenaga left the town in 1620, a number of his Japanese colleagues are believed to have settled in the town and hundreds of residents now carry the surname ‘Japon’. The prince will also visit a bronze statue of Tsunenaga while visiting the town before attending a string of cultural events. While in Madrid, Naruhito is set to see a collection of 17th century Japanese prints currently on display at the Museo del Prado. An exhibition about Tsunenaga’s diplomatic mission will also be held at Sevilla’s Archivo de Indias.

Odd couple headline Gib Jazz festival

THEY are most certainly the odd couple. But Jools Holland and Spice Girl Mel C have been confirmed as the big stars headling Gibraltar’s second International Jazz Festival. Taking place from October 17 - 19, other acts include the New Orleans Jump Band and the USA’s Dan Moretti, alongside well-known local talent, such as The George Posso Trio. Venues include The Rock Hotel and Ragged Staff, with others to be confirmed. More details and updated information can be found at http://www.gibraltarjazz.gi/

21 to Jul 12, International Music & Dance Festival, an action packed line-up of renowned orchestras, ballet, opera and flamenco at locations throughout the city. See www. granadafestival.org for more information.

ordoba, June 22, Noche Blanca de Flamenco, an all night performance of live music and flamenco in city’s historic streets, palzas and patios. 10.30pm to 7am. See www. turismodecordoba.org for more information.

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

la cultura

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Stars under the stars!

I SUPERSTARS: Acts include Baras and (inset) Julio Iglesias

T should prove to be the festival to end all festivals. On the Costa del Sol at least. Now in its second year, the Marbella Starlite festival has just confirmed its 15th major act. As well as a line up that already includes Julio Iglesias, Jamie Cullum and UB40, its organisers have signed up Bryan Adams to launch the event next month. The Canadian rocker brings his Bare Bones show to the Marbella Auditorium on July 24, followed by Jamie Cullum on July 27. Now in its second year, the festival – which raises money for various charities - has become one of the most eagerly anticipated in Spain. Last year’s highlights included Simple Minds, George

This year’s Starlite festival has an even better bill than last year, writes Giles Brown Benson and Hugh Laurie’s only show in Spain. Acts this year include UB40, Julio Iglesias, Enrique Iglesias, Buena Vista Social Club, and Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz. On the flamenco front, guitar legend Paco de Lucia will play on August 15, while dancer Sara Baras will appear on August 9. There will also be tributes to Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, as well as the musical Grease. Starlite festival is not just about the music though. Also planned this year are live sets from top DJs, fashion and art

DIVERSITY: (from top) Buena Vista, Jamie Cullum, Enrique Iglesias and Bryan Adams

shows and film premieres, including Brad Pitt’s new movie which - as the Olive Press reveals this issue – may see the actor attending in person.

There are rumours of other A-list Hollywood stars attending, while this year there will be a big dancefloor and a number of local restaurants. “It is going to be an amazing festival this year,” said spokesman Pancho Campo. “There are going to be some big DJ’s playing free until 3am and free music acts, including Roko, who won Spain’s equivilent of the TV show The Voice.” He continues: “It is one of the most amazing venues in the world and well worth getting up there to appreciate it.” The Marbella Auditorium, set in the old quarry above the town, will be open every night from July 23 to August 24 offering a choice of dining, including Italian, Mexican, Japanese and Spanish. And if you want to dance underneath the stars, the venue will be transformed into a club each night. The Starlite Gala on August 10 will be a charity event to celebrate Antonio Banderas’ birthday, hosted by the birthday boy himself and with a special performance by Alejandro Sanz. All proceeds from the Gala will go to the charities Lagrimas y Favores, Niños en Alegría, CUDECA and Caritas. The Starlite event was born out of a charity gala first organised by Spaniard Sandra Garcia San Juan and her husband Ignacio, the inventor behind the green and red light parking system that is now found in 147 countries of the world. Set up initially to raise funds for poor children in Mexico, the festival is expected to be exported to a number of other countries including Dubai and Chile.

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24 the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013 24

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From

The Dabbling Dozen

Following our feature on art dealer Stephen Howes in last issue’s Marbella supplement (inset above), The Olive Press unveils 12 outsider artists, who took inspiration from southern Spain

ndalucia has attracted artists for centuries. Drawn by the natural light, dramatic landscapes and rich cultural heritage, painters and sculptors take unrivaled inspiration from the region. Giles Brown selects a spectrum of artists who have made Andalucia their muse.

David Marshall Scot David Marshall started selling his distinctive sculptures at the flea market outside the Hotel Don Carlos in the late 60s. David set up his studio in Benahavis in the 70s, building La Aldea, a small development using traditional methods which also houses his gallery. David recently designed awards for Eva Longoria’s charity foundation, and currently divides his time between Aspen and Benaojan Elena Laverón Born in Ceuta and spending her early life in Morocco, Elena Laverón settled in Málaga in 1966. Her powerful sculptures have won her worldwide acclaim, with exhibitions in Switzerland, and throughout Spain as well as several distinguished private collections and the Guggenheim, New York. Laverón also has several works on public display in Madrid and Málaga. Owanto Born in Paris to a French father and Gabonese mother, Owanto moved to southern Spain to paint after spending time with a community of artists and writers in Mallorca. From early works influenced by the Expressionists, Owanto’s colourful paintings have become more abstract and she has also produced a series of sculptures. Most recently her work was exhibited the Venice Biennale.

Toby Goven Born in Edinburgh and son of the sculptor Douglas Goven, Toby moved to Andalucia with his parents at a young age. After studying in Granada, Toby spent several years in Estepona, where, like his father, he began to work on stone sculptures. Toby puts his distinctive style down to the fact that he is able to “read” the stone, sometimes beginning his work without any idea what the sculpture will become, but gradually the subject suggests itself. David Marshall Scot David Marshall started selling his distinctive sculptures at the flea market outside the Hotel Don Carlos in the late 60s. David set up his studio in Benahavis in the 70s, building La Aldea, a small development using traditional methods which also houses his gallery. David recently designed awards for Eva Longoria’s charity foundation, and currently divides his time between Aspen and Benojean.

Bayard Osborn American sculptor Bayard Osborn was one of the first foreigners to move to Gaucin. He lived for over 30 years in a house which hosted a spacious topfloor studio, where many of his works were on display. Osborn’s work was displayed around the world and even King Juan Carlos brought one of his sculptures. Before his death last year Osborn exhibited some of his drawings, which were based on his experiences during WWII, including being one of the US troops who liberated the concentration camp at Mauthausen.

Miles Richmond Richmond followed his teacher David Bomberg to Ronda in 1956 where he had set up an art school. Londoner Richmond worked as Bomberg’s assistant, staying on in the town after his former teacher’s death in 1957.For more than 20 years, between exhibiting with the Borough Group in Stockholm in 1952 and a solo exhibition at the Casa de Mondragó in Ronda in 1974, Richmond painted intensively in the mountains around Ronda, without showing his work. This impressive body of paintings began to receive attention only at the end of his life, at a solo exhibition at the Convento de Santo Domingo, Ronda, in October 2006, at the Unicaja gallery in Malaga last January and at Robin Katz Fine Art in London in 2008, the year of his death.

Don Clarke Don Clarke was born in England and studied at the Moseley School of Art and Birmingham College of Art. He worked for ten years as an illustrator at Central Studios, Birmingham and five years as fine art restorer in Rome. In 1973 he moved to Mijas to create his own extraordinary paintings. Influenced by the Surrealist movement, Clarke continued to paint, holding his last exhibition in Marbella in 2011, before dying last year Lita Cabellut Born a gypsy in Barcelona, Lita lived on the streets until she was adopted when she was 13. A visit to the Prado as a young girl with her new family changed her life. “I married very young” she said “My first marriage was with Art”. Currently exhibiting the series of paintings Retratos in Marbella, Lita’s work has also be shown in exhibitions in Helsinki and Holland.

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Gino Hollander Gino Hollander started painting in New York in 1960 and became a member of the Abstract Expressionist movement in New York City. He became one of the group that defined this movement. Acrylic paint was just emerging at that time and Hollander was among the first to explore its possibilities. From 1960 to 1962, he had his studio and the first Hollander Gallery in Greenwich Village. During that time his paintings sold to the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy, Steven and Ralph Lauren. Hollander moved to Spain in 1962, where he and his wife Barbara took their children on archaeological trips, unearthing ancient treasures. They created Museo Hollander, renamed Pizarra Municipal Museum which exhibited a collection of Spanish artifacts that hung along with Hollander’s own paintings. In 1990, the Hollanders donated their museum to the government of Spain and were recognised by the King for contributing to the country’s growth in tourism. Health issues forced Hollander to move back to the US where he now paints in his studio in California. David Bomberg David Bomberg was one of the most audacious British artists of the early 20th Century. Studying at Slade alongside Stanley Spencer and Dora Carrington, Bomberg’s style changed from Cubist works to a more figerative style, possibly influenced by his experiences in the trenches in WWI. Bomberg lived in Spain on several occasions - Toledo in the 20s and Ronda in the 30s and 50s. Teaching in London, Bomberg was a significant influence on the Borough Group of artists. Bomberg collapsed in Ronda in 1957 and returned to London, where he died in poverty shortly afterwards. Michael Parkes Michael Parkes is the world’s leading Magical Realist. He is a painter, a sculptor, and a stone lithographer whose work featured in the bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code. Parkes’ magical realist style works are collected by celebrities, important private collectors, and museums around the world. Originally from the US, Parkes settled in Mijas in 1975, after extensive travels in India with his wife. Jon Fulton Fulton was born in the US but moved to Sevilla in 1956 to realize his dream of becoming a bullfighter. Fulton became the first American to be accepted in the bullfighting world and was also an accomplished artist. He used the blood of the bulls he had slain in the bullring in several of his paintings. John Marks, author of To the Bullfight, commented: “He practises -- or indulges -- both his vocations simultaneously, and as simply, as if a boy from Philadelphia to be an aspiring matador, and for a matador to be a serious artist outside the plaza de toros, were the most natural things in the world.” Fulton opened galleries in both Marbella and Sevilla where he remained until his death in 1998.

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la cultura

High Five ART buffs will be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and even smells of an annual festival on the Costa del Sol. Now in its fifth year, Arte Marbella, the Festival Internacional de Arte Marbella (FIAM) will parade the talents of 60 artists from June 21 to 23. As well as paintings, sculptures and photography, this year 30 performers will take part each evening in Alameda park.

Graffiti wall and live performances are the latest edition to Arte Marbella as it reaches its fifth birthday Jazz, classical and gospel concerts are all planned and the park will also have a graffiti wall for artists to display their skills. This year FIAM will also feature a series of painting from Marbellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s twin city,

Batumi in Georgia. If all the culture has worked up your appetite, the gourmet area has a selection of international tempting dishes. Attracting over 20,000 visitors in 2012, this year FIAM

ARTY PARTY: FIAM features all styles aims to underline its status as one of the most important cultural event on the coast.

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la cultura

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Step in the Right Direction WALK PARTY: The team on the previous walkathon

O you enjoy a challenge? Would you like to discover some of Spain’s most beautiful mountain trails and help some of the most destitute children in the world at the same time? All you need is a bit of spare time this autumn and a decent pair of walking boots. This September a group of expats will begin a three week fund-raising walk for Nepalese children. The 21-day, 430 km trail, is based on a book The Andalucían Coast to Coast Walk, by Guy Hunter-Watts. Similar to a walk undertaken two years ago, the walk will set off on September 15 from a beautiful beach in Maro, close to Nerja. From here it will wind its way through no less than seven natural parks before finally

Olive Press appeals to its readers to join a fantastic 21 day Coast to Coast walk to raise money for needy kids in Nepal arriving at the Roman ruins at Cadiz three weeks later. Each leg is led by walking guide Hunter-Watts and is between 16 and 27 kilometres in distance. “It is well within the capabilities of anyone of good health who walks on a regular basis,” explains Guy, who hopes to

Maroma massif, the magnificent karst formations of El Torcal, the wild mountains of the Sierra de las Nieves and the ancient cork forests of Los Alcornocales. Passing through Competa, Carratraca, Ronda, Jimena, Castellar and Tarifa, the walk takes you to the heart of Andalucía’s magnificent sierras. The group will stay in simple accommodation, picnic The walk takes you village along the way and get together most evenings at dinner. Even right into the heart there will be a support of Andalucia’s mag- better, van for moving luggage from vilnificent sierras lage to village. So far four intrepid walkers have signed up for all 21 days raise tens of thousands of eu- while others plan to join the ros for impoverished children group for a day or more. in Nepal. Layla Paterson, secretary and Highlights include the mighty trustee of the Sherpa School,

in Nepal, told the Olive Press: “The response last time was simply extraordinary. “Over 100 walkers joined us for a day or more, and raised more than £40,000 in sponsorship. It was enough to pay for an extension to be built to the school, allowing us to expand by another three classrooms. “We’re very much hoping that the Olive Press can encourage other walkers to join us on the walk.” New sponsors are urgently needed and it’s hoped that all walkers who participate will sponsor a child, donate to the charity or find friends to sponsor them on the walk. For further information contact Layla Paterson patersons2001@hotmail.com or telephone 956 23 40 48

Sherpa School Factfile THE Sherpa School is situated in an impoverished part of Eastern Nepal. It began in 1996 as a kindergarten with just 25 children from destitute families. Now, with a new school building and boys’ and girls’ boarding houses, there are 228 children. Most attend on a daily basis while 40 orphaned or disabled children live at the school as boarders where they are given a loving, secure home in a family atmosphere. Many other poor people in the area are desperate to send their children to the school, where they receive free education, meals, uniforms, shoes, stationary and medicine. The lunch that children are given at the school is all too often their only healthy meal of the day. The school receives no funding from the Nepalese government and is therefore dependent upon overseas funding. You can find out much more about the Sherpa School on the charity’s website: www.helpingnepalschildren.org

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ll about

Issue 163 June 12 2013

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ummer activities

Great Outdoors With summer finally upon us it is time to look for an outdoor adventure

HE playground of Europe has finally come alive. As millions descend on Andalucia for their early summer breaks – Prime Minister David Cameron, footballers, TOWIE and all – the beaches and restaurant terraces are filling up again. But, while the majority of tourists baste themselves on the beach, many more of you will be looking for a certain something more. Whether looking for an activity for the kids, or up for an outing, then Andalucia is full of excellent options. Whether you want to take out a mountain hike, hire a sailing dinghy or meet Europe’s only wild monkeys in Gibraltar, the region has it all. From the unspoilt windswept coastline of the Costa de la Luz – where surfing and windsurfing spots are among the best in the world - to the beautiful mountains above the Costa del Sol, there is so much to do. Why not take a trip to the Axarquia or the Serrania de Ronda for wine tasting, or visit the charming Lake District, near Ardales, for a spot of canoeing or a daredevil walk along Europe’s most death-defying walkway the Caminito del Rey? Then, of course, there is always water skiing, dolphin watching, ballooning, cycling, canyoning and rafting, all fantastic activities to get your teeth into. Whatever you do, get out and about and have fun.

Rent a bike

ANCY a cycling holiday in Andalucia, but don’t want the hassle of bringing your bike? Well, here is the solution. Marbella Rent a Bike was set up by cyclists for cyclists. With over 200 bikes of well known brands, not only can you collect them from their shop in Nueva Andalucia, near Marbella, the company can offer a home delivery service from Fuengirola to Sotogrande. For further information contact the team on 628 147 930

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LOOKED back at the iconic Rock as we sailed away with the wind in my hair - and a little less glamorously - the spray in my face. We were on board Dolphin Adventure’s catamaran in search of dolphins in the Bay of Gibraltar. As it turns out, the bay is the permanent home of three different species of dolphins; common, striped and bottlenose, with transient dolphins visiting the bay for food, shelter and to breed in their hundreds. They are attracted to the area by the clean water coming from the Atlantic which is rich in nutrients and brings lots of smaller fish such as sardines and mackerel that the dolphins feed off. We had been warned as we set off from Marina Bay that you see fewer dolphins in winter and there was a chance our search would be in vain, but everyone on board remained optimistic as we scanned the waves. Sure enough minutes later we spotted a pod of around 20

There are three types of dolphin swimming around the Bay of Gibraltar striped dolphins and our captain Angie headed straight for them. “To be honest we almost always see dolphins and if punters are unlucky we give them a voucher so they can come back another day for free,” explains our guide

It was a magical feeling to watch these creatures playing in their natural habitat Georgia. “There are literally hundreds of dolphins in the bay, in the winter you see them in pods of between 15 and 50 but in the summer they come together and you can see them in their hundreds.

Southern horsepitality

“In the wild they live for 35 to 40 years whereas in captivity the common dolphins live for 15 years,” adds Georgia. It was a magical feeling to watch these creatures in their natural habitat, with the common and striped dolphins playing together. They had soon come right up to the boat, swimming at our feet and playing with us, seemingly as curious about us as we were of them. You could even hear them breathing as they came up for air - they can hold their breath under water for up to five minutes - and swam around and under the boat. I was completely mesmerised watching them and time stood still until they vanished just as quickly as they had arrived. It was clear from the smiles on board, that everyone had enjoyed the experience as much as I had. “It is the best job in the world,” smiled Georgia. You had to agree, it couldn’t be far off.

F fa

THE oldest horse race in Spain is to burst onto the beach of Sanlucar de Barrameda on the Costa de la Luz this summer. The series of races which sees horses thundering along the sand just inches away from the waves of the Med dates back to 1845. The experience comes complete with spectator stands, bookies and paddocks - with the crowd just a hair’s breadth away from the action. This year’s event will take place as ever in August.

A SENS PORPO Dolphi the bay on aver for up t years w in capt they genera do not much l than 15

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Flipping antastic

SE OF OISE: ins in y live rage to 40 while tivity

ally live longer 5 years

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Avoid going potty this summer with pottery painting POTTERY Painting is a great summer activity for all ages. One of the best places on the coast to do this is at Sotofiesta, where you design and paint whatever you choose on a piece of unglazed pottery and have it fired to be taken home. Run by specialist cake maker Sinead and partner Tony, this is always fun for the kids. Both are balloon artists and offer an Aladdin’s cave of delights including all the paraphernalia for a party, plus a pottery studio and party shop.

NEW DOLPHIN BOAT GIBRALTAR’S top dolphin tour company, Dolphin Adventure, has started building a new boat. The new boat, a 14 metre Blyth catamaran, is expected to be in service this summer. Angie Watkins, Dolphin Adventure Operations Manager, explains: “Many of our customers have never been on a boat before, we want to give them the best that is possible, an amazing dolphin experience with a neutral level of intrusion for our dolphins,” she said. Dolphin Adventure, which has been based in Ocean Village/Marina Bay for over 20 years, has seen its passenger numbers grow and grow. “We started out with a boat that could carry 12 passengers, this year’s new arrival will take us up to 120 passengers on two boats,” says Angie. The building of the new boat can be followed on the Facebook page, Dolphin Adventure Gibraltar. Www.dolphin.gi

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EMEMBER what I told you, yelled my instructor Robin. “Let your arse slide, roll your shoulders and bend your knees, but above all just relax,” he grinned, before gunning the engine on the speed boat. A second or so later I was being wrenched out of the water and onto my feet - which were strapped to an apparatus known as a wakeboard. It all seemed so simple and for a few triumphant seconds I rode literally on the crest of a wave, zipping along wondering what all the fuss was about. This is easy I thought. But suddenly I tensed up my knees and the board went from under me and I came to a violent stop - using my face as a brake. “You certainly ate a lot of s*** there mate,” exclaimed Robin, who is a current Irish champion. And so ended my first run on what was to be a tiring, but extremely enjoyable introduction to the world of wakeboarding. On a creation similar to a snowboard, as far as the tuition goes I couldn’t have been in better hands. Not only are the majority of instructors at Xtreme Gene current champions for their respective countries, but the little-known spot is one of Europe’s top destinations for

Rude a-wakening James Bryce gets his hair wet on an incredible centre for waterskiing and wakeboarding near Cordoba

watersports teams. Nestled around the ‘secret’ Embalse de la Brena reservoir, near Almodovar del

It is a great place to bring the kids to learn to waterski, as well as canoe, fish and swim Rio, the ‘camp’ of a dozen wooden cabins is a wonderful place for a weekend break.

Not just ideal for sports enthusiasts, it is a great place to bring the kids, who can learn how to ski, as well as canoe, fish and swim. Tucked away at the end of an unassuming dirt track off the old Cordoba to Sevilla road, few places in Andalucia offer such wonderful wilderness with wonderful soaring views across the Sierra Morena. Actually set up as long ago as 2002, its owners Debbie and Matt Southom and former Spanish champion Andreas Alijo bring a wealth of differ-

ent experiences to the table. Like chalk and cheese, professional waterskier Matt has represented England, while Debbie spent years working in marketing for Ministry of Sound nightclub in London and Bacardi. “I used to organise loads of events around the world and, in particular, in Ibiza,” she explains. “I had big teams under me and so setting up a business like this came naturally to me.”

A fun-loving pair, they are now well integrated into the local community and are credited with bringing considerable benefits to the economy. They certainly have a knack of getting the best teachers. Several of the instructors divide their time between teaching and competing at the key international championships. All of which left me wondering how many other activities allow complete novices like myself such unprecedented

TALENT: James gets wet and wild with Jade

Yearning for yoga

T is that time of year when you need to get your body in shape. And there is nothing like a bit of serious yoga to limber up and make yourself look lithe. Estepona-based Graciela Heredia is now offering yoga classes up and down the coast, principally of the Hatha discipline. The Argentinian, who is married to an osteopath, will put you through you paces and help your posture and all round fitness. In particular she is now offering classes at the Asociacion Estepona Flamenco, on Avenida San Lorenzo, in Estepona, on Thursday at 8am and Wednesday at 8pm. Contact her at gratangog@gmail.com or call 951 249 732 / 620 449298.

access to athletes who truly are at the top of their sport. Essentially it’s no different to rocking up to your local tennis club and having Rafael Nadal giving you pointers on how to improve your backhand. And, perhaps surprisingly, the teachers were remarkably patient as I floundered around in the brine, not knowing what had happened. “We often get total beginners, as well as stag weekends, so they have to be patient,” explains Matt, who was once ranked at fourth in the world. By the evening, I was ready for a quiet drink at the bar watching the fantastic sunset with an unobtrusive backdrop of ambient music, which gave the place a distinctly Ibizan vibe. Although there is often a deep divide in ability on the water, the atmosphere on dry land was distinctly inclusive, with everyone made to feel like part of the family. Meals are provided twice a week, although a lack of self-catering facilities leaves guests with little choice but to venture into town on other nights. That said, there are plenty of eating options in Almodovar, including the brilliant La Taberna, an atmospheric place with a great menu.

I was given a demonstration by another of the UK’s great slalom skiers Jade Maryan Only 15 minutes away you will also find the wonderful city of Cordoba, with its famous Mezquita, while nature lovers will enjoy a trip into the nearby Parque Natural Sierra de Hornachuelos. As morning broke to the sound of my creaking limbs, it was time to try the more traditional aquatic activity of water skiing before heading for home. This time I was given a demonstration of how it should be done by another of the UK’s great slalom skiers Jade Maryan, who effortlessly slalomed her way through a series of buoys on a mono-ski. Thankfully, despite the pressure of being watched by both Jade and instructor Matt I somehow managed to maintain some degree of dignity. Then it was away from waterworld, certain in the knowledge that this place will not remain a secret for much longer.

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By Giles Brown

GREEN NEWS

BACK TO BLACK FOR TARIFA

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From Page 1

construction during the GIL era. The town was singled out as being a ‘bad example for conservation’ with reference to its dunes and urban corruption. Estepona meanwhile was awarded 14 black flags for its continual abuse of the law and even got a flag for its celebrated El Cristo beach for ‘toxic waste’. In better news, it emerged that the outgoing ombudsman for Andalucia Jose Chamizo has insisted the Tarifa project did not go ahead. He said the Junta was duty bound to protect the cultural and environmental values that were generally associated with Andalucia and that the beach was increasingly rare in the region. Tourism, he went on, should favour a sustainable model that both protected the environment and at the same time helped the local economy.

ENDANGERED: Valdevaqueros beach and (inset) plans

Toll roads around Spain are in danger of shutting as the construction boom sees one more victim THOUSANDS of kilometres of toll roads are under threat of closure as the companies that own them teeter on the brink of bankruptcy. Thanks to the country’s recession, the stream of paying drivers has now slowed to a trickle. Like the unsustainable housing bubble and the speculation-fueled phantom airports, the folly of Spain’s road-building boom is now too being laid bare in vast

Road to nowhere

stretches of under-used tarmac. “It’s no surprise, we built thousands of kilometres of motorways on routes that did not have the traffic to justify them,” explained Paco Segura, a transport specialist at Ecologists in Action. “There has not just been a real estate bubble, but also one in infrastructure, in airports and in motorways.” His comments come after highway company Accesos

Green worries A GREEN group has warned the government that Spain’s biodiversity is ‘the most fragile in Europe’. Ecologists in Action described the situation as ‘alarming’ after finding that the country also has the greatest number of endangered species on the continent. The group said that the current government ‘focuses its efforts on changing environmental regulations, which has serious consequences in terms of loss of protection and deregulation’. The report also slams local town halls adding that many mayors ‘support projects that theoretically promote economic growth, but actually have serious environmental and social consequences’. The research found that a remarkable 25% of artificial surfaces in Europe, commercial, urban, industrial and transport areas, are located here in Spain. It comes as the group issued its annual Black Flag awards to the region’s coastal towns (see above) with alarming readings for Andalucia.

TOLL TROUBLE: Many roads go unused such as this booth on the MP-203 de Madrid, admitted two roads Radial 3 and Radial 5 are in danger of shutting. “Right now we can’t meet our debt repayments. We are in the hands of the judge,” admitted director Jose Antonio Lopez. “Where there were supposed to be 35,000 vehicles a day, there are 10,000.” His company is not the first, with the bosses of the Madrid to Toledo toll road going into receivership last May and five other companies following suit since. It is anything but a surprise, says Segura, who claims the traffic between Madrid and the city of Toledo, about 80km away, receives 11% of the traffic its developers expected.

“Nearly all the motorways going bust are getting less than 40% of the traffic they planned for when they were built,” he said. Boss of Accesos de Madrid agrees: “Too much infrastructure was built, no doubt about it. Much of it turned out to be no use.” Indeed, in the first quarter of 2012, with Spain in recession, motorway traffic fell by 8.2% from a year earlier, hitting its lowest level since 1998, the transport ministry said. Lopez added: “It has happened with the motorways, it has happened with the airports. Sooner or later we will find it is also happening with the high-speed trains.”

Marbella special

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GREEN NEWS

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Sustainable Living

EAT LESS, EAT LITTLE

Even the Smurfs celebrated World Environment Day, which focused this year on diets, writes Phil Speirs

talk radio europe

OK, so hands up who knew World Environment Day was held last week? And both hands up if you went out and did something locally to be involved in it? You didn’t? Shame on you for not taking the plight of the Earth seriously. Well, for those that missed it, and there were a few, there was plenty going on down here in Andalucia to raise awareness of environmental issues and find practical solutions to sustainability. This year the theme was Think. Eat. Save. Aimed at reducing food waste, the idea was to raise awareness of the impact our food choices have. It is estimated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation that up to a third of our food is lost or wasted, and with one in seven people globally going to bed hungry every night it should give us pause for thought. The massive resources that go into producing the food that the seven billion people on the planet need every day is also wasted if that food doesn’t end up making it to the table. Incredibly, it takes 1,000 litres of water to produce just one litre of milk and a further 16,000 litres go into a cow’s food to make a hamburger. Don’t even get me started

on the benefits of being vegetarian. On the subject of food. With another massive jellyfish bloom predicted for this summer, driving the much-needed tourists off the beaches, we should perhaps look at the Chinese. They of course have made a delicacy out of the jellyfish, while we here have an insatiable appetite for fish that creates the most over fished sea on the planet. Meanwhile, even the Smurf village of Juzcar used World Environment Day to announce that, in cooperation with the WWF, famous Spanish footballer Andres Iniesta will be down in the summer planting trees to reforest the area around the village. The fact that this coincides with the launch of the new Smurf film is merely coincidental they say. Whatever, at least it is doing some good. Info@lachispa.net

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Property

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WHERE TO EAT

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A fine mess to get me out of

ARBELLA is a unique city, not just because of its climate, but also due to the peculiar urban planning drama that it lived through for two decades. It all began when a dubious man Jesús Gil y Gil was proclaimed Mayor in 1991 on a wave of frustration at the inactivity of the then Socialist government. So angry were the local population with the policies of Prime Minister Felipe Gonzales at the time that they were prepared to overlook the new candidate’s obvious failings and outbursts of rudeness. Property developer Gil – who owned football club Athletico Madrid – promised to bring back ‘greatness’ and quickly turned Marbella’s urban planning processes into his own private fiefdom. The end result was an incredible 18,000 illegal homes built in the town in little over a decade, while the Junta regional authorities simply turned a blind eye. It all started as soon as Gil came to power, when he launched an in-depth review of the 1986 town plan, or PGOU. Not content with its strict zoning rules, he tinkered with it to allow a considerable increase in land available for building. The changes took place through a series of shady planning deals with developers, who paid the town hall ‘compensation’ in return for being allowed to build. The problem was that much of the new land was already designated as parkland, river flood plain or beach land. Or there were strict restrictions on building density or height. And, on top of this, a large chunk of the so-called compensation – or licence fees went straight into the pockets of the politicians. Some say up to €2 billion was taken by Gil and his cohort of crooks, who include Julian Munoz, Marisol Yague and the so-called svengali of planning Juan Antonio Roca. Eventually, this hotchpotch of individual agreements crystallized in a ‘Review Document’ initially approved by the Town Council in 1997, and subsequently followed by numerous amendments up until 2003.

As Antonio Banderas (above) finally loses some of his garden to zoning laws and the huge Malaya corruption trial starts to come to a climax, Marbella lawyer Adolfo Martos Gross looks at Europe’s worst planning nightmare that might finally be coming to an end The big problem for Gil and the town hall however, was that none of these agreements were ratified by the Junta or the courts. As far as they were concerned the only legal framework in place was the old 1986 PGOU. This did not however, stop the town hall, which continued to grant building permits and sign zoning agreements. And developers raised no objections, in view of the enormous capital gains they were making on their investments in Marbella. It should have then been up to the Junta to step in and challenge the infractions. But neither the courts nor the

A large chunk of the compensation went straight into the pocket of politicians Junta did anything to stop the town hall. It is evident that, if the fourstar Senator Hotel could be built in the heart of Marbella with an illegal permit, not to mention Banana Beach and Antonio Banderas house right on the beach, it was because the regional authorities failed spectacularly. Fortunately, the authorities finally stepped in and we got a new mayor, who has returned pride to the town. We finally got a new PGOU, ratified in May 2010, which imposed a semblance of order in the only way feasible: to legalise the vast majority of the 18,000 illegal homes, as if wiping the slate clean. Some illegal buildings erected on areas of particularly sensitive land are still going to have to go, but thankfully not too many. So far 16,500 homes are able to become legal according to the PGOU, but they still have to go through a purgatory process, long and complicated, by which the developers are being ordered to pay compen-

BENT: Jesus Gil sation in return for making their properties legal. If the developers turn out to be insolvent – or have disappeared - it will be unfairly up to the owners to assume the cost. It was the Marbella authorities that got us all into this mess in the first place. Yet the town hall insists the compensation should be borne by developers or owners who genuinely bought in good faith. This is true in the majority of the illegal homes where the town hall acted with negligence or illegally granted building licences. The problem arises when the developer has disappeared or become insolvent, which is usually the case today. In this event, the urbanization will remain in limbo - illegal but tolerated by the town hall - for years until the owners voluntarily pay the compensation. The solution will probably come as a general pardon from the Junta via a law passed in five or ten years. But what is clear is that if owners end up paying the compensation they will always have the option of suing the developer if they can find him. And some of them may even be able to sue the town hall, because, after all, it was the Marbella authorities that got us all into this mess in the first place. Contact Adolfo Martos Gross at amg@gam-abogados.com

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Property EU demands mortgage reforms 42

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European Parliament calls for changes to Spain’s tough eviction laws

THE EU is calling on Spain to tackle its mass eviction crisis. A hard-hitting report, which is not binding but carries ‘considerable political weight’, calls for several changes to the current laws. It comes after 350,000 home-owners were evicted in just four years, a period in which unemployment has

grown rapidly. The EU’s report heavily recommends the ‘renegotiation of debt’ for struggling and bankrupt families. It wants families who effectively hand the keys back to their lender to be freed from any further debt. The European Parliament has already awarded antieviction group, PAH, the

UPTURN IN ENQUIRIES SHOWS RISING CONFIDENCE IN MARBELLA

OP DR E IC LE PR SA ER ICK ,000 H RT QU 5 FU FOR € 12

THINGS are apparently looking up for the Marbella property market, following several years of struggle. Local agents have revealed that sales enquires increased by more than a third during the first few months of 2013. “We are optimistic,” said Chris Clover, managing director of Panorama Properties, which saw an increase of 36% from December to April on the same period last year. “This represents our best year since before the crisis,” he added. The renewed interest in real estate in the area reflects the lower property prices, with buyers taking advantage of the opportunity to snap up the Marbella lifestyle for less.

2013 European Citizen Award for its campaigns. PAH demand that banks accept ownership of homes in return for cancelling debt rather than demanding full repayment even after repossession. Campaigners across Spain have already collected over 1.5 million signatures calling for the government to make changes to the legislation following a string of eviction-related suicides. In Andalucia, where unemployment is at its highest, a new motion has been passed to allow the expropriation of properties by the Junta. As reported in the Olive Press last month, the scheme will allow the Junta to temporarily take the homes from lenders for up to three years. Struggling families who cannot afford to make mortgage payments will be allowed to remain in the property on the agreement they pay rent of 25% of their income.

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Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx

Top Dollar

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The Olive Press fortnightly business section 45 taking a look at the Spanish economy and the olive press - June 12 - June 26, of2013 45 fering tips on how to save AND make money

At a loss

MARCH saw Spain suffer its greatest losses in foreign investment in almost a year. Investors withdrew a staggering €14.1 billion from the country in March alone, at a time when the Cyprus bailout crisis had reached its peak and many believed Spain was aboutto require a full bailout. The money, which was withdrawn mainly from the stock and bond markets, is the greatest since last June according to balance-of-payment figures released by the Bank of Spain.

Life’s just one big picnic thanks to John Lewis WITH the summer finally in full flow it’s time to think about the great outdoors. And with John Lewis now offering a variety of cheerful, bright garden furniture sets, now is the perfect time to give your outdoor spaces a summer revamp. You might also want to invest in a variety of picnicware, including rugs, luxury hampers, cake stands and drinks dispensers. The leading UK department store is making a concerted effort to promote its wide range of products in Spain.

For just £7.50 customers here can have outdoor living furniture and accessories delivered to their door in four to seven working days. For full terms and conditions on international deliveries visit www.johnlewis.com.

Scrap minimum wage Central bank suggests a raft of drastic reforms to the labour laws including raising retirement age

THE governor of the Bank of Spain has recommended temporarily scrapping the minimum wage to tackle unemployment. In his first annual report since taking office last year,

By Mason Jones Luis Maria Linde called for more flexibility in the labour market to counteract the nation’s increasing jobless population. “It would be worth exploring new formulas that would prevent the minimum wage from acting as a constraint on specific groups of workers,” he said. Spain’s minimum wage is currently set at €645 a month, while there are over six million people out of work.

Pensions

The national unemployment rate has hit 27.2% while Andalucia has been named as the second hardest place to find a job in Europe with 34.6% of the population without work. Nationally, youth unemployment has reached a record 57.2%. Linde also suggested mak-

Hot topics THE British Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a seminar in Mijas this week. The conference, which will be held at the Ciomijas Hotel in La Cala, is set to cover a wide range of topics which are currently hitting the headlines. There will be talks on tax laws, money laundering, data protection and more. Tickets for the seminar, which will be held on June 13 at 6.30pm, are priced at €18 for members and €20 for non members. For more information contact andalucia@britchamber.com

ing reforms to the state pension by increasing the retirement age and changing how pensions are calculated. The report, which calls for the official age of retirement

to increase from 65 to 67, recommends that calculating the amount a person receives should be based on contributions made in the last 25 years of working life rather than the last 15.

Top Dollar

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the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

Hedge fund haven Gibraltar launches campaign to persuade London moneymen to swap UK for the Rock

Get on the scale! Get an extra 5% discount on Scalewatcher water conditioner in special Olive Press reader offer

CALEWATCHER is a compact, computerised, electronic water conditioner which will descale your existing water system, prevent new scale from forming and save you money from the moment it is installed. Established for seven years in Andalucia, the product sells for between €198 and €399 depending on the size of property. It is guaranteed to reduce all scale, soften water and help improve the performances of both washing machines and dishwashers. If Scalewatcher doesn’t work after six months, customers

will receive their money back. Among the many benefits available are unbelievably low running costs, working out at about €5 per annum, a maintenance-free product with no movable parts, low energy consumption and easy installation. You will also notice after a short time how much kinder the scale-free water is to your skin. Taking no more than half an hour to install, it fits neatly on to the wall above the main water flow coming into the property withonly a small electrical point needed. Scalewatcher, a Dutch company, has been on the market

GIBRALTAR is on a recruitment drive to lure hedge fund managers from their London offices with promises of low taxes. At a speech in London, chief minister Fabian Picardo told them that it is much cheaper to do business on the Rock In particular, he insisted income tax was limited to £30,000 a year no matter how many millions they earned. And he added that their income tax bill could be reduced even further if granted ‘special tax status’ as a ‘high executive possessing special skills’. They would also be ‘unlikely to be liable for corporation tax’.

Incentives

in England for 20 years and is used by a range of famous venues including St Paul’s Cathedral, Portsmouth Council and McDonalds. Scalewatcher is now offering a 5% discount to any customer who mentions the Olive Press when purchasing the product. Anyone interested in this offer should contact Peter Walker on 952 857 680 or pwalker2312@hotmail.

The Rock offers additional financial incentives including no VAT and social security payments of just £120 per family a month. This is compared to the UK where the top rate of income tax is 45% and VAT stands at 20%. Picardo has previously denied allegations that Gibraltar is a tax haven and insists the peninsula complies with all European Union tax and transparency regulations. He revealed that ‘a number of people that used to operate out of Mayfair are now in Gibraltar’.

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47 47

WHAT RECESSION? SPAIN’S top executives are the among the highest paid in Europe, despite the current economic crisis. Topped only by Italy, Spanish CEOs take in an average base salary of €788 per hour while the top earners rake in a figure closer to €950.

Meanwhile, the lowest earners in Spain receive just €3.85 an hour. The huge wage gap, highlighted in a report by the Federation of European Employers last week, has sparked debate about capping executive pay levels. CEOs in Italy can earn a

Spanish business bosses defy the crisis with second highest wages in Europe

staggering €1,144 per UK bosses have an hour, according to the average base salreport. ary of €592 per hour

Turbo charge for growth

TERLING made broad gains against its major counterparts last week following the release of better than expected UK service data. May’s so-called ‘purchasing managers index’ came in at 54.3 up from 52.9 in April and the highest reading in more than a year. This follows on from the better than expected manufacturing and construction sector data with the current quarter likely to show GDP growth figures up. Similar indexes from eurozone countries showed that while there were some improvements, they are still in recession. Retail sales data for the EU also released last week showed sharper than expected decline in April. The UK economy does seem to be holding its own despite the terrible shape of the Eurozone, its largest

By Keith Spitalnick trading partner, and Sterling should benefit against the single currency as a result. However, there still remains the risk that under its new Governor, Mark Carney, the Bank of England will decide to try and turbo charge the meagre economic growth being seen at the moment with more monetary easing. This unknown will continue to limit Sterling’s upside due the risk of dips due to such central bank action. However, as long as the economy manages to show slight growth, Sterling should remain well supported against the Euro where most economies are contracting quite heavily.

Keith Spitalnick is head of European Sales at HiFX. To contact HiFX and find out how the team can help you with your international transactions, call in at the office in Centro Plaza, call 951 203 986 or email olivepress@hifx.co.uk

while French CEOs take in €47 less earning €545 per hour. In March this year, Swiss voters ruled to cap executive wag-

es. The move means that company shareholders will now decide on executive pay levels.

48 48

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

Top Dollar

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Place your bets But Eurovegas project will only come to fruition if Spain suspends its new anti-smoking law LAS Vegas style casinos may be coming to Spain to create tens of thousands of jobs - if the government does a Uturn on anti-smoking laws. American casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson has submitted plans to build ‘Eurovegas’, a vast complex of casinos, hotels and conference centres on the outskirts of Madrid. The project would be one of the biggest construction sites in Europe and give a

much needed boost to the Spanish economy, creating thousands of jobs. The only stumbling block to work beginning are Spanish anti-smoking laws that prevent lighting up inside public areas, which is a vital requirement for Adelson. The casino billionaire has now appealled to the ruling PP party to lift the law. He believes this will not be a stumbling block after he told PM Mariano Rajoy that

Driving ahead THEY are rapidly getting known around Andalucia. Now to further increase the company’s profile in inland Andalucia, financial advisors IFA International are sponsoring a golf tournament at Antequera Golf Club. The tournament will raise money for among other charities the Royal British Legion. “We welcome our existing clients and members of the public wishing to meet with us to join us in what will be an enjoyable day,” said local advisor Stephen Davis. For more information contact clientservices@ifainternational.com or visit us at www.ifainternational.com &www.ifaiqrops.co.uk .

he already has over €9 billion of finance in place. Opponents of the plan have organised a petition on website change.org demanding that there is no change to the law. “We Spaniards do not want the law to be changed so that Mr Adelson can earn

more money while Spain becomes poorer,” explained a spokesman. Ignacio González, head of Madrid’s regional government, said that the legal changes needed to allow Eurovegas could be in place by the beginning of August.

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the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

49 49

Road to Riches, by Richard Alexander

F you have any interest in UK pensions and the ability to transfer them to an overseas arrangement, you will probably be familiar with the acronym QROPS which stands for Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme. These were introduced by the UK tax man (HMRC) in 2006 to help ease the process of transferring a UK pension benefit into an overseas arrangement for people who were emigrating abroad. Prior to this legislation, it had always been possible to transfer a UK pension overseas but this was always subject to satisfying HMRC that the receiving scheme was a broadly similar arrangement to the UK pension structure and they would then give individual approval if all was well. With the increasing number of people moving overseas, the numbers of requests became huge and hence the streamlining of a system to deal with these people saw the birth

Pension problems Richard Alexander explains the exact situation with so called QROPS pension schemes and warns what you must look out for of QROPS. As is always the way, people within the financial services industry will look for ways to exploit any new legislation for the purpose of developing new business and with QROPS this was no exception. However, as ever, a small minority of organisations chose

QROPS providers were de-listed to ensure that pension busting could no longer be abused to abuse the system and advocated what is known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pension bustingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which enabled UK pensions to be transferred through QROPS and then to be

fully cashed in. This was never the intention of HMRC and it was no surprise when it announced in December 2011 that it was going to review QROPS. In April last year, new rules were introduced and QROPS providers were de-listed to ensure that pension busting could no longer be abused. What no one was expecting was the wholesale de-listing of Guernsey-based QROPS providers and in one single action, a whole industry in Guernsey came to an abrupt halt. No longer could these trust companies take new QROPS business but they did of course have many existing clients who had invested in QROPS. Thankfully, HMRC made it

clear at the time that individuals should remain unaffected as long as the trusts complied with HMRC requirements. A year later and HMRC has recently issued further draft legislation for QROPS, which in itself should not affect existing arrangements but we await the details to see what

As a Spanish tax resident, any amounts taken from a QROPS should be declared the implications may be for the future. One thing is for certain, they will look very closely at any attempts at pension busting

going forwards and may well look to pursue recovery of unauthorised payment charges of up to 55% retrospectively! While on the subject of tax, on too many occasions, I have spoken to people who did indeed withdraw all of their pension money having been advised that this was a tax free payment. I am sorry to say for them, this

is not true at all. As a Spanish tax resident, any amounts taken from a QROPS should be declared for income tax purposes. The fact that tax was not deducted at source by the QROPS provider is irrelevant, it is the tax residency of the individual which dictates what should be declared and what tax is due to be paid.

Richard Alexander Financial Planning Limited is an appointed representative of L J Financial Planning Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the UK. Contact him at Richard@ra-fp.com

Law

50 54 the olive press - June 5112 - June 26, 2013 50

AGONY ANT

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Antonio Flores shines some light on a complicated case involving a British man who remarried a Spaniard and died in Spain

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

ECENTLY we took on a case of a will that was complicated in the extreme. The case involved: • A deceased British property owner resident in Gran Canaria who had re-married in Spain • Children from both marriages, two from the first, both British nationals, and a further Spanish national from the last • The existence of a Spanish will leaving everything to the Spanish son • The absence of property in the UK but the existence of a few real estate units in Gran Canaria in his name. • A selfish Spanish widow unwilling to share any of the estate The basis of the claim was that, although British laws

A battle of wills grant freedom of testament, Spanish inheritance laws applied in this case as the dead man was a British resident of Spain without assets in the UK. Under Spanish inheritance laws a ‘legitim’, or minimum portion of the estate (1/3) should go to all children equally. As there were three children it meant that 2/3 of 1/3 was due to our clients at the very

Ask Ant

Q. I have been reported to the Police following a heated argument with a neighbour and have been asked to appear for a statement. Will I get arrested? A. Normally, yes. However, this does not mean that you will be thrown in a police cell and kept there for 72 hours, the maximum period of detention, but that you will be subjected to what is called ‘technical detention’, which is only for the duration of the statement. On the contrary, if you have committed a more serious offence you would normally not be called in but arrested and locked up, for a day or two, before being taken in front of a Judge.

least. And while the Spanish widow opposed this, her lawyer said she had no choice but to settle on this basis, by means of a cash payment, which was over €100,000. We believed however that the two children in the UK deserved more and should get 2/3 of everything. We came to this decision as we did not understand why their names were not in the will. We believe the Spanish second wife may have persuaded her dying husband to change it, but either way it does not seem fair. Our clients had a regular ongoing relationship with their father and visited him from time to time, so we have now refiled and asked the judge for 2/3 of the total will for our clients. Obviously the second wife is not happy and is fighting this tooth and nail. We are still awaiting the judgment, which could come any time. We will keep you posted.

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Got an itch? Now you know why

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The Olive Press NOW has 34,000 papers delivered across EIGHT provinces of Andalucia www.theolivepress.es and Gibraltar every fortnight by our hard-working team of distributors

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

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51 www.theolivepress.es

GOLF In the swing of it

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

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Making wishes come true CELEBRITY golfers were out in force for this month’s La Sala Golf Classic charity event. Big names to tee off at the Almenara Golf Course in Sotogrande included Liverpool FC’s Manager Brendan Rogers, Watford FC’s Lee Hodson, Sky Sports’ Rob Palmer, QPR’s Jermaine Jenas and David Bentley. The charity event also featured a raffle with prizes donated by Sala Group’s suppliers and an auction offering signed shirts from Allan McGregor, Stephen Carr and Steven Davis. All the money raised will go to Make a Wish Spain, which grants the wishes of children and young people living with life threatening illnesses. In this case, the cash from the Golf Classic will go towards helping to send Lidia, a young girl fighting cancer, on her dream trip to Disneyland.

Different kind of driving FERRARI enthusiasts are invited to the golf course this week for the first owners club challenge. Taking place at Aloha Golf Club, the Ferrari Owners Club Golf Challenge is set to be an action packed day for all those petrolheads who also love to putt. The day, organised by RéLounge Events & Leisure, is set to kick off with a continental breakfast followed by a full day of golf with

lunch and refreshments included. Those who wish to attend the event without competing will be provided with activities and entertainment throughout the day. The tournament, which will be held on June 16, will be played in the popular Texas Scramble format. For more information contact reka@relounge-europe.com or see www.ferrariownersclubandalucia.com

Hacking for the mausoleum GOLFERS of all abilities are being invited to take part in a charity golf match at Lauro Golf, near Alhaurin de la Torre. Taking place on June 20, the event will be raising money for the English Cemetery in Malaga, which was recently declared a monument of cultural and historical interest by the Junta. Entry fee will be €25 for non-members, while members will pay their normal green fee plus €5. The cost includes a drink and tapas at the end of the match. To sign up or for further information, call + 34 952 41 27 67 or e-mail Info@laurogolf.com

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n Buen

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

amino

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Stepping up a gear By Mason Jones

After hosting TOWIE and Tulisa, Banus and Gib welcome the Top Gear crew IT was hardly a surprise to find Jeremy Clarkson being controversial. The Top Gear host tweeted an image of himself smoking next to a sign at Gibraltar airport last week, which read ‘Clarkson’s Corner’. The sign had been specifically put up by airport workers to welcome the star, who is rumoured to have bought an apartment in the enclave.

The BBC show had arrived on the Rock to film the latest episode of the programme in which Clarkson, 53, and fellow presenters Richard Hammond and James May were spotted testing an Audi R8 against a McLaren Mp4-12c on the runway of the airport. The three were later spotted cruising around Puerto Banus as crowds gathered to

READY, SET, GO: Cars lined up on the airstrip

German wings GERMAN supercar maker BMW is hiring young unemployed Spaniards to ‘give something back’ to its customer countries. A group of 25 workers aged 18 to 25 will be trained for a year at the car firm’s headquarters in Munich. “They should be immersed in German culture, possibly live with a BMW host family and work in development, sales, marketing or another area. “After that, these young people can go back home or stay here,” said BMW personnel boss Milagros Caina-Andree. “We want to give something back to these countries, in which we sell our cars,” she added. Caina-Andree, who joined BMW’s management board last year, said the programme may be expanded to other countries such as Italy or Greece in the future.

get a quick snap of the BBC stars. While Clarkson and May stuck to the McLaren and Audi, Hammond opted for a €235,000 Ferrari 458 Spider to drive around the port. Clarkson had earlier tweeted: “People of Puerto Anus. Richard Hammond driving a Ferrari round the harbour now. Camera phones ready.” The filming will form part of the episode in which the presenters drive back from Gibraltar through Spain to the UK.

WELCOME: Clarkson’s Corner at the airport

Trumping the recession SPAIN’S leading car insurance company has had its most successful year in history despite the economic crisis. Linea Directa closed 2012 with a record-breaking profit of €121.5 million, an increase of 13% from 2011.

The company puts this success down to a ‘sharp rise in the number of customers, effective underwriting risk management and the improvement of all the company’s processes and services’. The company’s total number of policies, which in-

creased by over 105,000 last year alone, now exceeds two million people. Linea Directa also offers its services in both English and German along with a translation service for dealing with break-downs and repairs.

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www.theolivepress.es

Five drivers led down a flight of steps thanks to Sat nav blunder

No Sat-isfaction

ERROR: A row of steps in Teruel has seen countless drivers go wrong way AT least five drivers have been left red-faced after hurtling down steps on a pedestrianonly street in Aragon. The confused motorists ended up cascading down the stairs in Teruel having followed erroneous instructions on their sat navs. In the most recent incident an estate car had to be rescued by a crane after the driver blindly followed his GPS system down the narrow side turning. At least four other motorists have made the same mistake and found themselves in similar sticky situations, it has emerged. Calle Hartzenbuch - named after a 19th century Spanish playwright - is little more than

By Annabel Grossman an alley with steps at the end and has NEVER been open to motorised traffic. Yet various Sat Nav companies believe it is passable. “I can’t understand why someone would try to drive down there,” one resident said. “It’s obvious from the top of the street that it is a row of steps.” Teruel city council has said it will install bollards at the top of the alley to further deter motorists from attempting to drive down the street.

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

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OP Columnists

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the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

F you’re like me, you love your grandkids so much it almost hurts. You want to give them everything they want and more. And now that summer is approaching you want to give them swimming lessons and take them to Disneyland and maybe buy them the fancy tennis shoes that cost a ridiculous amount, just because. But wait a minute. There is a huge recession out there, worse in Spain, than many other places in Europe, so perhaps we need to think again. And ultimately there are many ways to give to the grandchildren that don’t cost anything at all but time... oh and a bit of creativity. I recently read about a pair of industrious grandparents who got together with their

Planting ideas

Juliet Hambro offers some tips on how to give to your grandchildren without spending a fortune grandkids, planted a huge garden and then worked together during the growing season to plant, maintain and eventually harvest and sell the produce. The proceeds of this venture went into the kids’ college funds. Not only did the children learn some wonderful lessons about planning and working together, they also had quality time with Grandma and Grandpa. So what are some ways you can invest in the lives of your grandchildren without merely writing cheques or paying

bills? Here are three areas to get your thought processes going. Your grandchildren will love the interest you show in their lives and will benefit from information learned. Why not give one of these ideas a try?

Work Together There are scores of projects you might try with grandchildren. Maybe you are good at woodworking or model building. Perhaps you know a lot about Flamenco or medieval

life, when there were castles and knights in armour. You can read and research together with the grandkids. You can mentor them on the things you know. Or maybe you’re great at mechanics. Teach those boys and girls how to maintain a car. They’ll thank you when they’re adults. Teach the children about money management - planning a budget, saving, investing. Spend time doing these projects together

an elderly friend’s garden. You’ll My grandkids believe I’m the be modeling oldest thing in the world. And caring beafter two or three hours with haviour and enjoying the them, I believe it, too. teamwork - Gene Perret at the same time. Another idea is to plan a fundraising Give Together activity with your grandkids and donate the money to a Our world today is filled with worthy cause. Once again, needy people and endless your energy and enthusiasm opportunities to serve. Chil- will teach the grandchildren

Granny quote

Granny fact

“I don’t know who my grandfather was; I’m much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.” - Abraham Lincoln and you’ll have engaged children and stronger f a m i l y bonds.

Play Together Playing with grandchildren is the norm. We play board games and we may try a game of softball now and then. But how about this idea: try a new game or activity together. Learn to swim or scuba dive or shoot a bow and arrow. Take kayaking lessons or tennis or golf. Spending time together is always a plus, but think of the bonding that will take place as you learn something new together. Then you’ll have experiences to share, goals to set together and victories to celebrate. The grandkids will see that adults can learn something new just like them. They’ll be proud of your efforts and you’ll be proud of theirs.

National Grandparent’s Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States since 1978 and officially recognised in a number of countries on various days of the year. Marion McQuade, from West Virginia, has been recognised in the US as the founder of National Grandparent’s Day. She made it her goal to educate youth about the important contributions oldies have made throughout history.

dren need to know there are others who have less, have special challenges and could use a helping hand. What better way to teach compassion and empathy than to do a volunteer project with your grandchildren? Work at a local shelter, help serve a meal, or clean up

how to be caring individuals.

We grandparents have the great privilege of choosing how to spend time with our grandchildren. Let’s make it count. There are times Granny fact when spendUK’s grandparents save families ing money is the right thing £7.3billion a year by taking over to do, but childcare. spending your They care for 1.6 million time and energy will leave children or 14.3% of under-14s. a lasting and Value of their work provided valuable imfree, stands at £7.3billion. pression. The contribution they are How can you making within their families and spend time the wider economy is enormous working, playing and givand rising. ing with your Statistics from Age UK and grandkids? Grandparents Plus

www.askgranny.com is a unique website and resource for grandparents and senior citizens worldwide created by Granny Juliet and provides useful information on a number of topics.

49 www.theolivepress.es

Belinda Beckett (aka Mistress Sizzle) learns to forgive an old love rival after a visit to the rock

used to hate Cynthia Lennon. A lot of us teenage girls were a bit psycho, that way, in the psychedelic Sixties; pinning Beatles to our bedroom walls like crazed etymologists; fantasising about John/George/Paul/Ringo – take your pick – Eight Days A Week. Cynthia was married to MY John. It was MY hand he wanted to hold. That was Yesterday. The Fab Four dropped to the bottom of my album collection and Cynthia didn’t cross my mind again for the next 40 years. And then, last week, she did. I went to see Julian Lennon’s Beatles Memorabilia Exhibition in Gibraltar and there was his mum, looking good

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

A BITTER TWIST ON LENNON

(for her age), sharing intimate moments of her life with John from a TV screen. Imagine! As it turned out, not quite as I’d imagined… Being a Beatle’s missus was not such A Taste of Honey … more of A Hard Day’s Night, as you’ll discover if you visit this extraordinarily personal

exhibition and read between Cynthia’s poignant lines. You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away explains her situation, all those years ago. I can see, now, what I didn’t then. Among the platinum discs and treasured belongings there’s another story not doing too much struggling to come out, about the husband

MEMORIES: Pieces from the exhibition and (inset) Lennon and Yoko on the Rock and dad known to the world as John Lennon. A bit of a selfish sod, our John, despite his amazing talent! Too much Lucy in the Sky, perhaps… Well, how would you feel? Your kid is involved in a car crash with your ex and his new bird and you hear it from the TV news!

History

HIDDEN: Cynthia had to keep a low profile

No one has bothered to call. Not John, not Yoko. (Cynthia freaks.) But hey, Jules is fine,

woman. Let it Be! Like a paper trail, the story unfolds through a timeline of albums and news cuttings. They met … at Liverpool Art College. “He was blind like me – we swapped glasses and from that moment it was fate.” Was their love affair short-sighted, too? The proposal … was hardly the stuff of dreams. “Don’t worry Cyn, we’ll have

Driven round the bend

N case I haven’t mentioned this before, summer on the Costa del Sol is always something of a riot. And I’m not just talking about the Essex boys and girls falling out of nightclubs. If you are a frequent driver you’ll know that your normal five minute pop to the shops mutates itself into a scene out of Mad Max. The number of lost tourists in rent-a-cars is terrifying when added to crazed Moroccans who’ve been driving for 48 hours straight and are determined to make the evening ferry to Tangier. Then there are the golfers in their buggies zipping around and the afformentioned Essex girls and boys who spend more time checking their fake tan in the rear view mirror than watching the road. It all makes for an ‘interest-

57 57

ing’ driving experience, I can assure you. Away from the coast, I assumed that it would be safer.

Swerve

Until last Monday that was. Driving along the many curves that make up my journey down from Giles Towers on the lake, I was somewhat alarmed (to put it bloody mildly) to find a car rounding the bend on the wrong side of the road and heading straight for me. Instinctively I swerved right and bounced merrily off the barrier at the side of the road. I suppose I should be greatful that there was a barrier there at all, rather than the usual stone block, or nothing at all, apart from a yawning gap into the abyss (remember the scene in the

Indiana Jones movie where the German staff car goes over the side and you get the general idea). I stopped the Freelander to have a look at the scrape down the passenger side. The other driver, 100 metres up the road, stopped beeped his horn and, with a cheery wave, set off in the direction of Istán.

Disembowel

I must confess, dear reader, that the red mist descended and I leapt into the Freelander and headed off after him at a rate of knots. Luckily for all concerned he reached the safety of the village and vanished before I could catch him. They’ve not had a public disembowling in Istán since 1265, I hear. It was about time for one!

to get married,” John told a pregnant Cyn. No twisted arm but no bended knee. (Later, Lennon allegedly described his son as a ‘Saturday night special’ who ‘came out of a whisky bottle’) The wedding … was a disaster. No flowers, no photographs and it rained. They had to shout their vows over the noise of a pneumatic drill. The registrar reminded Cynthia of a funeral director. The honeymoon … was postponed. (John was working). When they finally got it together at the George V in Paris, it was a bit of a crowd. Two women friends shared the nuptial bed. Come Together?

Superstar

Have a coke and a smile

And so the media gets itself into a frenzy as Tulisa from N-Dubz (I had to Google her to find out what sort of music she played and wish I hadn’t) is revealed as a coke fiend. Shock. Horror! That a London girl who likes to hang out with rappers and go clubbing should like to dabble in the Devil´s danduff is hardly surprising. I spent several years as PR for one of the coast’s celebrity beach clubs and was once assigned to look after a young actor who was spending a couple of days at the club, happy to be snapped by photographers. It was great PR for us and good PR for him. “Whatever you need while you’re here” I told him “Don’t hesitate to give me a call.” In hindsight I should have expected the 4am phone call asking me to sort out two grammes....

The birth of Julian … went ahead without John. (He was touring in Spain). Motherhood … was abnormal. Cynthia was constantly mobbed by fans “trying to kiss the Beatle child.” The superstar lifestyle … largely ignored Cynthia. Ditto Princess Margaret when John tried to introduce them at the premier of A Hard Day’s Night. The divorce was … due to Another Girl. Cynthia sold the memorabilia to make ends meet. Cynthia Lennon, Sexy Sadie, had turned into Eleanor Rigby-meets-Lady Madonna in one short exhibition tour! Afterwards you can post a personal note on The Message Tree. Mine reads: I don’t hate you, Cynthia Lennon, any more. But maybe you Should Have Known Better. lennongibraltar.com

46 58 the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013 58

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Cut-price G&Ts off the menu for MPs Pancho’s Punch

VINO - IT’S PERFECT FOR ROMANCE!

INE is seen as a snobbish drink for youngsters in many parts of Europe, including Spain. They think it’s just for old fogies with a lot of money; a boring drink and definitely not for partying. Indeed, it is almost impossible to get a glass of wine at a nightclub in Spain, despite the country being the third largest producer after France and Italy. Strangely, in America it is totally the opposite with wine appearing in TV shows and movies and being seen as ‘cool’, while beer and spirits are rarely seen. It is the same in Hong Kong, Korea and Shanghai where I was recently pleasantly surprised to see people drinking wine at various local nightclubs and it is definitely fashionable among the middle class Asians. Drinking wine can be a lot of fun and no other beverage will enhance conversation in the same way. The best way to start any gathering is with a glass of something bubbly or a white wine. It will help you pause and recover from a hard day’s work. If you are among a group of friends wine will help everyone relax and socialise. Why not organise a wine

Old romantic Pancho Campo on why wine should not be seen as snobby... and is the best drink for a hot date

party, a get together at a restaurant or a friend’s house where everyone brings a bottle? Have your guests explain what wine they brought and if you want to make it more exciting do a blind tasting comp to guess the grape variety and where it is from. Finally, nothing works better than wine when out on a date. It really helps to break the ice and eases conversation. If you go straight into spirits, especially on an empty stomach it can really ruin the evening, especially because you need to be in control, while beer is certainly not going to work if you are trying to se-

duce someone classy. The ‘sexiest’ white wines are, without a doubt, Cava and Champagne, but if you feel more adventurous try Moscato D´Asti, an Italian semisparkling wine, aromatic and sweet, but most importantly affordable. During dinner, unless your date is a wine expert, go for red wines that are easy to drink, young and fruity like most New World wines. At the end of the meal why not try a glass of sweet wine served chilled? A Pedro Ximenez, Sauternes or the fantastic Tokaji from Hungary. I can guarantee a terrific night.

RESTAURANTE SKINA

ONE of the most charming restaurants in Marbella, is located on a street corner of the Old Town (hence the name) and boasts space for just 16 guests in the darker months. However, when the nice weather arrives, it offers a few more tables outdoors, which make for a charming culinary experience. Its innovative Mediterranean cuisine, blended with traditional Andalucian recipes but with a very modern approach led to a Michelin star in 2008. It still has it. My favourite dishes are: homemade rabbit terrine with herbs; sole served with artichokes and tomato, and for desert, I love the apple with yogurt, celery and ginger. Chefs Hideaki Yoshioka and Jaume Puigdengolas also offer a tasting menu for €78 or €130 including the wines, selected by sommelier Marcos Granda, who is also the owner. Skina is a really sensual restaurant, ideal for couples that want to treat themselves to a different and memorable experience. www.restauranteskina.com

Outrage that taxpayers are subsidising alcohol in parliament IT’S last orders on cut-price gin in parliament. Spanish political parties have agreed to take subsidised cocktails off the menu in MP’s cafeterias following a public outcry at the expense. It recently emerged that Spain’s recession-hit taxpayers were footing food and drink bills in parliament of almost €900,000 a year. Fixed low prices meant that MPs could enjoy a refreshing gin and tonic for €3.45 or a seven-year-old rum and coke for €6.85 - roughly half the price of most local bars. The issue came to light when parliament started taking bids from catering companies to run the cafeterias. It was revealed that the companies had to guarantee certain services, including a €9 lunch menu and cheap G&Ts.

Disapproval

“There’s no money for school lunches but there is for gin,” said Maite Estrada Salvador. Recent polls show that politicians now have the worst public image of any institution in Spain, with a disapproval rating of 93%. Alfonso Alonso, head of the ruling PP party said that the cut-price gin and tonic issue has only made MPs appear more frivolous. “It makes citizens upset, and they are right, so the leadership has decided to change it,” he added. However, politicians can take comfort in the fact that other fixed low will stay for the time being. So while they may need to shell out a few more euros for a gin and tonic, MPs can buy a small beer for just 95 cents or a glass of Rioja for a mere €1.50.

FOOD & DRINK with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

COLUMNS www.theolivepress.es

FECKLESS WITH FOOD NEARLY half of UK consumers are putting their health at risk by eating food which has passed its use-by date. Research from the Food Standards Agency found that not only do 43% of people ignore best-before dates, but 29% will happily eat food which had been dropped on the floor. It emerges that look and taste are seen as more important, with many saying they’d rather sniff their food or consider the colour before deciding if it’s safe enough to eat. FSA food safety expert Bob Martin said: “By not washing their hands before preparing food at home, or ignoring use-by dates, people could be setting themselves up for a bout of really unpleasant illness.”

Plan aims to see adults taking greater responsibility for their children

Drink fines for parents PARENTS of youngsters who end up in emergency rooms from alcohol poisoning could soon face financial penalties. The new proposal is designed to tackle the lack of care shown by

Howzat!

some parents of underage drinkers. “Tolerating the repeated excessive consumption of alcohol is a form of abuse toward the minor, because it affects their future abilities,” said Francisco Babín, the government delegate for the National Drugs Plan (PND) “We must not forget that alcohol kills neurons.”

Underage

A report being studied by the Health ministry recently revealed that the number of underage drinkers being treated in casualty departments across Spain has more than doubled in the past decade. “The age of those patients is also decreasing, indicating that recreational drinking of alcohol is starting at a younger age,” wrote Dr Santiago Mintegi, the author of the report.

Chowka is by far the most exciting Asiatic restaurant to open on the coast this year

OU step onto the verandah-style outdoor terrace and are immediately transported to India. A further whiff of the subcontinent is added by the tablecloths, teak tables and the sound of rickshaws - well buses and motorbikes actually - buzzing past outside. No matter, the scene is quickly set for an experience I had been looking forward to since Chowka opened a few months ago out of the ashes of seminal diner Polo House, run by James Hewitt. Described as ‘beautifullycrafted modern Indian food’, with a slogan ‘Taste the difference’ it was always going to be interesting... and it certainly was. This is like no other Indian meal you will eat on the coast, indeed in Spain. And to understand the concept of ‘modern Indian’ cuisine, you must ironically head to London. Centred around a group of hip young chefs – some from India, some brought up in the UK – it came out of a desire to return to proper Indian home-cooking, or ‘chowka’, meaning ‘mother’s cooking’. Started by a camp Indian restaurateur at the Star of India on the Brompton Road, it was soon being taken to new levels by a number of chefs, in particular Vineet Bhatia of Trishna and Rasoi fame. So good was the food –

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

simple, yet with a heavy emphasis on quality and spices – that it led to a number of Michelin stars and adoration around the world. It is out of Rasoi and Trishna that emerged Ravi Deulkar, the chef at Chowka. Extracted from London by owners Sunil and Ram (of the Metro Group), he quickly made a string of demands on the exact size and shape of the clay oven and charcoal grill, which are crucial elements to his cooking. A smiley, laid-back sort of chap, he is slowly settling in on the coast and is enjoying the experience of living in Spain and exploring its rich vein of ingredients. “His is healthy, clean food, typical of Indian home cooking,” explains Sunil. “It is not creamy and rich and it is easily digestible,” adding that there are no exact recipes or ingredients to his style of cooking. “There is no measurement. It is all about having the knack of knowing how much to put in. “We call this food tapas, only in the sense of sharing and not in the case of being small.” It was certainly the way we ate with friends, trying around a dozen dishes throughout the evening. A mixed starter of incredibly succulent lamb chops in ginger, with shallots and mustard oil came with grilled au-

MODERN: Chef Ravi bergines, tomato, tamarind and yoghurt. Another stand out dish was the leg of milk fed lamb, in apricot and garam masala gravy, while the chicken tikka salad with beetroot and mixed leaves was delicious. But perhaps more than anything it is the minor attention to detail that stands out the most, in particular the fabulous basmati rice that comes with lemon, cashew and lentils in it. Oh and the lovely bowl of fresh strawberries with, intriguingly, chilli, cumin and a lime granita. It shouldn’t taste right, but it did and we left for home with an oh so subtle hint of the subcontinent. It won’t please the dyed in the wool ‘friday night is curry night’ crowd, but for me, it was easily one of the most exciting meals of the year so far.

By Jon Clarke Chowka restaurant Bul.Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Marbella, www. chowka-marbella.com 952900380

the olive press - June 12 - June 26, 2013

FOOD & DRINK www.theolivepress.es with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

A recipe for trouble

The makers of a new Spanish beer advert should really have known their onions better before adding them into a paella, writes Annabel Grossman

HEY clearly didn’t know their onions. Nor did they bank on the Spanish public being so well up on their cuisine. Indeed, since a new beer advert for Estrella Damm first hit the TV screens a week ago there has been nothing but uproar in the Spanish press - and it’s not because of the fleeting nudity or the brief kiss shared between two girls. No, the thing that’s really got Spaniards wound up is – wait for it – that the protagonists had the cheek to add onions to their summer paella. While this may sound rather harmless, any true Valencian will tell you that onions can kill paella by softening the rice and making it taste and feel rather ‘gummy’.

One Valencian newspaper writer Hector Esteban described the advert as ‘an attack on paella’ adding, ‘mixed paella exists. It is a foreign aberration that has been inserted into tourist brochures by uneducated rice-makers.’ Meanwhile, tweets and messages dedicated to the Estrella Damm commercial have been popping up all over social media sites with the hashtag #PaellaFail. But is all this hoo-ha really worth it? “This is a Catalan company that positions itself as Mediterranean, and makes ads intended to celebrate the Mediterranean,” a spokesman for paella lovers Guillermo Navarro explained. “So it feels like a betrayal for

them to treat this fundamental element of Mediterranean culture so carelessly.”

Here the Olive Press gives its top tips for making the perfect – and orthodox – paella.

www.theolivepress.es

TOP TIPS FOR MAKING THE PERFECT PAELLA

‘Calasparra’ rather than the long grain variety as this will absorb liquid better and won’t dry out the dish. 2. Equipment is essential – Ideally the dish should be cooked in a paella pan so the liquid cooks off quickly and evenly, but any wide pan with a thin base will do. The pan should also be set over a wood fire, but you can get away with a gas ring if you’re an amateur chef. And stirring is a big no-no Basic Valencian paella recipe you’re aiming for a tender but not creamy texture and you don’t want 8 chicken pieces (600 g) to lose the delicious brown, crisp 8 rabbit pieces (600 g) layer that forms on the bottom of 200 g flat green beans the paella. 100 g white beans 3. Skip the seafood – This one 100 g lima beans ultimately comes down to personal 100 g well-grated tomato choice, but its worth noting that 5 tsp olive oil you’re in danger of angering a born 500 g rice and bred Valencian if you present 1 litre water them with paella containing fish, Salt mussels or prawns. However, while A sprig of saffron seafood may not be in the original incarnation of the dish, it is very Cook the rice for about 20 minutes over decreasing popular - so this is one area where heat. you may fancy bending the rules. Heat some olive oil in a paella dish or large shallow 4. Dine alfresco – Paella is meant frying pan. to be a communal midday dish that Add salt and the meat to the oil in the paella pan and celebrates outdoor living and a fry until it begins to turn gold. proud rural Valencian heritage. So Add the vegetables to the dish and when they are plonk the dish on an outdoor table, slightly fried add the paprika, water and saffron. get everyone to grab a spoon (woodWhen the meats and vegetables are cooked, add the en if you’re being really pedantic) rice, snails (if you wish) and more water (to replace and all dig in together straight from the evaporated water). the pan. Finally, add a sprig of rosemary to the centre of the 5. GIVE THE ONIONS A MISS! paella during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

T all sounds easy enough, but once you start getting creative with your Valencian paella you may find yourself in a culinary minefield. 1. First and foremost, get the rice right – Paella is essentially a rice dish so this is one ingredient that you have to get bang on. Always use short grain rice like ‘Bomba’ or

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June 26, 2013

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Gymnasts jumping through hoops to compete GYMNASTS will have to pay for the honour of representing Spain following cuts to government subsidies. The gymnastics federation has been forced to turn to co-payment in order for its teams to be able to compete at an international level. Although the federation is covering the travel expenses of top gymnast Carolina Rodríguez to the European Championships, her three team mates will have to cover their own costs. Eugenia Onopko (above), Andrea Pozo, Natalia García have been asked to shell out around €1,000 each in order to get the chance to represent their country at the competition in Vienna. Gymnastics is not the first sport to turn to drastic measures in the face of funding cuts. Hockey players are also having to co-fund their trips abroad.

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Red Carded

Home grown best

MALAGA have lost an appeal to play in next season’s UEFA cup for alleged financial irregularities. The club will also have to pay a fine of €300,000.

DUFFER: Carroll and (right) Iniesta

SPAIN has almost double the number of domestic players plying their trade in its top football league than in England. And this gulf is the reason why England are failing on the world stage, believes FA chairman David Bernstein.

By Mason Jones

It comes as it emerges that over 60% of Spain’s 551 La Liga professionals were born in Spain. In comparison, the Premier League can only count 37% (197 out of 537) as Englishmen. “This is now becoming a really important matter,” said Bernstein. “We desperately need to increase the pool of real quality players that the manager has to choose A TOWN’S plans to sell from.” ‘therapeutic marijuana’ He believes have gone up in smoke. this lack of talRasquera Town Hall is now ent at the top appealling a ruling that prelevel could be vents a cannabis association the reason why from growing the plant for England are medicinal purposes. struggling to Initially approved by the quality for next Catalan town last year, the year’s World plan would have allowed the Cup. cash-strapped local authoriHe thinks ties take a cut from both Spain and the sales and the land fees the plant would have been France (where grown on. 59% are However, Judge Rosa María French-born) Muñoz insisted it was ‘not in have a stronger the public interest’ despite chances on the the town hall being in seriworld stages ous debt. because homegrown players

...But not ALL home grown!

are given more opportunities in their clubs’ first teams. Germany’s Bundesliga also fares better with 47% of its players home-grown talent.

Damaging

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle, who ran his own academy in Jerez for a number of years, agrees that the Premier League could learn from the Spaniards. “It is damaging to the England side and we need to work together to find a way around it,” he said.

Water Water FINAL WORDS

A recent survey found that Spain is among the top five consumers of bottled water per person in the world, with over five billion bottles drunk every year.

RIP Tom Sharpe Expat author Tom Sharpe died in his adopted town of Llafranc in June. The 85-year-old Wilt noveslist had lived in the Costa Blanca town for the past 15 years.

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