Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 273 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 11 Issue 273 www.theolivepress.es August 30th - September 12th 2017

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A BRITISH expat who returned to the UK has been found sleeping rough after his local council refused to house him. David Sutcliffe, 82, was starving and forced to live on the streets after he returned from Spain a few weeks ago following a relationship breakdown. But despite living in Spain for just two years, Bournemouth Council has told the pensioner he is not entitled to council housing. They said he had failed the ‘Habitual Residence test’, meaning they don’t believe David intends to settle in the UK. A member of the public had notified police after seeing him so malnourished ‘his trousers LOST: were falling David down’. Sutcliffe Claire Matthews, founder of Hope for Food charity, said it has been left to volunteers to help David and try and trace his estranged son. She said: “It’s a disgrace that in 21st century Britain an 82-year-old man can be living on the streets and noone wants to take responsibility. “He’s been passed from pillar to post and left to a charity and the kindness of the public to put a roof over his head.” Kelly Ansell, head of housing at Bournemouth Borough Council said: “We are unable to comment on an individual case due to confidentiality.” Can’t be trusted, p 11 Opinion Page 6

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

A BRITISH-hotel has accused a local lawyer of involvement in a terrifying hand-grenade attack. The manager of Marbella’s Sisu hotel claims legal eagle Antonio Flores is linked to a midnight attack that left the hotel unable to open this Spring. In the astounding claim, manageress Ale Valdivia insisted live on television that the boss of Lawbird legal practice - a long-time Olive Press columnist - was ‘in some way involved’. It comes after the hotel, owned by British businessman Neil Acland, released CCTV footage which shows a man dousing its interior with petrol, before lobbing in a hand grenade. The suspect, wearing a baseball cap and bandana, is now the subject of a police investigation, that has become a national news story. While there is no suggestion that the assailant is lawyer Flores, hotel manager Valvidia, claimed on two national TV programmes that he was behind the March attack. “It’s ridiculous,” Flores, 45, told the Olive Press, this week. “And we are taking action for libel.” The Marbella-born lawyer (right) insists the TV appearances, the releasing of the CCTV footage and the accusations against him are merely ‘a distraction’ from the real story. “The owners of Sisu are clearly involved in

Lawyer link to grenade attack British hotel bosses claim legal eagle is behind ‘gangland’ style bombing

Rental warfare

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

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

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claims the company allowed him a grace period on paying the rent in return for construction works and improvements made by Sisu. But Locrimar claims the contract for this ‘rent holiday’ is fake. It claims it has been signed by an ex-employee and has been backdated to 2011, leading the case to become criminal.

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www.theolivepress.es Firm struck off as North-West England sees 500% rise in fake holiday sickness claims By Joe Duggan

GANGLAND ATTACK From front

merly The Locrimar- where Jean Christophe Novelli used to work and has not been paid rent for up to eight years and the case is set to go to court. He added that police had already stated that the attack was clearly ‘gangland-style’ and fitted the modus operandi of eastern European gangs. He said it could be connected to the fact that Marbella town hall had received 700 complaints from locals, most due to noise. Acland and his partner however, are sure that the attacks are connected to the legal case. Acland, a keen Spurs fan, who previously lived in Denmark, claims he and his partner have also received envelopes containing bullets and have had their tyres slashed. He told the Olive Press last night: “We are offering a €20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person in the video.”

A BRITISH firm which encouraged holidaymakers to make false sickness claims has lost its licence. The company based in Preston, is one of a number that have been ‘encouraging holiday-goers to fabricate or embellish symptoms of gastric illness’ according to the UK’s Ministry of Justice.

CRIME

No more sick notes!

Failings

The Claims Management Regulator (CMR) identified 'potential systematic failings' which led to the uncovering of the scam. Allsure Ltd was 'found to have breached conduct rules' by making false claims - many from tourists in Spain - as well as publishing misleading statements about sums due to holidaymakers. It comes as it was revealed the north-west of England is at the heart of a 500% rise in scam claims, which cost Spanish hoteliers €60 million a year. Figures from one travel operator, which wished to remain anonymous, said 55%

August 30th - September 12th 2017

BUSTED: Brit couple Deborah and Paul

of fraudulent claims come from Greater Manchester, with 30% from Merseyside. A British couple, Deborah Briton, 53, and partner Paul Roberts, 43, are the

first to face charges. The pair face up to six years in prison after submitting claims for them and their two children, allegedly conning Thomas Cook out of €56,800.

Their daughter Charlene Briton, 30, is also accused of filing a fake claim for herself and her daughter. The trio are from Merseyside, which, along with Manchester, accounts for more than 80% of the UK’s sickness claims, according to the Claims Management Regulator. One lawyer explained that criminal gangs had moved from fake whiplash claims to holiday sickness scams. “Fraudsters evolve. They look for new areas of vulnerability,” said Sarah Hill from BLM law firm. Last week, it was revealed that a Mallorca hotel group launched an undercover investigation after being hit by £4 million (€4.3 million) in fake claims last year. In June, Julie Lavelle and Michael Mcintyre lost a Liverpool county court case after fraudulently claiming €10,750 from Thomas Cook in a sickness scam after a Canary Islands’ break.

Balcony rape A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for allegedly throwing a young girl off a balcony in Marbella. She is thought to have been pushed over while defending herself from a sexual assault in Nueva Andalucia. The girl, who suffered a pelvic fracture and whose age is unknown, is recovering at Costa del Sol hospital.

Smoking gun COPS have seized 3,600 packs of cigarettes in La Linea. Officers have also arrested five Gibraltarians in connection with smuggling the tobacco after they were intercepted during their operation. The alleged perpetrators were seen at the border fence at the west of the city, and three of them were arrested at the scene, while the other two attempted to flee on mopeds with around 1,800 of the tobacco boxes.

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Family mood REAL Madrid superstar Ronaldo has treated fans with a new family photo. He appears alongside pregnant girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez, newborn twins Eva and Mateo and seven year old son Cristiano Jnr. He captioned the photo ‘family mood’ with four hearts. Sat on a navy blue sofa, the footballer holds one of twins, while Georgina cradles the other, with the Cristiano Jnr posing behind them.

Love it lotts PIXIE Lott has been flaunting her figure on a Spanish holiday. The model has been on a European tour with fiancee and Oliver Cheshire, having jetted to Mallorca for a friends’ wedding. Sharing images on instagram, the 26-year-old ‘Mama Do’ singer walked through various local towns, posing in her swimwear along the way. The young starlet joined the wedding celebrations at an fit-for-Vogue all white party at Pollenca’s Club Nautic marina before the ceremony. She was also spotted in the small resort town of Cala Sant Vicenc with friends.

Super group IT has to be one of the most star-studded lunches Spain has ever seen. Bruce Springsteen, Noel Gallagher, Jade Jagger, Calvin Klein, Poppy Delevingne along with a throng of partners and children enjoyed a slap-up meal together on the island of Formentera. The idyllic island, near Ibiza, has become a celebrity hangout in recent years, with Kate Moss a frequent visitor. Springsteen has been enjoying a break onboard David Geffen superyacht the Rising Sun, which hosted Barack Obama and Tom Hanks last year.

Expats demand refund for €600 Andrea Bocelli tickets cancelled due to sore throat EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

HAPPY: Family

August 30th - September 12th 2017

A BRITISH couple are fuming after Starlite festival failed to refund their tickets following a last-minute cancellation of an Andrea Bocelli concert. Nigel Poole, 58, and his partner Claire Lowe, a singing teacher (pictured right), spent €600 on two tickets to see operatic legend Andrea Bocelli. They also spent hundreds on a hotel and over 100 euros on petrol driving down from Alicante for the show last week.

Bronchitis

But it was only FIVE hours before the 10.30pm concert that they discovered the show had been cancelled, due to bronchitis. “I’m disappointed to say the least,” Poole told the Olive Press, last night. “They are playing fast and loose, fobbing us off with two more tickets

Bad note TAKEN ILL: Andrea Bocelli

for another show in a week, when we cannot come,” added the former school head teacher, from Hampshire, who is now based in Denia. “In any case, we don’t want to spend six hours driving back down and to fork out a fortune on accommodation again. “We just want our money back.”

Last night, Starlite told the Olive Press that it is planning to refund everyone who requested their money back following Bocelli’s cancellation. A spokesman added this ‘might take a few weeks as there are so many to process’. According to the terms and conditions on the company’s website, in the event of cancellation, the organization is ‘committed to the refund within a period of 30 days’.

Dancing like a 20-something! LORRAINE Kelly has been spotted partying the night away in Marbella. The popular Scottish TV host, 57, was seen having fun at Puerto Banus nightclub Aqwa Mist. Kelly had jetted into Malaga to support long-term pal Craig David, who was performing a set on Saturday night. She was seen dancing ‘like someone in her twenties’ and looked fantastic, according to

fellow clubbers. She stayed until 4am and clearly loved her friend’s music. She later tweeted: “Was such a joy to be there. You are a class act! We loved it – thank you so so much!” The pair first met and became best buds when they trekked through Kenya for Comic relief in 2011, and Lorraine adored Craig for ‘saving her’ from a giant tropical spider.

Razzle dazzle MARBELLA-born Millie Bobby Brown turned heads at the MTV Video Music Awards after party when she switched from her dazzling frock into a stunning twopiece outfit. The 13-year-old Stranger Things star, who grew up in Florida, having left Spain as a child, wore a high-neck metallic frock with sequined sleeves at the bash. She paired her chic top with a pair of long, high-waist trousers and black shoes as she left the party on Sunday night.

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www.theolivepress.es News IN BRIEF

Peeping shopkeeper POLICE are investigating

claims that a 38-year-old shopkeeper filmed up the skirt of a female shopper in Almeria. Officers confirmed that they found a video of the girl in the photo gallery of the man’s phone.

Warnings A CONCERT in the Netherlands was cancelled after police received a terror warning from Spain. A van with a number of glass bottles and Spanish license plates was stopped in Rotterdam, and investigations are ongoing.

Unified DESPITE disagreements, King Felipe and Queen Letizia were joined by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and the President of the Catalonian Government, Carles Puigdemont, at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona for a special memorial mass in tribute to the victims of the Barcelona attacks.

August 30th - September 12th 2017

My Barcelona hell Expat Brit in wheelchair retells how he ‘had no way to escape’ as terrorists struck EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan

A WHEELCHAIR-bound expat has told of his terror when he was left to defend himself during the Barcelona terror attack. Craig Wilcock, 40, believes van attacker Younes Abouyaaqoub ran right past him on Las Ramblas, knocking over a woman who had come to his assistance. The father of two, who has lived in Barcelona for eight years, was going to a doctor’s appointment when the terrorist’s van

TERROR: For Brit Craig (left) careered past him and a friend pushing his chair. He told the Olive Press: “The van was about six metres away. It sped right past us. It made a crashing noise as it reached the end. “I have never been more vulnerable,” added the Mancunian recruitment consultant.

“My mate literally disappeared in the chaos.” “I thought;‘If they come out with guns or knives now, I am dead. I am in a wheelchair. I am a prime target. Of course they are going to come for me first. I have no way of escaping’.” He added: “I fell off a terrace

King joins terror march THE death toll from the Barcelona terror attacks has risen to 16 after a German woman died from her injuries. The deadly attacks in Las Ramblas and Cambrils left 120 injured, 24 of whom remain in hospital, including five in critical condition. The woman is believed to have been hit by the van which first ploughed through crowds on August 17.

It came a day after some 500,000 people marched in Barcelona at the weekend to send a signal of unity under the slogan ‘no tinc por’ (I am not afraid). Police, emergency services and taxi drivers all led the parade, followed by King Felipe VI, PM Mariano Rajoy and Catalan president Carles Puigdemont. It was the first time a Spanish monarch had joined a march since the 1970s.

and broke both my legs two years ago. And I was scared when that happened. “But I’m telling you now it was nowhere near as scary as I was the other day. I saw bodies lying on the floor.” A woman, sensing his vulnerability, came to help him, but as she did so was knocked to the ground by a man Craig is convinced was the fleeing terrorist. “I didn’t know who it was obviously but then you start piecing it together,” he continued. “I saw a photo of him later and it was definitely him.” Craig, whose son only avoided attending the bombed Manchester Ariana Grande concert because he swapped his tickets at the last minute, admits he is now ‘much more on edge’. His friend has been left ‘traumatised’ by what he saw and is ‘too upset to talk about it’. But after attending the memorial ceremony the following day, Craig says ‘thousands of people wanted to show they were not accepting it.” “I have to admire the Catalans. They are tough. I spoke to a guy who is 92 who lived through the Civil War and Franco. He said: ‘We won’t let it affect us. We have been through a lot here.’”

RETURNED: Munoz

Back in power IT has taken a couple of years of not much happening. Now, former doctor Angeles Munoz has been reinstated mayor of Marbella. She made it back after her PP party made a comeback, since losing the elections in 2015. It comes after 20 votes of no confidence against PSOE mayor Jose Bernal. One of her first measures was to reduce the number of government advisors by 20 to just seven. According a spokesperson for the party Angolan Muñoz, the council will only expand the payroll if ‘there is a need for the service.’

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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION Lest we forget IT has been a very strange summer in Spain. Aside from the first serious terrorist attack for over a decade, there have been rumblings over a Catalan referendum and a very serious drought. But what is, perhaps most impertinent for expats and visitors alike is the spread of the anti-tourism movement that started in Barcelona and has spread to other parts of the country. In many ways it’s quite understandable, reading the frequent headlines about sickness claims and debauchery in resorts, such as Magaluf and Marbella. Is it any wonder a fair chunk of Spanish are sick of tourism? But, what they need to remember is how much tourism brings to the economy and not just in terms of the tourist dollar. As well as an input from different cultures, there is the obvious language exchange and ideas. And, let’s not forget what the long term British visitors to Spain have been bringing for the last few centuries. Indeed, as we highlight in our culture section, there have been many positive contributions from British expats…including introducing football, commercialising sherry and helping to fight the Moors and Nazis. It might be sometimes easy to forget, but remember us Brits aren’t all bad!

Shameful David Sutcliffe’s sad story should send a chill through many an expat’s bones. Indeed, it should serve as a rallying cry for all of us to fight harder than ever to ensure our rights as Brits abroad are protected post-Brexit. As the pound slips against the euro, expat pensioners in particular are becoming ever more vulnerable. They are also not getting younger, with many likely to have to make the sad return home over the next few years. So the lack of care shown by Bournemouth council in failing to re-home Sutcliffe, who had only been outside the country for TWO years, shows the precarious situation we may face if, or when, we choose to go back. Shame on the British authorities for letting this man, who has paid taxes in his home country for more than 60 years, sleep rough and go hungry on his own home streets. .

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

August 30th - September 12th 2017

Terr r returns

After ISIS kill 16 innocent victims and injure over 100, we take a look at Spain’s recent history with Islamic terrorism

S a white Fiat van sped down Barcelona’s Las Ramblas, mowing down helpless pedestrians, it became clear that Islamist terrorism had struck Spain once more. But why had Spain remained untouched in recent years? And why has this evil now been unleashed on these shores? Since the 2004 Madrid attacks, which killed 192 people, Spanish security forces have done a sterling job of policing this murderous threat. Until then, Spain’s authorities had paid scant attention to the threat carried by Islamist extremism. Jihadists heading to Chechnya or Bosnia were even able to be seen off from Barajas Airport by Imad Eddin Bara-

UK terror network funded Barcelona attack

ISLAMIC State has used a network of companies operating out of the UK to finance its terror plots, including the recent attacks in Spain, it has been claimed. FBI documents seen by The Sunday Times reveal that surveillance technology sent to Spain is linked to the development of weaponised drones in Wales

by the terror group. Other purchases said to be routed through Cardiff include orders for ‘bug sweep units’ and software to help launch rockets. US court documents seen by the newspaper show the lengths to which individuals involved with the Welsh companies went to mask their alleged activities.

Following this month’s attacks Spain suddenly feels less safe kat, one of the founders of Al Qaeda in Spain. But following the outrage in the Spanish capital, some 3,000 Guardia Civil, National Police and National Intelligence Centre agents were deployed to combat the movements CAPTURED ALIVE OR DEAD: The terror suspects and (left) the tragic victims who lost of Al Qaeda, ISIS and similar their lives, including young Brit Julian Cadman groups, resulting in over 700 arrests, dozens of convictions ism General Francisco Jose Gan, former ain and the USA in the 2003 invasion of and 120 people jailed. head of the intelligence service, said in Iraq. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria In 2015, Europol figures show May: “I do not say Spain is safe. I say it Aznar was ousted from office less than a Spain made 187 arrests, the is better prepared because we learnt in year after the Madrid atrocities, which he second highest behind France a very traumatic way.” initially seemed to pin on ETA. with 424. From June 2016, 164 Following this month’s atIn recent years, the Spanish military suspected jihadists have been presence in the Middle East has been tacks, Spain suddenly feels arrested. These include the limited to a non-combat role, with some much less safe. And four men detained in Mallor450 personnel helping to train 6,000 while it has avoided ca this summer who were Iraqi soldiers. being attacked for 14 suspected of planning a But following the Barcelona attacks, the years, plots like those London Bridge-style knife role of Moroccan radicals travelling to in Mallorca and Maattack in Inca, and two Syria to fight for Isis has been thrown drid show the country Moroccan men arrested into even sharper focus. has still been caught in Madrid and believed Several of the dozen men involved in in the crosshairs. to be plotting a Nice-style the Catalan atrocities were of Moroccan Spain itself also holds truck attack. origin. Authorities in the north African a historical significance Unlike France or Belcountry believe around 1,600 of their for jihadists. Islamist gium, where Muslim comnationals have travelled to fight for Isfundamentalists talk munities often live in povabout wanting to restore lamic State. The Crisis Group believes erty stricken urban ghettos, the caliphate and regard 2,000 Moroccans with dual nationality Spain’s Muslim population is Spain as the illegitimate occupier left Europe to do the same. Abdelbaki better integrated, which has preDISof Al-Andalus, the Muslim kingEs Satty, the 42-year-old Imam and vented the sense of social aliensuspected mastermind of this month’s dom which ran from 711 to 1492. TRAUGHT: ation that often drives young men massacres in Catalunya, became close Spain is also sometimes referred into the arms of Islamic fundaWitness to to one of the men jailed over the Madrid to by jihadists as being part of the mentalism. attacks bombings while in prison. ‘umma’, the global community of Spain’s security forces have also And while Moroccan security forces have Islamic people. been able to draw on techniques curtailed the threat at home, Spain’s More recently, Spain’s involvehoned during four decades spent fightproximity to Morocco and the large exment in the Middle East was used as a ing the threat posed by the Basque sepreason to attack it. The Madrid bombings pat Moroccan community, and its north aratist group, ETA. were, in the perpetrators’ eyes, retaliation African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, Addressing what the security services for the Spanish government joining Britare now giving cause for concern. had learned from fighting Basque terror-

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www.theolivepress.es Spain has always had a soft spot for secret societies writes Jack Gaioni

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Their Silence is Deafening

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“All human beings have three lives: public, private and secret” Gabriel Garcia Marquez

HEY could be walking among us, or living next door. They could be some of the most educated and benevolent people on the planet ... or, just as easily, prone to terrorism and armed insurrection. Some preach integrity, free thinking and civic duty; others seek world domination through subversion. What could they possibly have in common? The answer is that they are members of ‘secret societies’. For better or worse, they work covertly to achieve a hidden agenda where secrecy is a sanctuary and a source of power. Secret societies exist in some of the world's most isolated and primitive tribes. They also exist in some of the most prestigious universities in the western world. It is impossible to know for sure the extent of their membership or the diversity of their goals. Among them are three distinctly Spanish secret societies that represent the many dichotomies mentioned above. In The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown’s epic best seller, the secretive group known as Opus Dei plays a dramatic central role. Although depicted as somewhat sinister, Opus Dei (‘Work of God’ in Latin) wields enormous power within today’s Catholic Church. What the 50 million readers of the book and the millions more who saw the film may not realise is that the group’s origin is uniquely Spanish.

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on August 30th - Septemberwww.theolivepress.es 12th 2017 And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

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ON THE RISE: Opus Dei membership is on the up exponentially

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Influential

Opus Dei was founded in 1927 by Jose Maria Escrivia, a modest rural parish priest in Huesca, Aragon. He believed that common people - i.e. non-clergy - could get closer to God through their normal everyday activities. Although publicly recognised by the Vatican, its members - often people in key positions in politics, banking, academia and other influential areas - keep very closely-guarded secrets behind their veiled affiliation. Because of its secrecy, Opus Dei is controversial both within and outside the Vatican. It has been accused of promoting a right-wing political agenda (often linked to Franco’s fascist regime), cult-like practices, aggressive recruiting, brainwashing and spying. Despite this, membership is estimated to come close to 90,000 in 80 countries and growing exponentially. All this, born out of a small Spanish parish church just north of Zaragoza. The ‘Holy Warriors of Spain’, or La Garduna, was (and perhaps still is) a secret society said to have been in existence for over 1200 years. The group is believed to have formed in 710 A.D. in the mountains near Cordoba as a ‘guerrilla army of Christ’ dedicated to expelling the Moors from Andalucia. Murder-for-hire, kidnapping, arson, enslavement and robbery directed towards non-

starred restaurants in the city’s old quarter. Christians were accepted means towards But many of San Sebastian’s most treaLa Garduna’s stated goals. Membership sured culinary experiences are not available was secretive with the complex hierarchy of to the public. a sophisticated criminal organisation. Often housed behind nondescript storeOver the next 700 years, La Garduna acfronts are many ‘Txokos’ or secret gastrocumulated a great deal of ‘wealth through nomic societies. Food, wine, and regional stealth’. After the Moors were expelled in cider are taken very seriously here with no the 15th Century, Ferdinand hired members distractions like TV, live music or women. of La Garduna as henchmen to do the dirty Like a fraternity, members are given a work for the Spanish Inquisition. So bruprivate key where they find a refuge tal were their tactics that the Catho- a type of kingdom where chefs can lic Church was forced to denounce experiment with new recipes and its support of La Garduna by pubtastes and take bold risks with inlicly hanging known members. gredients. The remaining order fled to the Txokos are believed to have been hills and became bandits or transin existence for over 100 years planted themselves in distant and play an important part in lands. Some historians believe that maintaining Basque culture. La Garduna was a precursor to There are over 40 Michelin the crime syndicates of the star restaurants in and Sicilian Mafia. around San Sebastian, the There is evidence that FOUNDER: Opus Dei Jose highest concentration in the some members had moved Maria Escrivia world. Innovation, food qualto South America and were ity and great flavours are just active participants in the libsome of the reasons. Thanks eration movements of those to the dynamics of the Txokos societies, countries from Spain. There is also the sugthis is no accident. gestion that their battle cry – ‘Remember It has been said we live in an age of transthe Virgin of Cordoba!’ - was parency where everything we do has the heard during the Spanish potential to become known. Through the Civil War and persisted into dynamics of cell phones, drones, WikiLeaks, WWII with aid to Nazis fleesecurity cameras and various other tracking Europe. ing devices, privacy in the 21st century is So mysterious has La Garunder assault. As the three examples of duna been over the past Spanish secret societies show (and the list 1200 years that the line beis by no means complete) is that people of tween fact and fiction is diffiall ideologies have always used privacy as a cult to draw. Was this group way of strengthening their relationship with a well-intentioned religious others. If this truly is the age of ‘Big Brother group or a band of criminals is watching’, as predicted by George Orwell with an exaggerated hisin his novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, might we tory? Accounts vary… expect an uptick in secret society memberThe beautiful Basque city ship? Could it be that secrecy is fundamenof San Sebastian is widely tal to the human condition and a tool for considered to be one of self-preservation? the world’s premier culiIf you ask those who walk among us, their nary destinations. Tourists very silence just might speak volumes… flock to the many MichelinSECRET SAN SEBASTIAN: A hive of food cults

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August 30th - September 12th 2017

Andalucia poverty levels up ALL of Andalucia’s provinces - with the exception of Malaga (37%) have poverty levels over 40%, making it the poorest region in Spain. The other provinces with poverty levels over 40% are Murcia, Casares, Cuenca and the Canary Islands. Cordoba has the highest amount of people living in chronic poverty in Spain. A shocking 45.2% of the population lives below the poverty line, with the figure rising by 6.5% since

2009, according to a new ranking by the AIS Group. The poorest towns in Spain meanwhile, are Sanlucar de Barrameda and La Linea in Cadiz, which suffer 46.7% and 44% between them. Alcala de Guadaira in Sevilla also has 44%. Surprisingly the towns of Mijas, Estepona and Marbella, have poverty levels over 30%. Overall, Spain has 21% of its population living under the poverty line. The richest regions per capita are

of Navarra, Zaragoza, the Basque region and Catalonia. The report notes that the average level of income per household has fallen dramatically in all communities, since 2009. In Andalucia household incomes have fallen by 20% between 2009 and 2015, the highest figure in Spain. In 2009, the average income in Spain was €30,045 per household, while in 2015, it had fallen to €26,092.

Brits left without water for almost a month fear ‘risk of Legionnaires disease’ EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

DOZENS of expats have been left without water in stifling conditions for almost a MONTH. The residents in Colmenar, in the Axarquia, have been forced to stock up on water bottles or fork out thousands of euros on water tanks thanks to the dwindling water supply. British expat Malcolm Coxall, 62, now fears the searing summer tempera-

Run dry! tures have left stagnant water a hotbed for diseases such as Legionnaires. “It’s the perfect storm,” the former IT technician told the Olive Press. “The water left sitting in pipes for 24 days is no longer

Change your life today!

chlorinated and the bacteria forming could contaminate domestic water systems once the water returns. “It’s a serious health risk.” According to Coxall, it’s the second time this year

UNDIGNIFIED EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

Spain Office: 952 58 63 24 info@cwpespana.es

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A BRITISH expat has blasted a private hospital that ‘paraded me around like roadkill’. Derek Grace, 70, claims staff at Marbella’s Quiron hospital left him in the full glare of dozens of children and holidaymakers, after he had a horror fall. He is furious that despite looking terrible with two lost teeth, a black eye and torn tendons, he was simply left in a waiting room for hours. “Given I spend around €2,000 per year on insurance, I can’t believe I was paraded around like roadkill,” said the former musician from London. “It was awful and humiliating. “Children were looking at me in horror, and I was left waiting in a public waiting room on my own while everyone gawped at me. “I felt like a spectacle, and I want them to be made aware of the impact it has on patients.” said the expat, who has lived in Marbella for 15 years. Quiron hospital failed to comment before we went to press.

the area has been left without water, having suffered without it for three weeks in June. There are also fears it could impact tourism in the area. “Much of the village's tourism is based on rural and residential tourists and these visitors and residents are mostly in the countryside,” explained Coxall“The village has only 20 hotel rooms, whereas the campo has several hundred houses, many of which are occupied by tourists during the summer.”

Avoidable

He added that Colmenar town hall had provided no information about plans to restore water supply or give reasons why the supply is affected. “Statements about blocked pipes usually turn out to be incorrect or, at best, avoidable. “The lack of communication is causing anger.” Colmenar mayor Pepe Martin Garcia told the Olive Press: “We are working to fix the problem and should have water restored within the first 15 days of September. “There will then be less demand and the deposits will have gone up again. “We are also planning on replacing the piping, where there is a blockage.” He added that the total cost will be around €30,000.

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Can’t be trusted WHOOPS: Wrong letters sent to EU citizens

CAMPAIGNERS hoping to maintain existing citizens’ rights post-Brexit have blasted the Home Office after deportation orders were wrongly sent to up to 100 EU citizens in Britain. British in Europe and the 3 Million group wrote to European Commission negotiators to voice concern at ‘UK maladministration’ as talks resume with the UK government in Brussels. They also called on European Commission negotiators to ‘focus closely on this issue’ during talks with Brexit Secretary David Davis. “If serious errors like this can be made whilst the UK is still administering a sys-

UK government blasted for deportation letters balls up

tem based on EU freedom of movement rights, what is likely to happen when it is running its own system, having ‘taken control again’?” the letter reads. The 3 Million, which represents the rights of EU nationals in the UK, also announced it opposes the UK government’s offer of a new ‘settled status’ for EU citizens. The group is concerned the new category could affect EU citizens’ right to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

“Recently, the UK drastically reduced the appeal rights of those affected by adverse immigration decisions, save in the case of EU citizens whose appeal rights were protected by European law,” said the letter. “Settled status would mean the application of complex UK immigration law procedures to all 3 million, the loss of their existing rights and no guarantees that serious errors, similar to the letters sent last week, won’t happen again.”

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APPROACHING: Catalonia independence vote

Crisis looms

PRO-separatist parties in Catalonia have vowed to hold their disputed independence referendum on October 1. Independence groups say they have already began the legal preparations to create an independent state in the event of a ‘yes’ result. The row over the referendum - firmly opposed by Madrid had briefly faded after an Islamist attack in Barcelona, but it is likely to intensify in coming weeks as pro-separatist parties lay the groundwork for the vote. It is not clear, however, if and how the referendum can take place. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative government has vowed to strike down any further secessionist challenges in court. On Sunday, Rajoy called on those in favour of breaking away to give up their plans. Days earlier, Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont accused the central government of deliberately underfunding the region’s security forces. Opinion polls have long shown that a majority of people in the region favour holding a referendum, but recent surveys have shown enthusiasm for secession dipping and that fewer than half of Catalans actually support breaking away.

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Knock it down THE PP has accused Palma Town Hall of acting ‘antidemocratically’ over its proposed demolition of pro-Franco monument sa Feixina. It comes after a court ordered a halt to the plans to knock down the controversial Palma monument, a decision Palma mayor Antoni Noguera said ‘carries no argument’. The Official College of Architects in the Balearics has come out in support of the PP, rejecting a report filed by architects proposing sa Feixina be destroyed. “The obsession of the government to knock down sa Feixina, whatever it costs, is anti-democratic,” said PP official Lourdes Bosch. “They don’t want to have a consultancy on this question, because they are scared the majority of people will be against its demolition.” In July, a law was passed to demolish the site, which commemorates nationalist dead from the Civil War.

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BIG WINNERS: (From left) Alicia, Rosa and Asier before and after the diets A TRIO of Spanish slimmers have shed a remarkable 96 kilograms between them. Now the group, Asier Santa Cruz, Alicia Whelan and Rosa Torrens are set to battle it out to enter the International Slimmer of the Year final in the UK this autumn. The trio - who all lost weight thanks to the Cambridge Weight Plan (CWP) - will come head to head in the Spanish national final of the competition on September 7.

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The winner will join slimmers from more than 30 countries at the grand final in Telford, in November. Hot favourite is Asier Santa Cruz, from Pamplona, who has lost 42kg over an 18 month period, after ballooning to 136kg and developing weight-related medical problems. However, Alicia Whelan, from Mazarron, is likely to push him all the way, after battling to shed 32.6kgs, following a fight back from post-natal depres-

The tonne down club Trio of Spanish slimmers shed 100 kilos, and are now do battle to enter UK slimming final sion and the breakdown of her marriage. Finally, Rosa Torrens from Mallorca, decided to go on a weight-loss programme after the worry of dealing with a son with cerebral palsy led to her reaching a huge 121kg. Rosa, from Pollensa has now lost 21kg in under a year.

The three finalists will also be joined by two keen slimmers from Gibraltar, Alfred Traverso and Davina Tante. After developing gestational diabetes Davina lost 24 kg in just eight months in order to stay healthy and minimise her chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, Alfred lost 31 kg in nine months.

CWP has over 30 years’ experience in more than 30 countries worldwide, in helping people lose weight and maintain weight loss. CWP is a scientifically proven five-step programme which combines nutritionally balanced meal replacements and conventional food under the supervision of a trained CWP consultant.

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August 30th - September 12th 2017

Making striDes in conservation WITH the arrival of a two-year-old Sumatran Tiger to Bioparc Fuengirola comes the arrival of hope for the future of this emblematic species. Despite being on the top of the food chain, tigers are extremely threatened, and subspecies such as the Sumatran, face the real possibility of extinction with numbers as low as 300 remaining in the wild. The European Program of Conservation endeavours to combat this by working towards decreasing deforestation of the jungles that the tigers inhabit for palm oil products. Bioparc Fuengirola has been a part of

Not so sweet HONEY production in Spain plummeted last year by more than 4%. The agriculture ministry warned that the drop signals an end to the upward trend that started in 2012. In 2016, Spain produced 32,076 tonnes, marking a drop of 7.3% compared to 2011. The number of beekeepers at least keeps growing with 30,920 now registered, a 12% rise on 2015. There are around 5,000 professional beekeepers in this number. Spain has 2.45 million beehives, making it the largest beekeeping nation in Europe with a 15.66% share of total beehives registered in the EU.

FIRE BUGS

this conservation program since 2001, and had two Sumatran Tigers named Rokan and Asmara, until Rokan recently died and was replaced by the young Harau. Zoologists are currently working on adapting the two tigers to living together, which presents challenges seeing that tigers are territorial creatures, but progress thus far has proven promising. The work has been helped with a donation from the Hard Rock Café in Marbella, which is now sponsoring the tiger’s enclosure.

Fire suspects facing six years as prosecutors seek to make example

THREE coal mining employees charged with causing the devastating Huelva fires could face DEVASTATING: June’s Huelva fires reached Doñana six years in jail each. It comes after the pros- SL, will appear in front of a ers at risk in the enclaves of where the fire broke out to ecutor’s office announced it judge in mid September. Mazagón and in the Doñana shift debris and hide eviwould be seeking the maxi- They include the company’s campsite, where massive dence that would point to mum prison sentence for CEO, administrator and evacuations had to be car- the cause of the fire. what was the largest for- head of maintenance. ried out. Although it was not started est fire in the country this The Public Prosecutor's Of- The suspects then tried to intentionally, gross negyear, and which devastated fice said it will take into ac- erase traces that would have ligence and the failure to 8,486 hectares of land, in- count the seriousness of the incriminated them. follow legal guidelines over cluding the natural park of consequences of the blaze, Investigations carried out how many furnaces it was Doñana. which broke out on June 24. Guardia Civil and Seprona licences to use (three) when All three suspects, who Although no one was killed, revealed how they sent in fact the factory was using worked at Carbones Fergon it put thousands of vacation- heavy machinery to the area often up to nine.

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Drought fears SPAIN’S Tagus river is in danger of drying up completely due to persistent drought. Miguel Ángel Sánchez, spokesman of the Platform in Defence of the Tagus, said ‘the river has collapsed through a combination of climate change, water transfer and the waste Madrid produces.’ The Tagus rises in Aragón and passes close to Madrid and forms part of the border with Portugal before flowing into the sea at Lisbon. In 1902 a plan was conceived to siphon off water from here and divert it to the Segura river to irrigate farms in the arid southeast. Construction began in 1966 and water started flowing out of the Tagus in 1979. However, the amount of available water was miscalculated and Spain’s cyclical droughts were not factored in. Today only 47% of the predicted water resources exist and levels in the two headwater dams are down to 11% capacity, too low to allow any transfers. Nuria Hernández-Mora, member of the Foundation for a New Water Culture said: “The transfer has served to create social and political conflict and turn the Tagus into one of the rivers in the worst ecological state in the peninsula.”

LE TT E R S

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Number crunching 120 firefighters were involved in the fighting of

fires in Mijas and Benahavis.

600 migrants were rescued by Spanish ships in just 24 hours.

800

checkpoints were set up in Catalonia in a manhunt to find the terrorist in the Barcelona attack.

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They don’t work That's because they don't work in Andalucia (POVERTY STRICKEN: Andalucia provinces fill top spots in Spain’s latest poverty assessment, Issue 272). Just had a holiday in Asturias. All shops open by 9.30am. They don't close for 3.5 hours siesta. Robert Mason, Unknown

Hypocrisy Funny how there are no strikes in August when all Spanish go on holiday (Airport strike hell as staff prepare to down tools for 25 days across #Spain, Issue 272). Geoff Schofield, Camberley

August 30th - September 12th 2017

Terror outrage Our readers react to finding out an Imam, the mastermind behind the Barcelona attack, was allowed to stay by a judge’s ruling despite originally being ordered to leave Spain after a prison sentence

Racism isn’t just black

Finish the mission

I get racism for being white with blue eyes and blonde hair all the time (EXCLUSIVE: London West End star refused entry into #Malaga nightclub ‘because he is black’, Issue 272). When I go to a fruit market and someone tries to charge me 10 euros for 2 mangos. I know those f****** are trying to rob a tourist. But...I'm no tourist and I speak spanish. Racism in Malaga isn't just black, it's white too!

This is a real let down by Spain. You've had great success against terrorist foot soldiers this week but why do people keep treating these so called religious zealots as untouchable. You should have finished this mission!

Jennifer Santolla, Malaga

They want fear Blah blah blah...heard it all before (IT’S NOT OVER: Chilling new threat from ISIS to #Spain as sick terror group promises to launch more attacks, Issue 272). Threats didn’t bother me when I lived in London during the bombings, doesn’t bother me much now I live in Spain. As horrible as these attacks are, the odds of actually getting caught up in one are really really small so why buy into the fear? I mean isn’t that what these t**** want? Mark Skelton, Malgrat de Mar

Richard Taylor, Malaga

Gave up his human rights If this story is accurate then he's part of a conspiracy to murder and I'm pretty sure that's a crime in Spain as well as the rest of Europe. He gave up any rights to call himself human when he helped to take other's lives. Eric Skilton, Granada

Lawyers should be jailed This is the usual story all over Europe and brought in by the European Union and the human rights brigade. They make it so hard to deport criminals. The lawyer who fought and enabled this criminal to stay should be

sent to jail now and we will see how long they continue to protect the rights of criminals! Francesca Inocco, Alicante

Kids’ rights

What about the rights of the poor people who died? Especially the poor innocent 7 year old and 3 year old children...disgraceful !!!!! These people don't deserve human rights, they are terrorists!!! Julie Craig, Dundonald

Not brilliant I'd hardly call him a mastermind! That implies he was brilliant. There's many many names I could think of that would better describe him.

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

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August 30th - September 12th 2017

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FANS of hit fantasy series Game of Thrones are all too familiar with the show’s newest filming location. The current seventh season sees Daenerys Targaryen return to Dragonstone, the abandoned castle where she was born that was once the ancestral home of House Targaryen. The castle itself may be a CGI masterpiece, but the beautiful setting where the show films is completely real and free to visit in northern Spain. Located near Ber-

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Surreal

A GERMAN lawyer is selling his 60,000-strong collection of Salvador Dali tiles. Peter Ackermann bought the haul, worth millions, in 1976 after he was introduced to the Spanish maestro at a restaurant The Olive Press in Paris thanks to a well-connected client. TOP for news in Spain! Dali later contacted the lawyer, in need of a buyer for a collec- A SPANISH musician is tion of tiles he had produced in making instruments out of Spain two decades before. From the original run of 100,000 recycled rubbish. tiles, 60,000 remained. Acker- Pablo Gallardo, 38, has been fashioning toilet mann bought them all. “Look at the man,” Ackermann lids, old pans and vacucommented on the photo of um cleaners into guitars,

Spanish guitarist makes instruments out of recycled material

banjos and bandurrias, a Spanish lute. The Cadiz native is now giving classes to children to show them how to make the instruments. “What I am searching for is that each child is inspired to make the instrument he or she wants and that we create an ecological child’s orchestra in Cadiz,” he said.

meo, in the Basque region, the site is known as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and was originally built as a religious hermitage by the Knights Templar in the ninth century. A modest church rests at the top of the island, and is accessible only by a narrow set of stairs that bridges the island to the mainland. The trek up the mountain is far from easy. It is a steep hike and not recommended for anyone not in good physical condition.

Rubbish music

Gallardo became inspired to build the guitars after smashing his own with a hammer ‘to see what was inside’. “You would think it is a simple instrument, but inside it’s a world,” he said. Some of Gallardi’s instruments have already been played at Cadiz’s concerts. An electric guitar made out of a wooden pallet and a trumpet made from PVC pipes are among the instruments played at the shows. will be present during the day to explain “This is their techniques, with visitors able to something I buy art directly from them. do to show The day-time section is open from 10am how importill 6pm and free to enter, while the contant it is to cert begins at 9pm, costing €36 per person. 5% of money raised from art sales recycle and will go to the International Rotary Mijas to respect the Project ADIMI. environment. I don’t like Call 952 587 539 / 610 553 568 or to throw anyemail pmmickets@mail.com for thing away.”

For the love of art

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SEVEN world-class artists will descend on a Mijas restaurant for a music, art and food extravaganza next month. The luxurious AVANTO Beach Restaurant will host Heart4Arts and Project Music Management’s contemporary art event on September 2 and 3. The weekend will feature a cello concert on the Saturday by award-winning Jacob Shaw who has performed all over the world. Artists including painters Julie Dowling, Dana Nowak and Michelle Lehmann

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himself and Dali. “Whatever he sells to you, when you can afford it, you buy it. You don’t think twice.” The tiles were produced in Onda, Spain, in 1954, at the El Siglo tile factory. The 20-centimetre-wide tiles come in sets of six and are titled La Suite Catalane. The tiles feature loose, brushy motifs, like lips, birds, and a sun, in a palette of primary colours and pastels. All proceeds from Ackermann’s sales will go to his foundation, Kreuzberger Kinderstiftung, which provides education for underprivileged children. They can fetch as much as €2,300 for a set of six, and over €500 for just one.

a xa rqu i a

what’s on

alaga - September 2-4 - Witch of the Moon A moon festival that has gone on for ages, it can be traced back to the Moorish times. There will be music, shops, drinks, and all sorts of fun stuff.

adiz - September 4-9 - Festival of Our Lady of Rule Make merry by the seashore at this festival. There will be an abundance of seafood, especially lobster, and wine. Moreover, expect famous singers to be in attendace.

alaga - September 18 - Pass Day This festival celebrates the raisin, including the Moscatel grape, used to make the famous dessert wine. Many locals will carry baskets full of raisins on their heads. Expect at least 10,000 visitors to enjoy all the festival will have to offer.

Strong words

A GERMAN writer who has been a loud critic of the Turkish government has been released after being arrested in Spain. Doğan Akhanlı was held on a Turkish warrant while on holiday in southern Spain and must now wait until the Turkish government’s extradition request is heard in Madrid. The writer’s arrest was condemned by Angela Merkel and labelled politically motivated by German writers’ group TEN. “It would be terrible if Turkey could get people imprisoned on the other side of Europe,” added German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel.

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Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

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August 30th - September 12th 2017

Original

abroad

One of Britain’s most famous military heroes, who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, he also played a huge part in Spanish history. An influential participant during the Peninsular Campaign, he was the driving force in preventing France from invading Spain, yet his name rarely shows up in Spanish accounts of the Napoleonic Wars. This is thought to be because he heavily criticised Spanish soldiers later on. He was however, gifted an estate after the 1814 peninsular war ended. Known as La Torre, in Granada, it has been used by the British royal family to hunt ever since and his great granddaughter Charlotte Wellesley got married there last year.

As anti-tourism protests sweep across Spain, it’s time to remember the truly great things British visitors have done for the country

HAT did the British ever do for Andalucia? Like Monty Python’s Down with the Romans sketch, the answer is - actually quite a lot.

Thomas Osborne

Robert the Bruce King of the Scots from 1306 to 1329, Robert the Bruce promised to assist Spain’s King Alfonso in his war against the Moors of the Kingdom of Granada, but died before he could fulfil his promise. As a deathbed wish, he ordered compatriot Sir James Douglas to embalm his heart and wear it around his neck so that he could follow through on his promise. Douglas kept his word, emerging the victor against the Moors at the key Battle of Teba, between Antequera and Ronda, in 1330. He is said to have thrown the heart into the fray as he charged against the enemy army. The locket has never been found. This famous battle is still celebrated every year when hordes of Scots pay tribute to the Scottish pair at a special local feria in Teba.

The famous Osborne bull which has become a symbol of Andalucia can be traced back to this Devonshire winemaker (left). Thomas Osborne Mann founded Bodegas Osborne in Cadiz town El Puerto de Santa Maria and today, 230 years later, the winery is still thriving. Born in Exeter he joined up with a large firm of wine dealers, Lonergan & White, in el Puerto and with another Englishman Sir James Duff they became key players in the Masonic Lodge in Cádiz. His legacy lives on today - in particular with around 100 iconic bulls lining Spain’s roads

Kenneth Tynan

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent Prince Edward wasn’t just Queen Victoria’s dad. He was also known as the ‘Father of the Canadian Crown’ for sustaining Britain’s authority in Canada. History also suggests he fathered a few bastards in his time, some of which was spent as Governor of Gibraltar. While ruling the Rock from 1802-1820, there were rumours he kept a mistress or two outside the enclave in an Andalucian farmhouse (supposedly in Ronda) and, although details are sparse, he had at least three others while in England.

British entrepreneurs, explorers, writers, artists, politicians and even kings have been fascinated with the region for centuries and left their mark in a generally very good way. They fought wars for the locals, built railways, wrote poetry to its cities, introduced sherry and laid the foundations for tourism itself, as the Olive Press explains. Among the hundreds who did their bit, here are 13 notables. Any other suggestions should be sent to newsdesk@theolivepress.es

The British drama critic, playwright and novelist who opposed theatre censorship and was the first person to utter the Fword on British TV was a huge bullfighting fan. He attended over 80 corridas in Spain and wrote Bull Fever, regarded as one of the most eloquent English books on the genre. A view that could be seen as controversial today,

he was impressed by the sport’s ‘love of grace and valour, of poise and pride; and, beyond these, the capacity to be exhilarated by master of technique.’ No surprises then that he was a regular visitor to watch bullfights in Ronda, but he also had quite a number of holidays in Mojacar, in an ‘obscure corner of Spain’, where he once got robbed and wrote about a string of vigorous, sex sessions with then lover Nicole.

BACKLASH: Anti-tourist graffiti in Barcelona

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Sir Alexander Henderson

Lord Byron

Benjamin Disraeli From 1830 to 1832, two-term Prime Minister Disraeli took a break from politics to do some travelling and became Andalucia’s first unofficial PR man. In particular, he was impressed by Sevilla and Cadiz, and wrote of seeing a ‘Figaro in every street and Rosina in every balcony’, in reference to the characters from Rossini’s Barber of Seville. He was also complementary of Gibraltar, describing it as ‘a wonderful place, with a population infinitely diversified’.

An 1809 graduate from Cambridge, celebrated poet Lord Byron had no plans to visit Andalucia during his gap year trip to Portugal and Greece. But after his French hero Napoleon Bonaparte began military campaigns in the country, the scribe found it necessary to travel through the region and was smitten by Sevilla and Cordoba. The result was his famous poem about the two cities, Childe Harold, in which he changed his allegiance to Bonaparte for the Spanish. The women of Cadiz also enchanted him, evident in some of his other works, and he is said to have influenced countless Spanish poets, leaving his mark on a region he originally intended skipping.

Sir Alexander Fleming In 1928, the Scottish biologist Sir Alexander Fleming famously discovered penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic. His newfound medicine would later save the lives of millions of people across Spain, many of whom were professional matadors. In gratitude, Spanish bullfighters erected a statue of Fleming outside the main bullring in Madrid, which still stands today. There are also streets named after ‘Doctor Fleming’ in almost every big city. The doctor himself is said to have visited Andalucia on various occasions and loved a glass of sherry. The great doctor once wrote: “If penicillin can cure those that are ill, Spanish sherry can bring the dead back to life.” His grandaughter Penelope Fleming recently died here, having lived for decades in San Pablo de Buceite, in Cadiz.

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Scottish financier Sir Alexander Henderson played an influential part in founding the Algeciras Gibraltar Railway Company in 1891, building a line from the port city to mountainous Ronda with magnificent hotels at each end - the Reina Cristina in Algeciras and the Reina Victoria, in Ronda, which still bring hordes of tourists today. Aimed at giving the Gibraltar garrison access to the rest of Spain, the line stopped short of the Rock in Algeciras to avoid a confrontation with the Spanish government. In those days, a first class ticket from Algeciras to Ronda cost 17.10 pesetas. Today, it is often known as Mr Henderson’s Railway.

Sir George Langworthy Known as ‘El Ingles de la Peseta’ (the Englishman of the Peseta) for giving away his fortune to local Andalucians, Sir George Langworthy died a poor man. Much of his wealth came from running the Castillo Santa Clara hotel in Torremolinos, one of the first on the Costa del Sol and certainly within Torremolinos, which opened in 1930. He is honoured as the town’s adopted son and is remembered for kick-starting the coast’s tourism industry. But best of all he is known for his extraordinary generosity that gave poor people help if they were starving, as long as they were prepared to read a passage from his bible. He moved here in 1890 and had first turned grief to charity after the death of his wife Margaret, aged 40, in 1913 shortly before the outbreak of World War I.

William Mark Malaga’s singular English Cemetery owes its existence to the city’s British Consul from 1824 to 1836. Disgusted that while Catholics were allowed a decent church burial, British Protestants were disposed of on the beach buried up to their necks in sand - Mark successfully appealed to the Spanish government for a dedicated plot of land, now the oldest non-Roman Catholic cemetery in Spain. Visitors today will find the two lions guarding the tombstones of many influential people, a number of them British, in what is the quintessential ‘corner of a foreign field that is forever England’.

Hugh Matheson This 19th-century Scottish industrialist was founding president of the Rio Tinto Mine Company in Huelva. As well as becoming one of the world’s leading producers of copper, the company left a strong British legacy in terms of local architecture and leisure activities, including tennis and cricket (introduced for ‘men-only’ to prevent miners from having affairs with the locals). Most notably, in 1889 the miners formed the first football club in Spain. The uniquely British sport gained traction and within years there were clubs sprouting up everywhere.

Glyndwr Michael More famously known as ‘The Man Who Never Was’, this drifter who died from eating rat poisoning played a vital but unknowing role in the fall of the Axis Powers during WW2. It is a fascinating story that saw British forces using his body as a decoy during 1943’s Operation Mincemeat in Huelva, dressing his corpse in the uniform of an Allied Forces captain and planting false documents alluding to an Allied invasion of Greece. Hitler fell for the subterfuge and, while Nazi troops moved into Greece, the Allies invaded through Sicily.

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Pausing for thought 18 – 22 augu st 2017

•

finca la dona ira

TRIPLET: Finale from Peer gynt

Olive Press editor JON CLARKE reviews the final night of amazing classical music festival ‘pause’

HE audience went wild, but in anything other than a conventional way. The throng of around 150 people - and 70-odd horses - had been transported to another world by a hypnotic duet between pianist Maria Joao Pires and soprano Talar Dekermenjian. And they celebrated in the way they had been instructed… by clicking their fingers, so as not ‘to frighten the horses’ busily chewing away under a pitch-black starry night beside us. It sounded, appropriately, like the lilting castanets in the opening to Miles Davis eponymous Sketches of Spain album. And was another feature making up a very original night indeed.

ww w.pausefestival.c

TOP OF THE WORLD: Festivalgoers enjoy the sunset while (right) owner Bodner and Maria Joao Pires click in appreciation

Featuring music from Mozart, Grieg and Schubert, the festival will certainly go down as a rousing success The opening piece of the last night of the first ‘pause’ music festival - the moving Armenian song, Garun a - was part of a nearly three-hour show organised in collaboration with the Partitura Movement. Featuring music from Mozart, Grieg and Schubert, the festival will certainly go down as a rousing success. At least if the number and length of clicks is anything to go by. As classical music venues go, few can be more inspirational than Finca la Donaira. High in soaring mountains between Ronda and Grazalema, the 234-hectare estate is the dream project of entrepreneur Manfred Bod-

TASTY: Kids enjoy the food

ner. A biodynamic farm - that now includes a spa and a nine-room hotel - it has a vineyard and vegetable gardens that operate on regenera-

MOVING DUET: It was a moving piece between Joao Pires and cellist Camille Thomas that really got the audience clicking

tive agriculture techniques and is home to a herd of cattle, as well as sheep, chickens, and the aforementioned horses. They pick their fruit according to the moon cycle, use only ionised water for irrigation and ban any use of pesticides. This is the life’s work of inspirational Bodner, who has spent over a decade turning this amazing hidden corner of Andalucia into an aesthete's dream retreat. “They arrive here and they don’t need to move. We offer them full board and they simply relax,” explains Bodner. A keen believer in sustainability and a lover of the real Andalucia, he has revitalised the nearby village of El Gastor, employing nearly 40 staff and heavily promotes the best of the region’s wines and food, as well as conserving a number of rare breed livestock. His idea for a classical concert at his estate is yet more evidence of what he is giving back. Only conceived in February this year, it is perhaps remarkable that the five-night classical concert came together at all. “It was certainly touch and go that all the musicians would actually make it here together,” Manfred admits. And the star of the show - if it’s fair among this talented collection of musicians - was certainly Maria Joao, described by the Telegraph as ‘one of the most celebrated and loved pianists on the planet’. Now in her 70s, she gave her first concert in native Lisbon at the age of four, and on this showing she will probably be playing to 104. Warm, charming and witty, she very much galvanised the big group of musicians, that even included four talented students from

the nearby Ronda music academy. But she wasn’t involved in the finale - a hilarious romp, suite no.1 from Peer gynt, by Julien Brocal, MIlos Popovic and Julien Libeer nor, in what was one of the most moving pieces of the night, Offenbach’s C Saintsaens, with cellist Camille Thomas and pianist Lilit Grigoryan. In some ways however, the real litmus test should be what effect the night had on the horses?

LUXURY: The hotel pool and (above) guests walk to the show

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ibraltar National Day

Vol.11 Issue 273 www.theolivepress.es

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SIMILARITIES: The riot of red and white today (right) is similar to referendum day in 1967

A Trip through time!

F PATRIOTIC: Locals in 1967 and traffic jams

IREWORKS, flags and beers at the ready... The Rock is ready to rumble as Gibraltar prepares for its 50th anniversary National Day celebrations. Half a century on from the referendum that unequivocally sided with Britain, the Rock is standing taller than ever. An abundance of local pride means that the former one-day event now spills over into a week of celebrations - including music of all genres, arts, food, photography, competitions, a rally - plenty to bring locals and tourists alike into the street and onto their feet. It’s a chance to show the world that there really is nowhere quite like Gibraltar, and there is no group of people quite like Gibraltarians. This year, it’s a statement as well as a celebration; because it’s a tense time politically, what with the 50th anniversary and the advent of Brexit looming. But that only fuels the fire of the locals. For just as the Rock is a symbol of the country’s strength and unity, the people are a reflection of its charm

Gibraltar National Day - always a celebration of sovereignty and self-determination - takes on added importance this year in the 50th anniversary of the Referendum vote

and character and stand up as one of Europe’s most recognisable landmarks. Passion truly makes this party... and organisers expect more than 30,000 revellers - not to mention the monkeys (Barbary macaques, if we are being pedantic) - to join the celebrations. For outsiders, September 10 is officially Gibraltar’s National Day, but this year the festivities begin a week earlier with the Gibraltar Music Festival (GMF). Spanning two days, the event on September 2 and 3 marks the start of the festivities with internationally renowned acts, including Ricky Martin, Steve Aoki and Tinie Tempah, kicking

off the party in style. “There is always a real buzz around Gibraltar in the build up to national day,” explains 26-year-old Brit Michael Hayes. “It really is the highlight of the year and is a time all of us can really show off how proud we are.” The festival is a mix of looking back at Gibraltar’s proud history; and looking forward, celebrating the business opportunities, innovation and building plans for this very modern peninsular. Organised by the Self Determination for Gibraltar Group in conjunction with the Ministry of Continues on next page

HOT PANTS: And miniskirts, 1960s styles are popular today

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From previous page

Culture, the annual celebration commemorates one of the most important moments in Gibraltar’s history: the referendum of 1967, when citizens had a say on their sovereignty for the very first time. On that day, an overwhelming 99% of Gibraltarians voted to remain British and, 50 years later, they are just as, if harmonic Orchestra and a face we all not more, impassioned - largely due to recognise - Wynne Evans - the talentthe ever-volatile relationship with their ed tenor behind the quirky moustache Spanish neighbours. touting Go Compare mascot. “National Day 2017 takes a special The next day will begin with a live place in Gibraltar’s history, as we music performance at Casemates mark the 50th Anniversary of the Square from 9.30am followed by a overwhelming affirmation of the Peo- fancy dress show and the iconic politiple of Gibraltar of their wish to remain cal rally at 12.25pm. British,” explains Chief Minister Fa- After a summer of stunning weather, bian Picardo. an open-air concert was a no-brainer “For the first time in history, Gibraltar for organisers. Local band Breed became British by the freely expressed 77 will get the crowds in Casemates choice of the People of Gibraltar, and Square dancing from 9.30pm. the 1967 sovereignty referendum ce- Children’s activities, live music and mented the identity of Gibraltarians DJs will also keep the crowds enteras a People in our own right.” tained at other locations, including And while Gibraltar is red and white King’s Bastion Leisure Centre, Victoria all the way through, there Park and John Mackintosh Hall. But is a hint of blue, too. stick around for the grand It is important to finale at 10.30pm remember that when fireworks light Gibraltar is very up Casemates, much part - and before older visiproud to be a tors party the part of - the UK night away in the and has been for bars and clubs more than 300 surrounding the Gibraltar certainly years in one way square. deserves a bigger or another. So that’s the day And it’s not only on itself - what about platform in the global National Day that the rest of the Gibraltarian iden- arena, for its business week? tity is celebrated. Well it all kicks acument “Our identity and off with the MTV heritage should Gibraltar Calling be celebrated on September 2 and remembered all year round as it and 3, this year’s celebrations are set plays such a key role in defining Gi- to blow any previous event out of the braltar and all that is Gibraltarian. We water. The line-up is receiving internawish everyone a Happy National Day tional attention and regarded by many 2017,” said Gibraltar Heritage Trust as the finale to the global summer fesCEO, Claire Montado. tival programme. The Queen may not have made an ap- But Gibraltar certainly deserves a pearance since 1954 but, four years bigger platform in the global arena. ago, with the Gibraltar flag flying over As well as showing off the Victoria the Foreign Office in London, then PM stadium (which is due for a revamp), David Cameron joined the celebra- the festival gives Gibraltar a chance tions in spirit, rallying his loyal troops to show off its ever-evolving education from a giant screen in Casemates. system, a twist on the best of British in “For 300 years we have stood togeth- beautiful surroundings. er, as one with our shared sovereign. The Sunborn, the world’s first fiveLet me assure you that the British star superyacht hotel, is going from people and my Government stand strength-to-strength with popular with you now. Our relationship is solid, bar La Sala playing host to exclusive sure and enduring,” he proclaimed to events and acts. roars of approval. The boat symbolises all that’s great These sentiments are increasingly im- about Gibraltarian business: innovaportant to Gibraltar in the light of the tion, inspiration and sublime customrecent international tensions revolv- er service plus attention to detail. ing around an ever present theme - While the World Trade Center is a sovereignty. project that has cost tens of millions Before the day itself kicks off, the of pounds and stands proud next to Rock will be treated to a huge classi- Victoria Stadium - yet another examcal concert the night before. ple of Gibraltar’s refusal to rest on its Performing will be the prestigious Phil- laurels as it continues to innovate.

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IT’S THE BIGGEST DAY OF THE YEAR FOR MANY...

Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo: “National Day 2017 takes a special place in Gibraltar’s history, as we mark the 50th Anniversary of the overwhelming affirmation of the People of Gibraltar of their wish to remain British. For the first time in history, Gibraltar became British by the freely expressed choice of the People of Gibraltar, and the 1967 sovereignty referendum cemented the identity of Gibraltarians as a People in our own right. “The determination of the People of Gibraltar to freely decide our own future is as steadfast today as in 1967. It is the right of a People to freely and democratically exercise their right to self-determination that we celebrate on 10th September every year. I hope that all Gibraltarians enjoy the special commemorations especially the Royal Philharmonic concert, and wish everyone a happy National Day”.

ITH Gibraltar’s National Day festivities fast approaching, the entire Rock is buzzing with excitement. For residents of the British territory, the September 10 holiday — celebrated on the anniversary of Gibraltar’s first sovereignty referendum of 1967 — represents historic pride. With a fair amount of hedonistic

Thoma

“I’m disabl at home an a real sight their white and skirts and perfor events for lovely day. Gibraltar p

Steven Enriles “Whenever you get a day off from work, it’s nice. And National Day is great because it’s a huge party from very early in the morning to very late at night. They have activities for all ages — barbecues on the beach, and dance shows, and concerts. You get together with the whole family and just have fun.”

Samantha Yeo

“On National Day, the Rock is packed. You can’t move. It used to be just one day, but now with the music festival, and the Rock concert, and the

fair, it’s become a week-long celebration. We’re becoming a bit Spanish with all the festivities, really. People get so excited and patriotic.”

Julia Zelazo “My favourite thing about National Day is the feria. I love the rides, especially the roller coasters. They have food like popcorn and doughnuts. All the kids go and we all have so much fun. I love National Day!”

Jonathan “I’m so excited for the National Day celebrations. People usually go as a family, though now that I’m a bit older I go with

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National Day timetable

HERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT VIEWS FROM AROUND GIB

partying thrown in for equal measure. And whether it’s fun at the feria, a day of dancing or a barbecue on the beach, there’s something for everyone at the celebrations. One thing is certain: If the enthusiasm of these Gibraltarians is any indication, the patriotic tunes and red and white attire are sure to impress more than ever at this year’s celebrations.

The main celebrations take place in Casemates Square on Sunday, September 10 with activities commencing at 9.30am and going on throughout the day with live performances and

Leader of the opposition: Roy Clinton “National Day is an important day for Gibraltar and more so this year being 50 years since the 1967 referendum. “That said it is probably most important for the future generations to understand what that crucial day was all about and I am happy a publication has been produced to explain it all. “In short it was an act of defiance and an expression for our

21 21

right of self determination.” He continues: “It is a big day and I will go as late into the evening as I can manage, but I am no youngster anymore. “Either way I will enjoy waking up and strolling down Main Street in red and white and sitting on the stage listening to the speeches, even if they have become too political for my liking.”

music. The Political Rally will commence at 12.25pm and the day will finish with a fireworks display from Gibraltar Harbour, at 10.30pm followed by a rock concert.

National Day Celebration: 9.30am to 12.10pm

Live music and performance at the Casemates Square

10.30am

Children’s fancy dress show at the Piazza

12.25pm

Political Rally at the Casemates Square

1.15pm to 3pm

DJ Music at the Casemates Square

1.30pm to 7pm

Fun and entertainment for kids at the John Mackintosh Square

1.30pm till late

as Wink

Popular live music and family activities at the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre. There will also be bowling, ice skating, and a ‘Just for Kidz’ play area

led, and I prefer to relax nd watch it all on TV. It’s t to see, everyone out in e shirts and red trousers s. There are speeches rmances, and of course the kids. All in all, it’s a It’s nice to see so much pride.”

2pm till late

Live music at the Rock on the Rock Club

2pm to 10pm

Live music and DJs for those aged over 16 at the Bayside Sports Complex

2pm to 8pm

Samey Bonfante Sue Kennedy “It gives you a very good community spirit. You really need to experience it to know exactly how it feels. It’s something I’ve certainly never experienced in the UK. There’s a huge amount of patriotism. It’s just nice to see everyone — young to elderly — celebrating their National Day.”

Dennis Cruz

Lutwyche my friends. It’s such a special day because everyone is so proud of being Gibraltarian and it’s like we’re a big family.”

“Probably 90% of Gibraltar goes to the celebrations and everyone is in red and white. Some of us wear T-shirts that say ‘100% Llanito.’ There’s so much patriotism. The thing is, now we get more Spanish people coming into Gib and marrying locals, so now there’s some Spanish influence, too.”

“On National Day, we celebrate 300-plus years of being British. Of course, we all have some connection to Spain, too. Most of our ancestors only spoke Spanish. But now we embrace being British, because that’s our nationality, even though we have Spanish heritage. So National Day isn’t just about being Gibraltarian, but also about being British.”

Live music and DJs at the Adventure Playground for those 15 and under

2.30pm to 7pm

Jazz Friends in Governor’s Parade 9pm to 12.30am Rock concert in the Casemates Square 10.30pm Fireworks display over Detached Mole

Fancy and fierce AS ever it will be fierce… and as ever it will be patriotic. The National Day fancy dress competition kicks off from 9.30am at the Lobby of Parliament in Main Street. Anyone under the age of 15 is welcome to take part and must arrive by 10am, with judging set to start at 10.30am. Contestants must display the red and white colours prominently and originality, design and creativity are critical. Three winners will receive a trophy and gift vouchers. Contact Gibraltar Cultural Service on 20067236 or email info@culture.gi

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Contact GSD HQ for details (00 350) 20070786 or email gsdhq@gibtelecom.net

gibraltar social democrats

"The GSD is delighted to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum"

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Take me back!

Brits frantically search for properties on Costa del Sol after returning from jollies

BRITONS searching for a home on the Costa del Sol increased by 44% in the last few weeks as many returned home from summer holidays. According to property search engine Zoopla, Spain continued to be the most searched for destination for a new home, with Ibiza and Menorca A SPANISH designer has the second and third most popular destinations. created a novel shelter They saw a 41% and 19% increase in interest reunderneath a busy traffic spectively. bridge.The Olive PressZoopla compared website traffic during the last Self-taught Fernando Abel- five weeks - which covers the school summer holidays - to the previous five-week period earlier lanas TOP installed the innovafor news in Spain! tive home under a bridge in in the summer.

Valencia, featuring shelving, seating, and even a sleeping space. Abellanas conceived the project to recapture the magic that children experience when hiding under a table, or inside some other secret den. The idea is that a visitor walks up the banked area and enters the plywoodlined metal shelter, then uses an available hand crank to move it along the bridge’s underside to where a bench, seat, and some shelving are waiting. Though there are no amenities, it’s possible to make up a bed on the floor with the available bedding and spend the night.

It also found that the most popular search terms for properties abroad included ‘pool’, ‘beach’ and ‘sea view’. Property expert Simon Conn says it is not surprising that so many people return from their summer holiday abroad and begin planning how to buy a property overseas. “We’ve all done it – gone on holiday, stepped away from the daily grind, relaxed in the sun, cocktail in hand, wondering how we can make this feeling last,” he said. “So when we return to the unpredictable British weather, we hatch a plan of how to buy a property abroad.” However, he added a word of caution, saying: “Many people jet off to the sun and A WESTEROS-style medieval castle could be the perfect draw for Game of wish they could stay. Thrones fans who want a piece of sunny paradise. But holidaying someThe property, complete with towers, gargoyles, and even a drawbridge, where is not the same is up for sale on the Costa del Sol for a mere as the reality of living €760,000. there every day. AIDA inmobiliaria is handling the sale of the dra“When you are on matic home in Estepona, which has been likened holiday, you wind to Casterly Rock from the smash-hit HBO series. down a gear and time Local authorities are said to have initially refused is your own, but try to planning permission for the project because it did visualise what it would not keep with the style of the houses in the upmarreally be like if you ket residential area. But according to Javier Flores, live there. If you are who is leading the sale, officials were eventually uprooting your family persuaded. The property has four bedrooms, three and will need to work, bathrooms, a huge garage, and all of the usual be aware that it could mod-cons of a luxury villa, including central heatjust be the same rouing, air conditioning, and a fully-fitted kitchen. tine in a different locaThe sale includes one-third of an acre of garden tion.” complete with a swimming pool.

Costa del Thrones

MORTGAGE THINK TANK by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

S Brits return home after a summer break on the Costa del Sol, the grey skies and memories of G&Ts on the beach make buying a property in Spain ever more tempting. In fact in the last five weeks, as the bulk of holidaymakers returned, Britons searching for a home on the Costa increased by 44%. Meanwhile the most popular search terms for properties abroad included ‘pool’, ‘beach’ and ‘sea view’. But if you really are serious about buying abroad, there are things you MUST make sure of. First and foremost, ensure the property you are interested in has been built legally.

Fall foul

Some have been built in areas that are set aside for green belt or agriculture land, or fall foul of the ‘Lei de Costas’ ie., too close to the coast. As anyone who has lived in Spain for a while can attest to, environmental authorities have been known to demolish homes built too near the shoreline or on unregistered rural land. Of course, part of the mortgage

Mind the steps

Must-dos before signing on your new property in Spain

process does involve the requirement to arrange a full and comprehensive valuation and, although this isn’t always an exact science, it does provide a guide, partly because the report will provide information on comparable properties in the area as well as identify any legal or licensing issues. No matter how glossy it looks in a brochure, it’s essential you visit the property before signing anything. Be sure to see it during the day and at night to get a more rounded understanding of what it is like - and to make sure it’s not next to a motorway or landfill site. And when you do eventually sign, make sure you know what you are

signing. Any reputable lawyer will be able to guide you in this respect. If you want to be sure you are not agreeing to extra charges or conditions, the safest thing to do is check with an independent lawyer, in addition to your broker who can verify the numbers. Buying a property overseas can be one of the best decisions you ever make, but if the correct steps aren’t taken, it could end up being the worst. Having a reliable agent, mortgage broker and lawyer is vital and will ensure a long and happy experience.

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

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Budget airline numbers to Blind +TheolivepressEs Spain soar by almost 20% on last year support BE ‘APPY! SPECSAVERS Opticas are supA RECORD 49.2 milporting the Once Foundation lion foreign visitors have for the Deaf-Blind (FOAPS) flown to Spain in the first between July and December seven months of this year. 2017. According to figures from They are offering free comprethe tourism ministry, the hensive eye tests at all eight of total Download ourpaapp now and figure is a 19.4% intheir opticians and asking crease on the same period tients to donate begin €1 toenjoying FOAPS the best Spanish last year - and the majorafter their test until endgo.of newsthe on the ity of them have been on the year. low-cost airlines. All funds raised will be donated Ryanair, Easyjet and to FOAPS to fund interpreters Vueling have led the way, who are crucial to allow deafcapturing 52.4% of total blind people to lead a full life air traffic, while more and communicate. traditiona l It is part of FOAPS’ 10 year airlines anniversary campaign to raise awareness of the issues that c a p deaf-blind people faceOlive and tured The Pressjust boost funding so they can 47.6%. help more of these vulnerable The UK news in Spain! people who are TOP totallyfor isolated led the without their help. low-cost ar“Most visually impaired people rivals with 9.66 are able to rely on their other million passenses and can still commusengers, repnicate easily with the outside resenting world. Whereas the deaf-blind 36.8% of the experience the world through total. touch and need someone to It was a connect them with the world.” 16.6% inexplains José Ángel Moralcrease on Tajadura from Specsavers Oplast year. ticas… we hope that through The Brits our campaign we can raise enough money to fund an exwere foltra 400 hours of an interpreter. lowed by This costs €6,000 so we need Germany and 6,000 people to come in and Italy, both

August 30th - September 12th 2017

Flying low

BOOM: Of 10.3% for Malaga

BALEARIC BOOST: Of 20.5%

with 11.4% of budget arrivals. Barcelona-El Prat airport accounted for 24.3% of all low-cost travelers during the first seven months of the year, up 8.2% to 6.3 million passengers. Meanwhile Malaga airport, which registered 3.17 million BUSIEST: Barcelona low-cost passengers until July, a 14.1% increase, airport captured 12.1% of total sees 24% traffic. boost

2525

News IN BRIEF

Economic damage THE Spanish food and drink industry warns of significant economic damage and disruption if the UK does not stop the flow of EU nationals leaving due to the uncertainties Brexit has forced upon them. Retailers, farmers, food processors and pub and restaurant owners have banded together to combat a ‘cliff-edge’ Brexit, which would have very negative impacts on these industries.

In July, the Costa del Sol airport added 644,769 passengers, 10.3% more than in 2016. By communities, Catalonia, the Balearics and Andalucia benefitted the most. Catalonia received more than seven million foreign tourists arriving by low-cost airlines, which represents 26.9% of the total number of travelers arriving by this route, 9.2% more than in 2016. In July alone it increased by 6.9%, to over 1.36 million travelers. The Balearic Islands is the second most benefited community with four million passengers by, 20.5% more than last year, capturing 15.4% of the total. It is followed by Andalucia with 3.87 million passengers, a 13.5% increase.

New fines THE national tenancy act states that owners who rent out property must pay the deposit for the rental into a bank. After the law being loosely enforced, it now comes with fines of up to €3,000.

No more night flights Palma wants to end night flights to and from the airport. This would range from 11 at night to six in the morning. The justification for the proposed banned is to cut back on noise pollution.

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August 30th - September 12th 2017

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business

August 30th - September 12th 2017 August 30th - September 12th 2017

Share scare SHARES in airlines have dipped following the terrorist atrocities in Catalunya. IAG, the parent company of British Airways and Iberia, slumped 2% the day after the onslaught which saw 15 killed and more than 100 injured. Budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet, also tumbled on the stock market. Neil Wilson, analyst at the stock market firm ETX Capital, said: “As we’ve seen over the last couple of years in Europe, these kinds of atrocities affect tourism and will hit airline earnings.” InterContinental Hotels Group dropped 1.6%, with the overall travel sector index losing 1.5%

Brace yourself TRAVELLERS are bracing themselves for severe flight delays at Malaga airport and across Spain over the coming months. It comes after labour unions called for 25 days of industrial action among members working for AENA. Workers’ Commissions, UGT and USO have warned that the action could begin on September 15. It follows a dispute over pay and staffing numbers. Workers want pay rises of 8% and the hiring of another 700 staff. 24-hour stoppages are scheduled to take place on the following dates: September: 15, 17, 22, 24 and 29. October: 1, 6, 11, 15, 27, 30, and 31. November: 3 and 5. December: 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30.

27 27

Sell, sell, sell! MALAGA’S international exports have increased by almost 20% in just one year. In the first half of this year, the province has raked in €1.14 billion from goods sold outside the country, an increase of 19.2%. It means that since 2007, Malaga has doubled its sales abroad. If it continues on its current trajectory, it is expected to break all records by exporting €2.37 billion worth of goods by the end of 2017. Foreign sales in the province continue to be led by the food, beverages and tobacco sector (€605 million up to June, up 17.7%) and consumer goods (€185.5 million up to June, with an increase of 44.2%). The agro-food industry, which includes olive oil, meat and subtropical crops, broke the €1 billion barrier for exports for the first time in 2016, surpassing 2015 figures by 21% and accounting for more than half of total exports. In terms of consumer goods (including textiles), its export volume contributed another 14% to the total sales of Malaga.

Go west

BIG DEALS: Ferrovial is taking over Denver air terminal , while (right) Rio in Brazil

TWO of Spain’s leading companies have landed over €1 billion worth of contracts in the Americas. Construction giant Ferrovial has signed a €550 million contract for the remodelling of an air terminal in the US, while Iberdrola has taken over Brazil’s largest electricity company. Ferrovial has been given the rights to run a 70,000-square-meter terminal at Denver International Airport for 34 years. As well as upgrading the existing terminal with new shopping and foodservice areas, there will be a new check-in area which optimizes ‘space and efficiency’. Meanwhile, utility giant Iberdrola has completed its absorption of Brazilian electricity giant Neoenergia. The move means Iberdrola’s electric arm Elektro now owns 52.45% of Brazil’s largest electricity company, which brings in around €8 billion in revenue each year. It is now responsible for bringing electricity to millions of homes across 11

Spanish companies land huge contracts in the Americas states in South America’s biggest country. The huge deals came as both companies reported healthy growth. Ferrovial reported 27%

growth in net profit to €240 million euros in the first half of 2017, while Iberdrola reported profits of €1.5 billion in the same period.

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motors

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August 30th - September 12th 2017 August 30th - September 12th 2017

Staying put?

Going green I spy you will need the International ANCEWhy HAS EVERYTHING. something Insurance Card when travelling abroad DES COMPREHENSIVE THE Green Card or International beginning Insurance Card is an internationally recognised document that proves AL TREATMENT. with... the holder has the minimum compulsory insurance required by law of the country visited. It helps facilitate the movement of their vehicle across international borders. It also guarantees that victims of road traffic accidents involving foreign registered vehicles are compensated in the country of the accident. The Green Card System

FERNANDO Alonso has revealed he is open to staying at McLaren next season. Despite finishing sixth at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month, the Spaniard has not been able to challenge for a world title since winning the championship in 2006. It has led to question marks over whether he will stay with McLaren beyond the current campaign. “I’m very open,” he said, “I’m talking to McLaren, of

BRITS spend most of their time in

FROM JUST the car thanking other drivers and

€

are more likely to play a game of ‘I spy’ than any other nation. Drivers and passengers in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Poland ranked what they spent their time in the car doing. The study commissioned by Citroen reveal some stark national driving stereotypes. Brits spend 29,750 hours in the car over the course of their lifetime – that’s equal to three years and four months. And they’re more likely to play games (105 hours), spot a wild animal (nine hours) and have a refreshing drink (3,920 hours) than any other European nation.

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The Green Card System comprises of over 40 countries. National vehicle organisations within the Green Card System including the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, Russia and sevO N around the Middle eral countries East and North Africa. However, a f o Green r r e n e w aCard l s . S u bis j e not c t t orequired c o m p a n y uto n d travel erwriting through the EEA, Andorra, Norway, Croatia and Switzerland. The Green Card Bureau Each Green Card Bureau is responsible for handling and guaranteeing the settling of claims arising from traffic accidents caused by visiting motorists. Travelling outside the EU If you are travelling outside the European Community to one of the countries listed as requiring a Green Card, you will need to ask your insurance company to issue you a Green Card beforehand. Road accident If you’re involved in a road traffic accident in a country requiring a Green Card, make sure the police are called to the scene of the accident. You will need a copy of the police report. If you don’t understand what you’re being told, request an interpreter. We also advise that you contact your insurance company as soon as possible, whether you want to make a claim or not. Make notes of what happened. Take photographs of the accident, including plates of vehicles involved. Exchange insurance details as you would in Spain. Take down the names and addresses of any witnesses. Never admit liability or apologise.

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Rental firms to carry out extra driver checks after deadly attacks

regulations.

BRITISH drivers could face extra checks when renting cars and vans in a bid to prevent a repeat of the Barcelona terror attack. The UK government announced the plans as Spanish police said they had linked three rental vans to Younes Abouyaaquoub, the remaining fugitive from the attacks that killed 15 and injured more than 120.

Attacks

Under the plans, rental companies could share drivers’ data with the government in order to crosscheck it against a terror watch list. It follows similar vehicle-

Meanwhile the Spanish love to sing (it’s their top driving interest) but also spend more than 1,000 hours worrying about

having to fill up with fuel again. The nation that invented the siesta also tops the list for dozing off – spending

Terror checks

based terror attacks in London, Paris, Nice and Berlin. “The threat from terrorism is changing and so must our response,” a government spokesperson said. She confirmed the Department for Transport was working with the police and the industry to look at ‘what more rental companies could do before an individual can hire a vehicle’. Khuram Butt, the ringleader of the London Bridge terror gang, had attempted to hire a 7.5-tonne lorry hours before the attack. However, his payment method failed so instead he rented a white van which was used to plough into pedestrians in June. Spanish investigators are

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meanwhile using rental data as a lead in their hunt for Abouyaaquoub.

92 hours asleep in the car. Portuguese drivers are the most polite spending 6,596 hours saying thank you.

A Spanish official said the 22-year-old Moroccan’s credit card was used to hire three vehicles, one of which was used in Thursday’s Barcelona attack. Another was found in Vic, 44 miles north of the city on the road to Ripoll, where all the main attack suspects lived. The third was found in Ripoll itself, which is where the manhunt is concentrating, along with the nearby town of Manlleu.

course, because it’s my team and I think we have unfinished business together to win Formula 1… What we need [is] to be competitive, if that happens I will consider for sure to stay on and win with the car.” With widespread speculation about the 36-year-old retiring from the sport following his formidable debut at the Indy 500 earlier this year, he insisted that he will look at another team first before making a decision on his F1 future.

golf

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August 30th - September 12th 2017 August 30th - September 12th 2017

Tragic end

Oh, Christmas tee... Green jacket row AN American golf club is fighting to stop a Masters champion’s green jacket being auctioned off after claiming it should never have left the club’s grounds. Augusta National Inc, which owns Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters golf tournament, has asked a judge to stop a golf memorabilia company from auctioning off the jacket and other items it says it still rightfully owns. The club has filed a federal lawsuit against Florida-based Green Jacket Auctions Inc. seeking to stop the company from selling the champion’s green jacket and two member green jackets, as well as silverware and a belt buckle bearing Augusta National’s map and flag logo. “It appears that Augusta National Golf Club is attempting to assert ownership claims to every green jacket ever produced, regardless of who currently owns or possesses the jackets,” said Green Jacket Auctions coowner Ryan Carey. “Obviously we at Green Jacket Auctions dispute such claims, and will litigate the matter, if necessary.”

GOLFERS can end the 2017 season in style by heading to Spain’s flagship resort to compete in its popular La Manga Club Golf Open. In its 17th successive year, the 36-hole event – which will be played on the resort’s acclaimed North and South courses between December 5 and 8 – attracts men and women from all over the conti-

TRIBUTES have poured in for a leading figure in Scottish golf after he died in southern Spain. Barrie Douglas, 69, had been acting as Scottish Golf’s European boys’ captain at the team championship in La Manga when he was rushed into hospital last month and diagnosed with a critical lung condition. A former Scotland boys’ international and, in his heyday, a multiple club champion at Craigie Hill, Blairgowrie and Murrayshall, he died with his family by the bedside at a hospital in Cartagena. Blane Dodds, CEO of Scottish Golf, said: “I know that Barrie was highly respected and very popular. “He invested so much in the game he loved and it was such a big part of his life. “He will be sadly missed across the game of golf in this country and our thoughts and prayers are

nent and offers the ideal chance to grab a sunshine golfing break before Christmas. Players will compete over a number of different categories for an array of top prizes, with this year’s competition also featuring a halfway cut and a consolation plate tournament. Tournament packages feature four nights’ accommodation in the five-star

Hotel Principe Felipe or four-star Las Lomas Village, with breaks including breakfast and a welcome pack; a cocktail reception; a gala dinner and prize-giving ceremony. Prices include tournament entry for golfers as well as a practice round, practice balls and on-course refreshments during the event.

A SPANISH Oxford University student who jumped in front of a train had struggled under the pressures from his PhD and an upcoming golf tournament, an inquest heard. Rafael Ochoa, 23, from Bilbao, had been studying intensively as well as training hard for a golf tourna-

Final par Golfing world says goodbye to leading Scottish figure and ‘legend’

with Barrie’s family.” Barrie performed various selection and captaincy

dous servant to Scottish golf over many years and was a widely respected figure in international amateur golfing circles. “As a selector Barrie worked with several generations of emerging young golfers and was well versed in identifying talented young players. “He was always willing to give advice and guidance and instil confidence in any player looking to progress their career. “Barrie will be sadly missed, not only at The R&A but throughout the amateur game.” He is survived by his wife Trish and daughters Susan and Jennifer.

roles at boys’ level, playing a key close role in the career development of a host of young players over the years, including Perthshire players Wallace Booth, Danny Young and Bradley Neil. He was also a GB&I selector for The R&A from 20092016 and the flag flew at half-mast during The Boys’ Amateur at Nairn following his death. Duncan Weir of The R&A said: “Barrie was a tremen-

ment when he started to suffer from anxiety. He had spoken to his GP about his struggles and promised her he would not act upon suicidal thoughts he was having. He was two thirds of the way through his first year studying for a PhD in Computer Science which was set to continue until 2021, when he travelled 11 miles to Appleford railway station, near Didcot, and jumped from the platform in front of a passing train.

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Anything but a dump

Mogul’s Marbella TV debut

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Tivoli world makeover

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A dedicated Spanish architect has spent more than 30 years turning a rundown cement factory into his perfect home and office space

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BAD PRACTICE

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I’m backing British expats ALBERT Rivera is giving his ‘total support’ to British migrants living in Spain. The Ciudadanos leader told the Olive Press he realised the importance of British expats and tourists on the costas. In the week Brexit is being invoked, he promised to back our rights to stay here. He later told a rally in Mijas he was going to be fighting corruption in Andalucia over the coming years and hoped to bring a train line to the coast. BACKING BRITS, PAGE 9

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Book with the coast’s most trusted transfer company

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

“I have no objection to agents operating with a finder’s fee, but I do object when these so called without declaring from the outset that buyers bill both sides He added: “When unscrupulous agentsthey will be doing so.” abuse the system by adding extra amounts, the whole industry suffers. “Beware of this sharp practise.” Legal expert Antonio Flores added that such practises can be deemed illegal. “It is not illegal to have your commission with the agreement of the vendor,” he built into the price, The problem is when an agent adds told the Olive Press. but does not tell the buyer or seller. a commission on top “This happens when the agent is the middle man and the parties are not in touch via their lawyers. This is actually a criminal offence.”

Granada’s new eco-village

PAGE XIV

Andalucia’s highest towns

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

revealed that he was offered a €187 discount if he did a bank transfer immediately. “The man’s impossible to deal with,” said Jones, 69. “We could never get him again. “We have used another company now. I just want my money back from Ware.” Another victim, Pete Jones, paid Ware half of a €9,000 quote for bifold doors in his as deposits on contracts kitchen in October. that were never completed, After hearing nothing for some up to €20,000.” five weeks, Jones was told Kaiser, who lived in London by Ware via text that he was for 30 years, began work at having computer problems the Marbella-based compaand that work would start ny four years ago working ‘imminently’. as a salesman and on social “Of course, nothing hapmedia. pened,” said Jones. “Since However, it soon became then I have been constantly apparent that boss Vincent trying to contact him withJones, claims he never two patio doors in Estepona Ware, also 58, was not deout luck. heard from Ware again aflast October. livering what he promised. “I am sure, like others who ter transferring €2,000 for Jones, from Cheltenham, One victim, expat Graham have lost money, plea for there is very little Becky that can be done. “I think exposing his practices will at least help people in the future.” A HOMELESS couple towards a deposit for a By Chloe Glover One client, hotelier have received much needflat, which they are in the Andy Chapell, was plight last issue. ed financial help thanks to process of looking for. forced to go to court Kennedy, who runs the an Olive Press story. “If it wasn’t for groups to demand the reHelp the Homeless Costa Leslie and Paul Dunt, who and people like Joel, we turn of €800 paid del Sol Facebook page, were left sleeping between wouldn’t be as close to for a safety fence, said the money had been their car and a shed, have finding anywhere,” said which never arleft over from a recent been offered €500 by Paul. “We are very graterived. group fundraiser. good samaritan Joel Kenful for their generosity and Malaga Court ruled Paul will put the money nedy who read about their support.” DONOR: Joel

AN employee at a well known glass and windows company has come clean after dozens of clients complained about unfinished work. Expat Rudi Kaiser, 58, revealed that tens of thousands of euros of work has not been completed by his former firm Andalucia Glass & Steel. He admitted he ‘could not take it anymore’ after receiving a barrage of complaints and being cited in various court cases. “I have been tarnished by this company and I’m not happy about it,” the German told the Olive Press this week. “We are talking about large Lastpaid MARBELLA of money, amounts LANDMARK FOR ditch NEWS

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March 15th - March 28th 2017

CANCER BATTLER

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

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

Homeless plea 4

Eviction

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

SOUGHT: Boss Vincent Ware and (above) Rudi

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

Olive Press story helps homeless couple March 1st -

www.theolivepress.es March offer

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

By Chloe Glover

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

We’ve got Andalucia covered

17 YEARS

T is a practice that most property professionals had hoped was a thing of the past. But Olive Press Property can reveal that tionable practice of charging buyers the ethically quesrearing its head again on the Costa del as well as sellers is Sol. According to sources, at least two agents in the Marbella area have recently stung their buyers with bills of up to 5%. scene’, especially when you consider The so called ‘finder’s fees’ are in addition from taking comhigh purchase taxes which are often inthey already have very mission from the seller. “We as agents are paid by the sellers excess of 10%. “It’s disgusting,” said Terra Meridiana’s and we never charge a fee to a buyer,” he said, “On the whole nothing wrong with finder’s fees if you Adam Neale, “I have very well as it is, without the need to start our industry works ent beforehand, but I have heard from agree it with the clicharging such high additional fees to buyers. We should certain agents are adding a 5% fee with several buyers that be encouraging them to invest here!” “It’s bad ethics and gives agents on the no prior warning. Costa del Sol a bad Ben Bateman of Holmes in Sotogrande name.” added he was aware of the practice happening ‘in a few cases’. Mike Smith, Chairman of Marbella-based “It is totally unethical and gives our business agreed that charging potential buyers First Choice Spain, a bad reputasuch fees was ‘obtion for sharp practices,” he said.

WHAT A PANE! EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

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

March 29th - April 11th 2017

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Drug plea

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

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

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

to leave. “Fortunately we were able to move our belongings to

our neighbours’ houses temporarily and live in our Ford Fiesta, but we

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

Continues Page 4

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EU plans to ‘eradicate all plant life’ on Mallorca in a bid to combat the spread of a deadly bacteria have been branded ‘impossible’ by angry locals. MEPs have proposed tearing up all vegetation within 100 metres of plants and trees affected by a rapidly spreading disease which has been dubbed the ‘ebola of the olive’. Local experts say the measures would effectively mean stripping the island - only 1,400 square miles big - of almost all its plant life. The crisis has been caused by the spread of Xylella fastidiosa, which is spreading rapidly around the Mediterranean, with cases being discovered on mainland Spain just last month. It particularly targets olive trees and there are fears that if the disease is not contained it could have a devastating effect on local agriculture. Spain is the largest producer of olive oil in the world.

Food for thought Spain’s most famous chef gets green light for food laboratory

FERRAN Adria is one step closer to turning his elBulli restaurant into a world-class culinary think tank. The green light comes after months of obstacles, including vocal opposition from locals and environmentalists who were concerned about building on the Cap de Creus Natural Park in Catalonia, and the crowds that Adria’s star power would attract feelings which have been embodied by the recent antitourism protests. The pushback led Adria to downsize plans for elBulli 1846 by 300% last year. In a further bid to appease opponents, the maestro

HUGE PLANS: For Ferran Adria’s laboratory recruited students and in- aim to push the boundaries of structors from the Barcelona gastronomy and ‘decode the School of Design and Engi- creative process’. neering to help design new The number 1846 denotes the outdoor spaces that respect number of recipes developed the environment and co-exist at elBulli during Adria’s tenseamlessly with nature. ure at the restaurant. The second phase will begin Along with chefs, the team in October. will be interdisciplinary, and elBulli 1846 will be home to include experts in everything a team of 20 people who will from the arts, psychology, work six months of the year communications, science and on experimental projects that design.

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August 30th - September 12th 2017

Food, drink & travel

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Salmorejo Originating in Cordoba, this traditional starter is essentially a puree of tomato and bread, usually garnished with diced serrano ham and hard-boiled eggs.

I’m eating what? Danielle Fortuna takes her American tastebuds (and those of her mum) on a tour of Spain’s more daunting delicacies

Reaction: After reading the description of this dish on the menu, I originally expected it to be of a thinner consistency akin to gazpacho but was pleasantly surprised by the thicker, creamier texture. The tomato taste was very prominent and the soup’s coolness refreshing. I especially liked the chopped ham and egg which added an extra pop of flavour and a chewy texture that contrasted nicely with the smooth soup base. This was definitely one of my favourite Spanish .

August 30th - September 12th 2017

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com Spain, it’s not difficult to see why it’s so popular and abundant. Many restaurants opt for a stewed version of the tail, in which the meat must be cooked slowly over a low heat because of its bony and fatty quality. I opted for the meat atop a risotto instead of a more traditional stew (it sounded so good I couldn’t resist).

Reaction: I started out by taking some of

the meat off of the risotto so that I could taste it without having the rice mask its flavour. The time spent braising the oxtail was well worth it; the meat was so tender it literally melted in the mouth. The flavour was deliciously robust and when I mixed it into the risotto, the rice took on the same strong taste. This was also one of my favourite dishes, and I am looking forward to trying the more traditional style of preparation. I also offered my mother a bite without telling her what the dish actually contained. Her reaction: “Danielle, this better not be bull, I told you I didn’t want to eat bull. Oh wait ... I like it!”

Carillada (Pig cheeks) FLAVOURFUL: Danielle browsing an array of spices characteristic of Spanish cuisine

Rabo de Toro (Oxtail)

Carrilladas is a lean cut of meat prepared in a similar way to oxtail - cooked slowly over a low heat for maximum tenderness. I tried it in a tomato, garlic and wine sauce.

Reaction:

Like the oxtail, these pieces of meat were flavourful and mouthmeltingly tender. Each of the three main ingredients were noticeable and complimented the meat nicely. There were also some carrots which gave it a stew-like consistency. After the meat was gone, I enjoyed mopping up the last of the sauce with my bread.

Locally known as rabo del toro, this dish supposedly originated in Cordoba, and with the emphasis placed on bull culture in

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SUNDAY ROAST MENU

Served Sundays from 13.00-22.30 3 Courses €25.00 pp 3 Courses and half Bottle of House Wine (Red, White or Rosé) €29.95 pp STARTERS *Soup of the Day *Vermouth Tempura Squid, Pineapple & Persimmon Salsa *Haggis Bon Bons with Beetroot & Carrot Purees & Rough Oatcakes, Orange & Lemon Jam & Homemade Bread *Deep Fried Camembert with Dandelion & Burdock Red Onion Jam *Spicy Vegetable Pakoras with Mango Chutney & Tofu, Pea & Mint Dip *Chicken Liver, Cointreau &t Pistachio Pâté with Mixed Salad *Bloody Mary Prawn Cocktail with Apple MAINS *Roast Sirloin of Beef *Lemon and Thyme Roasted Chicken *Honey and Mustard Glazed Gammon *Slow Braised New Zealand Lamb Shank Above dishes served with all the trimmings *Oven Baked Sea Bass with Fennel Cream, Asparagus & Sweet Potato *Giant Ravioli with Aubergine, Chickpeas, Garlic & Courgette in Hearty Italian Tomato Sauce DESSERTS *Apple Pie with Ginger & Coffee Ice Cream *Triple Chocolate Mousse *Lemon & Poppy Seed Crepe with Buttercream Filling *Rice Milk Sorbet with Sugar Basket & Winter Fruit Cocktail

We also offer a full A La Carte menu as well

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August 30th - September 12th 2017

THE PROBLEM... August 30th - September 12th 2017

“I could do with a breath of fresh mountain air, away from the noise and the busy life on the coast.”

“I’d love to join you but it must be a lovely place in a stunning setting with great food”

Morcilla (Baked black pudding) Known as morcilla al horno, this is essentially blood sausage, cut into small pieces, baked with olive oil, spiced and served with potatoes. The sausage is dark in colour, indicative of the pig’s blood it contains.

Reaction: The waiter again made sure I knew I was asking for blood sausage, but offered no reassurances as to my likely enjoyment. Of all of the dishes, I was most apprehensive about this one, main-

ly because the thought of eating blood made my stomach churn a little. The outside was extremely chewy, the inside soft and crumbly. The initial meaty flavour wasn’t bad but there was an aftertaste of

Pulpo de estilo gallego (Galician-style octopus)

a spice I couldn’t figure out and didn’t much like. It was overpowering and gave the sausage a bitter taste that reminded me I was, in fact, eating blood. This was my least favorite dish.

THE SOLUTION... “Why not visit Molino del Santo? We’ve been established for thirty years and have thousands of happy customers. Personal attention and a friendly but professional atmosphere.” Andy Chapell, Co-owner

“Our restaurant has excellent reviews on Trip Advisor - and our new monthly menu for September is now available to see on line - or e-mail us and we’ll send you a copy. Tel 952 16 71 51 or e-mail info@molinodelsanto.com” Pauline Elkin, Co-owner

SPEcIaL OffER fOR SEPTEMBER: Pulpo Gallego is a dish popular in the northwestern region of Spain, namely Galicia. The dish is often prepared by slicing up the tentacles, and boiling them with an onion. They are then drizzled with olive oil and spiced with a coating of paprika. Potatoes are also boiled in the water after the octopus is cooked, and served alongside the tentacles on a wooden platter.

Reaction: I love seafood and squid, so I was very surprised that I didn’t like this dish as much as I thought I would. The texture was great; firm without being too rubbery, as calamaris sometimes are, and some of the pieces had their suction cups attached. The flavour was a little bland, which can be expected from the style of preparation, but it was also slightly bitter due to the paprika. The taste of the potatoes was indistinguishable from the octopus so it was clear they were cooked in the same water. Overall, the dish was enjoyable but not one of my favourites.

Tripas de ternera (Veal tripe) There are two English translations for callos - tripe and calluses - neither of which sounds very appetising. Spaniards from all over, however, will encourage you to look past its unsavoury aspects and give the stewed lining of cow’s stomach a chance. There are variations of the stew, which generally contains garlic, onions and white wine. The version I tried also contained blood sausage.

Reaction:

The waiter made sure I knew what I was actually ordering. “You know this is tripe right?” he asked. When I responded ‘yes’ he promised that although strange in appearance, it was actually very delicious.Unlike the octopus, the taste was fantastic but the texture was not great. Some pieces were soft and gelatinous, others firmer (which I personally preferred, although the softer pieces were not offputting in the least). I enjoyed the robust flavour and paprika kick and the sauce tasted just as good on bread as it did on the callos.

A twin room with breakfast and tax included and our monthly menu for two people.

WAS from €192 - NOW from just €150 per night for two people - with dinner included

Availability very limited at this special rate and only last minute - within a week of arrival. Restaurant also open to non-residents every day - reservations often essential. Tel: 952 16 71 51 or email info@molinodelsanto.com ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

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

38 38 38 38

Columnists

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Continuing my rant about summer visitors ...

HEY arrive in their hoards every August to lay waste to our favourite beaches and beauty spots and bag all the best restaurant tables. Then they’re back home, putting in fraudulent food poisoning claims to recoup the cost of their holiday, or dishing the dirt on TripAdvisor. I don’t blame Palma de Mallorca residents for scrawling ‘Tourists go home, refugees welcome’ on the walls of their citadel. You wouldn’t hear refugees complaining, ‘we had to queue outside with no air conditioning’ one of the ‘claims’ received by British tour operator Thomas Cook.

Beware of the tourist

Brains

Were they seriously expecting a refund or do people forget to pack their brains when they go abroad? Having spent the current month in my bunker distancing myself from the deluge, I did some armchair travelling myself and was flabbergasted to see what gets posted online. Who would go to The Alamo and complain ‘doesn’t look anything like it did when the attack took place’? And how

NOT WELCOME: Anti-tourism graffiti signs in Mallorca

would he know? Probably the same man who climbed to the top of

the awe-inspiring Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru looking for the perfect little

Italian place: “The food here absolutely sucks,” he wrote. “The so-called pizza

August 30th - September 12th 2017 August 30th - September 12th 2017

has horrible tasting llama unturned – not even the cheese on it. No matter Rock of Gibraltar – to vent what they tell you, that’s their jaundiced world view. what it is.” Great Siege Tunnels ‘I perI call it Ronald Reagan sonally didn't think much Syndrome after his famous of these tunnels, not like quote: “If you’ve seen one the ones in Jersey or Dover redwood tree, you’ve seen Castle in Kent England’ them all.” Maybe it comes The Rock ‘Gibraltar is hell, from over-exposure to the what a horrible place. PoDiscovery Channel but even luted (sic), crowed (sic), bad the world’s wonders leave food, interesting, yes, but in these types totally under- a morbid kind of way.’ whelmed, as in these Tri- Yep, not many of them can pAdvisor gems: spell. Grand Canyon: ‘Nothing Of course, you have to unspecial’ derstand the mentality and Colosseum ‘There’s nothing another delve into Thomas inside’; ‘Need Cook’s comto renovate or plaints bag shut down’ provides Taj Mahal They walk among some large ‘Spit stains. clues: People sleep- us and they vote... ‘There are too ing, trying to many Spanish they probably write things people’ (Britvoted for Brexit ish tourist in on the marble ... you are betSpain) ter off watch‘It's lazy of ing it on the the local shopnet’ keepers to close in the afterSydney Opera House ‘Silly noons. I often needed to buy damned egg carton’ things during 'siesta' time Golden Gate Bridge ‘Point- this should be banned.’ less’ ‘The beach was too sandy.’ Stonehenge ‘It’s just a ‘There was no egg slicer in bunch of rocks’ the apartment’ Although here’s one I actu- ‘My fiancé and I booked a ally quite like: twin-bedded room but we Sagrada Familia, Barcelona were placed in a double‘If you like the Kardashians bedded room. We now hold (which means you have no you responsible for the fact taste or class whatsoever) that I find myself pregnant.’ you’ll probably love this They walk amongst us and monstrosity’ they vote. They probably Such tourists leave no stone voted for Brexit ...

Almost there Patiently beckoning the end of the summer season

merican Punk Band Green Day (and I know that for those of you reading this who were around in 76 when the Sex Pistols, The Clash et al broke over the prog rock-infested British music scene like a tidal wave over a village fete “American Punk Band” is as much of an oxymoron as “Saudi Arabian Campaign for Real Ale”) have a song called Wake me up when September ends. Maybe it's my inner Cranckmeister being released, but I'm writing this column from the terrace of my cottage overlooking the Istan lake.

Piercing screams

Open: Tuesday to Saturday 12.00 til 22.30 Kitchen closed 15.30 til 19.00 Sunday 12.00 til 16.00 Closed on Monday Reservations: elgarden2016@gmail.com

Normally is a perfect vision of tranquility, with black bass leaping to break the surface of the still waters, while mountain goats silently come down at dusk to drink. I half expect David Attenborough to be spotted in the shrubbery at some point, providing a low key running commentary. But it's August and I've just glanced across the lake to see at least five inflatables – including this season's must have, a giant swan – on the water. And the people in the water are enjoying their holiday in true Spanish style – with the volume turned up to eleventy stupid – while the children raise the kind of piercing screams that make me wonder if a great white shark has somehow made itself into the water and is rendering them limb from bloody limb. (a fervent wish, trust me).

Away from the lake, every trip to the coast is undertaken with the same stoic sense of resignation as soldiers heading to the Eastern Front. Tales of huge queues to get into town centres, 40 minutes driving around aforementioned town centres to find parking space, the illegal use of elbows, shoulder charges and other dark arts not seen since the French front row in the 70s to get a space at the bar and lines at the checkouts that stretch as far as Extremadura. Maybe it's because - the terrible events in Barcelona notwithstanding – Spain continues to be seen as a mature and safe destination that this summer seems to be even busier than previously. Or perhaps it's the high profile that the British tourists have

kept this year (running each other over outside beach clubs, staggering drunkenly around town with their tops off, casually lobbing hand grenades into hotel lobbies – you know, standard British 'boisterous' behaviour – and the subsequent outcry in the Spanish Press about 'Marbeluf”. Or maybe it's just because as I get older and wiser (and that's an oxymoron in itself) that I no longer look forward to the annual influx of party hungry tourists that I did as a younger and much, much wilder twentysomething, that I now find myself picking out Wake me up when September ends from my Spotify playlist, and longing for autumn, the season of 'Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness'. And somewhere to park the car...

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

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

Luck of the Irish IRELAND narrowly avoided relegation from European Hockey's top tier despite a 7-2 hammering by Spain in Amsterdam. The Irish looked set to go down after their defeat but the Czech Republic's unexpected 1-0 win over Scotland saved their skins. Two Anna O'Flanagan goals saw the Irish level twice against Spain, but they managed to hit five unanswered goals after O'Flanagan's second equaliser shortly after half-time. Ireland coach Shaw was unhappy with his team's defending.

t r a d i t i o n a l

A Spanish swimmer has DAY sacriSt. PATRICKS menu served all day ficed his race at the Fina World Guinness, Kilkenny, Masters Championships toMagners pay €4 tribute to theStBarcelona Patricks Dayterror Shots €2 victims. FACE PAINTING Fernando Álvarez from Cadiz saturday 18th -blocks 6 Nations stood alone on the af- Final Day 1.30pm Scotland vs Italy France ter his 3.45pm request forvs Wales a minute’s vs England silence 6.00pm for allIreland competitors 9.30pm Live Music with Laylawas denied, he claims. Sunday 19th - Premier League He stood at Middlesbrough the edgevs of 1.00pm Man the Utd 3.15pm vs Southampton pool while theSpurs other swimmers 5.30pm Man City vs Liverpool raced to the other side, giving 9.30pm Live Music with Sean Murray up his opportunity for a medal. Check out our Facebook “I do not care. I felt better than page for our Virtual Tour, if I had won allSpecial the goldOffers, in theWhats Coming Up Tel: 952 494 877 world,” heBiddy saidMulligans after finishingBiddysLaCala in last place. Organisers arranged a moment of silence the following day at the main pool and before the closing ceremony when all participants were present.

"The most disappointing thing is the soft nature of the goals that we conceded, particularly very early after we scored," said Shaw. "We never really gave ourselves that platform to build on. We'll have a look within and see what's gone wrong, but it's not from lack of effort or preparation." The Ireland women have their final match of the tournament against Austria on Sunday morning.

Nadal and Federer to have their first grand slam battle on US soil

New addition OUSMANE Dembélé has arrived at his new home turf in Barcelona. The French striker’s plane touched down at El Prat Airport at around 5.30pm on on August 27. He was then taken directly to the Camp Nou to pose for the traditional picture outside the club offices. He described his transfer from Borussia Dortmund as a ‘dream come true’. "I am very happy to be here. It has always been my dream to be at Barça," said the 20-yearold. “This is the best club in the world with the best players in the world ... My aim is to do everything for the club, everything for the team, and to have an understanding with my team-mates."

Head to head RAFAEL Nadal and Roger Federer are preparing to meet at the US Open for the first time ever. Their long-time rivalry - 37 head-to-head matches - has produced some of tennis’ most iconic finals, including at Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the French, but the legendary duo have yet to battle it out at Flushing Meadows in New York. Nadal, who has become world No.1 after a triumphant comeback year, has been drawn into a meeting against the Swiss maestro if they both reach the semi-finals.

Nadal is seeded No. 1 at the American Grand Slam for the first time since 2010, while Federer is seeded No. 3. Both naturally wound up on the top half of the tournament’s bracket. Briton Andy Murray and Canada’s Milos Raonic - both top five seeded players - have both pulled out of the tournament citing hip and wrist injuries respectively. It leaves the tournament wide open and, in theory, makes Federer and Nadal’s journey to the final that much easier. The tournament begins Monday.

Wheel good CHRIS Froome has extended his lead in La Vuelta a España by winning stage nine ahead of his nearest rival Esteban Chaves at Cumbre del Sol. The Brit attacked with 500m to go up the steeply uphill finish and looked to have built a decisive gap, only for Chaves to dig deep and get back on to Froome’s back wheel. However, Team Sky’s Froome was able to accelerate again and pulled clear to win by four seconds and extend his lead over Chaves, of Orica-Scott, in the general classification to 36 seconds. “I put everything I had into that last couple of hundred metres,” Froome said after his first stage win of 2017. “I was determined that they weren’t going to catch me. I’m really, really happy to get the victory. The team did a brilliant job on that final climb and set such a good tempo.” At time of press, Froome was tackling stage 10, a 164.8km ride from Caravaca to El Pozo.

Boo off! GARETH Bale has been backed to remain at Real Madrid by manager Zinedine Zidane despite being booed by the club's fans in Sunday's 2-2 draw against Valencia. Los Blancos had to rely on two goals from emerging star Marco Asensio to steal a point at home to Los Che, against whom Bale was disappointing. But Zidane has suggested the winger isn’t going anywhere after the match. "He's a key player in the squad,” he said, “Gareth is Gareth. We keep working hard and we rely on Gareth, just as is the case with the other players. “His situation is good. He had scoring opportunities but did not convert them. We're going to keep working on this. "I can't criticise my players, quite the contrary. I'm very happy with their work."

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IN response to the profuse negative news about drunk British holidaymakers, Monarch is creating a ‘Mood Food’ box, which contains foods specifically chosen to reduce stress in individuals, making them less likely to hit the bar as a way of destressing during and after travel.

Finished with football FORMER Three Lions captain, Wayne Rooney, has announced his retirement from international football, shocking England. The all-time top goalscorer rejected an offer from Gareth Southgate to rejoin the English team.

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Never gonna dance again? A TEENAGER has been arrested in Saudi Arabia after footage of him doing the Macarena on a busy street in Jeddah went viral. The 14-year-old has been released after being accused of ‘improper public behaviour’. The clip shows the teen disrupting traffic while performing the dance to the popular Spanish song, which topped charts around the world in 1995, 1996 and 1997. Macarena is a Spanish dance song by Los del Río – a double singing act from Sevilla – about a woman of the same name.

Spanish pic of boyfriend checking other woman goes viral

ture, taken in Girona in 2015 by snapper Antonio Guillem, making hundreds of different socalled ‘memes’. In most, the boyfriend represents us, the woman walking by represents our mistakes, and the girlfriend represents the good decisions we don’t make. It’s also become a metaphor for our desire for something new. As Guillem explained: “It

A POPULAR ‘distracted boyfriend’ photo gone viral was shot in Spain, it has been revealed. In the widely shared pic, a young woman walks down the street as a couple pass by in the opposite direction. The boyfriend then turns round to look at the young woman’s behind and his girlfriend catches him. Internet users have now gone wild with the pic-

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Vol. 11 Issue 273

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STEALING on a first date is probably not advisable. But doing it on national TV is a definite no-no. This is what happened when 53-year-old Spaniard, known only as Alfredo, surprised producers on hit show First Dates when he brazenly stole an ashtray in front of the cameras. And when confronted by his date Monica, the Alicante native insisted it was merely a souvenir. "It's as if I went to your house and took something," she told him, in hilarious watching. He retorted that: “It doesn’t hurt anyone”. At the end of the evening, Monica, unsurprisingly, refused a second date with him. “It is not what I look for in a partner. I need stability and a certain maturity,” she argued.

A 112-YEAR-OLD Spaniard has become the oldest man in the world - thanks to a healthy diet and wine. Francisco Núñez Olivera, born in December 1904, claims the title after Pole Yisrael Kristal died last week. The grandfather of 15 was widowed in 1988, and currently lives with his eldest daughter, María Antonia, 81. The centenarian from Badajoz puts his longevity down to ‘good genes’, ‘hard work’ and a varied diet of homegrown vegetables. He also drinks one glass of red wine per day. He was ten years old when the First World War broke out and in the 1920s he fought against the Berbers in Morocco during the Rif War between Spain and its North African neighbour. His daily food intake includes milk and madeleines for breakfast with an Actimel, meat, fish or stew for lunch. He has yoghurt for an afternoon snack and special cereal with milk for dinner.

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is a metaphor that applies to everything,” he said. “And that’s no merit of mine.” Guillem said he has received so many interview requests from media that he’s been overwhelmed. The picture is uncannily similar to a photo of President Obama checking out the backside of a woman at a G8 conference, next to French Prime Minister Nicholas Sarkozy (see left).

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