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COSTA BLANCA
Vol. 1 Issue 13 www.theolivepress.es
Your expat
voice in Spain
September 12th- September 25th 2019
Turn to page 7 to find out which were the biggest stories this fortnight and how to get the most up to date info
Guardia Civil source: Squatters ‘live like kings’ and Spain is a long way from solving crisis
WE WON’T GO QUIETLY
BORIS Johnson has managed to silence Parliament, but British expats in Spain have shown they will not be cowed into a harmful nodeal departure from the EU. Brits around the country are mobilising to oppose the shutdown and stand up for their EU rights. Protests have spread to the Costa del Sol where pro-remain campaigners are planning a Protect Our Rights march in Malaga on September 22. It comes as an exclusive online poll by the Olive Press revealed an astonishing 73% of expats remain staunchy in favour of remaining within the European Union past the October 31 deadline (Pages 6-7). The Facebook poll shows that had they been able to participate fully in the biggest ‘democratic exercise for generations’, the expat vote would have proved decisive.
LINE OF DUTY
Olive Press journalist assaulted after exposing ‘violent’ gypsies who ‘flash residents’ and ‘throw rats into the pool’ EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
AN Olive Press journalist has been attacked after exposing a ‘violent’ gypsy family allegedly squatting and stealing electricity from a Costa Blanca complex. Simon Wade was chased down the street and headbutted as a young man tore off his glasses and tried robbing his camera in broad daylight in Formentera del Segura, near Torrevieja, last Saturday. The dedicated journalist was photographing alleged squats when the man flung open the door with his chest exposed and a tattoo reading, ‘I die for my family’. “My specs can be replaced, and the bruising will fade, but decent people here are living with this
24/7,” Wade said. A denuncia was made to the Guardia Civil, who called the perpetrator a ‘wild beast’ with a string of convictions. It comes as British resident, Ena Cummings, 53, contacted us claiming gypsies had thrown ‘dead rats’ into the Virgen del Rosario complex’s pool and repeatedly set terraces on fire. “They're stealing electricity and water, meaning us residents are paying for the squatters' utilities,” Cummings told the Olive Press. "They have no sense of dignity, neighbours young and old have had genitalia flashed at them by squatters.” Residents have held a community meeting, and are stuck between an expensive legal battle
Damage
“We are the people most affected and we didn't get a say, that is what is most unfair,” said protest organiser Valerie Lawrence, 68, based in Torrox, in the Axarquia. “Most of us could not vote and postal votes went missing. “Now we are just trying to stop Brexit or at least minimise the damage,” added the retired Yorkshire woman. It comes after an alarming treasury report issued two weeks ago spelt extreme danger for expats in various ways. The leaked Yellowhammer document warned of issues over penContinues on Page 7
CAUGHT: CCTV of troublemakers (leftt), while (right) the squatter who attacked on Olive Press journalist
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‘SQUATTING’: Familes are refusing to leave Costa Blanca flats
and bringing in ‘security’ to kick squatters out of the eight apartments, from a total of 68. It comes after this newspaper has tirelessly reported on the ‘hellish’ Mirador Monte Pedrera complex with 24 of 64 apartments illegally occupied by ‘abusive’ gypsies and squatters in Denia. Eviction Brit residents Linda Brown and Arnene Ashley have been ‘in and out’ of court suffering assaults, death threats and most recently winning an eviction order for the illegal squatters last month. But the situation in Spain is far from resolved, according to a Guardia Civil source. The agent last week blamed ‘greedy developers’ for constructing too many luxury apartment complexes at prices ordinary Spaniards ‘can’t afford’.
“The developer can’t sell their apartments, the bank repossesses the complex, and the gypsies break in,” the source told the Olive Press. “The owner of the property is the only one who can denounce the squatters - but banks don’t want to as court cases cost thousands. “If they do get an eviction order, the gypsies just break into another complex owned by the bank. “Either that, or the gypsies have a legal right to request the apartment be offered as social housing. “This means the bank will be forced to rent the flat out at between 75 to 150 euros. “So the bank does nothing. “The developers are tricking foreign buyers through their greed for more money. “Meanwhile the gypsies in Spain live in better apartments than the police officers.”
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CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF
How high A MARIJUANA farm has been rumbled by Catalunya police after being spotted during helicopter coverage of the Vuelta España.
Sexter Scorned A WOMAN in Alcoy has been arrested for distributing explicit images of a man without his permission - a criminal offence.
Firecracker stabbing
AN ALICANTE teen was arrested for stabbing another because another had thrown a firecracker too close. The victim was hospitalised needing stitches to a wound in his side.
Shoe Hash Stash THE DOG Unit of Alicante arrested yesterday a man with a pound of hashish in the sole of his sandals. The canny canine sniffed out the drug in the culprit’s luggage at Alicante bus station.
Wedding plan fraudster arrested after Olive Press expose finds her living it up in Spain A DISGRACED wedding planner wanted in the UK has been arrested after the Olive Press pictured her ‘sunning herself’ in a Spanish swimming pool. Dana Twidale was photographed at the Aquarium 2 apartments pool, in Benidorm, despite being wanted by British police. The mum-of-two, 42, is facing nine counts of fraud after allegedly charging happy couples ‘tens of thousands of euros’ for weddings that never materialised. “The pictures are 100 percent Dana,” her husband, Carl Twidale, told the Olive Press, this week. “They were sent to me from a girl holidaying around the same pool with her family,” he added from his home in Yorkshire.
Find my Phone A MULTINATIONAL gang of 20 criminals have been arrested for ram-raiding 32 phone shops across the country. The targeted shops included Costa Blanca businesses in Santa Pola, Elche, Ontinyent, Murcia, Cartagena and Valencia. The late-night robberies often took less than a minute, before the culprits fled with their haul - destined for Romania.
September 12th - September 25th 2019
Spotted
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
“Police contacted me at the weekend confirming she had been arrested. “However, I don’t know where she is exactly or if she has yet been charged.” We had contacted Carl after a tip off from a reader that Dana was holidaying in Benidorm. While he was unable to confirm it at the time, he got back in touch with the paper, after the holidaymaker spotted Dana living it up and sent him photos. The barber, from Kingston upon Hull - who was able to identify her from her tattoos was defrauded of over £4,000 (€4,100) during the three-year marriage, before splitting in 2017.
He only became aware of a ‘web of lies’ from the alleged con-artist earlier this year. “She has conned dozens of people, stealing tens of thousands,” Twidale said. “At this point, my only concern is getting Dana’s daughter back safely. “The 18-year-old is going through sexual transition and is vulnerable. “She has been missing for around six weeks and is believed to be with Dana.” Humberside Police told Carl, Dana had fled the UK after scores of people came forward claiming they had been conned by her. Among the victims was one couple from Harrogate who were left in turmoil when Dana allegedly went missing 24 hours
Look out!
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
A BRITISH expat is sounding the alarm after a pregnant thief posing as a beggar stole her brand new iPhone X right from under her nose on the Costa Blanca. ‘Distraction tactics’ were used as the con artist approached Jacqueline Parker and her two nephews whilst eating out in Javea’s Arenal area. The ‘pregnant-looking woman’ put a begging note on top of the Javea resident’s phone, worth €1,000, before snatching both as staff asked her to leave. “It’s caused so much hassle and upset I would rather people knew how this happened,” Jacqueline told the Olive Press. “Please be aware that this is happening and keep your personal belongings safe.
&
POOLSIDE: Crook Dana Twidale (right) before their big day in July. Nicky Thorpe reported that she had paid ‘well over £2,000’ but was distraught to find an empty marquee two days before her wedding. Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es if you have met Dana or been affected
Baby in Bin THE lifeless body of a new-born baby has been found in an Alicante rubbish dumpster. A man rang 091 when he came across the tragic discovery while looking for scrap metal in the Pla area of the region’s capital last week. Police sources revealed the same man has also seen the person responsible throw the baby in the bin, still with its umbilical cord attached.
Manhunt launched for canine killer
A MANHUNT is underway for a suspected pet poisoner after a dog was killed on a popular doggy beach. Four more dogs have taken ill during the last week on Playa de las Moreras, near Puerto de Mazarron, where police discovered 300g of poisoned pet food. The other animals only ‘suffered’ from the poison, according to the local Asosiacion de Proteccion Animal – with the attempted killings happening on a beach that is specifically for dogs and their owners.
Unusual Council workers are combing the area and the neighbouring beaches of Cobaticas and Playa Gachero for further traces. Authorities are asking owners of any pet showing unusual signs of nausea to take them to the vet. Police also asked the public to call them on 968 591496. Have you been affected? Write to newsdesk@theolivepress.es
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September 12th - September 25th 2019
Buck up your ideas INBETWEENERS Star James Buckely has joked about visiting Spain in a rant that saw him brand Europe a ‘f***ing s**thole.’ Buckely has blasted Spain as somewhere ‘you can’t drink the water’ or ‘flush paper down the toilet,’ on his Youtube channel. “I don’t wanna talk about politics,” he said, “but there’s a whole Brexit thing going on at the moment. I’m sure there’s more to it, but when-
NEWS No one’s getting at our kid Molly
ever I go to Spain or Greece or whatever I’m like... let’s just leave this. Look at it. “You can’t drink the water, you can’t flush paper down the toilets,” continued the 32-year-old comedian.
LIAM Gallagher has ramped up his personal security as he tried to build bridges with his previously estranged daughter. The Oasis star, 46, was snapped by the Olive Press hanging out with his child Molly, who he only met for the first time last year, at the Gibraltar Calling festival (see page 16). Burly security men led the Gal-
3
TIGHT: Security ramps up for Gallagher and daughter
lagher entourage to the ‘locked down’ stage, while model Molly was heard shouting, ‘I thought there’d be no pictures’. Molly is the daughter of Kill City singer Lisa Moorish, who Liam had an affair with, while married to Patsy Kensit. Liam admitted, ‘there were tears’ as he and Molly met last year and ‘got really drunk’.
EX CL PI USI C VE
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Not your father ‘You’re not mine,’ Julio Iglesias tells new son as he launches legal action against paternity ruling
FALLEN: Spacey out and about amid abuse claims
Spaced out DISGRACED actor and producer Kevin Spacey has been filmed playing guitar and singing along with a local band on the streets of Sevilla at 2 am. Footage emerged showing the 60-year-old jovially playing the mandolin with band Tuna de Derecho de Sevilla, a group who study at the University of Sevilla. Speaking to ABC Sevilla, one of the band members, Francisco Rodriguez, said: “I knew that he is fond of music and that he has a group, but I did not expect him to take the guitar and play with us."Just a few weeks ago the Hollywood star had a groping charge against him dropped in Massachusetts - but he is still facing charges in London and Los Angeles over sexual assault allegations.
Gone but not forgotten VALENCIAN singer and ballad composer, Camilo Sesto has died aged 72, his family have said. One of Spain’s biggest pop stars of all time, the Alcoy-born star scored a string of number one hits in a decade-spanning career.
BBC Brexpats LOTHARIO: Julio Iglesias takes ‘new son’ Javier (inset right) to court after paternity battle rules he is 100% the love child Iglesias shares with Maria Edite (inset left)
JULIO Iglesias’ lawyer has filed an appeal against the controversial sentence that named him as the father of 43-year-old Javier Sanchez Santos.
The star singer’s defence reportedly hurried the legal timeframe in which an appeal could be lodged to challenge the ruling from Valencia’s Court of First
The Quieres ser mi amante? crooner passed away after suffering a heart attack at a Madrid hospital. “Dear friends, we are very sorry to inform you that our great and dear artist Camilo Sesto has just left us. Rest in peace,” a family statement read. The Spaniard recorded his first solo LP, Algo de Mi in 1971, and in a glittering career sold more than 70 million albums.
Instance no. 13, on July 10. It comes after the Olive Press exclusively interviewed Maria Edite, the mother of Javier Sanchez Santos, in Valencia following the successful sentence. In that court case, judge Jose Miguel Bort cited Julio Iglesias’ refusal to agree to a ‘paternity test’ despite evidence he met Maria Edite during the ‘approximate time of the conception’ of Javier - whom he has refused to ever meet. The night of passion took place in July 1975, in a party room located in the Girona town of Sant Feliu de Guixols, when both Julio
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were Maria were performing - Julio as a singer, and Maria as a ballerina. The conception would scandalously have come two months after the birth of Enrique Iglesias, while Julio was still married to Filipina socialite Isabel Preysler. The judge also reached his conclusion based on ‘physical similarities’ between Julio and Javier. The Spanish crooner’s legal team will reportedly argue against the sentence on the grounds that two previous paternity cases were dismissed - repeated proceedings on the same issue are not allowed.
BRITISH expats living in Spain have shared their Brexit concerns with millions of viewers. Presenter Tim Muffet was on the Costa del Sol to talk to members of the expat community, including residents battling illness among uncertainty over post-Brexit healthcare arrangements. Pensioner Dave England, living in Almeria, said his Parkinson’s medicine would cost ‘€1,700’ a month and was only available via prescription. “I can’t afford it, sometimes I wonder if it’s worth going on,” England said live on Breakfast TV. Meanwhile President of Brexpats, Anne Hernandez, reminded viewers that Spain issued a Royal Decree on March 1 saying Brits would be able to access healthcare as normal for 21 months, in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
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The kindness of a stranger has saved a young Birmingham couple trapped in Alicante following the unexpected birth of their first child
Your reporters, here to help on the Costa Blanca News Editor Laurence Dollimore and Reporter Joshua Parfitt Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es (Personal contacts on page 6)
NEWS
September 12th - September 25th 2019
Room at the inn
EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
A BIRMINGHAM plumber wants to thank the ‘Good Samaritan’ who came to their rescue, after he delivered his own daughter THREE months prematurely, whilst on holiday. Matthew Beach and Shannon Holbrook had been staying at series of hotels and apartments on the Costa Blanca after the young mum had given birth at 27 weeks. Scarlett-Rose was born weighing only two pounds, and won’t be fit enough to return to the UK until October. In the meantime, the couple’s insurance company had been helping them with accommodation and medical bills. However, after being sent to five different hotels and apartments in four weeks,
OVERJOYED: Matthew Beach and Shannon Holbrook with new baby, which was delivered by stranger
Natalie Gallagher from Corwen in North Wales came to their rescue by offering up her villa in el Campello for free, only 10 minutes from the hospital. “After staying at so many different places, and travelling such distances to see our baby in San Juan, this lady’s offer was a Godsend”, stated Matthew. Scarlett-Rose is now 3lb 5oz and in much better health. Being so tiny, eating and breathing had been difficult, but the ‘little fighter’ is now learning
to cope. Shannon admitted she was “scared” when her waters broke while on holiday in Callosa de Segura, in the hills above Benidorm. “Luckily for us, Matthew was there to deliver Scarlett, as the ambulance couldn’t find the villa – it was so remote!” “But now, with the brilliant healthcare here and Miss Gallagher’s villa, we’re much more comfortable and I think Scarlett can sense that”, continued Shannon.
The Olive Press also spoke with Miss Gallagher at home on Wales, admitting she was delighted to help out the stricken couple. “I’d read about their plight online, and thought, “Flippin’ heck, perhaps I can do something about this”. ‘Imagine being in that situation, with a premature baby and having to do all that travelling”, she continued.
Matthew said, “I want to publicly thank all our friends, family and the anonymous online contributors who’ve helped support us – particularly Natalie Gallagher for the use of her villa. “Not many people in the world would do such a thing, we’re so grateful – thank you from all three of us”
NEWS
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Helping handout
The UK government will provide up to £3 million in funding for charities and voluntary organisations to support UK nationals apply for residency through Brexit uncertainty. In excess of a million Britons live in the EU, and the government in particular wants to help those who cannot complete the paperwork. The grant is intended to focus on the elderly and disabled, those who can’t travel long distances, and - importantly - those needing translation or interpretation. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “The UK will be leaving the EU on October 31st and we want to help UK nationals living across the EU to be fully ready for Brexit, whatever the circumstances.
September 12th - September 25th 2019
Bunny spoiler
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British vegan causes death of dozens of rabbits after breaking into Spanish farm to ‘rescue them’ A BRITISH expat vegan has been blamed for the death of up to 100 rabbits after a so-called ‘rescue mission’ backfired in Catalunya. ‘Mythical Mia’ - as she is known to her thousands of followers - broke into a farm in Osona and drove off with 16 of the animals before posting a video of herself on social media with a bloodstained face and legs.
Out of the shadows SPAIN has roped in almost 1,000 civil servants to cope with the extra workload in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed in Congress this week that some 875 public positions have been created to reinforce the areas most at risk from no deal. The preparation efforts have mainly focused on customs, trade, border control and document workers who have been inundated with Brits looking to register as residents or to become fully fledged citizens. Spain believes some 400,000 MORE Brits could turn up to register as residents or citizens once the umbrella of free movement is taken away.
In the clip, she told her 40,000 Instagram fans that farmers had pursued her and shot at her through the car window. But according to local sources, 90 rabbits had to be put down because they were left without a mother. Meanwhile, five were killed during the raid while others suffered broken spines. Mia said: “Despite ev-
That’s more than the current official number of Brits living in Spain, which sits at 330,000, as estimates believe there are hundreds of thousands of Britons who have not registered or signed on to the local padron. “Spain is prepared for any scenario, including a hard Brexit,” said Sanchez, who wanted to convey ‘a message of tranquility’ to citizens. He then compared the ‘crisis’ of Brexit to the Catalunya independence question. “Not even British democracy is safe from polarisation and rupture,” he said, “Let us take note and act accordingly. “Let’s be the best version of ourselves.”
Service you deserve People you can trust BUCK SHOT: Vegan raid
erything, I am just happy that those 16 lives are free from harm. They make everything worth it. “The farmer was extremely aggressive and attacked us, strangling activists and smashing their heads with metal poles. “The police came and told us to leave peacefully, which we did. After we left the farmers chased us down the motorway at 200km for an hour.” It comes after Catalunya police said it was unlikely a shotgun was fired, with the impact of the glass suggesting that the window is likely to have been hit by a 'forceful object’ instead.
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FEATURE
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September 12th - September 25th 2019
BREXIT
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.
after all the arguing, where do you stand now?
OPINION
Hack attack IN this online age, it’s a novelty to imagine a reporter out on the beat and putting him/herself into dangerous situations. But Olive Press hacks are proud to be at the forefront of investigative, English-language journalism in Spain. Occasionally, this means putting our necks on the line (Attacked in Action, pg 1). From photographing illegal squats, to catching criminals and asking businesses and Town Halls difficult questions, we aim to find the truths that empower you to make informed decisions about your lives in the sun. But the real victims of this shock, as our journalist Simon Wade said, are the Brits living with the daily threat of violence and abuse. Resident at the Virgen del Campo complex, Ena Cummings, was also assaulted during the scuffle with a gypsy man described by Guardia Civil as a ‘wild beast’. It is for people like Ena we will keep on reporting. While we go home and recover, many still wake up on the wrong side of their dreams.
We would make the difference AS the world’s oldest democracy came to a shuddering halt thanks to Boris Johnson’s peroguing putsch the Olive Press carried out its own democratic exercise. The results of our exclusive online poll of more than 2000 readers revealed that 73% of expats would vote to remain if given the chance again. This is pretending as if most of us got much of say last time round. The burning truth is most of us could not vote despite the fact we stood to be most affected. The ‘Will of the People’ to not extend to the pueblos of Axarquía or Calpe despite friends, family and business links we as Brits resident Spain have with the UK. The expat vote in Spain alone could have tipped the result of the referendum, but why stop there. Give the right to vote to some 5.5 million Brits living abroad and put this Brexit bollocks to bed for a generation. PUBLISHER / EDITOR Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es
Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es
Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es
Joshua Parfitt joshua@theolivepress.es
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With the Brexit D-Day looming and battle lines drawn, the Olive Press takes the temperature of expats around Spain, three quarters of whom would vote to remain if given the choice again. Research by Jacque Talbot and Laurence Dollimore
A
N Olive Press online poll has revealed that almost three-quarters of expats in Spain would rather remain in the EU than leave. However, in an exclusive poll of over 2,100 readers, we discovered that an eye-catching 27% still want Britain to leave the union, despite having a potentially detrimental effect on their healthcare, pensions and freedom of movement. As the UK edges ever nearer to our supposed departure on October 31, anxiety levels are rising among many of the hundreds of thousands of British expats around Spain. So concerned are the estimated three million Brits, who live around Europe, that the British Foreign Office has just launched a €3.2m campaign to help calm fears - and coordinate advice. Despite the Spanish government and Junta insisting the rights of British expats will be respected, nothing has been set in stone. The continuing uncertain status of expats in Europe is already limiting our ability to plan or make life-changing decisions, while some expats have already been turned down for everything from mortgages to job interviews, claims Germany-based expat group, The British in Europe Coalition.
Families
“Confusion over immigration status, the British settled status scheme, and the right to return to the UK or the continent with our families is causing turmoil to Brits in Europe and EU citizens in the UK,” explained spokesman Rose Newell. “Many families now face the risk of being forced to choose between loved ones back home and partners or children. “A no-deal scenario is a disaster for British citizens in the EU, who will face 27 different no-deal solutions across the EU. “ The loss of freedom of movement, a right many of us freely exercise, is something many British citizens will mourn. “Many people’s livelihoods, especially those of frontier workers in Gibraltar are already at risk – and this will worsen in the event of a no-deal Brexit.”
DRAGGING IT OUT: Boris Johnson is hellbent on forcing Brexit on Ocober 31
Expats voting would have changed result If the huge number of British expats abroad (estimated at 5.5 million) were allowed to vote in the 2016 poll - and given that at least 73% appear in favour of remaining in the EU, as the exclusive Olive Press poll conducted on Facebook over a week suggests - this would have firmly tipped the referendum the other way. She also estimates that over 80% of all Brits living outside the UK have lost their right to vote, which - if true - makes a mockery that it was a democratic vote, as local British businessman. A leaked report from the UK Treasury two weeks ago, called Yellowhammer, backed this up warning of potential four hour queues getting in and out of the Rock. It also warned that British citizens travelling to the EU could be limited to 90-day stays and subject to tighter passport controls. It added that in the worst case scenario British expats will lose associated rights and access to services, which may include
BOOST FOR CRIMINALS A NO-DEAL Brexit could turn see Britain become a 'safe haven' for dangerous foreign criminals, according to classified police documents.
BREXIT IN BRIEF It could also make it harder to pursue dangerous British gangs, rapists and paedophiles, who flee to Europe to evade justice. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) raised concerns that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, police officers could lose tools which help them track and trace suspects. Alongside the International Crime Co-ordination Centre (ICCC) it believes the UK ‘could be seen as a
safe haven for foreign criminals.’ It believes that a hard Brexit could impede on the police being able to access EU databases, meaning the hunt for “missing persons” or “wanted offenders” could become “slower, less effective, and more bureaucratic.” The news comes just one month after the government's Operation Yellowhammer, which revealed that law enforcement data and ease of information sharing between the UK and EU will be disrupted.
healthcare. What grates many expats is the fact that so many were unable to vote in the last referendum due to a soon to be scrapped 15-year rule. To gain deeper insight into the issues facing us all as we approach deadline day, we spoke to ten expats across the spectrum of ages and backgrounds for their views.
“
Karen Livermore, 55, ex-Editor Woman and Woman’s Own
My partner and I only moved here nine weeks ago, and it was a joy to escape the ridiculousness of the UK government and the whole Brexit shambles. I think at the time of the referendum much was made of the horrors of belonging to the EU, migration and of course the tactics of Nigel Farage, that the whole issue became clouded and the British public did not know what they were voting for. Since then, global economies have changed and people in the UK are now becoming fully aware of what leave will mean for them. If there were a second referendum the outcome would be very different, I’m sure of that. And anyone thinking Trump will be there to hand the UK massive trade deals… really?”
FEATURE
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7
COUNTDOWN
7 Olive Press online
September 12th - September 25th 2019 that’s the
Spain’s best English news website
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FIGURE IT OUT : CHECK, CHECK AND CHECK AGAIN REBEL ALLIANCE: Opposition leaders plot grand no-deal Brexit escape plan
David Giles, 61, concert promoter, Marbella:
“ Peter Langdale, 64, farmer, Axarquia:
“
It’s a complete farce. They talk about it being a democratic decision, but it clearly wasn’t as only a quarter of the country voted. Us expats, who are as British as anyone back home, were not allowed to vote if we’ve lived in Spain for 15 years. We were denied a vote - that in itself is anti-democratic. The people who live here and voted leave, they think it’s a golf club. They have no idea what Brexit will do to our economy. It will impact our import business as bringing in food to the UK will go through custom entry, meaning further delays for our clients and the British public. They say they voted leave because of immigration. Well, I’m sorry, but I’m an immigrant, and like most other immigrants, when I moved country, I just wanted to work. If they all leave the UK, what will happen to the NHS?”
I would have liked to remain. If something is not broken, why bother to try and fix it? To remain in the EU makes sense in every way - both economically and strategically for the UK. I think the reason people in the UK want to leave is because of this old ideology. This post-World War 2 idea about the country being a global superpower, which just isn’t the case anymore.”
“
From a moral point of view, I thought it was a good thing to leave. When we joined, we joined a common market - but now we’ve got these unelected bureaucrats running things like a mafia. Our country’s like a little Italian deli, telling them ‘we’re not going to pay your protection money anymore’. And they’re like, ‘No, we can’t let you out because everyone else will want out’. We can’t leave - these people are too powerful. It’s like Hotel California.
But beware, there are many tricksters out there: Media owners far too willing to cut corners by buying links to their websites, followers to their Twitter feeds and likes to their Facebook pages. The moral however, is cheats never prosper. As any IT or SEO specialists worth their salt will tell you; Google and other search engines soon find out and they will be punished. The way to be sure is to ask for an actual Google Analytics report. The Olive Press is always happy to send out one for whatever period a potential client might want. We can give you an audience breakdown by age, sex and nationality at the touch of a button. Always, always ask for actuals and be VERY wary of any sites or social media pages that show sudden, suspicious surges in popularity or likes. As the Olive Press has discovered through exclusive investigations in Spain, numerous suspect businesses have set up offering Facebook likes, Twitter followers, or say Trip Advisor reviews … for a fee! One company CGI, based in Benalmadena, offered to do 50 reviews ‘of any business’ for €400 – with payments made by cash or PayPal. See story here: https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2018/08/31/exclusive-costa-del-sol-business-selling-fake-reviews-on-tripadvisor/
“
Expat unrest From Page 1
Lindsey Honey, 63, film producer and actor, in Orba:
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
Alan David Ashley, 75, retired factory manager, Malaga: I was torn. I wasn’t sure whether it would be good or bad to leave the EU. The thing is, I didn’t have all the facts, so I couldn’t make a fair decision. However, I don’t believe that the UK will leave because there are too many ifs and buts. It’s not like the old days - we don’t have a strong enough prime minister to see us right.”
sions, healthcare and crossing borders, particularly in Gibraltar. The warnings however have not stopped a five-week shutdown of Parliament begin, amid chaotic and angry protests in the House of Commons by opposition MPs. Scuffles broke out around speaker John Bercow’s chair as Labour’s Lloyd Russell-Moyle made a symbolic bid to pin Bercow in place late on Monday night. Commons doorkeepers intervened as other opposition MPs including Green MP Caroline Lucas helped up signs emblazoned with the words ‘silenced’ amid cries of ‘shame’. The PM has claimed the government will use the suspension to press ahead with negotiations with the EU to reach a deal, while still ‘preparing to leave without one’. "No matter how many devices this
THE Olive Press website has had a veritable summer of love. Www.theolivepress.es is now definitively Spain’s Number One news website. In August we had an amazing 1.4 MILLION visitors and an incredible 1.7 MILLION page views, and we continue to climb the Google analytics and Alexa.com charts. We’re growing all the time - due to an increased investment in real journalism - and are now at 72.000 position in the world, according to Alexa.com. This is enhanced by our 21,000 Facebook followers, 7,200 Twitter followers and our rapidly increasing in-roads on Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. We are getting around 50,000 unique visitors a day and the numbers are soaring.
FACEBOOK FIDDLES
A simple check is to have a look at individual posts on Facebook and count the number of ‘likes’. The Olive Press is averaging about 40 to 50 likes per story, while many of our rivals are getting single figures, unless, of course, they boost (advertise) the post.
Ed Allison-Wright, 31, director at World Trade Center, Gibraltar:
“
Gibraltar has the potential, resilience and determination to actually come out of Brexit very well. It brings lots to businesses and the talent within the area remains globally competitive. Despite the uncertainty associated with Brexit, the lifestyle choices between Gibraltar and northern European destinations remain clear and compelling.”
Continues on Page 8 Parliament invents to tie my hands, I will strive to get an agreement in the national interest," he said. "This government will not delay Brexit any further." It comes after Johnson was warned he could face legal action if he chooses to ignore new legislation passed by Parliament blocking a no-deal Brexit. The law received Royal assent on Monday and forces Johnson to seek a delay until January 31 2020 unless MPs approval a deal by October 19.
THE MEDIA GROUP WITH REAL NUMBERS
Online stats are easy to manipulate, but if you do your checks you should find the best place to promote your business. All in all, we are the media group WITH THE NUMBERS! Don’t forget it. Send us an email today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 so we can find you a better, more effective way to market your business.
The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress. es in the past two weeks are:
1
- CONFIRMED: Government will uprate UK State Pension
for those living in the EU until March 2023 in event of nodeal Brexit (45,872)
2 3
- ‘Europe’s best theme park’ just opened in Spain and it looks AMAZING (37,310)
4
- WORTH IT? First findings emerge after Benidorm Mirador destroyed in search of ruins that ‘might not exist’ (36,042)
- WATCH: Secret filming reveals Goldcar staff ‘BULLY’
5
tourists and charge ‘€300 for scratch’ on Spain’s Costa del Sol and Costa del Sol (30,715)
- BAD CALL: Wanted Italian mafia boss rumbled on Spain’s Costa del Sol after making rookie mistake while driving (27,711)
Visitors: 702,122
Page views: 915,298
8
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es
BREXIT IN BRIEF President prepares for nodeal Brexit
Property prices to fall if the UK leaves the EU
PRESIDENT of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, has been making plans to alleviate the effect of a hard Brexit. Moreno has stated that the area is liable to be affected because of the high number of British people living in Andalucia and the large quantities of tourists who visit each year.
PROPERTY prices may fall if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal. According to global accountancy firm KPMG, Northern Ireland will see the biggest drop in the next 12 months, of around 7.5%, while London may suffer a 7% decrease.
Paul Kingham, 47, owner of Novas bar, in Javea:
“
Following my dreams, I opened my first bar/restaurant in Javea two weeks before brexit was announced. Year on year, it has been increasingly obvious that the UK tourists are spending less and less on going out. The conversation points to people still visiting, but staying more in their villas, stocking up at the supermarkets and saving their ever-decreasing pound sterling. I think we will have a couple of years while we wait for stability in the currency to reset. When people know the value of their hard-earned cash then they will venture out again. I suspect it will take a decade for the pound to be strong again.”
From Page 7
Christine Wibbett, 68, Estepona, retired:
“
I didn’t vote but I am happy to leave the EU. We’ve gone too far down the line for anything to be reversed now. But, at the moment, it’s just a bloody mess. Theresa May tried her best but, like the rest of them, politicians are more concerned with their own status than anything else.”
Oscar Gonzalez, ex diplomat, based in Marbella
“
“The arguments put forward by the three Brexiteers on your article last issue boil down to the usual vague, populist, stubborn and provincial reasons lo leave the EU: Proud to be British, regaining sovereignty, etc. On the other hand one could write a 500-page book with solid reasons to remain such as certification of medicaments, fast movement across EU countries of human organs for transplantation and of short life isotopes for nuclear medicine! The ailments of the UK (like de-industrialization, the selling of important and strategic assets i.e. the remains of the once proud automotive industry to foreign interests, immigration, etc) have little to do with the EU. Churchill once said that democracy was the second best way to run a country, the first best not yet found. The same with the EU.
Read more on what Brexit means for you at www.theolivepress. es Have your say: email us at newsdesk@theolivepress.es Agree or disagree with our poll? Join the debate... follow us on Facebook, Twitter or our website
September 12th - September 25th 2019 Guy McCrow, 35, owner of the Beach House Marbella:
“
Brexit is a perception thing and as a business owner, I’ve tried to stay out of it as much as possible. It’s really a load of hot air. Some of our customers ask us about it, whether we are worried what it will do to our business - but, no I don’t - it’s all perception. Our English customers seem to have put the whole thing out of their heads, too, partying harder this summer than ever before.”
Dean Holie, 60, owner of boat charter business Norton Charter, in Duquesa:
“
I voted leave, and I feel even more strongly about that now than before. Of course it is going to be tough for the UK, but I believe the country will come back stronger than ever before. I believe us expats will be fine after a couple of years of small issues.”
Sandra Eveleigh, 71, Manilva, retired:
“
Having been here for 20 years I wasn’t allowed to vote - but I wished the referendum turned out to be remain. I believe there are a lot of expats out there with illnesses like my husband’s who are very stressed about what impact Brexit will have on the treatment they receive - and the worry of it all can only be bad for their health.”
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NEWS
PENSIONS IN PERIL
Driving down
SPAIN has seen the biggest decline in new car registration since the 2008 economic crash. The sharp decline has been attributed to the introduction of new emission tests, which deflated car sales by 48% last August. Car registration has decreased by 30.8% to 74,490 units compared to the same month in 2018, according to industry groups. This is the biggest drop for August in terms of commercialization of cars since 2008, when levels collapsed 41.27% in the middle of the economic crisis. Spain’s automobile employers association Anfac has called for urgent measures to reverse this trend as soon as possible. In particular Anfac would like to see ‘a crash plan with stimulus measures to encourage the purchase of new vehicles’.
BRITISH expats living in the EU may only have their state pension uprated for the next three years if a no-deal Brexit takes place. After March 2023 it is unknown if expats will see uprating continue on a long-term basis, confirmed the UK government. Currently, State Pension is uprated each year by either the standard 2.5%, the Consumer Price Index or average wage.
Company warning AROUND 90,000 Spanish companies have received letters from the government warning of the potential effects of a no-deal Brexit. The country’s tax agency, Hacienda, has recommended the at-risk businesses take steps to adapt to the possibility that the UK could leave with EU without an agreement on October 31.
The letters list the new customs, tax and health-related requirements that businesses will have to meet to engage in cross-border trade. The industries which will face the biggest challenges will be those which export agri-food and animal products to the UK, thanks to the new health and quality requirements which could be imposed.
September 12th - September 25th 2019
9
10
www.theolivepress.es
Costa Solar
A NEW set of solar panels has been unveiled at a hydroelectricity plant on the Costa Blanca. Water company Amjasa has installed the revolutionary technology to supply both electricity and water to parts of Javea. Located in the pumping facility of La Falzia, the 36 panels provide 12kW of energy - enough to power pumps and supply water to the Balcon al Mar, La Cala and Ambolo housing developments. According to the public company, the panels are ‘self-sufficient’ for most of the day.
GREEN
September 12th - September 25th 2019
MAR-VELLOUS EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
SPAIN’S Ministry for Ecological Transition has announced 21 measures to reduce pollution and runoff into the Mar Menor to ‘zero’. The measures will tackle dung from cattle farms, runoff from old mines and water treatment in an effort to stop nitrates and nitrites reaching the biodiverse salt-water lagoon. It comes as environmental campaigners have spent years fighting the ‘poisoning’ and ‘green-coloured waters’ at the World Heritage Site. The 10-year project will cost €430 - 615 million with the Government working closely with Murcia’s councillor for
REDUCTION: 21 measures to get Mar Menor to zero and (right) Jorge Salgueiro agriculture, Antonio Luengo. goon. as ‘ramblas’. The most expensive parts of Murcia’s Hydrographic Con- Citizens’ action groups have the project include construc- federation of Segura (CHS) been very critical of the local tion of a drainage network will also work to clear up authorities’ inability to proparound the shore of the la- floodwater channels known erly maintain these ramblas that drain the land into the sea, as slow-flowing water collects more chemicals desEXCLUSIVE tined the lagoon. By Simon Wade Such nitrates and nutrients are harmful and cause an A GROUP of determined expats have taken market. ‘algal bloom’ that turns the to the streets of Los Alcazares on the Mar “Once the Ayuntamiento heard of our efwaters green, as they did in Menor coastline in a bid to tidy up the town. forts, they now give us gloves, litter pickers 2016. Rubbish collection has long been a ‘dan- and dozens of bin bags”. “It’s a false dawn if the public gerous eyesore’ as local authorities lack the Volunteer John Ogden said: “There’s no aren’t involved,“ Jorge Salresources to address the problem, according campaign and there’s no agenda, we’re just a gueiro who is part of the large to a spokesperson for the Grupo de Orgullo group of like-minded Brits that want to keep Mar Menor Action Group, de Los Alcazares (Pride Group of Los Alca- our town clean.” told the Olive Press. zares). “If groups in other parts of the Costa Blanca “The control of spending and “The council already have enough on their feel the same, feel free to follow our examthe control of politicians must hands with cleaning the roads and beaches, ple!” be considered.” so we’re happy to help tidy barren areas of On Sunday, the group filled over 40 bags of Last month, The Olive Press wasteland,” Mo Johnson told the Olive Press rubbish, as well as collecting two discarded reported on lead weights poiduring a clean-up behind the LIDL super- chairs and a mattress. soning seahorses en masse.
Hands dirty
Clorox killer CAT colonies in Javea have suffered a new blow as water bowls at one site were found filled with ‘bleach’, an expat has claimed. Kim Oldcorn said her daughter found two bowls at the colony near the Avinguda del Botanic Cabanilles ‘full of thick concentrated bleach’ last Monday. “My daughter realised it was pure bleach in the bowls, and it even fell down her legs,” Oldcorn told the Olive Press. “This could have been very nasty for the kittens there. I know cats aren’t stupid, but it could’ve stuck in their noses or splashed in their eyes.” President of the Javea Feral Cats Association, Liz Trafford, told the Olive Press she checked the colony on Tuesday and found nothing ‘untoward’. “What I did see was a disgusting area where the cats live, with rubbish and the poor cats living among filth. “People need to know the problems we face.”
LETTERS LETTERS
LE T T E R S
September - September August 1st -12th August 14th 201925th 2019 Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es Andalucia Issue 326
FLOG IT: Mark Stacey in Javea
supporting Brits in Spain who said they would vote Leave again as no-deal moves closer (Leave and proud, Issue 325, pg 7)
RAID your jewellery boxes and plunder the garage because Flog It! is coming to the Costa Blanca! Mark Stacey, renowned British auctioneer, will be in Javea on September 14 to value your trinkets and even give you a juicy offer. The TV personality has appeared on Bargain Hunt, Flog it!, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is and the Antiques Road Trip - but this trip will be raising funds for charity Guardian Angels. “Six years ago Mark came over and we had over 400 people through the door,” Sue Nutbrown, president of Guardian Angels, told the Olive Press. “If your items are worth something, Mark will make you an offer and then livestream you its auctioning back in the UK.”
AN Olive Press journalist has been attacked after exposing a ‘violent’ gypsy family allegedly squatting and stealing electricity. the Simon Wade was chased down street and headbutted as a young man tore off his glasses and tried robbing his camera in broad daylight on the Costa Blanca. The dedicated journalist was photoexgraphing alleged squats, next to pat homes, when the man flung opena the door with chest exposed and tattoo reading ‘I die for my family’.the “My specs can be replaced, and bruising will fade, but decent people here are living with this 24/7,” Wade said. A denuncia was made to the Civil Guard, who revealed the perpetrator was a ‘wild beast’ with a string of convictions. It comes after British resident, Ena Cummings, 53, contacted us claiming gypsies had thrown ‘dead rats’ into the Virgen del Rosario complex’s on pool and repeatedly set terraces
fire. wa“They're stealing electricity and ter,” the Formentera del Segura resident told the Olive Press.
Your expat
voice in Spain
Turn to page 7 to find out which were the biggest stories this fortnight and how to get the most up to date info
September 11th - September 24, 2019 Vol. 13 Issue 326 www.theolivepress.es
FREE
WE WON’T GO QUIETLY Olive shuts Parliament and exclusive Expats take to streets as Boris reveals unflinching Remain support EXCLUSIVE By Timothy McNulty
to BORIS Johnson has managed exsilence Parliament, but British pats in Spain have shown they will nonot be cowed into a harmful deal departure from the EU. Brits around the country are mobilising to oppose the shutdown
“We are the people most affected and we didn't get a say, that is what is most unfair,” said protest organin iser Valerie Lawrence, 68, based Torrox, in the Axarquia. “Most of us could not vote and COUP: Protesting MPs postal votes went missing. surround Speaker Bercow “Now we are just trying to stop the Brexit or at least minimise intervened damage,” added the retired York- Commons doorkeepers as other opposition MPs includshire woman. Lucas It comes after an alarming treasury ing Green MP Caroline with report issued two weeks ago spelt helped up signs emblazoned amid cries of extreme danger for expats in var- the words ‘silenced’ ‘shame’. ious ways. the governThe leaked Yellowhammer docu- The PM has claimed suspension to ment warned of issues over pen- ment will use the with sions, healthcare and crossing bor- press ahead with negotiations EU to reach a deal, while still ders, particularly in the ‘preparing to leave without one’.this Gibraltar. matter how many devices The warnings howev- "No invents to tie my hands, er have not stopped Parliament strive to get an agreement in a five-week shutdown I will interest," he said. national the begin, of Parliament government will not delay amid chaotic and an- "This any further." gry protests in the Brexit after Johnson was warned House of Commons It comes he he could face legal action if by opposition MPs. to ignore new legislation Scuffles broke out chooses by Parliament blocking a around speaker John passed Brexit. Bercow’s chair as no-deal law received Royal assent on Labour’s Lloyd Rus- The to Johnson and forces sell-Moyle made a Monday a delay until January 31 2020 symbolic bid to pin seek MPs approval a deal by OcBercow in place late unless19. tober on Monday night.
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Vol. 4 Issue 105 www.theolivepress.es September 11th - September 24th
Picardo defiant in National Day speech as Boris Johnson shuts down Parliament in no-deal
BORIS Johnson should visit Gibraltar to explain what a nodeal Brexit would do for Gibraltar. That is the verdict of Westminster pro-EU campaigner Steve Bray on a recent visit to the Rock. The activist, who stands outside parliament in his famous blue top hat every time it meets, has had numerous run-ins with top Tory legislators. “Boris should come here to explain how a no-deal would benefit Gibraltar,” Bray dared the PM. “The gauntlet should really be thrown to him in this way.” He pointed straight to the ‘problematic border’ as the main effect of Brexit on Gibraltar. “A no-deal Brexit will probably put Gibraltar in its worst position for decades,” the campaigner told the Olive Press. “UK politicians talk about the only physical border being with Ireland but what about over here? “If the workers and tourists cannot get into Gibraltar how will the economy survive?” Bray feels the Brexit campaign conned his small community of Port Talbot in South Wales. “Leaving will only be the first hurdle as it will involve years of negotiation while our rights and freedoms are whittled down,” he added. Bray met with top political leaders during his trip to Gibraltar.
By John Culatto
FABIAN Picardo has used Gibraltar National Day to announce a new campaign to woo UK business to the Rock in the post-Brexit landscape. The Chief Minister tried to look forward towards the
Turn to page 7 to find out which were biggest stories this fortnight and how the to get the most up to date info
However, in a stirring speech, he did say London’s ‘taxis, aeroplanes and buses’ would be used to advertise the message, ‘think business, think Gibraltar’. In a packed Casemates Square Picardo added: “Despite all the challenges and all the uncertainties Gibraltar stands proud, prosperous and strong. “It is just as we did 50 years ago when the frontier gates slammed shut and families were divided, hearts were broken and people were separated by bad politics.
inevitably difficult future with optimism in his keynote speech at the annual celebration of Gibraltar’s self-determination. The politician, who days earlier had been celebrating at Gibraltar Calling, did not reveal many details on his new bid for UK business.
Poignant
MEET AND GREET WITH PETE WHILE LIAM LOCKS DOWN ROCK AT GIBRALTAR CALLING Continues on Page 12
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“A great evil was done to the men, womwen and children of Gibraltar and of all the area around us. “With the support of Britain we grew despite Franco’s siege. “We are a rock of stability, a rock of strength and we are a people of deep courage with an unbreakable spirit. “Faced with Franco’s closed steel gate, we forged inside us an iron Gibraltarian will. “The closed frontier generation took on Franco and won. “The last siege of Gibraltar failed like they will always RED fail. No-one can ever take our for SEA: National Day crowds in Casemates Square rousing speech from Chief Minister home from us!” Picardo (inset) Greeted with applause protecting and cheers throughout his building ourour nation and Rock, our dead lie here, our speech, he thanked those concluded. homeland,” he children our born here. “We are who had lived through the “Nothing will stop us now the people the Gibraltarians, closed frontier including the from deciding of the our future. “Red, white andRock. Moroccans who came to Gi- Nothing will blue, red, stop us now, full white and proud, braltar through that time. red, white stop! and free! Long live Gibral“Nothing will stop us from “This is our home, this is our tar!” As the famous ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now from Starship rang out, the people cheered with a hint of uncertainty over what was to come. Picardo’s speech came against a backdrop of typiLettings | Sales cal buffoonery from the UK Prime Minister Boris JohnInvestments son, who said politicians Reliable private hire transfer were ‘joining in’ the National Relocations services for any occasion Day celebrations at DownCommercial • Luxury vehicles ing Street, where the future • Door to door service of the UK and Gibraltar curand Residential • Airport collections rently hangs on a knife edge. Tel: +350 200 44955 • Weddings transport In a more flippant outburst enquiries@seekerspropertygibraltar.com • Sightseeing day trips than that of Picardo, he said: • Restaurant shuttles “Not one inch of Rock, not one slice of Calentita, not Find out more at: one hair on the head of one www.simply-shuttles.com 10 Engineer Lane, Barbary Macaque will ever tel: 951 279 117 Gibraltar GX11 1AA
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Your expat
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August 16th - August 29th 2019
We ask the experts, see page 6
HOLIDAY HORROR British millionaire’s daughter found dead in pool
A BRITISH millionaire’s daugh-a ter has been found dead in swimming pool in Mallorca. Josie Clacher, 18, was found at the bottom of the pool in Alaro at 7am on August 13, shortly after returning home from a ‘night out’ with friends. Mum Rachel, who co-founded call answering and live chat service firm Moneypenny, was also at the family’s holiday villa beneath the Tramuntana mountains. Neighbours reportedly raised the alarm after hearing screaming. Emergency services rushed to the villa, but paramedics were unable to revive Josie by CPR. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Josie, a former pupil at exclusive boarding school Moreton Hall, had reportedly enjoyed a night out with friends the night before she died. A well-placed source reportedly said Josie had ‘got back to the villa shortly before she was found dead in the pool’. A post-mortem is determining the cause of death. A spokeswoman for Moneypenny said: “We are all extremely devastated and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this tragic time.” Mum Rachel co-founded the communications provider in 2000 with brother Ed Reeves.
doing the right thing, treating people well and providing ongoing support.” Rachel once revealed in an interview how she discovered she was pregnant with Josie, the second of her three girls, on her first day in her company’s new office back in 2000. Josie’s father, David, is the practice director at Wrexham’s Schwarz optometrists. Honour A spokesman for the firm said: the in "We are all devastated by the Rachel received a CBE prayers Queen’s Birthday Honours List news and thoughts andthis diffithis year, thanking the Queen for are with the family at the ‘honour’ and ‘acknowledge- cult time." A spokesman for the British Forment’ of her success. “We are She also mentioned her charity eign Office confirmed:of a BritWeMindTheGap, created in 2014 supporting the family her death to give unemployed people new ish woman following in contact 15:36in Majorca, and are 16/06/2017 paths and1 opportunities career Untitled-1.pdf with the Spanish authorities.” through paid trainee schemes. She said: “I strongly believe in
C
expat
HOLIDAY RENTALS SALES
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Vol. 1 Issue 12 www.theolivepress.es August 29th - September 11th 2019
Rental websites which scammed British holidaymakers out of thousands FINALLY shut down following Olive Press exposes
A FRAUDULENT villa rental website that tricked British holidaymakers out of thousands has finally shut down following an extensive Olive Press campaign this year. Dreamvillasspain.com was behind countless tales of heartbreak as it seduced holidaymakers into purchasing villa rentals that never existed. The first case was reported by the Olive Press to the Guardia Civil in April when professional chocolate taster Angus Kennedy turned up at a villa he had paid for in Mallorca. He was met with bewildered German owner, Klaus, who had no knowledge of ever putting his house up for rental. It soon dawned on Angus he’d lost
2
CRIME
www.theolivepress.es
(Personal contacts on page 6)
THE Olive Press is helping victims take legal action against a holiday rental company that scammed holidaymakers thousands for rental villas on the Costa Blanca. It comes as the paper was contacted by new victims of Dream Villas Spain, following last issue’s report on the plight of the Bolton family, who lost €2,000 on a Moraira rental. Petra Deleslie, 42, has now contacted us after losing €6,000 booking a villa in Moraira later this year for her extended family of 18. We agreed to help after she told us she was ‘desperate’ for a break after losing her
mother to lung cancer a few years ago. “My nephews and nieces were really looking forward to it as they have never been abroad,” Deleslie told the Olive Press. “I spent two years saving up for this trip, and we just can’t afford to pay for new villa. The kids are devastated.” We helped the family make a police denuncia, after Deleslie said she will lose ‘more than €12,000’ as flights were already booked and her bank were unable to claim their money back. She showed the Olive Press emails asking Dream Villas Spain for a refund, after
SEL-FISH JAVEA Town Hall has begun legal proceedings against the owner of a property who cut off public access to a heritage fishing ground in Balcon al Mar. The unknown owner, who has a luxurious four-storey villa overlooking Cala Ambolo, built a ‘stone staircase’ with ‘metal railings’ that cut access to the Llavadora del Pinet fishery. Councillor Isabel Bolufer said
the Town Hall began proceedings after learning that the owner had intentionally reformed the stairs, closing access to the ancient site from Calle Samuel Adler. “These works represent a very serious attack on a heritage that corresponds to us all,” said a spokesperson for Jávea Oceanographic Research Institute (IROX).
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Introducing News Editor Laurence Dollimore and Reporter Joshua Parfitt Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es
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May 9th - May 22nd 2019
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www.theolivepress.es VOX’S top candidate for Benidorm mayor has been replaced after revelations he received a A BRITISH for expat is being handed a prestwo-year prison sentence tigious British gong by the Queen for her domestic violence in February services to tourists in Alicante. 2018. Candida Wright will receive an MBE for ban- work her charitable Perez Brigido was Davidparty THE socialist as an interpreter in two years ago from the British Ambassa(PSOE) dor to Spain. largest hospital in the Marina election,thedespite the will hold on ned to from the Valencian Alta, on Though she May 16. government is a professional interpreter, sentences sometimes two-year in the upcoming Candida often represents The if58-year-old, regional elections, known the in Spain being waived according volunteered with HELP as ‘Candy’, has violence in Spanish courtsvictims of sexual to a market research company. previous of Denia for free, as well has no na Altaconsince it launched in 1984. & Mari- as offering financial support through Sigma Dos accused revealed PSOE will her charity. During that time she has victions. take between 29-30 seats, whihelped expats “One through to have was found of the hardest things is when Brigido cancer, bereavement, bureaucrale the Popular Perez Party (PP) will someone comes to the desk saying cy and court battles. see its representation ex-wife, his ‘repeatedly ‘my husband fall abused’ from died and I don’t know As the president 31 seats to 22-23. her of the charity, threw what to do’,” after he ‘shoved and the helphair desk at the Marina Saludshe runs lained Candy, who lives in Ondara expBut with the total seats pulled her hospital her Spanish to the ground,in with in Denia. Valencia’s Generalitat husband. Her two children, at 99, face’. her in the punched andneed 35 and 25, live in Madrid “The most exciting thing was PSOE will again and Valencia to form dis- I was posted the pink in- respectively. While the card vitation alsoa found The judge coalition to reach she helps with hospiwith the words the absolute SCAM: Dream Villas Spain site conned Brits abroad BP (Buckingham had majority of 50 graced Palace),” Candida told tal procedures, burials and repatriation, seats. far-right politician she’s often called upon to theand Olive‘deThe poll suggests Press. which ‘general manager’ Ro- returns from 2014 to 2017. frequently the PSOE‘insulted’ will hand’ to someone in need.just be a ‘helping “I thought phone it meant British Petroleum There is no availablemake a pact meaned’ with Valencianist was who sella Alba Gutierrez has shut the woman, at “You’re sometimes first.” she joked. Compromis web- (17-18 dealing with people seats)post-traumatic stress and Spain’s Companies House number (the one on the left with who are cancer patients, The expat, left-wing populist who has lived Podemos years, received a ‘Points in Spain for 45 tions, and it just gives youor need amputaand reveals that Dream Villas site has been disconnected) (6-7Alba seats). disorder. a wonderful feof Light’ award eling to think ‘I really helped The regional elections Spain, which is registered as and the name Rosella them today’.” MEETING will fall on Mayin QUEEN: Candida 26 the same day as the Digital Dream SL, was incor- Gutierrez appears nowhere porated in 2014 for ‘data pro- the list of employees. European elections. OliAnother victim told the See cessing and web hosting’. election hadour Based in Carrer de la Fe, in ve Press this week she guide on page 6 Palma, Mallorca, it filed tax booked a villa in Marbella as a surprise getaway for four friends and five 18-year-old daughters as a post-A Levels CON artists have scammed a British pensioner out of €300 present. Sarah Adam, based in Lon- after pretending to help him redon, told us she is convinced cover money left at a cashpoint Javea last Saturday. THE owners of ainbike she has also been scammed. are 77, was approaStokes, Brianshop not res-for witnesses The company has appealing a British families scammed out theft of €40,000 ‘20-something’ two byof in for ched ponded to email requests of stock of just one minute! Spanish -men the Sa- from thousands outside comment. The theft at Xabia’s Bikes la Nau EXCLUSIVE Coombes badell bank in on Cabo de Meanwhile, DarrenMoraira saw nine bikes stolen hefake By Joshua Parfitt €20 in had leftholiday Pla claiming Dream from Alicante-based at 4am last Wednesday mor- A thenwho thieves The BRITISH the cashpoint. ning. Press family Villa Spain told the Olive booked villa, in Moraira, a week’swithdraw before transthey couldn’t holiday on the Costa ferring of the in cashing bikes, claimed the fraudsters are One a Trek LR10, Blancaand wasdrawing were asked worth €13,000. shocked to see She hasthe deposit. cash themselves on his credibility and now confirmed that their villahis “Two thieves advertised card, as avaito re-insert in pro- broke Stokes users from his legitimate just a minute and a halfand in lable on a completely different her family have been scammed over the holiday due for stole stole. which they website. perty business website. nine bikes,” June.
Socialist win
Gong for Candy!
April 25th - May 8th 2019
CATCH THESE CONMEN
Swallow the bait
Wheely fast!
Martin Stadlhofer, 40, co-owner of Xabia’s Bikes, told the Olive Press. “I’m not sure they knew they were doing as they what knocked over a bike worth €12,000 and didn’t take it—which is great for us.”
Susan Bolton, 61, soon she had lost the ₤1,300realised sit when Dream Villas depobased in Mallorca, shut Spain, off all contact. The mother-of-two from West Midlands had spent the weeks finding the perfect holiday
Animal horror
A BRITISH expat called in police after finding dogs chained in an abandoned a group of house without food. Roger Ballantine contacted the dogs while out walking the Guardia Civil after finding near Orba. Ballantine had decided ‘pungent smell’ coming to investigate when he noticed a Inside he found scenes from the ruin. worthy of a horror film kept on short chains surrounded with dogs by trash and their own excrement. “It was despicable,” Ballantine told the Olive Press. “It clear that farmers have is chained these four dogs.”
Mystery suicide MYSTERY surrounds the apparent suicide of an elderly British resident on the Costa Blanca. The 84-year-old expat threw herself from a bridge in Javea after being ‘pacing frantically’ by seen the railings. A neighbour, who asked not to be named, told Olive Press he saw the the man ‘peering over the woedge’ after squeezing between fence and a steel supporta pillar at one end of the bridge. It was about an hour re police were alertedbefosuicide attempt over to a the dry Gorgos riverbed while children played on a nearby football pitch. “She was holding a white paper bag and kept looking in the bag and then leaning over the edge,” the neighbour told the Olive Press. “I wanted to ask her she was doing, but what rried she spoke onlyI wonish and assumed she Spawas feeding stray cats.”
Quickly
Just after 7pm last Tuesday another Spanish eyewitness revealed she had seen the woman jump
“We were this close to from eastern of two bridges the for our holiday that leaving the Avenida de Augusta. on existed,” Bolton told the never SCAM: Brit Olive family caught by fake “I was walking to MercadoPress. villa website He told the Olive Press na when I saw her take “I knew we had been they tations’. off her shoes, climb the railing, when I contacted themconned had chosen the villa out of 780 The ding an airport pick up regar- different homes for rent on the yearsscam comes almost two and no more,” the woman and got site. since the Olive Press told no response. It made me the Olive Press. “It exclusively beco- They only realised me suspicious.” they had fake holidayexposed a string of happened so quickly.” all been scammed when websites duping Three She added the company an air- tourists coming police cars and to Spain. not responding to any is now port pick-up never arrived, In a ambulance raced to the an calls or and he caught a series sceemails. taxi to the we found of investigations ne to retrieve the body. dozens of tourists Meanwhile, celebrity chocola- property to find the bewilde- had Police confirmed the been scammed millions red German. cause te taster Angus Kennedy of of death euros as suicide, while a ₤5,000 when his family lost “What was different in our which from the various sites, spokesperson for the Town covered a German man dis- case is I was determined to get photos illegally uploaded villa Hall said the lady was Britiat the Mallorcan villa theyliving to the house, and then contac- Among from legitimate sites. booked through Dream had ted the press” Angus told the British those scammed were sh and had lived in a block Villas Olive Press. Rugby Union star of flats next to the river Spain. ‘for Dean Kennedy, from Kent, revealed “I think many more have been €50,000Schofield, who lost many years’. on a fake villa in Ma- Neither police or duped and the scam could that when the family the be llorca. arrived worth millions.” hall would reveal her town this month, the owner, name, Spain gave his name as Klaus, who The website he used to book rate Dream Villas, who ope- suggesting it was proving as Digital Dreams SL, completely baffled and was the trip, dreamvillasspain. clined de- problematic to contact her to comment. knew com, claims its goal next of kin in the UK. nothing about the rental is to ‘crea- JWe were or te your dream holiday unable to contact None website. rience and exceed your expe- anyone at Dream Villas Spain area of the residents in the expec- as we went to by the bridge knew the press. octogenarian.
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AT LAST: Scammers Dreamvillasspain.com nailed after Olive Press campaign (inset left), while (right) victim Angus and family his €5,500 and urgently needed a the Costa Blanca, booked for this an email from ‘general manager’ place to stay with his wife and five October. Rosella Alba Gutierrez offering disyoung children. The mum-of-two from Kent was all counts for up-front payments on “I think many more have been set to travel with 18 extended fam- respective villas. duped and the scam could be worth ily members for a ‘much-needed But once paid, Gutierrez would millions,” Angus told this paper at break’ following the death of her shut off all contact, as it turned out the time. mother to lung cancer. the company’s phone was a fake. With mounting cases, this paper “My nephews and nieces For made a collective denuncia at the ly looking forward to it aswere real- untilmonths nothing was heard they a major UK news network have Guardia Civil in Moraira on behalf never been abroad,” Deleslie told got in touch saying the website had of UK-based the Olive Press. been shut down. victims. “I spent two years saving up for this The Olive Press can also reveal a Soon after, the trip, and I just can’t afford to pay second site - named and shamed in a Olive Press for a new villa. The kids are devas- separate article - is also no longer live. was fielding tated.” Travelvacationtour.com operated calls concern- Deleslie added the cumulative loss with exactly the same layout and ing bogus rent- of flights would cost her family houses as dreamvillasspain.com, als from Tener- €12,000 in total. and scammed Brit Donna Archer ife, to Marbella Then there was Sarah Adams, who out of €5,500 for a Tenerife villa and Moraira. booked a surprise getaway to Mal- booked as a post GCSE gift One of the aga for four friends and their joint- son and his best mate in May.to her most heart- five daughters as a post-A Levels It is not yet clear if legal action has breaking was present. been taken against the companies, from Petra De- Both Deleslie and Adams felt their as both are listed as ‘active’ on leslie, 42, and stomachs lurch as they read of the Spanish Companies House. The British expats who are pro- the collapse scam tactics of dreamvillasspain. Guardia Civil could not comment of her €6,000 com in the Olive Press. before we went to press. Brexit and proud SEE PAGE 7 m o n t h - l o n g The way the scam operated was that villa rental on prospective renters would receive Opinion Page 6 19/3/19 16:51
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Flood no Moor New system inspired by ancient civilisation could stave
Moorish flash floods Clark Douglas Bowie, Malaga off devastating IN March 2017 the city of Alicante was hit by the heaviest rain of the entire 21st century. Five schools closed down, garages were flooded and streets were cut off as half a year’s rain – 137mm – overwhelmed the Costa Blanca city. But in Sant Joan d’Alacant, a new system drawing upon ancient techniques practiced by the Moorish civilisation could put an end to such devastating flash floods. The La Marjal nature reserve is a dual-function recreation area that transforms into a giant pond when it rains.
Hypocrites to the max
THE candidates for Miss World Spain 2019 have collected hundreds of kilos of plastic from the beaches. The beauty pageant contestants picked up 350 kilos of the discarded pollutant from Playa de Horcas Coloradas in the Spanish enclave of Melilla. It comes after the 52 women were appointed ‘Plastic Free’ ambassadors for the environmental NGO Transmediterrranean. “The amount of garbage that can be found on a beach where there is hardly anyone is incredible; everything comes from the sea and it is something that I had never imagined, ” said Iadna Fregel, Miss Canarias. "Just by taking a glance at the ground you re-
Julie Ann Plank, Barcelona
It’s just democracy
Olive press, what are you trying to say. They have the freedom to vote in a democratic election do they not? The sooner we are out of this bankrupt dictatorship the better. How many billions in debt is Spain? How many billions in debt is Italy. How many billions in debt is Greece? Southern Europe needs to wake up. Budgie McInally, Glasgow
ROW: Costa Blanca residents have beef with Brazil boat
Save the cows!
Resembling an aljibe – a Moorish cistern that collected rainwater beneath a building – the park is built to flood and stem floodwaters. Water is then diverted to a nearby treatment plant, where it returns into the water supply – instead of ruining cars and turning city streets into water parks. “The need for sustainable management has forced us to recover ancestral practices,” Jorge Olcina, professor of analytical geography at the University of Alicante, said. “You could say that these rainwater storage facilities in Ali-
This is 100% Hypocrisy. “I love Europe but hate the EU.” Freedom of movement has allowed us to travel, live and work in this wonderful country. It’s made us more not less! I weep for these people and all that we may lose. Plastic fantastic
(inset) mum Rachel
Frustrated at not having anyone competent to answer calls, the pair set the business up with just £10,000 of their own money. Moneypenny is now valued at more than £100,000,000 handling customer service for 13,000 businesses - from small regional firms to the likes of Google, Amazon and Microsoft.
YOUR PROPERTY IS OUR PRIORITY. YOU ARE IN EXPERT HANDS
Your
voice in Spain
I have never read so much rubbish. The three people in your paper who voted to leave they say there will only be a short term economic impact. Even the Leader of the House and leading Brexiteers says there will be a 40-year economic impact. Also, Britain INSURANCE your property? can never be great again, as we have no industry and are really just Angus Kennedy, London a service country thanks to another great Tory leader. To finish 96 649 1883 this, I said in 2016 that 40 years ago we made a big mistake when August 29th - September 11th 2019 GREEN www.theolivepres we disbanded the Commonwealth as our main trading8partners. I s.es never thought that my generation could make such a stupid mistake twice.
Kate Ferry, Altea TRAGIC: Josie Clacher while
COSTA BLANCA
Amazing result (Victory! Rental website that scammed Brit holidaymakers out of thousands FINALLY shut down, Issue 12, pg 1). I was really happy to get that news. It was objective achieved. It was aVENDORS small victory but an importGUIDE antTRAVEL one to show that consumers can fight back! Want to sell
OLD SCHOOL: Historic techniques prevents flooding cante are the new aljibes of the techniques such as the irrigation canals of the Palmeral de 21st century.” During eight centuries of rule in Elche – a UNESCO world herSpain, the Moorish civilisation itage site. developed water management “When the rainfall is too heavy for the storm drains to cope, the overflow is diverted to the park,” said Amelia Navarro, director of sustainable development for the Alicante water authority. “It has the capacity of 18 Olympic pools but it’s never reached more than 30%,” she said. The park has since been populated by resident and migratory birds – around 90 species have been spotted in the park, situated among apartment blocks. “We introduced larvae-eating fish so that we don’t get mosMISS WORLDS: Turned bin women quitoes,” said Navarro. alise that there is so much plastic, but there La Marjal was built for €3.7 are also very small plastics that can’t be seen million, a quarter of the cost of by the naked eye." the city’s traditional concrete reservoir, and opened in 2015.
SOME 3,800 cows are STILL ‘without food’ on a livestock carrier after being denied access to Cartagena port for days. Staff at shipping company Talia fear the animals will ‘die from hunger’ after stocks ran out on Monday evening. The Julia AK ship departed from Rio Grande in Brazil early this month, calling at Cartagena to restock 370 tons of corn-based pellets, raygrass and sawdust before continuing to Derince in Turkey. The carrier was due to dock in Cartagena at 6pm on Monday, but a legal battle has seen it denied authorisation while Talia scramble to find new supplies in a different port. The standoff comes after British-owned Easy Care Horse Rescue Centre (ECHRC) on the Costa Blanca launched a Change.org petition to ‘save the cows from starvation’. Almost 4,000 have now signed the petition. “It’s horrendous that these animals would get caught in
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
the middle of a legal battle,” Susan Weeding, co-owner at ECHRC, told the Olive Press. “These animals are being led to slaughter but we must do all we can to help them. “This story is way bigger than Cartagena.” A Maritime Agency spokesman told the Olive Press there was ‘nothing’ they could do to help the situation, as a Murcia court had blocked access. The spokesman added that livestock carriers were common in Cartagena, passing by ‘two or three times’ a week carrying Brazilian cattle to the Middle East and Turkey. “Spanish fodder is of a high quality, so the ships collect it when going to the Middle East,” he added. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brazil was the world’s largest exporter of beef in 2018. It is home to 232 million heads of cattle, nearly 25% of the world’s total cattle population.
Cruel Live transport is inhuman (Save the cows! issue 12, pg 8). It just saves money for the industry. I campaigned against it 50 years ago and nothing has changed.
SECRET GETAWAY
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry reportedly enjoyed an under-theradar holiday to the Balearics... but the happy couple have received by criticism for allegedly travelling private jet See page 3
Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@ theolivepress.es or message us on at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress
Sue Jay, Alora
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Across 7 Progressive (8) 8 Money (4) 9 Inner surface of the hand (4) 10 Gambling game (4,4) 11 Dated (3,3) 13 Walked lamely (6) 14 Bind (3) 15 Bother (6) 17 Large, strong woman (6) 19 Investigate (8) 21 Push with the head (4) 22 The wise men (4) 23 Newcomer (8) Down
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2019
Rose Moore sees the EU, essentially, as a political dictatorship (Leave and proud, Issue 325, pg 7). The reality is the opposite. There are 28 sovereign states, including the UK, which voluntarily chose to become associated. Steve Dunne believes that the UK would fair better on WTO terms. Not so. I’m not going to weigh down your letters page by quoting chapter and verse, but I recommend that Steve looks into the specifics of any industry that he knows. That Trump is trying to get a trade deal with an EU-free UK should tell you all you want to know: Trump’s trade deals have US-first labels. Finally, Brent Mahler speaks for a number of UK citizens wary of an EU armed force and an ever closer union. However, these are ideas floated by specific people and not EU policy. I am more worried at the insidious 40-plus years of propaganda against the EEC/EU by the Mail, Telegraph, Express, Times and, of course, The Sun. What did Murdoch say when he was asked why he was so anti-EU? Something along the lines of: “When I go into No. 10 they do what I say: when I go to the EU.” The implication is that he had to ask for an appointment!
Help
The charity afternoon will take place at the Palacio de la Paz, 20 Calle de la Salvia, and floggers will be charged €5 for a valuation. Guardian Angels operates from Gandia down to Torrevieja guiding families, particularly expat Brits, through separation and divorce. “Our work is so important. In the UK families tend to have aunts and uncles around for support, but in a foreign country situations can get complicated,” Sue said. “We try to help in any way we can.” Sue said the event six years ago raised €6,000, which went to everything from ‘counselling’ to ‘medical care’ and ‘repatriation’. Pianists Lola Smolokowski will appear ‘jingling the keys’, while animal shelters and children’s charities would also be on site.
Codswallop
Damage
MEET AND GREET WITH PETE WHILE LIAM STEALS THE SHOW AT GIBRALTAR CALLING FESTIVAL
Opinion Page 6
LEAVERS: Trio of Brits in Spain
Press poll
staunchy in favour of remaining within the European Union past the October 31 deadline (Pages 6-7). The Facebook poll shows that had they been able to participate fully in the biggest ‘democratic exercise for generations’, the expat vote would have proved decisive.
and stand up for their EU rights. Protests have spread to the Costa del Sol where pro-remain campaigners are planning a Protect on Our Rights march in Malaga September 22. It comes as an exclusive online an poll by the Olive Press revealed astonishing 73% of expats remain
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The
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1 Particular (6) 2 Composition in verse (4) 3 Beaten egg dish (8) 4 Extent of space (4) 5 The world of schools and universities (8) 6 Mind (6) 12 Emotional outburst (8) 13 Tough and pliable (8) 16 Rock guitarist (6) 18 Stableman (6) 20 Hazard (4) 21 Financial institution (4)
All solutions are on page 23
LA CULTURA
TripAdvisor’s ‘best theme park in Europe’ opens sister park in Spain
Red alert
A THOUSAND-year-old fortress in Spain has been flagged up on the risk list over fears it is on the verge of collapse. The Hispania Nostra heritage association has included La Popa castle near Barcelona on its ‘Red List’. The database keeps track of all national monuments and sites in Spain that may disappear if urgent measures are not taken. The ancient complex, on top of a 100-metre long rock formation in Castellcir, is reportedly ‘in a very bad state’. It comes after technicians labelled the condition of La Popa’s ancient walls and chapel as ‘catastrophic’.
EUROPE’S top theme park, according to TripAdvisor, receives more than two million annual visitors despite having no rides - and Spain is about to find out why. The famous French theme park Puy Du Fou has opted to open a second site on the outskirts of Toledo. Puy du Fou Espana is modeled on its French counterpart which is the second most popular theme park in France after Disneyland Paris. The park attracts two million visitors a year through its gates with historical set piece reenactments featuring viking ship battles and warring kings - all set in the Middle Ages.
Do you have a what’s on? Send your informa newsdesk@theolive tion to press.es
14
September 12th - September 25th 2019
ACT TWO EPIC: Shows reinact scenes from Spanish history From 2021, visitors to Spain’s latest theme park will be able to enjoy the El Sue-
Don’t look away
BLINK and you’ll miss it! The World’s Biggest Eye Contact Experiment is soon to come to Denia. On Saturday, September 21, hundreds of participants are expected to break social taboo and stare at each other for no less than one minute. The event was created by The Liberators International in 2015, with the intention to ‘demonstrate the power of human connection in public’. “Our global society has become thirsty for true connection and this experience
no de Toledo performance, which is based on 1,500 years of Spanish history.
Spread across 30 hectares, Puy du Fou Espana will put on four shows every day,
allows you to create an authentic, loving and respectful platform for human connection to flourish in public,” a statement from the Eye Contact Experiment read. “When we feel connected to each other, we feel more peaceful, more open and less alone. “Sharing one minute of eye contact enables all of this to flow without the need for even speaking the same language.” The event is taking place in 156 cities worldwide - including Denia, where participants will congregate on the crossing of Calle Marques de Campo and Calle Diana, between 6pm and 9pm.
within epic sets featuring castles and colosseums. The new park, just an hour from Madrid, will also have a huge medieval village with shops and restaurants along with two further settlements to explore. France’s Puy du Fou, which first opened in 1978, has received five stars on TripAdvisor from over 14,000 reviews. The mark two park in Spain has now opened - although at present, guests can only visit on Fridays and Saturdays.
EVENTS GUIDE
ICON: Flog It’s Mark Stacey
RE-ENACTMENT: History buffs
FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST
9.15pm
ALTEA/ALBIR: The Church Bar - Dave La and
SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER
Jim Rhodes from 6.30pm
BENISSA: Oceana Club, - Frank Abrams 9.00pm CALPE: Bar Central, - After Midnight - 9.30pm
DENIA: Paddy O’Connell Bar,-Velvet Rock 11.45pm
JAVEA: Novas Rte. Costa Nova , - Soundsurf - 8.00pm
MORAIRA: The Fiddler,, Gypsy Kings Tribute - 8.30 pm
ORBA:Citrus Bar,1 - Don Dimo - 8.30pm SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST ALTEA: Brew Rock - Moonshine - 9.30pm BENITACHELL: Sabores Restaurant - Adam Daniels - 8.00pm
CALPE: Bar Central - Talk Of Alien - 9.30pm DENIA: Arena Bar, - Diamond Jack - 8.30pm JAVEA: Quo Vadis,- Rockin’ Stephanie - 20.30 MORAIRA: Ope, - Marise & Mystic Vendetta
ALBIR: The Church Bar - Benidorm Irish Rovers - 6.00pm
JALON: Casa Aleluya, -Rio - 8.00pm JAVEA: Novas Rte., - Dave La - 7.30pm LLOSA DE CAMACHO: Bar Emilio, - Soggy Bottom Band - 4.00pm
MORAIRA: The Lions Summer Concert at The Castle with Austin Slack - 9.00pm
ORBA: Citrus Bar, - Quin Soul Funk - 17.00 PARCENT/TARBENA
Coll de Rates Rte, Tarbena - Chill Factor 1.30pm
MONDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER BENITACHELL: Rusty’s Bar - Moonshine 8.00pm
MORAIRA : Saxo Garden – Jam Session with The Brink Band. 6.00pm
All the information in this gig list is compiled a week before publication date and was correct at that time.
Want your event to feature in the Olive Press? Email us now at newsdesk@theolivepress.es
BUSINESS
Goldcar ‘bullies’ and ‘lies’ to extract thousands of euros from its customers, investigation reveals
AN undercover investigation has revealed that rental firm Goldcar uses ‘criminal lying and bullying’ as sales tactics. Consumer publication Which? said it caught the car hire company ‘red handed’ using ‘pressure-selling’. In secret filming at Malaga and Alicante airports Goldcar threatened to charge journalists posing as holidaymakers ‘€300 for a tiny scratch’. The notorious firm also offered an excess and deposit of just €1,100, while it said drivers who broke down would be charged €8.50 for every kilometre on a tow truck. Goldcar told several lies, including ‘if you don’t buy our insur-
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September 12th - September 25th 2019
FOOL’S GOLD
Firm move ALE-HOP has moved its HQ Brexit bite
BREXIT has been blamed for the second consecutive summer fall in British tourist numbers to Spain. For the second year in a row, July has seen a decrease in the number of foreign visitors to Spain. The fall of the British economy and the devaluation of the pound due to uncertainty over Brexit has seen fewer Brits seek the Spainish sun in favour of cheaper alternatives.
MORAIRA PLUMBING HEATING CAUGHT: Which? probe found mis-selling by Goldcar in Malaga and Alicante ance, you’re only covered for cies wouldn’t be valid, and that tional insurance when renting a third-party damage’, according unless they accepted Goldcar’s, car and are covered with ‘basic’ to Which? they would be unable to hire the insurance by law. Other untruths included that vehicle. In Europe, customers It comes after numerous comcustomers’ own insurance poli- are not required to buy addi- plaints have been made against Goldcar, including claims of customers having €1,200 frozen on their credit card for refusing to pay an extra €100 insurance payment. THE number of Spanish ‘super rico’ millionaires triWhich? advises customers to pled during the last decade, new Government figures ‘never rent from Goldcar’. have revealed. Some of the best-rated car hire In 2017 Spain had 611 ‘super rich individuals’ - those firms in contrast include Entertaxpayers whose reported wealth is more than €30 milprise, Hertz and Avis. A Goldlion. car statement read: “Goldcar Hacienda data identifies this as a 74% increase on 2011 would never condone the use when this exclusive group counted just 352 people of misleading statements that among its ranks. are not aligned with our terms This was the same year former Prime Minister Jose and conditions. Where we find Luis Rodriguez Zapatero brought back property tax as unaligned practice we will take Spain was hit by economic crisis. firm action.”
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E are all well and truly fed up of hearing the ‘B’ word and the majority of expats I now speak to have reached the stage that they just want Brexit over with – whatever the outcome! If only life were that easy. We wonder, constantly, if those behind the doors of No.10 really do understand the upheaval they are causing from a point of view of those still residing in the UK, those that are unsure where is the best place for them to live and those of us who have already chosen to live our lives elsewhere. Whatever your opinion on Brexit and whatever the outcome, there are some things that won’t change on October 31 and these are the things we can take control of and act on
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out of the Costa Blanca North region of Marina Alta. The decision comes as many firms are leaving in favour of cheaper industrial estates in other parts of the Valencian Community, according to Benito Mestre Caudeli, chairman of the local business circle (CEDMA). Caudeli said ‘the situation was not a surprise’, and knows investors who had considered the Marina Alta but discarded the idea, blaming ‘lack of infrastructure and land’. He stressed a need to provide improved access, infrastructure and broadband connections in the poligonos to make them more competitive.
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With Brexit around the corner and the pound plummeting, it is the perfect time to get your finances in order BY CHRISTINA BRADY now. The UK and Spain currently have a Double Taxation (DT) agreement in place, which is not affected by the UK leaving the EU. This means that you should be preparing now and not waiting for the outcome of Brexit to ensure that your financial affairs are still the most tax efficient solution for you as a Spanish Tax resident in terms of your savings, investments and pensions. With the current exchange rate being so unnaturally low and potentially set to get even worse, it makes it all the more important to ensure that what we do have is not eaten up by the taxman in either country. Did you know that once you leave the
www.theblacktowergroup.com combined advice of your financial planner and local tax expert. Thinking ahead BEFORE your move to Spain could help save you thousands, but if you are already here, all is not lost. If you are unsure if your current investments could be costing you more UK your ISAs and investments are no than they need to, or not achieving longer tax efficient and worse than the growth you hoped for, getting that, you could be faced with a Capi- advice from a financial advice comtal Gains Tax (CGT) liability if you were pany that has weathered more than to cash these in after leaving the UK? one or two financial storms is essenIn respect of property the official tial for your financial wellbeing and peace of mind. Spanish view is that the Blacktower Financial day you move is the day Management has been your principle residence The day you established for over 32 changes, in theory making your UK property a sec- move is the day years and has worked with its clients through your principle ond property that could be the good and the bad subject to CGT. residence times, offering sound fiIf you think that your UK changes nancial advice. property may take a while Blacktower will be by to sell the best advice may your side both now and be to ‘stay-put’ until you in the future, we are here to help have that ‘sale agreed’. Taxation in Spain can be complex you. and complicated, so you will need the
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September 12th - September 25th 2019
VALENCIA ON TOP THE World Design Organization (WDO) this week designated Valencia as the World Capital of Design in 2022. In the lengthy battle, the Spanish city managed to unseat the Indian city of Bangalore, and is expected to re-
PROPERTY
ceive €10 million in funding and sponsorship. Strategic director of Valencia World Design Capital 2022 (WDC2022) Xavi Calvo, said the designation will be a ‘megaphone’ for the wonders of Valencian design both past and present. “Key professionals in design and architecture have created buildings in Valencia that are capable of earning a national and global presence,” Pau Rausell, economic di-
rector of WDC2022, said in a statement. “Valencia now has the opportunity, through design, to commit to action for a better world.” Valencia’s mayor, Joan Ribo, was on hand at the video conference to announce the winner, where he said Valencian architects had ‘made history’. Valencia will hold the spotlight for the whole of 2022, taking over from Lille WDC2020.
Transfer time
Disgraced former England manager sells his villa in Moraira for new pad nearby EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
FORMER England manager Sam Allardyce has sold his multi-million euro villa in Moraira, a well-placed source has claimed. The five-bedroom pad, named ‘Big Sam’s Villa’, had been on the market at a reported €3.9 million since April 2017. But the five-bedroom property was sold earlier this year while the high-profile manager has reportedly bought land further up the Cumbre del Sol, the source added. With sweeping views, the villa views features a stunning private garden, wine cellar, swimming pool and is close by the Club de Golf Javea. The villa has been taken down from Rightmove, but agency Font Moraira - which features an image of property on its Facebook banner - said it could ‘neither confirm nor deny’ the sale due to confidentiality agreements. It comes after the Olive Press reported how Allardyce, 64,
escaped to the villa in 2016 after his shock resignation as England manager following a newspaper sting alleging he chased a €460,000 deal to top up his salary while offering advice on bypassing transfer rules. Life-long friend David Ingham said at the time sam was
‘sad’ and ‘very hurt’. “I’ve known Sam for 40 years since he was a young Bolton player and he’s a lovely man with a high moral compass,” Ingham told the Olive Press. “He’s being painted as a greedy money grabber but that’s not the man I know. He’s a great guy.”
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL SCHWEPPED AWAY
17
September 12th - September 25th 2019
Court prevents Coca-Cola Schweppes company in Spain importing tonic from UK
COCA-COLA has been banned from selling Schweppes tonic in Spain. A court has prevented the Red Parallel company from importing the drink from the United Kingdom and distributing it in Spain. It comes after a judge ruled the Japanese firm Suntory was the only company with the right to sell Schweppes tonics in the country. Barcelona-based Red Parallel had profited hugely from importing the tonic from the UK and selling it in Spain at a lower price. This lucrative business model saw the company shift 17.3 million bottles and net €5.9 million between 2009 and 2014. “The only thing we did was buy
BOTTLE BAN: Coca-Cola handed drinks court order English Schweppes tonic from English wholesalers, therefore merchandise was already in free circulation in the European Economic Area,” said the company following the ruling by the Commercial Court Number 8 of Barcelona. This sentence has ruled Red Parallel must pay compensation to Suntory for damages amounting to €293,480.
The tonic Schweppes was born in 1783 but was a late arrival to Spain, only entering the Iberian market in 1957. The brand quickly became a market leader, with a 54.8% share, and experienced a strong increase in sales as the popularity of gin and tonic soared. Suntory’s legal director María Rodríguez said: “The rights of
the Schweppes brand in Spain are not exhausted. “The only Schweppes tonic that can be marketed in Spain is that manufactured by Schweppes Suntory Spain or another company of our same group.” The legal dispute, which began in 2014, looks set to continue with an appeal expected to be launched with Spain’s Supreme Court.
Even Brits hate Brits BRITS have rated themselves as the worst-behaved country abroad, a recent YouGov survey shows. Participants from 26 countries were asked how favourably they viewed their fellow natives while on holiday. Brits were one of only two countries holding a negative view of their compatriots with 57% disapproving of behaviour abroad. This is compared to Filipinos, 85% of whom
rated their overseas citizens positively. Indians had an 83% self-approval rate, followed by residents of the United Arab Emirates with 82%. British people also fared badly when the poll asked to select which foreign countries had the worst tourists. Almost half of Spaniards polled named Britons as the worst-behaved, with Germany also naming UK citizens as the least loved.
Hopp on down WHO knew that Belgian nuns dipping their thumbs in beer barrels would lead to the universal ‘thumbs up’ symbol for ‘good’? Or that the difference between lager and ale is the temperature they are brewed at? For those interested in more than just drinking, a brewery in Denia has begun tasting events that take attendants through the whole beer-making process. Belgian brewer George Castro, and partner Patrizia Crespi, from Italy, make their own 12 types of beer in a lab adjoining their Abadia de Denia bar, on Calle Colon. “It is women who are to thank for inventing beer as we know it,” said Patrizia, who invited the Olive Press along for the exclusive tour. “Hildegard of Bingen first discovered that hops had antiseptic properties that could maintain a beer’s shelf life. “She is to thank for that bitter, iconic beer taste we know and love.”
George then explained how lager is the name for beer brewed below 15 degrees, and ales anything above. “Lager is German for ‘lower’ and is so called because the yeast falls to the bottom of the glass,” George said. “Ales have a much more foamy head, in contrast, because the yeast rises to the top. Participants are able to taste a pilsner, blond ale, red ale and chocolate stout - though precise beers depend on availability. Each brew even comes with its own special glass, to optimise the particular recipes and quality of yeast involved. The beer tasting events cost €10 and are on every second Saturday. Go to www.cerveceriamarinaalta.es for information. Want your restaurant to feature in the Olive Press? Email us now at newsdesk@theolivepress.es
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18
September 12th - September 25th 2019
Dispatch from Joshua Parfitt in Benidorm
FOOD,DRINK HISTORY IN THE BREAKING First findings emerge from beneath the demolition of one of the Costa Blanca’s most beloved landmarks
SMASHED APART: Benidorm’s Mirador del Castillo
I
T was the backdrop of proposals. Tourists from across the globe flocked to Benidorm’s Mirador del Castillo to walk among its chalk-white balustrades and glance over the shimmering Mediterranean. It filled Instagram feeds, family photo albums and tourism brochures - even the official Visit Benidorm site has the landmark as a website banner. But one of the Costa Blanca’s most beloved viewpoints was demolished on June 12 in search of ruins the Town Hall ‘didn’t know’ were even there. During a press visit on August 23, the Lure Arquelogía team in charge of the dig exclusively revealed their findings so far. What were they? Two small tables displaying coins from the ‘1950s’ tossed into a wishing well and a few bits of broken pottery. “The plates are from Manises, in Valencia,” Lourdes López Martínez, director of projects at Lure Arqueología, told the Olive Press. “The 16th century plates have imperfections - meaning the inhabitant was rich enough to buy Manises plates, but not rich enough to avoid purchasing factory seconds.” So, that’s it? Benidorm ripped up a landmark to find a medieval TK Maxx? The enthusiasm of the dig was not so well shared by a site worker brought in to move the heavy machinery. “I kept the beautiful white arches until the very end,” the man, who asked to remain nameless, told the Oli-
ve
Press. “But eventually, our project is to find what lies underneath, and I had to topple them.” Showing this paper a secret video of the falling arches, he cautioned ‘you never spoke to me’ and walked back to work. The six-month project at the Mirador - otherwise known as the Balcon al Mediterraneo or Punta Canfali
- received €500,000 of EU funds as part of a Valencian-wide programme to recuperate the Community’s cultural heritage. “This project is vital. The ruins at Punta Canfali are the very origin of Benidorm,” mayor Toni Pérez
IN CHARGE: Benidorm Mayor Toni Perez
& TRAVEL
19
September 12th - September 25th 2019
HAPPY: Barbara, a worker at Lure Arqueologia, is pleased with the discoveries at the Mirador del Castillo
Something for everyone at
HILL TOP GASTRO PUB VISTA: Seafront in Benidorm where icon ripped up
told the Olive Press. “Its history will have an incalculable value for us all.” With the Town Hall investing another €500,000 into the €1 million dig, Pérez was adamant the works would improve the Benidorm experience for ‘thousands and thousands of people’. Given current findings, it’s a tall order. TripAdvisor lists the Mirador as numbers one, two and five best-rated ‘Benidorm Landmarks’. (The three separate entries are due to the Mirador’s many names.) One of these entries records 75% of all one-star reviews appearing since demolition began in June, with tourists lamenting the ‘boarded up and demolished’ viewpoint. “This amazing view point in Benidorm where I proposed to my wife has been demolished,” wrote one user from Hamilton, UK. “They should have just left it as the views were stunning.” Another, from Liverpool, wrote: “Benidorm Town Hall has taken a huge gamble. “Plaça Del Castell was without a shadow of a doubt the most famous and beautiful landmark in Benidorm. “It’s beautiful blue and white marble balustrades and immaculate tiling made this square a joy to go to. “Views afforded from here of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea were unsurpassed - but not anymore.” Needless to say, if the Lure Arqueología - contracted by Benidorm Town Hall - are to find something, it better be good. Outstandingly good. The impetus for the works comes from two discoveries in 1993 and 2014, which indicated the presence of walls beneath the Mirador’s stunning patio. History records the foundation of a castle in 1325 by nobleman, admiral and Valencian Kingdom’s spokesman Bernat de Sarrià. After authorising its city charter, he built this fortification on the present-day Punta Canfali to defend the
region from Barbary pira- of the original building can tes. still be traced upon the icoBenidorm was pillaged and nic headland. plundered at least three ti- A perfectly intact alijbe - a mes over the centuries, but well where rainwater was the castle stood and was collected and stored - was guarded through the ages also a major find. by the noble Descending Houses of into it throuMendoza and gh a ladder, It would be Fajardo. graffiti on the At least, un- inconceivable for wall reads til the British Britain to remove ‘DBGJ, 1816’ obliterated it a 19th century in 1817 while Nelson’s Column ‘[insert name] aiding Spain woz ere’. on a rumour to kick out NaThe findings poleon’s imshow promise, perial army. and Toni PéFollowing the two recent rez assured reporters the discoveries the questions Mirador would be rebuilt still dangled: what’s left of in November in the ‘same this history? and is it worth style’, but perhaps with a destroying the Mirador for? glass panel here or there. I “We didn’t know if we’d am from Benidorm, and this find anything here at all,” has been the most amazing Barbara, an employee with work of my life,” Barbara Lure Arqueología, told the added. Olive Press. “Everytime we find somePointing out the thick walls, thing, I feel I’m contributing she was excited the outline to my city’s history.”
If the Mirador del Castillo will reveal some treasure, it has until November 1 to find it. It would be inconceivable for Britain to remove Nelson’s Column on a rumour some centurion bought a knock-off helmet hundreds of years ago. But Benidorm has taken apart the crown of its own glory. Time will tell if it comes back encrusted with a ruby.
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20 www.theolivepress.es 20 September 12th - September 25th 2019
HEALTH
www.weekender.news
September 12th - September 25th 2019
buff: Get your sexyFAKE back NEWS p everything you love Health & Beauty Lifesaver
r built thing. ff is a othing short- can ntuate ou are r way
better e. Far people g and good finally about giving doing having y. of mally body look ing to n and . And ularly ave a , with
English-language driving information group sets the record straight on false news articles EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
FREE ASSESSMENT A MOTORING but additional information treatments by BPT WEEK group has called ‘fake
runners and yoga enthusiasts topping the list. According to boardcertified plastic surgeon Walter L. Bernacki, MD of Ohio Plastic Surgery in Central Ohio, “The newest non-surgical body contouring system is Cutera’s truSculpt iD that uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to target and permanently destroy fat in your trouble spots (think muffin tops and love handles) - in just 15 comfortable minutes with no downtime. We have found that the treatment works on all skin types, sizes and physiques, including individuals who were previously not considered candidates for body contouring procedures.” What’s more, truSculpt iD produces an average fat reduction of 24 percent, and visible improvements are seen in 6 to 12 weeks following the first treatment. Multiple areas can be treated in one session,
may be required for optimal news’ on recent reports sculpting results.Ibuprofen and that taking “TruSculpt iD will is alead very antihistamines to exciting development in drivers new ‘testing positive for drugs’. non-surgical body contouring. Thelower N332abdomen driving and and love trafThe handles can be treated in just a single 15-minute comfortable treatment session. Our patients have been very pleased with the body sculpting results they can achieve with this innovative system,” says Dermatologist Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, FRCPC of Skincare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, MA. By and large, people are
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fic information group for British citizens in Spain issued a statement claiming the information was ‘false’. It comes Spanish loving theiras both truSculpt iD and English-language results. In a separate press study a raft of common ofreported individuals who had the prescriptions, which drug procedure, 100 percent said tests in Spain register as they were satisfi ed, would having ‘similar effects’ get on it the donebody againto and would refer ‘cannabis and a cocaine’. friend for truSculpt iD. And everyone feltdrive better while in - or takout “You can Ibuprofen ofing - their clothes. and antihistamines,” the statement So, if you’re thinking about read. into a new kind of looking “Drug tests body are designed personalized sculpting to detect cannabis, MDMA, without resorting toamphetdrastic cocaine, THC, LSD, measures, fi nd a truSculpt amines and derivatives. iD provider near reason you by searching “If for any the drug https://trusculpt.com/find-atest is positive, and you have not taken any of these provider. substances, don’t worry. “The police officer will carry out a second drug test that will be sent to a laboratory for verification test.” The N332 group urged drivers, however, to check the red triangle featured on the packaging of common medicines. The warning sign indicates mixing different types of medicines could affect your driving. “You can get advice from your doctor while you are
Look better in the buff: Get your without giving up everything
on prescription medicines affecting your ability to drive,” the statement continued. Drivers were also encouraged to read information contained within prescription medicine packages. It comes after as many as 5,000 drugs were claimed
Looking sexy, svelte or built in your clothing is one thing. Looking better in the buff is a whole other ballgame. Clothing - even low-cut necklines, shortshorts or tight-fitting tees - can hide your flaws and accentuate your assets, but when you are nude, there’s nowhere - or way - to hide anything. If you want to look better naked, you are not alone. Far from it. More and more people are into healthy living and getting fit these days. The good news is that there is finally something you can do about it thatdrivers doesn’t involve to make liable giving to up points’ carbs andfrom sweets, doing lose ‘six their excessive crunches or having licences as the medicines invasive cosmetic surgery. are confused narcotics of Fully withone-third in saliva and urine Americans opt samples. for minimally They invasive include, Diazepam, fat reduction or body Buproprion, sculptingIbuprofen, treatments Fento look ergen, better Ranitidine and oth- to in the buff, according ers. a new survey of 500 men and women from Cutera, Inc. And those who exercise regularly are most likely to have a body-sculpting treatment, with
THE Red Cross in Javea has released a video capturing the emotional moment when a Javea resident met the woman who saved her life. Maria Sahuquillo was bathing in La Grava beach near Javea’s port when she suddenly collapsed. It was at that moment Red Cross but additiona by BPT Nerea Olivares rushed lifeguard may be require torunners her side, saving her life. and yoga enthusiasts sculpting results “All I remember was coming out topping the list. “TruSculpt of the water, and Itojust fell,” a smilAccording boardexciting new d ing Maria the media. certifi ed told plastic surgeon non-surgical bo “IWalter don’t L.remember Bernacki, anything. MD The lower abdo When I woke up I Surgery was already in of Ohio Plastic in handles can be the hospital.” Central Ohio, “The newest single 15-minu María added body she was ‘so grateful’ non-surgical contouring treatment sessio is Cutera’s tosystem the lifeguard, whotruSculpt allowed her have been very p thatenjoy uses precious radiofrequency body sculpting toiDstill time with (RF)daughter technology target and achieve with t her andtograndchildren. permanently destroyyou fat incan’t your desystem,” says “It’s a sensation trouble spots (think muffi Jeffrey S. Dove scribe,” Nerea said ofn tops meeting and Maria. love handles) - in just 15 of Skincare with comfortable minutes withact, no and Chestnut Hill, M “In the moment, you just have found that By and larg indowntime. that youWe can save someone’s the treatment works on all skin life.” types, gave sizesfirst-aid and physiques, Nerea as Maria sufincluding individuals who fered a heart attack. were previously not considered But luckily for a medic and a nurse candidates body contouring happened procedures.”to be at the beach, andWhat’s providedmore, assistance. truSculpt The video has iD heart-warming produces an average fat had thousands views, with and viewers reduction ofof 24 percent, thanking the lifeguardare forseen her servisible improvements vice. in 6 to 12 weeks following the first treatment. Multiple areas can be treated in one session,
MAJOR LASER Revolutionary Laser PVP treatment for prostate gland enlargement now offered at British CLINICA Britannia is offering its most successful and innovative laser procedure yet: GreenLight™ Laser PVP. The PVP stands for ‘photoselective vaporisation of the prostate’ and refers to the use of a green light to treat enlargement of the prostate gland. GreenLight™ Laser PVP has been enthusiastically acclaimed as a significant breakthrough in laser techniques. The laser vaporises any overgrowth of prostate cells without damaging surrounding tissues and vessels. It is safe, effective, simple, offers a quick recovery, and is a marked improvement over other minimally-invasive treatment procedures currently available for prostate enlargement
- otherwise known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Clinica Britannia is a British medical and dental centre established in Calpe in 1997. English, German, Russian, French and, of course, Spanish are also fluently spoken by
the staff. You can always contact them in case of emergency 24/7/365. With no waiting lists, Clinica Britannia has at your disposal the best surgeons and anaesthetists under the supervision of a consultant physician.
Come and visit us. We will inform you. CLINICA BRITANNIA, 16 BIS (next to 16) FIRST (not Ground) Floor, Ejercitos Españoles Av TEL 965 837 553 - 24H 607 255 755
www.theolivepress.es
HEALTH
SKIN CANCER FUND
ALICANTE General Hospital is to spend €200,000 on a special microscope for the early diagnosis of malignant melanoma (MM). MMs are derived from the cells that produce pigment (melanin), and account for 75% of skin cancer deaths. According to hospital reports, the disease is affecting more people every year. Sufferers between the ages of 30 and 50 are most likely to suffer ‘superficial extension melanoma’, which can be detected at stage 0 with the new equipment. The revolutionary new ‘confocal’ microscope differs from traditional methods. “It allows us to perform optical examinations of skin in real-time, providing a non-invasive ‘in vivo’ view of the epidermis and dermis,” said Jode Banuls, head of Consultation of Pigmented Lesions & Melanoma. Alicante General is the first hospital in the entire province to have such state-ofthe-art facilities.
Think of the children
O
PTICIANS are using the start of the new school year as an opportunity to inform parents and children of the importance of regular eye tests. At the start of term, they recommend that parents take their children to a professional who can check their vision and take the right measures to ensure that their eyesight is not holding them back. Poor vision can inhibit learning and hold them back from performing well in sports. Juan Carlos Martinez Moral, president of the General Council of Colleges of Opticians-Optometrists (CGCOO), said: “As vision can often change during your school career, it is important to have regular eye examinations by an optician-optometrist. “By having your eyes tested at least once a year, you can rule out refractive problems such as long-sightedness, short-sightedness, or astigmatism; binocular vision abnormalities such as strabismus, or amblyopia, popularly referred to as ‘lazy eye’. Francisco Jurado from optical group Specsavers Opticas agreed: “We have seen a high number of children needing glasses across our opticians in Spain and experts around the world are reporting a sharp increase in myopia in young children.
Parents should check that poor eye sight is not holding their children back, says Specsavers Opticas
“The difficulty with children with poor eyesight is they often don’t realise there is anything wrong before it is identified in an eye test. “This means they struggle unnecessarily at school and can be misdiagnosed with learning difficulties simply because of their poor vision. “To avoid issues like these, we also recommend yearly eye tests for children before they go to full-time education and incorporating an eye test into the ‘Back to School’ routine to pick up any changes early, before it starts to affect their learning.” According to charity ONCE, they have 4,245 members aged 18 and under who are suffering from low vision or blindness and studies show that one out of every four children has an undetected vision problem that may inhibit their progress. Common eye conditions can all be identified with a complete eye test. The sooner that vision problems are detected, the better the outcome. Conditions such as squint and amblyopia (lazy eye) can be treated more effectively if they are picked up earlier. Book a Back to School eye test at Specsavers Opticas during September and see their range of glasses which are specially designed for children, including a new range of Toy Story glasses.
For more eye health information for you or your grandchildren, pop into the store the Fuengirola store on Avenida Ramon Y Cajal 6, or see the eye health section of the website www.specsavers.es
September 12th - September 25th 2019
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September 12th - September 25th 2019
LET THERE BE WHITE! Laser teeth whitening may be quick, but effects don’t last as long as Karan Sud Dental’s new teeth-whitening kits
LASER teeth whitening has been touted as a quick remedy to a set of yellowing gnashers. While the one-off procedure is fast and effective, you’ll soon be back to your original colour. This is the problem with many new-fangled technologies that promise the moon. At Karan Sud Dental, in Calpe, we have begun offering Phillips Zoom DayWhite take-home whitening treatments. Following an initial inspection to make silicone splints perfectly moulded to your teeth, the treatment will require 45 minutes a day for four weeks to get your teeth up to six shades whiter. It may seem like longer than a one-off whitening blast, but think about it: would you fix a broken bone and leave hospital without a plaster cast? Our take-home kits, at a price of €277, are the only way to make permanent change. At Karan Sud Dental, we believe that 90% of your self-esteem is in your smile, and it’s our passion to make sure you leave us with the corners of your lips pointing to the skies. Our British dental clinic is based in Clinica Britannia in Calpe. All work is carried out by British, qualified clinicians in a cross infection, quality-controlled medical centre. I myself graduated from Dundee in 2006, and after 10 years at my family’s dental business in Essex, I took the bold move of setting up my own English-speaking practice on the glorious Costa Blanca. British dentist Calpe
Dr Karan Sud
“I am absolutely delighted with the results of the tooth whitening. My teeth at last have a permanent colour change. I would recommend it 110%.” Sharon Murphy, Calpe
For more information visit www.ksuddental.com Tel: (+34) 965 837 553 - 24h emergency: (+34) 602 612 688 Clinica Britannia, Avda Ejercitos Españoles 16, first floor, Calpe
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GETTING CONNECTED
September 12th - September 25th 2019
Javea Connect’s Loraine Gostling looks back on the third anniversary of the Great Fire of Javea THREE years ago to the day of writing this, the ‘Great Fire of Javea’ ignited on the Cumbre del Sol. The first photograph to hit our Javea Connect group was taken by my friend Kate Langshaw - who happens to be the super webmaster for the Olive Press - at 4pm on September 4, 2016. I was, at that time, living in Cumbre del Sol very close to where the fire started. The hours that followed were unreal. As so many of our Javea Connect members became terrified for their families, friends, pets and properties, I was glued to monitoring posts while watching the fires burn through my own window. It was one of those rare moments where the people of Javea Connect and the Local Fire and Weather Watch group forgot their differences, forgot the triv-
By Loraine Gostling
COLUMNISTS
NEVER Strutting their stuff FORGET FARM FLASH
By Susan Weeding
After surprise births and tragic deaths, peacocks are now firm favourites at the Easy Care Horse Rescue Centre, writes Susan Weeding WHEN Rod and I started the Easy Care Horse Rescue Centre in Rojales 11 years ago, we assumed we would simply be rescuing horses. It soon became clear there were many other animals that needed our help. This is the story of our peacocks. About seven years ago, Rod went into a horse feed shop and, among a load of chickens, spotted two peacocks crammed into a cage. Rod was horrified - so he bought them! We had no idea what to do, but the peacocks seemed to love their new home and would fly up onto the walls and into the trees. Sadly, we lost the female. We just found her dead one day. The male peacock, Jasper, carried on hanging out with Ernie the turkey and Isadora our pot bellied pig - but we knew Jasper needed a female companion. And lo and behold, over the past two years we’ve collected two more girls and two boys, all from tiny cages at the horse feed shop!
ial crap and bickering, and stood firmly together.
One member armed with a on the morning of Septemcamera did decide to post ber 5, still holds the record ‘proof’ we were all ‘scare- for the most likes on the mongering’ - he didn’t re- Javea Connect group - over main a member for long. 3,000! Facebook posts flooded The day also holds the rein, offering beds, shelter, cord for the biggest deluge transport, food and cloth- of new members - over ing. 1,000 in 24 hours. I think I only slept two These members were unhours that vetted, so I night before I apologise if too was evacyou’ve suffered This was the uated from our the consescariest time villa in Moraiquences. ra. I could go on of my life but All through and on about lessons have that week, those few days, there was a but I will finish been learned clear message by thanking that, when the amazing push comes men and womto shove, local people will en of both official and volalways be there for each untary emergency services other. who made sure not one life But the horror lasted for was lost in Javea. days. This was - so far - the scarSpin-off fires were breaking iest time of my life. But out in several areas as the lessons have been learned wind carried red hot em- from that catastrophe and bers from the source point. we should never forget just The photo of the three how much damage can be anonymous bomberos, done in dry conditions here taken by Lynne Rogerson in Spain.
HEROES: Bomberos
All was well in their little group until nature called and the males started strutting their stuff and seducing the females. All of a sudden - eggs in the wheelbarrow! The younger girl hatched them, but became broody and wouldn’t let us near. Every chick died. The sadness was doubled by the fact that the older girl had completely vanished. We thought she must’ve been semi-wild, and left our centre to raise her young in the wilds of Rojales. But to our surprise, she came back with babies! For weeks, she would come and go, sometimes staying three days for food, before vanishing. She’s now got two beautiful peacocks, and she’s come back to the rescue centre full-time. But even more amazingly, our younger, false-start female peacock somehow managed to copy the older one: she vanished for weeks, and came back with four, tiny little babies! She now comes in twice a day for food with her chicks and then she disappears back out to wherever this peacock nursery is. Isn’t it fascinating? To think these creatures communicate and learn from one another? The babies have all their feathers now, and the mums strut around so proud, all fluffed up. And to think they were so close to spending their lives crammed in a cage... All of our creatures have been free to fly away - but they’ve chosen to be part of our family. We’re going to have 10 peacocks now, so it will be even noisier than ever alongside the 120 horses and donkeys at the centre. But I love it. It doesn’t matter how bad my day is, when I go out they’ll be sitting on the railings or the wall looking at me, or strutting around the fish pond. And to live with such beauty, I just think me and Rod are so lucky, I really do.
If you have a sports story, newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call 0034 951 273 575
SPORT SPORT
23
September 12th - September 25th 2019
United we stand
OPEN SESAME RAFAEL Nadal has held off Daniil Medvedev in a five-set classic to win the US Open and move within one place of Roger Federer’s 20 grand slams. The Spaniard, 33, beat the Russian 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 in front of a buzzing crowd of 24,000 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Second seed Rafa was two sets up, before his 23-yearold opponent forced a decider, but Nadal clung on to clinch his 19th major. The match lasted four hours and 50 minutes - just four minutes shorter than the longest ever US Open final. “It was the most emotional night in my tennis career,” said Nadal post-match, “the nerves were so high, it was a crazy match.”
Ex-Red Devil Ander Herrera among allstar football lineup in court over match fixing allegations
PLAYERS and staff at Real Zaragoza and Levante have lined up in court as Spain’s first major match-fixing trial got underway. A former Man United midfielder was among the 42 defendants charged over over a suspect match in 2011 between the two sides. Real Zaragoza’s 2-1 win in the last match of the season, spared the club relegation from the Spanish first division. But the match triggered an anti-corruption probe
IN THE DOCK: Herrera with old teammates in court
and investigators have since alleged the result had been pre-arranged between the clubs. Ander Herrera and the other accused made no comments as they arrived at the court in Valenc i a f o r t h e
Terminated
Bet in play
LIVE Sports betting has become the clear winner with online gamblers in Spain. The average number of online players in Spain has tripled from almost 280,000 in 2013 to 830,00 in 2018. While classic casino games such as poker, blackjack and roulette have also grown, betting on sporting events has become an obvious favourite. In terms of the volume of money placed, live sports betting has seen an enormous growth rate in recent years, reaching a high of €537 million in November 2018. The start of LaLiga and Spanish participation in an international tournament have also been seen to have a sizeable impact on market behaviour.
A PREMIER League winner’s stint on Spain’s Costa del Sol has come to an abrupt end with his contract terminated after just four weeks – but Shinji Okazaki has now found a new club in northeastern Spain. The former Leicester striker left Malaga CF without playing a single league game having joined on a free transfer in July, but the 33-year-old will remain in the Segunda Division, signing for SD Huesca. Malaga has suffered financial problems off the pitch and had not budgeted properly for the Japan international’s wages. This has left the 2016 title-winner back hunting for a new club after he left the King Power Stadium earlier this summer. Okazaki had been Malaga’s marquee signing when he joined on July 20. He had hoped his move to Spain would boost his chances of making the Japan squad for the 2022 World Cup. Malaga had to publicly
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SUDOKU
Quick Crossword
OFF: Okazaki forced out
apologise to Okazaki and his agent after owner Abdullah Al Thani took a week to sanction the deal. La Liga then barred Okazaki’s registration as his contract would have taken Malaga over their salary cap. Before leaving, Okazaki had only been able to play three pre-season games and did not feature in any of Malaga’s opening league fixtures. A club statement read: “Malaga CF wants to thank the player for the commitment shown in this journey.”
start of proceedings. The official file put forward by prosecutors had named players, coaches and directors from across the two clubs, and claimed €965,000 had changed hands. Pictures from inside the courtroom show both sets of players, and club offi-
cials sat in a manner resembling an awkward team photo. The Prosecutor’s Office has requested two years in prison for each defendant and six years of disqualification for players and former executives.
As well as a fine of more than € 1 million, if the accusations are proven. The case is expected to carry on through to September 30 with sentencing to follow within the following two months.
AN ALBANIAN citizen had his Range Rover Sport impounded in Valencia after he tried to trick police into believing he was a UN agent on a diplomatic mission. The man had fake UN number plates and accreditation, which he flashed whenever he was stopped for illegal parking.
FINAL WORDS
Stags stuck A GERMAN stag party got stuck in a Metro lift and missed the entire La Tomatina festival. The 12 overloaded the Turia station lift (meant for eight) in their rush to attend the festival.
Ale-Flop A MAN has been arrested for attempting to steal the cow from an Ale-Hop gift store in Palma de Mallorca.
Bottom of class SPANISH school children receive 130 teaching hours per year above the OECD average but still score worse results than pupils in Finland, despite the Finns getting 246 less hours.
OLIVE PRESS
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Hung out to dry
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Vol. 1 Issue 13 www.theolivepress.es
Your expat
voice in Spain
September 12th- September 25th 2019
COME FLY WITH ME!
SUMMERTIME, and the living is easyJet! This image shows the moment an off-duty pilot flew himself to his own holiday in Alicante. EasyJet captain Michael Bradley piloted the plane
Cruzing for a bruising A MAP of Spain’s favourite beers has angered Andalucians after it was implied they only drink Cruzcampo. A graphic by Data Centric, compiled from public surveys shows the basic brand as the most popular in the southernmost region. One social media user said: “Cruzcampo is only drunk in Sevilla,
Cent-imental TAKING FLIGHT: Off-duty pilot
Off-duty pilot wings to the rescue after two-hour flight delay
from Manchester Airport after passengers - including Bradley’s wife and son - faced a two-hour delay due to a
the rest of Andalucians drink Alhambra.” Another commented: “In Granada, we don’t drink piss.” Meanwhile in other autonomous communities, Estrella de Galicia reigned supreme, being the top tipple for Asturians, Cantabrians, Castilian-Leonese, Basques, Riojans, and Valencians.
AN executive at a napkin manufacturer has said he has ‘no idea’ why so-called zigzag napkins are still sold in Spain. Pablo Aguilella, who works for Caricias, was referring to the serviettes typical of Spanish bars, which are wafer-thin and glazed on one side. The napkins are notorious for performing such a poor job of mopping up mess they are referred to as ‘anti-napkins’ in Spanish. “Let me tell you right now, I have no idea why these are still sold,” Aguilella said.
missing pilot. Phoning up his airliner before passing security, Bradley offered his services as he was still carrying his licence and ID. “They phoned me back and said ‘please, please pretty please with a big cherry on top’, can you fly the aeroplane to Alicante?’,” he explained to passengers in a now-viral video. Commenting on his casual dress, he said: “If you’re alright for one of your pilots to look like this today, we’ll go to Alicante.” The decision was met with cheers from passengers. Michelle Potts, from Denton, said: “It could only happen to me.
“I get to boarding and guy at the desk casually says, ‘oh your pilot’s gone missing but a guy that’s going on your flight is going to fly the plane’. “Luckily the guy was actually a pilot! It probably would have been cancelled if it wasn’t for him. Legend.” A spokesman for easyJet said the flight’s delay was ‘due to the knock on effects of the French ATC failure on Sunday’ which meant crew had to rely on standbys. “This is fully in line with regulations as he had his licence and ID with him. Safety is always our highest priority,” he added. He said the incident was ‘exceptional’ and added Michael was well rested, having previously had four days off and was legally permitted to fly the aircraft.
A BAR has left a customer shell-shocked after charging her 10 cents extra for an ice cube for her drink. Marcelle Richardson, 56, went to Bar Ballesta for a drink with a friend when she was left aghast at the bar ‘s peculiar policy. She said: “I ordered a coffee. “The waitress there mentioned that, because I ordered a coffee, they charge 10 cents per ice cube. “I was absolutely shocked, but I didn’t want to cause a fuss so I agreed to pay.” The manager of the bar in Benidoleig, Alicante told the Olive Press: “The charge for ice is only for our cold drinks. “For Coca Cola, juice, mineral water etc., there is no charge.” Have you been charged for ice? Get in touch at newsdesk@theolivepress.es