Costa Blanca South Olive Press - Issue 19 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

The

OLIVE PRESS

Maddie suspect Bonnie Did Christian Brueckner have & Clyde a female accomplice? Page 8

Corruption appeal bid ANTI-CORRUPTION prosecutors are launching an appeal against a verdict that cleared 34 people of taking bungs over the awarding of an Orihuela waste disposal contract. Alicante Provincial Court in Elche acquitted the group, including former Orihuela PP mayors Monica Lorente and Jose Manuel Medina, of corruption charges. The Supreme court must decide if a new trial can be heard after prosecutors failed to get a conviction in the biggest-ever corruption trial to be held in Alicante Province. The court’s decision came after judges ruled that wiretaps of phone conversations were inadmissible, along with concerns over house searches and surveillance. The 34 people in the dock were accused of taking bribes worth millions of euros over the granting of the Orihuela waste contract dating back to 2006, in what became known as the Brugal case. Millionaire Orihuela businessman, Angel Fenoli, had been accused of being the ringleader and faced up to 37 years in jail if he had been found guilty. After hearing the verdict, Fenoli broke down in tears and said: “Justice has finally been done after 14 years.”

Corona comeback

SPAIN’S COVID-infections have tripled since July 3. They have risen from 8.76 for every 100,000 inhabitants to an alarming 27.39. This is the same number of cases as when Spain first began de-escalation in May. Aragon, Catalunya and the Basque Country have all experienced outbreaks of concern. Controls have been put in place, while some confinement measures have been issued. Wear it or pay up P5

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COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 1 Issue 19 www.theolivepress.es July 23rd - August 5th 2020

In the clear

But the family of tragic Kirsty Maxwell slam ‘flawed’ investigation and ‘disgusting’ way five men have been found innocent of her death THE family of a young holidaymaker who fell to her death from an apartment in Benidorm have slammed a court’s ruling not to appeal her death. They are convinced five Brits on holiday caused Kirsty Maxwell’s death in April, 2017. A private detective who looked into the case described the decision as flawed. However, a panel of judges in Alicante ruled that there was no ‘strong evidence’ of criminality. They added there was nothing to indicate the 27-year-

By Andy McInnes & Dilip Kuner

old, from Scotland, had not jumped to her death following an alcohol-fuelled hen night with friends. The five lads on holiday, all from Nottingham, were accused of spiking her with cocaine and pushing her to her death. She had mistakenly entered a 10th floor room at the Apartamentos Payma hotel, instead of her friends’ neighbouring apartment. It comes after Kirsty’s grieving family hired retired CID

detective David Swindle to conduct their own investigation into after vital evidence was lost and police failed to preserve the scene of the investigation from contamination.

Shortcoming

Mr Swindle, concluded the investigation was seriously ‘flawed’ and added it was ‘disgusting’ the family had to find out through the media that there would be no further probe. He said: “There has been no consideration given to

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Kirsty’s family in this, and for them to find out like this has compounded their grief. It is disgusting. “The family has been let down just as they have been let down throughout the investigation. The Spanish police did not manage the scene, significant witnesses, exhibits and evidence as would be expected for such a tragic loss of a young life in unexplained, confusing circumstances. “Kirsty and her family appear to have been let down by apparent i rretrievable shortcomings in Spanish police, forensic and crime investigation procedures which may have resulted in evidence being lost.” Kirsty’s parents Brian and Denise Curry had appealed a Spanish judge’s decision last September to shelve a criminal probe into her death. The three judges based at Section Two of Alicante’s Provincial Court ruled that she was ‘affected by alcohol’ and after consuming the equivalent of 10 spirits the night before, appears to have left her apartment 9A and voluntarily entered 10E where the five men were.

SAD: Kirsty and hotel “Nothing points to the contrary,” it said. “Although it is true cocaine was found in the bathroom and the dead woman’s fingerprints were discovered on an interior bathroom window, it has not been possible to obtain strong evidence of specific and individualised criminality.” The five men - Joseph Graham, Ricky Gammon, Anthony Holehouse, Callum Northridge and Daniel Bailey - will not face any further charges. Their lawyer, Roberto Sanchez, said: “I am very happy with the court decision and I imagine my clients are looking forward to putting all this behind them.” Kirsty’s dad blasted the decision, saying: “We were not told the appeal had been lost, and now we are having to go to the court to find out what has happened. For us not to have been shown the courtesy of being kept informed is appalling. “All we have asked for is the truth and yet again the opportunity to get to the heart of what happened to Kirsty has been denied to us.” Opinion Page 6

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CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF High dealers THREE Cubans have been arrested in Benidorm for running a drug operation that sold cocaine to tourists and residents across the city and the Marina Baixa region.

Video nasty A San Vicente del Raspeig man who allegedly spread Islamic terrorist messages via video game platforms aimed at young people has been arrested.

In the dock Four men who allegedly raped a 19-year-old woman in Callosa d’en Sarrià on January 1, 2019 will go on trial for sexual assault.

Fast food fury A waitress at a Valencia City fast food restaurant suffered a bloody nose after being attacked by a customer who refused to wear a face mask, which is mandatory in indoor premises.

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

Fence too far

Phantom employee A CIVIL servant who got €50,000 per year for a job that he did not do, has lost a legal case against a newspaper that exposed him. El Mundo newspaper got the Supreme Court to overturn a Valencia court ruling that Carles Recio had been defamed in an article. Mr. Recio - who ‘worked’ as archives director for the Valencia Provincial Council - merely signed in and out of the town hall daily for ten years up to 2017. The man was also revealed to have managed a brothel and masqueraded as a PP party regional senator to get into events. He eventually lost his publicly-funded job when colleagues voiced their suspicions about him. Recio had claimed he worked away from his office, but was unable to provide any evidence. He lost a civil case in July 2018 which barred him from holding public office for nine years, but no criminal charges were ever laid against him. It is not known if he has had to pay back all or some of his salary. His job had been created for him by Valencia president, Fernando Giner, in 2007, and it was maintained by his successor, Alfonso Rus, both of the PP. Judges defended the article as ‘being in the public interest’.

CONTROVERSIAL: The property in question

Expat homicide charges

Dutchman allegedly killed British pensioner, 70, during violent robbery

AN expat has been charged over the death of a British woman in a suspected robbery last year. He is one of two men who have admitted to killing the pensioner at her home in November. She suffered a fatal blow to her chest as they exited the building, leading to her death. The Dutchman, 49, was picked up in January, alongside a 33-year-old Spaniard. The body of the unnamed 70-year-old was found by a neighbour on November

Love gets toxic in divorce boom

Leading legal firm offers speedy split from just €1,200 as Covid crisis sees a sharp rise in marriage break-ups MARRIED couples in Spain have been keeping lawyers busy with a big rise in divorce enquiries caused by the COVID-19 lockdown. Money problems and the long period of being cooped up together has proved too much for some relationships, including British couples living on the Costa Blanca. Jose Maria Lomax, of Sun Lawyers, explained: “We’ve had a lot of people contacting us about getting a divorce in the last few weeks and it’s much cheaper to get one here compared to back home in the UK or other northern European countries. “We quote just 1,200 euros for a couple and they will have to add on between 400 euros to 500 euros for an attorney to represent them at a court hearing.” Spain has the third-highest divorce rate in the European Union, with 57% of marriages set for an unhappy ending, according to one recent survey. One reason perhaps, for the high rate could be that the whole divorce process is relatively straight-forward in Spain. “The key point is for both parties to reach an agreement, which will include declaring all their assets, like their property, car, or boat,” Jose Maria added.

THE family of a former Franco minister have been ordered to stop work at a controversial villa. The Coastal Authority has told the family of Mariano Navarro Rubio to stop the erection of a fence because they have no licence for the job in Javea. The wife of Navarro - who was Spain’s finance minister between 1957 and 1965 and then the Governor of the Bank of Spain - bought the plot of land on the ancient Roman site of Punta de l’arenal from Javea council in 1959. The villa was built in 1963 but only legalised in the post-Franco era in 1982.

“Sun Lawyers will put everything down on paper and then it will be down to the couple to sign the formal agreement before it is submitted to a court”. If one of the couple wants to stay in their currently-owned property, a value will be worked out and included within the document. Once the paperwork is finished, then it is sent to the local court and it could be as soon as six months in seeing a divorce finalised. Jose Maria added that when the court appearance takes place will be down to where you live on the Costa Blanca. “In the south of the region for areas like Torrevieja and the Orihuela Costa we are talking about a six to eight month wait, while it is on average two months quicker for Denia and Javea in the north”. The hearing is just a five minute routine procedure and is held in front of a court official who approves the agreement and grants the divorce. “The whole divorce process is not complicated and we offer a professional service to guide people through it,” added Jose Maria. See contact details right

By Alex Trelinski

18, 2019, at her property in Granja de Rocamora, where she lived on her own. There were no signs of forced entry which led Guardia Civil agents to work on the theory that she knew one or both of her assailants. One of the men, the Dutchman, who lived in Crevillente, was subsequently found to be a friend of the woman. The assailants knew that she had money in her house and

looked to steal €600. A reconstruction of November’s events was carried out at her home this month, after both men were charged with homicide and violent robbery. An Orihuela court is in charge of the investigation, with the duo both remanded in custody since January. Both men confessed to their part in the woman’s death in their original statements to the Guardia Civil in Alicante. It is not known if they will be charged with murder or manslaughter at this stage.

Seaside shocker ALICANTE police have detained a 41-year-old man over exposing himself to four young British children after their father reported his lewd behaviour to authorities. Agents had to taser the man who resisted arrest in a nearby street, as well as his dog who tried to bite one of the police officers.

Threatened

The incident happened in the San Juan beach area, when the man exposed himself to the four girls aged between two and 11, who were with their parents. When the father said he would report him the man threatened to set his dog on them and then fled the scene. Oddly, he was accompanied by a woman. He was later apprehended on Avenida de Benidorm and when apprehended tried to run away.

NEWS

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July 23rd - August 5th 2020

Spring in his step

Big city lights ANTONIO Banderas has been lured to the bright lights of Madrid with his new stage show A Chorus Line. Malaga’s favourite son, 59, starred in and co-directed the musical with John Breglio at his Soho Caixabank Theatre. He will now take the production to the Capital’s Bankia Gran Teatro Principe Pio from

Well heeled SARAH Jessica Parker has opened a new shoe shop in the former boutique of Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik. Following on from the Olive Press’ article (100 Spanish icons, Issue 347, pg 10), the Sex and the City star, 55, unveiled her brand’s new flagship store in Manhattan. Known for playing Carrie Bradshaw in the hit series, Parker has often donned a pair of ‘Manolos’ on the streets of New York. Her new site at 31 West 54th Street stocks shoes, candles, sunglasses and other items from the SJP Collection she founded in 2014 with ex-Manolo Blahnik USA Presi-

WELL SHOD: Carrie

September 17 - November 15. A Chorus Line to centres on auditions in 1970s Broadway, led by no-nonsense director ‘Zach’ (played by Banderas for the first 10 shows). Tickets start at €19 and Banderas said his team had ‘taken all measures’ to ‘minimise the possibility of the spread of COVID-19’. DANCE: Banderas leading the way

Forgetful Felipe King reminded to wear his mandatory face mask by teenage daughter

EVERYONE is adjusting to a new normal amid the coronavirus pandemic and it seems the King of Spain is no exception. King Felipe needed a nudge from his 14-year-old daughter, Princess Leonor, to wear his compulsory mask at the Royal Palace in Ma-

By Lydia Spencer-Elliott

drid last week. The heir to the throne tapped her father on the arm and subtly pointed towards her own mask to alert King Felipe to his forgetful error. This absent minded mistake was espe-

Bargain-loving Brits BRITISH expats have been called on to appear in a new series of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun. The hit Channel 5 show needs Costa del Sol-based Brits who are ‘living their dream in the Spanish sun.’ A spokesperson said: “Do you live a tremendous life on a tight budget? Have you recently moved to Spain or are you a seasoned expat? “Do you run your own business or do you have an interesting job? Are you facing a new challenge or have a fascinating story?” Filming for Series 6 will start soon on the Costa del Sol and those interested should contact Jess at jessica.foster@blakeway.tv

cially surprising as King Felipe had just given a speech commemorating the 28,400 people who have died of coronavirus in Spain. The memorial, which was attended by the family members mourning those lost to COVID-19, included a minutes silence and ceremonial laying of white roses. Felipe VI initially removed his mask to speak and failed to place it back on his face when he returned to his socially-distanced seat. “This act cannot heal the pain felt by so many families at not being at the side of their loved ones in their final hours,” said the king in his speech. “Let us work together, using all our will, our capacity, our knowledge, all our effort and the strength to be able to look to the future with confidence and hope.”

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PALOMO has emerged from isolation with a spring in his step to reveal his new Paris Fashion Week collection. The 28-year-old designer from Cordoba showcased the lockdown-inspired range in a five-minute digital runway. Flowers and plants sprouting from the flies of trousers and necklines are inspired by the wildlife, which ‘popped up in unlikely places’ during Spain’s state of alarm. The London Central Saint Martins graduate said his ‘spring we never had’ collection also made use of the ‘scraps of clothing lying around’ during lockdown.

COLLECTION: Palomo’s (inset) new range

Back to the Argarics EXCAVATION is set to begin on the site of the first settlement in Orihuela dating back to the ninth century BC. Work will begin in September after the Los Saladares site was recently bought by the council for €54,000. The area, near Arneva, has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest and artefacts have previously been uncovered spanning around five centuries. The area was first populated by the Argaric people who adopted the use of bronze early on in their

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NEWS

Out of control

Farmer faces jail for starting fire that blazed for two days

A RECKLESS farmer has been charged with sparking a forest fire that raged for a number of days. The local Spaniard could face prison for the two-day blaze that started at his finca in Els Alforins. According to neighbours at the property between Monovar and La Romana the fire started after the man illegally burnt stubble on one of his fields. He had apparently been

warned about causing a fire the previous day by at least one neighbour.

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The blaze led to the destruction of 140 hectares of forest in nearby hills and led to the evacuation of 30 people from 13 homes.

Destruction

The man, who was arrested by police this week, insisted he had lost control of the stubble fire as strong winds fanned the flames which quickly leapt towards the adjoining forest hills. He may be forced to pay for the operation to put out the blaze, which involved over a hundred fire-fighters, two planes and two helicopters in the two-day operation.

July 23rd August 5th 2020

Medics on the march DOCTORS have gone on an indefinite strike around Valencia. The dispute, that launched this week, is over working hours and salaries. Representatives from the medical union, MIR, said that around 80% of its members were backing the industrial action. In particular, doctors are unhappy about the time off they get after working long shifts at weekends and bank holidays. They have called for a maximum working week of 37.5 hours. Other demands include a salary increase, as they get paid less by the Valencian government compared to other parts of Spain.

Stinger Sighting A seaside pest has been spotted on a Costa Blanca beach after causing chaos in the region in previous years when red flags were raised to stop people going into the sea. The Portuguese man o’war was washed ashore onto Torrevieja’s La Mata beach and spotted by beach cleaning staff.

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NEWS

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Wear it or pay up!

TOUGHER penalties are set to be introduced to force people into wearing face masks along the Costa Blanca at all times. The authorities insist they are needed to battle a recent spike in Covid-19 cases. President of Valencia, Ximo Puig insists the rises are being caused by people coming into the area from other parts

By Simon Wade

of Spain for their holidays. In particular outbreaks have occurred at two nightclubs, one in Santa Pola this week and another in Gandia, where 70 people are confirmed to have caught the virus. The region has already ex-

Tougher penalties on way for those who ignore mask rules

tended the mandatory wearing of masks to all public areas and even on restaurant terraces if you are not eating, but there have been many reports that the new rules are being ignored. “We have to be more de-

Eye in the Sky

DRONE patrols have been stepped up along Alicante City’s main beach. The airborne patrols looking into security and capacity issues cover the three kilome-

tres of Playa de San Juan. The equipment is operated by Policia Local officers and will continue for the rest of the summer.

manding of everybody than before,” said Puig. “We’ve reached an agreement with the region’s police forces and municipalities and will publish this decree on Friday.” The measures will also seek to enforce social distancing rules as well as making sure that indoor areas are properly ventilated. Puig added that contact tracing details had shown that the spike was caused by Spaniards on holiday coming into the Valencian Community. He also appealed to owners of nightclubs to make sure their guests wear masks and observe social distancing. More stringent rules had to be brought in as cases spiked in many areas, also including Elche and Benidorm. The only exceptions cover beaches, swimming pools, and nature areas as well as people with respiratory issues and certain disabilities. The rules covered outside bar and restaurant terraces, where if customers are not eating or drinking, they will have to wear a mask. “Just because you are sitting at a terrace table, it doesn’t mean that you should be unprotected,” insisted health minister Ana Botelo.

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

Positive returns

HOTEL reopening figures on the Costa Blanca are higher than expected, according to hotel association, Hosbec. The group says that more than 80% of its members that planned to welcome back visitors had already done so. That’s higher than Hosbec originally estimated and availability figures will continue to rise during the rest of July and August. Around 55% of normal room capacity will be available in Benidorm, while on the rest of the Costa Blanca it will be around 58% this summer.

Deal done

PILAR de la Horadada council has reached an “out of court” deal to pay €3 million in public money over an infamous cultural centre that was never completed. The authority will compensate two companies, Urdemasa and Intersa, over La Paloma (The Dove) to stop additional legal action being taken against them over the ‘white elephant’ structure. La Paloma, which stands next to the rambla on the northern edge of the Pilar town centre, was once described as the ‘shame of the town’. It became a nationally-reported tribute to the massive overspending of Spanish councils during the pre-recession boom time. Work on La Paloma stopped in 2006 due to the costs ballooning from over €2 million to €12 million.

NEWS IN BRIEF Foreign aid SPANISH lessons for foreign residents on the Costa Blanca will be boosted by money from Alicante Provincial Council with grants given to councils to fund projects that improve integration.

Safety first TORREVIEJA council has put up information booths next to four city beaches at La Mata, Los Locos, El Cura, and Los Naufragos to tell tourists that local shops are safe to visit.

Ski death AN eight-year-old girl died at La Manga on Saturday when her jet ski hit a boat after the child’s father fell off the craft leaving her helpless as it crashed into the vessel.

Grounded FOURTEEN passengers suffered a sudden end to their boat trip as the craft ran aground close to San Pedro del Pinatar’s El Mojon beach, with one person treated for shock after Saturday’s incident.

OPINION

Shoddy treatment

TA S

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

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HAN

The Fight is on!

Kirsty Maxwell’s parents Brian and Denise Curry have endured more than three years of hell since their daughter died after falling from a Benidorm hotel balcony. She was in the company of five English men in their hotel room just prior to her death and there has always been the lingering suspicion that one or more of them were responsible for her demise. However, that wasn’t how the Spanish legal system saw it and it was initially ruled by Benidorm judge Ana Isabel Garcia-Galbis that Kirsty’s death was an accident. Her parents appealed against that decision to the regional court in Alicante but last week it emerged that the appeal had been thrown out by three judges. So it really is the end of the line now, legally speaking, and Brian and Denise will have to accept the verdict. It would appear that the family’s suffering will never end. In shockingly frank language, the judges, in a 10-page written sentence, insisted there was no ‘strong evidence’ of criminality and nothing to indicate the 27-year-old had not jumped to her death. The judges didn’t even bother to inform the family’s lawyer about the verdict, a common courtesy. It’s been a shoddily handled case since the start and this was the final insult.

The Olive Press shines a torch on two alarming plans in the Cabo de Gata natural park, writes James Warren

Nature is healing IT has been difficult to find the bright side of the coronavirus crisis. But one perk of a worldwide shutdown is the positive effect it has had on wildlife and the environment. After 60 years, the endangered Iberian Lynx would appear to have returned to the Serrania de Ronda. Elsewhere, 122 Kashmiri goats took over the seaside town of Llandudno in Wales. Venice finally has clean canals and deer have even been spotted in the usually hectic streets of London and Paris. Thanks to us staying home, air pollution has decreased so monumentally that the Himalayas are visible for the first time in 30 years. Quickly, the internet generated viral images captioned ‘nature is healing, we are the virus’ one photoshopping dinosaurs onto New York’s Times Square, another placing a giant rubber duck on the Thames. But, as we navigate our new normal, littering has surged and congestion is set to exceed pre-lockdown levels. Surely, we can find a way to enjoy our planet and look after it at the same time.

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HE fight against two new hotel projects in an unspoilt national park is starting to ramp up. The Junta de Andalucia has given the green light for a 30 room four-star hotel and land development in the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park in Almeria. It will be built near the stunning Bahia de Los Genoveses. Now a proposal for a two-

star rural hotel close to the equally beautiful Cala de San Pedro has also been submitted. The Los Genoveses proposal, submitted by Torres y Gonzalez Diaz SL, has been deemed ‘environmentally viable’ by the regional government, despite the land supposedly being protected. The hotel was initially planned for 2017

but the first draft was turned down. However modifications to the plans, re-submitted in November 2019, have now been given the go-ahead. Two large parking areas have been removed, and have been replaced by a single 70 space parking area on a patch ‘devoid of flora and fauna’. Environmental groups Amigos del Parque

A big welcome

recent report in UK newspaper The Sun said that British tourists are not welcome in Spain until the coronavirus outbreak is over. A YouGov poll of 1,000 people across all of Europe. It found that nearly two thirds (61%) of Spaniards wanted a ban on UK tourists entering the country. The Olive Press decided to investigate further, and sent our reporters out to discover what Spaniards on the Costas really think. Without exception every single one we spoke to would welcome Brits back with open arms - as long as visitors take care and stick to the coronavirus rules. Maria Paredes runs a consultancy and real estate business in Los Montesinos was surprised by the YouGov poll. She said: “I don´t know of any Spanish people who would not want UK visitors. We are a very welcoming country and anybody that comes here is good for our economy.” Anna Boj, who owns a herbal and health food store in the town agreed, saying: “Of course we have to have to be careful with the health situation but I need British customers to come and spend money with me. I’ve not heard anybody say that British tourists should not be allowed to come to Spain.” It was a theme supported by Luis Garcia, who runs the award-winning La Posada restaurant also in Los Montesinos. He said: “Bars and restaurants need our regular customers from Britain and other countries at this time of the year. We want as many of them to return as soon as possible to help us get through the crisis.” Kike Pelao, manager at The Yellow Rose of Texas in Benimar was also welcoming - providing precautions are taken,

saying: “I don’t care if the British come, as long as the appropriate measures have been taken in the country of departure and arrival.” Meanwhile, Lorena Wilson, a partner at Olivia Real Estate agreed. She said: “Safety comes first, but also Spain can’t afford not to have tourists. “I agree with starting to get back to normal slowly and gradually to help the economy move, but the government should control the number of tourists coming into the country and everyone should follow our guidelines. “My job will be there in a few months but some lives might not.” Her safety concerns were echoed by Juanlu Mena, 40, who works at La Villa Marbella, in Marbella, the city’s number one hotel on TripAdvisor. He told the Olive Press: “I’m definitely for tourists coming but I hope they follow the rules. “I have seen some parties with a lot of people not wearing masks, but that’s everyone, including Spanish people. Everyone needs to follow the rules.” Estepona-based waiter Miguel Trujillo, 31, was also up for tourists coming back, as long as they ‘follow the rules’. He said: “I’m not against British tourists coming but they should be tested at the airport before. “Otherwise it’s like ‘back to Phase 0’. We need you guys coming here. In Andalucia we don’t have factories like in the north of Spain.” A Spanish teacher from Estepona added: “I am not against tourists per se but I think tourism has returned too early in Spain. “I also think that in Andalucia the government could pursue other sectors, tourism is seasonable and not sustainable.”

What Spaniards really think about Brits arriving this summer

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

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7 Olive Press online ‘Spain’s best English news website’

Being sociable

CONCRETE: Set for Los Genoveses (above) and below and (left) San Pedro

S the world moves on, the Olive Press moves with it. While proud of our quality print edition now in five regions and having just won a Google award - we have not been one to rest on our laurels and were quick to notice the importance of social media. With approaching 30,000 genuine followers on Facebook and 8,500 more on Twitter it’s clear more and more people have been turning to these Olive Press platforms to find trusted news. Businesses and organizations have also cottoned on to its far reach and have been eager to get on board. This includes Gibraltar University which is using our Facebook site to attract new students, knowing we have a wide and young audience on the costas. BinckBank has also recognized its reach and effectiveness and conducted a campaign solely online, while numerous other big financial companies have booked sponsored posts.

29,000 reached, 1000 likes

and Grupo Ecologistas Mediterraneo have denounced the project, calling it ‘incompatible’ with the current protected status of the land. When the plan was first brought to the table, over 6,500 signatures were collected on their Change.org petition. Meanwhile, public information has been revealed on the nearby Cala de San Pedro

project that makes use of the controver- Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar', sial new LISTA Urban Planning Law. as currently there is only limited access The site is located 300 metres from a to the site. derelict farmhouse in the Los Ricardillos With a proposed 22 rooms, a dramatic area close to the virgin beach. increase in traffic is expected to the unThe plan is for a two storey hotel, along spoilt area of the Cabo de Gata. with access roads and parking. The Cala de San Pedro is well known as Developers are hoping that once the being home to one of the last remainplan gets the go-ahead, ing hippie communities in the project will take two Andalucia which has been years to complete at a cost there since the 1970s. Virgin beach of nearly €1 million. The community is a popuAccording to the developwill be subject lar destination for tourists ers, they are making use seeking tranquility and to a ten-fold of the new law – controvera taste of the remote life sially passed during lockas the 50 inhabitants sell increase in down – to rezone land from crafts, food and drinks to visitors residential to commercial. passersby. Environmental protection If the hotel plans come to groups say the project is life, the beach area and the yet another blow to the battle to save Las Negras trail that is used to access it Spain’s last unspoilt costas. will be subject to a tenfold increase in Access and parking is a key concern for foot traffic, putting extreme pressure on the environmental group 'Amigos del the tranquil community, say protestors.

But the power of social media is best underlined by the success we had when we teamed up with the Kempinski hotel group for a competition. The offer to win a two-night stay with supper at the five-star hotel in Estepona reached a massive 29,000 people on Facebook - and garnered 982 ‘likes’. The bosses of the hotel were even more delighted with the 9,000 hits it got online, as well as the incredible 4000-plus entrants for the competition. Last year, a similar prize with a hotel in Casares got ‘more bookings than an article in the Times’... worth ‘over €10,000’ for the price of a few sponsored posts.

Winning combination We recognize the power of social media - but also know that it works best with print media in all its guises. For this reason we have a range of different and highly flexible marketing strategies that can be combined on various platforms for businesses to get a higher profile. With a website that attracts over 50,000 unique visitors a day, tens of thousands of social media followers a week and Spain’s best English language printed newspaper every fortnight, we have a winning platform for your business. Get in touch at sales@theolivepress.es or call 951 273 575 to see what we can do for you.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Brits cancel holidays to Costa del Sol 1- Several following mandatory mask ruling (58,628) ‘Child therapist’ tracked down by 2- REVEALED: OP was Maddie McCann suspect’s ‘partner in crime’ (24,706) officially mandatory in Andalucia from 3- Masks Wednesday and you WILL be fined for non compliance (21,602) Masks MUST be worn on beach and at swim4- ming pools in Andalucia with these exceptions (21,567)

WELCOME: Anna and Lorena (top) with Luis

DISASTER: The notorious illegal Algarrobico Hotel was built inside the Cabo de Gata natural park just 100 metres from the beach. While now the subject of a demolition order, it is not known when - or if - it will be knocked down. The new LISTA law might put paid to that and could be a sign of things to come, it if is perhaps used to somehow try and legalise it. The fear is that Valencia and Murcia could now follow suit and loosen planning regulations as they too try to inject some cash into their local economies.

Costa Blanca tourist area joins Anda5- Spain’s lucia and Catalunya in extending mandatory mask wearing (16,072)

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for a special quote

NEWS

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July 23rd - August 5th 2020

Female accomplice link to Maddie snatching SUSPECT: Brueckner

MISSING: Maddie

As searches of wells begins near Praia da Luz, it emerges main suspect may have worked with a female accomplice THE main suspect in the disappearance of Maddie McCann may have had a female partner in crime in Portugal, it has been revealed. German ex-girlfriend Nicole Fehlinger, 44, has been named as Christian Brueckner’s crime ‘accomplice’ in a series of burglaries on the Algarve in 2007. In an explosive documentary on Portugal’s RTP, the attractive German from Wurzburg, has been accused of pinpointing ‘good properties to rob’ for the pair. In one burglary alone, in Albufeira, in November, 2007, the pair are said to have taken over €100,000. At the property in Praia da

Gale, near Albufeira, Christian was later recognised by neighbours. “The victims contacted me and I have now confirmed it with the court files,” RTP journalist Sandra Felgueiras told the Olive Press. “I have evidence that Christian committed burglaries with Nicole,” she continued. In a police report unearthed by the programme, Nicole admitted communication at the time with Brueckner - who is also from Wurzburg - but claimed he was in Germany. The Portuguese victims, for whom Nicole worked as a babysitter for five months from June to October 2007,

AN EXPAT has tripled his own target in a fundraising event for a rare genetic condition. Brian Davis and his family, two of whom are also Ataxia sufferers, set out to raise awareness with a series of mini triathlons. Working through the SuperHeroSeries website and in partnership with Marvel and Disney, Brian’s group originally planned 20km of cycling, walking and swimming, with a target of €200. The hardy team consisted of Brian himself, wife Sue, son Thomas, daughter-inlaw Samantha and their ‘secret weapon’, one-year-old granddaughter, Emilia. After only a week, the group surpassed both targets, but continued through pain and inconvenience to raise over €800 and cover 265.5km. The Formentera del Segura resident Bri-

insisted the only person to know about the cash was the German. They also saw her various times with Brueckner and even met them at their home in Lisbon, where they insisted she was the ‘dominant one’ in the relationship. They immediately denounced her to police, who brought Nicole in for questioning. She denied the claims and neither she or Brueckner were officially charged. It is now suspected that a

T PA ES EX RO HE

Marvel-lous response!

EXCLUSIVE By Jon Clarke in Portugal

HERO: Brian tripled his target

an, aged 60 and originally from Stroud in the UK, told the Olive Press: “Walking even a kilometre with my frame after three months of lockdown was very difficult, as the restrictions prevented me from walking any reasonable distance.”

number that Brueckner rang half an hour before Maddie went missing in May 2007, could have been Nicole’s. German detectives are said to now know who owned the number he called, while just outside the Ocean Club apartment, where she vanished. The Olive Press revealed last month that Fehlinger claimed to be a child psychologist and ran a rehabilitation programme for troubled German teenagers from her home in Foral, 45 minutes from Praia da Luz. Locals told this paper that Nicole had three children of her own, and spent a lot of time with Brueckner, who she dated for at least a year.

Strange

One local primary school teacher added that Nicole led ‘a strange and complicated life’ and ‘her story didn’t add up’. “I didn’t believe she was really a child psychologist as she claimed. The set up was always very odd,” she revealed. At one point one of her troubled teens ran away and was allegedly brought back pregnant some weeks later by Brueckner, who was described as a detective and ‘carried a gun’. The half German, half Russian girl, who can be exclusively identified today as ‘Lina’, was 16 at the time of her disappearance. While police investigated the case, particularly as the teenage girl came back pregnant, no charges were ever brought. However, in a police report, seen by the Olive Press, it said she had been socialising with three Russians or Ukranians

LOVER: Nicole and the home she rented in Foral

at the O Foral restaurant on the day she went missing. The missing persons report, filed by Nicole, added that she was the tutor of the ‘traumatised’ girl and that she had vanished before. The owner of Villa Bianca (above), Lia Silva, told the Olive Press last month that Nicole rented her home for around six years (some four years without paying rent), and had a ‘very violent’ boyfriend Romano. She confirmed that Brueckner was a frequent visitor to the home and was there soon after the disappearance of Madeleine. Other neighbours told the Olive Press how they had spotted his various vans there before the toddler vanished and he is said to have arrived in his huge Alegra Tiffin winnebago some weeks after she vanished. While Nicole has denied being close to him, her father Dieter, a taxi driver, recalls meeting Brueckner in Portugal, when he insisted he could ‘hide children’ in his expensive winnebago bought just after Maddie vanished. It comes after Brueckner’s former best friend Michael Tatschl revealed to the Olive Press that he was a prolific burglar while he lived with him in Praia da Luz in 2005 and 2006.

The Austrian revealed that he kept hundreds of passports, expensive watches and jewellery in a secret hiding place in the so-called ‘Yellow house’ they shared just outside the resort. He said he particularly targeted British and German tourists, as they were easy pickings. The pair spent eight months in prison together, after being caught stealing petrol from cars in April 2006. During the time in prison he revealed that Christian had asked two friends to go into the house to remove any incriminating evidence that could be held against him. This included a video recorder found to have a film of the German raping an elderly woman, believed to be a 72-year-old American in Praia da Luz in 2006. Intriguingly, Tatschl also talked about a ‘long-term German girlfriend’ - believed to be Nicole - that Christian would ‘often go off and see’. It comes after cops in Portugal began a series of searches in various locations, some 20 minutes inland from where Maddie was allegedly snatched. The searches, in a joint operation between the country’s GNR and PJ forces, centred on three wells near the village of Vila do Obispo.

I didn’t believe she was really a child psychologist as she claimed. The set up was always very odd

LA CULTURA National pride GRANADA’S Alhambra Palace is celebrating 150 years of being an ‘official national monument’. Following the revolutions of 1868, the Alhambra was taken from the Crown and became state-owned, being declared on July 12, 1870 a ‘national monument’. Since then, it has become the most visited

Do you have a what’s on?

monument in Spain, with an incredible three million visitors a year and became a UNESCO World Heritage site back in 1984. The sultans of Granada, the rulers of the last Muslim kingdom, built the palace in the 14th century. On June 17, the palace reopened its doors after being closed for three months due to COVID-19 lockdown, with a reduced capacity of 50%.

Cave makeover

La Coveta dels Arcs, in Benitatxell has seen the natural cave cleared of debris.

Twist of fate SPAIN’S best-selling author after Cervantes, Carlos Ruiz Zafon has died aged 55 at his Los Angeles home. Ruiz Zafon was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2018 while on holiday in London, two years after finishing his last novel. In a tragic piece of irony, he discovered it was terminal, like the character David in one of his best-loved books, The Angel’s Game. Born in Barcelona, the writer found fame with his mystery novel The Shadow of the Wind, which sold more than 15 million copies and won numerous awards.

The incredible spot near Cala del Moraig has seen asphalt, masonry, and concrete that has built up over decades cleared away. Access to La Coveta’s tunnel system is only available to experienced cavers and divers, but the inside area is slippery and also contains protected algae. Benitatxell council is now planning to create a viewing area for visitors to have a peek down.. “It is part of a €1.5 improvement plan for the cala area,” said Juan Fran Pico, who heads up the local environment department.

what’s on Thursday 23 July CAMPO VERDE, The Rusty Nail, 8.30pm. Rebecca Holt sings classics from the 1940s to now FORMENTERA DEL SEGURA, Sunley’s Bar, 5pm/ The “New Normal’ Jammin’ Session Friday 24 July TORREVIEJA, The Inn Plaice (Torreta II). “Fish & Chips and karaoke fun” with Nikki Nock TORREVIEJA, Bar Patricia (La Torreta), 7pm - Melissa Jade, Quesada’s Queen of Sass CIUDAD QUESADA, The Marquee Bar, 5pm. Music Quiz & Karaoke with Bryan and Sybil BENIJOFAR, La Cosecha Restaurant, 7.30pm - The Amazing Debbie H TORRE PACHECO, La Torre Golf, 8pm - Bee Rumble, “Soul and Motown Show”

WORK on cleaning up a popular local beauty spot has been undertaken.

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es

Saturday 25 July LA FINCA, Chandelier Show Bar, 8.30pm - The Amazing Debbie H LA ZENIA, Brutale Gastrobar, 8pm. DJ Tony G, Soulicious Flavours LOS MONTESINOS, Oasis Bar (La Herrada), 8pm. Cabaret Night with Samantha Curtis VILLAMARTIN, Chemies Lounge, 9.30pm. From the American Drifters, Randy Corwood ORIHUELA, Jax Bar, 4pm. Sandy Fitz appearing live Sunday 26 July

QUESADA, Aurora Bar & Lounge, 7pm - The Amazing Debbie H LA MARINA, Maya’s Bar, 2pm - Bee Rumble, soul sensation PILAR DE LA HORADADA, The Jenny’s Bar, 7pm. Flashback, “the best duo on the Costa” SAN MIGUEL DE SALINAS, Illy’s Pub & Grub, 3pm. Alex Tipping, vocalist and tribute artist. CIUDAD QUESADA, Lo Crispin Tavern, 9pm. Quiz Night and Play Your Cards Right with Amanda

“New Normal£ Jammin’ Session PUNTA PRIMA, The Captain’s Bar, 10.30am. Expat Briefings, free advice for expats CIUDAD QUESADA, Mad Hatters Tea Room, 11am. Fashion, jewellery, card reader and more

Monday 27 July

Saturday 1 August

LA MARINA, D-Sante, 8pm. Free Quiz CIUDAD QUESADA, Vista Lounge Cocktail Cafe Bar, 9pm. Richie Alexander, “The Legend”.

LA FLORIDA, The Emerald Isle, 8.30pm. The Jersey Boys Experience PUNTA PRIMA, Princess Lounge Bar, 8pm. A girl called Soo, Towie-Okie Tuesday

LA ZENIA, CC’s Bar, 8.30pm. Melissa Jade, Quesada’s Queen of Sass TORREVIEJA, Mi Sol Bar, 11pm. Karaoke Queen of the Costa, Nikki Nock LA ZENIA, Brutale Gastrobar, 8pm. DJ Tony G, Soulicious Flavours LAS FILIPINAS, Pitch and Pint, 9pm. Bee Rumble, soul sensation CIUDAD QUESADA, Vista Lounge Cocktail Cafe Bar, 9pm. DJ Powell

Wednesday 29 July

Sunday 2 August

LA FLORIDA, The Emerald Isle, 8.30pm. Fusion Variety Show with Stevie Spit & more FORMENTERA DEL SEGURA, Sunley’s Bar, 8pm Fun Quiz plus Card Bingo

ALGORFA, Jilly’s Bar, 9.30pm. Quiz Night and Play Your Cards Right with Julie CIUDAD QUESADA, Vista Lounge, 4pm. Rebecca Holt sings classics from the 1940s to now CIUDAD QUESADA, Bombay Grill, 8pm. Paula Molina singer and live entertainer

Tuesday 28 July

Thursday 30 July FORMENTERA DEL SEGURA, Sunley’s Bar, 5pm/ The

Friday 31 July CIUDAD QUESADA, Marquee Bar, 5pm. Tony Marsh, acoustic guitar session LA FLORIDA, The Local, 9pm. Bee Rumble, soul sensation

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

Finding a quiet beach, now more than ever, is a goal for locals and holiday makers alike. With the coronavirus regulations in place and many people being turned away from their favourite beaches, Scarlet Jenkins rounds up the alternative beach locations that you can go to instead:

We di

Calas cABO PEÑAS Orihuela Costa

he Orihuela coastline boasts the largest single amount of Blue Flag-rated beaches of any municipality in mainland Spain, but that means they can get very busy during the summer. That’s where Cala Cabo Peñas in the Playa Flamenca area comes into its own. It’s tough access means that it stands no chance of getting a Blue Flag, but a quick glance at a map will show you it’s right next to much-better known Cala Mosca. The secluded compact bay has no official path or signs even acknowledging its existence, but once you find it, you are guaranteed peace and quiet. Getting there: Take the N-332 southwest of Torrevieja and drive through the Playa Flamenca urbanisation.

Playa El Rebello, La Marina Village

ost visitors to La Marina make a beeline for the main beach named after the village. Just south though is the altogether quieter Playa El Rebello, not far from the Camping La Marina site and the Costabella urbanisation. Social distancing is no issue here as the beach is two kilometres long. And

curiously, despite all the (accurate) rave reviews about the clarity of the sea water and the golden colour of the sand, it never gets busy. If you’re a prudish expat, be aware that one section of El Rebello is popular with nudists who always seem to know a good beach when they see it!

Movers international

Playa Montañar, Javea

E U R O P E LT D ALICANTE:(+34) 965 770 639 MALAGA: (+34) 952 426 560 PRESTON: (+44) 1772 651 570

nother solitaire diamond in Alicante’s necklace of sparkling beaches, the only mask you’ll need here is for diving. With its slightly tricky access to the sea over rocks, which is instantly two metres deep, it’s less ideal for families but great for divers and swimmers alike. The fossilised sand dunes edging the two kilometre rock and gravel beach are another of Montenar’s star attractions. Bring sandals for protecting your feet as you explore the rock pools.

www.moversint.co.uk movers.int@gmail.com

MOVERS

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STORERS

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SHIPPERS

Getting there: You can walk to this semi-urban beach either from the port of Javea or El Arenal.

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

dig ‘em! T

his beautiful sand dune-fringed beach is one of a whole stretch of pristine playas in the Guardamar area of the southern Costa Blanca. Right in the very northern corner of Guardamar it borders on Torrevieja’s expansive and hugely popular La Mata beach. In contrast, because it’s not easy to access, Ortigas is blissfully quiet and off most tourists’ radar. The schlep is worth it but take note that facilities are at a bare minimum with just one temporary loo. Getting there: Walk to it across the border from La Mata or park up at the Pinomar urbanisation off the N-332 and take the 400 metre path through the dunes.

Cala Gasparet, Calpe

kirting the coastal foothills of the Sierra de Toix, this very special spot hides one of the most virginal beaches in the Alicante area. The 80-metre gravel beach is only accessible by sea or bus, which guarantees complete privacy and adds to the sense of ad-

venture. The views of the surrounding mountains are awesome and this beautiful cove should be top of your list. Getting there: Take the bus from Calpe or cadge a ride from a yachtie.

Playa del Albir, Alfaz del Pi

Playa de las Oritigas, Guardamar

If you are looking for a quieter, family-friendly, beach experience away from the madding crowd, this fine pebble beach is your oyster and you’ll find all kinds of molluscs and crustaceans including rare red starfish in its deep waters. The kids might not be able to build sandcastles but they’ll enjoy the challenge of creating pebble towers instead. If you’re feel-

ing adventurous or a diver there are some pretty coves due south where the beach ends, although they are difficult to access on foot. Getting there: Take the N-332 the motorway towards Altea and follow the signs to Playa del Albir.

BUSINESS

Rolling in it SPANISH businessman Amancio Ortega has been sinking billions of euros into property. The 84-year-old founder of the Zara clothing and home furnishings retail chain now has real estate holdings worth €15.2 billion after he invested €2.1 billion in property last year. The purchases - mostly in the USA - were made through various subsidiaries of his holding company Pontegadea.

Super-rich

It is thought that this makes him the biggest real estate investor amongst Europe’s super-rich. Pontegadea, which owns 59.3% of Zara parent Inditex, made a net profit of €1.8 billion last year. Some €1.64 billion of that came from Inditex. According to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, Ortega has a net worth of $58.5 billion (€52.66 billion).

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

Spain hits COVID jackpot SPAIN has hit the jackpot after an EU bailout fund to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic was announced. EU leaders from all 27 member states unanimously agreed to set up a fund worth €750 billion to help deal with the crisis. The plan will allocate €390 billion in grants and €360 billion in loans And Spain will be one of the major beneficiaries with €140 billion earmarked for the country. Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, described the package as ‘a real Marshall Plan’

SPANISH businesses are being hamstrung by restrictive rules, hitting economic growth and employment prospects. This is the conclusion of the Index of Economic Freedom 2020, which ranks Spain bottom of Eurozone countries when it comes to ‘freedom of enterprise’. The report published by the Heritage Foundation said that Spain has the worst conditions in Europe for growth. Globally, the top 1o nations for economic freedom were Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Ireland, the United

EU splashes the cash on bailout

He added: “The European Commission will get into debt for the first time in history to finance programmes.” Spain will get the cash over six

Red tape disaster Kingdom, Denmark, Canada and Estonia. Spain came 58th on the list, one down on last year. Spain scored particularly poorly in the efficiency of public spending and judicial effectiveness, with red tape holding the country’s businesses back. The study highlighted the importance of bringing in reforms aimed at making market operations easier and more flexible.

years, with €72.7 billion coming in grants and the rest in low-cost loans. Sanchez said: “It is an extraordinary boost… a great agreement for Europe and for Spain.” The agreement is being hailed as historic, as for the first time the EU has decided to go into debt to fund its new €1.8 trillion budget including the bailout fund. French President Emmanuel Macron called it a ‘historic day for Europe’ while German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “It wasn’t easy, but in the end we found each other. Europe has shown that it is capable of making its way in such a special situation.” EU President Charles Michel said: “It is the right agreement for Europe at this time. “We have shown that the European project works.”

Dear Jennifer: Do I need to get the new TIE residency card?

any of you will have heard of the TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de extranjero), whilst many of you won’t have. Therefore I thought I would try and explain the importance of this new residencia card. Firstly, between now and the end of the Brexit transition period, the withdrawal agreement has cemented a number of points, including continued rights to healthcare and increases to the UK state pension. Both of which remain unchanged for individuals who are legally resident here at the end of the transition period. Only 360,000 British nationals are currently registered in Spain, with a vast number in the process of obtaining a residencia. But I am not quite sure what will happen to those who do not choose to take official residency here in Spain after the end of year. For those of you who are already registered as a resident, and have the green document or card, you need at this time to do nothing, as these are acceptable documents and you are not required to change to a TIE. If you intend to remain living in Spain after December 31 but are not registered, you will need to apply for the TIE card and before you can do that, you must be in possession of either private health insurance, paying into the Spanish health system or be a pensioner. To obtain your TIE, you can do this yourself but you must get an appointment, which I understand is in Alicante at the moment. However the process can be started online and if you have no health insurance, you must obtain this first and be in possession of a certificate, which the police will require and this is where my company can help you. You will need to ensure that the policy covers the full requirements for your application and the health insurance company we deal with, can provide the full cover that is necessary. There is no point in taking out cheap insurance, and expecting this to provide you with ongoing expensive treatment, because it will not. I understand there is no requirement to have a minimum cash amount in your bank account but you will need a minimum monthly income, and hopefully they will also consider the overall wealth of individuals.

For help, advice and information, please contact one of my offices or visit my website www. jennifercunningham.net

PROPERTY

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

Isle take it Hefty price tag for Isla Tagomago

IF you have a spare €150 million now’s your chance to buy Europe’s most exclusive private island. Cristiano Ronaldo, Justin Bieber and Liz Hurley are amongst a stellar list of guests who were willing to pay €20,000 a night to stay on Isla Tagomago, which is also a popular choice for luxury weddings. It offers privacy – there is just one villa on the island – surrounded by crystal clear waters and sits 900 metres off the coast of Ibiza. The price tag may be eye-watering – but you do get a lot for your money. In fact you get to own every corner of the island, all 600,000m2 of it. Included is a state-of-the art villa – better described as a mansion – equipped with every modern convenience. It features a professional-standard kitchen, large living room with a connecting dining room and large windows that allow you to

enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. There are five spacious double bedrooms, naturally all en-suite, as well as a large outdoor swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub, a spa, helipad, and a jetty to moor your yacht at. The island has seen some controversy. Owner at the time, German entrepreneur Matthias Khün - the longtime partner of Spanish film star Norma Duval - was handed a six month sentence plus a fine of €10,800 for building on the island. The real estate agent, who owns Kuhn & Partner, carried out construction works on the Tagomago without permission and licenses. Among the offences he committed was building a 470 m2 concrete terrace adjacent to the main villa. The island is catalogued as a Natural Area of Special Interest, carrying thehighest level of protection.

BEAUTIFUL: Tagomago has been a stop off for Ronaldo, Bieber and Hurley

How exactly do Chorus build market leading investment portfolios? Brits living in Spain will inevitably seek some kind of financial advice. That could be a basic pension or investment review, or perhaps a complex overhaul of your finances. We have many areas to consider as Expats living in Spain, from how income and investments are taxed, to how to structure our wealth when considerating Wealth Tax and other tax concerns that are unique to Spain. Whether you’re looking at a QROPs or International SIPPs from Momentum Pensions, Novia Global, Sovereign etc, or Spanish Compliant Investment bonds from the likes of Quilter International, Prudential, Lombard International, SEB, STM etc, these types of policies all have one thing in common. All of them will need a portfolio of underlying investments funds. Now Chorus will always promise to secure you the lowest possible fees when it comes to all the products named above, and we will do so without commissions or tie-ins, but it is also so critical to consider what happens when your Spanish Compliant bond application or pension transfer has completed. We see two approaches for British Expats here in Spain. The first is that your financial adviser will appoint a third party to manage your actual portfolio. These third parties are generally known as Discretionary Fund Managers (DFMs). Now this option is getting more and more popular and does mean that a well-qualified and experienced profes-

sional will be managing your investments. What it also means is another layer of fees because you will be paying your financial adviser for providing you with service, but then you will also be paying a DFM an additional fee to choose your investment funds for you. I often question why you would pay a financial adviser a fee, for example 0.75%, but then be paying around the same figure again for someone to manage your portfolio. Those charges can really add up! At Chorus we do not have a need to use a DFM, in fact our portfolios have outperformed the UK Adviser Fund Index every year for the last 5 years. The Adviser Fund Index is a panel of the UK’s leading adviser firms, showing the average performance of their portfolios. So, Chorus are able to run your portfolio in-house, providing a personal experience and market leading returns. But what is the secret to our success? The

truth is, we aren’t doing anything groundbreaking, but we do work very hard to ensure our clients are in the best possible portfolios. In real terms there are probably 5-6000 funds we could use to build a client portfolio. Whereas many of the larger firms in Spain have ‘special’ relationships with one or two fund houses, which means they really don’t have much choice. If 5% of your portfolio is being invested, for example, into a US Equity fund, then firms with ‘special’ relationship are going to put you into the fund they have that arrangement with, and performance and charges are fairly irrelevant in this decision process. With Chorus, when we are choosing, for example, a US Equity fund, we will research the entire market. We will compare dozens of potential funds, taking into consideration the size and quality of the fund group, the past performance of the fund manager over various timeframes, the risk vs reward, the charges etc, and from this

Providing multi-award winning advice for your pensions, investments & tax planning.

By Sam Kelly DipPFS, EFA, BA (Hons). Managing Partner, Chorus Financial analysis we will find the very best possible fund in this class for your portfolio. Once you are invested, on an ongoing basis we will monitor each and every fund you are invested in to ensure they are still performing at an optimum level. Although our approach is clearly more time-consuming and harder work for us as your adviser, the client outcomes are so much better than us simply having a list of approved funds that we are forced to place every client into. As you will all know by now, the success of Chorus Financial has been built over many years of our clients getting superior outcomes, and that comes because we will always put you first. If you want a financial adviser who will always put you first, please contact me direct on s.kelly@chorusfinancial.es, call +34 664 398 702 or visit www.chorusfinancial. es for more information.

The advisers trading as Chorus Financial are members of OpesFidelio and authorised to give financial advice subject to contract in parts of the EEA, including Spain, CNMV No Registro Oficial 3970. OpesFidelio is a trademarked network of the Aisa Group which includes Aisa Financial Planning Ltd and Aisa International s.r.o. Aisa Financial Planning is authorised and regulated in the UK as an independent financial adviser for UK retail clients by the Financial Conduct Authority, Reference number: 189652, and has permissions throughout the EEA under both directives IDD and MiFID. Aisa International s.r.o. is authorised and regulated in the Czech Republic as a financial adviser by the Czech National Bank and has permissions through selected EEA countries, including Spain.

Investment contracts are intended as medium to long term investments, and all investments have some level of risk. Figures in our articles are examples of what can be achieved and cannot be guaranteed; the value of your investments can go down as well as up. Fees and charges can vary and will be fully explained to you before any advice can take place. This article should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular product.

965 641 163

www.chorusfinancial.es info@chorusfinancial.es

HEALTH

Super Scanner

A new CT scanner has been installed at Torrevieja Hospital using the latest technology available on the clinical market. The unit has cost over €600,000 and emits lower radiation doses for patients. It’s claimed to be most sophisticated scanner of its kind in any hospital in the Valencian Community. It even has a TV camera and an automated stretcher which will allow operators to guide people to lie in the best position.

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

Fat chance A SURVEY has revealed that liposuction is one of the most demanded cosmetic surgeries in Spain. According to the Spanish Society of Plastic Surgeons, the treatment accounted for 12% of all interventions by the organisation’s members. This was behind breast enlargement surgery which stood at 17%. The society added that just 30% of women who had undergone mastectomies as part of cancer treatment opted for breast reconstruction afterwards. The report also highlighted that the numbers of operations for gender reassignment had doubled in the past five years.

Work in the UK. Live in Spain. Live-in Carer £83 - £105 per day.

We are a highly awarded care provider looking for experienced carers for nationwide opportunities. So, if you are a carer with at least six months’ experience and want to keep your Spanish lifestyle while working in the UK, please get in touch.

For more information call Jayne on +34 634345685 or email Jayne.Nuttall-Blake@thegoodcaregroup.com

Kin Covid

Some 40% of COVID-19 outbreaks in Spain originate from family reunions OVER 100 COVID-19 outbreaks have been recorded in Spain since the beginning of Spain’s de-escalation phase. Coronavirus has caused recent outbreaks in almost all of Spain. The biggest was in Lleida with some 800 people testing positive in several outbreaks, followed by Huesca (369 cases), Lugo (165) and Malaga (109). With the exception of La Rioja, Asturias, Ceuta and Melilla, the rest of the communities have detected one or more new outbreaks in recent weeks. According to Health Minister Salvador Illa, Spain has

By Cristina Hodgson

118 active coronavirus outbreaks. However, exact details of where the active outbreaks are or how many positive cases each is not clear.

Family

The transparency on the situation of the virus is in the hands of each autonomy, and very few are publishing these data. With the exception of Andalucia, none do it systematically and constantly. Since the de-escalation be-

gan on May 11, the communities have reported at least 95 new outbreaks, 36 of which were caused by a family gathering, including a wedding in Tudela, a celebration of San Juan in a neighbourhood of Castellón and a meal with friends in Alcanar (Tarragona). The Ministry of Health has defined an outbreak as ‘any cluster of three or more confirmed or probable cases with active infection in which an epidemiological link has been established.’ An outbreak ceases to be active when 14 days pass since the last positive.

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Night owl, 8 Edgy, 9 Nutshell, 10 Maim, 11 Arrival, 14 Jewel, 15 Stiff, 17 Apostle, 21 Sync, 22 Upstairs, 24 Muse, 25 Smoothen. Down: 1 Liquor, 2 Ohms, 3 Topeka, 4 Slyly, 5 Seamless, 6 Ignite, 12 Infected, 13 Lea, 16 Try-out, 18 Pastor, 19 Larger, 20 Burst, 23 Acts.

SUDOKU

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HEALTH

July 23rd - August 5th 2020

K Sud Dental Centre in Calpe is making a move

THREE years ago Dr. Karan Sud decided to make a bold move to Calpe on the northern Costa Blanca . He bought an existing dental practice within the Clinica Britannia in the town and has not looked back since. And now Karan is getting ready to move to a brand-spanking new centre this September! The great response since Karan and his team started to offer their personal dental service has certainly hit the right note since 2017. It’s all been about making sure that patients get a dentist and treatment that they are happy with, especially if they suffer some anxiety over sitting in the big chair! But it’s not just as a dentist that Karan has built his local reputation on, but on the fact that he is a qualified fibredontist. That means anybody who has missing or loose teeth who doesn’t want to have implants or expensive forms of treatment has another option open to them.

STARTED my working life as a summer dishwasher at a five-table cafe in Bournemouth in order to treat my dear departed brother, Michael, to a Spandau Ballet gig at the Pavilion. From secretary to TV stylist and restaurateur, my toughest job was working in live TV. The easiest? Working for movie producers Bob & Peter Farrelly in Hollywood. It wasn’t a job, it was a never-ending barrel of laughs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that the most stress-related hazards on the job relate to work content and work context. The first concerns lack of variety, shift system hours, workload and control over your destiny. The latter is about career development, status, pay, bullying and harassment. Apparently, an unhealthy work environment causes mental and physical health problems including stress, anxiety, depression, alcoholism and hypertension. To overcome this an employee needs more control, fewer work hours – which increases productivity – and an ability to manage work/family conflicts. Also important is fairness and justice in the workplace, health insurance, social support and good communication with economic security. But ‘being appreciated is one of the most important factors in a job that increases motivation and satisfaction as well as

The small team of Karan plus hygienist, Stacey (pictured left) and dental nurse, Jennifer, are now getting ready for the big September move to new premises as they move onwards and upwards. The dramatic events of the coronavirus has meant that more space is needed to maintain the best possible health environment and that means a new and exciting era for the K Sud Medical and Dental Centre. They’re going to be on the Calpe to Moraira coast road just two kilometres from the Pepe La Sal supermarket. Karan Sud said: “Our new premises are wonderful and spacious, and after listening to what our patients have said, we have made sure that there´s plenty of car parking space directly outside our front door!” “It’s a wonderful opportunity for everybody on our team and rest assured that we will not be putting up our prices. And as our new name suggests, we will be offering an extended range of medical services from new profes-

Working it out

sionals”, Karen added. “Thanks to all of our loyal customers and you can follow our move on Facebook at K Sud Dental Calpe.” K Sud Dental is a British dental clinic based in Clinica Britannia in Calpe. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry long with facial rejuvenation treatments. All work is carried out by British qualified clinicians in a cross infection quality controlled medical centre.

Lisa Burgess

health and well being’, says the WHO. I have been both employer and employee and it’s a difficult balancing act. You need to be firm but fair and a kind word never goes amiss. My partner, French chef Joffrey Charles, has struggled to find his niche since we gave up our restaurant due to my cancer diagnosis in 2018. He has just started doing a Moonlight Dinner @ Lakala Beach in La Cala De Mijas every Sunday evening. The combination of a three-course menu for €27.50pp, live entertainment and that sea view has made it an instant success. If at first you don’t succeed, try again is my eternal motto. There is more good news in my household. My daughter Annabel recently received a big promotion at the Dept. of Labour in the States. She worked tirelessly with vulnerable people during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic while caring for my two young granddaughters. My family have had an extraordinarily difficult two years but I always took solace from the words of literary giant JK Rowling who said: ‘Rock bottom became the solid foundation from which I rebuilt my life’. We can all take a leaf out of her book.

HI! Meet the team at K Sud

Get more details online via www.calpeonline24. com/info/k-sud-dental-calpe-british-dentist

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After a 20 minutes

Before and after a 30 minute treatment

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FOR APPOINTMENTS AND INFORMATION

The

OLIVE PRESS

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Rip-off central

FINAL WORDS

POPULAR restaurant in Madrid, ‘El Brillante,’ got some hate on Twitter after a customer revealed he was charged €19 for two coffees and an orange juice.

Shark bait CADIZ beach Zahara de los Atunes was temporarily closed down after a two-metre long predatory mako shark was spotted near swimmers.

Buzz Off SPANISH fans of cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch have discovered that placing small change in a freezer bag of water and hanging it by your door will stop pesky flies from invading your kitchen this summer.

Your expat

voice in Spain

COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 1 Issue 19 www.theolivepress.es July 23rd - August 5th 2020

The only way is up!

PAINTING its planes magenta and guaranteeing customers sparkles is part of a wizard move to get punters back in the air. But the signing of ex-TOWIE star Gemma Collins as the face of Wizz Air is a masterstroke. The larger-than-life celebrity - who spends a good chunk of the year in Marbella - has signed a lucrative six-figure deal to promote the airline. A GANG of 28 bird traffickers that were earning over €1 million a year smuggling feathered pets to Africa have been arrested. A total of 280 parrots, macaws and cockatoos, all protected species, were rescued. The combined operation took place in Murcia, Alicante and Asturias. It was found that the gang would sell the endangered birds using forged documents to get round international restrictions on transporting animals.

Wizard move as Wizz air sends famous diva Gemma Collins into the air as its new global ambassador In her continuing pursuit of the high life, the self-proclaimed diva is part of a drive to get British punters to take advantage of the new air bridges around Europe. From this week, each plane will have a giant photo of Collins on the body, while the

Into Africa

planes will be painted magenta pink - the reality star’s favourite colour. Some inflight announcements will even be voiced by the Essex star. Welcome on board BABY !! LETS GO !!! Don’t forget your masks and who wants Prosecco! There’s only one way A TRIO of locals were treated for smoke inhalation after an electric scooter exploded in Alicante. The battery of the so-called ‘Madge mobile’ blew up inside the owner’s house. Firefighters had to be called out to the blaze, which left two neighbours and a local police officer needing medical treatment, one in hospital.

to travel !!! WIZZ AIR,” announced Collins to her 1.9million followers on Instagram. It comes after Collins spent a couple of weeks in Marbella amid her messy breakup with TOWIE co-star James Argent. But Collins didn’t rest in the 30-degree heat. Instead, she

Hot wheels A large bang woke up the owners who discovered that the battery had caught fire. Luckily a sofa that caught alight in an ensuing blaze was thrown out of the window into the street. It is the latest in a series of call-outs caused by scooter battery fires in recent months.

continued her latest fitness regime poolside. She revealed that Argent who had been set to move to Marbella to buy a home with her, called her ‘a hippo’ as their relationship deteriorated. “It’s not all fun in the sun guys, we are exercising today. We’ve just done deadlifts, squats, press ups, lunges and we’re now off for a run,” she said. During her pandemic reality show Diva in Lockdown, Collins told her family she’d fly them to the sun and sand in a private jet when lockdown measures were eased. There is one budget airline that will be expecting her to travel with them ONLY from now on.