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COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 1 Issue 21 www.theolivepress.es August 20th - September 2nd 2020
Lockdown lies
Paedos in crime EXCLUSIVE: Expat Maddie murder suspect may have had an accomplice in 2017 sex crime Page 5
Life on the line Á chilling look at life on the frightening streets that are under the control of Spains drug lords Page 6
On location The settings of some of Hollywood´s biggest blockbusters are closer than you may think Page 12
THE Spanish government was forced to step in after an English news site claimed the country would go into a second lockdown on September 18. Fernando Simon, director of health emergencies, made it clear that no such plan has existed. He singled out the story by the Euro Weekly News as ‘fake news’ - or a ‘bulo’ in Spanish - in a heated, latenight press conference. And Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, yesterday called the report ‘science fiction’, when questioned by the Spanish press. She said: “At this moment there are no plans for a new confinement.” She added that although there was no telling what could happen in the future, “no media, much less foreign media, knows this.” The story claimed the government would be introducing the extreme measure next month. It gave the specific date and cited ‘two government ministers’ it had alleged-
By Laurence Dollimore & Dilip Kuner
ly spoken to. Written by ‘journalist’ Alistair Pike, it insisted the clampdown was needed – without explaining why. Pike, who is unknown to the Olive Press, has been writing for the newspaper group for a few months. Incredibly, he and his publishers stood by the story despite the Olive Press confirming with the Spanish government and British embassy that there was no basis to the claim. The group even added that the Spanish government was keeping UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson informed of the alleged lockdown plan - something denied by the UK embassy. Understandably, the story caused considerable panic in Spain, particularly amongst the expat community, with many people taking it for truth. A media storm erupted, leading to
Spain’s government dismisses fake news story that shook expat community
STEPPED IN: Fernando Simon dismissed lockdown claims several instances of tourists cancelling holidays in September, adding to the substantial damage already inflicted on the fragile tourist market.
Coronavirus clampdown: Last orders NEW regulations have been introduced by the Spanish government in a bid to stop the rapidly rising number of coronavirus cases across Spain, particularly amongst young people. It comes as the number of COVID-19 cases amongst 15-34 year olds has increased by almost 50% on the Costa Blanca alone. With a focus on nightlife, the new measures order that all nightclubs, bars, karaoke bars and pubs must be closed down. But restaurants and bars with a cafe licence - the vast majority - can open. Smoking on public roads is now prohibited. This measure also includes terraces, unless a two meter distance between smokers can be guaranteed. Valencia has taken the smoking ban a step further and prohibited lighting up on all beaches in the province. Hotels, restaurants and bars with food licenses must be closed by 1am, with no new customers permitted entry after midnight. Additionally, a 1.5 meter distance must be kept between each party dining in the restaurant and groups cannot be larger than 10 people. Capacity must also
SPOKEN
be kept at 75%. Events with more than 400 people must now have authorization from the Public Health authority. So, it looks like the party is well and truly over on the Costa Blanca South. The move is aimed at halting the rise of coronavirus cases, Health Minister Salvador Illa said. Care homes have also been affected by the measures. New residents and staff returning from holidays must have a PCR test for symptoms. Visitors are only permitted to see their loved ones for one hour and one person at a time. Minister Illa instructed Spain’s 17 autonomous communities to bring in the new measures with some provinces adding additional rules. In Marbella, beaches will close at 9.30pm and the Balearic Islands have banned boat and pool parties. Minister Illa has also recommended citizens limit social contact as much as possible and avoid those from outside their household. If meeting friends, groups of 10 people or less are advised. However, these safeguarding suggestions are not currently enforced by the government.
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However, a fierce backlash via social media has seen thousands condemn the story with many even calling for an advertising boycott of the newspaper group involved. Nationally, the story was largely ignored until various Spanish websites followed up the story, including respected news organisation el Correo. Finally, the government stepped in at the weekend to deny the claims with Fernando Simon angrily stating at a press conference in Madrid that it was ‘a bulo’. “I have no information of a second lockdown and the idea has not been mentioned. “They have printed a hoax story.” He added however, that the rest of August is crucial in ensuring the spread of the virus does not spiral out of control. “The priority is to control the transmission, to reach September with the lowest possible level,” the epidemiologist said. “But we have to make an extra effort now.” The health chief added that with an exerted effort, the situation in September could actually improve, but the public must continue to be vigilant. He insisted that schools would still go back as planned next month. “If a select amount of classrooms or schools need to close, it will have to be done.”
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CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF Pervert held A 22-year-old Gandia man was detained by the Polica Nacional after he offered money via social media to two Elche children to expose themselves to him.
Drug raids SEVEN people have been arrested in Calpe for running a drug trafficking ring from various outlets including a cocktail bar.
No entry POLICE have cordoned off a path that was being used by beachgoers to get illegal access to Javea´s Cala de Barraca to flout capacity limits.
Fishy tale THREE people have been arrested at a Guardamar fish farm for rebranding nearly 12 tons of Turkish fish as Spanish in order to cheat on expiry dates.
Killed for cash Couple suffocated disabled woman in their care just to raid her safe
A MARRIED couple have been arrested on suspicion of killing and robbing a disabled woman in her Benidorm home. The duo, aged in their late 50s, knew their victim for several years and worked for her, as she suffered with deformed limbs due to a condition known as phocomelia The pair, who were arrested in Jaca, northern Spain,
LED AWAY: Police arrested the couple By Alex Trelinski
acted as her carers and were generously paid, even getting €1,200 per month
Teens attack TWO police officers were injured at an illegal beach drinks party in the Cabo de Palos area of Cartagena in Murcia. The botellon involved around 70 teenagers who flouted social distancing rules and did not wear masks. Residents called the Cartagena Policia Local in the early hours to complain about the noise coming from the illegal gathering based on Levante beach next to the Paseo Maritimo. The arrival of the police cars saw the youngsters try to flee the scene to avoid being fined as just four agents were left to deal with around half of the original number. The officers had tables and chairs thrown at them, with a police woman being assaulted and confronted by a group of the teenagers after she asked to see an ID document. One teenager has been denounced for attacking the police.
when they did nothing. She received a generous monthly pension because of her condition and moved to Benidorm to live on her own last December.
Assaulted
The man travelled down from Lleida in Catalunya to spend a month doing some caring for her and had access to his employer’s keys. Police believe that in June, the couple travelled in separate cars on a four hour journey to Benidorm where they assaulted the woman and suffocated her before stealing money from her safe. The duo even moved around some of her possessions, including her electric wheelchair, to try to create the impression that she died in an accidental fall.
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
Fire starter fined €19,000 A MAN who lit a bonfire has been jailed for 30 months after the flames got out of control and threatened several Denia urbanisations in July 2014. The unnamed 58-yearold has to pay up to €19,000 in compensation for lighting up just 500 metres from homes. The Valencian Supreme Court said in a ruling: “The man had a complete disregard for the basic rules of care and safety, and did not account for the hot temperatures or the strong gusts of wind.” Some 50 residents were evacuated as a precaution as the fire took hold between Cami de la Marjal and Cami de Gandia. A four-hectare area was burnt in addition to a quad bike belonging to the Policia Local.
Multa on the dancefloor AN Alicante nightclub owner could be fined up to €60,000 after social distancing and capacity rules were flouted at their city venue. Policia Local officers cleared 66 people from the club on Calle de las Artes Graficas at 4.15am on August 9. The main breach surrounded the use of the dance floor which is prohibited under current COVID-19 rules. Police said the owner has been denounced for a serious infraction of the law. They are set to be fined anything between €30,001 and €60,000 under a recently introduced set of tougher tariffs in the Valencian Community.
Paedo pensioner A 77-YEAR old paedophile has been charged with the corruption of minors after taking photos of naked children on an Alicante beach. The Spanish septuagenarian aroused the suspicions of a couple who spotted him taking photos on his mobile phone of their young daughter who was putting her clothes on, after a day out at Postiguet beach.. They reported him to Policia Nacional, who tracked the suspect down after getting descriptions and statements from families on the beach.
NEWS
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August 20th - September 2nd 2020
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STUNNING: Rebecca looks good in pink
Rebound
TOWIE star James Argent (left) has been spotted at Elliott Wright’s La Cala restaurant Olivia’s swarmed by beautiful women just weeks after his messy break-up with costar Gemma Collins (right). The Essex boy hit the town smiling in the sunshine before spending the evening chatting to two glamorous blondes and a brunette.
Rocking the lockdown ROBBED: Caprice Bourret
Caprice shaken MODEL Caprice Bourret has been left shaken after her Ibiza home was robbed and tens of thousands of euros worth of jewellery stolen from the property in broad daylight. The TV personality has had a house on the island for years and spends her summers with the likes of Rebekah Vardy there every year. Bourret was spotted at the Island’s courthouse filing a report soon after the crime took place.
Fatboy Slim star of the socially distanced show that kept Ibiza rocking FATBOY Slim has rocked the lockdown in an ingenious show in Ibiza. The British DJ played to 300 revellers, who were carefully socially-distanced in a hotel venue on the island. Under the banner: ‘Eat. Sleep. Stay in your Seat’ the celebrated DJ entertained the crowd at sunset for over two hours. With new strict social distancing laws coming into effect this week, the audience were spread over daybeds, two metres apart, and on the balconies of their rooms which overlooked the cleverly set up circular stage. They were only allowed to dance in the pool below the stage… and kept apart by over a dozen security guards
All loved up in Marbella...
DISTANCED: Fatboy Slim played an ingenious set By Jon Clarke
at the famous Ibiza Rocks hotel. Punters had to wear masks
Girls in the mix...
LITTLE MIX girl band members Leigh-Anne Pinnock (left) and Perrie Edwards are living it up in Ibiza. While Edwards relaxed on a luxury yacht with Liverpool footballer boyfriend Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Pinnock partied on a hen do at the boutique hotel Wi Ki Woo. “We aren’t allowed to dance but we still brought the party,” she told fans online.
CHILL: Perrie and Alex
in all communal areas and temperatures were taken on the way into the venue. Meanwhile passport details were also taken for each bed or room in case of later track and trace needs. “It’s been a complete mission to get this off the ground and get all the health and safety certificates in place,” owner Andy McKay told the Olive Press. “But in the end I think we have proven it is probably safer here than it is on the beach.” The Ibiza club owner, who has been booking Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, for over 20 years, said the event would at best break even. “We’ve had 3,500 people in here for bands like the Prodigy and New Order, as well as Ed Sheeran and Madness, so this is small stuff,” he added.
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NEWS
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THE expat owner of a villa has spoken of her shock to find a tenant had turned it into a cannabis farm. Radas Balkevicius and his partner Kelley O’Toole this year rented a villa in Pinar de Campoverde which was solely used as a marihuana farm, with the owners left to pay for repairs and utility bills. The Olive Press spoke to joint-owner of the property, Amanda Lamb: “This has been a totally heart-wrenching situation for myself and the other co-owner as we have to pay for all the damage to be repaired, in addition to the
Drugs shock for villa owners By Alex Trelinski
cost of an illegal electricity supply and a massive water bill.” Balkevicius paid the
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monthly rental via a bank transfer and all seemed fine until Amanda discovered what was actually going on at the villa. “The couple said they were going to use it as a family home having recently had a new baby, but they never ac-
Convicted thief ran marihuana farm leaving landlords with hefty bill tually moved in.” “We even gave them a discount on their rent because of the child,” Amanda added. The Guardia Civil and the
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STORERS
Policia Local from Pilar de la Horadada have opened up an investigation into the drug plantation, while Balkevicius and O´Toole are believed to be somewhere in the Pilar and Mil Palmeras area.
Disbelief
E U R O P E LT D
MOVERS
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
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SHIPPERS
JUNKED: Villa was left totally wrecked
Amanda continued; “I was shocked to see all the damage caused by them making holes for ventilation systems.” It turns out that Balkevicius was convicted of 169 burglary offences in Essex and London. The 29-year Lithuanian was given a four-year jail term at Chelmsford Crown Court in 2014 after admitting his crimes. He is said to have netted over £1million worth of items in a five-year period.
Killer road THE ‘Grim Reaper’ of Spanish highways has taken two more lives following a head-on collision. The N-332 on the Costa Blanca was blocked for four hours at El Campello following the accident involving a motorhome and a car. The coastal road is regularly held up as being one of the country’s most notorious for fatal accidents and has the highest annual death rate for any road in the Valenciana Community.
Collision
In the latest incident, a 75-year-old Dutch motorhome driver was killed along with a 19-year-old man from Caceres in the Extremadura region. Two teenagers and the wife of the Dutch national suffered serious injuries. Guardia Civil agents believe the Mercedes vehicle that the teenagers were travelling in, sped around a bend and crossed into the opposite carriageway to hit the motorhome.
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Paedos in crime Mystery man may have abused children alongside prime Maddie suspect Brueckner MADDIE MCCANN suspect Christian Brueckner may have had another accomplice during a recent child sex crime in Portugal, the Olive Press can reveal. The blonde man of a similar height to the German paedophile was seen out with him on a night when he was arrested for exposing himself to chil-
EXCLUSIVE By Jon Clarke in Messines
dren in 2017. According to police sources in the Algarve, he arrived at a village festival with the mystery man. The pair were drinking at the local fiesta, an annual bash
Beach woes A TORREVIEJA councillor has slammed inconsiderate families who are ignoring barriers to set up outdoor night time dining rooms on the city’s beaches. The beaches are closed each night for cleaning as part of the coronavirus measures put in place, with them being taped off. But that has not stopped some extended families from setting up tables and chairs, bringing dining sets and even fridges. Councillor of Citizen Security Federico Alarcon said: “They only pay attention when they see police arrive, then they usually get up and leave,” in what is being described as a ‘systematic failure to comply’. At the town’s central Cura Beach, tales of families setting up tables and chairs were reported, with them dining until after 10pm, long after beaches are meant to be closed at 8.30pm Alarcon said: “It seems that some families don’t care, we counted up to 10 tables on Cura beach after 10 pm.”
NEWS
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
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Rubbish summer
PARTNER: Brueckner had a mystery friend centered around the local delicacy of snails, in Messines. That night at around 1am, Brueckner exposed himself in front of four children. The convicted paedophile was hiding under the slide of the park’s playground with his trousers by his knees, a police source told the Olive Press. Parents were alerted to the German by the children, who ran over to them distressed and alarmed. It was then an off duty officer approached Brueckner and demanded documentation. She held back four furious fathers as she quizzed the German. Brueckner claimed he had been merely urinating but the parents pointed out that the ground was bone dry. The officer called for back-up before asking Brueckner how he had arrived at the festival. He first told the policewoman he had arrived by car, but later changed his story after she asked where the vehicle was. It came as witnesses claimed a man who he was with had fled
the scene as the drama unfolded. They described him as having a similar appearance to Brueckner, measuring the same height with blonde hair. It is believed he may have taken off in the vehicle. It is known that two blonde men of similar height were seen outside the McCann apartment on the day she went missing in 2007. One was said to have blue eyes, like Brueckner, while the other had green. They were seen by two sisters who were on holiday, outside the Praia da Luz resort in 2007. Brueckner was announced the prime suspect in June after discovering his phone had been used outside the Ocean Club half an hour before Maddie vanished. On the night of his most recent arrest in June 2017, police discovered he had an Interpol arrest warrant against him. The warrant revealed he had a history of child sex crimes and was wanted in Germany, police in Portugal said.
ORIHUELA COSTA residents have slammed the local council for letting rubbish pile up high on their streets. The area always gets a big influx of visitors during the summer, and though numbers are down due to the pandemic, annual criticisms over bin collections have continued. Elaine Kelly from Playa Flamenca told the Olive Press: “The Orihuela Costa has been forgotten in a disgusting abandonment of the coast and the piled-up rubbish is also being infested with rats.” Cabo Roig resident, Jackie Annon, said: “It seems as if nobody cares and the whole of Cabo Roig and La Zenia is a disgrace. The roads are knee-high in weeds and trash.” Other complaints are over garden prunings that have not been collected by the council along with large items of furniture and electrical goods.In June, Orihuela’s refuse collection councillor, Damaso Aparicio, announced the annual summer increase in workers for the coast, with six drivers and 19 staff members added to the team. The Olive Press asked for a comment from councillor Aparicio over the complaints, but did not get a reply.
DISGUSTING: Rat infested piles of rubbish
Dignity sought By Simon Wade
URBAN SETTING: Cura Beach, Torrevieja
VICTIMS of Spain’s notorious dictator, General Franco, are to be exhumed across the region, with a tender process for the contract recently launched. The €88,000 project will allow the exhumations of 61 victims of the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship from cemeteries of Castello and Segorbe (north of Valencia), Alicante and Orihuela. The task will involve investigation, locating, exhumation and anthropological study of the victims in graves throughout the four municipalities. Initial studies have located 18 victims in the Castell0 cemetery, 15 in Segorbe, 11 in Alicante and 17 in Orihuela.
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NEWS FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION Line crossed THE recent massive raid against drug smugglers in La Linea’s Narcoville came as a surprise to many. For years these drug lords had inflicted their reign of impunity over the Gibraltar Campo. In the Rock’s shadow they had become social kings, riding sports cars and living a life of luxury. It had even got to the point that La Linea schoolchildren dreamed of being drug smugglers themselves as opposed to firemen. Through fear and their big bucks they dominated the Campo and few dared to challenge them. Even Gibraltarians lived there, hiding from the law and its consequences. It all came to a head a couple of years back when they had some serious run-ins with the forces of the law. First they ran over a local policeman in the street and then rescued one of their own from a hospital ward under police guard. They then barged into a Guardia Civil 4x4, with the officer claiming he felt like he was ‘in an episode of Narcos’. As news spread to all of Spain it was clear they had crossed a line and the reaction was swift. Suddenly, elite units were posted at road exits, checking traffic and looking for clues. When a police commander of the drug division was detained for working with the smugglers, it was clear the end was in sight. The big raid came after a COVID-19 lockdown that must have shocked the drug clans as much as everyone else. Narcoville had been untouchable because it was a symbol of opportunism and power, in a capitalist system that respects gain above all else. But that same power got to their heads to the point they felt they could extend their influence beyond any barriers. While it is clear that other clans will seek to fill the void left by those arrested, a line has at least been drawn in the sand which they will not dare to cross. Publisher / Editor
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Life on the Line Welcome to Narcoville Kirsty McKenzie reports on one of the most criminal and dangerous spots in Spain
C
risto keeps her eyes low as she serves us our drinks. A Fanta Limon and a Coke, both straight out of the freezer, she blasts the cans with hot water to melt the ice that encases them before sliding the drinks over to us. She’s been here since 2002, she tells me, but she won’t say her real name. She is working in a place that skims the line between La Linea and El Zabal, where the air is thick and the people are sparse - an industrial wilderness on the Spanish-British frontier. She knows better than to answer too many questions. She swats my probes away with the same ease that she bats away the flies that swarm
POVERTY: La Linea is one of the poorest cities in Spain around her cafe, making no effort to hide her disdain. Instead she exhales: “It’s frying here” and I watch a bead of sweat roll down her cheek. “Si,” I reply, “this place is on fire.” Welcome to La Linea, an enclave in southern Spain that got its name - the line- because it
DIVIDE: High walls separate luxurious homes from shabby apartments
Juan Carlos has been well and truly ‘cancelled’* but Spain’s reviled and exiled ex-king was once a symbol of unity revered by his loyal subjects.
Y
OU aren’t really the king of Spain until you’ve been exiled. Alfonso XIII slunk off in the shadows in 1931 after failing to implement a constitutional regime. Now, like his grandfather before him, Juan Carlos has fled the country in disgrace, this time following allegations of financial corruption. Accused of accepting a multi-million euro bribe from Saudia Arabia’s late King Abdullah in exchange for a high-speed rail contract, the runaway royal was sighted touching down in Abu Dhabi last week. In a letter to his son, King Felipe VI, Juan Carlos wrote that he had quit Spain due to the ‘public repercussions of certain episodes of my past private life’. One episode being the huge sum of money he reportedly transferred to his mistress Corinna Sayn-Wittgenstein in an apparent attempt to hide his railroad commission from authorities. Meanwhile, every animal lover in the entire world has heard about his hypocritical hunting trip to shoot elephants while Honorary President of the World Wildlife Fund. Born in exile in Rome in 1938, Juan Carlos was only 12 months old when General Francisco Franco defeated the Second Republic of Spain in the Spanish Civil War and began his 36 year dictatorship. Like Simba to Pride Rock in
is the crossing point from Spain to Gibraltar. Each day 36,000 people move daily across the border from La Linea to Gibraltar, along with 10,000 vehicles, 180 trucks and 40 buses. The imposing silhouette of the Rock of Gibraltar offers no shade to the residents of this gritty city, but there’s no doubt the shadow of drug crime and violence looms large here. It’s the proximity to both Gibraltar and Morocco - and the extreme isolation that the industrial town guarantees - that has made La Linea a key base for criminal gangs and drug kingpins. Located roughly eight kilometres south of San Roque, history tells it that when Franco closed the frontier in 1969, it was La Linea that suffered the most. Workers lost their jobs on the Rock overnight and the town’s population dropped by 35%. After 16 years of Spanish-imposed isolation, the gates were reopened in 1985 but the damage was done. Today the area remains in a perpetual state of decay and for the past 40 years or so, drugs have been the economic bedrock of this stifling and sterile nook of southern Spain. Unemployment rates in 2020 hover around
HUNTED: King shot elephant
By Lydia Spencer-Elliott The Lion King, the boy returned to his kingdom aged 10 as part of a covert plan to restore the monarchy in Spain. Dictator Franco took Juan Carlos as a royal hostage and governed the child’s life for just under two decades. But the allegiance proved advantageous when Franco named the prince his successor in 1969. Unlike his adviser, Carlos favoured reforms and quickly took apart the authoritarian regime. Twelve years later, Carlos publicly supported democracy amidst an attempted army coup and was praised by his subjects for derailing a return to dictatorship. The king became a symbol of unity and was fondly admired as the father of Spain’s third republic. His stock had never been so high. He was viewed as a hero for standing up to the forces of reaction and repression. He remained popular for years, but then controversy began to follow Juan Carlos. Along with a regular smattering of dodgy financial dealings, the king had been regularly lambasted by the public for his luxury hunting trips. In 2004, Carlos prompted significant outrage when he killed four bears - including a pregnant female - on a trip to Romania. And that wasn’t the end of his bloodthirsty hobby.
A right royal rogue... Amidst the devastating 2012 Spanish financial crisis, the king spent over €50,000 on a jaunt to Botswana to hunt elephants. This while he was Honorary President of the World Wide Fund for Nature, a title of which he was instantly stripped. He apologised and gave up his yacht in aid of the crisis but failed to quell the anger bubbling in the blood of the nation. After involvement with a tax avoidance scandal alongside his daughter Cristina and her questionable husband, Inaki Urdanarin, in 2014, tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets to demand a referendum to abolish the monarchy. Juan Carlos was forced to
abdicate and pass the crown to his son Felipe VI, later officially retired from all royal duties. From the days of glory to international embarrassment, Juan Carlos’ string of shameful sagas has sent shock waves through the once sturdy foundations of the Spanish monarchy. As the disgraced ex-king returns to the exile into which he was born, banishment appears increasingly like a royal right of passage. Now, with anti-monarchist fervour growing in the country, King Felipe will have to do a lot more than exercise his sovereign prerogative to safeguard the future of the Spanish throne. * You’ll have to Google it
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Vol. 13 Issue 349 www.theolivepres s.es August 5th - August 18th
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OF
LUXURY: Police have targeted El Zabal’s high-end homes
look at our top ranking web stories over the past two weeks is revealing. Page view statistics are a crude but reasonably accurate way of seeing what our readers are interested in. Then why don’t we simply slavishly follow the online stats when laying out the newspaper? The answer is that we do use them as a guide, but they do not OLIVE give the complete picture. PRESS For an interesting read – and Right pair a newspaper that people look forward to picking up as soon as it’s out – there has to be a little of something for everyone. And this is where good old fashioned journalism comes in. 952 147 834 It is a judgment call and our team of experienced reporters and writers are well placed to make that decision. We all work hard and strive Complete package to put together the complete package. Of course news comes top of the agenda and we certainly print more than our fair share of hardnosed news reports. This is where website stats can help - for example the breaking news of a nightclub and partial smoking ban garnered plenty of hits, as did just about all our COVID related stories. But when it comes down to it, it would be an extremely dull paper if that’s all we put in. Which is why we always leave plenty of space for interesting in-depth features and articles. These not only allow our reporters and writers to stretch their wings, more LA CULTURA importantly they RESURRECTING RED HUGH provide you with I a fascinating and informative read. But it comes at a price – to the Olive Press not the reader! While the paper is free, the Olive Press still IN DEPTH: Fascinating features has to pay for the staff to keep on producing a quality newspaper and popular website. Some media groups have been cutting back on reporters –hundreds of posts have gone during lockdown in sections of the UK media. But the Olive Press believes in the value of its journalism so has continued to invest heavily in its staff during these moist difficult months. We believe there is light at the end of the tunnel – and when we reach it we will be ready and raring to go full steam ahead. We investigate continuing plans that threaten to destroy this paradise
See page 6
Summer of fun
Celebrities flock to Ibiza search for coronavirus as they relief...
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Streets of heat
The streets seem almost to be pulsing red on the humid August afternoon when we arrive. After gleaning little from Cristo in our cafe stop, we park the car on the backstreets between La Linea and El Zabal and open Google Maps, flipping to satellite view in the hopes of finding… something. Above the hum of the car engine and the buzz of mosquitos, I heard first a scream, then the angry voices of a crowd rising. We get out of the car and see that about a dozen armed men, their faces masked but wearing black uniforms and the badges of the Policia Nacional, had surrounded the area. The four story block of apartments is filthy sun bleached and peeling, the scene drained of colour save for the damp, bright laundry draped from a stick outside the barred windows. We walked down the dusty road, into the furnace heat and I silently pulled out my phone to film what looked to me like a drug raid. On our way past, one of the officers caught sight of us and was furious; he threatened to take me to the police station for filming, even
though we were on a public street. “How long have you been watching us? Why are you here?” he yelled over and over. “Borrar el video. Delete, delete, delete.” I was marched into the courtyard of the estate, littered with dirt, trash and empty bottles, where police were reprimanding a man. He was grunting and yelling - resisting arrest - and the crowd sur- FAMILIAR: Police are no strangers to the area rounding us was swelling. Police clasped their guns a little tighter. Morocco to document how drugs are taken I protested, ‘I am a journalist’, but the police from Africa across the water and into Europe. refused to let me go. The result is a miniseries for Netflix that’s Shay, a colleague with me that day, was been marketed to viewers as a glimpse at the sent to the car by officers to retrieve my ID. I ‘day-to-day of the conflict in one of the largest made moves to follow him and three officers enclaves in the country’, set to be released stepped in front of me, cornering me back later this year. into the courtyard. “No,” one said. “You stay.” “La Linea is not a safe place,” says John BurShay returned with my ID - a driver’s licence. gess, an Anglo-American who’s worked on the Not good enough, apparently. Rock for a geo-tech company. “This only proves that you drive, not who you “I know that two Spanish guys tried to abduct are,” a female officer said in Spanish. I was one of the girls on my team and the only reaincredulous. son they didn’t get away with it It was clear the police didn’t was because Port Authorities want anything filmed or phosaw it happening. This is not Two Spanish tographed, insisting that I pera place you want to spend any manently delete whatever I had time in.” guys tried to recorded. That does not make I know I am lucky to leave La Linabduct one of ea with little more than a telling good journalism but attempting to argue with them only brought - and I am aware this incident the girls on my off threats and increased hostility. is small fry compared to what “We will take you to the police others have seen and suffered team station,” the leader of the offiin this city this summer. cers continued to shout at us. For most of the year, the SpanLater Shay explained my error - I had a flip cov- ish authorities have been closing in on Jesus er on my phone and each time I was folding Heredia — better known as El Pantoja and alit over the officer was becoming more irate. legedly the biggest drug lord in the Campo de “He didn’t trust you, that you were hiding Gibraltar area — with the brute force of the something. He didn’t believe you deleted it Central Narcotics Brigade. His apprehension and he didn’t believe you were who you said,” was the latest in a string of high-profile blows Shay said later. “He was worried they were against the drug barons. identifiable.” Armed forces burst into his associates’ com“Even in a hat, pounds and the gang’s safe houses were mask and glass- raided by black-jumpsuited officers. On June 29, a huge raid on the secret properties saw es?” I asked. “Si,” Shay replied. 38 people arrested, 11 of whom are being “They are obviously held without bail. One had 52 bales of hashish weighing 1.5 nervous.” And they have a tonnes hidden underneath the base of a right to be. A city shower. Another had bundles of cash hidden with a population in the toilet and under the sink. Heredia himof 63,279, police self had been arrested on June 24 — while officials estimate dining with his family at a restaurant in Chithat there are more clana de la Frontera - all thanks to tip-offs than 30 gangs here from to the police and an ill-advised decision that employ around to let his top-secret mansion be used as the location for an outlandish music video by reg3,000 people. It’s this harsh envi- gaeton star Canelita last autumn. ronment and boom As a result, police stepped up their search for in drug trafficking the gangsters and their associates, uncovering that first caught the 17 high-tech hideouts across the El Zabal area. eye of the produc- With Heredia behind bars awaiting trial and tion company Atar two key members of the Castañas gang, GaAgreements togeth- reth Mauro and El Potito, on the run, the criminal empire in La Linea is starting to crumble. er with Mediaset. Producers carried For the police, uncovering the hidden narcoout 81 interviews ville shows the city is making progress in its and shot 336 hours struggle against the drug gangs - but how of footage, speak- many more people will have to put their lives ing to agents from on the line before the city can recover? different police forcOpinion Page 6 es and travelling to
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the 33% mark - a fact that has pushed many of its people into assisting the Rock’s smugglers by warehousing contraband tobacco from Gibraltar and drugs from Morocco before it is distributed throughout mainland Spain. The air is thick with dust and pollution and when I put my hand on the car window and heat ripples through the glass. We had come here to report on the secret narcoville busted by police earlier this summer in El Zabal. The luxury villas, many built illegally using criminal funds, boast swimming pools, hidden underground tunnels, escape routes, armoured doors and sophisticated surveillance systems. None of them have numbers and all are surrounded by metres high walls, making them only visible from the sky, where they are notable for their perfectly pristine lawns made of artificial grass - not even a gardener is welcomed into this impenetrable fort.
Football fan responsible controversial All Lives for rubs shoulders with Matter banner extremist Tommy Robinson, as he plans Costa move
PALS: Jake Hepple (left) with THE man sacked for Tommy lives matter’ banner flying a ‘white Robinson EXCLUSIVE above a football game has been spotted By Kirsty McKenzie shoulders with far-right rubbing activist tention in the Tommy Robinson on UK." the Costa del Robinson, Sol. the former remains in Spain and EDL leader Jake Hepple, 24, claimed was bility for the outlandish responsi- cently spotted on top of most reIs this Liverpool fan Spain’s the Rock, stunt at the teasing oldest Manchester City v Burnley plans that he was ‘moving ex-pat? game last Gibraltar’. to month. Robinson Both teams had taken said: “My fat little Page 5 support of Black Lives the knee in me to the top of this. Movinglegs got to Giminutes before Hepple Matter just braltar, stick that in your f*cking s*it plane to fly a White Lives arranged a paper.” Matter sign Extremist above the pitch. Robinson, who has been banned from Twitter, The Burnley fan and Instagram Megan Rambadt, who his girlfriend and Facebook following racist employment terminatedalso had her has been hinting for weeks rants, in relation making a about to posts she made on big move. fled to Spain earlier thissocial media, In an earlier video, filmed after enjoying racket sports at Hepple posted in supportmonth. a posh leisure on Facebook and appearedof the EDL centre in Marbella, the far-right acto with its former leader, in a pho- tivist said he was 'fleeing' to Spain Tommy from Robinson, as the pair met up on the attackthe UK after an alleged arson Costa Del Sol. on his wife’s UK Speaking from Manolo property. Hepple had been seen Santana in the Racrola 'Fish Alley' party strip. Fuengi- quets Club in Marbella, The fight is on as Spain Robinson tries to claim revealed A source, who did not a multi-billion euro fortune want to be sia's VK in a video posted to Rusdiscovered named, said: "He platform that he had on the sea bed... was here with places his girlfriend. I saw at local schools for secured O'Brien's Irish pub. them both in children but was still 'in thehis three Page 20 again.” of finding a permanent process' “They seemed relaxed place for something and having them to live. for the record. I am not a good The Brexit supporter, tribes and moving who has vo- nently. abroad or anywhere perma- becoming the perception he was now time, and cally opposed one himself. were say- UK, went on immigration into the “I’ve just had family issues and lo- The rabble-rouser, who does not unto say that he is looking ing they at permanently derstand Spanish, previously cation issues stated had been ‘which is pretty relocating his family, not me, that to deal with. My family that if a person See page 9 & 12 ‘does will free me up for the forced to with COVID’. hard to do, especially work that I do.” language, he should not speak our not be in the come to In another United Kingdom’. video he contradicted him- He added: “For all you snowflakes Spain to self and pledged I tors in the Spanish Now commentawill be back in the UK very press have questo return to the UK. soon, on the tioned whether e s c a p e Robinson, he will learn Spanish. real name Stephen Yax- streets of England, doing what I do.” media at- ley-Lennon, said: “Let me just clarify The 37-year-old admitted many had One twitter user in Gibraltar said: “We embraced refugees been ‘triggered’ when during the he was said to be weighing up leaving Civil War. We rejected Franco. Many of us marched in a show of anti-racthe UK, given his previt o c o n d i t i o ous anti-immigrant dia- ism on July 4. n s . E n d s 3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 “Our history is nothing . without anti-fascism. Tommy Robinson is the worst of the English far-right and we don’t want 21/6/19 13:30 imperialist crap in Gibraltar.”
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Years’ War would be immortalised by the 1960s Disney film - The Fighting Prince of Donegal. Based on the novel Red Hugh: detta against the En- of Donegal by Robert T. Reilly, Prince glish monarchy must depicts the film the Irish leader’s ascension be fearless, persistent to the throne after the death and pretty nifty with of his father. sword. In the mountainsa tional Like all good heroes, the ficHugh successfully multi-tasks of 16th-century Ireland his preparation for battle while there existed such simultaneously man; a warrior with de-a Kathleen courting his love interest, McSweeney. termination, valour and Some critics thought the tale Spanish soldiers on was side, who lost his life his predictable and simplistic, others the pursuit of freedom. in embraced it as unostentatious fun. Whatever the reception, one fact reThe story of ‘Red Hugh’ importance for Spain has huge mains indisputable: the reality was and the more grisly than northern city of Valladolid, Disney audiences where could have stomached. he was believed to be the chapel grounds of aburied in can convent. But when FrancisWarning the astery was leveled in 1836,mon- At just 15 years old, Red Hugh the convent and the bones of Red was kidnapped by the English Hugh were not there. Now, army cheologists are searching ar- Castle.and imprisoned in Dublin His abduction served for the skeleton of the eight-toed a warning to the O’Donnell as clan: Irish rebel beneath a branch if you rebel against the English of Banco Santander in the monarchy you will face the concity centre. sequences. The red-headed rebel was But after five years of captivity, born into the powerful he escaped with help from a loyO’Donnell dynasty in Coun- al friend ty Donegal and fought ney homeof his father. The jourduring a bleak Irish valiantly for control of his winter nearly cost the renegade nation against Queen his life. Red Hugh recovered from Elizabeth I. But, rather severe fatigue, but lost his two than a Mel Gibson his- big toes to frostbite. torical fiction epic, the The chieftain was quick to begin chieftain’s bravery invasions to reclaim Irish land in the Nine that had been commandeered the English in his absence. by As a fellow Catholic territory fighting to rid itself of protestants, Spain’s King Phillip III supported the effort and sent boats of warriors to Kinsale. When Spanish ships docked at County Cork, English troops tiator, Red Hugh ventured surrounded the ar- after the siege to plead with to Spain His body was taken to the royal mada and killed to continue his support and the king ace in Valladolid with pomp and palsend fur- emony. A four-wheeled cerh u n d r e d s ther soldiers to Ireland. But the mishearse drove of men in sion proved fatal. Before help could the corpse to its resting place, sura bloody be granted, Red Hugh mysteriously rounded by guards, state officers and flaming torches to signify died a few miles from battle. admiration. the city. Some A persua- said an infection killed the 29-year- As a mark of respect, the king honsive nego- old warrior, others claimed he was ored Red Hugh with a special burial in the Chapel of Wonders poisoned by a British spy. - a Franciscan convent where explorer Christo-
THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES
by Suzanne Collins
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ANEM, it is 64 years Games trilogy and the before The Hunger country is still rebuilding its bitter war with the districts. following Eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow, the future tyrannical dent of Panem, comes presion hard times. With theirfrom an influential family that has fallen fortune almost gone they on good name alone. are surviving On the morning of the Games, Snow hopes to reaping for the tenth annual Hunger tribute, however, when regain glory by mentoring the winning trict 12, he realises thathe is given the female tribute from disthe odds are not forever Snow must do everything in in his power to climb thehis favour. success at all costs. ladder of Collins proves she is a master of world building development in this longawaited Hunger Gamesand character Prequel. €24.90 The Bookshop San Pedro, www.thebookshop.es
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The bones of a fearless Irish chieftain could be entombed beneath a branch of Banco Santander in northern Spain
By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
F Braveheart taught us anything, it’s that a rebel with a ven-
Train of thought
HERO: Red Hugh
LEGEND: Archaeologists
are trying to find Red Hugh
who has been remembered
in statues (left)
pher Columbus would be Relatives of the buried a century later. rebel offered DNA samples have afterlife, Red Hugh has Now, nearly two centuries af- identify which belong to help become an Irish symbol ter his remains were reportto the of Gaelic resistance. chieftain. ed missing from the site, The dig for answers and the the Archeologists will also have bonesdiscovery of his true to study the height, could finally location of his burial chapel sex, age of each skeleton and confirm whether infeccontinues beneath a for tion or English cunning in Valladolid where 16street clues - unless one is discov- brought skel- ered with two toes the chieftain to etons have been unearthed. missing. his suspicious demise An escapologist even in his in Spain.
BBC TV viewers got a taste of Spanish culture when mer UK Secretary of forfor Defence Michael State llo launched his latestPortiprogramme.
Sporting his trademark colourful clothing, he travelled to Spain for the first episode in a new series of Great Continental Railway Journeys. It was a deeply personal journey for Portillo. TRIP: Michael Portillo He carried with him a copy of Bradshaw’s guide book, 1936 – the year that the from yer before seeking asylum in ish Civil War eruptedSpan- Britain. most travellers to the and There he was shown his facoun- ther’s secret try were volunteer soldiers political file beor fore he headed war reporters. off to Madrid He stopped in Salamanca, and Aragon. Here he explored and where Portillo’s father, shared worked as an anti-fascistLuis, with viewers different aspects law- of Spanish culture.
The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: woman arrested after lying that €140 had 1- British been illegally withdrawn from her bank account (21,901) British expat on Spain's Costa del 2-SolEXCLUSIVE: has card details hacked losing nearly €500, but bank refuses to refund amount (20,363) Police in UK and Spain reopen case 3- ofEXCLUSIVE: Costa del Sol bar owner who vanished 27 years ago (18,001) Two arrested in Benidorm after robbing foreign 4-cars at ‘40 golf courses’ across Spain’s Costa Blanca (17,958) From June 8 you can travel throu5- BREAKING: ghout whole of Spain's Andalucia, Government announces (14,853)
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is regarded as
one of Ireland’s
greatest heroes
Stories to treasure In a wonderful new idea, Spoken Portraits takes on tributes and your life story
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IM was a theatre impresario putting on a B e t w e e n ballet starring Rudolf Nureyev. them, they During one show he was summoned described what backstage by stage manager Dan. he was like at significant In a bizarre case of mistaken identity, the points in his life for a ‘Portrait world-famous dancer had punched him in the of Adam Through the Ages’. stomach before leaping in front of the audience. His old friend William, for example, reDan was refusing to start the second half until he membered how as a 30-year-old TV lawyer got an apology, but Nureyev was unrepentant. living in Manchester, Adam became obsessed The Punch is one of the wonderful stories from with Coronation Street because his office had Tim’s life that he had been trying to write down live CCTV of the set. for years but was finding it impossible to put pen “He would call me up and tell me that Vera had to paper. just put on her wig!”. Then he found Rosie Oliver. Rosie is an audio His ex-flatmate Nick also recalled how, ‘in the producer who makes ‘Spoken evenings Adam would go to the Portraits’ – privately commissalsa club in a tight fitting Tim found the local sioned radio-style features about open-neck shirt with chest hair people’s lives in their own words. whole interview popping out,and dance the She guided Tim on what would night away with divorcees from process be best to talk about and he Bolton’. quickly unblocked once she got This April, Rosie produced a tremendously out the microphone. surprise tribute to NHS workers After a couple of recorded interLisa and Stephen. liberating views and lots of very careful edThey were due to get married iting, she produced a beautifully but had to call off the wedding packaged 60 minute audio CD with copies for because of lockdown.Their families commishim to give to his family. Tim said: “I found the sioned Rosie to call up and record 14 friends whole process liberating.” and relatives who told the story of the couple Tim is just one of many people Rosie has made and what’s great about them. Spoken Portraits about. “Everyone knew how disappointed we were Adam is another. when we had to cancel the wedding,” said bride-to-be Lisa. “It really was brilliant to hear them say those wonderful things … I laughed a lot, I cried a lot, and smiled till my face couldn’t His was a surprise 50th birthday gift from take it!” family and friends from around the world who As Shola, who commissioned Rosie to intercouldn’t get together for a party. view her father, remarked: “I don’t think it is Rosie interviewed 22 of them over the phone an exaggeration to say that a Spoken Portrait and internet, from Ronda, in Spain, to San is one of the most precious gifts you could ever Francisco, in America. give to yourself and those you love.”
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Dear Jennifer:
What kind of cover do I get with an insurance policy? ALL the world is experiencing a very frightening time due to this dreadful virus that is circulating everywhere. Until a vaccine has been developed, we are going to have to live with it and I understand that there are a number of people who are very fearful and not leaving their homes to go anywhere. To do this for such a long time could create problems with their health. All I can advise is doing what many other people are, and that is going out locally and being extremely careful where they go and carrying out all the rules that the government is asking us to do. In the end, however, it is ever ybody’s responsibility to protect themselves and others. Obviously there is a lot of sadness, despair, and fear surrounding this virus, but we are having to learn to live with it. The need to feel secure in your own home is vital and again I can only suggest that w a s h i n g hands and using gel, is the only thing you can do to protect yourself. Of course, as an insurance lady, I have to suggest that one way you can buy some is to have the correct insurances. Please try not to be blackmailed by the banks, as you will discover later when trying to claim, you will have no help and your insurance cover is very limited. There are many Spanish companies which are excellent, but they do not offer the special Expat policies that my company does. If you go to see or phone one of my staff, everything will be explained to you in detail, with all your questions answered and it will not be a case of when asking what is covered and being answered with one word – “everything”. This is impossible especially as uttering words means nothing legally. If your policy is written in Spanish and you do not understand it, then how do you know what is covered? Can you afford to take this risk? Please call one of my consultants to help with any questions you may have, and visit the website www.jennifercunningham.net or email info@jennifercunningham.net
8
BUSINESS
AROUND 1.35 million jobs have been lost in Spain since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Of this number, 1,074,000 were lost in the second quarter of 2020 according to INE, Spain’s official statistics department. This was the biggest quarterly fall in employment in the country since 1976, when official stats were first gathered. The number dwarfs the
Jobs blow
770,899 jobs lost in the first three months of 2009, after the global financial crash. About 285,000 workers lost their jobs in the first quarter of 2020, as the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak began to make itself felt.
August 20th September 2nd 2020 At the moment another 1 million workers are furloughed under the ERTE scheme, which is set to end in September, although it may be extended. The services sector has been particularly badly hit with 816,900 jobs lost in the second quarter. According to Eurostat, Spain has the highest official unemployment rate in the European Union at 15.6% just ahead of Greece (15.5%).
Falling behind
Spanish economy dragging its heels on road to recovery
SPAIN is in danger of lagging behind the main advanced economies in Europe in recovering from the coronavirus crisis. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) the Spanish economic position worsened last month while other Eurozone countries saw a strengthening of their position. The organisation’s Com-
posite Leading Indicators Index (CLI) which forecasts economic activity in
Black August HOTELIERS on the Costa del Sol have predicted dire occupation numbers for August, the most important month of the season. The occupation forecasts for this month have been reduced to 39.9%, as announced on Monday by the Association of Hotel Owners of the Costa del Sol (AEHCOS). “The significant decline in the British market has marked us these two months. In Malaga alone, they represent 26% of the reservations,” said a spokesperson from the AEHCOS. Some 90% of British reservations have been cancelled, representing 70% of arrivals to Malaga.
the next six to nine months, gave Spain a score of 93.72 points, down from 94.31 in June. By contrast the average for developed countries strengthened from 97.04 to 97.98 points over the same timescale. An OECD spokesman said: “The CLI for Spain points to tentative signs of a slowdown.” In June, the organisation had warned that the Spanish economy was the one most threatened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an estimated contraction of GDP in 2020 of between 11.1% and 14.4%, depending on whether or not there is a resurgence of the virus.
Resurgence
Employers in the sector are confident that the British Government will reverse the quarantine measure imposed. However, even a change of course would not guarantee a recovery in the market, given that in addition to the cancellations, tour operators such as TUI have stopped operating in the peninsula and Jet2. com has suspended flights until mid-August.
The CLI index in the United States rose to 97.44 points from 95.99 the previous month, although it is still 1.74 points below the reading for July 2019. It shows a ‘continued strengthening’ of the economy. This improvement in the economic outlook for the US is shared by most of the large OECD economies, including the euro area, whose CLI index has improved to 97.29 points from 96.68 the previous month, although still 2.39 points below the level of a year earlier.
LA CULTURA
Do you have a what’s on? Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es
What the Romans did for Benidorm Ancient fort has reopened after more archaeological work costing €500,000 BENIDORM’S ancient site of Tossal de la Cala reopened this month following new excavation work and visitor improvements at the Roman fort. The famous hill offers some magnificent views and is located between the Finestrat and Poniente beaches and reaches a height of 100 metres above sea level . The archaeological site was classified as a Site of Cultural Interest in 1984, and around 80% has now been excavated. Visitors will immediately notice that some new entrance doors have been erected and they will be able to learn about the history of Tossal de La Cala thanks to an updated set of information boards along the route to the top of the hill. The panels give details of what was discovered in a series of excavations, which in the 1940’s and 1960’s uncovered finds including Greek pottery that dated as far back
as the 4th century BC Excavation work by Alicante University in 2013 confirmed that Tossal de la Cala was used as a Roman settlement by General Sertorius in around 77 BC as a base for soldiers to protect the northern coast of the current Alicante Province. It was part of a network of coastal sites which also included Altea, Calpe and Moraira. Tourists will get a chance to see some of the restored walls as well as different coloured gravel being used to designate some of the rooms that were on the site. Recent excavation work has cost over €500,000 and has been covered by a European Union grant. The team has been led by Feliciana Sala and Jesus Moratalla, from Alicante University. Professor Moratalla said: “Our work on the site has produced some spectacular
SPECIAL SITE: The Tossal de la Cala Roman fort By Alex Trelinski
results. Every time excavations take place, we literally make history with a new set of discoveries.” The new finds included a possible additional entrance to the fort and more walls detected underneath the cur-
OP QUICK Crossword Across 1 Rubber (6) 5 False (6) 8 Burden excessively (8) 9 Principal (4) 10 Family (4) 11 I o W town (8) 12 Irritate (4) 13 Gone by (3) 14 World’s longest river (4) 15 Skew-whiff (8) 18 Lower jaw (4) 19 Flightless bird (4) 20 Tied up (8) 21 Elder (6) 22 Something unusual (6)
OP Sudoku
Down 2 Effect a radical change (13) 3 Squeeze together (7) 4 Spacious (5) 5 Experience (7) 6 Characteristic rhythm (5) 7 Thick (13) 13 Account checker (7) 14 Atomic (7) 16 Literary genre (32) 17 Discourage (5)
All solutions are on page 15
rently discovered structures, as well as ceramic and metal materials. It’s a steep walk up to the top of Tossal de la Cala, but it is well worth it for a first-time Benidorm time visitor who will have stunning views to enjoy plus a chance to examine an important piece of Roman history.
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
9
Top of the order Online boom for Costa Blanca-based furniture retailer Don Baraton AN ill wind like this year’s COVID-19 pandemic in Spain has blown in some new opportunities for businesses to expand. That’s certainly been the case for Costa Blanca-based online furniture dealer, Don Baraton, who has a showroom in Almoradi (near Torrevieja) which is open to the public in addition to its large and expanded warehouse facility in Rafal for its extensive online operation. The company started trading in 2015, and despite the fact that it was growing fast, the ironic effect of Spain’s lockdown from March to May was that it helped trade to go through the roof. Home delivery was never curbed by the lockdown measures, and that meant that Don Baraton could continue business as normal, along with the necessary protection measures like wearing masks. People forced to stay at home started to pay more attention to what was around them. The company discovered that they suddenly wanted new sofas, beds, mattresses and other furniture, meaning the company gained lots of new customers, who were mostly Spaniards doing their first ever bit of online shopping! Company co-founder, Andrew Cherkashin said: “It was quite extraordinary as the new customers needed a lot of support because they had never used the internet to buy anything, let alone expensive items like furniture.” Andrew continued: “Having a lot of products in stock ready for immediate delivery helped us a great deal.” Don Baraton now delivers anywhere in Spain, Andorra, Portugal and France, and delivery is quicker then ever as their own vans can take three to four orders to one area. “We miss our expat customers who are not able to come to Spain and we hope that the situation will get better soon,” Andrew said. One way of getting them buying is the Don Baraton deferred delivery service, which is proving to be very popular as Andrew explained: “You place an order online while in the UK or any other country and then we deliver the item on a set date when you are back in Spain. Andrew added; “If a customer is stuck in the UK, then we will hold their order in our warehouse until they can get over. And don’t forget that if a homeowner has a key holder, then we can also make delivery arrangements.” More information: donbaraton.es or phone 634 167 957.
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LA CULTURA
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
Hot Milk - Deborah Levy
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UN, sea and a spiky mother-daughter relationship. Set in post-financial crisis Spain, Hot Milk tells the story of 25-year-old Sofia Papastergiadis who has travelled to Andalucia to find a cure for her mother’s unusual ailments. The Mediterranean setting isolates Levy’s characters and allows the plot to descend into a surreal other-reality. Levy presents remarkable occurrences with such frankness that the reader has no choice but to accept them as fact. The writing is strong, strange and unapologetic much like many mothers.
The Shadow of the Wind Carlos Ruiz Zafón
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OT since Don Quixote has a Spanish novel enjoyed such huge success as The Shadow of the Wind. Inspired by the 19th-century literary giants Charles Dickens, Honoré de Balzac and Victor Hugo, Zafón weaves a plot packed with tragedy, mystery and romance. In 1940s Barcelona, civil war survivor Daniel Sempere discovers he possesses the final copy of The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax. Someone has been destroying the author’s work book by book, but why? Despite
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its notoriety, the novel is unpretentious, its characters are memorable and the narrative is wonderfully unpredictable.
LA CULTURA 2
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
Normal People Sally Rooney
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Delight J.B Priestley
HEN the BBC adaptation of Normal People aired this April, over 16.2 million people rushed to view the show, such is the popularity of Sally Rooney’s work. The novel follows the passionate but tortuous relationship between two Irish teenagers Marianne and Connell. From school, to Trinity College Dublin, the pair struggle to navigate the power dynamics of social status, class and competing intellect. So beautiful is the writing, the novel evokes surprising nostalgia for the heartbreak and angst of adolescence. But, at its core, Normal People conveys the stifling intensity of being young and in love.
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
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HIS is the tale of Santiago, a young Andalucian shepherd who travels in pursuit of a treasure trove he dreams is hidden beneath the Egyptian pyramids. A coming-of-age narrative, Santiago experiences sacrifice and consequential growth on his journey and ultimately, his search for treasure will lead him to his life’s purpose. Coelho combines philosophy with spirituality and demonstrates the importance of following your dreams with nothing but faith and determination. It is a MUST READ for anyone visiting Tarifa.
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Lombard International and SEB. For an IFA to be able to recommend such products they must be licensed in Spain. Correctly structured products can offer substantial tax and financial planning benefits, just as incorrectly structured products can do the opposite. You can find out more about the taxation of this type of product at https:// www.chorusfinancial.es/how-are-spanish-compliant-investment-bonds-taxed/ However, if you hold a UK investment bond - these are offered by lots of companies like Aviva, Prudential, Sterling etc - you may not be aware, but these automatically retain a 20% tax on the growth, before you see your returns. This tax is not reclaimable under the Double Tax Agreement between the UK and Spain, meaning that when you draw your money from such investments, you are subject to further taxation at local Spanish rates of either 19%, 21% or 23%. This means you will lose nearly half your gains on such products to tax, simply because your UK adviser put you into a product designed for UK tax residents, rather than Spanish tax residents! There are almost identical products available here in Spain, designed for Spanish tax residents, from the same house-hold name companies you used when you lived in the UK. As an example of the tax efficiency, if you
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Three Women Lisa Taddeo
OURNALIST Lisa Taddeo spent almost a decade embedding herself in the lives of three strangers. For eight years, she inhabited the respective homes of Lina, Maggie and Sloane. As Taddeo rummages scrupulously through their personal lives, these seemingly average American women display remarkable openness and honesty. An intimate study, Three Women delves into the grey areas of physical and emotional connection. Taddeo writes with lyricism and an understanding of the human condition that teaches the reader as much about themselves as the book’s three case studies.
What’s the problem with my UK financial adviser if I live in Spain? IT’S certainly taken a few years, and perhaps Brexit has been a catalyst, but we are receiving more and more referrals from UK IFAs here at Chorus, who have had to tell their clients they can no longer be their adviser. There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, licences. For a UK IFA to be able to give advice to a Spanish resident, they need to also be licensed in Spain with the CNMV (the Spanish investment regulator). Clearly, not many UK based IFAs will have the volume of Spanish resident clients to justify having a Spanish licence, and although many UK IFAs have continued to advise their non-UK clients, they really shouldn’t be, and this is starting to catch up with them. If you have a UK IFA, I would advise contacting them to ask for reassurance that they have the appropriate licence in place to advise a Spanish resident. The second reason; appropriate knowledge of Spanish taxation and access to appropriate products. Here in Spain we have products that have been specifically designed for Spanish residents, taking into consideration Spanish tax laws, reporting requirements etc. These products are known as ‘Spanish Compliant Investment Bonds’ and over the years we’ve seen a number of companies offer them, including Quilter International, Prudential,
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VERY chapter of Delight provides a reason to be grateful for the minutiae of everyday life. Amidst the chaos of 2020, this is a lesson worth revisiting. Frying sausages outdoors, drinking a G&T alone, fountains, having an incredible idea and smoking in a piping hot bath, are just some of the joys Priestley divulges. His wicked sense of humour reminds the reader there is always something to smile about, whether in his post-war context or amidst the current pandemic.
Providing multi-award winning advice for your pensions, investments & tax planning.
By Tracy Storer, Senior Partner invested £100k into a properly compliant Spanish bond (rather than the UK version), and it grew by 10%, and you withdrew that £10,000 growth, you would pay just £171 in tax on the withdrawal, with any further tax deferred. As a Spanish compliant product this tax would be calculated for you and paid on your behalf direct to the tax authorities, with nothing more for you or your accountant to do. If we compare that to the first scenario, not only are you saving many thousands of pounds in tax, but you are also not responsible for paying an accountant to calculate your tax liability for you and having to pay this direct to the Spanish authorities. One area to be wary of is if you are recommended a Spanish compliant bond with a tie-in or a high annual fee - these products are now available with no tie-in from as little as 0.25% per annum through Chorus. Although I certainly don’t think these
errors from UK IFAs are deliberate, they are very common and can cause serious problems and unnecessary taxation for you further down the line. We understand you may have a long-standing relationship in place with your UK adviser, and they may have done a great job for you when you lived in the UK, but at the end of the day, your financial well-being has to come first. For appropriate, local financial advice here in Spain, without any hidden fees or commissions, please contact me directly on +34 693107044,t.storer@ chorusfinancial.es or visit www.chorusfinancial.es.
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.
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.
965 641 163
www.chorusfinancial.es info@chorusfinancial.es
LA CULTURA
Do you have a what’s on?
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
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10 books for the beach Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es
Lydia Spencer-Elliott recommends your essential page turners for the playa this summer
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The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga
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HE White Tiger was only the fourth debut novel to win the Man Booker prize. Aravind Adiga tells the darkly humorous tale of Balram Halwai, from the end of his childhood in a rural Indian village through his journey first to Delhi, where he works as a chauffeur to a rich landlord, and then to Bangalore, the place to which he flees after killing his master and stealing his money. The novel examines themes of caste, religion, corruption and poverty. The White Tiger offers a story of wit, suspense and questionable morality, told by a volatile but captivating narrator.
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race - Reni Eddo-Lodge
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ENI Eddo-Lodge became the first black British author to top the UK book charts in June after Black Lives Matter protests galvanised readers. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race demonstrates Britain’s problem with structural racism and holds the hierarchy to account in each erudite essay. “White privilege,” writes Eddo-Lodge, “is a manipulative, suffocating blanket of power that envelops everything we know, like a snowy day.”
Call Me by Your Name - André Aciman
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B
ASED in 1980s Northern Italy, André Aciman’s critically acclaimed novel Call Me by Your Name is synonymous with summer. Elio, a 17-year-old American-Italian becomes infatuated with an archeologist named Oliver who comes to live at his parents house on the Riviera for the summer. In 2017, the film adaptation propelled Timothée Chalamet to stardom and scooped the Oscar for best s c r e e np l ay. The sequel is underway, with Aciman collaborating on the script, so now is the perfect time to get acquainted with this heady tale of passion.
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The Power of Not Thinking Simon Roberts
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IT is the current zeitgeist… that AI will have taken most of our jobs within two decades. And computers and robots will run the world. Not according to Simon Roberts’ book The Power of Not Thinking: How our Bodies Learn and Why we should Trust Them. His take is; forget it! Us humans have got a few centuries left. At least. Embodied knowledge is vital and it simply cannot be transplanted for so many reasons. And Roberts should know having spent many weeks working with Google on its Waymo driverless car project in Arizona, as well as teaching executives at Duracell and telling News International a few things about running their global publishing business. Big Data simply doesn’t have all the answers, he insists. The way we learn to ride a bike, drive a car or simply listen to our gut on a big decision: This cannot be emulated by computers or AI. At least thus far. The business anthropologist insists that so much is about people themselves, brainstorming and learning together. Clever, witty and intriguing, you’ll sleep easier at night after reading it.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Set jetters Y By Kirsty McKenzie
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man with an open shirt, glistening sixpack and pair of binoculars may not be the first image most places would use to attract tourists. But this is no ordinary man. This is Bond, James Bond. And visiting the exact spot where he met Halle Berry emerging from the water in Die Another Day, is a surprisingly easy mission to accomplish. Forget the Hollywood Hills, Spain is the place movie buffs need to flock to if they want to see the locations from their favourite flicks. Although the film was imagined to be set in Cuba, the movie’s breathtaking scene was actually filmed on La Caleta Beach, in Cadiz - and is one of a series of blockbuster moments that set-jetters can reenact this summer. Not only has 007 and his perfectly shaken martini graced our shores - Bond has also shot in Bilbao for The World Is Not Enough and Madrid for From Russia with Love there are dozens of other famous faces who got ready for their close up right here. Across the Bridge, Lawrence of Arabia, The Bourne Ultimatum, Exodus: Gods and Kings, The Kingdom of Heaven, Perfume: Story of a Murderer, 55 days in Beijing, and even Kubrick’s Spartacus have also played a role in making Spain a star of the silver screen. Here’s our roundup of all the mustsee spots from your favourite movies.
our first mission, should you choose to accept it, is to be on the lookout for Bond Girls in Cadiz. Die Another Day was filmed at La Caleta, squeezed between the castles of San Sebastian and Santa Catalina at the west end of the city. Enjoy a drink
Mad about film? Live the dream and go visit the dreamy locations seen in your favourite movies
at Parador de Cadiz, where there is a poolside café bar, before following in 007’s footsteps and heading out to La Caleta beach. Later, take in the sunset with a walk along the seafront promenade, said to be Spain’s oldest, with a view to kill for.
ICONIC: La Caleta beach and Bond both witnessed Berry emerge from the sea
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August 20th - September 2nd 2020
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lmeria is the ultimate spot for thrill seekers - it’s where Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford filmed several scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Sergio Leone shot his spaghetti westerns here too, after seeing the star potential of the sandy Tabernas Desert. Now, 60 years on, it is still worth a visit. Here you’ll find Fort Bravo, a working film set that is open to the public, where bandidos still bite the dust following the daily botched bank job. The expansive mountain range provides the ultimate backdrop, but there are also sets - a small crumbling white church, the town square, the stables, courtroom and saloon bar, where you can enjoy a can-can show after a long day of riding alongside Spain’s Lone Rangers. Also worth a vistit is Cabo de Gata Natural Park, where, as well as a dip in the sea, you can visit Cortijo del Fraile, the setting for Lorca’s Blood Wedding and used in a couple of Sergio Leone’s ‘Dollars’ westerns.
ARRIVAL: Natalie Portman arrived in Sevilla
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ultry Sevilla is a must-see for everyone, movie-buff or not. If it’s good enough for the A-listers, it’s good enough for us. Hightail it around arguably Spain’s most stunning city on this high-end trip where every corner is picture-perfect. Take in the sights by foot and kick-off off your day with tapas before whirling around the Royal Alcazar fortress-turned-palace. In 1962 the Alcazar was used as a set for Lawrence of Arabia, while The Patio de las Doncellas was used for the court of the King of Jerusalem in the 2005 movie Kingdom of heaven. Lastly, stop off at the Plaza de España - it’s best viewed at night when the queues ease and the building lights up in its entirety. The jaw dropping centre of the Spanish-American exhibition of 1929 was chosen by George Lucas as the spot to immortalize Amidala’s arrival to the planet Naboo in The Attack of the Clones.
SET: Clint Eastwood is no stranger to Fort Bravo
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PROPERTY
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
Silver lining
Villages becoming more popular during pandemic THE coronavirus pandemic may be having the unexpected side effect of breathing new life into Spain’s small villages. For years many smaller municipalities, particularly inland, have struggled to hold on to their dwindling populations as young people moved to the cities and coasts in their search for work. But the lockdown and increase of telework would appear to have encouraged a growing interest for
houses in villages of less than 5,000 inhabitants. According to the Idealista property portal, in January 10.1% of searches for property on its site targeted smaller villages. By June that percentage had increased to 13.2%. By communities, only the Balearic Islands registered a reduction in interest in smaller towns (from 11.4% in January to 11.1% in June). Castilla y León had the biggest incçrease, from 23.7%
SEARCH: Spanish villages seeing surge in interest
of searches in January to 33.7% in June. It is fol-
Bargain hunt
IF you want to buy a luxury pad in Madrid, now might be a good time. According to the latest report by Knight Frank, the capital’s high-end property market is one of the worst performing ones during the coronavirus pandemic out of 45 major cities around the world. From April to June prices in the luxury property sector in Madrid fell 1.5%, for a year-on-year decrease of 0.9%. The average second quarter fall across
the 45 major cities was 0.6%, with just 20 cities – nine in Europe – seeing price decreases. Although Madrid has seen a significant drop, wealthy investors seeking a bargain may find bigger bargains elsewhere. Stockholm, Zurich, Berlin and London suffered a drop of more than 3% in the same quarter, although prices in general in those cities tend to be much higher than in Madrid.
lowed by the communities of Navarra (from 18.1% to 26.6%), Castilla-La Mancha (from 35.5% to 43.4%) and La Rioja (from 20% to 26%). In Madrid they grew from 3.7% to 6.2%, while in Catalonia they grew from 9.7% to 11.9%.
Interest Conversely, Canarias was the community in which this type of municipality generated the least interest (3.2%), followed by Madrid (6.2%), Andalucia (9.9%) and Asturias (10.3).
HEALTH
August 20th - September 2nd 2020
COVID youngsters
Age groups affected by coronavirus changing
POSITIVE: 715 new cases over the weekend
LATEST figures show that the number of younger people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 is increasing. The Valencian Community has registered 715
Wash it to use it UNTIL a COVID-19 vaccine is available, facemasks are a necessary part of our daily routine. In the case of reusable masks - these are made with fabrics authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Health - wearing it is only half the battle, you also have to wash it. After their use, it is necessary to clean and disinfect them correctly to maintain their effectiveness.
By Simon Wade
new cases of coronavirus over the weekend, the highest number of infections in The Ministry of Health’s recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting reusable masks— of which they give two options— are as follows: 1. Put the reusable hygienic masks in the washing machine, with the usual detergent and a washing cycle at a temperature between 60º and 90º. This recommendation also applies to clothing. 2. Immerse the masks in a 1:50 dilution of bleach (20ml bleach, 980ml water) with warm water for 30 minutes. Then wash them with soap, and water and rinse to remove any remaining lye. Air dry.
the region since the State of Alarm ended on June 21. In a statement read by health minister Ana Barcelo, she confirmed that 715 new cases were confirmed over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This was broken down to 38 in the province of Castellon, 178 in that of Alicante and 493 in that of Valencia. Barcelo said that since the state of alarm ended there has been an alarming change with people aged 15-34 years old now accounting for 46% of new cases. “This is due to their mobility, because this is the group with the most social contacts,” she said. “The virus has not lost its ability to cause serious health problems, including to young people,” continued Barcelo, who confirmed that in one week the number of hospital admissions had increased by 50% to 128.
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Hotels prepped for COVID-19 tourists HOTELS in Benidorm and Valencia will be available free of charge for tourists who have contracted COVID-19, it has been announced. The move follows a similar initiative introduced in the Canary Islands, but the crucial difference is that medical costs for foreign travellers to the Costa Blanca must continue to be covered via insurance policies or an EHIC card. The Valenciana Government will spend €280,000 on booking out two hotels, one in Benidorm and another in Valencia City. The Hotel La Estacion de Benidorm will serve the whole of Alicante Province including the Costa Blanca. As coronavirus cases continue to rise, Valencia’s regional secretary for tourism, Francesc Colomer, said that the hotel bookings are aimed at boosting confidence for potential holiday makers: “In such a difficult time for the tourism sector, we want to guarantee that anybody who comes here and gets the coronavirus will not have to pay to stay in isolation in a safe environment.”
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In sickness…
SOME 170 guests at a Murcia City wedding party went into quarantine after the groom tested positive for COVID-19. The event was staged within the Odiseo leisure complex. As a result of the incident, Murcia’s government could curb wedding celebrations if coronavirus cases continue to rise. Regional president, Fernando Lopez Miras said: “If health experts recommend it, then we will restrict wedding parties to stop new COVID-19 cases.”
UNHAPPY DAY: Groom fell ill after wedding
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FINAL WORDS
THE creator of The Wire David Simon has been in an online spat with right wing Francoists after Pablo Iglesias, leader of the political party Unidas Podemos, recommended the show on Twitter.
Own goal NICOLA Sturgeon warned Scottish football matches could be cancelled after Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli snuck off for a secret holiday to Spain without quarantining on his return and further breaches from Aberdeen players.
Melon bonanza MURCIA is forecast to have a bumper year for melons and expects more than 220,000 tonnes of the fruit to be harvested despite hail storms destroying much of the crops in June.
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COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 1 Issue 21 www.theolivepress.es August 20th - September 2nd 2020
Flummoxed flamingos
Some friend!
Road racer writes off best mate’s Lamborghini AN adrenaline junkie has been left red faced and facing charges after ploughing his best friend’s €265,000 LamACCLAIMED matador Enrique Ponce got a surprise when he stabbed the bull he was fighting at El Puerto de Santa Maria stadium in Cadiz. The raging animal got its own back when it stabbed Ponce in the bum with its horns. The Valencian bullfighter came away from the tussle with torn ligaments, bruising and a five-inch gouge on his right buttock.
borghini supercar into an electricity substation. The boy racer’s blunder occurred last Sunday morning at
Bummer
Ouch: Ponce caught
WRITE OFF: Lamborghini was left in a sorry state around 7am in the south-western Andalucian town of Huelva. Local emergency services were called to a collision involving the high-performance car after reports of local idiots driving recklessly and road racing. In a video circulating online, the driver can be seen revving up the 639 horsepower engine of the lime green Lamborghini in a built-up area of the town before speeding off out of view. Moments later, the vehicle is observed crashing through a wall of a local substation. According to ABC de Sevilla, the two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene. However, they were tracked
down later that morning receiving medical attention at the Juan Ramon Jimenez Hospital. The hapless pair will be charged with reckless driving and endangering public health. A statement from the Policia Local of Huelva said that the car was loaned to the driver by a friend. The crash caused power outages for more than two hours in the area as firefighters and local electricians worked to repair the damage caused. The car in question is a €265,000 Lamborghini Huracan Performante. It has a potential top speed of 325 kilometres per hour and accel
SOME of the 800 flamingos born last spring on Torrevieja´s salt lake have been finding it a little bit tricky to establish their sense of direction. Most of the hatchlings managed to fly off safely to their new homes, but one bemused bird caused problems for astonished motorists as it playfully darted between cars on the CV-90 around the Costa Blanca city. Another ended up chilling out on La Zenia beach, around five kilometres from its birthplace. It spent a day fleeing bathers and sampling the local fare before it got tired and graciously allowed rescuers to take it to the Santa Faz nature centre in Alicante. The salt lake was established as the Costa Blanca’s first detected flamingo breeding area in 2002 and almost all of the birds have now left. Naturalist Juan Antonio Pujol, said: “Many of the youngsters go to humid areas like the Hondo de Elche and Santa Pola, as well as closer by at Torrevieja’s La Mata lake. “Occasionally some do get lost and that could be dangerous if they fly next to a road.”