Olive Press Costa Blanca - Issue 49 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

OLIVE PRESS

The

COSTA BLANCA

FREE

IN DEPTH: As the Catalan elections loom, the Olive Press explores the mass grave issue that casts a shadow over them - and who the main candidates are

Expats Paul and Geraldine angry as mayors jump queue Page 5

The good fight The pacifist bull they refused to kill and a chat with Spain’s hottest young matador Page 14 and 15

voice in Spain

Vol. 2 Issue 49 www.theolivepress.es February 11th - February 24th 2021

AN expat fashion designer behind the alleged loss of €35 million of investors money has insisted regular threats of violence were behind her involvement with the company. Jody Smart, the sole director of failed firm Continental Wealth Management (CWM), accused her former partner of being the real owner and aggressively forcing her to be the figurehead on paper. The ex-fashion model told a court hearing how her past lover Darren Kirby frequently turned violent and aggressive when she threatened to quit. She told a judge at Denia Court that every time she tried to leave the British-run pension company, Kirby would get violent. And despite failing to report Kirby to the police, because she was ‘afraid’, she has kept videos and phone messages of him threatening her. She was giving evidence in a private prosecution by 17 of up to 1,000 British pensioners, from all across Spain who put their savings into Alicante-based CWM. The business collapsed in 2017. Some of the individual losses added up to €800,000. The private action accuses Kirby and Smart, along with Paul Clarke, and Stephen Ward of fraud, disloyal administration, and forging victims’ signatures onto investment dealing instructions. A judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for a full trial to go ahead.

SALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea

96 649 1883 www.moraira-hamiltons.net

GRILLING: Jodie Smart turns up to court disguised as a private detective and went on to blame former lover Darren Kirby (inset) of threatening violence to leave CWM EXCLUSIVE By Alex Trelinski

The solicitor leading the private prosecution, Antoni Bertomeu, told the Olive Press: “The most significant aspect of the hearings was that the accused did not deny that CWM was responsible for any wrongdoing.” “They are merely trying to save themselves by saying they knew nothing about it and had nothing to do with it,” he added. The prosecution has resumed after oral testimony was suspended last spring due to the pandemic. Statements last year from ex-employees of CWM said that the claimants had lost their money due to risky investments. Answering questions from the judge, Jody Smart said she

became a partner in CWM, formed by Kirby, in 2012. In the testimony, seen by the Olive Press, she also admitted he transferred up to €8,000 a month into her private bank account through to 2017. She said her salary was ‘€5,000, €6,000 or €7,000 a month’ and it was ‘sometimes as high as €8,000’, depending on ‘what Darren wanted to pay’. Smart said she only put her name to the firm to help out

See page 11-18

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WWW.JAVEABLINDS.COM

EXCLUSIVE: Violent threats kept Jody Smart linked to the disgraced firm CWM, which paid her ‘up to €8,000 a month’

Tel: 952 147 834

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tel: 966 46 38 45

expat

HE FORCED ME TO STAY

See page 6 & 7

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Kirby who was having ‘issues with his wife’ and wanted to stop her accessing company assets. Smart, who owns clothes company Jody Bell SL, declared that her livelihood was fashion and insisted she had no knowledge of what went on with CWM. She added she was merely the ‘face’ of the company. She did however, refuse to answer questions from Bertomeu, who has been leading the private prosecution for two years, and left the Denia courthouse via a fire exit. Case coordinator Angela Brooks, who brought the 17 claimants together, told the Olive Press: “Watching the defendants walk in and out of court was disgusting as they bobbed and weaved to get out of the way of photographers.” One of these was Paul Clarke, who was involved in helping Kirby build up CWM. He denied forming the company and being Kirby’s business partner, claiming he merely helped in the office and trained Continues on Page 2

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Ex-Mayor Dies AGUSTIN Navarro, Benidorm’s mayor between 2009 and 2015, has died of cancer, aged 60.

Better Fences ROTTING wooden fences on Villajoyosa’s Tellerola coastal promenade are being replaced at a cost of €32,000.

Rape Probe TWO 16-year-old Alicante Province boys have been refused bail by a judge after a rape allegation made by a teenage girl.

Pet Move EL CAMPELLO will get a pet cemetery and memorial area with the council looking for an appropriate site.

Shock Tactic

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Justice at last

Trial pending From front

some staff members, as well helped do some supermarket shopping and ‘getting Darren coffees’. He added that he left in August 2010 because of Kirby’s ‘aggressive and abusive’ attitude. Clarke went on to run other businesses, including AES International Spain, but told the hearing that he is currently unemployed. He also refused to take questions from Bertomeu. Another of those grilled was advisor Stephen Ward, who ran Moraira-based Premier Pension Solutions, which ceased trading in 2017.

‘Fraudsters’ who ‘stole €6 million’ from British expats to stand trial after Olive Press probe AN alleged serial fraudster is facing money laundering charges in the UK after being exposed by the Olive Press. Former Marbella-based couple Rhys Williams, 39, and his wife Lisa, 38, have BOTH been charged by the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service. The pair are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on March 17 charged with one count of allegedly swindled millions of euros off numerous friends and contacts, while living on the Costa del Sol. We reported how the pair from Wales drove top-ofthe-

HEALTH rule-breakers in Javea are being surprised by loudspeaker-equipped drones flying over them with warnings to wear masks and not to gather in groups.

High risk

FACING JUSTICE: Rhys and Lisa Williams charged with money laundering range cars, wore Rolex watches, and paid for €10,000-a-year private schooling, while allegedly taking up to €1.6m from victims in ‘a Ponzi scheme’. Our investigation into the pair was followed up in the UK press, including the Daily Mail and Wales Daily Post, despite the Spanish authorities dragging their heels probing the case. Fortunately for the alleged victims, who collectively lost €6.28 million, the courts in the

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

UK were taking more interest. “It has been many years coming and all the victims are extremely happy,” victim Adrian Parsons, 54, told the Olive Press. “We are all hoping that they will both receive custodian sentences even though it is unlikely we will recover any of the money invested. “We can only hope that they

Spring cleaning It’s not too late to file you 720 tax declaration on your overseas assets, writes Martin Hayes

not have to file this tax return. Likewise, if you are not a Spanish Tax Resident, you also don´t have to submit this form. In the same sense, should you have been sent to Spain for work and are under the application of the Special Income Tax Regime for seconded employees (otherwise known as the Beckham Law), you also do not have to submit this tax return. If you own assets abroad and you are a Spanish Tax Resident, you should check whether you are obliged to submit this tax return. The answer will depen

Bank accounts abroad and financial institutions opened, where the total balance of all the accounts exceeds €50.000. Securities, collective investment schemes, life insurances and annuities, that are held abroad and exceed €50.000. Real estate and interests in real estate with a purchase value that exceeds €50.000. Form 720 must be submitted on-line from January 1 to March 31 of every year. It is worth noting that the fine and sanctions imposed for failing to submit this 720 tax form are currently under investigation by the European Commission owing to their severity. Penalties imposed for late or incomplete filing and or non-submission of the 720 declaration could result penalties that usually range €5.000

Opinion Page 6

Skyscraper shock

Swan’s Corner

PRING is on the way so you must check if you are obliged to file a 720 Declaration by the end of March to avoid getting stung with a hefty and an utterly avoidable fine by the Spanish Tax authorities. The Spanish tax form 720 (Modelo 720) is a declaration of overseas assets from a Spanish perspective. The Spanish law requires you to provide information about offshore accounts, offshore investments, and real estate located abroad. If you have all your assets in Spain, then you do

are convicted so that their records be a warning to others who come across them in the future.” The Olive Press revealed in 2018 that the Williams’ alleged ponzi scheme was operating out of Marbella, Dubai and India. A series of victims accused Rhys Williams of snaring wealthy parents at his children’s €10,000-a-year private school in Marbella, with the help of his wife.

Ward admitted to having worked with seven of the claimants, and confirmed that his company had a business collaboration with CWM. He insisted that he was never paid ‘a single cent’ from CWM and merely shared clients with the business. The judge has now asked for full details of the investments. “All risk assessments will have to be provided which prove that clients had their money placed into high-risk portfolios,” said Bertomeu. “The judge has been very proactive and can see that crimes were committed, but it will be a very long process,” he added. Bertomeu believes that if ‘everything goes to plan’, a trial date could be set for next year.

per asset, with a minimum penalty of €10.000. To avoid any possible errors, we recommend you find help from a professional tax advisor. If you are concerned that you need to file a 720 declaration please contact us immediately so that we can ensure that the declaration is made correctly and on time. If you need legal assistance in English please contact Pepe Oltra or Martin Hayes directly.

For information on Swan Partners visit www.swanpartners.es. For information specifically relating to expat services please see www.martinhayes.es SWAN Partners C/ Pizarro, nº 1, 4º-15ª. 46004 Valencia (Spain) + 34 96 334 89 83

TWO workers at a Benidorm tower block feared they would fall to their deaths when a resident slashed one of their safety ropes. A 51-year-old woman has been charged with attempted homicide. She was apparently unhappy that her neighbourhood association had allowed external maintenance work at the skyscraper and accused the men of damaging her window hinges. The workers were were dangling from the 13th floor of the block, when they spotted a pair of hands trying to get hold of the main rope from the 20th floor.

They suddenly realised that one of their safety ropes had been cut. The man without his safety line clung onto the ledge in case his main line was breached.

Knife

The workers shouted upwards and the woman abandoned her attempt to cut the main rope. They safely glided down to the ground and called the police, who confirmed that the safety rope had been cut with a knife and arrested the unhappy resident.

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Busting a move INFLUENCER Demi Rose Mawby is Ibiza’s latest expat - and it looks like she’s living life to its fullest. The stunning British model, who boasts 15million followers on Instagram, relocated to the White Isle from her hometown of Birmingham last year. Demi has been busy sharing snaps of herself settling into life on the ‘Magic Isle’, including posing in skimpy bikinis and sunbathing in the nude. The 25-year-old, who has ex boyfriend Tyga in common with fellow social media maven Kylie Jenner, made the leap to move to the party island after struggling with her mental health during lockdown in London. Explaining her move she said: “I have loads of friends out here, the weather is nice, and it is a perfect backdrop for my modeling work.” She added that the move was ‘one of the best choices’ she has ever made.

Wayne’s World THE millionaire brother of the former footballer Gary Lineker has teased that his Ibiza clubs could reopen this summer almost a year on from the COVID outbreak. Wayne Lineker took to social media to share a picture of himself along with the caption: “I’m smiling because I’ve just received some very positive news #ibiza2021”.

NEWS Hit the jackpot THE Spanish government has agreed to pay €6.5 million a year to rent the prestigious Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection for the next 15 years. And it has secured an option to buy the 400 works once the term is up. They have an estimated value of €1.04 billion. This means that a 10-year-long saga about the future of the collection – which includes works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Renoir, Degas, Monet, Canaletto and Gaugin – has been settled, with the works saved for Spain. The deal was struck by the Department of Culture with Baroness Carmen Cervera - the widow of industrial tycoon Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Bornemisza, who died in 2002. The new arrangement also means that Gaugin’s Mata Mau will be returned to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid. It was controversially removed last June as negotiations heated up.

January 28th - February 10th 2021 DANI Dyer has finally revealed her son to the world, and it appears his name is a nod to his Spanish roots. Reality star Dani paid tribute to her mum’s Spanish heritage and named her first born Santiago (pictured inset and with Dani), the Spanish translation of Saint James. The Love Island 2018 winner, 24, announced that the adorable newborn had already been affectionately nicknamed ‘Santi’. Dani’s grandad, who she affectionately calls ‘Bruv’ is from Mallorca and

Seeing red Fed up residents don’t want their homes declared a cultural asset

Spanish eyes mum Jo even had a Spanish-cockney themed wedding when she tied the knot with Dani’s dad Danny Dyer in 2016. Dani used her podcast with Danny to share her baby son’s name. She told fans in a pre-recorded voice memo: “I know you’re all probably wondering what we’ve called him. There’s been a lot of assumptions going on, some are actually really funny to be fair, but his name is Santiago. “I know a lot of you are probably thinking ‘What?!’ but that is his name but we are going to be calling him Santi. “I think it sounds nice on the birth certificate.”

Wolftastic

Battered

The 58-year-old who also owns nightspots in Marbella, Tenerife, Alcudia in Mallorca, Zante and Paphos, left Ibiza last September after revealing that his six European clubs were ‘battered’ because of the pandemic. The Celebs Go Dating star has also been forced to postpone the opening of his new venue O Beach Dubai. The playboy no doubt fancies some time relaxing in the sun after a difficult 12 months that saw his £30 million European nightclub empire in trouble. Wayne’s former Lineker UK bar business has collapsed with a £100,000 debt. Previously known as Linekers (UK) Ltd, the name was changed to Duane International Ltd, after his son, last year.

CAPTION RESIDENTS of a block of flats branded as the ‘most Instagrammed private building’ in Spain are up in arms over plans to declare the building a ‘cultural asset’. Furious home owners say they already have to put up with people wandering in to take snaps of the ‘iconic building’, leading residents to erect signs telling passersby to keep out. Now, if the plans to list the La Muralla Roja (The Red Wall) as ‘an Asset of Cultural interest (BIC) come to fruition, they will have to set opening hours for sightseers to visit. And that, they say is not on for a building that dates back to the 1970s.

Objection

It was designed by Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill and is located in the upper part of Cala de la Manzanera (Alicante). The Calpe Cultural and Ecological Association(ACEC), claims that the local council has not replied to a written objection sent last April over the BIC move. The BIC process started in 2015, but La

By Alex Trelinski

Muralla Roja property owners say that nobody from the authority has spoken to them since then about the move. An ACEC statement condemned ‘the absolute lack of

interest of the council in telling the residents and agreeing with them any moves to make the building a cultural asset’. “We have become mere spectators of a process that will have many consequences on our daily lives,” the statement continued.

POLLY’S International Bookshop

Quality Used Books since 1985 Polly’s Bookshop in Javea Port is 35 years old. “Polly’s is as old as me,” says Sam, her proud owner, “and to celebrate, we are opening a new Polly’s Bookshop in Moraira.” Like Polly’s Javea, the new shop has thousands of quality used books, fiction and nonfiction, in English, Spanish, German, French and Dutch. Apart from the books that are extra special, they’ll still be 3 euros each with a euro credit if you want to return it. We are continuing with our busy proofreading and editing services and our popular book finding and ordering services too. It feels great finding an out of print book for someone who has been searching for it.

Javea Port, Calle Santisimo Cristo del Mar 03730 – tel: 665 314 404 Moraira-Teulada, 237 Moraira Calpe Road 03724 – tel: 711 010 439

WOLF hunting has been banned throughout Spain making the Iberian wolf a protected species, along with the Iberian Lynx and the Cantabrian Brown Bear. Spain’s Environment Ministry has ruled that protection for wolves in the south of the country will now be extended north of the Duero river, where controlled hunting had still been allowed. Farmer’s unions have lashed out that the nationwide hunting ban will lead to more attacks on livestock, and that farmer’s ‘needs’ have been ‘ignored’. Spain’s Environment Ministry has however promised to work with farmers on ways to protect cattle without harming wolves. Spain is home to an estimated 1,500-2,000 Iberian wolves, with 90% in the northern regions of Castilla y Leon, Asturias and Galicia where it is believed that, until now, up to 400 wolves were killed annually.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Fatal Blaze AN 85-year-old woman died after a fire at her Muchavista beach apartment in El Campello early last Monday morning.

Free Zone CALPE has introduced free parking on Blue Zone roads in the city between 5.00 pm and 8.00 pm as there is little demand for spaces due to the closure of shops and hospitality businesses.

Tracking VILLAJOYOSA police will employ two experts to track down people accused of cyber-bullying via phones and computers.

NEWS

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Left in limbo

A PAIR of British pensioners are demanding compensation after being refused a flight to Spain despite having their green residency cards. Roger and Linda Wilson, aged 76 and 78, were forced to sleep on chairs at an airport for three days after Lufthansa wouldn’t allow them to board a flight from Dubai to Frankfurt. The couple, who had been visiting their son, were due to catch a connecting flight to Malaga, where they have lived since 2009, but the check-in clerks said their documents were ‘not acceptable.’ “We were not given any further information other than being told to seek alternative travel arrangements ourselves,” Linda, a former legal secretary from Hertfordshire, told the Olive Press. However they managed to get on an Emirates flight to Madrid

Forget Easter VALENCIAN President, Ximo Puig, has rebuffed hopes that some form of domestic tourism could return in time for Easter. Spain’s Tourist Minister, Reyes Maroto, had suggested that internal holidays could be back at a key time of the year, but the regional leader takes a different view. Despite a big fall in new COVID-19 cases, Ximo Puig said: “National trips cannot be restarted at Easter because we are still in a very serious situation and we cannot give the wrong message of possible relaxations in the rules.” All of the traditional Easter Semana Santa processions were cancelled last month in the region.

Pensioner hell, as expat couple forced to sleep three days at airport as airline refuse green residency cards without issue, but missed their connection flight to Malaga due to the late arrival of their cases. The nightmare scenario on went from bad to worse, as a succession of flights back to Malaga were cancelled. “We ended up spending three nights in Madrid Airport sleeping on chairs,” continued Roger, who was a building contractor. “A total of five further flights were cancelled or delayed plus one flight returned to the gate due to technical problems.” Incredibly the pensioners were given no offer of help or assistance by Iberia, who they even-

EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

tually booked with. “No food, drink or vouchers were offered,” added Linda. “And each time a flight was cancelled we had to go out of the departures area and back to the check in. “We had to go through security and the bag check five times.” The pair, who live in Alcaucin, in the Axarquia region, finally landed in Malaga, only to find that their baggage had been lost. The couple have consulted various government offices, including the Ministry of Interior in Germany, the UK government, and the Spanish and British Consulates. “All of them told us we should have been allowed to board in Dubai. “We are now trying to get our expenses repaid together with compensation for the extraordinary amount of stress and anxiety this has caused us. “So far we have had no communication from Lufthansa other than a generated automatic response.” Lufthansa told the Olive Press:

Vim-NO! BRITISH expats have been left without their favourite grocery items due to ongoing Brexit issues. Supplies of Marmite, Yorkshire Tea and Vimto have dried up in some areas after trade between the UK and the bloc became frustrated by the extra red tape.

Stuck

HOME: Roger and Linda “Lufthansa takes travel regulations very seriously and does everything in its power to ensure that they are applied correctly. “The new travel restrictions, some of which are implemented at very short notice, are exceptionally complex. This is a challenge in practice for Lufthansa employees as well as for public sector employees. “In regards to this specific passenger case, Lufthansa employees have followed the requirements outlined by the official authorities. For this reason, we kindly ask that you direct your questions to them.” Iberia has been approached for comment. Opinion Page 6

It comes after major supplier the British Corner Shop announced that it was temporarily suspending orders to EU countries as DHL had suspended collections. Brits in Spain have said they have been stuck without their home favourites and have no options to travel to other stores as most are banned from travelling outside of their municipality.

NEWS

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Desperado A MAN has claimed ‘sex is a basic need’ after being caught crossing the border illegally to get into Alicante City. The weekend perimeter closure is currently in place across 16 cities in the Valencian Community to try to cut down the number of new COVID-19 infections. But that did not stop the 40-year-old from boarding a bus in Murcia last Sunday to travel 80km north to Alicante to see his girlfriend.

Basic needs

Policia Local officers who were manning a checkpoint on Avenida de Elche demanded passengers prove they had a legitimate reason to enter the city. The man told them that ‘basic needs’ are allowed and produced a newspaper article that claimed exemptions to the border closure were permitted for essential reasons.

BRITISH expats are demanding the resignation of any Alicante politicians who jumped the queue to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. They believe it would be ‘despicable’ if - as claimed - various local mayors got vaccinated before older pensioners. Geraldine Cox, 74, based near Denia, said it was a disgrace that the mayors have been able to keep their jobs while she has been repeatedly told there are no vaccines available.

Crazy

“It’s a disgraceful situation,” the retired nurse told the Olive Press this week. “My husband David is 84 and recovering from prostate cancer and has to take medicine daily. “Surely he should be top priority for the jab, along with many others like us!” The couple, who moved to Spain six years ago, are registered with the Valencia health authorities. But despite the rollout plan prioritising over 80s, David has not been called. “Our health centre in Gata has twice told us they have not had any vaccines and don’t know when they will be getting any,”

Jab in the back EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

Expats furious after mayors jump queue to get COVID-19 jab in stark contrast to pals at home

5 Open defiance

February 11th - February 24th 2021

BARS and restaurants plan to reopen in Castellon province on February 16 in protest at their enforced closure imposed by the Valencian Government. The Castellon Hotel Association (Ashocas) is behind the move insisting the hospitality trade is 'jaded' by 'nonsensical' measures taken by the government to stop increasing COVID-19 cases. However, local tourist association Ashotur disagreed with the move, despite supporting the claims. “Hospitality has been unfairly targeted but we must follow the law,” said a spokesman. Hospitality businesses have been closed for almost three weeks and businesses have had enough. They've also extended their reopening call to other hospitality groups in Castellon Province and right across the Valencian Community. “We are going to open with all the health security measures that we have used before,” said a group spokesman. “The hospitality industry is the only sector that ensured businesses were closed when any staff member tested positive or been in contact with somebody infected.” But he added the sector could ‘no longer take it’.

IN THE DARK: David and Geraldine Cox added Geraldine. “It’s crazy, not just for my husband but for everyone else who really needs one. All our friends at home had the vaccine a month ago.

Good as new VANDALISED murals on an abandoned Denia building on Calle La Via are being restored to their former glory by two of the original artists. Some 22 of the 25 works had scribblings scrawled over them a few weeks ago. Denia council has now employed muralists Tardor and Xolaka to repair the damage done to their works and those of their fellow artists.

“It’s the lack of any information that frustrates me here… it’s as though we don’t exist. “I think the EU made a mistake not ordering sooner while the UK is doing a great job, and hats off to the authorities there.” It comes after a probe was launched into five politicians, including the mayors of El Verger and Els Poblets, allegedly jumped the queue. Both mayors Ximo Coll and Carolina Vives were accused of receiving jabs in early January, despite rules prioritising care home residents and health workers first.

Destination Relaxation

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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 Gotcha! THEY say the arc of justice is long but it bends. Let’s hope that’s the case for Rhys and Lisa Williams, who stand accused of defrauding British expats out of more than €6 million. Three years after our initial expose of the alleged Marbella-based Ponzi scheme, the Welsh couple are now facing money laundering charges in the UK. It’s just another example of the Olive Press exposing the bad apples in what is mostly a great expat community. No other English paper acts on behalf of its readers to bring crooks and criminals to justice. How many other expat papers can say they have aided in the arrest and exposure of dozens of paedophiles, fraudsters and criminals over the years? The answer to that is ZERO.

NEWS FEATURE

MAGINE if, rather than losing the Second World War and committing suicide in Berlin, Adolf Hitler had successfully invaded the British Isles and ruled them as a dictator before dying peacefully in his bed in 1975. Then imagine if a law brought in after his death protected all those who assisted the regime, making them free from prosecution. Next, picture a country where hundreds of thousands of former opponents lie in mass graves, which the new democratic government - in the interests of national reconciliation - feels it best to ignore. And notice that the Nazi flag, with its infamous insignia, had not been replaced as the national flag; just that the swastika was replaced with the British lion and a unicorn. Finally, take note that Hitler’s children continue to live in lavish estates around the UK, while the dictator himself lies in a huge mausoleum in the Home Counties. A shrine, if you like, to all those (including numerous academics, businessmen and politicians) who still believe he made our country what it is today. What may sound like a Robert Harris novel is very much the reality in Spain, 45 years after the death of Generalissimo Francisco Franco. The guns may have fallen silent, but the civil war continues, if not in the mountains of Aragon then across the dining room table and

Holiday hell IT is shocking to hear the tale of the Wilsons who were forced to sleep on chairs for three nights at Madrid airport after their residency cards were deemed unacceptable for travel. The airlines and airport management have a lot to answer for, particularly given that both are in their 70s and at a high risk in terms of COVID-19. It is completely unacceptable that Lufthansa refused the couple’s boarding on their Dubai-Frankfurt flight, especially as the rules for travel were stated as clear as day on both the Spanish Government and British Foreign Office websites. Regardless, a quick call to colleagues in Spain should have surely clarified any doubts. We are sorry to hear that following an Olive Press probe the German carrier is trying to pass the buck to the government authorities. Let’s hope the Wilsons, who were left more than €2,000 out of pocket, are rightly compensated. Publisher / Editor

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

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John Culatto johnc@theolivepress.es

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AWARDS

2016 - 2020 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.

2012 - 2021

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

A NATION As Catalunya goes to the polls, the Olive Press explains how the spectre of the civil war still casts a shadow over the regions. By Barnaby Bouchard

looming over the forthcoming election in returning Spain to the perceived glory days Catalunya. of the pre-Enlightenment era. The days when This is in part to be expected; the trauma the army and Church were answerable ‘only of going through a brutal civil war in which to God and to history’. over 500,000 people were shot, tortured or While from the 1950s quality of life did exstarved to death. perience an upturn, and token But the suffocating lack of movements towards liberalclosure afforded to many afization were made to curry The politicians ter the gruesome events of economic favour with Ameriinherited 1936 to 1939, and the harsh ca, the Franco era is generally dictatorship that followed, seen as a time in which the a country has bred a tired, bitter reugliest extremes of conservasentment among many Spantism were allowed free rein. lurching iards, one that goes to the What is certain is that Spain towards chaos was held decades behind the core of how they see themselves as a people. rest of the continent economMuch is due to the nature of ically and socially thanks to the regime Franco imposed on his conquered Franco’s twisted interpretation of history and countrymen, after deposing the democrati- nationhood. cally-elected government. Remember that Germany and Italy found cloDuring nearly four de- sure at the end of their fascist regimes. cades of his Catholic Na- While Hitler and Mussolini suffered gruetionalist dictatorship, crit- some deaths, Franco passed away peacefully icism of the regime and in his bed at the ripe age of 82, in 1975, surattempts to sabotage it rounded by his family. were viciously silenced. He died having no reason to believe Spain Even regional languag- was set to change; the government was comes, particularly Catalan prised of Falangists and religious leaders. and Basque, were sup- His Prime Minister was Carlos Arias Navarro, pressed in the aim of known as ‘the Butcher of Malaga’ for sum-

The battle for Catalunya Spain’s former Health Minister has been drafted in to stave off a new drive for independence, reports Laurence Dollimore

E is best known for his deadpan tilt at the camera during his stiff and serious regular bulletins on the ravages of COVID around Spain. Part of Pedro Sanchez’s coalition government, Salvador Illa was removed from his position as Health Minister last month to help steady the ship in the Catalan elections next week. In a bid to blunt a new drive for independence this year, the bespectacled former minister is a popular and potent weapon. Now, remarkably, his anti-independence party is on track to win the most votes on February 14, latest polls have suggested. The Catalunya Socialists Party (PSC) would claim 23.7% of the vote if a snap poll were held last week, a CIS survey of 2,000 voters found.

an extremely tall order in today’s fractured political landscape. Once the MPs have been elected, they must choose a president, with each party putting forward their strongest candidate. The speaker will put a candidate up for a vote, usually from the party with the most votes first, who will need 68 MPs to vote for them. If this fails, another vote will be held in which they will only need a simple majority. If they fail again, the process is

repeated over a two-month period until a president is chosen. If deadlock continues, a fresh election will have to be called meaning coalitions are almost inevitable, with smaller parties able to act as kingmakers. It means the party with the most votes is not guaranteed to form the government. But which of the three frontrunning candidates are most likely to become president?

Pere Aragones, Esquerra Republicana (ERC), 38 The law and history graduate, who also studied at Harvard University, has taken up the helm of the ERC after its former leader was removed (Quim Torra). Aragones is left wing and staunchly pro-independence, much like his predecessor. However he wants to prioritise

talks with Madrid. Aragones has a strong chance of getting over the 68-seat threshold with the support of fellow pro-independence parties. Nothing is guaranteed however, particularly given recent fall outs with JxCat, the other big pro-independence party.

Uphill Close behind is the ERC, which would obtain 19.9% and thirdly JxCat, with 14.6%. Either way, Illa would still face an uphill battle to become President of the Generalitat, as those parties would likely unite to keep him out. And even with Ciudadanos and the PP voters supporting him it may not be enough. In total, voters in Catalunya, Spain’s second most populous region with 7.2m people, will elect 135 MPs from across four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. However to form a government, a party needs an absolute majority of 51%, or 68 seats out of the 135,

Laura Borras, Junts per Catalunya (JxCat), 50 Elected immediately after Spain imposed direct rule following the ‘illegal referendum’ in 2017, Borras is pushing for a ‘peaceful confrontation’ against Madrid. The former university professor is currently accused of illegally awarding a public contract to a close ally, with a court case ongoing. Despite this, she has a strong chance of becoming the

next Catalan leader, and would be the first female in the role. While JxCat is behind ERC in the latest poll, a similar forecast in 2017 didn’t ring true, with Borras’ party eventually gaining 10,000 more votes than its rivals. Borras will need the support of pro-independence parties and potentially others, depending on the final vote share.

SALVADOR ILLA, Partit Socialista de Catalunya, 54 The philosophy and business graduate has long been a darling of the Socialists since becoming mayor of the historic inland town of Roca del Valles in 1995. But after being named health minister just before COVID hit, he quickly became a household name as the face of the fight against the pandemic.

In fact his notoriety led PSC leader Miquel Iceta to put Illa forward as the presidential candidate instead of himself. Illa has long been a critic of the pro-independence parties and is a Spanish unionist. His election as president would be a noted shift in the Catalan leadership.

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February 11th - February 24th 2021

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

More fake news

WAR CRIMES: Many republicans were slaughtered and buried in mass graves after being captured marily executing 17,000 political prisoners an interest in exhuming the victims, such Meiras palace in Galicia, which was vacated during the civil war, and the dictator’s hand- as when the Zapatero government freed up in 2020, only allowing the family to take the picked successor, the new King Juan Carlos I, funding for it in 2007, it can just as easily be electro-domestics. had sworn to continue his legacy. The future cancelled, as it was, by the next administra- The year before Franco’s coffin was famously of Falangist Spain, ‘One, Great and Free’, tion. moved from its mausoleum in the Valley of seemed assured. Meanwhile, the family of Franco inherited the Fallen to a simple family tomb in Madrid. The politicians who led the famous ‘Tran- an estimated €600 million on the dictator’s Most importantly the 2007 Law of Historical sicion’ back to democracy (most of them, death, as well as being allowed continued Memory still stands, giving rights to those ironically, die-hard Falangists) ownership of artworks and who were persecuted or suffered repression inherited a country lurching lavish palaces. during the dictatorship. towards chaos. The highly inLooting, arson, It is only in the past few years There is financial aid for those trying to lofluential army had no reason that the government has fi- cate relatives and grants of citizenship to the repression and nally begun to reclaim these descendants of those who fled Spain in the to welcome democracy. Meanwhile the country was taking the stance aftermath of the civil war. murder with no properties, rocked by riots, protests and that, as Franco assumed Efforts are, therefore, being taken to right strikes by supporters of the expower illegally, the estate he wrongs, in cases where it is not too late. hope for true iled political parties calling for accumulated as head of state While the masterminds of the Transicion justice free elections. was not his to pass on. The surely cannot be blamed for their reluctance A return to civil conflict was amnesty protecting criminals to make a hard break with the past, Spain looking likely and a comproduring and after the civil war is waking up to the uncomfortable fact that mise needed to be found. means that, across the country, families still reconciliation has to come from dialogue, It meant that King Juan Carlos would remain feud over what their parents and grandpar- not silence. head of state, while there would be no purge ents did to each other. Grass can cover the battlefields, the veterof the armed forces. Nearly every town and village saw looting, ans can grow old, the memories can fade. But most pertinently, there would be an arson, repression and murder, which, with But as we have seen, until Europe’s most amnesty for all those who had done the re- no hope of legal resolution, has, as its only outspoken and effervescent people forsake gime’s dirty work, including now-ageing war outlet, long decades of festering resentment. their collective denial, their civil war cannot criminals. The infamous ‘Pacto del Olvido’, or Even the national flag remains largely un- be considered over. Pact of Forgetting, was born: an agreement changed: The fathat the past would not be discussed, and langist symbols and imposing black Eagle that the country would move on as one. Europe’s most forthright people, effectively of St John are gone, swore themselves to silence, because the but the red and yellow truth somehow seemed untouchable. It banner, a monarchist was true that seeking vengeance on the old symbol adopted by regime in the late 1970s could have been the nationalists, concatastrophic, and Spain certainly deserves tinues to fly from all Nerva, Huelva praise for its (largely) peaceful transition government buildings. from dictatorship to democracy, something It is an affront to many that has rarely happened before. But, as any - particularly in regions psychologist will tell you, bottling up trauma is like Catalunya, which suffered badly under not a good idea. With 2,500 mass graves scattered around Franco - that the flag the country and an estimated 140,000 vic- which is meant to tims interred, that’s a lot of trauma and grief. symbolise nationhood While some landowners and religious figures instead symbolises were killed in Republican areas the majority the limbo caused by an ability to confront were massacred by Franco’s regime. At present, 42 victims of Francoist repression have been found Until recently, no government has dared to history. in the cemetery of this small Andalucian town, making it, acapproach this matter, despite calls by thou- Fortunately attempts cording to its socialist mayor, a candidate for ‘the biggest rural sands of families for the reburial of loved to deal with limbo mass grave in Spain’. They are more than 1,500 people behave been gathering ones. lieved to be buried across the Huelva mining basin, notorious Many still live close to the unmarked tombs of pace. for its bloody reprisals in the early days of the war. To date, there their parents or siblings, and can tell you their In 2019 the governhave been two digs at the site in Nerva, the second of which exact location. But most family members ment declared its inwas funded by the Ministry of Justice in Madrid. Andalucia’s have now passed away without receiving the tention to locate and regional government, controlled by a coalition of the right-wing rebury 25,000 peoclosure that reburial would bring. Partido Popular and centrist Ciudadanos, has not participated. Attempts by local governments to deal with ple in mass graves by these graves are often met with a massive 2024. pushback, largely from the right-wing PP The Franco family Pinos Genil, Granada and Vox parties, who argue that it would go meanwhile, is being against the Pacto del Olvido and inflame old stripped of its physical inheritance; intensions. Even when the central government does take cluding the Pazo de

Two scenes of horror from the civil war

Army generals from the old regime were not replaced during the Transición to democracy, meaning the military continued to be dominated by Falangists, who subscribed to the old Castilian philosophy that the army and government were indivisible. In 2020, Francisco Beca Casanova, an air force general who retired in 2004, professed in a Whatsapp group a desire to ‘shoot 26 million Spaniards’, lauded Franco as ‘irrepetible’, and was one of 73 former senior officers who submitted an open letter to the king calling on him to dissolve the current socialist government.

DID YOU KNOW?

HE Spanish Government has ONCE AGAIN been forced to counteract fake reporting after a slew of national papers in the UK claimed foreign tourists would be ‘banned until after summer.’ No surprise, the stories all quoted English-language website www. euroweeklynews.com, which had misquoted prime minister Pedro Sanchez. Under the headline: ‘Spain won’t welcome tourists until the end of the summer’, its writer made a massive boo boo - as it was simply not true. As properly reported by the Olive Press, Sanchez actually told a press conference in Madrid that for Spain to ‘be in a better position’ to receive tourists ‘AS IT DID BEFORE’ the pandemic, 70% of the population would need to be vaccinated. In other words, quite different from an all-out ban. Nevertheless, the false story - or ‘bulo’ in Spanish - was presented as truth by British national papers, including the Mirror and Metro, who should have known better. It led to Spain’s angry tourism minister Reyes Maroto having to counter the claims to the Telegraph the following day. Knowing the fake story could be highly damaging to the tourism industry, she told the paper that the plan of the national Government was to actually begin welcoming tourists back this Spring. The fake news drama comes after the same English website made up a story about a nationwide lockdown coming to Spain in September 2020. The alarming story, which included false government sources, led to mass panic and a slew of holiday cancellations to Spain. There was an outcry on social media and the Olive Press immediately contacted the Health Ministry at the time and demanded it addressed the issue. Our intervention led the head of the coronavirus taskforce Fernando Simon to address the story in his daily briefing, in which he labelled the story a ‘complete lie.’

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: for the arrival of storm Justine 1- Spain braces itself(13,246 views) LISTED: Every municipality which must close 2-borders or all non-essential businesses from tomorrow in Spain’s Andalucia (10,050 views) moved to minor roads to catch 3- Roadblocks checkpoint dodgers as 27 fined in first five hours of weekend lockdown on Spain’s Costa Blanca (9,086 views)

- LISTED: The 18 municipalities in Spain’s An4lowering dalucia which can open their borders today after COVID-19 incidence rates (7,593 views) “Since the sons are away, we’ll kill the mothers.” With this abominable refrain the Nationalists justified their actions in places such as Pinos Genil, where six men and six women were killed, according to official records, ‘as subsistutes’ for family members who were fighting for the Republic. Francesca Esperidon, the eldest victim found in the cemetery, was a 70-year-old

- LISTED: The 27 municipalities opening their 5incidence borders today in Spain’s Andalucia after COVID-19 rate drops below 500 cases per 100,000 people (7,577 views)

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8 Carer woes Dear Olive Press,

February 11th - February 24th 2021

just unfair?

r and I WORK in the UK as a health care orts airp e whil that told n bee have we , no are open we have to travel to work is. ney jour the matter how long e are We only will be paid furlough if ther pany com my way no is re The ts. fligh no isolate or myself would pay £1,500 to like me ple peo If . days in a hotel for 10 , who can’t get to work because of this t of Mos d? nee in ple peo r afte look will the UK our staf f live abroad and work in ple in because there aren’t enough peo the UK willing to do our jobs. 30 Recently I’ve flown with less than and s train UK yet , oard onb people goes to tubes are packed and ever yone target work if they can. It’s not fair to taxpeople who work in the UK and pay of the es and have full contracts. Mostpeople people I see in airports are just working, not tourists.

UK travel quarantine is a hot topic

Don’t travel

At their own risk

I AGREE that tourists should not be travelling. I think if everybody had followed the initial guidelines, we perhaps wouldn’t need this. Leanne Evans, via FB

Un ortunate y whatever s done v ruses spread and there s on y so much that can be done I m not n the UK but everyone I know back home has ab ded by the ru es and I don t th nk th s nherent b ame cu ture s at a he p u However I am sorry peop e were upset by the news Laura Johann Craig via FB

searcher Dr Alejandro Lucia. “This study shows that being regularly active is health not likely to eliminate the detrimental effects of excess body fat. a physi“Our findings refute the notion that negate cally active lifestyle can completely the deleterious effects of obesity.” undeniThe team found that while exercise that able had positive effects, participants were overweight or obese were undeniably oping mamore at risk of develA Good jor health problems. health “More activity is better, so walking 30 minutes per day is better than walking 15 minutes a day,’ Dr Lucia said. exercise “But does not seem to A compensate for the negative effects of excess weight.”

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IT’S impossible to be ‘fat and fit’ and even if you are slightly overweight you are unhealthy, a new study found. Researchers in Spain found the risk of heart attacks and strokes rockets as BMI increases. And while they agree that exercise does reduce the risk of some illnesses and hypertension, those who like diabetes and obese were twice as likely were active cholesterol than inactive peopleto have high of a normal weight. The findings challenge the long-held ‘obesity paradox’ belief that it’s possible not at an increased risk of deathto be fat and from heart disease. The study of over 520,000 Spanish adults by the European University, in Madrid, revealed that overweight people were actually four times more likely to have and five times more likely to have diabetes... high blood pressure. “One cannot be fat but healthy,” said lead researcher Dr Alejandro Lucia. shows that being regularly active “This study is not likely to eliminate the detrimental health effects of excess body fat. “Our findings refute the notion that a physically active lifestyle can completely negate the deleterious effects of obesity.” The team found that while exercise undeniably had positive effects, participants that were overweight or obese were undeniably more at risk of developing major health problems. “More activity is better, so walking utes per day is better than walking 30 min15 minutes a day,” Dr Lucia said. “But not seem to compensate for theexercise does negative effects of excess weight.”

January 27th - February 9th 2021 Vol. 5 Issue 140 www.theolivepress.es

Our top 10 keys to understanding the Alhambra See page 6

ll about

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SPANISH vaccine has proven to be 100% effective against COVID-19 in mice. The jab, developed by virologists Mariano Esteban and Juan Garcia Arriaza at the National Centre for Biotechnology, will move on to human trials ‘within weeks’. The vaccine uses a variant of the virus that was used to eradicate smallpox, according to the results published in the Journal of Virology. It is being developed with Spanish biotech giant Biofabri, belonging to the Zendal group, with plans for clinical trials already in motion. Dubbed MVA-CoV-2, the jab uses the ‘Modified Ankara vaccinia’ virus (MVA) as a vehicle to transport a SARS-CoV-2 protein that manages to stimulate an immune system defense against the coronavirus, reported the Higher Council for Scientific Research. Biofabri is now waiting for the green light from the Spanish Medicines Agency to kickstart the first of two clinical human trials, which could start in a few weeks. “We have observed that the MVA-CoV-2 vaccine candidate generates a robust immune response with the production of neutralising antibodies and the activation of T lymphocytes in mice,” explained

DELIGHTED: Virologists Mariano Esteban and Juan Garcia

COVID vaccine 100% effective in first tests with human trials poised to start

expat

huge sums ‘without falling into losses’. Worse, it comes as it emerges that dozens of victims left destitute and penniless by the Denia-based firm are suing Smart and her former partner Darren Kirby. In the first case to reach the courts,

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Jon Clarke INTO THE ABYSS: Proof that Editor - see page 14 DOES have a heart ll about

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There shou d be new aws or cyc s s a so as s a n gh mare prob em n Spa n They do no o ow ru es and o en go a such a speed ha hey move a over he p ace They b ock en re roads as hey are s de by s de ye as a dr ver he b ame a ways es w h us and s no a r

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as a can be described personality Father Ted’s sparkles with welcome Crown’ as it with a warm ‘Jewel in the of a bar to visit and is a gem SUNDAY

Petrol bombs and bullets, Director of disgraced Costa Blanca an Olive Press dispatch wealth management firm rakes in €1million from Barcelona Page 6 for her

How we nailed a corrupt Champagne socialist MP Page 18

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PENSION OUTRAGE

FACE THE MUSIC

NOTORIOUS: Disgraced businesswoman Jody Smart accused in financial scandal

three British claimants are seeking inal charges for aggravated fraud,crim- after CWM’s September 2017 collapse fake left him with just €22,000 accounting and belonging to a criminal from initial investments of more than ₤800,000 organisation. (approx €900,000). The complaints concern bungled transactions, unpaid loans and house Davison was diagnosed with deprespension investments that lost the failed sion just weeks after the collapse, before ants over €1million between them.claim- turning to alcohol abuse and developing type-2 diabetes, according to One of the victims, Mark Davison, a video ically died, aged 59, in July this trag- shot just before his death. year His body, covered with lesions sores, had lain undiscovered for and a week in the mid-summer heat up to at his home in Sanet. “Mark died as a result of what had done to him,” Timothy Benjamin, been low claimant, told the Olive Press. a fel“By the end he didn’t want the daylight to appear.” Benjamin, 67, likewise felt ‘ashamed’ after he lost his €250,000 private sion, reinvested by CWM into pen‘risky’ investments, via QROPS. In his official testimony he told the court how he had transferred ₤325,000 (€375,000 approx) from a property sale to CWM on the basis the firm investing it in a villa in Monte Pego. was But court papers revealed ₤200,000 went directly to the bank account of

Law breaking for lavish lifestyle

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Petrol bombs and bullets, Director of disgraced Costa Blanca an Olive Press dispatch wealth management firm rakes in €1million from Barcelona Page 6 for her

How we nailed a corrupt Champagne socialist MP Page 18

An incredible Spanish Inquisition escape story Page 20

Want to sell Wickedness your property? In what is Spain’s largest at court, ABSENT: Kirby (above) was a no-show 96 649 1883 legal scrutiny of British-run Jodie (right) and a previous Olive Press front page financial scams to date, the trio were grilled about ” Smart has previously defalsifying documents and Another is widow Karen nied ever dealing with climiss-selling toxic invest- O’Hagan, who lost €72,000 ents or having anything of her RBS pension. ments. to do with the running of A total of 17 claimants have It came after she was told CWM other than promotion brought the private prose- by CWM staff that transfer- online and in the media. cution as Denia court seeks ring the money was the only to bring former boss Kir- way to protect it for her two by and sole director Jody young children if she passed away. Smart to justice. Kirby failed to attend the hearing on February 24, Shame and could now face arrest. Angela Brooks, who is leadMeanwhile, Smart was able ing the private prosecution, to delay attending the hear- told the Olive Press the case ing until next month due to will set a major ‘precedent’ damage to a restaurant she across Europe. owns during Storm Gloria. “It’s a disgrace that it’s Court transcripts passed to taken a Spanish lawyer in the Olive Press reveal how Spain and a Spanish crimthe ex-employees denied all inal judge to recognise the accusations put to them. wickedness of actions taken The defendants claimed by all parties concerned. that former boss Kirby was “There is no precedent for responsible for moving this. It is going to shame the funds from low-risk to all the other jurisdictions high-risk. throughout Europe and beOne of the victims, former yond into acknowledging Blackpool bus driver Les what many offshore adviHutchings, 67, lost nearly sors have been doing for his entire €117,000 private years. “The scale of this case pension when it ended up in has made the courts sit up toxic portfolios without his and take notice. knowledge. PARTNERING OWNERS FOR OVER 20 YEARS

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March 5th - March 18th 2020

Defendants in ‘landmark’ case against fraudulent financial firm claim they did not know clients’ pensions were put at risk

(right) Your reporters, situation to hereCWM As for the on‘didn’t go out helphe he insisted the Costa and addto scam anybody’

fraud article

EXCLUSIVE By Jon Clarke

EXCLUSIVE

Hathaway

over Blanca lost ‘a lot of monWealth Manof a crooked grilled to GOTCHA: sports ed he had A KEY associate well, but declined company the Continental scandal, took lived lives of luxury with holidays ey’ as wealth managementof stealing agement (CWM) Financier say how much. set to conhis name appear- cars, exotic foreign has been accused of the Olive umbrage to COSTA court is in our March BLANCA Hathaway, and designer clothes. how 750 In declarations a fash- Denia hundreds of copies court docu- ing in an article banged Jody launched to New tinue its probe into with at made in February, two other former flew millions, the Director 5 edition. Press newspaper, he had takenwith ion label and twice according victims lost their entire pen- along with Anthony Downs ments have confirmed. week, to rights colleagues the wealthy He insisted claimed least 17Olosing York fashion as he ‘was angry’ P Police have grilled pots. and Dean Stogsdill, ‘In Denial’, to official court documents. the theft of up papers boss Kirby was tracked sion former Blackstealing tel: moneyman overof the paper in the story headed and his colthe Olive Press to his These include Les Hutchings, their formerfor the frauds. bundles 2045 about how he hundreds of When 46to38 down responsible pool bus driver Hathaway scammed mansion Your investigator Angela Javea area. Olive Press 966 nearly his entire witnesses spot- leagues out of an estimated multi-million euro Javea he 67, who lostprivate pension Pensions the Olive Press the to the It comes after above jumping investors Brooks told €117,000 in the hills the theft, with expat newspaper million. up in high-risk case would set a major ‘preceted Neil Hathaway when it ended owned by Jody SUV and lifting €35 couldn’t deny without his knowl- dent’ across Europe. it’s takout of a black from our stands The company, Kirby, is his SUV parked in the drive. portfolios cover up his voice in Smart and Darren entire bundlesaccomplice. a disgrace that a lot less papers edge. of fraud and falsifying “But it was Karen O’Ha- “It’sa Spanish lawyer in Spain with an claimed,” he en had been accused judge Another is widow links to fraud along than the police Spain €72,000 of her and a Spanish criminal commercial documents. Hathaway, who is now taking insisted. gan, who lost the wickedness FREE Vol. IssuePress very angry, as The1 Olive 16 www.theolivepress.es just24th pension. the British angry, that to recognise trial WWW.JAVEABLINDS.COM October by all parties from RBS - November 6thwas 2019 legal action againstwho was a “I was told by CWM staff documents of actions taken this Specialists in Luxury Villas Holiday Rentals and Sales

v a l i d

Gibraltar Issue 140

NEWS

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Reporters Simon Wade and Joshua Parfitt

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INTO THE ABYSS: Proof that Editor DOES have a heart - see page 10 Jon Clarke

Gi“The toll is indeed dreadful,” braltar Health Authority Medical Director exclusively told the Olive Press. “It brings tears just to contemplate it. a “But keep in mind that we are small population, so expanding our per capita rate to per million means each individual death, per whilst tragic means 29 deaths storm million, of which 28 are phantom tries to weather the coronavirus more than 100 years as Gibraltar deaths, not real ones. GRIM: Worst loss of life for As numbers continue to fall, lock“This is the small numbers chalthe Royal Fleet Auxiliary ammu- down may be eased (see page 4 lenge. If we did have a million passing both the UK and USA by nition ship, the Bedenham,” add- Lockdown end in sight) By John Culatto some have people, then it would ed Picardo. a country mile. its the worst loss of life validity. We don’t. The small population with for the ex- “This is now Testing in over 100 years. “I weep for every life lost. May close-knit community has led to “We can be grateful support and soli- of Gibraltarians so they rest in peace. May their rela- more recorded infections over pressions of Even in war, we have never lost The number of COVID-19 patients that have been sent from many in such a short time.” at tives get solace.” at St Bernard’s hospital was Christmas period than anyone darity the United Kingdom, Spain and “I believe we will see more deaths an all-time high of 54, with 10 of Gibraltar now has the have predicted. A WELL-KNOWN British ex- By proportion deaths to pop- could elderly at the them being in the Critical Care around the world,” said Picardo. pat and former glamour mod- one of the highest The majority of the casualties have “There is great suffering across amongst the frail in the ratios Lives surHalfworld, since Elderly Residential Services,” Unit. Other come How the el is set to go on trial this week. ulation nation.” warned Picard. also has one of the most the start of our Jody Smart, 44, has been about her fashion business she is in lockdown following But in the past few days there has Gibraltar testing programmes in the new year, Gibraltar intensive called to answer questions in boasted how she was worth discovery of the more contawith 2021 ac- the British variant of COVID-19 been a glimmer of hope. the world, with 150,000 swabs a multi-million euro pensions €13 million while showing off On going to press, the number being taken for its 33,700 inhabcounting for gious scam that lost hundreds of ex- her floor- to-ceiling shoe had cases December. coronavirus active collection andSee page 13 & 16 all but seven in itants and cross-frontier workers. pats their life savings. has not experienced of dropped below the 500 mark, with wearing limited of the lives “Gibraltar She is set to Opinion Page 6 loss of life in such a short homes. OLIVE edition Jimmy lost, many in such since the 1951 explosion of 62 of them at nursing be joined by time PRESS Choos. the last week. three other The trial, which former emPAPER TRAIL resumes in Deployees of nia this week, Continenwill ask her tal Wealth In denial and fellow emM a n ployees Paul agement 3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 . E n d s o n s . Stec o n d i t i Clarke, t o t (CWM) o n l y . at S u b j e c OLIVE phen Ward Costa the PRESS and AnthoBlanca hear21/6/19 13:30 Downs ny are ings that Movers 952 147 834 - what hapbehind a year pened to clischedule. ents’ money Fashion dethat was put signer Smart in high-risk - aka Jody investments. Bell and Jody The private Kirby - will be prosecution grilled over the against how her Defour co-defennia-based GUIDE dants has been company brought by 17 colCWM lapsed in 2017, leaving many former CWM clients. The last of the firm’s 750 mostly-Brit- court date was in February, ish clients with huge financial with April hearings postponed due to the pandemic. problems. Law authorities are also trying Last year we exposed former to trace her ex husband Dar- CWM advisor Neil Hathaway for stealing hundreds of copren Kirby. While many of CWM’s vic- ies of the Olive Press after we tims lost all their savings, and reported how he was being a couple committed suicide, grilled as part of the legal proSmart allegedly travelled busi- ceedings. ness class to America and lived We tracked the disgraced financial advisor down to his in huge luxury villas. She also allegedly received multi-million euro villa above up to €1 million to set up her Javea, where he admitted it, company Jody Bell SL and whining that he had ‘also lost launched charity Grant a a lot of money’. Wish, which received lavish Legal action coordinator, Anpraise and publicity in various gela Brooks, told the Olive Press that she was ‘glad’ the local publications. In a Channel 4 programme trial was finally on. “The trial resumption will bring some long-awaited comfort to everyone who has waited for these defendants to be brought to justice.” The private action accuses Darren Kirby, Jody Smart, Paul Clarke, and Stephen Ward of fraud, disloyal administration, and forging signatures on investment dealing instructions.

Expat fashion designer due in court over €35 million pension plunder trial

While other health tips for the new year include...

OL VE PRESS

hit A SURGE in COVID deaths haslosthe Rock hard, with 65 people ing their lives. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said COVID-19 was causing ‘the worst loss of life of Gibraltarians in over the 100 years’, as more fell prey to cruel pandemic. Most of the fatalities have been of elderly people who died COVID-19 pneumonia with underlying conditions. Many of the victims were residents at government nursing homes, 133 where outbreaks saw up to positive cases recorded at its peak.

voice in Spain

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Fat not fit is what matters

Gib now has worse COVID death rate than UK and USA

Thomas Melia Marbella

Joanna Fluer Oxley Mijas

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Fat not fit is what

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Peop e who cyc e on he A7 are he same peop e who pu he r headres down on an a rp ane Jus because you can do doesn mean you shou d I be hey don ake he r ro y back a Mercadona e her

Blame culture

Kayce Marie Hodgson, Marbella

GIBRALTAR

The news that drivers might be fined €200 if they don’t give cyclists enough room provoked a response from readers

2 Inflation protection (5) 3 Dwellers (7) 4 Wilbur in "Charlotte's Web," for example (3) 5 Care provided by hospices (3,2,4) 6 Saltwood Castle is here (5) 7 Queued (5,2) 11 Custodian of 12 Across (9) 15 Wild marjoram (7) 16 Slogan-bearers, often (16) 19 Wild ox (5) 21 '70s dance hall (5) 24 Skin lump (3)

All solutions are on page 16

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GREEN

February 11th - February 24th 2021

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BUSINESS

What a relief

THE Spanish government is considering debt relief measures to help companies weather the coronavirus pandemic storm. Last year, aid was focussed on furlough schemes and a state-backed loan guarantee programme. This has helped push state debt up to an estimated 120% of GDP. Now there is a growing realisation that the emphasis of government help will need to change as pandemic restrictions drag on and a vaccine roll-out is stalled.

Demise

With Spanish bankruptcy laws cumbersome and often leading to the demise rather than rescue of struggling businesses, the aim of inter-departmental negotiations is to save businesses that have a good chance of survival once the crisis is over, according to media reports. One proposal would excuse a portion of the debt borrowed through Spain’s state-backed loan guarantee programme that was rolled out last year. Another being considered is to use state guarantees to encourage banks to offer companies participatory loans, sources said.

SPAIN’S Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, has pledged €11 billion to help the country go digital. The cash injection is part of the Spain Digital Agenda 2025, which views the digital transformation as one of the ‘essential levers for relaunching economic growth, reducing inequality, increasing productivity and harnessing all the opportunities offered by new technologies’.

Grants

As part of the scheme small and medium enterprises will be able to apply for grants to help them instal new technology - although the nuts and bolts of how to get the cash have not been announced yet. “Spain’s immediate future lies in the vaccine and defeating the pandemic, and then in the recovery and the social, economic and adminTHE six main Spanish banks have shed 2,176 jobs and closed 1,188 offices so far during the coronavirus pandemic - with worse to come in 2021. This is a reduction of 1.72% of their workforce and 8.12% of their branches. Not all the blame can be put on the doorstep of COVID, as banks have been making ‘efficiency’ savings for some time. But branch closures accelerated in 2020 and will continue to do so this year, accord-

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Going digital €11 billion to help Spain digitize

istrative transformation, and this recovery will necessarily be a digital one,” said Sanchez. In attendance at the launch of the scheme was Minister for Economic Affairs Nadia Calviño and and Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the EU - as well as Juan Manuel Serrano, Chairman of Correos, Pepita Martín, CEO of We Are Knitters, and other leading figures in the digital world. According to Calviño, public-private collaboration, as represented by the attendees

Banking losses

ing to plans already published by the big banks. Banco Santander closed 2020 with 2,923 branches in Spain, 296 fewer than it had a year earlier, and 26,961 workers, 669 fewer. It has also announced a Redundancy Program (ERE) that will see 3,572 jobs go and the closure of 1,033 branches.

CASH PROMISE: PM Sanchez made the pleadge By Laurence Crumbie

of the event, is paramount to Spain’s digital future. “Public investments are a The company is chifting its emphasis towards an online presence. BBVA Spain cut 953 jobs and 160 branches in 2020, to 29,330 employees and 2,482 branches. It is now planning a cost-cutting exercise in the first half of 2021, for which ‘all options’ are being studied. A merger of CaixaBank and Bankia is expected to go ahead in the first quarter of 2021. The banks are in negotiations with trade unions over potential job losses.

lever to mobilise significant investments that the private sector will address in the coming years and which will allow us to transform our economy,” she explained.

Plans

The multibillion investment will go towards three strategic plans, whose aims include reducing the digital gap between men and women, providing digital support to small-medium enterprises (SMEs), and digitalising the public authorities, respectively. According to the government, 43% of Spaniards lack basic digital skills, which have become especially essential due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cryptocrooks A RECENT huge rise in the value of cryptocurrencies has seen a parallel rise in scammers. Spanish police have moved in on a ring of alleged fraudsters who were operating world-wide from Andorra, trying to fleece unsuspecting victims in an investment scam. Europol partnered with Spanish and Catalan police for the operation against an ‘investment training firm’ in the Pyennean tax-haven. The company used a backstory of providing training in forex and cryptocurrency markets as cover for defrauding thousands of clients. Six suspects were detained in raids on two houses. Some €70,000 in cash and cryptocurrencies were seized as well as eight vehicles.

Budget openings GERMAN budget supermarket chain Lidl is continuing to expand in Spain with five new stores opening this month. The company is spending €30 million and creating 85 new jobs. On February 25 it will open the doors of a new store in Palma de Mallorca. On the same day, it will open a new store in Madrid and another in Gran Canaria. Before this stores will open in Barcelona and Rivas Vaciamadrid (Madrid).

Rigor, Confidentiality and Independence

Pepco’s Primark Push

Court Representation, Tax Consultation, Conveyancing and Business Services in English (+34) 96 334 89 83 info@swanpartners.es www.swanpartners.es C/ Pizarro, 1. Planta 4ª - Puerta 15, 46004 Valencia, Spain

A cut-price Polish-owned clothes retailer is to open 400 stores in Spain to challenge the likes of Primark. Pepco has 2,100 shops across 13 European countries and will have its Spanish headquarters based in Valencia City. The city has been chosen as its base because of the port facilities and general infrastructure. Pepco will look to have a start-up phase with 12 outlets opening this spring. The first tranche will see shops in the Alicante and Castellon Province areas from April, followed by Valencia City. Staff recruitment has already started for locations like Elche. The company says their second phase will concentrate on ‘consolidation and expansion’ as they work towards their goal of opening 400 shops by 2026. Pepco’s operations

director, Marcin Stanko, said: “Our current strategy is based on the fact that each year we open up in a new country and 2021 is the turn of Spain.” “Spanish consumers will have the opportunity to visit our stores and we are sure that our products will attract their interest and meet their expectations,” he added.

Success

Pepco operates very much on the same business model that has brought Primark success over the years. Formed in 2004, it sells mainly cutprice clothes, but also with a special emphasis on children’s fashions. Their stores tend to be between 500 and 700 square metres in size. They are located in population centres of 50,000 and more, specifically in shopping and city centres.

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LA CULTURA

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Panorama de Malaga 1860

A journey through history

Take a fascinating voyage into the 19th century from the comfort of your own home, writes Dilip Kuner

WITH COVID lockdowns leaving many people kicking theory heels at home, now is the time to learn a little about Spanish history from the comfort of your own sofa. A perfect place to start is a remarkable series of photographs, collated by Fernandez Rivero, which portrays life in 19th century Spain and is available online. The researcher started his collection as

a child with old stamps and postcards, before moving onto photographs 25 years ago. He first started with pictures of Malaga, his home city and the birthplace of Picasso, but soon expanded to the whole region and further afield in Spain. The result is a fascinating glimpse into the past, with the images on this page just a fraction of the 35,000-strong co-

llection. Explaining the reasons behind his passion for the 19th century, the collector said that people had found a revolutionary way to capture reality that they had never had access to before. The result was the lives of everyday people were recorded extensively for the first time. You too can silently witness life in the 19th century by visiting www.cfrivero.com

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Old style motor. 1903 Ship launch in Puerto Real, Cadiz, 1927

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LA CULTURA

Sales for chessboard maker soar thanks to The Queen’s Gambit

THE Spanish woodworking company that supplied chess boards for hit Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit is cashing a large cheque after sales rocketed. Rechapados Ferrer, which was founded in the 1950s in La Garriga, Catalunya, noted a slight rise in sales during the first lockdown. However, it was the success of the Netflix miniseries which would do as much for his company as it has for the world of chess. “When the series came out, it all just went crazy and drove sales of chess boards through the roof,” David Ferrer, founder of the company, told the Guardian. “In the past two or three months, we’ve had orders in for 40,000 boards – twice the number we’d make over the entire course of a normal year.”

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Cheque mate

Second time round for Blas

SUCCESS: The Queen’s Gambit has been good news for one Spanish company The Queen’s Gambit minise- Awards, winning Best Drama series was aired. British chess champion, David ries, based on the Walter Tevis TV Series of the Year. novel of the same name, has The response from the pub- Howell, lauded The Queen’s been viewed by over 62 million lic has been equally explosive, Gambit for being ‘well choreopeople and was nominated for with Chess.com alone reporting graphed and realistic.’ four categories at the 2020 IGN millions of new users since the Despite the resounding success, it was a long haul for writer Scott Frank and producer Allan cides with the discovery Scott. of the body, forces him to face his guilt as his by Jane Harper Rejected past comes back to Scott purchased the screenplay ET in a small town on the coast haunt him. As the inrights for the story from Tevis’ of Tasmania, this is Jane Harp- vestigation proceeds, widow in 1992, but for decades er’s fourth Australian Noir thriller. old mysteries are broadcasters rejected the idea, When the body of a young woman wash- brought to light involvsaying that no one would be ines ashore at Evelyns Bay, secrets long ing a sunken ship and terested in watching chess. a missing girl. Harper thought forgotten threaten to resurface. On October 28, 2020, just five When he was young, Keiran Elliott made has, again, crafted a days after it was aired, The one stupid mistake with devastating con- powerful and wonderQueen’s Gambit became the sequences which changed his life. Kei- fully evocative psymost viewed series of the day ran’s return to his hometown, which coin- chological thriller. on Netflix.

BOOK REVIEW

The Survivors

F, like us, you’re obsessed with keeping up with the latest news and regulatory changes from HMRC, you’ll know all about Making Tax Digital (MTD) and be preparing yourself for this seismic change.

●● Making Tax Digital (MTD) regulations are designed to make calculating tax easier and more accurate through the use of digital software ●● To comply with MTD for Income Tax, landlords and the self-employed will need to use software to keep digital records of business income and expenses and submit a summary every quarter ●● MTD for Income Tax is for UK businesses and landlords, who usually submit a Self Assessment tax return. ●● It will come into effect for your next accounting period that starts on or after 6 April 2023 Of course, if you’re one of the 99% of people who would rather not think about tax, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about, whether you are affected, and what you need to do to prepare. But fear not! Our tax nerds love an opportunity to make confusing tax regulations simpler and clearer. Once you get used to the new process, it should also make your business accounting easier, clearer, more predictable and cheaper, as you won’t need to rely on an accountant. You also have a bit of time to prepare, with HMRC showing that they can be forgiving to those who drop the ball. It is the biggest tax change in a generation, after all, so they won’t be too hard on you! APARI’s MTD software is already approved by HMRC so we know exactly how it all works. Here’s what you need to know...

MURCIA’S Blas Canto will soon find out which song he will be performing at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam. Spain’s national broadcaster, RTVE, will be staging a special show sometime this month(date to be announced!) where Blas will offer up the choice of two numbers. It will then be totally up to the viewing public to choose which song he will take forward to Rotterdam in May. It’s a strong case of deja-vu for 29-year-old Blas who was born in Ricote and brought up in Molina de Segura. He was set to represent Spain with a song called Universo in Rotterdam last year. The pandemic then struck, forcing the competition to be postponed for the first time in its 65-year history. While the UK has been coy over whether last year’s entrant, James Newman, will return, RTVE have kept faith with Canto, albeit with a fresh song. His two options remain under wraps but are said to be ‘very different’. Blas Canto said: “I’ve got another shot at this and I’ve been part of the writing team for both the songs.” “The songs are ‘totally’ me and I’m very pleased with both of them’. One big change this year is that there will be no voting from a studio jury of experts, which has led to controversies over song selections. Both entries will be performed in Spanish, with Blas having gone through the selection process last year, and in 2011 as a member of the popular boyband, Auryn. TUNE: Give us a song Blas Canto

Death of the Tax Return... UK tax is going digital

How APARI’s software can make your life easier What is Making Tax Digital? The new MTD regulations are designed to make taxes easier and more accurate through the use of digital software. It’s already a requirement for VAT and will be extended to all VAT registered businesses from April 2022. At some point in the future, it will apply to Corporation Tax. We focus on MTD for Income Tax, which the Government announced in July 2020 and will change the annual tax return for millions of people like you. What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax? To comply with MTD for Income Tax, landlords, the self-employed and tradespeople will need to use software to keep digital records of business income and expenses and submit a summary every quarter. At the end of the year, you need to submit any other income - for example from employment and finalise all of the information. If you choose good software, it will be able to do all of this for you. You will get your total tax liability (tax owed) for the year which needs to be paid by the following January, just as you would now. So the main changes are: a) use MTD software; b) keep digital records and c) make a submission to HMRC once a quarter. Who does it apply to? Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is for UK businesses and

landlords, who usually submit a Self Assessment tax return. It is a requirement for anyone with more than £10,000 of combined turnover from business and property income. If you submit a Self Assessment tax return but don’t have business or property income, MTD for Income Tax doesn’t affect you. When will Making Tax Digital for Income Tax come into effect? Making Tax Digital for Income Tax was first announced in 2015. The timetable has moved back over the last few years as the Government and HMRC try to give it the best chance of success. On 21 July 2020, the Government formally committed to a specific timetable for changing the law and turning Making Tax Digital for Income Tax into a legal requirement. In HMRC talk, they announced: for your next accounting period that starts on or after 6 April 2023, all Income Tax Self Assessment customers with a turnover of £10,000 or more from business income or income from property will be required to complete their affairs by MTD. All landlords and most self-employed people have an accounting period that starts on 6 April. This means you’ll have to: ●● Use software to record and submit your business and/or property income between 6 April 2023 and 5 April 2024; ●● Use software to finalise your business and/ or property income between 6 April 2024 and 31 January 2025; ●● Submit any non-business information and finalise your overall tax affairs by 31 January 2025. You can choose to do this using software or using the HMRC website.

If you use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, you won’t need to submit a separate Self Assessment tax return. How do I ensure I am compliant with MTD rules? At APARI, we think the best first step is to start using software to keep your business records. Ignoring the tax side of things, this will give you better information about your profit. You can get started with a FREE APARI account today. Once you’re familiar with digital record keeping, you may be able to voluntarily sign up to use MTD. Most businesses and landlords will be eligible to join by April 2021 so they can get familiar with the changes. Don’t worry if you change your mind - you can still submit a tax return as normal. Everyone that uses MTD will need to choose compatible software, which they connect with their HMRC account. APARI’s MTD software is already listed on HMRC’s software selection tool. Once connected, the software will then tell you when you need to submit information, such as your quarterly return. Follow us next month to find out what you need to do.

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Twist in the tale As the controversial toro season is set to kick off, Jack Gaioni looks at the true life pacifist bull, Civilon, which inspired a children’s fairy tale and could help to scotch the beef over bullfighting

HE divisive subject of bullfighting is never far from the surface in Spanish culture, especially now it’s nearly the season for it (March to September). Is it an anachronistic and barbarous

bloodsport that should be banned or an artistic expression embedded in Spanish cultural tradition that should be preserved? Although 90% of corridas in Spain were culled by Covid last year, voices on both sides of the argument remain bolshy and deafening. But there’s a little-known Spanish vignette about a girl, her pet bull and a bullfight that maybe – just maybe – might offer some common ground for both sides. Consider the story of Carmelita Cobaleda and her pet bull, Civilon. If you’ve read American author Munro Leaf’s 1936 book, Ferdinand the Bull, it could ring a few cowbells... Civilon was a handsome black ranch bull born and raised amongst the cork oak pastures of 1930s Salamanca. Bred to be fearless and aggressive like all toros bravos, honing his skills in bouts with his brothers, Civilón possessed those traits in spades along with one unprecedented characteristic: he loved people, children especially; Carmelita, the breeder’s seven-year-old daughter, in particular, after she tended his wounds and gave him

OLE: Bullfighting is a divisive subject in Spain but is never far from the surface in Spanish culture

a name. Often, after doing battle, Civilón would trot over to nuzzle her in the most docile way. However, in the training ring, he would remember his DNA, butting, charging and gouging. But he also loved a pat and a treat, just like any household pet! News of the gentle giant soon spread around Spain and even abroad through the pages of the international press. The

Italian magazine Estampa dedicat- form and his breeding, the animal ed several 1936 covers to Civilon charged into the ring and launched posing with children and comely himself at the Picador’s horse at señoritas. And thoufull force. He almost sands flocked to Saltoppled over nag and amanca to witness rider! Spectators the astonishing sight But after being so leof a one-ton fighting thal, he then casually demanded bull eating from a little trotted to the side of a pardon for girl’s hand. the ring, looking to be Against this backdrop, the bull which petted. a shrewd manager of The audience of fought bravely 24,000 spectators the Barcelona bull ring contracted Carmeliloved it! They rose in ta’s beloved bovine to unison and demanded fight, banking on the bull’s populari- a rare ‘indulto’ - a pardon for a bull ty to pull a capacity crowd. which has fought bravely. Civilon did not disappoint. True to Thus, the animal is spared and returned to its home pasture to become a stud for the rest of its life. After a few passes from the matador that day, the main door was opened and he trotted out to freedom. Superficially, it’s a heartwarming, innocent tale. Between the lines, there are some key takeaways that might help both sides of the bullfighting divide to find some common ground. MONUMENT: In honour of the brave bull Civilon Let’s take a look.

Bull the other one!

●● The narrative of Civilon is said to be the true story behind the most popular children’s parable ever. Munro Leaf’s Ferdinand the Bull became a best-seller, hailed the greatest children’s classic since Winnie the Pooh. Set in Andalucia with illustrations of the countryside around Ronda, the fictional Ferdinand prefers flowers to fighting, does battle in Madrid’s bullring and lives to tell the tale. ●● Gandhi was a fan but Franco banned the book and Hitler burned it as pacifist propaganda. Published in 60 languages and never out of print, its meaning is still hotly debated by everyone from politicians and psychologists to the LGBTQ community. ●● In a rebuttal with his own children’s story, the Faithful Bull, aficionado and Republican sympathiser Ernest Hemingway wrote about ‘a bull not named Ferdinand and he cared nothing for flowers … he loved to fight’ ●● Ferdinand also stars in a 1938 Oscar-winning Disney cartoon and a 2017 Oscar-nominated computer-animated movie

DID YOU KNOW?

LA CULTURA

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Talking bull

For over two decades Jairo Miguel has been one of the most controversial figures in bullfighting. You just might not have heard of him - yet.

Bulls: Considered one of the dead- own power. In the man’s world of liest land animals, in Spain they are matadors, breeders and trainers, bred for aggression, with little hu- perhaps Carmelita subconsciously man contact. Yet, although Civilon assumed the role of feminine nurcould fight to order, he also respond- turing agent. Would it not make ed to human kindness. This sug- bullfighting more palatable if there gests that bulls are living, breathing was more feminine input in this trasentient beings as emphasised by ditionally ‘macho’ field? the anti-bullfighting lobby as well as the noble, ferocious beasts desired Civilon’s experience in the Barceloby aficionados. na bullring took place The indulto: This parin 1936, when the don is rarely granted Spanish Civil War was Science to bulls in Spain but imminent. And unlike often in other bullfightsuggests that Ferdinand, the fictioning nations like Mexial bull whose story little girls co, France and Columwas published the bia, where audience same year, there’s a identify with figures confirm its consad twist to this tale. strong animals Our real life hero never tinued popularity. Is it not possible that, as made it back to graze Civilon’s fight shows, the sweet grass of his audiences can fully appreciate the Salamanca pastures, much less pageantry without the blood? lead the life of a superstud. Instead, a few days after being Carmelita: Science suggests that spared the matador’s sword, he little girls tend to identify with strong was requisitioned by hungry local dynamic animals (e.g. horses, dol- Republican soldiers, butchered and phins) as a way of expressing their eaten as rations.

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“

LEGENDARY: Civilon and Carmelita enjoyed international fame

AIRO Miguel Sánchez is only 27 but already he has two decades of bullfighting under his cape. People have had their eyes on him since he learned to fight at just five years old and left a crowd in western Spain slack-jawed when he slayed his first bull three years later. Now his following is in the thousands, in no small part to social media, where he has over 10,000 fans watching his every PRODIGY: Miguel killed his first bull at the age of five step and sweep. This is the bullfighter for the Instagram generation - and he’s only just getting started. The Extremadura athlete is one of “You can’t live in the past Spain’s sparkiest stars in any sport, but you can’t forget it. I moving to Mexico at 11 to practice want to push beyond the professionally after being twice fined stereotype of a bullfighter. in his hometown near Caceres for fighting underage. He’s been gored It’s time to renew.” twice, on both occasions when he was 14. The first time he broke two ribs, the second time his lung was punctured by a bulls horn, brushing his aorta and nearly penetrating his heart. Another inch in the adorn shimmering wrong direction and he would have been dead. Un- jackets and billowfazed, he made a full recovery and, aged just six- ing shirts, he trains teen, killed six bulls in a single afternoon. in sunglasses and His father, Antonio Sánchez, was also a professional sweats. bullfighter. “He didn’t want me to be a torero.” Jairo “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y Miguel says. “He didn’t like the risk involved and I the world of bullunderstand that. fighting is still very “I get frightened too, still. Everytime I go in the old-fashioned. It is square I am afraid. Not just for my life, but also of good we have old failure. I want to achieve my dream and become the values that cannot best in the world. be lost, we have a code that our ancestors created “I want to succeed, to stand out and leave my name but it does need a bit of updating. on this profession. Yes, it is true you have to endure “We are in a century where we have everything at the injuries, the mishaps, but to me it is worth it.” our fingertips but this new generation cannot underWhile his parents believed their young son’s aspira- stand us because of the negative connotations bulltions were just a phase, Jairo Miguel always knew fighting has. I’ve always thought that I can’t change bullfighting was a ‘way of life, a true passion’. As a the world, but I can change mine. toddler his mum couldn’t get him to sit still in front of “What we do is not bad, but it must be renewed to cartoons but he would be utterly absorbed by tele- the present times to be more accessible to young vised bullfights for hours on end. “It wasn’t a game people and new cultures. to me,” he said. “It was what I was always meant to “Let the next generation have the power of choice for do.” Less clear, perhaps, was his path to become a them to see if they like it or not.” social media star. “I cannot change bullfighting, but I am in the process Now he wants to harness his online presence to rev- of sharing. Although I am young in age, I want to be olutionise the way people perceive Spain’s most tra- able to renew that part. I would like when all this ditional - and controversial - past time. He dreams happens, not to lose the essence of what my proof being recognised beyond the plaza de toros and fession is and that people appreciate what it is to be be seen as a major player in the world of fashion a bullfighter. It is art, it is athleticism - and it should and sport, joking that while old fashioned fighters not be lost”.

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PROPERTY

LANDLORDS in Spain are owed an average of €3,179 by their tenants amid the coronavirus pandemic, a study has found. The most frequent unpaid amount is currently €2,750, the report by Somos Seguros revealed. The data was compiled from 12,500 claims related to unpaid rent from seven different insurance companies. At the most extreme end, some landlords are owed €15,000, but the average amount handed out by insurance companies is €336, while the most common payout was €185. Madrid, Barcelona and Andalucia saw the most claims over the studied period. In the most extreme cases, insurers have come to pay up to €15,000 to compensate for the non-payment of rent by a tenant. Faced with this situation, rental insurance, recalls the association, offers various protections for owners who put properties on a rental basis; the most common coverages are the protection of payments and the repair of damages suffered by the property. While it is true that material mis-

Money Matters

with Tracy Storer, Senior Partner, Chorus Financial.

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Landlords facing rental pain haps have, as a general rule, more modest consequences, it is also true that they can generate much more extreme cases, explains Unespa.

Data The data collected by Somos Seguros reveals how insurers have come to pay more than 45,000 euros to repair the damage caused by a tenant in a property. The most populated autonomous communities (Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia) are those that register the highest number of mishaps, since together they account for 55% of incidents, something that Unespa considers ‘Logical’ given its demographic relevance.

Changing times

Money Matters answers all your questions on finance, tax, pensions, investments and more

Village offering free house and business to young family to fight depopulation FOR young families one of the hardest things to do is to get on the first rung of the property ladder, But one village in Spain is not only offering the chance of a free home – but also a business to go with it. Tabanera de Cerrato in Palencia(pictured) is looking for a family with children to move to the area as it struggles against depopulation, and to that end is offering a free house, complete with grocery store, on the ground floor to the right candidates. And it is proving to be an al-

Home alone

luring offer for people, maybe looking for a change of lifestyle or a leg-up into the world

Hull of a price tag TALK about extravagance. An anonymous buyer in Spain just splashed out nearly €10 million on a superyacht. The boat, named Takara, is the work of Francesco Paszkowski, an Italian purveyor of luxury gadgets. It was originally built in 2016

but was reworked in 2020 and boasts five staterooms, and all-important sun deck fitted with a bar, sun loungers and Jacuzzi. Decked to the halls, the boat can accommodate up to 12 guests, plus seven crew. In addition to the master suite there is a VIP suite, double room and two twin rooms.

This week we received the following question from Mrs Sue B, Orihuela Costa

Why can’t I keep my UK Financial Adviser? Hi Tracy, I’ve been living in Spain as a Spanish resident for over 15 years and during this time, I have continued with my UK financial adviser (he has advised us for some 25 years now). In January this year, he wrote to us to advise us that he has to withdraw his services due to Brexit. This is a big concern for us as we know him and trust him. I’m not sure what I should do and whether I can keep my existing investments which he set up for us?

Hi Sue, thanks for sending in your question. Unfortunately, this is a big problem for a lot of people at the moment. The Financial services sector has been impacted by Brexit and for many expats, some financial products and services have been removed as a result. For many UK based financial advisers, it is just not possible to comply with the regulatory changes and therefore they are having to remove ongoing servicing to their non-UK based clients. Whilst I fully understand and appreciate the relationship and trust you would have built up with your current adviser over the years, it is just another change brought on by Brexit. Change isn’t always a bad thing; a local adviser will have a much better understanding of the Spanish tax system and you could find yourself in a product better designed for your current circumstances. I have worked alongside a number of UK advisers to help their clients transition to having a local adviser here in Spain and I’m happy to extend this service to yourself and anyone reading this who has lost their adviser due to regulatory changes.

If you have any questions about finance, tax or money matters here in Spain, call +34 965 641 163 or please email them to me on t.storer@chorusfinancial.es with subject ‘Money Matters’. All emails will get a response, and some may even appear in our column!

Money Matters answers all your questions on finance, tax, pensions, investments and more here in Spain.

OP Puzzle solutions Across: 1 Shrimp, 5 Exhale, 8 Damaged, 9 Tune, 10 Best, 12 Fields, 13 Excel, 14 Lows, 16 Tops, 17 Rafts, 18 Feeble, 20 Hide, 22 Bays, 23 Rewards, 25 For now, 26 No-show. Down: 2 Hedge, 3 Inmates, 4 Pig, 5 End of life, 6 Hythe, 7 Lined up, 11 Scarecrow, 15 Oregano, 16 T-shirts, 19 Bison, 21 Disco, 24 Wen.

SUDOKU

Quick Crossword

BARCELONA is planning to extend a law that would ban landlords from renting out private rooms for stays of under 30 days, with the possibility of €60,000 fines. Part of a package de-

Curbing AirBnb signed to prevent potential long-term housing from being leased out to tourists, the measure would permanise a temporary rule of the same nature enacted in August 2020 and turn Barcelona into one of the cities with the strictest laws on holiday rentals. It would also be a huge

NEW home building fell by 30% in 2020 in Alicante Province due to the coronavirus pandemic. Figures from the Alicante College of Surveyors(COAATIEA) show that 5,026 properties were constructed last year, compared to 7,143 in 2019. The biggest drop has been in the southern Vega Baja region with a 50% fall in the Orihuela and Torrevieja areas, where many new builds are aimed at foreign buyers looking for a holiday or retirement property. The fall on the northern Costa Blanca was smaller at 23%, with 1,261 new homes, down by 378 on the 2019 total.

of property ownership. Local mayor Luz Íscar has already had more than 500 applicants from Spain and as far afield as Argentina and the Netherlands. The village is located in the Cerrato region of Palencia and has only 142 inhabitants – and declining. The house is in the process of being renovated in the village and the grocery store is located on the ground floor. “We wanted to provide a business for the family and a service for the village,” the mayor said in a recent interview. The house is being renovated through a programme run by Junta de Castilla y Leon, and the premises on the ground floor will be set up with the support of the local authorities in Palencia.

blow for Airbnb, which said in a statement: “City Hall representatives have made clear that they support regular people sharing their homes, and we hope to work together on a better way forward that supports families in Barcelona.” Before the introduction of the temporary law, Airbnb hosted roughly 1.5 million guests annually in the Catalan capital and had nearly 20,000 active listings.

Home Truths

There is some cause for optimism with a construction ‘bounce-back’ in the second-half of 2020. COAATIEA president, Martin Pomares, said: “The last three months of the year saw work started on 1,074 homes in Alicante Province, with a 12.5% rise on new builds compared to the three months between July and September.” In contrast, new inland projects across the region actually produced a 40% increase on the 2019 figures.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

February 11th - February 24th 2021

Pizza the action

Spain record lowest number of tourists in five decades

On the right track CUSTOMERS raced to get cut price tickets for Spain’s bullet train rail service following its launch. By midday last Monday, customers had snapped up 33,390 tickets for the new AVLO service between Madrid and Barcelona, with tickets going for as little as €5 for journeys of over 600km. The high speed train will see customers race full steam ahead, travelling 390 miles in under three hours. The trains, which travel at 330 km per hour, mean that travellers can leave Madrid and arrive in Barcelona three hours later. The fastest trains take two and a half hours. The AVLO service,which is operated by state rail operator Renfe, will operate four daily return journeys per day from June 23. The promotional low cost tickets were sold to mark the 80th anniversary of Spanish state operator Renfe.

THE number of tourists visiting Spain last year was the lowest in five decades, new figures have revealed. Spain’s tourism sector plummeted by nearly 80% compared to 2020. The country, which usually sees 75 million visitors a year, suffered from a drop in tourism triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Visitor numbers tumbled to just 19million in 2020 - the

No go

lowest figures since 1969, according to the national statistics office INE. Despite the promise of

COVID-19 vaccinations, December was one of Spain’s worst months for tourism on record.

What a beaut THE Andalucian city of Cordoba has been voted the most beautiful in Spain in a recent online survey. The study was carried out on the popular travel and culture website Lonely Planet's social media platforms. The site gathered the results of 52,000 responses who were asked to choose between the cities of Alcala de Henares, Avila, Baeza, Caceres, Cordoba, Cuenca, Ibiza, Merida, Salamanca, San Cristobal de La Laguna, Santiago de Compostela, Segovia, Tarragona, Toledo and Ubeda. All of the chosen cities currently hold certification as a World Heritage Site. Thanks to its stunning architecture and picturesque infrastructure, Cordoba took the top spot, with the site calling it "a stunning and historically rich city that transports the visitor between medieval Spain and modern

International travel to the country fell 85% lower than it was in December 2019 after authorities imposed new travel restrictions to curb the spread of the new variant in COVID-19 infections. Spending was also down, with tourists visiting in December bringing in just €19.7 billion euros to Spain’s economy - 78.5% less than the year previous.

Decimated

Andalucian culture." The world's leading travel website will publish a feature on Cordoba next month, showing the city's charms to an audience of millions across the globe. This recent victory boosts Cordoba's presence as one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Southern Spain. Last month, the city was welcomed into the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (WTO).

Spain’s economy continues to be one of the hardest hit as travel restrictions decimate the once lucrative travel industry. France overtook Britain as Spain's most important source of tourists last year, accounting for 3.9 million arrivals, a 65 percent decline over 2019. Around 14 percent of Spanish hotel jobs, or 190,000 posts, were cut in 2020, according to Spanish union CCOO.

SPAIN’S largest pizza chain, Telepizza, has launched a fully vegan menu complete with plantb a s e d meat and dairyf r e e cheese toppings. Branded as Las Veguis, the new menu features vegan cheese made by Violife, along with NoPollo vegan chicken and NoPicada vegan ground meat made by Dutch brand The Vegetarian Butcher. Prices will be the same as for its other more traditional animal-based options. Vegan fast food arrived at the big fast-food outlets in 2019, as Taco Bell added vegan beef made with a mixture of oats, beans, and peas. Papa John's last year launched two vegan pizzas as demand for the option increased from customers. Telepizza's Nacho Martin said: “We have had vegetarian items on our menus for years, but to create something that is 100% suitable for vegans, we worked with companies who have considerable experience of what is needed”.

PAIN is an art aficionado’s paradise with three of the most famous museums in the world clustered in its capital alone. Madrid is known as the Golden Triangle of Art for its monumental Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. But for a real brush with genius there’s nothing like a prowl round the homes of the artists themselves. An intriguing alternative to the typical grand establishments,

these casa museos reveal a more personal side to the maestros who once lived there, providing a privileged glimpse into their psyches through the objects that were part of their everyday lives. Spain is generously appointed with these intimate treasures houses, which can be found everywhere from the major cities to the tiniest pueblos. Art connoisseur or merely nosy, here are six house museums in Spain you should definitely take a peek at.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

At Home with the Maestros Explore six artists’ house-museums in Spain for a Through the Keyhole experience with knobs on, writes Cristina Hodgson

l Greco Museum (Toledo): The home of celebrated Mannerist painter El Greco (Greece 1541 – Toledo, 1614) His house no longer exists today but its precise historic replica has been created 200 metres from the original site. Located in Toledo’s old Jewish Quarter, it showcases many of El Greco’s later paint-

Fundació Pilar y Joan Miró (Palma de Mallorca): A modern museum built around the studio and finca of Joan Miro (Barcelona, 1893 – Palma, 1983). Miro found inspiration in Mallorca at the age of 63, where the painter-sculptor-ceramicist had his dream workshop designed by his friend, the Spanish starchitect Josep Lluís Sert. Miro bought the house in Cala Major in 1956 where he lived until his death, after which the premises was enlarged to hold a permanent exhibition of his works. His graffiti can still be seen on the walls and his studio has been left untouched since his death, with work in progress, open tins of paint and black smudges all over the floor.

ings - works which puzzled his contemporaries but have gained newfound appreciation in the 20th century for their dramatic expressionism. The 16th century clone home also showcases furniture and local pottery from the period as well as works by some of El Greco’s disciples, such as Luis Tristan.

alvador Dali House Museum (Portlligat): The residence of Dali (Figueras 1904-1989) from 1930 until the death of his wife and muse Gala in 1982. Dali was drawn to the landscape, the light and the isolation of Portlligart, a small village on the Girona coast, and set up home in a fisherman’s shack. Over time he purchased other neighbouring cottages, creating a labyrinthine house. Unsurprisingly, his taste in home decor is as surreal as his paintings, with countless stuffed animals. The polar bear decked out in gaudy necklaces standing in welcome at the entrance maintains Dali’s special blend of eccentricity and flamboyance. Not to be outdone, his wife has her own place. The Gala Dali Castle House-Museum at Pubol occupies an 11th century castle redecorated by Dali as her monument and mausoleum. Don’t miss the Gala Bath and Dali’s signature elephants-on-stilts sculptures rampaging through the garden.

IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE As a road user you’re accustomed to expecting the unexpected. However, if you have concerns about the impact of Brexit or the Coronavirus pandemic may have on insurance policies, Línea Directa would like to reassure its customers that their car insurance policies are one constant to be relied on in these uncertain times.

UK DRIVING LICENSE If you have lived in Spain for at least 6 months, your UK driving license must be exchanged for a Spanish driving license before 30th June 2021. You need to book an appointment at your nearest DGT (Departamento General de Trafico) by calling 060 or via their website. You will need your NIE document to do this.

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