The
OLIVE PRESS
Your expat
voice in Spain
VALENCIA / COSTA AZAHAR FREE Vol. 1 Issue 1 www.theolivepress.es November 26th - December 9th 2020
Lockdown Lock-in EXCLUSIVE
COUNTDOWN TO BREXIT
Don’t forget The new rules allowing you to drive in Spain until next summer Page 6
UNABLE to have his regular Friday night down the boozer during lockdown, expat Conor Wilde hit on a novel idea for this one - to build his own pub! The Irish expat, 46, got his mates over and converted his garden shed into what he claims is Spain’s smallFORGET THE DRAUGHT: Conor est watering hole. Measuring 2.4m by 2.5m, it counts and pals at makeshift local
on a cornucopia of Emerald Isle collectibles… and it even has Guinness on draught. “After being cooped up like a man in solitary in March I came up with a plan,” the Valencia-based real estate consultant told the Olive Press. “I had an old shed in the garden. I got the lads over – Tuejar, El Gallego & Champ – and we set about
VALENCIA remains open for visitors, with COVID restrictions more relaxed than most other regions, insists tourist chiefs. The city has been praised by businessmen and tourists alike for its
“Life goes on and we must move forward,” insisted Antonio Bernabé, director of the Turismo Valencia Foundation, to the Olive Press, this week. “We have struck a good balance be-
turning it into Spain’s smallest pub. And if I say so myself, we’ve done a grand job.” Called El Irlandes, after his favourite Martin Scorsese film, it happily fits his closest pals in for the usual Friday night Blarney. Wilde, from Skerries, near Dublin, has run the Found Valencia agency for two decades.
Valencia is open! By Eugene Costello
‘sensible’ approach, which has kept the economy running as best as possible.
Back to Blanca How Amy’s guitar-maker from Valencia won over the world Page 15
tween keeping life normal and keeping it safe.” While tourism is down 80% on last year, the tourist boss says all activities, including cinemas and museums, are open. Best of all, unlike much of Spain, locals and tourists must only stay in between midnight and 6am. “It’s a great time to discover the city as there are no queues,” adds Bernabe. “We take the pandemic seriously, but we also believe in the right to have a full life.” Currently few places in the Comunidad face tough restrictions due to high infection rates. The city meanwhile, has developed an activity card called Valencia On, an app anyone can download, not just aimed at tourists.
Blueprint
Palace con A bunch of crooks tried to sell my hotel for a song Page 16
The word on the streets BEST FOOT FORWARD: The Olive Press Valencia team getting the message out around the city this week
Lifting the Val Is Baqueira really Spain’s top skiing resort? Page 20
Oh la landing Brexit!
Tel: 952 147 834
See pages 24 & 11
TM
A TRADE deal between the EU and Britain is on the verge of being finalised, after the EU looked set to cave in on fishing rights. An MEP broke ranks to say that it looked likely the French would have to compromise with Boris Johnson’s demands over UK waters. Christophe Hansen said the EU would have to meet the UK’s demands to clinch an agreement. "There will be compromises to be made on fisheries. The status quo, that is somewhere we're not going to land,” he told an event. French fishermen are understood to have backed the compromise despite losing out on access to certain fishing grounds. It came after the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier demanded the need to com-
By Dilip Kunar
promise in order to get an agreement. France had previously been refusing to back down on any fishing deal, demanding near-parity to the UK’s coastal waters. It comes as the governor of the Bank of England warned that a no-deal Brexit would be more economically damaging than COVID to the UK. Andrew Bailey said failure to get a deal signed would create a massive cross-border trade blockage and damage goodwill between Brussels and the UK for years. Meanwhile, Ireland leader Micheal Martin said on Monday he was hopeful that a Brexit deal would be completed this week.
Run by Visit Valencia it offers a huge range of discounts for museums, events, restaurants, transport and even hotels. You can find it at www. valenciaon.com, and it is completely free. Roland Wareham, 55, a company director from Andalucia, was impressed by how well the city was handling the pandemic. On a business trip from his native Mijas this week, he said: “I was struck by how normal life seemed. In Ruzafa, all the bars and restaurants were open, and the terraces were crowded with families and friends enjoying the al fresco lifestyle. “In Andalucia, meanwhile, bars and restaurants must close by 6pm, and my town is like a ghost town at night. “Valencia should serve as a blueprint for the rest of Spain.” Opinion, page 6
Taoiseach Martin said ‘by the end of this week we could see the outlines of a deal’. He said it would come down to ‘political will, both in the United Kingdom and I’m clear the political will is there from the European Union’. EU ambassadors were told over the weekend that a trade deal with Britain is on the verge of being finalised. They were told the majority of the 11 main negotiation issues have ‘joint legal texts with fewer and fewer outstanding points’. The European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, struck a positive note, saying: “After difficult weeks with very, very slow progress now we have seen in the last days better progress, more movement on important files. This is good.”
2
introduction
Joy of Six www.theolivepress.es
We’re here to make a change, as the Olive Press launches sixth paper in Spain IT has only taken 15 years, but the Olive Press finally has an edition in Valencia, one of Spain’s… no, Europe’s finest cities and regions. We hope you like our investigative, community newspaper, designed for expats of ALL nationalities around Valencia. It’s our sixth edition, having already established ourselves in Andalucia, Mallorca, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South and Gibraltar. With a dynamic mix of news stories, investigations, features, reviews and columns, we hope you find it entertaining and, above all, useful.
Soaring site Some of you will have been following us for years, via our website and Facebook page, which has 30,000 followers, many in the Valencia region. Our website www.theolivepress.es gets around 55,000 to 65,000 visitors a day and is in the Top 1000 best websites in the UK and Spain, and is in the top 20,000 leading sites in the world.
Our history
A Welcome
From Olive Press publisher Jon Clarke
Our team
Our product
Our lifeblood is not slick sales people and rock bottom ‘stack-em-high sell-emcheap’ deals. It’s simply good, solid editorial content. At least 50% of every paper. We employ over a dozen NCTJ-trained journalists and writers around Spain, capable of covering all the issues and events that matter. This includes earthquakes in Lorca, riots in Barcelona and the internment of dictator Franco in Madrid. But be it corruption, the environment, politics, your neighbours or simply your pets… we vow to cover it all. You are our eyes and ears and we expect you to contact us if you see something that needs tackling. Within reason, of course.
We ensure a ratio of 50% advertising to 50% editorial, which means we can guarantee a better presentation of adverts than our rivals... not to mention a much longer shelf-life for our product. We can complement this with articles about your businesses, written by our team of journalists, which we can also publish online with permanent do-follow links for no extra charge. In addition, we are using a reliable team of distributors to ensure the paper gets out into all the key towns and resorts from Pucol to Peniscola and L’Eliana to Gandia. Let us know if you would like the papers… and, above all, if you would like to promote your business through these pages.
All ears
H
ello, and welcome to the Valencia edition of the Olive Press, founded over 14 years ago and with this, achieving its sixth regional edition. It’s a brand I am proud to be representing here in Valencia. Earlier this year, Google recognised its pioneering journalism with an award, a substantial grant under its Google News Initiative and a six-star status placing it alongside brands such as Sky News. Meanwhile Rough Guide dubbed it ‘the best English newspaper in Spain’.
LAUNCH
Our successes include a twoyear campaign into danger drug Nolotil, the end of a 2,000-home golf mega-project by a Natural Park in Ronda and the location of a trio of Britain’s Most Wanted criminals, including the fastest-ever arrest from a UK Crimestoppers appeal. Most recently, our Fight the Power campaign to stop a ‘motorway of power lines’ across Granada finally drew blood - with the multi-million euro scheme getting blocked (see report online). We have highlighted the lies of politicians, exposed conmen and fraudsters and won awards for our environmental campaigning.
2007 In 2006 the Olive Press launched its first issue in Andalucia In 2007 the Olive Press launched its website theolivepress.es
Property Magazine
2014 Property olive press
the
Dream www.theolivepress.es
March 19th - April 1st 2015
TEAMWORK: Publisher Jon Clarke with sales boss Charlie, Valencia editor Eugene and sales rep Melissa
A
Issue 314
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Pueblo Perfect
March 2019
I
F you’re looking for a typical Andalucian town to charm your socks off then further than white-washed Mijas. look no The classic hilltop town, just a stone’s throw from the Costa del Sol, is quintessentially Spanish and packed full of surprises. Discovered by the globe’s more bohemian artists and writers in the 1950s and 60s, it was immortalised in Ronald Fraser’s 1973 book, The Pueblo, and continues to cast a spell on visitors today. A recent €4.7 million renovation which saw the main square transformed beyond recognition has helped (and for that you the EU, which coughed up 70% ofcan thank the funding). If you are visiting on a clear day, don’t forget to enjoy the jaw-dropping views of from the cliff-edge view point on thethe coast of the pueblo - although you mightoutskirts have to wait for snappy happy Instagram ‘influencers’ to end their posing session before you can
19
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Steaming ahead
The secret Spanish homes of a dozen leading celebrities
PagE 6
45 years as an agent
come true ORIGINAL: This stylish villa, designed by renowned architect Angel Taborda could be yours for just €4.7 million and complete with waterfall pool through Andalucia Development and mature garden,
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In 2014 the Olive Press launched its first stand alone Property Magazine
Mallorca launch
2017
Gib issue 1
2015 WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE
GIBRALTAR
Crosshead
1
New quality homes since 1958
Mallorca’s original community newspaper Vol. 1 Issue 1
Lordy Lordy!
A who’s who of the island raise money for expats
Page 3
www.theolivepress.es
971 706 972 taylorwimpeyspain.com
April 27th - May 10th 2017
Listen up
Expat bar owners protest over draconian sound limiters stopping music quieter than a
Ring any bells? vacuum cleaner Rocker’s villa going for a song on Mallorca
Olive Press launch coincides with Palma boat show
I
t’s the most exciting launch to hit the island in a decade! The first edition of the Mallorca Olive Press is now on the loose… and totally free! Already voted the best expat paper in Spain, we now promise to deliver the news that really matters in Mallorca. Available in the four corners of the island, we also vow to deliver a blend of irresistible, entertaining and informative features… as well as campaigning on key issues and problems. Aimed at the huge foreign market in Mallorca, the readers will be a healthy mix of Scandinavian, Dutch and Germans… not to mention the British and Irish, of course.
Pride
By Laurence Dollimore
Page 4
AROUND 100 island bar owners and entertainers are expected to stage a silent protest today after being forced to install new ‘THEY’RE KILLING US’: Singer Steffi (right) and bar owners €3,000 sound limiters. fear for the future marched down to Calvia town It comes after Calvia Council hall to petition the mayor, oped nodules, making them unimposed draconian new rules, where they were met by Guarable to perform. in effect from May 1, in a bid to dia Civil, police and a TV crew. “It’s affecting our work and ‘reduce noise pollution’. They plan to return at 3.30pm health,” she added, “It could But British and Spanish busiworks today (Thursday), when the ness owners say the new laws fine and I have never had a prevent us singing.” councillors discuss the new are ‘killing’ the party hotspot complaint,” said owner of During a meeting of 100 busiThe OP’s roundup of Spain’s limiters, in the hope they can ness owners and performers, and are ‘prejudicing’ live music Stepps, Dave Woodward, 59. most corrupt politicians change their minds. and karaoke venues. Meanwhile, British singer Steffi attended by the Olive Press, the If unsuccessful, all venues The new limit is - incredibly Lorena, 25, claims the limits group blasted the council for Page 6 around Calvia will be ordered the level of an air conditioning are affecting the livelihoods of ‘giving in’ to tourists who come to install the limiters through unit at 100 feet and less than a performers. “It’s impossible to to the party areas for a quiet the same engineering company vacuum cleaner. sing within the new limits,” the holiday. by May 1. “This could put us out of busiowner of Santa Ponsa’s Retro “The council are protecting the Once installed, the device auwrong people,” one exclaimed, ness, it’s unreal,” Fennigan’s bar told the Olive Press. tomatically turns down music bar owner Mick Cormican, 55, “We opened in February and I “They are protecting two Brits if it goes over 62 decibels, detold the Olive Press. was forced to fork out €3,000 who come for a quiet holiday scribed as ‘restaurant conversa“A car going by is louder than on a new limiter and if we have and complain about the noise, tion or background music’ by the limit, it’s particularly prejua loud crowd or they start clap- it’s a disgrace!” industrialnoisecontrol.com. dicial to live music and karaoke ping the music goes down and One bar owner, on the island for Those going over the limit will 15 years, claimed the council is Editor Jon Clarke reviews Spain’s bars as they simply cannot peryou have to strain to be heard. face hefty fines, with some alalleged best restaurant form within the sound limit.” “It’s got to a point where it is being manipulated by hotels legedly already being fined A collective of 20 business ownactually damaging performers, and clubs who want to drive Page 28 €6,000. business away from the bars. ers and entertainers yesterday it’s not worth it.” “I already have a limiter that Some local singers have devel- “The new rules are twisting the spirit of EU rules, and instead of helping us, they are punishing us,” he said. “We will be forced to keep noise levels lower than in the indusDE MALLORCA trial areas… the rules are impossible to comply with and we fear police are likely to fine anyone who fights back!” He alleged that clubs sell tickets MORE from stands without the correct revenue with licenses but that the authorities German clients! look the other way. Put your ads in “The council knows that the sale Tel: 951 979 221 | sales@oaklandfurniturespain.com stands from the clubs break the EL AVISO rules as they use secondary linewspaper! censes known as ‘Licencia complementaria’ when the primary license operating the business is CONTACT US closed,” he added. 971 619 234 See our adverts inside 661 901 290 Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma Opinion Page 6 Info@el-aviso.es
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After operating for a decade in Andalucia and Gibraltar, our team of professional journalists pride themselves on understanding the needs of our discerning readership. We also promise to ensure that our editorial takes up, at least, half of the paper and we will not jam it full of adverts, particularly of a sexual nature. Finally, we would like to thank everyone for making us feel so welcome from the moment we arrived. We now clearly understand why Mallorca is leading the way in Spain for property and tourism and why so many celebrities and dignitaries visit the island and make it their home. The incredible scenery, great local food, cosmopolitan feel, accompanied by the warmth of the locals makes it truly unique. It’s safe to say, we will be sticking around!
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Costa blanca SOUTH
2019 OLIVE PRESS
A VEGA Baja mayor has demanded €80m in flood aid for the devastated Murcia region. Los Alcazares leader Mario Perez Cervera insisted a major flood retention project should be implemented urgently to prevent the sort of serious flooding that happened in September. He told the government in Madrid this week that it is also vital to preserve the Mar Menor, which was badly hit by the so-called Gota Fria. the The week of heavy rain led to dedeaths of millions of fish and the struction of dozens of homes. to He insisted future floods needed Continues on Page 10
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Meanwhile Albert Rivera’s Ciuto dadanos will be reduced from 57 to 14. In the 40dB poll Vox is setthe gain 14% of the vote, alongside PP in second place with 21.2% and 91 seats and the PSOE coming first with 27.3% and 121 votes. The PSOE’s predicted victory would see the party with two less seats than in April’s last election, its prompting another headache for to leader Pedro Sanchez as he tries form a government. Opinion page 6
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ANXIOUS expats breathed a sigh of relief this week after Parliament voted to wrestle back control of the Brexit process in yet another humiliation for Theresa May. The fresh blow for the British Prime Minister has put the future of million expats in Europe firmly intoa the hands of MPs, who are expected to vote against a hard Brexit. It comes after thousands of expats joined a million marchers at a mas-
What drove this expat to cut off his member? Page 7
expat
Costa Blanca home is voted best in Europe Page 20
Olive Press reviews Madrid’s hot new hotel Page 26
Border battle as nuisance neighbour forced to cut down intrusive cypress trees
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PROTEST: Puns, pets and expats were all in attendance at the antiBrexit march in London at the weekend
AN expat is celebrating after his nuisance neighbour was told to trim a row of ‘intrusive’ trees, following an Olive Press probe. American expat Gordon Capps, 59, is overjoyed after police confirmed they had ordered his Portuguese neighbour to cut the line of cypress trees to just 1.5 metres in height. Capps had sought our help after the ‘disturbed’ 30-something neighbour planted a dozen trees alongside his garden fence, threatening to block his stunning views of the Sierra de Bernia y Ferrer. The 59-year-old film worker said the move was the ‘last straw’ in a bizarre ongoing feud with the neighbour, who he claims recently approa- CONCERNED: Capps points at home of his ‘threatening’ ched him with a rifle on his and armed neighbour who worked as a prop master shoulder. everything about it, except Benissa last March with his “It feels like he’s putting up 12 for CSI Las Vegas, told the that one thing.” French wife Catherine, a retimiddle fingers at us,” Gordon, Olive Press. “We love this place, we love Capps, from Los Angeles, red yoga teacher. bought his stunning villa in But things quickly began to
UK BASED
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
sive anti-Brexit protest in London at the weekend. “It was great to be there making history I hope,” said Sue Wilson of Bremain in Spain. “It is not the first time we have ted with our feet, but it was our vobiggest ever march contingent,” she added. “It was a sign of commitment that so
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Wallet police. the hotels and eshave Two months on, Lee told the OlThe consulate email also stated ive Press a request for ‘a ground tablishmentsof PhilPhilip was carrying neither his search and sniffer dogs’ has gone seen a sign passport nor his wallet when unanswered, while the family are ip.” has family The he was taken by a stranger to left searching for answers. putBenidorm’s Policia Nacional sta- “We just need closure on wheth- spent weeks and tion in the Old Town just after er my dad is still alive or not,” ting up postersflyers handing out midnight, as CCTV footage con- Lee said. of his missing father firms. “But apart from claiming to have However, what is not clear is how sent out some drones to look, around Benidorm details. and why he was allowed to leave the police don’t seem to be doing with contact A spokeswoman for the station three hours later. anything at all.” Consul“The police are simply not an- It comes as scores of British res- the British Olive swering our questions,” son Lee idents have spent weeks search- ate told the not Pearce, 41, told the Olive Press ing for signs of the grandfa- Press it ‘does last night.
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September 2015 saw the Olive Press launch its first Gibraltar edition
Page 14
comment on individual cases’ A DANGEROUS lurch to the right tated British great-grandfather such as Philip’s. could see Spain’s anti-immigrant to walk out of a police station A Policia Nacional spokesman Vox party becoming the kingmakinto the dead of night alone. ers in this weekend’s general elecclaimed ‘helicopters’ had been The family of pensioner Philip tion. a drink (above), while scrambled to search for Philip on of Pearce, 68, are demanding an- DISAPPEARED: Philip Pearce enjoying The massive surge - off the back pensioner in Alicante Airport various Benidorm hillsides. swers from Benidorm police over (above right) the last picture of the the recent Catalan crisis and a fear However, he failed to answer why he was released on Septemther-of-three. the exact details of Islam - could see the party seiz“It’s absolutely gut-wrenching for Owner of Alicante Transfers, questions about ber 10, at 3am. ing 15% of the seats in Parliament. knowing where of his release from the station or They now fear for his life after he us as a family, notdisappeared. The expected gains will seriously David McQueen, said he has whether sniffer dogs and ground has been missing for an alarming he is and why he home so badly. I spent ‘four to five’ hours every searches had been deployed or damage centre-right Ciudadanos, “I just want him two months. which could lose over half its seats, day scouring abandoned build- would be soon. communities while the ruling PSOE and left wing And in a shocking email from the miss him so much.” to be suffering ings and travellerBlanca. Podemos are also expected to sufCosta British Consulate, seen by the Philip was known signs of demen- around the my dog out with a Have you seen Philip? Get fer. Olive Press this week, there are from the early at newsdesk@ and smiling’ “I even sent every in touch Vox, which has pledged to ‘defend’ suggestions of a breach of duty tia, but was ‘happy a GoPro camera to search in but theolivepress.es Spain from immigrants, is predictwhen he left for Alicante with of care. bush and in every corner, partner. the travelling and reveals ed to finish third in the country’s friend nothing,” McQueen The official email a good holiday we’ve found fourth general election in as many pensioner had clearly told police He was having Playa Levante said. years. he ‘did not remember where he until he left hison September 9 “I’ve got 130 taxi led The latest polling suggests Vox, was staying’ nor where he was hotel at 5.30pm before he lost drivers who start by Santiago Abascal, will increase to buy cigarettes and finish England. 4am in parat from 350-seat Spain’s in to seats its 24 his bearings and was taken at 2am, but none of liament to 46.
which has caused controversy in recent years due to its environmental impact – took place. Then, as the crowds gazed up at the red and white speckled sky, Tina Turner’s Simply the Best blasted through the sound system, signalling the start of an almighty party.
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Politicians call for British gunships permanently stationed in Gibraltar to be during defiant National Day speeches DEFIANT calls for British Navy battleships to be stationed in Gibraltar By Tom Powell have been made during a raucous got the biggest cheer, when he National Day rally. insisted the Royal Navy should - once A group of 11 British politicians de- again - have battleships livered rip-roaring speeches focuspermanentsing on recent tensions with Spain ly stationed in Gibraltar. “The people of Gibraltar are a part and backing Gibraltar’s right to of self the Great British determination. family and I would like to see a battleship here to appreThe Casemates crowd – a sea of red hend any Spanish and white – echoed the patriotic ship to illegally sentiments as Chief Minister Fabian enter British waters,” he said. Picardo delivered the final address, Democratic Unionist MP Ian Paisley also insisted centering around a salute to CAPTION: Caption the ‘senior’ member it was time that a ‘evacuation generation’ of 75 years of the Royal family visited the Rock. ago. “These are our international waters, finally vowed to increase National Linking it to the current refugee Day celebrations in years to come. sis engulfing Europe, he vowedcri- this is our country, these are our “National help as much as possible under to people and we must support them,” diminished.Day will never ever be the he roared in a rousing In fact, it will only get plea that ‘sharing is caring’. address. bigger. We stand together, red white “We will never surrender this rock!” But it was Conservative MP and free!” he bellowed. for After waving a letter Romford, Andrew Rosindell, who of ‘best wishes’ from the Queen, the Chief Minister Following the speeches, the traditional releasing of the balloons –
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Demands for €80m flood aid
The Rock’s leader was talking alongside his lawyer wife Justine ahead of his key speech at National Day, one of the ‘most significant ever’. He told the Olive Press: “It is particularly auspicious this year with the day commemorating the 75th anniversary of great evacuation of the Rock, as well as coming in the same week the Queen becomes the UK’s longest serving monarch.” A key highlight of his week was watching one of his favourite bands Kings of Leon at the Gibraltar Music Festival. “Not at the front as I would have got crushed,” he joked. “But I was blown away when to be onI saw everyone’s hands in the N o v e m -air for Sex on Fire, the best ber 20,rock song of the last decade.” he said:As for a date for his first re“ T h eelection contest, rumoured only person who knows is my wife, but we will be announcing it soon.”
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FIRST Minister Fabian Picardo has given a warm welcome to the Olive Press’ launch in Gibraltar. The father-of-two saluted the paper’s original reporting and insisted his government would give its full support to aid our growth in the enclave. “I am delighted to cooperate and to ensure you receive all the help you need to inform those who choose the Olive Press for their news. “Welcome to the media stable in Gibraltar.”
April 27th - May 10th 2017
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Mijas is a suprisingly authentic village with a buzzing coastline, discovers Laurence Dollimore
the olive press - March 19th - April 1st 2015
20 - Page Special
Mijas
ll about
Vol: 14
PagE 2
The
Eugene Costello
2009
Fit for a star
Right turn
Jon has written about Spain for the UK media for two decades, as well as appearing in various documentaries, including a recent Netflix one on missing Maddie McCann. He lives in Ronda with his wife and two children.
First supplement
www.theolivepress.es
HORRIFIC: Millions of fish died
Don’t hesitate to contact me at Jon@theolivepress.es
2006
Website
Crimestoppers
Pride
Ruzafa
Our history so far
Property expert Mark Stucklin on how the market is suddenly gathering speed with help from the British market
And, all the while, alongside articles promoting the very best of Spain. I take great pride in launching our sixth paper here in Valencia, an area I look forward to getting to know better. I’m already in love with your architecture and your paellas and I look forward to learning about all the best places to eat, visit and stay, while keeping my journalists busy with plenty of things to write about. Remember a local paper is only as good as its readers.
I met the founder Jon earlier this year while working on a UK national newspaper investigation. I began to tell him of my love for Valencia, having relocated to Ruzafa earlier this year (just in time for lockdown – see Going Euge, p22). We began to hatch a plan and this is the result. YOUR newspaper for YOUR community. If you like what we are doing, let us know. And the same if you don’t! We’re all ears…
Editor, Valencia edition Eugene@theolivepress.es
I set up the Olive Press in Spain in 2006 after seeing a huge gap in the market when it came to local media. Having worked for many years as a journalist in London (much at the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday), I could see that expats on the costas were sick of the cheap and tawdry downmarket local press that existed here. There were too many rags only serving the purposes of their owners, with all too frequently racist editorials. Quite simply, the huge expat population of Spain was NOT being represented. Nobody was exploring their problems, fighting their corner, listening to their plight. And that is what good local media does. I’m not saying we work miracles, but good journalists can probe the authorities and ask awkward questions.
November 26th - December 9th 2020
and get the most success in your task
go awry with his neighbours, who he insists refused to be friendly ‘from the outset’. Capps, who trained as a paramedic, claims the neighbour’s four dogs barked continually and their owner hid inside the house whenever approached. Despite calling in the Guardia Civil to investigate and contacting the mayor of Benissa for help, he said the neighbour refused to negotiate a compromise. A letter to the town hall, seen by the Olive Press, pleaded for help, insisting the man was deliberately threatening them and that he carried a gun.
Gun
As well as asking the town hall to check if he had a licence for the rifle, the September 2018 missive asked if local police could speak to him about his dogs. Capps claimed he was ‘worried for his life’ and that the neighbour appeared to have ‘mental health issues’. Another neighbour, Spaniard Jaime Serra Ortola, 43, has also denounced the neighbour for ‘death threats’ against him and his dog. “I’ve denounced him countless times and the police have twice been round. It’s fair to say he is unhinged,” he told the Olive Press.
The feud began when Capps put up a low bamboo fence to create some privacy from the neighbour who spied on him while swimming, and then reacted furiously, screaming ‘this is war!’ Capps now fears the trees will not only block his view, but the roots could destroy his pool. The Olive Press was unable to speak to the neighbour, despite various visits.
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NEWS
www.theolivepress.es FIVE Barn owls have been introduced to a Marina Alta farming community as part of a major plan to enhance the flora and fauna of the area. The village of Jesus Pobre, two kilometres from Gata de Gorgos (Alicante), is involved in a project to restore species that are vital to farming ecosystems.
RESTORED: Barn Owls
Role replacement MALLORCA local Mads Mikkelsen (pictured) has been tipped to replace Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts film. Depp was axed from the cast of the latest Harry Potter spin-off when he lost his trial against The Sun newspaper, who called him a ‘wifebeater’ in 2018. The court found the claims made about Depp, 57, were ‘substantially true’ following statements from his wife Amber Heard, 34. After featuring in films such as Casino Royale, Mikkelsen is now director David Yate’s firm favourite to take over the role. No stranger to the Balearic Islands, Mikkelsen snapped up a luxury pad in the heart of Mallorca several years ago. Situated in the trendy Santa Catalina area, the Danish expat relocated several years ago.
What a hoot! That includes the barn owls who are seen as a useful way of combating pests that destroy crops. Nesting boxes will be put up close to farmland to encourage kestrels, bats, and red-tailed scrub robins to make the area their home. Population monitoring is planned to check out the success of the initiative.
Asthmatic actress
As The Crown hits TV screens again, Diana actress Emma Corrin reveals her on set health struggles while filming in Spain STAR of The Crown Emma Corrin has revealed she was hospitalised when filming the hit Netflix drama in Spain. The actress, who plays Princess Diana in the newly released fourth season of the show, said she had been suffering from asthma and a severe cough and stopped at a hospital for antibiotics. It was there that doctors refused to let Corrin, 24, leave as her oxygen levels had become worryingly low.
By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
It came after Corrin had filmed an underwater scene for The Crown in a freezing cold swimming pool in Spain where the show had spent two months filming in a bid to recreate Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1983 tour of Australia. And this was not the first time the show had come to the Costa del Sol. An airport scene
Marian’s dreams fulfilled
DREAMS: Marian Avila was honoured
A SPANISH model with Down’s syndrome has received a prestigious award for being ‘an example to follow’. Marian Avila, aged 23, picked up the 2020 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy award in a ‘virtual’ ceremony hosted in Denver earlier this month. She shared the honour with actor Caterina Scorsone from the popular TV series Grey’s Anatomy. Marian Vila said: “People with Down’s syndrome can achieve as much as anybody else. My motto is I can. “We can all fulfil our dreams and I am very happy and honoured to have receive such an important award.”
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BREATHLESS: Corrin for season three was shot in Torremolinos’ congress centre. The show has recently come under fire for straying from alleged real life events. Biographer Penny Junor, who has been covering the royal family for around four decades, told reporters: “Peter Morgan [director] has invented stuff to make expensive and very rich drama. It’s the most cruel and unfair and horrible portrayal of almost all of them.” Historians have raced to point out fabrications in the latest series’ script including the royal family intentional attempt to humiliate Margaret Thatcher at Balmoral and Princess Margaret mocking Princess Diana for not being able to curtsey. “Sometimes you have to forsake accuracy, but you must never forsake truth,” said Morgan in response.
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Don’t sashay DON’T ‘sashay away’ from your sofa because RuPaul’s Drag Race has announced it’s coming to Spain. The reality-competition show follows a group of elite drag artists as they battle it out to be crowned the drag scene’s next superstar. Commissioned by the suitably sassily named media company ¡Hola Hola Hola!, alongside Spanish broadcaster Atresmedia, the show will be titled Drag Race Spain and promises an ‘update’ on the show’s classic format. Drag Race Spain joins a long line of international spin-offs, including Drag Race Thailand, Canada’s Drag Race, Drag Race Holland and The Switch Drag Race from Chile. And RuPaul is not the only hit-show to announce its expansion to a Spanish network lately. Love Island Spain was announced by ITV back in September, so there will be plenty to keep viewers entertained in 2021. SASSY: Ru Paul
Sea legs
STRETCH: Rodriguez
GEORGINA Rodriguez has taken yoga to the high seas. Posing in blue athletic wear, the 26-year-old model proved boyfriend Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, isn’t the only one with sporting skills as she showed off her ability to perform the splits. She captioned the Instagram snap: 'Entre el mar y el cielo', meaning 'between the sea and the sky'.
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NEWS
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NEWS IN BRIEF Shooting arrests A COUPLE, 48 and 35, have been arrested after the death of a 44-year-old man with three gunshot wounds at Denia Hospital.
Plastic fantastic VALENCIA supermarket giant Mercadona is to invest €140m in five years to wage war on plastic in an initiative called ‘Saying Yes to Taking More Care of our Planet’.
Bells ring out THE bells of Santa Catalina, known as the Bride of Micalet, have once again started tolling after 100 years, restored to their original purpose.
Not caring AN old people’s home in la Pobla de Vallbona registered 10 of 18 daily deaths in the Community this week, while once again the Community passed the “2,000 cases in one day” mark.
CHRISTMAS celebrations in Valencia will definitely face restrictions on numbers. The current rules only allow for a maximum of six people to get together. Valencian Community president, Ximo Puig, said that capacity numbers for the holiday will be announced in early December, That will be around the time when the night curfew and regional border closure By Laurence Dollimore
GREEN campaigners are rejoicing after plans to erect over 100 giant pylons were effectively sparked out this week in Andalucia. In a shock win, they thanked the Olive Press for its year-long campaign to stop the ‘motorway of power lines’ through two iconic Granada valleys. Our Fight the Power campaign, launched in March 2019, strongly opposed the long lines of pylons and a giant electricity substation in the Alpujarras and Lecrin Valley. We were joined by celebrated writer Chris Stewart and pop star Dr Robert of the Blow Monkeys to oppose the ‘crazy abomination’. The battle erupted when locals unearthed energy giant Red Electrica’s state-funded plan to erect the 80 metre high structures, mostly on private land. Grassroots movement Di No a Los Torres (Say No to the Towers) was quick to argue the high voltage towers would have a ‘devastating effect’ on tourism, agriculture and health. After probing the shady interests behind the project, we managed to get the story print-
Bah humbug! have their current end date of December 9. Puig said: “You cannot take hasty decisions but we will not be having celebrations as normal. “We can’t say now what we will do as we have to study the coronavirus infection rates.”
November 26th - December 9th 2020
You’re brave
A national committee will try to see if all of Spain’s regions can adopt the same measures for the festive season with exceptions for areas with more serious health issues. “Christmas will be different this year but I believe the important thing is not so much how we celebrate it, but that we still feel the emotions of the time of year,” Puig added.
SHOCK WIN
SPAIN’S Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has penned a heartfelt letter to the 11-year-old victim of a vicious homophobic attack. The young boy had to be hospitalised after a bully called him a ‘fag**t’ and repeatedly punched him so hard he broke his nasal septum. The victim was attacked as he was leaving school in Cartagena, Murcia and had to undergo emergency surgery. “I am writing to send you my love,” Sanchez typed in his letter.
Fight the power! On the eve of Andalucia day, we look at the history of one its most famou s group of residents, gypsies See page 12
Wounds
Voted BEST
ELECT SHOCKREIC R FREE
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Celebrities join furious expa ts and local s to stop ‘abominati of pylons on’ set to ruin serie of celebrateds tourist valle ys
E SAVED: the stunning countryside and how it would have looked with pylons, and (right) our first front page 123 282 ed in the national newspapers ‘heedless destruction’ and rejected, 902accordshowed private interests ‘riding ing to campaigners this week. in the UK. Robert Howard, singer of roughshod over the will and “It’s great news,” Teresa McKeon told the Olive Press. the Blow Monkeys, who has rights of the people’. a home in the Lecrin Valley, Now the Junta de Andalucia “Thank you so much for all described the scheme as ‘rav- has effectively ruled that REE your articles and the campaign aging’ for the region saying it cannot build its second substa- you launched. would ‘have devastating conse- tion, which would connect the “We continue to work behind quences environmentally and long lines of pylons across the the scenes to try to safeguard region. the natural beauty of our economically’. Driving Over Lemons writ- A subsequent appeal by the landscape from this and other er Chris Stewart added it was electrical giant has also been threats.”
POWER
LESS: The
Black out
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POWER STRUGG LE: Christ Stewart and Dr Robert X-GENESIS (inset above) Stewart has drummer Chris Over joined the join long, ght against fi- gion Lemons novel made snaking a ‘motorwa power protest against famous the rey’ of growing added his dalucia’s iconiclines planned pylon project name for Ancollective Alpujarra EXCLUS The British expats battling of campaignto a s region. IVE author - whose By Tim McNulty ing These include the proposal While supposed Driving former 80s . tor Robert, ly necessar TM electricity star Doc- again private from the Blow y financial it is set to from Morocco to to take Howard, Monkeys, riding roughsho interests ruin the untouche Europe, are of the d over the Valley forwho has lived in the who d beauty li- ever,rights of the people,the will and sands area, enjoyed by Lecrin ve Press: two decades, ves in the tens of nature a wake leaving, as lovers each of thou- massive “The project told the OliThe Di No tion,” Stewart of heedless nearb year. A Las Torres pylons across to take these told the Olivedestruc- The Towers) an abomina L e c r i y this week. (Say No To group argues Press, tage tion. It will our valley is TM tating conseque V a l l e y n “One day the towers have high volting effect’ would have a ‘devastally and economi nces environmdevaswhich is, reasonable, tide will turn and entaprevail; but sustainable ways more ture, as wellon tourism and agricul“It’s a magical cally. also set to as health. place, a ‘Vale it’s back to seemingly not yet; will A petition has ppiness’, be badly Of HaThe outragethe barricades again.”so... a protest saw been launched, place of as the Moors called affected over comes it, a ple a thousand while vation. natural beauty and vealed energy march near after it was by See pages the ca conserpeo- “These the village re- char on 40 project. de España company Red ElectriSunday. of Congiant pylons (REE) plans The protest, a network landscape, “ O n c will scar to install expats of some 211 which e across could destroy the tourist business and children,included many giant pylons the two valleys. the many to stop es and ravage local environm is the scheme.the start of “There ent. the Blow Monkeys are singer Robert people - we no benefits at all *Offer e nds 30/ 11/18. N Ecotourism must fight to stopfor local ot valid them.” is vital to UK BASED for rene which was the wals. Su bject to nominate region, UNESCO conditio d as ns. in 2017, World Heritage sitea some of themainly for having world’s oldest ve groves. oliSome 245 Reliable private businesses for Spanish rural work 2/8/18 hire transfer tourism 17:01 services which is set and the valleyin for any occasion residents to have 109 pylons - receives • Luxury of the vehicles www.globelink an estimated 8,000 visitors • Door to door service .co.uk every weekend The figures • Airport collection which will for the Alpujarra . s • Weddings s, transport ching all the see pylons stret• Sightseein way to the g day trips 96 626 5000 ria border, • Restauran are certainly Almet shuttles +44 (0) 1353 higher. much See page 699082 Find out Scottish more at: 2 www.sim Keon, 49, expat Teresa Mcply-shuttl forefront who has been at the tel: 951 279 es.com 117 info@sim the Olive of the campaign, told ply-shuttl Press: “The es.com www.eliteglasscurt place is going whole ains.com it is just awful...to be destroyed it really is awful.”
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Holdups
A BRITISH expat couple ‘disaster’ after are facing ‘monstrous’ they learnt one of a to be built electricity masts (left)the in their back is Steve Holdup, garden. 61, who live 62, and wife Karen, near Orgiva,on a self sufficient lose their sole could ironically farm solar panels, source of power even from The retired which are in the way. from Cumbriateachers, who moved a decade they have ago, claim been kept energy company in the dark by out about the REE, and only found Steve told pylon from a friend. the Olive having a fantastic Press: house we “From from scratch rebuilt ended up with ten years ago, we’ve “We put all a disaster. and now we of our life saving into it a 220 volt face having to live tower directly with home.” behind our If built, the vice road willtower and adjoining sercut right field of 13 solar panels. through their “So somebody load of electricityin Germany gets a result of putting from Morocco of our house a tower at the as a back and we end the little electricity up losing ves.” He added: we have for oursel“It has been the most chevalier done in fashion you imagine. could
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“Now it is the turn of your friends and the public institutions to take care of those wounds that don’t wear bandages, the wounds of the heart. “To guarantee that you can return to class to enjoy and learn.” It comes after the boy’s sister told reporters that bullies ‘called him fag**t many times and always harassed him.’ Sanchez went on to call him brave for wanting to go back to school to study. “The brave like you are the ones who end up finding true happiness in life,” the PSOE leader wrote.
Opinion
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2/8/18 17:01
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STOP FAKING IT!
Grounded!
A JUMBO jet has burst out in flames at Castellon Airport. Plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the British Airways plane parked on the runway. Firefighters raced to tackle the blaze, which started just behind the cockpit of the Boeing 747-400.
The blaze was quickly contained and no injuries have been reported. It comes as British Airways retired a fleet of planes following a drop in demand for flights amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Bitter about BREXIT
November 26th - December 9th 2020
A NEW law has been introduced to better monitor ‘fake’ news stories in Spain. While the main target is foreign countries putting out disinformation, it will also look at false reporting domestically. It comes after government ministers were forced to deny incorrect reports of a September lockdown first published by an English-language freesheet and posted on its website. The law is an extension of a decree brought in by previous Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in March 2019. Officials were keen to point out that no censorship will take place but it allows the government to spring into action to
OLIVE PRESS
expat
By Alex Trelinski
counteract such ‘fake’ news. The European Commission has backed the move, with a spokesman, saying: “The measure guarantees that Spain is now part of the EU’s Action Plan against Disinformation.” Fingers have pointed to ‘fake’ campaigns coming from Russia in the 2016 US presidential election and last December’s general election in the UK. Spain’s deputy Prime Minister, Pablo Iglesias said: “The greatest threat to our democracy is the coup-plotting far-right and the behaviour of certain media groups that show contempt for the truth.”
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SWITCH: Chris swapping passports
FAMOUS expat author Chris Stewart is becoming Spanish. The Driving Over Lemons writer has revealed to the Olive Press he is giving up his British passport because of Brexit. “I’m becoming Spanish because I’m so incensed by the absurd nonsense of Brexit,” said the million-selling author, who lives near Granada. “I love England because I was born there, I think of the green hills of Sussex and Surrey and my heart skips a beat,” added the former Genesis drummer. “I shall be like that forever, but above all I want to be European.” Brit Stewart gained a huge following with his first book that charted his life as a ‘self sufficient’ sheep farmer in a remote part of the Alpujarras region. He has published three further books on his nearly three decade integration into Spain. Since 2016, more than 350,000 Britons have applied for non-UK passports. In Spain, dual nationality is not possible. So, residents must make the difficult choice of whether they wish to be considered Spanish or British post-Brexit.
Your voice in Spain
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NEWS FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION Cents and sensibility THE pandemic has taken a huge toll on Spain. While there have been 40,000 deaths from COVID-19 nationally, the Valencian Community has not been as dramatically hit as other communities, with a little more than 2,000 deaths. Every death is a tragedy, of course, but this must be seen in the context of other communities such as Madrid, with more than 11,000 deaths and Catalunya carding 7,500. There has also been a huge cost in terms of business, mental health and, distressingly, violence against women, as we report. Tourism, responsible for 11% of Spain’s GDP, is down 80% here in Valencia. Other communities have taken drastic measures, such as in Andalucia, where bars and restaurants have to shut by 6pm, leaving the streets deserted and like a ghost-town.
Level-headed
In contrast, the level-headed approach here allows businesses to stay open until 11pm, mitigating the disastrous economic fallout from the virus. The Olive Press wholeheartedly supports the pragmatic approach being adopted here. In an exclusive interview, director of Turismo Valencia, Antonio Bernabe, told us: “We take the pandemic seriously – but we take the right to have a full life seriously as well.” We couldn’t agree more. Pensat i Fet. When the Olive Press launched 14 years ago, it was a small, local paper in Ronda, up in the mountains of Andalucia. Today, we have SIX editions spanning Gibraltar, Andalucia, the Costa Blanca and Mallorca. The most recent launched this week in Valencia. We are super-excited about being here... and we hope you are, too. Let us know what you think, and enjoy the issue. Tot per l’aire…#
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ANON has landed
There’s a new show in town for deranged conspiracy theorists that makes Scientology seem like the Open University. Jo Chase gets her hands dirty by looking under the bonnet...
W
ELCOME to the world of lunatic conspiracy theories. And Q Anon might just be the daddy. In case it is yet to make it to you, QAnon is the codename of a high-ranking US intelligence officer – Q – who drip-feeds intelligence to followers. It centres on Trump’s ‘crusade’ to save the world from a Deep State where a satanic cabal of influential people - Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama among them - hide children in tunnels for the purposes of paedophilia and cannibalism. It also involves the gold standard being restored and, following a mysterious ‘reset’, a basic income being paid to all
HIDDEN DEPTHS: The remote town of Orgiva has found itself at home to many conspiracy theorists to the disgust of some residents
world citizens – known as ‘NESARA/ GESARA’ (National Economic Security and Recovery Act).
To most normal individuals it seems totally far-fetched, especially given newly ousted Trump’s record for cred-
No hard shoulder! EXIT COUNTDOWN TO BR
I
In the countdown to Brexit, Anne Hernandez looks at new rules to help UK drivers get their licences in check before January 1
N another eventful week for British expats, Spain announced new not issued with them until July this year. rules for exchanging your UK driving licence for a Spanish one There is obviously a misinterpretation of the rules somewhere before December 30. along the line and my group Brexpats in Spain continues to inform While the authorities are trying their hardest to cope with the in- the British Embassy of such discrepancies. creased demand, it has sent many of you into an understandable Another important issue is changes to some UK bank accounts dither because the info on the DGT traffic department’s website in and, while most UK nationals living in Spain will not see any English is anything but clear. change, some have been contacted to advise of changes, even inLet me clarify that the application to exchange must be presented cluding the closure of their accounts after December 31. to the DGT not later than December 30, either via the online portal, or by calling 060. It may also be possible to take the form into the DGT in person but Many of you are asking why some UK banks are closing accounts or phone to check with the office before wasting a journey. And remember, if you call 060, no English is spoken so information restricting their services and, ultimately, this depends on whether the bank can meet the Spanish regulatory rules. must be given clearly in Spanish using the phonetSome of you might need to consider other options ic alphabet to avoid any errors (a-Avila, b-Barcelona although it could cost more as some banks may etc). Some DGT charge more for providing an account or for certain The information requested is full name, NIE, date centres have transactions. of birth, driving licence number, telephone number, Other UK-based or international banks will be able email and the centre where you will present your been refusing to continue to provide bank accounts in sterling afapplication. ter Brexit so do make sure you check. The office will then check on the validity of your drivapplicants Options worth considering could be a digital bank ing licence and three days later, another call is necwithout a TIE (some do not allow direct debits in sterling), elecessary to be given the appointment. tronic money accounts, prepaid cards or a local I did it last Friday and got an appointment for TuesSpanish account. day this week. I was impressed! As long as the application has been submitted and the licence has In a very eventful 10 days we have also been notified that residents been verified by the end of the year, the appointment to exchange registered with an S1 as a UK pensioner need to apply online to renew their UK-issued EHIC. Their current card will not be valid after can be within the first six months of next year. So to confirm UK licence holders will be able to use their licences December 31.This only applies to UK-issued EHIC’s. And lastly, not much to report on the Brexit talks because this for six months to drive in Spain from January 1. However, I must week, at a crucial time, the EU negotiations have been temporarily draw your atten- suspended as one of the EU negotiators tested positive for COVID tion to the fact that and Boris Johnson is spending two weeks in isolation after meeting some DGT centres with a Tory MP who also tested positive. have been refusing If any deal is agreed it will clearly be taken to the wire and not applicants who do signed off until December 28 at the earliest. not have a TIE and Senior EU officials also report that several countries including others have been France, the Netherlands and Spain are worried that any last minute declined because deal could be worse for the bloc than a no-deal scenario and say the TIE is not older it is essential to make sure that the UK cannot undercut the bloc than six months, after it leaves. which is impossible since we were Visit www.brexpats.es for more information
Banking concerns
www.theolivepress.es
November 26th - December 9th 2020
7 Olive Press online
Expat leader Charlie Ward
The 60-year-old oil magnate, money and self-stated ex-cult member claim trader s that he has been down subterranean tunnels unregistered gold was stored, wher where e shops and houses exist, and people ride arou nd in golf carts. Such is the current popularity of Q – and ed theories - that Ward has gained 166,relatonline subscribers in five months and 000 11.5 million views (https://www.youtu user/drcharlieward). He also chargesbe.com/ an entry fee for his ‘club’. For some entrepreneurs, Q is a boost for business. Peggy Boer runs regular Q Parties at Los Caballos in Estepona, where guesCortijo €22 a ticket and €80 for a night’s accots pay mmodation to hear speakers like Charlie Ward . One such event, branded ‘Conspira cy Protocol’, attracted 95 guests and was atten by the Policia Nacional although they ded supposedly sent packing by the mas were conspiracy theorists (they don’t believe k-less in face coverings). Other popular QAnon themes – as seen in their videos – include anti-vaccination, tian religion, hydroxychloroquine (as Chrisfor Covid), the ‘plandemic’, Trump nota cure a woman-molester, the evil of Bill Gate being George Soros, the dangers of 5G and s and between ‘one world government or a choice There is also a strong pro-Brexit elem Trump’. ent.
ibility and coherence. But the movement’s supporters are deadly serious. QAnons claim that President John F Kennedy started the concept, although conveniently, as JFK was shot dead in 1963, he’s not around to confirm or refute this. But although its principles sound like the plot of a B-movie, QAnon has gained traction worldwide, with its supporters trying to decipher ‘Q drops’ and joining forces to fight against the satanic cabal. And while critics denounce Q fans as delusional, the QAnons claim that the public has been brainwashed by the ‘mainstream media’ (MSM). People are, in this respect, polarised in their opinions. Many describe QAnon as being ‘cult-like’. Now, remarkably, it has taken root in the alternative communities of Andalucia’s Alpujarras and is spreading like coronavirus throughout the Costa Del Sol and Costa Blanca. For its supporters, known as ‘QAnons’, it’s something to cling onto during the COVID crisis. For others it is a lucrative business opportunity with Q-themed events popping up in luxury venues along the Costa. One of the main criticisms of QAnon is that the underlying concept is loosely based on the theories promoted by the Nazis to encourage anti-Semitism and justify the holocaust. The Nazis were interested in esoterism and magic, as well as Eastern religions. This helps explain why this newer version of the conspiracy theory proves popular with the ‘cosmic right’ – a catch-all term that includes ex-new age travellers, yogis, spiritualists and the alternative community. For Qanons, Trump is a James Bondlike figure, fighting with the good guys against the Deep State as part of a wider ‘Earth Alliance’.
‘Spain’s best English news website’
On the up and up
SIGN: Graffiti that identifies with the deranged theorists of QAnon disfigures a wall in Granada
Along with the ‘Q’ team and Trump, Tanya Grenfell Williams, from Tijola, this alliance allegedly and rather told the Olive Press: “Qanon is tapfrighteningly comprises: ‘loyal genping into people’s fears by providing erals and other high-ranking memsomething concrete in these precaribers of the armed forces’; ‘the white ous times, even if it is false and feedhats of the National Security Agency ing QAnon’s own agenda. (NSA)’; and numerous global military “Unfortunately, these more liberal leaders - Vladamir Putin; Xi Jinping of thinkers, normally left-leaning, are China; India’s prime minfinding comfort in these ister Narendra Modi; and dangerous conspiracrown prince Bin Salman cy theories and naively How can of Saudi Arabia (the one promoting them to other anyone with who ordered the killing people.” and chopping up of jourSorrell Badger, an admina functioning nalist, Jamal Khashoggi, istrator of the Orgiva and brain fall for in 2018). Alpujarra Covid Group on According to local Q bigFacebook, is less polite. this scam? wig Charlie Ward (see “It’s such a transparent panel left), the main load of b*llocks,” she purpose of the Earth told the Olive Press. Alliance is the dismissal of the 13 “I don’t know how anyone with a ‘demon bloodline families of the ilfunctioning brain can fall for it. I also luminated Deep State clique’. This find it worrying that the same people world transition is, apparently, being downplay COVID and call it a ‘planfinanced by the Chinese Dragon Famdemic’. Just look at the death toll in ily. Confused? It’s no surprise. the US – 210,000.” And that so many people subscribe to Orgiva resident Nick Chambers addthis patent nonsense becomes less ed: “QAnon is a massive distraction of a laughing matter for people who really should know when one conbetter. It is taking attention away from siders that these the real issues of today - the massive are the people inequity of global wealth, the military that Trump is industrial complex and, the really big seeking to inone, global climate chaos.” flame to support “QAnonsense”, snapped Orgihis increasingva-based photographer Fred Shively, ly deranged who hails from the US, summing it up claims that the in a word. US election is However, with QAnon hijacking the being ‘stolen’ #SaveTheChildren hashtag for its from him… own purposes, some people have And the worst been attracted by evidence that instinews? It’s tutionalised paedophilia does exist. arrived on “There’s definitely a paedo cover up,” Spain’s Costas, commented Orgiva resident Solomon especially within the expat comCardy. “Do you believe that Epstein munity... killed himself? Take Orgiva, a town with a thriving al“I don’t subscribe to QAnon but I do ternative community, some of whom subscribe to there being a massive are posting messages promoting Q on paedo ring involving many politicians Facebook and sharing pictures of Esand I’m glad it’s finally coming to tepona ‘conspiracy picnics’. light.” Residents in the Alpujarran market With QAnons pointing out that Jimmy town of Orgiva are reporting ‘Q’ and Savile was connected to the UK roy‘WWG1WGA’ (where we go one, we al family, and that Epstein is proof go all) graffiti splashed across local of the pudding, some might say this walls. area of debate has some credence. Meanwhile some members of the However, it does not validate the rest community have been attending ‘conof the QAnon theories or that Trump spiracy theory picnics’ in an Estepona – a friend of Epstein and on record mansion where they can listen to QAdiscussing ‘grabbing p*ssy’ – is crunon ‘red pill’ speeches with ‘private sading for the benefit of humanity. intel’ from the likes of British expat With COVID on the increase and a oil magnate Charlie Ward – the most huge lack of leadership and scientifprominent figure in Andalucia’s Q ic rationalism in the fight against the scene. pandemic, one thing seems certain. With these right-wing views seeping People will turn more and more to into the local community, many Alputhe absolutist certainly of the kind of jarra residents are unimpressed with theories spouted by the chancers and Q propaganda landing on their doorcrackpots typified by QAnon. Fasten step. your seatbelts…
THE Olive Press website has been in a continuous state of growth for the past five years - and there’s no secret to our success. We are the only English-language paper dedicated solely to news about Spain… you won’t find stories about Taiwan and India or even the latest episode of Eastenders, like you would in one of our ‘rivals’. We also hire NCTJ-trained journalists who write their own exclusives and know how to source and deliver the most relevant and intriguing stories for expats. This means we don’t make stories up, like when another downmarket rag invented a lockdown coming to Spain on September 18 this year. Spain has even had to legislate this month to stop it happening again (see Fake News Move, on page 8). It was the Olive Press which immediately fact checked at the time to call it out as total fiction, ensuring Fernando Simon, the head of the country’s coronavirus task force, addressed it himself at his daily press conference.
News you can trust
For years we have supported the expat community by rooting out crooks and scammers, tracking down paedophiles and launching environmental campaigns. That’s why Sky News, the Mail on Sunday, Daily Mail, the Sun - to name a few - all come to speak to US when they want a story investigated. We are the only English website dedicated to Spanish news that you can trust. Our handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and growing readership numbers, have proved that consumers value well written, relevant and trusted news - just as you find in the Olive Press.
The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: woman arrested after lying that €140 had been illegally withdrawn from her bank account 1- British (21,901) British expat on Spain's Costa del 2-SolEXCLUSIVE: has card details hacked losing nearly €500, but bank refuses to refund amount (20,363) Police in UK and Spain reopen case 3- ofEXCLUSIVE: Costa del Sol bar owner who vanished 27 years ago (18,001) Two arrested in Benidorm after robbing foreign 4-cars at ‘40 golf courses’ across Spain’s Costa Blanca (17,958) From June 8 you can travel throu5- BREAKING: ghout whole of Spain's Andalucia, Government announces (14,853)
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NEWS
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NEWS IN BRIEF Dead loss A THIEF broke into a Benissa funeral home but only vandalised it and left without stealing anything.
Pioneer BENIDORM council has published a tourist accessibility plan for disabled and elderly visitors which it claims will make it Spain’s ‘most accessible sun and beach destination’.
Tit for tat BENITATXELL’s Lady Elizabeth International School will get a council operating licence in spite of not having it for years, if it pays for work to reduce traffic jams at the start and end of the school day.
Uncovered NINE people have been arrested after marijuana farms were found during Guardia Civil raids on three villas and a bar in the Sabatera de Teulada-Moraira area.
By Simon Wade & Kirsty McKenzie
SPAIN’S eastern coastline has been hit by around two earthquakes a day since the start of the month. Over two dozen tremors have rumbled their way up from Valencia to Andalucia over the last 12 days. One of the strongest quakes was felt in the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday 11) when a tremor hit the Mula area, 22 miles west of Murcia. With an epicentre 10km underground, it measured 2.4 in magnitude, equalling tremor intensities felt elsewhere in the region this week. A mild aftershock later hit Girona, on the northern border with France. The strongest recent earthquake was the 3.6 tremor that shook the hills above Benidorm on November 3. Because southern Spain lies
November 26th - December 9th 2020
Get ready to rumble Is a big one due, as southern Spain is hit by 24 quakes this month?
near the fault lines between the Eurasian and African plates, the area is prone to frequent tremors. But some scientists have suggested the world’s largest and most deadly recent earthquakes were not ‘natural’ disasters at all and were likely
LORCA: In 2011 nine people died in a tremor
Bottom of the class
SPAIN ranks worst among all EU countries when it comes to learning English, a new report has found. The country has swapped bottom place with Italy, which climbed three places in the annual table. Only a handful of Eastern European countries, including Albania, Ukraine and Turkey, fare worse. The Dutch came top of the survey, with many of the Lowlanders speaking better English than those from the UK. They were closely followed by the Scandinavian countries – Denmark, Sweden and Norway – with their Baltic neighbour Finland grabbing third place.
The survey is called the English Proficiency Index (EPI) from global language training company Education First (EF), which tests natives from each country to be causedtobyevaluate humans.basic competency. One was the 5.1 magnitude British-born Valencia resident and teacher earthquake in Lorca, Murcia, Tash Aleksy remained optimistic seeing the fashion to learn English in the city. “I am optimistic the numbers will improve, particularly as the teaching style in Spanish schools is changing,” she said. “English lessons have always been grammar focused rather than communication focused, but this dynamic is shifting to put the emphasis on spoken English.” See ‘Lost in Translation’ on p22
apparently triggered by water being extracted from underground reservoirs, which tragically killed nine people in 2011. This was the deadliest quake in Spain since 1956, when 12 people died and 70 were injured in the southern Granada region. One of the worst earthquakes to hit the country was in 1804 when around 1,000 people died in Almeria. That was followed by the death of 1,200 in the provinces of Malaga and Granada when a 6.7 magnitude quake struck in 1884.
Surprise drop in gender violence
GENDER violence cases have fallen in the Valencia Community. Reported attacks have dropped by around 16% in the region, according to official figures. Valencia’s Superior Court of Justice (TSJCV) recorded 4,958 complaints, for the second quarter of the year, a 15% drop on the same period of 2019. Meanwhile there were 4,510 victims of gender violence, a 17% fall compared with last year. However, the authorities were quick to point out that just because the number of cases has decreased it does not mean that violence against women is on the wane.
Reprisals
“Statistics on complaints are one thing, and the reality that thousands of women experience is another,” said a spokesman for the Alanna Association. The organisation insists that many victims do not report for fear of reprisals. So far a total of 80,544 women have been victims of gender violence this year in Valencia, with five murders. November 25 marked the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Found Valencia - New property trends in the Spanish market VALENCIA’S star is in the ascendant for national buyers as much as it is for international ones. First and foremost, the pandemic has rapidly transformed what people are looking for in their homes. The way we use our space, the location of the property and the changes to the functions we need and want our houses to fulfil.
Home offices are top of the ‘must have’ list “Remote working is here to stay and sitting at your kitchen while conducting Zoom calls is not sustainable,” says Conor Wilde, Managing Director of Found Valencia. “We’re seeing people actively widen their property searches to include homes that come with enough space to create a home office.” Remote working and wifi speeds are interdependent - as many a worker trying to log onto a Zoom call knows. In Valencia, fibre optic internet of 300mbs to 600mbs is piped to many
Contact email; welcome@foundvalencia.com
suburbs, enhancing home offices.
People have become drawn to open space For many office workers, living in close proximity to Valencia’s city centre has been a top priority. This is changing - and the changes are here to stay. Although apartments and houses in Valencia are significantly less expensive than other Spanish cities, the prices within the city in some areas and for some property types are decreasing. A better deal can be achieved in the suburbs on the outskirts of town. “Since March we have seen consistent enquiries from our local market, and with higher sales conversion rates. We have been seeing city dwellers move away from Valencia city neighbourhoods to the suburbs and beach neighbourhoods for a while. There is no doubt that lockdown intensified this trend. Thanks to a fantastic metro system and motorway system,the city is only a short drive away,” adds Conor, who’s lived in the city for two decades. “The news emerging about potential vaccines is encouraging and we’re all hopeful that 2021 will be a very different year to 2020. On the other hand, the memory of lockdown is still strong.”
Phone: +34 963447 774
He continues: “We’re noticing an increase also in our international leads from new markets, a marketing exercise we entered into as a trial is showing momentum and shows how wonderful people think Valencia really is, we really feel that 2021 will be a very different year for business once we can travel but we are not there yet”.
New houses & remodeling to turn key condition Buyers are also showing interest in creating their own bespoke houses or complete renovations with our project management team. This, in fact, has changed the infrastructure of the company completely and runs in tandem with our real estate sales division. The team consists of architects and project managers working alongside tradespeople to hit delivery dates and exhaustive quality control. New property listings are added daily to Found Valencia. Contact us to discuss your property needs. We’d be delighted to chat with you!
www.foundvalencia.com
Time to review your financial planning With Brexit just weeks away, now is the time to establish if your wealth management is ready for 2021 and beyond. Is your tax planning up to date? Are you holding assets in the most tax-efficient way for Spain? With today’s heightened tax scrutiny, make sure you follow the rules correctly. 2020 has emphasised the importance of having a well-constructed, well-diversified multi-asset investment portfolio, designed around your situation and objectives. Reviews are key to keeping it on track. If you use a UK based-financial adviser, confirm if they are regulated to provide services in Spain after Brexit.
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LA CULTURA
How surreal
A NEW show at the CaixaForum in Madrid has wowed visitors with its display of over 279 surrealist works of art. Surrealism, an art form traditionally defined as art that explores the subconscious mind, is a particularly apt movement for those using culture as escapism during these challenging times. While the show features surrealist figureheads such as Dali and Man Ray, it also looks forward to the surrealist influences on modern art: for example, Bjork’s experimental music videos.
Desire
The exhibition, called Objects of Desire: Surrealism and Design 1924-2020, is an immersive experience with towering Dali landscapes for the viewer to lose themselves in. Fans of Surrealism will recognise the iconic works on display, including scenes from Bunuel’s Un Chien Andalou and Man Ray’s Le Violon. But the exhibition’s curators hope the show will also inspire a new generation of surrealist designers in Spain.
November 26th - December 9th 2020
Shades of Banksy in coronavirus inspiration
MASTERPIECE: Sorolla’s Antes de la corrida
It’s home GRATITUDE: Overcoming is a thoughtful tribute
Brush with COVID A SPANISH artist has been combatting coronavirus with optimism by painting intricate murals on hospital facades for doctors and nurses to enjoy. Known as ‘Pejac’, the painter has created three intricate and eye-catching pieces across the outer walls of Marques de
By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
Valdecilla University Hospital in Santander. “The project is a gesture of gratitude to health workers in general and during this COVID crisis in particular,” said Pejac. “I’m offering them what I do best, which is painting.” Easily comparable with Bristol’s anonymous artist Banksy, Pejac redesigns well known images by the likes of Monet or Delacroix to convey a socially-charged message. Named Social distance, Overcoming and Caress, Pejac’s paintings have been finished with a helping hand from the children in the hospital’s oncology unit.
OP QUICK Crossword Across 7 “Good heavens!” (2,2) 8 Poll’s findings (8) 9 Cross rats veer all over the place (8) 10 Corn covering (4) 11 “Private Benjamin” actress (4) 12 Annoy (8) 14 Wine crops (8) 16 Where tadpoles might be found (4) 17 Botanical balm (4) 19 Yesteryear (3,5) 20 Militant supporter (8) 21 “It’s good for what --you” (4)
OP Sudoku
Down 1 Lost one’s query (5,2,1) 2 Abounding in trees (6) 3 Accommodation for paying guests (8,5) 4 No.2 who oversees moral weakness? (4-9) 5 Million seller, for example (3,3) 6 Burden of proof (4) 13 With affection (8) 15 Unlawful removals (6) 16 Earliest (6) 18 Desired by detectives and salespeople (4)
All solutions are on page 22
Overcoming shows a child recreating Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses with his hands. The boy is propped up on a wheelchair, harnessing his disability to paint where other children can’t reach.
Heart
“This is something that we, as a society could do,” says Pejac. “We could take this crisis and use it to propel us forwards.” And this is not the first project with a social cause at its heart that Pejac has taken on. His last commission took place at the El Dueso, Cantabria, where prison inmates painted alongside him to complete an eye-catching mural.
HOME at last – that’s where €3 million painting Antes de la corrida (Before the bullfight) has finally landed after a scandal in New York last year threw it into the limelight. The gallery owner at the European Fine Art Fair alerted the authorities when Spanish businessmen Andres Lietor and Carlos Sanchez, each attempted to claim ownership of Valencian artist Joaquin Sorolla’s timeless masterpiece. Lietor is the son of a businessman convicted in the notorious Malaya corruption case that rocked Marbella. The trail eventually led police to Brussels, where the artwork was recovered. Now it hangs in the Spanish embassy in Belgium, back on Spanish soil for the foreseeable future. Sorolla may not be as renowned as cubist genius Pablo Picasso or surrealist Salvador Dali, but he was one of Spain’s most influential and sought-after artists. Born in Valencia in 1863, his portfolio boasts moving exposés of social injustice, skilful depictions of people and landscapes and even a portrait of the American president William Howard Taft.
what’s on
J
UAN ECHANOVE IN TOWN
La Fiesta del Chivo is a play by the Nobel-winner Maria Vargas Llosa on the subject of the dictator Trujillo who ruled the Dominican Republic for 30 years. Catch it at El Teatro Olimpia…
L
AST ORDERS
Cuina Oberta (Open Kitchen), with special offers to sample some of Valencia’s finest gastronomy and restaurants, finishes this Sunday.
M
USIC AT THE MARINA
A series of openair concerts continues until January, with upcoming performances by Alice Wonder + Ed Bloom and the Yawners; see the full programme at visitvalencia.com. Spectators are limited to 400 and must remain seated so don’t delay in booking.
paINT BY NUMBSKULLS This oddball renovation in Palencia is the latest case of Spanish art restoration gone wrong By Eugene Costello
THE Spanish are renowned thre world over for their incredible works of art - from the Sagrada Familia to the works of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. But not everything can be heralded as a masterpiece and for every Francisco Zurbaran, there are some serious fails. The most recently culture blunder was spotted in Palencia, with a repair job on a statute being slammed as ‘cartoon-like’ by locals. The figure on the Unicaja bank has stirred up a storm of disapproval because of its flattened features and drooping eyes. It is unclear who is responsible for the restoration, which has been likened to children’s sand sculptures and playdough.
POTATO HEAD: No one is sure who did the bodged restoration while (inset) the Borja attempt “It’s more like a cartoon head ja attempted an unauthorised than the artistic head of one restoration of a fresco of Christ. of Palencia’s most emblematic Her dubious daubing of the buildings,” local painter Anto- prized Ecce Homo became a nio Guzman wrote in a Face- global laughing stock, with critbook post alongside before and ics likening the redesign to a after shots of the statue. monkey and blurry potato. A second social media user But Cecilia Giménez, the compared the new sculpture to 85-year-old amateur art restor‘sand sculptures kids do on the er, had the last laugh. Her interbeach’ while another said her pretation of the 1930s painting ‘granddaughter could do better by Elías García Martínez has with playdough’. attracted thousands of visitors It’s not the first time an unorth- from around the world, bringodox redesign has stirred up ing unexpected wealth and artistic controversy. fame to the church and now In 2012, a churchgoer in Bor- counts itself as a protected site.
A Promised Land
BOOK REVIEW
10
SINCE Barack Obama handed over the reins of his presidency to Trump, the world has been waiting for his presidential memoir. In this first volume, Obama takes the reader on a journey from childhood to the killing of Osama Bin Laden in 2011, focusing mainly on his political aspirations and career as President. We are given insights into his thought process, the dynamics of US politics, opinions of other world leaders, his battles
by Barack Obama
with racism, and personal stories of life with his family in the White House. It is intimate, powerful, and compelling and above all, hopeful. Obama maintains his belief that progress is always possible and that ‘democracy is not a gift from on high, but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day’.
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The future is here Vol. 1
Issue 1
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T
HE news that the UK is planning to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 is expected to push the motor industry even faster into the adoption of ‘green’ technology. In Spain the long term aim is for the entire country to be carbon neutral by 2050, although plans for the wholesale conversion of
November 26th - December 9th 2020
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EXPENSIVE: The 13/11/20 Audi e-tron GT
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Dilip Kuner takes a look at the latest concepts in electric vehicles
transport to electric are not as ambitious as those in the UK. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a bill to ‘encourage’ Spain’s motor industry into a greener future. But a mooted ban on the sale of die-
FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla’s EVs
sel or petrol powered vehicles by 2040 was turned down. The bill aimed to bring Spain’s motor industry alongside its international counterparts in terms of carbon neutrality. The new automotive plan focuses on the environmentally friendly electric and hybrid car industry and aims to make the technology cheaper, and easier to use and access across the country. Special incentives will be rolled out over the coming years to encourage the ownership of environmentally friendly vehicles, both private and commercial. Companies will be given special subsidies to replace their current fleets of vehicles with electric models. In total, the government is granting a total of €3.75 billion towards making electric and hybrid cars cheaper than petrol and diesel to buy by 2027. But there is no need to wait that long if you wish to help save the planet. Car manufacturers have been developing electric vehicles for years now. And 2021 will see the launch of a new generation
MATTER OF TASTE: The ‘futuristic Tesla Cybertruck is certainly unusual
of EVs that could be game chang- Apart from its green motor, Volvo ers. has also introduced frameless While still more expensive than mirrors and a lighter-than-leather their ICE contemporaries, subsi- vegan interior fabric designed to dies and scrappage schemes are mimic the durability of a wetbringing them into the reach of suit many more people’s wallets. A pair of electric motors work with One of the most unusual will a 27-module lithium ion be the Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed battery pack to deliver an imsquarely at the US market where pressive 402 horsepower, and ‘trucks’ are a huge a range of up to segment, this ret275 miles. But ro-futuristic ‘space all this comes at For build machine’ is sure a price with the to make it to Spain luxury car costing quality and at some point. from €59,900. top class Clad in dent-proof When it comes stainless steel it to mainstream engineering looks like somemanufacturers, look at Volvo thing out of Mad Nissan was one Max, and accordof the first to ening to Tesla boss ter the market. Its Elon Musk it will be a ‘really LeafEV was launched a decade tough, not fake-tough’ truck. ago, and now has sales of nearly Mind you, he ended up with half a million. egg on his face at the vehicle’s The car giant is aiming to build on launch when he tried to prove this success in late 2021 with the its durability through a series of launch of the Ariiya, a more styl‘torture tests’. All was going well ish take on emission-free until Musk hurled a steel ball at transportation. the vehicle and shattered its ‘ar- The five-passenger crossover moured’ glass. features a surprisingly aggressive Deliveries of the plug-in pick up look, with some swoopy, concave are due to start in 2021 with pric- surfacing and wheels pushed to es starting from €39,900. the corners. While Tesla has been the leader The interior is minimalist, with a in EVs (particularly in the publicity low, flat floor and a vibe that Nisstakes) it will have more compe- san calls ‘lounge-like’. It will tition than ever next year, with have a claimed range of around mainstream manufacturers not 300 miles and pricing is expected only ready to unveil a slew of lat- to start from around €34,000. est-technology models, but also Mercedes-Benz will enter the ahead of the game. all-electric field with the five-seat For build quality and top-class en- crossover EQC - and they are aimgineering Volvo is worth a close look. Their Polestar 2 five-seater launched this year - brings Volvo polish and Swedish style to compete with Tesla’s Model 3. It is the second vehicle to come from Volvo’s new performance arm (the other, the 1, is a hybrid petrol-electric), and alternative models and specs are planned for next year.
ing for the top end of the market. The 402 HP monster will be luxurious and will also have good performance for a big car - it will hit 60mph from a standing start in around six seconds. This performance and luxury will be wrapped in a package with a range of 200 miles. A price has not been announced - but it won’t be cheap! Meanwhile Volkswagen’s new ID.4 SUV is aimed squarely at taking on Tesla. Starting prices are €45,400 in Spain and has a range of 250 miles. Staying with the German marques, the 2021 Audi e-tron GT promises to be a big hit.
Impressive
It is a sleek, electric sedan with loads of power and polish. Behind the streamlined bodywork is some architecture shared with the Porsche Taycan EV. With 590 horsepower, the two-motor GT should accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in an impressive three seconds, and will be able to gain an 80% charge in just 20 minutes. The car is billed as top-of-the range in the Audi EV portfolio, so expect to pay €100,000 plus for it. These are just some of the electric cars that will grace our roads in the near future - there are many more planned from just about every major manufacturer. So this is just a glimpse of the future - which may be arriving sooner than you think.
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Clam Stricter driving laws to come into force in Spain - all you need to know
HERO: Carlos Sainz
A
S I walk through a rural village deep in southern Spain on a Sunday afternoon, I notice a white van parked with a #93 Marc Marquez sticker on the rear window. Fifty yards further along the road, the roar of V6 hybrid engines could be heard emanating from a local bar as a group of transfixed regulars follow the latest Formula One race. Motorsports in Spain has long been ingrained in the DNA of the population, with global superstars capturing the imagination of young children, whilst their impassioned parents following their idols every move. Spain has a long history of motor racing, both on two and four wheels.
In our DNA By James Warren
With their Formula One history dating back to the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Guadarrama in 1936. After the Spanish civil war, events have been held almost every year since until today, with the truncated 2020 season hosting the Spanish GP at the Circuit de Barcelona Montmelo. Motor racing stars have become god-like figures to their followers, the multi talente d
Fernando Alonso being one of the sports brightest stars. Alonso is a two-time world champion in F1, a world endurance champion and has been a frontrunner in both the Indianapolis 500 and the gruelling Dakar Rally. He is also noted for his charity work and his tireless work as a Unicef GoodWill Ambassador. Off-Road, an equally influential figure emerged in the outrageous Group B days in Spanish World Rally Championship. Carlos Sainz has almost become a household name for his flawless record, with his son Carlos Sainz Jr
CHAMPION: Fernando Alonso is a Spanish superstar
Race to change licence
NEW advice has been released for British expats in the run up to the end of the transition period. All Brits living in Spain must exchange their DVLA British licence for a Spanish one before December 31. The government has long advised that anyone who has lived in Spain for at least six months should have a Spanish licence but the number of people trying to book a cita previa at DGT offices has soared as the December deadline approaches. The Olive Press reported in October that the British Embassy said that it was in discussion with the Spanish
currently holding the Spanish mantle in F1 this year. On two wheels, the list of icons is as long as the proverbial, with 1980’s MotoGP stars such as Ángel Nieto, Sito Pons and Jorge Martínez still being as relevant today as they were 40 years ago. During the 500cc heyday, riders such as Sete Gibernau and Alex Criville collected numerous titles before stars such as Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez continued to fly the flag for Spain. But why is Spain so motorsport focused? It can be separated into two factors, funding and influence. The government has for a long time, invested heavily in motor racing, valuing the economic and social impact on the country. It is estimated that the F1 event in Barcelona earns the region a staggering 163 million, meaning large amounts of funding has been injected into state of the art facilities. Racing is also encouraged at an incredibly young age, with world renowned youth training academies nurturing talent that could one day become the country’s next superstars.
HARSHER penalties and lower speed limits are on the cards if the Ministry of Transport has its way. It has approved changes to the traffic code that aims to crack down on some of the most common causes of traffic accidents. The new code still needs to be approved by parliament, which is thought to be a formality. “Since 2016, distractions are the main cause of serious accidents,” said Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande Mar-
By James Warren
laska. The new laws will also target speed limits in urban areas, driving without seat belts and tighter regulations on where electric scooters can be ridden. If the law comes into force, drivers caught using mobile phones while driving will face losing six points on their licence instead of the current three, with repeat offenders losing a further four.
NEW RULES: Fernando Grande Marlaska (inset) is getting
transport authorities and plans were afoot to revise the system to make it easier for expats to secure an appointment. Now the details of the new two-step process have been published. The first step is to make an application to the DGT before December 30 either by calling 060 or via the online portal if you have a digital certificate/CLAVE. In some provinces it may also be possible to download the form to take to a local office or for a representative (eg a gestor) to do this on your behalf. We understand that for this part of
the process you do not need to have a residency certificate or TIE, but you will need a NIE. If you do not hear anything from the DGT in the meantime, three days after submitting your application you can request an appointment with the DGT to do the exchange. This should be booked on the DGT’s website. As long as your application has been submitted before December 30, and the UK authorities have verified your licence by the end of the year, your appointment to exchange your licence can be after January 1, 2021, provid-
mp down
November 26th - December 9th 2020
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MINI MENTAL
PENALTY!: Harsher fines in store
Four points will also be issued for drivers not wearing a seatbelt, mo-
torcycle riders not wearing a helmet and children in vehicles
tough on phones and e-scooters
ed it is within the first six months of theyear. Please note that you will need a residency certificate/TIE to do final exchange, so if you are in the process of applying for residency you may want to choose a later date for your appointment. Irrespective of whether a UK licence has been verified for exchange by the end of the year, you will be able to drive in Spain using your UK licence for six months from January 1, 2021. The future rules on exchange and recognition of UK licences are still subject to negotiation.
without the proper child seat. Drivers with devices fitted to their cars to detect speed cameras will lose three points as well as a fine of €500. Regarding speed limits, one way roads will be reduced to 20km/h with single lane roads down to 30km/h. Urban roads will also be reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h. The current trend of electric scooters has also been targeted in a crack down on accidents involving irresponsible users. E-Scooters and Segway style vehicles will now be banned from all pavement and pedestrianised areas, with offenders facing a €500 fine. Marlaska hopes that the new laws will help reduce road deaths and serious injuries caused by careless driving by up to 50%. The proposal is currently awaiting confirmation by the central government before a full roll-out can be scheduled.
IT’S might be a Mini, but this unusual model aims to have a tardis-like interior! Dubbed the Mini Vision Urbanaut, its designers call it a ‘new interpretation of a vision of space’. Although the car currently only exists in digital form, the company, owned by BMW, is optimistic that it will become one of the most stylish vehicles for the future. “Mini sees its future primarily as an enabler of and companion for unforgettable times – what we might call ‘Mini
moments,” explains head designer Oliver Heilmer. This involves various settings for the interior including Chill and Vibe, that changes the dynamic inside. Chill turns the 4.46m-long car into ‘a kind of retreat, a haven where you can relax – or work with full concentration – during a journey.’ Vibe meanwhile ‘puts time with other people at centre stage,’ creating a lively but comfortable atmosphere for everyone. The model does not have a release date yet.
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13/11/20 9:36
LA CULTURA
Do you have a what’s on?
November 26th - December 9th 2020
Back to Blanca Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es
15
How a guitar-maker from Valencia won over the world
F
EW knew that when the soulful, heart-wrenching vocals of Back to Black hit top-ten charts around the world in 2006, they would turn Amy Winehouse into the first British woman to win five Grammys, and blossom into the UK’s second best-selling album of the 21st century. But even less is known about the holiday in Alicante that birthed three of the 13-times Platinum album’s songs - and saw the purchase of her all-time ‘favourite’ guitar. Now, on the eve of the anniversary of her death on July 23 nine years ago, the Olive Press made a visit to the inland town of Gata de Gorgos, where she found the instrument. “My father remembers meeting Amy pretty well,” Adam Broseta, 33, tells the Olive Press amid the fragrant sawdust of the Guitarras Bros workshop in the workaday town. “It was 2006 and he didn’t have a clue who she was at the time, but she was friendly.” Far from being insular and blind to the international music scene, the 65-yearold family business is in fact famous around the world.
ROYAL APPROVAL: Fresh Prince Will Smith with his guitar
ARTISAN: Adam carefully carves a guitar at his Gata de Gorgos warehouse The list of legends who own handmade temporarily returned to one of his ex-girlGuitarras Bros instrument includes Ed friends. Sheeran, Will Smith and will.i.am. As Amy went ‘back to black’, into her The Gipsy Kings, Tom Hanks, Richard infamous manic depression, she was Gere and Jeremy Irons have also ac- persuaded to join her father for the quired instruments from the workshop. holiday in Alicante, where his second In 2006, Amy was ‘just another singer’ wife Jane’s family owned a house in the in a long line of artists who have held campo. a masterpiece of the Valencian gui- “The only problem was that she’d fortar-making tradition. gotten to bring her guitar,” her father’s But today the British singer-songwriter book continued. appears appropriately But after spending at the top of the list of ‘hours’ intent on finding ‘artists’ who have bought one in the nearby workAmy’s Valencia from them on the compashop in Gata de Gorgos, ny’s simple website. an inspired Amy returned guitar ended “To me, she’s the most to the house and locked up becoming important of everyone,” herself in her room for Adam explains in the hours. her favourite workshop’s office space, Emanating from those surrounded by posters of four walls Mitch heard instrument many of the world’s muthe birth of You Know sical greats. that I’m No Good, Love “She is a talented, an unis a Losing Game and deniable legend, and the amazing part Wake Up Alone, with Amy so spellbound is we completely forgot she owned one she refused to even come down to eat. of our guitars.” These songs laid the foundation for the In 2012, Adam received a phone call Mark Ronson-produced album that was congratulating his business for its ap- sensationally released in October that pearance in a Vanity Fair feature on year. Mitch Winehouse’s new biography: Amy, In email correspondence with Guitarras My Daughter. Bros, Mitch would much later confirm Racing to a petrol station, Adam pur- that of ‘more than 50 guitars’ in Amy’s chased the last copy of the monthly possession, the one from the Costa magazine, and there it was. Blanca had became her ‘favourite’. In the article appeared the words: “The After Back to Black’s stellar success, guitar was small, Spanish, bought in the troubled singer’s tortuous relationGuitarras Bros, in the Alicante village of ship with Blake, who she married and Gata de Gorgos.” then divorced, was a period in which Its purchase happened during a brief Amy Winehouse spiralled in and out of holiday in 2006, after Amy had split addictions to alcohol, heroin and crack with lover Blake Fielder-Civil, who had cocaine.
FREE SPIRIT: Amy in Valencia (left) while (right) she gets inspired with a CD and a cigarette at the studio in Alicante The demonised singer, who wore her heart on her tattooed sleeves and belted out searing emotion beneath that infamous ‘beehive’, was tragically found dead on July 23, 2011. She was found with five times the legal drink-drive limit of alcohol in her blood. That holiday in Spain, however, marked a moment of clarity in the tabloid storm of Amy’s life. In his official biography, Mitch recalls a period of sobriety in early 2011, writing: “I hadn’t seen her focus like that since those days in Spain when she’d locked herself away and written a lot of Back to Black. “Creating music - her greatest passion - seemed to be doing her more good than anything else we’d tried.” Perhaps it has something to do with the handmade masterpieces at Guitarras Bros: each one has its ‘own soul’ and is a work of art in itself, with centuries-old wood from as far as Madagascar seeing strummers fork out up to €12,000 a piece, with tailor-made rosettes and machine heads. Or perhaps it has something to do with the agreeable weather, or the tortilla de patatas that Amy loved, according to the Vanity Fair article. Either way, something magical happened between the walls of that house on the Costa Blanca - the loss of which the world is still coming to terms with these eight long years later.
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PROPERTY Time to 16
move
SOME 42% of Spaniards plan to change their homes in the next five years. According to the Via Celere Observatory of housing in Spain, more than half (54%) of people surveyed who were looking to move were motivated by the desire for a better home. Another 22% were looking to move to a neighbourhood more suited to their needs, while 19% gave COVID restrictions as their reason. The remaining 5% had money as the driving force. They either were looking to turn a profit from selling up, or wanted to rent out their current home for an income.
Energy
The survey also showed that two-thirds of Spaniards would prefer a new-build. Better energy efficiency, higher quality materials, modern decor and location were the main reasons given for looking at brand new houses. The study highlighted that the vast majority of Spaniards, 72%, acquired their home more than 10 years ago. Choosing a reputable and well-known developer was also important to those surveyed, with 72% saying the developer was an important factor.
November 26th - December 9th 2020
Although Spain’s property market value has dropped by 12%, according to data from Morgan Stanley, the bargain luxury homes that consumers may have hoped for are yet to emerge. While house prices in disadvantaged areas have plummeted by a huge 30%, Spain’s swanky villas and townhouses have held onto their high price tags. “Faced with the fear that inflation could occur due
Bargain hunt to the excessive injection of money by the ECB and the Federal Reserve, tangible assets emerge as a good way to have capital in a safe place,” Manuel Romera, Director of the Financial Sector at IE Business School, told El País. In the ‘standard’ property market, experts estimate that prices have fallen by approximately 10%.
Knockdown price Fraudster tries to flog multimillion Spanish palace he doesn’t own for €900,000
IF it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Rarely if ever was this maximum for prospective buyers truer than earlier this year, when a grand gothic palace in the picturesque town of Cazalla de la Sierra, north-western Andalucia, went on sale for
SWANKY: seriously undervalued San Benito hotel less than a fifth of its actual value. Erected in the 15th century,
the Palacio de San Benito is a luxury hotel aimed at guests who wish ‘to live like kings,’ though it initially served as a hospital for pilgrims travelling on the Camino de Santiago. Its turbulent history includes partial destruction in the earthquake of Lisboa, 1531, as well as a change of hands after the Spanish Civil War. Various restorations have resulted in a unique architectural blend of the old and the modern, and the property has an estimated value of €5 million.
Permission
Manuel Morales, an interior designer who renovated the palace in the 1990s, could hardly believe his eyes when he saw it for sale online, without his permission. “It’s as if you wake up one day and see your home on sale for a price much lower than its actual value,” he said. The sales advert was taken down after Morales contacted his lawyer, but there has been no news on the fraudster who put it online in the first place.
Corona nomads
RISE: Huge increase in foreigners moving abroad BRITAIN is becoming a By Kirsty McKenzie nation of ‘corona nomads’ as people flee to sunnier climes to escape the brutal rather than putting dreams lockdown measures in the off until tomorrow, they are UK. seizing the day and making Research shows that there it happen. has been a huge increase in “With the new second the number of UK residents round of lockdown restricbrowsing homes overseas tions coming into force, we during lockdown. only expect this trend to Overseas property portal continue. Kyero has reported a 30% “Travel may still be unrise in UK visitors to its site predictable, but far from between April – June 2020 curbing ambitions of movcompared to the same peri- ing abroad, it appears that od in 2019. the challenges of this year Analysts say the latest coro- have prompted people to navirus restrictions have plan their escape, perhaps caused people fantasising partly because it now really about moving abroad to doesn’t make much differmake their dreams a real- ence whether people are ity. joining an online meeting Louise Dell, founder of from Croydon or the Costa Kyero.com said: “Lock- Del Sol.” down and widespread remote working over recent Popular months has had a significant impact on the types of Interest in overseas proppeople looking to buy prop- erties continued to be high among Brits over the erty in Europe. “Greater numbers of summer, despite ongoing younger people, and those uncertainty around travel, now working remotely full with Kyero.com seeing an time – ‘Corona nomadics’ 18% increase in British peo– are considering a move ple viewing Spanish propabroad as we all become erties between July – Sepless tied to the office and tember this year compared are able to live, work and to the same time in 2019. play where we really want With the average (median) price of Spanish propto.” erties for sale on Kyero. com at€280,000, Spain Precious remains a popular destinaIn the three months after tion for many UK buyers, the start of lockdown in with international sales the UK, Kyero saw a 19% having grown every year increase in interest in over- in the three years following seas property by those aged Brexit. 25-34 compared to the This is despite Spanish same period last year (April property prices increasing – June). since 2015, with a total 26% Louise added: “It seems increase in price over the that a global pandemic has past five years according to made many people realise data released by the Spanthat time is precious, and ish Government.
A JUDGE has ordered respected Brit architect Norman Foster to testify as a witness in a multi-million euro embezzlement case in Spain. If Foster refuses he will face arrest, say officials. Judge Jose de la Mata from Spain's highest criminal court, Audencia Nacional, ordered authorities to locate Foster in Switzerland. Although not involved in the alleged wrongdoing, Foster is a required witness to the case. On trial are eight business people involved in a €80 million development plan for a
Silent witness new judicial centre in Madrid, which was never built. Foster was first contacted by judges in January and given the opportunity to testify via video call from Britain. But UK authorities told the Spanish judge that the architect was actually living in Switzerland. Foster is one of Britain's best architects and creator of The Gherkin and Millenium Bridge. He is married to Spanish publisher and art curator Elena Ochoa Foster.
CREATION: Foster and his design for a Madrid court
BUSINESS
Sailing away
THE port of Valencia has emerged as Spain’s number one for connectivity and business. And it comes in fourth around Europe, behind Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg, says a UN survey. The report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), saw Valencia climb up the table for many indices. It now leads Barcelona and Algeciras, which come in at seventh and eighth in the rankings, mostly dominated by Asian ports.
Jobs
Shanghai in China comes in as number one globally, while the top ten is dominated by China and other Asian countries, though Rotterdam and Antwerp come in at seventh and eighth. In the global list, rankings are based upon ‘connectivity’ and it evaluates more than 900 ports around the world. Valenciaport has connections with 1,000 ports in 168 countries and has 98 regular lines with 35 different shipping companies. The port generates 2,500 million euros a year - or 2.5% of the total for the Valencian Community - and is responsible for 40,000 jobs.
November 26th - December 9th 2020
Warm cheers Brewery giant to hand out terrace heaters this winter in €20m plan
SPAIN’S biggest brewer, Mahou San Miguel, is to pump in €20 million to keep bar terraces as warm and comfortable as possible this winter. Indoor capacity restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic have forced drinkers outdoors but they now face chillier nights as the winter draws in. Mahou San Miguel’s general manager, Peio Arbeloa, said: “We have been planning
KEEP WARM: Peio Arbeloa (inset) revealed new plan a turning point for bars and By Alex Trelinski restaurants. “We know there is a real this measure since May as need for businesses to get we knew that the arrival of this help, especially as they cold temperatures would be cannot pay for it themselves.” The company plans to hand out 22,000 heaters in addition to 42,000 umbrellas and over 136,000 units of terrace furniture.
Merger Mooted TWO of Spain’s largest banks, the BBVA and Banco Sabadell have opened formal merger talks Informal discussions have been held this year but last week they went to a formal stage. A union between them would create a new business similar in size to that of the merged Bankia and CaixaBank which was agreed in September. A deal between the BBVA and Sabadell would create a
A COSTA BLANCA golf resort has hit the jackpot for the second year running to win two prestigious international awards. La Finca Golf in Algorfa has walked away with ‘Spain’s Leading Sports Resort’ title in the World Travel Awards as well as the accolade of ‘Spain’s Best Golf Hotel’ in the World Golf Awards. La Finca Resort general manager, Brendan Dwyer, said: “It is an honour to be recognised with these prestigious awards for the second year in a row. “ “This achievement is testament to the incredible work that has taken place at the resort over the last 18 months and the effort put in by all staff members.” La Finca undertook a major multi-million Euro
17
Best in Spain renovation plan in 2019, which saw its courses at La Finca, and also at near-by Las Ramblas and Villamartin undergo extensive redevelopments. The courses saw a number of greens rebuilt as well as bunker renovations.
Pleased That’s in addition to enhancements made at La Finca’s restaurants. “We are extremely pleased with the work that has been done which has solidified our position in Spain,” Dwyer added.
Heaters
business employing 46,000 people with over 4,200 branches in Spain. Branch closures seem likely with banks cutting down on staffing and offices in recent years to focus on internet banking.
Swan’s Corner
Mahou San Miguel will also provide 29,000 sanitation kits to reassure customers that socialisation under distancing rules is safe. “We are fully focused on understanding what the hospitality sector wants and protect this economic pillar of the Spanish economy,” Peio Arbeloa added.
Want an escape from the busy city? A weekend in romantic Ronda will revive your senses. Ronda Romantic Apartments is the answer
2021 - As exciting as Mad Max? Welcome to the legal corner of the Valencia edition of the Olive Press where members of our firm will discuss legal matters that impact on the expat community living in the region LIGHT is now starting to glow at the end of the tunnel. We are soon to emerge from the grips of Covid 19. While eagerly brushing to one side that Mad Max was set in 2021, there is a palpable air of excitement about the year ahead. In our column we plan to be right there with you, bringing to life the legal topics and challenges that are the focus of your online and offline discussions. And what a year awaits us! The expectation is that Valencia is set to spring forward as the long-hidden gem of the Mediterranean. There will be challenges and opportunities in equal measure. The city and its surrounds are quite dis-
tinct from any other Spanish destination to which expatriates normally flock. The people that are drawn here are also dissimilar from the traditional expat. We are of all ages, nationalities and all walks of life; each of us with our own appreciation of Valencia and its people. Some of us want to kick up our heels, others are here to ‘study’, others seek a restful retirement and others to push their businesses forward. Our column will reflect this diversity. So look forward to us addressing topics related to tax, property, employment, succession and business. In the meantime, if you need legal assistance in English please contact 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
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18
HEALTH
Raisin to the occasion
IT’S a phrase muttered over and over again in Malaga’s Axarquia region that raisins are good for your memory. The biggest producer of the dried grape snack in the province, it’s easy to see how this rumour might have persisted. But now the Junta de Andalucia is sorting the facts from the folklore with its new research into whether raisins can prevent Alzheimer’s.
Healthy According to the Junta, they hope the results of their study will encourage more people to eat raisins and consequently boost the region where they’ve been produced. A study in 2019, by the regulatory council of the Pasas de Malaga Denomination of Origin, confirmed that eating raisins is beneficial for people’s health. However, raisins are over eight times more calorific than grapes, so those cutting down the calories might still want to go for the non-dried diet.
November 26th - December 9th 2020
Let Down THE Medical Council of Spain has urged the government’s Chief of Health Emergencies Fernando Simon to stand down over his handling of the country’s COVID-19 crisis. Medical professionals have accused Simon of ‘undermining the morale of overworked doctors’ and of showing a prolonged incompetence in his handling of the pandemic. The council, which represents 52 medical colleges across the country, made the statement in response to Simon apparently placing some of the blame for Spain’s increase in cases on doctors. Simon had said during a media briefing that medical workers were responsible for a number of infections, and suggested that hospitals had ‘learned valuable lessons’ from the first wave. Simon has been accused of not listening to the needs of the country’s hospitals, which have been put under immense strain since the pandemic began in March. The council claims that no proper precautions were put in place by Simon’s team to protect the safety of doctors, including a lack of protective equipment and diagnostic testing kits. Simon is also being called out on his failure to assemble an independent team to review the government’s handling of
Doctors call for health boss to quit over his handling of crisis By James Warren
the pandemic. In total, 72 medical professionals have died since the beginning of March, a fact that has been overlooked and undermined, according to the statement. “Thousands more are still fighting to deal with a pandemic the likes of which we have never seen,” said a spokesman for the council. But Simon has received support in the wake of the council’s comments.
RAISING HOPES A DENIA company that makes machines to process nuts has come up with a patent for a coronavirus-free elevator. The invention is the brainchild of Jose Roig, 45, who manages the Borrell factory. He created the ‘safe’ lift using techniques similar to those used in sterilising nuts. “We have more than a million elevators in Spain and it made me think that we could adapt what we use already to create a sterile lift,” he said. Roig’s prototype life uses up to 220 nanometres of ultraviolet light to disinfect the elevator in less than a minute once it comes to a halt and people have exited. The prototype also includes a locking mechanism that closes the doors and triggers an alarm if it detects that the lift is overcrowded, therefore ensuring some kind of social distancing. The inventor clearly has a creative mind with 14 patents to his name and another four in the pipeline.
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Former WHO systems director and current Director for Health and Strategy in Bilbao, Prof Rafael Bengoa, defended Simon, calling for an understanding not finger pointing. “This isn’t the way forward, when mistakes are made in our hospitals, we ask, ‘what happened?’ and not ‘whose fault is it’? That’s how we learn,” said Bengoa. Simon is no stranger to controversy, after testing positive earlier in the year, he was pictured surfing in Portugal, appearing to defy his own lockdown rules.
The Strain In Spain Went Mainly By The Plane SPAIN is behind a mutated strain of coronavirus that has spread across Europe, causing a second surge and leading to the current widespread lockdowns, say researchers. Even with hugely reduced numbers of tourists to Spain over the summer, down around 80% and causing misery to business in the tourism sector, the specific variant has been identified as causing a majority of new cases across the continent. An international team of scientists tracked the mutant strain, called 20A.EU1 as it originated in Spain and travSCIENTISTS in Spain are studying how exercising twice a week for 50 minutes can help boost recovery from so-called ‘Long-Covid’. Exercises used in the study include a programme of strength and aerobic exercises to help people return to full health post-coronavirus. Understanding the best rehabilitation methods is becoming increasingly important as people continue to report ‘long Covid’ symptoms - such as fatigue and dehydration - that have continued for many months after first contracting the virus. The push towards exercise is particularly important as, in
By Eugene Costello
elled across Europe. It accounts for nearly 80% of new cases traced in Spain, an astonishing 90% in the UK and 60% in Ireland. Investigations led the team back to outbreaks among agricultural workers on farms in Aragon and Catalunya, from where it raced across the country rapidly, infecting holidaymakers from overseas. Very few strains have ‘spread as successfully and become as prevalent’ as 20A.EU1, revealed a spokesman at the University of Basel.
Health kick the first lockdown, Spaniards gained on average three to five kilos due to consumption of unhealthy foods, lack of exercise and many hours sat in front of a screen. Additionally, those without a healthy lifestyle may experience a more severe reaction, say doctors. “Obese people are more at risk of needing intensive care,” said Francisco Tinahones, president of the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO).
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Seeing orange
VALENCIAN orange farmers are fuming over government plans to raise IVA on sugary drinks from 10% to 21%, which will include juice products. The Valencian Association of Farmers (AVA-ASAJA) described the move as ‘a real nonsense’ and predicted ‘dire consequences’ for local fruit growers. AVA president Cristobal Aguado said: “Drinking orange juice is strongly recommended by nutrition experts due to its exceptional qualities in a balanced diet.” The group said that if a tax rise is imposed, it would hit the image of orange juice being seen as a ‘healthy food’. It also warned that a price hike would lead to lower demand from customers and that cheap producers from countries like Brazil would benefit by undercutting current orange prices. A PwC study claims that a new sugar tax would mean losses of between €14 to €43 million per year for Spain’s farmers. Food manufacturers could lose as much as €82 million per annum, the survey found.
Burn bright or fade
November 26th - December 9th 2020 STAR: Chef Martin Berasategui
Will Spain’s most awarded chef Martin Berasategui keep his dozen Michelin stars this month? HE’S got more Michelin stars in Spain than anyone…and more in a single country than any other chef worldwide. But how many of Martin Berasategui’s 12 stars will he keep when the annual awards gala is held next month. Not even the seasoned 60-yearold chef can answer that. The culinary godfather - who reached the pinnacle of success with his same name Basque Region restaurant 20 years ago - is keeping his fingers crossed.
By Jon Clarke
However, he accepts that with many of his 12 restaurants closed for much of the year (he has three in the Caribbean, one in Mexico, one in Lisbon) he has no idea. Admitting it has been a terrible year due to the COVID crisis, he at least hopes for the best. “With the stars you can never know,” he revealed this week. “The best minutes of the year
are when you go up to collect the stars, but even better is to see former pupils go up and pick them up.” But he is realistic about the year in general. “The Caribbean is dead, Madrid and Barcelona are in trouble, Ibiza we opened to simply close, Bilbao, San Sebastian and Lasarte, good and bad. At least we are working.” Another of the plus sides of the current crisis is that he has found the time to refocus on
CONTINUITY:Will Munoz, Dacosta and Angel Leon keep three stars?
finding a series of new dishes, seven in total. The end result is what he calls the ‘Menu Pandemia’, which is proving popular in his main three star restaurant, 6kms out of San Sebastian. “Without this illness we would not have had time to create this new menu, so that is good,” he added. The Michelin gala takes place in Madrid on December 14 and it will be interesting to see if the capital’s wunderkind David Munoz has kept his three stars for Diverxo. And if Spain will keep its other three Michelin starred eateries including El Celler de Can Roca, in Barcelona, Akelarre and Arzak, in San Sebastian, and Quique Dacosta, in Denia, and Angel Leon at Aponiente, in Cadiz. By the middle of September some 86% of Michelin starred restaurants were open in Spain, while this number had dropped off to around 75% by the end of October.
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Bottom’s Up
THE best wines in the world for 2020 have been revealed – and one of the top pours comes from Spain. Montecillo Crianza 2016 was crowned ‘the best buy’ in the world by prestigious booze magazine, Wine Enthusiast. Leading wine aficionados, sommeliers and luxury travel correspondents who had rated wines from across the globe put forward the Spanish vino as their top pick. The wine from Bodegas Montecillo, DOC, Rioja’s third oldest winery, was selected as number one by critics who awarded the wine 91 points. Editor Michael Schachner said he favoured the balance between notes of fruit and wood and its ‘authentic Riojan character’. Montecillo Crianza is made from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes from vines located in Rioja Alta and spends 18 months in American oak barrels, followed by at least six months in the bottle. The wine, which is sold in most supermarkets for just under €9 a bottle, has previously picked up a number of accolades including a gold medal from Mundus Vini, and 91 points from wine magazine Decanter which featured the bottle on its cover.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
November 26th - December 9th 2020
Lifting the Val It’s been dubbed ‘the world’s best ski resort’ and ‘gee, even bigger than Vail’... Jon Clarke (right) takes a trip to Baqueira and the Val d’Aran and finds a lot more than just snow-plough fun
W
E’RE at the top of Baciver ski lift, some 2,610m high in the Pyre-
phone, is my wife having an entirely different day out. While also enjoying the mountains, her relationship with the snow is visual, not tactile, as she hikes just below the snow-line with a friend and a packed lunch at the ready. Not a fan of skiing? No worries, Baqueira Beret is part of Spain’s wonderful Val d’Aran, a totally independent fiefdom of fun and festivities, where there’s more to do than you can shake a ski-pole at. The Pyrenees only East-West facing valley, this impressive mountain redoubt counts 33 towns and villages and even has its own language. Some 3000 local souls speak Aranese, but don’t worry they also speak plenty of English, along-
side the obligatory Catalan ers and sisters, nephews and Spanish. and nieces, explains the reWhat’s more of relevance sort’s marketing chief Pep. to the traveller though is “The Bourbon family were nees. the rich local given the villa There’s a light dusting of culture... and, in 1984 by repowder snow and the kids particularly, the sort chiefs and Where the are itching to go. food. only they can We’re in Baqueira, southern The region’s use it,” he exKing of Spain Europe’s largest ski station, architecture plains. counting 161km of runs over is distinct and chooses to hone The former disfour distinct areas and six the local au- his turns, minus graced PP party soaring peaks. thorities (the treasurer Luis his wife Letizia Barcenas also Some 1,000 metres beAranese have low, at the end of a mobile their own govcoincidentally ernment, it has a villa here. turns out) have done well “But we try to keep that quito maintain the integrity of et,” adds Pep. their villages, which could Described by the Daily Telehave been ruined by modern graph as the ‘perfect ski blocks a la many European resort’ and by the Financial ski resorts. Times as ‘Spain’s true seBut then this is where the cret’, there really is someKing of Spain chooses to thing incedible charming hone his turns, minus his about Baqueira. wife Letizia, who - like mine Local American business- is not a fan of the winter man/writer/estate agent sport. Keith Kirwen arrived as a He has a splendid villa, ap- snowboarder two decades propriately just above the ago and totally agrees. main lift up, and pops up a “I found this small paradise few times during the season by accident and couldn’t bewith friends, as do his broth- lieve it was bigger than Vail, Colorado,” he reveals. Coming from an American, that is something. But the statistics are certainly impressive, even when compared to the best US resorts and those in France or Switzerland. The ski area extends from 1,500m to 2,610m and counts 99 runs and 35 lifts. Opened in the 1960s, it has 161km of marked pistes, seven kilometres of marked off-piste runs and seven kilometres of cross-country runs. It’s laid out in four separate areas; Baqueira, Beret, Boniagua and the recently-opened Baciver, which has created half a dozen new pistes. Due to its north facing aspect and close proximity to the Atlantic, it has some SCENIC: Typical Val d’Aran village and (above) Jon’s kids get set to ski of the best snow in Europe
and, should the snow gods French resistence smuggled not shine, there are 50 20,000 Jews through the snow cannons to help things high mountain passes to along. safety here and en route to We certainly found plenty to Portugal. entertain us; the snow park You really get a feel for this, for the kids with its myriad heading up into the Rio of jumps, being a highlight, Verde mountain pass above as well as the wonderful Eth the wonderful medieval vilCoret run that snaked its way lage of Bagergue, which at through a pine forest. 1419m is the highest in the Classes were easy to arrange valley. through the Era Escola, who This is part of the celebratprovided the wonderful Aly- ed (Grand Route) GR211 cia for the kids, while I even footpath and is a lovely tried a couple of advanced walk, often below the snowsessions with local lad Fran- line, where you should spot cis, who took us off piste eagles, vultures and even, and even taught us a bit of if lucky, one of the brown Aranese. bears reintroduced a few But the key to a successful years back (don’t forget, they family holiday are the nearby hibernate). mountain villages, that each Best of all, when you get offer a cornucoback to the pia of churches village - voted and museums among Spain’s Should the to visit, as well most beautiful snow gods not - there is an inas numerous local restauteresting arteshine, there rants. san museum, a The history of cheese factory are 50 snow the area is fasand shop, and cannons cinating, being four superb a key mountain restaurants, pass used by each with its Repulicans to escape during own specialities. the Spanish Civil War as Other villages of note are well as a later base for the Salardu and Arties, which Maquis (the guerillas who has a river running through continued to fight on against it and a stunning church, Franco well into the 1950s). plus the famous Urtau tapas During World War II, the joint, where punters queue
Let the train take the strain One of the real joys of getting to the Val d’Aran was the train. The high-velocity AVE takes just over four hours to get from Malaga to Lleida, and considerably less from Valencia. The scenery is wonderful as you head through the Mesata of Spain and later the Zaragoza desert, where we spied fields of saffron and wide expanses of cherry and almond blossom. In Lleida we hired a car for the two-hour drive up to the slopes, which is a wonderful drive into the Pyrenees foothills and made an hour quicker since the five kilometre Vielha tunnel was finished in 2007. Another alternative is to fly to Toulouse, and hire a car, or to drive, which takes around 12 hours.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
November 26th - December 9th 2020
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VARIETY: Local highlights include Arties village. churches, cheese and artisan products
Where to stay
For classic village charm stay in Hotel Seixes in Bagergue, the highest village in the Val d’Aran. This great value hotel (below left) has wonderful views and best of all has four excellent restaurants within a two minute walk. www.hotelseixes. com For five star luxury, it’s hard to beat Hotel Pleta, which sits at 1700m and counts on its own pool, spa and gourmet restaurant. There is a separate cigar room, a shuttle to the ski lift and easily one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten. www.lapleta.com Looking for a villa or apartment, the best local company is Feel Free Rentals, which has hundreds to rent from isolated farmhouses to centrally located in the heart of Baqueira. www.feelfreerentals.com.
outside before a 7pm opening time and it’s elbow-room at the bar from 7.30pm. The capital of the region is Vielha, a bustling town, with plenty to write home about. Take a stroll around keeping an eye out for the San Miqeue church, which is a 600-year-old gothic gem, known for its 12th century bust of a very haggard-looking Jesus. Take my advice, hire a car and have a really good poke around the valley when you fancy a break from the snow... you never know you might even decide to pop across into France, with Fos, some 25 minutes away! For more information visit www.visitvaldaran.com or www.baqueira.es
Where to eat The real beauty of Baqueira is its proximity to the Val d’Aran and its collection of excellent eateries. Every village has a good choice. Take Bagergue, whose 107 local residents are spoilt with four. The cuisine is a good mix of Spanish and French, plus a few local chestnuts, such as an Olla Aranese, a lovely rich bean and pork stew that warms the cockles after a hard day on the slopes. The cheeses are excellent, as are the lamb chops and steaks. I particularly liked the trio of places I tried in Bagergue, each quite different in style and flavour. At Casa Rosa, I loved the cheese plate as a starter, while the pate and tortilla espanola was delicious. Jardi dels Pomers has a charming garden for spring and summer, while in winter a big log-burner to aid the ambience. Here, definitely have
the beef consome, as well as the cep mushroom-filled ravioli with truffles. Meanwhile, Unhola is Basque and you appropriately sit under a large copy of Picasso’s Guernica, chowing down on some excellent crab and wild mushroom crepes, cabone, plus an intriguing wild seabass burger. I would also recommend a trip to Urtau, in Arties, but get there early as you cannot book, if sitting down is essential. If not, you can perch at various tables or at the bar and graze on the dozens of creative tapas, that are reminiscent of San Sebastian at its best, if not quite up there for quality. The Vinoteca Eth Cerer, in Unha, is a long-standing
Saint Martin’s Urban Irish is an Irish Pub with Mediterranean touches, in the center of Valencia. Where you can find good International beer, the best Guinness, live music and sport shown on 7 full HD screens ...Where Valentian rugby meets all International rugby SERVICE: At Casa Rosa favourite for the apres-ski crowd and it is certainly a well-oiled machine, with two great-value set menus (€15 or €18 a head) and a good wine list. Make sure to get there early to have a poke around the village.
RESERVATIONS WhatsApp: 680 743 904
Bar food from €5 Saint Martin’s Urban Irish – Tel: 963 942 171 Calle Abadía San Martín 2, 46002 Valencia
COLUMNISTS
November 26th - December 9th 2020
In the first of a series of columns on relocating to Spain, Eugene Costello explains why he picked Ruzafa
my good friend Annie Bennett, the Spain expert for the Telegraph, staged an intervention. Thank God she did. She said, “Bad idea, Euge. It’s overpriced, and between late June and early September the city is unbearably hot. Have you considered Valencia? I think you’d fit in just fine in Ruzafa…” So I did some research (spent ten minutes on Google) and learnt that Ruzafa is variously described as either the Soho or Shoreditch of Valencia. (In fact, it’s neither, and is not an especially helpful comparison.) But it is packed with townhouses split into apartments, and
LEARNING BY ROTE: But watch out for Eugene’s bite
GOING EUGE mansion blocks, and if you throw a tennis ball in any direction, there’s a very high chance that you’ll hit a bar, restaurant or cafe. My kinda place. And with rents less than half of a comparable property in Walthamstow, never mind Soho or Shoreditch, it would be good for the budget, too. “Fie, fiddly dee, a writer’s life for me,” I whistled. I came out in December for a few days with pal Richard Simpson, ex-showbiz editor of the Daily Mail and ‘un buen huevo’, as they say. (Be careful, ‘huevo’ can mean egg – but it can also mean a bollock, leading to some amusing misunderstandings) It was a very warm spell that saw us lunch in Plaza de Catedral al fresco in our T-shirts. Over a few days, while Dickie did some work from the flat, I would scuttle around the city looking at flats. Then – bingo! On my way to the airport to head home, I had an appointment to view a flat in Ruzafa with a letting agent called Jorge from Buenos Aires (above, being introduced to my old friend, Bloody Mary). A beautiful mansion block, Gaudi-esque, with medieval trills and leitmotifs. The flat was eight flights up, 81 steps (I count them every single day) and lived up to the promise of the whole building. It had just been ‘reformed’ and the landlady had not scrimped. Light and airy with four bedrooms and two bathrooms,
all fixtures and fittings were box-new and she had paid for three of the rooms to be tiled with antique mosaic flooring, while the rest of the flat had brand-new wooden lino. I fell in love that second. I said to Jorge, “Is anyone else viewing?” He said, “Yes, you are the first viewing, and I have three girls coming to view after you.” I said, “What do I need to do to secure it?” He seemed highly amused by my eagerness, but stifled his laughter, and said, “Just sign here and send us a deposit after you return to London.” So I did, and in early January this year I gave a month’s notice on my property in Walthamstow… with the problem of not speaking much Spanish was soon overcome by enrolling at 2Day Languages run by Sal and Marta. My profesora was to be the beautiful Ada, whom I instantly renamed Mi Ada Madrina de Idioma.
La finca roja
A quirky, sideways look at misunderstandings that might arise… with Tash Aleksy’s Lost in Translation The red ranch? No. La Finca Roja is a Valencian Art Deco building which serves as a landmark in Valencia. When a friend of mine went to view a vivienda (residential property), he was surprised to find that in place of acres of sunkissed land and the odd sheep, La Finca Roja is actually a block of pisos (flats) in the middle of the city. Where did the confusion come from? A finca, anywhere else, is indeed a ranch-style property. But in Valencia, a finca is a block of flats. Joe had arranged to meet the estate agent en el patio, but couldn’t see one of those, either. He wandered around the block. The penny finally dropped when he found the estate agent waiting nervously at the main entrance to the block. “El zaguán está recién reformado -” ...The what now? The zaguán is the main hall of a block of flats, but as the estate agent was already at a loss, he advised Joe to take the lift while he took the stairs and meet him en el quinto piso. Joe got off on the second floor with a premature sense of accomplishment. He must have dodgy knees, he thought after a few minutes. Peering over the stairwell, he started to suspect the inmobiliario (estate agent) had ghosted him. ‘Quinto PISO’, the inmobiliario affirmed when he appeared, wide-eyed, neck jolting forward and pointing upwards. It turns out that piso is another word for planta (floor). ‘PUERTA cinco NO, puerta 21’, insisted the inmobiliario with evaporating patience. Up they went in the ascensor (lift), the inmobiliario already having done enough steps for that day. A bag of rubbish adorned one of the neighbouring doors. Joe learned from the inmobiliario’s incomprehensible muttering that it was a social faux-pas to leave a bag of rubbish even for one minute in the rellano (hall). He fell in love with the terraza, which you may know as the outside seating area of a bar or restaurant. Joe now knows it is an exterior space whose walls form part of the structure of the building, whereas a balcón is an additional feature to the façade of a building. If you’re looking for typical Spanish and few expats, have a drink in the barrio (neighbourhood) where La Finca Roja is. And if you see Joe, tell him to stop skiving his Spanish lessons!
Tash Aleksy has been living in Patraix for 10 years and offers online Spanish classes at www.spanglishcity.com; her number is 633 091 664
OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Oh my, 8 Opinions, 9 Traverse, 10 Husk, 11 Hawn, 12 Irritate, 14 Vintages, 16 Pond, 17 Aloe, 19 Old times, 20 Partisan, 21 Ails. Down: 1 Where am I, 2 Sylvan, 3 Boarding house, 4 Vice-President, 5 Big hit, 6 Onus, 13 Tenderly, 15 Thefts, 16 Primal, 18 Lead.
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lation
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ADED by the toxicity around Brexit, the UK election and a bunch of personal tragedies, I had simply had enough. Basta!, I told myself. At the age of 52, divorced and with a 14-year-old daughter who has better things to do with her weekends than to hang out with Sad Dad Who Drinks Too Much, I decided to quit London where I was born and have always lived. It was an instantly liberating feeling. The world was my oyster – I toyed with moving to my beloved Cuba – but I alit upon Spain. Initially, I considered Galicia but realised there was a reason it’s so cheap. It’s basically Wales. All rain and harsh winters. Ew. No thanks. So I started to look online for rental properties in the beautiful city of Sevilla. Then
st in Tra ns
So why Valencia?
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SUDOKU
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Clogging along
FINAL WORDS
DR Christian Lopez, holder of the most Guinness World Records in Spain, has added a 40th to his list by running the fastest mile in Dutch clogs.
Cashing in THE Spanish government has given residents an extra six months to cash in any pesetas they may have, of which €1.6 billion worth remain in circulation.
‘Big good’ MCDONALD’s has launched a burger made entirely with produce from local Spanish farmers to help them get through the economic slump.
You muff be joking!
Your expat
voice in Spain
VALENCIA / COSTA AZAHAR FREE Vol. 1 Issue 1 www.theolivepress.es November 26th - December 9th 2020
EYE CATCHING: The organ on display
Bare faced chee
k
Teen ignores court order to dangle 180 metres above ground A BRITISH teenager returned to Benidorm this month to foolishly climb naked up a 180 metre-high crane next to the towering Intempo building. Adam Lockwood, who brands himself on social media as ‘The Little Nuisance’ illegally climbed six of the resort’s tallest buildings in February.
Those included the Intempo, the Torre Lugano, and the Gran Bali, which is the tallest hotel in Europe. The 19-year-old from Wigan was not put off by being arrested and fined earlier this year, as he bared all for his latest dangerous stunt. He posted several photographs of him dangling naked
NUISANCE: Adam Lockwood
off the Intempo crane on November 11. One pose showed him clinging on with just arm. Lockwood said on his social media account that his latest stunt enabled AN 81-year-old man from Madrid is training to climb the him to ‘tick Himalayas in tribute to those that have died from corothat one off navirus. the list of toCarlos Soria (pictured) will climb the 8,848 metre peaks tally unnecand dedicate his journey to the elderly people who lost their essary things lives to COVID-19. Of the 40,000 coronavirus deaths in to do before I Spain, more than 20% have occurred in the over-80s turn 20’. demographic. The teenagSoria has been training in the Sierra Guadarraer was senma mountains next to his home just north of tenced to three Madrid in preparation for his trek. After the months in jail Himalayas he hopes to climb Tibet’s Shisin August, hapangma and Dhaulagiri in Nepal. suspended for
Peak ambition
two years, by a judge in Manchester. Manchester City Council said he breached a three-year injunction imposed in 2019 that banned him from trespassing and posting content online. The judge branded his stunts ironically as ‘the height of stupidity’ and that Lockwood was motivated by ‘arrogance’ and a craving for ‘celebrity’. British transgressions included him standing on the roof of the Arndale Food Court during a Black Lives Matter protest in June. A few days later, he dangled from the edge of a 180 metre balcony off a building in London’s Canary Wharf.
A WOMEN’S rights campaigner has been fined for ‘offending religion’ after parading a huge vagina through the streets during a Women’s Day march. The protester was convicted of ‘a crime against religious sentiments’ by a Malaga court for mocking the holy Easter parades at Semana Santa in 2013. She was taken to court in a private prosecution by the Association of Christian Lawyers, which sought a 12-month prison sentence. She was instead fined €2,700 and will pay off the fine at €10 per day for the next nine months. The stunt formed part of several protests throughout the Women’s Day march in the city. The defendant insisted her procession was merely a ‘performative act of protest’ and that she did not intend to offend religious feelings. “I don’t see how it can be offensive,” she said, “it can be rude, but not offensive.”
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