Olive Press Gibraltar Newspaper - Issue 19 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

Property olive press

ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND FEATURES IN OUR PROPERTY MAGAZINE - P13

www.theolivepress.es

In come the bIg bucks!

GIBRALTAR

The only investigative local newspaper

A HUGE US property fund is splashing 45 million euros on three new Costa del Sol developments. The American bosses Real Capital Solutions behind snapped up sizeable plots have tepona, Mijas and Marbellain Escontinue to look at further and tunities along the coast. opporThe company, based in Marbella since 2013, already has five other developments, including The Retreat, in Elviria.

“We have spent around lion here so far and have100 mila fund of 300 million to spend,” plained Managing Partner exWells, based in Colorado. Peter “We are the largest developer on the Costa del Sol and our emphasis is on distressed properties.” He added: “On top of that things transparently and we do always try and deliver on price and quality.” The company - which made hundreds of millions buying ing distressed propertiesand sellUS - has 16 staff working in the its office at Centro Plaza. out of Local boss Taylor Cox, added: “The coast is really starting come alive and it’s a pleasure to to live in such a beautiful part of the world.”

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Booming July predicted following referendum lead up uncertainty estAte agents in spain selves up for the busiest are lining themIt comes as a reasonableJuly on record. number of british buyers put purchases on hold due to the forthcoming eu referendum most agents the olive Presson June 23. firmed they had various spoke to consales currently ‘paused’ awaiting the result, while adding that the british market remained strong per se. the majority believe that the expected result - to stay rope - would lead to the in eupound strengthening considerably against the euro and that mer would be red hot for the sumsales. ben bateman, at holmes sotogrande described the lead up as a ‘pause referendum for thought for british buyers’ due to concerns over the weak pound. “After a remain vote however, we expect to see a strong finish to the den wave of bids from year - and a suders will be likely,” he toldsterling-based buymarbella agent kent the olive Press. schanke, at Fastighetsbyran added: “some are on hold but in the long british buyers run I don’t think it will affect the market or prices,” he said. “even if there is a brexit, sues at first, but I think it may cause iswill recover very quickly.”the British market

Spanish property sales

Roll on Remain benahavis agent scott marshall of Propertiespain said: “I believe it’s very psychological - it’s a combination of the uncertainty of the vote and also the exchange rate right now.” Adam neale of terra meridiana, in estepona, confirmed ‘if the pound falls While many agents have so do the buyers’. rently on hold, some havea couple of sales cur“We have up to ten sales seen more. til after the referendum,” currently on hold unsaid Victor Witkowski, boss of castles estate Agency “buyers are not necessarilyin manilva. they are biding their time pulling out, but to see what happens.” Fellow manilva agent, firmed a slowdown, butshani hamilton, condicting a huge influx of added: “We are prebusiness as soon as a decision is made.”

Deals

by nationality and quarter

olive press www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

source: Registradores

Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 Q1 2015 Q2 2015 Q3 2015 Q4 2015 Q1 2016

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Either way, official statistics out this month confirm the British market remains strong and tens of thousands continue to look for their dream home. Respected analyst mark stucklin insists that foreign demand for spanish property was up 16% in the first quarter of this year with Brits the biggest group of foreign buyers at 22% of the market share. “the british still dominate property and there is no the foreign market for able decline in demand evidence of a noticeas yet,” he said. And certainly not everyone one agent, graham govier is suffering. of Inland Andalucia has seen ‘no negative impact’ at all during the referendum lead-up. “In fact it is the opposite. cheap right now and we Prices are extremely are selling two times as many properties as we were last year,” he said. he added: “my salesman a local celebrity - has justPaul - already a bit of completed his seventh consecutive sale and people are buying because they can see that won’t wait around for themthe incredible deals forever,” he added.

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WARNING: Juncker

DESERTERS! BRITONS will be labelled ‘deserters’ should they vote to leave the EU, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has warned. In a damning blow for the Leave campaign, Juncker said the UK would face ‘serious consequences’ and would be treated as a ‘third country’ should the country vote for Brexit. “The deserters will not be welcomed with open arms,” Juncker said. “If the British public vote Leave, which I hope they don’t, then life in the EU will not go on as before.

Consequences

“The UK will have to accept that it won’t be handled with kid gloves. “If the British leave Europe, people will have to face the consequences. Relations will no longer be what they are today.”

Vol. 1 Issue 19

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

May 25th - June 7th 2016

FREE

Question time

WORRYING: Pollution from heavy industry is being ignored by the Junta, claim ecologists

CHOKER!

Gibraltar’s ‘unsafe’ air quality - worse than all but two places in Spain revealed in shocking new WHO study

GIBRALTAR’S air pollution levels breach international standards and are higher than any other part of the UK, an alarming new study has shown. A key World Health Organisation (WHO) report into global air quality shows Gibraltar’s large particle (PM10) pollution was higher than London and 99% of Spain. Registered at 31, the particles including sulfate, nitrate and carbon, are well above the accepted ‘safe’ level of 20 mg/ per cubic-metre. They can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause health problems, according to the WHO.

SPECIAL REPORT By Joe Duggan

Only Puerto Real, in Cadiz, and Aviles, in Asturias, fare worse in Spain. Meanwhile, another level (PM 2.5) is also high and above the WHO safety guideline of 10 microgrammes. The in-depth five year study, up to 2013, covering 795 cities in 67 countries, found 80% of people living in urban areas are breathing air that breaches safety standards. Dr Peter Sheridan, a specialist public health physician for the Gibraltar Health Authority, described the levels as ‘disappointing’.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN: Gib tops list for UK towns

“While the finding is disappointing, the excess of particulate matter is attributable to being a major port close to busy shipping lanes and on occasions climatic conditions that do not disperse the particulate matter,” he told the Olive Press. “Gibraltar has a well-established action plan for addressing air quality and is monitoring air quality to bring it up to international standards.” Much of the pollution is put down to the large Cepsa refinery in San Roque, plus other industrial activity. The Campo de Gibraltar is already accepted as being one of the most polluted parts of Spain, with La Linea often singled out for concern. However, Gary Fuller, an air quality expert from King’s College London, explained that dust from the Sahara desert is also a ‘massive factor’ in Gibraltar’s particle readings. “Gibraltar has different weather conditions to the rest of the UK. Several times a year wind from the Sahara blows dust across the countries of southern Europe,” he said. “Clearly there is nothing the government can do to control that. Shipping will be an issue too but mainly affecting the Turn to Page 4

...And how to escape the fumes Take a trip up Mr Henderson’s Railway with expat author Nick Nutter Turn to Page 10

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FORMER Marbella mayor Angeles Munoz is in hot water after failing to correctly declare four properties in Gibraltar during her tenure at the town hall. The ex-PP boss is facing tough questions after she declared the purchases, alongside another in Sweden and one in Malaga. All six properties were purchased either before or during her time as mayor, yet she either failed to declare them entirely or wrongly stated details about their purchase when asked just two years ago.

In two cases, Munoz - who is standing as the PP’s candidate for Malaga’s senate originally stated the date of purchase as five years later than the actual date. The senate has also discovered that the properties are all linked to Gibraltar businesses with links to Munoz’s husband, property developer Lars Broberg. One business has been named as Cutaga, for which Munoz owned shares for five years and her husband is now 100% owner.

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Corner’s jail fear

Ex-boyfriend of missing Lisa Brown faces ‘big danger’ in Algeciras prison

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan SIMON Corner is in ‘big danger’ in prison, the Olive Press can reveal. The ex-boyfriend of missing expat Lisa Brown is currently in Algeciras’s Botafuegos prison awaiting questioning over the Scot’s disappearance. The Liverpudlian, 33, who changed his name from Dean Woods, went on the run following mother-of-one Lisa’s disappearance on November 4 last year. But he was picked up and extradited from Copenhagen and appeared before a San Roque court this month after a European Arrest Warrant was issued for him. “Corner is in big danger inside.

CAUGHT: Corner led into court and (inset) Lisa Brown There are people in there who are out to get him,” a source said. “He has upset a lot of people.” Meanwhile, a second man ar-

rested in the investigation can be revealed as a 30-year-old Scot, who lives in La Linea, and who has worked on Corner’s boats.

The ginger-haired man - who is described as ‘Corner’s gofer’ - has had his passport seized and must report to court twice a month.

‘Bar brawl’ brothers cleared

Slasher on the loose! A SERIAL tyre slasher has been attacking cars in Gibraltar. Up to 30 cars were targeted during a spree of destruction, it has been claimed. Outraged locals took to social media to voice their anger at the damage, although police couldn’t confirm reports that foreign cars had been the target. A police spokesman told the Olive Press: “We have received three reports of THREE members of Spain´s criminal damage in two difOlympic sailing team were ferent parts of the North robbed at gunpoint in Rio, District, but we are aware Brazil. of other reports. Olympic champion Fernando “The cars are a mixture Echavarri, World and Euro- of vehicles and registered pean champion Tara Pacheco number plates. There have and trainer Santi Lopez- been no arrests.” Vazquez were confronted by Local Quick-Fit garage opfive people armed with two erator Nigel Llambias said pistols. The robbery occurred in the they ‘had been out ‘all this early hours of a Saturday week’ taking calls from morning in the popular tour- residents whose tyres had been slashed. ist spot of Santa Teresa. “It was a very unpleasant “It has been foreign and loexperience,” Lopez-Vazquez cal cars,” he said.”We have said, “There were five youths done three or four. It is not with two pistols. They took all that common, but every the work equipment we were now and then you get this carrying at that time.” kind of thing.”

Olympic Hold-up

TWO Gibraltar brothers have been found not guilty of a raft of charges in a Supreme Court trial. However, local youths Jesse and Damian Sanchez were both found guilty of resisting police. Jesse, 20, was acquitted of two counts of GBH, one count of ABH, four counts of assaulting a police officer and one count of affray following an alleged brawl at the Quarterdeck Tavern in 2013. Damian, 24, was acquitted of one count of affray. During the night in question, one pub regular, Stephen Lee Mandleberg, suffered a fractured skull. Quarterdeck landlord Tony ‘Del’ Farmer also alleged he had been attacked. The jury took four and a half hours to reach its verdict. Judge Karen Ramagge Prescott said the Sanchez brothers must remain on bail until sentencing on June 27.

NOT GUILTY: Sanchez brothers

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May 25th - June 7th 2016

Blast from the past Participants from around the Serrania de Ronda headed to the nearby City of Dreams helping to create a colourful procession of history. The peaceful day out was only occasionally interrupted by skirmishes as re-enactments unfolded in front of thousands of onlookers.

Photos by Karl Smallman

BLINK and you could have been forgiven for thinking you were back in the 19th century. In a classic return to the days of the past, Ronda locals dressed up as bandits, travellers and aristocrats for their annual ‘Ronda romantica’ weekend.

EXCLUSIVE By Iona Napier

TV doctor who found fame analysing poo samples is on the hunt for a stunning Spanish retreat. You Are What You Eat presenter Gillian McKeith - who also starred in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here - is ready for another adventure, but this time in Andalucia. The Olive Press can reveal that the Scottish health guru, 56, and her husband Howard Magaziner are in the process of buying a dream property in the soaring Serrania de Ronda. The Channel 4 presenter McKeith - who became famous for being the first contestant on I’m A Celebrity to refuse to do a task in 2010 - is understood to be buying a 26-bedroom hotel in Cortes de la Frontera. Hotel Sol y Sierra, which sits in the heart of the town, has been shut for a number of years. “McKeith and her husband have been in talks with the town hall about this particu-

TV doc Gillian McKeith in Spanish hotel business hunt

I’m a celebrity, get me into there! lar property and all being well they could be the latest new residents in Cortes,” said a

source. “Word has been going around that she will be setting up a business but we

GIBRALTAR’S most loved reggae artist is back for another taste of the Rock. Already lined up for his birthday gig at St. Michael’s Cave on June 11, Maxi Priest has been recording a music video around the place he calls his ‘second home’. Priest stole the show last National Day with performances of hits including Close to you and Wild World.

Home comforts

don’t know yet what it will be.” Cortes estate agency Mary Beker meanwhile did not deny McKeith’s plans but stressed that a sale had not yet gone through.

MOVING IN?: McKeith (above), Cortes de la Frontera, and (inset) Hotel Sol y Sierra

Don Gibson

HOLLYWOOD icon Mel Gibson has been roving around Spain in an adventure worthy of Don Quixote. The Braveheart star and his girlfriend Rosalind Ross drank in the history of the Alhambra Palace, watched flamenco in Granada’s old town, checked out Malaga and continued the trip in romantic Ronda. They travelled in style, naturally, staying

in five star hotels, eating in the Parador in Granada and even treating one of Gibson’s fans to a coffee when spotted in Ronda. It came after delighted resident Natividad Garcia spotted the American icon of Mad Max and Passion of Christ fame in the town. She splashed his face on social media, after he bought her a coffee.

Preaching to the masses

COFFEE BREAK: Gibson

“No agreement has, as yet, been confirmed so we cannot say for sure exactly what’s going on,” Tom Beker told the Olive Press. “We hope to know more soon.” When contacted McKeith’s husband, a lawyer, said: “We are not yet in a position to make an official announcement.”

LOCAL band Afterhours have teamed up with the Miss Gibraltar contestants for the release of new charity single Our Home. The song is in aid of the Calpe House Appeal to raise money for the charity’s new premises in London. A video for the single has been made with people asked to donate £1 to the Calpe House cause by calling 8974. Miss Gibraltar 2016 takes place on June 4.

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May 25th - June 7th 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

Football fears

THE Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society has expressed concern over plans to build the Lathbury football stadium.

Bully bust A YOUNG girl - believed to be 15 - has been arrested for assault after a video emerged on Facebook of her punching a boy in the face.

Threat THE current terror threat to Gibraltar remains ‘substantial’ following a review by the Security Council.

Swines! THE GHA has confirmed seven cases of swine flu in March and April but insists that the number is ‘not alarming’.

Safety first A NEW health and safety council, made up of health officials, union members and safety inspectors, has been set up.

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Work trip

Going bananas

A MAMMOTH cocaine stash has been found hidden in synthetic bananas at Algeciras port. The fake bananas were found packed in 19 boxes following an investigation into drug smuggling from South America. The 171kg haul, destined for Huelva, is worth an estimated €17 million. Each box contained 88 plastic bananas which are thought to have come from the town of Turbo in Colombia.

FAKE: Bananas in disguise

Unholy Chappell’s BHS row

Controversial businessman in reported overseas franchise bid

DISGRACED Gibraltar-linked BHS playboy Dominic Chappell is believed to be in the running to buy the troubled retail store’s international franchise. It comes despite Chappell and his Gibraltar company Olivia Investments facing a parliamentary inquiry over his disastrous handling of the stricken retailer. Chappell, 49, claims to have

financed last year’s BHS takeover by his consortium Retail Acquisitions with funds from the Gib-based firm. Two-times-bankrupt Chappell paid just £1 to buy BHS from tycoon Philip Green. BHS collapsed in April with a pension deficit of £571 million, putting 11,000 jobs at risk, although none were lost in Gibraltar.

Reports in the British press suggest playboy Chappell (pictured) is preparing an offer for the retailer’s overseas arm, which covers 14 countries. Gibraltar’s two BHS stores have been part of the UKbased company’s franchise for the past 30 years. Meanwhile, a Campo de Gibraltar-based businessman has said he was ‘duped’ by Chap-

Benefits bonus AN incredible 3,615 Gibraltar jobs have been created from European Union funding. Some 5,000 qualifications have also been gained from the £46 million received in EU funding since 1990. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo stressed the benefit of the EU in relation to 202 private sector

and 75 public sector projects at a meeting with the European parliament yesterday. In particular, EU funds played a large part in Gibraltar’s development as it changed from an economy based mostly on defence (60%) to an open private sector competing on a global level.

pell into investing in a Cadiz oil refinery. Steve Rodger, 68, purchased the Istamelsa refinery in 2009 through another former Chappell-owned company Olivia Petroleum, where he was CEO from 2009-2012. The ex-racing driver was allegedly ousted after reportedly taking hundreds of thousands of euros from the company for his own use. Rodger is now preparing to sue his former partner, saying: “Am I pleased with my investment? No. I was duped into it by Dominic Chappell.” The Olive Press has discovered Chappell also owns another oil company Cadiz Petroleum.

CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo and deputy Dr Joseph Garcia have been on a key mission to Brussels. With just one month to go until the EU referendum vote, they met with members of the European Parliament and senior officials of the European Commission. Dr Garcia travelled via London to give an audience at the National Liberal Club on the evening of May 23. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker sent his best wishes to Chief Minister PIcardo for a successful trip.

Molotov cocktail

From Front Page

lower PM2.5.” In Europe, at least 50 cities in Italy, Turkey and Poland have higher PM10 readings, with two Turkish cities, Batman and Hakkari, showing levels of 109 mg. Raquel Neco, from green group Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción, described the report as ‘very worrying’. “Citizens in the Campo de Gibraltar are exposed to large quantities of particles from heavy industry and the Junta shows no interest in reducing these levels,” she said. “We are all breathing a molotov cocktail of contaminants and people need to know about it.”

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May 11th - May 24th 2016

OPINION Right to breathe THE air we breathe is one of the few things that unites us. So this month’s eye-opening WHO report into global air standards should be heeded urgently by the authorities on both sides of the border. The facts are simple. Air quality is of great concern and we need to work harder to clean it up. While plenty of places in Italy and Poland have worse results, it is not a badge of honour that Gibraltar tops the list for UK pollution. Sure, windblown dust from Africa is hard to avoid, but local factors such as the San Roque refinery, can be dealt with. And must be urgently. For 10 years, the Olive Press has been reporting on the Campo de Gibraltar’s key environmental issues, which affect a much wider area. Now we have concrete proof of its polluting effect it is time to act and deal with it.

Breath of fresh air It’s great to see Gibraltar making strides in its renewable energy sector by installing its eco-wave power installation. But while this will help to get 15% of our energy from renewables, around 40% of Spain’s electricity comes from wind and solar. The UK lags behind on 25% and it is time to divest from fracking and coal and get on the eco-friendly train.

Taking a deep breath THE frantic lead-up to the Brexit vote is coming to a head with four weeks to go. Panic has slowly started to lean towards quiet confidence that we will vote to stay in Europe. But we must not become complacent. As we report in our Property Magazine this week, agents are seeing sales put on ice while potential buyers await the result. They are hopeful that the status quo prevails and July will herald one of the busiest real estate months in decades. Either way, the small ripples seen in the property market of late are but a drop in the ocean compared to what would happen if we voted to leave the EU.

the EE

GIBRALTAR

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A campaigning, community newspaper, the Gibraltar Olive Press represents the local and expatriate communities working or living on the Rock with 10,000 copies distributed fortnightly on a Wednesday. Clarke Media Ltd. Registration number: 113878 Suite 2B, 143 Main Street Gibraltar Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 Rob Horgan rob@theolivepress.es Iona Napier iona@theolivepress.es Joe Duggan joe@theolivepress.es Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Designer James Partington design@theolivepress.es Admin & Accounts (+34) 951 273 575 Mirian Moreno – General Manager admin@theolivepress.es

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OSE Manuel is showing me his Joe Duggan visits a very special lovingly-cultivated vegetable patch. BUSY: Kitchen The green-fingered teen and his centre helping kids from the team of junior gardeners have studiously plucked every weed from the school of hard knocks qualify for surrounding soil and ingeniously rein- life in the outside world vented the husks of old computers as plant pot holders. There are even stripped out toilets serving as feeder beds. “We grow everything for the kitchen here, and all the herbs - thyme, rosemary, mint,” he tells me as we walk past neat rows of young green lettuces and plump cauliflowers. He seems no different to any lively 15-year-old. But unlike other kids, Jose Manuel will not be going home after school to tell Mum and Dad how his day went. He is one of 61 pupils living and studying at La Residencia Escolar San Isidro Labrador in Los Barrios during the week, where the only ‘entry qualification’ is a troubled background. For now, his classmates and six teachers are his closest ‘family’. One of 63 special needs schools in Andalucia funded by the Junta, the residencia welcomes pupils aged six to 20 from all over the Campo de Gibraltar and even further afield. Most are referred by social services and come from deeply deprived families or dysfunctional homes. All have their own heartbreakingly sad story. And many are really heart-wrenching. Most of them are able to go home at weekends (although ‘at least half’ would prefer not to), but when they go back for holidays, particularly the long one in the summer, they mostly come back withdrawn and traumatised due to their incumbent family problems. “It takes us many weeks to get them back on an even keel,” says school secretary Miguel Martinez, 37, a qualified PE teacher, from Granada. “And most of them are very sad when they have to go home for their summer holidays with plenty of tears. It is heartbreaking.” It is all indicative of the high unemploy- GARDEN GANG: School team outdoors and (inset) boss Miguel ment and attendant social problems that have ravaged this part of Spain turned away. more than any other and, such is the But since the school opened 48 years “I’m often called to take someone to see demand for places, many children are ago, the teachers at San Isidro Labrador a doctor or deal with an emotional outburst or something or other,” continues have created a safe environment where Miguel, a father-of-two, who has been hundreds of children have flourished. working at the centre for five years. “It’s really like a family here,” continues After lunch, between 4 and 6pm, homeMiguel, a father-of-two, who has been work is the priority; and afworking at the school ter 6.30pm pupils explore for five years. their interests through “It’s incredible to see It’s incredible workshops in everything the transformation of from English and cookery to see the these children after they to handicrafts and hortihave spent time here.” culture. transformation From Monday to Friday, Later in the evening, they pupils stay and sleep on of these children can watch films or football the premises, with the matches before bedtime day divided into activi- after they are here at 10pm. ties designed to boost “Their day here has a rouconfidence and develop tine so they develop good life skills. habits – eating the right things, sleepThe children wake up at 8am for break- ing at the right time, and learning,” exfast before starting their school day, plains Miguel. which takes place at a normal com- “We want to give them the basic skills prehensive next door. Any problems at needed to enter the job market or to go school, health, disciplinary or otherwise into business when they are older.” and one of the staff from San Isidro Miguel leads me into the school workdeals with it. shop where 11-year-old triplet Laura

FEATURE

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August 6th - August www.theolivepress.es May 25th - 19th June2015 7th 2016

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CLASSMATES: Lesson time ON THE SPOT: Joe Duggan interviewing pupils

Spain’s stark social statistics 2.6

million (35.4 %) Spanish children at risk of poverty or social exclusion (EU) 744,000 children living at risk of poverty in Andalucia (Save The Children) 512,373 children living at risk of poverty in Andalucia (Junta) 489 residencias in Spain 10% of minors suffering from ‘serious material deprivation’ (Save The Children) 8% of children living in unheated homes (Save The Children) Sixth-worst developed country for childhood inequality (Unicef) 5.1 million Spaniards in 2013 living in extreme poverty (Caritas) 5.2% of Spaniards unable to pay for medicine (Spanish Health Ministry)

KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL: Petra with her pupils

“It is a great way for them to learn commercial studying, then it makes their self-esteem go enterprise,” explains Miguel. “We encourage up. “These workshops suit them because basic commerce and monitor it carefully. It is they develop skills and talent in one or other great for their self-esteem.” of the activities.” A classic example is Laura, whose sisters Ele- A heavenly aroma of baking entices us down na and Marta also attend the school. She is to the kitchen where a busy brigade of young one of five appointed ‘commercial directors’, commis chefs is receiving instruction from taking orders for biscuits and head cook, Petra Robles Valbadges. (Among the children, era. She also prepares breakthere is also a ‘president’, an fast and lunch from Tuesday The workshops ‘accountant’ and a ‘head garto Friday. Today she’s helpsuit them because ing the kids to make tarta de dener’). However, despite her sales aceite, magdalena cupcakes they develop skills, confident, clearly clever and chocolate and orange Laura has her mind set on a skills and talent in biscuits which they will then is hard at work pressing metal badges. She different career path. sell on to pupils from the orpresents me with a beautifully-designed be- “When I’m older I’d like to be different activities ganisation’s four other nearby spoke ‘Olive Press’ badge and a beaming a vet because I love animals,” schools. smile. she confides. “I like it here beOne of her helpers is 15-yearAlong with baking biscuits, badge-making is cause you can make lots of friends and learn old Manuel from La Linea. He has been one of the school businesses that the kids a lot.” based at the school for six years and holds run themselves, raising funds by taking or- The children respond to the business-like two prized positions - ‘chief accountant’ and ders and selling their wares to fellow pupils, structure, Miguel explains. ‘social media boss’, responsible for Facefriends and the local community. “If they are good in activities other than book and YouTube uploads. “The food here is always great and we can watch the football on TV here,” chips in 14-year-old Felicísimo, a Real Madrid fan from La Linea. “And we do lots of nice things. I really liked going to the cinema to see Star Wars, and once we went on a trip to Sevilla.” The infrequency of such excursions is one aspect Miguel would like to improve, as trips to new places help to broaden the children’s horizons. “There is a shortage of money, so the kids can’t travel much,” he says sadly. “Perhaps if somebody could donate a bus for the day we could take them somewhere a bit more often.” Finances are an ongoing problem made worse by Spain’s savage economic crisis which has given the province of Cadiz a particularly hard time. “We don’t have enough places now. We get BADGE OF HONOUR: San Isidro workshop and sellers

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lots of applications, and we have to turn plenty away,” says Miguel. But the dozens of smiling little faces I saw at San Isidro represent a triumph of hope over adversity. And their happiness is a tribute to the remarkable devotion of the staff. Later that evening, we join Miguel to watch a Real Madrid game in Estepona, near where he lives. Suddenly, a little boy in full Los Blancos kit comes bounding up to Miguel and gives him a huge hug. He’s a former San Isidro pupil, it turns out, now happily back home living with his mum after completing three successful years at the school. You literally couldn’t make this up and, even better, he disappears, returning five minutes later with his older sister, also a former resident, who also shares beams and hugs. Their mother is running a bar around the corner, having rebuilt her life following a family crisis. It’s good to be home with mum, but La Residencia Escolar San Isidro Labrador, their old alma mater, will always have a place in their hearts. To get in contact to order badges or to perhaps sponsor a coach trip pls contact Miguel at miguemm@gmail.com

RE-UNITED: Miguel with pupils

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May 25th - June 7th 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

Clone wars A CLONED Guardia Civil car that was used to steal and resell drugs from rival gangs has been recovered in Algeciras.

Smoked out A TOTAL of 11,940 packets of cigarettes with a value of €50,000 have been uncovered in a garage in La Linea.

Job boost A SPECIALIST employment commission has been proposed for the Campo de Gibraltar to boost employment figures in the region.

Party time RESIDENTS in San Roque celebrated the town’s 310th anniversary with a flamenco show in the main square.

Fly away UP to 15 complaints of fly tipping have been reported to police in La Linea in the past month.

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Homophobia gets the boot SPAIN’S first openly gay referee is calling for action from the EU after being forced to resign. Jesus Tomillero, from La Linea, has launched a petition asking the EU parliament to create a law against homophobia in sport. He quit football 14 months after coming out and following a torrent of homophobic abuse from fans and staff. “I want the Andalucian Football Federation to make a law against homophobia – games sus-

Referee forced to resign over homophobic abuse demands EU action

PROUD: Jesus

pended or a high fine to be paid because the last fine issued for insulting me with a homophobic slur was €150,” said Tomillero. “We shouldn’t be insulted in every game, nor threatened and even attacked. That is what I find deplorable. “I think that civilisation is not up to date yet.” The young ref has received support from Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano

Time for a teen change A TEENAGER in Algeciras is to become Spain’s youngest ever transsexual. At just 17 years of age he has been given court permission to change gender. He will also be legally registered as David, his new name. David’s mother Isabel said she was ‘happy’ that her child will now be happy in his own body.

“The truth is he always felt like a boy,” Isabel said. “From a young age he preferred playing with footballs to dolls.” She added: “Since he told us 14 months ago, we have undergone a tough journey but we are all so happy now. “Hopefully this will set a precedent for others in David’s position.”

Rajoy and former Real Madrid goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. The final straw for Tomillero came after he awarded a penalty during a match between Portuense and San Fernando Isleño in April. A visiting supporter shouted at him: “That’s that poof who was on the telly, you can stick the goal a***.” He previously presented a formal complaint against a kit man from Peña Madridista Linense in the under-19 league. The man was given a ninegame ban and a €30 fine for screaming. Tomillero has also criticised officials from the Andalucian Football Federation for ignoring him after he decided to come out publicly last March.

Reel life THE 13th African Film Festival is taking place in Tarifa from May 26. FCAT will premier the best in independent African cinema until June 4. For the first time, over 70 films and documentaries produced in Africa will be showcased in Tarifa and Tangier. A FCAT spokesman said the festival will ‘set up a bridge for dialogue between the Spanish and Moroccan shores of the Straits of Gibraltar’.

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NEWS

www.theolivepress.es www.gibraltarolivepress.com the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th 99 9 May 25th - June 7th 2016

Gib Floyd laser show to dazzle Gibraltar this August

VISUAL FEAST: Exhibit

Spring forward

PAINTERS, sculptors, photographers and filmmakers will be battling it out in this month’s Spring Visual Arts Competition. Gibraltar’s creative community’s work will be on display at Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery from May 24 to June 3 as part of the Gibraltar Spring Festival. The competition is being organised by Gibraltar Cultural Services, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture. There is a maximum of five entries per artist, who must submit original work. The competition is open to all Gibraltarians aged 16 and over Top prize for the overall winner is £3,250 with individual category prizes of £500 for painting, sculpture, photography, video and installations. The £1,000 Alwani Foundation Award will go to the artist whose work has the best Gibraltar theme. The event is part of the government’s push to promote contemporary arts in Gibraltar and abroad.

A LASER and pyrotechnics extravaganza will light up Gibraltar as part of Gib Flloyd’s summer gig. Tickets are now on sale for the ‘biggest and most technical show’ Gibraltar has ever seen at the Gibfloyd Chronology Event on August 4. The evening will culminate with a three-hour Gib Floyd audio/visual experience in what could be the Pink Floyd tribute band’s last concert. Promoter Jay Callejon of JProductions told the Olive Press: “We are going all out. We have ordered custom inflatables from China as well as an international team in

charge of our custom animations, local footage projections, pyrotechnics and fully programmed lasers and light shows. “This will be the biggest and most technical show Gibraltar has ever seen.” Acoustic bands will play from 4.30pm in the chillout tent before performances from some of Gibraltar's top bands.

TRIBUTE: Gib Floyd in action

Open sesame A RECORD 1,700 visitors have made this month’s Gibraltar Museum Open Day the most successful yet. The museum’s new wing was the main attraction at the day, which was themed ‘Museums and Cultural Landscapes’. Two life-size models of Neanderthal ancestors are now on display, having been reconstructed from skulls discovered in Gibraltar in the 19th century.

Berlin bonus A LOCAL art teacher has been selected for the first GibraltarBerlin artist in residence exchange programme. Alan Perez will spend July developing his skills in the German city during the exchange, which was set up for artists who work in urban public spaces. Berlin artist Max Sudhues travels to Gibraltar for a month this autumn as part of the exchange.

PICTURE PERFECT: Calpe house appeal

Picture that!

A GIBRALTAR artist is donating a painting to the Miss Gibraltar Calpe House Appeal. Mario Finlayson has made the donation from his Rooftops collection for public auction to help the charity’s fundraising campaign for new London premises. Calpe House provides accommodation and care for Gibraltarians in London for medical treatment. The reserve price is £2,000 for the painting, which is on display at John Mackintosh Hall where sealed bids can be submitted until May 31. A spokesman for Stage One, organisers of Miss Gibraltar 2016, said: “We feel this is a great opportunity for someone to buy a painting from one of the Rock’s most prominent artists while at the same time helping Calpe House.” Bidders are asked to include their name, contact details and amount they are bidding.

la cultura

Tracking history

Tuning in Granada takes an enlightened approach to live music

with Gary Beaumont

Rock city

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the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th

REETINGS music lovers. This week I’d like to hark back to a previous column referencing local authorities and their persecution of small music venues, because in at least one case that’s not true. The local authority in question is Granada which has just designated itself Ciudad del Rock (Rock City). It has a huge music scene out of all proportion to its size. Some attribute it to the large university campus, others to the huge numbers of bars and restaurants, while yet more cite the romantic influence of the Alhambra and its Moorish past. Whatever it is, Granada has produced more than its fair share of great bands and artists: Los Ángeles, Miguel Ríos, Los Planetas, 091, Lori Meyers, El Puchero del Hortelano, Lagartija Nick, and Niños Mutantes, to name a few, whilst the current crop of indie bands features Napoleon Solo, Estevez, Sonido Vegetal and many more. The ‘brand’ Granada Ciudad del Rock was officially launched a couple of months ago. And amongst the initiatives is the GRX R & R, a rock route listing all the venues that regularly host live music - from small bars to legendary music clubs like Sala El Tren, Boogaclub and Planta Baja. The city council will also be supporting music contests, battles of the bands events and many other projects to further develop the local music scene. All-in-all, it’s a refreshing change from the stifling attitude of petty-minded bureaucrats to be found in too many other town and city councils. And for this, Granada City Hall deserves a standing ovation. For more information on Granada Ciudad del Rock visit www. granadatur.com/granada-ciudad-del-rock

May 25th - June 7th 2016

In his latest book, Mr Henderson’s Railway Algeciras to Ronda by Train, expat author Nick Nutter retraces a feat of British engineering that would change the face of Andalucia

n the late 19th century Gibraltar was isolated from the rest of Europe. The rough mule tracks, haunted by bandeleros, that composed the road network in south-west Spain did not lend themselves to comfortable or safe travel. Three men proposed a plan to solve the problem by extending the rail network in Spain as far as Gibraltar. The Spanish War Ministry would have none of it saying, ‘Spain will never consent to any line that would connect the enemy territory of Gibraltar with the Spanish rail network.’ Undeterred, Captain Louis Lombard, John Morrison and Sir Alexander Henderson pressed on. They had a strategy in place. The result was a feat of British engineering

HISTORIC: One of the first trains and (top) Mr Henderson unequalled in Spain, a railway line from Algeciras to Ronda through some of the most rugged country in the Iberian peninsula. British steel, British rolling stock, British style stations, even the point levers set in the plat-

forms and the wrought iron canopy brackets were manufactured in Britain. Today the line is known as 'Mr Henderson's Railway'. Algeciras was as close to Gibraltar as the Spanish Government would allow a railway

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the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th

May 25th - June 7th 2016

what’s on

TUDENT EXHIBITION An exhibition showing the works of Westside School students at the Fine Arts Gallery on Casemates Square until June 10.

ISS GIBRALTAR The final pageant of Miss Gibraltar 2016, held at the John Mackintosh Hall Theatre on June 4, starts at 8.30pm.

ON TRACK: Line today, while (top, left) pier in Gibraltar and (left) author Nutter to extend. Our three heroes were ready to put part two of their cunning plan into operation. They obtained permission to build a pier at Algeciras and had Blackwood & Gordon Paisley and Port Glasgow Company build two steam paddle ships, the SS Elvira, built in 1882 and the PS Margarita in 1896. Now the officers and ladies from the garrison at Gibraltar could be taken by steam ship to Algeciras where a short branch line ran from the pier to the railway station. The Spanish had refused to allow the station to be built at the dockside because it would have been in range of another feat of British engineering, the 100 Ton Gun at Gibraltar. From Algeciras they could now travel in luxury to their favourite countryside retreats, Gaucin and Ronda, through scenery that is today still magnificent, orange groves, ravines and mountains alongside the raging torrent of the Rio Genal. Adding frisson to the experience was the chance to see the bandoleros, romanticised bandits who preyed on the unwary traveller passing through that inhospitable landscape. If not the bandoleros then they were almost certain to witness the activities of the contrabandistas who travelled on the slow moving train throwing their contraband, smuggled out of Gibraltar, out of the windows to confederates waiting alongside the track. There was only one thing lacking. Suitable

accommodation for those well healed genteel folk. The Algeciras (Gibraltar) Railway Company was more than able to take on that challenge as well. They formed a subsidiary company, the Iberian and Mediterranean Hotels Company. In 1901 the Hotel Reina Cristina, named after the Spanish Queen who ruled until Alfonso XIII came of age, was opened in Algeciras. Algeciras was promoted as 'The New Winter Resort' and the luxurious hotel became the place to stay. Our trio thought of everything. They even realised that delicate British guests would not be happy to know that their water was from native supplies so they arranged for another British company, the Andalucia English Water Company, to pipe water to the hotel. The hotel soon became the venue of choice for crowned heads of state, poets, authors, actresses and jazz singers. The Saturday afternoon tea dances became a social fixture for the Gibraltarians and the passengers from the P & O and Orient ships that called in at Gibraltar on their way to the Suez Canal and all points east. In 1906 the hotel hosted the Conference of Algeciras. One of the guests was a thirty one year old Winston Churchill.

MOMENTUS: First train design and (below) one of the many stations

HOWCASE The Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts puts on a showcase by its students at the Ince´s Hall Theatre. June 15-17 from 8pm. Info: info@gampa.gi

HARITY BALL C h i l d l i n e Gibraltar´s 10th anniversary ball at the Sunborn hotel on June 17. €70 tickets include three course meal and drinks. Info: 350 2004 3503

rchestra, May 26 GIBRALTAR’S Philharmonic Orchestra’s programme at St. Michael’s Cave includes arias by Verdi, Donizetti and Puccini. Info: 350 200 72134

On a roll the Iberian and Mediterranean Hotels Company then built a second hotel at Ronda, the Hotel Reina Victoria. Equally luxurious the hotel, opened in 1902, occupied a prime piece of land, 3000 square metres overlooking the Tajo Gorge. The well born folk from Gibraltar could now travel from 'The Rock', an English enclave, to Algeciras in British built steamships, stay at an hotel where all things, including the water they bathed in were British, be transported in luxury by rail, British of course, to be cosseted at the end of the line in yet another British haven. Perish the thought that they should ever encounter a Spaniard, apart from those employed to fill their bath and serve their drinks. Today you can travel the line, stay at the Reina Cristina at Algeciras; sadly the Saturday afternoon tea dance is no longer on the programme, and recuperate from the journey at the Hotel Reina Victoria in Ronda. On your travels luxuriate in the sybaritic splendour enjoyed by the Victorians and reflect on the privilege of being British. Read the full story in 'Mr Henderson's Railway - Algeciras to Ronda by Train' researched and written by Nick Nutter especially for the curious traveler. Books are available now through Amazon and after the 13th May in English bookshops in Estepona and Sabinillas to be followed by other bookshops on the Costa del Sol. For more Information email nick@ duquesagold.com

the Gibraltar May 25th 7th 2016 Olive Press October 1st - 14th 12 - June

POTTED POINTERS EMERGENCIES Police 199 Medical service 190 Fire 190 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.12 American dollars 0.77 British pounds 1.47 Canadian dollars 7.44 Danish kroner 8.71 H Kong dollars 9.36 Norwegian kroner 1.55 Singapore dollars ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS

Grave trouble DEAR OP,

I THINK it’s a real shame that North Front Cemetery has been allowed to become so overgrown. It’s surely not beyond the wit of Gibraltar’s authorities to make sure it is kept in a decent state (Give Them Our Dignity, Issue 18). Elderly people who come to the graveyard to pay their respects have had problems reaching their loved ones’ final resting place due to all the weeds. At the end of the day, we are all going to end up there and it’s a mark of respect to our dead to keep it in a fit state. We can do better!

Congrats and carry on The Olive Press would like to thank its readers for the warm words of support following last issue’s announcement that we had been named Spain’s best English-language expat newspaper and the world’s second best. Here are just a few congratulatory messages we received: Congratulations and thanks for highlighting the causes of expats and all those with an interest in Spain. Jane Garrett, Axarquia Thanks for hours of interest and fun. Keep ’em coming! Stefanjo Lewinski, Ronda

Jim Black, La Linea

Weeded out

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I WOULD like to pledge my support to the campaign to improve North Front Cemetery. It’s causing a fair amount of anger among relatives of the dead and it’s a cause that unites us all. It’s good to see Daniel Feetham supporting the campaign, but as he says it’s something that crosses all political boundaries. Everyone in the graveyard votes the same, after all.

LETTERS

well

earned

reward,

FIFA fanfare HOW thrilling to see Gibraltar is to become a FIFA member! (Take On The World, issue 18). This is a moment we have all been dreaming of. I really can’t believe September 4-6 our boys will be playing in World Cup qualifiers. From what I can see, the first games would be played from the 04 to the 06th of September. The same

Anonymous, Gibraltar

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

www.gibraltarolivepress.com the unexpected, issue 18. Over the years I have visited Gibraltar on tour and on excursions in the winter. I loved Gibraltar’s history which I found out from friends in Gibraltar, and by reading as much history as I could about it. Thank you for making my day! Helena Paling, Nerja

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October 2015

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Barged aside thanks for a great read every two weeks. Jack Smith, Marbella Congratulations and thanks for your openness to non British expats Wolfgang Hoffman, Estepona weekend as the Gibraltar Music Festival! What a party that promises to be! Well done to GFA President Michael Llamas and his team and come on Gibraltar! Anonymous, Gibraltar

Rock tales I found this article so interesting, as I used to be an historical director (Tales of

Letters should be emailed to letters@ theolivepress.es. The writer’s name and address should be provided. Opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

I write with interest, as an avid Olive Press reader, concerning your recent articles relating to Queensway Quay Marina, Gibraltar. I have lived and worked on the Quay for over 22 years arriving here in 1994. There is no doubt over the past two decades that Gibraltar has experienced substantial property growth alongside major beautification. Thus it is transparent that whilst these projects are carried out that there is going to be a certain amount of disruption that leads to human response and debate. This barge, like many other similar vessels and machinery, has been instrumental in the construction of all of the above named projects. I have followed your publication for many years and I am happy that you have now expanded into Gibraltar. I am sure, therefore, you would wish to have some of the background information to the development of Queensway Quay Marina. Name withheld, Gibraltar

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May 25th - June 7th 2016

Booming July predicted following ‘pause’ in run-up to EU referendum Special report by Iona Napier

BOSSES: Cox and Wells

In come the big bucks! A HUGE US property fund is splashing €45 million on three new Costa del Sol developments. The American bosses behind Real Capital Solutions have snapped up sizeable plots in Estepona, Mijas and Benahavis and continue to look at further opportunities along the coast. The company, based in Marbella since 2013, already has five other developments, including The Retreat, in Elviria.

“We have spent around €86 million here so far and have a fund of €100 million to spend,” explained Managing Partner Peter Wells, based in Colorado. “We are one of the largest developers on the Costa del Sol and our emphasis is on distressed properties.” He added: “Also we do things transparently and always try and deliver on price and quality.” The company - which made hundreds of millions buying and selling distressed properties in the US - has 16 staff working out of its office at Centro Plaza. Local boss Taylor Cox, added: “The coast is really starting to come alive and it’s a pleasure to live in such a beautiful part of the world.”

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ESTATE agents in Spain and Gibraltar are lining themselves up for the busiest July on record. It comes as some British buyers put purchases on hold due to the forthcoming EU referendum on June 23. Most agents the Olive Press spoke to confirmed they had various sales currently ‘paused’ awaiting the result, despite the British market remaining strong. The majority believe that the expected result - to stay in Europe - will lead to the pound strengthening with a red hot summer of sales to follow. Ben Bateman, at Holmes Sotogrande, described the referendum lead up as a ‘pause for thought for British buyers’ due to concerns over the weak pound. “After a remain vote however, we expect to see a strong finish to the year - and a sudden wave of bids from British buyers,” he told the Olive Press. One agent in Gibraltar has gone one step further actually employing extra staff for July. Savills director Sammy Cruz-Armstrong said: “Everything is on hold due to Brexit, but I am convinced we will stay in Europe and am taking on extra staff in July to deal with the expected deluge of business.” Benahavis agent Scott Marshall of Proper-

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Roll on Remain tieSpain, meanwhile, described the pause as ‘very psychological’. He said: “It’s a combination of the uncertainty of the vote and the exchange rate right now.” While many agents have a couple of sales currently on hold, some have seen more. “We have up to ten sales currently on hold until after the referendum,” said Victor Witkowski, boss of Castles, in Manilva. “Buyers are not necessarily pulling out, but they are biding their time to see what happens.” Fellow Manilva agent, Shani Hamilton, also confirmed a slowdown, but added: “We are predicting a huge influx of business as soon as a decision is made.”

Who is buying in Spain?

Page 14

Who’s the man with a big plan?

Page 15

Deals

Spanish property sales by nationality and quarter

www.spanishpropertyinsight.com Source: Registradores Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 Q1 2015 Q2 2015 Q3 2015 Q4 2015 Q1 2016

Either way, official statistics out this month confirm the British market remains strong and tens of thousands continue to look for their dream home. Respected analyst Mark Stucklin insists that foreign demand for Spanish property was up 16% in the first quarter with Brits the biggest group of foreign buyers at 22% of the market share. “The British still dominate the foreign market for property and there is no evidence of a noticeable decline in demand as yet,” he said. And certainly not everyone is suffering. One agent, Graham Govier of Inland Andalucia has seen ‘no negative impact’ at all during the referendum lead-up. “In fact it is the opposite. Prices are extremely cheap right now and we are selling two times as many properties as we were last year,” he said. He added: “My salesman Paul - already a bit of a local celebrity - has just completed his seventh consecutive sale and people are buying because they can see that the incredible deals won’t wait around for them forever,” he added. Paul made headlines in the Olive Press last year when he sold an impressive nine properties in a row.

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Top class SPAIN will top the International Monetary Fund’s property market table this year following mammoth increases in UK and Swedish investments. Figures from the Organisation for Economic Development (OECD) reveal UK buyers accounted for 21% of sales last year, while Swedish sales increased by 220%, accounting for 6%. The statistics still show however that it is still possible to acquire a bargain in Spain, with property undervalued by 26%. In contrast, the UK and Swedish markets were overvalued by 7% and 114% respectively. “The Spanish housing market has experienced an encouraging start to the year and with an increasing number of overseas buyers looking to Spain, I would expect this positive trend to continue during the coming months," said Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey España.

On the up HOUSE sales in Spain continue to climb with a 16.8% year-on-year increase recorded in March. Andalucia was flavour of the month, counting the highest number of housing transactions – 6,299 – followed by 5,123 in Catalunya and 4,878 in Madrid. March saw a total of 31,925 transactions, according to Spain’s National Statistics Institute. The second-hand home market is leading the way with sales up by 24.2% in March 2016 compared to the same month the year before: some 25,800 transactions.

www.theolivepress.es

May 25th - June 7th 2016

Foreign demand for Spanish property was up 16% in the first quarter of 2016 with a strong British market despite Brexit fears and a weaker pound, writes Mark Stucklin of Spanish Property Insight

HERE were 99,427 homes sales recorded in the first three months of 2016, up 9.8% on the same period last year, according to latest figures from the Property Registrars. Locals bought 86,571 homes, up 8.9%, and foreigners bought 12,856 homes, up 16.4%. As a result, foreign demand accounted for 12.9% of the market in the first quarter, down from 14.4% in 2015’s last quarter, but up from 8.6% at the start of 2013. Once again the British were by far the biggest group of foreign buyers with 2,814 purchases registered in the period and 22% of foreign market share, followed by the French with 1,014 acquisitions and 8% foreign market share. Looking at just the biggest markets, British demand increased the most yearon-year, up 44%, followed by Sweden, up 34%, and China up 18%. Russian demand once again posted the biggest decline, down 35%. Both the biggest market, and one of the fastest growing, the British domi- BIG INTEREST: Brits leading the way in Spanish property purchases nate the foreign market for Despite the impressive growth of de- might decline noticeably in the first property in Spain. The chart pictured, focusing on four mand from the UK, the recent fall in two quarters of this year, at least unkey markets since Q1 2013, illus- the pound against the euro, and fears til the referendum is out of the way. trates how British demand has taken of Brexit result in the forthcoming But there is no evidence of a softoff in recent years, while France and June 23 UK referendum on EU mem- ening of British demand in these Germany increased only slightly, and bership, led me to speculate that Brit- figures. ish demand for property in Spain However, it’s worth bearing in mind Russian demand collapsed.

No fear

BIG SPENDERS: Brits

that these figures from the registrars lag the market by a month or two, which is the time it takes for sales to be recorded in the property register. If indeed there has been a downturn in British demand in the first quarter, the second quarter’s results might be more revealing. Another chart shows British demand clearly relates to the strength of the pound with a time lag of around six months. As the pound weakens against the euro, less British buyers enter the market. So the next quarter’s results could be quite revealing indeed. However, after the referendum, as the pound inevitably strengthens again, the buyers will come back. Mark Stucklin runs www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

NEW LOCATION FOR LA PERLA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Jane Clay has opened the doors to her plush new office in Sabinillas and couldn’t be happier!!! With it’s central location it’s now even easier to pop in and have a chat to resolve all your doubts on your property in Spain. La Perla Living in Bahia passed on to be La Perla Property Management in 2010 and Jane has over 29 years experience of managing property on the coast. In DLP San Pedro in 1987 then in Sotogrande in Paniagua and followed by La Paloma de Manilva where all the infraestructure was renewed and all the villas built, moving on in 2003 to La Perla de la Bahia where she now manages 140 of the properties onsite. The services are dedicated to taking the ‘hassle factor’ out of being a homeowner in Spain, making your life as easy as you want it to be and increasing the enjoyment of your property. They are always making improvements to be able to offer an even higher quality of service. They offer an array of services for your convenience and they can be specifically tailored to your situation or needs. Services include: Cleaning packages A, B & C Annual Air-conditioning Contracts Insurance Brokers Gardening & Plants Welcome Package Personal Secretary Weekly Check Maintenance Service They can manage the Sale or rental of your property for long or short lets. If you bought your property as an investment or as a second home, they can arrange rentals for the periods where the house is not being used with the advantage that they always have a person on site to help the rental clients and to make sure that your house is always being looked after. Jane Clay – La Perla Property Management jane.clay@laperladelabahia.com janelclay@hotmail.com Tel : + 34 952 890 930 Fax: + 34 952 897 377 Mobile + 34 620 368 288 Conjunto San Luis, Portal 3 Local 4 (next to Banco Popular), Calle Isaac Peral, San Luis de Sabinillas, Manilva, 29692 Malaga

www.laperladelabahia.com

Jane and her team can’t wait to welcome you to their new office and help you in all your needs

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the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th 15 www.theolivepress.es May 25th - June 7th 2016

A right rural row... AN Andalucian mayor is being investigated after a Lebanese property magnate was accused of building illegally on protected land. Mijas leader Juan Carlos Maldonado is accused by the local PP party of allowing the illegal construction at Finca El Pantanillo, near Río Ojén. “The works are continuing because nobody does anything to stop them and the damage they are causing is terrible,” insisted PP councillor Carmen Márquez. The unnamed developer is now being probed by the Guardia Civil after he begun construction of a home CONTROVERSIAL: Finca El Pantaand dug two huge artificial lakes, allegedly without nillo is under construction permission.

Homework club Marbella leading the way HOUSE sales in Marbella, the property hotspot of the Costa del Sol, are going from strength to strength. The town is settling into its fifth consecutive year of recovery after a successful 2015 when house sales increased almost 10% on the previous year, according to estate agent Panorama. In fact, the sales numbers are almost on a par with those in 2006, the year preceding the crisis when Spain’s market was at its strongest. Recovery While prices in the most exclusive areas of Marbella are ‘on the rise’, the number of sales completed, affordable prices appearing, and mortgage opportunities are spelling positive news for Spain’s property market. “There is a similar recovery scenario throughout all of Spain, although recovery on a national level is a couple of years behind Marbella,” said Panorama director Christopher Clover. “Marbella’s ‘head start’ to recovery is a result of its multi-country source market – it’s safe to say that the property market recovery in Spain began here.”

GIBRALTAR real estate expert is proposing a ‘revolutionary’ solution to the lack of office space. Mike Nicholls, managing director of Chesterton, has revealed his estate agent firm now encourages staff to work from home. The company took the decision after failing to find larger premises in Ocean Village for the past two years. “Our biggest constraint to growth is scarcity of land and space,” Nicholls told the Olive Press. “We have two members of staff who are based at home but come in for meetings when required. “They are happier and I am happy because I don’t have to pay for the desk space. “It’s a model increasingly common in the UK and it made me think about the benefit to Gibraltar if flexible working patterns were encouraged here as well.” Nicholls added that the Gibraltar administrative infrastructure should encourage home working in the same manner as it is encouraged in the UK. “We may find that we need less new construction if we use existing building space more efficiently,” he said.

HE bar is regularly the place I meet interesting people, and last week was no different. I was returning to the UK for the A Place in the Sun Live! Exhibition at Olympia and the journey had started so well. I caught the 40-minute bus from Marbella to the airport and the driver had the Real Madrid v Man City match blasting the excited Spanish commentator. Luckily for the passengers, it remained nil-nil in the first half - I was worried if Madrid had scored we would have been subject to the driver jumping out his chair at the cry of GOOOOOAL! And turning to his public (the passengers) celebrating, leaving the bus to steer itself! I cleared baggage control speedily with my smartphone boarding pass and just hand luggage before finding a bar for the second half of the match. I naturally wanted City to win, despite being a Chelsea supporter (us Brits are good like that). On my right was a chap who was perpetually on his phone while watching

‘Revolutionary’ crowding solution proposed to make space on the Rock

Just two months to buy TWO thirds of Europeans wishing to buy a house manage to do so in two months, a study by RE/MAX Europe has revealed. Spaniards visit seven properties on average before making a choice, while 81% will conduct extensive searches online before setting foot outside the door. The Portuguese are even faster and find the home they want in one month on average. Meanwhile the Austrians and the Dutch take their time and tend to spend around half a year browsing suitable options. Brits will visit a minimum of 10 houses before putting money down while just 4% of Europeans are fussy enough to visit more than 20. The Finnish, however, are content seeing just four pads.

Payback time

AS many as 100,000 British property investors could be set for a refund from Spanish banks. Deposits for off-plan apartments which were ‘lost’ when the property crash hit in Spain can now be reclaimed after the supreme court ruled that banks should have protected the deposits. One firm, Spanish Legal Reclaims believes this could mean out-of-pocket investors receiving an average payout of €25,000. This could cost Spanish banks up to €19 billion. “Finally there is a real possibility to recover your money,” said Luis Cuervo from Spanish Legal Reclaims. “Previously it was impossible to get your money from the developers but now you can claim with the banks and they have the resources to pay people back.” He added that ripped off investors should be ‘quietly confident’ they will be refunded but that they might have to put up a fight.

BUSY: Gibraltar and (inset) Nicholls

Who is taking bets? the match and commenting throughout in English. I took up my usual airport hobby of people-watching, and kept an eye on the match. Once the game was over and the chap was off the phone, I asked if he was a City supporter talking to his family in the UK. He laughed and said no, he was from Sheffield, and was the ‘price-maker’ for a BIG bookmakers in Gibraltar.

His lengthy phone call made sense now! We talked briefly about his job and mine, and inevitably we met slap bang in the middle - Brexit and currency. He was concerned that his wages and possibly status in Gibraltar would be affected, and I was waxing lyrical on the episodes that sterling had encountered in the last few months.

Once I had finished my market commentary, he talked with conviction about a recent office wager on Brexit and the effect on sterling. I am not a betting man - I have been working too long in the currency markets - but the office sweepstake was: Staying IN Europe: 90% with Sterling up on June 23 by 7%. Many of us on the coast will hope he is right. Bookmakers usually are... However, a currency broker’s role has always been to protect his clients from the potential downside of economic and political events like the referendum during their transaction. So, we cannot be subject to speculation, or ‘the chap at the bar’. This is where it really pays for those making international transfers to talk to a currency expert, to steer you through all the speculation and focus on the important part - protecting you and your money from the risks of exchange rate fluctuations in uncertain times. Email Mark@smartcurrencyexchange.com or visit the Mijas La Cala office.

the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th

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the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th

18 the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th Property

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18 May www.gibraltarolivepress.com 25th - June 7th 2016

Rob Horgan tours Spain’s little-known architectural wonders

Hidden gems T

HEY were the architectural treasures of their time, built at huge costs including gallons of blood, sweat and tears, only to be abandoned or eclipsed. Fame was not their destiny, as it was for Granada’s Alhambra, Cordoba’s Mezquita or Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, all known to tourists worldwide.

In a country where cathedrals come 20 to the dozen and Moorish ruins are regularly unearthed beneath humble pueblos blancos, most people would be forgiven for thinking all of Spain’s best-kept architectural secrets had been let out of the bag. But they’d be wrong. Here are seven monumental treasures worth popping along to:

Canfranc Railway Station Spain may boast the second-largest high-speed rail network in the world but the signalman at Canfranc station has been out of a job for decades. This abandoned 20th century railway station in the Spanish Pyrenees has known better times and was a vital trade gateway between Spain and France for much of the last century. Opened in 1928, it transported goods and Swiss gold during World War II but was brought to an abrupt halt in 1970 when a derailment destroyed a bridge on the French side of the line. Today, although the abandoned tracks are mostly overgrown, the buildings are largely intact and guided tours now run in July and August.

Vajrayana Dag Shang Kagyü Buddhist temple A Buddhist temple is the last structure you expect to encounter at the gateway to the Pyrenees, although the snow-capped mountain scenery bears a passing resemblance to Tibet. And, perhaps because of its unpronounceable name, the Vajrayana Dag Shang Kagyü Buddhist temple is largely unvisited by tourists. It is principally used by Buddhist pilgrims from across Spain who stop to rest up and seek enlightenment in the small, spartan cabins for a day or two. Built on a farm in Huesca in 1984, the temple’s main feature is a 17-metre high Stupa. Although well off the beaten tourist track, it has room for 40 guests and full board is offered to anyone who wishes to stay, whether they know the words to the hare krishna mantra or not.

Ancient Acinipo The Bronze-age settlement of Acinipo near Ronda is one of Andalucia’s best-kept secrets, even though the ruins spread across an area the size of 32 rugby pitches. The site boasts an impressive 2,000-seat Roman amphitheatre complete with orange-tiled orchestra pit and actors’ changing room. Minting its own money throughout the first century, Acinipo gave way to Arunda (now Ronda) in 429, as it was easier to defend. The theatre now has a new lease of life as the stage for an annual classic Greek and Roman summer festival.

Moreruela Monastery One of the first Catholic Cistercian monasteries in the Iberian Peninsula, the 11th century building was once among the crowning architectural glories of Granja de Moreruela in Castilla y Leon. Initially home to 100 monks, more in its 13th century heyday when it was part-owned by the Prince of Zamora, numbers fell to just over 30 by the 18th century and no one knew quite what to do with it after that. It was declared an Artistic Historical Monument in 1931 but was not given protected status until 1981, by which time much of the surrounding lands had been sold.

Cartuja d’Escaladei The first ever Carthusian monastery built in Spain, the Cartuja d’Escaladei was commissioned by no less a mortal than King Alfonso II in 1194. However, royal patronage and holy heritage clearly counted for nothing and what must, at one time, have been the most

Sant Climent church

We specialise in holiday rentals Great holiday homes – relaxed letting

Few churches in Spain are omitted from the tourist itinerary but most foreigners and few Spanish can tell you about the Sant Climent basilica in Tahull, Lleida, even though it is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Built in 1125, it was virtually left to rot in peace until restoration began in the 1990s. Now the original leaky wooden roof has been replaced by stone and brick work. Much of the church’s furniture and artefacts which were on loan to nearby museums have also been returned to make the place feel more like God’s own home.

Leave your holiday home in good hands and benefit from our reliable service. Based in Spain we specialise in marketing, professional advice*, valuable maintenance, guest reception and on-site support. *compliance with the new regulation 194/2010 and 28/2016

Castle of the Knights’ Templar

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beautiful building in Priorat, Tarragona, was seized and largely destroyed in 1835. Today, you can still see vestiges of its former glory on a visit to the ruins, while much of the original furniture and paintings remain amazingly intact.

A former Roman castle which was also a Visigoth and a Celtic stronghold, the Castillo de los Templarios is the stuff of fairytales and as impressive as any citadel in Spain. Perched atop a hill at the confluence of two rivers, the 12th century fortress keeps lookout over the boundaries between El Bierzo, Leon and Castilla y Leon. A mix of hexagonal-shaped rooms, towers and archways, tours are available from May until October.

As we reach peak season,the buyers areOlive arriving their droves – and they’re Gibraltar PressinOctober 1st - 14th 19 not waiting for Brexit, insists Shani Hamilton, from Hamilton Homes, in Manilva

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Summer sellin’

To get in touch, contact Hamilton Homes on +34 952 890 444 or email olive@hamilton-homes.com prop@hamilton-homes.com

HE property market in Andalucia is hotting up in tune with the weather. And as the parasols go up and the sunscreen gets slapped on, property prices are slowly beginning

AGENTS: Andrew and Shani

to climb again. But, luckily in certain pockets of the coast, in particular in our areas of Manilva and Casares, there are still some incredible bargains to be had.

The market won’t stop for Brexit - but the Brits have taken a pause THERE are lots of people on the hunt for their dream home but British buyers are taking a little pause, with the Brexit referendum looming. They are still looking and they are still putting down small deposits, but most are waiting for June 23 to make a final decision. Either way, Spain will still be Spain after the

Brexit vote and there are still plenty of buyers from all over the world happy to spend money here regardless. My worry is that the British people will miss out and once they’re ready to commit, many of the best deals will be gone. Many Europeans are already buying in force. The good properties are not waiting for the

British to buy them. People from all over Europe are coming up with money, especially from Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Ireland and Hungary. It seems that for businesses Britain is better in Europe - we will certainly be voting to remain in the EU on June 23.

You will certainly find significantly better value for money here than in Marbella - with some properties costing less than half what they would in Marbella. Most clients buying in Manilva are not just buying for investment, but for the fantastic lifestyle here, for personal use and as a holiday home and future retirement property. There is a great combination of the familiarity of a strong expat population alongside the real essence of the real Spain. Wherever you are around here, from Duquesa marina to inland Casares, or from La Paloma beach to Manilva village there is plenty of space. What’s more the beaches do not get busy and there are some great areas to be discovered and explored such as the Castillo and inland at the Roman Oasis, not to mention the stunning white village of Casares.

Hot properties

Here are our ‘quick sellers’ – the most exciting opportunities on our books right now: Sabinillas townhouse for €250,000

Beachside apartment in Sabinillas for €185,000

STAR HOME

THIS three-bedroom photogenic detached townhouse is in Maria Teresa, a quiet area of Sabinillas. It is within walking distance of the quiet beaches, quality local bars and restaurants, supermarkets, parks and also has a communal pool. The independent home in the heart of Sabinillas has a large back terrace and a front porch. The community fees are very cheap.

FOR sea views and ample facilities within a resort-style urbanisation, look no further than this three bedroom, two bathroom apartment. With sea views, the excellently maintained La Noria development leads on to Sabinillas promenade.

Manilva beach townhouse for just €250,000

Luxury apartment in Finca Cortesin for €269,00 THIS gem of a two-bedroom flat in one of Europe’s most elegant resorts has a luxurious, almost colonial feel. The ample terrace with beautiful views has space for lounging and dining. There are also three beautiful communal pools, 24-hour security, while it sits next to the Volvo Masters Finca Cortesin Golf course.

Our superb featured property this month is priced to sell as the owners are changing location. The stunning frontline beach townhouse with three bedrooms and two bathrooms steps literally right onto the beach and its own private garden. There are even four pools, a ten-

R STAAL DE

nis court and a padel court onsite which makes it perfect for families. Buyers will love the proximity to chiringuitos, supermarkets and the port, while community fees are affordable. It has a comfortable layout of split level lounge dining room,

a brand new kitchen, and is decorated to a high standard throughout. The current owners began there as newlyweds, raised a young family here and are now changing location but are reticent to say goodbye to this cherished beachside home.

Duquesa penthouse apartment for €124,000 WHERE else in the world can you buy a penthouse flat for under €125,000? This beautiful penthouse to the sea and golf course also has a jacuzzi bath and is furnished to a very high standard. The fully renovated ‘turnkey’ property also has a storage room and private parking. The urbanisation of Duquesa Village is extremely sought-after and has manicured gardens, a padel tennis court and communal pools.

Bag your bargain: Doña Julia development in Casares SPECTACULAR sea, mountain, vineyard and golf course views are just the one perk of living in Doña Julia development. The south-facing apartments all have elegant fitted kitchens with Siemens and Bosch appliances. Ground floor apartments have private gardens while penthouses offer solariums with hot tubs. And the communal pool areas have have comfortable sunbeds, sunshades and plenty of green space. There is a fantastic infinity jacuzzi

pool which seats 20 and has two jacuzzi beds and the kids’ park complete with a pyramid climbing frame is another bonus. Quality and luxury meet for a reasonable price: we have sold out of units at €152,000 but there are some left at €161,000. Seize them before the next price increase! To get in touch, contact Hamilton Homes on +34 952 890 444 or email prop@hamilton-homes. com

To get in touch, contact Hamilton Homes on +34 952 890 444 or email olive@hamilton-homes.com prop@hamilton-homes.com

20 the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th Property

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20 May www.gibraltarolivepress.com 25th - June 7th 2016

a very special counTry properTy! From the Owner

Three separate buildings, chic Country Style, natural materials, stone, wood, etc. Modern kitchen and bathrooms. Big well build pool 4 hct. land, perfect entrance from main road. Orange and fruit groves Great views -Gibraltar, Africa, Sea and Riverland10 min. Gaucin, 25 min. Sotogrande and Coast Suitable Boutique Hotel or three Family-homes!

Very reasonable price !!!!!!

Two fanTasTic land holdings!!

40 hct. and 38 hct. both bordering Rio Genal, Ronda Valley

The 40 hct. is perfect for any touristic use. 800 m River frontage, very old mill, flat lands! Olives + Cork wood’s, old buildings to renovate. For training centers, Eco farming, horses, animals sheep, etc.. Summer schools for children, Yoga, executive training, Art Hotel/ Restaurant. Idea plan’s available, Townhall approval. Work team, best price’s and experience. 15 min. two Villages, 45 min. to Estepona. The 38 hct. much closer to Coast, Sotogrande! Great views River, buildings to renovate. Idea perhaps parking short -and long- term for Caravans. Hotel/ Restaurant/ Apartaments. idea plan’s available,Townhall approval. 4 min. main road, 15 min. Coast, 25 min. Sotogrande!

Both Farm’s price under

1.000.000 €

More information call or email: Margarita, tel. 952 11 74 51 / margaritaftaylor@hotmail.com

Or Peter, mob. 670 01 52 02

Top Dollar

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the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th

The apprentice THE GSD has accused the government of ‘losing touch’ over apprenticeship IT training programmes. The opposition are claiming that Joe Bossano, GSLP Minister for Economic Development, rejected GSD MP Elliott Phillips’ suggestion of IT and software development apprenticeships. Phillips said: “It is remarkable for the GSLP to suggest that we should stagnate and not create better opportunities for our young people in the new and emerging industries. “The GSD will not rest until we develop an apprenticeship training programme. “Our outreach to small and medium size local business has demonstrated that there is a serious skills shortage.”

Once it reaches its full 5MW capacity, the wave power installation will provide 15% of Gibraltar’s energy needs. The project’s floating mechanisms, known as the Wave Clapper and the Power Wing, rise and fall in tandem with the waves. It will help Gibraltar reach its EU commitments, which state that renewables must provide 20% of all energy by 2020.

NEWS IN BRIEF Throught the lens

A FIRST: Wave power

Picardo: ‘Rock’s not for turning’ Chief Minister issues business clarion call over Brexit FABIAN Picardo has warned of the risks to Gibraltar workers and businesses in the event of Brexit. The Chief Minister highlighted equal pay and maternity leave as benefits enjoyed by workers as a result of the

Aside from the sunshine, nothing is a dead cert right now - least of all the market

REMAINER: Picardo

HIS is my favourite time of the year. The weather is warming up but the summer hordes have yet to descend (anyone reading this abroad will however be most welcome!). The spring of 2016, however, is likely to be remembered more for the momentous ‘Brexit’ referendum, the implications of which could affect us for years to come. Just to add to the uncertainty, of course, there is also the second Spanish general election in six months on June 26. And, lest we forget, a US presidential election looms later in the year. Economically, the euro zone is most definitely not out of the woods. China’s slowdown continues to threaten us and global terrorism is a real concern. The list goes on and on. It might just be my age but I sense that the world has not experienced such uncertainty for many years. Readers will follow developments in the Olive Press and other media, no doubt. But there is little we can do to mitigate all this uncertainty. It won’t go away and short of casting our votes in the referendum and elections as and when they are called, what else can we do? As always, I look at this from a financial perspective because the markets hate uncertainty – and volatility in share prices, currencies and commodities may affect us all financially. Even the possibility of ‘Brexit’ is likely to lead to a fall in the pound’s value. Pundits also warn that the euro itself might wobble too (the idea being that a UK exit is bad

Email: gib@SovereignGroup.com Tel: +350 200 76173 www.SovereignGroup.com

Rock’s EU membership. He also pointed to Gibraltar’s status as one of the region’s main employers, with 7,000 workers a day able to cross the border from ‘one of the most deprived areas of Andalucia’. Writing in London newspaper City AM, Picardo identified ‘crucial’ EU trade rules that have opened up access to Europe’s services and goods market for Gibraltar. “The EU’s single market has over 500 million customers.

That is a great opportunity for all entrepreneurs,” said Picardo. “It is by far Gibraltar’s biggest market, and being in the single market makes it easier and cheaper for Gibraltar companies to sell their services. “This club works for us and this Rock’s not for turning. Why on earth would we choose to slide back down the ladder to start all over again? “That’s why we will overwhelmingly vote to remain.”

SPANISH scientists are among an exclusive group to own the world’s most powerful microscope after it was installed in Madrid’s University.

Melon heads SPAIN has the most profitable watermelon market in the world, raking in €298m last year, topping the largest exporter Mexico.

Huawei hopes CHINESE telecommunications giant Huawei celebrated the 15th anniversary of its arrival in Spain.

Pay back STATE-rescued lender Bankia has paid out €1.2 billion in compensation to over 190,000 investors.

Le Breton’s Briefing

An uncertain summer news for the EU generally) – but nothing is certain. If you are considering a large transaction that involves a currency exchange, such as a property purchase (or sale), then it might well be worth considering locking in the rate now. Certain asset classes could also be affected by the various threats that surround us now; so take the time to speak to your financial adviser to ensure that your portfolio is adequately diversified and is not over-exposed in any one sector. Almost ten years of global financial upheaval has had a drastic effect on pensions. Final salary arrangements, for instance, are almost unheard of today but there are many new products designed specifically for the internationally mobile. It may be wise to consider your options; particularly if you recently arrived in these parts but retain a UK pension – or, indeed, if you are considering a return home after years of expat life. Uncertainty may leave you feeling anxious about succession issues. A regular review of your will is always recommended to ensure your current wishes are reflected. Depending on circumstances, which would include your nationality and country of residence, a trust may also be a suitable option to provide more certainty. As always, professional advice should be sought. So is anything certain? Well, we can be sure in this part of the world at least that the sun will be shining. And, of course, you should counter any uncertainty that this might bring by using the right sun block! It’s going to be an interesting summer.

May 25th - June 7th 2016

Welcome wave THE first wave power installation in Gibraltar is set to be officially opened at Ammunition Jetty. Israeli company Eco Wave Power’s project will be connected to the Rock’s power station on May 26 in front of Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and Minister of Health John Cortes. The first stage of the device - a 100KW grid was installed in March before testing began.

GIBRALTAR’S FIRST TRULY WORLD CLASS WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Find your perfect office space. Talk to NP Estates for more information The Old Bank, 17-21 Cannon Lane, Gibraltar, P.O. Box 1418 T: +350 200 48532 F: +350 200 62050 E: info@npestates.com www.npestates.com

22 the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th www.theolivepress. 22

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Property AGONY ANT Property YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

The banks’ payback 100,000 British investors could be in line for a payout

HIS week, failed Spanish property investors woke up to a tantalising BBC news headline; ‘Up to 100,000 UK investors in Spanish homes could get payout’. The article quoted a Barcelona-based law firm, Spanish Legal Reclaims (SLR), on the round figure of investors who could be in line for a full refund. Two issues ago in this very column, we almost anticipated the BBC’s article when stating various 2015 Supreme Court (SC) rulings had confirmed its support for banking, insurance and, notably, off-plan property consumers. In May 2015, and then in December 2015, the SC ruled that property developers are responsible ‘in any event’ of down payments made by consumers on off-plan properties, provided the bank was aware of the purpose of the payments. The ruling, along with two prior ones, addressed the issue of banks’ duty of care towards consumers, in line with the provisions of the 1968 Act on Deposit Guarantees on Off-Plan Properties. But while the rulings are encouraging for anyone caught in the 2008 off-plan property debacle, not every investor will qualify. As a rule of thumb, investors will have the right to claim from banks who failed to guarantee deposits in the following circumstances:

1. That the bank was aware the deposits were for the purpose of building off-plan property; proving ‘awareness’ is pretty simple inasmuch as banks ought to have known that hundreds of thousands of euros going through developers’ accounts were from property investors. There have been cases where funds were remitted to UK accounts operated by real estate or intermediary companies, a situation that complicates matters. The ‘Ocean View Properties’ off-plan property scandal comes to mind here. 2. That the properties were not completed or, if completed with delay, that the buyer had exercised his right to terminate the contract for breach of contract before the developer had obtained the licence of occupancy. Banks – and Courts for that matter- are aware that many thousands who were no longer interested in completing on finished properties will file claims for the return of their deposits. 3. That the buyer was not a property investor i.e. buying several units for reselling, in which case he/she will not be classed as a consumer under the 1968 Act. As with most legal matters, a case-by-case analysis will be required to establish the feasibility of a legal claim.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.es

Abacus is offering Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS).

Take control of your retirement dreams

CEO Chris Pitaluga commented, “We have been contemplating entering the pension market for some time and are delighted to launch the Prosperity QROPS, our first QROPS under the Abacus branding.” He further commented, “Abacus is committed to Gibraltar as a jurisdiction and we aim to attract the highest quality introducers as part of our long term plan.” Our Prosperity QROPS could be of benefit to you if you currently have a UK Registered Pension scheme and are living abroad or intend to do so. Deciding on the right pension plan is a fundamental part of retirement planning and will have a significant impact on your retirement lifestyle. Why not benefit from the following? • Increased tax efficiency. • Wider investment control. • Increased flexibility. • Exemption from the UK Lifetime Allowance test. • Pass on your pension fund to future generations. • The simplicity of consolidating all your UK pensions into one QROPS. If you, or your independent financial adviser, feel that a QROPS may be the right solution for you to achieve your retirement aspirations, please contact us. We are here to help.

OUR PROSPERITY QROPS CAN MAKE IT A REALITY For further Information contact:

For further Information contact:

Joanne Rodriguez or Erica Power

Abacus Pensions Trustees Limited (Gibraltar Office) 10/8 International Commercial Centre Casemates Square, Gibraltar

Abacus Pension Trustees Limited (Gibraltar Office) 10/8 International Commercial Centre Casemates Square, Gibraltar T: +350 200 78267 Ext 530 E: pension.services@abacus.gi

T: +350 200 78267 Ext 530 E: pension.services@abacus.gi

www.abacus.gi

April 2016

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April 2016

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May 11th - May 24th 2016

‘Bringing music to your ears, and Gibraltar to your screen’

British firms in Spain unite against Brexit

WARNING: Langley

By Rob Horgan THE British Chamber of Commerce in Spain (BCCS) has ‘almost unanimously’ voted against Brexit. A total of 97.4% of Chamber members want the UK to remain in the EU, while 78% believe the UK economy would be ‘negatively affected’ should Britain vote Leave. Speaking at a meeting of around 50 Costa del Sol businessmen and women in Marbella, vice-president for Andalucia Derek Langley stressed

Chamber of unity

that the Chamber was ‘strongly against Brexit’. “BCCS members want the UK to say no to Brexit,” Langley said. “Their position is almost unanimous and it is the same position taken by the Chamber.” “It is a very, very serious issue and will have global ramifications. “It is our job to defend our members’ views,” he added. The BCCS is the only indepen-

Cashing in SPAIN’S online gambling market grew by almost one third in the first quarter of 2016, following last summer’s legalisation for online slots play. Gross gaming revenue in the same period totaled €102.3m, up nearly 8% from the previous quarter, and up a staggering 32.1% from the same period last year. Sports betting continued to dominate, capturing 50% of all online turnover and 57.3% of all revenue.

dent British-Hispanic business organisation, made up of nearly 300 Spanish and English businesses. Alongside Derek Langley, researcher Nick Kounis of private bank ABN AMRO warned that Brexit ‘made absolutely no sense economically’. Taking data from polls taken across the board, Kounis presented a poll of polls which shows just a 3% voting gap in favour of staying in. However, he warned that the election turnout would play a large part in the referendum. “Research shows that older people are more likely to vote Leave, and older people are statistically more likely to vote,” he said. “The referendum could largely be decided by the number of people who go out and vote.” He also said that ‘exit fever’ could sweep Europe if the UK voted to Leave which would likely spark another crisis. Brits are set to go to the polls on June 23.

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the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th

May 25th - June 7th 2016

Escape to the hills

The ‘hotel of a million stars’ is the perfect destination for detox and Spanish immersion courses

HE finca is alive to the sound of galloping horses and birdsong, while wildflowers, mountains and mature oaks complete the canvas. This is Tambor del Llano, a slice of wilderness in the heart of Grazalema Natural Park, a 32-hectare estate where you are guaranteed to see deer and wild boar and stargazing is obligatory at night. This is the perfect place to relax and its owners have now decided to open it up to a series of amazing breaks for those wanting to detox, immerse themselves in the Spanish language, or just enjoy the stunning nature of one of Andalucia’s most evocative regions. Guests stay in a traditional converted barn with modern touches and where comfort is at a premium. With a central open dining room, there are several living rooms for people who wish to dine privately. The ten bedrooms have amazing views across woodlands and plains and doors lead out onto a stunning terrace where you can eat delicious fare as you gaze at the sierras. The gardens around the house are also a great spot for all year-round-sunbathing, including a ‘green solarium’.

Small salon, big talent HIDDEN up an alleyway off Main Street you will find a wonderful new hairdressing salon. Le Petit Salon counts on an internationallytrained team with 30 years top-level hairdressing and stylist experience. Creative director Pauline Olivera and stylist and make-up artist Angel Cornelio offer free consultations for the services on offer, including conditioning, styling advice, product recommendation, colouring, texture enhancements and special occasion hair. "The salon is as the name says, 'petit' which allows us to provide a one-to-one service and focus on the client's needs," says Pauline. "We listen to what the client wants and give the right information to maintain their hair between visits. And we also have a specialised service for those with fine and thinning hair.” And whether it's weddings or prom nights, holy communions or parties, Le Petit Salon will leave you looking gorgeous for your special day. The team recommends Sebastian & Nioxin Professional hair care products. Visit www.lepetitsalongibraltar.com and FB lepetitsalongibraltar or call 00350 200 44175

TRANQUIL: Tambor del Llano sits in stunning scenary

SPECIAL COURSES This summer the estate has organised a women-only detox weekend in July and several Spanish immersion holidays this summer on several dates. The detox weekend aims to clean the body, boost the immune system and energise, leaving you feeling on top of the world. Meanwhile, the immersion courses are geared towards adults wanting to improve their fluency in Spanish and in search of an amazing holiday experience. Those signing up will enjoy trips to wineries, ancient ruins and various workshops. While Grazalema is widely recognized as one of the most attractive areas in Anda-

lucía, its stunning landscapes are home to some of Spain’s most beautiful Pueblos Blancos. Relaxed evenings outdoors are combined with challenging treks and hikes, romantic walks, horse trails and horse-riding adventures, birdwatching and botanical tours, stargazing and trips to the famous white towns in the area. “This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the natural and cultural surroundings of the Grazalema region,” explains owner Carmen Bueno, a former journalist, at El Pais. “Our views are breathtaking, our food tasty and you will find few places so authentic,” she adds.

For more information contact Tambor del Llano at www.tambordelllano.es. Contact 674 48 48 85 or email info@tambordelllano.es

Sex roulette

SPANISH doctors in Barcelona have warned of a rise in ‘sex roulette’ - a trend where people have unprotected sex at parties where one person secretly has HIV. Partygoers are said to get a ‘thrill’ from knowing they might get infected. Dr Josep Mallolas of Hospital Clinic Barcelona said the parties are a sign that people have ‘lost respect’ for HIV. He said: “There is everything: sex roulette parties, or sex parties you can only attend if you already have HIV.” The parties are being attended by people of all sexualities. Often attendees are given blue pills purchased on the black market which allegedly reduce the risk of contracting HIV. Serbian stripper Tijana claimed

Partygoers get a ´thrill´ from the risk of HIV infection

last year that the parties came from Serbia. She said: “This bizarre variation that seems popular for extreme sex. People who turn up for the party wear masks, and one of them has HIV. “The wealthy organise these sex parties for other rich people. The real kick for these people is apparently the risk that they might be the one having sex with the HIV-infected partner.” A spokesperson for the clinic in Barcelona said the rise in roulette parties corresponds with

an increase in other sexually transmitted diseases, including Chlamydia, gonorrhea and hepatitis C. Among young people aged 15 to 25, 24% are not afraid of the HIV virus. Recent advancements in treatment mean most people with HIV can lead a normal and full life. But Avert news officer Caitlyn Maron said it is still a severe condition which requires daily medication for the rest of an infected person´s life. She said: “HIV treatment is much more accessible and effective in this era, and people living with HIV are living healthier lives and into old age. As such, many people may feel that becoming infected with HIV isn’t such a big deal.”

Sword and the surgeons

TEAM: Pauline and Angel

STEP aside King Arthur. Surgeons in Spain have removed a sword from a man’s chest. In an incredible video, surgeons are seen removing OUCH: Sword in chest the sword as it brushes past

the impaled man’s heart. The man from Zaragoza is believed to have stabbed himself, although it is unknown whether or not it was done intentionally. In the video surgeons open

up the man’s chest and the sword can be seen resting against his beating heart. The team then remove the sword and the man is said to be recovering, with no risk of serious injuries.

HONOUR: GHA award

Doctor’s orders THE Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) has handed out its prestigious Employee of the Year award. Clinical Nurse Manager Frances Catania was crowned with the honour at the GHA’s staff awards ceremony at the Sir John Mackintosh Hall on May 16. The eighth annual ceremony brought together 120 GHA workers and guests to celebrate staff who have worked for more than 25, 30 and 35 years. Other award winners were Estela Cascado Martinez, Lorraine Wood, Pamela Knowles, Ivana Lavagna, Zarajan Lopez, Frances Catania and the District Nursing Team.

Columnists

the Gibraltar Olive Press October 261st - 14th

www.gibraltarolivepress.com May 25th - June 7th 2016

Orally Deficient When writers get lost for words – verbally speaking

F the genie in the lamp granted me a few wishes, one of them would be to get published in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. I’d love to own a great one liner. Like George Melly’s quip to Mick Jagger when the ageing rocker said his wrinkles were laughter lines: “Surely nothing could be that funny.” It’s strange but true that being able to string a few sentences together on paper doesn’t mean you can do the same orally.

Prose

It was a lesson I learned way back, as a cub reporter ‘out in the field’ (literally) when stories had to be phoned over to a ‘copytaker’ – a now-defunct breed of speed typists hired to bash out our purple prose on manual Olivettis. There was no need for speed in my case, excluding the race to beat rival hacks to the nearest red phone box – the pay-as-yougo kind. There, while an angry queue built outside, I’d attempt to transcribe my shorthand scrawl into hold-the-front-page

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WAY WITH WORDS: Jagger and (left) Bergman

news before someone’s fist broke through the glass. All this while simultaneously rummaging in my handbag for coins to keep the phone fed. “Well, he was found guilty, the

man accused of murder … a Mr um … I know I wrote his name down somewhere.” The copytakers paid each other bribes to be the one not to take my call. Even when I learned the lines

Rain fest

There’s nothing like wet weather to create a ‘real English festival’ in southern Spain

ESPITE my love of live music, I’m not really much of a festival person. The thought of spending four days in a field paying €5 for a toilet roll has never really appealed to me. But the Twist of Lemon event in Cartama sounded good. It promised two days of music and healthy living in the sun, just a short drive away from the fleshpots of Marbella. A chance to tune in, chill out and unfrazzle my frequently frazzled brain, especially after deadline day, all in the bright Andalusian sunshine. The only drawback that I could see was the fact that we would be camping. I have never been a big fan of sleeping under canvas. You can probably trace that back to my days in the cadets at school, where I would frequently get soaked in a tent on a windswept training exercise on Dartmoor. That kind of experience scars a man. The girlfriend, who was already in a high state of excitement about the yoga and meditation classes, had it all planned out, however. “I’ve phoned the organisers at Finca El Limon and had a word” she announced, “I’ve let them know that we are coming as press and they have put us in an en suite room in the finca itself. “They weren’t going to but I told them that you were much older than the other festival goers” she grinned. I was tempted to ask if they had laid on a stairlift for me as well but thought better of it. And then, in the words of the song, ‘If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have no luck at all’, on the weekend of the festival the heavens opened. Great news for farmers, less so for festival goers. With forecasts of a downpour on the Sunday, the organisers wisely decided to cram all the events into one day and so the revellers really

went for it. Satanito headed off with whoops of joy to join in with the other kids in a muddy game of football, while the Happy Hippy was in her element as she arranged her chakras (or something) in the yoga class and looked for new trinkets and beads to buy in the market stalls. I initially had nothing planned past staying in our warm and dry ensuite room but was eventually coaxed down to join in the fun. And so it came to pass that I found myself not only shaking an out-of-sync maraca in a drum circle but also leaping around in wellies with the Happy Hippy in wellies to Spanish reggae in a muddy field and actually enjoying myself immensely! If you can’t beat them, join them, I may have shouted. And as the last band came off, the heavens opened and we all got soaked and stuck in the mud a Spanish voice yelled out “Fantastic! Now it feels like a real English festival!”

Caption

I’d fluff them. Earlier in my career of oratorial non-excellence, I played Prospero in The Tempest (I was too tall to play female parts). “Betide to any creature in the vessel/ Which thou heard’st cry, which thou saw’st stink” (sic) I declaimed. Well, you try saying “saw’st sink” without adding an extra ‘t’… I got bawled out by the drama teacher. “Beckett. You have succeeded in turning Shakespeare into a farce, which takes some doing.” It’s largely what spurred me on to become a writer. Give me a notebook and I could pen you a dictionary of witty ripostes and withering putdowns: like the one attributed to Malcolm Williamson, Master of the Queen’s Music: “Lloyd Webber’s music is everywhere, but then so is Aids”; or the poet Robert Graves. “That’s Kingsley Amis and there’s no known cure”; or Carina Frost when asked if her broadcaster husband David was religious: “Yes,” she replied. “He thinks he’s God Almighty.” But alas, the mot juste eludes me. I’m a women’s libber but not an ad libber. When it comes to the spoken word, I’m just a mistress of drivel. Five off-the-cuff favourites: “She speaks five languages and can’t act in any of them.” Sir John Gielgud on Ingrid Bergman “She can’t be with us tonight. She’s busy attending the birth of her next husband.” Snooker champ John Parrott on Joan Collins “She is so pure even Moses couldn’t part her knees.” Joan Rivers on Marie Osmond “I’m prepared to take advice on leisure from Prince Philip. He’s a world expert. He’s been practising for most of his adult life.” Neil Kinnock “Does the Honourable Lady remember that she was an egg herself once: and very many members of all sides of this House regret that it was ever fertilised?” The late MP Sir Nicholas Fairbairn to Junior Health Minister Edwina Currie over the salmonella crisis.

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the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Bloggy good job! A GIBRALTAR food writer has been nominated for a Best European blog award. Ashleigh Vella, the star behind Ashleigh’s Fit Kitchen, has been shortlisted by the Health Blog Awards. The website, which receives around 1,700 unique visitors a month and over 3,000 page views, has mouthwatering recipes like gluten-free carrot cake and healthy banoffee protein cheesecake. Ashleigh says her main mission is to prove healthy food isn’t boring. “As a sufferer of chronic IBS and a frequent lifter of weights, it’s important for my nutrition to be on point,” says Ashleigh. “My mission is to prove that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring, by sharing my simple recipes for meals, desserts and treats, that use healthy, natural ingredients.” To vote for Ashleigh visit www. healthblogawards.com/vote/

Clean team

Chiringuito launches eco-friendly day for local children “WHY are we here?” children’s entertainer Roberto asks the three and four year olds sat outside idyllic Il Sono in Cala Sardina, Torreguadiaro. “To clean!” says one little boy. In a way, he’s not wrong. But the 40

Choc chic CHOCOHOLICS are in luck with the opening of Main Street’s sweetest new store. Hotel Chocolat opened its doors to Gibraltar’s public for the first time on May 25. The classy confectionery outlet, which has over 70 stores in the UK, will be located at 154 Main Street.

HELPING HAND: Kids clean at Il Sono

children outside Andalucia’s most ecofriendly chiringuito are really here to learn about the environment. The owners, Andrea Zaupa and Tamara Murillo have launched the environmental awareness days for local schoolchil-

Quay to your heart FINE food, glorious weather and an idyllic location. Revellers heading to the Gibraltar Spring Festival on June 4 and 5 will find the lot at the Gastronomy On Queensway Quay event. The gastronomy weekend will feature live cooking demonstrations, wine tasting and cake baking competitions. And with live music and entertainers to FAMILY FUN: Revellers tuck in boot, it promises to be a feast of fun.

dren, with the first one exploring the benefits of a green lifestyle. After listening to a tale about recycling, the little helpers from CEIP Los Almendros don gloves to pick up litter before depositing it in a correctly coloured bin. “For us, it’s really important that kids learn about looking after the environment here. It’s such a beautiful place,” says Italian Andrea. It’s a subject close to the couple’s hearts. In 2014, Il Sono was voted the most environmentally-friendly chiringuito in Andalucia, coming in third overall in Spain. Solar power warms the bar’s water, while the building, chairs and tables are made of sustainable materials and a recycling bin is handily placed just outside. With more local children mooted to attend Il Sono’s environmental days, it promises to be one of Andalucia’s greenest spots for years to come.

All Wright on night EXPERIMENT: Cocktails STUNNER: Sadie with sushi

ITH Moet on tap, seafood to die for and a glittering guest list, it was always going to be a splashy occasion. And host with the most Elliott Wright certainly pushed the boat out for the star-studded launch of his VIP fish bar above Olivia’s restaurant in La Cala, another class dining act run by the former TOWIE star, named after his daughter. The invite-only party saw celebs, friends and press pack out the stylish upstairs seafood bar. Camera crews were also out in force for the filming of Elliott’s brand new tell-it-all reality show, Elliot Wright: Playa in Marbella, set to hit TV screens in July. “I’m so happy with how it’s gone, this restaurant is what I have always wanted and it has turned out exactly as I imagined, so I’m really pleased,” Elliott told the Olive Press. Guests who braved the rain to attend were treated to an

TASTY: Elliot feeds sushi to Linda Hodgkins, of Linekers

ocean of culinary delights including gigantic king crab claws, tempura prawns, avocado sushi rolls and seabass ceviche carpaccio. “It’s somewhat inspired by the vibrant and creative restaurant scene in Shoreditch,” explained Elliott. “I wanted to bring something similar to La Cala because I think it can become a new hotspot along the coast.” In fact his new chef, Chris

Branscombe, honed his skills at east London culinary Meccas The Ace Hotel and Bistrotheque in Shoreditch. Asked what we can expect from his new show, Wright explained that it’s a fly-onthe-wall documentary of his life in Spain. “It shows a bit of everything,

the stresses of setting up a business, my family life, my relationship with Sadie and obviously the odd bit of drama,” he laughs. “The ‘playa’ is a reference to the beaches here but also because I’m a player in business and I like to play big,” he added. “I work hard and play hard and can’t wait for people to get a chance to see me in action away from Essex and in Marbella as a businessman in one of my restaurants.” The exotic fish menu is matched by an experimental cocktail list. The kicky cucumber and wasabi martini has to be tried. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. With its stunning terrace, uninterrupted sea views, comfy seating and Moet on tap, it’s the perfect place to chill out in style. “Downstairs in the restaurant is where you meet the girl or guy,” joked Elliott, “But upstairs is where you take them.”

Mama, mia!

WAGAMAMA’S Gibraltar preview day has sold out in less than one hour. Lucky ticket holders will sample a special £5 menu, including a main meal, a side dish and dessert, on May 31. The Japanese-inspired eatery is gearing up for its Gibraltar grand opening, with the Rock outlet Wagamama’s first restaurant on the Iberian peninsula. It has already launched a Gibraltar website, www.wagamama.gi, ahead of the restaurant’s unveiling.

281st - 14th iLSonoBeachBar @ilSonoBeachClub Olive Press October 28 the Gibraltar

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‘Zarajos’ and ‘entresijos’ the weird food of Madrid

Beach Bar Restaurant Celebrations – Events

F you thought they ate odd things in Andalucia, try Madrid. A colourful mix of innards, guts and offal were on display during a visit to the capital this month. A bowl of snails, with chorizo, ended

A charming spot overlooking

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daydreaming...

By Jon Clarke at San Isidro festival up being decidedly ordinary alongside a plate of pigs ears (oreja) and sheep intestines (zarajos) at historic Los Caracoles restaurant, in the La Latina district. The zarajos, which are typical from Cuenca, come on a wooden skewer and are lightly barbecued. “You need to eat them slowly and savour them,” explained local teacher Cristina Herrera, 31 (pictured). Meanwhile, a racion of ‘entresijos’ came out with a round of beers at a restaurant up near Alonso Martinez. A very unusual dish, reminiscent of wild mushrooms, but slightly chewier, turns out to be lamb ‘mesentery’ or, the ‘piece of peritoneum that joins part of the small intestine to the back wall of the abdomen’. But, of course.

TUCK IN: TO Zarajos and (below) pig´s ears

Unusual

Cala Sardina – Torreguadiaro, Sotogrande Booking: 619 837 306 info@ilsono.es www.ilsono.es

TASTY: Snails and (left) entresijos

Another unusual tapa is ‘gallinejas’, or chitterlings, which are the intestines of a suckling pig. The specialities are particularly popular during the city’s annual San Isidro festival that ended last week. They are rarely found in the centre, apart from at feria time, and are more likely to be eaten in the working class suburbs, including Carabanchel and Vallecas.

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My secret garden Expat chef-hotelier Helen Bartlett explains how she discovered her ready-made market garden in the second instalment from her debut cookbook, Fountainhead Food: Cooking in Andalucia

ITHIN a short while of being in Andalucia, I realised that I had planted myself in an enormous market gar-

den. On the morning that I took my first walk here on our Fountainhead hotel site, I brushed past wild fennel, its intense smell

leaving me perfumed for hours. I walked in the almond groves, the trees laden with nuts. I found wild thyme, rosemary and lavender. I walked to sit at the top of the hill, passing carob and plum trees. Gazing across the valley, I could see white beehives dotted along its far contours. I sat

Artichoke hearts, shallots, tomatoes and garlic Remove the outer layers of the artichokes, cook in boiling water for approximately 7 minutes. Drain. Finely chop the shallots and sauté gently in olive oil until tender. Finely chop the tomatoes and add to the shallots. Continue to sauté for about 1 minute. Add finely chopped fresh thyme. Cut the artichokes lengthways, pile a spoonful of tomato mixture on top of each half. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.

on a stump that has since become a huge tree bearing some 200 purple figs. As the year went on, the olives emerged, gathering weight on the trees – green ones, purple ones, black, oval, round, huge and small. The following spring I found hidden treasures, wild asparagus in thorny bushes and tiny crocuses guarding their jewels. I took a walk down the winding track to the river, past the pomegranate and eucalyptus trees. The valley was lined with citrus groves - oranges, lemons and mandarins - and, further along, market gardens full of avocado and mango trees. Everyman’s plot standing proud with tomato vines, bamboo wigwams brimming with beans, cascading grapes and, always, that broken down old seat just to sit and enjoy his world. Walking back up the road from the village I passed the sweeping pink peppercorn trees and picked some to bring home. Along the track I found a caper plant and, nearing our entrance, three plants that sneak their fruit into view – the wild quince, fig and blackberry – if you blink you miss them. Welcoming gifts arrived - bags of oranges, lemons, home-brewed Malaga wine from the muscatel and, on our doorstep at Christmas, an enormous branch cut from a bay tree. A van honked its horn from the top of the far hill, drove down and sold us watermelons, onions and potatoes. What more could you want! Whenever I cook I always try to incorporate as many local ingredients as possible. Here are a couple of my favourite dishes. For more visit www.fountainheadspain.com

Sun dried tomato and fresh cheese tart To sun dry the tomatoes, allow 6 hours advance preparation. Cut the tops off the tomatoes and slice. Place on an oven tray, drizzle with olive oil and season with a little salt. Leave in direct sun for about 3 hours then turn them over, leaving again for about 3 hours. The tomatoes will shrink. When ready the tomatoes should be moist, not dried to a crisp. Transfer the tomatoes to a dish. If you can’t do this put them in the oven on 100° for a couple of hours each side. Pre heat the oven to 220°C. To make the pastry, put the flour into a large bowl, mix in the salt and sugar. Add the olive oil and water, bring together with the hands until it ‘holds’. Do not over work. Form small balls, flatten and press into individual oiled tart tins. Work with the fingers to mould a fine layer of pastry. Bake in the oven until golden (5 - 7 minutes). Remove and leave to cool in the tins. To construct the tarts, position a pastry case in the centre of each serving plate. Finely slice the basil. Slice the cheese, season and drizzle with olive oil. Place the dried tomatoes (in small portion-sized piles) on a baking tray. Distribute the sliced basil onto the piles of tomatoes. Layer the cheese slices on top and place under a hot grill for 2 minutes. Transfer each pile to a tart base. Place the baby leaves on top, scatter the pine nuts and chives, drizzle with olive oil and serve. 6 medium vine tomatoes 1 bunch basil leaves 400g fresh artisan cheese For the pastry 400g plain flour 200ml extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 70ml water Baby salad leaves (spinach, lambs lettuce or rocket) Chives Pine nuts (toasted) Extra virgin olive oil Salt Freshly ground black pepper

the Gibraltar Olive Press October 1st - 14th

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

Are your Financial Affairs fit for Summer - by Richard Black / International Financial Adviser

no longer here and advising you? • Have you a Pension in the UK which needs looked at? A lot of people usually find summer a tiring but exciting period of the year. However, one of the last things the majority of us want to be dealing with, with all this summer activity going on is our Financial Affairs.

Hopefully by now, the rainy days are over and that summer is nearly upon us. The family and friends visiting, the long days with high temperatures, the planned holidays, the school holidays.... You can tell by the number of people out running, cycling, walking etc that there is an eye on getting physically fit for summer with all that time to be had spent by the pool, on the beach or at summer parties, etc.

There is so much political uncertainty in the world with possible Brexit, US presidential changes as well as existing religious and migrational tensions, all having an impact on how we feel about the world we live in.

We have entered new era for international tax planning and cross border wealth management.

Not to mention the financial markets where, the volatility is evident for everybody to see.

At the start of 2016, we saw the start of the new global automatic exchange of information policy which affects everyone who has financial assets outside of their country of residence. This means for example that people who: • Spend more than 183 days a year in Spain • Have dependent spouse and children whom live in Spain • Have their centre of economic interest in Spain

Blacktower have been around for a long time and in fact are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. We know from firsthand experience that our client’s circumstances change from time to time. Regular reviews of our client’s personal finances should be scrutinised for increased improvement in their fitness on a regular basis.

ARE FISCAL RESIDENTS OF SPAIN.

• Are your savings accounts earning the best returns they can or like the majority of funds on bank deposit earning virtually no interest? • Are your investments performing the way you would like? • Is the financial adviser you used to deal with

We will answer your questions on this particular area and advise in order to make sure you are Spanish tax compliant.

So what better time than now to be looking at some of the things you have been putting off, know you should do but haven’t, or are concerned about for example the potential Brexit uncertainties.

The question I would like to ask is - are your Finances in their best shape?

To help you consider your own situation

so chances are where you currently have your offshore banking arrangements will be on this list. The most common jurisdictions where we see clients having bank arrangements historically are Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Luxembourg to name but a few.

So if you have property, bank accounts, investments valued at more than 50,000 euro outwith Spain then you are legally obliged to complete the modelo 720. Now whilst the deadline has passed for this year (31st of March), late fines would be substantially less than not completing this return at all

Surely you do not want to be feeling vulnerable, and would prefer that your financial affairs are fit for purpose and strong going forward.

What you can do and where we can help We will meet with you at our office in Marbella or at your preferred location, and have a friendly and relaxed conversation about your general situation. From this starting point we can determine a course of action that will get you feeling good about all things Financial. Oh and the good news is , that it can an all be sorted and organised before the visitors come out, the temperatures soar, and your eating and sleeping patterns are turned upside down! To organise a review, please feel free to contact me on 0034 952 816 443 or email: richard.black@blacktowerfm.com

Offshore Banking privacy does no longer exist and is in effectively dead and buried. Your local tax authority will potentially receive information about your saving and investments without necessarily asking for them. Over 100 jurisdictions around the world have signed up to the Automatic Exchange of Information or Common Reporting Standards

Blacktower Financial Management (International) Ltd is licensed by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission Licence 00805B and with the DGS and CNMV in Spain.

Looking for peace of mind? • Expert wealth management • Effective tax planning • Tailored investments • International Pension Transfers • Private Banking • Discretionary Fund Management Contact the Marbella or Gibraltar Office: O T +34 952 816 443 | +350 200 42353 E info@blacktowerfm.com Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed by the Gibraltar FSC Licence 00805B and registered with the DGS in Spain. Blacktower Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

www.blacktowerfm.com

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