A
ll about
The Wild West of the Costas - find out more about off the beaten track Manilva
Vol. 15 Issue 390
JUST BUZZING March 2022
LOW RISE: The light
UNLIKE any other del Sol, Puerto de port on the Costa with life. out to sea. From la Duquesa faces For most of its history Manilva edges you can each of the three been dependent has gaze out into the Mediterranean. culture, especiallyon fishing and agriits vineyards and Duquesa is, without a doubt, the thriv- celebrated sweet wines. ing coastal jewel But over the last couple of decades benefiting from in the Manilva crown, little township tourism and buzzing has welcomed an this of tourists and development, influx while still
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THE government of Gibraltar will cease funding the Miss Gibraltar beauty pageant, inisting it is ‘no longer appropriate’ for the state to organise such events. The Ministry of Culture said that the decision does not mean it is banning the competition outright, and has invited anyone interested in organising the event privately to get in touch. Funding of the contest costs the taxpayer £105,000 annually. The first Miss Gibraltar pageant was held in 1959, with each year’s winner going on to represent the rock at Miss World. Janice Sampere is the reigning Miss Gibraltar, competing in Miss World in Puerto Rico in 2021.
Policy
The government says despite this policy change, it will continue to provide funding for the Miss World licence, meaning the next winner of the competition will still be able to compete in the global event. “In the knowledge that the Miss Gibraltar show remains a popular event with some, the Government will continue to fund the cost of the licence for Gibraltar for the organisation of a contest by any interested third party, but will not be organising or funding the event for itself. “The Government has no doubt that there will be plenty of interest from potential organisers and sponsors to add their name to the Miss Gibraltar pageant,” a statement from Number 6 Convent Place said. Parties interested in taking over organising the event should contact City Hall by April 29.
Vol. 6 Issue 169
costa are justly famous
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March 23rd - April 5th 2022
IVE S U L EXC
FLEECED! DETERMINED: Brave expats get supplies to Ukraine in spite of Spanish border force
A GROUP of big-hearted Brits were left stunned when Spanish customs refused to let a van packed with aid for Ukraine cross from Gibraltar into Spain. Kirsty and Damian Platt, owners of Heaven Bar in nearby Duquesa, jumped into action as soon as they saw the horrific scenes of the Russian shelling of Ukraine. After organising two vans to travel from the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar to take supplies to refugees they went about picking up dozens of donations. However when the Leeds couple went to pick up 1,500 fleeces from inside the Rock, they were stopped by See page 11 & 14 customs on the way back into Spain.
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Once best known itself as one of the for its sweet wine, today Manilva fastest growing tourist is establishing towns on the Costa del Sol
See our special supplement inside
OLIVE PRESS
Manilva, Sabinill as and Duquesa
EXCLUSIVE By George Mathias & By Giles Brown
The generously-donated hoard had been offered by a big Gib construction business, Interserve, that no longer needed them. Despite pleading with Spanish customs, they were told they could only do so if they unpacked each individual fleece, gave it a price, and paid 25% tax on it. After hours of trying to get permission, they even got the Gibraltar border force to try and convince their Spanish counterparts. “But they would simply not budge,” Damian told the Olive Press. “We told the guards we hoped they would never find themselves in a war-torn country in need of supplies, but they didn’t care. “We ended up having to take the
Disgrace as Spanish border police stop refugee shipment of 1,500 fleeces and demand 25% tax fleeces back.” Despite the setback, the couple redoubled their efforts within Spain and ended up taking two totally full vans to the Poland/Ukraine border.
Harrowing
At one point, Damian said they almost crossed into Ukraine by mistake. They happened to pass a Polish police officer, who asked them: “Are you sure you want to cross the border!?” Former soldier Damian says the scenes they saw were harrowing,
however one image sticks with him. “A group of English lads drove a single decker bus all the way from England with medical supplies,” he said. It took them three days from England with a top speed of 50mph. The couple remain livid over the actions of the Spanish border force, but insist their trip to Ukraine has given them perspective. “We were angry about not being able to transport goods, but Ukranians are angry about their loved ones being killed. That’s a bit more serious.”
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CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF Jubilee jamboree THE annual Calentita food festival will be held in honour of the Queen’s platinum jubilee on June 2 at 6pm in Theatre Royal Square, John Mackintosh Square and Campion Park.
Drama Festival THE 65th Gibraltar International Drama Festival ends on Saturday with 18 different shows still to take place at the Ince Hall Theatre. Tickets cost £6.
Melodic May THE Musicians Association of Gibraltar has announced three concerts in May with a classical jazz night on May 12, a blues night on May 13 and a 90's music night on May 14. All performances will be at the Ince Hall from 7.30pm.
Snooker Open
THE 2022 Gibraltar Open snooker tournament begins tomorrow (Thursday) with reigning champ Judd Trump hoping to be victorious for the third successive year.
March 23rd - April 5th 2022
Kicking up a stink AN officer from Spain’s Guardia Civil has been handed a six-month jail term and €300 fine for ‘insulting a superior officer’ after she complained about her boss’s body odour. The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling issued earlier by a military court in Sevilla that found the unnamed female officer guilty of attacking the ‘honour and dignity’ of a senior officer after she filed a complaint. She made a formal complaint over his poor personal hygiene insisting that he gave off a ‘fet-
Female police officer found guilty of disrespect and handed jail term after complaining about ‘smelly boss’ By Jorge Hinojosa
id stink’. She complained that in every dealing she had with him he had presented himself ‘in a careless and untidy manner’ and given off ‘a bad smell’. She said his uniform was stained with ‘a circle of sweat
Zero tolerance A NEW campaign has been launched in Gibraltar against the abuse of healthcare staff and patients. The GHA has applied a 'zero tolerance' policy towards aggressive language and behaviour. Now the health authority has launched a campaign on social networks with the message 'there is no excuse for abuse'. The campaign highlights the impact that aggressive language and behaviour have on staff and the impact it has on their ability to deliver the best possible service to patients. "All GHA staff have the right to carry out their life-saving work in a safe environment," said General Manager Patrick Goeghegan.
under each arm’ that created a ‘fetid stink’ that was ‘quite unpleasant’. But instead of listening to her complaint, she was told to drop it and when she refused to, she insists that she was forced to visit the force’s medic to assess her mental health. She was then signed off sick. The bad feeling between the woman and her superior officer reportedly began after a disagreement over a gender violence case.
Violent
The woman officer alleges that her boss demanded that she lower the ‘at risk’ status of a female victim in the Chipiona district of Cadiz despite reported threats of violence from the husband. When she refused he took out disciplinary action against her and she retaliated with the complaint about his personal hygiene.
A GIBRALTARIAN aged 48 has been disqualified from driving for six months and fined £400 after being caught drink driving. Desmond Cunningham, of Mid Harbour Estate, was pulled over in Queensway shortly after 9pm on March 18. Cunningham was seen driving past in his car with a completely blown left front tyre. After pulling him over
DRINK DROVE and carrying out the protocol, they noticed he was glassy-eyed, with a strong smell of alcohol and unsteady on his feet. The breathalyser test gave a reading of 68 ug/100ml - the legal limit being 35.
Coke and hash
A LOCAL man aged 30 has been given a suspended sentence after being caught with £471 worth of cocaine and cannabis. Mitchel Wells, of Laguna Estate, pleaded guilty to possession and possession with intent to supply the drugs. He was given a two-year sentence and a three-year suspended sentence on March 15. The suspended sentence means he will not go to prison unless he is convicted of another imprisonable offence within the next three years. The Drug Squad executed a search warrant at Wells' home at 10pm on October 9, 2020. Entry was forced before officers commenced a search of the property and found 12 wraps of cocaine totalling 7.16 grams. Cannabis resin weighing 8.19 grams and a set of digital scales were also seized. The street value of the drugs was estimated at approximately £430 of cocaine and £41 of cannabis.
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NEWS
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March 23rd - April 5th 2022
QUADRUPLE JOY IT was a big day for the rarest wildcat in the world. No less than four Iberian lynx cubs were born in Doñana National Park on the same day. Juromenha gave birth to two kittens, while Madrona popped out two more just a few hours later. The species was once on the verge of extinction with just 94 of them living in two isolated pockets of Andalucia in 2002. This figure is now up to more than 1,100 following an ongoing captive breeding programme.
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Las Palmas love in
Costa lifeline BRITISH pop star Tom Parker has sought out ‘revolutionary treatment’ in Spain as he continues to battle an incurable brain tumour. The Wanted singer, 33, who has been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, spent three weeks at a private hospital on the Costa del Sol. The married dad-of-two flew to Spain after slamming the UK for the lack of treatment
UK star zooms into Spain to fight ‘incurable’ tumour battle By Dilip Kuner
and funding for cancer patients. Therapies he’s getting in Malaga include an oxygen machine, massages and a special diet. Costing €9,000 for two
weeks, his wife Kelsey has been giving regular updates on Instagram. The star had first revealed his inoperable brain tumour in October 2020 when he was told he only had 12 to 18 months to live. However after six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 radio-
Virus appeal Gathering moss THE Rolling Stones have confirmed their first stop on their upcoming European tour will be Madrid. The rock legends will play the June 1 concert in Spain’s capital to kick off their summer tour of 14 gigs across 10 countries.
Sixty
The announcement of the ‘Sixty’ tour to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Rolling Stones was made with a post on the band’s official twitter account. The Rolling Stones last played in Madrid in 2014.
THE family of John McAfee have cast doubt on his official cause of death. The body of the disgraced anti-computer virus developer remains in a morgue in Barcelona, seven months after he was found dead in a prison cell. An investigation by Barcelona court confirmed the 75-year-old playboy mogul (above) - who was renowned for his hedonistic lifestyle - killed himself in the city while awaiting extradition to the US on charges of tax fraud. However, he was mired by allegations of criminality, not least regarding speculation he was involved in the murder of his neighbour while living in Belize. McAfee fled the country, moving to Spain and spent most of the lockdown in Catalunya, until the US government asked to arrest him on tax charges. Family lawyers have now appealed a Spanish judge’s decision to close the investigation into his death. McAfee alleged he was being pursued by the US government for exposing corruption.
BATTLE: Tom and Kelsey therapy sessions, coupled with the treatment in Spain, his outlook is looking considerably more positive. It comes after the pop star surprised fans when he returned to the stage to join his band mates on tour this month.
Throne
After missing shows in Glasgow and Newcastle, fans were delighted to see Tom return from Spain and take to the stage, singing while sitting on a gold throne at a Bournemouth show. Tom also joined the band on the Cardiff leg of the tour and shared a series of snaps on Instagram of him embracing bandmate Max George.
IT is the great comeback relationship. Now Jenifer Lopez has been caught canoodling with her former lover Ben Affleck in Las Palmas. The A-List superstars first dated 20 years ago before going their separate ways and then reuniting last year. Things seem to be going well as they put on an affectionate display in Gran Canaria.
They have been in Spain as Jenifer stars in the Niki Caro directed flick The Mother. This comes just days after JLo released a new music video for the ballad version of her track Marry Me with Maluma, featuring an unexpected cameo from Ben.
PRIME Minister Pedro Sanchez will feature in a documentary series looking at the day-to-day runnings of his office. Titled La Moncloa, creators insist the documentary will show two facets, ‘the institutional side and the human side’. Shooting for the fly-on-the-wall show is currently ongoing with the final cut expected to be made into a fourpart series later this year It will focus on the personal and everyday aspects of those working in government, rather than policy making or political ideology.
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NEWS
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Gib backing A JOURNALIST’S cry of 'no to war' on Russia television has not gone unnoticed in Gibraltar. The editor of the international section of Channel 1, Marina Ovsianikova, burst in on a prime time show with a sign saying 'No to war. Don't believe the propaganda, you are being lied to'. While holding the big sign, which had the Ukrainian flag painted on it, she also shouted 'no to war', forcing the host to raise her voice and the channel to play a video. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has shared his support on his official twitter account. "Bravery and courage show their face in Putin's Russia," said the CM.
Easing rules GIBRALTAR has achieved a step towards the new normality. Passengers travelling to the Rock by plane are no longer obliged to fill in a Passenger Locator Form. But better still, from now on, they are not obliged to undergo a Covid test on entry, irrespective of their vaccination status. "Gibraltar continues to experience low levels of hospitalisation due to the pandemic and it is appropriate that the restrictions are now lifted as part of the Exit Strategy," Director of Health Helen Carter said.
A LUXURIOUS superyacht belonging to a Russian oligarch with links to the Putin regime was seized by authorities after it docked in Gibraltar. The Axioma belongs to Dmitrievich Pumpyansky, a billionaire steel magnate who is subject to an asset-freeze ban under sanctions imposed by UK authorities over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Voyage
The 72metre yacht, which boasts an infinity pool on one of its six decks and a jacuzzi on another with a cinema below, left the Caribbean island of Antigua on February 27 just three days after Russian troops invaded Ukraine. After a three-week voyage across the Atlantic during
March 23rd - April 5th 2022
Sinking feeling
Super-yacht seized in Gibraltar under sanctions against Russian oligarchs By Fiona Govan
which sanctions were imposed on a list of Russian businessmen with links to the Putin regime, it asked for permission to dock in Gibraltar.
BLUE ‘I DO’ FORMER boy band member Lee Ryan of Blue, has secretly wed his sweetheart Verity Paris in Gibraltar. The 38-year-old opted for a small ceremony at the Register Office on the Rock to tie the knot with Ariana Grande impersonator Verity, 31. Lee said: “I met someone finally who loves and supports me in everything I do. “Verity is a beautiful, strong and loving woman who I treasure, and I’m a lucky man to have such a wonderful mother for my child, and now wife in her." The pair, who welcomed a baby daughter last August, live down the coast in a beachfront apartment on the Costa del Sol. It is Kent-born Lee's third child. He also has a daughter, Bluebell, 13, with ex Jessica Keevil and a son Rayn, 12, whose mother is his ex-fiancee Samantha Miller.
History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.
A statement by Gibraltar’s government confirmed that the Axioma had been allowed to dock and was then seized. “The Captain of the Port granted permission, after consultation with the Chief Minister for the entry into BGTW of a vessel that was confirmed to be the subject of an arrest action by a leading international bank in the Supreme Court of Gibraltar,” read a statement.
Court
“Given the ultimate beneficial ownership of the vessel, permission would not normally have been granted for the vessel to enter BGTW.” “However, this has been exceptionally allowed in the interests of creditors with proper claims against the vessel and who seek the assistance of the Admiralty jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to enforce such claims. “The vessel is now subject to arrest by the Admiralty Marshal until further order.”
Make art not war THE Artists for Peace exhibition saw a special guest at its launch at the Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery. Nadiya Miller, a Ukrainian who moved to Gibraltar five years ago, spoke up to highlight the critical situation in her home country. She reminded people that millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes since Russian forces invaded on February 24. She urged guests to appreciate having a home in which to hang art. “Having walls and pictures on them is a luxury no longer enjoyed by more than 10 million Ukrainian people who lost their homes in just 26 days of war,” Miller said. “In Mariupol, a Ukrainian city besieged by the Russian army, there are almost no walls left. Even to hide behind. “Today I was thinking, what would Ukrainian people like to tell you besides saying thank you for all you do to help them? “I am sure they would wish that you would always have walls around you and a roof above your head to protect you.” The exhibition is free from 2pm to 6pm and is open until tomorrow (Thursday)
Army vets A GROUP of former members of the British Armed Forces will travel to Gibraltar to renovate Lord Airey’s Battery, the famous military landmark that sits atop the Upper Rock nature reserve. The artillery was built in 1891 and was used in both World Wars but has since fallen into disrepair. In May, six veterans who have faced homelessness since stopping active service will return to Gibraltar to aid in the battery’s restoration. The veterans are being supported by the charity Alabare, who have provided homes, mental health support services and social enterprises dedicated to supporting vulnerable veterans. In another May event to raise money for Albare, 12 amateur cyclists are taking part in a five-day event which will see participants complete a 487km circular ride across Gibraltar and Andalucia.
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NEWS
www.theolivepress.es A NEW state-of-the art military radar will become operational in Gibraltar later this year, the UK government has announced. The radar will be able to better detect civilian and military aircraft flying near Gibraltar airspace. The Strait of Gibraltar has long been an im-
London date THE Royal Gibraltar Regiment has left its base on the Rock to take up a month of ceremonial duties in London. Soldiers from the RG will be carrying out guard duty until April 15 at various sites including Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, The Tower of London and Windsor Castle for only the third time in history. Their first engagement was at 12 noon on March 21 where they carried out the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace Chief Minister Picardo travelled to London to witness the historic event, along with Governor Sir David Steel. “I've never been prouder to be a Gibraltarian,” he wrote in a post on Twitter along with posting photographs of the guards performing their duties beneath a clear blue sky.
March 23rd - April 5th 2022
ROCK SOLID DEFENCE portant strategic point for the British armed forces, and this new device will be capable of identifying aircraft positions up to 180 km away from the highest peak of the Rock with
A DISTRAUGHT father has told the Olive Press how both the Gibrlatar and Spanish government are refusing to provide any support to his daughter, 49, who suffers from vascular dementia. Stephanie Lewis, who lives in Spain but worked on the Rock, was forced to retire from her job as a supervisor at betting firm William Hill at the World Trade Centre after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of the illness. Her father, Dave, told the Olive Press that her condition deteriorated dramatically in just a couple of years.
Panic
“She is now completely bed bound, she can no longer walk. If we put her in a wheelchair to go outside she panics so now she almost never gets to even see outside. It is like looking after a 100-year-old woman.” Dave has tried every avenue to get her the care she so badly needs. He spoke to the British au-
a remarkable degree of accuracy. The radar will utilise 4G communication technology. The British government rejects claims this is a show of power, saying
upgrades to their airspace capabilities are being rolled out across the armed forces, and have been planned for some time. In the wake of the Ukrainian invasion, UK
and EU defence capabilities have come under increased scrutiny. Following the invasion, Germany announced the end of its long term pacifist policy, agreeing to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP, an increase of over €100 billion.
JUST NOT RIGHT
Horror of frontier worker who can’t receive healthcare because of missing documents thorities, but they said she required a health and national insurance number, both of which Dave does not have and his daughter no longer has the ability to recall things or even write. His needs have also fallen on deaf ears with the Spanish government, which insists that without relevant documentation, it cannot help her. Dave is currently waiting to be
By George Mathias
afforded power of attorney on behalf of his daughter so that he can try and get the health care she so badly needs, but the process has been extremely slow. “I wanted to put a spotlight on this issue as it could happen to anyone, I simply can’t believe that no one can give me any
help or support for my daughter.” His daughter, Stephanie, a British citizen, has been paying tax to Gibraltar for 18 years. Dave and his wife are both retired and in their 70s and dread to think what would happen to their daughter if they were no longer around: “We don’t know how much longer we can do this,” they said.
5
Big night GIBRALTARIAN film editor Lesley Posso attended the BAFTAs held in London after a film she edited was nominated for an award. The London-based student attended the 75th celebration of the awards ceremony held at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the team whose film was nominated for the British Short Animation Awards. The Gibraltar-born edited the comedy-horror short Night of the Living Dread, which was nominated alongside ‘Affairs of the Art’ and the winning film ‘Do Not Feed the Pigeons’.
Change
“I believe that film is a powerful tool to change people’s perception of the world and I aim to be involved in films that push for equality and positive change”, she states in her LinkedIn page. Despite not winning the BAFTA Short Animation Award, the project won the Best Student Film Award at the Annie Awards - an American award for achievement in animation.
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OLIVE PRESS ALL EDITIONS - PROMO 1 - Half page 170 X 256 - MARCH 23, 2022
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GIBRALTAR
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION DO YOUR HOMEWORK GIBRALTAR should take a look over the border and learn from Spanish mistakes. Spain has insisted it will impose sanctions on real estate and other assets belonging to a blacklist of 893 Russian oligarchs with links to the Putin regime. But so far only three superyachts have been impounded, and the Spanish government insists no homes are owned by the giant group of crooked businessmen. We have recently published details of a palace closely linked to Putin or, at the very least, one owned by one of his close cronies. Described as a fortress with armed guards, we’ve been informing the world about the bloated extravagance of the Russian dictator and his shady development in Zagaleta since 2012. It’s nearly impossible to prove who really owns it, given the web of shell companies and legal tricks the Russian oligarchs use to hide their wealth. But it has all the hallmarks, right down to its name, the Rock of the King. Dripping in as much gold as the besieged city of Mariupol is dripping in blood, this gross symbol of Russia’s ruling elite needs to be tackled urgently by the powers that be. All in all, it’s time to shine a torch on the shady dealings behind the gates of the upmarket estates in Estepona, Marbella and in Alicante’s Altea Hills, also famous for its super-rich Russians. Chances are, Spain will find many other dictators and tyrants hiding their money here. For a government that is not slow to accuse Gibraltar of ‘dodgy dealing’ it is a mark of shame. Our own government has already seized one superyacht and backed Ukraine in words and deeds. It should also continue to examine the source of wealth that flows through the Rock and take action against any dubious Russian money. The Olive Press has every confidence it will. PUBLISHER / EDITOR
NEWS FEATURE
GOING POSTAL Jo Chipchase on the quixotic experience of UK to Spain deliveries post-Brexit Before Brexit, parcels used to flow seamlessly between the UK and Spain. However, now that the UK is a ‘third country’, outside the single EU market, our post can be intercepted by Spanish customs to check for re-
WHAT IS S? ADTPOSTALE
ADTPostales, acting for the Spanish Correos, has a dire reputation. The company has a one-star rating on Trustpilot, with 99% of users ranking it as ‘bad’. Says one Trustpilot user: “I would give zero if possible.” There are some reports of shipments being returned even after import duties have been paid. Cath Wall was so disgusted that she booked a flight to collect her goods instead. “My husband ordered some spares for his medical equipment that aren’t available in Spain,” she explained. “ADT wanted nearly as much to release them as they cost, so we refused to pay, and the package was returned to sender. I flew to the UK to collect the parcel myself, and the return flight cost just €15 more than ADT’s fee.” Another reader was stuck awaiting mental health drugs that were sent for pharmaceutical testing. Meanwhile, he had nothing for his symptoms. Andy Linton complains: “ADT Postales can be very sticky about the paperwork
stricted items, or to see if taxes are due. Anything sent via Royal Mail (including Parcelforce) goes into ADTPostales at Madrid’s Barajas Airport. If your shipment is marked ‘held by cus-
and seem to review what you’ve submitted only once a day, so it can take a week to get cleared.” IBWE TRY TO ‘L RERATE’ A PABY CEL HELD CUSTOMS
So, is it really that difficult to deal with ADT? On February 4, the author had an old inkjet printer, packed inside a suitcase, sent from the UK. By February 6, it was reported as ‘held by customs’. The author set up an online account at www.adtpostales.com . She selected ‘transmit your customs procedure with Correos’, rather than the other option of ‘transmit with AEAT’ the Spanish tax office) - and completed the required documents. This process requires printing, scanning, uploading JPEG or PDFs, and your NIE. Sure enough, the process went wrong, largely caused by specifying on a vital form that the printer was ‘mudanza de trabajo’. Apparently, this means ‘moving for work’ and not ‘piece of office equipment’. The correct tick box was ‘regalo’ (gift). Unknown to the author, the ‘mudanza de
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March 23rd - April 5th 2022
FRUSTRATION: Both postal services are in denial, while (right) Jo with her printer at last
toms’, it can be difficult to liberate. According to readers, this process can drag on for weeks, with a high failure rate. In some cases, parcels are returned to the UK without warning.
trabajo’ category requires proof of your new Spanish work contract! Equally, selecting ‘luggage’ means uploading your airline ticket, while ‘student goods’ requires proof of your higher education course. This was, apparently, in the small print… somewhere. In the end, our parcel finally left Madrid Barajas Airport on February 25, and arrived at its destination soon after.
UR TRANSMIT YOTHE ITEM WITH SPANISH TAX OFFICE?
The Olive Press spoke to the Oficina de Consumidores (consumer office), whose representative said to choose ‘transmit your customs with AEAT’ instead of Correos. He advised unhappy consumers to denounce ADTPostales via the Guardia Civil if they pay import duty, or their parcel is returned to sender or lost. We tried to transmit our stuck parcel with AEAT. However, this proved impossible because a vital confirmation email repeatedly failed to arrive. Making matters worse, Hacienda has redesigned its website
and we kept getting dead links cheerily saying ‘error – we have a new website!’. Lucy Hayes Logan, an adviser at the Tus Alpujarras agency in Lanjaron, was unimpressed. “Can ADT not create a PDF telling British people how to use the system?” she said. “Customs processes should be carried out by a customs agent, not members of the public.” She added:: “As a lot of the process is fully digital, people suffering from the ‘digital divide’ get left out. Correos can’t help, as it’s usually out of their hands, and the AEAT has ‘help guides’ that currently advertise their website over providing actual information. It leaves people feeling hopeless.
VERROYAL MAIL S – EO R R SUS CO ME? WHO IS TO BLA The Olive Press contacted Correos, whose spokesperson said: “Since the new customs regulations came into force on July 1, all merchandise destined for Spain from third countries must be declared to pay VAT. “This declaration is made automatically if the operator of origin sends the correct information in the ITMATT message – an electronic message with customs processing data. If the information isn’t received correctly, it goes through a manual process at the destination exchange office.” He adds: “Royal Mail is the UK operator with the worst quality of electronic advance data, which causes delays and generates costs for the onward shipment operators. The reason for the delays isn’t because of Correos España – it’s the responsibility of the Royal Mail.” We spoke to the Royal Mail.
Gift
A spokesperson said: “When sending gifts abroad, customers need to complete and attach a customs declaration - CN22 or CN23. Items sent without a customs declaration, or an incorrectly or partially completed declaration, may be delayed or returned to sender.” “The recipient may then have to pay customs or VAT charges and a handling fee before they can claim the parcel. There’s a threshold before gifts become liable for VAT or duties (€150) – it’s important that customers tick the ‘gift’ box on the customs declaration when sending parcels to their friends and relatives.”
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Manilva, Sabinillas and Duquesa
Vol. 15 Issue 390
www.theolivepress.es
March 2022
JUST BUZZING Once best known for its sweet wine, today Manilva is establishing itself as one of the fastest growing tourist towns on the Costa del Sol
LOW RISE: The light and colours of Manilva costa are justly famous
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NLIKE any other port on the Costa del Sol, Puerto de la Duquesa faces out to sea. From each of the three edges you can gaze out into the Mediterranean. Duquesa is, without a doubt, the thriving coastal jewel in the Manilva crown, benefiting from tourism and buzzing
with life. For most of its history Manilva has been dependent on fishing and agriculture, especially its vineyards and celebrated sweet wines. But over the last couple of decades this little township has welcomed an influx of tourists and development, while still
maintaining a peaceful air. Manilva officially has the highest percentage of Brits on the padron in Spain and just as well, as there are 4,000 of them in the 12,000-strong municipality. Continues on Page 2
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Welcome to the big life
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A Small Oasis of Luxury Living on the Costa del Sol
F you have ever dreamed about getting away from it all and having your own little secret bolthole and peaceful oasis away from it all, then Small Oasis is just what you are looking for. With its ‘picture- perfect’ location in the pretty town of Manilva is a unique residential development, combining the best in a modern living experience, with the tranquillity, authenticity and natural beauty that embodies its Andalucian backdrop. Comprising of an exclusive selection of properties, Small Oasis offers a select range of properties, including resort apartments, luxury apartments, town houses and villas. A safe and private residential complex, it is the ideal place to relax on holiday with family and friends to make it an idyllic permanent residence. With access to every imaginable service and amenity at your fingertips, you will only need to think about relaxing, taking in the abundant sunshine, and having fun. Phase I, a complex of 258 two and three-bedroom resort apartments, proved exceptionally popular with clients, with most units now sold.
Stunning views
The recently launched phase II features 144 luxury apartments. These single-floor, three-bedroom, three-bathroom properties feature high-spec kitchens and a delightful balcony for leisurely al fresco dining, as do the selection of two-bed, two-bath properties. Upper floor units benefit from spacious, private rooftop lounges complete with barbeque areas and stunning views of the surrounding area. All Small Oasis residents have access to the beautiful, manicured gardens, barbeque areas, stunning shared adults and children’s pools and a clubhouse. And there is no shortage of things to do. A mini-cinema has regular screenings, while there is a quality bar and restaurant, and a modern gym as well as yoga classes. There will also be a shuttle bus service to the beach to take full advantage of the sunny days. Joint work areas with private control access via the dedicated Small Oasis app, which can be also used for temperature control and remote locking, are just some of the other standout features which make life in Small Oasis, Manilva- ‘a big life’! Small Oasis also has the bonus of being just 10 minutes from the historical centre of Estepona, 20 minutes from Gibraltar airport and Puerto Banus/Marbella), as well as being around an hour from Malaga airport. Prices start at a competitive €165,000 for the Resort apartment (only a small number remaining), and €199,900 for the newly launched, Luxury apartment residences. Phase III comprising of 70 exclusive town- houses and 29 luxury villas is due for launch in 2023.
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Manilva, S Puerto de l
From front page
Melting pot Manilva And isn’t just those from Blighty. Foreign, settled residents make up around 50% of Manilva’s population. Most in these parts inhabit either the coral-white marina of ‘La Duquesa’, which sits on the mile-long beachfront of San Luis de Sabinillas or up on the hilltop lookout of Manilva itself. Though the Brits and the 180-odd other nationalities come from all walks of life and occupations (some have even set up a newspaper here) they all have something in common. Like Manilva’s first health tourist, Julius Caesar, who visited the Roman baths around 60BC, it seems that people come here for a temperate life beneath the jaw-drop-
For more information on how to begin your journey to enjoying a ‘Big Life’ at Small Oasis, a residential development unique, call one of professional, friendly team on +34 604 416 821 or email: welcome@smalloasisbiglife.com. Browse their comprehensive website at www.smalloasisbiglife.com for a flavour of ‘the big life’!
ping mountains, fed by the fruits of the sea. Manilva is home to a typical white village, clinging to a hilltop, as well as two other key areas, the emergent Puerto Duquesa and the popular, down-to-earth seaside town of Sabinillas. The unpretentious Puerto Duquesa has undergone a growth spurt in the last decade and the expansion doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon. New cafes, bars and restaurants are springing up as a result of its growing tourism. Aside from the fantastic prices of homes in the area, the environment is distinctly low rise, largely green and everything is close to the sea. Set back from the port, high up on a mountain surrounded by vineyards is the village of Manilva. This community is not on most tourists’ radar and thus there is a refreshing absence of skyscraper construction. Those that do veer off the main road up towards Manilva may well struggle to get out of the centre’s mazy narrow one-way streets once lost in them. Buried in Manilva’s historical heart is St Anne’s church and the adjoining cemetery, dating from around 1776. Turn a corner and there it is, striking yet simplistic, bold yet unas-
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QUOTE - Olive Press AD
Sabinillas and la Duquesa
3 March 2022 VARIETY: From the ancient fortress outside Duquesa to the undeveloped local coastline
suming. Sauntering through the maze of white houses with their terracotta roofs, every ‘hola’ from passers-by strengthens the feeling that Manilva is very much Spanish still. Up on the mountain it is removed from the wave of tourism lapping at the coast. And then there are the postcard views from every direction, white houses spill down into vast vineyards with mountains out behind and the Costa del Sol to the front. The Pedreta viewpoint delivers a view stretching from the white cluster that is the mountain-clinging Casares village to the coastal hubs of Estepona and Marbella below. A rich network of tracks is visible in between, inviting you out to hike, cycle or horse-ride. It is also quickly clear how important grapes and wine are to Manilva, the central Plaza de la Vendimia (Wine harvest square) is adorned with a spectacular mural depicting work-
ers in vineyards. Americans. The nearby interpretation centre, opened in 2010, both It is also a veritable hive of commerce. While it wins no highlights and strengthens the village’s long wine-making beauty prizes, there is a great range of supermarkets and tradition. shops in Sabinillas. It offers vocational courses in wine-making, Wall Street is where traditionally all the banks aimed at inspiring the younger generations and insurance companies centred and down Fishermen still on the beach there is a great range of bars and and training future professionals. Sabinillas, like everywhere else on the coast, restaurants. launch their has flourished under tourism in the last deBack on the blue flag beach, that stretches all boats from cade. the way from Rio Manilva to Puerto Duquesa, But there remains a tangible working atmofishermen still launch their boats and are often the stunning sphere (it still has a small fishing fleet) and this met by waiting restaurateurs upon their return, beaches is still a town where Spanish people enjoy their eagerly awaiting the days catch. Spanish lives. Sabinillas effectively bridges the gap between A short coastal walk from the charming Puerto the multi-cultural, tourism-driven hub of Puerto Duquesa, Sabinillas has also become a popular destination Duquesa and the withdrawn, tranquil, traditional village of for expats. It is certainly a distinct community with a healthy Manilva. mix of Spanish, expat En- With the right blend of coastal expansion and Spanish traglish and Germans, as well dition, it is easy to see why Manilva is making a name for as Moroccans and south more than just its wine.
LOW RISE: The light and colours of Manilva costa are among the best on the Costa del Sol
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Manilva, Sabinillas and Puerto de la Duquesa
Days of empire Once upon a time Manilva was among the richest and best-connected places in the world
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HE legacy of the Roman Empire permeates throughout the Iberian Peninsula, not least on the Costa de Sol which acted as the gateway to the Mediterranean. The Romans’ love affair with the
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Costa del Sol was not hard to understand. Apart from the climate, bountiful fishing and rich pastureland, the area was a vital corridor to the Empire’s first line of defence. Manilva and Sabanillas thrived as Roman towns, evidenced by the many ruins that you can still see here today, such as the Roman baths, believed to have been frequented by Julius Caesar's army and the Ciudad Romana de Lacipo, an ancient Roman outpost just north of Manilva. First, a little history …
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Baetica, the Roman name for Andalucia, became one of the most dynamic and economically developed regions in the farflung Roman Empire, rich in resources and modern in outlook, even welcoming liberated slaves. Before the legions arrived in the second century AD life was hard and simple, the land dotted with small and isolated agricultural settlements. However the development of a fish salting industry fuelled by increasing Roman presence on the Iberian Peninsula saw most of these segmented populations moving to the coast, settling in the town we
LA MAR DE VINOS Best wine shop on the Western Costa del Sol
now call San Luis de Sabinillas. At that time, salt curing was the best method for preserving fish for export by sea to Rome and other parts of the Empire. Manilva became known as Saltum and came under the administration of Conventus Gaditanus - a vast region stretching from modern-day Cadiz province and along the the entire Costa del Sol to Almeria. Casares, under the town, curing factory Roman name of Lacipo, was a and even a necropolis. strategic gateway from the valProtected as an Asset of Cultural ley to the mountains of Cadiz Interest, the ruins can be visited and Malaga. today and undoubtedly the most Manilva and Casares boasted popular ‘asset’ is La Hedionda, road links as good as EU fundthe Roman baths built around ing has provided a natural mineral today. They were spring where Julius connected by one Caesar himself is Julius Caesar of Baetica’s main said to have cured a himself is said thoroughfares to skin complaint. Still Carteia (currently in working order to have cured a San Roque where today, the name the Roman ruins Stinky skin complaint means of Carteia still in Spanish and in the spring partially survive), comes from the Corduva (now sulphurous waters Cordoba) and the which smell like city of Baetica, together with rotten eggs. Italica and Hispalis, both in the The good times ended when BaetSevilla region. ica was invaded by Visigoths and Some of that amazing infrathe Roman’s Iberian empire fell structure still survives. Roman around 5AD. People started to remains can be found in Sabinilabandon the coastal settlements, las, Haza del Casareño, Lagunreturning inland in search of othetas, Manilva and Castillo de la er ways to survive, perchance to Duquesa which showcases the dream of the glory that was once remnants of a Roman Baths, Rome.
Fallen Angels Get your wine, delicacies and lottery tickets all in one place Find what you need in an idyllic place in Manilva, attended by professionals where tradition and modernity becomes synonymous. Official Euromillions Representative lamardevinos@yahoo.es Calle Bolivia, 1, Sabinillas, 29692 (Manilva) MALAGA KM 144.5 – N340 on the roundabout opposite Repsol
LA MAR DE VINOS
OVER 100 people helped celebrate the launch of the fourth book of Manilva author Paco Gil Mora. "I am extremely grateful for the launch of my fourth work and the amount of local support," said the author, who also works at the town hall. Angeles Caidos was written during the pandemic and is 24 separate stories, written by chance, due to the exceptional circumstances.
TIMELINE OF MANILVA 6,000 BC - Neolithic farmers arrived in Manilva, leaving stone tools and pots in places like the Sierra de la Utrera caves, just north of Sabinillas. 1,500 BC - The Phoenician civilisation spread across the Mediterranean, leading to settlements in Cadiz (meaning ‘fort’ in Phoenician) and the Castillejos de Alcorrín settlement in Manilva. 200 BC - The Romans invaded the Iberian peninsula in 206 BC, establishing a fishing village in Manilva. Julius Caesar became governor of Southern Spain in 61 BC and is believed to have cured a skin disease in the Roman baths at Hedionda. 711 AD - The Moors invaded the Iberian peninsula and established the settlement of Martagina just south of La Chullera. 1400-1500 AD - Barbary pirate raids forced most of the population to flee into the hills for security. However, many still returned daily to fish. 1515-20 - Following the Reconquista, the Duke of Arcos conceded land in present-day Manilva to the fortified town of Casares for growing grapevines. 1530 - The hilltop village of Manilva proper began to take shape thanks to its Duke, who parcelled off pieces of land to encourage people to settle there. 1722 - The Church of Santa Ana in Manilva village was destroyed by an earthquake. 1796 - Manilva gained independence from Casares, when it was given a ‘royal privilege of the town’.
LA CULTURA
CHILD’S PLAY The art of war
AN exhibition detailing the history of duelling at staterun museums in Moscow has been cancelled after a host of European countries withdrew loaned artworks in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. The exhibition, titled: The Duel: From Trial by Combat to Noble Crime was to show loans from 10 European museums but each one has cancelled. The artworks were due to be showcased this month, but institutions from Madrid, Paris, Leeds, Vienna and London have since cancelled their loans with immediate effect. The original exhibition listing announced that artefacts from the Prado Museum and Royal Armoury museum were due be made available for public viewing, however these have also been withdrawn. Art has become the latest flashpoint for sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this month the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg recalled the loan of Raphael’s The Holy Family from the Renaissance art exhibition at London’s National Gallery.
Saura-ing to new heights
New research credits children for prehistoric art MUCH modern art may look a little sketchy to the untrained eye. But new research has found that some of the world’s earliest known art may also be child’s play. Experts from Cambridge University and Spain’s University of Cantabria found that children, possibly even toddlers may have been behind up to a quarter of prehistoric rock art. Researchers analysed hand stencils painted in Spanish caves some 20,000 years ago.
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March 23rd - April 5th 2022
By Katharina Beiersdoerfer
After studying 180 examples of art made by blowing pigment through a hollow reed or bone, scientists believe that ancient rock painting was actually a family-oriented group activity, not a solitary male pursuit. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, revealed that between 20% and 25% of the hand painting were made by chil-
A NEW exhibition exploring the relationship between art and automobiles will open at the Bilbao Guggenheim. The exhibition, titled: ‘Motion, Autos, Art, Architecture’ will run from April 8 to September 18. A gallery spokesman said: “The exhibition celebrates the artistic dimension of the automobile and links it to the parallel worlds of painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and film.” The premise of the exhibition looks at the age-old question: Does
TOUCHING THE PAST: Prehistoric hand paintings dren aged between 2 and 12 years old. Researchers studied art in five caves across Spain - El Castillo, Maltravieso, Fuente de Salin, Fuente del Trucho, and La Gama.
OIL -PAINTING art imitate life? The exhibit is split into seven separate galleries: Beginnings, Sculptures, Popularizing, Sporting, Visionaries, Americana, and Future. Each gallery will showcase cars alongside the objects that influenced their design. The cars on show include a Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, a Hispano-Suiza H6B Dubonnet Xenia, a Pegaso Z-102 Cupula, and the Bentley R1Type.
Lead author of the study, Veronica Fernndez-Navarro said because the prehistoric images were made by blowing pigments onto hands placed against the cave wall, the process that would have made the outlines slightly larger than the hands themselves.
Survival
She said: “From the real hand to the one on the wall there are always a few centimetres of error, because the silhouette comes out larger. “We calculated that error and many more children’s hands came out than we expected.” She added: “It would appear that artistic activity was not an activity exclusively for male individuals and the survival of the group, as had previously been thought.”
FOR three-times Oscar nominee Carlos Saura, it was a busy but rewarding weekend. The 90-year-old opened his photographic exhibition in Torremolinos’ Pablo Picasso Cultural Centre before being the special guest at the 25th Malaga Film Festival where he was presented with the ‘Biznaga de Honor’ award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Spanish cinema.
Glittering
The Spanish film director, photographer and writer, travelled to the Costa del Sol to inaugurate the exhibition. It shows 60 photographs, taken during rehearsals and shooting of his films and theatre plays, including Bodas de Sangre (1981), Carmen (1983) and Flamenco (1995). Saura has received countless awards for his work after decades in the industry. In 1981 he received the Golden Bear in Berlin and a BAFTA for Best Non-English Language Film in 1985. He also has a Goya for Best Director in 1991 and a 2004 European Film Award for Lifetime Achievement among his collection.
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LA CULTURA
March 23rd - April 5th 2022
Shameful past
IMPORTS: A village of native Filipinos were imported to live in Spain’s most famous park with some dyimg of mistreatment
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NESCO’s newest World HerBy Fiona Govan itage Site in Madrid hides a deplorable secret recognition of a shameful period in tropical plants (see above) was a the history of Madrid’s Retiro park replica village, a model of the sort when people would come to stare of settlement found on the Filipino wide-eyed at live exhibits in a ‘hu- island of Luzon. Housed within it as the centrepiece man zoo’. When news came through last year of the exhibit were 43 Igorot men that Madrid’s Retiro Park had been and women brought from the other awarded with the coveted World side of the world to play out their Heritage Site status, it was greeted lives in front of curious onlookers. In April 1887, the Exhibition of the with celebration across Spain. Philippines, then a At last Madrid’s leafy part of the Spanish oasis in the centre empire, was inauguof the capital with its At least four rated by Queen Maria rose garden, boating Cristina. lake and lofty glass exof the Igorot During the next six hibition hall had been people died months tens of thougiven the recognition it deserved. from poor living sands from across Spain came to gaze But, for some the conditions at the prize exhibits in news came as an optheir folk costumes as portunity to explore they carried out their the history of the park, and with it calls to make amends for ‘typical’ daily activities of hunting a shameful episode that blights the with spears, fishing from wooden dugout canoes or ploughing the Retiro’s past. Towards the end of the 19th Centu- land with oxen. ry, Madrileños flocked to the Retiro Records show that at least four of the Park not just to enjoy a stroll be- Igorot people brought over died as a neath the shady boughs of its many result of poor living conditions during trees but also to gawp at a rare ex- the exhibition, but apart from a few hibit that had been shipped in from photos hidden within city archives, a far-flung corner of the Spanish there is no public acknowledgement of their plight on public display. empire. Alongside the Palacio de Cristal, a All that remains to inform curious colossal greenhouse built to contain visitors today is a small weath-
Human zoo secret of Madrid’s new World Heritage site has been carefully airbrushed from history
er-beaten plaque outside the palace that names the architect and the dimensions of the structure and what plants were originally contained within it. No mention is made of the human exhibits. Leah Pattem, an amateur historian wrote about the shameful secret history of the Retiro human zoos in her blog Madrid No Frills that has been shared by thousands. “It took me three visits to the National Museum of Anthropology to find any acknowledgment of the people involved in the 1887 exhibition. On a small display card beneath the
boats, a sentence reads “...city residents could ride in them with the aid of the Filipino crews”. Other than this, you have to dig deep into the museum’s archives which are not accessible to the public,” she told the Olive Press. Campaigners now want the true history to be told as a way of putting the racist world view of the past into context for modern times. “The point of UNESCO is to preserve and protect, through education and culture, a universal respect for human rights,” explained Alexis Lahorra, a Madrid-based Filipino Canadian
activist, who has taken up the cause. “Why is it that we’re not protecting the people who were in the exhibition? Their dignity was taken away. By remembering them, we can at least try to recover some of that.” Fellow activist Angelica Pfleider, also from the Philippines, insists that historical wrongs shouldn’t be buried. “Acknowledging the human zoos in Madrid will show other racially marginalised groups, such as Roma people and indigenous Latin Americans in Spain that it’s also possible to acknowledge what was done to them in the past,” insisted fellow Filipino activist Angelica Pfleider.
Courage
“If we’re successful, it could give others the courage and inspiration they need to seek the truth about their own history too,” she said. Pattern adds: “It seems clear to me that the inclusion of 43 Igorot people has been deliberately omitted because historians are aware that this is a shameful episode in Spanish history. However, we must confront and acknowledge Madrid’s human zoo because, if we don’t, it’s as good as saying what happened was ok – a passive action which has a direct consequence on racist attitudes and behaviours today, in Spain and beyond. “There are many more monuments in Madrid with hidden racist histories and we hope that updating the plaque outside the Palacio de Cristal will pave the way for further changes to be made around the city.”
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Sweet Paella for peace Malaga March 23rd - April 5th 2022
Cooking up a treat SOME of the biggest names in the world of gastronomy will be taking part in Madrid Fusion later this month in the 20th anniversary of the festival. The event will take place in Madrid’s Ifema conference centre from March 28 to March 30 after a two-year break thanks to the pandemic. This year’s event will see kitchen superstars from across the globe gather to showcase their cuisine including the chefs behind some of the world’s best restaurants. Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio (Astrid&Gaston, Lima), Nordic chef Rene Redzepi (Noma 2.0, Copenhagen) Brazilian chef Alex Atala (D.O.M., Sao Paulo) have all confirmed their attendance. Also there will be Spanish chefs Dabiz Muñoz of DiverXo fame and Quique Dacosta who just won a Michelin star for his newly opened Deesa restaurant.
By Jorge Hinojosa
serving plates of the dish to new arrivals. David Juan Diaz, one of the organisers of ‘Paella por la paz’, said: “What is happening on the border is devastating.”
Tiring
In a post on Instagram the group said: “Our long and tiring journey has brought us from Alicante to Przemysl, the main city closest to Medyka, on the border with Ukraine. “Hundreds of people fleeing
TWO of the world's tourism giants, the Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair and MSC Cruises, the fourth-largest cruise company in the world, have intensified their commitment to Malaga for this summer season. The ongoing pledge from both companies will see a significant increase in air routes and more stopovers from the Costa del Sol, confirming the upward trend that both companies expect in
Picasso
HOT MEALS: Volunteers help, Spanish style
the war arrive here daily. “For now we have established our base camp here,
Tourist giants 2022 despite the pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine Between March 2022 and March 2023 Ryanair expects to exceed five million passengers on its Costa del Sol routes. Meanwhile, MSC plans to make 29 stopovers in Malaga this year, up from 19 in 2019.
OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 6 Early bird’s breakfast (4) 8 He slew the Hydra (8) 9 Agreeable (8) 10 A trifling sum (4) 11 Such as the Gestapo, KGB, Stasi etc. (6,6) 14 Electrostatic document producer (5,7) 17 Small drink of liquor (4) 19 European nation since 1993 (8) 20 Occur simultaneously (8) 21 They’re tapped in pubs (4)
Down
OP SUDOKU
TWO Spanish cities have made the top-10 list for holiday destinations in continental Europe, with Malaga making a surprise appearance on the list. Travel company Holidu published the 10 most searched destinations on its platform, with Barcelona the second-most searched city in Europe, with some 44,000 searches. It was surpassed only by Amsterdam which notched up a whopping 126,000 searches.
Five Spaniards drive from Spain to Poland to cook paella for refugees fleeing Ukraine FIVE friends from Spain were so moved by those fleeing Ukraine that they decided to do what they do best: make a paella. The group set off from Alicante with three vans full of ingredients to make the famous Valenciano dish; rice, chicken and vegetables as well as the giant pans to cook them in and headed for Poland. After a 5,000km drive, they arrived in Przemysl, a city near the border with Ukraine that has been flooded with refugees fleeing Russian forces. Since then they have been cooking up a storm and
1 Overabundance (13) 2 Crosspiece in a boat (6) 3 Small attractive cave (6) 4 Drunken Marquis OKs ten after inquiries (8,5) 5 Mineral deposit (4) 7 Deep hole, or instruction to machinery owner? (3,4) 12 Worthless ideas (3) 13 Cook nine veg. before nightfall (7) 15 Victorian art critic and social thinker (6) 16 Get back in business (6) 18 It might be square or underground (4)
All solutions are on page 15
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and once we finish setting up our tents and kitchens, we will start the paellas. “From what we are finding out, perhaps in the next few days we will have to move to another area of the border, the situation and the flow of people change by the hour. “We will go where we are most useful.” The group which translates as ‘Paella for peace’ aims to cook 12,000 servings before driving back to Spain and bringing refugees who want to return with them.
The eighth most searched city was Malaga, birthplace of Picasso,. Famed for its sunny weather and cultural exhibits, the city is likely to see a boom in summer and is the ideal place to experience authentic Spanish culture. The city beat a host of world-renowned capitals, including Madrid, to cement its place in the imagination of holiday-goers. Dublin was the third most searched destination and for good reason. Whether you are seeking to delve into the city's rich Irish heritage or simply craving a crisp pint of Guinness, the city has it all.
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BUSINESS
MALAGA school Laude San Pedro International College has been ranked number two in the whole of Spain by Forbes Magazine. It also made it in the top 100 on the distinguished El Mundo list. The school is an international institution for students from three to 18 years old in Marbella and follows the British national curriculum for both primary and secondary school children. It is the only school in Marbella that offers the students the chance to take ESO and the Spanish baccalaureate. Priding itself on teaching excellence in multiple languages, around 65% of lessons are taught in English.
March 23rd - April 5th 2022
Don’t panic!
Top of the class Spokesman Louis Lopez told the Olive Press: “At Laude San Pedro International College, we have always said that we will maintain our focus on getting better over time and I believe that the whole school community has embraced this mission. I am so happy for every member of our community that all of our combined efforts are beginning to be recognised.” A number of other Andalucian schools were also recognised by Forbes, including Aloha College, British School Malaga, Novaschool Sunland, and San Francisco de Paula.
‘More than enough stock’ says Mercadona boss in face of hoarders SUPERMARKET chain Mercadona has appealed to customers to stop panic-buying and hoarding. Reporting a €47 million fall in profits last year, Mercadona president, Juan Roig, sought to calm down consumer fears.
In the driving seat
THE Ascari race track near Ronda in Andalucia has new owners, CEO Jesus Gijon has revealed. Two so far unnamed companies from Argentina and Switzerland bought the circuit from the previous owner, Dutchman Klaas Zwart, who designed then opened the track in 2002.
The new owners said the beauty of Ronda and the big marketing potential of the circuit were key to their decision to buy it. However, they voiced concerns over government plans to build a solar farm in the area which they say will impact the scenery that surrounds the circuit.
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AVE you ever wondered where all those missing socks end up? Are they inside the washing machine drum, or did they somehow fall off the atoddaflores@lawbird.com washing lineEmail into someAntonio black hole for socks? Nobody knows the answer. It’s just one of those mysteries from everyday life. Because everyday things just happen sud- will sort it out. And should you require Home denly and without explanation. Assistance to set up your new Wi-Fi connecHaving insurance for your car, motorbike or tion, then our English speaking technical home means you can be more prepared for staff will set up a visit. *Fully comp rehen sive offer any sudden unexpected events. Whilst insurvalid for new custo mers only. Guara ntee subje c appro ved garag e, and cour t to cover , repai r at tesy vehic le availa bilit y. ance won’t protect you from things happenEXPAT2EXPAT Subje c t to cond itions . O ffer ends 30/11 /18. ing, it will make life easier after they do. Also, did you know that Línea Directa has it’s SO WHY CHOOSE LÍNEA DIRECTA? own Expat2Expat programme? Whenever an existing customer recommends a friend, then2/8/18 Línea Directa has been providing comprehen- we reward the policy holder and the friend sive car, motorbike and home insurance to with €30 in cash. You can recommend up to British expatriates and residents in Spain for 10 people and earn up to €300 in cash per over 25 years. With over 3 million customers year. Simply ask your friend to call 917 002 nationwide, Línea Directa has the capacity to 006 and quote your full name. ensure you get both the best possible price Then once their application for car, bike or for the right kind of insurance you really need. home insurance has been approved, Línea Directa will pay the reward straight into the BEST PRICE AND BEST SERVICE bank account following payment of the next or first premium. See terms and conditions at Everything is in English. Our Roadside Assis- lineadirecta.com tance team speaks English and will quickly help you onward journey. If you urgently need Call their English-speaking customer sera duplicate set of keys for your motorcycle, vice staff on 917 002 006 or get a competthen our English-speaking customer service itive quote now at lineadirecta.com TM
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By Alex Trelinski
Buyers have been raiding shelves recently to scoop up sunflower oil, forcing retailers like Mercadona to introduce rationing. The surge in demand was prompted by the war in Ukraine, which is a major producer of the oil. Juan Roig said: “There are no shortage problems. We saw toilet paper sales double in the first month of the pandemic but then return to normal. Now it happens with certain prod-
ucts, such as sunflower oil or flour. “It is hoarding and nothing else. We have more than enough stocks,” he added. “People get nervous because they see an empty shelf, but they don’t have to stock up,” as Roig rounded on ‘hoarders’ and ‘speculators’. He described the Spanish agri-food chain as ‘strong’ and predicted ‘no product problems’.
Pledge Roig also pledged not to put up prices for the sake of it, despite energy costs sky-rocketing. He said the firm absorbed many rises last year and only increased prices by 2%, with the company’s profit margin lowered by €100 million. Mercadona declared a profit of €680 million for 2021 compared to €727 in 2020 which saw the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Turnover in 2021 was up by 3.3% to €27.8 billion, with 1,000 new jobs created.
HEALTH
TikTok twits
SOCIAL media users taking part in viral TikTok challenges are putting themselves at risk of blindness, an expert has warned. Dr Nigel Best is urging people not to take part in dares which sees them exposing their eyes to bright lights and toxic substances. He said: ‘These challenges can be extremely dangerous and can put your eye health at risk. One of the challenges going viral sees people mixing bleach, hand sanitiser, jelly and shaving cream in a bag and holding it up to their eyes. It is thought this will make their eyes appear brighter.
Splits
Dr Best (pictured below), from Specsavers, said: “Apart from the fact that it won’t make your eyes any brighter, if the bag splits and the contents leak out it could cause corneal scarring, extreme pain and blindness.”Another video doing the rounds sees users trying to change their eye colour from brown to blue by exposing the eye to bright light while using the S5 filter on their phones. Dr Best said: “By intentionally exposing your retinas to bright lights, you risk permanently damaging the light sensitive cells on your retina and causing blind spots.”
March 23rd - April 5th 2022
BAD INFLUENCE
Influencers to be barred from plugging junk food
THE Spanish government has announced plans to ban influencers from advertising junk food to children. The plans outlined would see anyone in a position of influence barred from marketing food and drink high in sugar, salt or fat. The draft legislation
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Some 12,000 remaining staff on short term contracts were due to be let go on April 30, but this new funding means they will now be kept on. During a visit to the new facilities of the Regional Hospital of Malaga, Moreno lamented that the rejection of the 2022 budget had meant the Junta would have a reduced health budget of some €1.3 billion. “We cannot increase any health budgets by even one cent over the 2021 figure,” Moreno said.
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states: “The ban would prohibit appearances in commercial communications by parents, educators, teachers, children’s TV professionals, sportspeople, artists, influencers, and people or characters – be they real or fictional – who may, by dint of their careers, be likely to represent a model or example for these minors.” A 2019 study found over 40% of Spanish children aged six to nine were over their recommended weight. Alberto Garzon, the coordinator for the United Left alliance in the coalition government, said the measures were necessary in order to tackle ‘the serious public health problem of childhood obesity’. In addition, high-profile figures popular among children, such as Youtubers, will also be asked to participate in public health campaigns to promote physical activity and healthy eating.
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THE president of the Junta, Juanma Moreno, has announced a cash injection of €347 million for the health service. The funds will come directly from the junta and come after concerns that key workers on short term contracts were at risk of being laid off. Moreno said: “We have asked the government to give us extra money but there is none available. Therefore, we are are funding this through our own funds.” At the end of last October, the Andalucian health service did not renew 8,000 staff on short term contracts.
SPAIN has experienced the largest drop in happiness in Europe, a new study has revealed. Research published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, used ‘sentiment analysis’ automatically to scan the contents of 600 million social media posts from 10.5 million people, and assess the emotional content. Analysing the language used, in correlation with the locations tagged, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that Spain experienced one of the largest drops in happiness in Europe, closely followed by the UK. Using data from across 100 countries, the study determined that countries with a higher death toll and inefficient governments had the most unhappy residents. Scientists also analysed the effects of lockdown by comparing similar countries that did and did not impose restrictions. Surprisingly, they found that in the short term there was tentative evidence that going into lockdown led to a small net increase in happiness. Professor Siqi Zheng said: “On the one hand, lockdown policies might make people feel secure, and not as scared. On the other hand, in a lockdown when you cannot have social activities, it’s another emotional stress. The impact of lockdown policies perhaps runs in two directions.”
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Decline
This is perhaps most clearly exemplified by Venezuela which was top despite being the most poverty-stricken nation in Latin America. One of the things all nations appeared to have in common was the decline in mental health of young people, with every single country surveyed showing a decline in the mental well being of 18-24 year-olds.
FEELING DOWN
vi
A NEW report has given surprising insight into the countries whose populations have the best mental health. The contrast between the UK and Spain could hardly have been more different in the study published by research organization Sapiens Lab. Of all the 34 countries surveyed, Spain was second, surpassed only by Venezuela. The UK meanwhile had the joint lowest mental health score, alongside South Africa. Of the top 10 countries, six were Spanish speaking. The survey looked at a variety of factors in determining its rankings, including mood and outlook, how we relate to ourselves and others, and drive and motivation, quizzing a total of 223,000 people. In addition, the survey found a correlation between living in an English-speaking country and poor mental health. The USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland all ranked in the bottom 10. The survey found no link between a country's wealth and the happiness of its citizens but there did appear to be a trend between inequality, which has increased in many western countries over the past decade, and negative mental health.
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FINAL FINALWORDS WORDS
A MAN in Gipuzkoa has been jailed for 15 months and fined €275 after calling on Spanish politicians to suffer ‘a slow death’, and for them to be ‘dissolved in sulphuric acid’ via Facebook.
Paper Picasso A MYSTERY origami artist at Granada’s San Cecilio hospital has been revealed to be an 81-year-old cancer patient who has been making jaw-dropping paper figurines to calm his nerves before chemotherapy.
Guardian angel WORKERS at a Sevilla supermarket have described a local shopper as an ‘angel’ for doing a €261.21 food shop at their store before giving it all to a homeless woman.
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March 23rd - April 5th 2022
DISGRUNTLED! Tunbridge Wells given good reason to be out of sorts after cricket masterclass from Spain RESIDENTS of the UK’s Royal Tunbridge Wells are infamous for being disgruntled on many things in life. Long fabled for writing angry letters to newspapers, now the Victor Meldews of the Home Counties have a good reason to whine. In a remarkable European cricket final, Tunbridge were humbled in a seven wicket drubbing by Spain’s Pak I Care
By George Mathias
Badalona. Now crowned the European champions the Catalan club won the European Cricket League finals in a remarkable final day. It came after they topped their group before beating an Irish team, a Swedish team and an Italian team to reach the finals.
The six week tournament witnessed over 25,000 runs and 1,450 wickets during the course of the competition at the Cartama Oval, Malaga. Muhammad Babar leased the ‘Monday shopfrom Pak I Care was per bag’, made of white named player of the calfskin. tournament, scoring It is adorned with vertical an unrivalled 433 blue stripes and a red logo, runs, including 53 with eagle-eyed Brits quick sixes and 17 fours. to point out a resemblance He also took 23 between the new release wickets. and Tesco’s old design. The tournament, Europe’s biggest-ev-
Every little helps THEY were once handed out free at the tills, but now a designer label shopping bag reminiscent of the plastic Tesco version has been put up for sale at a whopping €1,200. High end Spanish fashion brand Balenciaga has re-
er tournament, has truly put cricket on the European map after drawing in millions of viewers worldwide every week. “It’s great to see a Spanish club taking the crown in Europe. It is well deserved for the club, Spain and the development of European Cricket,” ECL boss Roger Feiner told the Olive Press. “At first glance, the victory of Pak I Care came as a surprise. But when you see the quality of individual players, you can understand why the sport continues to evolve.”
SPAIN will take its place on Rugby Union’s biggest stage after qualifying for next year’s World Cup. Los Leones completed a remarkable turnaround when they defeated Portugal in Madrid, having lost their first three qualifying matches before embarking on a six-game winning run. The 33-28 victory meant that Spain were guaranteed at least second place in the Rugby Europe Championship ahead of their last day clash with Georgia. It was just as well as they were then crushed 49-15 in Tbilisi.
Water result BARCELONA has more cannabis residue in its waste water than Amsterdam. A study of the sewage from 75 cities by the European Agency for Drugs and Drug Addiction, revealed that the Catalan city showed three times more traces of the narcotic than the Dutch capital. The report placed Barcelona and Amsterdam at one and two on the list.