Gibraltar Olive Press - Issue 97

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Vol. 4 Issue 97 www.theolivepress.es May 22nd - June 4th 2019

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Brexit will really hurt Lib Dem leader jets into Gib to issue stark warning and an optimistic possibility

X

EXCLUSIVE

By John Culatto

played games with Gibraltar in the past and it was the intercession of the European Union that brought them back into line.

Pressures

“Now if we walk away without a deal - which is what Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson among others are arguing for - they’re totally vulnerable.”

He believes that the UK needs to stay in the European Union to ‘fight these damaging pressures’.

The leader believes the process of Brexit is not going well even though there is currently ‘an anti-Brexit majority in the House of Commons’.

Photo by: John Culatto

VINCE Cable has warned that Brexit will ‘really hurt’ Gibraltar.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats made the warning during a visit to the frontier.

During the whistle-stop visit, he insisted the UK’s departure from the EU was ‘not a good option’ for the Rock.

“It’s very clear that Brexit is not a good option for Gibraltar,” Cable, 76, told the Olive Press.

“The overwhelming majority of people here voted against it.

“They’re more British than the British and more European than the Europeans. They want to keep those two identities and that is absolutely right.

“Brexit will potentially cause serious disruption.”

He continued: “The Spanish have

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He believes optimistically, however, that the decision could still be reversed.

in second referendum

EURO MP hopeful Rachel Johnson has met Fabian Picardo (pictured left) in a bid to reverse Brexit as her brother Boris Johnson seeks to become UK Prime Minister.

On a visit to the Rock, the Change UK MEP candidate for South West England and Gibraltar, said that to ‘revoke Brexit is a very good idea’.

“I want Gibraltar to have the same ease as it had before,” the former journalist insisted.

“I hope Spain is generous and not punitive with Gibraltar as negotiations continue.”

It comes as her brother, former Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson threw his hat into the ring to replace Theresa May as UK Prime Minister.

“Of course I'm going to go for it,” leading Brexiteer Johnson said when asked if he wanted the top job.

The former London mayor is favourite to succeed May with 39% of the Tory grassroots supporting him, according to YouGov. His closest rival, fellow Leave campaigner, Dominic Raab has just 13%, while other cabinet ministers Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove, Sajid Javid, Andrea Leadsom, Matt Hancock and Rory Stewart are all on single figures.

“Brexit is going badly,” he continued. “The only way to resolve it is to go back to the people with the option to remain.

“We now have a good prospect of remaining in the EU which is what people in Gibraltar want.”

He also insisted he had no regrets about the coalition that brought the Tories and David Cameron to power in 2011.

“It was the right thing to do in the circumstances,” said Cable. “We had a very good coalition government that provided strong and stable government.

“Nowadays, Britain is sadly a very divided country and we need to get past Brexit to get back to the things that really matter.”

Opinion Page 6

2

CRIME

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Peace keepers ROYAL Gibraltar Regiment reservist captain Kenny Alvarez did a three week shift as a UN trainer of peacekeeping forces in Chile.

Pool revived FORMER Forces facility the Nuffield Pool will open to the general public after the Island Games with a dog park that means they can finally go off their leads somewhere.

Gas control A THREE day course held in Rotterdam for seven officers of the Fire Service helped them learn on how to deal with an LNG incident.

Scooter ban?

THE Government is looking at making scooters and electric skateboards illegal on Gibraltar roads because they do not meet safety standards.

A GUARDIA Civil officer is among 57 people arrested in a huge anti-drug trafficking operation.

Around 200 police were involved in the busts around Andalucia, which also saw several tonnes of hash recovered.

They impounded a number of boats with hollowed-out hulls as well as trucks with

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

Need to get stiffer

One of our own

The arrests took place at 25 addresses across Malaga, Granada and Cadiz and saw a number of northern Europeans armodified chassis. rested alongside Moroccans and Spanish.

Also seized were a number of weapons, The leader of the drug network was including a submachine gun, as well as caught in Manilva, while key suspects cash and many cars, under the codename were also rounded up in Estepona and Operation Balbi.

Marbella.

Legalize it!

GIBRALTAR could decriminalise all drugs if new party Together Gibraltar has its way.

The move, announced by the progressive party this month, would put the Rock on a par with countries like Portugal and the Czech Republic.

Rather than completely legalise drug use, decriminalisation would make possession

Decriminalising drugs in Gibraltar is the way to end the vicious cycle of addiction, claims party Together Gibraltar

punishable by token fines as opposed to jail time.

Medical attention is then applied to addicts who use the drugs to offset their own emo-

tional problems.

The GSLP/Liberals have criticised the idea as ‘a dangerous experiment’, instead opting for its own more conservative

Captain coke A FOOTBALL coach has pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and the intent to supply in Gibraltar.

Garry Lowe, 34, a former Corporal in the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, was cuffed with 56 grams of the class-A drug, with a street value of £3000.

Lowe is known for managing several of the Rock’s football teams, and helped to found Premier Division side Gibraltar Phoenix.

He later took up coaching

responsibilities at Red Imps and Bruno’s Magpies.

After his initial arrest in February outside a ‘military establishment’ police also used ‘specialised sniffer dogs’ to search two locations.

Lowe was discharged from the regiment at his own request, before his court appearance.

He has now been remanded in custody and the case will be moved to the Supreme Court, but has been adjourned until May 30.

GUILTY: Garry Lowe

Fire shame A BRITISH expat has been arrested over a forest fire which broke out in Nerja this week.

The 43-year-old is believed to have confessed to lighting a small bonfire to burn rubbish in the garden of his home in the Cerro de San Isidro area.

Strong winds, which have been blowing for the past few weeks, sent sparks into the surrounding area’s dry vegetation, causing a rapidly-spreading blaze.

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plan to overcome ‘the drugs problem’.

Marlene Hassan Nahon’s new party responded to this statement by referring to the research conducted by the United Nations and British Medical Association.

“Drug addicts must be treated with respect, support and the opportunity to reintegrate into society, as opposed to being stuck in a vicious circle of jail and petty crime,” she said.

“As it stands, many are unemployable as a result of their criminal records.

“If we allow religious dogma to influence decision-making by placing it on par with medical and scientific evidence it will set a dangerous precedent.

“Well researched policy backed by reputable international authorities is all any government requires to take bold and important decisions on substance abuse.”

It comes after current minister for justice Neil Costa, had voiced support for decriminalisation in November 2016.

CONVICTIONS for driving under the influence of drink or drugs have surged in Spain by 10%.

Official figures show that convictions increased to 56,173, in 2018, compared to 51,085, in 2017.

The convictions represent 21% of all crimes in Spain, while 40% of drivers who died in road accidents were intoxicated.

Pere Navarro, head of the DGT national traffic authority had said: “It’s not clear to me that the solution lies in higher penalties.”

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

3

Red-dy for action?

HE came as the vanguard of Liverpool’s arrival in Spain for their most important game of the season.

Striker Roberto Firmino landed on the Costa del Sol a week before the arrival of his team mates for warm weather training in preparation for the Champions League final next weekend.

The Brazilian forward, 27, arrived in Malaga aboard a €23 million private jet, in an attempt to overcome his

STARS: The Spanish trio

Leftie luvvie

HE is a voice of a generation of Spaniards, who remember the transition from dictatorship to democracy.

So it’s no surprise that legendary filmmaker Pedro Almodovar is backing the PSOE to do well in elections this weekend, and hopes Vox gets thwarted.

The Oscar-winning director said he felt a sigh of relief when Spain backed the left wing government at last month’s general election.

Speaking at Cannes film festival, alongside Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, he said it felt like Pedro Sanchez’ victory had ‘given him his country back’.

Deplorable

“I, like all Spaniards, was horrified by our last parliament,” he said, “the infighting and insults were deplorable.

“Before the elections, I felt like I was not living in the country that I knew and worked for, fortunately, the result has given me back the democratic Spain I know and love.”

He added it was ‘dreadful’ that the far-right Vox party won any seats and was ‘appalled’ that Miquel Iceta was blocked from becoming the first gay leader of the Senate by Catalan leaders.

groin injury for the final on June 1.

He was spotted at the Marbella Football Center in San Pedro training with the club’s strength and rehabilitation assistant David Rydings.

The remaining 22 Liverpool players jetted into Malaga on Monday, where they will stay for seven days before taking on Tottenham at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid.

Not funny any more EXCLUSIVE: The financial battle that finally killed off expat comedian Freddie Starr

A STRANGER has agreed to pay for the funeral of expat comedy legend Freddie Starr.

It comes after the tortured funnyman died in impecunious circumstances at his home on the Costa del Sol. The dad-of-six was found by his carer in a chair at his home in the La Cala Hills development, in Mijas.

While Olive Press readers also generously offered to pay for his funeral here in Spain, one, Michael Fogg, a funeral director, in Sheffield, has agreed to fly his body home to the UK. “Freddie was much loved by the people in this country and deserves a proper send off,” he said. “This won’t be a small

www.theolivepress.es

Falling Starr NEWS

October 1st - October 14th 2015

3

Comic Freddie’s attempt to escape UK justice in Spain has been anything but easy, he tells the Olive Press HE was, no doubt, hoping for a return to the happy holidays he spent on the Costa del Sol in the 1980s and 90s.

But fallen comic Freddie Starr’s return to Spain has been marked with controversy, after being accused of trying to escape UK justice.

Indeed, as he admitted to the Olive Press, this week, his purchase of a home in Mijas has, in fact, done little to cheer him up.

After cashing up in England in a bid to escape a libel bill amounting to over a million pounds, he admitted he was now ‘shaking hands with the devil’.

Adding he was almost suicidal, Starr said: “I’m very down.

I’ve been up there and I’ve shook hands with God and I’ve come down here and I’ve shook hands with the devil.”

Speaking outside his La Cala

EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan Hills bolthole, he insisted it had not been his intention to flee justice over the failed libel action he took against a woman who accused him of sexual assault.

Cutting a shambolic figure and talking slowly and painfully, he said: “I have had a quadruple bypass. It wasn’t a matter of planning anything.

I always come to Spain anyway. I love it here.

“I didn’t run away because of the court case. If you haven’t got socks, you can’t pull them up. I’ve got no money plain and simple.”

Happily showing his horrific chest scars from the bypass operation, he explained how he was now trying to put together the pieces of his shat-

MILLER TIME: Sizzling Sienna DOWN AND OUT: Starr is trying tered life.

Describing Karin Ward as ‘full of lies’ for claiming she was groped by him, he now hoped that Spain would offer him some sanctuary.

A long-time visitor, who once owned a holiday home in Benalmadena, he continued: “The people are nice down here, I enjoy the lifestyle and weather.”

to repair his tattered life, he

An emotional Starr also recalled his last appearance on stage and the moment he realised the curtain on his career had finally fallen.

“I was trying to get back to work in my wheelchair. I had the oxygen bottles on the back of my wheelchair and I was fighting for my breath.

The Only Way Is Marbs… or La Cala de Mijas!

A TOUCH of TOWIE glamour wowed the opening night of Elliott Wright’s new Costa del Sol champagne bar. stylish The reality TV star boogied the night with new girlfriend Sadie Stuart, away a host of The Only Way is Essex 23, and Jessica Wright, Ferne McCann regulars. die flaunted their figures as theyand Sadancefloor at Olivia’s in La Cala. hit the And as the drinks flowed, businessman Wright revealed how happy he be with Sadie and to have the castwas to of the popular TV show at his new restaurant.

“It’s was a fantastic night and it was to see all the TOWIE cast,” he told great ive Press. “They’re like my familythe Oland I love the programme.”

He continued: “And it’s great being with Sadie...we’re very happy.”

Despite insisting he had left the he is once again set to feature in show, TOWIE series, which kicks off the new other ‘Marbs Special’ in October.with anAnd on top of that, he has even roped new squeeze, a singer from London, his into taking a turn, although she will not be-

come a regular.

She told the Olive Press: “It’s been great.

I’ve only got a few short cameos where introduces me as as his new girlfriend. he “However, I won’t be going back show when it returns to Essex... I’mon the to stay out here in Marbella. Who going knows what the future holds?”

Elliott’s cousin, TOWIE star Jessica, who celebrated her 30th birthday this month, was also delighted to be at Olivia’s.

She said: “I’m happy to see Elliot’s restaurant. It’s stunning. We’ve been new most nights. I am really proud of him.”here Meanwhile, fellow reality TV star 24, had her dancing shoes well andFerne, back on after a recent foot injury, truly which left her on crutches.

She said: “My foot is still quite but it’s so much better. It was aswollen, injury and I had torn two ligamentsnetball left ankly but I’m all good now and in my boogying away.”

The entire TOWIE crew have been filming in Marbella for a week with them set to stay for another week.some of

has claimed

“They said ‘Freddie Starr’ and I knew as soon as I walked on that I was in trouble.

“I said, ‘Sorry ladies and gentlemen, you have paid good money but I just can’t perform’.

“They understood, gave me a round of applause and I said, ‘This is the last time you will ever see me on stage.’”

He concluded: “I used to be the biggest paid person in Britain for 15 years but all of a sudden it has stopped.”

Starr, who was driving a silver Mercedes, moved into his gated property around two months ago.

Locals said he was often seen in bars around the complex and seen eating in various restaurants in La Cala.

Sienna stuns San Sebastian SIENNA Miller wowed fans at the 63rd San Sebastian film festival in skin-tight gingham dress and heels.

Arriving straight from London Fashion Week, the actress and model was promoting her new film, High Rise.

The week-long event premiered 45 films and saw British actress Emily Watson receive the Donostia Award in honour of her work.

STRAIGHT OUTTA

ATES! FADED: Starr (left)CASEM and Olive Press story

funeral.”

Starr, who starred in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2011, had a quadruple heart bypass surgery after he’d had a heart attack a year before.

A heavy smoker, Starr collapsed on the reality TV show, later moving to Spain in 2015, where he spent his days quietly.

A neighbour told the Olive Press this week that reclusive Starr would ‘just sit indoors all day long and he never had any visitors’.

He had been attempting to pay a €1.1m bill for losing a court case against someone who accused him of sex

Raging Ricky RICKY Gervais has slammed a matador who wiped away a bull’s ‘tears’ before slaying the injured animal, labelling him a ‘sequinned c**t.’

The British funnyman took umbrage at Morante de la Puebla’s performance in Sevilla when he wiped blood from the bull’s face with a handkerchief.

The Comedian, who presented the Oscars, has long criticised animal cruelty and often spoken out against ‘traditional’ blood sports.

IT’S not quite the streets of Compton, and it’s certainly no 8 Mile Road, Detroit.

But for New York rapper Beniton braltar was super phat and right the Menace, the Rock of Gion the money!

The artist has recorded the promo video to ‘This world’ at the top of the rock, with several Barbary macaques as backing dancers.

Beniton is already a self-declared lover of Gibraltar, having performed on stage with reggae star Maxi Priest at the National Day concert this year, as well as the 2014 event.

“I was there a year ago and the love was tremendous,” he said.

A new movie, Straight Outta Compton, about the life of legendary US rap band N.W.A, has just been released.

abuse, a claim he always denied.

He told the Olive Press it was a ‘massive battle’ for him and insisted he had no money and was ‘suicidal’ after moving to La Cala Hills.

“I’m very down. I’ve been up there and I’ve shook hands with God and I’ve come down here and I’ve shook hands with the devil,” he revealed in an exclusive interview “I have had a quadruple bypass. I always come out here, it wasn’t a matter of planning anything.

“I didn’t run away because of the court case. If you haven’t got socks, you can’t pull them up. I’ve got no money.

“I used to be the biggest paid person in Britain for 15 years but all of a sudden it has stopped.”

Starr started out as the frontman of Mersey band the Midniters in the 60s, before he shot to fame in the 70s on talent shows like Opportunity Knocks and the Royal Variety Performance.

He was also written into history after the Sun’s famous headline, ‘Freddie Starr ate my hamster’ in 1986.

DANCE-OFF: TOWIE girls and (top) Elliott and Sadie

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Hips didn’t lie

SHAKIRA has been cleared of plagiarism over hit song La Bicicleta in Spain.

The Barcelona-based singer, 42, was accused by Livan Rafael Castellanos, a Cuban singer, for using melodies and lyrics from his song Yo te quiero tanto.

Music publisher MDRB had filed a complaint in 2017 on behalf of Livan.

But a Madrid court ruled that Colombian Shakira, who dates footballer Gerard Pique, was in the right having insisted she had ‘never heard’ Livan's song before.

White lines

THE eldest son of the world’s most famous drug dealer has signed a publishing deal.

Expat Roberto Sendoya Escobar - who goes by the name Philip Witcomb - has lived on a Mallorcan finca for years.

His notorious drug lord father, Pablo, became one of the world’s richest men, controlling 80% of the global cocaine market, before he was shot in 1993.

“This really is one of the most extraordinary stories I have ever read,” said British publisher John Blake, who lives near Escobar junior’s farm.

“Pablo’s life has already been the subject of hit TV series Narcos, but Roberto’s story is on a whole new level.

“The tales of murders, guns, drugs and billions of dollars are just extraordinary.”

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NEWS

4 www.theolivepress.es No wonder you’ve got hives, dear!

HOMEOWNERS in Granada were shocked to discover that a buzzing sound that was keeping them up at night had been caused by 80,000 bees in their bedroom wall.

The pair from Granada had been bothered by the low humming sound for two years.

Eventually a local beekeeper worked out what the problem was and stepped in to help.

“It was an unbearable noise and I don’t know how they managed to put up with it at all,” explained beekeeper Sergio Guerrero.

The professional has been getting more callouts this year than ever before and believes Andalucia’s bee population is in better health than a decade ago.

It comes as conservationists around the globe mark World Bee Day amid a decline in the global population.

Buzz on bees, page 20

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

Sun is shining New industrial solar project is finally reaping energy for the Rock HOMES on the Rock are already benefiting from green energy after a key industrial estate was draped with solar panels, it can be revealed.

It comes after solar panels began to collect energy on top of the New Harbours Industrial Park.

The first phase of the project will provide around 800kw (kilowatts) of power, which adds up to 2.5%

By John Culatto

of the peak energy use of Gibraltar.

It comes at no extra cost to the taxpayer as the energy goes straight to the grid.

Other buildings soon to be covered with panels include the new sports facilities, airport and university.

It is all part of the target of three megawatts the gov-

Florida key

GREEN: Gibraltar’s solar panels are good for taxpayers and the environment ernment is aiming to create so that 10% of the enclave’s energy comes from the sun.

“When I got into government for the first time we made a statement that we were looking at renewables,” said Minister John Cortes.

“A number of companies approached us including one to do with large elastic bands!

Teachers could strike TEACHERS are considering going on strike over pay and conditions after the government failed to respond to their claim.

Despite a successful protest some weeks ago, NASUWT union chairman Victor Gonzalez told the Olive Press further steps were needed.

“We will see if the government provides us a counter-offer or if we take further action,” he said.

“It is untimely that the government use

accountants Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) to check some of the arguments we put in our pay claim.”

He insisted the proposed wage increase was based on the price of housing in Gibraltar and the size of the economy.

“The last claim we made took about ten years to be looked at,” revealed Gonzalez. “This is what the membership is very frustrated about which is why we are considering strike action.

“We feel our claim is very justifiable.”

The issue has ignited social media arguments against the backdrop of election year and the announcement of the budget in June.

“While the Eco Wave plant was a prototype, this solar project is the first of a series of many which will be announced in the future.”

Two Spanish companies, one from Segovia and another from Granada, installed the latest generation solar cells that capture energy.

“They can receive 100% of the energy from the top of the panel and 30% below,” an expert explained to the Olive Press.

“That is why we paint the floor white so it can reflect the sun.”

The amount of energy each panel creates has doubled in the last decade.

It is also now possible for local homeowners to pay back an initial investment within four to eight years, helped out by government tax relief.

The goal of the current government is to reach the 20% target for renewable energy set by the EU.

A NEW marine biology course could be established at Gibraltar University in partnership with a top Florida campus.

It comes after Broward College held its world conference on the Rock with representatives from Asia, Africa, South America and Europe.

“Marine biology is one of the courses that could be offered by Gibraltar,” Melissa Butler, Campus Director at the American College in Marbella, told the Olive Press.

“The campus is in a fantastic location here so I think it will be good for students from Florida to come here to study that for a semester.

It could even be done both ways.”

Butler added: “For those studying politics and history Gibraltar is very attractive.

“It would be interesting for programmes to be set up that would allow both possibilities of Spanish and local history to be examined.”

TEAM: Gib uni merger

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May 22nd - June 4th 2019

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The Olive Press: Costa del Sol / Gib / Mallorca editions – 342mm x 256mm

22 May

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6

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than 500,000 people a month.

OPINION New battlegrounds IN the run-up to the European elections it was refreshing to see both the Liberal Democrats and Change UK take strong, albeit hopeful, stands to cancel Brexit.

With both Lib Dem leader Vince Cable and Euro MP candidate Rachel Johnson visiting the Rock it showed the importance Gibraltar now has to the Remain camp.

The Rock - which overwhelmingly voted 96% to remain in the EU - indeed appears to have become a new battleground for all politicians.

It isn’t just Remainers - even the Brexit Party has docked on the Rock in recent times, with Nigel Farage despatching his own former commando to declare that there is life after the EU. Being the only part of the British family to be on the European mainland, the appeal of Gibraltar is obvious to those on political missions and campaign trails.

However, we must be careful that this cacophony of voices from across the political spectrum, does actually speak up for Gibraltar, and does not merely shroud it like a Levanter cloud.

Hopefully the Supreme Court will see to it.

Vote for change THIS is the big one.

It is the one chance every four years when expats in neighbouring Spain can make a difference to the lives they have made for themselves.

People of every nationality will be joining queues at polling booths this Sunday for the municipal elections.

They can certainly make a difference, with expatriates in most towns on the Costas making up well over 20% of the electorate, often up to 50%.

So the public need to go out and vote and make their views count - assuming they are registered, that is.

Above all, voters should opt for the local team that best understands the wealth and diversity foreigners bring to their towns.

The Olive Press sides with no particular party, for in every town the candidates are different and offer unique and individual strengths and weaknesses.

But, one thing for sure, it’s best to vote for a change of mayor, as four years is more than enough time to introduce the schemes the current crop promised in 2015.

Publisher / Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es

Joshua Parfitt joshuap@theolivepress.es

Timothy McNulty tim@theolivepress.es

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Spain’s environmentalists issue doomsday warning as groundbreaking study reveals alarming levels of micro-plastic in Pyrenees, writes Heather Galloway

May 22nd - June 4th 2019 WASTE MOUNTAIN: Alarming levels of plastic in the Pyrenees

S

UMMER is approaching and city dwellers in Spain love nothing more than to get away from the heat and dust of urban life, opting for the coast or the Pyrenees where the air is clean and fresh.

Or is it?

An ominous new study suggests that no matter where you go to get away from it all, the air is thick with microscopic particles of an all-pervasive material that is woven into the structure of our modern economy: single-use plastic. And now its poison has spread to one of Europe’s wildest natural landscapes.

Measuring less than 5mm long, micro-plastic is not only swirling like shoals of deadly nano fish in the Mediterranean, it has also reached a remote ‘pristine wilderness’ in the Pyrenees.

More shocking still, it is being found in the kind of volumes you might expect to find in Paris or China’s most industrial zones, according to a study carried out by Steve Allen, a researcher in micro-plastics at Strathclyde University and his partner, EcoLab scientist Deonie Allen.

The density of the micro-plastic particles in a cross-border area was measured in the French meteorological station of Bernadouze, 1,425 metres above sea level, over five months between 2017 and 2018. The result was a daily average of 365 particles per m2. According to the study, most were invisible to the naked eye and could have been transported from up to 95 km away.

“It opens up the possibility that it’s not only in the cities you are breathing this in, but it can travel quite some distance from the sources,” Allen wrote in Nature Geoscience journal. “Plastic litter is an increasing global issue and one of the key environmental challenges we face on a global scale.”

As the nearest hamlet is 25 km away from the target research area, it is not known if the particles came from Toulouse or from the Spanish cities of Barcelona or Zaragoza. According to Alba García, who runs Greenpeace Spain’s Plastics Campaign, the particles could even have been transported by storms from the marine environment.

Spain is the main culprit, after Turkey, for the quantity of plastic in the Mediterranean – a scandalous 126 tonnes daily, according to a study by Orb Media earlier this year. This chemically-charged debris, eaten by fish, acts as a magnet for other chemicals in the water, making them ever more toxic.

Spain is also the fourth biggest consumer of plastic in Europe, possibly due to tourism with most tourists spending on single-use plastic items, 70% of which are never recycled.

But one of the main problems is the lack of ready, cheap alternatives to the imperishable material that is now part of the air we breathe and the water we drink. The Orb Media study found that 92% of bottled water and 83% of tap water is contaminated by micro-plastic particles.

“People throwing away plastics is part of the problem,” Alba tells me. “But the main cause is the density of these materials everywhere. If you go to a supermarket, it’s impossible to get out of there without plastic.”

Despite growVOICE: Greta Thunberg

Purge the plastic!

ing unease among consumers over the choices available to them, the plastics industry continues to boom. Production of thermoplastic used in water bottles rose 4.7% year on year between 1990 and 2017 and it is predicted to rise by a further 40% in the next 10 years.

Though EU legislation will ban single-use plastic products such as cutlery, straws, balloon sticks, cotton buds, polystyrene packaging and cups by 2021, there is still no legislation to curb the amount of plastic companies use.

OFFENDERS: Plastic waste by country “Some countries were more flexible and others like Italy less so,” says have plastic in them and some are not biodeAlba, referring to the environmental lobby’s ef- gradable. The ones that are will only do so under forts to nail an ambitious deal. “Italy was very certain conditions, such as the temperature of opposed, in fact, as they have a big plastics the soil or environment they are deposited in. industry. Spain was a little bit If those conditions are not met, more pro-sustainability, despite they don’t biodegrade.” the fact we also have a plastics The only viable option appears industry here.”

We believe that to be to transform the industries Plastic has been around for based on single-use plastic into getting away nearly a century and as manureusable industries. “We can facturers’ association Plastics create an economy based on from the throwEurope points out, it is ‘the ulproducts that have to be timate versatile material, makaway culture is reusing washed and put back in the coning possible numerous technosumer chain,” says Alba. fundamental logical innovations, new design The window of opportunity is still solutions, environmental enopen. As 16-year-old Swedish hancements and cost-savings.’ activist Greta Thunberg, fiesty But surely scientists can come up with some- founder of the global Fridays for Future movething less contaminating to take their place? ment, told UK MPs in the Houses of Parliament “Compostable materials or bio-plastics are al- this April, “Humans are very adaptable; we can ternatives that are still based on the throw-away still fix this. But the opportunity to do so will not culture,” says Alba. “These are up to five time last for long.” more expensive than normal plastic but they don’t get to the root of the problem because they still have plastic in them. That is why GreenTen easy ways to cut the crap peace is so persistent about re-usable prod• Buy fewer clothes ucts.”

• Carry your own water bottle Eva González, direc• Shop less online tor of Ecodes, a non• Buy unwrapped vegetables and profit organization for 30 Years Experience | Diamond Sales other foodstuffs sustainable and ecoDesign & Remodeling | Repairs • Carr y your own takeaway coffee cup friendly development, • Bin dry waste without a bin liner agrees. “We believe • The cheapest way to get fantastic Shop with reusable grocery bags that getting away from • Avoid frozen foods stored in plas the throw-away culture tic new designer jewellery is to remodel bags is fundamental for the • Buy soaps and shampoos in bars wellbeing of our planet your own jewellery in containers labeled recyclable or and for meeting the • Carr y your own take-away conUN Sustainable Develtainer opment Objectives,” Contact Tim • Buy wine with natural corks she tells me. “When it (+34) 677 195 638 comes to bioplastics, it is true that some

THE ENGLISH JEWELLER

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

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olive press online

that’s the

Council clangers never come bigger in Spain than at local election time

L

OCAL government can be a dry old subject but some crazy town hall initiatives have kept us entertained over the years for their dubious nature or downright

Oh chute!

absurdity.

If you’re still chuckling over Estepona’s farcical ‘death slide’ (below) then you’ll enjoy our giggle-worthy roundup of government gaffes.

7

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

Million month On the rocks Fuengirola Mayor Ana Mula famously dispatched a group of 10 people to the beaches to paint the rocks in brightlycoloured hues. Her intentions were to embellish the area and hopefully export this ‘unique’ art form to other resorts along the coast. But after being laughed out of the council chamber by fellow politicians her initiative is also on the rocks.

Risky roundabout

What was marketed as Spain’s ‘longest urban slide’ must have had one of the shortest runs. Within 24 hours it was forced to close after several users were severely burned and bruised while riding it. The €28,000 stainless steel attraction, measuring 38 metres and with a gradient of 33 degrees, was described by locals as a ‘vanity project’ by mayor Jose Urbano ahead of the local elections.

AFTER the Olive Press broke the million-amonth barrier for pages read in April, we are gunning for our next challenge.

Fingers crossed, May could even deliver it... that’s the magic figure of ONE MILLION VISITORS in a month.

Last month we had 846,000 visitors and in May we are well under way towards the magic figure.

Even better, time spent on the site could be as high as SIX MINUTES, some 30 seconds better than April.

No surprise we are zooming up the Amazon charts, while our closest rival the Euro Weekly News dropped 30,000 places globally. http://www.theolivepress.es

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There’s a whole feature on ugly roundabout artworks in Spain waiting to be written but there’s one in Cantabria that’s more than simply an affront to aesthetics. Commissioned by Torrelavega Town Hall, the piece consists

of four enormous sheet metal boards devoid of any decoration. Not only ugly, the vast ‘artwork’ blocks traffic visibility and dazzles drivers with reflected light, making the roundabout downright dangerous.

Dissing the homeless

Non-Olympic stadium Almost an own goal

After the triumph of Barcelona’s 1992 Olympic Games, Sevilla Mayor Alejandro Rojas came up with a plan for a stadium to help in his city’s bid for the 2004 Olympics. But he overlooked the fact that Sevilla is a small city compared to competitors like Rome, Stockholm or Buenos Aires.

Sevilla predictably lost it’s bid, thus the costly Estadio La Cartuja never fulfilled its real purpose.

Barcelona’s first female mayoress Ada Colau risked being lynched by thousands of disappointed football fans during last year’s World Cup when plans to show the Spain v Russia match on a big screen in the city were almost kicked into touch.

And all because the government was too late granting the license to show it. At the eleventh hour, after an eruption of complaints across social media, the screening went ahead and Colau is still on side as mayor.

Ana Botella’s tenure in Madrid is remembered for a whole chapter of chaotic decisions but one in particular helped her off the mayoral ticket. In 2014 she ordered a total revamp to the design of bus shelters to prevent the homeless from bedding down in them on chilly winter nights. The measure was branded cruel and elitist and was halted by a request stop. It was no surprise when later that year Botella announced she would not be running for mayor in the 2015 elections.

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Roman remains? Nah, let’s have a car park

For obvious reasons, Spanish law requires an immediate halt to construction work when historical remains are discovered. Excavations may only resume once the treasure trove is safe. However in its wisdom back in 2006, Ecija Town Hall decided it didn’t want to wait, and carried on regardless, shattering a priceless Roman mosaic and a series of Muslim graves in the process.

In fact under the city’s main square, the town hall had discovered a Roman forum in amazing condition, a hot spring, a gymnasium and a temple, as well as dozens of private homes.

But instead of preserving the last remains of the great city of Colonia Augusta Firma Astigi, the local government built a 300-capacity car park over it.

Dr. Sonia Zakrzewki, a lecturer in archeology at the University of Southampton who had worked at the site, told the Olive Press it was ‘totally shocking’ at the time... no kidding!

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LA CULTURA Bodies of work

www.theolivepress.es

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

what’s on

S

pring art

into

THIS year’s Spring Visual Arts Competition will be open to everyone every weekday at the Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery in Casemates until the end of May.

P

rom romp

CLASSICAL music fans will be able to listen to the European Sinfonetta conducted by Domenico Pierini in the Alameda open air theatre on May 23 at 8pm.

Q

uick march

F O R M E R Forces personnel can reminisce about old times when the UK’s Royal Anglian Band plays a few well-known favourites at Casemates on May 27 at 2.30pm.

F

Send you4th r informa May 22nd - June 2019 newsdesk@theolive tion to pres

s.es

Annual competition will see locals’ bodies painted before showing off the works on a catwalk

AN art competition with a twist is being held at the Europa Retreat Centre on the weekend of May 25-26.

Instead of pictures, artists will paint human bodies - with this year’s theme being music - over the two days.

The Gibraltar International Body Arts Festival - now in its sixth edition - attracts around 20 body artists every year mainly from the UK and Spain.

SUCCESS: Gib’s Avellano

Ave-it!

try to adapt the contours of the body to the subject matter of the competition.

“We are holding workshops at our event for Gibraltarians to

Hola, Señor Banksy

STREETS: Banksy to Malaga

HIS iconic graffiti designs first sprang up in Bristol before appearing across the UK, the US and the Middle East.

Now Banksy’s work has arrived on the Costa del Sol in the first major exhibition of its kind.

La Termica cultural centre in Malaga will host the ‘Art of Protest’ exhibition, featuring private

pieces never before seen in Spain.

Among the works at the unauthorised display will be the mysterious artist’s original ‘Girl with balloon’ print. It comes after more than 20 works by the British artist were displayed without his permission for the ‘Banksy, Genius or Vandal?’ show in Madrid.

get into this art-form.”

The event is divided into the brush and sponge and airbrush competitions with oils or water-based paint used on the mainly local models.

“At around 5pm each day the body art will be judged in a catwalk,” said Dalmedo. “That will be when the general public can come up to see the work that has been produced.

“Body art might not be that common but it is an up and coming art form.”

Two UK judges that have attended the world championships will be on the Rock for the event. The festival had been held at the galleries or Grand Battery House but it had to be moved as the spaces were already booked up.

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ONE of Gibraltar’s top artists will be exhibiting his latest work around the UK. Ambrose Avellano will be showing off his modern art in London, Manchester and Glasgow after a successful showing at the Edinburgh Art Fair.

Avellano is one of the foremost conceptual artists in Gibraltar whose paintings and photography have always challenged local perceptions of art.

“Art is what you like doing, full stop,” Avellano told the Olive Press. “I am an objective painter.”

After trying to do decorative work he finally decided to paint what he feels and it is selling better than ever.

“My motivation is to create something new on a daily basis,” he added. “While my environment influences me it doesn’t define my art.

“Instead I deal with feelings which are, hopefully, universal.”

HUMAN CANVAS: Models for the Gibraltar International Body Arts Festival “Painting on a body is like using a 3D canvas,” said Hamish Dalmedo, who started up the festival on the Rock.

“The skill of the body artist is to

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Issue 318

Marbella www.theolivepress.es

May 2019 - May 2020

Still got it THE NEW: Michelle Obama and Hugh Grant among most recent visitors

THE OLD: Audrey Hepburn and Sean Connery were regular visitors

Marbella has never lost its charm - in fact it’s only getting better, writes Laurence Dollimore SMOKING sardines, bikiniclad roller skaters and children with ice creamcovered faces… this is Marbella in full seasonal swing.

Forget the odd TOWIE nonsense and celebrity wannabes, this is still a Spanish town at heart and is packed Continues on Page 10

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10 From Page 9

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Marbella

to the rafters with cultural and gastronomical offerings.

A historical old town based around Orange Square oozes charm while its surrounding shops - from small and quirky boutiques to the more recognisable brands - will keep you busy for hours.

This ancient walled town retains nearly all of its original 16th-century layout, even though chic art galleries, fab tapas bars and artisan fashion and ice cream shops populate its cobbled streets today.

Whether you are thirsting for history or only a drink, Plaza de los Naranjos, named for its abundance of orange trees, will oblige in either case.

Enclosed by an 11th century Arab wall, the showpiece of the square is the 16th century Old Governor’s House.

A tourist hotspot, the square’s bars and restaurants charge a little more but it’s worth it for the ambience.

When the heat gets too much, respite can be found within the cool stone walls of Our Lady of the Incarnation church, a 17th century former mosque that was taken over by the Christians during the Reconquest.

Inside, along with beautiful paintings and locals praying, you’ll enjoy the highly-efficient air conditioning!

Tributes paid, you can find Marbella monuments even older than this, one dating from 1AD. The first Roman bridge beside the Puente Romano hotel remains a rite of passage while the baths still stand in Guadalmina.

When you tire of burning shoe leather, bag a park bench in the green shade of one of the exquisite public gardens. La Constitucion park and the Alameda Gardens are particularly lovely, the latter always brimming with locals and surrounded by great

marbellous SUMMER TIME: Espetos roasting at chiringuito and (inset) kids play on beach

cafes and bars.

Or if you’re looking to strictly chill, there’s a whole lot of beach waiting for you.

Boasting 27 kilometres of coastline, San Pedro and Puerto Banus both proudly fly the prestigious Blue Flag, an award given to the best beaches by the Foundation for Environmental Education. In a cull of blue flags in Spain last month - which saw many resorts lose dozens across the country

CHARMING: Marbella’s old town is a must-visit

- Marbella held onto all of its awards bar one.

If you then stroll into nearby Puerto Banus, just to the west of Marbella, you’ll witness a scene like no other, depending on the hour.

This could include hen-doers trying their best to pull off ill-fitting fancy dress costumes after celebrating their last night of freedom, or members of the ‘1% club’ dis-

embarking from mega-yachts or Ferraris to shop ‘till they drop’ at the likes of Gucci and Prada.

Banus has become an unashamed melting pot for the rich, famous and wannabe glamourpusses.

The glitz and glamour flows in a thick slick out of the port and along Marbella’s Golden Mile, home to exclusive nightclubs like Le Suite, where a round of drinks could

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probably blow your weekly budget if you haven’t already splurged it on a swanky designer outfit – an essential if you want to mingle with the Who’s Who of Marbs.

Along this same elitist strip the likes of Lord Alan Sugar, Simon Cowell, Sean Connery and the Saudi Arabian royal family have invested in their own villas.

World leaders too, are magnetically attracted to Marbs.

The Olive Press revealed in 2014 that Russian President Vladimir Putin had bought an estate here. And we were the only newspaper to speak to Michelle Obama on her famous visit to the town’s ‘casco historico’ in 2010 (ED: Well, we asked her two questions, if that counts).

A couple of Britain’s ex-PMs have taken a break from politics here; David and Sam Cameron celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary in the nearby hills of Benahavís in 2017, staying at the exclusive €270-a-night Alcuzcuz resort; and Tony and Cherie Blair have been spotted here twice in the last four years.

Actor Hugh Grant is now said to own a home up in the closeby Zagaleta estate, as does Mark Thatcher (Maggie’s wayward son). Plenty of Premier League footballers also have homes here.

Indeed Marbella has come a long way from its fishing village days, but did you know it’s all thanks to a German Prince and a rogue British car engine?

Maximilian de Hohenlohe-Langenburg and his son Alfonso had to stop in Marbs when they were having trouble with their Rolls Royce in 1946.

Alfonso liked the area so much he decided to buy some land and build himself a house, before selling plots to his friends,

the Rothschilds and Thyssens.

He soon turned his home into the Costa del Sol’s first luxury hotel in 1954 – The Marbella Club – which to this day remains a mainstay on the Golden Mile, welcoming guests like Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz.

Before long, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Laurence Olivier were all hanging out there, raising the Costa del Sol’s international profile and attracting a wave of jetsetters and investment.

From a pure accident of fate the resort has gone from strength to strength, despite the economic and political woes that plagued Spain since the financial crash of 2008.

And the same can be said for its culinary scene.

Marbella now has the most Michelin stars per capita in the COUNTRY and positively glitters with the highest concentration of Michelin Star restaurants in Andalucia, making it the undisputed gastronomy capital of the Costa del Sol. Current mayor Angeles Muñoz has vowed to put Marbella up for Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2020 - if she is re-elected this week.

And the town has more than a fat chance, with an exciting food scene constantly offering new restaurants and eateries think Savor in San Pedro or Nobu on the Golden Mile.

The cultural scene is also thriving, with the Marbella International Arts Festival now a regular fixture on the calendar and the Marbella International film festival growing at an unprecedented pace. And, of course, the annual Starlite Festival which brings some of the biggest global stars to a quirky quarry on the edge of town, along with hundreds of jobs and thousands of tourists.

Add the annual feria in June and this Marbellous city is never boring.

The resort has continued to grow, despite the 2008 crash that brought Spain to its knees.

With incredible nightlife, a blossoming arts scene and the best food in the region, the party is only getting better in Marbella.

SERENE: Marbella’s stunning gardens in the heart of the town

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12

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Marbella

Starry line up

There are more Michelin stars in Marbella than anywhere else in Spain per capita, writes Dining Secrets of Andalucia editor Jon Clarke

M

COOKING LESSON: Jon Clarke gets tips from Ferran

ARBELLA has the highest concentration of Michelin-starred chefs in Spain when measuring it on the size of its local population.

An amazing six restaurants count on stars, while one - for this year at least - has three.

Despite taking the bizarre decision to hand back his stars just weeks after winning the elusive third, Dani Garcia became one of only a dozen chefs to have ever been handed the honour in Spain.

The Marbella-raised chef has certainly done his bit for the seaside resort, which is usually more famous for its celebrities and hooligans.

Thanks to Dani’s now legendary A Cuatro Manos event I have managed to meet a string of the world’s top chefs in the town over the last half decade.

These include Joan Roca and Juan Mari Arzak, as well as Joel Robuchon and Ferran Adria - all three Michelin star legends who have graced the definitive

LEGENDS: Dani Garcia talks to Elena Arzak while dad Juan talks to Ferran and Quique Jacosta and Joan Roca look on

culinary food capital of Andalucia.

Marbella has really come into its own as a global dining magnet over the last decade, with half the Michelin starred restaurants in Andalucia found here.

“We keep getting better and better here and pushing the boundaries,” Garcia told me. “And I expect it to continue.”

Variety-wise things could not be better, with over 100 different nationalities running eateries here, including Japanese gems like Takumi to hidden gems like

French bistro C’est si Bon. And then you have some excellent beach restaurants, such as Bono Beach, La Sala by the Sea and the Beach House.

Super Sala Another restaurateur who shows no signs of slowing down is Ian Radford, boss of the La Sala group, whose recent openings include the Oak restaurant and hip Mahiki beach, in Banus and Marbella respectively.

His most recent offering is a pizza place called Villa Toscana, right next to the Oak restaurant.

The original La Sala next door is, without a doubt, the most famous Marbella restaurant abroad.

This is a must-visit for any holiday to Marbs and a huge hit for 'ladies who lunch', not to mention movers and shakers, celebrities, footballers and the wealthy empresarios who make Marbella what it is.

An emporium of glass and seductive lighting, its real strength

13 May 22nd - June 4th 2019

Truffles Elviria can be found on a busy square in the heart of Elviria, Marbella. This is a unique, boutique-style restaurant, offering worldwide cuisine, a fabulous interior, candlelit tables and of course, a warm welcome.

GLITZ AND GLAMOUR: Fun at La Sala

though, lies in its wood-decked terrace, that serves as the ideal tourist sun-deck.

But, let’s not forget the food, which has so far never let me down. Whether you are after meaty fare (ribs, burgers, etc) or fish dishes and seafood, you are always well catered for and there is always a contemporary twist.

Another safe pair of hands are those of Garry Waite, a restaurateur who has been working around Marbella for nearly three decades.

He has recently helped open the amazing French bistro C’est si Bon, by the Andalucia spoilt for choice for excellent places to eat.

Plaza Hotel.

Take a wonder around and take your pick from Alongside Belgian owner Fabrice, they have dozens of interesting places, with the better created an amazing array of authentic French ones including Casanis, Tempora and Cafe dishes offering classics such as Snails Bour- Flore. gogne, Moules Marinière and And then up in Banus you have Coquille St Jacques. a range of superb places to try I was particularly impressed including one of the coast’s A different sort with the rich and creamy rabbit long-standing Indian reswith mustard sauce, which was of romance can most taurants Mumtaz, right on the done like no other rabbit I have be sought out in waterfront. eaten in Spain.

Owned by the capable Metro And my pudding, a Tarte Tatin, Marbella’s old Group (who also own Jacks, came out as good as any French Joys and Metro, etc), it is a rotown dessert I have tried. mantic spot for dining out, as is Needless to say that the wine their reliable Italian sister reslist shows off its French leaning taurant Cibo up on the main but great quality Spanish wines are also wide road into Marbella. ranging.

Up on the Ronda road look out for A Casa Mia There are even over 20 wines by the glass and and the long term favourite the All in One a decent mix of cheeses. cafe, which keeps getting better.

A different sort of romance can be sought out in Marbella old town, where you are literally Continues on Page 14

OPENING HOURS Monday - Saturday 6pm-10:30pm & Sunday 1pm-5:30pm RESERVATIONS info@truffleselviria.com I +34 951 569 173 www.truffleselviria.com REC A EIVE BOT FREE HOU TLE O Wh SE W F en y ou INE 2 5€ o

T’s &

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pply

Open from 08.30am Monday to Friday – Eat in or take-away Secluded pretty courtyard with FREE WIFI

Delicious freshly brewed coffees, beers, wines, spirits and smoothies Yorkshire tea and flavoured teas from around the world Freshly baked pastries, pasties, pork pies and pizzas Sausage rolls, British bacon, British sausages and jacket potatoes Selection of salads including our best selling Superfood Salad Full, skimmed and soya milk, diet drinks including zero tonic We sell/stock TV Choice magazine

KANDY Bar & Cafe

Elviria Business Centre Av de las Cumbres Elviria, Marbella, 29604

Orders for Eat In or Takeaway can be sent to us: tel/WhatsApp: 604 263 815 MASTER: Chef ‘Bobby’ at C’est si Bon

14

A

ll about

Marbella

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

Up with the stars

LOCATION LOCATION: Bono Beach

Burger and all From Page 13

For somewhere good in Elviria, look out for Truffles.

This excellent, boutique-style restaurant, offers candle-lit tables and global cuisine at excellent prices.

As one might expect there is a delicious truffled chicken liver mousse, as well a superb Peruvian ceviche and an original savoury goats cheese cheesecake.

Up in San Pedro you will be spoilt for choice, but really look out for Macaao, which really stands out as a special place to visit.

Set up by Belgian Michel Dhondt, who heralds from a long line of restaurant owners and trained with Alain Ducasse on the Cote d’Azur.

Also in San Pedro is the very elegant L’Impronta, an upmarket Italian joint, run by capable Francisco Vacas, who actually heralds from Cor-

HAPPY PUNTERS: At Truffles doba. Finally another man helping to change the face of San Pedro is Malcolm Spendlove, who has been at the helm of the ever popular Passion Cafe (www.passioncafe.eu) for the last 16 years and now heads up one of the coast’s best hamburger joints, Mr Gourmet Burger (www.mrgourmetburger.com) on the boulevard.

It counts on 100% beef burgers, halal too, while Kids are encouraged to make their own 'Junior G' burgers in 'four easy steps'.

F

EW places come as glamorous as the Benabola Hotel Sky Bar. The stunning vistas from this amazing spot in Puerto Banus stretch as far as the eye can see… and then some.

Lording it over the famous marina, this beautiful new addition to the celebrated hotel is the dream spot for an early evening tapa and cocktail, or a nightcap following supper.

Even better, come for the evening and relax at easily one of the coast’s genuine secret spots, where those-in-the-know and plenty of celebrities come to hide out.

For those having two cocktails or more there is free underground parking (look out for the Benabola Hotel signs and get your card franked at reception with your receipt).

And, if you want to really experience the high life then book a room at the hotel and if you are lucky you’ll have a suite (pictured left) with a corner living room with views to match the Sky Bar above.

Visit www.benabola.com

BUSINESS TAOISEACH: Varadkar

Insurers investigated A GIBRALTAR firm is at the heart of an investigation into insurance price fixing.

The EU Commission is looking into the insurance cartel claims that could see motorists’ premiums go down in the EU. The company in question is Zenith Insurance, which had to stop trading three years ago after not being able to get hold of industry data in Ireland.

The investigation has got the attention of Irish leader Leo Varadkar with foreign competition likely to enter the insurance market.

Significant

"If they were to find against the insurance companies, perhaps there would be a fine,” said Taoiseach Varadkar.

"But more significant than the fine would be the fact that if there is any sharp practice or a cartel going on, the breaking up of that would see premiums fall.

“You would anticipate this would be greater than the effect of a fine having to be paid."

The investigation has widened claims for the government to regulate insurance activities more.

This is the case in Gibraltar where the Financial Services Commission has attained a solid reputation policing insurers based on the Rock.

On the clock A NEW law will force all companies in Spain to record employees’ hours in a crackdown on rampant unpaid overtime.

It comes as the latest workforce survey showed unpaid overtime accounted for as many as 2.6 million work hours a week.

“The initiative must help correct the situation of precariousness, low salaries and poverty that affects many workers who suffer abuse in their working day,” said the PSOE, introducing the decree.

Regardless of size, every company is obliged to track workers start and leave times with failure to comply leading to fines of up to €6,250.

The measure has triggered many questions regarding enforcement but authorities have simply said that inspectors will ‘use common sense’.

15

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

RUMOURS have been circulating the Rock about the identity of the mystery senior civil servant and businessman arrested by police on fraud charges.

The RGP arrested three men on May 10 who allegedly tried to defraud a local company and engaged in computer hacking.

The latest arrest on May 15 alleges that a senior civil servant used his position to carry out the fraud and misconduct in public

Whodunnit? office.

As the investigation continues more information is expected to filter out about figureheads of the community with all four on police bail.

The office of the Chief Secretary is cooperating with the the Cyber Crime Unit at the UK National Crime Agency.

?

Spain-based tech company takes the lead in race to deliver high speed future travel A SPANISH tech company has unveiled designs for a 1,000 km per hour train in a bid to create the world’s first ‘hyperloop’ travel system.

Valencia-based Zeleros is one of eight companies around the world working on variants of the Hyperloop project inspired by tech billionaire Elon Musk to deliver train travel at airline cruising speed.

“Though it is a difficult project, we are proud of what we are achieving.

“Our objective is to have our technology ready in four to five years for cargo and eight or nine years for passengers,” said Zeleros CEO David Pistoni.

The hyperloop concept would revolutionise transport with a levitating ‘pod’ travelling through a vacuum to reach ultra-high speeds, cutting travel time from Barcelona to Madrid to a whistlestop 25 minutes.

“Spain is a world leader in many fields and this is an

SANTANDER Bank has informed unions of plans to axe 11% of its workforce in Spain.

The measures are a part of wider moves by the Eurozone’s biggest lender to drastically cut costs while pursuing higher profitability in Latin America.

The move would see Santander close 1,150 branches in Spain and cut 3,700 jobs. “it is highly worrisome that such a high number of jobs are destroyed and our first objective will be to try to reduce the figures proposed by the bank,” said Spanish union Comisiones Obreras.

Roboshops MODEL: Hyperloop project to cut Madrid to Barcelona journey time to 25 mins

Hyped up opportunity to continue being leaders in what is going to be key modes of transport in the future,” Pistoni added It comes after an Andalucian firm built the very first passenger capsule for the highly anticipated rapid transport system.

Artificial, based in Cadiz, reached the global milestone last year in a project with California-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies.

Named Quintero One, the 105-feet long capsule offered a glimpse into the

Anti-war games

COMING HOME: Spain war ship SPAIN has removed one of its warships from a US combat group over escalating tension with Iran.

Acting Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, ordered the temporary removal of the Spanish frigate Méndez Núñez (F-104). The vessel carries 215 sailors and was supporting the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Red Sea. Amid fears that Iran was accelerating its nuclear weapons capabilities, the joint fleet was due to enter the Persian Gulf.

Plans for the Spanish vessel’s use in the fleet were made a

Bank rupture

year ago, and its participation was due to last until October 31, but will now not continue.

Robles said: “Spain's commitment is to the European Union and the international organisations, and that is where we are going to always adopt common positions.” It comes as Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan presented a plan to US President Donald Trump’s top security team that could send as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East.

Several oil tankers were attacked off the coast of the UAE which the US blames Iran for.

future of travel.

Speaking this week, Pistoni added: “Hyperloop is a reality. It is no longer a

matter of whether or not it is going to be done, but of when it is going to be done.”

MERCADONA has announced a €120 million investment deal to automate distribution of fresh food. Robotics firm Cimcorp will provide cutting edge climate control technology to ensure vegetable and fruit products remain fresh. New distribution warehouses will also be built in Sagunto, San Isidro, Zaragoza and Huevar with the project expected to serve around two million shoppers.

“The main objective of these four centers,will be to meet the demands of our stores, secure growth in perishable product sales and eliminate the overexertion that results from the manual handling of orders,” explained Mercadona.

16

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

BUSINESS

Get a pinch of this Sign up with Spain’s only ‘all-inEnglish’ mobile service and get all the benefits of a contract deal – all the value, all the control – without any of the commitment or hidden surprises.

L

obster is a new and ambitious mobile operator which has set out to bring expats an "English, easy and effortless" service with an experience just "like at home". It is the only operator in Spain to offer a service completely in English from their website, app, billing information, to a Customer Contact Centre where all the agents are native English speakers. The Customer Contact Centre is available seven days a week from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Lobster does exactly what it says on the tin with tailor-made tariff plans for British expats, and other English speakers, with no commitments and no nasty lock-ins or termination fees.

Marketing Director Tony Watts told the Olive Press how the company has been going the extra mile to give customer the ‘traditional’ customer care they would receive back home.

“Be it one of our friendly Customer Contact Centre agents staying on the line to direct an elderly customer to the nearest retail store where she could purchase her new SIM card, “Or letting you park your number for free for up to 12 months when you pop back to the UK to visit family, Lobster will always have your back,” said Tony Watts.

16

Property AGONY ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Clock off

New employment law sees workers ‘clocking in’ and carries fines of up to €6,250 for bosses

A

S of May 12 2019, a new law is in place in Spain to track the number of hours that employees work.

The purpose of Royal Decree 8/2019 is to clamp down on the widespread practice of unpaid overtime which some estimates put at 3.5 million hours.

Not complying may mean fines of between €626 and €6,250.

The habit of clocking in and out of the workplace is however antiquat-

Freedom The company is growing fast with thousands of happy customers and Lobster now being available in more than 300 retail stores. Sign up is simple and the first month's plan is completely free with no commitments, so the customer can try Lobster out for a month completely free no charge. They want their customers to stay because they're happy with the service.

The only thing customers need is a valid ID, passport, NIE, or similar, and a credit or debit card – it does not even have to be a Spanish one – and they are good to go.

The company has kept the service as simple as possible with no lengthy contracts or paperwork.

They offer three great plans all with unlimited calls and texts in Spain, to the UK, and other countries. The only difference between the plans is the amount of data available, which caters for all types of customers from light to heavy data users. So whether people just send the odd WhatsApp, or are glued to cat videos on Youtube all day, Lobster has the right tariff plan for everyone. With plans starting from just €12 per month, and with pretty much everything included for that price, Lobster has also made it incredibly easy to control your monthly spend.

As an added bonus, customers can keep their existing Spanish number if they already have one or Lobster can provide a brand new one.

You can sign up online by visiting their website www.lobster.es, or by calling their Customer Contact Centre for free on 1661, or by going to one of the many retail stores where Lobster is available.

There are some great customer testimonials on the company Facebook page: Brit Tony Marshall wrote on the company Facebook page: “Great telephone support, fantastic website and excellent value call packages!”

their company mobile phones, all of which should be fully notified and agreed with the employee.

According to the Ministry of Labour, The Employment Inspection Service will act prudently, refraining from inspecting ex officio companies bur rather acting on the basis of workers’ complaints of legal infringements.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

Watts up?

Your electric car is now fully covered thanks to Liberty Seguros

E

LECTRIC cars were a novel sight on roads until just a few years ago, but with the technology becoming more accessible and being made available in more desirable cars, electric cars are fast becoming a more realistic option for many car buyers.

It is well known that electric car maintenance is really economical and also the running costs are also very low. They also contribute to the protection of the environment and buying an electric car has some fiscal advantages too.

Liberty Seguros wants to support the development of the electric car, improving and adapting its products to the needs of its customers and adding to its continued commitment to caring for the environment in favour of a clean and friendly energy.

For these reasons Liberty Seguros car insurance now contains, free of charge, new benefits for electric cars to be totally covered, such us: Travel Assistance: Immobilisations that have their origin in battery discharge will be covered.

From Km 0, emergency recharge or towing to the nearest recharge point assigned by the insured is included.

Adapted pricing All electric car policies include a permanent

FLIPPIN GREAT: Lobster marketing director Tony Watts

ed, and puts workers under the spotlight in particular when going out for breakfast (a very Spanish tradition), smoking a cigarette, or with more ‘labour-orientated’ things such as sales representatives’ daily itineraries, where employees are given flexibility, and whose work performance is rated by numbers in turnover, not hours (not to mention employees that work from home).

The work hours records must be kept for at least four years and be available to employees, their representatives, and the Labour and Social Security Inspectorate.

Already various app developers have created specific platforms to monitor employees’ registration, including controversial geolocation apps to pinpoint employees’ whereabouts through

discount (not promotional).

Special assigned covers at no additional charge.

Car batteries and other accessories are included.

Additional discounts for second vehicles.

So if you are thinking of changing to an electric car and contributing to the care of the environment, now with Liberty Seguros, electric car insurance coverage is complete thanks to the new guarantees and benefits included within the Liberty Car product.

Accessories: The cable and the adapter device for charging are included within the damage, fire and theft cover up to a value of 400€ (limit per claim per year).

Also, don’t forget that you will get some fiscal advantages too, such as: Reduction in the Road Tax. This reduction depends on the council of each municipality, and can be up to 75%.

Free use of green (ORA zone) and blue parking areas (depending on the municipality).

Free access to restricted areas in city centres like Madrid.

Help and Subventions under MOVES program (BOE, 4th February 2019)

Batteries: Batteries are included in the cover of damage, fire and/or theft even if they are owned by third parties.

Civil liability: Damage caused by impact or collision of the vehicle into recharge installations owned by third parties is covered.

The damage caused to third parties are covered in cases of fire that originate in the insured vehicle during the recharge operation.

Limit of this guarantee: 300,000 euros per claim.

With insurance, not only for car, but also life, home, business, commercial, funeral, etc., Liberty Seguros is considered the preferred expat insurer in Spain today.

Liberty Seguros has an extensive network of over 300 brokers and agents that are dedicated to providing unbiased, friendly and expert advice, in your own language, to discuss the most suitable cover for you.

To find out more visit www.libertyexpatriates.es or simply call 91 342 25 49

PROPERTY Stamp it out 17

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

New tax brought in to prevent prolific house flippers on the Rock

THE Government has introduced a ‘special stamp duty’ for flat owners at Mons Calpe Mews and Beach View Terraces in a bid to stop speculators trying to make a quick buck.

The tax consists of 7.5% of the total sale price to be paid

on a resale of a property ten years from when the property is bought.

Mons Calpe and Beach View Terraces were built by the

Green space

A PROMISED park between King’s Bastion and Midtown will mark one of the finishing touches of the new ongoing development in the area.

The 4,700m2 park will include an area for functions, treelined walkway to the leisure centre and children’s playground.

There are plans to bring the Cross of Sacrifice from its current location near the sun-dial roundabout and erect it at the new green area.

Environmentalists have applauded the move, saying new spaces like this one and Commonwealth Park are a welcome additions to the ‘concrete jungle Gibraltar is fast becoming’.

The Midtown development has one to four bedroom apartments private gardens and pool area, all in the heart of the town centre.

I

F you are looking to make a real estate investment, avoid making expensive errors and ask the Home Inspector Spain before negotiating the price.

Benno Bühler is a RICS-certified surveyor, appraiser (Banco de España) and architect, who has been on the Costa del Sol since 1996, and can help you throughout the whole conveyancing process.

We met Benno Bühlerat his studio in the Soho area of Malaga where he answered important questions about what a home inspector does and what this service is good for.

GSLP/Liberal coalition during its first term in office, as promised in the 2011 manifesto.

“It is unconscionable that housing that has been subsidised be sold at extortionate rates,” said Minister for Housing Samantha Sacramento.

“With the new measure some of the profit will return to Government and can be reinvested into future affordable home schemes.

“Further measures to prevent abuse and speculation on resale will be introduced to the new affordable housing estates such as Hassans Centenary Terraces, so the special stamp duty will not be needed for these estates.”

These two housing estates were sold at very close to cost price, with the 50-50 scheme helping first-time owners and former renters.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo added: “It is very important that these homes, which the Government builds to assist our community to become homeowners and which are subsidised by the taxpayer, are not acquired for speculation and used for investment purposes.”

What does your service include?

Can’t real estate agent do it?

And your fee?

Real estate agents are ‘business people’; their focus is to seal the deal.

They will certainly not give you impartial information if this could harm their business.

Our services start from 350 euros plus VAT, plus a share of the purchase price savings. The more we bring down the purchase price, the more we earn. This is a win-win situation for everyone except for the seller, of course.

In theory, yes! But they will prepare a pagelong report, filled with complicated and technical language, which can take a long time to be delivered… . But buyers want information immediately. As home inspectors, we are often able to come to the property on the same day and give our first impressions of the location, value and defects immediately. Sometimes things have to move quickly!

35 Years of Excellence in Conveyancing

Avoid making mistakes with the Home Inspector

In the United States it is mandatory, but we think it should be brought into law here in Spain as well: someone who carries out the technical check (while the lawyers do the legal check);someone who will stop you from putting your money into a bad investment. This is what we do!

Couldn’t you also hire an appraiser or an architect?

That is why when you choose Charles Gomez & Co for your conveyancing, our dedicated team of experts scrutinise everything and keep you informed at every step of the process.

On the case!

We like to get our shoes dirty and are on site to inspect our clients’ dream property, trudging through wet and dark basements and in among the pool equipment. We prepare a list of defects, suggest repairs and make an estimate for the costs. Those defects can then be used to negotiate the purchase price. You could compare it to buying a used car. You’d want to know what it costs to remove the scratches and so on, then take this information with you when you go to discuss the price.

Benno, what is a home inspector?

Buying or selling your property may be the most important transaction you will ever make... Attention to detail is crucial.

The buyers could also negotiate themselves That is true. However, as soon as these defects, some of which are very technical, are brought up in negotiations, expert knowledge can quickly become necessary. A clever seller will already have their counter-arguments ready, leaving non-technically experienced negotiators in a tangle. Here’s one example: during a house inspection, we discovered that, according to the

manufacturer’s information, the chiller in the air conditioning system was not suitable for installation near the beach. As a result, we were able to negotiate a saving of 35,000 euros.

Could you have explained this to the seller? We could!

What if the price has already been negotiated?

We also have flat rate agreements.

Does the customer need a lawyer for the purchase?

If it is a normal, legal property, it is recommended but not necessary. We can take you through the entire purchase process, right up to the handing over the keys at the notary.

Should we encounter any legal problems, we can refer you to law firms which are known to us and ask for help. Of course, we are not allowed to provide legal advice.

I see our service as complementary to the work of a lawyer: they do the legal check and we do the technical check.

Ring THE HOME INSPECTOR SPAIN today!

Benno Bühler, Calle Casas de Campos 33, 2-G, 29001, Málaga T: +34 952 609 617 M: +34 610 794 443 Mail: info@architect-spain.com www: home-inspector-spain.com

Fully certified by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

18

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

Wine decline

restaurant | lunch and dinner

SPANISH wine tourism failed to live up to its grape expectations last year with a big 7.8% decrease, new data has revealed.

Businesses in the sector suffered a loss of €80 million, despite three million people visiting bodegas and wine museums last year.

The Spanish Association

restaurant | lunch and dinner

of Wine Cities, which released the figures, blamed the decline on the closure of the Route of Emporda in Girona, one of Spain’s most popular wine tours.

It comes as the average price of admission to bodegas increased to €9.79, while average visitor spending also grew to €19.98.

SLUMP: Spanish wine tourism

Paella Foodie power manifesto

RICE KING: Dacosta

Last-minute election push to make Marbs next year’s gastro capital

WWW.ELMUELLE-ARRIATE.COM WWW.ELMUELLE-ARRIATE.COM ESTACIÓONDE DE ARRIATE ARRIATE ||ARRIATE (MA(MA 7400, KM 4)KM 4) ESTACIÓON ARRIATE 7400, 0034 637784 784 416 416 | 166166 370370 0034 637 | 0034 0034952 952 CLOSEDON ONMONDAYS MONDAYS CLOSED

MARBELLA Mayor Angeles Munoz has vowed to place her town firmly on the food map.

The Partido Popular leader promised to put the town forward for the coveted Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2020.

She said: “We would love to be able to present the candidacy for 2020 but we will wait and see what happens with

www.bistropoint.gi UNIVERSITY OF GIBRALTAR, EUROPA POINT

Reservations on 200 76588 or bistropoint@huntergroup.gi

PLEDGE: Munoz wants gastronomic recognition the municipal elections.

“We would like to be elected in 2020 but if not we will try the following year, as we have all the ingredients to be a great gastronomic capital.”

In the run up to the May 26 municipal elections, Munoz highlighted the role food plays in tourism, alongside ‘sun and beach’.

Marbella boasts 1,000 restaurants and more Michelin stars per citizen than anywhere else in Spain.

Munoz added: “Few cities

can say that they have six Michelin stars, we have great chefs and not only those with Michelin stars. We have to take advantage of that.”

Marbella maestro Dani Garcia’s eponymous restaurant at the Hotel Puente Romano is the most stellar of the six, with three stars.

Other Michelin highlights in the city include El Lago, a lakeside golf course restaurant in Elviria Hills which has held its star since 2005, and Messina in the old town, which specialises is seasonal seafood.

Marbella chef Fernando Alcala, of Kava, was also recently recognised for making ‘the best cheesecake in Spain’.

THREE-Michelin-star chef Quique Dacosta is to open a new Spanish restaurant in London, centred on his native paella.

‘Arros QD’ in Fitzrovia, will feature an open wood-burning fire, allowing guests to watch the authentic Valencian dish be freshly prepared.

The cook, whose eponymous eatery in Alicante has also received three Repsol Suns, will also serve other rice dishes, seafood and more avant-garde creations. Meanwhile, renowned Spanish designer Lazaro RosaViolan has been drafted in to decorate the 140-seat restaurant at 64 Eastcastle Street, which spans two floors. Like his operation in Denia, which uses ingredients within 75km of the premises, Dacosta has committed to sourcing the best of fresh British produce for the new opening on June 7.

Rule the Rusa VERUM Restaurant and Tapas has been awarded the prestigious title of best Russian salad of Malaga 2019.

A total of 11 restaurants battled it out in the fifth edition of the Campeonato de Malaga de Ensaladilla Rusa.

A blind judging panel crowned the eatery in Malaga City winners of the event, which was attended by over 100 people.

Egg, potato, shrimp, tuna and mayonnaise usually make up a traditional ensaladilla Rusa, and sometimes other ingredients are added.

Jamie’s joint JAMIE Oliver has opened a restaurant on the Costa del Sol, aiming to give busy travellers better food choices.

Malaga Airport is the location for ‘Jamie’s Deli’, the latest in the British chef’s chain of healthy takeaway joints.

The restaurant from the 43-year-old Naked Chef star will serve salads, sandwiches, pizzas, hot dishes, cakes and drinks Oliver, who angered Spain in 2016 with his ‘chorizo paella’ invention, is joined by two other new airport outlets, Café di Fiore and international chain Eat. It comes as Oliver said he is ‘deeply saddened’ as 23 Jamie’s Italian restaurants in the UK are going into administration, as well as his London operations Barbecoa and Fifteen.

19

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

Stepping up

I

What’s on Gibraltar

Hotting up!

A

Tens of thousands raised at iconic Gibraltar landmark, writes John Culatto

T has become one of the Mediterranean region’s veritable challenges.

While not quite as stiff as Ronda’s famous 101 race, or the Malaga marathon, Gibraltar’s Med Steps Challenge is not to be sniffed at.

This iconic walk heads uphill from Jews’ Gate on the southern end of the Nature Reserve at 180m above sea level, up towards O’Hara’s Battery at 419m, close to the summit of the Rock.

It’s a rite of passage for the locals, and expats along the coast alike, and

many famous people have undertaken it from former Miss World Kaiane Aldorino to famous politicians.

Now a sizeable £20,000 has been raised for Cancer Relief in Gibraltar during the Med Steps 5 Challenge.

Now in its fifth year, the weekend event included a race (involving five team members) and a family fun day, with Mark Tewksbury, Petra Arvela and the Royal Navy divers taking the honours.

The Cancer Relief centre at South Barrack Road aims to give victims the support they need to fight the life-threat-

ANNIVERSARY: Med Steps 5 Challenge celebrates its fifth edition this year

VISTA: View from the top

ening disease. by the Royal Engineers and now forms There are over 100 different types of part of Gibraltar’s UNESCO World Hericancer with 14 million new cases re- tage Site at the top of the Rock. corded every year.

Its breathtaking views over the MediThe nature trail is unknown to most terranean make it one of the most tourists who visit the peaceful and colourful rock, yet it is voted Numwalks on the coast… ber One on TripAdvi- You might, in fact and it is surprisingly sor out of 58 different peaceful and green. things to do in Gibraltar. you probably will, And you might, in fact Some 94% of visitors bump into groups you probably will, bump rate it as ‘excellent’ or into groups of monkeys of monkeys on on your way up. ‘very good’ on the global travel site.

Latest improvements your way up And it is not hard to see have made the steps why. safer and more accesOriginally built by the sible than ever without British military to give access to a losing any of its charm. number of command posts, the path zig-zags up to O’Hara’s Battery at the For more info, visit http://www.vissouthern tip of the Rock. itgibraltar.gi/see-and-do/militaryOver the years it has been refurbished history/mediterranean-steps-12

History, adventure and romance.

That’s just the setting.

s spring turns to summer there are few better places to be in June than the Rock of Gibraltar.

The month marks the end of the Spring Festival and the start of the bathing season. Even with the beaches filling up there will also be loads on around Gib. It all starts with learning in the Mind Kind workshops and a Disability symposium on June 1 and 4 respectively.

See how buff you can get at the Peak Classic bodybuilding competition on June 8. Then forget about all about all that hard work at the annual street party at Casemates and World Music Festival on June 12 & 13.

The following week, on June 20 you have a choice of entertainment.

You can reach some high notes at with a performance of opera or laugh your worries away with Jason Manford at St Michael’s Cave.

Join us for a celebration of history, art, heritage and pageantry in a unique part of the world.

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Bring hearts, minds and souls

20

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

Bees are buzzing off the planet … a sign we’re on the brink of ecological Armageddon? As conservationists around the globe mark World Bee Day, Claire Leibovich got busy to find out

“

IF the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live.”

Beyond its chill-producing sensationalism this famous quote - most frequently attributed to Einstein although there are other claimants to authorship - makes a stinging point.

Closed 12.00 until mid February Open Tuesday to Sunday. until 22.00

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

The buzz on bees

Bees are not only a crucial component of our ecosystems. They ensure food security for all.

Bees are the kings and queens of insect pollinators. A third of the world’s food production depends on them. Additionally, they indicate the health of an ecosystem; if something is wrong, changes in their behaviour are an early warning sign.

There are around 20,000 known species of bees, of which only a few make honey.

The western honey bee (apis mellifera, Latin for ‘honeybearing bee’) is by far the most prolific.

Honey is an important traditional and economical factor in Spain. The country is home to 2.45 million beehives and more than 30,000 beekeepers, which makes it the largest beekeeping nation in Europe, ahead of France and Greece. It is also one of the EU’s top honey producers, hiving off 20 000 tonnes of the delicious nectar every year.

Amateur beekeeping is also a buzzing market, leading to heightened awareness of their essential role in biodiversity.

Spain showed a steady growth in honey production in the early 2010s. However the honeypot started shrinking in 2016, according to a Ministry of Agriculture report.

This downwards curve could be due to the crisis that has been ravaging the globe since the end of the 20th century with the sharp decline in other pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds and bats.

In 2015, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed European bee species for the first time. The organisation reported that 9.2% of wild bees are facing extinction in Europe, while 37% of the population is diminishing. The largest numbers of threatened species are located in southcentral Europe but the Mediterranean region is the most

CRUCIAL: Global food supplies depend on the humle bee

ing parasite is nosema apis, also from Asia, observed for the first time in Europe when Why bees are buzzing off they made landfall in Spain Many factors can be fatal to in 2005. these winged benefactors. Pesticides also have a harmThe Colony Collapse Disas- ful effect, both on bees and ter (CDD), first given a name honey quality. Greenpeace in 2006, designates the un- found that two thirds of the explained decline in worker pollen collected by bees is bees. The phenomenon has p e s t i c i d e - c o n t a m i n a t e d . been observed throughout Neonicotinoids are a type of the history of apiculture and pesticide particularly threatas far back as 1869, but to ening to bees. They are made of synthetic this day there’s substances no consensus on what NGOs forced the similar to nicotine that affect causes it. However, there has government to the central nervous system of been a drastic increase in create a National insects.

April 2018, CDD in the last Action Plan for In the EU agreed two decades. bees to ban the outMost other facdoor use (but tors contributnot in greening to colony houses) of the loss are due to human activity and modern three most dangerous neo(imidacloprid, globalisation. For example, nicotinoides bees are more vulnerable thiamethoxam and clothianito disease due to the faster din). circulation of parasites. The Most countries in the EU varroa mite, originally from have yet to approve the moAsia, is a particularly virulent tion, however, meaning that pest that arrived in plague the ban is not effective and numbers in Spain during the these pesticides are still bemid-80s. Another bee-attack- ing used. Moreover, many more detrimental pesticides are still in use.

Climate change, urbanisation and monocropping – growing a single crop on the same land year on year without rotation – are other factors decimating bee populations.

In April, pressure from NGOs forced the Spanish government to create a National Action Plan for bees and other insect pollinators in line with EU recommendations. Along with a blanket ban on the three aforementioned nicotinoids, other initiatives include ‘promoting bee-friendly habitats, sustainable agricultural practice, the creation of PEST: The Varroa mite parasite has plagued Spanish bees suitable urban environments data-deficient.

21

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

A Spanish restaurant with a twist, located on the edge of historic old Estepona Town in a converted farmhouse dating back to the 1890 with many features retained.

Un-bee-lievable! ●● The earliest known record of humans harvesting honey comes from an 8,000-year-old cave painting Cueva de la Araña in Bicorp, Vale at La ncia. ●● A honeybee’s wings beat around 230 times per second, which creates their buzz. ●● Honey can be preserved a long time due to its acidity, lack of water and content. In 1922, archeologist How hydrogen peroxide ard Carter tasted the honey discovered in King Tutankh amun's tomb. He said it was delicious! ●● During its life (6-8 weeks), a wor ker bee will fly the equivalent distance of one-and-ahalf times around the Earth to produce one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey.

CAPTION ●● Honeybees outnumber hum ans in London (by 30 to one in summer ) due to the rise in urban beekeeping.

Restaurante La Pampa is open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Calle Sevilla 70, 29680, Estepona Phone: 952 795 545 email: reservas@lapampaestepona.es www.lapampaestepona.es

DID YOU KNOW? and reduction of the risk from plagues and parasites.’

How this will act out precisely has yet to be discussed.

Bee Responsible World Bee Day on May 22 is an opportunity to learn more about these flying philanthropists and what each of us can do, individually and collectively, to slow their decline.

Even though Spain is one of the largest producers in the EU, 80% of the honey consumed in Spain is imported from China, because it’s cheaper. As the Olive Press reported last month, Chinese

supermarket ‘honey’ is fake made, more often than not, from rice or corn syrup. You can support local beekeepers by buying their products at farmers’ markets, or from sustainable local producers with an anti-pesticide policy.

Whether you have garden or balcony plants, ban the use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. If you must, choose natural alternatives.

It is also a good idea to check that the plants you buy are not pre-treated.

A bee-friendly garden is a wild garden. Prefer native plants and let weeds grow. There are many lists out there of roots and flowers that best

attract bees and other pollinators. You can also leave a shallow container of water for bees in the hot summer months. Make sure to put pebbles, twigs or corks in the water so that the bees don’t drown.

But the most important thing you can do is educate yourself about bees and encourage people around you to do the same. Read books and blogs, watch documentaries or join an association. In A Honeybee Heart Has Five Openings, one of the latest books on the market, bee-keeper Helen Jukes shares how bees helped her reconnect with nature and herself.

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22

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

COLUMNISTS

Plots landing

“

AND just to summarise, the libro del edificio must be handed over before completion.

“Is everyone clear on that?”

Several heads nod in agreement and chat animatedly about the merits of real estate protocol.

The middle aged French lady sat next to me on the sofa is rapidly taking notes on her Ipad but all I can feel in my hands is the glimmer of perspiration alongside the heavy weight of responsibility.

Gazing forlornly out the window I realise how easy estate agents must have it back in the UK.

TINY: Some ads are hard to read

New wife in the sun

Real estate training is not for me, but a big plate of ham most definitely is, writes Paula Leskovitz

All they have to do is sit in a nice cosy our invigorated sales leader. office, sipping cappuccinos and point- My ears suddenly prick up and I grab ing out the advantages of having a my handbag in anticipation of the combi boiler and a south-facing rear hard-earned liquid refreshment on ofpatio to mortgage eager customers. fer.

Here in Andalucia, the process is Several trainees from the group pile slightly different. into a sign-written Fiat Punto and we Not only do you have to source the head off in the direction of Marbella. property by pounding the streets, I look out the window and wonder if craning your neck for ‘Vende’ boards there will be any unadopted sandwichwhich appear to be written in Crayola, es to accompany the fluids we have you then also have to make contact been promised, just as my stomach with the owner via phone or smoke complains loudly about its lack of consignals in their native tents. tongue, and then try “Here we are!” yells and convince them that our enthusiastic menpaying 5% of the ask- Glasses of chilled tor and I look outside ing price for an agent only to be greeted by champagne, to market their home is a large span of wastethe only viable option if land with several peosmiling with they genuinely want to ple in suits standing commissionsell their home before proudly, pointing into the inevitable apoca- purchased teeth the empty space whilst lypse occurs. clutching glasses of Only after all this has chilled champagne, been agreed and smiling with commissigned in blood, sweat and fears, you sion-purchased teeth. begin to research all the relative infor- I heave my ample buttocks out of the mation and debts associated with the confines of the car and stand uncertainproperty which invariably involves 13 ly on the perimeter of the nothingness. siblings and an ancient Micmac burial A man with a mahogany tan comes ground nestling beneath the Bougain- forward and places a glass of somevilleas. thing sparkling in my hand, then starts “I think that’s enough information for to converse with the rest of the group one day. in Spanish.

“Let’s head over to a site that’s cur- I try and make myself less conspicurently being built on and liaise with the ous by nodding occasionally whilst sipdevelopers over a glass of wine,” yells ping the contents of my liquid lunch.

Looking around at the other candidates I sudden-

ESCAPE: Paula Leskovitz looks longingly beyond the world of real estate ly realise that a) I have nothing in common with anyone here apart from the fact we are all breathing, and b) I don’t care about square footage or deeds or who owns the right to the footpath to the left of the gravel.

I don’t care about making pots of money or having a fancy car.

I care about having a bit of fun in the sun and doing what I do best, which in all honesty, isn’t much.

The developer finally stops talking and everyone shakes his hand and pats him on the back.

For all I know he could have been discussing the dimensions of the ‘new and improved’ Prisoner Cell Block H. My stomach rumbles in anguish over its lack of solid contents and I make my excuses and head over to a group of people that may or may not be holding plates.

On closer inspection they are surrounding a man who is slicing a giant ham with gusto so I stand in line, pointing greedily at the carcass and my mouth begins to water in anticipation as he piles the meat onto my

plate.

Grabbing several pieces of bread from a nearby table I head off alone to find a decent size piece of rubble to sit upon.

Balancing the food on my knee, I cram the bread into my mouth and turn my face towards the sun.

“So, how are you finding training?” echoes a male voice from overhead.

Attempting to swallow, but without success, I nod my head in what I hope looks like an enthusiastic motion, and wave my arms around me to denote my agreement over the luxury apartments that are to be built upon this barren land.

The man nods and smiles then heads back towards the eager crowd and I sit alone, wiping my greasy fingers on a napkin, knowing full well that this frock, on a rock, with her hock will absolutely, undoubtedly, undeniably not be returning tomorrow, or any other day to pursue a career in real estate.

All that’s left to do now is inform my husband of this decision...

Burlesque business

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The successful candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining a client base for the Group’s audio/visual productions, podcasts, and services.

We are looking for an experienced Sales Manager who can operate as a positive, pro-active team member, bringing energy, harmony and focus to the business, and make a positive contribution to the team.

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I have never felt more proud of my Burlesque-dancing goddaughter, writes Giles Brown

T

he eldest goddaughter was back in town earlier this month.

Yes, that’s right, I am the moral and spiritual guardian of three young ladies.

You can stop laughing now, especially the charming online troll who accused me of being ‘high and drunk’ when I write my articles.

Considering I have spent the best part of the past two decades wrestling with those particular demons, that sort of comment is the sort of thing that could really send a recovering alcoholic into a downward spiral and cut to the very depths of his soul.

Luckily for the aforementioned keyboard warrior (and the delicious irony of the fact that I wrote about that very subject in my previous article), and the fact that I did a deal on the crossroads a la Robert Johnson several years ago, I am splendidly lacking in the soul department.

So, little Facebook irritant, go f**k yourself (Note to future trolls, don’t pick on columnists, we’ll write about you).

Anyway, back to the eldest godchild.

Ziggy – fabulous name, fabulous kid – is a brilliant modern circus and burlesque performer, with hoops, flames and a variety of tassels and outfits that would make a parson blush.

I, having no soul, (see troll rant above) think that she’s absolutely fabulous and was thrilled when she landed a gig at the Frol!k Burlesque party at Cat’s Kitchen in Estepona.

The ‘Ziglet’ flew in late on Friday evening and with the show the following night, Saturday

was spent setting up for the gig, getting costumes ready, applying glitter and putting on nipple tassels (The latter two just for me, obviously).

And then we had a problem with the props.

As part of her Burlesque act, Ziggy uses a chair, but we discovered to our horror that none of the chairs at the venue would suffice.

Cue a mad dash to the nearest hardware superstore.

At this point I should point out that Ziggy has a fair few number of tattoos, various piercings and was also sporting glitter, while I was wearing my Berber dessert sandals.

We didn’t look like your average expat couple on a mission to purchase pot plants.

A fact that was underlined by the expressions of the staff when we came running in asking where the garden furniture was.

“We need a chair for my goddaughter’s show,” I explained to the bemused assistants.

Glancing at her tattoos, they led us to the relevant section, where Ziggy shook her head.

“No, they aren’t high enough.

I’ll have to test one out.”

Without further ado, my goddaughter grabbed the nearest chair, planted it firmly on the ground, and proceeded to haul herself into a handstand splits on the chair, legs out, derriere pointing proudly down aisle 7 of the aforementioned garden centre.

I turned around to see the male assistants’ eyes bulging out of their heads.

I swear one was panting...

As the Ziglet’s moral and spiritual guardian, I have never felt more proud!

SPORT

23

May 22nd - June 4th 2019

Saving race

LEWIS hamilton has celebrated his Spanish Grand Prix win by sending gifts, including an F1 car, to a terminally-ill fan.

Harry Shaw, from Surrey, who has a rare form of bone cancer, had sent the F1 world champion a ‘good luck’ message before his race in Barcelona.

TREAT: Hamilton car for fan The Brit driver said the boy

Gael of a time A TOTAL of eight Gaelic football teams have qualified for the Spanish national championships, including Andalucian champions the Gibraltar Gaels.

The GAA and LGFA Iberian Finals 2019 will take place in Barcelona on May 25, hosted by the Barcelona Gaels.

The city’s Rugby La Foixarda ground will see the men’s tournament take place from 12:30pm - 8pm, and the ladies’ from 11am - 2pm at UAB Cerdanyola.

Gloves off GREAT British boxing has selected an eight strong amateur team to travel to Spain for the annual Boxam Tournament.

This year the British team includes two female boxers with past medal winning experience at the elite five day event in Valencia.

Sandy Ryan, who won gold at last year’s event, will be joined by rising star Chloe Watson who won the 2018 youth level final.

The men’s selection includes 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallists, Sammy Lee (Light-heavyweight) and Frazer Clarke (Super-heavyweight) The boxing commenced on May 15 with the finals on the 18th.

became his ‘spirit angel’, helping him to a fifth world title, ahead of his Finnish Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas who placed second.

Mercedes and Hamilton sent his Spanish Grand Prix trophy to Harry’s home, and even organised for a full-size replica of his F1 car to be parked on the youngster’s driveway.

Shooting for gold Gibraltar’s top dribblers confident of win at highly anticipated Island Games GIBRALTAR’S basketball squad are favourites to win July’s Island Games on the Rock, according to one of their top players.

Sam Buxton warmed up for the event by winning the playoffs in his last season at Spanish third division UDEA in Algeciras.

“Our semi-professional team took on some of the best teams from all over Spain,” he said. “It was a good buildup for the Island Games at the beginning of June.

“I am over the moon with the win.”

Buxton went to play in Algeciras because the Gibraltar league is ‘more of a hobby’.

The Gibraltar national side is a different matter, having won bronze and silver medals in the last two Island Games competitions.

“This year, with the games to be played in Gibraltar, we will be going for gold,” said the nearly two metre gentle giant.

“We have myself and two others that play in Spain,

AT WORK: Liverpool squad training in Marbella

Klopp stop

LIVERPOOL have begun training in Marbella for their second Champions League final in two years, it has emerged.

On May 20 Jurgen Klopp’s side jetted in for their sevenday warm weather break, their third on the Costa del Sol this season.

The Liverpool boss had considered Mallorca before settling on Marbella, where the Reds trained a year ago, during their last European cup bid.

That push for the title saw Liverpool lose 3-1 to Real Madrid in Kiev, with Gareth Bale twice getting on the scoresheet for Los Blancos.

This time the Merseyside club, who finished the Pre-

two more from the UK and strong local players.”

The rules are not as strict as in other sports so a number of Spanish players who work in the gaming industry also play for Gibraltar.

Buxton praised the work of Adam Cassaglia who he said ‘changed basketball in Gib during the last 15 years’.

After playing professionally in UK Cassaglia set up a youth academy which has led Gibraltar to overcome top national sides like Scotland.

Three snippets of car advice Buxton believes the way from Linea Directa and why forward is to put a Gibraltar team into the Spanish we should be the insurance league. company you choose “If we could take part in the ACB league this would raise Mad about motoring? our level significantly,” he Whether you’re a car enthusiast or rely on your said. “There have already car for just about everything, keeping your vebeen talks especially as Anhicle on the road is a costly endeavor. Prices for dorra do the same and we car insurance can vary greatly between providare going to have really good ers depending on different risk factors. While facilities soon. reducing your annual mileage and keeping your “I would love to see that in car in a secure location will help keep your preTheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.indd 1 miums down, Línea Directa recommend shopmy lifetime as it would bring ping around for insurance quotes to get the best money into the sport and possible price with the best possible cover. give the youth the possibilities to go forward.”

WINNERS: Gib’s national team favourites for games

Minor car problems At this time of the year in the early morning sunshine, condensation is particularly troublesome especially in older vehicles. Motorists and other road users are at risk. Accidents can be caused when drivers try to wipe down the windscreen.

Here are some handy tips to help you tackle condensation. Wash your car regularly as dirt and dust attract moisture and early morning dew.

Remove any damp items like towels or coats from inside the car. When safe to do so, leave the windows open for a few hours. Switch on the air conditioning and wipe down the inside of the

mier League campaign on 97 points, one behind champions Manchester City, meet Tottenham in Madrid on June 1.

Both English teams will compete for their first silverware of the season at the Spanish capital’s Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

It comes after the sides produced two historic comebacks in the competition’s semi-finals last week, as Spurs beat Ajax 3-2 and Liverpool bounced back to hit Barcelona 4-0.

The Marbella Football Center in San Pedro is a favourite for Liverpool, the players previously having previously trained there.

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windows. Finally, you can fill a sock with cat litter and place it in your car to help absorb excess moisture.

But what if it doesn’t start?

A flat battery is a great inconvenience, jumpstarting your car from the roadside can be hazardous and new batteries are expensive and can be troublesome to fit. These tips can help2/8/18 prolong the life of your battery. Keep the terminals clean of residue that builds up over time.

And remember to turn off air conditioning, lights, radio and other battery draining systems whenever possible.

* Fu l l y co m p re h e n s i ve o f fe r va l i d fo r n e w c u s to m e r s o n l y. G u a ra nte e s u b j e c t to cove r, re p a i r at a p p rove d g a ra g e, a n d co u r te s y ve h i c l e ava i l a b i l i t y. S u b j e c t to co n d i t i o n s. O f fe r e n d s 3 0 / 1 1 / 1 8 .

Help is at hand Línea Directa offers service, support and 24hour roadside assistance to over 3 million customers in Spain. Should you break down or your car won’t start, they will immediately dispatch an approved mechanic to help get you back on the road again as soon as possible. And with their new GPS Geolocation service Línea Directa can pinpoint your exact location and send breakdown recovery even faster.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest.

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WORKS have already begun to relay parts of Queensway and Glacis Road which will cause some traffic delays until the start of July.

Sub-due A LOS Angeles class submarine from the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet, the USS Olympia, was in Gibraltar on May 15 on a routine visit.

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Vol. 4 Issue 97 www.theolivepress.es May 22nd - June 4th 2019

End of an era A LEGENDARY British hotelier who helped put Tarifa on the map has died from pancreatic cancer.

James Whaley, who set up the Hurricane Hotel with brothers Michael and Peter, was the ‘spiritual heart’ of the famous hostelry, which has put up dozens of famous guests.

Before moving to Spain Whaley was a film producer, who stud-

Walk about A FIRST Walk-athon was held by Governor’s Meadow first school children on May 15 at Commonwealth Park as part of their health drive.

ICON: Hurricane Hotel

G

N MI

JAMMED: 15 cars have got stuck in street this year A CONCERNED resident has called for a permanent solution after foreigners keep getting their cars stuck in her street.

An alarming 15 cars have been removed by a crane from outside Maria Morales’ home in Granada’s Albaicin district so far this year.

The Spaniard explained that dozens more had become trapped on Calle Oidores, over the years with most having to reverse.

She slammed the town hall for doing nothing about the problem apart from putting up a small street sign.

“When we moved here in 2014 a car got stuck almost every day,” Morales revealed, “The GPS sends them here and they realise they can’t get through when it is too late.

“One time a German couple got RIP: James Whaley stuck and started panicking beA funeral service was held at the cause they could not open the hotel at the weekend, and his doors. ashes were appropriately scat- “The woman climbed out the tered around the grounds. boot but the man remained Friend and former business trapped for over two hours.” partner James Stuart, of cel- Locals would like to see a reebrated Califa hotel, in Vejer, movable bollard installed at the said: “He was a true visionary, end of the street. entrepreneur, raconteur and Have you been stuck there? Or hotelier extraordinaire.. But somewhere similar? Send your most of all a really good per- stories to newsdesk@theoliveson.” press.es

Former Adam and the Ants manager who set up Costa de la Luz’ most famous hotel passes away ied at film school in LA and his native London.

He even managed 80s band Adam and the Ants, and produced 1978 cult film Jubilee, which Adam Ant also starred in.

He claimed to have came up with the idea of Absolutely Fabulous, via friendships with Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French, and wrote a number of books and novels.

The Hurricane became one of Andalucia’s hippest places to stay, and has featured in numerous travel articles on the Costa de la Luz. It was the first boutique rural hotel on the coast and was copied by dozens of others.

“I convinced my brothers that we would never make enough money from 12 rooms, so we

obtained permission to build an extra 23,” James told the Olive Press last year.

It ended up being an incredibly successful operation and branched out over the last three decades to include various Tarifa hotels and restaurants, including Punta Sur and Valdevaqueros, as well as a hotel in Brazil.

James had previously lived in Italy, as well as setting up Morocco’s famous Villa Maroc hotel, in Essaouira.

His book, Flying Tagines and Magic Lobsters is a comedy based on the hotel.

When he arrived in Tarifa, he began to source rocket seeds and encouraged gastronomic expertise, and thus helped also create one of the coast’s best restaurants.

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