Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 144 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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ONLY 1% INSURED IN FIRE JUST two out of 140 Mijas victims of the fire that ravaged the Costa del Sol last month were insured. The numbers are similar in the nearby municipalities of Marbella, Coin and Ojen, according to the mayor of Mijas Angel Nozal. In Mijas the figures refer to the number of householders who have visited the town hall complaining of damage to their properties.

Surprised

Nozal, a former insurance broker with Zurich, told the Olive Press he was ‘not surprised’ by the figures. He said: “It is only the English and other expats who get covered. “The Spanish just don’t think it is going to hapTurn to Page 7

Vol. 6 Issue 144

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Don’t let the Don’t thein bankslet cash banks cash in www.hifx.co.uk www.hifx.co.uk see page 13 see seepage page 13 17

September 20 - October 03, 2012

Costa link to Alps murders EXCLUSIVE by Jon Clarke

THE father of a British father-of-two gunned down in cold blood with his family in the French Alps died a sad and lonely death on the Costa del Sol. The Olive Press can reveal that millionaire businessman Kadhem alHilli passed away in a care home in Benalmadena without any of his family present. Intriguingly detectives are now probing his death after it was claimed he mysteriously went missing for six days prior to his death at the SAR care home in Torrequebrada last August. They are also probing why his mur-

‘Why bullfighting is making a comeback and you are all hypocrites for opposing it’ British matador Alexander FiskeHarrison speaks out Turn to Page 24

Detectives likely to probe dead Briton’s father, who died a lonely death on the Costa del Sol last year

dered son Saad – who was found in a mountain layby with two bullets in his head, alongside his dead wife and mother-in-law a fortnight ago - put a stop on his will, allegedly, in part, over the ownership of his father’s flat in Mijas. The reported feud between brothers Saad, 50, and Zaid, 53, has led to speculation that Zaid ordered the hit, which also saw the death of a French cyclist, who police believe witnessed the killing.

Feud

In a letter Saad - a wealthy engineer, who lived in a €2m home in Surrey had described his brother as a ‘control freak’ and insisted he wanted to ‘wipe him out of my life’. While Zaid has strongly denied the fued, claims that both brothers had been present at their father’s side on his deathbed last year do not ring true, as the Olive Press has discovered. Neither son, it emerges, is listed on his death certificate, which is held at Benalmadena register office. More intriguingly, a close friend, who witnessed his death and signed paperwork, insisted he did not want to comment on the fued between the sons. “I would prefer not to comment on that,” said Alla Hussein Mohamed,

from Fuengirola, who kept a close eye on the ageing Iraqi in the years before his death. Despite confirming that his sons were NOT at the care home on August 11 last year, he said they had turned up together in the ensuing days to pick up his body. “This is a huge international case and I am not able to comment on that,” insisted the fellow Iraqi, who is listed on his death certificate. “Both sons arrived in Spain and took him back to London. They came over from time to time to see him and they were both very sad as you would expect. As for their exact relationship I don’t want to comment.” What he was able to confirm was that Kadhem alHilli lived a comTurn to Page 2

MASSACRE: The al-Hilli family car riddled with bullets and (top) Saad

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NEWS

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The Olive Press - Number One for crime and investigations

Lord Mayor duped in timeshare ‘scam’ At least half a dozen other victims caught up in Marbella part-ownership scheme

A FORMER Lord Mayor is among up to 24 victims of a suspected timeshare scam. Bristol councillor Royston Griffey (top right) handed over almost €5,000 for purchase would take two existing a ‘magnificent’ villa in El Rosario, timeshare weeks we owned into acwhich he had hoped to part-own with count, in part exchange.” 23 others. Griffey immediately transferred Griffey, 68, who became the Lord €4,720 into Mednick’s Mayor of Bristol in 2007, account without a second claims to have been ‘hoodthought. winked’ by timeshare But, two weeks later, salesman Sheldon MedGriffey’s wife received a nick, 54, into agreeing to mystery phone call from take two weeks’ ownership a man who warned her of the luxury villa. not to pay the rest of the He agreed to spend money because it was a €11,500 on two weeks a ‘scam’. year ownership of the vil“We still don’t know who la after being taken round tipped us off,” she said. by Mednick, the boss of “But it was very lucky.” Esprit Services CorporaThe Griffeys demanded tion. ACCUSED: “The scheme seemed dif- Sheldon Mednick their deposit back from Esprit, only to receive a ferent from the usual runworrying response by email on July 3, of-the-mill timeshare outfits,” insistseen by the Olive Press, saying Esprit ed Griffey, a former lawyer. had officially been ‘put into liquida“The carrot was that the fractional

From Page 1

EXCLUSIVE by Eloise Horsfield tion’. The house, a four-bedroom villa with pool, has apparently now been sold by Mednick for over €500,000, insisted a close friend. Furthermore, Griffey – who has failed to get any response for nearly three months despite constant calls - is not the only apparent victim. The Olive Press understands there are at least half a dozen other potential losers in the scheme. Fellow investor Zara Hicks, 32, from Surrey, paid over €21,000 for two weeks at the same villa. The payroll manager said: “But I have had no contact since June. We appear to have lost a lot of money.” Both she and the Griffeys had met Mednick while staying on holiday at the Grangefield Oasis Club, in Mijas, earlier this year. Part of the cut-price deal they received while booking online was that they had to meet Mednick in order to visit the villa scheme. “It was a three hour meeting and he was very convincing,” said Griffey.

Alps murder investigation

fortable life in a small apartment in Avenida Mejico, in Mijas, where he had moved from England after his wife’s death some 10 years earlier. The cultured, softly-spoken engineer had originally fled Baghdad in the 1970s to escape persecution from former dictator Saddam Hussein, going on to run a string of factories in the UK. He had made a lot of money, which allegedly saw him acquire property in the UK, France and Switzerland, as well as Spain. But in his early 80s he became frail and started to suffer from Parkinson’s disease. He became confined to a wheelchair and was cared for by a Morrocan woman, known as Asia, for the last three years of his life. “But he lived a comfortable life and was adamant that despite having no family here, he did not want to go back to the UK, back to the rain,” continued Hussein,

Comeuppance

REVEALING: Kadhem death certificate and (right) SAR care home a fellow Iraqi, who kept a watchful eye over him in his latter years. “Despite his sons only coming over from time to time,

I think he was happy here.” British and French police continue to probe the case which has shocked the world. This week they began looking at a theory that the French cyclist, who worked in the nuclear industry, could have been the target and not the al-Hilli family. However, the fued between the brothers, which involved control of their late father’s estate appears to be the most likely cause.

The hotel insisted it was ‘not aware’ of Esprit’s dealings and has now stopped working with the company ‘after complaints’. Meanwhile, a close associate of Mednick who has known him ‘for years’ revealed: “He has gone back to England. “He went back owing a lot of people money. I hope he gets his comeuppance as soon as possible.” The Olive Press can reveal that Mednick, a father-offive, has returned to the UK with his wife Andrea to live in an ‘upmarket’ development in Chigwell, Essex. Despite several attempts to contact Mednick by both phone and email, he did not get back to the Olive Press before we went to print.

NEWS

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the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

FLAMENCO CHIC SPANISH styles have adorned the catwalks at New York Fashion Week. Top designer Ralph Lauren wowed international celebrity audiences with his clearly Spanish-themed runway collection. Lauren’s models donned an array of fedora hats, oversized shirts, torero jackets and jodhpurs.

The 72-year-old, whose designs received a standing ovation from guests, later tweeted: “I am forever inspired by faraway exotic places. I may never have travelled there, but in my imagination it is real.” Celebrity guests at the runway event included actress Jessica Alba and US Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte.

INFLUENTIAL: Spanish styles on display at Ralph Lauren show

I’ll paint it anyway

Some of the Costa del Sol’s most flashy properties featured in new TV show

Mansions in Marbs GLAMOUR: Stars from the show

PLAYING HER PART: Penelope Cruz

Patriotic Penelope

PENELOPE Cruz is doing her bit to support her compatriots through time of hardship. The Spanish beauty has said she will encourage international filmmakers to choose Spain in order to create jobs. Cruz denied however claims she had promised to produce a couple of films in Spain per year to create employment, as quoted in an unnamed magazine. The Hollywood actress said the published words had ‘an arrogant tone’ and had ‘nothing to do’ with what she had wanted to say.

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE wannabes can now peer into Marbella’s top luxury homes thanks to a glitzy new reality TV show. Marbella Mansions follows British estate agents and interior designers working in the resort’s property industry. One property featured is the €8.1 million ‘Guadalmina Desire’, which was designed to appear as though it is floating on water and whose cinema, swimming pool, wine cellar and spa can all be controlled by an iPad. Some of Marbella’s most lavish and eccentric expats make up the cast, including designers Jonty Richard Lewis and his partner Sebastian Mcleod. The pair are well known in the Marbella area and have already built a luxury dog kennel costing over €12,000 for a local Italian millionaire. The show also follows Nicky Dalli, son of famous opera tenor and restaurant owner Tony Dalli, as he designs and builds some staggeringly expensive homes including a €14 million hillside mansion which overlooks the town. The first episode of the 10-part series aired on September 10 on the Home channel.

FROM MANCHESTER TO MARBELLA FORMER Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has been showing off her tan following a short break in Marbella with boyfriend and Manchester City star Scott Sinclair. The 22-year-old actress, who posted a series of revealing snaps via Twitter after purchasing a new bikini, said: “Loved my @ElizabethHurley piece from the Marbella Boutique.”

The curvy actress added: “Just got back from a nice break in Marbella nice to be home in Manchester x.” The soap star has recently expressed concerns about her acting career after not working in the six months since leaving the popular show.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Helen Flanagan

‘Food raid’ shirt pulled off shelves CLOTHING chain H&M has withdrawn a T-shirt bearing a logo in support of radical mayor and union leader Juan Manuel Sanchez Gordillo. The T-shirt, which shows a hand clutching vegetables with the words ‘Food to the people. No world hunger’, was on sale for less than a week before being removed. A spokesman for H&M said the firm apologised for causing controversy with the design and stated they ‘never intended to take sides’ with regard to the food raids in Carrefour and Mercadona supermarkets. CONTROVERSY: The offending shirt (left) is no longer on sale

Marbs glow A FAKE tan inspired by reality show The Only Way is Essex has been launched by former model Michelle Mone. Marbella Gold is designed to give you the sun-kissed look of a luxury holiday on the Costa del Sol – without even having to leave your home. “Thousands of bottles have been flying off the shelves this summer as customers want to get the TOWIE look,” said the Scottish Ultimo bra entrepreneur. “In the past, customers have wanted Rio or LA tans, but at the moment it is all about Marbs.”

GENEROUS: Lopez AN eye-wateringly expensive portrait of an ex-minister will now be painted for free, the artist has said. Antonio Lopez was commissioned in 2010 to paint an official portrait of former public works minister Francisco Alvarez-Cascos. But since Lopez set his fee at a rather extortionate €190,000 – almost double the previous highest figure paid for such a portrait – the government has, understandably, been trying to wriggle out of the contract. Now Lopez, a long-standing friend of Alvarez-Cascos, has said he will waive his fee if it comes to it. “I’ll paint it anyway, and if I’m not paid he can have it as a present,” he said.

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

NEWS

News IN BRIEF Dog pay-out

A WOMAN who needed two months’ treatment after being attacked by two Boxers has been awarded €3,000 by Ocaso Seguros insurance company.

Prison change

Life sentences are being introduced to Spain for the first time following several changes to the penal code.

Strike action

Hundreds of trains were cancelled on Monday as rail workers staged strikes against wage cuts and reforms.

Phallic folly

Two British teenagers are facing a year in prison having been arrested for exposing themselves on a flight between Newcastle and Ibiza.

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Spain is knackered THOUSANDS of horses are being abandoned and slaughtered as Spain’s recession deepens. An estimated 5,000 horses are being processed into food each month, as families can no longer afford their upkeep. The figures reveal that slaughter has increased by 31% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to last year, with a staggering 19,793 horses killed. Abandonment of horses has increased by 80% this year according to Dilfenio Rodriguez from the Burrolandia animal shelter. “The number of horses we have to care for has increased dramatically with

the crisis. People can’t afford to keep them and instead dispense with them,” Rodriguez said. “We find them in terrible condition, often almost dead. “They eat their own excrement and drink rainwater to survive.”

France

Government cuts on animal shelters mean that many organisations can no longer afford to save every abandoned horse from the knackers yard. The meat is imported to countries which have a high demand for horse meat including, France and Russia.

Expat dog death disgrace AN expat has been arrested after allegedly beating a dog, slitting its throat and throwing its body into a ravine. Several witnesses reported having heard yelps coming from the animal on the outskirts of Malaga around 9pm. They said they saw the 48-year-old Czech kick his dog repeatedly, take out a knife, cut its throat and throw it into a gully. Turn to our new pet section on page 30

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EXCLUSIVE by Eloise Horsfield A ‘LUDICROUS’ detour to pick up medical supplies delayed the arrival of an easyJet flight to Spain by over two hours. While the 19:25 from Gatwick to Malaga on September 1 set off on time things went askew after the pilot made an announcement that it was making an impromptu stop in Madrid. “It was unbelievable,” said

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NEWS

EasyJet flight to Malaga delayed by two hours after ‘ludicrous’ stop-off to collect first aid kits in Madrid Tony Lee, a passenger en route to his home in Marbella. “He said we had to collect two first aid boxes for another easyJet plane in Malaga that couldn’t take off without them. “Then when we got to Madrid, there was a hold-up waiting for them and then further delays for refuelling and a wait for our take-off

RYANAIR RAGE

SPANISH transport minister Carmen Librero is attending emergency talks with Ryanair bosses in Ireland amid accusations of a smear campaign against the airline. The low-cost carrier has come in for heavy criticism for a string of recent incidents in Spanish air space involving its planes. In an open letter on the airline’s website, Chief Executive Michael O’Leary insisted Ryanair is fully compliant with all EU regulations and is the victim of a smear campaign by the Spanish government.

slot,” continued the businessman, who owns La Fishita restaurant in Nueva Andalucia. “Everyone was really fed up. And we were only offered tap water until someone asked for other soft drinks.

Demand

“The worst thing was that when we finally arrived in Malaga at 1am, all the baggage handlers had gone home so we had to wait another half an hour. It was ludicrous.” When Lee – who had taken his son back to the UK for a Chelsea game - asked why such a diversion was necessary, the hostess’ response surprised him. “She told me there had obviously been an unusually high demand for items from the first aid boxes. Which begs the question, why isn’t

DISGRUNTLED: Tony Lee there an industry standard for first aid equipment available at all airports?” EasyJet failed to return any of the Olive Press’ calls or emails.

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

OPINION No pasaran IT is madness that, in cash-strapped times, money is being spent removing a prominent Socialist from a street name in Velez Malaga. No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, there is no denying Dolores Ibarruri was a key figure in Spain’s history. Unlike many Nationalist figures whose names still adorn public buildings and streets all over Spain, Ibarruri’s mission was mostly for the common good of Spain. She spent her days campaigning for workers’ rights, which hundreds of Spaniards benefit from today. As a woman, her plight is also relevant to all those who wish for the end of machismo in Spain. To remove her name from a road is a petty and tawdry decision which is going to offend far more people than it pleases.

Muddying the waters On the face of it, Spanish plans to create a conservation zone in the waters around Gibraltar should be supported - were it not for the thinly-veiled politics surrounding the scheme. The idea of ship-refuelling (bunkering) being banned off the Rock has undoubted environmental benefits but it is debatable how much difference it would make. While small-scale spillages do occur from time to time, great efforts have been made by the Gibraltar authorities to reduce the environmental risk. The economic damage that a ban on bunkering would cause to Gibraltar arguably far outweighs the environmental benefits of scrapping the process. With Spain also undertaking bunkering nearby, it seems apparent that Spain’s motives for cleaning up the waters are not actually as clean as it would have us believe.

Fighting the critics Nothing divides opinion and gets the emotions flowing quite like bullfighting. It is rare to come across somebody who doesn’t have a view on what is undeniably a deeply ingrained aspect of Spanish culture. But whichever side of the fence you sit on, it is well worth reading the outspoken thoughts of author-cummatador Alexander Fiske-Harrison on our culture pages. While his opinion will inevitably be disputed by many, one thing that cannot be denied is that his unique experience of bullfighting - from inside the ring - has allowed him to develop an informed and passionate view on the subject.

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A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in southern Spain - 186,000 copies distributed monthly (120,000 digitally) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month. Luke Stewart Media S.L - CIF: B91664029 Urb Cayetano Arroyo, Buzon 13, Arriate 29350 Malaga Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Editor: Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es News editor: James Bryce james@theolivepress.es Reporters: Eloise Horsfield eloise@theolivepress.es Mason Jones mason@theolivepress.es Distribution: 951 166 060

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FEATURE

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Jon Clarke talks to Mijas mayor Angel Nozal about the ‘terrifying’ 36 hours that wreaked havoc along the Costa del Sol

We had to escape like rats to avoid the fire

E had been heading home from work at 6.15 on August 30 when he spotted a huge plume of smoke high in the hills above his municipality. Just ten minutes later the mayor of Mijas Angel Nozal was up in the hills overlooking the largest blaze the Costa del Sol had ever seen and plotting how best to save his town from disaster. “It was really just a coincidence, but I immediately knew we were going to be in trouble,” he tells the Olive Press at his office at Mijas town hall. “The blaze was well established within a quarter of an hour so we had to move fast.” So began the longest, most scary 36 hours of the mayor’s life, as he worked with the emergency services and fellow mayors to fight the horror fire that killed one and destroyed over 200 houses. Initially meeting up with the mayor of Alhaurin el Grande at 6.30pm, at Puerto de los Pescadores, near where the fire began, he was soon placing his men strategically along well established emergency lines. “I said to three of my fire crews to stay put at Puerto de los Pescadores... I told them the fire must not pass them, as if it got to the Valtocado area it could burn all of Mijas,” he continues. “I then got in contact with my friends at Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Rincon town halls to send as much help as possible.” While coming under the overall command of national firefighting force Infoca, each town hall along the coast has its own wellplanned and rehearsed fire drills. In total, Mijas had 45 firefighters, 100 local police and 80 civil protection officers at its disposal. Using 20 different fire vehicles they were immediately sent to strategic points around the hills to fight the blaze. On cue, the mayor rolls out half a dozen colourful charts showing me the areas at highest risk of fire, where terrain is impossible to reach and where residents could be in danger. But, the emergency services already knew that day was very high risk. “It was the perfect conditions for a huge blaze,” continues Angel, who previously worked in insurance before being elect-

ed as the town’s PP mayor last year. “There was a very deep high pressure with long isobars creating strong winds and a lot of turbulence.” In perfect English, he explains how local fire crews call it ‘30/30/30’, when the temperature is over 30 degrees, the wind speed was over 30 knots and the humidity was below 30. “It was one of those days when you needed to pray and hope for the best. “But sadly, common sense is lacking and people need to learn that you can’t have fires in the summer and particularly a bbq, as just one spark can cause a fire like that.” As for the cause of the blaze, as other Olive Press sources have confirmed, the fire seems to have begun on the estate of a German expatriate near Barranco Blanco in Coin. “It seems apparent that the fire was

started by someone burning garden waste, which is amazing. “But within minutes there was this huge fungus cloud like Hiroshima above the hills. “It was very scary and flames were shooting high into the sky with ash raining down as far as Estepona.” He continues: “Fighting it was very hairy, but everyone fought valiently and we had to escape like rats at certain points to avoid getting burnt.” He is also highly suspicious that a second front that formed to the north of Calahonda on the Friday was ‘probably’ started deliberately. “Well, put it this way, we thought we had the blaze completely under control in Mijas by 3am on Friday morning, so it is very suspicious that by 9.30am a new fire broke out in Calahonda. It nearly burnt whole urbanisations and I think

FIRE PAYOUTS

THE Spanish government has pushed through an emergency law allowing fire victims to claim up to €18,000 in compensation. The new legislation - which applies to all those affected by wildfires across Spain since June - will allow victims two months to submit their claim, rather than the previous one month cut off. Aid applications will also be processed in three months rather than six as part of a revamped system designed to fast-track the claims process. Payments will range from €18,000 in the event of death or serious injury, to €2,580 for damage to essential household goods. Those who have lost their homes will receive a maximum of €15,120, while businesses could be in line for a payout of up to €8,000.

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FEATURE

Fire started at the ‘Pool from Hell’

DEVASTATION: Looking north from the AP-7 with just one house still standing THE largest fire the Costa del Sol has ever seen looks likely to have begun on the estate of a German national on a road appropriately called ‘Charco del Infierno’ or Pool from Hell. According to an Environment Ministry report the fire was started at the estate in the Cerro Alaminos area when a gardener decided to burn cuttings on a bonfire. Invesigators found remains of cypress, oleander, palms and somebody started another fire deliberately. You can really understand this if you go up to the church at the top of the From Page 1

jacaranda, which were left still alight. It had soon caught fire to neighbouring land and reached the Barranco Blanco area at around 6.45pm where the first fire alarms were raised. The estate apparently has two homes, one lived in by the German national who is understood to have been out of the country on August 30 and the other was rented by forest workers, who are understood to have been out working.

hill there and look around. The two fires don’t seem to be at all connected. “I hope the police get to the

Insurance fiasco

pen to them.” He added: “Home insurance can cost as little as €10 a month, or a minimum of €100 a year. Had they paid that these people would have got their houses back.” He denied that getting insurance had nothing to do with homes being legal or not. This was confirmed by Jacqui Caplen at the Insurance Centre in Coin. She said: “Insurance companies just care about what is built.”

bottom of it.” Ultimately, while sad about the huge damage to the environment and homes in areas like Entrerrios, he is grateful that the whole of Mijas wasn’t much more badly destroyed. “It was really touch and go and could have been much worse.” He continues: “I didn’t get to sleep until around midnight on Friday, some 36 hours later. I was living on adrenaline. I hope to never have to do it again.”

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

NEWS

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Police probe ‘emergency cash sending’ con

SCAMMED! EXCLUSIVE by Wendy Williams A BRITISH pensioner has been scammed out of €1,500 by someone posing as her friend. Police are investigating after Margaret Magnus, 71, received an email supposedly from her neighbour David Craft claiming he had been mugged in Madrid and needed money to help pay his hotel bill. Not wanting to let a friend down, Magnus promptly sent the money via Western Union in Fuengirola, only to discover a week later that her email had been hacked

Fraudsters trick pensioner into sending €1,500 to a friend in ‘urgent need’

by someone in Nigeria. “I didn’t even think about it, I got an email saying he had lost everything and I just sent the money,” explained Magnus, who has lived in Mijas for 17 years. “It was only when I received another email saying he hadn’t received the money and could I send some more that I sussed it out. “I straight away re-read the email and realised it didn’t sound like David. “I checked my bank account

ERE scandal hits €17 million OVER €17 million was paid out fraudulently by the Junta in the so-called ERE scandal. So far 196 individuals have been found to have received unlawful subsidies between 2001 and 2010, with 45 more – including nine members of the PSOE party – still under investigation. The evidence, which spreads over 20,000 pages and 45 volumes, is still being analysed by Judge Mercedes Alaya.

and the money was gone.” It turned out that the fraudsters had gone through Craft’s entire contact book looking for victims. Luckily no-one else sent money. His email provider Yahoo later confirmed the email originated in Nigeria. “But someone picked the money up in Madrid so there is more than one person,” continued Magnus.

Investigating

“Plus whoever claimed the money had no passport or documentation, which means Western Union just gave it to them without checking.” Police are now investigating the case, as well as an identical one a month earlier. “They told me not to use my computer in case the same thing happens with my account, so I am being very careful,” she added.

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NEWS

EXCLUSIVE: Expat’s girl snatched by Spanish social services on order from the UK

DEVASTATED: Miller with Selene A BRITISH expat is preparing to fight the UK courts after her five-month-old baby girl was snatched from her in Spain. Gemma Miller, 29, was held down by police and baby Selene seized after the UK authorities ordered her to be taken into care. The mother-of-two had fled the UK while pregnant after Bridgend council ruled she was mentally ill – which she strongly denies.

They’ve abducted my baby! By Eloise Horsfield “I knew they were planning on taking my baby at birth, so I came to Spain where I thought they’d be more lenient,” she said. After her daughter was born in Valencia on April 9, Gemma settled in Vera, Almeria, with her parents regularly visiting from the UK. But the authorities caught

Not guilty, pleads Casares man A MAN accused of killing his landlady and throwing her dismembered body into the sea has pleaded not guilty. The prosecution claims he stabbed the woman twice, suffocated her then ‘butchered’ her body into four parts. While the defendant admits he lived with the victim in Casares for a few weeks in 2007, he said the last he saw of her was when she left for a trip with a friend. He claimed he does not know anything had happened to the woman until he was arrested in 2010.

up with her on September 1. “The Guardia Civil came in and held both my parents back, then pinned me down on the bed and took her from me,” she said. “It was very upsetting and totally unjustified.” Miller has now hired a Spanish legal firm and a British QC to fight her case on the grounds that the UK no longer has jurisdiction over a child born in Spain. “My lawyer has said the case is concrete. My baby was basically abducted,” she insisted last night. In tears, Miller added: “I am devastated. She was so well looked-after. I just wanted a fair chance at being a mother,” she added. A spokesman from Bridgend Council said: “We are unable to comment on specific cases due to confidentiality.”

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

10 NEWS

News IN BRIEF Phone fine TELEFONICA has been fined €100,000 for posting a customer’s name on a debtors list having assigned him two phone lines without his consent.

Gay slur

Malaga’s PP party has asked to withdraw its appeal against using the word ‘marriage’ for same-sex civil unions and stated it was never intended to be malicious.

NEWS

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My first ever prize!

Pensioner Leila, 83, wins luxury weekend away having given up the lottery just this week AN 83-year-old Olive Press reader was overjoyed last night after winning the first prize in her life. Leila Foster, from Estepona, is one of three lucky people to have won luxury weekends away in our readers survey prize draw. After an unprecedented response that topped 500 people, Leila is heading to charming Hotel al Lago, in Zahara de la Sierra this autumn. “I can’t believe it! I’ve never won anything in my life,” said

the former estate agent. “I even gave up the lottery this week and now I’ve won this. Thanks so much.” Meanwhile, Michelle Greasey, 37, an English teacher from Mijas, is heading to rustic getaway Casas Karen on the Costa de la Luz. Finally Brigitte Rowley, 50, from Marbella will be enjoying a trip to Granada’s charming Alcazaba de Busquistar with her husband Mervyn. The survey results will be published in our next issue.

CAMPAIGNER PASSES AWAY A KEEN campaigner and long time Costa del Sol resident has passed away. Estepona-based Gwilym Rhys-Jones died on September 2 after a battle with cancer. Born in London to a solidly Welsh family, he attended law school in the city.

He eventually moved to Spain where he worked with the Costa del Sol Action group, getting involved in various investigations against timeshare and boiler room scams on the coast. Gwilym’s kindness and wonderful sense of humour will be sadly missed.

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NEWS

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

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GREEN NEWS

Tarifa beach hope

Junta boss insists tourism plan doesn’t include building on unspoilt Valdevaqueros beach A SENIOR tourist chief at the Junta has spoken out against the plan to build a massive tourist complex on a virgin beach. Tourism vice-councillor Antonio Jesus Roldan (right) made it clear he was not in favour of

the 84,000 square metre megaproject near Valdevaqueros beach, which was approved by Tarifa Town Hall in June. Speaking after a visit to Tarifa, Roldan said he supported the pressure group ‘Salvemos Valdevaqueros’ (Save

Valdevaqueros), which has been fighting against the proposal for months. “Our tourism model does not include building on Valdevaqueros,” said Roldan. He added that while it was the responsibility of his department to approve or reject the proposal, he would do everything in his power to make sure the initiative ‘cannot go ahead’.

BURNT OUT FOREST fires have destroyed over 12,000 hectares in Andalucia this summer, an area over six times bigger than 2011. Nearly 200 forest fires have broken out in 2012 including the recent blaze in Malaga which destroyed over

8,000 hectares. Last year just 2,000 hectares burned, while the worst year of the last decade was 2004, when a total of 53,000 hectares were destroyed including one fire which tore through a colossal 30,000 hectares.

Questions

Meanwhile environment councillor Luis Planas responded to journalists’ questions with less certainty. While he promised he is committed to studying the proposal, which includes 350 apartments and a 1,400 room hotel complex, ‘with a finetooth comb’ to ensure its compliance with environmental law, he said he could not predict the result. “I cannot anticipate the outcome of the administrative and technical process, which is still ongoing,” he said. “What I will say is, I believe there are development plans on the coast which the majority of Andalucians do not back.”

Phone app to combat jelly peril BEACHGOERS worried about the threat of jellyfish will soon be able to avoid them with a simple tap of the finger. A new mobile phone app will allow holidaymakers to pinpoint the exact location of the stinging invertebrates along the Costa del Sol. The device is part of a wider prevention campaign being launched by tourism chiefs and scientists aimed at improving research into the behaviour of these marine animals. The presence of jellyfish along the coast has increased in recent years and it is hoped the application, to be launched next summer, will help reduce the threat to tourism.

Green news IN BRIEF

Bleat goes on Wee wonder FIREFIGHTERS saved the lives of over 600 goats after a blaze broke out in a hayloft in Jeva, near Antequera.

Urine could help solve global warming by being used to absorb huge quantities of carbon dioxide, according to a Spanish scientist.

Less death The number of wild animals poisoned by bait intended to kill pests in Andalucia has halved in the last five years, with just 101 in 2011 compared to 205 in 2006.

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

Gib IN BRIEF Caveman coup Charity cycle

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

BRITISH cyclists Ross McCracken and Josie Dade have arrived in Gibraltar after spending two weeks riding 1,500 miles from London for charity.

Tattoo tantrum Gibraltarian Joseph Brugada has complained to MPs after the Rock was not mentioned in a list of visitors from around the world at Edinburgh’s military tattoo.

Heritage Minister Steven Linares has confirmed the government is in talks with Gibraltar Museum about the development of a Neanderthal theme park on the Rock.

Sunny solution

GIB NEWS www.theolivepress.es

Fame to fistycuffs

Solar-powered street lights have been installed in the new Queensway car park as part of a government initiative to reduce energy consumption.

EXCLUSIVE: Singer Jessie J breaks up fight during performance at Gibraltar Music Festival JESSIE J may be best known for her chart-topping hits, but it was her role as a peacekeeper that gained the spotlight during a recent show on the Rock. The 24-year-old star interrupted her own performance midway through her song Price Tag after spotting a fight in the crowd at the Gibraltar Music Festival. Footage posted on YouTube shows the singer, wearing white hot pants and matching vest, giving a very public dressing down to a group of hot-headed youngsters.

The Who You Are singer can be heard saying: “Stop… stop the music, stop the music.” She is then shown walking over to address the unsighted group near the front of the 9,000-strong crowd, saying: “Oi, no fighting at my shows.” Met by cheers from the crowd who then begin booing the fighters, she adds: “No, no, no, we don’t boo fighting, we just don’t condone it. “Guys, be nice or go home ok? It’s a lot easier to be happy than to be annoyed. Are we good?”

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GIB NEWS

Spanish proposal for a conservation zone around the Rock would badly affect the economy

GIBRALTAR HITS BACK AT ‘FASCIST’ PLAN

CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo has slammed a Spanish plan to create a special conservation area in the disputed waters around Gibraltar. The proposal - affecting nearly 27,000 hectares would ban any environmentally dangerous practices

including ship refuelling (bunkering), a major economic activity for the Rock. Picardo insists the action would cause a ‘serious international confrontation’ and compared the current Spanish government to Franco’s fascist regime.

‘We will defend the waters’, says Spanish minister

SPAIN’S agriculture minister has come out in support of the country’s fishermen in their ongoing dispute with Gibraltar. Miguel Arias Canete told a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Cyprus that the government would continue to support the rights of fishermen in La Linea and Algeciras to fish the disputed waters ‘without limitation’. He added the Guardia Civil would provide protection to fishermen from the authorities on the Rock and that Spain was seeking a long-term solution through the European Commission. “We will defend the waters as the fishermen have done in the past, and continue to catch just as in the past,” he said.

“Let them try, because there are bunkering stations throughout the bay and that will be a serious international confrontation,” Picardo said. “However much they say they will tighten the screws on Gibraltar, we have to say that this has been tried already.

Failed

“That is the policy of the past, the failed and sterile attempts by Franco’s fascist government.” Spain had earlier attempted to defend the idea of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), insisting that the plan had nothing to do with the recent fishing dispute. “It can’t bother anyone to see EU legislation applied to protect the environment,” a Spanish government source said.

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16 the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

Axq IN BRIEF Bookish

NERJA library has reported a record number of lends during summer, with 763 items borrowed in July and 626 in August.

Sewage bids

Nerja’s longawaited sewage plant is a step closer to being built, with the town hall currently considering bids from 14 companies hoping to be awarded a contract.

Boar attack

A man has been treated for leg injuries after being attacked by a wild boar in his garden in Frigiliana.

Mast wars

Velez Malaga Town Hall has launched a crusade against illegal phone masts after it was discovered 65% of those currently standing were never authorised.

AXARQUIA NEWS

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Brave anti-Franco heroine erased from Velez Malaga’s past at request of locals

An insult to history A LUDICROUS change has been made to the name of a road honouring a prominent Republican figure following a petition from local residents. Over 500 people supported the move to change ‘Avenida de Dolores Ibarruri’ back to its previous name. Ibarruri, better known as La Pasionaria, was one of the first members of Spain’s Communist Party when it formed in 1921. Most famous for her ‘No Pasaran!’ slogan created during the Battle of Madrid in 1937, she dedicated her life to left-wing politics,

NO PASARAN: Dolores’ celebrated phrase campaigning for workers’ rights and editing the Communist Party’s newspaper. A thorn in the side of the Franco regime, Ibarruri was exiled at the end of the Civil War until 1977 but continued her work from Paris and Moscow, and was even

Briton dies after ravine fall

A BRITISH man has died after driving his 4X4 into a gully. The 65-year-old, who has not been named, fell 50 metres after his Toyota came off the road in the outskirts of Torrox on Friday. “We are aware of the death of a British national in a car accident near Torrox,” a spokesman from the British Embassy told the Olive Press. The man, who lived with his wife in La Rabita, had not been wearing a seatbelt.

Pop art in Cutar

JAZZY prints are to feature in an unmissable exhibition of work by pop art pioneer Eduardo Paolozzi. General Dynamic F.U.N. in Cutar will take in 50 original screen prints and photolithographs by the prolific Scot, whose mosaics adorn the inside of London Underground station Tottenham Court Road. Created in the 60s and 70s, the art incorporates magazine advertisements, domestic objects, high fashion and Hollywood idols. “We are delighted to be able to host such an important exhibition,” said a Galeria Cutarte spokesman. At Galeria Cutarte, every Saturday from September 22 until November 3 with special opening on Sunday October 7 for Cutar’s Monfi Fiesta. www.cutarte.com

COLOURFUL: Paolozzi’s work will wow you

invited to move to Cuba by Fidel Castro. In 2006, Velez Malaga’s Town Hall – then ruled by the left-wing Izquierda Unida – dedicated the road to the heroine, who died in 1989. But now, the road is to be reverted back to its old name, Camino Viejo de Malaga, after over 500 locals signed a petition. The IU, who said the decision stinks of ‘provocation and revenge’, questioned why the town still has a road and football pitch named after Franco’s military judge Rodrigo Vivar Tellez who ordered several executions.

Vengeance

Velez Malaga mayor Francisco Delgado Bonilla replied: “It is not a matter of vengeance like the IU is suggesting.” “All we’re doing is complying with regulations that state if you have 500 signatures asking for a change, we have to comply with that request.”

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the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

POTTED POINTERS ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week:57.53 per cent full - Same week last year: 79.24 per cent - Same week in 2002: 50.49 per cent AIRPORTS Gibraltar 00350 22073026 Granada-Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000 EMERGENCIES Police 091 Guardia Civil 062 Medical service 061 Fire 080 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.2570 American Dollars 0.7914 British Pounds 1.2405 Canadian Dollars 7.4515 Danish Kroner 9.7504 H Kong Dollars 7.3118 Norwegian Kroner 1.5677 Singapore Dollars

LETTERS

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SAVING THE DOGS Dear Olive Press

I READ your story on the poor dogs that died due to heat on one of the pet taxi vehicles ‘In the doghouse’ (issue 142). I live in Almeria and there are several vehicles here that leave to deliver dogs and cats to the UK with no air conditioning. I am trying to make Defra inspect all vehicles carrying more than three animals at the port to try and prevent this happening again. These people are only interested in money and there is a lot to be earned transporting these animals. I have told Defra about your story and asked them to read it in the hope that it may help. Keep up the good work, and perhaps we can prevent another dog dying unnecessarily.

for all’ (Issue 143). We found it a little confusing. Has Andalucia confirmed that healthcare in all instances is still available to foreigners without residency and regardless of age? Ed: Yes, this has been confirmed by the Junta.

come into it and the one with three Michelin stars would be top every time. I think most of my customers who review do so on a rating of what we are good at. Also the trouble is that a restaurant that only does breakfasts could become number one restaurant in a town, as you pointed out a pizza joint.

Tackling Trip

John Beachcomber, Beachcomber restaurant, Mojacar

Anon, by email

I was so pleased to see someone being brave enough to tackle the TripAdvisor scam. I have been ranting about it for a while, and it was good to see it in print finally. The Olive Press is still by far the best paper on the coast. Laurie Scott, via Facebook

Barry Livingstone, via email

Not exact

Healthy confusion

Our restaurant in Mojacar has been number one on TripAdvisor for the last two years. But, I’ll admit, it’s difficult to rate a restaurant. If we were to be exact, then price and location wouldn’t

We have just read your article ‘Healthcare must be free

Indian scam Regarding the article ‘Indian phone scammers target expats in Spain’ (issue 141), they called me too. Luckily we knew something was not right and refused to do as they asked. The caller then became quite threatening! Debs, via website

Holiday reading I picked up your newspaper while on holiday earlier this month in Andalucia and thought it a great read – far better than the regional newspapers still surviving in the UK (I am a former journalist turned PR myself) and with some campaigning zeal which you rarely see in the UK now. More power to your journalistic elbow! Fergus Sheppard, via email Ed: Thanks very much Fergus, from us fellow hacks that is an honour!

Green praise I have just been shown a copy of your Green Guide 2012 and I must say I was most impressed. It is an extremely useful reference. I am a leading member of our local garden club and I would very much like to distribute copies to some of our members whom I know would appreciate it as much as I did. Alec Abell, Alhaurin el Grande Ed: Thanks very much, Alec. The Green Guides should be with you now.

Fuel allowance Regarding your article ‘Expat fuel payment windfall’ (issue 143), my husband was turned down when he became 60 in Spain, but luckily I was claiming before coming to Spain. I have since found out that if you go to www.gov.uk you can download the form for the claim. Perhaps you can pass this information on to your readers. Anne Anstey, via email

Maddie sightings Full marks on keeping the disappearance of Maddie in people’s minds ‘Keeping Maddie in the news’ (issue 143). But these stories of people who claim they saw her in aircraft and restaurants just do not ring true. One word to the cabin crew would see a second opinion which, if positive, would see the police board the aircraft

before anyone left it. Or just a word to the police officer who is always lurking near immigration, or to the immigration officers themselves. Even less convincing are the claims to have seen her in restaurants made weeks or months after the event. No, I think the answer to this child’s disappearance lies nearer home. David Chown, Estepona

Tanks alot Re the fine article ‘The nations’ favourites’ (issue 143). The article is informative and notes favourite products and brands by country. Top of the British list is Heinz Beans. Well, Heinz is a long-established American company with franchised licensed branches in many countries, including Spain. I think it would be better to list it under American goods. Jack Nusbaum, Torremolinos

Letters should be posted to Urb. Cayetano Arroyo, Buzon 13, Arriate 29350, Malaga or emailed to letters@theolivepress.es The writer’s name and address should be provided. Published opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

PLE WR ASE ITE

The Olive Press’ www.theolivepress.es

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012 19 monthly youth and education section

treme

GSCEs out, O-levels in A SHAKE-UP in British secondary education will see GCSEs being completely scrapped. As part of education minister Michael Gove’s plan to improve teaching of core subjects such as English, maths and science, new exams will be introduced from 2015.

Reforms

The new exams will be modelled on O-levels, that were phased out in 1988. Other reforms – which have been labelled as the government’s boldest yet – will include getting rid of the national curriculum and only having one exam board for each subject. “Those starting GCSEs in 2013 are the last pupils who will have to do them,” said a government statement.

Spain’s crisis mars the start of the school year for children in Andalucia

The shadow of cuts IT’S back to school again, but hundreds of children are suffering as a result of Spain’s economic crisis and government cuts. In Coin, 20 infants had to start the term in temporary classrooms after finding their new school, Ximenez de Guzman primary, had not been finished due to a lack of funds. And they’re not the only ones – in total around 900 schoolchildren in Malaga province alone are reported to be studying in temporary classrooms. Meanwhile pupils at CEIP Lope de Vega in Coin are being forced to spend two more hours at school a day after school bus services were reduced to save cash. “The worst thing is that we

weren’t told until the last minute,” said one parent of a child who won’t be arriving home until 3.40pm de-

spite her classes finishing at 2pm. Teachers meanwhile are now working harder –

OBESE FOR LIFE CHILDREN who are obese by the time they are eight find it harder to get slim later in life, new research has found. The years-long study examined the diet and weight of 12,600 American children aged between one and 17. Teenagers who had been overweight as children were found to consume fewer calories than their slimmer peers. Despite this, they still found it harder to shift extra weight. Study author Dr Asheley Cockrell Skinner said: “For many children, obesity may begin by eating more in early childhood. “As they get older, they continue to be obese without eating any more than their healthy

teaching 20 hours of classes per week instead of 18, meaning they have much less time to prepare lessons

weight peers.” The study said this could be partially down to the fact that overweight children are less active, therefore their bodies get used to using fewer calories to maintain their energy balance. Worryingly, 23% of people are obese in the UK. In Spain, although the figure is lower at 13%, obesity is on the rise with Spanish children the third most overweight in the world.

and mark work. This change, combined with bigger class sizes, will mean teachers are doing much more work for the same money. “We will have less time to correct many more exercise books and exams,” said Miguel Angel Vera, general secretary of Spain’s teachers’ union.

Campaigns

Meanwhile the Spanish Red Cross has carried out several campaigns to provide stationery to children whose parents cannot afford it. Kind families donated pencils, rubbers, exercise books, scissors and pens, with 800 poorer children in Malaga receiving new kits.

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

T’S been an action packed start to term at the British School of Marbella. For not only are there lots of new children, teachers and staff joining us, we also had a visit from some feathered friends. European eagle owl Gandalf and Joe the harris hawk spent an afternoon flying around the playground after our Foundation Stage children learnt about birds of prey. Unfortunately, calls to retain Gandalf as a full time member of staff monitoring late comers were rejected by our board members as there was a serious likelihood that the nocturnal animal would fall asleep on the job. Meanwhile in Year One children were getting a taste for all things Spanish for the start of their new topic on Spain and countries of the world. Dressed as flamenco dancers and Spanish footballers, the youngsters had flamenco lessons as part of their Wow Day last Friday which is designed to get them excited about their new topic. Our tech-loving teachers will also be getting their hands on iPads so we can use them as teaching aids in the classroom. We’ll be trialling the

Xtreme

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We’re off to a flying start

Ms Kirkham, the BSM head teacher formerly known as Mrs Andrews, welcomes a host of new faces to the school this month

use of the gadgets over the next few months in order to imbed IT into the school curriculum. In other news following our increase in pupil numbers, the school welcomes teachers Mrs O’Regan, Miss Scales and Mrs Yarwood to our growing family. Unfortunately we will be saying adios to our Head of Administration Carla Lencioni. The popular member of staff has opened a restaurant called Cabana Nagueles on the Golden Mile which has been so popular she has had to give up her day job. We’ve also revamped our extra curricular activities on

Friday afternoons so children can enjoy golf lessons at Marbella Club, learn to play chess on our giant chess board and get fit with Zumba classes with Gabriela Cantos from Princess Studios. As well as the many new names at the school, I’ve reverted back to my maiden name of Ms Kirkham which has proved easier for the children to remember than the staff. And I can confirm that the vicious rumours circulating in the school playground are true. The parent-teacher running club is back with a vengeance. So dust off those running shoes as we’re looking to start pronto.

Xtreme

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This month’s recipe:

French bread pizza Who needs Telepizza? You can make your own version – plus it’s really fun

You will need:

French-style bread Olive oil Pasta sauce Whatever toppings you want on your pizza! Cheese, meat, vegetables, onions

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice a loaf of French bread lengthwise. Lay the two halves on a baking tray with the sliced side facing up. Brush the top of the French bread with olive oil. Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce over the top of the French bread. Leave half an inch of bread uncovered around the edges for a crispier crust. Sprinkle an even layer of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce. You can add other types of cheese if you like. Cheese spreads as it melts, so leave some room between the cheese and the edge of the bread. Add your choice of meat to the pizza. You can use chorizo, ham, sausage, beef, bacon or chicken. Then, add the vegetables. Use onions, green peppers, mushrooms, olives or anything else you can think of. Bake the pizza for 15 minutes or until the cheese starts to brown. Remove the baking tray carefully from the oven and allow to cool before slicing.

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

Fancy a movie?

If you want to head to the cinema this weekend, but your Spanish is not up to scratch, check out the VO/ VOSE films (Original Version) available in your area Brave Plaza Mayor, Malaga 12:25 (weekends) Cinesur Miramar, Fuengirola 16.15 (weekdays) 12:15 16:15 (weekends) King Bastion leisure centure, Gibraltar 15:30 (weekends) Prometheus (12) Plaza Mayor, Malaga 12:25 (weekends) Total Recall Cinesur Miramar – Fuengirola 16:30 19:00 21:30 00:00 (weekdays) 12:15 16:30 19:00 21:30 00:00 (weekends)

Plaza Mayor, Malaga 17:15 19:45 22:15 00:45 (weekdays) 12:15 14:45 17:15 19:45 22:15 00:45 (weekends)

The Pirates! Band of Misfits Plaza Mayor, Malaga 16:10 (weekdays)

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Plaza Mayor, Malaga 15:15 (weekends) The Bourne Legacy (12) Plaza Mayor, Malaga 15:05 (weekends) King Bastion leisure centure, Gibraltar 18:00 (daily)

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted Plaza Mayor, Malaga 16:10 (weekdays)

The Expendables 2 (16) Plaza Mayor, Malaga 20:10 (daily)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012) King Bastion leisure centure, Gibraltar 16:00 (weekends)

21 21

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la cultura

31 the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012 23

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July 26, 2012

Cool cats

TWO British expats have joined forces to create an attractive novel set in Andalucia. The Cats of the River Darro recounts an English teacher’s adventures as he settles into his new life in Granada after a mid-life crisis. Written by 51-year-old Liverpudlian author Derek Dohren, who lives in Granada, the book was illustrated by Natasha Phillips, 25, also Granada based. The book is available on Amazon.com, with the Kindle version priced at just €0.89.

From rags to riches Granddaughter of persecuted Antequera peasant set to take top job in Paris

HER granddad was a poor Andalucian peasant who was forced to flee Franco’s fascist forces during the Spanish Civil War. Now – eight decades later – Cadiz-born Anne Hidalgo (right) is set to become Mayoress of Paris after current mayor Bertrand Delanoe announced he will not be running for a third term. The 53-year-old’s granddad Antonio, born in 1900, defended workers’ rights in a pre-Franco

Shots

evilla, September 27 - January 13. Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo in La Cartuja. First solo exhibition by Chinese artist and dissident, Al Weiwei, who was jailed last year - focusing on the trend for massconsumption in modern Chinese society.

arbella, September 2. Marbella Boat Party 21:00 - 01:00. Free mojito bar, DJ sets from DJ Chema and DJ Angelo of News Cafe, Puerto Banus. Tickets €95, call 693 242 326 for details.

Antequera, but found himself accused of murder when Nationalist forces took over the town in 1936. “He was on his way back to the finca where he worked when he saw a barrage of shots being fired,” recalled his son – Anne’s father – also called Antonio. “He thought the best thing to do was to get out of there with his family.”

what’s on

Antonio fled over the border and although he returned to Antequera at the end of the Civil War, his son remained enchanted by the two years he had spent in France. “I found the Franco regime stifling, and never forgot how different France had been,” he

said. He started a new life in Lyon in 1961 with his family, including twoyear-old Anne, who followed in her grandfather’s left-wing roots by joining the French Socialist party before becoming deputy mayor of Paris in 2001.

otogrande, September 22. La Canada Golf Club. Animal Charity Gala Dinner. Reception at 8pm followed by formal dinner at 8.30pm Tickets: €60. For information call 663 850 207.

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la cultura

Taking ‘the bull’ by the horns

By Alexander Fiske-Harrison

HEN anyone mentions bullfighting to Anglo-Saxons, most seem to lose rationality, all sense of proportion, all sense of irony even. I mean, how else do you explain the fat British tourist outside Flaherty’s Irish pub in Sevilla, who told me he liked it when the matador was gored, with a greasy half-eaten beef burger in his hand? And it’s not just red-faced expats who fail to see the irony. One Radio 4 journalist told me he had a passing interest in the subject because ‘nothing cheers me up in the morning like reading that a matador has been gored to death’. Well, let me tell you, I am a bullfighter, a matador, torero, whatever you will, and this sort of attitude greatly upsets me. Why is there so much anger at the Spanish ‘fiesta nacional’ when us Anglo-Saxons have long liked a bit of violence – from Shakespeare to Hollywood movies? We love watching violent films and we don’t mind cattle being killed for our stomachs. We kill almost four million cows a year in the UK; a number that is almost ten times as large in the US. And this is despite the growing obesity crisis and medical advice now insisting that red meat is nutritionally negative in value. And then, of course, is the fact that the 1.5 billion global herd of cattle - which weighs more than the global human population – produces almost a fifth of all climate change gases. The answer is that very British sense of fair play. The theory goes that a bullfight is not a fair fight. It is unsporting. It is not cricket. Well, indeed it’s not. Nor does it pretend to be. Allow me to explain. There are a whole host of misconceptions about bullfighting, and the biggest one of all is the name. The bullfight is not a fight at all and the word in English actually derives from our own spectacle, illegal since 1835, of ‘baiting’ bulls with dogs. What goes on in Spain is called la corrida de toros, ‘the running of the bulls’, and the name comes from what happens in the spectacle: a man makes a bull run past him using the large cape, capote or smaller and more famous red one, the muleta, before killing it. He is the matador, which means ‘killer’, and the men within the ring with him are called toreros, which means those who torear, the verb we mistranslate as to fight the bulls, but is actually to wrangle or play – in the sense of angling – with the bulls. There is no winning or losing

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Trained by the ‘Pirate’ Padilla, British bullfighter Alexander FiskeHarrison argues that as the ‘national fiesta’ returns to Spanish TV, it is more popular than ever… and we Anglo-Saxons are big hypocrites to oppose it

ACCOMPLISHED: Alexander Fiske-Harrison faces a bull for bull or man in a corrida, this is not a sport and points are not awarded. There is simply nothing to be fair about. Ultimately there is a script – think of it as a play or a ballet – and it must be followed, no matter what. If the matador is injured, another takes his place. Part of that script also involves the picador mounted on an armoured horse with a lance, and the banderilleros with their barb-pointed sticks. These individuals often lead to the claim that the matador could not face the bull oneon-one. The answer is simple: he could. Any matador can face and kill a bull within a matter of minutes of entering the ring. However, it would not be done bravely, or cleanly, or elegantly or, and this is the most important thing, with emocion. As with any theatrical specta-

cle, the audience at a corrida wishes to be moved, not just impressed, and certainly not to have some sort of bloodlust sated. To understand this, you have to understand what the Spanish aficionado, is looking for.

Rubbing vaseline into the bull’s eyes would be suicide for the bullfighter There are two things the aficionado hopes for in a good corrida: In the bull, he wants to see the personification of wild, ferocious nature: the bull must be powerful and charge

‘The bulls feel no pain’ Fighting bulls are raised free range to over three times the age of a meat cow, and then killed within 25 minutes in a ring while in full fighting mode, giving it all the adrenaline and attendant hormones the body produces to suppress pain and maintain fury. The most important of these are the internally generated opioids or endorphins. They are the reason, for example, that soldiers often report being shot in combat as a painless experience, at least at the time of injury.

readily and continuously. In the man, he wants to see the embodiment of the civilised virtues: courage, dexterity, stamina and elegance. People want to see him go through a book of dance-like manoeuvres – derechazos, manoletinas, molinetes, and trincherazos, to name a few – and they want him to do them with grace. In order to be able to ‘dance’ with the bull like this, it must be reduced from its initial fearsome proportions. This is done using a lance and an armoured horse. This sounds brutal because it is. If this is a theatrical spectacle, it is one with a ritual sacrifice at its heart. The picador uses a lance and the weight of his horse to tire and damage the bull, highlighting the bull’s ferocity and fortitude, while also bringing its head down and reducing the range of movement of its horns so the matador can get closer. The bull leaves this encounter diminished, and then chases after the banderilleros with their barbed sticks, all of which annoys him further. Those who are against bullfighting like to focus on these parts of the corrida: the bull is ‘stabbed with spears‘, ‘bleeds half to death’ etc.

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The first part of this claim is el Sports and People for the true, the second part false. Ethical Treatment of Animals From a veterinary perspec- (PETA) list all sorts of nefaritive, a bull has over 60 pints of ous practices, most of which blood and can lose 15 of them are simply untrue. without adverse affects. The For example, rubbing Vasespectacle may be bloody, but line into the bull’s eyes before it isn’t even close to 15 pints the corrida would be suicide of blood. – its ability to Which exdistinguish the plains why, cape from the of the 533 Gruesome injuries man and chase famous proonly the cloth is are common, fessional all that keeps toreros who hence my teacher him uninjured. have been Then there are killed by Juan Jose Padilla the accusations bulls since of horn shaving: 1700 – and has just one eye the idea being an unknown that removing but certainly an inch from the greater numtip of the horn, ber of amateur toreros as and then sharpening it again, well – so many were killed at somehow makes the bull less the end of the fight, after the accurate and the torero safer. lance and banderillas. This definitely used to go Nowadays, courtesy of mod- on, although it has always ern surgical techniques, been illegal, but now the law deaths are much rarer. How- is strictly enforced. What is ever, the gruesome injuries more, how much difference it are not, hence my own teach- makes is hard to fathom. er, Juan Jose Padilla is now Bulls charge at you, so the working as a matador with just horn will get you, and whether one eye. The risks are very, it does an inch sooner or an very real. inch later makes no differIt is this ‘reality’ that aficiona- ence I can think of. dos claim as the fight’s great- This, the great Manolete est asset. Everything happens found out in 1947 when a bull out in the open, in sight. with shaved horns killed him, There have long been those sending Spain into mourning who say that this claim isn’t for a national hero fallen. true. The League Against Cru- Which brings me to the last

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

MENTOR: Matador Juan Jose Padilla (right and inset below) offers advice to Alexander (fighting above) bit of propaganda I read all too often: that bullfighting is in terminal decline. It is simply not true and in 2007 there were 2,644 official bullfights in Spain – more than ever before. This number has since fallen off, but in a way which mirrors, not exceeds, the decrease in expendable income in the country. For comparison, West End theatre in London has suffered a similar drop in attendance figures. Similarly, there is an often quoted Gallup poll on this that says 72% of Spaniards have ‘no interest in’ – note no interest, not ‘are against’. This poll is from 2006. What is not mentioned is that that poll-figure decreased to 68% in 2008, which is the same figure as 2002, which is also the same as in 1992. De-

cline? What decline? The most recent poll of all was conducted by Metroscopia for El Pais. It said that after the ban on bullfighting was voted for by the regional parliament of Catalonia in 2010 – which was purely cosmetic as only 1% of Spain’s corridas were held there – 57% of people across Spain said they are against the ban, even though 60% said they didn’t ‘like’ bullfighting. Meanwhile, 37% said they were active aficionados. So, it looks like bullfighting is here to stay whether we like it or not. So get off your high horses and look at the hypocrisy of opposing it… and perhaps get out there to watch. Fiske-Harrison’s book Into the Bullring is available on Amazon.

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PEST POLICE Using home-made methods to control garden slugs could be breaking the law

GARDENERS who use coffee granules to deter slugs could face heavy fines under EU law. The seemingly harmless method, popular with organic gardeners looking to avoid chemicals, is deemed to breach regulations on the use of pesti- PRIME SUSPECT: Slugs cides. European law states that only registered and approved methods can be used to control pests. In an effort to prevent potentially dangerous chemical mixes entering the food chain, a blanket ban is imposed on all other deterrents. “All chemicals being used to control or deter animals are classed as pesticides in the EU, and must be registered and approved for this purpose by the EU,” said Dr Andrew Halstead from the Royal Horticultural Society. “Legislation requires potential pesticides to be extensively tested for effectiveness and environmental safety before they can be sold or used.” In theory, the rules mean other popular home-made remedies including beer traps, salt and soaking cigarette butts in water are also banned, although Halstead concedes the chances of being prosecuted are ‘remote’.

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HE KNOWS HIS ONIONS!

Plan your planting

As temperatures begin to drop, Peter Langdale from Garden La Palma offers advice on planting

HE drop in night temperatures and shorter days is becoming more noticeable and keeping the garden watered is becoming less of a chore. It means now is a good time for planting; be it a fruit tree, conifer or rose bush. If you are looking for something to plant, browse through our complete range of trees, bushes and hardy plants - we also have bulbs in stock for autumn planting such as hyacinth, crocus and tulips. As the days shorten and we move indoors how about some aromatic or culinary plants to freshen the kitchen and enrich the winter soups and stews. No doubt the first rains will appear within the next week or so and our old friends the weeds will become a nuisance in the garden. Try getting on top of all your basic garden and lawn maintenance before the weather breaks. Whether it be weeds, dead leaves, or kitchen vegetable waste, keep your compost heap going and in a few months time you should have a suitable compost for mulching. October is a special month for us, as once again we have pleasure in hosting an exhibition by the Vinuela Sew and Sews, in aid COMPOST: Weeds and of charity. kitchen waste are ideal Why not come along and help us beat our previous total of €1,200, as we try to help people less fortunate than ourselves. Call 951 237 013 for details.

Sue Rodgers looks at the best herbs for de-stressing your life

Herbal harmony S

TRESS is the number one ailment of modern Western society. But rather than turning to caffeine or alcohol, there are plenty of fantastic herbal remedies that have been around for centuries to choose from. Many of the most effective stress busters can be found right here in Andalucia, including lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), also known as bee balm and referred to as the ‘elixir of life’ by Paracelsus, a 15th century physician. Cultivated for over 2,000 years, lemon balm grows in scrubby, partially shaded areas across the region and is often a garden escapee that self-seeds with relish. This particular herb can be used in several different ways. As an infusion – place fresh or dried leaves in a cup, pour over boiling water, cover and leave for 10 minutes, strain and drink.

PERFECT REMEDY: Herbs can help ease tension As a tincture - place fresh lemon balm leaves in a glass jar and cover with vodka (I know it sounds wrong!), leave for two weeks out of the sunlight, shaking occasionally, then strain into a sterilised colour glass jar, label and date. Taking 10-20 drops three times a day

is great for treating tension headaches, depression and anxiety. Tension headaches are one of the most common kinds of headache, caused by the tightening of neck and shoulder muscles. Try soaking a cloth in a tea made by steeping four to five sprigs of fresh rosemary in a large mug of boiling water. Strain the water, drink half and use the rest for your compress. Place the compress on the neck or shoulder and the dilating effect of the rosemary should ease the tension. A popular tea found in all Spanish supermarkets is tila (lime blossom) - the flowers are harvested in summer and crushed for use in relaxing teas, which can also help reduce blood pressure. Always consult a medical practitioner if you have a serious condition or if symptoms persist Contact sue@selfsufficiency4u.com.

Top S alud!

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Faint hope AN expat doctor is warning anyone who faints to seek urgent medical advice as it may indicate a potentially life-threatening heart condition. Dr Sam Vladimirovic, who lives in Granada, claims fainting is a symptom of seven serious heart conditions that could result in death. It follows two cases of children suffering sudden cardiac deaths in Andalucia, the youngest of which was a nine-year-old who dropped dead while playing football.

Fainting can be a symptom of a much more serious problem

Important

“Fainting is medically referred to as ‘syncope’ and it is a very important sign in an athlete, whether it occurs during or after physical activity,” Dr Vladimirovic told the Olive Press.

“No episode should ever be dismissed as ‘just a faint’. All athletes who experience fainting during or after exercise must be medically evaluated in a hospital casualty department,” added the Russian.

Witness accounts are seen as a vital part of the prognosis, with doctors requiring information about facial twitching, breathing patterns and whether a person turned pale before or after fainting.

ALLERGY FRIENDLY GARDENING

SUFFERING: Hay fever affects six million people in Spain

SNEEZING fits and streaming eyes could soon be a thing of the past for hay fever sufferers following the creation of genetically modified geraniums. The pollen-free plants, developed by Spanish scientists, are engineered to live longer and pose no risk to natural varieties because they are sterile. The modified plants will allow the estimated six million hay fever sufferers in Spain to enjoy their gardens without worrying about the thousands of grains of pollen each plant is capable of producing. “The use of engineered male sterility will be especially useful to eliminate pollen allergens and the plants are likely to be popular with both recreational gardeners and producers,” said a spokesman for the Institute of Molecular Biology in Valencia. Geraniums have been grown in Europe since the 17th century and are now one of the most popular garden flowers in Spain.

Counselling hope A BRITISH expat is hoping to dispel what she describes as the ‘taboo’ of counselling after training for a diploma in the subject. Philippa Porral, from Sotogrande, is studying part-time while also completing a placement with Connect Counselling Services in Gibraltar. “There seems to have been this taboo about counselling which is disappearing now, people are becoming more open minded about it, which is great as the truth is most of us could do with counselling at some stage in our lives, whether we recognise it or not,” Porral, who is also an artist, told the Olive Press.

Sneeze

The development comes just months after an ‘allergy-free’ garden was showcased at Chelsea Flower Show. The plot avoided plants pollinated by the wind - which are responsible for making you sneeze instead using only plants pollinated by bees.

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28 the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

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Expat influences booze policy Dutch writer’s book cited in House of Commons meeting about alcohol abuse

AN expat author has helped shape the UK government’s strategy on alcoholism through her book presenting first-hand accounts on the subject. Renate van Nijen, author of Cheers - The Hidden Voices of Alcoholism, was asked to give written evidence to the House of Commons Health Committee, set up to review government policy. The Dutch writer, from La Herradura, lived with an al-

The Spanish government has announced that it is to impose a new rate of IVA/Vat on Funerals which will take the average cost of a funeral in Spain from €4000 up to €4840

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ADVICE: Renate van Nijen (left) offered her thoughts to a health committee coholic partner for 12 years. For her book she interviewed partners, children and friends of alcoholics. She also spoke to health workers and alcoholics themselves in an effort to show the human side of the illness. Van Nijen told the committee she is pleased wider at-

tention is being paid to the subject, but stressed more emphasis needed to be placed on those indirectly affected, such as family and friends. “I feel honoured they have taken my information seriously,” van Nijen told the Olive Press. “My ex-partner is now back

in England in full recovery, but his story is not unique. “The experience of interviewing people affected by the problem showed me not only how having ‘a life consumed by alcoholism’ can happen to anybody, but also how those indirectly affected by it feel they have no voice in today’s society.”

Hard to digest E

Dr Raymond Prats looks at some of the ways you can combat indigestion and an upset stomach

VERYONE suffers from the occasional bout of heartburn and indigestion after overindulging, but for some the problem is much more frequent. Poor eating habits are the primary cause of such discomfort, with inadequate chewing, eating late in the day and eating on the run all having a negative effect on the production of digestive enzymes. There are many things you can do to help prevent indigestion and improve your overall digestive health. Eat plenty of fibre Fibre is not only key to keeping indigestion at bay, it is essential for your overall health. A high-fibre diet is an important part of healthy eating in addition to helping digestion; it can also help prevent diabetes, coronary heart disease, hemarroids, colorectal cancer, and other diseases. Vegetables, fruits, wholegrain cereals and nuts contain plenty of fibre, while you should drink plenty of water and avoid foods that give you wind such as broccoli, baked beans, cabbage, cauliflower, and carbonated drinks. Chew your food Chewing is one of the most important parts of digestion, yet it is probably the most neglected. It not only helps break down food, it also signals the salivary glands, stomach and the small intestine to start releasing digestive enzymes. And try not to overeat as bigger meals mean your stomach must produce more acid to digest the food, leading to heartburn. Exercise regularly Exercise can also help with digestion and can actually help reduce many digestive problems. In one study, scientists found a link between obesity, lack of exercise, stomach pain, diarrhea, and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Stress can also have a negative effect on your digestion. Don’t overuse antacids Antacids work by neutralising stomach acids. However, when overused, they can cause the stomach to lose its function and leaves it vulnerable to bacterial infections. Digestive enzyme supplements Digestive enzymes derived from plant sources can help promote good digestion and even enhance nutrient absorption. In cases where men are lacking adequate amounts of digestive enzymes due to poor diet and health, taking enzyme supplements can reduce the symptoms of indigestion and upset stomachs.

For more information visit www.simplecarehealthplan.com

Top Salud!

To the point BRITISH and Spanish patients have taken part in clinical trials showing an alternative therapy to be effective for those suffering from chronic pain. A review of almost 18,000 volunteers found acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice which involves inserting thin needles into the body, to be beneficial. The findings of the study, published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, analysed data from patients in Spain, UK, the US, Germany and Sweden. “We found acupuncture to be superior to both no acupuncture control and sham acupuncture for the treatment of chronic pain,” said researcher Dr Andrew Vickers.

29olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012 the

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Spaniards identify cancer’s ‘Achilles heel’ SPANISH scientists have made a potentially crucial breakthrough in the fight against cancer, after claiming to have identified the disease’s ‘Achilles heel’. So-called ‘ghost’ cells, believed to be responsible for making cancer tumours resistant to chemotherapy, were discovered by researchers investigating the causes of prostate cancer. It is hoped the findings, published in the Cancer Cell journal, will help provide more accurate predic-

Discovery of ‘ghost’ cells could revolutionise treatment of the disease tions about the behaviour of the disease, leading to more effective treatment.

Rogue

The rogue cells, which behave in a similar manner to embryonic stem cells, allow tumours to change their form and develop resistance when exposed to chemotherapy.

Cancer patients with a higher percentage of these cells have a higher likelihood of suffering a relapse. “These cells are remarkably resistant and are present in all tissues, so if they are not removed they can reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment,” said researcher Carlos Cordon Cardo, who is based in New York.

Blue skies and a pink beach FAMILIES after a fantastic day of entertainment are invited to a beach party in aid of charity. Positively Pink, a Mijasbased breast cancer charity, is hosting an impressive line-up of local talent at La Cala beach on September 22. The event will raise money for a free breast screening programme for both men and women, and for support and education about the disease. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women, affecting around one in nine, while cases of breast cancer in men are on the increase. “This is an exciting day and we have made sure there is something for the whole family,” Lorraine Palmer told the Olive Press. “It is an opportunity for us all to come together as a community and support a worthwhile cause. We are overwhelmed with the support we have received.” Tickets from €5, 10am7pm. Contact info@positively-pink.com

30 the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

Pets &Vets

In the Olive Press’ new pet and animal column, we will be shining a light on the Andalucian animal kingdom, giving advice and warnings, and reporting on as many

Dealing with deaf cats By Celia Haddon

F your elderly cat stops being frightened of the vaccum cleaner, he/she may have gone deaf. You can tell if your cat is deaf by making a loud noise out of sight, like dropping a saucepan in the kitchen. He may also become a little more anxious and rather vocal, as he doesn’t know how loudly he is miaowing. It’s not something to panic about because deaf cats can lead perfectly happy lives. As well as their sight, they also have a keen sense of smell (much better than ours) and wonderful whiskers for tactile sensing. Deaf cats, however, should be indoor-only cats or live in a catproof fenced garden. Balconies must be made safe and in hot weather, windows need screening if you don’t have air conditioning.

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events and stories as we can find. We are always looking for your suggestions, pictures and stories. Please send to newsdesk@ theolivepress.es or david@thedogman.net

NEW PET ASSOCIATION Group will check and vet all new members A GROUP of pet professionals has formed an association to assure pet owners of quality and honesty within the profession. The Assocation of Professional Pet Carers (APPC) assess potential members by strict criteria ensuring they have the appropriate qualifications, experience, skills and, of course, insurance. Members are required to keep these elements up to date, and adhere to a code of practice. “If a member fails to comply with this criteria, their membership will automatically be withdrawn,” insisted

spokesman Gary Joynson. So often in the past choosing a pet, vet or groomer has been down to pot luck, leading to stress and often damage and pain to unsuspecting pets.

Benefit

If you are a business dealing with pets, or any related accessories such as food, then this association is for you, and it can only benefit your business by becoming a member. For more details visit www.appc.es or phone 951 272 695

TOP TIPS FOR TAKING A LONG ROAD TRIP By Nazli Kreft from the Pointer Clinic, in Estepona

• Check the regulations for the country you are travelling to. You might require a registered microchip, European passport, rabies vaccination which you will need to be done at least 21 days before travelling and be valid for one year. Some countries require de-worming within five days of entering the UK. The phone numbers on the microchip registration must contain a mobile number. • If your dog has a medical condition take enough medication and have his medical reports with you. • In the car the dog must have enough room to lie down and sit comfortably. He must be attached with a safety belt or in a transporting cage attached to the car or behind a screen in the car. Even with air conditioning, the back of the car can get very hot so blinds on the back side windows will be necessary in the summer. Check the car for exhaust fume leakage in the back. • If you spend a night in a hotel check before travelling that it allows dogs. • Take a canister of water that your dog normally drinks as he might not want to drink other water and bring enough food for the trip and your stay. • Have a pit stop at least every two hours. Make sure your dog stays on the lead and cannot run off. Take him out for a stretch to do his business for at least 15 minutes. • Upon arrival your dog will need to check out his new territory. Examine the area for possible hazards. Wishing you a safe trip and a pleasurable stay

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TAKING ON A RESCUE DOG By David ‘the Dogman’

OR years it has been medically documented that dogs, cats, rabbits and birds, help people live longer and healthier lives. Being responsible for caring for an animal often gives new meaning to someone who is living alone or who is far from loved ones. Pets can help elderly people keep an active lifestyle and may help fill a void left by the death of a loved one or living away from one’s family. For working families taking on a rescue pet, children should be encouraged to help and go to dog training classes which are educational, and can be a lot of fun. Seniors may want to consider adopting an older adult animal instead of a rambunctious ‘teenage’ puppy or kitten. Older pets are more likely to be calm, already house trained and less susceptible to unpredictable behaviour. Animal shelter staff can help potential adopters find the most suitable

animal for their lifestyle. Many senior citizens take on a dog far too powerful for them and they become unmanageable. If you live in an apartment then you must have a small dog. Dogs lives evolve around odour; I always recommend bathing a rescue pet as soon as possible. By doing this you wash away the old identity and allow the dog to get his new identity. Most dogs will roll in the ground to get their new identity. Take your new pet for a walk around the area as soon as possible. This allows your new pet to learn the new smells of the area. Ensure that all doors and gates are secure and that you have a microchip and a tab on the collar with your telephone number. While you may feel sorry for the new pet don’t overdo the attention. It’s best not to smother the dog and keep in mind that now is the time to set the rules of your home.

Help Puss in Boots find a home! HE’S certainly a cutie – but Pumpkin the kitten is in desperate need of a loving home. The six-week-old cat was found in a rubbish pile last week, right next to the Kandor Graphics studio in Granada, where Malaga-born actor Antonio Banderas is filming his new movie.

Emily Dohler-Knox, 34, from Canada, rescued the feline - a spit of Banderas very own character Puss in Boots (top right) - while working on the actor’s forthcoming animation Justin and the Knights of Valour. “He’s so affectionate and beautiful,” said Knox. Call Emily on 722 794 735.

How four men and a tractor managed to get Harry the horse to safety

OLIVE Press reader Judith Nicklin quickly raised the alarm after spotting a horse struggling to get out of a lake opposite her house at La Reserva, in Sotogrande. She was amazed when a group of four men from the stables nearby took half the day to rescue the horse. “At first, they seemed to think it would not be a problem and the horse would get out on its own,” she explained. “However, after a long struggle, the four men - one of them stripping off and diving in - gave up and summoned a tractor.” It was dark by the time the horse finally got out, and thankfully it survived the ordeal.

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COLUMN

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

Time for change

COULDN’T believe my eyes! The headline read ‘Parliament may close for 5 years’. Magnificent, I thought. No more putting up with the kindergarten of the House of Commons, no more frustration with the geriatric House of Lords. Politics absent from the front pages for half a decade – what a wonderful thought! Unfortunately my joy was short-lived. It transpired that the Houses of Parliament are crumbling and rat infested – rodents not politicians – and plans are afoot to refurbish or rebuild. However, it occurs to me that a five-year holiday from the current shambles might be considerably

PESTS: Rats are inhabiting parliament beneficial to NSGB. Just think about it. There are currently around 650 MPs in the Commons and more than 800 members of the Lords (including, for no good reason, 25

WikiCheats

RY as I might, I can ignore Julian Assange no longer. When it comes to self-publicising narcissists I always try to take as little notice as is humanly possible in the hope that they will go away to somewhere distant – a swamp in northern Australia comes to mind – and inflict themselves upon some other life form. On reflection, in the case of Assange, it would mean returning to a homeland that is showing distinct signs of rejection. News media in general highlight Assange’s fear of extradition to the Disunited States of America where he could be tried for anything from high treason to jaywalking. In this particular instance I suspect that even the latter offence may attract the death penalty. However, the real issue is the sexual offences allegedly committed in Sweden – a matter that Assange is equally reluctant to defend in person. The latest episode in this tawdry tale reveals that Assange has sought and has been granted political asylum in the London embassy of Ecuador (evidently a small South American republic with a penchant for bananas). Of course, the fact that the Ecuadorian president, one Rafael Vicente Correa, also happens to be an America-hating self-publicist had nothing to do with the rapid decision to clutch Assange to his political bosom. The sad thing is that this story is likely to run for another year. As far as I am concerned, the only good that has emerged from this sordid saga is that Assange’s society friends who put up around €300,000 to fund his bail have lost their dough.

bishops). Add on support staff, researchers, security, administration, catering, cleaning, etc. and you have a community half the size of Milton Keynes doing nothing much for most of the time and, when they do manage to do something, usually doing it wrong. Get rid of the lot of them and install a benevolent dictator with a small retinue of specialist experts from the business world (financial, legal, environmental, etc.) and you would not only get the country back up and running efficiently, you might just save a quid while you were at it.

No more expenses frauds, no more quangos, no more expensive consultants No more expenses frauds, no more quangos, no more expensive consultants, no more dummyspitting arguments between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. After four and a half years political parties would be permitted to put forward manifestos and candidates for election to a new parliament. Probably no more than 100 MPs all of whom must demonstrate at least 20 years successful business experience. Forget the House of Lords and especially the bishops. Streamline the whole set-up and run the country like a business. The dictator will have taken all the difficult decisions and if he or she has half a brain will have put right most of the wrongs that have been allowed to fester for the last hundred years. I might even apply for the job myself.

Disgruntled of Andalucia (formerly of Royal Tunbridge Wells)

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

HEY say ‘those who can’t…teach’. But in my case, those who can’t…. can’t teach either! Granted, a week’s a bit early to be writing yourself off – but the alarm bells are already ringing. In just seven days I’ve already told the students that Plato ‘groomed’ Aristotle, and that half of Year 12 will be failing IB exams until they’re 42! Worse still – I shouted ‘Oi, Cheeky!’ to a boy from Beijing – and he mistook it for ‘Chinky’. You can’t say anything these days. At lunch, a teacher asked if I was okay – and said I looked like a ‘rabbit caught in the headlights’. I told her not to panic, it was just mild schizophrenia – and everything would be okay once the ‘meds’ kicked in. Unfortunately, she didn’t get the joke – and now avoids me like Kate Middleton’s nipples avoid bikini tops. As I sat at my desk, head-inhands, I considered quitting. But out of nowhere, I had a flashback – something that reminded me of equally grim times. In fact - shit jobs and me go together like Geordie Shore and genital warts!

COLUMN

WORKIN’ MAN BLUES Back in 2007, I broke my teaching cherry with adult courses in Blackburn with Darwen Council. In the morning, I’d teach graphic design to heroin addicts. After showing them how to remove ‘red eye’ from all their photos, they’d all get up and leave the room. “They tend to go off for a fix,” uttered the receptionist, “in between second and third periods.” Attempting to hide my horror – I said I was off to enjoy a ‘bit of my own brown’ – a

Jamaica Cake Bar from Tate & Lyle. When they returned, lesson plans would go out the window – as all they’d want to do is gaze up at the projector. It was during one of these ‘introspective’ moments I noticed that all the laptops had chains on them – and there was a ‘sharps box’ next to the ink cartridges. They don’t mention things like this on the PGCE! After the junkies, I’d burn slideshows with battered

wives, and end the day teaching sex offenders how to create spreadsheets. Although dreadful, the Blackburn job wasn’t my worst. That dubious accolade goes to McDonalds – where I once flipped burgers

www.theolivepress.es as a pimply teen. Despite sporting the slogan ‘I’m Loving It’ there was little to love about the way its 20-something supervisors ‘beasted’ new recruits. As in the military, their philosophy was break them down, and build them back up again. How else could you explain the pea-green uniforms – covered in vomit and sweat stains – and referring to you ONLY as ‘Green Badge’? Dressed in their fragrant, blue outfits – the ‘stars’ (former green badgers who’d climbed the slippery, chipfat pole) would humiliate you in front of customers and make you do all their donkey work. “Green Badge – refill the shake mix…..NOW”; “If you’ve time to lean – you’ve time to clean,” and my personal favourite: – “Green Badge! Those skid marks in the ladies’ loos won’t clean themselves.” Obviously, I can see the fun-

Thought of the fortnight

OMG! NEWSFLASH!!! We learned this week that the ‘disgraced’ Princess – Kate Middleton A) Has boobs; and B) Probably has a sex life too!!! Can her reputation survive this damaging revelation? In the wake of ‘tit-gate’ – Pippa Middleton’s backside is said to be furious, a Palace spokesperson has confirmed.

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ny side now – but at the time it was dire - my own personalised version of Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket - only with Egg McMuffins instead of bayonets. Thankfully, this trip down memory lane has helped put my current problems into perspective. Face it, if it’s a choice between spoilt, foreign brats and Blackburn smackheads – who think a USB is a new, mind-bending pill – straight from a Philippine crack factory - there’s no comparison, really. Plus, it’s not all doom and gloom. My Year 8s think I’m ‘funny’, and the observant girls in Year 9 have cottoned on to the fact that I’m already screwing the ICT teacher (who happens to be my wife of six years! – I’m not that smooth)

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the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

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37 FOOD & DRINK the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012 37 with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Grape expectations SPANISH wine regions are increasingly opting for higher-quality produce in an effort to combat the problem of dwindling harvests. The quality over quantity approach has been adopted in Madrid after the region lost 2,300 hectares of vines in the past decade. Grape harvests and wine

Reduced grape harvests mean Spanish vineyards are concentrating on quality rather than quantity production are down by a quarter, with the area’s 46 wineries now producing around 3.5 million bottles, about a million fewer than five years ago. But according to the Vinos

de Madrid Denominacion de Origen, the government benchmark that guarantees the origin and quality of Spanish wines, the downward trend is no bad thing. “We don’t really know what

Olive oil price hike

SHOPPERS are being hit with soaring olive oil costs after drought in Spain badly affected the olive harvest. Wholesale prices have increased by 30% since June, with experts warning the costs will have to be passed on to consumers. Spain produces an average crop of 1.2 million tonnes annually, but this year’s harvest is expected to be 40% down on last year, dropping from 1.6 million tonnes to less than a million. “After 18 months at rock bottom, olive oil wholesale prices are soaring and suppliers are warning of inevitable price hikes in-store,” said Filippo Berio UK managing director Walter Zanre. “There was some hope prices would settle down again in September but this has not happened - prices are still rising. “It also means it is almost impossible to

buy, because everyone who has stock is sitting on it hoping the price will go up even further.” He continued: “The price rises are such that they will have to be passed on.”

the fall is attributable to,” says Vinos de Madrid technical director Mario Barrera. “But turnover is continuing to increase, so perhaps it is related to the quality.” According to experts, Madrid appears to have a very bright future as the profile of the region’s wines continues to grow.

Trend “It has been a trend in Spain for the last 10 or 20 years, and the beginning for Madrid came around five years ago,” said Cristina Alcala, editor of wine magazine Mivino-Vinum. “I think the key is a few leading wineries with small, but very high-quality production, which works to drive the industry.” She adds: “If you recommended a Madrid wine 14 years ago, people would be surprised, even here. Now at last that mentality is changing.”

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

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San Sebastian has been voted the best gastronomic destination in the world. Here James Bryce looks at what makes the Basque city so appealing for foodies.

Cutting edge of gastronomy

T already boasts more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere else in the world. Now San Sebastian has sealed its reputation as a ‘must visit’ for foodies after being voted the world’s greatest gastronomic destination.

San Sebastian’s chefs wield enormous influence all over the world The unassuming Basque city saw off stiff competition from cities including Tokyo, Paris and New York to claim the honour after being praised for its ‘astonishing food scene’. It was chosen by a panel of

TASTY VIEW: San Sebastian sits on the edge of a beautiful bay and counts on 10 Michelin-starred eateries travel writers and food critics, who gave each destination a score in 30 different categories, as part of a survey conducted by consumer group

Which? San Sebastian scored 81 out of 100, with its food scene described as ‘fiercely distinct, passionately produced and

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TOP TALENT: (Clockwise from top left) Juan Mari Arzak, Elena Arzak, Pedro Subijana, Andoni Luis Aduriz, Martin Berasateguis, Victor Arguinzoniz on the gastronomic cutting edge’. The panel also acknowledged that ‘its innovative chefs wield enormous influence over culinary trends all over the world’. And it is little wonder. Michelin starred Among those plying their restaurants in and trade in and around San Sebastian: around San SeArzak vvv bastian is Elena Martin Berasategui vvv Arzak, voted the Akelare vvv world’s best female chef in a Mugaritz vv prestigious poll Kokotxa v last year. Mirador de Ulia v The talented Miramon Arbelaitz v cook runs the Alameda v self-named ArZuberoa v zak restaurant along with her famous father Juan Mari, while Martin Berasategui and Pedro Subijana make up a

quartet that share a staggering nine Michelin stars between them. But despite being famed for its top end restaurants, the city was also praised in the survey for its range of affordable restaurants serving good, local food. The Basque region is well-known for its pintxos, similar to tapas, which can include snacks such as tiger mussels, foie gras with figs and grilled baby squid. Here the Olive Press gives a breakdown of the best of what San Sebastian has to offer.

Pintxos bars: Five to try Bar Txepetxa La Cuchara de San Telmo Casa Gandarias Bar Patio de Ramuntxo La Vina

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

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Sevilla scandal

THE London-based designer Zaha Hadid of the partially built Sevilla University library has called the decision to pull it down ‘scandalous’.

FINAL WORDS

Onwards and upwards in 2012 with 186,000 papers www.theolivepress.es (120,000 digital) and around 150,000 visits to the website each month… The Olive Press just keeps growing!

the olive press - September 20 - October 03, 2012

September 20

Silver surfer goes out on crest of a wave

Escape

A pregnant woman was among 42 immigrants found in a rubber boat 16 miles away from the Spanish island of Alboran, off the Moroccan coast.

Bunkered

The Andalucia Masters is the latest major golf tournament to be cancelled due to Spain’s financial crisis. joining the Madrid Open, the Castellon Masters and the Iberdrola Open.

A 97-YEAR-OLD expat has gone out in a blaze of glory after dying while surfing. The unnamed man, from Switzerland, drowned shortly after entering the sea at Alcazaba beach in Estepona on Sunday afternoon. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the man heading into the waves with a surfboard, before spotting his lifeless body floating in the water just minutes later. The authorities are yet to release further details about the identity of the man.

- October 03, 2012

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Sex tape rethink A TOWN councillor who resigned over a raunchy sex tape has changed her mind after receiving a barrage of support from colleagues. The video of Olvido Hormigos Carpio, PSOE councillor at Los Yebenes Town Hall in Toledo, featured graphic footage of the mother-of-two naked and masturbating on a bed. The home-made clip went viral on social networking sites, having allegedly been leaked by a 27-year-old footballer. Carpio promptly filed a complaint with the Guardia Civil and resigned ‘out of respect for her family and to the PSOE’. But PSOE’s vice-secretary general, Elena Valenciano urged Carpio to rethink her resignation via Twitter: “Don’t resign over this Olvido. Don’t even think about it,” she said. Even rival party PP has shown support, with Madrid president Esperanza Aguirre stating Carpio deserves a right to privacy. Carpio, who has now decided not to resign, has since accused the PPruled town hall of spreading the video, saying she saw it forwarded from an email account in the mayor’s office.

SAVIOUR?: Beckham THE owner of Malaga has poured cold water on suggestions David Beckham is plotting a takeover of the Costa del Sol club. Rumours have been rife that the former England captain is planning to put forward an offer for the club, which could be thrown out of the Champions League if it fails to meet strict financial fair play rules. But the club’s current owner Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani took to Twitter to deny the rumours: “I wish the press would tell the truth and not fabricate rumours and myths that have no validity at all.” The club is under pressure to provide an updated report on its finances by September 30 after an investigation by football’s governing body UEFA found it had

NAUGHTY: Hormigos and (inset) video

Current owner dismisses rumours that David Vodka shots forclub Alex Beckham is set to buy Malaga football

No sheikh up at Malaga FC a string of unpaid debts. If the club fails to comply with UEFA’s fair play rules, it will be stripped of the €7.2 million prize money given to teams who qualify for the lucrative Champions League.

Transparent

A statement on Malaga’s official website said: “Although a definitive agreement has not as yet been reached, the amount owed has been significantly reduced over the last month. “Malaga has informed UEFA of this situation, and there is a transparent relationship between both organisations.” All club games this season will have live commentary on Talk Radio Europe.

NO SALE: Al-Thani says no sale of club agreed

Going commando

BRITONS are so keen to get away to sunnier climes, some don’t even remember to pack their pants. Around 3% forget to pack their undies, with 14% forgetting plug adapters and 12% leaving without a phone charger, according to a study by comparison site TravelSupermarket.com. Almost a quarter of those surveyed admitted leaving their packing until the day before setting off, and 5% only started a few hours before flying. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without the explicit permission of the publisher. While efforts are made to ensure the authenticity of advertisements and articles appearing in The Olive Press, the publisher does not accept any responsibility for claims made, nor do contributors’ opinions necessarily represent his own. Copyright Luke Stewart Media S.L 2012