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Pensioner dies in Legionnaires outbreak A PENSIONER has died and three others have been hospitalised after an outbreak of Legionnaires disease. Sprinkler systems and cooling towers are being examined in Osuna, near Sevilla, after an 84-year-old woman died from the disease last week. The first case in the town was a 72-year-old man who was admitted and later discharged from Hospital de la MerTurn to Page 2

Gib border ‘like a war zone’ A BRITISH MP has likened the frontier between Gibraltar and Spain to a ‘war zone’. It came during an urgent House of Commons debate on border delays, which have recently reached up to six hours. “This is an EU border, not a third-world war zone,” said Labour MP Jim Dobbin, slamming Spain’s treatment of the enclave. Minister for Europe David Lidington said the problem was having a ‘direct impact on the prosperity of communities on both sides’, while Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes condemned Spain’s ‘uncivilised and tribal attitude’. Turn to P18 for full story

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The Wedding Runner

Don’t let the Don’t thein bankslet cash banks cash in www.hifx.co.uk www.hifx.co.uk see page 13 seepage page 13 47 see

October 18 - 31, 2012

Couple left thousands out of pocket as leading Costa wedding planner vanishes with deposits

AN Irish couple are taking legal action after their Marbella wedding planner allegedly fled Spain without paying suppliers. The unhappy couple are planning to sue Sue Danker, owner of Spanish Dream Weddings who ‘vanished’ a week before the nuptials

pay for the entire wedding again, understood to total over €15,000. The bride later revealed: “This company left me high last month. and dry on the day of my Unable to contact Danker wedding.” - who starred in Irish TV The couple, who have asked show The Great Escape not to be named, only dis- the couple were left to covered they had a problem when Danker’s husband Howard phoned them with a ‘lame excuse’ that she was not well enough to attend the ceremony. “I had only had a rehearsal the day before and she was fine,” said the bride. “I knew he was lying but was up to my neck in stress, I had no time for nonsense phone calls. “Only 10 minutes later it came out that she hadn’t Full story Page 3

EXCLUSIVE By Mason Jones

EXCLUSIVE: Could President Putin finally have a good reason to strip off...as claims emerge that he has just bought a Marbella mansion?

paid any of the money I sent her for deposits and I was left to foot the bills again,” she added. Several days later, a message appeared on the company’s website stating the business had ‘ceased trading’ before the site was taken down completely.

Sensitive

The Olive Press can reveal that there are numerous other couples, as well as companies, who claim to be owed money by Spanish Dream Weddings. Photographers, florists and DJ’s told the Olive Press that Danker has not paid them for their services. “I have written off ever getting the money,” one Marbella-based DJ explained. “There’s a long list of people who have not been paid, several couples and at least 15 suppliers,” added Jen-

FLED: Wedding planner Sue Danker left Spain just before the big day nifer McCloy from rival company Spanish Wedding Planner. The organiser, who ironically has been attempting to set up a representative body to keep an eye on rogue planners, continued: “There’s a lot of speculation to how this happened and it is a very sensitive subject, which is bad news for the industry.” Another planner, Kerry Vear-Smyth, has been in contact with Danker since her disappearance. “She Turn to Page 8

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

CRIME NEWS

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The Olive Press - Number One for crime and investigations

CONNECTION: A former job and automobile link Bridger to Spain

Spanish link to April

THE Olive Press is investigating Spanish links to the man charged with the abduction and murder of five-year-old April Jones. Mark Bridger, 46, may have lived and worked in Spain for a number of years according to an Olive Press source. It is thought he may have worked as a lifeguard on the Costa del Sol and also owned a Spanish registered L-reg Land Rover Discovery which has now been seized by police. The blue Land Rover is the same vehicle Bridger is said to have given the fiveyear-old a ride in two days before her abduction. The Olive Press is asking for anyone who remembers this man or has information to contact us at newsdesk@theolivepress.es

Raging Bull returns A FORMER featherweight boxing champion could face six years in prison if found guilty of assaulting three men at a brothel near Malaga. Scott Harrison, 35, denies assaulting three Spaniards along with his two cousins in Alhaurin el Grande in 2007. Harrison denies the charges, while his two cousins, who were with him at the time, remain on the run. “All I tried to do was escape

Scott Harrison appears in court on assault charge when people I never met started throwing bottles at us for reasons I didn’t know,” Harrison told the court in Malaga. Paco Gonzalez, the owner of Oxigeno nightclub, claimed Harrison knocked his tooth

out as he tried to protect two customers who were being attacked. Salvador Jimenez, 39, told the court he was off work for 77 days following the assault, while the other alleged victim, 31-year-old Rafael Sainz Maza, has since committed suicide.

Released

TRIED: Scott Harrison denied knocking out the teeth of a brothel owner

Harrison was released from prison last September after serving a two-and-a-halfyear sentence for stealing a car and assaulting a policeman in Alhaurin el Grande in 2006. He recently returned to the ring after a seven-year absence and is now back in Scotland awaiting the verdict of his latest trial

On the run Legionnaires outbreak

A BRITISH man has been arrested in Benalmadena on suspicion of the murder of a man in Tenerife. Beverley Parkinson, 38, is accused of killing the man during a brawl outside a nightclub in 2001, which left several people injured. Malaga police said the man had been arrested at the time of the incident, but was released four days before the victim died in hospital. The Briton has been wanted by authorities ever since and spent 11 years on the run before being located at the end of last week.

From Page 1

ced on October 1. Mayor of Osuna, Rosario Andujar, has called for citizens to remain calm and insisted tap water does not pose any risk. “Bacteria is only spread by inhalation, through the airways,” he said. The bacterial disease, which is particularly dangerous to the elderly, has also infected an

86-year-old woman who remains in hospital. Now a fourth suspected case, a 76-year-old man, awaits laboratory confirmation, while local hospitals are on high alert to spot any new victims immediately. Legionnaires is not contagious but can be caught from inhaling water droplets from air conditioning units and shower heads.

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Family affair

SPAIN´S famous Cruz family have been taking time out of their hectic schedules to enjoy a nice meal together in their hometown of Madrid. Penelope, 38, Monica, 35 and Eduardo, 27, were joined by Penelope’s husband and fellow actor Javier Bardem at a restaurant in the Spanish capital.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

And the famous family certainly had a lot to catch up on – with little brother Eduardo just having composed the soundtrack to Penelope’s latest film Twice Born as well as recently breaking up with Hollywood beauty Eva Longoria. Meanwhile Bardem, 43, is about to star as a James Bond villain in Skyfall.

Villa comrade

EXCLUSIVE By Jon Clarke and Mason Jones SITTING atop a high hill inside Spain’s most exclusive private estate, it is just the sort of mansion fitting for a king... or Russian president. So, it is intriguing to learn that ‘a wealthy Russian politician’ has recently secured the purchase of this €19 million palace project in the heart of Zagaleta estate, near Marbella. Olive Press sources claim that the 4,000m² villa is being built on order for President Putin. One construction company boss, who has done a lot of work in Zagaleta over recent years, told the Olive Press the property had been bought by the Russian leader. “He has already knocked down the former home and it is now being rebuilt from scratch. It is an amazing project,” he said. While impossible to confirm the purchase definitely, the

Spanish heels

Could President Putin be the new owner of this €19 million euro Costa del Sol mansion?

HOME: Images depict what may be Putin´s new pad and (inset) the Russian leader Russian leader has family bought by a politician in the living on the Costa del Sol Russian Duma, but I haven’t and has recently made ‘two found out who exactly yet short trips’ to the area, it and I guess it could easily be can be revealed. President Putin. Developed by the Bolt “It is certainly an incredible Property Group, the home project, but it is a place to was purchased from Brit- get lost in rather than live ish computer mogul Alan in. Sharam. “You own the hill, in fact Local agent Adam Neale of you’re king of Zagaleta. Terra Meridiana revealed: “The retaining wall alone is “I have been told it has been said to have cost around €5

J-Lo wows Madrid JENNIFER Lopez sizzled on stage in Madrid as she resumed her Dance Again world tour. The 43-year-old singer took to the stage in a nude, sparkling bodysuit wowing the crowd of 20,000 people at the Pavilhao Atlantico. The mother-of-two took time out in Madrid to enjoy dinner with her large entourage including her boyfriend and backing dancer 25-year-old Casper Smart ,as well as her mother. The pair were also spotted holding hands as they left the Luis Vuitton boutique.

DIVA: Jennifer Lopez struts her stuff

million.” Sitting on an 18,000m² plot, the project – one of the largest in Marbella – boasts its own spa and gym, a cinema, piano bar and two swimming pools. The epitome of extravagance, it has 10 bedrooms with spectacular views towards Gibraltar, North Africa and inland to the Serrania de Ronda.

Heli-pad

Conveniently, it counts its own heli-pad and there are now direct flights to Moscow from nearby Malaga airport to make life easier for its new Russian owner. The landscaped gardens have sunken pools and fountains and there is a 10car garage, as well as parking space for 22 friends. The development, which has 24 hour high security, already counts the former Mayor of Russia as an owner and Hugh Grant and Rod Stewart are said to have homes there. Once owned by arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, the membership fee for the golf club and clubhouse alone cost over €100,000 a year.

SPANISH fashion giant Zara has been very much in the spotlight during the recent conference season in the UK. Both Samantha Cameron, wife of British PM David Cameron and Miriam Clegg, wife to deputy PM Nick Clegg, opted for stylish Zara heels to support their leading men. Samantha Cameron dressed down at the Tory conference in skinny jeans and a jersey collared top, teaming the outfit with a pair of red, black and nude heels. Spanish beauty Miriam Clegg opted for a white fitted peplum dress, adding a dash of colour with a pair of orange Zara heels.

Lady Gag-a SICK: Lady Gaga vomits on stage US POP sensation Lady you to see this... It happens Gaga has shocked fans in to me sometimes.” Barcelona, not with her out- Things only got worse for the fit – but by puking up on eccentric songstress - real stage. name Stefani Joanne AngeThe Pokerface singer, 26, lina Germanotta - when the threw up an incredible four crowd mocked her recent times during the concert – weight gain and slung sauwhile somehow managing sages onto the stage. to continue with her dance But she proved to be thickroutine. skinned, later tweeting: She eventually left the stage “Spain, you took the p*** briefly, before returning to outta me. That’s some hard the 25,000-strong audience bodied pop stuff. I’ll never to say: “I went backstage forget tonight Barcelona. and vomited, I did not want FOREVER.”

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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We feared EXCLUSIVE By James Bryce

AN expat couple whose home suffered extensive flood damage have been left fearing for their safety. June Squirrell, 70 and her husband Reg, 78, are terrified of further flooding having narrowly avoided being swept away in the heavy rain a fortnight ago. The couple, from Bromley, are lucky to be alive after a torrent of water overwhelmed their property in Villanueva del Rosario, when two nearby rivers broke their banks.

Tsunami

DESTRUCTION: Expat couple lost their car in the flood

The pensioners, who have lived in the house for eight years, had to be rescued by neighbours after being forced to escape through an upstairs window. “It was horrific, it was like a tsunami coming through the house,” said June. “It knocked down a wall, ripped the doors off their hinges, and swept our cars away, we didn’t stand a chance. “The water came through the house like a raging torrent and I was screaming for help, we didn’t have any time to collect our belongings. “It is just devastating, we have lost everything,” added the former mental health worker.

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for our lives Two metres of water swept through pensioners house and destroyed cars

The couple’s problems began when heavy rain started to fall on the evening of September 28, some of the heaviest rain in Malaga’s history. By 5am on Friday the river running along the end of their garden had broken its banks, and by 7.30am the house was standing in rapidly rising water. “The water was two metres deep in the house and the mud left behind after the water receded was so deep it was going over the top of

RUIN: The Squirrells point out watermark and destruction in their garden our wellies,” added Reg, a former council worker. Despite the town hall sending a digger to clear the worst of the mud, the couple have been heavily dependent

on an army of volunteers to help with the clear up. They have been amazed by the support of the local expat community after their insurance company failed to offer

Compensation chaos

‘Many people won’t be entitled to any help’ claims local insurance boss EXPATS claiming for damage caused by the recent fires and floods are being warned they may have to foot much of the bill themselves. This comes despite the government setting up a dedicated fund to help the thousands affected by some of the worst natural disasters to hit Andalucia in decades. Many are likely to miss out because they fail to meet the strict criteria imposed by the government because their homes are not correctly registered, claims a leading expat insurance broker. “The government is promising the world, but in reality many people will not be entitled to any help,” said Jacqui Caplen, from the Insurance Centre, in Coin. She revealed that owners, whose homes are not classed as legal will not be entitled to a penny, while even homeowners who are fully-insured face a lengthy battle to claim compensation. It comes as most insurance firms are not required to pay out because the floods and

fires are considered ‘acts of God’. “It means all those affected must apply through the Spanish Insurance Consortium, which handles natural disaster claims,” continued Caplen. The consortium is a fund set up by the government into which all insurance companies pay a set annual premium. It is different to the emergency fund which was set up by the government immediately after the events to help people who are not insured. “For those that are insured a lot of people assume that their insurance company will sort out their claim, but they don’t realise this is something they must do themselves,” continued Caplen. “It can be a long and complicated process and they will probably need to seek independent advice, perhaps from a lawyer. “It is heartbreaking to see the effects these things have on peoples lives and it is a shame they are not better informed about the claims process in the first place.”

them more than half their annual premium. “So far they have only offered to give us a few hundred euros, but we are still fighting them for more. “We are in our 70s and have just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary,” an emotional June continued. “We have put everything into this house, it is all we have. We spent our money to make the house lovely it is what we saved for - but we will never feel safe in this house again.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Local flood fund RESIDENTS and businesses of one of the towns worst affected by the recent floods could be in line for financial help from their town hall. Villanueva del Trabuco was among the worst hit areas, with many residents left counting the cost of extensive damage to their homes. Now, in an effort to help those most in need, the town hall has pledged €40,000 - a sum which officials hope will cover up to 95% of the requests they receive.

Helping

The announcement comes just days after Queen Sofia visited the village as part of a tour of some of the worst affected areas. She spent time speaking with residents and meeting representatives of some of the organisations involved in helping with the clear-up.

News IN BRIEF Skate expansion A SKATE park and children’s play area are being expanded in Alhaurin de la Torre thanks to a €44,000 investment that will increase the park from 1,000 to 1,500 square metres.

Sentenced A man has been jailed for 17 years for murdering a Finnish woman whose dismembered body was found on a Manilva beach in December 2007.

Unemployment Foreigners account for 12.34% of Andalucia’s unemployed, with 72,575 out of work according to the Ministry of Work and Immigration.

Coming home Spain has seen the arrival of 927, 890 immigrants since January 2011, 117,523 of whom were Spaniards returning home.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

OPINION Wedding governors THE wedding industry is big business in Spain and provides a livelihood for hundreds of expats on the Costa del Sol. The wedding planner is arguably the most important link in the chain when it comes to the big day, so it is important to choose wisely – and this issue’s front page story is a stark reminder of that. Unfortunately an industry that involves so many different companies can be affected by one wrong move or an unscrupulous link in the chain. To combat the issue of dodgy wedding planners (and sometimes fake vicars, as reported by the Olive Press in April), all agencies involved need to work together. Thankfully this is becoming a reality as Jennifer McCloy and other wedding planners on the coast are planning to set up a federation to regulate matters. It is about time too.

Drop the bullyboy tactics The tit-for-tat squabbling over queues at the border between Gibraltar and Spain is nothing new, especially for those who cross the frontier on a regular basis. But it seems the latest long delays - attributed by the Guardia Civil to ‘anti-smuggling’ checks - have proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Urgent discussion of the issue in the House of Commons and the government’s decision to complain directly to Madrid are the clearest indication yet that Britain is running out of patience over the issue. Surely now is the ideal time to draw a line under the thorny issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty and for the Spanish government to drop the petulant school bully act and focus on the issues that matter most to those who elected them.

Halloween fun Halloween has always seemed like a typically American tradition – so are we all just jumping on the US bandwagon in celebrating it? Interestingly, delving into Spain’s supernatural past reveals it is not short of its own ghosts and ghoulish tales, with spooky encounters reported from its many haunted houses. Legends of mythological creatures and scary encounters with skeletons, ghosts and cloaked figures date back to 1500. Perhaps celebrating Halloween here in Spain is a great reason to explore and discover this spooky past. Halloween also provides the chance for families to come together – and dressing up and eating candy is always fun, even for adults. But it’s important to remember not to follow America in everything they do – and remember sweets should only be eaten in moderation! You don’t want to end up fat and all that.

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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

T is a political hot potato that never cools down. But, a new push to finally rid Andalucia of its countless Franco-era symbols, has reignited the debate yet again. It comes after the Junta locked horns with Granada’s right wing city hall over demands to remove all its statues and plaques dedicated to the former Fascist dictator. These include a sculpture of Franco’s hero Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, who founded Spain’s right wing Falange party, as well as various plaques and street names dedicated to right wing leaders.

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A conflict to CAPTION: Diego Valderas

Row brews as the Junta tries to force town halls to take down all their fascist-era symbols, writes Dana Ferguson The Junta - staunchly socialist for three decades - insists they must go and town halls around the region will be fined if they don’t comply. And to add salt to the wounds the news was broken during

the unveiling of a plaque to the 4,000 left wing Republican soldiers and sympathisers shot during the period at Granada’s San Jose cemetery. Becoming an official Memori-

I’m still standing! The region still has numerous reminders of its Fascist past on display in many cities. These include the cross of the fallen (Cruz de los Caidos) in Cordoba, an enormous granite structure erected to the war dead during Franco times. An enormous monument, the town hall insists there are too many ‘technical problems’ involved in removing it and it should remain. However, a few weeks ago the city removed a number of plaques including one to General Varela, one of Franco’s generals during the civil war. Inside the city’s celebrated mosque a plaque commemorates the killed Republican forces, describing them as ‘victims of religious persecution’. In Jaen, a number of symbols remain, the main one being the football stadium Estadio La Victoria, which is a reference to the victory of Franco’s forces. In Sevilla, the university has failed to remove six right-wing plaques from buildings, insisting they are on protected buildings. Of course, one of the largest monuments left standing in Spain is the Valley of the Fallen, near Madrid. This huge monument, which even makes the Guinness Book of Records, was built over decades by Republican soldiers and was meant to commemorate the dead on both sides. But in reality it is really a lasting memorial to Franco, whose body is also buried there, alongside that of Falange founder Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera.

SYMBOLS: Clockwise from top; Valley of the Fallen in Madrid, Cordoba’s Cruz de los Caidos and Estadio la Victoria in Jaen

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Contact our team of fully-qualified journalists, Eloise, Jon, Mason or James on

952 895 230 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

al Site, the third in Andalucia, it has been installed above a series of bullet holes in a cemetery wall. At a moving ceremony, 200 relatives witnessed the plaque being unveiled and

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FEATURE

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

remember or to forget? DEMANDS: Valderas insists Primo de Rivera statue (below) must go heard Junta Deputy Leader Diego Valderas, of the IU party, insist that the regional authority would now become an ‘active actor’ in continuing to remember those fallen during the civil war and beyond. It is the fifth time of trying, with the local PP town hall each time taking down previous plaques installed in their memory. Insisting that almost as many right wing residents and soldiers were killed during the early stages of the war, the town hall believed it was unnecessary.

While it has now finally agreed to allow the latest memorial to stand, it is concerned that the authorities are failing to remember the dead on both sides. A spokesman for the town hall, Juan Garcia Montero, insisted that Valderas’ proposal was ‘bullying’ and ‘tortuous’ and insisted he should not be allowed to use his power to ‘oblige’ people to take one path or another. He added that Granada will not remove the statue dedicated to Primo de Rivera, nor rename the plaza dedicated to him. “It should be the judges who

REMEMBERING: Plaque in memory of the 4,000 Republicans shot under Franco is unveiled at San Jose cemetery, with bullet holes visible below it

ANGRY: Juan Garcia Montero refuses to remove plaques or statues in Granada ultimately decide and not the politicians” he said, adding that the town hall was prepared to face the consequences. “If they get away with this, next the Junta could start removing local leaders for painting walls the wrong colour or putting up odd shaped street lamps.” PP vice-president Ana Corredera insisted that the moves were ‘grotesque’ and were being used as a smokescreen to cover the serious financial situation which Andalucia is currently suffering.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Costa homeowners star in ITV programme

House proud expats EXPAT homeowners have featured in a special edition of a popular ITV programme, filmed in Spain. May The Best House Win - Viva Espana,

Wedding fiasco From Page 1

told me it is too much to explain why she has left, but it’s been very stressful for her family. She is not coming back any time soon.” She continued: “I have actually agreed to process two of her weddings in Benalmadena even though I will not be paid and will be out of pocket. “I have agreed because I don’t want any bride to end up with her wedding not legally recognised. Suppliers have also really gone overboard to try and help.” The Olive Press has been unable to contact Danker. Emails were not being returned and her phone has been cut off.

HOME SWEET HOME: Contestant Rob McDonagh whose home won saw the owners of four properties in Malaga give each others’ homes a rating out of 10, with the winner claiming a €1,000 prize. Lynn Murphy, a retired legal secretary from Hampton Court, London was among the contestants, showing off her circular home in the hills of Los Nunez. Murphy, 71, who applied to the show after reading an Olive Press article about it, said:

Hideaway

“It was an absolutely brilliant experience and a lovely way to meet people.” The show also featured Dr Juan Fernandez’s villa in El Palo, the rural retreat of Magi Morris and Scottish businessman Rob McDonagh’s property in Competa. Although McDonagh’s hideaway came out on top, Murphy said the four have remained good friends, adding: “We even watched the first screening together at my house.” The show has also filmed episodes in Marbella, Almeria, the Pyrenees. May The Best House Win airs weekdays at 5.00pm (Spanish time) on ITV1.

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NEWS

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Elderly couple sell up after becoming victims of hate campaign for feeding stray cats

Forced out EXCLUSIVE By Eloise Horsfield

A FRAIL elderly couple have been forced to sell their home after being ‘victimised’ for feeding stray cats. Bob and Jan Brearley, 75, from Redditch, became the victims of a cruel hate campaign in Torrox, involving threats, harrassment and even dog excrement thrown onto their porch. So vicious became the opposition to their cat-feeding that they eventually had to sell up at half the value of their property. “It has been a nightmare,” said Bob, 77, who has been left frail from aortic valve surgery, spine problems and a burst stomach ulcer.

VICTIMS: The Brearleys with dog Their problems began after they started giving scraps to a pregnant cat at Camping El Pino, where they purchased a Swissstyle chalet for €28,000 six years ago, before spending a further €12,000 on improvements. The couple were warned by A BRITISH woman is searching for a long lost cousin the management not to feed who she lost touch with 15 years ago purely by mistake. the cats and were shown a peLilian Hollinshead, 60, is searching for cousin Ruth tition which had been signed Elaine Slater who she believes is living in Andalucia. by their neighbours. “Ruth was a bridesmaid at my wedding in 1974. It would However they ignored the pebe so good to be able to see her again before our 40th tition as they feared that the anniversary in 2014,” Lilian explained. mother and her four kittens Unfortunately, they lost touch when Ruth, now 50, apwould die without their help. parently moved to Spain a few decades ago and she be“They never threatened us lieves she is living in Malaga. with eviction, and we were Ruth has a husband called Nick and daughter Georgia certainly not the only resiLee. dents feeding cats,” added If you can help, please contact newsdesk@theoliveformer housewife Jan. press.es Soon the campsite’s manager began making life difficult. “He’d come round at 6am on a Sunday morning and stand there shouting outside our front door waving these big cages,” said Jan.

Help find my long lost cousin!

Caught

“One morning he caught the mother, and was shouting with glee. “We never saw her again but we have heard they take them away to be gassed.” But the worst shock was to come when it came to renewing a contact on the land on which their home stood. “The boss came and said they were not going to renew it and we’d have to move,” said Bob, a former geography teacher. The couple had just two months to find a new owner and move into a two-bed rented flat in Torrox. “We ended up selling the property for less than half its value at just €17,500,” said Bob.

Stolen babies office A CENTRAL office is being opened in Madrid to handle the increasing numbers of stolen baby cases around Spain. The Ministry of Justice has set up an office to assist families looking for their biological relatives. The office will provide free resources to help individuals investigate their family history.

Lost cousin

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Test track slow-tracked A RAILWAY testing track that would cause ‘irreversible damage’ to a large tract of rural land has been put on hold by Spain’s central courts. The plan for a 58km circular track around the celebrated Antequera vega would have been the world’s longest train test track. But lawyers representing locals and businesses in Fuente de Piedra, Mollina

and Antequera insisted that there are numerous flaws in the €400m development. They have managed to get a temporary halt on the development, which relate to the project’s feasibility study and its initial approval. A further five lawsuits are also pending against the scheme, which was initially fast-tracked by the government in February. The government had her-

Madrid court blocks plan for high-speed train testing circuit in Antequera

alded the scheme as a ‘great innovation’ and claimed it could create more than 7,000 jobs. It had insisted that the initiative, which would be joined at one end by Santa Ana AVE station, would not destroy any of Mollina’s vineyards. But it is not being welcomed by everyone, with protests held against the launch in Antequera. Politicians, trade unionists and environmentalists argued that the scheme is not sustainable and would destroy valuable farmland.

Med Corridor still scheduled for the coast A PROJECT to build a fast-track railway line along the Costa del Sol has been prioritised by the government. Part of the so-called ‘Mediterranean Corridor’ - the line from Almeria to Algeciras, via Motril - has been included in the country’s transport infrastructure plan for 2013. It comes despite the 22% cut in investments in infrastructure announced by Public Works Minister Ana Pastor for next year. The line could affect thousands of homeowners along the Costa del Sol if it runs, as planned, parallel to the A-7 motorway and then cutting across open farmland inland between Manilva and Algeciras. Of the total €1,000m invested in the corridor in 2013, some 40% is destined for the Cataluna section. The government has also said the section running inland between Antequera and Granada remains a priority, with €68m dedicated to the plan next year. Meanwhile the AVE line linking Spain and France is due to open in April 2013, running from Barcelona to Perpignan.

Scam city A TV series featuring some of the world’s biggest holiday scams has revealed the tricks used by pickpockets in Spain. Scam City, currently showing on the National Geographic Channel, sent presenter Conor Woodman undercover in Barcelona to see how the gangs operate. Last year, more than 100,000 thefts were reported in the city, with crowded places such as the Metro and the Ramblas among the areas where pickpockets are most active. “Their skill levels are incredibly high - undoing a bag zip while climbing a flight of stairs is no problem to them,” said Woodman.

Road hope A ‘TERRIBLE’ road may get the repairs it desperately needs if an initiative involving several town halls is successful. The A-377, which links Gaucin to Manilva, is used regularly by residents of 20 towns, with officials claiming its unevenness and general bad condition is putting tourists off using it. Mayors will meet on October 26 to discuss ways to force the Junta to prioritise repairs.

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NEWS

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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EXCLUSIVE By Eloise Horsfield

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Badge warning

AN expat is warning disabled users to be careful after his car was towed away despite carrying a valid ‘blue badge’ permit from the UK. Cancer patient Gerald Crest, DISGRUNTLED: Crest at who has difficulty walking, the parking spot in is demanding his money Estepona and (right, top) back from Estepona Town the new and old cards Hall after his car was towed

Disabled driver’s car towed away despite displaying valid badge

away from a disabled bay in the town. Despite the town hall and local police now admitting his permit issued in West Sussex Council, is valid, he

We shouldn’t pay, we won’t pay By Gemma Wilson PROTESTORS have taken to the streets in Sevilla to march against the government’s budget cuts and proposed bailout. Under a banner ‘we shouldn’t pay, we won’t pay’ the group of around 500 protestors shouted slogans and pounded pots and pans. There were similar protests around the country as Spaniards grew increasingly frustrated with the government’s austerity measures. “We shouldn’t have to pay back a debt that has been created by a few,” Rafael

is still waiting for a refund of the €69.50 fine. “We went for a coffee, came back and there was no car,” explained Crest, 68, who used to work in marketing. “The local police tried to claim the card wasn’t valid in Spain.” “We’ve been to hell and back,” continued the Briton, who spends half the year on the Costa del Sol with his wife Sharon, 64.

Hologram

ANGRY: Protesters march in Sevilla Granadoes told the Olive Press. Fellow protestor Nori Ortegas added: “They need to stop bailing out the banks and realise that it’s us who are going to have to pay back this debt in the long run.”

He believes the main issue is the new style of card with a hologram on it instead of a big blue box with a wheelchair symbol on it. “I have now written to Estepona’s mayor to demand my money back,” he said. The new electronicallyprinted badge was introduced in January as part of new measures to address fraud.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Spanish scientists to send a boat to explore the lakes of Saturn moon Titan

Sailing to Saturn COLUMBUS discovered the New World in a boat. So it is perhaps fitting that Spanish scientists plan to take a boat on a space mission to Saturn. The ship is to be used to sail across a large area of lakes, which inhabit the planet’s moon, known as Titan. Scientists from Spain’s

By Gemma Wilson space programme have presented the bold project at the European Planetary Science Congress. The boat - propelled by wheels and paddles - will explore Titan’s methane lakes and seas. The probe, known as

ANTI-MISSILE SHIELD FOR ROTA SPAIN has given the green light to deploy an American antimissile defence shield at the Rota naval base, near Cadiz. Spain’s vice president Soraya Saenz de Santamaria insists the shield will enhance capabilities ‘against the threat posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles’. It will also provide ‘better protection for Europe, its population and Allied forces in Europe’. The American naval base was opened in 1953 under a deal signed between President Franco and President Eisenhower. Over a thousand American families live on the base, which frequently houses a series of nuclear submarines and other warships.

FUTURISTIC: An artist’s impression of the boat-like probe that will travel across Titan’s largest lake TALISE (Titan Lake In-situ Sampling Propelled Explorer), in particular will float over Ligeia Mare, near Titan’s North Pole. The mission, lasting for up to a year, would also see TALISE explore the coast collecting invaluable information. An earlier probe in 2005 discovered that Titan’s surface was made of soft, wet sand with a fragile crust on top. Scientists are now working on putting together the initial TALISE construction so they can be ready to go when the future space mission starts seeking proposals.

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the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Sunday service By Eloise Horsfield A FORMER Ronda mayor ‘went to his town hall on a Sunday and erased documents’ that would incriminate him, according to new allegations in the Acinipo corruption case. Antonio Marin Lara - who was arrested a year ago - allegedly destroyed a series of documents, when he knew

Ex-Ronda mayor ‘erased documents’ on the holy day to cover fraud

he was being investigated in June 2010 for corruption and fraud. Police evidence claims he went into the town hall on

Roca returns €30 million of property IT is one of the coast’s most desirable properties. And now Marbella Town Hall is to become the proud owner of the La Caridad estate, in San Pe- SETTLEMENT: Caridad dro, after former planning svengali Juan €600,000 in cash in the Antonio Roca agreed to Saqueo 1 case, an offshoot hand it over as part of a of the ongoing Malaya case. The money will go toward €30.1 million settlement. The €3.6 million mansion repaying Marbella’s €300 is one of eight properties million debt. being handed to his for- Roca is still awaiting senmer employers, along with tencing.

Cocaine chauffeur out

THE ‘cocaine chauffeur’ who spent €25,000 a month of public money on drugs and partying has been released without bail because ‘he cannot afford it’. The controversial decision to cancel Francisco Trujillo’s €75,000 bail demand comes after his lawyer argued the fee was ‘unaffordable’. The original fee had been set at €150,000 but investigators found Trujillo’s financial assets to be much lower than others involved in the scandal. Trujillo played a part in the €1.3 billion theft of ERE public employment funds along with his former boss, Junta employment chief Francisco Javier Guerrero, who still remains in prison awaiting trial.

ACCUSED: Lara ‘cleaned’ up papers from his office a Sunday morning when he knew there would be nobody there, colluding with his advisor Francisco Marquez. Marin Lara stands accused of a large number of planning offences in Ronda. Among leads being investigated are the €100,000 in cash that he banked over eight months – which suspiciously coincided with the initial approval of the controversial Los Merinos golf development in 2006. Other allegations are that the former mayor was given a BMW to drive by the golf course developers. It is also alleged that he arranged for the site of a major shopping centre to be valued at just €1.8 million so that the Junta would not have to be consulted in the planning process. It was later valued at ten times the price.

Evidence

Investigators are also looking at the involvement of Jerez’s former mayor in a planned development near the hospital, as well as Malaga bullfighter Javier Conde’s alleged links to a scheme known as the Hoya del Tajo in Ronda’s famous gorge. The new evidence comes as a summary of the Acinipo case was made public. In total the courts are sifting through 2,000 folders of evidence. Marin Lara maintains he is innocent.

Mirador bosses get two years prison THE bosses of crooked building firm the Mirador group, Enrique and Leopoldo Faura, have been sentenced to two years in prison. The pair were found guilty of keeping €400,000 in deposits from prospective buyers in Velez Malaga. They have also been ordered to repay the 12 victims on average €30,000 each. Meanwhile Jesus Gotardo, the boss of fellow company Palmera Properties, is still awaiting a trial on a related case.

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NEWS

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Gib IN BRIEF Solid investment GIBRALTAR has been included in a Daily Telegraph list of the 20 best places in the world to invest in property, with prices expected to rise by 5% in 2013.

Compo claim Around 7,000 British customers are seeking compensation for money lost following the liquidation of Gibraltar-based insurance firm Lemma Europe.

Gore gripe The GSD party has called on the Government to reveal the cost of hiring former US vicepresident Al Gore to speak at the Thinking Green conference on the Rock.See page 22.

GIB NEWS

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Diplomatic spat over border delays

THE British Government has made British Government confronts Madrid a formal complaint to Spain over ‘disproportionate’ checks in a row over police checks which continue to cause lengthy queues at the border. Angry officials claim the ‘disproportionate’ checks breach freedom of movement legislation, with motorists subjected to delays of up to five hours at the frontier. British and Spanish ministers met on Monday at a scheduled meeting as part of the Foreign Affairs Council, where the DELAYS: A formal complaint has been made latest spat over the Rock is believed to have the Spanish Government EU freedoms,” said Picardo. had been contacted about Gibraltar Government has been raised. confirmed it will also be Chief Minister Fabian the issue. Picardo had urged London “Each day that passes a differ- making a formal complaint to ‘protest at the highest ent excuse is wielded out in a to Madrid about an incurlevel’, while a Foreign Office futile attempt to justify such sion into British waters by a spokesman confirmed that actions that are contrary to Spanish naval vessel.

Rhodes rides into Gib

Fashion icon Zandra Rhodes has paid a visit to the Rock to open her Aida exhibition at the Gibraltar Art Gallery. The eccentric designer - who has created outfits for highprofile clients including Diana, Princess of Wales and Freddie Mercury - mingled with guests at the event, on what was her first visit to Gibraltar. The Egyptian-inspired designs for Verdi’s opera Aida proved very popular, with a series of signed limited edition prints selling very quickly. Rhodes’ collection was showcased during a fashion show at The King’s Bastion Leisure Centre, which also featured collections by fellow designers Jane Langdon and Jeremy Kaye.

FASHIONISTA: Zandra Rhodes with the Olive Press’ stylish Elizabeth Gould

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GIB NEWS

Inspecting the troops

Chief Minister gets a glimpse of combat during training exercise in Morocco

ARMED: Picardo talks to General Barek Moutaleb

SOLDIERS from Gibraltar have received a special visitor during a training exercise in Morocco. The troops were joined by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, who spent two days with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment at their temporary base in Marrakesh. Picardo witnessed a drill simulating a dawn raid and was briefed on sniper training, before delivering a speech to the regiment about the importance of their role. The exercise is designed to replicate conditions troops can expect to experience while on active service as part of the British Army, in Afghanistan. “It has been a huge privilege to have been allowed to see the men and women of the regiment in the training camp in Marrakesh and witness the work they do whilst on exercise,” Picardo said. “I was able to see at first hand the hardships that soldiers experience on these exercises – conditions which I am told are remarkably similar to the terrain in current operational theatres.”

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Another Royal visit GIBRALTAR has played host to royalty during a private visit by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud arrived onboard his superyacht, Tueq, where he was officially greeted by Gibraltar Government representatives. Salmon, who is next in line to the throne after King Abdullah, was treated to a tour of the Rock before enjoying lunch at the Rock Hotel. The prince succeeded Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud following the latter’s death in June.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Heading Down Under THREE vehicles from the defunct Velez Malaga tram could be transported 25,000km to be used in Australia. The service, which cost €40 million to create, was axed in June this year after just six years in operation because it was not economically viable. Now the town hall is investigating ways of clawing back the €2.5 million of debt it accumulated because of the project. “The tram has stopped now but if there is a possibility of it functioning elsewhere, we have to look into it,” said Velez mayor Francisco Bonilla.

AXARQUIA NEWS

Two-Michelin-starred chef produces avocado and mango recipe books in collaboration with Velez factory

GARCIA GETS BEHIND TROPS

Axq IN BRIEF No stress Velez

MALAGA is one of five finalists in a national competition to find ways of reducing stress for sufferers of multiple sclerosis, with a first prize of €100,000.

Kiss me

Nerja has joined ‘Coleccion de Besos’, a national project to collect 2,012 original photos of kisses before 12.12.2012 at 12.12pm.

Bike challenge Over 200 cyclists took part in the fourth annual Ruta Balcon de la Axarquia bike ride on Sunday, covering 32.6km through Riogordo, Almachar, Cutar and Comares.

Water solution A €40 million plan has been proposed by the Junta to create a ‘water motorway’ linking Lake Vinuela to the coast in order to address drought issues.

LONG JOURNEY: Aussie-bound tram

Crying foul over funding

OPPOSITION bosses have accused Nerja’s mayor of deceiving the public over funding for its planned water treatment plant. PSOE leader Luis Pena questioned how Nerja mayor Jose Alberto Armijo could award a €19 million contract for a project initially budgeted at €40 million. Some experts estimate the final cost for the sewage works - the last on the Costa del Sol - could spiral to as much as €80 million.

EXPERT: Dani Garcia at book launch A CELEBRITY chef has created two brand new cookbooks to inaugurate a new €16m fruit factory in Andalucia. Dani Garcia has produced a book of mango recipes and another of avocado recipes designed to coincide with the opening of the new Trops plant in Velez Malaga. The book contains 12 recipes and photos, as well as information about the twoMichelin-starred Marbella chef and the fruits grown in the area. The new plant, which was opened by Spain’s Envi-

By Eloise Horsfield ronment Minister Miguel Canete, will create 150 new jobs and could triple Trops’ mango and avocado production.

Tropical

Trops is one of Europe’s main tropical fruit factories. It collects produce from 1,800 farmers in the Axarquia and the Costa Tropical, managing 60% of the country’s mango yield and 30% of its avocados.

In the dock A CIVIL servant at Frigiliana Town Hall is facing a year in prison for allegedly allowing a large house with a swimming pool to be built on non-urbanisable land. The technician, who also faces a 20-month ban from office, is in court in Malaga this week alongside an architect and landowner. The trio allegedly collaborated in the building of the weekend finca, using a system of applying for separate licences ‘in order to feign legality’ and applying for a warehouse licence when all were aware it was a house being built.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Green news IN BRIEF

Choker AROUND 22% of Spaniards are inhaling air that exceeds legal levels of pollution, according to figures released by Ecologistas en Accion.

GREEN

Jumping Jack Flasher

Guilt free Spain has bought €40 million of carbon credits from Poland – meaning it has almost fulfilled its requirements to the Kyoto Protocol.

NEWS

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LIKE a classic chip off the block, Lizzie Jagger has stripped off naked for a provocative new ad campaign to raise awareness for bluefin tuna. But, the famous Rolling Stone daughter’s effort to help the endangered species looks to have lost some relevence in Spain, at least, as their numbers start to make a comeback here. Thanks to a string of tough new measures and quotas introduced on Spanish fishermen six years ago, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) claims bluefin tuna stock are increasing around Spain. The FISHLOVE campaign which sees Jagger bare all was started by Greta Scacchi, 52, who wanted to help the plight of endangered fish species. “Fish stocks are at a critical level. This could not only see fish wiped out, but could have a devastating impact on the climate,” said Scacchi.

Algarrobico demolition to cost well under estimate

Waste not 5,000 empty printer cartridges have been shipped to Spain from Gibraltar for recycling thanks to a joint effort between Recycle. gi, schools and the government.

IT will cost just over €7 million to destroy the illegal Algarrobico hotel, which still stands proud inside the Cabo de Gata Natural Park in Almeria. Environment Minister Miguel Arias Canete has confirmed both central government and the Junta are ‘fully in agreement’ that the 411-room eyesore (left) should be knocked down. In November Madrid and Andalucia signed an agreement stating central government will shoulder the cost of demolition while the Junta will clear up the debris and restore the park back to its original state. Demolition costs were originally estimated at €300 million.

Nobel Peace prize-winner Al Gore travels across the Atlantic to share his thoughts on green business

Who wants to be an eco-millionaire? FORMER US vice-president Al Gore will lay out his strategy for the future of green business at a

conference in Spain this week. During his speech ‘Thinking Green: Economic

By Eloise Horsfield Strategy for the 21st Century’, the green campaigner will describe a new economic model which is adapted to ‘new realities’ – such as Spain’s current crisis. Speaking at the Future Economy conference in Barcelona on October 19-20, Gore will discuss how small and mediumsized businesses – as well as ordinary people – can play a role in developing sustainability. “We need a new economic model that is adapted to new realities and challenges, but which can also be the source of economic growth,” said Gore, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work helping

fight climate change. “Every recession needs a new surge of innovation to turn things round and get growth going again, and this time it could be the many cost-saving, recycling and technological innovations that the sustainable sector provides.

Gibraltar

“In addition to IT-millionaires, there could quite easily be a crop of eco-millionaires,” he suggested. Other speakers will include representatives from Marbella Town Hall, Greenpeace and the WWF. Gore will give the same speech at Gibraltar’s Thinking Green Forum on October 21.

Hunter becomes the hunted By James Bryce

CONSERVATIONISTS have warned that European demand for omega-3 supplements is causing an increase in the overfishing of sharks. Valuable oils found in the livers of deep-sea sharks are highly-prized because they are used in fish oil supplements, which have become increasingly fashionable in recent years.

Extracted

This has led green groups to condemn the actions of ‘pirate’ fishermen who take advantage of laws allowing shark oil extracted from species caught outside the EU, including the elusive goblin shark, to be sold here. “The omega-3 tablets that we buy come from lots of different sources but there are some that are shark liver oil,” said Allison Perry, a marine wildlife scientist with the charity Oceana Europe. “There are some vessels actively targeting deepwater sharks.” The fats found in the oil are thought to increase heart, body and brain health, although this has been questioned by some scientists.

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GREEN NEWS

On the eve of Marbella’s Transition Towns conference, organiser Alejandro Cesar Orioli explains a bit more about the movement’s aims and sustainable thinking

Marbella In Transition

AS the driest country in the EU, and with high climate variability in a large part of its territory, Spain is at the forefront of the effects of climate change in Europe. Climate change modelling predicts that, for the last third of the 21st century, the average temperature could increase by up to 6C. This would lead to an increase in forest fires, extreme temperatures and water shortages. The National Plan on Adaptation to Climate Change, drawn up in 2006, addressed the key issues of temperature and water shortages in Spain. It provided a framework stating the objectives, future climate scenarios and identified impacts and actions of 15 key sectors. The plan anticipates an increase in temperature and a decrease in rainfall by between 5% and 22% by 2099. Impacts would, in theory, be more pronounced in arid and semi-arid areas like the Costa del Sol, where reductions in rainfall could be as high as 50%. We all need to play a role in the fight against climate change. One way we can do that is via the Transition Town Movement, a campaign to create more sustainable communities which reduce their carbon footprint, are less reliant on fossil fuels. The movement intends to equip peo-

GREEN: Organiser Alejandro Orioli ple with the skills to respond to the changing circumstances which diminishing fossil fuels will cause. In order to educate and inspire those on the Costa del Sol to take action, the Marbella Town Hall and Arboretum Marbella have joined forces to organ-

ise a conference. This non-profit event, conducted mainly in Spanish, will bring together experts from Transition projects locally, nationally and internationally to share their successes and difficulties, offering practical solutions to creating more sustainable communities. Speakers will include Rob Hopkins, cofounder of the Transition Network and author of The Transition Handbook. There will also be group sessions, encouraging discussion on dealing with the economic crisis through the Transition model. It will be a reference point for sustainability in southern Spain and inspire communities to implement this initiative, making a lasting difference to their local environment. In Transition, Saturday October 27, Palacio de Congresos, Marbella Tickets (€10) available at FNAC La Cañada, Marbella.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

NEWS EXTRA

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Deer hunt in Cazorla causes local anger

Hunting outrage

ECOLOGISTS are outraged after the Junta allowed four deer hunts to take place in the most protected area of a nature reserve. The shootings, in the Cazorla Natural Park in Jaen, raised €8,000 which will be used to pay for fodder for other animals in the reserve. “These are difficult times and we have to seek ways of making money in order for us to pay for necessities,” said Purificacion Galvez, representative for the Junta in Jaen. This year the food bill is significantly higher because of severe droughts throughout the summer. Local residents and businesses have claimed allowing a hunt is damaging to Cazorla’s image, while the PP has said it intends to raise the issue with the Andalucian ParliaCATALUNA’S president claims the region would be the 12th ment. richest country in the EU if it were to gain independence Ecologistas en Accion’s Jafrom Spain. vier Broncano added: “We Speaking in an interview with the New York Times, Artur just cannot understand why Mas vowed to continue the fight for an independent Cata- these deer were killed at luna regardless of the result of regional elections on Novem- point blank range in a place ber 25. where they are defenceless, The region has 7.5 million residents and a €260 billion have no way of escaping and economy – equal to Portugal – with Mas calling for a refer- are completely used to huendum to be held on the issue of independence. man presence.”

Independent view

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the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

POTTED POINTERS ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 54.84% full Same week last year: 75.97% Same week in 2002: 47.79% 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 Guardia Civil Medical service Fire

091 062 061 080

EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.2940 American Dollars 0.8052 British Pounds 1.2659 Canadian Dollars 7.4591 Danish Kroner 10.030 H Kong Dollars 7.3911 Norwegian Kroner 1.5811 Singapore Dollars

Dear Olive Press I AM going to change insurance company for my house and contents cover in December. While shopping around I was asked the same question several times – have I given my existing insurer notice of my intention? There is a law that states if insurers do not have two months’ notice of cancellation, they have the right to charge the following year’s premium. In the past this has not generally been applied, but in times of austerity there is more of a chance it will and I believe this is something your readers should be aware of. John Craggs, Orgiva

Grateful Doc This is just a short line to thank you very sincerely for publishing the fainting article (‘Faint hope’, issue 144). I have absolutely no doubt that the heightened awareness your readers will have as a result of the publication will have the potential to save young athletes’ lives. The nine-year-old who died in Granada last January had fainted three times during exercise but his

LETTERS

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Premium charge mother dismissed it as insignificant. Dr Sam Vladimirovic, via email

Shop warning I was shopping in Lidl in Coin last Saturday when I had my wallet stolen by a pickpocket. The shop was crowded and I was jostled, it being the end of the month and a weekend. I stupidly had my wallet in the back pocket of my jeans, an open invitation! Several friends have suggested this type of theft will be on the increase during the weeks before Christmas, and elderly foreigners are an obvious target so I wanted to warn other Olive Press readers. Alec Abell, via email

History insult You have perpetrated an insult to history by not double checking your facts (‘An insult to history’, issue 144).

I was alive in Madrid during the whole of the Spanish Civil War. Dolores Ibarruri was not exiled as stated, rather she ‘did a runner’. There was a plane waiting on the runway to take her and other prominent communists to Russia,where they had already sent a large portion of Spain’s gold reserves – which have never been returned by the way. The workers and foot soldiers had to find their own way to France under horrendous weather conditions. So much for workers’ rights then! Whatever your own political leanings, you should check that your information is correct. The 500 people in Velez Malaga knew what they were doing, wanting their original road name back. She is not a heroine but a political fraud. Enrique Campos Crespo, Cornwall, UK

EasyJet trick

I wonder how many people don’t read the small print like me? My daughter went back to uni in London with EasyJet from Malaga airport. In a last minute panic I went into her booking on the EasyJet website and booked another suitcase, thinking I was making it a total of two. But when my daughter checked her suitcases in, she was told that the extra case I paid for was for the one case only and she was charged €97 for her second case. Bloody EasyJet! Lin Holt, via Facebook

Online tax return With the Spanish government’s current economic woes, one might expect they would do everything

in their power to collect money that is due to them. Not so. The Agencia Tributaria (tax department) have now decided tax returns should be made online. However they have failed to make the system accessible to many users. I spent four hours trying to make my return using Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, but error messages kept coming up. I eventually tried loading Chrome and was successful. Others have had even greater problems and have given up trying. I have complained to them about this, but have yet to receive a reply. The system is clearly unfit for purpose and this is yet another mess created by Spain’s overpaid jobsworths.

Arthur Stuttard, Burnley, UK

Consent horror

Hurray for Mijas I loved your special supplement on Mijas in the last issue... it was very informative and depicted the area beautifully. Excellent work guys, Sarah Hawes, Manager, Cambridge 800, Mijas

Correction In light of the current publicity on Jimmy Savile (above) in the UK I think you should make your readers aware that the age of consent in Spain is just 13 years old. It is the lowest age of consent in any country in Europe! I was gobsmacked by this, as I have a 14-year-old daughter at a Spanish school and I never knew the potential danger she was in. I have spoken to many expats here in Spain, many of whom are parents, and all were horrified and completely unaware. At the age of 13 many children have not even started puberty. How can any civilised society in this day and age justify this paedophilia? Mark Ogley, San Pedro Ed: Thanks for your letter Mark. Readers might find it useful to know the law states however that if deceit is used in gaining the consent of a minor under 16 years for sex, an individual can be charged following a parental complaint.

We wish to apologise to Philippa Porral for ‘Counselling hope’ printed in issue 144. Philippa is not an expat from Sotogrande but is Gibraltarian. The article does not correctly reflect the views of Philippa Porral. The article’s prime objective was to promote the free counselling service offered by Connect Counselling Services Gibraltar. For further details telephone 0035 054030748 or 667 236 402

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.

la cultura

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July 26, 2012

Bach and Blues

HE has taken his cello all over the world and even played for the British Royal Family – and now he is performing in Andalucia. British cellist Michael Jones (below), who is based in Jimera de la Frontera, is

performing A Night of Bach and Blues at three destinations this month with accompanying artists. Having wowed Estepona audiences last week at a charity concert in aid of Cudeca, Jones will now be performing at the Garrison Library in Gibraltar on October 18 and at the Hotel Hacienda Herriza in Gaucin on 19. For tickets, contact Hotel Herriza in Gaucin on 951 068 200. For the Gibraltar concert, tickets are available at Sacarello’s on Main Street.

Malaga scientist demonstrates through paintings the ‘chemical differences’ in the brain of a bullfighter

Matadors are aliens A NEUROSCIENTIST is using paintings to prove his theory that bullfighters are ‘aliens’ compared to other people. Malaga brain specialist Antonio Alcala Malave has collaborated with painter Andres Merida, analysing data from the last three years. “The mind of the bullfighter is not the same as normal people,” said Malave, who admitted he had not actually analysed any bullfighters since starting his research. “Anatomically speaking, there are certain areas of a bullfighter’s brain that are more

TRANSATLANTIC PICASSO A PAINTING by Malaga’s most famous son has made its way from New York to Spain. Pablo Picasso’s Langosta y gato (Lobster and Cat) will be on display at Malaga’s Picasso Museum unON LOAN: The animal painting til January 20. The painting, donated to New York’s Guggenheim Museum in 1991, will hang in the room known as the ‘bestiary’, which features various paintings showing the importance of animals in Picasso’s life.

developed than in that of a ‘normal’ human being,” he argued. “The differences are so profound, the bullfighter might well be considered an alien.” During his talk entitled The Magic of the Bullfighter’s Mind in Madrid, Malave used Merida’s paintings to explain his theory that an irreversible chemical change occurs in the brain when a novice bullfighter becomes an established bullfighter. Bestial “A bestial change occurs, which from that moment onwards can be witnessed both inside and outside the bullring,” he said. Malave said the key element forming the brain of a bullfighter was fear. “The novice fighter feels fear the same as anyone else – and often does not take that step into the precipice,” he said. “The experienced bullfighter, however, jumps into the precipice knowing he will continue to be scared – and that is when the change occurs. “This fear transforms the bullfighter’s brain. He ceases to be scared and comes through a completely different person.” Malave will give the conference again in Malaga at the end of the month.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Spanish spooks

HILE America may be the home of Halloween and horror stories, Spain certainly has its fair share of ghosts and ghouls. Whether it’s mysterious faces appearing on the floor, or a secretive ogre living in the woods, there is no shortage of spine-tingling Spanish tales to make you want to sleep with the light on. Many of the spookiest tales originate right here in Andalucia, including the haunted house of Castilo Jurado, also known as Casa Encantada, in Campanillas. The now dilapidated house was once a grand mansion built in the 19th century by the Heredia family, one of the wealthiest in Andalucia. It is said that many young girls who went missing from the surrounding area at the time were kidnapped, tortured and murdered by the Heredias. Legend has it that secret chambers existed below the house where the girls were kept before their death and unexplained voices and other sounds have been reported coming from the building in the years since. Catherine O’Connor, a producer for production company Oxford Creative Film, described having her own ghostly encounter while filming at the property, which was destined to become a luxury hotel until the owners experienced financial problems. “We were in the middle of swapping a tape over and we SPOOKY: English Cenetery in Malaga heard a door slam, but there are no doors in the house. It was such a shame we didn’t get it on film,” the 41-year-old mysterious figure is said to be an ogre told the Olive Press. living high in the Pyrenees. “It was an odd experience to walk His home is in the woods and the caves, around the house when it has such a where he is said to protect flocks of legacy,” she explained. sheep and goats from predators and “It was quite surreal, you do feel an atthunderstorms. mosphere there, certainly a sense of But despite being credited with teaching something strange.” humans the art of agriculture and forgShe added: “It would be interesting to ing, he has a more sinister side to his trace back the history of the girls that went missing.” But Casa Encantada is not Andalucia’s only haunted house. A property in the Jaen village of Belmez de la Moraleda has become famous for the ‘Belmez faces’, which first appeared in 1971 when Maria Gomez Camara spotted one on her kitchen floor. Her son and husband took a pick axe to the floor, destroying it and laying down a new one, but the male and female faces continued to appear and terrifyingly continued to grow in both size and intensity. Many have argued over the years that it is a hoax and the faces have been painted on. But whether they are real or not the house has certainly attracted many believers and curious onlookers over the years. Andalucia also lays claim to some of Spain’s best known mythology, including the great lover Don Juan who is said to have been dragged to hell by the dead father of the girl he had seduced. Elsewhere in Spain, mythological creatures such as the Basa-Juan have been responsible for keeping many a Spaniard awake at night. TERRIFYING: One of the spooky Known as the ‘lord of the woods’, the Belmez faces appearing in the floor

With Halloween just around the corner, Gem Wilson checks under the bed for some of Sp most spine-tingling myths and legends

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nature, trapping hu into his domain. A more friendly enc with Dones d’aigua water. A popular myth ass luna, the half wome live anywhere with as wells, springs, although found in c Unlike Bas upon the they are humans. Spain’s also boa tales such Costilla, man who darkness Seeing a small, se rode to it a was a cha began pra But he wa Three pe black clo ground, s looking at eyes. Quickly le ing on his noticed th now follo behind an front. He insiste the figure

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h s

EERIE: Casa Encantada, near Cartama, the haunted house of the former Heredia family (pictured below)

mma pain’s

umans if they stray

counter can be had a, the maids of the

sociated with Cataen, half fish or bird, h clean water such fountains or lakes they can also be caves and woods. sa-Juan, if you come maids of the water said to be kind to

supernatural past asts some ghostly h as that of Antonio a Spanish gentlewas out riding when fell. light shining from a ecluded building he and upon realising it apel, he entered and aying. as not alone. eople wrapped in oaks lay on the saying nothing but t him with wild, sad

eaving and continus way home, Costillo he three figures were owing him, at once nd then suddenly in

ed to his family that es were in the room,

despite being invisible to everyone else. Costillo died three days later, maintaining until the end that the three figures were standing by his bed, threatening him with their frightful stares and gestures. Then there are the stories from Simon Goulart, who in his book Tresor d’histoires admirables tells the tale of two young Spanish boys who, on their way to university, had stopped for the night in a small village.

Night staff report strange voices and whispers that can be heard in empty parts of the building With all the houses full they were forced to sleep in an abandoned house which was said to be haunted. Undeterred, the boys stayed but were woken by the sound of clanking chains which appeared to be coming from the floor below. Going to investigate with his candle and sword one of the boys came upon a ghastly skeleton standing in the doorway covered in chains. The skeleton beckoned for the boy to follow, which he fearlessly did, the skeleton walking ahead dragging its legs as if bound by iron shackles. Suddenly the boy’s candle blew out and the room was engulfed in dark-

ness. Upon relighting the flame, the boy made his way outside and saw the skeleton standing by a well, before suddenly vanishing. The next day the ground where the skeleton had been standing was exhumed and the remains of a body was found... wrapped in chains. The villagers gave the remains a proper burial and the noises from the building abruptly stopped. Other haunted places in Spain include the House of the Seven Chimneys in Madrid where a lady dressed in white and carrying a torch can be seen on certain nights. The lady was a young bride, who is said to have died of sorrow when her

husband was killed in the Battle of San Quentin. She was a mistress to the king, and legend has it her husband was sent into battle to die so the king could have her to himself. The Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, a 200-year-old building which was once a hospital, is also home to spooky goings on with night staff reporting strange voices and whispers that can be heard in empty parts of the building as well as ghosts being seen in the central part of the museum. In Sevilla, Sister Ursula, a nun of the Order of Charity is said to stalk the halls of the Andalucian parliament, which was formerly the Hospital of the Five Wounds. Meanwhile, some visitors to the English cemetery in Malaga claim to have seen the cemetery’s guardian - the last person buried there - wandering through the gravestones. There have also been reports of people being touched by unseen hands and hearing footsteps and voices. The existence of ghosts will continue to divide opinion between believers and TORCH-LIT: A ghost is sometimes seen sceptics, but whatever walking around the House of the Seven happens, don’t have Chimneys in Madrid nightmares!

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

la cultura

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Olive Press interns Gemma Wilson and Dana Ferguson, spend an evening hobnobbing with the movers and shakers at the Marbella Film Festival

ARBELLA International Film Festival has once again sparkled, showcasing 65 independently made films from around the world. Filmmakers showed off their talent and competed to win the award for best in their category. UK film WarHouse, billed as a ‘gripping, brutal, psychological thriller with a supernatural edge’ was one of the first feature films to be shown this year, exploring the difficult issues soldiers bring back with them from war. Lead character A.J. wakes each day trapped alone in a house, and is forced to fight off the same monster day after day. The Olive Press caught up with co-writers and lead actor Matt Ryan outside the Andalucia Plaza to discuss the film. “It’s post-traumatic stress disorder, it’s everything those poor guys bring home with them,” said Benjamin Read. Co-writer Luke Massey added: “That’s what the monster repre-

Marbella… the next Cannes? sents, and that’s what the isolation represents in the film. It’s about a soldier who comes home to nothing.” Having of course seen the movie again and again, none of them attended their film’s screening – instead heading across the street to grab a pint! “We’re from a the small town of Stratford-uponAvon. “There’s not a film industry in Stratford, so for us to get out and meet other filmmakers is a big thing,” Read said. The festival provided differing levels of support for filmmakers in various stages of progress. Those just starting up were able to participate in a 24hour film challenge, with crews competing against one another to make a short film in just one day. For those at more advanced levels, the festival offered support in finding investors

HARD-HITTING: A scene from Warhorse – a crucial element in getting a movie to take off. Briton Caroline Burns Cooke wrote and starred in Myra, a short film about 1960s Moors murderer Myra Hind-

Tidal tale

TSUNAMI: McGregor comforts a victim SCOTTISH actor Ewan McGregor is starring in a film based on a true story about a Spanish family affected by Thailand’s tsunami eight years ago. The Impossible tells the story of Maria and Henry, a young couple who were in their hotel pool when the disaster struck in 2004. “The real family is Spanish, but we play them as Brits,” said McGregor. The film, produced by Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona, was filmed in both Alicante and Thailand.

ley. Cooke said the film is ‘quintessentially English’ and she was surprised it was accepted to an international festival. The film cost just £30 (€37) to make because Cooke did much of the work herself. “It’s sort of the darkest story possible in a way. It is even more difficult to accept a woman who will kill children, than a man. She’s sort of trying to get the audience to in some way sympathise with her,” she said. Festival director Mac Chakaveh said the festival, now in its seventh year, provided a platform for independent filmmakers to promote their films. “Filmmakers, by their own nature, are artists. That’s why Hollywood studios used to make so much money out of them,” he said. “Because they are artists, they don’t think business. Our objective is to try and help them along. Not to think business, but to show them the roots. “The idea really is to make Marbella the home of independent film in Spain, to make it the next Cannes,” he added.

la cultura

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CONNECTING WITH ROOTS

A TEEN novel billed as an ‘historical adventure’ has been released by a UK-based Spanish author. The Moon Worshippers focuses on life in the Basque country in the seventh century and the history behind the rule of Roman Emperor Charlemagne. Author Aitor Echevarria, now based in Leeds, wrote the book based on his experiences living in the Basque country as a child. “There are no other books like this for young readers and very little is written about the Basques,” the school headteacher, now retired, said. The Moon Worshippers is available at www.troubador.co.uk and from Amazon.

ECLECTIC

AN eclectic display of artwork is on show at Riogordo’s Museo Etnografico until October 27. Arte Abierto is the sixth exhibition by Axarquia Art, which develops and promotes artists from around the area. Visit axarquiaart.blogspot.com. es for more information

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Come and visit us at the HOME & GARDEN SHOW on 9th & 10th NOVEMBER

We will make an immediate offer for any coins and stamps brought to our stand number 78

On display we will have some quality coins including royal mint products at substantial discounts to issue price and collectable and investment coins EXAMPLES OF HIGH PRICES PAID FOR COINS:

250 euros paid Any Gold Half Sovereign Minimum 125 euros paid Pre-1947 Silver coins MINIMUM OF 20 TIMES FACE VALUE PAID

Any Gold Sovereign Minimum

We buy modern Royal Mint products, Westminster Collection, John Pinches, Metalimport, Coincraft etc etc

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Wreck move

DIVERS are preparing to move a 17th century wreck to shallower waters in order to study it more effectively. Two boats were discovered in Cadiz port in February but just one has been excavated so far because the first ship is in the way of the second. Now a special 26m metal structure has been built to bring the second wreck from 14m below the surface up to a platform at 5m.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Kill Kapitalism! Spaniard gathers following after spelling out then destroying K-word in 10 different countries

ARTY DESTRUCTION: Sierra started his anticapitalism project in Sweden (inset) and ended it in Melbourne

Ammunition The operation will start at the end of November and since divers are limited to 1.5-hour periods in the water, it could take up to a month. Archaeologists have already found tableware, ceramics, copper plates, ammunition, kaolin pipes and various sealed jars – some of which, amazingly, still contain olives. “We have to feel our way along because we can only see 20cm in front of us,” said excavation manager Jose Manuel Higueras.

33 33

what’s on

onda, Until October 30. Exhibition of new works by David Seaton at the Convento de Santa Domingo

ordoba, October 20-21, Quince festival. Celebrate the quince fruit prepared to eat in many ways. Info: http://www. andalucia.org/ eventos/fiesta-delmembrillo/

J A SPANISH artist has made headlines around the world by creating – and then destroying – 10 giant sculptures spelling out the word ‘Kapitalism’. Santiago Sierra, 46, created letters in 10 countries using local materials before arranging for them to be publically eaten, demolished or burnt. He completed his project by setting fire to a 3.6 metre high ‘K’ made from pine and hay in Melbourne last week, having spent two years slowly spelling

out the mystery word. “The project showed my feelings and desires, and my desire is for the destruction of the capitalist system,” he said. “It’s a criminal system that is putting humankind on the border of extinction.” Sierra began the Destroyed Word project in Sweden in 2010, where the word ‘capitalism’ is spelt with a ‘K’. His first letter was ‘M’, created out of concrete and then later destroyed us-

ing demolition machines. In the Netherlands he made a giant ‘S’ out of fruit and vegetables which was later devoured by pigs.

Gypsy

“I realised I had to make a global piece. I am a gypsy in a way, I travel and make art everywhere,” said the Madrid-born artist, who also made and destroyed works in India, Iceland and Papua New Guinea.

aen, October 14-23, Fiestas de San Lucas. Local food tastings during the daytime fair and dancing at night, bullfights and concerts

lpujarra de la Sierra, Granada, November 1, Chestnut festival. Celebrating, and giving thanks for the chestnut harvest.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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LET THEM GET DIRTY

MOLLYCODDLING parents are bringing up a ‘generation of weaklings’, according to a new report from the National Trust. The study says parents are doing their children more harm them good by not letting them get dirty with ‘risky’ activities such as climbing trees. Interviews showed that children are now leading more sedentary lives because their parents are scared to let them go outside. The study also finds that grandparents also have a role to play, seeing as they would have spent more time outside as children.

35 the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012 35 monthly youth and education section

treme

Turn over for Halloween Special

WAKEY, WAKEY! A NOCTURNAL lifestyle is causing Spanish children to wake up sleepy and underperform in the classroom, a new study has shown. The research, conducted by Kellogg’s across 250 schools, found half of children aged between six and 12 are tired in the mornings after having late dinners and going to bed too late. Around 40% were found to be having dinner between 9pm and 10pm, finally hitting the sack as late as 11pm. Doctor and sleep specialist Eduard Estivill said Spanish children are going to bed up to two hours later than they should be.

Spanish children are tired as soon as they get up thanks to their parents’ fiesta-filled lives

Workshop

This, he believes, is mainly down to a cultural timetable which is ‘totally useless with regard to sleep’. “Sleep is like a workshop,” he said. “The physical and men-

tal repair which takes place is essential for alertness and the mental capacity needed to learn, plus the energy to

perform everyday acts.” According to the UK’s National Health Service, fiveyear-olds need 11 hours’

sleep per night, while nineyear-olds need 10 hours and 14-year-olds need nine hours.

Push for multilingual schools BILINGUAL education will soon be available in all secondary schools in Nerja – if a town hall appeal is successful. Education councillor Gema Garcia has presented a motion to the Junta, flagging up the fact that Nerja only has one centre offering bilingual education, in Fuente del Baden.

Language

“Ideally bilingual education would be available in all schools in the area so all pupils can benefit from it and learn a second language, even a third,” said Garcia. “We need to remember that Nerja is a very touristy area. Knowing how to speak another language has become fundamental when it comes to getting a job.”

36 36

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Xtreme

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Going back in time

Fancy a movie?

CAN you guess what this is? Believe it or not, it’s a first-century school which has just been unearthed at a Roman archaeological site in Aroche in Huelva. The ancient city of Turobriga, which was discovered in 2004, stretches over six hectares but so far just 15% of it has been excavated. The s-called ‘youth college’ would only have been attended by the offspring of the very rich. Archaeologists have also unearthed a temple and a chapel this summer.

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 Frankenweenie Plaza Mayor, Malaga 18:15 (weekdays) Cinesur Miramar, Fuengirola 16:15, 18:15, 20:15 The Impossible (12) Plaza Mayor, Malaga 17:00, 19:30, 22:00, 00:30 (weekdays) Cinesur Miramar, Fuengirola 16:30, 18:30, 20:10, 22:20 The Three Stooges King Bastion leisure centre, Gibraltar 18:00 (weekdays) 15:30 (weekends) Total Recall King Bastion leisure centre, Gibraltar 18:30 (weekdays) Ice Age King Bastion leisure centre, Gibraltar 16:00 (weekends) The Campaign (15) King Bastion leisure centre, Gibraltar 20:30 (daily)

HISTORICAL: Roman ruins

Creative happy bunch NO wonder they are looking happy. The new group of students at the University College-Marbella Design Academy are joining one of the coast’s most vibrant and exciting colleges. And what better image to welcome them in than a sexy dress designed by Norwegian pupil Albana, modelled at a recent fashion show. The academy, based in Monda, was set up in 1995 and became recognised by the Junta in 2009. Courses include a three-year Bachelors’ degree in Fashion, Interior Design and Graphic Design. Students, who come from all around the world, even get free Spanish classes twice a week.

Picassos in making A

S Pablo Picasso once famously said: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Well, that was certainly true in our school this month as all our children rolled up their sleeves for Art Week. We spent the week introducing each year group to an eclectic mix of artists including Jackson Pollock, Henry Matisse, Wassily Kandinsky, Henry Moore and Keith Harring. Then we armed them with paintbrushes, palettes and aprons and taught them

Children came home with slightly more paint in their hair than normal following Art Week at the British School of Marbella, writes headmistress Sian Kirkham how to create their own magnificent masterpieces. Being a bit of a dab hand with the old paint brush myself, I showed each class how to paint a sea scape on a canvas, which looked pretty good if I do say so. There may have been slightly more paint than usual on faces and hands but I like to think that’s all in a day’s work for any self-respecting young artist. But of course like all important works of art, their carefully crafted work will be displayed in our very own and slightly prestigious gallery at

PROUD: Emma, four, points out her masterpiece the school this week. Here parents, grandparents and local art dealers will be

ARTISTIC TALENT: Agatha, Antonello and Victoria with some of the art work they created

able to purchase the paintings during a charity auction. And who knows, we might even have a young Picasso in the making here – so make sure any work you buy is signed just in case it’s worth a fortune in years to come. In keeping with the art vibe in the school, we also dispatched our budding young artists from Year One to the Picasso Museum in Malaga to inspire them. It seems to have worked well, as since the trip they have all made a Picassostyle portrait with ears, eyes and noses all over the place. Local art galleries watch out, the BSM Art Gallery is hoping to give you a run for your money!

Xtreme

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This month’s recipe: Scoff these spidery treats on the eve of Hallowe’en Ingredients

• 200g milk chocolate, broken into chunks • 113g pack of liquorice sticks (any colour) • 2 x 154g pack of Oreo cookies, or any other round biscuit of your choice • White chocolate drops

Method

• With an adult present, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Once melted, turn off the heat and leave the chocolate in the bowl to keep warm while you assemble the spiders. Alternatively you can melt the chocolate in a microwave. • Cut the liquorice sticks into 2-3cm lengths to use as the spiders’ legs. • Splodge a small teaspoon of chocolate onto half of the cookies. Arrange eight liquorice legs on top, then sandwich with another cookie. Spread some more chocolate on top of the second cookie to cover. • If you are not using Oreos, just spread some of the melted chocolate onto the biscuit and press the liquorice legs into the chocolate on the top. • For eyes, place the white chocolate drops on the cookie and using a small amount of the melted chocolate to make a dot in the centre. • Set aside to cool, then enjoy!

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Xtreme

Halloween wordsearch How quickly do you reckon you can find these words related to the October 31 festival? HALLOWEEN BOO GHOST PUMPKIN SPOOKY WITCH BLACKCAT TRICKORTREAT VAMPIRE

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Gaming trouble

CANDY COSTUMES SPIDERWEBS

AGGRESSION: Scene from Grand Theft Auto TEENAGERS who spend hours playing violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt become more aggressive adults, according to a recent study. The report, by Brock University in Canada, investigated 1,492 teens across eight different schools. In the first study to clearly show a link between game content and aggressive behaviour, re-

searchers found adolescents who had played violent games behaved differently from others in confrontational situations. British video game specialist, Professor Mark Griffiths, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The study does provide one of the strongest pieces of empirical evidence to date that there is a direct relationship between playing violent video games and subsequent aggressive behaviour.â&#x20AC;?

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the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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51 41

Spain leads fight against liver cancer SPANISH researchers have made a potentially significant breakthrough in the battle against liver cancer. A study of malignant hepatoma, led by the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, discovered how a gene regulator activated by stress controls the survival of cancer cells. The findings, published in the journal Nature Cell Biology, could now be used to help develop preventative strategies to combat the deadly strain - a common form of liver cancer responsible for 500,000 deaths worldwide each year, People with Hepatitis B and C, along with those suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, are at a particularly high risk of suffering from REASSURING: New hope in cancer fight this form of liver cancer. Scientists used mice to study the development of the disease and They then tested their findings using more found that by altering certain proteins, they than 150 human tissue samples and found a were able to significantly alter the developclear correlation between the proteins and ment of the disease. the initiation of liver cancer.

Link between stress-related gene and development of disease identified by scientists

FUNDRAISERS: Guests at the ball

Think pink A CHARITY ball has raised €20,000 to help combat breast cancer among expats on the Costa del Sol. The annual Pink Ball, organised by Mijasbased charity Positively Pink, saw more than 150 people enjoy an evening of entertainment at El Oceano hotel. The charity provides education, support and free breast screening to both men and women, with breast cancer remaining the most common form of the disease among women.

Phones killing off relationships

A PROJECT to open a hospital in Estepona has been given immediate priority. While delayed for five years, the Junta has now decided to fast-track the process of building the so-called CHARE hospital.

Overwhelmed

The evening also saw the launch of new charity, Positively Blue, which aims to provide a free screening programme for prostate and testicular cancer. “This was an exciting evening and exceeded our expectations with the amount of money we raised. We are overwhelmed by the support we have received,” organiser Lorraine Palmer told the Olive Press.

Estepona Hospital plan back on the go

ANTI-SOCIAL: Mobiles can damage relationships MOBILE phones can damage your relationship even when they are switched off, according to research. Two studies found that people felt less positive towards each other if a mobile was visible during a conversation. Researchers at Essex University concluded that mobile phones encourage thoughts about wider social networks and reduce the level of empathy normally present in a face-to-face

conversation. “In both studies we found evidence that mobiles can have negative effects on closeness, connection, and conversation quality,” said researcher Andrew Przybylski. The study concluded: “These results demonstrate that the presence of mobile phones can interfere with human relationships, an effect that is most clear when individuals are discussing personally meaningful topics.”

Archaeology

The hospital, planned for the Arroyo Vaquero zone, would serve the towns of Estepona, Ojen, Casares and Manilva. It was delayed due to political and bureaucratic disputes, as well as archaeological remains found at the proposed site. Now PP politician Jose Eduardo Diaz is demanding that construction starts immediately.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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The list of registered donors rose by an encouraging 12% last year

World’s leading organ donors SPAIN continues to lead the world for organ donations, according to the latest figures. The total number of donors zoomed up by 12% last year keeping the country ahead of Portugal, the US and France. The country has been among the world’s leading donors for the last 20 years, with around 35 donors per million, twice the European average. The country has also now signed a special collaboration protocol with France and Italy to share networks and improve its service. Last year more than 63,000 people were on the waiting list to receive a transplant in Europe with only 48% successful.

Midwives rock

MIDWIVES will come together in Andalucia next month to celebrate their skills and passion for home birthing. Now in its fourth year, ‘Midwives Rock’ is a weekend course for midwives from around Europe. “It is a celebration of the passion that we hold between us to make birth a beautiful gentle experience for women, their families and ourselves,” said organiser Vanessa Brooks, who has been a lay midwife for 16 years. “Working with birth is challenging, exciting, exhausting , magical and often frustrating – such a myriad of emotions we need to share.” The course, which takes place in Orgiva this October, will allow midwives to discuss the different aspects of dealing with home births as well as honing their skills. For more information, contact Vanessa on vanessadaaluz@yahoo.co.uk.

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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Costa del Sol to become leading health destination By Dana Ferguson

MALAGA could become a world-renowned destination for healthcare under ambitious plans unveiled by health chiefs. A foundation, set up by a group of prominent surgeons, will be used to attract patients to clinics, hospitals and treatment centres on the Costa del Sol. According to the group, the initiative could help boost Malaga’s tourism industry by €250 million

Health tourism could hand €250 million boost to region

said foundation founder Miguel Such. “None of us are motivated by money. We are embarking on this project to bring favour to Malaga.

Expense

annually in three years, as health tourism becomes increasingly popular.

“We are sitting on an untapped goldmine and we don’t even realise it,”

Cholesterol caution

Dr Raymond Prats looks at the different types of cholesterol and how you can reduce your risk of heart disease

e may associate cholesterol with fatty foods, but our livers are responsible for producing 75% of it, compared to just 25% that comes from food. At normal levels, cholesterol actually plays an important role in helping cells do their jobs, but cholesterol levels are precariously high in many people. High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes. This is because too much cholesterol can lead to a buildup of plaque inside the arteries, which narrows the space available for blood flow. It has also been linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. But the good news is that high cholesterol is simple to detect and there are many ways to help reduce it. People older than 20 should have their cholesterol checked at least once every five years, which is done with a simple blood test known as a fasting lipoprotein profile. There exists both ‘bad’ cholesterol and ‘good’ cholesterol. The bad is caused by a diet high in saturated fats, while good cholesterol can be increased by eating healthy fats such as olive oil. Family history is also an important factor in whether or not you have high cholesterol, with some people inheriting genes that trigger the production of too much cholesterol.

Here are some ways in which you can help lower your cholesterol: Low-carb diet - There’s growing evidence that low-carb diets may be better than low-fat diets for improving cholesterol levels. In a two-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health, people who followed a low-carb plan had significantly better good cholesterol levels than those who followed a low-fat plan. Lose weight - If you’re overweight, talk to your doctor about beginning a weight loss program. Shedding just a few pounds can help boost your good cholesterol level. Quit smoking - When you stop smoking, your good cholesterol is likely to improve by as much as 10%. Speak to your doctor about the best options to help you quit. Exercise - Regular exercise lowers bad cholesterol and starting an aerobic exercise program could increase your good cholesterol by 5% in the first two months. Eat more fiber - Diet changes offer a powerful way to fight high cholesterol. If you’ve ever wondered why some cereals claim to be heart-healthy, it’s the fiber. The soluble fiber found in many foods helps reduce bad cholesterol.

For more information visit www.simplecarehealthplan.com

“Health tourism is not being fully taken advantage of in Malaga considering we have the resources to become a world leader in terms of health,” added Such, who predicts the average expense for each incoming patient will be around €10,000. Among the health centres to have so far signed up to the Malaga Health foundation include Xanit International hospital in Benalmadena and Parque San Antonio in Malaga.

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Complementary Salud! the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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Hurray for homeopathy

Healing hands

AVE you heard of Reiki, but want to learn more about this natural therapy? Now you can discover more through the hands of Reiki Master Dr. Margarita Taylor-Schleppe, who treats humans and animals at her practice in Estepona. Reiki promotes natural healing by transferring universal life energy from practitioner to patient. “Reiki affects the physical, emotional and mental state. It is used for the healing of body, spirit and soul and adapts to the natural needs of the recipient,” explained Taylor-Schleppe, who moved to Spain from Germany in 2007. “It can never cause harm.” “It is a complementary therapy and does not replace traditional medicine, but can support other therapies.”

HOMEOPATHY is not an ‘alternative’ medical treatment but one which is valid and recognised, a conventional Spanish doctor insists. Speaking at the fifth national Homeopathy Congress in Oviedo, Asturias, orthopaedic surgeon Brana Alejandro Vigil joined over 100 specialists who shared ideas and experiences about homeopathy.

Resistance

The treatment, created in 1796, is based on the theory of ‘like cures like’, and works by administering a tiny amount of a substance in order to make the body develop its own resistance to disease and infection.

Doctors and specialists come together in to share thoughts on the controversial treatment Many doctors and scientists reject the concept altogether. Meanwhile Argentinian specialist Ernesto Giampietro stressed the holistic character of homeopathy. “Homeopathy addresses the patient as a whole, and that is what makes it different from conventional medical treatment,” he said.

MUDRA of the month Mudras are hand positions which guide energy flow to the brain. Through mudras, we can effectively engage and influence our body and mind by simply by bending, crossing, extending or bringing together our fingers.

Ganesha Mudra (the elephant; Ganesha, the deity who overcomes all obstacles)

• Hold your left hand in front of your chest, palm facing outwards • Bending the fingers, grasp your left hand with your right hand, which is facing backwards towards your left hand • Move hands level to your heart • Inhale, then exhale vigorously while pulling your hands apart without releasing the grip. This will create tension in upper arms and chest • When inhaling release all tension without releasing the hands • Repeat six times then put hands in prayer position with thumbs coming into the sternum (your heart centre), and focus on this part of your body • Release and change position of hands and repeat. • Sit in silence for a couple of minutes

Complementary Salud!

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Yoga

with Rachael Hemming

Seated forward bend (Paschimottanasana) Benefits • Stretches the hamstrings • Stretches and lengthens the spine • Massages the internal organs, especially the digestive organs • Relieves problems with sciatica • Invigorates the nervous system • Calms the mind • Improves concentration • Promotes introspection and reflection How to do it • Be seated on the floor with your back straight, arms relaxed at your sides, pelvis tilted slightly backwards if you can. Legs long in front, sides of feet touching, toes pointing upwards • Inhale raising your arms above your head • Exhale, hinge from the pelvis, taking your torso forward and bringing your hands down onto whatever part of your legs your hands reach without staining • Keep back straight but don’t strain, take your tummy towards your thighs • Take four rounds of breath, exhalation longer than the inhalation looking beyond your toes. Soften on each out breath, relax THIS year’s Mind, Body and Spirit festival is an absolute must for anyone wishing to discover more about natural health. Its 50 exhibitors – including mediums, healers, psychics, aura photographers and nutrition therapists –

your body and breathe into the tension the posture creates, so when you breathe out your body relaxes. Keep sides of feet together and toes pointing upwards • Allow your gaze to drop to your legs. As your body softens on the out breath, move your hands towards your ankles or toes if your body allows, take your tummy towards your thighs • Breathe and relax into the posture for 10 to 15 rounds of breath. Come out slowly If in any doubt, please consult your doctor. www.theyogicemporium.com

Energy exchange will be on hand to help you enhance, uplift and enrich your mind, body and spirit. Talks and demonstrations will be given every half hour

Healthy, easy

WE all know how easy it can be to drift into those ‘unhealthy habits’. Now there is a way of making the change towards an improved lifestyle without having to wrangle with statistics and science. Run by a professional golfer, technical nutritionist/dietician and gym specialist, Healthy Habits, offers diet advice, vitamins and supplements so you don’t have to figure it out yourself.

by 18 expert speakers. Mediums will try to help you communicate with loved ones that have passed on, while Dr Mark Lane will

“Life can become a little overwhelming at times, and despite our most valid efforts to take care of ourselves, we tend to drift towards what’s convenient, comfortable and uncomplicated,” said Nina Bosse (right), who runs the Estepona-based shop and advice centre. “Healthy Habits has everything you would like to have to improve your nutrition and general well-being, but without the headache.”

be able give you a free spinal check, and Inge the animal communicator will help you learn how to better connect with your animals. You will be able to experience the magical sounds of quartz crystal bowls with Nicola Brown’s raindrop therapy, and discover the benefits of raw food with Michealle Jullian.

Massage

Learn all about numerology with Tricia Frances, discover the power of gratitude through a mini-workshop, or enjoy a healing massage with Grant Foster. Health foods, crystals, jewelry, gifts and chocolate will be on sale on both days. There really is something for everyone wishing to take the steps towards a more peaceful, more fulfilling, happier, healthier lifestyle.

Affirmation of the month: I meet other people with courage, openness and confidence

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

vs horny devil

ADIOS BART! In his last column for the Olive Press, before returning to politics, Bartie discusses Spain’s current economic woes

Incompetent or what? I

AM indebted to a colleague in the Antipodes who sent me some well-considered guidance on the destination for NSGB under the current ham-fisted and unimaginative “coalition” government. It takes the form of a dictionary definition and I can do no better than reproduce it in its original form: Ineptocracy - (in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) - A system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers. If it wasn’t so accurate it would be amusing. Regrettably it sums up the exact position in which the country finds itself. The lily-livered Liberals are braying to tax the rich, pound the producers and hammer the homeowners. They want to alienate the very people who underwrite investment in the country – the people who risk their own hard earned cash in new ventures that employ other people and expand the economy. I am not talking about the tax evaders or the corporate raiders, I’m talking about the life

Can someone pleae suggest a picture!!

blood of the economy. And it is not just the politicians that sustain the Ineptocracy, the news media are complicit in the conspiracy. Such is the current state of decline that, at the time of writing, leading newspapers have spent the best part of a week and countless miles of large type headlines excoriating an MP who had the temerity to be rude to an unimpeachable British policeman. So, as the economy crumbles, as the fool Cameron begs other nations to maintain the foreign aid shambles, as unemployment figures head skyward, what does the Ineptocracy do? Let me tell you what it does … it leaps headlong into the annual political conference season where rank upon rank of hopeless actual and helpless aspiring politicians disgorge meaningless verbiage in an attempt to glorify their own views or vilify those of their opponents as they try desperately to get onto the Ineptocracy gravy train. It was ever thus. Unless we can crush the Ineptocracy it will, forever, be thus. Vote Bartie!

TIME TO BE SCARED

HIS column has often warned of the megalomaniacal aspirations of the bureaucrats that run the EC. The threat has been confirmed as plans for a “superstate” complete with its own president and its own army are being drawn up. We have already seen European legislation steamroller over national statute law, now the door is closing on democracy itself. Eleven countries, including Germany, want an end to national vetoes to stop other states, more democratically inclined, preventing moves towards a single European administration. The German foreign minister has called for a directly elected EU president who will ‘personally appoint the members of his European government’. Despite the clear lessons from history, from Rome to the USSR, the Eurocrats are determined to create another empire from disparate nations – at whatever cost. Jose Manuel Barroso, the current Commission president has announced that he will present proposals for a fully-fledged federation next year. Thus the lies that we have swallowed for years will finally become the truth that will destroy national identities and condemn us all to rule from Brussels. Remember the Common Market? Nothing more than a trading bloc they said and look what has happened to that. I can only hope that the current financial crisis proves terminal for the euro and countries like Spain and Italy are freed to rebuild their economies (and their nationalities) from the rubble. It will be tough, it will be painful but it will be preferable to living under the yolk of Brussels. In NSGB the UK Independence Party looks more attractive by the day.

En route to his pal’s wedding, the Mad Dog stops off at Valencia to investigate bizarre street scrawls and misbehaving monks. Good heavens!

F you’ve seen the mezquita, OD’d on Spanish ‘old towns’ and witnessed enough bull-bothering to last you a lifetime, chances are you’re gagging for a change. Well, fear not – no matter how quirky your cultural preference, you can bet your bottom euro that Valencia will cater for it. That’s because Spain’s ‘third city’ is strewn with art –some of it in the oddest of places. For instance, who on Earth would RISQUE: Penis asparagus expect to find ‘penis asparagus’ in a sober-looking ceramics gallery? (Palacio del Marquis de Dos Aguas) ‘Penis Asparagus’ – what’s that all about? It makes Heston Blumenthal’s snail porridge seem as bland as Bury black pudding. Anyway, once you’ve finished dicking about, head over to the Jardines de Turia to check out the intriguing Parque Gulliver sculpture. Built in 1990, this 220ft tall ‘playground man’ has touched more young buttocks than the late Jimmy Savile. That’s because Gulliver’s giant body morphs into plunging ‘death slides’ – which in the UK would have Claims Direct written all over them. Despite this, the children seem happy enough, zipping down vertical slopes like knee-high ninjas. To be fair, I only observed a couple of slipped discs and one fatal neck break – perhaps we do mollycoddle our kids in England! They say a great city evolves on its skin, and it’s not hyperbole to say Valencia’s walls house Europe’s finest street murals. It all started in the 1980s when pockets of young Spaniards hopped onto the hip-hop bandwagon (i.e. by boddypopping and keeping their ‘hoes’ on dog leads). Inspired by the New York scene, these grafiteros marked city buildings like Justin Lee Collins marks ladies’ faces. While awe-inspiring, many of these murals border on hardcore pornography. Indeed, in the fashionable Barrio del Carmen district I saw more muffs than a Middlesbrough maternity ward. Hot and bothered, I decided to make my way towards the city’s main train station. But remember, this is Valencia. I’d only stumbled a few feet before finding myself surrounded by more protruding sex glands in the ancient Lonja de Mercaderes square, where grotesque gargoyles openly pleasure themselves. In a country full of sex and nudity, the sight of monks pleasuring themselves shouldn’t really have fazed me. But it was their positioning on cathedral walls that really knocked me for six. Back in the 15th century, these statues were ‘erected’ as deterrents – warning horny hombres to keep it in their trousers. Fast forward 530 years and these obscene ornaments seem to be having the opposite effect. How else could you explain the scores of young bucks below, locked Thought of the together by burning loins? Fortnight The Valencians seem to have invented a unique way of bonking whilst Despite the ongoing fully clothed and they were going at controversy surroundit hell for leather beneath the ‘banging Jimmy Savile I was ing bishops’. Honestly, is nothing aghast to see Jim’ll Fix sacred anymore? It costumes STILL being So, with a camera full of oddities – sold on the internet! and semi in my trousers – I boarded Apparently, the memothe train back to normality. rial shellsuit comes with Well, when I say normality I’ll have two gold chains, and an to keep an eye out for dong-flogging adult sized top – but you and slug-tugging next time I visit the have to squeeze into a old Mezquita. kids bottom!

Sexist Señors! Disgruntled of Andalucia (formerly of Royal Tunbridge Wells)

Did you know that the Spanish word for wife (esposa) also means handcuffs? Don Juans? More like Bernado Manningos!

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U J p the

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HE KNOWS HIS ONIONS!

Peter Langdale on the key jobs for Autumn

UTUMN has arrived, the mornings are fresh, and the shorts have been put away until next summer. We are flat out on the farms getting all our parsley and coriander crops sown. In fact as I write this our first delivery of parsley and coriander is on its way to the UK. At this time of year conditions are excellent for the planting of all manner of trees, ornamental bushes and spring flowering bulbs. Finish off your late summer pruning and remove any leaf waste as this can be a source of pest and disease next season. With All Saints Day just around the corner, our featured plant of the month is the Chrysanthemum, a specimen synonymous with the date. Available in all shapes and sizes it is ideal for the garden, terrace or patio and gives a splendid show of colour. Also very popular and available for planting now are pansies and violas, which will continue to give a spread of colour and joy to the garden all winter. We also have a great selection of conifers which can help break up the outline of your garden and act as a screen or windbreak where necessary. As my forte is vegetable production, let us now turn to the vegetable plot. This month we are highlighting cabbage; both green and red, Chinese cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Now is the perfect time for crops such as leeks, swedes, parsnips, carrots, broccoli and onions. Why not plant some of the onion sets we have available as they are certain to give a good result, and don’t forget to check for pests and diseases on any existing vegetable crops. The most problematic being attacks by aphid and caterpillar, not to mention the old favourites, slugs and snails. At Garden la Palma we have small plastic tunnels which can be used to prolong the season for peppers and tomatoes.

ardin path

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

Digging for victory! British company scoops two major gardening awards for its innovative new designs

A BRITISH gardening company has picked up two major awards at Spain’s Iberflora Show. VegTrug scooped The Star Product for Gardening and an Award for Innovation prize at the 41st International Fair of Plants and Flowers, in Valencia. The Essex based company design grow boxes with a raised bed, created to help elderly or disabled people who would usually struggle to tend to plants low to the ground.

Innovative

“We are delighted to be recognised with the two awards at Iberflora, particularly as it recognised the innovation of the VegTrug product and our marketing approach,” VegTrug International Director Joe Henham told the

Olive Press. “We will be working with our distribution partner to bring the VegTrug to market in Spain this year and we are very excited. “We would like to thank the

Iberflora committee for the awards and very much look forward to a successful sales year in Spain helping more and more people grow their own produce at home,” he added.

Sue Rodgers on when one chest of sage was worth three chests of tea

Herbs that changed the world

IFFICULT to bebeen known since Egyptian lieve, I know, but times and used as a cure we tend to think of for gout and as a poison. plants and herbs More recently, research in as a back cloth to our busy the UK has identified aulives. In reality plants protumn crocus as a potential vide the very air we breathe treatment for cancer. to survive on Earth by the The first anti-malarial drug, way they absorb carbon quinine, discovered in the dioxide and exhale oxygen. mid-17th century from the Herbs not only provide us bark of the chinchona tree, with food and medicine has saved countless lives but have been currency for in the tropics. It propped PAIN RELIEF: Opium trading for centuries. up the British Empire, by There was a time when one chest of sage enabling British explorer’s to conquer many was worth three chests of tea. tropical regions, where previously they had It was tea that almost destroyed Chinese succumbed to the debilitating effects of maculture, helped bring about America’s Bill of laria. Finally, coca leaves – erthroxylum coca Independence and enslaved thousands of - used since AD500 by Peruvian tribes, with workers in southeast Asia - pretty influential coca first used as an anaesthetic in 1884 in for a small evergreen tree named after the a cataract operation. 17th century Jesuit botanist Camellius. Coca wine became popular during the 19th But modern day medicine was changed for- century when a man named John Pemberever with the discovery of opium. ton produced the ‘intellectual beverage and The opium poppy – papaver somniferum - is temperance drink’ later known as Cocaas old as medicine itself and is unequalled Cola! Although only using decocainised exas a painkiller. It is still the first choice drug tracts since the sale of cocaine was banned for relieving severe pain and cannot be syn- in 1902, the devastating impact of coca thesised, hence the continuing need to grow leaves can still be seen on many streets opium poppies. The poisonous properties of around the world today. autumn crocus – colchium autumnale - have Contact sue@selfsufficiency4u.com.

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FOOD & DRINK 52 www.theolivepress.es with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

End of the rainbow I

T is one of the Costa del Sol’s most beautiful drives, taking you over the soaring Sierra Bermeja mountains into the heart of the Genal Valley. And what a reason to come: the authentic Meson La Pozuela restaurant, a true pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The beautifully renovated wood-beamed restaurant sits on the edge of the white village of Jubrique, with incredible views and decent food to match. Set up by talented Dutch couple Helen and chef Barry earlier this year, it is a tour through Malaga province’s best local ingredients and it’s certainly advisable to book, with 38 people turned away on one recent Saturday alone. The journey begins at a very nondescript roundabout at the arse end of Estepona, before you wind up through the Paraje Natural de Los Reales park and then drop into the stunning Genal Valley. It is 45 minutes of some of the best views and countryside Spain has to offer. But you are here for the food and the Meson draws on 30 years of cooking experience, much of it in Asia and in Japanese and French restaurants in Holland. The emphasis is very much

POT OF GOLD: Amazing view and (right) Helen on fresh and aside from the menu changing seasonally, it has different specials each week. There is a good mix of starters, including a salad of Ronda goats cheese with figs from Jubrique and local pine nuts, as well as a superb carpaccio of beef with Manchego cheese shavings and a sherry dressing. Mains included crispy duck breast with apple sauce, beetroot and ‘crushed’ potatoes, as well as chicken in cous cous and a fabulously fresh Merluza which the kids loved. I was enticed by the highly original top side of beef, softened up for five days in a brine of water, bay leaves and peppercorns and served in a peppercorn sauce with the most deli-

cious potato ‘duchesse’. A highly original dish, it dates back to Moorish Spain, when the Jews played a key role in the development of Andalucia. “It is still pretty big wherever there is a big Jewish community, a kind of salt beef,” explains Barry, who grows many of his own vegetables and herbs. “It is sometimes called ‘Jewish ham’”. There was certainly nothing orthodox about the puddings though, which were heavily weighted towards chocolate and Belgium, in particular. The ‘chupito of white and pure chocolate’ was amazing; a small shot of some of the best chocolate I have tried in Spain. It came with Barry’s selection of home-made digestifs, one of which was apple pie vodka and prepared us perfectly for the windy road home. By Jon Clarke Meson La Pozuela, Jubrique T: 952 152 381 www.mesonlapozuela.com

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Red Cross issues appeal for €30m to help 2.3 million people considered ‘extremely vulnerable’

THE Spanish Red Cross has made an unprecedented appeal for donations as it attempts to feed poverty-stricken Spaniards. The aid organisation is hoping to raise €30 million to pay for food parcels, which will be handed out to 2.3 million people considered ‘extremely vulnerable’ over the next two years. The annual appeal is the

Food parcel plea to help Spaniards first time the group has requested money to help fellow Spaniards, with funds usually being directed towards famine or disaster-

stricken countries. The number of Spaniards in need has increased from 1.5 million in 2010 to two million in 2011, with chil-

SPANISH SCARCITY SPAIN is among the biggest beneficiaries of an EU food programme for the poor, according to official statistics. The country is set to receive €85.6 million, second only to Italy (€98 million), as part of the policy aimed at reaching 18 million people in 19 member states.

Funding for the €500 million scheme will come from the EU’s common agriculture policy and will see neighbours Portugal receive €19.5 million. The European Commission had proposed a €2.5 billion free food programme to run from 2014-2020, although financing for this is yet to be confirmed.

dren living below the poverty line, pensioners and the homeless among those most at risk.

Deterioration Red Cross director Jose Javier Sanchez Espinosa, said: “We have observed that there has been a serious deterioration in the social situation in Spain. Because of that, for the first time, we ask for support in helping the population.”

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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An autumn treat no matter how you slice it

N the United States the pumpkin symbolises the arrival of autumn and in particular, is synonymous with Halloween. The ‘Great Pumpkin’ from the Halloween special of the cartoon Peanuts marked the pumpkin’s place in American culture and has since led countless boys and girls on a quest to find

As Halloween approaches, Olive Press reporter Dana Ferguson gets the inside scoop on the autumn fruit the ‘great’ pumpkin. From carving faces into them to putting them in every dish imaginable, Americans have fallen in love with the squash and the rela-

tionship is not likely to end soon. It may not be the most effective use of a fruit, but the tradition of emptying out the ‘guts’ of the big orange

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with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

The perfect pumpkin pie Take advantage of the season and create a delicious Halloween treat for all the family Ingredients • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened • 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed • 1 cup sugar • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten • 1 cup half-and-half • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional • 1 piece pre-made pie dough • Whipped cream, for topping Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place one piece of pre-made pie dough down into a pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make

fruit, cutting out some holes and filling it with light is a tradition which has spread around the world. But carving faces into fruit was already a well-established tradition in Britain even before British and Irish immigrants made their way across the Atlantic and adopting the pumpkin as

a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for one hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminium foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about two pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to colour. For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, halfand-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.

their fruit of choice. Today the practice of carving ‘jack-o-lanterns’ has become a tradition that most Americans and Britons associate with Halloween. But pumpkins are used for much more than decoration. In the autumn pumpkins find their way into butters,

Wine away the day WINE enthusiasts can sample the best of what Malaga has to offer at a tasting evening organised by Mijas Town Hall. The event – which will focus exclusively on varieties found within the province – is to be held at The Wine Museum in Mijas village this Thursday (October 18) at 7pm. The evening, organised in collaboration with the British Chamber of Commerce, will also include gourmet tapas. Booking is required. Call 952 833 169

pancakes, breads and a favourite for many, the pumpkin pie. In Spain, the wastefulness seen in America is almost unheard of, with Spaniards choosing to use every part of the pumpkin to create a wide range of dishes rather than display them outside their homes.

The humble pumpkin remains ever popular on both sides of the Atlantic Spain has hearty offerings for the popular squash, including pumpkin and tomato soup and pumpkin cream with rice and roast chicken with sauteed pumpkin. The Spanish have also got a sweet tooth with pumpkin, using it in pumpkin juice, cake and custard. But regardless of how it is enjoyed, the humble pumpkin remains ever popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

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the FREE

the olive press - October 18 - 31, 2012

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!

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Reed haul

FINAL WORDS

MARBELLA Town Hall has cleared 455 tons of reeds and plant remains washed down by torrential rains on the Costa del Sol.

Dead fast

A funeral car has been caught travelling at 187km/h in Salamanca, although it is unclear if there was a corpse in the back.

Xmas cuts

Malaga Town Hall will spend 42% less on decorating the city with lights this Christmas in a bid to cut costs.

Gold for vandalism

MEMBERS of the Spanish basketball team caused more than €11,000 of damage to their accommodation during the London Olympics, it has been revealed. The incident is believed to have happened following a drunken night out, organised to celebrate the team’s silver medal success after narrowly losing to the USA in the final. Some players are understood to have been reprimanded for the incident, in which they ‘trashed their apartments’, according to Dennis Hone, the chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority. The Spanish Basketball Federation claimed it had not been made aware of the incident, although the rooms were seen by Spanish Olympic Team official Cayetano Cornet the following morning.

October 18 - 31, 2012

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Race to live Test driver recalls UK crash ordeal

A SPANISH F1 test driver who lost an eye after a horrific crash in England has spoken for the first time about her ordeal. Maria de Villota, 32, lost her right eye and suffered a fractured skull after crashing into a stationary support truck at Duxford Aerodrome, in Cambridgeshire in July. Speaking to Spanish magazine Hola about the accident, Villota said: “I remember everything, even the moment of the impact.

Terrified

When I woke up in hospital everyone was around me and they didn’t even know if I was going to speak, or how I was going

to speak. I started speaking in English.” The Marussia team driver added: “In the beginning they were covering my eye so I couldn’t see it. The first time I looked in the mirror I had 104 black stitches in my face that looked like they had been stitched with maritime rope and I had lost my right eye. It left me terrified.”

BRAVE: Villota needed 104 stitches

Golf sensation to train in Spain A TEENAGE golfing sensation is heading to the Costa del Sol for winter training. Gabriella Cowley, 16, is to be put through her paces by the recently launched Palmer Williams Golf Academy, in Benahavis. The teenager from Essex – who boasts an incredible +3.3 handicap – is to be filmed by Sky Sports during her month-long spell on the coast. Cowley has already secured a long list of victories in her short career and represents England in the under 18s team. The youngster, who has been coached in the UK by Palmer Williams for the past year, will be the star pupil at the academy’s brand new school based at Los Arqueros golf. Academy owners Daniel Williams and Steven Palmer, both fully qualified PGA Class AA professionals, are convinced she is to be a huge star.

RISING STAR: Gabriella Cowley “She is already amazing, just half a stroke off the world’s best and I don’t doubt she can be a global superstar,” said Williams, who has recently arrived in Spain after working for years as a pro in California. He and friend and colleague Palmer, both from Essex, have over 30 years of competitive playing and coaching experience behind them.

Bright future A RUGBY tournament has been hailed as a success after helping to showcase some of the best young talent on the Costa del Sol. The three-way series, hosted by Marbella Rugby Club, also featured Church of Ireland Young Mens Society and Granada Rugby Club. Marbella’s director Sarah King said: “Despite losing both matches, it was a great performance from Marbella, who fielded a large number of under-19 and under-20 players in the senior side which bodes well for the club’s future.” 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