Olive Press Spain Issue 385

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OLIVE PRESS

The

t o h t Ge ! t o r t to

ANDALUCÍA

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Mijas Costa

Vol. 15 Issue 385 www.theolivepress.es January 12th - January 25th 2022

Sweet sixteen dream escapes for 2022. See our five-page Spain travel special inside

Three Kings rain fails to lift reservoir levels THE festive rainfall has failed to improve the reservoir level in Andalucia. While the heavy December rain dropped an average of 124 litres per square metre around the region, the reservoirs sit at just 30% capacity. This compares to 40% for the same week last year, while a decade ago they were at over 60%. Malaga’s reservoirs are only 34% full, down 16% on last year, with La Vinuela in the Axarquia at just 16%. Almeria is at the most critical level with an average of just 8%, while Granada has a healthy 61%. The reservoir at Arcos de la Frontera is the fullest, at 92.19% which is well above the level of a year ago. Last year was officially the fifth warmest in history globally, while seventh in Spain.

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DARK TIMES List of shame as vast majority of most secretive town halls are in Andalucia AN alarming three quarters of the least transparent town halls are in Andalucia. A survey of 500 councils has named and shamed the local authorities that keep their residents in the dark when it comes to spending their

Some of the indicators measured included:

of the mayor and ; Past career history his councillors all officials ; Income received by rred by all offi; Travel expenses incu cials selection process ; The town hall staffvalue of vehicles or ber num ; The owned or leased accounts, reports ; Annual budgets, and audits contracting and ; Information about cedures subcontracting pro owned or con; Real estate agents ncil cou the to nected rent and historical ; The amount of cur t deb pal nici mu nding per resident ; Overall council spe of Ethics’ ; A municipality ‘Code l of public docu; Policy for disposa ments and records

By Dilip Kuner

cash and complying with regulations. Some 15 out of the worst 20 offenders are in the south of the country. Yet, two Andalucian towns - Fuengirola and Pozoblanco - lead the way and come top for transparency and keeping their citizens informed. Both councils provide information on 150 of 162 different indicators to tie at 92.59% transparency on the national list. Meanwhile, Malaga city was also praised, coming in 16th place with a score of 85.18%. But at the other end of the table is Sanlucar de Barrameda, in Cadiz, which could only provide information on four of the indicators for a miserable score of 2.47%. This placed it rock bottom jointly with Cabezas de San Juan, in Sevilla, in the list compiled by analyst firm Dyntra. Also on the list of shame is Coin, which was joint 471st with 6.17% or just 10 of the 162 indicators being marked positive. Manilva didn’t do much better, only ticking the right boxSee page 32 es on 17 of the indicators for a score of 10.49%. Al-

Tel: 952 147 834 TM

2 GOOD 2 BAD

NAMED AND SHAMED: Cabello Muñoz from Pozoblanco, Mula of Fuengirola, while (bottom) Toajas Mellado in Cabeza de San Juan and Mora Escobar in Sanlucar

haurin el Grande scraped a score of 20.37% to sit in 374th position. Popular resorts on the Costa del Sol did a little better, with Mijas (42.59%) sitting in mid-table in 191st place, having once been near the bottom. Torremolinos scored 37.65% to come in at 229th while Marbella is comfortably in the top half in 71st place (66.67%). Benalmadena is 185th (43.83%), Estepona 205th

(40.74%) and Alhaurin de la Torre scored 41.36% to be number 200 on the list. Ronda was also mid-table at number 261 (33.95%). Dyntra measures the public information made available by local government, public authorities, political parties and politicians. Opinion Page 6


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CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Crowning adventure THIEVES broke into a Sanlucar de Barrameda (Cadiz) religious brotherhood by smashing an18th century door and stole a €2,000 gold crown from the head of the 1675 carved Virgin statue.

Death rap A SPANISH woman aged 42 has been arrested for the death of her 43-year-old husband, who was found with a severe blow to the head in a field in Dos Hermanas (Sevilla).

Cold call A MAN aged 18 has been arrested in Fuengirola after being caught red-handed by residents of a property he entered by scaling a two-metre wall in order to steal a coat.

Double bottom A MAN has been arrested after 300kg of hashish were found hidden in the double bottom of the hull of a recreational boat in Roquetas del Mar (Almeria).

RESIDENTS of a town in Galicia have joined Guardia Civil patrols to seek out an escaped prisoner who is living in a nearby forest. Convicted murderer Alfredo Sanchez Chacon has been dubbed ‘the Galician Rambo’ after living wild in woodland near Pontedeume for over nine months while on the run. He got the nickname for the survival techniques he learned while serving in the Spanish foreign legion. A MAN who wore a balaclava as he attacked and stabbed a British couple during a terrifying robbery has been jailed for just three years. The thug acted as part of a savage gang that targeted the husband and wife who were sleeping in their Mijas villa on the night in 2011. The terrified couple were woken by broken glass as the assailants smashed through their front door in the Entrerrios area, wielding knives. While the couple insisted they had nothing of value the masked thugs launched a fero-

January 12th - January 25th 2022

On the hunt for ‘Galician Rambo’ Residents have been reporting sightings for months, as well as the theft of supplies and food from their homes. One neighbour told police he found a man fitting his description standing at his open fridge helping himself to leftovers in the middle of the night. At least 14 petty thefts of items ranging from packets of biscuits to tins of beans

and cans of beer have been reported. Now villagers have rounded up their own patrols to take it in turns to guard the area and look out for the escaped prisoner. It is the second time that Chacon had escaped from prison. The first time was in 1999 when he used knotted sheets to climb from a window.

No justice! Shock as vicious midnight stabbing of British couple lands just three years in jail By Kirsty McKenzie

cious attack, demanding money and stabbing the man in the chest.

Corona mum loses custody A MOTHER who abducted her two sons to avoid having them vaccinated has been granted provisional release by a court in Sevilla. The woman however, has been banned from communicating with her children Diego, 14, and Hugo, 12. Ex-husband David Kau received a letter from his exwife saying she planned to remove them from school, days after a court ruled that Kau had the right to decide whether his sons should be vaccinated. She then took them to Portugal where she stayed for a couple of weeks until she finally came home to face justice.

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Horrified, the wife raced to defend her husband with an air pistol but was unable to release the safety lock and fire before the attackers hit her over the head with an iron bar. After being knocked unconscious they continued to stab the man numerous times, while he lay on the ground. They then tied them up and fled with a gold ring, two mobile phones, an MP3 player and the victims' wallets, which contained just €20. A Malaga court heard that the man was so savagely attacked that his injuries took 236 days to heal. As well as multiple fractures and long term scars, his hand was stabbed so badly he had to have a finger amputated.

His wife was lucky to escape only with minor injuries, including trauma to her head. Officers were only able to hunt down one of the assailants for whom the prosecutor had demanded an 11-year prison sentence for aggravated robbery.

Addiction

Inexplicably, the judge handed down a sentence of just three years after considering several mitigating factors including the defendant's drug addiction. The violent thug was also ordered to pay a total of €45,000 compensation to the couple. It is not known if they, or the prosecutor, will appeal the light sentence, which will see the thug out by 2023.

You’ve been Googled! POLICE have tracked down one of Italy’s most notorious mobsters via Google Maps. Gioacchino Gammino, who has been on Europol’s wanted list for 20 years, was spotted on an online image outside a shop he owned in Spain. Gammino, 61, who was jailed for murder and drug trafficking, escaped from an Italian prison two decades ago and fled to Barcelona where he changed his name to Manuel. But several years ago the mafia chief relocated to Galapagar, near Madrid, where he ran several stores, including a pizzeria, a hairdresser and a greengrocer.

Detective

It was here, standing outside the shop, El Huerto de Manu, overseeing a delivery of fruit and vegetables, that he was captured by Google Street View. The image was spotted by an Italian detective who for years had been on the lookout for him. He alerted his Spanish counterparts who moved in to arrest him. Clearly stunned, the first thing he asked the police was: “How did you find me? I haven’t even phoned my family for the last 10 years.” Incredibly he hadn’t even been rumbled despite being accused of attacking the local mayor Angel Camacho in 2018.

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NEWS

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January 12th - January 25th 2022

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All about my Mother-tongue SPANISH movie legend Pedro Almodovar will make his first feature film in English with Cate Blanchett in the lead role. The Oscar-winning director confirmed the adaptation of Lucia Berlin’s A Manual for Cleaning Women is already in the early stages of development. The original book features 43 stories that navigate the lives of several women who work in low-paid, demanding jobs.

Sad farewell AN expat film-maker, who worked with The Beatles on their debut movie A Hard Day’s Night, has died at his Almeria home. Brit Denis O’ Dell had a long association with the Beatles and Cabo de Gata where he had a property. In 2013, he was given the Almeria Short Film Festival’s highest honour, the Almeria Land of Cinema award. His Beatles connection started as an associate producer of A Hard Day’s Night in 1964 and he took the same role three years later on How I Won the War. The World War II satire saw John Lennon appear as a supporting actor. O’Dell persuaded Lennon to take part and the whole movie was shot on location in Almeria. His visit inspired the Beatle to compose the legendary hit Strawberry Fields Forever. It came after taking regular trips past farms full of the popular red fruit. O’Dell also produced the 1967 Beatles TV film Magical Mystery Tour as well as The Magic Christian, which had Ringo Starr in the cast.

PALS: Denis with George Harrison

Millionaire footballers feature on Spain’s €29.6 billion tax defaulters list By Dilip Kuner

SPAIN has published its annual list of tax shame and footballers continue to be targeted by the tax man. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and Barcelona stars Dani Alves and Samuel Eto’o owe Hacienda (Inland Revenue) a total of more than €3 million. Many of those on the list of those that owe more than €600,000 and football stars.

Superstar

Almodovar, who won an Oscar for his 2002 film Talk to Her, Her told Variety magazine that he is writing the new script in Spanish, which will then be translated into English. He has previously made a short film in English - the acclaimed The Human Voice starring Tilda Swinton.

TAX SHAME

Leo loses Titanic auction battle A PAINTING of Mona Lisa as a bullfighter has sold at auction for nearly one million euros. The painting by Mallorcan Domingo Zapata was snapped up for €906,000 with all the money going to charity. Among those bidding was Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio (right), already a Zapata collector, although he lost out to the anonymous American collector. The sale makes New York-based Zapata, one of Spain’s most successful living artists. “A new auction record for my career! This fills my heart,” he wrote on Instagram. “100% will be donated to help children in need,” he added. Zapata has sold to billionaire philanthropist George Soros as well as Johnny Depp and Diana Picasso - granddaughter of Pablo.

Brazilian superstar Neymar was said to owe an COUGH UP: Alves and (top right) Ancelotti eye-watering €34 million million. Ancelotti is said to owe in unpaid taxes, last year. It is not the first time he €1.4 million while former Cristiano Ronaldo and Li- has appeared on the list Barca star Eto’o - now onel Messi have both been - in 2016 he was featured president of Cameroon’s heavily fined, given sus- with a tax debt of more football federation - owes pended jail sentences and than €1.2 million. €1 million. ordered to pay tens MANY readers will remember their of millions early laughable attempts at speakover unpaid ing Spanish on arrival in Spain. tax. A new TV show The Language of explained former Big Brother preThis year’s Love takes this to a new level, hop- senter McCall. list includes ing a group of Brits and Spaniards It certainly didn’t matter for Brit7,277 taxcan find love while living together. ish supermodel Naomi Campbell payers, who In the show, hosted by Davina Mc- when she fell in love with Spanish owe a total Call, a dozen girls and boys were flamenco singer Joaquin of €29.6 deposited at a dreamy Andalu- Cortes a decade ago (see billion. cian finca to see if they could find right). Brazilian love… despite not speaking each On the differences beAlvez, 38, other’s language. tween the nations, Mcwho recent“The idea of the show poses the Call added: “We’re quite question: is it possible to find love self-conscious as a nation, ly returned just through body language and we Brits… Spanish people SWOONING: McCall with to Barceinstinct and a vibe off someone?” are very liberated physicalMerino lona, owes around €2

Tongue tied

ly. They’re not embarrassed.” She also noted the importance of learning a language: “I think we are universally known for not making an effort in other people’s languages because so many people speak ours.” Spanish actor Ricky Merino co-presents the show alongside McCall. You can watch the contestants soul gaze, angrily search dictionaries and meet each other's families at 10pm every Tuesday on Channel4.


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NEWS

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NEWS IN BRIEF Baby plan MADRID’S regional premier has unveiled ambitious plans to encourage more women to have children, with €4.5 billion set aside for state-assisted fertility treatment for women up to the age of 45.

Recovery path The Alhambra of Granada had 1.2 million visitors last year as numbers recovered with the easing of pandemic restrictions at one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions.

Knife attack A MAN has been arrested for threatening security guards at the Guadiaro Health Centre (Cadiz) with a knife.

Dizzy spell THE vice-president of the Junta, Juan Marin, had to leave a council meeting held in Almeria to be treated at Torre Cardenas Hospital after suffering a dizzy spell.

AN Indian mogul has splashed €105,000 on two Spanish olive trees. Mukesh Ambani bought and shipped the pair to his estate in Jamnagara. But not before a team of six gardeners helped the 200-year-old trees to get acclimated at a nursery 1,800kms away. The team monitored soil health and

January 12th - January 25th 2022

Branching out! growth targets for two years, as well as ensuring the carefully chosen trees maintained the desired shape. The ‘lucky’ specimens were finally loaded up on a truck that drove at just 30kph for the five day journey to his home.

The extravagant tycoon, who also owns a 27-storey €2.3 billion home in Mumbai, is known for splashing the cash. The Reliance Industries boss hired pop star Beyonce (right) for his daughter’s 2018 wedding. He flies by private jet and includes Prince Charles and Camilla among his friends.

Facing the music THE stepson of Marbella mayor Angeles Muñoz has been extradited home to face accusations of drug trafficking, money laundering and being involved in organised crime. Joakim Peter Broberg, 41, had been languishing behind bars in Brazil since April waiting for a court decision on extradition. Just before Christmas he was finally flown back to Spain, accompanied by Spanish police. He was arrested in Rio Grande do Norte on April 7 following a

Mayor’s son extradited home to face drug and money laundering charges warrant from the National High Court, following a request from Interpol. Joakim and his father Lars husband of Muñoz - are among 71 people so far arrested in a police operation spanning both Spain and Sweden. Real estate boss Lars, 80 was picked up for questioning in February, during the investiga-

YouTube rapper in sex sting POLICE in Spain have arrested 37 people, including a YouTube rapper, over suspected involvement in a ring that targeted underage girls for child prostitution and pornography. Among those facing charges is a Dominican, known as Saymol Fyly, who has more than 150,000 subscribers and allegedly used his fame to groom young girls. Police claim at least ten victims, aged between 14 and 16, were forced into drug taking and prostitution after being targeted by the gang.

By Dilip Kuner

tion - dubbed Operation Mueble (Operation Furniture). It was launched when the Swedish authorities asked Spain to investigate a group of drug traffickers coming from the Costa del Sol. They claimed that up to 50 deaths a year could be linked to a settling of scores between the gang and Scandinavian rivals. During an initial raid, in 2018, they found an alarming array of guns, including two submachine guns, eight handguns, a rifle and a hand grenade. The 'front' company, which also had a base in Torrevieja, on the Costa Blanca, had over €1.8 million frozen in bank accounts, while €592,000 in cash was also seized. A total of 50 vehicles were seized along with properties

IN SPAIN: Broberg worth over €14 million. A later raid of the Broberg’s Wasa Consulting company led to the arrests of six people and the seizure of documents, which police are still investigating. The same Marbella office, in Nueva Andalucia, also held a series of documents for a string of companies - believed to be 17 in total - owned by Joakim. Lars Broberg has defended the absolute legality of his activity and is collaborating with the investigators.

Make a date.., with a vaccine HEALTH authorities in Catalunya are using dating app Tinder to encourage unvaccinated youngsters to make a date for a COVID vaccine. The regional health department has created an advertisement that resembles a profile encouraging those who haven’t yet been jabbed to ‘swipe right’. The slogan of the campaign is 'If we haven't met yet, ask me on a date’. It directs people to a health page to make an appointment. The messages are targeted at the 20 to 49 age group which is the least likely to have been vaccinated. Around 15% of those in their 40s haven’t been vaccinated, rising to 20% of those in their 20s and 25% of those in their early 30s have yet to get a jab.

Naughty nurse

A NURSE who allegedly posed as a doctor and wrote dozens of fraudulent prescriptions has been arrested and charged in Sevilla. The 45-year-old was charged with impersonating a doctor and document forgery.


NEWS

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Bottoms up! IT’S taken three decades but the town of Arriate might finally get a sewage works at a cost of €5.4m. Water company Aguas de las Cuencas de España (Acuaes) has approved specifications to be put out to tender for the project, with a completion date set for 18 months later. The plant will serve a population equivalent of 6,575 inhabitants and will include a new one-kilometre-long pipe and two wastewater pumping stations. The works, set to begin this year, are part of a €27 million scheme agreed by the Junta to improve the water quality in the Guadiaro river basin, deemed as being of high ecological value. In 2018, the EU fined Spain €12 million, with an additional €10.95 million for every six months it delays in complying with waste water legislation.

Gear up hikers POLICE are warning people to make sure they are wearing the right gear after they had to rescue a British family from the snowy Sierra Nevada with the mother clad in a pair of shorts. The family of five - a 57-yearold man, his wife aged 53 and their three children aged between 11 and 21 - were hiking in the San Juan ravine when the woman fell down a steep, snowy slope. She suffered a broken shoulder, bruising and bleeding lacerations to her left leg. Emergency services launched a rescue operation, which lasted six hours and ended at almost 11pm.

Hypothermia

When a mountain rescue team arrived at the scene, the five Britons had been in the snow for hours without ‘the right equipment, nor the technical or physical ability to climb the steep slope of icy snow,’ explained a Guardia Civil spokesman. The woman was at the bottom of the ravine and was showing signs of severe hypothermia. She had been there for hours, in the snow, in shorts. Rescuers gave her warm clothes and a hot drink. None of the family were wearing suitable clothing or footwear for the conditions, said a police spokesperson. The terrain was too difficult to use a helicopter, so the injured woman had to be stretchered up the slope for about 500 metres.

Treacherous

The rest of the hikers followed the same route after being given warm clothing and crampons and being guided by the Guardia Civil. According to most online hiking guides the San Juan ravine is not a particularly difficult route, although it is usually advised to walk it in the spring or summer. In winter snow and ice can make it treacherous.

January 12th - January 25th 2022

NO PORKIES

A FURIOUS row has broken out after a government minister blamed the growth of ‘mega farms’ as a disaster for Spain. Alberto Garzon came under calls to resign after he told the Guardian newspaper that their rapid expansion in depopulated areas was causing a ‘very serious problem’. The Minister of Consumer Affairs said the poor practices of the livestock industry was causing a triple crisis of biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change. “It would be the end for a country like Spain,” he said. “Desertification is a very serious problem for our country, not least because it depends so much on tourism. “Visiting a desert isn’t quite as attractive as visiting the Costa del Sol,” he added. In particular, he slammed the meat production giants that were buying up large tracts of land in rural Spain in areas dy-

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Furious backlash after minister takes to UK media to slam quality and environmental problems of Spanish meat from ‘mega farms’ By Joshua Parfitt

ing out as people move to the cities. Describing the mega farms as ‘unsustainable’ he said: “They pollute the soil, they pollute the water and then they export this poor quality meat from these ill-treated animals.”

Anger

However, his comments sparked anger from PP party leader Pablo Casado, who called the remarks ‘unacceptable’ and ‘untrue’, while Ciudadanos insisted Garzon had caused ‘irremediable damage’ to the Spanish livestock industry and

Washed up By David Anderson TOURISTS at a popular Costa del Sol beauty spot were shocked to find dozens of dead fish washed up last week. They spotted the fish, believed to be mullet, floating at the river mouth by Sohail Castle. Their bodies could be seen all along the river stretching as far as the Myramar shopping centre. Regular visitor Margaret Ramsay, from Tyne and Wear said today: “I got a real shock when I saw the dead fish as far as the eye could see. “It’s such a shame as the area has become a safe haven for wildlife.” She added: “There were many shoals and some of the fish were absolutely gigantic.” An investigation is underway to try to find out what killed the fish.

Time for a change SUPERMAN will have to find somewhere new to change on his trips to Spain now that the nation’s phone boxes have been shut down. The remaining 16,000 public booths have been inoperative since January 1, after the government shut the public service. Although their use has been dwindling year on year since the invention of mobile phones, it is still possible to find the odd cabina on street corners across Spain. However, their fate is now sealed after Telefonica refused to keep supplying a service that cost the telecommunications company an estimated €4.5 million a year to maintain with zero earnings. While most regions are removing the boxes, some areas are being more imaginative. In Malaga, some have already been transformed into tiny tourist information points, while in Burgos the booths have been converted into mini art galleries.

export market. The president of the Basque Country’s veterinary association called for his immediate resignation. IU party boss Garzon refused to resign however, and even added to his criticism in local Spanish interviews, insisting people should eat less meat. His comments came as Spain shot into the world’s top five exporters of meat products between 2016 and 2020. Pork was the biggest export seeing growth of 21% in those four years, with the largest buyer being China (37%). It translates to a whopping €4.6 billion in pork sales each year coming from around 32 million pigs, with around 93% of them living in megafarms, according to Greenpeace. What is more alarming is that some 66% of Spain’s entire cultivated areas are used for the production of food to feed the livestock industry. And worst of all is the large levels of nitrate pollution that is being allegedly caused by slurry from the farms entering the water table. It is one of the reasons the Mar Menor, in Murcia, has become polluted, according to local ac-

tivists and scientists. It led to the EU commission to start taking Spain to court over ‘poor application’ of directives on nitrate pollution, last month. Warnings first arrived back in 2018 over Spain’s failure to control nitrate pollution in waterways and marine environments, where eutrophication can cause algal blooms and mass fish die offs. Nitrate pollution, often from livestock farms, can affect drinking water which has also been linked to cyanosis in humans as well as gastric cancer. Part of the EU’s urgency to take Spain to court follows the mass death of fish in the Mar Menor, last year.

Slurry

While the Murcia government immediately banned the use of fertilisers within 1.5km of the lagoon, central government studies have found around 450 pig farms in the catchment area. Some 10% of these farms break regulations on allowing pig faeces to decompose in open slurry pits, which are not ‘waterproof’ and leach nitrates into waterways.

Sad goodbye A LONG-term British expat has died of Covid at the young age of 52. Father-of-one Andrew Levene (above) passed away over Christmas at Marbella’s Costa del Sol hospital. The business analyst, who worked at JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank in London, before relocating to Spain over a decade ago, had just moved to a new home in Estepona. The keen Spurs fan, who owned the Vaca Loca restaurant in San Pedro for a few years, leaves behind his long-term partner Natalia and son Bernie. “He was an all round lovely guy,” said Olive Press publisher Jon Clarke. “Bright, funny and active. How such a healthy guy could be scythed down by this awful virus is a tragedy.” He had been admitted to hospital in early December and died on Christmas Eve, after a tracheotomy operation failed to kick him out of a coma.

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NEWS FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION WATCH YOUR PORK LIFE A LEGION of politicians piled fury on Alberto Garzon’s comments about the quality of Spanish meat because he criticised their two most important loves: gammon and patriotism. But no-one should ignore his claims that mega-farms ruin the environment. His own government ordered an inspection into Spain’s pig farms just last month. Why? Because the EU is taking Spain to court over failure to protect the environment from their slurry. That it is leaching into the local water supply, leading to horrible diseases and even cancer is something worth being aware of. What happened in the Mar Menor last August, must never happen again.

LET’S MAKE THIS CLEAR IT’S perhaps no surprise that local authorities in Andalucia are among the most secretive in Spain. This is the region, after all, which created the ERE and Fake Training Scheme scandals, of course. When the money comes rolling in from the Junta and central government once a year, transparency is the last thing on many mayors and councillors minds. Working out schemes to syphon it off for themselves, their friends or their families has long been the way things worked. Nepotism, bumping up invoices, backhanders for contracts, fake expense claims and paying for jobs that don’t exist are just some of the ways to use the revenue. Let’s not forget the ERE scandal that saw hundreds of politicians and mayors around the region cream off €680 million to spend on themselves. Trips to brothels and €25,000-a-month coke habits were among some of the more infamous ways to spend it. So it’s great to discover that there are two towns in Andalucia - Fuengirola and Pozoblanco - that are actually leading the way in Spain for openness and honesty. The fact that they are both PP-led councils must surely be a coincidence, for in Spain it is not the colour of the party that matters, but the people in charge. Either way, the Olive Press salutes mayors Ana Mula and Santiago Cabello for opening up their town halls to public scrutiny. They clearly understand that their citizens have a right to know where their money goes. It’s a shame that there are still so many dinosaurs in other parts of the region, still lining themselves up for a fall.

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LEGAL ODDITIES Weird laws that could leave you steamed up

SPANISH law says new rules By affecting business can only Joshua Parfitt come into effect in January or July – which makes a lot of sense, right? But as it’s January, we’re thinking of all the laws that don’t make a lot of sense. Like France’s bizarre ban on calling your pig ‘Napoleon’, Samoa’s ban on forgetting your wife’s birthday or the Milanese legal requirement to smile at all times (except at funerals or hospitals) Spain also has some strange laws. Here are eight that will make you say ¿qué?

No Spanish Castle Magic The Canary Islands are well known for their tropical temperatures and shimmering seas – perfect for a day at the beach. Except in Tenerife, where it’s illegal to build sand castles. Similar laws exist on the Costa Blanca in the Valencian Community, where you’re allowed to build sand castles, but only if you use sand from the spot where you’re building and you destroy your structure before you leave. It sounds like a killjoy law, but stems from local conflicts, like someone who staked out a huge area to build a 1:12 reproduction of the Alcazar de Segovia medieval fortress. In this case, it was one of us who ruined it for the rest.

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Name of the game

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It would appear that the state should keep out of how you name your baby. Your baby is yours, after all. Except in countries like Denmark, where you must choose a baby name from a pre-approved list. Spain doesn’t go so far as prescribing a list to name your child, but bans you from naming your child Cain, Judas or Lenin (above).

No mops allowed

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In the town of Villanueva de la Torre, in Castilla–La Mancha, residents are prohibited from keeping a mop on the balcony. They are also also banned from hanging out their clothes on balconies, windows or terraces situated above public roads or in sight of public areas. The draconian laws even call for a fine up to €750 upon the parents of children playing in the street.

NO YEAR’S EVE BAH HUMBUG: Spanish town that hasn’t celebrated the New Year in 25 years

G

OOD luck is the reason why tain village came out to protest the faulmillions of Spaniards eat ty electricity supply, exacerbated by a storm, which ruined their their 12 grapes hopes of eating the 12 on New Year’s uvas de la suerte (grapes Eve – but a stroke of bad More than of luck) and begin 1995 in luck has seen one Spanish town refuse to celebrate 10,000 people good spirits. New Year’s Eve in Berchuthe new year at all in 25 have visited les, on the slopes of the years - at least not on New Sierra Nevada, has not Year’s Eve. each year for been the same since with It was the last night of 1994 when a power cut the summer fun villagers turning their back on traditional celebrabrought New Year’s Eve tions. celebrations to a halt in But perhaps the village is the living the village of Berchules in Granada. Nearly all 800 inhabitants of the moun- embodiment of the Spanish phrase no hay mal que por bien no venga (there’s no bad that doesn’t bring good). If it wasn’t for the bright idea of the village’s nightclub owner, Berchules wouldn’t be known across Spain as the village that celebrates New Year’s Eve smack in the middle of summer. In 1995, the inhabitants of Berchules decided to hold their New Year’s Eve celeFELIZ FIESTA: But in the summer not winter brations on the date

HOT KINGS: The Three Wise Men arrive in the

least likely to see a powercut: the first weekend in August. By 1997, the Berchulean Association of New Year’s Eve in August (ABNEA) was founded to oversee the festival – complete with Three Wise Men, nativity scenes and the 12 grapes at midnight – and it's become one of the most popular festivals of the entire Alpujarras mountain region. In the last four years, more than 10,000 people have visited Berchules each year to take part in the summer fun. “We get called by the media from all corners of the world, and visitors come in their cars to eat the grapes of luck with us,” one inhabitant said. So popular is the festival that the An-


January 12th - January 25th 2022

7

WHO’S BEHIND THE HEADLINES

T Absolutely barking Villanueva de la Torre has a rather strange ban on dogs – no barking at night or during siesta hours (2pm to 4pm). How disgruntled neighbours should go about fining the offending dog is unclear. The absurdity doesn’t stop there, however, as the rules also dictate rules of behaviour in lakes, lagoons, hospitals and museums.

4

This is despite the municipality having none of these spaces. Residents are also prohibited from disposing of their radioactive waste in the town’s garbage bins. The rules are something the town’s opposition party, the leftwing PSOE, has been fighting since at least 2012.

No dominoes please The game of dominoes is extremely popular in Spain – except for the city of Sevilla in Andalucia, that is. A local law against acoustic contamination, noise and vibrations puts a ban on anyone playing dominoes on the terraces outside bars in case the noise offends residents in the area. The same ordenanza also bans anyone from rolling barrels of beer around the street, and prohibits you from eating or drinking next to bar or restaurant terraces.

5

Get a room

e summer heat

dalucian government declared New Year’s Eve in August an official festival of cultural interest. Though they wouldn’t have known it that dark evening of December 31 in 1994, Berchules’ worst luck has turned out to be the village’s biggest blessing. And now that power has returned in adequate supplies over the festive period, it means that Berchules is probably the only village in the world that gets to see in the New Year twice, even if it is in the privacy of their own home on December 31.

No tap dancing please

6

Keeping the peace is huge business in Spain – the country leads the E U ’ s ranking for shared living spaces with 66.5% of the population living in apartments and urbanisations. Neighbourly disputes have no doubt caused a slew of ordenanzas regulating what you can and can’t do, especially in the capital of Madrid. Madrid joins the cities of Mojacar in Andalucia and Ciudad Real in Castilla–La Mancha in banning anyone from running, jumping, skating or tap dancing inside apartment blocks and urbanisations.

7

A quick roadside romp in the car seems like a harmless affair, provided there's consent of course. But in the cities of Granada and Malaga it is a crime to have sex in your car in accordance with laws that also ban sexual acts in public places. A man was fined €750 in the Costa del Sol capital of Malaga after police caught him having sex in his car near to a public road – on appeal, the man pleaded the fine be reversed as ‘vegetation’ blocked the illicit act from public view. Generally in Spain, it is also a crime to perform sexual acts while driving, as a man in Valencia found out after receiving a €200 fine for masturbating at the wheel. He also lost three points for ‘distraction’ while driving, probably along with his pride.

Get a room in Bilbao, seriously While less benign, it is still a crime to sleep in your car in the northern city of Bilbao. The rule that regulates public spaces extends the ban to caravans, motorhomes and tents, adding that you can't sleep in them within the city's boundaries during night or day. The ban goes further still, banning anyone from sleeping on benches, bathing or washing clothes

8

HE media, more than any other, is a people business. It’s all about communication and that can not be done by robots. At least not yet. So aside from the Olive Press’ A-team of full time journalists, who work around the clock to provide the best English news service in Spain, we can rely on a big squad of additional talent. Over the last decade and a half, the Olive Press has assembled a skilled group of writers, who look behind the headlines to bring you in-depth and original features from around the country. We have also acquired an impressive team of experts and specialists who are ahead in their fields and who always have a finger on the pulse. These include our property insider Adam Neale, our legal eagle Antonio Flores, our mortgage man Tancrede de Pola and our insurance guru Jennifer Cunningham. Each of them comes up with regular incisive analysis… and a few of them have done so for well over a decade. The same could be said for columnist Giles Brown, one of the funniest expat writers around, while Bill Anderson, Martin Tye and Sue Wilson MBE more than know their onions in the world of politics and the environment. And then there are our history and culture writers like Jack Gaioni, David Baird and Heather Galloway, who always file original - and often quirky - features on a regular basis. But sadly many of our brilliant writers’ articles don’t quite make the paper. Take Jo Chipchase’s colourful look at the alternative scene around the Alpujarras region, published on the website this week. Or Joshua Parfitt’s insightful view on Spain’s important skiing industry…sadly, neither of them have made the printed paper. So yes, there is so much more going on behind the scenes in our engine room, the website. With over 20 stories and features a day, it more than justifies its cost of just under €6 a month… or under €60 for the whole year. What are you waiting for? Visit www.theolivepress.es now.

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in municipal fountains, or cooking in public places. As a caravan user in one forum suggested, if you want to sleep in your motorhome in Bilbao, bring a book to pretend you’re just reading.

measures and restrictions to re1- COVID-19 turn to Spain’s Andalucia in the New Year Holidays in Spain 2021: full list of 2- Bank dates for every autonomous community restrictions in place in Spain’s 3- COVID-19 Andalucia ahead of New Years Eve

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1 9 . E ns d s 3 1 3/ 11 2/ 1/ 12 9/ . c od ni td i i ot ni os .n s .E n d Sb uj eb cj te c t t o t o c o n . t oe mr se r s o n ol yn . l y S u s m rf o r n e nw e w c u cs tu o f ef rf e r v a lv i a dl i d f o * O *f O

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January 12th - January 25th 2022

MORE THAN A VIRUS

T was a year marked yet again by the coronavirus pandemic, with much of our daily coverage focusing on the ever changing rules, updates on infection rates and the progress of Spain’s vaccine drive. We also reported on some extraordinary natural disasters beginning with Storm Filomena in January, which left much of Spain, including Madrid, under a blanket of thick snow. Natural disasters OLIVE continued PRESS with flooding, summer heatwaves, one of the most devastating wildfires to hit the Costa del Sol and finally a volcanic eruption on the Canary Island of BIG HEARTED: Expats rallied around La Palma. after Estepona fire

Mijas Costa

NEWS

A phoenix from the flames as thousands of northern European residents rally to the fire call!

X

clears AS THE embers cool and the smoke hillabove the vast swathes of blackened is sides in the Sierra Bermeja, a phoenix rising from the ashes. is deThis is the spirit of a community that those termined to pull together and help close affected by a blaze which ravaged between to 10,000 hectares of woodland a young Estepona and Ronda - and killed p a n i s h S fireman. So quickly have expats rallied to ALL AREAS COVERED the call to help the victims 4G UNLIMITED the of INTERNET six-day IDEAL FOR blaze, STREAMING TV t h a t AmeriALSO IPTV, can fundSATELLITE TV raising giant Gotel: (0034) 952 763 840 FundMe info@theskydoctor.com contactwww.theskydoctor.com the ed

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HELPING HANDS: Graham’s daughters gave pocket money

Olive Press to praise them. the The Californian company lauded unprecedented number of campaigns dozen - already numbering over half a launched by expats over the last week. They include British resident Graham somePagden, 51, who felt moved to dowildfire thing to help having watched the his come dangerously close to ravaging valley home. The Casares-based property manager of particularly wanted to help the family41, Haro, Martinez dead fireman Carlos from Almeria.

Ferocious

are “I looked at my two daughters who we about the same age as his and thought he left have to do something for the girls week. behind,” he told the Olive Press thishas alThe ‘Go Fund Me’ drive he set upfamily. ready raised €6,600 for the Haro his wife “Someone who says goodbye to the and daughters and travels across country to stand in front of a ferocious is a fire to save people and their homes, sad little bit special,” he said. “It’s very indeed.”

Picture by David Lopez / Olive Press

Spain

EXPAT AID

TRAGIC: Dead fireman Carlos pocket His daughters have donated their money to the cause along with hundreds felt of others around Andalucia who moved to do something. As the fire raged, the expat community rushpulled together with volunteers by the ing to those who were threatened blaze. Members of the equestrian communithe fire ty offered to take in horses from dogs zone, animal lovers took in over 100 were from ADANA, while voluntary vets Continues on Page 8

OLIVE PRESS

The FREE

Vol. 5 Issue 115

Brits in the frame unAT least three British expats are der investigation into a €50 million fraud case following police raids across Mallorca. in The British landlord of a crew flat by Santa Catalina, which was raided armed Spanish and German officers to has been questioned in relation the fraud. Others under investigation include two Britons with a business in Puerto Portals that may have been used almost exclusively to launder large amounts of money. The simultaneous raids in Mallorca cities, and various other European by primarily in Germany, were led a the Prosecutor's Office in Palma in joint operation with German police. deBritish yachtie Dandelion Sharp, scribed the terrifying raid by police her at the crew house in Palma when door was kicked down by police with assault rifles and pistols. “There were about 20 of them, some and rifles with armed in uniform others in plain clothes with hand guns,” described deckhand Sharp, 21, from Somerset. “I was really scared and had no idea what was happening and whether they intended to harm me. It was like waking up in a movie.”

Spain in review: The biggest and most important stories covered by the Olive Press during 2021

We also dedicated many stories to environmental issues during 2021, By Fiona Govan from the continuing plight of the Mar Menor in Murcia, to the tragedy of Spain’s disappearing wetlands as living in Spain and we covered the aquifers were plundered to irrigate ongoing complications from strugfarmland. gles to exchange driving licences and Plus we delved into protests against complications with residency applicamass solar farms that threaten to tions, to the scandal of extra post ofdestroy some of the fice fees and limitations most beautiful corners of the 90-day-rule. of Spain. We wrote articles about Went in for Later in the year, a the thousands of Brits a gallstone team of campaigners left vulnerable thanks - who were fighting to Brexit and uncovoperation and to reinstate the protective ered a massive fraud status of an ancient came out minus investigation involving valley near Granada's a gestor service on the a leg Alhambra - thanked the Costa Blanca that saw Olive Press for bringing expat British pensionmuch-needed and imers arrested and left in pactful awareness to their story. limbo over residency applications.. But beyond these wider issues we fo- We followed the trials and tribulacused on the stories that most affect- tions affecting our readers thanks to ed our readers and the expat commu- a combination of travel restrictions nities in Spain. and Brexit including a plane load of This was the first year that the ram- British visitors being turned away ifications of Brexit were felt by Brits from Alicante airport because a bor-

MALLORCA

Network

not The exact nature of the scam has yet been revealed, but it is understood that the international network deceived customers with products online that did not exist. isThe ‘frontman’ of the fraud on the land is another foreign citizen, whose nationality has not yet been divulged, per who was allegedly paid €1,000 month to act as the CEO of a large international investment company. of But it’s reported he was unaware any fraudulent activity. The man lives in the Gomila district of Palma, one of the properties raided. an Police sources indicate that he is alcoholic and was used by the fraudsters who had power of attorney. Various companies in Ireland were name, his using closed opened and but he claimed not to know about them. In February 2020, Germany requested the man’s extradition.

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Expats must stay in Spain in limbo for two years while alleged residency scam is probed by police EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade

How one organised community of expats is putting El Raso on the map

See page 12

EXPATS caught up in a fraudulent OLIVE residency scam run by a gestor on PRESS the Costa Blanca have been told by police that they can’t leave the country while the case is investigated. Dozens of people are facing a life in legal limbo for up to two years while police investigate the alleged fraud before it is decided if they face deportation or can legally stay. It comes after the Olive Press reported on a group of expats who had been detained by police over padron certificates that952 Tel: 952 147 appear 147 834 to SCOOP:834How the Olive Press have been doctored by one particular gestor they hired to process their broke the story last edition TIE applications. lice Station and questioned over her part in ‘an alleged fraud’. The 53-year-old said she and her Grilled They included 71-year-old wid- husband Nigel had confronted Matt ow Lily Higgins and friend Jay Smith, owner of One Way Services, Elliott, who were grilled over about why a doctored certificate their town hall registration had been submitted on their behalf. STUCK: Jane Long (above) has been told by police that she can’t travel while forms, which were handled by “Smith said he was only trying to Elliott were ‘treated like criminals’ after using Lily Higgins and Jay One Way Services help people,” she told the Olive One Way Services. she was told by detectives at the Several more have since come for- Press. Policia Nacional that ward to complain about the British “He said he’d already admitted his considered ‘guilty, untilshe will be proven ingestor, in Ciudad Quesada, which is guilt to the police, before shredding nocent’. my fake padron in front of my eyes” at the centre of the investigation. Mrs Long despaired: “I was told I These include Jane Long of Torre- she added. couldn’t even travel back vieja who was taken to Alicante Po- He added that she should ‘expect a because I’m a criminal!” to the UK phone call from the police merely to The Kent answer a police hadwoman revealed that the informed her, ‘another few ques- 40-plus people will also be arresttions’. ed.’ However, Fellow Brit, after be- us he also Brian Williams, 63, told had to give a statement at See page 23 ing taken Alicante police station last week. away in It involved a police has lived the property owner, who car, held having hisin Spain for seven years, fingerprints taken, as for two well as getting photographed. h o u r s , “It was astonishing,” he told the Olf i n g e r - ive Press. p r i n t - case could “I’m now told the court t o take 18 months to two c o n d i t i o n s . E n d s ed and years, possibly 3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 . p h o t o - He continued:more.” graphed, on September “I started all this When the Olive Press called Matt sponse to written questions. 1, but it became ap- Smith for an explanation he refused He sought 21/6/19 13:30 parent as time to answer questions. to reassure One Way went on there lawyer,” he said before“Speak to my clients that they would not be held hanging up. criminally responsible. was something National Police confirmed to the Olamiss. ive Press that detectives are work- “So it is totally clear now that the The highest quality ladies or criminal investigation is being fo“I feel this can ing alongside the mens wigs available and can be purchased from our go two ways: now investigate Guardia Civil to cused only against my client so for retail shop in the all residencia ap- sure the fiscal centre of Benidorm and also I'm will not start found plications in Alicante made on our online store in 2021. actions against his clients criminal guilty and desadly afELLE WILLE COLLECTIONS fected,” he said. ported or after CHANGES • PERUCCI • HAIR Cleared If it emerges that any other of One possibly SOCIETY • HAIR POWER two PRIME POWER • POWER PIECES years I'm grant- The lawyer later confirmed to the Way clients were to be detained • HAIR FOR MANCE PURE EUROPE • PURE POWER over the matter, the lawyer said: “Mr Olive Press that Smith had made ed residencia. COLLECTION a “I put all my statement to police clearing his cli- Smith will proceed immediately to Visit us online faith into One ents of any knowledge of the alleged clarify in front of police or/and the Way Services fraud. “My client explained [to the court that these clients have no relaSALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS and have been police] that none of the clients had tion at all with any criminal activity.” so let down, a produced the applications themMoriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea Av. Ametlla de Mar, 9, 03502, very stressful selves [but] only paid my client to Have you been affected? Benidorm, Alicante (+34) 604 time for me and apply for the TIE on their behalf,” Please contact us on news285 367 countless oth- David Guijarro Mayor from ABC desk@theolivepress.es www.moraira-hamiltons.net solicitors told the Olive Press in reers,” he added. Opinion Your

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HUMILIATED: A GROUP of British Lily and expats Jay were questioned have been detained EXCLUSIVE after their padron by police even deportation. By Simon Wade proving they livedcertificates “I’ve never been in trouble in Spain appear to have before been doc- derly expats described the treated but here I am, being tored. situation as ‘humiliating’ like a common crimand At least eight people have ‘hellish’, after they were held inal,” said Higgins. “It’s hubeen grilled over miliating.” for the town tion.questioning under cau- They hall registration added that the same were all handledforms, which They told the gestor is being Olive Press how for investigated gestor company by the same they were carted changing the date on the Costa Blanca. te police station to Alican- least 22 more British on at appliNational Police about falsifying and grilled cants. the Olive Pressconfirmed to submitted with documents Another couple, tives are workingthat detec- card applications. their TIE not to be named, who asked told the Olthe Guardia Civil alongside “We were wrongly ive Press how they to now investigate all residencia for submitting fake arrested questioned when had been they went appli- even padrons, to collect that his is anything cations in Alicante their TIE cards. made in rect though we put the cor- “We only gestor businessbut the 2021. were ones in with our to be dragged into the paper- read our taken into a room, work for residencia,” rights and investigation Elliott, 66, of Orihuelasaid Jay explain why our 2021 told to Fraud padron “Nobody has been Costa, had who has lived arrested, in Spain for 2020been doctored to show a It comes after that is a fact,” date - it was hell.” ‘widespread over five years. fraud’ was allegedly adding: “Other he insisted, All those She gestors are in over 22 Britons detected gins,and her friend Lily Hig- One Way detained had used also being brought 71, had planned Services, a gestor in as part to become residentattempting peaceful of an ongoing investigation for a based in Quesada, here. retirement in near TorThis week a number into TIE applications.” the of el- sun but are now living with revieja, to process their apA police spokesman plications - including the threat of a court told the Olive Press: “All case or padron. the residencia Owner Matt Smith insisted Continues on Page 5

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UPBEAT AND INVESTIGATING: From good news of a tourist boom to a probe into an expat gestor fraud der guard refused to acknowledge that their paperwork was in order. We also caught up with the Brexit refugees who moved to Spain from Britain while they still could. Our coverage in 2021 included the shocking experiences of patients at Torrevieja hospital with Brits reporting that they had been either ignored or mistreated and abused at the hands of staff including one Brit who went in for a gallstone operation, and came out minus his right leg after disastrous post-op complications. Our year included reporting on nu-

merous scams perpetrated against expats in Spain. We covered several stories about the plight of readers from a man who had to pay to have his dream home demolished after falling foul of planning rules to a single mother evicted from her home after council notices were sent to the wrong address. Then there were the horror rental stories, from the traumatised mother who moved her family into a cockroach infested home after being hoodwinked by rental agents in Malaga, to the couple who returned

Don’t Look Up! Jo Chipchase, a Brit living in Spain, looks back on 2021, a year marked by the continued pandemic and the fallout from Brexit

A

S I slumped on the sofa on Boxing Day, ge-hued populist at the White House. Biden had wanting background distraction, I clic- already won on November 30, 2020, but Trump ked dismissively on the Netflix home was denying the result and didn’t want to handoscreen and selected ‘Don’t Look Up’, ver in good grace. By January 6, he had invoked which looked like a naff disaster movie requiring a riot at Capital Hill, in which five people died zero attention. To my surprise, what unfolded and one fake ‘Qanon shaman’, Jacob Chanswas an excellent metaphor for the whole year – ley, was splashed across the media in his bison costume, highlighting the ongoing problem and the state of the world. If you haven’t seen it, ‘Don’t Look Up’ is a star-stu- with the ‘Cosmic Right’, who have been drawn dded Hollywood take on what would occur if in by conspiracy theories and are campaigning a large ‘planet destroyer’ comet was hurtling against vaccines. towards earth. The protagonists, a pair of highly While many people celebrated that ‘number qualified scientists, try to warn the Whitehouse 45’ was finally out of office – and the Qanon and public of the destructive power of the comet. supporters soon disappeared, tails between legs However, they are initially scorned, before the is- – some Brits felt miffed that we still had Boris Josue is taken up for political gain. hnson as our clown-like prime minister. To summarise, one of the world’s richest men We could at least be smug that it wasn’t a great (with Elon Musk overtones) stops an attempt by year for Boris. Notable highlights were Dominic the US government to divert the Cummings dishing tons of dirt comet and save earth, so he can on the PM and his cabinet during break it up using his own techMay, endless sleaze enquiries, Meghan and nology and harvest its valuable questions about undisclosed dominerals. I won’t add spoilers, but Harry behaving nations - some of which paid to redecorate Boris’ flat - the Ranthere are nods towards populism, like petulant dox lobbying corruption, and the capitalism and political corruption, science-denial, inequality, teens for a PR recent ‘partygate’ scandal, where misogyny, fake news, and how it emerged that Boris and buddebacle dies necked wine and chomped people are far more interested in cheese together during Christcelebrities, pop culture and social mas 2020, while UK resinetworks than serious issues… to see their such as climate change, coming in a year when dents weren’t even allowed relatives. Cop 26 was a damp squib. The plot also includes the super-rich escaping on Also embarrassing re public a spaceship, with a nod to Jeff Bezos wanting to figures were Meghan and commercialise space tourism and Richard Bran- Harry behaving like petulant son jetting off in his phallic-shaped rocket in July. teens and creating a PR debacle, Until they are about to die, many people in the Prince Andrew and his ties to paemovie try to claim the comet doesn’t exist (re- dophile Epstein, and the grismind you of anything?) and run a campaign ly trial of Ghislaine Maxwell. saying ‘don’t look up’ into the sky, hence the title. None of these showed ‘Great’ It is also apt that critics disagree massively about Britain in a good light. the film. One critic moans: “This end of world During 2021, many Brits comedy should just have been more fun.” in Spain were heard to say, I strongly suspect that some critics who hate ‘thank heavens we live in ‘Don’t Look Up’ are secret Trump supporters or Spain and not the UK’. Despite experiencing another Cocannot stomach difficult themes. Speaking of Trump, by the start of 2021, we vid-ridden 12 months, we didn’t were lucky enough to see the end of the oran- have food or supply chain issues, or

PERFECT OVERVIEW: Film Don’t Look Up well reflects 2021 a ‘pingdemic’ with a COVID app running riot, and we had a summer of relative freedom, without the need to announce a stupid ‘Freedom Day’ that would serve to infect people and divide opinion. The Spanish vaccination programme started exactly a year ago and is still ongoing. With third doses appearing now, we begin 2022 with the Covid vaccine certificate required to enter bars and restaurants – a controversial move, causing riots in Barcelona - and the same arguments taking place as a year ago. Not a day goes by without anti-vaxxers trying to claim that ‘the jab’ is the real killer or angry debates about masks. Having kicked off 2021 with the Alpha variant, progressed through Delta, and now having Omicron (anagram for ‘moronic’, said the anti-vaxxers with glee), the pandemic isn’t ending anytime soon, although a milder Omicron seems to be turning COVID into a cold. I think we are stuck in Groundhog Day – at least, regarding people’s social interactions. With rules tightening again, the expat forums remain full of smug people who want to police others, and armchair warriors who did their ‘research on YouTube’ and want to invoke their ‘nurenberg (sic) rights’. Have we ever been more divided? 2021 also had something of a Groundhog Day vibe re Brexit and

the impact on Brits in Spain, as well as Brits in Britain. I wrote a year ago about ‘swallows’ with second homes in Spain coming unstuck with the 90-day rule, the problems with UK-originating parcels and Spanish customs, and exchanging UK driving licenses to Spanish ones. Some 365 days later and we are besieged with the same silly questions, such as ‘why did I pay €15 to receive my UK eBay parcel’, ‘do I have to take a Spanish driving test’ or ‘can I stay here beyond 90 days without passport control noticing’. Unfortunately, many Brits have had their passports wrongly stamped by Spanish airport officials. This problem persists, despite repeated attempts to flag it to the British Embassy. It recently happened to my son, who is the only member of my family to be shown leaving Malaga but not re-entering. That said, we were grateful to make it to the UK, after the travel restrictions loosened in late October (requiring a day two lateral flow test instead of PCRs), only to be reintroduced in early December because of Omicron. I think these will all be trivial issues to residents of La Palma, who had a spectacular but terrifying volcano erupt for 85 consecutive days, until Christmas, and destroyed around 3,000 homes. Last year, I concluded that 2021 would be better than 2020. For many people, it was – with no house confinement and the hospitality sector not completely mullered - although some divisions will be hard to heal. From polarisation over Leave/Remain, masked/ unmasked, vaxxed/unvaxxed or COVID pass/ no COVID pass, I personally think we can sort the wheat from the chaff over who likes ‘Don’t Look Up’ and who slates it because they want a “more slapstick” approach to the world ending.


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Madrid Spain Fiona Govan in schools around INTERNATIONALhigh alert after a British have been put on at one of Madrid’s most idenman began teachingmonths after being conafter creating a new language academy exclusive colleges post tity, using forged documents. sex offender revicted in the UK. Lewis got teaching colleagues of the raised after Ben Lewis, dodge Questions have beenat the school despite be- Formerthat he created a new name to sum- DANGER: vealed to run as an English teacher 31, was able to workoffenders register. record checks in order classes to 2017 he accepted a job (concertado) secprivate ing on the UK’s sex discovered that Lewis, criminal from camps and teach at a leading semi-private receives subsidies The Olive Press has trial for child sex of- mer children. after ondary school that V, young who is now awaiting his name to Ben David by Penitenciario Madrid name Ben David a He had changed in June 2016 of taking and the state. fences at Centro TWO schools and in “He was going by the the job after another being convicted images of children managed to hoodwink then and was offered mid-term,” a former possessing indecent England. Olive on teacher dropped out Fitzsimons told the As well as being placed and be- colleague Natasha the sex offender list posisus- Press. desperate to fill the ing handed a two-year as he was “I think they were weren’t as thorough pended sentence, the tion so maybe they barred from leaving with they should have been. country or working children. Horrified he had 18 Yet within weeks found at the school for worked together classes together gomoved to Spain and as a live- “We took on private work in Zaragoza with months, homes of some of the children for in au pair to a family ing to the and ran a summer the three young children.he re- extracurricular teaching during 2018,” said The following yearand be- camp at the school is filled with horror at who located to Madrid at a Irish colleague, to children. gan teaching children the access he had that the day NAMES: two Press has discovered well-known language his get- The Olive the UK he changed different passports academy after after sentencing in Ben David Lewis ting a criminal record name by deed poll from that takes just 15 in a process check from Zaragohe to Ben David, za police to show in minutes. a British for and received also prehad no convictions He then applied while he Spain over the previ- passport in his new name, Israeli photocopy of his ous 12 months. sented a doctored and verified by a Then in December passport stamped firm that showed non-existent law Rose. his name as Ben David seen photocopThe Olive Press has a teaching degree ies of these, plus Status (QTS) and Qualified Teaching in the name certificates presented as well as certifALL AREAS COVERED of Ben David Rose name. icates in his originalis that by April What is amazing 4G UNLIMITED for a teaching 2019 he had applied school in the INTERNET job at a leading private Soria district that IDEAL FOR upmarket Arturo curriculum to the STREAMING TV teaches the British elite. children of Madrid’sa DBS certificate ALSO IPTV, By now he also had SATELLITE TV 6 Opinion Page

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ROM its very first issue in 2006 the Olive Press has been campaigning for its community. Whether fighting for the environment or digging into crooks, we have taken some big scalps. Starting from Issue One (see top right) we highlighted the ridiculous plans to build 2000 houses, two golf courses and two hotels on UNESCO-protected land near Ronda, as well as exposed the madness of building a 350-room monstrosity on a virgin beach in Almeria’s Cabo de Gata. Both schemes - Los Merinos, in Ronda, and the Algarrobico hotel, in Almeria - went into reverse after our stories made the UK AND Spanish national newspapers and green groups including Greenpeace and Ecologistas en Accion joined our protests. And then there were the crooks, like Crimestoppers’ Most Wanted Daniel Johnston, a bank robber, and Matthew Sammon, a dangerous paedophile, who we single-handedly tracked down to a village near Sevilla and a car park in Fuengirola. And fraudsters like David ‘the dogman’ Klein, pet transport DON’T MISS OUR

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The hulking shell of concrete - once set for a 311-room mega SWATHES of rural Andalucia remained an eyesore resort - has are in for years after danger of being concreted work was halted by the over after a new planning law Bunkers are also being courts. was brought in by the regional government. 700-home golf course dug to stop a Green groups including Nerja, which will see scheme, near Ecologisthe developtas en Accion and Greenpeace ment of one of the Costa have joined with hundreds del Sol’s final stretches of pristine ciations to fight on a of local assoAnd protesters in Mijascoast. series of new fronts opened up during are also digging in to stop the COVID SOON the law being crisis. LEGAL?: Algarrobico used to build in woods overlooking They are up in arms the sea at called LISTA law - over the so- one, but TWO new hotels on virgin The first El Chaparral. the lockdown - that passed during beaches in the supposedly protect- took placeof many planned protests outside council offices dozens of previously is set to allow ed natural park of Cabo de Gata. in la Cala de Mijas this outlawed proj- The first involves the week. ects to go ahead. a 30-room hotel neargreen light for It could also see the controversial In particular, activists the globally Valdevaqueros project of hundreds about a controversialare outraged famous Bahia de Los Genoveses of homes go up on a heavily-pronew golf beach, while the second course in Nerja, as is for a two- tected stand of woodland inwell as a final star hotel close to the pristine Cala Under virgin beach, near Tarifa. Mijas. the recently resubmitted de San Pedro bay (pictured They are also furious about not Protestors fear the new law above). project, backed by TV celebrity now allow the legalization will also Rosa Quintana, the stunning Ana area of nearby between Bolonia and Tarifa would El Algarro- see a series of hotels get bico hotel, Ecologists built. are also worried that built dis- Los Merinos the project for two-golf gracefully courses on a virgin es on and hundreds of housUNESCO-protected beach, near land near Ronda could be virgin Carboneras, despite revived, due to a preme being quashed by the SuCourt. planning mix up. Fairway to hell: See page 6

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When it comes to corruption we were the first English newspaper to write about the ERE scandal at the Junta de Andalucia that cost an estimated billion euros to the taxpayers, while we also tackled town hall theft on a local scale on dozens of occasions. Animal cruelty has been a continual bugbear and we have exposed so many evil abusers, as well as the scoundrels who allowed hunters to kill innocent circus lions and tigers at a finca in Extremadura (see below). On a more positive front, it was great to interview everyone from Princess Diana’s ex-lover James Hewett to cooking

maverick Jeremy Griffiths, and Nigel Goldman, a degenerate gold-dealing dirt-bag, who had a restaurant column in a local newspaper, which he used to cover his tracks. We also tackled timeshare crook Toni Muldoon, who certainly deserves a mention for conning thousands of people and eventually went to prison for setting up fake escort websites. Meanwhile, our crime reporting on missing teen Amy Fitzpatrick ‘blew open the case’, to use the words of her grandmother, while our continuing investigation into missing Maddie McCann has yielded exclusive after exclusive, with its frequent links to Spain.

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EAGLE-EYED Olive readers helped snag one Press of Britain’s most wanted fugitives Spain, just hours after he in had been named. al Crime Agency, Following a tip off to the paper, the scene after who arrived at suspected paedophile Matthew the arrest. “Well done Olive Press Sammon was dragged from and his thanks to the campervan in a dramatic night- for tipping us expat community time raid and whisked away off, in son we run these this is the reaan unmarked police car. campaigns.” Working closely with informant The dramatic day had started when Crimestoppers issued Daniel Reid, we were able its to annual list of most firstly track down Sammon wanted tives in Torremolinos on fugito Fuengirola, then call Thursin the day morning. Guardia Civil to arrest him. Leading to hundreds of On the run for two years, press Sam- stories around mon - a blackbelt in Jujitsu the world and - on national television, was wanted in the UK for the hunt shar- was immediately ing indecent images of children. on. But, it was to popular His seizure came just 10 local after he was named in hours newspaper the Olive Press Opera- that expat plasterer tion Captura and is the quickest Reid, reached out to, trusting 40, recorded arrest in the joint us to SUCCESS: Reid, Horgan, UK ‘do the job properly’. and Spanish police operation. Reynolds and Brunt In a series of Facebook “It was a fantastic result,” mes- as a labourer and said sages, he announced was currently Steve Reynolds, from the Nationthat mon, 45, had worked forSam- living in a campervan around him the Mijas and Fuengirola area.

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Within an hour, the Olive Press car, Sammon covered his team scrambled to Fuengirola, face and remained silent learning from another when builder questioned by the Olive Press. that he was currently camped He was then bundled into out at the feria ground. BMW and taken to Madridthe After a day working nearby, to the be fingerprinted and prepared Londoner duly arrived in his for extradition. English-plated cream Moncayo Following the arrest, father-ofcampervan. two Reid said he was ‘relieved’ Parking up, he looked relaxed to see Sammon taken away. as he took his dog for a walk “As soon as I saw his face around the feria ground among and the most wanted I felt spoke with neighbours. said Reid, from Blackpool.sick,” Once identified, we called the “I let him hang around my Guardia Civil and Crimestopdren, we took him in with chilpers and so began a tense arms and at first were noneopen hour waiting game, withthreethe wiser. sitting in the car beside us. Reid “But we always thought Sky News crime reporter he was tin Brunt was soon there Mar- a bit weird, he’s a real loner and never talks about his family. Eventually, as night hadtoo. well “He creeped my family and truly fell, an unmarked much that I fired him.” out so black BMW arrived and two Incredibly, police did plain clothes detectives swiftly evidence from his not take any moved in for the arrest, confiscampervan cluding his computer and incating his passport and phone. other Frisking him at the side of the

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and failure to so is a criminal ofIN the United Kingdom a person fence which could result in a term does not need to follow an official not exceeding five years imprisonprocess to start using a new name, ment. but they require a ‘deed poll’ to However, evidence demonstrates apply for or to change official docu- that not every registered sex offenda ments such as a new passport. er will act with honesty and report This can be done simply and easily change of name as required. online for little or no cost in a pro- The Safeguarding Alliance discovcess that takes no longer than 15 ered through Freedom of Informaminutes to process and can even be tion requests to 16 of the UK’s 46 completed from a prison cell. police forces that 913 people with OfSexual the of 84 section Under sex offence convictions had gone fences Act of 2003, an offender missing after changing their names must report a name change within without informing the police. three working days to the police,

The Rock will, as in other years, be a glory of red and white as residents proudly display their national flag and the Moorish Castle is lit up in the colours for the occasion. In an improvement to last year, residents will be treated to a spectacular fireworks display. National Day is a chance to reflect on the sacrifices of the last year and the resilience of the locals. And with the very real hope that this time next year, National Day will be back, bigger and better than ever before.

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TRIBUTE: To Rock's strength

THE Rock once again is unable to mark its National Day with big celebrations. But that doesn’t mean that spirits will be dampened. With the pandemic in its second year, Gibraltarians are being asked to mark the day with muted celebrations with friends and at home. A message from Chief Minister Fabian Picardo (above) to Olive Press readers, sums it up: “This year, we are once again forced to tone down the popular events and restrict them to television and online, together with family reunions on a small scale. “Despite this, the spirit of National Day remains deep within Gibraltarians and our friends.”

ACCOMPLICE:Brueckner was out with mystery friend who vanished

time at the ...meanwhile, we spend most famous home of the world’s he’s plumber as he announces citizen, after becoming a Spanish losing €15m to 15 years here and his ex-wives...

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reaches its 15th As the Olive Press a few of our birthday, we recall and remember favourite interviewsreaders, such a couple of our top Rajoy (above) as ex-prime minister Gascoigne... and prime joker Paul

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Vol. 15 Issue 365

after a school warningto Spain, EXCLUSIVE: Private paedophile moved convicted Britishrecord checks and found dodged criminal

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a his identity and find work as teacher in several Madrid schools where he was arrested for abusing at least 36 children. 31, We reported how Ben Lewis, had changed his name by deed poll, applied for a new British repassport, and dodged criminal the cord checks despite being on register. offenders UK’s sex Police in Spain issued a stateLewis ment last week describing evilo

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Spain. The campaign follows an investiregation by the Olive Press that vealed how easy it was for a convicted UK sex offender to change

children,” she continued. DE REGISTRO CENTRAL SEXUALES “This loophole is arguDELINCUENTES ably the biggest safeguarding scandal the world has ever seen and there is an opportunien ZARAGOZA ty for Spain to lead the Gerente Territorial way in tackling it at a CERTIFICA: Delincuentes Sexuales, Registro Central de la Base de Datos del fecha, consultada global level,” she said. Que, en el día de la penal relativa a: NO CONSTA información Her charity wants Spain nº 22807454 ROSE con Pasaporte D./Dª BEN DAVID to need the Sick to introduce a la organización de 26 de febrero, relativa 2009/315/JAI del Consejo entre los Estados miembros, en la Decisión Marco antecedentes penales present an original birth impuestas por otros de los registros de Conforme a lo dispuesto en su caso, las condenas sin He then disseminated the sick maintercambio de información certificado incluye, hayan sido notificadas, y al contenido del alongside españoles, el presente the certificate en que tales condenas y los tipos delictivos tratándose de ciudadanos en los mismos términos del Estado de condena terial on paedophile forums on de la Unión Europea, los tipos delictivos Estados miembros una equiparación entre a passport and crimique exista necesariamente dark web around the world. nacionales. checks that en la fecha de su expedición. del titular interesado/a refleja la situación Emily Konstantas, CEO of The nal record El presente certificado potential agosto de 2017 sserp Safeguarding Alliance, applaud- would allow Zaragoza a 29 de a unearth to highlightemployers for ed the Olive Press ing the issue: “The Ben Lewis change of identity. way to procase as revealed by the Olive “It’s a simple check,” extra that loophole vide G this O L D M A Press highlights OLIVE N YTLIUG “The severand as shocking as this is, it is she insisted. this loopPRESS DANGER: Lewis got teaching Mijas Costa 15 YEARS nothing new and unfortunately ity and dangerto the whole world post, with help of ‘fake’ iceOF FUN presents the of hole tip the just represents papers berg as to the magnitude of this cannot be underestimated.” An extensive report by The Safeproblem.” is being used to as the offender already has the She warned: “Whilst the status guarding Alliance to commit very serious parliament for a le- propensity electrónicamente quo remains in situ this signif- lobby the UK by Documento firmado in the management of crimes,” states the report, seen icant and very dangerous safe- gal change offenders. Press. guarding loophole will contin- registered sex the current system the Olive extensive research and Through ue to pose a threat, not just to It explains how The Safeguarding Alliregistered sex offendUK Nationals, but to the rest relies on thethe police with details case law identified that offenders 13:30 ance has er to notify of the world, putting children and she of any name change, alongside any are not notifying as required and EXCLUSIVE: OP splash those most vulnerable at risk,” change of address and passport are continuing to abuse children 3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 . warned. E n d s obby changing their names and information. + + “There are potentially hundreds solely lies the onus sex fuscating their identities as seen - if not thousands - of known ra- “Currently it through the case of Ben Lewis/ with the offender and although offenders slipping under the to connotify, one to seek work abroad is an offence to fail to deterrent Rose absconding overseas 21/6/19 13:30 dar in the UK a not is this tinue to abuse. where they can continue to abuse could argue - or Ben David Rose, as he is now known - as ‘a dangerous child sexual predator’. The National Police press release ruled that he had used his position as a teacher at private schools in Madrid to gain access to children whom he photographed and filmed.

By Fiona Govan in Madrid

GIBRALTAR

Brave WPC confirms she hunted for a potential ‘blonde accomplice’ McCann suspect Christian Brueckner on night he was last arrested of Madeleine in 2017

OLIVE PRESS EXCLUSIVE investigation leads to child protection plea from United Kingdom charity

THE UK’s leading child protection to group is calling on authorities of tighten the recruitment process English teachers abroad. AlThe plea by The Safeguarding liance aims to protect the country against a British legal loophole that has allowed potentially hundreds of British paedophiles in to find work abroad including

By A ex Tre nsk

ibraltar NATIONAL Day

We uncovered the ease OLIVE Things with which a convicted Britwill only PRESS get better ish paedophile was able to change his name and find work in schools in Ma? drid where he was arrested for committing sex crimes against children. Our investigation won praise from the 834 952 147 UK’s leading safeguarding 147 834 charity and was952mentioned T: 952 147 834 in reports to952 both British and 147 834 Spanish legislators. THE DEED POLL LOOPHOLE 952 147 834 We exclusively revealed the identity of a cake making ex952 147 834 pat accused of using her baking business to make quick cash before vanishing and THE B G ONES The Estepona fi e top and a paedoph e expo leaving 'dozens' of wedding se and a Madd e sto y p us a cake audste be ow made ou clients out of pocket. ont pages The Olive Press has also been continually leading the world's among the most read last OLIVE media over the Madeleine Mcyear, in fact the exclusive, PRESS Cann case. German and Portuguese cops Looking for Following its many twists and meet to swap evidence on Cinderella THE GREAT turns, we published exclusive prime suspect who ‘wanted after exclusive on the missing to catch something small’ in SPANISH British toddler, who vanished Madeleine McCann case, was TAKE from the Algarve in 2007. the second best read story of OFF As well as revealing many the year. new details on the prime susMost recently, in December, Winners! pect Christian Brueckner, we Clarke revealed that Bruecklooked into other possible ner would be charged in Febcriminals linked to the case. ruary with the rape of an Irish Our research saw editor Jon girl in 2004 in Portugal. Clarke, visiting He will also be Portugal over charged with two half a dozen separate counts 2021 saw times in 2021 of child molesthe launch as well as distation, and later covering links in the spring his Plus we shared some of the of our online to Brueckner in involvement in most interesting tales we Granada and Vathe Maddie kid- came across in 2021 from the dedicated lencia. napping. mystery of how the Cold War travel section It is expected to spy who met the Kennedys Jon even went to Germany on be a busy year ended up dead in a ravine in two occasions to ahead on the Spain to the extraordinary stotrack down Brueckner's family Madeleine front. ry of the man who dedicated and to grill Chief Prosecutor But it hasn’t all been doom his life to building a cathedral Hans Christian Wolters. and gloom. 2021 saw the out of scrap. In a hard-hitting interview, launch of our dedicated travel We sought to explore the conwhich features in detail in section where we publish fea- text behind Spain’s biggest his book My Search for Madtures and reviews from across news stories, following the eleine, Wolters revealed how Spain. continuing scandals plaguing Brueckner was being probed This year saw us undertake Spain’s royal family, looking over 'at least six separate cashorse riding adventures in An- into why Prime Minister Pedro es'. dalucia, culinary discoveries Sanchez wants to ban prosHe added he expected him to in Extremadura and hang out titution, and what the hell is be arrested and charged in in the coolest venues in Ibiza going on with Spain’s rat pop'early 2022' and that he was as well as try out some of the ulation. 'certain' he took Maddie. best new restaurants in Spain. Overall it’s been a busy year! Our Maddie stories were Thank you to all our readers 15 and subscribers for your FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL 14 FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL continued support of OOD DR NK & RAVE what we do I at the Olive Press. TOHP reipaN anoI :O

of “As a result, the effectivenessOfimportant legislation, the Sex Sex fenders Register, the Child the Offender Disclosure Scheme, Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, the DBS are undermined and effectively rendered redundant,” it states. “The case of Ben Lewis/Rose highlights why Spain should be aware of this very serious safeguarding an loophole and should pioneer international movement to protect its children from those abusers the who slip under the radar using name change loophole,” Konstantas added. Opinion Page 6

VALIANT: Quick-thinking Vanessa Viera apprehended Brueckner after he flashed at kids in a play park (above) A PLUCKY policewoman who arrested Madeleine McCann suspect Christian following the case closely for a decade. Brueckner in 2017 says police tried She had actually been stationed outside to lo- Her grilling of the the cate a ‘blonde man’ with him that night. German came after forced to hold off four angry dads she was apartment at the Ocean Club, in Praia da Luz, Off-duty officer Vanessa Viera revealed of kids he where Madeleine, 3, had been snatched in in a new book that she and her colleagues had allegedly flashed at under a slide. May, 2007. And she never thought She eventually for a secsearched around the area trying to find the aged to call in calmed them down and man- ond that the McCanns were involved. potential accomplice. colleagues. “I saw first hand the tragedy and trauma “I asked him where his friend was It came after she arrested dangerous that and he just the poor fender Brueckner, 44, in a children’s sex of- smiled and wouldn’t say anything. He wouldn’t the book.family went through,” she reveals in park “It was in awful. I could tell really see their us where he was staying either.” Messines, on the Algarve, at 2.15am pain and suffering.” during a She continued: local fiesta. “We searched all his friend, but it was clear he had around for The book tracks the sex offender’s movements “He looked so familiar and I knew completely since first arriving in Portugal in 1994. Apart him before,” she revealed in the I had seen vanished. He must have taken the car or van.” from spending over a decade in book, My After being Portugal, Search for Madeleine, by Olive Press handcuffed he was taken to a editor police van, where Brueckner spent many months Jon Clarke. her colleagues discovered living in Spain, in particular in the * O there was a warrant for his arrest over f e rI realised “It wasf then v a l he i hadn’t d f come o r alone sex ofn e w Granada province, near Orgiva. s t o m e r s fencesc inu Germany. o n l y . and I’d seen him and his friend at S u b j e c t t o one of the He was then c o n d i t i o n s bars in the square. taken to prison, from My Search for Madeleine, he was extradited a fortnight later. where “Other parents also remembered The Porby Jon Clarke, is available on been chatting to another tall blondehe had tuguese WPC, who had been out with her TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME02.ind man.” five-year-old daughter d 1 Amazon in print and e-book that night, had been I’m sure he did it, Page 6

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August 12th - August 25th 2021

Relax with a book this summer with our guide to the best reads on Spain See page 14

POLICE have issued an appeal for ‘Cinderella’ thief who left his trainer a at the scene of a crime. The wanted man ran away from officers after he was caught drinking alcohol on the streets in Chipiona, Cadiz. He was in such a rush he forgot one of his shoes, as well as a bottle of rum and a bag of ice. Police tweeted a photo of the trainer, hoping someone might recognise it. They joked that they were on the hunt for the ‘little princess’. “We don’t know if the shoe jumped off due to the acceleration of his departure or it was a logistics failure (it was not properly on) but the reality is that that shoe is being well cared for.” They also joked that a man who wears ‘€140 trainers drinks cheap rum from an €8 bottle’. However they added: “Running is cowards and bad bullfighters andfor uncomfortable with a single shoe. is “If you run it is because you know you have done something wrong”.

Cake maker vanishes leaving ‘dozens’ of wedding clients out of pocket

LOST: Cinderella’s shoe

WE have winners of our competition to see the fabulous Paul Maxwell in The Elton John Experience, playing alongside the Malaga Symphony Orchestra. John Cahill and Kirsten Prydz each win a pair of tickets to the show at the Marbella Arena on August 21. They both answered correctly that Elton John has had 69 UK Top 40 hits. You can get tickets for the show at www.corteingles.es or call 0034 633647260 for more information.

A POPULAR cake maker has vanished after being accused of taking EXCLUSIVE By Kirsty McKenzie deposits from ‘dozens’ of wedding clients in Spain. The self-professed ‘Queen of amaz- good chunk of money. It was a big ing cakes’ Omaya Koreitem dis- cake. appeared after deleting her social “Now we can’t get in contact with media accounts and failing to fulfil them and have had no reply on Facebook, Instagram or by email. orders. One client of her company Cake “She (Koreitem) is continuing to Couture Marbella claims to have take deposits and make false promises to couples. This is fraud and paid €350 for a cake for his big is day ruining people’s special day.” this summer. A Facebook page now set up dediRyan Archie has taken to social media for advice after he heard nothing cated to those affected suggests that dozens ‘at least’ have been left out from Koreitem as the big day of ap- pocket. proached. Another person affected by the “This is scandal, who asked to remain anonbike rentAL • e-scooters leaving us ymous, first contacted w i t h o u t Facebook when she Koreitem on BIKE TOURS • repairS paid a deposit a cake on for a client’s cake but then couldn’t our wed- get hold of Koreitem. ding day,” “No one seems to know what hapsaid the pened,” she said. B r i t i s h Another Marbella wedding planner, groom. who wished to remain unnamed, “I paid told the Olive Press she and a 50% ents had been left ‘devastated’her cliby the d e p o s - scam. it, which The 45-year-old wedding organiser was still a first started working with Koreitem

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CRUMBS: Koreitem vanished Deception with the cash “My clients are devastated as am extravagant cakes,” she said. I. We really don’t need this kind of “I am aware of five wedding compadeception and thieving at any point nies who have clients who booked but even less so when everyone has cakes with her. had such a tough time. “I just don’t understand why she was “It makes us look bad on the coast.” taking deposits and final payments While a Twitter page and website but hadn’t arranged for anyone to still exist for Cake Couture, which take over the cakes which would was set up over two decades ago, the have been the right thing to do. Instagram and Facebook pages for “I know many businesses are sufferthe business have been taken down. ing particularly in the events sector Another wedding planner, who had but there are ways of not letting clicommissioned the company to make ents down. She should be letting cliseveral cakes, told the Olive Press ents know rather than ignoring calls that she has apparently changed her and messages for weeks.” phone number to a new one in Gua- The Olive Press was unable to get deloupe in the Caribbean. a comment from Cake Couture “It is such a shame as Koreitem was despite various attempts over the the go-to cake designer for very large past week.

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in 2012 after she came highly recommended. The British wedding planner only became suspicious when she received an automated message this year that said Koreitem had changed her number. Two of her clients are waiting on cakes, with a total loss of €725 in deposits.

She said: ‘I asked her where she had moved to and she said Saint Martins and that I was welcome to visit anytime. I mentioned Monica was looking for her and she acted surprised but then I said that I also had cakes booked with her and she asked me to send the details as she didn’t recall. ‘Since then she has unfriended me on Facebook, taken down her page on Instagram and is not answering any messages on WhatsApp or email.’

April 22nd - May 5th 2021

T’S approaching high Spring and the beaches of Ibiza would normally be filling up and the hip boutiques of Ibiza town inundated with English, American and German accents. Instead there is merely a gentle trickle of European tourists circling the White Isle and you’re more likely to hear the cries of a curlew or the flapping wings of a flamingo, than a persistent house beat. Best of all, you hardly need a reservation for a single restaurant, and you’ll be surprised to find more than a dozen people on any of its wonderfully varied beaches and coves. The island has never looked more beautiful and the interior is awash with wild flowers and blossom, and the comprehensive series of countryside walks and bike trails are better marked than coast a little to the salt back in vibe and historic in heart ever before. fore taking a look around pans, where you can find BACK TO BASICS Liberal Ibiza is laid your heels for trainers. This is the Ibiza that ofwhen a the ancient citadel above With nobody about, it the Archaeological Muse- not just an impressive ten gets forgotten, with so za of the Sixties, trav- Ibiza Town, with nobody feels somewhat eerie, um (www.maef.eu), with area of natural beauty, many associating the is- handful of bespoke its impressive collection of sticks from in front of you. actually edgy, strolling Phoenician relics, said to but some incredible wildland with pumping house ellers upped to set up This Unesco protected life and a splendid walk around. At least one part music and partying to ex- northern Europe World Heritage Site is a of it, just outside the main be among the best in the with lunch bundled in. homes on the island. take cess. world. nearly emp- true gem, which will of the Ses SaForget the beach parties The roads are sightsee at at least an hour to wan- wall at the Look out for This is part and tunnels lines Natural parkSal de and concrete blocks of ty and you can spots with- der about, its warren of extreme east, the With nobody San Antonio, head inland, forts or beauty of tourists narrow cobbled streets is almost a that take you where the famous from. with slum, or to its lesser known cor- out a crowd up and down Ibiza comes feels it and tunnels (yes, tunnels!) squatters and driving about, sticks continuselfie green with best its ners, to find into the heart Salt has beenhere since amazing in the extreme. spaces, many designated you up the wall. of a once- Chances are, towards drug dealers eerie, actually of the alca- ally exploited the PhoeniTake advantage around, so be as Natural Parks. zar and ide- 600 BC by chance to sunset, you will almost strolling edgy, cians - the commodity has careful. of and Visiting Ibiza this Spring, in-a-lifetime try many ally Dalt Vila, see nobody, yet wealth to But once inis like returning to the Ibi- clamber up into end up head- brought great about the galleries and muse- side over the centhe ing out of the the island there is some ums will still be open and walls proper, turies - and to then set and soon back are restaurants historical evidence today you will be stay open until 10.30pm amazed at how well it has down the ring road back including an old milling (early by Spanish stan- been maintained and how to the centre. wheel. When you get back down What is also very much in dards, but positively late much there is to see. for the Brits and certainly Head in via the Portal de you will be in the ritzy evidence is the impressive part of town with all the range of birds including Scandinavians). Ses Taules, an impressive A fortress within a for- ramp and drawbridge, hip boutiques, including sandpipers, curlews and tress, this is a solid stone that you can imagine the likes of Paul Smith, stalks, that share the wetredoubt that was once would have been any- Tous and Mayurka (www. lands.The most exciting the centre of Ibosim, one thing but easy to scale mayurkaibiza.com), which by far though are the flahas been around for 30 mingoes, when in season, of the key Mediterranean during a time of battle. ports, first built by the Once inside, make sure to years and stocks the likes that can be watched from Kenzo and Phoenicians. the top to see of Balenciaga, to right a number of hides alongwalk Town’ Marc Jacobs. Meaning ‘Upper side the colourful pans. the Cathedral de Nuestra Dalt Vila is certainly not Senora de las Nieves and For a totally different ex- There is even a special for the faint hearted and it some incredible views, be- perience, head up the is decidedly hilly, so swap

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Eventually you will reach you may have to avert visitor centre dedicated to your eyes. It is also a keen the interpretation centre at the Church them. area for the of Sant FranThe place to start your gay scene and worth cesc, saline adventure is near a bar called for stopping Restaurante La Escollera, Chringay, that You can eat a drink at and where you will eventually can only be at tables to take in the have your lunch or sup- accessed by flamingoes. per. From here you walk foot has long overlooking final Your down the stunning Platja catered to this is the to des Cavallet beach the beach or on stretch market. the along ancient Torre de ses Portes From the 16th round day beds s o m e t i m e s watchtower, from where century towisthe see busy Cami des clearly you can er you head Cavallet, but land of Formentera. about south Be warned, the beach was two kilometres through it is not far so bear with the first in Ibiza to be de- a fascinating stretch of it, as you are nearly at one of the island’s coolest clared a nudist beach so coastline full restaurants. hidden Restaurant La Escollera of and ( w w w. l a e s c o l l e r a i b i z a . coves and com) really is something inlets fronded by a special, a true locals’ fapine forest. vourite and I heard that Ibiza at its time after time. best It sits in an incredible povery with no con- sition at one end of Cavelstruction, just let beach, with amazing nature, with views towards FormenPluma tera. Cala cove the real Now two decades old you standout. can eat at tables overWhen you fi- looking the beach or on nally hit the round day beds in any El-900 road, way you so choose, with head east, un- sea bass in a salt crust my til you reach top pick. the salt pans The tradition is to drink that can be a cold flute of Cava on partly walked arrival, although I was through, past happy with a iced Mahou. huge It’s not cheap but the peotwo piles of salt, ple-watching is free and en route to there is plenty of that to com- enjoy. being mercialised. as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

ibiza.com) Finca Legado (www.legadojust 10 minutes is set in a secret valley Set up by a pair of outside Ibiza Town. it has a very laidcreatives from Austriaon 3.5 hectares of back feel and counts grounds full of cacti, extremely verdent wild asparagus and palms, fruit trees, are ‘eclectic, artisan flowers. The rooms comfortable, vintage’ and all extremely sheets and focusing on top quality vibe is very hip. The mattresses and the saltwater pool is awesome.

TO STAY IN IBIZA

iza.com) is a Hotel Mikasa (www.mikasab Ibiza Town overlooking stone’s throw from the main Botofoc Marina. Vila old town are The views of the Daltcould spend all day wonderful and you coming in and out, watching the ferries excellent food in its plus graze on the Kasamore. There terrace restaurant of varied sizes and are only 16 rooms don’t have balconies, standards and some so do ask before booking.

.com) is a luxury Cas Gasi (www.casgasiof the island, a heart agriturismo in the secret, that is the genuine address book of famous models escape for dozens cheap, but the and actors. It’s not farm grows much of organically-certified all its olive oil and its vegetables, produces on hand. Familyhas a superb restaurant and friendly. See run, its staff are charming page. the over review

OPEN BEACH RESTAURANTS THREE GREAT ALL YEAR IN IBIZA (www. Restaurant La Escollera sits in a privileged laescolleraibiza.com) of Es Cavallet beach. location at the end seafood, this is the Focusing heavily onback and plan a day of place to really kick and chilling. sunbathing, reading action, Hip and near the (www. Club Nassau Beach sits on nassaubeachclub.com) to Ushuaia close Playa d’en Bossa, Hard Rock hotel. nightclub and the with loads It’s a very cool vibe the beach. of day beds right onsushi. There’s some great Es Boldado (www. com) restauranteesboldadoibiza. spots that is one of those secret

two by accident. Some you could not find dirt track, the prize kilometres down a most breathtaking, is easily one of the eat in Spain. Simple romantic places to the amazing Es food, giant views towards Vedra islands.

from holiday to find the locks changed, the contents of their home removed by the landlord and their cat stolen. Our journalists worked on the ground on some of the biggest cases of the year, starting with the mysterious death of Scot, Kirsty Maxwell, who plummeted from a 10th floor apartment while on holiday in Benidorm with her friends.

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TOP T PS We pub shed dozens o bespoke o g na t a ve a t c es n 2021

21/6/19 13:30

2022 is a year of decision for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez over calling an early General Election. The leader of the coalition PSOE-Unides Podem government has squeezed through two budgets in Congress by wheeling and dealing with small regional parties. It's something that he doesn't really want to do again come the autumn. The thought that a small Catalan party might have torpedoed his plans simply because they wanted streamers like Netflix to produce more Catalan language material may lead Sanchez to review his options. Sanchez doesn't have to go to the country before December 2023 but there's always an advantage to hold a poll on your own terms, rather than waiting until the last minute. You never know what might happen - something I'm convinced cost Gordon Brown his job back in 2010 when he should have gone to the electorate in 2007, just before the banking crisis hit. If circumstances look good and there's even the chance of getting say 20 extra PSOE delegates into Congress, then Pedro Sanchez might go for it, say this autumn. Despite the COVID pandemic, Sanchez is one of the few Western European leaders not to see his party's poll numbers slump. There's no Boris Johnson-style collapse here and no questions being asked about the PSOE leader, who resigned back in October 2016 when in opposition to a minority Partido Popular (PP) Mariano Rajoy-led government. Remember that a lot of the party hierarchy wanted Sanchez out and that duly happened at a party assembly when Sanchez issued a 'back me or sack me' challenge. After a ten hour bad-tempered meeting, he lost the vote and stood down. Sanchez then immediately put himself forward for re-election and beat hot favourite, Andalucia's Susana Diaz, to regain the top PSOE position. It was a gutsy play from Sanchez who over five years later has not looked back.

Backlash

The current opinion poll numbers from the normally-reliable Centro de Investigaciones(CIS) are astonishing in their sheer consistency. Give or take a percentage point here and there, the CIS surveys in the last 18 months keep predicting an almost identical result to the second election of 2019. For a ruling government and Prime Minister not to get some kind of a COVID backlash is no mean achievement. That of course may well be as much a view on the main PP opposition as anything else. Despite not having a Congress majority, the Sanchez government has pushed through or is pushing through a whole range of radical reforms. That includes labour law, housing rule changes, animal welfare, euthanasia legalisation, an increased minimum wage and the repeal of the controversial 'gag-law' plus plans to ban prostitution. Egged on by his junior partners, Unides Podem, Sanchez has been the one of the few Western leaders to slash tax on power bills to buffer consumers against massive wholesale rises- you can hear the screaming in the UK! He's presided over one of the world's best COVID-19 vaccine roll-outs, where despite record virus infections, hospitalisations and deaths are well down on levels seen this time last year. As many countries appear to have lurched to the right, Sanchez has held his 'leftist' ground and can perhaps sense an electoral opportunity. New variants not withstanding, the worst of COVID might be over come by March. EU recovery fund money will continue to pour in for new 'green-led' projects like electric car manufacturing. Employment levels are vastly higher compared to the Rajoy 'austerity' years. If some kind of 'feel-good' or perhaps 'feel-better' hits Spain, Sanchez might go for an autumn date. In the worst-case scenario of a status quo result, he knows that most of the small regional parties would rather do business with him, than with a PP-Vox administration.


10

January 12th - January 25th 2022

LETTERS

PANDEMIC PROBLEMS Brexploitation

As people desperately try to return to a normal life, readers have had differing experiences

Dear Olive Press,

Mask concerns

Liz Henry by em

WITH the question of mask-wearing very much in the news, let me have my say. In my view, masks could very well be the reason for future illnesses. On top of that, landfill will be creaking with mask bits when we are supposed to be cutting down on waste! I am fully vaxxed and boosted plus have been given the flu and pneumonia jabs. I don’t know anyone who has had COVID and I wear a mask only in supermarkets. I am also deaf, do you know what it is like to be deaf? When you lip read, everyone is wearing bloody masks! Omicron is mild, just the same as a cold. Since when has any government caused so much damage because of colds, even flu, which kills thousands and yet is not seen as such a big deal? The next big illness will be mask related and once again Big Pharma wins. Paul Bateson, Loja (71, deaf and never been ill)

...jabs congrats CONGRATULATIONS to the health authorities for getting the booster jabs out. Myself and my wife have just had ours and it is a great sense of relief for us, even though we are only in our 50s. The service has been fast and efficient, and the nurses were friendly too. Many thanks to them all. John and Irene Jones, Mijas

Get your act together

Vaccine woe I HAVE just returned from La Lobilla Health Centre, Estepona. Four of us had made appointments three weeks ago for the over 40 booster jab. We were all turned away and told that they had been given a direction that only those over 58-years-old could have a jab. They couldn’t explain why. This suggests to me a lack of vaccines and an official response from the Junta should be sought.

IF the Spanish authorities are going to insist on people having COVID passports to enter restaurants and bars, then they really should make sure the technology is up to it. We were visiting Fuengirola for a short break and went to one of our favourite restaurants with our UK COVID passports. My QR code was scanned no problem, but my husband’s was rejected, despite us both being fully vaccinated at the same time. We were turned away and we had exactly the same problem at the next place we tried. It was a very disappointing end to our evening and will be a blow to the restaurants themselves who no doubt can not afford to lose trade in this way.

Mike Prendergast, Estepona

Mary Williams, Coventry (UK)

OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 5 Switzerland doesn’t have one (3,5) 8 To an archaeologist, three stones in a row make one (4) 9 As well (2,4) 10 Maidenhair tree (6) 11 National anthem? (7,5) 13 Ruthless way to prepare land for cultivation? (5-34) 16 Without (4,2) 18 Music award (6) 19 Volcanic outflow (4) 20 Rolled into a ball (6,2)

Down

OP SUDOKU

icles I’VE seen in your paper artafter ed loit exp ng bei ts on Bri the Brexit - and I think one of n is atio loit exp of as are biggest s. the delivery of mail and parcelares kag pac l era sev had I have ghrive from the UK for my dau ay, thd bir her to due ly ter recent e and I had also ordered som y. pan com UK a m items fro cusUPS has double charged me L, DH th Wi . €40 of s rge toms cha cost! admin fees were 90% of the only ce offi t pos the st, tra By con takcharged me €5. So UPS have n’t wo and nts me pay ble en dou have give me a refund and DHL s. fee in adm e ssiv ma d charge had For example, my daughter the m fro t sen d car ay a birthd t to UK and it cost me €3.95 jus d it han to ver dri ry ive del get the over to me. misThe whole system has been inmis h wit managed and is rife formation. ail

1 Move us on in a panic, like an adder (8) 2 Old coach driver perhaps, operating behind the scenes (5,7) 3 Often seen with roundabouts (6) 4 Online diary (4) 6 Yorick or Coco, for example (5) 7 Time for an accessory? (5,3,4) 12 Essential ingredient of stainless steel (8) 14 Gladiators’ workplaces (6) 15 Prepare for a crash (5) 17 Sheltered stretch of water where ships may safely anchor (4)

All solutions are on page 30



12

GREEN

www.theolivepress.es

Spain has its first road made from non-recyclable plastic waste A NEW road surface has been unveiled in Barcelona using non-recyclable plastic waste in the first project of its kind in Spain. The environmental pilot project in the Bon Pastor neighbourhood is one of many experimental and radical innovations to address plastic waste that comes amid warnings that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. The new material is said to be more resistant than traditional road surfaces to heavy traffic, as well as helping cut greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing process and the subsequent handling process. If widely adopted it could help tackle the problem of the huge amount of plastic ending up in landfills, illegal dumps, waterways or burnt in open pits. Spain produces over two million tons of plastic waste every year, with only 43% being recycled. Estimates indicate that using

Electric start SEAT has opened a new €7 million battery research and development centre for electric and plug-in hybrid cars. The centre (known as TCE) at the carmaker’s Technical Centre in Martorell, is part of the Volkswagen Group’s global R&D network and is the group’s first such centre in Europe outside Germany, alongside those already running in China and the United States. The TCE is intended to become a key element of SEAT’s project to lead the electrification of the Spanish car industry and is part of the €5 billion investment plan announced by the company to electrify not just its vehicles but also its factories.

PLASTIC HIGHWAY

non-recyclable plastic to build roads uses less than 17 tons of CO2, far less than traditional techniques. This particular stretch of road surface along the Paseo de la Verneda used a total of 4,500 kg of plastic, equivalent to 3,000 household garbage bags full of plastic, which would have otherwise not been recycled. If the pilot project is successful, the type of road surface will be used in other parts of the city.

SOLUTION: Plastic road in Barcelona

January 12th - January 25th 2022

Strong arming CAMPAIGNERS are calling for the world’s first octopus farm to be closed down. To keep up with the world’s growing appetite for Octopus, Spain’s biggest seafood producer Pescanova has invested €65 million to build the farm at Las Palmas on Gran Canaria. But activists are opposing the facility because of the ‘serious environmental and animal welfare impact’. They claim that the octopus´ carnivorous diet will put pressure on local fish populations to feed them, and the intelligent animals tend to eat each other in captivity. Prices of Galicia’s Atlantic Octopus have escalated dramatically in recent years from €12 to €50 a kilo, meaning it makes up only 3.5% of all octopus consumed in Spain. Most octopus sold in Spain comes from Morocco, which has agreements with Spain to allow Spanish boats to fish the waters.

Insane Sun Tax caused untold damage

T

HE government of Mariano Rajoy (The People’s Party) last decade was condemned for corruption. Fact. In 2018 Spain’s High Court convicted 29 people, including senior officials of the PP, sentencing them to a total of 351 years in prison. Public contracts were awarded at inflated prices, ‘kick backs’ were rife. In this environment the former state owned monopolies Endesa and Iberdrola were able to influence the introduction of the completely insane Sun Tax, effectively preventing homeowners and businesses from installing solar panels. Put simply…….if you produce your own electricity you are not buying from them. The end result was that when this ludicrous law was repealed in October 2018 less than 1,000 rooftops in Spain had solar panels installed. Compare that to Germany with more than 1 million installations at that point. By now Spain should not still be reliant on fossil fuels to generate electricity. This absurdity is now costing us all. Inflation is back , largely fuelled by soaring electricity and gas prices: ● Inflation last year in Spain was 5.5%.it’s impossible for salaries and pensions to keep pace.

A WASTED DECADE

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● The outlook for this year doesn’t look much better. ● Interest rates will rise (European Central Bank) ● In December Spanish consumers had to pay 6.7% higher costs than they did in December 2020. ● Eurozone inflation reached 5% in December. The highest ever on record. ● On Christmas Day electricity costs were 14 times higher than last year.

All this could have been mitigated if Spain’s progress in installing renewable energy had not been corruptly diverted. Everywhere else in Europe citizens had the right to generate, consume, store and sell electricity without facing punitive taxes and fees. The former legislation was muscled in by the PP who had a parliamentary majority at the time. As always, corruption has cost us all. Since the abolition of the Sun Tax, Spain has pushed forward in taking advantage of the two key free natural resources it has in abundance – sun and wind. It’s criminal that so much time was lost. We can’t rewind the clock, but we can act quickly now. No country in Europe is better located to take advantage of renewable energy technologies: ● We have over 300 days of sunshine a year. ● We have huge land mass.

● We have extensive coastal areas. ● We have wind. By becoming independent we remove ourselves from the political shenanigans that surround energy supply such as the devious and questionable practices of Putin. (Russia supplies over one quarter of the natural gas consumed in the European Union). Another threat is Algeria closing pipelines because of its dispute with Morocco. In 2021 natural gas prices in the EU have risen as high as 800% from the beginning of the year. Time to be independent and accelerate the use of renewable energy.

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LA CULTURA

Main attraction

MALAGA’S Picasso Museum managed to attract more than 250,000 visitors last year, an increase of 55% compared to 2020. The MPM Collection together with the temporary exhibitions Miquel Barcelo, Metamorphosis and Brassai's Paris. Photos of the city that Picasso loved, have been credited for as being the main attractions. The museum highlighted its work to maintain and increase its educational and cultural activities while keeping pandemic safety measures in place. More than 11,000 people took part in the training programmes and cultural activities organise by the museum. For 2022 the museum has revealed that the artist Paula Rego and photographer Brassai will feature in new exhibitions, alongside its collection of Picassos.

The flour and the glory IT was an opportunity to let off steam after the stress and depradations of the COVID pandemic - and the townsfolk of Ibi took full advantage. In a 200-year-old tradition participants dress up in military outfits and stage a mock 'revolution' outside the town hall. They pelt each other with flour and eggs - often by the tray load

Researchers may have found the longlost Temple of Hercules SEVILLA University has found ruins of a temple in the Bay of Cadiz that could have housed the most famous sanctuary in ancient Spain. Researchers used terrain modelling software to find a submerged rectangular structure between San Fernando and Chiclana de la Frontera in

SOME of the most sought-after stocking fillers of the past century have gone on show in a nostalgic new toy exhibition in Malaga. Vintage childhood favourites of all shapes and sizes, dating back to the 1950s have been included in the playful new display at Andalusian Museum of Education (MAE). Looking back at the different ways children have played and learned over the decades, the collection is sure to spark happy mem-

13 Thorny issue

January 12th - January 25th 2022

- and let off firecrackers in the annual Fests dels Enfarinats battle. Last year the event, which is part of the Day of the Holy Innocents celebrations, a time in Spain for pulling pranks similar to the UK's April Fools Day, was canceled. This time round participants were determined to have a messily good time while COVID restrictions still permitted them.

Ancient discovery Cadiz. The location fits with history and myth as the site of the Temple of Hercules Gaditanus, the 9th century BC sanctuary linked to all major

Toy Story

ories at a time of year when the latest toys and games are flying off the shelves. Highlights include the first Nancy doll, Cinexín, la Magia Borrás and GAC bicycles. The collection will remain open until Andalucia Day, February 28, from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 1.30pm and from 5pm to 8pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 1.30pm.

History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.

figures until destruction in the 12th century AD. The temple is believed to house the actual tomb of Hercules, the belt of warrior god Teukros, as well as Pygmalion’s miraculous olive branch that fruited emeralds. Oracles also received some of the most famous men of ancient history here, like Hannibal before he crossed the Alps and conquered Italy. “We researchers are very reluctant to turn archaeology into a spectacle, but in this case, we are faced with some spectacular findings. They are of great significance,” said Francisco Jose Garcia, the di-

rector of the department of Prehistory and Archaeology at Sevilla University. The region around the Bay of Cadiz and the castle of Sancti Petri have for more than two centuries yielded marble and bronze sculptures of Roman emperors and deities, now on display at the Museum of Cadiz. The team from Sevilla traced sea bed variations and erosion, before discovering a seemingly ‘large manmade building’ with an inner harbour. The structure measures 300 by 150 metres and lies up to five metres underwater.

SPAIN has granted protected status to a small oil painting worth €50m, that was on the verge of being sold for a mere €1,500. An expert has stepped in with the suspicion that it could be a long-lost masterpiece by Caravaggio. The protected status means it can no longer be sold to the highest bidder but must be kept in Spain and the government has the option, to buy it for the nation. The Culture Ministry imposed a last minute export ban on the artwork after it was offered for sale by the Madrid auction house Ansorena. The painting identified as The Crown of Thorns had been attributed to an unnamed artist within the studio of 17th century Spanish painter Jose de Ribera, but there was hope it could turn out to be an original Caravaggio and therefore worth upwards of €50 million. The regional government of Madrid declared the work an item of cultural interest.

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14

LA CULTURA

LA CULTURA

January 12th - January 25th 2022

AN ANCIENT EVIL

W

The Spanish inquisition may have raised a laugh for Monty Python, but it was no laughing matter for thousands of its victims, writes Joshua Parfitt

hen anti-semites spray-painted the town hall of a tiny northern Spanish town, their graffiti made disturbing reference to a Spanish priest now 500 years dead. Torquemada era camarada (Torquemada was an ally)

read the black graffiti on sunbaked Spanish brick. To anyone in Spain, the name of Torquemada instantly means cruelty and religious fanaticism in the name of the Catholic church. Thomas of Torquemada (1420-1498) was an intelligent Dominican Friar of Jewish descent, who became a central

figure of religious fervour as the first Grand Inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition and advocate for expelling Jews from Spain, torturing converts and burning heretics at the stake. The tiny village of Castrillo Mota de Judios (population 50) is a new focal point for righting Spain’s historic wrongs after residents

NO ONE ESCAPES: Monty Python and (above) the graffiti

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changed its name from Cas- reconquered Spain. In the trillo Matajudios (Jew-killer name of ridding ‘false concamp) in 2014. verts’ to Christianity, the Though the citizens of the vil- Spanish crown received the lage hope to wash these re- Pope’s blessing to set up a cents stains away, the legend Court of Inquisition in 1478 of Torquemada is not so easy and properly oversee public CULPRIT: Torquemada tortured thousands trials of faith. to forget. Tomas de Torquemada was At first, the Inquisition deborn on October 14, 1420, scended on the Andalucian treasurer of Toledo until in the city of Valladolid, the city of Sevilla in 1481 and 1449 when the mayor of the capital of Spain’s Castilla y burnt alive six Jewish converts. city rose up against Cota beBy 1483, Pope fore ransacking, burning and Leon, to a prestigious family Sixtus VI named murdering converts in the headed by the Torquemada as Jewish quarter la Magdalena. Even their renowned theothe first Inquis- Cota was a prominent Jewish logian and conitor General de convert to Christianity of high garments fessor to King España (Span- intelligence and authority in marked them Juan II, Juan de ish General In- Toledo. the King of Castilla, Torquemada. as condemned quisitor), and When Thomas of he held the post Juan II, wanted to raise funds souls Torquemada’s with zeal un- for a war against the Crown ancestry also til his death in of Aragon, he asked for an outrageous loan from Toleincluded Jew1498. ish converts to Christianity, Accounts say that Torque- do and ordered mayor Pedro known as conversos, whom mada forced Jews who had Sarmiento to take up arms religious authorities began converted out of fear of retal- against Alonso Cota and his to view with increasing sus- iation to wear garments that possessions. marked them as condemned Cota narrowly survived the picion. At the time of Torquema- souls, bearing images of slaughter. This pattern of da’s birth, the Catholic king- hell’s flames, dragons and events was seen prior to the nationwide pogroms of doms of Castilla and Aragon snakes. had conquered most of the Spanish historians estimate 1391, which began in cirSpanish peninsular but the the Inquisition burned alive cumstances surrounding the Muslim Sultanate of Grana- over 10,000 people during assassination of Jose Pichon, a senior treasurer in Sevilla da still ruled the south until Torquemada’s reign. In 1832, just two years be- and extremely wealthy Jewish 1492. The largest reconquered cit- fore the end of the Spanish convert. ies of Barcelona, Sevilla and Inquisition, gravediggers ex- The significant difference Valladolid had sizeable Jew- humed his body and burnt it, in 1449, however, was just as Torquemada had done the subsequent decree of ish and Muslim populations. ‘blood-cleansing statutes’ Periodic outbreaks of vio- to thousands of Jews. that disposbelence against these com- Religion sessed Jewish munities saw many Jews came the deconverts of culprit convert to Christianity for fining Mistrust, their positions personal safety and to ac- of the Spanish of authority and cess positions of authority. Inquisition, but jealousy and wealth in favour However, whether conversos the roots of anhatred of of Catholics converted to the Christian ti-semitism in century Jewish converts who could prove faith or continued practising 15th their Catholic Judaism became the princi- Spain are much abounded heritage. pal concern of religious au- harder to deBy 1492, misfine. thorities. trust, jealousy Torquemada meanwhile was Some accounts rising up the religious ranks say rural Spaniards accused and hatred of Jewish converts after Queen Isabel I de Cas- Jews of having a hand in the led to a decree expelling all tilla named him one of three Black Death of 1347, either practising Jews from Spain. A personal confessors to the poisoning wells or trying to rid similar series of events happened with Muslim converts crown in 1474. Spain of Christianity. One of Torquemada’s first Others factors were pure jeal- to Christianity and the expulsion of Moriscos in 1609. jobs was to investigate Jew- ousy. ish practices among conver- A prime example can be Pope John Paul II began maksos in the southern cities of found in Alonso Cota, the ing the first apologies for the atrocities of the Spanish Inquisition in 2000. In 2011, the president of Mallorca made the first official apology for the role of the Spanish government in the Inquisition and the persecution and murder of Jewish converts. The central Spanish government in 2015 then began making amends for the expulsion of Jews in 1492, when Torquemada was still chief Inquisitor. The government passed a law recognising descendents of Sephardic Jews following their expulsion from Spain, opening a legal path for them to apply for Spanish citizenship and return home up to 500 years later. By 2019, more than 127,000 Sephardic Jews from Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, the US and Israel had applied for citizenship.


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SUN CHRISTMAS DAY

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18

BUSINESS

SOME of Spain’s beleaguered hotels are to get a TV production boost with a Hollywood production company booking 10,000 nights accommodation. Soho Boutique Hotels have hit the jackpot after Global Television Operations decided to move into Spain in a big way. As part of a year-long project to make seven TV dramas in and around Andalucia, the rooms have been booked exclusively with the group. Cast members and production crew will also work from a new 300m2 office

Film action

complex on the prestigious Calle Larios in Malaga from this month. Some scenes will even be filmed in the new Soho Equitativa Hotel, considered to be the most trendy hotel in the area. The hotel chain operates a number of hotels across Europe, with seven in Malaga. All their sites are renovated old buildings combining traditional features with modern and functional decor.

ESTUCO INTERIORS

January 12th - January 25th 2022

OFF THE ROLL Telefonica cuts

SPAIN’s labour market has recovered to pre-pandemic levels as unemployment fell faster than ever before. But the jobless figure still stands at more than 3.1 million people or 13.5% of the country’s workforce.

Progress

In 2021, around 776,500 people entered the workforce and another 782,000 left the unemployment roll, according to the Ministry of Labour. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed the figures, saying: “Once again, the data reflects the progress of Spain’s recovery. “We will not stop. We will continue working to keep cre-

Jobless figure plunges but is still 3.1 million

ating quality employment,” added Sanchez. There were 10 straight months of net job creation for the first time in Spain as businesses recovered from a miserable 2020 that was severely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown and travel restrictions. The jobless figure was down 20% over December 2020, which might be expected after the pandemic shock, but the more encouraging news is that the number of unemployed people is at the lowest level since 2007 before the financial crisis hit.

Golden goose

Centro Plaza 56-57, Avda. Manolete s/n, 29660 Nueva Andalucia info@estucointeriors.com, www.estucointeriors.com, +34 952 810 633

I

N the first part of this piece, we discussed interest rates in Spain and the kind of client profiles that Spanish banks look for. In this second article, we take a look at mortgage terms and repayment, the costs of lending, and the benefits of using a mortgage broker. The term of a mortgage, rather than the terms and conditions of the agreement, refers to the duration of the loan, usually expressed in the number of years you are required to make payments to the lender until the capital and interest are paid off. The maximum term in Spain may be up to 30 years, for younger clients with higher savings and/or earnings, but HowardSteel of Mortgage Direct says 25 years is more frequent. Spanish citizens and long-term residents may find it easier to be eligible for longer terms, but non-residents of Spain should also be able to secure 25-year terms. Partial or total repayment is permitted under Spanish law, with penalties for fixed-rate mortgages levied at a maximum of 2% of the amount lent up from 1-10 years and 1.5% thereafter, Howard notes. Clients may be subject to penalties if the bank makes a loss on the mortgage because of early repayment, but it is generally cheaper to pay off your mortgage earlier if it is a variable, rather than a fixed-rate loan with

SOCIAL security contributions for self-employed workers in Spain (autonomos) will rise by €8 a month. This means a monthly increase from €286 to €293.76 for self-employed workers paying the full social contribution rate – meaning autonomos will pay around €96 more per year. First-time autonomos will still pay the reduced €60 for their first year of activity, rising to €150 monthly in their second year of activity. New laws have also reduced corporate tax from 15% to 10% for newly-created entities. There is a minimum rate of 15% corporate tax on companies invoicing over €20 million annually or those in the banking and hydrocarbon industries.

The biggest gains were made in the service and hospitality sectors as tourism recovered, while the construction, industrial and agricultural sectors also saw small gains last year. Spain’s Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz highlighted that jobless figures for young people and women also fell. Historically Spain has had some of the worst levels of youth unemployment in Europe.

Rise

The pandemic saw unemployment rise by about 725,000 people in 2020. But even that was considerably better than 2008 when the financial crisis saw the construction industry in Spain grind to a halt. The jobless figure soared by a million and it took five years before the labour market began to recover.

SPANISH telecoms giant Telefonica will cut 15% of its workforce this year. The reduction will be achieved through an estimated 2,700 voluntary redundancies. Offers for pay-off packages will be made soon with Telefonica expected to make an annual wage bill saving of over €230 million from 2023. The pay-off will nevertheless cost Telefonica €1.5 billion. Workers who are 55 years or older in 2022 with 15 years service behind them will qualify for the redundancy package. Redundancies Telefonica is mainly branded in Spain as Movistar. It is Europe’s third-largest telecoms firm and has 18,500 Spanish staff. The redundancies follow similar moves by rivals Vodafone and Orange in recent months. Telefonica and its domestic rivals have been fighting to slash costs in a competitive Spanish telecoms market as well as investing in 5G expansion. The company reported a net profit of €706 million for the third-quarter of 2021 taking in all of its worldwide operations.

MORTGAGE ESSENTIALS In the second of a two-part article from Terra Meridiana,Adam Neale offers advice for buyers who may be considering taking out a mortgage in Spain

The Property Insider

penalties for variable-rate mortgages limited to 0.25%. These may vary, but are based by Adam Nea le can only be charged by the bank in the first five years of the term. on national fixed prices To cover the costs associated with a mortgage, you should ge- for such services. You are nerally budget around 10-12% of the purchase price, Howard also obliged to register the mortgage with the Spanirecommends, although he notes that stamp duty (Actos Jurí- sh Land Registry. Fees are typically €200-400. dicos Documentados or AJD in Spanish) varies from region to Anybody can walk into a bank, or even use an online mortgage comparison site, to search for the nominal interest region. While some lenders do not levy additional costs for mortgage rate, terms and conditions of a mortgage in Spain. arrangement fees, property valuations and legal fees, others Each bank will then ask you to fill out forms, provide personal information and then wait a while until apply fees that can be up to 1-1.5% of the loan they get back to you with a mortgage offer, capital, as Spanish banks are now required to pay if they’re interested in having you as a client. the Tax Authorities (Agencia Tributaria or HacienEverything is Or, Howard suggests, you may wish to use the da, in Spanish) a services of a broker, such as Mortgage Direct, mortgage tax of negotiable, as ‘everything in Spain is negotiable and due 1.5%. there is no ‘one to the mortgage regulation, there is no ‘one Many banks get bank fits all’ scenario’. around this by bank fits all’ Firms like Mortgage Direct offer clients a serequiring mortscenario ries of advantages, Howard says, such as: gage customers “We have access to the very best interest rato contract a tes, provide independent advice on additional variety of associated financial products, inclu- products and offer a fast, no-charge, no-obligation ‘pre-asding home and life insurance sessment’ that profiles clients before they apply.” policies, alarm and security ser- Speed is also of the essence, particularly in sought-after vices, or even to place money areas like the Costa del Sol, where high levels of demand into deposits, investment funds can mean properties sell very quickly. and shares, Howard says. The- Howard explains that getting a decision from an individual se can add 1-2% to the cost of a bank can take anything from weeks up to months, while mortgage, he notes, and should Mortgage Direct generally is able to provide an offer within be taken into account when you 7-14 days, once the client’s documentation is in place. In terms of fees, Mortgage Direct offers very competitive rates, budget. If you take out a mortgage with an initial administration fee of €695 for their services in Spain, you are required by only when a client accepts their proposal and decides to move law to sign a separate deed in forward with a formal application. Once the loan has been front of the notary public. Fees arranged, the firm then invoices an additional 0.6% fee.

Terra Meridiana, 77 Calle Caridad, Estepona • 29680 • Tel: +34 951 318480. Office Mob: +34 678 452109 Email: info@terrameridiana.com. Website: www.terrameridiana.com


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BUSINESS NEW LAWS 2022 20

J

ANUARY is a key time for businesses, self-employed workers and consumers in Spain. This is for two reasons: the tax year in Spain starts on January 1; and any new laws affecting business can only come into effect on two dates each year, either early January or early July. New laws that came into effect on January 2 in 2022 affect the warranty period of consumer goods corporate taxes for new businesses, registration taxes

L

January 12th - January 25th 2022

A look at some of the new regulations that will affect businesses and workers by Joshua Parfitt for new vehicles and cold calling ethics. The non-lucrative visa is one of the most popular ways for nonEU citizens to gain residency in Spain – including for UK citizens after Brexit. To get it, you do not need to work in Spain, you can bring your family along, and you can renew the

OBSTER, the only mobile network in Spain to offer a service completely in English, is celebrating its third anniversary! After just three short years Lobster has established itself as the benchmark mobile network for British expatriates, and other English speakers, who reside in Spain. Brexit brought with it a lot of uncertainty for British living in Spain, but one thing for certain is that Lobster customers continue to enjoy a great mobile service in Spain with no changes. The same cannot be said for British in Spain using their UK SIMs. One of the changes that we are now seeing after Brexit is that many UK mobile networks are introducing mobile charges when roaming in Spain. These mobile

initial year long visa for the five years necessary to obtain permanent residency in Spain. However, to get the visa you need to prove you have the financial means to support your residence in Spain for the first year without working. Non-lucrative applicants must have at least 400% of Spain’s

IPREM indicator – this is an index determining the average minimum income for an individual on an annual basis. On January 1 in 2022, the IPREM rose to €578.02 per month, meaning non-lucrative visa applicants will need to prove funds above €27,792.96 in their bank account.

Three years of great deals Lobster, the mobile network made for English speakers in Spain, celebrates its third anniversary!

roaming charges can be very expensive and lead to bill shocks. Lobster has always recommended getting a local SIM in Spain for British expatriates, and other English speakers. With Lobster you can be in Spain for as long as you like and use your tariff plan as much as you like, and never have to worry about any mobile roaming charges or bill shocks. At Lobster we are great believers in that our customers are the best ambassadors in Spain to offer a ser● Lobster, the only mobile network of the great service we prothree years since rates celeb ish, Engl in ly plete com vice vide. Lobster customers can ce servi launching now earn money for recomand ter Lobs join to time r bette a ● There has never been mending Lobster to friends! get a local SIM in Spain! For every friend you bring to are introducing orks netw ile mob UK y man it Brex ● After Lobster we’ll give you €5, and be in can you ter Lobs With n. Spai in ges roaming char your friends get €5 off their as plan tariff your use and like, you Spain for as long as first plan payment too. So, any t abou y worr to have r much as you like, and neve everyone’s a winner! So maks shoc bill or ges char ing roam ybe, this time next year you'll ter tariff Lobs all ded, inclu VAT €12 just ● Starting from be a millionaire! to n, Spai in texts and calls ited plans come with unlim Customers can choose from s deal data big and the UK and other countries, three simple and compeUK, or any counthe in roam also can you ter Lobs ● With titive tariff plans which all additional no at , Area omic Econ pean Euro try in the come with unlimited calls cost and texts in Spain, to the UK g ppin who a get mers custo ● What’s more, all Lobster and other countries, and big h 2022! Marc of end the until data more 50% data deals, and start from naire... millio a be l you’l year next time this ● And finally, just €12 VAT included. They every For ey! mon earn now can Lobster customers are tailor-made for British your and €5, you give we’ll friend you bring to Lobster expatriates, and other Englient too. So, everpaym plan first their off €5 get ds frien sh speakers, who reside in er! yone’s a winn Spain.

In addition to unlimited calls and texts in Spain and to the UK, all our tariff plans also include unlimited calls and texts to Denmark, Germany, Gibraltar, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the USA. With Lobster you can also roam in the UK, or any country in the European Economic Area, at no additional cost. What’s more, all Lobster customers get a whopping 50% more data until the end of March 2022. Lobster customers can now surf the internet more and for longer! With Lobster there are no commitments, lock-ins or hidden surprises. Lobster wants its customers to stay because they're happy with the service. It is very easy to become a Lobster customer, just provide identification, your credit or debit card payment details through a totally secure process, and you’re good to go. It doesn't have to be a Spanish credit or debit card. You can cancel at any time. Signing up for the service can be done online on our website lobster.es or by calling our Customer Contact Centre for free on 1661 where all the agents are native English speakers. If customers prefer, they can also sign up through any one of over 600 retail stores, the closest of which can easily be found using the store finder on our website lobster.es.

For more information visit lobster.es or find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

An additional €6,948.24 is registration tax (impuesto de needed per additional family matriculación). member. This tax is paid once, usually The rise equates to €20 more included in the purchase price, than in 2021 and €50 more and only affects prices of brandthan in 2020. Over the whole new cars. year, this means non-lucrative It is expected to increase purvisa applicants need €600 more chase prices by around €800in their bank accounts than €1000 more than in 2021 – those who applied in 2021. but the final cost depends on From January 2022 new EU- the CO2 emissions of the car in wide laws on consumer goods question, meaning that electric have made significant changes or hybrid car purchases will liketo the warranty period of goods, ly be exempt. the time period in which a de- A new Code of Ethics comes into fect is considered pre-existing, effect in January 2022, which and the first-ever application of will affect cold calls from telewarranties for digital goods and communications giants such as services. Movistar, Orange, Vodafone and The law was approved by Spain’s Masmovil. parliament in the summer and Under new laws sales calls canhas benefits for consumers buy- not be made before 9am or afing second-hand goods in partic- ter 9pm on weekdays, and are ular, such as second-hand cars. prohibited on weekends and The new laws expublic holidays. tend the period Sales calls are within which a also discouraged Digital goods seller is obliged before 10am to pay for repairs such as apps, and between from six months and 4pm on games, e-books 3pm to 12 months. weekdays. This means that callers are will have a two- Cold if a second-hand only able to call year warranty three times a car needs repairs due to pre-existmonth, and if a ing faults – and potential custhe seller did not state these tomer is not interested calls faults in the original purchase must cease for at least three contract – the seller must pay for months. any repairs within the first year. The retirement age in Spain will For the first time, from January also rise for Spanish residents 2022 any digital goods such as who have not paid tax contribuapplications, video or audio ar- tions for a set period of time. chives, digital games, electronic Any tax resident in Spain who books or similar have a two-year has paid contributions for fewer warranty. than 37 years and 6 months will Any physical or digital goods or only be eligible for 100% of their services that last more than two Spanish pension at 66 years years (such as subscriptions) and 2 months of age. will have a warranty equal to the If you have paid sufficient tax entire supply duration. contributions, you may retire at Sellers are also required to 65 with 100% of your Spanish keep repair materials for any pension. goods sold for up to 10 years, in The pension age is set to rise a bid to boost a circular econo- until 2027, by which time the my in the EU. minimum time period for tax These changes could see in- contributions that allows you to creased prices for physical and retire at 65 with 100% of your digital goods in 2022, as sell- Spanish pension will be 38 ers account for potential repair years and nine months. costs and disputes. By this time, if you have not paid The price of a new car in Spain sufficient contributions, you is likely to increase from Jan- may only claim 100% of your uary 2022 due a new law on pension at 67 years of age.

Does your property lack First Occupation License/Licence of First Occupancy? Did you know architects can now issue these licences? Having a First Occupation Licence/Licence of First Occupancy Will enable you to comply with current laws if you wish to rent your property short-term OR will improve your chances to close a sale if you wish to sell your property.

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PROPERTY The perfect gift January 12th January 25th 2022

21

Cash for rent

PEOPLE aged between 18 and 35 will soon be able to apply for rental subsidies worth up to €250 a month each. The government says it will approve the subsidy in the coming weeks. Those eligible must have a work contract that is worth less than €23,725 per year, with the subsidy payable to individuals rather than households. In the case of the most vulnerable families, the voucher may be supplemented by other subsidies valued at up to 40% of their income. The €200 million earmarked for the youth rent voucher has been included in the General State Budget for 2022.

WHAT do you get the man who has everything? An entire airfield of course. Ocaña Airfield, near Toledo and Madrid has been put up for sale at public auction. A minimum bid has been set at €1,060,000, but you get a lot for your money. The site covers a total area of 379,266 square metres, and features two runways of 1,280 and 700 metres with plenty of space to park aeroplanes. There are two 1,600 square metre hangars with a main

U

K Nationals wishing to move to Spain in 2023 need to apply for a visa as non-Europeans unless you got residency rights prior to January 1, 2021, under the European Union Withdrawal Act. Together with the immigration requirements it is important to consider the tax implications of the move, as despite the existence of Double Tax Treaty agreements, there will be tax obligations to comply with in both countries. Britain and Spain mutually agreed that their citizens can stay living in each other’s countries post-Brexit, and the Double Tax Treaty between the two countries remains enforceable. However, it is important that the correct application process is undertaken to obtain legal permission.

Rules for British expats wanting to live, retire or work in Spain Like any other non-EU overseas citizens, visits under 90 days within any 180-day period are permitted and there could be a requirement to show a return ticket and demonstrate that you have sufficient money for your stay. Your passport will also need to have more than six months remaining before it is due for renewal. The time limit applies to the Schengen zone, comprising most EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein. This means that time spent in any of these other countries will also count towards the 90 days limit. An overstay is likely to be automatically recorded and could result in a fine, deportation or a possible temporary ban on entering the Schengen zone, to include Spain. For those wishing to spend more than 90 days in Spain, a visa is necessary. There are a variety available, depending on the purpose of the visit, including a golden visa, non-lucrative visa, entrepreneur visa and a student or work visa.

D TE SE A U OV HO N N RE OW T

Entire airfield goes under the hammer hall, office and toilets, as well as a separate 1,871 square metre building which has a ground floor for aircraft maintenance, workshops, storage areas and

GETTING EXPENSIVE MALAGA, Sevilla and Valencia are the Spanish cities where house prices have risen the most in 2021. This is according to a study by UK estate agent Knight Frank, which has analysed the estate markets of 150 cities around the world. The report highlights that Malaga with a 7.6% rise, Sevilla (3.9%) and Valencia (3.4%) are leading the way in Spain. However, these increases are far from the average 10% increase in the cities analysed world-wide.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

The three Spanish cities occupy positions 83, 115 and 119 respectively. The other two Spanish cities analysed, Madrid and Barcelona, experienced increases of 2.9% and 1.3%, making them 121st and 136th in the ranking. The Turkish city of Izmir (34.6%) and the New Zealand city of Wellington (33.5%) recorded the largest increases globally. In contrast, Kuala Lumpur (-5.7%), Venice (-5.3%) and Genoa (-3.9%) recorded falls in house prices.

changing rooms, and a first floor with training rooms and offices. If that is not enough, a three floor students’ house has 43 rooms, classrooms, offices, a bar and restaurant, and even a swimming pool, playground and gardens.

Bids

According to the auctioneer, Escrapalia, bids may be submitted in sealed envelopes up to February 4, 2022. Bidders must pay a 5% security deposit, which will be returned after the auction. The three highest bidders will then enter an online auction via the Escrapalia website from February 14 to 17.

TH4812

75.000€ Martos, Jaen

3 bed, 2 bath Build: 222m2

This beautifully renovated town house with new roof, electrics, plumbing, and air conditioning is ready to go. A lovely, characterful house sensitively restored, including false ceiling beams, make this a user-friendly house with nothing that needs to be done.

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Calle Lope de Vega, 6, 23600 Martos (Jaén)

www.inlandandalucia.com

MAKE THE MOVE!

Del Canto Chambers offers advice on moving to Spain from the United Kingdom Golden visa A golden visa grants temporary residency to those whose financial position meets set criteria. It is intended to allow investors or those of substantial means to settle in the country. There are a number of investments that qualify an individual for a golden visa, as follows: ● Buy property in Spain worth a minimum of €500,000. This can be spread over more than one property; ● Invest at least €1 million in shares in a Spanish business ● Invest at least €2 million in Spanish treasury bonds; ● Deposit €1 million in a Spanish bank account, which must stay there for a minimum of five years; ● Invest at least €1 million in investment funds; ● Invest in a new business that will offer employment opportunities, contribute to scientific and/or technological innovation or have a relevant socio-economic impact in the area where the business will be undertaken. In addition, the applicant must be aged at least 18, have no criminal record, have Spanish health insurance in place and never have been refused a Schengen-area visa in the past. An application can be made to the Spanish Embassy or Consulate and can be made via a solicitor. A golden visa is valid for one year, during which time it can be exchanged for a Spanish residence

Julia Moreno is a Spanish Abogada and the expatriate services director at Del Canto Chambers, the only London-based set of chambers specialising in Spanish tax and legal residence. permit, with an application made from within Spain. This will last two years but can be renewed provided the investment is maintained. The golden visa also entitles the holder to travel visa-free throughout other Schengen member states for 90 days within any 180-day period. It will also cover residency for any spouse, child aged up to 18 or dependent parents and allows everyone included to access publicly provided services.

Spanish non-lucrative visa For those wishing to live in Spain and who can provide evidence that they are able to support themselves, a non-lucrative visa is available. This is the visa that is often used by people who wish to retire to Spain as well as those wishing to study there. It has financial minimums which must be met and does not permit working in Spain or carrying out any type of economic activity, although some visa holders do sometimes work remotely in Spain for a business located in another country. While the

authorities often accept this, it may be grounds for refusal of a non-lucrative visa. The initial application must be made from outside Spain. The visa allows the holder to live in Spain for one year. To renew it, the individual must have spent a minimum of 183 days in the country. This means that they will be resident in Spain for tax purposes and will be required to pay Spanish tax on all income, subject to allowances in respect of double tax treaties. The visa grants temporary residence for a period of one year with the option to renew it twice for up to two years. If the visa is renewed a third time, then the holder is granted long-term or permanent residency. An individual must have a passport with at least one year remaining, no criminal record, valid private health care coverage, evidence of their ability to support themselves and evidence of their legal UK citizen status. Spouses, parents and children can be included and the visa also grants Schengen area travel rights to the holder.

Tax Considerations There is a special expats tax regime that enables foreigners who have moved to Spain the option of paying tax as non-residents, so that their Spanish employment income is taxed at a fixed rate of 24% up to €600,000 rather than the progressive tax rates applicable to Spanish residents. Taxed as a resident, the expat would be subject to a progressive tax scale up to 43% depending on their level of their worldwide incomes.

Del Canto Chambers has an in-depth understanding of international tax, legal affairs, property law and residence issues. We offer a Tax and Legal Residence Opinion service that will clearly set out your options with regard to living and paying tax overseas. To make a no-obligation enquiry, please either call us now on: +44 2070 430648 or Make An Online Enquiry at delcantochambers.com. We will come back to you within 24 hours and we will be delighted to help you.


22

PROPERTY

January 12th - January 25th 2022

Avenida Pinneo

Calle Zaragoza

Avenida Pinneo

Calle del Cantabrico Calle Santander Calle de la Mancha

Calle de Porto

Calle Zaragoza

Calle del Cantabrico Calle Santander Calle de Porto

Calle del Algarve

Calle de la Mancha

Avenida Mediterraneo

Calle del Algarve

Avenida Mediterraneo

SPAIN IN BRICKS: The street plan was designed to look like the nation

FRANCO’S CITY W

How Catalan new town Badia del Valles is trying to emerge from its grim dictator-built past

HEN 5,000 poor and middle-class families received free apartments outside Barcelona in 1974, it seemed the government ments in 1974, a year before of fascist dictator Francisco the Generalissimo's death. Franco was revolutionising To start with, constructors fell Spain's housing crisis. short of the planned 12,000 Not only did apartments apartments because the have three or four bedrooms map of Spain only just fit befor larger families, but Ciu- tween two large motorways dad Badia promised all its on the site. own shops and services and Badia still has no connection sports facilities that any par- to either motorway, despite ent – many living in wooden them criss-crossing the mushacks – could want. nicipality. The streets were even built in Until 1976 the ministry went the shape of Spain. ahead gifting the built apartCiudad Badia was the es- ments to working class famsence of Franco's dream for ilies and civil servants, even the country; the town had a holding an inauguration Catholic church with king Juan at its centre, to Carlos I, while represent Maforgetting to inNo one had drid. stall any water Communal supply. moved in yet parks stood in The city was a but it was view of huncomplete ghost dreds of hightown for its first already a rise windows two years. to keep an eye symbol of crime A b a n d o n e d on mischief, high-rise apartwhile civil serments in Civants had large lower-floor udad Badia became the apartments to monitor work- backdrop for Spain’s leging class families in smaller endary crime thriller Perros apartments above. Callejeros, about a gang of Each building also carried car thieves from Barcelona the fascist phalanx symbol released in 1997. to instil gratitude to Franco's No one had even moved into government. Ciudad Badia and it was alBut if Ciudad Badia was a ready a symbol of crime. model for Franco's vision for Once families began moving the country, its collapse into in, they quickly found the drugs and decay is a lesson Francoist housing ministry in why it wasn't such a great hadn’t built vital services like idea. a fruit and vegetable market, The first blunder came after a community health centre, Franco’s ministry for hous- nurseries, municipal offices, ing finished the 5,732 apart- a care home, a library, a con-

By Joshua Parfitt

cert venue and sports facilities. As one original resident said: “Through the 80s there were no amenities or services and, just like in Barcelona, drugs began to do their damage.” Part of the problem was the high-rise apartments had special state protection, so homeowners didn't pay full housing tax (or IBI in Spanish). No council tax meant the town hall had no funding to install better services. Badia residents have made headlines campaigning for all the facilities a town of 14,000 needs, and in 1994 succeeded in changing names from Ciudad Badia to Badia del Valles in efforts to leave the association with drugs and violence behind. Residents also won an agreement with the Catalunya government for €3 million in annual aid to fund development. But the problem of funding is still present, with Badia's schools nearly closing in 2012 because the town couldn't pay the electricity bill. “There is no money to invest in anything, so the city is getting worse every year. It's a fish that's eating its own tail," said Elizabeth Ruiz, leader of a local association. To add chorizo to the paella,

TROUBLED PAST: The tower blocks stayed empty for years but things are slowly improving

Badia del Valles is also the But the town isn’t all doom town with the highest con- and gloom. centration of asbestos in all Football facilities built thanks of Spain. to community Because many action produced arrivals had to It has produced many top-flight prove low-inlike top footballers footballers, come status to Carles Busquets get an apartwho became including ment, unemBarcelona's Spain’s Sergio goalkeeper and ployment has remained high his son Sergio Busquets and Badia del who plays for the Valles still has national team. the lowest Many original household income in all of residents also speak with Catalunya. nostalgia about the collective

spirit during Badia del Valles troubled origins. “It was like a village in a city, everybody knew everybody and we won everything we needed: clinics, markets, schools and small businesses,” one resident said. “Before you could even get into the shops, you’d already chatted to all your neighbours,” said another. If that was the spirit of Francoist Spain, in Badia del Valle this was achieved not because of but in spite of its construction.


FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Don’t w(h)ine!

January 12th - January 25th 2022

23

Budget launch

BRITISH Airways will start operating low-cost flights to eight Spanish destinations this spring out of Gatwick. The airports served will be Alicante-Elche, Ibiza, Las Palmas, Madrid, Mahon, Palma, Sevilla and Tenerife. BA is relaunching its budget short-haul division which was mothballed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The services will be BA-branded initially before regulatory approval is granted to spin them off into a new standalone subsidiary company called BA Euroflyer.

Premium

BA chief executive, Sean Doyle, said: “The creation of a new short-haul BA organisation means Gatwick customers will benefit from access to a premium service from the UK’s flag carrier at competitive prices.” Fares start from €45 each way but do include BA’s regular full luggage allowance and basic onboard snacks. Services will start in late March with three Airbus short-haul planes beginning the operation, increasing to an 18 by the end of May. Another 23 European locations including the Greek Islands and Italy also feature in the new flight schedule.

Spain beats France in battle of the wine giants (but still only comes third) SPAIN has beaten France as a wine tourism destination. Despite its Gallic neighbour’s reputation - much of it selfdubbed - as being the centre of the wine world, when it comes to the whole wine experience, Spain is a better place to visit, according to a new report. With its 12 main wine regions and 968,000 hectares dedicated to viticulture, Spain is certainly at the forefront when it comes to quantity. The research by Bounce luggage storage company takes into account the amount of

No test needed

By Tallulah Taylor

land for vineyards, production of wine, exports, wine tours, price of a bottle of wine as well as the amount of wine consumed by each country to decide the rankings. Although Spain beat France, it was not top of the list. That honour went to Italy, with Portugal in second spot. New Zealand followed Spain and France to come in fifth. Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce said: “Spain often doesn’t receive

FOREIGN tourist levels in Spain recovered to 70% of what they were in the same month 2019 ahead of the coronavirus pandemic. Figures released by the National Institute of Statistics showed 3.3 million people visited Spain in November 2021 - 633% more than the same month a year earlier. The encouraging recovery will have been severely tempered by last month's identification of the Omicron variant and new restrictions imposed by countries like the UK. For the second month in a row, British

RANKING: All great destinations the recognition it deserves when it comes to wine, often being overshadowed by the likes of Tuscany, Napa Valley and Champagne. However,

On the up travellers accounted for nearly 20% of foreign visitors at 600,000. They were followed by French tourists at 496,579 and German arrivals at 479,403. In the first 10 months of 2021, foreign arrivals to Spain reached 28.2 million- 64% less than over the same pre-pandemic period of 2019. The fall in spending is in the same proportion, namely €31.2 billion compared to €86.9 billion in 2019.

for travelers wishing to spend their well-earned vacation sipping wine and exploring vast vineyards in the sun, our research shows Spain is an exceptional choice of destination.” He added: “Spain is home to the largest surface area of vineyards in the world, with a total of 968,000 hectares of land covered by vineyards offering limitless possibilities to explore the wine regions of the country, including a total of 548 wine tours to explore.” “We recommend visiting Haro in the famous La Rioja region. Here you’ll find deep red wines full of fruity flavour, from just €4 a bottle.

FULLY vaccinated travellers no longer have to take pre-departure COVID tests before arriving in England. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it would apply to all arrivals to England from last Friday. He also said that those who were fully jabbed would also not be required to self-isolate while awaiting test results after arriving. Instead they will be able to take a lateral flow test on day two and only need a PCR if the result is positive. He removed the strict rules brought in with the threat of the Omicron variant that meant all travellers over the age of 12 had to show proof of a negative test lateral flow or PCR test taken within two days of setting off for the UK. The prime minister said the pre-departure test ‘discouraged many from travelling for fear of being trapped overseas and incurring significant extra expense’.


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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL THE BIG SPLURGE

OOKING for somewhere out of this world for the perfect escape in Spain this year? Want a place to really luxuriate and properly treat a loved one? Already know the Costas

A N DA L UC I A

January 12th - January 25th 2022

and the capital city? Well here is the Olive Press’ hand-picked guide to the sweetest of 16 places to check out in 2022…an amazing mix of mountain escapes, city palaces and wine estates.

la Donaira, El Gastor, Cadiz

The Sweet Sixteen exciting grand and aspirational places to luxuriate around Spain this year This Andalucian institution was opened for the Sevilla Expo of 1928 and nothing much has changed, especially its unrelenting luxury. One of Spain’s grandest hotels, its corridors gleam with Moorish tiles and its lifts with gold trimming, while its grounds still hold a

AN eco-retreat of only nine suites (and two yurts), La Donaira’s medicinal garden alone is home to around 200 varieties of herbs and flowers, many going into its homemade soaps and lotions, as well as dishes in its kitchens. Exclusive in the extreme, guests must leave their cars at a main gate and get brought up by 4x4s past its vineyards and olive groves. That is unless you heli-

copter in, as a few guests do. A restored cortijo with a glorious central space and an open plan kitchen, guests watch the chefs’ culinary magic using local ingredients, almost all of it sourced from the farm. Each suite is impeccably private with picture windows offering amazing vistas towards the Grazalema Natural Park. You hike from the door, with

The Alfonso XIII, sevilla strong allure. A perfect central location between the cathedral and Plaza Espana, its celebrated guests have included everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Rita Hayworth (whose father was from the city) and Jackie Kennedy

to Princess Diana. The 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here. Many of the rooms have balconies and private terraces and the swimming pool area is the perfect place to relax after a day’s sightseeing in Andalucia’s most evocative city. www.marriot.com

vultures and eagles soaring overhead, and for those who love horses, it has its very own studfarm with a 90-strong herd of Lusitanos and an Irish horse whisper Seamus to take you on a hack. Wine tasting sessions are offered by the resident sommelier, while you can relax in the sybaritic spa, complete with sauna and hammam. www.ladonaira.com

Want an escape from the busy costas? A weekend in romantic Ronda will revive your senses. Ronda Romantic Apartments is the answer

run to the hills

Visit amazing Ronda Romantica apartments - ranked 9.7 on Booking.com and 5* on airbnb - via www.alcantarilla.co.uk or call 654 152 122

I

CA S T I L L A Y L E O N

f you are looking to combine a spot of wine tasting with a complete chill out, this stunning spa hotel in classic Ribera del Duero vineyard territory is the perfect option. The 900-year-old former abbey is one of the most luxurious hotels in Spain and is priced accordingly. Founded by monks in 1146, much of its original structure has been respected, although the former cells are anything but monastic and are now wonderfully smart rooms, while their former refectory is now the domain of celebrated chef Marc Segarra Saune. Meanwhile its ‘spa sommelier’ appropriately offers guests a glass of

Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine, Sardon de Duero, Valladolid

wine before advising on suitable vinotherapy treatments, before running a

Castilla Termal Valbuena

wine bath, looking out on the nearby hills. www.abadia-retuerta.com

Santa Maria de Valbuena is one of the best-preserved 12th century Cistercian monasteries in Europe. Now converted into a beautiful 79-room hotel, it stretches over 18,000 square metres, counting its own vineyards, a thermal spa built into the monastery’s arches as well as an outdoor pool. The Cistercian monks who occupied the monastery are the fathers of the Duero wines, which are still served alongside the hotel’s carefully selected a la carte menu. The gastronomy is based on traditional and modern dishes, made with high-quality products from the region. www.castillatermal.com


FOOD & DRINK Marques Alava

de

Riscal,

January 12th January 25th 2022

25 H O T E L & R E S TA U R A N T

PA I S VA S CO

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“Enjoy the finest cuisine of the Serrania and the

t is fast becoming one of Spain’s most emblematic buildings, thanks to the design by globally recognised architect Frank Gehry, the man behind Bilbao’s Guggenheim. Avant-garde, neoclassical style, this is a work of art, with tilted walls, zigzag windows and high ceilings peppered throughout its 43 rooms and suites. Sitting in a famous vineyard that dates back to 1858 - the oldest in the region - it also counts a vinotherapy spa and fittingly a Michelin starred restaurant. www.marquesderiscal.com

best views in Europe at La Fructuosa, in the pueblo blanco of Gaucin”.

Torre del Visco, Teruel

A R A GON

Calle Luis De Arminan 67, 29480, Gaucín, Andalucia, Spain tel: +34 617 692 784 www.lafructuosa.com

This is easily one of the most remote hotels in Europe… and you can understand why if you make it this far. A stunning spot set in 220 acres, its nearest village is nearly 20 minutes away and the drive from the main gate takes five minutes alone.

Run by British owners, who know Spain like the back of their hands, it counts on luxurious accommodation, amazing views and landscape. Set in the Mataranya hills, it is great for trekking, hiking and bird watching, while guests are spoilt with the most per-

fect swimming spot in an ice cool river that runs through the grounds. Food-wise the restaurant is a delight with most of its produce coming from the grounds or extremely near. www.torredelvisco.com

VA L E NC I A Hotel Palacio Vallier, Valencia

T

his luxury five-star hotel in the centre of Valencia has been designed with a chic, elegant and minimalist theme. It has long been a favoured spot - going back to Roman times and later became a perfume factory dating back to the third century.

Marble walled bathrooms and a mirrored restaurant create an elegant atmosphere in which to luxuriate and live life to the full. www.hotelpalaciovallier.com Continues next page


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FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL

January 12th January 25th 2022

From previus page

M E NO R CA Alcaufar Vell, Alcaufar

CA S T I L L A L A MA NCHA

Molino de Alcuneza, Alcuneza, Guadalajara

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his is the perfect base to enjoy the wonderful rural region of Guadalajara, known for its nature and the medieval towns of Siguenza, Atienza and Medinaceli. Comfortable rooms are complimented by a well known local restaurant that counts its own Michelin star. Even better it is said to have one of the best breakfasts in Spain and its head chef Samuel Moreno, has grafted in many of the best known kitchens in the country. And after a long day of walking or sightseeing you can chill out in its spa, which counts on a hamman and sauna. www.molinodelalcuneza.com

W

hy not explore Menorca this year, basing yourself in the traditional and rustic charm of this 21 room converted medieval mansion. The outdoor swimming pool is located within tranquil gardens. The nearby village of Alcaufar is an easy stroll and you can also hike along the woodland coastal trails, as well as having the option to swim at its nearby beach. For those who want to travel further afield, bike rental is available and you have the option of staff packing you a picnic to take with you. www.alcaufarvell.com

The perfect Autumn escape! La Caminera, Ciudad Real

“MACAAO BEACH TAKES THE

The options are endless at this very exclusive country estate, which counts its very own Michelin star restaurant. Set in amazing countryside in the wilds of Ciudad Real, many guests arrive by plane and helicopter, which says it all. There is definitely no shortage of things to do - with its own golf course, airfield, wine tasting events, outdoor yoga, traditional horse carriage ride, eagle spotting or you can even buy a special La Mancha Sunset experience. The spa offers an Olive Oil treatment and tasting, as well as wellness courses for cancer treatments. www.hotellacaminera.com

CHIRINGUITO EXPERIENCE UP SEVERAL NOTCHES, WITH TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS PREPARED WITH LOVE AND CARE BY A TALENTED CHEF!”

The San Pedro beach club open most of the year.

Tel: 952 113 618 www.macaaobeach.com Calle José Echegaray, S/N 29670 Marbella, Spain

Belgian Owned

Valdepalacios, Toledo

Valdepalacios is the only five-star Gran Luxe country hotel in Spain. En route to emblematic Toledo, it counts on 600-hectares with many verdant meadows. There are great walks around the estate and you will see plenty of wildlife, including stags and partridges and the hotel organises photographic tours to test your eye. A restaurant is run by well known local chef Jesus Hernandez, who can give you a cookery class. There are just 27 sizeable rooms split between the 19th century main house, or the grounds, allwith stunning views. www.valdepalacios.es


FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL AS T UR IAS

A

January 12th - January 25th 2022

27

PuebloAstur, Cofiño

sturias is known as ‘the roof of the world’ and one of the greenest places in Europe. But few places do justice to its breathtaking landscape like Puebloastur. Once a small rural caserio, today it is one of the most original and luxurious places to stay in Spain with, deservedly, five stars. A massive multi-million euro investment brought dozens of original paintings and sculptures, including Salvador Dali’s striking giant ‘Newton’ in the main courtyard. There is a spa, a variety of restaurants and a big wine cellar, with some of Spain’s top bottles, while the views of the Picos de Europa are maximised from just about every corner of the hotel.

www.puebloastur.com

CA T A L UN YA

Hostal Empuries, Costa Brava

GA L I C I A A Quinta da Auga, Santiago

Set by the Roman ruins of Empuries, this idyllic hotel is an iconic space set near rolling hills by the coastline of Catalunya. First built in 1907 to house the archeologists digging at the nearby site, its location right next to the beach, couldn’t be better. Known for its sustainability it was the first hotel

in Europe to win the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) award in 2010. Full of linens, wicker rocking chairs and Spanish pottery you can make yourself completely at home and enjoy a taste of rustic Spain, right by the sea.

www.hostalempuries.com

Terra Dominicata, Tarragona

This is Priorat territory. Spain’s biggest hitting red wine region, with its vinos reaching, famously, strengths of 16 degrees. Needing a breathtaking hotel to match, the 12th century Terra Dominicata doesn’t disappoint. As pretty as a picture, the

Serra de Montsant mountains soar over the historic hostelry and its wide expanses of vines. Cypress trees flank the terracotta coloured hotel, which was originally set up by Carthusian monks, who were known to enjoy a tipple and only

wanted the finest - making sure they got it by developing their wine-making skills. You can, of course, explore the working vineyard, before sampling its wines at supper in the fine-dining restaurant. www.terradominicata.com

It is the first time that the celebrated Xacobeo of Santiago de Compostela has been extended by a year. Now you can make the most of it by checking into this historic hotel on the outskirts of Spain’s holiest city. Surrounded by trees and the river Sur, this converted 18th century home is a wonderful rural escape incredibly close to the ancient old town and cathedral. It boasts oodles of charm and counts an excellent restaurant, as well as leafy gardens. You dine in a warm and charming dining room in winter, while the tables line the courtyards in summer. www.granhotelnagari.com

I B I ZA

Six Senses Ibiza, Sant Joan de Labritja This was one of the most exciting openings in the Balearics of recent times. Finally launched last year, the hip Six Senses brand has chosen the perfect spot, near Cala Xarraca beach. Nestled into the amazing surroundings, this was once an olive estate with a 400-year-old mill. Most of the 100 suites have amazing sea views, while much of the restaurant’s food is grown on the estate. www.sixsenses. com


28

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January 12th - January 25th 2022

29

Where bandits once trod Jon Clarke heads on a riding adventure into the Andalucian outback of the Sierra Morena near Sevilla

NATURAL: Jon looks happy in the saddle

F

OR many people a trip to brave enough to take the jourMadrid or a week on the ney south from Madrid. Algarve is an adventure So it felt exciting to be riding now the pandemic is, out from a 16th century trading hopefully, starting to ease. post, to test out part of an overAnd then there are those who land journey that can be exwant to stretch themselves and tended all the way to Portugal. do something really out of the Guided by expat equestrian ordinary. George Scott, guests can opt Well saddle up and head for for anything up to a five-day a riding escape in the Sierra wilderness escape, following Morena, a rolling 450-km long ancient bridleways and staying wilderness that straddles the in rambling cortijos and even border of Andalucia and Ex- tents. tremadura. My stay began at There are green George’s famidestinations… 3,000-acre It has billeted ly’s and then there Trasierra estate, are really green everyone from near charming destinations, Cazalla de la Siroyalty to with the Sierra erra, which has Norte de Sevilla billeted everypop stars and natural park, in one from royalty particular, about to pop stars and supermodels as wild as it gets supermodels to in Spain. politicians over This is a largely the last few deunknown expanse of rural Eu- cades. rope where wolves, Golden Ea- A great place to relax after a gles and the Iberian Lynx - the year of corona-stress, the highworld’s rarest wildcat - are ac- walled palace is more than tually in the ascendance. 1,000-metres square in size, Named after its distinctive with over a dozen distinct spots black rocks, the Sierra Morena to luxuriate and only the same was once known for a different number of rooms. sort of wildlife: its fabled ban- The very definition of Andaludits who preyed on travellers cian vernacular architecture, its jigsaw puzzle of pantile roofs drop down to arched entrances and wisteria-laden pergolas. The all-pervading smell of jasmine and azahar follows you around the grounds. So relaxing you’ll never want to leave, I jumped with a start when George’s mother Charlotte suddenly appeared as I was settling into my third cafe con leche, with a decent biography on the go. “Your steed awaits,” she trilled joyfully, handing me some gaiters and leading me to the grand front gate, where my ride - a mixture of Spanish Arabian and Anglo-Arabian - was literally chomping at the bit. We were PARADISE: For George’s horses soon heading off on a mix-

PRETTY: Cazalla de la Sierra where dictator Franco’s granddaughter and fashion designers Victorio & Lucchino live

Stunning Trasierra counts Bryan Ferry and Kate Moss as regular guests, while photographer Bruce Weber has been helping owner George Scott and his sister, chef Gioconda, produce a film series about the region. Another brother Jackson, a flamenco guitarist, who once dated actress Sadie Frost, is appropriately writing the soundtrack ture of ancient drovers paths - known as vias pecuarias, cordeles and caminos reales depending on their importance - which George knows like the back of his hand, having grown up in the sierra. A keen advocate of keeping the

countryside open, he is also a fan of ‘rewilding’ and bans all use of pesticides from his estate. “The locals call our land sucio (or dirty) as we don’t clean it up and plough beneath the olive trees,” he explains. “The birds and animals certain-

ENTRANCE: Grand front door and (above) Giaconda’s feast

VISTAS: George Scott looks across the wild Sierra Morena ly don’t mind.” is glamping with a capital ‘G’. It took a full 30 minutes before These are Rajasthani safari we were even clear of Trasi- tents, in fact, with proper beds erra, riding along windy dirt and linen, as well as dressing tracks through woodland that’s tables, sinks, soaps and fresh as wild as it is beautiful. cologne. When we did finally emerge To top it off there are hot wafrom the forest, the landscape ter bottles and a well stocked was gentle and rolling, not dra- bar and you get tea and coffee matic like the Sierra Nevada or delivered to your bedside table the mountains around Ronda, every morning. where I live. I, however, have been invited But you certainly have to keep to spend my last night back at your wits about you with lots the ranch, where I am to be the of low-lying branches and the guest of the Scott family, who sudden startling of an escap- are getting together for the first ing partridge or the swoosh of time since the pandemic bea snake. gan. My only real conI am delighted cern - apart from to be trying out A minion my aching thighs a ‘fire cooking’ profferred and a sore bum show by George’s - came from a sister Gioconme an ice pair of delinda, who has a quent foals runroaring outdoor cold glass of ning loose and bbq on the go by refreshing fino the time we get inquisitive in the back. extreme. A true gourmet, My horse was, quite simply, not amused and Gioconda has long been an adspent the next ten minutes vocate of slow food and sourctrying to send them packing, es her ingredients as close to before rearing up and almost the ‘Km0’ ethos as possible knocking me into a tree. and we eat amazing belly of Thankfully, we were just a few free range pork from the nearminutes to lunch and suddenly by hills, as well as local lamb emerged into a clearing with a and much, much more. ruined farmhouse and the won- It is a wonderful night, which derful sight of a shady picnic rumbles on well into the small table brimming with goodies hours, a never-ending supply of from around the region. local wine and plenty of banter One of George’s minions prof- to boot. I almost forget that my fered me a glass of ice cold thighs have been bounced into fino, while a separate ice buck- oblivion and I can hardly feel et held lager and cava. my backside. From here, we only had an Thank the lords there is a really hour or so to the tented camp, proper bed waiting for me when where most guests normally I finally flop. spend their first night. It’s a remarkable place, care- For more information visit fully sited in a shady glade sur- www.georgescottrides.com rounded by oak woodland. or www.trasierra.com And forget the usual tents, this


30

COLUMNISTS

January 12th - January 25th 2022

One year of Brexit: A look back at 12 months since the UK left the EU Bremain in Spain Campaigner Sue Wilson takes a look back at the first year since Brits were stripped of their EU citizenship and asks ‘Have you been mis-sold Brexit?’

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HE festivities are behind us, and for good or bad, we ‘got Christmas done’. If only the same could be said for Brexit. Not only is Brexit not ‘done’ but it appears to be rather different to the one the country was promised. It does not do what it says on the side of the tin, or in this case, on the side of a bus. I’m minded to write a letter to the government’s complaints department – yes, they do have one, I checked – but I think they might be rather overwhelmed at the moment dealing with other dissatisfied customers. Assuming, of course, that they are not all at a party, gathering or meeting. Whether you voted for or against lea-

ving the EU, there are few that can be happy with the outcome. In fact, public opinion has shifted considerably over the last 12 months, with only 14% of the British public now thinking Brexit is going well. Farmers and fishermen are suffering buyers’ remorse, businesses are concerned about lack of investment and staff and a mountain of red tape, and prices are rising. That’s before the UK has even implemented full customs checks on EU imports. We have yet to see what a full-on Brexit will actually even look like. I think we can be sure it won’t be pretty. Still, new year, new day, and it’s not to drink pints of beer out of pint glasses many hats, and many contradictory all bad news, right? As the first Brexit again (did they ever stop doing that?), opinions, Liz Truss. As a former staunch Secretary, David Davis, said back in but Champagne is going to be served Remainer, and even a Lib-Dem, we October 2016, in pint bottles! I’m not entirely sure the can only hope that Truss will take a less ‘there will be French have been told about this deve- belligerent approach to Brexit negotiano downsides lopment as yet, but I’m sure they’ll be tions, though first appearances would to Brexit at all, only too happy to change productions suggest otherwise. Still, in the spirit of and considera- lines just for us. And let’s not forget New Year, I’d like to suggest a few reble upsides’. He blue/black passports – solutions she might wish may have been the first passport in histo consider. proved slightly tory to reduce our ability Firstly, she could break Stop wrong about the to travel. the habit of her predecessors, learn how downsides, but Even those responsible treating our the EU functions, and those upsides for negotiating and imEuropean stop treating our Euroare SO worth it! plementing Brexit are not Australian wine faring well. We’re alreneighbours as pean neighbours as the enemy. The role of a is going to be ady two Prime Ministers the enemy negotiator or diplomat, 20p a bottle che- down, and the current aper to import, incumbent’s position is is to be well, diplomatic. and who drinks looking a tad insecure. Another step forward European wine Then we have the Brexit Ministers - to would be to end the threats and hoanyway? British lose one Brexit Secretary would have nour international agreements the UK fisherman will been bad enough. To lose four in five signed up to. The EU can hardly be be able to catch years is starting to look like carelessness. blamed for Brexit failing to live up to more fish in five Or possibly, even the most devoted Bre- the rose-tinted promises of many a PM years time, assu- xit advocates just can’t turn a sow’s ear and Brexit Minister. ming they haven’t into a silk purse, no matter how much My biggest wish would be for the return of all that Brexit has stolen from gone out of bu- sovereignty they sprinkle on top. siness by then. A The latest development saw Lord Frost us – our rights as EU citizens; our inpopular favourite toddle off into the sunlit uplands/the ternational standing and reputation for will be the return House of Lords, perhaps to sign up honesty, decency and tolerance; and a of imperial me- for anger management classes. Fros- return to our place as a global econoasures. Not only ty the No-Man has become Frosty the mic power. will Brits be able Go-Man, to be replaced by wearer of Brexit isn’t done – it’s not even close. WADING THROUGH: Paperwork But it is bonkers – for the economy, for jobs, for prices and for business. Brexit a seat, I waited for my name to be announced. was mis-sold, and the country would ‘He les Norman’ boomed over the system and I like its deposit back please. congratulated myself on having both an unproBut it doesn’t have to be this way. A clonounceable first name and an old-fashioned ser, more efficient, economically viable middle one, which the authorities assume to be relationship with the EU is not only my surname. Instructed to wait for 15 minutes after my vacpossible, it’s worth fighting for. I’ll be cination in case of any side effects, I sat quietly happy to raise a 0.473 glass of Chamand wondered what they might be. Perhaps I pagne to that any day of the week! In would start bleating loudly, purchase Microsoft the meantime, maybe it’s time to send products or be initiated into the Illuminati. off my letter of complaint and ask for Nobody had mentioned hallucinations, however, my money back. and when Spiderman walked into the room, I wondered if several decades of Sue Wilson MBE enjoying the Marbella lifestyle Chair – Bremain in Spain had finally caught up with me. Had the vaccine finally pushed my frazzled powers of perception over the edge? It was not until one of the Three Quick Crossword Kings also strolled past, deep in conversation with another Across: 5 Sea coast, 8 Wall, 9 To boot, 10 Ginkgo, 11 Councomic book superhero, that I try music, 13 Slash-and-burn, 16 Free of, 18 Grammy, 19 realised that they were there Lava, 20 Curled up. to lighten the mood for the children in the centre. Thankful Down: 1 Venomous, 2 Stage manager, 3 Swings, 4 Blog, 6 that I had not completely lost Clown, 7 After the fact, 12 Chromium, 14 Arenas, 15 Brace, my marbles, I headed out into 17 Road. the night.

THE CHRISTMAS CLEAR OUT A Christmas broadcasting live shows, plus sorting out paperwork and finally getting his jab, meant that Giles was a busy little Elf…

OP Puzzle solutions

SUDOKU

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HAVE always been keen on maintaining my Christmas traditions. Once again, I spent most of the Christmas and New Year period at the radio station, presenting ‘Best of Shows’, drinking far too much coffee and making clandestine raids on the festive chocolate selection in reception. You can always tell when the Christmas holidays are ending as only the hard toffees are left. I also discovered that popping a large toffee into my mouth just before going on air was not a clever thing to do. Unable to speak, I spent most of my intro music, when I would normally be smoothly telling the audience about my guests, trying to dislodge the offending confectionery that had securely welded itself to the roof of my mouth. The Christmas Morning show, however, is always my favourite to host. The listeners are normally on their second Bucks Fizz of the day, and the festive calls and messages make a refreshing change to the normal unrestrained, free fire zone that is my current affairs call-in programme. The week before Christmas also saw me trying to sort out some of my paperwork. This entailed several trips into the pueblo, where I should not have been surprised to discover that everything official shuts at 2pm and the Policia Local do not work on a Wednesday. The Town Hall also admitted that they have intermittent Internet coverage, but they would call me to pick up my paperwork when it was back on. To round the year off, I finally managed to get a jab. For a multitude of reasons too Kafkaesque to list, I have spent the past four months trying to prove to various departments that I exist. Having finally convinced the pueblo health centre that I was not a hologram, I headed to Marbella. Taking


HEALTH Sad toll SPAIN’S national institute of statistics (INE) has published the first dataset on COVID-19 deaths according to location. The 494,000 deaths in 2020 were 70,000 more than normal (17.9%) and the highest annual death toll in the past 100 years. Data shows Madrid was the worst-affected region with eight of the capital’s districts registering in the 10 municipalities with most excess deaths across Spain’s 8,131 municipalities.

Deaths

Leganes in the capital’s southwest was the worst-affected municipality in Spain, registering 875 more deaths than an annual average of 1,300 over the last four years – a 67% increase. The entire region of Madrid registered 9,800 more deaths than normal (+33%), followed by Barcelona with 3,500 above normal (21%) and Zaragoza with 1,300 above normal (+20%). Regions where death rates were the lowest in 2020 – and often even less than normal – occurred in regions popular with expats.

Foreign

Adeje in Tenerife showed 12% fewer deaths than normal, and is the municipality with the highest population of foreign residents in Spain. Other municipalities with high percentages of foreign-born residents and lower-than-normal death rates include Alfaz del Pi and Javea in the Valencian community, and Fuengirola in Malaga province.

January 12th January 25th 2022

KIM CLARK

Benefits Consultancy

PRICES for COVID-19 antigen tests are set to be capped in Spain. There has been widespread criticism from consumer groups and politicians over rising antigen test costs fuelled by the spread of the Omicron variant. Pharmacies reported shortages over the Christmas holiday coupled with price hikes. Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said: “My team is going to look at price control and regulations.” He pointed out that IVA tax from the tests was removed at the same time as the

Test capping levy on masks. Sanchez also said that Spain would this January buy 344,000 doses of the Pfizer antiviral pill. “This will reduce by 88% the possibility of hospitalisation for vulnerable patients,“ he predicted. He suggested that the Omicron peak rate of infections would be reached sometime this month.

UNVAXXED FACTS

Having the jab dramatically slashes the risk of COVID hospitalisation COVID-19 figures from Spain’s health ministry show unvaccinated patients are up to 24 times more likely to enter intensive care wards (UCI), according to data from this autumn. Data showed infection rates among unvaccinated people were also twice as high as the double or triple-jabbed in Spain.

Reported

Government statistics analysing 99.8% of all reported COVID-19 cases between October 11 and December 5 showed an accumulated incidence (AI) of 310 cases per 100,000 among the unvaccinated – compared to an AI of 148 among the fully vaccinated. Infection rates were most pronounced among 60 to 79-yearolds, with the IA shooting up to 866 cases per 100,000 among unvaccinated populations compared to an AI of 136 cases among the vaccinated. Similar patterns were seen

among hospitalisation rates, patients in intensive care and mortality rates. Official data showed 20.41 deaths per 100,000 population among unvaccinated over-80s and 2.04 deaths per 100,000 among fully vaccinated over-80s. These are death rates 10 times lower. Death rates drop to 4.71 per 100,000 among unvaccinated 60 to 79-year-olds and to 0,29 per 100,000 among the double or triple jabbed. There were 13.86 patients per 100,000 unvaccinated population in intensive care (UCI) among 60 to 79-year-olds, compared to just 0.58 patients per 100,000 vaccinated population. That meant intensive care rates 24 times lower among vaccinated people over the eight-week period from October to December 2021. Hospitalisation rates among vaccinated 60 to 79-year-olds

LEADING THE WAY SPAIN’S Prime Minister released a photograph showing him receiving a booster dose of the vaccine, which everyone over 40 years old is now eligible for.

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Pedro Sanchez, who turns 50 in February, was jabbed at Madrid’s Puerta de Hierro hospital, the same place where he received the first two doses of the vaccine last summer.

Get a boost SPAIN is rolling out a nationwide strategy to give a third dose of the vaccine to the population in a bid to keep people protected as the Omicron variant spreads. Currently, boosters are being offered to everyone over the age of 40 in Spain. These can be requested in the same way that appointments were made for the first doses – you will have to request an appointment through a regional health service which will have a dedicated webpage offering time slots at various vaccination points in your area. Those who were vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are eligible for a booster from six months after they received their second dose. Those who were vaccinated with AstraZeneca or the one-dose Janssen only have to wait three months. Spain’s Health Ministry clarified that those who have recently caught COVID should not have a booster dose until at least four weeks have passed since they tested positive regardless of whether they had symptoms or were asymptomatic. Currently Spain has rolled out a programme to vaccinate those between the age of 5 and 11 with the Pfizer vaccine dose for children.

“This afternoon I received the third dose of #VacunaCOVID19 at the Puerta de Hierro Hospital. My thanks to all the health personnel who continue to take care of us and who make Spain a world example in vaccination,” he wrote in a tweet. “Vaccines and prudence are the best way to fight the virus,” he said encouraging everyone in Spain who is eligible for a booster to make an appointment.

Booster

Spain’s vaccination drive has seen more than 90% of the population over the age of 12 fully vaccinated. In terms of the booster, some 88% of those over 70 have received it, along with 79% of those over 60 and 39% of those over 50. Spain has seen infections sky rocket over the festive season to nearly 2,500 cases per 100,000 people.

were 14 times lower among vaccinated compared to unvaccinated, and seven times lower among the over-80s. Hospitalisation rates were also seven times lower among vaccinated 30 to 59-year-olds in Spain.

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Flying high A CANADIAN tourist has been charged with illegally flying a drone over Sevilla’s Cathedral, and World Heritage site the Alcazar as well as a military airfield and the local airport.

voice in Spain

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Vol. 15 Issue 385 www.theolivepress.es January 12th - January 25th 2022

KNOW THE LINGO Furry friends can tell the difference between languages

DOGS can tell the difference between Spanish and Hungarian. A study by researchers from Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary has demonstrated for the first time that a non-human brain can differentiate between two languages. First author of the study Lau-

Sell out ALL 7,000 tickets for a concert by French DJ David Guetta in Cadiz have sold in just three hours. The world’s number one DJ, according to DJ Mag, will play in el Puerto de Santa Maria on July 24.

By Dilip Kuner

ra Cuaya was intrigued as to whether her Spanish ‘speaking’ dog would be able to tell the difference between Spanish and Hungarian when she moved to take up a job at the university from Mexico.

She explained: “Before, I had only talked to my dog Kun-kun in Spanish. So I was wondering whether Kun-kun noticed that people in Budapest spoke a different language, Hungarian. “So we designed a brain imag-

Poached Parrot POLICE have rescued two Aratinga parrots, which were apparently about to be cooked in an Asian restaurant in the Usera district of Madrid. The birds were seized by officers during a routine inspection. The parakeets, native to South America, were found in the kitchen of the Chinese restaurant, crammed into a plastic container, without food or water and

next to the cooker where there were two cauldrons with boiling water and sauce. Police allege that they were going to be cooked alive. The birds have been transferred to the Wild Animal Recovery Centre (CRAS).

3 AL S IM KER AN AC CR

FINAL WORDS

CROWDS who gathered to watch the Three Kings arrive by boat at Oropesa (Castellon) got more entertainment than they expected when a wave capsized the dinghy and deposited the soaking wet Wise Men on the beach.

expat

2 AL S IM KER AN AC CR

Not so Wise

Your

Picture by Enikő Kubinyi

REuse REduce REcycle

1 AL RS IM KE AN AC CR

ANDALUCÍA

ing study to find this out.” She added: “Kun-kun and 17 other dogs were trained to lay motionless in a brain scanner, where we played them speech excerpts of The Little Prince in Spanish and Hungarian. All dogs had heard only one of the two languages from their owners, so this way we could compare a highly familiar language to a completely unfamiliar one.” When comparing brain responses to Spanish and Hungarian speech, two distinct brain activity patterns could be seen, showing the animals could tell the difference.

AN exceptional treasure trove of Roman coins buried for centuries in a cave in northern Spain has been unearthed thanks to a hungry badger. The hoard of coins dating from between the third and fifth centuries were discovered in a cave outside Grado in Asturias just feet away from a badger’s den. Experts believe that the badger dug up the ‘largest treasure trove of Roman coins found in northern Spain’ as it foraged deeper for food.

Visigoths

The coins were made in destinations across the Roman Empire and the largest coin, weighing more than eight grams and made from 4% silver, is believed to have been cast in London. Researchers believe the coins may have been hidden during a time of political instability when the Roman hold on Iberia was crumbling as the Visigoths gained ground.

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