Olive Press Gibraltar - Issue 154 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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DE BARR ON DE MOVE GIBRALTAR international forward Tjay de Barr is heading to England to join Wycombe Wanderers. He has left Lincoln Red Imps to take up a one year contract at the League One side. The 21-year-old has two goals in 24 games for his country and played in Champions League qualifiers last month. De Barr came through the youth system at Lincoln Red Imps, and in early 2015 had a trial at Peterborough United.

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Vol. 5 Issue 154

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The Rock’s ONLY free local paper August 11th - August 24th 2021

THE GREAT SPANISH TAKE OFF

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

A POPULAR cake maker has vanished after being accused of taking deposits from ‘dozens’ of wedding clients on the Costa del Sol. The self-professed ‘Queen of amazing cakes’ Omaya Koreitem disappeared after deleting her social media accounts and failing to fulfil orders. One client of her company Cake

Winners! 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.

Since then he has had spells at Europa Point and Real Oviedo in Spain, where his time was disrupted by injury and the pandemic. This led to De Barr re-joining Lincoln Red Imps last September 2020. Upon his return, he was utilised primarily as a winger with Kike Gomez the lone striker, but his performances attracted the attention of Wycombe Wanderers who invited him for a trial in July 2021, which has now been turned into a one year contract.

GIBRALTAR

EXCLUSIVE By Kirsty McKenzie

Couture Marbella claims to have paid €350 for a cake for his big day this summer. Ryan Archie has taken to social media for advice after he heard nothing from Koreitem as the big day approached. “This is leaving us without a cake on our wedding day,” said the British groom. “I paid a 50% deposit, which was still a good chunk of money. It was a big cake. “Now we can’t get in contact with them and have had no reply on Facebook, Instagram or by email. “She (Koreitem) is continuing to take deposits and make false promises to couples. This is fraud and is ruining people’s special day.” A Facebook page now set up dedicated to those affected suggests that dozens ‘at least’ have been left out of pocket. Another person affected by the scandal, who asked to remain anonymous, first contacted Koreitem on Facebook when she paid a deposit for a client’s cake but then couldn’t get hold of Koreitem. “No one seems to know what happened,” she said. Another Marbella wedding planner, who wished to remain unnamed, told See page 16 the Olive Press she and her clients had been left

Tel: 952 147 834 TM

‘devastated’ by the scam. The 45-year-old wedding organiser first started working with Koreitem 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.’

Deception

“My clients are devastated as am I. We really don’t need this kind of deception and thieving at any point but even less so when everyone has had such a tough time. “It makes us look bad on the coast.” While a Twitter page and website still exist for Cake Couture, which was set up over two decades ago, the Instagram and Facebook pages for the business have been taken down. Another wedding planner, who had commissioned the company to make several cakes, told the Olive Press that she has apparently changed her phone number to a new one in Gua-

CRUMBS: Koreitem vanished with the cash

deloupe in the Caribbean. “It is such a shame as Koreitem was the go-to cake designer for very large extravagant cakes,” she said. “I am aware of five wedding companies who have clients who booked cakes with her. “I just don’t understand why she was taking deposits and final payments but hadn’t arranged for anyone to take over the cakes which would have been the right thing to do. “I know many businesses are suffering particularly in the events sector but there are ways of not letting clients down. She should be letting clients know rather than ignoring calls and messages for weeks.” The Olive Press was unable to get a comment from Cake Couture despite various attempts over the past week.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Happy students STUDENTS who received their A level results on Tuesday are celebrating after a testing year. Due to exams being unable to take place, grades were predicted by teachers. The overall pass rate was 97%.

Fuelled up OVER 2,000 litres of fuel have been found inside an old military tunnel close to the Old Clay Pigeon Shooting Club. There were 82 full canisters and 13 empty canisters, said to be valued at just over £2000.

Look sharp A BOY of 17-years-old has been arrested after he threatened two local businesses with a knife, demanding money.

Legalised GIBRALTAR has published a new law for the regulation of production, import, export, commercialisation and supply of cannabis for medicinal purposes.

FUEL CHASE OVER 70 fuel containers were seized in the early hours of Tuesday morning, in two separate cases. In the first incident, 32 full canisters were seized in the Europa Point area.. Then, just over an hour later, police received a tip off from a member of the public who saw someone unloading canisters from a Spanish-registered vehicle in Laguna Estate. On arrival, the car drove off, forcing police to engage in a car chase. The car then pulled over and four people ran from the scene. Police found 40 empty canisters.

CRIME

August 11th - August 24th 2021

Godmother bust

Notorious mafia boss known as ‘The Godmother’ arrested on way to Malaga

ONE of Italy’s most wanted female fugitives has been arrested attempting to leave Rome’s Ciampino airport en route to Spain. Maria Licciardi, 70, was detained as she checked in her bags early Saturday morning ahead of her flight to Malaga where her daughter lives. “She didn't bat an eyelash when the officers blocked her and served the warrant,” said a police spokesman. The leading member of the notorious Camorra gang, she is accused of a string of offences including extortion, fraud and auction rigging. Those close to her called her

A 57-year-old man has been disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £400 for driving whilst under the influence of drugs. Keven Reyes, of South District, was arrested after police stopped his car following erratic driving. Police found Reyes to be in possession of cannabis and it was later confirmed traces of the substance were in his blood. In another case, Manuel Hernandez, from Brympton was dis-

‘La Madrina’, or The Godmother, while she is also known as ‘la piccoletta’ because of her tiny stature. She is the sister of the late Gennoro Licciardi, who founded the Camorra clan

Driving bans qualified from driving for 12 months and fined £250 for a crime committed last April. The 33-year-old man was stopped by police after they spotted him driving dangerously at speed along Queensway. A roadside breath test showed Hernandez to be 15 ug over the legal limit.

and died in prison in 1994. Police believe she has been running the crime organisation based in Naples ever since her release from jail in 2009. She was arrested in June 2001 and served eight years for a series of mafia-related offences.

Crackdown

A major crackdown on the mafia in June 2019 saw the police arrest more than 120 members including the wives of several other members but Licciardi managed to escape. Her arrest came just days after Spanish police tracked down notorious Ndranghete mafia leader Domenico Paviglianiti in Madrid after two years on the run. The Italian mafia gangs are said to now earn more money in Spain than they do in Italy.

Locked up THREE local women have been jailed for breaking into two houses and stealing a number of personal items including bank cards, vehicle keys, clothes and furniture. Delia Mendez, aged 39 and Patricia Hernandez, 35, were both sentenced to eight weeks, following a burglary last May, in the early hours of the morning. Their associate, Charine Gomez, aged 41, was given 12 weeks. Within hours, owners realised they had been robbed, and immediately called the police. The women were arrested the same day and much of the stolen property was recovered.

Expensive taste BRIT Riyen Lea has been charged for stealing over £1,000 worth of items from a jewellery store on Main Street. The 33-year-old broke into the premises just after 8pm in the evening, stealing a number of necklaces and bracelets worth £1,096. Although the crime took place back in January this year, Lea recently appeared in court, where he was charged with one count of Burglary. The case has been adjourned until later this month.

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es CATALAN singer, Sergio Dalma has got into hot water after he urged his audience to ignore social distancing guidelines. The musician was forced to suspend his gig by organisers after he stopped his set three times in order to instruct fans to break the rules and get out of their seats during his concert in Murcia. Te Amo star Sergio performed as part of the Noches del Malecon series but things turned sour when he encouraged audience members to ignore the restrictions and stand up from

STAR: Dame Joan

Still got it DAME Joan Collins stole the show when she attended a glitzy charity ball in Spain. The 88-year-old and hubby Percy Gibson, 56, were at the Remus Charity Night, which attracts socialites from all over Europe to Mallorca. The Dynasty actor proved to be the star attraction, despite the competing attractions of burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese and American glamour model and actor Carmen Electra.

Proper event

Speaking on social media, Dame Joan declared that she and Percy had pulled out all the stops for the night, as it was the ‘first proper event’ they had been to in a year and a half due to the pandemic. German Real Estate agent Marcel Remus sells luxury villas on the island, with some fetching prices as high as €24 million. He is well known for the charity extravaganza he puts on each year, with this year’s event raising €64,000 for victims of the recent floods in Europe.

August 11th - August 24th 2021

SILLY SINGER their seats during the show. The 56-year-old singer tried to resist safety measures, telling the audience: “We are going to interrupt the concert every time they tell someone to sit down.” As part of the current COVID-19 regulations in Spain all concertgoers must remain seated at a safe distance and wear a mask at all times. Sergio later apologised for his actions.

What a tearjerker

SORRY: Sergio Dalma

COOKING UP A TREAT

Actor Richard E Grant visits expat couple for BBC show

AN EXPAT couple are front and centre of a new BBC TV show uncovering the history of writers in Spain. David and Emma Illsley, who run Las Chimeneas in the little-known village of Mairena in the hills of Andalucia, stole the show when their gorgeous home made an appearance on the third episode of the series Write Around the World.

SPECIAL GUEST: David and Emma met Grant

By Kirsty McKenzie

terranean Sea after spending three years teaching English in the Canary Islands with the British Council. But just like friend and author

AT EVERY Olympic Games over the last three decades race walker Jesus Angel Garcia Bragado has represented Spain, hip-wiggling over 50kms while never breaking into a run. But on Friday at the grand old age of 51 years old, after finishing 35 th in the 50km race walk in Sapporo, he admitted it would be his last. “You have to know when it is time to retire,” he said after the race adding that he was hugely grateful to the Spanish

ESTUCO INTERIORS

ARGENTINIAN football legend Lionel Messi broke down in tears as he said goodbye to the club which has been his home for his entire career. He was speaking at a press conference to confirm his departure, and was reduced to tears when members of the press gave him a standing ovation. The 34-year-old has been with FC Barcelona since childhood and has scored an astounding 672 goals in 778 senior appearances since 2003. The six times Ballon d’Or winner had by all accounts wanted to leave the club last year, but was finally ‘persuaded’ to stay when club bosses refused to let him go.

Free

Gushed

Actor Richard E Grant, who presents the BBC show, gushed about the couple’s cookbook during his visit to the Alpujarras. David and Emma moved to the remote town between the Sierra Nevada and the Medi-

Chris Stewart, the couple were seduced by life in southern Spain and now have two sons, a booming holiday business and a popular Spanish cookbook under their belts. The pair described the family’s television debut as a ‘feel-

THE FINAL LEG Federation for support during his long career. Although the Madrid born athlete has never brought home an Olympic medal despite competing in every Games since Barcelona ’92, he has still made history by become the first track and field athlete to compete in eight in a career that spans 30 years.

KIM CLARK

good shot-in-the-arm’ that came ‘hurtling out the blue’. They said: “To our complete consternation, we were already able to see episode three, in which we feature for a full ten minutes, with the actor Richard E. Grant waxing lyrical about our book Las Chimeneas: Recipes and Stories from an Alpujarran village. “Even our boys were impressed: after all, this is a man who has shaken the hand of Luke Skywalker! “It’s a quirky and amusing bit of telly, and worth watching if only to see the gentle, rather mystified smiles of our cooks Conchi and Sole as they prepare an al fresco meal for a Hollywood actor and his hungry, drooling crew.”

But having been a free agent since July 1, he would appear to have had a change of heart, and was willing to accept a 50% pay cut in exchange for a new contract. But the parlous state of Barcelona’s finances has meant they can’t keep him without falling foul of the La Liga’s financial fair play rules. Paris St Germain have reportedly already offered him a two year contract to lure him to France where he would be reunited with Brazilian superstar Neymar.

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NEWS

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August 11th - August 24th 2021

Whaling for a bruising GIBRALTAR boat skippers will have to stay clear of a stretch of the Spanish coast after a spate of attacks by a rogue pod of killer whales. The Spanish Ministry of Transport has banned small boats from an area between Cape Trafalgar and Barbate, in Cadiz, after several recent attacks by the group of orcas.

A DOG'S LIFE POLICE dog Stitch enjoyed his time out at sea last week, sailing the ocean as part of his training to be a Drugs Detection Drug.

It’s the way he tells them

The four-legged crime fighter is just 10 months old and once he’s fully qualified will help fight crime by searching vessels.

Crypto push GIBRALTAR’S push to become a major player in the cryptocurrency world is being backed by a major conference. More than 300 international crypto enthusiasts and investors will gather on the Rock in October.. Local event specialist Kazbaa has organised the conference for October 8 and 9 in Ocean Village. The event will bring 300 crypto enthusiasts and investors together for the first time since the pandemic began. Crypto Gibraltar will include parties, networking, and conference sessions throughout the weekend.

Adolescent whale attacks lead to costa boat ban

Terrifying

There have been a number of ‘terrifying attacks’ which involved the mammals ramming the hulls and targeting the rudders of boats in prolonged episodes of up to an hour. At least 50 attacks have been reported this summer with two dozen leading to serious damage to vessels, leading to the boats being towed into shore.

THE award-winning comedian, Daniel Sloss, will be filling St Michael’s Cave with laughter on September 3, for one night only. Having been performing since he was 17-years-old, Sloss has toured in over 50 countries, including Europe, US,

By Cristina Hodgson

It is only the second time such a ban has been put in place. Last summer a similar ban was ordered on small ships on a 60 mile stretch of coast in Galicia

Canada, Australia and Hong Kong. He has also appeared in HBO hit film ‘X’. The performance will begin at 8:15pm - COVID restrictions apply. Tickets are £40 and can be bought from www.buytickets.gi

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

after more than 20 attacks. This summer’s ban is for any boats under 15 metres in length around the Straits of Gibraltar. According to the government there have been 56 attacks since March 27. Scientists have been investigating the baffling behaviour which appears to be led by the same ‘teenage’ orcas leading orchestrated ramming attacks that can last up to an hour. One hypothesis was that the unprecedented behaviour may be some form of revenge on humans in response to an earlier perceived attack on the whales.

Leading

“Gibraltar is now firmly established as one of the leading crypto centers in the world,” commented Pete Burgess, CEO of Kazbaa. “Gibraltar established the world’s first DLT regulatory framework in 2017, and issued the first full crypto banking license just weeks ago, so it is ideally placed to lead the next stage of crypto development.”

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Bring hearts, minds and souls

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es KERI SCOTT has been named as the new Director of Education by Chief Secretary Darren Gresh. He also announced Gaynor Lester as the new head teacher of Bayside School Emma Jane Montegriffo as the new head of Governor’s Meadow and Dawn Elouise Holmes as the new head of St

ALL CHANGE Martin School. This follows last month’s appointment of Jerry Aguilera as head of St Paul’s school. At the time of his appointment he was Gibraltar’s youngest ever head at the age of 33. Jerry is also Gibraltar’s first male head teacher of

a lower primary school. The Minister for Education, John Cortes, said: ‘I’d like to wholeheartedly congratulate the new appointees in these top Education posts. Although I wasn’t involved in the appointments, I’m sure the posts were very

highly contested because of the high calibre of teachers working in Education in Gibraltar. I’ve worked closely with Keri in her role as Senior Education Adviser and as Acting Director of Education, and I’m sure that she will work with me to take Education to a whole new level.”

August 11th - August 24th 2021

Time to visit

TOLL MOUNTS

A UNVACCINATED man aged between 60-65 has died from the COVID-19, taking the death count on Gibraltar to 95. He also had underlying medical conditions and was unvaccinated against COVID-19. He was the first person to die from a COVID-19 related illness on the Rock since March 13, when a man aged 75-80 passed away. Chief minister, Fabian Picardo, said: “It is deeply upsetting to announce a death from COVID-19 after so many months. My deepest condolences go to the family and friends of the deceased.” “The news is a harrowing reminder that the pandemic is

still not over and this deadly virus is still all around us,” he said. “The incidence of COVID-19 related deaths in those who are vaccinated is much lower than those who are not. I strongly urge everyone who has not been vaccinated to contact the GHA to arrange a vaccination now.” The COVID-19 infection rate is now slowing down in Gibraltar, with the number of people infected standing at 224 on Tuesday. Of these, 211 are residents and 13 are visitors. A further 497 people are in self-isolation. Six people are in hospital and one person is in intensive care and there are no

First person to die from COVID-19 in Gibraltar in months

UPSET: Picardo sent his condolences to the family active cases in elderly care homes. A total of 38,156 people are

now fully vaccinated, and 39,360 people have received at least one dose.

ELDERLY Residential Services have reopened for visitors, as coronoavirus cases in Gibraltar continue to drop. However, visitors must comply with new rules designed to keep residents and staff safe. No visitors will be allowed if there’s a positive case of COVID-19 in an ERS site and PPE must be worn indoors at all times and social distancing maintained. Visits must be booked in advance for time slots between 1pm and 6pm. One visitor is permitted per week for each person and they must provide proof of at least one dose of the vaccination. If they have had one dose of the vaccine, the visit must take place within the 14-day period, following the vaccination. Unvaccinated visitors will only be allowed to see lovedones in the external communal areas and all visitors must show a negative PCR test, taken within 24 hours of their visit.

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O LIVE P RESS

The

GIBRALTAR

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

INTERESTING A Dickens of a challenge

BEST OF LUCK! TIMES have been hard for all of us during the coronavirus pandemic. There is no one who has not been affected by the health regulations, lockdowns, stress and sheer inconvenience of the restrictions. Many of us expats in Spain have been unable to visit family and friends in the UK and elsewhere in Europe for fear of becoming stranded should travel restrictions change suddenly. Indeed, the Olive Press itself has suffered earlier in the pandemic with a reporter being stuck in England for months for just that reason. But looking beyond the personal pain we have all felt, the Olive Press is extremely conscious of the suffering felt by expat businesses throughout 2020 and the first part of 2021 – particularly those in the hospitality industry. While the ERTE furlough scheme at least helped workers with a proportion of their wages guaranteed, precious little aid has been given to the owners of businesses. Yes, low-cost loans have been ‘guaranteed’ by the government – but even then we have learned of instances where banks used these to pay off old loans rather than supply new capital to tide companies over. It has been a hard slog – but as can be seen on these pages – expat businessmen and women are a resilient lot. Belts have been tightened, businesses refocused and survival plans put into action. And the more forward thinking entrepreneur’s now find themselves in position to not just catch up on lost ground but to even forge ahead. They have the vision – and energy – to rebuild their businesses so that they are better than ever before. We wish them luck, and hope that our readers will support them in the coming months and years. PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

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Kirsty McKenzie kirsty@theolivepress.es

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INTERVIEW: Sala boss Ian Radford talks to Dilip Kuner

I OPEN AGAIN: Andy Chapell and partner Pauline Elkin

NEEDING A SANTO! After being shut for 19 months, British-run Molino del Santo hotel, near Ronda, is open again, but uncertainty means constantly changing plans, writes owner Andy Chapell

E had been closed for 19 successive months before we finally opened again in June this year. Such a long period of closure was tough on lots of levels and understandably, plenty of clients asked us to refund deposits paid for holidays they could not enjoy. Fortunately many guests decided to leave their deposits for future visits, with one couple having tried to rearrange their stay five times. When we did finally reopen there was a lot of remedial work to do with machinery that had been left unused for so long and a huge amount of minor repair work to do. A big building creaks a little after 19 unloved months. However we have a great team here and we all worked hard together to get the show back on the road. We have been reasonably busy for the weeks we have been open without being in danger of overloading our bank accounts with profits. August is shaping up well and is likely to be topped up with last minute bookings from local sources.

Best month

Going into the autumn, September is normally our best month of the year for income and we have lots of reservations already in the hotel. However we are relying on people feeling more confident about travelling from northern Europe and in our case, especially from the UK. If international travel is perceived to be safe then we are very optimistic for a great autumn and will stay open longer than normal - until December. If travel restrictions are still in place then it is very likely that we will close or limit our opening to a few days a week. Very uncertain times lead to very difficult, and constantly changing, decisions.

T was the best of times, it was the worst of times…it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair. Charles Dickens may have written those words about the French revolution, but they could just as well have been penned for the British boss of the Sala Group of restaurants, Ian Radford, whose situation in Spain has been distinctly challenging over the past few years. Apart from the spectre of Brexit, which has still not settled down, he has had nearly two years of COVID-19 problems to deal with. Speaking to the Olive Press the 52-year-old father of three explained: “Everything was great and 2019 was our best year ever. Things went to another level.” It came after a decade of hard work, which saw him open his seminal La Sala restaurant in 2010 and the nearby La Sala by the Sea in 2008, which was designed and is now run by his wife Claire with the help of son Piers, 19, and eldest daughter Sophie, 27. Daughter Chea at 11 is the baby of the family.

Superstar

Along with the Oak Garden Grill (now rebranded as The Social by Sala) and the Havana bar in Estepona (run by Sophie) they have attracted a big celebrity clientele, including Irish superstar Ronan Keating, Premier League footballers including Harry Kane, Ashley Cole and David Bentley - who liked the restaurant so much he became a shareholder. Then there is Alan Sugar, Jamie Oliver

HAPPY FAMILY: Ian with Claire and Chea

and Prince Albert of Monaco, not to mention just about the entire cast of TOWIE who have become regulars. This has led to an upward spiral of success - a trend that continued into 2020 with takings up 20% year on year in January and February. But the worst of times were about to strike as COVID-19 suddenly came on the scene. The lockdown from March last year instantly brought the guillotine down on business for three months, with no opening allowed. And even when things opened again the levels were far lower than ever before. “Our turnover in 2020 crashed 70% over 2019. The challenge was massive,” admits Ian, a former professional squash player and keen golfer. “It didn’t help that we had very little help from the government. While the ERTE furlough sche-

Optimistic travel will fully recover After dropping to just 30 staff, key costa hotel Sunset Beach is back at 120 workers, writes Kirsty McKenzie

HE manager of one of the Costa del Sol’s most emblematic hotels is feeling ‘more optimistic than ever’ as tourists finally return to Spain. After a very tough 18 months, the tourism industry is starting to get back to ‘some kind of normality’ Sunset Beach Club boss Mark Wardell told the Olive Press. The Irish-owned hotel in Benalmadena is finally starting to get back to its former staffing levels of 180 employees, who usually cater to over 2000 tourists at this time of year. “We are back up to 120 staff and gradually things are starting to pick up again. “We’ve seen an improvement this month and then in September we will see a return to some kind of normality. We are very optimistic about that. Actually we’re feeling stronger than ever.” In particular he is bullish on a recovery in the hotel industry as COVID-19 vaccines become more widely available. While bookings will continue to face headwinds over the next few months, more consumers will be confident and ready to take trips, he explained. The 4-star hotel, whose sisters include the Castleknock Hotel and the Heritage Hotel and Spa in Ireland,

MOVING FORWARD: Mark Wardell has mostly been serving Spanish customers this summer. “But we’ve also had some guests from elsewhere in Europe and are getting ready to welcome a lot more,” adds the father-of-three, who lives in Benahavis. “The lack of certainty over travel restrictions and tests has made the UK market more hesitant but there is definitely a real pent up demand and I think we’ll be busier than ever come September or October.” He adds: “The last year has really given us all some perspective and made everyone appreciate things more and I truly believe the tourism industry will come back stronger than ever. “People are really looking for a better quality of life, whether for a holiday or a more permanent move, and it’s clear that Spain can offer that. “The spotlight is back on the Costa del Sol and we’re going to see demand skyrocket. There’s no better place to live after all.”

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TIMES

August 11th - August 24th 2021

But the high spending power of this summer’s visitors to the Costa del Sol and low-cost loans are helping key expat businesses like the Sala Group survive the pandemic

BUSY: La Sala has had a good August while (below) Ronan Keating and wife Storm with Ian and Claire (left)

me paid staff 70% of their normal salary, what a lot of people don’t realise is that we still had to pay their social security contributions. “Guess how much that worked out as? Almost exactly 70% of their salaries. And we had 160 staff! “In effect it was costing the government nothing – the businesses had to pay it… and apart from some small payments we got very little help from the government.” Speaking on the terrace of his flagship restaurant La Sala, he was keen to recognise the tough times his loyal staff have also suffered. “They have had to make do with 70% of their salaries plus they have no tips, which really hurts them,” he points out. Despite the huge drop in turnover the businessman realised that he still needed to invest in the business to put himself in a position to take advantage of the recovery. He has been targeting local trade, improving his terrace to avoid indoor seating restrictions and changed the emphasis of the Oak Garden Grill, relaunching it as The Social by Sala to make it more focused on being a sports bar rather than a restaurant. And the investment seems to be paying off. “We have just had a very encouraging July – business was actually up on July 2019. On top of that we have become more efficient as

Worth paying for

E at the Olive Press are always keen to talk to our readers to get constructive comments and feedback. After all, without readers – whether for our traditional newspapers or our website and online platforms – there is really very little point to our job. One question we get is 'what do I get for my money – what am I paying for?' Well, what you get is journalism, you are paying for people who excel at storytelling to do the work they love and the job they were trained to do. Being behind a paywall frees us from the tyranny of 'clickbait journalism'. With the knowledge that money is coming in, we do not have to chain our reporters to their desks to chase ever more page views. This means that our national media schooled journalists, including News Editor Dilip Kuner (top) Digital Editor Fiona Govan (right) and Costa Blanca reporter Alex Trelinski (below) who worked at the Sunday Mirror, Telegraph and BBC respectively, can do what they were trained for. Thanks to those people who have signed up for €5.99 a month – or €50 a year – we can afford to free our journalists to do what they do best – get out and about, meet people and report back to you, our readers. So far the takeup of subscriptions has been way beyond our initial expectations – so thank you to everyone who has recognised that quality journalism is worth paying for!

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: UK poised to relax travel rules for those 1-doubled jabbed abroad and drop quarantine from amber list countries added in Spain? Yes you can tra2- Double vel to England without quarantine from August 2

we had to be if we were to survive. “It is not just us – everyone around here in Banus is very busy. I have noticed that the customers this year have very high spending power. They have the money and they seem happy to spend it.” Adding to the optimism is the way he was able to shore up his business financially. “We did manage to get some low-cost loans – that is something the government can be thanked for – so we can pay our

2020 costs off over the next five years. “It means we didn’t have to approach private capital or our investors for money.” And the rest of the year is starting to shape up nicely. “We have managed to hang in there through the bad times. Now we are in position to take advantage of the opportunities that always arise after crises. “We are expecting to finish the year strongly and to have an incredible 2022 – COVID permitting!”

next for the UK’s am3- Analysis: IsberSpain plus travel list These are the rules for travel 4- Reminder: to the UK from amber list Spain Westley Capper implicated in disappea5-rance of Latvian model Agnese Klavina in Spain’s Marbella dies from Covid

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GREEN

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August 11th - August 24th 2021

If we all do a little we will achieve little - the evidence is there

HERE is a worldwide organisation you probably haven’t heard of called the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Bear with me,this is highly relevant. Formed in 1988, this body provides politicians and Governments every seven years with assessments on the science,the impacts and the potential options for tackling climate change. They are meeting now. Their findings will be shared with the representatives of 195 countries.

Their last report, published in 2013, helped to set the scene for the Paris climate agreement signed in 2015. This report was highly critical of our lackadaisical approach to tackling one of the most critical issues of our time…..climate change. In 2013,its assessment said: “Humans are the dominant cause of global warming.” Interestingly this report had a great impact on younger generations, many taking to the streets to demand effective political response. Has it changed things? In my view only a little.I’ve said before .. If we all do a little we will achieve little. The new report that will come from this meeting that will last a week, held virtually because of COVID, will play a key part in guiding global leaders who meet this November in Glasgow. It will be DAMNING! How can it not be.The evidence is staring us in the face.

Green

Time to wake up!

Matters

By Martin Tye

New report on climate change will be damning

Extreme weather events have shaken Europe, the US, Canada and Asia.

GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER! The IPCC is not just a bunch of scientists. This body is commissioned by governments, and IS unique in the way it operates. More than 200 researchers have been working in groups to gather all the relevant scientifically proven evidence. Nothing is written that is not scientifically correct. The report will have new information on sea levels rising and the state of the Arctic and Antarctic. It will also report on the likelihood of us holding the

global rise in temperatures to 1.5C this century. It will also review how governments are tracking against agreed targets set in the Paris climate pact. For sure Spain will not be crowned in glory. Time for the politicians to ‘walk the walk’. Relevant and strong lyrics come to mind from a track released in 2018 by the Black Eyed Peas (pictured left) called Ring the Alarm. “Wake up! I wanna say what’s on my motherf***ing conscious The whole world right now is f***ing bonkers” Anybody else agree with these sentiments?

Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. +34 638145664 ( Spain Phone ) Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es

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A PIONEERING maritime Sea’s first coral nurseries across nursery has been created on several zones. the Andalucia coast to rescue SOS Corals co-ordinator, Marirare coral damaged by fishing. na Palacios, said: “This colony The SOS Corals Project has has hundreds of endangered been set up in Almuñecar’s specimens because they are Punta de la Monta conserva- very vulnerable to nets, hooks, ALSOlines, traps and other fishing tion area. The mixture WE of local rocky and sandy seabed gear, which kills them off.” INSTALL features high numDivers and volunteers bers of endangered started mapping SOLAR PV PANELS species, including out the location the orange coral of coral coloand the candenies. The team labrum coral. created areas The water of around 50 quality, the square meunderwater tres where up relief system to 250 kilos of and marine rubbish, almost currents have all from fishing, combined to create was removed. the right conditions Just one plot had in the area for coral to 200 metres of rope, 300 thrive. metres of netting, and a three The candelabrum coral is espe- kilometre length of fishing line. cially rare and normally flour- Eight out 10 corals were damishes in depths of more than 50 aged and they have been inmetres. dividually cleaned up by the However, the Punta de la Mona divers before being transferred has seen up to 1,000 speci- to colony areas. SOS Corals has mens develop at just 30 metres. set 2025 as a target for a fulDamage caused by the fishing ly-healthy coral zone with five trade has prompted the setting ‘safe’ nursery plots being creatup of one of the Mediterranean ed over the next few months.

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NINE White-tailed Eagles are to be released in the first step of a plan to reintroduce the species to Spain. The birds are being housed in an acclimatisation enclosure in Asturias having arrived from Norway, before being released into the wild. The scheme is being led by Spanish conservation group GREFA and follows the restoration of Bearded Vulture to Asturias. Norway has been key to the reintroduction of the species to several countries where the eagle had gone extinct. These include Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Wight in England. The Spanish birds have been fitted with GPS transmitters so scientists can keep track of them in the coming months.

LA CULTURA

Film on

THERE may only be seven registered inhabitants in the small village of Ascaso, Huesca, but that hasn’t stopped it from putting on a film festival every year. This August, the film festival returns from August 31 to September 4, and is set to be bigger than ever, as it celebrates its 10th birthday. A hugely important event for the village, the film festival has an economic impact of around €100,000, and is a way of putting the small towns of Upper Aragon on the map. The quaint village currently has no electricity in the houses but by the end of 2021 residents will finally be given power. During the festival, nine films will be shown: five feature films and four shorts.

August 11th August 24th 2021

The Comfort Book

Cache in hand B

by Matt Haig

Enormous hoard of Roman weapons discovered By Alex Oscar

Archaeologists have uncovered a large cache of Roman weapons and tools in the protohistoric settlement of Son Catlar, Menorca. A statement released by the University of Alicante revealed that the cache held Roman ‘weapons, knives, three arrowheads, spearheads, projectiles, surgical tools, a

IMPORTANT: Son Catlar site and some of the hoard bronze spatula probe, and so undergone its fifth season of on’. excavation following a year of Some of these items date back inactivity due to COVID, is a as far as 100 BC. fort surrounded by an 870m The dig site, which has just wall, the largest Talayotic settlement in the area. The settlement, pending approval to be a UNESCO site, was a Talayotic (ancient Menorcan) and then later Roman stronghold, during the In Algar, a pueblo blanco with 1,428 resPunic period (264-146 BC). idents just inland from the coast in Cadiz According to Heritage Daiprovince, Andalucia, pulling up a chair outly, Son Catlar was originally side your front door to shoot the breeze with founded between 2000-1200 your neighbours at the end of a long hot BC and was occupied until summer day is as vital to daily life as col476 AD, the end of the Roman lecting a barra in the morning and taking a occupation. siesta in the afternoon. The director of the excavaJose Carlos Sanchez Barea, the Popular Partion, Fernando Prado, even ty mayor of Algar saw an opportunity to enspeculates that the walls of courage the practice - known in Spanish as the settlement may have had charla al fresco - that he believes is essential a special religious connotato community spirit and general wellbeing. tion. He said: “We are going to begin the process Gateway to cities were associto have charla al fresco awarded World ated with the God Janus, the Heritage status,” he announced. god of transitions, time and beginnings.

ESTSELLING author of both fiction and non-fiction, Matt Haig, has always been incredibly open about his anxiety. The Comfort Book is a series of vignettes and essays about finding comfort in yourself and your immediate surroundings. It says, ‘You are enough’. Matt shares his thoughts and reflections on great feel-good movies, recipes and music while providing reassurance and encouragement that you can get past the bad days. With many people facing anxiety at the thought of having to return to crowded offices or streets since COVID restrictions have been eased, this book’s release could not have been timed more perfectly.

€21.00 The Bookshop San Pedro, www.thebookshop.es

A RIGHT CHARLA A SLEEPY town wants to elevate the long held tradition of having a neighbourly chat on one’s doorstep into a UNESCO recognised cultural activity that deserves preservation.

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he Olive Press has always invested heavily in ensuring that our copies are readily available for our growing legion of readers. We work hard to achieve our target of zero returns, ensuring we do not waste money or paper, which is an ever important factor for our environmentally-conscious readers. Since 2019 we have employed the services of Self Select Media, the UK market leader in charge of distributing hundreds of free papers and magazines, including the Evening Standard, Metro and Time Out! The team that now has a company in southern Spain has analysed the region and strategically placed our stands within the main supermarkets and major expat hangouts around the costas. This highly targeted process ensures that you can conveniently pick up your favourite read easily every two weeks. To keep in line with our green philosophy it also allows us to closely monitor our distribution and how it ebbs and flows depending on tourism and trends.

Experience

We receive detailed photo reports of each of the drops, timed as they happen, and the number of copies left over. As Stewart Leece, the boss of Self Select explains: “We have 125 years of publishing and distribution experience and know Spain well having had a home here for three decades. “It is a pleasure to work with the Olive Press, one of the market leaders in Spain, to ensure that the company maintains and expands its reach around the country.” He continues: “The basis of our service is that Every copy is taken by personal choice. We offer publishers and advertisers a controlled fully quantifiable media distribution route to market. Via a network of displays placed within high footfall retail outlets, and targeted miscellaneous distribution points across the North and South Costa Blanca region, and now Valencia.” OWNER: Stewart Leece

If you would like to see your nearest distribution point, then please visit our market leading website www.theolivepress.es or read our digital version online. For more information on our fantastic ditribution partner, please visit www.selfselectmedia.es

LA CULTURA Following in Lorca’s footsteps

OET Federico Garcia Lorca was murdered on August 18, 1936, during the first stages of the Spanish Civil War. He became a martyr and a legend. The most translated poet in the Spanish language, his work is venerated wherever it is read. However, there are still aspects of his life that are not very well-known. One of them is his connection with la Alpujarra. Some years ago, the council of Pitres erected a monument in its main square commemorating the visit Lorca made to the village in 1932. It consists of a photograph of Lorca standing in front of a Y-shaped tree and an extract of a letter to fellow poet Jorge Guillen, which reads in part: “Here I am in Pitres, a village with no voice, or pigeons from the mountains, crucified on the Y of the tree.” It is hard to know what to make of this remark. The presence of Lorca in la Alpujarra is a matter of some uncertainty as he did not write much about the mountainous region. But there are a few letters, postcards and photographs that prove he was a regular visitor until

August 11th - August 24th 2021

1934, two years before his tragic death. His first contact with the area was with the spa town of Lanjaron, the gateway to la Alpujarra. Federico’s mother, Vicenta Lorca, was ill with a liver condition and a doctor prescribed a treatment of water from the town’s Capuchina fountain, famous for its curative properties since Mozarab times. Therefore from 1917 until 1934, the Lorca family spent a few weeks every year in Lanjaron at the Hotel España, which stands to this day. Federico’s first written testimony about Lanjaron that has survived is a postcard dated August 17, 1924, to the Cuban diplomat and poet Melchor Fernández Almagro. “What an admirable place. You should come to visit this paradise. I have found curious romances and tales.” One of Federico’s favourite places was Lanjaron’s Moorish castle and he posted numerous postcards of it. In one of them, sent to the critic Sebastian Guash, he describes Lanjaron as: “Sierra Nevada, which means that you

Carlos Pranger takes a step back in time to walk the hills of La Alpujarra with poet Federico Garcia Lorca and composer Manuel de Falla are in the heart of Africa, at the entrance to la Alpujarra. The most incredible fantasies develop in the most serene and logical way.” One activity he enjoyed was the regular excursions to the nearby sierras with one of his best friends, the priest Juan Padial, who showed him the beautiful Castaño Gordo and the Barranco de las Adelfas. There, on top of the mountains, the view on clear days was incredible; the sea lay in the distance with the mountains of Africa beyond and below was the vega de Lanjaron, cultivated with cereal, fruit and olive trees, all irrigated by the network of irrigation channels. In a letter to artist Sebastian Guasch, Federico writes: “In Lanjaron, oh mountains! Oh orange trees! I am reborn to your friendship.” But the poet also had time to work and to find inspiration in the manner people talked. For him, they are the descendents of the Moriscos. “No doubt that

here the nostalgia is anti-Euro- to search for old folk songs. pean, but it is not oriental. [It is] “Maybe we could take the Cristobicas to its villages,” said Andalucia.” In the evening, after a long day, Federico. Las Cristobicas was a there would be a dance in a puppet show for children. salon of the Hotel España and Lanjaron and la Alpujarra inFederico would play the piano. fluenced Lorca’s work and, Lanjaron acted as a base for while he was there, he wrote Federico and his excursions and edited poems such as La casada infiel, Redeeper into la yerta, Reyerta de Alpujarra. In mozos and San the 1920s, FeVillagers were Miguel. derico was an assiduous partiFederico was often treated cipant of one of also inspired by brutally and Granada’s most places like Orgiva, where Falla famous gathecruelly by the rings, El Rinconloved talking to Guardia Civil cillo, which took the people and place in the café getting lost in Alameda. The the streets. Lorca participants were some of Gra- describes Orgiva in a letter to nada’s leading intellectuals. surrealist painter Salvador Dalí One of the most famous was as ‘a myth of fresh water in a the musician Manuel de Falla, glass of pure crystal’. who soon made friends with The most important testimony Lorca as they were both inte- from Lorca’s excursions to rested in folk music. la Alpujarra is a letter to his In 1922, Federico wrote a le- brother Francisco, who lived tter to Falla mentioning la Al- in Paris at the time. Federico pujarra as a wonderful place was invited in 1926 by Manuel

Segura, a professor of law in Granada, on a two-day excursion to the region. “I did a little excursion to la Alpujarra. It took us two days. I have never seen anything so exotic and mysterious. I can’t believe that it is in Europe.” But he also saw the dark side of the villages, the Guardia Civil often ruled their inhabitants with cruelty and brutality, especially the gypsies, a race Lorca respected and loved for their flamenco culture. He had heard that a Guardia Civil had pulled out with some pliers the teeth of a hungry gypsy who had stolen a hen. Maybe these stories inspired one of his most famous poems, El romance de la Guardia Civil or Cancion del gitano apaleado. Travelling with Falla in the search for folk songs, Lorca visited the villages of Carataunas, Soportujar, Pitres and Haza del Lino. But there is another area of great importance. According to the writer and

OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 8 Not for money (3,4) 9 Elevate (5) 10 So soon? (7) 12 "Oleanna" playwright (5) 16 Parliamentary output (4) 19 Kind of entertainment channel (5,2) 20 Gentlemen's preferences, maybe (7) 21 Partial darkness (4) 24 Vesicles (5) 27 A girl's best marriage prospect (2,5) 29 Middle Eastern heights (5) 30 In name only (7)

Down

OP SUDOKU

1 Spread out lazily (6) 2 Take a loan (6) 3 Prolonged unconsciousness (4) 4 £25 (4) 5 Metric mass unit (4) 6 Thin layer (4) 7 Euro fraction (4) 11 Crack a cryptogram (6) 13 Modify (5) 14 Roof overhang (5) 15 Vituperative person (6) 17 Forced to turn and face attackers (2,3) 18 Talent-spotter (5) 22 Imploring (6) 23 Small boiler? (6) 24 Minor but essential workers (4) 25 River sediment (4) 26 Opposite/hypotenuse (4) 27 "I had not thought death had undone so --- " (Dante Alighieri, "Divine Comedy") (4) 28 City of Seven Hills (4)

All solutions are on page 14

LA CULTURA

August 11th - August 24th 2021

TRAVELS: Lorca (above) amongst villagers in la Alpujarra and (left) his musician friend Manuel de Falla

journalist Rafael Gomez Montero, at Christmas 1926, Lorca stayed in a cortijo close to the hamlet of Bayacas. Lorca biographer Ian Gibson also mentions this excursion. Cortijo Montijano was in an area of Bayacas known as ‘Pollo Dios,’ between Carataunas

and Orgiva. The Sortes Cave, which was inhabited by gypsies, was also nearby. One night, after dinner, Federico and his friends listened to some coplas sung by the son of the caretaker of the cortijo. One of the songs about infidelity immediately caught their attention: Que yo me la llevé al río, creyendo que era mozuela, pero tenía marío. Lorca was challenged by his friends to write something inspired by this copla. From this he produced La Casada Infiel, which became part of the Ro-

mancero Gitano. Over the years, la Alpujarra has exerted an attraction on many people and Lorca’s letters, postcards and photographs show that he was also under its spell. Not only was he attracted by the landscape, but the people and their culture. A large part of his visits to the region will probably always remain obscure due to the lack of material. If he had lived perhaps he would have written something more substantial about the area.

HOME FROM HOME: The house where Lorca's family stayed on their trips to Lanjaron

TAXING MATTERS

ITH Brexit still fresh in everyone's minds, and a number of changes surrounding visas and the end of freedom of movement between the UK and the EU, the topic of residency, especially tax residency, can seem like a minefield. So how does tax residency work, and how will it affect Olive Press readers? Well, If you are a UK national and you live overseas with no intention to return to the UK to live, then you will only pay income tax on your UK income. However if you are an overseas national, then you will need to consider your residency status.

The Sufficient ties test, which looks at your connections to the UK, will help establish whether or not you can be considered as a tax resident. A sufficient tie test takes into account the following;

The first step is to see if you are an overseas resident and you can do this by answering three simple questions

● A UK resident who is a close family member - eg. a spouse or partner ● Available UK accommodation in which the individual has spent one night during the tax year ● Substantive UK work (Employed or Self-employed for at least 40 days, working for a minimum of 3 hours per day) ● Present in the UK for more than 90 days during either of the previous two tax years ● If the UK is the county that you spent the most time in during the tax year - this will be considered if you were resident in any of the previous 3 tax years.

1. Are you present in the UK, for less than 16 days in the tax year? 2. Are you present in the UK, for less than 46 days and have not been a resident in the previous three tax years? 3. Do you work overseas full-time and are not present in the UK for more than 90 Days in the Tax Year? If the answer is yes to any of these questions then you are automatically an overseas resident.

Apari helps explain how tax residency works for UK nationals living in Spain

● Your Sufficient Ties (otherwise known as connections to the UK). ● the amount of time spent in the UK ● what your previous residency status was in the UK A sufficient tie, or connection to the uk, can be determined by the following;

The automatic UK test, comprises a further 3 questions;

Days Spent in the UK

Previously Resident

Less than 16 Days

Automatically Not Resident

1. Are you present in the UK for 183 days or more in a tax year? (spending any day past Midnight is classed as being present in the UK for a day)

16 - 45 Days

Resident if 4 UK Ties or more

So how does residency affect you? Well as a UK resident you will pay tax on both your UK Income and Overseas Income - but this also means that you are eligible for the UK tax free personal allowance. Not Previously Resident If you are a non-resident then you will only be liable Automatically Not Resident to pay income tax on all income arising in the UK. Automatically Not Resident

46 - 90 Days

Resident if 3 UK Ties or more

Resident if 4 UK Ties or more

2. Is your only home in the UK?

91- 120 Days

Resident if 2 UK Ties or more

Resident if 3 UK Ties or more

121 - 182 Days

Resident if 1 UK Tie or more

Resident if 2 UK Ties or more

183 Days

Automatically UK Resident

But what if you answered no to all of the above? Well then this leads us onto the Automatic UK test.

3. Do you carry out full-time work in the UK? But it doesn't end there - if you still answer no to all three of these questions, there are still steps to consider.

The below table will help to determine your sufficient tie test outcome - this can affect your residency.

APARI has been developed to support people with any resident status - you can sign up for free at www.apari-digital.com today and start Making Tax Doable!

BUSINESS

August 11th - August 24th 2021

GOING CASHLESS

Bargain motoring

FOR the first time in five years, diesel is over 14 cents per litre cheaper than petrol. This represents a saving of over 10% for those filling up with diesel, and in general, fuel consumption is lower in diesel-powered vehicles than petrol. The average forecourt prices in Spain as reported by the EU are €1.264 per litre for diesel and €1.408 per litre of Euro-super 95 petrol. The difference of 14.4 cents is the widest reported since May 2016. This is an increase of almost three cents since the beginning of 2021. In general, diesel-powered cars emit fewer CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions than petrol-engined vehicles, but are worse for air quality due to their particulate emissions.

SPAIN’S economic growth after the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic has helped the eurozone out of recession. The EU had suffered a double-dip recession when two successive three-month periods showed a worrying drop in productivity. However, with both Spain and Italy showing growth of 3%, the entire region has been bolstered by an overall 2% in growth. Sources have revealed that up-to-date figures suggest growth occurred in all the EU countries involved in the research, albeit at different levels. But after the economic devastation caused by COVID-19 and var-

SPAIN has introduced a new rule to outlaw cash payments of over €1,000 for registered companies and professionals in part of a clampdown on tax fraud. The regulation applies to payments involving registered businesses and professionals as part of an on-going battle by Spain’s tax office to prevent undeclared economic activity

LOOKING UP ious lockdowns, the eurozone is still 3% down from its pre-pandemic level in the fourth quarter of 2019. Austria and Portugal also showed signs of strong recovery with Spain’s neighbour reporting an even healthier 4.9% expansion in its economy. Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics was diplomatic with his view that Portugal's recovery reflects, 'a slightly less disastrous tourism season than Spain's'. Germany and France have rebounded from the

recession slower, but still showed increases, with 1.5% and 0.9% respectively. Figures released show that household spending made an important contribution in France, Germany and more so in Spain. Kenningham predicted that by the end of this year, growth levels will be close to pre-pandemic levels, but the gap will still be there. The USA has closed that gap, but unemployment is still high stateside. By contrast, the new eurozone figures showed the number of people gaining work increased by more than 400,000 in June alone.

By Fiona Govan

and tax fraud. That means it only applies if ‘the transaction involves one member who is acting in a business or professional role’. So for example, you can only pay the mechanic who fixes your car up to €1,000 in cash but if you sold your car to a private buyer, there is no limit.

What you need to know about Spain’s ban on cash payments over €1,000

Rules

However, the rules are different if the person paying isn’t a tax resident in Spain. So for individuals who are visiting and are not working in a professional field in Spain, they can make cash payments of up to €10,000 to a Spanish company or for professional services. The measure is part of a wider EU move to crackdown on money laundering that could see a cap in cash payments set at €10,000.

RESTRICTED: use of cash is being clamped down on The new rules in Spain include penalties for those caught failing to comply. Fines imposed by the tax

office increase incrementally according to the amount paid in cash over the permitted €1,000.

Green shoots appear THE Spanish economy is making its way towards a healthy recovery after a troublesome 18 months. Spain’s gross domestic product grew by 2.8% in

the second quarter compared to the first three months of 2021. Preliminary data from the National Statistics Institute showed that the

DELIVEROO DUMPS SPAIN HOME food delivery company Deliveroo is quitting Spain. The news comes over two months after the country passed a new law forcing delivery companies to classify their riders as employees. Deliveroo and other firms have a mid-August deadline to hire riders who are currently working as freelances. The UK-based company made no mention of that in a statement but app-based businesses had previously said the new rules threaten their viability. Deliveroo said it would consult on pulling out due to uncertainty over future profits and the need to make high levels of investment. Spain has proved to be tough market to crack for Deliveroo with stiff competition from the likes of Glovo and Just Eat. The company shut down its German arm in 2019 for similar reasons.

growth was faster than the 2.2% expected by analysts, after a 0.4% contraction in the first quarter. The boost comes as the Spanish government loosened its grip on most of the COVID-19 restrictions that limited business hours and travel. Drivers Household consumption and business investment are the main drivers of economic recovery in Spain, although government spending also helped. In this sense, households’ final consumption increased by 29.5% compared to last year, while investment recovered by 17.8% compared to the second quarter of 2020. In total, domestic consumption in Spain increased by 20.8% year-on-year.

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Amber light SPAIN’S tourism industry welcomed the British government decision to keep it on the amber list, allowing those who are fully vaccinated to enter the UK without the need for quarantine. The changes that were announced by the UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps came after weeks of speculation that Spain might be heading for an ‘amber plus’ list or new ‘amber watchlist’, both scenarios which would seriously deter tourists from visiting. But instead the current rules as regards travel to the UK from Spain will be maintained until the next review in two weeks. Confusingly, the Department for Transport said that ‘arrivals from Spain and all its islands are advised to use a PCR test as their pre-departure test wherever possible’. This is despite the fact that the official regulation allows people to use the cheaper lateral flow antigen tests.

CORKER! By Katherine Brook

A SPANISH vineyard has beaten the world’s finest to be named the best in the world to visit. Herederos Marques de Riscal has been given the accolade by online drinks retailer, The Bottle Club. Fifteen vineyards from around the world were ranked on a scale of 0-90, taking in different variables like the year established, size, distance to nearest city, cost of tour,

Spanish bodega named best in world to visit

bottle price, Google review, accommodation, Instagram hashtags and variety of wines

FRAUD ALERT THE Spanish Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) is warning holidaymakers to be careful when renting holiday homes in order to avoid falling prey to fraud. Common tricks used by con men include posting adverts for non-existent properties and pocketing the deposit, phishing - posing as companies or official government bodies to obtain personal information - and offering accommodation that is in much worse condition than advertised. If any money has been handed over for a non-existent property and the company does not offer customers the chance of making a refund claim, victims are urged to report the case to the police or the Guardia Civil cybercrime department. When the conditions of an apartment are not as agreed, the client is entitled to make a claim either to the owner – if rented directly with no intermediaries – or to the internet platform or agency used. According to the OCU, cases of fraud have shot up due to a rise in the number of holidaymakers renting apartments and chalets instead of staying at hotels.

available. The highest score was awarded to Spain’s Herederos del Marques de Riscal, in Elciego, with 71.6, over 12 points higher than Bodegas Salentein in Argentina, which came in second place with 59.2. Next was Antinori nel Chianti Classico, in Italy (59.1), followed by Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in France (58.4), and Delaire Graff Estate in South Africa (55.5). Other countries to also make the top 15 list include Austria, Chile, New Zealand, Portugal, Uruguay and Germany. In last place was Catena Zapata, in Argentina, with a score of 46.3. Herederos del Marques de Riscal began operating in 1858, and was the largest vineyard in the study, spanning 985 hectares. Tours of the vineyard start from €19 and they have a variety of red, white and rose wines available.

August 11th - August 24th 2021

BENIDORM GETS JAPPI SIX Benidorm tourist, leisure, and hospitality groups are to offer low season holiday packages to entice visitors to the resort. The new online push is called the ‘Jappi Experience’. It follows on from last autumn's ‘Benidorm Resort’ initiative offering cut price accommodation and meals. That scheme was marred by regional border closures introduced in late October followed by New Year curfews and hospitality shutdowns, all caused by COVID-19 restrictions. A motorhome decked out in the Jappi logo and symbols of the city's six participating groups will travel around Spain and Portugal to advertise the initiative. The Abreca hospitality association’s Alex Fratini said: “Clients booking accommodation can also buy meal vouchers redeemable at bars, cafes, and restaurants that are Abreca members.” Over 60 Abreca establishments have signed up to the scheme with the aim to get over 100 businesses involved. “Being a Jappi customer, you will also get exclusive discounts on shops, nightlife, and excursions in Benidorm,” added Fratini. “The concept was first suggested over a decade ago and it has now come to fruition because businesses need to increase their turnover when they need it most, which is in the winter,” he added.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

12 books about Spain for your holiday reading list, with Shannon Chaffers

UMMER in Spain usually brings with it the opportunity to get out and explore the country. But even if the pandemic forces you to stay put this year, don’t forget that something as simple as a great book can transport you to the world’s most interesting places. With that in mind, here are 12 books about Spain to check out in the remaining weeks of summer. Ranging from historical investigations to action-paced thrillers, each provides a unique insight into life in this rich and varied country.

THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho

HIS internationally renowned tale of an Andalusian shepherd boy who sets off on a hero’s journey in search of hidden treasure is both heartwarming and fulfilling. Coelho’s writing offers both inspiration and wisdom to power you into autumn.

MADRID AGAIN by Soledad Maura

nother modern-day novel, this tells the story of a Spanish woman torn between the life she has made for herself in America and the family she left behind in Madrid. When she decides to become a historian to discover her family’s past, a whole new journey awaits, and it’s one you’ll want to take with her.

GALICIAN SONGS by Rosalia de Castro

witching genres, this book of poems about Galician traditions and culture will shed light on the particular experiences of the Galicians in northern Spain. De Castro is seen as the founder of modern Galician literature, and with her work only recently being translated into English, reading her poems is a great opportunity to immerse yourself into the oft-overlooked Galician way of life.

LITERARY SUMMER

DON QUIXOTE by Miguel de Cervantes

erhaps Spain’s most famous novel, Don Quixote is widely considered to be a foundational text of Western literature. Written in two parts in the early 1600s, it follows the trials and tribulations of a nobleman who, inspired by tales of chivalry, decides to become a knight. Its varying narrative styles and engaging plotlines still holds up centuries later, and it’s a mustread for those interested in the roots of Spanish literature.

THE ORNAMENT OF THE WORLD: HOW MUSLIMS, JEWS, AND CHRISTIANS CREATED A CULTURE OF TOLERANCE IN MEDIEVAL SPAIN by Maria Rosa Menocal

f you are looking for a non-fiction approach to medieval Spain, this historical narrative will do the trick. As the title suggests, Menocal details the relatively peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Spain that lasted for 500 years during the medieval era. Offering lessons for the present day, it makes for a fascinating historical account as well.

SPANISH VIGNETTES by Norman Berdichevsky

THE ORANGE GROVE by Rosana Ley

f you are interested in learning more about the Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry, Spanish Vignettes is your go-to guide for this and other important elements of Spanish culture. American expat Norman Berdischevsky covers 34 topics in a fun, digestible way that is perfect for newcomers to Spain.

hen it comes to contemporary novels, you can’t go wrong with this one, in which a mother must confront the past she left behind in Sevilla when she returns with her daughter years later. It makes for a feel-good read that’s perfect for your summer holiday. To find out more, check out the author’s online interview with the Olive Press.

WORKING CLASS HEROES: THE STORY OF RAYO VALLECANO, MADRID’S FORGOTTEN TEAM by Robby Dunne

unne’s work is a bottom-up narrative focused on football. The Irish journalist goes beyond the dominant Real Madrid/Barcelona narrative and dives into Madrid’s working class club, Rayo Vallecano. Providing insight of the club’s neighborhood pride and anti-fascist roots, he achieves a unique blend of sports and history that lovers of both will find captivating.

ialing back the clock, Ernest Hemingway’s 1940 novel set during the Spanish Civil War is regarded by many as one of the best novels written about the war. Drawn from his experiences covering the conflict for an American newspaper, this gripping tale centres on an American fighting with a Spanish guerilla force as a member of the International Brigades. It is just one of Hemingway’s books about Spain: The Sun Also Rises and Death in the Afternoon are also worth checking out.

DRIVING OVER LEMONS by Chris Stewart

Quick Crossword

Down: 1 Sprawl, 2 Borrow, 3 Coma, 4 Pony, 5 Gram, 6 Film, 7 Cent, 11 Decode, 13 Amend, 14 Eaves, 15 Abuser, 17 At bay, 18 Scout, 22 Urging, 23 Kettle, 24 Cogs, 25 Silt, 26 Sine, 27 Many, 28 Rome.

his light-hearted, witty memoir offers another accessible avenue into Spanish culture. Former Genesis drummer Chris Stewart describes how he and his family adjust to their new life in Spain after buying a remote farm in Andalucia on a whim.

SUDOKU

Across: 8 Pro bono, 9 Raise, 10 Already?, 12 Mamet, 16 Laws, 19 Cable TV, 20 Blondes, 21 Dusk, 24 Cysts, 27 Mr Right, 29 Golan, 30 Nominal.

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FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS by Ernest Hemingway

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August 11th - August 24th 2021

his historical undertaking makes for a great pairing with Hemingway’s novel, telling the full story of the International Brigades who fought against Franco in Spain. A bottom-up investigation by the Madrid-based British journalist sheds light on the complicated, fascinating, and chaotic experiences of these anti-fascist fighters.

GARDEN BY THE SEA by Merce Rodoreda

n enthralling work by one of Spain’s great Catalan writers closes out this list. This novel follows the lives of a wealthy family and their friends who spend their summers vacationing at a villa on the Meditteranean. Told through the eyes of their gardener, this sun-soaked, carefree story evolves into a tension-filled mystery when a wealthier family moves in next door.

HEALTH

Third time’s a charm

CAREHOME health workers are asking to be given a third shot of the coronavirus vaccine. The president of the Círculo Empresarial de Attention to People (CEAPS), a group representing care home workers, has said a third shot of the vaccine can protect staff and residents in homes against mutations of the virus, including the Delta variant. President Cinta Pascual said: “The vaccine does not protect 100% and with this fifth wave it has become clear that the third dose is totally necessary. It should be mandatory.” Pascual is also calling for the government to introduce a clear protocol of action for care home residences and said that telling the elderly to isolate in their rooms and cut off visitors ‘is not an option’.

August 11th August 24th 2021

Seeing red Time to drop tax on tampons

MINISTER of equality Irene Montero has said the tax applied to sanitary products, nicknamed the ‘tampon tax’, should be abolished in Spain. Montero is calling for the 5% levy applied to items such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, nappies and other hygiene products for dependents scrapped. It is a controversial law because the IVA (value-added tax) that is applied to the sanitary items means they are classed as luxury items - a rule that has been called ‘sexist’ by many people. Women’s rights campaigners have been fighting for years

CALL: Irene Montero wants tax scrapped to put an end to the tax and earlier this year the UK was able to get rid of the ‘Pink tax’ because it is no longer

NOT MONKEYING AROUND AUTHORITIES have stopped clinical trials for a Spanish-developed COVID-19 vaccine following media reports that a monkey developed a lung lesion during testing. Over 100 volunteers were set to get the first test jabs of the new formula, but Spain's medicines agency (AEMPS) postponed their injections due to safety concerns. The Higher Council for Scientific Research denied suggestions that the decision was prompted by test results on the macaque monkey.

The group said that clinical trials had not been cancelled but had been merely postponed until the AEMPS fully evaluates the vaccine’s safety. The vaccine produced by the National Centre for Biotechnology has been regarded as ‘promising’. The formula was going to be tested initially on 112 people via a programme co-ordinated by Madrid's Hospital de la Paz. Full clinical trials would have rolled out to as many as 30,000 test subjects.

subject to European Union rules on sanitary products due to Brexit. An EU directive meant the rate could not fall below 5%. VAT on sanitary products has been levied at various rates since 1973. Montero said: “The next Budget should be a Budget centered around the reconstruction of the country and feminism is key to that. We should not have another tax system that punishes women or the tasks they assume. “Menstruating is not a choice and neither is it a choice that a baby uses nappies during their first years of life or that an older person also needs them.”

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FINAL WORDS

Shut out SPANISH football striker Alvaro Morata was forced to sleep at a hotel after his wife accidentally locked him out of the house. Worse yet, his team, Juventus, had just lost 3-0 to Barcelona.

Winging it WATCH out for American-style chicken wings by La Cocinera, which have been recalled after certain packs were mislabelled, leaving out a key allergen ingredient, milk!

Not snickering now

August 11th - August 24th 2021

A BIT EARLY

Jelly big! A GIANT species of jellyfish that can reach a whopping 40 kilos has been spotted off the coast of Andalucia. Researchers believe the increase in ‘jellyfish blooms’ could be down to global warming.

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Fountain mania

A HISTORIC fountain, dating from 1790 in the centre of Malaga has been used as an impromptu bathtub. A man has been captured on camera bathing in the Fuente Los Cristos, The image shows a man, dripping suds into the drinking water - at least with the decency of wearing Speedo-style swim trunks. The image has triggered various comments, many of which slam the fountain user. “This cannot be allowed. We need quality tourism.” said one twitter user.

SUMMER may still be in full swing, but in the north of Spain, Christmas preparations have already arrived. The festivities have started early in Vigo in Galicia after the city started to string up its Christmas lights.. Mayor Abel Caballero said that the council is committed to having the ‘best Christmas in the world’ as 11 million led lights were installed across the town

Christmas decorations going up to ‘boost tourism’

Bite

Trees

The city council is decorating more than 350 streets and has ordered more than 1,000 trees - over double the number they had last year. In an attempt to boost tourism to the area, the city has said this year will be ‘bigger and better than ever before’ and boasted that the display will be the greatest in the world, putting the likes of New York, London and Paris to shame. The city also plans to erect the tallest tree in the world, a

SNICKERS Spain has found itself in a sticky situation after an ad for the chocolate bar was branded homophobic. Now the company has apologised and pulled the 20 second TV advert featuring Spanish ‘influencer’ Aless Gibaja. In it, the long haired and famously camp Gibaja (pictured above) is at a beach bar with a friend where he asks a waiter for a ‘sexy orange juice with vitamins A, B and C.

ATTRACTION: Vigo illuminations

By Kirsty McKenzie

ski slope and a gigantic Ferris wheel, which is normally one of the main attractions of the display. Home to Europe’s largest fishing fleet, Vigo’s Christmas lights have been a great draw in previous years.

But visitors will have to wait before they can view the illuminations in their full glory. While the €1 million decorations are going up now, it is thought that they will be officially switched on in November, with visitors arriving en masse for the switching on ceremony at the end of November.

The waiter gives him a Snickers ice cream. After taking a bite, Gibaja turns into a macho short-haired bearded man with a deep voice (above left). “Better?” the friend asks. ‘Better,’ the bearded man replies. Snickers’ slogan then comes across the screen: “You’re not yourself when you’re hungry.” This did not go down well with the LGBT State Federation. It tweeted: “It is shameful and regrettable that at this point there are companies that continue to perpetuate stereotypes and promote homophobia. We are here if you need training!”

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