Olive Press Gibraltar 188

NIGHTMARE AT CHRISTMAS

A BRITISH expat is pleading for help after waiting nearly six years to get his Spanish pension.

The Marbella-based 70-year-old faces bankruptcy and potential homelessness in the new year if the authorities don’t step in and help.

It comes after Jerry Wayne was turned down by Spain’s Social Security department despite paying tax for 35 years here.

Describing it as a ‘nightmare’, he told the Olive Press: “I have worked here for well over three decades and paid my taxes, I've done everything in line with the law yet here I am being forced to deal with this awful ongoing saga.”

He added: “I’ve only got enough money to see me through to February and

EXCLUSIVE

By Anthony Piovesan

I’ve already had to move to a much smaller flat in a cheaper area to save money.

“I really fear for the future.”

The former hotel and restaurant manager continued: “I’ve probably paid over half a million euros to the state in tax while working here and this is how they treat me.”

Wayne, whose name we have changed

for legal reasons, originally moved from London to Marbella in 1986, as a hospitality consultant.

Having studied hotel management and launched his own consultancy business in the UK, he was quickly in demand.

As well as working with the five-star Guadalpin hotel, he was a consultant at the leading La Sala group and ran his own restaurants, including La Campana.

“I have been involved in hotels, restaurants, golf clubs and generally

the finer things of life that this wonderful country has to offer,” explained Wayne.

His problems began though as he approached his 65th birthday in 2017 when he got a gestor to help him apply for his pension.

But due to a technicality, in which he allegedly owed a few thousand euros in

unpaid autonomo (self employed) payments, his claim was denied.

Despite then getting a lawyer involved, as well as having countless calls and meetings with ‘uncaring’ civil servants, he is still no closer to solving the problem five years on.

“I’m desperate and really hope a campaigning paper like yours can somehow help to get what’s rightfully mine,” he pleaded.

While reaching out to the authorities we have found other expat pensioners in a similar position and plan to launch a campaign in the new year.

The British consulate explained this week that expats struggling to claim their Spanish pension needed to ‘deal directly’ with the social security office. However, organisation Brexpats in Spain pledged to help as best it could.

Horror

Its founder Anne Fernandez, added: “It sounds like a horror story, we will put this out to our members to see if anyone else can help or has similar problems.”

Spain’s Ministry of Social Security has been contacted for comment on various occasions, with no reply.

Batten down the hatches!

GUSTS rising to 67 km/h, torrential rain of 113 mm/h, thunder and lightning have lashed Gibraltar as the average December rainfall was dumped on the Rock in just 10 days.

And weather forecasters claim 30-50mm of rain could fall from 3am to 6pm today (Wednesday), possibly leading to flooding. They warned that the storm will rage all the way through to Friday.

The freak weather, possibly related to climate change, has been caused by a huge southwesterly storm moving in from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Gibraltar Government gave warnings of winds from 28-32 knots throughout last Friday, with isolated gusts of 40-45 knots around Europa Point.

Thunderstorms

They came with heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The Rock’s meteorological service tweeted: “Squall line approaching – torrential rain with thunder & very squally winds – peak instantaneous rate so far to 82.8 mm/h!”

It later updated that ‘rain intensity peaked at 113mm/h on the MeteoGib Weather Station with gusts to 36 knots or 67 km/h so far’.

In an earlier tweet, Meteo Gib warned drivers to slow down, increase braking distances and avoid unnecessary journeys.

The Ministry of Defence added: “Due to the strong winds and heavy rainfall, please take extra care when crossing the runway.

Snow

“Consider not cycling or using an electric scooter whilst crossing.”

The story has battered large parts of the surrounding region. In Cadiz, a stunning video showed a bolt of lightning strike the tiny village of Benamahoma in the Grazalema National Park.

The only people who were rejoicing on Friday were skiers and snowboarders.

Snow blanketed the Sierra Nevada on Friday, opening up Granada’s famous resort just in time for Christmas.

Monachil’s Civil Protection Service tweeted a video showing the white stuff coming down in huge flakes around its HQ in the mountains.

Painting for all

A COMMUNITY art project to celebrate unity in diversity made by 18 schools in Gibraltar was given to the city mayor Christian Santos at the Town Hall.

Trigger happy

CHIEF Inspector Mahesh Chellaram of the Gibraltar Defence Police has returned from firearms training with the Surrey and Sussex Police Force in the UK.

Dementia mention

CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo and transport minister Paul Balban met with local dementia charity GADS to kick off its bus awareness campaign.

Weed killer

POLICE arrested two men for growing cannabis in a Gibraltar home and a court gave each of them one year suspended sentences.

HE is one of the world’s most feared mafia bosses.

Yet the alleged head of a drug trafficking empire, Christy Kinahan, is facing just four years in prison after a 12-year Spanish police probe.

The Dapper Dan, as he is known, has been ordered to return to Spain to face trial over charges brought against him from the long-running Operation Shovel investigation.

The Irishman, 65, has been charged

with using a false British passport to board a flight to Brazil in 2010, and another of possessing a passport in the identity of an Irishman who died in 2002.

Plans to charge him, along with sons Daniel, 45 and Christopher Jr, 42, with the more serious crimes of money laundering and membership

of a criminal gang were dropped after authorities were unable to put together a watertight case.

Out of the 31 original suspects in the probe, which was initiated in 2010, only five are facing any charges at all - and all for lesser offences.

The long investigation came after the assassination of Patrick Doyle, 27, who was shot dead in Estepona in 2008.

Weak Justice Reverse charges

While the costas are the usual route for receiving drugs from South America… now they’re going the other way

By Anthony Piovesan

In a shock reverse, cops believe smugglers are using the route to open up lucrative new markets in countries where ecstasy is less common and prices are very high.

Police insist the seizure is the first known case of drugs being transported from Europe to Argentina. Five people were arrested while 56 kg of MDMA was

THREE teenagers who attacked a young girl in Gibraltar will no longer be able to go out at night for the next three months.

The court ordered the two boys, both aged 13 and a 14-year-old girl to be kept under a 6pm to 7am curfew until February 28 as part of a Rehabilitation Order.

It followed the attack on the young girl on October 21 at Wellington Front at around 11pm.

seized following the threemonth operation.

Policia Nacional officers first learned in October that a criminal gang on the Costa del Sol was planning to ship the huge quantity to South America.

Cops in Argentina then

Teen terrors

All three pleaded guilty to affray at their first appearance in court. This is not the first time the area, often frequented by teens, has come under the spotlight.

In May 2020, detectives arrested four juveniles and a 19-year-old man over eight burglaries of shops and club houses at Wellington Front.

informed them a Rio resident had gone to Spain, via Brazil, to take charge of the boat. “They never left the boat unoccupied and loaded the vessel with tools

and material at ungodly hours,” explained a spokesman.

“They also organised some of their most suspicious movements to coincide with Spain’s World Cup matches in Qatar.”

Police followed the boat as it set off from Cadiz, only to have to put into port at Tarifa after the vessel broke down.

Hidden

When the repairs had been completed, they left port again, planning to resupply in the Canary Islands.

It was leaving Tarifa that customs went on board, finding the drugs in a secret compartment.

Slurred speaker

A GIBRALTAR man who drove down a local road over the alcohol limit last weekend lost his licence in court.

Magistrates banned David Pillinger, 37, of Laguna Estate from driving for 18 months and slapped him with a £500 fine after he was found to be double the drink-drive limit.

Police arrested him during their Christmas Drink Drive campaign, which sees officers make more checks on Gibraltar streets.

Scooter hooter

ELECTRIC scooter riders have been warned to follow the rules of the road, with three being fined £300 each in a single night as police crack down on ‘reckless’ riding.

The Gibraltar Government has published a new law to keep electric scooters in check.

Minister for Transport Paul Balban said: “There is a need to regulate how these devices are used on the road to ensure the safety of all road users.”

A RGP spokesman said: “E-Scooter riders must obey traffic signs, lights and are not allowed on the pavements.”

THE Three Kings are bringing music lovers a real treat this year.

A string of top-name acts is lined up for appearances in Spain, with fans of Blur being given an early Christmas present as they have finally been named as headliners at the massive Primavera Sound festival.

Meanwhile, the Mad Cool festival promises to heat up with Red Hot Chilli Peppers topping the bill in Madrid in July.

No doubt tick ets to two of the hottest music festivals in Spain will be slipped into Santa’s sack or brought by the Three Kings now the news is

Lighting the way

THE Christmas lights in Malaga are not only receiving national applause, but are starting to attract praise from around the world.

The Andalucian port city is being named on all sorts of lists which acknowledge the ‘best Christ mas lights’ for 2022.

The latest was its rank as 17th in Europe on a list compiled by trav el website, European Best Desti nations.

ALL I WANT FOR XMAS

By Dilip Kuner

out.

While Blur joins a strong lineup at the Madrid and Barcelona Primavera Sounds concerts, which includes Depeche Mode, Kendrick Lamar and Rosalía as headliners, the biggest present is the appearance of the Pet Shop Boys.

They will headline the ‘opening pre-festival concert’ night with a free gig at Barcelona's Parc del Forum. They will then

head over to Madrid to repeat the free concert at the Civitas Metropolitano stadium, home of Atletico Madrid football team on June 7.

Primavera Sound is taking place on consecutive weekends in Barcelona's Parc del

STROLL THROUGH HISTORY

WHEN it comes to Christmas markets in Spain the variety is plentiful, but you can’t look past Spain’s oldest, the Fira de Santa Llucia in Barcelona.

This beloved market stretches out along Avinguda de la Catedral in the gothic quarter of the Catalonian capital.

It first sold paper and clay nativity figurines to churchgoers in 1786 and first mention of the market was by Rafael Amat, a Catalan writer in the 18th century.

Amat made reference to a ‘party in the street’, where nativity scenes, images of saints, shepherds, animals and a ‘multitude of people’ gathered.

Forum from June 1 to 3 and then at Madrid's Ciudad del Rock de Arganda del Rey from June 8 to 10, with the headliners playing both festivals.

A month later Red Hot Chili Peppers will also be in Madrid.

The Californian funk-rock legends are joining a string of British legends from July 6 to 8 including Liam Gallagher, Robbie Williiams, Sam Smith and The Prodigy.

Fans

So British music fans will be hoping Santa brings them some tickets for their favourite acts, while Spanish aficionados hope the Los Reyes do the same for them!

Tasty scene

WHEN it comes to na tivity scenes, some of Spain’s look good enough to eat. In one case it is quite literally so.

The town of Rute in Cordoba is home to what is said to be the world’s largest edible nativity scene. This year a fantastic ren dition of the Holy Land has been created by seven skilled choco latiers over six months, using nearly one-and-a-half tonnes of chocolate.

Up to 20,000 people are ex pected to turn up to see the huge ‘belen’ which is created each year at Galleros Artesa nos cake and sweet factory. There are also life-sized stat ues of the Spanish Royals and the Pope – all crafted from chocolate.

Green grinches

ENVIRONMENTAL activists failed to get into the Christmas Spirit when they vandalised part of a nativity scene for children with red and black paint.

The Futuro Vegetal group struck in Madrid at El Corte Ingles’s famous ‘Cortylandia’ display, claiming that the department store sells brands that are ‘bringing down the planet’.

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Tickets for Blur, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Robbie Williams on sale, while Pet Shops Boys perform for free

OLDEN DAYS: Fair had humble origins

ENVIRONMENTAL authorities in Gibraltar have called for the public to report any pigeon nests over fears they could help spread deadly bird flu.

While they wait for tests on dead birds to be carried out, they have asked people not to feed pigeons or chickens as this could lead to a spread of the disease.

Risk

The Department of the Environment thanked people for reporting dead birds that appeared on local shores last week.

Public Health Gibraltar believes the risk to the local public is low at the moment but they are taking the measures to prevent a real outbreak.

GIBRALTAR striker Lee Casciaro, who still plays against top international opposition at the age of 41, has given the new national stadium his vote of approval.

Famous for his sensational 2016 winner against Glasgow Celtic FC in the Champions League, he has continued to lead the Gibraltar national forward line against the cream of Europe despite overwhelming odds.

Warm welcome

“Obviously the old Victoria stadium has given us a lot of very good memories, but we now have to look forward to a new state of the art football stadium,” Casciaro told the Olive Press Victor Ribas’ side bowed out of the old Victoria Stadium in style by beating both Luxembourg and Andorra.

“The last two games at the old Victoria Stadium were very special,” the veteran striker said.

“Having played for so many years there and looking forward to the new stadium made them memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

And Casciaro believes the Uruguayan’s attention to detail has been one of the main reasons Gibraltar has started to compete and even win international games.

Solar victory?

GREEN campaigners are celebrating after a series of giant solar panel projects were put on ice.

So far three out of five proposed schemes in the Ronda area have been rejected in official environmental reports by the Junta.

The giant projects would have

Guarded jubilation for campaigners as plans for enormous solar panels temporarily halted

By

seen the picturesque Serrania region plastered with panels and criss-crossed with electricity pylons.

The ministry ruled against the ‘uncontrolled installation’ of photovoltaic mega-parks, highlighting the ‘effects on biodiversity’ in the protected region.

In particular, it pointed out the threat to the loss of wildlife habitats that make the projects ‘unfeasible’.

“I’m happy as one would have run through our family farm, a stunning area of virgin, wild Ronda landscape,” said Andrea Sanchez, 31, from a platform set up to oppose the projects last year.

“It would have meant 18 py-

lons, some up to 80 metres high, on our land, which would have destroyed it.”

Other campaigners, such as well known German winemaker Federico Schatz, are more sceptical. “This is no victory yet as we believe the companies could merely resubmit their scheme again in different ways,” he said.

The companies behind the projects, including Cobra and Vaguadas Renovables, are expected to appeal.

Meanwhile, two other projects, one developed by giant oil company Cepsa, are still up in the air, with the Junta yet to rule on them.

The biggest would install 150 kms of giant pylons from Ronda to Algeciras, going from a main plant in the Ronda la Vieja valley, near the protected Roman site of Acinipo.

If passed the cables would

also cross the protected Sierra Bermeja and the Genal Valley to Benahavis.

The Olive Press revealed in 2021 that the schemes would carpet 2,200 hectares – the equivalent of 3,500 football fields.

Similar mega parks are proposed for many other areas around Andalucia as Spain attempts to meet its commitment to provide 39 GW of photovoltaic energy by 2030, up from the 9 GW it already has installed.

Campaigners insist there must be more suitable locations for the projects, such as industrial areas, flatter farmland or despoiled land.

But finding alternative locations for these renewable mega plants is ‘not our problem’ insists Sanchez, who runs a PR company in Madrid.

“These are private projects

Vape safe

AN anonymous survey of children in Gibraltar secondary schools will try to find out how many of them vape and how often.

Public Health Gibraltar will send the survey on electronic cigarettes to parents via email or as letters while schoolchildren can access it with a QR code.

Parents will be able to see the questions before the survey starts on December 8. The closing date for answers is December 22.

merely out to make money,” he said.

“They have nothing to offer our local communities; zero jobs and they don’t lower our electricity bills.

“Worse than that they harm the primary economy, which is dependent on tourism.”

GIBRALTAR is offering a unique festive gift this year – a Christmas Coin Collection that has proven a hit with collectors and the public alike.

Sir Joe Bossano, minister with responsibility for the Gibraltar National Mint, launched the 34th collection at the Gibraltar Savings Bank on Tuesday.

The 2022 edition features a 50p and a £2 coin each with their own cards.

HEALTH chiefs in Gibraltar announced it is now starting to offer a 99% effective HIV medication to those most at risk.

The Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) promoted awareness, prevention and increased testing of the often stigmatised condition for the annual World Aids Day.

Readily available medication allows HIV positive people to live longer without ever developing AIDS.

The GHA’s new medicine now on offer is a preventative and is taken before

Minister of Justice Samantha Sacramento kicked off the campaign on November 25, the international day for the elimination of violence against women and girls, with a conference on domestic abuse.

“Domestic abuse is a violation of human rights,” Sacramento said. “It is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating problems in our world today and remains largely unreported due to the stigma and shame surrounding it.

“It is a worldwide issue to which Gibraltar is not immune.”

“This global campaign is extremely important to push out the message that no form of domestic abuse is acceptable in our society.”

Bird flu fears Coining it Abusers targeted Corruption killer

THE Gibraltar government wants to create a new independent anti-corruption authority that will be able to probe fraud, bribery or misconduct in public office.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said he wanted to ‘deliver more transparency and more accountability than ever before’ by publishing the new Bill.

He vowed to press ahead with the body despite what he called the GSD Opposition’s ‘unconstructive’ attempt to block the bill.

Picardo said this latest measure was part of his government’s ‘deep reform of standards in public life’

AIDS lifeline

sex if there is a higher risk of catching the virus.

Its Well Person Clinic will prescribe the medication to those who are more likely to catch HIV after a full clinical assessment.

Even though wearing a condom is the best way to stop all sexually transmitted diseases, studies show PrEP medication can reduce HIV transmission by sex to 99%.

GIBRALTAR’S Ministry of Justice took part in the United Nations’ 16 Days of Action on domestic abuse campaign that ended on Human Rights Day on December 10.

UNITED: Under the banner of protest group Aliente

Walter Finch

Stamping out abuse

RECENT moves to protect domestic abuse victims and prosecute abusers in Gibraltar must be applauded and supported by the community.

Minister for Justice Samantha Sacramento has taken huge steps to stamp out the culture of domestic abuse that has always been more of a taboo than a crime. For too long, women have had to suffer in silence because of the shame of speaking out.

Physical, sexual and psychological abuse victims are often told to shut up to protect the family name. The traditional patriarchal family model deems an individual’s name and reputation to be more important than the human rights and mental health of the victims. That goes against every universal principle of human rights and the dignity of the individual. Sacramento’s proposed laws are a step in the right direction.

They set a clear path to protect victims of domestic abuse, by creating distancing orders which police officers can set up on the spot.

The new rules create a legal framework for prosecution and an extension of these temporary orders, giving the police more powers to enforce them.

Punishments are more severe and have now been equated with crimes outside the home, as if in any way the familiarity should somehow take away their severity. They have also been extended to non-marital couples, a situation many young people especially find themselves in today.

The victims are not all women, though, as Chief Minister Fabian Picardo pointed out in his Human Rights Day message.

This means that psychological abuse can go uninterrupted for years, because men especially are afraid to speak out and harm their fragile male egos. What the law does not speak about is non-violent communication to avoid conflict.

If all couples talked together more outside the specific gender stereotypes, set boundaries, handled expectations and created a mental health-centred communication, Gibraltar could be a much more peaceful and happy place.

AFAMILY tragedy led to the foundation of the Cudeca hospice on the Costa del Sol.

Joan Hunt OBE (pictured above) and her husband Fred had retired to the region when he was struck with cancer. No longer able to look after Fred, Joan was helped by the Red Cross Hospital, in Malaga, but was devastated she could not look after him at home.

So with the flower money from his funeral, Joan bought curtains and bedspreads to donate to the Hospice Movement and started fundraising to start a charity of her own.

In 1992 Cudeca, an acronym for Cuidados del Cancer or in English ‘Cancer Care’, was officially registered and Joan’s dream to help other terminally ill

Strong foundations

patients began.

By 1995 they had raised enough money to start building on a plot donated by Benalmadena Town Hall and since opening in 2000, they are the only hospice in the region providing palliative care for the terminally ill, either at home or in their inpatients centre.

Joan passed away last year aged 92, and true to form had asked for donations rather than flowers for her funeral. Now the foundation she started is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special fundraising opera night.

Artists from the Malaga opera scene will hold a concert themed on opera in film, featuring tunes from film soundtracks. It is being held on December 27 at the Unicaja Concert Hall Maria Cristina (Sala Unicaja de Conciertos Maria Cristina) in Malaga. More information: www.cudeca.org

CHRISTMAS is a special day for most people, but for the Paul Cunningham Nurses Charity it’s just like any other day.

While most people will be tucking into their Christmas turkey and relaxing with family and friends, the team of nurses who look after terminally ill patients will be in other people’s homes. They will continue to fulfill their caring duties on December 25, as they’ve been doing every Christmas - and every other day - for the past 14 years.

It needs a special kind of person to work for and volunteer in palliative care as it can take an emotional toll - especially at this time of year.

The charity’s secretary Chris Rodley (below) recalls one patient who had been renting one of the charity’s specially adapted hospital beds for almost a year, and so at Christmas that year he went around to tell the ill woman’s husband they could keep it. But that day he found out she had died.

“Why do I do it? I often ask myself that question, dealing with the public and well meaning volunteers can be a strain, then I meet

AS Christmas approaches two expats who had been looking forward to a comfortable retirement find themselves locked in a war with Spain’s social security office after their pension applications were denied.

The Olive Press has promised to try and help, with the likelihood there are many more expats around Spain in a similar position.

In one case, Jerry Wayne applied to get his pension on his 65th birthday, but was instead told he owed the system nearly €7,000.

Now FIVE years later he still has nothing and faces a bleak New Year with the last of his savings about to run out.

And in a second case, Londoner Chris Scott has been waiting for two years for the Spanish pension he is entitled to after working in the country for 12 years.

Wayne meanwhile, worked here for 35 years as a restaurateur and hotel manager, and paid over the years, by his calculation, up to half a million euros in tax.

Yet, when he retired in 2017 he was told by his local social security office in Marbella that he owed the system €7,000, accrued over recent years of autonomo (self employed) payments not being met.

He then asked if the debt could be offset

against the money he was due to get as a pension, but was told that unless he paid the money owed he would receive nothing. The advice from Social Security was also simple (actually scandalous): he would be better off keeping the €7,000 and applying for a pension no contributiva, basically a low pension that would ‘just about keep me alive’.

Having failed to get a pension he took the advice launching the process in 2018 at his local town hall, which then sent it to the Junta.

It would be the start of one of the most labyrinthine, depressing battles that shows no sign of ending after nearly five years.

In short, a string of phone calls and emails went unanswered, until, after well over a year, Wayne went in person to Marbella town hall, and was told inexplicably he would need to re-send the form.

Another year passed until he received an electronic message telling him that his latest application had also been denied.

“Social security is a law unto itself, no lawyer, will take on the system as they will lose,” Wayne told the Olive Press

The now 70-year-old said he has ‘enough to

get by’ until next February, but after that his situation remained ‘dire and unclear’. In another case, Chris Scott ran two real estate businesses from Granada for 12 years, insisting he paid all his nomina (National Insurance) and autonomo contributions throughout.

When the 71-year-old retired in 2019 he started to receive his UK pension, as he should. But in Spain, perhaps surprisingly, things weren’t so smooth.

“As I understand it, the agreement with EU countries before Brexit, was that any UK pension accruals would be added to any Spanish contributions to create a mean average pension with the additional payment coming from the INSS in Spain,” Scott explained.

“I have now been trying to receive my Spanish entitlement for over two years. However the two companies (gestorias) I have employed have failed to make headway.” So depressed at the lack of speed - or urgency - to hand out what is rightfully his, he

With the festive season on us, the Olive Press launches a general appeal for three charities close to home desperately in need of funds to continue their vital work through 2023

By Anthony Piovesan

Christmasangels

or talk to the family of a patient we see or hear how we have helped them and it all seems worthwhile,” he says.

“And I am retired so what else would I do?”

Rodley said he raised money for charities in the UK, before he moved to Spain and was always looking for a reason to give back to the community.

“My parents were very charity-minded, so it seems to be in the blood as it is with all the people who work in charities.

“I think we are a breed of people who want to help others.”

The charity, based on the Costa Blanca, was the vision of Jennifer Cunningham who on her return to Spain after losing her son Paul to spinal cancer at age 33 was shocked to learn that there was no hospice care nursing available in her party of Spain.

“When patients get to the terminal illness stage hospitals discharge them and if they’re Spanish they’ll have their family to look after them, but if they’re a foreigner they are left completely alone,” Rodley says.

“We have nurses who go around and do weekly checks on patients at their homes

and get them whatever they need, wherever they need it, we are there for them.”

The charity helps the patient right from when they are discharged from hospital, providing transport to their home.

From there, the charity then offers support, information and medical expertise, with nurses available to care for terminal prognosis patients in their own home.

Expat Jennifer, from London, who came up with the idea, spent the final six months with her dying son Paul in a Sue Ryder hospice in Bedfordshire.

She returned to Spain and realising there was no similar service on the Costa Blanca, she decided to launch the charity in 2008, in her son’s memory.

“The hospice had taken such exceptional care of my son but on my return I looked around to see what would happen if someone was in the same circumstance here in Spain and discovered that there really wasn’t anything similar,” she explains.

“People were sent home to die to be cared for by their family, but what if that wasn’t possible?

“I decided I needed to change that and now 14 years later, I know we’ve made a difference.”

About 95% of the charity’s funds come from donations.

HELP IS AT HAND

has now taken over the battle himself. He said the authorities had told him they are awaiting documents regarding his case from the UK Department for Work and Pension, which confirmed his UK pension.

“Do I smell the whiff of anti-British feeling here or am I being paranoid,” Scott said.

“Throughout our life in Spain we have always made sure that we adhered to the rules and regulations over taxes, social security payments and residency - we have always been totally legal here.

“It feels like, even if one does adhere to the system, it doesn’t necessarily count in one’s favour.”

The social security office has been contacted for comment.

Please contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es if you are in a similar situation

*Names have been changed as the victims do not want to prejudice their ongoing claims with Social Security.

AGE in Spain was the first national charity in Spain dedicated to the welfare of English-speaking pensioners.

It aims to empower older people to lead fuller lives in their adopted country, providing support and access to services to meet people’s changing needs and circumstances.

The charity helps people to help themselves, integrate into local society and to access available support if needed.

It relies on a network of volunteers throughout the mainland, the Canary Islands, and the Balearic Islands, and has been providing support and services to older people since the 1980s.

Age in Spain also helps UK armed forces veterans and their families in Spain on behalf of the Soldiers Charity, Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

As the charity explains: “Some people need extra help - people who face barriers to self help through health or other incapacity issues, lack of experience with using the internet or not actually having access to a mobile phone or computer to manage their affairs, caring responsibilities, financial or language problems.

“Whilst these issues might affect some older people, they are not age specific, so our support service is for everyone. Getting things right when you are younger helps to ensure that later life is as well planned as possible.”

Although the charity does get some grant help, it relies largely on donations. To donate or for more information visit www.ageinspain.org or phone +34 932 20 97 41

WHERE the Olive Press leads, others follow.

While our stories are often picked up by the media in the UK our influence is not just restricted to the British media – Spanish big hitters are picking up on our exclusives too.

Take our front page splash on Spain’s Coca Queen , which we got after interviewing the National Police’ crack GRECO outfit in Marbella.

A week later it was followed up by Spain’s leading daily, El Pais, quickly followed by other Spanish papers and then, finally, the UK’s Telegraph. A true global scoop. This came hot on the heels of various exclusives on missing Levi Davis in Barcelona picked up by Catalunya’s major media site El Caso, as well as the UK tabloids.

Then there was another story of ours on former Manchester United star Lee Sharpe closing his bar in Javea. That made headlines in The Mirror, the Mail and the Sun And let’s not forget the tip off we got from our German police sources to announce another global exclusive that sex offender Christian Brueckner would be charged with five more sex crimes in October. The whole world again followed that.

Increasingly, rather than follow the Olive Press, the UK media come straight to us to try and get a head start on the opposition.

At the moment we are working on a trio of investigations for the UK media, and have often worked with Sky, the BBC and even Amazon

The big media groups appreciate our good old-fashioned feet on the ground journalism that the Olive Press is proud to specialise in.

And it’s why our subscribers to theolivepress.es are growing by the hundreds every month. They appreciate the Olive Press as their first port of call for news about Spain.

But if they’re a foreigner they are left completely alone

DONORS: Can give generously at various shops, while (top) Paul Cunningham

To support Paul Cunningham Nurses Charity providing end of life care for patients in need, you can donate at paulcunninghamnurses.com/helping-us/.

Comic nights

SOME of the UK’s top alternative stand-up comedians are heading to the Costa del Sol for a series of festive shows in the lead up to Christmas.

Organised by Stand-Up Comedy Spain, the shows will feature zany British comedian Dave Thompson, the actor who was fired from playing Tinky Winky in the Teletubbies series because his ‘interpretation of the role was not acceptable’.

Dave will be joined by Nik Coppin, Daisy Earl, and special guest, Kirthy Iyer.

The shows will be held at the Green House Restaurant (Casares) on Friday, December 16 and then at the Ivy Sports Bar and American Grill (Gibraltar) on Saturday, December 17 at 8pm.

Tickets for the shows cost €18 and are available from www. evenbrite.co.uk or from the Stand-Up Comedy Spain Facebook page.

Love at first light

IT is a special feeling to walk down Calle Marques de Larios in central Malaga and see golden heavenly angels above your head and groups of excited people dancing in the street.

It immediately evokes that pure childlike joy every kid experienced when they bounced out of bed on Christmas mornings and headed straight for the tree. The excitement of Christmas dulls down a bit when you grow up and take on more and more adult responsibilities, but you forget them all when you’re out on the streets of Malaga in December.

The main walk down Calle Marques de Larios is the obvious thing to do first.

Summer in Malaga is special, but nothing beats wandering the streets awash with 1.3 million dazzling lights at Christmas

By

Here, there are three light shows each night at 6.30pm, 8pm and 10pm.

Moments before the first lights get switched on, huge crowds of people draped in their winter coats and scarves unanimously fall silent as the clock ticks closer to 6.30pm. Then the moment arrives, phones are the first to be whipped out to record the special moment.

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CHECK-OUT OUR POLICIES

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The music, carefully selected to fall in sync with the dancing lights, makes the whole experience even more spectacular.

Last year, Malaga went with a ‘festive forest’ theme, decorating the streets with suns, angels and autumn leaves. That’s been swapped for huge celestial angels that adorn the entire Calle Larios.

The new gold and white angels are four-metres high, and are placed on towering columns down the whole length of the street.

In addition, there are 1.3 million lights in more than 500 streets in the city.

Another highlight are the lights in the Jardin Botanico de La Concepcion.

Trees and plants are illuminated by all sorts of different colours, with angels, Santas and reindeers spread out among the gardens.

There are more light shows at the Palmeral de las Sorpresas, the Plaza de la Marina, Muelle Uno and Gibralfaro, as well as a clever video mapping show on the cathedral tower.

’, which features all of his biggest hits and also unveils some new tracks.

Bad boy of British pop Working it out

THE Picasso Museum in Malaga is organising this year’s annual Christmas workshop for children.

It will focus on light and sensory experimentation and has been aptly christened ‘¡Iluminados!’ (Enlightened!).

The art sessions, designed for children aged between four and 12, will be held on the mornings of Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 of December from 9am to 2pm.

Relive those stress-free days with the all-in English services of Linea Directa

BRITISH pop legend Robbie Williams will perform at Marenostrum Fuengirola on June 15, 2023 in what will be his only concert in Andalucia. The spectacular live show will see the presentation of Williams’ new album ‘XXV

Anthony Piovesan

ZANY!: Dave Thompson

STUNNING: Malaga’s lights

Sierra Nevada

WINTER WONDERLAND

IT was two decades ago that I looked out from a hillside near Ronda and spotted the distant snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada over 150 kilometres away. Like a giant white magnet I was immediately pulled in, seduced by the thrills of winter sports, right here on our doorstep.

None of the hassle of flying to Geneva and a four-hour coach trip, or braving the big freeze in Glencoe, in Scotland, most of us on the costas are under a three-hour drive to the winter wonderland of the Sierra Nevada. While entirely possible to do in a day trip from the Costa del Sol, take it from me you are missing out half of the fun if you don’t stay at least one night.

This is rightly dubbed ‘southern Europe’s top skiing resort’ and naturally - it being Spain - with it comes the usual dollop of fun and excellent culinary fare, not to mention usually clement weather.

Something of a rite of passage since a school trip to the Alps as a teenager, my itchy feet to strap on skis get more and more apparent as the month of December

inches closer to Christmas.

By mid-December the first heavy snows of the year have normally fallen and the slopes are usually warm during the day and with a fair few regulars actually skiing in t-shirts.

Yes, while most winter sports fanatics will be shivering in the Alps at Christmas or struggling to see through fog in the Pyrenees, visitors to the Sierra Nevada will be sinking canas in the sunshine… and best of all at little over €2 a throw (or well under half the price of the Alps).

“This is the nicest place in the world to ski,” explains Luis Casanove, of Telemark ski school, who has been wintering here for 35 years. “We offer the best weather and the prices have hardly gone up in years.”

And if you’re looking for something else to do en route, the magical architecture of Spain’s most visited monu Continues on next page

The Sierra Nevada is the true icing on the cake of living in southern Spain, writes Jon Clarke

EXCITEMENT AND SURPRISES: View approaching the Sierra Nevada slopes from Malaga, while a dog goes for a slide with his owner

Photos by Jon Clarke

Sierra Nevada

WITH snow like fine powder, the Sierra Nevada is a Mecca for thrill-seeking snowboarders.

For beginners and experts alike, Spain’s highest resort is a glorious setting and gets more and more popular by the year.

Stunning scenery is matched by the top-class facilities, which saw the resort host the Snowboard World Championships in 2017.

Novices should head to the central station Borreguiles, where lifts deposit snowboarders on a smooth and groomed area where they can hone their skills.

Once ready, or for those of a higher standard, they then need to head up to the SuperPark Sulayr, Europe’s largest freestyle snowboard park.

Now relocated to an altitude of 2,700 metres on Borreguiles, Spain’s most famous snowboarding park also houses the country’s biggest half-pipe.

Measuring an astonishing 165 metres in length with a height of six metres, the special design flattens the snow on the side of the halfpipe so boarders can jump on both sides.

Winter wonderland

ment, the Alhambra, is just 30 minutes away, while the fascinating region of the Alpujarras is the other side of the mountain.

The well worn claim of being able to ‘ski in the morning, sunbathe in the afternoon’ is perfectly possible… but that’s not for me. I like getting up there for a few nights, enjoying the mountain scenery, food and fresh air, plus of course a bit of mountain sport.

One of the real joys though is seeing the snowy peaks first appear on the skyline and then loom in front as you drive from around Spain (or fly to Malaga, Granada or Gibraltar).

The snow-capped peaks of Veleta and Mulhacen (mainland Spain’s highest mountain) can be seen for miles around and winding up the steep, scenic road to the top is as exhilarating as any drive in Spain, particularly on the sharp curves with steep drops.

Run by an offshoot of the Junta de Andalucia, Cetursa has upped its game considerably in recent years, getting increasingly automated in both parking and buying the ski passes (forfeits).

It’s easy to park right under the two main ski-lifts to the top and it costs around 20 euros a day.

Most places to rent skis and boots, or snowboards, can be found within 200m of the car park.

Slopes-wide, new pistes are added most years, while the latest version of snow cannons have been installed guaranteeing snow until, normally, early May.

The season often kicks off in late November, but is normally getting properly going by the ‘puente’ weekend of

Constitution Day and the Immaculate Conception on December 8.

While this year the snow has arrived late, frequently 40,000 skiers can rock up around this time, so better to come a week later.

There will be up to 110 kms of pistes open at the peak, including the amazing Laguna valley, for expert skiers, where the Netflix series about the infamous 1972 plane crash in the Andes was filmed earlier this year (see Page 6)

For snowboarders or jump-lovers make your way to Superpark Sulayr, in the Loma de Dilar area, Europe’s largest freestyle park, with its giant 165 metre ‘half pipe’.

And then there is the famous ‘Rio’ run that leads right down to the resort of Pradollano, which sits at 2,100 metres.

Cyprus

The geography of the area is simply staggering given it is on the same latitude as Cyprus and just 30 miles from the beaches of the Costa del Sol.

Getting so much snow here is all to do with its altitude, which goes up to a staggering 3,482 metres (11,423 feet) above sea level.

Its highest peak, Mulhacen, is named after Moorish king Muley Hacen (Abdul Hassan Ali), who is said to have been buried

CARVE UP: Superpark Sulayr

at the top.

The views from the highest ski lift, at 3,300 metres, are among the best in Europe, with the views across the Mediterranean to the Rif mountains of Morocco making the ocean look like a small pond. From here, decent skiers access the amazing runs of the Laguna de las Yeguas valley, including the celebrated Olympic run with its many twists and turns.

The sheer nature and landscape here is stunning and you will sometimes find yourself skiing alone here midweek if you time your trip well.

It definitely pays to pick your days with Easter and Christmas frequently saturated with queues for the lifts, although Christmas Day can often be relatively quiet, while on the day of the Reyes (January 6), almost all of the Spanish will be at home opening presents.

Don’t forget to try and avoid Semana Blanca (literally ‘white week’) – or half term at the end of February – when school children learn to ski, and, of course, bank holidays can also be very busy. The main tip is to go up early at 8am to 9am before the Spanish get going or waiting till midday.

Apres-ski

While a modern resort, the main base at Pradollano is a nice spot to take in the air or a spot of lunch, and there are things for the kids to do, with entertainers and Disney figures wandering around, particularly around Christmas.

The Sierra Nevada has also got a reputation as being a resort for fun, with the apres ski being some of the best in Europe, once you know where to find it (tip: it’s mostly uphill).

The skiing resort started to develop rapidly from 1995 when the World Skiing Championship was scheduled to be held there (due to poor snow it actually took place the following year).

“Since then the infrastructure changes were huge and it is now a big resort,” explains resort marketing boss Santiago Sevilla, who has worked there for nearly two decades.

The ticket office in Plaza Andalucia is fully digital and now has dozens of machines installed for credit cars and phone payments so you shouldn’t have to queue for long.

A day’s skiing costs €33 to €57 at peak time, but normally about €45, while those in their 70s get free passes.

IN THE FAMILY

IT is a classic family business.

Jose Antonio Lopez and his wife Montse are now joined by their two children, particularly when the resort gets busy.

But thankfully it’s not too far, the family living in nearby La Zubia, just at the foot of the slopes. In an excellent location, their shop Skisol has some of the best quality skis and snowboards to rent and customer service is the key to its success.

“We always put the customer first and have plenty of returning business,” explains Jose Antonio, who has been renting out skis in the Sierra Nevada for four decades. Best of all, the prices have not gone up for a decade.

“And we don’t just rent out any old equipment…

we buy at least 50 new

each season,” he adds. Visit www.skisol.es or call 958 48 08 57

EXPERIENCED: Montse with son and pal

pairs of boots alone

Photos by Telemark

SNOW TREKKING: Across the sierra, while (above) chilling in the resort

Flying visit

GIBRALTAR tried to develop its relationship with top flight partner Easyjet in a meeting held with its UK boss during the CAPA aviation summit.

The summit was held on December 1-2 at the Sunborn floating hotel in Ocean Village with top speakers attending from the industry.

CEOs of three airlines, the European Regions Airline Association director general and a BBC journalist spoke at the two-day event.

Minister for Tourism Vijay Daryanani opened the conference and used the opportunity to meet different airline chiefs.

He met Ali Gayward, Easyjet UK Country Manager, in a private setting on Friday.

Easyjet is the biggest flier to the Rock from destinations as far afield as Gatwick, Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Cash delivery

BARCELONA is to become the first Spanish city to implement a so-called ‘Amazon tax’, which will target online sellers as well as postal services whose revenues exceed €1 million a year.

The aim of the levy is to tax these companies for the use of public space by delivery vehicles, as well as to level the playing field for small businesses.

“We want local traders to have equal fiscal condi -

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 1 Sierra, 5 Hasten, 8 Flagship, 9 Move, 10 Solo, 12 Idaho, 13 Learn, 14 Peal, 16 Dose, 17 Hosni, 18 Edits, 20 Volt, 22 Seen, 23 Legality, 25 Stares, 26 Exempt

Down: 2 Igloo, 3 Rag doll, 4 Aah, 5 Happiness, 6 Samoa, 7 Envious, 11 Bath salts, 15 Element, 16 Divulge, 19 Inner, 21 Let up, 24 Gee

By Simon Hunter

tions compared to the major e-commerce platforms, which have a very high market share,” said Jaume Collboni, economy chief at Barcelona City council.

The plan is likely to be approved at the end of Febru -

ary, and is expected to help empty the city of delivery vans. For example, the tax will not be applied when deliveries are left at collection points rather than being taken to the consumer’s door.

‘This planet cannot allow for a 300 gramme package to be transported to your home in a vehicle that weighs more than a tonne,’ said city councillor Jordi Marti about the plan.

Tax

By focusing on large e-commerce firms and postal services with a high revenue level, the tax will not be applied to self-employed workers who make deliveries, nor small firms.

The idea of the tax was initially recommended by the central government’s finance minister, Maria Jesus Montero.

FINDING ITS FEET

GBP/EUR exchange rate briefly strikes three-month high on fleeting UK economic optimism

WHILE it has continued to fluctuate, trade in the pound euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate over the past couple of weeks has been more subdued than in recent months, in part likely due to fewer high-impact data releases. During this time, we have seen GBP/EUR trade in a range between €1.16 and €1.15.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

After ending November on a sour note in response to lacklustre retail and mortgage figures, the pound was able to find its feet again at the start of December.

The GBP/EUR exchange rate was carried to a three-month high on the back of UK economic optimism, after a stronger-than-expected manufacturing PMI helped to buoy hopes for a milder UK recession than previously feared.

This uptick in GBP/EUR was assisted by weakness in the euro after the Eurozone’s consumer price index reported inflation in the bloc cooled more than expected in November. The following week saw the GBP/EUR exchange rate quickly retreat from its best levels as some hawkish comments from a few European Central Bank (ECB) officials revived demand for the euro.

This uptrend in the single currency was reinforced by some upbeat German industrial data, while the pound was undermined by a cautious market mood.

The euro’s momentum quickly faded again however, following comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he suggested the war in Ukraine could be a ‘long-term process’. Meanwhile, Sterling found its feet again amid an improving market mood and optimism over a UK-US gas deal to help shore up Britain’s energy supply.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR?

Looking ahead, the spotlight will be on both the Bank of England (BoE) and ECB as they deliv-

er their final interest rate decisions of 2022.

The BoE is expected to opt for a 50bps rate hike this month, after a bumper 75bps increase in November.

But with the move largely priced in, the focus is likely to be on the bank’s outlook for 2023. If the BoE hints it may further moderate the pace of future interest rate hikes, the pound could stumble.

It’s a similar story for the ECB, with a 50bps hike widely expected the focus turns to the bank’s forward guidance. Will a cautious outlook result in the euro giving ground?

Also of note to GBP investors will be the publication of the UK’s latest jobs report and consumer price index. The CPI release in particular could infuse volatility in the pound. While another uptick in UK inflation will place pressure on the BoE to maintain its rate hikes, it will also raise cost-of-living concerns.

Meanwhile the Eurozone’s latest PMI releases could undermine the euro if December’s preliminary releases report another contraction in private sector activity.

PROTECTING AGAINST VOLATILITY

Currency market volatility can cause some nasty surprises if you need to transfer money overseas. On a £200,000 transfer, that three-cent gap between €1.16 and €1.15 translates to a €2,000 difference. And the larger the sum, the higher the discrepancy. Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect against volatility. Specialist currency brokers, such as Currencies Direct, offer different tools to help you navigate the ups and downs of the currency market.

For instance, you can use a forward contract to secure an exchange rate for up to a year. This way, you won’t lose out if the market moves against you.

Services like rate alerts and daily updates make it easy to keep track of what’s going on in the forex world so that you can make informed decisions. And with Currencies Direct you’ll have a dedicated account manager there to provide guidance and support whenever you need them.

At Currencies Direct we’re here to talk currency whenever you need us, so get in touch if you want to know more about the latest news or how it could impact your currency transfers.

Since 1996 we’ve helped more than 325,000 customers with their currency transfers, just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more.

Wage wars

MEN on average earn 21% more than women in Spain, according to new figures.

Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) conducted a survey where it also found that the number of female employees with the lowest salaries was double that of men.

Men earned an average of €2,276 per month in 2021, while women earned €1,883 per month, or €393 less. The wage gap widened even further when it came to salaries in the highest-paid jobs.

The data showed one in three men received a high salary compared with one in four women.

Lower salaries were considered to be less than €1,37640.5% of women surveyed received below this amount compared to just 20.2% of men.

+34 952 906 581

BENALMADENA

Avenida Antonio Machado, Edificio Diana I Local 13, Benalmádena Costa, Málaga, 29630 benalmadena@currenciesdirect.com +34 952 90 65 81

NERJA

Calle Antonio Ferrandis Chanquete 1, Local 1A, Nerja, Málaga, 29780 nerja@currenciesdirect.com +34 952 906 581

Barcelona to levy ‘Amazon tax’ in bid to empty streets of delivery vans

XMAS ON THE ROCK

ENJOY A COOL ROCK CHRISTMAS!

IT might not be snowing in Gibraltar this Christmas but it is going to be one of the coolest festive seasons in recent years.

The list of events leading up to December 25 reads like an Advent calendar with a treat nearly every single day.

Whether you live in Gibraltar, want to visit for a day or you’re on holiday in the area, the Rock will keep your winter blues at bay with a myriad of events for people of all ages.

Two unique shows will take place on December 15-16 to begin the countdown to Christmas Day.

An opera tenor the New York Times called ‘a total star’ will be singing his heart out at The Holy Trinity Cathedral from 8pm.

He is none other than the UK’s Jonathan Tetelman, who has performed at such illustrious locations like Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle and Winchester Cathedral.

Along with Philip Scriven on the organ, Tetelman will ring out some Christmas classics and popular arias at Gibraltar’s historic Church of England cathedral.

Fancy

more popular singing on the night instead? The Rock has that covered too!

Children from Gibraltar’s Academy of Music and the Performing Arts will belt out some cracking carols in their very own Christmas variety show at Ince’s Hall.

Gibraltar’s own singing mayor will hold a second event the next day to bring you into the weekend.

Then, why not meet up with Santa at Gibraltar’s famous floating hotel.

Yes, you heard right!

Santa Claus will be at the Sunborn Hotel for tea on December 17 from 2.30pm to 5pm and for the Sunday Roast on December 18.

Santa will also be at Cafe Fresco in Ocean Village that day.

The marina favourite will offer a unique opportunity for your children to get a photo with Santa along with a special Christmas kids meal.

Live music all day will lead up to the World Cup Final at 4pm, keeping those patient dads entertained too!

Santa will be kept busy during the leadup to Christmas with three appearances on December 20-22 at the unique Top of the Rock Mons Calpe Suite.

Enjoy a stylist afternoon tea and even top it off with champagne as you zip up and down the Rock of Gibraltar in the complementary cable car.

The action starts hotting up for young people in the final stretch to Christmas Day.

Local DJs will spin the disks for under-16s at the Garrison Gym in Europa Road on December 21.

Complete with light shows and a selection of music, students will be able to enjoy the night with their friends as their parents hang out upstairs until the end of the event at midnight.

Rock on the Rock will feature an electronic music party the following day at its unique venue.

More into rock music? Jetstream will play on December 23 at local venue Boyds for all their fans.

On Christmas Day itself, why not spend the occasion in the stylish environment of the Sunborn Hotel enjoying a traditional three-course lunch?

Santa will be on hand for the kids while live music will wash away your cares.

Finally, burn away the calories dancing at the biggest electronic music event of the winter.

The Que Pasa Christmas Party, headlined by Luuk van Dijk and Manda Moor will liven the dancefloor from 6pm to 6am at the Tercentenary Sports Hall of the Bayside Sports Complex.

So what are you waiting for? Get down to Gibraltar this Christmas and have an unforgettable festive season!

Festive flavours at PizzaExpress

OH come, all ye hungry! This season, Pizza Express is setting the table for a festive feast with extra flavour.

Indulgence is on the menu, from truffle loaded Dough Balls to dazzling Christmas desserts. Pizza Express is the perfect place for Christmas work-dos or a celebration with family and friends. Whatever your festive mood, they’ve got the food.

2 COURSES for £19.95 or 3 COURSES £24.95! This includes a bottle of Cava for two, or choice of one small glass of house wine, half pint of draft beer or any soft drink per person.

Book for Christmas at PizzaExpress Gibraltar today and check out theirFestive Menu on https://pizzaexpress.gi/ our-food/ or call +350 200 500 50 to book, or via bookings@pizzaexpress.gi

Perfect spots to celebrate Christmas in and out of Gibraltar

A busy (Advent) calendar of events is lined up for Gibraltar

ENJOY A COOL ROCK CHRISTMAS!

Expect the unexpected at The Yard

FOR a change of scenery head over the border to the newly developed ‘Acqua Plaza’ in Alcaidesa.

The Yard is the go-to place for lovers of food and drink and is a great choice for a Christmas day out.

Serving everything from a traditional English breakfast to their fusion style tapas, their food offering has something for everyone. They also have an extensive drinks menu, serving speciality cocktails, Brewdog IPA and over 150 different gins.

For those looking for something a little more social, they also host a range of events with a weekly Spanish lesson for those wanting to brush up on their conversational Spanish, bi-weekly quiz nights as well as live screenings of the biggest sporting events with an immersive surround sound system.

And for New Year Eve they are offering free canapes and a live DJ until the early hours. The party is bound to be popular, so contact them to reserve a free ticket.

Check out their website to learn more: www.theyard.es or check out their social channels @theyardalcaidesa

The action starts hotting up in the final stretch to Christmas Day

FINAL WORDS

Gender agenda

NEW rules have been brought in meaning Christmas ads can not target girls with the colour pink and boys with blue to avoid ‘gender stereotyping’ of children.

Stamp up!

A BID by right wing parties to ban a stamp celebrating the centenary of Spain’s Communist Party has been turned down by a judge and sales have boomed with an extended print run ordered.

Bad cop

A GUARDIA Civil officer in Almeria has been stripped of his job and jailed for four years after issuing unfair fines against a neighbour he did not like, going as far as falsifying documents.

THAT’S RUFF

A Brit was left stranded at the airport after

WE’VE all used the ‘my dog ate my homework’ excuse before.

But Brit Nicholas Hyde never thought he’d need to pull that old chestnut out in front of border authorities as he pleaded with them to be allowed to board a flight back to the UK. And what was even more absurd, it wasn’t an excuse. His dog - a four-year-old Beagle called Simba (pictured) - actually had mauled his pass-

By Anthony Piovesan

port right before he was due to fly back to London from Valencia on Sunday.

His concerned mother Antonia Hyde posted an urgent plea for help online seeking advice.

“Help! My son is stuck at Valencia Airport. His dog ate his passport! He has his NIE but they won’t let him fly to

IN a twist to the David v Goliath case, Goliath has won!

A tiny burger and pizza joint in Cadiz has changed its name after global giants McDonald’s got on their case saying the Menoc Donald moniker of the fast-food restaurant was too similar.

So, after 34 years, the restaurant has changed its name to Menoc

Gatwick,” she explained. Speaking exclusively to the Olive Press Nicholas described the entire situation as ‘surreal’. “He just devoured it, the bottom corner of the passport with the identification number

Silly burgers

Burger instead. “We received a burofax asking us in a friendly way to change the name. Obviously, we got down to work because we knew that we had everything to lose if we didn’t”, explained owner Jose Antonio Calvo.

was destroyed,” the 23-yearold said.

He pleaded with the airline which contacted immigration at Gatwick airport with a photo of the mauled passport - but that was also to no avail.

His only option was to apply for an ‘emergency passport’ at the British consulate in Barcelona.

Train

In just a few hours he had an appointment time confirmed, so he booked a train to the Catalunyan capital, picked up the document on Tuesday and flew to Gatwick that evening.

On a wing and a prayer

SPAIN’s very own ‘bird man’ pulled off an astonishing feat when he flew under the famous arch bridge of Ronda at 300km per hour.

Daredevil Daniel Roman leapt out of a paramotor in the cool December sky in a wingsuit from several thousand metres up and prepared to take aim at the barely ten-metre gap under Ronda’s imposing Tajo bridge.

Coming in at a third of the speed of sound, any miscalculation would have spelt a messy end to the elite jumper.

Having burst through the central arch and cleared the cliffs.

Roman pulled the cord on his parachute and the ‘bird man’ gently descended to land.

We’re back in print on Jan 11, but online every day at www.theolivepress.es

a dog chewed his passport

EXCLUSIVE