Olive Press Mallorca - Issue107 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Vol. 4 Issue 107 www.theolivepress.es

Your expat

voice in Spain June 4th - June 17th 2021

Find out about Spain’s 10 capital cities See page 8

ONE WAY OUT

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

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

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Grilled

They included 71-year-old widow Lily Higgins and friend Jay Elliott, who were grilled over their town hall registration forms, which were handled by One Way Services. Several more have since come forward to complain about the British gestor, in Ciudad Quesada, which is at the centre of the investigation. These include Jane Long of Torrevieja who was taken to Alicante Police Station and questioned over her part in ‘an alleged fraud’. The 53-year-old said she and her husband Nigel had confronted Matt Smith, owner of

The

EXPATS caught up in a fraudulent residency scam run by a gestor in Spain have been told by police that they can’t leave the country while the case is investigated. Dozens of people are facing a life in legal limbo for up to two years while police investigate the alleged fraud before it is decided if they face deportation or can legally stay. It comes after the Olive Press reported on a group of expats 952 147 834 who had been detained by police over padron certificates that appear to have been doctored by one particular gestor they hired to process their TIE applications.

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Prime suspect

Your expat

voice in Spain

Vol. 2 Issue 40 www.theolivepress .es May 20th - June 2nd 2021

Tragic mystery

Bear in the frame for series of grizzly livestock killings in the Pyrenees

Girl power

The Olive Press helps TV investigation into the death of Kirsty Maxwell

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The female warriors who took on Drake’s army - and won!

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See page 10

I BEG YOUR PADRON Award Winning Rehabilitation Clinic

‘Hellish and humiliating’ as British expats arrested over ‘fraudulent’ residency applications

A GROUP of British expats have been detained by police after their padron certificates

Are you feeling depressed? Addiction problems? www.villaparadisospain.com

Tel: 952 147 834 See page 11

EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade

proving they lived in Spain appear to have been doc- derly expats described the situation as ‘humiliating’ and tored. At least eight people have ‘hellish’, after they were held been grilled over the town for questioning under cauhall registration forms, which tion. were all handled by the same They told the Olive Press how gestor company on the Costa they were carted to Alicante police station and grilled Blanca. National Police confirmed to about falsifying documents the Olive Press that detec- submitted with their TIE tives are working alongside card applications. “We were wrongly arrested the Guardia Civil to now investigate all residencia appli- for submitting fake padrons, cations in Alicante made in even though we put the correct ones in with our paper2021. work for residencia,” said Jay Elliott, 66, of Orihuela Costa, Fraud who has lived in Spain for It comes after ‘widespread over five years. fraud’ was allegedly detected She and her friend Lily Higin over 22 Britons attempting gins, 71, had planned for a peaceful retirement in the to become resident here. This week a number of el- sun but are now living with the threat of a court case or

HUMILIATED: Lily and Jay were questioned even deportation. “I’ve never been in trouble before but here I am, being treated like a common criminal,” said Higgins. “It’s humiliating.” They added that the same gestor is being investigated for changing the date on at least 22 more British applicants. Another couple, who asked not to be named, told the Olive Press how they had been questioned when they went to collect their TIE cards. “We were taken into a room, read our rights and told to explain why our 2021 padron had been doctored to show a 2020 date - it was hell.” All those detained had used One Way Services, a gestor based in Quesada, near Torrevieja, to process their applications - including the padron. Owner Matt Smith insisted

that his is anything but the only gestor business to be dragged into the investigation “Nobody has been arrested, that is a fact,” he insisted, adding: “Other gestors are also being brought in as part of an ongoing investigation into TIE applications.” A police spokesman told the Olive Press: “All residencia

SCOOP: How the Olive Press broke the story last edition

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One Way Services, about why a doctored certificate had been submitted on their behalf. “Smith said he was only trying to help people,” she told the Olive Press. “He said he’d already admitted his guilt to the police, before shredding my fake padron in front of my eyes” she added. He added that she should ‘expect a phone call from the police merely to answer a few questions’. However, after being taken away in a police car, held for two hours, fingerprinted and photographed, she was told by detectives at the Policia Nacional that she will be considered ‘guilty, until proven innocent’. Mrs Long despaired: “I was told I couldn’t even travel back to the UK because I’m a criminal!” T h e K e n t woman revealed that the police had informed her, ‘ano t h e r 40-plus people will also be arrested.’ Fellow B r i t , B r i a n

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STUCK: Jane Long (above) has been told by police that she can’t travel while Lily Higgins and Jay Elliott were ‘treated like criminals’ after using One Way Services

Williams, 63, told us he also had to give a statement at Alicante police station last week. It involved the property owner, who has lived in Spain for seven years, having his fingerprints taken, as well as getting photographed. “It was astonishing,” he told the Olive Press. “I’m now told the court case could take 18 months to two years, possibly more.” He continued: “I started all this on September 1, but it became apparent as time went on there was something amiss. “I feel this can go two ways: I'm found guilty and deported or after possibly two years I'm granted residencia. “I put all my faith into One Way Services and have been so let down, a very stressful time for me and countless others,” he added.

working alongside the Guardia Civil to now investigate all residencia applications in Alicante made in 2021. The lawyer later confirmed Cleared to the Olive Press that Smith When the Olive Press called had made a statement to poMatt Smith for an explanation lice clearing his clients of any he refused to answer questions. knowledge of the alleged fraud. “Speak to my lawyer,” he said “My client explained [to the before hanging up. police] that none of the clients National Police confirmed to the had produced the applications Olive Press that detectives are themselves [but] only paid my client to apply for the TIE on their behalf,” David Guijarro Mayor from ABC solicitors told the Olive Press in See page 5 response to written questions. He sought to reassure One Way cli-

Tel: 952 147 834 TM

ents that they would not be held criminally responsible. “So it is totally clear now that the criminal investigation is being focused only against my client so for sure the fiscal will not start criminal actions against his clients sadly affected,” he said. If it emerges that any other of One Way clients were to be detained over the matter, the lawyer said: “Mr Smith will proceed immediately to clarify in front of police or/and the court that these clients have no relation at all with any criminal activity.” Have you been affected? Please contact us on newsdesk@theolivepress.es Opinion Page 6

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Tragic priest PRIEST Antoni Estelrich Calafat, was found dead on the shore at Can Picafort on Tuesday. The 90year old man is believed to have died of a heart attack, while bathing in the shallow waters.

No go THE Balearics are not expected to be put on the UK’s green list for travel on Monday, despite speculation they may be made a special case alongside the Canaries, according to local government sources.

Flight fight A FIGHT broke out between two women on a Ryanair flight from Bergamo in Italy to Ibiza when a passenger told a woman in the row behind her to put on her face mask.

Droning on A MAN has been fined for flying a drone over his daughter’s school on Mallorca after other parents called the police. He broke aviation rules on drone flying and is one of three people penalised this year.

A MAN has been jailed for 20 years after a jury convicted him of murdering a German woman with a kitchen knife. Celestino Rodriguez, originally from Granada, killed Veronika Hoffmann, 51, in Colonia Sant Jordi in September 2019 after a drinking session. Police say she had taken him in to her home just a few weeks before the fatal attack A Palma court heard that the 61-year-old man had stabbed her with a kitchen knife multiple

June 4th - June 17th 2021

Blazing temper

Killer jailed times in the chest and abdomen. The attack happened at 6.30am at Hoffmann’s home. Although he had been drinking, the jury decided that he knew just what he was doing. Rodriguez confessed to the murder, and this was taken into account when the sentence was passed. He was also ordered to pay €100,000 compensation to both of Hoffmann’s children.

A 55-year-old man has been arrested in Andratx after setting fire to his house and then slapping a police officer who tried to calm him down. The fire broke out shortly before 11pm on Monday, when the man allegedly doused his house with petrol and set it on fire. As clouds of smoke billowed out, neighbours began to evacuate their homes to escape the choking fumes. Fire crews and police raced to the scene and found a woman suffering from

smoke inhalation. In total, 12 people were evacuated for more than an hour, during which time the firefighters put out the blaze and ventilated all the rooms. The owner of the house where the fire started was ‘very nervous’ and allegedly, when the officers tried to calm him down, slapped one officer in the face. He then aggressively resisted arrest before he was subdued and taken to the police station.

Facing justice

A BRITISH man wanted for questioning over the gruesome murder and dismemberment of a dancer in Thailand can be extradited from Spain, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has said. Shane Looker, then 47, was arrested on Ibiza in 2017 after a three year manhunt. Thai police say he is the last person known to have been in

Brit who hid out in Baleares to be extradited over gruesome death By Dilip Kuner

contact with 27-year-old victim Laxami ‘Pook’ Manochat. She had been cut into pieces before being stuffed inside a suitcase which was weighed

Terrorists jailed THREE members of an Islamist terror group responsible for the 2017 terror attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils which killed 16 and injured 140 have been jailed for up to 53 years. None of the men convicted participated in the actual attacks – all the ‘active’ members of the cell were killed at the time – but were found to have helped the terrorists in their deadly plot. The group launched an attack on Barcelona’s famous Las Ramblas by driving a van at high speed through the crowded street, with a similar attack carried out in Cambrils.

down with stones and thrown into the Mae Klong River in Kanchanaburi, 70 kms south of Bangkok Security camera footage had caught Looker walking hand in hand with Manochat after leaving a bar in Nana Plaza, Bangkok. A Spanish court ordered his extradition to Thailand in 2018 after it decided that the guarantees offered by Thai authorities were sufficient to ensure that he would not be executed or subjected to inhumane treatment. But Looker - who admits knowing the victim but denies involvement in her killing - maintained he would not face a fair trial and took his case against extradition to the ECHR. The ECHR rejected his appli-

cation ‘for failure to exhaust domestic remedies’ saying he could still have appealed in Spain against the decision to extradite him. Looker had entered Thailand on October 31, 2014 and was last seen with Manochat on November 2, police said.

Raided The suitcase was found in the Mae Klong River on November 9. Initially police could not identify Looker from the video images, but they later received a tip off giving Looker’s full name, nationality and address in the town of Hua Hin. Officers raided the address, but Looker had disappeared. They found the shorts and shirt he was allegedly wearing in the video. DNA evidence matched samples taken from beneath Manochet’s fingernails.

Groomer caught MORE than 1,000 children were drawn into a paedophile’s evil web. Police say that the 58-year-old man tricked them into obtaining sexual images. The sex offender, from Palma, who has now been arrested, was distributing the images through a well-known social network - which one, hasn’t yet been disclosed. At times, the man is thought to have posed as a child, enticing under 16-year-olds to share pornographic images, by sending them revealing photos of children, which he pretended showed himself. National Police in Palma are investigating the crime. So far, they have traced multiple social media profiles and telephone numbers back to the man in question. Further evidence obtained from his house is still being analysed.

NEWS

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Chinchon cheer HOLLYWOOD director Wes Anderson is heading for Madrid this year as work begins on his newest project Elaborate sets have been spotted under construction in the outskirts of the Chinchon region of Madrid, 46 kilometres south of the

capital. Although very few details of Anderson’s latest masterpiece are known, the sets appear to resemble western style backdrops, complete with a train station. With a budget of €35 million, it is expected that Anderson regulars such as Owen Wil-

June 4th - June 17th 2021

son, Willem Dafoe, Bill Murray and Tilda Swinton could be involved in the yet unnamed project. Mayor of Chinchon, Francisco Martinez has welcomed the director and his crew to his town, however remains tight-lipped on details of the new project. “We have all been sworn to secrecy, but the project is really exciting,” said Martinez.

Hungry like the wolf

THE wolf has divided society for centuries but now it will be protected in Spain after a ban on hunting comes into action from September. The Spanish government will declare the wolf a ‘wild animal under special protection’ which means hunting it is illegal. It will bring to end decades of hunting which almost drove the wolf to extinction on the Iberian peninsula. Traditionally, the wolf has been portrayed as a figure of evil in popular culture, preying on characters from Little Red Riding Hood to the Three Little Pigs. After progressive measures to preserve the animal in some northern Spanish regions, the wolf has gone from being seen as an enemy to an asset – of the tourism industry. Until now, hunting was allowed in some regions on a strictly controlled basis. Spain and Portugal are thought to be home to about 3,000 wolves, the largest lupine population in Europe, according to data from Ecologists in Action, a conservation group. Yet opposition to the move persists and not just among hunters who believe the wolf must

THE King of Spain has received his first COVID-19 vaccination, joining more than 5 million people who have been given the jab across the country. King Felipe was given his injection in the Wizink Centre in Madrid, according to official palace

HAPPY COUPLE: Carlos and Belen

Walking on heir

LEFT IN PEACE: Wolves will be protected from hunters come September By Graham Keeley

be stamped out. Wolves kill some 15,000 farm animals across the country every year, according to the Spanish agricultural association COAG.

Royal jab sources. It is understood the King went to the hospital for the vaccine after marking National Armed Forces Day alongside the Queen.

Ban on hunting creatures that devour livestock Lobo Marley, a pressure group which campaigns to protect wolves, estimates that about 300 are killed by hunters every year. King Felipe turned 53 years old in January, making him eligible to get his vaccination alongside the rest of the Spanish population his age. Meanwhile Queen Letizia, who is five years his junior, has not yet been called to receive her jab.

Peru Carlos de Munain, a livestock veterinarian in the Basque town of Errigoiti in northern Spain, said prohibiting hunting will not solve the conflict between farmers and the wolf.

Effective

“There are many other ways to deal with wolves which will be more effective. Creating pens for the sheep at night, or places for shepherds to stay at night, or using GPS trackers to give some warning of wolf attacks might be better ways,” he said.

Award Winning Rehabilitation Clinic

ONE of Spain’s richest and most aristocratic couples tied the knot in Madrid. The wedding of Carlos Fitz-James Stuart y Solis and Belen Corsini marked the union of two of Spain’s wealthiest families. Carlos is the youngest grandson and one of the heirs to the late Duchess of Alba, who was known as Spain’s richest woman. Meanwhile Belen is the great-granddaughter of Carlos Corsini Senespleda, the engineer and founder of construction and public works company Corsan, which was sold for €325million in 2004. Their spectacular wedding took place in private at Liria Palace. THE last known survivor of the International Brigades who fought against General Franco and the fascists in the Spanish Civil War has died, aged 101. Jose Almudever Mateu was a dual Spanish-French national born in July 1919 to Spanish parents in Marseilles. Jose lived in Valencia, when aged 17, he joined the republican force, liening about his age to enlist. After being wounded, his deception was discovered, and he returned to Marseilles to sign up for the International Brigades using his French nationality.

End of an era

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Beaches closed PALMA police are closing access to local beaches on the evening of St John’s Night to avoid overcrowding ahead of the public holiday on June 24. Due to restrictions still being in place, preventing no more than 10 people from meeting at a restaurant, Alberto Jarabo, government spokesperson for Palma City Council said ‘it can’t allow groups, sometimes of 10,000 plus, to celebrate the occasion on the beach.’

MALLORCA can expect a French boost this summer after Transavia France upped capacity to the islands by 60% over 2019 levels. The low cost airline is increasing its flight capacity to 13 destinations, including Menorca and Majorca from Nantes and Lyon, with the latter also linked to Ibiza. The airline is stepping into the gap left by other companies who have either gone bust or reduced capacity. First it strengthened its offer to Portugal and Greece, and now the Air

NEWS

About time!

Long-term expats win right to votes for life in UK elections

BRITISH citizens who have moved abroad will be given 'votes for life' as the UK Government scraps the arbitrary 15-year limit on their voting rights. The new measures which will make it easier for expats to participate in British democracy were announced

Bon voyage! France subsidiary is focusing on Spain. It is further good news for the Balearics after flights from Germany were sold out as travel restrictions were lifted. Another boost was given when Sarrebruck airport reopened after restrictions. The first flight from the German town to touch down in Mallorca for nearly a year arrived on Monday.

WINNER: Shindler has won the day

in the Queen’s Speech in March and have now been confirmed by the Cabinet Office. The news follows a long campaign led by Harry Shindler, MBE, who has been championing the fight for his right to vote in British elections. Shindler, who has lived in Italy for 40 years and will turn 100 in July, has been campaigning for the move for 25 years. Over 5 million UK nationals in Spain and around the world have been denied their right to vote, some for years, if not decades. These changes will come into effect in time for the next scheduled General Election in 2024. Hugh Elliott, the British Ambassador in Madrid said: “In an increasingly con-

nected world, most British citizens living in Spain retain deep ties to the United Kingdom. Many still have family there, worked there for many years, and some have even fought for our country. “They deserve to have their voices heard in Parliament, no matter where they live, and I am delighted that UK Nationals living in Spain will now be able to participate in our democracy.”

Rules

In addition, new rules will mean overseas electors can stay registered for longer, including with an absent voting arrangement in place, requiring them to renew their registration details once every three years, rather than annually.

June 4th - June 17th 2021

Good news! THE Balearic Islands have not reported any COVID deaths for 12 consecutive days up until Wednesday. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the virus has claimed the lives of 840 people on the Islands. The Conselleria de Salut reported 33 new positive cases of coronavirus out of 2,820 tests taken on Wednesday, bringing the total to 60,334. Two more patients were admitted to intensive care, bringing the total to 14. On normal wards there are 20 patients - two fewer - and six patients have been discharged from hospital and 30 from primary care. In nursing homes there is one infected professional, and no residents have been infected since last February. Before being vaccinated, 259 users of these centres died of COVID-19. There are 46 health professionals infected with the virus: 10 of them with active infection, the rest are isolated due to contact with a positive person. Salut has already administered 558,055 doses of the vaccine against the virus in the Balearic. 40.2% of the population has already received at least one dose and 17.6% have already received the full course. POLICE are investigating the deaths of two tourists who fell from a fourth floor balcony at a hotel in Ibiza’s Platja d’en Bossa. The couple, a 26 year-old Moroccan man and his 22-yearold Mexican girlfriend fell to their deaths at around 4.30am yesterday.. Emergency services were called but paramedics were unable to save them and the pair were pronounced dead at the scene. Images of the hotel where the incident happened showed that the balcony of each room had a glass railing. Police are investigating various theories regarding the deaths, which are the first balcony falls

Falls tragedy of the summer in the Balearic Islands. Spain has coined the term ‘balconing’ to describe the number of incidents that occur each summer from balconies in tourist resorts. These most often involve intoxicated tourists from northern Europe who fall while climbing between rooms or attempting the dangerous stunt of jumping from balconies into the hotel swimming pool.

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es AN expat is facing prison for failing to demolish his home after he fell foul of a town hall’s ‘laissez faire’ planning rules. Gurney Davey, aged 67, only found out about the six-month sentence when a court document was delivered to a neighbour’s house. “I went straight to Tolox town hall with it. They told me I shouldn’t have received it yet,” he told the Olive Press.

Legalise

“They said they were going to be sending the notification to me once they had stamped it.” The news came as a massive bolt from the blue for Davey, whose wife has just died of cancer, which he believes worsened from the stress of the case. He had never been told about the court case that followed on from a Guardia Civil denuncia for an ‘illegal build’. Davey’s two-bed home - built in 2004 - should never have been built according to the Malaga court. In 2016, and then again in 2017, Davey was ordered to knock down his house, but, in common with a neighbour, he waited for more details. While his Spanish neighbour, THE much-anticipated Palma International Boat Show has opened its doors at Palma’s Moll Vell. Running until Sunday (June 6), the show not only marks the beginning of Mediterranean yachting season but is also the

Not again

Irene Millan, 29, did eventually hear from the court again, she was given six months to ‘legalise’ her property - an option Davey was never given. However, his neighbour’s apparent good luck turned into a poisoned chalice. Having spent €20,000 with the town hall to legalise the dwelling, the court finally refused to accept the new paperwork provided by the council. Instead, demolition was ordered - which went ahead last week. To add insult to injury Irene’s 54-year-old father, Manuel Millan, whose name was on the

Ship shape first on-site boat show in Europe in more than a year. Over 185 boats and 227 exhibitors will finally have the chance to showcase their nautical equipment at this year’s

deeds, was also sentenced to six months jail and handed a fine of €6 a day for a year. Now Davey is terrified he is set to lose his home at any moment. It comes just two months since his wife Diana died from bowel cancer, at the age of 71, in April. “We thought we had done everything right at the time. We got legal advice and went through a lawyer in order to get permission to build the home. “Diana fought breast cancer for six years before bowel cancer I from legal firm Manzanares, told them that planning permission would be applied for as an almacen - or ‘warehouse’. This way it would come under the remit of Tolox town hall, show, after having to present their offer ‘virtually’ over the past few months. Stretching over 80,000 square meters, the show will also include a separate ‘Palma Superyacht Show’ and designated refit and repair area.

Open All Hours

DEMOLITION: Expat Gurney Davey is being forced to knock down his own house and faces six months jail

BARS and restaurants in the Balearic Islands will be allowed to stay open until midnight, from Sunday. Initially, bars and restaurants had asked the government to extend their opening hours by just one hour, to 11pm, following the news that the curfew was being pushed back until midnight from May 23 - instead, the government matched it and allowed them to open their interiors too. Inside, bars and restaurants will be allowed to open at 50% capacity, with four customers per table and a limit of 150 in total, while outside can open at 100% capacity, with eight customers per table, limited to 250.

which would give permission and later they could ‘legalise’ the property. The language of one legal letter, seen by the Olive Press, suggests this would be a mere formality. But the property never got legalised. In fact, the Tolox mayor of the time, Juan Vera, has since been jailed and fined for his part in a scheme to allow up to 350 properties to be built on land classified as ‘rural’. In most cases he had used the very same ‘lax’ procedure of applying to build an ‘almacen’ to try to keep the prying eyes of the Junta authorities away. “We thought that was the way

The President of the Balearic Government, Francina Armengol, confirmed that the easing of restrictions will put all the islands onto level one health alert. Bars and restaurants across the Balearic Islands have been far the worst hit under the coronavirus pandemic and particularly since the start of this year, first operating under limited hours and then being told to close indefinitely. Even when allowed to reopen their doors, they then faced capacity constraints and the prohibition of the use of their indoors until recently.

British expat faces demolition of his 17 year home - and a spell in prison EXCLUSIVE By Dilip Kuner

June 4th - June 17th 2021

things worked in Spain,” said Davey, a retired builder. “We went to see a lawyer and got advice. It turns out that was not the smart thing to do. “Why would we deliberately try to build illegally? It makes no sense that we would sell up everything and risk it all.” Now Davey’s first thoughts are to avoid serving the jail sentence. He said: “My lawyer is trying to get the sentence suspended.” In the meantime he has been forced to ask the town hall for permission to knock his own property down. “I will do it myself. I will borrow a JCB from someone and flatten my home.”

Easing

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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION Legal limbo AS if it wasn’t hard enough for Brits to navigate their way through Spain’s bureaucratic requirements – and during a global pandemic to boot – we are hearing of more and more hurdles placed in their way. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Brits living in Spain have yet to get their residency papers in order. Some of these people just didn’t heed the multiple warnings issued by Spanish and British Embassy authorities – and reported repeatedly by the Olive Press - to register in plenty of time before the Brexit deadline hit. Many of those who left it until the last minute were thwarted by the lockdown as they found themselves banned from travelling between the UK and Spain when the pandemic hit. Others were unable to secure appointments at the relevant offices because they were closed under COVID-19 restrictions or because the backlog of applications made appointments impossible to get. So it is understandable that there are those who sought the help of experts to ease the process, often paying gestors over the odds to get the job done. Which is why it is particularly galling for them to now find themselves in a legal limbo, because unbeknownst to them, allegedly fraudulent applications were lodged on their behalf. The Olive Press has spoken to at least a dozen people who now face months of uncertainty while they wait for the slow cogs of Spain’s judicial system to turn and determine their fate. In the meantime, they are unable to travel abroad, unable to make plans for the future, unsure whether they will or will not be granted residency in Spain. These people need answers. Rest assured, the team at the Olive Press will be working hard to get them. Publisher / Editor

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

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o t e m o c l We NEWS FEATURE

How the Costa del Sol’s glitziest resort became a global HQ of organised crime, writes Fiona Govan

ARBELLA has been fingered as the ‘global capital of organised crime’. At least 113 gangs of 59 different nationalities have sent the crime rate in the celebrity holiday hangout spiralling out of control, according to a

DEADLY: Gangster executed

Mob-ella damning report. And the most dangerous of them all are the British. “The Costa del Sol is a kind of hub, a sort of coworking centre where almost all organised criminal groups in the world have a presence,” a senior member of Spain’s Policia Nacional told national newspaper El Pais in an in-depth report. Describing Marbella as a ‘UN of gangsters in a globalised world,’ the police chief said the Ritzy resort has become synonymous not only with tourism but also with crime. A network of gangs bring in drugs from South America and Africa via the Strait of Gibraltar, for distribution across Europe, he explained. A collaboration of powerful mafia structures and

crime rings involved in house burglaries or armed robberies, each provides different elements in the complex supply chain: such as distribution, protection and money laundering. But, he added, alliances are quick to change and break down, leading to inevitable rivalries, turf wars and revenge violence. “Whoever thinks that criminal organisations are like before, pyramidal and with all the sections covered, is wrong,” a public prosecutor told the newspaper. “They are not cartels, they provide services: we have reached the Uberisation of organised crime.” Each group has an area of expertise, he continued: from the French who bring in hashish from Morocco to the Irish clans controlling cocaine and weapons imports. An enduring feud between two rival Irish cartels – Kinahan and Hutch – is already thought to have led to 20 executions. There are also rival gangs from Serbia and other Balkan countries, as well

Expat in Spain or immigrant: Is there a difference? The term ‘expat’ is loaded. It’s time we moved on, argues Carrie Frais

N a quick Google search asking the question: ‘What is the difference between an expat and an immigrant?’ Google tells us that ‘..it usually comes down to socio-economic factors, so skilled professionals working in another country are described as expatriates, whereas a manual labourer who has moved to another country to earn more money might be labelled an immigrant'. The Oxford English Dictionary tells us that an immigrant is ‘a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country'. The original expatriate, around the 19thCentury, tended to be a middle-class, usually white, who moved abroad on a corporate assignment and (generally) chose not to integrate into their local community. If a better economic opportunity came up they would probably move again. Two centuries on, we have moved way beyond that, however. Today’s expats are from diverse backgrounds, from all over the world with different skin colours, and the vast majority of them have a desire to integrate and live in their adopted country for extended periods of time, or indeed permanently. If we adhered to the OED definition then

this demographic should in fact be ter- cioeconomic realities - but maybe that med immigrants, right? should not matter? But it is not just a question of definition. It There are other terms to describe those is also about connotation. who have chosen to move to another The term ‘expat’ carries with it a myriad country through choice, such as ‘memof preconceptions about class, educa- bers of the international community’, tion, privilege and entitlement - just as ‘global citizens’ and ‘global nomads’. the terms immigrant, migrant and to a Some neologisms of the term ‘expat’ certain extent ‘foreign worker’ have a di- have also been put forward such as ‘disfferent set of assumptions. patriate’: an expat who distances themselves from their nation of When used as a noun, the origin; a ‘flexpatriate’: soword ‘expatriation’ can also meone who often travels mean the act of someone renouncing allegiance to The term ‘expat’ internationally; ‘inpatriate’: an employee sent from their native country, which is carries with a foreign subsidiary to not the case for most peoit a myriad of ple. work in the country where Some people also believe preconceptions a company has a presence that being labelled an exand ‘rex-pat’: a repeat exabout class pat sets them apart from pat, someone who chooses their adopted cultures when to return to a foreign country after completing a work in fact they are trying to do assignment. exactly the opposite. The majority of those who today are la- As our travel behaviours change, our belled ‘expats’ have chosen to live away working habits become more fluid and from their country of their birth as a li- the world becomes more globalised, it festyle choice, rather than due to political is becoming increasingly clear that the oppression or economic necessity. term ‘expat’ has probably run its course, So, calling everyone an ‘immigrant’ a sentiment echoed by many living away would not differentiate between so- from their native home.

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?: Are Spaniards in the UK ‘immigrants’ but Brits in Spain ‘expats’?

June 4th - June 17th 2021

www.theolivepress.es

Insta-success

SEXY BEAST: Gang life in Marbella is even worse than the movie version

as dangerous groups from the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden and members of the Italian mafia, such as Do you call yourself an expat? Carrie Frais posed the question on the MumAbroad forum do see what other felt about the word. Here’s what they had to say: “I hate it. For me it says people who had the financial privilege to start a life in another country but who bear no interest in integrating with culture. I have never called myself an expat. Also because I moved when I was 22 with just a suitcase. Immigrant also has negative connotations. Non-native is what I'd naturally use.” Lucy Brown “I don't use the word expat ....I was one when I lived and worked in Malawi because our company sent us there on a contract. Now in Spain, we live and work here (was not sent here or moved here because of a job), we made this our choice of home and country of residence. This makes us immigrants until such time we become / naturalise as Spanish citizens.” Natalie du Plooy-Simoes “Can’t stand it. For me it definitely has connotations of privilege and wealth. And of cliquey groups of people that don’t mix with locals. I don’t use any term to describe myself in that way - it very rarely comes up that I have to define myself like that. I occasionally get asked where I’m from and I just say I’m Scottish living in Italy.” Nicola Mckay “I think I’d like to be called an immigrant. It would to help change the negative and incorrect connotation around the word. I migrated here and built a home here. My daughter is born here. I may pick up my bags and move on, but that’s more of a world citizen mindset and coming from a multicultural family, (so home is where we are at a given moment).” Magda Metwally Carrie Frais is the Barcelona-based writer behind MumAbroad.com and author of #LivingTheDream Expat Life Stripped Bare, which is now available on Amazon. Find out more on www. carriefrais.co.uk/books/

the Naples-based Camorra, continually by a Swedish gang. He refused to tesmuscling in. tify. However, according to one police source Ditto the Irishman who was shot in the quoted by El Pais, by far the most dan- face in Nueva Andalucia a few weeks gerous gangs operating on the Costa ago. Del Sol are British. “He refused to collaborate with the in“The gangs of Liverpool and Manches- vestigation,” said Marcos Frias, Organter have a special fame and are known ised Crime coordinator for the National for their violence and the nightly brawls Police. in and around Marbella,” read the re- “There are quite a lot of beatings and port. kidnappings, which occur in the urbanAdd hitmen for hire into the mix, along isations in the tourist zones, but they with armies of foot soldiers sent by don’t make the press because there is gang bosses to do the dirty work, and no denuncia and the police are hardly the place is ripe for violence. involved,” he added. According to the latest of“The year has only really ficial figures the situation just started and we are had been improving but Marbella police having incidents of guns has significantly worsened and shootings.” receives an since 2018, with 113 orAlarmingly, the violence is ganised groups of half as continuing despite a masaverage of 150 many different nationalsive clampdown on drug ities concentrated along trafficking by the Guardia crime reports the Costa del Sol alone, Civil in the area. daily according to data from the This year alone, there have Intelligence Center against been 536 police raids on Terrorism and Organised gangs between Huelva Crime (CITCO). and Malaga, primarily concentrated in ‘The diversity of criminal groups in such the Campo de Gibraltar. a small space is a unique phenome- Orchestrated by the crack OCON-SUR non,’ CITCO stated. regiment, they have seized 187 vehicles Police consistently claim they don’t and 98 boats alone since January, as have the resources to fight such crime. well as 55 tons of drugs and 19 million The Marbella national police station re- euros of laundered property. ceives an average of 150 crime reports Just last week, over 200 police arrested daily and 32,000 cases a year. 106 members of six different gangs in The figures for a relatively small town of the area. just 140,000 people equate to those of Since July 2018, an eye-watering 5,536 cities double or triple the size. gangsters have been rounded up beAlso soaring is the number of mur- tween Cadiz, Huelva and Malaga. ders and attacks due to ‘the settling Yet despite assurances from Guardia of scores’, although cases have fallen Civil boss Maria Gamez that they are recently during the pandemic. They go ‘attacking the very heart of these organlargely unreported due to ‘a weak press’ isations’, gang rivalry has not stopped in the area or because many of the vic- in nearby Marbella. tims don’t want to talk to the police. “Now the violence is rampant,” says Recently a Polish man was admitted to Antonio Rodríguez Puerta, head of the hospital with bullets in both legs, shot UDYCO Costa del Sol (Drugs and Organized Crime Unit of the National Police). “In times gone by, the criminal groups negotiated. They talked. A stash was lost and an agreement was reached. “Now we see that, if something like this happens, in most cases they go directly to ordering a hit.” RAID: Police search a luxury villa

HE Olive Press isn’t just Spain’s best English news website, we also have a thriving social media presence. And we want you to be a part of it. We have close to 28,000 likes on our main Facebook page and this week reached a landmark 2,000 followers on our Instagram account. At a time when so many people access news through social media platforms, recognising ‘fake news’ has become a growing struggle, which is why it’s more important than ever to make sure you follow trustworthy news sources. Our team of journalists at the Olive Press are dedicated to providing up to date, properly sourced, independent news that you can trust and rely on to inform you about the issues you need to know about in Spain. So by hitting ‘like’ and ‘follow’ on the Olive Press Facebook page, you will get our latest news stories as soon as they are published directly into your newsfeed. This means not only that you can share the most up to date trustworthy news from Spain easily with your friends but also join the conversation that we like to encourage amongst all our readers. We also want to celebrate Spain, and inspire our readers to share their experiences and explore it. For those who live in Spain, visit Spain often or just love Spain, our daily Instagram posts provide snapshots of the country, from bucolic scenes of Iberian pigs rooting for acorns in the dehesa, to dreamy sunsets over beautiful beaches or great shots of Spain’s iconic monuments. Plus we offer a glimpse into our readers’ experiences of Spain by inviting you to share photos taken on your travels around the country or to share those things you love about your corner of Spain. So join our growing Facebook and Instagram community. We hope to see you there! www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper www.instagram.com/olivepressnews

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: expects to be included on UK 1 - Spain fully travel green list by June could apply 2 - Spain’s cartatodeBritinvitacion tourists Police in spain investigate mysterious 3 -death of man found trapped inside dinosaur statue - A Place in the Sun’s Laura Hamilton left 4gestion red-faced after house hunters snub sugthey should live in Spain’ss Manilva One last hurrah lightening storm’s Sa5 - haran dust and 35 degrees this weekend in Spain

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LA CULTURA

June 4th - June 17th 2021

Spain has been ruled from 10 different capital cities and some of these ‘iron thrones’ will surprise you, writes Cristina Hodgson

ADRID wasn’t always the capital of Spain. The hot seat of power has shifted between 10 cities down the centuries, changing with the Iberian peninsula’s various Roman, Visigoth, Moorish and Catholic rulers and the geographical location of their kingdoms. From mighty metropolises to more miniscule dots on the map, the Olive Press pays homage to the kingdom’s glorious forgotten capitals.

Sevilla

Spain’s fourth largest city was the capital of Spain for two years during the Napoleonic wars. It was a period when Spain was bristling with Napoleon’s troops and some of the heaviest fighting took place around the city.

Founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC and the oldest inhabited city in Europe, the mantle of power passed to Cadiz for three years when the Cortes moved from Sevilla. It was during its brief reign as capital of Spain that the Spanish Constitution of 1812, ‘La Pepa’, was proclaimed in this Atlantic coastal city. It was a golden era for Cadiz when it monopolised trade as a central port of call on sea routes. Today valued for its golden beaches as well as its famous sherry, its wealthy colonial past is still evident in its noble architecture, elegant squares and magical gardens.

On December 16, 1808 Count Floridablanca, president of the Supreme Central and Governing Junta of Spain transferred the Cortes to Sevilla, with the Real Alcazar becoming its new headquarters.

1808-10

Capital status ended in January 1810 when the city surrendered to Napoleon’s troops. However since June 30, 1982, Sevilla has been the elected political capital of Andalucia.

Cangas de Onis 718-924

lthough it has little to show for it, this municipality at the gateway to the Picos de Europa National Park in Asturias was the ‘first capital of the Kingdom of Spain’. It’s where the Visigoth noble Pelayo set up the Asturian monarchy in the 8th century after the Battle of Covadonga, considered the first strike against the Moors in the Christian reconquest. Modern-day Cangas de Onis is more famous for its mountain scenery and has only one major monument standing, the socalled Roman Bridge actually built in the 1300s. But although there isn’t much to it except for two or three major streets, it once formed the nucleus of the Spain we know and love today.

CADI Z 1810-1813

his Andalucian city has been a big player since Roman times when it became the capital of the province of Hispania Ulterior. But its true splendour came a few centuries later at the height of the Muslim conquest when it became the capital of Moorish Spain under exiled Syrian prince Abd Al-Rahman I. The Great Mosque, his masterpiece, is one of the world’s most prized Islamic buildings, an authentic architectural treasure declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. By the time Abd Al-Rahman III became ruler in 929, Cordoba was Europe’s largest and most advanced city where Christians, Jews and Muslims co-ex-

766-

Cordoba 1236

isted in relative harmony. Following the Christian conquest it became part of the Crown of Castile.

urrounded by orange orchards and sandy beaches, Valencia’s moment in the political sun came between November 1936 and October 1937, when the capital of the Republican government was transferred there amidst fears of losing Madrid. On March 30, 1939, after the fall of Catalunya and most other Republican territory, Valencia surrendered to Franco’s forces.

It remains the third largest city in Spain

Barcelona 507-576, 1937-39

VALENCI A 1936-7

LA CULTURA T

1939

he government of Franco’s rebel Republic moved three times between 1936 and 1939, from Valencia, to Barcelona and finally to Burgos. The city held the title of capital between April 1 and October 18, 1939, coinciding with

the end of the Spanish Civil War. After the conflict, the dictator decided to restore capital status to Madrid, a position it has held ever since. Today, the medieval town of Burgos is celebrated for its magnificent cathedral. It also remains an important stop on the Ruta de Santiago (Way of Saint James) pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostela.

Toledo

his swashbuckling city has been the capital of Spain at two very important moments in its history. The first was in the 6th century, when

King Liuvigild moved the court to Toledo, locating political power at the epicentre of the Iberian peninsula for the first time in its history. The second, in the 16th century, saw

Madrid

Vallad oli d

Charles I of Spain and V of Germany establish Toledo as the capital of his considerable empire. And so it remained until 1561, when the honour went to Madrid.

especially in the Middle Ages. But the key turning point for Valladolid came in 1601, when the Duke of Lerma, Philip III’s favourite advisor, succeeded in transferring the Court of Madrid to this Castilian city. Although short and sweet, this unexpected royal interval brought the city its moment of maximum splendour. Nowadays Valladolid is known as a major industrial and commercial centre, but it has an impressive architectural legacy laid out in a number of excellent museums. One is dedicated to the life of the great explorer Christopher Columbus who died in Valladolid in 1506.

OP QUICK Crossword Across 7 Assassinated (5,3) 8 Coarse file (4) 9 Stirred the embers (5) 10 Doubting Thomas (7) 12 Initial impression (5,7) 14 Stasi milling about sources of unwanted letters (7,5) 17 To a much greater degree (3,4) 19 Rows (5) 21 Like a wet noodle (4) 22 Duke or baron (8)

Down

hen the Roman Empire collapsed, its Spanish territories fell into the hands of the Germanic Visigoths who made Barcino, as it was then known, capital of their kingdom. Extensive archaeological excavations from this important period can be found in the basement of Barcelona’s Museu d’Història de la Ciutat, giving a glimpse into its glorious past. The city remained a provincial capital after King Liuvigild moved the Visigoth court to Toledo in 576. During the Spanish Civil War Barcelona enjoyed a second brief fling as capital of the Republic of Spain from November 1937 until January 1939.

kingdom. From this moment the accelerated growth of this city began, although for the next three centuries the Cortes parliament moved around somewhat, with the seat of power passing to different cities including Valladolid, Cadiz, Sevilla, Valencia and Burgos. In 1939, the capital of Spain returned to Madrid on a permanent basis.

1561-present day (with breaks)

Although Philip II took the Spanish court to Madrid in 1561, it was a generation later under his son Philip lll that it became the official capital of both Spain and Portugal. Chosen primarily for its geographical location in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, its new status transformed the history of what was previously just one more city in the

1601-1606

With a history stretching back a thousand years, the city has always been a point of reference,

576-725, 1516-1561

OP Sudoku

BURGOS

June 4th - June 17th 2021

1 Hush money (3-3) 2 Introduction to a specialist, perhaps (8) 3 Weep (3) 4 Self-detrimental syndrome (9) 5 Stagehand (4) 6 One of Handel’s “Messiah” sources (6) 11 Wandering worker (9) 13 Not appropriate (8) 15 “All the perfumes of --- will not sweeten this little hand” (Shakespeare, “Macbeth”) (6) 16 Resident of Aleppo (6) 18 Charts (4) 20 Rocket killer (1-1,1)

All solutions are on page 14

GREEN

www.theolivepress.es

Coming clean SPAIN is to splash €1.55 billion on clean hydrogen production in a bid to become European leader in the new technology. It has earmarked EU cash to support a dash for hydrogen, seeing it as seed money for private investment. A government spokesman said: “Firm support for this technology will stimulate investors to mobilise up to €8.9 billion between now and 2030.” The government’s ambition is to have 4 GW of electrolysers in 10 years to produce green hydrogen. Producing the gas is an energy-intensive process, which at the moment usually uses natural gas. This defeats the point of using

June 4th - June 17th 2021

Spain making dash for hydrogen in bid to be European leader

By Dilip Kuner

hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels in the battle against climate change. But clean hydrogen is made by electrolysis of water using renewable sources of electricity such as wind turbines and solar panels. The only by-product when it is burned is more water. The Spanish government disclosure of its push towards hydrogen followed hot on the heels of an announcement by American company Cummins and Iberdrola of an initial investment of €50 million to build an electrolyser plant in Guadalajara in Castilla y Leon.

“Spain offers a strong and dynamic local environment for hydrogen production, and we are excited to invest here and significantly increase our manufacturing capacity in Europe,” said Tom Linebarger, Chairman and CEO

THE Balearics are to get a €230 million boost to finance environmental projects. Teresa Ribera, Spain’s minister for ecological transition, announced the central government would hand over the cash when she visited Palma. The money will be used for ‘100% renewable’ schemes, she said. Although the central government is handing out

of Cummins. “Our partnership with Iberdrola will connect us with a major clean energy company and strategically positions us to be a European leader in green hydrogen production.”

Cash boost the funding, it initially comes from the EU. Spain is to benefit from €140 billion as a recovery package for the economy. The majority of the money will go towards the green energy and digital transitions. PM Pedro Sanchez hopes the programme will create 800,000 new jobs over the next three years and propel Spain out of recession. Ribera said that renewable and efficient energy use will be high on the list for support, as well as environmental infrastructure.

One reason why a third of Spain’s population is breathing in polluted air

Green Matters

By Martin Tye

HE WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) has just published its latest report on our climate. Before we get to it’s damning conclusions, let me explain a bit more about the WMO. The World Meteorological Organisation is the United Nations’ authoritative voice on weather, climate and water - a more educated nucleus of the world’s finest scientific minds you won’t find. Forget the much publicised irrational and idiotic Trump rhetoric about there being no global warming crisis. THERE IS. Boris Johnson said the same about COVID, it turns out. It does exist. He got it. But Trump’s motives are simply impure, bowing to the lobbying pressure of the damaging fossil fuel industries.

ACTION: against climate change needed now

(TOOOOO) HOT OFF THE PRESSES!

This report clearly states climate data predicts THE LIKELIHOOD OF REACHING 1.5 DEGREES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. Wow! And these odds are increasing with time. “THERE IS A 90% CHANCE OF AT LEAST ONE YEAR BETWEEN NOW AND 2025 BECOMING THE WARMEST ON RECORD,” the report continues. So what does this mean? Simply put: • • • • • •

Increasing heat, drought and insect oubreaks Increased wildfires Declining water supplies Reduced agricultural yields Health impacts in cities due to heat Flooding and erosion in coastal areas.

In short, increasing death rates and misery. I think this is more than a much needed wake up call. Action is needed to slash greenhouse gas emissions, achieve carbon neutrality and embrace a greener , renewable and sustainable future. Last year, 2020, the global average temperature was 1.2C above the pre-industrial baseline. Around the world we saw this evidenced in rising sea levels, melting sea ice, extreme weather and as a consequence a

detrimental effect on socio-economic development. The Paris Agreement seeks to keep global temperature rise THIS CENTURY well below 2C above pre-industrial levels. There are 79 years of this century left - we are doing dismally. The G-7 Leaders Summit is being held in the UK from June 11. Climate Change is high on the agenda. Let’s hope we don’t get more regurgitated political waffle and have positive measurable actions instead. Finally, readers of this column know I often turn to music to help convey my message. Neil Young (pictured below) released in

2014 an album called Storytone. I love the track Who’s Gonna Stand Up. It’s a powerful, orchestral climate change song which hits right where it hurts.

Protect the wild, tomorrow’s child Protect the land from the greed of man Take out the dams, stand up to oil Protect the plants and renew the soil End fossil fuel, draw the line Before we build one more pipeline End fracking now, let’s save the water And build a life for our sons and daughters Damn the dams, save the rivers Starve the takers and feed the givers Let’s build the green and save the world We’re the people known as EARTH Who’s gonna stand up and save the Earth? Who’s gonna say that she’s had enough? Who’s gonna take on the big machine? Who’s gonna stand up and save the Earth? THIS ALL STARTS WITH YOU AND ME I simply couldn’t put it better. No one is immune to the effects of Global Warming. So who IS gonna stand up and save the World? Are you?

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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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

Taste of the sea

A TEAM of scientists have designed a new type of gluten-free bread enriched with seaweed, which is said to have a longer shelf life than other brands. According to technological investigation institute Ainia, gluten-free bakery products often suffer from nutritional deficiencies, unappetising texture and colour, short use-by dates, less choice for consumers, higher cost, and manufacturing difficulties. But investigators in Valencia have unveiled a new recipe set to solve these problems and improve the product in the process. The feat has been achieved by adding a type of edible seaweed named Alaria esculenta, also known as dabberlocks, badderlocks or winged kelp. Ainia highlight the many properties of the algae, including a high content of minerals, vitamins, protein, fibre and non-digestible carbohydrates. OYSTER farms in Santoña can reopen after they were initially shut because of toxins. The Regional Ministry of Fisheries, Food and Environment has suspended a temporary ban on the harvesting and marketing of oysters in the Cantabrian town. The ban was lifted after

June 4th - June 17th 2021

High flying MALAGA, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca are among the most popular holiday destinations for Brits this summer. Research from easyJet revealed that Brits were desperate to visit Spain as well as Faro, Lisbon, Madeira, Porto, Malta and Gibraltar. The average Brit has not been overseas for 630 days, according to data uncovered in the study. That could be set to change soon, following Spain’s announcement that it would be the first EU country to welcome vaccinated Brits back to its shores. Data from the airline also showed that Brits had saved around £4,889 during lockdown and 61% said they will be making their holiday ‘extra special’ this year to make up for the lack of travel, while 68% said they are planning to make up for lost time by exploring new

What the shell water analysis confirmed that the levels of toxins in the molluscs had returned to normal after the oysters were affected by algae blooms known as red tide. The blooms usually appear on the coasts of Cantabria during the spring months.

Back on the road LATIN Grammy award winner Maluma has announced that he will perform in Mallorca this summer in the Balearic Islands’ first ‘coronavirus free’ concert. The Columbian born star will headline Palma’s iconic Plaza de Toros on July 11. All ticket holders must undergo a PCR test 24 hours before the show starts. Attendees will be assigned to different zones according to the colour of their FFP2 face mask which will be handed out at the entrance. Here, temperatures will be taken by staff and there will be hydroalcoholic gel laid out at multiple points throughout the venue. This will be the first time Maluma has performed in Mallorca with the concert forming part of his Papi Juancho tour, which will see the singer travel across Spain before jetting off to the United States. Earlier this year, a proposal for a similar event had been put forward to the Balearic government by the island’s Association of Music.

Spain’s most popular destinations

By Kirsty McKenzie

places. The nationwide study found that two-thirds (67%) of the UK said being in lockdown has made them crave new holiday experiences, with a third (35%) Once it has receded, shellfish products are safe again and the Regional Ministry continues its surveillance work, which allows it to be detected quickly. While the oyster farming ban has been lifted it remains in force for the other bivalve molluscs including clams and mussels.

of those surveyed said they have already booked a summer holiday abroad. Johan Lundgren, easyJet chief executive, said: “We know how much people value travel and can see the pent up demand every time restrictions are lifted. “This research shows just how much of a priority travel is after such a long period where it has been out of bounds. Brits cannot wait to get away on a sun filled holiday and have been saving hard to make their holiday a trip to remember. “We look forward to welcoming customers on board for a well-deserved getaway and remain hopeful that the Government will add many more European countries onto the Green list and allow safe travel this summer.”

IN TOWN: Grammy winner Maluma

Take care!

New penalty system coming into effect for UK Income Tax by Emilia Carvell

ROM 2023, landlords, or self employed taxpayers in the UK, with annual income over £10,000 will be subject to filing their tax position through the Making Tax Digital initiative. Through Making Tax Digital, taxpayers will not only submit one annual tax return, but also quarterly submissions of income and expenditure, to give a real time snapshot of their tax position throughout the year. And with a change of process, also comes a change in the penalty system, With HMRC implementing a new points based penalty system to better align with the new tax system. Speaking in a recent seminar, HMRC spoke of creating a new system, aimed at being more supportive of those with genuine reasons behind mistakes or late filing, whilst still penalising those who are consistently late. GO DIGITAL: Apari makes complying with HM Revenue’s new systems, simple and clear

So how has the penalty system changed? Well some could argue that it is more complicated! Currently the system goes by length of time since late submission, with the amount due increasing over the time period. The new system accrues points per late submission - and points accrued mean penalties! When a taxpayer misses a submission deadline then they will incur a point - these points build up to penalty thresholds, with each submission obligation (i.e quarterly, annually) having a different threshold. Once this point threshold is reached, then a fixed penalty amount of £200 will be issued for every missed submission. The Penalty thresholds are as follows: Submission Frequency

Penalty Threshold

Annual

2 Points

Quarterly

4 Points

If the penalty threshold isn’t passed, then the points will be cleared after two years. If the points threshold is passed, then all the points gained will be wiped only AFTER they have met a period of compliance as set by HMRC (Annual submissions 24 months, Quarterly submissions 12 months) AND submitted all the submissions due from the previous two years. For Late Payment, penalties are issued by length of time passed from the due date - however HMRC have said that they will take a ‘lighter’ approach for the first

year of implementation, and a way of easing taxpayers into the system. The basic structure surrounding penalties for late payment is: Number of days late

Penalty

0-15

No Penalty

16-29

2% of outstanding amount

4% of outstanding amount

31+ (2nd penalty only)

4% per day on outstanding amount

But don’t worry - This will not come into effect until 2023, and HMRC will be releasing more information in the lead up to the new system going live - to be the first to find out what’s new, join the APARI Community! For all the latest information and advice visit www.apari-digital.com

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Graham Keeley and his family of six kids try out a pedal and paddle holiday through Spain’s Deliverance country

HIS was a holiday that way, gliding downhill through separated the men from valleys and over rivers most of the boys. the way, so we could admire the Unfortunately, my fear scenery. of the dark meant I ranked as The hardy souls huffing and one of the boys as I cycled - very puffing uphill the other way were slowly - through a series of pitch to be admired. black railway tunnels that kept The beauty of the Via Verde is on coming. that you don’t have to take your With over 30 along this particu- own bikes - the rental compalar Via Verde, no sooner do you nies provide them. They also see the light at bus you to the the end of one start of the route, and you’re into which finishes We admired another. back where you The kids, looking the hardy souls left your car. on at Dad with We set off from huffing and a mixture of pity Xerta, a tiny and embarrassvillage in the puffing uphill ment, took it all Parque Natural in their stride. the other way Del Ports. All of We were on the us except one Via Verde in the of our party hills north of the dubbed SuperEbro river delta, two hours drive man - who had cycled to Xerta south of Barcelona. all the way from Barcelona, 160 The route takes you deep into km away! the countryside, tracing the We piled into two coaches havroute of the disused track from ing chosen our bikes - a little like Horta de Sant Joan to Xerta. bone crunchers, but they did The journey is about 30 kilome- the job - which were stowed in a tres which you can do one of trailer behind, and set off for our two ways - uphill or down. starting point. Thankfully, we chose the easy The village of Horta de Sant

Healthy homage to Catalunya

Joan is famous because Pablo Picasso spent some time there in his youth between 1897 and 1898. He later returned to develop his Cubism style of art.

You can see why, because the square design of the houses resemble many of Picasso’s paintings and drawings from just before the First World War.

Castles in the air THEY are majestic testaments to Spain’s past, capturing multiple layers of history between the crevices of their wind-battered battlements and time-worn turrets. Often Roman and frequently Phoenecian in origin, what we see today was mostly built in Medieval times to guard the frontiers between Moorish and Christian Spain, many of them drawn through what is modern Andalucia today. Hence, the region’s castle count

Malaga Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle

If you are an art lover, take time to visit the Picasso Centre. Gliding downhill past green valleys and rivers was a beautiful way to see a part of Catalun-

Castillo Bil Bil, Benalmadena This one’s a cheat as the delightful terracotta-pink Arabian Nights-style castle on the seafront is merely neo-Moorish. Although, as Benalmadena is one of the towns in Spain to have hung onto its Arabic name, it chimes with the local heritage. Originally built in 1927 for a wealthy French family, it was taken over by the town council in 1980 and turned into a cultural space for exhibitions, concerts and conferences. Ornamental gardens with Moorish-inspired fountains and nocturnal lighting afford it a singular romantic beauty. No wonder it’s the most popular public building in Malaga for civil weddings.

Over 90 legendary fortresses loom over the landscapes of Malaga province, conjuring up days of old when knights were bold. Cristina Hodgson raises the drawbridge on her own High Five runs into the hundreds and Malaga has its fair share. Sadly, many fortresses were destroyed or abandoned after the Reconquest and despite best efforts to restore the most iconic examples, all the money in the Spanish treasury wouldn’t be enough to put every one of

June 4th - June 17th 2021

Spain’s 2,500 castles back together again. Today their stone battlements and flying buttresses are mere filigrees of their former glory. Yet despite the ravages of time, their striking silhouettes leave a lasting impression that can still inspire dreams …

ya which most people rarely glimpse. To get the most out of the experience, give yourself the whole day. This way you can stop off

ominating the hilltop and remarkable for its size, its robust honey-coloured walls once guarded one of the most important frontier castles in the Kingdom of Granada. Inside the gates there’s little but gardens and ruins to evidence its status

residing magisterially over Malaga city and port, the alcazaba below the castle is one of the best-preserved citadel in Spain and one of Malaga’s most visited monuments. Set on a hillside protected by the Montes de Malaga mountain range which has natural park status, the castle was built in 929AD by Abd-al-Rahman III, Caliph of Cordoba, on a former Phoenician defence post and lighthouse. From here the rulers could keep watch on the local population scrabbling a living at its feet as well as enemies trying to invade by land and sea. A tour takes you to the ruins of a neighbouring theatre built by the Romans who also knew a dramatic location when they saw one.

You may be forgiven for wondering why you have never seen it. But if you can take your eyes off the designer merchandise in the cute whitewashed boutiques of Marbella Old Town you can spot the telltale crenellations of castle walls. Sadly they are all that remains of the most important vestige of Muslim civilisation in Marbella. The castle was originally built in the 9th or 10th century during

Castillo de Marbella

the reign of Abderraman III, first of the Caliphs of Al-Andalus.The walls were reinforced with 11 rectangular towers of different sizes to protect the city from attack. In the 19th century, the castle ceased to be used for military purposes and became inextricably entwined with the town growing up around it.

Landlord boom

June 4th - June 17th 2021

EU enquiries for Buy-ToLet mortgages up 34%

KIPTON INTERNATIONAL has enjoyed a rise in enquiries for its UK Buy-To-Let mortgages over the last year. The Guernsey-based bank saw a 34% increase in enquiries from residents of the EU in the period January to May 2021 compared to figures from August to December 2020. In contrast, there was a 16% increase during the same period for the rest of the world. Skipton International’s mortgage offering is available to British Expats and Foreign Nationals purchasing Buy-To-Let property in the UK. The largest percentage increase came from the EU, with Hong Kong and the UAE also proving popular jurisdictions for UK Buy-To-Let enquiries.

DEMAND: Roger Hughes has seen growth

for a dip in the river or a picnic (there is only one tiny cafe en route). Although we spotted snakes in one of the rock pools, which put us off taking the

today but the views through the horseshoe shaped windows of the Torre Blanca tower are as spectacular as ever. Noted for its unusually wide keep with its angular floor plan, its insidious dungeon also leaves an impression - a hell

plunge. Dimly-lit tunnels are a feature of the route but bikes are equipped with extra lights for this. Even so, for the faint-heart-

hole six metres deep by three metres in diameter, covered by a metal grill and completely exposed to the elements. In 1582 a bell tower was added above the keep to house what was then one of the largest bells in Christendom.

Alcazaba of Antequera

This ‘working’ concert hall castle at the mouth of the Fuengirola River is in excellent nick thanks to multiple refurbishments down the centuries. The Moors built a fortress here

Castillo Sohail, Fuengirola

in the 10th century, and then the Christians did it up to become one of the most economically efficient military outposts in the land. And in 1730 it was remodelled again as a squadron base tasked with stemming smuggling between Spain and the newly British Gibraltar.

ed among us - i.e. me - it was a case of creeping along very slowly through the murky twilight. Of course, the kids were fearless, zooming through while yelling their heads off. If you’ve got the time, I recommend staying the night somewhere at the end of the route like Tortosa rather than facing the drive home as you will be pretty pedalled out. Having recovered the next day, we set off on another adventure: kayaking down the Ebro. One of the biggest rivers in Spain, and the site of a decisive battle in the Spanish Civil War, today it is a magnet for tourists looking for a wild river experience. The kayaking company guides you to the finishing point at Benifallet where you leave your car, and transports you back to the starting point in Miravet village. With six young children in tow, we booked a guide to join us on the water in case we needed some help, even though we had some experienced kayakers in our midst. Two hours afloat was the limit for us but some people go for much longer.

The increase came against the backdrop of Brexit and a reduced number of UK-based lenders supporting EU residents. Skipton’s enhanced mortgage proposition, the UK Stamp Duty holiday and the sharp demands within the UK rental market are also contributing factors. Roger Hughes, Business Development Manager of Skipton International, said: “We have some of the most attractive UK Buy-To-Let mortgages on the market for Expats and Foreign Nationals. “This year the demand has continued to grow and we will be exploring ways to make our mortgage proposition even more attractive, allowing more overseas residents to access the UK property market for long term investment purposes.” To see how much you may be able to borrow you can visit Skipton’s online UK Buy-To-Let mortgage calculator at: www.skiptoninternational.com/mortgage-calculator/uk

For more information about the services Skipton International can provide, visit www.skiptoninternational.com

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

run to the hills

Pleasure

Once on the water, it was a pure pleasure to glide along and view the wider countryside from such an unusual angle. Vultures circled above a tiny village we passed, and fish popped up to the surface to say hello. We were the only people on the river that day but in the height of summer over 100 kayaks are rented daily. The real beauty of the Ebro is there’s just enough of a current so that paddling is not hard work but no scary rapids to navigate like the ones in the film Deliverance. No murderous hillbillies either! And a very happy ending on our return to dry land in Benifallet, spoiled for choice for restaurants, where we enjoyed a long and hearty lunch.

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COLUMNISTS It’s Better than Brixton 14

June 4th - June 17th 2021

Making the front pages for all the wrong reasons, writes Giles Brown

Terenia Taras Telling it like it is

IT’S great to see places open and busy – finally! But more importantly I can resume my social life uninterrupted without lockdowns, restrictions and babyish curfews! I’ve lived on the island for just over a year now, and what a year it’s been! But it hasn’t stopped me from getting around the island and enjoying some of the fabulous beaches, restaurants and bars. It’s great to see new places opening up and there are still so many places I’ve yet to try. I love eating and drinking and the island has so much choice. Here are a few of my favourites; Nova Del Mar Restaurant and Bar In San Augustin has got to be one of the best spots on the island. Overlooking Port Calanova and a pretty little beach, it’s got an amazing view over the sea and is the perfect place for sundowner drinks. The restaurant has just introduced a new sharing menu and they have a great choice of cocktails and worldwide wines. Friday night their resident DJ gets the weekend started with some great tunes and is a popular place with the international clientele. Run by two Swedish families, the food is a mix of Mediterranean with a Swedish influence. If you’re looking for somewhere with a great location and atmosphere, then you won’t be disappointed. Try

Mallorca definitely offers something for everyone

their new social eating menu and concept – Lunch Without Ending! Balneario Beach Restaurant Is a great place to spend the day. You can hire sunbeds and an umbrella from their beach club on Illetas beach and CHEERS: Drinks at Nova del Mar enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Paella is a favourite with scene. The restaurant only the locals and holidaymakers. has limited seating outside Last time I ate there I bumped and inside so you’ll need to into Brendon Cole and his Mrs book. The restaurant might not look much, but the food is who live on the island. great and good value. Vandal restaurant In Palma is definitely a destina- Il Chiringo Restaurant tion restaurant. The food, ven- If you want to eat great food ue and concept are interesting and feel sand in-between your and original. Downside is it’s toes on the beach, then this is quite small inside so you need the place. ll Chiringo on Palto make sure you book. It’s not manova beach is always busy the cheapest place to eat, but and popular with the locals. the food is well worth it. Ask for It has a great selection of the Childhood Feelings dessert fresh fish and seafood which and indulge your senses, know- can be cooked on the BBQ. ing that you’re also helping local There’s shelves of wines and people as the restaurant sup- champagnes to choose from, ports the Shambhala Foundation are you getting the running for young and vulnerable people theme! I’ve eaten one of the on the island. Vandal is best for best pasta dishes ever here, date nights, special occasions, or Paccheri with lobster, the pasif you’re looking for something a ta was cooked perfectly and you get a generous half loblittle avant-garde! ster with it for €24.50. Again, it’s popular so you’ll need to Naan Street Food Restaurant In Palma has a great menu and book. the food is delicious. You can get I love a recommendation so half or full portions - a great way please message me your fato try as many of the different fla- vourite places on the island voursome dishes. The restaurant is in Santa Catalina, at the heart YOU CAN FOLLOW ME of Palma’s eateries and social @tereniataras

LUXURY: Superyachts and supercars in Puerto Banus

REPORT: The Guardian took a look at Marbella nal London firms enjoyed their away from them. pre/extradition treaty Eden in And if the journalists had dug the sun. a little deeper, they might have But as in most cities, if you discovered that, as I always look for criminality you will say and with due respect to find it (County Lines, anyone?). the noble borough - where I The majority of residents know had a knife pulled on me in a which bits of Marbella are, mugging… ahem ‘colourful’, and stay “It’s better than Brixton.”

Quarantine! So, what’s new?

ISITORS from the UK will have to quarantine for 10 days when returning from their Spanish holidays. So, what’s the problem? It used to take me at least two weeks to recover from my alcohol-fuelled, Dan Air, Iberian breaks during my younger, hey-ho, days. I have vague memories of struggling through Luton Airport, loaded down with donkeys, flamenco dolls, cassinettes and bottles of sangria, whilst desperately trying to balance a large Sombrero hat on my somewhat non-existent, numb bonce. And all this in the days when we were only allowed to take £50 on foreign holidays. Amazing, but life in Spain was vastly different, and much cheaper. Mucho pesetas to the pound, no motorways, only narrow, rough roads leading down to small village-type holiday resorts that offered everything a young single Englishman could wish for on his once-a-year holiday. Boozy days on sun-drenched beaches, boozy nights at frantic fiestas and sealing life-long friendships with local Spanish folk, whilst not understanding a bloody word that

was said. So, as I mentioned, the first two OL D HA CK weeks back home in IN TH E SU N London were always just a bit of a blur, Benny Davi s accompanied by the Ramblings of an 80-someth ing expat inevitable sore head and isolation of the brain But, worth every penny of my hard-earned, 12 months piggy bank savings of £50. About the price of a couple of airport cardboard cups of weak, brown-coloured liquid posing as ‘Café Americano,’ plus – forget the good old sausage sarnie and `BLT´– a choice of either a veggie and egg white sandwich with Shirataki rice? Or maybe, sausage, egg, free-range mayo, and cheese on croissant? I give up!

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 6 Strike up, 8 Home, 9 Mum's, 10 Downside, 11 Renfrew, 14 Acres, 15 Start, 17 Zealots, 21 Republic, 22 Pews, 23 Fife, 24 Whispers. Down: 1 St Luke, 2 Pins, 3 Need-be, 4 Physical, 5 Smudge, 7 P O Ws, 12 Fortunes, 13 Wiz, 16 Thesis, 18 Euclid, 19 Toward, 20 Glow, 22 Pops.

SUDOKU

Open at last!

ARBELLA made the front pages in the UK once again last month when The Guardian, not known for salacious reporting, ran a 10,000- ‘errant seagull casually tossword feature entitled A united ing away a cigarette mid-flight’ Nations of Crime. How Marbel- theory, that I tend to refer to la became a magnet for gang- when Marbella traditionally marks the weeks before the sters. What followed was the stan- start of the season by burning dard ‘Costa del Crime’ 101 ar- down a few thatched beach ticle. All the usual tropes about clubs. tattooed gangsters crashing The article also featured a variety of unnamed Rolls Royces sources – from and walking underworld figaway, North AfSaudi princes ures dishing the rican ‘foot soldirt, to worried diers’ having can be seen residents who stand offs with waddling from claimed they UK criminals not leave outside luxury superyachts to did their valuables boutiques and in their homes, the fire that detheir limos to the nightclub stroyed the Sisu public relations Hotel last sumgirl who claimed that there mer. The official initial inquiry on was a ‘no fat people’ policy in the cause of the blaze has Marbella clubs. Which must been released and concluded have come as quite a surprise that the fire, which started in to many of the Saudi princes three different locations inside who are regularly seen waddling from their superyachts to the building, was deliberate. They might as well have made their chauffeur driven limos to the equally Earth shattering be whisked to the luxury spot deduction that night follows of their choice. day, but at least it ruled out my Of course, it would be foolish to say that there is no crime in Marbella. I have lived here since the 80s when the origi-

HEALTH Taking a toll

THE COVID pandemic has increased mental health problems among vulnerable children, with financial strain on parents a major factor, a study by Cardiff University has found. During the pandemic, researchers interviewed 142 five to 10-year-olds who had been identified by schools as ‘at risk’ of mental health problems, and they then compared the information to pre-pandemic data.

Link

There was a strong link between financial stress and mental health problems in parents, which was in turn associated with worsening mental health issues among children, the researchers discovered. The study showed children living below the poverty line face more anxiety, stress and even abuse because of the temporary shutdown of different public services, such as free meals and daycare, which are often a safe haven for vulnerable children.

June 4th - June 17th 2021

Soothing the nerves

A SPANISH biologist has discovered a new protein that helps regulate anxiety and could open a new chapter in mental health treatment. Javier Gilabert Juan, winner of the Valencian Young Scientific Talent award in 2016 and currently Anatomy and Neuroscience professor at Madrid University, has been working on the protein known as OTX2 for the past three years. Gilabert and his team first discovered that OTX2 was involved in the development of abilities such as sight and hearing during childhood. Their investigation then led them to check whether it could have an effect on depression, anxiety and learning difficulties as adults. Experiments with mice re-

‘Breakthrough’ in treating anxiety and depression

EXCITED: Javier Gilabert is hoping for a breakthrough labert, is to move onto more By Glenn Wickman complex mammals to check exactly how the protein works vealed that those injected with to modify behaviour. OTX2 had a less anxious be- Previous studies showed that haviour than ‘normal’ mice. OTX2 was easier to regulate The next step, says Javier Gi- when the brain was still being formed but it has now also been found to work for adults. The team aims to study the effect of the protein in cases of now administered in the stress, post-traumatic stress Balearic Islands is 558,055. disorder, and schizophrenia. This week, the Ministry of If successful, the trials could Health of the Government open a new chapter in mental of Catalonia is expecting the health medication, as the proIsland’s biggest delivery of tein could boost the effect of vaccines. existing drugs and help create new ones.

2 in 5 vaccinated OVER 40% of the target population in the Balearic Islands have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, just five months into the vaccination campaign. The total number of vaccines

Fighting cancer CALANOVA Cancer Care Charity Shop in San Agustin has helped raise over €400,000 for various cancer charities since it opened and most recently donated €18,000. Volunteers at the charity shop work tirelessly and without any pay to help support four local cancer charities, AECC, DIME, Cancer Support Group and Aspanob, which received a donation of €12,000 at Christmas. The Association Española Contra El Cancer Junta De Balears, AECC, which looks after people on the island suffering from cancer received a cheque for €12,000. Felix Martin, President of DIME, and Marie Timlin, co-ordinator, were also handed a cheque for €3,000. The organisation has 55 volunteers who provide palliative support. “The money raised through the charity shop is invaluable to us and the people we support,” said Marie. Krista Hyer, accepted a cheque on behalf of Cancer Support Group for €3,000 which will be used to provide Spanish translators for cancer patients throughout their medical appointments. She said: “We are very grateful for the donation which will be used to provide counselling and nutritional advice. We also work closely with social services to assist with

financial support if patients are unable to work.” The charity shop is run by Angela McGrath and a team of volunteers who all have the same desire to help people with cancer in the Balearics. “I would like to thank all the amazing people who support us with all their donations,” said Angela who opened the shop in 2011. “Also all of our wonderful volunteers who donate their time freely.” As well as financial donations the shop helped with the refurbishment of both palliative patients lounges in Son Espases and Clinica Juan March repainting them and supplying new inside and outdoor furniture and a special sun awning for the palliative terrace in the Hospital General Palma. The volunteers and shop were recognised by Calvia Town Hall for their help within the community and also honored to receive awards from AECC, ASPANOB and DIME for their support over the past nine years. Calanova Cancer Care Charity Shop, 354 Joan Miro/izq. 1 Luziargo, San Agustiin, is constantly in need of donations of furniture, bedding, clothing and bric-a-brac. If anyone would like to volunteer some of their time contact Angela McGrath 971 708 664.

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Help is at hand

The Olive Press - 2nd, 3rd and the 4th 1/6 Page - 83 mm w x 170 mm h (all editions except Gib)

British expats in Spain are struggling to navigate Brexit red tape with heavy tax burdens and potential bans on living here, writes Julio Prieto

RITISH expats in Spain are facing a great deal of Brexit-related red tape over their immigration status post-Brexit. They are being urged to leave the country if they cannot apply for residency. Many failed to register their residency before the deadline of December 31, 2020 and, until Brexit came into force, had been flying under the radar. Worse, since Britain left the EU on January 1 expats are facing increasingly heavy tax burdens: UK non-resident taxpayers must pay 24% income tax, compared to EU nationals who pay just 19%. It has shone a spotlight on the issues around freedom of movement with thousands of British citizens previously splitting their time between Spain and the UK. Brexit restrictions are being taken very seriously by the Spanish authorities and border control systems mean that nobody can be invisible. The status of Britons trying to live in Spain who have not registered their residency will be subject to the new rules applying to the Schengen zone. It means British citizens will not be able to outstay the ‘90 out of 180 days’ limit which has been implemented. And there is no leeway for emergencies. Overstaying in the Schengen area could mean a ban from the country for three years. The only real solution for those who do not wish to become residents is to purchase the socalled Spanish Golden Visa, but this is restricted to applicants that purchased a property over €500,000 and has other conditions attached. What’s more, these visas are subject to large consulate fees of £1,623 for Brits, which is extortionate given Canadians pay just £86 for their visa which allows them the same benefit. Take the case of John, a British pensioner, who bought a house in Mallorca last year to spend

some of his retirement in Spain. Spanish law did not prevent him from buying a property in Spain priced at €499,999, yet he does not want to become a Spanish resident, which is entirely his right. Now under the new Schengen Immigration Policies in place since January 1, he was only entitled to stay at his holiday home until March 31 and won’t be allowed to re-enter Spain until July (due to the ‘90 days in and out’ rule). At Del Canto Chambers, we believe that not allowing access or imposing time limits to the use of properties may be a human rights infringement as per the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It states that individuals have a legal right to ‘peacefully enjoy’ the possession of their home and by restricting the use to ‘90 or 180 days’ is illegal. If you are a British citizen who owns a property in Spain and would like to enjoy freedom of access, it is worth seeking legal advice. One must have exhausted all the remedies in the State concerned that could provide redress, usually by appealing through all the courts up to the Supreme Court or the Constitutional Court. For anyone who has been negatively impacted by this situation, it is worth exploring your options. Julio Prieto is an international barrister based in London. He is Director of Del Canto Chambers, an international tax legal firm based in London with a country focus on Spain. Del Canto Chambers has been advising numerous UK individuals and families on their tax and immigration status post Brexit. More details of the Firm can be found at delcantochambers.com.

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FINAL WORDS

Bus-ted TWO robbers attempted to dodge police by using buses as their getaway transport across Costa Blanca. However, they were soon arrested - along with the stolen hotel bag - on an Alicante bus.

Boar off THERE was traffic jam chaos in Barcelona, as a mother boar and her cubs ran wild along one of the main streets. The humbug-like animals held up traffic for over two hours, during rush hour.

expat

voice in Spain June 4th - June 17th 2021

In a hole

Nou-gat to be joking NUTTY Spanish sweet, Turron, could be given its own United Nations World Day, as Alicante Provincial Council looks to make November 7 World Turron Day.

Your

Row leads to Hobbit style ‘home’

By Kirsty McKenzie

Feeling ruff A GIANT Poodle has become the first pet in Spain to be infected with the British ‘Kent’ COVID-19 variant. Experts at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) have been studying coronavirus infections in pets for a number of months. They have confirmed that a 14-year-old giant poodle tested positive in PCR tests for the ‘Kent’ variant which first came to light last December. AN unscrupulous businessman has been thrown in the slammer after he sold 800,000 kilos of horse meat as beef. The 60-year-old from Castellon has been sentenced to four years in prison and

FOLLOWING an argument with his parents, aged 14, hotheaded Andres Canto took a pickaxe into the garden and started digging to work off his frustrations. Six years later, the hole is now a den with a bedroom, wifi and sound system. Andres, from La Romana in Alicante says he can’t remember what the fight was about - but is delighted his bizarre act of petulance became an obsession, even enlisting a friend with a pneumatic drill to blast the 10 foot deep cave. The excavation was done by

What a mare! ordered to pay €470,000 in compensation by the Supreme Court. The conman supplied meat to a company in Torrent (Valencia)

hand using buckets, but as Andres went deeper and deeper he developed a homemade pulley system. between the years 2011 and 2013. Although the contract was for beef, the supplier began surreptitiously introducing horse meat into the batches he sent the firm in order to increase his profit margin.

The layout of his retreat was often determined by the obstacles that got in the way of the project and authorities even paid him a visit to make sure the build was legal. Like his parents, they found no issue with Andres’s unique project, which he estimates has cost him a grand total of €50. The aspiring actor said the labour of love was inspired by his passion for building huts and tree houses as a child.

Good thrashing A POLICE car was given the ‘Basil Fawlty’ treatment when an angry man attacked it with a branch. In a scene that was almost a carbon copy from the famous UK TV comedy of the seventies, a 64-year-old man appeared outside the Alcantarilla police station in the Murcia region. Police officers saw him clutching a one-metre-long tree branch. He then started to give a police car ‘a damn good thrashing’, to use the line uttered by John Cleese.

Friends.

Reset.

Music.

At OD Port Portals we have our own star rating. In fact, we have all the stars of the Mallorca sky and we will enjoy them all together every summer night at OD Sky Bar, on our spacious terrace and at our restaurant On Top. A hotel full of local experiences, music, art, gastronomy, yoga, pre-parties, flea markets, brunches, concerts, Pilates, tardeo, sea, sun and all the stars. A hotel full of life.

Horizon.

Sunset.

Agog

They watched agog as the Portuguese national did substantial damage to the car’s bodywork. He also smashed the front and rear windows of the vehicle. The irate attacker was eventually calmed down and hauled in front of a judge. It’s unclear why he decided to vent his anger on the police car.

Memories.

Olive Press Mallorca - Issue107

Articles inside

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