By Alex Trelinski & Dilip Kuner POST: Kearns in a Twitter message from Dubai
Ultra right Brit extremist faces the music after losing extradition battle
of posting links to documents that encouraged people to carry out ter Theserorism.included links to the man ifestos of Brenton Tarrant – who killed 51 people in Christchurch, New Zealand – and Norwegian ter rorist, Anders Breivik.
Vol. 14 Issue 402 www.theolivepress.es September 7th - September 20th 2022 OPLIVERESSThe ANDALUCÍA FREE Mijas Costa TM952 147 834 Tel: 952 147 834 See pages 5 & 21
The National Court disagreed, but said that should he be jailed by a UK court he should be returned to Spain to serve his Hissentence.defence said in a statement: “Diatribes against immigrants, multiculturalism or the Jewish peo ple, although highly objectionable, can be protected by freedom of ex pression and within an ideology of the extreme right.”
A BRITISH far-right extremist with close links to Marbella and the Cos ta Blanca is set to be extradited to face terror charges in the UK. The 38-year-old has been identified by the Spanish police as ‘Christo pher TK’, also known among farright activists as ‘Charlie Big Pota toes’, or ‘Kris Kearns’. Spain’s National Court has ap proved the extradition of the Liv erpool-born former paratrooper, a decision that must be ratified by the Council of Ministers. He faces up to 15 years in jail after Westminster Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest.
Extremist We revealed two years ago that far right extremist Tommy Robinson was living in Marbella. We reported how the dangerous racist even talked about moving permanently to Gibraltar.
TwitterCREDITS:PIC hatenotHopeCREDIT:PIC ibraltar National DayG ww.theolivepress.es Celebrating BACK TO IT’S BEST T celebrateWith our Gibraltar National Day special pullout inside GET READY TO PARTY! Opinion Page 6
FACING JAIL
FASCIST: Kearns (left and below) various links with at least one lead ing mafia gang based on the Cos ta del Sol and in Dubai, we can Wereveal.have been monitoring his Telegram chan nel for the group called ‘Fascist Fitness’, which has 1,800 follow Manyers. of his vid eos were filmed in Marbellawhere a source has told the Ol ive Press he had links with shad owy figures from the now defunct MTK gym and boxing stable in
The Olive Press has been monitor ing Kearns for nearly a year, as he travelled between his rented villa in Albir,on the Costa Blanca and ho tels around Marbella. Kearns - who is well known among members of white nationalist group Patriotic Alternative - has formed Puerto Banus. This had originally been set up by Irish underworld boss Daniel Kina han, now sought by the US author Theities.Kinahan clan - Christy Kinah an Snr, Daniel Kinahan and Chris topher Kinahan Jr - who are now based in Dubai, have been put on a US sanctions list because of their Irish mafia connections. Social media posts indicate that Ke arns has recently visited Dubai. He left Marbella and headed to Alfas del Pi on the Costa Blanca, where he continued to shoot videos for Fascist Fitness. He rented near by in Albir, we can reveal, with his wife and two children. Violent According to UK police, Kearns published content in the channel ‘predominantly aimed at building up hostility against non-white peo ple and encouraging direct violent action against them, as part of an ideology of white supremacy’. He has also been photographed making fascist salutes. UK detectives believe he was get ting ready for a ‘war between races’ and produced a video where he en couraged the ‘English white to go to mosques and synagogues to threat en Onimmigrants’.twooccasions, he is accused
The National Court in Spain said: “The supposedly criminal material was spread through social networks from his domicile in the province of Alicante addressed to subjects who were residing in the UK. “The messages are all in English and to understand the relevance it is sometimes necessary to have an understanding of the ideology of the extreme UK right.” His solicitor has now argued that since all the messag es were sent from Spain, he should be tried here as he has sufficient roots in the Hecountry.added that there was not enough evi dence for extradition.
MEDITERRANEANPROUD HeritageCUISINEBRITISH Food Festival National Week, Chess, Snooker, Phoenician Empire CalentitaTHE ROCK The Moorish Castle Pillars of Hercules 100000 NeanderthalYEARSSettlements
By Jorge Hinojosa
AT least 130 Jesuit priests have been accused of committing sexual abuse against children between 1927 and 2012 in TheSpain.ElPais newspaper, as part of its ongoing probe into paedophilia within the Roman Catholic Church in Spain, reported there were at least 160 vic tims who suffered at the hands of the Jesuit abuse
Coke to orderSHOT DOWN
POLICE has arrested seven people for allegedly scamming companies and freelancers us ing the ‘man in the middle’ con. Policia Nacional say that they scammed €2 million by hack ing emails and pretending to be a supplier. They then per suaded ‘clients’ to redirect pay ments to the genuine supplier to an account controlled by the Policescammers.started to investigate af ter a well-known chain of per fume shops with stores across Spain reported losing almost Computers,€200,000. phones and €2,000 cash were seized. CYBER crime rose by 6.1% in Spain last year according to the Criminality Statistical Sys Sometem(SEC).305,477 cyber-related offences were reported in 2021. Fraud accounted for 87.4% of offences followed by threats and coercion made by fraud sters against internet users. The clear-up rate says the SEC was low. Of the 305,477 re ports, just 46,141 cases were solved with 13,801 arrests. The largest number of com plaints came from the Provinc es of Madrid, Barcelona, Sevil la, Valencia, Alicante, Malaga and Vizcaya.
SPIKECRIMINALONLINEscam
A 42-year-old man accused of running a cocaine delivery service has been arrest ed in ClientsEstepona.wouldorder by phone, with the man willing to deliver the drug 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an attempt to keep police off his tail he would change cars frequently and arrange to meet customers in different places. A search of his house found 30 grammes of cocaine.
THE body of a missing Spanish man has been found in Los Montes de Malaga with a gunshot wound to the head. The Policia Nacional are searching for a hunter who has been recently spotted in the area where the body was found. Since the discovery, it has been estab lished that the corpse is that of a 21-yearold Spanish man, David, who had been reported missing by his family members on Monday afternoon, August 29.
TheJesuits.paper said that the Jesuit who faced the largest number of complaints was Barcelona-born priest Emilio Benedetti. He worked in several Jesuit schools and died in 2019. Benedetti's was accused of committing sexual abuse against at least 13 victims between 1969 and 1973 but no action was taken against him. El Pais said the number of Jesuits ac cused of sexual abuse accounts for 15.4% of the total number of Roman Catholic figures accused of paedophilia and ha rassment through its contacts with read ers and victims.
planMusical
tonnesarrestedInternationalgangbossesover3ofcocaine
For further information call: Gibraltar Tourist Board +350 200 74950 Or to download a brochure go to: www.visitgibraltar.gi
CRIMEwww.theolivepress.es September 7th - September 20th 20222 NEWS IN BRIEF
STAR actor Antonio Banderas is to stage a musical about artist and fellow Malagueño Pablo Picasso that will be per formed in London and Malaga next year. Round trip A VUELING com mercial flight from Malaga to Belgium was forced to land after a door alarm was set off as it was flying over Jaen. Deal maid SOME 11,000 domes tic workers in Malaga have the right to unem ployment benefits for the first time under a new law passed by the Spanish government this week.
Cyber
Getting better ANDALUCIA has regis tered the lowest number of Covid infections since November 2021, with only 564 new covid cas es and 14 deaths since Friday, September 2.
POLICE have arrested two international drug lords who were hiding out in luxury. Guardia Civil swooped on the Dutch and Belgian citi zens who were lying low in Marbella after cops in their home countries had started an operation against cocaine
History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting. Join us for a celebration of history, art, heritage and pageantry in a unique part of the world. Bring hearts, minds and soulswww.visitgibraltar.gi With a UNESCO world heritage site offering 120,000 years of human history and only short drive from the Costa del Sol, enjoy the warmth of the British Gibraltarians and splash out VAT-free in Sterling. Gibraltar. Sun, sea and history served with a very British twist. A year of Cultur e ibraltar
Drug
Thesmugglers.investigation began in 2020 when the Belgian Fed eral Police and the Dutch Po lice discovered large amounts of the drug being shipped from Brazil to the two north ern European nations. One consignment of 556 kilos of the drug, which was hidden in a cargo of soy flour, was seized by Brazilian police in Then2020. in January of 2021 2.3 tonnes of cocaine was discov ered among a shipment of coffeee beans in the Port of AnotherAntwerp. two shipments of 586 kilos and 409 kilos were seized in the Port of Rotter dam Dutch. and Belgian investiga tors uncovered two suspected ringleaders of the gang who were said to be on the Costa Del Sol, and asked Guardia for their help. Warrants When their location was tracked down, European Arrest Warrants were is sued and simultaneous raids launched in Marbella, Hol land and Belgium. As well as the two ringlead ers, seven other alleged mem bers of the gang were arrested and three luxury cars seized. nabbedLords
#VISITGIBRALTAR
STARS IN TOWN: From left, Colman, Robbie, Ronaldo, Watson, Jagger, Blunt, Elba and Delevingne taverna on Talamanca beach, near Ibiza Town. It was the most fitting of visits, having played the role of Ibiza DJ Marcus, who is going through hard times while di vorcing his model wife Anna, played by Angela Griffin. A regular visitor to the island since the series aired in 2020, he was immediately recognis able with his wife, makeup artist Louise Burton. The Olive Press also bumped into former NBA star Dwayne Wade as he celebrated his eighth wedding an niversary to actress Gabrielle Union with around 20 friends at the island’s current hip pest hotel Six Senses. The ex-Miami Heat leg end was spending a week in the Balearic is lands with his Hollywood his children Beatrice and William, splashed the cash at the island’s most expensive nightclub. VIP tables cost from €2,500 to €3,500, while rooms in the adjacent hotel start at €802 a night. The world’s most expensive restau rant, SubliMotion, set up next door at the Hard Rock Hotel, costs guests from €1,500 each. The 20-course tasting menu, created by Paco Roncero, at least comes with champagne and wines. actress Olivia Colman, who has been enjoying a week with her family in the north of the island. The Olive Press can reveal that the British moth er-of-three has been out at Be nirras’ famous hippie beach, as well as eating at a hip Italian joint in Santa forActressscoopedColman,Gertrudis.48,whotheBestawardherportrayal
The Six Senses hotel itself has been making huge waves since opening last year, near Portinatx. Costing from €1,000 a night, it has kept the hoi polloi well at bay and seen an amazing lineup of Hollywood stars allegedly staying this summer, includ ing Richard Gere, Will Smith and Anto nio WhileBanderas.thehotel doesn't comment on its guests a source told the Olive Press that ‘so many big names have been in on the quiet this summer’.
He said they also included big-name footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Zla tan Ibrahimovic, who was also filmed dancing at Pacha at a Seth Troxler night in August.
ATHLETES AND A-LISTERS
Clubs Meanwhile leading DJs Carl Cox, David Guetta and Sacha have been regulars this summer, at the various famous clubs, along with Calvin Har ris, who recently bought a farm on the Butisland.the most exciting DJ has to be actor Idris Elba, who has had a regular slot alongside Guetta at Hi Ibiza all summer.
NEWS September 7th - September 20th 2022 info@estucointeriors.com, www.estucointeriors.com, +34 952 810 633 ESTUCO INTERIORS Centro Plaza 56-57, Avda. Manolete s/n, 29660 Nueva Andalucia KIM BenefitsCLARKConsultancyIfyousufferfrom... • Mobility problems • Pain / Breathlessness • Falls / Stumbles Or you need... • Help washingwith/dressing • Supervision FOR ADVICE OR TO BOOK A CONSULTATION call 950 169 729 or 663 297 www.ukbenefitsinspain.com568 You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness/disability benefits while living in Spain OLIVE PRESS IBIZA SUMMER ROUNDUP
FILMED: NBA star Dwayne Wade is followed by his own film crew everywhere HE’S known for his tactical maneuvering.ButMichael Gove’s latenight moves have been tak en to a new level in Ibiza this summer. The ex-Tory minister was seen jumping about on the dancefloor of Ibiza’s hip pest club. He made up from his recent sacking from Boris Johnson’s government with a high ener gy evening at Ushuaïa Beach club.The 55-year-old, who has been on holiday with In a spin!
One of the most exciting spots by the Olive Press this month was the star of Netflix’ 10-part drama White Lines, Daniel Mays. Mays, 44, was seen having dinner with his wife and son at a beachside star wife and various other basketball Afriends.friend told the Olive Press he was having ‘an amazing break’ after he toasted his marriage with champagne on the stunning dining terrace of HaSa lon Therestaurant.pairlooked stunning in black, as they were serenaded by a flamenco group with dancers. As part of their so-called Wade World Tour 2022, the group hired the su peryacht, the Wellesley, which costs €230,000-a-week to rent. The yacht, which comes with 12 crew, has been taking the couple and friends around the three other Balearic islands since mid-August. The Olive Press pictured it off Formen tera, with a giant slide inflated on its side.
Hard times “She’s been into our restaurant three times over the last six months,” re vealed a waiter at il Buco. “And getting Olivia Colman was the icing on the cake. We were all very excited.”
Celeb fest for White Island as Ibiza approaches its annual closing parties this month, writes Olive Press editor Jon Clarke
Others spotted on the island this sum mer are James Blunt and Jade Jagger, who both have homes in Ibiza. Meanwhile Sienna Miller, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and supermodel Adwoa Aboah were spotted at a 30th birthday party for Cara Delevigne in August.
ClarkeJonCREDITS:PIC
AS holiday seasons go it doesn’t get much better for the White WhileIsle. the infamous closing parties approach, dozens of global superstars have been partying on the island. These include Oscar-winning of Queen Anne, in The Favourite has been renting a villa with her husband Ed OthersSinclair.recently staying include ac tress Margot Robbie, model Cara Delevigne and Emma Watson, who is understood to have recently bought a home on the island. The Harry Potter star has been spot ted three times eating in Santa Gertru dis this year, as well as playing padel tennis and horse-riding in the north of the island.
SPOTTED: Actor Daniel Mays
NEVER hand over to individuals asking for money to pay for vets bills. name and address of vets and pay them dog it are living at dog shelter sure name and address is registered. dog shelters will never give you the name and address of their vets register your name and address with the authorities.
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Mayor Without any idea what to do next and how best to proceed, last week she secured a meet ing with the town’s mayor Eduardo Dolon Sanchez. He spoke to the hospital and promised her that she ‘would have the results soon’. “But I still don't have them and I'm pleading with you to try and help.” We have con tacted the hospital and await a reply.
STILL
EXCLUSIVE: British expat ‘devastated’ after waiting four months for breast cancer results at beleaguered Alicante hospital Cash cow in total - more than 1,7 million people from 95 different coun tries have attended concerts and events organised by Starlite. A host of stars featured this year including Jason Derulo (pic tured), with a charity gala hosted by Antonio Ban deras raising thousands of euros.
Done proudus Sad stats By Jorge Hinojosa
EXCLUSIVE
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THE Unit ed Kingdom has DelateralservicesOBEandeorMalagaawardedMayFranciscolaTorreHonoraryforhistobirelations.laTorrehas been de scribed as being a ‘great support for the British com munity in cultural, econom ic and social spheres.’ According to Malaga City Council, one of the reasons for the distinction is ‘his ser vices to promote relations between the United King dom and the city of Malaga.’ Additionally, over the 22 years as Mayor, Francisco de la Torre has ‘promoted’ the ‘economic and social devel opment of the city of Malaga and its residents, the busi ness sector and tourists’, particularly British ones.
newsdesk@theolivepress.es
NEWSwww.theolivepress.es September 7th - September 20th 20224 FAKE DOG SHELTERS
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“I am feeling very emotional and worried. And it is affect ing my mental health,” said the retired school teacher, this week. She added: “The situation has also affected my relationship with my husband.”
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A SPECIES of mutant mos quito that is resistant to in secticides has been discov ered in Spain and 12 other European countries. Experts have warned that the strain of Tiger mosqui toes can spread illnesses like dengue, zika and chikun gunya. suckersLittle
THE Starlite festival in Marbella welcomed over 362,000 visitors this summer, 80,000 more than in Nearly2019.half of those attending con certs (48.3%) were foreigners with an average age of 39. International auditors Price Wa terhouse Cooper calculated that the festival contributed €315.5 million to Spain’s GDP. Since the festival started 10 years ago, it has generated €1,44 billion ONE person killed themselves every 14 hours in Andalucia during 2020, according to the SomeJunta. 793 people died as a consequence of suicide, mak ing it the second biggest cause of death for 15 to 25-year-olds. And for every person who takes their own life, there are 20 who try, warned the World Health Organisation Spain registered 3,941 sui cides in 2020 which is the highest number since official data became available. The most affected regions in Andalucia are Jaen, Granada and Cordoba. The 024 suicide helpline that was launched on May 10 of this year, has already regis tered 40,000 calls, with a dai ly average of 300. People can also call Samari tans in Spain between 10am and 10pm on FREEPHONE 900 525 100 for confidential service in English or pat@samaritansinspain.comemail
A PETRIFIED expat has been waiting for four months to have an answer from Torre vieja Hospital about whether or not she has breast cancer. Karen Moon, 66, has been left horrified after hearing the continual horror stories emerging from patients.
The Olive Press has already investigated the malfunc tioning public hospital three times over the last two years. Most recently in June we splashed on the appalling levels of care after securing exclusive interviews with a number of angry doctors. One of them ended up resigning after many years of service over the debacle. Our journalists have tried for months to contact hospital bosses for a response but we have not been able to speak with Karenanyone.Moon’s own personal nightmare started when she visited on May 23, to take a mammogram to discover if she had breast cancer. However, when after four weeks, Karen had not heard anything, she decided to phone the radiology depart ment to find out what was happening with her test. “The doctor contacted me that day and told me that I needed an echography,” explained Karen, originally from South sea, on Merseyside. But after she had not heard anything about an appoint ment for two weeks, she pan icked and decided to visit the private Quiron Salud hospi tal, also in Torrevieja.
“I obviously had to pay for the echography tests and the doctor doing the ultrasounds told me that he was really surprised about how long it had taken to get a mammo gram,” she added. The doctor recommended her to get a biopsy to investi gate further and she was able to get this free after getting her files from Torrevieja Hos “Thepital. state hospital has re cently contracted Quiron’s services as they have admit ted they do not have enough staff,” claimed Karen. Karen had the biopsy on Au gust 5 but as it is paid for by the Spanish health system she still has no results. “I am sure that if I had paid Quiron the fee of €2,000 for the biopsy, I would have had my results in 5 to 10 days. “But I was told I had to wait for ‘15 to 20 working days’ and that time has al ready passed,” she added. The doctors have warned Karen that breast cancers double every two months, and she has been waiting for four months without treatment.
CRITICAL
the
A special report by Sorrel Downer sailing with the King’s fleet bedrooms and will ‘proba bly have to be demolished’ a spokesman at local San Jose town hall told the Olive Press “The villa has a problem with its licence and to become a le gal property he needs to turn those bedrooms into a garage,” he said today. In addition, the Olive Press can reveal that Messi was also landed with a ‘stop order’ from nearby San Jose council in May for undertaking further works. “We had to step in when we discovered they were doing some other land movement in the grounds without a proper licence,” added the spokes “Theyman. were carving out terrac es to plant trees and so we had to stop the work.” The issue is unlikely to be a big problem for the Argentinian star, who owns various other homes in Spain. These include a hotel on the is land, the MIM Ibiza Es Vive, a stunning four-storey spot near Ibiza Town, which features some of his medals and prizes. Messi, 35, has been a regular visitor to Ibiza for years and spent much of August in his new villa, where he has report edly splashed up to €5million in renovations. Yacht He was also recently spotted on a yacht off Ibiza with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo. Last year, he rented the amaz ing private island of Tagoma go, off Cala San Vicente, which costs €250,000 a week.
EXCLUSIVE
The island, owned by German estate agent Matthias Kuhn, is on sale for €157million.
FLEET: Old meets new MYSTERIOUS lights in the sky left Malaga residents puz zled this week. Reports of ‘an unusual ce lestial phenomena’ and a ‘ghostly apparition’ flooded social media as two intense spotlights slowly crossed the early morning sky, startling star gazers and early birds However,alike. far from an alien encounter, the huge spot lights were actually part of a SpaceX rocket that had been launched that night. UFO solved
Helicopters from the 5th and 10th squadrons of the Navy Air craft Flotilla and five Harrier jets flew overhead before making a fly pass over Sanlucar’s beaches. Approaching Sanlucar, the ships and accompanying flotilla of boats paused at the Elcano buoy, where the Naval choir sang and wreaths were laid to commemorate those who were lost during the expedition.
HISTORY doesn’t record the welcome Elcano received after sailing around the world, but yesterday’s Centenario V cele brations, in the seas off Cadiz would be hard to beat. The Spanish captain Elcano completed the voyage that Magellan planned, sailing his ship, the Victoria, back to the Cadiz port of Sanlucar de Bar
A toddler has been killed after being struck on the head by a hailstone when storms hit Catalunya. The 20-month old died after being rushed into the Jo sep Trueta hospital in Girona. A woman was also admitted into hospital with the child and was being treated for her injuries, according to Catalunya Radio. Hailstone tragedy SOME 225 motorists have died in Spain during July and August, 10 more than in the same months of 2019, ac cording to official data. “It is a bad figure. A single death on the road is a price that we cannot and should not assume,” said the Min ister of Interior, Fernando HeGrande-Marlaska.highlightedthat the ma jority of deaths (173) hap pened on secondary and rural roads, while 52 deaths were recorded on motorways. Car deaths
A rightwelcomeRoyal rameda on September 6, 1522, after three years at sea. King Felipe was guest of honour aboard the Navy training ship, the Juan Sebastian Elcano, for a naval review marking the anni versary. A total of 12 Navy vessels took part, including the air craft carrier Juan Carlos I, the amphibious assault ship Galicia, frigates, combat supply ships and patrol boats. A replica of the wooden carrack, the Victoria, had pride of place and was accompanied in the parade by several other historic ships. Hundreds of locally-owned fishing boats and sailing boats bobbed alongside in choppy seas as the ships from the naval base in Rota sailed towards Chipiona and on past Cádiz.
RED CARD!EXCLUSIVEByJonClarkeinIbiza
NEWSwww.theolivepress.es September 7th - September 20th 2022 5 *Data extracted from process closure surveys after using our roadside assistance and breakdown services. 952 147 834 TheOlivePress-256x170-MP0622.indd 1 6/6/22 10:43
LIONEL Messi may have to knock down part of his new seaside villa in Ibiza. The Argentinian football leg end is also likely to be hit with a large fine for undertaking illegal works at his €11million mansion, near Cala Tarida. The former Barca star, now with PSG in Paris, bought the home in February this year, without an official opening licence (licencia de primero ocupación). The property he bought from Swiss businessman Philippe Amon has too many rooms. In particular, the garage block of the home has two unlicensed Millionaire football ace needs to demolish part of his new Ibiza villa
NEWS FEATUREwww.theolivepress.es6 HEAD OFFICE Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio cc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva NEWSDESK: 0034 951 273 575 For all sales and advertising enquiries please contact 951 27 35 75 ADMIN Sandra Aviles Diaz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es OFFICE MANAGER Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es DISTRIBUTIONENQUIRIES (+34) 951 273 575 distribution@ theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain OPINION 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. Deposito Legal MA: 835-2017 AWARDS Best expat paper in 2016Spain-2020 GooglelanguageBest2020EnglishpublicationinAndalucia2012-2022NewsInitiativegivestheOlivePressasubstantialgrant. PUBLISHER / EDITOR Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es Jo Chipchase jo@theolivepress.es Cristina Hodgson cristina@theolivepress.es Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es John JorgeCulattoHinojosa jorge@theolivepress.es
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Shortly after 3pm on September 19th, 2021, there was a huge volcanic eruption in La Palma, the Canary Islands, that was to last for three months. Barbara Belt witnessed the volcano in action and says, one year on, the recovery process is far from over T HERE are two volca noes on La Palma, a small island, just 47 km in length, at the northwestern end of the Ca nary Islands. It was Cumbre Vieja in the south that erupt ed, shooting out lava for 85 Bydays.the end of it, nearly 3,000 buildings and 74 km of road were buried in lava, and 370 hectares of farmland destroyed. Some 7,000 is landers were evacuated from their homes. Damage has been estimated at €900 mil Seismologistslion. saw seismic activity cordsPalmaeruptioningmostvolcanoyetbeforeissuedwarningsanddramatically,increasingwaseruptionweredaysitblew,lastyear’s–thedamagvolcaniconLasincerebegan–caught people by Fissuressurprise.suddenly opened on the southwest flank. The first magma formed two slow-moving lava flows. Then eight new vents blew, produc ing flows that fanned out fast like the fingers of an open hand, covering one of the most fertile banana planta tions in the Canaries. Lava, with a temperature in excess of 1000 degrees, wiped out everything in its path. It was impossible to predict where new vents would blow. Some evacuation warnings left people with as little as 15 minutes to get out. Shocked local residents es caped with their goats, chick ens, cows, sheep, cats, dogs, beehives and whatever they managed to load onto trucks as the lava fast approached. Tourists were evacuated to ForTenerife.the next three months, lava bombs, and fountains of lava shot into the air. Ash plumes (one 7.5 km tall) rained ash over the island. At its peak, the volcano pumped out 53,600 tonnes of sulphur dioxide a day, the noxious gases travelling as far as the Caribbean and Germa ny. When the lava reached the sea, it created a fajana (coastal shelf) so big the is land maps had to be redrawn. The volcano was erybody’sphraseever’mas25.ondeclaredofficiallyoverDecember‘BestChristpresentwastheonevlips.
Communication is disrupted: Tons of volcanic ash is still being removed, and rebuild ing and re-routing work con tinues on roads. Some areas remain closed to the public because of the dangerously high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmo sphere, such as the once popular beach destination Puerto Naos. Few evacuees used the of ficial hotel and shelter ac commodation, most camping out with family and friends. And, although a number have since been allocated pre fabricated houses or apart ments, the majority still are. As Javier Salinero of the vol cano victims’ pressure group Tierra Bonita explains: “The island economy has col
Goodbye and good riddance
But whole villages were de stroyed, as were churches, schools, medical centres, in dustrial areas, roads, bridg es, fruit plantations, cem eteries, irrigation systems, electricity lines and water pipes. Hundreds of animals had died. A thousand hect ares of previously fertile land lay under solidified lava flows. There was just one fa tality: a roof collapsed under a man as he attempted to clear ash off it inside the ex clusion zone. The islanders’ livelihoods were destroyed, too. And one year on, serious problems re main.
SPAIN is a wonderful country in which to live - which is why it has welcomed millions of expats to its shores. Whether they are British, Irish, German, Dutch or from further afield, they have all been given a warm greeting from the Span Thisish. makes the Spanish costas thriving, cos mopolitan, places to live life to the full - and the ‘foreigners’ are a major part of this. They bring a liveliness and different way of looking at things that complement the Span ish attitudes and way of life perfectly. But sadly, there is a dark underbelly to a mi nority. We all know about the criminal ele ments who have moved to Spain to either hide out from the law or to enrich them selves - all too often leading to gangland more iniquitous are those with an agenda. On the front page we reveal how Kris Kearns (AKA Charlie Big Potatoes) used his Spanish home as a base to spew his hateful ultra-right views on social media. Whether he has actually committed a crime is up to the UK courts to decide. But what is clear is that his sort of fascist message is one that is not welcome in Spain. It goes against the messages of inclusivity and ‘live and let live’ attitude that is one of Spain’s greatest charms. As far as the Olive Press is concerned, his extradition to face the music in the UK can not come soon enough. The only shame is that if he is convicted and jailed, the Spanish National Court has said he should serve his sentence here. We really do not want him back!
REMEMBERING THE DESTRUCTION
I live on neighbouring La Gomera, and first went to cover the story on September 21st, writes Barbara Belt (right). The ferry, full of Canarian firefighters and members of the Military Emergencies Unit, docked at the port of La Palma’s capital, Santa Cruz, in the east. Two hours later I was driving on the west coast, towards the red glow in the sky. Then there it was! Roaring, spectacular, belching flames, lava and ash. I nearly came off the Lookingroad!one way, I could see banana plantations all the way to the sea, and the oth er, an ancient volcano shooting lava thousands of metres into the air. The noise was ex traordinary. I got covered in volcanic dust, as did my car, and there was a heavy smell of sulphur dioxide in the air. The press were allowed into the Exclusion Zones that had already been hit, as well as the areas about to be hit, which was worse. There was so much sadness and shock. You can’t just watch that level of panic, so I did what little I could to help. After 48 hours at the volcano, arriving back at Santa Cruz was like arriving back from a war zone. Was this the same island? Of course there was panic here too. Only the 1,500m high ridge and prevailing winds were keeping it safe.Itwas impossible not to be awestruck by the extraordinary spectacle, by human in significance against nature’s power, but the plight of the Palmeros killed any sense of thrill. 53,600pumpedvolcanoouttonnesofsulphurdioxideaday
Theplifying”.toll
5- Breaking: hull of stranded os 35 bulk carrier breaks in two off Gibraltar’s Catalan bay threatening a major oil spill
Simon Hunter moved to Madrid in 2000 and has been working in journalism practi cally since he ar Fromrived. 2005 to 2006 he edited magazineEnglish-languagethe InMa drid, which was aimed at tourists and locals alike, as well as contribut ing to guide books such as Time Out and in-flight magazines for airlines such as easyJet. In late 2006 he joined the team at the EL PAÍS En glish Edition, where he became editor in 2014. During his time at Spain’s biggest-selling paper he oversaw the transition of the English Edition from print to fully digital, hosted podcasts and Facebook live broadcasts, and helped grow the monthly audi ence figures from the low hundreds of thousands to more than a million during the coronavirus pandemic. When EL PAÍS took the decision to no longer cover Spain stories in English - sticking to a more interna tional theme - he decided it was time to move on. He is now working as a full-time freelance journalist, contributing to The Times, La Sexta and Foods and Wines from Spain, among others, as well as enjoying a side gig as a voice-over artist (he is the voice in English who tells you to ‘mind the gap’ on Spain’s low-cost high-speed AVLO trains). “I’m thrilled to have joined the team at the Olive Press so that I can con tinue to bring all of the great stories and fea tures from Spain to an English-speaking audi ence,” Simon said. “I’ve been endlessly fascinat ed by this country ever since I arrived and I look forward to sharing that obsession with the readers. There is huge potential for online sto ries from Spain, and that is where I will be
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The president drew attention to the €418 million financial aid already mobilised by the government, the €15 million to cover losses in the banana industry, and the support in the form of ERTEs (extended until the end of the year).
The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:
The money’s there, but pay ing it out is painfully slow. However, the president of La Palma’s island council, Mari ano Hernandez Zapata, told the Olive Press that public administrators will now be working with orthophotos and satellite imagery ‘in or der to facilitate realistic val uations of houses destroyed, so that fair insurance com pensation is received, to gether with simplified ac cess to the compensation,’ which, he added, amounts to a maximum of €60,000 from the Spanish govern ment and up to €30,000 from the Canary Islands
Sanchez also announced the installation of a €3 million system monitoring, measur ing and controlling emis sions of toxic gases, and he stressed more help was on the way: “In these five years of government, the Canary Is lands will receive almost 60% more economic resources than in the last five years”.
UR Digital Editor Fiona Govan is bidding a sad farewell to the Olive Press and its readers. We are sorry to see the former Daily Tele graph staffer head off to tackle new chal lenges - she has left big boots to fill. But thankfully we have found the man to do just that.
AFTER VOLCANOTHE lapsed. On this small island we depend on each other and everyone is affected. Now there’s no news people think normal life has returned, but many are still without homes and incomes. Prospects are poor. Application processes for official help are very com plex and urgently need sim on mental clearlyhappened“It’stefaníapsychologiststopped”,thetripledforrise:continueshealthto“RequestshelphavesinceeruptionsaysEsMartín.over.Whatisvisible, and now there’s a real sense of incre dulity, coupled with rocketing incidences of severe depres Sosion.”why is the situation so bad? One important, seldom mentioned, reason is that, ac cording to the Canary Islands government figures, 1,600 buildings were lost. Coperni cus satellite data places the number at 2,988. The main problem with compensation, whichever figure is correct, lies in the islands’ planning regulation peculiarities. Many of the buried buildings were family homes, com plete with outbuildings, fruit orchards, livestock pens and plantations. Some even had planningtheIslands,inmongallyBuildinghouses.registeredwerepools.swimmingButfewlegallyasilleisacompracticetheCanarygivenrestrictivelaws.
1- British gang arrested on Spain’s Ibiza in the country’s biggest ever pink cocaine swoop with over 500000 in cash seized
WELCOME TO THE OLIVE PRESS focusing my efforts.” And we are more than happy to welcome him aboard!FIONA: Wishing you all the best for the future
Sixgovernment.hundred flats, prefabri cated and wooden homes have been commissioned. Over 100 have been pro vided and, Canary Islands housing minister Sebastian Franquis expects the re maining accommodation to be installed this month. But this is half of what’s needed even by the most conservative estimate.
Many buildingsburiedwerefamilyhomes,completewithoutbuildings O
People need houses and town halls frequently turn a blind Volcanoeye. victim compensa tion money has so far only been automatically paid out to those whose houses were legally registered. The rest must undertake a ‘ridiculous ly long claims procedure with no guarantee of success’, ac cording to Tierra Bonita.
Meanwhile, many families are leaving the island. Speaking last month, on his tenth visit to La Palma since the eruption, Pedro Sanchez, was keen to emphasise that help was on its way, saying that the Spanish government was also redoubling its ef forts to “reduce bureaucracy and speed up procedures”. Bid
2- Explainer: What you need to know about Spain’s free rail travel scheme from September 3- Beware: Spain might be hit by a hurricane, american experts warned 4- Rafa Nadal’s pregnant wife admitted into hospital with minor complications
GREENwww.theolivepress.es September 7th - September 20th 20228
● We have entered an era of global competition to secure energy sup plies. More countries are compet ing to buy a limited resource. Pric es only go up.
● Putin’s Russia is using its oil and gas as a weapon of war. Europe is struggling to wean itself off Rus sian production quickly enough. (Not that Russia is really con cerned about losing its European custom. China and India and oth ers will fill the void. )
What about here in Spain?
Green MattersBy Martin Tye
Foggy idea
How long before one Kilowatt of electricity costs €1?
AS Spain starts its recovery from a series of wildfires, the drought it finds itself locked into could be a major obstacle to Butregeneration.atrialbeing held in the Canary Islands could help parched coastal regions re grow forests where there is little to no rainfall. The EU-backed Life Nieblas project is experimenting with collecting and condensing fog to help individual saplings grow without the need for conventional watering. The project, which is based in Gran Canaria as well as in Portugal on the Iberian penin sula, is using fog collectors to improve degraded landscapes and fuel forvailinglocatedwhichAlthoughreforestation.suchcollectors,consistofplasticmeshinthepathoftheprewind,havebeenusedyears,theprojectisde signed to improve their effi ciency and effectiveness. The technology is simple – as fog blows through the mesh, water droplets form and then fall into containers at the base of the structure. While the technique is well suited to the Canaries, it is not quite so effective in the less humid Mediterranean, but the
SPANISH reservoirs fell by a further 0.9% in just a week to 35.9% capac Accordingity. to recent data from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITE CO), there is currently a total of 20,174 cubic hectometres of water in Thisstorage.is9,251 cubic metres less than the average for the week over the past 10 years and 3,651 cubic hectometres (18%) less than the same.
THE thought that electricity could soon cost €1 a Kilowatt is Wefrightening.neverthought fuel would be €1 a litre. Now it’s €2 a litre. Less than a year ago we didn’t stand on a petrol station forecourt watching the cost of filling our tanks with dread. Now we do. It’s the same fearful feeling now when you open your electricity bill.
Why has electricity become so expensive?
An easy answer is to say that it is just supply and demand that is pushing the cost However,up.the causes of the exponen tial rise in the cost of electricity run deeper.
We all moan about our bills. Well… you ain’t seen nothing yet! Currently, the impact of electricity increases is being softened through Government support. All this is only temporary. Will IVA re main reduced forever? I very much doubt it. Will the electricity tax remain reduced from 5.11% to 0. 5%? Spain and Portugal managed to ne gotiate a temporary cap on the price of gas with the European Union. We are four months into a 12-month mea sure.
MORE than 1,000 one li tre beer bottles have been collected in one weekend by environmental activ ists in a natural space in Gerena, Sevilla. It is believed that all of the bottles had been dumped in the area this summer by lazy and irre sponsible litterers. The bottles would have contaminated the area for over 4000 years, the time taken for glass to decompose, had they not been collected.
LITTERGLASS
+34 951 120 830 |
Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. +34 638 145 664 ( Spain Phone ) Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es
● Governments throughout Europe failed to invest in renewable en TIME TO SWITCH ergy production during the last decade to be able to cope with cur rent demand. ● Climate change has added to the problem. ● Droughts throughout the world have resulted in less Hydroelectric ity being produced. ● And the wind has not blown as much this year, resulting in less wind turbine production. Fuel Poverty This is a term not greatly discussed in recent years in the developed world. Now it’s all over the media. Lower income families are having to make difficult choices. Eat or be warm. Throughout the world, we are witness ing an increase in civil unrest. The main cause is inflation. The main contributing factors to infla tion are:
If you look at the OMI website image (left) it paints an ominous picture. The average wholesale cost of elec tricity in Spain in July was €143 a TheMWh.forecast for October is €219 per ButMWh.look at the October prices for our neighbours (where there is no gas cap) France…. €601 per MWh !!! And Germany…. €455 per MWh . In the UK, Ofgem reported recently that the average annual bill in Jan uary 2023 would be £5,386. In the Summer of 2021 this figure stood at In£1,087.parts of Sweden, they are already Wethere.are on the same trajectory. It is time to look at your consumption habits and go renewable wherever you can. It’s a lot cheaper to produce your own electricity than to buy it.
● Rising energy costs ● Rising fuel costs ● Restricted food supply of basic ne cessities (Ukraine war) The impact of people going hungry and cold will have a massive effect on health services that are still recover ing from Covid, lack of staff and insuf ficient funding.
Study to irrigate reforestation with water collected from the air study is exploring how it can be used on the mainland. Public company Gesplan, which manages the project, plans to test the method in maritime areas around Barce lona and the El Bruc munici pality in northern Catalunya, which was devastated by fire in 2015.
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Truly horrific YOUR article about Michael Portillo’s travels in the Pyrenees (Landmark Moments, right) was very Alas,interesting.asisusually the case, we were treated to a rather one-sided narrative on the Spanish Civil War, by Mr. Portillo. Understandable to the extent that his father was a supporter of the Repub lican However,side. a wise man once said there are usually three sides to every story. In this instance, the Republican version, the Nationalist version, and last but not least, the truth.
The main motivation behind the formation of the Nationalist alliance was to protect the Catholic community in Spain against Republican genocide. In the first six months of the conflict over 6,000 Catholic religious members were murdered by the Republicans, many in a truly horrific Offashion.course, atrocities were also committed by the Nationalists. The latter had assistance from the Germans, while the Republicans were assisted by the Cheka, the Soviet Secret police. Like all civil wars (including my own country’s - Ireland ), there was good and bad on both sides It would be nice in relation to Spain, if we could drop the narrative of good guy Republicans versus bad guy Nationalists. It’s simply not true.
momentsLandmark Former UK minister celebrates his 40th weddinganniversary and retraces his father’s steps duringhis civil war escape from Spain By Jon Clarke earliest memories his father speaking of his hatred of Franco. “His tone was shocking because he was the most lovingand gentle of humans. Yetloathing for Franco pouredfrom him. He debilitating wound, of the spirit notthe “Mybody.father's life had beendevastated by the Spanishconflict. As supporter of thegovernment in 1936, he hadfought against the rebels. InJanuary 1939, as the government side was stumbling todefeat, he crossed the Pyrenees into Today, life has come full circle for the Portillos, with Michael spending lot of time inSpain, where he chose to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary recently with family He and his wife, recruitmentconsultant, Caroyln Eadie,have owned a charmingin evocative Carmona, near Sevilla, for over Children “I’ve known my wife since wewere small children, so the 40years is only the married bit,”he Thesaid.couple were unable tohave children she developed cancer early in theHismarriage.father died in 1993 in London, but was buried inMadrigal, in Avila, where hehas a grave.The Pyrenees with MichaelPortillo Channel 5last week father’sfollowingPortilloFOOTSTEPS:histrail
Luveetoseeyou
Dear Olive Press, THERE is a shocking lack of electric charging loca tions for cars on the so called progressive costas. Here on the Costa del Sol, my son-in-law hired an electric car from Marbesol. They didn’t give any char ger location info and even omitted to tell him where the charger cable was lo cated, which he found in the boot - under the cover of the e-Golf. He’s savvy and found a charging point at Merca dona, which is free but very slow. The only rapid charger he’s found nearbye is at the Galp garage off the A7 in Estepona. Then there’s one in Sotogrande. What are local authorities playing at and why is this situation so bad in 2022?
ISSUE 401's letters page has a couple of contributions worthy of comment. Any fans of Stephen Fry will be aware of his stance on offending i.e. anyone is entitled to be offended but nobody is en titled to be offended on behalf of some body else. The letter berating a columnist for not showing respect to animals caught up and sadly killed in the recent wildfires is surely a classic example. It is not the animals but the animal lov ers who may be offended and a letter to the paper will certainly not make the animals, or their friends and families, feel any Anotherbetter.letter accuses you of unbal anced reporting and 'vilification' of Pe dro Sanchez. I think at worst the report ing could be said to be a sin of omission. I agree with the writer that most poli ticians do need their positives empha sised, few as they may be.
Bob Nelson, Alicante Editor’s note: The issue of squatters is a subject that the Olive Press has long covered. We will continue to do so, and are indeed investigating a case at the moment. Watch this space!
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Readers reply to the Olive Press articles and letters
A TEAM of firefighters battlingflames in Aragon have shared a video of them giving water to a roe deerand soothing its burns, providingheartwarming moment during thehorror of yet another wildfire.The fawn was dehydrated and suffering mild burns after running fromthe burning forest in blaze in Moncayo, in the province of Zaragoza.This been the worst interms fires on record withmore than 270,000 hectares alreadydevastated by flames across Spain. Bambi saved REVELLERS in Ibiza got a surprise when British star Robbie Williams got up on stage duringTheconcert.crooner joined his pals Flynn Francis andTim Metcalfe, whose band Lufthaus performing at brand new venue 528 Ibiza.“It was a dream come true to have oneworld’s successful artists at ourue,” explained venue boss Andy McKay. Dream come true
I been landmarkyear for former Britishgovernment minister MiPortillo. As well as celebrating his40th wedding anniversary inAndalucia, he has been travelling around the Pyreneeslearning about his father’sescape from Spain after thebloody civil war.In four-part series, ThePyrenees he revisits howhis father Luis, left-wingacademic at Salamancaversity, was forced to flee hishomeland. Despite not fighting for thelosing Republican side, hewas staunch supporter unlike his six brothers, who allfought for the victor, dictatorItFranco.meant a long and trickyjourney to escape the newregime that executed tens ofthousands of Republicans after winning in 1939.His son, who served as Toryminister, in the governmentof Margaret Thatcher and later John Major, has now paidtribute to his father walkingstretches of the Pyrenees thathe took. “I hope he might think thatmy coming here is a tribute tohim and his sacrifice,” he explains in one episode.“The Spanish Civil War hungover us like big, black cloudevery day, and his sadness ofa potential unrealised.”He revealed in 2009 that his
Extra time autographs and photoselfies.Ashiscar window down, a man grabbedhis arm snatched hiswatch before running away.The player initially tried tochasethe thief himself be fore thereturnedarrestmadepoliceanandwatch.
Allan Bowley, Estepona (Malaga)
Electric shock
LETTERS September 7th - September 20th 202210 OP QUICK CROSSWORD All solutions are on page 21 Across 6 Prickly seed vessel (4) 7 Accentuated (8) 9 He, she and it (8) 10 National wealth letters (1,1,1) 11 Socially ill at ease 14(4-9)Where races com mence (8,5) 17 Enemy (3) 18 In mourning (8) 19 Ballistic weapons (8) 20 Young cow (4) Down 1 Body fuel (8) 2 Voltage changers (12) 3 Mock (6) 4 Hard outer layers (6) 5 Rope fibre (4) 8 Import (12) 12 Woman of habit (3) 13 In an inconsistent way (8) 15 Way to buy cheaply (2,4) 16 Showy (6) 17 Free from bias (4)SUDOKUOP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Getting a reaction
ESTUCO INTERIORS
BARCELONA star RobertLewandowski had anasty welcome to hisnew life in Spain.The Polish star,who has just signedfor the Catalan fit, had €70,000watch ripped offhis when arriving fora himproachedfanswhenhappenedcidentThesession.traininginaptoget HOLLYWOOD superstar Richard Gere has broughtsprinkling of stardust to Spain this summer.The 72-year-old joined fellow Hollywood A-lister Antonio Banderas at Marbella’s Starlite Festival.They were the big names at the 13th edition of the festival’s charity gala founded by Banderas and businesswoman Sandra García-Sanjuan which raisescash for good causes.During the event, tenor Andrea Bocelli was awardedfor his foundation’s work in helping the poor in Italy.Gere's wife, Alejandra Silva, was also awarded forcollaborating with charities including Open Armsand the Rais Foundation.“I feel delighted that the hard work that so many people do is recognised,” said Silva.
TOGETHER: The family
Peter Thompson, Torrox NEWS info@estucointeriors.com, www.estucointeriors.com, +34 952 810 633 Centro Plaza 56-57, Avda. s/n,
Eric Conway, La Mata, Torrevieja. Investigation needed I WOULD like to express my thanks to your reporter, Dilip Kuner, for raising the scandal of the Spanish attitude towards the issue of squatters (Get Out!, all editions). I don’t know if Catalunya has a ‘particular’ problem with them as here, in the Alicante re gion, our urbanization of 80 properties had five houses taken over by squatters and when we approached the police to report the situation, we were given short shrift and told, quite bluntly, there was nothing they could do and had no further interest! This is certainly one subject which should be of interest to a ‘campaigning newspaper’, don’t you think?
To be fair…
BUÑOL’S La Tomatina celebrated its belated 75th anniversary last week after a two-year break caused by the Covid pandemic. An estimated 20,000 peo ple bought €12 tickets to allow them to take part in the world-famous tomato Somefight. 130 tons of Valen cia-grown tomatoes were brought in for the battle which is traditionally held on the last Wednesday of TheAugust.hour-long celebration saw participants wearing swimming goggles to pro tect their eyes while their clothes were left covered in tomato pulp.
By Alex Trelinski cleaners joining forces with residents to hose down the rivers of tomato juice. The event has been clas sified as a Festival of In ternational Interest for 20 Ityears.started by accident in 1945 when a Buñol parade saw young people squeez ing among the crowd to get a good view of some ‘giants’ walking the streets One of the parade partici pants was shoved over and lost his temper, trying to take it out on everybody. The crowd was not im pressed by his overreac tion and grabbed toma toes from a vegetable stall, which they threw at him resulting in the seeds of La Tomatina being sown.
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Lost Military Jewel
Built 418m2 – Land 10,000m2 www.casaresliving.com1,150,000Euros Mobile / WhatsApp: 0034 630 344 897 CRAIG DAVID IN TOWN SONGWRITER Craig David will per form at Puente Romano Tennis club in Marbella on September 15 at 8pm. The other artists appearing are Trev is, Black Desert Malik and Cello CraigFemme.David has sold over 15 million records in different countries and will sing the most well-known songs from his repertoire. Tickets cost approximately €50 and can be booked by calling: 952 82 09 00 or emailing: puenteromano.comevents@ For bookings and info email Gabschidgey@gmail.com or call 654 152 122 TasTe The his ory Want an escape from the busy costas? A weekend in romantic Ronda will revive your senses. Ronda Romantic Apartments is the answer
Ripe for a g d time
A JEWEL of Spanish military history has been rescued from an illegal internet auction. The item, is believed to be the oldest iron sword known to date in Spain, dating from the early Iron Age, and had been put up for sale on the internet for an initial price of €1,200. The historic gem was located by the Guardia Civil last Decem ber as part of the ‘Pandora’ operation to combat illicit traffick ing in cultural property on the Internet. The seller, a resident of Villanueva de la Fuente who was unaware of its significance, agreed to hand over the weapon for experts to authenticate. Technicians from the Ministry of Culture of the Junta de Castilla-La Mancha were in charge of its analysis and confirmed that it was indeed ‘an exceptional’ and ‘unique’ piece. The sword was made with the wrought iron tech nique in the seventh century. to the highest standards under Swiss management.
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Free access was available afterwards to the munici pal showers, with council
Tomato battle resumed after Covid break
BEFORE AFTER
tection laws, the reproduction of dogs by anyone but licensed breeders is illegal, they cannot be sold in pet shops, and own ers can only have five dogs, which must be microchipped.
Over the years, Becci – a resident of Bayacas – has taken home various dogs that have been aban doned around the Rio Chico and Orgiva area. One, called Dora la Explora, died four months later of Leish. She also took on a beagle and a tick and flea-covered puppy with its ears cut off, and that had suffered a castration performed by the previous owner! She now has two rescue dogs – Foxy from No mayapa, and Lilly, who was aban doned on the street.
Sheila Horner and her two
There’s some concern that making reproduction illegal could lead to more puppies be ing dumped at rescue centres. “A few months ago, someone threw a puppy over the fence,” said Fedde. With all these factors, it’s im portant to source a new furry friend from an animal shelter. As Fedde explains, the animals will already have been neu tered and vaccinated against potentially lethal conditions such as parvovirus. A win-win situation. Even if you don’t want to give a rescue dog a home, you can help your local rescue centre by donating money, food, or just spreading the word.
paradise
THE Alpujarra is a region known for its fantastic range of fauna and flora. Its cultivated slopes play home to everything from roam ing Ibex (mountain goats) and jabali (wild boar) to farm ani mals, working beasts such as mules, and domestic pets. Sadly, like most of Spain, it has a problem with lost and aban doned animals – especially dogs. Fortunately, it also has many kind people dedicated to helping our four-legged friends. From hunting dogs who have reached the end of their ‘use ful life’, bitches used for breed ing who are considered ‘past it’, animals shoved out of cars at the roadside, and puppies dumped in boxes (or worse), the region’s animal shelters have seen it all. Olive Press spoke to Fedde, a dog rescue volunteer, who cur rently has six dogs under his care in Las Barreras, Orgiva, in a site with minimal shade. He is hopeful about the recent leg islation in Spain, which has de clared our companion animals to be sentient ‘family mem bers’, rather than ‘property’. Under Spain’s new animal pro On September 23, a large adoption fair takes place the Feria de Muestras at Armilla, Granada, featuring all the dog rescue associa tions from the area.
CANIJA was discovered at “death’s door” by Nomaya pa in 2020, suffering from Leishmania, which even tually made her blind. She is looked after by two people, on a shift basis, who urgently need a third person to complete the team. Wanted Says Ela: “It has been a 2.5-year haul and she’s now negative for Leish. At the time, I didn’t like dogs and never wanted one. I was the person who trans ported her and translated for the first fosterer. Later, she came to stay with Olen ka and I during the pandem ic. Because I have a cat, and she’s a Podenco hunting dog, two people were need ed to look after her. When the second person went to work, we needed a third per son - and still do! We’re also looking for a new place to live where we can be together again and have a third person on board.”
THE ADOPTORS: SHEILA HORNER says: “Missy came into my life 12 years ago when a friend found her abandoned in a street in Orgiva. She had an eye infection, was starving and dehydrated, and the vet pro nounced her close to death. She soon bounced back to health, although it took her a while not to fear men, es pecially if they were holding a “Westick.”found Holly later in the year, on Christmas Eve, in our garden. How she got there remains a mystery. De spite being tiny and not old enough to leave her Mum, she bounced back to health “Despitequickly.” their bad start in life, both dogs are good-tem pered and loving. We have a guesthouse, and all our guests fall in love with them!”
How dedicated people are helping abandoned dogs in this rural
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Getting ready to party after pandemic restrictions spoiled 2 years’ festivities
FUN: For all the family - even the furry ones 1992, the celebration marks the identity and indepen dence of Gibraltar and gives residents the chance to come together as one.
Plenty to celebrate For Gibraltar, the date of Sep tember 10 signifies several historic moments. The most important is the 1967 sovereignty referendum, where residents were asked to vote whether they wanted to go under the sovereignty of
ibraltar National DayG www.theolivepress.es September 2022 Celebrating BACK TO IT’S BEST
T HE hottest date on Gi braltar’s annual calen dar is September 10, when it celebrates its historic National Day. This year, the Rock marks its 55th anniversary as a self-governing British territo ry, and thousands of revellers will flock to its public and pri vate spaces to commemorate this grand occasion. The festivities, returning in full force after the Covid pan demic, will be held in Case mates Square, John Mackintosh Square and Governor’s Parade. A tradition started in Continues overleaf
PROUD: Gibraltarians have made their voice heard through a referendum and continue to do so every National Day, while below, special events are planned
ibraltar National DayG2 Spain or remain with the UK, but with self-governed institutions. The result came out 100% in favour of remaining with Great Britain. National Day is also a celebration of self-determination for Gibral tar, which has its own parliament of 17 elected members. Back in 1992, acting chief minister, Joe Bossano, visited the UN to ask if he could form the Self Determination for Gibraltar Group (SDGG). At the time, this new group was headed by Dennis Matthews, a member of the Integration with Britain Party. The pair soon ramped up support for their initiative. As part of their campaign to gain the eyes, hearts and minds of the Gibraltarians, they held the first National Day at John Mackintosh Square (the Piazza) on 10 Septem ber 1992. At the time, the idea was to commemorate the 25th anniver sary of the 1967 sovereignty refer endum – they could not have seen the phenomenal growth and popu larity of the event they had created! Coincidentally, the date also marks the day when the Gibraltar Legis lative Council became responsible for internal affairs in 1964, giving plenty to celebrate, all on one day. The inaugural run of National Day on in 1992 was so successful that the attending crowd could not fit into the square! After that first year, the Gibraltar government stepped in to help or ganise the event, provide some funding for the occasion, and declared September 10 a public holiday. In 1993, the venue was changed to the larger Grand Case mates Square and, in 1998, to the naval Today,ground.thecelebration runs at mul
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WHAT RESULTA From front tiple sites and the residents don their national colours of red and white for fun family activities and a rousing public rally. On top of that, the Rock’s private venues host their own special events in commemoration of Na tional Day. Emilia Hazellsmith of Ocean Village, a thriving part of the
Buttigieg of SelfDetermination for GibraltarGroup (SDGG) talks to theOlive Press about Gibraltar’sbig day and emphasises the important political aspect beyond the jovialHecelebration.says:“National Day is the mostimportant function that the SDGGorganises. It’s a day for families tohave fun and join in the manyevents that take place but, firstand foremost, it is a political rallyto remind everyone that Gibraltar and the Gibraltarians havean undeniable and inalienableright to self-determination.“That we should be the solearbiters of our destiny andthat no one should imposeanything on us. “It is a day when we try toemphasise issues such asour unique national identity and, in my view, theimportance of having aunited front against thosewho may seek to undermine our right to self-deterHemination.”adds:“The event start ed 30 years ago and has grown tobecome a week-long festivity withall sorts of cultural and social eventstaking place. From art and windowshop dressing competitions to concerts and performances, and thepolitical rally itself, we aim to providesomething for everyone. We createdifferent ways for the community toengage and experience a sense ofpride and being part of the Gibraltarian community.”He continues: “Something simple, such as getting as manyGibraltarians as possible to signa banner which we display onthe day, is a way of showing unity. Every year, weobtain several thousand signatures which, in acommunity the size ofGibraltar, shows thewide support the eventattracts. And when yousee Casemates Squareand Main Street full of thousands of people,proudly wearing our redand white colours, itmakes all the hard work worthwhile.”
The day’s main attraction is the Freedom of the City ceremony, where the mayor reads the Gibral tar National Day Declaration to the gathered crowd.
During the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704, Anglo-Dutch armies conquered Gibraltar on behalf of a claim made to the Spanish crown by their ruling Habsburg family. In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht handed the Rock to Great Britain – for keeps. Despite a couple of unsuccessful siege attempts by Spain, the Rock did not return to Spanish sovereignty, and the idea of Spanish rule was rejected by Gibraltarians in the referendum of September 10, 1967. Over the centuries, Gibraltar has attracted inhabitants with Italian, Portuguese, Maltese, Jewish and French origin, as well as Brits. In 2002, Gibraltar was designated as a British Overseas Terri tory, which it remains to this day. It has, in August 2022, been recognised by the UK as a city. The present economy of Gibraltar is largely based on tourism, online gambling, financial services and the supply of maritime fuel. It has its own airport and seaports. The inhabitants speak a mixture of Spanish, English and local dialect called Llanito.
The principles of territorial integrity seemed to push hard against self-deter mination like an unstoppable force. And throughout the world, we see similar tendencies. From Ukraine to Taiwan, Western Sahara to the Basque country, people who define themselves as fundamen tally different to their larger neighbours are having their rights violated or at least threatened. Gibraltar is no different. As Chief Minister from 1996 to 2011, Peter Caruana re sisted the former colonial power’s desire to forge a joint sovereignty deal with Spain during the early noughties.
September 20223 THE WORST OF TIMES THE BEST OF TIMES
During the Reconquista, in 711 A.D., the Moors conquered Gi braltar. The current name originates from Arabic – Jabal Tariq, which means ‘mount of Tariq’. When the Moors were expelled from Spain in 1462, it fell under Spanish rule.
John Culatto of the Olive Press examines how his overGibraltarnativehaschangedthepast40years
AN AUDIENCE WITH RICHARD BUTTIGIEG OF SDGG
Rock’s social scene, says: “National Day is an all-day event with music, dancing and great food and drinks – not to be missed, especially in Ocean Village. where live music and fun is the order of the day!” As is tradition, the official National Day celebrations start with a chil dren’s fancy dress competition on Main Street, followed by a street party in John Mackintosh Square. In the private sector, many of the Rock’s bars and restaurants have organised their very own celebra tions, starting with breakfast par ties and continuing all day long with various offers on food, drink and entertainment.
GIBRALTAR has come a long way in the past 40 years and seeing it turn into the diplomatic bastion of strength it is today gives be leaguered people everywhere hope that the bigger powers do not always have to get their way. Now, let’s get this straight – Gibraltarians are used to having their backs against the wall. Ever since the Franco years, the Spanish diplomatic machinery has been finely tuned to depict the Rock as a colony, an anachronism that needed to return to Spanish possession.
RICHARD
CAPTURE: of Gibraltar by the British
Tony Blair, driven by the pragmatism of having a stronger ally in the EU and the supposed woke The way that was repulsed with a referendum to remain British has been strengthened even more in our own day and Brexit,age.a real disaster for a place that voted by a ma jority of 96% to stay in the EU, has allowed the Rock to feed into the nationalistic sentiment and ask for more UK Chiefsupport.Minister Fabian Picardo has done his level best to stay ahead of the game, however hard it might be. Standing up to the big guns, he has almost single-hand edly put Gibraltar on the political map. And let us not forget his predecessor as leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party, Sir Joe TheBossano.parliamentarian of half a century – who walks down the street gently reassuring locals that he is working to make the best future possible – founded National Day in 1992 as Chief Minister from 1988 to 1996. He changed the whole political landscape, bringing in free university education for even the poorest in society, expanding the land area of Gibraltar with an ambitious reclamation project and bringing in new business. Thanks to this drive, Gibraltar now has most of the tools necessary to stand on its own. Far from beggars at the table, its economy provides high er wages than the international norm while still beefing up its resistance to Spain’s more conservative elements. Nationalism in Gibraltar’s vision is not a desire to sug gest that its people are superior to any another race, but that it has a voice, expressed by a specific group that is defined by its experience, commonality and diversity. As a separate people to Spain it wants to have a say in its own future, be cause 300 years of history have defined it differently. And in a decolonized world it no longer wants to be the political football of the Thispowerful.istheessence of Gibraltar National Day as we know it now and some thing the Rock continues to strive for by its very nature.
The intriguing history of Gibraltar
The official entertainment also in cludes live music, aerial displays and family activities although, this year, there won’t be a fireworks Aheaddisplay.of the big day, the SDGG has been inviting residents to sign the National Day Banner, which is an expression of unity for inhab itants of the Rock. After being signed by thousands of people, via a stall in Casemates Square from 5-8 September, it will be dis played on the National Day stage on September 10. A6.8km limestone rock, Gibraltar is considered a special place by its 32,000 residents. The Rock combines a close relationship with the UK with the best of the Mediterranean climate and lifestyle. It was an important naval base during both the Napoleonic Wars and WWII, as it controlled the narrow entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea, known as the Gibraltar Strait, which is just 14.3km wide. To this day, half of global seaborne trade passes through the Strait. Going back in history, Gibraltar has been populated by many significant tribes and peoples. At Gorham’s Cave, there is evidence of Neanderthal habita tion, with stone tools and animal bones. The island also shows evidence of Neolithic inhabitants, followed by Carthaginians and Romans, who called Gibraltar ‘Mons Calpe’, after one of the pillars of Hercules. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gibraltar was cap tured by the Vandals and became part of the Visigotic Kingdom of Hispania for 400 years.
O’Reilly’s Irish Pub Irish venues know how to celebrate, and O’Reilly’s is kicking off the day with a family breakfast buffet from 9.30am, costing from £9.95, followed by a traditional roast carvery from 12.30pm. The carvery costs from £12.95 for two courses and £15.95 for three courses, while under 10s eat for £9.95. Bookings: 200 67888 or reception@casinogib.ltd Sunborn Gibraltar
In the heart of the marina, Café Fresco is hosting its first National Day event with full English break fasts, served from 8am until 8pm, along with fresh burgers and salads and tapas. Guests can enjoy live music and drinks offers on beers, ‘tinto de verano’ and more. Book ings: jehan@cafefresco.gi Bridge Bar & Grill
ON National Day, Gibraltar’s thriving Ocean Village is adding to the celebrations by serving up a range of entertainment, music, and food throughout the day. Only a nine-minute stroll from Gi braltar International Airport and the frontier, Ocean Village Marina offers over 20 vibrant ocean front restaurants and bars, with expansive views across the Mediterranean Sea. To celebrate September 10, these venues are spoiling guests for choice by offering everything from breakfast parties, with full English brekky, to late-night cocktails, DJs and dancing. The emphasis is on fun for the whole family, with something to meet every budget and taste. Guests are literally spoilt for choice, with venues offering everything from breakfast parties, with full En glish brekky, to late-night cocktails, DJs and dancing. The emphasis is on fun for the whole family, with something to meet every budget and taste.
Time to party
The bustling Ivy invites revellers to step straight into the mood at its breakfast party, starting from 9am. The menu includes full English breakfast, muffins and 50s dinner specials, as well as live coverage of the day’s events on HD TVs. Guests can enjoy music and an outdoor terrace. Call 20068222 to reserve your breakfast. From 5pm, The Ivy notches up the mood with its National Day Retro party of 90s music, spun by DJ Kultur and DJ Dani. Relive the tunes from the Na tional Day carpa! This is a ticket-only event, with limited tickets available from www.buytickets.gi National Day at Thi Vietnamese If delicious Asian food is your desire, this restaurant is hosting an ‘all you can eat’ buffet for £17.95, from 1pm until 7pm. Bookings: +350 200 67777
The Eatalian Guests will receive a free Cola, Fan ta or Moretti or Peroni beer when they buy two square pizzas. Book ings: +350 200 766 36 / +350 560 038 58, eatalian.gib@yahoo.com
ibraltar National DayG4 What’s on at Ocean Village for National Day
The Ivy Sports Bar & American Grill
Known to be upbeat, this venue is planning a day of celebrations, with its signature American-style food for families and an offer of 2 for 1 on cocktails and mocktails. Guests can enjoy the party atmosphere, with music and dancing in the sun. Book ings: 200 66446.
The Arena Sports Cafe Zapping from 90s to the 80s, The Arena is hosting a live mu sic performance from renowned U2 tribute act, The Fly . This great cover band will be supported by The Blue Sky Duo . The event runs from 2pm until late. Bookings are via 200 76666 or bookings@are nasportscafe.com Las Iguanas Las Iguanas is known for serving a slice of South America in Gibraltar. For the big day, its terrace is hosting Aurelio Vargas on percussion and Lev violin artist from 7pm until 11 pm, followed by DJ Wayne until late. Call 200 500 92 to book.
Wagamama At this family favourite restaurant, with a spend of £60 or more, chil dren eat for free on the big day. And, with every main dessert purchased, you’ll receive a free Mochi, which comes in coconut, cacao, mango, vanilla and green tea flavours. Book ings: 200 44182.
The Yard
Sunny side up! This venue is host ing a National Day brunch from 1pm to 4pm, with live music, children’s entertainment, a welcome drink, buffet, carving station and a happy hour with a DJ in La Sala from 4pm to 7pm. The cost is £44 per person (£17.50 for 4 to 12-year-olds). Book at: bookings@sunborngibraltar.com Café Fresco
The spirit of celebration is truly bub bling over at The Yard! Its National Day Boozy Brunch runs from 10am, costs £29.95, and offers two hours of unlimited prosecco combined with a tasty brunch plate. In the eve ning, this is followed by the National Day Boozy Disco from 6pm, costing £34.95 per person, and again with two hours of unlimited prosecco, as well as three tasty tapas. Live en tertainment will be provided by DJ Minister (Robbie Ballantine) playing old school disco and groovy house, accompanied by live saxophonist, Alex Grosu. The music will continue until late. Bookings: hello@theyard. gi or 200 79767.
WWW.OCEANVILLAGE.GI ENJOY NATIONAL DAY AT RESTAURANTS & BARS OPEN ALL DAY! LIVE MUSIC TINTO,GREATBUBBLES&BEERDANCINGDJSFOOD 10TH SEPTEMBER OCEAN VILLAGE MARINA, GIBRALTAR anuncio_olive_press_01sept.indd 1 1/9/22 17:40
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6- For nearly 300 years, Gibraltar was the sole home to the Jewish community in the Iberian Peninsula. Once numbering in the thousands across the peninsula, after their expulsion from 9- Gibraltar is the setting for two of the James Bond movies, and is the shocking backdrop for Bond’s famous burial at sea scene in You Only Live Twice.
5uproadofffornedaytethinkhighways.busiestthethroughrunwayporttionalInternaGibraltar-Airhasathatcutsoneofterritory’s4-laneIfyouthecommuyoutakeeveryisbad,imagihavingtowaitaplanetotakeorlandforthetoopenbackagain.
10 facts that coolest places
ibraltar National DayG6 WORD!THESPREAD
4 - Despite its five kilometre length and one kilo metre width, the Rock boasts 52 kilometres of bombproof underground tunnels. Fearing a Ger man invasion during WWII, Gibraltarians built nearly an entire city below ground, complete with elec tric generators, telephone lines, bakeries, and hospitals.
8- There are over 150 caves in side the Rock, the most well known of which is St. Michael’s Cave. A twisting maze of limestone, the cave was created from a steady drip of water that ero ded the stone over time. St. Michael’s Cave is the most visited cave of Gi braltar’s Rock.
- Gibraltar is home to the Barbary macaque, a species of monkeys that have been ce lebrated for years. From 1915 to 1991, the British army and the Gibraltar Regiment named, fed, and controlled the monkey population. Some of these detail-oriented records taken by the so-called Keeper of the Apes were published in the Gibraltar Chronicle. One such announce ment reads: “Rock Apes. Births: To Phyllis, wife of Tony, at the Upper Rock, on 30th June 1942— a child. Both doing well.”
- Gibraltar’s low tax rates centivesgovernmentandinhave made the Rock an online gam bling paradise. The industry, constituting as much as 25% of the country’s GDP, has been named one of the four major pillars of the lo cal economy by the merce.ofChamberbraltarGiCom
on the planet
On March 20th, 1969, John Lennon married Yoko Ono on the Rock of Gibraltar. The iconic couple ini tially wished to get married in Paris or at sea. Howe ver, due to the difference in their nationalities, there would be a delay in having a ceremony in any place but Gibraltar, where Lennon’s British citizenship would allow them to marry immediately.
1- English is the official language of Gibraltar, but many Gibraltarians also speak Llanito, a mix of An dalucian Spanish, British English, and traces of Genoese, Maltese, and WordsPortuguese.likechakaru, for bouncer or a ‘chucker-out’, chinga, for chewing gum, or juva, for vacuum cleaner, pay homage to both Spa nish and English origins.
10Spaininthe15thcenturytheytookrefugeintheBritishterritory,andnowmakeup2%oftheRock’scensus.
The pastel homes, doors with archways, and green shutters of Gibraltar--not particularly Andalucian or Victorian British in nature--might transport you to the north of Italy. For a reason: in 18th century Gibraltar, 34% of its population was from Ge noa, and today this lasting influence can be seen in its architecture and the distinctly Italian surnames of its citizens.
7-
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makeoneGibraltarofthe
Cream rising to the top
Spain which affirmed the same decision not to cede to Spanish pressure on September 10, 1967. Since then, that date has become a celebration of everything Gibraltar. Although it ebbed somewhat during 16 years when the social democrats came to power, the re turn of Joe Bossano’s GSLP with the Liberals in 2011 saw it regain
T
EX-LEADER:RockJoeBossano
SHOW: Will feature GAMPA started by Christian Santos (right)
September 20227
REOPENING:
John Culatto examines why National Day is so important to people on the
The(GAMPA).energetic
PATRIOTISM
GAMPA was started by former mayor Christian San tos, a former singer himself, who wanted to develop the musical talents within the community. After the political rally, which will probably include speeches by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and oth er prominent leaders, there will be more entertain ment.Aselection of musicians will band together to play some family favourites and popular chart hits throughout the evening. The sun will shine and beer will flow with punt ers sure to dream in red and white by the end of the evening.
BOSSANO: Third from right, taking the stage in years past
THE cream of Gibraltar’s entertainers will warm up the public for the political speeches of Na tional Day. The Variety Show programme will start at 10.30am with performances by six different award-winning dance studios located within the Rock’s territory. They will be joined on stage by the youth choir of the Gibraltar Academy of Music and the Performing Arts singing is certain to enliven even the dullest hearts.
TALENTED: Stylos Dance Studios
101
HE message of Gibraltar ian unity against diversity has been thundered to its people on National Day for nearly 30 years. This September 10, that same fighting spirit and togetherness will continue to endure. Now, you might wonder how a place so small, almost a town by British population standards, could ever have a feeling of na Well,tionhood.this feeling comes from years of struggle against much more powerful forces that have shaped it into what it is today. First, a bit of history might be im portant to understand the feeling of Gibraltarnationality.was captured in 1704 by British and Dutch forces. Fortress It was never intended to be any thing but a fortress but over the years workers came from all over the Mediterranean to help out at the then colony. The thriving civilian population during the peaceful em pire years of the 19th Century al ways hoped to be something more than just second class citizens. As a result many fought in World War Two, becoming heroes in their own right. The Association for the Advance ment of Civil Rights (AACR) was born during that time and it went on to lead Gibraltar into a bright new future. The 1967 referendum saw Gibral tar vote to remain British and the people were granted a new con stitution which gave them more rights under the Crown. Even when fascist dictator Fran co closed the frontier, the fight for more rights continued. Under trade union leader, Joe Bossano, they managed to clinch parity - the same wages for Gibraltarians as its former glory. Now, after Brexit, it is more import ant than ever to have that national Notunity.content with the greater au tonomy given by the 2006 consti tution, Gibraltar now wants more say over its own future, espe cially after 96% vot ed to remain in the EU during the 2016 isseparatethismightAlthoughreferendum.COVID-19havecutoffgrowingsenseofidentity,itclearthattheRock faces new challenges. It will surely meet them with the same ‘never say die’ attitude that has made it what it is today. With its Chief Minister Fabian Picardo at the helm, Gibraltar has always sought to fight for the good of all its people at every level and will continue to do so in the spirit of National Day. Over the years workers came from all over the Med to make a new home
The frontier with Spain finally reopened1980in the British in the civil service. Bossano, a keen Marxist, formed the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Par ty which went on to form the gov ernment between 1988 and 1996. The charismatic pint-sized leader revolutionised the economy, stop ping its reliance on the Ministry of Defence and making it into a finance centre. He also consolidated the Gibral tarian identity by creating Nation al Day in 1992 after a visit to the United Nations. The UN has consistently denied this collection of people, under pressure from Spanish diplomacy. Despite this, and run by the alandheldPoliticalidentity.thewhite,carnivalDay(SDGG),forSelf-DeterminationGibraltarGroupNationalbecameafestiveofredandcelebratingRock’suniquerallieswerewithBritishMPsevenregionseparatistsfrom
MARIA PUGA BLANCO is the president of Nomaypa, an association that helps animals and endangered plants in La Alpujarra. She rescued her first dog at age four, after finding new-born puppies in the trash. In 2014, she found ed Nomayapa with three like-minded people. She says: “Throughout my life, I have saved thou sands of animals. Since Nomayapa was constitut ed, hundreds. “In La Alpujarra, dogs have always been treated as things that guard the countryside, and their poor treatment is viewed as normal. The authorities must show, through sanctions, that an animal is a sentient being. People learn when you touch their pocket. “Sterilisation is very important. The more animals that are castrated today, the fewer animals will be born in a few months, and then fewer exist to be NoMayapaabandoned.”runs a monthly spay and neuter day, where it collects a group of cats and dogs from La Alpujarra and takes them to a vet in Granada. The ser vice costs €80, including the transport, which is much cheaper than visiting a lo cal vet – or feeding hungry puppies!
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ANIMAL charity ADANA in Estepona was this time last year recovering from a massive wildfire that forced them to evac uate 100 dogs. After the blaze, the charity which receives no state aid, de cided to apply for a Zoological Licence to operate more effi ciently and offer even higher standards of care. But to get the licence ADANA needs to upgrade the infra structure, renew the sewage system, install a new roof, fire alarm and many other items, costing a total of €188,000. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers and fundraisers nearly €140,000 has been raised and work is well underway. If you would like to donate or adopt a dog, please visit www.adana.es
Charged Prosecutors Laura Pellon and Olga Muñoz will probe wheth er there was any embezzle ment of European funds. The Chinese company charged €16.70 per PPE gown but two Spanish companies, who did not win the contract, offered prices of just €0.32 and €0.27 per gown. The Health Ministry spent €10.1 million on the Chinese deal as opposed to either €139,000 or €163,000 on the Spanish options. Mojácar, Almería, +34mojacar@currenciesdirect.com04638950478914
THE pound euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate fell to a near twomonth low through the second half of August as the UK’s increasingly dire economic outlook pushed the pound lower. Over the last fortnight, GBP/EUR briefly touched €1.188 be fore falling steadily to hit lows of €1.155.
Towards the end of August, Sterling initially rose higher against the single currency. The euro came under pressure as Russia’s Gaz prom announced a pause in gas supplies via the Nord Stream pipe line, pushing European energy prices to new record highs. In addition, the flash PMIs for August showed stronger results for the UK than the eurozone, thereby lifting the pound euro exchange Laterrate. that week, EUR regained its losses amid reports that some European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers will push for a 75-ba sis-point interest rate rise at the bank’s next policy meeting. Meanwhile, Ofgem announced the new energy price cap for UK households, confirming an 80% hike. This stoked fears about the country’s cost-of-living crisis, with economists warning that many people will be unable to afford bills. In August’s final week, the pound fell further after Goldman Sachs forecast a five-quarter recession in the UK and warned that inflation could hit 22%. At the same time, the euro rallied as the EU prepared an ‘emergen cy intervention’ in energy markets, prompting a sharp pullback in gas prices. Hotter-than-expected Eurozone inflation added to EUR’s upside as September rolled around, again raising expectations for a stronger rate hike from the ECB, while the UK’s deteriorating economic out look kept GBP under pressure.
The first big event of the next two weeks will be the ECB’s interest rate decision. Markets expect another 50-bp rate rise, though a 75-bp move could be on the cards. If the ECB de livers another hawkish surprise, the single currency could climb. The following week, the Bank of England (BoE) will also convene to de cide on monetary policy. The current consensus is that the British cen tral bank will opt for another half-point hike, although there are some significant data releases ahead of the decision that could affect it. An expected contraction in UK GDP in July could put pressure on Ster ling, and also dampen expectations for a larger BoE rate rise. We also have the all-important UK labour market overview and the latest inflation rate reading. If the UK jobs market remains strong and inflation continues to climb, the pound could strengthen ahead of the BoE Asidemeeting.fromthe size of the coming interest rate rise, GBP investors will also pay attention to the BoE’s accompanying statement. Last month, the bank forecast a UK recession, causing Sterling to slump despite a 50-bp rate hike. Could an increasingly downbeat outlook see the pound fall even lower? All the while, GBP/EUR will continue to be influenced by UK politics and the eurozone gas crisis. These two factors will inject the currency pair with increased uncertainty, potentially leading to some choppy trade.
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WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?
By Alex Trelinski
INFLATION in Spain stood at 10.4% in August - a 0.4% drop on July’s rate according to the National Institute of Statistics. The figure is better than a market forecast of 10.9%. The reduction is mainly down to falls in fuel prices offsetting rises in food, electricity, and hospitality. Core inflation, which does not include food and energy pric es, rose to 6.4% in August compared to 6.1% the previous month. Economy Minister, Nadia Calvino, said: “Inflation has start ed to ease and it should continue slowing in the coming months.” She added that the government had helped to con tain price rises.
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THE European Public Pros ecutor will investigate why Spain’s Health Ministry grossly overpaid for Chinese disposable PPE gowns during the early stages of the pan Somedemic. 500,000 disposable gowns were bought at 60 times above market val ue from the Weihai Textile Group using EU funds, while much cheaper local options were rejected.
GBP/EUR exchange rate hits two-month low as UK stumbles towards recession
This kind of volatility can cause some nasty surprises if you need to transfer money overseas. On a £200,000 transfer, that three-cent gap between €1.18 and €1.15 translates to a €6,000 difference. And the larger the sum, the higher the discrepancy. Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect against volatility. Specialist currency brokers, such as Currencies Direct, offer different tools to help you navigate the ups and downs of the currency market. For instance, you can use a forward contract to secure an exchange rate for up to a year. This way, you won’t lose out if the market moves against Servicesyou.like rate alerts and daily updates make it easy to keep track of what’s going on in the forex world so that you can make informed decisions. And with Currencies Direct you’ll have a dedicated account manager there to provide guidance and support whenever you need Atthem.Currencies Direct we’re here to talk currency whenever you need us, so get in touch if you want to know more about the latest news or how it could impact your currency transfers. Since 1996 we’ve helped more than 325,000 customers with their currency transfers, just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR?
Gown cash probe
Slight easing
SPAIN’S government has commissioned studies on how to introduce a nationwide road toll system from 2024. The measure is in return for receiving EU Covid recovery grants worth €70 billion. Spain has been under pres sure to fall in line with other EU member states like France, Germany and Portugal where widespread toll road charging is the norm. The General Directorate of Highways (DGT) has hired consultancy firm Ineco to pro duce nine reports for a new highways financing scheme. Ineco will get paid €1.4 mil lion for 10 months work. The reports will look at whether charges should only apply to state highways or be extend ed to regional roads, or even every road. They will also review charge lev els which will seek not to harm the most financially vulnerable. Also under scrutiny will be exactly what kind of payment system will be used. The two options seem to be that either motorists will pay a fixed sum each year to give them unlimited travel or tolls will be charged on a ‘per use’ Becausebasis. of so little time re maining, it is believed the fixed charge system will be implemented initially with each car having a sticker on it, similar to that for an ITV test. That will allow more technol ogy to be installed to bring ‘per use’ charging. Opponents say the state of the economy means it’s not the right time to introduce such a measure.
LPO Architects, in collaboration with Lawbird Legal Services S.L.P., can help you get this licence in record time. CALL OR WRITE TO US TODAY AND WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU WITHIN HOURS! Does your property lack First Occupation of Did you know architects can now issue these licences?
In contrast, the northern Basque Country saw a far more modest rise of 2.7% over a year. Unsurprisingly the highly populated Madrid and Catalunya regions have the country’s highest average rents at €15.39 and €14.79 respectively based on July figures.
COSTLY: and getting more expensive
will improve your chances to close a sale if you wish to sell your property.
Having OR
expectedestateprimeMadrid’srealmarkettobe a world leader in 2023 MADRID is predicted to be one of the five cities in the world where the price of luxury homes will grow the most in International2023.real estate consultancy Knight Frank predicts an average in crease of 6% in the price of prime residential proper ties in the Spanish capital. This places it in joint third place with London. The top two spots are in the USA, with Miami and Los Angeles luxury proper ties forecast to rise by 8% and 7% Roundingrespectively.outthetop five is the South Korean capi tal of Seoul, where Knight Frank forecasts 5% growth in Overall2023.for the current year, the consultancy forecasts an average increase in prime residential prices of 4.4%. This represents a reduc tion of 1.7% compared to Knight Frank’s forecast at the beginning of the year. The firm expects 11 of the 25 cities analysed to show a slower rate of growth than initially forecast. Knight Frank has also presented its Interna tional Waterfront Index report, which studies the cost of waterfront homes compared to those locat ed elsewhere in 15 cities around the world. On average, waterfront properties are worth 63% more than properties in other locations. This situ ation is likely to continue given that 42% of respon dents said they are more likely to buy a waterfront home now than before the pandemic.
surgePrice
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Barcelona beaten
PROPERTY sales in the second quarter of the year were up 19.5% to 163,909, over the same period of 2021, according to the Spanish Land Registrars Association. While local demand surged 13% to 139,880, sales to foreigners were up a whopping 76% to 24,029. Of these, UK buyers accounted for 2,348 sales, just ahead of the Germans on 2,179, up 81% and 77% respectively.
CALVIA on Mallorca has overhauled regular front-runner Barcelona as the costliest munic ipality in Spain for property rentals. The Baleares as a whole are also getting prici er for tenants according to a survey from real estate property portal Fotocasa Rentals in Calvia, which includes tourist spots like Magaluf and Palma Nova, average out at €19.43 per square metre compared to Barce lona, which costs €18.43 per square metre. Calvia rental prices have rocketed by over 30% in a year in one of the largest rises in Spain. By regions, the sharpest increase has come in the Valencian Community at 17.5% followed
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ON THE UP
Rise In terms of percentage rise in market share, Po land was top with a 223% rise to 755 sales, fol lowed by the Netherlands up 162% to 1,153 sales. Poland now makes up 3% of the foreign mar ket. The market share of Ukraine, China, Italy and Switzerland also increased. While demand for UK and German buyers in creased and they still lead the way amongst foreigners, the increasing numbers of buyers from different countries means their overall market share has decreased.
By Dilip Kuner
Sydney The top destination global ly is Sydney. Homes locat ed on the Australian city’s harbour generate a 121% premium for homeowners over those residences fur ther away from the sea. In Europe, Cap d’Antibes (55%) and Monaco (43%) are the two most outstand ing cities in this respect.
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FLIGHTS were delayed or diverted at Madrid’s Adolfo Suarez Barajas Airport after drones were detected flying Sevenoverhead.flights sched uled to land in Madrid were diverted to other Spanish airports, ac cording to airports op erator GuardiaAENA.Civil have launched an investi gation to track down those responsible for piloting the drones. As well as these dis ruptions caused, the airport was affected by Ryanair, EasyJet and Iberia Express strikes.
Fleet renewalSPAIN’S Air Europa is to receive 15 long and short-haul aircraft in a major fleet modernisation programme. The airline will get five Boeing 787-9s and 10 737 Max 8s under a lease deal with Ire land’s AerCap, with the jets delivered be tween 2024 and 2026. The carrier will become the first operator in Spain to use the 737 Max. Air Europa is the country’s third largest airline after Iberia and Vueling, with its headquarters in Mallorca. It flies to 130 destinations domestically, within Europe, and further afield to the Americas and North Africa. Air Europa’s fleet modernisation follows a tightening of its links with IAG - owners of British Airways and Iberia - which has converted a loan into a 20% share of Air Europa.
But only if you can work out how to use them…
Buzz off
IAG had previously intended a full acquisi tion of the carrier, but ran into difficulties with competition regulators including the European Union. Air Europa CEO, Richard Clark, said: “The deal reinforces our strat egy of unifying the fleet around the most modern, efficient, and sustainable models in the industry.”
A SCHEME to give free rail travel has been brought inbut boy, is it complicated. It was announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as a way to limit the impact of rising inflation and the cost of living crisis and started on September 1 and will run un til December 31. The tickets are available to anyone, both resident and non-resident, but they must register and pay a deposit for a travel card. And the deal is not valid for a single or round-trip ticket, so is best for commuters as it offers repeated journeys, with users travelling to and from the same station in order to get the discounts. The ticket scheme is avail able on routes offered by Cer canías, Rodalies, and Media Distancia (local and medi um-distance journeys) but not on the high speed AVE or long distance Alvia services. The ticket allows passengers to get off and on at different stations for Cercanias. However, for Media Distan cia it is mandatory to get on and off at the specific stations chosen when the ticket was purchased. Offer The ‘Avant’ services offer a 50% discount for trains scheduled between Septem ber 1 and December 31. For commuter discounts, us ers will have to use their tick et at least 16 times between September and December and then they will be refund ed the discount at the end of the Ticketsyear.are non-transferable. You will need to either visit Renfe’s website or download the Renfe APP and register as a user or go in person to the train station.
By Jorge Hinojosa
FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL 17September 7thSeptember 20th 2022 Mollina, Malaga 4 bed, 3 bath Build: 151m2 PROPERTY OF THE WEEK This lovely property is accessed by a private track that leads directly to the front of the property which has a private garage and room for street parking. The main entrance opens to a pretty courtyard with grapevine and established planting that leads you around to the private pool area. TH5230 169.000€ EXCLUSIVE Mollina Office +34 952 741 Calleinfo@inlandandalucia.com525delaVilla14,29532Mollina,Malagawww.inlandandalucia.com FREE TICKETSTRAIN
Friday You’ve arrived in Spain’s foodie cap ital: celebrate with a feast of fish. At Casa Bigote by the water on buzzing street, Bajo de Guia, you’ll find the widest possible choice of them, from the classic bright red Sanlucar lan goustines to the likes of wedge sole (acedias), flounder, bream and red mullet done every which way. A house special, cazuela de huevos a la mari nera – stew of eggs, prawns and lan goustines is my favourite. El Espejo, a stylish restaurant with a patio inside an historical building in Barrio Alto (Calle Caballeros 11), has what’s arguably the most sophisticat ed menu around. Three courses (for example: wild red tuna tartare and ajoblanco, calamari stuffed with black pudding, and a gooey chocolate cou lant) will set you back a little over €40 a head: excellent value for food this good. Book ahead. Where to stay? For unique, quirky ac commodation try either Hotel Posada de Palacio (Calle Caballeros 9) or Ho tel Palacio de los Guzmanes, virtually opposite (Plaza Condes de Niebla). Both date back to the 15th centu ry and have inner courtyards, large rooms with old tiles and antiques. The second also has a lovely café and ma ture gardens, and is handy for a guid ed tour of the main part of the Pala cio de los Guzmanes, preserved as a museum (Sundays 10.30am, 11am & 12pm, otherwise it’s Wednesdays 11am & 12am). Two boutique hostels within tottering distance of Plaza del Cabildo provide light-filled, contemporary chic ac commodation, along with personal attention: La Casa Sanlucar (Calle Ancha 84) and, quite literally around the corner, Casa de las Especias (Cal le Regina 44) – a labour of love by a group of people who got together and renovated an old building during the pandemic.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL September 7th - September 20th 2022
VOTED Gastronomy Capital of Spain 2022, Sanlucar de Bar rameda is rightly famous for its fabulous fish and seafood, but the town has more to offer than a top Itslunch.sherry bodegas, castles and palac es, a busy calendar of cultural events, centuries of history and a calm beach for strolling along, all bathed in the uniquely translucent Costa de la Luz light, merit a longer stay. An hour south of Sevilla, near Cadiz, the town sits on the shore of the Gua dalquivir estuary, overlooking the re gion’s famous Donana National Park.
HISTORY: Moorish arch
DINING CAPITAL
The Cadiz seaside gem of Sanlucar is the perfect early Autumn weekend escape as its food scene booms, writes Sorrel Downer
The fact you can go no further, except by boat, has helped keep the place un spoilt and full of character. For a quick visit, it’s easiest to think of Sanlucar as having three distinct areas: historic Barrio Alto, up the hill; Plaza del Cabildo flanked by bars in the middle; and Bajo de Guia and the Tobeach.keep things stress-free, use the underground car park close to Cabildo (on Avenida Calzada Duquesa Isabel).
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL September 7th - September 20th 2022 19
Sanlucar is one corner of the cel ebrated sherry triangle (along with Jerez and El Puerto de Santa Maria) and the source of all manzanilla Start the day learning all about it at CIMA, an interpretation centre under the gothic stone arches on Cuesta de Belen. Its website ( cima sanlucar.es) has details on visiting 18 Sanlucar bodegas – always best to check before rocking up. Wander through the market, housed in a bright white ecclesias tical-looking 18th century building beside it, and pause for toast at Tartessos Bar (Calle Carmen Viejo 2). Agui and his team are masters at inventing revolutionary toast top pings (the Arenque-pate, smoked fish, onion and caramelised sugar is a perennial favourite). Sanlucar’s gourmet offerings come in all forms for all Suitablybudgets.refreshed, hike up the hill to Barrio Alto, a dense cluster of palaces and convents, and the high white walls of bodegas that were convents but now belong to the mighty wine producers, Barbadillo. Even the town hall is a palace – a pink and ochre striped one. The for mer summer residence of the dukes of Monpensier, it stands among the fig trees, palms, fountains and kum quats of slightly exotic, visitable bo
Continues on page 21
ATTRACTIONS: Horse racing on the beach and views of the town
Saturday
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From page 19 Sunday Time for the beach! It’s just a 10-minute walk from the centre, and inevitably, whatever route you take to the sea, the river and restaurants of Bajo de Guia will be to your right, and lots of sandy beach, 50 metres wide with boats, moored and bobbing in the shallows, to your left. Chiringuitos offer loungers and shades for hire, as well as good fried fish. If you’re hungry, don’t want to stray far from the beach, but fan cy something more – well, gastro, head to Doña Calma Gastrobar (Cal le Director Julián Cerdán) for lan goustine or tuna tacos and octopus empanadilla However, for a traditional Sunday lunch, Sanlucar style, it has to be a plate of fish in Bajo de Guia. Restau rants run the length of the pedes trian riverfront, their tables packed close together overlooking the estuary beach. The choice is over whelming, so watch what the people next to you order and have that. If you wonder what the white sand natural paradise is on the opposite bank, it’s Doñana National Park. The Real Fernando makes the crossing, stopping for an hour before returning. Tickets and informa tion on longer visits are available from the Fabrica de Hielo Visitor Centre at the start of the strip.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL September 7th - September 20th 2022 sonderwell.co.uk 11-15 St Mary at Hill, London, EC3R 8EE LIVE IN SPAIN WORK IN THE UK EARN UP TO PER WEEK INTERESTED?£980 CALL OR EMAIL US! 07599 111347 jayne.vale@sonderwell.co.uk OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 6 Burr, 7 Stressed, 9 Pronouns, 10 G D P, 11 Self-conscious, 14 Starting lines, 17 Foe, 18 Bereaved, 19 Missiles, 20 Calf. Down: 1 Nutrient, 2 Transformers, 3 Pseudo, 4 Crusts, 5 Hemp, 8 Significance, 12 Nun, 13 Unevenly, 15 In bulk, 16 Garish, 17 Fair. tanical gardens. Turn left at the town hall and follow a narrow street that soon becomes Calle Luis de Egui laz, against the direction of travel. All churches in Cadiz are good places to visit if you are hot or religious, but our Lady of the O is exceptional. The facade dates back to the 14th century and is quite plain, but the stone carving, and inside, the chapels, silver, gold and art are breathtaking. The Castillo de Santiago, further along, has the look of a giant toy fort and is the biggest in Cadiz, with cannons and costumes on display, and splendid views from the tower. (Open 10am - 2pm last entry & 5pm -7pm last Finally,entry).the Barbadillo bodega ( barbadillo. com/visitas-bodegas-barbadillo ), where you can amble through the museum, enjoy an educational tour and taste four wines, before tipsily buying more than intended in the shop. There are seven scheduled tours in Spanish on Saturdays, but only one, at 11am, in En Navigatingglish. the opening hours can be a pala ver, so consider leaving it to the experts. The Tourist Information Office, on Calzada Duquesa Isabel, has information on lo cal companies that offer tours combing attractions with sherry tastings, some taking place in the cool of the evening. But if your evening is free, join the throng in Plaza del Cabildo. The square with its fountain and palms is the best known of many better hidden plazas , and a bus tling, convivial spot for a couple of glasses of cold crisp manzanilla sherry and hot crisp tor tillitas de camarones You can visit five good bars within a few pac es, but be sure to include the upmarket tra ditional Barbiana for papas aliñas , and Casa Balbino, which has been serving up a huge selection of exceptional fish and seafood tapas to lucky locals and visiting stars of screen, peñas and bullrings since 1939. For a SanlucarSundaytraditionallunch,style,ithastobea plate of fish TRY THE WINE
BACK in the 60s young people laughed at public transport by donning hotpants, shades and roller skates to glide on down to the local corner shop for some bread. And in the 70s personal hygiene went out the window when young men began growing those greasy lamb-chop sideburns that were to frame their face for the next decade. Then in the 80s young women eschewed French fashion trends by wearing leotards, legwarmers and getting scrunchy mullet haircuts to boogie-on-down to their local newsagents in the pouring rain. Now in the 2020s, 9 out of 10 Línea Directa customers get the same satisfaction and rec ommend their car, bike and home insurance Allpolicies.customer service and documentation is in English, their claims service is fast and effi cient, you can get quick, no obligation quotes over the phone, and their easy payment op tions help spread the cost of premiums.
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the past few months, there has been an upheav al regarding funeral plans in the UK. Every week, it would appear that there was a new company provid ing plans. Most of these companies have now disap peared due to the new regulations for funeral plan providers in the UK, as they are now regulated by the FCA. However, due to these changes, and after a considerable amount of research, I decided to provide my clients with a Spanish-regulated funeral plan company, which has been providing funeral plans in Spain for many years, and is ful ly registered and regulated by both the Spanish authorities and the DGS.
Olive Press Costa del Sol – 170mm x 256mm – Colour September 7th
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Scare headlines by UK tabloids dismissed HEADLINES in British tab loids warning holidaymakers about a plague of bloodsucking bed bugs at hotels across Spain have been dismissed - and the blame put on tourists them Theselves.reports claimed that popu lar tourist destinations includ ing Costa Blanca, the Baleares and the Canary Islands were infested with the insects and putting holiday makers at risk. The Olive Press got on the case to find out the truth. Jorge Galvan, director of the Spanish Association of Envi ronmental Health (ANECPLA) confirmed that this year was a particularly bad one for bed bugs but explained that this was a global problem and not just a Spanish one. “The increase of bed bugs is not only affecting Spain, but it is also affecting every country,” he “Thesaid.main reason why there are more bed bugs is because of climate change and the in crease of temperatures,” he Inadded.fact, he warned that it may be the tourists themselves that are the problem, because they are transporting the bugs across borders in their clothes and luggage. Hotels “It’s quite possible there are more bed bugs in the UK than in Spain and that they are brought over to hotels here by the guests themselves,” he said. A spokesman for the Alicante hotels association told the Olive Press: “This information is to tally false, we haven’t received any reports of bed bugs in any of the hotels of Alicante. “It is the first time this year that I have heard about bed bugs,” he Likewise,added. the Spanish health ministry has not issued any warnings regarding bed bugs in hotels across Spain.
By Jorge Hinojosa
COMBINED Covid/flu self di agnostic tests are starting to be pushed out to chemists. They will allow people to see if they are infected with Covid-19, Influenza type A or Influenza type B . Since the start of the month Covid cases have been falling, but there are still people dying and getting seriously ill from the disease. Official advice is to take a Covid test if you are suffering from symptoms, but some people don’t do so as they assume they have a cold or the flu. This is partly because some of the most severe Covid symp toms, such as a complete loss of smell, are not so prevalent now. Other symptoms such as con gestion, headaches, sore throats and a cough are easily confused with those of a cold or the flu. The new test costs €2.94.
Why choose a funeral plan? Especially for the Expats and their families, funerals can be a very stressful and complicated experience. When you pur chase a funeral plan, you are making the whole process far easier and less stressful for your loved ones. Prices are fixed, with either full payment or with a small deposit, and a payment schedule over 60 months which is interest-free. There is no medical required, no health restric tions and no limit on age. In Spain, the funeral usually happens very quickly after death, which can be frightening and daunting for your family members to deal with. I cannot understand why you would not organise this, to help your loved ones at this very difficult Onetime.phone call and the plan goes into operation. There is a choice of three plans, and all the documentation required is included. If you decide that a funeral plan is not for you, you must make sure that your wishes are known, money is available immediately and that at least one of your loved ones has an NIE number. In line with Spanish law, direct cremation usually takes place 24-72 hours after death and prolonging this will incur extra mortuary expenses. Death is always traumatic and exhausting – why make it even harder for those left behind?
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HEALTH authorities are oversee ing the withdrawal from the mar ket of three batches of Ardo Frozen Fruitberry Mix due to the presence of Hepatitis A. These are batches 586 2213 (best be fore date 10-11-2024) and 586 22131 (best before 11-11-2024) in 1 kilo packs; and batch 586 22131 (best be fore 31-05-2024) of 2.5 kilos. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the suspected batches. The mix, which came from Bel gium, has been distributed in An Dodgy fruitberry dalucia, the Baleares, Catalunya, Murcia, Valencia and the Basque Country.
Cannot be used with other offers. Purchase one pair of glasses from our 89€ range or above and get 50% discount on varifocal lenses. Additional charge – Extra Options. Excludes safety eyewear. Ask in store for more details. SKU 30690219 Specsavers España Franchisor S.L. (with VAT number B84536291 and registered offices in Pradillo Street 5 Ground Floor, 28002, Madrid, Spain) is responsible for this offer.
Fuengirola Avda. Ramón y Cajal, 6 (near Portillo bus station) Tel. 952 467 837 Marbella Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 12 (next to Massimo Dutti) Tel. 952 863 332 LET IT BUG YOU
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info@markdentalclinic.com aauradental.com markdentalclinic.com Nueva Andalucia 951 563 459 Fuengirola 952 917 164 Estepona 951 272 267 MARK DENTAL CLINIC HAS CHANGED ITS NAME TO AAURA DENTAL. THIS IS TO BE CONSISTENT BETWEEN OUR CLINICS IN THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. WE STILL OPERATE AS USUAL, STILL MARK´S BROTHERS IN CHARGE AND SAME STAFF. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL OF OUR PATIENTS WHO HAVE VISITED MARK DENTAL CLINIC AND LOOK FORWARD TO MANY YEARS TO COME WITH AAURA DENTAL. N E W N A M E B U T S T I L L T H E S A M E
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Favour It was a year ago that Gallar do had found Tanka on waste ground. She was barely 15 days old and very neglected. He rescued, nursed and cared for her and now Tanka has managed to return the favour.
SNOW JOKE
thefallenGallardotheTankaIronically,wasreasonhaddownwellinthe first place. He had been chatting to his mum via WhatsApp when the pooch ran off after a cat. Gallardo fol lowed, only heard the yells of HeGallardo.was stuck in the 10-metre deep well, with no footing and grimly staying afloat. They called the police BEST PALS: Joaquin and Tanka
Bad luck A MAN restoring a prop erty in Galicia has found €24,000 worth of old peseta banknotes stuffed in Nesquik bottles but they are worthless as the deadline for exchanging them for euros passed in February. Whale watch OVER 90 whales have been recorded in sight ings off the Denia coast since May. Around 100 volunteers have partic ipated in the Cape Fin whale project spotting the mammals at sea or from viewpoints.
Size matterdoes
A LARGE Sulcata tortoise has been rescued from the Pudio River in Sevilla with police taking the endan gered species to the sta tion for a bite to eat before handing it over to a reserve.
A GANDIA man sold cocaine which he had hidden in his Covid mask. The 59-year-old Spaniard drew the attention of police who decided to watch him in action. Officers spotted several people ap proaching him in the street and en gaging in a brief conversation. They saw him remove his mask each time and noted an exchange of items. He was arrested and a home
A YOUNG dog who was res cued at just 15 days old has re turned the favour by saving his master’s life one year on. Joaquin Gallardo was exhaust ed and on the verge of giving up after he fell down a well and left floating for six-and-a-half hours in an isolated part of Rincon de la Victoria (Malaga). His cries for help had gone un heard during the ordeal – but his faithful dog Tanka refused to leave his master. It was Tanka’s incessant bark ing that finally raised the alarm, when two young wom en in a distant house decided to investigate the commotion. They were guided by the barking to a patch of isolated ground and By Dilip Kuner and the young man was finally hauled to safety suffering no more than a few bruises. to plunge into the unprotected well, losing his phone in the Forprocess.the next six-and-a-half hours Tanka kept barking. Gal lardo said: “She barked so much that police told me the dog was a wreck from exhaustion.”
A GIANT phallic carving un covered by archaeologists at a site in Cordoba is believed to be one of the largest such finds dating from the Roman Althoughworld. depictions of the penis were a common theme used to represent fertility, bring luck and ward off the evil eye, the team digging at the Nueva Carteya site believe this particular relief carving is something more unusual. Virility “It was common to place them on the facades of hous es or represented on small amulets worn by soldiers as a symbol of virility, but not of such a size as the one found now,” explained Andres Roldan from the Museum of Nueva Carteya and the pro fessor leading the excavation “Weproject.are consulting the bibli ography and, at the moment, we have not found one of such dimensions,” he said. The relief carved on a lime stone block measures close to half a metre in length and is thought to have formed a cor nerstone of a tower on a large building crowning the hill of the Roman settlement. search uncovered 175 grams of co caine and a precision scale in addi tion to €7,360.
OPLIVERESSThe ANDALUCÍA FREEWe use recycled paper REREREuseducecycle Vol. 14 Issue 402 www.theolivepress.es September 7th - September 20th 2022 WORDSFINAL Well done!
Faithful pooch barked for 6 hours to attract attention after owner fell down well
