The
OLIVE PRESS
VALENCIA / COSTA AZAHAR FREE Vol. 1 Issue 15 www.theolivepress.es
Nazi bashing
expat
voice in Spain June 17th - June 30th 2021
Pretty as a picture - discover 10 of Spain’s hidden gems See page 18
Knocked down In shades of the Priors, British expat forced to demolish 17-year home to live in a van on the land
G IN GO
A PAIR of far-right protesters in Valencia have become the first in Spain to be fined for displaying Franco symbols during a demo. The pair were fined €4,000 each ‘for acts of promotion of the dictatorship’. They were carrying a Spanish flag, bearing the eagle that was used during Franco’s reign, at a march organised by extreme-right party España 2000 last October. The court found that the use of ‘Nazi symbols, Falange flags, fascist salutes and torches, turned the demonstration into an act of public exaltation of the Franco dictatorship’. They could have faced fines of up to €10,000.
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EXCLUSIVE By Katherine Brook was sky high and then I lost my wife,” Davey, 67, told the Olive Press this week. Speaking half-way through Friday’s demolition that cost him €1,600, he added it had actually come as ‘some sort of relief’. Having been forced to hire a digger, after disconnecting the electricity supply and water, he was on the final leg of a legal battle that began in 2004. That was the year the legal firm, Manzanares, informed him he would be getting a licence for an almacen (or storeroom), which would allow him to build the house in Tolox, near Ronda.
Local clamp down THE Valencian authorities are clamping down on rural properties believing ‘tens of thousands’ of them could be illegally built. They now have up to 15 years to review the planning status of any property built on rural, non-urban land. Illegal property owners could face heavy fines and in the worse case scenario be forced to demolish their homes. It comes after the Territorial Planning, Urban Development, and the Countryside law (LOTUP) was introduced in 2014. It was meant to streamline the planning process to a maximum of one year. Many applications are taking up to 12 months and paying up to €10,000, reveals a 2020 planning report by the company ASPRIMA.
“We thought we had done everything right. We got legal advice and went through a lawyer in order to get permission to build the home,” Gurney explained. But he was later told that his house was one of around 350 that were illegally given planning permission by the former mayor, Juan Vera, who landed up with a prison sentence.
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Prison
Vol. 15 Issue 370 www.theolivepres s.es June 2nd - June 15th 2021
See page 14
EXCLUSIVE By Dilip Kuner
He was eventually told it had to be demolished to avoid a sixmonth prison sentence with the news coming just after his wife died from bowel cancer, at the age of 71. “But thankfully it is now over,” he explained. “It has been going on for so long now, I’ve finally come to terms with what needs to be done. Having it demolished was actually a relief.” 147 834he As he still owns the952land, can still live on it - just not in a house. So now the father-of-three is planning a minimalist life staying in a converted van, so that his five dogs still have the space to roam. “This land is my home, it is my life and these dogs are all I have left.” Whether or not he still faces a prison sentence, is yet to be confirmed. It is not the first time British ex* O f f e r
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British expat faces demolition of his 17 year home - and a spell in prison repeat of controversial Priors - in case
AN expat is facing prison for failing to demolish his home after he fell foul of a town hall’s ‘laissez faire’ planning rules. Gurney Davey, aged 67, only found out about the six-month sentence when a court document was delivered to a neighbour’s house. “I went straight to Tolox town hall with it. They told me I shouldn’t have received it yet,” he told the Olive Press. “They said they were going to be sending the notification to me once they had stamped it.” The news came as a massive bolt from the blue for Davey, whose wife has just died of cancer, which he believes worsened from the stress of the case. He had never been told about the court case that followed on from a Guardia Civil denuncia for an ‘illegal build’. Davey’s two-bed home - built in 2004 - should never have been built according to the Malaga court.
Legalise
In 2016, and then again in 2017, Davey was ordered to knock down his house, but, in common with a neighbour, he waited for more details. While his Spanish neighbour, Irene Millan, 29, did eventually hear from the court again, she was given six months to ‘legalise’ her property - an option Davey was never given. However, his neighbour’s apparent good luck turned into a poisoned chalice. Having spent €20,000 with the town hall to legalise the dwelling, the court finally refused to accept the new paperwork provided by the council. Instead, demolition was ordered which went ahead last week. To add insult to injury Irene’s 54-year-old father, Manuel Mil-
DEMOLITION: Expat Gurney
Davey is being forced to knock
lan, whose name was on the deeds, was also sentenced to six months jail and handed a fine of €6 a day for a year. Now Davey is terrified he is set to lose his home at any moment. It comes just two months since his wife Diana died from bowel
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down his own house and faces
cancer, at the age of 71, in April. “We thought we had done everything right at the time. We got legal advice and went through lawyer in order to get permissiona to build the home. “Diana fought breast cancer for six years before bowel cancer I am sure the
X
IT was a day that disgraced Spain. A day that an expat was forced to demolish his home of 17 years, despite having paid for planning permission. Brick by brick, tile by tile, British resident Gurney Davey tore down the house he had built for €150,000, after receiving shocking advice from a Malaga legal firm. That it came just two months after his wife, Diana, died from cancer simply magnifies the sheer tragedy. “I was d i s traught at first, my blood pressure
The
Eviction proceedings on the way for Costa Blanca gestor. See P5
GOING; GOING; GONE: Gurney Davey watches as his home torn down and reduced to a pile of rubble, while (top) the Priors
NE GO
On way out?
G IN GO
RESIDENTS in Valencia are being hit with a double whammy of rising costs. Not only has the Spanish electricity bill become 50% dearer at peak times - as reported by the Olive Press - but now petrol and diesel are at all-time record highs too. Filling up a 50-litre tank of 95 petrol in the region’s service stations currently costs up to €14 more than this time last year, while the same amount of diesel has increased by €11. Figures released by the Ministry for Ecological Transition show that one litre of 95 petrol cost an average of €1.07 at service stations at the end of May 2020 – 26.2% cheaper than now. Diesel has gone up from €0.99 a litre in 2020 to €1.21 this year.
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stress brought it on.” The couple, originally from Suffolk in the UK, spent €150,000 building their property. “It came as a package - a plot with a new home on it.” Davey admits he and his wife were perhaps naive to follow the advice of their lawyer. The lawyer,
six months jail
from legal firm Manzanares, told them that planning permission would be applied for as an almacen - or ‘warehouse’. This way it would come under the remit of Tolox town hall, which would give permission and later they could ‘legalise’ the property. The language of one legal letter, seen by the Olive Press, suggests this would be a mere formality. But the property never got legalised. In fact, the Tolox mayor of the time, Juan Vera, has since been jailed and fined for his part in scheme to allow up to 350 prop-a erties to be built on land classified as ‘rural’. In most cases he had used the very same ‘lax’ procedure of applying to build an ‘almacen’ to try to keep the prying eyes of the Junta authorities away. “We thought that was the way things worked in Spain,” said Davey, a retired builder. “We went to see a lawyer and got advice. It turns out that was not
the smart thing to do. “Why would we deliberately try to build illegally? It makes no sense that we would sell up everything in the UK and risk it all.” Now Davey’s first thoughts are to avoid serving the jail sentence. He said: “My lawyer is trying to get the sentence suspended.”
Flatten
In the meantime he has been forced to ask the town hall for permission to knock his own property down. “I will do it myself. I will borrow a JCB from someone and flatten my home of the past 17 years. will not let the town hall do it andI charge me more money.” He added: “I’ve no idea where to live afterwards. But the land still mine - maybe I can live in is a tent.” Tolox Ayuntamiento refused to comment, citing data protection laws.
pats have had their homes demolished in Andalucia, with the Priors, in Almeria, the most famous victims.
c o n d i t i o n s .
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Opinion Page 6
3 1 / 1 2 / 1 9 .
21/6/19 13:30
Prison They still live in the garage of their house today, over 10 years since the house was knocked down in Vera. Opinion Page 6
2
CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Lunchtime stabbing A MAN has been arrested for allegedly stabbing another person outside a popular and busy bar in Benicassim (Castellon) in broad daylight during an argument.
Safe jabs THREE out of every four residents in the Valencia region who have received their COVID vaccinations have not reported any adverse reactions, with a slight discomfort at the site of the jab as the main complaint among those who have.
From deep THE body of a giant squid appeared washed up on Castellon’s Gurugu beach last week, just days after the corpse of a beached dolphin was found in the same area.
June 17th - June 30th 2021
Expat murder riddle POLICE are investigating the death of a British woman and her aristocratic Spanish husband after the couple were found dead at their home in an upmarket gated community. It is believed the Marques of Cirella, Jorge Diez de Rivera, 66, shot his es-
A ‘Good Samaritan’ expat who offered to pay the bill for six British tourists turned Judas when he plunged a knife into the neck of one of them. He now faces five-and-a halfyears jail after he admitted attempted murder to an Albir court. Prosecutors said the brutal attack happened two years ago when a group of young Brits had finished breakfast in an Albir bar but found they didn’t have enough cash to pay. While five of them headed off to try to scrape together the money, one stayed behind. But bar
tranged wife, Katherine Brereton Travers, 59, before shooting himself. The alarm was raised by a security guard patrolling the upmarket Somosaguas urbanisation in Pozuelo de Alarcon, near Madrid. He had heard gunshots coming from
the property. When no-one answered the gate, he called police who discovered the bodies of the couple in the garden and a gun nearby. The hunting enthusiast had three hunting rifles registered in his name. The pair reportedly met working for airlines; he was a former pilot and she was an air stewardess. They married and had three children before separating three years ago.
Knifed from behind Expat riddle over young British tourist stabbing
staff called police at which point a 48-year-old British regular at the bar stepped in and offered to pay.
Wonga haul AN organized crime gang has had €16.5 million in cash seized - the largest in Spanish history. The massive haul by the Guardia Civil alongside Europol in Algeciras came alongside a seizure of 1.6 tonnes of cocaine. The gang consisted of employees that worked in various port departments, including two from the Border Inspection team. The investigation was launched in August 2020 and has led to the arrest of 29 people. One of the gang was tracked down and arrested in Amsterdam. He had been on the run since 2017 due to his involvement in another drug-smuggling operation.
For reasons unknown - neither the victim nor attacker needed to testify because of the guilty plea - an argument broke out.
Peeping Tom AN Alicante man has been accused of installing a spy camera into the bathroom of his ex-girlfriend’s home. Tape was used to stick the tiny camera onto a bathroom ceiling ventilation duct. The unit beamed back naked footage of the woman and her young daughter. Police said that the 40-year-old man had split up with the woman but still lived at her home while he looked for new accommodation. The camera relayed pictures via a Wi-Fi connection to his computer with the images recorded on a memory card.
The expat then went to a waitress and demanded a knife, which she refused. He then dashed into the kitchen, snatched a sharp blade and took his 20-year-old victim by surprise, stabbing him from behind. The assailant then calmly washed blood off the knife, replaced it in the kitchen and told staff ‘if anybody asks, it wasn’t me’. He was arrested soon afterwards. His victim spent 12 days at Alicante General Hospital, followed by 30 days off work and a further 144 for the injury to fully heal. In a plea deal prosecutors lowered jail time demanded from 10 years to 5ive-and-a-half, although sentencing has not been carried out.
Shaken baby A COUPLE from Torreblanca (Castellon) have been arrested after their two-month-old child was admitted to hospital with suspected ‘shaken baby syndrome’. Police detained the parents, 27 and 29, after doctors at the Intensive Care Unit at Castellon General Hospital reported that the child was suffering from serious brain injuries. This form of internal damage is said to be caused by shaking the baby vigorously, often in a moment of frustration after failing to stop a persistently crying child. The parents have no previous criminal history and refused to answer questions by the police, awaiting formal legal proceedings.
FIRE DEATH A DRUG addict has been arrested over a house blaze that killed a man and left his family in a critical condition. Investigators believe the fire was triggered by a fault with an illegal electricity connection. The 45-year-old was arrested after the fire in Algemesi claimed the life of Jose Moreno Marin, 38 and caused serious injury to his wife, daughter and eight-year-old son, who suffered serious head injuries after falling two floors.
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Kick off!
CRISTIANO Ronaldo's luxury brand CR7 has opened its brand new flagship hotel on Madrid’s Gran Via. Boasting 168 rooms, a terrace bar, swimming pool and solarium, the hotel is run via the established hotel chain Pestana, which currently has two other sites in Spain’s capital, Pestana Plaza Mayor and Pestana Collection. The hotel will be split over 10 floors, and be home to a fully loaded sports bar, complete with table football and large TV screens, and also a pizzeria run by renowned chef Mauro Soggiu. The roof of the building will also boast 360 degree views of the city, whilst holiday makers will be able to enjoy the rooftop pool and cocktail bar.
Dark knight rises... in Benidorm BATMAN has been soaring from the rooftops for 82 years, rescuing fair ladies, outsmarting villains and generally saving the world from destruction. It’s a tough and lonely life, so who can blame him for wanting to swap skyscrapers for sandy beaches, a nice paella, and maybe even a cheeky mid-morning pint. Benidorm, fortunately, is only too happy to oblige. The popular Spanish resort is just one of 14 locations that feature in Batman: The World, a new global 184-page anthology, to be published by DC Comics, on September 14 - true Batman fans will know this is just four days before World Batman Day. The award-winning Spanish graphic artist, Paco
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Roca, admits it took him a while to come around to the idea of taking Batman to Benidorm, but eventually it made sense. “Short stories are always tough – this one is only 11 pages – so you run the risk of trying to fit too much in,” he said. “And these kinds of stories are crammed with action-packed, fist fight-heavy tales because that’s what the public expects. So I thought it would be quite fun to focus on relaxation.” While the Caped Crusader won’t be going full Benidorm, roasting on the beach 12 hours a day (DC Comics said his top had to remain on), he will do his best to engage in typical tourist behaviour. Oh, and he’ll be bringing his cape with him, because you never know when trouble is lurking around the corner… especially in Benidorm.
GONG-HO! FOUR Britons behind leading citizens’ rights campaigns in Spain have been awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. The British Embassy in Madrid, released the names of the four Brits honoured for their ceaseless efforts to campaign for expats rights in the run up to the UK leaving Europe. The four associations continue to provide invaluable help and information to the British community as it navigates its way through life since the referendum
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Expat-on-the-back for campaigners who provide vital support to Brits in Spain
RECOGNISED: (from left) Harris, Williams, Wilson, Hernandez were honoured
in 2016. Based in Madrid, Michael Harris is the Vice President of EuroCitizens and a British in Europe committee member. A former teacher and writer of English-language textbooks, Michael founded the grassroots organisation EuroCitizens in September 2016. Anne Hernandez, a retired university lecturer, moved to Spain over 30 years ago.
Rights
Based in Andalucia, Anne spearheaded the formation of Brexpats in Spain, which has worked tirelessly to inform UK nationals of their EU exit rights. A former member of the armed forces, Debbie Williams, based in the Valencia region, set up the
3 Through the keyhole
June 17th - June 30th 2021
grass roots organisation Brexpats - Hear Our Voice as a pan-European group a few days after the EU Referendum in June 2016. Moving from Belgium to Spain shortly afterwards, she continued her lobbying, engagement and awareness-raising efforts, con-
sidering the impact of the UK’s departure from the EU. As Chair of Bremain in Spain, Sue Wilson is one of the most visible campaigners for the rights of UK nationals in the EU. When moving to Spain to retire over 10 years ago, she had no experience of advocacy, campaigning work or speaking in public.
Swim win A PARALYMPIC swimmer has scored Spain’s top award for sport. Champion swimmer Teresa Perales is set to be honoured for her achievements with the Princess of Asturias award this October. The 45-year-old, who lost the use of her legs due to neuropathy when she was 19 and switched from karate to swimming, rose through the ranks over the last 20 years to become one of Spain’s most talented sports stars. She will receive €50,000 as part of the award. Judges, who announced Teresa as the winner yesterday, said that the Spanish athlete had become ‘an example for millions of disabled people of how to overcome difficulties and an icon of international paralympics’.
CATHERINE Zeta-Jones has given fans a glimpse of her fabulous Mallorca holiday home through a video posted on Instagram. The Zorro actress has spent the last few weeks enjoying her 10-bedroom mansion, with husband, Michael Douglas, and their two children, Dylan and Carys. The villa, near Valldemossa, boasts a cinema, gym, and even a vineyard. There’s also a large walk-in wardrobe, which doubles as the Chicago star’s catwalk, as shown in the video. Douglas came close to selling the sprawling 250 acres cliffside estate in 2018, but eventually had a change of heart and pulled the plug on the sale. Catherine and Michael have been coming to the island for more than 30 years – with the loved up couple previously revealing that they fell in love there. “We have spent many, many hours here and it’s where I fell in love with Catherine, so for that reason the island means a lot to me and I am already part of its history,” cooed Douglas.
New challenge THE Love Island bosses have been approaching influencers with disabilities in a bid to be more inclusive in the next series. While the final line-up hasn’t been confirmed it would be ‘ideal if they had at least one disabled islander’ revealed a source. One name being thrown into the mix is influencer and para-athlete, Milly Pickles, 26, who had her leg amputated after she was electrocuted. This comes after the Love Island team vowed to make 2021's line-up ‘diverse and inclusive’.
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Carved up!
The green light was given this week to knock down five beach restaurants on Malvarrosa Beach. The eateries, La Alegria de la Huerta, El Bobo, Luz de Luna, Alma and El Trompo, are the first of 12 establishments on the city’s main beach to be razed and replaced. Widely recognised as one of Malvarrosa’s main attractions, the restaurants will face the wrecking ball come October, after the summer season has ended. They will be rebuilt with designs and materials that blend in more with the environment – a requirement by the national coastal authorities. Replacing old concrete blocks for ‘greener’ constructions fits in with the
Five restaurants earmarked for demolition in a green makeover of Malvarrosa beach
city’s plans for a general overhaul of the seafront promenade. It aims to make it more ecological, restoring natu-
PAELLA PLAUDITS
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CHEFS in 10 countries have been granted the coveted Wikipaella distinction. Known as the ‘paella Oscars’, the tourist board-backed initiative praises the best paellas globally. A total of 11 restaurants abroad, including in the UK, Colombia and Mexico, have been handed the award this year. Meanwhile 23 chefs in other parts of Spain have also been awarded the distinction, namely from Madrid, Cordoba, Avila, Jaen, Formentera, Cuenca, Vizcaya and Barcelona. A total of 275 restaurants, 86% of them in the Valencia region, have been handed the award this year.
See Paella heritage page 17
ral sand dunes, and introducing more vegetation. The restaurant revamp will cost an estimated €800,000 and take place in two stages. It is scheduled to take eight months to be ready for next summer. Restaurant owners are reportedly delighted with the move. They believe it will make the area more attractive and help boost their businesses.
Boost
Changes will include moving the open-air terraces up to the first floor and fitting solar panels on the roofs, which will boost restaurant capacity from 150 to 200 customers at a time.
End in sight Over 1,000 tips on Maddie case which could be solved ‘by end of the year’
Disruptive Educational Approaches
Educational Spaces Art and Science
EXCLUSIVE By Jon Clarke in Braunschweig
THE prosecutor leading the investigation into Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner said the case ‘could be solved’ this year. “We hope to solve the Maddie case, but it will take months,” said Hans-Christian Wolters. “Perhaps we will be able to say something by the end of the year.” But while the German prosecutor is ‘satisfied’ with the way the probe is going, he is more likely to charge Brueckner sooner over two other crimes.
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Probe
In an exclusive interview to mark a year’s anniversary of an appeal for witnesses, he told the Olive Press that the German rapist, who spent a lot of time in Spain and Portugal, was being probed over five separate cases. These include the rape of Irish girl Hazel Behan, then 20, and the abuse of children in a playpark on the Algarve in 2017. He said the probe into the Behan case was likely to take ‘a few months more’, while the case of Maddie and two other child abuse cases in Portugal might take a little longer. “The investigation (into Behan)
GRILLING: Clarke with Wolters and (left) Brueckner will probably not be as long as the Maddie case,” he insisted. “We only have Christian B as the suspect. We are working with the Irish and Portuguese authorities and it takes a bit of time to get all the information we need. It will continue for a few more months, but not three months as it was recently reported.” Regarding the two child abuse cases in Portugal, he said they continued to investigate, albeit slowly. In particular, the case in Messines, where Brueckner exposed himself to four children late at night in a park in 2017. “I think that case was a little bit forgotten because he was extradited back to Germany,” explained Wolters, who works closely with the crack BKA police unit. “We have now picked up the investigation and he is facing several years in prison. I cannot say exactly, but it will be two, four or six years.” A second child abuse case against a young German girl,
10, that took place near Praia da Luz in April 2007, a month before Maddie went missing, is also progressing. The girl was grabbed by a naked man, as she played in rock pools, near Salema beach. “We are investigating Christian B’s possible involvement in this but I can’t say how good the evidence is at this stage,” he added. In terms of the investigation of Madeleine McCann, who vanished from her bed while on holiday in Praia da Luz, in May 2007, he is more cautious. He confirmed that his prosecutors department had been working on the case since the summer of 2018 and had received other key information, ‘maybe video, maybe phone’, but it was not the time to confirm exactly what. In total, they had received ‘more than 1000 tips’ from the public since the appeal last June. “We have been getting at least one tip a day, of varied quality,” he insisted. See full interview online
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So long solstice POLICE in Valencia have announced a major clampdown on the San Juan summer solstice celebrations on June 23. Up to 400 officers are set to block 20 kilometres of coastline on dozens of beaches. Local security chief Aaron Cano insisted that ‘there will be no San Juan again this year’, adding that the festivities will be reinstated again in 2022. Last year, police were forced to kick hundreds of people off the beach and out of the sea due to COVID restrictions. It comes after organisers of two open-air concerts at La Marina Sur are under fire for failing to properly enforce anti-COVID safety measures. The authorities are probing the shows by local band Zoo and by Barcelona singer Rigoberta Bandini, which attracted thousands of fans. They were meant to serve as a trial run for the return of more live music this summer. Several faults were discovered despite fans mostly sitting and wearing face masks. Now organisers Consorcio Valencia will have to be stricter on future concerts particularly around social distancing.
EVICTION proceedings have been launched to remove One Way Services from their Quesada office, the Olive Press has learnt. The gestor at the centre of a province-wide fraud investigation has allegedly not paid rent for more than a year, according to his landlady. The Olive Press has seen correspondence to confirm that a civil procedure is underway, and will not be affected by the criminal investigation also being carried out against Matt Smith, the owner of One Way Services.
Case
The Olive Press spoke exclusively with Matt Smith’s landlady, Sandra Nicholson, who revealed: “He hasn’t paid his rent for over a year, he owes me more than €6,000 now.” She said that his business seemed to be thriving with so many Brits seeking help to get registered under new Brexit rules. She confirmed: “I have a case lodged in the civil courts of Torrevieja against Matthew Smith for the non payment of rent.” The Olive Press has seen a copy of an email from her solicitor, A SURVEY claims that the coronavirus pandemic caused a €2.7 billion drop in income and 10,000 job losses last year across the Valencian hospitality sector. The independent study was conducted on behalf of the region’s 14 hospitality associations and the Alicante Provincial Council, which paid for the survey. It also
TATTOOS: Jane Long EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
Javier Rico Font of Almoradi, confirming that proceedings are with the Torrevieja courts. Smith is at the centre of a scandal involving allegedly faked padron certificates and the ‘wrongful arrest’ of elderly and vulnerable British expats that were One Way clients. The Olive Press first reported half a dozen British clients had been hauled in by Alicante Policia Nacional over the doctoring of official Town Hall documents on their residency applications. Their ordeals included detention, hours of questioning by police and victims being fingerprinted and photographed. The lawyer representing One
Pandemic costs
said there were no direct links to increasing COVID-19 in bars, restaurants, and hotels that fully observed health safety rules. Costa Blanca hospitality income in 2020 fell by 47% com-
June 17th - June 30th 2021
Rush for justice Victim group in dash for answers before gestor is evicted
RENT: Business faces eviction Way Services, David Guijarro One victim, 71 year-old widow Mayor of ABC Solicitors, con- Lily Higgins, described the exfirmed to the Olive Press that perience as ‘humiliating’, after no-one other than Matt Smith never being in trouble with the is under investigation and that police in her life. none of his clients were in- Another, Jane Long of Torrevolved in the criminal activity. vieja, had to remove clothing in order for her tattoos to be photographed, as they were considpared to the previous year, ered distinguishing marks. but the survey said that the national fall was higher at Affected 51%. Since publication, other victims EY España study chief, Pehave contacted us, with police dro Valdes, said that the confirming that at least 40 peorevenue losses suffered ple have been affected. locally were ‘lower than Many of those affected are the national average’ since considering group action to apbusinesses were able to reproach One Way Services and main open throughout the demand compensation for the autumn. wrongful arrests.
5
TICK INVASION RESIDENTS in Castellon are being overrun by a nasty plague of ticks. Authorities in Vilanova d’Alcolea are warning residents to be vigilant for the biting insects which can spread disease in humans. Garrapatas, as they are known in Spanish, are blood sucking insects that are usually found on dogs but do pose a threat to humans. They can cause the potentially fatal Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and Lyme disease. Experts in Vilanova, home of Castellon airport, are advising residents to visit the local health centre if they find a tick attached to them, and not to attempt to pick it off themselves.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION VALENCIA is marking the 100th anniversary of its influential cinema director Luis Garcia Berlanga. A series of events have been scheduled in the city to honour the famous director behind celebrated movies including Bienvenido, Mister Marshall (1953) and La vaquilla (1985). Born on June 12, 1921 (he died in 2010)
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A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION Shame of Spain It’s one thing to see your retirement dreams turn sour. For decades expats have chosen Spain as the place to invest their hard earned nest egg for a place in the sun. Some spend years searching for the perfect spot in which to build their lifelong dream, imagining they will live out their twilight years in peace and tranquility. Most will inevitably have to face the loss of the partner with whom they shared that life adventure. And that is sad and difficult enough. But add to that the horror of having to knock down your own home, the place filled with memories of your last years together. And face an old age, alone in a van, surrounded by rubble. This is the desperate fate of Gurney Davis, who last week knocked down his own home under threat of jail, just two months after losing his wife to cancer. Whatever the reasons for why a property falls foul of planning laws - and in most cases it’s because of bad advice or corrupt planning officials - it is a true disgrace that Spain can continue to allow such things to happen.
Renewable - but not like this WE all support clean energy, don’t we? As a nation with so much abundant sunshine, Spain should be doing its utmost to encourage citizens and town halls to generate their own solar power and strive for energy self-sufficiency. That may mean unsightly panels erected on roof tops but who cares if we carpet over industrial estates or mega malls such as Ikea? But there is a danger now of some of the most beautiful and environmentally important corners of Spain being carved up by energy companies and panelled over without due care and attention. Much of Spain’s coastline was ruined in a building frenzy during a construction boom that went unchecked, let’s not allow the same to happen to Spain’s unspoilt interior with the new cash cow that is renewables.
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NEWS FEATURE
Sunny valleys’ solar eclipse
Fight the power!
The celebrated green valleys and whitewashed village route around Andalucia are being lined up for a giant industrial makeover By Fiona Govan in Gaucin
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ESS than an hour’s drive from the built up concrete strip of the Costa del Sol, the picture postcard whitewashed village of Gaucin tumbles down a cleft of the celebrated Serrania de Ronda, topped by a Moorish castle and DEMONSTRATIONS: residents are staging protests against solar panels with unrivalled views across rolling hills to the Rock of Gibraltar and on most days, - an area long-gushed about by travel who has lived in Gaucin since childhood, Africa beyond. writers, including Washington Irving and whose two young girls are at the local Vultures soar overhead while the wooded Laurie Lee - is about to be sacrificed for school and who runs holidays with his hills and countryside bethe barons and bureaucrats of northern wife Clare offering hiking, birding and low is a haven for wildlife. Europe. horse-riding through the local hills. The area has long been a While 19th century Roman- “We just want to make sure that any projfavourite with discerning tic writer Richard Ford wrote ect is properly thought out, that the enviforeigners, including Lord that Gaucin was one of ‘the ronmental impact is properly considered. Our Sainsbury, DJ Fatboy Slim most romantically situated’ Because there is only one chance to do and polo star Jack Kidd, places he had visited, an Ol- this, and we need to do it right.” position who have bought up and ive Press source told us this He is just one among dozens of foreign is very simple: converted old farmhouses week that Spain was being residents who are waking up to plans that we are in and fincas into some of the targeted to ‘energize north- have the potential to ruin this unspoilt cormost desirable property Anern Europe’ whatever the ner of Spain. favour of dalucia has to offer. cost. Caroline Guillick, 58, is a keen birder and renewable But there is trouble in paraNow residents, including horsewoman who lives in nearby village, energy, but dise because the abundance hundreds of expats, are San Pablo de Buceite, and regularly rides of sunshine and unspoilt launching a furious defence backwater trials through the Guadiaro we are totally landscape also makes it atof their tranquil surround- valley which will be wiped out under the against the tractive for an entirely differings in a bid to stop the proposed plans. fact that ent type of investment. project, which they fear will “This is an area rich in biodiversity, with Plans have been unveiled for ruin the delicate biodiversity wild flowers that provide essential habitat there is no a series of mega photovoltaic and put an end to the sus- on the route of migratory birds like Egyplegislative plants that will carpet 2, 200 tainable tourism that has tian vultures, swallows, and eagles,” she framework to hectares – the equivalent of become a lifeblood for the says, stopping to point out a Black Shoulregulate 3,500 football fields - with region. dered Kite soaring above the butterflies in solar panels up to 20 feet tall Their objections range a pasture filled with wildflowers. this in this stunning, evocative from a desire to preserve “There are no proper studies being done macrovalley alone. an ecological system that to discover the impact a massive solar project Similar mega parks are prois home to endangered project will have, and that is what we are posed for neighbouring valspecies and serves as an fighting for,” explains the Brit who has Alberto Saro, leys (around half a dozen) as important corridor for mi- joined SOS Campiña Jimena to rally local president of SOS Spain attempts to meet its grating birds, to protecting residents across the affected villages. commitment to provide 39 rural tourism that relies on The group, of mostly Spaniards, claims Campina Jimena GW of photovoltaic energy by unspoilt countryside and the the projects threaten dozens of archae2030 up from the 9 GW it almost beautiful views Spain ological ruins scattered across the valley ready has installed. has to offer. from ancient, unexcavated Roman villas It seems that one of Spain’s most pictur- “We absolutely aren’t against green en- to priceless paleolithic sites. esque and celebrated mountain regions ergy,” insists Hughie Arbuthnott, a Brit Jean Brown Sassoon, a British resident of Jimena for over 40 years has spent countless days roaming this landscape seeking out archaeological treasures. “There is just so much here that hasn’t been charted,” says the spritely 94-yearold who as a young woman was the first
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CONCERN: The Mayor of Gaucin is worried about the impact on views and tourism
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June 17th - June 30th 2021
7
Scoop after scoop
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The
HE Olive Press is the only English language newspaper in Spain that invests in and values good journalism so that we can campaign for the issues that are important to our readers. Our team of trained journalists across Spain strive to dig out the local stories to expose corrupOLIVE tion, unveil scandals and PRESS shed light on topics that really affect our readers. In this edition alone you will find the exclusive story of the plight of a British man who has had to demolish the home he has lived in for 17 years after he fell foul of a town hall’s + + ‘laissez faire’ planning 952 147 834 rules. You will also find out the latest in an ongoing scandal uncovered by the Olive Press that affects dozens of Brits trying to get residency on OLIVE the Costa Blanca. PRESS Plus we spent some time in an unspoilt corner of Andalucia finding out why residents are so opposed to solar farms. And it's not just because their views will be ruined. We at the Olive Press believe that this sort of investigative and campaigning journalism is 834 147 952 more needed than ever as we navigate through difficult times complicated by an economic downturn, a global pandemic and an issue that continues to complicate OLIVE life for many of our readPRESS ANON ers: Brexit. Streets of fire That is why, now more than ever we thank those of you who subscribe to our website, DONE DEAL? and follow our news updates daily, because without your contribution it wouldn’t be possible. Plus all those who get 952 147 834 in touch with stories to share and tips to follow. It’s thanks to you that we can continue to do what we do. ANDALUCÍA
Your expat
Mijas Costa
voice in Spain
NOT AGAIN FREE
Vol. 15 Issue 370 www.theolivep ress.es
June 2nd - June 15th
2021
Find out about Spain’s 10 capital cities
See page 14
EXCLUSIVE By Dilip Kuner
AN expat is facing prison ing to demolish his home for failfell foul of a town hall’s after he ‘laissez faire’ planning rules. Gurney Davey, aged found out about the 67, only sentence when a court six-month was delivered to a document neighbour’s house. “I went straight to Tolox with it. They told me town hall have received it yet,” I shouldn’t he told the Olive Press. “They said they were going to be sending the notification to me once they had stamped it.” The news came as a massive bolt from the blue for Davey, whose wife has just died of cancer, which he believes worsened from the stress of the case. He had never been told court case that followedabout the a Guardia Civil denunciaon from for an ‘illegal build’. Davey’s two-bed home 2004 - should never - built in built according to have been the Malaga court.
British expat faces demolitio n of his 17 year home - and a spell repeat of controver in prison - in sial Priors case
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In 2016, and then again in 2017, Davey was ordered down his house, but, to knock with a neighbour, he in common waited for more details. While his Spanish Irene Millan, 29, did neighbour, hear from the court eventually was given six months again, she to ‘legalise’ her property - an option Davey was never given. However, his neighbour’s apparent good luck turned into a poisoned chalice. Having spent €20,000 DEMOLITION: Expat Gurney Davey is being town hall to legalise the with the forced to knock down his own house and the court finally refused dwelling, lan, whose name was on faces six months jail the cancer, at the age to accept deeds, was the new paperwork provided also of 71, in April. from legal firm Manzanares, by months jail and sentenced to six “We thought we had done the council. handed a fine of thing told the smart thing every- them that planning to do. €6 a day for a year. right at the time. We Instead, demolition was permission “Why got would be applied ordered legal advice and went - Now Davey is terrified which went ahead last for as an alma- build would we deliberately try to through he is set to lawyer in week. illegally? It makes lose his home order to get permissiona cen - or ‘warehouse’. To add insult to injury that we would sell up no sense This way it would come Irene’s It comes just at any moment. to build the home. everything 54-year-old father, Manuel remit of Tolox town under the in the UK and risk it all.” Mil- his wife Dianatwo months since “Diana fought breast hall, which died from bowel six cancer years before bowel cancer for would give permission and later Now Davey’s first thoughts are to avoid serving the jail - I they sentence. am sure the The could ‘legalise’ the property. He said: stress brought seen language of one legal letter, get the “My lawyer is trying to sentence suspended.” by the Olive Press, suggests it on.” this would be a mere formality. The couple, But Flatten originally from ised.the property never got legalALL AREAS COVERED In the meantime he Suffolk in the In has been fact, the Tolox mayor UK, of the forced to ask the town spent time, € 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 jailed Juan Vera, has since been permission to knock hall for his own 4G UNLIMITED building their schemeand fined for his part in a property down. to allow up to INTERNET “I will do it myself. I property. will borrow erties to be built on land350 prop- a JCB “It came as a as IDEAL FOR classified from someone and flatten my home of the past package - a In ‘rural’. STREAMING TV 17 plot with a new verymost cases he had used the will not let the town hall years. I do it and same ‘lax’ procedure ALSO IPTV, home on it.” of ap- charge me more money.” plying to build an ‘almacen’ Davey admits try SATELLITE TV to He added: “I’ve no idea where to keep the prying eyes he and his wife Junta See page 5 & 15 of the live afterwards. But the land to is still mine - maybe I can were perhaps “We authorities away. tel: (0034) 952 763 840 live in a naive to follow thingsthought that was the way tent.” info@theskydoctor.com the advice of Davey, worked in Spain,” said Tolox Ayuntamiento refused a retired builder. to www.theskydoctor.com comment, citing data their lawyer. protection “We went The lawyer, advice. It to see a lawyer and got laws. turns out that was not Opinion
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THE Valencian Community has pledged to limit solar power plants to be constructed only in those municipalities that want them. In a non-binding agreement struck between 76 town halls and the regional government, the Valencian Association of Companies in the Energy Sector (AVAESEN) took a position only to promote the development of renewable energy projects if “compatible with the preservation of the natural environment”. The manifesto, the first of its kind on a regional level in Spain, was made public in April 2021 and advocated for renewable energy projects only in those places where ‘agreed with all administrations and citizens’. It added ‘citizens must be involved, through public consultations, in order to achieve the greatest possible consensus ahead of installation of the plants’. Among those councils that agreed to the proposal are the provincial capitals of Valencia, Castellon and Alicante and also include Gandia, Benidorm, Alcoi, Torrent, Orihuela, Altea and Oliva. However, that doesn’t mean Valencia is immune to the creeping threat of solar panel megaparks. Residents in the area around Chiva have been battling against plans for a project by Falck renewables that extends over 400 hectares.
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AZAHAR VALENCIA / COSTA ess.es Vol. 1 Issue 13 www.theolivepr FREE
May 20th - June 2nd
2021
Tragic mystery
Prime suspect
See page 14
The female warriors who took on Drake’s army and won!
The Olive Press helps TV investigation into the death of Kirsty Maxwell
Bear in the frame for series of grizzly livestock killings in the Pyrenees
Voted Spain’s most popular historic city
Girl power
See page 10
I BEG YOUR PADRON See page 6
See page 3
n Clinic Award Winning Rehabilitatio
ing’ as British ‘Hellish and humiliat‘fraudulent’ expats arrested over ons residency applicati EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
Jay work for residencia,” said Costa, Elliott, 66, of Orihuela has lived in Spain for
who over five years. expats HigA GROUP of British police She and her friend Lily for a have been detained by gins, 71, had plannedin the after their padron certificates peaceful retirement Spain with proving they lived in docsun but are now living case or appear to have been the threat of a court tored. even deportation. have trouble At least eight people town “I’ve never been in being been grilled over the which before but here I am, crimhall registration forms, same treated like a common huwere all handled by the Costa inal,” said Higgins. “It’s gestor company on the miliating.” same Blanca. They added that the to National Police confirmed gestor is being investigated detecthe date on at the Olive Press that changing for applitives are working alongside least 22 more British inLily and Jay the Guardia Civil to now cants. appliasked HUMILIATED: rules can differ from vestigate all residencia Another couple, who the Olin “Other gestors are means to region. cations in Alicante made not to be named, told been adding: as part region complialso being brought in 2021. She added that the ive Press how they had went to of an ongoing investigation cated application process is It comes after ‘widespread questioned when they TIE applications.” expats vulnerable to fraud’ was allegedly detected collect their TIE cards.a room, into spokesman told the leaving in over 22 Britons attempting “We were taken into told to A policePress: “All residen- unscrupulous gestors. when to become resident here. read our rights and padron Oliveapplications from every “One would expect that for elderly cia why our 2021 This week a number of be you turn to a professionaland explain show a gestor in the province will pay the money expats described the situation had been doctored to in case of possi- help, you but as ‘humiliating’ and ‘hellish’, get professional adviceabout 2020 date - it was hell.” used investigated quesconnections.” after they were held for we hear lots of stories wrong All those detained hadgestor ble caution. a tioning under people being given the being One Way Services, process how Money They told the Olive Press Islands and Natural Cosmetics information or even into based in Quesada to AlicanAloe from the Canary they were carted to grilled their applications - including All fraudulent submissions exploited and landing qualified so-called appliby te police station and with padron. trouble the insisted will be cancelled about falsifying documents Owner Matt Smith but the cants given the right to ap- gestors,” she warned. card pasubmitted with their TIE “This case of fraudulent that his is anything to be peal. appeal drons being submitted is applications. only gestor business “The outcome of the no means “We were wrongly arrested dragged into the investigation will be either ‘you now have shocking but it’s by for submitting fake padrons, “Nobody has been arrested, residencia’ or ‘you have 15 isolated.” cor(until 30 June) even though we put the that is a fact,” he insisted, days to leave Spain’, they paperour affectwith in been rect ones If you have said. Press ed in a similar way by A source told the Olive Calle Perez Pujol 3, this, or any other gestor, that a court date in Torrevieja as ev- please get in touch with Valencia center has yet to be confirmed, us on newsdesk@theo See page 15 idence is still being gathered. Monday - Saturday livepress.es Anne Hernandez of Brexpats a lack 10.00-20.00 Opinion Page 6 in Spain warned that of clear national guidelines
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The conspiracy theorists getting a grip on the costas
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Vol. 14 Issue 356 www.theolivepr ess.es November 11th - November
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POLICE launched an emergency protocol - early hours dubbed ‘Operation Hell’ - after over a dozen cars were set ablaze late on Saturday night. Residents woke up in fear as flames lit up the streets girola when a man set of Fuenfire to 15 cars in his wanton orgy of destruction. The Spaniard, 38, was arrested after targeting vehicles, while also breaking the COVID curfew. Security cameras identified him after following him driving around leaving the blazing wreckage. One block of apartments in Avenida Miramar was scorched by a line of eight burning vehicles. Firefighters were called cident at 3.20am and to the inwere able to stop the flames spreading to the building. On arriving at the scene, police received four more fires nearby, includingreports of in one street and a car four cars ramar shopping centre. at the Mi-
HOME by 10pm and restaurants and bars closed by 6pm. These are just some of the tougher coronavirus restrictions which came into force for most of Andalucia last night. Expats however, were left at where exactly they wereconfused to travel and what they allowed could do during the two week lockdown. In Fuengirola, for example, Press readers questioned Olive were able to go to Iceland if they the N-340, as it sits inside alongside Meanwhile, in Casares Mijas. where there are no shops costa wondered if they could - expats go to the supermarkets in neighbouring Estepona and Manilva.
Tennis
In Granada, a total closure of non-essential businesses, including the hospitality industry, was ordered by the Junta due worse’ coronavirus figures.to ‘much President Juanma Moreno announced the new rules at a press conference on Sunday evening. They will be in force until at least November 23, when a review is BORIS Johnson has assured scheduled. his cabinet that a Brexit withdrawal UK Prime Minister The night time curfew deal optimistic trade 10pm to 7am and everyis now from The is ‘there to be done’. agreement can be reached municipalproposed agreement ity has closed its borders, comes before this amid residents can only leave meaning US signs Joe Biden’s stunning week’s looming deadline election win has or enter if they have a justifiable reason. desire to double down sparked a on negoti- great enthusiast The exceptions include travelling for a trade deal week. for ation with the EU. work, medical or legal with our European friends,” reasons or if The Prime Minister is hoping you are caring for a dependant. said She added: “I to Johnson strike think Boris has supermarkets and hairdressersVets, the a trade deal this week before “I think at the weekend. another uphill struggle it’s there to be done, European are Union’s in beallowed to stay open after reach an agreement ondeadline to broad outlines are pretty clear.”the friending Biden who is vocally anNovember His remarks Outdoor tennis and padel6pm. ti-Brexit but he has to clubs are 16. come as get him on allowed to stay open. it negotiator Michel EU Brex- his side since his partner-in-crime While Olive Press sources Barnier re- is going insist See Olive Press online Biden’s win has injected renewed turned to London on Monday of- House to be leaving the White fering ‘three keys to unlock in January. impetus into the talks, for full list of rules a deal’. “There will be claimed this has always Johnson He is here for a week of ‘intensive’ a deal and Boris will been the talks with his British counter- say they have ‘managed’ to agree it case. with the EU and he will part David forget to “I’ve al- and fishing Frost, with fair trade add the reason being w a y s points up agreements the main led and did another that he buckfor discussion. u-turn.” been a Anne Hernandez But of lobby group by her optimism was tempered a downbeat assessment Brexpats from in Downing Street, with No 10 Spain told the claiming ‘significant differences Olive Press remain’ a deal would Monday.between the two sides on be struck this A spokeswoman added: “ T h e prime
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minister set out that, while some progress had been made discussions, significant in recent es remain in a number differencincluding the so-called of areas, level playing field, and fish.” She said they had agreed negotiating teams wouldthat their ue talks in London this contin‘redouble efforts to reach week to a deal’, adding that they would personal contact about remain ‘in the negotiations.’ Nigel Farage this week blasted the prime minister for failing to secure a withdrawal agreement ahead of the US election results, claiming that Joe Biden ‘hates the UK’.
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The good news for Valencia is...
In the first official interview on the project, Pedro Godino Martin, who has been the Popular Party mayor in Gaucin since 2011, admitted: “The first thought is, oh yes this could be an interesting project, you think it’s clean energy, alternative, green…” Speaking in his town hall office, he added: “And I’m not against photovoltaics at all, in fact last year we installed panels on the roof save the situation, and that is what we are of the school, atop the medical centre and working on.” on the water plant. The idea of generatSome residents fear that the project hering your own electricity is a good one. We alds the start of a scheme that will see want to encourage sustainability. much of Spain’s brownfield sites - which “But this crazy idea of a macro project, a includes these sort of ancient pastures mega park that covers the countryside in paved over in solar farms as energy companels, which is going to have an impact panies clamour to buy up the best sites. on the whole area. Absolutely not!” “It’s happening by stealth, with a small He is also the first to admit that the town is project here and another in the next heavily reliant on tourism (a key driver for town but before you know it they will all the local economy) and the views it offers be linked up together with power lines are one of its great selling points. Labeled criss-crossing southern Spain,” said one as ‘the Balcony of the Serrania de Ronda’ British resident in Gaucin. the town attracts big-spending tourists. “There is a very real fear “The entire industry is based that Spain is being carved on tourism, the holiday rentup by energy companies als and the visitors of course As many as 53 in a speculation frenzy. It’s but also the residential toursolar projects colonization of the sunny ism that comes with high pursouth to fuel northern Euchasing power. It fuels conare currently rope.” struction, the service industry in the town. It’s all wrapped in the planning In fact four projects are currently planned within the up in the unspoilt location.” pipeline neighbouring municipali“People buy property here, ties of Gaucin, Jimena de they build or refurbish housla Frontera, San Martín del es. But if this sort of project Tesorillo and Casares, which totals over is installed, these people will leave and 2,200 hectares. others will come, take one look and not The Silvema Ecologistas en Acción ascome back.” sociation says it is aware that there are “They are selling us the idea that this type currently 53 projects of this type on the of project provides employment, but it table in the region including Cañete La doesn’t. They’ll use people they need to Real, Almargen, Teba and Cuevas del set it up but when it’s up and running it Becerro, and mega parks planned in the just requires two or three to keep it going Guadalhorce valley affecting Coin as well and that’s it.” as Antequera. The mayor admits though that it is not an "There is no regulation and no restriction easy fight: “We can’t just say no for the from the Junta de Andalucía or the govsake of not wanting it. Under the current ernment in Madrid," the group warns. regulations the land they have earmarked for the project is compatible from an urAdditional reporting by Elena Gocmen ban planning point of view. We have to Rueda. study the environmental impact to try and
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The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: British woman found dead beside Spanish 1 -pilot partner in suspected murder suicide in Madrid suburb tweaks its Covid-19 entry re2 - Gibraltar quirements from this Sunday Tourism reboot: Huge surge in flight 3 -bookings to Spain’s Costa del Sol for summer holidays Explained: Spain’s new entry rules for 4 -vaccinated or Covid-19 immune travellers - Breaking: Appointments for second 5 Astrazeneca covid shot cancelled for residents aged 60 to 65 in Spain’s Valencia region
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female archaeologist on staff at the British Museum in London. “To think that all this will be carpeted over in solar panels,” she gestures with a sweeping arm across a landscape where the ancient stones of a Roman road are still visible. While some farmers have already said they are happy to lease their land for the project, others are dead against it. Take Cristobal, as an example. His family has grazed cattle on the pastures around Jimena for centuries. He insists it is a false economy. “They promise big bucks and people will take it, but then what will they have? Our livelihood will be ruined and in 20 years when the lease expires, there will be nothing but desert left. What will we leave for future generations?” The mayor of Gaucin told the Olive Press he is preparing to fight the project.
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FIGHTERS: Jean Brown Sassoon (above) and Caroline Guillick (bottom right) have joined the battle to save the stunning countryside
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Oil not be back PETROCHEMICAL giant Repsol will stop extracting oil in Spain this month as it responds to new green laws. This decision puts an end to 60 years of oil production in the country. The company, along with its competitor Cepsa, has decided to end its oil activity on the Casablanca platform, located off the coast of the Ebro delta in Catalonia. According to the Spanish media elEconomista.es, this site could ‘continue to operate until 2038’, but Repsol must meet the requirements of the ecological transition law adopted by Spain in mid-May. In line with the European Union's expectations, the law is aimed at enabling the country to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, in particular by banning the sale of fossil fuel vehicles by 2040. Oil has been extracted in Spain since a well in Ayoluengo (Burgos) first opened 60 years ago. Annual production from the Casablanca platform is worth about €4 million in cash terms, but is worth far more to the local economy when transport, logistics and supplies for the facility are factored in. From now on, Spain will have to rely totally on oil imports. “The Spanish oil sector considers that oil consumption will never return to the pre-crisis levels of 2008 due to the greater efficiency of the car fleet and the gradual electrification of transport,” concludes Economiste.
June 17th - June 30th 2021
It is time to enforce strict laws on littering, says Martin Tye
T
HE title of Blur’s seminal 1993 album Modern Life is Rubbish is a title that sadly reflects today’s throwaway culture. Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues around the world as the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastic products overwhelms the world’s ability to deal with them. Asian and African nations are among the worst offenders where rubbish collection systems are either non-existent or inefficient. BUT WHAT EXCUSES DO WE HAVE HERE IN SPAIN?
Litter has a negative effect on everything. The main cause of littering is laziness and carelessness, combined with the belief that there is no consequence for littering. Most alarmingly, research shows that the under 30s are 100% Certified Green Energy more likely to litter than older people. But why is it so bad?
Green matters
By Martin Tye
Modern life is rubbish!
Litter causes pollution, it kills wildlife. It facilitates the spread of disease. An amazing 54% of litter comes from motorists, while 44% of plastic litter comes from take away food and drinks. Single use bottles, food containers and plastic bags make up the biggest share. Dr Carmen Morales of the University of Cadiz wrote this week: “We find plastics in rivers, on the deep seabed, on shorelines and floating all around the Spanish coasts.” I believe the root cause of this problem is lack of education and lenient law enforcement. It’s time to impose strict laws and regulations. Both businesses and individuals are more likely to follow laws when there are serious legal or financial consequences. Call me old fashioned, but I would rather live in a clean, healthy environment!
Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch copany Mariposa Energia. Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es
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MORE than 200 companies and organisations took part in a virtual meeting to discuss sustainable food packaging and the ever-growing problem of single-use plastics. The professionals debated the latest innovations in the field and current strategies to combine efficient packaging with sustainability, with the focus on recycling. High on the agenda was the Residue Law, the first draft of which was recently passed by the Spanish government. This piece of legislation is aimed at promoting the circular economy, boosting recycling and drastically reducing waste generation, plus restoring polluted areas and eliminating all traces of asbestos still found in towns and cities throughout the country. A new taxation system on single-use containers and plastics will be set up to make sure ‘who pollutes, pays’, with bonuses for rubbish separation, a drive to cut food wastage, and banning retailers from destroying non-perishable, unsold goods such as toys, clothes and electronic devices. The different requirements of the law, if it is finally passed, will be introduced gradually over the next few years. Speakers at the virtual meeting highlighted the problems faced by producers when it comes to meeting European standards, including a lack of EU and national guidelines for the manufacture of 100% recyclable packaging.
Fire alert SPAIN faces a summer of forest fires with a scorching dry season predicted as climate change starts to take effect. This is the warning from Spain’s National Weather Agency, which has just published its forecast report for the summer of 2021. Last year, Spain broke a heat record with an average of 23.9º C (one degree above the average) and two heat waves. Hottest spot was the municipality of Hondarribia (Basque Country) where temperatures hit a peak of 42.2º C on July 30. Heat waves, lack of rain and dry land are a fatal cocktail for Spanish forests.
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10
BUSINESS
Data push Life of the party
AMAZON is going to invest €2.5 billion in new data centres in the northern region of Aragon. The first facility will open in the middle of next year, with the cloud computing service unit of Amazon, Amazon Web Services, pumping in the money over the next decade. The investment includes capital expenditure, the construction of the centres, imports of equipment and operating expenses like the salaries of the 1,300 employees that will be hired. Amazon Web Services has had a presence in Spain since 2012 and is building more infrastructure to be able to host data in Spain for its customers who require it.
Pirate jailed
June 17th - June 30th 2021 REGIONS in Spain have been given the freedom to decide their own coronavirus control measures for bars, restaurants and clubs. Since Saturday the hospitality sector will no longer have to answer to Madrid but will instead follow plans decided by their regional government. The Ministry of Health and Spain’s regions unanimously agreed a proposal for devolved power on Wednesday, June 9. At the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) the Ministry of
Catalunya, La Rioja, Castilla-La Mancha, Andalucía and Melilla. However, the department continued to insist that nightclubs had to close at 2am and, only in exceptional circumstances, 3am. But that text has also been removed and as of tomorrow no national measures will be imposed on the hospitality sector by the Ministry of Health. COVID restrictions including opening hours, capacity limits and social distancing will now be in the hands of the individual regions.
Looking up SPAIN has just experienced its best May in terms of employment for three years. With 19.26 million people in work, it has returned to the level of activity observed before the pandemic. The recovery should accelerate with the arrival of summer, the return of tourism and the
Spain’s economic comeback gathers pace By Nickacia Forrester
progress of vaccination, according to Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez. He said: “Vaccination
A WOMAN has been jailed for six months for using pirated versions of Windows and Microsoft Office on two of her cybercafe computers. The woman, who owns a computer access centre in Madrid, was caught in November 2017. The police had discovered that two of the eight computers available in the cybercafé held a pirated version of the software. In addition to jail and a fine, the woman will also have to pay Microsoft for the cost of two licences.
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is the best economic policy, and we are verifying it.” The hotel industry, which is starting its tourist season, and agriculture, which is beginning its fruit harvest, are the two sectors that are currently recruiting the most. Unemployment is down this month with 3.78 million Spaniards looking for work. According to the Spanish Social Security, 542,142 people are still on short-time working, waiting to return to their jobs. There were more than 600,000 at the beginning of May and almost a million at the height of the health crisis. Experts estimate that this figure will continue to fall gradually.
A SMALL Spanish hotel operator founded in 2019 has linked up with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to develop 20 hotels across key holiday destinations. Mallorca-based Smy Hotels has two hotels in Spain out of its 10-strong portfolio , which also takes in Italy, Greece, and Tunisia. The Wyndham agreement means that 20 hotels will be branded under the company name but be run by Smy in Spain, Portugal and Italy over the next decade. The global company will support Smy Hotels’ aim to attract more small hotel owners in urban and coastal destinations to sign up to the new group.
Hotel expansion Ovidio Andres, founder of Smy Hotels, said: “ In a region with a plethora of small owners and brands, Smy Hotels serves as an alternative for those who want to entrust the management of their properties to a company with a strong digital DNA and expertise in improving the profitability of hotel establishments. “Working with Wyndham will help position Smy Hotels for independent hotel owners who want to be affiliated with a globally-recognised brand.”
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Health brandished the ‘white flag’ and said that any national limitations on the sectors. The last-minute U-turn by Carolina Darias’ department came as a surprise to many after the Ministry previously slammed the hospitality restrictions as ‘non-negotiable’. In the original draft proposal, published on Monday, the Ministry had already removed controversial national restrictions on bars and restaurants after the ‘rebellion’ of several territories including Madrid, the Basque Country, Castilla y León, Galicia, Murcia,
1 Shirley’s good ship (8) 2 You won’t like comics if you don’t have one (5,2,6) 3 Bag carrier, of course (5) 4 Unquestionable truth (6) 5 English china (13) 6 Leg ends? (4) 12 Nourished (3) 13 Wielding (8) 15 Financial backers (6) 17 Scapegoat (5) 19 Holds up (4)
All solutions are on page 22
LA CULTURA
Strings to her bow
MARIA Dueñas has just won first prize in the prestigious Menuhin Competition. The 18-year-old violinist from Granada played three pieces by Witold Lutoslawski, Mozart, and Edouard Lalo) to take top spot at the contest in Richmond, Virginia (USA). The international competition named after the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin aims to reward young talent. Dueñas has already performed in major European venues, alongside groups such as the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and the Luxembourg Philharmonic. The Spanish musician will receive $20,000 (€16,400) and the loan of a Stradivarius for two years. MUSIC is top of the agenda at the first Orihuela Music Fest later this month, bringing together promising youngsters of the municipality. Orihuela’s Councillor for Culture and Youth, Mar Ezcurra, launched the event saying that there are six concerts planned, all to be held at the Teatro Circo Atanasio Die de Orihuela. Performances will include This wound is mine and The
June 17th - June 30th 2021
11
Domingo’s return Disgraced opera singer gets a mixed reaction to Madrid concert
TENOR Placido Domingo received a standing ovation at the end of his first concert in his native Spain for 18 months. The singing star's career stuttered to a halt in 2019 in the wake of allegations over sexual misbehaviour towards women. Domingo, aged 80, performed at a charity event in aid of the Cruz Roja at Madrid’s National Auditorium. His previous Spanish appearance was at Valencia's Palau de Les Arts in December 2019 as a cast member in the opera, Nabucco. President of the Community
of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, said: “It is a source of pride that Placido Domingo has returned home and pride that he is amongst us.” But Spain’s Equality Minister, Irene Montero, attacked the audience who applauded Domingo. In a social media posting Montero said: “I would like them to ask themselves what kind of a message are they sending to those women (who accused Domingo) and to those who are sexually assaulted every day in our country.” The opera singer was accused
Tap your feet
the Department of Culture and Youth. Ezcurra said: “It is an opportunity for these young people to play in their city and make themselves known.” She continue: “This is the first edition of the festival that is planned to grow exponentially and become a must in Orihuela.” Nazario Sampere, from the company Panoramax, has been in charge of programming the concerts.
garage on Wednesday, June 23. Dunaviva and Paula U will play on Friday, June 25, with La senda and Aixa playing out the following Friday, July 2. All concerts will be free, with the musical groups being assembled by the Orihuela Cultural Municipal Society with
I’M BACK: Scandal hit Domingo of sexual misconduct by eight women nearly two years ago. That grew to over three dozen female performers and backstage staff who were mentioned in a report published by the American Guild of Music artists. Most of the victims preferred to stay anonymous but accused Domingo of ‘unwanted touching’ and attempts to kiss them on the lips. Soprano, Angela Turner Wilson, said that Domingo entered her dressing room before a performance and touched her breasts leaving her ‘stunned and humiliated’. No charges have ever been brought against the singer but he apologised for making his female colleagues ‘uncomfortable’ and he denied any ‘aggressive’ behaviour.
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LA CULTURA
June 17th - June 30th 2021
The lynx effect
JUST two decades ago, the Iberian lynx was identified as the world’s most endangered cat, teetering on the verge of extinction with less than 100 individuals left roaming in isolated pockets in the wilds of southern Spain. By Fiona Govan Preyed upon by hunters and with their natural habitat depleted by intense farming and busy roads, Lynx alone. Pardinus was looked set to “With a 30% increase from become the first species 2019, this demographic of cat to die curve allows out since the us to be optisabre-toothed mistic and to The Lynx tiger 10,000 draw scenarpopulation has ios that disyears ago. But now contance the big once again ser vationists Iberian feline are celebrat- risen above the from critical ing the happy risk of extinc1,000 mark news that the tion,” Spain’s population has Environment once again risministry said. en above 1,000 thanks to Lynx Pardinus was once the success of a breeding found throughout Spain, programme and release Portugal and parts of southinto the wild scheme. ern France, with a populaThe latest census shows tion at the turn of the 20th that by the end of last year Century estimated at some there were 1,111 Iberian 100,000. lynx living across Spain and But their luxuriant speckled Portugal, including 239 coat was much prized and breeding females and the led to decades of over-huntbirth of 414 cubs in 2020 ing which saw the popu-
How Spain brought Iberian lynx back from the brink of extinction
lation decimated to fewer down to just 94, living in than 10,000 by the end of two isolated pockets of Anthe 1980s. dalucia – one in Doñana Their numbers were further (Huelva) and another in Andevastated by intense farm- dujar (Jaen). ing and construction proj- Recognising the danger ects that eroded their ter- facing Europe’s largest cat ritory, while new highways species, the Spanish govturned them into frequent ernment launched a caproadkill. tive breeding programme The existence was further using joint funds between threatened by a loss of the EU and Spanish admintheir main staistrations estiple; rabbits, mated at more which were all than €100 milSpecimens but wiped out lion. by a myxomaThe release of have even tosis epidemic young cats to been spotted followed by the find new terrabbit haemorritory in the in the Madrid rhage disease wild has seen virus (RHDV) in the population Community the 1990s. spread across By 2002, the Andalucia, number of known individu- Castilla-La Mancha and Exal lynx left in the wild was tremadura and into south-
Getting an education InterHigh: The alternative and effective online schooling solution
E
DUCATION is one of the biggest factors in children’s lives, particularly in terms of the outcomes, decisions and opportunities it can present throughout their lifetime. While relocating to another part of the world brings its own challenges in many areas, it’s vital that children’s learning isn’t disrupted, and that school environments and teaching are high-quality and supportive. While many international schools are equipped with the resource, expertise, and skills to support these children, there is an alternative and effective option that expat families can, and should, consider. InterHigh is a leading independent British international online school. Founded in 2005, it offers primary, secondary and sixth form education for students aged 7 – 19. The online school is centered on personalised and immersive learning as well as fostering 21st century skills
including empathy, resilience, international mindedness, and digital literacy. When we consider what international families look for in a school, we can probably summarise as ‘a British curriculum delivered by British teachers, with the highest quality standards and pass marks in a broad range of subjects.’ This is precisely what InterHigh delivers - from exceptionally engaging virtual experiences for young people, through to accessible and quality live face-to-face and recorded lessons from anywhere in the world. Lessons are designed and optimised for online learning and are taught by fully qualified and experienced UK teachers. Combined with a proven educational model and innovative delivery, InterHigh deploys eye-opening technology that brings lessons to life and increases engagement with new concepts. The school offers iGSCEs, A Levels and follows the UK Independent School standards.
GOOD NEWS: the cats are now off the critical list
ern Portugal. They have even been spotted in the Madrid Community and, most extraordinarily, on the out-
Some students who use InterHigh are full-time, while others only use the service for a few months while travelling abroad. It can also be used by international schools as a way to bolster their offering and provide students with greater opportunities to study specific subjects that may not otherwise be available to them. With over 16 years’ experience, InterHigh fosters a sense of school community and belonging. In addition to academic opportunities by highly experienced staff, students can socialise safely and securely through the school’s own social platforms and have access to 1:1 guidance and wellbeing support. Parents and mentors also have 24-hour access to attendance data, reports, and communications through its virtual platform. Graduates go on to study at UK and international universities and secure fulfilling careers in many industry sectors. Exam results are outstanding for a non-selective online school, showcasing its commitment to learning. Many InterHigh students are active in sports and the arts, with some managing professional acting and athletic careers, demonstrating InterHigh’s ability to provide flexible learning opportunities around these commitments. Enrolling a child into InterHigh will ensure that they have continuity, stability, and flexibility.
To discover more, or to discuss admissions and study options, visit: www.interhigh.co.uk
The UK’s Leading Online School interhigh.co.uk The Olive Press -16, 17 and 18 Jun --- 1/3 Page - 256 mm w x 105 mm h --- (all editions except Gib)
skirts of Barcelona. In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) downgraded the threat level from ‘Critically Endangered’ to Endangered’. Although the penalties for illegally hunting the elusive nocturnal cats, which boast tufted ears and a fluffy beard, are huge, there are still incidences of animals being shot as well as caught in traps laid by farmers intending to catch foxes and pine martens. But by far the biggest danger still facing the animals is that of Spain’s highways. In 2019 alone, 34 lynx were killed on roads across Spain. In order to be classified as non-endangered, the Iberian lynx population would need to be above at least 3,000, including 750 breeding females, according to the WWF, a target that could be achievable by 2040.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Issue 42
www.theolivepress.es
A L L E B R MA SPECIAL
June 2021
Marbellous Surprise, surprise… there is so much more to the gem of the Costa del Sol than just luxury yachts and bling, as Katherine Brook discovered
T
HE jewel of the Costa del Sol, the playground of the rich and famous, the Miami of Spain, Marbella has been labelled many things over the years... and there’s a good reason for each of them. Sure, you’ll find celebrities sipping champagne in the most exclusive clubs and restaurants, sports cars rumbling through Puerto Banus and superyacht owners comparing the size of their, hmmm, boats, but you’ll also find beaches, history, culture, exciting gastronomy. Oh and breathtaking mountain walks - should you choose to seek them. Just a few minutes walk from the seafront, you’ll find the charming old town of Marbella. This ancient walled centre retains nearly all of its original 16th century layout, even though chichi art gallerContinues on Page 2 ies, fab tapas bars, quirky boutiques and ice cream shops
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
A
ll about
A true jewel From Front Page
populate its cobbled streets to- unique style to the space. The day - enough to keep you busy for art is still as striking as ever: bold, colourful, thought-prohours! At its heart is Plaza de los Naran- voking. But there’s now also a small cafe and restaurant jos, also known as on the top floor ‘Orange Square’, balcony, serving named for its abunViewing the an ever-changdance of orange small menu trees. Enclosed by an Roman bridge ing, of home-cooked 11th century Arabic delights from Italremains a rite wall, the showpiece is ian-born chef and the 16th century Old of passage in artist, Emilio BelveGovernor’s House. dere. Marbella A tourist hotspot, the Not too far away square’s bars and from here, you’ll find restaurants charge a Our Lady of the Inlittle more but it’s worth it for the carnation, a 17th century church, ambience. Hidden in one of the corners is which was formerly a mosque takGaleria van Gestel, founded by en over by the Christians during Josephus van Gestel in 1966. A the Reconquest. young Spanish and Italian couple If the heat gets too much, re- both artists - recently took over spite can be found within the cool the gallery, bringing their own stone walls while you admire the
COOLING: The shady Alameda gardens are a great place to relax
beautiful paintings, stain-glass windows, and enjoy the highly-efficient air conditioning! Tributes paid, you can find Marbella monuments even older than this, dating from 1AD. The first Roman bridge beside the Puente Romano hotel up on the so-called Golden Mile, between Marbella and Puerto Banus, remains a must see and some original Roman baths still stand in Guadalmina, not to mention a 6AD Romano-Cristo church in San Pedro. When you tire of burning shoe
leather, bag a park bench in the green shade of one of the exquisite public gardens. La Constitucion park and the Alameda Gardens in the heart of Marbella are particularly lovely, the latter always brimming with locals and surrounded by great cafes and bars. Or if you’re looking to strictly chill, there’s a whole lot of beach waiting for you just a few paces away. Time it right, and you might land up in a beach yoga class. Boasting 27
kilometres of coastline, and with San Pedro and Puerto Banus both proudly flying the prestigious Blue Flag,
A resort with more The Olive Press picks out the 8 reasons to love Marbella All along the watchtower Declared of Cultural Interest in 1985, the 15-metre Torre Ladrones (Thieves Tower) is the highest watchtower on the Malaga coast. The defensive structure dates from the Muslim period but some speculate the Romans first built it. You can find it close by the Artola dunes nature reserve and Cabopino port.
Visigoth vestiges The Basílica de Vega del Mar was excavated in the 20th century on a former Roman road running from Cádiz to Cartagena. It is one of the few remaining examples of north African Visigothic churches built in Andalucia during the sixth century although all that remains today are its awesome one-metre walls.
A Renaissance square The Plaza de los Naranjos lies at the heart of Marbella´s old town. Built after the Christian Reconquest, it is an outstanding example of Castilian Renaissance architecture. From one of the many sun-soaked terraces, you can admire the Renaissance-style town Arabian delights hall, the Mayor’s house Also in the historical centre combining elements of is the Alcazaba fortress, the Gothic, Renaissance most important vestige of and Mudejar design Muslim civilisation in Marbe- and the Chapel of Sanlla. The Castillo was built in tiago, the oldest relithe 10th century during the gious building in the reign of Abd al-Rahman III, city. Caliph of Córdoba.
Surrealist sculptures Marbella is home to 11 sculptures by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Ten grace Avenida del Mar, along with pieces by other artists such as Eduardo Soriano. And you can’t miss his massive three-ton cosmic elephant at the entrance to Puerto Banús.
Fairway to heaven
Dunk by Dumbo The elephant sculptures that spray water from their trunks on many of Marbella’s best beaches are an Instagram favourite with tourists.
The Costa del Sol is also known as Costa del Golf, and Marbella’s fairways are key contributors. The Andalucian town boasts the biggest concentration of golf courses in Spain, some voted among the best in the world.
A salty start In Roman times, the city was called Salduba (Salt City) after the local fish salting industry. The Arabs changed it to Marbil-la, the origin of its current name and it’s spot-on. In Spanish, Marbella means beautiful sea.
A L L E B MAR L ECIA P S
June 17th - June 30th 2021
15
SNAPSHOTS: From Marbella old town to hidden statues, superyachts and supercars, Marbella has it all, and bicycles (left) are a great way to see every nook and cranny
Marbella is blessed with a won- ing their last night of freedom, to derful coastline. members of the ‘1% club’ disemThere are some superb sandy barking from mega-yachts and beaches with dunes, to the east Ferraris, or treating themselves to around Artola and Elviria, while a new bag from the likes of Guccentral Marbella is ci and Prada, Banus frequently palm tree has become an unlined. ashamed melting pot Banus has Grab a couple of for the rich, famous become an sunbeds for the day, and wannabe Marmaybe a cocktail or bella Love Islanders. unashamed cold beer from a local Dressed in head-tochiringuito, and enjoy melting pot for toe designer, they the crystal clear waflow thick and fast the rich ters. around the port, If it’s glitz, glamour home to exclusive and designer shops nightclubs Le Suite you’re after, the celebrated resort and the extravagant Roberto Caof Puerto Banus lies ready and valli, from mid-afternoon. A round waiting. Just to the west of Mar- of drinks may blow your weekly bella, this is a place where any- budget, that’s if you haven’t althing goes. From hen-doers trying ready splurged it all on a swanky their best to pull off ill-fitting fan- outfit - an essential if you want cy dress costumes after celebrat- to mingle with the Who’s Who of
Marbs. For some of the best views in town, it’s worth making a stop at the four-star Benabola Hotel, which has the most amazing rooftop terrace. If you’re going to pay for expensive drinks, you may as well make it memorable - sunsets don’t come much better than this. Along the elitist strip to the east (the Golden Mile) the likes of Lord Alan Sugar, Simon Cowell, Sean Connery and the Saudi Arabian royal family have invested in their own villas. World leaders too, are magnetically attracted to Marbs, with David Cameron, Tony Blair and Michelle Obama having taken a visit over the last decade, while former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has a villa in Guadalmina. But Marbella has always been a grand resort to visit, ever since German prince Maximilian de Hohenlohe-Langenburg and his son Alfonso ‘discovered’ it when they had to stop while having trouble with their Rolls Royce in 1946. Alfonso liked the area so much he decided to buy some land and build himself a house, before selling plots to his pals, including the Rothschilds and Thyssens. He soon turned his home into the Costa del Sol’s first luxury hotel in 1954 – The Marbella Club – which to this day remains a mainstay on the Golden Mile, welcoming guests like Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz over recent years. The original crowd included Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Laurence Olivier were
all hanging out there, raising the Costa del Sol’s international profile and attracting a wave of jetsetters and investment. From a pure accident of fate the resort has gone from strength to strength, despite the economic and political woes that plagued Spain since the financial crash of 2008. While it has no doubt suffered some losses due to the coronavirus crisis, tourists and prospective property buyers have already returned in their droves now life is returning to a ‘new normal’. In fact, many estate agents I have spoken to have been busier than ever. According to Ulf, the managing partner at Andalucia Development, the market has ‘outperformed what he expected.’ “Last year, I wouldn’t have been so optimistic, but there’s definitely still a very keen interest to buy in Marbella, if our recent deals are anything to go by,” he adds. And if the culture, beaches and thriving social scene don’t leave you wanting to buy a place in Marbella, maybe the culinary scene will. Marbella now has the most Michelin stars per capita in the country, making it a must-visit for any one who labels themselves a ‘foodie’. From Nobu to Skina and Messina to El Lago, each restaurant sparkles for its own reason. With incredible nightlife, a blossoming arts scene and the best food in the region, Marbella certainly lives up to its (many) names.
16
I
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Starry nights
On the palAte - Restaurant review
T’S no coincidence that Marbella has nearly half a dozen Michelin stars within its modest boundaries… this is, after all, the playground of the super-rich. The line up of fabulous eateries gets better by the year and includes plenty of great new spots not even found by the Michelin inspectors. And forget Dani Garcia, who choked on reaching the highest accolade you can make in global cuisine, chucking in his three Michelin stars just a month after getting there. The trio of El Lago, Messina and twostar Skina more than make up for it, each with their own stylish take on modern cuisine. But it’s the hidden spots that are al-
Marbella is the Michelin star capital of Spain, writes Jon Clarke
ways my favourite to track down, the likes of Sabor in the back streets of San Pedro, the super-secret El Cortijo de Ramiro, in Guadalmina, recently-opened Paisana in Nueva Andalucia, and Cascada (see review below)
in the hills on the way up to Monda. One true talent whose star is well and truly rising is Fernando Alcala, at Kava (see review on Olive Press website). This self-trained cook, and former lawyer, is producing not only wonder-
Y
E
VERYONE loves a warm bath. But the Romans took bathing to another level, studding the Mediterranean with sublime stone thermae so that they could indulge in this pastime in any part of the Empire. Bathing to a Roman, you see, was more than a siesta to a Spaniard or teatime to a Brit: the public baths were a hive of (male) activity, a
June 17th - June 30th 2021
ful food, but at prices well below the going rate for the resort. I particularly liked his attention to detail… his carefully skinned cherry tomatoes, tiny shrimps laid on carrots, pickled with cumin and courgette-stuffed wontons in a creamy lobster broth. It not only looks good, but is awash with spicy flavours and is largely healthy, macrobiotic food, with almost all the dairy coming from sheep and goats. Take a proper tour of the town and you will find well over 100 different nationalities cooking in Marbella, from leading Japanese joints like Takumi to famous eateries like La Sala. This institution, between Puerto Ba-
nus and Nueva Andalucia, is THE place for most tourists to visit at least once on their holiday. Guaranteed fun, its menu changes regularly and the service is never short of amazing. Best of all is the amazing terrace, a place that every footballer and Towie star has made a beeline to be seen at for the last decade. And don’t forget La Sala by the Sea, the hippest beach club on the coast, with excellent food to boot. On the subject of glamour, the stunning views from the rooftop terrace of the Benabola Hotel Sky Bar are almost impossible to beat. Lording it over the famous marina, this celebrated hotel is the dream spot for an early evening tapa and cocktail, or a nightcap following supper. Even better, come for the evening and relax at easily one of the coast’s genuine secret spots, where thosein-the-know and plenty of celebrities come to hide out. For those having two cocktails or more there is free underground parking (look out for the Benabola Hotel signs and get your card franked at reception with your receipt).
Garden of Eden
The young team at Marbella’s Cascada are carving out an exciting, healthy dining secret, writes Jon Clarke OU would be hard pressed to find a more alluring location for a restaurant. Sitting beside a bubbling brook in an almost tropical valley above Marbella, Cascada is one special place to eat. A true garden of Eden, Cascada (meaning ‘waterfall’) is hidden up a track surrounded by woodland full of birds and crickets. You arrive at a charming candle-lit terrace in the evenings, bedecked with bougainvillea and geraniums and inside a contemporary space, ideal for colder nights or boiling days. While short, the menu is as exciting for vegetarians as it is for meat-eaters like me, with a heavy focus on good, local ingredients. In fact, some friends reckoned it was the best vegetarian food they had eaten in Marbella ‘for years’. Chosen by a committee made up
A L L E B R MA SPECIAL
of its young well-travelled owners Max and Ben, who herald from France and Belgium, and their chef Jacques Marie Lagarde, it has a really good mix of dishes. It was clear things were being taken seriously when I heard Jacques giving his team their marching orders, Gordon Ramsey-style, on the pass inside. And you certainly couldn’t fault him for presentation and timing-wise everything
chance not only to wash and relax but also to catch up on the local gossip, cut a couple of business deals or even flaunt your social status by marching in with a troop of slaves. Now, the Junta plans to evoke this ancient lifestyle by restoring the Bovedas de Guadalmina Roman baths in Marbella. Located just a short stroll from the Paleo-
came together like a military operation. I particularly liked the prawn and guacamole tacos, which came in a BBQ sauce and were gluten-free to boot. The local Coin salad had a bit of everything, while the aubergines served on a blue cheese mousse with beetroot and cane honey were legendary. The pluma Iberica main was also delicious although the baked kid on the BBQ won my plaudits.
christian Basilica del Mar and only a stone’s throw from the beach, these thermae represent some of the most important archaeological remains in the area and have been a source of fascination for centuries. Locals used to call them the ‘baths of the old Moors’, thinking Arabs had built them after conquering the area in the Middle Ages, but they actually date back to the third century AD, when the Roman settlement Cilniana was enjoying its heyday. The baths are currently closed to the public, but this new municipal project, which will take place in phases over several years, plans to turn them into a tourist magnet by restoring some of their former glory.
Max, who grew up in Asia, later told me their philosophy was ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ and that just about sums it up.
www.cascadamarbella. com
Spoilt Looking for a curry head to nearby Indian restaurant Mumtaz, while its sister restaurant Cibo on the main road into Marbella is also a good bet. Up in San Pedro you will be spoilt for choice with Alfredos which opens for 364 days of the year, as well as La Bodega de Cantinero, which serves up the best sherries by far, hundreds in fact. Marbella’s journey into culinary greatness is typified by the famous A Cuatro Manos events that took place every summer at the Puente Romano hotel until wiped out by the Covid crisis. Highly respected chefs from Ferran Adria to Joan Roca and Joel Robuchon to Juan Mari Arzak zoomed in to present dishes and show cooking events over the last five years. Their appearances helped to make Marbella the true dining capital of Andalucia.
Taking the plunge
ATTRACTION: San Pedro’s Roman baths are being restored
FOOD & DRINK Requena set to become a prime producer of the highest category of sparkling wines in the country A NEW set of regulations is set to help a Spanish region corner the market in ecological cava. The Utiel-Requena inland area of Valencia has long been a world-class denomination for wines rivalling even La Rioja – and for the area cava is the name of the game. Requena is said to be the heart of Valencian cava and the leading producer in Spain of ecological varieties of the famous fizzy wines. There are currently 4,000
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Lovely bubbly By Glenn Wickman
hectares of vineyards in the area dedicated to producing the white grapes for cava – 10% of the total surface in Spain. One third of all bottles of DO Cava produced in the Valencian town boast the Eco label, and over 20% of Spain’s total ecological cava production comes from there. Only grapes grown within the town’s limits can be
Castle reform LORCHA’S Perputxent Castle will have €400,000 spent on it this year by Alicante Provincial Council. It’s the biggest annual investment in restoration and archaeological work since the fortress was bought from private hands in 2009. Alicante Archaeological Museum has been documenting finds on the site which include important artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age. Some €650,000 has been spent over the past 12 years on the early 13th century structure. The castle was built by Spain’s Muslim occupiers. It has three turrets with the one on the west side in the best condition, rising to a height of 20 metres.
QUALITY: Juicy grapes
used to create the DO Cava fizzy wines, and a new series of criteria set to be introduced by the Spanish regulating authorities are expected to further boost the reputation and sales of the Valencian variety. Once approved, champagne-style fizzy wine will be classified into four different categories depending on the aging period – namely guarda and three types of guarda superior.
Grapes
In order to qualify for guarda superior, the product must be made with ecological grapes, which has been the focus of Requena’s cava production over recent years. The area’s low humidity, good altitude and thermic differences between day and night – which prevent the spread of most pests and infections – will make it very easy for Requena to adapt to the new regulations when they come into force by 2025.
Paella heritage PAELLA could become a UNESCO heritage asset if the Valencian government gets its way. An official application process has begun via a declaration in the region’s State Bulletin to apply for Valencian paella to be classified as a ‘World Intangible Heritage Asset’. The proclamation states: “Paella is the epicentre of the V a -
lencian culinary tradition and the backbone of it; this, together with its preparation process and its cultural relevance in Spain, has turned it into one of the most prestigious global brands.” Valencian paella has its own ingredients and characteristics compared to other versions in Spain or further afield. It is normally cooked with seafood (prawns and mussels) or meat (chicken, rabbit, pork ribs, snails). The supporting ingredients, besides the rice, are tomatoes (peeled and grated), paprika, rosemary, saffron, garlic and various types of bean or sometimes artichoke. It became popular in the region when rice was a staple dish of many poor people and all kinds of ingredients were lumped into a pot to produce a hearty meal.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Hidden beauties
PAIN counts amongst its architectural gems some of the most beautiful villages in Europe - if not the world. There are so many memorable hamlets and quaint villages in the country that it is almost impossible to rank them. But one organisation has at least recognised them and added 10 more to its list of
June 17th - June 30th 2021
‘must see’ pueblos. The Association Los Pueblos Mas Bonitos de España (The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain) announced the names of these charming and offthe-beaten-track Spanish villages that are perfect places to visit in 2021. Since 2011 the list has grown to include over 100 of the country’s most picture-perfect villages and in less than a decade has be-
come a reference point of distinction and quality both nationally and internationally. To make the cut, towns must have a population of under 15,000 with notable architectural or cultural
heritage, programmed cultural activities, attention to traditions and green areas, among other criteria. From white-washed hilltop villages in Andalucia to medieval walled towns where
10 of the dreamiest villages in Spain to visit in 2021 the streets are lined with millions of mosaic tiles, the Olive Press takes a look
at the pretty pueblos that have been added to the list this year.
Agulo (La Gomera) Agulo is one of the smallest and oldest towns of La Gomera, nestled in a natural depression, the old village is one of the best preserved and most beautiful of the Canary Islands. Historically, it was one of the most prosperous municipalities of the island, being the first to have drinking water and electricity. The picturesque town faces the ocean, lined with beautiful streets and surrounded by charming trails, it also boasts stunning views to the neighbouring island of Tenerife.
Cudillero (Asturias)
A
n enchanting fishing village on the coast of Asturias, Spain. The entire village is cosily nestled within a small bay. Its picturesque and colourful houses make it one of the most famous, admired and photographed fishing towns in northern Spain, Spread out along the coast are sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs, this picture-perfect fishing village also boasts some of the best Asturian seafood.
Baños de la Encina (Jaen)
Located at the foot of the Sierra Morena mountains, the town’s main monument is the Caliphate Fortress, built in 968, which witnessed the battles between
Muslims and Christians. The village centre was declared a Historic Artistic Site in 1969 and the area, surrounded by Holm Oak trees, umbrella pines
and bushes together with a number of species of wild animals which inhabit the area, has earned Baños de la Encina popularity with nature lovers.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
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Nuevo Baztan (Madrid)
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his interesting town, 50 kilometers from Madrid, was founded in the beginning of the 18th century by Juan of Goyeneche as a dwelling for the workers of a glass factory. It consists of a small historic centre and modern housing estates. The city was declared a Historic and Artistic Monument in 1941 and in 2000, it was declared a Cultural Heritage Monument.
Genalguacil (Malaga) Genalguacil is located in the Genal Valley, in the heart of the Serrania de Ronda, hidden a few kilometers from the Costa del Sol. With little more than 500 inhabitants, its Arab heritage, intermingled with the predominant white of the houses in the village, together with the green of holm oaks and cork oaks, makes this small paradise one of the most beautiful and unique towns of Andalucia.
T
his picture-postcard village is located at the beginning of the river Llierca. A village with no more than 20 inhabitants, the medieval stone buildings remain frozen in time and the ex-
Beget (Girona) treme care of its buildings and surroundings has allowed its heritage to survive over the centuries, becoming the most beautiful village in Spain.
Roncal (Navarra)
Bulnes (Asturias)
T
he lovely, remote village of Bulnes in Spain’s green Asturias, is not only one of the smallest villages in Spain, but it is also one of the most beautiful. With just under 30 inhabitants, this remote village is unusually challenging to get to, at 650 metres (2,133 feet) up in the rugged Picos de Europa mountains, it is only accessible via a tramway that was tunnelled in from the nearby village of Poncebos, footpaths and donkey trails.
S
urrounded by rounded mountain ranges, the town is best known for being part of the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James). Located below Monte Irago, this town, declared an Artistic and Historic Site in 1975,
Molinaseca (Leon) boasts a rich, medieval past. One of its main attractions is the Roman Bridge, also known as the Pilgrims’ Bridge, which reaches the Santo Cristo Cross.
N
avarra’s most spectacular mountain area is around Roncal, a town located in the middle of the Navarrese Pyrenees. It is completely paved and has several beautiful points, such as the church of San Esteban or the mausoleum to the tenor Julián Gayarre, made by the sculptor Benlliure.
Valverde de la Vera (Caceres) A beautiful place to enjoy and relax surrounded by nature, with water being the main element. In fact, watering holes and small channels still flow to the doors of the houses and are used for irrigation and even for cleaning. Crystal-clear natural swimming pools formed from water falls from the Tormantos and Gredos mountain ranges abound in the area, as do nature trails making it a hikers paradise.
Mediterranean Cuisine
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PROPERTY
Property sales higher than prepandemic levels HOUSE sales in April were higher than in the same month in 2019, according to figures from the College of Registrars. A separate survey shows that May's prices rose by 1.3% over 12 months. It’s significant news that the property market appears to be recovering after last year’s pandemic problems, with some
June 17th - June 30th 2021
Bouncing back By Alex Trelinski
extra pent-up demand as a bonus. The Registrar figures, which
reflect real estate transactions, show April's property sales as being unsurprisingly 91% higher than a year earlier, when the State of Alarm lockdown largely put
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VALENCIA and Alicante beat Madrid and Barcelona for the best quality of life, when it comes to the best cities to live in Spain. In a recent survey by the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU), 15 of Spain’s largest cities were compared, including everything from cost of living to education and health services, leisure, culture, employment and more. Coming out on top was the Galician city of Vigo, with 70%, scoring highly in safety, cleanliness, education, environment and pollution - an all round favourite place to live. Just behind Vigo is Zaragoza and Bilbao at 69%. Sitting in the middle is Malaga, with 66%, followed by Valencia (65%) and
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FTER what seems like an eternity, Spain is gradually opening up again now that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is behind us. With an end to restrictions on movement, nocturnal curfews and limitations on social gatherings has come a surge of plans for the summer, including propositions that seemed unthinkable a few months back, such as
large-scale concerts and local fiestas. Among those raring to go is Andreas of Costa de Valencia, a language school based in Valencia city focussing entirely on Spanish but by no means ‘just’ another academy. “Summer awaits,” he tells the Olive Press. “We are finally back after the pandemic, and we’re ready to have a good time.” ‘Having a good time’ is not usually the first consideration among language learners, but Costa de Valencia is different, as Andreas explains.
paid to any business. The surprise though was that April sales clocked in 3.1% higher than two years earlier, and new home mortgages were up by 8.8% over the same two year period. Overall real estate transactions, including commercial premises, grew by 9.3% compared to April 2019.
Boom
QUALITY: Good times in Malaga Alicante (64%), with an average score across the board. Slipping into the 50s is Murcia, Palma and Barcelona, with Madrid sitting in last place. Palma, specifically, was called out for its low education offer, while Barcelona and Madrid were seen as the worst cities for pollution, as well as their lack of culture, sports and leisure offerings.
As for prices, the latest Tinsa survey showed that May's average property price rose by 1.3% compared to a year earlier. The increase from between April and May was 0.5%. The biggest annual rises were on the Balearic and Canary Islands at 4.6%, followed by the Mediterranean coast with 3.2%. The pandemic effects of people wanting to look away from large cities appears to be continuing. The Tinsa report says that the annual price hike for major urban centres was just 0.4%.
EN ESPAÑOL, POR FAVOR “We are officially recognised by the Cervantes Institute [an international organisation set up by the Spanish government to promote the language and culture throughout the world] and therefore offer high-quality courses. “As well as the actual classes, we also organise accommodation for foreign students and extracurricular activities. At weekends we enjoy trips all around the Valencia region to take part in fiestas such as the Tomatina in Buñol, local paella competitions, outings to natural beauty spots, watching a Valencia CF game, and much more.” A glance at the school’s website confirms this. Photographs of students in class are interspersed with shots of young people snorkelling, climbing mountains and visiting Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, among other events. “During the week we have up to four activities a day, including lessons in the morning or afternoon followed by salsa dance classes, concerts, going out for a beer, museum visits… anything that we think could be of interest to our students.” With regards to accommodation, Costa de Valencia offers several options including flats owned by the school, staying with local families, university halls of res-
Spanish language and culture centre Costa de Valencia reopens in the city
WE’RE BACK!: Costa da Valencia is not just another academy idence, or making one’s own ty, and extensive long-term stabilising infection figures in arrangements. courses for expats and au the Valencia region, COVID is And when it comes to the ac- pairs. still very much an issue, and tual language courses, stu- Students can spend any- guards cannot be let down. dents are spoilt for choice, where from one week to a Costa de Valencia Escuela as every possible need is year at the centre. Andreas de Español boasts two ofcatered for. A wide range of explains that Asian students ficial certifications guaranintensive programmes offer usually book for at least six teeing COVID safety, namely everything from grammar months, while applicants the Escuela ELE Safe School and conversation to business from the UK, Italy, Germany Certificate and the SICTED and even Spanish football for and Scandinavia take ad- Advanced Good Practices all levels from elementary to vantage of cheap flights to stamp, with full contingency proficiency, while those who pop over for a week or two to plans in place should they be need an official qualification brush up on their language required. can sit the DELE or SIELE ex- skills, meet people and exFor further information and ams. plore the area. to sign up, visit: www.costaThey also provide courses to However, despite the suc- devalencia.com (available in obtain Spanish nationality, cessful rollout of the vac- English, Spanish, German, to access Spanish universi- cination campaign and the Italian and French).
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13/4/21 12:32
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COLUMNISTS Lisa Burgess
Jabbing away
I
HAVE an identity crisis. It seems I am both saint and sinner. In a previous missive to the letters page, a reader praised me for raising a laugh in these troubled times. In the last issue I was accused of 'insulting' the Spanish health Service and told to leave the country. This criticism was based on my article, 'V-Day Virgins' which was first published in February this year, prior to a vaccination programme, and inadvertently recently resurrected. I have to say that after serving my writing rubbish apprenticeship of around 60 years in this business, it was a huge compliment to be taken seriously and elevated to the dizzy heights of a professional and controversial, news-gatherer. So muchas gracias Christina! Encouraged by this revelation, this week I will continue with my newly-found talent and touch on the delicate subject of race relations. Just read that Spain’s postal service has introduced skin-tone stamps to fight racism — and make the whitest one the most valuable. BLM critics were quick to react by accusing the
Vaccine opens the doors to travel once again
I
RECENTLY completed my second dose of the Moderna vaccine. The very last place I wanted to be was in a hospital, so when the nurse said you must stay here for 15 minutes I skedaddled. I have had a tour of Andalucia's hospitals in the past few years and certainly don't need anymore. I did not have any side effects - just a sore arm but having been through chemotherapy this was a walk in the park. I have talked to friends here and in the UK. I have had varying reports on their reactions and they have had different vaccines. Most of my friends who took the Astra Zeneca vaccine were not too happy when there were some problems reported in the press. A big fear of blood clotting ensued but they were all fine and apparently red wine counteracts that, but I am not a medical specialist. My friends here in Spain have all been alright. Most complain of a sore arm or extreme fatigue. One friend has had terrible headaches and high blood pressure but this could be unrelated to the vaccine.
Another acquaintance has refused the vaccine entirely. Well, they won't be able to travel in the near future and they have lost their slot in the Spanish system. One thing I have learned about the Spanish medical system is you better show up or you will be waiting forever to get another appointment. They are like gold dust.
Travel
I wanted both my vaccines so I can travel soon. Oh just to hear those precious words ‘this is your captain speaking’. Yet that will not be too soon either as I have to wait for my certificate. I have tried getting it online without success but according to the Junta de Andalusia you can pick it up from your doctor. Let’s see how I get on with that. I am happy to have received my vaccines and grateful too. Though Spain seems to be well behind the UK and other countries, it is getting there, so one day we will all be able to travel. I look forward to standing in endless queues before security just for a change.
The mysterious ‘H’ Olive Press I DECIDED to send an email to thefor allowing him k than and ke, Clar owner, Jon space in this ‘Old Hac k’ to take up valuable his newspaper. that this But I didn’t imagine for a moment lead me ld wou l dwil goo of ure gest innocent puter com the of hell , dark straight into the The moment equivalent of ‘Dante’s Inferno’. guardian of I typed, ‘Dear Jon’ spell-check, oke, sprang the English language, as-she-is-sp into action. is not, there Jon became John. No, I said, it ous to my ervi Imp in. aga tried and , ‘H’´ no is spellable min abo the ge, wled kno superior add it g stin insi back ht foug chec k monster the non-exis tent ‘H’. . ‘His name Again I insisted this is not the caseeve me, ask beli ’t don you ‘If ted. shou is Jon’¨ I terious ‘H’ his mother’. But to no avail. The mys d turd at the kept popping up like an unwante by this inCruf ts dog show. Not to be outdone
KIM CLARK
Or you need... • Help with washing /dressing • Supervision
W
HILE the boffins in the economic think tanks point to various trends, graphs and assorted factors that life in Spain is returning to normal, the clearest indication that the worst days of the pandemic were behind us was when I got the call from Olive Press HQ that they needed my services to once again help deliver the newspa-
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Down: 1 Lollipop, 2 Sense of humour, 3 Caddy, 4 Gospel, 5 Staffordshire, 6 Feet, 12 Fed, 13 Exerting, 15 Angels, 17 Patsy, 19 Robs.
Ramblings of an 80-someth ing expat
Benny finds himself in the midst of an identity crisis post office of tone-deafness, and a lack of diversity. I also understand that the game of chess is under critical review. Traditionally, the first mover in chess has always been referred to as 'White', and the second, 'Black'. Again, equality organisations have stated their opinions at this rule. Obviously, these are important issues that need to be resolved to the satisfaction of all involved. But I would like to draw your attention to the victim of a colour conundrum that has been around for over four million years, but never made the headlines, and has no one fighting for its right of identity – the African Zebra. The timeless question has always been, are the animals black with white stripes, or white with black stripes? As a direct result of this life-long identity crisis, the zebra has become mentally unstable and both humans and other animals are liable to vicious attacks if they wander too close. To complicate matters further, baby zebras are born brown and white. No wonder they have been described as the most schizophrenic wild animal on the planet – apart from myself, of course!
e Microsof t visible enemy lurking behind som r levels of barricade, high up amongst the ethe was time to artificial intelligence, I decided it d. make a stan insult to I tried ever y means to by-pass this plodder. the average, thinking, keyboard t, and even Sideways, up, down, back to fron six hours nd arou l unti d hea my standing on , bruised, later, I finally emerged, bloodiedng pride of and battered, but trium phant. Takiscreen, was place, dead centre of my laptop re it could the word, JON . Working quic kly befothank you change its mind, I com posed my mail and struck the ‘send’ button.
Answer
er thankWithin minutes I received an answ ng I also esti sugg and ing me for my cour tesy or, the man send a separate email to our edit layout of my responsible for the placing and f, back to rerelie of sigh a thed column. I brea nightmares! ality, no more bloody spellcheck ment - ‘His Then read Jon’s final helpful com name is DILIP!´
Many are called, but few deliver – as Giles Brown climbs into his trusty 4x4 for Olive Press D-day
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Across: 7 Lone, 8 Apostle, 9 Closed up, 10 Fits, 11 Spoon, 12 Flooded, 14 Up ahead, 16 Edged, 18 Grim, 20 Graphite, 21 Baubles, 22 Rent.
Saint or sinner?
OL D HA CK IN TH E SU N Benny Davi s
Back on the paper round
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June 17th - June 30th 2021
per. Always one to rise to a challenge, I girded my loins – and after over a year they needed some girding, I can tell you – and trundled off in my (relatively trusty)
Landcruiser to the distribution point. A few things struck on my day delivering. The first one was that you can forget CrossFit. Stacking, walking around various locations with bundles of newsprint and then leaping back up into the 4x4 is excellent cardio. Especially when you are doing it in a mask. Another was seeing some old and familiar faces, either serving coffees behind the bar, doing up the premises or, in the case of one, old school Spanish hotel receptionist, seemingly not to have moved at all from his seat behind the desk since the pandemic began.
Impression
Although a few of the businesses have changed hands, I finished my day with the distinct impression that most of them were still standing and in relatively good health. They may have the thousand year stare of those that have gone through ‘interesting times’ – but
to be honest that was my default facial expression before lockdown. Finally, even at 50-something I also realised that I was actually having fun with my paper round, although my knees didn’t thank me the next day….
HEALTH SPAIN has drawn up plans to vaccinate secondary school children against COVID-19 before the end of summer. The country’s health minister revealed that pupils between 12 and 17 years old will receive the
Immunity hope EVEN suffering a mild case of COVID-19 can give long term protection against the virus. One study has shown for the first time that people with a mild infection produce a type of immune cell capable of making antibodies against the coronavirus for the rest of their lives. An observation in people infected with SAR-CoV-2 showed that their antibody levels begin to decline after four months. The key is whether the patient has developed a full immune response, creating memory white blood cells capable of eliminating and remembering the virus months or even years after the first infection. The new paper published in Nature looks at 77 patients who had mild to moderate disease. In most cases, they found that antibodies decline sharply after four months, but then the decline is more gradual and the molecules are still present up to 11 months after infection.
June 17th - June 30th 2021
Honey I vaxxed the kids!
jab ahead of starting the new school year in September, in a move that could help prevent school closures if infections
rise. Minister Carolina Darias: “The idea we have is that before the start of the school year, approximately two weeks before,
to be able to start this inoculation of our adolescent boys and girls.”Any decision to roll out the vaccine to children in that age group must be ratified by her ministry’s public health commission.
Visitor’s vaccines
Spanish region showing the way in COVID jabs for longstay tourists
TOURISM bosses around Spain are looking at Valencia's scheme to vaccinate tourists. Even though they are not covered by the Spanish National Health system, the region has decided to offer COVID jabs to long-stay visitors. Now Catalunya and other Spanish regions are studying the plan to see if it should follow suit. The Valencian health service will vaccinate Europeans staying more than a month in the Iberian Peninsula .
But those eligible will still have to wait their turn until priority groups established by the government have been given their injections. Cantabria has also shown support for the vaccination of Spanish tourists from other regions, provided that the number of doses delivered is increased. In Catalunya, the regional
History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.
Ministry of Health is now considering vaccinating Spanish and foreign tourists. But the Spanish Ministry of Health has said that such arrangements “do not fall within the framework of its vaccination strategy” and will depend on the number of doses of vaccines being sufficient.
23
Queue jumpers facing trial A TRIO of Costa Blanca mayors are facing trial for COVID vaccine ‘queue-jumping’. Anti-corruption prosecutors have sent detailed reports to their local courts to decide whether to proceed. One of them, the PP mayor of La Nucia, Bernabe Cano, has already been ordered to appear at Villajoyosa court on July 7, along with 12 witnesses. Cano claimed he needed the jab because he was a doctor for a local football team. Meanwhile, Carolina Vives, of Els Poblets, and her partner, Ximo Coll, mayor of neighbouring El Verger, are facing trial after getting the vaccines in January. They claimed they took the jabs after a local medical centre said they were ‘left over’ and would ‘go to waste’ if they did not use them. At the time, vaccinations were strictly limited to care home residents and staff, along with health service workers. All three mayors refused to resign. The prosecutor has dropped cases against other ‘early vaxers’ including the Bishop of the Orihuela.
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Highway robbers
FINAL WORDS
TWO speed cameras on the A-7 in Malaga have been named as the ‘best’ in Spain after they caught a combined 83,098 motorists in just one year raking in fines of around €5 million.
Hard lesson A GIRL who wanted a good excuse for missing an exam is in trouble after she falsely told police that two men had tried to kidnap her in Fuente de Alamos (Murcia).
Hound found A MIRACLE dog has been rescued alive by firefighters after being run over and becoming trapped in a car bumper in Fuengirola for two days before its howls finally alerted the car owner to its plight.
VALENCIA / COSTA AZAHAR FREE Vol. 1 Issue 15 www.theolivepress.es
Your expat
voice in Spain June 17th - June 30th 2021
There’s wally!
Walrus spotted in Spain, 2,000 miles from his Arctic homeland A WALRUS called Wally has been spotted swimming off the Spanish shore 2,000 miles from his home in the chillier climes of Greenland. He is touring Europe after first being spotted in County Derry, Ireland in March, with experts believing he may have been stranded on a mini iceberg that floated south from his Arctic
By Dilip Kuner
homeland. Six days after first being seen he resurfaced in Wales where RSPCA officers were called out to check on him. He was laying at the bottom of a cliff in Pembrokeshire (Wales) then took up residence on an
POLICE have issued dozens of fines to a group of naked hippies who had gathered from across Europe to set up camp in northern Spain. The group came together for a Rainbow Gathering, an annual festival where people shed their clothes, show each other unconditional love and promote a life free of consumerism. This year the community chose a remote corner of the Portilla valley in the Sierra de la Demanda, La Rioja, - but not remote enough for police, it would seem.
SPOTTED: Wally popped up in the river Nervion RNLI lifeboat slipway in Tenby. After being disturbed by sightseers on jet skis and in kayaks – and being shooed off the slipway by RNLI volunteers
Bummer!
with airhorns and brooms – he moved on to Cornwall for a few days. Since then, Wally has steadily moved south and was spotted in Les Sables d'Olonne in western France. And now he has made himself through the Bay of Biscay and emerged in the mouth of the River Nervion in Bilbao. Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme in March, RSPCA animal rescue officer Ellie West described Wally's case as 'sad'. She said: “It is a very unusual sight. It is quite a sad occurrence because we have to remember that this walrus is a very, very long way from where he should be.
Skirting around the issue MALE teachers in Spain have taken a stand against bullies by wearing skirts to class. Manuel Ortega, 37, and Borja Velaquez, 36, who teach at Virgen de Sacedon school, in Valladolid, swapped their suits for skirts. They took action after after overhearing homophobic slurs directed at a pupil who was wearing a t-shirt featuring an anime character. The pair joined The Clothes Have No Gender (#LaRopaNoTieneGenero) movement and to prove to the students that clothes don’t dictate how they should be treated. The campaign began late last year when Maths teacher Jose Piñas took a stand against the treatment of one of his pupils, who was expelled by his school in Bilbao, and forced to visit a psychologist after wearing a skirt to school.