OLIVE PRESS
The
COSTA BLANCA
Battle to save the Spanish language hits the streets
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Vol. 1 Issue 24 www.theolivepress.es
Your expat
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February 20th - March 4th, 2020
See page 4
Dodgy deals, the mafia and how squatters are now ‘owned by the banks
Expat tragedy SHOCKING: Alina’s body had been bound and wrapped in blood soaked blanket while (right) Karvink taken away by the police
See page 6
HAPPIER TIM
ES: Alina and
The Spanish property battle between two British dukes See page 10
How Spain’s Wikiloc is taking over the world
See page 14
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
THE wedding date had been set and the invites recently sent out. So friends were left stunned when the body of Alina Mocanu was found in a rubbish bin on Monday - with her expat fiance now accused of killing her. The mother of a 14-year-old son was discovered by dustmen at 8.10am wrapped in a blood-soaked blanket. She had been bound in ropes and had deep wounds to her forearms and to her neck. The whole Moraira community is still in shock after it emerged her husband-to-be - a well known local estate agent - had admitted to the brutal slaying. The 36-year-old from Calarasi, near Bucharest, in Romania, had been dating Dutch expat Arthur Karvink, 59, for two years. The pair worked together in a front line estate agency, just yards from the beach of the idyllic resort town. But now the ex-marine is facing life in prison after turning himself into the Guardia Civil in nearby El
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Alina, 36, found dead in bin was due to be married to well known Dutch estate agent now accused of killing her
Portet at 12.30pm on Tuesday. He quickly confessed to the horrific crime. The next day, videos circulated of a man, face concealed, being manhandled by detectives into the Brilliant Real Estate office, that had been founded by Karvink, back in 2016. Shouts of ‘Mordenaar’ (‘murderer’ in Dutch) and ‘Asesino’ were hurled at the hooded figure on Moraira’s central Avenida Madrid. Reports later appeared of the prime suspect admitting he had killed Alina in the office, where they worked together, with a kitchen knife following an argument on Sunday. Karvink’s case will now be heard at Denia’s Court of Violence Against Women. It it not the first time the for-
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most 30 years and so I know how to recognize the symptoms. “It’s really sad about what happened, but he was sick in the head.” Questions are now being raised about the authorities’ intervewntion as Alina becomes the 11th woman to die at the hands of a partner in 2020 so far. Moraira Town Hall declared a day of mourning on Wednesday, this week, while Alicante’s Town Hall held a minute’s silence in Alina’s honour. “From the youngest among us, we must put a stop to this social disease of gender violence,” said Alicante’s deputy mayor Mari Carmen Sanchez. “We cannot continue having years as black as this one has begun. “We must be totally intolerant – if you have any doubt or suspicion about this type of situation, I encourage you to report it and prevent victims from being silent. We must use all the mechanisms available to us by the administrations to stop the figures of this social scourge from rising.”
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mer Marine Corps soldier has been in the dock for attacking his would-be bride. A spokesperson for the Valencian Courts of Justice told the Olive Press, this week, that police had actually raced to an incident at Karvink’s house in the early hours of June 30, last year. A Denia judge went on to issue a restraining order of 300m to protect Alina from her fiance. He also ruled zero communication between the pair, in the run up to Karvink’s trial at Benidorm’s criminal court no 2. However, Alina refused to testify and the case collapsed due to lack of evidence. A friend of the couple told the Olive Press that Karvink was ‘prone to aggressive episodes’. The Dutchman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “He got strange and aggressive with me on two occasions and I immediately recognised he had this behavioral issue.” He put the issue down to his tours of duty in trouble spots around the world as a soldier. “I am dealing with two other friends with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder for al-
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Opinion Page 6
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CRIME
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February 20th - March 4th 2020
Oh sugar!
NEWS IN BRIEF
A DRAMATIC chase of three suspected drug traffickers ended in an anticlimax after officers could only find 12 bags of sugar in their car. The lackluster raid came after the Moroccan trio from Ceuta crashed their vehicle while being chased by Policia Local in Marbella. The suspects then made a run for it with online footage showing two officers in hot pursuit. Police can be heard firing a warning shot before arresting all three. But upon searching their vehicle, police could only find the bags of sugar.
Rape claims AN expat couple are facing eight years in prison after raping another foreign woman, whom they had met via the internet in November 2018 and invited to their house in Torrevieja. The man raped the victim before ‘finishing off sexual relations’ with his wife.
Bad message A PLASTIC surgeon has been sentenced to pay €30,702 compensation after giving a 51-yearold woman a breast lift and then telling her, via Whatsapp, to treat herself after her left breast began necrotising.
Moving fast A MAN has been arrested for attempting to throw his partner out of a moving car in Valencia. He was driving under the effects of alcohol.
NIPPED IN BUD A SPANIARD’S short drug trafficking career has been nipped in the bud after he decided to create a marijuana plantation next door to a police station. The 55-year-old was arrested after Policia Local smelt the drug from the disused property in Callosa de Segura. Agents decided to investigate and found a fully fledged weed factory operating across three rooms. The operation was using sophisticated ventilation and extraction systems, heat lamps, thermostats and an automated irrigation system. All the equipment was being illegally hooked up to the local electrical supply. Police seized 400 marijuana plants and all the equipment, worth more than €17,000. The suspect has been charged for crimes against public health. He was released on bail after appearing before a judge.
NEGLECTED: Previous convict Cohen had two month holiday while dog starved
Sick puppy
A FORMER TV show contestant has been sentenced to nine months in prison for starving his dog on the Costa Blanca. Javier Cohen - who appeared in hit show Mujeres
y Hombres y Viceversa - allegedly left his dog for two months without food and water, while taking a holiday in Ibiza. When he returned to find the pet, in a deplorable con-
TV contestant to face prison for starving dog on Costa Blanca dition, rather than deal with it, he took him to a shelter, claiming he had found him.
Fresh pool probe INVESTIGATORS have once again inspected the pool which took the lives of three British holidaymakers in Mijas on Christmas Eve. It comes after a Malaga judge allowed a ‘parallel’ probe be
The three-year-old American bulldog, Mack, had to be put down, suffering from serious malnutrition and other health problems. Cohen this week pleaded guilty at Valencia court to animal abuse in order to get a reduced sentence.
Behind bars POLICE have caught a trio of thieves red-handed robbing a Murcia bar in the early hours of Monday morning. Despite the robbers attempting to hide during the 3.30am raid by locking themselves in the toilet, hiding under a table and the bar, all three were arrested. Aged between 47 and 58, the trio are to be charged with violent robbery.
Banned
launched by the Diya family into how the pool at the Club La Costa World Resort could have killed dad Gabriel, 52, daughter Comfort, aged nine and son Emmanuel, 16. The site was visited by an engineer, professional diver and an assistant. The experts carried out several tests in front of the Diya family lawyer Javier Toro. Guests of the hotel remained lounging on sunbeds as the diver entered the water for around half an hour. He took photos of all areas of the pool, focusing on its suction systems and drains. The group then introduced a piece of cloth into the water and analysed how it reacted to the suction system. They then did the same with a swimming cap, similar to that of Comfort’s, which had been found by Guardia Civil officers in the main drain of the purification system following the tragic incident.
The prosecutor had been asking for an 18 month sentence for the Alicante man. He has now been banned from owning animals for two and a half years but could avoid prison if he agrees to attend a re-education programme on animal welfare. Cohen, who has a previous conviction for gender violence, appeared in the popular dating show in 2013.
Rounded up
POLICE rounded up 50 illegal immigrants during a raid on a small Costa Blanca town on Valentines Day. Those arrested in Callosa de Segura were found to be in violation of the so-called Aliens Act by not having the necessary residency permits. The joint operation by Guardia Civil, Policia Nacional and Policia Local saw 30 armed agents round up the immigrants from the Lo Cartagena neighbourhood. Public parks, shops, and game rooms were also targeted during the operation.
What happened to missing ‘child painter’? POLICE have reopened the case of a ‘child painter’ who vanished in 1987 without a trace. David Guerrero Guevara disappeared 33 years ago near his home in Malaga when he was just 13-years-old. More than three decades have passed since April 6, 1987, when David left his house heading to a gallery in Malaga where his work was being exhibited. His house was 150 meters from the bus stop but he failed to catch the bus and his trail was lost somewhere along this journey. The mystery surrounding the circumstances has never been solved and the case was filed in 1996 with no clues as to what happened to the child.
NEWS
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February 20th - March 4th 2020
Trumped again SPAIN’S King and Queen have usurped Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez… at least in the pecking order of Donald Trump. The Spanish royals have been invited again for a state visit to America, before the new PSOE leader has even got a look in! President Trump has extended his undersized hands to Felipe and Letizia for the second time in two years. The US President will stage an official visit for the Spanish Monarchy on April 21. Their first trip across the pond in 2018, saw style-conscious Letizia outdo First Lady Melania, in a fuschia pink dress, which she paired with matching heels and clutch bag (see left). The world’s press will be watching to see what the two global style icons will be wearing this time.
King and Queen Doñana and a Gooseberry fool! THEY are a romantic pair, just like the rest of us. And so it was no different for Spain’s King and Queen who took a romantic escape to the country’s most famous national park for Valentine’s Day. Felipe and Letizia booked a long weekend in idyllic Donana for the most romantic day of the year. Staying in an isolated cortijo, they went birdwatching and walked through the famous dunes. The trip coincided conveniently with the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the national park. Making three a crowd, the president of the Junta, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla joined the royal duo as King Gooseberry at the Unesco Biosphere Reserve for a commemoration service.
Stardust stays at home! Hard luck for Banderas as he’s beaten again at the Oscars
JOAQUIN Phoenix trumped Antonio Banderas to Best Actor at the Oscars. The Malaga-born actor lost
out to Phoenix for a second time, following his defeat at the Golden Globes last month.
A date with the Red Devils ESTEPONA’S mayor is a United fan and he’s got the shirt to prove it. Jose Maria Garcia Urbano, 57, looked happy as Larry (or Lingard) as he was handed the shirt at the Kempinski hotel where the squad was staying. Gifted it, appropriately, by two Spanish players Juan Mata and David de Gea he then chatted to other players from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who were at the Marbella Football Centre for winter training. The week-long break certainly did the trick, as they trounced Chelsea 0-2 away on Monday night. “Sometimes you just need a change of scenery,” said manager Ole about the holiday following the win. “The freshness in their heads, their mentality, the smile.” They were meant to stay at Marbella’s Westin La Quinta but changed plans due to coronavirus fears when they found out Chinese side, Dalian Yifang, had stayed there a week before.
It was the 59-year-old’s first Academy Award nomination, which he received for his role as Salvador Mallo in Dolor y Gloria, directed by godfather of Spanish cinema, Pedro Almodovar. At least the award went to a deserving role and it was fourth time lucky for Puerto Rican-born Phoenix, nominated three times before. The 45-year-old picked up the coveted golden statue for his title role in Joker, the origin story for Batman’s arch nemesis. The other three nominees fighting for the prize were Leonardo DiCaprio for his
role in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Adam Driver for his role in Marriage Story and Jonathan Pryce for his role in The Two Popes. Meanwhile, Spanish animated film Klaus which won Best Animated Film at the BAFTAs failed to replicate its success at the Oscars. The biggest winner of the night was South Korean film Parasite, which made history for becoming the first non-English language film to win the Best Picture gong. “The Oscars are becoming more international,” insisted Banderas on the night.
Crooning in SPAIN’S most famous singer is heading south this summer. Julio Iglesias, 76, has announced four concerts in Fuengirola, Merida, Chiclana and Cordoba during August and September. The mini tour kicks off on August 5 at Marenostrum Castle, in Fuengirola. The Grammy-Award winning singer, who has sold more than 300 million records, will then play at the Concert Music Festival of Chiclana on August 14.
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Step aside Penny! PEDRO Almodovar has a brand new muse. Step aside Penelope Cruz, for the legendary Spanish director has turned to Tilda Swinton for his next two movies. The Castillian filmmaker has opted for the British star to anchor the two English-language films. It is the first time he will direct movies not in his native Spanish, and he is apparently taking no chances. The first film The Human Voice, written by poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau, is to start filming this Spring. The other is a feature length film called A Manual For Cleaning Women, by Lucia Berlin. Swinton, 59, won an Oscar in 2008 for Best Supporting Actress in Michael Clayton. The redhead Thespian descends from Scottish aristocracy and is an avid supporter of Scottish independence. The mother-of-two, based in London, recently appeared in A Bigger Splash, with Ralph Fiennes, as well as Doctor Strange and the Avengers: Endgame.
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NEWS
February 20th - March 4th 2020
Victory! By Laurence Dollimore
Reporters Simon Wade and Joshua Parfitt
Your reporters, here to help on the Costa Blanca Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es (Personal contacts on page 6) The
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A BRITISH expat couple have won a landmark legal battle against a bank after being duped into mortgaging their dream home to plunder their cash into supposedly ‘low-risk’ investments. Pensioners Barry and Marion Joyce were about to lose their home in Benalmadena, which had cost them their life savings, after becoming trapped in the sophisticated finan-
Expat couple will keep Costa home in landmark win against Rothschild bank
cial product. Devised by the Rothschild bank, the product targeted expats who had properties in Spain with no mortgages. It allowed them to take out mortgages worth up to 75% of the value of
Tongue tied
S
PANISH is the second most-widely spoken language in the world – yet it’s under threat of ‘elimination’ in its own homeland. Hablamos Español, Spain’s only organisation committed to the defence of the national tongue, fears implementation of the controversial Ley de Plurilingüismo (Multilingualism Law) will effectively remove Castellano from the Valencian Community education system. Protests against the law, due for rollout across regional secondary schools in 2020, drew more than 15,000 to the streets of Orihuela in January. Further protests and public meetings are being planned for the next few months to continue the demands. “The Valencianization of the education system is part of a political project,” Gloria Laro, the president of Hablamos Español told the Olive Press. “They have already rolled out the Multilingualism Law in primary schools, and
will progressively eliminate Spanish as a language of instruction here.” The law, approved in April 2018 under education Councillor Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, seeks to abolish rules that segregate students into complex Valenciano-speaking streams – many times within the same school. Schools will now have to decide individually in what language to teach all their students, keeping at least 25% of classes in Valenciano (effectively Catalan), 25% in Castellano and 25% in a foreign language such as English. In practise, however, this has seen primary schools wrangle the system to teach every class in Valenciano except Spanish Language, Physical Education and Religion. Gloria added that regions such as the Vega Baja ‘do not speak Valenciano’ meaning that, when the law is enforced across secondary schools in September, a final-year student could be forced to learn a ‘natural science’ in a
their homes with the proceeds then invested with an insurance company to provide an income. But things went awry when the investments did not perform as well as promised, leaving the expats unable to pay off their mortgages. Now a judge from Malaga has condemned the bank, ruling in favour of the Joyces. The Torremolinos court annulled the entire mortgage and ordered Rothschild to return ‘every penny
completely foreign tongue. “If you are an English-speaking expat, it’s even worse,” Gloria continued. “You are probably thinking it’s fantastic your child can learn the second most-widely spoken language in the world at school – and then all they learn is Valenciano.” A 15-year-old student in Javea told the Olive Press his chances to get a job outside of Valencia are already ‘difficult, if not impossible’, after being forced to study in Valenciano due to the lack of a Spanish-speaking stream at his school. “I fear the younger generation below me will have an even lower level of Castellano, and this will restrict their opportunities in life,” insisted David Munoz. Gloria added the public debates – in Valencia and Alicante on February 28 and 29 – will seek to ‘revoke’ the Multilingualism Law in entirety. “We want a law to be passed that guarantees we will be able to choose the national language of Spain as the language in which our children learn,” she said.Her organisation maintains the politicisation of language is part of a wider ‘separatist’ project that threatens the Spanish nation.
DUPED: The Joyces after win paid’ so far by the Joyces, both in their 70s. They have also been allowed to keep more than €15,000 given to them by the bank as a signing on bonus.
Demanding
It is the first sentence to directly condemn N.M Rothschild & Sons and its Credit Select Series Four arm, which marketed the Spanish Investment Transfer and Income Mobilisation Plan (Sitimp). More than 100 other cases are set to come before courts around Spain over the next few years. In each case, once expats agreed to mortgage their homes, the bank assessed their property and immediately gave them 5 to 10% of its value in cash. They then used their equity to invest in what were advertised as ‘safe products’. In the case of the Joyces, they took out a loan of €227,000 with the bank which was invested into supposedly ‘low risk’ financial products abroad. This product was actually a life insurance through a company called Aspecta Assurance International Luxembourg SA, which was also condemned in the case. In the first year alone the couple’s €227,000 investment sunk by a shocking €55,443. By 2016, 10 years after signing onto the deal, the investment had not grown and the Rothschild bank was demanding €302,000 in mortgage repayments from the couple. The bank threatened that if they didn’t pay their home would be taken from them. The stress of the case was similar to many other cases the Olive Press has reported on over the last five years. In 2017, we reported how bank owner, French aristocrat Baron David de Rothschild had been forced to answer questions over the investments in an Alicante court. The multi-millionaire banking scion denied any knowledge of the complex case that saw up to 1000, mostly British pensioners, lose millions. Rothschild insisted that he ‘did not know’ about the product. “I was not personally involved in the contracts”, he wrote in French. Marbella lawyer, Antonio Flores,
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February 20th - March 4th 2020
Hidden costs
A BRITISH man has been hit with a €30,000 legal bill after lawyers brought a lawsuit ‘without his knowledge’ in Murcia. Mike Joines, 58, from Hampshire, began litigation with the well-known law firm in 2006 over fears he would lose his deposit on an off-plan villa in Dolores, near Los Alcazares. The Cadiz-based legal firm, CostaLuz Lawyers, undertook legal proceedings to reclaim Joines’ €53,557 deposit after
British man faces €30,000 bill for lawsuit ‘brought without his knowledge’
the off-plan villa’s completion date was delayed by a year. There were also serious concerns raised about the legality of the development by Spanish firm Peinsa 97. “I’m paying nearly what I’d already lost in 2006,” Joines told the Olive Press. “I’m 58, heading for retire-
ment, and I can’t bear the cost of this for the next 10 years it would take to pay in instalments. “I don’t know who to turn to or what to do.” Email correspondence, seen by the Olive Press, reveals Joines paid €3,600 to the firm after being told he had a ‘strong
Let youngsters vote! SPAIN’S youngest MP wants to change the law allowing 16-yearolds to vote. ERC member Marta Rosique, 23, proposed the lower voting age, insisting it’s the younger generation who lead the feminist, ecologist and anti-fascist movements. The Catalan independence supporter believes the younger generation have better access to technology than the older generation ever
had. It means they are better informed and have wider political views. Opponents argue that - as seen with Brexit - voters are manipulated by fake news and the younger generation is more susceptible to this and more easily influenced by false promises. If the voting age is lowered, Spain would join Austria to allow voting at 16.
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Hero teen
DELAY: Led to unwanted legal bills EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
case’ to get all his money back ‘plus interest and legal fees’. A later email on November 27, 2006, stated clearly: “That’s your last investment on litigation”. However, following a lengthy case and appeal, concurring added costs, a second lawsuit was launched in 2010 without Joines’ prior knowledge, he claims. “What is going on? I am not aware of any second lawsuit,” Joines wrote in an email dated March 24, 2010. “I have no money to keep piling into this matter. Also, with this lack of communication, it is very worrying as you have power of attorney for my actions in Spain.” The law firm replied saying they had acted on Joines’ ‘behalf’ to pursue a second case with ‘no further fees’ given they had won ‘several’ similar
cases in the past. “We are very confident, not to say certain, that at least 80% of your money will be recovered.” Following little communication and an entire four years of total silence, it came as a complete shock when they wrote again last month requesting €29,874 in legal bills. “I was gobsmacked and there is no way I can pay it,” he insisted this week. CostaLuz Lawyers director Maria Luisa Castro told the Olive Press there was ‘nothing else to do for the client’ and so the case was closed in 2020. She added her law firm did partially win the case ‘at appeal’, with the company Peinsa 97, which was ordered to refund Joines ‘part of his deposit’, however the company went into insolvency in 2016. She added there was a ‘risk’ to checking whether Joines was included as one of Peinsa’s creditors due to legal matters pertaining to the court win.
AN inspirational 16-year-old British boy is running every day for a year to raise funds and awareness for Battens Disease in memory of his cousin who tragically died from the condition four years ago when she was just 13. Sam Clarke is covering between five and 20 kilometres every day across mainland Spain and then Mallorca, Italy, Canada and the UK. Most recently, he finished first in the 5k Torremolinos Colour Run, with a speedy time of 22 minutes. He also ran up the Rock of Gibraltar, in the Top of the Rock Race, in which he finished first for his age group. To donate to Sam search ‘running4ayear’ on justgiving.com
Dug out A HOMELESS man had to be rescued from an isolated refuge in the middle of an Andalucian mountain range. The Guardia Civil pulled the 49-year-old man from a temporary shelter where he has lived for three months along with his two dogs. The man had run out of food and was starving, according to the agents who found him in La Polarda, in the Beires area of Almeria.
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OPINION Open Justice
SOCIAL media has witnessed a rapid turnaround from a mystery murder to a case of domestic violence in the heart of a Costa Blanca town this week. Videos, eyewitness accounts and police updates have provided a flurry of information on what happened to the woman found dumped in a rubbish bin in Moraira last Monday. In particular, the naming and photographing of those involved has caused a stir. As law-abiding citizens, we believe in the principle of innocent before proven guilty. However, we also believe in the role of journalism in justice. It was over 200 years ago that jurist and social reformer Jeremy Bentham said: “Where there is no publicity, there is no justice.” He said publicity ‘is the keenest spur to exertion, and the surest of all guards against improbity’. So when a horrific crime comes to our neighbourhood, we deserve to know what happened. When gender violence has already seen 11 women murdered by current or former partners in 2020, we deserve to know what happened. During her speech following a minute’s silence in Alicante, deputy mayor Mari Carmen Sanchez said ‘we must use all the mechanisms available to us’ to put a stop to the ‘social disease’ of machistic violence. We believe that information from the authorities is vital to stopping this insanity at its root, and to detering perpetrators from thinking they can get away with such brutality. Until then, if somebody does not want their private lives brought into the public eye, don’t murder anyone – and should you be found innocent, don’t confess to it.
Carbon crackdown It’s great to see that a remarkable green story has caught the attention of our readers. The story of the terrace heater ban in France and the planned ban in Barcelona has been viewed almost 40,000 times since Monday. The new regulations are sparking much debate on the fight against climate change. Here in Spain we are lucky enough to enjoy a mediterranean climate and so dining al-fresco without potentially damaging the environment could and should easily be the case. Enjoying a cocktail at a chiringuito or taking cena on the terrace is a luxury and we can definitely do our bit in the current climate emergency by taking a jumper, dining inside and some restaurants and bars even offer blankets. Although not everyone will agree with this ban and it is yet to be seen if it will come to be implemented throughout the rest of Spain, the fact that this is encouraging discussion and challenging perceptions is always positive. Publisher / Editor
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features
February 20th - March 4th 2020
HERE is a chalet for sale on the Haya real estate site for €347.679. It was built in 1974 at the upmarket end of a small mountain town on the outskirts of Madrid. It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a Spanish flag flying out front. The flag was put up by a young family of squatters who moved into the property and were apparently to be ‘sold’ along with it, together with the electro-domestics. The house actually belongs to Bankia, which repossessed the property when its previous occupants failed to keep up with their mortgage payments. The new occupants pay nothing at all – not even for their water and electricity, creating a certain amount of resentment in the neighbourhood. As Vox captured much of the town’s vote in the 2019 general election, perhaps the flag was an attempt to win over the locals. The story went round that the family had come to an arrangement with the bank: they could BREAKING: A man forcing an entry at an Alicante home, while stay until the property was sold (right) a squatter who attacked an Olive Press reporter in Murcia and would be given a lump sum to move on when it was. In this case, the rumours may be groundless but the concept is not the ‘urban myth’ dismissed by Idealista real estate spokesman Beñatdel Coso.
Anarchist
Squatters for sale
According to Enrique Villalobos, president of the Regional Federation of Neighbours Associations of Madrid (FRAVM) “It goes in Dodgy money deals, mafia waves. OLIVE PRESS There are times when it is of in- involvement and squatters terest to vulture funds and finan- ‘owned by banks’. Heather LINE OF DUTY cial entities to coordinate with Galloway investigates the mafias.” The most glaring instance oc- the murky underworld of curred between 2014 and 2017 in Ensanche de Vallecas, Madrid real estate where free when the vulture fund Encasa accommodation comes at Cibeles (part of Goldman Sachs) a hefty price bought social housing there. “We empty and don’t pay communal GUIDE reported, don’t have any hard evidence but costs, which is an open invitation l y legal tenants had conversations to squatters, so the area gets so the company works with social with the squatters who said they run down no one wants to live services to find them alternaexpected to be paid between there. Then they get permission tive housing. Would Sareb offer €2,000 and €5,000 to leave to build on land nearby, make money to squatters to leave the when the time came, and there a fortune with new upmarket premises? “Absolutely not,” she were no efforts to report them to apartments and a whole new says. “Sareb is extremely scruthe police while modern neigh- pulous.” they were there,” bourhood in Scrupulous maybe – sympasays Villalobos. Madrid is cre- thetic, not so much. According The building beNo wonder ated for people to Rivas, “Sareb is evicting the came so run down with money. highest number of families. All people voted and lawless that That’s how it’s we can do is keep negotiating with them and demand that the Vox,” retorted the legal tenants done.” on social housPAH spokes- State makes Sareb’s properties one disgruntled ing rents vacated woman Marga available.” neighbour their homes. Job Rivas corrobo- According to current estimates done. rates Villalobos’ there are circa 87,000 illegally “Curiously all the view that money occupied properties in Spain, squatters arrived can exchange the majority owned by the together and left together,” says hands in a counter-intuitive di- banks. And while the FRAVM believes mafia-controlled squats Villalobos. “The buildings’ apart- rection. ments have since been refur- “Some funds and financial insti- are a minority, their impact can bished and sold.” tutions will offer squatters mon- be devastating for a neighbourhood. In December, the Supreme Court ey to leave. But most of the annulled the sale of 2,939 social families don’t want that. What However the majority of squathousing properties to Encasa good is €3,000 or €4,000 to ters, according to Villalobos, are Cibeles by Madrid’s PP govern- them if they are back on the those reeling from a banking sysment in 2013. Then priced at street? They want to be left in tem that has repossessed their €201 million, they now have a peace and to pay a rent that cormarket value of €400 million. responds to their income.” Almost half have been sold but According to Rivas, financial inthe PAH (Platform for those Af- stitutions still have around 3.5 fected by Mortgages) is demand- million repossessed properties ing these sales be overturned or on their hands which they sell at compensation paid. market value to Other areas of individuals but for Madrid look susnext to nothing to ceptible to the investment funds. same dubious Around 60,000 strategies, acbelong to Sareb, cording to Villalobos. the government-owned so-called “Anyone looking at an aerial ‘bad bank’ set up to sell off toxic shot of the Puente de Vallecas real estate assets belonging to area south of Madrid can see Bankia, Catalunya Banc, NGC that this district will attract a lot Banco-BancoGallego and Banco of property speculation over the de Valencia. next 15 years,” he says. “Invest- Sareb spokesperson Susana ment funds are already buying Diaz told the Olive Press that here. They leave the properties while squatters are immediateONE English website consolidates its reign as the NUMBER ress.es IT’S OFFICIAL: - 24 hours a day - visit www.theolivep in Spain…. For more exclusive content COSTA BLANCA
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Vol. 1 Issue 13 www.theolivepress.es
September 12th- September 25th 2019
like kings’ and Spain Guardia Civil source: Squatters ‘live
WE WON’T GO QUIETLYto
after Olive Press journalist assaulted‘flash exposing ‘violent’ gypsies who the pool’ residents’ and ‘throw rats into
EXCLUSIVE BORIS Johnson has managed exBy Joshua Parfitt silence Parliament, but British pats in Spain have shown they will nonot be cowed into a harmful AN Olive Press journalist hasa deal departure from the EU. been attacked after exposing Brits around the country are mo- ‘violent’ gypsy family allegedly bilising to oppose the shutdown squatting and stealing electricity and stand up for their EU rights. from a Costa Blanca complex. Protests have spread to the Costa Simon Wade was chased down del Sol where pro-remain cam- the street and headbutted as a paigners are planning a Protect on young man tore off his glasses Our Rights march in Malaga and tried robbing his camera in September 22. broad daylight in Formentera del It comes as an exclusive online an Segura, near Torrevieja, last Satpoll by the Olive Press revealed astonishing 73% of expats remain urday. journalist was phostaunchy in favour of remaining The dedicated squats when within the European Union past tographing alleged door with the October 31 deadline (Pages the man flung open the a tattoo his chest exposed and 6-7). The Facebook poll shows that had reading, ‘I die for my family’. they been able to participate fully “My specs can be replaced, and in the biggest ‘democratic exercise the bruising will fade, but decent for generations’, the expat vote people here are living with this would have proved decisive.
24/7,” Wade said. A denuncia was made to the Guardia Civil, who called thea perpetrator a ‘wild beast’ with string of convictions. It comes as British resident, Ena Cummings, 53, contacted us claiming gypsies had thrown ‘dead rats’ into the Virgen del Rosario complex’s pool and repeatedly set terraces on fire. “They're stealing electricity and water, meaning us residents are paying for the squatters' utilities,” Cummings told the Olive Press. "They have no sense of dignity, neighbours young and old have had genitalia flashed at them by squatters.” Residents have held a community meeting, and are stuck between an expensive legal battle
Damage
“We are the people most affected and we didn't get a say, that is what is most unfair,” said protest organin iser Valerie Lawrence, 68, based Torrox, in the Axarquia. “Most of us could not vote and postal votes went missing. “Now we are just trying to stop the Brexit or at least minimise damage,” added the retired Yorkshire woman. It comes after an alarming treasury report issued two weeks ago spelt extreme danger for expats in various ways. The leaked Yellowhammer document warned of issues over penContinues on Page 7
Turn to page 7 to find out which were the biggest stories this fortnight and how to get the most up to date info
is a long way from solving crisis
(leftt), while (right) the CAUGHT: CCTV of troublemakers Press journalist squatter who attacked on Olive
‘SQUATTING’: Familes are refusing
to leave Costa Blanca flats
“The developer can’t sell their apartments, the bank repossesses the complex, and the gypsies break in,” the source told the Olive Press. “The owner of the property is the only one who can denounce the squatters - but banks don’t want to as court cases cost thousands. “If they do get an eviction order, the gypsies just break into anothEviction er complex owned by the bank. have Brit residents Linda Brown and “Either that, or the gypsies the apartArnene Ashley have been ‘in and a legal right to request housing. out’ of court suffering assaults, ment be offered as social will be death threats and most recently “This means the bank out at bewinning an eviction order for the forced to rent the flat tween 75 to 150 euros. illegal squatters last month. But the situation in Spain is fara “So the bank does nothing. for“The developers are tricking from resolved, according to eign buyers through their greed Guardia Civil source. The agent last week blamed for more money. construct“Meanwhile the gypsies in Spain ‘greedy developers’ for than the ing too many luxury apartment live in better apartments complexes at prices ordinary police officers.” Spaniards ‘can’t afford’.
and bringing in ‘security’ to kick squatters out of the eight apartments, from a total of 68. It comes after this newspaper has tirelessly reported on the ‘hellish’ Mirador Monte Pedrera complex with 24 of 64 apartments illegally occupied by ‘abusive’ gypsies and squatters in Denia.
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homes and is still demanding they meet the rest of their debt with interest. Clare. M. who lives in Puente de Vallecas, the second most popular area for squatting in the capital, agrees that there are different types of squatters. “The young girls squatting in front of me have been up on the roof all day mending it. They have vastly improved the house. It was a drug den before they came, knee high in syringes.” Meanwhile, in the Tetuan district close to the centre, a group of squatters who participate in activities organised by the Anarchist Occupied Space Emboscada, worked hard to win their wary neighbours over. “Dinners are organised for the entire neighbourhood on Wednesday evenings,” says Ana who is involved in the movement. “So the neighbours change the image they have of squatters in general. They have accepted the situation.” But for the squatters in the €347,679 chalet (below) outside Madrid, the reception is proving frostier, despite the patriotic flag. “No wonder people voted Vox,” retorted one disgruntled neighbour. “They want politicians who are going to sort this kind of thing out.”
features
Olive Press 7 online
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‘Spain’s best English news website’
IN-DEPTH: On coronavirus in Spain, freak Spanish weather and long running expat Rothschild saga
real SPANISH CONTENT
V
The fire and the fury
eurotrash
Enormous ‘ninots’ are set to be set alight when Valencia’s famous Fallas festival kicks off next month
V
ALENCIA will be set in flames as the UNESCO-recognised Fallas festival begins in four weeks time. The event, from March 15 to 19, is the highlight of the year for roughly 400 neighbourhoods in the capital. Each of them spend all year fundraising to pay for elaborate sculptures, later burnt in honour of Saint Joseph. The event has its origin with carpenters – patronised by Saint Joseph – who would burn disused furniture as a sort of spring clean. While the festival is celebrated across the Valencian Community, the largest sculptures are to be found in the capital. The ninots – as the sculptures are known – are typically a satire of current affairs. Last year, a ninot made headlines around the world as it depicted figures of Trump standing next to Hitler, Stalin and Franco, all with miniature male sexual organs. The falleros, as participants in the neighbourhood associations are known, are also sticklers of traditional Valenciano culture. Last year’s Masterchef semi-final in Spain was thrown into chaos when falleros from Valencia were served a Catalonian dish by contestants. The semi-final was re-run in Denia, showcasing authentic Valencian cuisine.
IRRELEVANT: Taylor and dad, Martin Freeman and Cardiff pensioner
W
HILE other websites offer you stories about Taylor Swift’s dad in Florida, Martin Freeman calling his kids ‘little f**kers’ and a Welsh pensioner fighting off a mugger, we stick to news in Spain. Focusing entirely on the country where we actually live, our remit is simple: Report on the important news that matters to tourists and expats based in Spain and occasionally nearby Portugal and Morocco. This includes a report on the homeless expats in Fuengirola, freak Spanish weather and the latest news on the spread of the Coronavirus. With a dozen-plus qualified journalists (all writing in their REAL names) we are able to provide a comprehensive round-up of everything important in Spain. Indeed, ours is the only resource expats interested in Spain need to use, not to mention tourists arriving here in their millions each month. With dozens of stories a day and over 1,400 links (none paid for) from global sites - including the BBC, Daily Mail and New York Post - is it any wonder we are getting over a million readers a month. Visit www.theolivepress.es and see how much content we have... and if you’ve got a business just how much exposure we can give you.
Here are the top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:
1 2
- France follows Spain in clampdown on outdoor heating inbars and restaurants (40,391 visitors) - REVEALED: British who own homes in Spain facing significant tax increase on rental profits post-Brexit transition (32,426)
3
- ‘Fuming’ British expat on Spain’s Costa del Sol files denuncia after 1,000 tonnes of rubble dumped at his Marbella dream home ‘blocks’ his view of Gibraltar and Morocco (30,397)
4 5
- EXPLAINED: The thick fog which arrived on Spain’s Costa del Sol today is a phenomenon dating back to the Phoenicians (30,020) - British in Spain must carry passport at all times or risk being detained by police, UK Foreign Office warns (26,525)
FALLEROS: Traditional Valenciano culture
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8
Off with its head
TWO men have been caught in the bloodthirsty act of beheading a protected wild sheep. The culprits were unaware that they were being tracked by Guardia Civil after being spotted roaming around a reserve in Navas de San Juan in Jaen. Agents tracked the pair on foot and caught them red-handed – literally – cutting off the head of protected a mouflon. One of the men froze while the other grabbed his rifle – which had shot the horned animal – and made a run for it through the woods. He was eventually caught in his 4×4 with his gun in the back seat. The bullet from the animal is now being tested to confirm it came from the man’s gun. The men, aged 32 and 58, are to be charged with crimes against the protection of flora and fauna.
GREEN
February 20th - March 4th 2020
A race for Easter
DAMAGE caused by the severe storm Gloria, which battered eastern Spain last month, has sparked a debate about coastal management. Questions have been raised about coastal development policies, as councils and business-owners struggle to repair and rebuild ready for the Easter holidays. Waves of five meters combined with torrential rain and gale force winds, caused over €54 million in damage, according to esti-
Seagrass shocker
SEAGRASS meadows are under greater threat from the plastic tide than first thought, a new study of ocean habitats has found. Research carried out in the Orkney seagrass beds found that every blade was contaminated with microplastic flakes, fibres and fragments. Seagrass performs many important functions such as creating habitats for other species, protecting small fish from predators and feeding many marine creatures. The Costa del Sol has seen a widespread increase of plastic on its beaches and in the sea, with Malaga one of the worst offenders.
Storm Gloria beach damage raises questions as resorts struggle to get ready for Easter holidays mates from the government. A total of 13 people were killed, while over 200 resorts were directly affected. In some popular resorts, beaches completely disappeared and sea defence barriers were displaced, with up to 35 metres of land being reclaimed back by the ocean. Local councils have been racing against the clock to repair the damage caused, ferrying in sand and materials to rebuild the sea defences and beaches ready for the influx of tourists at Easter. However local business owners are less than sympathetic as they demand long term solutions, because in their eyes it was ‘only a matter of time.’
Trouble on the terraces FRANCE has taken the lead on banning terrace heaters, in a bid to tackle climate change. The heaters, which are key to the Mediterranean al fresco dining culture, emit up to three kilos of CO2 every hour. The French town of Rennes has become the first in the country to axe heaters, with Spain set to follow suit. Madrid, which has more than 4,500 terraces, tried and failed to ban the heaters in 2017, despite a huge consensus. Barcelona has introduced regulations that will see the end of gas heaters in five years, while Granada has refused any ban.
How well does your investment or pension performance compare? One of the unique services Chorus offers is a full in-depth portfolio analysis which will help you understand exactly how well your current advisor is doing vs others and the wider markets. What exactly does this mean? Well, let’s first of all cover the factors that dictate the performance of your portfolios: *Charges *Your attitude to risk *The quality of your underlying funds *The quality of the overall fund allocation Charges speak for themselves – the lower the better, but without compromising on quality. Your attitude to risk should dictate the overall risk score of your portfolio. For example, you may be a Medium risk investor (this could be ‘Balanced’, or perhaps 4/7 on a risk score). This would generally mean we’d expect to see around 40-60% of your portfolio made up of the riskier types of assets, so stocks and shares, and the rest in more stable assets like fixed interest, bonds etc. The quality of your underlying funds is incredibly important – there are literally thousands of funds out there, and we’d expect to see clients in those that are performing in the top 5% in the World – not always the case from what we see here in Spain! The overall fund allocation is how your advisor has put your portfolio together. This could mean you have a good mix of say 12-16 high quality funds, all chosen for very specific re-
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asons to spread your assets across different sectors, geographical regions etc. If all of the above is done well, then this should result in you outperforming the overall investment markets, and indeed outperforming what’s on offer from other investment firms here in Spain. What we see in reality is that most people live in a bubble. They can see their performance, but they have no idea if it’s actually good when compared to the wider markets. If you’re a balanced investor and you’ve made 8% this year, is that a really good performance, or perhaps for the risk you’ve taken you might have expected more? How can you really know? This is where our analysis helps. We will input your exact portfolio (so the exact amount you hold in each fund) into a special system, and this will analyse exactly where your performance lies when compared to high quality portfolio runs by some of the UK’s top investment managers.
By Sam Kelly DipPFS, EFA, BA (Hons). Managing Partner, Chorus Financial rewards they are seeing can justify. Our analysis immediately identifies if you fall into that very dangerous category, and from that we can help you make changes to bring your risk vs reward back into balance. Naturally Chorus are happy to put our money where our mouth is, and the picture in this article is our Chorus Balanced portfolio, which we’ve been publishing for many years now,
benchmarked against the AFI Balanced portfolio. The AFI Balanced is the performance of a panel of the UK’s leading financial advice firms, and Chorus are very proud to say that we outperform them year after year. As this is a fairly labour-intensive service that we are currently offering for free, we are only able to carry it out for portfolios of £200,000 or more, or currency equivalent. Hopefully in the future we’ll be able to offer this to everyone. To take advantage you will need to email a full valuation – which shows the name of your funds and the exact level of each holding to s.kelly@chorusfinancial.es – please allow 5 working days for a response. If you wish to discuss this, or any other financial matters, you can call me direct on +34 664 398 702.
We’ll be able to tell you exactly how risky your portfolio is using the Financial Express Risk Scoring system – an industry leading benchmark. From this, we can tell you if your portfolio falls into the correct category for you – ie Cautious, Medium, High etc. So how can this help me? Well, when you put your money into any type of investment, you are balancing the risk you’re willing to take versus the potential rewards on offer. Sadly, here in Spain we see many people who are actually taking far more risk than the
Investment contracts are intended as medium to long term investments, and all investments have some level of risk. Figures in our articles are examples of what can be achieved and cannot be guaranteed; the value of your investments can go down as well as up. Fees and charges can vary and will be fully explained to you before any advice can take place. This article should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular product.
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LA CULTURA Buried treasure
9
February 20th - March 4th 2020
By Dilip Kuner
Get your freak on
HARRY Potter, Game of Thrones and Star Wars stars are coming to Malaga, it has been announced. Daniel Portman, who played Podrick in GoT will descend on Malaga for the city’s annual Freakcon Festival. He will be joined by Devon Murray, known for his role as Harry Potter’s pal Seamus Finnigan, while Star Wars actor Natalia Tena is also set to appear. Around 35,000 visitors are expected at the pop culture event, which also features manga, comics, anime and video games. It will be held at the Palace of Fairs and Congresses from March 7-8, with the Hollywood stars attending on the second day.
ON the night of October 31, 1631, the ruin of the Spanish kingdom arrived. Spain’s galleon Nuestra Señora del Juncal, loaded with more than one million pesos of gold, silver and precious stones, was swallowed up by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. But now, almost 400 years later an agreement
Spain and Mexico launch search for €1billion worth of lost treasure off South America
has been reached between Spain and its former colony to renew search efforts for the buried treasure.
The new campaign, to be carried out over 10 days
Get on board A TRUE treasure of the Spanish sea-faring era is set to dock on the Costa Blanca. The El Galeon ship will sail into Denia between February 23 to March 1. A perfect replica of the original 17th century galleon, it took the lead role in the trade and
Fine arts
I
in the spring, will be co-financed by the two countries and will involve a team from the National Museum of Underwater Archaeology (Arqva), led by archaeologist and historian Ivan Negueruela.
cultural routes into the Indies. Existing ships were not fit for purpose following Columbus’ discovery of the Caribbean islands in 1492. Hence the larger galleons were built to traverse the longest ocean voyages yet-covered by European nations. The ships carried 150 people on board and were up to 60m in length. Taking basic products for the colonies – wheat, olive oil, weapons, etc – the ships then brought back the treasures of the New World. El Galeon itself was built from 2009 to 2010 by the Nao Victoria Foundation. Designed and developed by Ignacio Vial at Punta Umbria shipyard, in Huelva, El Galeon has already sailed over 48,000 nautical miles around the world, visiting ports in four continents. Visitors may view the ship from 10am until 6.30pm. There is no guided tour, though visitors may speak with the ship’s crew and view the onboard museum installations.
Not paying your non-resident taxes in Spain could lead to sudden fines, write Sun Lawyers
MAGINE you are driving your car along a Spanish one-way system. From out of nowhere, a Guardia Civil officer steps into the road, right arm up, left arm pointing at you to pull over… What could go wrong? Several minutes later, you get a ticket (€1,500) because you had not realised your car insurance had expired. An innocent overlook, perhaps – but not enough to avoid the fine. This is exactly what could happen if you missed the deadline to pay your non-resident tax. Please read through this article that we’ve written to help you understand how non-resident taxes work.
country with an effective exchange of tax information with Spain will be charged a Spanish income tax rate of 19%. In either category, the general rule for fiscal non-residents is that tax is based on their gross Spanish source of notional income (benefit of having an asset), net rental income and on capital gains arising from assets located in Spain. You are a non-resident and property owner, what taxes should you pay?
You are a Spanish fiscal resident if you live more than 183 days per calendar year on Spanish territory (and had previously applied for a Spanish residency card). Otherwise, you are a fiscal non-resident. However, both fiscal non-resident and resident property owners in Spain are obliged to file annual income tax returns, as the Spanish tax system operates through self-assessment. The fiscal tax year in Spain begins on the 1st January and ends on the 31st December. Spanish fiscal non-resident annual tax returns are declared in arrears and hence the following year. How much tax will you have to pay?
Before we dive into it, there is an important rule you should keep in mind. When property is owned by more than one person, each person will be an independent taxpayer who will have to declare separate tax returns. The income tax amount will depend on the use of the property: A) Notional income tax on properties in private use Let’s say you were not the owner of the property during the whole year. In this case, you would only pay notional income tax that would apply to the period where you were the actual owner. This same formula would apply if you rent your property out. Notional income tax is calculated according to the calendar year – 1st January to the 31st December. B) Income tax on property that is rented out The rule here is: non-resident property owners who rent out their property are obliged to declare the total amount received and are taxed over the net income. Unlike notional income, this kind of tax is declared quarterly as follows: · 1st-20th April (1st quarter) · 1st-20th July (2nd quarter) · 1st-20th October (3rd quarter) · 1st-20th January (4th quarter) Have you got any questions on non-resident tax? If so, then please do let us know.
There are two main categories here: Non-residents in Spain from non-EU member states or non-EEA countries are required to declare income earned in Spain at a general rate of 24%. Non-residents of an EU member state or EEA
Sun Lawyers is a Spanish law firm founded in 1985 with more than 30 years experience. Our team of English-speaking lawyers represent both residents and non-residents in all aspects of legal, fiscal and property law. Contact details: Email: admin@sun-lawyers.com
What kind of homeowner are you? If you own property in Spain, you are within one of the following three groups: 1. Investor, to rent out (not possessing Spanish residency card) 2. Holiday home owner (not possessing Spanish residency card) 3. Permanent home owner (possessing Spanish residency card) If you’re within groups 1 and/or 2… keep reading please! Are you a Spanish fiscal resident?
Investigate
Negueruela said: “It is a unique opportunity to develop a great joint investigation, since Mexico and
HISTORIC: A sketch of the famous Nuestra Senora Spain signed the 2001 UNESCO convention for the protection of underwater heritage. “We have 20 years ahead of us to investigate a site that could yield 150 tonnes of historical material.” The treasure had been destined to pay for the wars in Flanders. For two long years Dutch pirates had made sure none of the wealth of the Spanish colonies in America had made it back to Spain. In desperation, the Spanish king, Philip IV, ordered the fleet to set sail during the Caribbean storm season. Therefore avoiding pirates who were far too sensible to sail at that time of year, but this was a huge gamble – one that Philip was to lose. Despite needing repairs, the Juncal set sail as part of a 13-strong fleet, only to sink, taking its vast treasure to the bottom of the sea – along with 261 members of its 300 crew.
British talent
BRITISH bands top the bill at the Brisa Festival lineup, which has just been announced for Malaga. Headliners Northern Irish indie-rock band Two Door Cinema Club are joined by Anglo-Spanish group Crystal Fighters. About 3,000 are expected to attend the event in the city’s port on June 19 and 20, with tickets starting at €35 from brisafestival.com.
HEADLINING: Two Door Cinema Club
LA CULTURA
10
February 20th - March 4th 2020
He has been dubbed the world’s richest man under 30. Now Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster is investing his millions in Spain and he’s not the only one. Heather Galloway looks at two British aristocrats going head to head here YOUNG AND FLUSH: Hugh Grosvenor
Westminster v
ROMANTIC: La Garganta has played host to Prince Harry and Wills as well as (left to right) Sofia Wellesley, James Blunt and Poppy Delavigne
T
FEUDAL: Huge La Garganta estate is shut off to hikers
HEY say it’s hard to tell members of the British aristocracy apart, the Duke of Westminster and the Duke of Wellington are cases in point, on paper at least. Both have close ties with the British royal family and both own estates in Spain to match the size of their bank accounts. But while the 9th Duke of Wellington’s attachment to the Iberian Peninsula is rooted in the past, dating back to his ancestor’s heroic exploits in Spain’s 19th century War of Independence, the 7th Duke of Westminster’s link with the country is a 21st century affair and looks set to become a conquest of a different sort. This seems fitting, given the generation divide – the Duke of Wellington, otherwise known as Arthur Charles Valerian Wellesley – is well into his 74th year while the Duke of Westminster (aka 16th Baron of Eaton, aka Hugh Grosvenor) has age on his side, having celebrated his 29th birthday at the end of January. The world’s richest man under 30 with a fortune of £10.1 billion, Tatler magazine voted him one of its most eligible bachelors. However he is rarely seen without his childhood sweetheart Harriet Tomlinson (below). One Duke has medals, the other money. The Duke of Wellington may have a more modest fortune but it would be hard to compete with the feats of his ancestor. The original Duke of Wellington was made Viscount of Talavera by the UK and Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo by Spain for his part in liberating
PARTNER: Harriet
the country from the French, crat Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenwith La Torre estate in Grana- stein. She was the woman who da thrown in. triggered the monarch’s fall La Torre sprawls over almost from grace back in 2011 when 1,000 hectares of land near it transpired the pair were the Andalucian town of Illora. hunting elephants in BotswaSaid to be the secret love nest na when Spain was still reeling of Prince Charles and Camilla from the economic crisis. Parker-Bowles when Princess Sun-kissed playgrounds for Diana was still alive, it boasts Europe’s blue-bloods they may a 19th century palace and be, but when it comes to their enough game to satisfy Davy respective neighbouring comCrockett. munities, these fincas have But it is dwarfed by the size also proved highly controverof La Garganta, the Duke of sial. Westminster’s fiefdom of al- A 40-minute drive north west most 15,000 hectares. Lying of Granada, La Torre has between Cordoba and Ciudad been dubbed ‘the Gibraltar Real, it was bought by the of Granada’ by locals, though Grosvenor Estate in 2001 for it is private property and very a reported €90 million, laying much subject to Spanish law. the foundations for the expan- In fact historian and the Chairsion of the family’s real estate man of Madrid’s Wellington portfolio in Spain. Society, Stephen Drake Jones, With its arid landscape rem- insists that such resentment iniscent of the African veld, would be unjustified. “The last La Garganta may be a far cry Duke [who died in 2014] went from the upmarket sophistica- there a lot because he loved tion of Grosvenor to hunt. He was Square in Lonvery humble don which the when he was Prince Wills family also owns, there and would and Harry along with anothnever have er 121 hectares treated anyone have regularly of land in Mayas though he fair and Belgrashot at Hugh’s were superivia; but this relor. The family estate ative backwater is very apprehas been a regciative of the ular retreat for estate and emPrince Charles’ sons, Prince ploys a lot of the local people.” Harry and Prince William. The In a show of appreciation, the royal connection runs deep. current Duke - whose eldest Hugh Grosvenor is godfather son Arthur Gerald Wellesley, to Prince William’s firstborn Earl of Mornington, will even(Prince George of Cambridge) tually inherit the title - donated while his late father was god- a four-figure sum around the father to heir apparent Prince time of his daughter’s wedding William himself. to restore the tower of the loLa Garganta is as much a par- cal Church of the Incarnation adise for hunters as La Torre, and upgrade a disintegrating only on a larger scale, but the sculpture of Christ. estates probably break even Few would contest the controwhen it comes to the roster versy that has surrounded La of European nobility passing Garganta, however. through their gates. Located in the Valle del AlLa Torre was the setting for cudia natural park and the Sithe wedding of the Duke of erra de Madrona, it is the last Wellington’s daughter, Lady of Spain’s macro fincas and Charlotte Wellesley, to Co- is equipped with a heliport, lombian aristocrat Alejandro church, school, clinic and a Santo Domingo in 2016. The number of palatial residencsinger James Blunt – married es, not to mention a staff of to the 8th Duke of Wellington’s 50 and herds of deer as well granddaughter Sofia Wellesley as numerous examples of wild – and Cara Delavigne’s sister boar and partridge. Poppy were among the 200 But it is the high fence surguests. rounding the finca and its Both fincas have been graced small army of guards who have by visits from Princess Caroline sometimes blocked the pubof Monaco and Prince Ernst of lic route running through the Hanover and, while La Torre property that has sparked reis said to have provided the sentment in the nearby towns backdrop to the Charles and of La Conquista and Minas de Camilla affair, La Garganta Horcajo and enraged ecoloalso saw its fair share of illicit gists. romantic action, including the Now Minas de Horcajo is all first meeting between Spain’s but bereft of residents and former King Juan Carlos and the furore has died down. But his mistress, German aristo- Hugh Grosvenor, known for
LA CULTURA
Wellington
11
February 20th - March 4th 2020
Spain’s favourite English aristocrat
Before he became the 1st Duke of Wellington (inset), General Wellesley was a hero in these parts. After fighting a handful of battles against the French in Portugal, he moved into Spain to defeat Napoleon’s forces at the Battle of Talavera in July 1809. The British gave him the title of Viscount Wellington of Talavera on the back of it and the Spanish reciprocated, making him Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo and Generalissimo of the Spanish armies. As they could not afford to pay him for this role, they gave him La Torre estate in Granada as a mark of their appreciation, though according to the chairman of Madrid’s Wellington Society, Stephen Drake Jones, he never spent any time there. In 1812, the dashing duke liberated Madrid, which brought him the title Earl of Wellington before going on to win the Battle of Vitoria in 1813, finally chasing the French over the Pyrenees. He was made Duke of Wellington in 1814, the year before he 9th DUKE: Charles Valerian Wellesley fought Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. THRONE: Queen Elizabeth II
GRANDEUR: At Wellington’s La Torre his aversion to publicity, has made sure that his estate is one of the most secretive and exclusive retreats in Europe – and a perfect springboard for territorial gains. Already the owner of more land in Britain than Elizabeth II – 0.22% compared to the Queen’s meagre 0.03% – recent investments suggest he is set to become a major play-
er in the Spanish real estate market. In 2017, the family group sunk €200 million into four property projects in Madrid. The most lavish is at number Calle de Jorge Juan in the upmarket Salamanca area and is being refurbished by the Ortiz León studio of architects, complete with an on-site Mediterranean garden.
COURTING: Former king and mistress Corrina
On the other side of the city’s main drag, in the Chamberí district, 12 apartments are being designed at Modesto Lafuente while a 100-year-old building on General Arrando street is being revamped and a new building put up behind the traditional façade bled since the crisis in 2008,” on García Paredes, a stone’s Grosvenor Estate’s European throw from the British Council. Managing Director, James Raynor, told Cinco According to the Días last year. Spanish finan“In Madrid, cial news site, Britain’s they still havCinco Días, the 342-year-old fam- seventh biggest en’t reached ily enterprise has taxpayer footed pre-crisis levels and that’s plans to sink anwhy we have other €100 milan 82 million redoubled our lion into the city euro bill investment in over the next 18 the Spanish months. market.” “The prices in London and Paris have dou- Before branding him another
ILLICIT: Camilla and Charles property shark, it is interesting to note that Hugh has made a number of headlines in recent years for the amount of taxes he pays into government coffers. Britain’s seventh biggest taxpayer, he footed an €82 million bill on home turf and another equally eye-watering sum abroad, where the family firm owns 1,500 properties. These are reportedly worth €8 billion and rake in an income of up to €15 billion – figures
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that make the €6 million spent on his 21st birthday bash seem entirely reasonable. So whatever the Duke of Westminster’s reception south of Ciudad Real, the Spanish treasury will be welcoming him with open arms … though when it comes to being accepted into Spanish high society, the Duke of Wellington wins hands down. He is, after all, ‘the most Spanish of the British nobility’, as the Spanish media would have it.
12
February 20th - March 4th 2020 Check out our issues online at www.theolivepress.es Andalucia Issue 73 OLIVE PRESS
Mijas Costa
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It’s all about
See the battle of British dukes and their Spanish property empires, pages 12 to 15
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HEAD TO HEAD I
VICTORY!
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A PEARL BEYOND PRICE
LEAMING like hills above a white pearl in the Marbella, no wonder, is the Benahavis classic whitecrown jewel of Andalucia’s Grant, Rod with the likes of visitors Stewart and Hugh villages for sons. do contributing Cristiano Ronalso many reato the town Most famously, The village hall coffers. it’s the richest cipality in billionaires is second home to a host of wealthiest the region and the muni- neighbouringwho have bought property per capita second swankiest La Zagaleta, in average income in all Spain Andalucia’s private with Putin pushing €29,000. is reportedlyurbanisation. Vladimir And one - although the
HEAD TO HEAD II It’s Westminster vs Wellington
With a driving Charlie term with butterflies Spain, picking are certainly says first day of parents. after school of academia,” there on the can southern choice question. just the of School and activities a barrage E’VE all been – and that’s starting a new school Internationalschools “Exam results parents don’t want days of is a multiple a cheat sheet alike, Sotogrande in our stomachs think nerve wracking and adults force but some head teacher atschool, and I don’t decide For children memorable and/or Smith prepares James Kearney, a balanced dads pacthe most to help you versions of suit their (SIS). “They want mums and be one of into the best school will of anxious little one has walked answers exam factories. about which overleaf our lives. children develop should be from the number after their them to get on with it Continues long and hard when it Parents want to see You can tellthe school gates long for choice will have thought parents leave are spoilt of Spain’s premier ing outside you really Although some far prefer. the best for child. with some in Andalucia, through them. which older kidsin common is wanting to enjoy them. for your Fortunately quality education, along independently,all parents have to a perfect climate launchpad final tweak before the the kitchen comes facilities and thepicking the perfect But one thing going long sporting it makes their children.for the big day gettie) and the cry from Unfortunately, Preparations (aka the school parents of the nooseyour packed lunch!’ and buffed to a shine, ‘Don’t forgetshoes are purchased Before new
ll about
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expat
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All this and more in our free Education Supplement.
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to The new drive means the need in get more flights to new markets America, Asia and the Middle East. up It is hoped flights will be set between New York, Washington and Miami, making up for the loss of the Delta Airlines route to New York cancelled last year. The plans come in an 800-page marketing plan for 2020-2023, which has detailed 213 objectives to increase competitiveness. These include improving the quality of jobs and boosting the €16.8 billion market by 3.4% each year. They also want to focus marketing spend more on the Nordic market. A
Your voice in Spain
February 19th - March 3rd, 2020 Vol. 13 Issue 337 www.theolivepress.es
A 16-page
Education
T STROKES DIFFEREN W
by MALAGA is bracing for Brexit looking to the US and Middle East to reduce its reliance on the traditionally important British market. The province’s tourism bosses to have decided the area needs not diversify in terms of visitors just from the UK, but also the local market. a “If the national market catches cold we don’t want to get pneumonia,” said tourism boss Francisco Salado, “we want to have an antidote.”
GLOBAL APPEAL
2020
Unlike its well-heeled residents you don’t need deep pockets to enjoy the wealth of natural wonders in Benahavis, writes Joanne Oakley
Expat couple will keep Costa home in landmark win against Rothschild bank
By Laurence Dollimore
A BRITISH expat couple have wona a landmark legal battle against bank after being duped into mortgaging their dream home to plunder their cash into supposedly ‘low-risk’ investments. Pensioners Barry and Marion Joyce were about to lose their home in Benalmadena, which had cost them their life savings, after becoming trapped in the sophisticated financial product. Devised by the Rothschild bank, the product targeted expats who no had properties in Spain with
Rothschild to return ‘every penny in paid’ so far by the Joyces, both their 70s. to They have also been allowed to keep more than €15,000 given on them by the bank as a signing bonus.
mortgages. It allowed them to take out mortgages worth up to 75% of the value of their homes with the proceeds then invested with an insurance company to provide an income. inBut things went awry when the vestments did not perform as well as promised, leaving the expats unable to pay off their mortgages. Now a judge from Malaga has condemned the bank, ruling in favour of the Joyces. The Torremolinos court annulled Everything you need to know in our the entire mortgage and ordered free travel guide pages, 23 to 34
Beautiful Benahavis
DUPED: The Joyces joyous after
Demanding
It is the first sentence to directly vertised as ‘safe products’. condemn N.M Rothschild & Sons In the case of the Joyces, they took and its Credit Select Series Four out a loan of €227,000 with the arm, which marketed the Spanish bank which was invested into supInvestment Transfer and Income posedly ‘low risk’ financial prodMobilisation Plan (Sitimp). are ucts abroad. inMore than 100 other cases This product was actually a life set to come before courts around surance through a company called Spain over the next few years. Aspecta Assurance International In each case, once expats agreed Luxembourg SA, which was also to mortgage their homes, the bank condemned in the case. the couple’s assessed their property and immeits In the first year alone diately gave them 5 to 10% of in €227,000 investment sunk by a value shocking €55,443. cash. T h e y Stress t h e n u s e d By 2016, 10 years after signing their eq- onto the deal, the investment had to uity not grown and the Rothschild bank i n v e s t was demanding €302,000 in mortin what gage repayments from the couple. were adThe bank threatened that if they didn’t pay their home would be taken from them. The stress of the case was similar
Gibraltar Issue 115
landmark win to many other cases the Olive Press five has reported on over the last years. In 2017, we reported how bank owner, French aristocrat Baron David de Rothschild had been the forced to answer questions over investments in an Alicante court. sciThe multi-millionaire banking the on denied any knowledge of complex case that saw up to 1000, mostly British pensioners, lose millions. not Rothschild insisted that he ‘did know’ about the product. “I was not personally involved in the contracts”, he wrote in French. Marbella lawyer, Antonio Flores, of Lawbird, who is helping doz-a ens of British pensioners mount class action against the Rothschild “I enterprise, told the Olive Press: find it shocking that the man who’s a boss in a bank doesn’t know one about what was going on with of his companies or anything about the product that was being sold”, he said. Opinion Page 6
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Vol. 5, Issue 115 www.theolivepress.es February 5th - February 18th 2020
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND? Take a visit to Granada’s secret Acropolis, or a peek at Spain’s most original expat art. See pages 12 to 15
Goose chase EU ruffles feathers over Boris’s plans for Canada trade model
A UK plan for a Canada-style free trade deal with the European Union has been rejected. It comes as UK Prime Minister
Will EU play fair?
Boris Johnson laid out his vision for a trade deal with Brussels sisting there was ‘no need’ to infollow EU rules.
His aim is an agreement like the one Canada signed in 2016 where import tariffs on most goods have been eliminated.
Picardo calls on the bloc to approach postBrexit negotiations with ‘generosity of spirit’
The flow of services, such as banking – which is of more importance to the UK – however are much more restricted. He also mentioned however, that if this deal is not reached the UK will return to the Withdrawal Agreement, or have a similar deal to Australia. Boris used his speech - titled ‘unleashing Britain’s potential’ highlight the fact that the UK to intends to revert to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms if the EU refuses such a deal. He said: “The choice is emphatically not ‘deal or no deal’. “The question is whether we agree a trading relationship with the EU comparable to Canada’s - or more like Australia’s.
“Much will be said By John Culatto to seek to divide us or make you fear the ‘PEOPLE must come before rheto- progress or potential ric, borders or politics.’ outcomes of the negoThat is the message from Gi- tiations. braltar Chief Minister ahead of “Remember: that is post-Brexit talks with Spain. the oldest trick in the The message was part of the Brex- book for a negotiating it Day speech which was marked opponent. by the taking down of the EU flag and its replacement with that of Spirit the Commonwealth on January “Instead, we must 31. Competition Fabian Picardo said Gibraltar’s work to protect the “In either case, I have no doubt ‘political safety’ as a British terri- frictionless fluidithat Britain will prosper mightily.” tory was not on the table as talks ty of people across He added he will reject the between the UK and Spain begin our frontier with Euquirement for the UK to adopt rerope.” Euon its future outside the EU. ropean rules ‘on competition polHe said he would ‘not TALKING TOUGH: Picardo “We will not accept any attempt icy, subsidies, social protection, to be bares his teeth in EU speech able to give a blow by blow accompromise our sovereignty, the environment, or anything simju26. Picardo expressed ‘genuine “If all the talk in relation to risdiction or control over any part count of every meeting or contact’ Gi- ilar, any more than sadness’ about leaving the EU when the process gets going in al- braltar is of vetoes, then our Eu- be obliged to accept the EU should of our territory,” assured Picardo. Al- though he hoped its values UK rules’. geciras on February would ropean colleagues The EU’s chief be expressed in be failing us, they will not just Barnier, was negotiator, Michel will be failing not so forthcoming the Future Trade themselves. and offered a contrasting opinion. Agreement. “That is not the generosity of spir- He said the EU was ready to offer “If the EU takes it and approach which this histor- a ‘highly ambitious trade deal as a line in rela- ic moment requires the central pillar of this partnerof us all.” tion to Gibral- Despite Brexit, the ship’. Chief Minister He tar which is not said that Gibraltar added it included ‘zero tariffs inclusive of us, that the ‘safest coursehad realised and zero quotas’. UK BASED is with Brit- But according the EU will have ain that we know, trust and un- dependent on to Barnier this is failed to under- derstand’. the UK agreeing to ‘specific and effective guarantees stand why the to ensure a level playing field’, UK is leaving,” so Time’s Up Page 6-7 competition ‘is and remains open said Picardo. and fair’. for Spanish The highly controversial issue of residents fishing was also addressed with the Frenchman expecting the www.globelink.co.uk to allow ‘continued reciprocal UK access’. See page 5 President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said 96 626 5000 negotiations will be ‘hard and +44 (0) 1353 699082 and fast’ but that the closer fair UK wanted to be to the Union, the more it had to abide to its rules.the
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Your expat
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February 6th - February 19th 2020
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND? Take a visit to Spain’s secret Acropoli See page 10
Oh and it’s Valentines Day, chaps! Don’t Forget Find our romantic recipes inside
LIFE ON THE EDGE, See page 5
Back to his old tricks See page 14
SAFELY HOME: Gatsby
Expat pet transport scoundrel emerges again after years working below the radar around Spain
SOCIAL media recommendations can be life-saving – but for one over-trusting Costa Blanca expat a post led her into the hands of an alleged serial conman. The recommendation for a pet transport company on Facebook saw Maria Vila lose €350 to firm she claims is a ‘scam’ anda operating ‘without appropriate licences’. The 43-year-old had contacted Pet Taxi Transport to arrange the travel of her cat from London to her home in Spain in January. Despite further checks she paid the company in full to bring her kitten, a Cornish Rex called Gatsby to her villa in Gandia, Valencia. It was only when owner Jeremy Griffiths (above right) refused requests to provide basic company information that Vila became suspicious. “I then put his name into Google to find his company website, and
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
I was absolutely speechless,” Maria told the Olive Press. “Articles from the Olive Press came up over a number of years about dogs dying in transit and other problems. I then found Jeremy insisting one poor client’s dog had died because it was ‘overweight and fat’.” She continued: “Most pet transporters I’ve known are amazing and will bend over backwards for a beloved pet, but this man is an utter crook.” She immediately cancelled the order and asked for a refund for the January 25 trip. However, when no refund was made, she was forced to shell out an extra €275 for a separate transport company to deliver her kitten.She has now made a
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denuncia to the Guardia Civil and reported Griffiths to Malaga Trading Standards (OMIC). But without any registration details it will be difficult to see results. “I’m determined to stop this man,” insisted Vila. “He is so dodgy, using his mother’s address and an English mobile number.” When contacted by the Olive Press, Griffiths was unrepentant and insisted his business was registered in the UK – however Companies House has no record of the company ever existing. A spokesperson for the UK’s Defra Transport Compliance Team confirmed in emails that there is ‘no transporter authorisation for Mr Griffiths’. Griffiths, based in Torre del Mar, near Malaga, added Maria had ‘violated clause 11’ of the company’s contract as she cancelled
under 24 hours in advance and was therefore ‘not entitled’ to a refund. However clause 11 of the contract, seen by the Olive Press, makes no mention of cancellations and instead details what will happen in the event no person is present to receive a pet.
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Dan Coughlan, Northampton www.animalexpress.org
What a load of tax
Readers react to Spain’s VAT clampdown on charity shops
Brexit punishment
Well done to them for ruining help for charities. Maybe they are getting money together to fill in the black hole in the EU now it doesn’t have UK money. Good luck to them with that. Jannette Blakeley, La Zenia
Shame on you
This is appalling. As these are all second-hand, donated good – the VAT has already been paid on the original transaction when the goods were originally purchased. Charity shops are non-profit and staffed by volunteers. What cheek for the taxman to squeeze monies out of charities and in effect, double dipping on the sale of goods! Chris Olsen, Benitachell
Flead off
Do the flea markets in Spain selling 2nd hand goods charge IVA?! Will Lospinos, Alicante
IVA chill pill
It’s really not so bad. I run a wee shop, and if you’re paying me 20€ for a frock, a part of that is already the IVA. My customers are not paying it on top. The reality for charity shops is that the 3€ bargain will probably be re-priced at 3,50€, to take into account the IVA. Still a great bargain for the customer, the charity hasn’t lost out, and the taxman is happy. Also, the charity will take off expenses before the IVA is paid. The morality of charging IVA on charitable donations is another matter, but as long as it’s the law, best work within it, as no-one wants to be on the wrong side of the Hacienda. Nicola Franklin, Javea
Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@ theolivepress.es or message us on at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress
No glory While Gloria has wreaked havoc throughout Spain, I wish those of you who have suffered losses of any kind, my sincerest condolences (It’s an ill wind for reservoirs, Issue 336, pg 10). I have been looking forward to the day I could report the latest water levels of the reservoir in Istan. A couple of weeks ago, I wandered down to the lake, to be hugely surprised by the change in water levels (see my pic above). Michele Brecknell, Istan
Onwards and upwards You buy a home, you think you have a view, until someone builds in front of you (Getting ready to rumble, Issue 336, pg 8). A view is not guaranteed, unless your property is on the front line. Sorry, that’s how it is here. If there is empty ground in front of you, you’re going to have something happen to it, normally upwards! Sue Cowin, Cartama
Climate unicorns We are in a grand solar minimum, so yes we can expect more extreme weather worldwide as the jet streams wander (Buckle up, Issue 336, pg 10). Look back in history and you will see that this is a repeating pattern. l guess it’s all ‘survivable’, but a few poor souls died and we must respect their friends and family. For them the nightmare is very real. There are always a handful of unicorns who believe nothing until it’s on their doorstep... Jacqui Suksamran-Borlant, Jerez
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Heart-attack
He said the money would be used to help bring over a pet ‘for charity’ in the future. It comes after Dianne Lunt, from Marbella, said her pet pug suffered a heart-attack while in transit under Griffiths from Spain in 2013. Another expat, Alec Strathern, also denounced Pet Taxi Transport after claiming his three dogs were transported in a van without ‘air conditioning’ and with holes in the floor.
Dear Olive Press, The lamentable animal transport tale revealed by the Olive Press (Back to his old tricks, Issue 336, pg 1) fills my heart with despair – despair because we have been here before. I pity the poor woman who lost €300, for she is just Jeremy Griffith’s latest victim, as your coverage since 2013 attests. Please warn you readers once again: the transport of pets is a highly specialised service, something NOT to just any ‘man-with-van’ purporting to be ‘libe trusted toTrio LEAVERS: and experienced’ just because they claim able censed, of Brits in Spain such on social media. Live animal transport is a ‘protected profession’ in law. To procure or conduct without licences is a criminal act – so be especially aware of removal companies offering to ‘take your pet’ too. Live animals are NOT freight. n – not as a political for their lly,ours. aresees The rules EU, essentia theprotectio Moore Rose ers opd transport real, authorise few, proud, very and pg 7). The of the As one hip Issue 325, (Leave dictators law, I can domesticstates, UKsovereign and28 EU, Spanish under erating . There are opposite is the reality seeking when rulesto follow these owners petUK, advise allthe become ly chose whichtovoluntari including : transport pet would UK the that believes Dunne Steve d. associate ndations social media on terms. Do notonrely 1. better to. In I’m not going Not so.recomme WTO fair l Agraria Comarca Oficina local by to your page speak Spain, and chapter quoting letters down your weigh ministry – agricultureinto – of the Spanish (OCA) officerecomme the looks. nd that Steve verse, business canI confirm the legalityheofknows. whichbut Trump that any industry of offices specifics call Deprefer but if youThat speak English, Most OCA should UK in EU-free with an a trade deal Carlisle. trying to get isfra/APHA desk rt (WIT) n-Transpo ’s Welfare-I deals ng tradeconcerni Trump’s know: to want you all you claims tell all validate to happy are staff Their Brent Mahler speaks for Finally, es. labels.business US-first have gistered British-re armed force EU provider’ anthe of of s Transwary citizens of UK copy number a hard a 2. to see Demand ideas t aredocumen , these paper union. an A4-sized closer – it’sHowever tion an ever and Authorisa porter ers alpolicy. I am EU transport and notReal ut Europe. people d througho by specific floated recognise their on of pro-webyears numbers Type-240-plus insidious least the their post atat waysworried more site. against the EEC/EU by the Mail, Telegraph, paganda issuing did auany licence What Sun.the the number The with 3. CheckTimes and, ofofcourse, Express, away. , then is no so anthere he was whywalk thority. Ifsay was asked hevalidation when Murdoch professio the“When withof: is: check into the advice I gonals…alAgain, the lines g along Somethin ti-EU? ways! The EU.” the to go I when say: I what do they 10 No. implication is that he had to ask for an appointment!
96 649 1883 www.moraira-hamiltons.net
OP QUICK Crossword Across 1 Slice of bacon (6) 5 Packet (6 8 Private feud (8) 9 Defence organisation (1,1,1,1) 10 Unfavourably (3) 11 Malady (8) 13 Forgiveness (6) 16 Worn on a necklace (6) 19 Adolescent (8) 23 Quick-fire talk music (3) 24 Increase in size (4) 25 Gesture of approval (6,2) 26 Die from lack of food (6) 27 Make more intense (6)
OP Sudoku
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ANDALUCÍA
PET PROTECTION
LETTERS
Down 2 The New World (7) 3 Nestled together (7) 4 Charges (5) 5 Space surrounding an altar (7) 6 Argument (3,2) 7 Vows (5) 12 North American deer (3) 14 Cereal grass (3) 15 Bedtime lingerie (7) 15 Responsive to drugs (7) 18 Marry (7) 20 White heron (5) 21 More recent (5) 22 Circular (5)
All solutions are on page 22
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Last orders
13
February 20th - March 4th 2020
Spain’s Oscar winner
SPAIN may not have officially won an Oscar this year. But one of its companies has hit the Academy Award jackpot, after one of its products - the crisps Bonilla a la vista hit the big time. It happened after the brand was seen prominently in huge winner, the Korean film Parasite. The scene has led to the Galician family firm seeing a 150% rise in sales in just two weeks. Helped by an army of unofficial social media ‘influencers’ Bonilla’s tasty snacks are seeing a full-blown craze. Bonilla, based in the town of Arteixo, already exports 40 tonnes of its crisps to the Asian country each year. This makes it by far its biggest market outside Spain, although it does export to 20 nations. The company, headed by Cesar Bonilla, 87, has been making crisps for almost a century and it remains a family firm with 100 employees. The firm produces about 540 tonnes of crisps each year. While a 500 gram tin costs €13 in Spain, it weighs in at a chunky €23 in South Korea.
By Dimitris Kouimtsidis
THE number of bars and restaurants closing down in Spain is on average 2,000 per year. In 2017, Spain had 246,203 establishments. That number dropped to 244,428 in 2018 and 242,443 in 2019. That means that over the last two years, 3,760 es-
Hotels and restaurants increase on costas, while it’s closing time for thousands of Spanish bars tablishments have closed down. In the specific case of bars, we have gone from having 167,798, to 165,736. Celia Rodriguez, an expert at Nielsen consulting said: “Behind this phenomenon
Reeling amazing
are demographic movements, the population does not grow but ages. “In addition, the villages are emptying and people are moving to the cities, so bars are closing in rural areas and instead opening in
TO those in the know, the rushing rapids of Lleida’s River Ebro and the angry waters of the Rock of Gibraltar are among Europe’s top fishing spots. Now they have been honoured in a new list of the ‘top 10 best places to go angling in 2020’, compiled by fishingbooker.com. The river town of Lleida in Catalunya is well known for its enormous wels catfish, which can reach more than 200 pounds (see left). Gibraltar on the other hand is the only route between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, making it a superhighway for huge, predatory fish. Tenerife was also honoured in the rankings for its seabream, amberjack, and dentex, which roam the reefs, while marlin and tuna hunt in the bluewaters just a mile or two offshore.
urban areas.” Independent bars and clubs are the ones suffering the most. This is due to a change in the consumption habits of Spaniards, as more drinks are now drunk in the day time than late at night. Out of over 240,000 establishments in the country, 186,000 are the hybrid cafeteria-bar type, highlighting the above trend even further. Millenials Rodriguez added: “The aging population has a lot to do with this loss, because as people get older, they tend to go to bars less.” The same applies for clubs, with late night customers having decreased between 30% and 40%. Rodriguez concluded: “Millennials are not choosing to go out at night and those from previous generations haven’t stopped going out, but they don’t do it at night anymore.” On the coasts however, things look a little bit different. Bars are closing down, but more hotels and restaurants are opening.
You’ve been mangoed MALAGA beer brand Cruzcampo has gone hipster with a fruity new limited edition pale ale. The world famous brewery is courting beer aficionados and gastronomy lovers with its ‘Mangos de Malaga’ tipple. Flavoured with one of Malaga’s most important tropical exports, the new IPA will form part of the drinks giant’s new ‘Sessions’ range, designed to promote Andalucia’s seasonal specialities by letting local ingredients shine. According to the brains behind the project, Mangos de Malaga is a light-bodied, medium-high bitter and dark reddish amber beer (4.5 ABV). It has caramel notes from toasted malts and fruity highlights like citrus and pinaceae, contributed by hops, as well as mango.
14
February 20th - March 4th 2020
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Appy wandering Spanish app Wikiloc fuels hiking resurgence with 13 million routes globally, writes Dimitris Kouimtsidis
W
HEN you think of expats and tourists in Spain, you tend to think of them going to the coast to bask on beaches and soak up the sun. However, increasingly they’re heading for the hills and spending more of their free time on
biking and hiking. That’s where apps like Google Maps and Wikiloc really come in handy. You have definitely heard of the former, but may not have heard of Wikiloc, an app you can use to find obscure hiking trails and cycling routes that have been
uploaded by other users. One of the most important features is that the GPS works offline, conserving mobile data, especially in remote locations where it’s difficult to get a signal. Something else you may not know is that the app was creat-
ed in Spain. Spokesperson Berta Nicolazzi described it to the Olive Press as “a collaborative platform with a community of outdoor enthusiasts exploring and sharing millions of great outdoor trails around the world for hiking, cycling, and many other activities”. When someone discovers a new trail, they can choose to upload details of it on the app, including location, distance, time it takes, difficulty and pictures. This enables fellow explorers to discover these ‘hidden’ gems and have an idea of what to expect. “Our goal is to help people have better experiences before, during and after their outdoor activities”, said Nicolazzi. Wikiloc was created in 2006 by Catalan Jordi Ramot and in the same year, Google Maps Spain rewarded him for his hard work. Apple even included it as the ‘app of the day’ on the app store. In 2008, it reached an agreement with Google to show the routes as a default layer in Google Earth, although it didn’t renew its agreement in 2019. As of October 2019, Wikiloc has more than 5 million members, sharing a whopping 13 million routes and 24 million photo-
graphs and videos. app, it has also spread around Ramot is a computer engineer the world. and a big fan of outdoor train- On the first day of the app’s ing, off piste skiing and moun- launch, someone posted a tain biking. route in Japan and it’s now in The Catalan is also an avid fan dozens of countries around the of taking pictures where he vis- world. its. This desire to share experi- “We didn’t believe it,” he said. ences is what led him to create One of the reasons you may a web page where he uploaded not have heard of Wikiloc is bethe images of his routes and to cause it doesn’t spend much which some friends had signed on advertising. up. “We can’t afford In the days beit,” says the CEO. fore Google That’s why they World famous Maps, Ramot rely so heavily on would have to good customer hikes like the contact local experiences and pilgrimage to libraries and word of mouth to archives and regrow their memSantiago de quest access to bership. the cartography But why has Compostela of the spaces Wikiloc had so he wanted to inmuch success? clude online. A big factor is the Fortuitously, Google Maps hit change in our holiday tastes, acSpain shortly after the launch of cording to resident expat and Wikiloc, making the new compa- hiking expert Guy Hunter-Watts ny’s job a lot simpler. who has authored several guide “It simplified the work a lot, we books on walking in Andalucia. went from thousands of lines of “People are keener on walking code to about 20 or 30 to get now, they’re not just interested the same result”. in beaches and museums,” he The idea was created in Girona, told the Olive Press. which is still where the compa- “It’s not just a form of exercise ny’s headquarters are based. but also entertainment.” Although, Catalunya is one of Hiking is very trendy at the mothe most popular regions on the ment, but Hunter-Watts reckons
EXPLORING: Wikiloc now maps every region of Spain and dozens of countries globally
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
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February 20th - March 4th 2020
EXPERTS: Guy Hunter-Watts (right) is a fan of Ramot’s (left) work it has only become popular in the last three decades. “This is especially the case with world famous hikes like the pilgrimage that leads to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia,” he explained. “It attracts all sorts of people, even some who aren’t necessarily experienced walkers, who just want to do it because it’s famous,
sort of like visiting a famous monument.” Technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives and the same applies for hiking. “These phone apps have helped me greatly with writing my books,” he continued. The 61-year-old guide believes that
apps such as Wikiloc are great because they provide the perfect backup in case someone gets lost, but he doesn’t believe in relying on it for your entire trip. “I’m a purist and a romantic, it can detract from the pleasure of the hike, a map, a compass and a key sense of direction are a better set of tools.”
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Costa Carnival 16
February 20th - March 4th 2020
CARNIVAL is coming to the Costa Blanca to celebrate the beginning of Lent. Town Halls up and down the region are organising fancy dress parties, activities for children and latenight fiestas for the main event on Saturday February 22. In Javea, a children’s parade is scheduled for 5pm, followed by music and animations until the adult’s parade begins at 11.30pm with prizes for ‘best indi-
By Joshua Parfitt
vidual’, ‘best couple’ and ‘best group’ outfits. Denia is celebrating its ‘oriental’ themed Carnestoltes 2020, requesting visitors base their attire around the ‘East’. Prizes for the 5.30pm parade will be awarded for ‘minis’ (up to four years), ‘children’ (5-12), ‘dos’ (couples of any age) and ‘comparsas’ (groups of 3+ and of any age).
All you need to know about the carnival celebrations on the Costa Blanca Calpe will spend the whole day celebrating, with music and activities from 1pm until prize giving at 10pm. Cash prizes up to €450 will be awarded for individuals, couples and groups. Moraira will hold its parade at 12pm, followed
by paella and drinks at 1.30pm and a dance act at the Plaza de la Sort. A children’s parade will be held in Pego at 10.30, followed by a massive street
spectacle at 7.30pm featuring 150 artists, dancers, live music, theatre
Ronaldo beds down in Madrid
Going nuts
ALMOND blossom is the sole inspiration for a month-long festival that takes place annually among the almond groves on Alcalali. This weekend the festivities will come to a close – but there is still time to breathe in the pollen and soothe your eyes with the white-pink blossom. On February 22 and 23 a hikers walk is organised to meander through the almond groves in the surrounding Vall de Pop. The walk, which is around six kilometres long, will depart from the Placa de l’Ajuntament.
and circus acts. A street disco will keep partygoers up from 11pm until late.
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has announced he will open a hotel in Spain’s capital this summer – the first to open outside the soccer star’s native Portugal. The Juventus forward’s €15 million ‘CR7’ development will occupy a 1920s building currently being renovated by design studio B76. It will be followed by other openings in Marrakech and New York later this year, Manchester in 2021 and Paris in 2023.
The walks are followed by markets of handicrafts, organic produce and local fare. Games and traditional Valencian songs will follow Saturday’s walk, while an exhibition and awards ceremony of the fifth Photo Marathon will take place on Sunday at the Ethnological Museum. The closing ceremony will take place at 6pm on Sunday.
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PROPERTY
18
February 20th - March 4th 2020
Brexit bombshell Renting out your Spanish home as a Brit is about to be a lot less profitable
Currently, as European Union citizens, Britons pay 19% tax on the profits made from renting out their properties, and IT’S bad news for Brits who own homes in Spain and rent According to economist San- rentals will rocket by 5% after after deducting expenses. This them out for extra cash or to tiago Lapausa, the tax paid by the transition period unless a is done every quarter. However, once the transihelp pay the bills. Brits on profits earned from specific deal is reached. tion period ends and Britons are labelled as third country citizens, that tax will increase to 24% of the gross rental income and they will NOT be allowed to deduct any expenses. The warning was made HE is one of the UK’s most suc- The commission fees agents by Lapausa at the cessful living sportsmen. charge for the work they do DAVID Brexit and Now? conLLOYD: Now tennis legend and entre- making the cost prohibitive to From ference in Marbella, preneur David Lloyd is serving many homeowners. organised by the Centennis to up a new service to the Spanish “Sell4LessSpain gives owners property tre for Tourism Initiaproperty market. choice, and a wide exposure tives, lawyer Ricardo The former Davis Cup captain - due to the extensive marketing plained: “Having David on Bocanegra and British who went from winning Junior presence we have across the board gives our customers the consul Charmaine ArWimbledon to launching the major property portals!” reassurance they need from an bouin. UK’s best known gym business Sell4Less Spain is a UK compa- online service. We are a real, But it’s not just the - has teamed up with online ny owned by two businessmen what we do works, and we get Brits who may suffer, property firm Sell4LessSpain. from London, both with homes results! We are not a “for sale given that 50% of the Costa del Sol real escom. in Andalucía. by owner” site." Joining as an executive director, It has grown and reshaped Simon continued: "In addi- tate market and perhe is enthusiastic about the on- since its initial launch in 2014 tion to our standard services haps and even larger line business, which covers the and reports to have saved cus- we also offer services includ- percent of the Costa entire Iberian peninsula. tomers over €4Million in com- ing viewings, photography & Blanca market relies “I am delighted to be part of the mission and counting! plans, EPC’s, legal assistance on British buyers. have long been team at Sell4LessSpain,” he The company uses all the major and much more. We are here Brits sold on buy-to-let told the Olive Press this week. property search portals, includ- to help at every stage of the property purchases as “I believe the service the com- ing Rightmove Overseas, Kyero, process. We believe in provid- a way to offset mortpany provides is exactly what Zoopla, ThinkSpain and many ing a high quality service for a gage costs. the Spanish market requires.” more to generate leads. The low monthly cost which we can Additionally, property He continued: “Sell4LessSpain properties are also advertised sustain based on the volume of managers have creatis shaking up the traditional online with the Daily Mail and properties we represent” ed a whole industry in agent model in Spain – to the Sunday Times. Visit www.sell4lessSpain.com looking after and manbenefit of the consumer. Director Simon Pelling ex- or call 951 490 285 aging such properties. By Laurence Dollimore
How to net your perfect buyer!
&
SOLD!
+34 965 270 636 info@coastandcountry.properties www.coastandcountry.properties
When it comes to selling your property, choose people who care. List your property with us...
BUSINESS
19
February 20th - March 4th 2020
Hanging up on tech show THE Mobile World Congress in Barcelona has been cancelled due to coronavirus fears. Organisers GSMA were left with little other choice after Amazon, Sony and a slew of big names dropped out of the biggest mobile phone showcase in the world. It means the economy will miss out on a €490 million boost and some 14,100
It’s all adding up ALDI has announced it will hire an extra 120 people in Alicante. The supermarket chain is expanding in Spain this year and is planning to hire a total of 800 members of staff. This has the aim of strengthening its already existing 308 stores but also with the view to opening new ones. With this new hiring process, staff numbers are going to rise by 20% since 2017. 90% of the new personnel will be in store, whereas the remaining 10% will be based in the central headquarters. Spain is a strategic market for ALDI and the company’s growth has been gradual over recent years. In fact, in recent years ALDI has experienced huge growth until the end of 2019; with 4,354 employees during that period. The areas where the highest volume of staff will be hired are Alicante, Malaga, Cadiz, Sevilla, Madrid and Barcelona.
part-time jobs. GSMA CEO John Hoffman said the coronavirus outbreak has made it 'impossible' to put on the event, scheduled to take place in Barcelona on February 24. More than 1,000 people have been killed by the virus with some 42,000 infected. It has spread to at least 25 countries, including the UK and Spain.
Pack your bags
EUROSTAR bosses have announced that they’re planning to expand throughout western Europe, including Spain. One of the journeys planned for the train company would connect London St Pancras International to Barcelona. The projected travel time between the two cities is around six and a half hours, based on calculations of speed, distance and existing train times. Transport Secretary Grant
Rail giant Eurostar to connect London with Barcelona, for new super-fast six-hour journeys
Shapps said: “We are fully committed to expanding international rail routes as a Government – and Eurostar is too. “Among those destinations mentioned to be added in the future is Bordeaux, Spain and
Holiday essentials
TOURISTS are spending most of their money in supermarkets, a study has revealed. In Valencia alone, 29.5 million foreign and domestic tourists visited in 2019 – a record number for holidaymakers. Just over €2.1 billion of a collective spend of €13.4 billion was in supermarkets alone, a figure representing 15.8%. That is according to the Trade and Territory Office of Valencia’s Chamber of Commerce (PATECO). It reported that out of the €2.1 billion, for every €10, a total of €6 was spent on everyday goods, such as food, drink, toiletries and cleaning products.
Portugal.” This new venture is pencilled in to be introduced once the planned merger with Franco-Belgian high-speed train firm Thalys comes into effect in 2021. The company wants to directly compete with low-cost airlines that offer cheap city breaks. The train is seen as a more environmentally attractive option for eco-friendly travellers who are concerned about the harmful impact of flying. This comes after the announcement that the first Amsterdam to London service was officially launched. Currently the furthest the Eurostar travels is to the south of France, which is around 800 miles from London.
Dear Jennifer: Are there any changes I have to do immediately, now the Brexit decision is made?
O
ver the last year, I have been trying not to get too involved publicly in Brexit. Having lived and worked in Spain for over 30 years, I consider myself to be European. What saddens me most of all, is the surrendering of my EU British passport. I wonder if the UK really understands the implications of coming out of the EU and whether it is just a fairy story – only time will tell. I am relieved a decision has finally been made and some of the uncertainty has gone. I, along with other businesses, can start to make decisions for the future. For the moment, nothing has changed. However, if your wish is to stay in Spain, you will require a Residencia card, health care and a Spanish driving licence, for a start. My advice would be to do this as soon as possible. My first decision, after a lot of deliberation, is closing one of the offices in Javea port, which was my first office, and that is one that I am relocating. The reason for two offices in the port was essential at the time, but this is no longer the case, with the Renewals now firmly established in my Els Poblets office. The new office is located in the Arenal area of Javea, with the same telephone number 966 461 690, between Michaels bed shop and the Chinese restaurant on Avenida del Pla, giving you the choice of which office to visit, as both will be able to help you with all your insurance needs. With regards to the southern area, the Benijofar office will be having a major reform this year, which is exciting as we will have a beautiful refurbished office. There will, of course, be a certain amount of chaos for a few months, which will not be easy for the staff, because we will temporarily move into the office above, but the results will be well worth it.
For help, advice and information, please contact one of my offices or visit my website www.jennifercunningham.net
20
February 20th - March 4th 2020
HEALTH
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By Jeremy Kenton
Flying may be safer than driving, but can still lead to poor health, writes expert osteopath Jeremy Kenton
Nobody should be afraid of flying, Deep Vein Thrombosis gas, however, isn’t ideal. but they should be afraid of crash- Long hauls are more likely to put Since you can’t control what your body ing – said Groucho Marx. you in the red zone for a clot. In a will do once you’re in midair, try calmtruSculpt everyone will tell you, flying isbut 2001 additional Italian study,treatments researchers loving ing your their stomach before youiD board: byAsBPT be that required optimal results. In aanyseparate one of the safest forms of trav-may found 4.5% for of passengers avoid eating foods thatstudy could porunners yoga not enthusiasts results. individuals whogut, hadlikethe el, but and regrettably one of thesculpting developed leg clots after ten to 15 oftentially upset your beans, healthiest. hours of flying. iD is a very procedure, dairy, and carbonated beverages. topping the list. “TruSculpt 100 percent said The impacts of flying to pro-exciting One reason form is that your Alcohol According to relate boardnewclots development in they were satisfied, would get longed sitting, stress, sunlight, altiknees tend to be at 90 degrees on The simple answer is avoid it, as it will certifi ed plastic surgeon non-surgical body contouring. it done again and would refer tude and, I suppose, there is also a plane, so blood can’t pass these lead to dehydration and swelling. Walter L. of the Bernacki, MD The lower abdomen and love a The friend foroftruSculpt iD. And the factor boring passenger ‘kinked’ veins. effects altitude enhance the poof you Ohio Plastic Surgery in handles can beKeep treated justflowa everyone felt better inaerated - or outdrinks get stuck next to. Your solution? the in blood tency – especially with Colds Ohio, “The newest single ing by15-minute flexing your comfortable muscles every ofsuch as sparkling Central - their clothes. wine and beer. A plane’s airbody conditioning is not atreatment 30 minutes while seated, and walk It So, is amazing howthinking many people land in non-surgical contouring session. Our patients if you’re about breeding ground for germs. around every hour. an inebriated state only to climb into system is Cutera’s truSculpt have been very pleased with the looking into a new kind of After the plane takes off, the cabin Gas a hire car. iDairthat radiofrequency sculpting they can body sculpting goesuses through a series of filtersbody Intestinal gas results can expand up to personalized Sunburn (RF) technology to target andkill-achieve withairthis innovative resorting about 20 to 30 times an hour, 30% during travel, as the de- without Just because you’retoin drastic the clouds, ing most bacteria and crease insays pressure (because of measures, doesn’t mean the sun won’t permanently destroy fatmicrobes. in your system,” Dermatologist findthat a truSculpt iD find You are at most fromn the therey altitude) causes an increase you! trouble spots (thinkrisk muffi topsper-Jeff S. Dover, MD, FRCPC in provider near you by searching sitting next to you, In fact, a two-hour flight may double andsonlove handles) - in especially just 15 ifofvolume. Skincare Physicians in https://trusculpt.com/find-athey are coughing and spluttering. Sitting in a confined space with your daily dose of ultraviolet radiation, comfortable minutes with no Chestnut Hill, MA. provider. according to the NOAA Space Weather downtime. We have found that By and large, people are Prediction Center. Be aware if sitting by the treatment works on all skin a window seat to apply SPF 15 where necessary. types, sizes and physiques, Back pain including individuals who Neck pain can arise as you sit in the were previously not considered cramped confines of often poorly decandidates for body contouring signed seating, especially on budget procedures.” airlines. If you are likely to fall asleep, then inWhat’s more, truSculpt vest in an inflatable neck cushion. iD produces an average fat Get up and wander around the plane reduction of 24 percent, and at regular intervals. Avoid crossing visible improvements are seen your legs and keep your feet and in 6 to 12 weeks following the calves moving. Failing that, take your osteopath with first treatment. Multiple areas you – especially on long haul journeys can be treated in one session, to exciting places!
HEALTH
The wobbles You may think that loose teeth can only be solved by dentures, but Karan Sud Dental’s fibrebond technology can save you the time, effort, pain and cost
SUFFERING with loose teeth? You may have been told that you will now need dentures or implants. But this is not actually the case, especially with regards to the front teeth. At Karan Sud Dental, in Calpe, we use fibrebond technology to splint loose teeth together and replace missing teeth. This innovation uses a resin-based fibre, placed behind the affected teeth, that can strengthen them without having to pull them out and allows you to keep your teeth for much longer. Dentures are bulky, and affect both taste and function. They also can jeopardise the health of remaining teeth. Dental implants in the anterior region - or front teeth - are also very complicated. They involve surgery, and take a lot of time, effort and expense. With fibrebond technology, however, you can save on all of these things, as well as pain. If you have mobile or missing teeth, please call us to see if British dentist Calpe you’re a suitable candidate for this innovative treatment.
Dr Karan Sud
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For more information visit www.ksuddental.com Tel: (+34) 965 837 553 - 24h emergency: (+34) 602 612 688 Clinica Britannia, Avda Ejercitos Españoles 16, first floor, Calpe
hout giving up everything you love
HEALTH
Looking sexy, svelte or built by BPT but additional treatments in your clothing is one thing. may be required for optimal Looking better in the buff is a runners and yoga enthusiasts sculpting results. whole other ballgame. Clothing topping the list. “TruSculpt iD is a very According to board- exciting new development in - even low-cut necklines, shortplastic surgeon non-surgical body contouring. shorts or tight-fitting tees - can certified hide your flaws and accentuate Walter L. Bernacki, MD The lower abdomen and love your assets, but when you are of Ohio Plastic Surgery in handles can be treated in just a nude, there’s nowhere - or way Central Ohio, “The newest single 15-minute comfortable non-surgical body contouring treatment session. Our patients - to hide anything. If you want to look better system is Cutera’s truSculpt have been very pleased with the naked, you are not alone. Far iD that uses radiofrequency body sculpting results they can from it. More and more people (RF) technology to target and achieve with this innovative are into healthy living and permanently destroy fat in your system,” says Dermatologist NOT quite. Eastern medtroublethe spots (think n topsrelieves getting t these days.lamp The goodfrom Jeffrey S. Dover, MD,and FRCPC Afimagic Eastmuffi that pain icine practitioners have news is that there is finally and love handles) - in just 15 of Skincare Physicians in for thousands of years stiffness this beminutes something out of with no Chestnut something you can – do could about comfortable Hill,Aladdin? MA. been treating the Qi, or downtime. We have found that it that doesn’t involve giving By and large, people are ‘vital energy’, of patients. by a human body. the treatment works on all skin up carbs and sweets, doingdeep And now Clinica BritanThe rays penetrate types, sizes and physiques, excessive or having nia’s new Thermal Deinto crunches the body, promoting including individuals who invasive cosmetic surgery. and imsign Power (TDP) lamps blood circulation, one-third showcase the best of Fully proving skin tissue. of were previously not considered East meets West with an In the opt Eastforthey might say candidates for body contouring Americans minimally infrared heating device our fat ‘Qi’reduction is circulating better procedures.” invasive or body proven to accelerate nat– whereas in the sculpting treatments to West look we What’s more, truSculpt ural healing processes. bettermight are strengthin thesay buffwe , according to iD produces an average fat The lamps work by temening micro-circulation, reduction of 24 percent, and a new survey of 500 men and porarily increasing blood boosting metabolism and women from Cutera, Inc. And visible improvements are seen circulation in the area enhancing immunity. in 6 to 12 weeks following the thoseDoctors who exercise regularly treated, and are coated the world over are first treatment. Multiple areas are most likely toto use havethea inwith a special mineral beginning can be treated in one session, body-sculpting treatment, withlamp formation consisting of frared mineral TDP
The Magic Lamp
more than 30 elements essential to the human body. When heated, the lamp emits electromagnetic waves from one to 25 mm in wavelength, and 28 to 35 mw/cm2 in intensity, that coincide with the wavelength and intensity of the electromagnetic waves released
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loving their truSculpt iD results. In a separate study of individuals who had the procedure, 100 percent said they were satisfied, would getFebruary 20th - March 4th 2020 it done again and would refer a friend for truSculpt iD. And everyone felt better in - or out of - their clothes. So, if you’re thinking about looking into a new kind of personalized body sculpting without resorting to drastic measures, find a truSculpt iD provider near you by searching https://trusculpt.com/find-aprovider.
21
22
February 20th - March 4th 2020
Open sesame
COLUMNISTS GetTING ConnectED By Loraine Gostling
After years of clubbing trolls out her Facebook group, Javea Connect admin Loraine Gostling has fine-tuned her selection procedure
Rock bottom
Farm Flash By Susan Weeding
Spiralling debts, tax grabs and the pilfering of €3,150 destined for rescued horses have worsened the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre crisis, writes Rod Weeding
reached 22,000 members. Now, you may think that is a lot but, in fact, we now refuse more people than we allow to wipe their feet on the welcome rug! Back in the first couple years – before Facebook decided that they want to help you grow your group and suggest it to every Tom, Dick and Pedro south of Barcelona – it was easy-peasy and calm. But now people seem to be
very loathe to miss out on anything that may contain the word ‘Connect’ in it! Since I started it in 2011, there have been many copycat Connects jumping on the bandwagon but, believe me, it takes more than answering five FB questions and pressing that old ‘publish’ button to run a group. So, after a few years of booting out trolls and dealing with nosey-parkers, whingers and moaning minnies, we put into place just three questions that ALL have to be answered before joining: 1. Why do you want to join? 2. Have you read the rules? 3. (In short) Confirm that you are not one of the above-mentioned numpties. Well, around 25% do not understand the word ‘all’; 15% are not British and so many question mark replies ensue (lol); 20% are businesses who, although are clearly told to post once per month, seem either to have short term memories, or think they are special and have a right to spam the group as they need more customers, or think admin are too busy removing comments and won’t notice the odd sneaky offer, or don’t give a tiny rat’s bum about rules!; 5% have pressed the wrong button and wanted to join Extinction Rebellion Connect or Beniconnect; 5% are undercover reporters who just want to steal our juicy stories!; 5% offer up their life stories like it is an interview (bless); and the rest (never was any good at subtraction) are so tired of all the questions, they have lost interest anyway! But JC is our baby... and we will continue to chuck buckets of compost on it for as long as it continues to flourish!
OP Puzzle solutions
Quick Crossword
Across: 1 Rasher, 5 Carton, 8 Vendetta, 9 NATO, 10 Ill, 11 Sickness, 13 Pardon, 16 Locket, 19 Teenager, 23 Rap, 24 Grow, 25 Thumbs up, 26 Starve, 27 Deepen. Down: 2 America, 3 Huddled, 4 Rates, 5 Chancel, 6 Run-in, 7 Oaths, 12 Elk, 14 Rye 15 Nightie, 17 Curable, 18 Espouse, 20 Egret, 21 Newer, 22 Round.
SUDOKU
RUNNING a Facebook group like Javea Connect is like trying to pick up jelly with a fork. You manage to keep a few morsels on a prong, but the rest just slithers through and ends up just making a mess on the floor. A mess that even that marvellous invention, the kitchen roll, has a tough job cleaning up. Tonight, actually as I write this, the JC bell just rang and declared we had
The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre is at rock bottom. In last week’s issue, we reported we are ‘experiencing the worst pressure we have ever been under in the 11 years we have been up and running’. Sue Weeding reported previously that we owed €20,000 for forage, above the €2,000 or so that we have to pay every couple of weeks for a new delivery of hay for our 121 horses, ponies and donkeys. We’ve got the debt down to €17,200 thanks to donations, but then the bomb fell earlier in the week! The suppliers of the forage have asked us to pay the remaining money we owe now. We totally understand, but are completely devastated as we just don’t have this type of money. The huge forage bill is not a normal occurrence and is due to the devastation caused by last September’s horrific storm, which destroyed local crops and doubled the cost of alfalfa in the Vega Baja. Help for our cause has come from as far as Austria, where a very kind animal lover encouraged farmers to donate desperately needed hay from across Austria and Germany. A local golf society then generously paid for the transport, which totalled €3,150. The money was paid to transport company OTS-OBERLAUSITZER TRANSPORTSERVIC in Germany back in October – but we have been fobbed off with excuse after excuse as to why we haven’t received this delivery. The company are not responding to letters or phone calls, and the golf society has got lawyers involved to deal with this despicable transport company. A second case of fantastic support came from Norway, where a wonderful man organised several loads of hay alongside a much-needed tractor and water pump too. Even this, however, has become another stumbling block! The Spanish customs department are demanding that 21% IVA (tax) must be paid on this donated food, pump and tractor as there is no ‘crisis situation’ in Spain to warrant waiving it. The Norwegian charity involved and their lawyers, arguing this tax does not abide by EU law. As mentioned previously, our four charity shops have been a vital source of funds that have kept the centre going. But new government measures to claim IVA tax on all donated items sold in charity shops is affecting the takings and taking essential resources from the horse’s mouths. All of this is adding even more pressure to us. This hasn’t come about through bad management, but through a series of extreme circumstances beyond our control. Ultimately, the ones who will suffer are the animals. The Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre are not only rescuing animals from desperate situations but are continually striving to influence the authorities and lawmakers of the country to make changes to animal welfare in Spain. The 120 so very deserving horses, ponies and donkeys – and the other rescued animals too – need your help and support. As always check out their website for all details: www. easyhorsecare.net.
SPORT
23
February 20th - March 4th 2020
Net result EXCLUSIVE By Dimitris Kouimtsidis
THE UK’s second biggest team sport for teenagers between the ages of 11 and 16 doesn’t get any funding from UK sport, meaning senior international players have to juggle fulltime jobs between their playing careers. Team GB’s Nicolette Fong-Lyew-Quee, 27, told the Olive Press: “The most important thing is funding. “In Spain, at under-20
After Team GB women suffer heartbreak against Spain in Olympic qualifier, key player reveals why UK game is playing catch up
court hire and for hotels, it’s so demoralising.” The lack of funding in the UK is what prevents the national teams from reaching their full potential, starting from a young age. “Young players see that there isn’t any money in the sport, so choose a different career.
level, players get paid to attend training camps. “In the UK, players themselves have to pay for the
“In Spain however they are encouraged and helped to play basketball. “That’s how Spain keeps
Funding
Impregnable
1-0
ATLETICO Madrid have beaten Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League match-up at the Wanda Metropolitano. The Rojiblancos played to their strengths and came away with a 1-0 victory, going into the second leg at Anfield in three weeks time, with a slight advantage. Diego Simeone’s men scored very early on in the game – in the fourth minute – with Saul Niguez being the quickest to react after a corner kick was fumbled in the Liverpool penalty area. After that, in classic Atletico fashion, they defended admirably and managed to hold out for the win. Liverpool on the other hand, despite all the possession that they had, didn’t trouble Jan Oblak in goal, failing to register a single shot on target.
EYES ON THE PRIZE: Fong-Lyew-Quee in action for Baxi Ferrol
all its best players,” she added. Team GB went into the Olympic qualification tournament ranked number 18 in the world, whereas their Spanish counterparts were going in as European champions and number three in the world. Just getting to that stage was an accomplishment in itself, for a team that receives zero funding from UK Sport. “Professional players in the UK are only part-timers, they have to juggle full-time jobs. “That’s why we can only train four times a week and late at night,” said the
Durham Palatinates player. Fong-Lyew-Quee, originally from Manchester, spent last season playing in Spain, for Galician side Baxi Ferrol, in the country’s top division. She therefore has the experience of playing in the top level of both the UK and Spain.
Behind
The reason for leaving her family and loved ones behind and moving to Spain was to play at a higher level and improve as a player. She said: “In Spain we would train twice a day, even at Christmas.
“We were paid professionals whose only job was basketball.” In the UK however, not many teams can afford to pay their players a good wage and most choose to pay the foreign players instead. “In the UK the best paid players are the Americans, whereas in Spain there weren’t that many foreign players. “All the best Spanish players played in Spain, therefore improving the quality of the league. “That one season I spent in Spain helped me realise how far back UK basketball actually is.”
SPAIN is suffering a shortage of ham carvers, according to human resources firm Adecco following a study into unfulfilled vacancies in the job market.
Ridin’ dirty
FINAL WORDS
A PORN video was broadcast in the shop window of an Andalucian driving school, as hackers managed to manipulate the TV to display the video.
Penniless A VALENCIAN man is taking Santander to court after he won €6.5 million in the Bonoloto lottery and then lost it all through ‘toxic’ investments without touching a penny.
Blind fear AN ALICANTE man has denounced the city’s taxi association after he claims drivers refused to allow his guide dog on board.
Moove THE government of Castilla y León have fined a livestock owner €38,000 after his cows blocked a trainline.
OLIVE PRESS
The
Pork que?
FREE
COSTA BLANCA
Vol. 1 Issue 24 www.theolivepress.es
Your expat
voice in Spain
February 20th - March 4th, 2020
Tall tale By Laurence Dollimore
A BRITISH bodybuilder has been caught riding Spain’s highest waterslide after suing a company for ‘leaving him scared of heights.’ Ben Bardsley, 38, is facing a €15,000 legal bill after footage emerged of him riding the 108ft Verti-Go, in Benidorm. It came after he made a personal injury claim for an accident in July 2015 which saw him fall
What the hull
Man with fear of heights and bad back vibes rides Spain’s highest waterslide
into a garden pond. Bardsley, from Stockport, filed a claim against Koi & Aquatics after a digger knocked him into a pond the company was excavating. He claimed injuries to his neck and back meant he could no
longer lift weights and that the accident left him scared of heights.
Donkey wrong A MAMMOTH 60-metre wheelchair ramp has turned a Spanish primary school into a laughing stock. The €110,000 installation was unveiled in Sevilla and replaces a single staircase running parallel to the school gym. Bosses at Guadaira Town Hall have been left red faced after the new ramp, of six individual slopes, was mocked online. The CEIP San Mateo school went viral with its new ramp being likened to that which Super Mario climbs to fight Donkey Kong.
Aviva, the insurance firm acting for Koi, hired investigators to probe his claims. It found that Bardsley had continued to lift weights immediately after the accident and even loaded footage of himself enjoying ‘the highest water slide in Europe’.
Guilty
In the clip he insisted there was no queue ‘for obvious reasons’ before getting on the 33-metre shoot. A judge at Manchester County Court ruled he was guilty of ‘fundamental dishonesty’ and ordered him to pay costs of £14,318.
AN underwater museum is set to close due to constant leaks. The Arqua Museum, in Cartagena, is to close for six months after it was discovered to be in serious danger of collapsing. It comes after Spain’s Culture Ministry uncovered numerous flaws in the buildings’ fabric, putting many of its ‘priceless’ displays at risk. These include 600,000 coins from the Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes, a Spanish galleon that sunk in the early 19th century, as well as a Phoenician ship dating back to 700BC. The museum, which sits in the city’s port, has been suffering from humidity and damp for years. It was constructed using reclaimed land from the Med, putting it four metres below sea level. Arqua was designed by architect Guillermo Vazquez Consuegra and cost a whopping €20.3 million to build. The repairs are expected to cost around €280,000.