Climate crusade Andalucia Rotary Conference

ROTARY Mijas International’s President, Christine Graff, headed to the Rotary District 2203 Andalucia conference in El Rocio on Friday, May 19.

The gathering brought together over 100 Rotarians from across Andalucia to view presentations from five nominees competing for the prestigious position of Regional President of Rotary Andalucia.

The candidates went through a rigorous selection process, which included submitting personal questionnaires and a compelling threeminute video outlining their qualifications and Rotary career achievements, along with their participation in District, national, and international events over the past five years.

Following the conference’s conclusion, all attendees enjoyed a lively social evening which saw guests don their best flamenco attire.

Rotary Mijas Club, known for its multicultural

IN a surprising turn of events, archaeologists working near the Roman baths of Las Bóvedas, just a stone’s throw away from the Guadalmina coastline in San Pedro Alcántara, unearthed a torpedo believed to have been launched from a ship during the Spanish Civil War. During excavation work to reconstruct a nearby Roman appeal, hosts lunchtime meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month and welcomes new members.

Their last meeting on Tuesday, May 23 saw guests representing 10 different countries come together to decide where to donate an impressive €6,500 in funding. The recipients of the generous contribution are AFA, Caritas Mijas, Caritas Fuengirola, and Cruz Roja Mijas.

Unearthed secrets

wall on Tuesday, May 30, archaeologists stumbled upon a metal artefact with distinctive markings on it on the beach. Local Police officers were called, and shortly after arrived at the site of discovery, where they set up a cordon.

At around 1pm, members of the Guardia Civil’s bomb disposal team arrived on site to remove the object.

Interestingly, this discovery was made in the same location where beachgoers stumbled upon a grenade in the summer of 2015, which had malfunctioned when it was fired, but still contained active explosives. Similarly, the grenade was destroyed by bomb disposal experts.

BENALMADENA is stepping up to the challenge of climate change! In a groundbreaking decision, the council gave its stamp of approval to the first-ever Plan against Climate Change on Thursday, May 25.

This significant move showcases the town’s determination to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time.

The comprehensive plan focuses on three vital areas: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the transition to clean energy, and adapting to the impacts of climate change. The local community also played a pivotal role in designing the plan through their participation in an open questionnaire, discussion sessions, and meetings with experts and op - position parties.

Beyond its environmental impact, the plan opens doors to European subsidies, providing a financial boost for climate-related initiatives.

It also serves as a crucial tool for assessing the current state of the environment in the town, identifying risks, and proposing effective solutions.

Key proposals outlined in the action plan include curbing excessive private vehicle use in favour of public transport and cycling, embracing electric mobility, creating more efficient water management systems, and transitioning to renewable energy.

Impressive figures

the return of European tourists, including those from the UK, despite unexpected rainy spells. AEHCOS President José Luque highlights the importance of international tourism which made up 75 per cent of visits during the last month. However he expressed concerns about an anticipated economic downturn in late 2023 and early 2024, predicted by US Federal Reserve economists.

Cumulatively, the region’s occupancy rates for the first five months of 2023 stand at an impressive 73.08 per cent, reflecting an impressive growth of nearly 12 percentage points compared to last year.

Fresh air

TOWNS across the country celebrated the ‘World Day without Smoke’ on Wednesday, May 31, including Torremolinos and Fuengirola where the local community came together with health organisations for a community four kilometre walk to advocate for a world without smoke.

Sip & socialise

MARBELLA and San Pedro

Age Concern have given dates for their June coffee mornings, all at 11am. The month begins with coffee mornings on Thursday, June 8 at Alex Corner, Estepona, and Monday, June 12 at Sunday Cafe, San Pedro.

Slovakian star

THE Flag Costa del Sol Women’s Open came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday, May 28 as Slovakian tennis sensation Katarina Stresnakova became the first champion of Estepona’s ITF W15 event.

Lucky strike

ONE lucky person in Mijas is €20,000 richer after local ticket 07513 was drawn in the ONCE lottery on Saturday, May 27. Local ONCE seller, Claudia previously sold a prize ticket worth €250,000.

Heart help

AUTHORITIES in Manilva carried out their regular maintenance checks on the town’s defibrillators and installed a new one at Casama Petanque Club in an initiative to increase defibrillator numbers. These life-saving devices can prevent cardiac arrests from becoming fatal.

Palm paradise

FUENGIROLA Council has embarked on a project aiming to transform the seaside promenade, replacing 156 ailing tamarind trees with majestic palm trees. A total of 611 new palm trees will provide shade and decoration along the seafront strip.

Betty Henderson

MARBELLA is preparing to celebrate World Environment Day on Saturday, June 3, with a packed programme of events for all to get involved in. This year’s focus is tackling plastic pollution, an urgent global issue highlighted by the United Nations Environmental Programme.

Families are invited to get involved in a range of engaging activities organised for the event at the city’s Puerto Deportivo terraces.

Equilibrio Marino will host workshops on biology, plastic pollution, climate change, and underwater cinema. Information booths by Rotary Club Guadalmina­San Pedro and Mi Moana will raise environmental awareness among