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MALLORCA needs to turn away from the British to stave off the ‘serious’ effects of Brexit, business leaders have warned. Business associations CAEB, PIMEM and the Mallorca Chamber of Commerce made the stark warning just days before British MPs are set to vote on the controversial Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU next week. During a special conference at the ICEX headquarters in Palma, the tourism and trade ministry agreed that the ‘uncertainty is absolute’, adding that there will be direct and indirect negative effects on the local economy. CAEB boss Carmen Planas said: “Balearic exports will be affected with a hard Brexit, as well as the tourism industry because it will reduce the purchasing power of the Brits. “It is time to think of other alternative markets to the British. “Companies must be prepared to act.”
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The deputy director of the OTS in London (Turespaña), Carlos Ruiz, agreed, saying the parity between currencies is almost even (£1.11 to €1). “This affects the purchasing power of British tourists and depreciation is what causes the deviation of the British to countries where the pound is strongest, like Turkey and Egypt,” he said. Meanwhile, airport bosses have said Palma will be unable to cope with the likely greater controls on passengers, baggage and customs. “In Palma there is no infrastructure to absorb this situation,” said customs boss for the Balearics Miguel Morey.
in the House of Commons. For the first time in history, the government was found to be in contempt of parliament after not publishing the full legal advice from the attorney general on the draft Brexit withdrawal agreement. It forced the government to publish the full document, which warned that the UK could be ‘stuck inside’ the Customs Union as separate negotiations over the Irish border backstop could go on for years. But in the most significant defeat, pro-European Conservative rebel withDominic 2 new Grieve won support for his amendment, which he said will give parliament a direct say in what happens if May’s deal is rejected by MPs in the vote on Tuesday. This means MPs can exert more influence by voting on what they want the government to do if her deal is struck down. Some think this could effectively slim the chances of a no-deal Brexit, as MPs push for a ‘Plan B’ alternative to May’s deal and seek to prevent any chance of Britain leaving the EU without a deal in place. However anything MPs vote for would still have to be put into law by the government. Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom insists MPs still do not have the power to block a no-deal Brexit.
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Airport body AENA said it is planning to convert the arrival area into one large single room to cope with the increase in controls. Meanwhile the president of PIMEM, Jordi Mora, said Brexit is seeing ‘the worst of omens coming true’ and that there are many underlying risks for the Balearic economy over the next two years. The fear among Balearic leaders comes as British prime minister Theresa May had one15:36 of her worst weeks Untitled-1.pdf 1 16/06/2017 in parliament to date, sufferSee page 2 & 22 ing three humiliating defeats
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BRITISH star Benedict Cumberbatch has begun filming a blockbuster based on MI6 spy Greville Wynne who famously retired in Mallorca. Espionage thriller, Ironbark, tells the true story of the Cold War secret agent who helped halt the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. The Sherlock actor plays the role of Londoner Wynne, who was a well-known figure in Mallorca during the 80s, having bought a garden centre on the outskirts of Santa Maria. Wynne retired to the island for a slower pace of life and attracted a great deal of interest in Mallorca, after working premiums willMI6 befor over two decades. for MI5 and Emmy-award winning Cumberbatch, 42, is rumoured to be filming in Mallorca in the coming weeks.
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NEWS IN BRIEF Record transplants SON Espases hospital has broken its own record by performing 71 kidney transplants so far this year, one more than last year. It has also beaten its 2014 record for organ donors, up from 48 to 52 this year.
Bridged A TEAM of 56 soldiers have installed a temporary military bridge over the section of the Arta highway towards Alcudia that was destroyed in the floods of October 9.
Second-hand slump RESALE property prices in the Balearics rose by only 0.12% this November, the lowest increase in Spain.
Fatal trip A FOUR-month-old baby has died after his father tripped down their stairs in Port d'Andratx while carrying the infant. The 38-yearold Spaniard rushed his son to hospital but he died in the ICU shortly later.
December 6th - December 19th 2018
Spinning plates
Caught red-handed A GROUP of teenagers chased a burglar through the streets of Palma and held on to him until the police arrived to clamp him in cuffs. Their dramatic citizens’ arrest kicked off in a park in Palma when they spotted a man sneaking out of a second storey window into an alley.
They ran over and confronted the 48-year-old Cuban who tried to make a deal with the teens by offering them a share of his loot. They declined, and as the thief tried to flee, the youngsters chased him through the streets and across a football field, detaining him until police arrived to arrest him.
Zero tolerance
Gender violence a top priority for new chief of police
ramento Roca was murdered just four days after denouncing her ex-boyfriend to police for harassment and aggression. Outlining his priorities in his first statement as Police Chief, Gonzalo Espino Cruz promised ‘greater coordination, immediate responses and continuity for a A man has been arrested in Palma after comprehensive biting his ex-girlfriend's nose and astreatment of saulting her. domestic, genPolice received numerous emergency der and sexual calls about a fight in a Palma bar late violence’ while Saturday night, and arrived to find a ‘seeking to rewoman in the streets bleeding from the duce secondface. time victims’. Witnesses gave the police graphic details Commissioner of the attack tand how the girl’s friends Espino also had to beat him off her. The 27-year-old mapped out aggressor was promptly arrested. his other basic
A bridge too far
THE NEW Police Commissioner of the Balearic Islands took office this week with a pledge to crack down on domestic abuse and gender violence. The get-tough stance comes after Palma mother-of-four Sac-
Love bite
The more you take out, the higher your refund.
AN expat who switch his number plates to avoid paying for parking at Palma airport has been put behind bars. The unnamed German, 55, parked his car for days and weeks at a time but would change his plates for spares he had in his boot, meaning he only paid around 50 cents to leave. The thief, who saved at least €1,200 during a six month period in 2013, has been sentenced to three and a half years.
CRACKDOWN: Chief Cruz vows to make change goals for the Balearics: citizen security, improving the quality of life on the islands, improving cooperation with other police forces, cracking down on small-scale drug trafficking and fighting organised crime. Government delegate Rosario Sánchez highlighted the 'excellent team of professionals' in
the police force, and was impressed with the new chief of police's stance on gender violence 'from the first moment'. Sánchez also pointed out the 'special needs' of the Balearics, essentially a tourist community, in which 'prosperity depends on security as a family destination'.
A HUSBAND who tried to suffocate his wife and throw her off a bridge in Palma is facing 14 years in prison for attempted murder. The man, an expat from Paraguay, accused her of cheating on him, and attacked her on the bridge while walking home one day in March. The woman, mother to their four children, managed get to safety after hanging from the ledge, but her husband attacked her again. The prosecution is asking for a 14-year jail term and €1,400 compensation for his wife’s injuries and trauma.
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Bridging the gag
COUPLE: Arg and Gemma
Made in Marbs ANOTHER celebrity wedding is set to come to the Costa del Sol. The Only Way Is Essex stars Gemma Collins and longtime on and off love, James ‘Arg’ Argent have announced plans to marry in their favourite holiday hotspot Marbella. Although Arg, 30, hasn’t popped the question yet, he insisted he’s asking the ‘GC’ to marry him in the new year.
Bashes
And Gemma is more than ready, announcing that she would like at least five bashes to celebrate the affair - with one definitely in ‘Marbs’. "The first time we made love was in Marbella, so it would be nice to get married there," said the 37-year-old blonde bombshell. ‘Marbs’ has long been the go-to holiday destination for the TOWIE stars, with six spin-off series in the Costa del Sol town.
KEVIN Bridges has revealed how an impromptu trip to Spain saved his career in comedy. The Glaswegian funny man was ready to throw in the gags after becoming disillusioned with the showbiz industry two years ago. The 32-year-old said he became jaded towards the end of his 145-date tour in 2016. “I just got fed up one night and I was questioning how much I was enjoying it because I’m not motivated by money. So much stuff in my own life had been put on hold [for the tour] and it was a wee bit of a shambles,” he said. He decided to take some time out in Madrid, which he revealed ‘cleared his head.’ “I was walking about Madrid where nobody knows you. You have a freedom and you start to think life’s alright and I started missing stand-up.” Bridges’ The Brand New Tour DVD is on sale now.
All I want for Christmas
An abandoned Galician village is the perfect gift for loved ones, says Gwyneth Paltrow
FORGET socks, jewellery or candles for Christmas presents, now you can buy a Spanish village. At least this is what Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow recommends on her famous lifestyle and gift website, Goop. Ahead of the festive season the Shakespeare In Love star has compiled ‘The Ridiculous But Awesome Gift Guide’, including suggestions such as breakfast with giraffes, a clip on toilet bidet, 24K gold rolling papers, or even an aban-
Señor Shelby
PERFECT GIFT: Aldea village while (inset) Paltrow doned village in Galicia. For a modest price of €149,550 the quaint Aldea, in the province of Lugo, can be bought complete with a 360sq metre house next to a river.
New pace of life
MERSEY BOND: No more for Gerry
SIXTIES Brit icon Gerry Marsden has hung up his guitar to retire on the Costa del Sol. After almost six decades of touring around the world, the You’ll Never Walk Alone singer has announced his retirement, saying he wants to spend more time with his family in Spain. The 76-year-old lead singer of Gerry And The Pacemakers has a home in Mijas and now spends most of his time there with his wife Pauline. Announcing the news on his website, the post read: “Gerry would like to say a special thank you to all his fans for the unconditional support down the years and will sadly miss them all.” The Pacemakers made history as the first Liverpool band to reach number one and were the second group to sign to manager Brian Epstein after the Beatles.
The little two-story home features a 22sq metre bread oven, a cellar, a hay barn and a horreo - a typical Galician stone building used for drying maize. Admittedly the abandoned village - of which there are 1,949 in Galicia alone - seems like an unusual choice for a multi-millionaire actress. But Elvira Fafián, who runs the estate agency selling the property, said it is ideal for ‘rural tourism’ and has received a lot of interest from Swedish, Swiss and Dutch expat buyers. “She appears to have chosen it at random,” added Fafian, “But for the price of a space in a parking building in Madrid or Barcelona, you can buy a village and leave the stress of city life behind.”
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REAL Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has sent Instagram into a frenzy after a picture of him and his son had fans comparing him to Peaky Blinders. The Andalucian hunk’s upload to the social media site received 750,000 likes and saw the centre back likened to gang boss Tommy Shelby, the lead character of the BBC drama. One admirer wrote of the father-of-three, ‘Sergio Shelby,’ while another commented, ‘who needs Peaky Blinders when Ramos is here.’ The 32-year-old and four-time Champions League-winner, captioned his father-son snap: “My Alejandro is taking a roll. I like that face, 'old man'. I love you with all my soul.” In the picture Alejandro sports grey chinos with matching Nike trainers and jacket, while Ramos pairs a smart felt coat with a casual shirt and brown flat cap.
Splash the cash
CELEBRITY Masterchef winner Ona Carbonell, 28, has given her €75,000 prize to charity and pledged to ‘help children.’ “I want to help children fulfill their dreams,” said the synchronised swimmer after she blew actress Paz Vega out of the water in the show’s final. The athlete-turned chef admitted she could not even make a fried egg before the competition, despite her win, which was judged by former triple Michelin-starred chef Ferran Adria. “I am not a mother, but I understand that there is nothing worse than having a sick child,” the star added, commenting on her donation to the Pequeño Deseo Foundation.
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Beach to their own MALLORCA has the third best beach in Europe, according to thousands of the industry’s top travel professionals. Platja de Formentor is the picturesque strip of white sand on the island’s north east coast, which is also ranked Spain’s best beach. With its crystal clear waters the one kilometre stretch of sandy paradise boasts 300 annual days of sunshine and an average temperature of 18.2°C. The Balearic island was pipped to Europe’s top spot by Iceland’s Reynisfjara Beach and Greece’ Shipwreck Beach on the list compiled by travel firm Flight Network. “Forget Ibiza. Mallorca is truly the Spanish beach destination that should be top of your list,” said Nick Wayland, one of the judges and CEO of TravMedia. “The unparalleled beauty of the island beach is unmarred by over-development and offers a truly idyllic beach experience!”
NEWS
December 6th - December 19th 2018
Eleventhhour reprieve
Me too PALMA’S medal-winning Olympic swimmer Margalida 'Marga' Crespí has revealed how she left Mallorca for Barcelona to escape her abusive father. "I want to be the voice, the strength and the courage that my mother never had," said the synchronized swimmer who shared her story on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), and has been continuing the conversation with fans and supporters this week. “The reason I left Mallorca was because my routine at 15-years-old was school, eating a lunch alone, training then home,” she added. But home was no picnic as her father was liv-
CHAMP: Margalida Crespi ing with his mistress and continually threatened to kick her out of the house, as he had done to her mother and brother. She jumped at the chance to train for her passion, swimming, in Barcelona. It lead her on to sporting glory with a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Total War-fare EXCLUSIVE By Charlie Smith
A BRITISH war veteran is suing Ryanair for €30,000 amid claims the airline falsified documents and fraudulently took his money. Expat Dan Sweeney, 73, claims he has proof from a leading handwriting expert that the budget airline ‘copied and pasted’ his signature. The Malaga-based ex-soldier has been locked in a vicious 12 month legal bat-
War veteran recruits fraud expert to investigate airline in €30,000 claim tle with the Dublin-based via local company Easirent, airline, which denies his based at Stansted airport. claims. Although he had already The dad-of-four, who lives paid for the car online he in Casarabonela, Malaga, was told by Easirent staff claims a document appar- that they had not received ently signed by him could payment. not ‘possibly’ have been, as Under duress he agreed to he had flown back to Spain pay the extra fee, as staff t w o assured months him he prior. could “It’s abclaim solutely it back disgustthrough i n g , ” the airD a n line ons a i d . line. “ R y B u t a n a i r EVIDENCE: Alleged faked w h e n are rip- signature the penp i n g sioner people off left, right and checked his bank statement, centre - and getting away a few weeks later, he was with lies like this.” shocked to discover that he It comes after Dan took a had been charged twice. trip back to the UK for a However, when he brought military reunion last year up the discrepancy with Ryand hired a car via Ryanair’s anair, the company initially website. refused, before agreeing to He ended up booking the car investigate further.
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PALMA town hall has locked horns with unions after calling for the closure of the airport between 11pm and 6am. Green groups and politicians supporting the move say they want to reduce noise and light pollution, pointing to the likes of London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle, which already have similar closing times. "The increase in the volume of operations in recent years, and especially the record figures that are being achieved summer after summer, is causing a significant increase in the environmental and social impacts generated by the airport," ecology councillor
Josep Maria Rigo said. The UGT union, however, blasted the proposed measure, saying it would cost locals much-needed jobs. They called for the government to release an impact assessment on the proposal. “We can not ignore the fact that the Palma Airport is a main source of income," the union collective said. It asked Palma leaders to not take the issue ‘so lightly’ and to consider how many workers are employed both directly and indirectly overnight. It added that essential services still run through the night, including the arrival of mail in the early hours of the morning.
EXPAT: Dan Sweeney A month later he was subsequently sent a copy of the rental agreement, in which he realised his signature had been falsified. A refund was quickly made. Fundamentally, the document was signed November 3, two months after Dan had returned to Spain. Luckily he had kept the originals, so he and wife, Yvonne, 71, poured over the documents. “We kept staring at the two documents and it dawned on us that they are identical,” added Dan. The pair decided to recruit one of the UK’s leading handwriting experts, Margaret Webb, who specialises in fraud. She concluded that Dan’s signature had ‘100%’ been copied over and said ‘there is no natural variation evident’, while most signatures vary slightly each time they are written. She added: “Mr Sweeney’s original signature has been used by the copy and paste method, which has been fraudulently applied. It is not possible to sign one’s name identically.”
Fighting
It comes after a Sunday Times investigation revealed in October that another Ryanair-affiliated car rental giant, Goldcar faced scores of allegations from British holidaymakers over claims their documents had been falsified and money had been stolen. “It’s really outrageous. I’ve given up a year of my life working on this, but it will only be worth it if we can stop them,” Dan continued. “I have been fighting people all my life though,” the veteran of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment, added, “so I have been around the block a few times.” Ryanair insisted that it was not responsible for the case, adding the money had been refunded, and pointed us to the hire car company instead. Easirent told the Olive Press: “Mr Sweeney has been shown a freshly-generated rental agreement which shows the date the copy was generated, rather than the original rental date, which may explain the confusion.”
A SICKLY family of 14 due to be evicted from their Mallorca squat have been granted a temporary stay thanks to local campaigners. The family were due to be turned out onto the street on the day of their elderly brother’s funeral and only heard word the same morning that they don’t have to leave - yet. They have been squatting in an abandoned bank property in Llucmajor for the past year, but six of the family members are seriously ill and a 15th died in hospital over the weekend. The house is owned by Abanca, and has been without running water throughout the entire time the family has been there. But an eleventh-hour agreement between the bank and the Balearic Government has made it possible to postpone the eviction until the family is relocated.
Hardships
Efforts from the organisation Stop Evictions Mallorca and community support helped to bring about the much-celebrated postponement. The town hall has agreed to meet with the family this week to talk future options and social housing, although nearly all of the shelters on the island are currently full. The remaining family are suffering from a variety of illnesses and hardships, including cancer, schizophrenia, Down's syndrome and blindness, while two of the female family members act as carers.
Marina ban THE Balearic government has BANNED the building of new marinas for at least 15 years. It has instead ordered that pre-existing marinas be upgraded and used to their ‘fullest potential’. The government announced it will be investing €10 million every year for the next 15 years into its island’s marinas and ports. “The answer is not more marinas,” said land minister Marc Pons, “we believe that we should be making the utmost of the excellent facilities we already have.”
NO MORE: New marinas
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FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than 500,000 people a month.
OPINION Brexit woes THE British have called the Balearics home for decades. Whether raving or behaving, Minorca, Mallorca and Ibiza have always captivated us Brits. Brexit - if it happens - will likely be bad news all round, but nowhere more so than the Spain’s charming trio of islands. UK tourism is now part of the Balearic fabric and leading businesses’ calls for Mallorca to divest from the UK market will prove very difficult indeed. If Brexit were to seriously impair the €3 billion that British tourism brings annually to the islands, the solution will not be easy. Lots of tourists’ favourite bars, hotels and restaurants could be affected by a no-deal Brexit, as Brits will have reduced spending power. Attracting tourists’ money from other markets will be a bumpy road and one, which, oddly seems like it will be determined by vying British MPs. Publisher/ Editor
Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es
SALES Sam Adams newsdesk@theolivepress.es (+34) 634 611 836 sam@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 Newsdesk
Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Elisa Menendez elisa@theolivepress.es Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es Pablo Balbontin pablo@theolivepress.es Gillian Keller gillian@theolivepress.es Designer Keith Franks
Tina (+34) 647 078 775 tina@theolivepress.es
In the aftermath of the tragic death of British teen Richard Fitzsimmons, the Olive Press investigates triggers for teenage suicide and how parents can look out for the signs By Elisa Menendez
A
COLLECTION of teddy bears, flowers and delicately handwritten notes decorate the wall of a busy department store. It’s hard to believe that one month ago a teenage boy took his own life by jumping from the fourth floor of El Corte Ingles in Marbella, in an apparent suicide pact with his girlfriend. The untimely death of 16-year-old Brit Richard Fitzsimmons and the circumstances that surround it have rocked the community and united many in grief. But the incident has encouraged many to take action by raising awareness about mental health in teenagers and, above all, try to break down the stigma that engulfs it. Aloha College, the private school Richard and his girlfriend, 14, attended, quickly activated a plan following his death and brought in a psychologist to talk to pupils. It also circulated emails advising parents to talk with their children about what had happened. In an open letter, the college described him as a ‘wonderful boy’ and offered their sincere condolences to his family. “Aloha College continues to be focussed on the wellbeing of its pupils, to help them through this difficult time. He will be warmly remembered, and sorely missed.” Although it is unknown what tragically drove the youngsters to suicide, unfortunately their story is not an unusual one. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people aged between 15 to 29 in Spain, following tumours, reveal national statistics. And growing numbers of teens killing themselves in the UK are sparking fresh concerns over the mental health crisis in young people in general. In 2017 there were 177 suicides among 15 to
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EXPERT: Harvard professor Alejandra Hallin
December 6th - December 19th 2018
Let’s talk mental health
19-year-olds, compared with 110 in 2010 - fig- Dr Hallin, who owns mental health centres in ures which have risen almost every year, accord- Marbella, Sotogrande, Malaga, Gibraltar and ing to the UK Office of National Statistics. Cadiz, believes the surge in depression is a reDepression and bipolar are the most common flection of a pressurised, stressed society and causes of suicide globally, followed by sub- suicide is a consequence of ill-treated mental stance abuse, schizophrenia and anxiety disor- health. ders, says Marbella-based child psychologist Dr “The Spanish mental health system is problemAlejandra Hallin. atic, unless you are dying they won’t see you While Samaritans in Spain volunteer, Jilly Hodg- - that’s a luxury they cannot afford. They don’t es, says exam pressure, gender issues and feel- have enough resources. ing like an outcast are the main “We have to start valuing our reasons expat teens call the mental health and invest in it. Costa del Sol helpline feeling When there’s diabetes in the suicidal. family, you’re more aware of Another “Some have a lack of friends, what you eat. It should be the or are unhappy having left their important factor same for mental illnesses, it’s friends in the UK, or feel like an genetic.” that is very outsider especially in Spanish The doctor also adds that exspeaking schools,” the Costa damaging is the pats are one of the groups most del Sol-based Samaritan tells risk. language we use at the Olive Press. Moving to another country, she Despite great advances in meninsists, is the second biggest tal health awareness in recent cause of depression, as foreignyears, why do so many still suffer in silence? ers do not have the same support network. Dr Hallin says the main problem with suicide is Another important factor that is incredibly damit is still considered taboo, despite it being the aging - reflecting societal views on mental illness second leading cause of death in the world. and suicide - is the language we use. “There are so many programmes and adverts Supposed ‘throw away’ everyday terms such teaching you what to do when someone has a as ‘I just wanted to kill myself’ are loaded comheart attack or stroke, but there’s nothing about ments for people who have thought about killing suicide,” the Harvard University doctor told the themselves, or for those who have been through Olive Press. the trauma of losing someone to suicide.
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December 6th - December 19th 2018
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NSPCC Social media guide
NSPCC tips for safeguarding children on social media:
Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website
• Talk to your child regularly about what they are doing online and how to stay safe. Let them know they can come to you or another trusted adult if they’re feeling worried or upset by anything they have seen. • Explore your child’s online activities together. Understand why they like using certain apps, games or websites and make sure they know what they can do to keep themselves safe. • Agree your own rules as a family when using sites, apps and games. • Manage your technology and use the privacy and parental control settings available to keep your child safe.
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TRAGIC: Friends of Richard leave flowers below a message from his mother Along with ‘I’m depressed’ or ‘he/she is a nutter’ are phrases that have become the norm but unknowingly increase stigma. “Someone who is feeling low and someone who is clinically depressed are not the same thing,” says Dr Hallin, “if you feel better after exercise or socialising, it is a passing emotion, it is not a clinical illness.” Social media has also shown to cause psychological stress. Many have blamed sites like Instagram and Facebook for the surge in teen self-harming and suicide. And it isn’t difficult to see why. Pages and forums dedicated to self-harming, ‘suicide games’, or eating disorders - where thousands share tips for hiding signs from family members - offer outlets for teenagers to feel part of a dark online community. Although they offer a place of refuge for many to normalise their feelings, these pages encourage dangerous selfdestructive behaviour. It comes after a recent Children’s Survey report found that more than 100,000 children aged 14 in the UK are self-harming, with one in four teenage girls deliberately hurting themselves this year. The charity found that nearly a quarter of children aged 10-17 said they continuously heard jokes or comments about other people’s bodies or looks. The Olive Press has found numerous alarming and easily accessible Instagram pages dedicated to self-harming. Graphic images of deep wounds bleeding into sinks, hundreds of scars brandishing a girl’s wrist and piles of razor blades are just some of the shocking pictures discovered during the investigation. A pro-anorexia site promotes itself as a ‘diet and lifestyle programme for beginners’ and even offers the option to subscribe. It also sends tips on how to suppress hunger, gives recommendations of dangerous diet pills and even gives advice on how to hide vomit. It’s incredibly harrowing and sad reading. An NSPCC spokesperson told the Olive Press
that social media platforms such as Instagram should filter out content which breaks its own rules. “Young people on Instagram should never be exposed to this kind of harmful and distressing content. “We know from contacts to our Childline that many children are being driven to self-harm as a way of dealing with the pressures and demands of modern-day life,” she adds. Recently the NSPCC launched its ‘Wild West Web’ campaign to call for stricter regulations on social media networks and bring in a law to fine sites which are not adequately safeguarded. Following the campaign, the British government announced safety laws will be brought in to keep children safe on social media and prevent dangers such as online grooming. “It’s vital that the Government holds its nerve and commits to an independent regulator with the powers to hold social networks to account,” adds the spokesperson. But for Dr Hallin these terrifying pages are not a cause but an effect of mental health problems. “Usually a person has already thought about suicide or selfharming before visiting these pages. They’re there if you go looking for them. “For example there aren’t more people cooking now we have the internet. But the problem is that now we have instructions online with hundreds of recipes available, showing you how to do it in an easier way.” The Olive Press has reported the shocking findings to Instagram, although as we went to press we had received no comment. The social media argument is somewhat of a two-pronged attack. With more proximity to celebrities than ever before, it can be easy for impressionable teens to believe that re-touched images and collageninjected lips are the norm. They are more dangerous than magazine photo shoots because these images are uploaded in real-time from a mobile phone, giving the impression this is really their ‘perfect’ lifestyle and that person looks flawless in real life. Recently British TV presenter Jameela Jamil, waged war on celebrityendorsed products which claim to aid weight loss, such as the famous Flat Tummy Tea. : Dr Hallin’s advice for parents to spot signs in children Social media feeds are plagued with images herself, or him killing s mention child your t momen • The of stunning celebrities take normal not it’s n, attentio for calling is it even if flaunting their toned abs onal. professi them to see a medical crediting the ‘teatox’ for of lack s, tearines ity, irritabil but • Every child is different their enviable figures. warning are wn withdra appetite, insomnia and being “Give us the discount signs. codes to your nutritionon• Even if the child does not want to talk to a professi ists, personal chefs, peral, parents should see a psychiatrist alone to find out sonal trainers, airbrushwhether there is a more serious problem. ers and plastic surgeons can’t they If help. seek always doubt, in ever • If you’re you bloody liars,” tweettrust. may they else e someon talk to you find ed Jamil. space able comfort a create and • Ask them if they are okay “If you tell your fans to be for them to talk. thinner, you don’t care
Seeing the signs
about them or their mental health or self worth.” Activist Jamil (above) has been particularly vocal about her own teenage eating disorder where she ‘didn’t eat a meal for three years’ and slammed the media for the ‘weapon’ that is airbrushing. In a bid to fight back, Jamil has launched the positive campaign ‘i weigh’, which encourages social media users to post images of themselves including words which celebrate their skills, talents, personality traits, differences and disabilities - something which has gained much media attention and public participation. Given all of this heavy information, undoubtedly it makes sobering reading, but there is a lot parents can do to look for signs of depression in their children and safeguard their online activity. But the best piece of advice all experts offer is to talk more. Costa del Sol Darkness Into Light mental health campaigner Michael O’Halloran advises teens to act when they notice a school friend is acting out of character. “Do not walk away and think he/she is weird. Stop. Ask the question, ‘are you okay?’,” the expat tells the Olive Press, “sometimes that’s all that is needed to get the person in distress talking.” There are countless organisations making an impact in the UK and Spain offering great support. A group, Teen Talk, is set to support young people across the Costa del Sol with hopes of creating new youth hubs, a helpline and community events from the new year. Global movement Darkness Into Light on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca promote suicide awareness and self-harm prevention through fundraisers and walks. The more we start to discuss and accept mental health, the more we will break down stigmas. Remember, it’s okay not to be okay. Anyone struggling with the issues raised in this article can contact the following numbers: Samaritans in Spain: 900 525 100 Ayuda a ninos y adolescentes en Riesgo (ANAR): 900 202 010 International Bipolar Foundation, Suicide Hotline Spain: 914 590 050 Telefono de la esperanza: 717 003 717 Mind UK: +34 (0)300 123 3393
THE Olive Press’ original and in-depth reporting has sent us into the stratosphere. After receiving over ONE million unique visitors over the last two months, we have climbed an incredible 75,000 places globally. According to Alexa.com we are - by far - the highest ranked English newspaper in Spain, sitting at 200,007th place in the world out of over a billion websites. Our amazing year leaves us far higher than any of our rivals, including Euro Weekly News (EWN), which ranks at just 232,000, and Sur in English at 416,000, despite both being in business for many years longer. This might have something to do with a massive 707 important global sites linking in to our stories, including the BBC, Fox News and the Daily Mail, compared to just 402 for the EWN. What’s more our readers - who average around 10,000 unique visitors a day - come from a healthy split between Spain, the UK, America and the Scandinavian countries. We are also in the top 10,000 most popular websites in Spain, sitting at an incredible 9,079th place out of more than 2 million websites in Spain, last week. Our readers spend an average of 2.21 minutes on the site and read two stories. Alexa.com is owned by Amazon.com and ranks the most visited websites globally by analysing traffic statistics. Just two years ago the Olive Press print edition was voted best expat newspaper in Spain and second best in the world, after a worldwide poll of 27,000 expats by The Expat Survey Consumer Awards (TESCA).
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Birds in danger BIRDLIFE International, the organisation of reference for the conservation of birds, has added the S'Albufera wetlands in Mallorca to its list of 'IBA in danger' (Important Areas for Birds and Biodiversity in danger). Of the more than 13,300 IBA's, 241 are listed as 'endangered' – now including S'Albufera as the twelfth vulnerable place in Spain. The natural park and wetlands in the north of Mallorca is deteriorating rapidly, with the water quality lowering each year. The low water levels due to over pumping is also a major concern for the wildlife in the area.
December 6th - December 19th 2018
Green boom
Linked up
Campaigners call for huge expansion of the Cabrera National Park
MALLORCA environmentalists want to expand the Cabrera National Park TENFOLD to 100,000 hectares. The Ministry of Ecological Transition has submitted a proposal to the national government with the support of green groups Greenpeace, Oceans, World Wildlife Fund, the Amics de la Terra Mallorca and others. The plan calls for the mass expansion of the park’s waters by more than 80,000 hect-
BEES and wasps are vanishing from Mallorca as their natural island habitats are eroded. The Spanish Association of Terrestrial Ecology has published a study warning of the direct effects of loss of habitat along the island’s coastline where the numbers of bees and wasps are declining. The study focused mainly on two areas of the island: Cala Mesquida and the Son Bosc estate near Albufera Natural Park. Son Bosc was left devastated by an at-
ares, which would make it the largest maritime national park in the western Mediter-
Buzzing off tempt to build an illegal golf course on the protected land in 2010, when over 50% of the vegetation was destroyed. Meanwhile Cala Mesquida was home to two species of bees endemic to the Balearics that are now in danger of disappearing, along with a number of uncatalogued species. Both areas showed a 'low network connection' of the pollination chain with an unstable community of bees and wasps. Bees are healthiest and strongest when
ranean, spanning 90,700 hectares. The plans include provid-
they have a wide variety of plant species to pollinate. But bees and wasps in the two study areas only pollinate one or very few species, leaving them weak and vulnerable, and any disturbance to their already depleted habitat could see them swarming off to pastures new. "If measures are not taken early, it is possible that even some of these species will disappear, given the possible high impact of pesticides and herbicides used in adjoining crop areas," stated study authors Rafel Beltrán Mas and Anna Traveset Vilagines, of the Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies.
9
ing protection and conservation to deeper waters, which are home to tuna, swordfish, deep coral reefs and other important wildlife. The waters are essential for dozens of other protected and threatened species, including whales, turtles and seabirds, who live or migrate through them.
MALLORCA is now electrically connected to Ibiza underwater, via the longest submarine alternating current cable in the world. From December 1, the 126 kilometre cable provides Ibiza with 60% of its energy from Mallorca, a saving of up to €30 million per year. Before the link-up, Ibiza and Formentera had to rely on their own energy. The project saw an investment of €224 million from Red Electrical Spain (REE), owner of the national electricity system. Balearic Councillor of Energy, Marc Pons announced that the Environment Commission of the Balearics is already processing the permits for dismantling Ibiza’s fuel oil turbines, ensuring the island’s energy is mainly produced by natural gas, with only 79 MW of power generated by fuel. The broken electrical link between Mallorca and Menorca is scheduled to be repaired in the near future, completing the first phase of the project.
Threats
The organisations are demanding the proposal be accepted as soon as possible to battle the threats facing the conservation of the Med. The expansion is expected to be granted by Madrid on December 18.
UNDERWATER: Energy
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Readers react to news of a violent fight between parents breaking out at a children’s football match in Murcia, where children watched on sobbing
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We speak to experts following the tragic Marbella El Corte Ingles suicide pact Page 6
GUTTED: Susana Diaz likely out of a job after losing snap election
MASSACRE MARCH
Don’t miss our second serialisation of the History of the Defeated by British expat Jonathan Whitehead 12 Page
MERRY SHERRY
We visit the world’s only restaurant with a venenciador, right here on the Costa del Sol Page 30
A STUNNING electoral defeat has ended the PSOE’s stranglehold on Andalucia after more than three DECADES in power. The 36-year reign - mired by a litany of corruption scandals - has finally come to an end, and Spain’s most populous region looks set to usher in a right-wing government for the first time since 1982. In a dramatic twist, Sunday’s snap election saw the Socialists lose a massive 17 seats, just months after leader Susana Diaz called for the vote, confident of a resounding victory - after all, Andalucians had always voted for the left. But the once loyal voters, it seems, finally snapped. The epic misstep left the PSOE with just 33 seats, which when paired with Adelante Andalucia’s 17, gave her a coalition of 50, five short of the 55 absolute majority needed to form a government. Her only very slim hope
Issue 306
V
December 5th - December 18th 2018
uadalhorce
www.theolivepress.es
alley
17
June 26 - July 9 2014
December 5th - December 18th 2018
GET LOST IN THE GUADALHORCE Charlie Smith discovers why so many expats have found their Eldorado in the white towns of the green Guadalhorce
Don’t miss Coin’s famous Flea market, while (left) a town near Alhaurin
It feels like we’re in the wilds but this is Las Delicias, an urbanisation in Coin just 33 km west of Malaga, and 30 km north of Marbella. After pulling my travelling partner Juan from his comfortable bed, we amble
downstairs where our host Hazel Rennalls has cooked up a mean breakfast. ‘Spanish toast’, complete
Ye Ole’ Butchery
with a piping cafetiere of the good stuff, lives up to the Las Delicias name. We aren’t the only guests at the Palms and Lights B&B which Hazel runs with her husband Tony, having made the leap to Spain from Wokingham 18 months ago. There are Americans staying which is clear proof. Guadalhorce Valley has international appeal.
Over a second cuppa, Hazel and fellow British expat Ursula Lewis endorse that, regaling me with tales of their adventures through the valley during their 25-year friendship. “Sundays in Coin are unforgettable,” says Ursula, who has travelled over 600 km from her home in Valencia for another glimpse of the valley - a reminder of the
green, g r e e n grass of her ex-home. “Every Sunday there is a flea market in La Trocha,” Hazel continues, referencing the swish commercial centre that has enticed the likes of El Corte Ingles and Dunnes Stores to branch
out into the rural hinterland to cater
for the growing expat population. Continues overleaf
Mumtaz Mahal Indian Restaurant, Coin
A Traditional Butchers supplying all the best cuts of meat. Homemade sausages, burgers,
+34 952 45 55 99 / +34 626 97 72 24
Menu del Dia
Lunch Menu 3 platos – 9.95 euros
cooked meats and savouries. Refrigerated deliveries available
Call Martin 667 431 366 yeolbutchery@gmail.com
Tues: 9.30am-2pm Wed-Fri: 9.30am-4pm Sat: 9.30am-2pm Closed Monday
Election shocker as PSOE to be ousted from Junta after
UNPACKING MENTAL HEALTH
Vol. 13
SPEND 15 minutes gawping at the rugged Alhaurin el Grande mountain range from our balcony before I realise I am late for breakfast. We’re running on empty but the cloud-covered peak of the Sierra de Mijas looming beyond the palm trees outside the window is more than enough to distract me from hunger pangs.
SEE INSIDE
18th 2018 Vol. 13 Issue 306 www.theolivepress.es December 5th - December
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36-year reign
GAME OVER Serrano, REGIONAL LEADERS: (Left to right) Vox’s Francisco Moreno Ciudadanos’s Juan Marin and Partido Popular’s Juan turned to the of staying in power is to persuade Ciu- economy, voters finally right for an alternative. dadanos to pact with PSOE. picked up 12 Her loss comes after decades of cor- Centre right Ciudadanos a total of 21, ruption have plagued the region and new seats, giving them - which cammade once sensationalist stories the while the far right Vox immigration norm, from the ERE slush fund to paigned hard on illegal seats with an the millions of euros of public money - picked up its first ever elected to the spent by bent politicians on strip clubs astonishing 12 members parliament. regional items. and luxury Partido Paired with a lacklustre approach to Coupled with the conservative means a coalition the migrant crisis and the perceived Popular’s 26 seats, it is the only parties right-wing the of local the lack of progress made on TM likely outcome with a 59-seat majority across Partido Ciudadanos, Popular and Vox. It is a shocking defeat for Diaz, who had hoped to boost fresh-faced PSOE prime minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid who now faces an uphill See page 24 battle come the general TM
DISGRACE: Parents scrap at kids’ footie match
election in 2020. Diaz looked exhausted as she addressed crowds on Sunday evening while warning against the rise of far right Vox - which wants to undo gay marriage and abortion rights. Her unprepared concession speech came after the polls failed to read the situation on the ground, with most predicting the incumbent Socialists to pick up 47 seats - while Vox was forecast to win just one. Corruption naturally loomed over the elections as the infamous ERE trial continued to rumble on in Sevilla. One of the biggest corruption cases in Spanish history, the scandal saw mostly politicians from the PSOE-run Junta embezzle public money meant for unemployed and retired workers. In total, at least €855 million in public funds were fraudulently taken via the Junta over a decade. It’s just one of several fraud cases to have rocked the Junta since the end of the Franco regime in 1975.
Letter
Forced
Current leader Diaz was forced to defend ex-PSOE junta bosses Manuel Chaves and Jose Antonio Griñan, who both served consecutive terms for a combined 23 years, when they appeared in court earlier this year. In what was a PR disaster for the Socialists, Diaz insisted they did not personally benefit or become rich through the scandal. Chaves is facing a 10-year ban on running for public office while Griñan is looking at six years in prison and a 30-year r e n e w a l s . S u b j e c t t o c o n d i t i o n s . Call or Whatsapp ban on running for public office 635 699 783 UK BASED for misappropriation of public funds. Under Chaves’s presidency be17:01 7 days a week 2/8/18Open tween 2001 and 2008 more than €576 million was diverted the fund. In what was bad CASHBACK ON into for Spanish timing for the PSOE, they both YOUR HOUSE appeared in court last week. residents Elsewhere, voters looked for a tougher stance on migration www.globelink.co.uk after a record-breaking year in terms of migrant arrivals - exthe two seats picked up PAYBACK WHEN plaining 96 626 5000 by Vox in each of Almeria, Cadiz and Malaga. YOU SELL +44 (0) 1353 699082
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Issue 306
uadalhorce
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December 5th - December
December 5th - December
alley
18th 2018
17
June 26 - July 9 2014
GET LOST IN THE GUADALHORCE 18th 2018
Charlie Smith discovers expats have found their why so many Eldorado in the white towns of the green Guadalhorce
Don’t miss Coin’s famous Flea market, while (left) a town near Alhaurin
I
SPEND 15 minutes gawping at the rugged Alhau- It feels like we’re in the with a rin el Grande mountain wilds but this is Las De- the goodpiping cafetiere of Over a second cuppa, Hazel g r e e n , range from our balcony licias, an urbanisation in the Las stuff, lives up to and fellow British expat Delicias name. Coin just 33 km west of before I realise I am late sula Lewis endorse that, Ur- g r e e n Ma- We aren’t for laga, and 30 km breakfast. of north of the Palmsthe only guests at galing me with tales of re- grass their her and Lights Marbella. We’re running on which Hazel runs with B&B adventures through the me. ex-hoher valley during their but the cloud-coveredempty After pulling my travelling husband 25-year “Every Tony, having made of the Sierra de Mijaspeak partner Juan from his com- the Sunleap to Spain from Wo- friendship. day there is ming beyond the palm loo- fortable bed, we amble kingham “Sundays in Coin are unfor- market in Laa flea 18 months ago. outside the window is trees downstairs where our host There Trocha,” more Hazel Rennalls are Americans sta- gettable,” says Ursula, who Hazel continues, than enough to distract has cooked ying which has referenme up a mean breakfast. is clear proof. from travelled over 600 km cing the swish from hunger pangs. ‘Spanish toast’, complete Guadalhorce Valley has in- for her home in Valencia centre that has commercial another glimpse of the enticed the ternational appeal. likes of El Corte valley - a reminder of the Dunnes Stores Ingles and to branch
Ye Ole’ Butchery Refrigerated deliveries
out into the rural hinterland to for the growing expat cater population. Continues overleaf
Mumtaz Mahal Indian Restaurant,
A Traditional Butchers supplying all the best cuts of meat. Homemade sausages, burgers, cooked meats and savouries.
+34 952 45 55 99 / +34
Coin
626 97 72 24
Menu del Dia
Lunch Menu 3 platos
– 9.95 euros
available
Call Martin 667 431
366
yeolbutchery@gmail.com
Game over A STUNNING electoral defeat has ended the PSOE’s stranglehold on Andalucia after more than three DECADES in power. The 36-year reign - mired by a litany of corruption scandals - has finally come to an end, and Spain’s most populous region looks set to usher in a right-wing government for the first time since 1982. In a dramatic twist, Sunday’s snap election saw the Socialists lose a massive 17 seats, just months after leader Susana Diaz called for the vote, confident of a resounding victory - after all, Andalucians had always voted for the left. But the once loyal voters, it seems, finally snapped.
Tues: 9.30am-2pm Wed-Fri: 9.30am-4pm Sat: 9.30am-2pm Closed Monday
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& 19.00-23.30
Moreno, 49, 29100
El Rodeo
Outrage after Spanish warship sails into Gibraltar territory while blaring national anthem
Misstep The epic misstep left the PSOE with just 33 seats, which when paired with Adelante Andalucia’s 17, gave her a coalition of 50, five short of the 55 absolute majority needed to form a government. It comes after decades of corruption have plagued the region and made once sensationalist stories the norm, from the ERE slush fund to the millions of euros of public money spent by bent politicians on strip clubs and luxury items. Paired with a lacklustre approach to the migrant crisis and the perceived lack of progress made on the local economy, voters finally turned to the right for an alA SPANISH warship has ternative. ‘illegally’ sailed into British Centre right Ciudadanos waters off Gibraltar while picked up 12 new seats, givblasting its national aning them a total of 21, while them. the far right Vox - which camGibraltarian Fisherman paigned hard on illegal imNicholas Karnani filmed migration - picked up its first the Spanish naval vessel ever seats with an astonishing passing the Rock before up12 members elected to the reloading the incendiary clip gional parliament. to Twitter. Coupled with the conserva-
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In the video, ‘Marcha Real’ can be heard blaring in
the latest gesture of military might near the British Overseas Territory. Karnani wrote: “Enough is enough, it may not undermine sovereignty for the UK, but for us Gibraltarians it's an invasion of BGTW (British Gibraltar Territorial Waters). “The UK Government must take action in defence of its people.”
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Astute arrived in Gibraltar at the weekend. Last month also saw a Royal Navy ship off Gibraltar fire a warning flare when a Spanish Guardia Civil boat got too close to nuclear submarine HMS Talent. There have been growing tensions between the UK and Spain since discussions over the future of Gibraltar’s sovereignty emerged during the Brexit talks. Spain’s troublesome foreign minister Josep Bor-
rell ignited fierce debate after he said: “I think the United Kingdom will split apart before the Kingdom of Spain.” He also claimed Spain would not stop an independent Scotland joining the EU before Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also appeared to reopen the debate on the sovereignty of the Rock when he attempted to amend the draft withdrawal agreement to include more Gib concessions.
‘No more nukes on the Rock’
SPANISH activists have demanded the UK government stop docking nuclear submarines in Gibraltar. Ecologistas en Accion blasted the British Navy following the arrival of the HMS Astute S119 into the overseas territory at the weekend. The green group called the submarine a ‘floating bomb’ and said it put the whole of Andalucia at risk from a nuclear fall out. “This is the largest submarine in the British Navy, a successor to the Trafalgar class with
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The UK Defence Journal also confirmed the news and said the boat was an Infanta Elena, a Descubierta class corvette dating from 1980. Another Gibraltarian, John Connor MBE said: “Clear provocation. Looking forward to the Foreign Office’s impotent PC verbal response.” The inflammatory military exercise by the Spanish comes after the British nuclear submarine HMS
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a capacity of 7,400 tonnes,” the group said in a statement. “It is the same submarine which ran aground on the island of Skye in Scotland - without there being victims - before being refloated and repaired later.” It criticised the vessel being docked on the Rock in 2014, 2015, and 2016, adding that the ‘floating bomb’ is ‘endangering the population of the Campo de Gibraltar end beyond’. It added: “We regret that Gibraltar welcomes submarines of different kinds which have
Sam Simmons, Surrey
continually had breakdowns or design flaws, and which are continuously putting at risk the Campo de Gibraltar area.” The group, which campaigns on environmental issues, said it was time for Gibraltar to be ‘free from nuclear-powered submarines and other vessels that are real floating bombs once and for all’. “A nuclear submarine like the ‘HMS Astute 119’ can cause a nuclear accident with a fallout radius engulfing most of Andalucia and the Maghreb,” it said.
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Unfit to have children I can't believe they really want their own kids to see them like that. No matter which country it happens in, parents be ashamed of yourself! I can hear kids screaming "papa!" You are not fit to have children. Pernille Mortensen, Malaga
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Hitting a million Thank you the Olive Press for publishing the story re: orangutans and Iceland (Almost a million sign petition to have Iceland’s Greenpeace Christmas ad allowed on TV, Issue 305). The petition was just 15,000 short of a million signatures, The Olive Press will help it get over the line, and hopefully pressure Clearcast to show the advert on TV. Anna Dinder, Malaga Voted BEST
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Frosty reception THE heartbreaking story of a baby orangutan hiding in a little girl’s room has already become this year’s most talked about Christmas advert. Created by Greenpeace for supermarket giant Iceland, which has 17 shops in Spain, the advert has caused outrage worldwide after being banned from broadcasting it on TV. Narrated by Dame Emma
Almost a million sign petition to have Iceland’s Greenpeace Christmas ad allowed on TV
Thompson, the tragic cartoon was deemed ‘too political’ by the UK advertising regulatory body, Clearcast. Since its ban the video has garnered almost 990,000 people signing a petition to get the cartoon shown on TV. Western] student is Iceland, has no control,” he said. “So [the has which less likely to put in the extra effort.” College, Madrid, three superChief Academic Officer at King’s markets on Dawn Akyurek, agrees. with the right teachthe Costa del “I believe all children can achieve amount of effort,” Sol, dedicater, the right conditions and the right self-belief.” ed it to the she told The Olive Press. “It’s aboutSpanish education orang‘25 The OECD recently criticised the learning. rote on utans we lose system for focusing too much remembering facts’ day’ every It said the Spanish were ‘better at creative thought or due to the but ‘fall down when it comes to destruction problem solving’.
LEARNING ABOUT LAZINESS
Sad times Disgusting. Unfortunately I have seen similar behaviour in Marbella. Aliona Newman, Marbella
Ban booze They should stop selling alcohol at the grounds. We had to stop a fight yesterday and the idiot was full of beer! It is disgraceful and the poor kids suffer! Jacqueline Graham, Malaga
of rainforests for palm oil. The advert shows cute baby Rang-tan telling her friend how she ended up in the little girl’s room and shows harrowing images of machines ravaging forests and taking orangutans with them. The supermarket chain has vowed to remove palm oil from all its products until producers of the oil stop devastating rainforests. Clearcast has since been forced to shut down its Facebook page after staff were ‘threatened and abused’ over the decision. A spokesman insisted Clearcast is ‘not a regulator’ and has ‘no power to ban ads’, but that it was not able to approve the ad due to its political stance.
Employment drive THE government is taking on 3,618 new staff in the Andalucian Health Service, with 10% of posts reserved for disabled people.
Nordic surge ICELANDIC expat retiring numbers in Spain are up 10% this year with around 700 registered with most in the Costa Blanca.
Pokerface THE Spanish foreign minister Josep Borrell has accused David Cameron of ‘playing poker’ with the UK and said he ‘won’t go down as the best Prime Minister of Britain’.
families and businesses across Europe St Georges European have been relocating dedicated European movers, we operate for over 10 years. As one of the UK’s only crews. manned by our own experienced trained our own fleet of purpose built vehicles within the removals & storage industry Insured by one of the UK’s leading brokers facilities in both the UK and Spain and with our own containerised storage to your next move. St Georges European have the solution
Cheers Olive Press Great article on pollution (Blowing in the wind, Gibraltar Olive Press investigates pollution on the Rock, Issue 84). Keep up the good work! Andy Hunter,Director the Hunter Group
European problem
Ignorance is bliss
I've seen the same stupidity in Belgium. It’s so sad.
At least these children know where meat comes from (PACMA slams hunting rituals in Spain where 10-year-old children’s faces smeared with blood, online). The killed animal looks like a wild boar killed for food. I eat meat and a wild animal is happier than an intensely farmed animal. I would rather eat the hunted wild boar as it had a better life.
Nicolas Busschaert, De Pinte, Belgium
Refs are fed up This happens in the UK as well. The referees went on strike as they were fed up with the levels of violence.
Brendan Walsh, La Linea 1 Utterly senseless (6) 4 Dry red Spanish wine (5) 8 Plain variety (7) 9 Operated by sound waves (5) 10 Wander (4) These people need psychiatric help. 11 Galilee native (7) Olive Press 2018_Layout 1 16/04/2018 14:57 Page 1 13 Unworkable (13) Michael Bath, London 15 Largest penguin (7) 17 Legal instrument (4) 19 Minor actor in crowd scenes (5) 20 Aardvark (3,4) Welcome to 21 Sum (5) Has anything piqued St. Andrew’s 22 Israeli currency (6) your interest in this 1 Paid announcement (13) 2 Tanner's aid (7) 3 Depend (4) 4 Confine (8) 5 Unit of weight (5) 6 Relating to building design (13) 7 Born in early December, perhaps (11) 12 Affliction of cats and other fur-lickers (8) 14 Violently frenzied (7) 16 Small in number (5) 18 Home of Salt Lake City (4)
A clifftop village in the south of Italy has caused controversy by charging visitors to enter its historic centre. Tourists have to pay €5 to enter the cobbled heart of Polignano a Mare, a village of whitewashed houses and churches perched on top of vertical cliffs in Puglia. Other towns are considering similar measures. Is it time for the Costa del Sol to follow the example set by some Italian towns?
than effort in the SUCCESS has more to do with talent minds of most Spanish adolescents. believe good results Only 30% of Spanish 15-year-olds can be obtained through effort. of South Koreans This compares to an incredible 60%2018 PISA report. in the same age bracket, found the Western As a result Asian students are outstripping OECD’s Education pupils academically, believes the Asian children boss Andreas Schleicher. He believes hard work can be are more receptive to the idea that West. the in children than rewarding which the student “Talent is seen as something over
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The poor kids. The parents should be deeply ashamed of themselves! Silvia Holsters, Estepona
See a shrink!
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We were waiting at the bus stop outside Leila Playa and were the only people there. A taxi driver pulled up and said that all the number 220 buses were cancelled. I didn’t hear him properly, but my other half Mike did. He knew it wasn’t true, because they don’t cancel the buses, so he slammed the door. People may not realise it’s a scam and then get in the taxi. If I was in London I would not even go over to the car, so I was very annoyed at myself. When you’re in holiday mode sometimes you don’t check things. We normally feel so safe here. Mike said anything could have happened, he could have grabbed us. We had our phones and wallets. It’s shocking there are all these scams out here, but then again it is the ‘Costa del Crime.’
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Dirty Sanchez It’s electioneering (It’s a no from me: Spain threatens to veto Brexit deal, Issue 305). A Spanish veto is not worth anything, and there It’s a no are regional elec- from me tions in Andalucia in the next few weeks. The Gibraltar issue seems to magically find its way to the top of the pile every time the Spanish PM needs to look strong internationally and nationally. Then it gets forgotten about a week or two later. Oliver Neilson, S’Arraco, Mallorca
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SPAIN has reiterated its threat to torpedo the Brexit withdrawal agreement if there are no further assurances on Gibraltar. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (above) confirmed he would be voting against the UK’s hard-fought exit deal if the text on Gibraltar isn’t changed.
In an apparent U-turn, having initially supported Theresa May’s 585-page blueprint for an EU departure, he said: “If there are no changes, Spain will vote no to the agreement.” It came after Foreign Minister Josep Borrell insisted Madrid needed more clarity on the future status of the Rock before it could ratify the deal. “There is something we only just found out about,” Borrell said, following meeting of the EU’s European affairsa ministers. “We want to make sure the interpretation of this text is clear and shows that what’s being negotiated between the EU and the UK does not apply to Gibraltar.” The delay, which made front page news in Spain, put further pressure on British Prime Minister May, who is already struggling with eurosceptics within her own party.
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As festive seaso family needs th costs for four-ye
THE Olive Press is laun appeal to help a desperat save her four-year-old tw going blind. Little Erik and Alexia urgen more tests to determine if th riorating vision can be treat But the expensive tests are c the Torremolinos-based fam Liverpudlian mum Fabiola 39, told the Olive Press how partner, Juan, 36, a mecha ‘hopeless’ after selling thei pay for the escalating medic It comes after the twins we nosed in April with a rare retinal dystrophy - a genetic which gradually causes blind But after three rounds of tests costing almost €3,00 doctors are still unable to the gene, meaning they can
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Give a dog a home HOMELESS puppies in Mallorca are set to receive early Christmas presents. Organisation, Palma Dogs, is hosting a Santa Paws Palma Dogs pub quiz at the Boat House restaurant on December 13, in a bid to raise funds for shelters across the island. Palma Dog is an organisation run by yacht crew members in Palma, who spend Saturdays with dogs from different shelters. The quiz hopes to fundraise for the shelter, but also raise awareness and encourage residents to adopt some pups in time for Christmas.
BEAUTIFUL: Fornalutx
Cavemen may have invented the Zodiac to keep track of time, a new study reveals ANCIENT Spanish cave paintings have revealed how humans used astrology to tell the time as early as the Paleolithic era, scientists have revealed. What were originally thought to be abstract depictions of animals could be zodiac signs based on constellations as they appeared at the time. The new research suggests that humans had sophisticated knowledge of complex star systems as long as 40,000 years ago. Cave art found throughout Europe reveals that humans measured time by watching how stars change position in the night sky, using them to mark events such as comet attacks. The phenomenon, known as
FORNALUTX is officially the most beautiful village in Mallorca, according to the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain. On New Year’s Day, 11 new pueblos will be added to the prestigious rankings, bringing the total to 79. Fornalutx, a pictur-
Do you have a what’s on? Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es
December 6th - December 19th 2018
Stellar discovery human migration. Teams from the universities of Edinburgh and Kent studied Palaeolithic and Neolithic cave paintings in Spain, Turkey, France and Germany. “Early cave art shows that people had advanced knowledge of the night sky within the last ice age,” said Edinburgh university’s Dr Martin Sweatman. “Intellectually, they were hardly any different to us today.”
ANCIENT: Cavemen’s drawings in Spain precession of the equinoxes, is caused by the gradual shift of Earth’s rotational axis – a discovery previously credited to the ancient Greeks thousands
of years later. Their knowledge may have even aided navigation on the open sea, giving us a broader understanding of prehistoric
Mirror Mirror
of care, love and good work on the part of villagers and institutions, in many cases through several generations of locals who knew how to leave a legacy that has been collected with love for their descendants,” said the association’s president, Francisco Mestre.
esque mountain village famous for its stunning stonework houses, is the only place in the Balearics to make the list. “The prize is for a lifetime
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Sophisticated
The team discovered that all sites used the same method of recording dates based on sophisticated astronomy, even though the art was separated in time by tens of thousands of years. Animal symbols daubed on the cave walls were aged by chemically dating the paints. Then the team used computer software to predict the positions of stars when the paintings were made. The results showed that what looked like abstract depictions of animals could be interpreted as zodiac signs based on constellations of the time.
what’s on
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GRUMPY old Ebenezer Scrooge will be on stage at the Palma Auditorium from December 14-16 in a classic performance of A Christmas Carol – and it's in English!
S
a n t a ’ s coming
PALMANOVA hosts the 'Diada de Nadal' – a day full of Christmas wonder and cheer on December 15, with family-friendly activities all day, concerts and a DJ to end the night.
W
i n t e r wonderland
PUEBLO Español stages its charming snow-frosted Christmas market on December 9, with some 100 stalls selling handmade gifts, mulled gluhwein, tasty treats and live music.
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Remembering the defeated
As the Olive Press launches an Autumn serialisation of a fascinating new book on the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath, History to the Defeated, here writer Jonathan Whitehead (right) explains its genesis
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VER the 30 years I have lived in Spain, I became increasingly aware of how little people in the UK actually knew about the events surrounding the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent dictatorship which lasted until General Francisco Franco’s death in 1975. On one occasion, a very knowledgeable person patiently corrected me and explained that Franco had in fact lost the war! For many years, I also found it extremely difficult to discover people in Spain who were willing to discuss their own experiences. I met people who had spent years in prison and in labour camps, others who had spent half a lifetime in exile. They all shared a reluctance to describe the events that had shaped their lives. Some because in 35 years of dictatorship they had been taught
the value of discretion, others because in return for a peaceful transition to democracy, they were prepared to forego their claims to justice and recompense. As we entered the 21st century, though, a new generation of Spaniards the children and grandc hildren of Republicans who had suffered Franco’s despotism began to challenge the pact of silence or denial that had shrouded the recent history of Spain. Attempts to investigate the crimes committed by the dictatorship were, however, resisted by Franco sympathisers.
Many had apparently embraced the new democratic system but were nevertheless determined to preserve the image of Franco as the man who had s a v e d S p a i n from communism and anarchism, defended the Catholic Church, restored social order and paved the way for a new prosperity. They argued that old wounds should not be reopened and refused to accept the obvious, that the wounds had in fact never been closed. The debate has recently been brought to the forefront again, with the plans of the current government to exhume the remains of the dictator and to remove them from the Valle de los Caídos, the mausoleum built in Franco’s honour with the forced labour of Republican prisoners. History to the Defeated sets out to explore some of the key episodes in the history of Spain between 1936 and 1975; and to describe events that reveal some of the darkest moments of the Civil War and the dictatorship.
Expose
It also explores the relations between Franco and his allies Hitler and Mussolini, and the attitude of the Allies in the post-war period towards a regime that had been installed largely through the intervention of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Finally, it describes the role some leading British figures played in the internal and external affairs of Spain; from Kim Philby to Winston Churchill and from journalists George Speer to George Orwell. The book is an attempt to expose the myth that Franco was a relatively benign dictator who provided the paternal authority and discipline required to rule over the Spanish. Above all, it seeks to highlight the bravery, suffering and sacrifice of so many Republicans who fought for the cause of freedom, and lost.
Dragons in the Sky
B
y the early summer of 1936, the days of the Spanish Second Republic were numbered. While escalating political unrest and violence undermined the authority of the new Popular Front government and the viability of the Republic, a cocktail of Monarchists, Fascists, and disaffected military leaders, supported by the Catholic Church, plotted the overthrow of the Republican order. The Second Republic had been proclaimed on 14 April 1931 when King Alfonso XIII acknowledged the monarchy’s unpopularity and abandoned the country. The electoral coalition of left-wing and Republican parties, known as the Frente Popular won a narrow victory in the general election of February 1936 and formed a moderate centre-left government. Given the threat to the privileges of landowners, industrialists, the Church, and the armed forces, various members of the military hierarchy engaged in a conspiracy to overthrow the government and the Republic. The movement was led by General Mola, the Military Governor of Pamplona, and General Sanjurjo, in exile in Portugal (having been released from prison after an unsuccessful coup in 1932). The success of the coup d’état nevertheless depended largely on the intervention of General Francisco Franco, kicking his heels in ‘internal exile’ in the Canary Islands. Franco was both cautious and ambitious and was unwilling to commit until he was sure of success. Rather than take an active role in the conspiracy he devoted his spare time to playing golf and apparently studying English. As plans for military insurgency continued, those behind the conspiracy were aware that if the General were to cease prevaricating, they needed to address the logistical question of how to transport him to Tetuan and thus allow him to take command of Spain’s African Army in Spanish Morocco. At the beginning of July, Luis Bolín, London correspondent of the monarchist daily newspaper ABC, was asked by the
How a pair of English teens, a Country Life editor and a British pilot helped Franco win the Spanish Civil War
say No.’ The plotters needed a second girl and Diana suggested her close friend, Dorothy Watson, who looked after the family’s chickens. In the words of Jerrold: ‘Then began the most arduous search of all. Pollard’s daughter was to be one of the party, but the other girl was out – no telephone inquiries could locate her. All that was known was that she was delivering chickens somewhere and that she hadn’t got a passport. And so the last crusade began on a hot July afternoon with four men searching frantically up and down Sussex lanes for a girl delivering chickens and who had not got a passport. In despair we turned into the pub, and there, the heavens being kind and the bar being open, we found her. ‘‘Dorothy, come here. You’re going to Africa to-morrow,” Hugh shouted cheerfully’. The three passengers, officially planning a hunting trip, subsequently joined Bolín when the aircraft took off from Croydon on 11 July. The pilot was Captain Cecil Bebb, ex-RAF, who was accompanied by a flight engineer and a mysterious radio-operator who proved to be either incompetent or a drunk, or both. According to his logbook, Bebb made a first stop at Bordeaux before setting off on the crucial stage to Portugal. He was under the strictest instructions not to land in Spain. Bad weather caused him to turn back and later the same day he tried again, this time from Biarritz, and finally managed to reach Espinho near Oporto. Running short on fuel, he was forced to make an unauthorised landing at a
newspaper’s owner to hire an aircraft in Britain. The money was to be provided by the financier Juan March, through the Fenchurch Street branch of Kleinwort’s Bank. Over lunch at Simpson’s-in-the-Strand, Bolín consulted Douglas Jerrold, an extreme right-wing journalist. They subsequently approached the Olley Air Service, operating from its base at Croydon Airport, and rented a seven-seater de Havilland Dragon Rapide. They also contacted Jerrold’s friend Hugh Pollard and asked him to put together a small group of passengers who would travel to the Canaries and provide cover for the mission. The Major was ‘sporting editor of Country Life,… a fervent, Fascist-sympathising Catholic with a colourful past, including time as a “‘police adviser”’ in Dublin Castle during the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-–21’.’ He agreed and recruited the support of his daughter Diana who later reported: ‘I remember that summer’s day fairly distinctly. My father came out and he was rather excited. He said would we be willing to act as cover, pretend to be rich tourists, just about a week as company with whoever was there and dump a plane in North Africa and then come back by boat. So, you know, you are eighteen and you don’t have any particular wish for adventure, but it would seem a stupid thing to ON SCREEN: Dragon Rapide film poster
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BRITISH CONNECTION: Pilot Cecil Bebb while (right) Douglas Jerrold
military aerodrome. According his first class after the murder to Bolin’s version of the flight, of Calvo Sotelo he looked as it seemed he might be refused if he had aged ten years overpermission to take off again. night. The passengers were invited to Captain Bebb was now confitake part in a fiesta at a nearby dent enough to send the erratic village until the local authorities radio operator home, and on agreed to allow the aircraft to the 15th, the party flew to Las continue its journey. Palmas where they landed at On 12 July, right-wing thugs the military Gando Aerodrome. murdered Lieutenant Jose Cas- Franco was still unsure of his tillo as he walked to work in the own role in events and decided centre of Madrid. Castillo be- not to order the Dragon Rapide longed to a group of anti-Fascist to Tenerife, but rather to keep military officers and had been Bebb on standby-by in Las warned by colleagues that his Palmas. On 16 July, General life was in danger. Meanwhile, Balmes, the Military Commandthe party aboard er of the Canary the Dragon Islands, was Rapide flew first killed in a fortuFranco came to Alverca, near itous accident to school after Lisbon and then during target to Casablanca practice at an Sotelo’s murder on the African Army shooting mainland. and looked like he range. Not only At three o’clock did this provithe following had aged 10 years dential incident morning, a leftprovide Franco wing hit squad with the perfect abducted José Calvo Sotelo excuse to travel to Las Palmas, from his home and executed it also seems to have removed him. Calvo Sotelo was a right- any lingering doubts in his mind. wing member of Parliament, Bebb was placed on alert. and his murder was in direct The next day, while Bebb enretaliation for the death of Cas- joyed a breakfast of bacon and tillo. The high political profile of eggs provided by the British the victim meant that optimum Consul, Franco arrived in Gran conditions now existed for a Canarias on an overnight ferry military uprising. However, Mola to attend the funeral and was waited in vain for a signal from informed of a military uprising Franco. Still reluctant to com- in Mellila. On the 18th, Franco mit himself and aware that the boarded a tug and was transsuccess of the insurgency was ferred to the aerodrome where ultimately contingent on the Bebb and the Dragon Rapide intervention of the Army of Af- awaited him. He boarded the rica, Franco was determined to aircraft and changed into civiluse this leverage in pursuit of ian clothes. Bebb refuelled at his own ambitions. His English Agadir and eventually landed in teacher, Dora Lennard, claims Casablanca, where an anxious that when Franco appeared for Luís Bolín awaited. The next
DICTATOR: General Franco in official snap
morning, they flew on to Tetuan, and Franco was able at last to take command of the Spanish troops in North Africa. The coup had meanwhile failed and Mola and Franco’s fear that if they failed to overthrow the Republic immediately, Civil War would ensue, proved correct. In the early skirmishes, the military insurgents took Seville, Pamplona, Zaragoza while the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao remained in the hands of the Republic. Victory for the rebels now depended on the swift intervention of the troops under Franco’s command. Crucially, the Navy remained loyal to the legitimate government and, unable to transfer his troops to mainland Spain by sea, Franco dispatched agents to Italy and Germany to beg for aircraft to deliver the Army across the Straits of Gibraltar to mainland Spain. Both Mussolini and Hitler were forthcoming in their support. The Führer was at the Wagner festival in Bayreuth and was, it would appear, inspired by the example of Siegfried. The Junkers 52 and the SavoiaMarchetti S81 successfully executed the first major airlift of troops in history, and Franco was soon able to embark on a triumphant march on Madrid and to consolidate his own position as leader of the insurrection. Given the participation of British nationals in the drama of the Dragon Rapide, there has been speculation on the involvement of the British secret services; indeed, Pollard was an experienced agent and it seems likely that he would have informed military intelligence. The British authorities certainly took no measures to abort the mission. Captain Bebb made his way safely back to Britain and Franco later awarded him the Order of Merit. The British historian Sir Arthur Bryant was invited to provide a foreword to Luis Bolin’s history of the flight of the Dragon Rapide. In a sentence designed to describe what the Civil War was not, he succinctly summarised precisely what it was: ‘a heroic struggle for liberty by an oppressed people against a treasonable clique of military adventurers, reactionary aristocrats and corrupt priests sustained only by Moorish mercenaries and Italian and German Fascists’.
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Y viva España! Spain is the humblest country in Europe when it comes to shouting about its national patrimony - way behind boastful Britain and gloating Greece, according to a recent poll. But Pablo Balbontin has 10 reasons to be proud of his native land!
Food
MAESTRO: Picasso is one of Spain’s finest exports, while Dali (below) is an art iconan icon
T
HE Spanish are the least culturally arrogant race in Europe. Only one in five Spaniards regard their traditions and cultural exports as superior to others. Carried out by the Pew Research Centre between 2015 and 2017, the study found that only 20% of Spaniards believed their culture was ‘superior’ to others. This compared to a shocking 89% in Greece, 47% among their neighbours in Portugal and 46% in the UK. Following the surprising news, the Olive Press picked out 10 cultural traits that debunk the stats:
Folklore
Flamenco may well be the bestknown genre of Spanish folklore and while it deserves the spotlight, there are others that should take a bow. Every region has its own identity, manifested in its diverse folklore: these include the ‘Castells’, or human castles from Catalunya, the ‘Jotas’ in Aragon, and the celebrated ‘Carnaval’ in Cadiz.
Health
Spaniards have one of the longest average life expectancies in the world, at 83 years. And there have been many eminent studies into what keeps us so healthy. The long list includes the Med Diet, the low suicide rate and the excellent health service, with hospitals making major breakthroughs in genetics and transplants. Spain invests €1 billion annually on cancer research. The great weather also has an influence, creating outgoing citizens who enjoy busier social lives. While the streets of northern Europe are dead past 22:00 Spain’s are full of life.
Social Achievements
The Spanish have always been well aware of their rights and have fought bravely to achieve them. The Second Republic in the 1930s, for example, was one of the first governments to give women the right to vote, thanks to activists like Clara Campoamor. Students and workers struggled against Franco’s dictatorship but even after democracy, people gave their lives to achieve the status of Autonomous Communities for their regions. The birth of the 15M movement which caused a political earthquake, questioning the bipartisan model, shows what Spaniards can achieve.
As any global gourmet will tell you, Spanish cuisine is up there with the best. And we’re not just referring to the famous Mediterranean diet (see below), that is helping to maintain the Spanish as the second longest living race in the world. Globally famous chefs including David Munoz, Eneko Atxa and Martin Berasategui not only hold three Michelin stars here in Spain, but have their own restaurants in the global food capital of London. And in addition, the country that made tapas go viral is also home to some of the best wines in the world in Ribera del Duero, Rioja and, of course, in Jerez, where according to the world’s most famous wine critic Robert Parker, there are half a dozen 100 out of 100 wines. And let’s not forget jamon Iberico, bluefin tuna and Sanlucar prawns.
Architecture
The Romans started it and the Moors continued the tradition creating wonderful architectural masterpieces in Spain. Granada’s Alhambra Palace, Cordoba’s mosque and Sevilla’s cathedral, the third largest in the world, are among the treasures on offer, while the country’s 20th century creativity has left Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, the Metropol in Sevilla and the Oscar Niemeyer Cultural Centre in Avilés.
Tolerance
Art, literature and fashion
Nature
History
The Iberian Peninsula has an incredible heritage from the Tartars to the Greeks and the Romans to the Arabs … every one of these civilisations has left its mark on Spain. From culture to entirely new towns, visitors have made Spain diversity personified and all Spanish people have a little bit of their DNA. That may be why Spain is the only place in the world where the three monotheistic cultures cohabited peacefully: Christians, Muslims and Jews back in the days of Al Andalus. Our culture went on to found the amazing cities of Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico City and Buenos Aires and Spain was once known as the ‘Empire where the sun never sets’ for its vast colonies stretching east to west.
The Inquisition aside, Spain’s diverse history has made it one of the most tolerant countries not just in Europe but the world. It was the fourth country to legalise gay marriage, with 77% of Spanish in favour of it. Unlike Germany or Hungary it is also one of the most tolerant towards Muslims. One of the biggest Jewish communities in Europe is on Costa del Sol and the extreme right has almost no political representation, despite an alarming worldwide growth trend. We can even make jokes about our national flag!
ART: Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
A road trip throughout Spain shows us a land with a thousand faces: the dense forests of the Basque Country and Galicia, the majestic mountains of Asturias and Catalunya, the bright blue Costa del Sol sea, the vast plateau of Castilla La Mancha, the lunar landscapes of Almeria … the list goes on. The country also has the world’s rarest wildcat, the lynx, while boasting flamingoes, wolves and Griffon vultures. It also has the largest area of protected parkland in Europe.
GRANADA: “La Sale du tribunal à l’Alhambra de Grenade”
Ask anyone in the world to name a great artist off the top of their head and Picasso’s name is likely to come up first. And what about Goya MUSIC: and Velazquez Manuel de Falla and 20th century creatives like Dali and Miro? The history books are bulging with Spanish artists and writers, such as Cervantes, the so-called Spanish Shakespeare who is considered one of the greatest writers of all time. Don Quixote? Hmmm, who hasn’t heard of that. Then there’s impressionist painter Joaquin Sorolla, composer Manuel de Falla and hip designers like Alejandro FOLKLORE¨Flamenco passion Palomo and Balenciaga.
Technology
FASHION:
Balenciaga
Many Spanish inventions have become household names, including the famous candy ‘chupa chups’ and the mop. But did you know the wheelchair also has Spanish DNA, and the disposable syringe. The first submarine was also conceived here in 1888. And the list goes on in the 21st century with the country helping to build the ‘desert AVE’, a train that travels across Saudi Arabia from Medina to Mecca. At almost 500 km long and running through inhospitable desert terrain, it was a major challenge.
PROPERTY
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NEW: Developments
Palma expands A NEW neighbourhood is set to spring up in Palma over the next few years, starting next spring. Developers Metrovacesa will break ground on Residencial Jardins de Llevant in March. The complex of 91 one-to-fourbedroom apartments and eleven single-family duplexes will be set in landscaped gardens with two community pools and parking for every property. Homes are already for sale off-plan for between €179,000 and €491,000.
Massive
It is the first of five projects in a massive €400 million investment that will create 550 new homes in the Nou Llevant area, along with offices and commercial spaces. Created by Patxi Mangado, who designed the Palacio de Congresos and won this year’s National Architecture Prize, the style will blend in with the contemporary look of other new projects around the Bay of Palma. “Palma is a leading city,” said CEO of Metrovacesa Jorge Pérez de Leza. “It has one of the highest qualities of life indexes in all of Spain.” The first phase is expected to be completed by late 2020, with the whole neighbourhood finished by 2023. The entire project will generate around 1,000 jobs. The nearby Palacio de Congresos has only boosted the value and appeal of the area.
A NEW luxury hotel in Palma is set to shake up Mallorca’s hospitality scene next spring with its avant garde design. El Llorenç Parc de la Mar is said to be
SPACIOUS: Interiors
'the first of its kind on the island' with 35 exclusive guest rooms and the largest infinity pool in the capital. Set in Palma’s oldest neighbourhood of La Calatrava, the hotel will boast two swimming pools, a rooftop bar, spa and a new restaurant. The interiors by Swedish design maestro Magnus Ehrland point to a new direction in Balearic style, stepping away from the ‘overdone white beach linens and wicker combination’ to offer ‘a richer aesthetic that pays homage to the history of Palma’. Moorish motifs can be found throughout the hotel, seen in authentic dark wood lattice-work and Arab-Mallorcan tiling. “El Llorenç Parc de la Mar is a unique
STUNNING: Balcony views hotel that embodies the best of what Mallorca has to offer, whilst also offering something that hasn’t been seen on the island before,” said Joan Comas, the hotel’s general manager. “The hotel delivers on all of the traditional requirements for seamless travel, whilst being modern, innovative and tech-savvy at the same time.”
Rubble rousing Homeowners knocking down houses in droves to avoid hefty fines for illegal works
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December 6th - December 19th 2018
OWNERS of illegally built homes and extensions have been taking the initiative and tearing them down voluntarily to avoid five-figure fines. The Agency for the Defence of Territory have issued 159 demolition orders since 2017 began, and 90% of those properties have been voluntarily demolished. The agency credits the new
Gran via MADRID’s famous Gran Via has seen a multi million makeover in time for the festive season. After almost a year of construction work, the grand road running through the city’s center has been transformed to compete with other European capitals. After a 9 million facelift, pedestrians now have more walking space on the busy pavements with an extra 6,800 square metres. Whereas drivers now have one less lane to get through the center, inciting traffic fears in many residents.
cumulative fines handed out to those who leave their illegal works standing, which increase over time. Bartomeu Tugores, director of the Territory Defence Agency, said that ‘coercive fines have helped to raise awareness among urban violators.’ “They know that if they are demolished at the moment they are ordered to demolish, they can save up to 90% of the fine,” he said. Many of the violations are illegal additions to houses or pools built on rustic land without permits. The average sanction given by the Consell de Mallorca is a steep €60,000 to €70,000 for irregular or illegal works. But one illegally built mansion in Marratxí accrued a €1 million fine, setting a stern example for other violators. Since 2010, fines exceeding €14 million have been levied. A further 150 demolition orders have yet to be given to owners and nearly 800 other violations are being processed. "For this, we need more technical personnel with the aim of tackling irregular urban planning, and we are in the process of hiring 24 new technicians and creating a new department to deal with the volume of work we have," said Mercedes Garrido, the Consell’s councillor for territory
and infrastructure. The rise in sanctions is a result of 80% of towns transferring responsibility to the Agency for Defence of Territory which has stepped up inspections dramatically, both on the ground and in the air via helicopters and satellites. Owners of illegal structures are either given a fine and must file the proper paperwork to make them legal, or demolish them if legislation is impossible.
TWO Spanish cities have made it into the top 40 best cities to live in the world. Barcelona has beaten its old rival Madrid to be crowned Spain’s ‘most liveable’ city, as a list of the world’s top 50 is released. Madrid trails in at number 39, scoring 90.9%, Barcelona is placed 30th with 92.5% in the annual global habitability index compiled by the The Economist Intelligence Unit. The five criteria used to calculate each city’s score were stability, education, culture and environment, health and infrastructure.
Identical
Both Spanish cities had identical scores for the first three categories but Barcelona edged ahead with better health and infrastructure rankings than Madrid. London only made it to number 48 (89.1%) on the list while Ireland’s best-performing city, Dublin, finished 41 (90.7%). Manchester is the most liveable British city at number 35, ahead of Madrid, with a habitability score of 91.3%. Australia, Canada and Japan dominate the top 10, but the number one spot goes to Vienna, Austria, which received a near-perfect score of 99.1%.
Let us guide you home Real Estate | Immobilien | Inmobiliaria
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PROPERTY
December 6th - December 19th 2018
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Dec 6th - Dec 19th 2018
As Malaga and Puerto Banus prepare to reimagine their blood-stained bullrings, the Olive Press takes a look at the most impressive restoration projects ringing the changes across Spain
Ringmasters Tarraco Arena Plaza, Tarragona
I
T is the controversial tradition that has divided a nation and horrified and amazed tourists in equal measure. But one thing cannot be disputed - Spain’s bullrings offer some of the most incredible architectural delights the country has to offer. As Malaga commits to revamping its white and yellow-clad facade, and with Puerto Banus pledging to turn its famous bullring into an arts and gastronomic venue, plazas de toros nationwide are going through a cultural metamorphosis. Some seven years after matadors hung up their red muletas for the last time in Catalunya, its bloody battlegrounds have become shopping hubs, while those abandoned in other regions have become bustling hotels and restaurants. Here the Olive Press rounds up the ringleaders of this no-bull restoration movement.
Looking like a spaceship from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Tarragona’s futuristic Tarraco Arena Plaza is a visionary masterpiece. Originally designed in 1881 by architect Ramon Salas, the 32-metre high building was modelled on Madrid’s famous plaza de toros Las Ventas. The unused historic site was renovated in 2006 for a cool €18 million with a convertible roof and capacity for a whopping 10,800 people. Now, it holds mega concerts, sports events and its epic annual Castells Competition where hundreds of ‘castellers’ compete to build the biggest human pyramid (see far left).
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December 6th - December 19th 2018
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December 6th - December 19th 2018
Not many can say they have rested their head where matadors once stepped into their suits of lights before taking on a bull. In the sleepy town of Almaden in Ciudad Real, the four-star Hotel Plaza de Toros is one of the most original lodgings in Spain, boasting 24 rooms originally intended for miners working in the area in the 18th century. Built in 1752, the luxury hotel was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, largely due a one-of-a-kind feature - the hexagonal shape of the internal bullring. The building also features El Trapio restaurant incorporating the torero theme with a terrace backing onto the old yellow ring - the perfect spot for a sol y sombre night cap.
Hotel Plaza de Toros de Almaden, Ciudad Real
Las Arenas, Barcelona Undoubtedly the prize for the most famous bullring transformation goes to Las Arenas, in Barcelona’s iconic Plaza de Espana. What was once a site of bloodshed has become a modern shopping and leisure centre, featuring a 100m diameter dish with a roof terrace offering unbeatable panoramic views of the city’s skyline. Designed by British architect Richard Rogers, the 19th century building was reopened in 2011 - one year after the Catalan Parliament voted to ban the ‘sport’. Despite falling into disrepair in the 1990s, the neo-Mudejar facade was perfectly preserved and lifted above street level to create the impressive site it has become today.
Restaurante Plaza de Toros, Antequera Nestled below Antequera’s bullring, with sloping wooden beams, winding corridors and torero memorabilia, the Restaurante Plaza de Toros seats some 200 diners. The building, which opened in 1848, also hosts a museum dedicated to the history of the tradition. Interestingly, the ring above still hosts bullfights, particularly during annual festivals in May and August, meaning diners get more than their meal’s-worth if they book a table during those months.
Mercado Gastronomico de San Albin, Merida Another bullfighting-themed eatery attracting travellers from far and wide is housed between the walls of Merida’s red-washed 20th century bullring. Transformed into a gourmet street market, each original alcove
features individual stalls serving up the best in Spanish tapas. Reopening in 2015, the Badajoz architectural gem still manages to hold corridas, as well as a summer cinema and concerts.
Keys Isl nd to the
By Amanda Butler
Need for clarity Things aren’t much clearer just three months before the UK’s exit from the EU, writes MJC Associates’ Amanda Butler
W
hat a tangled web we Brits weave! Article 50 without requiring the backing of the 27 Brexit - probably the most talked about member states. word over the last two years - trudges on Although the Advocate General’s opinions are not with customary vengeance as I write! Hav- legally binding, the court is guided by them for the ing never particularly been a supporter of our (poten- majority of its final rulings, according to BBC reports. tially soon to be erstwhile) prime minister, I do have The anti-Brexit politicians are hoping this will give to admit to feeling rather sorry for Theresa May. She MPs an extra option whether to approve Mrs May’s has been handed - what I believe most of us can now deal or not, keeping alive the prospect of calling a appreciate - is the most poisoned of chalices when second Brexit referendum. she took over from David Cameron (remember him?!) What interesting times we live in and it demontwo years ago. Where are we now just three months strates very clearly the paucity of information that away from the exit date? And any perception of what both sides of the campaign presented at the start of may ultimately happen today is likely this whole thing. to be changed by this time tomorrow.. For those following my bimonthly arAlthough property sales from the ticle, I had a moment of excitement Theresa May is British market have been strong this regarding the sale of the Mallorca year, there are many being cautious, facing an uphill Observatory last week, with an actuwaiting to see what transpires and real life astronaut - who has spent battle to get the al how it will affect us. At least the only over 100 days in space - showing an saviour for our currency is perhaps interest in joining the partnership bill passed in that ‘unmentionable’ People’s Vote, with whom I am in talks. But with parliament what many might call a second refthis potentially being the last week erendum. to put a firm offer down on the table With the agreed EU Brexit deal on of this property repossession, I am the table, Tuesday December 11 will conclude five sadly not overly confident on the strength of their days of heated debate on a motion to approve the conviction. However, I did try my best, unusual a EU withdrawal agreement and the political decla- commodity as it was. Hopefully if my group does not ration that follows it. Theresa May is facing what come up trumps, we may yet perhaps see it being seems to be an uphill battle to get this passed - saved for the island by another party. something which currently looks unlikely. As to my client interested in the plot highlighted in But as of today, according to the Advocate General my last musings, they are coming back just before of the European Court of Justice, we may have been Christmas to take a another look - so if you are readhanded a ‘get out of jail’ card (depending on your ing this and happen to have a nice plot with a decent viewpoint), with the ability to change our minds on sea view in the Southwest, please do get in touch!
Contact Amanda J Butler to buy or sell your home: Tel: +34690075169, www.mjcassociates.net. Your professional one stop property shop around the Island!
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BUSINESS
December 6th - December 19th 2018
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December 6th - December 19th 2018
Turbulent times SPANISH airlines are officially the most complained-about in Europe, a new government report has revealed. Iberia, Vueling and Air Europa, along with Ryan Air, Norwegian, Wizz Air and the now defunct Air Berlin were the airlines that came up most often in passenger complaints filed with Spain’s State Air Security Agency (AESA). In 2017 the governmentrun body saw a staggering 50% rise in complaints from 2015, with 15,604 travellers voicing their concerns. National flag carrier Iberia came out top for providing a poor service for flyers, with 2,400 filed complaints and Vueling was a close second with 2,300, followed by Ryanair with 1,789. AESA partially blamed the ‘increase in air traffic Spain’ for the rise in customer gripes. However, Spanish airport authority AENA argued that the number of travellers grew by only 19% during the two year period.
Chipping in
Dried ham deal helps China alleviate Trump trade war in $10 trillion foreign imports move
CHINA has secured a lucrative jamon deal with Spain to protect itself from the $250 billion (€220 billion) of trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. President Xi Jinping flew to Spain for a three-day state visit last week, where he signed around 20 government and business agreements, including one to export on-the-bone legs of Iberian ham to China. In a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at Madrid’s City Hall, the Chinese premier said he wanted to import $10 trillion (€8 trillion) worth of goods over the next five years. The Chinese president described his country as being THE Bank of Spain has revealed it has written off €42 billion of debt since the financial crisis of 2007-2008. Only €4.5 billion has been recovered so far said the bank, which committed €54 billion of public money to rescue 14 financial institutions since 2009. On top of the €4.5 billion however, the bank, which is
VALUABLE: Jamon is a luxury in China
Hamming it up
at a ‘crossroads’ in their economy, as he vowed to increase imports of jamon, something considered a luxury product in China. Spanish jamon producers
will now look to cash in off the back of the deal, by expanding exports to China, the world’s top pork consumer. Xi said: “In economic terms, we need to decide if we are
Complete write off headed by Pablo Hernández de Cos, said that a further €10 billion could be recouped. Speaking about the loss of public funds, Klaus Regling, executive director of the European Stability Mechanism, said: “I’m not surprised. Resolving
the crisis was very expensive.” The largest cash injection for any bank after the financial crash in Spain was to Bankia in 2012, which was given a staggering €24 billion by the Bank of Spain.
going to follow the economic globalisation and free market or if we are going to choose unilateralism and protectionism.” It comes as Spanish exports to China increased by 28% last year to reach €5.7 billion. A Spanish government source did however reveal that Madrid would not sign up to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, a development that links several of China’s global infrastructure projects. Xi, who is the first Chinese president to visit Spain on a state visit for 13 years, will now travel to a G-20 leaders’ summit in Argentina, and then on to Panama and Portugal.
GOLF is on the money in Mallorca, contributing €165 million a year to the island’s coffers. A new economic impact study on 19 of the island’s 21 courses found that they make a significant contribution to local economies. However only two out of every ten golf rounds are played by residents, with 80% of green fees bought by tourists. Germans visitors are the most avid players (44%) while the British (14%) are the second biggest market. Golf courses alone generate some €81.65 million annually with 43% spent on the game, 38% on accommodation at the courses and the rest on services. Golf has also promoted an upswing in stable employment, with 89% of workers on indefinite contracts and 97% employed full-time, while contributing jobs in spin-off industries such as transport, food and beverages and cleaning services.
ON THE UP: Golf
AGONY ANT
YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES
Home sweet home Spanish Supreme Court rules on former matrimonial homes, writes Lawbird’s Antonio Flores
R
ECENT Supreme Court (SC) divorce case law has placed regular disputes over the ‘family home’ in a prominent position. Not only is this a very emotional subject at the core of some of the most acrimonious divorces, it is in fact believed that therein lies the root of many domestic abuse cases - some fatal - when a new partner starts living in the former matrimonial home with the one given the right to stay. Article 96 of the Civil Code paragraph 1 states that ‘in the absence of an agreement between the spouse approved by the Judge, use of the family home and the objects of ordinary use therein shall correspond to the children and to the spouse in whose company they remain’. In 2013, the SC stated that the use of a family home but the spouse in charge of the children was not temporarily limited but adding that such relief was available so long as the home did not ‘lose its family home nature’, or it was proven that the ‘children had their accommodation needs covered elsewhere’. In these cases, the occupying spouse would lose the right of use. In 2017, the same court ruled that the existence of a new partner in the marital home - given to an ex-wife and children - should necessarily reduce the maintenance payments by reason of the rule of proportionality.
And as of November 24 2018, a plenary meeting of the First Chamber of the SC ruled that where a father or a mother who, having been given the right to live in the former jointly owned matrimonial home with the children, enter into a new relationship and live together in the said home, by application of new doctrine the spouse with right of use will automatically lose such right of the former matrimonial home. The immediate effect is that this property can now be subjected to a forced sale, in case the former partners do not agree on voluntarily selling up.
Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL www.theolivepress.es
LEGEND: Jose Andres
Peace of the pie BIG-hearted Spanish superchef Jose Andres has been nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize after helping disaster victims. His World Central Kitchen organisation, set up by Andres in 2010, helped feed three million people in Puerto Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Most recently, the humanitarian and author, who has a series of restaurants in America, helped feed 15,000 survivors of the California wildfires, mobilising local and celebrity chefs.
Innovative
December 6th - December 19th 2018
Culinary maestro Albert Adria introduces London to ‘cakes and bubbles’ in first foodie venture outside of Spain
O
NE of Spain’s most iconic chefs is set to cook up a storm in the UK. Albert Adria, former co-owner of the five-time winning World’s Best Restaurant El Bulli, has opened his first permanent restaurant outside Spain. The legendary pastry chef joins fellow Spanish chefs David Munoz, Eneko Atxa and Martin Berasategui in London, with his new neoclassical eatery. Called Cakes & Bubbles, it will only be serving up champagne and pastries. Housed in the luxury five-star hotel Cafe Royal on Regent
What’s on for foodies!
P
Sweet success
Street, Cakes & Bubbles is a spin-off from La Dolca - the fantasy desert space at his restaurant Tickets, in Barcelona. The choice of London for his first non-Spanish venture was an obvious one for gastronomic revolutionary Adria, who de-
scribes the city as ‘the great capital of the world’. “You’re not going to find anywhere in the world like this, London was the perfect venue - a gift,” said 49-year-old Adria. “I have been working 33 years towards such a project.”
Vegan revolution
Democrat Congressman John SPAIN'S first vegan chef collective has Delaney, who nominated Anformed in Mallorca to promote plantdres, said: “With an incredible based cooking on the island. Vegan Chefs IB brings 15 vegan cooks tospirit and an innovative mind, gether to create partnerships and events Andres is solving one of the pushing the meat-free movement. world’s ancient problems.” They will create innovative and vibrant Andres wrote about his Puerdishes to normalise plant-based diets to Rico efforts in his book: and work towards getting more vegan We Fed an Island: The True TheBoathouse_XmasAd_OlivePresscuisine 05/12/2017 17:28 across Page 1 the island. on menus Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time.
While vegans only make up 1% of the population in Spain, forecasts expect the number to grow in the near future in line with countries like Germany and Sweden. Last month, the Vegan Gastronomy Culinary Academy in Palma announced that it will launch a new vegan pizza school in March in an effort to 'mainstream' vegan food in the Balearics.
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December 6th - December 19th 2018
Undoubtedly, the star of the menu is the chef’s world famous Tickets’ cheesecake - a trompe l’oeil hazelnut and white chocolate coulommiers cheese wheel. Creating a guilt-free haven, Cakes & Bubbles’ treats have less added sugar than usual, no colourants, icing or glitter and are based on seasonal produce to emulate Japan ‘where their desserts reflect the different seasons of the year’.Each dessert takes the team of seven three hours to create batches of 150 treats. Other patisserie winners include the ‘air-pancake’ finished with caramelised banana, Thai grapefruit and papaya salad, frozen coconut and chocolate flower and a strawberry and chocolate marshmallow After Eight.
ig out
DECEMBER is the month for matanzas (pig slaughters) and Sineu turns their Sant Tomas fair into a food fest on December 9. Watch how sobrassada is made, shop for slaughtering tools, and tuck into all the tasty treats.
S
anta's milk
SWEET and spicy almond milk traditionally flavoured with cinnamon, sugar and lemon is a Christmas treat celebrated at the Fira de la Llet d'Ametla (almond milk fair) in Marratxí on December 16.
R
oast dinner
THE Olive Tree in Palmanova is hosting a special Christmas dinner on December 12 and 13, including beef, chicken or sea bass with goose fat-roasted potatoes and all the trimmings. A vegetable tart option is available as well.
If you’re looking for the best place for some festive fun this side of the North Pole, look no further. The Christmas party starts here! You’re always guaranteed a very warm welcome along with food and drink that’s fit for a king – or even three kings. For more information, to book a bash or a table at our fabulous New Year’s Day Brunch, simply call our resident Party Elf, Cristina on 971 220 990 or slip an email down our chimney. In the meantime, we'd like to wish all of our customers a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.
Located on the dockside, opposite Palma Auditorium. On site 24 hour car parking. www.theboathouse.es • events@theboathouse.es • 971 220 990 www.facebook.com/theboathousepalma
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
December 6th - December 19th 2018
www.theolivepress.es
Dec 6th - Dec 19th 2018
The G-astronomical Dani Garcia As Dani Garcia wins a coveted third Michelin star, the OP tracks the Marbellin’s astronomical culinary journey
DID YOU know 1 Home-grown in Marbella, Dani trained in Malaga at La Consula cookery school, formerly a villa where Ernest Hemingway spent his holidays.
W
HEN Dani Garcia became the youngest chef in Spain to receive a Michelin star at the tender age of 25, it was clear he was destined for greatness. After 20 years of slaving in the kitchen, the 42-year-old Marbella wunderkind has won the highest culinary honour in the world. The Michelin guide praised his ‘unique way of reinventing Andalucian gastronomy in a contemporary form’. His Marbella-based restaurant at the Puente Romano Hotel was the only one in Spain or Portugal to be awarded a trio of stars – the highest accolade – in the 2019 Michelin Guide, announced at a glittering ceremony in Lisbon this month. To celebrate his stellar success the Olive Press has rounded up 10 facts you might not know about the culinary maestro.
2. While he has three Michelin stars he doesn’t even make Tripadvisor's Top 100 for Marbella.
special hamburgers for McDonalds, the Grand McExtrem Bibo and the Grand McExtrem Dani Garcia.
3. He won his first Michelin Star at Ronda’s Tragabuches restaurant at the age of 25.
6. As well as three restaurants in Marbella and one in Madrid he opened the Deli Bar at Malaga airport in 2013.
4. He had a restaurant in New York called Manzanilla which survived for only one year, closing in 2014. 5. He caused controversy in 2015 when he created two
7. He has become famous for playing with the concept of opposites - hot and cold, rough and smooth, salty and sweet. Dubbed ‘Contradicion’, it’s a play on two
words: ‘contradiction’ and ‘with tradition’. 8. He’s been dating a Russian woman since splitting from his Spanish wife Aurora, with whom he has two teenage daughters. 9. He’s a massive fan of sneakers. “I adore them, I’m truly a fan of sneakers”. 10. His next adventure is in the middle east with Bibo Qatar, set to open next year.
Vaya Dani!
Olive Press editor Jon Clarke salutes Dani’s achievements
I
T was during an interview with British TV chef Jean-Christophe Novelli that I first realised the significance of Dani Garcia to Andalucia. Stood on the famous Ronda bridge, he told me that the mountain town had it all. History, landscape, romance… and now a Michelin-starred restaurant. That was 2009 and he had come to spend a fortnight in the town to find inspiration. He found it with Dani, back then a local Marbella lad, not long out of Andalucia’s best cookery school, La Consula. Young, ambitious and with exciting new methods - like his liquid nitrogen invention - he was always going to succeed. And he did. I ate his food half a dozen times up there before he moved to his celebrated Calima restaurant in Marbella - a very different project and double the price. It deservedly garnered a Michelin star but it wasn’t until he moved to Puente Romano, and was given
PALS: Jon with Dani in Marbella
the financial backing of its wealthy owners, that he could spread his wings. He quickly landed a second star and with his Marbella All-Stars extravaganza, where once a year he brought the world’s best chefs to Andalucia, the third was only a matter of time. Finally here it is and it couldn’t happen to a more decent chap, always happy to chat with a big smile and proud of his native Andalucia. In the words of Ferran Adria, Spain’s most famous culinary export, ‘Dani’s a true crack, a real dynamo’. Well done Dani you deserve it!
Music, gastronomy, design, comfort and great art.
OD Port Portals combines good location with contemporary and mediterranean design. For work or for pleasure, as a true symbol of quality, OD Port Portals is everything anyone staying in Majorca can ever wish for. A lively place, with its own events, Burger Meets Gin, Mexican Brunch or Tasting Brunch, where locals and visitors are welcome. Av. Tomàs Blanes Tolosa, 4 07181 Calvià | Mallorca +34 971 675 956 odportportals.com
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December 6th - December 19th 2018
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December 6th - December 19th 2018
style from the gods Spanish convent born again as culture and foodie hotspot
DELIGHTFUL COUNTRY HOME Santa Eugenia, Centre 5 Beds
I
T’S the last place on earth you’d expect to find comfort and luxury. But if you’re looking for some upmarket R&R, get thee to a nunnery. Or rather, two nunneries. Spanish interior designer Francesc Rife has transformed the 17th-century San Jose and Santa Teresa convents in Valencia into a food market and cinema and plans to add a hotel. Rechristened Convent Carmen, the palm-strewn grounds have been fitted with shady pergolas and three shipping containers which house funky al fresco ‘food truck’ style restaurants - serving everything from regional classics like esgarraet and espetos to ramen and pad Thai. The main buildings, which have
5 Bath 590 m² - Living 11.600m² – Plot Pool CAPTIVATING: Ceiling celebrated with new framework while (below) new screening and dining areas give convents a totally new look been reconstructed in a minimalist style to accentuate the structure’s domed ceilings, will host film screenings and public talks. “We sought to create very little noise through the design of a specifically minimalist structure,” said Rifé.
“Through light, we have worked to highlight the main elements of the church… The RGB colour light system allows you to experience space in a much more mystical and special way.” A 50-room hotel is slated to open at the complex in 2020.
€ 1.79m Ref: 10033
Delightful 100 year old country home only 20 minutes to Palma. Fully renovated with a beautiful spacious lounge and dining area, modern kitchen and lovely flat garden onto pool. Orchard, large field for horses, 2 outbuildings with potential to convert to guest apartment.
Contact Amanda J Butler your one stop property advisor in Mallorca email: ajb@mjcassociates.net or tel: (+34) 690 075 169
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COLUMNISTS
December 6th - December 19th 2018
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Dec 6th - Dec 19th 2018
Thoughts from an island
Mallorca diaries
By Lesley Keith
The dos and don’ts of road trips and how to survive them with your partner, writes Lesley Keith
M
Y partner has treated him- If you've ever done a road trip you will self to a very small but in- know there are a few rules that need credibly fast car. He's never to be adhered to that you pick up very really been in a position to quickly. spoil himself before and he is just lov- The first and most important is that ing being able to roar around explor- you must never miss the opportunity ing the island at breakneck speed. To to go to the loo. You may think you fully celebrate this we booked a road don't need to but trust me you will and trip to Andalucia on the mainland and by then it's too late. now, having just returned, I thought The second and equally important rule I'd share my experiences with you. goes in conjunction with this, never So excited was he to leave it too late to fuel get on his way that I up. If you look up the was hurried out of the word 'stress' in a modIf you’ve ever flat before I could even ern dictionary it will say bleach the loo. 'unable to stop, whilst done a road trip After many attempts dying for a pee and the we found ourselves on fuel light's been on for you will know the dockside waiting to 40 miles'. there are a few The third and very difboard. I thought it was odd because we were ficult one to achieve is rules to follow completely engulfed by don't shoot the navigajuggernauts and were tor. If you don't know the only domestic vehiwhere you're going you cle. Feeling incredibly inadequate we can't be lost, if you do know where checked again, yes, we were waiting you're going then for God's sake use for the wrong ship. Two attempts later Google Maps and then if you are uswe finally boarded correctly. To be fair ing Google Maps you must turn the rathere's virtually no directions and the dio down. Asking a machine to repeat tickets are no help either. After seven what it just said really doesn't work. boring hours without wifi we finally arOnce the three aforementioned rules rived back on terra firma and drove off were enforced we had a really great into the night having been escorted time. Andalucia is very big and was exby the police through the enormous periencing very diverse weather. Each maze that is Valencia docks. morning we would check the weather
ANDALUCIAN ROAD TRIP: Unmissable Ronda app on our phone and head to wherever seemed best. The first day we went through very cold fog, but after that it was clear skies. This was November but we managed to stay warm and dry right up until the end. We saw the wonderful Cordoba which boasts the world's biggest mosque, but is actually a cathedral. We stayed two nights as it's such an amazing place. We then moved onto Seville which was also fantastic but couldn't find any vacant hotels and it seemed a bit unfriendly af-
The more you take out, E the WE GIVE YOU MOR Reasonshigher IT’S TIME TOyour switch torefund.
10
Until . 20th Dec 2018
L
ter the warmth of Cordoba so we carried on to Cadiz. Another brilliant place on the Atlantic coast where the hotel staff even washed our windscreen for us! After a very comfortable night there we turned back inland through mountains to Ronda. What a place, really worth a look and after another great night headed off to Granada. We'd pre-booked this hotel after the problem in Seville but couldn't find it even though Google told us we were Casthe directly outside. I rang hb reception Ck and and the girl actually cameaout found us, then carried our cases in as k ashbWeaCwere delighted at how prisCwell! tine and quiet it was. So pristine that I asked how long it'd been open to dis-
cover it was only the day before and we were the first guests! Wow! It all went a bit pear-shaped here. Apparently to see The Alhambra, the main reason people go to Granada, you have to book online. No other options are available and not knowing this we hadn't done it. The hotel tried for us but with no luck so we had to content ourselves with walking around the outside which we did right up until the heavens opened and the rain we'd avoided for eight days finally found us. Oh well can't be sunny all the time and we were just about done anyway. If you fancy trying a road trip I'd say definitely go for it. Follow the rules and you'll be just fine.
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SPORT
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WINNER: Athlete Steph
Twell done STEPH Twell has run the fastest marathon by a Scottish woman in six years on her marathon debut in Valencia. It took the 29-year-old just 2 hours, 30 minutes to complete the feat, which also marked the second quickest time by a British woman this year. The Scottish Olympian had previously won bronze for Team GB in the European 5,000m and Commonwealth 1,500m. Twell’s time equalled that of her countrywoman Freya Ross, who ran the same time in April 2012.
Raf and ready MALLORCA’S tennis legend Rafael Nadal has confirmed his first tournament since injuries will be in 2019. Rafa admitted he is ‘relishing’ the prospect of kicking off next year’s campaign at the Mubadala World Championships. The Abu Dhabi tournament, which also features tennis stars Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams in the women’s, is an exhibition event with a six-man lineup. “The tournament brings together players at the top of the game, we all relish playing in these extremely competitive matches,” said Nadal.
December 6th - December 19th 2018
Rocky road ahead
Gibraltar face Ireland in EURO crunch tie with thousands of expats set to scramble for tickets
UEFA has set up a football crunch match, as Gibraltar will take on Ireland in the EURO 2020 qualifiers at the tiny Victoria stadium. Initial worries that the Rock’s 2300-capacity ground could not host the match were quashed as the location was confirmed on Tuesday. Just 300 away tickets are an offer for the thousands of Irish expats in Spain and Gibraltar, with a scramble expected ahead of the clash. The Gibraltar FA’s Steven Gonzalez said: “It’s only been two days and we have not really thought about tickets at this stage but we have formally confirmed that the game will be here.” The draw in Dublin placed
REAL Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has become the first player, other than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, to win the Ballon d’Or, since Kaka in 2007. Modric, 33, won three successive Champions League titles with the Spanish side, before he lead his national team to their first ever World Cup final this year. “Maybe in the past there are some players who could have won the Ballon d'Or like Xavi, Andres Iniesta or [Wesley] Sneijder but people finally now are looking at someone else,” Modric said. Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah was the highest-placed Premier League star, finishing 6th, followed by Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Harry Kane.
Leaving skid marks LEWIS Hamilton has walked away with his life after crashing a superbike at a test race in Andalucia. The British racing star came flying off his Yamaha YZF-R1 bike at a race track in Jerez, just a week after being crowned Formula One world champion for a fifth time in Mexico.
Accident
HOME: Victoria stadium to see Ireland VS Gibraltar Gibraltar in a qualifying group with Ireland, Denmark, Georgia and Switzerland. Meanwhile England avoided old rivals Germany, instead securing a much easier group of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Kosovo and Montenegro. Gibraltar will bid to make it to a first ever international competition, taking on Ireland on 23 march 2019. The Rock’s national side capped off a historic 2018, as they rose to a record 190th in the world rankings following back-to-back Nations League wins.
PLAYING: Euro 2020 qualifying group
Luka me
23 23
December 6th - December 19th 2018
Full list of the Top Ten: 1. Luka Modric (Real Madrid and Croatia) 2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus and Portugal) 3. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid and France) 4. Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain and France) 5. Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina) 6. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt) 7. Raphael Varane (Real Madrid and France) 8. Eden Hazard (Chelsea and Belgium) 9. Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City and Belgium) 10. Harry Kane (Tottenham and England)
After winning their first ever match 1-0 against Armenia they beat Liechtenstein 2-1 just three days later. Gibraltar were playing their home games in the Portuguese coastal town of Faro, which was where they last faced the Irish in 2016. Ahead of his side’s clash with
Ireland in spring, Gibraltar coach Julio Cesar Ribas praised Mick McCarthy’s team as ‘very good.’ “We played our Nations Leagues games [at Victoria] but logically for us, like every other country, it's important for us to play at home,” he added.
Crescent Racing, who run the Yamaha team praised the 33-year-old driver for his skills on two wheels. Team boss Paul Denning said: “This bloke can really ride. Talent for days and a proper good lad.” Hamilton is a big fan of MotoGP and did manage to complete his lap, despite the small accident.
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FINAL WORDS
Slight destruction THE Spanish government has admitted its minimum wage hikes to €900 a month will cause job losses, calling the effect ‘some slight job destruction.’
Intercepted THE Guardia Civil have intercepted four boats in Mallorca containing 38 illegal migrants, three of whom are children.
Round the world ONE of the world’s most famous ships, the replica of the Nao Victoria, is set to dock in La Linea today (wednesday) and can be visited until Sunday.
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Vol. 2 Issue 43 www.theolivepress.es December 6th - December 19th 2018
Brexit banter MAGALUF is the latest victim to get dragged into the Brexit tug of war for Gibraltar. Twitter has been sent into meltdown with hundreds of
Brits and Spaniards bantering over the status of the Rock. ABC British journalist, Julia Macfarlane, was one of the many social media users who
THIS is Buu, the UK-based gorilla set to travel 2,300km in a bid to start a new family in Spain. The female, 20, will leave her home at Chessington zoo in London, before travelling to meet her new potential partner Echo at the Bioparc in Fuengirola. Buu, already a mother in London, will share the habitat with the younger 'Echo', who arrived a year and a half ago from a zoo in Kolmarden (Sweden) with Kim, an elderly female. Before Buu embarks on her expat journey, Bioparc caregiver Javier Vicent must travel to London to meet her. It is essential he bonds with her and learns everything about her, including her character, diet, behaviours and how she in-
kicked off the 'battle'. “If we are going to make war against Spain, we should do it in the early afternoon when they are napping,” she joked.
Baby got silverback teracts with caregivers. The silverback gorillas are much more social than other types of primates like chimpanzees.Vicent will observe Buu's daily life before sharing what he learns with the technical and veterinary team at the park in Fuengirola. A keeper from the Chessington zoo will also accompany Buu and Javier on the journey to make sure she is as least distressed as possible. They will also stay for around a month to make sure Buu settles in well.
Spanish defenders hit back saying Magaluf’s balconies and pools would take care of the invaders. It got even more heated when popular satirical weekly El Jueves joined the debate, revealing the 'news' that the UK would cede Gibraltar to Spain in exchange for Magaluf.
Traffickers
“A loss of such magnitude would be a disaster for the birth rate, the budget of distilleries and liver traffickers in the United Kingdom,” the paper wrote as if the PM had said it. “The Punta Ballena area is a strategic asset for English people. A historical focus of cultural interest (although few remember what happened there) and vital to our reproductive capacity as a nation.”
For the ‘gram A BALEARIC Islands hotel has been crowned the mostInstagram worthy holiday destination in Europe. Ibiza’s Paradiso Art Hotel in San Antonio Bay has officially taken the top spot for the ‘best hotel for Instagram likes’ in EasyJet Traveller’s ‘Best Of’ annual awards. The 70s Miami Vice-style hotel is a blast from the past, with Marshall speakers, retro Smeg fridges, neon lights and pink-washed walls.
Marvel
EasyJet panellists described the 'newly built millennial pink marvel’ as the perfect ‘design for influencers and their instagram feeds'. Other quirky EasyJet Best Of 2018 categories include the best cat cafe, the best pool with a view, the best public toilet, the best vinyl cave and the best vegan burger.
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