Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 239

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Vol. 10 Issue 239

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May 11th - May 24th 2016

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Vol. 10 Issue

239 www.theolivepress.es PODEMOS and the left-wing IU party will join forces for next month’s general election.

The two parties have signed an electoral which they will agreement, their supporters now put to to vote on.

The deal could see the coalition secure an additional 14 seats than they have ent, if all their regionalat presaffiliations were to stay The IU party, intact. merged with the which is would take one Green Party, TOASTING SUCCESS: sixth of any Some of the Olive seats the two parties Press team with win on Publisher Jon Clarke June 26.

Podemos secured lion votes and IU five milin December’s one million general election. inconclusive Since then, Spain has been in political deadlock neither PSOE leader with Pedro Sanchez or PP head Rajoy able to form Mariano a government.

May 11th - May

24th 2016

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Olive Press named newspaper in Spaintop expat world’s 2nd best by and 27,000 voters in global survey

HAT-TRICK And the award goes

Trio of notoriou s expats are finally

to... Page 7

behind bars

Better IN

BRITAIN’S membership of the European Union has increased the average UK wage a year, economists by £1,800 claim.

With the EU referendum on Brexit just six weeks away, financial advisors have warned of an ‘economic should Britons vote collapse’ In total, Britain has to leave. £4.6 million in trade generated the EU since joiningdeals with - representing 27% in 1986 of all our

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THEY have been front page news for all the wrong reasons for years.

Now justice has up with a trio of finally caught Costa del Sol crime figures.

Notorious expats Westley Capper, Simon Corner Mahon are finally and Dave facing jail time.

Capper - linked to the disappearance of stunning expat Agnese Klavina Latvian - has pleaded guilty to and-run incident a fatal hitin Marbella this week.

Meanwhile, Dave stepdad of missingMahon, the Amy Fitzpatrick, is facing after being found life in prison guilty of killing his stepson Dean Fitzpatrick.

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olive press The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

the PARTNERS: Garzon and Iglesias

Podemos IU pact

PODEMOS and the left-wing IU party will join forces for next month’s general election.

The two parties have signed an electoral agreement, which they will now put to their supporters to vote on.

The deal could see the coalition secure an additional 14 seats than they have at present, if all their regional affiliations were to stay intact.

The IU party, which is merged with the Green Party, would take one sixth of any seats the two parties win on June 26.

Podemos secured five million votes and IU one million in December’s inconclusive general election.

Since then, Spain has been in political deadlock with neither PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez nor PP head Mariano Rajoy able to form a government.

FREE

Vol. 10 Issue 239

www.theolivepress.es

the good life

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May 11th - May 24th 2016

Olive Press named top expat newspaper in Spain and world’s 2nd best by 27,000 voters in global survey TOASTING SUCCESS: Some of the Olive Press team with Publisher Jon Clarke

And the award goes to... Page 7

HAT-TRICK

Trio of notorious expats are finally behind bars

Better IN BRITAIN’S membership of the European Union has increased the average UK wage by £1,800 a year, economists claim.

With the EU referendum on Brexit just six weeks away, financial advisors have warned of an ‘economic collapse’ should Britons vote to leave.

In total, Britain has generated €5.8 million in trade deals with the EU since joining in 1986 - representing 27% of all our commerce, according to leading consultancy firm Frontier Economics.

The deadline to register for postal votes is May 16.

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BANGED UP: (From left) Capper and (inset) Agnese, Corner and (inset) Lisa, and Mahon and (inset) Amy are all in prison

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JUSTICE has finally caught up with a trio of Costa del Sol crime figures.

Notorious expats Westley Capper, Simon Corner and Dave Mahon are finally facing jail time.

Capper - linked to the disappearance of Latvian expat Agnese Klavina - has pleaded guilty to a fatal hit-and-run incident in Marbella this week.

Meanwhile, Dave Mahon, the stepdad of missing Amy Fitzpatrick, is facing life in prison after being found guilty of killing his stepson Dean Fitzpatrick.

And on-the-run Liverpudlian Simon Corner has been arrested and extradited to Spain after a manhunt over the disappearance of his girlfriend Lisa Brown.

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CRIME NEWS

May 11th - May 24th 2016www.theolivepress.es

CURRY KILLER A PAIR of cold-hearted expats went for a curry after killing a mother in a horrific hit-andrun incident.

Notorious Brit Westley Capper supped beers and chatted with pal Craig Porter just 30 minutes after knocking over the Bolivian mother of a two-yearold in San Pedro.

Privately-educated Capper linked to the disappearance of stunning Latvian expat Agnese Klavina, in 2014 - has now been remanded in custody after pleading guilty at Marbella court.

He was seen being taken to

Expats - linked to missing Agnese - head for an Indian moments after hit-and-run killed a mother Alhaurin prison wearing flip flops and a grey t-shirt.

The son of multimillionaire Fred Capper was arrested in Estepona restaurant Mini India after a manhunt was launched to track him down.

He had been driving a black English-plated Bentley GT Continental, alongside his friend Liverpudlian Craig Porter, who is also charged with the disappearance of Agnese.

Mahon Guilty!

THE stepfather of missing Amy Fitzpatrick has been found guilty of killing her brother Dean.

Former Mijas resident Dave Mahon was found guilty of manslaughter after his stepson died from a single stab wound in Dublin in 2013.

Mahon is now facing a potential life sentence, after a jury ruled he had taken out a knife and viciously stabbed the teenager after an argument on New Year’s Day. "If Mr Mahon had not taken the knife out of his pocket Dean wouldn't be dead, and he has admitted that," said his lawyer Sean Guerin.

"Mr Mahon has admitted taking the knife out was a very, very stupid thing to do and had tragic consequences", he added.

Mahon and Audrey had moved to Mijas Costa in 2004, with Audrey’s two children Amy and Dean.

Amy went missing four years later in mysterious circumstances, at the age of 15, with evidence pointing to neglect by her parents.

They have always insisted they had nothing to do with her disappearance, and later returned to live in Ireland.

EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore and Rob Horgan Ordering chicken tikka masalas and drinking Cobra lager, the pair had fled the crash, which happened at 8.30pm on Monday evening.

“They were acting strange and seemed to be in a rush,” waiter Jolal Uddin, 34, told the Olive Press. “Soon another three people joined them and they were locked in hushed conversation at the back of the restaurant.

“It was clear they were trying to work out what to do, then minutes later the police arrived and they took them outside.

“Incredibly just two local policemen was enough,” he added.

Eyewitnesses at the crash scene revealed that the woman’s body was sent flying 25 metres through the air.

CALLOUS: Capper and (right) Porter

TRAGIC: Paramedics try to revive victim and (top) Mini India of Agnese outside Aqwa Mist “ I saw the car hit her and it threw her flying 25 metres,” nightclub in Puerto Banus, in Jose Maria, 25, of Japanese 2014. restaurant Inch said. “It was While his lawyer insists he has the worst thing I have ever not been charged, the courts have not returned his passport seen.

“Everyone rushed towards her and he has to report to police twice a month. from the restaurant.”

Tobacconist Antonio Navarro “He is still having to attend on the first and 15th of every added: “I saw the Bentley go screeching past, then heard a month,” said a police source.

“A lot is going on behind the thud.” scenes.

Capper pleaded guilty to the hit-and-run in Marbella court “It is a scary case and I am pleased he is currently locked yesterday. Meanwhile Porter up. has been released on bail.

“He shouldn’t have been out in Essex-man Capper drives a number of luxury cars includ- the first place.” ing a Mercedes S-Class and Marbella Town Hall meanlives in the exclusive Madronal while has promised to make alterations to the road system development, near Marbella. in central San Pedro, as it is He is not expected to be given bail, as he is already under in- the second death near the new vestigation for the abduction boulevard in two months.

NABBED: Corner

Caught!

THE ex-boyfriend of missing Lisa Brown, has been arrested in Copenhagen.

Simon Corner, 33, is facing extradition to Spain for questioning over the disappearance of Lisa, who has a nine-year-old son.

Corner is expected to appear before a San Roque judge before the end of the week, alongside another British man, who is believed to be his accomplice.

Fugitive Corner, whose real name is Dean Woods, has been wanted for questioning since Lisa disappeared from her home in Guadiaro last November.

Spanish authorities fear the 32-year-old Scot may have been murdered and dumped at sea.

A European Arrest Warrant was issued last month for Corner, who fled Spain soon after Lisa’s disappearance, abandoning his yacht in Sotogrande.

Lisa’s sister, Helen Jordan, said: “An 'innocent' man that had nothing to hide has been to the Far East, Europe, Ireland and beyond.

“While we are delighted that he's been caught, we still have a long road to go. We still appeal to anyone that knows where she might be to contact the Guardia Civil.”

David Cameron has vowed to ‘make sure everything possible is done for Lisa's family’.

NEWS

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May 11th - May 24th 2016

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Blues cruise IT’S not every day Roman Abramovich’s super-yacht glides in.

The Chelsea owner’s ship The Eclipse, the world’s second largest private yacht, docked on the Rock after an Atlantic crossing.

The Russian businessman’s (right) 162-metre-long ship counts on two helicopter pads, two swimming pools, and room for 36 guests and 100 crew.

Abramovich’s yacht was recently beaten into second spot by the 180-metre Azzam.

Ab Fab JOANNA Lumley has joined a campaign to end the mistreatment of Spain’s hunting dogs.

The British actress slammed hunters who hang their animals when they reach their sell-by date.

“The appalling treatment strikes a chill to the heart; it is impossible to believe that a country as sophisticated as Spain could tolerate such unforgivable cruelty to living creatures,” said the star of Absolutely Fabulous, after a protest outside London’s Spanish embassy.

More than 150 people and 50 Podenco dogs walked in the peaceful protest from the embassy to Downing Street.

Campaigners estimate up to 150,000 of them are killed or abandoned in Spain each year.

IN SPAIN: Damon

Ultimate guest

It’s a wrap

By Rob Horgan

HE has worked with some of Hollywood’s top actors, but British film producer Felix Vossen’s own fall from grace is worthy of the big screen.

Ordered to repay investors €56 million, the British producer vanished and went on the run in February.

However, police have finally caught up with him hiding out in Valencia and have charged him with a multi million-euro fraud.

He is accused of taking money to produce films, including The Sweeney, starring Ray Winston, and I Anna, with Charlotte Rampling, but not repaying investors, some who were close friends.

In total, 26 people took Vossen to the UK High Court in his absence where a judge ruled he repay €56 million in damages.

When police arrested him in Valencia he was in possession of various fake passports from Germany, Greece and Holland, as well as bogus driving licences.

He has now been extradited to the UK.

ish Top Brit er filmmak back to shipped hiding UK after ain out in Sp

Even pinker pound Spot the difference?

FANS of Spanish actress Blanca Suarez are upset over a serious spot of airbrushing for her new Womens’ Secret bikini campaign. It is clear that the Madrid actress has a thinner waist and bigger breasts in the published images for her My Secret Dream collection.

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HE is a bit of a silver tongue when it comes to Spanish.

So Matt Damon blended in well when he headed to Spain to help celebrate his wife’s sister’s wedding in Alicante.

The Hollywood megastar was seen walking on the beach in Javea and sightseeing with Argentinian wife Luciana Barroso.

The Bourne Ultimatum actor studied in Mexico as a teenager and went backpacking in Guatemala, before marrying a Spanishspeaking wife.

TORREMOLINOS is heavily investing in its LGBT culture this summer with four large-scale events planned.

Gay Pride LGBT2 will feature a parade, live performances and DJs, in June, before July’s Wonder Beach will host artists Fangoria and Monarchy.

Mayor Jose Ortiz said it is important to make the town a truly LGBT-friendly destination.

Europe’s largest gay boat cruise will hit Malaga on July 11, with 2,500 visitors being offered free coach transfers to Bajondillo beach in Torremolinos.

The Mad Bear Beach party will close out the LGBT calendar on August 10, and will see more than 1,500 ‘bears’ descend on Torremolinos for six days.

ON SHOW: Stereophonics

Have a nice day!

FAMOUS: Vossen and (top) Winston

Fish and fizz

MOET and sushi are on the menu at the grand opening of Elliott Wright’s brand new seafood and champagne bar at Olivia’s in La Cala. The exclusive, invite-only bash will officially open the stunning rooftop terrace for the summer.

Wright is a busy boy: he is currently filming a reality TV show to air this summer on ITVBe.

MUSIC fans are getting their handbags and gladrags ready for the Gibraltar Music Festival.

This year’s headliners for the event on September 3 and 4 include Stereophonics and All Saints.

The Welsh wizards are set to wow the festival crowd, while other acts include KT Tunstall, Jess Glynne and Los Secretos.

Other acts include Rosario, while Gibraltarian bands are well represented with Hollie April, Frontiers, Metro Motel and Dead City Radio playing.

Tickets are now on sale at the Gibraltar Music Festival website and a Gib Music Fest Spotify page is now online.

Last year’s event brought 10,000 revellers to Victoria Stadium to see sets from Kings of Leon, Madness and Paloma Faith.

4

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Al-Qaeda captives

It stinks!

EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan and Iona Napier THOUSANDS of Costa del Sol residents are ‘at risk’ of pollution from a giant planned composting site.

Up to 10,000 people will be affected by the waste plant, in Estepona, if it is approved by the Junta, claim locals.

Businesses including fivestar hotel Villa Padierna Spa, where Michelle Obama stayed in 2012, are now backing a campaign to scrap the project.

Thousands of residents have submitted two petitions to the town hall and an eight-page legal letter has been delivered to the Junta.

They claim the project will have a negative impact on the local water supply, as well as

THREE Spanish journalists held captive by Al-Qaeda in Syria for 10 months have been released and flown back to Madrid.

Rescued MARITIME rescue services have saved 44 subSaharan African migrants attempting to reach the Canary Islands by boat.

Controversial composting plant will affect 10,000 people, including five star luxury hotel cause substantial air pollution.

They also insist the decision to pass the scheme by Estepona Town Hall stinks of ‘cronyism’.

In particular, they are angry that permission to build on the site has been granted to Andres Sedeno Montes, whose company, Excavacio-

FOUR terror suspects have been arrested in Madrid following intelligence from British spies in Gibraltar.

Saved!

AN EXPAT couple have praised the Olive Press after we helped save their home from demolition.

Disabled expat John olive press Gray and wife Deborah were amazed that within a week of our One-way injustice front page story last issue, their home in Alhaurin el Grande was given a full stay of execution.

We revealed that they had just weeks to accept a third of the price they had paid for the threeTHANKS: Couple praise OP bedroom home in order for and a week later the entire the council to build a oneproject was scrapped. way system.

“Thank you so much for all However, the day after we your hard work. As soon as the went to print the town hall Olive Press began asking quesoffered double the amount 19

A Estepona Big clean-up ll about

Vol. 10 Issue

April 27th

- May 10th

2016

238 www.theolivepress.es

geraniums From its pottedorchids to its and cultivated and its Banksyseafaring virgin art gallery, it’s style outdoor in Estepona, writes sweet to live Iona Napier

efthe huge, ornate sworn I saw at me as she was COULD have of a Mary wink the shoulders figy of the Virgin to the sea onlast summer. hoisted down sailors on the most bunch of strapping out below the horizon she was launched of As the sun dipped of the year, by a flotilla electric nightdinghy to be greeted with plimsoll lines to to sea in a laden to their the water lamp-lit boats others waded into del revellers, while look. of the Virgen get a better on the night expats, Spanish brings This was Estepona to the water’s festival that Carmen, a holidaymakers down agog. proceedings families and to watch the to the Oxford-Camedge en masse answer as the UK and Spanish It’s surely Malaga’s race, as feisty bridge boat of ‘big reand British. streets event is uptight is the last bastion geranium-lined strip del Sol. For many, Estepona beachfront old and (top left) with a ‘hangon the Costa the street art axes are the sort’ charm ramped up its appeal from multicowith beautiful The two busiest and the road through sprouting up its act The town has while horseshoe-shaped street, not to of geraniums de (Avenida Espana) around has cleaned ing garden’ on every wall of every can be spotEstepona (Calle Terraza), curves protectively from the Plaza everyone. prettiest town Andalucia IMPRESSIVE: high si- for grab a fistful of maps loured pots colourful murals which Avenida de First, in the old town’s ocean and the Page 20 mention the tourist office office in the marina). poetry between the does surf and turf in Continued than the plantpots a Sandwiched other Sprat Flores Estepona ted across town. about Jack town square (or the tours, an art walk and gone one betterorchidarium. erras of Bermeja, is on foot. the old ditty And it has than 8,000 glass-domed With two walking And just like traditional old way to see Estepona with its exotic greenhouse with more has wel- style.his wife, between theport which prop up eiroute, the best The futuristic modern and three waterfalls the last and there’s something people over by the and the bustling species of orchids the promenade, than 250,000 arrive ther end of comed moreand they continue to 12 months coach load.

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STILL MISSING: Amy

Amy’s stepdad ‘gutted’ brother

A CRACKDOWN on tax fraud has recovered €5.12billion that had been lost to undeclared earnings in Spain.

A FOETUS in Spain is the first in Europe to suffer from Zika virus birth defects.

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TOSCANO

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EL RINCON

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nes Sedeno Montes, has carried out work for the town hall in the past.

The father of the architect behind the scheme is also a councillor.

Among those leading the campaign to stop the work is chartered surveyor Campbell

Campaigning works - Olive Press probe draws success

Rock intel

THE stepfather of missing Amy Fitzpatrick has finally gone on trial for murder.

Former Mijas estate agent Dave Mahon is accused of killing the missing teenager’s brother in a savage stabbing incident.

A court in Dublin heard how Mahon, 46, literally ‘gutted’ his stepson Dean, 23, like a fish in the attack in May 2013.

The jury heard how a row had broken out over the tampering of Mahon’s bicycle outside a gym.

The pair squared up over the incident at Mahon’s home later that evening, after he had been drinking heavily.

“Mahon arrived back in and had a carving knife,” said prosecution barrister Remy Farrell.

Suicidal

“The prosecution case is that Mahon stabbed Dean Fitzpatrick in the abdomen.

“There was a piece of intestine protruding,” he said. “In common terms, he had been gutted.”

Sarah girlfriend Dean’s O’Rourke told the court that Mahon threatened to ‘stick a knife into my head or neck’.

The jury heard that Mahon attempted to flee the scene, later claiming Dean had accidentally walked onto the knife, then changing his story to say Dean was suicidal.

Fitzpatrick’s sister, Amy, went missing in Spain on New Year’s Day 2008, with continuing questions raised about her relationship with her mother and Mahon.

Mahon and his partner, Audrey Fitzpatrick, moved with Amy and Dean to Spain in 2004.

The Olive Press revealed that she had been unhappy, drinking and was living semi-rough in the Calahonda area, before she went missing.

Vol. 10 Issue 238

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April 27th - May 10th 2016

GETTING A GRILLING

Olive Press meets world’s best chefs including Ferran Adria (left), and Daniel Humm Turn to Page 7

‘King of Marbella’ thrown in jail over Bentley’s flash number plate Page 3

Priors: ‘We’ve been dumped on by Spanish politicians who are the dregs of the earth’

compulsory

A DISABLED expat is being Expats slam ‘insulting’ forced out of his home so a purchase of their home one-way system can be built. condition.

Retired bricklayer John Gray, EXCLUSIVE Plans for a one-way system 76, and his wife Deborah have

By Rob Horgan were first mooted in 1994 bebeen given just two months to put on hold. vacate their dream home after for miles around for fore being the Grays were only However, receiving a compulsory pur- property sort of money.” chase order from Alhaurin el that couple had bought the notified that the work was fiThe last year.

Grande Town Hall. two-bathroom nally going ahead were initially told that The couple have brought in two-bedroom, for €66,000 after mov- They lawyers after they were of- homefrom Hertfordshire in they could stay in their home need to demolish fered an ‘insulting’ €35,000 ing They were later forced but would extension. for their property, which cost 2003. spend a further €30,000 their them three times as much af- to renovations after John suf- However, in March the plans on changed and the new ter renovations. from a stroke in 2014, were “It is completely heart-break- fered him with limited mo- road will mean knocking the entire home. ing,” telesales worker Debo- leaving and the need of a mobil- down The town hall has given the rah, 57, told the Olive Press. “I bility scooter. am going crazy at the moment, ity also suffers from a lung couple the option to take the He or move to a cobut I have not given up hope. called COPD and is €35,000 “I have to keep going with my disease undergoing tests for owned plot ‘twice the size’, where they will have planlife, but I have started packing currently cancer. suspected ning permission to build two in case the worst happens.” her after looking as well She added: “To offer us As Deborah cares for houses. all so vague and we have €35,000 is an insult. It is a husband, 77-year-old mother Chris- “It is third of what we have spent on her who suffers from a heart not got the money to build it and you cannot buy another tina,

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CRUEL: Couple’s fight for justice anyway,” Deborah added last night. “We simply don’t know what to do but hope that justice will prevail.”

A spokesman for the town hall confirmed that plans for a one-way system were in place but would not confirm when work would begin or comment further on the case.

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CHARGED: Mahon and Audrey

May 11th - May 24th 2016

OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm

April FRONT COVER 27th overseas payments provides secure and affordable ways to make With over two decades in business, Cambridge your new property. you need to effectively manage the purchase of from your UK bank, giving you the peace of mind k I +34 952 830176 office today ! Costadelsol@cambridgefx.co.u For information connect with our Costa Del Sol

Pixies and Pete head to Spain for best-ever summer festival lineup Page 16

tions the town hall offered us new deals,” said Gray.

“Indeed, the very day the paper came out we were offered €20,000 more and a week later we were told plans had been changed and the oneway system will no longer go through our house, hurrah!”

Meanwhile, residents in Gibraltar also thanked the Olive Press after a rusty barge was finally removed from their quayside, following our story.

The vessel, which had rotted in Queensway Quay for six years, was removed two days later, with local Dietar Wood insisting: “The Olive Press helped our cause without a shadow of a doubt.”

Ferguson.

“Over 3,000 households are at risk,” the expat told the Olive Press. “All the urbanisation presidents from Los Flamingos to Selwo and Montemayor to Villecana have backed the protest.”

He explained that the main worry is how the site will affect the water system.

“No plans have been put in place to monitor runoff water which will seep into agricultural land and nearby wells.”

He added: “This site should be moved up to Casares where there is already a similar plant. Why spoil the whole of the valley for no reason?”

When contacted by the Olive Press, developer Andres Montes said that the waste site ‘would’ go ahead despite the protests.

He also insisted he had experience of managing other waste sites, but failed to elaborate on which ones.

“I cannot confirm when or how big the site will be, but it will definitely go ahead,” he said.

Estepona Town Hall confirmed plans were in place to turn the land into a compost site but declined to comment further.

HORROR: Bodies in bag

Slaughter house 13 EXCLUSIVE

By Iona Napier A GRUESOME scene of decapitated cats and dogs has welcomed a British expat to her new home.

Mother-of-three Kerry Matthews was appalled to discover at least 13 dead animals, some with their throats slit, on taking possession of a new rental home, in Antas, Almeria.

As well as sacks full of dead animals - some also stuffed with faeces - the veterinary nurse found two dead dogs half-buried in the garden She is now calling in police, after finding several other animal skeletons around the garden.

“It’s not the kind of thing you can forget, there were maggots everywhere and even dead puppies – it is heartbreaking,” Matthews, 56, told the Olive Press.

The Essex woman, who has lived in Spain for 15 years and previously ran her own animal fostering centre in Albox, took the bodies to Garrucha vet for cremation.

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OPINION

Get registered THE decision of a generation is upon us, and a Brexit is likely to have disastrous implications, particularly for expats in Spain.

From Almeria to Alhaurin and Granada to Gibraltar, our homes, jobs and entire way of life would be at risk. Such a leap into the dark could lead to many of us having to close down our companies, leave our jobs and ultimately go home. It could lead to the closure of the Gibraltar border and a serious knock on effect for the entire Costa del Sol and further afield. Not our words… the words of world leaders, economists and politicians. There are NO EXCUSES… it is time to register and vote to stay INSIDE Europe where, after all, we have all chosen to live. For all its faults, being a key part of Europe is vital for the UK and all British citizens.

In the bag

THE Costa del Sol’s murky underbelly has been pulled into sharp focus again this week. The arrests of notorious Brits Simon Corner and Westley Capper, along with David Mahon’s conviction in Dublin, are a grim reminder of the coast’s dark flipside. While it is excellent news that justice is finally - apparently - being done, for the families of Lisa Brown, Agnese Klavina and Amy Fitzpatrick, the desperate search for answers goes on. For now, let’s hope the families’ agonising wait for the truth will soon be over.

BREXIT - Your vote matters Do you qualify for June 23 vote?

Overseas UK nationals who have been registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years can vote in UK Parliamentary General Elections, UK-wide referendums, and European Parliamentary elections.

Register You will need to know you National Insurance number and date of birth, and have your passport to hand if you have one.

If you don’t have a National Insurance number you can still register, but may have to supply more information to show who you are. You have until May 16 to register.

T

HE ‘decision of a generation’ is drawing ever nearer.

With just over a month to go before the Brexit referendum takes place, expats are running out of time to register to vote.

Polling stations may not open until June 23 but if you haven’t signed up before May 16 you will lose your right to have a say.

And it will affect you. Whether you like it or not.

Since the referendum was announced, everyone – allegedly including Her Majesty the Queen herself – has thrown their two cents (or pence) in.

In truth, it is hard to know who or what to believe, other than the fact every argument should be digested with a large pinch of salt.

Scaremongering has been the theme of the referendum runin - on both sides of the fence - but the majority of industry experts, politicians and financial forecasters appear united in one view: Brexit spells bad news for expats and for Gibraltar.

Be it property investment, citizenship status or business ventures, almost 2 million expats and 30,000 Gibraltarians will be left in legal limbo should Britain depart the EU.

E

olive press

Tel: (+34) 951 273 575 A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in southern Spain - 200,000 copies distributed monthly (130,000 digitally) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month.

Luke Stewart Media S.L - CIF: B91664029 (+34) 951 273 575 Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5 Calle Espinosa 1 Edifi cio centro comercial El Duque, planta primera, 29692 San Luis de Sabinillas, Manilva Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 Rob Horgan rob@theolivepress.es Iona Napier iona@theolivepress.es Joe Duggan joe@theolivepress.es Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Designer James Partington design@theolivepress.es Admin & Accounts (+34) 951 273 575 Mirian Moreno – General Manager admin@theolivepress.es

Maria González accounts@theolivepress.es (+34) 658 750 424 Héctor Santaella hector@theolivepress.es Distribution Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es SALES TEAM: sales@theolivepress.es Chris Birkett - Head of Sales chris@theolivepress.es (+34) 652 512 956 Amanda Bennett amanda@theolivepress.es (+34) 692 725 475 Spanish Sales Juanjo Gonzalez juanjo@theolivepress.es (+34) 678 096 765

(And it is not just Brits living abroad who should be worried.

Latest figures released by the Financial Times suggest 75% of European expats living in

the UK will not qualify for work visas - that includes 96% of Europeans working on farms, 94% in hotels and 66% in the financial sector.)

So who should we believe?

Here are nine of the most credible reasons to vote Remain and one (semi)logical argument to vote Leave:

“Keeping Europe together after what it has gone through is a huge asset that has been vastly underestimated. The risk of exit of the United Kingdom is a serious concern, a vote to leave could have significant implications for asset prices, in particular the exchange rate.”

“We have to be careful we don’t think there’s a great new world out there for us. Brexit means a significant period of uncertainty (at least two years) while we work out the framework for our exit and the other 27 countries decide what they want to do. That’s two years of uncertainty and then however long it takes us to re-negotiate trade deals.”

You can choose how you wish to vote. You can vote by post, by proxy (voting by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf ), or even in person at your polling station.

The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

10 reasons to register Paul Drechsler, President of the Confederation of British Industry:

Vote

the

The clock is ticking as the Brexit referendum draws closer. With May 16 the cut-off for expats to register, Rob Horgan explores why it’s important to have your say

Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund:

You have to sign an annual declaration once you have registered to renew your registration every year. So if you were registered to vote for the 2015 General Elections you will have to renew your registration with your local Electoral Registration Officer in the UK or register again.

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

August 6th - August 19th www.theolivepress.es 88 May 11th2015 - May 24th 2016

What the Experts think on crucial vote

Declare

E FR

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England: “Certain firms would take a view in terms of relocation. I cannot provide a blanket assurance that there would not be issues in the short term with respect to financial stability and that potential reduction in financial stability could be associated - and normally would be associated - with poor economic outcomes, as we have seen in the past.”

Simon Manley, British Ambassador to Spain: “This is the most

important issue Britain has faced in generations. It will determine the nature of our economy, our security and our society for generations to come. The truth is that we don’t know what the consequences would be should the British public choose to leave the EU, we can give people here absolutely no assurance about what will happen.”

Jean-Claude Trichet, former European Central Bank President: “The main problem is that the UK is taking enormous risks, not only economically, financially but also historically. I am sure Brits will vote to stay in as it is so clearly against the interest of the UK.”

Barack Obama, US President:

“Brexit would put the UK back of the queue for trade talks. Maybe some point down the line there might be a UKUS trade agreement, but it’s not going to happen any time soon because our focus is in negotiating with a big bloc, the European Union, to get a trade agreement done.”

Vince Cable, Former business secretary: “I am in-

volved with the In campaign. It should be a foregone conclusion that we stay in, but for a whole lot of reasons the Brexit movement has a certain momentum. It is very confusing as the Brexit people are arguing for quite a lot of different things and will

David Lidington, UK European minister: “Every-

thing we take for granted about access to the single market – trade taking place without customs checks or paperwork at national frontiers, the right of British citizens to go and live in Spain or France – those would all be up in the air. It is massive what is at risk.”

Fabian Picardo, Chief Minister of Gibraltar: “We have never before

find a lot it very difficult to deliver some of what they are promising.”

Not allowed to vote BRITISH expats who have lived out of the UK for 15 years or more will have no right to vote in the EU referendum on June 23.

The High Court bid hoping to change the law preventing longterm expats from voting over Brexit was thrown out on April 28.

The two British expats who launched the campaign are set to appeal to the Supreme Court.

seen such unprecedented unity on what is not, at least directly, an attack on our British sovereignty. Without these EU obligations to us, Spain would almost have a free hand against us. A vote to leave the EU will result in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar being told that the price we would have to pay to continue to have access to the single market would be to accept joint sovereignty with Spain.”

Boris Johnson, former London Mayor: “I would

hope Europe would see a Vote Leave as a challenge, not just to strike a new and harmonious relationship with Britain but to recover some of the competitiveness that the continent has lost in the last decades.”

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

August 6thMay - August www.theolivepress.es 11th -19th May 2015 24th 2016

And the award goes to... olive press the

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The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

The Olive Press celebrates being crowned the best expat newspaper in Spain

T’S official: The Olive Press is the best expat newspaper in the Iberian Peninsula.

The accolade follows a poll of tens of thousands of expats from more than 90 countries, who voted the Olive Press as the best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world.

The Expat Survey Consumer Awards saw 27,000 expats worldwide to vote for their favourite blog, magazine, newspaper, website and radio station.

Nominated for the award after being named the top expat paper in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group, publisher and editor Jon Clarke promises the Olive Press will not be resting on its laurels.

“It’s brilliant news and great to have the recognition after working so hard,” Clarke said.

“It’s pretty amazing considering how young the paper is as we will be celebrating just our tenth anniversary this year. The whole team deserves a pat on the back.”

He added: “It’s a great moment for us as we approach our tenth anniversary, cheers to another ten years!”

Set up in 2006, the Olive Press has established itself as Spain’s only English-language investigative newspaper alongside the increasingly popular website.

The very first issue exposed the travesty of greedy developers cutting off footpaths as they began carving a golf course and the obligatory 1,000plus houses on Unesco-protected land near Ronda (see picture above right).

For the next 239 (and counting) issues, the Olive Press has fought to make Andalucia a greener, safer and all round better place.

HOW WE WON THE Expat Survey Consumer Awards (TESCA for short) were collated from 2015 to 2016 after a global publicity campaign for expats - regardless of nationality or country - to vote.

Project director Emma Wood said: “Our first research programme in 2013 revealed the most essential tool to expats was dedicated, localised media.

“We found their main focus was on local news and editorial quality - they weren’t looking for international news.”

She continued: “The Olive Press received a lot of support for the quality of its editorial, campaigning, and mix of local and national news.

“It’s bloody hard work producing publications like yours. Well done, you deserve it.”

WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF GIBRALTAR’S EXCITING NEW NEWSPAPER

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GIBRALTAR

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MAKING A SPLASH: Milestone issues while (far left) Gib leader Picardo and (bottom, left) ambassador Manley

The only investigative local newspaper

olive press Vol. 1 Issue 1 www.gibraltarolivepress.com

September 17th - September 30th

FREE

Red, white and FREE

Welcome to the Rock

FIRST Minister Fabian Picardo has given a warm welcome to the Olive Press’ launch in Gibraltar.

The father-of-two saluted the paper’s original reporting and insisted his government would give its full support to aid our growth in the enclave.

“I am delighted to cooperate and to ensure you receive all the help you need to inform those who choose the Olive Press for their news.

“Welcome to the media stable in Gibraltar.”

Politicians call for British Royal Navy gunships to be permanently stationed in Gibraltar during defiant National Day speeches DEFIANT calls for British Navy battleships to be stationed again in Gibraltar have been made during a raucous National Day rally.

A group of 11 British politicians delivered rip-roaring speeches focussing on recent tensions with Spain and backing Gibraltar’s right to selfdetermination.

The Casemates crowd – a sea of red and white – echoed the patriotic sentiments as Chief Minister Fabian Picardo delivered the final address, centering around a salute to the ‘evacuation generation’ of 75 years ago.

Linking it to the current refugee crisis engulfing Europe, he vowed to help as much as possible under the plea that ‘sharing is caring’.

But it was Conservative MP for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, who

Blown away

By Tom Powell got the biggest cheer, when he insisted the Royal Navy should - once again - have battleships permanently stationed in Gibraltar.

“The people of Gibraltar are a part of the Great British family and I would like to see a battleship here to apprehend any Spanish ship to illegally enter British waters,” he said.

Democratic Unionist MP Ian Paisley added: “These are our international waters, this is our country, these are our people and we must support them.”

“We will never surrender this rock!” he roared in a rousing address.

After waving a letter of ‘best wishes’ from the Queen, the Chief Minister finally vowed to increase National Day celebrations in years to come.

PARTY MODE: Gibraltarians celebrate National Day with inflatable barbary macaque “National Day will never ever be diminished. In fact, it will only get bigger. We stand together, red white and free!” he bellowed.

Following the speeches, the traditional releasing of the balloons – which has caused controversy in re-

cent years due to its environmental impact – took place.

Then, as the crowds gazed up at the red and white speckled sky, Tina Turner’s Simply the Best blasted through the sound system, signalling the start of an almighty party.

The Rock’s leader was talking alongside his lawyer wife Justine ahead of his key speech at National Day, one of the ‘most significant ever’.

He told the Olive Press: “It is particularly auspicious this year with the day commemorating the 75th anniversary of great evacuation of the Rock, as well as coming in the week the Queen becomes the UK’s longest serving monarch.”

A highlight of his week was watching Kings of Leon at the Gibraltar Music Festival.

“Not at the front as I would have got crushed,” he joked.

“But I was blown away when I saw everyone’s hands in the air for Sex on Fire, the best rock song of the last decade.”

As for a date for his first reelection contest, rumoured to be on November 20, he said: “The only person who knows is my wife.”

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Fun, confidence-building, educational classes in acting, singing and dance.

Last September a second edition was successfully launched in Gibraltar, and now the Rock’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo (left) has sent his congratulations to the team.

“Congratulations and best wishes to the Olive Press on winning this prestigious award,” he said.

Meanwhile British Ambassador Simon Manley also congratulated the paper on its ‘great’ success.

“Very well done, and well deserved,” he said. “Congratulations to the whole Olive Press team for this win.”

The Olive Press came second to France’s Connexion, while third place went to Round Town News, which has been operating on Spain’s Costa Blanca for more than 30 years.

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The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

Vol. 8 Issue 200 www.theolivepress.es

Get out of my house!

E

IGHT years and 200 issues ago the very first Olive Press hit the streets.

That issue exposed the travesty of greedy developers cutting off footpaths as they began carving a golf course and the obligatory 1,000-plus houses on Unesco-protected land near Ronda.

In each issue that has followed, we have fought and campaigned to make Andalucia a greener, safer and all round better place.

Born out of a desire to bring environmental issues into the public eye, the Olive Press has evolved into Spain’s number-one Englishlanguage newspaper.

It is the only one prepared to investigate scams, expose evil and fight for justice – as various legal threats have shown.

Landlord holds protest against tenant who hasn’t paid for years EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan AN expat landlord has held an unprecedented one-man protest against a tenant who hasn’t paid rent for two years.

David Lomas (left), 66, took to the streets over €10,000 in unpaid rent at the home in Campilllos.

Followed by his four children - aged between six and 12 - Lomas marched from the three-bedroom property to the town hall to ‘demand justice’.

Lomas, from Middlesbrough,

Vulnerable

Continues on Page 2

Corruption crackdown MASSIVE anti-corruption raids have swept Andalucia, the Canary Islands and Extremadura, resulting in at least 30 arrests.

A number of politicians and other town hall staff were among those arrested.

The arrests came on the orders of Judge Mercedes Alaya, who has been investigating the ERE scandal at the

November 13- November 26 2014

FLASHBACK: Our first issue in November 2006

Those who think they can trample over the elderly, the honest and the vulnerable - expat or otherwise - will continue to find themselves exposed by the Olive Press.

Corruption cases, including Los Merinos and the ERE scandal, are finally out in the open as the voice of dissent grows louder.

Next year is set to be monumental in Spain’s political history, as a new party Podemos threatens to blow apart the corrupt two-party state.

We have been shining a light on the corruption and injustices here for nearly a decade and we are backing any attempt to breathe new life into Spanish politics and clean up the country.

Here’s to the next 200 issues, and a better, cleaner, fairer Spain!

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Page 18

Discover how the Olive Press came to the rescue of the decaying home of celebrated British Hispanist Gerald Brenan.

Page 20 Expat writer Chris Stewart extols the virtues of the Alpujarras in his latest book. Read all about it in our exclusive serialisation and even win a copy of your own!

Page 51

Cellar de Can Roca may have just been crowned the world’s best restaurant. But how did it stand up to the Olive Press taste test?

Page 52 Win a weekend away in beautiful surroundings and a copy of the hottest new Spanish cookbook, exclusively serialised from this issue.

Continues on Page 4

Princess charged with fraud

PRINCESS Cristina, 49, has been charged with tax fraud and could now face an unprecedented court trial.

The charges against the sister of King Felipe VI come as part of an investigation into her husband Inaki, 46, who allegedly embezzled millions of euros in public funds.

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This award for the Olive Press makes me extremely proud.

For a sense of fair play and passion for the truth is finally paying off for my staff and I. But it has definitely come at a price.

Having a belief in grassroots journalism and investing in professional journalists - currently eight NCTJtrained reporters - is anything but cheap.

Investigations are increasingly costly and complicated with litigious and bullying bosses, stringent laws and less and less money to undertake them.

On top of this, battling corruption and defending the environment, for which we have also won awards, is far from straightforward.

But thankfully YOU, the readers, beHAPPY: Publisher Jon lieve it is worth it... taking on the Clarke bad guys and the establishment, which is why you have collectively voted us top, beating our rivals who have been around for much longer.

Coming as a complete surprise, it also reinforces the belief that content is key and that quality will (hopefully) win out in the end.

We just hope that businesses also appreciate the big difference between ourselves and our rivals and why the paper so quickly disappears when it comes out every other Wednesday.

The facts are that once our readers know where to pick up a copy (at well over 1000 spots along the coast and inland) they are there like a shot and take it home to read at their leisure.

We know we have nearly the right mix of news, entertainment, crime, corruption and travel. And we love serving it up.

That said, we will not become complacent and we always try to improve, and we always welcome your feedback.

Thanks to our faithful stable of quality advertisers, who have stuck with us for years. You know who you are.

Here’s to another ten years… and a plea that you continue to value quality.

Thanks for the support

Jon Clarke

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OLIVE PRESS – 105mm x 256mm – Colour

11th May / 25th May

POLITICS

- May the May Olive11th Press May24th 11th2016 - May 24th 2016

Fallen bodies to be exhumed THE official burial place of former dictator General Franco is to be opened up.

Various tombs at Valley of the Fallen, near Madrid, are to be explored after a judge agreed two brothers’ bodies should be exhumed from the controversial site.

Judge Jose Manuel Delgado ruled that Republicans Manuel and Antonio Ramiro Lapeña, whose bodies were moved to the vast crypt in 1959, have the ‘right to a dignified burial’.

By Joe Duggan THE leader of the Junta is to be grilled over her involvement in the billion euro Operation Edu scandal.

Both Susana Diaz and her husband have been ‘implicated’ in the massive fraud that saw billions poured into bogus training schemes that did not exist.

The PP is now demanding her resignation, after she was ordered to explain her links to some of the courses that were set up and administered by the UGT trade union.

In particular, she is to be probed on May 31 over her husband Jose Maria Moriche’s role at the Institute of Training and Social Studies (IFES), which administered various courses now under investigation.

His name is clearly visible in one document connected to a suspected

Diaz in the dock €8 million fraud in which the UGT allegedly diverted funds through false invoices and other irregularities.

P

ODEMOS knew from the start that it wouldn't have enough votes next month to overtake the Socialists as the second political force in the country.

Talks between Pablo Iglesias and Alberto Garzon of the United Left (IU) had been in progress during the first attempts to form a government.

Iglesias wanted Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez to join in to form a grand leftist coalition but he wasn't happy about the pre-election pact the Socialists signed with the centrist Ciudadanos.

But Sanchez wasn't going to break it.

Now Podemos and IU have decided to unite for the June 26 elections. According to some observations, IU stands to get about seven seats in Congress if the votes swing in favour of this new leftist coalition. It wasn't an easy match.

Marathon meetings were held between Podemos and IU where disputes arose about the slates and who would be at the top.

Some members have complained about Iglesias' authoritarian style of controlling his party.

RIO

ALEGRI

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The cracks appear IU pact shows Podemos’ imperfections

www.theolivepress.es

Junta head faces grilling after being ‘implicated’ in fake training scheme fraud

MA

10 8

MADRIDS MATTER

At the same time, die hard IU members, including founding national coordinator Cayo Lara, who has been critical of Garzon, warns the IU, which grew out of the former Spanish Communist Party (PCE), could be swallowed by Podemos and disappear.

Politics does indeed breed strange bedfellows but with so many explosive personalities on the scene it is difficult to say whether we will have a government anytime soon after June 26.

UNDER FIRE: Susana Diaz

Meanwhile, her signature has appeared in documents linked to setting up training centres in ‘friendly’ left-wing town halls

around the region.

“There is more than one element that implicates Diaz,” insisted PP deputy Teresa Ruiz-Sillero.

“This cost all Andalucians a lot of money.

“What Diaz is trying to do is what she always does - to “What seems most dangercheat.” ous to me is that in their The PP is also political doctrine is the angry that seed of the justification of Diaz’s PSOE violence, because they beparty is ‘hidlieve themselves to be the ing’ informaonly representatives of the tion and has people. dragged its “That is how communist heels over regimes led to a full justisending key fication of violence as a podocuments to litical instrument.” police.

His comments come de“They are spite officers in Spain sending docuneeding to be politically ments that neutral and impartial. have no relPodemos leader Pablo evance and Iglesias insisted: “Spain withholding deserves a director general others. This is of Police who is a profesfraud,” continsional and not a chat show ued Ruiz. participant on 13TV.”

Police chief: Podemos a ‘threat’

SPAIN’S top policeman broke protocol by labelling political party Podemos a ‘threat to democracy’.

National Police chief Ignacio Cosido has been accused of bias after he blasted the anti-corruption party during a TV interview.

He compared the party and its policies to failed communist regimes and drew a link to the current instability in Venezuela.

He said: “Podemos represents a left-wing totalitarian project whose consequences could end with what’s happening at the moment in Venezuela.

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May 11th - May 24th 2016

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Accused ‘tied up’ teenage victim

NEWS IN BRIEF

Helping hand ENERGY giant Cepsa has implemented a volunteering programme for its workforce, Voluntas, which saw San Roque workers participate in a golf fundraiser in March.

Blue flag ALGECIRAS beach Playa de Getares which overlooks the bay of Gibraltar has won a blue flag for the fifth year running.

Job time A TOTAL of 371 people from the Campo de Gibraltar found work during April.

Unemployment fell by 78 people in Tarifa, 56 in Loss Barrios and 41 in San Roque.

Coke haul THE biggest cocaine haul of the year so far has been seized in Algeciras port. The container from Brazil had 321 kg of the drug inside.

May 11th www.theolivepress.es - May 24th 2016

A GIBRALTARIAN man with a 'predilection for tying people up' preyed on underage girls, a jury has heard.

Darryll Martinez, 28, of Glacis Estate, faces seven counts of sexual offences against two girls, who were aged 15 and 14 at the time.

An eight-person jury heard that Martinez, who pleads not guilty, attacked one

of his alleged victims, Miss S, at her flat in February 2012, where he is accused of rape, indecent assault and sexual intercourse with a minor.

Miss S, who was described as 'withdrawn and solitary' was allegedly tied to her bed

by Martinez, who stayed in the flat that weekend.

Giving evidence, Miss S told the court: "I

told him I felt uncomfortable. I told him I did not want it and I had just met him."

Martinez claimed she had told him she was '16 going on 17' and that any sexual activity between them was consensual.

However she insisted to the court: 'I made it clear I was 15'.

A second alleged victim, Miss A, came forward after Martinez was charged with

offences against Miss S, claiming she too had been the victim of an attempted rape and indecent assault between September 2009 and September 2010.

Miss A, a university student, flew in from the UK to give evidence in court this week when she insisted she was telling the truth.

The trial is set to end this week.

Waste of life

By Joe Duggan

TWO men have been arrested after a soldier from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment was murdered on a night out in Wales.

Grieving relatives poured out their hearts for Private Matthew Boyd, 20, who died following a suspected fight in Brecon town centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Matthew's brother Darren wrote on Facebook: "Broke my heart when I woke up and heard you were gone.

"You will always be in my heart. I just want you here with me."

His grandmother, Maureen Boyd, added: "We are a broken family today. Senseless.

No words for the heartache we are feeling."

The soldier had been found unconscious some 400 me-

Young Gibraltar Regiment private killed in senseless Welsh attack

TRAGIC: Death of soldier Matthew Boyd tres from the Watton Barracks, where the regiment has been training, but later died in hospital.

Dyfed-Powys Police are ap-

pealing for anyone who was in the vicinity between 12.30am and 1.30am to come forward.

A Brecon source told the Olive Press: “Everybody here is very

shocked. This is not a big place and there is a real warmth towards the army in Brecon.

“Apparently there was a fight, he was attacked and he has come out of it worse. They are local guys who have been arrested. The CCTV in that part of town is very good.

“I would say there is less trouble here than most towns. But we have all heard stories about local guys who have fights with soldiers. This one is just so much more severe.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed the death and insisted it was ‘inappropriate’ to comment further.

Brecon is home to the Infantry Battle School, where the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and other regiments train.

The soldier's family, who relocated to Gibraltar from Northern Ireland, were informed on Sunday.

DRAMATIC: Fire at Lidl

Razed to the ground A SUPERMARKET in the Campo de Gibraltar has burned to the ground after a vicious fire saw the surrounding area engulfed in thick black smoke.

It took several hours for the team of firemen and ten fire engines to extinguish the fire at Lidl in Palmones after around 20 residents called the police at 5pm on Sunday May 8.

No-one was injured in the fire which reportedly started in the shopping trolley area outside the store.

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AXARQUIA

the Olive Press May May11th 11th--May May24th 24th201 2016

Dry run MALAGA’S reservoirs are at their lowest level in over ten years, sparking fears of widespread water bans.

Water capacity in the province has dropped by almost 15% from last year to 332 cubic hectometres while one of its key suppliers, the Guadalhorce reservoir, is dangerously low at 170 cubic hectometres.

Malaga gears up for a summer of hosepipe bans, despite recent rain If the dry weather continues and levels drop to 109 cubic hectometres, residents could see a repeat of the emergency drought measures and hosepipe bans last brought into force in 2005.

That plan saw the suspension

Green ultimatum SPAIN has been warned to stop tapping Donana World Heritage site for water or else.

The European Commission has ordered a halt to the use of the Sevilla park’s underground water supply as it is degrading natural habitats.

More than 1,000 illegal boreholes are draining the aquifer of one of Europe’s most important wetlands.

Spain has two months to improve the state of the water deposits before the commission takes the case to the EU’s Court of Justice.

The ultimatum is the second phase of a European infringement procedure that began in 2014 following a World Wildlife Fund complaint.

of street cleaning and the irrigation of gardens and public and private parks.

Ornamental fountains, public showers and fountains were also banned or restricted, while the filling of swimming pools was cut back by 15%.

The threatened drought comes despite the government’s investment of €35m in the reservoir network.

The Junta de Andalucía met with farmers at the start of February to explain that early measures may be taken if rainfall stays 25% below average by the end of May. Villanueva de la Concepción’s town hall says the current situation is ‘alarming’ and that they expect the summer to be ‘complicated’.

They are already urging residents to be conservative in their water use.

Bio batteries the future THREE Andalucian entrepreneurs have taken biotechnology to potty new lengths with a battery that recharges in soil.

Pablo Manuel Vidarte, Rafael Rebollo and Javier Rodriguez’s Bioo converts energy created during photosynthesis in plants into electricity.

The device is a USB port hidden inside a stone

1113

Charm offensive CAPTIVE: Orca

Killer images DISTURBING footage of a stressed orca slamming her head into a gate has been released.

Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project released the footage of the SeaWorld-owned killer whale at Loro Parque in Tenerife.

The park came under heavy criticism in a tell-all documentary on SeaWorld called Black Fish.

Head banging is frequently observed in captive orcas and has been identified as a stereotypic behaviour born out of frustration and stress.

There are currently six orcas at Loro Parque. To watch the footage visit www.theolivepress.es

that can be popped into a planter to harness energy from the soil and used to charge your phone - and that’s only one of many possible future applications.

Vidarte said: “We have used our prototypes until now to charge a mobile phone and now we are planning to sell them in a crowdfundNIFTY: Charger of the future ing campaign.

Axarquia town crowned Spain’s best seaside town WITH stunning beaches, charming old town streets and 40,000-year-old caves, Nerja has always been popular with those in the know.

Now the Axarquia jewel has been officially recognised as Spain’s most charming seaside town.

International tourism website Hotel Info invited 16,000 voters to choose between 27 finalists.

With an impressive 5,173 votes, Nerja bagged almost one third of the total cast.

The landslide victory followed a town hall campaign which saw Nerja pitted against towns including Altea, Benicarlo, Cudillero, Mojacar, Ribadeo, Rota, Tossa de Maro and San Javier.

“We want to say thank you for your support to the thousands of internet users who voted and to the public bodies, our town has won and we must celebrate,” said PSOE tourism councillor Patricia Gutierrez.

In second place was Ortigueira in Galicia, with 4,016 votes, and Rota in Cadiz province which scooped 2,119.

Torre-fic lineup

FROM hip-hop to reggae, Torre del Mar is in for a musical treat this July, following the full line-up release for the Weekend Beach Festival.

A total of 90 acts are set to perform on Playa Poniente including superstars such as American rapper Wiz Khalifa and DJ Skrillex.

Also making an appearance will be Reggae groups Alpha Blondy & The Solar System and Gentleman & Ky-Mani Marley, English hip hop group Foreign Beggars and Spanish alternative band Love of Lesbian.

The festival takes place from July 6-9.

Dream come true AN 11-year-old boy from Velez-Malaga suffering from water on the brain has launched his first album ‘Lleno de Vida’, collaborating with seven famous musicians in Madrid.

14 12

LETTERS

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POTTED POINTERS EMERGENCIES Police 199 Medical service 190 Fire 190 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.14 American dollars 0.79 British pounds 1.46 Canadian dollars 7.44 Danish kroner 8.85 H Kong dollars 9.31 Norwegian kroner 1.55 Singapore dollars ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 63.71% Same week last year: 80.78% Same week in 2005: 66.02% AIRPORTS Gibraltar 00350 22073026 Granada-Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000

Cruise control I WAS recently left stranded at Malaga airport when I had a cruise to catch in Barcelona.

In total 20 of us - British expats - missed our 10-day cruise and it all could have been avoided with more communication.

Vueling led us to the gate to board our flight on time. We were then left stood there for five hours as our cruise began to prepare to embark from the other end of the country.

We have now complained directly to the Spanish airline after forking out over €1,000 on the trip.

The way we were treated was not right. We were left in the departure lounge with no indication of when our flight would arrive.

We are devastated of course, but angry that no one at Vueling explained the situation to us at the airport.

Sheila Saville, Malaga

All talk I CANNOT understand how the investigation into Christy Kinahan has been dragging on for so long (New gangland killing, issue 236).

With Spanish police confirming they are ‘close’ to charging the Estepona-based gang boss as well as his sons Daniel and Christy Jr. I struggle to grasp what they are waiting around for.

Why if there is evidence against these criminals have they not been charged? This investigation has been dragging on for

May 11th -

Prior arrangements Time to move on I THINK the Priors did the right thing by staying in Spain and fighting their case but they need to end this nightmare and move on (Dumped on! issue 238).

Unfortunately they cannot - and should not do this until they receive the compensation they deserve.

If there is to be any future in the residential tourism industry in Spain, Vera Town Hall must cough up and give them this compensation and stop stalling. This has dragged on for far too long and it is time for the Junta to come up with a meaningful solution to the so called illegal property situation and create some new, workable laws.

I wish the Priors well and hope they finally get closure.

Harriet Pullman, Axarquia

Junta culpable IT is important to remember that it wasn’t Vera Town Hall that knocked the Prior’s house down, but some goobah from the Junta. The house was not on a floodplain, nor near a road, nor on the beach, nor in an area of spe-

seven years already?

And while they are allowed to remain free, people continue to be killed each week!

Billy O’Brien, Ireland

Summer lovin’ WOW! What a festival lineup in Spain this summer (Summer’s

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es And our site is updated the latest news, May daily 24thwith 2016 making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

cial beauty or archaeological significance. It was just a chance for the PSOE-A to ‘get’ at Vera which was run by a minor party back in 2008. But – how much damage has all this done to Almería – with its 35% unemployment? How many billions of euros have been lost from those people from Northern Europe who had planned to retire there but, following the well-reported demolition, were able to change their mind?

Steve Croft, Malaga

Julie Smith, Axarquia

Total ‘pants’ I ATTENDED the SOHA meeting on DAFO and like absolutely everything else that the Junta comes up with, it’s a load of pants (Demolition fear again, issue 238).

They have decided that 99%

Most read this fortnight on www.theolivepress.es  Costa del Sol on weather alert

with dropping temperatures and more rain - 4616 views as heavy rain continues - 4604 views

BUYING a home in most parts of Spain is still truly dangerous.

For the time being things ‘appear’ to be improving. However, only time will tell how long that will last.

A new government could come in, change everything, and ruin years of campaigning. This has long been a nightmare of quasi-politicalreal estate life in Spain.

That said, the EU should do more to protect buyers coming from overseas.

Tom Rooney, Estepona

Page views:xxxxxxxxx Spain and Gibraltar’s best Visitors:English xxxxxxxx daily news website

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Buyers beware

here and time is right… issue, 238).

There are usually one or two standout lineups but this year we really have been spoilt for choice.

I think I will be opting for Primavera Sound and BBK Live personally. Although I’m not sure how the Spaniards will take to Sleaford Mods… clash of cultures is perhaps an understatement.

olive press online

October 2015

of all independent rural properties built after 1975 will be either DAFO or illegal which will lead to eventual demolition – only 1% of properties will actually be legal. So even if you went through all the right procedures, used reputable lawyers and have all the right paperwork now, the Junta de Andalucia will reverse it and make your house virtually worthless. In other words, they have moved the goalposts yet again and retrospectively changed the law. Who says they won’t do it again and next time to coastal properties?

People need to understand that no matter how many lawyers you consult or how many checks you make, it means nothing, the property laws in Spain are not fit for purpose and do not protect you.

Jane Garrett, Axarquia

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sion on the market for

THE way Alhaurin el Grande Town Hall is trying to bully John and Deborah Gray out of their home is dreadful (One-way injustice, issue 238). I understand the need for compulsory purchase orders - but if they really are a must, then appropriate compensation or alternative housing must be provided.

As usual, it comes back to the same old thing: the laws are not fit for purpose and do not protect property owners in Spain – Andalucia in particular. The person who came up with the figure of €35,000 must be hard of thinking, how can these people re-house themselves on that paltry amount of money?

In the UK, there are set guidelines for compulsory purchase orders.I have to ask this yet again but where are the EU in all of this? I hope they have contacted their MEP. Stephen Cook, Coin ED: See the latest on this story on P4 Letters should be emailed to letters@theolivepress. es. The writer’s name and address should be provided.

Opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

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la cultura

15

May 11th - May 24th 2016

Born again convents

Marble art AN exhibition of marble sculptures is on display in Estepona.

Throughout May, New Longman’s bookshop will be showcasing the work of local artist Juan Quiñones.

Renowned for his miniature sculptures, Quiñones has held several exhibition in Estepona since he moved to the Costa del Sol from his home town of Vejer de la Frontera in Cadiz.

SHOCKER: Spain´s top playwrite had Bristol parentage

As British as the Bard?

Miguel de Cervantes had English heritage, historian confirms

THE author of Don Quixote may be Spain’s national treasure but new findings suggest he was less of a local than previously thought.

New documents suggest Miguel de Cervantes was in fact of English heritage - making him the most famous expat of us all.

Utrera historian Julio Mayo has uncovered documents that reveal Cervantes had Anglo-

saxon family with the surnames of ‘Tintam’ (Titon) and Herbert’ (Herver).

An Utrera Town Hall manuscript from 1593 identifies ‘Juan Titon de Servantes’ as a relative - possibly father - of the iconic author.

Mayo delves into an investigation into the Timtams, an English, Bristol-based merchant trader family who settled in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Cadiz, in 1480 under the

A ROMAN Jackpot!

ROMAN coins worth at least ‘several million euros’ have been unearthed in Sevilla.

The haul, weighing over 600 kilos, was discovered during routine building works in Tomares, and feature emperors Maximian and Constantine.

They are thought to have been payments destined for the

army or civil servants and date back to the late third and early fourth centuries.

Builders found the coins stored in 19 Roman jars.

Researchers believe they did not make it into circulation owing to the lack of wear and tear.

Building has been suspended so the site can can excavated.

protection of Medina Sidonia Mayor Enrique de Guzman.

John Tintam and his colleague William Fabian were responsible for expanding the trade in slaves and precious materials between Spain and the coast of Guinea, then owned by Portugal.

Juan Titon’s father Hugo was also a British spy well-integrated into Sanlucar’s English community.

And Mayo believes Tintam’s descendent Juan Titon de Cervantes was a direct predecessor of Spain’s literary hero Miguel, via his nun daughter Maria Titon.

Meanwhile the historian believes the novelist also had paternal lineage from the family Herver de Cervantes, who were silversmiths from Cordoba, coming from the English Herbert family.

“I truly believe I have proved Cervantes had English family and it’s only the beginning,” commented HISTORIC FIND: Millions of coins Mayo.

THE cloistered convents of Sevilla are to get a facelift following almost €1m of funding from the World Monument Fund (WMF).

The WMF announced that the sum, donated by American Express, will go towards five historic sites around the world, one being the 15 convents in Sevilla, many of which have struggled with maintenance costs.

Through the fund, an area of the 14th-century Santa Ines convent will be made accessible to the public, together with a guidebook showcasing the historic significance of the convents, built between the 13th and 17th centuries.

STUNNING: Convent

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The Olive Press – 170 x 256mm

11th May

la cultura

16

Tuning in

Roll up, roll up!

Tracking history

with Gary Beaumont

The Skatalites and Siniestro Total headline Coin’s Coincierto Festival

A

S if there wasn’t enough great live music available this summer, the town of Coin is jumping on the bandwagon with its own Coincierto Festival.

At a time when the UK has begun to suffer from ‘festival fatigue’ with a number of events cancelled in recent years, Spain seems to have taken up the baton with a relay of new events this year.

Coin’s new one-day festival of live music and art on May 21 features a great lineup of bands, with headliners The Skatalites returning to Spain following their sell-out gig in Benalmadena last year.

The ska band from Jamaica enjoyed their first wave of fame between 1963 and 1965, recording many of their best known songs during this period, including Guns of Navarone. They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican recording artists of the time. They reformed in 1983 and have played together ever since.

Other names appearing on the festival’s six town centre stages are Galician punk rockers Siniestro Total and western rock combo Furia Trinidad.

Joining them are a great selection of bands representing a wide range of musical genres. The long list includes Jarrillo Lata, We Are Not Dj’s, Elphomega, El Cirguero, Malaka Youth, Suit Casual, La Maruja i Otras Hierbas, Briatore, El Zurdo, El Veneno Del Boquerón, Hairy Nipples, Las Ventanas, King Wadada Sound, Soulbelle, Mª Ángeles Tirado e Ismael Chicano, Batucada Sambagua Do Rio, Gabriel Temblante, and Buluc Chabtan.

There is also music and entertainment specifically for kids, along with a craft market and displays of street art.

Entry is free except for the main stage headline acts, for which the first 300 tickets will go on sale for just €10 each, after which they cost €12 until May 20 and €17 on the day, available online from www.tiquetin.com

In his latest book, Mr Henderson’s Railway Algeciras to Ronda by Train, expat author Nick Nutter retraces a feat of British engineering that would change the face of Andalucia

I

n the late 19th century Gibraltar was isolated from the rest of Europe. The rough mule tracks, haunted by bandeleros, that composed the road network in south-west Spain did not lend themselves to comfortable or safe travel. Three men proposed a plan to solve the problem by extending the rail network in Spain as far as Gibraltar. The Spanish War Ministry would have none of it saying, ‘Spain will never consent to any line that would connect the enemy territory of Gibraltar with the Spanish rail network.’

Undeterred, Captain Louis Lombard, John Morrison and Sir Alexander Henderson pressed on. They had a strategy in place.

The result was a feat of British engineering

HISTORIC: One of the first trains and (top) Mr Henderson unequalled in Spain, a railway line from Algeciras to Ronda through some of the most rugged country in the Iberian peninsula. British steel, British rolling stock, British style stations, even the point levers set in the plat-

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forms and the wrought iron canopy brackets were manufactured in Britain. Today the line is known as 'Mr Henderson's Railway'.

Algeciras was as close to Gibraltar as the Spanish Government would allow a railway

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the Olive Press May 11th - May 24th 201

19 17

May 11th - May 24th 2016

what’s on

A

lmunecar, ongoing LOCAL artist Luis Contreras is exhibiting his paintings at the Taberna La Corrala until May 21.

M

alaga, ongoing AN exhibition of photos of legendary footballer Zinedine Zidane will run until June 3 at La Termica. Photos by Phillippe Bordas.

M ON TRACK: Line today, while (top, left) pier in Gibraltar and (left) author Nutter to extend.

Our three heroes were ready to put part two of their cunning plan into operation.

They obtained permission to build a pier at Algeciras and had Blackwood & Gordon Paisley and Port Glasgow Company build two steam paddle ships, the SS Elvira, built in 1882 and the PS Margarita in 1896.

Now the officers and ladies from the garrison at Gibraltar could be taken by steam ship to Algeciras where a short branch line ran from the pier to the railway station. The Spanish had refused to allow the station to be built at the dockside because it would have been in range of another feat of British engineering, the 100 Ton Gun at Gibraltar.

From Algeciras they could now travel in luxury to their favourite countryside r e t r e a t s , Gaucin and Ronda, through scenery that is today still magnificent, orange groves, ravines and mountains alongside the raging torrent of the Rio Genal.

Adding frisson to the experience was the chance to see the bandoleros, romanticised bandits who preyed on the unwary traveller passing through that inhospitable landscape.

If not the bandoleros then they were almost certain to witness the activities of the contrabandistas who travelled on the slow moving train throwing their contraband, smuggled out of Gibraltar, out of the windows to confederates waiting alongside the track.

There was only one thing lacking. Suitable accommodation for those well healed gen-

teel folk.

The Algeciras (Gibraltar) Railway Company was more than able to take on that challenge as well. They formed a subsidiary company, the Iberian and Mediterranean Hotels Company.

In 1901 the Hotel Reina Cristina, named after the Spanish Queen who ruled until Alfonso XIII came of age, was opened in Algeciras.

Algeciras was promoted as 'The New Winter Resort' and the luxurious hotel became the place to stay.

Our trio thought of everything.

They even realised that delicate British guests would not be happy to know that their water was from native supplies so they arranged for another British company, the Andalucia English Water Company, to pipe water to the hotel.

The hotel soon became the venue of choice for crowned heads of state, poets, authors, actresses and jazz singers. The Saturday afternoon tea dances became a social fixture for the Gibraltarians and the passengers from the P & O and Orient ships that called in at Gibraltar on their way to the Suez Canal and all points east. In 1906 the hotel hosted the Conference of Algeciras. One of the guests was a thirty one year old Winston Churchill.

MOMENTUS: First train design and (below) one of the many stations

ijas, May 13 A TYPICALLY British three-course lunch with tea, scones and Victoria sponge to celebrate the Queen’s birthday at Tamisa Golf Hotel. Info: 952 585 988

M

arbella, May 16

HOTEL Gran Melia Don Pepe presents a spring concert with music and opera performed by Rosa Diaz and David Geary. Info: 952 815 047

F

uengirola, May 19 LIGHT hearted quiz night with one a drink and nibbles for just €4 at the Centre, and a prize for the winning team.

On a roll the Iberian and Mediterranean Hotels Company then built a second hotel at Ronda, the Hotel Reina Victoria.

Equally luxurious the hotel, opened in 1902, occupied a prime piece of land, 3000 square metres overlooking the Tajo Gorge.

The well born folk from Gibraltar could now travel from 'The Rock', an English enclave, to Algeciras in British built steamships, stay at an hotel where all things, including the water they bathed in were British, be transported in luxury by rail, British of course, to be cosseted at the end of the line in yet another British haven. Perish the thought that they should ever encounter a Spaniard, apart from those employed to fill their bath and serve their drinks.

Today you can travel the line, stay at the Reina Cristina at Algeciras; sadly the Saturday afternoon tea dance is no longer on the programme, and recuperate from the journey at the Hotel Reina Victoria in Ronda. On your travels luxuriate in the sybaritic splendour enjoyed by the Victorians and reflect on the privilege of being British.

Read the full story in 'Mr Henderson's Railway - Algeciras to Ronda by Train' researched and written by Nick Nutter especially for the curious traveler.

Books are available now through Amazon and after the 13th May in English bookshops in Estepona and Sabinillas to be followed by other bookshops on the Costa del Sol. For more Information email nick@ duquesagold.com

20

the Olive Press May 11th - May 24th 2016

FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL

Extra

www.theolivepress.es

Up, up and away!

Olive Press editor Jon Clarke offers some tips for a perfect 48-hour escape to the Axarquia

S

OMEHOW I hadn’t spotted the double loop on the Michelin map of Andalucia I’d bought at Foyles on the Charing Cross Road, a month before moving to Spain in 2002.

But this topographical quirk - half way up the A-7000 out of Malaga city - was to add at least 20 minutes onto what looked like a simple 30-kilometre drive to my first rental home in Comares.

It was up this road that I had headed when I first settled in Spain and it is easily one of the nicest ways to arrive in the Axarquia (pronounced Ass-Ikea), with your ears literally popping as you ascend into the Montes de Malaga national park.

The equivalent of circumnavigating a section of Scotland’s Western Highlands, make sure to stop for coffee or lunch at 400-year-old Venta Galway – which takes its name from an Irishman, who moved there when the British market couldn’t get enough of the area's sweet muscatel wines.

From here you get the perfect lookout over the Axarquia, a ham-shaped wedge that cuts inland from the beach resorts of Torre Del Mar and Nerja and has much to offer in scenerary and culture, as well as increasingly in food and wine.

Here, the Olive Press offers the perfect weekend escape into the Axarquia, dipping into a mix of restaurants, walks and sightseeing.

Frig-ing great A stroll around the wonderful back streets of Frigiliana is a must for anyone visiting the Axarquia.

Having been crowned the prettiest village in Andalucia on a number of occasions it is a magical place to visit.

It is surrounded by wonderful countryside and it has a nice mix of shops and restaurants, in particular the excellent Jardin restaurant at the top of the village.

Romantic Romanes

With wonderful views and rooms to match, you can really unwind and luxuriate at Las Orquideas, overlooking Lake Vinuela. It sits in the village of Los Romanes, which has a couple of local spots to eat, but your best bet for food is to stay put and eat in the hotel restaurant, where for this Spring they are offering a ‘romantic escape’ deal, where for €180 you get a double room, with candles, flowers and a bottle of cava, plus a 30-minute Turkish bath and meal for two with wine. Contact 951 509 071 or visit www. las-orquideas.com to book.

Climat contro

The Axarqui the best cl a is said to ticular in itsimates in Eur and Nerja. coastal town mate – unlik Its fabulous e rope – offe anywhere e rs grow mangothe opport es, and even ba avoc nanas

DANGER: The back road to Alfarnate was once a stomping ground for bandoleros such as El Tempranillo (left) who was caugh

Bandits, all around

The Axarquia was famously the region most difficult for dictator Franco to pacify after he won the Spanish Civil War. Dissected by deep ravines and criss-crossed with streams, it is easy to see how the rebels, known as the Maquis, were able to take advantage of its confusing pattern of rutted hills to hide out and escape from army patrols. The region had previously been a haunt for bandoleros, or bandits, who preyed on traders carrying goods to Granada and for smugglers bringing contraband into Spain from Africa. Such was its volatile nature (the coast was regularly attacked by Barbary

pirates) that the area’s inhabitants built fortified villages, with watchtowers in the hills inland. One of the best ways to appreciate its violent past is to take a trip up to the high mountain village of Alfarnate, where you will find the Antigua Venta - at 400 years old one of the oldest in Spain. It was here where bandit El Tempranillo was finally captured after decades of terrorising the country and you can still find the cell they kept him in temporarily. The food is not very good, but you will appreciate its atmosphere and location and if you stick to ham and cheese you can’t go wrong.

Moors last sigh When the Moors finally handed over the keys to the Alhambra and Granada in 1492 they didn’t immediately head back to north Africa. Understandably, they figured they could cling on in relative secrecy in the mountainous region of the Axarquia and the nearby Alpujarras. One of the key locations was Comares, where in the claustrophobic Calle del Pardon, 30 families of Moors were later spared their lives after publicly converting to Catholicism. Indisputably the spiritual heart of the Axarquia, Comares straddles a hilly outcrop and has heart-stopping views. The magical white-washed village is a maze of windy alleys with an Arabic feel and has set itself up well for tourists offering a clever guided tour by footsteps etched into the ground.

Mountains of fun

MOST people would not have survived opening a new restaurant in a hamlet 45 minutes up a mo road.

But Table Mountain restaurant outside of Comar been a roaring success, in large part thanks to ergy and ideas of its new owner Bienvenido.

Apart from having the best food for miles around are plenty of live concerts (see pics) and other e including a ‘cross-dressing’ drag night planned.

with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Gem of a place

!

MAY in the mountains is really memorable.

The combination of the light, the colours, the wild flowers, the pleasant temperatures...

Velez-Malaga is one of the most underrated and little-visited places in Malaga province. But like its big sister Malaga it has a Moorish fortress rising above it with battlements, and has a fascinating old medina, crammed full of interesting nooks to explore. Its old town has recently been given a special protection status and no less than 47 historic buildings have been specifically listed.

Down in the dips

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have one of rope, in pa ns of Torroxrs microclielse in Eutunity to cadoes s.

Stuc k in a dip in one of the region’s many folds you will find Riogordo, a gritty town, full of rundown houses and troll-like men in hats.

You can really suck in the atmosphere of real Spain and, in particular, enjoy its excellent museum of antiquities (pictured), whic h gives a charming trip back in time to the days of sustainability.

ht at the venta (below)

a brand ountain

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IT’S A-MAY-ZING

Combine the natural world with the pleasures of Molino del Santo and you are in for a real treat. Just 15 minutes from Ronda you will find an old watermill converted into a charming small hotel and restaurant alongside a mountain stream. The surroundngs are stunning, Molino del Santo is recognized as one of the most special places in Andalucia.

GREAT MAY-TRE & MAY-DS Open every day for drinks, meals and accommodation, Molino del Santo is a real destination location. Recommended by Michelin, The Times, The Daily Telegraph and many others, with excellent reviews on Trip Advisor and other websites, why don’t you take the time to discover, or re-visit, Molino del Santo soon? Our staff are exceptionally friendly from the May-tre In the restaurant to the MAY-ds in the rooms.

“Don’t change a thing… you have created a piece of heaven.”

ON THE MAY-N LINE Molino del Santo is just 5 minutes walk from a sleepy railway station on the Algeciras to Granada line. In just over an hour from San Roque you will alight at Benaoján station having travelled through stunning scenery. (The fare is just 12euros return!) Stroll to the restaurant for lunch before taking the afternoon train back again. Or stay over. There are lots of walks from the hotel where no car is needed. Contact info@molinodelsanto.com for easy instructions on how to visit by train for a different and unforgettable experience.

BRING YOUR MAY-TES TALENTED: Artist and architect Peter (above) is complemented by Helen’s food (below)

Fabulous fountainhead Few places offer such a wonderful way to unwind as Fountainhead. The four suites (almost houses) not only feel entirely private, they count on their own splash pools and some have their own roof sundecks.

Incredibly appointed, with a fridge full of goodies, you could spend the entire weekend here, just relaxing, reading a book and gazing across the fabulous natural landscape that is extremely hard to beat. Even better, you have an incredible restaurant, celebrated for its organic, healthy food (visit www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com) and your hosts Helen Bartlett and Peter Jewkes and their creative children go out of their way to ensure you have the most relaxing break ever. I particularly loved the terrine of chicken with sage, with hazelnut oil and homemade chutney, while the sea bream had amazing consistency and came in a wonderful saffron sauce. Best of all, you can order a mixture of light salads and sandwiches to your room or for a picnic (pictured, right). The walks from the door are incredible and give you the perfect introduction to the region. www.fountainheadinspain.com See chef Helen Bartletts cook book on Page 32

Molino del Santo is an ideal place to enjoy the company of friends of family.

There are no TVs anywhere in the hotel so you have time to catch up and really relax. A special birthday, an anniversary, a reunion… you have found the ideal place to celebrate.

WE MAY-KE SPECIAL OFFERS During the month of MAY we’ll offer you a special rate for any unsold rooms.

(There aren’t many left so please contact us soon.) Mention The Olive Press and ask for last minute rates.

So there is no excuse… why re-MAY-n at home when you could be enjoying MAY in the mountains? ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

More information of any kind e-mail

info@molinodelsanto.com

www.molinodelsanto.com | info@molinodelsanto.com | 952 16 71 51 ESTACIÓN DE BENAOJÁN, NEAR RONDA, MÁLAGA

Sponsored feature

The Olive Press speaks to well established agency DT Solymar Casitas Vacacionales S.L. about the latest regulations for holiday lettings

Are you ready to rent?

BOSSES: Sarah and Kim

T

he rental market in Spain continues to grow as holidaymakers from around the globe look for their fix of sun, sea and sangria.

But while investing in a Spanish home continues to be seductive, new rental regulations introduced this month are proving a headache for budding landlords.

We spoke to Sarah Schroeder from DT Solymar Casitas Vacacionales, a new letting agency based in San Pedro de Alcántara, who says the regulations, while a pain, can prove to be advantageous.

The company was opened in Spain after years of success in Germany, where strict EU guidelines have made having an agency the standard practice for homeowners.

With over 30 years of experience, DT Solymar now wants to help homeowners in Spain make as smooth a transition as possible when turning their villa into a rental money maker.

Q: So what are the new regulations for homeowners looking to let?

A: As of May 2016, homeowners will be required to have individual rental contracts for every tenancy and must meet a whole list of new requirements. The new regulations require a window in every bedroom and sitting room, air conditioning, proper furnishings, complaint forms, first aid kits, tourist information packs and a list of instructions and rules for tenants. If you don’t comply they can really come down hard on you with hefty fines so it’s really something homeowners need to be aware of.

Q: Does this make having an agency more essential?

A: Yes, I think our services as a high quality rental agency are needed more than ever. If you are a homeowner who lives abroad it can be quite troublesome to have to sort out every new rental contract or to find someone reliable to take care of cleaning the premises and to repair or replace things that may go wrong or break etc. It’s also very helpful to have someone you can communicate with all year round and who is able to inform you of any potential problems or give you peace of mind by letting you know that everything is fine.

Q: How will this affect those looking to let?

A: Obviously it could be seen as a pain for homeowners, but ultimately I think it can be beneficial for renters and tenants. Homeowners are being presented with a legal framework, which provides a structure to ensure good quality and reliability in the rental market, which is something that could actually increase the value of their rental. It could almost be seen as a stamp of approval.

Tourists will obviously benefit from an improved service, however they can also now have more confidence when renting in the knowledge that they will be looked after. This is, especially the case with an agency such as ours, which provides high quality service for homeowners and is located nearby the rental properties so that we can get someone out to quickly fix things that go wrong.

Q: What are the other benefits of using an agency?

Using an agency offers year round security as there is always someone there to check on your home. I have heard some absolute horror stories about people renting their properties out to tenants and they have returned and find things broken or the whole place in an absolute mess. If you rent your property through an agency you can avoid such nightmares. If you require any repairs to

your property, if it is registered as an investment and you use an agency, the costs can be tax deductible, which is obviously a huge plus.

Q: What makes you the perfect choice for homeowners?

A: Well for starters we have a lot of experience in looking after rental properties to give homeowners peace of mind and we comply with all the applicable laws and regulations. We have been established in Germany since 1979, which means that we have a lot of experience behind us and can use this experience to help you to make sure that

your home meets the new requirements. In this way you can make sure that you not only look after your property as well as possible, but also avoid any unnecessary hefty fines.

Q: Do you cater to all expats and in which areas do you provide your services?

A: Yes, we started in Germany where the use of an agency by homeowners is standard practice. We have a large customer base there, so we have a huge amount of experience with people wanting to turn their homes into holiday rentals. We decided to create a new company in Spain because the rental market

is bouyant here and the new regulations mean homeowners may wish to rent their home through an agency to make the rental process easier. At the moment we are focusing on the U.K market because they are the largest client base here in the south of Spain, and it easy for them to use our services as we are English-speaking friendly. We currently operate in La Cala, Mijas, San Pedro, Marbella, Estepona and everywhere in between.

DT SOLYMAR CASITAS, C/Los Geraneos, Edf. El Molino 3-1°A, 29670, San Pedro de Alcántara, +34 672 30 5755, info@dt-solymar.es, www.dt-solymar.es

Property

21 May 11th - May 24th 2016

RECIO & MADRONA Gestoría

23

Administrative Advisors with 20 years experience in both Spain and the UK Tax advisors and accounting services Business start-up Vehicle transfers, Spanish car registration and driving license renewals

TOP DESTINATIONS: Madrid and Ibiza awarded

Wealth generator Boom rolls on

Spain scoops two gongs in major property investment ceremony

PROPERTY sales are expected to rise by more than 10% this year.

Analysts from KPMG, Deloitte, N+1 and PwC agreed at an April seminar that the amount of transactions in 2016 will reach some 440,000 in Spain, with a total value of around €20bn.

Mortgage financing is increasingly attractive as a high demand for investment properties at lower prices is being met with low interest rates.

While general economic growth and increasing employment figures are helping the market, analysts warned that the continuing political uncertainty could eventually have a negative impact.

SPAIN has scooped two prestigious prizes in the property investment category of Knight Frank’s Global Wealth Report 2016.

Madrid has been voted one of the top two cities in the world for property investment while Ibiza is in the top three for second-home purchases.

The well-respected report advises powerful investors how to pick the right ‘residential property investment location in this higher-interest and lower-growth environment’.

The shortlists were influenced by a ‘growing requirement for market

Why buy land when the villa next door is on sale for not much more

Has the market lost the plot?

11+

performance led by economic and employment growth, new infrastructure, regeneration, quality of education, environment and lifestyle’.

Madrid came below Los Angeles but above Shanghai for the best city to invest in, after prime sales volumes were up 25% last year, ‘outperforming many neighbouring European cities’ according to the report.

Knight Frank predicts steady growth over this year, although supply constraints are still being felt in the districts of Salamanca, Jeronimos and Chamberi.

Meanwhile Ibiza was placed third, behind only the Gold Coast of Australia and France’s Cote D’Azur, as the best place in the world to invest in a second home.

years experience in

ALL PROPERTY MATTERS

RICS SURVEYORS & VALUERS

BY BUILDING CAMPBELL FERGUSON

W

Fororpeace mindare follow HY do people buy plots to build hous- some of a hectare more,ofwhich now property buying rules es on? slightly off pitch,these with overly-steep slopes that The International Valuation defini- need terracing and many steps, or with partiallytion is ‘The estimated amount for interrupted views or sun in the morning or evewhich an asset or liability should exchange on ning but not all day, as many theProperty original ‘setFindof Your the valuation date between a willing buyer and tlers’ enjoy. a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction Now the strange thing is that these sites are beafter proper marketing and where the parties ing offered at very high prices, while many of the had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and villas are also for sale, perhaps from older firstwithout compulsion.’ time owners.

Instruct Instruct I’ve underlined the important bit. Because when Why ‘strange’? Building Surveyor Lawyer many villas are selling at prices Because due to surplus of supnot much higher than neighply, many of the villas are priced bouring plots, to buy land might at not much more than the bare Due to surplus not seem quite so prudent. sites!

Knowledge We’ve just carried out a de1.Buy - with Lovely site, lovely of supply, many Buyer & Confidence tailed valuation of a number partial views, not quite private of country villas and plots in a villas are priced or the best in the area but hey, high value, well-established urlet’s spend 25% over budget, not at not much more knowing what’s happening half banisation. +34time, 952 923 520 put up with The urbanisation is beautiand two Connect with us! than bare sites the admin@surveyspain.com ful and stretches down a tree years of stress and argument so surveyspain.com filled, south-facing hillside, with that we can eventually sit on the a number of valleys and crests terrace and recover from it all. giving the possibility of different views and as- Buyer 2 – Existing ‘run-down’ villa in the best pects, sun and shade, flat valley bottom or hill- location, as the person who built the house top ridge, extremely private or less so. some time ago had the choice of the whole valThe villas, built over the last 40 years, had the ley. The house isn’t the style we want, but we best sites with great views, privacy and mature can change that at half the price, and in half the gardens blending in with the landscape. time, of building new. The roads, the services, With the older properties, the style may be the site levelling and planning are all in place, somewhat dated and the services will need much easier all round. overhaul or even replacement to enable our Buyer 2 will have a more marketable property much more technological lifestyle. in the long run because of the better location.

In between those villas there are many sites, So back to my first question - why buy a plot?

Contact Campbell and the team on +34 952 923 520 or email info@surveyspain.com

Invest

The report highlights areas of San Jose, the marina and Ibiza Old Town as generating strong interest.

‘Year-round flights, good international schools and strong 4G internet connection have persuaded many young professionals in northern Europe to either relocate or commute long distance,’ the report stated.

Mortgage bonanza ALMOST 16% more mortgages were registered on properties in Spain over February this year compared to the same month in 2015.

The number of new mortgages has reached a total of 24,887, seeing February mark the 21st consecutive month of increases for home mortgages.

During that month the average value of home loans reached €108,500 which is 1.3% less than the previous year.

Assisting at the notary

EXPAT SERVICES Application for NIE and residency Translation services and help with phone calls to Spanish companies Bank accounts & mortgages

tel: 952 892 097 – info@costamanilva.com Av. Manilva 1 – Edificio Avenida, 1F – Sabinillas – 29692 Manilva

22

Property

Home rental group Christine Trainor clarifies the new Junta rental law

Are you ready for Registration Day?

T

HE new Rental Law comes into force on May 12 to regulate the rental of private homes to tourists.

The objective is to get this ‘submerged industry’ out into the open and guarantee quality control for holidaymak-

ers.

Town halls are asking property owners to register as near to that date as possible so that the property can be legally rented.

However the Malaga Delegation is going to be flexible and lenient with the registration and assures us that there is no need to panic.

The most common question we are asked is: How complicated is this registration procedure and how much will it cost?

To register your property, a completed hard copy of the Registration Form will need to be taken either to the Provincial Delegation of Sport and Tourism, or to your local town hall to forward on. In both cases, the First Occupancy Licence (Licencia de Primera Ocupacion) should also be presented if available.

(If you don’t have this, you can ask your town hall to perform a search or they will tell you how to obtain one.)

Realistically, it will probably take a couple of months after presenting the form to receive an RTA number which will look similar to this: VTA/MA/ 025764.

There is no charge for registration and the property owners can complete and submit the form themselves. However as the process is all in Spanish and very time-consuming, you can also ask your lawyer, gestor or management company to do it for you. Fees range from around €150 to €350, depending on who you engage. At HomeCareontheWeb, we are offering our clients this service for much less.

Bear in mind that this is the new law and you cannot advertise your property for holiday rental without registering.

Visit www.homecareontheweb.com or call +34 952 83 95 95 for more information.

Visit www.homecareontheweb.com for more information

Marbella Real Estate Photos NEW on the Costa Del Sol Prices from EUR 90 + IVA Get those all important viewings with good pictures

May 11th - May 24th 2016

Another white elephant MOVIEMAKERS are reeling from news that Spain’s biggest film studio is to be canned.

The Alicante complex where tsunami blockbuster The Impossible was shot has failed to sell at the asking price and is destined for liquidation.

Just one bid, rumoured in the Spanish media to have come from a Francis Ford Coppola associate, was placed in the second auction for Ciudad de la Luz but the offer failed to reach minimum price.

Sheikh-ing it up Man City’s billionaire owner buys Extremadura finca worth €55 million THE billionaire sheikh boss of Manchester City is the proud owner of a luxurious new Spanish bolthole.

Mansour bin Zayed, also Deputy PM of the United Arab Emirates and a member of its royal family, has purchased a ‘modest’ €55 million hamlet in Extremadura.

The estate, Los Quintos de San Martin in Badajoz, is larger than 8,000 football pitches and

MOVING IN: Mansour and (right) Domecq comprises 14 separate cortijos, partridges and 8,000 sheep.

Sheikh Mansour is already making his presence felt in the local community, applying for permissions for a 2.5km-long aircraft landing strip and to build a dam on the Rio Mata-

chel, also making plans for a Halal slaughterhouse and to transport meat back to the Arab world.

The previous owner, Jerez businessman Ramon MoraFigueroa Domecq, sold the hunting estate for €40 million

A towerblock called Wanda

CHINESE group Wanda is one step closer to renovating Edificio Espana in Madrid after Mayor Carmena and the Spanish government finally approved its bid.

The decision brings fresh hope after reports that Wanda boss and Chinese magnate Wang Jianlin was going to abandon the

project he bought for €265 million in 2014.

Edificio Espana was originally set to be transformed into a hotel with a shopping centre and luxury flats.

But Madrid’s Local Historical Heritage Committee has said the facade and side wings of the building can not be removed.

Flawed clause M

The latest ruling comes after the European Commission ordered banks to reimburse customers in full, last year.

And now a Madrid judge has backed up the European Commission’s ruling, paving the way for 2.5 million people to claim compensation payouts from the banks.

While nothing is likely to be paid out immediately - until the banks appeals are (hopefully) thrown out - analysts expect a whopping payout of around €1 billion.

The logistics of the payback are yet to be ironed out, although I would urge mortgage holders to contact their banks directly for more information.

To give a little background, the clausula suelo saga reared its head in the mid 2000s, with thousands of customers complaining that they were being tricked into paying thousands of euros on top of their mortgage repayments.

In actual fact it only became an issue be-

plus added costs.

Located near the quaint town of Valencia de las Torres, home to 700 inhabitants, the property has hosted a procession of royal and aristocratic visitors over the years. The family of former dictator Franco have hunted hunted there, as well as Juan Carlos when he was king.

The heliport has also been graced by the Botin family of Santander fame, and the powerful March family.

Since the Sheikh’s arrival, scores of families have made personal pilgrimages to the sleepy town to drop off their CVs in a bid for a slice of the billionaire family’s prosperity.

MORTGAGE THINK TANK

A €1 billion payout is to hit Spain’s banks as a Madrid judge rules compensation is due to 2.5 million clausula suelo mortgage holders

ILLIONS of mortgage holders could be in for a massive payout.

The controversial floor clause AKA clausula suelo - has been deemed null and void by a Madrid judge.

And while banks are preparing to appeal the decision, it comes as huge relief to homeowners across the country.

Estimated to be responsible for a whopping 90% of Spanish housing evictions, the minimum-rate interest clause has been costing mortgage holders an average of €3,000 a year for far too long.

The clausula suelo saga has long been an embarrassing blot on Spain’s mortgage system. This ruling once and for all puts an end to it and the market can now move on with its integrity somewhat restored.

With around 10% of Spanish mortgage holders affected by the hidden interest fee, most banks had already removed the clauses from recent contracts.

www.marbellarealestatephotos.com

Valencia’s regional PP government has poured a staggering €500 million of public money into the ‘deserted’ stateof-the-art studios since 2000 and will only have made €94 million back.

The complex, once described by Ridley Scott as ‘the best facilities in the world’, is a victim of geography – miles from Spain’s film industry capitals of Madrid and Barcelona – and financial cuts.

The studios began to struggle after authorities ruled that regional government subsidies were ‘unfair competition’.

IT´S A RAP: Studio shuts

by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

cause Euribor base rates dropped so low, way below the minimum rate imposed by the clausula suelo, leaving clients overpaying by up to 3%.

By May 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the fee had not been outlined efficiently in mortgage contracts. Banks were ordered to remove clausula suelo from all contracts where they were not outlined clearly and to repay any fees paid from that date on.

But the European Comission and now the Madrid courts have ruled that those sanctions do not go far enough as the banks had an obligation to pass on the drop in the base rate. They have ordered banks to dip into their coffers and reimburse mortgage borrowers in full from the date they started repaying.

All in all, it will cost the banks a fair amount but will go some way to restoring confidence in the mortgage system.

To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: 951 203 540 Email: tdp@thefinanacebureau.com The Finance Bureau Centro Commercial Guadalmina, 2nOffice No. 7 Guadalmina, 29670

Top Dollar

www.theolivepress.es

25 the Olive Press May 11th - May 24th 201

23 25

December 10th - 22nd 2015 May 11th - May 24th 2016

Royal approval

Spanish clothing brand featured in Princess Charlotte photos WINNER: Reigning champ

Spectacular Spectacle SELFIE sticks at the ready - Specsaver’s ‘Spectacle Wearer of the Year’ competition is back.

Any specs wearer over the age of 16 can send in their best photo via Facebook or online, with the overall winner receiving €500 and a pair of designer frames.

There will also be a semifinalist in every age category who will each win a pair of designer frames worth €159.

Dreams come true ONE of the Costa del Sol’s top beach club hotels has been raising thousands in aid of children’s charities.

In total, Sunset Beach Club has raised €10,136 in aid of the Butterfly Children’s Charity, Makea-Wish Spain and Barrestown.

Hosting a number of music events at the popular Benalmadena hotel, general manager Mark Wardell said the hotel collected funds to ‘create special memories for children’.

“One could say we are in the ‘dream’ business; the business of creating special memories,” he said.

“Our ‘Sunset Breaks’ initiative was started two years ago so that, together with the help of our generous guests, we could collect funds which go towards creating special memories for children who are battling serious illness.”

He added: “Our job is to provide an enjoyable experience in a fun and safe environment.”

Butterfly Children Charity helps children with the skin condition EB, while Make-aWish supports children fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Barrestown is a residential programme of therapeutic recreation for children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

A SPANISH baby-clothing brand is celebrating a second endorsement from the youngest member of Britain’s royal family.

For the second time, Princess Charlotte has appeared in official royal photos clad in m&h designs.

Shot by the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton to mark her daughter’s first birthday, the set of four photographs portray the royal toddler in various outfits including a pink cardigan and dress by the Spanish designer.

Mum Kate previously used the brand in the first official photo of the Princess, prompting a frenzy online with fans desperate to know where they could purchase the cute floral dress.

It is believed it was bought from

SPAIN’S largest research organisation, the National Research Council, will hire 100 new permanent scientists, more than double that budgeted for two years ago.

Binned THE €500 banknote - nicknamed ‘Bin Laden’ because while many people know what it looks like, few have ever seen one will be phased out by the European Central Bank.

Paper trail CUTE: Princess Charlotte an m&h store by the Princess’ Spanish nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

The clothing company was founded by Margarita Pato Cid and boasts five stores across

New horizons SPAIN is hoping to open new fishery markets in China, India and the US. Secretary-General of Fisheries Andres Hermida said China and India are attractive because of the sheer volume of growing customers, while the US market expects a higher quality, something that Spain can deliver.

He was speaking at the Seafood Expo Globo in Brussels, one of the world’s largest fish fairs, where Spain fielded more than 1,800 exhibitors.

Made in Japan JAPANESE clothing brand Uniqlo has confirmed it will open its first shop in Spain in 2017.

The company, renowned for high-quality, good-value basics, will open the Barcelona flagship store on Paseo de Gracia.

Barcelona was chosen after ‘months’ tossing up between the Catalan capital and Madrid.

Uniqlo is owned by mega group Fast Retailing, the world’s fourth largest clothing group after Inditex, H&M and Gap.

Spain, including in Sevilla and Madrid.

Every piece is unique, having been made by hand using fabrics only from Spain.

The international demand for the pieces has led Margarita to create a website which will soon be able to be delivered worldwide so that every mum can dress their darling daughters like princesses.

STAFF strikes at Spain's second-largest newspaper, El Mundo, meant the paper failed to print for the first time in 27 years, after its parent group announced 224 reduncies.

Jobless THE five European regions with the worst unemployment problems are all in Spain, with south Andalucia leading at 35%.

Quite a new undertaking A top funeral frim is excited to be opening up a new branch in Turre.

Local Mayor Arturo Grima will be present at the launch on May 12, where drinks, canapes and live music will all be on offer.

Golden Leaves new office is located on Avenida de Almeria.

For more information visit www. goldenleavesinternational.com

Smooth road ahead

PROFIT: Toll boost

NEWS IN BRIEF We are scientists

PROFITS for Spanish toll road operator Abertis rose by 6% in the first quarter of 2016, thanks to an increase in traffic.

Economic recovery in Spain saw traffic volume up 11.4% in the first three months of 2016.

The company, which operates across Europe and Latin America, saw earnings of €714m in the same period, while net profit rose 205%, boosted by acquisitions in Chile and Spain.

It has now announced investments worth €2bn over the next two years.

SPAIN’S economy grew faster than experts predicted in the first

24 26

Top Dollar

www.theolivepress.es

the Olive Press May 11th - May 24th 2016

May 11th - May 24th 2016

AGONY ANT Property YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

The Podemos path The Spanish Supreme Court also steers to the Left

T

ENS of thousands of Spanish consumers, most of them paradoxically right-wing PP voters, probably owe radical left-party Podemos a long-awaited recognition.

They will have benefitted from several rulings issued by the ‘Tribunal Supremo’ against banks and financial institutions in one particular year, 2015.

Podemos, a left-wing populist party that seeks to address the problems of inequality and corruption, including banking abuses suffered by ordinary citizens, was founded in March 2014 in the aftermath of the 11-M Movement.

Millions were galvanised around this idea of social justice and, within them, a good number of top judges and magistrates.

The Supreme Court (SC) was also swayed and 2015 saw the following ground-breaking rulings: Single-premium or Whole of Life insurance policies: In February 2015 the SC ruled that life insurance policies which are nothing but financial investments, i.e. insurance ‘wrappers’, will have to comply with the same standards of protection of consumers as financial investments, irrespective of whether it is named as an insurance product or service.

This implies a suitability check, sufficient disclo-

sures and advice for the client to understand the risks and clear information on the product.

In March 2015, the SC ruled that any life insurance bond made up solely for the purpose of investment faces one very serious prospect: being declared void by Spanish Courts.

Already six cases have ended up with faux insurance policies being terminated on these grounds, with the effect that the premium is to be returned.

Off-plan property deposits: In May 2015, and in December 2015, the SC ruled that property developers are responsible ‘in any event’ of down payments made by consumers on off-plan properties, provided the bank was aware of the purpose of the payments.

Multicurrency mortgage loans: In June 2015 the SC ruled that multicurrency loans are deemed financial derivatives, which are complex high-risk financial products.

The implication of this ruling is that average consumers will be able to argue that if the bank did not provide them with correct and clear information prior to signing for this product, the bank can and will be held responsible for mis-selling. The same applies to consumer suitability checks.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.es

Hee hee, phone home!

Huge reductions in Spanish mobile phone roaming charges to save British expats

MOBILE phone users in Spain and Gibraltar will cash in on the EU-wide cuts to roaming charges.

Massimo Delhi SPANISH premium clothing brand Massimo Dutti is opening its first store in India this month.

Its first foray into the Indian market will see it open a 5,027 sq. ft. store at New Delhi’s Select CityWalk Mall. It will house womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories and personal tailoring.

The dramatic reductions could save British holidaymakers and expats hundreds of euros when using their UK numbers in Spain, Gibraltar and across Europe.

The 75% drop in prices will apply to all European mobile phone users until next June when charges will be abolished completely.

From April 30, mobile phone providers cannot charge more than €0.05 per minute extra for outgoing calls (down from €0.19) or €0.01 for incoming calls (down from €0.05).

The limit for an extra MB of internet data is also capped at €0.05 (down from €0.20).

The move to abolish roaming rates in phases was apINDIA-BOUND: Brand proved by the European Union last June.

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Driving forward

DRIVY, the ‘airbnb for car rental’ is going up a gear in Spain.

The French start-up which allows you to rent out your car or hire someone else’s has just raised €31 million for its expansion across Europe.

It plans to compete with the traditional rental giants such as Avis and Hertz.

The app and website, which is only six years old, already operates with 36,000 cars on its system across Spain, France and Germany.

Drivy is set to be introduced soon in at least three more European countries, including the UK, before spreading further afield.

From boats to bikes, what Spain’s top politicians are driving

EASY RIDERS: (From left) Iglesias, Barrachina and Sanchez

Sweet ride

WHILE we may imagine they swan around in official, chauffeur-driven cars, many of Spain’s leading politicians drive the same motors as the masses.

However, it has been revealed that Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy declared

FERRARIS, Rolls Royces and Aston Martins will be among a host of luxury cars on show in Ronda this month.

In what is set to become an annual event, the first-ever Salon Spain’s luxury car show will take place at the

he owns no cars since he travels in official vehicles even in his free time.

Meanwhile, his opposite number, PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez, drives a low-key Peugeot 407 worth €4,500.

Podemos declared by far the least cars

Ascari race circuit on May 28-29.

Also on display will be Maseratis, Bugattis and Bentleys, among other topof-the-range motors.

For more information visit www.salonspain.com

Watch out!

IF you can’t trust a car without a driver, stay well clear of San Sebastian.

The first three driverless, electric buses have been introduced to the Basque country’s gastronomic capital.

Driving at a neck-bracing speed of just 12 km/hour, the buses set off on their maiden route taking passengers to the town’s science park.

The mayor of Donostia-San Sebastian, Eneko Boia, the project designers and director of the science park all braved the first trip.

The buses follow a 2km round route with 10 stops.

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compared to any other party, with boss Pablo Iglesias owning just a motorbike.

Renowned petrolhead Albert Rivera of Ciudadanos drives a €13,500 VW Golf and also has a Yamaha FZ1 motorbike.

Curiously, vice general organisation secretary of the PP, Fernando Martinez Maillo, declared just one electric motorbike (a Vectrix) despite also declaring a total of five garages.

The prize for the wildcard politician goes to PP secretary for Castellon Miguel Barrachina, who registered his beloved Massey Ferguson tractor.

And, in second place, Tenerife deputy Pablo Matos whose favoured mode of transport is his 10.2m long boat.

Rio de Spain

FORMULA One driver Rio Haryanto has revealed plans to permanently base himself in Spain.

The popular Asian racer, who currently sits 23rd in the table after failing to secure any points this season, described the country as a second home.

“I’ll be basing myself in Spain a little more, which is a bit like a second home for me and my trainer is Spanish,” said Haryanto, who drives for Manor Racing.

He is currently training in East Asia where he says the humidity and heat has helped push him to the limit.

Busy port THE number of cars heading through Malaga’s port is set to boom in 2016.

A total of 64,000 motors are expected to use the port, representing an increase of 14,000 on last year and 24,000 on 2014.

The influx is partly due to a new agreement for the transit of vehicles from Tarragona, Catalunya.

26

Columnists

Nothing compares 2U

May 11th - May 24th 2016

Mourning the man who played the soundtrack to my youth

I

WAS driving down from lunch at Castillo de Monda, listening to Uptown Funk and thinking how much the Mark Ronson/ Bruno Mars song owed a debt to Prince. I smiled to myself at the thought of The Purple One doing a wicked cover version.

But that can never be. When my girlfriend turned on social media back at her apartment, the Internet was ablaze with the news that Prince had died.

The death of Bowie in January shook me, but I was only five when Ziggy Stardust was wowing the world.

Prince was different.

His music was the soundtrack to my adolescent years and crazy nights on the dance floors.

I

INFLUENTIAL: Prince I remember rocking out to Purple Rain while drinking home-brew at a teenage house party in Stoke, where most of the boys were heavy metal fans (Prince could really shred a guitar).

When I moved to Marbella in 1985, we spent hours watching the film of the same name on VHS and driving around to When Doves Cry, Raspberry Beret and

the superb Kiss.

If you look back at the 80s you might think that it was all about Michael Jackson and Madonna but Prince kicked them both into touch.

He was a superb musician playing a mind-boggling variety of instruments. His songs were witty (Act your age not your shoe size), socially relevant (Sign O’ The

Operation Osprey

’VE never had much of a “Look, flamencos!” exnesting instinct so the prosclaimed Inigo. I looked out pect of teaching ospreys how the window, expecting to to build their own seemed a see gorgeous girls twirling little presumptuous. in gypsy outfits. I saw birds But the chance of spending a but they’ were feathered and day in the wilds of Andalucia pink. As Iñigo enlightened as a volunteer with Jerez Zoo me, flamenco means flaminwas a no brainer (even for the go in Spanish - an exotic bird bird-brained). that shares its name with an Our destination was the exotic dance. Although the marshes of Jerez to help Panbird had the name first. dion haliaetus bring up baby, The marshes are less wild by constructing nesting sites than I had imagined. The for this rare and restless bird. land is divided into sections by I was collected at 9am by Inipurpose-built mud walls, some go, the project organiser, and filled with light blue water, othhis young son. As we headed ers sprouting plants. Nests toward the marshes, he told are constructed around metal me all about our quarry, Águila frames atop tall poles. pescadora (fish eagle), the osIñigo and a fellow zookeeper prey’s name in Spanish. shimmied up one while we “They were extinct in Europe,” passed up pre-prepared nestexplained Inigo. “We want to ing material from below, via a help them and get them to stay pulley. Wire netting, branches in the Cádiz marshes.” and mud all get slapped on toOsprey sightings are increasgether to create these sky high ingly common but persuading adobe-style nurseries. these transient birds to hang NESTING: Hard at work Lots of people come just to around for the breeding seawatch (don’t forget your binson is another matter. Normaloculars) although often there’s ly, they continue onwards to Britain although I nothing to see. But that day we were lucky and can’t think why – perhaps they prefer rain. the cry went up: ‘There’s one!’. We had spotted By building ready-made nesting sites for them, our first fish eagle, an awesome sight. the hope is that they will move in, settle down While not a pastime to keep the short attenand start a family here in Cádiz, instead of us- tion-spanned entertained for too long, it’s a ing the province as a wayside petrol station for wonderful way for nature lovers to immerse refuelling stops only. themselves in rolling countryside and get closer to Andaucia’s stunning wildlife while doing something worthwhile.

Jerez Zoo runs many different conservation projects and volunteers are always in demand, ‘no matter where you’re from or what you do,’ says Inigo. You don’t even need to be a master nest builder. Check out their website and sign yourself up.

It certainly gives me a warm, fuzzy glow to think that somewhere in the marshes of Cádiz, a new family of osprey chicks might be enjoying the des res I helped to build.

OP blogger Luke Andrews volunteers for a wild weekend in the marshes of Jerez

Times, a bleak masterpiece) and he was still delivering the goods in live shows long after Jackson had moonwalked off the mortal coil and Madonna had become an embarrassment (like your drunken auntie twerking at a wedding).

And Prince was dirrrrrty.

Long before Christina Aguilera and Miley Cyrus made a carefully orchestrated bid for notoriety with their lyrics and videos, Prince was putting it out there with his own.

Tracks such as Gett Off, If I was your Girlfriend, Hot Thing and Darling Nikki made no bones about who, or what, Prince was referring to.

If you want to get down and dirty, then Prince was your man. Jackson’s cartoon crotch-grabbing was about as sexually-charged as a mannequin and as dangerous as a wet blanket.

But if you mentioned you liked Prince to your girlfriend’s parents in the ’80s, the probability was they wouldn’t let her be your girlfriend for much longer.

There was a Marbella connection to Prince as well.

He played a blistering concert here in 1990, and the town even gets a namecheck in one of his songs.

Abandoned

He bought a villa in El Paraiso in the ’90s, painted it purple (of course) and put his symbol on the facade.

He and wife, dancer Mayte, were occasionally seen at Olivia Valere’s nightclub.

Mayte was pregnant and Prince seemed intent on bringing up the baby in Marbella.

But the boy tragically died, Prince and Mayte split soon afterwards and he abandoned the villa, perhaps due to too many sad memories.

With the death of Prince the music world, hell the world in general, has lost a true genius. But we still have the wonderful music, and his Paisley Park studio reportedly still has a huge amount of unreleased material.

Grieve for the loss but give thanks that we had the sheer joy of such a talent in the first place. Then head over to the nearest stereo, put on your favourite Prince song and strutt your funky, sexy stuff, ya’ll.

It’s what Prince would have wanted.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called Life...”

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FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL

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the Olive Press May 11th - May 24th 201 The only English newspaper in Spain with a dedicated food, drink & travel section every issue

ur y Ho Happrom f 0 - 18:3 0 : 16 0

New tricks MICHELIN-STAR chef Dani Garcia is set to introduce top-quality Asian cuisine to the Costa del Sol. During a trip to the Philippines for the annual Madrid Fusion Manila conference, Garcia picked up some culinary tips from the locals.

And now he aims to introduce more Asian food into his Dani Garcia restaurant in Marbella’s Hotel Puente Romano. In fact, he has already hired a Filipino chef to help with the transition.

“For European people, Asian cuisine is great. It’s very exotic, especially for Spanish people,” said Garcia.

TASTY: Canapes

Beach ball SUN, sand, sangria and sushi. As (re)opening nights go, Chambao Beach Bar’s lavish spread certainly took some beating.

Sotogrande’s most chic chiringuito laid out the red carpet to greet the summer days and nights again, with the Free Soul Band’s funky live show getting the night going.

Revellers came to savour the laid-back vibe but nobody went home hungry.

Fluffy chicken croquetas, fresh sushi and main fish and meat dishes give owners’ Juanna Martin and Ana Calvente’s menu a modern twist.

And with relaxing massages, decadent Balinese sunbeds, live DJs and ice-cool cocktails all on tap, Chambao is one of the coast’s coolest places to chill this summer.

The Real meal deal

SPAIN’S ‘most brutal’ menu del dia has been named and famed.

Two years after Queen Letizia made a surprise jaunt to Asturian La Tenada in Asturias, Spanish daily El Mundo has dubbed its set menu the most challenging in the country.

The restaurant serves up a gut-busting six savoury courses, followed by dessert, coffee and – for fun – a shot, for just €22.50.

And unsurprisingly the café has just become the official meeting place for Asturias’ local food group, Cofradia del Colesterol (Colesterol Brotherhood).

There is no menu, simply a sign in the doorway which reads ‘Today we’re serving

All-you-caneat set menu crowned Spain’s ‘most brutal’

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HEARTY FARE: Dish and (top) chef Isabel

the usual’ (Hoy tenemos lo de todos los dias).

The dishes include cab-

Sherry good news

RELAXED: Laidback boss

FUSION: From Garcia

SHERRY is making a comeback as the toast with the most.

Consumption in Spain has grown for the first time in 30 years. And the tipple once associated with vicars and maiden aunts is even finding flavour with the younger generation.

Experts say the 1.5% increase is due to the growing demand for organic and natural wines among younger consumers, while the increase in production has led to a drop in prices.

Europe has seen a revival of the Jerez wine in recent years, with London opening sherry bars like Capote and Toros in Kensington.

bage and chorizo stew, pork loin with homegrown potatoes, meat casserole, Asturian tripe, suckling lamb and beef stew.

The not-for-the-fainthearted menu then progresses to blue cheese with quince jelly, ‘rice pudding tart’ or arctic roll.

“I almost died trying to finish the meal,” said diner Diego.

“The meal is a real challenge, but the food was very good with huge portions.”

Fellow client Anabele added: “If you finish the meal you’ll roll out of the door afterwards.”

Six up for Sala

TOP bar and restaurant provider Sala Group is opening up yet another new venue.

The team behind La Sala and Aqwa Mist are set to open Oak Garden and Grill in Marbella.

A garden restaurant exuding ‘charm and elegance’, Oak Garden and Grill is sure to be a JUNK food does not increase the favourite in the coming likelihood of a heart attack when months. eaten alongside a healthy MediterLa Sala by the Sea has ranean diet, new research claims. also opened its doors The study, published in the Eufor the summer and is ropean Heart Journal, followed taking reservations for 15,000 heart disease sufferers the season. across 39 countries.

It is the sixth in a chain It discovered there were three fewof eateries owned by a er heart attacks, strokes or deaths string of professional per 100 people who ate a classic footballers – including Mediterranean diet than those Alex Oxlade-Chamberfollowing any other, irrespective of lain, Shay Given and junk food intake.

Raheem Sterling.

Hearty food

33

FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

GASTRO N • O

Olive Press editor Jon Clarke on why he loves dining in Queensway Quay, as it gears up for its annual Gastronomy event

Q

NOMY •

34

UE

ENS

U WAY Q

AY

Gastro port MUSSEL MAGIC: Gastronomy chef cooks while (top) children play on a cannon

I

T is fitting that the Chief Minister is having lunch in a private dining room behind me with the new Governor of Gibraltar.

For Queensway Quay is apparently Fabian Picardo’s favourite place to entertain guests.

Indeed, he once told me he was a big fan of the quay and the owners of three restaurants here confirm he is a regular.

“It’s perfect for clients like him,” explains Ann Hudson, from the Landings. “He and plenty of other important dignitaries can come here and have lunch in peace and quiet, without getting bothered by locals.”

And it is no surprise with the Landings and neighbours The Lounge and the Waterfront serving up some of the best food in Gibraltar for the last few years.

All sitting quayside, with the boats lapping beside them, there are few spots as idyllic as this.

“And we go out of our way to cook everything from fresh, despite the problems with s u p p l y, ” explains Sonia Stafford at The Lounge.

T h e Lounge, w h i c h regularly tops Tripadvisor, counts on talented Matt Birtwistle, 26, who was poached from Yorkshire, after becoming the second youngest chef with two rosettes in the UK. “We don’t get much passing trade as we are off the beaten track so we have to work hard on our food quality,” adds the Geordie accountant, who runs the restaurant with her sister Michelle.

And now there is also a new kid on the block, Rendezvous, which is carving its own unique niche in this melting pot of restaurants.

Opened by the former owners of Ipanema, in Ocean Village, the couple have cleverly installed a fantastic charcoal oven, with temperatures up to 500 degrees, which can cook a shoulder of lamb in just 25 minutes or the perfect sea bass in salt in just 20 minutes.

“A medium rare steak takes just three minutes,” explains owner Danny. “And we are experimenting all the time with new dishes.”

Opening here due to its reputation for good food, he and his wife are now looking forward to taking part in the annual Gastronomy on Queensway Quay event, which takes place on June 4 and 5.

Launched last year, the two day bash will see numerous food demonstrations, concerts and plenty of other special events for all the family.

It’s the brainchild of Robert Rae at the Waterfront Restaurant who explains: “We wanted to start something that reflected the quality of our restaurants here and to draw people over.

“The food culture in Gibraltar has been getting better and better over the last couple of years and it is immediately obvious here.”

But it is not just food. His own restaurant has been through a major relaunch this year and looks contemporar y, in particular with its hip cutlery chandelier that was bespoke-made for Robert in Estepona. “ W e ’ v e worked hard on its image and have a much more creative menu being launched this month,” explains Robert, operations manager for the Anglo Hispano group, that also owns Vinopolis, Pizza Hut and the Royal Calpe gastro pub.

Either way, the restaurant’s excellent curry was a winner, plus their recent exclusive tie up with the world’s best ham from Joselito, in Guijuelo, in Salamanca, is a definite bonus.

My own love affair with the quay began four years ago when I first tasted the food at the Landings.

Set opposite the Governor’s Landing, I sat at a clean raffia table overlooking some of the Rock’s most upmarket yachts, including one – Maghreb V – which was apparently owned by Russia’s fifth richest man.

Jamaican whiz Patrick Rogers - who had previously trained at London’s Savoy Hotel - whipped

up some impressive dishes including salmonete roulade with pearl caviar, as well as his terrine of duck with foie and pistachio nuts. I was sold.

It was so good I included it in my website and book www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com and I have been coming back ever since.

The perfect place for a lazy lunchtime meal, or an evening stroll, make sure you take the

short five minute walk down from the High Street to see what all the fuss is about.

The Gastronomy on Queensway Quay event takes place on June 4 & 5

Calle Ronda, La Cala de Mijas Tel: 0034 722232274

FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Memories, food and Andalucía F OR as long as I can remember, I have had a keen interest in food.

This is, without a doubt, due to my mother who cooked with such care and thoughtfulness.

She provided us with meals that always looked and tasted beautiful. However simple or plain, she always made an effort. She let us help her in the kitchen and spent time educating us on healthy

Expat chef-hotelier Helen Bartlett has been cooking since she was old enough to read her mother’s recipe books. Now in her own debut cookbook, Fountainhead Food: Cooking in Andalucia, she shares her passion for Spanish produce eating and the importance of a balanced diet.

As a little girl I would take her cookbooks

to bed to read, although reading them was actually secondary – it was the pictures that interested me. I would look at

Black pudding, membrillo, crostini

Partridge terrine 2 chicken breasts (uncooked) 4 partridges (uncooked) 16 rashers bacon (finely sliced) 3 fresh bay leaves 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 2 juniper berries (crushed) 250ml double cream 2 shallots 1 clove garlic 20 pink peppercorns 2g gelatine (sheets or powder) Sea salt Freshly ground pepper Pre heat the oven to 220°C. Soak the peppercorns in a little hot water for 15 minutes. For this recipe you will need an oven proof terrine dish. Line this with cling film, leaving a generous overlap on all edges. Lay in the strips of bacon across the base and up the sides, overlap slightly and line the ends.

Dice the chicken, put in a food processor and season well. Finely chop the shallots and garlic, add to the chicken. Add the thyme, juniper and cream. Blend until smooth. Prepare the partridges.

Remove the breasts and any leg meat, discard the skin. Slice the

breasts horizontally in half. Spoon some prepared chicken meat into the terrine, spread an even layer over the bottom. Drop in some peppercorns. Place half of the partridge meat on top to form the next layer. Repeat another layer of each meat until all the meat is used. Place some more bacon and two bay leaves on the top of the terrine. Draw up the cling film from over the sides and overlap to seal. Cover with tin foil.

The terrine needs to be cooked gently in a Bain Marie to prevent burning. Simply place the terrine dish in a deeper, larger dish or

them over and over, skimming the text and jotting down the main ingredients.

At the weekends I would mess up the

kitchen and do my own version (with varying degrees of success).

As my interest progressed, I took more care to read the recipes. I quickly learned that some cooking (particularly baking at the time) needed exact proportions. I already really enjoyed chemistry so, from then on, experimenting with ingredients became part of my creative endeavours.

Not being afraid was a very important key.

As the years went on I started to travel and to eat out. I have since been very privileged to have eaten in some truly amazing restaurants.

One day in my life not so long ago, destiny called, literally drawing me purposefully to my spot.

As an English woman in Andalucia I am, of course, an ‘extranjero’ a foreigner, but I feel an affinity to the land and its people and from that very first day I have never felt anything but warmth in return.

To the rest of Spain this may be peasant country but here the peasant is king – constantly aware of hard times, always adaptable and where his family, relations and friends are all more important than the outside world.

Here I choose a couple of my favourite dishes. Next issue some more! Visit www.fountainheadinspain.com

oven tray. Fill this with cold water (should come ¾ way up sides of terrine dish). Cover the whole thing with more foil and place in the middle of a hot oven for 1 hour. When done the terrine should be firm. Leave to cool a little. Remove the terrine dish and snip the cling film at both ends, Drain the juices into a bowl. Press the terrine (weigh down - full juice or milk cartons do this well) then refrigerate overnight. In a small pan, heat the juices over a low heat, add the last bay leaf and gelatine, stir until dissolved. Pour into a container to set.

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Cut rounds from medium-thick slices of white bread. Saute in olive oil over medium heat until golden each side.

Remove and place on kitchen paper to dry, season with salt. Cut the black pudding into thick slices and sauté both sides gently in olive oil. Place a piece on each crostini and add a spoonful of membrillo on top, sprinkle with finely chopped rosemary. Membrillo is a heavy set quince paste / jam that we make from the wild quince in the autumn (p.240).

Other types of jams or jellies work well such as apple or greengage.

Serve warm.

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GOLF In the swing of it Beef’s bash trashed

VICTORY: For Brit

HE promised he’d get hammered, and true to his word he did.

Andrew Johnston toasted his Open De Espana win back at his North Middlesex Golf Club in true style, sporting fancy dress in front of a jubilant home crowd.

But the champion’s celebrations brought a tart response from US golf

writer Gary McCormick who tweeted sarcastically ‘A worthy champion, and a splendid example of professional decorum. #NoNotReally’.

And when ‘Beef’ Johnston responded, McCormick blocked the European Tour winner on Twitter.

Not that Johnston was too bothered!

Cheers, champ!

CELEBRATION: And drinks

Olympic dream up in smoke

Miguel Jimenez has ruled himself out of the Rio Olympics

BRAZIL’S greenkeepers will not be sweeping cigar ash from the country’s golf courses this summer.

Flamboyant Spanish golfer Miguel Angel Jimenez - renowned for puffing on a big fat Havana during play - has ruled himself out of contention for the Rio Olympics which get underway in less than 100 days.

Jimenez had previously ex-

GOLFER: Bing

Bing’s obsession NOT ATTENDING: Jimenez pressed a desire to represent Spain, with golf returning to the Olympic arena for the first time since 1904.

However, the 52-year-old has now ruled himself out, opting

Young birdies A SCOTTISH golfer who is currently playing to be on the European pro tour will mentor 20 students in Spain.

Scottish international Ryan Campbell, 24, will mentor students from Scottish Rural College’s Elmwood Campus. The two week trip in May includes first-class training at Club de Golf Barcelona, Girona Golf Course and PGA Catalunya.

The project is part of the Erasmus + programme and the students were chosen following a rigorous selection progress.

to concentrate on the PGA Tour instead.

“It is a shame but I need to concentrate on other tournaments first,” Jimenez said. “I am sure Spain will do well at the Olympics.”

Jimenez is the latest in an everlengthening line of pro golfers boycotting the games in order to concentrate on other tournaments.

As well as the Olympics dates for the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, the Champions Senior Tour and the European PGA Tour are all scheduled for this summer.

Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Vijay Singh also decided to sit it out.

HE bowed out of this world on a golf course in Spain…

But the scale of Bing Crosby’s obsession with the world’s greens has only just been unveiled.

Written by Crosby’s son Daniel, new tell-all book 18 Holes With Bing: Golf, Life and Lessons from Dad reveals that the American singer was a member of 75 golf clubs.

In addition to running the Bing Crosby National ProAm, the crooner was a strong player himself, even qualifying for the 1940 US Amateur championship.

Crosby died of a heart attack in 1977 after completing a day’s golf at Madrid’s La Moraleja golf course.

Swing and run

SPEEDY: World record breakers

SERGIO Garcia and three golfing amigos were pipped to the flag in their bid to break the world record for the fastest hole by a team of four.

Ahead of the Open de Espana at Valderrama, Spanish, French and Danish teams all jumped in their golf buggies in an attempt to set the

record.

The French team, featuring Raphael Jacquelin, Alex Levy, Gregory Havret and Romain Wattel came out victorious, recording a time of just 34.8 seconds.

The attempt was held at the iconic par five fourth hole.

sport

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Flying the flag RAFAEL Nadal will represent Spain at this Summer’s Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He was also unanimously chosen as Spain’s flagbearer, an honour he missed out on at London 2012 due to injury.

Valverde’s vow

ALEJANDRO Valverde is adamant he can become the oldest debutant winner of the Giro D’Italia.

The 36-year-old Spaniard would also be the oldest winner of the Grand Tour if he is wearing the maglia rosa in Turin in three weeks time.

Valverde performed strongly in the Giro’s first time trial in Holland last weekend as the riders prepare to do battle in the Italian mountains.

“My objective is clear. I came here to win,” said Valverde.

“I have inspected the mountain stages and have the support of my team – a united and powerful group.”

Barca star hoping to break Real Madrid hearts LIONEL Messi is aiming for a ‘spectacular’ La Liga and Copa del Rey double.

Barcelona and Real Madrid go into the final round of La Liga matches both able to win the title.

Victory for Barcelona at Granada will bring the title to the Nou Camp for the sixth time in eight years.

But if they slip and los blancos win at Deportivo La Coruna the trophy will be heading to the Spanish capital.

“Always for Barcelona, the fans don’t want to see Real Madrid win [anything],” said

Messi’s double act Messi.

“We have two finals left, and it would be great to end the

season winning them both.

“It also would have been great to have been in the Champi-

O’Connell’s final salute THE grave of Patrick O’Connell, the Irish manager credited with saving Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, has finally been restored.

O’Connell, known as Don Patricio, died penniliess in London in 1959 and was buried in an unmarked grave in Kensal Green.

A campaign by the Patrick O’Connell Memorial Fund to raise money for a new gravestone was backed by Roy Keane, Kenny Dalglish, Franz Beckenbauer, David Beckham, Johan Cruyff, Paolo Maldini and Luis Figo.

Nerveless Novak

As Barca manager, O’Connell led the club on a tour of Mexico in 1937 while the Catalan city descended into chaos during the Civil War. O’Connell expanded the tour from two weeks to two months and the extended trip helped clear the club’s debts.

The former Belfast Celtic and Manchester United player also managed Real Betis - where he won the La Liga title - and city rivals Sevilla.

O’Connell was honoured with a tribute at Camp Nou in December.

ons League final but it wasn’t to be. So winning two of three would be spectacular.”

NOVAK Djokovic defeated Andy Murray yet again to win the Madrid Open, his 29th Masters title.

The Serb saw off the defending champion Murray 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, saving seven break points in the final game before sealing the win.

Djokovic has now won 12 of the last 13 matches against Murray since 2014.

The defeat drops Murray to No. 3 in the rankings ahead of the French Open later this month.

Jog on!

KIND-HEARTED joggers are donning their running shoes to give sportsmen and women a chance of becoming paralympians.

The ninth Liberty Seguros 10km race in Madrid is raising funds for young athletes to take part in future Paralympic Games.

A 1,000 metre run will also take place for those physically unable to take part in the longer run.

Spain’s most famous rap group El Langui have even written a song promoting the event being promoted on social media with the hashtag #SeSalen.

Registration is just €10 and the race takes place on May 22.

For more information visit: www.carreraliberty.es

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Jurassic paw

Back on the throne Jump around kids!

FINAL WORDS

A NEW new zumba and yoga programme is starting on Saturday mornings at La Cala Resort, in Mijas.

Hungry hippo A HIPPO went on the loose after escaping from a circus in Palos de la Frontera. It was caught making its way towards Huelva.

Thirsty flyer A MAN has been arrested after threatening to 'blow up' a plane after being refused a beer on board a Ryanair flight over Spain.

WITH the recent downpours across Spain, you would be forgiven for thinking ‘Winter is Coming’.

Fittingly, the bad weather has coincided with the return of the cast and crew of addictive HBO series Game of Thrones.

The hillside village of Osuna in Sevilla is once again playing host to the blockbuster fantasy drama for its sixth season of filming.

While Osuna Museum has recently launched a permanent exhibition about the series, many of the town’s residents have served as extras.

The bullring was also used as the main fighting pit of a key location in the last series, the fiction city of ‘Meereen’.

ACTION: Game of Thrones filming begins

CSI: Sevilla A CSI fan has helped police solve a murder that was initially ruled as suicide.

The self-confessed crime series addict Carmen Moreno, decided to investigate after seeing how much evidence was ignored at the scene.

Keen crime series addict solves mystery murder She collected tissues and underwear covered in blood that was left behind after police removed the body of the 32-year-

old victim from a bench in Maria Luisa Park, Sevilla.

After putting the evidence in a plastic bag, mirroring what she

Fashion for animals

A SOLD-OUT fashion show has raised more than a thousand euros for an Estepona-based animal charity.

Glamourpuss 3 raised €1,100 in aid of cat

charity the Asociación Gatos y Amigos.

Guests were treated to an afternoon of tea, live music and fashion at the event, which was sponsored by Ibex insurance.

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FOOT FIND: Dino print

DROWNED: Tereza

Surf tragedy KITESURFERS have launched a petition to improve beach safety after the deaths of two young surfers in Tarifa.

Tereza Jelinkova and an unnamed 30-year-old German drowned off Los Lances beach on Sunday after getting into trouble at sea.

Another young man had to be resuscitated on the beach.

Reports suggest the three kitesurfers were unable to get out of the water after their lines got tangled.

So far over 1,000 people have signed the petition demanding Tarifa town hall installs permanent all-year watch towers and first-aid facilities at the beach.

Ania Kondera, a friend of Teresa, posted on Facebook: “Kitesurfing brings millions into the economy.

Safety is not much to ask for in return.”

had seen in her beloved crime shows, she took them to the police station.

“Whether it’s a suicide or a murder, you must always collect the evidence, whatever it is,” she said.

An autopsy later revealed the victim had died from internal injuries resulting from a rape.

Police were able to extract DNA samples from the evidence Carmen collected, and a 46-yearold suspect was arrested.

“If it wasn’t for me, he’d probably still be on the loose,” Carmen added.

A DINOSAUR footprint has been uncovered in Catalonia.

The 230-million-year-old print - which shows details of claws and scales - is from an Isochirotherium, an ancestor of the crocodile family, and is said to be the best preserved ever found in Spain.

Global citizens

MORE people in Spain define themselves as ‘global citizens’ than in any other country.

According to a new GlobeScan poll, 54% of Spaniards saw themselves as worldly rather than Spanish.

The poll asked more than 20,000 people across the globe whether they identify as their country of birth, their religion, race or see themselves as a citizen of the world.

The results showed that populations in growing and emerging economies have more ‘global citizens’, while people in industrialised and wealthier states identified with their domestic nationality.

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