Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 182

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

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Vol. 8 Issue 182

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March 5 - March 19 2014

BLING: Fraudster flaunts his €965 Louboutin slippers and luxury watches

ARMED: A number of guns were seized in the raids

Police arrest 75 Britons in 14 boiler rooms in biggest international fraud operation ever

CLAMPDOWN

A BRITISH graduate has been arrested in Europe’s biggest ever anti-fraud operation.

The expat, in his early forties, is one of the ringleaders of a gang who defrauded thousands of victims around the world.

The lynchpin, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is one of the 84 people, mostly Britons, who were arrested in boiler rooms around Spain. A further 26 were detained in the UK, Florida and Serbia.

Police shut down an incredible 17 boiler rooms - so called because of the cramped conditions the con artists operate out of.

In the series of coordinated raids - undertaken by 300 police officers from the UK and Spain - a huge stash of guns, cash and expensive jewellery was seized.

By Tom Powell

Dubbed ‘Operation Rico’, the joint operation between City of London Police and Spain’s national force targeted top level bosses in an attempt to ‘decimate’ criminal rings after two years of planning.

Ferrari

In several large scale raids in Marbella, police seized cars including an Aston Martin DB convertible, a Ford Mustang and a Ferrari Spyder.

Detectives also found designer watches, jewellery and bundles of notes worth €550,000.

In one rented Puerto Banus home, allegedly costing €40,000 a month, police seized a photo of the conman’s €965 Christian

Louboutin slippers, with two diamond encrusted watches strapped to them.

So far around 13 of those arrested in Spain have been bailed – one for €10,000 – while 11 of the ‘more senior staff’ are being held in prison.

Most of those arrested were held on suspicion of money laundering and fraud offences, specifically where investors are tricked into buying shares that are either worthless or non-existent.

The alleged ringleader, who

studied English Literature at university in the 1990s, has been refused bail.

Staff at his office told the Olive Press this week that he had not been seen since last week and they could ‘not confirm’ if he would ‘ever be coming back’.

They evaded all further questions, apart from saying ‘you should talk to his lawyer’.

However, they refused to give a number and the mobile number offered has also been constantly switched off.

Royal send-off Thousands braved the rain to attend the funeral of Andalucia’s most famous musical son Paco de Lucia in Algeciras See Plucking the heart strings on page 17

While the firm is listed as a member of the British Chamber of Commerce, according to a spokesman he has not attended any meetings since 2012.

Intriguingly one of the company’s websites was closed down yesterday, while it emerges that its Twitter acount is a ‘follower’ of Nigel Goldman, Marbella’s very own infamous conman.

The boiler rooms were based Continues on Page 2

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Tel. 951 203 986

Marbella mayor facing resignation threat

By Imogen Calderwood

THE Mayor of Marbella is in hot water over an alleged failure to declare a €3.1 million investment abroad.

The town’s socialist party is demanding an ‘immediate explanation’ about the 2010 investment her company made in a Luxembourg bank.

It comes after it emerged that Angeles Munoz (above) and her Swedish husband, Lars Broberg, took out an equity release mortgage worth €3.1million with Nordea bank in 2010.

Undeclared

Now concerns have been raised by a group of equity release victims, who have lost millions of euros to the bank.

The group Equity Release Victims Association (ERVA) claims money given to her and Broberg’s company, Crasel Panoramica, was kept in Luxembourg where it was invested in a life insurance policy.

It is alleged that Munoz never declared this in her statement of assets when taking up office in 2011, as she was supposed to do.

A spokesman for the association, lawyer Antonio Flores said: “We have found this evidence and it needs to be explained. It is about political wrongdoing.”

Spokesman for the PSOE Jose Bernal has demanded immediate clarification over the investment, questioning whether she could afford it.

Continues on Page 2

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CRIME NEWS

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

Mayor in trouble From front page

“We are talking about the falsifying of a public document, of deliberately hiding information relevant to her tax status,” he said.

A spokesman for Munoz however, insisted the claims were completely unfounded.

“All the affairs of the Mayor are perfectly declared with the tax authorities,” he said.

“Neither the mayor or her husband has ever hidden assets. It’s totally false, and there’s been no irregularity, neither in her assets, nor her tax declarations.”

Further allegations are expected to be released this week.

“More stuff is set to come out shortly,” confirmed Flores, of law firm Lawbird.

JAILED: Student Alba

You twit!

A STUDENT has become the first in Spain to be convicted of a crime based on Twitter rants.

Jaen-based Alba Gonzalez Camancho, 21, has been jailed for a year after posting messages calling for a far-left terrorist organisation to return to arms and kill politicians.

Spain’s national court convicted her of inciting terrorism using a social media network, the first verdict of its kind involving tweets in Spain.

Camancho claims she is unaffiliated with any political organisation. But her tweets called on a group known as the GRAPO - which killed more than 80 people mostly in the late 1970s and 1980s to rise up again with arms.

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BATTLING AGAINST THE BOILER ROOMS

Boiler room has ruined our lives!

AN Almeria couple are facing ‘financial ruin’ and the loss of their home because of an investment with an Estepona-based ‘boiler room’ outfit.

The British pensioners, both in their seventies, are expecting to lose their home over an investment they made with an illegal financial group, exposed by the Olive Press in 2012.

Offshore Investment Brokers (OIB) were revealed as being neither registered with Spanish regulator CNMV, nor the UK’s FSA, but that was too late for many unwitting customers.

William and Patricia Smith, who have lived in Andalucia for over a decade, are the latest OIB victims to come forward.

The couple contacted the Olive Press after finding themselves in debt to the tune of €206,000, which they owe to

Elderly couple face losing their Andalucia home after investing in dodgy OIB scheme

the mortgage provider informing them of the outstanding loan of €206,000.

Only €81,456 is covered by the property’s value.

“The property was initially valued at €250,000 and we were always told that we would maintain 90% of its value,” said William.

EXCLUSIVE By Tom Powell “We now owe €125,435 plus any additional costs, which could amount to UK based Surrender Link Mortgage several thousand extra.” company.

They signed for the investment The pair, who are hoping to return to scheme by OIB agent Philip Gravethe UK for health reasons, took out the stock, who has since fled to the UK, aften year investment loan in 2007, se- ter being put up overnight in a 5-star cured against the value of their prop- hotel in Estepona. erty.

The couple had hoped their investment was safe until they read our report about OIB director David Driver Responsible fleeing, owing tens of thousands in But the fund they invested in sim- March 2012. ply has not performed and they “It set alarm bells ringing with so recently received a letter from many people affected, but when I sent the clipping to the mortgage company they said not to take much notice of it, so it was all put on hold until we received HE Olive Press has been investigat- half years imprisonment. a letter before Christmas,” ing boiler room crime in southern In 2012 we also revealed how Offshore continued William.

Spain since launching eight years Investment Brokers (OIB) in Estepona, “OIB has been found as the ago and has played a big part in ex- headed by the notorious David Driver (see protagonist in all this but posing some of the worst criminals. story above), were scamming unwitting surely the mortgage comIn 2011 we revealed that blacklisted Brit- pensioners out of thousands of euros. pany is also responsible to ish businessman Terry Wright had earned Just months later they packed up their its clients?” millions of euros by persuading unsus- bags and fled the coast.

OIB left Estepona under pecting investors to part with their hard- And once again, last month, we exposed mounting pressure from earned cash. seasoned British fraudster Nigel Goldthe EU and investigations The following year Wright fled to France man, who vanished over millions of missinto the company, following and bought a huge chateau with his ill- ing euros in Spain. complaints from many difgotten gains. The French authorities are It is clear the current operation is still now on the case. just the tip of the iceberg and the Olive ferent people over the last In 2012, Costa del Sol gang leader Toni Press is committed to continuing to fight decade.

Muldoon was also arrested following our fraud.

The Olive Press was unable investigation into his massive - and varied Please contact our newsdesk with any more to contact Driver or Grave- boiler room scams. details or others to investigate. 951127006 stock in the UK. Surrender He was last year sentenced to seven and a or newsdesk@theolivepress.es.

Link also failed to return calls or emails.

Continually breaking boilers

T

Most wanted snared

CAUGHT: Mather

ONE of Britain’s most wanted criminals has been arrested in La Linea after three years on the run.

David Paul Mather was convicted of smuggling 10kg of heroin, which was found in the bumper of a trailer used by his freight company, in 2010.

He fled the country and was sentenced last year, in his absence, to 18 years imprisonment.

ARRESTS: In Marbella

Clampdown Continues from page 1

mainly in Barcelona, Madrid and Marbella.

In the UK alone there are 850 confirmed victims, but detectives estimate the overall figure is likely to be ‘multithousands’.

Police say victims, mostly in their 70s and 80s, have lost sums ranging from €2,000 to €500,000 and some have even committed suicide as a consequence.

The gangs work by cold-calling victims and persuading them to part with their money through aggressive sales techniques and confidence tricks.

Vulnerable people were offered returns of 10 to 20% per year, directed to authenticlooking websites and glossy brochures and asked to invest in bonds in well-known firms or officially registered companies.

Initially, they may receive ‘dividends’ to give them confidence their investment is paying off but after that they never receive any of their money back.

Goldman

This was certainly the case with the recent collapse of a network set up and run by Nigel Goldman, as exposed by the Olive Press.

The victims of Goldman’s schemes, so far numbering dozens, lost at least €3million.

Each boiler room network is believed to have an accountant, money launderer and lawyer, as well as a ‘sales’ team often comprising of English-speaking university students.

Most of the team find their jobs via local English language newspapers.

City of London Police Commander Steve Head said: “In terms of economic crime and fraud this is one of the biggest operations there has ever been.

“We’ve seen millions of pounds taken from people.

You see real victims in real communities whose lives have been devastated. Savings that they thought they could rely on in their old age have gone in a heartbeat.”

Derek Langley, chairman of the chamber of commerce in Andalucia, added: “They hide behind genuine companies and use multiple aliases, making it very hard to find out who is who.”

A spokesperson for the City of London Police last night said they could not confirm any names until formal charges are made.

MUSTANG: Seized

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

The happy hundred

WHO’S CRUZ? PENELOPE Cruz was the victim of an awkward faux-pas at the Oscars on Sunday, in a case of mistaken identity.

The Academy confused the Oscar-winning actress, who presented an award with actor Robert De Niro, with look-alike Salma Hayek on its official Twit-

THE cream of Spanish flamenco is going on a mega-bucks American tour.

An incredible 100 artists - including Estrella Morente, Tomatito and Israel Galvan - started their 24 date tour last week and will take in Miami, Washington and Los Angeles.

“The tour is making us realise the importance of our art,” said dancer Eva Yerbabuena.

Argy Bardem

ter feed for the award ceremony.

A photo of Cruz and De Niro checking their lines backstage was posted with the caption: ‘Hayek and De Niro prepping backstage #Oscars’.

Fans quickly pointed out the mistake, but too late to hide the Academy’s blunder.

OUTSPOKEN: Bardem in Western Sahara

Actor sparks diplomatic row after slamming Morocco and France’s treatment of Western Sahara ACTOR Javier Bardem has caused serious protests in Morocco, following an off the cuff remark made during the launch of a documentary he has produced on the Western Sahara.

The James Bond star’s comments led to a genuine diplomatic row between France and Morocco, when he ‘recalled’ a French ambassador’s description of the relationship between the

By Imogen Calderwood two countries.

He said a former French ambassador to the United States had inferred that France allowed Morocco to get away with abuses of Saharaui people in what was formerly Spanish Sahara.

The actor claimed the diplomat said to France, Morocco was like “a lover

you sleep with every night, whom you’re not particularly in love with but must defend. In other words, we look the other way.”

The Moroccan government reacted angrily after the comments were published in the French media.

Mustapha Khalfi, the Moroccan communications minister, called the comments

‘scandalous and unacceptable’ and said they were ‘a blow to all Moroccans’.

Thousands protested in front of the French embassy in Rabat, and on Monday French President Francois Hollande was forced to phone Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. Javier Bardem, who produced the documentary, said on Wednesday that he regretted the way his comments had sparked this conflict.

Saharaui children offered expat hospitality

BATTLER:Lorenzo

Ex X-Factor singer to battle in Eurovision A FORMER X Factor contestant has been chosen to represent Spain in May’s Eurovision song contest.

Ruth Lorenzo, born in Murcia, came fifth on the 2008 series, competing alongside JLS, Alexandra Burke and Eoghan Quigg.

She triumphed over four other contestants in the Spanish finals and will now go up against the British entry in Copenhagen on May 10.

E

XILED Saharaui children are being given the opportunity to enjoy a much needed break from the appalling conditions at home… for a summer holiday at least.

Thanks to a group of warmhearted Andalucian expats, hundreds of children - between eight and 12 years old - are given a break from the searing heat of summer.

The project, called Vacaciones en Paz (Vacations in Peace), has been running for more than 20 years but has suffered a dramatic decline in the number of volunteer families following the recent financial crisis.

Organiser Graham Bygate, who runs the charity with his wife Karen from Jimena de la Frontera said: “The children arrive dirty and tired after an open top truck takes them to a military airport across the desert to catch a plane.”

The foster parents provide everything the children need,

including a balanced diet, a comfortable bed, new clothing, trips to the beach, and lots of summer activities.

While in Spain, the children are also given a full health check, including vaccinations. If suffering from any serious health issues, the child is allowed to stay until they are well again and can return to their family.

Crosshead

He adds: “Nothing can prepare you for the harsh conditions in which they live, with food and water arriving on trucks and donated mainly from Spanish organisations.

“Living under the stars and in tents is not glamorous when your families have lived like this since 1975!”

The Saharaui people originate from the Western Sahara, and consist of a mix of nomadic desert tribes.

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

BREAK: Children at the Bygate’s home They were exiled from their homeland by Moroccan forces in 1975, when Spain withdrew at the pending death of Franco.

Now, nearly four decades on, the Saharaui want nothing more than to return to their homeland with their independence from an occupied territory.

Every summer around 7,000 children are brought into Spain for similar breaks.

If you are interested in giving a child the opportunity to enjoy a summer holiday, visit http:// www.saharandalucia.org/ index.php/2013-05-30-1307-43/vacaciones-en-paz for more information.

Pro-human Rights

“France and Spain last year opposed an historic initiative by the United States to set up a human right supervision mechanism in the Sahara,” said Mr Bardem.

“The [UN] Minurso mission will be renewed this April and the only important thing is to debate that. This is a feeling which is clearly neither anti-Moroccan nor anti-French; it is simply prohuman rights.”

Spanish production company Morena Films issued a statement on Monday to clarify that the comments were not made by the French ambassador to the United States, but by the representative before the UN, Gerard Araud.

The documentary, called Sons of the Clouds: The Last Colony, produced by Bardem, explores the violation of human rights that have been experienced by the Saharaui refugees.

Father of fashion tops the rich list

SPANISH fashion tycoon Amancio Ortega has been named the third richest person in the world according to Forbes’ annual world billionaires list.

Boss of the Inditex group, that owns Zara, Pull & Bear and Bershka, Ortega is said to be worth $64billion.

Ortega was beaten to the top spot by US tech tycoon Bill Gates ($76billion), the world’s richest man for 15 of the last 20 years, and Mexico’s multitasker Carlos Slim ($72billion).

The $507billion combined fortunes of the top ten is larger than the entire size of the 2012 economy of Norway, Belgium or Poland.

Smurf-tastic THE village of Juzcar, near Ronda, the world-famous home of the smurfs, is getting a new ‘Smurfs Wood’.

A total of 500 native trees will be planted around the previously-white village, which was painted entirely blue by Sony Pictures to celebrate the premiere of the ‘Smurfs’ film.

Residents recently took part in the first phase of the reforestation project, planting 100 wild olive trees at Los Roscos.

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

News IN BRIEF

Cheaters IBIZA has been named the top location for infidelity abroad in a survey. A total 39% of respondents said the island would be the place they’d be most tempted to cheat on their partner.

Furious A HOAX documentary that falsely claimed a 1981 failed military coup attempt was staged to boost King Juan Carlos’s image has stirred controversy.

Train study THE ministry of public works is once again looking at the viability of running a train line from Malaga to Marbella or Estepona. The first stage of a study will consider the number of passengers who would use the train service along the Costa del Sol.

NEWS

Our demolition nightmare

14 expats will see their homes knocked down next week on the Costa de la Luz

A GROUP of expats have lost a twoand-a-half-year legal battle to prevent the demolition of their wooden homes on the Costa de la Luz. The residents are now suing an English developer for over a million euros after discovering that their properties are to be knocked down next week.

The group from the Atlantic Forest Park, in Zahara de los Atunes, have been ordered to leave their houses on March 12, after Barbate Court ruled on the side of the landowner.

The homes, owned by a mixture of British and Swiss expats, will then be demolished to ‘make way for another housing project’.

“It is a disgrace and we have been left with no option but to walk away,” said one owner Tony Pearson, 58, from Ramsgate.

EXCLUSIVE

By Imogen Calderwood

The publican said that the financial loss to himself and wife, Shirley, is around €110,000 and he described the emotional stress of the loss as ‘immeasurable’.

To make back some of the money they have lost, the couple are set to sell their beloved home for scrap wood after the demolition.

“Wood has value here in Spain, but we’ll only get pittance compared to what the houses are worth,” said Pearson, who has now returned to live in the UK. “I’ve given all the furniture away to another family who had been repossessed. They had found somewhere to live but had no furniture.”

Explosive THE brightest lunar collision ever seen from Earth has been caught on camera by a team of researchers from Huelva University. The explosion would have been the equivalent of 15 tons of TNT.

www.theolivepress.es

ATLANTIC: The lost forest park and original plans (above)

The owners’ homes have been the focus of a heated battle including allegations of fraud and millions of euros of unpaid bills.

Of the 14 residents to be evicted next week, one British expat couple in their 80s have been left struggling to find alternative accommodation.

The couple - who do not wish to be named - paid € 25,000 for the contract that gave them rights to the land until May 15 2036.

Suing

The pensioners are being forced to rent from a friend nearby.

The eviction comes despite overcoming many problems that should not have been their responsibility.

The group had to pay an unpaid electric bill of over € 14,000 euros, repair their sewage plant, maintain the well that provides the fresh water, and repair and maintain their swimming pool.

The group are now suing Alex Joll the owner of the company that leased them the land in 2008 for fraud.

The project was launched by the company Property Surfing SL, based in Fuengirola, in 2006 It envisaged the creation of a mobile home park with space for 84 mobile homes and 15 lodges built.

However, a combination of planning problems emerged, which led to the

GUTTED: Pearsons lost €110,000 project being ruled as illegal.

Joll didn’t wish to discuss the issue with the Olive Press.

However, a friend said he had failed to get the correct permission from Barbate town hall and had been unable to buy the land off the original owner.

“He was unable to turn things around despite selling the project to a venture capital group in 2010,” said the source.

“By 2011 the venture capital company stopped funding the project and the park ‘collapsed’.

“An attempt to buy the land from the owner in 2012 failed when he refused to sell.”

However he added: “Once they are out the owner can start the process again and seek a new permit to build homes.”

D-Day for Spain’s most controversial hotel

THE order to begin one of the world’s largest demolition jobs could arrive this week.

Andalucia’s High Court (TSJA) is set to rule if the 411-room Algarrobico Hotel should be finally torn down.

A staggering 11 years WRITING ON THE WALL: since it was given a licence by Carboneras Graffiti artist leaves a hint Town Hall, developer Azata del Sol might have to reverse a process that has seen 11 stories of concrete installed on a virgin beach INSIDE a natural park.

Monolith

Overworked nurses could be leading to increase in deaths SPAIN has some of the most overworked nurses in Europe.

The dangerous increase in workload could be leading to a rise in patient deaths after common surgical practices.

With an average 12.7 patients per nurse, Spain topped a study carried out at 300 European hospitals across nine countries

by British medical journal The Lancet.

The research found that a higher number of nurses reduced the number of patient deaths.

In fact, data shows every extra patient added to a nurse’s workload increases the risk of death within a month of surgery by 7% and this is exacerbated by employing poorly qualified nurses.

The research shows that potential cuts to nursing budgets may save money but may adversely affect patient outcomes.

England had nine patients per nurse, Ireland had 6.9, the Netherlands had seven and Norway had the lowest with 5.2.

Both Greenpeace, Ecologistas en Accion and the Olive Press have long argued that the monolith should not have been built within the Cabo de Gata Natural Park.

The developer got its licence despite local and national groups campaigning that it was ‘unsustainable’ and illegal, built just 30 m from the unspoilt Playa Algarrobico, in Almeria.

Judge Rafael Toledano will finally rule on the 1,633 files of evidence compiled since Almeria’s Court Number 2 ruled its licence was illegal in 2008.

Both the Andalucian and Madrid governments have ordered a decision to be finally made.

If the judge rules against it, demolition teams are expected to take up to two years to return the land to its original state.

www.theolivepress.es

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

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FEATURE

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

OPINION

We need openness truth and justice

Boiling Point FOR too many years the authorities in Spain have simply palmed away the thousands of boiler room victims as being of no great consequence.

Whether it was seen as a problem for the English police, or just that the victims were almost all foreign, they generally did little and ignored the problem.

Sadly the British police took a similar view, insisting that it was up to their Spanish counterparts to act as the crime was committed in Spain.

So it is fantastic news to finally see a strong and purposeful crack-down on the scam merchants.

Conning vulnerable pensioners out of their life savings is a cowardly, despicable crime and its perpetrators should be made to pay.

While the Nigel Goldmans of this world lavish millions of euros on prostitutes, drugs, cars and Christian Louboutin slippers, the rest of us soldier on under a crippling recession.

There are still dozens, if not hundreds, of boiler rooms still bubbling away under the radar.

It is up to all of us to come forward and expose them, wherever they may be.

Don’t switch off!

IT’S all too easy to become desensitised and switch off when it comes to news stories that you seem to hear over and over again.

But the number of times we hear about expats being evicted from their homes - or facing demolition - through no fault of their own should provoke the opposite reaction.

There are tens of thousands of foreign owners whose homes are not fully legal around the region.

The largest concentrations are in the Axarquia, Almeria and around Chiclana, but every town hall has a list of those that own what are called ‘irregular’ properties.

And it is not just foreigners who are facing the threat of homelessness.

Many Spaniards are also living in fear of the bureaucrat’s pen, damning their houses to the ground.

People’s lives and livelihoods are being destroyed because of a mixture of greed and bureaucratic corruption, and that’s a tragic story we should never become immune to.

RIP Maestro THE recent death of Paco de Lucia at the age of 66 while on holiday in Mexico marks the passing of one of the true greats of Spanish flamenco.

Paco did more to make flamenco accessible to the general public and not just the purists, taking influences from the wider world of music and incorporating it into his playing.

With the singer Camaron de la Isla, Paco de Lucia made some of the most unforgettable music in Spanish history.

It is always a tragedy to lose such a talent, but his legacy will live on wherever guitars are played.

Got a news story?

Contact our team of journalists in our Costa del Sol office on 951127006 or 691831399 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

the

The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

olive press

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Tel: 951127006 (admin/editorial/sales/advertising) or admin@theolivepress.es or sales@theolivepress.es

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.

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Stolen Babies justice campaigner Maria Ascension (above) believes her Andalucia Day honour is just one more step in the search for a mother she last saw on the day she was born. Jackie Bragg reports

M

not a ‘story’ at all. It was ‘her life’ and it is a horror that nobody should have to suffer.

Ascen’s desire to discover her true identity led her to set in 1972.

A naturally sad day for the An- up the SOS Bebes Robados dalucian youngster was made branch in Almeria in 2012 even worse when her aunt one of many voluntary organcame into her room, where isations working on behalf of she lay in tears, and told her those affected by ‘infant kidsimply and to the point he was nappings’ throughout Spain.

To commemorate last week’s NOT her father.

“She said to me: ‘Why are you Andalucia Day, Maria Ascencrying for this man when he’s sión, now 49, was honoured not even your father? When by the Junta in a ceremony at you were born, he paid for you, Almeria University for her unstinting work he bought you’.” as President.

I met Maria for A s c e n ’ s the first time a Mouths were award (alongcouple of years side nine ago to discuss closed, ears were closed and what other local her work with heroes) was stolen babies the eyes saw was a considergroup SOS never revealed able breakBebes Robados through, as Almeria for an politicians article.

‘Ascen’, as she is called, suf- have rarely taken up the gauntfered more than just the loss of let for victims of the horrific her father that day - she lost her crimes she and other volunteers have to deal with. whole identity.

Between 1939 and the 1990s, In her acceptance speech, she an estimated 300,000 moth- did not disclose her heartbreakers throughout Spain were ing story to the 500-strong autold their babies had died at dience - it is simply not her way. birth while the newborns were Instead, as representative of actually being sold on, usually SOS Almeria, she spoke pasto childless couples with mon- sionately and calmly of the strength of solidarity among ey and connections.

In Almeria province alone the victims of these ‘insidious’ there are currently more than crimes perpetuated over more 100 cases under investiga- than 50 years. tion. And Ascen’s is one of The various schemes put in place by medical staff and clerthose.

She softly told me that her gy to deceive mothers are horri‘story’ - a stolen baby taken fying. Some were told their bafrom Sevilla to Almeria - was bies had already been buried, others shown a frozen body from the morgue, unaware that it was not their child.

Adopted children were registered as biological offspring and where exhumations have taken place following lengthy court cases, stones - not human remains - have often been discovered inside tiny coffins.

The victims, Ascen explains, are not only the mothers and babies themselves, but also siblings, grandparents and entire families who feel the pain of loss.

She hopes that the Junta’s recognition will act as a catalyst for other governmental offices to offer support across Spain.

But these hopes are tinted with caution and concern that this PROTEST: The national honour may represent just anMadrid demo other false promise of support ARIA Ascension Lopez Rodriguez was only eight years old when her father died

and when the dust settles; the This desire for truth has led ‘stolen babies’ subject will be to national demonstrations by groups dedicated to finding jusquietly dropped once more.

The tragic history of infants sto- tice for those affected. len from their mothers began They are urging the governearly in General Franco’s dic- ment to pursue the increasing tatorship and incredibly contin- number of cases coming to ued well into the 1990s, long light, to designate the act of stealing a baby in this way as a after his death in 1975.

The first victims of this system- criminal offence and to set up atic abuse were female Repub- a central DNA bank (at the molican political prisoners, which ment, each individual is paying for themselves and there is a occurred from 1939.

Their children were taken un- lack of coordination). der existing laws and ‘for the A protest march in May last children’s welfare’ to rectify the year saw over 1,000 people gather on the streets of Ma‘red gene’ they were born with.

In short, they were then adopt- drid, the majority stolen babies or the birth mothers. ed by more ‘suitable’ families.

At least these ‘Red’ mothers I was one of the 32 on the knew their children were alive coach from Almeria that day when they were taken. Not and gained an insight into the so for the mothers who were individual sorrows of affected duped in consequent years as families who are determined the trend developed and the to keep up the protests until system evolved into a money- they get answers - one way or making scheme of massive pro- another.

Hundreds of placards displayed portions.

The money exchanged is dis- similar requests for information cussed in terms of hundreds and each told a sad story. One of thousands of pesetas, the read simply: ‘I am searching for my daughter - Born Huercalprice of a house at the time.

As a stolen baby who was her- Overa April 1974’. self taken from Sevilla to Alme- Although 1,000 marchers may ria, Ascen is well-placed to pass be a relatively small number, the reactions to the demonjudgement: “These inhumane acts were strators were volatile at times led by a web of power-based on the streets of Madrid. authorities, including nuns, Before this, I had not encounpriests, medical staff and reg- tered animosity against those who were istry offices. The struggling to s t a t e - c h u r c h There is a faction find answers combination of of Spanish as to whether authority involved their children in this horror society who were dead or story meant that claim the whole alive. few were brave I began to enough to speak thing is made up understand out at the time. there is a fac“No-one would dare to question the priests tion of Spanish society who and nuns who were involved in claim the whole thing was these atrocious kidnappings, made up, that the idea of stolet alone demand registration len babies was concocted by documents from the state. conspiracy theorists and ‘leftMouths were closed, ears were ies’ and no babies had ever closed and what the eyes saw been stolen or sold.

At one point during the march, was never revealed.”

Ascen quotes numerous cases a rather respectable looking elwhere paperwork has been al- derly gentleman walking along tered, which creates even more the pavement enraged one of difficulties in tracing the families. the demonstrators by shouting: “In my own case, my death “Your mother sold you and she certificate was dated before knew she was doing it, for the my birth date! This is at least money - you weren’t stolen!” evidence in itself, but doesn’t In contrast I saw two women help the investigations. The standing still by the roadside ranks have closed. This is what watching the procession pass, quietly sobbing. we are up against.

“We need openness, truth and TV, radio and news coverage took the story from the streets justice.”

FEATURE

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

7

The numbers 300,000 babies stolen from their parents at birth LONG LEGACY: Some mothers were shown frozen babies (above) while nuns like Sister Valbuena (far left) ran networks of illegal adoptions.

(Below) a typical poster

15% of the total adoptions in Spain between 1960 and 1989 are believed to be ‘stolen babies’ 1939: The year babies were first taken away from ‘politically dangerous’ families By 1943, 12,043 Republican children were in state custody One

million

pesetas The cost of a baby in the postFranco era

(€20,000):

of Madrid into the sitting rooms of ordinary Spaniards and Ascen believes protests are having a positive effect for the cause.

British documentaries have highlighted the plight of the ‘stolen babies’ and articles have appeared with regularity in the UK press and abroad.

Ascen describes the pressures experienced in deciding to find her mother: “My story is

just one of many. I did love my adoptive parents of course, but I am in complete turmoil dealing with all the circumstances.

Even though resolved to find my mother and that is my intention still, it could of course cause more upset on all sides. No one has an easy path here.”

“A few days after my father’s death, my mother told me when they reached 60 and 67 and still had no children, they decid-

ed to adopt. They were contacted by a nun who was a member of my adoptive father’s family who they asked for a girl.

“A week before I was born the nun notified my parents to travel to Sevilla to pick up a baby.

My parents waited all week until I was born and a few days later brought me to Almeria.

I have since discovered that I was baptised two days before I was born and that I have three

different identities.”

She has now filed a legal complaint and her case is now being investigated in Sevilla by the National Police. “Until the investigation is over, I can say no more,” she says.

As my friend Ascen walked from the stage last week with her Andalucian flag under her arm, I saw a woman who has experienced a sharp learning curve through her role at SOS.

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She is no longer the shy and nervous Maria Ascension of old.

Strident and proud, but always gentle in speech - as if to raise her voice may hurt you - she gently observes that these laurels are not for her, but for every mother and child whose lives have been ripped apart.

Jackie Bragg is currently researching a book on Spain’s ‘stolen babies’

1987: The year the Spanish government, instead of hospitals, began to regulate adoptions More than 2,000 cases have been filed with Spanish courts Over900 cases are currently under investigation

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NEWS

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

News IN BRIEF

Twin joy THE neighbouring towns of Arcos and Jerez will be twinned in September in recognition of the 750th anniversary of their re-conquest by the Christian monarchs.

Tractor on line A COLLISION between a train and a tractor has caused disruption on the Sevilla to Huelva line. No one was injured when the tractor broke down on a level crossing.

Cash hub POLICE found €753,000 in cash stashed in the spare tyre of a Moroccan pensioner when they stopped him at a routine checkpoint, in Baza. He claimed the money was from the sale of heavy machinery.

No talking ONLY 1% of Spanish teenagers use their mobiles to make phone calls. Most of the time is spent messaging, playing games and surfing the internet.

Mijas goes up in the world MIJAS was the setting for an aviation milestone and world record - the first ever remote-controlled human flight, claim the organisers.

Achieved by two model helicopters lifting a grown-up person, it took four months of planning, huge logistics and countless test flights to achieve the feat.

Check out the amazing video on www.theolivepress.es

www.theolivepress.es

End of the rocky-road for bankrupt celebrity baker A CELEBRATED baker who once delivered a right royal treat has gone bust.

Francisco Torreblanca, who baked the wedding cake for Prince Felipe’s royal wedding to Letizia, has become the latest victim of the economic crisis.

Despite preparing the desserts for Pope Benedict XVI when he visited Madrid three years ago, he has filed

Good result Car hire firm returns deposits after Olive Press report

DEPOSITS are finally being returned to Niza car hire customers following the Olive Press’s exclusive investigation last issue.

It comes after we revealed that hundreds of angry customers had waited months to get their deposits back from the Andalucian company.

kite-surfing in Tarifa last November.

“I literally heard the following day.”

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Briton arrested over child snatch

A BRITISH man has sparked outrage after he was released on bail following the attempted kidnap of a Spanish toddler.

Locals in Lanzarote were amazed after the British man was merely ordered to appear in court twice a month following the incident.

Stephen Raphael ning, 25, allegedly Mantried to snatch the old boy from four-yearoutside his grandmother’s Tias on Sunday. house in Neighbours man trying spotted the to walk off with the child ed his relatives.and alert-

EU officials are to investigate why Spanish police fired rubber bullets at migrants trying to swim to Ceuta.

Spain admitted EXCLUSIVE bullets were fired,that rubber 14 people drownedas at least

By Tom Powell dreds of migrants as hunattempted BRITISH to reach the tourists slammed an Andalucianhave ON car hire company CAMERA: repay thousandsfor failing to One deposits despite of euros in encounter vehicles in perfect returning was Many are still condition. filmed fighting for their money Mental they returned months after The boy’s family, Dignity to Niza Cars, their vehicles aided by neighbours fices around thewhich has ofThe EU Commissione , managed region. to locate Manning r for In an extraordinary Home Affairs, and the lad in the exchange, filmed strom, said she Cecilia Malmgrounds of by one angry a nearby complex. client, an employee cerned’ about was ‘very conSpanish police Manning, believed that 130 deposits admitted firing rubber bullets to be holidaying to deter €300 and €900 of between migrants. alone, appeared in a returned due had not been She added that to a ‘big ecosession afterclosed court nomic problem’. any EU state the actions of answer policerefusing to The company, borders shouldprotecting its questions be ‘proporabout the incident.

2,500 vehicles which has tionate’, and should He was charged in the 1960s, and opened fundamental rights respect legal detention, with iland huchange of chipalso blamed a man dignity. and pin Visa leased on bail. but remachines, blaming “I expect clarifications He has been ordered from Briton Steve Moorethe bank. the authorities,” Ms Malmthe court on to report to on camera, this was told, strom said. the first and week 15th that of while 100 clients each month.

Spain’s interior minister inhad now The police are been paid, 30 sisted police were expected did not shoot forensic reports,awaiting to be paid ‘within directly at people, believa few days Senior’s deposit had not been ing Manning and that or two weeks’. the bullets had returned may produced have after two months a mental illness.

He had confronted deaths of any not caused the of and emailall the documents communicate continual ‘fob off of those who staff at Luke, emails’. correspondence Niza’s La Linea drowned. d in emails. and placed a who camera on the Another customer Christine why he and his office over New Zealandis dual British- counter Carter, from Essex, friend Luke to begin nationality, had hired the car told the Staff eventually filming.

Olive go kitesurfing for 23 days to the head office agreed to call back Press she had flown to Malaga specifically returned it on in Tarifa and by a ‘Jose Ma’ and were told demand to before leaving December 13, department in the bookings person. her deposit back in the country. that they were Moore said: “They going through a ‘big econom- While she eventually got immedi- ic problem ately tried to the deposit back, Niza saying it was allfob me off by in general’. with the company not has so far reimbursed her to do with the Malaga head office, for the The male flights nothing they could absolutely blamed the employee then despite or accommodation, problem on the promises. do, best to bank, email Malaga.” and said they have Several Determined for now customersother exasperated switched banks a result, he but could not told the Olive explain why this was never KIDNAPPED: Continues on Four Page 2 old was snatched year in Tias enclave from North African Morocco on February 6.

Together with ish enclave, a second Spanrepresents the Melilla, Ceuta EU’s only land border with Africa.

STOP FOBBING US OFF

Over 100 car back months hire clients demand their after returning deposits vehicles

SUCCESS: Our report

And Christine Carter from Essex, informed us of her ‘good result’, with the company now even agreeing to cover her expenses incurred flying down speExtraordinary cially to pick up her deposit.

Marc Filliaudeau, from Paris, also “It’s great to see the press getting such received his deposit back after three a good result. Thanks a lot.” months of fruitless emails.

In an extraordinary exchange filmed by one angry client, a Niza employee admitted that 130 deposits of between €300 and €900 had not been returned due to a ‘big economic problem’. group turned back after seeing the first migrants drowned.

The company, which has 2,500 The row between Brussels and Spain group’s failed attempts. vehicles and opened in the On February 28 more than 200 mi- escalated on Monday, after the Spanish 1960s, also blamed a change grants stormed the border into Melilla, government hit back at the European of chip and pin Visa machines, in what Spanish authorities called one of Commission for its criticism over the blaming the bank. migrant deaths. the largest such crossings in years.

The company’s commercial Tensions have been increasing over re- The Spanish government has demanded spokesman Francisco Lucena cent weeks, after border police were €45 million from Brussels, as an emertold the Olive Press that everyaccused of firing rubber bullets at mi- gency fund to heighten security meaone would receive their deposgrants, in an incident where at least 14 sures at the borders. its back as soon as possible.

But just days after our report last month, many of those who were close to giving up received notification that their €500 deposits had been returned.

“It wouldn’t have happened without the Olive Press’s intervention,” said Luke Senior, a dual Britain-New Zealand national who hired a car to go

Police stop 1,600 migrants at Ceuta border BORDER police faced a further onslaught yesterday, as more than 1,600 migrants attempted to cross from Morocco into Ceuta.

One group of migrants approached the Tarajal border at dawn, while hundreds more tried to scale the six-metre-high fence at another point nearby.

“None managed to cross,” said a government official in Ceuta, adding that one

BUST: Torreblanca for voluntary bankruptcy for his firm Pasteleria Totel SL.

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

PICASSO HAD SQUARE EYES A SUMMER exhibition at the Museo Picasso Malaga (MPM) will reveal previously unsuspected links between the Malaga artist’s later works and a series of TV programmes of the time.

The show, launching in June 30, looks at Picasso’s interest in various French TV series in the 1960s.

Curated by Laurence Madeline, from Musees d’Art et d’Histoire de Geneve, the exhibition will come to MPM fol-

lowing its tour of France, Switzerland and Germany.

The museum will also be screening the film Picasso and Braque go to the Movies, directed in 2008 by Arne Glimcher, produced by Martin Scorsese.

The film looks at the technological revolution’s influence on the work of Picasso and Georges Braque, focusing on the invention of aviation and the advent of filmmaking.

Father criticises decision to build skatepark just metres from the busy A-7 motorway, where his daughter was tragically run over

Slammed!

By Giles Brown

THE father of a British girl killed crossing the busy A-7 has slammed the decision of Estepona town hall to build a skatepark just metres from the road.

David Davies has criticised the park, which is being installed just 200 metres from where his daughter was killed.

Ashley was only seven when she was struck by a car as she crossed the dual carriageway in El Saladillo in 2002.

TRAGIC: Ashley with brother George

TOO CLOSE: Traffic speeds past

Tragedy

She had been crossing the busy road, which at the time had no footbridge, to get to a Mercadona supermarket in Bel Air. Ex-serviceman Davies, 42, is ‘very concerned’ that another youngster will be killed trying to reach the park, which is just 10 metres from the road.

“We can’t believe that the town hall have built a skatepark so dangerously close to the main road,” he said.

“If this park opens there will be loads of kids going there and hanging around.

It’s just a recipe for another tragedy. I really hope

ANGRY: David

something can be done to stop this.”

As this Olive Press photo shows, the busy road is

No more dodgy party donations

THE Spanish government is to ban companies making donations to political parties.

Hash house warriors

POLICE on the Costa del Sol had a bumper 2013 when it came to hash seizures.

The Drugs and Organized Crime Unit (UDYCO) seized 7.6 tons of marijuana, more than a 182% increase on the previous year.

They focused efforts on drugtrafficking on the Malaga coastline, with clear results.

And in a bid to increase transparency, a new law will demand all parties publish any donations from individuals above €50,000, as well as bank loans on their website.

The bill comes as the PP party’s former treasurer Luis Barcenas is revealed to have defrauded the nation of some €11.5 million between 2000 and 2011 in the biggest party funding scandal in European history.

Barcenas

While Barcenas was in charge of PP finances, ministers would allegedly receive an envelope each month containing between €5,000 and €10,000, funded from company donations.

Companies could previously make donations of up to €100,000 to parties.

used by heavy goods lorries, including container traffic to and from Algeciras Port.

In addition the main access road into Cancelada is on the other side of the park.

When we visited the half finished site, we were shocked to see that there seemed to be nothing between the park and the passing traffic apart from a slim barrier.

Local housewife Silvia Ramos is also concerned about safety.

“It is in a terrible location, right next to the main road,” she said. “It’s very dangerous.”

The park is also unpopular with skateboarders who claim they have had no input in the design of the facility.

“They clearly don’t have a clue what they are doing,” wrote one disgruntled skateboarder on the website Switchy.com.

“The ramps are in the wrong place, it looks as if a child had designed this,” he added.

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Rugby Row

News IN BRIEF

Robber Neighbour A WOMAN Has been detained in Velez Malaga for forcing entry and robbing her elderly neighbour.

The 41-yearold took money and documents belonging to the man, 79.

Opposition party slams plan to invest €1.4m in new ground

By Giles Brown

A BIG ruck is brewing over plans to build a state-of-the-art rugby stadium in Rincon de la Victoria.

The opposition IU party is angry that the Malaga authorities are to invest €1.39 million in a new rugby complex in the heart of the recession.

Modern

The Campo de Rugby Manuel Becerra will boast modern facilities, artificial turf, drainage facilities, and a lighting and PA system.

The town has already signed an agreement with the Spanish Rugby Federation to start a provincial rugby academy.

However the IU party claims that the rugby ground is not wanted by local people, and

Popular Spot

FAIR PLAY: Opposition wants a vote

that the money could be better spent on other projects.

The IU has called for a referendum to decide whether or not the grant funded project should go ahead.

The party has called for the money to be spent on a local market instead, claiming that this would create more long term jobs for the town.

GETTING THE GOAT: In Torre del Mar

Pedal Power

11

AXARQUIA NEWS

OVER 2000 people took part in Nerja’s Dia del Pedal last week.

The event, which this year celebrated its 16th anniversary, took place on the Dia de Andalucia holiday.

Numbers were slightly down on last year, which the organisers attributed to a variety of events taking place on the same day.

The event finished at Nerja’s Balcon de Europa where there was a raffle of bicycles and a prize giving ceremony.

The biggest cheer of the day went to Joaquin Alonso, who at 81 was awarded a special prize for being the oldest participant!

Say Cheese!

TORRE del Mar will celebrate the third annual Malaga goats cheese festival this weekend.

The fair will take place on the Paseo Mijas and will feature ten of Malaga province’s artisan cheese making firms.

In addition to the cheeses, the fair will also showcase local wines, honey, oils and bread.

Several restaurants in Torre del Mar will also be serving goat-based dishes.

A trip to a goat farm is also included in the festival on March 8, where visitors can learn more about how goats cheese is produced.

Finally, the festival will include a cheese cake competition on the closing Sunday, using local goats cheese!

ALMUNECAR received over 1,000 visitors during the Andalucia Day weekend. Of these, 60% came from Andalucia, 15% from other Spanish regions and 25% were from overseas.

Football Crazy 320 FOOTBALL teams will take part in the Copa Jovenes Promesas in Velez Malaga.

The under-17, seven-a-side indoor football tournament will take place later this month.

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

11

12

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

12 Online map empowers Spain to look after its forests after losing area ‘twice size of Luxembourg’ in just a decade SPAIN has lost an area of forestry twice the size of Luxembourg in just over a decade.

According to a new global map on deforestation, the country lost 690,815 hectares of tree cover between 2000 and 2012.

Global Forest Watch, a map which is monitoring deforestation in ‘real time’, claims that at least 448,188 hectares have been gained through reforestation and plantations in the same period.

The map uses information from millions of satellites as well as people on the ground to provide data on the loss and gain of tree cover.

Since 2000, 50 football pitches of trees have been cut

GREEN NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

A growing problem

By Tom Powell

down every minute around the globe. In 2012 alone some 20.8 million hectares of forests were lost.

Despite increasing awareness of deforestation and its impacts, there has still been a distinct lack of accurate information.

Monitor

“This map can help the government monitor public forests and better understand trends in forest loss, forestry practices, forest fires, and forest restoration,” said James Anderson, who works for the site.

“Just as importantly, Spanish businesses can help ensure the commodities they buy such as beef, palm oil, soy, and wood pulp are ‘deforesta-

VANDALISM: A huge copse of oak trees uprooted

by Los Merinos golf developers in Ronda tion-free’, by monitoring the activities of their suppliers.”

In Malaga Province, there has been more gain than loss in terms of tree cover since 2007 and this trend is visible throughout Spain.

Nigel Sizer, director of the global forest initiative, said: “Those behaving badly will have fewer places to hide.

Those managing forests well will stand out for all to applaud.”

DEFORESTATION IN NUMBERS

R.T.A.:AL-4-04-0017. 2ª cat

LOST: The pink area shows deforestation

Spain’s largest Campsite & mobile home park

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l In 2012, 20.8 million hectares of forest were lost worldwide. l Since 2000, 50 football pitches of trees have been cut down every minute. l The UK’s tree cover decreased by 247,785 hectares between 2000 and 2012. l Spain’s decreased by 242,626 hectares in the same period. l Andalucia lost 43,317 in the same period. l Spain currently has 10.7million hectares of tree cover.

TWITCHERS’ JOY TWITCHERS will tremble with excitement with the launch of the first app for spotting and learning about

Spanish birds.

Launched by conservationist organisation SEO/Birdlife, the app offers informa-

tion on 563 species of bird that can be seen around the country.

The app includes more than 200 videos, more than 300 samples of birdsong, and a series of maps and suggested walks.

The application is designed as an aid to both amateur birdwatchers and as a specialist tool, enabling the identification of a bird from just a fleeting glimpse or a snatch of song.

Amazing

SEIZED: Over 300 hunters traps were found

Trapping outrage

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HUNDREDS of brutal hunting traps have been seized in an investigation into two private hunting estates in Sierra de Yeguas.

Environmental officers also found large quantities of poison after discovering three dead foxes and four dead mongooses close to the grounds, which are owned by the same hunting club.

Sniffer dogs were used to track down poisoned baits and officers carried out searches at five warehouses.

They seized more than 300 different traps and nets, as well as two bottles of poison and a large amount of white powder which has been sent for analysis.

It appears the animals were killed in order to stop them preying on smaller species, including rabbits and partridges, favoured by hunters.

So far two people are facing fines but the Junta is yet to decide whether criminal proceedings will be undertaken.

Prestigious ornithologist Josep de Hoyo, said: “It’s amazing how new technologies help us find out about nature on site.

“To be at a place, see a species, listen to it sing and learn to identify it thanks to the data in this guide is something that both enthusiasts and great ornithologists will be thankful for.”

The illustrator of the guide, Juan Varela, added: “It’s something all ornithologists of my generation would have loved to have had when when we started.”

In further commitment to twitchers, the Malaga authorities have launched a separate website www. birdingmalaga.com.

The website provides information about the species that can be seen in the province, as well as the best areas to spot specific birds.

GIBRALTAR NEWS

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

13

ON the Rock

The Olive Press guide to What’s On in Gibraltar over the next two weeks

March 6 GAME ON: Gibraltar will build a new stadium

Designs for a new Gib soccer stadium are currently on display GIBRALTAR FA has unveiled the design for a brand new UEFA standard stadium, with full medical and media facilities as well as community spaces.

However, the 8,066 seater will not be ready for when the Rock hosts Germany’s footballing superstars in the coming Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Instead, Gibraltar will play their first ever qualifying games in Faro, in Portugal, as they take on a difficult group including Germany, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Scotland and Georgia.

Tensions

During the draw in Nice, they had to be moved out of Spain’s group because of political tensions between the two countries.

UEFA had announced prior to the draw

A new national fortress

that the two nations would be kept apart, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, who went to war between 1992 and 1994 and still have territorial disputes.

The stadium, to be built on a currently barren piece of land at Europa Point, will

also be used for concerts.

The designs are currently being exhibited in the Gustavo Bacarisas vault in Casemates Square where the public can make submissions before the project is finalised.

You couldn’t Script that

CHART-topping group The Script are to headline this year’s Gibraltar Music Festival.

The Irish trio, who had a massive hit last year with Hall of Fame, will play the

Victoria Stadium on September 6.

It’s been a busy 12 months

Border Watch The Olive Press’ regular section keeping an eye on the Frontier

Foot fault

I

for the boys from Dublin.

They have toured with U2, Take That and Paul McCartney, amassed almost four million followers on Facebook and racked up 100 million YouTube views,.

Singer Danny O’Donoghue has starred as a coach on the BBC’s TV talent show The Voice.

The all-day event will take place during Gibraltar’s ‘National Week’ festivities and will be family and disability friendly.

At last year’s Gibraltar Music Festival Emile Sandi and Olly Murs were among 20 acts who appeared at the Victoria Stadium.

MAGGIE’S LINE: Border queue like famous Saachi ad

T was a case of same old same old at the border over the past two weeks.

This time around however, the Spanish authorities decided to target pedestrians. One of the worst incidents, that saw people queuing back as far as the old airport, took place on the night that the UEFA draw was made for Euro 2016. The more cynical observer might

point to the fact that this might have had something to do with the fact that Spain was protesting against Gibraltar being included in the competition for the first time. In other news, the Olive Press jobsworth of the month award goes to the Spanish customs official who made a pedestrian with a fold up bike unfold it and rejoin the bike queue at the back....

HEADLINERS: The Script

World Book Day John Mackintosh Hall, 10am - 6pm The popular Book Crossing and Book Fair and much more For more information Tel. 20075669 or email kimberley.andres@culture.gov.gi

March 9

Promenade Market Ocean Village, 11am 4pmFor further info contact Tel. 54023166 or email: vivend13@hotmail.com

March 11

The European Baroque Players Concert

Music by Corelli, Vivaldi and Quantz, Holy Trinity Cathedral, 8pm, For more information www.philharmonic.gi

March 14

Gibraltar Botanic Gardens Tours Wild Plants & Conservation, led by Keith Bensusan,10.30 am, tel 20041235

March 15

Gibraltar Open XI Darts Tournament Men’s, Ladies’ & Youths’ single, Victoria Stadium Sports Hall, For info contact Darren Olivero, 54027171 www.gibraldartarts.com

14

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

14 News IN BRIEF

GIBRALTAR NEWS

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DES RES:The five mega-pads alongside the new Caleta hotel dedevelopment

New Homes TWO new affordable, co-ownership housing schemes have been launched which will offer around 900 apartments for sale.

Mons Calpe Mews will be located at the old coach park while Beach View Terraces will be at the old Aerial Farm.

Park Up THE government has announced that it is in the middle of advanced negotiations for the construction of a 1,000 space multi-storey carpark in the city centre on the site of the old naval grounds.

Bye Norwich THE Norwich and Peterborough building society branch is to close in Gibraltar in December.

Bank base GIBRALTAR’S new International Bank (GIB) will be located on Main Street. The building, a heritage site, is currently governmentowned but will be leased to the bank on commercial terms.

We’ve been expecting you…

IT is just the sort of pad to make James Bond feel at home.

After a hard day saving the world from international criminal masterminds, 007 would be able to relax with his favourite Bond Girl, a Vodka Martini and take in the fantastic views of the Straits of Gibraltar.

The five luxury modern apartments are part of the plan to transform the Caleta Hotel into a multiple accommodation centre.

Each of the 500 sqm homes will have their own oval swimming pool and come in with a

James Bond would love the exclusive £3million homes at Caleta Hotel

price tag of at least £3million.

In the exciting £40 million development, the 4-star hotel’s conference facilities, health and beauty club, and lounge are all set to be refurbished. A new restaurant, bars, outdoor swimming pool and casino will also be added.

Even more ambitious are plans to build a 41-suite, 5-star boutique hotel, with panoramic infinity swimming pool, and 50 apartments.

“We expect building to start in November and for it all to be finished by 2019,” revealed IT will become the largest single office building in Franco Ostuni, general manGibraltar when it opens for business in 2015. ager of the hotel. “We have The new £45million World Trade Center Gibraltar been looking at this project project (WTCG) has finally got the go-ahead after an for the last three years.” agreement was signed between the government and The project, designed by a PortuOcean Village, where it will be built. guese architects firm, is currently The project is being seen as offering a ‘vital way to going through its 12 week Enviattract a wide range of hi/tech and Blue Chip comparonmental Impact Assessment. nies to the Rock’.

World Trade Center gets green light

la cultura Digging for the Don

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 201415 15

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Scientists to begin the search for the body of Spain’s most famous writer Cervantes HE died on the very same day as William Shakespeare, but where he is buried remains as much a mystery as the meaning of his book Don Quixote.

But now scientists have been given the green light to begin searching for the body of Spain’s most famous writer, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.

Experts are set to use specialist geo-radar equipment at a convent in Madrid

March 5 - March 19 2014

what’s on

M

alaga, International Women’s Day March 8. Malaga Town Hall will be celebrating International Women’s Day with a series of events promoting equality in sport. Training sessions, contests, exhibitions and a female rugby tournament will be held throughout March and April. For more information, visit areadeigualdad.malaga.eu

MYSTERY: Cervantes and (right) the convent

up, perform tests and then rebury it.

Cervantes died a poor man in the capital on April 23, 1616, aged 69.

His bones could also reveal whether he died of cirrhosis, as it has been claimed, the writer being a notoriously heavy drinker.

Cirrhosis “They may not just help us to discover The city’s heritage department has al- what he looked like, but also why he lotted €12,000 to find the body, dig it died,” said historian Fernando Prado. in a bid to unearth his bones.

Evidence has existed since 1870 of undiscovered burial sites underneath Las Trinitarias convent in the Las Letras district of the capital.

MODERN: Fosteritos metro

“It is said that he was very ill late in life, but that is also when he was very productive as an author.”

It is known that he had earlier suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and damage to his left hand at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 which may help identify the correct body.

A SPANISH Metro station has been named one of the He was survived by one most architecturally impressive in Europe. daughter, meaning a DNA Fosteritos, in Bilbao, was ranked eighth in the consample could be used if any tinent thanks to its light generating curved glass endescendants are found. trance.

His masterpiece, Don QuixThe station, the third largest in Spain, was designed by the ote, has been translated into UK’s Lord Foster, and is considered a prime example of more than 60 languages. the city’s modern, up-to-the-minute style.

It is hoped the work can be The top three according to CNN were in Naples, Westcarried out by 2016, when friedhof in Munich and Komsomolskaya (Koltsevaya there are plans for a joint Line) in Moscow. global celebration to mark the anniversaries of the deaths of Others in the list included London’s Westminster station Cervantes and Shakespeare. and Palais Royal, at the Musée du Louvre, in Paris.

Underground award

M

alaga, ‘Origins of Cinema’ exhibition.

The Interactive Museum of Music in Malaga (MIMMA) is opening a temporary exhibition about the ‘Origins of Cinema’ on March 6 at 8pm, which will run until May 11. The exhibition offers a look at the first films shot in Malaga, between 1909 and 1920. Visit www. musicaenaccion.com

M

arbella, Opening of Yamas Restaurant.

New Greek-fusion restaurant Yamas is having an opening party on March 14. There will be live music, bubbles and tasters. 6pm. Call 952 903 827 for more information.

No doffing this cap Worried about losing BBC, ITV and Channel 4?

TRADITION: Mintz’s visit with book and cap

THE daughter of American author Jerome Mintz has once again donated a cloth cap to one elderly gent in the town of Benalup-Casas Viejas.

The tradition came about after locals translated a book Carla Mintz’ father had written about the famous anarchists in the town.

The book The Anarchists of Casas Viejas, hinges on the events surrounding the massacre of a dozen local anarchists by government forces in January

Sweet smell of success

A LOCAL artist with a penchant for the quirky is holding her inaugural solo exhibition at a perfume store.

Nancy Holt’s paintings will go on display at Perfumarte, in Arroyo de la Miel, from March 6.

This exhibition is Holt’s first as a solo artist, although her work has previously featured alongside others at Mijas Town Hall.

She told the Olive Press: “I was really excited when I was asked to exhibit my work at Perfumarte. I’m a bit of a bohemian, and I was really drawn to the concept, you don’t get many art exhibitions in perfume stores.”

The exhibition includes 20 large canvas paintings all of which are for sale.

“We will just see how it goes, and the store has only recently opened, but I think the plan is to exhibit more art in the future.” added Holt, orig-

COLOURFUL: Nancy Holt poses with her larger than life paintings inally from Manchester, who has been living on the Costa del Sol for the past 18 years.

“I love the Spanish lifestyle, and Arroyo is a wonderful community. I work as an art teacher, and have classes for children at the Mijas Pueblo Arts Centre. It’s great to be able to give back to the community”.

Perfumarte is in Avenida de la Constitución, 2, opposite the station in Arroyo de la Miel.

1933.

They had mistakenly believed there had been a nationwide uprising and imprisoned the local police and priest declaring the area a republic.

Relax...there are several solutions and there will be one that is just right for you!

Revolution

However, the revolution had been called off, the news not having reached the town, and days later it was attacked by government forces leaving a dozen dead.

Jerome Mintz, who died aged 67 in 1997, stayed in the town several times while gathering information from people for his book and was particularly interested in the legends and traditions behind the March 1 carnival and other fiestas.

The book was published in America in 1982 but the villagers only discovered it when ten years later a visitor produced a copy in a bar on the square.

It was then translated by local people and a Spanish edition was soon published by the University of Cadiz.

Mintz visited the town on a number of occasions wearing his celebrated cap, which he donated to one needy villager. The tradition has been kept up.

For more information on the anarchists, Jerome Mintz and Casas Viejas visit: historiacasasviejas. blogspot.com.es

Drop into our showroom for a chat and we´ll give you a demonstration of the different options available to ensure you continue watching all your favourite programmes.

satellite TV audio video Tel: 951 310 437 CC Puerta de Banús, Local 3, Marbella 29660 www.tvonespain.com / info@tvonespain.com

16 the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014 16

Flamenco Special www.theolivepress.es

Flamenco

A Summer in

A Summer in

In the final part of our serialisation of Jackie Cornwall’s book A Summer in Flamenco we look at the roots of the music and, in particular, its links to Islam ‘How does he write history into the nothing to work with but the meagreempty air having small human resources of one body?’

A Adrián Brenes Ureba

PHOTOS BY KELLY LAWLOR

Kelly Lawlor

DUENDE: Adrian getting into the magical state

MOST people believe that all flamenco songs are about unrequited love, but they cover all subjects and are part of a long tradition of folk-lyrics which we can trace back as far as the Roman occupation.

Even some singers don’t understand the lyrics they’re singing, because they use the Andaluza dialect, which has some ancient and obscure words. Dancers respond both to the lyrics and the music.

Jaleos, the shouts from the audience and other performers, keep us motivated. The best known shout, ‘ole’ or ‘ale’, refers to the Muslim name for God – Allah.’

I had quite a few problems with music that summer. Our space in Vejer is housed in a beautiful Baroque church. Unfortunately, its high ceilings swallow

up the sound and it’s hard for a dancer to hear the compás, the beat of the music.

If, as sometimes happens, one or more of the musicians doesn’t keep compás, the dancer has to rely on some fancy footwork to hide the fact that he’s cutting corners. Under these circumstances, it’s not surprising if the spirit of what is called ‘duende’ sometimes deserts us.

Writer Federico García Lorca first identified the idea of duende, which has become a part of what we understand by flamenco.

A duende is a ‘magical’ state, symbolising the ability of a performer to lose himself in the experience of making flamenco.

What causes this experience is unclear; maybe it’s the release of hormones like adrenaline and dopamine into the blood.

However, most flamencologists agree that the dancer’s absorption in the persistent, repetitive rhythm of flamenco is what creates duende. There is no doubt that it is a real experience for all flamenco performers.

Despite the difficulties, I was grateful to receive a wonderful response in Vejer. If it hadn’t been for my relationship with my audiences, I might have given up dancing long ago, and I’ve been lucky that the public have taken me to their hearts.

People sometimes ask me about relationships between flamenco performers. There are plenty, of course, and performers sometimes meet their partners through performing.

Some dancers’ styles are rather provocative, especially in the Cádiz area, famous for its ‘salty’ carnival style. Flamenco dance is sexy, but we avoid crudeness and exhibitionism, because we love our art and it deserves respect.

And so the summer of 2012

‘Reading this book was like having someone lead you through take your hand the world of flamenco. and gently ’ ‘Easy to read and understan d but beware! these character You could fall s.’ in love with Jackie Cornwall

Adrián Brenes

Flamenco

When Jackie Cornwall meets young flamenco the picturesqu dancer Adrián e Andalucían Brenes in town of Vejer by the mystery de la Frontera, of his art. Spain she is fascinated is in economic they embark meltdown, but on the world’s together first Shakespea And as their re/flamenco shared journey fusion show. takes them from finally to New Spain to Florence, York, Adrián shows her exactly and what it is to be ‘flamenco’.

This entertaini ng and heartwarm ing book, lavishly Lawlor’s photograp illustrated with hs, will delight Kelly everyone who or who cares loves Spain or about the fate flamenco, of the young in a challenging world.

Fl Su am mme en r in co

When ‘Ole’ means ‘Allah’ Jackie Cornwa ll Kelly Lawlor Adrián Brenes Ureba

PLAUDITS: The shows were well received came to an end with my last show in Conil. I danced Sevillanas, ‘inspired by angels’, as Jackie said. Nothing was resolved, but I was ready for autumn now, a less intense season.

I took the wind in my arms and danced with her because when the Levante blows, we must bend or we will break. The best we can ever do is dance.

Jackie Cornwall For a year now, I’d seen every step that Adrián danced, but suddenly events moved so swiftly that I was almost left behind.

First, he went to Sevilla to study bulerías with an inspirational dancer called La Lupi. It wasn’t on his ‘to do’ list. He’d planned to spend the winter completing his Masters and studying to teach Computer Science, but fate had other ideas.

While he was there, he was invited to join the cast of a national show, ‘Vive Pepa’, choreographed by Manólo Carrasco, a well-known flamenco pianist with an international reputation. And if this wasn’t enough, he received a spate of bookings from new sources.

His future seemed assured.

A Glossary of Flamenco Alegrías: A lively and rejoicing palo from Cadiz; complex when performed correctly.

Bailaor/a: Flamenco dancer.

Bata de cola: The frills at the bottom of a dancer’s dress.

Bulerías: A fast palo from Jerez; ‘the rock ‘n’ roll of flamenco’.

Cantaor/a: Flamenco singer.

Compás: The rhythm of flamenco music, different for each palo.

Duende: The magical spirit of flamenco which gives it ‘soul’.

Fandangos: Originally from Malaga; not all fandangos are danceable.

Guajiras: Originally from Cuba folk dances which have been flamencoised.

Jaleos: Shouts of encouragement from other flamencos or audience members.

Palmas: Handclapping: a delicate art.

Palo seco: Without accompaniment.

Palos: The many styles of flamenco, often regional in character, distinguished by rhythm, tune and mood.

Payo: A non-gypsy.

Rondeñas: A type of fandangos from Ronda.

Seguidiyas: A profound and often despairing palo.

Soleá: The ‘queen of palos’; emotional and serious.

Tablao: A flamenco show, performed by a group.

Tangos: A palo loved by gypsies from Sevilla Zapateado: Fast and percussive footwork: a series of these is an ‘escobilla’.

At the end of September, after days of violent protest, the Spanish government announced an emergency budget, admitting that the economy was ‘in a fearful state’.

The Catalan government took advantage of the confusion to initiate the process of gaining independence while the army stated that the unity of Spain was ‘non-negotiable’. National stability seemed to be in the balance.

For Adrián, though, the ‘crisis’ was in part his friend. Unable to find a graduate job in computing he had focused on dance, the ‘career of his heart’, and achieved success.

We flew into New York in an electrical storm and watched the city racing beneath us.

We spent a lot of time talking, much of it about the progress of ‘our’ book. And I was able to reflect on the experience of studying Adrián over the past months.

I began the summer with a strong curiosity about what transformed this pleasant young man into a raging mountain of testosterone, the explosive dancer who had thrilled me in Vejer a little over a year ago.

Now I realised that there was no transformation. Every dance move came from the man himself. Adrián was an expert in expressing what lay beneath the surface, turning it into art.

Hard work, talent, sacrifice and a passion for flamenco made him a remarkable performer, and one for whom I had developed the greatest respect. I only hoped that our friendship would continue now that the book was finished.

‘Don’t worry,’ he told me, ‘now we are REALLY friends.’

Adrián Brenes I can’t say goodbye to the summer of 2012 without thanking Jackie and Kelly for the opportunity they gave me to tell my story. Without Jackie’s positive thinking, none of this would have happened.

Nowadays, though, when she says ‘I’ve had an idea’, I take a deep breath. I’ll never forget my English-speaking friend, but right now, I’m conjugating a main verb. To dance!

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

Plucking the heart strings

Flamenco legend Paco de Lucia dies of heart attack on Mexican beach HE has been hailed as the greatest guitarist of all time.

Flamenco legend Paco de Lucia has died during a family holiday in Mexico.

The 66-year-old, who was born in Algeciras, had a heart attack in the early hours of the morning.

Paco de Lucia created a celebrated partnership with singer Cameron de la Isla, from nearby San Fernando, and has since been credited with shaking up the flamenco scene, and injecting a unique combination of jazz, rock, and blues rhythms into the traditional gypsy music.

He began performing live aged 12 alongside his brother, Pepe, and the pair scooped the top prize in a Jerez singing contest in 1961 which led to the release of his first studio album.

In a career which went on to span more than 50 years, he won numerous awards, including a Grammy for Best Flamenco Album 2004, the National Award for Flamenco Guitar, and the Gold Medal of Merit Fine Arts.

The guitarist, who headlined at Marbella’s Starlite Festival last summer, collapsed after playing football with his children on the beach.

PIONEERS Paco de Lucia and singer Camaron de la Isla

In a statement, the Junta in Cadiz expressed its sorrow at his passing, and declared three days of mourning.

Paco lived three lives... and was about to live in Cuba

A tribute by his producer Javier Limon

While Paco de Lucía may have died very young, he lived at least three lives. There is perhaps nobody who has played the guitar for more hours than him, and few can boast of having his enormous stature as a human being.

My proudest achievement is to have been his friend.

To me, Paco began as an idol, then became a master and ended up as an older brother. You could always ask him what step to take next

in your career, because he had already taken every step imaginable. And so every flamenco artist woke up on this grey day feeling orphaned and bereft of the light that guided our way.

Defining

He was very likely the best guitarist of all time. All the musicians I have met throughout my life, from Keith Richards to Pat Metheny, admitted as much.

But it wasn’t just that, he was also a great producer and composer of flamenco music.

Nearly every defining element of the genre, from the choirs to the cajón and certain styles, we owe to him.

Today, musicians and fans alike are filled with sadness at learning that his life was still full of projects. He planned to spend a few months in Havana because he wanted his children Antonia and Diego to get to know that scene. And he died in Cancún because he was there to record a new flamenco album. Sadly, we will never get to hear it.

Paco: A life

Born: December 21, 1947, Algeciras Died: February 26, 2014, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Compositions: Cepa Andaluza, Gitanos trianeros (Soleá), many more Siblings: Pepe de Lucía, Ramón Sánchez Gómez Awards: Latin Grammy Award for Best Flamenco Album, Echo Award for Jazz Production, Goya Award for Best Original Score

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

POTTED POINTERS ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 86.11% full Same week last year: 80.71% Same week in 2003: 61.17% 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 EMERGENCIES Police 091 Guardia Civil 062 Medical service 061 Fire 080 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.36 American Dollars 0.82 British Pounds 1.51 Canadian Dollars 7.46 Danish Kroner 10.59 H Kong Dollars 8.26 Norwegian Kroner 1.73 Singapore Dollars

LETTERS

www.theolivepress.es

Home tragedy must end Dear OP, I HAVE recently attended two Save Our Homes Axarquia (SOHA) meetings and to look around the room and see hundreds facing problems with their homes is shocking.

Some have had problems for years with their lives in a total limbo, living in fear of their homes being demolished, with little or no compensation.

There are thousands more properties throughout Spain with legality problems.

Having lived here for 10 years, we have found out that the Junta de Andalucia is now trying to revoke all our licences.

Does anyone really know if their home is legal?

Over the years SOHA has made many good contacts and is still working with the ‘powers that be’ to solve property issues. If there are any other small groups or individuals fighting for their homes, let SOHA know and we can all fight together.

After years of newspaper reports and TV programmes, buying property in Spain isn’t safe. Despite government promises and political re-assurances, nothing has been done.

This problem affects not just foreigners but Spain’s own subjects too. It affects the economy, as when homes

Also tricked

HUNTERS: Wills and Harry

HAVING read your article about conman Peter Greenburg (New hunt for car trickster, Issue 179) I want to share my experience.

He did the same to us at a cost of close to € 1,000 and never delivered the car.

Eventually, we realised what was happening and went and seized back possession of our car.

But he still owes us the money.

If criminal proceedings are brought against him by the authorities then we would be happy to provide evidence against him.

Yes to nature, no to royals

In your report on the royals hunting in Cordoba (Issue 181), pop legend Brian May articulated what many must have felt, and good on him.

The spectacle of the English royals posing as savours of endangered species while giving vent to their pre-historic blood-lust of shooting boar and deer (or perhaps us out-of-control serfs) is the absolute height of hypocrisy.

Obviously wild boar and deer can get out of hand and have to be controlled using professional and humane marksmen culling the old and weak or by introducing wolves, the natural predators. are bought and sold, it brings new tax revenue and renovations, along with furniture purchases, sees other businesses prosper, creating more jobs.

Spanish politicians need to make a stand and get their house in order NOW. Kath Williams Axarquia

Fraud fight BRITISH Minister Ian Duncan Smith recently said it was important that fraudulent benefit claimants realise that living in Spain does not mean they won’t be caught, with inspectors here to ensure noone goes undetected.

He urged Britons who suspect someone of committing benefit fraud to call the Spanish hotline, thereby helping ensure that UK taxpayers’ money goes to those who need it most.

However, the British government as well as consul and embassy officials do little or nothing to ensure people who are living here in Spain and are rightfully entitled to UK benefits get the information and advice they desperately need.

People who return to the UK through illness or disability because they cannot afford the care they need here will be more of a burden on the state as they will then possibly be entitled to further benefits including pension credit not payable if living in Spain.

People I have helped have said that were it not for the disability benefits they are now claiming in Spain that they would have returned to the UK. Kim Clarke Benefits Consultant Almeria

Most of us vegans do understand about the balance of nature.

But for heirs to the English throne to be seen as blood-sport killers while espousing hypocritical ‘save the planet’ themes, enhances the movement to eradicate monarchy in favour of democratic republicanism.

Here in Spain the publicity surrounding the monarch’s elephant shoot has strengthened the popular calls for the return of the Republic.

Work need WHILE living in Spain as an expatriate has enabled me to enjoy many aspects of a more relaxed lifestyle, I fail to accept the all-too-frequent habit of many Spaniards who take breaks away from the workplace for breakfast or morning coffees.

With fairly short work shifts often in place, the nation - especially during tough economic times would benefit from a stronger work ethic.

Proof of the frequent-breaks habit is commonly seen around where I live, with a senior banker and his manager taking a 30-40 minute breakfast break each morning minutes after arriving for work, and the local Guardia Civil office locked up with a sign indicating ‘back shortly’ when officers go to a nearby cafe for coffee.

I feel the office should remain manned, with individual breaks....or better still, coffee and breakfast breaks taken in the workplace.

Audrey Smith Madrid M.Noble Alhaurin El Grande

Ross Jahanshahi London Ed: The Olive Press can put Greenburg’s victims in touch with each other if they want to plan joint action. Email us with your details.

Money back THE OP front page report Stop fobbing us off (Issue 181) produced a good result, for I have had notification from Niza Cars, saying it has paid my deposit into my bank account, with a copy of the transfer included.

Thanks for your help.

Christine Carter Essex

Shopping aim Niza row I TOOK part in making the map highlighted in your report of Nearest place to buy British goods: Alicante (Issue 181).

It is not as comprehensive as we would like, but the point is that we are looking for additional input from expats!

In terms of the big chains, such as Iceland, we will add a few but are really looking to promote independent shops.

While it is just a bit of fun eventually, hopefully, it could be a useful resource for expats!

Anyone with locations to add or amendments, please e.mail whichoff@gmail.com

I WAS a victim of Niza Cars but have now been alerted to your investigation. I am so glad to see that something is being done as I am still owed €380 after hiring a car last November.

I have a trail of emails promising me my money and do not believe their excuses about a change of bank etc.

Through the internet I have met at least six other people (French, Dutch, English) who are all owed money.

I fortunately eventually got repaid by my credit card company but I have reported Niza to the UK European Consumer Centre (Trading standards for the EU).

Jamie Waddell London

Jane Hulley Via email

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.

CROSSMOT 27 Across

1 Trunks (7) * 5 Desatar (5) * 8 Total (5) * 9 Huerto (7) * 10 Deeply (13) * 11 Fare (6) * 12 Voces (6) * 15 Contribuciones (13) * 18 Ninety (7) * 19 Brief (5) * 20 Escala (5) * 21 Our (7)

Down

1 Ruido Sordo (5) * 2 Al Aire Libre (7) * 3 Circunferencia (13) * 4 Espadas (6) * 5 Incómodo (13) * 6 Tren (5) * 7 Sin Fin (7) * 11 Heels (7) * 13 Más Cercano (7) * 14 Obtener (6) * 16 Bride (5) * 17 Ground (5)

A A

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ll about Issue 182

The Olive Press takes a look at the range of private education options in southern Spain and explores its advantages over local state schools

S

O you’ve taken the plunge and moved down to southern Spain with your family.

It’s a brave move… and even more so if children are involved.

For, while Andalucia is a wonderful place to live for its beaches, weather and allround quality of life, schooling can be a minefield.

Sitting near the bottom of the class in most indices for education standards in Spain, the region’s schools can be hit and miss.

While some are famously rated, others are classic sink schools, where you will be very much taking your chances.

Luckily though, there are other options, with the Costa del Sol alone supporting over two dozen ‘international schools’, while cities like Granada, Jerez and Cadiz have their own private options.

With 20% of the Costa del Sol’s population officially foreign, it’s perhaps not surprising that so many expat schools have opened here.

Marbella alone, which is home to more than 40,000 foreigners, is reported to have the largest concentration of international schools after Madrid and Barcelona.

But Malaga, Mijas, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Estepona and Sotogrande also have their fair share. There is even one in Almunecar, on the Costa Tropical of Granada.

The rise of the international schools can be attributed back to former dictator Franco who introduced tourism to the Costa del Sol in the 1960s as a way of combating poverty among the sleepy fishing ports.

Since then, a steady influx of foreigners has settled along the coast making it a true melting pot of cultures.

With English establishing itself as the lingua franca of the world and arguably the language of tourism, the region’s main source of income, British schools have flourished.

They are said to account for

Tips for choosing a new school lIgnore the glossy brochures - go to the school and see for yourself lMeet the head, meet the teachers, and meet the students lIf the students seem happy, chances are your child will be happy too lBe clear about what you want from a school - do lots of research lLook at the exam results. lFind out about opening or taster days

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 201419 19

ndalucia learning

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March 5 - March 19 2014

Schooling: It shouldn’t be an uphill battle!

two thirds of the international schools on the coast with Swans International School setting up in 1971, Sotogrande in 1978 and Aloha College in 1982.

The most recently set up international school, The British School of Marbella, opened in September 2010 and has already become well established and popular.

Most British schools are mem-

bers of the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) and are inspected regularly in a manner similar to the UK’s Ofsted inspections.

And it’s not just foreigners sending their children to international schools.

Many schools along the coast have a large number of Spanish pupils enrolling as parents realise that being fluent in an-

other language gives them a pre-escolar (basically nursery). distinct advantage in the job Well, that is apart from the cost of books, any trips and a unimarket. form (if there is Of course the one). school you There can be a However, there choose will dedivide and a two- are potential pend on many pitfalls with variables: disspeed learning state schools. tance from system with expats While younger home, budget, children often academic stanleft behind thrive in state dards and style schools and of teaching, etc.

The first main question is the integration of foreign kids whether to choose a Spanish is usually managed with skill state school or an international and consideration, older children with limited Spanish often school.

Current figures show that around have a hard time adjusting.

80% of expats actually send There are grim stories of sectheir children to the local state ondary schools where guiris schools (the colegios for primary are ignored by the teachers school children and institutos or and left entirely untutored.

And the later they start the more secondary school kids).

This has two very obvious advan- likely they will need a Spanish tages. The first is that the kids tutor charging as much as €20 will pick up Spanish effortlessly an hour, definitely something and, secondly, they should find worth thinking about when it easy to integrate quickly into working out the cost.

Furthermore, in some areas your new home country.

In fact, experts have suggested with large expat communities children under nine usually pick there has been a growing probup Spanish in just a year, simply lem in recent years of foreign pupils flooding some schools. by socialising with Spaniards.

The second benefit is that the In Andalucia, the number of forschooling comes free of charge eign pupils in Spanish schools from the age of three, when actually quadrupled between children can attend infantil or 1997 and 2001.

BATTLING TO LEARN: Young pupils from Sotogrande school on a day out to explore a castle

The result can sometimes be disrupted classes, inadequate teaching and poor exam results as teachers are unable to cope with so many non-Spanish speaking pupils.

In some schools, there can be a complete divide and a twospeed learning system emerges, with the expat kids largely being the ones left behind.

“It is fine if you get the kids into school early at a young age, but if they are nine or ten then they will find it harder,” said one English parent, whose two children have been through the local system in Manilva.

“They will almost certainly need some extra tuition and watching carefully.”

She continued: “It also helps if the parents get involved in the school and try to get to know the other Spanish parents.

Joining the parents/teacher association certainly helps.”

Another shortcoming of the Spanish education system is its methods.

The main criticism is that it is old-fashioned and uninspiring, forcing children to learn lessons by rote instead of by more modern, intuitive means.

In addition, little emphasis is put Turn to page 21

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XTRACURRICULAR activities for school children in Andalucia have reached weird and wonderful proportions.

Scuba diving, polo and ‘ultimate frisbee’ all have a slot at Sotogrande International School, while Swans offers its students street dance, yoga, ‘etiquette’ and ‘cheerleading’.

It’s two hours of compulsory golf once a week for all students at Sage school in Jerez, while at St George’s School students can take up roller-blading, ‘robotix’ and ‘funky hip-hop dancing’.

In a world of competitive job markets, these opportunities to develop an interest in something alternative, even obscure, can prove invaluable, as jobseekers constantly find that academic success isn’t enough.

Involvement in extracurricular activities helps education become a transforma-

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It’s about ‘interestingness’

The days of the chess club and amateur dramatics long gone, as international schools embrace a being the only afterschool activities on offer are far more creative range of possibilities

book, How to be a High-School Superstar, focuses on how extracurricular activities add to a student’s ‘interestingness’.

The book follows the stories of highschool graduates who receive offers at the best universities, despite their comparably light extracurricular schedules in a world where more is more.

Belonging “For these students, extracurricular As well as developing motivation, self-esactivities play a different role than for they use them instead to transform teem, and a heightened sense of belongtheir peers,” said Mr Newport. ing, extracurricular activities are shown “They don’t use activities to signal their themselves into more interesting peoto improve time-management and even qualities, such as leadership potential, ple.”

Mr Newport’s ‘interestingness hypothesis’ reveals why schools that offer a diverse range of From Page 19 extracurricular acschool qualifications, the Bachillerato.

International schools also provide what difficult outside of school. Although this is tivities produce such on the arts, with practically no drama and, This is a great advantage for children hop- most consider a better learning environ- changing by the year (see Reversing the high-achieving stuoften, little sport. So be prepared to scout ing to study abroad in later years, as stu- ment with smaller classes, and a more up- cultural vacuum, p22).

And with most of the children being from sim- dents. around for those extra afternoon tennis or bal- dents at international schools can often to-date relaxed approach to teaching.

“What’s important receive both local and international quali- As Catherine Davies, head of Swans school in ilar wealthy backgrounds it could be said that about an activity is let classes... and work out the extra expense.

Finally, foreign parents should also prepare fications upon graduation.

Marbella, adds: “You can go anywhere in the students at these schools might find them- not its impressivefor a long process if enrolling their child in a The main difference is that IB students world with an international education, it is like selves in something of a cultural bubble, shut ness, but its impact off from mainstream Spanish culture.

Spanish state school – as with everything in take six subjects, as opan international currency.” on your personality,” Spain it requires a lot of paperwork. And, like posed to three with A-level However, there are, of Overall there is no easy answer. It comes said Mr Newport. An You can go down to individual choice and whether you in the UK, a place is NOT guaranteed; you (see report on page 20). course, some downsides. anywhere in the The most obvious of these and your child place more importance on extracurricular acmight need to check a few different options. Another benefit of internativity has the potenIf you decide to opt for the international tional schools is the multiis the cost, with the fees integration or an easy transition and largely tial to really impact world with an route it will enable your children to ease cultural environment. ranging from €3,000 a a better education. a student’s personinternational their way into school in a foreign country, Many international schools year for primary school And then there is the factor of cost. It is ality when the stueducation offer a bilingual study prowith smaller classes taught in English. to between €6,000 and worth bearing in mind as well that while it’s dent is genuinely Some of them even follow a UK curriculum, gramme, accepting both €17,000 per year for sec- fairly easy to switch from a state school to a interested, and with with GCSEs and A-Levels, including EIC in Spanish and foreign pupils, ondary schools. This also private school, the reverse isn’t always true. a greater range on Marbella, which gets many pupils into top and most have over 20 different nationalities does not generally include books, materials, And one final hint to parents, if you do offer a student is all attending.

British universities, including Oxbridge. extracurricular activities, transport, and more, choose to send your child to a Spanish the more likely to school you should also learn to speak Increasingly the top schools are offering This gives students a chance to learn vari- which can all mount up as well. find an activity that the International Baccalaureate (IB) pro- ous languages, with English and Spanish Another downside is that children may Spanish well enough to communicate with produces this level gramme, as well as the local secondary often being taught hand in hand. find integration in their new country more your child’s teachers. of genuine interest. tive experience, allowing the student to develop skills that can’t be taught in the classroom.

It also better prepares them for the variety of challenges they will meet in the working world.

academic grades.

Many universities gain prestige through their involvement in extracurricular activities and seek out people who are able to contribute in these areas.

The international schools in Andalucia are lucky in that their geographical location allows the opportunity for this vast range of outdoor activities, from golf to water-sports.

But there is a greater motivation behind the diversity.

American author Cal Newport’s third

The great advantage of international schools

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British International Education 3-18 years Aloha College is a not-for-profit Educational Foundation

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Reversing the cultural vacuum

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A common reason to send your child to a Spanish state school is to help with integration, but times are changing as international schools get more Spanish by the year, writes Imogen Calderwood

ORE and more of Andalucia’s top international schools are tackling the myth that they operate in a cultural vacuum, by celebrating Spanish festivals and incorporating local traditions into their curriculums.

The advantages of sending

your kids to a state school in order to completely integrate into the country are being eroded all the time with a range of recent introductions.

Aloha College, in Marbella, for example, seizes any opportunity for a fiesta, celebrating several national festivals throughout the year, and

MYTH-BUSTING: Origin of the Andalucia ‘lisp’ THE prevalence of the ‘th’ sound in the Andalucian accent is a baffling addition for Spanish-speakers from outside the region, but the urban legend of the reason behind the ‘lisp’ is even more obscure.

The widely-quoted story tells the tale of a Spanish king with a lisp, whose population was so keen to please the monarch that they began to mimic his speech impediment until it had spread across the country.

The origins of the legend have been traced back to a chronicle of Lopez de Ayala, which stated that Pedro of Castile - the king of Castile and Leon from 1350 to 1369 - ‘lisped a little’.

While entertaining, the story has been widely discredited by scholars due to lack of evidence and total historical inaccuracy.

Pedro reigned in the 14th century, but the ‘th’, known as the ceceo, only began to develop in the 16th century.

last week’s Dia de Andalucia always get our other nationalities more involved in Spanproved to be no exception.

The celebrations included in- ish life,” said Chris French, viting parents and students Head of Business Studies at to sample traditional local Swans. produce, while the primary “While they’re with us we take school dressed up as the them to Granada and Sevilla green and white Andalucian and places, to get them more involved in the Spanish lifestyle.” flag.

Other schools choose to take up But these days increasing the cultural baton through offer- numbers of pupils at the ining traditional Spanish activities ternational schools are Spanish as local parents realise as extracurricular options.

Both Sotogrande Interna- the importance of an international School and St George’s tional education.

School, in Malaga, give their Some schools, such as the after-school offerings a very Benalmadena International Spanish twist with Sevillanas School, have seen a huge inand Flamenco dancing class- crease in Spanish students, as the numes, which have bers of Engbeen hugely We always try lish students popular addidropped drations. to get our other matically due Swans Innationalities to the recesternational involved in Spanish sion.

School in As a result, Marbella also life although the makes a huge children at effort to introduce their foreign students to international schools are taught in English, they are the local culture.

“We have a strong Spanish far more likely to mingle with children representation here, and Spanish-speaking

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FLAMENCO DAY: Getting dressed up Spanish-style at BSM Pedro, has over 500 students from 40 different nationalities and a similar number can be seen at most of the local international schools.

“The benefits of an international student body include the opportunity to learn languages and create a global network,” said John FoulkesJones, the acting Headmaster of Sotogrande.

“More than that, it allows educators to create an environment where you can actually teach internationalism, open students’ minds and promote tolerance.”

Education Consultant Paul Kelly, former Headmaster of Mayfair Academy in Marbella which has 20 to 30% Spanish pupils, added: “Pupils meet other students from so many different countries.

Massive Online Open The school commuCourses were all the nity is truly multicultural. rage in 2012, but have “This is such a valuthey taken off? Tom able opportunity as it awakens a curiosPowell takes a look ity for other cultures, rife in Africa, strong internet conlanguages, tradinections are not. tions and customs It appears Moocs are favoured by and even food from well-educated adults who are eaan early age.” ger to feast on the free education It is an obvious conbuffet. cern among expat The courses are extremely popuparents that their lar to start with but completion child integrates rates are dismal as the initial fully in the Spanish interest and self-satisfaction sublifestyle, but many side. don’t realise this The fact they offer no accredited qualification at the end is likely anisn’t solely down other turn off as educational merit to their choice of alone might not be enough to inspire school. the stamina and discipline needed There is wide conto devote several hours a week. sensus among schools, both state and international, A Mooc point that for total integraOthers are put off by the peer tion the family too marking aspect, having mystery must get involved. classmates on the other side of the As Kelly concluded: planet offering feedback on their “Effort and attitude work as opposed to the professor varies considerably running the course.

But maybe this all a Mooc point from family to famisince a Guardian survey found ly. Some are content that only 8% of people in Britain never to venture had even heard of them. into ‘Spanish’ situFor now, an extensive and diations, while others verse list of free online courses make every effort from universities remains as the to integrate and world waits to see if they are join sports clubs merely a passing fad, an eduetc. and have much cational milestone or a possible more exposure to threat to the traditional univerthe language.” sity model.

outside of the classroom.

This is the opposite of what often occurs in Spanish state schools, where the Englishspeaking students (who sometimes number up to 50% of the classes) tend to flock together.

Besides the British and Spanish pupils, international schools are made up of a great number of different nationalities allowing for a learning environment that stretches across the world.

For example Laude, in San

Mooc ado about nothing

T

HEY were hailed as a giant step towards universally accessible education, with no fee, no enrolment criteria and no time or geographical constraints.

They made university-level education available for anyone with enthusiasm and an internet connection.

Massive Online Open Courses (Moocs) attracted widespread attention in 2012, labeled the ‘year of the Mooc’ by the New York Times, and the Open University went on to announce partnerships with 29 British universities, including Warwick and Southampton.

Millions began undertaking Moocs in a vast range of subjects, from Chinese relic history to the workings of the human mind, involving several hours a week of online reading, videos and exercises.

But two years down the line Moocs still don’t seem to have worked out who are they are aimed at, or ultimately what the point is.

Some think Moocs are for people in developing countries or those who cannot afford a university education.

Others suggest they are tasters, intended to lure prospective students to universities.

Either way, the fact that 80% of those registered with UK-based Mooc provider FutureLearn already have a higher education qualification shows neither is the case.

Lesser developed countries are simply not getting a look-in. While the enthusiasm to learn may be

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New international school for Estepona

A NEW school is to be constructed close to the EsteponaMarbella border in the area of Diana Park.

Mayfair International Academy is moving from its location by Atalaya Park to the new 6,000 m² site with excellent access facilities.

Emma-Maria Robertson, the Administrative Director for the school that was inaugurated 17 years ago by the Countess of Coventry, told the Olive Press the team was looking to expand and increase facilities for the future. ¨Our architect has been working very closely with Estepona planning department and the Junta and we are delighted with the cooperation that both these entities have given to our project.

“Estepona Town Hall has been incredible and has given us every assistance and much encouragement.

“As well as more educational facilities the new Academy will have a larger swimming pool, more sports amenities, ample parking and excellent access.

A critical factor in our original objective, when Mayfair Academy was inaugurated, was the staff-student ratio which allows excellent support and guidance to every student based on his or her specific abilities, interests and ambitions.

“We have not lost sight of this objective and intend to main-

ducation

Being part o the te

DELIGHTED: Emma-Maria tain our small class numbers to ensure that each and every student can maximise their potential.¨ The new academy will initially accommodate 450 students, and there will be a second phase for future expansion.

The building has been designed by local architect, Tony Murphy, who will utilise the latest conservation technology and it will be constructed by local builders, creating jobs for local people.

When completed there will be some 45 staff excluding outside contractors.

Mayfair International Academy is an Examination Centre for UCLES (Cambridge), AQA and Edexcel for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level examinations and the International Diploma. It achieves a 70% pass rate at A to C level.

Taking part in sports – a day – is part of the routi School of Marbella (BSM

T

HE benefits of daily exercise are i tant and go well beyond developin muscles.

We all want children to grow up and skills needed to succeed in life. B children is getting the recommended le 60 minutes daily.

Studies show that physical activity not o healthy, but it can enhance important sk solving, which can improve academic perfo At the British School of Marbella (BSM), th gramme that sees the children take part in ing swimming, tennis and team games.

The programme is very popular with both are the children active and fit but they l sportsmanship.

ACTIVE: Pupils at BSM take part in activities from sailing to horse riding

SETTING THE STANDARD...

NO le th th Th as ta

Mayfair International Academy is on course for another

Reuben Cook

Vicky Shanks

outstanding year academically and in student achievement in sports.

It just goes to show that real dedication and personal attention from our highly dedicated teachers really does make a difference. Well done to all of our students for your hard work, we are very proud of you.

ers:

tar Perfom Some of Our S

hools from mpiad. Seven sc

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victory in the led his team to , 11 ar Ye n Roque area. , k o o e highest competition. e year in the Sa al th • Reuben C nu of an on e rs th d for gaining th pe in ar ts rt w or A pa r Sp ne ok e al ar to l m Le Fe Costa del So this award). ding Cambridge won the title of student has won with an Outstan lington,Year 7, d ir fa r te el ay en W M es y a il pr e m as tim E w • 13, d Gold medal fo econd hevskaya,Year uage Russian (s inning a Silver an is w ng an ly La t Y nt rs a ce Fi n re n , in A t m • en or ing world by st r High Achievem ifted Youth. to take the fenc s mark in Spain fo ue ry. in go nt te co ca Gateway for G 9, ’s l en ar na m Ye io , e at n th o rn in te gt n In al e • Mia Welli the Bronze med part in IGGY, th g. d also winning selected to take , in wakeboardin 11 ry ar go te Ye , ca k ’ o Great Britain an ys o C Bo ls en na b io eu at R N ne and Jumping. t in the Spanish • Aaron Pay nal Level in Show 8, was ranked 1s io ar at Ye rn t, te In ar w at te te • Daniel S inues to compe ks,Year 13, cont an h S y k ic V •

. e list goes on..

and th

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Th en an sib Th ot pa Ug Th

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g of eam

Game on to learn the lingo

at least an hour a ine at The British M)

incredibly far reaching and imporng cardiovascular fitness and firm

healthy and with the knowledge But a big part of being healthy for evel of physical activity - at least

only helps children stay active and kills like concentration and problem ormance. he children have a daily sports pron a variety of sports activities includ-

h children and parents as not only learn the values of team work and

PROBLEM SOLVING: Active pupils, like these at BSM, do better academically

A force for good

OT many schools can boast their own studented, non-governmental organisation (NGO), but he Sotogrande international school is one of hem. he Kindred Project, registered in Gibraltar in 2010 s an independent NGO, focuses on the imporance of education as a force for good.

Force for good

he project claims that education is necessary to ncourage all other human rights, and freedom nd peace can only exist where learning is posble. he students work in conjunction with many ACCESS: Education is key to human rights ther organisations around the world, with artners in Morocco, India, Ecuador, Spain and ‘Force for Good’ programme, which aims to build more sustainable livelihoods for communities ganda. he organisation’s main current project is the through increasing the quality of and access to education.

For the ‘Asni Project’, one of many additional projects, students have collaborated with Association Tiwizi in Morocco for more than five years.

CHILDREN, families This collaboration and staff celebrated has involved founding the Russian Maslennumerous entrepreitsa Day at the British neurship schemes in School of Marbella in the community, inFebruary. cluding: saffron growMaslenitsa Day is a ing projects, digging traditional festival and planting a cactus that waves goodbye boundary, the conto the winter and welstruction of a well, comes the spring. and the development During the special day of a sustainable rural of celebrations a numtourism business. ber of Russian parThe Kindred Project ents helped organise integrates with the native games, songs school’s Global Citizenand dances while ship Programme, which children dressed up encourages students in colourful Russian to learn through seeing style clothing before themselves in the conenjoying several huntext of contemporary dred pancakes. world issues.

Moscow in Marbella

THOSE who are struggling to learn Spanish may be in luck with a new app which turns language learning into a video game.

‘Learn Spanish 6000 Words’ includes three difficulty levels, extra words to unlock and a series of special learning games and quizzes.

The Spanish language is the fourth most spoken in the world, boasts some world-famous literature and is the native tongue in Europe’s most popular tourist destination, so it is worthwhile learning.

The app can be downloaded free of charge to any android device and contains 15 different thematic options covering aspects of the language.

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Let’s get native The Olive Press takes a look at the variety of ways you can improve your Spanish and what to look out for in a course.

By Imogen Calderwood

N

O one wants to be the expat who can’t speak the language, but starting out on the road to being bilingual can be hugely intimidating.

There are many different options and the indecipherable lists of schools online would put off even the most enthusiastic of students.

But here, The Olive Press has broken down all you need to know about picking the best language lessons for you.

ALONE OR IN A GROUP?

The first choice you face is whether you want to be taught alone or as part of a group, and both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

If you go solo you’ll have 100% of the tutor’s attention, making your lessons more intensive and solely structured around you.

But many people find a group learning environment more beneficial, and that a sense of camaraderie boosts their enthusiasm.

Learning from your peers is invaluable, and if you’ve recently moved here language classes can be a good way to meet like-minded people in a similar situation.

There is much debate over whether solo or group classes are more effective, but ultimately this choice is down to what you feel will suit you best.

FINDING A TUTOR

There are many ways of tracking down a tutor, the most useful way in a smaller town is to check ads in local newspapers and other community areas like post of-

TUCKING IN: Edible learning

GETTING THE LINGO: Pupils at La Janda in Vejer study AND dance fices and newsagents.

If you’re in a larger town or city, there are a number of websites where tutors advertise that ensure a level of legitimacy.

Try www.language-school-teachers.com, a website that allows you to search for tutors by city. Or www.spanishteachermalaga. com, which focuses on Malaga, Marbella and the Costa del Sol. The key factor for choosing a personal tutor is to find someone who you get on well with.

Don’t be afraid of asking for a discounted first lesson, to make sure that the tutor is the kind of person you’re looking for.

FINDING A GROUP CLASS

The search for a group class can be even more baffling, as language schools tend to employ more persuasive marketing tactics than personal tutors and there are a lot more factors to consider.

Be clear in your own mind what you’re looking for and you can simplify the search before it even begins.

These are the main factors to consider:

TYPE OF COURSE

The intensity of timetabling varies greatly from course to course. Some schools offer six hours of lessons a day, while others offer a couple of hours a week.

Take into consideration how much time you want to dedicate to your lessons before choosing a course.

In terms of class sizes, smaller classes are nearly always preferable, as they ensure you will get more time with the tutor and

the class will progress more quickly.

Look for schools that specify a number of pupils in each class, as the ones that don’t are likely to accepting applications until the class is too big to handle.

Check credentials of the teaching staff The schools that show the credentials are proud of the quality of their staff. The better the staff, the better the teaching.

Find out where other students are from You’ll find that many schools cater to specific nationalities. Although it doesn’t sound very PC, this has its basis in the language. If your class is predominantly Portuguese or Italian, it is likely to move a lot quicker as the vocabulary and grammar is so similar and you may struggle to keep up.

Are other cultural activities on offer?

Many schools offer other opportunities to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture, including cookery and dance lessons.

Some schools operate a ‘20+5’ system, which consists of 20 hours of Spanish lessons a week “We offer a true Spanish expe- with five additional hours of ‘exrience, in an exceptional natu- tracurricular’ lessons included in ral environment and excellent the price. location with a wide variety of One school Pueblo Ingles is a tocombination courses, such tal immersion school where you as yoga, flamenco, horse rid- go and live in a stunning rural ing, surf courses, all taught in location in northern Spain for Spanish!,” explained a spokes- a week, just speaking Spanish. man.

Check if they’re members of any associations Traditional FEDELE is a federation of six For a more urban city experi- smaller associations in Spain. ence, try the well established It includes around 90 schools Tenidiomas, which has been and ensures high teaching teaching Spanish to foreigners standards, and takes out some and English to the locals in the of the risk elements. picturesque sherry producing town of Jerez de la Frontera LTM Star Awards since 1982.

This is an award ceremony for Just an hour’s drive from Gi- the best language schools in the braltar, Jerez remains a truly world. There are five or six nomitraditional Andalucian enclave nees and one winner in each and the perfect place to learn, country category. You can view practice and improve your past winners and nominees on Spanish language skills.

Hot House Media website.

Levels from Basic to Advanced, A final word of advice - don’t take DELE exam preparation and reviews too seriously. Everyone the ever popular ‘Language of will have their recommendations Sherry’ course which combines and while it’s good to hear some language tuition with visits to different views, bear in mind that vineyards and wineries. choosing a school is a very perContact Carlota Rylance on 956 sonal decision.

324 707, or e-mail info@tenidi- What’s right for everyone else omas.com. Visit lajanda.org might not be right for you.

A crucible of learning SPAIN has got a fantastic range of language schools on offer.

From the more traditional local ones at most urbanisations along the Costa del Sol, to the most incredible rural escapes like Pueblo Ingles, the country has it all.

Here in the region of Andalucia,

a couple of excellent ones are worth considering.

Located in the historical part of Vejer, La Janda is one of the most inspirational.

Set in the stunningly beautiful pueblos blancos it is just 10km away from the awe-inspiring beaches of La Costa de La Luz.

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Why choose to train to teach English in Cádiz with Active Language?

•5-week full-time and 9-month part-time courses •Guaranteed job offers and life-long careers support •High quality, individualised tuition •Teaching Younger Learners Extension option on every course •Option to study Spanish •Only TESOL course on the south coast of Spain, in the oldest city in Western Europe!

Our next 5-week course starts on June 30th 2014. Places are limited but currently still available.

Visit www.activelanguage.net or call 00 34 956221426

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The Olive Press runs a rule over seven of the region’s top schools

The report card

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University College – Marbella Design Academy

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: T o C c A CONT yfairacademy. www.ma ICE: FOR CHO nd REASONS a broad a y provideswhich is enriched em d ca A Mayfair ced curriculum extra-curricular well balannced by a choice ofents to meet and enha enabling all studstaff are totally activities of the school. The h quality the aims d to providing hig idual has the committe so that every indivt they need to teaching ement and suppor and socially. encourag oth academically l is to provide achieve, b ophy of the schoo r future success The philoswith a platform fot and support and students g encouragemen lise their full by offerinall students to rea allowing potential.

952 457 090/ www.designschool.com

REASONS FOR CHOICE: University College Marbella Design Academy is a state-recognised international design college offering three year courses in Interior Architecture, Graphic Design and Fashion Design at Bachelor degree level.

With 19 years of experience, and a dynamic and professional team of tutors, it competes with the best design schools in the world and is validated by Middlesex University in London. Each academic year is quality controlled by external examiners appointed

by Middlesex and the tuition is given in English in a family-like atmosphere among students and staff. The maximum number of students is 230 and courses begin in January and in September.

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ernatio nde Int

a Sotogr NAME: ande Sotogr : N IO LOCAT 1978 D: E D N -Jones U FO oulkes te John F laurea l Bacca a n HEAD: io t Interna .sis.ac ULUM: / www 2 0 9 CURRIC ts 5 studen 956 79 cord of hrough from 5 e r : T k C c A a yt 62 a tr CONT t the wa ICE: are now nd and ing R CHO ckgrouers the IB righars and there en and Board O a F b S ic N m a O f e t e f r S s y d o a A a w e l g c o E o h r a t o ll e R ong ies, the sch rown over Kind he school fo that g as a str plus a t it As well g top univers he school hasnationalities, racy Moxley, e understand theirs T T .

W in t e “ r n e y : g e find uiring t r a r a id en ary st q 0 diffe of them She sa Second the Primts from over 4 the Head of tic learning. we help each with lively, in be o t o s d s , n t t li e n y o g n d a ll e h stu cordin d-focused, ning styles evelop stud d analytica sionate c A . e s d s il n ar pa to Hou phy of ch nally a ty of le e keen hool is al philoso n have a varieassion. We ar n, think ratiogoals.” The sc through Glob couraged e p io e r t ld child cover their ity to ques n to achiev to the wor udents are enconfident and diswith the abil the motivatiog a differenceed Project. St and become be fun minds e and to have and makin , The Kindr and drama learning can creativ he Arts, sport its own NGOual art, musicbelieves that about t ship and hass through vis hool strongly Citizeness themselve uals. The sc to expr s and individtic results. learner oduce fantas and pr

NAME: BRITISH SCHOOL OF MARBELLA LOCATION: Marbella FOUNDED: September 2010 HEAD: Sian Kirkham CURRICULUM: English National Curriculum CONTACT: 952779264 / www.bsm.org.es/home/ InternationalSchool/en/ REASONS FOR CHOICE: “We are a British School with clear aims, a standardised curriculum and high academic standards,” explains Sian Kirkham, Head Teacher.

“Though traditional and formal in style, we are also progressive, dynamic and have a modern approach to teaching and learning. We combine the rigours of classroom work with a welcoming learning environment. Children are encouraged to do their best at whatever they attempt, and to achieve their full potential in all areas. Our staff set the very highest standards, not only academically, but also in terms of behaviour and social skills.

NAME: Laude San Pedro International College LOCATION: San Pedro de Alcántara

NAME: LOCATION:

FOUNDED: in 2007

2004, became part of LAUDE Group

HEAD:

Remedios Lopez Padilla

CURRICULUM: UK National Curriculum with sixth form students completing the A-levels.

CONTACT:

952 799 900 / www.laudesanpedro.com

REASONS FOR CHOICE: The prestigious Laude Group is a Spanish group with seven other schools in Spain and one in the UK. This means, according to Head Teacher Remedios López Padilla, that although it is a British co-educational school Laude has a Spanish flavour. There are over 600 students from more than 40 different countries studying at Laude.

It is housed in new premises and boasts outstanding facilities considered some of the best of any school in this part of Spain. And the school offers a strong extra-curricular programme, particularly in sports and dramatic arts with a popular dance programme.

Most importantly, according to Remedios López the school ethos is based on looking at the need of every child, with the accent not on how they teach, but on how children learn.

She said: “We look at the paradigm from the point of view of the learners and what they want to do. It is important because every child is different.”

NAME: LOCATION: FOUNDED:

FOUNDED:

Aloha College Marbella 1982

HEAD:

Elizabeth Batchelor CURRICULUM: Pri Foundation Stage 1 mary School begins with the themed units ofand continues through Primary Curriculum the International School it is IGCSE (IPC). In the Secondary university Internat at 16 and the preional Baccalaureate Diploma or A-level pro grammes.

CONTACT: 952 814 133 / www.a lohacollege.com REASONS FOR CHOIC E: Aloha College is a no run by a charitable t-for-profit organisation trust with a Board of Trustees compose school: all surplus inc d of parents of the development and im ome is reinvested in the The Foundation’s staprovement of the college. to a maximum of 20 tutes limit class sizes are smaller. The ma although most classes form. The main nat ximum is 12 in sixth Spanish with aroundionalities are British and making up the total 45 other nationalities pupils.There is contiof approximately 750 facilities and annual nual investment in the already excellent ex improvements in the primary aims are to amination results. The knowledge, experie enlarge each student’s develop a set of monce and imagination and spirit of internationral principles, within a al understanding and interchange.

Swans International School Marbella 1971

HEAD: Catherine Davies (secondary) and Karen Kearns (primary) CURRICULUM: IGCSEs, including ESO for native Spanish speakers followed by the International Baccalaureate Diploma CONTACT: 952 773 248 or 952 902 755 / www.swansschoolinternational.es admin@swansschool.net for secondary and info@swansschool.net for primary.

REASONS FOR CHOICE: Swans International School continues to provide an excellent international education to students from 3 to 18 years. With over 30 nationalities on-roll we pride ourselves on the fact that all our students begin university with every advantage that a multi-cultural upbringing can provide.

Our teachers are dedicated, fully trained professionals, who help our students achieve their full potential at every stage of their education, whether in Early years or during their IB diploma studies. The physical environment for learning is one of the best on the Costa del Sol, with vibrant, spacious classrooms, up-to-date resources and excellent facilities.

“We are very fortunate to have combined a dedicated team, with a fabulous campus located in the centre of Marbella. Together, with rich academic resources and the use of state-ofthe-art technologies, it allows BSM to provide a first rate education for the children. We aim to instil, from the very youngest age, the ability for critical thinking and reasoning, while gaining essential social and learning skills, which will be integral to their school life.”

HOOL O F SC

T DO

CE

RBELL MA

BRITISH HE

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

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The British School of Marbella

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Property

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 201431 31

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

Bargain basement A third of Spanish homes are on sale for under €100,000 ALMOST one third of Spanish houses are on the market for less than €100,000.

The number sold at that price or less over the past 12 months is even higher - around 64% - according to property site Globaliza.com.

The figure has surged from 2.9% before the onset of the economic crisis and ensuing collapse of the real estate market.

A staggering 68% of houses in Sevil-

By Claire Wilson la were sold for less than €100,000 in 2013.

Burst bubble

The average property is a three room flat, 83m² in size, located in middle class areas of towns and cities.

These properties have lost around 48% of their market value over the past six years.

Housing in Malaga, meanwhile, has lost over half its value, 56%, since the property bubble burst. A total of 16 percentage points of this decline has come in the past year.

A report by estate agent Technocasa found that factors affecting prices in Malaga are as simple as the availability of a lift in an apartment block; those with the facility are priced an average 12% higher than those withDROP: Values have plummeted out.

Spanish savers choose London

SPANISH investors have been ploughing money into London’s booming property market in a bid to protect their savings, according to a study.

Research from the Said Business School, in Oxford, found a direct correlation between house price rises in certain parts of the UK capital and times of economic hardship in Spain.

London has become known as a safe haven for money, with a continued and disproportionate rise in house prices compared to the rest of the country.

The study found that areas with relatively low income levels (where there are large concentrations of Spanish immigrants) experienced price bumps following the worst

time of uncertainty in Spain over the past two decades.

Millionaire

This means that it isn’t just Spanish millionaires who have been insuring themselves against economic and political uncertainty at home.

According to a recent report in El Mundo, the number of

Float on BIG SMOKE: London officially registered Spanish residents in the UK jumped from 57,350 at the end of 2009 to 73,659 by the end of 2012, although the real number is estimated to be 150,000.

The highest numbers of Spanish-born residents according to the 2001 census were in Kensington, Regent’s Park and Chelsea, all in west London.

Big deals to be had at property show THE second Marbella International Property Show is taking place next week at the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel.

The event, which runs from March 18 to 21, will showcase luxury properties in Marbella, Estepona and Benahavis, many of which are on sale with discounts of up to 50%.

The majority, 90%, of properties are owned by the banks.

Financing of up to 70% will be available on most houses.

There will also be speakers, advice, and a number of seminars.

Entry is free.

For more information, visit www.marbellainternationalpropertyshow. com

OPPORTUNITIES: Marbella center

REAL ESTATE investor Grupo Lar is launching an initial public offering (IPO) to raise €400m for its Lar Espana Real Estate unit that will focus on distressed commercial real estate and housing.

It is the first Spanish stock market flotation since 2011.

News IN BRIEF

Empty places SPAIN accounts for almost a quarter of all empty properties across Europe. There are 3.4 empty buildings in the country, enough to house the continent’s estimated four million homeless people. There are 11 million properties sitting empty across Europe.

Golden era SOME of the first ‘golden visas’ have been granted to Chinese nationals.

A businesswoman from Shanghai, who spent €520,000 on apartments in Barcelona and Madrid, was one of the first to receive a residency permit.

Top of the props ANDALUCIA registered the largest number of property sales in Spain last year, with a reported 66,841 dwellings sold.

Catalonia was second, with 47,771 and Valencia third with 47,649 according to the Association of Property Registrars.

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Property

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MAD FOR IT

Spaniards are still the world’s most fervent homeowners, despite the crisis SPAIN is still home to the world’s largest number of homeowners, despite the crippling recession.

An incredible 83% of Spaniards still own their homes, despite the high unemploy-

By Claire Wilson ment rate and the five-year housing crisis.

Statistics show that a further 27% of Spaniards also own a second or holiday home, reported the Bank of Spain.

This is despite around a quarter of those second homeowners still having mortgage debts due on their primary home.

Mini boom in the Golden Triangle LUXURY housing in Malaga’s so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ is leading the way in the resurrection of the construction industry.

The ‘Golden Triangle’, made up of Marbella, Estepona and Benahavis, is seeing an increase in both the sales of homes and in the construction of luxury housing.

During January and February of this year, Marbella Town Hall has seen an increase of 20% in the licences for luxury homes.

So far the town hall has authorised licences for 18 new housing projects with a combined worth of over €9million.

If construction carries on at this pace, the number of projects for 2014 could be double that of last year, which ended with a total of 64 licences issued.

But Pablo Moro, the councillor in charge of townplanning in Marbella, emphasises the need for cau-

Vacant

INCREASE: Marbella

tion in analysing the data.

“What we are seeing in this data is that the growth curve from last year is continuing,” said Mr Moro.

According to data provided by the Malaga College of Architects, in the period between January 1 2012 and the current date, 119 houses have been built with a building cost of more than €300,000.

Of these housing projects, 62% were in Marbella, with the rest in Benahavis, Estepona, Manilva and Ojen, and two in Antequera.

The majority of homes were built by British, Scandinavian and other European buyers.

House prices have fallen around 40% since 2007, and have yet to bottom out.

Estimates suggest prices could fall a further 10%.

About 584,000 dwellings are vacant in Spain, waiting to be sold, the government estimates.

The data revealed about 90% of Spanish families owned some sort of property in 2011, and dwellings accounted for 84% of the household wealth.

Half of all households in Spain have some sort of debt to pay with the average value of debt being €42,900.

Young families are especially burdened: 81% of young families, those where the main bread winner is under 35, have property-related debts.

Property

33

www.theolivepress.es

The Property Insider by

Vendor beware: A brief guide to selling your home, part 2

W

HEN you sell a property in Spain, there are various taxes you are required to pay to municipal and national authorities, on gains in the value of the land and capital gains, as well as any mortgage cancellation costs.

Once a sale is completed, the seller is liable for various taxes which must be paid to different authorities. The first is the Impuesto de Plusvalía (equivalent to capital gains tax), which is charged by your local town hall. This is calculated as a percentage of the change in value of the land on which the property stands and varies from town to town.

It’s worth noting that, even if you sell your property at a loss in terms of the sale price being lower than the price you paid, you can still be liable for this tax, as it is charged on the increase in value over the term of ownership, rather than prices paid.

Obviously, the longer you have owned a property, the higher the tax. I heard about a recent case where someone who had owned a property for more than 20 years had to pay a plusvalía of €50,000. So, it is vital you calculate this cost before you put your property on the market or agree a selling price.

Then, there’s the Impuesto sobre la Renta (the equivalent of income tax), which is payable to Hacienda (Spain’s central tax authorities). The taxable base is the difference between the original purchase price (plus taxes and costs incurred) and the sale price (minus taxes and costs), and is calculated depending on the seller’s status.

For resident vendors, this is levied as part of

Adam Neale

your income tax declaration. For nonresidents, the rate is 21% of the taxable base. To offset this tax, the buyer is obliged to retain and pay 3% of the purchase price to Hacienda. If there is no gain, the seller can request a refund, but Hacienda will not return the 3% withholding until all the vendor’s taxes are paid up to date (including income tax and wealth tax, if applicable).

Costs

If your property is mortgaged and the mortgage is to be paid off when the sale is completed, then all the costs incurred are normally the responsibility of the seller.

Finally, one of the biggest costs for sellers in Spain is the commission paid to estate agents.

This is normally 5% of the agreed sales price, plus VAT. To sellers from overseas, this may seem high but this is an open, competitive marketplace and unless your agent works out of a bar (and some do) every agent I know that has charged less eventually goes out of business (ED: Come on!)

All the other costs which arise from the sale of a property and its transfer to another owner – land registry fees, transfer tax and VAT, the notary’s fees for the new escritura, and the Impuesto sobre Actos Jurídicos Documentados (AJD, the equivalent to stamp duty) – are usually paid by the buyer.

Terra Meridiana. 77 Calle Caridad, 29680 Estepona.

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Buying or selling property in Spain?

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 201435 35

The Olive Press fortnightly business section taking a look at the Spanish economy and offering tips on how to save AND make money

Turning five with a very big smile

HE certainly had good reason to celebrate.

And it was perhaps appropriate that WhatsApp boss Jan Koum should be having a big night out with one of the world’s richest techies Mark Zuckerberg (left).

The pair were spotted partying at restaurant Boujis in Barcelona just days after it was announced that Zuckerberg’s company Face-

book had bought WhatsApp for $19 billion.

They were photographed hanging out with Korean singer Psy after spending the day at the Mobile World Congress conference.

The free messaging service, which has a 96% penetration rate in Spain, turned five on the PARTY: Reason to celebrate same day.

Streets of gold

THE number of disabled people setting up their own businesses in Spain shot up by 12% in 2013.

A total of 1,994 new businesses headed up by someone registered disabled were started last year.

There are now 16,603 self-employed workers with disabilities, up from 14,609 in 2012.

The news follows that of the surge in female entrepreneurship as a result of the economic downturn.

A total of 800,000 new businesses have been registered by women since 2007 as they look to make their own opportunities against a backdrop of economic turmoil.

Helping the small firms BANKIA is to increase its lending to small businesses in a bid to improve its profitability.

The bailed out bank, which last month announced a return to profit, is seeking to diversify its loan portfolio and reduce its reliance on mortgages.

The move is good news for Spain’s struggling small businesses which have been hit by reduced access to credit since the onset of the financial crisis.

SPAIN’S public debt is en route to surpassing total annual economic output, after reaching 93.7% of GDP in 2013. It stood at $1.317 trillion, three times higher than at the start of the crisis in 2008.

SPAIN’S exports to the UK increased by 14% last year. The surge is being attributed to the increased competitiveness of Spanish goods as a result of recession-driven falling inflation and lower labour costs.

Good mood

By Claire Wilson

Disabled getting enabled

Debt pile

Exports up

A series of Spanish roads among the most expensive in the world to rent

SHOP owners in Barcelona’s Portal del Angel are forking out some of the highest rents in the world.

Businesses must shell out a staggering €3,180 per square metre per year, making the street the 15th most costly globally.

Another Barcelona street, Passeig de Gracia and three in Madrid, including Calle

BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Calle Larios

Serrano and Calle Jose Ortega y Gasset come in the Top 100.

Spain’s second most expensive street however is Calle Preciados in central Madrid, costing €2,880 a square metre.

The study

In Andalucia, Malaga’s Calle Larios came in at 145th in the poll costing €1,740 per square metre, while Calle Tetuan in Sevilla costs €1,440 per square metre.

Palma’s main street Jaime III came in the Top 100 costing €1,020 per square

Calle Preciados

metre.

The study was carried out

by Cushman & Wakefield as part of their annual Main streets across the world report.

The real estate giant studied rent prices of the 333 most expensive shopping precincts in 64 countries.

Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay is the world’s most expensive, at €24,983 per square metre.

New York’s 5th Avenue is in second place at €20,702 per square metre to rent, followed by the Champs Élysées in Paris at €13,255 per square metre.

Santander slap down

GRAVE INFRACTION: Santander has been fined €16.9 million

BANCO Santander has been fined €16.9 million for giving insufficient information to bond buyers before the financial crisis.

Spain’s biggest bank was deemed to have committed a ‘very grave infraction’ by the market regulator, CNMV. The Eurozone’s biggest lender sold €7 billion of its convertible bonds in 2007 to fund

No threats EFFORTS to reform the Spanish finance sector have substantially reduced the likelihood of threats spreading from banks to the rest of the economy, according to the IMF. The fifth and final report from an 18-month programme concluded the raft of changes had been successfully implemented.

its purchase of Dutch financial group ABN Amro.

But the financial crisis sent Santander’s shares plummeting, which translated into huge losses for investors.

By the time the bonds were exchanged into shares in 2012, the stock had plummeted to around half its value.

It led to investors at Santander’s annual shareholder meeting to call on executives to provide redress.

Santander denies any wrongdoing and has announced it will appeal.

The fine came on the same day as Jaime Botín, the younger brother of Emilio Botin, the executive chairman of Santander, was fined another €500,000 for not fully disclosing his holdings in Spanish retail bank Bankinter.

Calle Tetuan above and Portal de l’Angel left

MOODY’S has raised Spain’s sovereign credit rating by one notch, thanks to progress in reforms to put the economy on a more sustainable track.

Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the rating to Baa2 from Baa3, and gave the country a ‘positive outlook’, suggesting the potential of a further upgrade.

36 36

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

AGONY ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Brief encounter Antonio Flores, of Lawbird, on an increase of lawyers being sued for negligence

E

VERY so often we get enquiries from disgruntled clients, claiming that their legal case has been seriously damaged by the negligence of SUPERJUDGE: Garzon in the dock their lawyer.

But whenever the idea of suing another Astonishingly, when you make a search brief is raised in a meeting, the victim on one of many legal libraries now availtends to get cold feet, arguing that ‘lawyers able online, using the words ‘abogado tend to stick up for each other’ and hate negligencia’ (or legal negligence) the resuing other lawyers. sult shows a whopping 5,221 court rulThis is certainly the perings! ception among foreigners So it might be that we Good lawyers on the coast. And the truth need to embrace the motto is there are no specialists of a known Miami-based always want in legal malpractice and it malpractice lawyer, Warto police their is never pleasant suing anren Trazenfeld, who some other lawyer… indeed you years back said: “Good lawprofession need a tough skin to feel yers always want to police comfortable in this practheir profession, they betice. lieve that lawyers who have Yet there are now more and more articles damaged their clients should be held acdevoted to legal malpractice being pub- countable.” lished, quoting relevant rulings and other Well said. We at Lawbird will certainly drink interesting material on the issue. to that. Contact aflores@lawbird.com

GROWTH

But there is no room for complacency, PM insists in his annual ‘state of the nation’ address

THE government has announced a round of tax cuts and job creation incentives over the next year.

It comes as Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also insisted the economy would grow by 1% this year, up from the last forecast of 0.7%.

In his annual ‘state of the nation’ address he added that the country’s economy would grow by 1.5% in 2015.

He claimed his tough austerity measures of the last few years had helped move things along, and insisted that Spain is now seen as ‘a motor’, rather than ‘a burden’, for Europe.

Confidence

“The possibility of a rescue, of abandoning the euro, a lack of confidence, are words that no longer deserve a mention,” he said.

But he warned Spain could not become complacent, particularly as unemployment is likely to remain high.

To reduce the unemployment rate, Rajoy said social security contributions on new contracts would immediately be cut to a flat fee of €100 a month during the first two years.

The government will also exempt workers earning less than €12,000 per year from paying income tax from 2015, when Spain is scheduled to hold its next general election.

“Now is the time to encourage the creation of stable employment with a new and significant reduction in social charges,” Rajoy said.

Income taxes will also be reduced for mid-

Market mumbles

I

with Mark Rickard

Bumpy across the pond, better here

T is almost five years to the day that the UK reduced its interest rates to a mere 0.5%… and it remains unchanged!

Europe may still have to join us at 0.5% in the months ahead to steer off deflationary conditions taking root.

However, for the time being the Eurozone is holding its nerve and it seems to be paying off with Germany, France and Spain all delivering ontarget economic indicators for January.

This week the Bank of England and European Central Bank will be making their decision for another month while the Europeans will be running out of tools to stimulate spending.

Everyone is hoping the slight upturn in January continues into the spring.

Meanwhile the US is also facing a bumpy road ahead and the big chill across the pond has only made it bumpier.

UK

talk radio europe

dle and lower incomes and new deductions for families will be created as part of an overhaul of the tax system that will affect 12 million people, Rajoy said.

“Now that the sacrifices Spanish society has made are bearing fruit, the time has come to soften the demands that were forced upon us by necessity,” he said.

His claims certainly seemed to be true, with Brussels backing him up a few days later, raising their prediction for growth this year to 1% from 0.5%.

It believes Spain’s economy will grow by 1.7% in 2015.

lMonday 9.28am Manufacturing PMI Feb previous 56.5 lMonday 9.30am Mortgage Approvals Jan previous 71k lTuesday 9.30am Construction PMI Feb previous 64.6 lWednesday 9.28am Services PMI Feb previous 58.3

Contact HiFX to help you with your international transactions, call in at Centro Plaza, call 951 203 986 or email olivepress@ hifx.co.uk

lThursday 12pm Bank of England monetary policy decision

Europe

lMonday 8.58am EU Manufacturing PMI Feb previous 54.0 l Wednesday 8.58am EU Services PMI Feb previous 51.6 lWednesday 10am EU GDP Growth Q4 previous 0.3% q/q 0.5% y/y lThursday 11am German Factory Orders Jan previous 6% y/y lThursday 12.45pm ECB Interest Rate Decision followed by press conference lFriday 11am German Industrial Production Jan previous 2.6% y/y

US

lMonday 1.58pm Markit Manufacturing PMI Feb previous 53.7 lMonday 3pm ISM Manufacturing PMI Feb previous 51.3 l Wednesday 1.58pm Markit Services PMI Feb previous 56.7 l Wednesday 3pm ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI Feb previous 54 lWednesday 7pm Fed’s Beige Book lThursday 3pm Factory Orders Jan previous -1.5% m/m lFriday 1.30pm Non-Farm Payrolls Feb previous 113k lFriday 1.30pm Unemployment Rate Feb previous 6.6% lFriday 1.30pm Trade Balance Jan previous -$38.7bn

Top Dollar

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014 37 37

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

Advertorial

FATCA DEATH KNELL OF OFFSHORE STRUCTURES – YOU NEED TO ACT BEFORE JUNE 30TH!

A

ll three of the crown dependencies, once automatic exchange of information Guernsey, Jersey and Isle of Man comes into place with the likelihood that have now entered into agreement a worldwide asset investigation will be with HMRC which is the latest in made. the UK tax authorities’ no safe havens The point of course is that this is just anti tax avoidance strategy which it is another in a long line of initiatives by estimated will help them recover up to onshore authorities to pressure so called £1 billion from these three jurisdictions tax havens into disclosing information about bank accounts, offshore trusts and alone.

The basic structure of the agreement companies held by individuals in those jurisdictions. Whilst this uses the usual carrot particular ruling initially and stick approach. As impacts on UK taxpayers with the Lichtenstein and The message the recent exchange of Switzerland agreements is clear... it is no information agreement the carrot is favourable longer safe to signed between the major treatment if you confess hold undisclosed European governments to holding undeclared assets means that even if you assets when you will be have exited the UK the hit by way of fixed penalty information is likely to find fines.

In this particular case HMRC will operate a fixed penalty its way into the databank of Hacienda process with no definitive immunity from with all the unwanted attention that that prosecution and the facility will last until might bring. the end of September 2016. The stick The message is loud and clear. It is no of course is the significant prospect of longer safe to hold undisclosed assets investigation and prosecution by HMRC whether in a personal name or in the

name of a trust or company in any jurisdiction and expect these not to come to the attention of the authorities somewhere down the line with all the likely consequences that this might have.

Of course the situation is compounded here in Spain by the fact there is a legal obligation to report annually offshore assets where these exceed 50,000 Euros with significant penalties for non reporting or mis-reporting of any information.

If you are holding assets outside of Spain in an offshore jurisdiction you need to think very carefully what your objectives are and the motivation for continuing with this strategy. It might well be time to have a complete rethink and come clean in terms of reporting.

Whilst it is impossible to make decisions retrospectively it will usually be possible for an adviser to restructure your assets to enable them to be held tax efficiently.

For Spanish residents this could also mean holding the assets outside of the

country without the need for Modelo 720 reporting and without the inherent risks of having to use a Spanish bank.

Every situation is different and demands an individual solution that will make things better moving forward.

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Chiclana

Benahavís

Antequera

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38 38 the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

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Don’t miss out Benefits consultant Kim Clark on the importance of checking what benefits you are owed

A

LOT of us living in Spain do so to escape the cold and damp that envelops the UK for much of the year. And for those with an illness or disability the sunnier climes provide some welcome relief from the aches and pains, breathlessness and mobility problems we might have back home.

However, because we have moved does not mean we should lose entitlement to disability benefits.

I receive enquiries from people who have not even heard of the benefits they may be entitled to and from others who may have heard of what is available but, not understanding the rules of entitlement, have previously dismissed the idea of making a claim.

In addition, there are those who are not receiving their correct entitlement due to being wrongly refused an award or because their condition has worsened and do not realise that they should be on a higher award.

When making contact with the DWP many are still being told that because they live in Spain they cannot make a claim for Attendance Allowance (AA). Others are under the illusion that any claim will affect their retirement pen-

sion or that they have to have spent 26 out of the last 52 weeks in the UK. I even received a call from a lady whose neighbour had told her that because she owned rather than rented her property here then she would not be entitled to anything.

Allowance

Since a CJEU ruling in 2011, first-time claims for AA, Personal Independence Payment and Carer’s Allowance can be made by people living outside the UK in another EEA member state.

The past presence test no longer applies as long as you can show genuine and sufficient link to the UK. Broadly speaking this means that you or a family member need to be in receipt of a contributions-based payment from the UK. It is also important to emphasise that AA and Personal Independence Payment are non-means tested and nontaxable thereby meaning that any award will not affect your pension.

The welfare benefits system is complex and at times confusing. For up-to-date, reliable information contact me at 950 169 729 or visit www.ukbenefitsinspain.com

www.theolivepress.es

Road to Riches, by Richard Alexander

Tax return filing – threat or opportunity?

I

t is that time of year again when you soon need to be thinking about filing your tax return if you are a resident in Spain. (If you are a UK tax resident, then you are too late if you have not filed for 2012/13 as this was due by 31st January 2014.)

While the tax return for income and wealth tax is not due in Spain until the end of June, if you have overseas assets you may need to file an M720 return before the end of March. So while you are gathering the information for one return, you might as well get it all together in one go and be ready in advance.

I think it is probably fair to say that

most people will view completing their tax returns, at best as a chore and at worst as a threat, because it could well result in more tax to pay.

In fact, the M720 does not lead directly to tax in itself, whereas the wealth tax and income and gains tax returns may well have a sting in the tail.

So why do I ask the question – is there an opportunity here? I think that the focus of many tax professionals is mainly looking in the rear view mirror at what happened in the past and indeed, gathering information for the tax return is doing exactly the same thing.

Yes, you need to capture that information, but if the result is that there is some tax to pay, just stop and ask two questions: why is there tax due and what could I have done to avoid it?

If you simply file the return, breathe a sigh of relief because it is over for another year and move on without asking the questions, then almost certainly, you will be doing the same thing next year.

Financial planning is as much about looking forwards as tax returns are about looking back. By asking the questions and being prepared to

make a few changes, you might be pleasantly surprised at the tax savings you can make, not to mention the better returns you could open up for yourself.

Cash

For example, money on deposit in the bank will earn interest, not a lot I accept, but that interest, however little, will be assessable for tax. Whilst we should all keep some cash reserves, if the same amount of capital is there year on year, and the tax payable is a meaningful amount, then inevitably, you have too much money in that account.

Now just suppose, by moving some of that cash into an alternative cautious investment, you were able to avoid any tax next year and in fact earn perhaps twice as much as the bank would have added by way of interest, wouldn’t that be a worthwhile result just from asking those two simple questions?

As always you need to tread carefully and will need some professional advice, but go ahead, ask those two questions and see what happens next!

Richard Alexander Financial Planning Limited is an appointed representative of L J Financial Planning Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the UK. Contact him at Richard@ra-fp.com

OP Columnists

www.theolivepress.es

W

Oh no - not Blankety Blank!

e’d just sat down to than a lover walking out on you.

Death in Paradise with Now I’ll never get to see if raunchy our TV dinners (or was Ray Quinn wins Dancing on Ice. it Midsummer Murders?

(Oops, didn’t mean to admit that We’re a morbid lot in our house) one!) when our world went When Channel 5 black. took itself off last A wall-mounted No signal! Not on ITV year, it was no great or its sibling chan- plasma screen is loss. Having had nels, nor on any of to watch Gibraltar: now as useful as Britain in the Sun the Channel 4s. Vanished into the ether! online for research boobs on a nun Migrated to a satelpurposes, you know lite system in anothwhat I’m saying! er galaxy far beyond Then nothing else happened for the reach of our hulking great roof ages. Had we cheated The Big dish.

Switch Off? When BBC went, the No more Chief Inspector Barnaby! writing was on the wall … that’s No more Mr Selfridge! It’s worse if you’re rich enough to have a

wall-mounted plasma screen, now about as useful as boobs on a nun.

But the earth-shattering, whatthe-hell-do-we-do-to-unwind-on-aweekday-night-now reality of the situation didn’t hit home until this month, when everything went blank.

Blankety-Blank. Because now we’ll be fated to watching a ridiculously youthful Terry Wogan and other ancient game show reruns on Challenge TV, one of the few channels still on air in our corner of Spain. (Although Jeremy Irons in a rerun of The Borgias on Pick TV every Sunday night was quite a find!)

had? What will we do for affordable entertainment on a Saturday night? It’s a little worrying that what starts off as a mild diversion turns into a can’t-functionwithout-it addiction, like chewing your nails or picking your scabs.

(Not me, but according to a TV show called Strange Addictions, it’s quite common.)

We’ll either be forced to develop a taste for True Romance Movies and Teleshopping. Or go back to the days before Logie Baird’s mother bought the hat that came in the hatbox he used to create the Where will we eat our TV din- world’s first working TV: ners now? How else will we tune Play charades. Dust off your Scrabout from the sh*t day we just ble set. Read a best-selling novel.

Write one. Take up painting.

Paint the house.

Make marmalade with the oranges from the trees in your street. Sell the sofa.

Thinking about the 1001 things we could do instead is quite is putting on a brave face as I I was quietly appalled at the list I’m talking Spanish illness of infections that they have had where the afflicted (and write this) exhausting. to put up with, thanking the feline they are always women) Some of my gods above that the worst that I complain about their illfriends have Illness have to put up with is the occa- nesses but stoically carry never had TV If you are a parent with small sional de-ticking session with the on, normally due to the and I’ve always children you may start to believe cats. If I can catch them. blessings of the Virgin thought them a that your little darlings kindergar- Mind you, I have noticed that etc. Get a small group of bit alternative ten isn’t so much a place of pre- the one thing the Spanish love Spanish women together and weird. Now school learning and more a bio- is a good illness. I’m not talking and within minutes they it looks like I’ll hazard weapons testing facility, about the British compo culture will be trying to outdo be joining them, such is the frequency that they type of illness, where various each other with tales of crocheting my come home with something. Nits, scrotes claim thousands in ben- prolonged births, mystery own macrobichicken pox, and what is euphe- efits and are then shopped when illnesses which seem to have no MANFLU: a fellow sufferer mistically referred to as ‘runny the neighbour videos them doing cure ad nauseum. It’s very much If you are bedridden for a couple otic yogurt. tummy’. At a recent BBQ up at somersaults on the trampoline in like a medical version of Top of days with a cold, you may well Of course, as you the Casita with friends with kids, the back garden.

Trumps. find yourself watching one of the can’t help notice dreaded Spanish afternoon tele- in the Olive Press, vision shows that air daily. They there are diverse will normally have panels of ex- ways to bring Britperts having full on rows about ish telly back into which bullfighter has done what your living room. to which soap star. One of the But I’m not buyremember the first time that I I moved to Spain in 85, learned sections of the show is bound to ing any of it (for ever heard Paco de Lucia. It was more about Paco. be medical, where a sympathetic the moment). I’m 1981 and I had just begun to I’ve heard Entre dos Aguas perTV doctor fields phone ins. Once treating this as a play guitar. formed as a chill out track, by bad again you can expect a call from I would like to say that it was in rumba bands in bars and, thankfully a Dolores or Maria, who has been wake-up call to some atmospheric plaza in sun twice by the man himself. Last sumbedridden for decades, her only get off the couch drenched Sevilla, but it was in mer I watched him play in Marbella source of pleasure being to watch and get a life. fact in my school music room in under a perfect moon on a summer the show. The entire audience To quote 1950s Stoke, when my guitar teacher put night and the amazement that I felt then ohhhhhs and ahhhhhs in TV journalist Edthe wonderful Friday Night in San when I first heard him in 1981 came ward R. Murrow’s sympathy.

Francisco album on the record back. It was his very last concert.

My advice is to take two (large famous sign-off, player. I was transfixed and when Thank you Paco. RIP Maestro G&Ts) and call me in the morning.... it’s ‘Goodnight and Good Luck!’

The Manflu Diaries

O

H yes, it’s that time of year again. The traditional passing of winter into spring has several tell tale signs. The lengthening of the days. The first blossoms appearing on the trees. And up at the Casita the first cold of the year.

Many of you may sniff (or indeed sniffle) at the mention of catching a cold at this time of year, but there is something comforting in the misery of the communal cold.

As you know, once someone in your place of work gets it, you are bound to get it eventually. (Our lovely and talented designer Ana

I

MAESTRO: Paco de Lucia

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 201439 39

OP Column – Belinda Beckett aka Mistress of Sizzle bewails the Big Switch-Off

Adios Paco...

Top Salud

40 40 the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

Transplant record

ANDALUCIA’S leading hospital for organ donation has completed a record number of kidney transplants in one day.

The Malaga Provincial Hospital - previously the Carlos Haya Hospital - carried out five kidney transplants in 15 hours on February 18, beginning the marathon stint at 7am and ending at 10pm.

The patients were four men and one woman, all aged between 37 and 73.

In the past three years the Andalucian donation rate has topped the Spanish national average, which is already the highest in the world.

Keeping watch

REVOLUTIONARY new wristwatch devices to keep track of health have been shown for the first time at the Barcelona Telecom Conference.

Samsung unveiled two new computerized wristwatches with built in heart rate monitors, pedometers, and other health and fitness monitoring features.

The new Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo also include a low resolution camera, and tools to measure exercise, sleep and stress levels.

Recruitment drive

SPANISH nurses are being recruited to help fill vacancies at two Sussex hospitals.

Specialist nurses are being sought for Worthing and Chichester hospitals, which are run by the Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust.

The trust is looking to Spain because there is a shortage of specialist nursing staff in the UK, particularly those qualified to work in intensive care.

Diet rich in nuts and olive oil is best way to prevent brain illness

By Claire Wilson

A DIET rich in olive oil can delay the onset of dementia, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Navarra looked at the impact of a Mediterranean-style diet on cognition; 522 men and women were put on one of three diets for six and a half years.

Those whose Mediterranean diet was supplemented with extra virgin olive oil were found to have the healthiest brains followed by those supplement-

www.theolivepress.es

Med diet prevents dementia ing with mixed nuts.

A third group, who were consuming more fruit, fared worst of the test subjects.

They concluded that a Med Diet with Extra Virgin olive oil or nuts appeared

BRAIN FOOD: Mediterranean Diet

to improve cognition compared to a low-fat diet.

Fat accounts for up to 40% of total calorie intake per day in a traditional Mediterranean diet.

It is considered one of the healthi-

est diets in the world, thanks to consumers traditionally reporting very low rates of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases compared to people consuming other diets.

Go boozing, drink coffee and eat chocolate to live longer!

Y

OU wouldn’t fill your car up with the wrong petrol.

You wouldn’t ignore a banging under the bonnet and you don´t drive it recklessly until it breaks down.

So why do people care more about their cars than their own bodies? This is the issue at the heart of a new book by Dutch physician William Cortvriendt, who now lives half the year in Marbella, antitled Living a Century or More.

“People take their bodies for granted,” he explains. “Yet there are many, many small choices we can make in our daily lives that determine whether we live beyond 100 or die at 55.”

Natural

The three most important lessons from the book are to not smoke, to adapt your diet, replacing processed foods with natural foods, especially a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, and to be physically and mentally active.

“It’s not new, it’s already published in the most renowned medical journals, only it’s not picked up by the public,” he says. For example, not many people realise that tea and coffee are just about the best drinks out there as they reduce the risk of various diseases,

Tom Powell meets a cheerful, upbeat expat who has written a book on how to live to be 100

including cancer, and will help you live longer.

Dark chocolate, also, actually decreases blood pressure and the risk of diabetes when eaten daily. And eating red meat three times a week is also important: “Vegetarians have got to take food supplements to be healthy because we are meant to eat meat, we are omnivores,” he explains.

Alcohol is of course the root cause of endless medical problems but Dr Cortvriendt suggests it is not impossible to regularly enjoy a drink and still live to 100.

In fact, the key to alcohol is to enjoy it every day, although in small amounts of course (one to two drinks).

A regular pint, glass of wine, cocktail or any chosen tipple reduces the risk of heart disease, while the myth that red wine is best for you is just that, a myth.

However, it barely needs to be said that boozing up at weekends is toxic for both the liver and the brain.

Lifestyle

People always told Dr Cortvriendt that he was lucky to inherit his parents’ healthy genes, as they are both in their mid 90s and still full of life, but in the last ten years he has come to the conclusion that over 80% of health comes down to lifestyle.

In particular, he is wary of fasting diets, which are increasingly popular now, with one third of the UK population obese and another third overweight.

Of course, not eating enough makes you lose weight in the short term, but on top of fat you also lose muscles and other tissues as the body starts eating itself.

is a reason why Mick Jagger, despite his years of drink and drugs, may live to be old and perfectly sound of mind.

The body always adapts to its needs and no more, hence if you lift weights your muscles grow, and this is the same for the brain.

AUTHOR:Cortvriendt “You feel hungry, you have no energy and then when you start eating again there is no tissue or muscle to use the energy so everything goes directly to fat and makes you rapidly regain any lost weight,” he explains.

“There is only one way to sustainably lose weight and that is by swapping processed food for freshly prepared natural produce.”

A healthy level of exercise is far more achievable than many realise but is only worthwhile if made a lifelong habit.

In fact, walking is just about the greatest physical activity for over 50s and it only has to be for half an hour, four times a week.

Why not ditch the buggy and walk next time you take to the golf course because moderate physical activity lowers your blood pressure as much as any anti hypertensive drug.

Those who are physically active have a stronger immune system, less risk of cancer or diabetes and generally feel better.

Exercise can be mental as well as physical though and there

are actually very bad for you and increase the risk of cancer and cardio-vascular disease.”

The only beneficial vitamin supplements are vitamin B and D and many Brits enjoying a sunny life on the Costa del Sol might be surprised to learn they should still be taking it, especially in winter.

Even in Spain many people Dementia are vitamin D deficient, putting Keeping your mind working can them at higher risk of cancer, decrease the chance of de- cardio-vascular disease, dementia and music is one of the mentia and multiple sclerosis. best ways of doing this, be it Dr Cortvriendt is currently playing an instrument, singing working on a follow-up book or dancing. titled ‘Goodbye Sugar High’.

This is especially “Everybody has important with an opinion about dementia which why people are could well befat but no-one come one of the really analyses biggest future the root cause of health problems. the problem, why “In my opinion it wasn’t such a there will be a huge problem just future dementia 50 years ago,” he epidemic, espeexplains. cially with the inPart of the cause creasingly obese is socio-econompopulation as ic, we don’t go to obese or diabetic the local market people are twice for fresh produce as likely to deanymore, we buy velop dementia,” FOR SALE: New processed convehe says. nience food once Book Interestingly for a week that we expats, people in can bung in the Spain tend to live oven and eat in longer than those in Britain and front of the television.

Dr Cortvriendt believes this is While the science behind Dr because they eat fewer carbo- Cortvriendt’s books may seem hydrates, more vegetables and daunting at first, there are inuse olive oil for cooking. valuable lessons to be learned “A lot of people think they can that, if followed, could see many compensate for bad diets with more people enjoying a rich life multi-vitamin tablets, but they well into a three figure age.

l Drink at least four cups of tea and coffee daily l Eat some dark chocolate each day l Eat red meat three times a week l Walk for half an hour, four times a week l Enjoy your favourite alcoholic drink every night l Keep your brain occupied with crosswords, board games or something musical l Take vitamin D supplements, especially in winter l Eat fishy fish such as salmon and herring

l l l l l

Don’t

Try fasting diets Take multi-vitamin supplements or anti-oxidants Smoke (ever) Drink large amounts at weekends Eat processed foods

The Olive Press’ www.theolivepress.es

X

monthly youth and education section

OP

treme

Nonsense I

By Imogen Calderwood A FORMER Spanish Prime Minister has hit back at those who criticised his lack of English.

The ex-Socialist leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero slammed the emphasis placed on leaders’ linguistic skills, which would exclude working class people from positions of power.

It comes after he was continually mocked during his leadership for his inability to speak English, a problem also experienced by current PM Mariano Rajoy.

He was frequently photographed alone at conferences while the other leaders debated openly.

“In Spain there are a lot of people who don’t speak English,” insisted Mr Zapatero, adding that to exclude these people from positions of responsibility would be ‘reactionary’.

the theolive olivepress press--March March55--March March19 192014 2014

BSM Head Miss Kirkham talks us through last month’s action packed calendar

Former PM insists leaders shouldn’t be penalised for a lack of English

NORMAN NO MATES: Zapatero

Although insisting earlier on TV show Viajando con Chester that learning a language was ‘essential’, he pointed out that interpreters are always available for important diplomatic meetings.

But Mr Zapatero, who didn’t study English in school, is far from the only world leader to have limited linguistic ability.

Rajoy has openly confessed to CASES of youngsters being abusive towards their parents in struggling with English, despite Spain are increasing at an alarming rate, according to public three hours a week of classes courtesy of the taxpayer. prosecutors working in juvenile courts.

They claim many parents across Spain are losing control of “Several generations of politichildren aged between 14 and 16 because they have never been cians have been burdened by Spain’s lack of interest in lanset proper boundaries. guage education in the past,” It appears girls are just as abusive and aggressive as boys.

One 16-year-old girl was returned to a detention centre days said Mr Rajoy. after her release because she immediately began insulting and “I’m also a product of my times.”

Other world leaders do little threatening her parents.

Social workers put the increase down to a lack of parental control. to improve the situation. Both British Prime Minister David

’M happy to say there were no long faces or neigh-sayers during our Chinese New Year celebrations at BSM last month.

In fact, days like our year of the horse festivities can really stirrup the emotions - especially when we organise amazing activities such as the much revered chop stick challenge or our dragon making master class.

Kung-fu fighting was strictly banned of course, no matter how fast those kicks were. However, we did allow the slightly less risqué ‘kung-fu dancing’ – but I’ll leave you to imagine how that looked.

However, it wasn’t quiet in the school furlong (last horse pun I swear), as our team of trusty Russian mothers also organised a special event -Maslenitsa Day.

Alarming increase in children abusing parents…

41 41 38 57

Chop stick challenge

This traditional Russian festival waves adiós to the winter and welcomes the spring with much gusto. Never one to let an opportunity slip, I announced forthwith a dress up day at school in suitably Russian attire nonetheless.

Not to be outdone by their Chinese counterparts, our Russian parent contingent organised games, sing songs and dances. Meanwhile in the cafeteria, the parents cooked a stack of pancakes so large we had to call in reinforcements to eat them – a call to arms only too happily accepted by eager-eyed staff members.

Another chapter in our busy social calendar saw us take part in Book Week in which we welcomed children’s author Anita Pouroulis, who read stories from her collection before taking the helm at a character creating workshop.

We also held a Numeracy Open Day, while members of the Marbella Chess Club arrived one morning armed with chessboards, egg-timers and a steely determination to teach Key Stage Two children how to play.

Later, an impromptu tournament saw our budding chess champions do battle to the death - or perhaps it was lunchtime.

FESTIVAL: Maslenitsa Day

Cameron and former French leader Nicholas Sarkozy can only communicate in their native tongues.

American leaders far better with Barack Obama learning Spanish in 2008 and is now able to deliver speeches to potential Latino voters.

However the American people won’t necessarily appreciate the effort, as Mitt Romney was bizarrely ridiculed throughout the 2012 primary for his ability to speak French.

Apparently George Bush was once advised not to mention he spoke Spanish, as it might be seen as ‘un American’ at the polls.

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www.theolivepress.es FOOD & DRINK with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Thou shalt only use these ingredients in a traditional paella, according to new website WikiPaella. Beware of the...

Paella police A TRIO of food fans are laying down the law on what can and can’t be used in a paella dish.

The group from Valencia - the home of the popular dish - have set up WikiPaella in a bid to tackle the ‘increasing prostitution’ of their favourite rice dish.

The trio, Guillermo Navarro, Paco Alonso and Jose Maza, were shocked by the ‘level of corruption’ of traditional paella recipes, in particular the use of chorizo and foodcolouring instead of saffon.

Their site aims to be an encyclopedia of paella and other traditional rice dishes,

Art of tapas

Carving their way into the record books AN incredible 150 people have (hopefully) carved their way into the record books.

The record attempt - for the highest concentration of people cutting ham - saw the group descend on Benarraba, near Ronda, from all over Spain on Sunday.

The cutters each had to make five slices of ham in two minutes, with a maximum width of 1.5mm and a minimum of 0.5mm.

Portions of the giant plate of ham were sold for €3, with profits going to charity.

through certifying restaurants that serve the authentic dish, sharing recipes, and answering the public’s questions.

There is also a definitive list of what’s permitted in authentic Valencian paella - more of a challenge than it sounds as there are over 170 different Valencian versions of

TAPAS: Mees and Brown in Ronda

HE has carved his niche as one of inland Andalucia’s top chefs, so it was perhaps only a matter of time before he set up his own place.

Gordon Brown, 38, formerly the head chef at Hotel Molino del Santo, in Benaojan, has just opened his own tapas bar in Ronda TapArte.

The stylish spot, in Calle Santa Cecilia, is becoming one of the hot places to visit in the heart of the town.

Brown, originally from Scotland, has set up the bar with friend Chris Mees, who ran a bar and restaurant in Belgium before moving to Spain three years ago.

“It’s a tapas bar, with a gastro flavour and is something different for Ronda,” explained Mees. “Gordon was too good not to have his own place. Now is his chance.”

the dish.

WikiPaella plans to recognise all traditional paellas, including one with rabbit and snails to the authentic Valencian paella with chicken, rabbit and vegetables.

Jamie Oliver

“If Jamie Oliver wants to make his own version of paella, well that’s good,” said Navarro.

“But don’t present it as something authentic or traditional, because it’s not.

“Imagine if we said that we were making typical British fish and chips and we were putting oranges in it.”

But the problem begins at home.

“In Madrid, 90% of the paellas that you eat can’t be compared to the real paella,” continued Navarro, who has travelled around the UK and United States trying so-called paellas.

“Our objective is to have the majority of people know what an authentic paella from our region is.”

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In the first of a humorous regular his and hers-style column, owners Andy Chapell and Pauline Elkin of Molino del Santo give their perspectives on the trials and tribulations of running a rural hotel WINTER TREAT: India break with two daughters learning about spices

Four months off – what an easy life you have!

R

EMEMBER watching a favourite teacher at school and thinking ‘what an easy job…

I fancy being a teacher…it’s a piece of cake. The long holidays, finishing at 4pm and so on?”

Well I’ve been there, done that and even as a young person full of energy and enthusiasm, I still remember being on my knees at the end of a school day – anything but an easy job.

So I swapped it for the life as a hotelier. Not because I thought it would be easy but because I wanted to live the lifestyle. I wanted the sun, Spanish culture, the countryside, the wildlife (not the Puerto Banus type) and I wanted to be my own boss.

A small rural hotel was a great idea 27 years ago and it’s still a great idea now with tens of thousands of people visiting us every season.

I am proud that we can provide reliable jobs to a team of over 20 people and that our business

injects significant amounts of money into our local economy.

Our neighbourhood shop survives because the hotel buys all of its fresh fruit and vegetables there, for example, and 20 families in our village can plan their futures knowing they have a stable job.

I’d love the Molino to be open all year... ...BUT for many reasons that is nigh on impossible at the moment what with the everrising cost of social security contracts, the very real crisis in Spain killing off local business and international guests opting to go further afield for warmth during the winter months.

How will these issues be solved for Andalucía? Anyone got a crystal ball?

At least on a positive note, we get to take our family hols in the winter...and this year Southern India was a true delight.

As entrepreneurs we can never take our eyes off the ball – which drives our two daughters to despair.

As boss of the restaurant at Molino del Santo I’m always fascinated in finding out where ingredients come from.

As it happens, Kerala grows and exports many of the spices we use so a highlight was seeing how they are grown and are harvested: Black Pepper – ‘The

Struggle

When you set up a successful business there are always people who love to shoot you down in flames. Usually delivered with a sense of fun are the comments about how long we close in the winter. And OBVIOUSLY we have had a four month holiday.

I am not denying that we have been able to visit Southern India and make family trips back to UK, but just because a business is closed doesn’t mean the work stops.

We have now sold 49% of all the rooms we sold

EXCITING: Molino open King of Spices’, Green Cardamon ‘The Queen’, Cinnamon, to name but a few.

Seeing poppadums prepared for export...having a cookery class with Gigi in her house. I’m hooked and can’t wait to return.

And now my team at Molino, refreshed and raring to start the 2014 Season, are preparing new dishes for the menu. It is an exciting time.

Yes, enthusiasm is veritably the Spice of Life.

in the whole of last season – which was also a bumper year for us. That is a lot of communication, a lot of collecting deposits and organisation.

However, what is becoming increasingly clear is that unless the marketing is right, you are going to struggle in this economy. So much for the ‘four months off’, we have spent most of it getting more up to speed with the latest and most effective ways to promote ourselves.

Any business not finding time to do this is asking for trouble in my opinion and we have spent hundreds of hours and euros at seminars, reading books, watching videos, writing newsletters and making plans.

I know for most people it’s ‘not real work’ but all the evidence is suggesting that it is paying off already and that’s good news for us, for our staff and for our suppliers.

It’s also great news for our customers who find a business that is thriving and going forward. It’s very exciting and, with the batteries re-charged, we are hoping for our best season yet.

WE’RE BACK! From Thursday 6th March Hotel Molino del Santo is open for its 28th season!

Where else are you guaranteed*...

• Wonderful Walks from the Hotel Door?

• Excellent Friendly Service?

‘

Hotelier and Hoteli-HER

• • Remarkably Inventive Restaurant?

• Extremely Useful Information on Walks and Sites?

• Best Rural Hotel in Malaga Province (Trip Advisor)?

• Award-winning Hotel and Restaurant?

• Caring Environment Where You Are the Focus?

• Kick-back Atmosphere Where You Relax At Once? (*Guarantee means we don’t charge if you’re not 100% delighted with your visit) What will make your visit special…..

• Arriving after a picturesque train journey?

• Eating on the Terrace by the Waterfall?

• Exploring the stunning area with White Villages?

• Sampling a Great Selection of Local Wines?

• Chatting to the Staff and Owners?

• Relaxing from the minute you arrive?

• Taking time to be with someone special?

• Sharing Molino del Santo with Friends?

• Discovering the Wild Flowers or Birds?

• Enjoying a Cosy Log Fire?

PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES IF THE DATES YOU WANT TO VISIT ARE ALREADY FULL - DO BOOK SOON “Can’t wait to see you and the gang. I miss the sun and the quiet... and the leche fritas... and the jerez fino... and Victor... every day I miss Victor... and of course on a very very serious note SPECIAL I miss you and my happy place.

I think about it all a lot. In my OPENING OFFER darkest hours it’s where I go.

I have the pool as my screen FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY saver and noise of the stream YES... 50% OFF ROOM RATES!!! on a loop to help me sleep.

SUNDAY16th and/or It is where I go in my dreams.”

MONDAY 17th MARCH DEBBIE PARKIN LIMITED AVAILABILITY

HALF PRICE

CONTACT US NOW TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

Hotel • Bar • Restaurante

Bda Estación s/n, 29370 Benaoján, Málaga 952 16 71 51 : 952 16 73 27 | info@molinodelsanto.com

www.molinodelsanto.com

▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼

Hotel - Bar - Restaurante. Bda Estacion s/n, 29370 Benaojan, Malaga. 952 16 71 51 - 952 16 79 27 . info@molinodelsanto.com

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the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

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FOOD & DRINK www.theolivepress.es with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

Scientists use baby excrement in a bid to make sausages healthier

Not talking cr*p

BABY excrement could be the key to making sausages healthier, according to Spanish researchers.

Bacteria found in their poo could transform them into health foods much like probiotic yogurts, great for those who don’t eat dairy.

Lovely Limoncello WINTER is the time when many of us in southern Spain have a glut of lemons.

From our own trees, and from the neighbours, who also don’t know what to do with them all, there are only so many G&Ts one can drink…

So, here at La Haza it has become tradition to make limoncello.

There are two different ways to do this depending on whether you can get hold of pure alcohol, it is pretty difficult in Spain itself, but maybe Gibraltar might be of help.

We tend to buy ours in Belgium when visiting in the winter.

To make lemoncello 20 or so lemons, a few more if they are on the small side 1 litre of vodka, of the 40 percent variety 1 litre of pure alcohol (95-96% alcohol) Sugar, 1.25 kg Water, 1.25 L Wash and peel the lemons, making sure you only use the zest and not the white (bitter)

Live probiotic bacteria has been found to have a wide variety of health benefits, including lowering inflammation, preventing urinary-tract infections,and fighting infant gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation.

Patriek from inland hotel gem Cortijo la Haza gives us his recipe for Limoncello

pith underneath. Put in an airtight container together with the alcohol and leave to steep for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, the lemon peel should have gone a bit brittle and can be discarded.

Make a sugar syrup by adding the sugar and water together, and bring to the boil briefly until all the sugar is dissolved. Leave to cool for a while, then add to the lemony alcohol. Close off and leave for another 6 weeks (if you can!). By this time it will have matured into a lovely 35% proof limoncello. Some people insist on filtering it but I have not found this necessary.

If you cannot get hold of the high proof alcohol, use two litre bottles of vodka and reduce

Probiotic

CITRUS DELIGHT: Limoncello the amount of sugar syrup to avoid lowering the alcohol content of your drink too much. A quick calculation suggests 2 litres of vodka and a sugar syrup consisting of ½ kg sugar and ½ l water should give you just under 3l of limoncello at +/- 30% Tips: Here at La Haza, we squeeze the juice of the peeled lemons and freeze it in ice cube containers, then add it as a lemony ice cube to your G&Ts (or in your ice tea). Cheers!

Alternatively, we sometimes serve it, mixed with cava as a welcome drink, or aperitif (similar to Kir).

A dream escape…

But just one hour from the coast

Cortijo la Haza is offering a one night stay (extra nights can be arranged) with welcome drink, dinner, bottle of house wine per table of two, extensive buffet breakfast for 65€ pp (IVA inclusive).

Lunch on the next day optional, must be specified at time of booking. Offer exclusively for Olive Press readers, please quote OP2014 when booking. Terms and conditions on our webpage: www.cortijolahaza.com.

A warm welcome awaits: telephone: 956 334 051 mobile: 618 440 167 www.cortijolahaza.com info@cortijolahaza.com

For probiotic bacteria to work, they must survive the acids in the digestive tract so the researchers at Catalunya’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Research, focused on microbes found alive in human faeces.

They took 43 faecal samples of healthy infants up to six months old from nappies.

The scientists tried fermenting six batches of sausages using three strains of bacteria found in baby poop and three other, commercial probiotic strains of bacteria.

Studies they had done in the past established the strains they used from infant excrement were safe for people.

While the scientists insisted they had tried the sausages and they ‘tasted good’, no company is currently interested in trying to commercialise them.

www.theolivepress.es

the olive press - March 5 - March 19 2014

47

the Sell your property THIS WEEK with an online ad reaching thousands for just

49,99 euros www.allabout andaluciaproperty.com

(brought to you by the OlivePress)

Ancient mummy

FINAL WORDS

SPANISH archaeologists have discovered a 3,600-year-old mummy at a site in Egypt. The mummy was found inside a twometre-long wooden sarcophagus.

Twitter sin A STUDENT has been suspended after posting a photo on Twitter of a classroom with no desks. The caption read, ‘Clases sin mesas. This is Spain’.

The school insisted it was misleading as it was of a multimedia classroom designed for watching films.

Charity book sale A CHARITY book sale will be held at the Public Library in Arroyo de la Miel, on Saturday March 22 from 10am to 2pm.

Switched on TELEFONICA has 15 days to make its move for a controlling stake in TV company Canal Plus. An initial bid of €600million has so far been rejected.

Rather be in the Big Smoke EXPATS in Spain might think they live in the best place in the world.

But it turns out the most popular place to live abroad is back in the Big Smoke.

London has been named as the most popular city to live overseas, according to InterNations, the largest worldwide expat community network.

It is closely followed by Dubai and Munich.

The majority of expats in Andalucia might beg to differ however.

Covering Andalucia in 2014 with over 200,000 papers EE (130,000 digital) and around 250,000 visits to the R F website each month… The Olive Press just keeps growing!

olive press

Telephone: 951127006

March 5

March 19 2014

Anything to declare sir?

www.theolivepress.es

JUST LIKE THAT: Malian emerges from suitcase

THERE have been some ingenious ways to smuggle people into Europe.

But this young African pushed himself to the limit by hiding in a suitcase, carried across the Spanish border between Melilla and Morocco by a friend this week.

He was discovered after border police noticed his friend struggling with the weight of the big blue suitcase.

When asked if he had anything to declare, he ran off.

Border guards found the embarrassed 19-year-old from Mali inside.

He and the 38-year-old Moroccan man, who is a resident of Catalunya, have been put in custody.

“It is the first time we have seen an attempt like this,” said a police spokesman.

Trekkie terrific

BANNED: Cancer support

TREKKIES around the world are celebrating the announcement that a new Star Trek themed amusement park is opening in Spain.

Paramount Park Murcia will be split into sections, one of which will be Star Trek themed.

Plaza Futura, the Trekkie zone, will include a Starfleet recruiting centre, a 3D simulator ride and a ‘Warp Speed’ roller coaster that includes a ‘wormhole.’ It is set to open next year.

A SPANISH footballer has been fined €2,000 for supporting children suffering from cancer with a message on his t-shirt.

Jona revealed the message after scoring for Real Jaen on International childhood cancer day.

The Spanish FA fined him for breaching the rules of not displaying any publicity slogans or mottos.

It comes after Athletico Madrid were fined just €600 after a fan threw a lighter at Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo in the recent derby.

Inspector Brothel

THEME PARK: In Murcia

A TIGHT FIT giest with space in the whole of Europe.

And, according to a study by EuroTest, they are not only the smallest…they have also been slammed for being ‘dark and cramped’ and having poor wheelchair access.

According to regulations in Barcelona, parking spaces must be at least 2.2m wide was successful after less and 4.5m long, while drivthan 24-hours. ers in Madrid are given marThe 20-year-old student ginally more room for maborn and living in Tarranoeuvre with spaces that are gona uploaded a video of 2.25m wide. himself on YouTube openly This compares to parking steering his car from the bays elsewhere in Europe, passenger seat. which are typically 2.4 to Leaning across the car to 2.5m wide and 4.8m long. reach the pedals, the stuEuroTest argued in the study dent can be seen yawning that modern parking bays while an on-coming lorry should be at least 2.5m wide, to speeds past. allow for the increase in average The Policia Nacional postcar sizes over recent decades. ed his photo on their TwitA 1974 Volkswagen Golf was ter page with the caption: 1.61m wide, whereas the 2012 “Don’t let anyone play with model is 2.03m wide includyour life or anyone else’s ing wing mirrors. on the road. We are searching for him.”

The video received over 15,000 hits on YouTube in less than an hour.

The student turned himself in to the police station near Barcelona and was released with a caution.

JAMMED IN: Parking

HAVE you ever wondered why you are constantly tearing off your wing mirrors in car parks?

It emerges that Spanish car parks are the stin-

‘Selfie’ student driver caught by social media A SOCIAL media campaign launched by police to find a ‘selfie’ dangerous driver,

CAUTIONED: Driver

Double Standards

Spanish car parks smallest in Europe

A RONDA policeman has been fined for continually abusing his status in order to obtain free drinks and sexual favours in the town’s brothels.

Juan Antonio Rodríguez Romero was found guilty of bribery by the Supreme Court on February 28 and ordered to pay €1,600.

Three other officers and one member of the civil guard have since been acquitted of the events that took place between 2003 and 2007.

The judge said: “He moved through the brothels as if he had been invited, scoring free drinks and sexual favours.”