Gibraltar Olive Press - Issue 65

Est. 1946

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February 28th - March 13th 2018 EXCLUSIVE: Chasing drug and tobacco smugglers with the RGP Marine Section, SEE PAGE 6

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Vol. 3 Issue 65 www.gibraltarolivepress.com February 28th - March 13th 2018

Postal boss ‘raped woman twice’

THE former boss of Gibraltar’s postal service has gone on trial over two counts of rape.

Christopher Riddell, 54, is accused of raping a local woman in March 2016 after meeting her at the Seawave restaurant, in Catalan Bay. After having a few drinks, he walked her home, where he is alleged to have forced her into having sex with him while she was looking for her house keys.

Riddell, who denies the charges, insists that the complainant was ‘in control’ and was the ‘driving force’ behind the ‘vigorous’ outdoor sex.

However, the former CEO of the Gibraltar Post Office admits to returning home afterwards, leaving the woman in a chair outside her house with no trousers on.

In a police interview with Riddell, heard by the Supreme Court last week, he stated that it was ‘out of character’ for him to have an extramarital affair... but that ‘things happen’.

He added: “Before you completely ruin someone’s life, please look at the logical facts here.”

Following the incident, Riddell tried to contact the woman on multiple occasions telling police that he wanted to talk to her as he was worried he may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease after they had unprotected sex.

A forensic doctor confirmed that she had a range of injuries including bruising to her thighs and arms, a scratch on her chin and bite marks to her left nipple.

The trial continues.

By Joe Wallen

GIBRALTAR is set to open dialogue on sharing its airport with Spain.

The government has confirmed it is ready to discuss the ‘technical’ arrangements for allowing Spain to use the runway.

It comes after Spain’s Foreign Minister revealed his country hopes for an agreement before next month’s crucial EU summit, when Britain hopes to secure a Brexit transition deal.

Outlawed

Alfonso Dastis has also appealed for greater cooperation on the issues of tax and tobacco smuggling, although confirmed this is already happening.

Speaking in the UK, Dastis said he wanted a deal that was as close as possible to the current status quo Spain has with Britain.

However, his country wanted a deal that would see both countries ‘manage the airport together’.

He added that Spain ‘has a claim’ to the land, insisting it was currently illegally occupied by the UK. On the subject of tax and

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Gibraltar to discuss joint access to Gibraltar Airport ahead of Brexit talks

AGREEMENT: Dastis

smuggling he continued: “We need some more co-operation with the Gibraltar authorities but the

situation has already improved.

“The Gibraltarians seem willing to cooperate, we need to see that in practice.”

The Gibraltarian government meanwhile con-

firmed to the Olive Press this week that it was happy to work with its neighbours over Brexit, including the issue of the airport.

A government spokesman explained that its co-use had been outlawed by the

current Spanish government despite a joint management agreement being signed in 2006.

Under the so-called Cordoba agreement, it was ruled that a joint venture company would operate the airport on behalf of both Gibraltar and Spain.

Gibraltarians would have access to the airport from their side, while the Spanish would be able to enter the facility directly from La Linea.

Each side would have their own customs and passport control.

The new claims threaten to spark more uproar among Tory backbenchers in the UK who are furious that the British government has not stood up enough to Spain over the Rock.

Tobacco Smokescreen GIBRALTAR’S controversial tobacco industry has been brought under the spotlight.

According to Spain, the Rock imported 72 million packs of cigarettes in 2017 despite its meagre population of just 34,000 inhabitants.

If all of the tobacco imported went on internal consumption it would mean each Gibraltarian would have

to smoke 5.8 packs of cigarettes every day.

Meanwhile, 4.5 million packs of illegal cigarettes and 70 tonnes of tobacco were seized in Andalucia alone in 2017, according to the Spanish Tax Agency (Hacienda).

This amounted to 63% of illegal tobacco seized around the whole of Spain.

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CRIME

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4x4 Finca bust

NEWS IN BRIEF

Nautical nightmare THE British Foreign Office has confirmed it will formally complain to Spain over the incursion by navy vessel SPS Atalaya into Gibraltarian waters.

Brexit benefit FABIAN Picardo has met with representatives from Spanish political party Izquierda Unida to discuss how they can cooperate over Brexit.

Resin-dence HM Customs has seized 10 grams of amphetamines and 50 grams of cannabis resin from a property on Varyl Begg road.

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Stories and features in this edition of Gibraltar’s original community newspaper

February 28th - March 13th 2018

CAUGHT: Hashish smugglers

OVER two tonnes of cannabis resin has been seized by Spanish police from a house in La Linea.

Officers raided the finca in Santa Margarita and found 83 bales of the drug inside two 4x4 vehicles in a garage.

Suspicion was raised af-

ter Spanish customs officers witnessed smugglers unloading a clandestine shipment in La Linea.

The smugglers were then tracked to the property by a police helicopter using night vision surveillance cameras.

All at sea Commander downgraded after his nuclear submarine crashed off Gibraltar A NAVAL Commander whose carelessness led to a nuclear submarine colliding with a tanker has been stripped of his title.

Commander Justin Codd, 45, pleaded guilty to ‘negligently hazarding’ the £1.1 billion HMS Ambush, off Gibraltar.

His submarine collided with tanker MV Andreas leading to it being taken out of service for three months and costing £2.1 million to repair.

Codd ‘took his eye off the ball’ while teaching a group of students how to simultaneously control the submarine at periscope depth and observe other shipping movements.

However, Codd failed to carry out his own observations of other nearby ships and instead relied entirely on feedback from his students.

The students were following the movements of a

McAULIFFE: In the dock

Red letter day CRASH: The submarine collided with a tanker

yacht, named the Katharsis, and did not spot the MV Andreas tanker.

“This is a failure that will live with him for the rest of his life,” his lawyer Captain Sean Moored insisted during the court case.

While it is unclear at this stage the nature of Codd’s demotion, a navy source said that it will impact on his career progression and will reduce his significant previous salary of £78,000 a year.

Cig-nificant arrests A SMUGGLER has been arrested after he attempted to swim to Spain with a bag full of fags on his back.

The Spaniard was nicked with 150 cartons of cigarettes off Western Beach.

The haul would have been worth £13,000 in Spain.

In a separate incident, HM Customs arrested another Spaniard who tried to smuggle 425 packs of rolling tobacco out of Gibraltar.

HIDDEN: Tobacco

SEIZED: Cigarettes were packed in wet bags

A FORMER post office worker has been charged with fraud and money laundering.

Giselle McAuliffe, 50 was arrested after a member of the Royal Gibraltar Post Office (RGPO) team reported suspicious transfers from several deposit accounts.

An investigation revealed that McAuliffe had committed fraud in excess of £30,000 and laundered over £57,000, believed to have been generated from criminal activity.

McAuliffe has been charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position and two counts of money laundering.

The case continues.

End of the line A GIBRALTARIAN man has been charged with SIX separate counts of burglary and theft.

Christian Baglietto, 20, was arrested after detectives linked him to a burglary at the Laguna Youth Club on February 15.

Baglietto has been charged with four counts of burglary; at Laguna Youth Club, Hire U Shop, Café Fresco and El Faro Restaurant.

He has also been charged with one count of attempted burglary at Strength Factory Gym and one count of theft from a motor vehicle.

ROBBED: Laguna Youth Club

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BAFTA WIN: Hollie

IT’S another great week for Gibraltarian creativity.

A short film featuring music written by a Gibraltarian composer has won a BAFTA. Hollie Buhagiar, who grew up on the Rock, wrote a score for Poles Apart, which triumphed in the Short Animation section.

The composer, who has worked for Channel 4 and the BBC, cut her teeth with award-winning talents Conrad Pope and Nan Schwartz in Vienna, while completing her Masters at the National Film and Television School.

February 28th - March 13th 2018

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SWEET MUSIC The Chief Minister was quick to praise Hollie for her achievement.

“What great news for all of Gibraltar to be proud of,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Well done Hollie - Congratulations from all of us at the Gibraltar government.”

The film is about an unlikely meeting between a polar bear and grizzly bear in the melting Arctic.

Universal appeal MARBELLA belle Rosie Mac is set to launch her pop career after signing with US singing label Island Records UK & KidInaKorner.

The 20-year-old first shot to fame as the stunning body double for Emilia Clarke, AKA Daenerys Targaryen, the Queen of Dragons in hit fantasy TV series Game of Thrones.

She has now left the show to focus on her music career.

HE won over the Rock when he became Mr Gibraltar in a Phantom of the Opera-style outfit.

Now Antonin Irodia, 28, is hoping to represent Gibraltar at this year’s Mister Universe competition in the Dominican Republic this summer However, Antonin, who

GOOD BOYS

A TRIP to the Costa del Sol seemed to do the trick for Liverpool.

After four days soaking up the sun and relaxing in Marbella, they beat West Ham 4-0 at the weekend.

Stars Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana posted a series of selfies and group photos on Instagram during the week.

The lads also largely behaved themselves, in stark contrast to the West Bromwich team, which had four players questioned for ‘stealing a taxi’ in Barcelona.

The group – Gareth Barry, Jonny Evans, Boaz Myhill and Jake Livermore – were said to have taken the taxi on a boozy night out. The case has since been dropped.

It is the column taking the Rock by storm - giving everyday Gibraltarians an opportunity to express their views on what matters most to them.

This week we have just one voice, the inspirational Jessica Cummings.

Despite her young age, Jessica has spoken out beyond her years on how better we can treat one another and how photography can be used to tackle serious issues, such as depression and self-harm.

Everyone on the Rock should be very proud to call her one of their own.

Royal warrant REPRESENTING: Antonin is the current Mr Gibraltar

works at gaming company Bet Victor, is still searching for a sponsor that will allow him to challenge the world’s best.

Antonin told the Gibraltar Olive Press that while he hopes the government will help cover some of his costs he will need further support to pay for his flights.

While Antonin anticipates a tough contest, he is optimistic he will be able to successfully raise the profile of Gibraltar internationally at the very least.

“Most of the guys that go there that is what they do full time.

V G of

Ready to pop

Antonin Irodia needs a sponsor to compete at this year’s Mister Universe competition

The Duchess of Cambridge was spotted holding a Spanish-designed clutch bag at the BAFTA’s last week.

The ‘Hillary’ by Menorca firm Pretty Ballerina, is made from black velvet and has a bow on the front.

Wannabe copy-kates can get their hands on one for €179.

“They don’t do other jobs, they can dedicate themselves entirely to their gym and diet.

“That isn’t the case for me as I do also have a full-time job but there is always in the back of my mind that I could win.

“Even a nomination in one of the categories would be fantastic, like elegance or top model!”

Last year’s winner was Kevin Montes from Puerto Rico.

The contest judges ‘beauty, elegance, personality, bearing and security’ with the winner declared the ‘most beautiful man in the universe’.

A place on the costa IT’S great to have her back.

Presenter Jasmine Harman has been back to film a new programme with A Place in the Sun. The seasoned star shared a photo of herself enjoying a morning at Estepona beach.

The 42-year-old, who has been hosting the show for 14 years, said: “Wrapped in Estepona, now onto the next show in Benalmádena! Woohoo! As you know, it’s all glamour behind the scene.”

Voices of Gibraltar Actions speak louder than words Jessica Cummings, 19, Student “I think if there is one thing that I would suggest is that people should educate themselves on how better to treat people.

“It says a lot about a person, as well as their actions.

“People who have experienced the darkness in life tend to be more understanding and kind, they know what it is like to have someone judge you before they have even said hello.

“Being ‘good’ doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a good person, you could be well mannered or friendly to other people but if you actions suggest that you are selfish, and not understanding you could be hurting more people than you realize.

“People who have been in the dark for a long time or who still are, they need to know that there is someone there that is willing to be there when they need them, for a smile or even a hug - a hug can do wonders.

“The saying ‘be kind to everyone, because you don’t know what they’ve been through’ is something a lot

of people should consider doing.

“However, when I’m stuck in the dark the quote that helps me is one from a movie - Harry Potter - “Happiness can be found even in the darkest times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

“I try to show this when I do photography with my friends and the things I photograph have deep meanings behind and can sometimes be disturbing for people to look at because topics such as rape, depression and self-harm are all things that people push to the side because they don’t like to talk about them.

“But how will they learn to treat another person if they do not educate themselves on these topics themselves?

“The topics I photograph with my friends are deep but they’re also personal.

“This is why I show them in my photographs, because a photo can speak a thousand words.”

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IMPROVED: Med steps

Parks and recreation NEW habitats are being introduced to enhance the beauty of the Gibraltar Nature Reserve.

They will also hopefully improve the biodiversity of the Upper Rock reserve.

Picnic areas are also being upgraded, with new bins being installed and railings put in on St Michael’s Road.

Asset

“The Upper Rock is improving all the time as a natural asset for Gibraltar,” said Environment Minister John Cortes.

“This work is ongoing and will continue.”

The improvements follow work done on paths on the Mediterranean Steps after safety concerns were raised about shifting gravel.

MarineA4.pdf 1 02/10/2012 08:58:04

A TEAM from Oxbridge has visited the Rock to provide students with vital information when applying to British universities.

They were joined by representatives from seven other UK universities and the University of Gibraltar for the first Universities Fair, which will be held biennially going forward.

The Minister for Education said the fair provided Gibraltarian students with a unique insight into university life in the UK be-

New row looms as survey claims 80% of teachers are unhappy with plans to build eight new schools TEACHERS in Gibraltar have not been adequately consulted over controversial school reforms, according to a survey by the Gibraltar Teachers Association (GTA).

An alarming 86% of teachers questioned did not feel there had been enough consultation with them over key issues.

A further 79% felt they had not been sufficiently consulted on the relocation of half a dozen new schools as well as the refurbishment of existing buildings.

February 28th - March 13th 2018

Caring is sharing

Uni fair success

fore leaving the Rock.

“One of the disadvantages for students in Gibraltar going to the UK is that we are a flight away so it is important for students to have an opportunity to talk to people from the universities,” he said.

READY: Gib students off to UK

let us teach you The GTA is now demanding the appointment of a ‘professional design and

maintenance team’ to en- Minister Fabian Picardo sure that new schools ‘will announced in October that not deteriorate as quickly eight new schools would as the existing ones’. be built in Gibraltar, while Some 76% of teachers those not moving site claim they are currently would be completely reteaching in furbished. buildings All of that are the new ‘not fit for 86% of teachers did schools purpose’. will be not feel there had been The new open for GTA surthe start of vey of 216 enough consultation the school t e a c h e r s over key issues year in is bound September to upset 2019. the govThe GTA ernment, however which is is particualready disputing an ear- larly concerned over the lier GTA claim that 99% of construction of two new teachers were ‘not happy’ co-educational schools with the plans. side-by-side in WaterIt hit back last month port. claiming it had, in fact, “There continues to be spoken extensively with great dissatisfaction education professionals among teachers who have about the reforms and it repeatedly raised concerns was only a minority who on the co-location concept were unhappy. presented to them,” said a The row began after Chief GTA spokesperson.

MANILVA residents have won more than €176 million in the latest EuroMillions draw - but they’ll have to share it with a British winner in the UK. The huge win was won by a consortium of 80 people in San Luis de Sabinillas and Manilva, meaning dozens of millionaires were made overnight.

The Spanish ticket was bought in the Loterías administration nº 6 of La Línea de la Concepción, located in the Carrefour Gran Sur-Torres Shopping Center in the Campo de Gibraltar, which is owned by the Luque de Manilva family.

Manilva town hall said the winning ticket belongs to a club with 80 members that in turn includes other micro-clubs, so the prize has been widely distributed.

MANILVA: Big lottery win

‘Cruel’ Spain SPAIN’S human rights ombudsman has hit out at Spain’s ‘cruel’ treatment of its illegal migrant population citing poor conditions in holding cells.

Immigrants can spend 72 hours in cells ‘which rarely have natural light and hardly ever running water, claimed Francisco Marugan.

“We have to alter this system which is inefficient and underfinanced and often cruel to the people who are only seeking a better life,” said Marugan.

The human rights defender cited the suicide of a migrant in Archidona prison where a migrant was in solitary confinement for several weeks and took his own life.

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February 28th - March 13th 2018

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Fe at u re

www.gibraltarolivepress.com The Rock’s only investigative

local newspaper

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Gibraltar Olive Press represents the local and expatriate communities working or living on the Rock with 10,000 copies distributed fortnightly.

OPINION Need for cooperation During our time with the Royal Gibraltar Police’s Marine Section, their love for the job and belief that they are making the terrority safe was infectious.

However, as much as we admire the thin blue line for risking serious injury or worse, we couldn’t shake off the feeling that red tape and politics were hindering their plight.

From the blatant lack of police numbers, to the strict no-go policy outside of Gibraltar’s three mile water radius, to the social media app which tracks their location - everything seems to be conspiring against them.

While the smugglers are getting richer and richer, to the extent that houses can be bought in La Linea just to enable radars to be placed on the roofs, funding for public services just isn’t keeping up.

That up to 10 drug boats are reaching our shores every day at present is a major cause for concern.

The Spanish and Gibraltarian authorities need to work together on this issue, if there is any chance of reducing this scourge.

Otherwise it will be a continual never ending game of cat and mouse, and in the words of one of the policemen ‘that only benefits the smugglers’.

Checking in The issue over the sovereignty of Gibraltar International Airport is one which has bubbled under the surface for some time.

While Dastis may seem confident at the moment that the Spanish will also have access to the facility, he must be prepared to sit at the negotiating table both with the British AND Gibraltarian authorities.

Given the airport’s success as a major transit point for businesspeople and tourists alike, the Spanish should work to enhance and maximise the facility rather than cause any disruption.

Hindering the airport’s functionability while its future is resolved will only hamper Spain and the tourists that use it to visit the Costa.

Publisher/ Editor

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 News editor

SALES: sales@theolivepress.es Admin (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Accounts Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es

reporters Joe Wallen joe@theolivepress.es Aleesha Hansel aleesha@theolivepress.es Designer James Partington design@theolivepress.es

Maria Angeles Vázquez mangeles@theolivepress.es Admin and account assistant Distribution Graham Warters distribution@theolivepress.es

Clarke Media Ltd. Registration number: 113878 Suite 2B, 143 Main Street, Gibraltar Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Desposito legal 834-2017

AWARDS

2016/2017 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.

2012 - 2017

Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

February 28th - March 13th 2018

Amid a rising drug ‘crisis’ in the campo, Joe Wallen goes smuggler hunting with the Royal Gibraltar Police Marine Section

T

HE drug trade in the Campo gained international attention this month after Spain’s United Police Union (SUP) warned the region is in danger of becoming the ‘Colombia of Spain’.

It came after 20 masked thugs stormed a hospital in La Linea and freed a suspected drug trafficker from under the watchful eye of the police.

“There’s clearly a lack of security in La Linea and it’s down to the fact that we don’t have sufficient personnel or resources to tackle drug traffickers,” a spokesman said.

“The increasingly high-profile drug trafficking lies at the root of the problem.

“This is a city in the hands of the lawless and we can’t allow that.”

La Linea is only a small town, with a population of just over 63,000 people.

Conservative estimate suggests that around 5% of the town’s population earn their income directly from illicit drugs.

“They have thrown out whatever shame they had,” a former drug trafficker told a Spanish newspaper.

“These are mafias that don’t care about killing or being killed.”

Despite their best efforts - and recent successes - the Spanish police are still struggling to keep up with organised crime.

“We are seeing an average of 10 launches come in daily loaded with 1,000 or 2,000 kilos of drugs,” police admitted.

Still, the Strait of Gibraltar must be a relatively safe place, right?

After all, it is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and patrolled by a host of international powers, including the United Kingdom, Spain and the United States.

On arrival at the HM Naval Base, our four ship-

Murky

Waters

“I was out chasing a RHIB packed when we heard two shots in our direction” mates entertained us with their best horror stories from patrolling the high seas. It was an initiation like no other.

“It’s pretty common in a chase to come up alongside a smuggler’s boat, so close you could reach out and grab them… or vice versa,” the Skipper says ominously.

“I was out several weeks ago chasing a RHIB packed with cannabis resin when we heard two shots fire in our direction,” interjects another of the police, “It can get dangerous out there.”

I began to understand the importance of the lengthy waiver forms we had been forced to sign.

We soon headed out on one of the RGP’s speedboats, the HMS John Chapple.

Fitted with four Yamaha engines and with the ability to reach 60 knots, it is a vessel that should strike fear into the heart of even the most foolhardy smuggler.

The crew of four will work on a six days on four days off pattern to ensure they are alert should a chase ensue.

During the six days the group will work a mixture of early mornings, evenings and nights.

But perhaps worryingly, Gibraltar only has one boat patrolling for smugglers at any given time, while certain high-tech apps can allow their boat to be tracked on any mobile phone or tablet - only making it easier for traffickers to time their runs.

“There is no real pattern for heightened smuggling activity, other than the number of RHIB’s coming across increases in the time period directly after a cannabis harvest in Morocco,” says one of the crew.

“Sometimes we will have a week where we will have absolutely nothing then one night there will be nine or ten boats coming through our waters.

“It could be at 4pm or 4am, they will try at all hours of the day.

SEIZED: Cocaine and hashish confiscated by the police in Upper Town, Gibraltar it seized 70% of all hashish exported from Morocco to Europe in 2017.

For a successful journey from Morocco to Spain, a launch driver can expect to earn £50,000.

The smugglers will typically try to land with their expensive cargo on unattended beaches in the Campo, but our crew are often called to intercept them as the criminals will also pass through Gibraltarian waters.

The RGP’s Marine Section will also attempt to catch smugglers operating from South America, usually trying to bring cocaine into Europe.

Lastly, they will assist HM Customs in catching tobacco runners, who routinely use small, inflatable Zodiac boats to transport cigarettes across the border into Spain, where they can be sold for over double the price.

It becomes evident shortly after leaving shore that the men have no qualms about risking their lives to protect the Rock.

“This boat is like our second family,” the young “This is why we always have a boat out, we’re Gibraltarian spotter says casting his eyes around always prepared.” the vessel, “we depend on one another and our The Captain explains that the crew have to deal absolute priority is ensuring the safety of each of with several types of illicit smuggling in the Straits. the crew when we’re out on patrol.

The majority of the RHIB’s passing through Gi- “Even the Skipper – and he is an Arsenal fan,” braltarian waters are those attempting to bring he jokes. hashish from Morocco into Spain.

The job is certainly not for the faint hearted.

The Spanish Interior Ministry has estimated that Within a matter of minutes of setting off, the

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SOCIALMEDIA RHIB is corkscrewing through the choppy Mediterranean at a speed of 40 knots.

When the Skipper changes the direction the boat turns at a stomach churning 90 degrees, rendering you below the water level for a few terrifying moments.

We patrol on both the east and west of the Rock, relying on a combination of state-of-theart radar technology and the sharp vision of the crew to look for smugglers.

The first couple of hours at sea are relatively quiet and a call around midnight explains the lack of activity.

The Guardia Civil in La Linea has conducted a series of high-profile raids, making a large number of arrests.

“The smuggling gangs have so many on their roll that whenever there is a lot of police activity they will call over to Morocco and tell the boats not to come tonight,” explains one of the crew.

“As the Spanish police are out in force tonight and they have their cameras trained on the coast not even the most desperate smuggler would attempt to land this evening.”

Slightly disappointed that an exhilarating chase could be off the cards, I consoled myself with the news that thanks to the action of the Spanish police, illegal contraband would not be making its way to the Campo that evening at least.

My interest turned to the men’s relationship with their Spanish counterparts.

“We are trying to do the same thing at the end of the day,” says the Skipper.

“If we chase a boat and it goes into Spanish waters we will communicate with our Spanish colleagues and if they pick them up it’s great.

“It depends on the individual, not all of them are so friendly but at the end of the day whether we catch someone or they do, it is more drugs that will not be passing through the Campo and potentially into Gibraltar.”

The men explained however, that if they could change one law, it would be to give them the power to chase suspected criminals into international waters.

They hoped that a more open relationship between Spain and Gibraltar could lead to a relaxing of this law.

I ask the men what their families make of their unusual job.

“They are concerned but they know we are doing an important job,” shrugs one of the men.

“I only fear when I go across the border into Spain.

“In Gibraltar I am in the unique position that I might go out for dinner with my missus and be sat next to someone I nicked the week before.

OlivePressNewspaper olivepress olivepressnews +TheolivepressEs

BE ‘APPY!

INTREPID: The men are willing to risk their lives in order to keep the Rock safe “No-one will bother me here despite that because it is such a small community.

“However, it is completely different say when I go across to do my shopping.

“The smugglers know who we are, and I’m pretty sure they would have different photos of our crew as well.

“If I nick someone’s brother for example and word gets out it was me, I would be a little cautious crossing over.”

Just as the night appears that it will be an uneventful one, we identify a tobacco spotter at Sandy Bay. A spotter will watch out for the police boat and then call ahead to those shipping the drug into Spain to let them know when is best to make the run.

They can make up to £1,000 a day.

Sure enough, outside a dingy nearby carpark, a group of young men seem to be waiting on the beach.

“When they get the call through that the coast is clear these men will load up their Zodiacs with tobacco and run it over to La Linea,” says one of the crew.

“They can do it in five minutes or so, so its important we disrupt them as soon as possible.”

Belted in once more, we career close to where the men are loitering.

The men disperse and the police seem chuffed to have broken up what clearly looked like a major tobacco smuggling operation.

“See, you can be having the quietest night and all of a sudden you have to go from 0 to 100,” says the Skipper.

“Just last night one of our crews picked up a bloke trying to swim from Gibraltar into Spain with the world’s biggest wet bag full of tobacco, it is relentless.”

As the night draws to a close, despite not intercepting any hashish heading for the Campo, the men are pleased to have kept the tobacco smugglers at bay for now.

Another crew will relieve them of their duties at 6am, taking on the responsibility for protecting the Rock from the pervasive drug smuggling on the Med. As we return to the HM Naval Base, the Skipper makes an apt remark.

“They are just getting more and more desperate and have so much money,” he says, referring to the hashish gangs.

“And I’m not getting any younger,” he says laughing.

“More and more boats seem to be coming across and people are worse off in the Campo, they are more willing to do things they wouldn’t have previously for money.

“They aren’t bad people and I do sympathise but the situation is on the verge of tipping out of control there.”

The next day, Spain’s interior minister, Juan Ignacio Zoido, pledged to send more police to the Campo and promised the area will ‘not be dominated by narcos’.

However with the sheer scale of the criminal activity at play, immediate action is needed.

“It is too big an enemy; it’s like a seven-headed serpent, because no matter how often you cut one off, new ones grow,” complains Juan Franco, the Mayor of La Linea.

He laments that the Spanish government has ‘abandoned’ La Linea, providing few job opportunities for locals who have then made tobacco and drug smuggling their source of income.

For the crew of the HMS John Chapple they cannot influence socioeconomic conditions in La Linea.

However, these everyday Gibraltarian heroes will still be out on patrol tonight, tomorrow and forever more, dealing with its effects.

We all owe them a big thanks – even if the Skipper is an Arsenal fan.

Download our app now and begin enjoying the best Spanish www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com news on the go.

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The Rock’s original community newspaper

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Vol. 3 Issue 64

GUERRERO:

wasn’t me

lombia

THE Campo de the ‘Colombia Gibraltar is becoming gangster of Spain’, Spanish lice have warned. po- used as s and drug lords and was an entry point According to to Europe for Colombian cocaine.

Union (SUP), Spain’s United Police young people It comes after like La Linea are in areas cessfully 20 masked men sucstormed a hospital bar (right) and idolising Pablo EscoLinea to rescue in La involved in the becoming increasingly police custody their drug boss from The SUP addeddrug trade. last week.

And that the area danger of becomin was in was just a few days ago, a police purposefully smashed car the 1980s, when g like Galicia in ‘hitman’ who into by a it was overrun was hired to intercept by a

embezzled overa billion euros He claims he a decade. only gave details of the so-called ‘reptile fund’ that he allegedly oversaw, after police erable pressure put considon him.

Embezzlem

Turn to Page

ent

Credit where it’s due The recent high-profile arrests by the Spanish police show that they can do something right! Fair enough and keep up the good work.

Bobby Johnstone, Belfast

Dodgy cops I don’t trust the Spanish police. Why would they have any concern about the drug trade when it is providing vital income for people in the Campo.

I’m sure they’d turn a blind eye to

2

Guerrero is years in prisonfacing eight zling €65 millionfor embezof money from the €647 gency public million emerfund that he managed between 1999 and 2008.

The money had been set aside to support struggling Andalucian business Instead, Guerrer es. o allegedly awarded fake grants to companies registere d in the names of more eXClUSIVe than 100 of his family member

by Joe wallen and fellow PSOE s, friends politicians.

THE Governm His driver, Juan Francisc to consider ent has refused Trujillo - nicknam o changing a ed the ‘cowhich is forcing law, caine chauffeu women travel abroad set up bogus r’ - claims he for abortions. to It comes after nies to receive shell compapublic money group launched a woman’s to spend on an appeal to overturn the and drinks’. ‘cocaine, parties which is the ‘draconian’ law, He is also accused strictest in Euof sendrope. ing ‘retirem Currently, any his mother- ent money’ to Gibraltarian plus anyone mother of hisin-law and the driver for comLIFE imprisonassisting - faces panies that never ment for termiexisted. nating a pregnan On one day alone, Guerrer Under Section cy. o 16 of the 2011 Crime Act a Continues pregnant woman on Page 4 ‘who, with intent her own miscarri to procure age… is liable on convictio n to imprison ment for life.’

The Gibraltar Women’s Association believes to change the it is now time law.

The group claims to know of many women fered physicalwho have sufforced to travel to Spain for health problem and mental poor quality operatio s after being ns.

The women then return to

Life sentences for choosing to terminate a pregnanc ‘must come y to an end’

see PaGe 4

Abort the lAw

PRO CHOIC the Rock, keeping E: Suarez (left) and Strugg their terminations secret les decriminalise and not seekthe act. ing further medical very conserva care over aIreland is also about to fears news of tive place. hold The pair referendum on their abortion say will spread. the issue in May. arate religionthey want to sepComing on from the state “We however the 100th anniand allow women are the only naversary of British tion in Europe on their bodies. the final say women first who the UN being able to are not working with,” “The Catholic bers believe it vote, its mem- said. church lobby Suarez abortion is forcing many on women to have as “They gay marriage they did against Spain, or worse,abortions in same might think we have the a couple of years ago. It is wrong.” backstreet treatmenundertake fact welaws as the UK but in are very different The assocatio ts on the Rock. n is now set .”

Suarez and Struggle write “Migrants and s are ve- opens to the UN to plead to hement their refugees are it dialogue with group is particularly vulnerab choice, not pro-abortion pro- braltarian governm the Gile as they se. are unable to per the issue. ent over attain visas to to Spain,” said go They believe spokeswoman It will also present it should be up Anne-Marie Struggle a woman to decide its to findings to the governm She and her colleagu s, 51. what to do with When contacte ent. e Tamsin “The her body.

Suarez are now criminal government d this week the fighting to reverse the law refused to suption leads to isation of abor- port and raise awareany reform of ness of the issue and infringes discrimination “Abortio the n other than law. on women’s It comes after with the UN. dignity,” in they tain, cerStruggles told discovered that only three the Gi- fied defined, medically certibraltar Olive other countrie circumstances, in Europe (Poland, s “We’ve gone Press. is illegal under Gibralta back 100 years Ireland on and Malta) ban r law,” a govthis ernment spokesm all are in talks abortion and “There issue!” with the UN Gibraltar Olive an told the to rights inis a lack of women’s Press. “The Cabinet Gibraltar and it’s a changin has not considered g this policy.”

drugs coming across the border if they know it keeps people in pocket in La Linea.

286 Main Street Gibraltar, GX11 1AA (+350) 200 75913 info@mayfaironm www.mayfaironm ain.gi ain.gi

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1

Campo de Co

THE alleged Spain’s biggest lynchpin in fraud claims ever political he made SIX previous confessi Former Junta ons up. boss Francisc employment sists he did o Guerrero ingain from thenot personally that saw up to ERE scandal,

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Maybe they should go after the rich cocaine dealers that actually do some harm, rather than the marijuana dealers. Pathetic showmanship by the cops again.

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Our readers react to our coverage of increased drug smuggling in the Campo…

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February 28th - March 13th 2018

Sofia Fernandez, Gibraltar

Lock them up The only way to stop the out-of-control drug trade is to introduce harsher penalties for smuggling in Spain. At the moment, the financial gain is too tempting versus any legal punishment.

Jeremy Garcia, Gibraltar

On par with murderers If the Spanish police stick to their word of increasing their police presence in the Campo it is great news.

Smugglers and dealers should be done for murder!

Sandra Russell, Tarifa

Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Gibraltar Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@theolivepress.es or alternatively message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GibraltarOlivePress or Twitter @olivepress

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-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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February 28th - March 13th 2018

olivepressnews

Rock+TheolivepressEs of ages BE ‘APPY!

la cultura c a mpo

Almost 200 performers attended the Gibraltar International Dance Festival from across Europe

THE Rock’s medieval past has come to life through the Gibraltar Museum’s lecture series.

The latest talk, the culmination of two decades of work, Download Clive our app now saw Professor Fin-and A GIBRALTARIAN dancer begin enjoying the best Spanish layson detailing Gibraltar’s took the plaudits after her rich medieval and performances at the internews onheritage the go. the archaeological events national dance festival on that have shaped its history. the Rock.

Finlayson drew on his per- Amy Wink won both the sonal experience in lead- Best Female Dancer of the ing excavations to dig up Festival and the M.O. Prothe Rock’s past, revealing a ductions Sussex Award. vibrant territory that once The Gibraltar International Dance Festival, now in its held sway over the Straits.

Do you have a what’s on?

February 28th - March 13th 2018

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Send your information to newsdesk@theolivepress.es

Dance, Y dance W

16th year, saw just under The Olive Press 200 world-class performers

Page turner

from England, Gibraltar, TOP for news in Spain!

Italy and Spain dazzle the judges.

14-year-old Marek Pisanu from Italy took home the overall prize, the M.O. Productions Bursary Award, TWO British authors have while Yoel Ferrer from published a novel about a Spain won the Best Male special forces commando Dancer of the Festival.

FOOTLOOSE: Gibraltar dance winners fighting a nuclear threat in Following in Amy’s footGibraltar. steps, young Gibraltarian from four countries making “These are our aims so that Keith Turn- Ella Hurtado won the Most this year even more special it becomes a major tourism bull and Ken Promising Infant. than usual,” he said. event for Gibraltar.”

H a m e s ’ s The organiser of the festi- “We are attracting more A sign of the festival’s inbook Fallen val, Seamus Byrne, was en- and more people every year creasing stature could be Angel de- thusiastic about its growing and we are confident of seen by the appointment of tails the importance internationally. more names joining us from British dance legend Chris exploits of “We had nearly 200 dancers abroad in 2019.

Hocking as adjudicator.

Tom Selkirk, a ‘mission-weary’ soldier who specialises in ultrasecret international assignments.

After a deadly tsunami occurs in the South Pacific in suspicious circumstances, Selkirk tracks down the sole survivor, the beautiful Isabelle, which leads him to the Rock.

“Gibraltar is featured in alROCK ‘N’ ROLL: The band delight London most every chapter but there is one specific and key chapter all about Gibraltar, which is the sixth,” Turnbull explained.

GIBRALTARIAN rock band Jetstream are flying high after their most successful British gig to date.

Infatuation They brought the house down at London’s Fiddler’s Elbow in Camden, proof of the growing popularity of “Gibraltar is a pivotal point Gibraltarian music in the UK. for Tom Selkirk’s tale beJetstream played alongside other acts including Jocause it is there where they seph Rodgers and Billy Nomad and the Common realise who the bad guys are, Army. what the weapon they are up “This was the first gig that we got ourselves in the UK against is and what is going to through promoting and sending out emails to estabhappen. lished venues so that was really special,” band mem“He just doesn’t know where ber Nolan Fresco told the Gibraltar Olive Press. and when.”

“Many people turned up just to see us which is a sign Turnbull had previously visitof our growing popularity in the UK. ed Gibraltar when he worked And it will not be the bands’ only gig in Europe over in the defence sector and dethe upcoming months. veloped an infatuation for the While their home will always be Gibraltar, they are Rock. looking to appeal to new audiences with gigs planned “I love Gibraltar,” he enin Spain, the UK and Belgium. thused.

“When we leave Gibraltar we miss the Rock, absolute“Gibraltar is a pivotal location ly, it will always be special to us,” Fresco said. strategically and militarily for “However, travelling abroad and expanding our horiBritain and its wider western zons is good for the band too.” allies.

“It is a wonderful location.”

Jetstream join the jet set

Backgammon champ AMERICAN pro Jack Edelson is the reigning backgammon champ of the Rock.

Edelson saw off stiff competition from Norwegian Elias Kritikos in the final game to win by 18-11, as both players fought it out at the Caleta Hotel Gibraltar.

Some 32 players from around the world arrived in Gibraltar for the knock-out style tournament, with the final game lasting three hours and 36 minutes.

what’s on oung Art Competition, Feb 26 - Mar 9

EXHIBITION of art entered by Gibraltarians and residents in Gibraltar under the age of 24. Visit the John Mackintosh Hall from February 26 - March 9.

Hocking is the Vice-Chair of All England Dance and performed in Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show and The King and I during his glittering career.

“The work starts now for 2019 and we have to make sure it just gets bigger and bigger,” said Seamus.

“We have already had interest from dancers in Portugal and Slovakia and we are optimistic once we get dancers on board they will keep coming back.

“The standard of dance in Gibraltar is very high and the festival provides a vital stepping stone for our dancers who want to travel abroad to compete.

“It provides a platform for our young people to improve and receive professional advice from proper judges.”

orld Book Day, March 1

A CELEBRATION of authors, illustrators, books and reading.

This year’s theme is Harry Potter, with a special performance of the Philosopher's Stone taking place in the theatre of John Mackintosh Hall.

P

oetry Slam, Central Hall March 3

PARTICIPANTS have three minutes to create original poems and workshops are on throughout the day for different age groups at Central Hall.

LA DONAIRA PRESENTS

The Salon Sessions International stars. Intimate gatherings.

m a rc h 20 , 20 1 8 Atis String Quartet Four young, outstanding musicians from the Cologne University of Music play soaring, elegant chamber music.

Two violins, viola and cello Shostakovich • Haydn • Schubert Tickets are €3 5 and include food, drinks and shuttle transport from La Posada, Calle Fuentes, 49, El Gastor (Ronda – 30 mins, Seville – 1 hr). Tickets can be paid for at La Posada on the day, but owing to limited availability, should be booked in advance.

Transport 20: 0 0; Tapas 20:30; Concert 21:30.

Contact: info @ladonaira.com, +34 615 38 11 19 com i n g s oon Australian soprano Allegra Giagu (April 17) The Rahman String Quartet (May 17) All-male a capella The Ramparts (June 9) Sao Paolo University Cello Ensemble (July 7)

10

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Culture

February 28th - March 13th 2018

Man of Secrets SALUT: Laurie loved a drop

By David Baird

W

HAT a charmer he was! Anybody who ever came into contact with Laurie Lee would agree on that.

The English writer cast a spell on almost all those he met, particularly those of the female gender.

In his writing, too, he had a magical touch.

The luscious imagery of his poetry and prose has enchanted millions, particularly in two classic books about Spain. As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning related his wandering through the peninsula in 1935 and 1936. And A Moment of War described his adventures when he returned to a country torn apart by civil conflict.

Gregarious, witty and always ready to sink another pint, Laurie was in his element when he could socialise, whether with princes or paupers. They all had a fond word for Laurie.

He was at his charming best when I met

“In writing autobiography, the only truth is what you remember” him in the 1990s on his last visit to Spain.

On a golden afternoon on a sunny hillside overlooking the Costa del Sol, attended by his doting wife and daughter, he sipped wine and reminisced eloquently about his career.

No indication, then, of the darker side to the writer-poet. For Laurie Lee had his secrets and only after his death have some of them emerged.

Many questions remain unanswered with respect to his experiences during the Spanish Civil War. His account, A Moment of War, was not published until 1991 - more than 50 years after that conflict. It was an immediate bestseller, hailed as compelling and mesmerising.

Critics, however, including some veterans of the International Brigades, claimed the book was more fantasy than fact. In her biography, Laurie Lee - The Well-loved Stranger, Valerie Grove suggested: ‘It must rest in the no man’s land between history and invention’, but stressed that the book did give ‘an almost cinematically vivid impression’ of Spain at war.

Laurie told me it was a book he had to write, ‘out of a debt to my old friends.’ So

Every spring, families and sympathisers of those who served in the International Brigades make their annual pilgrimage to the Spanish Civil War battlefields.

One volunteer was British author Laurie

Lee. His vivid description of those desperate days became a bestseller – and a subject of huge controversy. David Baird sorts fact from fiction...

not have worked with the Republic’s military intelligence as he suggested.

However, researchers have found documentary evidence that Laurie was indeed a member of the Brigades, though it is unlikely he took part in any military action as he suffered from epileptic fits. While the book suggested he was in Spain for four or five months, in fact he was only here for nine weeks.

Almost as soon as he sneaked into Spain over the Pyrenees, Laurie was arrested as a suspected spy, then dumped in a recruiting centre for the Republican army in Figueras.

Later, according to his own account, after being involved in fighting on the Teruel front in Albacete he was detained again, suspected of being a saboteur and Fascist infiltrator.

Posted to besieged Madrid, he apparently took part in some propaganda broadcasts before it was decided to repatriate him. But when he arrived in Barcelona he was imprisoned as a deserter.

He was mouldering in a cell until Bill Rust, editor of The Daily Worker, heard by chance that an Englishman was being held and vouched for him. Thus Laurie was sprung, ADVENTURER: Lee with his daughter Jessy in Andalucia leaving Spain on February 19, 1937. that had been scattered by a cyclone’. The As he later declared, ‘In writing autobiogbig problem was that raphy, the only truth his diaries had been is what you rememstolen in 1969. ber’, so the precise “My eyes were going facts of his sojourn and I had other things in Spain will never be to do. It was important known. that I did it sometime Tracing his career, so I used to do perhaps I sought out his faone piece a week. I vourite London pub, wanted it to be right. the Queen’s Elm in The last thing I wanted Old Church St, Chelwas a rushed job rathsea. Here doctors, er than a true account. diplomats and driftIt is really my farewell ers once rubbed to that experience.” shoulders with actors But some found it hard and vagabonds. Its to credit certain debetter-known clients tails, not least his alincluded Eric Sykes, leged encounters with Sean Connery, Gerald Eulalia, a seductive Scarfe, Lucian Freud, 16-year-old temptress.

Oliver Reed, Julie She emitted a fraChristie, Helen Mirren grance, wrote Laurie, and Francis Bacon. ‘of trampled thyme, But those days are woodsmoke and burnlong gone. The preming orange’. ises are now occupied “Much of Laurie Lee’s by a trendy furnishstory must be classed ings shop. Outside is a as fiction and fantaflower stall. The holdLIVING: Suspected spy loved Spanish food sy,” declared Bill Al- WRITINGS: Of a torn country er, from somewhere exander, commander of east of Dubrovnik, looked why, I asked him, was it so long in coming? the brigadistas at Terubemused at the mention of He said that piecing together the facts was el. He claimed that Laurie never joined the Laurie’s name. ‘like retrieving the pages of a love letter International Brigades and that he could Slad, however, the Cotswold village where

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February 28th - March 13th 2018

February 28th - March 13th 2018

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AT HOME: In Spain

HOME AND MORE: Cottage in Slad and plague in Almunecar

Laurie grew up, is a place of pilgrimage for his fans. Here Laurie was in his element, drinking with the locals in The Woolpack pub. On his tombstone in the nearby cemetery are inscribed the words: “He lies in the valley he loved.”

The writer spent some of his happiest years in Slad with his wife Kathy and their daughter Jessy. They married in 1950 when she was 18 and he was 36. Their home, Rose Cottage, was idyllic but the marriage not always.

In the pub Laurie could be the life and soul of the party. As he admitted: “I won’t deny the accusations that I am a heavy drinker. Drinking to me is a defence against panic, fear, and if I can do without it I will.”

At home, however, he was prey to dark moods and, though he idolised his wife and child, he tended to treat both like children. He was also a serial philanderer, a trait for which Kathy showed an amazing tolerance.

His biographer Valerie Grove commented after his death: “I could absolutely see that he was an unfaithful husband and also a very difficult father, as so many creative men are.”

Celebrating Jessy’s birth in 1963, Laurie wrote: “‘She was born in the autumn and was a late fall in my life, and lay purple and dented like a little bruised plum, as though she’d been lightly trodden in the GRAVE: In Slad grass and forgotten.”

HAVING A BREW: In the Woolsack

She was not, however, Laurie’s only child. Not until many years later did Jessy learn that she had a half-sister, named Yasmin, born in 1939.

Jessy had always thought that Yasmin was her cousin. In fact, she was the product of Laurie’s passionate affair with the ravishing Lorna Wishart, wife of a publisher.

Just to complicate matters, Kathy was Lorna’s niece. This made Jessy and Yasmin both half-sisters and second cousins.

Laurie’s controlling influence took its toll on the family and Jessy’s childhood was troubled. An unhappy teenager, she always felt she was a disappointment to her father. She quit her school studies and, moving into a bedsit in Cheltenham, she developed a taste for magic mushrooms.

In 1982 came a breakdown, when she stopped eating or sleeping. When a psychiatrist examined her, he told Laurie his frank opinion: “This is a lot more to do with you than it’s to do with drugs.”

This was something her parents could not accept. Then Jessy, aged 20, had another breakdown. Suffering paranoid hallucinations, she spent two months in a nursing home. After this, the family clearly had a rethink and father and daughter reached

some sort of reconciliation.

Perhaps as a reaction to her early experience, Jessy later trained as a psychotherapist and became involved in social work.

Family frictions seemed long buried when I met her, along with Laurie and beautiful blonde Kathy, near Almuñécar on his last visit to Spain.

Wife and daughter beamed fondly as Laurie quaffed his wine and reminisced.

And Jessy told me: “The light and the sunshine are good for him. He comes to life in Spain.”

It was from Almuñécar that, at the start of the Civil War, Laurie was whisked to safety on a British destroyer. A plaque on the seafront commemorates the writer’s connec- CLASSIC: Laurie’s book tions with the about walking through town.

Spain in the 1930s was a Looking at my literary legend copy of As I Walked Out, Laurie smiled. “I had to fight for that cover because it summed up everything…the young man, the open road before him, the village on the hill…”

He was in mellow mood, full of charm, ‘the ultimate weapon, the supreme seduction, against which there are few defences’, as he once wrote. Who could argue with Laurie Lee about that?

David Baird’s latest book is due out shortly, The Glories of Yesterday — Your guide to Granada, city and province (http://maromapress.wordpress. com). His other books include Between Two Fires - Guerrilla war in the Spanish sierras and Sunny Side Up — the 21st century hits a Spanish village.

12

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E all want to help the planet by cutting our carbon footprints but sometimes it seems a lot harder than it should be.

But thanks to Energy Nordic, a Danishowned, multilingual electricity supplier, making an impact has become a lot easier for expats in Spain.

The company, which boasts a central location in Fuengirola, provides 100% green electricity Spain-wide, and is here to take the confusion out of selecting an electricity plan, also supplying you with easy-to-read electricity bills.

The company boasts a qualified, friendly, team that can attend to you in English (or, indeed, in Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and German – with more languages soon to be Expats can available).

Energy Nordic was receive bills in founded by Jesper Wagsimple English ner (CEO) and Christian and rely on expert Larsen (Partner and Director of Marketing), knowledge who built up electricity companies in Denmark for many years before setting up on the Coast. They are joined by Marianne Dahlgaard (Customer Service Manager), who has a detailed knowledge of the electricity service industry in Spain, and Phil Mitchell (Commercial Manager), who says the state of the electricity market in Spain (where clients are often unaware of the options available to them) is ‘similar to the Danish market six years ago.’ He says there is no reason to think that you must rely on one supplier in particular.

With Energy Nordic, expats can receive bills in simple English (or another chosen language) and rely on expert knowledge that will enable them to find the most convenient plan possible. “Currently,” says Phil, “Many people don’t really know what they are paying for. We inform them of important considerations such as their contracted power, the actual energy they are using, taxes, etc.”

If having a dedicated, specialised team attending to you and answering all your queries in your language of choice, and finding a more reasonably priced plan doesn’t convince you, this surely will: “All electricity supplied by Energy Nordic is sustainable green energy,” explains Phil, “anyone who is interested in learning about how we can help them can feel free to contact us for more information.”

The enthusiastic directors at Energy Nordic have placed a strong emphasis on finding the right team; since clients hail from a host of different countries and have varying needs.

Welcome It is important to have a committed staff that is passionate about offering customers the best, most personalised solutions possible. “You are always welcome to call us or drop by as we would like to talk to you” says Phil.

The success of Energy Nordic in this sphere is testimony to the fact that making things simple may take plenty of work, but the result is worth it – in this case as much for clients as for renewable energy producers and our fragile Planet.

The right energy programme can potentially reduce the price of your bill and there are two current plans offered at Energy Nordic: “One is called Flex Price. It is for those who wish to obtain energy at the exact cost price. We buy power on the energy market every single day, and sell it to you at exactly the same price that we pay – with no hidden tariffs or charges. If electricity prices fall, so do your costs.

You pay us a small (€5 monthly)

Plans available

handling charge for trading your energy daily on the market.”

The second plan, called the Flat Rate plan, is ideal for holiday homes which you may only use occasionally.

Phil explains: “You pay a fixed rate every month, regardless of your usage and no matter how much time

you or your family spend in your Spanish home.

Your Flat Rate is calculated on the basis of your previous usage, which places you in a certain price group.

You can use as much electricity as you need within the group you have chosen.”

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PROPERTY IN SPAIN?

Save money on your electricity and get your bill and customer service in English Call +34 916 358 626 Energy Nordic is your English-speaking electricity supplier in Spain. Everything we say and write to you will be in clear, direct English. Should you have any questions, you will always have an English-speaking customer service team ready to assist you. Quite simple! We have an office in Fuengirola and you are always very welcome to drop by.

Find out more at energynordic.com

*At the moment 9 out of 10 can save money on their energy bill if they switch to Energy Nordic (based on our current customer profile)

Energy Nordic S.L. C/San Pancracio 18 29640 Fuengirola +34 916 358 626 energynordic.com

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HEALTH

February 28th - March 13th 2018

OlivePressNewspaper

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February 28th - March 13th 2018

Fitness first

A

s I walk into the Ocean Health Club, The Ocean Health Group is the warm welcome strikes me first.

Having worked out in a variety of Gibraltar’s premier health and gyms across the globe, from your fitness brand, writes Joe Wallen hardcore alpha-bodybuilding spaces to more subtle and sociable cardio rooms, it is more private gym while Atlantic Health Club rare to be received in such a friendly man- and Spa has more of a community feel with room for all your friends and family. ner.

While the gym equipment at Ocean Health Each facility also offers a range of enjoyable Club is state-of-the-art, with brand new and challenging classes with expert permachines including the Synergy360 and a sonal trainers on hand to give you tailored large weights area, it is unheard of to have fitness advice.

The jewel in the crown of the Ocean Health staff on hand catering to your every need.

Group however, must be Re“We pride ourselves on our shape and Rumble. customer service,” says R&R, situated at Atlantic Walacy Ferreira of the Ocean “Whenever you use Suites, is a boutique fitness Health Group.

“We like to think we are one a facility at Ocean studio offering intense group sessions with bespoke playlbig family and everyone can Health Group you ists and breathtaking visual feel comfortable visiting our brand, regardless of wheth- will be treated like effects.

Tired after your workout? er they are young or old, family” Don’t fear! male or female, Gibraltarian The Ocean Health Group has or from further afield.” luxury spa facilities not only The Ocean Health Group has recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary, available at its Atlantic Health Club and Spa trailblazers in the health and fitness scene but also at the Sunborn Infinity Spa. You can sit back, relax and enjoy high qualin Gibraltar.

Further to their dazzling facilities at the ity treatments and services to ensure you are Ocean Health Club, the brand also owns the always on top form.

Atlantic Health Club and Sunborn Infinity Supernatural, a juice and smoothie bar in the World Trade Centre, also offers a selection of Fitness.

The three facilities all deliver an exquisite healthy foods for refuelling after your workout. work-out experience yet several unique fea- “Whenever you use a facility at tures about each mean there really is a club Ocean Health Group you will be treated like family,” promises Walacy. for everyone.

The Sunborn Infinity Fitness is an intimate, www.oceanvillagehealthclub.gi

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The Lasting Powers of Attorney and Capacity Bill lets Gibraltarians make decisions now about NEW legislation will give Gibraltarians more control over their healthcare treatment when they no longer have the mental capacity to make decisions.

The Lasting Powers of Attorney and Capacity Bill was passed unanimously by the government on February 16.

Any Gibraltarian wishing to make a decision can file their requests at the Supreme Court Registry and if the time comes, the attorney appointed under that document will have the authority to act on their behalf.

treatment they will be able to receive when they can no longer decide for The Olive Press themselves

TOP for news in Spain!

“It is the second part which is so crucial.

“A person has the right to choose what may be done with their body or their mind in the event that they lose their mental capacity in the future.”

The Act permits Gibraltar“Persons living, amongst oth- ians to request specific medier things, with mental disor- cal treatment is carried out if ders, who no longer have the they no longer have the camental capacity to express pacity to consent to it, and in their wishes, should be able turn, refuse any medication. to receive such care and treat- It also allows someone to ment as they need and want,” appoint a trusted guarantor said the Minister for Health, who can make important deNeil Costa. cisions for them in the future.

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olivepressnews +TheolivepressEs Crowd control

Worker’s backlash

A GIBRALTARIAN law firm has contributed to a major appraisal of crowd‘APPY! funding BE rules in Europe.

Isolas LLP has written the Gibraltar chapter of the 2017 European Crowdfunding Review, which is produced by the European Crowdfunding Network (ECN).

The review aims to encourage crowdfunding as a source of supporting businesses in Europe, as well as combatting issues such as the protection of the environment.

Isolas LLP told the press that it was proud to have assisted on the project app now and and looks Download forward our to working with the ECN in the future. begin enjoying the best Spanish news on the go.

Happy birthday!

February 28th - March 13th 2018

A LEADING worker’s association is ‘extremely disappointed’ with the government.

The Private Sector Workers and Pensioners Association made the comments in light of broken promises for private sector employees who were going to get pensions.

But a breakdown in communication has put 11 years of lobbying by the association to waste.

Despite urging the government to reverse its U-turn, the association say it will not stop from pursuing the government to give it a fair deal.

Out of luck

THE World Trade Centre in Gibraltar has celebrated its first birthday The in styleOlive - with a Press 49kg replica cake!

The building, which hosts 58 for news in Spain! companies, TOP has significantly boosted Gibraltar’s reputation as a Fintech and eMoney hub.

The World Trade Centre in Gibraltar is part of a worldwide group of 320 similar buildings across 88 different countries.

“The state-of-the-art facility features 15,500 metre squared of high specification WILLIAM Hill has been hit Grade A office accommoda- with fine of more than £6 tion and houses, both mul- million after it allowed ten inAT A LOSS: The betting giant received a record fine tinational companies and dividuals to deposit £1.2 milaspiring new businesses,” a lion in its accounts that was numbers of staff to ensure fixed-odds betting terminals. spokesperson from the World linked to criminal activity. their anti-money laundering The maximum stake could Trade Centre said.

The Gibraltar-headquartered and social responsibility pro- be reduced from £100 to £2 firm did not do enough to en- cesses were effective’. sure its preventative measures It is the second largest penExpansion were effective, according to the alty imposed by the Gambling “The World Trade Centre is Gambling Commission.

Commission, after the organthe most globally connected “This was a systematic failing isation fined fellow betting office facility in the region, at William Hill which went on firm 888 £7.8 million in 2017. bringing Gibraltar into a net- for nearly two years and to- The company must now apwork of 320 WTC’s around day’s penalty package – which point external auditors to the world and heralding a could exceed £6.2 million – review its practice and make new era of cryptocurrency reflects the seriousness of the amendments where necessary. expansion, promoting Block- breaches,” said Neil McArthur, The timing of the fine could not chain and FinTech technolo- the executive director at the come at a worse time for the gies.” company.

Gambling Commission.

The World Trade Centre The organisation commented In several weeks the UK governhouses global business giants that William Hill ‘failed to mit- ment will make a decision on such as Regus, Bet Victor, igate risks and have sufficient limiting the maximum stake on BDO and Stan James Unibet.

In its first year it has also hosted delegations from the Chinese Embassy to the UK, the London Stock Exchange, representatives from the US Congress and the WTA’s CEO GIBRALTAR has enhanced its reputation as being at the and leadership team from very forefront of the online data revolution by hosting the Commonwealth Telecommunications Conference.

New York.

William Hill hit with £6.2 million fine for breaching Gambling Commission regulations

Data revolution

TOMORROW’S WORLD: Modern workplace

Back to the future HAVE you ever wanted to know what will happen to the workplace in the future?

Then you’re in luck as leading industry experts will be descending onto the Rock to present how the world of work will change as technology advances.

Organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, the annual conference will take place at the University of Gibraltar on March 2.

Experts David D’Souza and Stephanie Davis will also be on hand to answer any burning questions you may have.

The conference is free to attend and is open to all local businesspeople.

The two-day conference, held at the University of Gibraltar, on ‘The Data Revolution, Maximising Opportunities and Managing Risks’.

The convention discussed how a business can maintain its privacy and security despite evolving threats from data sharing.

Analyse

“On the concept of what is happening with data in the world we need to be at the forefront,” Sir Joe Bossano told the press.

“Technology has given us the ability to analyse data in a volume and at a speed that was not possible before the computer age.”

Over 50 overseas delegates attended the conference.

which could drastically reduce William Hill’s profitability and lead to high-street shop closures.

“We are fully committed to operating a sustainable business that properly identifies risk and better protects customers,” said William Hill chief executive Philip Bowcock.

“We will continue to assist the Commission and work with other operators to improve practices in the areas identified.”

The Gibraltar Olive Press has contacted William Hill for comment on whether the fine could affect its 400-strong workforce on the Rock.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Slick operators A DELEGATION from the Gibraltar Port Authority has attended International Petroleum Week to meet with leading members of the global shipping community.

Prime ICO THE Gibraltarbased shipping agency which was the first to transport freight paid for in Bitcoin is now looking to hold an ICO to raise the $150 million needed to launch its own cryptocurrency.

Not guilty THE owner of Marbella FC, Alexander Grinberg, has stated that ‘coming from Eastern Europe doesn’t make you a criminal’, after his release from prison.

16

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lockhead

By Christopher Cousins of Igniteratings.com

ICOs: The solution

Chris Cousins of Ignite Ratings explains how Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) are an invaluable source of funding for startups

I

believe in ICOs, so much so that my colleagues and I have spent the last nine months developing a solution to provide long term sustainability to this market.

The way the industry has been working to promote ICOs has not been based on any solid methodology but rather hype, clever PR and marketing.

Naturally that is not the case for all and very good projects exist which have obviously run strong promotional campaigns, that is not the issue.

The issue is how to distinguish quality and encourage accountability.

I believe that ICOs are able to facilitate the dreams of many startups and have already generated tremendous value in the market.

I wish ICOs existed 10 years ago, I would be a billionaire today without question.

To the naysayer, the uncomfortable truth is that ICOs have raised more money than any other capital raising tool developed in the last century.

In that sense they are a revolution in themselves.

In 12 months ICOs have managed to raise nearly $4 billion, which for early stage startups is absolutely insane.

ICOs are often compared to venture capital, but I don’t think that is a fair comparison — why?

Because ICOs are often pre-product, with just a basic proof of concept or just a really dedicated team that markets well.

Good luck getting a VC to invest 10M on that.

ICOs are almost like friends and family rounds at scale.

When you think about the risks and returns to date it has proved seriously impressive, but can this bubble pop?

The fact is that not enough research is conducted prior to investing.

I know this because it is clear that investors are buying in on FOMO. The incentive to hype an ICO is STRONG for all involved, justified or not.

All 20 of us at Ignite have been working hard to solve the above issues.

Avoiding manipulation by generating sound investment intelligence is our goal, we have tried our best to not be a hyped ICO, but rather one that builds a solid grassroots community.

Our goal is to help projects that deserve to raise millions from investors which seek to profit long term.

In short we are building the world’s first decentralised investment information portal, eventually to be packed with trading features only seen on Wall Street’s best trading desks.

Ignite harnesses the power of its community and the wisdom of the crowd to intimately review and rate assets and upcoming projects in an honest and frank fashion, as we reward our community by allowing them to take the lion’s share of our own trading gains, executed on the back of their opinion.

Any attempt to manipulate the system simply destroys that individual’s reputation on the platform, meaning that they will be unable to have any material influence on the ratings process and will lose the opportunity to be financially rewarded for their participation.

The Ignite community works as a collective to seek out the best investments, while freely-distributing its research amongst the community members.

We believe in ICOs, and we believe that Ignite will help them become a legitimate and sustainable source of funding for 21st century projects, while helping to prevent history from repeating itself again and again.

Ignite RATINGS is the first decentralised ratings platform for digital assets, ICOs and cryptocurrencies. Learn more about how you can get involved at: www.igniteratings.com

16

FINTECH

Legal firms in the UK are having to hire digital forensic experts to divide cryptocurrency assets BRITISH lawyers are dealing with their first instances of ‘Bitcoin divorce’, where crypto-currencies had been listed as split assets.

Due to the anonymous nature of crypto-currencies, courts found it increasingly difficult to conclude who owns what when attempting to ensure a fair pay out.

In a sign of things to come, British courts are now deploying digital forensic experts to analyse data and discover

February 28th - March 13th 2018 13th 2018 February 28th - March

Crypto divorce

whether someone is concealing any of their wealth in crypto-currency.

Vandana Chitroda, a partner at law firm Royds Withy King, said she was currently dealing with three cases where the husband owned either Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple or Ethereum.

“These are the first cases we have seen, and we expect to see many more,” Chitroda said.

“There will also be those di-

Anything you can do SPAIN is to release ambitious new legislation in an attempt to rival Gibraltar as a cryptocurrency and blockchain hub.

The PP Party is eyeing up the move as part of a new policy to attract firms working in the fintech industry.

The legislation should come into practice later this year.

It is believed the bill will also specify an amount, with cryptoinvestments valued below this level not taxed by the Spanish authorities.

“We want to set up Europe’s safest framework to invest in ICOs,” said Teodoro Garcia Egea, who stands in the Congress of Deputies for the PP. Egea said he hoped the new regulation would also encourage technological advancement in other sectors such as education, finance and health.

vorces where a spouse may not have disclosed such assets, leaving a traceability nightmare.”

Part of the difficulty, Chitroda explained, was the fluctuating price of cryptocurrency, meaning valuing the commodity was difficult and had to be regularly updated.

In one case, a husband had invested £80,000 in Bitcoin back in November 2016.

The investment was then valued at £1 million in December 2017, before falling to £600,000 in February 2018.

As the divorce process takes eight months on average, Chitroda said different valuations constantly had to be given to the court.

Property www.theolivepress.es

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March 29th - April 11th 2017

Issue 13

15

- April 11th 2017 March SELL TO29th STRUGGLING YOUR SPANISH PROPERTY?

See page 16 for details

To find out more, go to www.sellmypropertyinspain.com or call 673

669 105 today

Anything but a dump

Mogul’s Marbella TV debut

PAGE III

Tivoli world makeover

PAGE V A dedicated Spanish architect has spent more than 30 years turning a rundown cement factory into his perfect home and office space Page XI

BAD PRACTICE I T is a practice that most property professionals had hoped was a thing of the past.

But Olive Press Property can reveal that the ethically questionable practice of charging buyers as well as sellers is rearing its head again on the Costa del Sol. According to sources, at least two agents in the Marbella area have recently stung their buyers with bills of up to 5%.

The so called ‘finder’s fees’ are in addition from taking commission from the seller.

“It’s disgusting,” said Terra Meridiana’s Adam Neale, “I have nothing wrong with finder’s fees if you agree it with the client beforehand, but I have heard from several buyers that certain agents are adding a 5% fee with no prior warning.

“It’s bad ethics and gives agents on the Costa del Sol a bad name.”

Mike Smith, Chairman of Marbella-based First Choice Spain, agreed that charging potential buyers such fees was ‘ob-

EXCLUSIVE: Agents unite as some ‘bad apples’ are slapping finders fees on buyers without warning

scene’, especially when you consider they already have very high purchase taxes which are often in excess of 10%.

“We as agents are paid by the sellers and we never charge a fee to a buyer,” he said, “On the whole our industry works very well as it is, without the need to start charging such high additional fees to buyers. We should be encouraging them to invest here!”

Ben Bateman of Holmes in Sotogrande added he was aware of the practice happening ‘in a few cases’.

“It is totally unethical and gives our business a bad reputation for sharp practices,” he said.

Property

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Behind on your mortgage payments and need assistance?

“I have no objection to agents operating with a finder’s fee, but I do object when these so called buyers bill both sides without declaring from the outset that they will be doing so.”

He added: “When unscrupulous agents abuse the system by adding extra amounts, the whole industry suffers.

“Beware of this sharp practise.”

Legal expert Antonio Flores added that such practises can be deemed illegal.

“It is not illegal to have your commission built into the price, with the agreement of the vendor,” he told the Olive Press.

The problem is when an agent adds a commission on top but does not tell the buyer or seller.

“This happens when the agent is the middle man and the parties are not in touch via their lawyers. This is actually a criminal offence.”

Granada’s new eco-village

PAGE XIV

Andalucia’s highest towns

PAGE XVII

Have you been a victim? Email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

STRUGGLING TO SELL YOUR SPANISH PROPERTY? Behind on your mortgage payments and need assistance?

our bi-monthly Property magazine out next issue

We know how to make your property stand out in the market and can advance funds to cover your mortgage until your property is sold. See page 16 for more details.

To find out more, go to www.sellmypropertyinspain.com or call 673

669 105 today

Good news for home improvement merchants and Nimbys A HOST of legal amendments look set to impact the planning landscape in Gibraltar.

One of the proposed changes would give the Development and Planning Commission (DPC) power to veto government building projects.

Currently, the Commission can only make a binding judgement on private projects.

However, it is thought that the amendments would exempt government schemes judged to be urgently in the public interest.

The draft legislation will be debated in parliament but policy makers are optimistic it will go through.

In another proposal bound to be welcomed by home DIY merchants and the trade, inte-

17

February 28th - March 13th 2018

17

February 28th - March 13th 2018

Planning shake-up rior works that do not impact the external appearance of a building will no longer need

planning permission, although a developer will still require Building Control Approval.

British buyers back in action BRITS are spearheading a home buying bonanza in Spain, according to the lastest figures released by the Spanish Land Registrar’s Association.

Demand for homes in Spain by foreign investors increased by 20.4% in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to 2016, equating to 15,266 purchases.

As a result, last year saw foreigners’ purchasing 13.6% of all Spanish housing stock, an all-time high.

During 2017’s last quarter alone, British buyers led the pack with with 2,384 registered purchases (16% of all foreign purchases) followed by the French (1,242 properties - 8%) and Germans (1,198 - also 8%).

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There’s also good news for the Nimby brigade. Under the changes, public participation periods - the window when members of the electorate can challenge a planning project – would be based on the number of ‘working days’ they include.

“This addresses the issue which has arisen in the past where public participation has taken place over extended holiday periods and the public has not had access to our offices to view applications,” said a spokesman for Town Planning.

“This, together with the availability of all applications online – which has been in place now for a number of years – will ensure easy access to application details for the public.”

A further aspect of the proposal would see the meetings of the Development Appeals Tribunal held in public, unless it would not be in the public interest to do so.

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No height limit DEVELOPERS looking to construct a block of luxurious, modern apartments at the old Continental Hotel site believe its proposed height will not be an issue.

Gilman Holdings is looking to construct a seven-storey block of 22 apartments on Engineer’s Lane.

Usually in Gibraltar, a development cannot be over five storeys when it is within the city walls.

However, Gilman believe that as the top two storeys of the building are set back from the street, permission will be granted by the Development and Planning Commission.

The apartment block would be designed in an ‘attractive contemporary’ manner and represents an ‘ambition to revitalise the location in a sensitive state of the art manner, creating a landmark presence on this important urban junction,’ according to the developer.

Property

February 28th - March 13th 2018 February 28th - March 13th 2018

Hot, hot, hot!

SPAIN’S property market has officially recovered from the 2008 crash, with 2017’s transactions approaching levels last seen before the crisis.

New figures released this week show close to 465,000 sales last year, the highest annual figure since 2008 and a 15% increase on 2016.

The country experienced a

We was robbed

Home buying in Spain nearly bounces back to pre-crisis levels property boom in the 1990s before it crashed from dizzying heights in 2008 following the global economic meltdown.

Prices plummeted and only began to rise again in 2014,

All hooked up SPAIN has more homes connected to fibre optic cables than any other country in Europe.

There were 1.61 million new subscribers between September 2016 and September 2017 which saw 33.9% of homes hooked up to superfast broadband.

In total, some 17.5 million homes have access to fibre optics.

This makes Spain top in Europe out of 39 countries analysed for fibre optic connectivity.

when the recession in Spain ended.

Across the whole country last year, the average property prices rose by 7.6% compared to 2016.

But while transactions are at pre-crisis levels, prices remain 21% lower than in 2007, the height of the real estate bubble, although a 3.1% growth in the economy has helped boost the market.

"Low interest rates along with a declining (although stillhigh) unemployment rate, which declined to 17% in 2017 from a record 27% in 2013, are supporting housing affordability," said ratings agency Moody's.

"Moreover, although it is like-

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ly that housing sales will exceed 500,000 properties during 2018 for the first time in a decade, this is still far from the nearly one million of annual housing sales before 2007.

"Construction activity currently is at 40% of pre-crisis levels in 2007, partially correcting the oversupply in place before the crisis."

The figures from Spain’s property register revealed 13% of home purchases were made by foreigners last year, led by British and French nationals.

In the Balearic Islands, foreigners accounted for 35% of sales and in the Canary Islands, 29%.

Lucas Fox said Madrid was the hottest market in Spain right now, seeing a 92% jump in transactions last year and a 311% increase in sales value.

BARCELONA midfielder Philippe Coutinho’s luxury pad in Spain has been ransacked by thieves.

The football star was allegedly out at a restaurant with family members at the time of the robbery.

He returned home in the early hours of the morning to find that thieves had raided his property in Barcelona.

The Brazilian called in the cops immediately.

The palatial pad was reportedly made easier to burgle due to ongoing construction work.

The 25-year-old did not travel with his Barcelona teammates for the Champions League tie with Chelsea due to his participation in the group stages with Liverpool.

Coutinho has made seven appearances for his current employers so far since moving from Merseyside for a reported £142 million in January.

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BEER SPA: Granada

Barrel of laughs

THE locals are eating out more, spending more and, best of all, widening their palate.

In good news for expat restaurateurs, the average Spaniard ate out 158 times last year, an increase of 1.3% on 2016.

The biggest winners are restaurants serving fast food, and in particular Italian restaurants.

While the largest increase is trips out for breakfast and lunch, at the weekends punters are spending more on ‘a la carte’ restaurants.

According to market research company NPD, total sales in the catering sector reached a record €3.6 Billion in sales last year, an increase of 2.5% on 2016.

It is the third consecutive year of growth in the sector with the number of restaurant visits reaching 98 million.

Each customer spent an average of €4.88 per trip, a rise of 1% on last year.

MORE than 50% of At the beginning of Spanish restaurants the financial crisis are mislabelling fish the first thing that on their the menus. was hit were breakThe survey of more fasts out,” said NPD than 200 restaurants Spain boss Vicente

by AZTI Technology Montesinos.

Centre showed that the “But with the ecolargest percentage of nomic recovery we incorrect labelling ocare seeing an incurred with grouper, crease in the numbutterfish, dogfish, ber of people eating sole, hake and bluefin out… and more jobs tuna. being created.”

Using DNA analysis, Fast food restaumore than 300 samrants, tapas bars and ples were taken from coffee bars are the 204 restaurants across main driving force the 15 main regional behind the growth, communities in Spain. representing 86% of the increase.

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A HEALTH spa in Granada is keeping customers ‘ale and hearty’ with Spain’s very first beer baths.

Clients literally find themselves in the drink and swimming in booze at Beer Spa Press The Olive Granada, where the locallybrewed Alhambra ale is conTOP for news in Spain! stantly on tap.

According to the owners, the treatment relaxes muscle tension, prevents skin ageing, reduces stress, and helps elimiALGECIRAS may be off nates toxins in the body.

Fake fish

Algeciras fields six out of 10 finalists for nationwide hospitality award

Relax

Yeast, hops, malt and cinnamon are absorbed into the skin in 20 minutes.

Each wooden tub, modeled on a beer barrel design, comes with a beer tap and a set of glasses on the side so clients can toast each other’s good health while they soak.

There’s also a chill zone where they can relax on a bed of fresh barley.

So hop on in, the water’s fine – tasty, too!

Almeria bids for gastro gig The city of Almeria is vying for the title of Spanish Gastronomic Capital 2019 by promoting its tradition of tapas.

Signing an agreement to create a 'Tapas Route', the City Council of Almeria and local hotel association ASHAL hope it will become an iconic cultural feature and help to promote the bid.

Supporters now wait in hope that the Junta will officially declare the Almeria Tapas Route of Regional Tourist Interest.

"We deserve it, we meet the requirements and bring many good things to Almeria," said Mayor of Almeria, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco.

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the radar of Michelin’s inspectors but its waiters are a star turn.

Six of the 10 finalists for a national hospitality award work at establishments in the port city.

The Bartalent of the Year award is given to the most impressive individual working in the hospitality industry in Spain.

Shortlist

Over 10,000 individuals applied for the accolade, making the efforts of the professionals from Algeciras even more impressive.

The six shortlisted are Sergio Baños Pérez, 36, who works at Santos Café; Fernando García del Pozo, 29, of Zona Alta; Karen Mendoza, 23, from Balearia de Algeciras; Manuel Díaz Jiménez, 38, from Chato’s; Alberto Melén-

dez Silva, 29, of Meson las Duelas; and David García Haro, 43, of Senda Antrocafe.

The other four nominees were from Madrid, Sevilla, Tenerife and Valencia.

The award was launched

by Coca Cola in Spain in 2016 and ‘offers waiters the opportunity to improve their skills and update their knowledge to put them at the service of their customers’.

The finalists tackled four tests in which they demonstrated their skills and knowledge as hospitality professionals.

They had a total of two hours to set a table, welcome clients into their establishment, create a cock-

tail and serve up a meal on the spot.

The winner, Alberto Menéndez Silva, was crowned on February 22 at a ceremony at the Basque Culinary Centre in San Sebastian.

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February 28th - March 13th 2018

F

RANCE has long been associated with wine, but Spain and even the UK are catching up, with both now enjoying growing shares of the international market.

While the French are world-famous for their Vin, there are just as good and cheaper - Spanish alernatives, writes Aleesha Hansel

With French wines usually ending up in the higher price range, below are some Spanish varities that can match some of France’s most popular exports.

Chateauneuf du Pape Literally translates to ‘The Pope’s new castle’ and while evidence of viniculture in the Rhone has been found to date back to 600BC, the collapse of the Roman Empire nearly spelt the end of interest in wines from the region.

Fortunes changed during the 14th Century thanks to the Avignon Papacy in which seven successive popes resided in Avignon from 1309 to 1376, following a conflict between the papacy and the French crown.

At the time wine growing in the region was less than illustrious with vines tended by local Bishops, but the second resident pope - John XXII, who also constructed the castle, did much to improve viticultural practices leading the wines to gain the name ‘Vin du Pape’.

By the early 20th century Chateauneuf had gained such popularity that it was plagued by wine fraud.

To counteract this, rules of production were drawn up and in 1923 the world’s first Appellation Controlee was born.

One of the regulations for Chateauneuf production is the permitted use of 18 grape varieties, the most dominant of which is Grenache - or Garnacha in

spanish.

Any decent quality Garnacha, will then, display the typical raspberry, strawberry and sweet spice notes associated with the grape, but for something a bit more special try Priorat.

A small rugged mountainous region south of Barcelona, unsuitable for anything other that grapes and olives.

It produces powerful reds usually made from a blend of Garnacha and Carinena (Carignan). Expect red and black plum, black cherry, cassis and spice aromas with a minerality on the taste, claimed to come from the llicorella slate soils.

A soft wine with moderate acidity, high tannins and high alcohol.

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Burgundy Burgundy sits in east central France and is home to some of the most expensive wines in the world.

A case of 1978 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti sold for $476,000 at an auction in 2013, just a tad more than the annual €686 spent on alcohol consumption per person in Spain.

But while not every bottle of red burgundy will mean you’ll have to remortgage, entry level is still relatively hefty coming in at around €1015.

Made from a very tricky to grow grape called Pinot Noir, that is sensitive to its environment, it is loved for its crunchy tannins, pale colour, red fruit aromas and earthiness, which become more ‘barnyard’ and savory with time.

Mencia, found in the northwest of Spain, produces wines jam packed with raspberry and dark fruit aromas.

Though it is on the palate where it really earns its title as a pinot alternative.

While not as complex, it offers a similarly earthy and peppery taste with a solid backbone of tannins and fresh acidity.

A food friendly wine that works perfectly with salty tapas plates involving fried fish, olives and cured ham.

Look for Bierzo, Ribera Sacra, Valdeorras and Monterrei on the label which state the region of production, and usually contain a majority of Mencia.

Sancerre

VINEYARDS: Scene from Burgundy and (below) line up from Bierzo

An iconic name in wine, produced in the Central Val de Loire and made with the Sauvignon Blanc grape.

The village takes ‘being French’ very seriously and was at the centre of the royalist rebellion to restore the French monarchy, as well as being a regional command centre for the resistance during the Second World War. Besides from being a pocket of political upheaval, it is perhaps just as famous for its terroir - the soil and environment that influences the grape. In this case it is chalk and flint soils that are said to give the wine minerality and ‘purity’.

Sauvignon Blanc, which has been made world famous by the Marlborough region in New Zealand, is known for its high acidity and bold aromas such as gooseberry, lime and passion fruit.

Step in Albarino, a citrus flavoured tipple think lemon, lime, grapefruit, equally acidic and a subtly salty drop to drink.

While salt may be a strange description and one that could make you think twice, it acts as a flavour enhancer, much in the same way as salted caramel.

There is a little saying in the wine world that ‘what grows together, goes together’ and so it’s no surprise that this wine from Galicia matches perfectly with seafood.

The region of Rias Baixas, with its granite soil, tops the polls for best standard quality and should be drunk within two years of vintage to retain its freshThe Local Spain issue 65.qxp_The Local Issue 5 10/07/17 16:44 Page 39 ness.

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Columnists

February 28th - March 13th 2018 February 28th - March 13th 2018

Midwinter malaise

Winter in Spain has not treated me well this year, writes Giles Brown

I

HAVE a confession to make.

Again. I fell a little bit out of love with Spain in February.

Maybe it is a growing old thing, but I have found myself growling and grumbling around the Casita more than usual, and the mug bearing the legend ‘Grumpy Old Man’ that I received last Christmas has been spot on.

It might have also had something to do with the lack of rain which has led to my boats being beached (I live on a reservoir which means if I don’t check on the water level daily, I run the aforementioned risk.

And guess what happened).

Or it might be the fact that the houseguest still shows no

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sign of moving from the guest cottage – otherwise known as the Wendy House. You may remember that she moved in for a couple of weeks at the end of April while she found a new place. It’s now the end of February and, short of a combination of a high-pressure hose and/or Napalm, I can’t think of a way to encourage her to leave. And before you all say, ‘why don’t you indulge in a spot of unreasonable and unacceptable male behaviour - that will soon shift her?’ I lived with the houseguest on and off for nine years during my, ahem, ‘hell raising’ period –or as she described (in a loud voice) at a party once – ‘Nine Years of Hell!’ So she’s seen it all before, trust me.

Or it may be something to do

with the small matter of having my account embargoed last month. This drew with the calm and measured response that you would expect from a caffeinated Celt down to his last few centimos.

If you saw a bald and bearded black clad figure belting seven bells out of a bank ATM as the machine ate his card, I must apologise.

In an effort to find out why I’m currently brassic, I went

Now three years old and with all the top property players, including Panorama, Holmes, Taylor Wimpey, Winkworth and Engels & Volkers GROUNDED: No rowing for Giles

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to my long-suffering Rock n Roll accountant. We’ve been great friends since school – I call him the Alcalde as I think he should stand for public office - and I’m sure that he only takes me on as a client because of the entertainment value I provide. Plus I introduced the word ‘Unbelievable!’ to his staff, when the DGT hit me with a rather large fine for having the late, unlamented Freelander, on three wheels in a poligono parking bay with no insurance – another classic example of my cr*p car Karma.

After a few loud ‘unbelievables’ in his office, and general mutterings about the way the system treats autonomos in the pretty much the same way that you would get turning up in a Rajoy mask and Real Madrid shirt at a Puigdemont political rally, I hit upon a novel idea to solve my financial malaise.

“Alcalde. Why don’t I just bolt a cabin on one of the boats, drag it back into the water, row into the middle of lake and declare myself an Offshore Tax Haven?”

He looked over his glasses and gave me a weary smile.

“That’s not a bad idea. I might just join you!”

So I’m now working on a new plan. The associacion de autonomos de Andalucía fiscal cruise. I’ll keep you posted on my progress…

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BE ‘APPY! SUCCESS: Hernández

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Own goal

Breaking in

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Jeff Wood took over the side in 2015 but has been unable to record one victory

SPAIN has won its most medals ever in this year’s Winter Olympics.

Regino Hernández and Javier Fernández both took home THE head coach of the Gibralbronze medals in snowboard tar football team has had his cross and the men’s single fig- contract terminated by ‘mutual agreement’. ure skating respectively.

The Olive Press Hernandez, born in Ceuta Jeff Wood, 64, took over the and raised in Mijas Costa, and side in 2015 and led Gibraltar to TOP for news in Spain!

Madrid-born Fernandez are one draw and 16 losses in his 17 the third and fourth people to games in charge. bring back a medal in Spanish A new appointment will be made before Gibraltar begins Winter Olympic history.

“It was an incredible day. It its inaugural UEFA Nations does not matter if it’s bronze, League campaign against silver or gold. It’s an Olympic Macedonia, Liechtenstein and medal, “ Hernandez told the Armenia in September. press after winning.

He added: “It’s something I’ve dreamed of all my life.”

They now join the hall of fame with ‘Paquito’ Fernández Ochoa, who took gold in Sapporo, Japan 1972 and his sister Blanca who won bronze in Albertville, France 1992 both in slalom.

Scrum down GIBRALTAR’S rugby union side is celebrating a momentous victory after defeating Hungary 33-14 at Victoria Stadium.

The home friendly, which followed an away victory over Hungary in October 2017, will add weight to Gibraltar’s campaign to become a competitive international rugby outfit.

Gibraltar is not currently recognised by World Rugby although the GRFU is currently lobbying for membership.

Gibraltar next face Finland at home on March 17.

International

“It’s always good to be back in Gib after playing in England for so long” said full back Jonny Reyes.

“It was good to get some regular games at home, it feels good.”

The exciting game saw fly half Alexander Cruz kick 11 points while there was also a first international try for second row Marc Waller.

23 23

During his career, Wood gained a reputation as a footballing journeyman, playing as a goalkeeper for clubs in England, Finland, Malta, and Hong Kong.

He also previously managed Brighton & Hove Albion.

“I know there is a lot of talent… in Gibraltarian football,” Wood had said after being hired.

“I hope to be able to oversee the development and nurturing of that talent into the national

GAME OVER: Wood is leaving the Gibraltar FA team, and make the whole of Europe and the world take Gibraltar seriously given the calibre of player we constantly produce.”

The Gibraltar FA has given no further detail regarding Wood’s sacking at this stage but has said he will stay on as coach

education manager and will assist the technical director of the GFA’s Elite Development Programme which starts in March.

The Gibraltar football team was accepted as a competitive outfit

by UEFA in 2012 and recorded its only win to date over Malta in a friendly match in 2014.

SNOOKER fans are delighted at the announcement of the 2018 Gibraltar Open.

The open will see the finest professionals and amateurs from around the globe descend on the rock for five days of world-class snooker from March 7 to 11.

‘The Magician’ Shaun Murphy, 35, will be returning to defend his title in the knockout style tournament with £25,000 prize money on offer for the winner.

Being hosted by the Tercentenary Sports Hall, the event comes as players gear up for the World Championship.

Tickets can be found at:www.buytickets.gi/events/gibraltar-snookeropen-2018-128.

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TROUBLEMAKERS: West Brom boys

Drunk and disorderly FOUR West Brom players face community service after allegedly stealing a taxi from a McDonalds in Spain.

Jonny Evans, Gareth Barry, Boaz Myhill and Jake Livermore stole the cab from a McDonald’s drivethrough and abandoned it outside their luxury fivestar hotel while on a mid-winter training trip to Barcelona.

The quartet were later dragged out of bed at The One Barcelona hotel and hauled off to the police station, for questioning.

West Brom is now conducting an internal investigation which could see the players pay a hefty fine or face 90 days community service working in a soup kitchen or picking up litter.

“The club has instigated its own investigation into the incident and the players will be subject to the full rigours of our internal disciplinary procedure,” read a club statement.

The four players released their own statement saying: “We felt it important we identify ourselves as the players involved in an incident which occurred during the training camp in Spain this week out of respect for team-mates who otherwise could be implicated by association.

“We freely acknowledge and apologise for the break of curfew which we accept represented a breach of the standards of professionalism required of us as representatives of West Bromwich Albion FC.

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FINAL WORDS

Futre is bright PORTUGUESE football legend Paulo Futre has spoken at the Mediterranean Rowing Club about his illustrious career at clubs including AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and West Ham United.

Beating the bullies

February 28th - March 13th 2018

Vol. 3 Issue 65 www.gibraltarolivepress.com February 28th - March 13th 2018

Oh, snap!

Band boost FORMER Royal Gibraltar Regiment Bandmaster, Major Denis Burton, has been awarded an MBE for his services to military music.

HE was once bullied at school for being overweight.

But Sam Prisk, 22, had the last laugh when he won a race to the top of the Rock, beating 100 competitors from his Royal Navy ship.

Prisk, from Southampton, won HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Gibraltar Rock Race, running from the vessel to the top of the Rock in just 22 minutes.

The engineering technician beat a number of Royal Marines, and finished almost twice as fast as the last person over the line.

“Ten years ago I was the fat boy at school and I was bullied by everyone,” Prisk said.

“Now I am first over the line on the top of the Rock, so it’s a massive achievement for me.”

The Rock Race is traditionally run by every Royal Navy ship visiting Gibraltar.

The arduous course is 2.7 miles long and participants climb 1,300ft.

The current record was set back in 1986 by Sub Lieutenant Chris Robison, who completed the challenge in 17 minutes and 29 seconds.

Closing time THE final date for applications to this year’s Miss Gibraltar competition has been extended to March 9.

HEROINE: Gerda Taro needs more recognition

Work of female war photographer too often attributed to snapper Robert Capa, say campaigners

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A CAMPAIGN has been ert Capa to also be attributed launched to recognise Ger- to her. man war photographer Ger- The petition claims that the da Taro’s work, which many photos at the museum, as believe was wrongly attrib- well as many other museums uted to snapper Robert Capa. around the world, are the It comes after a never-be- work of both photographers. fore-seen photo of Taro, “On the Reina Sofía webwho documented the Span- site and museum posters, ish Civil War with Capa, along with Robert Capa’s photographs, it exclusively emerged this month. includes It shows the name the heroof Endre ine being ICONIC: The Falling Friedtreated by Soldier, shot by Capa m a n n , a doctor never that in a Britof Gerda ish hospiTaro,” tal outside campaign Madrid in author Ira El EscoLombarrial, just dia told hours bethe Olive fore her Press. death.

“The coS h e authorworked ship of with the Taro with f u t u r e FriedMagnum mann has agency cobeen docfounder umented, Capa born Endre Ernö Friedmann so not recognizing it means - who was also her partner committing a serious error and first became famous as and a tremendous injustice a war photographer in Spain. towards Taro.”

She died while photograph- Among the photos which ing a chaotic republican re- were almost certainly taken treat after the Battle of Bru- by Taro are the famous ‘fallnete, shortly after Franco’s ing soldier’ pictures, taken in troops had won a major vic- Cordoba province.

It comes after work by history.

But campaigners say a lot of torians Eijiro Yoshioka and her work was simply ‘lumped Fernando Penco proved in’ with Capa’s after her that the snaps were taken by a Reflex Korelle camera, death.

A change.org campaign is mostly used by Taro, and not now calling for photos on a Leica, used by Friedmann. display at the Reina Sofia More than 60,500 people museum, in Madrid, by Rob- have signed the petition so far.

TRASH: Clean beach

Cleaning up your act THE second Great Gibraltar Beach Clean has taken place at Rosia Bay. Organised by The Nautilus Project, the group collected, sorted and recycled 12 rubbish bags of plastic.

The organisation was joined for the clean by a group of young teenage volunteers from EcoVibe, a young enterprise group who promote recycling.

Love is all you need PUPILS from Notre Dame School took time out from lessons to brighten up Valentine’s Day. The children handed out gifts, such as love hearts, in Casemates Square as part of a ‘mindfulness’ project.

They also handed out written messages, such as ‘love’, on pieces of parchment.

“The idea is that we try to make our school happier and the random acts of kindness idea on Valentine’s Day gives something back to the community,” said Jeanette Gonzalez of Notre Dame School.