Costa Blanca Olive Press - Issue 79

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Vol. 4 Issue 79

Your expat

voice in Spain

Jávea · Altea

April 21st - May 4th 2022

VODKA SOUR

Expat businessman and his vodka firm named on US sanctions list for key links to Irish mafia

REWARD OF UP TO

yorkshirelinencostablanca.com

REWARD

REWARD

OF UP TO

OF UP TO

FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE FINANCIAL DISRUPTION OF THE

THE expat boss of a well-known costa drinks company has been named as a key member of one of Europe’s biggest mafia gangs.

John Morrisey and his company Nero Vodka have been placed on a US Treasury department sanctions list for their association with the Kinahan crime cartel.

The American government has placed sanctions on him, alongside other key associates of the Irish gang, who lived for many years in Spain.

As well as Christy Kinahan Snr, Daniel Kinahan and Christopher Kinahan Jnr, the US has also put Morrisey and Bernard Clancy on its list.

They, along with Ian Dixon and Sean McGovern, are said to be a key part of the Kinahan gang, who owned a string of gyms, restaurants and other businesses on the Costa del Sol, before moving to Dubai a few years ago.

Their ‘interests’ were thought to reach along the Spanish costas.

While the gang still has an important influence here, its leaders started decamping to the Middle East after rival

FOR INFORMA THE ON OF CRIMINAL KINAHAN ORGANIZATION OR THE ARREST AND/OR TION LEADING TO THE FINANCIAL DISRUPTI TO THE FINANCIAL DISRUPTI KINAHAN CRIMINAL ORGANIZ ON OF THE FOR INFORMATION LEADING CONVICTION OF ATION OR THE ARREST AND/OR ATION OR THE ARREST AND/OR KINAHAN CRIMINAL ORGANIZ ION OF CONVICTION OF CONVICT

Chri stop her Vinc ent Kina han , Jr. Joseph Kinahan Chri stop her Kina hanDaniel SUBMIT TIPS VIA E-MAIL TO

SUBMIT TIPS VIA E-MAIL TO

SUBMIT TIPS VIA E-MAIL TO

KinahanTCOTips@dea.gov

KinahanTCOTips@dea.gov

KinahanTCOTips@dea.gov

HIGH PROFILE: Morrissey and wife Nicola in the local press (left) and (above) the US goverment wanted posters

gangster Gary Hutch was killed near Marbella in 2015, leading to a bloody gang feud.

But ‘Johnny’ Morrissey, 62, stayed put to help run his high-profile drinks business Nero Vodka, which is owned on paper by his wife Nicola.

Based in Spain for two decades, he had moved from Ireland where the country’s Criminal Assets Bureau dealt a hammer blow to his business there, seizing €630,000 in cash and property.

Enforcer

Now he looks set to come under a similar microscope here, with the US describing him as ‘having worked for the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang (KOCG) for several years’.

The US Treasury claims he is involved in smuggling, money laundering and

other key aspects of the Kinahan operation, including as ‘an enforcer’.

The sanctions mean he and his partner Nicola, who are regularly seen on the costas party circuits, face the same economic sanctions as the gang bosses.

Their Nero Drinks Company Ltd, registered in Glasgow, has specifically been put on the list of companies that face sanctions, alongside two others, a sports company, Hoopoe Sports, and a marketing company, Ducashew Trading.

The high-end vodka brand is sold at many costa beach clubs and is even available in El Corte Ingles after Morrissey fronted a massive publicity campaign over the past few years, with events attracting many well-known members of Spain’s expat society.

He was regularly seen splashed across newspaper pages and was a recent guest at the Marbella Film Festival.

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THE sanctions mean any US assets held by those named must be frozen and reported to the US treas In effect, US citizens are banned from ury. named people and their companies doing business with the This extends to non-US citizens who – anywhere in the world. are resident in the US, or just transiting through.

It almost certainly means that they will now be blacklisted by most other Western countries, who are Explaining the unprecedented mov expected to follow suit.

Terrorism and Financial Intelligence,e, US Under Secretary for group smuggles deadly narcotics, incluBrian Nelson said: “The and is a threat to the entire licit econding cocaine, to Europe, omy through its role in international money laundering.

“Criminal groups like the KOCG prey in society and bring drug-related crim on the most vulnerable murder, to the countries in which theye and violence, including operate.

“The Treasury is proud to have coordina international counterparts, and the US ted so closely with our ue to use every available resource to government will contindismantle these criminal networks.”

Among the radical moves, the US Trea home addresses and passport num sury has even listed the list, including two addresses for the bers of all people on the Kinahans in Spain.

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CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Less waiting VALENCIA hospital waiting lists have reached their lowest level since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Average waits for surgeries stood at 88 days in March compared to 142 days a year earlier.

Late catch A French fugitive wanted by Algeria on 2007 drug-trafficking charges has been arrested in Alicante. The man, 38, was detained at a police checkpoint and is being extradited over smuggling 18 kilos of cannabis.

New use FINESTRAT’S abandoned Sierra Cortina golf course is to be converted into a sports complex. The land between the old town and La Cala will see tennis and paddle courts created.

Caught out THREE rock climbers were rescued by firefighters from Calpe’s Peñon de Ifach on Sunday night after losing track of time and getting caught in the dark.

AFTER a night out on the tiles a man was so scared at what his wife’s reaction would be that he stabbed himself to get an alibi.

The 60-year-old from San Juan de Alicante was found unconscious at 5.45am on Monday in an apartment block elevator.

Blood poured out of his chest but he regained consciousness after being

April 21st - May 4th 2022

IN FEAR OF HER INDOORS TikTok preacher

treated by medics. The man initially told police that after the elevator door opened, a young man dressed in black had pounced on him and stabbed him in the chest with a knife.

But after he was treated at hospital po-

Stuff of dreams

lice became suspicious of his story.

He then admitted to making up the assault because he would be in trouble with his family for spending money socialising. He has been charged with reporting a fake crime.

Boasted

Massive collection of stuffed animals worth €29m uncovered THE Guardia Civil is investigating the owner of a private taxidermy collection with more than 1,000 animals, including some that are protected or extinct species.

The collection is valued at €29 million and its owner is said to be a prominent Valen-

By Alex Trelinski

A self-styled preacher who posted TikTok videos claiming he could cure people of Covid-19 has been arrested after skipping a 17-year prison sentence for sexually abusing two children.

Manuel Navarro Perez lived in Alicante and carried out over a dozen sexual assaults on a girl, 12, and a boy, 7, in 2015.

A relative regularly let him babysit the youngsters who tried to resist but were beaten into submitting to his vile demands.

HIDEOUT: Valencian businessman’s treasue trove

square meters in Betera. cian businessman. He is being The entrepreneur claims he probed for smuggling and en- inherited most of the animals vironmental crimes. from his father. He has not Officers identified 1,090 been arrested and the Guarstuffed animals in a warehouse dia Civil is trying to establish covering more than 50,000 where the animals came from and whether any docuA Finnish tourist aged 25 had mentation ex€10,665 charged on two stolen ists to justify bank cards after being rendered untheir possesconscious by a spiked drink and pill the street to find his cards gone. sion.

The manager and an employat an Alicante brothel.

If no proof He had started to feel unwell after ee of the ‘hostess’ club, and two of ownership just one drink and took a pill given taxi drivers who allowed access can be providto him by a hostess. The next thing to their bank card terminals have ed, the items he remembered was waking up on been arrested. will be split between mu-

Night to forget

seums in Madrid and Valencia.

Species of cheetah, leopard, polar bear, rhinoceros and tiger, along with nearly 200 ivory elephant tusks, were among the extensive collection.

Some 450 of the animals are considered to be protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Among the collection was at least one Scimitar oryx, which was declared extinct in 2000.

The nearly extinct Bengal tiger and addax, which is a white antelope, are also among the collection.

He fled from Alicante Province but was caught when a woman boasted on TikTok that she had a new boyfriend and posted footage of them together.

Videos also showed Navarro Perez preaching evangelical messages of his ability to heal people, including Covid-19 sufferers.

Claims included how he went to hospital intensive care units and touched people on the chest or head 'with the hand of God' to cure them.

His postings attracted around 5,000 followers including that of the Policia Nacional. The girlfriend had family in the Basque Country and was eventually tracked down to a house in Alava.

NEWS

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3

April 21st - May 4th 2022

Looking back at anger

Cross to bear

BAD boy of Britpop Liam Gallagher has apologised after tweeting a death threast to Atletico Madrid player Stefan Savic following their Champions League game with Manchester City.

The match between city - who Gallagher supports - and Atletico ended with a pitchside brawl that spilled into the dressing rooms tunnel.

Savic - who played 12 times for city but is now an Atletico player - was seen to grab Jack Grealish by the hair and headbutt Raheem Sterling.

This was too much to bear for Gallagher who tweeted: “Stefan Savic this is a threat if I come across you ya goofy looking C**T your dead MCFC” [sic].

He has since deleted the tweet and apologised, saying he had let his fans down - so maybe has mellowed over the years.

Hear all about it!

EXCLUSIVE: In-depth podcast by TV investigator and Olive Press will blow open the Madeleine McCann case TV INVESTIGATOR Donal MacIntyre has teamed up with the Olive Press for a hard-hitting probe into the case of missing Madeleine McCann.

The Irish investigative journalist joined forces with editor

Jon Clarke for an in-depth cold case review of the snatch of the toddler, which is approaching its 15th anniversary.

In the podcast, Madeleine McCann: The Chief Suspect, the pair explore the complicated and harrowing disappearance of Maddie, who would be 18 today.

The former BBC and ITV presenter turned to Clarke, whose new book My Search for Madeleine is the most comprehensive study of the case and its prime suspect to date.

“It’s amazing the depths Jon has gone to to try and solve the mystery,” said MacIntyre, 55, who has visited Portugal many times in connection to the case.

BACK HOME SPAIN’S Princess Leonor flew home to spend Easter with her family after completing her second term at UWC Atlantic College in Wales.

The heiress to the throne will not return to her boarding school until April 24 but her trip home won’t just be rest and relaxation.

She accompanied her parents King Felipe and Queen Letizia on an official visit to meet Ukrainian refugees at a centre in Pozuelo de Alarcon, just outside the capital.

And this week she will make a solo appearance at an event held at a secondary school in Leganes that is designed to warn teenagers about the dangers lurking online.

LIBERTYCASHBACK

HARD TALK: Clarke (left), MacIntyre (right) and team

“There was so much that came out that really points to the current main suspect. It’s so shocking how poor the original Portuguese investigation was.

You have to wonder why.”

The pair spent hours exploring the likelihood that German Christian Brueckner snatched the toddler while she was on holiday with her doctor parents in Portugal on May 3, 2007.

They track his movements around Europe and along the Algarve that month and discuss his dozens of previous crimes, many in Portugal.

In particular, they analyse the likelihood that the convicted paedophile and rapist broke in and took the three-year-old to sell to a child trafficking network.

They also discuss the shambolic police investigation and Clarke’s recent high-level liaisons with Germany’s crack BKA detectives, who are expected to charge Brueckner this year.

Until 25th April L A ST CHANCE!

They explore a number of recent trips Clarke has made to northern Portugal and three other crimes involving children and the rape of an Irish tourist.

Available on Spotify, Apple and other streaming platforms from April 22, the moving eight-part podcast, part of the wider Murdered, Missing, Unsolved series, looks at dozens of characters linked to the case.

Mystery

“With the Portuguese statute of limitations ending this year, it is now only in the hands of the Germans.”

Clarke, who was the first national newspaper journalist on the scene in 2007, added: “I really enjoyed doing the series with Donal, who knows how to ask the right questions.

“I really hope the German police can finally pull it all together this year and charge Brueckner.”

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ACTOR Antonio Banderas returned to take a leading role in Easter processions in his home city of Malaga.

The 61-year-old Zorro star was pictured with his girlfriend investment banker Nicole Kimpel, 40, as he prepared to join the Malaga brotherhood of Maria Santisima de Lagrimas y Favores during processions on Palm Sunday and on Monday.

The actor often returns to join in Semana Santa celebrations with the cofradia that he has been linked to since childhood to take part in the traditional marches.

Banderas joins the penitents dressed in long gowns as they shuffle through the streets transporting heavy wooden floats carrying religious statues to the sound of mournful drumbeat and wafting incense.

DIOR MIO! THE iconic haute couture brand Dior has chosen Sevilla’s Plaza de España as the spectacular setting to launch its Cruise 2023 collection this summer.

The collection designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who has been the brand’s creative director since 2016, will be revealed on June 16 on a catwalk in the most famous plaza in the Andalucian capital.

The ties between Dior and Andalucia were forged in the 1950s and were strengthened with ‘journeys that led to evocatively named silhouettes dreamed up by Monsieur Dior and his successors’, said the fashion house.

“It will be a unique event that will show the excellence of Andalucian crafts and culture through the creativity of local artists and artisans.”

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NEWS

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DEADLY: Rapids

A GANDIA bar refused to serve a family who wanted to place orders in the regional Valenciano language as opposed to Spanish.

Two family members returned the next day to file a written complaint and were allegedly called ‘troglodytes’ by the bar owner and a waitress. They were told they live in Spain and should use Spanish.

The Platform for the Language has denounced the bar in Marenys de Rafalcaid and 20 members of the group have protested outside the premises.

Holy week War zone visit deaths

THE Spanish prime minister announced that he will travel to Kyiv ‘in the coming days’ to meet with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

The date of the visit, which is yet to be confirmed, will coincide with the reopening of the Spanish Embassy in the Ukrainian capital.

Spain’s ambassador, Silvia Cortes Marin and staff in Kyiv fled the capital on February 25, the day after Russian troops invaded.

On Monday Sanchez announced that the embassy was set to reopen in an imOLIVE PRESS portant gesture of solidarity Rainbow’s end with the war-torn country.

Sanchez said: “This is a war

by Putin against the values that the EU represents. That is why unity is our greatest strength.”

Sanchez will follow in the path of other European leaders who have visited Kyiv since the conflict began to meet with Zelensky.

Boris Johnson travelled there in a surprise visit on April 9 while EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola have also both visited.

numbers of people took to Spain’s highways for trips across the peninsula.

This is an improvement on the 2019 figures when 27 road deaths occurred during the same period.

SALT IN THE WOUNDS Property

Discover the favourite villages of Spain’s top architects inside our Property magazine

ANDALUCÍA

www.theolivepress.es

The rules for rural home hunting, see our guide

APRIL 2022

on page XII

€12.7m

A BRITISH couple whose house was demolished after a long legal battle have been robbed by their neighbours.

David and Janet Hartshorn were already devastated after they saw their retirement dream on the Costa del Sol smashed to smithereens.

But that very same day, neighbours in Torrox used their misfortune to scour through the wreckage and rob the couple of anything that had survived in a part of the house they can still use.

“Talk about kicking a man while he’s down,” David told the Olive Press.

The looting was discovered

by Tom, a friend of the Hartshorns, who popped over to look at the site in the afternoon of the demolition.

He was astonished to see the neighbours filling the boot of their cars with whatever they could get their hands on.

Among the items stolen were FOUR ladders, a cement mixer, boxes of crockery, two tables, two chairs, a pressure

SPAIN’S traffic directorate has reported that 26 people died in car accidents during the Semana Santa getaway, fewer than the 36 predicted by an algorithm used in an Easter road safety campaign.

It was the first ‘normal’ Holy Week following two years of travel restrictions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and huge

best mag Spain’s English property in

A HIKER, 24, died after falling down a waterfall into a Marina Baixa ravine at Bolulla.

It’s the third death in nine days in the same area.

Emergency services recovered the man’s body in the Algar river after an extensive search lasting several hours.

Drones and a helicopter were deployed after an alert to find the missing man was issued at 1.30pm on Sunday.

The accident occurred in Estret de Les Penyes, between Bolulla and Callosa d'En Sarria.

Nine days earlier, the area claimed two victims, including a canyoning tour guide.

They fell down a ravine and were dragged to their deaths by strong currents.

Firefighters had warned against descents to the Abdet and Bolulla ravines due to high water and current levels caused by recent heavy rain.

Mind your language

Life in the shade

THE enclave been described of Zagaleta has often most exclusive as ‘southern Europe’s It’s one of Spain’s most And when youplace to live’. on behind the expensive count on the ties, captains celebrihigh tech fences places to live. But of industry and, global dictators now, the a giant palace. few know what of La Zagaleta, Olive Press Property spaces, that’s no who stalk its privileged goes the second member gated community surprise.

The multi-million takes a peekwhere Putin is said to own the of the family,” agent. price tags certainly rity is ‘its number that claims that secu- “Our adds follow suit, as perimeter shielding, “It’s real royal Indeed, security one priority’. course, which does its incredible golf detection tems and security is of so of the locals golf and the attitudes routines will sys- around 240 homes people allowedhas just a few hundred tance that after a late-nightmuch impor- most attempts are to match,” thwart tinued. year, an incident last to play… and have so far there’s its intriguing been snobby, “It’s ultra exclusive he conwhich explains to attack properties, built. then sioned Israeli company was commisand so why way more than “Most to build a new recent links Russian dictator to ‘high tech electric’ 100 times lower thanthe incident rate is lion homes go for around the Chelsea or 7 to 8 mil- Cheshire set. owns a property Vladamir Putin, who fence. euros,” explains in other residential complexes,” “Owners put Expected to one British agent, who has sold The giant 2000 there.

10,000 euros become the The estate washe claimed. there over the a number of properties club bar so they can always behind the originally called the Rock of the sqm palace, known as sive in Spain, it will runmost expen- Baraka’ last year. “And or cigar when and owned by ‘La even doubled around the counts on its King (or Roca del Rey) 900-hectare estate that they want and get a drink in price over some have literally crawling own private vineyard, vis, between Marbella sits in Benaha- lionaire Saudi arms disgraced bil- years.” the place is the last few licopter pad and with Aston Martins, he- of the Serrania and the foothills Khashoggi, who was dealer, Adnan All and DB4s and But it’s the threebowling alley. surrounded said to have held de some of the by deep woodland, Thesedays, theMcClarens.” floors underground “The residents are Ronda. that has got company parties at theworld’s most debauched they have either sea or being charged eyebrows raised euros each in mountain views galeta is run by Ignacio behind Zahunting lodge (or both), while 5,000 Europe’s security two Perez Diaz, afin the equestrian there is also ter his father died and defence among pay for it,” reveals installments to help 1970s.

As revealed a private According two years ago.

Today it is center and a source. by the Olive elite. to its last available month, it counts Press last not exactly happy about it.” “They are which was the clubhouse of the resort, a second one on the golf course, with in It comes after 2019, its immediate way. acquired by a accounts on armed guards and has a deep group of in- The amazing course, said holding company Zagaleta Miguel NavarroHead of security Jose vestors in 1989 led by Andalucian bunker monitoring the best in Spain, to be one of Straits of Gibraltar International er, Enrique boasted last year UK Inc is 24/7. And this the his team have a that from Huelva. Perez Flores, who bank- members, which only counts on 250 based in Panama, while ‘maximum response in a time of two is because only tities, came owners three minutes home- Alto Soto Properties SA andother encan join.

The giant estate to any alert’.

SA, are based Campo approximately was then divided into “The price for membership in Switzerland.

420 plots, of 120,000 euros and then it’s alone is See pages which year II and III 10,000 a for the lead member and 7,000 for more on the properties to find out Zagaleta available in

Your expat

Mijas Costa

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Vol. 15 Issue 391

voice in Spain

www.theolivepress.e s April 6th - April 19th 2022

But no gold for British couple as their dream home is bulldozed in another sad chapter in Spain’s planning history

Coffee machine, furniture and even a cement mixer: Brits robbed by neighbours after demolition of costa home

FOR two decades it had been the dream retirement home couple David and Janet of British The four-bedroom villa Hartshorn. above the Costa del Sol in the hills hallmarks of the perfect had all the rainy, cold north-west escape from England.

The retired publicans from Cheshire,

Tel: 952 147 834

952 147 834 * O f f e r

v a l i d

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21/6/19 13:30

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ON FILM: Looters descended on the scene locals who had been caught red-handed in the photos.

One of the neighbours actually denied being there until he was shown the image of himself and admitted the theft.

He was told that if all the sto-

Early campers AN open air Neanderthal campsite dating back around 120,000 years has been discovered.

Archaeologists from Alicante and Valencia universities along with colleagues from Bilbao and Montpellier, made the find in Los Aljezares Natural Park.

Most discoveries over the past 150 years in Spain and Portugal relating to the Middle Paleolithic age when Neanderthals lived, have been in caves.

Very little information has been uncovered over outdoor behavioural and settlement patterns revolving around camps. University of Valencia professor, Aleix Eixea, said: “This is one of the few examples of this kind in the Iberian Peninsula and the only one in the Valencian region in which two archaeological levels have been documented in their original position.”

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washer, EIGHT sun loungers, and even a coffee machine.

The shameless group even stripped all the fruit from their orange and lemon trees.

Fortunately, their expat friend managed to take photos of the thieves to send to the Hartshorns who rushed down to the property.

Staying in a local hotel, they arrived just in time to see a van loaded with their things being driven away by a neighbour.

The theft was reported to the Guardia Civil who made a detailed inventory of the missing items and interviewed the

1

EXCLUSIVE

by George Mathias

had long dreamed of their place in the sun.

So when the opportunity the dreamy Torrox plot of buying came up, they jumped at the opportunity.

However, Villa Arco Iris (meaning ‘rainbow’) has proved to be anything but its DEVASTATED: Janet and David, as home is demolished namesake and rather than a pot on a plot of land into the of gold it has left treat sizable re- demolition them hundreds of year. they valued at €500,000 last the couple work will be charged to bend the truth.”

- to the tune of €24,000. thousands of eu- But On Monday Now the plot, formerly just one year after buying an idyllic panied by morning, David, accomros out of pocket. it, setting they The couple had that discovered it was illegal. And family for the Hartshorn’s and their had flown daughter Adelle, 46, who over from England for fallen for the age- Someis where their nightmare began. mers, friends to spend long sum- moral support, has been reduced to a finally accepted the old trick of trust- 9.01amtwo decades later at exactly building derelict fate of their beloved home. site. on April 5, 2022, a town ing local trades- bulldozer hall “It is The only legal part of the house is men in southern rampage started on a 40-minute of ourvery distressing and a big part an uninhabitable life’s work has been turned to bring it down to rubble.

20-square-metre Spain. to annexe. rubble,” David told the Their Olive Press, This was They had Court countless pleas to Malaga last night. spared by the to reconsider, even including been team but it will come as demolition as- a request to give little consoup the property to sured lation to the Hartshorn’s,

by Ukrainian refugees, were all in vain. b u i l d i n g The authorities Life been forced to move in who have were adamant with friends firm Ner- should “We not have been built andthat it this have put all our life savings into nearby and who will leave the counSee pages 23 & 31 tor nevwork, and now it is all that er had going to try for good on May 6. they would Despitethe correct permission. be taken away.”

The case echoes that of Len and Helbe able to pressure enlisting lawyers and local He continued: “It en Prior in Almeria who watched as develop a be done. group SOHA nothing could how this can happen.beggars belief small shack To add with certain Spanish Consultation Opinion Page 6 insult to injury, the cost contractors is of the a downfall from the beginning.

They

BEFORE: The couple’s dream home Arcos Iris

X

RAVINE TRAGEDY

April 21st - May 4th 2022

The

4

len items were returned then the charges would be dropped.

Sure enough, when Janet and David returned to the site the following day most of the belongings had been miraculously returned.

A note left by one of the thieves said they would replace an expensive Karcher power hose with a new one, presumably as it had already been sold.

It rounds a fortnight of hell for the Hartshorns, whose dream move to Spain has become a nightmare.

Persecuted

“I’m being persecuted,” David continued. “We used to think we had a good community here, but now we are not so sure.”

His wife added: “Maybe the world is telling us it’s time to get out of here.”

Opinion Page 6

JÁVEA · ALTEA COME AND GET INSPIRED! yorkshirelinencostablanca.com Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

14/02/2020 23:25

Driven to distraction THE British Embassy in Madrid has requested yet another extension to the deadline on the validity of British driving licences for expats in Spain.

At present the deadline is April 30, but the embassy isnists that negotiations for a permanent solution are still ongoing.

It posted on its Brits in Spain page on Facebook, to say it recognises the anxiety the situation is causing.

“We have asked Spain for an extension that will give us enough time to reach a final agreement and avoid a further cliff edge in the future,” the post said.

However, it warned that there is no guarantee of a successful resolution and warned British residents who haven’t yet got a licence to prepare for the worst case scenario, which means taking the Spanish driving test.

www.theolivepress.es

Greener look A NEW garden area covering 4,500 square metres has been created in Benidorm.

The 'green' space is located at the junction of Avenida Columbia and Avenida Murtal in the Poniente area of the city.

Benidorm's Public Space councillor, Jose Ramon Gonzalez de Zarate said: “With the opening of this garden we are giving the city a new, very welcoming area.”

Mediterranean mix grass has been planted and a system of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems incorporated to ensure that new plants develop well.

The new garden is part of an urbanisation renewal project for the area.

A new bike lane has opened along with renewals of street lighting and water supply networks.

NEWS

April 21st May 4th 2022

5

Cash police Police on Gibraltar border demand evidence tourists have €100 a day to spend

BRITS trying to enter Spain from Gibraltar are being forced to prove they have a ‘valid reason’ and enough cash to spend, according to multiple reports.

Now the Gib government has raised concerns over the reports that Spanish police were refusing entry to British tourists.

Policia Nacional officers at the border were demanding non-EU nationals, including British passport holders, provide evidence of onward travel and hotel reservations in Spain before allowing them to cross, according to several people on social media.

One British holidaymaker who crossed into Spain on Tuesday

VOTE RESPITE SPAIN’S Prime Minister has confirmed that the next general election in Spain won’t be held until December 2023.

In an interview with Espejo Publico on Antena 3, Pedro Sanchez said he wanted Spain to return to the norm of having elections every four years and therefore they would take place in December 2023.

As voting day traditionally takes place on a Sunday he reassured Spaniards that the chosen date would not be December 24 or December 31 when families get together.

LIVE-IN CARERS said all British holidaymakers were also being asked to show proof of funds for the duration of their stay in Spain.

“At the border we had to prove we had €100 per day per person for the duration of our stay,” Julie Quartermaine told the Olive Press on Tuesday. “The woman officer was apologetic but said she had to see enough for the 10 days we planned to be in Spain either in cash or in a bank account.

“I had to pull up my online banking on my phone and show I had at least two grand to cover me and my husband,” she said.

The couple flew into Gibraltar on the early flight from London Heathrow to spend 10 days at their holiday home up the coast in Manilva.

“It was quite a shock and God

knows what would have happened if we couldn’t show we had the funds,” added Julie, from Sutton in Surrey. “There was a man ahead of us in the queue emptying out his wallet to show he had the cash.”

Stringent

It appeared that the border guards had suddenly started to apply the more stringent Schengen entry requirements that came into place with Brexit for Brits travelling to Europe through an external border.

However, such rules are suspended at Gibraltar’s border with Spain while negotiations for a post-Brexit agreement regarding the future of the Rock are ongoing.

Opinion Page 6

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6

NEWS FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.

OPINION Love thy neighbour WE’D like to believe that in times of great adversity, one simple act can restore our faith in humanity.

That the worst situations often bring out the best in people. That when the going gets tough, communities pull together and neighbours set aside their petty differences and help each other out.

So it is particularly galling to report on such despicable behaviour shown towards the British expat couple who had the misfortune of falling foul of planning regulations in Torrox.

Not only did they have to suffer the horror of watching their dream home being smashed to smithereens but within hours vulture neighbours were picking over the bones of the wreckage and stealing anything of value.

Another example of poor neighbourliness is being witnessed at the border of Spain with Gibraltar.

Border officials have suddenly decided to break an agreement to observe the status quo while a post-Brexit agreement is thrashed out, and suddenly impose stringent border checks on those hapless holidaymakers heading to the Costa del Sol. Those who can’t meet Schengen entry conditions and show accommodation plans and proof of funds aren’t being allowed in.

It might be a fit of pique on the side of the Spanish annoyed at the arrival of nuclear subs in Gibraltar, but it’s holidaymakers who want to spend their money in Spain that are being stopped.

With a bigger Putin shaped common enemy lurking on the edge of Europe, isn’t it time we stopped making life difficult for our neighbours and pulled together to help each other out?

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Fiona Govan fiona@theolivepress.es

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SECRETS FROM THE GRAVE A British tomb in a far-flung corner of Spain helps explain how the Allies beat Hitler

‘

By Fiona Govan

IF I should die, think only this of me: There’s some corner of a foreign field that is for ever England,” wrote Rupert Brooke in his seminal poem, The Soldier, published during the First World War. They are fitting words for a new film that tells the strange story behind a grave that

lies in a forgotten corner of southwest Spain.

The movie, Operation Mincemeat, starring Colin Firth and Matthew MacFadyen, is about the death - and crucially the body - of a British man, credited with changing the course of the Second World War. His grave can be found in the corner of the Catholic cemetery of La Soledad just outside the city of Huelva.

Marked with the name ‘Major William Martin’, it contains a corpse that was found by fisherman during the height of the global conflict in April 1943.

However, the true identity of the body was known by only a few behind Operation Mincemeat, an PUT TO REST: Glyndwr Michael is buried under audacious plan by Britthe fake identity of Major William Martin ish Intelligence to hood-

wink Hitler.

It involved planting the corpse of a fictitious major, a supposed victim of a plane crash, along with his briefcase full of fake secrets off the Spanish coast with the knowledge that the Franco regime would share any intelligence with the Germans.

Papers contained within the case chained to the major’s belt contained documents that were designed to persuade Hitler that the Allies were imminently set to invade Greece and Sardinia.

And making him believe it would mean diverting Axis forces away from the Allies real target in Sicily.

It was a cunning plan and the corpse was

Where’s our Headspace?

Is Spain doing enough to deal with a rising problem exacerbated by the pandemic and now the anxiety caused by war? Jo Chipchase takes a look

W

ITH the Ukraine conflict following hot on the heels of the Covid pandemic, it’s natural that many people are feeling

stressed.

Complaints such as anxiety and depression are becoming more widespread and people, particularly children, are wondering what they can do to alleviate the issues.

In the face of rising cases, are Spain’s mental health services up to the job?

Worrying statistics Madrid’s Complutense University found an alarming increase in depressive symptoms from the pandemic last year.

It found that up to 3% of the adult population was suffering from mental health issues, while 6.9% had anxiety. In particular, younger people are getting worse depression, while women are more anxious.

UNICEF believes children have it the hardest. In its ‘State of the World's Children 2021’ report, it estimates 13% of those aged 10 to 19 have mental health disorders.

And in 50% of cases, these disorders begin before the age of 14.

In Spain, one in ten over15s are affected and the internet hasn’t helped our anxiety levels.

Just as anti-vax videos did the rounds in 2021, in 2022, the world can watch the Ukraine conflict through videos uploaded to social networks, with poor filters against misinformation.

Too many people have seen the footage of dead bodies, explosions, and other frightening scenes, because they spent too long on social media and not on the

more reliable mainstream media.

It is little wonder then that a professor of psychological science at the University of California, Roxane Cohen insists mental health is influenced by how much social media a person consumes and how graphic the content is.

Spain’s incoming mental health law With mental health on a downward spiral, Spain proposed a new law called ‘Ley de Salud Mental’ at the end of last year.

This aims to increase access to relevant services, reduce suicide rates, and destigmatise mental health issues, with €2.5m budgeted to spend on information campaigns.

The country also aims to create special clinics for young people.

And it’s about time as currently for each 100,000 inhabitants, mental healthcare provision is limited to just 10 psychiatrists, 6 psychologists and 7.5 specialist nurses.

Health bodies, including the AEESME believes this should be at least 30 specialist nurses per 100,000 people.

Primitive treatments Treatments in Spain tend to be pretty primitive.

Mental health services in most of Andalucia and Valencia are extremely limited, consisting of extremely few psychiatric clinics.

Most clinics merely dole out pills for ‘de-

PILLS: There are concerns doctors oversubscribe antidepressants

pression’ - with little actual attempt at diagnosis.

One Olive Press reader, based in Lanjaron, revealed that her daughter was merely issued pills when she faked a suicide attempt.

“She was then prescribed more pills, instead of dealing with the symptoms of her disorder,” she explained. And when her daughter’s mental health worsened, so did the treatment.

“Eventually, she was committed to our hospital's psychiatric unit, which can only accommodate around 10 patients.

No treatment was offered, other than being highly sedated. I saw men and women locked up together in a very small ward,” she recalled.

“One guy had his groin taped up with gaffer tape - presumably to prevent him exposing himself to fellow patients. It was like something from the days of Charles Dickens – shuffling, muttering, dosedup patients wandering about and largely ignored by the staff, except when they were forcibly made to take showers. The whole ward was like a prison - locks and bolts everywhere and restricted visiting.

“After eight days, they said my daughter was being released - although nothing had been done to diagnose or alleviate her condition. She came out unable to even dress herself and certainly no better.”

April 21st - May 4th 2022

www.theolivepress.es

7

THREE MUSKETEERS: Jorge (left), Elena and George

Young Blood

MEET THE OP TEAM

The new generation of hot young journalists that are taking the Olive Press to new heights

W SILVER SCREEN: The cunning scheme has been immortalised in Operation Mincemeat

transported by submarine to just off the coast of Huelva, where British intelligence knew a particularly active German spy, Adolf Clauss, was based.

They knew he would almost certainly be handed the bogus secret documents.

And all went exactly according to plan with the Allies soon mounting a successful invasion of southern Europe with minimal loss of life thanks to the diversion.

But the mystery as to the true identity of the grave was not revealed until years later.

When the MI5 secret files were declassified in 1996 it emerged that Major William Martin was actually a homeless alcoholic Welshman, Glyndwr Michael, who died in London after eating poisoned bread.

His body had been removed from St Pancras Hospital morgue, dressed up in the Royal Marine uniform of a major and trans-

80-YEAR TRIBUTE

A raft of pills Maggie Greg, a Cadiz resident who suffers from borderline personality disorder, says: “I've been using the mental health system for a long time. It depends on who you get in terms of therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Many will quickly put you on pills without spending long enough to obtain a correct diagnosis. Also, they will give you strong meds, such as Xanax, if you suggest them yourself,” she explained. “I was offered Lithium after being seen just four times for under 30 minutes each time, for a condition that was misdiagnosed. Fortunately, I turned it down. I’ve been on Xanax for over eight years now. A UK doctor told me they would not have prescribed it, as better drugs have been available for some time.”

Go private or online There are a few good counsellors out there in the private sector, but they are hard to find and the best are very busy.

Meanwhile you might try an online website like Betterhelp, which offers registered counsellors for €50 to 70 a week.

Many people find the cost of the private sector prohibitive, and are stuck with the public system, which remains under-resourced and has a long waiting list.

ported on ice to Spain.

Incredibly, it wasn’t until 25 years ago, in 1997, that his name was added to the inscription of the grave.

But today visitors to the obscure graveyard near Huelva can find the tombstone acknowledging the posthumous heroism and the real identity of the man within.

‘Glyndwr Michael served as Major William Martin, RM’ it reads.

While the well-tended grave receives the occasional curious visitor, the story will now reach a wider audience with this month’s release of Operation Mincemeat also starring Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton.

Local expat campaigners hope interest generated by the new film will lead to greater promotion of the area and preservation of the tombs of other Allied heroes buried there.

For in the British Cemetery adjacent to the final resting place of Glyndwr Michael lie two other neglected graves of war heroes, their headstones overgrown with weeds.

Both are Allied airmen who died when their plane, a Bristol Beaufighter, went down near Gibraleon on April 19, 1942.

Royal Australian Air Force pilot Sergeant Geoffrey Lennox Avern, 27, and 21-year-old RAF wireless operator Sgt Philip Bernard Crossan lost their lives.

“Out of respect for them my wife and I have decided to lay flowers on their graves on April 19, 80 years after they met thei deaths,” local resident Christopher r untimely Wright told the Olive Press.

The British expat is also in cont with both the Australian and Britiact embassy to urge them to take actiosh n to restore the cemetery.

“Action is needed now to ensure these two young airmen are not that forgotten,” he added.

“In the meantime a small group of unteers are clearing up some of thevolundergrowth and generally tidying up the area around the graves and entrance to the cemetery.”

Anyone wishing to join can email chris pher.wright@hotmail.co.uk for furthtoer details.

ITH an average age of 25, Elena Gocmen, Jorge Hinojosa, and George Mathias are the new blood of the Olive Press.

Elena joined the team a year ago, graduating from Madrid University where she studied journalism before returning to her Andalucian roots.

Bilingual thanks to an upbringing around Marbella, she already has an impressive portfolio under her belt, including everything from the investigation of a headless body found near Granada to an appeal for a donkey sanctuary.

Not content with chasing stories on the Costa del Sol, she has now taken on an additional role as a designer.

Jorge joined the team fresh from Spain’s press agency Efe after graduating from the UK’s Chester University with an MA in international journalism.

He brings his investigative nous to the paper which has already seen him probe a sex cult in Castellon and a giant villa owned by President Putin near Marbella.

Never off the phone, he enjoys a classic bit of ‘gumshoe reporting’ getting out and about knocking on doors.

Finally George joined the team from London, having cut his teeth at local paper the Basingstoke Gazette before working for the Mirror group.

His passion for journalism zoomed when he spent a week following the court hearing of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange for the Press Association.

And in just three months he has written on an expat retirement home bulldozed, gangsters being brought to justice in Mallorca and the European Cricket League.

Together, the terrific trio are proof that journalism is far from a dying industry and say seeking out stories, holding people to account, and just generally making mischief is more rewarding than ever.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: stops women going for an abortion 1- Spain being hassled by pro-life protestors outside clinics couple lose legal battle as bulldozers 2- British flatten retirement home in southern Spain the Semana Santa hats conical and 3- Why areare they linked to the KKK never buy pre-cut fruit and 4- Why youvegshould at supermarkets in Spain holidays in Spain 2021: Full list of 5- Bank dates for every autonomous community

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for more info

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VANISHED! r 20th, 2019 November 7th - Novembe

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THE WAY WE TOLD IT

was allowed to leave h great-grandfather after missing Britis Duty of care claims in clearly disoriented state police station at 3am

to the right A DANGEROUS lurch igrant could see Spain’s anti-imm the kingmakVox party becoming general elecers in this weekend’s tion.

EXCLUSIVE the back of The massive surge - off and a fear

By Joshua Parfitt crisis the recent Catalan party seizBlanca of Islam - could see theParliament.

POLICE on the Costa ing 15% of the seats inwill seriously after they have been slammed disorienThe expected gains Ciudadanos, allowed a confused and ndfather damage centre-right half its seats, tated British great-gra station which could lose over and left wing to walk out of a police while the ruling PSOE sufalone. to night of expected dead also into the Podemos are r Philip The family of pensione ng anfer. to ‘defend’ Pearce, 68, are demandi Vox, which has pledged police over ts, is predictSpain from immigran the country’s swers from Benidormon Septemed to finish third in in as many why he was released fourth general election ber 10, at 3am. life after he years.

They now fear for hisan alarming led Vox, suggests The latest polling has been missing for will increase

by Santiago Abascal, 350-seat partwo months. from the its 24 seats in Spain’s And in a shocking email by the liament to 46.

Consulate, seen

British there are Olive Press this week, of duty Failed suggestions of a breach a drink (above), while CiuAirport Philip Pearce enjoying of care.

Meanwhile Albert Rivera’s the pensioner in Alicante reveals the DISAPPEARED: from 57 to The official email told police (above right) the last picture of dadanos will be reduced Vox is set to pensioner had clearly r where he 14. In the 40dB poll alongside the every gain 14% of the vote, he ‘did not remembe ‘four to five’ hours and 21.2% he was with holiday spent ed buildPP in second place was staying’ nor where He was having a good Levante day scouring abandon coming first ities commun England.

Playa 91 seats and the PSOE in his from left traveller he also stated until 9 ings and with 27.3% and 121 votes. victory The consulate email neither his hotel at 5.30pm on September the Costa Blanca. he lost around sent my dog out with a The PSOE’s predicted Philip was carrying with two less even to buy cigarettes before would see the party last election, nor his wallet when his bearings and was taken to “I to search in every passport camera to GoPro April’s in stranger seats than corner, but for its he was taken by a bush and in every prompting another headache Policia Nacional sta- police. ’s to tries he Benidorm as nothjust after we’ve found leader Pedro Sanchez tion in the Old Town Wallet conform a government. ing,” McQueen said. midnight, as CCTV footage told the Ol- “I’ve got 130 taxi Opinion page 6 Two months on, Lee firms. clear is how ive Press a request for ‘a ground drivers who start However, what is not to leave search and sniffer dogs’ has gone at 4am and finish and why he was allowedlater. the family are at 2am, but none of the station three hours not an- unanswered, whileanswers. the hotels and esfor simply are left searching “The police s,” son Lee closure on wheth- tablishments have swering our questionOlive Press “We just need still alive or not,” seen a sign of Philer my dad is Pearce, 41, told the ip.” said. last night. has family ching Lee apart from claiming to have The “But “It’s absolutely gut-wren to look, spent weeks putknowing drones not some family, out sent for us as a he disap- the police don’t seem to be doing ting up posters and where he is and why handing out flyers anything at all.” peared. so badly. I It comes as scores of British res- of his missing father “I just want him home weeks search- around Benidorm miss him so much.” be suffering idents have spent of the grandfa- with contact details.

Philip was known to of demen- ing for signs A spokeswoman for ther-of-three. from the early signs Transfers, the British Consulsmiling’ tia, but was ‘happy and with a Owner of Alicante he has ate told the Olive David McQueen, said when he left for Alicante partner. friend and travelling See pages 7 & 13

TVANISHED!

on Press they ‘do not comment as Philip’s. individual cases’ such spokesman A Policia Nacional had been claimed ‘helicopters’ Philip on scrambled to search for hillsides. various Benidorm to answer However, they failed details questions about the exact station or of his release from the and ground whether sniffer dogs or searches had been deployed would be soon.

Get Have you seen Philip? k@ in touch at newsdes theolivepress.es

HEY say good h ngs come n h ees You total And as we b ow ou he cand es o ce eb a e Spain goes ! hnut ls doug to the pol ou Cos a B anca No h ed on s h d b h M day we a e hop ng h s ngs ue m m m A e a he vas ma o y o he pape s e so a has beencare ved unde he shadow o he pandem y of M m cDut no o men VENDORS r on B ex afte ms clai w oh and he sma w M GUIDE Want to sell ish wa on Brit sing TRAVEL mis G INSURANCE 12 Eu opet-gr s eas e n ernges your property? andfath grea to a Eas Even aunch allowed m was ou stationam d police came eleav ne 2019 a at ve3am y din eclea enrlyso o 96 649 1883 d diso sas rien e ted state The oByEXCLU en SIVE a go a a Joshua Parfitt oods hathesCosta uckBlanca du ng on E POLIC ht turn Semana theyyea edaafter San ha have been slamm anniversary n3ofWithAmytheWinehous www.theolivepress.es November 7th - November 20th 2019 disorie NEWS allowed a confused and e’s n n OU mm n ther GENIUS: Adam Broseta adds finishing death this month, the was bapgreat-g smrandfa ostation so s tated aBritish mm touches to guitars for the stars in his Ph h Olive Press reveals Ga police a of out walk to ou Gorgos workshop m n m how she composed n m N P o ou h ed on A alone. three songs from n into the dead of night h w h m ner Philip Back to Black while of pensio n The family Ph wh h And ke any good med a holidaying in Alicante m n oy ng a d nk abo Pearce, 68, are demanding an- D SAPPEARED Ph p P a ff mh n A an A po B n n on rm police over gh h a p u o h p g oup ouBenidoeam a - ed swers from abo n w C h H w F . why he was released on Septem f-three ther-o h for g n a ound o cove he d “It’s a absolutely gut-wrenchinwhere Owner of Alicante Transfers, m ber 10, at 3am. n m h h w fear for his life after he us as a family, not knowing n n David McQueen, said he has wh h n maThey cnow wea he phenome disappeared.

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V answe for B left searching w Benidorm’s Policia Nacional sta- “Wewebs e on wheth closurby ak- ngn n on just need e n % tion in the Old Town just after er my dad is still alive or not,” w midnight, as CCTV footage con- Lee said.

OE m o me Mad d hconh nme n h F nd ou wha s firms. have to ng % m “But apart from claimi o In November 2019 we featured the search for a missing expat (top) and Amy n yB n ea ng he w Da However, what is not clear is how sentsponden OE drones to look, some out leave n to d h Contact Off w us today w and why he was allowe doing Pau Ho ywood seem toFbeona Winehouse’s links to the region, as well as an encounter with grumpyforBake don’t police the Te w m n eg aph Govan A availability A and pricing the station three hours later. anything at all.” on Page 3 h C n B star Paul Hollywood! (left) tel: +34 649 018 410 “The police are simply not an- It comes res- o h and British of Simply scores as as ou D g a Ed O Lee son ons,” www.cost ablancamagicmirror.com swering our questi search weeks spent have n idents Baleful m Pearce, 41, told the Olive Press ing aunched a paywa grandfa- P w h for signs of the 6 last night.

Op n on p a eady 30 000 eg s e ed use s COSTA BLANCA OLIVE Pe sona y have pa PRESS Your cu a y oved ge ng expat SECOND voice in o know he Ma na Dig deep for Dali diptych BITE Spain A a a ea s mp es Parents s ve scene y s sec e divided beaches and cha eng EXCLUSIVE ng moun a n wa ks s coas a owns and n and v ages a e bu geon ng w h h s o y and packed u o exce Our reporters bring en p aces o ea you exclusive after The eg on has been be e p o ec exclusive, including ed han he sp aw ng coas ne n this one in October, Anda uc a whe e we aunched ou 2020, about the Tel: 952 147 834 s O ve P ess newspape n 2006 murder of a834 young Iconic British 952 147 artist accuses and s oca s expa s and ou s s officials of expat who had been ignoring distress POLLY’S a e a de n e cu above calls from attacked before by Spanish refugee boat he financed The vas ma o y have we his eventual killer, and a report on the comed us w h open a ms Destinat ion Relaxatio n dangers of flooding suppo ng ou b end o caused by climate nves ga ve ou na sm change. w h co ou u ea u es 96 649 1883 and exp a ne s on We reported in September, 2020, how Brit artist Banksy MORAIRA PLUMBING HEATING wha expa s need o S P O K E N P O RTRA ITS bankrolled a migrant rescue ship and slammed Spanish know Voted authorities for ignoring pleas for help BEST p oo we e needed expat 555 paper o how we we have in Spain been ece ved ou Tel: 952 147 834 ecen spec a supp e FREE See page 11 Your men on Javea speaks 952 147 834 in voice vo umes Spain 6 www.theolivepress.es The 24 page pu ou was suppo ed by ove wo dozen oca bus ness es as we as he OPINION own ha … and ea D L A GRIP! u ed he ve y bes APPEAGET D Wanted E XC ‘killer’ could o wha s on o e LU be living SI among he e VE expat We have on y had community The Olive Press as detective good eedback calls in OP threw the for backup Wha ema ns o be spotlight on le’ VICTORY: Dogs saved from ‘hellho sa d s hanks o ou a pair of evil carers back in g oup o a h u e August 2019. ab e c en s and o a They abused ou eade s who queue Scandalous their position up o p ck up he pape ev DRAGON of trust to VENDORS e y o n gh Find out what’s eating Paul Hollywood on Page 3

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A little sprinkle of Hollywood

CRISTIANO Ronaldo and his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez have stolen the show at the MTV EMA awards in Sevilla.

The pair dazzled, stepping out in contrasting colours, with the footballer donning a red suit and white trainers, while his better half sported a blue dress that revealed one leg.

Spanish model Rodriguez is adjusting to family life with Ronaldo and his children Cristiano Jr., nine, two-yearold twins Eva and Mateo, and Alana, age 22 months.

The former Real Madrid star, who now plays for Juventus, recently said of their relationship: “She has helped me so much.”

He added: “I’m in love with her and we’ll be married one day, for sure. It’s my mum’s dream as well.”

His 25-year-old girlfriend recently admitted that’s ‘not easy’ being in a relationship with someone as famous as the Portuguese star.

GREAT British Bake Off host, Paul Hollywood has spent some of his dough on a Halloween visit to Spain.

The greying star - who made €10million last year - has been spotted running a rule over a number of local bakeries on the Costa Blanca, where his dad lives.

Fresh from finishing another Channel Four series of the baking show, the 53-year old was spotted chewing over baguettes, bloomers and pastries in two cafe/bakeries in Quesada and Benijofar.

At one, Redz, he has been a regular for years, coming over a number of times a year to see his dad

fans.”

He is also a regu- TOUGH COOKIE: Hollywood (inset) lar at Benijofar’s wouldn’t smile for the Olive Press, but celebrated Ham- he does like Hamilton’s display (above) iltons, which is John, a former butcher from the one of the most popular expat Press this week.

Wirral. bakeries on the Costa Blanca Cheshire-born Hollywood has “He’s here every day of his holisouth. judged on the Great British day with his dad,” said one of the Boss Martin Ronald Dean, a forBake Off since 2010, forming an waiters. mer croupier, who set up the bakeasy-going on-screen relation“Our boss Samantha has got ery and cafe seven years ago, said ship with Mary Berry, that the some pics, but she can’t share the TV star was a very private Guardian newspaper described them as he doesn’t like selfies or man of little words. as the show’s ‘secret weapon’. going on social media,” he added.

“He doesn’t say much, but he did However, off the show life has “He basically has a full English say he really liked our display of been far more complicated. breakfast and keeps himself to cakes and buns,” he told the Olive Apart from a long and acrimohimself, never engaging with his nious divorce from his wife of 19 years Alexandra, he has just broken up from his girlfriend of two years Summer, 24.

The split came after he tried to get her to sign a legal agreement not to talk to the press earlier this The Olive Press has been reporting for 14 years in Spain. year.

And in all that time we have met and bumped into hundreds of celebrities from David Beckham to Alexei Sayle and Hugh It went down like a collapsed pie Grant to that lot from TOWIE. in the oven and she moved her Yet not one of them behaved in the despicable way Bake Off clothes and various other items star Paul Hollywood - worth over €10m - did last week. from their shared home in Kent Indeed, every time we have stopped to say hello to someone last weekend. famous, asked them about the weather or their holiday or life It was perhaps not surprising in Spain, whatever, they smiled and at least declined to comment then, that when the Olive Press politely. politely asked him for a quote Hooligan Hollywood in contrast acted like a gangster swaggering for a brand new issue of the painto his local bar to give us a countdown to leave ‘or else’. per on the Costa Blanca south, he One might call it comical. Others might say he needs to learn couldn’t have been blunter.

FULL ENGLISH: At Redz some manners.

“You’ve got ten seconds to get each day It just goes to show all the dough in the world doesn’t buy class. out of here or else,” he threatened, after pulling up in a Jaguar at a HE’S lived in Spain for the past six years, prime minister is anymore. I haven’t got a local cafe in his dad’s playing in front of thousands of Real Ma- clue,” he admitted. urbanisation of Montedrid fans at the Bernabeu.

Bale, who earns £93,000 a day, said he bello, near Benijofar.

So perhaps he might be excused for not was mostly just interested in golf.

Despite merely asking knowing who the current British Prime “I follow the golf, that’s about it. I can tell him what he liked about Minister is. you who’s number one in the world.” the area - and what he In a shocking interview with the Tele- The Cardiff-born striker, who has an thought of the local graph, the Welsh footie ace said he apartment in Marbella, and is often seen bread and pastries - he thought Boris Johnson was still the mayor teeing off at nearby Finca Cortesin golf continued: “You lot are of London. course, has been linked with a move from all the same, get lost.

He added he knows almost nothing about Real Madrid all year.

“I told you stop talking Brexit.

It came after he was subject of harsh pubjust get out and leave,” “I look in terms of stuff financially, be- lic criticism from Galacticos boss Zinedine he added, in the worst cause [Brexit] affects me in a certain Zidane, while rumours have swirled about manners ever witnessed way for investments or money, because a rift between him and his Real teamby this newspaper in things change, but I don’t read most of the mates. The winger was close to a move to 14 years publishing in nonsense. I genuinely don’t know 99 per China in the summer before Real called Spain. cent of Brexit. I don’t even know who the the deal off due to financial concerns.

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JOLLY: Spain

EW knew that when the soulful, heart-wrenching vocals of Back to Black hit top-ten charts WHO KNEW?: Winehouse penned a trio of hit songs on the Costa Blanca around the world in 2006, they land town of Gata de Gorgos, where would turn Amy Winehouse into The list of legends who own handthe she found the instrument. first British woman to win five Grammade Guitarras Bros mys, and blossom into the UK’s sec- “My father remembers meeting Amy cludes Ed Sheeran, instrument inWill Smith and ond best-selling album of the 21st pretty well,” Adam Broseta, 33, tells will.i.am. the Olive Press amid the fragrant saw- The Gipsy Kings, century.

Tom Hanks, dust of the Guitarras Bros workshop But even less is known about the in ard Gere and Jeremy Irons haveRichholthe workaday also town. iday in Alicante that birthed three acquired instruments from the workof “It was 2006 and he didn’t have the 13-times Platinum album’s songs a clue shop.

- and saw the purchase of her all-time who she was at the time, but she was In 2006, Amy was ‘just another singfriendly.” ‘favourite’ guitar. er’ in a long line of artists who have Far from being insular and blind Now, on the eve of the anniversary to held a masterpiece of the Valencian of the international music scene, her death on July 23 eight years ago, the guitar-making tradition.

65-year-old family business the Olive Press made a visit to the in- famous around the world. is in fact But today the British singer-songwriter appears appropriately at the top of the list of ‘artists’ who have bought from them on the company’s simple website.

“To me, she’s the Jolie in most important of everyone,” Adam explains in the workshop’s office space, surrounded by posters of many of the world’s musical greats.

“She is a talented, an undeniable legend, and A-LIST: Ed Sheeran (left) and Tom the amazing part Hanks (right) show off their instruments made in Gata de Gorgos is we completely

FREE SPIRIT: Amy in Alicante (left) while (right) she gets inspired with a CD and a cigarette forgot she owned one of our guitars.” to eat.

In 2012, Adam received a phone call These songs laid the foundation lating his business for its appearance congratuRonson-produced album that was for the Mark Fair feature on Mitch Winehouse’s in a Vanity sensationally new biograreleased in October that year. phy: Amy, My Daughter.

In email correspondence with Guitarras Racing to a petrol station, Adam purchased Bros, Mitch would much later confirm that copy of the monthly magazine, and there the last than 50 guitars’ in Amy’s possession, of ‘more In the article appeared the words: “The it was. the one from the Costa Blanca had became small, Spanish, bought in Guitarras Bros,guitar was her ‘favouin the Alrite’. icante village of Gata de Gorgos.”

After Back to Black’s stellar success, Its purchase happened during the troubled singer’s tortuous relationship a brief holiday in 2006, after with Blake, who she married and Amy had split with lover Blake then divorced, was a period in Fielder-Civil, who had temporariFound with five which ly returned to one of his ex-girlAmy Winehouse spiralled in and out of addictions to alcohol, friends. times the legal heroin As Amy went ‘back to black’, and crack cocaine. drink-drive limit The demonised singer, who wore into her infamous manic deher heart on her tattooed sleeves pression, she was persuaded to of alcohol in her and join her father for the holiday in belted out searing emotion beneath that infamous ‘beehive’, Alicante, where his second wife blood was tragically found dead on July Jane’s family owned a house in 23, 2011. the campo.

She was found with five times the “The only problem was that she’d legal drink-drive limit of alcohol in bring her guitar,” her father’s book forgotten to her blood.

That holiday in Spain, however, marked But after spending ‘hours’ intent oncontinued. a moment of clarity in the tabloid storm in the nearby workshop in Gata de finding one of Amy’s life.

In his official biography, Mitch recalls inspired Amy returned to the house Gorgos, an a period and locked of sobriety in early 2011, writing: “I herself in her room for hours. hadn’t seen her focus like that since those days Emanating from those four walls when she’d locked herself away and in Spain the birth of You Know that I’m NoMitch heard Good, Love lot of Back to Black. “Creating music written a is a Losing Game and Wake Up Alone, est passion - seemed to be doing her - her greatso spellbound she refused to even with Amy more good come down than anything else we’d tried.”

Perhaps it has something to do with the handmade masterpieces at Guitarras Bros: each one has its ‘own soul’ and is a work of art in itself, with centuries-old wood from as far as Madagascar seeing strummers fork out up to €12,000 a piece, with tailor-made rosettes and machine heads.

Or perhaps it has something to do with the agreeable weather, or the tortilla de patatas that Amy loved, according to the Vanity Fair article.

Either way, something magical happened between the walls of that house on the Costa Blanca - the loss of which the world is still coming to terms with these eight ROYAL APPROVAL: Fresh Prince Will long years later.

Smith shows off instrument

SMILING Angelina Jolie put on an Oscar-winning show of calmness as she enjoyed a day out shopping in Spain.

The 44-year-old was all smiles in the Canary Islands, despite having been evacuated from a film set following a bomb scare.

An unexploded device found in sand on the set forced the American star to flee the set in Fuerteventura, where she was filming upcoming Marvel film The Eternals last week.

The Maleficent star was accompanied by three of her children as she was spotted breezing through the streets of the island, famous for its winds. tel: 966 46 38 45

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BANKSY has accused European officials of deliberately ignoring distress signals after a refugee rescue boat he financed was left stranded in the Med. The iconic artist hit out after his new mercy vessel, launched from Valencia in August, failed to receive any help when it came close to sinking, overloaded with over 200 refugees.

It came after the ship captain made a distress call after it became marooned due to overloading, with many of the refugees ill and one already dead.

The British street artist took to social media to attack the slow response saying that ‘EU authorities deliberately ignored the pleas from non-Europeans’.

The 31-metre rescue vessel Louise Michel, named after a 19th century French anarchist, set sail in secrecy from Burriana, near Castellon, on August 18.

Its aim is to save refugees making the dangerous sea crossing from

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North Africa to Europe.

“Like most people who make it in the art world, I bought a yacht to cruise the Med,” Banksy posted online, accompanied by a video of the ship mixed in with footage of people stranded at sea.

“Because EU authorities deliberately ignore distress calls from ’non-Europeans’,” he continued.

“All Black Lives Matter.” But within weeks of launching, his ship, es-

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Once a wolf

Delay

PEDRO Sanchez has delayed a vote until July 23 in order to convince Pablo Iglesias’ Unidos Podemos to for a coalition with the socialist party.

PSOE won 123 seats during the April elections, but need 176 to become a majority in the Spanish congress.

‘very soon’.

Nothing was being done to save them as the 77-year-old owner’s daughter was allegedly ‘a

Unexpected baggage

A SURVEILLANCE helicopter has caught a man travelling at 223 km/h on the AP-7 motorway on the Costa Blanca while ‘high on several drugs’. The Pegasus helicopter from Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) caught the driver at 13.42 in Gandia on Saturday, before notifying the Guardia Civil’s traffic unit.

The man was detained and tested positive to ‘various narcotics’.

British expat says council are ‘ignoring’ attempts to rescue mistreated dogs A BRITISH expat who has fought for eight years to rescue dogs trapped in a ‘hellhole’ says town hall councillors do nothing due to their friendship with the owner.

Grace Boas, 63, said there are six podenco hunting dogs stuck in an abandoned house ‘without windows’ on Cami Sant Miquel, near Benimeit, in Teulada.

She said the dogs live surrounded by ‘excrement and worms’ and they ‘never leave’ the property.

“I walk my dogs there every day and they bark non-stop,” Grace, who is secretary of PLUTO Protectora Animales, told the Olive Press.

“Four denuncias, two instancias and a complaint to the EU Commission have been made against their owner,

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

Fernando Serrat, but nothing ever changes,” she explained.

Grace believes nothing has been done is that Serrat’s daughter is the director of the Auditori Teulada and ‘good friends’ with former health councillor Rosa Ana Caselles and former mayor Carlos Linares.

A series of letters addressed to both politicians pleading for ‘a solution’ have gone unanswered.

“We want to give these dogs a life of liberty, without fleas, worms, poor nutrition and horrific conditions,” read one letter to Linares.

She was recently told by Serrat’s daughter that she failed

A MILITARY official travelling with Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro was detained in Sevilla after 39kg of cocaine was found in his suitcase on the presidential plane.

TWO men have been arrested in Barcelona after robbing 23 tourists by using the ‘spitting’ method.

The men were seen on CCTV spitting on tourists, and while one offered to clean the victim’s jacket the other made off with their suitcase.

The thieves, of Peruvian nationality, reportedly made €73,000 in the scam.

MISTREATED: Dogs trapped in abandoned house to ‘understand Spanish culture’.

“But is this really culture? It’s

A WOMAN has been arrested after her dog died from strangulation and heatstroke.

The 27-year-old is charged with animal abuse after her ‘dying’ pet was spotted on a balcony in Valladolid.

After police officers saw the animal ‘panting intensely’ and could not break in, firemen were called to rescue the animal.

But the dog could not be saved, and it died of ‘suffocation due to strangulation’, according to a vet.

certainly not European behaviour, or shouldn’t be,” added Grace, who retired to Spain 15 years for health reasons.

She believes that the keen hunter Serrat, aged 77, is now ‘incapable’ of caring for his six dogs.

However there is hope on the horizon with both Linares and Caselles no longer in power after May’s elections.

She hopes new councillor for Animal Welfare Adrian Ruiz will be more ‘animal friendly’.

“The maltreatment of animals really upsets me,” added Boas, who narrowly missed a seat on Teulada council with the PSOE in the recent elections.

“I’m really praying something can finally be done.”

ONE of the UK’s most dangerous men has been learning Spanish as part of his plan to relocate to Spain on his release.

Infamous 62-year-old taxi rapist John Worboys - who now goes by the name John Derek Radford - is hoping to start a new life here, when released.

But the sex offender, who was set to be released this year, may spend a lot more time behind bars at Wakefield prison after a massive public uproar.

“He had all the books and DVDs and was becoming pretty fluent,” a source at the prison told a UK newspaper.

“He wanted to eventually live in Spain where, worryingly, he’d be totally anonymous and God only knows what he’d get up to out there mixing with tourists.

“He had also changed his name so he could slip under the radar.”

Worboys was jailed in 2009 for a spate of sex assaults on 12 women in London.

He could have obtained permission to travel abroad from probation officers after a Parole Board deemed him to be no longer a danger. But the decision is expected to be reversed when he goes in front of a judge to be sentenced in September after he admitted attacks on four more women.

conditions Call the Olive Press on +34 951 273 575

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Also criticised are Orihuela Costa, Mijas, Torrevieja and Benalmadena.

The proliferation of golf courses was also pointed out in the Observatory’s findings.

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The Spanish government brought in surveillance helicopters to catch speeders back in 2007.

A total of eight now patrol the Spanish skies. The Pegasus choppers uses two cameras which monitor the speed of a car and record its number plate. The cameras can also determine if a driver is using a mobile phone or riding without a seatbelt.

Trapped in hell

rales, is ‘now completely on the side’ of animal rights activists.

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SPAIN has been referred to the EU Court of Justice for imposing disproportionate fines on taxpayers who failed to report assets held in other EU countries.

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and Bill took advantage of elderly SCAMMERS: Brits Jane (left) But the British fraudsters kept Parkinson’s and cerebral arterio- €102,890 of pilfered cash as the sclerosis that rendered him increas- credit card transfers were ‘unveringly ‘incapacitated and with lapses ifiable’ having been made in small in memory’. amounts of ‘between €100 and The judge ruled the pair could keep €600’. €116,680 from a total of €385,902 Sources have told the Olive Press been as salaries, while from the unjustito how the couple, who have not fied €270,000 they were ordered of named until now, ‘laughed off’ the pay €166,332 to the Dutch family scam to family and friends. the deceased.

MORRIS MINOR: Brought “It appears that Jane had absolutely with robbed cash no compassion or sense of right and wrong,” a relative close to the family, who asked to remain nameless, told the Olive Press.

“The disgusting thing is that they 2 CRIME was seem to have gotten away with some CrackHector hawk downthe English press friend’ of former Teulada-Moraira naming and shaming her, but he of it.

THE Olive Press has been ‘pivot- mayor Carlos Lin- ares.

“Jane used to use the words ‘cash said ‘the times al’ in the release of six podenco “It’s wonderful, cow’ to refer to the couple. for keeping dogs dogs trapped in an abandoned because you re“She was accumulating money Blackin cab this condition house on the Costa Blanca. rapist’s sometimes by charging a ridiculous ally wrote the over’.” the costa are plans now Grace Boas, 63, last month truth,” Boas told €50 to take the dogs around The dogs’ owner, claimed the hounds had been the Olive Press. block for this old couple.

Fernando Serrat, all locked up for ‘eight years’ “In our fight we “She wanted to fleece them for has now agreed among their own ‘excrement really need that they have.” to hand them and worms’.

When the elderly woman passed courage.” over for adoption. away, Jane and Bill allegedly began Following four denuncias and Boas said TeulaHave you been to scheming to ‘get what they could’ two instancias, the dogs are da’s new councilthe police about too late. was it before Spit and run COLLARED now being sought a suitable lor for public ser- FLASHBACK: appeal Dog animals in terrible “It was around 2013 that the Scamshelter and will be rehomed vices, Hector Mothe near to your homes? mell’s lifestyle began to change,” FIVE members of the ‘Wolf Pack’ gang have been found guilty of rape after the Supreme Court overturned a regional court’s lesser conviction of sexual assault. The five men will each be jailed for 15 years, instead of 9 years, for raping an 18-year-old and filming it in Pamplona.

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Little ears

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c o n d i t i o n s .

at ris Minor for coastal escapades home.

But the €270,000 that the aptly named Jane and Bill Scammell stole from an eldery couple they were carfor ing for in Javea saw them jailed four years in July.

An Alicante court ruled the pair, aged 51 and 57, had ‘taken advantage’ of their infirm employers who became ‘totally dependent’ as their respective illnesses worsened.

The crimes began at the end of 2011, siwhen the Scammells started acphoning cash into their personal counts through small cash deposits, cheques and credit card transfers.elThey did not stop even when the derly wife passed away in 2013, and while the husband suffered from

A BOY aged 10 has rescued a 64-yearold Dutchman who fell into a fissure in the mountains of Picos de Europa, northern Spain. The boy split from his family to take photographs when he heard the injured man scream for help.

The great outdoors, just draped in luxury

t o

Family’s message to British carers they stole who ‘laughed to relatives’ as on the €270,000 from an infirm couple Costa Blanca the IT was the scam which fuelled Spanish dream.

The cash flow paid the mortgage to a villa with sweeping views over to Javea, it paid for first-class trips New York, Vegas and Vancouver, not to mention the vintage Mor-

t o

up with flora and ‘other de- most urbanised, with the tritus.’ report The report looked at the ‘most claiming it is the ‘most artificial municipal- sive impacted by intenities’ on the coast, with 10 Nexttourism in Spain’. each in the Canary Islands lorca, are Calvia, in Maland the Balearics, two in Blanca,Denia, on the Costa Estepona, on the Catalunya and five in Gali- Costa del Sol, and Puerto cia, plus the ones in Valen- del Rosario, in Las Palmas, cia and Andalucia. in Marbella on the Costa del In the Canaries. terms of development Sol was highlighted as the close to the shoreline (under 500 metres) Benicassim (in Castellon) is the worst offender with 82% of its coastline developed for

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Half Spain’s coastline at serious flooding risk due to overbuilding

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According to the report, coastal municipalities since the 1950s have been transformed from rural undeveloped communities to large tourist resorts that have had a negative impact on the local ecosystem.

Some 48 localities out of the 50 studied had seen excessive construction for tourist use, mainly in the form of homes, hotels and golf courses.

Flooding after storms is generally caused by ‘a lack of suitable drainage, because traditional floodplains have been built on without planning’.

Also, man-made storm drains are often badly maintained and easily clog

“During this time, they have been repairing and preparing the boat but they did it by themselves, they did not use the port services”, he said.

Referring to Banksy, he added: “If he has been here, he came incognito,” the official said. Burriana, which has 34000 residents is best known for its Arenal music festival each summer.

Locals in the town had no idea what its planned mission was, but they dubbed it ‘Orgullo gay’ or ‘Proud to be gay’.

Opinion Page 6

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AN original, off-the-wall painting by one of Spain’s most famous artists could fetch up to €11 million at auction today.

The diptych, in art lingo, Couple aux têtes picts the Catalan artist and his wife pleines de nuages (1937) deGala as framed silhouettes with heads full of storm clouds. full of the highly personal imagery that made most exciting Surrealist. “It reveals Dali perhaps the his obsession with Freudian psychology as much as his obsession with his great lover and muse Gala,” said India Head of Bonhams, in London, where Phillips, Global the auction will take place on Thursday. Its most distinctive feature is a burning giraffe, likely linked to the which was raging at the time it was Spanish Civil War, painted. Currently, the auction record for a Dali piece is €15 million.

FLOODY HELL

By Simon Wade

AN alarming 40% of Spain’s coastline is at ‘a high risk’ of flooding from heavy storms.

A report from Spain’s Sustainability Observatory reveals that areas with recent and substantial urbanisation are most vulnerable.

This includes many parts of the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, where 12 and 11 towns respectively are particularly at risk.

It comes as the storm season - which left seven people dead last year in Spain - is set to begin.

1

is smaller but considerably faster than other NGO rescue vessels.

It is capable of reaching speeds of 28 knots. The planning of its latest mission was carried out in secrecy between London, Berlin and Burriana, where the Louise Michel had docked to be equipped for sea rescues.

The crew feared that media attention could compromise their goals.

If word had circulated that a project financed by Banksy would set to sea to rescue migrants, the European authorities could have attempted to thwart the mission. A spokesman for Burriana’s port confirmed that the Louise Michel docked there on June 23 and left on August 18.

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timated to have cost €950,000, it also found itself in trouble off the Sicilian island of Lampedusa.

After floundering for hours with 219 refugees on board, Italian coastguards and charity Sea-Watch finally stepped in to save the day, last week.

A coastguard motor vessel took 49 of the most vulnerable travellers to the island of Lampedusa, while Sea-Watch 4 took the rest to Palermo, where they were eventually given sanctuary.

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THE alleged killer of a British expat had been involved in a man - who was later jailed for knife attack on the same vic- six years and eight months - stabbed the victim, who, actim in the UK three years ago.

The Olive Press can reveal cording to reports, was only that Ben Nesbitt, 21, who was saved from death by the thick stabbed to death in Quesada clothing he was wearing. on the Costa Blanca, on Octo- But it would appear that the ber 1, was hospitalised when violent incident was not the three men attacked him in end of the matter.

Sources have told the Olive 2017.

In the vicious assault in South- Press that the man detained the day after Nesbitt’s death port, near Liverpool, he was left lying for dead after being was one of the three men inknifed while he was asleep on volved in the 2017 assault. a sofa. A court at the time was The man was arrested in Gitold that his mother thought rona by Guardia Civil as he he was ‘half dead’ when she headed for the French border, which lay just 40 miles away, visited him in hospital. and remanded in custody by an investigating judge.

He is being probed over the Jailed The man arrested in Giro- fatal stabbing of Nesbitt, 21, na was convicted of burglary after a party over 400 miles and stealing £1,600 (€1,780) away on the Costa Blanca. and jailed for 38 months after The victim’s father Michael, driving two men to an address told the Olive Press: “I tried to block it all out, hoping that I’d in Southport.

While he stayed in the car, wake up the next morning and the others - one of whom has all of this was just a nightmare never been identified - entered - but it wasn’t.” Nesbitt’s famthe property where they found ily are now waiting to cremate Nesbitt lying on a sofa. One Ben and return his ashes to his native Southport.

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Uncertainty

And while not all parents want to keep their little ones at home, 56% said that they did not feel their child would be safe on their return.

A whopping 83% agreed that social distancing would be impossible to maintain in the classrooms and 78% thought all children should be made to wear masks at school.

Ominously, just 28% of parents said it was likely that pupils would be able to complete a full school year.

Spanish education officials have for weeks been debating how to get pupils safely back to school this month for in-person classes.

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EXPAT parents are completely split over whether it is the right time for children to return to school. An Olive Press reader survey shows that mums and dads are unsure whether September is too soon to send pupils back to the classroom.

In our online poll, we asked readers to share how they felt about schools reopening for the first time since March.

Exactly half said they were happy for their children to be back with their teachers and peers while the rest wanted a vaccine before they let their sons and daughters return.

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Vol. 2 Issue 38 www.theolivepress.es September 3rd - September 16th 2020

November 7th - November 20

COSTA BLANCA

The

m

The

m

The local girl who zoomed into Lewis

y about the latTHERE was a depressing inevitabilit to Brexit and the est round of bad news relating Spain and the ongoing travel restrictions between UK . with an inThe blame for this fiasco lies squarely p between competent and disorganised relationshi the two governments. part of a disBoris Johnson and his cronies were referendum honest campaign during the 2016 for leaving which led to the country voting narrowly the EU. refused to back In the mess that followed, Johnson pursued an sensible compromises and instead was oblivious to the Brexit or met lly rigidwho knowthat ideologica Press readers rely on free EXCLUSIVE thousands of forward. of people who come to concerns Parle A FORMER Scotland Yard detectiwith their families or

By Joshua Parfitt & it is to bepar, whetherned-author The detective-tur movement ve has joined forces with the Olive Dollimore Laurence British to UK’s speak wants to ticularly Press to track down one of the the economy. boost as a to Parle ss of Brexit – who referred recklessne residents for the most wanted killers. paying stillgiant’ We’re Olive Press this week. during an Olive Press Peter Bleksley, who worked for the told the be living with an unsus-with‘gentle sight. in end no in 2009.

Met Police’s undercover SO10 unit “He couldpartner who knows no- probe back us from the worst of will deliver under the And“Iwhile speak to them will vaccines in the 1980s, has asked for help in pecting his background. He could hard truth is that it will s, theundertarestriction it’s my solemn traveland the radar bringing alleged murderer Kevin thing of in travelling between faithidenhave a wife and kids, and be delive-takeking before their timedisclose to never some Parle to justice. machines - we simply tity,” vowed UK who is cuis restored.

The 38-year-old Liverpudlian fled ring washing Spain and the Bleksley, to Spanish governParlethe a book onthat writing rrently to Alicante more than a decade ago don’t know.” something is there But help raise awareness. after masked gunmen broke into that is GET A GRIP! do now - and can ment is planning on ensure its own investigator The the home of mum-of-three Lucy not it can le that 1, beunforgivab on June It isheading to Madrid Hargreaves and shot her as she “If I get a text, call, email, message for example the pass upcontrols won’tborder - police Parle and agents lieving slept on her sofa in August 2005. a via social media I will go straight to in FC with Liverpool RULES. to watch ITS OWN chance Parle, who is unmissable the airport and jump on a plane.” follow final. on our front page must reported s the Champions towering height of 6ft 6 and a red Previous Olive Press investigationThese incidents League fan, Liverpool huge the or tied up in knots was aunder carpet beard, is also wanted in connection have linked Parle to Torrevieja andnot “Parle swept be a for there’s only one place with the shooting of 16-year-old the wider Alicante area, but otherwithand on red tape. fan who can afford itare the Toxteth lad Liam Kelly, who was sightings have stretched as far as Liverpool solutions potential he said. not obvious, to while AndJune that’s Madrid,” 1, and gunned down in Liverpool back in Perth, in Australia. as much support provide met Parmust or ever knew Governme UK you know,nt a If June 2004.

“He shot a 16 year old boy and this nightmare - not information, navigate relevant them helpany or have Britsle, to “He’s been on the run for 14 years 22-year-old mother of three, it’s please or worse, direct how insignificant, of the problem matterhands no their and he could have completely rein- absolutely scandalous,” addedwash es. on the governheolivepress. newsdesk@t contact statement vague vented himself,” Bleksley, who now Bleksley, who is urging any Olivethem to another writes books on unsolved crimes, ment website. communication The rules need to be clearer, the EU and the UK Tel. (+34) 96 649 18 29 needs to be stronger between the info@hispaniahomes.es assure passengers that they to need airlines and INSUR ANCE www.hispaniahomes.co.uk hauled back home on arrival. be won’t all for prices But no one Unbeatable We can accept Brexit has happened. types of insurance y as a result. agreed to this fear and uncertaint

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2019

HOUSE RULES

ANXIOUS expats breathed a sigh sive anti-Brex of relief this week after it protest in London voted to wrestle back Parliament at the weekend. control of the “It was Brexit process in yet another great humi- history I hope,”to be there making liation for Theresa May. said Sue Wilson of Bremain in Spain.

The fresh blow for the me Minister has put theBritish Pri- “It is not the first time we have vofuture of a ted with our feet, million expats in Europe but it was the hands of MPs, who firmly into ggest ever march contingen our bit,” she to vote against a hard are expected added.

Brexit.

“It was a sign of commitm It comes after thousand ent that so joined a million marcherss of expats at a masContinues

The Olive Press was born 16 years ago in Andalucia with the aim to bring campaigning community reporting to the English language media in Spain. Over the past three years on the Costa Blanca we have brought our campaigning and investigative skills to a new audience, as the stories on this page show...

What drove this expat to cut off his member?

Page 7

Celebrating the end of the Spanish Civil War Page 14

Costa Blanca home is voted best in Europe

OUR first issue was a battle to set the right tone.

The headline said it all.

Growing Pains told the story of an American expat who had been in a decade-long border battle with his neighbour. It showed we were prepared to get out and report on local issues.

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after expat Judge set to take further steps fails boss of suspect investment company to turn up at court

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November 9th

- November 22nd

2017

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BACKING DOWN: Carles

Expats who lost millions rage at ‘unauthorised’ deals involving ‘worrying’ signing of blank sheets EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan

Confusion reigns

Pension peril

SPAIN’S prime minister has accused Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont of causing ‘confusion’ after signing a declaration of independence.

Mariano Rajoy demanded he clarify if he had really declared independence following Tuesday’s nail biting address to the Catalan parliament.

If so, Rajoy insisted he could trigger Article 155 of Spain’s constitution to allow Madrid to take direct control of Catalunya.

“There is an urgent need to put an end to the situation that Catalunya is going through - to Continues on Page 7

who lost up BRITISH expats a failed pento €20 million in believe their sion advisory firm been phosignatures may have docutocopied onto investment ments. most living Around 300 Brits, to retrieve rying’. very essence in Spain, are battling “This negates the are meant to they were their funds after Alicante-based of the service they “It is a blank me they knew what Wealth Manfirm Continental folded in Sepoffer,” said Flores. wherever, doing.” some of agement (CWM) in the cheque to invest He added: “I believe were made tember, as first reported whenever. the investments ago. this is I think Olive Press a monthleft for Aus“If standard practice, without my knowledge.I do not Boss Darren Kirby closure of very worrying. that is the case because for all the documents half and I tralia following the Javea of“Signing blank recall signing sheets has gone down by to get it would be seen the company’s main investments I had.” need compensation by the Olive as irregular in a fices.

An email, seen asking a clispread across back on track. court of law. The Victims, who are in Ibiza, MalPress, shows CWM “But some people with a blank problem Spain, as well as France and ent to sign and return have lost everythese firms is that lorca, Portugal, practices dealing instruction. thing and don’t 55, who they were all inTurkey, fear illegal Another British expat, around to sign blank have enough to vesting in highly after being asked is trying to recover pensionlive on. One rePENSION risky investments dealing instructions. were then €200,000, said some tired victim only the cliTheir pension pots OUTRAGE without assets ers ‘have lost everything’. has €50,000 left that I sent ents knowing.” invested in high-risk “My paper work my risk level pay out large from €480,000.”

He claimed that which promised to has been altered, ‘medium’ to Andalucia-based losses sustained commissions. pensioner was changed from lawyer Antonio instrucinvestors by One 69-year-old whose he lost ‘high’ and my dealing Flores, photocopied would hopefully told the Olive Press Lawbird tions have been transferring firm and sellrecoverable be €210,000 after representrepeatedly for buyingauthorise,” stating he are that failed €470,000 despite aversion as the investments bust, were ing assets I didn’t ing some CWM blank inhad a ‘low to medium or went he said. investment. victims, said signing ‘very wor- to perform, insurance policies. money left to risk’ attitude to you sign this he said. linked to life looking “I still have some enough to vestment sheets was Momentum “I was asked, ‘Canwill fill in the “They should have been Pension trustees now attemptwere just and I am still young 15:36 16/06/2017 blank form. We trusting they 1 out for me but they nests. To get compensation, but my fund and Trafalgar are Untitled-1.pdf that clients’ their own details.’ I did ing to recoup CMW interests,” feathering would act in my best losses. so far been The Olive Press hasif CWM was unable to discover investregistered to provide Spain’s offiSPECIALIZING IN: ment advice with CNMV. cial financial regulator LAW

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CONFUSION reigns over who should foot the bill for Mallorca hotels hit by the collapse of airline Monarch.

Balearic hotels are facing a €10million bill over the collapse that saw the emergency repatriation of over 110,000 back to the UK, many from Palma.

Administrator KPMG told the Olive Press ‘the debt owed by Monarch to hoteliers will rank as an unsecured claim’ against the defunct airline.

“They will have to file a claim to the joint administrators for all the money they are owed,” said a spokesman.

“It has not been determined (yet) how much money will be available to creditors.”

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October 12th - October 26th Vol. 1 Issue 13 www.theolivepress.es

2017

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As Spain celebrates Hispania Day, the Olive Press runs a rule over Columbus SEE PAGE 10

SPAIN’S prime minister has accused Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont of causing ‘confusion’ after signing a declaration of independence.

Mariano Rajoy demanded he clarify if he had really declared independence following Tuesday’s nail biting address to the Catalan parliament.

If so, Rajoy insisted he could trigger Article 155 of Spain’s constitution to allow Madrid to take direct control of Catalunya.

“There is an urgent need to put an end to the situation that Catalunya is going through - to Continues on Page 7

Who’s paying us?

Expats lose

millions in national and Momentum Penlife savings EXCLUSIVE sions.

“People are terribly disthrough failed Granada-based tressed,” CONFUSION reigns over who investment Brooks told the Olive Press. should foot the bill for Mallorca “They have lost large amounts hotels hit by the collapse of air- scheme of their retirement savings.” line Monarch.

She added: “Some of these EXCLUSIVE Balearic hotels are facing a people are going to end up

By Joe Duggan €10million bill over the colback in Britain on benefits.” lapse that saw the emergency “I have nothing but praise for of British expats repatriation of over 110,000 HUNDREDS to retrieve their Tony Barnett [Trafalgar MD] back to the UK, many from are battling team at March and Stewart Davies [Momenpensions after losing up to OFF TO OZ: Boss Kirby and (above) Palma. tum chef executive]. They in a failed pension Administrator KPMG told the £20 million charity bash have been magnificent in tryIt is believed at least 300 of ing to recoup people’s money.”

Olive Press ‘the debt owed by investment scheme. financial adviremain anonymous. clients have had Monarch to hoteliers will rank Spanish-based Wealth One Marbella-based expat “The adviser kept telling me, CWM’s 900 pots decimated, The Olive Press understands it pension as an unsecured claim’ against sory firm Continental the Olive Press he sunk it can’t go their victims shocked to later Management (CWM) folded told CWM, only ‘This is guaranteed, with the defunct airline. level’.” obliterating many £59,000 through “They will have to file a claim to last month Brits’ life savings. realising he had lost £39,000 below a certain that of others discover the value of their inthe joint administrators for all heartbroken had transferred when his pension trustees sent His money, and France, was vestments had plummeted across Spain and the money they are owed,” said Many of them UK pensions a statement. ‘profession- dramatically. their private a spokesman. believe it. I have put into high-riskassets, it has However, a source close to company, whose “I couldn’t of pounds,” al investor only’ 15:36 the case insisted: ‘There are is highly possible legal action “It has not been determined through the lost thousands Untitled-1.pdf Kirby has now1al- 16/06/2017 claimed. still many customers who are may be taken by some parties (yet) how much money will be boss Darren to Australia. revealed the victim, asking to been legedly moved happy with their pension port- against CWM, based out of available to creditors.” folio.’ headquarters in Alicante, and Andalucia-based tax specialist its executives.

Angie Brooks, a leading expert Both the office in Javea and on pension liberation schemes the website have recently shut. and the founder of Pension The group were pictured celLife, has now launched a fight ebrating at a charity ball as reSPECIALIZING IN: C to help get victims’ money cently as March this year. back.

CRIMINAL LAW When the Olive Press spoke M She is working alongside pen- to boss Kirby he ‘definitively’ CIVIL LAW sion trustees Trafalgar Inter- denied responsibility over the Y crash. “I have lost my world,” BANKING (FLOOR CLAUSE) he said.

CM FAMILY LAW A close associate of Kirby’s said former CWM staff were MY all ‘very upset’.

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Best English Pub in Palma Great food Live Music Every Night from 12am

20 Find out more on page XX

Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

Opinion Page 6

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CRIMINAL CIVIL LAW

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BANKING (FLOOR CLAUSE) FAMILY LAW

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Best English Pub in Palma Great food Live Music Every Night from 12am

SPECIALIZING IN: CRIMINAL LAW CIVIL LAW BANKING (FLOOR CLAUSE) FAMILY LAW

Opinion Page 6

FREE

They’ve been getting stoned for centuries.

Now UNESCO is interested in Mallorca walls.

SEE PAGE 6

Vol. 1 Issue 13 www.theolivepress.es October 12th - October 26th 2017

As Spain celebrates Hispania Day, the Olive Press runs a rule over Columbus

EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan

HUNDREDS of British expats are battling to retrieve their pensions after losing up to £20 million in a failed OFF TO OZ: Boss Kirby pension investment and (above) team at scheme.

Spanish-based finan- March charity bash cial advisory firm Continental Wealth Man- Many of them had agement (CWM) folded transferred their prilast month obliteratvate UK pensions Untitled-1.pdf 1 16/06/2017 ing many heartbroken through15:36 the company, Brits’ life savings.

whose boss Darren Kirby has now allegedly moved to Australia.

One Costa-del-Solbased expat told the Olive Press he sunk £59,000 through CWM, only realising he had lost £39,000 when his pension trustees sent a statement.

“I couldn’t believe it. I have lost thousands of pounds,” revealed the victim, asking to remain anonymous.

“The adviser kept telling me, ‘This is guaranteed, it can’t go below a certain level’.”

His money, and that of others across Spain and France, was put into high-risk ‘professional investor only’ assets, it has been claimed.

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Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

England.”

The Olive Press exclusively revealed how CWM abruptly folded in 2017, salosing hundreds of expats’ life vings in the process. the The firm, which was based out of Marriott Hotel, in Denia, had ‘eight to ten’ telesales staff and clients sca-a ttered around Europe, revealed

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As sherry gets big in London, we look at some quirky Jerez cocktails

SEE PAGE 10

SEE PAGE 20

PENSION OUTRAGE

Expats lose millions in life savings through failed investment scheme

Find out more on page XX 20

Best English Pub in Palma Great food Live Music Every Night from 12am

It is believed at least 300 of CWM’s 900 clients have had their pension pots decimated, with victims shocked to later discover the value of their investments had plummeted dramatically.

However, a source close to the case insisted: ‘There are still many customers who are happy with their pension portfolio.’

Andalucia-based tax specialist Angie Brooks, a leading expert on pension liberation schemes and the founder of Pension Life, has now launched a fight to help get victims’ money back.

She is working alongside pension trustees Trafalgar International and Momentum Pensions.

“People are terribly distressed,” Granadabased Brooks told the Olive Press. “They have lost large amounts of their retirement savings.”

She added: “Some of these people are going

to end up back in Britain on benefits.”

“I have nothing but praise for Tony Barnett [Trafalgar MD] and Stewart Davies [Momentum chef executive]. They have been magnificent in trying to recoup people’s money.”

The Olive Press understands it is highly possible legal action may be taken by some parties against CWM,

based out of headquarters in Alicante, and its executives.

Both the office in Javea and the website have recently shut.

When the Olive Press spoke to boss Kirby he ‘definitively’ denied responsibility over the crash. “I have lost my world,” he said.

A close associate of Kirby’s told the Olive Press former CWM staff were all ‘very upset’.

“It is still quite raw for them, and they are working out what to do next,” he said.

Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

18 18

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Did Valencia need Calatravland?

It was the PSOE who envisaged it in the late 80’s, to the condemnation of the PP. But when the party took power in the mid 90’s the scheme mushroomed to even greater heights.

As a result of the ‘too big to fail’ syndrome, costs spiralled four-fold from the original budget of €300 million to well over a billion euros.

During its construction the old town was largely neglected and the rot

set in, with drugs and anti-social behaviour becoming more commonplace. Just think what the city could have done with this amount of money?

Sure, the architecture is impressive…

The Palau de les Arts dominates the site allowing the city to host major international events. But after the obligatory photos to show off to your social media friends, what else does Calatravland offer? L’Hemisfèric, a

science museum where the permanent exhibition hasn’t changed in 20 years. To a scientist, maybe that’s the nature of permanent, but only now are there new exhibitions in the pipeline.

Upwards and onwards to Calatravaland’s crescendo, a mussel-like coruscation of a building yet to be finished, closed to the public after host-

ing a couple of tennis matches and a fashion show. The Àgora, a classic oxymoron populated by ghosts. It too is to get a facelift by bringing the Caixa Forum here to match Madrid and Barcelona.

This can only be topped by the twisted apartments in the sky project (design fees €15 million) that is still on hold, although housing may

well give Calatravaland back some much-needed function over form.

Therefore, do we blame the architect for all its shortcomings? Being one myself, I stand in solidarity with my fellow professional and say no.

Calatravaland is a product of its time and the cultural psyche - Nero fiddled while Rome went down the pan.

It may have satisfied our immediate

craving for new, shiny objects to raise us up, while giving us a quick fix of so-called high culture.

The big question remains, what is needed to give it purpose in an age where sustainability is the new buzz word.REDUCE, reuse and only then recycle.

After the tourists have overdosed on Calatravaland, the magnet which may have drawn them to Valencia in the first place, they must be enticed to venture further afield and discover its polar opposite, the old city where people live and work and raise their kids.

A pleasurable bike ride along the old riverbed, the amazing green lung of the city, leads to a world of total contrast to Calatravaland. You can still meander along the narrow streets, albeit many are interspersed with vacant lots, like missing teeth, and decaying buildings covered in green construction mesh But beneath the cobbles, medieval and Moorish imprints still underpin the core of the city, and under these the Roman city that began it all. This is the Rome to Calatravaland’s Nero.

Nowadays, the streets tracing the old city walls are almost devoid of traffic and manage to retain their tranquil charm. The grand palaces with their quiet and reclusive internal courtyards and the less noble buildings that tie in the whole urban fabric give a real sense of place. This has been a gradual evolution over millennia, not one man’s vision built over a few decades, devoid of the life blood of a living, breathing city.

So why is the old town not being treasured as it should be and what will be the consequence of this?

Private development here is at a standstill if not regressing, stifled by

OLIVE PRESS

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Rental websites which scammed British holidaymakers out of thousands FINALLY shut down following Olive Press exposes

FISHERMAN: One of the few people seen at the City of Arts and Sciences this month, while (right) and dog walker

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red tape and the additional costs and restrictions that come with free zone. developing in a historic neighbour- But it is time that neglected plots hood. There are new build opportu- were addressed. Redesign would nities elsewhere in the city that are encourage community ownership of more lucrative and less hassle. neighbourhoods through ‘passive Like many cities, there is also an surveillance’. For example more element of antisocial behaviour in semi-private spaces are needed to some areas, especially in August protect private domains, such as when most people leave the highs simple front gardens for existing of 40 degrees celsius for the beach ground floor social housing projects. or mountains and a less discernible All this would be for the greater good, element frequents the area, includ- creating an environment for everying the most vulnerone, as Calatravaland able of society, the continues to draw in homeless, drug addicts the tourists to the widCould and drunks. Although er city. it’s not as bad as the In conclusion, is CaCalatravaland, latravaland, 1980s and 90s when just too a heroin epidemic left be too modern? modern? Is that why most of the old town it’s so intriguing, beIs that why it’s cause no one really and the riverbed off limits. understands it? In my so intriguing?

Before the pandemopinion the main dific, tourist rentals and ference is that ‘it just noise pollution plagued ain’t got soul’. the sleep of residents and the build- No doubt in architectural terms it’s a ing works, though desperately need- marvel, a sculpture to behold. But at ed, caused tension between home night it dies a death, becomes cold, owners within apartment blocks. clinical, without depth. It’s people inMoving forward, how can the char- side looking out, unlike the old town acter of the old town be preserved which is outside looking in. whilst being regenerated, along with The charming ruin of the much nethe wider city (La Cabañal, Beni- glected ciutat vella is a more human machet, Russafa, Patriax)? Some scale, an area that carves out places measures have been put in place to as opposed to Calatravaland being address the situation, for example, objects within space. The old town is public consultation. Unfortunately, given life by its inhabitants and, even this is slow and small scale as the through this surreal time, it contintown hall is strapped for cash. ues to delight and give hope for the Some positive initiatives have also future. borne fruit, such as the traffic engi- The pandemic has given us pause for neering project to reduce vehicles thought. Let us use this opportunity and increase bike travel city-wide. to focus on our built heritage and reThe old town has benefitted the most invigorate what we have here in Vafrom this and is now an almost traffic lencia, the existing old and the new.

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they were doing as they knocked over a bike worth €12,000 and didn’t take it—which is great for us.”

contact.

The mother-of-two from the West Midlands had spent weeks finding the perfect holiday

ding an airport pick up and got no response. It made me become suspicious.”

She added the company is now not responding to any calls or emails.

Meanwhile, celebrity chocolate taster Angus Kennedy lost ₤5,000 when his family discovered a German man living at the Mallorcan villa they had booked through Dream Villas Spain.

Kennedy, from Kent, revealed that when the family arrived this month, the owner, who gave his name as Klaus, was completely baffled and knew nothing about the rental or website.

April 25th - May 8th 2019

site.

They only realised they had been scammed when an airport pick-up never arrived, and he caught a taxi to the property to find the bewildered German.

“What was different in our case is I was determined to get to the house, and then contacted the press” Angus told the Olive Press.

“I think many more have been duped and the scam could be worth millions.”

The website he used to book the trip, dreamvillasspain. com, claims its goal is to ‘create your dream holiday experience and exceed your expec-

Mystery suicide

exclusively exposed fake holiday websites duping tourists coming to Spain.

In a series of investigations we found dozens of tourists had been scammed millions of euros from the various sites, which illegally uploaded villa photos from legitimate sites.

Among those scammed were British Rugby Union star Dean Schofield, who lost €50,000 on a fake villa in Mallorca.

Spain Dream Villas, who operate as Digital Dreams SL, declined to comment.

JWe were unable to contact anyone at Dream Villas Spain as we went to press.

A WORLD CLASS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LOCATED ON THE CUMBRE

n the best O ve P ess t ad t on n Septembe 2019 we got a ake ho day ett ngs webs te that scam med tens o thousands o pounds om dozens o ho day make s taken down

Three police cars and an ambulance raced to the scene to retrieve the body.

Police confirmed the cause of death as suicide, while a spokesperson for the Town Hall said the lady was British and had lived in a block of flats next to the river ‘for many years’.

Neither police or the town hall would reveal her name, suggesting it was proving problematic to contact her next of kin in the UK. None of the residents in the area by the bridge knew the octogenarian.

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Ou huge y suc ces u spec a supp ement on Javea he a ds the fi st n a se es o spe c a ed t ons watch th s space

A Javea

At heart we are a community paper which puts the interests of expats to the fore. We examine the issues they face in detail, with our coverage of the run up to and aftermath of Brexit (left) a prime example.

GEM OF THE COSTA BLANCA

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PRETTY AS A PICTURE MARCH 2022

Artist Joaquin Sorolla hoped exhibition featuring Javea that his first UK would make him rich

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HE year of 1908 marked the first time Londoners set eyes on Javea.

In an age where aeroplanes were still learning how to fly, and photographs

still in development, the meeting inevitably came through the paintbrush.

But the exhibition at Grafton through May, June and July Galleries any old paintings of Javea. weren’t just The posters put Javea’s next to that of Joaquin name calling him ‘the world’s Sorolla, living painter’ following greatest international success.

Sorolla, born in Valencia in 1863, fell in love with ta Blanca fishing town the Cosof Javea during a visit in 1896.

“Javea is sublime, immense, the best I know to paint. passes everything,” he It surone of more than 2,000wrote in kept by his wife, Clotilde. letters Sorolla’s obsession with play of light and water in the saw the town make up Javea a large part of the 278 paintings took to London in search he of fortune.

Among these paintings include Cabo de San Antonio, Javea that captured the Javea’s iconic headlandsite of back referencing the in 1896. seafaring, sea-loving and golden-coloured moments There was also Cordelores Sorolla de encountered.

Javea, Nadadores de Javea, One of Sorolla’s El puerto de Javea, A child most in known to have sold famous paintings Javea and countless was Encajonando others pasas from 1900, showing hundreds

Everything to dress your home ALL UNDER ONE ROOF

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: Sorolla’s Cabo de Antonio painting and San (below) the artist at work

of women in Javea packaging raisins for an international trade of which Britain was one of Denia port’s largest customers.

Continues on Page 6

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for Beniwww.theolivepress.es VOX’S top candidate been replaced dorm mayor has he received a A BRITISH for expat is being handed a presafter revelations sentence tigious British gong by the Queen for her two-year prison in February services to tourists in Alicante. domestic violence British AmbassaCandida Wright will receive an MBE for two years ago from the 2018. banwork as an interpreter in dor to Spain. her charitable Brigido was interpreter, Perez Davidparty largest hospital in the Marina Alta, on Though she is a professional of sexual (PSOE) MYSTERY surrounds the THE socialist election,thedespite the Candida often represents victims May 16. ned the Valencian to from will hold on apparent suicide of an elsentences sometimes known as ‘Candy’, has violence in Spanish courts for free, as well 58-year-old, The if in the upcoming the two-year government derly British resident on in Spain of Denia & Mari- as offering financial support through her volunteered according regional elections, being waived the Costa Blanca. con- with HELP charity. na Alta since it launched in 1984. research company. has no previous to a marketaccused The 84-year-old expat is when someoDuring that time she has helped expats “One of the hardest things ‘my husband revealed PSOE will Sigma Dos victions. threw herself from a bridge to have cancer, bereavement, bureaucra- ne comes to the desk saying through seats, whitake between 29-30 was found cancer a few in Javea after being seen died and I don’t know what to do’,” expBrigido Perez court battles. cy and (PP) will ex-wife, Party mother to lung le the Popular his ‘pacing frantically’ by the is helping years ago. of the charity, she runs lained Candy, who lives in Ondara with the president from fallabused’ her ‘repeatedly see its representation threw were and As THE Olive Press railings. at the Marina Salud hospital her Spanish husband. Her two children, the helphair legal action “My nephews and nieces 31 seats to 22-23. after he ‘shovedpulled her desk it as 35 and 25, live in Madrid and Valencia A neighbour, who asked victims take in Denia. seats in totalground, rental com- really looking forward to But with the with hospito the face’. not to be named, told the most exciting thing was the pink in- respectively. While she helpsrepatriation, “The against a holiday at 99, her in the holidayValencia’s Generalitat never been abroad,” dis- I was posted with the words tal procedures, burials and and punched the card Olive Press he saw the wovitation to form pany that scammedfor rental they havetold the Olive Press.

PSOE will again need alsoa found The judge had Palace),” Candida told she’s often called upon to just be a ‘helping man ‘peering over the edge’ BP (Buckingham up Deleslie the absolute politician coalition to reach makers thousands Blanca. years saving hand’ to someone in need.

Brits abroad Press.

Olive‘deafter squeezing between a theand graced seats. far-right majority of 50 “I spent two site conned can’t people villas on the Costa it meant British Petroleum at “You’re sometimes dealing with “I thought Villas Spain fence and a steel support 2017.poll suggests will trip, and we just the paper was the PSOE‘insulted’ frequently who was who are cancer patients, or need amputafrom 2014 to The It comes as new victims of for this to pay for new villa. SCAM: Dream joked. first.” she the woman, pillar at one end of the briphone with Valencianist a pact meaned’ Ro- returnsis no availablemake a wonderful festress contacted by Spain, following afford are devastated.”

The expat, who has lived in Spain for 45 tions, and it just gives you them today’.” MEETING QUEEN: Candida and seats) dge. post-traumatic ‘general manager’ There Compromis web- (17-18 left with has shut The kids make which years, received a ‘Points of Light’ award eling to think ‘I really helped (the one on the Dream Villas It was about an hour befoleft-wing populist Podemos on the plight We helped the family De- sella Alba Gutierrez House number disconnected) seats). disorder.

(6-7Alba after re police were alerted to a last issue’s report site has been Rosella Spain’s Companies family, who lost a police denuncia, will fall The regional name suicide attempt over the of the Bolton that Dream Villas in elections will lose ‘more rental. as and the appears nowhere on May 26 the same day as the leslie said she as flights were and reveals dry Gorgos riverbed while €2,000 on a Moraira which is registered Gutierrez 42, has now elections. children played on a nearby bank Spain, Dream SL, was incor- the list of employees. European Petra Deleslie, after losing than €12,000’ booked and her Digital profootball pitch. told the Oli- our election contacted us a villa in Mo- alreadyunable to claim their porated in 2014 for ‘data Another victimweek she See had on page 6 “She was holding a white guide were this hosting’. €6,000 booking paper bag and kept looking year for her ex- money back. cessing and web de la Fe, in ve Pressa villa in Marbella as raira later this of 18. in Carrer booked the Olive Press in the bag and then leaning four Vi- Based it filed tax a surprise getaway for a tended family help after she She showed over the edge,” the neighasking Dream after Palma, Mallorca, have scammed five 18-year-old We agreed towas ‘desperate’ emails bour told the Olive Press. friends and a post-A Levels CON artists for a refund, out of €300 “I wanted to ask her what told us she after losing her llas Spain British pensionerto help him redaughters as she was doing, but I wofor a break after pretending at a cashpoint present. based in Lonrried she spoke only Spacover money left Sarah Adam, Saturday. is convinced nish and assumed she was Javea last inbike don, told us she scammed. are 77, was approashop feeding stray cats.”

THE owners of aBrian Stokes, families scammed out of she has also beenhas appealing began procea British not res-for witnessesbyof two ‘20-something’ the Town Hall that the the Sa- from of stock - in outside for ched The company requests theft of €40,000 EXCLUSIVE Hall has begun edings after learning reformen thousands Quickly JAVEA Town la Nau

By Joshua Parfitt ponded to email just one minute! Spanish against the intentionally Cabo deholiday bank in onfake Bikes Just after 7pm last Tuesday The theft at Xabia’s badell legal proceedings who cut off owner hadstairs, closing access €20 in comment.

Coombes stolen he had left bikes saw ninePla another Spanish eyewitclaiming fi- med the thenwho booked villa, in Moraira, before transowner of a property Meanwhile, DarrenMoraira site from Calle thieves Dream family mor- The BRITISH to a heritage last Wednesday at 4am ness revealed she had seen the cashpoint. A public access Balcon al Mar. to the ancient from Alicante-based holiday on the Costa ferring the deposit. a week’swithdraw ning. Press Adler. the woman jump from the the Olive they couldn’t shing ground inowner, who has Samuel works represent a very shocked to see She has now confirmed that wereasked Villa Spain told are One a Trek LR10, Blancaand bikes, claimed of the in cashing eastern of two bridges on advertised cash themselves card, as avai- her family have been scammed their villahis The unknownfour-storey villa “These attack on a heritage worth €13,000. wasdrawing the fraudsters and the Avenida de Augusta. serious lable on a completely different over the holiday due for June. in andtoin re-insert Stokes “Two thieves a luxurious to us all,” on his credibility pro- broke “I was walking to MercadoAmbolo, built “We were this close to leaving legitimate stole stole. website. a half they just a minute andwhich overlooking Cala with ‘metal that corresponds for Jávea na when I saw her take off users from his website. our holiday that never SCAM: Brit family caught by fake villa website nine bikes,” Martin Stadlhofer, Susan Bolton, 61, soon realised for a ‘stone staircase’access to the said a spokesperson her shoes, climb the railing, Bolton told the Olive perty business Research Insti40, co-owner of Xabia’s Bikes, she had lost the ₤1,300 depo- existed,” He told the Olive Press they tations’.

Oceanographic and no more,” the woman railings’ that cut sit when Dream Villas Spain, Press.

780 The scam comes almost two told the Olive Press.

Pinet fishery. we had been conned had chosen the villa out of the years since the Olive Press told the Olive Press. “It all tute (IROX).

Llavadora del “I’m not sure they knew what based in Mallorca, shut off all “I knew rent on Bolufer said when I contacted them regar- different homes for a string of happened so quickly.”

Councillor Isabel

take helps victims The Olive Press skyrocketing action following rental scam reports of holiday

Introducing News Editor Laurence Dollimore and Reporter Joshua Parfitt

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May 9th - May

CRIME

www.theolivepress.es

Your reporters, here to help on the Costa Blanca

Animal horror

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A BRITISH expat called in police after finding a group of dogs chained in an abandoned house without food.

Roger Ballantine contacted the Guardia Civil after finding the dogs while out walking near Orba.

Ballantine had decided to investigate when he noticed a ‘pungent smell’ coming from the ruin.

Inside he found scenes worthy of a horror film with dogs kept on short chains surrounded by trash and their own excrement.

“It was despicable,” Ballantine told the Olive Press. “It is clear that farmers have chained these four dogs.”

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HOLIDAY RENTAL S SALES www.jbholiday.com

11th 2019

Dream Killas and plunRAID your jewellery boxes Flog It! is comder the garage because CATCH THESE ing to the Costa Blanca! British aucCONMEN Mark Stacey, renownedon September tioneer, will be in Javea and even give rental web14 to value your trinkets A FRAUDULENT villa holidayyou a juicy offer. site that tricked Britishhas finally appeared has The TV personality it!, Put Your makers out of thousands following an extensive on Bargain Hunt, Flog the shut down campaign this year. and Is Mouth Your Press Money Where this trip will Olive was behind 952 147 834 Antiques Road Trip - but Guardian Dreamvillasspain.com after Olive as it charity heartbreak for of sspain.com nailed tales funds raising be countless pur- AT LAST: Scammers Dreamvilla (right) victim Angus and family manager’ holidaymakers into while Angels. an email from ‘general over and seduced villa rentals that never ex- Press campaign (inset left), booked for this Rosella Alba Gutierrez offering dis“Six years ago Mark came a the Costa Blanca, on through the chasing and urgently needed for up-front payments we had over 400 people president of isted. by the his €5,500 and five October.

Kent was all counts door,” Sue Nutbrown, Olive Press.

The first case was reported Civil in place to stay with his wife respective villas.

The mum-of-two from paid, Gutierrez would with 18 extended famGuardian Angels, told the something, Olive Press to the Guardia chocolate young children. out have been set to travel for a ‘much-needed But once all contact, as it turned “If your items are worth April when professional “I think many more members ily at then up and worth turned be offer of her shut off an was a fake.

Kennedy Mark will make you following the death duped and the scam could the company’s phone was heard back in taster Angus in Mallorca. told this paper at break’ to lung cancer. livestream you its auctioning a villa he had paid for For months nothing mother Ger- millions,” Angus realnetwork bewildered were news with nieces UK met and the UK.” He was until a major paper “My nephews who had no the time. saying the website had forward to it as they have mounting cases, this man owner, Klaus, told got in touch putting his house With a collective denuncia at the ly looking Deleslie ever of abroad,” down. knowledge Help made been shut on behalf never been reveal a Olive Press can also Guardia Civil in Moraira UK-based the Olive Press. will take place up for rental. in a up for this The of The charity afternoon 20 Calle de la It soon dawned on Angus he’d lost site - named and shamed “I spent two years saving to pay second article - is also no longer live. victims. at the Palacio de la Paz, be charged €5 and I just can’t afford operated Soon after, the trip,a new villa. The kids are devas- separate Salvia, and floggers will Travelvacationtour.com layout and Press for Olive for a valuation. the same from Ganloss with exactly dreamvillasspain.com, fielding tated.” was Guardian Angels operates as added the cumulative guiding famiArcher family houses calls concern- Deleslie dia down to Torrevieja Brits, through flights would cost her and scammed Brit Donna ing bogus rent- of lies, particularly expat for a Tenerife villa total. her Tener- €12,000 in was Sarah Adams, who out of €5,500 to from gift als GCSE separation and divorce. post as a there In the UK ife, to Marbella Then a surprise getaway to Mal- booked “Our work is so important. and uncles his best mate in May. joint- son and yet clear if legal action has and Moraira. booked families tend to have auntsin a foreign for four friends and their is not companies, One of the aga daughters as a post-A Levels It around for support, butget complicatbeen taken against the ‘active’ on heart- five most country situations can are listed as their as both breaking was present. ed,” Sue said.

Deleslie and Adams feltof the Spanish Companies House. we can.” from Petra De- Both “We try to help in any way ago raised Civil could not comment lurch as they read Guardia stomachs years six and pain. event 42, leslie, Sue said the of dreamvillass before we went to press. to everything collapse scam tactics the €6,000, which went in the Olive Press. care’ and Opinion Page 6 was that are pro- of her €6,000g com from ‘counselling’ to ‘medical SmolokowThe way the scam operated receive The British expats whoPAGE 7 month-lon ‘repatriation’. Pianists Lola renters would the keys’, while villa rental on prospective ski will appear ‘jingling Brexit and proud SEE charities animal shelters and children’s Tel. (+34) 96 649 18 29 would also be on site. info@hispaniahomes.es www.hispaniahomes.co.uk

NO SERIAL KILLER

15 YEARS OF FUN

This exclusive in March 2021 on a convicted Brit paedophile changing name to get a teaching job led to calls in the UK parliament for tighter rules

ON m

August 29th - September

vepress.es Vol. 1 Issue 12 www.theoli

19

A MARVEL: But by night it ‘dies a death and becomes cold and clinical and without depth’ cinema, albeit 3D; an arboretum and disco where young Valencianos strut their stuff, and an opulent opera house where the moneyed older demographic splash the cash, paying up to €130 a seat.

But behind the glitz, there are glitches. It’s been prone to flooding in the past. And what is the true value of a

The Olive Press has always had Green credentials and we have done our bit in exposing environmental scandals and issues (right), including this front page in August 2020

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expat

UK BASED

ANCIENT AND MODERN: El Palau de les Arts i l'Hemisfèric and Ciutat vella by Kevin Cash

NAMDLOG YTL UG

Lessons needed

NEWS FEATURE

IS OUR PRIORIT Y. YOUR PROPER TY HANDS YOU ARE IN EXPERT

Your voice in Spain

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December 23rd - January 13th 2021

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OLIVE PRESS

UNREAL CITY: Dubbed ‘Calatravaland’ after its homegrown architect, is Valencia’s €1.2 billion City of Arts a world wonder or a monumental waste of taxpayers’ money, asks expat architect Kevin Cash

Arctic Monkeys

Each year (with the obvious exception of 2020), it attracts tens of thousands of international tourists enticed by events such as free MTV concerts headlining major acts like The Cure and The Arctic Monkeys.

In many ways this is important, with cities attracting the biggest mass migration of our times. Their benefits are power in numbers, jobs, municipal facilities, hospitals, schools and the arts. Their downside, overcrowding, rush-hour traffic, inequality, lack of access to facilities and suburban malls killing local trade.

Good sustainable management of urban spaces is definitely the key to their success. And the ‘build it and they will come’ philosophy has worked to a point creating new spaces and allowing new neighbourhoods to gain a foothold within the city limits, such as Calatravaland, which sits just outside the city centre.

However, it is my belief that this overpriced development was created at the expense of the existing urban structure, which has been sadly neglected for a quick return. In particular, the old town of Valencia - Ciutat Vella - where I reformed my own flat and have been living and working since 2003.

We have exposed scammers such as Continental Wealth Management that cost expats millions (above) and brought readers in depth features like this one on Valencia’s Calatrava (right).

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

December 23rd - January 13th 2021

T’S undoubtedly Valencia’s unique selling point, a surreal city of swooping white concrete and glass undulating along the banks of the old Turia riverbed like a CGI creation from Star Wars.

Calatravaland, as it’s sometimes called, was envisaged at a time when the cities of Europe were vying to make their mark on the international stage.

Once, majestic cathedrals were erected to show a city’s worth. In 20th century Spain it was the spectacle of structural gymnastics like the City of Arts and Sciences that changed the city skyline.

Similarly to its medieval counterparts it was built by the taxpayers and it continues to be maintained by the same today. So is it worth it?

La Ciutat de les Arts de les Ciencies, to give it its proper Valencian name, is truly a sight to behold. Tourists flock in their droves to visit this spectacular vision which brought in €314.4 million in 2018 and has raised Valencia’s cultural status to near that of Barcelona and Madrid.

Tel. (+34) 96 649 18 29

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go awry with his neighbou rs, who he insists refused friendly ‘from the outset’.to be Capps, who trained as a paramedic, claims the neighbou four dogs barked continua r’s and their owner hid inside lly the house whenever approach ed.

Despite calling in the Guardia Civil to investigate and contacting the mayor of for help, he said theBenissa neighbour refused to negotiate a compromise.

A letter to the town hall, by the Olive Press, pleadedseen help, insisting the man for deliberately threatening was them and that he carried a gun.

As well as asking the hall to check if he had town a licence for the rifle, the Septemb er 2018 missive asked police could speak if local to him about his dogs.

Capps claimed he was ‘worried for his life’ and neighbour appeared that the ‘mental health issues’.to have Another neighbour, Spaniard Jaime Serra 43, has also denouncOrtola, neighbour for ‘death ed the threats’ against him and his dog.

“I’ve denounced him countless times and the police twice been round. It’s have say he is unhinged,” fair to he told the Olive Press.

The feud began when put up a low bamboo Capps fence to create some privacy from the neighbour who spied on while swimming, and him then reacted furiously, screamin g ‘this is war!’

Capps now fears the will not only block his trees view, but the roots could destroy his pool. The Olive Press was unable to speak to the neighbour, despite various visits.

Tel. (+34) 96 649 18 29 info@hispaniahomes.es www.hispaniahomes.co.uk

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Opinion Page 6

former member of staff.

“It was a prestigious place but one she day they just shut the door,” said, asking not to be named.

Victims had raised fears about being asked to sign blank dealing instrucintions and their pensions being vested in high-risk assets which paid large commissions.

One pensioner based on the Coshe Press Olive ta Blanca told the lost €210,000 after transferringa €470,000 despite stating he had low to medium risk attitude.

“I was asked, ‘Can you sign this detaithe in fill will We form. blank act ls.’ I did that trusting they would in my best interests,” he said. out “They should have been looking for me and they were just feathering their own nests. To me they knew what they were doing.”

Lawyer Antonio Flores, whose firm Lawbird is representing a number of victims, said signing blank investment sheets was ‘very worrying’. of “This negates the very essence financial advisory services,”said Flo-

info@hispaniahomes.es www.hispaniahomes.co.uk

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AN expat is celebrating his nuisance neighbou after r was told to trim a row of ‘intrusive’ trees, following an Olive Press probe.

American expat Gordon pps, 59, is overjoyed after Calice confirmed they had poordered his Portuguese neighbou r to cut the line of cypress trees to just 1.5 metres in height.

Capps had sought our help after the ‘disturbed’ mething neighbour 30-soplanted a dozen trees alongside garden fence, threaten his ing to block his stunning views of the Sierra de Bernia y The 59-year-old film Ferrer. worker said the move was the ‘last straw’ in a bizarre ongoing feud with the neighbou he claims recently r, who CONCE RNED: Capps points ched him with a rifleapproaat home of his ‘threate on his who worked ning’ and armed neighbo shoulder. as a prop master everythin ur g about it, except for CSI Las “It feels like he’s putting Benissa last March with up 12 Olive Press. Vegas, told the that one thing.” his middle fingers at us,” Gordon, Capps, from Los Angeles, French wife Catherine, a reti“We love this place, we love bought his red stunning villa in But yoga teacher. things quickly began to

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THE beleaguered boss of a failed wealth management company which allegedly lost expats more than €20 to million has ignored a summons court.

Darren Kirby, of Alicante-based Continental Wealth Management (CWM), failed to turn up at Denia court on March 26. he According to Olive Press sources was due to turn up, alongside former business partners, who did turn up.

The case involves a trio of investors, of who lost substantial amounts in money when the company folded 2017. foKirby allegedly fled to Australia llowing the collapse, finally returyear. ning to Alicante last “Darren has been sent a Burofax which he didn’t sign for, so the court will now have to pursue him in other ways,” a source said. and this with dealing is “A judge it’s under legal review,” he added. in “We understand he is currently

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By Joshua Parfitt

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PORT ADRIANO in Mallorca is set to have Spain’s first wave power station.

The local authorities have signed an agreement with Swedish/Israeli company Eco Wave Power (EWP) for the potential construction of a two MW plant at the picturesque harbour.

Port Adriano will hand over a suitable location to EWP for

April 21st - May 4th 2022

MAKING A SPLASH Spain’s first wave power project planned for Mallorca 20 years, while the company will be responsible for securing planning permission and licences as well as building the

power plant.

Although this would be the first wave power plant in Spain, EWP installed a 5MW

plant in Gibraltar in 2016.

At the time Eco Wave Power co-founder David Leb told the Olive Press: “People have been

By Dilip Kuner

talking about wave energy for a while - not only the ability to make electricity

United Nations call for action MUST be heeded

T

HE human race never learns. Why? Are we stupid, ambivalent, or just downright lazy? Read on and you decide.

My vote is for all three.

When you know that something is wrong and not tackled with positive action, then this seems the most likely answer.

And so it is with the inexcusable way we continue to damage our environment.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scientists say ‘It’s now or never’ to limit global warming.

This key United Nations body urges ‘rapid, deep and immediate’ cuts in CO2 emissions.

If we don’t stop the upward trend of harmful emissions within the next three years we will all suffer the impacts of inaction. The IPCC has published its guidance on what the world can do to avoid an extremely dangerous future.

“Some governments and business leaders are saying one thing - but doing another. Simply put THEY ARE LYING. And the results will be catastrophic,” said UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres this month.

Key data from the IPCC report prompted this fiery reaction. Top of the list was that even if all the policies to cut carbon emissions that governments had put in place by the end of 2020 were fully implemented, the world would still warm by 3.2*C this century.

THIS SPELLS DISASTER ACROSS THE GLOBE. It really is NOW OR NEVER. If we chose never (and political rhetoric counts as never) we will witness : ● Increased droughts leading to large scale famine ● Unprecedented heatwaves ● Terrifying storms ● Widespread water shortages ● Abnormal flooding ● Extensive fires across habited areas ● Loss of inhabited islands ● Massive destruction to our ecosystem

IT’S NOW OR NEVER

I have never heard such an alarming call for action from the UN. Both governments and us as individuals need to act.

Why do governments not grasp the nettle and allocate the funding that is required to tackle this problem?

It costs more to rectify the damage than prevent it.

Lack of available funding, commitment and resolve create problems that are resolvable.

Wind and solar only supply 10% of the world’s electricity. Why? A lack of funding.

Farmers do not use green fertilisers. Why? A lack of funding.

Massive changes are needed to change transport, industry, production, consumption patterns and the way we treat nature. Again, why? A lack of funding.

New technologies are required urgently to remove CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Why has it not been implemented? You guessed it……a lack of funding.

When we need more forests, why are we allowing deforestation to continue?

We have to reduce our demands on electricity. As the world’s economies rebounded from the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for energy soared. Research shows that the growth in the need for electricity last year was the equivalent of adding a new India to the world’s grid.

Maybe we should accept it as a race taking two steps back before we push forward again.

Rapidly increase the use of renewables, cut our consumption habits (and also stick two fingers up to Putin’s oil and gas).

How can a ‘civilised Europe’ continue to fund Putin’s war machine by purchasing oil and gas from Russia?

Sacrifices need to be made. We just need GOVERNMENTS TO HAVE THE BALLS TO ACT.

Green

Matters

By Martin Tye

Buoyed

TAKE NOTICE: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

SHINING EXAMPLES

There are some countries leading by example.The Netherlands, where the sun doesn’t shine nearly as much as in Spain, has moved a 10th of its electricity demand from fossil fuels to renewable sources in the past two years.

Vietnam tripled its solar production in less than one year thanks to attractive government subsidies.

Denmark, whose ability to produce electricity from the sun is less than the UK’s, now produces more than 50% of its electricity from wind and solar.

So it can be done.

Just so long as we don’t allow governments to be stupid, ambivalent or lazy.

PROGRESS: Vietnam has tripled solar production

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from ocean waves, but to make it commercially viable.

“That was only just in theory, but now we actually have something that is working.”

Fellow EWP Power founder Inna Braverman added: “According to the World Energy Council you can provide twice the amount of electricity that the world is using now through wave power.”

“There was a time when wave energy became popular in the 70s when there was a problem with oil and there was a lot of pollution that came to public attention.

“But most of the wave companies back then, and even now, were offshore and very expensive, so investors got a bad taste in their mouth.”

However, Gibraltar’s new wave energy buoys are easily accessible, with no need for divers or long trips out to sea.

The New project in Mallorca will follow similar principles.

Stubbed out BARCELONA’S beaches will become ‘no-smoking’ areas from this summer.

The permanent ban on lighting up follows a successful pilot on four beaches in the Catalan capital last year.

The City Council has devised a two-phase plan ahead of the smoking ban across 10 beaches covering five kilometres.

Until June, the authority will undertake a campaign to tell people about the health and environmental advantages of having smoke-free beaches with no more cigarette butts left in the sand.

The ban will come into force from July with law-breakers getting an on-the-spot €30 fine.

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MALAGA - THE TECH HUB OF THE MED

A special focus on:

www.theolivepress.es

APRIL 2022

Digital nomad’s dream SIGHTS OF MALAGA: The Christmas lights, superyachts overshadowed by the cathedral and fabulous seafront have been joined by the tech park

Malaga has reinvented itself as one of the key R&D and tech sectors in southern Europe, discovers Sorrel Downer

Q

UALITY of life, 320 days of sunshine and superb sea views.

Then add in good flight connections, affordable housing, and a rich cultural heritage, rooted in the Romans and Phoenicians and it’s no wonder Malaga is attracting dozens of global businesses each year.

But the city’s rapid transformation into one of the key tech hubs of the Mediterranean over the last decade also owes a lot to coordinated teamwork, talent, and planning.

Andalucia’s key port city benefits from having a

concerted strategy and long term plan, explains Marc Sanderson of the Foreign Direct Investment office (FDI), ‘and the stability of the mayor guiding the city’.

He adds: “The strategy has been to diversify the economy so Malaga is not overly dependent on tourism; not that we want to diminish tourism but to balance it with clean industries.

“A direct investment department is unique for a city of this size but Mayor Francisco de la Torre was visionary and wanted to promote the city as a tech destination at this level.

“Now, after 10 years, the message is resonating globally.”

Last year saw the start of a boom, and an influx of big global tech corporations choosing Malaga as the location for research, development and innovation (R+D+I) centres.

While most parts of Spain and other parts of Europe struggled with the pandemic, Malaga’s population grew by over 17,000 people between January 2020 and July 2021… and digital nomads and remote workers form a significant part of that total.

“The pandemic added a paradigm shift by proving remote working was feasible,” continues Sanderson, an erudite American, who’s lived in the bustling coastal city

for over two decades. “Businesses became a lot more flexible with their employees, and saw they were happier and more productive by doing it. They began looking for low-cost locations where quality of life was higher, and allows talented people to live in desirable places.

“Malaga ticks all the boxes. Citigroup’s recent decision to open a hub here is because they want their analysts to have a good worklife balance. That is a perfect example of the corporate mindset.

“While others were suffering we got a boost from the pandemic,” concludes the bilingual father-oftwo. “But we’ve been working hard and it’s finally paying off. Luck is when preparation and opportuniContinues on Page 2

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Málaga TechPark;

From Front

TECH COMPANY BOOM ty meet. And Malaga is extremely prepared.”

It was certainly a golden 2021 for Malaga, beginning in February when Google announced it would be building a Centre of Excellence for Cybersecurity in the city as part of a €530m investment to support the country’s digital transformation.

In May, Vodafone chose Malaga over a shortlist of eight other European cities for a €225m European R+D Centre dedicated to ‘Edge Computing, Open RAN and the Internet of Things’.

It prompted Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to tweet: “We

are progressing to become a focal point for attracting talent, a benchmark in innovation and digital transformation. Congratulations to Malaga, which has been working in this industry for many years to achieve this.”

And the global tech firms kept coming. The Swedish wireless data solutions company Westermo recently chose the city for its first office in Spain, while Derivco from the Isle of Man has arrived to provide support to international partners in the online gaming sector.

Then there is venture capitalist company Startup Wise Guys, which launched a business accelerator program for video game and virtual reality startups at Polo Digital Malaga.

And, in an agreement brokered by the EU-China Science and Technology Committee Association, a leading Chinese sustainability company will open an R+D centre in Malaga TechPark dedicated to renewable energy, ‘robotics 4.0’, the develop-

ment of car batteries and recharging points for electric vehicles.

The strong public-private collaboration and mutual support within the Malaga Valley area and ecosystem is a major factor for most of these firms.

International companies are aided by the office of FDI, which not only promotes the city as a business destination, but provides wide ranging services during the evaluation and setting up period, and maintains contact with regular events to help the international community stay connected.

Meanwhile, BIC Euronova offers specialised technical consultancy, financial advice and assistance with logistics and Promalaga helps to foster startups and companies choosing to locate in the specific TechPark area itself.

MALAGA TECHPARK While Google is due to open its centre on the Paseo de Farola, the majority of tech companies, including DEKRA, Oracle, Ericsson, Siemens, Accenture, Huawei, Orange, Bombardier, and Globant, are concentrated in Malaga’s TechPark, on the city’s western fringes.

There are currently 624 companies in residence, 62 of them international, many in the AI, blockchain, big data and aeronautics sectors. Between them, they employ over 22,200 people and last year turned over collectively a staggering €2.3bn.

The park, formerly known as the Parque Tecnologico de Andalucia, first opened for business in 1992.

The past six years have been extremely busy; and now growth is

Explosion of jobs Ikea joins the tech revolution as interest in Malaga ‘skyrockets’, writes Jon Clarke

“

MALAGA is set to explode with jobs,” next few years… and ‘not just in the city, believes the city’s Ikea manager Linus all the way up the coast to Marbella and Frejd.

Estepona’.

Describing the area as a ‘new silicon His company - now celebrating its 15th valley’ he continues: “Something is defi- year in the city - is also taking a direct nitely cooking and all the ingredients are role in nurturing the expansion through its here for the pot to start boiling.” membership of a new initiative called ‘the In particular he cites the excellent in- Talent Lab’. frastructure, but also the fast-growing “We are one of the main collaborators university and explains how Forbes and and are taking 50 local students to help Bloomberg have recently listthem discover themselves,” ed Malaga as among the top he explains proudly, adding cities in the world to relocate that his management team A hive of for work. will be helping them devel“The interest has sky-rocketop their talents and discover activity with ed and it is not just for the leadership and branding.

600 staff from weather that so many compa“Ultimately we are helping nies are relocating here,” he them build their employabilidesigners to tells the Olive Press during a ty… ready to take jobs in the technicians behind-the-scenes tour of new companies relocating the Swedish giant’s nerve here. There will be hundreds centre, near Malaga airport. of them in a few years,” in“We have a unique situation and can be- sists the father-of-two, 38, from Sweden. come one of the hotspots in Europe. Com- They will certainly enjoy spending time at pared to the big global cities where there the iconic furniture giant that is now rollis a war for talent and you can’t recruit ing out micro-stores up along the Costa unless you pay ten times over salary. Here del Sol, including click and collect and we have as much as 47% youth unemploy- plan and order points at La Canada and ment so there is a big labour pool. And Granada’s Nevada centre. “We are also good, skilled young talent too.” looking at Ronda, Estepona, Nerja and So impressed is he with the way the town Jaen,” he adds. hall is handling the development that he A hive of activity, with up to 600 staff, sees thousands of new jobs being created ranging from designers to accountants in the tech and research sector over the and technical staff, the Malaga store is

JOBS EXPLOSION: Ikea manager Linus Frejd is optimistic for the future

one of the busiest in Spain expecting to turn over €150 million this year.

It is set to be a big year for the Swedish giant, which is planning ‘a year of celebration’ to celebrate its 15th year serving the local market.

There are 25 stores in Spain and over 450 giant stories globally, although a couple have recently closed in Russia understandably.

On ice “We’ve put all 14 stores in Russia on ice for now but are keeping the staff,” explains Linus, who actually worked in Russia (St. Petersburg) for a couple of years, before joining the ‘expansion team’ in Ukraine.

But his move to Malaga two years ago was

his best yet, with his wife Melina getting a job at a smaller furniture company in Mijas and his two boys, 9 and 5, happy at a good local school.

“It was a dream come true and we always wanted to move here. It’s such a beautiful area and great for living and working,” he says.

A well travelled man, who studied interior design at college in Sydney, he insists on wearing the store’s trademark yellow uniform and also helping out in every different department as much as he can in line with Ikea’s dislike of ‘hierarchies’.

“I know my way around a screwdriver,” he jokes. “And I’ve always been interested in marketing, branding and design so I guess I ended up at the perfect job.”

APRIL 2022

3

GOLDEN: Global tech firms continue to set up in Malaga

snowballing: in the first half of 2021 alone, the TechPark received more than 30 new applications for space from companies from as far and wide as Germany, Finland and Sweden – as well as from Barcelona and Madrid.

Expansion plans are underway and the park sits just 12km from Malaga airport and 13km from the ables and alternative energy.

The park also has close links with city centre.

Sustainability, once a vague goal, its near neighbour Malaga Univeris a mainstream requirement for sity (UMA) and many of its resourclarge businesses with one-third es are open to the park’s compaof Europe’s largest public compa- nies – including the IT and bionies pledging to reach net zero technology facilities at the groundby 2050. Companies locating to breaking Supercomputing and Bioinnovation Centhe TechPark have a tre. UMA research chance of exceeding that goal: the park is No need to look findings are shared via the Research Rethe headquarters of far for data sults Transfer Office the Spanish smart (RRTO) located on city industry and the engineers, AI the TechPark site. ‘eCityMalaga’ project aims to make it and blockchain the first sustainable TALENT experts urban space in the POOL country by 2027.

More than 20 international tech companies have so The rapidly-growing university far joined this initiative, including plays a vital role in Malaga’s ecoAccenture, DEKRA, Bettergy, and nomic development, turning out Lynka. The initiative not only en- graduates with future-facing in-deables companies to pursue their mand skills. own goals, but generates new The idea is that companies like business opportunities for innova- Vodafone (which plans to create tors working in the fields of renew- 600 R+D jobs) won’t need to look

Nomad numbers

● MalagaTech is also known and signposted as Parque Tecnologico de Andalucia (PTA) ● Location: 13km from centre, 12km from airport, 7km from the UMA university ● 624 companies with a 2021 turnover of €2.3 billion ● 62 foreign companies from 19 ● 22,238 employees from 30 coucountries ntries ● More than 150 startups are bas ● The site features 410,000m2 ed at the park of gardens, with nine restaurants,buildings in 900,000m2 of a helicopter landing pad and a sports centre ● Employee accommodation is under construction

far for data engineers, cloud developers, AI and blockchain experts.

Skill transfers go both ways: Malaga’s newly-arrived top tech giants are committed to sharing their own expertise.

Google will provide training and workshops in cybersecurity; Telefónica has partnered with the city hall to open ‘42 Malaga’, a non-traditional 24hr a day programming school; while Vodafone is partnering with universities, vocational schools, and local institutions to create an ses hou of n visio a have ll you’ ces are innovation hub around its new up Think of ‘smart cities’ and chan s farm cal verti cles, self-driving vehi centre. r with CO2-sucking algae walls, othe to ns ectio p for 1000km/hr conn This is multiplying its impact the side of offices, and a hyperloo and fostering ‘activity within but destinations. yet, e ther be not ht mig ter, City Clus the city and the digital ecoMalaga, capital of Spain’s Smart ‘zero with omy econ lar to create a circu system that has been develplans are underway for the city 7’. oped in recent years,’ explains ies waste and zero emissions by 202 pan com the 21 international tech Vodafone Spain CEO Colman the Malaga City council, Endesa and ced oun ann ntly rece far so ect proj Deegan. collaborating in the eCityMalaga .

The pioneering National Digemy actions they ’ll be taking this year acad omy econ is to get a circular ital Content Hub, opened in ies Among the highlights, the city pan com accumulated so far on how 2017, is another centre with e dedicated to sharing knowledge reus and t men age man te was tion, and a big, transformative impact. can tackle climate change, pollu Full of the latest technologies and recycle resources. com gy ener l loca shared use: The first in 3D animation, virtual realiing There’s an emphasis on local and park in photovoltaic plants installed ty and graphic design, the aim munities will be introduced, with cles. vehi tric elec for ts poin ging areas and char of this coworking and training to is ice serv ling poo cara Meanwhile, facility is to build up Malaga’s s river EV-d non at be launched aimed media and entertainment tion. pollu to reduce congestion and sector, become the industry r Recycling and waste will be bette driver of digital content in logi ‘eco -stop one with d manage Spain. areas with multiple

Everything begins with an E

cal islands’ – containers allowing waste to be sorted at the point of disposal.

Finally the city will begin monitoring the pollution emissions and energy efficiency of over 200 buildings across the municipality so that tech teams can find ways to improve them.

SUPPORT FOR START-UPS The city ranked third in Spain for emerging high-potential startups in 2021, according to a report by El Referente, backed by Deloitte and Sabadell bank.

Malaga has already produced notable successes, among them indie App Store alternatives to Google and Apple, Uptodown, image bank Freepik (acquired last year for over €250m) by EQT, and football app BeSoccer, which employs 200, and last year turned over €10m.

The next wave of startups is well supported by the city’s network of 13 business incubators. To ensure local entrepreneurs think global, international expertise is provided at the Green Ray building, and the new Malaga startup ecosystem database platform powered by Dealroom, connects bright prospects with potential partners and investors around the world.

VISIBILITY A busy calendar of international conferences, forums and events showcasing success stories cements Malaga’s position as a tech hub.

The Trade Fair and Congress Centre alone hosts more than 20 events a year, including Transfiere: the European Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation and the GreenCities Forum of Urban Intelligence, and will be hosting the Digital Enterprise Show, billed as the world’s leading digital transformation event, this summer (June 14-16).

“Some 30 or 40 years and millions of euros have been spent promoting Malaga as a tourism destination,” concludes Sanderson.

“Promoting Malaga as a tech destination is just in the infancy stage and look at what we’ve already achieved.”

UPCOMING TECH EVENTS AT MALAGA TRADE FAIR AND CONFERENCE CENTRE (FYCMA) APRIL 27-29 J on the Beach [jonthebeach.com] (Day 1, April 27, will be held at Polo Digital Content Malaga) MAY 11-12 AOTEC, the National Association of Telecom and Internet Services Operators technology fair JUNE 14-16 Digital Enterprise Show (DES) JUNE 20-21 CM Malaga - Culture & Museums International Tech Forum JULY 22-24 Gamepolis - video game festival SEPT 10 eCongress Malaga SEPT 21-22 GreenCities - Urban Intelligence and Sustainability Forum SEPT 21-22 S-Moving - Forum of Intelligent, Autonomous and Connected Vehicles SEPT 29-30 Smart Agrifood Summit OCT 8 TEDxMalaga NOV 2-3 Talent Women NOV 29-DEC 1 Rail Live 2022 DEC 1-4 Mobile Week Malaga

LA CULTURA Lust for life VETERAN rocker Iggy Pop has announced his first European tour dates in years, playing Valencia’s Diversity Festival on July 21.

Christina Aguilera and the Black Eyed Peas will also perform at the festival.

Announcing the news, The Stooges frontman, who celebrates his 75th birthday today, said: “I’ve waited several years, but I’m back in Europe.”

It is his first gig in Valencia in over a decade and marks his first tour in six years.

The Valencia gig is one of nine tour dates announced in Spain which also include appearances at Barcelona’s Primavera Sound festival, the Kursaal auditorium in San Sebastian, and the Royal Coliseum Theatre of Carlos III. Famed for performing shirtless, The Passenger singer has cemented his place in rock history by being inducted into the hall of fame in 2010.

April 21st - May 4th 2022 A BID to put Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica on display in the Basque country has been rebuffed.

The picture, depicting the 1937 bombing of the Basque town of the same name, has never been shown in the region.

The Basque government proposed that the painting - which is world-reknowned as one of the most moving and powerful anti-war paintings in history - be put on display at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

In her disbelief that Picasso's piece

STAYING PUT

By Elena Goçmen Rueda

has never set foot in the Basque Country, the senator of the left-wing Bildu party, Idurre Bideguren, had suggested a temporary exhibition.

"It is more than just a great work of art: it is a symbol against fascism that represents the symbiosis between art and denunciation," Bideguren said.

But the Spanish government has reiterated its stance that the piece will not leave the Reina Sofia museum in Madrid, where it has been since 1992 - not even for temporary exhibitions.

They insist that the work is too large and fragile to be moved.

This is not the first time a request has been made to show the artwork in the Basque country - similar requests in 1997 and 2006 were also turned down.

Picasso painted Guernica in Paris in response to the bombing of the town by fascist forces.

SUMMER OF ROCK

Big names billed for music festivals all across Spain this summer HUNDREDS of music acts are set to descend on Spain this summer at a series of long-overdue music festivals.

The Olive Press previously reported on a host of big names including J a m i r o q u a i , Muse, Stereophonics, and Paulo Nutin coming to Malaga this year as part of Big Festival, which will take

AN ecological olive mill that is being designed

by French architect Philippe Starck will open in early 2023 outside Ronda.

The construction is 50% finished and on target for completion by Christmas, said director of the project, Santiago Muguiro.

The mill is being built by LA Organic, an artisan olive oil company in Spain, which is seeking to cash in on

place on Sacaba beach on September 8, 9 and 10.

The festival is running alongside a new initiative called Andalucia Live, with a programme of concerts that will take place in the weeks prior to the festival in different Andalucian provinces.

But it’s not just Malaga seeing an influx of musi-

Starck design so-called olive oil tourism by promoting visits in the same way that vineyards offer tours and wine tasting.

The mill is the French designer’s third work in Spain, after Port Adriano, a marina in Mallorca and La Alhondiga - a multi-purpose venue in the northern Basque city, Bilbao.

Costing around €22 million, LA Organic hopes the mill will attract 150,000 visitors a year.

Nicknamed El Toro - the bull - because of the huge horn design feature protruding from the facade, Starck said the design would include elements inspired by painter Francisco de Goya.

ON STAGE: Spanish rockers Love of Lesbian cians to see in the summer.

In Valencia, the Festival de las Arts will see Spanish indie-pop band Love of Lesbian and pop group Lori Meyers headline on June 3 and 4.

The festival describes itself as a ‘festival with soul, that seeks to support the city of Valencia by promoting its spaces and its artists. All the artistic expressions and cultural movements are welcome.’

Elsewhere in Malaga Fuengirola’s Metal Paradise festival returns to Spain in Fuengirola on July 15 to 16.

The festival will see German veteran metal band Helloween whose latest album Bottom Row reached number one in the charts.

They will be joined by Swedish band Sabaton and In Flames, Norway’s Emperor and Steel Panther from the US as well as British band Cradle of Filth.

The Rock & Beer festival also comes to Malaga city later this month and will feature David Lerman, bass player

15

from Spanish hard-rockers Extremoduro on April 23. and Alfredo Piedrafita, frontman of Basque rock supremos Barricada on May 14.

Ballet good A PRESTIGIOUS ballet company in Spain has taken in five Ukrainian dancers who had to flee Kyiv.

Kateryna Chupina, Yelyzaveta Semenenko, Anastasiia Hurska, Aleksandra Berozkyna and Marina Lastovyna, were part of the Kyiv-based National Opera Ballet of Ukraine.

But they found their professional careers stalled as the Russian invasion forced the closure of their company.

They got in touch with The Spanish National Dance Company (CND), which decided to help.

The CND provided them with clothes and ballet shoes and welcomed them into the company, with the dancers attending daily ballet classes.

Three of the Ukrainian dancers will be hired for the next performances and will debut with the CND at the Royal Theatre in Madrid.

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LA CULTURA

THE HANGING HOUSES

T

April 21st - May 4th 2022

Under the radar Avoid the crowds and find the hidden gems of Spain’s cultural heritage with the Olive Press

HE Hanging Houses are located in the Spanish region of Castilla La Mancha, which is where Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (1615) is set. As well as the hanging houses, the region is famous for its clifftops, ravines and gorges. There are many beautiful buildings in the city and it is a UNESCO world heritage site due to the gothic church, medieval fortress and old city walls. Today around 55,000 residents still live in these buildings.

W

HEN visiting a country like Spain, determining how to make the most of your stay can be a difficult task.

For those seeking an authentic and fulfilling trip, it is a good idea to look a bit farther afield than the world-famous tourist traps.

Yes, your eye might initially be drawn to major sights like Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia, Granada’s stunning Alhambra, or La

Coruña’s historic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

However, there is so much more to see in Spain that is every bit as interesting and sometimes ecen more spectaular. seeking out attractions that command less attention on traditional travel lists.

Here are half-a-dozen under the radar attractions that we have selected that are well worth the visit

THE WALLS OF AVILA

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OMPLETED between the 11th and 12th centuries they are the city's main historical feature. Dating back to the middle ages, they would have controlled what came in and out of the city guarding it against an outbreak of a plague or epidemic and defended it from attack. They are definitely worth a visit if you are near Madrid.

HORREOS DE COMBARRO

ROMAN THEATRE OF CARTAGENA

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ORREOS are house-like structures on stilts used to store grain, and the Galicia region of Northwestern Spain has about 30,000 of them. Although the name derives from the Latin word for granary, they were built even before the Romans arrived. Those in the fishing village of Combarro are especially popular because they are right next to the ocean, making for beautiful sights. Their popularity might also stem from the fact that they can be seen as part of the Camino de Santiago, Spain’s most famous walk.

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HE river Sil weaves between two deeply set almost-vertical granite walls which at some points reach a height of over 500 metres. Its source is in the neighbouring province of Leon and it flows into the river Miño where the Canyon ends. The canyon has occurred due to gradual erosion

SIL CANYON and tectonic plate movement. The canyon is special as in some areas it has a mico-climate, with mediterranean weather whereas most of the area has a mostly Atlantic climate.

HILE horreos may not have originated from the Roman conquest, the Roman ruins scattered across Spain certainly do. The most well known of these is perhaps the Roman Theatre of Merida in the southwest region. But the Roman Theatre of Cartagena shines as Murcia’s most popular attraction. The theatre in the southeast of Spain was built between 5 and 1 BC, and wasn’t fully excavated until 2003. You can now explore the theatre’s various attractions through different immersive tours, and also visit the nearby museum for a more complete experience.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGONS

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F you type ‘House of the Dragons’ into Google, you’ll encounter results for the Game of Thrones prequel novel, about which a TV series is in the works. By specifying ‘Cueta, Spain,’ though, you’ll find information about the North African province’s most popular attraction: Casa de los Dragones. Built in the early 1900s, this unique building derives its name from the four fibreglass dragons that adorn its roof. Viewed on street level, you might even feel like you’ve stepped into the set of Game of Thrones!

BUSINESS No cash Zara

Counting the cost

SPAIN lost €155 billion in tourist revenue due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the National Statistics Institute(INE).

In 2020 and 2021, just under 120 million foreign travellers did not go to Spanish tourist areas according to the INE. That accounted for a €130 billion drop in foreign spending.

The biggest fall in overseas arrivals were among UK visitors over two years of the pandemic, with a drop of 28.6 million followed by Germans (14.7 million fewer) and France (12.6 million less).

Especially tough UK restrictions and border closures played a part in deflating British visitors, which at times fell behind those of France.

In the regions, Catalunya had the biggest fall of visitors over two years, with a 29.1 million drop, followed by the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

An additional 12.5 million absentees are predicted this year by the government compared to 2019.

Fashion chain’s brand new flagship store will mean no more queuing at the till

SPANISH fashion brand Zara has opened its biggest store in the world and it’s like stepping into the future.

The textile giant’s flagship store opened its doors in Madrid’s Plaza de España this month to much anticipation and huge fanfare.

Offering 7,700 square metres of retail space spread over four floors floodlit with natural light and gleaming white floors, it has the look of a modernist gallery but the innovation goes further than mere appearance.

FLAGSHIP: Step into the future

Shoppers can avoid long queues for the changing rooms by reserving a slot online, clothes can be tried on virtually using the latest technology and forget those lengthy lines at the till.

A new system allows customers to scan clothes as they go, to pay online and exit through

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LabeledWe thehave most beautiful important homes food fairs forinsaleant to the country’s food and hospitality Spain, they were held at the same time at sectors and have an estimated economic and luxury villas to rent the city’s fair ground. impact of €180 million.

Some 23% of visitors were from abroad, Highlights of the fairs included a pavilion Commission fee is only €2500 coming from 149 countries, many of whom where ecological and organic products were for buying opportunities. were showcased and where more than 120 tel:looking (+34) 965 074 546 | email: info@azul-homes.co.uk The twin fairs are seen as hugely import- Spanish companies were represented. www.azul-homes.co.uk

War in Ukraine continues to infuse volatility in GBP/EUR, writes FX specialist Peter Loveday

Events in Ukraine have largely driven movement in the GBP/EUR exchange rate in the past couple of weeks, resulting in some dramatic swings in the pairing.

This has been particularly notable in the euro, due to the Eurozone’s sensitivity to any economic fallout from the war.

EUR exchange rates rocketed higher at the end of March amidst reports of ‘constructive’ progress in Ukraine-Russia peace talks.

However, the euro also immediately relinquished these gains after evidence emerged of alleged atrocities committed by Russian troops in the Ukrainian town of Bucha and other areas in the North of the country.

This cast doubts over the peace process and prompted the West to impose new sanctions on Russia.

Also undermining the euro was the European Central Bank’s (ECB) latest interest rate decision, with EUR investors disappointed by ECB President Christine Lagarde’s insistence that the bank’s asset purchase programme will not conclude before the third quarter.

Fears of a prolonged war have also taken their toll on the pound in recent weeks as GBP investors fear this could exacerbate the UK’s cost-of-living crisis.

The squeeze in household incomes has also been highlighted by the latest UK economic releases as inflation soared to a new 30-year high while wage growth continued to lag.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR?

It seems safe to assume the GBP/EUR exchange rate will continue to trade with a high degree of volatility as the war in Ukraine continues.

Fears of a massive new Russian offensive in the east of Ukraine could subdue the euro in the

Chip future SPAIN'S government is planning to invest €11 billion in the country's microchip and semiconductor sectors.

Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, said he hoped to get funding from the European Union and private investors.

In February, the EU said it wanted to get a 30% share of the world's mi- cro-pressing manufacturing sector by 2030 with a pot made available of up to €43 billion to achieve that target.

Pedro Sanchez said: “We want Spain to be at the forefront of industrial and technological progress and semiconductors are of global geostrategic importance.”

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HE Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate has traded erratically over the past couple of weeks as events in Ukraine infused the pairing with considerable volatility.

This has seen the pairing trade in a range of between €1.17 and €1.20.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

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an alarmed self-check out point that smooths out the entire shopping process.

Those sticklers for tradition can still shop in the usual way, by perusing items on the rail, trying them on physically and paying at a till staffed by a human.

The store, which is the first grand opening since Marta Ortega took over as CEO of Intedex, also showcases new product lines including a lingerie section, cosmetics department and sporting line.

It is part of a wider commercial strategy that will see many of the high street shops closed across Spain and more emphasis placed on online sales.

Moreover, Inditex boasts that their flagship Zara store sets a new standard in sustainability using ‘some of the most advanced environmental eco-efficient systems and qualifies for the BREEAM seal, a European certificate for sustainable construction’.

CASTING DOUBT T

April 21st - May 4th 2022

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Elsewhere we will see the focus on the Bank of England (BoE). The bank is expected to deliver another rate hike in May as domestic inflation continues to surge. However, the focus is likely to be on the BoE’s forward guidance as GBP investors seek to gauge policymakers’ appetite for further rate hikes. Could a more dovish outlook from the BoE pile pressure on the pound?

PROTECTING AGAINST VOLATILITY

This kind of volatility can cause some nasty surprises if you need to transfer money overseas. On a £200,000 transfer, that two-cent gap between €1.18 and €1.20 translates to a €4000 difference. And the larger the sum, the higher the discrepancy.

Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect against volatility.

Specialist currency brokers, such as Currencies Direct, offer different tools to help you navigate the ups and downs of the currency market.

For instance, you can use a forward contract to secure an exchange rate for up to a year. This way, you won’t lose out if the market moves against you.

Services like rate alerts and daily updates make it easy to keep track of what’s going on in the forex world so that you can make informed decisions. And with Currencies Direct you’ll have a dedicated account manager there to provide guidance and support whenever you need them.

At Currencies Direct we’re here to talk currency whenever you need us, so get in touch if you want to know more about the latest news or how it could impact your currency transfers.

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THE Canary island of La Gomera has been ranked on The Times' list of the 15 best destinations for winter sun.

The second smallest island in the archipelago off West Africa was named in seventh spot by the prestigious British newspaper and appears among destinations in the Caribbean, southeast Asia and South America.

La Gomera was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2012, while its Garajonay National Park, a densely forested are in the centre of the island was the first place in the Canary Islands to win Unesco

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Across 1 Tag for an out-of-town railway station (7) 5 Bumpkins (5) 9 What the retina’s cones detect (6) 10 Deadeye Annie --- (6) 11 Creeps (6) 12 Oxfordshire power station town, with a railway museum (6) 13 Pivotal (3) 14 Starry-eyed (4) 15 It might be frozen in unfriendly welcomes (4) 17 Chihuahua’s bark (3) 19 Fallacious (6) 21 Cash in Kolkata (6) 23 Cheerless (6) 24 Lifers rampage on aeroplanes (6) 25 Hard as granite (5) 26 Beef (7)

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Canary Island of La Gomera has been ranked among best destinations for winter sun World Heritage status in 1986.

The park is misty and humid and home to rare laurel forests and many subtropical plant species.

The island is also famous for its steep craggy cliffs towering over small coves where crystal-clear waters meet soft volcanic sand.

Three beaches on the island have earned Blue Flag certificates while tourists are also attracted to the wide range of activities available from diving to hiking and a warm climate that makes it a popular destination at any time of the year.

According to the newspaper, Christopher Columbus was so seduced by it

in 1492 that he delayed his seminal voyage to discover America by a month while exploring this lesser-known Canary Island.

Blue flag

“Some 370 kilometres of trails wind through the misty ravines of the Garajonay National Park showcase palm groves and three black-sand beaches with Blue Flag status for cleanliness,” sates The Times in its entry on La Gomera.

“The views of Tenerife's volcano, Mount Teide, are magnificent, and you can visit the house where Columbus stayed, and to which he returned twice.”

Bottling out FOR years campaigners have been calling for Spain to make it a legal obligation to provide free tap water on demand at bars and restaurants.

While the rule was in place in some of Spain’s regions it wasn’t compulsory in all of them.

Until now.

The new legal requirement came into force across the country this month.

The law states that bars and restaurants must provide free tap water, a measure that has been brought in with the hope of reducing plastic consumption by cutting down on the sale of single use containers of bottled water.

April 21st May 4th 2022

Passporter success AN Alicante City tourist app has notched up over 100,000 downloads since being launched in May last year.

The Passporter app allows easy access to information about attractions and services for tourists visiting the city, Details appear in English, French, and Spanish, and can be obtained through a traditional website or downloaded onto a smartphone.

Content

Almost a hundred hotels, tourist apartments, museums and co-working centres in the city have Passporter displays with a QR code. The code is also available at tourist information offices and at Spanish language schools for foreigners.

The site is managed by Alicante's Tourist Board which has provided all the content.

Suggested tours and popular locations are included along with a local events calendar as well as a rundown of restaurants and shopping areas.

The Passporter app also generates tracking measurement links for each tourist destination using access data from specific points.

The Tourist Board can then see which attractions and venues are the most popular, and which QR scan locations are most frequently used.

Easter attractions BARCELONA, Malaga, Alicante and Palma were the most popular Easter destinations in Spain, according to new research.

Jetcost, a travel metasearch engine for finding flights, hotels and car hire, claims that the Catalan capital was the most searched city by French, Italian and Portuguese tourists.

Alicante was preferred

by Brits, while Germans chose Palma, while Malaga was the most popular destination among those travelling from the Netherlands.

Spain was the most sought after holiday destination ahead of Italy and P o r tugal this Easter.

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

April 21st - May 4th 2022

PEAKS OF PERFECTION Discover 12 of the most beautiful mountain villages in Spain with Elena Gocmen Rueda FROM white washed pueblos clinging to rocky crags in Andalucia and golden stone-built villages nestling in verdant hidden valleys in Asturias, the mountain settlements of Spain are amongst the most beautiful the country has to offer.

They offer a tantalising glimpse of old Spain, many unspoiled by the ravages of uncontrolled development that has blighted parts of

the Spanish costas.

Spring is a wonderful time of year to explore these spectacular towns and villages as temperatures start to rise but before the full blast of the summer heat. Not only are each of the pueblos we throw the spotlight on well worth a trip in their own right, but also their spectacular settings are perfect for mountain hikes for the more active amongst us.

IT may not be well-known amongst foreign tourists but Candelario is justly famous among Spaniards.

Perched at an altitude of 1,100 metres its sandstone buildings are characteristic of the region, with wide stone walls, large wooden balconies and the famous batipuertas - an extra half door that protects the house.

The town was named after the Sierra de Candelario, a protected natural area located around the municipality. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 2006.

Candelario, Salamanca Buitrago de Lozoya, Madrid LOCATED in the Sierra de Guadarrama - an hour’s drive from Madrid - this village has several points of interest that gave it the status of historic-artistic site and cultural interest in 1993.

From the ancient walls to the Mendoza castle and from the clock tower to the church of Santa Maria del Castillo there are many enchanting and striking nooks and crannies to explore.

Alquezar, Huesca

FOUNDED in the 9th century, Alquezar is considered one of Huesca’s most beautiful towns. It is located on the right bank of the Vero river and part of its municipal area is occupied by the Sierra y Cañones de Guara natural park. It owes its name to the castle built to defend the access to the Barbitania - a district of al-Andalus that extended over the northwest area of the current province of Huesca - al-qasr.

THIS small Extremaduran hamlet is surrounded by towering mountains, with agricultural terraces many hundreds of years old.

It attracts hikers for long walks through the spectacular scenery. One of the most famous routes is the path of Maja Robledo, which is a perfect walk to discover the stunning vistas of the landscape and views of the village itself.

THE most outstanding feature of this village is its Romanesque-style architecture. Two of its churches, San Clemente and Santa Maria, have been declared World Heritage Sites and attract thousands of tourists every year. The apse of San Clemente de Tahull is one of the main jewels of the Bohi valley, a place with the highest concentration of Romanesque art in Europe.

Tahull, Lleida

Lanjaron, Granada

Cudillero, Asturias THIS is a mountain village with a difference - it actually lies on the coast! Traditionally it was - and remains - one of the most important fishing ports on the Cantabrian Sea, but despite its nearly sea-level altitude, we think it qualifies as a mountain pueblo. The houses cascade down steep slopes giving a real mountain feel to the municipality, with the Asturian architecture reinforcing the mountain vibe. The result is a landscape with great sea views in one direction, while the Asturian mountains provide a scenic backdrop.

Huetre, Caceres

The Alpujarra region of Granada’s Sierra Nevada is host to many charming white villages. Perhaps the most famous is the grand spa town of Lanjaron. World renowned for the healthy properties of its waters, this town is located at an altitude of 659 metres and visitors can enjoy its thermal baths and gastronomy as well as soak in the ‘genteel’ atmosphere.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

April 21st - May 4th 2022

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Illueca, Zaragoza

THE city that saw the birth of Pope Luna (Benedict XIII) in 1328 - considered an antipope by the Catholic Church - is brimming with art in every corner. It is dominated by its most famous monument: the castle-palace of Pope Luna. This enormous building, which was begun in the 14th century, is a renaissance palace of Italian influence with its interior a masterpiece of Baroque-Mudejar plasterwork. The village is an excellent destination as it has beautiful natural surroundings for hiking, both along the banks of the river Aranda and around the Sierra de la Virgen, a beautiful mountain range that forms part of the iberian system.

Albarracin, Teruel

Alcala de Jucar, Albacete THIS pueblo is one of the most picturesque and preserved villages of Castilla-La Mancha. It is spread out on a side of a canyon formed by the erosion of the river that has shaped the landscape. Its streets are steep and narrow slopes that invite you to go for a walk, while its houses are carved into the rock or perched on the steep slopes. The Almohad castle stands proudly on a hill on a hill formed by a loop of the river Jucar.

THIS emblematic village has earned the right to be catalogued as one of the most beautiful in Spain thanks to its restored streets of Muslim, Renaissance and Baroque character.

Nature and architecture are rooted in this village.

Its old town is almost completely surrounded by the river Guadalaviar and has a ring of walls that enclose it. Its streets are steep and narrow, with very picturesque corners.

Ochagavia, Navarra TO the visible charm of this Jaen town must be added the belt of mountains that surrounds. This is where the mighty Guadalquivir river is born. To wander through the town’s charming streets enjoying its architecture, and noble houses is a delight. So to are Cazorla’s squares such as the Plaza de la Corredera and its viewpoints. Outside the town you can enjoy the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas and the many possibilities for adventure activities in the area.

Cazorla, Jaen

IN the heart of the Salazar valley, in the Pyrenees, this small village has the Arduña river flowing through it. Its historic stone bridge is emblematic and its streets filled with mediaeval palaces and coat-of-arms emblazoned facades. The architecture is typical of the Spanish Pyrenees, although it is not far from the French border.

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BARGAIN: Castle for €11 million

The Brits are back

A SPECTACULAR Medieval castle boasting crenellations, turrets and its very own chapel is up for sale for a mere €11 million.

Parts of Foixa Castle date from the 13th Century but the entire complex has been fully renovated to ensure all modern-day comforts including a swimming pool and jacuzzi.

Located in El Bajo de Ampurdan in Girona province of Catalunya northeastern Spain, the property has been given Bien de interes cultural (BIC) or ‘heritage interest asset’ status which guarantees its conservation.

The complex includes a six-bedroom family home, with access to the tower direct from the living room as well as private access to the chapel. Another six bedrooms are located in what were once servants quarters.

FOREIGNERS bought 111,743 homes in Spain last year according to latest figures – a 44% increase over 2020.

This accounted for 17% of all purchases in 2021, according to the General Council of Notaries and was double the number a decade ago (50,314,) and triple the numbers sold when the property bubble crashed in 2008.

Between July and December last year, almost 64,000 purchases by foreign buyers were recorded, making it the best six-month period ever for the sale and purchase of freehold properties.

And it has been – as ever – the Brits who have been leading the way. After a brief hiatus in the early stages of Brexit, the British confirmed their historic position as the biggest property buyers – after the Spanish.

HARD TO FIND

Shortage of homes on the market as prices rise 6.4%

THE Spanish property market is seeing a lack of options to buy, with house hunters outnumbering the number of properties for sale.

Figures published in El Mundo show the number of properties for sale in Spain since March 2020 has reduced by 13.89%.

Sales picked up for an interlude between 2020 and

By Kimberley Mannion

2021, but this spell of increased buying along with a lack of new homes being built, has left a shortage of properties which is now hindering the market.

These trends are also causing inflation, with prices having increased 6.4% in the last trimester of 2021.

With a higher number of buyers than sellers, properties stay on the market for much less time than previously and the final price is brought down by buyers much less - between just 5-8% compared to 10-15% previously.

Locations along the Costa del Sol are amongst some of the worst hit for property short-

ages. Benalmadena features in the top 10 municipalities worst affected, with available properties up for sale dropping by 39.9% between 2021 and 2022, whilst neighbouring towns Fuengirola and Estepona have experienced a 30.3% and 29.9% drop respectively.

Ahead

They accounted for 11% of all purchases, with a total of 12,186 in 2021, ahead of Germans, with 10,868 property purchases. They are followed by two of the largest immigration groups in Spain, Moroccans (10,330) and Romanians (7,918).

By region, the Valencian Community is in the lead with 29,019 homes purchased by foreign nationals, a quarter of the total number of transactions in Spain in 2021. It is followed

by Andalucia, with 22,625 property transactions; Catalonia, with 17,493 homes purchased; the Community of Madrid, with 8,973; the Canary Islands, with 7,845; and the Balearic Islands, with 7,263.

Shrink

Valencia follows closely behind Benalmadena, with a 39.8% decrease. Two other municipalities within Valencia’s autonomous community, Vinaroz and Manises, both land in the top five worst hit areas in the country after seeing their property markets shrink by 54.4% and 48.5% over the last year.

WHOPPING PRICE TAG THE Islazul shopping centre located in Madrid’s Carabanchel district and one of the largest in Spain is up for sale with a €320 million price tag.

Its current owner, the US management company Nuveen, is 250,000 square metre com-

plex, with 90,700 square metre of gross leasable area.

Its sale price is €60 million more than the construction cost of the shopping centre (around €260 million), and almost €88 million higher than the purchase price.

Located in Ma-

drid’s Carabanchel district, Islazul - which advertises itself on its website as the largest shopping centre in Madrid - has 180 shops and almost 50 restaurants.

Its current owner bought it in 2014 from Ivanhoe Cambridge and Grupo Lar for €232 million.

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April 21st May 4th 2022

HEALTH OFF THE HOOK

A DENIA judge has junked bribery and corruption charges against a pair of mayors who got a ‘queue-jumping’ Covid-19 vaccination in January 2021.

Els Poblets mayor, Carolina Vives, and partner, Ximo Coll, who resigned as El Verger mayor last month, have been told that the matter is closed.

Prosecutors said there was no evidence to proceed with the case that accused Vives and Coll of using their status to get vaccinated, contrary to national rules.

Surplus

Coll and Vives received their first vaccine shots in El Verger’s medical centre on January 8, 2021.

Coll had received a phone call telling him about a surplus of vaccines which would go to waste if they were not used.

Strict protocols were in place prioritising elderly and vulnerable people for the first Covid-19 vaccine shots, along with essential workers.

A PILOT scheme aimed at offering specialist support to improve the quality of life for the elderly has been launched across the city of Valencia.

Dubbed ValueCare, the initiative involves 35 doctors across seven health centres within the region with the aim of ‘providing a comprehensive, joint and coordinated response to improve the quality of life of elderly people living with cognitive impairment, frailty and/or multiple

OAP App chronic diseases.’

The initial project, which is financed by the H2020 program of the European Commission, will provide personalised care for 120 patients.

The medical teams will use information gathered in a questionnaire to evaluate physical activity, nutrition, social prescription and adherence to medication.

Participants will receive personalised plans on diets, exercises or healthy

habits via an App supported by a health professional.

And for all those who may be affected by the digital divide, ValueCare also includes group training and education sessions.

The Councilor for Innovation of the City of Valencia, Carlos Galiana, explained that 'if we want to achieve a healthier Valencia we have to promote active and healthy aging policies'.

People interested in participating in the Valencia pilot can be informed by calling 667048253 or by sending an email to valuecare@lasnaves.com.

Watch out Vigilance called for after children diagnosed with hepatitis THREE children in Spain have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis of unknown origin.

Aged between two and seven and from Madrid, Aragon and Castilla-La Mancha, all three were admitted to hospital with one child reportedly receiving a liver transplant at La Paz Hospital in Madrid. They are now recovering well.

Regional governments have now received notice of an international health alert, which warned of cases of acute hepatitis.

Meanwhile, doctors across Europe have been told to stay alert by the European

Just Spain is just amazing!

By Kimberley Mannion

Centre of Disease Control.

Since the start of the year, there have been some 74 cases found in children in the UK all of which are being investigated by British public health officials.

Medics in the UK believe the cases could stem from the common adenovirus, but are continuing to investigate other potential causes including environmental factors.

Cases

Although cases in Spain are not at unprecedented levels as in the UK, the hepatology working group of the Spanish Society of Gastroenterology,

Lobster’s new ‘Just Spain’ plan has unlimited calls in Spain and 18GB of data for only €10!

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OBSTER, the ‘all-in-English’ mobile network, has Loabnew stemobile launched customers in r laplan unthat ch gives s it s forne Spain even more great options witheLobster themw mobile plan “Just selves, their familiesSand paforinbusiness. ” w h ic h just amazing!

Lobster’s new ‘Just Spain’ plan has unlimited calls is in Spain and 18GB of data for only €10. It is aimed at customers who  Lobs predominantly make only in Spain, want lots of data, ter's calls new "Ju st provided ain" plan and want to enjoy completely has unlimin €10! a service that’sSp itetheir d calls in Spain and 18GB of da own language. ta for only  It is aimed at cu stome The new mobile plan offers the same great Lobster all-in-Enrs wh o pr edominantly ma data, and want to enthe glish experience (the website, and aat’ friendly cus- ke calls only in Spain joy bills, a servi ce th , want lots of ovided complet tomer service in native English), with no contract sorprcommitely in their ow n language. ments. Lobster wants its customers to stay because they’re Madrid 6th Ap ril, 2022. happy with the great service.

Lobster has built a reputation on providing a first-class mobile Lobster the “al l-in-Enin service for English speakers Itsilecustomers have ratgliSpain. sh” mob gives network has lau customers in Sp nched a new ain even ed 4.6 out 5 stars on Trustpilot, and 4.8 out of 5 stars on m ore mobile andof gr ea for business. t options with Google, and have given great reviews on its Facebook page,Lobster for themselveplan today that s, their families makingLo it bs one the best valued mobile networks in Spain. terof ’s ne w “Just Spain” plamanaged With Lobster, multiple SIMs can be from one single n ha is aimed s un lim ited calls in Sp at customers wh o pred accountwamaking easy for families and man- ain and 18GB of data for on ombusinesses inantly makto nt to enitjoy e calls only in a ly €10. It Spain, want lot age multiple phones. service that’s provided completely in s of data, and their own langu e new moin PeopleTh interested the new plan should go to lobster.es or ag e. bile plan offers e sacare the bil me gr call Lobster on Lobster will th take ofeamoving them ls, 1661. t Lobster and a all-in-English ex friendly custo mwhilst co perience (the we er servi m mi over from any Spanish keeping their tmother ce in na ents. Lo bsite, bster waprovider tive English), nt s its cu se with no cont sto rvi ce.

Spanish mobile phone number, or they can me provide rs to a stabrandract or y because they ’re ha ppy with the gr new Spanish number. eat Lobs ter ha s builtplan The new ‘Just Spain’ Lobster’s three popa repcomplements utation on prov Sp ain idi ng . Its cuplans a first-c stomers ular international (Small, Large) that lasoffer s mobile service have Medium rated 4.6and Google, and ha for English spea out and of 5 other stars on unlimited calls and texts inen Spain, the UK counve giv kers in Trustpilot, and greattorev valued mobile iew 4.8 out of 5 sta s on its Fa ce tries, starting from ne €12 and all with Lobster’s unique all-intwork bo rs on ok s in Spain. page, making it one of the English experience. best

For more information, visit www.lobster.es or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube

Lobster has a cu stomer rating of 4.8 ou t of 5 stars

23 Staying healthy

April 21st - May 4th 2022

TESTS: A Lab technician screens samples for hepatitis

Hepatology and Paediatric Nutrition (SEGHNP) believes an increased awareness and vigilance among doctors and the public will lead to more isolated Spanish cases being diagnosed.

Cases of hepatitis in childhood are highly unusual.

Experts have been quick to rule out any link between hepatitis and the Covid-19 vaccine or infection.

None of the five main types of viral hepatitis (known as A, B, C, D and E) are believed to account for any of the children’s cases so far.

Biting problem A MOSQUITO discovered floating within a vial containing the Moderna vaccine has forced 760,000 doses to be recalled.

A nurse in Malaga discovered the insect as she prepared to administer a booster and reported it to the regional health ministry which in turn alerted the Spanish Medicine Agency.

As a consequence the entire batch that included the contaminated vial had to be recalled.

However, many of the doses from the batch, which was produced by the Rovy laboratory in Madrid in January, had already been administered to members of the public.

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The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association and led by Dr Lorena Pacheco of the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, examined the avocado consumption of participants every two years and tallied up their cases of heart attack and stroke after 30 years.

Malaga is the biggest area for avocado farming, contributing 60% of Spain's total, followed by Granada at 22%, Cadiz at 10% and Huelva with 7%. Almost all Spanish avocados are exported to the European Union, with the largest amount (38%) ending up in France.

Protest ban A LAW has come into force which criminalises harassing women outside abortion clinics in Spain.

Anti-abortion demonstrators now face a year-long prison sentence if they try to ‘convince’ women not to terminate their pregnancies.

In practice under Spanish law, a jail sentence of two years and under will not be enforced for first-time offenders, but penalties also allow for community service to be handed down by courts.

The measure states that anybody trying ‘to impede a woman from exercising her right to voluntarily interrupt pregnancy’ through ‘bothersome, offensive, intimidating or threatening acts’ faces prosecution.

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ONE of Spain's biggest exports, the avocado, is proven to reduce the risk of heart disease.

A study involving more than 110,000 participants found that risk of coronary heart disease was cut by a fifth amongst those who eat at least one avocado per week. Those eating at least two a week had a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke or fatal coronary heart disease, regardless of other lifestyle factors such as weight and fitness levels.

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Underwater cops

FINAL WORDS

POLICE in Sanlucar de Barrameda in Cadiz were left embarrassed after they drove onto a beach and got stuck fast in mud before the tide came in leaving the vehicle submerged.

Niche crime A THIEF aged 35 who stole €20,000 worth of brass ornaments from cemeteries in Elda and Petrer only netted €200 from scrapyards before he was nicked.

All the stolen goods have been returned.

Big spenders ACCORDING to official stats tourists from the UAE, Philippines and China are the biggest spenders in Spain, while Italians, Poles and Argentinians are the most stingy.

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voice in Spain April 21st - May 4th 2022

SPLIFFER DOGS

Spanish dogs dabbling in recreational drugs after storm DOGS on the Costa del Sol have been scoffing hash and getting high thanks to fallout from storm Ciril.

According to Borja Hoz, a vet in Marbella, dogs have been inadvertently consuming hashish that has been washed up on the beach.

The storm destroyed beaches, businesses, and promenades but now it seems not

By Cristina Hodgson

even canines are safe as the remains of bales of hash that traffickers throw overboard when caught by police have been swept onto the shore.

According to Hoz, the drug’s strong smell attracts the hounds, leading to serious symptoms and even death if

ARE the old ways the best? Barcelona’s city council is hoping to find out by bringing in a flock of sheep and goats to keep undergrowth down in a bid to prevent forest fires in a natural park.

A total of 290 of the animals have been introuced – along with two shepherds and four dogs – in a pilot scheme in the Barcelona section of the Collserola

beached dope after going for a walk with his pooch along the popular shore of Dunas de Artola.

Since then, several dogs, including an eight-monthold border collie, have been admitted to veterinary care after consuming the drug.

eaten.

It was Hoz himself who alerted the police about the

CHEW ON THIS Natural Park.

It has an area of 84.65 square kilometres and is on the outskirts of Bthe city.

City bosses hope that the ruminants will do what they do best and munch their way through overgrown grass and herbs to keep fire breaks in the massive park clear and effective.

The flock will be active in the mountainous part of the district of Horta-Guinardo, above the neighbourhoods of Font del Gos and Montbau.

Extreme

Hoz says symptoms usually start one or two hours after consumption which include vomiting, shivering and disorientation.

In extreme cases of poisoning dogs may even convulse.

PACKING for a holiday on the sunshine isle of Mallorca is pretty straightforward.

Swimsuit? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Gigantic blow-up pink penis?

Check.

A pair of tourists arriving at Palma airport for an Easter break provoked much merriment when they inadvertently walked into the background of a live news bulletin carrying the unusual piece of luggage.

Huge

While the journalist, Lluis Mestres, reported on the huge numbers of tourists expected to fly into Palma at the start of Semana Santa, the two women could be seen emerging through the arrivals gate with one casually carrying the pink plastic phallus under her arm.

The image was broadcast on the busy lunchtime slot of the Telediario news programme on Spain’s state broadcaster TVE.

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Get unlimited calls & texts, plus great data deals, whether you’re calling in Spain, to the UK or other countries.* Join Lobster today at lobster.es or call free on 1661 *Unlimited calls & texts in and between most countries in Europe plus you can use your data there too. Calls & texts to the US from Spain are also included! Go to lobster.es/countries for more information