Costa Blanca South - Issue 26

Our promise - Our DNA: The best reporting in Spain in English

O ur D

Bitter about BREXIT

OLIVE PRESS

The

COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA

FREE

See page 7

Your expat

voice in Spain

Mijas Costa San Javier

Vol. 1 Issue 26 www.theolivepress.es October 29th - November 11th 2020

Alarming!

SWITCH: Chris Stewart swapping passports EXCLUSIVE by Lydia Spencer-Elliott

FAMOUS expat author Chris Stewart is becoming Spanish.

The Driving Over Lemons writer has revealed to the Olive Press he is giving up his British passport because of Brexit.

“I’m becoming Spanish because I’m so incensed by the absurd nonsense of Brexit,” said the million-selling author, who lives near Granada.

“I love England because I was born there, I think of the green hills of Sussex and Surrey and my heart skips a beat,” added the former Genesis drummer.

“I shall be like that forever, but above all I want to be European.”

Brit Stewart gained a huge following with his first book that charted his life as a ‘self sufficient’ sheep farmer in a remote part of the Alpujarras region.

He has published three further books on his nearly three decade integration into Spain.

Since 2016, more than 350,000 Britons have applied for non-UK passports.

In Spain, dual nationality is not possible. So, residents must make the difficult choice of whether they wish to be considered Spanish or British post-Brexit.

See Make or break page 4 & Going native Page 6

COSTA BLANCA CARE HOME. WE CARE FOR YOUR ELDERLY OR SICK ONES.

FULL TIME CARE AT OUR HOME ,OR IN YOURS. SHORT OR LONG TERM. info@costablancacarers.com

OUR SERVICES Carers Nursing Care Day Care

Respite Care Recuperation and Post Operative End of Life Care

Call us (+34) 697 834 934

Border closures in Murcia as curfew enforced across Spain

HALT: Police will enforce curfew MURCIA is to close its borders with other areas from tomorrow (October 30).

The regional government says the measure will run for at least a fortnight.

Travel in the region will be restricted to within its 45 municipalities with exceptions for workers, carers, and students.

Officials have warned of a collapse in the local health service due to increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations And Valencia is on the verge of following suit this weekend.

As the national government triggered a state of alarm on Sunday, the Valencian regional president Ximo Puig pledged to take even tougher action to bring the current

By Alex Trelinski

spike in coronavirus cases under control.

Puig has not dismissed closing Valencian borders this weekend with the All Saints Day commemoration planned for Sunday.

People from all over Spain traditionally return on that day to their original town or village to lay flowers at the graves of their deceased relatives.

Areas like Valencia City are considering closing cemeteries if infection levels continue to spike upwards.

Puig said: “We will not rule out taking extra action in parts of the region where coronavirus

cases are rising.”

A night-time curfew between midnight and 6 am was introduced on Sunday in Valencia as new infections continue at over 1,000 per day in the region. In Murcia the curfew is from 11pm to 6am.

Elche and Orihuela have already spent nearly a fortnight under special measures.

The region as a whole has reached an infection rate that puts it into ‘Alert Level Three’ which could trigger further restrictions, including bar and restaurant capacities being reduced.

Valencian hospitalisation figures for COVID-19 are rising to levels not seen since March and April, with daily death rates also reaching figures from the early phase of the pandemic.

Spain entered a second period of State of Alarm on Sunday, which provides legal protection for its regional governments to introduce restrictions. In Spain, only the

Canary Islands have escaped a curfew The Valencian Community had announced two days earlier that it was putting a curfew into place, which will run until at least December 9.

Bars and restaurants have to stop serving from 11pm each night to allow customers enough time to return home before the cut-off time.

A maximum group of six is permitted at hospitality businesses and a distance of two metres between tables has to be maintained.

A key aim of the curfew is to stop illegal outdoor drinking parties involving mainly young people and to stop indoor gatherings above six people.

The only travel permitted between midnight and 6 am is essentially for workers, carers, medical emergencies and also for an emergency trip to an allnight vet.

Opinion Page 6

Get Grassing!

COSTA Blanca residents are being asked to ‘snitch’ on neighbours who break COVID-19 restrictions.

Valencian Justice Minister, Gabriela Bravo said: “People should not be afraid to phone the police if a neighbour is throwing a party that breaks the rules.”

Bravo, along with Madrid government delegate to the Valencian Community, Gloria Calero, called for action against an ‘unsupportive minority’.

Calero said: “Let’s stick to the rules and if a neighbour for example sees a party is being organised on a farm, then for the sake of everybody’s safety, he should report what is going on.” The duo warned of a tough response and penalties against gatherings that flouted social distancing and attendance limits.

Photos by Allan Binderup

- Ou

NA

mise -

r pr o

2

CRIME

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Scrumping A FIVE-STRONG gang of avocado scrumpers has been arrested by the police stealing 3,600 kilos of the fruit from Polop farms to sell on the black market.

Ouch!

FIREFIGHTERS rescued a 64-year-old Alicante man who tried to get into his third-floor flat after locking himself out.

He climbed onto the roof but fell down onto a first-floor patio awning.

Misfire A XATIVA man killed his 50-year-old hunting colleague on Sunday when he slipped and accidentally discharged his gun.

Bunged up A FLUSH €2million is spent each year unblocking Alicante’s sewage network due to wipes, tampons, and masks blocking local toilets.

October 29th - November 11th 2020

Killed after sex British man launched frenzied attack on his wife A BRITISH expat had sex with his wife before killing her in a frenzied knife attack at their €450,000 Spanish mansion, prosecutors say.

Wealthy businessman Geoffrey Elton, 56, attempted to smother Gloria Tornay and then tried to strangle her before she broke free after the bedroom romp, it is alleged.

Court papers claim he then

Paedo dad caught

By Kirsty McKenzie

chased Gloria, 58, through their Estepona villa with a 5.7 inch long kitchen knife, stabbing her 11 times on March 9 last year.

Spanish-born Gloria was knifed in the back as she tried to flee her husband, prosecutors allege.

She died from massive blood loss.

POLICE have revealed more details of the arrest of infamous Irish drug smuggler John Gilligan that could possibly link him with a 24-year-old murder mystery.

Gilligan, 68, was arrested in Torrevieja after a collaborative effort from Irish and Spanish police dismantled a violent group of drug traffickers operating out of the area.

Four parcels of marijuana and 15,000 prescription pills were intercepted in the post heading for the UK, which led police to infiltrate the gang led by the veteran criminal.

During the investigation, four properties linked with the gang were raided, with police seizing a further four kilograms of marijuana buds and 11,000 more pills ready for shipment.

VICTIM: Gloria with Geoffrey Elton who allegedly killed her when she decided to leave him

He then allegedly shut off the power and told their 15-year-old son to leave

King pinned In total, five men have been arrested between Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa.

Shockingly, a revolver type pistol was discovered in the garden of one of the properties which could possibly link Gilligan to the murder of a journalist in Dublin back in 1996.

Veronica Guerin was gunned down by two armed men on a motorcycle after she began her own investigation into the wealth and lifestyle of Gilligan.

Although his gang was found responsible for the murder in 2001, Gilligan himself was aquitted due to the unreliablity of evidence linking him to the case.

and threw away mobile phones to slow the emergency response.

Elton was found drenched in blood beside his wife of 30 years after trying to take his own life but was saved by medics and later charged with murder.

Paranoid

Spanish prosecutors want Elton locked up for 14 years and forced to pay €200,000 in compensation for her children if he is found guilty.

Expat Elton moved to Estepona six years ago after retiring from his successful satellite dish installation company.

Pals alleged Elton was ‘increasingly paranoid’ and reclusive.

AN Icelandic paedophile who abused his daughter has been arrested in Benissa.

The perverted parent had been sentenced to jail for 12 years in Denmark over the assaults but ran away to Spain.

His daughter endured a series of horrific attacks between 2006 and 2010 in Iceland and Denmark when she was aged under 12.

She was seriously injured a number of times by being beaten on her head and body with various objects if she resisted her father’s predatory sexual advances.

The girl is said to have endured at least 10 sex assaults at his hands.

Police learned in June that the fugitive might be hiding in Spain and launched an operation to track him down.

Investigations took them to Benissa where he was spotted and put under surveillance before he was arrested close to his home.

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

Queen Joan ICONIC Dynasty actress Joan Collins, 87, has been spotted in Madrid filming the new medieval series Glow and Darkness.

Alongside Denise Richards, the Dame will star as Adelaide of Maurienne, a 12th century Queen of France and the second wife of King Louis VI. Her and husband Percy Gibson, 55, were stopped by fans outside their Madrid hotel, despite Collins being barely recognisable beneath a face mask, hat and sunglasses.

Glow and Darkness will detail the life of Saint Francis of Assisi and feature other recognisable characters including Eleanor of Aquitaine, played by Jane Seymour.

Royal fashion ALL eyes were on Queen Letizia as she attended the National Fashion Industry Awards in Madrid.

And the royal returned to one of her favourite high street Spanish designers for the occasion: Massimo Dutti.

Paired with a black shirt and coat, Queen Letizia opted for an affordable pleated skirt from the brand.

Spotted

A royal favourite, Kate Middleton has also been spotted in Massimo Dutti this month.

During a visit to the University of Derby, the Duchess of Cambridge paired knitwear and a check-print coat from the brand with black trousers and heels.

Aiming high

In great company HOLLYWOOD heartthrob Antonio Banderas (pictured) will return to his hometown of Malaga next year to direct and star in what will be the longest-running theatre show ever in any single Spanish city.

The man behind The Mask of Zorro made this announcement in style, when his cast performed a song from the upcoming musical Company at the Teatro del Soho Caixa

3

Bank in Malaga. Banderas intends to transform the theatre ‘completely’ by introducing a circular stage, which the audience sits completely around - ‘a daring and complicated proposal that we’re going to deliver’, he promised.

Princess Diaries

Heir to throne Leonor and sister Sofia were on hand to congratulate the prize winners

PRINCESSES Leonor and Sofia joined their parents on royal duty to meet and congratulate winners of the 2020 Princess of Asturias Awards.

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia’s daughters met with the victors in Oviedo, in the Principality of Asturias in the north of the country.

The sisters, aged 14 and 13, were every inch the perfect princesses on the day – wearing modest but stylish shirt dresses and face masks for the event.

Elegant

FAVOURITE: Kate

October 29th - November 11th 2020

Meanwhile their mum Letizia, 48, looked elegant as ever donning a recycled green and blue floral dress and forest green high heels.

SISTERS: Leonor (left) and Sofia were in Oviedo

The annual awards are presented to individuals or organisations who make notable achievements in the sciences, humanities, and public affairs.

The award ceremony shares its name with heir to the throne Leonor who holds the title of Princess of Asturias.

Each recipient present at the ceremony received a diploma, a sculpture expressly created for the awards

by Spanish sculptor Joan Miro, and a pin with the emblem of

the Foundation.

There is also a cash prize of €50,000 for each category, this amount is shared if the category has more that one recipient.

The decision to go ahead with the awards amid the coronavirus pandemic with protective measures in place – one of which involved moving it from its usual venue, the Campoamor Theatre, which has capacity for 1,400 guests – to the smaller location, and limiting audience numbers.

Beds Beds Beds

FORMER Murcia basketball star Ovie Soko has penned his very own book one year after finding fame on Love Island.

The 29-year-old’s self-help book will detail his life before the show and offer guidance, advice, and inspiration on how to become the ‘dopest’ person you can be.

Announcing his happy news on social media, Ovie shared a snap of his debut book You Are Dope (subtitled Let the power of positive energy into your life).

He enthused: “This book was one of the most exciting projects I’ve had the chance to work on over the last year, it was such a great experience making something of substance to GIVE BACK. “I think there is something that everyone can take away from the read to help them on their life journey.

“Have a dope day people.”

“Dopeness is innate, and it’s in everyone,” it reads.

“You’ve probably been dope for a lot of your life and didn’t even realise it. Remember the time you did the washing-up for your mum and dad without them even asking? Dope.”

During his time on Love Island, Ovie was praised for his level-headed attitude and was often the go-to guy when the other Islanders were having relationship woes.

Experts In Beds Since 1971 We offer FREE SAME DAY delivery (within a 30km radius)

and FREE assembly of divan beds

find us on Google Maps

Please call to book an appointment at your convenience Av. Los Alamos, Poligono Industrial Los Barrios, Rojales, 03170

www.bedsbedsbeds.net https://www.facebook.com/BedsBedsBedsSpain bedsbedsbedsspain@gmail.com

Landline: 966 792 449 Mobile: 660 052 406 Mobile: 603 854 342

4

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Tragic accident A HUNTER killed a companion on the same hunt after tripping and accidentally shooting him in Xativa, near Gandia.

Hamfisted A THIEF with an extensive criminal record was jailed after stealing two ham joints worth €800 from an Elche grocery store.

Artichoked DOLORES is celebrating Joya de la Huerta (Jewel of the Garden) with a sculpture of an artichoke on a roundabout in tribute to agriculture.

Gizza job ALMOST 27,000 people applied for jobs with the Guardia Civil last week, in a recruitment campaign offering only 2,154 places nationwide.

October 29th - November 11th 2020

Make or break THE EU’s chief negotiator has delayed his return to Brussels to remain in the UK for intensive discussions with British counterpart Lord David Frost.

Michel Barnier was expected to return on Sunday but agreed to extend 'intensive discussions', which have been taking place in London, until this morning.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We are in now what is an intensive phase of negotiations.

“I wouldn’t wish to pre-empt what’s being discussed. It’s the

Last ditch negotiations as UK and EU try to avoid no deal Brexit

By Kirsty McKenzie

first time that we have been negotiating on legal texts and across all areas at the same time and we have welcomed that fact.

“But there is also much work to be done if we are going to bridge what are the significant gaps that remain between our

PETS on ‘death row’ on the Costa Blanca have been given a reprieve.

A ban on putting domestic animals down has been brought in by the Valencian government as part of one of the toughest animal protection laws in Spain.

Exceptions to the ban are restricted to health and safety reasons. It means the routine destruction of strays is a thing of the past.

The new measures aim to stop pet abandonment and abuse as well as imposing standards on how an animal should be looked after. The current ban on shops displaying live pets and circuses with animals has also been confirmed. There is no mention though of animals used in bullfighting.

People falling foul of the regulations face hefty fines of up to €45,000.

Owners will have to ensure that their pets are well looked-after in regard to health, food and exercise.

And people who interact with animals as part of their work will have to get compulsory training.

positions in the most difficult areas and time is very short.”

Sources on the British team said the extension of talks showed discussions are progressing.

But they cautioned that there was still a 'long way to go' and they remain 'very far apart' on the issue of fisheries so a deal may not be reached.

It comes as Downing Street was forced to play down claims that

Off death row Animal welfare volunteer, Carol McManus, told the Olive Press: “Anything that promotes the treatment of dogs and cats is good, but we need ways of stopping abuse before it happens.” The new law gives town councils the flexibility to decide how many pets can be kept in a home, and breeders could also be charged a local tax. That money would help pay for municipalities to pick up strays and provide appropriate vet care until they are taken to a shelter.

REPRIEVE: Pets will no longer be destroyed

Remembering

DELAYED: Barnier Boris Johnson is delaying talks with Europe until after the US presidential election.

Reports suggested Number 10 would only risk a No-Deal Brexit if Donald Trump was to win. A victory for his rival, Joe Biden, would mean Boris Johnson having to give in to European demands.

Ivan Rogers, who was the UK’s permanent representative in Brussels from 2013 to 2017, told The Observer that ministers in several European capitals believe the Conservative leader is trying to stall until the result of next week’s vote is known.

Rogers said: “Several very senior sources have told me they believe Johnson will await clarity on the presidential election result before finally deciding whether to jump to ‘No-Deal’ with the EU, or to conclude that this is just too risky with Biden heading for the White House.

COVID-19 restrictions have ensured a low key launch to the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal on the Costa Blanca this year.

In contrast to the usual parade of standards through Benidorm streets, a brief ceremony took place at the Oscar Espia amphitheatre. In an act of remembrance, wreaths were laid by dignitaries including Benidorm mayor, Toni Perez, and Sara Munsterhjelm, the British Vice Consul in Alicante.

Screw missing AFTER the UK public named a multi-million pound polar research vessel Boaty McBoat face you would think public christenings would be off linits.

But an Ikea store in Valladolid once again thrust control into the public’s hands and asked them to name the street behind the shop in a Facebook poll.

Thus, Calle Me Falta un Tornillo, or I’m Missing a Screw Street, will now become an official address in the city.

SUNBEDS | CUSHIONS | DINING SETS | LOUNGE SETS | CABANAS | OUTDOOR UMBRELLAS | OUTDOOR HEATING LED ILLUMINATION | AQUA BEANBAGS | LIFE-SIZE STATUES | HAPPY ART CUSTOM MADE WOODEN FURNITURE

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

OPENING HOURS SHOWROOM MONDAY – FRIDAY 9h – 18h | SATURDAY 9h – 14h POLIGONO INDUSTRIAL LA PEDRERA |CALLE ISAAC PERAL 3 | BENISSA INFO@DUMASDESIGN.EU | T +34 694 493 476

WWW.DUMASDESIGN.EU

LIBERTYCASHBACK Until

When

23rd

DECEMBER

2020

YOU need it most

ALREADY A CUSTOMER?

A NEW CLIENT?

€60 CASHBACK

€30 CASHBACK

on each new policy

on your first policy & €60 from the second policy onwards

Take out a new Car, Life, Home or Funeral policy NOW to access our Cashback offer – because tough times deserve little treats!

#1

There’s no limit on the number of policies you take out, so there’s no limit on Cashback!

preferred expat insurer

Visit your agent or call 91 342 25 49 Offer valid from 27th August 2020 to 23rd December 2020. Policies must be paid by direct debit. Applies to new car, life, home and funeral policies only. Not for renewals or replacements. Conditions and minimum premiums will be applied in all cases. Visit our website www.libertyexpatriates.es or ask your broker/agent for full details.

The Olive Press all editions FP (342mmx256mm) October 28

NEWS FEATURE 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

Going nati

Mixed messaging

Beggars belief

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

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Kirsty McKenzie kirsty@theolivepress.es

John Culatto johnc@theolivepress.es

Isha Sesay isha.sesay@hotmail.com

Lydia Spencer-Elliott lydia@theolivepress.es

Simon Wade simon@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Admin Sandra Aviles Diaz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es

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

Distribution ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 273 575 distribution@ theolivepress.es

from civilisation to his isolated farmhouse in Granada’s Alpujarras.

About time!

Illegal Algarrobico Hotel faces demolition after 16 years

T

HE notorious Algarrobico Hotel in Almeria may finally be demolished 14 years after construction was halted.

Money has been set aside in the preliminary 2021 budget of the Andalucian regional government (Junta) to send the bulldozers in and flatten the massive 411 room, 21 floor illegal building.

It was partly built on protected land in the Cabo de Gata national park, leading to howls of protest from environmental groups desperate to keep the virgin beach unspoilt for future

Newsdesk: 0034 951 273 575 For all sales and advertising enquiries please contact 951 27 35 75 Head office

Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio cc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva Deposito Legal MA 1650-2019

AWARDS

2016 - 2020 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.

2012 - 2020

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

ILLEGAL: Monstrous construction

“People come here and say, ‘blimey, it looks like Afghanistan’,” jokes Chris. “All we can

NDS O

R

FF

Publisher / Editor

As best-selling author Chris Stewart takes Spanish nationality, sealing a 30-year love affair with his adopted homeland, Lydia Spencer-Elliott talks to the famous expat about pandemics, politics and surrendering his British passport

OU

WE remain in the grip of a global pandemic and governments around the world have correctly focussed on dealing with this. But the countdown to Brexit is on and now is not the time for the UK government to stick their head in the sand otherwise the devastating consequences of a No-Deal will follow.

Beggars can’t be choosers - that’s the attitude most of the EU countries have towards the UK government now. And how could they not? It’s hard to take UK leader Boris Johnson seriously at the best of times but the suggestion he might inflict a No-Deal Brexit on the UK, in the midst of a global pandemic, beggars belief.

L

IKE Peter Mayle and Carol Drinkwater, his books have inspired a mass exodus of Brits hankering for the good life abroad.

But unlike A Year in Provence which brought the world and his wife to Mayle’s door demanding pastis and autographed copies, unsolicited visitors will never bother Chris Stewart unless their name is Indiana Jones. El Valero, his finca wedged between the Sierra Nevada slopes and the Costa Tropical, is way too inaccessible.

Indeed, Driving Over Lemons, the title of his first international best-seller, is only one of the hazards to negotiate along the white-knuckle mountain route

AS

.

EL CHEF: Cooking at home

HA

VALENCIAN officials are doing a high-wire balancing over the latest COVID-19 state of play on the Costa Blanca.

Coronavirus case rates are ripping upwards but as bars and restaurants get another kicking, foreign tourists are still being wooed.

President Ximo Puig put the Valencian Community into a night-time curfew last weekend to slow down new infections.

Experts though doubt that a curfew is the answer.

Stopping illegal parties was said to be a big motivation for the measure, but the hospitality trade is being made to suffer.

Exactly the kind of businesses that tourists want to use for a pleasant night out.

One Valencian hospitality association put the cost of curfew closures at €5 million per day across the region.

National figures show that bars and restaurants have caused less than 3% of coronavirus outbreaks, with 40% coming from home gatherings of families and friends.

Remember the closure of Costa Blanca clubs and other nightlife in mid-August?

That move yielded no obvious infection falls as rates carried on climbing.

So why do regional politicians keep saying that they welcome UK tourists to an area that is a ‘safe place’ to visit as the shutters get pulled down early?

Managing the pandemic is a thankless task, but a bit of logic and consistency would help along the way.

C O ST

generations.

The Olive Press has long campaigned for the hotel to be demolished – indeed the story featured in the first ever edition of the Olive Press in 2006.

Now it looks like the authorities have finally decided to take the plunge and level the site – as they were ordered to do in 2016 by Spain’s Supreme Court.

It overturned a 2014 decision by Andalucia’s TSJA court which ruled in favour of developers Azata Del Sol. The Supreme Court also decreed that the land belongs to the Junta.

The ruling accepted arguments by Greenpeace and the regional government that the land should be protected.

The property on Cabo de Gata beach had at the time been the focus of a decade-long legal battle.

A building licence was granted for the project in 2003 with Greenpeace directors dubbing it ‘Hotel Illegal’ in 2006.

The president of the Junta, Juama Moreno, has now promised to demolish the Algarrobico as part of a ‘green’ programme outlined by the regional government. It is not yet certain that the hotel will be demolished as the budget for 2021 has yet to be finalised.

see are rivers and mountains, there are no other houses. It’s the perfect place for a lockdown.

“Things were closing down even when I was young and travelling and I never got to Afghanistan, which is one of my few regrets,” he continues on a more sombre note. “Now it’s very difficult to travel anywhere in the world. My daughter has lived in China for the past six years and we visit her every year … but not this year.”

One move this born-again campo dweller will never regret is upping drumsticks and the chance of fame in a British rock band to farm sheep in the wilds of the Spanish countryside over three decades ago.

Alongside classmates Tony Banks, Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford and Anthony Phillips, Stewart spent much of his youth playing in a school band that would later become Genesis.

He never got to tour the world playing The Silent Sun. Instead, when he was bumped from the band in 1968 to make room for John Silver, he hit the road to travel and work in Europe.

“It was destiny that drove me to Spain” he says. “When I was 20 years old I came to the country to learn guitar. There is not a single day I regret

IDYLL: Stewart spends his days rearing

October 29th - November 11th 2020

Olive Press online ‘Spain’s best English news website’

Our promise - Our DNA: r pro The best reporting in Spain in English NA

mise -

- Ou

native

7

O ur D

Don’t stop the press

I

T’S fair to say that right now we all have a huge weight on our shoulders - and some days it’s difficult to understand how the world keeps turning.

Between a global pandemic and the looming challenges of Brexit to the USA election and the senseless brutality taking place OLIVE in Nigeria, keeping up to date with PRESS local news can often feel daunting or even pointless in comparison.

Clicking through social media or Google, everyone is keeping their OUR SQUATTER eye on the bigger picture. And HELL while that’s no bad thing, it’s also so important to keep track of what is happening close to home.

That’s where the Olive Press comes in. Local reporting campaigning has always been in this paper’s DNA for 14 years. Since 2006, we’ve taken pride in making sure institutions are held to account - so that nothing ever slips through the net.

We work to a very high standard, never afraid to take on difficult stories and we won't let anything stop us getting to the truth of the issues that are important to our readers.

Local journalism is vital to connect and inform people about the community they live in, helping the co-ordinate campaign groups or identify where neighbourhood efforts are most needed to look after the vulnerable in the area.

In recent issues, we’ve spoken to the neighbourhood watch groups who are trying to keep their homes safe from squatters. We talked to expats fearful that their bank accounts would be shut by the end of the year and residents who have rallied together to retrieve packages from their hapless local post office. Our stories prove that news is about the everyman - not just people in positions of power.

All those years ago we promised to create a newspaper that sets the agenda. One with clout, substance and authority. A title that gives a voice to everyone in Spain and brings political issues from local regions, not just Madrid. One that challenges the global-centric nature of today’s journalism. Objective achieved - and we’re not for stopping.

The

HAPPY: Chris at home in the hills (above), with wife Ana and their much-loved dogs (left), and the renovation of their fashionable finca ‘El Valero’ in the Alpujarras over the years (below)

ANDALUCÍA

Your expat

Mijas Costa

FREE

voice in Spain

Vol. 13 Issue 353 www.theolivepress .es September 30th October

13th 2020

MEET THE STARS AT SAN SEBASTIAN

AN OLIVE PRESS SPECIAL

REPORT: SEE PAGE 3

Royal sweep

QUEEN Doña Sofia has caused a stir in the Axarquian town of Rincon de la Victoria. fishing The 81-year-old monarch pate in International Beacharrived at the coastal town to particithe world's beaches after Cleaning Day, an incentive to tidy up During her 30-minute a summer of use. visit, Queen Doña Sofia mask and refuse bags and donned gloves, a joined the volunteers in from the Virgen del Carmen collecting trash beach.

In an effort to keep the crowds to a minimum media was kept in the during her visit, spite this, almost 700 dark until the very last minute, however deDuring her 30 minuteonlookers gathered to show their support. stay the support from overwhelming, with shouts the audience was of 'Long live the Queen!', and 'Long live Spain!'.

'Beautiful!'

The love for the former versy surrounding her monarch is far removed from the controtion into his corruptionhusband Juan Carlos I and the investigathroughout his reign.

Maddie

Chief suspect ‘confessed’ to kidnap at Granada festival...

Page 5

LITTER QUEEN: Doña

Saintly town

All you need to know about San Pedro de Alcantara...

Sofia helped in costa

clean-up

Squatters take over British expat’s property meant for while threatening toher sick daughter kill entire family

A BRITISH expat has become scared to leave her own EXCLUSIVE “When they finalter being terrorised by house afBy Laurence Dollimore a family of ly had a lawyer, squatters for the past two years. he managed to Tina Cackett, 64, claims find a misprint been verbally assaulted she has ble began when Tina bought and re- house, which the in the escritura ceived several death sits just across the family since they threats from out riverbed from her own a dried which he claimed illegally took in Competa, home, over the property next Malaga, at the end of suggested the into hers, 2018. heritors which she also owns, might in December The previous not have had the 2018. owners, very close to, had died,who she was right to sell the On one occasion, Tina, and the in- property, carer, had to barricade a live-in heritors of the property decided but to was just a typo.” it side her home while herself in- sell it to Tina.

To make of the squatter family the father “I wanted a home for my daughter ters worse, matrepeatedly Kristine, screamed at her in she is often ill and needs had to find Tina her driveway hospital that he was going to kill a new treatment or looking after, solicitor so the setup was ideal,” “It was terrifying,” Tina,her.

Tina ex- discovering after SCARED: Tina chester, told the Olive from Col- plained.

Cackett and daughter her Kristine (left) previous one was charging looked deranged, like Press. “He But while waiting for the deeds her for started throwing to be hours not worked. something, and just kepthe was on put into her name, which rocks A tour of Spain’s most iconic Tina claimed, “even their at him,” that he was going to kill screaming eral weeks, the squatters took sev- She now has the documents child was in ormoved in der to prove me and that and changed castillos... he had friends who would she bought the home shouting death threats, it’s just horcome and Since then the locks. kill me. a legal battle has ensued, legally and is hoping for a resolution rible, and the mother is supposed to be a care worker! Even this year, but everything which has been delayed “His wife was holding Page 20 my daughter has been has received and extend- slowed down due to the COVID-19 begging him to leave him back and ed on technicalities. threatening my driveway “The messages, which we haveWhatsApp pandemic. first couple of times saved for while they Meanwhile police.

I turned p h o n e d means up without a lawyer, which continues to the squatter family “I’m scared to the case gets adjourned,” leave threaten Tina and her p o l i c e . ” added Tina. take my dogs for a walkmy house to loved ones.

“I’ve been told it’s in case they The trou- tic they use a lot to buy time. a tac- Just three weeks ago Tina’s partner do something to me.

“This was also threatened by the father, and family has ruined our lives it’s just not fair, while mother and son, who I paid all is only around 12 years their bills they’re living rent free in my property and driving old. around in “They told him to ‘go a new car.” back to England you Tina has contacted two privateEnglish madman’ and ly-run squatter removal companies but they said as there is a court case ongoing they cannot take on her case.

THE SKY AUTHORISED It comes as Spain’s right DISTRIBUTOR wing parties are hoping DOCTOR Take control of your to clampdown on squatting, future and ALL AREAS COVERED make your own financial which has soared during KEEP SQUATTERS OUT! choices! coronavirus pandemic. the 4G UNLIMITED The Partido Popular and BinckBank.com/horizon Special Anti “Okupas” INTERNET want to see stricter Vox meaIDEAL FOR sures, including thousands alarm offer STREAMING TV of euros in fines and three years in prison. up to Immediate Police ALSO IPTV, However left-leaning SATELLITE TV parties response fear it may criminalise gling families who havestrugCall: +34 611 475 892 tel: (0034) 952 763 840 unable to pay rent duringbeen colin.securitasdirect@gma the info@theskydoctor.com il.com COVID-19 crisis. www.theskydoctor.com

Page 9

TRADING BEYOND THE HORIZON WITH BINCK

moving. I’ve been here for three and Johnson and all those other decades and I love the country fools have dealt with it.” with a passion. We’re the rich- His enthusiasm for Spain radiest people in the world because ates from the pages of his quarwe have beautiful countryside tet of autobiographical books and this wild mountainous land- chronicling his misadventures scape around us.” in the Granada countryside.

Today he and his wife Ana spend More than two decades since their days shearing sheep and the first was published, they still planting olive trees with a par- resonate with expats, travellers rot, two horses and homebodies and sundry dogs alike. and cats for com“I think I just Spend their pany. Chris feels talked about unidays shearing versal issues and safer and happier in Spain than in experiences,” sheep and the UK - and so reflects Stewart. attached is he to planting olive “I tapped into a his adopted homeuniversal vein. trees land he is set to Everyone you prove it by taking talk to says ‘oh Spanish nationalwow I’d love ity. to move to a different coun“I’m about to become Spanish try, get out of the rat race because I’m so incensed by the and get into the countryabsurd nonsense of Brexit,” he side’ but barely anyone fumes. actually does.

“And If I could personally thank “Our lives are so saddled (Prime Minister) Pedro Sanchez by the desire for comfort, for how he’s handled this aw- security and convenience. ful pandemic then I would,” he Those are three words that adds. “Just look at how Trump I hate. People shop on Am-

g sheep

azon because it’s convenient even though the people working there have a crap time on zero hour contracts.

“It makes me realise how lucky I am, even during a pandemic.

There is a monstrosity present in so many forms of work, corporations who don’t give a stuff about their employees. That’s capitalism for you … it’s given me a great run but I detest it.”

Driving Over Lemons has sold over 1.5 million copies to date but the

state of the world has shifted considerably since it was published 21 years ago: “Of course, inevitably, the world has changed,” says Stewart. “But the way it’s changing at the moment is so sudden and so profound.”

However, the 69-year-old author is keen to look towards life beyond COVID-19: “Coronavirus is a global issue but it hasn’t made all the other problems go to sleep,” he says.

“I feel sort of guilty that the world my generation has handed to the next is pretty tainted, in particular with regard to climate change.

And politics is moving towards a totalitarian right-wing way of doing things. It’s really unpleasant.

“One of the fundamental changes in Spain of late is the arrival of the wretched VOX Party,” he mourns. “I see them as a grim future and something we should all be afraid of. This country suffered 40 years of vicious dictatorship and you can still see the dregs of it in some elements of Spanish society today.

“We must fight tooth and nail against the ignorance and hatred espoused by these people it’s simply not the Spanish way.”

For Chris, now a best-selling Spanish author thanks to his new national identity, it will be the Spanish way forever.

“I love England because I was born there, I think of the cosy little green hills of Sussex and Surrey and my heart skips a beat,” he says. “I shall be like that forever, but I want to be European.”

X

Castle heaven

+

+

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Squatters run riot on Costa del Sol as orga1-nised gangs hand over keys to top properties (59, 195) property price falls predicted for 2-theMajor Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca in Spain (53,574) - Spain’s Costa Blanca wakes up this 3invisible morning to new 50% capacity rules as ‘the enemy’ sweeps through the region

(50,817)

to declare state of alarm 4- Breaking: Spain tomorrow (26,284) Spain’s Costa Blanca to get 5- Breaking: night-time curfew ‘as soon as possible’ (21,317)

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for a special quote

Opinion Page 6

8

LA CULTURA

Dignity for Franco victims

THE BODIES of 17 people executed because they opposed dictator General Franco will be exhumed from a common grave and get individual resting places.

The Republicans were shot in October and November 1939 shortly after Franco was victorious in the Spanish Civil War. They were buried in Orihuela parish cemetery and will now be exhumed by a specialist Madrid company, Drakkar Consultora.

Happy snappers

October 29th - November 11th 2020 RUN by the Natural History Museum in London, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards select the best animal kingdom moments caught on camera each year.

And of this year’s winners, three of the acclaimed artists have come from Spain.

Winner of the Behaviour: Birds category, Jose Luis Ruiz Jimenez spent hours in chesthigh water in Brozas, Extremadura, waiting to get a shot of this great crested grebe family (left).

Jaime Culebras, winner of the Behaviour: Amphibians and Reptiles category, was similarly determined and walked for hours in Ecuador’s Andes to capture the first ever image of a Manduriacu glass frog feeding (right).

And the future looks bright for the next generation of Spanish photographers as Andres

A Spanish vision

Cost

The work will cost almost €24,000 which will be paid by the regional Valencian government.

Permission for the exhumation was obtained from the Orihuela-Alicante diocese earlier this year.

An annual ceremony by the Vientos del Pueblo Cultural Association remembers the victims in front of a plaque in the cemetery that lists their names.

HOME at last – that’s where €3 million painting Antes de la corrida (Before the bullfight) has finally landed after a scandal in New York last year threw it into the limelight.

The gallery owner at the European Fine Art Fair alerted the authorities when Spanish businessmen Andres Lietor and Carlos Sanchez, owners of the company CCF21, each attempted to claim ownership of Joaquin Sorolla’s timeless masterpiece.

Lietor is the son of a businessman convicted in the notorious Malaya corruption case that rocked Marbella.

Trail

The trail eventually led police to Brussels, where the artwork was recovered. Now it hangs in the embassy in Belgium, back on Spanish soil for the foreseeable future.

Spanish courts believe that the Sorolla masterpiece is one of several valuable paintings that were ‘gifted away’ in order to avoid confiscation to pay fines and compensation.

Sorolla may not be as renowned as cubist genius Pablo Picasso or surrealist Salvador Dali, but he was one of Spain’s most influential and sought-after artists. Born in Valencia in 1863, his portfolio boasts moving exposés of social injustice, skilful depictions of people and landscapes and even a portrait of the American president William Howard Taft.

MASTERPIECE: Sorollo’s Antes de la corrida

We have you covered

OP QUICK Crossword Across

With LIBERTY SEGUROS you can have the home insurance that meets your needs! spaces.

Homeowners might have other worries too, such as drip irrigation systems. Again, with LIBERTY SEGUROS policy holders can have cover up to €500 for burst or broken pipes to help with repairs.

Goods in storage rooms can also be insured up to €3,000; and jewellery left outside of a safe can be covered up to €10,000. What’s more, individual jewellery pieces worth up to €6,000 do not need to be itemised in the policy, and policy holders can increase their money in cash cover at home too.

It’s also worth noting that LIBERTY SEGUROS’s new home appliance repair cover includes 2 services per year up to 300€ – including parts. The maintenance of air-conditioning filters is also covered to include filter cleaning twice a year. In this manner, the units can continue to work just as they should, at the same time as helping occupants to avoid the health issues associated with their usage.

And that’s not all! As another example, refrigerated goods (which are not usually covered in the case of tripped fuses) are included in home policies with LIBERTY SEGUROS, offering €150 towards lost food and medicines. This comes as

standard.

LIBERTY SEGUROS really does have you covered and always has your real needs in mind!

Furthermore, you can also take out additional covers such as a Civil Liability extension and non-payment of rents; or Mandatory Civil Liability for hunters, Civil Liability for potentially dangerous dogs, cover for vehicles kept in a garage… amongst others. And, as always, 24/7 emergency home assistance through a multi-lingual freephone number. What’s more, if you are a new Liberty Seguros client and take out a Home, Car, Life or Funeral policy now, you will receive €30 Cashback on your first policy and €60 from the second policy onwards, or €60 Cashback on w new policy if you are already a customer.

Great cover, great Cashback!

For more information, simply call or visit one of the more than 300 LIBERTY SEGUROS qualified brokers and agents. They are available to provide friendly and expert advice about the best coverages and options to suit your specific needs.

Speaking in your language, the LIBERTY SEGUROS team can help you to find the cover that will be perfect for you.

Visit libertyexpatriates.es to find the name and details of your nearest agent!

Liberty Seguros has a dedicated Expatriates Team that can be reached by calling 91 342 25 49.

Alternatively, the location of your nearest agent / broker and detailed information on its products can be found at: www.libertyexpatriates.es

7 Angolan capital (6) 8 Hibernian (5) 9 Thin layer (4) 10 Try to make someone believe they are going mad (8) 11 Thugs (5) 12 Propose (7) 15 Source of teenage angst (7) 17 Seventh sign of the zodiac (5) 20 Not non grata (8) 22 Move along in a stream (4) 23 Literary genre (3-2) 24 Mourn (6)

Down

OP Sudoku

LIBERTY SEGUROS has adapted its Home Insurance plans to provide solutions that best suit your individual requirements.

Understanding that every customer’s needs are unique, it has created additional coverages to allow you to enhance and complement your home insurance cover. Regardless of the plan you choose, you can now add Optional Packs to your home insurance to ensure your plan is perfectly tailored to you.

For example, if you own a second home and are concerned about being an ideal target for squatters, LIBERTY SEGUROS offers a complete legal defence guarantee, covering up to €6,100 in legal costs for Illegal Occupation proceedings.

Owning a rental property has additional worries, such as tenant vandalism that can lead to complex and expensive legal proceedings. For this reason, LIBERTY SEGUROS offers a guarantee of up to €3,000 to cover acts of vandalism by the tenant. This allows landlords peace of mind to enjoy profitable rental incomes without added worries.

LIBERTY SEGUROS also knows how much gardens and terraces mean to homeowners. For this reason, it offers cover for garden furniture of €12,000 to help protect treasured outdoor

Luis Dominguez Blanco won the 10 years and under category with his shot of a European stonechat bird in Andalucia.

Kate Middleton, patron of the National History Museum, presented the highest accolade, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, at what was the first ever virtual online awards ceremony.

1 Erstwhile Peruvian President (8) 2 Kind of band (3-3) 3 Squads (5) 4 Topping the agenda (5,2) 5 Upholstery trim (6) 6 "Be quiet!" (4) 13 Overcome (8) 14 Stet (5,2) 16 Allow (6) 18 "A date which will live in ---" (6) 19 "Someone Like You" singer (5) 21 Mountain path (4)

All solutions are on page 14

10

BUSINESS €100 billion blow October 29th November 11th 2020

Tourism industry sent back 25 years by coronavirus crisis

Mind the Gap

JOBS in Spain could be at risk after Gap announced it was considering closing stores across Europe.

The American clothing giant revealed it was proposing changes to its business model outside the United States in a move that could lead to 129 store closures.

Gap, which currently had 75 locations in Spain including concessions in El Corte Ingles, said it wants to focus on its domestic American business.

“Franchisees already operate in 35 countries through 400 stores and we believe there is significant room to expand our franchise footprint,” Katrina O’Connell, Gap’s chief financial officer, said at a virtual investor event.

Flagship The news comes just over a month after the brand opened a flagship store in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarters on September 3.

Despite the new store, the retailer has struggled to compete with high street rivals for a number of years and is the latest fashion chain to consider closing stores as shoppers slow down on clothes shopping during the pandemic.

Earlier in the year Gap said that it planned to close more than 225 unprofitable Gap and Banana Republic stores globally.

Movers international E U R O P E LT D ALICANTE:(+34) 965 770 639 MALAGA: (+34) 952 426 560 PRESTON: (+44) 1772 651 570 www.moversint.co.uk movers.int@gmail.com

MOVERS

•

STORERS

•

SHIPPERS

TAXES on plastic packaging are to be introduced as part of attempts to cut environmental waste.

Spain’s government plans to limit the most environmentally damaging single-use plastic products and hopes to raise €1.8 billion from the new ‘green’ taxes.

Ministers are also considering a higher levy on sugary drinks in the hope of raising a total

OLD DAYS: But will busy beaches make a return?

SPAIN’S vital tourism sector is expected to take a €100 billion hit by the end of the year.

This would mean the industry will have reverted to income levels last seen in 1995, according to the Exceltur tourism association.

The organisation has updated its predictions after regional governments started to impose new restrictions in an effort to halt the rise in COVID-19 of €6.8 billion, its draft budget showed.

The hike will see value-added tax on sweetened beverages jump from 10% to 21%.

Parliament has already given the green light to the implementation of the two more controversial taxes.

Firstly the so-called Google tax will see a 3% charge on digital services, such as advertising and data sales, on

SAVE MONEY WITH CHEAPER, GREENER ELECTRICITY Save up to 35% on your electricity bill Switch to our cheaper, 100% green energy tariffs today

By Dilip Kuner

cases in the past few weeks.

More than 1 million people have been infected in Spain, with 34,000 deaths attributed to coronavirus so far.

Exceltur’s vice president, Jose Luis Zoreda, said: "We could go back 25 years in terms of what the Spanish tourism sector generates," adding that it

Green tax

revenues booked locally by large tech firms such as Google, Amazon and Facebook.

A second controversial tax, known as ‘Tobin tax’, is expected to raise €850 million next year in Spain. A 0.2% rate would be applied to transactions of shares of listed companies with a market cap higher than €1 billion.

would be a ‘dire scenario’.

Now the association is calling for cash handouts to tourist-related businesses similar to the bailouts provided to banks in the financial crisis of the mid to late 2000’s.

Zoreda claimed that the government had not realised how badly the sector had been hit by the crisis and needed to urgently provide direct aid and extend the nation’s furlough scheme when it runs out in January.

Lockdown

The tourism industry accounts for 12% of Spain’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 13% of employment.

The sector was initially devastated by the threemonth coronavirus lockdown then hopes for a successful summer were dashed when the UK and some other countries imposed self isolation rules on returning holidaymakers.

100% Certified Green Energy

Solar PV Panels Save money and get paid if you produce more energy than you use

+34 951 120 830 | INFO@MARIPOSAENERGIA.ES | WWW.MARIPOSAENERGIA.ES

FOOD & DRINK

October 29th November 11th 2020

11

Bargain jollies Rush of people booking cut-price holidays in Valencia OVER 9,000 people applied for cheap local holidays on the first day of the Viatgem voucher scheme in the Valencian Community.

The local residents scheme proved to be so popular that the website crashed multiple times on the first day of operation.

Some €14.3 million has been allocated by the regional government with a maximum payout of €600 depending on the cost of a holiday.

Users can take a minimum stay of two nights anywhere at some 700 participating scheme members in the Community, including the Costa Blanca.

Applicants can get hold of the voucher on-line via bonoviajecv.gva.es The discount code has to be used within seven days before it expires.

The web portal also features a list of tourist accommodation and agencies that are involved in the Viatgem scheme.

BOSSES of airline company IAG have announced that 70% of Vueling, Iberia and British Airways flights will be cancelled.

Meanwhile, rivals Easyjet and Ryanair will fly at 25% and 40% respectively indicating a bleak outlook for all major airlines.

It comes after the IAG travel giant reported a

DISCOUNTS: Big savings on offer to take a local holiday

By Alex Trelinski

Vouchers can also be obtained directly from agencies without going online, but applicants still have to show that they are legal Valencian Community residents.

The discounts can be reserved once per person over three sep-

Air cuts €1.3bn loss in their third quarter, which was even worse than financial ex-

arate periods, namely through to December 31; between January 1 to March 24, 2021; and October 13 to December 31, 2021.

In other words, three subsidised holidays are available over a 14-month period to Valencian Community residents.

The budget for the scheme is fixed over the three blocks. perts had predicted.

Due to coronavirus, passenger numbers were down by 78% with operational flights only half full.

Then IAG fired Spanish British Airways CEO, Alex Cruz, last week after four chaotic years at the head of the company that saw IT meltdowns and staff strikes.

More than 500 customers can’t be wrong

The Covid Friendly Store!

Replace just your kitchen cupboard doors or install a complete kitchen

English Speaking 200+ different models available Porcelain, quartz, granite and laminate worktops Huge range of sinks and taps New collection of bathrooms and wardrobes available Impressive glass splashbacks Complete revamp (tiling, electrics, plumbing service) all in one stop, save your time

See more examples of kitchens fitted on our Facebook page www.kitchensplus1.com

Business Hours: Monday-Friday: 9.00 to 14.00 Home visits in the afternoon

ASK FOR A FREE HOME VISIT, DESIGN AND 3D VIEW MADE WITH THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY Av. Artero Guírao, 30, San Pedro del Pinator, Murcia Find us on the AP7, exit San Pedro del Pintar, 200 yards past LIDL on the opposite side

968 184 235 info@kitchensplus1.com

Money Matters

with Tracy Storer, Senior Partner, Chorus Financial.

Pension problems Money Matters answers all your questions on finance, tax, pensions, investments and more

This week we received the following question from Mr John P from Jalon Dear Tracy, I have recently turned 60 and have tried to access my private pension with Aviva.

Unfortunately, they have told me that as a non-UK resident my options are restricted to either take an annuity, draw my entire pot or transfer to another pension plan. Can you explain why this is and why I can’t drawdown my pension flexibly as originally planned?

Hi John, Firstly, you are not alone with this issue! We are in the process of dealing with lots of Aviva and other pension schemes, where our clients are facing similar restrictions.

The issue is that when your scheme was originally set up, the manner in which you could access your pension would have been based on what was around then and purchasing an annuity would have been the main feature. Pensions options have changed since then and buying an annuity may not be as attractive as it once was.

In 2015 the government introduced pension freedoms and with this came flexible drawdown. This method of accessing your pension has proved to be very popular with pensioners both in the UK and overseas. It is flexible, so it allows you to take what you need from your pension when you need it. This could just be a regular monthly income, or it could be ad-hoc lump sums (or a blend of both). Accessing your pension in this way allows you to plan around your specific income needs and also allows you to take the Spanish tax system into consideration when planning your income.

The problem with your current Aviva pension is that to access flexible drawdown you would need to transfer to one of their other pension schemes. Unfortunately, these new schemes are only available to UK residents, which leaves you with the limited options while resident in Spain of buying an annuity, taking your pension in finding an external scheme.

Fortunately, there is a solution, as there are several UK pension providers that you could transfer to who offer flexible pensions to non-UK residents. A local adviser such as Chorus can help you explore your options and provide ongoing advice on such pensions.

If you have any questions about finance, tax or money matters here in Spain please email them to me on t.storer@chorusfinancial.es with subject ‘Money Matters’. All emails will get a response, and some may even appear in our column!

Money Matters answers all your questions on finance, tax, pensions, investments and more here in Spain.

Making sense of Still using a Brexit finance financial ad R

By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks

Can a UK-based adviser continue to support you from 2021?

eassuringly, even if there is a no-deal Brexit, citizens’ rights for UK nationals legally settled in Spain by December 31, 2020 are protected under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement. There are no such guarantees, however, in the area of financial services, which could affect whether you can continue to receive UK-based advice and services as an EU resident.

With no certainty that negotiations will be resolved in time, check that your financial planning and adviser will stand up to the challenges that Brexit may bring.

The end of passporting If you have a good relationship with your UK-based financial adviser, you may understandably wish to continue using them, despite now living in a different country. However, you need to make sure they can legally continue

to advise you after the Brexit transition period.

Under today’s rules UK-based financial businesses can passport out of the UK into Europe, but this will no longer apply next year. Passporting enables cross-border transactions between EU member states through shared financial regulation. Unless a mutual deal is agreed on financial services, the EU will not permit ongoing passporting arrangements for UK financial businesses and advisers from January 2021.

Some UK financial firms have put provisions in place to continue working in an EU/EEA country post-Brexit, but others have not. We have already seen letters from major UK banks to EU-based clients, advising they will be withdrawing services and recommending they make arrangements now with an alternative provider who can support them.

Make sure you understand your provider’s legal position for clients in Spain.

If you retain UK investments, a UK-

It is likely that UK-based advisers will no longer ‘passporting’ system to provide regulated financi the Brexit transition period. Ask your adviser if t and carry out instructions, or if they may be rest based adviser may be able to continue of opportunities available in Spain. Do supporting you there. But if you hold UK theybanks have in-depth of Spain the major write toknowledge clients in withdr

savings and investments with an EU- local residence, tax, and succession based institution, from 2021 they may regimes? alsoimportant unlikely not accept instructions from UKUK-based advis- It’s advisers never beenare more to to en- have the d ers. Check if there will be practical chalsure your financial affairs are comSpanish regime necessary to provide the most tax lenges, such as having to travel to the pliant and suitable for Spain. Secure Ourof local advisers are autho UK for meetings and paperwork.solutions. peace mind by talking to anregulated, experiAlso consider if a UK-based adviser is enced, locally-based adviser as soon as and knowledge best placed to help you take advantage possible. to advise on all aspects of financi

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com

Still using a UK-based financial adviser?

110-es

I N T E R N AT ION A L TA X A DV

It is likely that UK-based advisers will no longer be able to use the EU ‘passporting’ system to provide regulated financial services to EU residents after the Brexit transition period. Ask your adviser if they can continue to advise you and carry out instructions, or if they may be restricted. We have already seen major UK banks write to clients in Spain withdrawing services.

Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) is authorised and Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Distribution D system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks Trus the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited p has been approved and issued by BFFM.

Talk to the people who know

965 705 502 gerald.turner@blevinsfranks.com

UK-based advisers are also unlikely to have the deep understanding of the Spanish regime necessary to provide the most tax-efficient financial planning solutions. Our local advisers are regulated, authorised and have the experience and knowledge to advise on all aspects of financial planning in post-Brexit Spain.

110-es

I N T E R N AT ION A L TA X A DV IC E • I N V E S T M E N TS • E S TAT E PL A N N I NG • PE NSIONS Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731.

Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited provides taxation advice; its advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFFM.

www.blevinsfranks.com

14

COLUMNISTS

Weird science

October 29th - November 11th 2020

Lisa Burgess

We mustn’t stop believing in the power of scientists “VACCINES are the tugboats of preventive health” according to Dr William Foege, the American epidemiologist credited with playing a large role in eradicating smallpox.

A vaccine could stimulate the immune system to produce effective antibodies against coronavirus and we desperately need one. From Spain to New Zealand, Brazil to Japan and Uruguay to South Korea scientists worldwide are in a race to find that elusive vaccine.

Currently, there are 46 vaccines in clinical trials on humans, 91 preclinical vaccines are under active investigation in animals and 11 vaccines have reached the final stage of testing according to the New York Times.

Three main contenders currently stand out. First up is

a joint effort by BioNTech (German), Pfizer (American) and Fosun Pharma (a Chinese drug maker).

Dr Bourla, Chief Executive of Pfizer recently said that they would apply for emergency use of their vaccine in late November. The FDA would need several weeks to consider that application which if passed would make the vaccine available in early 2021.

Johnson & Johnson, an American multinational received 456 million dollars from the US government for research. Unlike other vaccines, this one requires one dose instead of two and they aim for the production of 1 billion doses in 2021.

On October 12, 2020 the company announced their trial had been paused due to an adverse reaction by a volunteer, this is not unusu-

DEDICATED: Professor Sarah Gilbert of the Jenner Institute

al in clinical trials and they are expected to resume shortly.

British Swedish company Astra Zeneca is collaborating with the Oxford University on a vaccine. The European Union has already agreed to purchase 400 million doses and the USA agreed 300 million.

Their trial was paused before Johnson & Johnson on September 6 for the same reason. Trials resumed worldwide a week later with the exception of trials in the USA. There are those who say we must learn to live with COVID-19, that there will be no cure or vaccine found.

I believe that somewhere out there in our universe there is a scientist brilliant enough to save us.

Think of Sir Alexander Fleming (penicillin), Marie Curie (theory of radioactivity), Edward Jenner (smallpox), Sir Ronald Ross (malaria), Jonas Salk (polio) and the unforgettable Alan Turing, who with his Polish colleagues broke the Enigma Code. These exceptional human beings achieved the impossible and so I say with a heart full of hope that surely anything is possible.

m G3

Form Form advertisement Form G3 Form ofof advertisement ofG3 advertisement

e 5.6(1)(a)

Rule 5.6(1)(a) NOTICE TO IAIN NORMAN FORBES Rule 5.6(1)(a) TO IAIN NORMAN FORBES NOTICE TO IAINNOTICE NORMAN FORBES

Mama, we’re all crazy now

I

HAVE two favourite months in Spain. May marks the beginning of the summer season: the temperatures rise, the countryside is magnificent in its full bloom and the first events of the social scene take place.

There is always a feeling of optimism – that businesses will enjoy a record year, that old friends will come and visit and that new friendships in Marbella’s cosmopolitan mix will be made. September on the other hand, is the gentle unwinding of the summer season as the madding and maddening crowds dissipate, the sun loses some of its fierceness and a chilled out vibe returns.

I may be stating the bleeding obvious, but 2020 has been a little different. The lockdown was harsh enough, but the ‘new normal’ made operating a business a real struggle, especially when quarantine restrictions meant that the normal flow of tourists, including the wedding parties, off season visits by relatives and sun starved golfers, was reduced to a sparse trickle. Maybe the lockdown caused a short circuit in the minds of the less desirable members of Marbella society but, along with the graphs showing the

Giles takes an in depth look at his favourite two months in Spain

LAZY DAYS: Giles taking refuge at his Istan home rise of cases as the second the second-in-command of wave of coronavirus crashed a Dutch drug baron and the around Spain, the only other recent shooting of a Brit on a uptick seemed to be in the Saturday night – took place number of high profile crim- on the stretch of road known inal incidents that made the as the Aloha Strip – with its national and international bars, lounges and restaupress. The majority of these rants.

– including the high profile Previously this area of ‘Golf kidnapping at gunpoint of Valley’ was best known as the place to spot nothing more menacing than Bruce Forsyth, Ronnie Corbett, Jimmy Tarbuck and other household names from the world of light entertainment. They were normally heading out to play on one of the three golf courses in Nueva Andalucía, although Sean Connery was best approached with caution, especially if he had been hacking around the Los Naranjos course.

Sleepy In the past decade, this sleepy spot has transformed and it’s not uncommon to spot Premiership footballers, world champion boxers and the obligatory reality TV stars. It has also become brasher, with supercars roaring up and down the strip.

Perhaps it is that brashness that has encouraged an ‘anything goes’ mentality. Over the past couple of weekends my social media feeds invariably carry the question ‘Anyone else hear gunshots in Aloha’ as the police cordon off the area once again?’

As the wannabie and real gangsters continue to regard it as something of a free fire zone, it’s safe to say that the title of ‘most dangerous road in Spain’, that used to be applied to the frankly terrifying N-340 coast road in the 70s and 80s, has now been taken by the Aloha Strip. In the immortal words of Noddy Holder, Mama, we’re all crazy now.

Court ref. no.TAI-A18-20 TAI-A18-20 Court ref. no.

Court ref. no. TAI-A18-20 Anaction action has beenSheriff raisedin inTain Tain Sheriff CourtbybySCOTT SCOTT raised Court An action has An been raisedhas in been Tain Court bySheriff SCOTT BUCHANAN, residingat at6 6Woodlands Woodlands Drive, MiltonKildary, Kildary,IV18 IV18 BUCHANAN, residing Drive, Milton BUCHANAN, residing at 6 Woodlands Drive, Milton Kildary, IV18 0NH, Pursuer, calling a Defender IAIN NORMAN FORBES, who 0NH, Pursuer, calling asas a Defender IAIN NORMAN who 0NH, Pursuer, calling as a Defender IAIN NORMAN FORBES, who FORBES, CONNERY: Just one of the many stars who graced Marbella was lastknown resideStreet, Drummond Street, Tain,IV19 IV191EE, 1EE, was last totoreside atat2 2Drummond Street, was last known to reside atknown 2 Drummond Tain, IV19 1EE, Tain, address48, Carvasqueta 48,3111 3111Busot, Busot,Alicante, Alicante,Spain Spain ananaddress atatCarvasqueta had an address had athad Carvasqueta 3111 Busot, 48, Alicante, Spain and whosecurrent current whereabouts areunknown. unknown.If IfIain IainNorman Norman and whose and whose current whereabouts arewhereabouts unknown. Ifare Iain Norman Forbeswishes wishes defend theaction action lodgea aNotice Notice totodefend the heherequires Forbes wishes toForbes defend the action he requires to lodge arequires Noticetotolodge of Intention to Defend with the Sheriff Clerk at Tain, Sheriff Court of Intention to Defend with the Sheriff ClerkCourt at Tain, Sheriff Court of Intention to Defend with the Sheriff Clerk at Tain, Sheriff House, High Street, Tain, Ross-shire, IV19 1AB, UK within days House, Street, Tain, Ross-shire, IV19 1AB, UK within 4242 days House, High Street, Tain,High Ross-shire, IV19 1AB, UK within 42 days thedate dateofofthis this advertisement inwhich which caseheheshould shouldcontact contact ofof the case of the date of this advertisement inadvertisement which case heinshould contact thesaid saidSheriff SheriffClerk Clerk fromwhom whomthe theservice service copy Initial Writ may the from copy Initial Writ may the said Sheriff Clerk from whom the service copy Initial Writ may be obtained.

If he fails do so decree may granted against him. obtained. he fails toto dobe sogranted decree may bebe granted against him. be obtained. If hebe fails to do soIfdecree may against him.

FREE ASSESSMENT WEEK

Signed Signed

The MacKenzie Law Practice The MacKenzie Law Practice The MacKenzie Law Practice 2nd Floor 2nd Floor 2nd Floor Highland Rail House Highland Rail House Highland Rail House Station Square Station Square Station Square Inverness Inverness Inverness IV1 1LE IV1 1LE IV1 1LE

Quick Crossword

Solicitor the Pursuer Solicitor forfor the Pursuer Solicitor for the Pursuer

Down: 1 Fujimori, 2 One-man, 3 Gangs, 4 First up, 5 Piping, 6 Shhh, 13 Surmount, 14 Leave in, 16 Permit, 18 Infamy, 19 Adele, 21 Pass.

OP Puzzle solutions Across: 7 Luanda, 8 Irish, 9 Film, 10 Gaslight, 11 Goons, 12 Suggest, 15 Pimples, 17 Libra, 20 Approved, 22 Flow, 23 Sci-fi, 24 Lament.

SUDOKU

Signed

HEALTH

October 29th - November 11th 2020

Dear Jennifer: Be ready

Do I have to get a TIE/ Residencia card?

A

S I suspected, the demand for TIE/Residencia appointments is very quickly increasing. It is vital that if you have not got your Residencia and you wish to stay in Spain after 31/12/20, you need to get your TIE sorted now, or as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, if you do not do this, the laws will be changing and you will need a vast amount of money held in your bank account and a proven monthly figure of income. I have heard a number of times: “I am British and therefore I am not panicking as there will be different rules in place for us after Brexit.”

What a naive idea, because being British will mean even less than it does already after January 1, 2021, especially within the EU. We will just become normal immigrants and will need the correct papers in place just to visit and live in Europe.

With all this dreadful COVID situation, Brexit is also going to take its toll, both here but especially in the UK. I feel very fortunate to live in Spain because the news from the UK is worrying. So I am determined to make sure that I and all my staff are in possession of all the required documents so we can continue to give exactly the same, excellent service to our clients.

For your TIE/Residencia application, you will require health insurance and if you are thinking to cancelling it at the end of the first year, you would be very foolish to do so, because you may find yourself with no health cover at all and paying privately is not an option as it can be very expensive.

ASSSA health insurance provides the correct certificate for your application. I do appreciate that many are not used to having private health insurance but life changes and you will require it to continue living in Spain.

You will be very surprised at the premium, as in comparison to British private health prices, it is remarkably inexpensive.

If you need any further information or an appointment to discuss your requirements, please contact one of my offices, visit the website www.jennifercunningham.net or email info@jennifercunningham.net.

THE incoming cold drop will stop the West Nile virus outbreak in its tracks, experts have said.

According to the Doñana Biological Station, once temperatures stop exceeding 20C, the mosquitoes which spread the disease will stop reproducing.

It comes after the virus has infected dozens of people and claimed the lives of seven this year after first being detected in Sevilla.

Mosquito populations boomed by more than 30% this year thanks to a wetter-than-average May and the coronavirus lockdown which saw people confined to their homes for weeks on end.

The virus was first detected in humans in Sevilla towns close to marshlands along the Guadalquivir river, before also being found in Cadiz.

While many areas have been fumigated, many large rice paddies, where the blood suckers are known to breed,

15

Freeze, suckers!

Mosquito-borne West Nile outbreak will be brought to a halt by cold winter weather cannot receive the same treatment until they are harvested (usually in October).

Residents have naturally been warned to steer clear of rice crops and all marshland areas. Additionally, as long as temperatures remain close to 30C, as they have done in Sevilla this week, there will continue to be mosquitoes and the risk of West Nile virus spreading.

Therefore people are advised to use repellents and nets in their homes where possible.

There are currently 36 people still infected with the West Nile virus in what is the largest mosquito-borne outbreak in the country since Malaria in the 1960s.

DROPPING DEAD: West Nile mosquitos cannot breed in the cold The West Nile virus is a dis- by mosquitoes, which have ease transmitted to people been infected usually by birds. Birds are considered a reservoir of the disease and normally act as healthy carriers, although they play a very important role in the spread of the virus.

Live-in Carer £83 - £105 per day.

Around 80% of infected We are a highly awarded care provider looking for experienced people, according to the carers for nationwide opportunities. So, if you are a carer with World Health Organisation at least six months’ experience and want to keep your Spanish (WHO), do not experience lifestyle while working in the UK, please get in touch. symptoms.

Of the 20% of carriers who do show symptoms, the most serious cases can lead For more information call Jayne on +34 634345685 or to meningitis, which can email Jayne.Nuttall-Blake@thegoodcaregroup.com lead to brain damage and death.

Work in the UK. Live in Spain.

For help, advice and information, please contact one of my offices or visit my website www.jennifercunningham.net

Your body deserves the best. Put your mind at ease by taking care of your body to the best with our innovative treatments.

Yes, we sometimes do wonders and make dreams come true!

Permanent result already from the first treatment.

New is Spain!

90€

C R Y O L I P O LY I S Our treatment will cool off the fat cells. As a result they will be destroyed permanently.

Already from the first treatment there is a permanent result.

CRYOLIFTING Our treatments make your skin tighter and firmer wherever you want it.

Before

FA C I A L T R E AT M E N T S Softening and removal of wrinkles.

Tightening of neck and throat.

Acne – Pigment spots Lifting

120€

No surgery, no pain, no side effects Treatments are for men and women

MORE RESULTS ON OUR WEBSITE

C/ Richard Wagner n° 2 blq 5, Orihuela Costa (Urb Villamartin)

Call us for an appointment or more information: (+34) 699 500 734

info@institutocarmenmaria.com www.institutocarmenmaria.com

The

OLIVE PRESS

Reuse Reduce Recycle We use recycled paper

Family feuds AN 85-year-old lady had to call the police after her grandson claimed she was making life ‘impossible’ and threatened her with a razor.

FINAL WORDS

Long tail A YORKSHIRE terrier named Kike has found its way back to its loving family in Malaga after disappearing two years ago.

Trolley dash A PADDED shopping trolley by Zara that sold out in 24 hours in Spain and is due for the UK market has been dubbed ‘perfect for stockpiling’ by Tweeters.

Melting away ICE cream sales for consumer goods giant Unilever have plummeted across Spain while sales of hand sanitisers and soap have surged.

COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA

FREE

Nose for it

Your expat

voice in Spain

Vol. 1 Issue 26 www.theolivepress.es October 29th - November 11th 2020

Plane crazy

A WOMAN who booked a flight from Stansted to Valencia ended up in Kiev when she boarded the wrong plane.

Inka Fileva, 30, was looking forward to a romantic break visiting her boyfriend in the Spanish city.

But when she got off her Ryan Air flight cold water was poured on her dreams as she realised she was not in the sunny Costa Blanca capital but in the chillier clime of Ukraine.

Bar worker Fileva, who is

Wrong gate mix-up means passenger ends up in Kiev not Valencia

SCOTLAND is looking to Andalucia in its fight to save its wildcat from extinction.

The Scottish wildcat is Britain’s last native cat species and with fewer than 100 believed to exist in the wild, the feline is on the brink of extinction.

Habitat loss and cross-breeding with domestic cats are the main reasons

The right cat-itude

originally from Bulgaria but now lives in London, had slept through the whole journey. The first idea she had that she was not where she should be was when she disembarked. It was when she spotted that none of the signs were in Spanish and the police looked ‘different’ that it dawned on her that she was 3,000 kilometres away in the wrong country.

why it is on the verge of extinction, despite the fact that it has been protected under UK law since 1988.

Andalucia, which has proven itself as the number one refuge for the Iberian Lynx with 57% of the animal’s popula-

By Dilip Kuner

She posted her story on Facebook, saying: “I’m in Kiev at the moment! Waiting at the airport and the worse part is there is no Ryanair office here so everything is taking ages to sort out!

“I don’t understand how my ticket got scanned and

tion, is collaborating in the international partnership Saving Wildcats.

It is now offering expert advice on the development of a captive breeding programme for the Lynx’s Scottish ‘cousin’.

WRONG GATE: Inka passed and how I came here without a visa.”

She explained that she had gone to gate 54 instead of 44 by mistake. But with staff scanning her ticket she had no reason to suspect she could end up on the wrong flight.

Eventually, the situation was sorted out and Fileva finally arrived to the welcoming arms of her boyfriend in Valencia.

But in a final twist her luggage didn’t make it - instead it was flown to Manchester.

BARCELONA’S Mossos d’Esquadra police force is training 400 rescue dogs to detect COVID-19 in humans.

Dogs are already working at Finland’s airports to detect the presence of the virus and have been recently incorporated into airport checks in Dubai, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

According to researchers running Helsinki’s pilot scheme, a dog is capable of detecting the presence of the coronavirus within 10 seconds and the entire process takes less than a minute to complete.

The scheme has now reached Barcelona, where the pooches are being trained to detect COVID-19 in human beings.

Josep Peris, former head of the Mossos d’Esquadra, has launched this project under the name ‘K-anary’.

All the canines that form part of the team have been found in dog shelters where they were abandoned.

Training takes approximately one month, after which the canines are able to detect the virus in about 200 people an hour.