Olive Press Gibraltar Newspaper - Issue 9 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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olive press Vol. 1 Issue 9

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January 6th - January 19th 2016

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Flashback! 2015 Round-up Pages 15 - 18 ROLL-CALL: (From left) Leon de Roeck, Jonathan Lutwyche, Elisha Lang, Kaiser Chief’s Ricky Wilson, CM Fabian Picardo and Kings of Leon singer Caleb Followill

Flying high LONDON and Gibraltar have been brought closer together after Monarch announced its new Gatwick-Gibraltar route. Starting in May this year, there will be four flights with a total of 1,392 seats between the two airports every week. The new link is expected to bring another 30,000 visitors to the Rock next year. Monarch already flies to three other destinations from Gibraltar - Luton, Manchester and Birmingham. Tourism Minister Samantha Sacramento: “This is exciting news. It serves to strengthen the very strong ties and commitment that Monarch has to the Rock. “All in all, the new services represent an approximate 25% growth for next year.” Flights of fancy. Page 7

Is this the coolest man to ever get a New Year’s honour? Rock stars. Page 11

Controversy after UK government withholds vital 1988 IRA ‘Death on the Rock’ files By Tom Powell

In the dark

CRUCIAL government files on the controversial shooting of three suspected IRA terrorists in Gibraltar in 1988 have been withheld. The files should have been made public through the UK National Archives this week under the recently amended 20 year rule. However, a cabinet spokesman blamed ‘administrative changes’ as a result of decreasing the classified period from 30 to 20 years for a continuing nondisclosure of some documents.

This includes those concerning the operation in which the SAS was deployed to the Rock to prevent an alleged IRA plot to plant a bomb outside the Convent. Three IRA volunteers, Sean Savage, Daniel McCann and Mairead Farrell were shot at the petrol station on Winston Churchill Avenue. Their deaths made major headlines after an ITV documentary titled Death on the Rock suggested they were shot unlawfully without warning.

The documentary, aired a month after the shootings, was slammed by Margaret Thatcher’s government as inaccurate sensationalism at the time. Then Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe had attempted to postpone the airing of the programme twice to no avail. A year ago, the UK Cabinet Office released 500 files from 1985 and 1986. This year, just 58 files covering the period 1986-88 have been made

Death on the Rock THE SAS shootings provoked huge controversy at the time. The IRA volunteers were reported to have planted a 500 pound bomb in a car near No6 Convent Place, ready to detonate during the changing of the guard ceremony. All three were shot as they walked towards Spain on Winston Churchill Avenue, with officers claiming they were acting suspiciously and thus believed their lives were in danger. However, within 24 hours it was revealed there had been no car bomb and that all three had been unarmed when shot. A car apparently connected to them was found two days later in Marbella, containing explosives. But despite an inquest ruling all three had been lawfully killed, the European Court of Justice ruled in 1995 that the SAS soldiers had violated their fundamental right to life.

KILLED: IRA members McCann, Farrell and Savage (from left)

public by the National Archives. Another significant omission is the Lockerbie bombing, a terrorist attack on a plane above Scotland in which 270 people were killed. Daily Mail columnist Stephen Glover described the holding back of government files as ‘profoundly unsatisfactory’. “We are not told how many files have been held back, or why, and are given no timetable as to when they will be published,” he said. “Instead of greater transparency, there is confusion and apparent obfuscation. It is very difficult to believe this is not deliberate,” he added. It comes as a UK government commission is investigating changing the Freedom of Information Act. The legislation, introduced by Tony Blair although later described as his ‘biggest regret’, allows journalists or any member of the public access to information held by public authorities. The commision has been widely criticised in the press as an attack on transparency. Meanwhile, government files which were declassified have revealed that Thatcher feared Spain would invade Gibraltar during the Falklands War and even sent RAF back-up to the Rock. Thatcher feared Gib invasion. Page 4

CONTROVERSIAL: The SAS shot the trio on Winston Churchill Avenue

Opinion. Page 6

January 6th - January 19th 2016

CRIME NEWS

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Fighting his corner

AWOL partner of missing Lisa Brown speaks out via law firm

MISSING: Lisa Brown

THE AWOL boyfriend of missing expat Lisa Brown has contacted a Costa del Sol law firm, allegedly from a hideout in southeast Asia. Corner, whose real name is Dean Woods according to a former schoolfriend, denied any involvement in Lisa’s vanishing. The Olive Press has learned he left contact numbers in Thailand and Vietnam. He said he has nothing to do with the disappearance of Lisa in November and wants to ‘put it to bed’. The firm, which has a branch in Thailand, then contacted a wellknown Malaga lawyer to make

Graffiti gripe A GIBRALTARIAN man has been fined £300 for spraying graffiti on the walls of No6 Convent Place. Gino Baglietto, 49, wrote ‘we want jobs Picardo’ and ‘hundreds out of work’ during the night. He pleaded guilty to the offences at the Magistrate’s Court and explained that he had been unemployed for six months and his family was suffering. He has been given until next November to pay the fine.

would be surprised if he does not come back online soon.” Meanwhile, Lisa’s sister Helen Jordan has set up a Facebook page that has more than enquiries on Corner’s behalf. 25,000 members. But when they phoned Cor- She told the Olive Press: “We ner to discuss payment of fees have heard that Simon Corfor their services, a ‘mysteri- ner’s lawyer was speaking to ous Thai women’ answered the police. the phone and they have been “But we hear nothing at all unable to speak to him again. from the Spanish police as The source said: “He said his they play their cards very business activities have taken close to their chest.” him abroad and that he has Corner is believed to be on the nothing to do with Lisa going run from two or three big crimmissing. inal gangs over several unsa“We agreed to make enquiries voury incidents including one but he would have to pay us. I in Ceuta a month ago involving two women and a possible stabbing. Lisa was declared missing after failing to pick up her son Marco, eight, from school on November 9. A search of the nearby area found nothing and police are still treating it as a missing WANTED: Simon Corner/Dean Woods case.

EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan & Tom Powell

BUSTED: Police siezed cannabis bales on Boxing Day

No rest for the wanted

THERE was no such thing as a quiet Christmas break for Gibraltar’s Customs officers this year. Most people had barely begun clearing away the wrapping paper when officers were called into action in a high-speed chase on Boxing Day. Suspected smugglers were hunted down as they attempted to skirt round Europa Point from Gibraltar’s eastern side. The chase continued into Spanish waters where officers of the Customs Marine Unit pulled back to allow the Guardia Civil to take over. They later thanked the Gibraltar officers for their assistance. Later the same day, officers were again required to recover three bales of cannabis and numerous jerry cans of petrol floating on the Rock’s eastern side. The bales – weighing 90kg – had an approximate street value of £495,000. An HM Customs spokesman said: “It has hardly been a quiet holiday for the officers. “These incidents come at a time which is always busy for HM Customs. There were the usual high numbers of pedestrians crossing the land frontier and, at this time of year, both Customs and RGP officers are always on the lookout for people trying to import illegal fireworks.”

NEWS

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January 6th - January 19th 2016

Blind faith

Hover nice day

EARLYBIRD tickets for the 2016 Gibraltar Music Festival sold out in just one hour - months before acts are due to be announced. The first batch of tickets for the fifth edition of the popular festival went on sale on December 20. The festival will again be a two-day affair, taking place on the weekend of September 3-4. Last year’s event saw Kings of Leon and Duran Duran headline, while rockers Kaiser Chiefs and the Feeling also set the stage alight. It remains to be seen whether Paloma Faith will be invited back, after she shouted ‘Hola España’ to the crowd at the start of her performance last summer.

Helping hand FORMER TOWIE star Elliott Wright (above) has found a futuristic way of serving his customers at top speed. Jumping on board the latest fad, Elliott uploaded a video of himself precariously balancing a beer on his tray while riding one of the controversial hover boards. Whether or not Elliott splashes out on trendy two-wheeled transport for all the staff at Mijas restaurant Olivia’s remains to be seen.

BRAVING IT: Expats in Sabinillas raise money for Cristobal (inset, in hospital)

Community unites to save local rock climbing champion from losing his hand

A TEENAGE rock climbing champion is celebrating after locals and expats in Manilva clubbed together to save his hand from being amputated. A team of generous expats raised the funds needed to save 18-year-old Cristobal Rodriguez’s hand, with a brave few taking a dip in the Mediterranean Sea on boxing day morning for the cause.

Sting in the tail ENRIQUE Iglesias is used to whipping crowds into a frenzy, although not literally. But now Sri Lanka’s President has caused outrage by saying the organisers of the Spanish sex symbol’s recent concert should be ‘whipped with toxic stingray tails’. Maithripala Sirisena made the comments after female members of the audience in the capital Colombo ran on stage to kiss the Latin lothario during his Love and Sex tour.

Women also removed their bras and hurled their underwear at Iglesias, bringing a stinging rebuke from Sri Lanka’s leader. “This is most uncivilised behaviour that goes against our culture,” he said. “I don’t advocate that these uncivilised women who removed their brassieres should be beaten with toxic stingray tails, but those who organised such an event should be.”

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EXCLUSIVE By Joe Duggan The youngster faced a desperate race against time to raise €9,000 to travel to Barcelona for the operation or face the prospect of losing his hand after he developed Kienbock’s disease, a degenerative condition that destroys the wrist bones. Crucially, the campaign raised the necessary funds and Rodriguez’s hand was saved. Cristobal said: “I would like to thank my town for all that you have done for me, to every person who has helped me out so fast, because this has caught my family and I by surprise. “Without you this would not have been possible.” He added: “Now it’s time to

recover and start rehab, and then to go back to climbing.” Among those contributing were The Duquesa Charitable Society of St George, whose inaugural charity Sabi Spartan Boxing Day swim raised €800. Local politicians also backed the campaign, with expat councillor Dean Tyler Shelton a key figure in raising awareness. “This local lad ended up with a degenerative bone problem that was going to affect his life, his hobby, his job and everything he does,” he told the Olive Press. “It was our duty to get him the op he needed.”

Opinion Page 6

Geordies offshore

BRITAIN’S favourite game show hosts Ant and Dec will be giving away holidays to Gibraltar in their upcoming Saturday Night Takeaway series. Throughout the series, ITV viewers will be given the chance to travel on a 14-night cruise. The first stop on the fortnight cruise will be in Barcelona where the former Byker Grove boys will be filming a liveshow aboard the P&O ferry. As well as seeing the show in Barcelona, prize-winners will visit Cadiz, Rome and Corsica, before a final visit in Gibraltar before returning to mainland UK. Ant and Dec are no strangers to the Rock, having visited as recently as October after filming aboard a cruise ship.

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NEWS

January 6th - January 19th 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

Injured in action AN officer suffered a suspected spinal fracture during a high-speed boat chase, with rough condi tions causing the vessel to hit a large wave.

Quiet night NEW Year’s Eve was a relatively ‘quiet’ night according to the RGP, with just two drink-driving arrests and some complaints about fireworks.

Get out A GUARDIA Civil vessel, the Rio Tormes, made an unlawful incursion into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters in the Western Beach area.

Fight arrests A WOMAN and female juvenile have been arrested and bailed after they allegedly assaulted a young couple. A man has also been arrested in connection.

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Thatcher feared invasion of Gib Iron Lady sent RAF back-up to the Rock during Falklands War MARGARET Thatcher sent two extra jets to Gibraltar out of fears of an invasion by Spain during the Falklands conflict, it has been revealed. The then UK prime minister (left) ‘agonised’ over the Rock’s vulnerability to an attack from Spain during the 1982 war, according to a recording from her private secretary. The files are among the few which have been made public to the National Archives under the 20 year rule, formerly the 30 year rule. Cabinet papers show that Gibraltar was believed to be under no increased military threat, despite Spain’s capability to attack at short notice. However, Thatcher herself wrote in blue pen in the margin: “This is suspiciously like the Falkland Island assess-

SENT TO GIB: Two Jaguar jets ment before invasion, a thousand soldiers with a land border, no air cover etc.” Later that year upon discovering Spain was planning to hold an amphibious training exercise 35 miles west of Gibraltar, Thatcher decided to act. She had a suitable cover story concocted to explain the arrival of two extra RAF Jaguar jets on the Rock.

INVESTIGATORS commended

INVESTIGATORS who took part in the Boschetti Steps quadruple murder-suicide case have been commended for their work. Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Tunbridge and his deputy officer Roy Perez were both highly commended for the ‘leadership commitment and investigation skills’ in a ceremony attended by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.

Crime Scene Manager Detective Sergeant Adam Bautista was also highly commended for ‘managing the crime scene and devising a forensic strategy’, while CID officers Detective Sergeant Dylan Quigley and Detective Constable James were also singled out for praise. Police Commissioner Eddie Yome attended the presentation along with Governor Alison MacMillan.

Celebrations on hold GAY rights activists are erring on the side of caution, following draft legislation to legalise same-sex marriage. After 16 years of campaigning Equality Rights Group (ERG) is putting celebrations on hold until a decision is made in the coming weeks. While group chairman Felix Alvarez (pictured) commended the government for moving the law change forward, he said the ‘battle is not won yet’. “I would like to sound a note of caution to all the LGBT community, friends, families and supporters,” he said. “This is a consultation stage. Despite the fact that we are confident that the proposal will make its way to parliament in due course, we must not forget there are those who would still oppose this going forward.” The draft legislation has also put a welcome end to speculation over a referendum. Last year, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo caused controversy when he suggested Gibraltar would hold a referendum on samesex marriage, similar to the one held in Ireland. Despite the chief minister’s vocal support for the LGBT community, ERG campaigners protested against the idea of a referendum, accusing Picardo of ‘singling out’ the gay community. Alvarez has now put any ill feelings aside, saying he ‘appreciates’ the chief minister’s support.

NEWS

October 15th - 28th

OPINION Transparency is key A LACK of transparency in government is the enemy of democracy. And it’s also a recipe for disaster; just look at Spain for evidence of that. Now, the UK government has indeed made good progress in increasing access to information of a genuine public interest. But this latest change of tack by the Conservative government is worrying to say the least. Firstly, Freedom of Information laws must not be tampered with. Secondly, there should be much more clarity concerning what is being withheld and why. If there is a case for national safety, fair enough. If there is a case for saving politicians’ blushes, it is totally and utterly wrong.

Coming together IT is heartwarming to see expats and locals unite behind a good cause. Rock-climbing champion Cristobal Rodriguez was facing the amputation of his hand, and more than that, the end of his passionate hobby. But a fantastic fundraising effort saved the day, and it just goes to show how a little can go a long way. Those brave enough to go for a dip on Boxing Day were probably regretting it the second their toes hit the water. But we salute you all. Well done.

Captain Fantastic HATS off to Captain Adam Stoaling! A simple gesture can go a long way and the actions of this one EasyJet pilot must be applauded. In this day-and-age when rules and regulations often get in the way of people’s humanity it is refreshing to see humour prevail. As happy customer Arran Harding summed it up: “It didn’t cost him anything and yet the impact was priceless.” Pilots around the world, be it on budget or leading airlines, can learn a lot from the charismatic actions of Captain Stoaling.

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or admin@theolivepress.es or sales@theolivepress.es A campaigning, community newspaper, the Gibraltar Olive Press represents the local and expatriate communities working or living on the Rock with 10,000 copies distributed fortnightly on a Wednesday. Luke Stewart Media S.L - CIF: B91664029 (+34) 951 273 575 Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5 Calle Espinosa 1 Edificio centro comercial El Duque, planta primera, 29692 San Luis de Sabinillas, Manilva Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Editor: Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 Tom Powell tom@theolivepress.es Rob Horgan

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CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo has offered the hand of friendship to whoever is appointed to be foreign secretary in Spain. In an interview with GBC, Picardo said he hoped that the result of the Spanish elections would provide a platform for a mutually beneficial future.

DECISION TIME: For Pedro Sanchez

As Mariano Rajoy is shunned by all corners, PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez holds Spain’s political fate in his hands, writes Rob Horgan

HE prospect of a re-election is looking ever more likely, with time running out to form a government before a January 13 cut-off. It has been more than two weeks since the public took to the polls and yet a new government still seems a long way off. A pact between the PSOE, Podemos and Catalan nationalists is now the only option to find a prime minister before that deadline. If that is not forthcoming then King Felipe will be asked to take centre stage as the broker of a deal to form a government. Should no government be in place on January 13, then the King will select a candidate to take the prime minister’s seat. The King’s choice will then be put to the senate and if his chosen man secures the backing of 176 MPs then Spain will have a new government. If, however, the King’s choice proves unpopular with the senate then the ballot-boxes will be wheeled out once more and the public will be asked to cast its vote for a second time. However, up until January 13 Pedro Sanchez and his PSOE party hold the key to power in Spain. With the election producing the first hung parliament since the advent of democracy 40 years ago, incumbent Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has found friends hard to come by, as oneby-one each party leader has ruled out pacting with the PP. And so, the PSOE and Sanchez now face the tough choice of

He added that the most important matter to Gibraltar is the identity of the new Spanish Foreign Minister. “I sincerely hope that the goodwill of the people of Gibraltar is matched by whoever is appointed in Spain,” he said.

Time to pact is now

KING’S CHOICE: Will King Felipe (centre) pick Rajoy or Iglesias? allying with a rival or forcing a new election. The PSOE leader has already categorically ruled out a political pact with Mariano Rajoy and the PP, following a 45-minute meeting with the acting prime minister. He also said that a second election in the event of no government being formed would be ‘the last option’. With business-minded Ciudadanos saying it would abstain in a parliamentary vote, the PSOE have been left with two options: to pact with Podemos or to allow the deadline to pass and risk the possibility of being blamed for a re-election. It would be fair to say that Sanchez has been shoved between a rock and a hard place, with neither option open to him extremely attractive. Turning to the left to form a government is a profound political choice, likely to divide party mem-

bers and determine the PSOE’s fate for many years to come. Yet, failing to pact at all will lead to accusations of destabilising the country, as the party will no doubt be blamed for forcing new elections through its refusal to ally. Despite being openly against new elections, Sanchez will be reluctant to jump into office with Pablo Iglesias and his newly-emerged political powerhouse Podemos. The surprise package of the election, Podemos grabbed 69 seats in their first ever general election, changing the face of Spanish politics in the process. A large portion of Podemos backers are likely to be formerPSOE voters, who won just 90 seats - their lowest ever total. Therefore a PSOE-Podemos coalition would likely be popular with the voters. However, should Sanchez pact, it would not go down so well among his own party members.

Political chaos continues Catalan upheaval is a reflection of political unrest throughout Spain

THE events this past weekend in Catalunya are a reflection of what is happening throughout the entire country. The anti-establishment CUP party refused to support the investiture of Artur Mas as regional premiere, plunging the northeast region into further political chaos with new elections looming. Catalunya has been under certain political upheaval after a regional election in September failed to give Mas and his Junts pel Si coalition an absolute majority to continue governing. Mas needed the support of CUP, which had been divided over whether to give the pro-independence premier its backing because it had lost trust in him, and

lost two CUP confidence voting rounds. The caretaker Spanish government of Mariano Rajoy is also facing an unprecedented crisis in modern democracy. Rajoy cannot muster any type of support – so it seems for now – from any of the three other major political forces that took large chunks of seats in Congress during the past elections. Rajoy had hoped to create a great coalition between his Popular Party, the Socialists and the new centrist group Ciudadanos. But Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez told Rajoy just before Christmas that he needed to go. Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera also rejected joining the PP but said it would abstain

First of all, Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias is insisting on a Catalan independence referendum as a condition for a deal, which would be difficult for the Socialists to agree to given their current stance against an independent Catalunya. If the PSOE ally with Podemos, they also run the risk of being gobbled up by the fast-growing new party and losing leadership of the left for good. However, they haven’t got much time to make their minds up, as if they are to pact then Sanchez needs to get his skates on, with January 13 approaching ever-so quickly. Whatever happens, compromises will have to be made and a large portion of voters (and politicians) are likely to be unhappy with the outcome. For the good of the country, we can only hope the political uncertainty doesn’t drag on too much longer.

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Hand of friendship

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MADRIDS MATTER

for voting in favor of or against his investiture if he could seek enough support from other groups. The leftwing anti-austerity Podemos is keeping the Socialists from creating a leftist coalition government by demanding that it support a referendum for Catalan independence – a proposal that Sanchez has vowed he won’t accept. Spanish society cannot be blamed for this political uncertainty caused by the fragmented results from December 20. There are deep divisions that have existed for a long time among Spaniards, and they are only surfacing now as the possibility of a new general elections begins to look real.

FEATURE

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January 6th - January 19th 2016

Flights of fancy

With Monarch announcing a new flight route between Gibraltar and London, Tom Powell sees where else the ‘fifth most dangerous airport in the world’ can lead you

GRAND WELCOME: The new terminal at Gibraltar International Airport was fully opened in September 2012

HERE was a time not all that long ago when you couldn’t walk a few hundred yards out of Gibraltar into Spain. Now you don’t even have to walk that far before you can board a plane. Gibraltar International Airport, initially established during the Second World War on a former horse racing track, is a symbol of the territory’s defiant growth. Since then it has not been plain flying, with Spain’s dictator Franco (who else?) imposing a restricted fly zone on the airspace to the north of Gibraltar when he closed the bor-

der in 1969. This meant aircraft had to perform a sharp, tricky turn around the Bay of Algeciras before landing. News footage shows the first passenger aircraft pilot to complete the manouvre being carried down the steps from the plane as a hero. Later Spain succeeded in excluding Gibraltar from the European-wide aircraft deregulation initiatives, preventing direct airline links from the Rock to the rest of the European Union (barring the UK). Whereas nowadays scheduled flights are diverted to Malaga in the instance of bad weather, back then it was the highly inconvenient Tangier. But the trilateral Cordoba Accord in 2006 – between Britain, Spain and Gibraltar – heralded a new era for the airport, with an end to flight restrictions.

Destinations This paved the way for the new terminals we know today, and was celebrated with a flight from Madrid to Gibraltar in December of that year. There are currently no flights from Spain to Gibraltar, with routes from both Madrid and Barcelona abandoned several years ago due to lack of demand. But 2015 was a fantastic year for the airport, which now has routes to six UK destinations plus Tangier. During the summer Easyjet reached one million passengers on its Gibraltar-Gatwick route after fewer than eight years. Tourism Minister Samantha Sacramento recently predicted a further growth for the airport of 25% in 2016. It appears the somewhat hyperbolic labelling of the airport as dangerous is not putting punters off. The current, modern terminal was fully opened in September 2012 and is a breath of fresh air for flyers accustomed to the queues and chaos of big city airports. It can supposedly cater for 1.5 million passengers per year, and if Gibraltar keeps heading in the same direction, it won’t be too long before that figure is put to the test.

BRITISH AIRWAYS - Heathrow MONARCH - Luton, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester EASYJET - Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester ROYAL AIR MAROC - Tangier

ALL ABOARD: Monarch flies from Gibraltar to four airports

Danger danger!

THE US’ History Channel dubbed the Rock’s airport as the world’s fifth ‘most extreme’ last year, among those in Madeira, Honduras and Nepal. This is due to Gibraltar International Airport’s short length, only 1,680m, unpredictable and fast-changing weather patterns and the obvious hazards of the Rock and the ocean. However, if there is any danger due to bad weather then flights are rerouted to land in Malaga instead.

BACK IN THE DAY: Work begins on Gibraltar airport

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR

January 6th - January 19th 2016

NEWS IN BRIEF

Keeping it local MORE than €60,000 will be invested into the local police service in Los Barrios, according to public safety delegate Jose Antonio Gomez.

Hash haul GUARDIA Civil officers in Algeciras intercepted a shipment of 129kg of hashish after it was detected coming into the port.

Statue smash NEW Year’s Eve celebrations in La Linea was marred by vandalism after a statue in municipal gardens was pushed over, breaking its head into several pieces.

Digging for victory ONE of the Roman Empire’s most important settlements may lie under the soil in Andalucia. Archaeologists have begun digging in Jimena de la Frontera to unearth what they believe could have been a key ‘nerve-centre’ for Roman operations in Spain. Originally uncovered by retired archeologist Hamo Sassoon when he retired to the Campo de Gibraltar, the find could rewrite the history books. A complex series of walls, a strategically-placed castle and the layout of the town were ‘obvious giveaways’ to Sassoon.

Roman ‘nerve centre’ discovery in Jimena could rewrite archaeological history

NERVE CENTRE: In Jimena de la Frontera

Born again CALLE Ancha in Algeciras is on the up after three years of businesses closing.

Early excavation work revealing Roman coins stamped with Oba, supported his early findings. “At first sight the impression is of visiting an Arab castle on top of a hill,” lead archaeologist Miguel Angel Tabales said. “But the moment you take a critical look and analyse what you are actually seeing, you quickly realise that this is nothing other than the remains of a very important Roman city.” Excavationists estimate the dig will take up to six months to complete.

Yes we CAN 3

Play time SAN Roque mayor Juan Ruiz Boix has agreed to invest €1,200 in an activity club for children with disabilities this year.

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WHEN it comes to a ‘can do’ attitude, the good folk of Algeciras win hands down for their ability to create art from a load of old rubbish. And this year they excelled themselves at the town’s annual can sculpting competition. A fire truck, a MotoGP bike and a wedding cake took the top three prizes in an amazing array of innovative and lifelike entries. Taking home the top gong and €150, judges applauded Mari Paz’s attention to detail when constructing her ‘working’ fire truck. With ladder, hose, lights and mobile levers, it was Paz’s ability to incorporate moving parts that most impressed. In second place, Peter Verdaguer used different-sized cans to create a model MotoGP bike, while Miguel Angel Moreno took third prize for his wedding cake.

Job boost MORE than 25,000 jobs will be created in the Campo de Gibraltar in the next four years if Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy stays in the hotseat, according to PP president of Cadiz Antonio Sanz. Meeting with Algeciras Mayor Jose Landaluce, Sanz highlighted the commitment to job creation in the region. He announced that €70 million will be made readily available to the area in the next budget, should the PP remain in central government. He also unveiled a reindustrialisation plan for the area in order to make it ‘more attractive to investors’, while assuring existing businesses that they will receive funding.

Poisoned! A GREEN group has called for action in the Campo de Gibraltar after finding a poisoned fox. The president of Ecologistas en Accion, Alfredo Valencia has warned of the damaging effects of poison entering the food chain and environment. The fox was found dead during a routine check of the Guadalquiton area. “The alarm bells quickly went off that this was a case of poisoning,” said Valencia. “If this is correct, we are facing a very serious situation for the environment and the people who live here.”

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Happy snapper AN Andalucian photographer has been lauded for taking the best nature snap of 2015. Francisco Mingorance won the ‘places’ category in National Geographic’s yearly honours for his photo of a marsh in Cordoba partially destroyed by radioactive waste. Named Asteroid, Mingorance said his ‘environmental conscience’ drove him to take the photo. “As an environmental photojournalist I knew I had to take this picture,” he said. “I discovered the site while on a low-flying training missing, at first I thought it was an asteroid scene. “It perfectly illustrates how radioactive discharge has destroyed part of the marsh. “The photo tells the story better than any words could.” The grand prize went to James Smart, from Australia, for his shot of a tornado in action in Colorado, USA.

Dolphin saved

Onlookers brave stormy seas as dolphin is battered in Strait

A TEAM of brave volunteers saved a young dolphin from being battered to death on the rocks at Catalan Bay off Gibraltar on Boxing Day. The striped dolphin, aged between four and five years old, had become trapped by the bad weather and sustained numerous bloody wounds. Members of the public waded into the water to steer the distressed animal away from the rocks but could not guide it out to sea due to the weather.

Action

Officers from the Department of the Environment and Climate Change were called out and, upon inspection, decided to release the animal as soon as possible. A spokesman for the department said: “We would like to take this opportunity

SAVED: Rescuers pull dolphins out of danger

like to thank all members of the public who reported the incident and took responsible action to save the dolphin’s life and assisted in the rescue.” The dolphin was taken to the department’s marine

Firebug menace ARSON is being mooted as the cause of more than 120 forest fires currently ripping through northern Spain. While unseasonably warm temperatures and high winds may account for the blazes, officials suspect underhand tactics from farmers are to blame. The head of the national forestry association, Raul de la Calle, said high temperatures ‘do not explain’ the fires and added SPAIN’S Supreme Court has cast doubt that ‘cattle farming on whether millions in government cuts interests could be responsible’. to renewable energy are constitutional. Over 400 appeals were launched by Firefighters continue Spanish companies following the PP’s to tackle the blazes, 2013 reforms, which included a €1.7 which span Cantabria, Asturias and the billion cut to renewable energy. Thirty foreign companies also con- Basque Country. More than 80 fires tested the cuts. The Supreme Court believes the law are currently burncould violate the principles of legal ing in Cantabria, certainty and legitimate expectations where 2,000 hectares enshrined in the Spanish Constitution. (5,000 acres) of land Their findings have opened up the have been destroyed. path for the case to be brought before Some 100 soldiers have also been deSpain’s Constitutional Court. ployed to the region.

Doubt over cuts

base and released at sea using one of HM Customs RHIBs. Officers continued to monitor the dolphin after its release. Watch a video of the events at www.gibraltarolivepress.com

Donkey squasher in court

AN obese man who killed a donkey by sitting on it for a photograph is being taken to court by a charity. The Refugio del Burrito, based in Malaga, has filed a private case against the 38-year-old Spaniard in the hope of reaching a criminal conviction. Estimated to weigh 23 stone, he posed grinning on a five-month-old donkey in a nativity display in Lucena, Cordoba, last December. Just two days later, the donkey could not walk and had to be put down by a vet. The man allegedly also kicked the donkey’s mother in the face when she tried to protect her baby. Lucena City Council removed donkeys from its Bethlehem display this year following a petition signed by more than 17,000 people. However, the display still went ahead with other animals. An investigation into the donkey’s death was launched last December but the judge filed the case due to a lack of evidence, until now that is. Refugio spokeswoman Maria Gallar Sanchez told the Olive Press: “Our complaint is now being taken to court. “According to the Spanish Penal Code he could be fined, disqualified to work with equines and even go to jail for 18 months.” The court case is costly though, and the refugio has issued a fresh appeal for financial support. Visit www.elrefugiodelburrito.com

la cultura

11 January 6th - January 19th 2016

Rock stars Inspired in Gib! ONE of the UK’s top children’s authors has applauded his Gibraltarian education. In his latest column for UK national newspaper the Guardian, Chris Priestley (above) said listening to his teachers read Dickens while in school in Gibraltar spurred him on to write his own fiction. Priestley, originally from Hull, moved to Gibraltar in 1964 where he was ‘encouraged to write fiction from a young age’. “When I was eight or so and living in Gibraltar, my teacher read us A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens as a preChristmas treat,” he said. “The setting of a cold and frosty Victorian London was far removed from 1960s Gibraltar - and maybe that’s one of the reasons it made such a lasting impression.” Priestley lived in Gibraltar until his early teens when he returned to live in Wales, nowadays he resides in Newcastle.

Three Gibraltarians honoured by Queen… and one’s a real rock star A ROCK musician is among three Gibraltarians awarded New Year’s honours by the Queen. Allan Joseph Alman, manager of the Rock on the Rock club, will receive the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community and music. Alman, lead singer in Gibraltar band Come in Leon, took over the club in Town Range in 2005 and converted it into a hugely popular live music venue. He has since worked tirelessly to promote local

events. The only proceeds the club makes are from the bar on concert nights. Local playwright Rebecca Faller tweeted: ‘Allan Alman surely has to be the coolest person ever to receive the British Empire Medal.’

Completed

HONOURED: Alman performing with Come in Leon

music, creating multiple soundproof rehearsal

rooms and a fully-equipped stage and putting on regular

Local heroes honoured

THREE local heroes have been honoured with The Gibraltar Award for their services to dancing and the elderly. Stanley and Anita Flower received the first ever dual award for their devotion to Olde Tyme and Modern Sequence dancing. Since 1977, the pair have been actively involved with the Olde Tyme dance club, where their voluntary commitment and dedication has been remarkable. They currently

help teach more than 150 couples in three separate sessions every week. Moses Benggio has been singled out for his efforts in providing voluntary assistance to elderly residents at the John Mackintosh Jewish Home. As part of the Jewish Community Board, he has transformed the lives of residents with daily visits, talking, listening, serving food and always doing his best to brighten up their days.

Also honoured are Sergeant Malcolm Figueras and Constable William Pulham of the Royal Gibraltar Police, who are both in line for an Overseas Territory Police Medal. Sergeant Figueras completed 30 years in the Gibraltar force this August, and is responsible for dealing with all serious traffic accidents on the Rock. Constable Pulham first spent seven years with the Gibraltar Defence Police before moving to the regular force in 1997 and has been commended for his ‘commitment and loyalty’.

what’s on

nternational Chess Festival, January 2125

Now one of the most prestigious open tournaments in the world, The Tradewise chess festival returns to the Caleta Hotel. Info: www.gibraltarchesscongress.com

ollectors Fair, January 30

All the usual vintage and retro items available at St Andrew’s Church, Governor’s Parade, from 10am to 2pm. Entrance is £1, with refreshments in the lounge. Tel: +350 540 23 166

nternational Backgammon Tournament, February 11-14

The Rock’s maiden professional backgammon tournament takes place at the Caleta Hotel. Info: www. gibraltarbackgammon. com/

ib Talks, February 13

Gibraltar Cultural Services is holdingan event at John Mackintosh Hall with local speakers giving short lectures. Contact: gibtalks@ hotmail.com

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la cultura

The high sierras of Ronda have been offering a breath of bracing fresh air to visitors ever since Gibraltar garrison officer Charles Rochfort Scott penned his 19th century travel guide, Excursions in the Mountains of Ronda and Granada. Now inveterate walker-cum-author Guy Hunter Watts takes up the story

Ancient footpaths and kindly shepherds

F OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: Guy Hunter Watts leads the way

ROM southern Spain’s battered Costa del Sol, a serpentine road loops up and up into the Sierra de las Nieves. After the best part of an hour, by which time you’ve negotiated dozens of heart-stopping arabesques, you at last drop over to the northern side of the Puerto del Madroño pass. It’s here that Ronda first comes into view, one of Europe’s most spectacular urban inventions. A line of whitewashed buildings fans

out along a high cliff to either side of a 100 metre-deep tajo: this is the plunging gorge that Joyce wrote of on the final page of Ulysses. The town came to epitomise the Romantic movement’s idyll of travel and was depicted by the Scottish artist and traveller David Roberts in a series of his most exquisite engravings. Faced with his first sight of Ronda in 1912, the poet Rainer María Rilke declared, awe-struck, that he’d at last found ‘the city of dreams’.

More than a century later the town still retains an undeniable Xanadu factor. I first visited the town on two wheels in the late 1970s. I’d bought an old, three-speed push bike in northern Portugal with the idea of riding south through the cork forests to Cabo Sao Vicente: after all, I’d just missed the last bus of the day. I was so taken with life in the saddle that I rode on, crossing Spain via Sevilla, Granada and Almería, sleeping

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13 January 6th - January 19th 2016 STUNNING VIEWS: Of Serrania de Ronda and (below) Ronda’s iconic gorge and bridge

in olive groves, hilltop castles and abandoned farms. Laurie Lee was my mentor, the open road was beckoning and Spain had the allure of an exotic femme fatale. Three nights in Sevilla, drinking cheap red wine in crowded bars and stumbling across impromptu flamenco song and dance could only reinforce that impression. Leaving the city in the early morning I was in high spirits as I wound my way via pot-holed roads through gently rolling countryside and fields of wheat, sunflowers, lentils and cotton. By midday, my eyes began to make out a series of blue-violet ridges rising steeply up to the east and I realised that I was heading, quite literally, for ‘them thar hills’. They’d be my constant companion for the next 300 miles and I’d just gained my first, fundamental insight to Andalucía: there are mountains, and pretty high ones, nearly everywhere. Nothing had quite prepared me for the magnificence of the terrain through which I was puffing my way, following the route taken by Washington Irving in the 1840s. Arriving in Ronda, looking out to a cirque-like panorama of jagged limestone peaks, I was struck by the narcotic thought that I might one day set up home here. I knew for certain that I had to return and explore this wild swathe of sierra. But the next time it would have to be on foot: a three-speed sit-up–and-beg bike and 3,500-foot passes are un-

HISTORIC: Statue of Rilke easy bedfellows. First came a series of escapades, alone and with friends from university, with each trip leaving me wanting more. Every new path explored seemed to suggest half a dozen others whilst the villages that they connected – the pueblos blancos or ‘white villages ‘– were as beautiful as any I’d come across in Europe. So, a

KINDLY: Shepherd Andres Duarte was a wise man despite not knowing how to read or write

year after graduating, I sunk all my savings into buying an old tile factory in a tiny village west of Ronda. Montecorto felt like stepping back in time: the women still washed their clothes in the water channel, there was just one phone in the village whilst the nearest bus stop was a 2km hike up to the ridge top road that connected the sierra and Sevilla. With each new path discovered, I felt more connected to my adopted village and country. Many were ancient drovers’ paths, transhumance routes linking the flatter farmlands round Sevilla and Jerez with the summer pastures of the Grazalema and Ronda mountains. Others followed the course of the old Roman roads whilst a number had been built during the Moorish period by Berber shepherds who had settled the mountains of Andalucía that so resembled those they’d left behind in North Africa. Then there was the intricate web of footpaths that linked these high mountain villages with local market towns like Ronda, Ubrique and Jerez. But these ancient byways were often all-but-lost, overgrown with dense briars or ploughed back into fields in order to gain an extra few metres of land for cultivation. Local people no longer walked to market, as they’d done just 40 years ago: now there were cars and buses, whilst any livestock to be traded would be loaded onto a lorry. Many was the time I set out in search of what looked like a perfectly defined path on my old, military maps to quickly find I’d strayed off piste. When I questioned villagers as to where the

paths might run, and whether they were bona fide rights of way, everyone seemed to know of them yet none would know of their exact location. That was when Andrés Duarte stepped into my walking story... Andrés was a bright-eyed and kindly shepherd who had grown up in a village south of Ronda. We soon struck up friendship: he would come every day to the spring that rose behind my home to replenish his water bottles and to throw down grain for the chick-

It will be like the potato famine in Ireland all over again, it’s just a matter of time ens and bantams he kept in small pens next to the gurgling water. Andrés had never learned to read or write – he signed documents with his thumbprint – yet he was one of the wisest men I’ve met. When I told him of my misadventures and wrong turnings he said, in his disarmingly direct manner, ‘I’m a shepherd and I know the paths. And I will show you them all’. So began a series of excursions with Andrés that will always remain a treasured memory. Often the footpath I’d been looking for would be just yards from where I’d intuited, but would be completely hidden from sight by

a thick stand of greenery. At a point where I’d stumbled forward to become lost in dense undergrowth, Andrés would show me how the path looped back on itself in order to pass by a spring or an ancient oak with sweet, roasting acorns. He’d show me which plants were edible, which grasses could be used to make espadrilles and had a tale to tell about every isolated farmhouse. He spoke of the bandoleros who worked the passes through of the Ronda mountains, of Republicans and anarchists who took to the hills here during the Civil War and told me Lorcalike stories of unrequited love and its often tragic consequences. With Andrés as my compañero, the Andalucían landscape came alive in a way that it could never have done without his anecdotes and folklore. He possessed that deep knowledge of nature and the seasons to which only a shepherd, or anyone spending a large part of their waking life up in the hills, is privy. Andrés is no longer around yet when I take people on guided walks through the Grazalema and Ronda mountains he’s still very much present when we talk about the animals, plants, farms, mountains, streams and springs we encounter along the way. Guy Hunter-Watts is the author of ‘Walking in Andalucía’ and ‘Coastal Walks of Andalucía’. Newly revised editions of both books are to be published by Cicerone Books in the New Year. www.cicerone.co.uk

January 6th - January 19th 2016

POTTED POINTERS

Double standards

EMERGENCIES Police 199 Medical service 190 Fire 190

I SYMPATHISE with Ronald Lima’s (right) situation (Let me come home, issue 8), but it is not fair to suggest he should be given preferential treatment by Gibraltar’s housing authority. There are many people on the housing list who have paid taxes in Gibraltar for decades and, importantly, they have been waiting a lot longer than Mr Lima for a council home. Surely, if he spent the majority of his working career in Spain, he should first be looking there for help?

EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.09 American dollars 0.74 British pounds 1.50 Canadian dollars 7.46 Danish kroner 8.42 H Kong dollars 9.60 Norwegian kroner 1.54 Singapore dollars ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 60.14% Same week last year: 77.26% Same week in 2005: 55.14% AIRPORTS Gibraltar 00350 22073026 Granada-Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000

Anon, Gibraltar

Helping hand IT is fantastic to see so many volunteers working to help the homeless (Light in the dark, issue 8). I will no doubt be volunteering to help the cause and I hope many like minded people follow suit. This time of year, more than ever, is a time to give and what the staff at Hogar Betania do is nothing short of amazing. I am sure they are just as busy as the rest of us, so it goes to prove we could all help out a little more. Keep up the good work.

Tracey Holmes, San Roque

LETTERS

Inspirational READING some of the tales in this feature has inspired me to do more to help in the community. Unfortunately I live too far from La Linea to assist with Hogar Betania but I will be contacting my local town hall to find out of any homeless charities in the area. It is easy to walk by and forget these people exist, seeing it all in one place really brings it home, especially at Christmas. I would like to applaud everyone who helps out and it is great to see the high-profile Gibraltar football lads helping as well.

Pat Wilson, Nerja

Dogged days IT is not surprising that dog lovers are becoming irritated living in Gibraltar (Dog fight, issue 229). The loss of the Rosia Bay walking area

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

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

is just the latest example in a long line of development works that is making it almost impossible to own a dog on the Rock. I hope the government is true to its word and creates new areas for dog walkers but unfortunately, with the growing demand for property in Gibraltar I can only envision more development which is bad news for us dog walkers. Stefanie Diaz, Gibraltar

Keep looking IT is great to see the Olive Press raising awareness for missing expats in Spain (British charity launches renewed Christmas appeal to find

missing expats, OP online). I am the daughter of John Leach and I am glad to see you haven’t forgotten about us. Unfortunately we still haven’t heard anything as of yet. It is still a mystery. We are getting no news of help from the Spanish police either. The community of La Cala de Mijas was kind enough to plant a tree of hope for my father in remembrance which is a lovely and amazingly thoughtful thing for them to do. Its somewhere where I and my mother can go and pray for his safety and is very much appreciated.

Jessica Leach, Mijas

Lost in post I AM so baffled by Spain’s postage rules. My daughter and my two grandsons live in Malaga and have been waiting for my package from Norway since November 27. The post authorities in Malaga are telling my daughter that she must have all receipts for all contents in the package? It is a present for them, and for sure they don’t know what it is and all the receipts are in Norway anyway. Jane Strand, Norway

Letters should be emailed to letters@ theolivepress.es. The writer’s name and address should be provided. Opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

olive press online

October 2015

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2015 Round-up

4-PAGE SPECIAL

WHAT A LINEUP: (Top line, from left) Miss Spain, Fabian Picardo, Pablo Iglesias, Stacie Cottle, Jonathan Lutwyche, Donal MacIntyre, (middle) Leon de Roeck, Rick Parfitt, Cilla Black, (bottom) Ashya King and brother, Russell Watson and wife Louise, Freddie Starr and Nigel Goldman

Movers, shakers and holidaymakers

Oh what a year it was! From celebrity exclusives to uncovering crooks and corruption scandals the OP brought you all the biggest stories of 2015

ITH four elections taking place across Spain and Gibraltar, 2015 had the potential for political upheaval of seismic proportions. And the demise of the Spanish two-party system didn’t disappoint. However, as 2016 dawned, Andalucia had the same Junta boss as 12 months ago and the nation faces a New Year of political uncertainty after the general election failed to produce a standout candidate. Meanwhile, Gibraltar’s government

proved rock solid, seeing Fabian Picardo returned with an increased majority. Outside the fireworks of the political sphere, it’s also been a cracker of a year for the Olive Press which has been undergoing many major expansions: first moving to a new office, then launching a Property magazine and finally taking on the Rock with the launch of the Gibraltar Olive Press. We also endeavoured to bring you celebrity exclusives, big expat news plus

investigations into corrupt politicians, businessman and untoward characters blighting Andalucia and Gibraltar. Never afraid to print the stories other publications would rather ignore, the OP will continue in the same vein next term, proving to be the only English-language investigative newspaper in Spain. As we review our coverage of 2015’s highs and lows, we wish a Happy New Year to all our readers and advertisers and here’s to a prosperous 2016!

2015

2015 saw Gibraltar opt for more of the same and Spain vote for change, while the Olive Press continued to break the biggest news stories on the Iberian peninsula

Here’s what we predict (hope and dream) 2016 will bring:

Lions roar Expats dance in Plaza Mayor as Marbella-favourite Harry Kane bags the winner for England in the Euro 2016 final against Spain in Paris.

Better together

Ungagged Human rights intervention puts an end to Spain’s draconian gag law, to the delight of Spaniards and expats alike.

Round-up

a game-ch

Look into the Olive Press crystal ball...

Gibraltarians and expats rejoice after a hard-fought anti-Brexit campaign results in a massive triumph. Voters resoundingly elect to keep Britain in the European Union.

16 16

January

February

THE year got off to an explosive start as we broke news of Russian President Vladimir Putin installing a multimillion euro vineyard at an alleged Zagaleta palace. Unsurprisingly, the Kremlin rushed to pour cold water on the potentially damaging claims. The infamous ‘wedding runner’ returned, this time on our screens. Sonicknamed for repeatedly leaving Costa del Sol couples high and dry on their big day, wedding planner Sue Danker resurfaced on a reality TV show. Journalists - and many others - across the world united in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris. Thousands protested for free speech under the slogan ‘Je suis Charlie’.

WITH new party Podemos beginning to make itself heard, the Olive Press headed north to report on the March for Change in Madrid. Google launched an internal probe after we discovered towns including Algeciras were being renamed as ‘Taifas’ on Google Maps, their title during ancient Islamic rule. The search engine made headlines again when it removed our legitimate story about a corrupt lawyer from search results due to a controversial Human Rights Court ruling. The solution? We published it again (and weren’t damned). A British expat living in Sotogrande, Victor Kainth, killed an alleged German paedophile with one punch after spotting him filming his own children in a restaurant. Finally, there was widespread pandemonium among female expats when reporters Tom Powell and Rob Horgan offered themselves up as dates in a Valentine’s competition. (Alas, not one person actually entered!)

141017_OLIVE PRESS EAR.pdf 1 17/10/2014 15:12:13 David, Tina & Family welcome you to The Olive Tree Earpiece let the Don’t thein let Don’t cash banks new size cash in banks 39mm www.hifx.co.uk www.hifx.co.uk 50mm page 13 xsee see page 13

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The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

olive press

the FREE

Vol. 7 Issue 176

www.theolivepress.es

December 11 - December 23

PARADISE: The Donana World Heritage

Gone

Site is under threat from two oil

Mystery Blaze

in a flash

EXCLUSIVE By Giles Brown at Big Blue Box, which destroyed hundreds of thousands of euros of furniture, most belonging to private individuals. The fire broke out in the early hours of Friday morning at the Atena Commercial Centre, completely destroying the showroom, as exclusive Olive Press photos show. As firefighters struggled to control the massive blaze, the area was cordoned off as

smoke blew across the nearby main road. Nobody was injured in the blaze, but it comes after a series of woes for shop owners Bennie and Debbie Glynn. In recent months the company had been the subject of complaints by some customers who were unhappy with the service they had received, with several contacting the Olive Press. A friend of the couple con-

OLYMPIC gold medal winner James Cracknell has vowed to become a new hero for the Rock. Rower Cracknell - who is standing as a candidate for the MEP elections in May 2014 - told the Olive Press he would ‘fight the corner’ of Gibraltarians in their current dispute with Spain. He insisted he would campaign on their behalf in Brussels, and would ‘not take no’ for an answer. Cracknell - who was burgled last week while receiving treatment for a brain condition in a London hospital - added he was buoyed by Gibraltar’s sense of community and passion for politics.

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A RETIRED to keep nesswoman investment British her London UK busifaces defunct property losing that investment. Spanish home over Pensioner EXCLUSIVE went propertya over brought wrong been a Joan threatened of the on from embargo Deak been 10 year the stress By Giles home on with has forced Brown case thousands an based after a her London – has to stump The buyer Costa defend UK assets. in volvecase is the came del Solherself.legal fees up She The after firm disgracedlatest 61-year-old to to fly is even her to indiagnosed which Palmera property crucialto Spainbeing forced which clients still has Properties, with who has Fuengirola court to attend she claims trying hundreds tion cancer hearing a face has been next the possibility The against to bring of ing found week in down vast it. acor sence. majority guilty deposits of BRITAIN’S opments in her beput versial on develfirm promoted abmost launchedpolitical drivingowned by the STRESSED: controby FerrariAmong sus Gotardo, church-goer party first thosein Fuengirola. Joan has Gibraltar. ments. who official attending JeDeak ing homes Most lives in “Palmera the – appropriately UKIP Deak’s were never of these the Lord us a Properties Douglas meetwhen nightmare built. Nelson and buyer, acted held found Deputy Hall, partnershe and pub in began one negotiated as agent castle - was unfinishedinvesteda business Chairman the the deal I hadof the properties United. former Mirador in two for Confirming apartments she toldpaid €32.000 of Newnear de Torreblanca, that with local Spain “I agreedthe Olive his in They Fuengirola for,” Defenders pressurealliance price put down in Press. its Bestregains leader on €69,000 2004. new of €25,000a reduced wing of of Gibraltar, group ments, on the a deposit Restaurant ing toSpanish Sean the party’s with which two of be finished cut my buyer the the Olive Howlett, apartparticular de Can the World youth However, laterwere due losses decid- braltarPress: Roca However, apartment” in year, “It is told on this with to see page that is facing clear the year. know with the following ment. Sovereign little title, ing increasingly Gi3 progress problems was that her did “The they she Whitehall nightmare infringeshe just beginning, movlack optiondecided of backbone slowly ters began to we of the – at a to sell from receivewhen difference.” believe isn’t Spanish loss the disgruntled unfinished - on the manding buyer let- Topics we helping from one can and apart“But now his money make covered as far de- ing included a ideas back. as I at the and er pro-British meetTurn was conlinking manifesto to page area. up 4 groups to othin the

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MISSING: Amy and Agnese MISSING Amy Fitzpatrick’s family have joined the campaign to find a second missing Costa girl, Agnese Klavina. Amy’s aunt Christine Kenny offered her support to Agnese’s family to mark Amy’s disappearance on New Year’s Day 2007. Meanwhile Agnese, 30, has not been seen since leaving a Marbella nightclub last September.Kenny said: “Agnese went missing not too far from where Amy did. “We are trying to help each other. “There are said to be eight other women who have gone missing on the Costa del Sol since 2005 and too little is being done to help find them.” More than 80 expats, including Amy’s mother Audrey Fitzpatrick and partner Dave Mahon - who is currently on bail for murdering Amy’s brother Dean - also attended a service in Fuengirola. On Monday, the body of a young woman was rumoured to have been found by police in Istan lake. However, Guardia Civil told the Olive Press yesterday that no such find has been made. Turn to Page 2

Chateau Putin EXCLUSIVE By Tom Powell

HE is one of the richest, most controversial men in the world and – it seems – somewhat the wine buff. Russian president Vladimir Putin is planting his very own vineyard at the multimillion euro home he is developing in the hills above Marbella, it can be revealed. Olive Press sources insist that the Russian gourmet, 62, has dug 25 plants from Spain’s top bodega Pingus into a series of terraces around the mansion, in Benahavis. In a huge mega-deal he has also contracted the vineyard’s owner Danish oenologist Peter Sisseck to oversee production of the wine. The wine will be produced in two huge underground cel-

Three wine cellars and a crop of Spain’s most-exclusive Pingus vines for Russian president’s luxury Marbella hideaway

lars at the 10-bedroom palace in the exclusive enclave of Zagaleta - complete with private helipad and 22-car garage. A series of French oak barrels will store the wine. The climatised cellars cost an estimated €1 million to install and also include a separate champagne room with its very own fingerprint code entry system. “It is an amazing project and

no expense is being spared,” said the source. A spokesman for the small five hectare Pingus holding in Burgos - whose wines are Spain’s most expensive at €1,000 a bottle - was unable to confirm the purchase. “I am not able to give out any information about grapevines being sold, only about the bottles we sell and distribute,” she said.

GRAPE ESCAPE: Putin is to grow his own wine in this incredible Benahavis mansion

In October 2012, the Olive Press was able to link the ExKGB boss Putin to a consortium of six wealthy businessmen behind the €19 million Zagaleta project. The epitome of extravagance, his 18,000m² plot boasts its own spa and gym, a cinema, piano bar, and two swimming pools. Putin has long been a big Hispanophile having visited

Spain on many occasions, with a recent book claiming he came in ‘illegally’ 37 times on false documents in the 1990s alone. He has also been linked to a Spanish construction company. It is also clear that Putin appreciates his wine, as his South of France mansion was revealed to have expansive wine cellars too, back in 2001. Est 1984

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So long, Dickens Virtual reality gaming headsets become the must-have birthday present across Spain and Gibraltar; books are confined to museums.

Gold shock And finally, Britain’s Got Talent star and dancing supremo Jonathan Lutwyche wins Gibraltar’s first ever olympic gold medal after a last-minute call up to compete in the triple jump.

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THE search for missing expat Agnese Klavina made international headlines at the start of the month after a businessman’s yacht was seized and Brits Westley Capper and Craig Porter was brought in for questioning. The month’s close brought tragic news as a British family of four were found dead in a Gibraltar flat, on the same day that retired expat couple Jean and Peter Tarsey were tied up and killed at their Alicante home. In other news, the OP tracked down infamous British fraudster Paul Bloomfield in Puerto Banus, fellow tycoon Alan Sugar cashed in on his Marbella beach pad and the world’s deadliest walkway, the Caminito del Rey, reopened to the

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public, with the OP getting an exclusive preview. March also saw the first of four elec45 years tions in 2015, with Susana Diaz voted as an agent back in as Junta President after negotiating a pact with Ciudadanos. It was also a landmark month for the OP, with the unveiling of our first ever Let us help you Property magazine. The launch coinreach your destination. cided with our K.O. the Kickbacks campaign to rid Marbella’s property sector of backhanders between lawyers and estate agents. The secret Spanish homes of a dozen leading celebrities

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May THE runup to the summer holidays was marred by a phishing scam which left hundreds of holidaymakers out of pocket and with nowhere to stay, as exclusively investigated by the Olive Press. Meanwhile a British mother contacted us when the UK courts ordered her to return to Spain to live in the same village as her abusive ex-partner in order to share custody of their child. In other news, Britain’s Got Talent star Jonathan Lutwyche taught OP reporters how to dance, Pablo Picasso’s Women of Algiers sold for a world record €160 million and football fans were left pulling their hair out as La Liga was temporarily suspended over a TV rights tussle. May also saw the return of the ballot box, with local elections taking place across the country.

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ENVIRONMENTALISTS were rejoicing as the Los Merinos golf project in Ronda was finally scrapped and the Junta announced plans to demolish the Algarrobico Hotel in Almeria. Keeping it green, the Olive Press paid a visit to the Bay of Cadiz to lend its support to a preservation effort at bird-watching sanctuary La Covacha. Celebs were also busy cherishing the planet with Helena Bonham Carter stripping off to pose nude with a tuna to highlight illegal fishing. Meanwhile, we lifted the lid on how Europe’s biggest-ever gangster, Ricardo Fanchini, operated from his Benahavis hideout before being banged up in the States. We also caught up with brain tumour survivor Ashya King and family on the youngster’s embattled road to recovery and spoke exclusively to the brave British nurse who helped pull four deaf Turkish students out of the sea in Marbella, only for all but one to tragically die.

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June AS usual, a flood of celebs arrived on the Costa del Sol for the start of the summer. As the Olive Press caught up with Premiership footballers in Gibraltar and partied with TOWIE stars in Puerto Banus, BBC presenter Nick Knowles moved to Sotogrande and celebrity restaurant owners Elliott Wright and Steven Saunders began writing columns for the OP. It wasn’t all good news for the rich and famous however, as the Olive Press exclusively revealed. Status Quo star Rick Parfitt and his wife Lyndsay were duped out of thousands of euros in a pots-andpans scam in Marbella. We also tracked down controversial Scottish boxer Scott Harrison’s trashed villa in the Guadalhorce Valley and exposed Estepona Town Hall for not clearing up an E-Coli-ridden river. Finally, in what must be the most bizarre tale of the year, we exclusively revealed how a British holidaymaker reported one of Gibraltar’s Barbary macaques for sexual assault, only to be asked if she could pick one out of a lineup!

17 17 17 January 6th - January 19th 2016

hanging year RAJOY THERE: While his election rivals were battling it out in a TV debate in December, PP leader Mariano Rajoy took a trip to Estepona to snap up a copy of his favourite English-language newspaper

July A FOUR-page probe special kicked off July. Tracking down British holiday scammers Mark and Michelle Stafford’s Guadalhorce bolthole after they left dozens of Marbella holidaymakers out of thousands of euros, we also unveiled the crooks behind the Status Quo con as well as exclusively revealing Baron Rothschild’s indictment in the France for fraud. July also saw controversial Kim’s Animal Rescue Centre put up for sale, while the Gibraltar Licensed at last government launched legal proceedings against Spanish daily ABC for libellous

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reunited Brit finallyinsist on a ors Heartbroken after doct with baby prove it is hers to

DNA test early at two weeks edly broke two1:30am. later in the girl ed Half an hour a healthy mother separat series bedroom house, A BRITISHnewborn baby by triggering a was born, which turned the from her hospital has been a of events a Spanish dream into her daughfamily’s Spanish reunited with results finally re. l for nightma ter after DNA hospita to hers. her is They took check-up the next proved she 27, has been a routine the paediatrician Stacie Cottle, three torturin where l baby day, the forced to endure claimed at the hospita immediately belong to her. ous weeks near Malaga, did not in fact it had actually Torre del Mar,rician claimed paediat a a insisted days for She after brought in three to five been born the baby she not be hers. previously. check-up couldthe Olive Press with But now, after court dealing visited the demand answers, Criminal ble’,” in bold claim fiExpat artist her case to was impossi 5 allowed to la “She said ‘itthe Olive Press. “I al de she has been Turn to Page bethe Comarc baby Cottle told nally leave , I couldn’t l with felt so helpless were saying.” Axarquia hospita they the very first ly Veronica, lieve what Anzelika for mother prompt FAMILY: a She and her and confused, to time. for all your HAPPYand baby Anzelik upset grateful so left, house. night. Stacie “I am to the new police ofsaid last help,” she a on June 1. in several return an hour the most horBut within knocking on the stayed “This has been of my life Anabell acfamily were ficers looking for to return to like a The rendous month been treated hotels while for her mother door, asking them and I have l. term, the hospital for tests. Anzelika commodation longer twice rent common crimina baby to a me think to find work Upon arrival, her moth“It makes coming back to Veronic l as she hoped . separated from about ever g English a wasand placed in the neonata teachin signing er after Spain.” the night house in Areg chain of events 4 The shockin Cottle, a dental But t on a Turn to Page Axarquia region, unfolded afterLondon, arrived contrac tnas, in the from waters unexpec loves AC/DC nurse with her mother in Malaga ar-old daughter Cottle’s Marbella mayor 6 and three-ye

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A SAD start to the month saw the world mourn the loss of TV presenter Cilla Black who suffered a stroke at her Estepona home. As exclusively revealed by the Olive Press, Cilla had planned to dine at her favourite Estepona restaurant that evening. Instead, the world’s favourite Liverpudlian lass was tragically found dead by her son Mark. In other news, the Vuelta a Espana got off to an embarrassing start with the Puerto Banus stage, in essence, scrapped after failing to meet necessary standards. Working alongside TV presenter and journalist Donal MacIntyre, the OP also assisted in the making of a documentary on missing expat Amy Fitzpatrick. Elsewhere, the Olive Press exclusively revealed Coin-based British artist Michael Shurman’s claims that he is the real Banksy, and exposed British storage facility Fastcat bosses for leaving dozens of clients without their belongings. The hot summer also took its toll on the Costa del Sol, with wildfires ripping through the countryside, especially bad in the Bay of Gibraltar. was the proved Stacie hers DNA tests s claimed wasn’t RESULT: POSITIVE the baby that doctor mother of

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comments. Meanwhile British mother Stacie Cottle hit international headlines as the Olive Press campaigned to reunite her with her baby in Torre del Mar. Elsewhere, the OP exclusively interviewed incoming Marbella Mayor Pepe Bernal, headed up to Benicassim for Spain’s biggest music festival and launched our first ever Gay Pride supplement to mark a decade of same-sex marriage in Spain.

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PicarFIRST Minister Fabian do has given a warm welcome in to the Olive Press’ launch Gibraltar. the The father-of-two saluted paper’s original reporting and insisted his government to would give its full support enclave. the in aid our growth “I am delighted to cooperate all and to ensure you receive inform the help you need to Olive those who choose the Press for their news. stable “Welcome to the media in Gibraltar.”

Blown away

Royal Navy gunships Politicians call for British in Gibraltar during to be permanently stationed defiant National Day speeches British Navy DEFIANT calls for again in battleships to be stationed during a Gibraltar have been made rally. raucous National Day politicians deA group of 11 British focuslivered rip-roaring speeches with Spain sing on recent tensionsright to selfand backing Gibraltar’s determination. of red sea a – The Casemates crowd the patriotic and white – echoed Fabian sentiments as Chief Minister final address, Picardo delivered the salute to the centering around a of 75 years ‘evacuation generation’ ago. refugee criLinking it to the currenthe vowed to Europe, sis engulfing under the help as much as possible plea that ‘sharing is caring’. MP for But it was Conservative who Romford, Andrew Rosindell,

By Tom Powell

when he ingot the biggest cheer, should - once sisted the Royal Navy permanentagain - have battleships ly stationed in Gibraltar.are a part of “The people of Gibraltar and I would the Great British family here to apprelike to see a battleship to illegally hend any Spanish ship he said. enter British waters,” Ian Paisley Democratic Unionist MP international added: “These are our these are waters, this is our country, must support our people and we them.” this rock!” “We will never surrender address. he roared in a rousing ‘best wishes’ of After waving a letter Minister from the Queen, the Chief National finally vowed to increaseto come. Day celebrations in years

Day with s celebrate National PARTY MODE: Gibraltarian macaque inflatable barbary due to its environmental ever be cent years – took place. “National Day will never will only get impactas the crowds gazed up at the diminished. In fact, it red white Then, sky, Tina bigger. We stand together, red and white speckled Simply the Best blasted and free!” he bellowed. the tradi- Turner’s signalling Following the speeches, balloons – through the sound system, almighty party. tional releasing of the in re- the start of an which has caused controversy

talking The Rock’s leader was Jusalongside his lawyer wife speech tine ahead of his key of the at National Day, one ‘most significant ever’. “It is He told the Olive Press: this particularly auspicious year with the day commemoof rating the 75th anniversary Rock, great evacuation of the week as well as coming in the UK’s the becomes the Queen longest serving monarch.”was A highlight of his weekat the watching Kings of Leon Gibraltar Music Festival. would “Not at the front as I joked. have got crushed,” he when “But I was blown away in the I saw everyone’s hands best air for Sex on Fire, the rock song of the last decade.” first reAs for a date for his to election contest, rumoured said: be on November 20, heknows “The only person who is my wife.”

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November

A GANGLAND war threatened to erupt on the Costa del Sol after a member of the infamous Kinahan clan, Gary Hutch, was shot dead at his Mijas villa. Timeworn comedian Freddie Starr revealed all to the Olive Press after moving to a newly-purchased flat in La Cala in an attempt to escape a million-pound legal bill in Britain. Gibraltar schoolgirl Elisha Lang made it to the semifinals of Spanish TV singing contest La Voz Kids, and looks set to forge a fantastic career off the back of her time in the limelight. Expats were warned over fake poppies in the run-up to Remembrance Day, following the inexplicable ‘disappearance’ of the British Legion’s entire Western Costa del Sol stock. Finally, controversial Weekend World publisher Stan Israel was found guilty of not paying his former head of sales, while popular expat DJ Rona Bourke called time on her Estepona radio career after not receiving pay for four years.

SCOTTISH expat Lisa Brown was reported missing on November 9, sparking a search which is still on-going. Her boyfriend Simon Corner, a namechanging convicted criminal with a shady past, is believed to be crucial in the hunt for answers. On November 20, Spain marked the 40th anniversary of dictator Franco’s death. Six days later, Gibraltar headed to the polls and gave Fabian Picardo’s GSLP party landslide approval to govern for another four years. However the Rock’s very own 15-yearold muscleman, Leon de Roeck, was hell-bent on stealing the headlines, breaking not one but six world records. The second Battle of Trafalgar broke out over plans for the beloved lighthouse on the Costa de la Luz, with a German company winning the rights to convert it into a private hotel.

CHEEKY: Cycling fan gives Vuelta a Espana riders more than they bargained for as they cycled through Sabinillas, passing right by OP headquarters

A TRANSLATION mix-up that led to devastated expat Teresa Tarry receiving an unnecessary double mastectomy dominated the news. We also broke the story that celebrity classical singer Russell Watson was left waiting an hour for his late bride-to-be at their fairytale Benahavis wedding. September also saw a landmark moment in Olive Press history, with the launch of a dedicated Gibraltar edition. An exclusive story about a thief who stole a box of Quality Street finally being brought to justice 17 years later got the paper off to a rocking start, alongside in depth coverage of Gibraltar Music Festival and National Day.

December WITH the spirit of goodwill in the air, expats clubbed together to support the launch of new charity Andalucia Childline. Spain’s general election lived up to the hype with voters torpedoing the two-party domination which had overseen such rottenness for decades. Meanwhile, notorious conman Nigel Goldman was at last found guilty of a €12,000 gold coin scam in the UK. His Christmas got worse when he received an order to attend Fuengirola Court too over a separate series of frauds in Spain. Last but not least, Miss Spain was crowned the best looking woman in the world in China.

2015

18 18

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January 6th - January 19th 2016

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BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR: The lighthouse is being converted into private apartments while (right) Nelson and Stuart A DESPERATE battle is being waged to stop the iconic Trafalgar lighthouse being privatised and lost as a public monument. The historic landmark, close to where Admiral Nelson’s British navy defeated an allied French and Spanish fleet in 1805, is loved and cherished by many Gibraltarians. The emblematic lighthouse, built in 1860, is also in a spot of serene natural beauty, located near Caños de Meca, on the Costa de la Luz. But now, 200 years after Nelson died in a heroic victory and was taken to Gibraltar, a second battle of Trafalgar is being fought. For a German firm has been awarded a contract to con-

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A BRITISH expat is suing a Spanish hospital after a translation mix up resulted in her having an ‘unnecessary’ double mastectomy. Teresa Tarry, 49, has gone through ‘eight years of hell’ after surgery for a benign lump in 2007. Left with 55% incapacity following the operation, mother-of-two Tarry was led to believe she had a cancerous tumour in her right breast. However, weeks later she discovered the lump was, in fact, not cancerous and doctors at A Coruna’s Abente y Lago hospital had misinterpreted her medical records. It emerged that while undergoing preventative treatment, a translation mix up had led doctors to believe that both Tarry’s mother and sister had suffered from breast cancer. In reality, Tarry – who moved to Spain from Manchester in 2000 – has no immediate family history of cancer and it was therefore unnecessary to remove her breasts. “I have never gone through such a torrid time,” Tarry told the Olive Press. “I came to Spain to start a new life. In reality

it has been an eight-year living hell.” She added: “The operation has left me completely broken. My self-confidence is shattered, I can’t even touch myself, let alone let someone else touch me.” Tarry is set to have her case heard at trial next month and is seeking €600,000 in compensation for negligent practice.

Incapacity

Forced to quit her job as a chamber maid, due to her reduced mobility, Tarry has been living off just €190 a month in incapacity benefits plus savings since 2007. She claims the hospital never provided her with a translator, despite her Spanish being ‘very limited’ at the time. The hospital, however, insisted that they ‘always provide translators when requested’. “We cannot comment on this individual case,” a hospital spokesman told the Olive Press, last night. Opinion Page 6

Hit-andrun tragedy

British lad left for dead in heartless late-night crash Page 14

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Which Costa chefs wowed Kate Moss and the Queen? Pages 36 and 38

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16th September

John Shannon murder inquest and photo in the Liverpool Echo

Our coverage of the ‘one punch’ Sotogrande murder was followed up by a dozen papers globally

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UNDER FIRE: Stan Israel

Media boss in court EXCLUSIVE By Tom Powell

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AN embattled Costa media group is being sued by one of Andalucia’s biggest printing firms. Sunsearch Media, run by Stan Israel, is being chased for the non-payment of €8,000 dating back to 2013. Tecnographic, in Sevilla, printed Perfect Homes, one of a range of large, glossy magazines produced by his group. Israel, 53, launched a new company in 2014, called Simply Media Group, whose clients allegedly include Louis Vuitton, Bulgari and even popstar Lady Gaga’s perfume.

Debt

When confronted last night, dog-lover Israel - who drives a Range Rover - initially claimed to have nothing to do with Sunsearch, claiming it was sold last year to someone who ended up ‘not paying’. But he then admitted he was still a ‘shareholder’. Either way, Tecnographic is still fighting for the €8,000 payment, and has taken Israel to court in Sevilla over the debt. While insisting it had won a

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The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

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the

Vol. 9 Issue 215 www.theolivepress.es

The BesT PrePaid PLaNs iN sPaiN 600 MB

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June 11th - June 24th 2015

Disrupting the Status Quo

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www.masmovil.es/en OLIVE PRESS – Earpiece 10th June

Rockstar Rick Parfitt and wife Lyndsay call in police after losing thousands in Swiss kitchenware con

ROCK legend Rick Parfitt has been conned out of thousands of euros after falling for an age-old trick. The Status Quo guitarist and vocalist was duped into buying ‘luxury’ pots, pans and cutlery for €1,465 from a pair of slick conmen posing as Swiss salesmen in Guadalmina. It was only when the 66-year-old British rocker returned to his Marbella mansion that he realised he had been sold a dud. Instead of ‘luxury Swiss finery’, it soon became apparent that he had acquired ‘a load of old tosh’ with ‘made in China’ inscribed on the base of the pans. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Parfitt’s wife Lyndsay was ALSO tricked by the same fraudsters completely by coincidence. Approached separately in Nueva Andalucia, two days before, Lyndsay handed over the same amount as her husband, leaving the Parfitts €2,930 down with nothing to show for it. The pair have now called in the police, after Lyndsay amazingly then met the same men in IKEA’s car park in Malaga a week later.

EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan Having taken their photo and given police their details, she is hoping for a quick conviction. “I cannot believe that we both fell for it,” fitness instructor Lyndsay told the Olive Press. “Neither of us are stupid or gullible so it just goes to show how professional these guys are. “They are dressed in slick suits and drive luxury BMWs and claim to be from Switzerland. “They are very good at their act, so it is vital that people must be warned about them.” The con involves the two ‘businessmen’ approaching their ‘target’ while they are in

ROCKED: Rick and Lyndsay Parfitt lost thousands to Costa conmen price as they can’t transport it back to Switzerland. “It is all very believable,” Lyndsay SUSANA Diaz has reached an added. “They show you some genuine agreement with Ciudadanos gear while you are seated in your car to claim her second term as president of the Andalucian and then start throwing deals at you. “When they start loading the boxes Junta. into the boot of your car it all looks The PSOE pact with Ciudadanos leader Juan Marin was legitimate. “It is only when you get home that you concluded with the signing realise you’ve bought a lot of cheap of three documents regarding 72 policy points. rubbish.” Always on the lookout for a bargain, The coalition is based on an anti-corruption agreement, the Parfitts married in Gibraltar in and Ciudadanos has told sup2006 in a £46 ceremony. porters against the pact that They now split their time in Spain it will not merely ‘watch and between properties in Alhaurin el listen’. Grande and Marbella.

a stationary car, usually in a car park, Lyndsay explained. From there they claim to have leftover stock from a nearby exhibition, which they are willing to sell for a cut-

Status Quo star Rick Parfitt and wife Lyndsay duped out of thousands of euros

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Junta pact

December 10th - 22nd 2015

Election latest- Page 4

Did OP chief reporter Tom Powell charm TOWIE star EWS IN BRIEF Chloe Lewis in Marbella...?

Role play

Find out in our 28-page Marbella supplement. Pages 19-46

GIBRALTAR has undertaken a terrorist attack response exercise which involved all emergency services, armed response police and military units.

No quitter OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER

27th May

GSD Leader Daniel Feetham is determined to carry on as the Leader of the Opposition for the next four years despite losing a landslide election.

Bay-watch A REVISED £4.5 million plan to develop a leisure area with an urban beach at Rosia Bay has been submitted.

Vote time THE Gibraltar in Westminster Movement has claimed the time is right to push for Gibraltar to represented in the House of Commons with its own vote.

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

Cheesed off

Health fears over Burger King’s ‘irresponsible’ schoolchildren offers

Praise him LEGENDARY Minister Joe Bossano must be honoured ‘now not later’ according to the Equality Rights Group.

NEWS

BURGER King has been slammed for encouraging Gibraltar’s schoolchildren to dine on fast food meals with special lunch offers. Described as a ‘shocking’, nutritionist Claudia Norris said: “What’s worrying is that school kids are not seeing this as a treat; it’s being marketed as lunch.” It comes after the Olive Press

EXCLUSIVE By Tom Powell

Fraudster Nigel Goldman was featured in El EXPERT’S VIEW – Claud Confid-encial ia MEAL DEAL: Casemates

Norris, Gibraltar’s leading Nutritional therapist

“THIS is shocking. The issue

is not just the very high levels of saturated fat in Burger King meals but also the high salt content. What’s worrying is that school kids are not seeing this as a treat; it’s being marketed as their lunch. Often fast food is accompanied by a soft drink, and the amount of sugar in Coke and Fanta is really going to affect concentration in school in the afternoon. The Gibraltar Health Author-

ity has been doing so much to help children with the big drive to cut back on antibiotics but it’s very difficult when you are up against big businesses like Burger King. Gibraltar in general is benefitting from lots of healthy lunch options cropping up so kids don’t have to resort to Burger King. Obesity is tackled by informing and educating the population, starting with the kids. So this is something that needs to be addre

noticed the fast food giant, in Casemates’ Square, had been promoting its ‘schoolchildren lunch offer’ on a big sign outside its entrance. Under the deal, kids are invited in for special discounts on cheeseburger, hamburger and chicken nugget meals IF they are in uniform. All of which contain high levels of salt and fat, and are usually consumed with a fizzy drink. It comes as UK Prime Minister David Cameron is under pressure from MPs to ban adverts for unhealthy food from the internet and TV shows. A cross-party Commons committee insisted radical action was needed to solve a youth obesity crisis, with 19% of 10-year-olds chronically overweight. The last Gibraltar Health Authority survey found obesity on the Rock is around the same level as the UK. Over the last decade, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has worked tirelessly to change eating habits of schoolchildren through TV shows in the UK and the USA. Both the government and Burger King declined to comment.

NO RETURN: Goldman on way to court and (inset) in Marbella

Guilty and charged - thanks to the Olive Press

INFAMOUS Costa del Sol conman once again been found guilty of fraud.Nigel Goldman has The former Spectrum Radio pundit and Euro Weekly News columnist defrauded online than £10,000 in a gold coin eBay shoppers out of more scam. Having changed his name by deed Monte, the 58-year-old was arrestedpoll to Howard del and charged with fraud in the UK last year after two enraged customers failed to receive their goods. Having fled Spain accused of an elaborate which he owes millions, he got involved Ponzi scheme in in yet more scams via his online company Bensons Emporium. A jury at Reading Court heard how the Olive Press tracked him down via the details on his eBay him in March 2014, followed up by account and exposed the UK press. Two victims, who never received coins they had purchased, contacted the police after reading He claimed the case was all part our report. of an Olive Press conspiracy against him. The four-times convicted fraudster will now be sentenced on January 8.

Justice

Property

the Olive Press June 25th - July 9th 2015

19 January 6th - January 19th 2016

Picardo vows to support Calpe House CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo has said there is ‘no doubt’ Gibraltar will dig deep to help the Calpe House appeal. The facility for Gibraltarians receiving hospital treatment in London recently acquired new buildings, and an appeal has now been launched to convert them into 38 en-suite bedrooms. Opposition Leader Daniel Feetham pledged one month’s Parliamentary salary to the Calpe House campaign, hoping to set an example for others. Picardo said: “Calpe house is an important and fab facility which has been a reality now for almost 30 years. “The government wholeheartedly backs the trustees of calpe house. We have helped them to acquire the new property. “Now it is a question of the community taking ownership of that through the charitable trust and I have no doubt that they will dig deep as they did under the initial proposal for a Calpe House.”

Ramp rage

Marbella Real Estate Photos December 10th - 22nd 2015

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

Housing group slams government in Spain over ‘disabled’ ramps A NATIONAL housing group is demanding changes to building laws in order to improve disabled access. Thousands of elderly and disabled people living in Spain are being denied adequate access to their homes, a housing group has protested. The Professional College of Administrators of Buildings of Madrid (CAF) is demanding the government amend the law. To support their argument, the group has released a series of photographs demonstrating the worst disabled ramps in Spain. Currently over 70% of the country’s buildings are inaccessible to wheelchair users. Online realtor Idealista puts the problem down to bad planning, rushed construction and a lack of empathy for people with disabilities.

RAMPS OF SHAME: Spain’s worst disabled access

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Property 20

January 6th - January 19th 2016 the Olive Press June 25th - July 9th 2015

Sugary sweet saviour

German restoration company steps in to save iconic sugar mill from the bulldozers

MARBELLA’S crumbling sugar mill could be set for a sweeter future. At the eleventh hour, the town hall has entered negotiations with a German restoration company to save the iconic 19th century Trapiche del Prado and adjoining sugar refinery. Gifted to the town hall for public use by its former owner in 1992, the mill has been left to rot ever since. Plans to tear the derelict building down in the next few months have now been put on hold with restoration company Baudenkmalpflege Katrin Piejde keen to take on the project. “We consider the sugar mill an iconic structure and one that need not be demolished,” assistant manager Jean-Paul Piejde told the Olive Press. “Our company is one of the best building and res-

EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan toration companies in the world and we are regularly brought in by politicians to help out. “If we can reach an agreement with the town hall we would definitely be able to help with this project.” The news will be sweet relief to Marbella culture councillor Gema Midon after she expressed her desire to transform the building into a museum or exhibition hall. “Rebuilding el Trapiche requires a huge amount of

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SWEET FUTURE: Talks ongoing to save sugar mill money and lots of time,” said Midon. “But we are looking at a long-term project and our

first priority is to slow down the decay and reinforce the structure.”

Costa del Century

TRETCHING 175 kilometres from Manilva in the west to Nerja in the east, the Costa del Sol is the queen of Spain’s holiday hotspots encompassing over 100 beachside and inland destinations. It’s hard to believe so much has changed in little more than a century. At the end of the 1800s, the province of Malaga’s traditional economies - the iron and textiles industries, overseas wine trade and even the agricultural sector - were all failing in rapid succession. As a last resort (sic), a group of Malagueño worthies set up a society in 1897 to promote the region’s year-round sunshine to the nascent tourism industry and drum up an alternative source of income. By 1918, the great and the good (as well as the unwashed) could take a dip from the Costa del Sol’s first public bathing beach, Baños del Carmen, which opened east of Malaga. The first golf ball to find the region’s rough was hit on the course near Torremolinos, now part of the Parador de Malaga Golf, not far from the airport, in 1925. The Spanish Civil War, followed by the Second World War, saw little but fighting on the beaches for the next decade. But soon after hostilities ended, first the Marquis of Ivanrey, Ricardo Soriano, and then his nephew Prince Alfonso de Hohenlohe, bought country estates around the village of Marbella – home to just 900 back then – and began to lay the foundations for the Costa del Sol’s first resorts: El Rodeo in 1943 and Marbella Club in 1954. The world beat a path to the door. First (class) off the plane were Hollywood stars like Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando in the 1950s, followed by a gaggle of European aristos and artistic types in the ‘60s, along with regular, royal visitors including Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd who first came to Marbella in the 1970s. Malaga-Costa del Sol International Airport inaugurated its first purpose-built passenger terminal in 1968, opening the floodgates to

charter flights packed with package holidaymakers from northern Europe. Cranes sprouted along the coast from Torremolinos west, as tourism took root and skyscrapers filled with hotel rooms and second homes by the sea changed the face, and the faces on the streets, of these former fishing villages In 1970, visionary property developer (and chum of Franco), Jose Banus, cut the red ribbon at Puerto Banus, buoyed by kilos of caviar and the strains of Julio Iglesias kicking off the first of the port’s jet-set parties, before turning his gaze and his diggers inland to develop Nueva Andalucia. The Costa del Sol’s golf valley is home to the highest concentration of the area’s 60 courses today. By the 1990s, Marbella’s most infamous mayor, Jesus Gil, had installed his ample rear in the town hall hot seat, overseeing nearly a decade of corrupt municipal management that, to a lesser extent, was copied along much of the Costa del Sol during the bad old days of ‘brown envelope’ urban planning. Today, the Costa del Sol remains Spain’s top destination for Spanish and overseas holidaymakers and holiday-home buyers. Andalucia welcomed nearly 8.5 million of Spain’s 64.9 million tourists in 2014. In terms of property sales, close to 319,000 homes changed hands nationwide in 2014. Over 63,700 were in Andalucia, with the lion’s share on the Costa del Sol. By the end of the third quarter of 2015, sales registered in the three-month period were the highest in the last two-and-a-half years, leading many to believe a recovery is finally underway. Foreign buyers were involved in 13% of property sales, an all-time high and a huge increase over 2009’s 4.24%. In the first half of 2015, flush thanks to the strong pound and the UK’s economic optimism, Brits represented 19.8% of overseas buyers, many of whom have found the home of their dreams somewhere on the Costa del Sol.

This month, let’s take a trip 100 years back in time to trace the rise of Spain’s favourite holiday and secondhome destination.

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Top Dollar

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

the Gibraltar Olive Press September 17th - 30th

January 6th - January 19th 2016

Pump it up

What’s up, dock?

NO SECRET: Victoria’s Secret owner Leslie Wexner docked in Gibraltar

No limits ONE of the largest superyachts in the world docked in Gibraltar over the Christmas period. Measuring 96-metres, the aptly named Limitless was built in 1997 by German firm Lurssen and is powered by two engines of 5,420kW each.

Victoria’s Secret billionaire docks one of world’s largest superyachts in Gib The owner is billionaire Leslie Wexner, who started a clothing store in his 20s which expanded to include

Job’s a good ‘un

SUMMER TOURISTS: Heading to Spain

Hotting up more A summer holiday bookings bonanza is on the cards for Spain according to the UK’s leading travel trade group. ABTA’S Travel Trends 2016 report has pointed to a surge in Britons heading to the Med this year. The improving British economy, a strong pound and the threat of terrorist activity elsewhere has boosted holidaymakers’ numbers. The report states: “Western Mediterranean destinations, in particular Spain, are set for a bumper year with bookings for summer 2016 tracking ahead of previous years as 2015 comes to a close.” The study also praised new laws brought into Magaluf in 2015 that are helping to gentrify the notorious Spanish destination.

Parental power EMPLOYEES returning from parental leave in Gibraltar now have the right to ask for a change in working hours over a specified period. The amended government regulations state that employers must consider all requests and reply in writing within one month.

Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch – although the latter was sold in 1996. Wexner also owns one of the largest art collections in the world, including a Picasso painting worth £27 million. Limitless can reach a speed of 25 knots (46 km/h), and was the first yacht to feature a combination of diesel and diesel-electric propulsion. Gibraltar has long been a popular stop-over for luxury yachts, with Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich regularly refueling on the Rock.

Nurses, engineers and business analysts are set to be in high demand in 2016 as Spain’s economy grows, experts believe. Employment agencies Hays and Randstad Professionals are predicting these sectors will boom, with the EU forecasting 450,000 new jobs for Spain in 2016. Madrid, the Basque Country, Valencia and Catalunya are expected to see the highest growth, with Andalucia lagging behind. The Hays report said: “Andalucia hasn’t taken off yet. They still have a lot of work to do to create a steady number of jobs.”

It is the duty of the employee to suggest how the effects of changing their work hours could be deal with. The employer is under no obligation to accept, although complaints over unfair or incorrect refusals can be taken to the Industrial Tribunal within three months.

MILLIONS of Spanish drivers are enjoying record-low petrol prices. With the average price of diesel costing €0.984 and a litre of unleaded coming in at €1.149 as of December 22, Spain is experiencing its cheapest prices since 2009. According to an ABC survey, the cheapest leaded petrol in mainland Spain can be had for €0.978 a litre at a Binéfar petrol station in Huesca. Prices of petrol and unleaded have gone down 6% and 13.5% respectively since last year. The plummeting prices at the pumps are thanks to the price of Brent Crude oil dropping below €35 a barrel for the first time since 2008. And they are expected to stay low for decades to come, with OPEC warning oil prices won’t return to last year’s level of €92 until 2040.

November 12th 25th 2015

2121

Top Dollar

NEWS IN BRIEF

Happy anniversary THE international transport contractor and logistics service provider, GibCargo, is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Perfect plan BUSINESS experts at the Wall Street Journal believe retailer Zara has the ‘perfect business model’ for 21st century consumers, as parent company Inditex recorded 20% profits for 2015.

Grow so fast SPANISH shops are now hiring at pre-crisis levels, with Spain now the eurozone’s third largest economy after 17 consecutive months of growth.

Uncertain POLITICAL uncertainty is taking its toll on the Spanish stock market with stocks falling by 2% on the opening Monday after the general election.

22 January 6th - January 19th 2016

2016: The good, bad and the oily

EW Year articles are often full of positive messages that seem to imply that, whatever has taken place during the previous 12 months, simply changing the number at the end of the year will make everything better again. We all know that this cannot be true but it is natural, as we move into the New Year, to focus on rebirth and all things positive. And why not? There is, after all, plenty of good financial news around to keep us cheerful as 2016 dawns – but that’s not the whole picture. Gibraltar relies, perhaps more than is often realised, on its international trade and not just with the UK, Spain and other parts of Europe. It’s possible, depending on the particular business sector, to find Gibraltar firms working with clients and partners worldwide. Apart from those local companies involved in the import and export of goods, it is the services sector – and especially the financial services sector – that operates on a global basis. For firms such as my own – which focuses on the provision of ‘market Email: gib@SovereignGroup.com Tel: +350 200 76173 www.SovereignGroup.com

Le Breton’s Briefing

The only certainty for this year is that we’re living in a time of great uncertainty…

entry’ services to companies based in one country that are seeking to develop or expand their business into another country or region worldwide – it is vital that we monitor the international situation closely on behalf of our clients and ourselves. Herein lies my theme. While a general economic recovery is underway in many countries, it is fragile and prone to unexpected shocks. The UK economy, for example, is in better shape than a year ago – but controlling the deficit remains a serious is-

sue. There is some good news from Spain but serious challenges persist, exacerbated no doubt by the inconclusive recent general election result. More concerning is that Greece and Portugal are still struggling to manage their debt and the rising pressures against austerity in these countries could yet destabilise the euro in 2016. The economies of all five ‘BRICS’ countries are suffering – albeit for different reasons – while the situation across the Middle East and the resultant terrorist and migration issues are of concern to us all. The issue that worries me most,

however, is the collapse in the price of oil. While this is of obvious benefit to consumers, the impact on oil producing firms and countries could be calamitous. Many of the recentlyestablished fracking businesses are highly leveraged and their product is more expensive to produce, leaving them (and their backers) acutely vulnerable. The oil price reduction is largely the result of Saudi action but even they are struggling to balance their books. Smaller producers such as Venezuela and Ecuador have seen their economies crumble as a result. And then there is Russia. I will return to this theme in a future column but the economic and political implications could be massive in 2016. There is precious little we can do to influence global markets but businesses in Gibraltar with an international focus must remain alert to such developments. And not just to manage their risks, but to spot opportunities that might be exploited – to the benefit of us all. On behalf of my colleagues at Sovereign Gibraltar, I wish all readers a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2016. The only certainty is that we live in a time of great uncertainty. An exciting year lies ahead for us all.

Gen01.pdf 1 16/10/2012 08:30:24

AGONY ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Holes in the system Take cover from unauthorised insurance company products

M C

CMY

UCH has been written about unregulated IFAs (Independent Financial Advisers) operating in Spain. In 2012, The European Commission was considering appointing an ombudsman to help expat victims reclaim against these firms, while Spanish regulators the CNMV (financial investment) and the DGS (insurance) regularly post warnings about unregistered operators. The CNMV is particularly proud of its achievements in the supervisory arena. Its website boasts: ‘Spain enjoys a modern, efficient regulatory and surveillance system, but we must continue working to perfect it.’ Whatever surveillance system the CNMV is working on to perfect, its methodology has failed to prevent the activities not just of unregulated IFAs but also of unauthorised insurance companies. Let’s take the example of Old Mutual (former Royal Skandia), a FTSE100 company ‘overseeing 319.4bn assets under management for more than 16 million customers worldwide (as at 30 September 2015).’ In Spain, Old Mutual operates via the companies Old Mutual International Life Ireland Limited (Dublin) and Old Mutual Wealth Life & Pensions Limited (Southampton), the only group companies authorised by the DGS. On the Costa del Sol, Old Mutual is known for offering a life assurance policy called Exec-

utive Investment Bond (EIB) which has, incidentally, lost millions to investors. Yet for some reason, the EIB is being offered in Spain through IFAs by Old Mutual International Isle of Man Limited, a standalone company registered in the IOM but not ‘passported’ - meaning not registered, in regulatory jargon - into Spain to offer any product, whether insurance or financial. The same applied to its unauthorised predecessor, Royal Skandia Life Assurance Limited (based in IOM), which also offered the EIB. For its part, article 4.2 of the 2004 Insurance Supervisory Act states the following: Insurance contracts and other legal arrangements subject to this law signed or agreed with an unauthorised entity, or an entity whose authorisation was revoked, will be null and void. A person that having entered into a contract with it will be under no obligation to pay the premium and will have a right to obtain a refund of any paid premium. Corporate lawyers are always quick to point out that registered entities forming part of a group of companies are autonomous and separate from each other, regardless of whether they share common brand or names. To this extent, Old Mutual Isle of Man (and Royal Skandia Isle Of Man) should have been registered in Spain and where not, all of its contracts could be null and voided by Spanish Courts.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.es

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

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All downhill from here! How downhill skiing can whizz up your well-being

Fitness fever SPANIARDS are digging out their old running trainers and heading back to the gym. A nationwide push to promote fitness has led to a boom in the sector after six years of decline. And the industry is predicted to see even greater growth in 2016. There are currently 4.9 million people signed up to gyms in Spain, according to the EU, putting Spain’s fitness industry in Europe’s top five.

Currently worth €2.13 billion a year, EU forecasters expect the industry to improve by a further 10-20% in the next 12 months, largely due to a recovering economy and a tax hike from 8% to 21% in the sector. Alongside Spain, France, Germany, Italy and the UK make up 65% of the European gym market, according to the EU report which estimates that there are 4,300 gyms in Spain, providing jobs for 59,000 people.

PURE mountain air, winter sunshine doses of vitamin D and a great workout for the body are just three benefits of skiing the Sierra Nevada. And that doesn’t include the mental and psychological benefits of freestyling it down the mountainside in an exhilarating winter wonderland setting. Although the dry mountain air is low in density and humidity, it has huge benefits for your lungs. While six hours exerting yourself on the slopes can burn up to 3,000 calories, meaning you could lose up to 2.5 kilos in just one week. And there are many other physical benefits. Stomach muscles get toned as you engage core muscles to keep your balance on slippery slopes. Skiing is also a great cardiovascular workout, whether you’re a beginner or ad-

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A COSTA del Sol charity has fed dozens of underprivileged children over the Christmas period. The Duquesa Charitable Society of St George donated a cheque for €1,850 to the Emaus social kitchen in Estepona to provide Christmas food parcels. The charity has also begun a collaboration with the Hogar Betania shelter in La Linea and provided €2,217 for new toilet and bathroom facilities. A Christmas Gift Campaign provided 500 gift bags for children identified by social services in Manilva, Casares and Estepona.

New Campus FULL OF FITNESS: Skiing in the Sierra Nevada vanced: racing downhill increases heart rate, ups circulation which burns fat and reduces hypertension and cholesterol levels, while the mental benefits are just as important. Essex University researchers have identified self-esteem benefits from the first five minutes of the endorphinreleasing activity, which has also been found to enhance memory, capacity for concen-

Learn from mistakes

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Charity cheer

SPAIN’S patient safety regulatory body is doubling its efforts to stamp out medical errors in the nation’s hospitals. The Patient Safety Movement Foundation said eradicating the number of errors in relation to anesthesia was a priority for 2016. According to the World Health Organisation, the European Union reports approximately 750K medical mishaps per year. A spokesman for Spain’s regulatory body said that the number will only decrease through ‘proactive work’ “Unfortunately, the traditional approach to medical errors is focused on blame and punishment. This makes it difficult for health organisations to learn from mistakes,” he said. “Our commitment is to spread a patient safety culture in anesthesia, critical care and pain management throughout all hospitals in Spain.”

Legionnaires outbreak TWO new patients suffering from the deadly Legionnaires disease are being treated at a Spanish hospital. They are being treated at the Hospital de Manzanares near Madrid, and bring to 222 the number of people affected since the outbreak began this month. Two people have died in the outbreak so far. Five patients remain in intensive care, with two in serious condition.

tration and social skills. “Skiing is great for family health. It’s an activity you do with your family, with friends or loved ones, which makes you feel great and has good emotional health benefits,” said Baqueira Beret resort health director, Aleix Vidal. So snap on those boots and head off for the piste because it’s snow joke - as well as a buff body, skiing can give you a beautiful mind.

BUDDING UK physiotherapists will get a chance to learn their trade with one of the best football teams in the world. Staffordshire University and Barcelona F.C. have reached an agreement to allow students to visit the footballing giant’s training and medical facility once a year. The university’s Professor Vish Unnithan is already working on a project relating to body fat levels with Barcelona’s first team.

Somatics comes to Gibraltar! Do you suffer from back, neck, shoulder or hip pain? Do you suffer with painful sciatica? Are you stuck at a desk all day? Do you have trouble sleeping? Would you like to improve your posture? Would you like to improve your game of golf & other sports?

If you answered YES, come and try something different! Somatic movements are very relaxing and easy to do; they are also very effective at releasing pain and tension in the body. In class you will learn skills to help you take care of yourself for years to come! Classes will start 11th January, visit www.somaticsgibraltar.com or call Sarah 00 34 678 968 954 for more details.

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Top Salud 25

January 6th - January 19th 2016

Promising everything from better well being to preventing cancer, Kangen water is the latest health-fad to sweep the world. Swapping tap water for its alkaline equivalent, Rob Horgan goes in search of a new lease of life

Drink up J

Theatre music IT must go down as one of the most bizarre musical performances of all time. Spanish jazz musician Carlos Aguilera played his saxophone to 16 doctors during a 12-hour operation to remove a tumour from his brain. With a piece of his skull removed, doctors from Malaga’s Carlos Haya hospital instructed the 27-year-old to play his alto sax to help them ensured his musical ability was not hampered as a result of the operation. It was the first time this kind of surgeryhad taken place in Europe and surgeons say it was a success.

www.theolivepress.es

APANESE hospitals pioneered it, Harley Street surgeons make their patients sign a contract to drink it and Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg swears by it. Kangen water -- or alkaline water -- is the latest fad for healthfanatics looking for the next source of wellbeing. Replacing regular water with ‘live water’ has been linked with preventing everything from being bloated to leukemia. So when the LeveLuk R Kangen medical device turned up at Olive Press headquarters, it is fair to say I couldn’t wait to give it a go. But before enjoying a healthy lease on life, I was left stumped (and quite wet) by my attempts to install the device, which re-

FAN: Miranda Kerr

Dry eyes in the winter months Leighton Griffiths, Store Director, Specsavers Opticas Marbella

ANUARY’S cold winds, wet weather and central heating can all play havoc with your eyes, leaving them feeling dry, gritty and bloodshot. Symptoms can lead to longer term problems if left unchecked, therefore this month, the team from Specsavers wanted to explain dry eye and offer a few hints to help prevent eye soreness over the coldest months of the year.

What is dry eye?

The term “dry eye” is used when we don’t produce enough tears or our tears evaporate too quickly. People with dry eyes often have plenty of water in their tears but not enough oil. Dry eyes can be caused by heating and air conditioning, windy and cold conditions and certain medications.

How can it be avoided or reduced?

Don’t get dehydrated - Cut back on the cof-

fee and drink more water, use eye drops and sprays to add extra lubrication. Wash your hands before touching your eyes to prevent cross infection from the viruses in coughs and sneezes which can inflame your conjunctiva – the clear membrane covering the whites of your eyes, leaving them feeling irritated. Reduce the setting on your central heating, avoid car heaters, especially at face level, and sit away from direct heat such as gas or electric heaters. Keep the sunglasses handy – As the sun is low in the sky at this time of year and can be uncomfortably bright for drivers and sunglasses reduce this and protect against UV radiation. Winter is a great time to get your eyes tested as poor light conditions can make you susceptible to eyestrain. There are Specsavers Opticas stores in Marbella and Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol, visit www.specsavers.es to find your nearest store and book an appointment.

HURRY

sembles an early R2-D2 model. But just one YouTube video later and I had (somewhat) successfully fixed up the device and was ready to drink my way to better health. And so for the next four weeks I replaced tap water with Kangen water in a bid to be revitalised. The theory is that maintaining a higher bodily PH level is key to better hydration, which leads to improved general health and can even prevent certain diseases. While most tap water has a neutral PH level, alkaline water has a PH of up to 9.5 bringing the body inline with the ‘perfect’ PH level of 7.4.

Champions

And while Kangen has its sceptics it also has its champions. Many of Harley Street’s top surgeons encourage their patients to use it in order to speed up recovery times. Equally, it is the only type of water readily available in Japanese hospitals. And alkaline water even has its celebrity fans, with Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg and model Miranda Kerr refusing to go near anything that does not have a high PH level. And while four weeks was perhaps not long enough for me to feel completely revitalised I did feel slightly perkier. And if nothing else it tasted much better than Sabinillas tap water.

The LeveLuk R retails at €1,180, or can be bought on hire purchase from €50 a month. For more information contact Jacinta Hannon of Global Independent Enagic Distributor on 670628468 or jacinta@kangenrunningwater.com.

ends 10 ! t JAnUAR h Y

Please see red stickers in store indicating reduced frames. 1.5 scratch-resistant single vision lenses selected. Other lenses and Extra Options available at an additional charge. Cannot be used with other offers. One pair of complete glasses only. Excludes reglazes, contact lens products, non-presciption sunglasses and safety eyewear. Offer ends 10 January 2016. ©2016 Specsavers. All rights reserved.

OLIVE PRESS – 105mm x 256mm – Colour

6th January

WATER WORKS: For Wahlberg and (below) kangen machine

Painless pain relief MUSCULAR pain and tension can be a thing of the past without a single stretch required! Somatics is a way to release chronic muscular pain and tension by performing simple movements anyone can do. It is an active learning process allowing your body to move freely, creating new and improved movement patterns and natural posture. The Somatics movements re-produce the three natural stress reflex patterns our bodies ‘take hold of’ and help us to let go of them. They are corrective ‘exercises’ that retrain your brain to retain your muscles by gently working via the nervous system. Most chronic muscular pain is down to ‘sensory-motor amnesia’. What this means is that muscles have simply forgotten how to let go and relax to their full resting length due to the way we habitually sit, stand and move, or through accidents or injuries. Years of developing poor movement patterns start to take their toll and then we are often mistakenly told it’s down to getting old! In fact, we have merely subconsciously learnt to hold our bodies tight, which brings on back, neck, shoulder and hip pain. The good news is, these learned patterns can be reversed. Unfortunately no amount of stretching, rolling or massaging will get the muscle to remember where it used to be. Sure, these moves feel great to do but muscles are controlled by the brain so it is at the brain level that we need to teach them to let go. The moves are very easy and relaxing to do, you are in control of your movements guided by your coach. Group classes and private home visits are available at www.somaticsgibraltar.com

Request an eye test online at specsavers.es or by calling your local store.

Marbella 952 863 332 Avda. Ricardo Soriano 12 Fuengirola 952 467 837 Avda. Ramón y Cajal 6

Columnists

January 6th - January 19th 2016

Authentic italian Bar & Antipasti

Game on!

Gaelic football heals social fractures in Jerez, writes Olive Press blogger Luke Andrews

JUMPING FOR JOY: Gaelic football used to tackle gender stereotypes AN Telmo has often been described as a town within a city. It is one of Jerez’s most infamous barrios, that was absorbed by the city as it expanded. With the highest unemployment rate in Jerez and situated in a natural depression in the ground generously called ‘The Hole’ by locals, San

S perejilgrill Perejilgrill

Telmo has remained apart, as attested to by its own postal code, 11408. On a quick visit you will see its name splattered across walls in black paint, and cafes overflowing with locals, and locals only. “When I told people that I work there, they told me that it is an awful area. The kids are very bad,” commented one expat working at the local school. The dire situation has led to the township becoming sealed off. Inhabitants rarely consider leaving it, and few visit. Yet somehow, Gaelic football found its way into the barrio. The local school took the decision to adopt the sport to combat entrenched sexism, and introduce its pupils to a foreign culture. “We wanted to remove social and gender divides, as well as introduce pupils to a culture outside San Telmo,” stated the project organiser. Gaelic football was settled on as the ideal engine to implement the change. As an unknown pastime, it does not THREE KINGS: Prolongs Christmas cheer in Spain come with the social stigmas of other sports. The school claimed that this could help establish equality of the sexes. They placed both girls and boys on the same teams to encourage equality, and tasked pupils with developing fantastic posters about the sport. As a result, the school’s inner-building is now heavily decorated with reminders of Gaelic football. A lot of energy has been invested to really establish it as its own AM writing this issue’s column during the night before will have you reaching for sport. the festive No Man’s Land between the Alka-Seltzer. And I regret to inform you The game’s foreign nature imChristmas Eve and New Year’s Day. It’s that I have yet to find the perfect breakmediately forced pupils to turn the time of the year when you aren’t fast burgundy. their eyes over the border. Dereally sure what day of the week it is, al- In the UK, Christmas celebrations are veloping this awareness is key though to be honest, as a freelance jour- over by January 2, but here in Spain we to encouraging children to fornalist that applies pretty much to every like to prolong the festive season for as mulate aspirations for the fuother time of the year as well, especially long as possible. Three Kings on Januture, and encourage tolerance as it relates to deadlines. My many exas- ary 6 is the final day of celebration, with of other cultures. perated editors will vouch to the fact that I Spanish children traditionally getting their “We have a child here who am very much a follower of the late Doug- presents the night before. wants to study medicine now,” las Adams, who famously quipped “I love The evening is marked by the procession commented the organiser with deadlines. I love the whooshing sound of the Three Kings, which for a grumpy a beaming face. they make as they fly past.” bachelor like me is something of a living As well as playing the sport at This is also the time of year when it is so- hell, with sugar-crazed kiddies dashing break times, the kids have also cially acceptable to eat chocolate, scoff around, and little ones and grown-ups been involved in matches. They have played against the Cadiz mince pies or finish off last night’s bottle alike fighting for the sweets thrown out by Gaelic football team. first thing in the morning. (Again, as a the Reyes themselves. It will also be in“In the future we hope to confreelance journalist this applies pretty teresting to see if anyone decides to ‘don tact clubs in Ireland and begin much to every other time of the year as blackface’ as Balthazar this year. Madrid a cultural exchange,” said the well, although chocolate digestives tend banned the practice last year and Malaga organiser. to take the place of mince pies.) footballer Rudd van Nistelrooy got himself It is fantastic to see how our After intensive testing I can reveal that in all kinds of trouble a few years ago for own Irish culture can be utithe After Eight mint is the most easily di- doing the same. lised to promote equality and gestible chocolate at 9am, but steer well Enjoy the last of the celebrations. Persontolerance. Perhaps we will see clear of the Ferrero Rocher. The crunching ally I won’t be venturing out from the Caflamenco in Irish and British noise that they make the morning after sita till after Valentines! schools very soon.

Mince pies in hand, the Christmas No Man’s Land period is a weird and wonderful time of the year

Holiday haze

C lassifieds 27 27

GIBRALTAR

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November 12th - 25th 2015

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FOOD & DRINK January 6th - January 19th 2016

Eatery retreats SOMETIMES you just need to pack your bags and get away from it all. Thankfully there is now a guide to Spain’s best rural restaurants for when you head off into the wilderness. The Country Chef by RuralKAHoteles compiles the best restaurants and chefs in the country that can only be found off the beaten track. Among the first batch of eateries to be uploaded to the site are two from Andalucia. Boutique hotel Hospederia la Era’s El Ganan restaurant in Cordoba gets the nod for its eco fare while in Nijar, Almeria, Mandragora is selected for its healthy-eating menu. For more info visit www.thecountrychef. es

November 12th - 25th 201511th 2015 October 28th - November

Leon’s dens Cadiz’s chef of the sea gears up for two restaurant launches

ONE of Andalucia’s top chefs is planning to open two restaurants this year... one of which will be solely manned by women. ‘Chef of the sea’ Angel Leon is set to reopen the doors at the site of his old two-Michelin starred Aponiente restaurant in Puerto de Santa Maria in the Bay of Cadiz in February. Under the new name of Chef Taberna del Mar, the kitchen will be led by Leon’s former pupil Sonia Arjones, who spent two years under his wing in the kitchens of Aponiente. In fact, the entire kitchen will only comprise female members of staff. WOMEN ONLY: For Angel Leon Serving mainly tapas and rations, Leon promises a few old favourites will make it onto the menu. In a separate venture, Leon is also lining up a restaurant THE Spanish government is considering introlaunch in Sancti Petri in Chiducing fines for households who throw away ‘too clana. Launching in March, much’ food. Alevante will be more like Spain is the seventh worst offender in Europe for Leon’s flagship restaurant throwing away food, according to an EU report. Aponiente which moved to On average, every Spanish home bins 76 kilos of an old mill in the Bay of Cadiz food (€250). last year. Now the government is considering measures to Alevante will be situation in curb the waste, similar to those already in place in Hotel Melia Sancti Petri, one Belgium and France. of the region’s top hotels.

Waste not, want not

COUNTRY AFFAIR: At Mandragora and (inset) food from El Ganan

28 28

Shelling out THE Costa del Sol may be rife with seafood but Spain is importing more fish from abroad than ever before. And a large amount of it is coming from familiar shores. UK food secretary Elizabeth Truss is celebrating ‘an excellent year’ for food and drink exports, sighting seafood purchases by Spain as a major factor. “The demand is out there and in recent years sales of all kinds of British products have soared,” she said. “America wants our London dry gin, China is choosing British cheese and Spain is buying seafood from our coasts.” While the official figures are not released until March, industry experts are predicting 2015 as a bumper year for British exports.

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PHOTOS: Iria Melendro Diaz

Master chefs

San Sebastian is the jewel in Spain’s culinary crown. Home to some of the world’s best restaurants, proud traditions are carried forward by its gastronomic societies, whose chefs lead raucous celebrations every January 19 at the spectacular La Tamborrada. In an awardwinning article Joe Duggan recalls this unique fiesta

OOD is both a way of life and an elevated art form in San Sebastian. From its glittering firmament of 16 Michelin stars to its painstakingly created pintxos, Donostia, as it is known in Basque, is a city in thrall to food. At the vanguard of this culinary movement march the legendary gastronomic societies. Members-only clubs, the txokos of the Basque country have been nurturing some of Spain’s finest cooking talent since 1870 and continue to draw locals (traditionally only men) together to cook for each other. Every January, the huddled streets of the Parte Vieja surge with thousands of chefs hammering out an earsplitting beat on drums as the txokos lead the celebrations of San Sebastian’s feast day. La Tamborrada’s roots are religious, with regional pride at the fore, but the fiesta’s army of marching chefs symbolises perfectly the military precision Donostiarras adopt in the kitchen.

Golden

San Sebastian’s most famous society is the Gaztelubide, and every year its members lead La Tamborrada. Jose Ramon Mendizabal, known as Mendi, is this year’s Tambor Mayor (or Drum Major, a military term used to describe the man chosen to lead the cooks of the Gaztelubide). He welcomes us inside the Gaztelubide, which nestles between La Concha’s golden crescent and the basilica of Santa Maria del Coro. A smattering of members sit playing cards. Looking down on them, a photograph shows the original founders from 1934 sitting down to dinner. Mendi has been a member since 1993, a status he only achieved when his father died, after which, according to society rules, a son on the waiting list can automatically take his father’s place. “My son will then go on to take my place,” Mendi explains. The following night they will raise the flag of the city in front of thousands at Plaza de la Constitución. Pride swells in his voice. La Tamborrada is, he says, “the most important and the most emotional fiesta. The fiesta in the summer – Semana Grande – is a bit more touristy. This is more ours and for the people from here.” The Gaztelubide’s 250 members include Martin Berasategui (three Michelin stars), Andoni Luis Aduriz (two stars) and Luis Irizar, the patriarch of modern Basque cuisine. It’s a staggering roll call of talent, but inside its kitchen the great and good of world cuisine rub shoulders easily with the man in the street. Mendi is keen to stress this egalitarian spirit. “Here there are members who are celebridades, such as Etxenike [Pedro Miguel Etxenike Landiribar], a famous scientist, but right next to him you can find a street cleaner, and they are sitting together and having dinner,” he says. “What you see inside the society is what you see in the street.” The txokos have, however, traditionally been the preserve of the Basque male, and some of the

CHEFS MARCH ON: In San Sebastian food festival, where the music is a key ingredient older txokos still prohibit women from becoming members. “A few years ago, women were not allowed here,” Mendi says. “Now they can come in to have lunch and dinner on Saturdays. Little by little it is changing.” Given the expertise of men in the kitchen, I ask if Basque children normally learn to cook from their their fathers. “The mothers,” he says without hesitation. “It’s they who have cooked all their lives, and it is they who have invented new recipes. My mother was the centre (in the kitchen); she dominated everything.” As for the influence of chefs such as Arzak or Berasategui, pioneering proponents of the Basque nueva cocina style of cooking, Mendi is more circumspect. “I think the influence is stronger from the societies than from the nouvelle cuisine,” he says. “Nouvelle Basque cuisine is based on the products of the area and the traditional ways of cooking in this area but also in discovering new methods. We use new methods here but not as much as the big chefs. The problem here is space. Sometimes you have to share the kitchen with another member, so you can’t use a very sophisticated method that requires lots of space if there is another person cooking.” Tomorrow’s menu is a classic representation of traditional Basque cuisine – fish soup, hake with kokotxas (hake cheeks) and salsa verde and solomillo. The cellar is stocked with the finest local nectar: txakoli from Getaria, cider from Astigarraga, a selection of Riojas, including a Reserva 2001 chosen to commemo-

rate last year’s 75th anniversary. As there are more members than places at the table, Mendi acknowledges “there will be a bit of a fight to get in”. The absence of one fond friend will be particularly mourned. The beloved Basque dish of angulas, traditionally served on the feast of San Sebastian, has almost vanished from societies menus and only one, Euskal Billera, has included them this year.

Delicious

The prohibitively high cost of these delicious small eels (€800 for a kilo at the local fishmongers) has seen a gradual decline in their use. Mendi says they thought about including angulas on the menu, but opted for the kokotxas instead. “This year, we weren’t sure, because we were offered angulas for €500 per kg,” he says. “But it doesn’t show solidarity with so many people unemployed if we are here eating angulas, so we decided to go for something a bit more modest.” A cheaper alternative, gulas, is available, but the exactingly high standards of the cooking in these societies prohibit the use of inferior substitutes. “We try to use the proper products,” Mendi says. “Even if you are just eating potatoes, it should be the best potatoes; if you eat eggs, they should be the best eggs. The gula costs €30 a kg but they are not the same. In the societies we eat authentic and good-quality products.” The quest for culinary excellence permeates every stratum of society here, and the popularity of the txokos continues to swell this devotion. Rafael Aguirre, a local historian and expert on

Basque culture who has written a book on the txokos, reveals that the societies’ are thriving. “Forty years ago, there were about 35 societies. At the moment, there are 119, and the largest ones have about 300 members,” he says. “Every year there are three or four gastronomic societies set up, and the new ones are completely open to women.” Cost is one reason that, especially during a recession, the societies are a popular way of keeping entertaining expenses to a minimum. “On a special event, maybe the birthday of your son, you join together, maybe 20 people,” says Rafael. “In a gastronomic club you prepare your own meal and you pay maybe €10 per head. If you go to a restaurant you pay maybe three times as much,” he explains. The teeming rain drenching the thousands crammed in to Plaza de la Constitución the following night seems only to ignite their passion when the Gaztelubide’s cooks ascend the stage. As the chimes of the plaza clock signal midnight, the crowd, many wearing chefs’ hats and carrying small barrels, accompany those drumming on stage as the strains of Raimundo Sarriegui’s ‘La Marcha de San Sebastián’ reverberate around the square. From the raised podium, Mendi conducts proceedings as undiluted local pride raises the decibel level of the crowd’s singing. For the next 24 hours San Sebastián marches to the beat of its own drum in a city where the heroes wear a uniform of pristine white. This article won the Santa Cruz prize for the best contribution to La Revista, a magazine run by the Anglo-Spanish society.

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