Gibraltar Olive Press Newspaper – Issue 42

Flying Gibraltar www.gibraltarolivepress.com news high

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FLIGHT bookings to Gibraltar have soared by nearly three times since the Brexit vote last June.

According Travel Supermarket, there has been a 267% rise in bookings. It comes as worldwide interest in the Rock exploded following last week’s front pages. "Holidaymakers find inspiration in a variety of places, from newspapers to current affairs.

Seeing aerial shots of the Rock, sun-soaked red phone boxes and the famous Barbary macaque population has clearly given some people an urge to check out the deals," a spokesperson said.

1 Gibraltar April 12th - AprilGibraltar 25th 2017 business classifieds

Gibraltar culture

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The Rock’s original community newspaper FREE

Apr 12th - Apr 25th 2017

GIBRALTAR’S ‘biggest threat’ could be the UK government, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has admitted.

It comes after Brussels explosive decision to hand Spain an effective veto over Gibraltar being included in the UK’s Brexit trade deals.

Picardo has now demanded London state equivocally that it will support the Rock after Madrid was handed

It’s phwoar

How Gibraltar’s stunning new mayor helped to diffuse one of the Rock’s most stressful weeks SEE PAGE 3

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London calling!

Vol. 3 Issue 42 www.gibraltarolivepress.com

WINNER: Miss World Kaiane has become the new mayor

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Chief Minister urges Westminster to back Gibraltar over Brexit

must have the same deal as Britain,” Picardo told a Sunday newspaper.

“I applaud David Davis’ ambitions.

He said he would bring a deal with the exact same benefits. a weapon that threatens Britain’s We’ll see.” Picardo also reiterated that defending Gibraltar’s soverBrexit deal.

“Spain has played its hand. Our eignty is ‘not the immediate issue’ biggest threat now is London. We following the publication of the European Council’s shock draft negotiating guidelines.

He added: “If one of your children is ill, you don’t need people calling you asking you about your mum.”

Spain currently runs a £5 billion trade surplus with the UK - including wines, hams, fish and tourism - which could be jeopardised if Madrid plays its veto over Gibraltar.

But Picardo warned that ‘decoupling Gibraltar from the UK’ would leave the Rock ‘isolated and vulnerable’.

Last week, Picardo met with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn who assured him of his party’s support for Gibraltar.

Graffiti gripe: Row over new mural opposite Gib International Bank PAGE 15

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Health service help REFORMS will be introduced to Gibraltar’s A&E. Two more charge nurses have been deployed to the service, while its services will be ‘streamlined’ to provide more focused care for those in urgent need.

New relations THE new Gibraltar Commonwealth Scholarship programme has officially begun.

Commonwealth residents can now spend three years on the Rock, where they will undertake studies to help them obtain a PHD.

April 12th - April 25th 2017

A FIVE STRETCH 102 CONVICTED paedophile Frederick Parody has been sentenced to five and a half years at the Supreme Court after being found guilty of two counts of sexually assaulting a fouryear-old girl.

Parody, 71, was sentenced

by Judge Karen Ramagge, who rejected the defence’s argument that Parody’s offence should carry a lesser sentence and that

Convicted sex offender shows ‘no remorse’ for assault on four-year-old girl he was of previous good character.

Patrick Canessa for the defence said Parody, of Montagu Gardens, maintained that any contact with the child was not of a sexual nature.

“For that reason it is difficult for him to show re-

morse because he insists on his innocence,” said Canessa.

The child was often left in Parody’s care when the offences took place between August 2013 and September 2014, the court heard.

Parody encouraged the girl to keep secrets, with

the offences taking place in Parody’s bedroom and bathroom when the door was locked, Ramagge said.

The young girl exhibited embarrassment and shame’ when giving evidence in the trial, the court heard.

Judge Ramagge said: “There was planning, there was grooming there was a serious abuse of trust.

A GUARDIA Civil officer who drew his gun pointed it an “This is a Category Irish national who was unfamiliar with the border crossing, A offence. This was it has been revealed. not an isolated case.

The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) confirmed Wednesday’s incident took place on the Spanish side of the border in the The jury convicted afternoon. on two counts. The It is believed the Irishman’s car failed to stop when chaloffence is intensely lenged by officers who implemented emergency procedures. harmful.

The flashpoint ignited on a tense day at the border, with “It involved a sighundreds of motorists enduring delays of up to four hours nificant breach of due to a deployment of new Policia Nacional officers from trust. The effects Madrid. may be psychologi“The RGP understands that it involved an Irish national cal or physical, but who may have been unfamiliar with the border crossing,” a clearly it remains to spokesperson said. be seen what effect “The RGP also understands that the incident was resolved this has on her.” with the individual in question being released without Judge Ramagge sencharge.” tenced Parody to One eyewitness said: “An elderly man was told to exit his five and half years vehicle and that’s all I know. for each offence, “He was in a Spanish car and he was crossing into Spain with each sentence from Gibraltar.” to run concurrently.

Border stand off

Show of solidarity CROSS border trade union talks have taken place to discuss Brexit.

Unite, UGT and Comisiones Obreras discussed how the triggering of Article 50 could affect workers both in Gibraltar and Spain.

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

Trio seized at sea THREE Spanish men have been arrested after a high-speed sea pursuit.

The Royal Gibraltar Police seized the men after chasing their nine-meter RHIB vessel.

The suspects’ vessel had radar equipment and speedy 350hp V8 outboard engines, but the crew gave up their escape attempt after a short chase into the Bay. Manuel Mesa Gonzalez, 40, from Algeciras was charged with Importing a Prohibited Import.

Victor Manuel Fillero Sanchez, 29, Algeciras was charged with Operating a Fast Launch and Importing a Prohibited Import.

Adrian Arroyal Garcia, 27, from La Linea was charged with Importing a Prohibited Import.

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April 12th - April 25th 2017

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Mayfair magic

PICARDO: With Sarah and Pauline

A TOUCH of Mayfair class has landed on Main Street.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo cut the red ribbon on Mayfair on Main, Gibraltar's new and only luxury hairdressing salon (before wryly noting the salon is part-financed by the European Union).

Among many of the salon's ‘revolutionary’ new products exclusive to Gibraltar include Olaplex, which repairs hair broken or damaged by colour or heat treatments.

"All the A-listers are using it, so why shouldn't the Gibraltarians?" questioned owner Sarah Carreras.

Creative Director and Head of Education Pauline Olivera's three decades of experience include a lengthy spell in salons around London's exclusive Bond

Crowning of Kaiane as Gibraltar’s new mayor helps diffuse most tense week in Gibraltar’s recent history

Street.

"Every day we rolled out a red carpet for our customers there," said Pauline.

"Then when we moved here in 2013 I realised there was an opportunity to change the face of hairdressing in Gibraltar.

"We can't wait to welcome you all."

Yes Miss!

OFFICIAL: Kaiane shakes Fabian Picardo’s hand as new mayor

By Joe Duggan

Grand-e news

FORMER Miss World Kaiane Aldorino Lopez has vowed she is ‘proud to be British’ after becoming Gibraltar’s youngest ever mayor.

In a week when the world’s media glare focused on the Rock, Kaiane’s crowning added a touch of glamour and, in part, helped to diffuse the tense situation.

ARIANA Grande is coming to Spain.

The Disney star turned pop princess will visit the country as part of her Dangerous Woman Tour.

The pint-sized 23-year-old will perform at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona on June 13.

Spending much of May touring the UK and Ireland, the Florida-born songstress will visit Barca before closing out the tour in Rome and Turin, in Italy.

Defiant

However, this did not stop Kaiane being defiant in her acceptance speech.

"Gibraltar is British and always will be. Why would we ever want to change our flag?” she said.

Kaiane received the honour from Chief Minister Fabian Picardo at an investiture ceremony at City Hall.

It was a ‘great privilege’ to be named as the new Mayor, she added, praising outgoing mayor Adolfo Canepa for his work in his second tenure.

“In Gibraltar, Kaiane doesn’t need a surname. Everyone knows who Kaiane is,” Canepa said.

“In a similar way to Winston being Churchill or Garcia Lorca being known as Federico.”

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said Lopez represented a ‘new generation’ of Gibraltar women, with women ‘leading from the front’ on the Rock.

“Kaiane Aldorino became Miss World. She was someone who carried the dreams of Gibraltarians around the world,” said Picardo.

“You were Miss Gibraltar, you were Miss World now you are Mrs Mayor.”

Welcome to the Death Star!

A GROUP of Star Wars fans are set to turn King’s Bastion leisure centre into a version of the Death Star.

The 501st Legion group will be wearing Stormtrooper costumes at the Gibraltar International Comic Convention, alongside a glitzy Hollywood line up attending from May 4 to 6.

World-class martial artist François Petit - star of 1995 film Mortal Kombat - will be heading to the Rock for the event, as will executive producer

Steven Bratter, who has worked with Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes and Sandra Bullock.

Also appearing is costume designer Simone Michaux, who has devoted her career to Marvel and DC movies as well as working on Game of Thrones, Power Rangers and Dr Who. Prosthetics makeup artist Robb Crafer’s, who worked on Maleficent, World War Z and Guardians of the Galaxy will also be present.

Iggy Pops over LEGENDARY hellraising rocker Iggy Pop is heading to Jerez for a huge summer festival show.

The Stooges frontman will headline Motor Circus at Puerto Santa Maria near the iconic motorcycle circuit on May 6 along with Fatboy Slim, Crystal Fighters, Love of Lesbian and Los Zigarros.

The 68-year-old icon’s most recent album Post Pop Depression has been critically acclaimed following its release in March.

The record saw Pop - famous for rock anthems Lust For Life, the Passenger, and I Wanna Be Your Dog - collaborate with Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme.

Camping tickets in a shaded part of the venue are available at Camping de Las Dunas for two nights.

For more information, visit the Motor Circus website on www.motorcircus.es/

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Lemonheads LOCAL MPS are being put in an online version of medieval stocks to face the public’s wrath.

Campaigners Equality Rights Group (ERG) have launched their online Sweet and Sour poll to give Gibraltarians the chance to rate their elected representatives.

Sweet strawberries can be used to express satisfaction with a politician’s work, while sour lemons can be ‘hurled’ at MPs people aren’t happy with.

“It is a commitment to keep power accountable whether in elected government or opposition,” an ERG spokesperson said.

All 17 Gibraltar MPs are listed along with their salaries.

People taking part in the poll are also being asked whether they feel Gibraltar should be integrated into Britain.

Rajoy’s EU charm blitz

SPAIN has hosted a summit of EU leaders as Madrid launches a Brexit charm offensive.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy met the

Madrid hosts leaders’ summit after Gibraltar veto shock

heads of France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta in the Spanish capital on Monday.

It comes the week after Spain was grant-

Farage’s fury NIGEL Farage accused the EU of being ‘like the mafia’ after it handed Spain an effective veto over Gibraltar.

In a controversial outburst to the European Parliament last Wednesday, the UKIP MEP attacked the institution’s ‘vindictive and nasty’ stance.

The European Parliament rejected a UKIP amendment to protect Gibraltar’s sovereignty as well as a number of other changes to the EU’s Brexit red lines.

“We believe in national self

April 12th - April 25th 2017

determination, your aim is to destroy nation state democracy. Gibraltar is clearly a deal breaker on current terms,” said Farage.

“You are behaving like the mafia. You think we’re a hostage.

We’re free to go.”

When Farage was criticised by the Parliament for using the word mafia he said, ‘I do understand national sensitivities.

I’ll change it to gangsters.’

Farage has also called for Gibraltar to become part of the United Kingdom.

ed an effective veto over Gibraltar being included in any future UK Brexit trade deal.

And with Spain now looking to bolster support for its Gibraltar stance, observers believe Spain is seeking to assert its authority within the EU. Borja Lasheras, director of the Madrid office of the European Council on Foreign Relations said: “There is a real willingness in Spain to regain influence at a time when other top European countries are absorbed by their own problems.

“Spain is playing its cards, and other countries are not.”

It was the third meeting of the seven nations as Madrid looks to cement a common Brexit stance among southern European leaders.

Sun beam A TEAM of projectionists from The Sun drove 36 hours from Reading to beam provocative headlines onto the Rock.

Stuart Roberts, 52, and his squad set out in a white van, travelling the length of France and Spain on their secret mission.

On Wednesday night, the projectionists parked and unloaded three projectors capable of beaming 60,000 lumens, equivalent to up to 85 standard 60W. Projection manager Stuart Roberts, 52, said: “We drove all night through France and Spain to make it. We didn’t get any kip but it was worth it.”

Headlines like Up Yours Senors, No Way Jose and Nuestra Roca No Se Toca illuminated the Rock as The Sun waved a proverbial two fingers at the Madrid government.

Roberts said: “They weren’t happy campers.”

But The Sun’s stunt drew a cool response from No. 6 and a mixed reaction from locals.

“Government of Gibraltar not aware of, or responsible for, any projection on the North Face,” posted Fabian Picardo on Facebook.

“Such projections require Environmental Assessment. None has been sought or granted.”

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Road rage as drivers suffer four-hour traffic jam at border

By Joe Duggan

THE government has complained to the EU about last Wednesday’s border delays which lasted up to five hours.

It is also ‘gathering more data’ after angry motorists slammed Spanish cops.

Hundreds of drivers endured traffic jams of at least four hours as commuters suffered a hellish exit from the Rock.

There were also queues entering Gibraltar in the morning as many crossborder workers got stopped.

The queues are being blamed on National Policemen who were sent from other parts of Spain to cover for local officers on their Easter holiday.

A Royal Gibraltar Police source told the Olive Press the jams were due to officers sent from Madrid who 'haven't got a clue'.

It came amid rising Brexit tensions between Spain, the UK and Gibraltar, with a Spanish warship chased out of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) on Tuesday.

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April 12th - April 25th 2017

Queue must be joking

It is not fair on the children

The Olive Press was on the spot to catch the jams and reported from the frontline, with our stories being read by over 5,000 people.

O

ne furious motorist, Francesca Claros, 45, who works in St Bernards Hospital oncology department, expressed her frustration at the delays.

“It’s so annoying,” she said .”We were stuck in the queue for an hour this morning and we’ve been here now for two and a half hours. And it’s still not finished.”

By seven pm, Gibraltar-based engineer Adrian Dann and his colleagues had been stuck in their van for two-and-a-half hours.

“I’ve got my mother and father-in-law over from the UK for a week and they’re waiting for me in Spain, but I’m sitting here,” he said.

“Unfortunately this is far too normal. The likes of you and me can’t change this. This comes from way, way above.

“Brexit has put everything up into the air and thrown everyone’s future in doubt.”

Outraged motorists pounded on their horns in unison as people expressed their disgust at the police.

Families tried to keep young children entertained as the hot sun forced motorists out of their cars.

The Here’s Johnny ice cream van next to Gibraltar International Airport did a roaring trade as people opted for an ice cream to cool off.

“I’m going to arrive home at dark. There are children and families here,” said Mustapaha Hamhoua, who was driving home with his two young children.

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“Usually it’s so quick but no look at it now.

We’ve been here more than half an hour already,” said daughter Yasmin.

When the Olive Press asked a Policia Nacional border officer what was causing the delays he said, ‘We have to make sure we check everyone’s passport, sir.’

Queues began at quarter past seven in the morning with extra police posted at border entry and exit points.

“The officers normally deployed at the border have gone on leave for Easter. New detachments have come in from other parts of Spain who didn’t quite understand the manner in which queues should be conducted,” revealed Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo called the queues ‘the reality of those who experience at a human level the vagaries of the relationship between Spain, the UK and Gibraltar’.

The government is ‘monitoring very closely’ the reasons for the delays, said Picardo and plans to produce detailed reports on ‘disproportionate’ traffic jams.

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Road runner A BOLD new government initiative to tackle air quality and transport problems has been announced.

The 179-page Sustainable Transport and Parking Plan is of a ‘magnitude never undertaken in Gibraltar’, said Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Balban.

Improved

Improved pedestrian crossing points, more Pay & Display parking areas, the new Redibikes scheme and expanding bus services are some of the projects being rolled out.

CCTV and traffic calming measures to enforce speed limits will also help reduce road accidents.

The plan also calls for a central Low Emission Zone and goods’ deliveries to be made with electric vehicles.

All new government vehicles will also be electric, hybrids or low emission where possible from now on.

6

www.gibraltarolivepress.com The Rock’s only investigative

local newspaper

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

OPINION Bordering on ridiculous

Fe atu r e

Rocked!

April 12th - April 25th 2017

THE past fortnight’s breathtaking sequence of events has fired up the Brexit boiling pot.

As Gibraltar came to terms with the EU’s hammer blow that Spain is set for a Brexit veto over the Rock, the world’s media turned its attention on Spain’s plucky little neighbour.

It was hard to know what to expect next.

Talk of war, battleships on the horizon, Brussels betrayal, the Sun’s night-time projector show - dramatic didn’t do it justice.

Lord Howard’s careless talk of war masked the real story - the EU’s proposed veto for Spain. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo has said ‘our biggest threat now is London.’

Westminster must now stand strong against Madrid’s demands and ensure Gibraltar doesn’t get handed a second-rate Brexit deal.

Cut the red tape THE Olive Press knows more than anyone where Gemma Vasquez is coming from.

Having been shoved in front of a panel of nearly ten people over our own trading licence, we appreciate the sentiments of the outgoing GFSB head.

The process to get the business and newspaper fully-regulated has taken over a year from start to finish, involved countless paperwork and, of course, hundreds of pounds.

This has also meant numerous man hours and time lost, which could have been spent on growing the business and investigating stories for you, our readers.

While the team at the Office of Fair Trading have been nothing but polite and correct in the way they have incorporated our licence, we hope that this whole process can be streamlined in future.

Gibraltar’s business community deserves better.

Publisher/ Editor

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Admin (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es

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

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

Joe Duggan joe@theolivepress.es Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Chloe Glover chloe@theolivepress.es Designer James Partington design@theolivepress.es SALES: sales@theolivepress.es

After the EU drops its Brexit bombshell on Gibraltar, Joe Duggan dissects an extraordinary week

L

IONEL Parody has been a Gibraltar taxi tour guide for over 30 years. The 59-year-old grandfather remembers the pain of General Franco’s border closures. But he never thought that fear would return, not until the EU’s shock decision to hand Spain a veto over Gibraltar’s future in the Brexit negotiations.

“We are in trouble,” he tells the Olive Press. “We have been faithful to the British since the times of Nelson. During the Falklands we converted the SS Uganda into a hospital ship here.

“Now we need Britain’s help. Gibraltar is not included in this EU clause and we are very concerned about what Spain might do.”

This was the fortnight when Gibraltar’s perennial Spanish dilemma was catapulted onto front pages and news broadcasts around the world. With Britain’s press corps descending on the Rock, Gibraltar’s daily struggle with Spain was suddenly the talk of every pub and living room in the UK. The extraordinary sequence of events

Campo reaction

CAMPO de Gibraltar officials have blasted Madrid’s stance on Gibraltar. With 12,000 cross-border workers reliant on Gibraltar, the PP government is damaging Spanish workers with talk of co-sovereignty, it has been claimed Salvador Molina, president for the Association of Spanish Workers in Gibraltar (ASCTEG), said: “They eat the Spanish flag for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but don’t care about what we are going to eat.

“The best solution would be to put the border further back and we would be on the other side, with Gibraltar. How can the Spanish government ask people they abuse to change nationality?” Juan Franco, mayor of La Linea, said: “Our economic dependency on Gibraltar is practically total.”Salvador de la Encina, the PSOE Cadiz representative, added: “We cannot impose joint sovereignty. Spain has never earned enough trust from the people of Gibraltar. If you want to woo someone, you give them flowers – not a flowerpot on the head.”

boiled over when the European Council dropped its 35-word Brexit bombshell on the Rock. Clause 22 of the EU’s draft guidelines ambushed British politicians and Gibraltarians alike. “After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom.”

Spain’s intensive EU lobbying campaign had clearly paid off. There it was in black and white. A veto for Madrid to exclude Gibraltar from any future trade deal the UK signs.

Immediately, fears for Britain’s entire Brexit project were crystallised into hard reality. While Britain’s negotiations would be conducted with the single bloc, on the issue of Gibraltar, it must negotiate bilat-

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

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FEELING BETRAYED: Retirees Ana Hayden and husband Brian

erally with Spain.

Gibraltar, its government said, had ‘shamefully been singled out’ by the European Council.

Fabian Picardo wasted no time turning his guns on EU Council President Donald Tusk. “Mr Tusk is behaving like a cuckolded husband who is taking it out on the children,” he fired back.

For many Gibraltarians on Main Street in the aftermath of Friday’s shock, the cry was of EU betrayal.

“We feel stabbed in the back by them,” said retiree Ana Hayden, 59. “The Spanish are being the bullies and we feel rejected by the EU. It feels like we have no rights. I would say to Britain please back us. We need your help.

“Britain came to our help when the border closed and we survived. Spain even removed oxygen from the hospitals.”

Her husband, Brian, 64, agreed. “I find it undemocratic, the idea that the EU are siding with Spain. We are British. My great grandfather came here with the British Army, Royal Artillery.

“I trust Britain to help us. If we can’t trust Britain, who can we trust?”

UK politicians immediately leapt to Gibraltar’s defence. Hilary Benn spoke out on BBC radio. Andrew Rosindell, a National Day regular, said ‘British people must and will stand together, we cannot be bullied

by Spain’.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson decided the moment called for one of his customary puns. “As ever, the UK remains implacable & rock-like in our support for Gibraltar.”

No doubt Johnson’s sentiment is true.

The UK government has been unstinting in its promises to back Gibraltar. But the question has to be asked as to how

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SOCIALMEDIA OlivePressNewspaper olivepress prominent Gibraltar was in the minds of either side of the UK Brexit campaign in the run-up to the referendum.

Certainly, it was seldom mentioned in the endless rounds of debate and newspaper columns before June 23. Given how close the final result was - 17,410,742 votes to Leave, 16,141,241 votes to Remain - there was surely political capital in the Remain camp appealing to Britain’s patriotic zeal and spelling out starkly just what was at stake for 38,000 fellow British people living in Spain’s shadow.

Crucial votes could have been won over the issue.

The EU Clause 22 was a shock. But a situation of this type - with Spain trying all it can to assume control over Gibraltar, and the problems that would cause both Gibraltarians and the UK - should have been considered more carefully in the UK. For Edward Macquisten, Chief Executive of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce, the EU’s move threw into question the morality of the entire single-bloc European project.

“It is more than betrayal,” he tells the Olive Press. “This does not bode well for the people of Europe. It is not as if we have adopted a position that is contrary to the ideals of the EU. “We have followed the European ideal more so than any other European member. So what are the EU going to do to people that vote against them?”

Over in England, Lord Howard wasted no time in throwing petrol on roaring fires. Evoking the spirit of the Iron Lady, he drew his now infamous - or famous, whichever side of the fence you sit on comparison with the Falkland Islands.

“Thirty-five years ago this week, another woman prime minister sent a taskforce halfway across the world to defend the freedom of another small group of British people against another Spanishspeaking country, and I’m absolutely certain that our current prime minister will show the same resolve in standing by the people of Gibraltar,” said Howard.

As reprehensible as the PP’s intentions on Gibraltar are, Mariano Rajoy is no General Galtieri (a dictator who played a part in the disappearance of thousands during the Argentine Junta’s brutal regime). Nevertheless, Howard’s gunboat diplomacy found a degree of favour with some concerned Gibraltarians on Main Street.

“We understand what he is trying to say,”

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said Ana Hayden. ”Some Spanish take it as a personal offence. But he is trying to defend us. We do welcome it. It’s about time Britain did something to stand up to them.”

Levy Attias, another Gibraltarian who lived through Franco’s border closures, admitted that ‘the situation will be tough’.“But as tough as Spain gets, Britain will be

tougher. And they will bite,” he says.

Jack Straw, the bete noire of Gibraltar following his wretched 2002 joint sovereignty plan, suddenly reappeared on the scene, like Banquo’s ghost. The former Labour foreign secretary, shamefully touted his failed plan once more, sticking the boot into Gibraltar while he did so.

“For the Spanish, Gibraltar is an affront to their sense of national identity and their sense of sovereignty. It’s a bit like having a part of Dover being owned by Spain,” he said.

“It’s in the interests of Gibraltarians for there to be some kind of deal done with the Spanish in the new circumstances.”

Meanwhile, in Madrid, Lord Howard’s fiery rhetoric had not gone unnoticed. Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis advised the UK to ‘calm down’ (even though the drums of war were being beaten by a former minister with no real power).

Picardo was on an endless treadmill of interviews, appearing on BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, and slamming Spain’s ‘abominable’ behaviour on the US CNBC channel. The Sun threw its might behind the Rock, launching a highly popular campaign to back Gibraltar and giving Spanish right-wing paper ABC a taste of its own medicine with its - far more witty, although incorrectly spelled - Up Your Senors front page. A high-profile Gibraltar political source told the Olive Press the deluge of media interest in the Rock had been ‘overwhelming, but it is giving us important coverage’.

That it is. Among large swathes of UK citizens, there has, it’s fair to say, been a degree of ignorance over the Gibraltar question. Well, they know now. After the extraordinary events of the last week and a half, everyone in the UK is aware of how much is at stake for Gibraltar.

It is now up to Westminster to ensure that Spain not only fails in its plot to gain sovereignty over Gibraltar, but also that the Rock’s citizens are not cut out of any trade deal the UK strikes with the EU. To do so would relegate Gibraltarians as second-class British citizens at a time when Gibraltar needs to cleave closer to the UK. Gibraltar didn’t choose Brexit. More than anywhere, it voted almost unanimously for the EU project on June 23. For Brussels to turn round now and spit in Gibraltar’s face is an affront to democracy.

March 31 will go down in history as a dark day for the EU.

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LE T T ERS

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Taking the biscuit What an absolute cheek (Spain applauds Theresa May’s tough stance on Scottish independence referendum, issue 262). Has the Scottish government ever interfered with decisions made by the Spanish government? Absolutely disgraceful and considering 50% of Scots want self determination for their own country.

Spain has just offended half of Scotland's population.

Rhona Frisby, Scotland

Good and bad It will be so high that it will ruin the view for quite a few houses behind it, pity (W hotel chain announces ‘€300 million’ luxury resort in Marbella, issue 262).

We live very near the place and it won't affect us. On the contrary it will increase the value of the buildings around it and cause a rise in property prices.

Maria Soneby, Marbella

Cruel It is simply cruel to cut off an animal’s anatomies (Practice of cutting off dogs’ tails finally banned across Spain, issue 262). How would you like it if your parents thought YOU looked ‘cute’ with your ears clipped? A dog is born with a tail after millennia of natural selection, there is a valid reason for tails. Catch up with the 21st century. While you’re at it, outlaw bullbaiting too.

Stefjano, Estepona

April 12th - April 25th 2017

Rock unsteady

Olive Press readers react to the Brexit Gibraltar row which saw talks of war between the UK and Spain after it was announced that España would be given de facto veto power over the future of the Rock in Brexit negotiations

Let’s stick together I think it is very important that the British people as a whole, including Gibraltar, stick together at this very difficult time (EU treating the Rock with contempt, online). If we don’t hang to together that we will most assuredly be hung separately.

No separate deals or negotiations.

What was the EU insisting? The UK must negotiate with the bloc as a whole and not try to deal with individual states. Yet when it comes to Gib – well it insists on bilateral negotiations! What a bunch of hypocrites.

Andrew Hutchinson, UK

See EU later I don’t think that it is ‘contempt’ (EU treating the Rock with contempt, online). UK will not be member of EU and Gibraltar is a possession of UK. The EU is going to support Spain in the Brexit agreement and in post-Brexit agreements.

Because Spain is a member of the Union. I think the best thing for Gibraltar is to obtain best agreement with Spain to protect the Gibraltarian way of life. And this way of life (financial sector, online gambling or tourism) will disappear when Gibraltar leaves. Brexit is Brexit.

Anonymous

No say

chewing gum, no flowers, terrible service and everyone we met was unfriendly. Need I say more?

It seems that all these macaques know how to do is whine and moan.

Of course it is Spain who has to decide what happens on its borders.

And taking into account the fact that Gibraltar is OUT of the EU, the Single Market, the Schengen Area and the Customs Union, it is not that difficult to understand that the border will be closed or controlled in the most radical way.

Pablo Cedron, Estepona

Not fit This was always on the cards and is just another example of the unintended consequences of Brexit. There will be more and this Tory government is not fit to deal with them.

Still, the 17 million will be happy. I expect to them the Gibraltarians are just another bunch of ‘those foreigners’, just as Brits who live in the EU are a bunch of traitors.

Peter Johnson, Zujar

Take it back Gibraltar needs to be given back to Spain. I was in Spain recently and it was clean, no litter, no graffiti, no chewing gum on pavements, friendly people, flowers everywhere. I went to Gib, it was basically a dump. Grey crowded streets, litter,

Jane Thomas, Kilmarnock

Well done Well done Brexiteers, so now the people of Gibraltar (who voted to Remain in the EU by 96%) are going to face months or possibly years of uncertainty. You knew the risks but you ignored them.

So what are the so called great advantages of Brexit looking like so far: swapping EU workers for non-EU workers and that’s about it. Keep it rolling.

Jane G, Malaga

What’s so bad?

I think people living in Gibraltar should consider what life would be like if they gave Gibraltar back to Spain – an EU country that will allow then access to free healthcare etc. I would prefer that if I lived on the rock by far! There are lots of British enclaves on the costa that are just that very British – not much would change on the rock except that you would stay EU members with all its benefits and privileges. The Spanish are just great – what’s not to like?

Anonymous

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Mali music docs open Brightmed

A NEW exhibition featuring the works James Foot has BE of‘APPY! launched at the Fine Arts Gallery.

The pieces include works with his signature watercolour style.

Foot is no stranger to Gibraltar, having visited many times over his career.

Download our app now and So it comes as no surprise that begin enjoying best Spanish the Rock will be the the subject of news on the go.scenes of the exhibition, with the city, green spaces and the sea on show.

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Van Gogh for Gib A PLAY about artist Vincent Van Gogh is set to light up Gibraltar’s Spring Festival.

Van Gogh in Provence will be performed at The Charles Hunt Room, John Mackintosh Hall on May 25.

The theatre company Group 2000 and its director Cecil Gomez are working alongside Gibraltar Cultural Services for the recital.

Van Gogh spent over two years in France searching for the ‘Southern light’, which features prominently in his work, including Sunflowers. Tickets are priced £3 and are on sale from Tuesday May 2 at John Mackintosh Hall between 9am and 4:30pm. More info:info@ culture.gi or 00350 20075669.

TWO documentaries about Malian musicians will kickstart Gibraltar’s first ever BrightMed Film Festival.

They will have to kill us first is the tale of two musicians enduring life in Mali after Islamic jihadists ban music.

The film, shot partly in refugee camps, was described as ‘miraculously hopeful’ by the New York Times.

Mali Blues follows revered musicians Fatoumata Diawara and Bassekou Kouyate as they fight to express themselves when their

musical culture is threatened by Jihadis.

The films’ directors will be travelling to Gibraltar for the festival screenings, which are free to attend at the Leisure Cinema.

One musician featured will play concerts in Commonwealth Park on June 7 and St. Michael’s Cave on June 8.

A Q&A session will take place after the screening of each documentary.

The festival is part of the Gibraltar World Music Festival’s GWMF2017 Uprising.

Vaccines for Gib

While Sex Pistol Glen Mattlock also confirmed

THE Vaccines, Years & Years and Charli XCX are the latest acts announced for this summer’s starstudded festival on the Rock.

London-based rockers The Vaccines are currently one of the h o t t e s t bands on the planet, with their last album English Graffiti a huge worldwide hit.

They have played with and supported The Rolling Stones, Arcade Fire and

the Stone Roses.

It comes two weeks after Fatboy Slim was confirmed as the headline act for September’s MTV Presents Gibraltar Calling at Victoria Stadium.

Other new acts announced today include ex-Sex Pistol Glen Matlock’s Allstar Band and 80s stars Black Box and Go West.

Tickets are available from the Gibraltar Ministry of Culture, City Hall, John

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Mackintosh Square, Gibraltar. Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 17:00.

Children aged 12 and under are eligible for a free general admission ticket as long as they are accompanied by a ticket-holding

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These must be obtained in advance from City Hall.

For further information on the event visit the website gibraltarcalling.com

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ibraltar's 5th International Face & Body Painting Festival April 21 - 23 Taking place at Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery, Casemates, this year’s theme will be video games.

C

raft & Collectors Fair - April 22

Jewelry, stamps, coins, dolls house items and more will be on sale from 10am - 2pm at St Andrew's Church Governors Parade.

W

alk to the Top of the Rock April 22

A walk in aid of Cancer Research including BBQ brunch and cable car return . Meet at John Mackintosh Square from 9am. Entry fee: £10.

C

ar Display April 23

-

An exhibition of classic cars by the Gibraltar Classic Vehicles Association will take place at Casemates Square from 9am - 2pm.

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P

OPE Alexander VI was nothing if not colorful.

He publicly and proudly proclaimed he had a bevy of children throughout Spain and Vatican Rome, never hiding the fact that he had multiple wives (read: polygamy), mistresses and consorts.

Born Rodrigo Borgia (1431) in Valencia, he named himself Pope Alexander after Alexander the Great.

His coronation took place at a time when, as described by Vatican historians, ‘Rome swarmed with Spanish

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What does a deceased oversexed Medieval Pope have to do with climate change?

adventurers, assassins, exiled Jews, spies and prostitutes’. Alexander was ‘magnetically handsome with a baleful reputation who had given his soul to the great demon in hell.’

But he lived in an extraordinary era. He reigned over the Vatican during The Renaissance. He personally rubbed elbows with Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo. He was a contemporary of the political theorist Niccolo Machiavelli who respected Alexander as a capable and cautious diplomat.

This was also the Age of Discovery, so he also consorted with the likes of Columbus, Magellan et al. What possible connection could there be between this enigmatic Spanish Pope and today’s discussions of climate change?

MAPPED: Claimed territories and (top right) Pope Alexander played by Jeremy Irons in The Borgias The answer requires a bit of a sense of humour … although it would be a stretch to find any hu- than Pope Alexander. mour or irony in today’s serious de- In 1494 he issued an edict (Treaty of Tordesillas) meant to diplomatibates about climate change.

Global warming, polar ice cap re- cally divide the newly-discovered duction and rising sea levels are in- lands of Spain (Columbus) and Por●● In Valencia slang, “Borgia” has become a slang byword for libertinism or for tugal (Magellan). With the stroke of deed weighty issues one who is devoid of sexual constraints. Quite a descriptive for one of their his pen, he estabthat need serious innative sons! lished an imaginary ternational coopera●● The legacy of Rodrigo Borgia has enjoyed a recent comeback into today’s line running northtion. One such effort popular culture. In 2011, Jeremy Irons won a Golden Globe Award as Alexander south (roughly longiVI in the Showtime series The Borgias. is called The AntarcHe had given his tude 46 west) from ●● More than a dozen books, both fiction and non-fiction have been written which tic Treaty System. characterize the colorful legacy of Rodrigo Borgia aka Pope Alexander VI. In an effort to keep soul to the great ‘Pole-to Pole’, giving ●● Mario Puzo’s (author of The Godfather series) last novel Los Borgias (The Famlands to the east to the southern polar demon in hell ily) was based on the debauched life style of the family. Puzo once said that Portugal and those region of Antarctica many of ideas in his Mafia novels were inspired by the notorious Renaissance to the west to Spain. as an environmenpope.

Chile and Argentina tal laboratory, 53 ●● Los Borgias was a popular 2006 Spanish film starring Lluis Homar and Maria have claimed legal nations have signed Valverde. rights that go back agreements.

Their goal is to maintain the conti- 500 years to a time when they were nent as a global science preserve part of the Spanish Empire. To but- ed a seven-months pregnant wom- quently sent married couples and to ensure no nation makes a tress their claim of sovereignty over an to Antarctica and, two months south in order to claim sovereignthe Antarctic, both countries have later, Emilio Palma became the ty, with ‘citizens’ being conceived ‘territorial claim’.

The countries of Chile and Ar- engaged in a series of territorial tiffs first person ever born on the frozen and later born in the territory. continent.

More than a dozen births have gentina have objected - citing a that at times, verge on the comical.

500-year-old decree by none other In one 1978 tactic, Argentina airlift- Not to be outdone, Chile subse- since been registered.

FUN FACTS

The very next year, Argentina issued a commemorative stamp of young children (rumored to be Baby Emilio) gazing at a map of the Antarctic with the slogan: ‘Argentines, we must march to our frontiers’.

Chile, to demonstrate the seriousness of their claim, has made it illegal to publish a map of the country that does not include their Antarctic territory. Both Argentina and Chile have even designed special flags for their respective Antarctic regions.

Reportedly, the two countries often play a cat-and-mouse game of stealing flags and displaying their own version.

Geographically, both countries assert that the continent of Antarctica is a continuation of the Andes Mountains - a border they both share. Currently, the issue of Chile and Argentina’s territorial claims remains unresolved within The Antarctic Treaty System.

Scientific discoveries from the polar regions are often key to understanding global climate. Since most of the world’s snow and ice are in the polar regions, these areas are expected to be the first and most-affected by global warming.

Ergo, warming in the polar regions greatly influences the climate in other latitudes. The wisdom of having a neutral scientific laboratory free of any territorial sovereignty is sound. Yet the squabbles and tensions initiated by Pope Alexander, then passed on to Chile and Argentina some 500 years later, would be comical if the stakes were not so high.

In the meantime I cannot help but think that Pope Alexander is smiling down upon Chile and Argentina, knowing that in some small way, they too proudly and publicly produced a bevy of children to establish credibility!

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Mijas

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Visit once and remain enchanted forever, the favourite 1960s package tour excursion still has mountains of charm writes Chloe Glover

l a c i g a M

A

SAPPHIRE sea twinkles from far below as lilting Andalucian guitars accompany flamenco dancers in their impassioned bailes in the grand plaza. The al fresco fiesta has been a free attraction in Mijas Pueblo every Wednesday at noon since anyone can remember.

Everywhere along the flowerpot-adorned streets there are snapshots of typical village life: donkey taxis waiting patiently for their next fare, kids kicking balls, gaggles of elderly gents gently snoozing on shady benches.

Only a few kilometres downhill, the village’s sibling coastal resorts of La Cala, Riviera del Sol and Calahonda create a different buzz with their trendy beach bars, fast improving restaurants and vibrant nightlife, adding up to a diverse destination with multiple layers of appeal.

The local population of 87,000 is equally diverse, swelled by a multicultural potaje of expats who have come to enjoy a new life in the year-round microclimate provided by the towering Sierra de Mijas mountains.

Enchanting

Mijas Costa, a 12-kilometre beach strip stretched between the borders of Fuengirola and Marbella, is a magnet for tourists and holiday home owners. Chris Tarrant and Ryan Giggs are frequent visitors, while Victoria Beckham discovered its spice from spending childhood summer holidays in Riviera. Lorraine Kelly and comedian Stan Boardman also have homes here.

But it is the whitewashed village in the hills where most day trippers begin their discovery of Mijas, a village steeped in heritage and culture.

Today the ancient Greek and Roman hill fortress welcomes an annual invasion of visitors from all over the world thanks to its timeless charm and enviable location, half an hour from Malaga and a short drive from the major tourist resorts of Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Marbella.

Spending just half an hour in its meandering maze of Moorish streets, where terraced restaurants with tiny darkened doorways lead onto expansive sun-filled patios with mountain views, is enough to understand its allure.

“There are so many reasons to stay longer,” says Rudi Van Der Zalm, owner of Tuk Tuk Spain whose nippy three-wheel transporters now offer an alternative to the famous donkey taxis.

How right he is. As well as the world’s first HIGH LIFE: Mijas village sits 400 metres up in the Sierra de Mijas (photo by Jon Clarke)

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100% electric Tuk Tuks, Mijas boasts Spain’s only rectangular bull ring, original works by Picasso and Gaudi and, something no other resort can surely lay claim to, a miniature of the Last Supper painted onto a single grain of rice.

Couple that with the friendly welcome from baristas and shopkeepers and if you’ve never visited Mijas before you’ll wonder why not.

The beautifully-kept main square of Plaza Virgen de la Pena is a good place to start exploring.

A few strides away is the fascinating old village flour mill. Chiselled into the rock face, a faithfully reconstructed workshop with original machinery sits inside.

A few paces down a slope lies the Virgen de la Pena grotto, a rugged little chapel excavated in the rock in 1548. Legend has it that it was here the Virgin Mary appeared to two children, bringing joy to the villagers.

And it is impossible to miss the bright yellow building that houses the Carromato de Mijas museum.

Weird

Once the private collection of hypnotist Juan Elegido Millán, this weird and wonderful treasure trove of miniature items gathered from around the globe makes Ripley’s Believe It or Not seem tame.

Take your eye to the magnifying glasses to admire everything from a microscopic version of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper and a painting of Abe Lincoln on a pinhead to a bal-

STUNNING: Mijas pueblo is home to the stars lerina carved into a wooden toothpick.

You’ll also feel good to know your €3 entrance fee will go to Afesol, a Costa del Sol charity caring for people with mental health issues.

Venture deeper into the village to find the nonconformist bull ring.

“There was just no space to give it the traditional circular shape,” explains Rudi who shares the villagers’ pride in the rectangular arena and all the village’s kooky at-

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Mijas is also big on fiestas, both new and traditional. The pretty white Immaculate Conception church is the starting point for the popular Semana Santa religious parades while the open air auditorium opposite hosts al fresco concerts throughout the summer.

The brief thighburning walk up to the Moorish tower is vale la pena, as the Spanish say, for 360 degree coast to mountain views

although photogenic vistas can be found at every twist and turn of the village streets.

The picture postcard calles were inspired by the north African settlers to keep the heat of the Mediterranean sun at bay and it’s all too easy to lose hours discovering their devious charms.

But you haven’t ‘done’ Mijas until you’ve visited its ethnographic museum - a lovingly put-together two-floor exhibition that guides visitors through the village’s past – and the Contemporary Art Centre for those Picassos and Gaudis.

Those who have the energy should also take advantage of the numerous walking routes

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29650 Mijas But Thai tuk tuks are the new way to scale the pueblo’s vertiginous cobbled slopes, thanks to one enterprising local family.

Rudi van der Zalm is one part of Tuk Tuks Spain, one of the only companies in the country to offer guided tours by the electric six-seater scooter carts.

“We set up two years ago,” said Rudi, 54, from the Netherlands.

His family take people on 35-minute, eight

kilometre tours.

“We saw them first while on holiday in Amsterdam and thought it would be a great idea for Mijas because they can scale the steep streets that the donkeys can’t get to.

“My daughter Miriam (24) took the idea on as a university project but it has blossomed into a real business with the help of Natalie (26), my other daughter,” adds Rudi, who lives in the village with his Spanish wife Encarnacion.

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April 12th - April 25th 2016

Mijas by numbers 1 2,500 - trees planted in the El Calvario to be area 1 50,000 - Japanese touris ts due to visit

PICTURE PERFECT: From bell tower to geraniums spread across a white-washed wall

Mijas year with tour operator Ha this nkyu

43

- Picasso’s ceramic in the Contemporary Art works s Centre Mijas (CACMijas), the sec most import ant collectio ond n of this type in the world

254

from town that zigzag up to the mountains and down to the coast.

“I feel so much pride for my village,” says a beaming Rosalia Villatoro Alarcon, an ethnographic museum volunteer who has lived her whole life in Mijas.

“It has kept its character despite its growth in popularity and has not lost that neighbourhood feel which makes it such a friendly and enchanting place.”

Mijas is mouthwatering too. Multicultural cuisine is served alongside Andalu-

LauraDuckett meets the British software entrepreneur trading in ‘megabites’ of sustainable chocolate

M

aking chocolate in a Mediterranean climate sounds like a sticky business.

But for Peak District-born Jason Godwin, the gamble he took five years ago has certainly paid off.

Today, from the tiny factory located in the heart of beautiful Mijas Pueblo, an extensive range of chocolate under the brand name of Mayan Monkey Mijas is distributed throughout Spain and Europe.

With its ‘Made in Mijas’ stamp, Mayan Monkey Mijas’ chocolate is fast becoming as much of a must-buy as Jabugo jamon or Jerezano sherry.

Chocoholics from all over the world flock to the ‘Happiness Lab’ for tours, and to dabble in the art of making this sweet treat from scratch.

Jason puts the success of Mayan Monkey Mijas down to the quality (gastronomic and ethical) of its creatively-flavoured handcrafted wares. In addition to the chocolate, this micro-company also makes ice cream, glutenfree baked wares and sugarfree treats, as well as cacao-based skincare.

The lip-smacking list of chocolate flavours include organic bee pollen, Mijas honey, salted almond and local lemons & oranges.

Another key selling point is Jason and co-founder and partner Eli McCarthy’s ECO-centric philosophy.

“There are more slaves in the world today than at any other time in the past”, Jason tells us

sian specialities in this very international pueblo, where Argentinian and Canadian restaurateurs vie for trade with the local Spanish spots.

You can even make your own chocolate at the curiously-named Mayan Monkey Mijas, the only chocolate factory and shop for miles around - and a fantastically ethical one at that.

“It’s the most fun job in the world and it’s thanks to Mijas’s continued appeal that I have it”, said co-founder Jason Godwin, originally from Glossop.

He shares his passion for chocolate with tours and workshops and claims the Mijas

mountain air gives it a distinctive flavour.

One of his shop staff, Claudia, regaled us in a brilliant Blackburn accent with the story of how her mum found her forever home in Mijas after meeting her Malagueno husband.

“She was a tour guide and met him while he was working on a reception desk of a hotel nearby,” says Claudia.

“She fell in love with both him and Mijas at the same time.”

Even if you’re not tempted to put down roots yourself, you can take a piece of the village away with you from the many delis and speciality shops selling everything from exotically-flavoured honeys to pretty porcelain plates.

In a more modern and sophisticated way, the scene on the coast

is just as eclectic. One of the most profitable destinations on the Costa del Sol, Mijas Costa’s swanky seaside urbanisations and hotels all offer sandy beaches and a great range of restaurants and water sports including jet skis, waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing and parapenting.

Las Lagunas on the fringes of Fuengirola offers retail therapy for shopaholics while the small, whitewashed fishing village of La Cala has morphed into a popular resort town with over 20,000 residents, offering a complimentary if strikingly different charm to its antique sister pueblo in the hills.

Visit once and remain enchanted forever, Mijas is still one of the brightest stars on the Costa del Sol.

- UNESCO world tage sites, 255 if Mijas’ appherilication is successful

11 ,000

- registered Britons living in the whole of the Mijas area

2,920

- hours of sunshine enjoyed every year (243 day s of sun)

82,1 8 4 - the total popu2,920 - hours of sunshine per year lation of Mijas

shine)

(243 days of solid sun-

The sweet taste of success as we tuck into some dulcet dark chocolate buttons made with organic cacao. The beans used in this chocolate are fully traceable to farming communities in the Dominican Republic and Peru.

The Ivory coast produces 70% of the world’s cacao, most of which is used in the mass-production of chocolate. The dark side of this factoid is that the Ivorian cacao sector is characterised by exploitative working conditions, including indentured adult labour and even child slave labour. This is what allows most supermarket chocolate to be sold at artificially low prices.

Jason tells us that there are almost two million child slaves working in the the Ivory Coast´s cacao plantations. Most children are trafficked from neighbouring countries so, because they don’t speak Ivorian, they are unable to ask for help. Needless to say, the younger the child, the less resources he or she will have to understand what has happened, and to figure out how to get back home.

“Within 10 days of finding this out, we had changed our suppliers”, Jason tells us.

“If the origin is not printed on the label, the majority of the time the chocolate will have originated in

CHOCCY HEAVEN: Worker prepares the ovens, bars for sale (abover) and OP girls Laura and Chloe with Jason

WIN A GOLDEN TICKET TO A CHOCOLATE-MAKING WORKSHOP Chocolate Truffles, Deco Bars, Chocolate-dipped fruits, Marbled Chocolate Figurines and Soft-Centre Chocolate Bonbons...... mmmm!!!

Win one of four tickets to a "Chocolatiers Workshop" at Mayan Monkey Mijas Chocolate Factory, and learn the techniques behind all the above-mentioned organic chocolate delights.

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As part of an ongoing sourcing

mission focused on quality, Mayan Monkey Mijas has started to explore new supply avenues,

such as buying cacao beans that have been shipped from the Dominican Republic (the world´s leading producer of organic cacao) to Europe aboard “Tres Hombres” , the Dutch sailboat – one of the very few engineless cargo ships in the world, and part of a new environmental growth movement known as “Fair Transport”.

Why a sail ship? Because commercial ships account for more sulphur dioxide pollutants than all the cars in the world, says Jason.

And why from the Dominican Republic in particular? Because of the depth of flavour of their organic cacao beans and the farmers’ fairer working conditions, he explains.

The beans are currently roasted in Amsterdam, pending refurbishment of a huge antique stone-

wheel mill (dating back to the 1890s), and a beautiful French coffee roaster, which is almost 100 years old.

The objective? “We want to make chocolate in a way that both reduces our carbon footprint and prioritizes the focus on flavour,” says Jason. To this end, he and Eli are in the process of expanding the chocolate factory to include a “working museum” showcasing the production process of chocolate, its fascinating history, and the vital changes that are needed in order to ensure that the taste of chocolate is sweet not just for the consumer, but for everyone in the supply chain. For more information on ethically produced chocolate, visit: YouTube: The Dark Side of Chocolate www.slavefreechocolate.org

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Mijas Costa’s celebrity-studded resort La Cala will leave you starry eyed, writes Chloe Glover

GORGEOUS: La Cala’s enviable beaches and landmarks

T

HESE days you would be hard pushed not to spot a famous face strolling along the boardwalk prom at La Cala de Mijas.

Celebrity restaurateurs like Elliott Wright of The Only Way is Essex and Playa in Marbella, plus TV chef Steven Saunders have made this pretty beach resort a magnet for the ‘in’ crowd.

Alongside a mix of well-heeled international tourists, keep your eyes peeled for British celebrities like Antony Worrall Thompson and Chris Tarrant, while the late-lamented Rick Parfitt of Status Quo fame was also a La Cala fan.

Now French chef Joffrey Charles, who counts Prince Charles, Kate Moss and Madonna among his customers, has added his own brand new restaurant to La Cala’s glittering culinary scene.

Meanwhile A Place in the Sun has recently made stars of charming restaurant couple Alison and Steve at the excellent Blue Marlin fish restaurant.

Just up the coast, El Oceano hotel has stunning penthouse suites going at 600 euros a pop and mostly full of English VIPs and movers and shakers from Easter onwards.

Long gone are the days when gangland heroes like ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser, Kray Twins mind- CELEBS: Elliot Wright with fiance and Steven Saunders about the place.” er George Dixon and the notori- rant scene. ous Ronnie Knight gave the With last year’s opening of the The occasional Olive Press colarea its Costa del Crime label. beach boardwalk connecting it umnist has contributed to the These days there is a distinct to the neighbouring resort of upbeat vibe with his own ressense of glamour about the Riviera, there is all the more taurant, The Little Geranium. charming erstwhile fishing reason to strut your stuff in La Sporting a trendy denim chef’s jacket and a natty black trilby village which has become a Cala. genuine foil to buzzy Marbella. Fast becoming a little corner (‘from the days where I had to Thanks to its prime location of Marbella in Mijas, TOWIE rush between my 15 restaubetween Marstar Elliott rants and a chef’s hat got in bella and FuenWright had the the way’), Saunders personally each course of his girola, visitors These days there clarity of vi- explains can stay close sion to choose seven-dish tasting menu to ento the urban ac- is a distinct sense La Cala over thralled diners.The Little Geration while revelin- nium has certainly blossomed of glamour about Marbella, ling in the provesting three and has been full to bursting vincial charm million euros every day since he opened. the charming of waterfront in stunning Much has changed but not village fishermen’s restaurant Ol- everything … Irish bar Biddy Mulligan’s has been a popular cottages and ivia’s. timeless back“The Only way meet-up hub for many a year. street bars. is La Cala these days,” he says It is rarely not rammed to the The newly-restored 18th-cen- bullishly. “Bit by bit it is getting rafters. tury watchtower stands as a more and more glamorous The perfect place to watch sport or grab a Guinness, beacon to the history of a town and upmarket. where donkeys were the main “Forget Marbs, this is the manager David Reilly reckons form of transport until the place to hang out these days.” La Cala is still ‘the best kept 1970s!

Boulevard La Cala, 7 Fellow restaurateur Steven secret on the Costa Del Sol’.

Defiantly low-rise, La Cala de Saunders, of Ready Steady “It really is an amazing village La Cala de Mijas, Málaga Mijas has preserved its Span- Cook fame, agrees. “It is in- with everything you could wish (+34) 952 494 014 ish charm while absorbing credible how much this area for - all within a short walk reservas@hotel-carmen.es waves of tourists and smart- has come up in the last couple from each other,” he says.

“It has fantastic restaurants, a ening up its act with luxurious of years. @Hotel_Carmen second homes, a splendid “It has always been charming picturesque beach and a famHotel Carmen promenade and a hip restau- but now there is a real buzz ily friendly atmosphere.”

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+TheolivepressEs Mint condition BE ‘APPY!

Heritage Trust blasts No.6 over street art project on ‘historic’ building

WORK has finally begun on a new apartment complex in Ocean Village 30 months after the development sold out.

Some 122 apartments in Imperial Ocean Plaza were bought by investors in Sepnow and temberDownload 2014 our butappbuilding work was delayed. begin enjoying the best SpanishA WAR of words has broConstruction news on is thenow go. set to be ken out between the govcompleted in mid 2019 with ernment and the Heriprices starting from less than tage Trust over a planned £200,000.

Studios, one, two and three graffiti installation by a street beds apartments are all avail- world-renowned able after some investors artist.

The Heritage Trust pulled out due to the delays.

claims Ince’s Hall is the ‘wrong choice’ for a The Olive Pressplanned mural by Ben Eine - a close associate of Banksy - because of its TOP for news across in Spain!

PROPERTY prices ‘historical significance’.

Spain are set to soar by 2.5%

On the up

this year.

The prediction by experts at BBVA bank shows conditions are still favourable for moderate growth in the country.

A record decrease in unemployment in March is also expected to fuel the market on its road to recovery.

In total, the amount of sales is expected to increase by 7% to almost half a million. The continuing low level of mortgage interest rates will also favour a rise in demand, maintaining upward pressure on the price per square metre of housing.

Attacked

The group has also attacked the government for not consulting the Department and Planning Commission (DPC) fully during the process.

Eine is famous for his alphabet lettering in hip areas of London including Shoreditch, Broadway Market and Brick Lane and has worked closely with Banksy.

Graffiti gripe “Where is the public consultation that is part of the planning process?” a spokesman said.

“Why has DPC protocol been disregarded? In this case it is a paint job on a historic building, but it could easily be a demolition passed through the system in this way.

“Government must bind itself to the DPC process once and for all.”

But No. 6 has hit back, claiming the the Trust was advised of the initiative in advance with its views ‘taken on board’.

“An artist of Mr Eine’s standing is in huge demand around the world,” a government spokesman said.

“Ben Eine brings to Gibraltar world class street art for the first time ever.

Beauty is of course, in the eye of the beholder.

What will it mean?

Article 50 has ushered in a whole new era of uncertainty for Brits in Spain

D

ivorce has featured much in the last few days.

No, it’s OK, my wife and I are still ‘two halves of the orange’ as the Spanish say, but we’ve had an increase in the number of Expert Witness instructions.

These are when we provide current market valuations of disputed Spanish assets for the UK and other Courts.

As RICS Registered Valuers, trained in UK and with many years of Spanish living and working experience, our expertise is appreciated.

Especially so, as our reports are all by English language native speakers and we value to the current market without regulated variations.

Our court work also includes valuing for inheritance and tax disputes and even for the National Crime Agency where they seize the ‘ill-gotten gains’ of convicted criminals.

But the big ‘divorce’ that’s occupied our minds most this week, is Brexit.

I write this two days after the Article 50 letter was submitted by the UK Government to the European Council, which notified the EU of UK’s intention to withdraw from membership.

The result of the Referendum on the 23rd June last year was a surprise to most of the world. We’ve been through the ‘phoney war’ period of sabre rattling, but now there has been the irrevocable declaration that we are leaving.

I say irrevocable as, though the decision could be rescinded before the two years negotiating period is past, the changes in the EU and the UK would have to be so extreme as to be impossible for the parties to contemplate.

It’s described as a divorce and that’s what it’s like.

The UK and EU could be the parents ‘agreeing’ that they cannot live together, but what about the children? The effects on them could be devastating and I’m thinking of Ireland, both North and South, Gibraltar and of course ourselves as expats.

The social and religious background to the two Irelands is such that any solution other than the existing, delicate balance of power sharing, is almost certain to bring protest, strife and probably

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Special report by Iona Napier

BOSSES: Cox and Wells

IN COME THE BIG BUCKS! A HUGE US property fund is splashing €45 million on three new Costa del Sol developments.

The American bosses behind Real Capital Solutions have snapped up sizeable plots in Estepona, Mijas and Benahavis and continue to look at further opportunities along the coast.

The company, based in Marbella since 2013, already has five other developments, including The Retreat, in Elviria.

“We have spent around €86 million here so far and have a fund of €100 million to spend,” explained Managing Partner Peter Wells, based in Colorado.

“We are one of the largest developers on the Costa del Sol and our emphasis is on distressed properties.”

He added: “Also we do things transparently and always try and deliver on price and quality.”

The company - which made hundreds of millions buying and selling distressed properties in the US - has 16 staff working out of its office at Centro Plaza.

Local boss Taylor Cox, added: “The coast is really starting to come alive and it’s a pleasure to live in such a beautiful part of the world.”

Currency Exchange

& Money Transfers

May 25th - June 7th 2016

Booming July predicted following ‘pause’ in run-up to EU referendum

ESTATE agents in Spain and Gibraltar are lining themselves up for the busiest July on record.

It comes as some British buyers put purchases on hold due to the forthcoming EU referendum on June 23.

Most agents the Olive Press spoke to confirmed they had various sales currently ‘paused’ awaiting the result, despite the British market remaining strong.

The majority believe that the expected result - to stay in Europe - will lead to the pound strengthening with a red hot summer of sales to follow.

Ben Bateman, at Holmes Sotogrande, described the referendum lead up as a ‘pause for thought for British buyers’ due to concerns over the weak pound.

“After a remain vote however, we expect to see a strong finish to the year - and a sudden wave of bids from British buyers,” he told the Olive Press.

One agent in Gibraltar has gone one step further actually employing extra staff for July. Savills director Sammy Cruz-Armstrong said: “Everything is on hold due to Brexit, but I am convinced we will stay in Europe and am taking on extra staff in July to deal with the expected deluge of business.”

Benahavis agent Scott Marshall of Proper-

Roll on Remain tieSpain, meanwhile, described the pause as ‘very psychological’.

He said: “It’s a combination of the uncertainty of the vote and the exchange rate right now.”

While many agents have a couple of sales currently on hold, some have seen more.

“We have up to ten sales currently on hold until after the referendum,” said Victor Witkowski, boss of Castles, in Manilva.

“Buyers are not necessarily pulling out, but they are biding their time to see what happens.”

Fellow Manilva agent, Shani Hamilton, also confirmed a slowdown, but added: “We are predicting a huge influx of business as soon as a decision is made.”

www.spanishpropertyinsight.com Source: Registradores Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 Q1 2015 Q2 2015 Q3 2015 Q4 2015 Q1 2016

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PAGE 19

TERS

For peace of mind follow Whichever way the these balance tilts or evenrules if property buying

violence. it just about keeps the same, one side or the other will be offended and take their protests to the two Find Your Property capitals of London and Dublin.

As the taxes and paperwork at least are bound to be different, Donald Trump’s Mexican wall will be Instructthat will Instruct as nothing compared to the delicacy be reBuilding Surveyor Lawyer quired to mark the border that runs through those green Irish hills.

Immediately the result was announced, Spain deBuy with Knowledge clared that they would now see their flag on the & Confidence Rock of Gibraltar. Today, it’s been shown in a draft EU document that Spain will make an agreement 952 923 520 by the EU, on the whole of the+34 UK position, subject admin@surveyspain.com to it dealing with Gibraltar onsurveyspain.com terms acceptable to them. Given that the UK cannot abandon 99% of the people on the Rock who voted to remain in the UK (and 98% who voted to stay in the EU), it could be that there will never be an EU-UK Agreement.

As the title to this article says, what does in mean for us, the UK passport holders who live, work and play on the costas, inland and the islands of Spain? Well, frankly, nobody knows at present and that includes the politicians on both sides.

There have been lots of fine words about protecting our interests, but nothing definite such as the ideal, ‘carry on as before.’ This uncertainty is the major problem. The day after the vote, we had three pre-acquisition building survey instructions cancelled, so it looked bad. However, since then we’ve been busy and perhaps even busier than before. So, it looks like people who have thought of Spain are still thinking of it and decided to go ahead despite the potential problems. Agents declare that they are busy, with perhaps more of a balance towards Belgian and Nordic buyers, but still with a constant flow of interest from the UK. Perhaps the thought is that the UK is not going to be such a good place to live for the next few years and that the ‘happiness’ benefits of living in Spain outweigh the possible problems. We simple souls can only wait to see what is decided in the corridors of power. Once these decisions are made, then we can make the best of it. And be thankful that we are not in Ireland or Gibraltar.

15 15

Where are the coolest Airbnbs?

PAGE 24

Deals

Spanish property sales by nationality and quarter

& Money Transfers

Where is Gillian buying?

Either way, official statistics out this month confirm the British market remains strong and tens of thousands continue to look for their dream home.

Respected analyst Mark Stucklin insists that foreign demand for Spanish property was up 16% in the first quarter with Brits the biggest group of foreign buyers at 22% of the market share.

“The British still dominate the foreign market for property and there is no evidence of a noticeable decline in demand as yet,” he said.

And certainly not everyone is suffering.

One agent, Graham Govier of Inland Andalucia has seen ‘no negative impact’ at all during the referendum lead-up.

“In fact it is the opposite. Prices are extremely cheap right now and we are selling two times as many properties as we were last year,” he said.

He added: “My salesman Paul - already a bit of a local celebrity - has just completed his seventh consecutive sale and people are buying because they can see that the incredible deals won’t wait around for them forever,” he added.

Paul made headlines in the Olive Press last year when he sold an impressive nine properties in a row.

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Seventh heaven

to announce more street mural projects by local artists.

THE seventh floor of the ICC is being converted into seven terrace apartments.

The Development and Planning Commission has given the green light to turn the current car park into flats.

The eighth floor is also being converted into accommodation, with some 140 parking spaces set to be lost in total.

Shoppers can still make use of 265 spaces at Midtown Car Park and the Line Wall Road.

REFURB: ICC apartments

Rent hikes RENTAL prices in three of Spain’s major cities have reached an all time high.

The capital Madrid saw rent increase by 15.6% in 2016, while Barcelona saw a rise of 16.5%.

But Valencia saw a whopping 20.3% increase, the highest in the country.

On average, rental prices across Spain rose by 15.9%.

years experience in

ALL PROPERTY RICS BUILDING SURVEYORS & MATVALUERS

Contact Campbell and the team on +34 952 923 520 or email info@surveyspain.com

It will not be to the liking of all, but certainly will be to the liking of many.”

The government is set

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April 12th - April 25th 2017 Don’t miss

BUENA VISTA PARK VILLAS “Defining Luxury Living”

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The Old Bank, 17-21 Cannon Lane, Gibraltar, P.O. Box 1418 T: +350 200 48532 E: info@npestates.com www.npestates.com

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BREXIT Bulletin

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April 12th - April 25th 2017

April 12th - April 25th 2017

Fury as EU gives Spain veto over Gibraltar SPAIN has been handed an effective veto over Gibraltar by the EU. Explosive draft guidelines drawn up by EU leaders state that any Brexit deal won’t apply to Gibraltar without Spain’s agreement.

In a diplomatic victory for Madrid, the 27 other EU member states have

Brexit bombshell agreed to allow Spain to exclude Gibraltar from any final Brexit trade deal.

The guidelines say: “After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the UK may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement

between the kingdom of Spain and the UK.” According to the guidelines, issues over Gibraltar will have to be solved bilaterally between Spain and the UK. Andrew Rosindell of the All-Party Parliamentary Group For Gibraltar said ‘an agreement without including Gibraltar means

there can be no agreement’.

He added: “British people must and will stand together, we cannot be bullied by Spain, any agreement must apply equally to the whole British family and that includes Gibraltar.

“There can be no compromise on this."

Brief By Charles Gomez

Tusk’s Brexit own goal

N

OT a lot of people know this yet, but the EU has scored a monumental own goal when it gave in to Spanish pressure to exclude Gibraltar from post-Brexit agreements between the Union and the UK. I refer to the leaked draft letter which the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, hopes to send the British Prime Minister.

I shall explain.

There are 27 remaining Member States and countless regions within them who, to some extent or another, have links with the UK. The North Sea and fishing and prospecting rights immediately come to mind. Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium and Holland all have special interests in this.

There are hundreds of other examples of greater or lesser degrees in agriculture, industry and employment.

Yet, on any reading of the draft response

by Mr Tusk, the only interest meriting EU attention in an otherwise short, 22 paragraph letter, is... Spain's ambition to annex Gibraltar.

Mr Tusk, born in Gdansk, which is now part of Poland but used to be German - indeed his father fought for the Wermacht, surely does not realise the continental-sized blunder that he has made (I mention his place of birth because of its similarities to Gibraltar in terms of territorial claims).

Let me explain further about the blunder.

To give an effective post-Brexit veto to Spain on Gibraltar is guaranteed to irritate other Member States who will claim, with good reason, that their interests are as important as those claimed by Spain.

Near the beginning of the draft letter, President Tusk writes: "In these negotiations the Union will act as one". How can he say this, and in the same document agree to give a post-Brexit veto to a single country?

It does not take a an expert in negotiating agreements to conclude that the veto blows a gaping hole under the EU's negotiation waterline.

Spanish diplomacy hands Fabian Picardo the keys to 10 Downing Street

It makes a nonsense of the claim that "the Union will act as one".

It sets a precedent which will come back to haunt Mr Tusk's successor (I expect, given his performance, that he will soon be replaced or resign).

By 'picking on' Gibraltar, the hapless Mr Tusk has wreaked even more damage on the EU by effectively bringing the law relating to European citizenship into derision and disrepute.

Article 20 (1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that: "Citizenship of the Union is hereby established. Every person holding the nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union."

Now, I know that there is an argument that once a Member State leaves the EU, its citizens lose EU Citizenship. I do not agree, but this is not the time to discuss that. It will soon become a topic of major debate.

What is clear, beyond any doubt is that today Gibraltarians (and indeed all UK nationals) still have European Citizenship.

Mr Tusk betrays the whole edifice of European integration by discriminating against the group of EU Citizens living in Gibraltar.

He discriminates against us by making an exception to the territory in which we live (indeed in which our people have lived for more than 300 years).

This is what the offending paragraph says (and mark that it is one of only 22 paragraphs, not one of thousands or even hundreds): "After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom."

So, if European citizens can be so

thoughtlessly disadvantaged, what is the value of European citizenship?

Mr Tusk and his associates clearly don't think that it is worth anything. Perhaps their mindsets are affected by the way in which entire populations were sold out in Mr Tusk's own back yard in the 1940's, where Polish towns became German and vice-versa, without a single thought given to the inhabitants.

Maybe this 'mindset' shows why the EU is doomed to failure.

Many of us in the British Isles and Southern Europe just do not think in the same way as the German dominated bureaucracy of which Mr Tusk is a chief executive.

At the June 23 2016 referendum, 96% of Gibraltarians voted to remain in the EU. They could not have expected this blundering betrayal. Now that we can see the reality of the EU, the 'European Project' has become an object of revulsion among us.

Over the weekend of the leak, I was approached by a couple of gentlemen in a bar who, knowing that I am a lawyer, asked what penalty they would suffer if they tore down the EU flags that fly around Gibraltar.

As a supporter of the rule of law, I of course said that that would be illegal and they should not do so.

However, their sentiment reflects the catastrophic damage that Mr Tusk has done to the image of the EU in Gibraltar.

That Spanish MEPs would try to use Brexit to damage Gibraltar was as predictable as it is to say that fish stinks after a few days when left in the open air.

I think that on this occasion, the everalert Spanish lobby in the corridors of European power may have gone too far.

The weekend of the April 1, 2017 will be remembered as the day that Spanish diplomacy gave Gibraltar's Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, the keys to 10 Downing Street.

Madrid's triumphalism is, for all the reasons described above, completely misplaced.

Readers of the Olive Press are invited to discuss this or any other legal matter with Charles Gomez by emailing charles@gomezco.gi

CHARLES GOMEZ & COMPANY BARRISTERS AT LAW

Clause for concern THE GSD will announce a 'new public initiative' to reject Spain’s effective veto over Gibraltar.

The aim is to put pressure on UK and EU parliaments to reject a guideline which gives Spain a veto over Gibraltar's relationship with the EU. The clause states: "After the United Kingdom leaves the Union, no agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom may apply to the territory of Gibraltar without the agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom."

A statement from the party said: "This is not about sovereignty. It is about protecting the economic interests of our community in circumstances where we are being singled out at the earliest possible juncture for exclusion."

It stated that nothing that undermines their goals of a post-Brexit deal, which include access to the UK market and access to any trade deals negotiated by the UK with third counties and the EU, should be allowed.

United front SPAIN’S main political parties are forming a joint strategy over Gibraltar.

Deputies from the PP, Socialist PSOE and Ciudadanos have been encouraged by Theresa May’s refusal to mention Gibraltar in her letter formally announcing Britain had triggered Article 50.

They now believe the status of the Rock is something which will be discussed bilaterally between Spain and the UK. The PP’s vice-president of the EU Esteban González Pons said it was ‘very relevant’ that May didn’t mention Gibraltar because ‘Gibraltar is not part of Britain it is a colony just like the island of Saint Helena.’

PSOE spokesperson at the European Parliament Ramón Jáuregui has met with Spain’s foreign minister Alfonso Dastis in recent months.

“Now, with Brexit, there is an opportunity to negotiate with Britain from a very good starting point, in a very reasonable and bilateral manner, over one of the most delicate subjects for Spain, Gibraltar, while keeping this issue separate from other special borders such as Northern Ireland,” Jáuregui told El Pais.

Britain is due to give Brussels a White Paper mapping out in more detail its negotiations with the EU.

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Readers of the Olive Press are invited to discuss this or any E: other info@gomezco.gi legal matter with Charles Gomez by emailing charles@gomezco.gi

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Labour gains

UK ambassador wants ‘fluid passage’ for Gibraltar-based workers

EU. A ‘fluid passage’ was needed to allow the 13,000 cross-

GAMBLING giant 888 may leave it’s Gibraltar base postBrexit.

In its annual report, the company said it could move its regulated headquarters and license to Malta once Britain leaves the EU. Some 31 gaming companies are regulated and licenced in Gibraltar, including Lottoland, BetVictor, Bet365, Yggdrasil and NetEnt. “The proposed status of Gibraltar in relation to the United Kingdom as a result of ‘Brexit’ is at present unclear,” the report said.

“If 888 were to remain registered, licensed and operating in Gibraltar in these circumstances, its ability to rely on EU freedom of services/establishment principles in supplying its services within the EU will be limited.”

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border workers to enter Gibraltar each day, Manley said.

888 mulls Malta move

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SPAIN’S labour market continues to recover with almost 50,000 people securing jobs in March.

Figures for the month matched pre-crisis highs which hadn’t been seen since 2001, including more than 160,000 people signing onto the social security system. Almost a third of the new jobs created were in hospitality (17,471) in preparation for the summer influx of tourists.

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April 12th - April 25th 2017

A BRITISH Gibraltar is in American’s best interests, Dr Joseph Garcia has told US politicians in Washington.

Deputy Chief Minister Garcia briefed Democrat and Republican representatives Download our app on now Giand braltar’s Brexit concerns. enjoying the bestthat SpanishBRITAIN’S ambassador He toldbegin Senate officers to Spain Simon Manley ‘a sensible, newsorderly on the go.and wellhas vowed that Gibraltar’s managed Brexit’ was what Gicross-border movement of braltar hoped for. people is a top priority for Garcia spoke with representhe UK government. tatives from the Homeland Manley was speaking on Security Committee and the the day Theresa May trigHouse Foreign Affairs Subgered Article 50 to kickstart committee on Terrorism, the process of leaving the Nonproliferation and Trade.

The Olive Press

April 12th - April 25th 2017

Off Plan

ff-plan property resales have been hard to come by since the days of the real estate boom; in fact, they have been all but absent.

But with the property market finally rising from the ashes of the devastating real estate crash off-plan property, paying the relevant purchase and new build properties being gradually of- taxes and informing the property defered to the public -and fast snapped up by veloper. speculators and consumers alike-, many off- The latter party will then either draw up new plan buyers are finding that there is now a contracts with the new buyer or just wait until market to sell on their contracts before they completion, when they will transfer title to the get the keys to the properties. new buyer.

But what are their options from a legal and tax From a tax viewpoint, an offviewpoint? plan sale will attract a hefty There are two methods to trans10% VAT plus 1.5% stamp duty fer the property rights, although Property for the buyer when they comboth will require the consent of on the sale. developers have plete the developer: But if a new buyer comes in, With the first, the current buyer they will have to pay, in additerminates the contract with been investigated tion, transfer tax (8% minimum the property developer who will for these in Andalucia) on the assessed refund the deposit paid. value of the under-construction practices Simultaneously, they will sign a off-plan unit, or the value of the new a fresh new off-plan conpremium, whichever the hightract with the new buyer. est.

Any profit or premium will be settled between For its part, the vendor will have capital gains the parties although, almost always, the de- tax (19%) on the net profit (the premium minus veloper will demand just compensation -often any commissions paid) although few choose to times called commission- for consenting to the pay it. deal.

Clearly, buying an off-plan unit can place exThis method would avoid -and evade- taxes as cessive costs on the new buyer, making it a it is not obvious that a resale has taken place. prohibitive proposal.

However, property developers have been in the It is suggested that prior to offering this to a past investigated for these practices and can prospective purchaser, real estate agents lay be made liable for non-payment of taxes, for out the total costs (VAT and stamp duty, transwhich reason this solution is not very popular. fer tax, CGT, their’s and the developer’s comMethod two involves the current and the new mission) and where necessary, make a more buyer exchanging contracts for the sale of the evenly distribution.

How easy is it to sell your offplan pad before it’s finished?

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

NEWS IN BRIEF Corruption fears SOME 18.9% of Spaniards said corruption and fraud is the country’s biggest concern, according to an annual opinion survey by the Center for Sociology Studies, a 7% increase on last year.

“The Gibraltarian people rejected the idea of joint sovereignty but we must work to ensure a fluid passage for the thousands of people who work every day in Gibraltar,” he said.

“We want to ensure that Gibraltar’s economy and society continue to flourish,” Manley also gave assurances to British migrants living in Spain and EU citizens living in the UK. “It is of the utmost importance that we put citizens first,” he said.

Manley highlighted the strong business ties between Spain and the UK, with trade worth around £40 billion between the two countries.

Around 700 British businesses have invested in Spain, with 400 Spanish businesses invested in the UK. “We have to work to ensure that we have trade that is as free as possible,” he added.

Keep it in family ZARA owner Amancio Ortega has put a majority stake in his fashion empire Inditex into a holding company to ensure family control remains unassailable after he dies.

Cutting back MARIANO Rajoy has vowed to transform 250,000 temporary jobs for teachers and doctors into permanent positions and give a 1% pay rise to public workers in his first ever ‘cutback-free’ budget.

Healthy competition EL Corte Ingles on Madrid’s Castellana Avenue has a new competitor as a mammoth four-storey, 6,000 sqm Zara will open across the road on April 14.

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BUSINESS

April 12th - April 25th 2017 April 12th - April 25th 2017

Llamas hopes Spain sees common sense

Bunker boost BUNKER sales at the Port of Gibraltar have soared by 11% year-on-year in the first three months of 2017.

The number of ships stopping at the port was also up by 12%.

Port CEO Bob Sanguinetti said current volumes were at their highest since 2012.

“We’ve had a very strong end to 2016 and start to 2017,” said Sanguinetti.

“We are very keen to engage on a one-to-one basis with the shipowners and operators to get a better understanding of what their needs are and to ensure that they are fully aware of the wide range of services that we can deliver here at the port.”

Improved efficiencies at the port had also boosted the increase in sales and bunker-related traffic.

NEGOTIATING Britain’s withdrawal from the EU could take more than two years, Michael Llamas QC has said.

Speaking at the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses (GFSB) Llamas said Gibraltar had developed a five-point strategy for Brexit.

The border, trade deals with the UK, Gibraltar being part of trade deals Britain hammers out with third parties and

maintaining freedom of movement are among the key concerns.

Llamas also said he was optimistic Spain would use ‘common sense’ over Gibraltar in future Brexit negotiations.

“There has been a dramatic tone in the way the Spanish are approaching the border issue,” he said.

“Their language has changed because of the amount of Spanish workers involved

and the prestige Spain wants to have in Europe. Spain is going to make use of the UK’s departure of the EU. It sees itself as the third power in the EU and therefore it needs to act with common sense.” Llamas was speaking just before the EU dropped a bombshell by giving Spain an effective veto over Gibraltar in the Brexit negotiations. Llamas revealed Gibraltar had supplied the UK with ‘heat

maps’ listing Gibraltar’s key concerns over Brexit. “It was very clear to us from the first wave of heat maps what the Gibraltar story was going to be,” he said.

“The border is clearly the key issue.”

He also highlighted trade possibilities with Morocco, with the UK publishing a White Paper recently naming the African country as having the fourth largest growth exports in the last ten years.

They’re killing the Rock’s business

Gemma Vasquez hopes move will see ‘big changes’ in the way licences are granted

THERE are set to be ‘big changes’ in the way businesses are granted licences after the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses admitted the current system is not working.

Departing chairwoman Gemma Vasquez said new business owners are ‘bombarded with paperwork and unnecessary meetings’

by the Business Licensing Authority.

Speaking at a GFSB dinner, she said: “Anyone who has appeared before it in this room will be able to confirm the same to you.

“You cannot have ten individuals sitting opposite a new business to gauge the value of your business in a time when we

should be welcoming business to Gibraltar.

“Our accommodations, which were joint with the Chamber of Commerce, include a review of the premises requirement, the advertising requirement and numerous other factors which we believe are affecting businesses.”

Vasquez, who played a leading role in Gibraltar’s Remain campaign in the run-up to June’s Brexit referendum, was praised by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo for her work at the dinner.

Later, Michael Llamas QC spoke about the effects of Brexit on Gibraltar.

Perfect venture

Gambling Gib’s future GIBRALTAR faces a post-Brexit ‘challenge’ to maintain EU access to its core industries, a leading business analyst has said.

Tom Bergin, business correspondent with Reuters, said businesses would use other low-tax territories if Gibraltar did not operate its own.

He also pointed to the job-creating benefits of the Rock’s tax system, with thousands of jobs created in the online gaming and financial services sectors.

“The challenge that Gibraltar will have going into the future will be if it wants to access the EU markets in online gambling or insurance,” Bergin told the BBC. “The fact Gibraltar doesn’t raise a huge amount of tax revenue isn’t really a problem because it is creating these jobs.”

He also estimated the UK treasury lost ‘hundreds of millions’ in corporation tax to Gibraltar each year ‘but if it wasn’t Gibraltar it would be somewhere else like Luxembourg or Monaco’.

ONE of London’s most exclusive West End nightclubs is set to make a splash on the Costa del Sol. Mahiki, a favourite of stars including Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Kate Moss, will open as a beach bar on Marbella’s iconic Paseo Maritimo this May. The Polynesian-themed hotspot, which opened in London’s Mayfair in 2005, is partnering with La Sala group to launch its new Spanish venture. La Sala Group chairman Ian Radford said: “We’re so excited for being chosen as the creators of the first Mahiki Beach in Spain.

Our aim for Mahiki Marbella is for this beach restaurant and lounge to be all about fun atmosphere and creative details that go into every drink, dance and dish that they will serve.”

Revamp KEY advice for Gibraltar deposit holders has been published on a new website.

The revamped site offers vital information and a guide to the Gibraltar Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

The scheme protects deposits of up to €100,000 per person if a bank goes bust.

“We believe that this new site, which is part of phase one of our Consumer Awareness Programme, will give Gibraltar’s depositors very informative detail on how their deposits are protected and will help promote the awareness of the Scheme,” said Albert Mena, Chair of the Financial Services Resolution and Compensation Committee.

For more info visit www. gdgb.gi.

FenoyDíaz L a w ye r Civil Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, Commercial Law, Labour Law and Urban Property

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SPERM quality can be improved by sticking to a typical Mediterranean diet. Spanish scientists have discovered that fish, seafood, poultry, cereals, vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy and skimmed milk are associated with high sperm quality.

Mind and Body Lounge

An antiquated occupation is about to be reintroduced to Gibraltar ST BERNARD'S Hospital will reintroduce the matron role to its wards.

It is hoped that the new employee will be an approachable figure who maintains a hygienic, comfortable environment.

Since the role was dis-

continued in the Gibraltar Health Authority, the Nurse Management team has taken on the tasks associated with it.

Director of Nursing Services Sandie Gracia said: “This has been a positive move, as the patients and

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Mr Fit - Here to help

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by Paul MacGregor

E all know that exercise is good for us, but do we know what the real benefits of exercise are? The most common reason people start exercising is for weight loss, which can help to avoid such things as heart conditions, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and mobility related issues. However, these are only some of the multiple health benefits to be gained even in the absence of weight loss. It is also now widely recognised that exercise can help in reducing depression and some other mental health conditions. Good exercise stimulates endorphins in the brain – they give us the same feelings as chocolate, sex and crack cocaine (one of these is very bad for you!). They give us a feeling of wellbeing, so we feel happier and more energised. Another benefit of exercise is that a lot of the aches and pains that we put up with on a daily basis can be alleviated by regular exercise, so that bad back or sore knee that always make us feel uncomfortable can be helped by the right type and intensity of exercise.

In older people in particular strength building exercise is very important for maintaining not just muscular strength but also bone density, as well as for reducing the risk of falls. So Madame, if you are in your 60s or 70s, yes, you should be doing weight lifting - under the guidance of your qualified fitness professional! On this subject, it is quite important for older people to have a higher protein diet which can easily be achieved by taking a reputable protein supplement every day.

But how much exercise is enough?

The UK Government recom-

Your exercise questions answered - and no, walking the dog doesn’t count as a workout

What, why and how?

HARD AT WORK: Mr Fitness Paul MacGregor mends 30 minutes exercise five days a week. And yes, I know what you’re all saying… ‘I don’t have time for that, I have far too much else to do’. The reason the Government makes these recommendations is to reduce ill health and thus to cut down on the cost of absence at work through ill health, and also the cost to the NHS for treating preventable conditions. Plus, it makes us a happier nation! So, what are our options? Illness and bad health stop us from do-

Trouble

Sleeping?

ing a lot of things, and cause us a lot of inconvenience, but our overall health can be improved with exercise. Even if you start with 10 minutes of moderate exercise a day and fit that into your routine is better than doing nothing, and for most people once you start feeling the benefits of exercising it’s amazing how you can manage to find the time.

But lastly, what counts as exercise? Exercise should produce three effects: perspiration, an

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increase in heart rate, and an increase in respiratory rate (breathing). I quite often hear ‘I don’t sweat a lot’ – the answer to that is quite simple – You’re not working hard enough. And that is a fact. Walking the dog down Main Street, stopping at every lamp post, is not exercise!

You should not have breath left to talk at the same time as doing exercise! Most people don’t realise how much they can do, and this is where your fitness professional can help. They will make sure that the intensity of your exercise is right, definitely not too much, but also definitely not too little. You don’t need to go to the gym to exercise, although there is no shortage of them in Gibraltar, and of course these are good places to achieve your health goals.

But you can easily start your exercise regime at home. About 50% of my clients exercise at home – it saves the cost of gym membership, it saves time, and also, for a lot of people, it solves the problem of self-confidence, or lack thereof. You have to feel comfortable in your environment and with what you are doing, so working at home is a way of getting over this hurdle.

For a lot of people starting out you do not need a lot of equipment, a few basic items will provide everything you need.

I will be going into each of these topics in more detail in future columns, but if you require specific information on your training, or you wish to have a tailor-made programme please contact me at wearefitandhappy@gmail.com Have you got your Club Card yet?

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Stepping up

Miss Gibraltar Kayley Mifsud talks her training schedule ahead of her Med Steps 10 in one day attempt WITH just over three weeks left for the event I am feeling a little anxious. After weeks of training I definitely feel a lot stronger than I did two months ago and that is thanks to Paul. I am really glad I decided to seek advice from him in February as he has been a great asset during my training.

To be entirely honest I feel I should be training a little more than I have been able to (and less than Paul would like me to, I'm sure!) but it has been almost impossible to find time for the vast amount of training that is really required for a long and tough challenge of this sort. There are just not enough hours during the day and it sometimes seems impossible to steer away from my busy daily schedules.

It is the lack of time for long training sessions that still makes me a little anxious but anyway, no matter how much training I do there certainly will be no escaping the pain I will have to endure on May Day. Although this challenge is going to be a real test of strength and endurance it is undeniably going to be more of a test of my attitude and willpower.

The training programme Paul created for me has been tough but achievable for me. Over the last few weeks I have built up my stamina and I have felt myself getting stronger and stronger every week. Above all Paul has been motivating me and helping me visualise the extent of this challenge. He has continually tried to mentally prepare me by walking me through his own 10 med step experience earlier this year.

Another very important piece of advice from Paul was the importance of hydration! It may sound silly to some but hydration in this event will probably be the most critical factor and one that will have the greatest impact on my comfort, health and performance on the day. I admittedly could have easily overlooked this area and will probably not have consumed the 10 litres which Paul is recommending!

My only expectations here are to complete the med steps 10 times before the sun sets and I’m hoping that my pure will for making life easier for many of our fellow Gibraltarians during time of illness will be enough to get me through it. The new, larger Calpe House accommodation will hopefully be opening this July so that will serve as great motivation for me during the day!

I’m sure we would all like to wish her well in her attempt, and please support her by donating at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/missgibraltar2016

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Let me Entertain You LA Sala is proudly hosting a popular Robbie Williams tribute act on April 14.

Ollie Hughes will take to the stage playing classic hits including Angels, Let me Entertain You, and many more.

Hughes has honed his Robbie Williams act for almost two decades, performing to audiences of up to 26,000.

He has appeared on TV shows including BBC’s One and Only.

For more information, visit www.lasalagibraltar.com

Cheers to that PLUCKY bartenders have been invited to become the best cocktail makers on the Rock.

The Bartender Association still has three places on its training course available for those who want to become pouring pros.

Jose Alberto Pereira Lamego, the founder of the group, will head up the sessions and aims to teach the group a variety of tricks and skills.

To get involved, email palas-kite@hotmail.com

Growing for gold

April 12th - April 25th 2017

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R E S TA U R A N T

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E N T E R TA I N M E N T

School students create impressive fruit and vegetable garden

PUPILS are tasting the fruits of their labour thanks to a successful fruit, vegetable and herb growing scheme.

Tomatoes and carrots are now some of the lip-

smackingly good produce that can be found in Notre Dame School’s garden, which has been transformed into an edible oasis by students.

They have been working hard on the patch over the last several months as part of a pioneering sensory learning initiative, which aims to better their understanding of where their food comes from and the importance of healthy living.

All of the plants and seeds were donated by the Alameda Gibraltar Botanic Gardens.

Its expert gardeners were also on hand throughout the duration of the project to provide gardening adGIBRALTAR has a classy new bar. vice to teachers as it Kasbar is the latest addition to Gibraltar’s roster of waevolved. tering holes after it opened its Old Town doors in April.

Christine Gilder, who The quaint cafe and bar serves natural food, desserts, heads the Alameda’s juices and smoothies. education centre, visLocal artwork adorns its walls with tasty vegan coffee ited the completed garexpanding Gibraltar’s drinking options. den to congratulate the Copies of magazines allow drinkers to while away the pupils for all their hard hours in Kasbar’s chilled-out atmosphere. work.

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Life on the frontline between Spain and the UK

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ELL, the week after Theresa May signed Article 50 with a rather stylish Mont Blanc pen, setting Brexit wheels in motion, was certainly interesting ...

I'm writing this column from an office overlooking the Med and just popped my head out of the window to see if the Armada had just sailed past.

In a brilliant tactical move, Olive Press Editor Jon Clarke (who has a touch of the military bearing about him and has gone full Genghis Khan on your humble correspondent on more than one occasion, normally over missed deadlines and huge expense bills), decided to relocate the newspaper offices from their ‘eagles eyrie’ in the lofty heights of Ronda to the ‘wolves den’ of Sabinillas.

At a stroke he has ensured that the entire newsroom can be on the front line in minutes.

Having been sent out to grab a burger on several late deadline nights, I can attest that ‘Sabi’ at 2am has a touch of Aleppo about it.

And should it all kick off between the UK and Spain, I'm sure OP reporters and columnists will rise to the challenge, don flack jackets, pack water and medical supplies and head off towards La Linea.

In fact, it makes good sense to take those items with you anyway if you are planning to cross into Gibraltar. Because even if the UK decides not to take action, something tells me you could have quite a wait crossing the border if the Guardia Civil see the 'Up Yours Señors’ front page of The Sun. Personally reporting from a war zone holds no fears for me.

War zone

I've lived the type of lifestyle that's seen frequent sudden violence, hostile locals and automatic weapons fire, and that was without leaving the bars in Banus.

As the Editor will attest, I've gone MIA before, under his watch and he's had to come up with briefcases of cash on more than one occasion, though it’s not so much ransom money as unpaid bar tabs.

The statement from Number 10 that it wasn't going to send a boat to defend Gibraltar also made me double take.

Apart from the sheer insanity of that plan, the Royal Navy isn't what it once was.

When I spoke to British Ambassador Simon Manley pre- EU referendum, I jokingly asked that, should the UK decide to Brexit, would Britain send aircraft carriers over to pick up all the Brits in Spain?

"We don't have enough carriers," he deadpanned.

This means that the only taskforce that would be able to defend Gib would be a Dunkirk-style flotilla of small craft from local marinas – jets skis from Marbella, yachts from Sotogrande, floating gin palaces from Puerto Banus and a few of those, ahem, ‘sports’ boats from Duquesa.

I'll even throw in one of the boats from the lake!

In order to come to a diplomatic solution to all of this mess, however, I've come up with the following cunning plan – Spain can drop all claim to Gibraltar if it can have the Costa del Sol back from the British!

E The Olive Press Insider’s Guide

www.allaboutandalucia.com

VER since moving to the campo I’ve been striving not to turn into a country bumpkin.

It’s so easy to fall into the elastic waists and trainers scenario in rural Los Barrios (or ‘dress’ flip-flops if you’re going somewhere special).

The trouble with elastic is, it expands with you and when the early spring sunshine encouraged me to shed my ‘jeggings’ like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, I found something a lot larger (a Mammoth moth, perhaps) staring back at me in the mirror.

Then I saw an advert for a guided hike to the Caves of Bacinete to see Bronze Age graffiti, followed by a riverside picnic in splendid Los Alcornocales Natural Park.

Length of hike: 5km; degree of difficulty: low; price: €10 (€3 for kids), including public liability insurance (which I need) – a decidedly more interesting way of k.o.-ing the kilos than 60 minutes on the cross-trainer.

V

READY FOR BATTLE: Soldier in waiting Giles Brown

alderi, aldera

The joys of springtime in Los Barrios

Chilled

There is a whole new way to discover Andalucia @allaboutandalucia @aboutandalucia @allaboutandalucia All about Andalucia

You have to drive your own motor to the starting point but with all the bumps and potholes, for once I felt quite proud of our hardy little Renault Kangoo which lead the convoy of posh(er), lowchasse cars.

With the sun unseasonably hot, a brace of chilled aguas con gas in our backpacks and Iberia’s largest cork forest a glowing green canopy above our heads, we crossed a field of goats (pell mell and hells bells as they all scattered at once) and continued up ... and up ... for 30 lung-crunching minutes, following our athletic guide like unsure sheep to what might have been post-Paleolithic party central, 3,000 to 6,000 years ago, a place of celebration perhaps (or gruesome ritual, as there are tombs close by).

The curiously-shaped rocks reveal hollowed-out sandstone galleries showcasing over 100 ex-

amples of Arte Sureña (Southern Rock Art).

A little faded, a little abstract, one vandalised by some talentless modern cave artist but there’s one where you can clearly see parties of matchstick hunter-gatherers moving in for the kill on a variety of matchstick quadrupeds, some with horns.

Who would have guessed Bronze Age man painted in the style of Lowrie!

There were bees buzzing and butterflies fluttering (no sign of Mammoth moths) as we sat down in a sun-dappled grove to eat our picnics/lettuce leaf (for me)

while a few brave souls plunged into the river (a bit too murky and glacial for my sensibilities).

With good company and breathtaking scenery, it’s a way to get fit.

Led by the affable Javier Collada of Mundo Posibilidades, his passion is sharing the ‘world of possibilities’ nature offers in this wild west corner of Spain.

We should have driven on past the Venta El Frenazo, a famous halt for 21st-century huntergatherers and their hounds, plus bikers and hikers, equestrians, mushroom pickers and canoeists tottering along under upturned boats like injured beetles.

Once a wayside inn on the Algeciras-to-Jerez road, the venta got bypassed by the motorway but it is back in business with types in fluorescent lycra and lemonshaped hats who think they look the bees knees-and what knees some of them have.

One of the park’s official mountain bike reception centres, you can get route maps, jamones, cheeses, home-made honey and a bunch of Instagramable pictures.

You can also get gin and tonic which was my undoing. Next day, creaking from exertion and groaning from excess, I’d gained two kilos. It’s muscle tone, of course!

For nature tours in the Los Barrios/Tarifa area, see www.mundoposibilidades.com

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Chipolina shows champs class

JOSEPH Chipolina bagged a brace as Lincoln Red Imps came from behind to hammer title challengers Europa 4-1 in the Gibraltar Premier Division.

In a potential title decider, Kike opened the scoring for Europa after ex-Lincoln star Liam Walker capi-

Ex-Real Madrid star bags new role on the Rock

HE is famous around the world as part of the Real Madrid ‘galacticos’ side which NEYMAR, Lionel Messi swept aside all competitors. and Luis Suarez were Now star defender Michel Thewalking Olive sulkily Press Salgado is taking on a new snapped through Malaga airport by football challenge as part an avid Olive TOP for Press newsreader. in Spain!owner of local side Gibraltar It came after their stun- United. ning 2-0 loss to the Salgado and business partMalagueños at La Rosale- ner Pablo Dana have bought da in the race to win the the club, who currently sit seventh in the Gibraltar PreLa Liga title.

Barcelona had a chance to mier League. gain on leaders Real Ma- Salgado, who was capped 53 drid, who were held to a times for Spain, has worked draw earlier in the day by as a commentator since reAtletico, but instead fell tiring in 2012. three points behind them.

Sandro gave Malaga the lead in the 32nd minute when he chased down a long ball from Juan Carlos and slotted past Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

talised on Roy Chipolina’s error, squaring it for the Spanish striker to knock into an empty net.

Joseph Chipolina levelled the scoring just after the hour mark, converting Antonio Calderon’s free-kick.

George Cabrera headed home to put Lincoln ahead before Bardon

fired in a third.

Chipolina bookended his first goal with a second in the 89th minute, knocking past Europa keeper Jose Camara.

The result leaves Lincoln a point ahead of their nearest rivals, with five games left to play.

Star signing "It is a special day in my life," he said. "I have been playing football for a long time and I miss it a lot, I miss the competition. This is my first adventure as an owner of a club.

"I am really glad to be in Gibraltar -- it is such a special

place. That is why we chose Gibraltar United.

“I am really looking forward to working here, and to bring my expertise in football and try to produce something positive for football in this country. That is the real aim."

Salgado spent ten years at the La Liga giants Real Madrid, making 254 appearances.

It is believed Salgado will take charge of transfers, with reports suggesting Middle East investment is set to pour into Gibraltar United.

Finnished off!

GIBRALTAR’S rugby team have secured a famous 22-17 win over Finland at Victoria Stadium.

In front of a bumper 1,000-strong crowd, Chuqi Cruz opened the scoring early on, converting his own try to send Gibraltar into a sensational 7-0 lead.

But two quick tries from the visitors saw Finland hold a 7-12 advantage at the break before substitute Tom Lovelace pegged the score back to 12-12.

Cruz edged Gibraltar ahead with a penalty, but the Finns hit back with a third try to take a 15-17 lead.

But Gibraltar sent the home crowd into raptures, scoring a late converted try to spark wild celebrations.

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FLOODY HELL

Booked

SAVED: Dawson with son

Up to his neck!

EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan

Two dead and thousands of homes flooded as storms lash southern Spain

Photo by Jon Clarke

Neymar had earlier been booked for time-wasting before he became the first Barca player to be sent off in La Liga in almost two years after fouling Diego Llorente in the 66th minute.

Barcelona thought they had a penalty in the last eight minutes, but the referee controversially ruled that Sergi Roberto was outside the box, and substitute Jony sealed Malaga's win with a stoppagetime goal on a counterattack.

Barcelona will now need another negative result from Madrid as well as a win in El Clásico to have any shot at claiming the title.

23 23

April 12th - April 25th 2017

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April 12th - April 25th 2017

WROUGHT in two and tilting on its side, the wreckage of one of the Costa del Sol’s most emblematic beach bars is a chilling reminder of 48 hours of relentless rain which claimed two lives and left thousands more homeless.

The worst flooding for 25 years saw a new river literally carve its way through the middle of Floria, in Manilva, leaving the chiringuito a complete write off in a matter of minutes.

With the toilet ripped out and the contents of its kitchen strewn on the sand, the owners have joined the thousands of desolated home and business

owners in the impossible task of sorting through the wreckage.

Many towns were declared a ‘disaster zone’ and left underwater with roads cut off and houses evacuated.

The heaviest rainfall fell in Estepona, where a 26-year-old woman tragically perished in a basement brothel, while an electrician also drowned in La Linea. nilva and Casares Politicians rallied where land, sea and round, along with the air rescue teams were King of Spain who of- deployed to help those fered condolences, as stranded. the cost of the clear up School was cancelled is estimated at tens of in all five towns on millions of euros.

Monday, while on The worst affected Tuesday the big clear areas were Mijas, Es- up continued. tepona, Cartama, Ma- With businesses shut-

Rescue

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He added: “I stupidly didn’t check how bad the weather was outside before going down in the lift.

“As I got closer to the basement water started flowing from everywhere and I couldn’t stop it.

“Within a minute it was up to my chest and I was panicking.”

Luckily, neighbours came to his rescue when Dawson’s partner Sylina heard his screams.

However they were unable to lift the roof of the lift and it was only when he managed to get it to rise by half a storey by continually hitting the up button that he had a bit of breathing space.

Police were soon on the scene and prized open the lift with a crowbar, pulling Dawson, from Derby, to safety.

ting up shop for most of the weekend and residents resigned to their homes, it is only now, that the true extent of the storms is beginning to be realised.

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A BRITISH expat was pulled from a flooded lift in a dramatic two-hour rescue effort.

Bet365 worker Dan Dawson told the Olive Press he feels ‘lucky to be alive’ after he found himself up to his neck in flood water while stuck in a lift during Sunday’s storms.

The nightmare happened when Dawson, 46, attempted to save his five-year-old son Kaled’s Christmas presents from their basement in Duquesa.

“It was absolutely horrific,” Dawson said. “I honestly thought that was going to be it for me.”

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7 December

STAR: Michel Salgado in new Gib role

Finally!

SERGIO Garcia has finally won a major after seventy-three attempts.

After four times a runner-up, 12 top fives and 22 top tens, the 37-year-old Spaniard claimed a career-affirming victory at the Augusta National Masters in Georgia, USA. It comes after 18 seasons of not-quites and might-have-beens which earned him the title ‘best player to never win a major.’

Five years ago, on the same green, he said: “I'm not good enough. I don't have the thing I need to have. I've come to the conclusion that I need to play for second or third place.”

After falling to the back nine and looking down and out, Garcia birdied the first hole of his final round on the Sunday to go a shot clear of frontrunner and Briton Justin Rose before rolling in an eight-foot birdie on the fourth to go two clear.

“I was very calm, much calmer than yesterday (Saturday), much calmer than I’ve felt probably in any major championship,” he said.

He claimed the title in the first extra playoff hole with a 13ft putt after Rose came back to tie in the final round.

If you have a sports story, contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es or call 0034 951 273 575

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Happy and healthy

FINAL WORDS

PUPILS hosted a ‘fruity day’ to promote healthy living.

Students at St Mary’s First School held the event to support Donovan Galia in his charity weight loss bid.

Step to it GIBRALTAR’S Prison Service are behind a tough Med Steps charity challenge on May 13.

The entry fee costs 10 on the day, with registration opening from 8am.

Leaping with joy DANCE star Nolan Robba has made his debut a West End production.

The talented Gibraltarian is part of the dancing ensemble for English National Opera’s version of Rodger’s and Hammerstein Carousel.

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British pensioner crosses the straits of Gibraltar in his sleep and ends up in Cadiz city

Burning rubber en route to London

Captain calamity

A BRITON claims to have fallen asleep on his boat in Marbella and ended up floating through the Straits of Gibraltar to Cadiz, more than 100 miles away.

The unnamed 65-year-old appeared disorientated when he emerged from his boat and realised he was no longer in Marbella but on a beach in the heart of Cadiz city.

He had to be helped from his boat at La Caleta beach by the Maritime Rescue service and local firemen but did not need medical attention.

A sweeper alerted authorities to the vessel at around 5.50am on Wednesday morning.

The man said he had fallen asleep on the Miss Brenda, in Puerto Banus the night before.

Home Insurance

He believes his anchor broke, allowing his boat to drift away.

Amazingly, the Brit crossed through the Straits of Gibraltar without crashing or incident.

Upon leaving his boat he requested a hotel room, and was transferred to a central hotel in the capital of Cadiz.

A spokesman for the local coastguards confirmed: “We were called by the Civil Guard around 5.40am yesterday. “They were alerted by council workers cleaning La Caleta beach who spotted the yacht heading for rocks as it sounded its siren.”

A GROUP of cyclists are gearing up for a charity bike ride from London to Gibraltar in June.

The fundraisers, Team Calpe, hope to raise money for Calpe House London’s £15 million refurbishment.

They will cycle for 15 days, covering around 150 kilometres per day.

“Calpe House is Gibraltar's home away from home and has served us for many years whilst in the UK receiving medical treatment,” said Gavin Cavaco, who came up with the idea.

The eight cyclists were chosen out out of 20, and although they train regularly, they have ‘stepped up’ their practice in preparation for the arduous journey.

"We would like to thank the cyclists for their community spirit," Deborah Huxley, events co-ordinator for Calpe House told the Olive Press.

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