Olive Press Gibraltar Newspaper - Issue 1

WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF GIBRALTAR’S EXCITING NEW NEWSPAPER

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September 17th - September 30th

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Red, white and FREE

Welcome to the Rock

FIRST Minister Fabian Picardo has given a warm welcome to the Olive Press’ launch in Gibraltar.

The father-of-two saluted the paper’s original reporting and insisted his government would give its full support to aid our growth in the enclave.

“I am delighted to cooperate and to ensure you receive all the help you need to inform those who choose the Olive Press for their news.

“Welcome to the media stable in Gibraltar.”

Politicians call for British Royal Navy gunships to be permanently stationed in Gibraltar during defiant National Day speeches DEFIANT calls for British Navy battleships to be stationed again in Gibraltar have been made during a raucous National Day rally.

A group of 11 British politicians delivered rip-roaring speeches focussing on recent tensions with Spain and backing Gibraltar’s right to selfdetermination.

The Casemates crowd – a sea of red and white – echoed the patriotic sentiments as Chief Minister Fabian Picardo delivered the final address, centering around a salute to the ‘evacuation generation’ of 75 years ago.

Linking it to the current refugee crisis engulfing Europe, he vowed to help as much as possible under the plea that ‘sharing is caring’.

But it was Conservative MP for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, who

Blown away

By Tom Powell got the biggest cheer, when he insisted the Royal Navy should - once again - have battleships permanently stationed in Gibraltar.

“The people of Gibraltar are a part of the Great British family and I would like to see a battleship here to apprehend any Spanish ship to illegally enter British waters,” he said.

Democratic Unionist MP Ian Paisley added: “These are our international waters, this is our country, these are our people and we must support them.”

“We will never surrender this rock!” he roared in a rousing address.

After waving a letter of ‘best wishes’ from the Queen, the Chief Minister finally vowed to increase National Day celebrations in years to come.

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PARTY MODE: Gibraltarians celebrate National Day with inflatable barbary macaque “National Day will never ever be diminished. In fact, it will only get bigger. We stand together, red white and free!” he bellowed.

Following the speeches, the traditional releasing of the balloons – which has caused controversy in re-

cent years due to its environmental impact – took place.

Then, as the crowds gazed up at the red and white speckled sky, Tina Turner’s Simply the Best blasted through the sound system, signalling the start of an almighty party.

The Rock’s leader was talking alongside his lawyer wife Justine ahead of his key speech at National Day, one of the ‘most significant ever’.

He told the Olive Press: “It is particularly auspicious this year with the day commemorating the 75th anniversary of great evacuation of the Rock, as well as coming in the week the Queen becomes the UK’s longest serving monarch.”

A highlight of his week was watching Kings of Leon at the Gibraltar Music Festival.

“Not at the front as I would have got crushed,” he joked.

“But I was blown away when I saw everyone’s hands in the air for Sex on Fire, the best rock song of the last decade.”

As for a date for his first reelection contest, rumoured to be on November 20, he said: “The only person who knows is my wife.”

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Celebrating

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Jon Clarke

ibraltar National Day

Pamplona without bulls!

Letter from the Publisher elcome to the first issue of the Gibraltar Olive Press, launched with the sole remit of being the territory’s most innovative and interesting newspaper.

As a reader of this first issue, you are joining thousands benefiting from the free circulation of 10,000 copies throughout the Rock and nearby.

Aimed at both locals and expatriates, working and living in Gibraltar plus surrounding areas, you should immediately identify that The Gibraltar Olive Press has a varied and detailed editorial content with local, regional and Spanish news.

In addition, there are special features, articles on food and drink, business, property and much more besides, guaranteeing its appeal with the most discerning readers.

As a totally new publication The Gibraltar Olive Press will also provide businesses with a unique platform to reach tens of thousands of potential clients, a significant proportion of whom spend money locally and nearby on the Costa del Sol. The Gibraltar Olive Press is brought to you by Luke Stewart Media SL, publisher of southern Spain’s most popular English-language newspaper, the Olive Press, established in 2006.

It is recognised as the leading English investigative newspaper in Spain with a widespread cosmopolitan readership, from captains of industry to politicians and from pub owners to tourists.

The Gibraltar Olive Press (www.gibraltarolivepress.com) is also available on-line providing hourly updated news, establishing another opportunity for readers to remain informed and for businesses to use its popularity (5,000plus unique visitors a day) to attract new clients.

I know the task in hand following this first issue will not always be easy, but the carefully selected team of professional staff will constantly strive to produce a newspaper aiming to establish itself as an essential part of life for readers and businesses alike.

I hope you enjoy our unique take on life in Gibraltar. Thank you.

G

www.gibraltarolivepress.com www.theolivepress.es

As the Rock went into party mode for National Day, Tom Powell ditched the newsroom to suck in the fun, with its echoes of San Fermin

PARTY BALLOONS: Gibraltar National Day festivities and (inset) Pamplona

I

’VE walked through the Landport tunnel into Casemates Square a thousand times, and it’s always special... but I’ve never emerged to see a shaven-headed beauty queen

throwing an inflatable monkey into a sea of red and white before.

A heady atmosphere - somewhat akin to a weekend in Pamplona, particularly with ev-

eryone in red and white - there was the most incredible sense of belonging.

Nobody, literally nobody, had failed to make an effort. Red and white wigs, multi-coloured

mohicans, brightly painted ‘madge-mobiles’, this was a celebration of unity, like almost

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WHEELY GOOD: Ladies out to play

REVELLERS: Crowd parties under Queen at midday

PAINT: Gib colours From facing Page

VINTAGE: Kids’ evacuation costumes

nowhere else on Earth.

And all of this, under a giant poster of HM the Queen.

To get a better perspective I took a climb to the top floor of the ICC car park, where I met a small group of locals who were joining in the singing with gusto.

They had been parked up for hours, watching the preparations unfold, and regaled me with stories about legendary National Days gone by.

All of them to a man dyed-inthe-wool patriots, one couldn’t have hoped for a better intro-

CHILD’S PLAY: Flowers duction to what it means to be a ‘Llanito’.

And finally, when the true anthem of Gibraltar boomed out, after the speeches, I was blown away by the clear emotion emanating from them and the crowd far down below.

‘Llevame donde naci’ (Take me where I was born), as it is known, held special significance this year, as it marked the 75th anniversary of the massive Second World War evacuation from the Rock.

There was only so much watching I could do though, and after the thousands of obligatory balloons had soared high into the bright, blue sky, I ventured down to join the party… and what a party it was.

Dressed up

MISS GIB: All smiles

FAMILY AFFAIR: Picardo with wife Justine and kids

Glastonbury had just landed on the Rock, with everyone from toddlers to wheelchair-bound pensioners dressed up and in party mode.

Main Street was decked out like a village fete, with red and white bunting dangling from the windows and locals stopping to chat to each other every two steps.

The pubs were packed to the rafters, while the bars in Ocean Village were pumping out the hits to bouncing dancefloors at 4pm in the AFTERNOON. And it didn’t slow down, as revelers drifted from one place to the next, eventually winding up in Casemates Square where reggae star Maxi Priest rounded off a spectacular day with a superb set.

My memory is a little bit hazy from that point onwards, but it must have been a good night because I’m already looking forward to next year.

I’m not Gibraltarian, but on National Day, wearing my red shorts and white t-shirt, I felt completely at home.

MY NATIONAL DAY SHOES: Kaiane had these high heels specially made for the big day

WELCOME TO GIB Kaiane Aldorino, Ex-Miss World and deputy mayor “I’m sure the Gibraltarians will enjoy reading your new newspaper here and I wish you every success”

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NEWS IN BRIEF Up for air ROYAL Navy nuclear submarine HMS Torbay has docked in Gibraltar’s naval base as part of a scheduled operational visit.

Made to wait COMMUTERS from Spain have been enduring early morning rush-hour delays due to airport resurfacing works, which are being carried out daily from 10pm until 10am.

Final two THERE are just two candidates - one military, one civilian - remaining in the contest to become Gibraltar’s new governor.

Owning up AN attempted murder suspect from south London, Robert Mortby, 28, has handed himself in to police and agreed to be extradited to the UK.

Post n’ go!

A NEW ‘post and go’ machine has been installed at the Post Office in a bid to cut queues and also interest stamp collectors.

NEWS

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We need to talk Former foreign minister insists a PSOE victory will bring a new dawn for Spain/ Gibraltar relations

LEGEND: Joe Bossano

By Tom Powell in San Roque FORMER Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has called for ‘crossborder cooperation’ in a rousing keynote speech in the Campo de Gibraltar.

A staunch defender of dialogue with Gibraltar, the PSOE’s Moratinos was introduced by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo in San Roque on Monday evening.

In a fierce speech, he slammed the PP government’s current aggressive stance to the Rock and insisted it was ‘bad for trade’.

“The Campo de Gibraltar could be one of the biggest economic zones in Europe because of its strategic location,” said Moratinos.

“Some would say it’s crazy that an ex Spanish minister is talking about how we can help Gibraltar, but 300

DIALOGUE: Moratinos with former Chief Minister Peter Caruana (left) and David Miliband (right) while (inset) ‘great friends’ Moratinos and Picardo in San Roque

years on from the Treaty of Utrecht it should be normal to seek good relations and not be accused of disloyalty.

“The first thing the new Spanish government needs to do after the elections is talk to Great Britain and Gibraltar about a strategic plan to work together,” he added.

Fabian Picardo reiterated how Spain’s current ‘meanspirited’ policy was damaging for the general Campo

de Gibraltar area.

He told the Olive Press: “The PP government is as mean-spirited as it is negative. Rajoy has failed his party and the people of the Campo de Gibraltar.

“We all fail from this confrontation… and I hope that if the PSOE wins the election in December our similar socialist principles will create better dialogue and stop seeing us turning our backs against one another.”

Moratinos played a central role in the negotiations that led to the signing of the Cordoba Agreement in 2006, as he endeavoured to end centuries of confrontation and tension that produced no positive results.

However, since the PP came to power, Foreign Secretary Jose Margallo has run a continually ‘negative’ campaign against Gibraltar.

It has led to countless incursions in territorial waters, increased queues and problems for Spanish workers on the Rock.

Tribe came back EXCLUSIVE

FORMER Chief Minister Joe Bossano believes the number of Second World War evacuees who returned to live on the Rock is a key factor in proving that Gibraltarians are a race.

Of the 600 people still alive from the thousands of women and children who were sent abroad - an incredible 500 live in Gibraltar.

“This is where our tribe lives,” he told the Olive Press during National Day. “And the fact that they all came back to live here is clear proof of our identity.”

Singled out as a figurehead of the ‘evacuation generation’ during Fabian Picardo’s keynote National Day speech, Bossano, 76, had been sent with his mother to live in Morocco for months before ending up in the UK.

Evacuation

TRAINING: Troops on the Rock

Exercise Barbary Sun is go!

THERE are worse places than Gibraltar to find yourself posted on a twoweek training exercise.

This was the destination for over 100 troops from 16 Medical Regiment, who have been on the Rock taking part in ‘Exercise Barbary Sun’. The complex tunnel system provides a ‘unique training ground’ according to organisers... and presumably some respite from the sun!

We still fueled the thieves!

CRIME levels remained thankfully normal, despite the La Linea police force going three days without a police car.

A spokesman confirmed to the Olive Press that thieves were caught napping when the force’s two patrol cars ran out of credit to refuel.

Deciding to keep the situation quiet, while an emergency allowance was sought, police managed to prevent any serious crimes, as they went about their business on foot.

The serious situation has led to union complaints about ‘integral problems’ within the force, including radio and mobile phone communications not working properly.

In a complex operation, some 10,000 women and children were sent away for their safety and to make way for billeted troops, as the Nazis invaded Europe, in 1940.

The 75th anniversary of the ‘great evacuation’ was the main thrust of the National Day celebrations this year.

“It is great that we have finally done it, even though it is late and there are a few people we have not been able to track down,” added Bossano, who led the GSLP party for 38 years.

“Certainly the Gibraltarians get around. When I was in Tokyo opening a Japanese office a few years ago we found three. One was living in a Buddhist monastery, one worked on the stock exchange and the last was teaching jujitsu,” he quipped.

Police movie IT’S not the new fashion for Gibraltar police.

It’s the latest pilot scheme to up transparency and accountability: on-the-body video cameras.

The two-week test-drive will allow officers to try out equipment which is already widely used across the UK before introducing it long term.

The visible cameras improve evidence and professionalism in the fight against crime.

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FEATURE

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OPINION Fabulous fortnight IT has been a momentous month for the Rock so far.

First came a sell-out music festival featuring huge international acts, including Madness and Kings of Leon… and a crowd so happy they even kept the faith when a certain Paloma forgot which country she was in.

Next up, National Day wowed like never before with Fabian Picardo and co delivered rip-roaring speeches focused on selfdetermination.

And let’s not forget the meeting of the Chief Minister and former foreign secretary Miguel Moratinos setting out plans for a new dawn of cross-border cooperation, should PSOE win this winter.

And three exciting projects coming to fruition… the state-ofthe-art university, an international backgammon tournament and a fabulous 6,000-seater football stadium.

Last, but not least, there is a new free newspaper on the block; the Gibraltar Olive Press.

We hear it’s worth a read, if, perhaps, the Gibraltar Chronicle has sold out.

Home hunting THE red and white army’s days in Portugal are coming to an end… or so they keep on telling us.

With plans for a football stadium at Europa Point hitting a never-ending brick wall and Victoria Park expansion proposals failing to get off the ground, the government and FA have come up with a third and ‘final’ site.

A 6,000-seater stadium at Lathbury Parade Ground should, fingers-crossed, go unopposed… although the furore around previous plans does suggest yet another battle is in store.

It remains to be seen whether or not the next crucial step to achieving Gibraltar’s World Cup dreams has been taken but it is welcome relief to see the Europa Point debacle seemingly put to bed for now.

Taste of porridge THE long arm of the law will always finger you in the end.

That’s the lesson chocolate thief Carlos Javier Aguilar-Ballester is mulling over now.

The Spaniard swiped his sweet swag from a shop 17 years ago, but Gibraltar’s finest got him in the end.

“We keep records of all the warrants,” a police spokesman told the Olive Press.

“Sometimes we might randomly stop somebody and do a warrant check on them.”

With police keeping such a vigilant watch, fugitives from Gibraltar justice are clearly, in future, more likely to get a taste of porridge that the sugary snacks Aguilar-Ballester helped himself to.

Olive Press payments THE following companies are no longer allowed to do business with the Olive Press (Luke Stewart Media SL - CIF B91664029), due to long standing debts: - MWM Investments Ltd - Petersham Coins, Marbella - Investor Spain - Simple Care - Autotunes Manilva - Hotel Embrujo, Arriate

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Tel: (+34) 951 273 575 (admin) Accounts: (+34) 658 750 424 Sales: (+34) 692 725 475 A campaigning, community newspaper, the Gibraltar Olive Press represents the local and expatriates working or living on the Rock - 10,000 copies distributed Fortnightly on a Wednesday.

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Impossible commute

Live in Spain, work in London... it’s cheaper, quipped British MP Tessa Jowell. But guess what – some career high flyers do exactly that! Joe Duggan and Nina Chausow track down the new jetset commuters

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OLL out of bed, grab a coffee and your briefcase and… jump on a jet?

Commuting between the grey skies of London and the sun-drenched streets of Spain seems an impossible dream for umbrella-toting workers trapped in the ‘Big Smoke’ by their careers.

But what if you really could end the business week at Canary Wharf and be home in time for tapas and a nightcap at one of Spain’s quintessential chiringuitos?

It sounds like pie in the sky after one sangria too many but extortionate London rental prices have forced many city slickers to get creative.

And, as the Olive Press has discovered, there are far more expats doing it than you might imagine. With dozens - even hundreds - of intrepid souls checking in on Europe’s blearyeye flights to trade dark and dreary evenings for stunning sunsets over Spain every month.

BBC presenter Nick Knowles is one of them.

He joined the new breed of jetset commuters when he relocated to Spain earlier this year (See box on Page 7).

It’s also a lifestyle choice that suits naturists Sally and Stephen Pike.

The Bristol IT consultants often used to rise at 5am, not returning home until after dark, passing each other like ships in the night.

But, after an epiphany, the couple, both 48, who live with their two children, upped sticks and moved to Arcos de la Frontera, near Cadiz, in June 2014... and it has revolutionised their lives.

Exorbitant

While Sally has retrained as a teacher working in Arcos, Stephen flies from Malaga to Bristol on Monday morning, and returns home (where he rents a room in a house in Cheltenham for €620 a month) via Gibraltar, on Thursday, a commute which works out at around €11,000 per year.

And, even better, Spain’s leaner living costs have left the Pikes with a fatter wallet, totalling thousands of euros a year.

“Our rent here is so much cheaper than it was in the UK,” explains Sal. “And we had to spend

a massive amount on heating and electricity.

It’s an awful lot less here because we don’t have to pay for heat.

“My husband did some research into the cost of an average shopping basket in Europe and Spain is one of the cheapest.

“Most important of all, our previous Bristol property cost four times as much as our current rented home in Arcos de la Frontera.

“When we were in the UK we were basically living on credit cards. We had quite a lot of debt built up. We’re now in a position where we live well within our means, and with a much better quality of life,” she adds.

“We’re now looking at the very real prospect of being debt free in 12 months time, which I honestly think would have taken five to eight years in the UK.” The couple previously enjoyed a joint net income of €67,000. Although Sal’s salary dropped to €240 a month initially when she took a job as an English teacher in Spain, it has barely affected the family of four.

In fact, things are so good they are planning to open a naturist holiday business.

The British Pablo Iglesias New British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stands to scare off voters if he doesn’t keep his distance from Podemos

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T might be a coincidence that a film channel showed Peter Sellers’ highly acclaimed 1979 movie Being There on Sunday night.

The film tells the story of a simple gardener who, through a chance meeting, becomes a well-connected Washington insider and political confidante.

New Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s 32 years as an MP, without a ministerial portfolio, pretty much mimics the Sellers’ story.

A relative unknown, Corbyn has been surprisingly thrust into the hot seat in the latest

move by European voters fedup over growing inequality in society.

Hours after Corbyn’s landslide victory, the American press was comparing his sudden rise to power to that of Spain’s Podemos and Greece’s Syriza parties.

Even the UK media were dubbing him ‘the British Pablo Iglesias’.

“Increasingly socialists are joining us to defend democracy, to fight against austerity and inequality,” Iglesias wrote in an op-ed piece that appeared in The Guardian on Monday.

He continued: “We can only

say: welcome, comrades.

Let’s walk together.”

Even if Corbyn’s message may contain some similarities with Iglesias’s own preaching, the new Labour leader is bound to scare off a good portion of his own voters if he doesn’t keep a safe distance from Podemos.

As Spain gears up for general elections, support is waning for Iglesias and his disciples, despite many of them running key municipal governments The dramatic events in Greece this summer over debt renegotiations, which led to a loss of confidence in Prime

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CAPITAL COMMUTE: Living in Madrid and working in London works out much cheaper, insists MP Tessa Jowell (below)

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Minister Tsipras’ Syriza Party, took a lot of steam away from Podemos.

Iglesias faces even further damage if the Greeks decide to bring back the conservative New Democracy Party to power in Sunday’s elections, as expected.

Corbyn’s best bet will be to concoct his own home-brew of domestic policies by looking at the shortcomings and failures that have occurred in southern Europe.

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LONDON LIGHT: Big smoke too pricey compared to Spain?

‘We miss Nick like mad when he’s away’

Jetset Joe

High-flying Olive Press reporter Joe Duggan reminisces on his own ‘red-eye’ days I spent over a year commuting from Madrid to my investment bank in London.

The door-to-door journey took just over five hours.

That’s longer than a tube ride, granted. But after years spent suffering interminable delays on the Metropolitan Line, it felt like a lot less.

I travelled three or four times a month, usually leaving after work on a Friday and coming back on the first flight on Monday, after spending the weekend enjoying the Spanish capital.

With some judicious planning, my flight costs were kept to a minimum. Sometimes I was lucky enough to get return flights for around €40. But that could rise to around €300, depending on the time of year and which airport I travelled from (City Airport was the most expensive).

I would leave London after work around 5.30pm and be painting Madrid red before midnight.

On Monday, I would be at my desk in London by 9.30am, bright-eyed and bushy tailed (so long as I had a sensible Sunday night), and none the worse for the commute.

“We can walk to the places where we socialise and our neighbours are so friendly and helpful,” adds Sal. “It’s so easygoing here, and there is a great community spirit.”

The Pikes (pictured) are living proof of the way Brits are getting inventive to escape the eye-wateringly high costs of housing back home.

The issue was highlighted by London Mayoral candidate MP Tessa Jowell when she suggested it was cheaper for British workers to live in Madrid and commute to London.

While this is obviously theoretical, due to the travel time, the Labour MP was suggesting it to highlight the exorbitant €2,629-a-month rental being charged

for a one-bedroom flat in London.

However, weekly it is possible, with personal trainer Andrew O’Donnell and his wife Henrietta, making the move from a Chelsea flat to Guadalmina three years ago.

But despite annual flight costs of around €25,000, Spain’s cheaper lifestyle more than compensates the O’Donnells.

“We pay a lot less now. It was about €680 a week for a two-bedroom flat in Chelsea, but it’s much more economical here,” explains Andrew, 49, who flies from Malaga to London every three-and-a-half days (staying with a friend for €140 a week) to keep an eye on the couple’s gym business, The Mission.

High flyer saves bucks Martina Willis is the MD of a Swiss-based company and the owner of The Source of Wellbeing, near Coin.

For three years, she flew weekly between Zurich and Spain, leaving on Monday lunchtime and returning on Friday.

The two-and-a-half hour flights set her back €1,000 each month, but her quality of life in Spain was much better.

For the same price as the monthly €3,000 cost of her Zurich flat, she was able tolive in a much more luxurious place in Spain.

“You can spend every weekend at the pool and properly relax,” she says.

“My flat in Switzerland costs about the same as the big house we have here.”

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UPS AND DOWNS: But life is better for the Knowles “We have a beautiful house with a swimming pool and 300 days of sunshine.”

Henrietta, 39, a qualified surfing instructor, keeps a close eye on the Marbella branch of The Mission when he is away.

And, as Andrew adds: “Business-wise, it is simpler than you think. Most of what we do is in writing and we can talk to our staff by email.”

For some commuting expats, it’s the outdoor climate, rather than the cheaper lifestyle, that entices them to these shores.

PR consultant Yasmin Sethna, who has a home in Sotogrande, remains based in London for work but came here four years ago when her partner took a job in Gibraltar.

“We get the best of both worlds,” she explains. “ You spend a lot more time outdoors and I do like outdoor activities,” she said.

“There is plenty to do if you like sport with great golf courses, sailing, tennis and padel clubs as well as a good variety of restaurants.”

Yasmin can indulge her love of horse riding for only €30

But dividing your time between two countries can come at a cost.

A non-stop filming schedule can make life tough, as Jessica Knowles attests.

The wife of DIY SOS! presenter, Nick, lives in Sotogrande with her one-year-old son Eddie while her famous hubby commutes back and forth.

The family relocated to Spain following a health scare, when the BBC star underwent surgery for a ruptured artery in his sinus.

Jessica blogs about the delights of living in Spain and watching her son grow but laments the ‘baby stages’ (talking, walking) that her husband can miss out on when he travels.

When he returns, however, she sees the benefits of living in the beautiful Andalucian countryside, and being able to ‘settle into life in Spain a little more as a family’.

“Being out here means the time we will spend together as a family will be so much more special, and hopefully less pressured,” she said.

“There is such a sense of space here – I feel like I can finally breathe.”

A TALE OF TWO CITIES: Living in Camden Town: €2800.44* o Rent (one bedroom): €2629.18 o Travel card: €171.25 Living in Madrid: € 2396.72 o Rent: €738.89 o Commute: €1657.83 (Stansted to Barajas return) Savings: €403.72 (*Tessa Jowell’s statistics)

SHOPPING BY NUMBERS: UK Weekly food shop: €80.45 (ONS) Pint of beer in London: €5.39 (Good Pub Guide) Litre of petrol: €1.511 (Fuel Prices Europe ) Spain Weekly food shop: €83 (El Pais) Pint of beer in Malaga: €1.94 (Pint price) Litre of petrol: €1.189 (Fuel Prices Europe) a time in Sotogrande, a galloping discount on the hefty €130 it costs in Hyde Park.

London-based blogger Sam Cookney meanwhile also proved it can make sense.

“I think many people thought I was joking when I boldly de-

clared it would be cheaper for me to rent a two-bed flat in Barcelona and commute to London,” he wrote on his blog.

So this summer, Cookney upped sticks for Barcelona, racking up a five-and-a-halfhour commute to central Lon-

don several times a month from his €800-per-month two-bedroom apartment in Spain.

In London, he had been paying almost €960 a month for a flat in a downmarket area.

Now, rising at 4.30am, he is in his London office by 9.30am and estimates that relocating to the Catalan city saves him several hundred euros a month.

Another long-distance commuter, Matt Ibbs, has travelled between Granada and Dublin every week for the past 20 years to his IT consultancy job.

He describes the area’s natural beauty as the primary draw for his family.

“We have a small farm in Granada, and we can ski in the winter, mountain bike in the spring and autumn,” he said.

“We didn’t choose Spain for financial reasons, we could have gone to any European country but we chose to live in one we like and where we have ties.”

Keeping ties in two countries can yield rich rewards, providing you don’t mind flying. And just think of all those Air Miles!

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Septic pool AN inventive Spaniard has been jailed for six months for building a swimming pool on protected land in Los Alcornocales Park, with a licence for just a septic tank.

In the dark RESIDENTS of the San Pedro area of La Linea are up-in-arms over a lack of street lighting, with several streets plunged in darkness for days last week.

Birdy battle LOS Barrios will host the Campo de Gibraltar Ornithological Contest from October 2-11, with more than 2,500 birds - European and tropical - competing for prizes.

Major makeover A COMPLETE renovation of the Guadarranque industrial zone has been announced by San Roque mayor Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix.

An estimated €2.5 million is set to be invested into a series of works to modernise the poligono, and build a new sanitation system.

Meanwhile, the Junta has also announced plans to spend €750,000 cleaning up the bed of the Guadarranque river.

CAMPO NEWS

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Crime-fighting genius UP FOR AWARD: Tejeiro

Algeciras scientist up for top UK award for innovative paedophile scheme

Prickly profits IT requires effort, patience and – without doubt – gloves.

But, after hours of scouring the Campo de Gibraltar for prickly pears, it is great to see this young entrepreneur reaping the rewards at his impromptu stand at the border.

Catering to peckish (and inquisitive) commuters and tourists, it is certainly a laborious job carefully cutting out their hundreds of tiny prickles, prior to offering them for sale.

Here’s to local enterprise!

A CAMPO de Gibraltar scientist’s project to fight online paedophilia has been shortlisted for a prestigious Times Higher Education award.

The Fighting International Internet Paedophilia (FIIP) project has led to the arrest of nearly 1,000 criminals and the protection of 700 children in two recent operations by the UK’s National Crime Agency.

The incredible scheme has been developed at Liverpool University by professor Ricardo Tejeiro, from Algeciras, alongside colleague Laurence Alison.

“It is great news and we are now exploring innovative new things, and already have a lot of work on the table for the

EXCLUSIVE

By Tom Powell coming years,” he told the Olive Press.

Tejeiro, 48, came up with the innovative software for tracking down online child pornography users, while working in Liverpool, where he has lived for two years.

Called the Kent Internet Risk Assessment Tool (KIRAT), it is now being used by police forces in five European countries.

The tool quickly identifies and traces offenders, who are most likely to physically abuse children.

The project – one of six nominated for the Times award – is funded by the European Commission, with a contribution from the University of Barcelona.

“We now work closely with police in several countries and have had a direct impact on society, rather than being purely academic,” said Tejeiro, the author of over 30 academic books.

The winners of the coveted award will be announced on November 26.

WELCOME TO GIBRALTAR Bob Neill, Conservative MP and long-time visitor to Gibraltar and Spain “I have long been a keen reader of the Olive Press online and the paper on my regular visits to Gibraltar and Marbella, where I have family living. I am delighted you are launching on the Rock and I wish you lots of luck.”

Real dog’s dinner

ANIMAL lovers are invited to a glitzy night out for Spanish Stray Dogs’ 5th annual charity dinner at La Cañada Golf, Sotogrande, on September 26. There will be a charity auction for tickets to the X Factor final.

Proceeds will fund an urgently-needed extension to the overcrowded municipal dog pound in Los Barrios. Tickets cost €50. Contact amee@ spanishstraydogs.org.uk

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NEWS

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POTTED POINTERS EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 0.73 British pounds 1.13 American dollars 1.50 Canadian dollars 7.46 Danish kroner 8.75 H Kong dollars 9.26 Norwegian kroner 1.60 Singapore dollars

ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 62.45% Same week last year: 67.94% Same week in 2005: 50.56% AIRPORTS Gibraltar 00350 22073026 Granada-Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000 EMERGENCIES Police 199 Medical service 190 Fire 190 Gen02.pdf 1 16/10/2012 08:39:43

Different carriages DEAR OP, I AM appalled by recent proposals in the UK to have women-only carriages on trains.

After 24 years living outside the UK it astonishes me that anyone could even suggest that women should be forced to travel in separate carriages to protect them from being molested.

If that is the case, then come to Spain!

I regularly catch the last train to Malaga from Fuengirola and can’t imagine that any woman would feel threatened on that train.Has the UK changed that much in the 23 years I’ve lived elsewhere?

It seems to me that the UK has more fundamental problems.

Get your act together, Britain!

I hope I never have to live there again, and I’m 72.

David Frost, Malaga

Village people YOU may well be able to buy a village in Galicia for €200,000 but why in the world would you?! (A pittance for pastoral properties, issue 221).

There is no work, no facilities, an awful climate and you are surrounded or lost inside the eucalyptus forests that cloak Galicia with the depressing grey/ green colour - I know, I lived there. It was once an incredibly beautiful place but Franco’s command to plant Eucalyptus totally destroyed

LETTERS

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In the line of duty Best made plans

La limbo

IN theory anything that brings more business/ jobs to the area has to be positive and therefore this has to be a good idea (Call of duty… for La Linea free trade, issue 221).

The key to success is to make it easy for people to visit both places and make sure there is a good spread of trade.

La Linea already gets plenty of business from Gibraltar – hotels are very expensive in Gibraltar and most visitors stay in La Linea which means the restaurants also get more trade. Spain must view Gibraltar as an asset, not a hindrance, and this proposed scheme gives both sides a chance to really make it work.

I LIVE in La Linea and this is the first time I’ve heard of this scheme.

Jorge Ramos, who heads up similar schemes in Algeciras and Los Barrios clearly needs to budget for advertising as I’ve never heard of those duty-free zones either.

I think the idea is great… I am encouraged to see the new mayor of La Linea looking to improve relations with Gibraltar and I hope this scheme will encourage people to travel between the two countries.

A united Spain and Gibraltar may be a fantasy but I’d like to think this is a step in the right direction.

Jane Garrett, Ronda

Amy Bennett, La Linea

that and I well remember a Galician newspaper reprinting front pages from the 1950s’ showing the exodus of a huge percentage of the population embarking for Argentina/ Venezuela or the USA to escape starvation.

The northern rias are a great place for a vacation in summer and show how abysmal the Mediterranean coast is in comparison - the rest of the year: depressing.

Stuart Crawford, Coin

Bad banks MY heart goes out to the Mintos (We’re not money launderers, issue 221).

Just as with Louise Reardon the week before (Give my money back, issue 220) the Olive Press has rightly shown the banks up for what they are… Greedy, self-obsessed and unable to see the person behind their bank account.

I too lost my dream home when moving to Spain, although it was in very different circumstances it was also not my fault and I was left completely enraged.

I’m sure over time the Mintos will move on, as I have done, and I hope they are able to live a happy life in Spain.

Georgia Short, Fuengirola

No Magaluf I’VE been to Magaluf, several times actually, and I’ve also been to Malaga. So I feel well-placed to state that the latter is a million miles away from the former and will be for at least the next couple of millennia (Malaga: the new Magaluf? Issue 221). The city may be receiving more tourists than ever before, but that’s because it is a cultural hub bursting with top-quality museums.

The mayor is right to defend Malaga, a bit of nudity once a year barely compares to the non-stop debauchery of Magaluf… not that I’m complaining about either!

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Neighbour from hell LET us not forget that La Linea is no Gibraltar.

In my opinion, La Linea is the worst town in southern Spain. No one realistically goes to La Linea unless they live there or have to get into Gibraltar.

Maybe if they need to use the hospital or go to trafico.

The last mayor complained that no one stayed there to spend and the reason is simple, it’s just not as good as Gibraltar.

In my opinion the duty-free zone would benefit only those in La Linea, I struggle to see any upside for the Rock.

Steven Quinn, Algeciras

Bring in the ringers I WAS flicking through the papers and found one of the funniest misprints I can remember.

As Gibraltar prepared for its European qualifier with Ireland, one Irish newspaper thought they’d even up the odds.

Throwing minnows Gibraltar a lifeline the Irish Independent included five of Germany’s world cup winning side in Gibraltar’s lineup.

Unfortunately the German quintet didn’t make themselves available and Ireland were able to cruise to a four goal victory.

Alex O’Neill, Dublin, Ireland

12 inch wonder DOES anyone recognise this 12 inch creature?

The cat brought it into the house as a pressie for me and the wife.

It was helplessly laid on its back with the cats paw on it. I rescued it and took it outside, but it was barely moving.

After 10mins it recovered and was very annoyed with me, striking hard, almost leaping off the floor!

I don’t know if it’s fully grown or if it’s poisonous, but it certainly was intimidating... It moved in a very convoluted way, almost like a Sidewinder.

Anyway, the cat got interested again and it curled up and played dead after a few ineffective strikes so I scooped it up and popped it over the fence.

One annoyed cat!

Alex Fernandez, Marbella

Keith Hallam, Iznate

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

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What’s hot on the web The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks (August 29th - September 13th): 1) VIDEO SPECIAL: Hell and high water as shocking floods leave deaths in Andalucia (93,743 pageviews) 2) Irish expat dies in Estepona car crash at 5am (12,724) 3) Spanish airport baggage handlers an-

nounce September strikes (8,409) 4) Freak floods in Andalucia threaten annual Almeria pilgrimage (4,051) 5) VIDEO: Gunfire in Marbella ‘Grand Theft Auto-style’ car robbery (3,321)

Unique visitors: 90,873 - Pageviews: 389,516 - Bounce rate: 0.53 Follow us on twitter @olivepress or on facebook at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper

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BEST PALS: Due to climate change

Climate changed dogs’ behaviour MAN’S best friend was turned from predator to pooch thanks to climate change.

Malaga scientists have discovered that a change in climate over hundreds of years forced dogs to evolve, becomeing sociable and accessible to humans.

The mood shift took place due to the evolution of ancient canines’ body shapes.

A change in habitat, from woodland areas to wide-open spaces, forced hounds to evolve in order to chase their prey rather than ambush it.

As a byproduct, scientists at Malaga University claim their temperament was altered and is the main reason why dogs are man’s best friend today.

GREEN NEWS

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Carrion carnage

Dolphin alert

Spain’s use of a controversial ‘killer drug’ is blamed for falling vulture population ANIMAL rights groups have slammed Spain for its use of a ‘killer drug’ that could ‘lead to the extinction of vultures’.

BirdLife International, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the Vulture Conservation Foundation accused Mariano Rajoy among other European leaders of ‘choosing pharmaceutical companies ahead of the environment’.

“Vultures provide services to our farmers that are far more valuable than the ben-

efits of this product, a product that can easily be replaced by safer drugs,” said Asuncion Ruiz, CEO of BirdLife Spain.

Spain is home to 95% of Europe’s vultures.

The drug, diclofenac, is widely considered responsible for the death of millions of vultures worldwide and has already been banned in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Diclofenac is used as an anti-inflammatory, usually to treat sheep and pigs for early signs of arthritis.

AT RISK: Of ‘killer drug’

A TWO-WEEK-OLD striped dolphin separated from its mother has been rescued off Gibraltar. The calf was spotted floundering in shallow waters near Marina Bay by a Waterport Terraces resident and taken back to sea by rescue services.

But the distressed dolphin returned shortly afterwards and was grounded on Western Beach.

Concerned passers-by attended to the baby mammal and contacted the rescue service (ERPU) once more.

Fortunately, a pod of striped dolphins was located in the bay and the calf was released among the group.

It has not been seen since but ERPU is continuing to monitor the area.

DELUGE: Streets became rivers across southern Spain

KILLER storm THE worst storm in years claimed the lives of four people in Andalucia last week.

After one of the hottest summers on record, Andalucia’s heavens opened torrentially on September 7, turning streets into rivers across the province.

There were three fatalities in Granada. A 61-year-old man was washed away in Polopos-La Mamola, a 50-year-old man drowned in Albunol and a man in his sixties died in

Eye of the tiger

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TWO tigers are prowling through Fuengirola Bioparc as worldwide numbers dwindle.

The majestic Sumatran beasts are part of the park’s drive to protect the endangered species.

Only 300 tigers remain in Indonesia.

But visitors to Fuengirola’s Bioparc can still admire this glorious creature.

Castell de Ferro.

A fourth body was discovered washed up east of Motril, an area which took a massive 80 litres of rain per cubic metre in just 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, shocking scenes unfolded in Almeria, where over 30 people were rescued from their vehicles and emergency services received over 100 calls (see video, www. theolivepress.es).

Albox expat councillor Maura Hillen said it was the ‘worst flood in years’.

“I can’t remember many storms like this in this part of Spain,” she told the Olive Press. The road to Malaga airport was also closed, with 12 flights diverted, yellow weather alerts raised and numerous streets swamped.

The towns of Torremolinos, Malaga City, Churriana Benidorm and Alicante were also badly affected.

Oscar trio A TRIO of Spanish films are bidding for an Oscar.

Happy 140, Magical Girl and Loreak have all been shortlisted to represent Spain for a Best Foreign-Language Film Oscar.

The trio was whittled down from an original group of 54 by the Spanish film academy.

The academy will announce the finalist on September 29.

5 pages of Gib culture

Goya or gimmick?

Controversy at the National Gallery as scholars suspect Goya portrait is a fake A PORTRAIT by one of Spain’s most famous artists is causing a stir at London’s National Gallery.

Goya’s painting of Ronda lady Doña Isabel de Porcel has long been heralded as one of the Old Master’s greatest… but now there are doubts about its true origins.

Scholars in England have discovered that beneath the portrait of Porcel lies another painting.

“There is no doubt that this is a great painting, painted with masterful flair,” a National Gallery spokesman said.

“The portrait’s brushwork and the hidden painting beneath are the main points of controversy.”

A painting of a man wearing a striped jacket was found be-

TV Queen BLANCA Suarez wowed at the premiere costume drama Charles, King Emperor.

The series is being seen as Spain´s version of Downton Abbey.

The Goya Awardnominated beauty, who plays Queen Isabel of Portugal, stunned onlookers at the Principal Theatre of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava.

Television viewers caught the first episode of the show on TVE1 on Monday, September 7.

The programme follows the fortunes of the Habsburg ruler King Charles 1.

Flying colours REAL DEAL? Dona Isabel neath the portrait when the painting was x-rayed following scholarly scepticism.

Experts are now looking into the portrait’s history, thought to have been painted in 1805, to determine if it truly is a Goya.

The work is part of a major 70-piece retrospective currently on display in London.

A SPANISH duke is playing chaperone to his family’s rare art collection stateside.

The Duke of Alba (Carlos Fitz-James Stuart y Martinez de Irujo) is heading up the team bringing the priceless artwork to the USA for the very first time.

The collection includes 130 works from across their Spanish palaces with works by Titian, Goya, Rubens, Rembrandt, Ingres, Sorolla and Renoir.

A Dallas’ museum is the lucky location for Treasures from the House of Alba: 500 years of art and collecting.

The news comes after his younger brother Cayetano Martinez housed two Syrian families in his Sevilla palace.

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ALMERIA’S stunning scenery stars in the hotly-awaited drama series Mar de Plastico, which premiered last week at the FesTVal de Vitoria.

The thrilling tale of a mayor’s daughter’s murder is set in the imaginary town of Campoamargo against a backdrop of African workers, gypsies and Russians.

Filming took place in San Isidro, Cabo de Gata, Campohermoso, las Tabernas, El Ejido, Balerma, Vicar and Nijar.

“The creative process was genuinely delicious and the sun, light and heat of Almeria play a starring role,” said fiction director Sonia Martinez.

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ON the Rock September 19

Head to La Sala Gibraltar on the Sunborn to see the talented Nikki Rae singing some big hits in her show Someone Like Adele, for information and bookings call 200 16 870

September 26

St Andrew’s Craft & Collector’s Fair will feature stalls selling hand-crafted items to genuine vintage and antique pieces. Entrance fee £1. Stalls available for £10.

October 1-4

The Gibraltar National Dance Organisation organises the IOD European Showdance Championships at the Tercentenary Sports Hall. Details www. eurodanceshow2015.com.

October 3-4

Confetti Wedding Show has everything for your special day, from cakes, outfits, florists and photographer at the Sunborn Hotel, Ocean Village. Free entrance.

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the Gibraltar Olive Press September 17th - 30th

September 17th - September 30th 2015

Game on!

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AKE a rock in the Mediterranean, a vibrant town, excellent transport links and year-round sunshine. Add a world-class event and – hey presto – what have you got?

A winning formula that is steadily propelling Gibraltar onto the global stage and blasting away the traditional ‘Britain in the sun’ stereotype of bobbies on the beat and monkeys on the mount.

Hot on the heels of this year’s sell-out Gibraltar Music Festival headlining Kings of Leon and Duran Duran, and with the third annual Literary Festival set to write a new chapter in visitor figures

Best backgammon players in the world are primed to do battle on the Rock next year in November, the best backgammon players in the world are primed to do battle on the Rock next year.

The news was announced as the British Territory was accepted as the 24th member of the European Backgammon Federation.

Organisers are betting on 200 players rolling up for the four-day tournament over February 11-16, to compete for a share of the estimated £60,000 prize pot.

And the odds of it becoming

Gibraltar is poised to sweep the board with its first European Backgammon Tournament next February, the latest jewel in its international events calendar, writes Tom Powell

TOURNAMENT HQ: The Caleta Hotel

Risky business?

THERE are some who dismiss backgammon as a game of chance, not of skill.

Why would anyone want to fly hundreds of miles to play a game they could lose on the roll of a dice?

It’s true that if Lady Luck is on your side (and providing you know how to play the game) anyone can beat the world champion.

But that’s why a backgammon match consists of more than one game.

Over a ten-point match, luck balances out and the better player will almost always prevail.

a regular fixture are stacked in Gibraltar’s favour. The event will be hosted by the Caleta Hotel, whose annual Tradewise Chess Festival has been a roaring success story since 2003.

Named World’s Best Open by the Association of Chess Professionals for the last two years, the event brings 300 players from over 50 countries to Gibraltar in January, boosting hotel occupancy during the quieter months checkmate to the Rock!

“This is the latest step in a highly successful policy of

Flushing out cheats THE chess tournament is now obliged to install cameras in the corridors surrounding the arena and in the entrance to the toilets to deter cheats.

It comes after cases of players sneaking off to the loo and conspiring to fix a game or agreeing to draw.

CHAMP: World backgammon champion Turkish Ali Cihangir Cetinel is set for the Rock

THE Gamechangers

TOP TALENT: Michael Van Gerwen and local dart player

event-led tourism,” Sports Minister Steven Linares told the Olive Press at the official announcement. “The chess tournament speaks for itself and there was no hesitation in asking the Caleta to host the backgammon one too.

“These events bring people and money to Gibraltar and create a real buzz about the place.”

That’s no exaggeration. Just

AT PLAY: Backgammon players will soon be a common sight in Gibraltar

NINETEEN years. That’s how long it took Gibraltar to become a fully-fledged member of European footballing body UEFA. In stark contrast, the backgammon equivalent welcomed Gibraltar after just a sixmonth application process.

And becoming the 24th member of the European Backgammon Association is al-

look at the bullseye scored by the Gibraltar Darts Trophy in springtime. What started off as a small, local fixture has become a major event on the global darts calendar, welcoming top pros and bagging hours of international TV coverage.

This year saw Michael Van Gerwen crowned victor after seeing off the likes of defending champion James Wade, as well as four local Gibraltarian entrants.

The Chess Festival has also welcomed a string of world champions over the years, with grandmasters and ambitious amateurs representing 59 chess federations worldwide last year. Since 2011, there has also been a junior tournament. And like the chess, the backgammon will be livestreamed over the internet to an audience of millions.

While chess tends to attract the studious sort and darts is represented by a more vocal, beer-swilling, fancy-dressclad crowd, aficionados say backgammon is the sociable experience.

The timeless board game, mentioned in Ancient Persian writings dating from 6AD, requires skill, experience and extreme concentration. Some contes-

ready reaping its rewards.

The President has been lured to the Rock to become the tournament’s director, bringing a team of five experts with him.

The event is the first of a three-part series, along with Copenhagen and Cyprus, for which there will be a fat cash prize for the overall winner.

tants are known to film their matches and analyse them later when back in their room.

But players often bring a ‘support’ entourage of partners or families to urge them on and there is a convivial atmosphere, with spectators milling about and chatting in

Four or five more events in the pipeline, hints Linares, although he won’t be drawn on details the arena.

“We are expecting a lot of players to make a family holiday out of the event, which is not the case with chess,” added Linares.

Those who register for the four-day event will also be treated to a free tour of the Rock and a lunch in St Michael’s cave, to show off Gibraltar’s attributes as a tourism destination.

But the tournament is not just about bringing in the best players from around the world and showing them the sights. All these events depend on grassroots support.

As with the chess and darts, Gibraltarians will have the opportunity to compete in a smaller tournament during the week before the main event. The four best players will win a free place in the international tournament, with their registration costs covered.

Caleta Hotel Manager Franco Ostuni explains: “All these tournaments need to have the local involvement in order to get Gibraltar enthused and excited. It simply wouldn’t work otherwise.”

It’s a winning formula that has been virtually patented in Gibraltar and the game plan is about to be applied to ‘four or five more events in the pipeline’, hints Linares, although he won’t be drawn on details yet.

The only problem will be finding a free ‘window’ in Gibraltar’s busy events calendar.

Festivals devoted to music, literature, wine, beer, food and beauty (Miss Gibraltar) have already bagged their dates and are giving tourists a reason to visit the Rock every month of the year.

Registration for the Gibraltar Backgammon Tournament is now open at www.gibraltarbackgammon.com and costs £400.

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Big jump to the Big Apple JUMPING FOR JOY: Jonathan rose to fame on TV show Britain’s Got Talent

Gibraltar’s Lord of the Dance Jonathan Lutwyche jets off to New York to join world’s top ballet school

THE Rock’s answer to Michael Flatley is two-stepping across the pond to join one of the world’s most prestigious dance schools.

Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) star Jonathan Lutwyche jetted off for New York on September 11 where he will attend the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet School.

And Jonathan - still only 15 years old - ‘cannot wait’ to get stuck in.

“It is an absolute honour for me to have been selected by the school,” he told the Olive Press.

EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan “I am so excited but at the same time it is gutting to be leaving my friends and family behind.

“I will never forget where I am from and I will always be proud of my country.”

Jonathan rose to fame with his breath-taking BGT audition at the Royal Albert Hall in May, which brought the entire audience to its feet, along with Simon Cowell, the

WELCOME TO GIBRALTAR

MARBELLA HILLS RETREAT GIBRALTAR CLINIC AND MARBELLA CLINIC

The third chapter

BIG MEETING: Jonathan with Chief Minister Fabian Picardo on National Day

Jonathan Lutwyche, star of Britain’s Got Talent “I think the Gibraltar Olive Press is a great idea and I can’t wait to see the first issue. The OP supported me while I was on Britain’s Got Talent and I am sure the new edition will give local talent the chance to showcase itself. I encourage all young musicians and artists to get in touch.”

rest of the judges and the millions watching on TV. He first attracted the attention of the Joffrey Ballet School during a training camp last summer.

But he hasn’t let stardom go to his head.

Truly down to earth, Jonathan spent this summer working in a pet shop, as well as appearing at numerous local events including a mesmerising National Day performance at Casemates Square on the eve of his departure.

STARS of the literary world will descend on Gibraltar again this November as the Gibunco International Literary Festival returns for the third year.

The festival takes place at various historic locations, in particular the Garrison library, over a four-day period beginning on November 12.

The full line-up has not yet been announced, but veteran English journalist Andrew Chislett is set to deliver a talk on ‘Spain 40 years after Franco while the artist JMW Turner’s biographer, James Hamilton, will discuss ‘Turner in Gibraltar’.

There will also be talks from literary agent Andrew Lownie on ‘Stalin’s Englishman’ and Professor Andrew Lambert on Gibraltar’s Royal Navy during the Second World War, as well as workshops and live performances.

Last year saw former British Cabinet Minister Jonathan Aitken, travel writer Barnaby Rogerson and singing sensation Patti Boulaye all attend.

For more information visit www.gibraltarliteraryfestival.com

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Local issue 46:The Local Issue 5 5/13/14

Tel: +350 200 48532 Fax: +350 200 62050 info@npestates.com 10:54 PM Page 104 www.npestates.com

The €5.00 Lunch

ARMED AND DANGEROUS: Why the blue arm behind Kaiser Chief Ricky’s back? It’s th

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ITH its biggest and glitziest lineup ever - some 50 acts playing across three stages to a sell-out 15,000 ticket crowd (half the Rock’s population) - this

year’s Gibraltar Music Festival broke records. Paloma Faith’s ‘Hola Espan blunder was the only discordant note in mega gig that was gigabytes of fun, w zipwire thrills, spheres and cooling wat

Tame your hunger!

FAMILY AFFAIR: Mums and dads worked out the be teenage fans jumped around during the Kaiser Chi

Best of

Kings of Leon impressed but UK and Madness stole the show, wr

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INGS of Leon showed their regal class but i was two British bands who took the crown a Gibraltar Music Festival.

While Kings of Leon closed the festival with un doubted style, the energy of the Kaiser Chiefs and the feelgood factor of Madness showed why British pop music is still ‘definitively’ the best in the world.

Incredibly, on their first ever trip to the Rock, Madness had no intention of embarrassing themselves.

Kicking off with, appropriately, Embarrassment, this was a crowd-pleasing trip back to the 80s and 90s perfectly set up by ‘special guest’ Gabrielle (Dreams will come true, etc) before them.

With saxophonist Lee in fine form and lead singer Suggs in sparkling humour, the Nutty seven embarked on a medley of greatest hits which had the Gibraltar ra dio stage truly hopping.

Over on the main stage – somewhat bizarrely over lapping – the Kaiser Chiefs were showing why the are one of the true festival kings of the summer.

After an amazing show supporting Blur at Benicas sim – here Ricky and Co were warming up for rock gods Kings of Leon…

And they all but blew them off the stage with stun ning renditions of hits including I Predict a Riot, Ever Day I Love You Less and Less and Ruby.

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PERFECT PERCH: A young fan gets a hitch up

Duran Duran put their all into it, Paloma Faith put her foot in it, but the opening day of GMF 15 was a blast, any way you rock it, writes Iona Napier

A jets thrown in.

The Olive Press was among the crowds at Victoria Stadium on both days to present a double dose of reviews and photos of the rip-roaring two-day event.

S ‘80s legends Duran Duran might have put it, Save a Prayer for Paloma Faith.

It was certainly no Ordinary World on the first day of the biggest ever Gibraltar Music Festival when the British singer got her politics in a twist and thought she was singing in Spain.

The star greeted crowds with a rip-roaring ‘Hola Espana’ and claimed it was ‘great to be somewhere half-British and half-Spanish’.

The 34-year-old from Hackney, famous for her haunting ballads, was left Picking Up the Pieces after getting it Upside Down, despite her father being Spanish.

But the convivial crowd seemed to be on too much of a high to mind, singing along and cheering loudly

All you need is

One of the world’s best front men (think Freddy Mercury, think Jim Morrison) Ricky Wilson has a wonderful mix of charisma and energy (all very apparent from his starring role on TV show The Voice).

When he launched into Angry Mob, the crowd – with a legion of teens camped out at the front – went wild.

It was a hard act to follow, and Nashville-bred Kings of Leon took a while to take up the challenge.

A touch linear, perhaps a little jetlagged, they seemed serious and slightly out of place.

But what they have in droves is sheer musical talent.

A massive coup for the Rock, they were tight, driven and slowly got into their groove.

With an amazing filmatography backdrop, they began to show their class.

The deep country and western roots, the slick guitar riffs – their energy started to come through.

In particular, Use Somebody, Molly’s Chambers and the amazing The Bucket, from their first album Aha Shake Breakdown, were standouts.

Finally came huge hit Sex on Fire to bring down the stadium and put a smile on the face of Fabian Picardo, being one of the Gibraltar leader’s favourite bands, as he told the Olive Press two years ago.

All in all, Gibraltar showed it can rock way above its weight.

‘Pet Diaries’ ‘City Pulse’ with Jonathan Sacramento And, the return of: ‘Viewpoint’ with Jonathan Scott ‘The Sports Locker’ with Paul Grant ‘The Hub’ (new look)

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‘Bringing music to your ears, and Gibraltar to your screen’

Autumn on GBC TV includes new shows:

K stars Kaiser Chiefs rites Jon Clarke

d a-

even when Paloma delivered her diatribe on ‘peace’, a ‘podium moment’ that would give Oscar acceptance speech luvvies Gwyneth Paltrow and Patricia Arquette a run for their money.

Eighties legends Duran Duran later showed their durability, bringing the curtain down with aplomb while an emotional Tom Odell smashed his piano to the floor to complete his soulful performance.

The star-studded programme also saw Brit rock band The Feeling and reggae group Third World take a bow while a Gibraltar-flag draped Lawson were delighted to be on a return ticket to the gig.

“It’s incredible to be here again, we love Gibraltar and we’ll be out there in the crowd partying with you guys later,” promised lead vocalist Andy Brown.

Spanish rock stars Estopa and last-minute-confirmation Little Mix also had the Saturday crowds on their feet, dancing and singing along in the balmy September heat.

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Cosmic curtain raiser

est way for their kids to have a good time, watching Kings of Leon (above) while a legion of screaming iefs

it at

the Gibraltar Olive Press September 30th 17th -2015 30th September 17th - September

TRULY NUTTY: Britain’s best festival act Madness always bring out the most colourful - and loyal - fans

he only thing keeping him from falling into the crowd

all na’ na with ter-

FEATURE

NEVER TOO OLD: A glamourous partygoer never loses her touch, while (inset) Paloma Faith

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the Gibraltar Olive Press September 17th - 30th

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September 17th - September 30th 2015

CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo has officially opened the Sortie building, a purpose-built centre for the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Band.

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Happy house hunting

New homes nearly ready

Right sortie

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the Olive Press June 25th - July 9th 2015

THE construction of affordable homes at Beach View Terraces and Mons Calpe Mews is nearing completion.

The first homes at Beach View Terraces will be ready within the next few months, after painting finishes.

The Minister for Housing, Samantha Sacramento, said: “I am extremely pleased with the way in which the affordable homes are being completed, on time and to such a high standard.

“This is also great news for those on the waiting list for government rented housing, as many of those moving in will be leaving their government-rented homes.”

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Property www.gibraltarolivepress.com

INNOVATIVE: Ocean Village gets an environmental makeover

Green light for green house New development will feature first ‘green wall’ seen on the Rock GREEN-thinking developers have come up with a ground-breaking new scheme in Ocean Village.

Dubbed the ‘start of an environmentallyconscious building sector on the Rock’, Ocean Spa Plaza will have the territory’s first ever ‘vertical green wall’.

The idea is that the foliage on the wall will emit high levels of oxygen, while absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

It will be incorporated into the wall of the car park, which will be available to both residents, as well as the general public.

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EXCLUSIVE

By Rob Horgan The project of 120 apartments - which also has a rooftop spa with sauna, jacuzzi and steam room - has now been given the green light.

“We are delighted to have been granted permission for the next phase in Ocean Village,” marketing manager Sandra Lamplough told the Olive Press.

“This iconic building with its stunning views and perfect location is sure to set a new standard for future residential development.”

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WELL established Gibraltar businessmen Andy and John Hunter have now set their sights on the luxury property market.

New website, PropertyShopGibraltar.com, is the latest venture from the brothers, who have been trading successfully on the Rock since 1996.

The new real estate team has over 20 years of experience between them and a native Chinese member specifically geared towards the Asian market.

Alongside their string of restaurants and bars, the new venture brings the Hunters’ workforce to over 100 people.

“We have been promoting Gibraltar as a great place to be based for years, and many of our friends will know us from the bars we have been operating since 1989, such as Jury’s Cafe, Gibraltar Arms, Star Bar, Lord Nelson and the Bridge Bar,” Andy told the Olive Press.

WELCOME TO GIBRALTAR Andy Hunter, Director Lord Nelson and PropertyShopGibraltar.com “I have always enjoyed reading the brilliant Olive Press on the coast. All the best, and looking forward to reading the first copy!”

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Olive Press September 17th - 30th

September the Olive Press June 25th - July 9th 201517th - September 30th 2015

Cool pool

The market is back on track and Andalucia is still buyers’ favourite spot

The Property Insider

by Ad am Neale

Bricks under the sun back on the rise

THE heart of a tiny Huelva village has been turned into a summer oasis.

Eight years after the plan was first mooted, the Canaveral de Leon’s town square has been converted into a natural splash pool.

Sourced from a nearby lagoon, the town’s 400 inhabitants now have use of an 8,000 square metre pool.

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Flight risk Brit firm’s plans for new shopping centre rocked

by Malaga airport AVIATION authorities have scuppered plans for a brand new shopping centre in Malaga.

Plans for a multi-million euro designer outlet at Malaga’s Plaza Mayor have taken a ‘serious knockback’ after airport officials expressed concern about the impact it would have on planes landing and taking off.

The British firm behind the plans, McArthurGlen, are now ‘desperately’ trying to work with the Civil Aviation board in order to get things back on track.

“We are hopeful that this is just a glitch and can be resolved,” a spokesman said.

“We need to have permission from the airport before we can go any further so we will be working with them to sort out the issue.”

He added: “At the moment, we are still working towards a completion date of mid-2017.”

Town hall officials must now carry out new analysis of the site, following airport concerns over interference with radio transmission and flight landings.

The designer outlet - McArthurGlen’s first in Spain - is to include 90 stores across 17,000 square metres of retail space.

It is estimated to cost €115 million in total.

HE latest Malaga property sale data confirms the market has gone steadily up over the past year.

We have seen a rise of over 14% in July’s transactions, the biggest increase for the same period since 2008.

Spain’s Statistics Institute has just revealed figures for July’s residential property sales and Malaga province ranks above both the regional and national averages, registering a 14.5% increase compared to 2014.

A total of 2,228 Malaga properties were sold in July compared to 2,313 in July 2008 – it’s still well down on the pre-crisis total (3,599), but is the best result for seven years.

Interestingly, less than 20% of homes sold were new.

This reflects the relative lack of new-build properties available in the market now, although it looks set to rise over the rest of 2015 and next year as more new developments are completed.

Nationally, house sales increased by 13.9% in July compared to 2014, reaching 32,700 deals for the year, to date. Although slower than June - which saw a 17% increase on the year before - July’s rise marks the eleventh consecutive month of growth. Andalucia remains the most popular area in Spain, with almost 6,750 deals com-

pleted here, followed by Catalunya, Valencia, and Madrid.

Malaga alone accounts for almost a third of the region’s total, marking a comeback since the all-time low of March 2013 when less than 1,000 homes changed hands.

Over 14,500 properties have already been sold in the province in the first six months of this year, 13% higher than last year and 30% more than in 2013.

After six years of falling values, Spanish property prices are firmly on the rise, with a 4% increase in average prices in the second quarter of 2015 compared to last year.

This is not only a 1.5% increase over the first quarter of the year, but is also the largest jump since the end of 2007 and is the fifth successive three-month period in which house prices have risen. New properties increased in value nationwide by almost 5%, while the price resale homes climbed by some 3.8%.

All this is clearly good news for vendors who held on to their homes during the darkest hours of ‘la crisis’.

But it should also come as a reminder to buyers who may have had doubts about entering the marketplace over the last few years that now is the time to move, before prices climb any higher.

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“I hope the launch goes well and we will, of course, follow it with interest over the coming months.

It is good to see you having a stronger presence on the Rock and best of luck.”

Ship ahoy THE Gibraltar Port Authority and the Gibraltar Maritime Administration both sponsored events at London International Shipping Week, in a bid to boost the Rock’s global footprint.

GIBRALTAR’s new university will signal the nation’s coming of age, claims education minister Gilbert Lucidi.

The body’s four departments will include a business faculty offering the world’s first courses in Gibraltar law and tax.

The self-financing crucible of learning will entice undergraduates to enrol on accounting, finance, banking and business management courses.

Lucidi told Essential Magazine: “The university will be transformational, signalling the coming of age of our nation.

CAMPUS: Four faculties will be built

FIRST: Happy Lucidi

“For the first time we will be a university city, able to attract international students.”

The campus is hoping to enhance Gibraltar’s standing as a centre for international business.

Its business school, the Institute of Professional Development and Continuing Education, will also design courses to help local businesses.

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A ROCK-based gaming company has announced pre-tax profits of £2.1 million for 2015’s first two quarters.

Bwin.party’s figures show a sharp improvement from the £8.3 million loss for the same period in 2014.

The online gaming group recently accepted a £1.1 billion takeover offer from GVC Holdings after a bidding war between GVC and rival 888.

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Fun and games

GIBRALTAR has signed an agreement with the British Virgin Islands (BUI) to enhance the exchange of information between the two British Territories.

The Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC) and its BVI equivalent aim to ensure public protection and develop financial integrity.

“The signing is significant for us,” said GFSC Chief Executive Samantha Barrass.

“It serves to enhance our commitment to establish international relationships with other supervisory organisations, in order to support and strengthen our regulatory work”.

Brave new world...

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IB N G TIO I D

Philip Langley, director, IBEX

September 17th - September 30th 2015

Coming of age University will transform the Rock, insists education minister

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the Gibraltar Olive Press September 17th - 30th

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Pet

Community

INANCIERS returning to their desks after the holidays face a hugely uncertain world – not least the impact of the Chinese slowdown and the halving of the oil price, issues I will consider in future columns.

Locally, current concerns include the state of the euro, whether interest rates will rise and the continued difficulties at the border. All of these have a direct effect on the economy here in Gibraltar and the wider campo area.

Thoughts are also turning to the forthcoming general elections in Gibraltar and Spain.

I have been asked to write about their likely outcome and potential impact on our economy. I will try, but as the Danish physicist Nils Bohr put it: “Prediction is very difficult, especially if it’s about the future.”

Much of the momentum from the 2006 Cordoba Agreement has been lost since the last elections, although some significant benefits remain – some easing of airspace restrictions and the ability to use Gibraltar’s international dialling code from Spain.

La Linea’s new mayor, Juan Franco, has made no secret of his intention to improve cross-border relations. Hopefully this constructive approach can be broadened across the political spectrum.

In Gibraltar the last possible date for an election is April 19, 2016, although the Chief Minister has indicated that he will call it before the end of this year. I’m not an opinion pollster, so I won’t be predicting the winners and losers but, under Gibraltar’s system, the winning party will at least have a clear mandate to govern. We will also be seeing some new names on the ballot paper because a few of our politicos have announced their intention to step back from the front line.

The Spanish must go to the polls on or before December 20, 2015. In the recent elections it has been a straight race between the PP

Email: gib@SovereignGroup.com Tel: +350 200 76173 www.SovereignGroup.com

DEAL: British Virgin Islands agreement

Le Breton’s Briefing ...But will the forthcoming elections in Gibraltar and Spain have the X Factor, questions new columnist Ian Le Breton, managing director of Sovereign Trust

VYING FOR CHANGE: New La Linea mayor Juan Franco, Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera and Podemos’ Pablo Iglesias and PSOE parties (with some regional differences in areas such as Catalonia playing a smaller but important role).

This time, the waters have been clouded by the emergence of new groups like Podemos and Ciudadanos. If the support shown for these two parties translates into seats, then the result will be very interesting.

Economically, the importance of this is twofold. First, the Spanish recovery is still fragile – the problems facing the euro have not receded and unemployment remains high.

How this is managed by the next Spanish government will have a huge impact on our local economy. Secondly, once the voting is over, we must hope that a desire to resolve the border issues that so affect us all is on Madrid’s agenda.

This is not just desirable. It needs to happen.

Obviously I cannot predict the future but, for the sake of business on both sides of the border, let us hope that the political landscape that emerges from the forthcoming elections is conducive to conciliation and progress rather than provocation and stalemate.

We can all play our part in that process and vote!

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September 17th 30th, 2015

Gay tourist boom Spain is now the most visited destination in Europe for LGBT tourists

GAY tourism is booming in Spain, the most popular destination in Europe for LGBT visitors.

The ‘rainbow crew’ pumped over €6 billion into

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the Spanish economy via tourism in the past 12 months.

And it seems these ‘spend spend’ tourists are happier to splash the cash on their travels than other market sectors, with the average LGBT-er forking out 30% more than their heterosexual counterparts.

MANNING the police Twitter account isn’t as exciting as arBarcelona is their favourite resting drug dealers and high speed car chases, but in Spain Spanish destination, folit’s a job with just as much responsibility. lowed by Madrid, with the The National Police force has more followers than any other Costa del Sol in third place law enforcement agency in the world, including the FBI. and Torremolinos flying the But the man behind its success, Carlos Fernandez Guerra, has rainbow flag as the gay capinow left to work for energy firm Iberdrola. tal of the coast.

His replacement, Carolina Gonzalez, previously worked as In fact, the summer boom part of an investigations unit in Barcelona before joining the saw 20% more gay busicommunication team. nesses open in Torremoli“I always liked to communicate and I always liked the police,” nos. said Gonzalez.

Last month, 71,000 visitors “This job brings together both of my passions. I can’t imagine descended on Barcelona for a better post.” the second-largest LGBT In total there are eight people behind the social media prespride festival in Europe. ence, with tweets of between 10 and 15 a day.

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Decoding your diagnosis

Leighton Griffiths, Director of Specsavers Opticas Marbella, answers your eye care questions Q My optician gave me a copy of my prescription and it refers to an ‘axis’. Can you explain what this means?

A Most of us have small amounts of astigmatism. This means that our eyes are not completely round but slightly oval in shape. In some people, this can result in blurred vision or eye strain. To correct it, a spectacle lens must be glazed in a frame at a precise angle. The number in the ‘axis’ box tells the glazer exactly what this angle is.

Q I’ve been prescribed prisms in my glasses. Why is this?

A Prisms are usually prescribed if there is a muscle imbalance in one or both eyes. The position of each eyeball is controlled by six muscles. Even a minor misalignment can result in headaches, double vision or eye strain. Prisms are prescribed to help realign the eyes and reduce these symptoms.

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

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Q Do computer glasses actually work?

A Most computer glasses have corrective lenses designed to allow the user to remain comfortable while looking at a computer screen for long periods. Depending on the individual’s requirements, these glasses could incorporate a correction for long sight, short sight or astigmatism. If your optician thinks it will help, tinted or coated lenses may also be recommended.

Q I get little white spots on my eyelids.

What are these?

A You’re probably describing ‘milia’ but without examining your eyes it’s impossible to say for certain. You need to make an appointment to see your optometrist for an accurate diagnosis, as any new spots or lumps on or around the eyes need to be examined. Milia are harmless cysts, which are often found around the eyelids, cheeks, nose and forehead. If their appearance concerns you, a GP or skin specialist can discuss options for their removal.

If you would like your questions answered in our next column please email specsavers@ shawmarketingservices.com and we will do our best to fit them in.

Specsavers stores in Fuengirola and Marbella are currently offering free eye tests. If you are experiencing eye discomfort or have any questions, go to your nearest Specsavers for an eye test www.specsavers.es

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Viva España!

MAYBE it’s the Mediterranean lifestyle or maybe it’s something in the water.

Because the average Spaniard’s life expectancy is up by almost five years since 1990.

Whereas the Spanish lifespan used to sit at 77, a 2013 study funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation revealed it is now almost 82.

People are living longer worldwide - the average life

Spaniards living longer than before expectancy was 65 in 1990 but by 2013 it was 71.5.

Health kick or otherwise, the Spanish life expectancy has stabilised since the crisis but women still live longer than men although male life expectancy has

Dear Love Doc columnist Louise Van der Velde is hoping to help expat couples and singles spice up their lives and overcome problems...

gone up by 5.7 years compared to the female which has gone up 3.89%.

Spain sits in 13th position worldwide with Andorra in the lead (83.9 years), Japan (83.3), Iceland (82.8), Switzerland (82.7), Israel and Cyprus (82.2), and Malta and Italy (82.1).

The UK life expectancy sits at 81.5 years compared to 76 in 1990.

Dear oc Love D

No holds barred Lost my libido

My husband drinks too much

Dear Louise, Since moving to Spain a few years ago my husI am 55 years old and have always had a good band’s drinking has got out of control. He is sex life with my wife of 20 years - but as of late becoming aggressive and distant. Since I do I have found it difficult to get and maintain an not have my family here I’m at my wits end and erection during sex. I don’t like taking medica- wanting to drink more too. How can you help? tions. Is there anything else that can help me?

My wife is now getting very upset and taking it personally.

F.J, Almeria

D.T, Answer: Marbella It’s really important that you stay strong and help your husband take control of this.

I would suggest you find help.

Answer: There are many reasons for erectile disfunc- An assessment of all areas of his life can help tion and it’s important you visit your doctor to get things turned around and depending on how much he drinks medications can help. But rule out any health issues.

Also ask your doctor for a testosterone hor- he really needs to rediscover his life purpose mone check. A small dose from the doctor and change some important values to do with can really sort out these issues and increase health. In therapy we look at eight areas and vitality in men as hormones do drop. Other work on clearing the past - breaking patterns than that it’s important to realise the greatest and creating focus on the future you want. erogenous zone is the brain - so clearing past Remember all change must happen on a subnegative sexual experiences is important - as conscious level as we are only 1% consciously a cycle of expecting it to happen will just per- aware of what is making us do what we do and petuate the problem. This can be done in a few be the way we are. There’s no simple answer but with your support and professional help he hours with a sex therapist. can turn this around.

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D

O you stoop over your shopping trolley or lean on your golf bag to relieve back pain? If so, you may be suffering from spinal stenosis.

Stenosis is a medical term that describes a narrowing of a tube or canal and is common in the spinal canal.

This can be a problem that one is born with, and it is associated with certain conditions such as achondroplasia (dwarfism). However, it is more commonly a problem acquired in later life due to degenerative changes within the spine.

The parts of the spine that cause the stenosis are the intervertebral discs and the facet joints.

The result is a reduced area for the nerves to travel in, as they pass along the spine. The stenosis can cause a profound reduction in the space available for all of the nerves, or just the space for one nerve.

Hence the symptoms and signs can be mixed.

The classical symptoms of spinal ste-

Back on track Spinal stenosis is often the cause of aches and pains in the lower back and legs, writes Andrew Clarke

nosis are activity related pain radiating from the lower back region, into the buttocks and down the legs. It can be in one or both of the legs. This can be associated with numbness and heaviness. The activities that tend to provoke this are standing and walking.

The ability to undertake both is reduced, sometimes dramatically.

Often, there is little to find in examination.

However, on walking, stooping forward is a common feature. The reason for this is to try to increase the space within the spinal canal.

Other medical problems can produce similar features.

This is especially true when there is a reduced blood supply to the legs due to vascular issues. Hence, your health

the Gibraltar Olive Press September 17th - 30th

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September 17th - September 30th 2015

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SURGERY: Can alleviate pain

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No more of the ‘Andalucian Way’

Mañana, mañana

W care provider should check your foot pulses, when confronted with these complaints.

The management of spinal stenosis depends on the exact cause and the level of symptoms that the patient is suffering. Essentially, it is a quality of life issue.

Therefore, one must consider this when planning treatment. An MRI scan is required to confirm the diagnosis.

The first line of treatment consists of physiotherapy and physical conditioning, including if possible, cycling. Cycling can be well tolerated by patients with spinal stenosis, as the position on a bike makes the spinal canal open up.

If symptoms are still problematic, pain killers can be used.

The next level of intervention includes injections such as epidurals but success is mixed.

Finally, a surgical decompression can be performed to increase the space within the spinal canal. This has about a 70% chance of bringing good pain relief and increased function.

Such treatments are available at the Exeter Nuffield Hospital. There are daily flights to Exeter from Malaga and Alicante for much of the year. For many expats, the comfort of having such important surgery undertaken in the UK is well worth the cheap round trip

HEN I first came to Spain I did what all the ‘nice’ foreigners do. I turned a blind eye to the lack of ‘quality’ work and total disregard for punctuality. Actually, I was happy if workers turned up at all and simply accepted the ‘Andalucian Way of Work’.

Who was I, a newcomer, to try to change the system?

However, when I opened The Source Of Wellbeing it became quickly apparent that things needed to change if I wanted to be successful.

As foreigners on holidays have very little tolerance and patience for the ‘Andalucian Way’, I was faced with a real challenge. What had become ‘good enough’ for me was, for others, way off the scale.

I had to change my way of dealing with staff completely and set expectations and boundaries. Basically I had to apply my project management skills and leadership abilities.

At first I was met with blank looks and a ‘what’s wrong with her’ attitude. But then a miracle happened. They changed their ways, almost without exception.

Along the way I realised a couple of things.

There are some people who will never change. So there was no way they ever would be able to live up to The Source’s high standards.

Others were just plain lazy and thought they could get away with it. They mostly shaped up or shipped out.

And then another set of people started to enter my life. People who shared my values and attitudes towards quality and standards.

The moral of the story is the same as always. We cannot change others but we can change ourselves.

And if we change, the circumstances and people around us will change.

But we need to be very clear about what we want and what our own values and expectations are.

Only then will we become genuine leaders others will follow. Our own behavior, words and actions should reflect this and then others will relate to us on all levels.

What about you? Do you feel stuck with an issue or a certain person or people? Do you have clear expectations and values? Or do you say one thing but do another?

For help with all these issues and more, get in touch by emailing martina@thesourceofwellbeing.com

Landline: +34 951 20 43 06 Mobile: +34 673 293 333 www.thesourceofwellbeing.com martina@thesourceofwellbeing.com

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It’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll and I like it...

M

USIC has always been an important part of my life. When I’m not talking about it on my radio shows, I’m usually reading about it, writing about it, talking about it or playing it.

Playing it badly, I must add. I fancied myself as the Costa del Sol’s answer to Sting in the mid-’80s and belted out a bad acoustic version of Roxanne whenever I got the chance.

I’ve also worked in live music, doing everything from being a runner for Sugarbabes, driver for the reggae band Third World and sorting out the VIPs for Simply Red. From hard-earned experience I’ve come to the conclusion that the music business runs on chaos theory and crisis management at all times.

I’ve also been lucky enough to see some brilliant bands over the years in Spain: Kid Creole and the Coconuts (a tropical blast from my mid-’80s past), Nile Rodgers, Deep Purple (everyone’s ears were ringing with Smoke on the Water for days afterwards) and, two summers ago, I sat transfixed while Paco de Lucia gave what was to be one of his last performances under a beautiful Marbella moon.

All of this means that I’m pretty much regular feature at any concert on the coast, normally lurking near the refreshments area. This year, however, turned into ‘The Summer I Saw No Live Music’.

It started with the ill-fated Mal-

…but I didn’t get a look-in on the concert circuit this year

GILES’ GIGLESS SUMMER: He didn’t let it ruin the fun aga Rocks Mijas which tried to style itself ‘Glastonbury in the Sun’, overlooking the ‘minor issue’ of actually getting the right permissions from the town hall.

(Note to all future promotors: just because the town hall approves the logo on your poster doesn’t mean they are going to let you hold the damn thing).

The organisers tried a last-

The law fought me, the law won

minute relocation to distinctly un-Rock‘n‘Roll Manilva, before the event fizzled out completely. (Another note to promoters: Facebook is not an acceptable medium to let performing acts know the event is off. Especially if they are waiting for their lift at the arrivals lounge in Malaga at the time!)

It didn’t help that Spandau Bal-

let cancelled their gig in Marbella (as well as Barcelona and Ibiza) due to their drummer being taken ill. I had my ’80s shoulder pads and Bowie bags dusted down and ready to go.

I then spent a few weeks sending emails that were pinballed around various PR people at Starlite in the vain attempt to get press accreditation for a few of the concerts. Needless to say, I didn’t receive one pass so it was more than a little galling to see other media professionals taking selfies in front of the performing artists.

My last and best bet was the Gibraltar Music Festival. I had the correct passes and everything was looking sweet when the brake discs on the 4x4 decided to give up the ghost on the Friday afternoon before the festival.

The Yummy Mummy came to my rescue with her offer of a lift. But my visions of swanning around backstage flashing my Access All Areas pass and hanging out with the Kings of Leon were dashed in full Rock chick style when she called in sick on the morning of the concert.

Gutted to see the glut of photos from the gig posted on the Olive Press website, there was only one thing for it. I dug out my favourite skull T-shirt, composed a heavy metal playlist on the iPod, stuck my biggest headphones on and rocked out on my terrace that evening.

I’m thinking of making it an annual event and calling it ‘Lakestock’.

The day I got taken out by three policemen because I thought they were thieves, by Danny Williams

I

GET a firm grip of my bag, take a step back and make a break for it, except I don’t get far.

The next thing I know I’m slammed against a car door by three men and dragged helplessly across the road in a headlock, heart racing. They take my passport and my bag and throw it in the back of their black car.

But these weren’t any old roadside robbers, these were the men whose job it is to stop them; the Guardia Civil.

This unbelievable (but somehow true) episode began when I was dropped off on the outskirts of Estepona, at a roundabout off the A-7.

A ‘policeman’ approached and asked to see my identification, I told them I live here but happened to have my passport on me so went to get it out.

But at that moment it dawned on me that this was just a normal man wearing a fluorescent jacket, and the car behind him was just a normal black hatchback.

Slammed

CIVIL CASE: Police pounced on innocent Danny

Olive Press BLOG OF THE MONTH - to view more visit www.theolivepress. es. To begin blogging yourself, contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es

So to put my suspicions to bed, I withheld my passport momentarily and asked if HE had ID. At which point he grew angry and lunged for the rucksack on my shoulders.

There and then I made the decision to get myself to a more public place, a place where there would be other cars. I did what came naturally, and legged it. Except I didn’t bank on two other men diving out of the car and straight for me.

The next thing I know I’m slammed against the side of a car and head-locked forcefully. This is it I think, shouting for help and wrestling with my attackers…

As it later transpired - after some heated discussions - these actually were policemen, keeping an eye out for anyone trying to dodge the roadblock just out of sight.

As it also transpired, I was not a drug-laden fugitive.

My bag contained only my passport, camera and a brand new pair of orange swimshorts. Things which I am not willing to hand over to any old person who approaches me with a fluorescent jacket on.

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the Gibraltar Olive thePress OliveJune Press 11th June - June 11th -24th June2015 24th 2015 FOOD & DRINK with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

What’s cooking, good looking?

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thethe Gibraltar Press June - June 24th 2015 the OliveOlive Press June 11th -11th June 24th 2015 Gibraltar Olive Press September 17th - 30th 28 28 28 www.theolivepress.es

WELCOME TO GIBRALTAR

Mama Lottie’s chef is on screen bringing the best of Gibraltar’s food to the world TIDINGS: Patrick (at back) with his team

EXCLUSIVE

By Iona Napier HE started off in the kitchen with his grandmother… but now a Gibraltar chef can be seen cooking on-screen all over the world.

Entrepreneur Justin Bautista, 25, cooks up a storm in A Gibraltarian Kitchen on GBC and hopes it will raise the Rock’s culinary profile internationally.

Patrick Sacarello, Sacarello’s “Sacarello’s would like to wish you the best of fortune for the new newspaper.

May you maintain your high level of reporting in your new Gibraltar venture.”

COOKING UP A STORM: Mama Lottie author Justin Bautista coming to TV screens The seven-episode series filmed between July and September combines three

dishes per show with Gibraltarian history, culture and influences.

“The filming is going very well, I’m loving every minute, it’s been funny and quite educational at times,” the inspirational chef-cum-graphic designer told the Olive Press.

“I would have loved to have had Mama Lottie on screen with me, but unfortunately she wasn’t having any of it.

Awards

“Hopefully this will inspire the younger generations to get into the kitchen and give the recipes a try.”

Bautista made his name when his Mama Lottie’s cookbook came third in the Gourmand World Book awards 2015 and episodes can be found on www.gbc.gi/tv or on Mondays at 9pm.

Town fryer reaches 50!

HALF a century ago, the Marlow family was busy opening the very first proper fish and chip shop in Gibraltar.

It was called Irish Town Fisheries and gave locals and tourists alike a taste of how fish and chips should be, using top-quality cod and had-

dock caught in the North Sea. Fast forward 50 years and Marlows is now in Los Hidalgos, near Duquesa Port, still serving up the tastiest fish from the North Sea, fried and served to the highest standards in clean, modern surroundings.

Shopping spree GIBRALTARIANS spend around £73 million on food shopping in Andalucia each year.

The chamber of commerce found the Rock’s residents regularly hop over the border to splash the cash in Spain’s supermarkets.

A total of £46 million was spent within the Campo de Gibraltar area alone in 2013.

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Say cheese After Spain’s top cheese was honoured at the UK’s Great Taste Awards, Nina Chausow took a tastebud tour of Andalucia’s best efforts

SAY CHEESE: Experts prowl at Great Taste Awards

I

T was tough cheddar on Andalucia’s ruminants when Basque sheep ran away with the top prize for their smokey-flavoured Artza Gatzai Idiazabal at the Great Taste Awards in London.

But it wouldn’t be stating the bleating obvious to reveal that Andalucia produces 27 different Denomination of Origin (DO) cheeses of its own.

Whether you prefer crumbly ewe’s milk cheese or the more pungent product made from nanny goat’s milk, Nina Chausow picks out five ‘big cheeses’ that are among Andalucia’s best - baa none!

1.

Queso de las Alpujarras:

Made from the pasteurised milk of Alpujarran mountain goats, this cheese has a spicy, buttery flavour with a hint of salt. Aged for four months, the cheese pairs well with typical Andalucian wines such as Fino and Manzanilla, as well as older amontillado sherries.

4.

Queso Montes de Malaga:

Sourced from the rainiest area in Spain, this famous Andalucian cheese can be found all over, from Harrods in London to cheesemongers in the US. The brand makes fresh and semi-cured cheese from the payoyo goat native to the area, and often covers its wheels with butter, rosemary, wheat bran and red pepper.

The cinnamon-coloured goats of the Montes de Malaga produce milk used for yogurt, ricotta, and a variety of differently-treated cheeses. The semi-cured goats milk cheese pairs spectacularly with honey and walnuts, while the raw milk cheese is rubbed with Iberico pork fat to add a rich flavour.

Peeling away the shiny yellow rind, this ivory white fresh or semi-cured cheese is made from the milk of the merino sheep, an endangered species protected in Malaga. The disc-shaped cheese is coagulated in artichoke thistle and aged for eight weeks minimum. The end result is a soft, malleable cheese that can be spread on crusty bread.

This sheep-milk cheese produced in Aracena often comes with rosemary, paprika or raisins, and is positively yummy when paired with honey. The strong-smelling cheese is produced the old way, by hand-milking and hand-curding, and slowly matures in cold stores to develop its rich taste.

2.

Queso Payoyo de Grazalema:

3.

Queso de la Serena:

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the Gibraltar Olive Press September 17th - 30th

Dining out SPANIARDS are embracing the good life and spending less on cooking at home.

Last year 4.2% more money spent in bars and restaurants while 2.2% less was lavished on alcohol in supermarkets, according to new government statistics,

Lazy or rich, Spain is choosing eating out over home-cooked food... as Spaniards dine out in droves.

The same goes for food,

MIXING IT UP: Madrid mixology party

Get in the spirit SPAIN is shaking it up to host the country’s largest ever cocktail party in Madrid later this month.

The inaugural Mixology Trends will see Michelin-starred chefs pair food and drinks for thousands of visitors at the Palacio de Congreso from September 28-29.

Professionals from the drinks industry will attend the event, which will also reward achievements across the spirits and food industries.

With Spain at last recovering from the global economic crisis, it’s perfect timing to launch the event, according to Nacho Espadas de la Cruz, Marketing Manager for organisers Drinks Marketing Group.

“Demand for new quality products and services are key for Spanish trade and consumers,” he said.

A dog’s life,

S

O what time does your master or mistress get up? Mine is at best variable.

OK, sometimes he’s working til quite late. Tells the mistress he’s entertaining people with his wit and repartee. Oh really.

They obviously haven’t heard the same old drivel over and over again like I have.

So I am left to wait each morning to see whether he will make time for a walk with me. He hardly ever does and if there were the canine equivalent of a helpline for abused animals, I’d be calling it.

with supermarket spending dips of 2.8% on meat and 3.8% on fish in the first half of this year, suggesting restaurants are reaping the rewards.

Despite an economy in recovery, Spaniards are simply buying less food for the home, with 29.5 million kilos and litres of foodstuffs consumed in 2014 versus 30 million in 2013.

This year, people are purchasing less meat, fish, vegetables, oil and alcohol while sales are up for canned foods, chocolate, cocoa, biscuits, and water.

“Darling, I see The Times recommends a hotel near Ronda” “Molino del Santo, sweetheart. The Times rated it one of the 20 Best Hotels in the whole of Europe for foodies”

Top tipple A VALENCIAN ale has been lauded as one of the best-ever craft beers.

Golden ale La Socarrada has been crowned the fourth best beer of all time by leading experts at the annual World Beer awards.

Topping the list however was Belgian-beer Brasserie St. James Red Headed Stranger, while American stout Outer Darkness came in second.

by Eddie the hotel hound

The perfect guest Giving guests guided walks is doggie heaven for Eddie

“Let’s visit.

We can stay over and get a special rate if we mention The Olive Press” “You do have some great ideas but we must reserve - they’ve only got 18 rooms and they get very busy” Hotel and restaurant only open until the 9th of November 2015. The hotel has an award-winning restaurant which is open every day and nonresidents are always welcome. Reservations usually essential. The setting is stunning, the service is friendly and efficient and the food is excellent.

The Hotel and Restaurant close on the 9th November 2015 and re-open on the 4th March 2016 reat

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the dog Eddie

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Stunning

But every now and then the perfect guest returns to the hotel…. Cue Mrs JC from Andover.

I spotted the email a few weeks ago. “Any chance of a guided walk before breakfast? Such a lovely time of day in the mountains.”

Now if I were to send him a message like that it would be totally ignored but from a hotel guest, he manages to make an effort.

Thus on Sunday morning we are up at dawn and driving to a nearby valley just as the sun starts to raise its head over the peaks. It is idyllic. The light is amazing, The peace is stunning. We pass a ruined Roman

Spoil Yourself at Molino del Santo

on any pre-booked hotel and/or restaurant service in 2015 (Offer valid for new bookings only)

Escape the busy life for a while, head to the hills and relax!

Full menus available on the website www.molinodelsanto.com

TALL TAIL: Eddie’s Sunday stroll bridge and ford a stream.

There are cattle grazing which I would love to chase but he’s on one of his brighter days and puts on the lead before I notice. Even so I am in doggie heaven.

Fancy a visit to the mountains?

Send an e-mail beforehand and see if you can get Mr Sleepyhead to join you and me on an adventure. He’ll make the effort for hotel guests and totally ignore the messages I give him.

To get in touch with Eddie, contact his owners Andy and Pauline at the Hotel Molino del Santo. Bda Estacion s/n, 29370 Benaojan, Malaga. 952 167 151 - 952 167 927. info@molinodelsanto.com

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ESTACIÓN DE BENAOJÁN, NEAR RONDA, MÁLAGA When you need to escape the busy life in Gibraltar, you know where to head

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Covering Gibraltar in 2015 with over www.gibraltarolivepress.com 20,000 papers and over 200,000 visits to the website each month

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Chocolate box thief fingered in Gibraltar after two decades on run

Rocky remains

FINAL WORDS

September 17th - September 30th

THE remains of a 45,000-year-old fire-pit discovered in Gibraltar four years ago may decode the Rock’s history and anthropology thanks to evidence of manual, or even mechanical, explosives.

In tune THE Government has launched the Gibraltar Academy of Music and Performing Arts, which will provide tuition to students of all ages.

What a Twit AN unlucky flier left his Ipad on a flight from Gibraltar to London and has appealed to Twitter to reunite him with the gadget.

Sweet justice!

IT will go down as one of the sweetest crime breakthroughs in living memory.

Nearly two decades after the theft of a box of chocolates in Gibraltar, the culprit has

EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan

been caught with his hand in the jar.

The Quality Street thief

What a super sub GIBRALTAR will play its national football on the Rock by 2017… but where exactly? We’re one step further to finding out.

After continual arguments over a proposed Europa Point site and failed attempts to extend Victoria Park, the government has come up with a new alternative.

As the Gibraltar Olive Press went to press, it has emerged that Lathbury Parade Ground is now being lined up as a potential site for a 6,000-seater stadium.

Opinion - Page 6

A name you can trust

must have thought he had got away with stealing the £3.50 box of chocolates from a shop in 1998.

But, after chewing over the crime for 17 years, the Rock’s crack crime agency finally stuck it to him.

Now Spaniard Carlos Javier Aguilar-Ballester, 47, has been taken to court over the theft.

The La Linea resident pleaded guilty to the crime and has been sentenced to a sixmonth conditional discharge.

He was fingered after being arrested over a separate animal cruelty offence last month; allegedly drunk and swinging his dog by the

hind legs.

Picked up after residents’ complaints, detectives quickly matched him to the older case, which was incredibly still on file.

“When we arrested him, we found he had the outstanding warrant for the chocolates,” a police spokesman told the Olive Press.

He is now set to appear in court later this year on a charge of animal cruelty.

The policeman added: “I think he will remember these chocolates for a long time. They certainly came back to haunt him.”

The Rock’s Rooney

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WHERE else in the world would you find the bins being cleaned thoroughly inside-and-out before a national celebration?

This worker spent 20 minutes on each bin to make sure that even the rubbish had a royal send-off fit for the Queen on National Day!

Opinion - Page 6

Ready to ruck!

SHE is the perfect candidate to tackle the task.

Ex-England rugby player, Kim Oliver, 32, has been drafted in to help develop Gibraltar’s youth rugby.

The two-times World Cup appearing fly half, was previously head coach at Bath ladies rugby and bossed southwest Under 18s.

“It’s a huge challenge and I

Royal rubbish

am really excited about moving here,” the new development officer (pictured) told the Olive Press. “Rugby has always been a huge part of my life and Gibraltar will hopefully be a success for me.”

Sick of losing?

Open your minds!

OLIVE Press readers have voted in favour of scouring the world for any professional football players eligible to play for the Rock.

In our online poll, 56.8% insisted Gibraltar should simply ‘get anyone they can’ to turn around the team’s losing streak in the current European qualifiers.

It comes after former Stoke player Danny Higginbotham declared Gibraltar must be ‘more open-minded’ if they are ever to be successful.

Higginbotham, who was himself called up for Gibraltar due to his grandmother - called for a return to the policy of recruiting eligible overseas players to boost the home-grown crop.

“The population of Gibraltar is only about 28,000 but they are closed-minded and just include players from Gibraltar,” he told Sky News.

“They were very open-minded at first and had a lot of players involved from England.”

“It is all about them opening up again,” he added.

THE Rock has a new leading goalscorer, alongside England’s new record holder Wayne Rooney.

In the week that Manchester United star broke Bobby Charlton’s England record, Gibraltar’s Jake Gosling brought his huge international total to… TWO! It comes after the Bristol Rovers striker netted a goal in an 8-1 defeat to Poland.

His first goal came in a friendly against Estonia in 2014.

“It’s a great achievement for me and I want to thank everyone who has helped,” he told his teammates in a hilarious Rooney-style spoof, which has gone viral online.