Costa Blanca Olive Press - Issue 16

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Vol. 1 Issue 16 www.theolivepress.es

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October 24th - November 6th 2019

Profits and losses

Please stop BREXIT

The Olive Press joined thousands of Spaniards and Brits in last ditch Brexit protest See page 5

financial ruin, cancer and depression

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BACKING DOWN: Carles

Confusion reigns

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

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

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

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

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How we nailed a corrupt Champagne socialist MP Page 18

huge sums ‘without falling into losses’.

Worse, it comes as it emerges that dozens of victims left destitute and penniless by the Denia-based firm are suing Smart and her former partner Darren Kirby.

In the first case to reach the courts,

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It is believed at least 300 of CWM’s 900 clients have had their pension pots decimated, with victims shocked to later dis- to end up back in Britcover the value of their ain on benefits.” investments had plum- “I have nothing but praise for Tony Barnett meted dramatically.

However, a source [Trafalgar MD] and close to the case in- Stewart Davies [Mosisted: ‘There are still mentum chef execumany customers who tive]. They have been are happy with their magnificent in trying to recoup people’s pension portfolio.’

A n d a l u c i a - b a s e d money.” tax specialist Angie The Olive Press unBrooks, a leading ex- derstands it is highly pert on pension lib- possible legal action may be taken by some eration schemes and the founder of Pension parties against CWM, Life, has now launched a fight to help get victims’ money back.

She is working alongside pension trustees Trafalgar International and Momentum Pen- based out of headquarters in Alicante, and its sions.

“People are terribly executives. distressed,” Granada- Both the office in Javea based Brooks told the and the website have Olive Press. “They have recently shut. lost large amounts of When the Olive Press their retirement sav- spoke to boss Kirby he ‘definitively’ ings.” denied She added: “Some of responsibility over the these people are going crash. “I have lost my world,” he said.

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

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

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BACKING DOWN:

Pension peril me they knew what they were doing.”

He added: “I believe some of the investments were made without my knowledge. I think that is the case because I do not recall signing sheets for all the investments I had.”

An email, seen by the Olive Press, shows CWM asking a client to sign and return a blank dealing instruction.

Another British expat, 55, who is trying to recover around €200,000, said some pensioners ‘have lost everything’.

“My paper work that I sent has been altered, my risk level was changed from ‘medium’ to ‘high’ and my dealing instructions have been photocopied repeatedly for buying and selling assets I didn’t authorise,” he said.

“I still have some money left and I am still young enough to get compensation, but my fund

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A PALMA thief is facing 18 months in jail for stealing a CY leg of ham.

Prosecutors are requesting CMY the lengthy term for taking the eight kilogram leg of 'CinK co Jotas' ¡ jamon from a shop in the capital.

The Iberico ham is valued at €685, and has yet to be recovered.

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rying’.

“This negates the very essence of the service they are meant to offer,” said Flores. “It is a blank cheque to invest wherever, whenever.

“If standard practice, this is has gone down by half and I very worrying. need compensation to get it “Signing blank documents back on track. would be seen “But some people as irregular in a have lost everycourt of law. The thing and don’t problem with have enough to these firms is that live on. One rethey were all intired victim only PENSION vesting in highly has €50,000 left risky investments OUTRAGE without from €480,000.” the cliAndalucia-based ents knowing.” lawyer Antonio He claimed that Flores, whose losses sustained firm Lawbird by investors are representwould hopefully ing some CWM be recoverable victims, said signing blank inas the investments that failed vestment sheets was ‘very worto perform, or went bust, were linked to life insurance policies.

Pension trustees Momentum and Trafalgar are now attempting to recoup CMW clients’ losses.

The Olive Press has so far been unable to discover if CWM was registered to provide investment advice with Spain’s official financial regulator CNMV. New quality homes since 1958

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BACKING DOWN:

Carles

Confusion reigns

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Vol. 1 Issue 13 www.theolivepress.es

They’ve been getting stoned for centuries.

Now UNESCO is interested in Mallorca walls.

SEE PAGE 6

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

SEE PAGE 10

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

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

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

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

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October 12th - October

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7

Expats lose millions in life savings through

CONFUSION reigns over failed who should foot the bill for Mallorca investment hotels hit by the collapse of airnational and Momentum line Monarch. scheme Pensions.

Balearic hotels are facing a “People are terribly €10million bill over the disEXCLUSIVE coltressed,” lapse that saw the emergency Granada-based

By Joe Duggan Brooks told the Olive repatriation of over Press.

110,000 “They have lost large amounts back to the UK, many HUNDREDS of British expats from are of their retirement savings.”

Palma. battling to retrieve She added: “Some of Administrator KPMG pensions after losing their these told the £20 up to people are going to Olive Press ‘the debt owed million in a failed end up back in Britain on benefits.”

Monarch to hoteliers will by investment scheme. pension OFF TO OZ: Boss Kirby “I have nothing but praise as an unsecured claim’ rank Spanish-based financial and (above) team against sory adviTony Barnett [Trafalgar for at March charity bash the defunct airline. firm Continental MD] and Stewart Davies [Momen“They will have to file a Management (CWM) Wealth One Marbella-based expat remain tum chef executive].

It is believed at least the joint administratorsclaim to last month obliterating folded told the Olive Press he sunk “The anonymous.

300 of have been magnificent They for all heartbroken many £59,000 through adviser kept telling me, CWM’s the money they are owed,” CWM, only ‘This is 900 clients have had in tryBrits’ life savings. said Many a spokesman. of them had transferred realising he had lost £39,000 below guaranteed, it can’t go their pension pots decimated, ing to recoup people’s money.”

The Olive Press understands with victims shocked “It has not been determined their private UK pensions when his pension trustees sent His a certain level’.” it to later money, and that of others discover a statement. through the company, (yet) how much money the value of their inacross Spain and France, whose “I couldn’t believe available to creditors.” will be boss Darren was vestments had plummeted Untitled-1.pdf it. I have put into high-risk Kirby has now1 al- 16/06/2017 lost thousands 15:36 ‘profession- dramatically. legedly moved to Australia. of pounds,” al investor revealed the victim, asking only’ to been claimed. assets, it has However, a source close to the case insisted: ‘There are still many customers who are is highly possible happy with their pension port- may be taken by legal action folio.’ some parties SPECIALIZING IN: Andalucia-based tax specialist against CWM, based out of headquarters in C Angie Brooks, a leading CRIMINAL LAW expert its executives. Alicante, and on pension liberation schemes Both the office in Javea M and the founder of CIVIL LAW and Life, has now launchedPension the website have recently shut.

BANKING (FLOOR CLAUSE) Y to help get victims’ a fight The group were pictured celmoney ebrating at a charity back. ball FAMILY LAW CM cently as March this year.as reShe is working alongside sion trustees Trafalgar pen- When the Olive Press spoke Inter- to boss Kirby he MY ‘definitively’ denied responsibility CY crash. “I have lost myover the world,” he said.

CMY A close associate of said former CWM staffKirby’s were K all ‘very upset’.

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

Find out more on page XX

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Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

Opinion Page 6

Opinion Page 6

Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

Carles

SPAIN’S prime accused Catalan minister has Puigdemont of leader Carles causing ‘confusion’ after signing of independence. a declaration Mariano Rajoy clarify if he had demanded he independence really declared day’s nail bitingfollowing Tuesaddress to the Catalan parliament.

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

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

EXCLUSIVE

Page 7

They’ve been getting stoned for centuries.

Now UNESCO is interested in Mallorca walls.

SEE PAGE 6

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

October 12th

- October 26th

2017

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PENSION OUTRAGE SEE PAGE 10

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Expats lose millions in life savings

whose boss It is believed by has nowDarren Kir- 300 at allegedly of CWM’s least moved to Australia.

900 clients have One had their Costa-del-Sol- pension pots decibased expat mated, with Olive Press told the shocked victims he sunk to later to end £59,000 through cover the value of dis- ain on up back in BritCWM, only realising benefits.” their he investments had plum- “I have nothing had lost £39,000 when meted dramatically. but praise for Tony his pension Barnett trustees However, a source [Trafalgar sent a statement. close to the MD] and “I couldn’t case in- Stewart Davies sisted: ‘There [Momentum have lost believe it. I many are customers still tive]. Theychef execuof are pounds,” thousands revealed the have been happy with who magnificent victim, asking their pension portfolio.’ ing to recoup in trymain anonymous.to re- A ndalucia people’s “The adviser - b a s e d money.” tax specialist ing me, ‘This kept tell- Brooks, Angie The Olive Press una leading derstands it teed, it can’t is guaran- pert go below a is highly on pension ex- possible certain level’.” liblegal action eration schemes His money, and may be taken by some the founder parties against others acrossand that of Life, of Spain and prihas now Pension CWM, vate many heartbroken 1 UK 16/06/2017 pensions France, was put into a fight to helplaunched Brits’ life savings. through15:36 get victhe company, high-risk ‘professional tims’ money investor only’ back. assets, it She is working has been claimed. alongside pension trustees Trafalgar International and Momentum Pen- based out of headquarsions. ters in Alicante, “People are and its terribly executives. distressed,” Both the office based Brooks Granada- and in Javea told the the website Olive Press. have “They have recently shut. lost large amounts of When the Olive Press their retirement sav- spoke to boss Kirby he ings.” ‘definitively’ She added: responsibility denied these people “Some of crash. over the are going “I lost my world,” hehave said.

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

Find out more “It is still on page XX for them, andquite raw 20 they are working out what to do Ave de Gabriel Roca next,” he said.

4, Palma

CONFUSION through failed should foot thereigns over who hotels hit by thebill for Mallorca investment line Monarch. collapse of airscheme Balearic hotels €10million bill are facing a EXCLUSIVE lapse that saw over the colthe emergency

By Joe Duggan repatriation back to the of over 110,000 UK, many from Palma.

HUNDREDS Administrator ish expats are of BritOlive Press ‘theKPMG told the to battling retrieve debt owed by Monarch to hoteliers sions after their penwill rank as an unsecured £20 millionlosing up to the defunct airline.claim’ against in a failed pension “They will have investment OFF TO OZ: to file a claim to scheme.

Boss Kirby the joint administrators and (above) for all Spanish-based the money they team at finan- March charity a spokesman. are owed,” said cial advisory firm bash tinental Wealth Con“It has not been Mandetermined agement (yet) how much (CWM) folded Many of them money will be last had available to creditors.” transferred month obliterattheir Untitled-1.pdf ing

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after CWM’s September 2017 collapse left him with just €22,000 from initial investments of more than ₤800,000 (approx €900,000).

Davison was diagnosed with depression just weeks after the collapse, before turning to alcohol abuse and developing type-2 diabetes, according to a video shot just before his death.

His body, covered with lesions and sores, had lain undiscovered for up to a week in the mid-summer heat at his home in Sanet.

“Mark died as a result of what had been done to him,” Timothy Benjamin, a fellow claimant, told the Olive Press.

“By the end he didn’t want the daylight to appear.”

Benjamin, 67, likewise felt ‘ashamed’ after he lost his €250,000 private pension, reinvested by CWM into ‘risky’ investments, via QROPS. In his official testimony he told the court how he had transferred ₤325,000 (€375,000 approx) from a property sale to CWM on the basis the firm was investing it in a villa in Monte Pego.

But court papers revealed ₤200,000 went directly to the bank account of

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

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

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

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HE average property price in Spain two consecutive years for the first has grown for The national average Prices rise for time house price rose in a decade. two consecutive 3.9% to 8.4%, according from between while years, Along the Mediterranean mortgage values to various However, he added coasts and on sources. ‘at the very least, continue to grow Spanish most foreigners the the data suggests property cording to Tinsa,buy, the average price hike has islands, where Balearic Islands. that the Mortgage lendingcontinued to grow last year.’ been 4.06%, acBut the figures Spain’s leading property appraisal “Prices have been January to 19,390 to home buyers meanwhile company. rising most was up 6.1% new loans, according during the longhave mostly not yet made up for six year recession, the big drops but nothing like they did in theyears since the recovery began, Spanish Notaries. to the Association in enough boom with the exception of The of the respectedto claw back the ground lostyears, and nowhere near an average new loan made in January increase of 0.9% in the bust,” analyst Mark Stucklin, in a year. As long had a value of €135,616, of Spanish Propertyexplained residential acquisitions as mortgage lending Insight. the last continues to increase, for few years, the Spanish property marketas it has done for is set to grow.

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SPAIN’S PP party has cious plans for a powerset out audagrab to take back control from Valencia and the other autonomous regions.

Leader Pablo Casado announced his commitment to strengthen the central government’s role to the national elections in the run up He insisted that such in a fortnight. a move would prevent corruption and lead to a drop in taxes.

EXCLUSIVE Voted It comes as the party attempts

By Joshua Parfitt to see expat off the threat from an REuse paper Voted REduce in Spain REcycle Party, whose leader hasinsurgent Vox expat paper REuse in Spain Govt in REduce autonomous parliamentsdescribed the THE beleaguered boss of REcycle exile a failed as the ‘can- wealth management cer of Spain’. company which allegedly lost Under the plan, the PP wants Confusion to increa- million has expats more than €20 reigns se resources for regional ignored a summons to delegations and paralyse government court. transfer of power to the any further Darren Kirby, of Alicante-based regions.

Continental Wealth (CWM), failed to turn Management Who’s up at Denia paying us?

Supremacy court on March 26.

According to Olive Press Casado insisted the move sources he Spain being administered would see was due to turn up, alongside ‘more effec- business former tively’. partners, who The case involves a trio did turn up.

The election hopeful stated of investors, that his who e Lions Threpub party would carry out Should a sweeping re- moneylost substantial amounts of have Three Lions view of how the regional when the company folded legged it pub in operate looking at ‘efficiencyauthorities 2017. and equi- Kirby allegedly HOW WE TOLD IT: ty.’ fled to Our 2017 reports llowing the collapse, Australia foSpain’s quasi-federal political finally retur- England.” system ning to Alicante of ‘autonomous states’ last year. former member of staff.

The Olive Press exclusively the constitution in 1978.was added to “Darren has been sent revealed “It was a prestigious place but ter Pedro Sanchez, whosePrime Minis- which he didn’t sign for, soa Burofax how CWM abruptly folded in one 2017, day they just the constitution, strongly party drafted will now have to pursue himthe court losing hundreds of expats’ life shut the door,” she in other vings in the sa- said, asking not plan, insisting the PSOE opposed the ways,” a source said. process. to be would defend “A judge Victims had raised named.

The firm, which ‘tooth and nail’ the principal of regio- it’s under is dealing with this and Marriott Hotel, was based out of the asked to sign blankfears about being nal self-government. legal review,” in Denia, had ‘eight dealing tions and their pensions instruc- NO “We understand he is he added. to ten’ telesales staff and clients SHOW: Darren Kirby being incurrently in ttered sca- vested in high-risk around Europe, revealed a large commissions.assets which paid res. “It is a blank cheque to invest wherever, whenever.

One pensioner based on the Cos- “It ta Blanca told the Olive is very worrying as they were Press he investing lost €210,000 after clients’ money in transferring risky €470,000 despite stating investments as well as highly he had a funds low to medium risk attitude. just because they paiddubious the higher “I was asked, ‘Can you sign this He commissions.” blank form. We will fill added that losses sustained in the detai- investors by ls.’ I did that trusting they would act verable should however, be recoin my best interests,” he as the investments that said. failed to perform, or went “They should have been for me and they were justlooking out linked to life insurance bust, were policies. feathering When their own nests. To me the Olive Press what they were doing.” they knew hold of Kirby in Octoberfinally got denied all responsibility. 2017, he Lawyer Antonio Flores, “I have lost Lawbird is representingwhose firm my world,” he said. of victims, said signing a number blank investSee pages 26-29 Are you a victim or ment sheets was ‘very worrying’. former staff member?

“This negates the very essence of the case? Do you know more about financial advisory services,”said Contact Flo- newsdesk@theolivthe Olive Press at epress.es Tel. (+34) 96 649 18 29 CATALUNYA’S beleaguered leader has vowed to fight on from abroad.

It came after Carles Puigdemont handed himself in to Belgian police when a European arrest warrant was issued.

He and four other politicians are accused on charges of rebellion, sedition, misuse of public funds, disobedience and breach of trust.

EXCLUSIVE A judge in Belgium now has

By Joe Duggan up to two weeks to decide if they will extradite the group to Spain.

BRITISH expats who lost up to €20 million in a failed pension advisory firm believe their Fight signatures may have been photocopied onto investment docuGiven the whole extradition ments. process can take up to 60 Around 300 Brits, most living days, it means he may have in Spain, are battling to retrieve to run his entire election their funds after Alicante-based campaign for the Catalan firm Continental European Democratic Party agement (CWM) Wealth Manfolded in Sepfrom Belgium. tember, as His party wants him to fight Olive Press first reported in the for continued leadership of Boss Darrena month ago.

Kirby left for Austhe regional parliament in tralia following the closure of the December 21 elections. the company’s main Javea ofPuigdemont denied he had fices. fled to Brussels to avoid jus- Victims, who are spread across tice but that he left because Spain, as well as in Ibiza, Malthe Spanish government was lorca, Portugal, France and preparing a ‘wave of oppres- Turkey, fear illegal practices sion and violence’ against after being asked to sign blank separatists. dealing instructions.

“I’m absolutely convinced Their pension pots were then that the state was preparing invested in high-risk assets a harsh wave of repression which promised for which we would have all commissions. to pay out large been held responsible,” he One 69-year-old pensioner said yesterday. told the “The Spanish state is com- €210,000 Olive Press he lost mitting a brutal repression… €470,000 after transferring if we don’t battle repression had a ‘low despite stating he BOSS: Kirby now in to medium aversion together, the Spanish state to risk’ attitude Australia to investment. may win this fight.”

“I was asked, In a show of support to the blank form. ‘Can you sign this he said.

We will fill in the “They should have been looking deposed president, around details.’ I Untitled-1.pdf 1 15:36 out for me but they were just 200 Catalan pro-indepen- would act did that trusting they 16/06/2017 in my best interests,” feathering their own nests. To dence mayors travelled to Brussels on Tuesday to stage a rally.

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whose boss Darren Kirby has now allegedly moved to Australia.

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

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

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

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

CM

In documents seen by the Olive Press, CWM was paid €3,391,873 of commission for selling insurance bonds and investments by two Cyprus-based financial firms, between October 2015 and September 2017.

A January 2019 statement from Spain’s financial regulator revealed insurance bonds were sold in breach of the law.

What is certain is that this money funded a ‘lavish lifestyle’ for its key players Kirby and Smart, who were in a relationship together from 2011 to March 2017, according to former staff members.

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three British claimants are seeking criminal charges for aggravated fraud, fake accounting and belonging to a criminal organisation.

The complaints concern bungled house transactions, unpaid loans and failed pension investments that lost the claimants over €1million between them.

One of the victims, Mark Davison, tragically died, aged 59, in July this year

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Law breaking for lavish lifestyle

An incredible Spanish Inquisition escape Page 20 story

They’ve been getting stoned for centuries.

Now UNESCO is interested in Mallorca walls.

SEE PAGE 6

Brits’ life savings.

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

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

Expats lose millions in life savings through

EXCLUSIVE

96 649 1883

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

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CONFUSION reigns over who failed should foot the bill for Mallorca investment hotels hit by the collapse of airscheme line Monarch.

Balearic hotels are facing a EXCLUSIVE €10million bill over the colBy Joe Duggan lapse that saw the emergency repatriation of over 110,000 back to the UK, many from HUNDREDS of BritPalma.

Administrator KPMG told the ish expats are battling Olive Press ‘the debt owed by to retrieve their penMonarch to hoteliers will rank sions after losing up to as an unsecured claim’ against £20 million in a failed pension investment OFF TO OZ: Boss Kirby the defunct airline. and (above) team at “They will have to file a claim to scheme. the joint administrators for all Spanish-based finan- March charity bash the money they are owed,” said cial advisory firm Continental Wealth Mana spokesman.

“It has not been determined agement (CWM) folded Many of them had (yet) how much money will be last month obliterat- transferred their private UK Untitled-1.pdf pensions available to creditors.”

1 16/06/2017 ing many 15:36 heartbroken

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A WELL-KNOWN expat fashion designer has been accused of receiving up to €1million from an unlicensed Costa Blanca financial advisory company.

Companies in Jody Smart’s name were given the money by defunct Continental Wealth Management (CWM) in the two years’ before its high-profile collapse left hundreds of investors an estimated €20million out of pocket, it can be revealed.

A total of €999,435 was paid to her fashion label Jody Bell SL and property holding company Mercurio Conpro SL between 2015 and 2017, according to bank statements shown to the Olive Press.

Brit Jody, 43, was also paid a €144,000 salary - despite telling a court that she ‘did not know what it meant to be a sole director of company’ and was only involved in ‘marketing and PR’.

In a series of shocking declarations given to Denia’s Court of Instruction No.3 it has emerged that the company could ill afford to pay these

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Petrol bombs and bullets, Director of disgraced Costa Blanca wealth an Olive Press dispatch management firm rakes in €1million for her from Barcelona Page 6 businesses while trio of British claimants battle

New quality homes since 1958

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CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Cruise jumper A 75-year-old Dutch tourist has died after ‘leaping to her death’ from the eight floor of a cruise ship, before police recovered her body from the Gulf of Cadiz.

Hoof horror A BOY, 7, who was kicked in the head by a horse in Malaga has suffered serious trauma and is being treated in hospital.

Caught out FIVE people have been arrested in Fuengirola for the suspected thefts from two supermarkets.

Circus round up CIRCUS animals are set to be banned in Alicante in a raft of new measures combating animal cruelty.

All circuses with animals as well as fairground attractions with animals are set to be outlawed.

The reforms are part of a massive 112 planned changes to Alicante’s animal ownership and welfare laws.

Beheading horror

From Page 1

Trail of victims the wife of a former CWM employee - Eddie Walker - while ₤100,000 went elsewhere.

The money never went to buy the property, leaving Benjamin scrambling to purchase a property with money left over from the sale of his London house he’d lived in for 65 years.

“We just wanted some money to tick over and live a quiet life,” Benjamin, who worked as an engineer in the health industry, said. But I was scammed and now I can’t afford to go back to England, while my partner’s unfit to work after a massive stroke andI’m battling type four colon cancer,” added the former chairman of the City of London Crime Prevention Association.

The third claimant, named by court papers as Sally, is understood to have given CWM a €70,000 loan that was never repaid. While Darren Kirby failed to turn up in court, former financial director Alan Gorringe, who is also accused, insisted the victims were ‘financially groomed’.

In testimony, he confirmed that Jody and Darren lived together and Jody received €12,000 a month from the company. In a Channel 4 lifestyle programme How the Other Half Live on her fashion business, in 2016, she boasted of being worth €13million while showing off her floor-to-ceiling shoe collection with limited edition Jimmy Choos. According to former staff members she travelled twice to New York fashion week and bought Louis Vitton handbags at €5,000 a time.

October 24th - November 6 2019

The pair had staff at one of her properties in Benidoleig, currently on the market for €760,000, and a leasing deal for CWM yielded a Ferrari 458 Speciale, a Bentley Continental and a Porsche Panamera, among others. However, in her court declaration earlier this month, Smart claimed she said she knew ‘nothing about the business’ despite being officially sole director, according to Spain’s mercantile register. She added that she had never studied either economics or finance and was trained as a fashion designer, fitness instructor and makeup artist. She said she knew ‘nothing’ about the transactions and claimed her ex-partner Kirby ‘controlled all the money’ and that financial transfers were executed by Gorringe. She said Kirby, who did not appear in court to be cross-examined, would become physically abusive when she didn’t do what he wanted - including making threats against her family . Jody did not respond to requests for comment.

Some important dates for your Tracy Storer, Senior diary ByPartner, Chorus Financial.

A RUSSIAN expat has beheaded his ex-partner while she was sleeping after he scaled her apartment with a ladder in Denia.

The 54-year-old, Roman, who had been under a restraining order since February, entered the flat through a balcony win-

dow before taking a knife to 44-year-old Helena’s throat.

Roman asked her 11-yearold daughter to leave and call emergency services before committing the alleged murder he had premeditated for ‘months’. Neighbours, who raised the alarm, told a local

Backstabber Brit jailed A JEALOUS expat who plunged a knife into his girlfriend’s back has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

British cabbie David Grundy, 55, stabbed his partner Nicola Anne Walker, 44, as she was readying herself for the dentist.

The pair had got into a row when she told him she needed space, before Grundy, who worked as a gardener in Orihuela, attacked her with a kitchen knife in the bathroom.

Walker was rushed to hospital after alerting her daughter and had life saving emergency treatment.

An international arrest warrant was issued for Grundy, who was then tracked down after five days in Benidorm.

Alicante court heard how he had stolen a friends car, which had clothes and €4,000 in cash inside to live off.

He was sentenced to nine years and ordered him to pay €181,000 compensation to Walker.

newspaper how they heard the girl 'screaming in panic'.

Police raced to the apartment and arrested the man, who was still there.

Helena had reportedly arrived in Denia three years ago after meeting Roman through an internet dating site and leaving her small Russian town to start a new life with him in Spain.

She reportedly caught Roman having an affair with another Russian woman and cut off the relationship last October.

But Roman returned and beat Helena in a violent argument that ended with neighbours calling the police around Christmas-time last year.

In the ensuing court case, Roman was issued a 300m restraining order by a Benidorm court.

“For months Roman did not call her, nor message her, it was all very strange,” a close friend told El Español. In reality, Roman was plotting his revenge. The horrific crime has seen Helena’s daughter placed in the hands of social services in a country not her own.

Beheading horror

With “The Finance Tour’ returning to Spain for the fifth time this November, I wanted to encourage any of The Olive Press readers who are considering pension or investment advice here in Spain, to do their best to attend.

The Finance Tour is a unique event here in Spain, as it brings some of the heavy-weights of the investment world, to venues local to us here on the Costa Blanca. It seems every week there is some finance related event to attend here in Spain, but these tend to involve local companies or offshore fund-houses, who are often tied to a financial advisory.

The Finance Tour is Spain’s only truly independent finance and pensions seminar and it brings 2 FTSE listed investment companies and a local tax adviser.

All the companies offer solutions that can be used by those of us living here in Spain. Whether that be a simple tax efficient plan to help your savings beat inflation, or a sophisticated personalised investment portfolio, managed by your

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own discretionary fund-manager.

Anyone considering any kind of new investment or looking to improve the returns on an existing plan, could benefit from hearing from these companies.

For those considering pension transfers, this is a great opportunity to sort the myths from the facts.

The tour also offers answers to more complex questions, including those looking to reduce inheritance tax, for example through trust planning.

This November the tour will be visiting: 5th November, 2:00pm The Club House, Camposol 5th November, 6:00pm Hotel 525, Los Alcazares 6th November, 11:00am La Zenia Hotel, Orihuela Costa 6th November, 4:00pm La Laguna Hotel, Quesada 7th November, 11:00am Suitopia, Calpe

Providing Multi-award winning advice for your pensions, investments & tax planning.

7th November, 4:00pm Parador, Javea Chorus are very honoured to be on the panel of speakers. One thing to emphasise, is that The Finance Tour is NOT a financial sales seminar. Chorus will be there purely to explain how the financial advice process works in conjunction with product providers and fund managers, and how this helps to create a tailored financial solution for you. We are very much behind the ethos of The Finance Tour – and that is to educate and inform, rather than take a sales based approach to these events.

You’ll leave these events armed with knowledge that will help you make informed decisions should you ultimately decide to seek financial advice here in Spain.

The events are free to attend but places are limited. For information and bookings please visit www.thefinancetour.com or call 693 107 044.

965 641 163

www.chorusfinancial.es info@chorusfinancial.es Chorus Financial is a trading style of Tourbillon Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (Gibraltar), Licence Number FSC1118B, registered with the UK FCA reference 539348, registered with the Spanish DGS and CNMV Nº Registro Oficial 3214.

Returning to Costa Blanca November 5th, 6th, 7th.

For more information visit www.thefinancetour.com

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October 24th - November 6th 2019

Green for go!

Gong for Gollum

I miss Madrid

FORMER England striker Michael Owen has revealed his love affair with Spain - and regrets leaving the capital after just one year.

The ex-Liverpool star revealed that the happiest time of his life was taking holidays in Ibiza as a youngster.

The 39-year-old revealed that his first break on the White Island was at the age of eight and that he had been back many times since.

He revealed he still returned to the Balearic island with his family every year and still misses living in Madrid, where he played for two years.

Despite the disappointing stint at Real Madrid between 2004 and 2005 he described Madrid as a ‘brilliant city’..

“I got into tapas and local delicacies like jamon pata negra.”

The language, culture, and lack of playing time contributed to Owen’s departure from Spain to Newcastle a year after his arrival.

It is a decision he regrets to this day, believing he should have stuck it out.

Kraving’s over!

IT looks like a scene from Lord of the Rings.

But Leonore looked every bit the fairytale princess as she handed out a prize to a celebrated British director (right) at a prestigious award-winning gala.

The teenage princess, 13, who is first in line to the throne, was pictured giving out a gong to Peter Brook, 94, who has directed a string of plays and films, including Lord of the Flies and King Lear.

Her Father, King Felipe, 51, looked on proudly as she handed out prizes at the 39th Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo, mostly to top scientists, academics and novelists.

Brook recently made headlines after calling Brexit a ‘stupid and sad’ mistake.

The perfect Splice!

Royals and tennis stars watch Rafa Nadal tie the knot at exclusive Night Manager villa IT has only taken nearly two decades But Rafa Nadal has finally married his childhood sweetheart.

A string of celebrities, tennis players and even Spain’s former King watched the tennis ace, 33, wed fellow Mallorcan Maria ‘Xisca’ Francisca Perello, 31 at the weekend.

Some 350 guests watched the happy couple tie the knot during a super secret service in Mallorca.

Tennis players, including Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco,

were among the guests at the stunning British-owned La Fortaleza villa, in Pollenca.

The former fort, owned by UK financier Lord James Lupton, has featured in several popular TV series, including the critically acclaimed The Night Manager.

The wedding dress was designed by Rosa Clara and made of French lace.

Nadal, who is battling to be ranked the world’s no.1 tennis player this year, looked slick in a grey suit and tie.

The 19-times Grand Slam winner met his HE used to be a regular insurance broker lovvisitor to these shores. er 14 years ago at the So it is a welcome reage of 19. turn for Lenny Kravitz, Other guests at the exwho is set to play on the clusive nuptials, includCosta del Sol next year. ed Juan Carlos I, former The American rockking of Spain, although er, who will play in his great sporting rival Fuengirola in July, last Roger Federer was noplayed in 2015 in Marwhere to be seen. bella.

Federer later told reHe will be showcasing porters he ‘did not songs from his newest know anything about album Raise Vibration it.’ as well as a string of Any honeymoon the hits from his 30-year couple hope to enjoy career. will have to be brief. In Kravitz has won four a few weeks time Nadal Grammy awards and is leading the Spanish sold more than 40 milteam in the Davis Cup lion records worldwide. finals in Madrid.

3

IT is a brave return for American rock band Green Day. For the last time they played in Spain in 2017 an acrobat died as they went on stage.

The acrobat fell to his death from a crane just before their show at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid.

They are set to perform at the MTV EMA awards in Sevilla on November 2, in front of an estimated 20,000 fans.

Green Day have sold more than 85 million records worldwide and have won five Grammy Awards.

Matagore

A MATADOR was put in ‘very serious condition’ after a bull pierced his groin and thigh with its horns.

Gonzalo Caballero, 27, was at the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Spain, a tournament to mark Hispanic Day, when he suffered the devastating injuries.

Watching in the VIP Stands was his girlfriend Victoria Federica, 19, the King of Spain’s niece.

The bull charged at him, spearing his legs and tossing him in the air, before racing at Caballero again, severing the femoral artery in his groin.

The bullfighter suffered wounds some 25cm – 30cm deep.

He was taken to the bullring infirmary for more than two hours and then transferred to the San Francisco de Asis Hospital in Madrid, where he remains but is recovering at a steady rate.

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NEWS

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Brit tragedy

Reporters Simon Wade and Joshua Parfitt

Your reporters, here to help on the Costa Blanca Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es (Personal contacts on page 6)

GENEROUS friends and wellwishers have raised €8,500 for a man tragically killed by a motorbike in Calpe.

A tribute page is €3,000 over its target for the family of holidaymaker Scott Taylor, who was walking along the N-332 in Calpe when struck.

The 30-year-old Loughborough hairdresser died at the scene, while the motorbike driver, 40, was also treated at the scene.

Lifelong friend Charlotte Maclennan set up the page to help pay for the funeral.

Pervert prof A BRITISH teacher has been sentenced to eleven years in prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old pupil at her posh private school.

Carlo Troiano - who was accused of a similar crime in the UK - was also banned from teaching children for 16 years and is forbidden from contacting the victim for 17 years.

The professor, 42, had been spotted dating the girl, who attended the private St.George’s British School of Almeria, in Roquetas de Mar, where he taught.

Expat teacher locked up for abusing teen at leading British school The Almeria Provincial court heard how two fellow teachers had contacted the school’s head after seeing him and the teenager at the beach and a supermarket outside of school hours.

However, the school failed to take action until the girl’s mother got involved with an official complaint some months later.

Clashes calm PROTESTS have continued in Barcelona this week against the jailing of Catalunyan independence leaders by a Spanish

Can you dig it?

THE remains of former dictator Francisco Franco are set exhumed from the Valley of the Fallen this week.

His body is set to be finally entered and placed in a family mausoleum in Madrid this Thursday.

The former dictator’s body

October 24th - November 6 2019

has been at the controversial site since his death in 1975.

But many Spaniards feel that the basilica, with has a 150-metre cross above, glorifies Franco rather than commemorating the deaths of 500,000 people who died during the Spanish civil war.

court (Democracy in flames, pg 6). Over 2,000 people filled Plaza Espana in Barcelona during a protest called by Comites de Defensa de la Republica (CDR), which helped to organise the unofficial 2017 referendum.

The police headquarters of the Mossos d’Esquadra are in the square. The Mossos, Catalunya’s security force, charged the last remaining rioters gathered outside the Ministry of Interior on Monday night, effectively putting an end to the week of violent clashes.

The Mossos have been accused of heavy handed tactics by some politicians. President of the Catalyun government, Quim Torra, has ordered an investigation into the the Mossos’s conduct during the riots.

The father-of-two from Liverpool, was convicted for ‘continued sexual abuse’ after he had groomed her in class, liking her Instagram posts and persuading her to get a tattoo done.

When she warned him was ‘wasting his time’, he had pressured her into continuing to see him claiming he would quit his job and leave

Sunny fright SPAIN has banned two children’s sun creams after they were labelled ‘dangerous’ by a consumer group.

It came after the creams, which claimed to be Factor 50, turned out to be SPF 15 and 30, after studies by consumer group OCU. Both creams by Isdin and Babaria have now been withdrawn from sale after Spain’s Agency of Medicines and Medical Products (AEMPS) confirmed the findings.

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her class without a teacher.

The relationship lasted eight months, having begun in April 2016 when the defendant kissed the victim on the mouth, despite her initial reluctance.

They were soon having sex and the relationship only ended that November after the girl’s mother discovered what was happening and contacted police and the school.

Sexual abuse

Troiano didn’t help his case when he fled Spain after being released on bail briefly in December 2017 and had to be tracked down and extradited from Germany to face trial.

After sending him to jail, a trio of judges were highly critical of the school’s approach to the situation.

“There is no record that it took any measures to clarify the situation and preserve the interests of the child,” they ruled.

The school has been ordered to pay her €45,000 in damages to the girl if Troiano fails to pay her.

Troiano had been hired in 2014, despite having been previously tried and acquitted in the UK for sexual abuse of a 16-year-old pupil in his classroom at Bankfield High School. The court heard that school management had been informed about this incident ‘months after the defendant was hired’ but did nothing.

It criticised headteacher Neil Morris for failing to sack him, or impose any measures to minimise the risk to the school’s pupils, after uncovering details of a previous UK case on Google.

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A SELFISH mother left her fiveyear-old son crying alone on a balcony, while she partied all night with friends.

Police were called to the house in the Ciudad Jardin neighbourhood of Cordoba at around after concerned neighbours called the authorities.

Officers tried to calm the boy while they waited for firefighters to arrive and rescue him from the balcony.

The boy’s mother returned from partying at 7am in the morning and was informed by neighbours that police had taken her son. He is currently being looked after by family members while his mother awaits an appearance at court.

NEWS

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October 24th - November 6th 2019

5

Tourism hit as Britain in EU withdrawal chaos

Expats march on London BRITISH expats living in the Costa Blanca were among the hundreds of thousands who joined an anti-brexit protest in London at the weekend.

Organisers of the People’s Vote march said almost a million people walked from Hyde Park to Parliament to demand a public vote on Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.

Freedom

Among the demonstrators was Denia resident Maya Middlemiss, who took her daughter out of Spanish school so that she could join the march.

Maya said: “When we made a decision to emigrate a decade ago, we never dreamed that the next generation might have less freedom than we did.

“We have to do everything we can to stop this insanity.”

BENIDORM has seen a 40% drop in tourism during the month of October, according to an industry body.

The Asociacion Independiente de Comerciantes de Benidorm (AICO) inevitably blamed the shock drop on Brexit uncertainty as deadline day looms at the end of the month.

However, AICO’s president Raul Parra blamed political instability in general for the slump, citing protests in Catalunya and Spain’s lack of a government as causes.

“We have seen a worrying drop in sales this October, especially in the tourist trade, and we believe it is due

to the situation of political instability,” Parra said.

“The uncertainty makes people consume less in terms of clothing, hospitality and catering. In these situations they usually choose to wait and see what may happen.”

He said Thomas Cook’s collapse had

also broken consumers’ faith in Spain as a stable destination, and urged that resolving the crises was key to commercial success.

“We have to get people back to the trend of consumption because it’s very important for job creation,” Parra said.

United against Brexit Thousands of local Spanish travel from around Spain in solidarity with British expats and Gibraltar THOUSANDS of Spaniards joined expats for a huge anti-Brexit protest on the Gibraltar border.

Over 2,000 people took to the streets - around 90% Spanish - to voice their anger at the ‘dangerous’ situation the UK’s departure would create.

A trio of local mayors from La Linea, San Roque and Los Barrios joined expats from as far and wide as Jimena, Malaga and Sevilla.

With the Rock looming just beyond the frontier, impassioned speakers took to the stage in La Linea to tell crowds why Brexit was economically damaging for Spain, the UK and Gibraltar.

Protest co-organiser Juan Uceda, president of the Sociocultural Association of

Your needs will be met!

By Charlie Smith

Spanish Workers in Gibraltar (ASCTEG) referenced General Franco as he addressed the border issue.

“We do not want this to be a new 1969 when a damn dictator closed the border, breaking up families and friends and causing hurt we have not yet recovered from.”

He called on politicians to allow workers in Gibraltar to be able to continue crossing the border without issues and without ‘unfair’ double tax payments.

He later told the Olive Press: “Brexit is such a stupid idea, when you have the safety of the EU, why would you create something so dangerous?

WE’RE BEHIND YOU: The Olive Press backs antiBrexit protests on the Gibraltar border “People in the UK were lied to because business with Gibralby politicians during the EU tar has given it a boost and it referendum.” could really affect the town British expat Fran Jones, 62, badly.” As we went to press, said she and her pal Lucy had Prime Minister Boris Johncome to protest ‘to support son was attempting to have the local people that Brexit his Brexit deal scrapped if affects.’

MPs failed to vote on a timeThe Jimena resident told the table of departure.The odds Olive Press: “I worry about on a general election or secwhat will happen to La Linea, ond referendum increased.

FOREIGN Secretary Dominic Raab has promised that expats needs will be met in an open letter to UK nationals in Spain.

Raab tried to cool fears, saying whatever form of Brexit occurs, the UK government is trying to ensure a smooth transition.

“We are making sure that on 1 November, every British national in Spain can go on living, working, studying and accessing healthcare.

“We are working with the Spanish to make processes as smooth and straightforward as possible, whether you’re applying for residency or a new driving licence.”

6

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es

October 24th - November 6 2019

Voted top expat paper in Spain

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

OPINION Wealth Mis-management

Figures vary, but well-placed sources have claimed at least 400 people lost €25 million when Continental Wealth Management (CWM) shut its offices in September 2017.

The losses weren’t immediate.

They were the slow horror as Brits on the Costa Blanca saw their hard-earned pensions and investments dwindle into dust. Mark Davison, one of three claimants in an ongoing criminal action, lost close to €800,000 and suffered depression from the shame. The financial world in murky at best; crimes are not so clear cut as a straight-forward case of assault or theft. Even as the three former directors of Continental Wealth Management have been summoned to give declarations in court, it’s not clear who’s crossed what legal line and where. Morally, however, there is no confusion.

A wealth management has failed if it loses its client’s money.

That money is more than figures on a screen: it’s a son’s inheritance, it’s flights back and forth for cancer treatment or taking the grandchildren out on their Spanish summer holiday. More importantly, that money is trust and respect.

The people affected need justice, or the system needs a rehaul. If the former directors of CWM have a shred of compassion they must do all they can to achieve both.

Brexit blunder

The Olive Press felt it was our duty to attend the recent protests at the Gibraltar border. When millions took to the polls in the 2017 Referendum, no one at the time could foresee the unprecedented ramifications that lay ahead. But while the UK deals with uncertainty, extended deadlines and maybe even fraught relationships with friends and loved-ones, the effects of the UK’s supposed imminent departure from the EU has become very real for those abroad - and not just British expats.

The Gibraltar border has been flung into chaos.

People who need to work in either La Linea or Gibraltar are already having to face lengthy customs checks. It’s an area where such procedures are already time-consuming, but now the strain is at breaking point. Political parties in the area have rallied together for organised protests, having seen the immediate devastation Brexit has inflicted on their local communities. Their whole system has been flipped upside down, which is why the Olive Press is firmly behind calling for a second referendum, whereby the inevitable ‘remain’ will be voted by most of the UK and the whole ugly matter can be put to bed. No one knew what Brexit really meant when they took to the polling station, but they sure do now.

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Democracy in flames

CARNAGE: Olive Press reports from Barcelona as Catalan independence supporters protest over jailed leaders

Fire and fury in Barcelona as Spain’s worst political crisis postFranco spills out onto city streets, discovers Joshua Parfitt

T

EARS streaming down his face, a young now refusing to consider any pardons folman draped in the Catalan indepen- lowing last week’s shock jail sentences, dedence flag recalled the moment his mands for dialogue and political solutions 92-year-old grandmother grabbed his descended into graffiti scrawled all over Bararm as he went out for the Barcelona pro- celona reading ‘P**a Espanya’ and ‘being tests. peaceful got us nowhere’.

“Edward, don’t lose your head out there, be- “The government is wiping its arse with the lieve in the soul of Catalunya,” the 27-year-old Spanish constitution,” Ivan, a 21-year-old law youth worker recounted to the Olive Press, student at the Universitat de Barcelona, told while hundreds of protestors occupied Barce- the Olive Press. lona’s Placa Urquinaona before midnight on “I don’t believe independence is best for us, Saturday. but these sentences are a joke.

He rattled out the well told story of how bru- “If the government does what the hell it wants tal repression was visited on Catalan culture anyway why should I respect any of them?” and language under Francoist This was the sentiment charSpain - before a bullet-proof acterising the seven days of police van careered around protests as 500,000 marched the corner of Carrer de les Jon- The police force - some for three days - from the queres. of Lleida, Tarragona said it was the provinces “Hijos de p**a!” Edward sudand Girona upon the Catalan denly screamed as hundreds ‘worst violence’ capital of Barcelona for a genof insults were soon joined by eral strike on Friday. they’d ever cans of beer and glass bottles The strike that stopped even flung in the face of law and orregional TV channels and daiexperienced der. ly news websites was a celNothing could better describe ebratory, pacifist affair, with last week’s chaos after nine 21-year-old Dani saying proCatalan politicians were jailed for sedition testors played ‘volleyball’ and danced to live and misuse of public funds following the re- music throughout the day. gion’s illegal referendum and failed indepen- But as night descended, the moderate madence bid in 2017. jority went home, leaving the most passionThe political crisis - which began in 2010 ate - and most radical - elements in a night when a government-backed court case re- Catalunya’s Mossos d’Esquadra police force voked increased powers for Catalunya - has described as the ‘worst violence’ they’d ever plunged Spain into its biggest constitutional experienced. crisis since experiencing post-Franco democ- “The police fired tear gas down on us from on racy in 1975. top of buildings and then shot people on the So damaging has it been to both Catalan and floor with rubber bullets,” 19-year-old Johnanational politics that Madrid’s brutal crack- tan, who used his skateboard as a shield, told down on referendum voters in 2017 saw the the Olive Press.

Economic Intelligence Unit’s democracy scale “It was out-and-out war.” threaten to demote Spain from ‘full democra- The protestors likewise retaliated by slinging cy’ to ‘flawed democracy’, joining the likes of rocks and paving stones that injured 207 Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. policemen, while 1,000 rubbish bins were With acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez torched and 128 were arrested for the violence.

CRISIS: Barcelona descends into As the world woke up to photos of the carnage chaos as fervent protests continue on Saturday morning, the Olive Press headed

up to Barcelona to bear witness.

Big groups of youths, once again, had started to mass by mid-afternoon around Plaça Urquinaona as hundreds sat down in front of riot police on Via Laeitana.

A confused mixture of pride, anger and rebellion marked the shifting chants of ‘Catalunya antifascista’, ‘prensa Española, manipuladora’ (manipulating Spanish press) and ‘fuera el Rey’ (king out the King).

As nightfall descended, the mood too became confused.

Right-wing provocateurs among the crowd created mass brawls, while phone booths were toppled, the windows of a Burger King were smashed in, and balaclava-clad youths torched a mangle of outdoor umbrellas, potted plants and rubbish bins before armed Mossos d’Esquadra - Catalunya’s own police force - dispersed the crowd with a hail of rubber bullets.

Protesters ripped up paving stones to hurl back at the helmeted agents, while one youngster boasted about beating a man he’d believed to be a ‘police informant’ with a stick.

After the confrontation had dissipated, and the riot vans left Plaça Urquinoana after midnight, the tensions within the protest movement then played out with no police presence whatsoever.

The most violent, anti-capitalist elements many reported to have flown in from Greece, Germany and France - were seen smashing shopfronts, while protesters draped in Catalan flags screamed ‘what are you doing? You are destroying Catalunya!’

The violence that made headline news across the world has been roundly condemned by all political parties in Spain, including a denouncement from Catalan president Quim Torra, who is still adamant on a self-determination referendum.

The two largest grass-roots organisations behind the protests - Tsunami Democràtica and the Comitès de Defensa de la República (CDR) - are likewise non-violent.

Tsunami Democràtica in particular, the social media sensation that instigated the shutdown of Barcelona’s El Prat airport, paraphrased Gandhi in their statement of intent during last week’s mass movements.

“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind,” the statement, posted frequently to Twitter and Telegram, signed off.

Following a Supreme Court order to take down Tsunami Democràtica’s social media accounts, one youth told the Olive Press Policia Nacional are allegedly tapping phones and arresting people on charges of belonging to a criminal organisation.

This is the situation Spain finds itself in.

Nine Catalan political leaders broke Spanish law by advocating an illegal referendum; but many Catalans stopped believing in the fairness of Spanish law long ago.

Unless a solution that advances faith in plural democracy is sought the wounds of this centuries-old battle will not heal.

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As homeowners in Spain win more power to evict illegal occupants, savvy squatters have moved on to bank properties

I

expat

like kings’ and Spain is a long way

after Olive Press journalist assaulted‘flash exposing ‘violent’ gypsies who the pool’ residents’ and ‘throw rats into

BORIS Johnson has managed exsilence Parliament, but British pats in Spain have shown they will nonot be cowed into a harmful deal departure from the EU. Brits around the country are mobilising to oppose the shutdown and stand up for their EU rights.

Protests have spread to the Costa del Sol where pro-remain campaigners are planning a Protect on Our Rights march in Malaga September 22.

It comes as an exclusive online an poll by the Olive Press revealed astonishing 73% of expats remain staunchy in favour of remaining within the European Union past the October 31 deadline (Pages 6-7). had that shows poll Facebook The they been able to participate fully in the biggest ‘democratic exercise vote expat the for generations’, would have proved decisive.

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

AN Olive Press journalist hasa been attacked after exposing ‘violent’ gypsy family allegedly squatting and stealing electricity from a Costa Blanca complex.

Simon Wade was chased downa the street and headbutted as young man tore off his glasses and tried robbing his camera in broad daylight in Formentera del Segura, near Torrevieja, last Saturday.

The dedicated journalist was photographing alleged squats when the man flung open the door with his chest exposed and a tattoo reading, ‘I die for my family’.

“My specs can be replaced, and the bruising will fade, but decent people here are living with this

24/7,” Wade said.

A denuncia was made to the Guardia Civil, who called thea perpetrator a ‘wild beast’ with string of convictions.

It comes as British resident, Ena Cummings, 53, contacted us claiming gypsies had thrown ‘dead rats’ into the Virgen del Rosario complex’s pool and repeatedly set terraces on fire.

“They're stealing electricity and water, meaning us residents are paying for the squatters' utilities,” Cummings told the Olive Press.

"They have no sense of dignity, neighbours young and old have had genitalia flashed at them by squatters.”

Residents have held a community meeting, and are stuck between an expensive legal battle

Damage

“We are the people most affected and we didn't get a say, that is what is most unfair,” said protest organin iser Valerie Lawrence, 68, based Torrox, in the Axarquia.

“Most of us could not vote and postal votes went missing.

“Now we are just trying to stop the Brexit or at least minimise damage,” added the retired Yorkshire woman.

It comes after an alarming treasury spelt ago weeks two report issued extreme danger for expats in various ways.

The leaked Yellowhammer document warned of issues over penContinues on Page 7

IT’S OFFICIAL:

Turn to page 7 to find out which were the biggest stories this fortnight and how to get the most up to date info

from solving crisis

LINE OF DUTY Guardia Civil source: Squatters ‘live

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September 12th- September 25th 2019

(leftt), while (right) the CAUGHT: CCTV of troublemakers Press journalist squatter who attacked on Olive

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has KING Juan Carlos duty, retired from public after he exactly five years of his abdicated in favour VI. Juan son, King Felipe retain his Carlos, 81, will however. royal title as King,

of Europe’s EXCLUSIVE SPAIN is one it comes

By Josh Parfitt Your worst culprits when reporters, emissions, here to Sculpture to greenhouse gas have help on attack the Costa ANOTHER two families that Justice for rapist figures have revealed.

Blanca seen the biThe country hasin emissions fled an urbanisation ‘hell’ after descended into No way ggest increase with a 51.7 squatters began a ‘violent on the continent, at between years ago. coup d’etat’ five couple and A SECOND runway million tonne rise airport Alicante-Elche 1990 and 2017. by 17.9% du- A retired German have had NO NEED TO PAINT! by the family has been opposed Emissions grew the EU a Spanish of living in the MiraFriends of the Wetlands ring that time, while in its enough Alicante Monte Pedrera estate, a of the South of objected collectively REDUCED British during dor become plain and simple,” Denia, which has residents.

(AHSA), who emissions by 23.5% has owned would for legal expat Linda, who that the runway the same period. of Ireland, ‘hellhole’ in our last isapartment with destroy the wetlands WANTED Austria, Cyprus, also fai- As reported 64 apartments a penthouse Arnene since 11 of partner Agua Amarga.

Malta and Portugal effec- sue, only 2007 when her told the Olive Press.

2007, were sold in recession. led to reduce emissions and (inset) squatter want all the owners sunk into tively. empty and “They completely WORRIED: Legal neighbours www.noneedtopaint.com however, Spain us, threaten us Look out out so they can Climate leaders Pedro San- The rest remained due to steal from us, and the law is legally-owned are optimistic as government just four of the now inhabi- rule the kingdom.” and abuse come nant, was hospitalised has intrountil one of GOOGLE Maps The latest departures61, was stress-related complications. apartments are chez’s PSOE not on our side a new renewable ted all year-round, after the duced into Spain users to raise my familyI us gets hurt,” Linda said. just days after Linda, plans to boost was pun- “I wanted but us out, and Spanish also function that warns camebeautiful place, they won’t get never in court after she energy production. energy Germans and the eye in this life,” he “But Brits out. of the location speedmobile. ched in the gut Not only will clean because the when we’ve can’t risk my wife’s but there moved a British couras, both fixed and up. Not on become cheaper, electric ve- According to live there, one by a female squatter. had asked explained. began five give every penny into our The function is available came after she ple, who still will also be more iOS, but and from Mu- It neighbour to turn down a The nightmare a 62-year- sunk both Android and can rethe of the Germans, hicles on the road. €270,000 apartment years ago when karaoke system’. patriarch broke have nowhere else to go.” only Android userscameras. nich, had to be ‘hospitalised’ for and 72, sleep old ‘gypsy’ ‘breakdown’ ‘blaring port mobile speed She and Arnene, alarm on’ in with his 11 children after suffering a A legal representative urwho maintain the with the ‘burglar from stress. grandchildren. want us out, the Olive have now Jepsa, and have barrica“The squatters in His wider familyapartments banisation, told forbids the Dog’s life ded themselves Press: “The law taken over 24 sublet out to illegal squatting of properon their fourth-floor they which they water and PETS now outnumber apartment as 15 in ‘drug addicts’. are illegally ties and use of children under live with daily death but nothing is bereThe apartments has died and elec- electricity, Spain, with 13 million threats and abuse. has been of last A BRITISH holidaymaker ing done. too connected to water AN investigation body of the 15th floor of gistered at the endup 93% The pressure wasfor a tricity, yet police have only “We have a beautiful counafter falling from in Benidorm. launched after the year. Dogs make much however, who intervened on one occasion try, which is loved by people was found his apartment block to the a British diver of all registered pets.

48, from Belfast, young Spaniard, the world, but it off the Colin McGarry, 1.45 am on Sunwhen a man threatened as hammer in around 170 ft underwater told the Olive Press died at around law does not function kill Linda with a last year. plunging from coast of Murcia. they were leaving got seday morning after is front of an officer They can should.”

Torre Gerona. A Phillip Evans, 69, after his wife, who the balcony of “It’s horrendous. his diving to take place. eight-months pregparated from post-mortem is due Hormihell on earth,” she told the Olive Press.

“My partner got punched in the gut and the eye by one for simply asking to turn down a karaoke The blaring out during siesta Pedrera complex. of ‘gypsies and squatters’ began Monte have turned what was that the squatters had punched a system she continued. hours,” “They A GROUP of British pensioners breaking in five years ago. number of pensioners and even are pleading for help after their They insist neither the police once a lovely community into broke a handyman’s arm with They are due to attend court this week over the assault, but block of flats descended into or local authorities have helped a no-go area,” said the 72-year- baseball bats. who is too frightened to give not expecting anything to be ‘hell’ due to squatters. to tackle the illegal occupants, old, “We came here for a peaceful are The expats - who have lived in who have taken over 25 of the her name out of fear of retalia- retirement and what we’ve got is done.

Other residents, who include the Denia urbanisation for a de- 64 apartments in the Mirador tion.

Germans and Spaniards, have cade - are desperate after a mob also come under attack.

“A handyman tried to stop three been arrested af- men breaking into an apartment A PARTYGOER in Benidorm has a karaoke bar. and was thrashed by baseball ter setting off a fire extinguisher in from the bats just five weeks ago,” the The man, a Brit, yanked the extinguisher drinks and sand- pensioner said. wall and covered the floor, tables, “They broke his arm in two plawiches in thick white dust. ces.”

A SERIES of Whatsapp mesThe problems began when the A FOUNTAIN in Alicante’s most sages to a girlfriend have recession curtailed sales in the iconic square has been attacked by spared a teenager from a block in 2007 and only 11 of the a man with a hammer. prison sentence for armed 64 apartments were sold.

The legs of the horses in the sculpA BRITISH man who robbery.

Many of the vacant homes were ture in Plaza de los Luceros were raped two teenage The 19-year-old Spanish later seized by the squatters, a shattered by the 38-year-old assaigirls 40 years ago has student from La Nucia was number of them even being sulant. An arm of an angel was also been jailed following arrested in 2018 on suspiblet for money, it is claimed. badly cracked in the attack. extradition from the cion of holding up a casiCollectively the 11 owners are haThe Spanish man has been arrested Costa Blanca. no and robbing €11,500 at ving to cover all the communal on a charge of crimes against cultuJeffrey Waite, 66, cagunpoint. bills for the urbanisation, which ral heritage. rried out the attacks But a Benidorm court heard includes a ‘€20,000 debt’ incuin the late 1970s and how WhatsApp messages rred by squatters stealing electriearly 1980s in the UK. backed his alibi that he was found guilcity and water However, he managed Waite was the teenatexting his girlfriend when In addition, they claim the deto skip a court hearing ty of raping the assault took place. of them unveloper owes €200,000 to the in 2016 and fled to To- gers, one Hartlepool.

After an expert’s report concommunity. rrevieja, before a Eu- derage, in firmed they could not have him to Police told the Olive Press they ropean arrest warrant They likened and an been manipulated and also were unable to enter the properled to his capture in a ‘madman’ placing him at home, he was ties as they are on ‘private land’. ‘animal’.

March last year. found not guilty.

EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

their once luxury Expat pensioners assaulted as squatters apartment block is ‘mobbed’ by grandmother continued

Message from the angels

Introducing News Editor Laurence Dollimore and Reporter Joshua Parfitt

Contact them with any stories or news on 951 273 575 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

(Personal contacts on page 6)

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tirelessly reported on Mirador Monte Pedrera complex with 24 of 64 apartments illegally occupied by ‘abusive’ gypsies and squatters in Denia.

how she was punched nant wife was ‘hospitalised’ due “The owner of the property is the Continues on Page 5 and the gut’ by a gypsy woman only one who can denounce the squatters - but banks don’t want to as court cases cost thousands.

“If they do get an eviction order, the gypsies just break into anothEviction er complex owned by the bank. THIS is the second pig to have trotted have into a British-run rescue centre on the Brit residents Linda Brown and “Either that, or the gypsies Blanca. the apartreported Arnene Ashley have been ‘in and a legal right to request housing.Costa previously The Olive Press out’ of court suffering assaults, ment be offered as social will be how Rupert the pig ran 3km from the dirty shed’ where he was living death threats and most recently “This means the bank Horse out at be-‘filthy, and wandered into the Easy Care month. winning an eviction order for the forced to rent the flat Rescue Centre near Torrevieja last tween 75 to 150 euros. illegal squatters last month. in top right). The clever pig trotted in what But the situation in Spain is fara “So the bank does nothing. for-(inset ‘as if he knew where he was going’ could only “The developers are tricking from resolved, according to Easy Care owner Susan Weeding eign buyers through their greed describe as ‘a nearly impossible feat’.

Guardia Civil source.

PeneloBut that feat was repeated whenturned up The agent last week blamed for more money. in Spain Vietnamese pig ‘greedy developers’ for construct- “Meanwhile the gypsies than thepe the pot-bellied ‘completely out of the blue’. far this ing too many luxury apartment live in better apartments admitted she has ‘no idea’ how Susan ordinary police officers.” complexes at prices one has travelled in search of freedom. watching Babe, or Spaniards ‘can’t afford’.

“Obviously someone has been Animal Farm - the pigs are rising!”

PENELOPE PIG-STOP

of George Orwell’s Rupert maybe flicking through the pagesadded Rupert wanted ‘nothing to do with Penelope’ however, as Susan told the Olive Press. Susan prefers ‘being around people’.

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‘Hellhole’ urbanisation sees two more families leave due to problems with squatters

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September, their penthouse apartment were thank you Olive Press for cover- barricaded by an iron gate. ing the story,” Linda Brown, who “They have no choice now, they lives with partner Arnene, 72, must all now leave,” a spokespersaid. son for Japsa, the urbanisation’s “There were 23 defendants in promoter, told the court and 22 lawOlive Press. yers, it was bed“Our police force lam. is excellent, but “But the public the courts were was prosecutor not giving them passionate very warrants to act. and firm in sum“In Spain, squatming it up.” ters are given ocThe success comes cupancy rights if following a ‘coup they are not rea after d’etat’ moved within 24 gypsy 62-year-old hours of entering. ‘patriarch’ moved “But now all of in, bringing his SHOCKING: Squatter them have been 10 sons and their damage given an eviction wives and children. order and a month A reign of terror to find a new place to live - if they saw young children, many not at- don’t leave, the police will kick tending school, shouting ‘sons of them onto the streets.” b*tches’ and ‘we will kill you all’ Opinion Page 6 up at the British pensioners.

Linda, an ex-copper from Der-

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

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Denia court orders ‘gypsies andblock squatters’ to vacate apartment been where British pensioners have threatened and assaulted

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Your

A FAMILY of Brits have had their holiday ‘ruined’ after a young girl fell into in a septic tank at a ‘death trap’ villa Alicante.

The group of 14 arrived at the Villa alL’Arc in Moraira - after forking out most €7,000 - only to find ‘loose hanging handrails’ over a six metre drop the and a ‘loose manhole’ covering up fetid tank.

It was here Steven Wright, from Surrey, told the Olive Press his 15-year-old niece fell ‘up to her waist’ into the filthy 5 NEWS EXCLUSIVE for water.

57, VICTORY is soon at hand

By Joshua Parfitt Must do “She came out screaming,” Wright, ABANDON SHIP homeowners living in a ‘hellhole’ better! said. she urbanisation occupied by gypsies “But if she’d been any younger squatters after a court has or- after requesting she turn down could have died in a dark concrete tank and dered their eviction. At least 24 of blaring music during siesta hours. of dirty water.” at the Mirador He alleged his young relatives were the 64 apartments She said the owners of the four Monte Pedrera were illegally oc- remaining legitimate apartments ‘cutting their toes’ on the broken covaccessed the ers of the pool skimmers, and said the cupied as the squattersat the ex- in the urbanisation lived with Diving disaster 15-storey fall water and electricity sinks and drains were blocked for ‘death threats’ before, in June, to leave Costa Blanca flats first three days. pense of legitimate homeowners. a German elderly couple finally ‘SQUATTING’: Familes are refusing is It comes after a series of Olive caved in and left Spain after 12 “When you’re paying €6,800 it really their sell can’t the developer on “The light said. a stories shined and Arnene while (inset) previous a poor show,” Wright and bringing in ‘security’ to kick apartments, the bank repossess- Press years.

VICTORY: For couple Linda “I feel robbed, misled and cheatedal- shocking takeover which left exA Spanish couple, who asked to story squatters out of the eight apart- es the complex, and the gypsies Alquileres Guzman should not be pats living in fear for their lives. nameless, also told the byshire, described how the couple ments, from a total of 68. lowed to offer family holidays in dan- British apartment owner Linda remain to stress. the ‘burbreak in,” the source told the OlOlive Press how they were flee€60 gone by were forced to sleep with gerous homes like this.”

It comes after this newspaper has ive Press.

Brown, 61, told the Olive Press ing after the eight-month preg- “The squatters will be on’ as the stairs up to in the ‘eye Wright claimed that workmen from thank the Lord and glar alarms the ‘hellish’

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

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T’S organised crime by any other name, committed by those who don’t give diddly squat for the rights of homeowners.

Despite the seemingly random trail of destruction they leave behind, squatting has now become a sophisticated operation reenforced by ringleaders with up-to-date knowledge of the legal system.

Last issue, Olive Press journalists investigated reports of squatters in Casares del Sol, an area so riddled with belligerent illegals that residents are ‘afraid’ to leave their homes and have even been threatened with knives.

Meanwhile in Alicante, one of our reporters was chased down the street and brutally attacked after photographing suspected squatters. It came after a string of stories NOT MOVING: Squatters are now outsmarting banks about illegal occupations in both Calpe and “That means companies, banks and other Formentera del Segura, with police, at least

By Jacque Talbot financial institutions cannot benefit from it.” now, tackling the problem.

The government could easily have covered “These people are clever and opportunissearching online for bank-owned properties business-owned properties in the new legtic,” explains Olive Press legal columnist Antonio Flores of Lawbird, in Marbella. “They - and they run into their thousands across islation but some blame also lies with the banks. While making their properties harder know the law inside out and so are pro- hundreds of developments. tected. “Squatters usually go for the more Squatters like these so-called ghost devel- to break into with reinforced doors and winrundown areas where security is lower and opments as it takes a longer time for them dows and other security measures, financial homes are not protected.” And oddly, this to be detected in a property no one comes institutions need to find a way to quickly liquidate their assets. is all despite the new law passed last July home to.

“The banks are less inclined to initiate legal A spokesman for Sabadell told the Olive (Ley 5/2018), which was action, which is why their Press that when one of their properties is ilsupposed to make it easier properties are being target- legally occupied, they try to find an equitable for owners to recover their ed,” says Flores.

Squatters middle-ground solution which satisfies both properties if they have been “Any home which is outside the bank and the new owner. unlawfully occupied. typically busy urban areas is vulner- However it may not be so cut-and-dried.

The legislation was intended as there is less secu- “We offer the houses at a reduced rate if to drastically speed up the break in using able, rity.” there are squatters present,” a Solvia repreeviction process, regardless ‘professional’ Squatters typically use sentative told this newspaper. of whether that property property search engine Sol“Everything else is out of our hands.” is owned or let out, so that means via, the real estate arm of squatters can now be oustthe Banco Sabadell Group, ed after just five days. For to find repossessed homes homeowners wishing to take Squatting is an ancient tralegal action against squatters the law re- as it provides a clear indication of properties quires either proof of ownership or a rental left empty, making them sitting targets. dition and the oldest form Once squatters break in reportedly using contract. But because some squatters are of land tenure. ‘professional’ and ‘sophisticated’ means illegal immigrants, courts have made conIn the UK, the post WW2 they then sell the keys to families and indicessions and identification is no longer a years of 1945-55 saw the legal prerequisite for court proceedings and viduals, charging around €2,000 to 3,000 biggest wave of squatters serving eviction notices. The courts can a pop. The issue is a relatively recent one, in its history when hunthen issue an instant demand, telling them surfacing after the 2009 financial crash when Spain saw many property developers dreds of families and forto justify their presence. mer members of the armed If no proof of residence is forthcoming within becoming indebted to banks for large sums. five days, a court order is issued for the im- Unable to pay back the money, banks reposforces occupied buildings, sessed many of these properties en bloc bemediate return of the property to the owner/ including army camps. fore trying to sell them on. tenant. But the problem has not gone away.

The Daily Mail newspaper Quite the opposite. Squatters have simply “It’s a mess because unfortunately the law at the time referred to thechanged their modus operandi and are is quite soft with squatters and it’s very diffise squatters as ‘heroes’. cult to get rid of them, while proceedings in now targeting bank-owned, or repossessed, civil law takes a very long time,” says Marproperties.

During our investigations, the Olive Press bella property lawyer Vicente Ortiz. has discovered that gangs are apparently “Of course this new law has helped, but it is only applicable to individuals.

DID YOU KNOW?

MILLIONS OF VISITORS This boils down to visitor numbers and pages viewed and we had 1.6 MILLION pages read over the last four weeks (see Google Analytics graph above), with 1.2 MILLION visits.

Using the research of another respected site Similar Web we discovered that the Euro Weekly News is getting around 460,000 visitors a month (around a third of ours) and the Sur in English a fraction of that.

Google Analytics cannot lie and, before undertaking any advertising campaign, any savvy business will always ask for the last few months official visitor figures.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOUR BUSINESS?

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Quite simply our 1.2 MILLION visitors a month, coupled with the 250,000 readers # of our printed papers each month can guarantee your business gets the best exposure possible among the expat - as well as - key tourist market coming to Spain.

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We promise a keen and competitive price and that your business will be seen by millions of potential clients each month in an increasingly competitive and tricky market.

Send us an email today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 to help your business grow

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

1 2

- Spain’s met office warns of another ‘torrential’ gota fría to hit the Costa Blanca from Monday (35,922) - FINNISHED: Most wanted gang boss captured on Spain’s Costa del Sol after evading Finland police for two years (28,398)

3 4 5

- British father and son who vanished from Spain’s Costa del Sol likely ‘killed in botched drug deal’ as ransom call from Morocco revealed (24,225)

- Around 40 people forced to leave homes near huge fire in hills of Spain’s Costa del Sol (20,732) - Number of British expats registering on Spain’s Costa del Sol SURGES as Brexit looms (17,306)

819

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AND THIS IS WHY: 1. Up to the minute news from around the Iberian Peninsula

Sotogrande agent denounced after taking €300,000 into her personal account for property purchase

2. Incisive, in-depth features on culture, travel and politics

A GERMAN couple have denounced an expat estate agent for failing to return €289,000 EXCLUSIVE for a four-bed apartment on the Costa

By Jacque Talbot In a denuncia, seen by the Olive del Sol. account. couple claim the money was ‘kept’ Press, the However, on the day they were due to sign DEMAND: On Dijkman to return sent to the private account of the after it was the property in May they were told that for funds agent Pandora Homes, in Sotogrande. for Casares delvopment (top) the sale mysteriously could not go through.

In the shocking claim filed with “We couple, from Berlin, believe she is police, the at thedidn’t find out until we were actually He continued: “There are various discrepnow shutEstepona notary, when we were ting her company and intends to leave told ancies and my clients Spain, cheques could not be issued,” said Hans, they can to claim theirare doing everything ‘predictably to Dubai’. money back." whose surname we are protecting for legal When our reporters visited its two ofAnd former staff of the company reasons. fices in Sotogrande Port and the closed at least one office and laid which has “We nearby off various waited for two hours to discover employees this month - believe there the Paniagua centre, this week they found may be money had not arrived.” that both offices were closed at many more such cases.

5pm and The couple - who have now flown to Spain all computers and furniture had been reThe Olive Press has discovered that seven pany’s owners Nadine Dijkman the com- - say times from Berlin to resolve the issue moved from one.

Dijkman has been continually evasive. and husMore alarming were the band Eddy have previously been involved in They claim she has come up with many ex- former employees, who words of various a murky case in Alicante… and were insist that there cuses as to why she could not make meetings may be many more cases, perhaps runin a separate television investigation named or send back in back the money she owes. ning into the dozens. their native Holland in 2012.

"When we first spoke to her about buying, “We took between Their most recent dispute centres around the was so nice and friendly," explained Hans.she homebuyers alone,”20 to 25 deposits from purchase of a swish said one key member "We were so excited of staff, who claims to be owed €40,000 property in Casares about buying the for salary and commissions. del Mar this year. apartment - but now “I can’t believe they would be so silly German investors feel utterly hopeless." it in this way, take money into theirto do Hans and Jutta own The couple’s lawyer, bank accounts,” he continued. fell in love with the based in Marbella, ex- They certainly showed off the trappings property and sent of plained that Dijkman their success, driving Mercedes and €328,000 (including was anything but clear cars, buying property in Dubai and Audi a deposit since reeating over the passing of the out in expensive restaurants. turned) to Pandora’s They even took a tour around an deal. account, in February expensive "Worse, she got the yacht, named Livibel, this summer. and March, which it money sent to her perlater emerged was sonal account, not a Dijkman’s personal BRAZEN: Dijkman views yacht Continues on Page 2 company one,” he said.

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FACE THE MUSIC

Power grab

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

SPAIN’S PP party has set out audacious plans for a power grab to take back control from Valencia and the other autonomous regions.

Leader Pablo Casado announced his commitment to strengthen the central government’s role in the run up to the national elections in a fortnight.

He insisted that such a move would prevent corruption and lead to a drop Voted EXCLUSIVE Voted in taxes. expat

By Joshua Parfitt paper REuse expat It comes as the party attempts to see in Spain REduce paper REuse REcycle in Spain REduce off the threat from an insurgent Vox REcycle Govt in Party, whose leader has described the THE beleaguered boss of a exile autonomous parliaments as the ‘can- wealth management company failed which Confusion cer of Spain’. reigns allegedly lost expats more than Under the plan, the PP wants to increa- million has ignored a summons€20 to se resources for regional government court. delegations and paralyse any further Darren Kirby, of Alicante-based transfer of power to the regions.

Who’s Continental Wealth Management paying us?

(CWM), failed to turn up at Denia court on March 26.

Supremacy According to Olive Press sources he was due to turn up, alongside former business partners, who did turn up. e Lions The case involves a trio of investors, Threpub Three Lions Should pub who lost substantial amounts of have legged it money when the company folded in 2017.

HOW WE TOLD IT: Our 2017 reports Kirby allegedly fled to Australia following the collapse, finally retur- England.” former member of staff. ning to Alicante last year.

The Olive Press exclusively “Darren has been sent a Burofax how CWM abruptly folded revealed “It was a prestigious place but one which he didn’t sign for, so the court losing hundreds of expats’ in 2017, day they just shut the door,” she life sa- said, asking not to be named. will now have to pursue him in other vings in the process.

Victims had raised fears about being ways,” a source said.

The firm, which was based out “A judge is dealing with this and Marriott Hotel, in Denia, had of the asked to sign blank dealing instruc- NO SHOW: Darren Kirby it’s under legal review,” he added. to ten’ telesales staff and clients‘eight tions and their pensions being insca- vested in high-risk assets which paid res. “It is “We understand he is currently in ttered around Europe, revealed a blank cheque to invest a large commissions. wherever, whenever.

One pensioner based on the Cos- “It is very worrying as they were ta Blanca told the Olive Press he investing clients’ lost €210,000 after transferring risky investments money in highly €470,000 despite stating he had a funds just becauseas well as dubious they paid the hilow to medium risk attitude. gher commissions.”

“I was asked, ‘Can you sign this He added that blank form. We will fill in the detai- investors shouldlosses sustained by however, be recols.’ I did that trusting they would act verable as the investments that faiin my best interests,” he said. led to perform, or went bust, were “They should have been looking out linked to life insurance policies. for me and they were just feathering When the Olive their own nests. To me they knew hold of Kirby in Press finally got October 2017, he what they were doing.” denied all responsibility. “I have lost Lawyer Antonio Flores, whose firm my world,” he said.

Lawbird is representing a number of victims, said signing blank invest- Are you a victim or former staff ment sheets was ‘very worrying’. member? Do you See pages 26-29 “This negates the very essence of the case? Contact know more about the Olive Press at financial advisory services,”said Flo- newsdesk@theolivepress.es New quality homes since 1958

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What do Fatboy Slim, director Paul Haggis, John Travolta, Dean Norris and Pilou Asbaek have in common? They’ve all had links to the Balearics this week

BACKING DOWN: Carles

FIND OUT WHY INSIDE

CATALUNYA’S beleaguered leader has vowed to fight on from abroad.

It came after Carles Puigdemont handed himself in to Belgian police when a European arrest warrant was issued.

He and four other politicians are accused on charges of rebellion, sedition, misuse of public funds, disobedience and breach of trust.

A judge in Belgium now has up to two weeks to decide if they will extradite the group to Spain.

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

By Joe Duggan

Pension peril

BRITISH expats who lost up to €20 million in a failed pension advisory firm believe their Fight signatures may have been photocopied onto investment documents.

Given the whole extradition Around 300 Brits, most living process can take up to 60 in Spain, are battling to retrieve days, it means he may have their funds after Alicante-based to run his entire election firm Continental Wealth Mancampaign for the Catalan me they knew what they were agement (CWM) folded in SepEuropean Democratic Party doing.” tember, as first reported in the from Belgium.

He added: “I believe some of Olive Press a month ago.

His party wants him to fight the investments were made Boss Darren Kirby left for Ausfor continued leadership of without my knowledge. I think tralia following the closure of the regional parliament in that is the case because I do not the company’s main Javea ofthe December 21 elections. recall signing sheets for all the fices.

Puigdemont denied he had investments I had.”

Victims, who are spread across fled to Brussels to avoid jusAn email, seen by the Olive tice but that he left because Spain, as well as in Ibiza, MalPress, shows CWM asking a clithe Spanish government was lorca, Portugal, France and ent to sign and return a blank preparing a ‘wave of oppres- Turkey, fear illegal practices dealing instruction. sion and violence’ against after being asked to sign blank Another British expat, 55, who dealing instructions. separatists. is trying to recover around “I’m absolutely convinced Their pension pots were then €200,000, said some pensionthat the state was preparing invested in high-risk assets ers ‘have lost everything’. a harsh wave of repression which promised to pay out large “My paper work that I sent commissions. for which we would have all has been altered, my risk level One 69-year-old pensioner been held responsible,” he was changed from ‘medium’ to told the Olive Press he lost said yesterday. ‘high’ and my dealing instruc€210,000 after transferring “The Spanish state is comtions have been photocopied €470,000 despite stating he BOSS: Kirby now in mitting a brutal repression… repeatedly for buying and sellhad a ‘low to medium aversion Australia if we don’t battle repression ing assets I didn’t authorise,” to risk’ attitude to investment. together, the Spanish state he said.

“I was asked, ‘Can you sign this he said. may win this fight.” have been looking “I still have some money left blank form. We will fill in the “They should In a show of support to the 15:36 16/06/2017 1 but they were just and I am still young enough to Untitled-1.pdf out for me that trusting they details.’ I did deposed president, around 200 Catalan pro-indepen- would act in my best interests,” feathering their own nests. To get compensation, but my fund dence mayors travelled to Brussels on Tuesday to stage a rally.

Casado insisted the move would see Spain being administered ‘more effectively’.

The election hopeful stated that his party would carry out a sweeping review of how the regional authorities operate looking at ‘efficiency and equity.’

Spain’s quasi-federal political system of ‘autonomous states’ was added to the constitution in 1978. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose party drafted the constitution, strongly opposed the plan, insisting the PSOE would defend ‘tooth and nail’ the principal of regional self-government.

SPECIALIZING IN: CRIMINAL LAW CIVIL LAW

BANKING (FLOOR CLAUSE) FAMILY LAW

A PALMA thief is facing 18 months in jail for stealing a leg of ham.

Prosecutors are requesting the lengthy term for taking the eight kilogram leg of 'Cinco Jotas' ¡ jamon from a shop in the capital.

The Iberico ham is valued at €685, and has yet to be recovered.

8 Find out more on page XX

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rying’.

“This negates the very essence of the service they are meant to offer,” said Flores. “It is a blank cheque to invest wherever, whenever.

“If standard practice, this is very worrying. has gone down by half and I “Signing blank documents need compensation to get it would be seen back on track. as irregular in a “But some people court of law. The have lost everywith problem thing and don’t these firms is that have enough to they were all inlive on. One rein highly PENSION vestinginvestments tired victim only has €50,000 left OUTRAGE risky without the clifrom €480,000.” ents knowing.”

Andalucia-based He claimed that lawyer Antonio losses sustained whose Flores, investors by Lawbird firm would hopefully representare recoverable be ing some CWM as the investments that failed victims, said signing blank inwent bust, were vestment sheets was ‘very wor- to perform, or linked to life insurance policies.

Pension trustees Momentum and Trafalgar are now attempting to recoup CMW clients’ losses.

The Olive Press has so far been unable to discover if CWM was registered to provide investment advice with Spain’s official financial regulator CNMV.

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Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

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

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

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

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

7

EXCLUSIVE

FREE

Vol. 1 Issue 13 www.theolivepress.es

They’ve been getting stoned for centuries.

Now UNESCO is interested in Mallorca walls.

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PENSION OUTRAGE SEE PAGE 10

Expats lose millions in life savings through

CONFUSION reigns over failed who should foot the bill for Mallorca investment hotels hit by the collapse of airline Monarch. scheme Balearic hotels are facing a €10million bill over the EXCLUSIVE collapse that saw the emergency

By Joe Duggan repatriation of over 110,000 back to the UK, many from HUNDREDS Palma. of British expats Administrator KPMG told the to retrieve are battling Olive Press ‘the debt owed their penMonarch to hoteliers will by sions after losing up to as an unsecured claim’ rank £20 million in a failed against pension the defunct airline. investment OFF TO OZ: Boss Kirby “They will have to file a scheme. and (above) team at the joint administratorsclaim to Spanish-based for all finan- March charity bash the money they are owed,” said cial advisory firm Cona spokesman. tinental “It has not been determined agement Wealth Man- Many of them (CWM) folded transferred had (yet) how much money last their priobliterat- vate available to creditors.” will be ing month Untitled-1.pdf UK many 1 pensions 16/06/2017 heartbroken

Brits’ life savings.

through15:36 the company,

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XX 20

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whose boss Darren It is believed at least Kir- 300 by has now allegedly of CWM’s 900 moved to Australia. clients have had their One Costa-del-Sol- pension pots decibased expat told mated, the shocked with victims to end Olive Press he sunk up back to later disain on benefits.”in Brit£59,000 through cover the value of their “I CWM, only realising investments had plumhave nothing but he meted praise for Tony Barnett had lost £39,000 when dramatically. his pension trustees However, a source [Trafalgar MD] and Stewart Davies [Mosent a statement. close to the case sisted: ‘There are in- mentum chef “I couldn’t believe have lost thousandsit. I many customers still tive]. They haveexecubeen who magnificent pounds,” revealed of are happy with their in trythe pension ing to recoup people’s victim, asking portfolio.’ money.” main anonymous.to re- A n d a l u c i a - b a s e d The Olive tax specialist Angie “The adviser kept Press untell- Brooks, ing me, ‘This is a leading ex- derstands it is highly possible legal teed, it can’t go guaran- pert on pension libmay be taken by action certain level’.” below a eration schemes and some His money, and that the of Pension parties against CWM, of Life,founder others across Spain has now launched France, was put and a fight to help get into tims’ vichigh-risk ‘professional money back. investor only’ assets, She working alongit side ispension has been claimed. trustees Trafalgar International and Momentum Pen- based out of headquarters in Alicante, and sions. its “People are terribly executives.

Both the office in Javea distressed,” Granadaand the website based Brooks told have the recently Olive Press. “They have shut.

When the Olive Press lost large amounts of spoke to their retirement boss Kirby he sav- ‘definitively’ ings.” denied responsibilit y over She added: “Some the of crash. these people are going “I have world,” he said. lost my A close associate of Kirby’s told the Olive Press former CWM staff were all ‘very upset’.

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

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BACKING DOWN: Carles

Confusion reigns

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

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

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

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

Who’s paying us?

EXCLUSIVE

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

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

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

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

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

They’ve been getting stoned for centuries.

Now UNESCO is interested in Mallorca walls.

SEE PAGE 6

expat paper in Spain FREE

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

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

REuse REduce REcycle We use recycled paper

As sherry gets big in London, we look at some quirky Jerez cocktails SEE PAGE 20

PENSION OUTRAGE

Expats lose millions in life savings through failed investment scheme EXCLUSIVE

By Joe Duggan

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

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

whose boss Darren Kirby has now allegedly moved to Australia.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Andalucia-based tax specialist Angie Brooks, a leading expert on pension liberation schemes and the founder of Pension

4. Exclusive content and colourful columnists from around the country

to end up back in Britain on benefits.”

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

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

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e Lions Threpub

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

Life, has now launched a fight to help get victims’ money back.

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

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

She added: “Some of these people are going

Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma

based out of headquarters in Alicante, and its executives.

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

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

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

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

Opinion Page 6

fraud Victims’ hope in long-running case but CWM boss skips hearing in 2017, losing up to €20m of investors money.

While her former partner Darren Kirby failed to turn up to the hearing at Denia Court, she and a fellow director did agree to discuss their involvement in the

16/06/2017

1

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NOTORIOUS: Disgraced businesswoman Jody Smart that while she was a director she had no involvement in the actual company’s running.

She added that she had broken relationship with the actual shambolic actions of Continental off a Kirby, in 2017, who then boss Wealth Management (CWM). moved to Australia to As the Olive Press has exclusive- allegedly justice. ly revealed over a string of hard- avoid as a separate case inhitting stories, an estimated 300 It comes17 claimants has been expat investors lost millions to volving filed against CWM, which had the suspect company. profile and gave various They included many pensioners, a high donations. some now dead, across the Bale- charitable firm, based out of the Marriaric Islands and all around Spain. The in Denia, has been acIn the latest hearing, Smart, 43, ott Hotel, of alleged fraudulent penand Alan Gorringe gave declara- cusedinvestment schemes that tions in one case linked to three sion hundreds of expats lose tens British victims who lost ‘sub- saw of euros. stantial investments’ due to the of thousandsto lawyer Antonio According Alicante-based firm.

Flores, who is representing a number of clients, the firm was Dubious investing clients money in ‘highly as duSolicitors are understood to be risky investments as well deliberating over what legal bious funds’. a told the Olive over pensioner charges for One exist grounds after series of poor investments and Press he had lost €210,000 despite suspicious house transactions in transferring €470,000 to meSpain. Each had been asked to saying he had only a ‘low provide a ‘declaracion de investi- dium’ attitude to risk. gado’ as evidence in the proceed- The case continues. ings. Jody, 43, who owns the Opinion, Page 6 Jody Bell fashion label, insisted

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Sick patient to call in police after being overcharged by over three times on mercy cab to the airport EXCLUSIVE

By Joshua Parfitt

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A BRITISH pensioner who nearly died from pneumonia is calling in police after a taxi driver ripped her off on an emergency journey to the airport.

Julia Upton, 74, is demanding a refund after she was charged ‘four times the normal fare’ for her ride from Calpe to Alicante airport.

Incredibly, she was charged shocking €377 for the 50-minutea journey that should have cost no more than €120.

“It’s a complete fraud,” she told was so ill I fell asleep until we arrived, the Olive Press this week. “The when I saw €377 on it.

“I think he must’ve changed the fare is normally €90. figures “The driver knew I was ill, and he when I was sleeping. even asked if I had cards and cash “I was too ill to argue and I didn’t even have the strength to pay him. before I got in the car.

“He took the notes carefully out “His metre started running, but of my I purse, and said the extra price was due

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to it being a Sunday.”

The pensioner, who spends half the year at an apartment in Calpe, was rushed to Exeter Hospital by ambulance on her arrival back home in July.

“I was ill with double pneumonia and nearly died,” she said. “I needed oxygen on the plane and was rushed to accident and emergency by a waiting ambulance.”

She was kept in hospital for nine and has taken eight weeks to make days a full recovery.

While she claimed she booked the car through Taxi Calpe, a spokeswoman the company told the Olive Press for that €120 was the maximum rate for an airport transfer on a Sunday.

“This is clear fraud if true,” said a spokeswoman. “The woman should immediately denounce the driver to police.”

While Julia has no receipt of the geous fare, she is still set to makeoutranuncia to Calpe police when she a deto the Costa Blanca next month. returns “I am going to do my best to get this driver caught, named and shamed,” she continued.

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voice in Spain

October 10th - October 23rd 2019

Dominic Rabb is a cheeky so and so (Dominic Raab Spain, pledging to British expats in lly, pens open letter a political as Brexit, essentia EU,met theare Moore Rose Onfollowing needs theirsees ensure to pg 7). The 325, Issue proud, and (Leave hip dictators 10).

October line, states, the opposite reality at all.. There are 28 sovereign notisexciting It’s ly chose voluntari which here. to become includinglythe who live of us those for UK, Especial UK would our believes Dunne changed Steveare havethe and that associate resident if wed.work, Even on WTO terms. Not so. I’m not going to fair better licence. driving and chapter pensionby quoting ly for the especial your letters stinks,page downthing weigh whole The the intocan’t on and to livelooks that Steve pittance have a nd I recomme butwho here ers verse, Trump even if they That wanted back, move he knows. that up and industry to sell of any afford specifics too. is trying to get a trade deal with an EU-free UK should a governves call themsel deals who trade circus Trump’s British The to know: want all you tell you this out. to sortBrent needFinally, in the UK ment Mahler speaks for labels. have US-first just until than for longer And of an EU armed force wary2020. citizens of UK a number kidding? are they think they do Who , these are ideas and an ever closer union. However s sake. for goodnes NEXTbyYEAR It’s not EU policy. I am people and specific floated an absolute travesty.

What more worried at the insidious 40-plus years of proh, Mail, Telegrap paganda against the EEC/EU by , Malaga Handley Jillthe Express, Times and, of course, The Sun. What did was so anwhy he Please he was whenyou Murdoch your letter. for asked thank Hi Jill,say Ed. into I go “When of: lines the along g Somethin - for ti-EU? ress.es eolivep see our website - www.th to the EU.” whenisI go I say: what do on g theThe 10 they affectin No.the Brexit how latest all ent! appointm for an he had to for inforand is thatpeople Spain in ask implicati British of on lives mation on how you can prepare in case the 31. Altea Ferry, October UK does leave the EU onKate

Not the only one

They are all at it, I caught an estate agent emptying a house she had sold just before the new owners moved in.

Alec Bettney, Ibiza

Bad rep for the rest

It’s so sad to read of such behaviour as it casts a shadow over other estate agents. It seems this pair need some prison time.

Bernadette Mahoney, Moniaive

Goodbye in Dubai

If this story is true and that they do such things, in Dubai there will be a small but shared room without windows waiting for them.

They have zero tolerance.

Steve Dunwell, Hanley Castle

Place in hell

You’re a piece of s**t, taking people’s dream savings, there’s a place in hell for you!

Claire Garcia Limia, Mijas

I had a suspicion

I knew something wasn’t quite correct but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Here it is, crazy.

Julia Hainesborough, Sotogrande

Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@ theolivepress.es or message us on at www.facebook.com/OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress

Good journalism Thank you for the excellent article in the Olive Press about my friend Julia Upton (Taxing the p**s, Issue 15, pg 1). I have sent a newspaper to Julia and she was delighted to hear about the report and is most grateful to you for highlighting this problem. Best wishes.

Maggie Sharp, Benidorm

Dragging their feet This is good news but it takes far too long to resolve these issues, resulting in years of misery and worry for innocent people (Illegal homes decree bashed by Andalucia’s left and right, Online).

Pauline Laverick, Torrevieja

Semen is believing A year or two back I went to a parade in my local town (Sinning sisters, Issue 15, pg 24). I was surprised to see a float advertising family planning there where a dozen or so kids were dressed as condoms and a dozen more dressed as sperm running around handing out sweets. I thought it looked a bit strange especially in a predominantly Catholic country. No one seemed to be offended by that.

Peter Bush, Liverpool

Moan home

I don’t get it (Clock’s ticking, Issue 15, pg 7). If the Brexiteers here can’t stand Brexit and the EU, please just pack up and move back to the UK where you can bitch, moan and be totally miserable.

Steve Hughes, Almeria

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SHE was the glamourous girlfriend of one of the true expat kings of the Costa Blanca.

Living an enviable jet-set lifestyle, driving fast cars and wearing designer dresses, Jody Smart appeared to have it all.

But this week she was forced to answer questions about her involvement in the running of a finance company that collapsed

1. Up to the minute news from around the Iberian Peninsula

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October 24th - November 6 2019

15 Zebra-like (6) 17 Warm ocean current (2,4) 18 Bloodsucking insect (4) 20 Charged particles (4) 21 Young cow (4)

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Property

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www.theolivepress.es

Issue 5

October 2019

Dilemmas of a billionaire

10

Spanish properties perfect for the mega-rich SEE PAGE VI

More with a mortgage

B

UYING a property is cheaper than renting in most parts of Spain, according to new calculations.

In 15 major cities it is far cheaper to pay a mortgage than to pay a landlord rent, it has been discovered.

According to the findings, in none of the major cities did the cost of a mortgage come above 31% of the average family earnings.

In some cities, such as Merida, the price of renting is as low as 8% of the average salary, found the report by global estate agency Century 21.

In Sevilla, the cost of buying with a mortgage came to just 19% of the average salary, which is €2,671 a month, while in Valencia it was just 16% of €2,776.

Rental outlay in the same two cities, meanwhile came to 32% and 26% of monthly earnings.

In Murcia - where the average salary is €2,683 a month - tenants are paying 20% on rent, while owners pay just 11% on a mortgage.

Another example showed that the owners of a 90-square-metre apartment in Madrid pay a mortgage of €960 per month, while tenants are paying €1,419 per month, an alarming 40% of a family’s income.

Those looking to live in Spain are better off buying than renting longterm, new figures show Only Barcelona cost more to rent at 44% of average earnings, while Palma in Mallorca cost 34%.

“Renting has become a necessity for many people who can’t afford to buy.” explained CEO of Century 21 for Spain and Portugal, Ricardo Sousa.

"Today, major cities around the world face the challenge of providing affordable and adequate solutions.

“This is especially the case in large cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, ​​where there is strong population growth, while housing options with affordable prices are scarce.”

The cost of rents in Spain have jumped by 50% over the last five years, according to a study by the Bank of Spain, using data collected by Idealista.

Almost 23% of the population rent property, significantly less than the European average of 30%.

DIVIDE: Between average regional earnings and the cost of rent and a morgage

II 10 www.theolivepress.es October 24th - November 6th 2019

PROPERTY

GREEN

On the slide

Mark Stuc in October 10th - October 23rdkl 2019

www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

The property market is in the biggest decline since 2013, but things should turn around by Christmas, writes Mark Stucklin

S

PANISH home sales data for August 2019 reveal a market on the slide with transactions on the decline in almost all areas of interest to foreign investors, though there are reasons to think the setback might not last.

Whichever figures you look at, the number of home sales recorded in August were lower than the same month last year.

There are two main sources of home sales figures in Spain; on the one hand, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) based on source data from the Association of Spanish Land Registrars, and on the other, the Spanish Notaries’ Association.

The data from the INE is based on the number of deeds of sale inscribed in the Land Register each month.

Inscription can take place weeks or even months after the sale, so these figures lag the market by a month or two.

The data from the notaries is based on the number of sales completions they witness each month.

Their figures are more timely but subject to significant revision in the months that follow.

According to the notaries there

were 30,351 Spanish home sales in August, a decline of 4.5% compared to the same time last year.

Home sales have declined for four consecutive months, and in five of the last six months, according to the notaries.

You have to go back to the 2013 when the market was just starting to turn around after the real estate crash to find declines as big as this.

And this is the first time since 2012 that we see four consecutive months of declines in sales. There’s little reason to fear another crash today because the circumstances are so different (for example the total lack of a credit bubble and new construction still down 90% compared to what it was), but it is certainly starting to look as if the wind has gone out of the market’s sails, at least for now.

That has implications for buyers, vendors, and property professionals, who might want to adjust their expectations accordingly.

The number of Spanish home sales inscribed in Spain’s Land Register in August for sales completed in the proceedings months was 32,329 excluding VPO subsidised housing sales, down 20% in a year (-21% if

you include VPO sales).

That’s the second decline in the last three months and the trend is clearly down.

As these figures lag the market by rennially popular Costa del Sol (Maa few months, this big decline was laga province) down 30%. to be expected given the 21% de- Only the small market of Almecline we saw in the notaries’ figures ria managed to clock up a positive in June number of just 3%.

With the notaries’ figures in hand, Year to date the picture is less negawe can expect another double di- tive with some big markets like Cagit decline in the INE’s figures next talunya still up on last year, but the month. key markets of AliThe INE figures also cante (Costa Blanca), give us a breakdown Experts blame a Malaga (Costa del of sales by type of Sol), and the Balearic property (new / resale) Spanish mortgage and Canary islands and by region. are all smaller in the law introduced There were 6,426 first eight months of new sales and 28,945 in June for this year than they resales recorded in the in 2018. disrupting sales were month, both including Experts blame a new VPO, and both down Spanish mortgage 21%. law introduced in Although the new figures don’t in- June for disrupting sales before and clude off-plan sales they don’t bode after that, which can clearly be seen well for developers if they point in the notaries’ figures and is now towards a trend. showing up in the INE figures.

The regional picture was one of From the notaries figures it looks widespread declines in all areas like the declines are getting smaof most interest to foreign buyers, ller (June -21%, July -17%, August with the Canary Islands taking the -4%) and we may even see a return biggest hit (-40%), and even the pe-

to growth in September if the trend continues.

But experts also warn that the current political instability in Spain, with elections due in November, and the Catalan independence drive hanging over them, is undermining the confidence of potential buyers, who could be forgiven for adopting a wait-and-see approach.

To which I would add foreign demand appears to be cooling fast thanks to high transactions costs, unattractive tax laws, and the lack of transparency and professionalism in the Spanish property market all taking their toll on foreign demand now that prices are not so attractive.

I don’t expect another crash but it looks like headwinds are playing a bigger role in the market than before, and could set the agenda for the next few months.

That said, all experts quoted in the Spanish press forecast a return to moderate growth in sales during the last quarter of the year. www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

III

October 24th - November 6th 2019

Fast track

TOOLS DOWN

NEARLY two dozen estate agents have taken part in an organised cleanup at Fuengirola beach. The employees of Swedish agency Fastighetsbyran, which has several branches on the coast, helped make the beach a tidier spot. The team mucked in and disposed of used cans, cigarette butts and plastic. The day was part of Fastighetsbyran’s new green initiative, with many more projects to come in the future.

THE number of people employed in the Spanish building industry still remains under half pre-financial crisis levels, new figures have shown. Just 1.28 million people were employed in the construction trade during the second quarter of 2019, compared to 2.68 million people in 2008, before the global crash. Andalucia employs around 213,000 people in the building trade, more than any other region in Spain. However, this is still less than half the 441,300 people in the region working in the trade before the crash.

Brit couple see light at the end of the tunnel in illegal homes saga A PAIR of British pensioners stranded in Spain for 16 years after buying an illegal house can finally move home.

Rodney, 76, and Beryl Webster, 77, bought their €176,000 Andalucian villa from a crooked estate agent who failed to tell them it was built illegally, effectively making it worth nothing.

They and an estimated 40,000 other British property owners have now won a battle for their houses to be

Home at last

By Robert Firth

recognised, after a new Andalucian regional government passed a law granting legal status to 327,000 illegally built homes.

“It means we can finally go home to Britain,” Mrs Webster, 77, said.

“Without the house being legal we could not sell it. We have been stuck here for so long, we felt like hostages.”

Maura Hillen from cam-

paign group AUAN, which has pressed the Andalucian authorities on the issue, said: “It has been a long road. We were lucky that a change in government took us over the finish line.”

Problem Gerardo Vazquez, a lawyer who has been helping affected British owners for 15 years, said the problem had blighted people’s lives for years.

“Many people did not have

basic services such as water and electricity. They were basically ignored as this was a problem the authorities

Palatial buy

TWO iconic Malaga buildings are being put up for auction.

The well known Correos building next to the river, a structure valued at €16.8m, will go to auction in December (right).

Currently the home of various Junta departments, as well as the tax authorities (hacienda), the new buyer will have to at least partly use it for public services.

The second building, the Palacio de la Tina (left), a complex also known as the Palace of Ink, is valued at €12.45 million.

It is currently being used by the Junta.

thought was too big to deal with.”

See Leaving the Third World, page XVI

Cranes back AROUND 10% more building licences have been passed this year in Malaga.

So far 5,850 new homes have been approved in the province, which is reflected in a sharp increase in cranes towering over the coast.

Casting call

HIT Channel 4 show Sun, Sea and Selling Houses has returned to Spain scouting for a new cast of home buyers.

The programme follows British estate agents hoping to find UK expats their dream home in the sun.

If you are currently house hunting in Almeria or Alicante then producers at Ricochet are waiting for your call.

“We’re looking for people house hunting in November and December,” a spokesperson told the Olive Press.

“Whether their budget is €50,000 or €5 million, or the house is a holiday home or a permanent one, we would love to hear from them.

“It’s a really lighthearted, fun show.”

Those interested should email spain@ricochet.co.uk or call 00 44 1273032190

IV

October 24th - November 6th 2019

PROPERTY

G for gravitydefying A GIRONA-based architecture firm has won acclaim for its latest topography-defying project - a luxury home embedded in the side of an impossibly steep hill.

The white-washed property sits above the coastal town of Tamariu, on the Costa Brava, offering a new angle on stunning sea views from its precipitous perch.

The interior living areas are organised around the fireplace, creating a sequence of double-height spaces oriented to the south, bringing sunlight inside the house.

An outdoor terrace next to the dining room is protected by sunshades and fosters life outside the house.

Both the exterior and the interior are designed to enjoy the Mediterranean climate, placing all the main spaces on the south side, facing the sea.

No spanner in the works MAR Vicens has hammered out a generational project in Mallorca by turning her father’s ramshackle tool shed into a fabulous living space.

The 34-year-old Spanish architect teamed up with her Dutch partner, Ask Anker Aistrup, 39, also an architect, to create this perfect hideout hidden in the Tramuntana mountains.

The site had been bought for Mar on her 16th birthday and the family, originally from Valencia, often went for a day out at weekends, but could never stay over, something which is now possible.

The couple’s company Mar Plus Ask have created two miniscule off-grid structures, each measuring around 120sqft.

The project, which took them just four months to complete, enshrines the concept of minimalism with natural materials.

Their designs can be seen throughout Spain, as well as in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Berlin.

VI

October 24th - November 6th 2019

Concrete retreat in Madrid €21 million Home to Spain’s elite, including footballers Raul, Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, La Finca is reputed to be Spain’s safest neighbourhood as well as a showpiece for grand architectural design, like this magnificent minimalist masterpiece. Incorporating ultramodern design principles and luxury finishes to create a splendid family home, the outdoor pool mimics the alluring curves of the sculpturesque villa itself. If you’ve plenty in the bank you’ll be in good company as La Finca pays its taxes to Pozuelo de Alarcón, the municipality with the highest per capita income in the country.

(Jaime Valcarce)

PROPERTY Contemporary palace in Marbella €23 million Set in the hills above Marbella, its infinity pool cascading over a sheer drop, this palatial villa is made for high flying hedonists who like to live life on the edge. Set over four levels, it shimmers with gold and silver interiors, its walls and fireplaces resplendent with opulent marble. A breathtaking glass ceiling allows views onto the first floor from the terrace in a dizzying display of contemporary one-upmanship.

(Mas Property Marbella)

Mansion shopping As a €30-million plus home goes on sale in Marbella, take our Top 10 tour of the most eyewateringly expensive properties in Spain

ONE of Spain’s most extravagant modern mansions recently went up for sale in Marbella’s exclusive La Zagaleta urbanisation and it will cost you a cool €32 million.

The ostentatious Villa Cullinan boasts its own Turkish bath and spa complex, two swimming pools and no less than 14 bathrooms… oh, and two bronze Salvador Dali sculptures.

This is, after all, Spain’s most upscale urbanisation - countingHugh Grant and President Putin as neighbours - so it’s never going to be cheap.

But assuming you’ve got silly money to spend in Spain this year, check out our hotlist of 10 incredibly pricey properties to whet your appetite. We’re talking homes with more bedrooms than the average hotel, gardens the size of a small country and a cheque that requires eight figures and six noughts!

Country castle near Madrid €15 million Over 800 years of history are ingrained in this former Franciscan monastery, but there’s nothing medieval about the 22 ravishing rooms enclosed within its ancient walls. With eight acres of gardens to get lost in and its own lake - the perfect spot to break out the Fortnum and Masons picnic hamper bucolic bliss doesn’t get better than this.

&

SOLD!

+34 965 270 636 info@coastandcountry.properties www.coastandcountry.properties

When it comes to selling your property, choose people who care. List your property with us...

VII

October 24th - November 6th 2019

17th century manor house in Mallorca €27 million Elegant and imposing, picture 300 rugby pitches and you’ll get an idea of the scale of this grand estate which dominates the valley encircling the picturesque village of Valldemossa. With atmospheric beamed ceilings and richly decorated in baroque-inspired furnishings, the only snag is you’ll need an army of chambermaids to make up the 80 bedrooms - and by the way, 10 of them come with their own jacuzzi en suite.

(Key Real Estates)

Classic chateau in Marbella €32 million If this tres chic take on a traditional French chateau reminds you of a mini Fontainebleu you’re not wrong. The regal mansion is fronted by three acres of formal gardens - you could be in Paris but this is Marbella’s prestigious Golden Mile, a gemstone’s throw from the bright lights of Puerto Banus. The analogy continues inside where Versailles meets Versace with stylish chequerboard marble floors and gleaming glass chandeliers. If that sounds too grand you can always slum it in the separate four bedroom villa which is part and parcel of this elegant estate.

Rural estate in Sevilla €25 million Sprawling across 5.3km square of rolling green countryside - an area almost the size of the Rock of Gibraltar - keeping this authentic hacienda’s gardens in trim is no walk in the park. Built for bon viveurs with its own restaurant and verandah dining terrace, a fully equipped gym and spa. A tower suite with 270 degree views of the Andalucian countryside delivers additional bang for your bucks.

(Villas & Fincas)

Clifftop eyrie in Alicante €35 million For people in the public eye, this remote coastal retreat offers the perfect cover. Set high on the cliffs concealed by a buffer zone of wraparound pine forests, the unparalleled views over the Med along the Costa Brava coastline belong exclusively to the owners. With no near neighbours they can skinnydip in the clifftop swimming pool and jacuzzi or nip down stone steps for a dip in the sea. It’s also the perfect party palace with no one around to tell on you for getting too rowdy. (Kalliste Properties)

Continues on P VI

Tips to knock down a house price

W

Hispania Homes’ guide on leveraging a lower asking price

hen it comes to a property transaction, the buyer tends to feel more disadvantaged than the seller.

There is no rule book for negotiating a house price. Sellers could advertise a house priced higher than its market value, because they are attached to it, or because they want to make more money.

Of course, your real estate agency will help you negotiate the sale, as their professional life is based on theses types of arrangements.

But to help you, the buyer, know what to look for, Hispania Homes has put together some tips that will come in handy: • Start from a lower offer than you intend to buy at, as this will give you a good margin for negotiation.

Remember the negotiation inevitably ends with a reduction on the initial asking price.

• Find out how long the house has been on the market. This is essential, because it gives you a

good idea of the ​​ owner’s urgency to sell his/her house, and can make the negotiation go in your favour.

• Take advantage of the professional support of your real estate agent. They are experts with immense experience in negotiations. They can give you advice so as a buyer, you can take advantage of the best opportunities.

• Sellers may be very attached to their home, and will value it above its real market price. Sellers may also just want to make money.

Sellers will always have the final say in a property transaction. But, of course, the asking price will be affected by the current market situation.

Properties are often listed with a high asking price compared to its characteristics; a lot depends a lot on the expectations a seller has about his/her property.

To be clear on how much a property is worth, you must take into account these factors.

The first is understanding the cadastral charac-

teristic of the plot: rustic or urban land.

Then, you must look at the services/amenities the house has. In order to negotiate the purchase, take advantage of these details to lower the price: sanitation, urbanised outdoor areas, sufficient lighting, running water, and other basic and necessary features.

The state in which the house is in is very important. Although this is something very obvious, some buyers do not account for such factors.

For example, if you are looking at a second-hand house, you need to be sure that all the features of the house are in good condition and work perfectly, fulfilling their function without complications or problems.

At all times, you should think about the future.

Will the house be easy to sell or will it be a very complicated process?

Might you lose money if and when you put it back on the market?

When conducting a negotiation on an asking

price, emotional and economic factors will be at stake. In most cases, professionals will interpret the mitigating factors and be able to carry out negotiations in the best possible way on your behalf.

VENDORS

GUIDE HOW TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY QUICKER AND BETTER

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

Want to sell your property?

Ask here for our VENDORS GUIDE

Certified Residential Specialist The Proven Path to Success

Avda. Madrid, 24, 03724 Moraira - Alicante

Find us at Av. Madrid, 24, 03724 Moraira, Alicante.

Call us 9am - 7pm (Mon-Fri) on: +34 96 649 18 29 or +34 669 24 20 27. Contact us on: info@hispaniahomes.es

and get the most success in your task

VIII

October 24th - November 6th 2019 From Page V

PROPERTY

Mansion shopping (cont.)

Countryside estate in Mallorca €26.5 million This rustic country manor and guest house nestled in the picturesque village of Puigpunyent in Mallorca comes with its own billiard room, library and chapel. Perfect for hosting, guests can enjoy making use of the tennis courts and even bring a horse along to stay in the adjoining stables if they wish.

(Sotheby’s)

OH and that’s a lot for a cave Historic cave in Madrid €1.95 million Set over two floors in Madrid’s historic centre, stepping down into this semi-underground cavern is like a descent into different ages. The second floor, made from glass, provides a contemporary streamlined contrast to this stone walled pocket of the past.

Designer villa in Mallorca €15 million A contemporary new-build with sensational sea views, this luxury detached house comes with an exclusive Port d’Andratx postcode. Blending cutting edge design and bayside bliss, when you tire of splashing around in its network of turquoise lagoon pools, there’s direct access to the ocean from rocks in front of the house.

(Sotheby’s)

Y

ou may be considering selling your home on the Costa Blanca, perhaps it’s because you need somewhere bigger or smaller, your family circumstances may have changed, Brexit may be the last straw that is pushing you in the direction of moving. Whatever your reason Coast and Country would like to offer you a check list of considerations to help with your decision.

1. Making the Decision • As is often the case in life a lot of things come down to money, you need to look at the maths and work out what you need to allow for your selling and moving costs, also remember if you have a mortgage it is important to check out any penalties for clearing your mortgage early.

Appoint a Gestor, or lawyer if you do not already have one, your agent should be able to advise you on the general taxes you will have to pay when selling your property but

A check list to selling your home

language skills are a pre –requisite for European sales.

• Check how an agent intends to market your proper2. Make sure you get a re- ty, do they have a good brand presence and advertise inalistic valuation • You’ll need an agent who ternationally? Do they have knows the patch and one that a town centre office that attracts will give you a realistic valuation and provide you passing trade from window tificate and habitation certificate ready for the with a strategy to sell your displays?

• Commission rates tend to notary home.

• Setting the asking price too be similar among agents but signing; to get this you will need to have copies of high and you risk no offers, often you will get a discount too low and you may miss out for using only one agent ex- your IBI bill, water bill and on a profit. The price you set clusively. If you choose to do electricity bill as well as depends on how quickly you this then make sure you pick your title deeds.

Whenwith it comes toyour selling your one that collaborates • Let agent take a want to sell and the local other agents and property, will share choose look atpeople the title market conditions. whodeeds, the commission with them, the IBI bill andwith the cadascare.

List your property us... that tral land registry 3. Picking your agent • Our+34 experience at the mo- way you have more exposure information, they should 965 270 636 mentinfo@coastandcountry.properties indicates that the vast to more buyers for a cheaper be able to help you access this. Sometimes inmajority of buyers are cur- cost! www.coastandcountry.properties formation on rently Belgian it makes sense then 4. Get your paperwork in these can be conflicting i.e. plot size or property to pick an agent who has a order foot in the Belgian market • Your agent should be able size and the true informato advise you on the paper- tion will and can speak to these buyers work you need. As a minimum need sorting out before in their own language. Good you will need an energy cer- the sale goes through. these will depend on your individual circumstances such as whether you are a resident in Spain or a non-resident.

&

SOLD!

We hope you find this check list useful, we have many more tips on selling to share with you so for more advice on selling your property contact us at Coast and Country on 0034 693 554 967 or at info@coastandcountry.properties . Better still pop into our town centre office in Moraira on Avenida De La Paz 3 , next door to Café Chic and Bankia. We look forward to hearing from you!

Service you deserve People you can trust

Jacaranda Spain is a new kind of real estate company. We are 100% created and owned with our office based in the Jalon valley.

Office: 966 481 277 / 966 480 766 Mobile: 666 340 663 info@jacarandaspain.com

www.jacarandaspain.com C/ Avenida Joanot Martorell Edificio Aloe Local 9 – 10 – 11 · CP: 03727 · Xaló · Alicante

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Legendary Costa Blanca club founded by hippies needs new owner YOU would think Tony Wilson is turning in his grave, but it’s the Hacienda nightclub in Xabia that’s now gone on sale.

Similar to the eponymous UK club, which paved the way for a huge music and cultural movement in Manchester, the Spanish venue was a famous centrepiece

Rave oFF for spiritual revolution and free-thinking, following its opening by Harris Sportes in

Banksy bargain THE work of camera-shy British graffiti artist Banksy can sell for millions of euros.

However a lucky buyer managed to snap up two of his works for just €2,000 each from a Madrid gallery.

Love Wins, a photograph of the artist spray painting the same text on the Gaza’s West Bank wall, and a screen print of children on swings spinning around a fragment of a wall were sold by gallery Salon du Connaisseur.

The sum is a drop in the ocean compared to the €11 million that Banksy’s Parliament Devolved sold for earlier in October.

The painting depicts MPs in the House of Commons as chimpanzees.

1966.

But real estate company Engels & Volkers - who have set the price of the property at €5 million - claim that the Hacienda was really founded

by French hippies who settled in Montgo around 1962.

Being vegetarians, they initially established it as a microbial centre, but soon turned it into the ‘legendary’ and ‘mythical’ club it’s known as today.

After its heyday in the swinging 60s, the Hacienda’s reputation grew, and in the 80s the club became more high brow, with more esteemed clientele frequenting, such as American singer Joan Baez and the French actor Alain Delon.

Sportes died at the end of August 2017, so the the disco started catering for private events, leaving behind its bohemian lifestyle.

Now the entire estate 30,000 square metres of the club is on sale for a multi-million euro sum.

With it comes a restaurant, a fully-equipped kitchen, a bar, and in addition,two moderately sized villas.

The future owner will also be able to enjoy its spectacular views over the Montgo natural park, while being able to host or hire it out for private functions.

17

October 24th - November 6th 2019

EVENTS GUIDE

Friday, October 25

Hallelujah Choir Concert: popular and modern classics in aid of Jalon Valley Help, tickets €15.

Casa Cultura, El Vergel 7.30pm

a drink at Atalaya Bar. For tickets call: 606 509 342.

Arenal, Javea 5-8pm

New Orleans Jazz concert with the Bourbon Street Stompers and tenor singer Joshua Stewart, tickets €20.

Auditori Teulada-Moraira 8pm

Halloween-themed charity night at the Black Flame, with a 3-course meal, live music and disco. Tickets €20.00 Call 965 761 731 to book.

Black Flame, Pedreguer 7.30pm

Tuesday, October 29

Friday, November 1

Tuesday, October 29

Two inspiring and informative days at the Wellbeing Health, Beauty & Lifestyle Expo featuring over 60 stands of products, services and cooking demonstrations.

Villa Gadea Hotel, Altea 10am-5pm; November 1-2

Brexit information for expats with Citizens Advice Bureau Spain, featuring senior advisor Myra Azzopardi, call 602296180 or email info@brexitmeetings.es to register.

Parador, Javea 11am U3A Dramarama Group present A Changing World, taking you for a stroll through some of the memorable events from 1950 to 2000 Espai La Senieta, Moraira 7pm; 6pm on October 30

Thursday, October 31

Teulada-Moraira Lions Halloween Party, featuring games for the children, prizes for best costumes, music and food and drinks.

The Castle, Moraira 6pm Halloween Party at APAC, featuring live entertainment with Gingerlele and disco with Big Rob. Free entry, free tapas, with wine, beer, soft drinks all at €1.00.

Calle Casablanca 9, La Xara 6pm Trick or Treat on the Arenal with a bouncy castle, halloween games, disco and prize for best fancy dress! €12 per child, including food and

All Saints Day national holiday, otherwise known as the Mexican-Hispanic ‘Dia de los Muertos’ celebrated across the Spanish-speaking world.

Friday, November 1 - Saturday, November 2

Sunday, November 3

Christmas Gift Fair featuring 50 market stalls at Salones Carrasco, Javea in aid of Help of Denia & Marina Alta. €1.00 entry.

11am-5pm Choral concert by MUSIC UNLIMITED directed

by Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy organist Gordon Lawson, featuring his self-composed ‘A Mass for Peace’, and joined by quartet of Spanish singers from Valencia.

San Fransisco de Paul, El Rafol d’Almunia 5pm

Thursday, October 7

Candida Wright will direct The Ladykillers play, from the motion picture screenplay by William Rose.

Careline Theatre, Alcalali

Want your event to feature in the Olive Press?

Email us now at newsdesk@theolivepress.es

18

LA CULTURA How we nailed a champagne socialist MP

October 24th - November 6th 2019

Crta de Cadiz 174 (Opposite Puerto Banns (Behind the Casino) Nueva Andalu cia Malaga Spain Sat 26th & Sun 27th October FREE-DEMONSTRATIONS-TALKS Over 50 Stands & Inspirational talks & demonstrations this weekend 11 am - 8pm 12.00 Demonstration of Mediumship Jan Siggs International Medium 12.30 Mediumship Demonstration Michael Hardy Spirit Medium 1.00 True Health starts in Your Gut Anita Verhoogt/Anita Smith (Sat) 1.00 Talk on Your Inner Child Paulo Akasico (Sunday) 1.30 How to recognize & improve you ESP Robert Williams Mentalist 2.00 Psychic Eye Reading Demonstration Devanshu Herke Wiersma 2.30 Demonstration of Mediumship Jayson Harrington Medium 3.00 Demonstration of Clairvoyance Julie Cook Wales Welsh Witch 3.30 Clinical Hypnotherapy for PTSD Sarah Yuen The Beat Retreat(Sat) 3.30 Past Life Regression /Clinical Hypnotherapy SarahYuen (Sunday) 4.00 Demonstration of Spiritual Mediumship by Jennifer Mackenzi 4.30 Psychic Demonstration Wales top Psychic Lee Petulengro 5.00 Ho’ opono’pono Hawaiian Healing Method Marion Diaz (Saturday) 5.00 Time Line Therapy (healing the past) Marion Diaz (Sunday) 5.30 Take Control of Your Health With Essential Oils Lotta Hammer 6.00 Demonstration of Tarot Nadine Buckman Tarot & Psychic Artist 6.30 Acupuncture Qigong Spain Penelope Knight

In the second part of a story on corrupt Blair babe Margaret Moran, the Olive Press nearly gets the wool pulled over its eyes

I

FOUND myself rushing out of the office as Jon flew down the stairs. He had his phone out and was demanding to know Marcus’s number.

We got to the street outside and he leaned against his car as he called our editor.

“I don’t care how sick you are, mate, you’ll get over it. What you’ll never get over is missing a story like this.

“How soon can you be down here? What - three hours?

That’s not good enough.

Twenty minutes and we’re leaving without you. Alright, half an hour. This is an exclusive, mate!

“What do you mean you can’t drive? You’re joking, right?

I’ve never heard of a journalist who couldn’t drive. Look, if you don’t come down now I’m going to come up the mountain and drag you out of bed.”

Jon then called Jake our distributor to ask him some questions about his fall out

When you take out an advertising campaign with the Olive Press, you get a lot more than just the printed newspaper te l ee ia 00 si Fr tor 0,0 eb i 1 w ed ur ay o -d in r-a to si

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potholed in places, was fine until we reached the hamlet of Tíjola, a strung out collection of whitewashed houses almost at river level, where it narrowed considerably.

After another mile the road turned into a rough track as it veered off uphill to the left and passed by some abandoned ruins.

Goons

Jon was taking charge of the situation, fiddling with his camera and issuing orders.

“Jason, you’re the photographer and the driver. I want you to take pictures of the house from every angle and keep the car outside with the engine running while we go inside.

“f you see any of the locals getting beaten up you need to get pictures, understand?” I nodded.

Marcus gave a squeak of protest from the back. “I don’t feel well, can’t I stay in the car too?”

“No,” said Jon sternly. “You are the editor of the newspaper; she needs to know we mean business.”

“But,” Jon added; “don’t open your mouth unless she asks you a question.

Keep quiet and let me do the talking. Make sure you record everything – you do have a recorder don’t you?”

All this sounded fine but we had very little idea where her house was located. After a few forays down blind tracks,

Lemons and hard nuts to crack

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with MP Margaret Moran and by the time he had finished talking Molly had turned up and dropped Marcus off.

He looked more peeved than sick, and was wearing a large woolly scarf wrapped around his throat. “About time,” said Jon, stepping into his car.

“Get in, the pair of you.”

“No, wait,” I said “the tracks are too rough for this up there. We’ll need to go in mine.”

And so the three of us climbed into my car and set off for the valley running to the east of Cerro Negro where, if Jake was to be believed, a British politician was in some kind of Mexican standoff with several locals.

The road, although

SCEPTICAL: Driving over Lemons author Chris Stewart didn’t expect the Olive Press to survive for very long

A few weeks after our launch I saw a familiar looking figure walking around Orgiva with the kind of characteristic jaunty lope that identifies a certain type of Englishmen.

A tallish man, with curly greying hair and glasses, there was no doubt it was Chris Stewart, the author of the bestselling book Driving over Lemons.

In his book Stewart, a former Genesis drummer, detailed his move to La Alpujarra in the 1980s to escape Thatcher’s Britain’ and his subsequent transformation into a penniless hill shepherd.

I had read it one miserably grey Christmas Day back home and went to bed that night thinking I’d like to move to that mythical sounding place. Luckily for me, my wife Michelle was also up for the idea. And now, here we were.

Much had been made of the success of his book and Stewart had become something of a local hero, credited with putting the Alpujarras on the map and initiating Orgiva’s rejuvenation.

The mayor, it was said, had even talked about erecting a bronze statue in the plaza to the writer, apparently to his horror.

As I passed him, I noticed that the famed writer was eating churros, those fried sugary dough sticks that are dunked in hot chocolate for breakfast.

There was nothing unusual about this but I couldn’t help noticing that they were wrapped in a familiar-looking newspaper with a green masthead.

When I went back to the office, Marcus leaped up from his desk and grabbed a copy of Driving over Lemons from the office bookshelf. “You know what I’m going to do?” he ranted. “I’m going to carry this book around with me and if I see him in the street I’ll rip out a page and wipe my f**king arse with it!”

I never did find out whether Marcus carried out this threat, but the next time I saw Chris he was drinking from a fountain in Pampaneira. I introduced myself and told him about The Olive Press. “Yes, I’ve seen it,” he said.

“Good luck with it – other people have tried the same and failed in these parts. It’s a tough nut to crack.”

19

October 9th - October 22nd 2019

SHAMELESS: Moran and her villa cutting off locals’, leading to our first big exclusive followed up by the Mail and Telegraph

I began to worry about the failing light. Already the sun was beginning to sink and much of the valley was entering into deep shade. Also,

where was the gang of goons we had been warned about?

“I thought you said you knew where it was,” said Jon. Presently, and not a moment

too soon given the fading light, we saw a small group of men loitering by the side of the track.

“Hombres,” called out Jon. “We must speak to the English senora as a matter of urgency.”

His Spanish was pretty good compared to ours, to be fair.

With a shrug, one of the men pointed to a flat-roofed cortijo

COLOURFUL: Not all the residents of nearby Beneficio were fun-loving, free lovers

Pow wow man tied to a crucifix One of our most interesting early stories concerned Beneficio – or ‘Benefit’ - the commune of thousands of new age travellers up the mountain near Cáñar – and a South African man.

The man had turned up there some months before, and had quickly muscled his way onto the so-called community council and seized the talking stick at a pow wow, meaning nobody else was allowed to speak from then on.

In this way he had established himself as a kind of mini tyrant and nobody had dared to challenge him. At some point it all come to a head when he accused a British hippie of sleeping with another man's wife.

He then exacted punishment on the man by tying him to a crucifix and keeping him there for several days inside a 'prison tepee'.

Eventually the man was released but he was then run out of town, chased stark naked down the mountain with a bull whip in the middle of the night.

This was enough for the local police to go up to Beneficio and arrest the man, who was taken in and thrown into the cells, much to the relief of the other residents of the commune.

Further investigation revealed he was a fugitive wanted in connection with a serious crime back home in Cape Town and he was later jailed in Granada. Everyone enjoyed that story.

a bit further down the valley.

“Casa de la inglesa,” he said simply, stepping aside. So these were the ‘thugs’.

When I pulled up outside the house my mouth was dry.

“Remember,” said Jon, “keep the engine running and turn the car around so we can get out of here in a hurry – we don’t know what kind of protection she’s got.”

“Now you tell me,” I said.

“Nice woman,” said Jon, and Marcus nodded in agreement.

Marcus and Jon got out of the “She explained the whole concar and I watched them walk to flict thing with Jack, or whatevthe front door and knock. er his name is. To be honest, The door opened, spilling out it’s her I feel sorry for, I mean warm light, and a short exit’s private property, so why change took place between shouldn’t they be able to cut off Jon and the short woman who the track if she’s being bullied stood there. A moment later by them? Your man, she said, is they all stepped inside and the a bit of an anarchist. door closed. I turned the car “It’s like the Wild West round around and sat there with my here, she says. People just hands on the steering wheel don’t respect the rule of law.” with the engine running.

We drove on in silence for a I tried to imagine what was going while. So, it was nothing more on inside. Perhaps there would than a storm in a teacup. be arguing, with accusations Suddenly Jon startled me, and rebuttals flying around, as shouting, “Stop!”

Moran’s protectors stood on a “What is it?” I said, stepping hair trigger, ready to on the brake. eject the unwelcome I thought an guests.

She’s taken us animal had Did Tony Blair’s run out in ministers have MI5 in with a sob front of the protection? I had no idea. story, a cup of car.

“Don’t you Time passed. An see what tea and some hour went by and she’s done?” darkness fell. Hungreat wines he said. ger was beginning “What did I to bite and I entersay Marcus? tained the idea that I said don’t look into her eyes. maybe I should go and tell them She’s gone and charmed us. to hurry up. I turned off the enTaken us in, told us her sob gine. Vaguely, I wondered if they story. You did record everything, had been tied up back-to-back didn’t you?” or something.

He reached into his pocket and Almost two hours had passed pulled out his phone. Stepping when the door of the farmout he leaned against a tree house opened again and Jon and connected with a newspaand Marcus stepped out into per in London. the night. I started the car en“Yeah, give me the news desk,” gine, but they were not running he said. “I‘ve got a story for you. away from the house, they were Are you ready for this? You’ll walking slowly. love it.”

“What the hell happened?”

Afterwards I drove back to ÓrI said, half-annoyed but also giva and parked outside the eager to hear what had gone office. Marcus made his apoldown. ogies, starting to walk off in “Sorry about that,” said Jon “we the direction of the bus stop. got invited in for a cup of tea.

“Where do you think you’re And she had something megoing?” Jon called out. “We’ve dicinal for Marcus’s flu. Turned got a very busy evening ahead out she had some really great of us.” wines in her cellar.”

Marcus turned back and gave “She rustled up a decent bit of him a withering look. “Too ill,” tapas too,” croaked Marcus. he groaned.

“We totally forgot about you out “Nonsense,” replied Jon, “You here,” said Jon. “You should do have a coffee machine, have just come don’t you?” in.”

The Olive Press: News from the Land of Misfits by Jason Heppenstall is available on Amazon

20

October 9th - October 22nd 2019

LA CULTURA

Back from the grave

She ran one of the largest refugee operations in European history during the dark days of the Spanish Inquisition. Then she was buried and forgotten … until now, writes Jack Gaioni

TRAILBLAZER: Brave converso Jew Garcia Mendes now has stamps amd coins in her honour

S

HE died over 450 years ago yet she has a Facebook page and a website. All trace of her existence was buried with her yet today there are parades, lectures and festivals held in her honour. Coins and stamps are being minted in her name, while a new museum, a TV show and a vintage white wine pay her tribute. Who was this woman? How does a person who died in obscurity gain posthumous fame? And why is she especially important to women’s history?

Doña Gracia Mendes (15101569) hailed from Aragon, Spain where her family had lived since the 11th century.

Fabulously wealthy as merchants and traders, they were also considered ‘crypto-Jews’ or ‘conversos’ - people forced to convert to Christianity from Judaism to avoid the tortures of The Inquisition.

The family viewed their ‘conversion as a charade and moved to Portugal to stay one step ahead of the Inquisition. But in 1538, two things changed young Gracia’s fortunes.

First, her husband Fernando died. His family was one of the richest in Europe, having made their fortune in the spice trade between Portugal and India during the Age of Discovery, earning Fernando the title ‘King of Black Pepper’.

Gracia inherited the business and enormous wealth. Secondly, that same year the King of

Portugal established the office of the Inquisition in Lisbon. No longer safe, Gracia left for Antwerp, the trading center of Europe which was then part of the Spanish Netherlands.

She was young, wealthy, widowed, Jewish, inexperienced in business practices and, most consequentially, she was a woman. As such she was perceived as an ‘easy target’ for unscrupulous elements (in Antwerp there were many) who hoped to seize her fortune.

Her competitors tried bribes and embargoes to put her out of business. The royal state tried to confiscate her fortune by arranging a marriage in which a large portion of her wealth would have been lost.

Added to which the Christian clergy had imposed a punitive ‘heresy tax’ on crypto-Jews.

But Gracia was vastly underestimated. She grew her trading business exponentially, avoided royal and clerical taxes with shrewd political instinct and kept her fortune while remaining loyal to her religious traditions. She developed an escape network to help fellow crypto-Jews flee Spain and Portugal, using her fleet of spice ships sailing between Lisbon and Antwerp to covertly transport refugees out of harm’s way.

In 1544 she fled again, this time to the Republic of Venice. The City State, at least for then, offered

Jews a safe place to live and conduct business. ‘non-Muslim Venice was also the center of subjects’ which included her trading in the Mediterranean. community of conversos were Once again, Gracia grew her free to run their affairs as long business empire, trading in texas they respected the structure tiles, grains, precious stones of the Ottoman bureaucracy. and silver as well as spices.

And of course, if they agreed She also continued to expand to pay some her escape netextra tax. Once work for the Jewagain, Gracia ish diaspora.

Identify with thrived.

She When Venice’s verassumed a sion of the InquisiGracia’s role of leadtion - the Countership in the ambition, e r- R e fo r m a t i o n converso world - became a very courage and of the Ottoreal threat Gracia man empire. fled yet again, this loneliness She built syntime to Constantiagogues and nople. yeshivas. She Here, and throughalso managed one of the largout the Ottoman Empire, Jews est refugee operations in Eurowere allowed to practice their pean history. faith and live without fear. For In exchange for guaranteethe first time in her life, Gracia ing an increase in taxes, SulMendes was able to openly tan Suleman the Magnificent practice Judaism in a commugranted her a long-term land nity that recognised her rights. lease to the Tiberius area of Unlike Christian Europe, what is now Israel. Dona Gracia’s aim was to make Tiberius into a major new center of Jewish settlements - a venture that has been called one of the earliest attempts at creating a modern Zionist movement.

And after a full and productive life, Dona Gracia Mendes died in Istanbul before her 60th birthday.

Over the next 500 years, her legacy was nearly scrubbed from the historical record. Historians blame ‘historical misogyny’ and/or anti-Semitism.

More recently, due to her new sense of relevance, a growing number of women in business, government and the clergy have come to identify with Gracia’s ambition, courage, self-sufficiency and even her personal loneliness.

Her achievements are unique.

She was a widow and a ‘secret Jew’ living in a violently antisemitic century. She excelled in business and had shrewd political instincts. And she triumphed over every challenge society, her gender and her religion threw at her. But more than anything else, her humanity has resonated internationally with contemporary women.

Her whole life was dedicated CELEBRATION: Spanish sephardic Jews remember Gracia and (above) also in Turkey

to assisting Jewish and converso’s flights out of danger, always one step ahead of the Inquisition. Her wealth was a means to an end, financing daring escapes to safe havens and helping refugees settle in one they got there.

Gracia was committed to human values and is rapidly becoming a cult figure on the world stage. A dedicated website was launched in 2011, followed by a Facebook page. New York City and Philadelphia have each designated a Doña Gracia Day. The Turkish Government spon-

sors events and exhibits to honour her as a historical symbol of ‘sanctuary’ offered by the Ottomans. She appears as a major character in a Turkish TV drama about her life. Israel meanwhile has started to mint commemorative stamps and coins in her image while a new museum in Tiberias is devoted to her life and deeds.

It may have been a long time coming but it seems Gracia Mendes is finally getting the attention she deserves.

Sometimes the visionaries who change the course of events are only truly recognised through the lens of history.

In 2008, Italian wine vintner Sentieri Ebraici produced a white wine labeled Dona Gracia Vino Blanco. One tasting review described it as ‘bold yet unassuming’.

In the popular Turkish TV series Muhtesem Yuzyil (The Magnificent Century), Gracia Mendes is portrayed by iconic Turkish actress Dolunay Soysert (above). The show has had a huge international audience with over 200 million viewers. It aired in Spain (2014) as El Siglo Magnifico on the 1 +1 network.

La Señora, a synagogue built in honour of Doña Gracia, still exists in Istanbul.

Doña Gracia’s website is; www.donagraciaproject. org. For her Facebook page go to ‘Dona Gracia Worldwide’ (https”//www.facebook.com).

In 2015 the Spanish Parliament, in an effort to correct the ‘historic mistake’ of the Inquisition, has offered citizenship to those Jews (now called Sephardic Jews) who can trace their roots to the Iberian Peninsula. Thus far, 132,000 have applied for Spanish citizenship.

DID YOU KNOW?

22

www.theolivepress.es

We need answers

Swede mashes Greta

By Simon Wade

SPAIN’S Minister for Ecological Transition has demanded answers from the Government of Murcia over the ‘environmental emergency’ at the region’s Mar Menor.

Teresa Ribera has called for an investigation into the ‘origin’ of the catastrophe, which killed thousands of fish.

She stated that agricultural ‘bad practices’ must end, as she met with the environmental organization, ANSE (Asociacion de Naturalistas del Sureste).

Ribera stated that the death of so many fish is, ‘an obvious example of what happens when we look elsewhere.’

In contrast the Murcian Government attributed the fish deaths to September’s gota fria and the discharge of 60 cubic hectometers of salt water into the lagoon following the floods.

Fernando Lopez Miras, president of Murcia, warned, ‘there are no magic solutions.’

He added: “I have come to listen to all parties, mayors, fishermen, farmers, ecologists, neighbors and scientists.”

Ribera stated that in order to reverse the situation, ‘you have to be responsible and honest, and look at long term improvements.’

The Olive Press reported on the Spanish Government’s Zero Discharge plan, published just before the gota fria, which highlighted the issue of poisons and contaminants in the Mar Menor.

GREEN

It’s Code Red for the Med warns latest climate change study A CLIMATE expert has warned that the Mediterranean is being hit the hardest by global warming.

Professor Wolfgang Cramer has said that temperature increases in the region have already reached 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

This means that the Mediterranean is warming 20% faster than the average for the rest of the world.

If greenhouse gas emissions aren’t reduced, temperatures will be 2.2C higher in 2040 and as much as 3.8C higher by 2100.

The scientific director from the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecology warned that in just two decades, some 250 million people will be hit by water shortages due to droughts.

His warning, presented at a Union for the Mediterranean meeting, in Barce-

October 24th - November 6 2019

A SWEDISH environmentalist who teaches children about climate change has slammed teenage activist Greta Thunberg, saying that he ‘would like to see her getting more education.’

Johan Ernst Nihlson, a world record-breaking explorer and environmental campaigner, made the comments following an event he hosted in Marbella aimed at teaching children about the environment.

“She really needs to understand it better,” the 50-year-old fellow Swede told the Olive Press.

Nihlson, has previously said that ‘children are 25% of the world’s population, and 100% of our future.’

He added: “I do think she needs guidance in order to help her discover the facts.

“I think she didn’t mean to start this whole movement.”

In hot water lona, came off the back of a comprehensive scientific report on climate change undertaken by 80 scientists since 2015.

The study found that heatwaves will become longer and more intense and will bring extended periods of drought.

Cramer said: “The North needs to help the South adapt, to guarantee stability of their economies. Every tonne of CO2 that is reduced makes a difference.”

Grammenos Mastrojeni, another expert, warned that poor people forced to move when extreme droughts occur, are at risk of falling prey to human smugglers and terrorist groups.

It comes after the head of Spain’s weather agency (AEMAT) Miguel Angel Lopez predicted heavi-

er downpours and more flooding over the next few decades.

His warning of a ‘flooding timebomb’ came on the anniversary of serious floods

that killed 14 people in Mallorca last year.

“The Med is overheating and too many months of this generate too much vapour rising into the atmo-

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“This is a timebomb and these heavy weather episodes will become more frequent and more intensive.”

BUSINESS Spanish slump My top tips

23

October 24th - November 6th 2019

How to guarantee you’re not underinsured

It’s money trouble for Spain as external factors have caused a decline in economic growth SPAIN is experiencing a moment of economic turmoil as experts say the country is currently enduring a slump in several sectors of industry.

Job creation has slowed down, tourist numbers are declining, while the global economy is faltering,

according to Bloomberg Economics.

There will be tough times ahead for Spain, as the country faces a number of challenges next year, having to adapt to Brexit and political ambiguity.

The collapse of travel giant Thomas Cook has greatly affected tourism, as too has Brexit, while the riots in Catalunya have created instability in the east of

T Spain.

Recently Reuters suggested that Spain’s acting govern-

Working sadly A STUDY has shown that a whopping 70% of Spainiards are unhappy with their jobs.

The data, carried out by the IESE Work and Family Centre, also showed that 60% would not recommend their workplace to a friend.

Other data includes that 80% dislike

‘Mondays’ and that only 13% of men and 24% of women think the salary they receive is fair.

Many believe that work-related illnesses are a real thing, with 89% of men and 80% of women thinking that people get sick from stress at their company.

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ment has trimmed its GDP growth expectations because of factors including ‘trade tensions’ and a raised ‘deficit estimate’.

The government says economic output should expand by 2.1% this year - a reduction of the previous 2.2% estimate.

Next year, the forecast is worse - with a predicted growth of 1.8%, compared to a previous estimate of 1.9%.

The Budget Ministry believes that these figures for 2020 could change, but only if Spain forms a government that can pass a budget in parliament.

Spain is due to head to the polls for its general election on November 10.

23

his week I received an updated report from Spain’s Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS) with fascinating information after last month’s devastating gota fría ruined houses up and down the Costa Blanca.

The CCS has now opened over 59,000 claims due to the bad weather conditions between September 11-15, 2019.

The estimated total cost at the moment is expected to be €379 million.

However, they are anticipating to receive a total of between 63,000-65,000 claims, estimated to cost in excess of €422 million.

So far, €6.7 million has already been paid, with 332 insurance experts and assessors working with the CCS. At the peak, the CCS were receiving 1,500 to 4,500 applications daily, but this has now slowed to between 500 and 700 daily requests.

There is no deadline to apply for CCS claims, nor is there a limit to the total amount that the CCS will pay out overall for this situation.

However, the CCS states that they will pay compensation as is due under existing insurance policies held by the policy holders affected.

In other words, the CCS will pay as per the coverage of your policy.

As you can see from these statistics, the CCS has been really pushed due to the vast volume.

My company had a full-time consultant opening claims for many anxious clients - both my own clients and those of other insurers, who found their insurance companies very unhelpful in this situation - who is still helping as required.

Please, when either taking out a new policy, or renewing your existing policy, check the insured value of the property and reassess your contents cover, which includes your kitchen.

There are many who have discovered that they are under insured, particularly those who purchased their policies by price alone.

It is always worth checking your contents cover, as we are regularly changing and updating our homes, and it is always a surprise when you work out what it would cost to replace everything.

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

AGONY Property ANT

September 25th - October 8, 2019

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Loopy laws

Antonio Flores shines a light on a few of the 100,000 laws in Spain ACCORDING to the CEOE (Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organizations), there are in Spain approximately 100,000 laws and regulations of all kinds, of which almost 67,000 are regional.

This legislative hemorrhage, far from receding, is on the increase.

Luckily, in our day-to-day business we will be actively interacting with just a handful, albeit the most important ones (Civil and Criminal, Road Safety and Horizontal Property Acts, to mention a few).

Still, there are laws that one might find interesting even if they don’t relate to everyone.

Let’s look at a few: License of Occupation a condition of Rental License Many properties in this county do not have this license, for a variety of reasons, and regulations vary across Spain.

In Andalucia, the Decree 28/2016 refers to having the LFO or an ‘equivalent document’.

In Marbella, thousands of illegal properties are being rented with the notorious ‘certificate of non-infraction’, apparently without issues.

Other town halls issue ad hoc certifications to comply with regional legislation.

Legality of cannabis products in Spain Trading with cannabis is not legal in Spain.

At the most, you will be allowed to grow the plant for your personal use, and consumption needs to be restricted to the privacy of a home. Cannabidiol, which is a derivative and not classed as a drug is legal; however, it can only be marketed for external use (cosmetics).

Duration of lift maintenance contracts The Supreme Court has recently ruled that where the owners of lifts are consumers (private individuals or Homeowners Association), the maximum duration of these will be of three years. This limitation will allow those consumers to change suppliers and benefit from free competition.

Cancellation of flights and compensation in the wake of the Barcelona riots According to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament, a carrier’s liability can be limited or excluded in cases where an event has been caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.

This includes political instability which, unfortunately, is the case in Catalunya at present.

Squatters rights in Spain Squatters have no rights in Spain other than the right to a fair trial where - sooner or later - the Judge will order their eviction.

The Senate recently approved a fast track procedure to have squatters evicted within days (inefficient service of process and other Court delays excluded).

Child Custody after Divorce There isn’t a specific law as to which parent should be awarded custody, other than by what’s best for the children.

Currently, Courts award both parents shared custody in 30% of the cases, 65% to the mother and 5% to the father.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

24 October 24th - November 6th 2019

BUSINESS

Reviewing your investments

T

HERE’S never a bad time to review your investments, indeed it should be a regular occurrence, but I think October is a particularly pertinent time to do so.

The summer lull is over, the Christmas hiatus is yet to begin, and the last ‘earnings season’ of the year (when the majority of public companies post their results) is underway.

Many people start a review by looking at the performance of their existing investments: have they performed as wanted and expected.

Risk

It’s important to distinguish between the two.

The ‘want’ is set at the start of a period. For example I want my investment to grow by 4% in the coming year.

It should be relevant and achievable, and should be tempered by many factors, including the level of risk an investor is willing to take, plus

October is the perfect time to review and make your goals achievable BY Christina Brady the current levels of return generally available for that risk.

There is little point in an investor wanting a return of 8% while only being willing to accept a low level of risk; it’s not achievable in the current environment. Meanwhile, ‘expectation’ is considered more at the end of a period, as it takes in factors that have occurred during the period. For example, the fourth quarter of 2018 saw significant drops in equity markets around the world, in most cases wiping out gains made during the first part of the year.

In this case, wanting a positive return on an investment but achieving no gain during the year, while not ideal, would be in line with expectations for many people.

After taking stock of the current position, reviewing where you are now, and where you want to be in the short, medium and longer term, is paramount.

Circumstances change, so the objectives you set when you started the investment may not

be as relevant today.

Consider what your current needs are: Did you take an income from your investment last year?

Do you need to continue this, or take a higher income, or possibly a lower one if other factors have come into play (for example, starting to receive a state pension)?

Have your circumstances changed?

Have you received an inheritance, downsized your house, or another event which has increased your capital?

Conversely, have you had unexpected expenses which have depleted your capital?

Also review where you want the investment to finish. Starting at the end and looking back puts a different complexion on your objectives, potentially tempering shorter and medium term requirements to ensure the end goal can be achieved. As with the above, the end goal can, and is likely to change during the course of an investment.If your objectives change then your investment may need to change too.

Which takes us back to the old adage ‘the best return an investor can get is the one they expect’ and the more pertinent question: ‘What is required to maximise the probability of achieving these goals?’

www.theblacktowergroup.com Starting at the end helps to focus on what really matters – appropriate outcomes rather than searching for sometimes unnecessary out-performance – and changes the focus from whether something may happen, to how it may happen. Investment decisions can then be based on achieving the required level of growth with the least amount of risk.

While there are many elements of risk to take into account, from an investors perspective, the one that really matters is the risk of not having the money they require to help realise their life goals when they planned to. At Blacktower, we generally recommend to review investments at least twice a year. If you would like an independent review of your investments, or just a general discussion on your circumstances or objectives, then we would be pleased to help. Please contact on the details below.

Blacktower Financial Management Ltd is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV. Blacktower Financial Management (Int) Ltd is licensed in Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and is registered with both the DGS and CNMV in Spain

SUMMER IS OVER...

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Giving golf a boost

GOLDEN GREATS GO TO WAR AN Italian trattoria that specialises in tripe is hoping to steal a Madrid eatery’s title and become officially the world’s oldest restaurant.

Paolo Trancassini, the owner of La Campana in Rome, believes his restaurant has been open since 1518.

He is now asking the Guiness Book of Records to re-examine the title of the world’s oldest restaurant, currently held by Sobrino de Botin which opened in the Spanish capital in 1725.

The Madrid establishment counts American writers Ernest Hemmingway and Truman Capote among its previous customers.

Its owner Antonio Gonzalez said he was ‘interested to hear about’ the Italian upstart’s claim.

WITH golfers spending nearly 50% more on average than typical Spanish holiday-makers, the Turisme Comunitat Valenciana is actively promoting Costa Blanca courses at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in Marrakech, this week.

Considered the most prestigious golfing event in the world of sports tourism, the IGTM brings together hundreds of tour operators, travel agencies and journalists to see what’s new in the sector and to build relationships.

Turisme Comunitat Valenciana is in Marrakech with the Association of Golf Cours-

Guests of Rafael Nadal’s wedding last weekend treated to secret Alicante potion that ‘cures hangovers’ THE allure of sporting superstars is that they make it look easy.

But keen eyes have spotted the guests from returning from Rafael Nadal’s wedding with a secret Valencian potion in hand that ‘cures’ hangovers.

The Mano de Santo beverage

September 26th - October 9th 2019

es of the Costa Blanca and Valencian Community representing the Castellón Tourism Board, Club de Campo Mediterráneo, Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort, La Galiana golf, Denia Marriott La Sella, Melia Villaitana, Bonalba Golf Resort & Hotel , Font del Llop Golf, La Finca Resort and Las Colinas Golf & Country Club, Vistabella Golf and Hotel Doña Monse.

Regional secretary of Tourism, Francesc Colomer said, "golf represents an important product for the tourism promotion of the Valencian Community, given the importance of the income generated".

The 180,000 golfers that visit Alicante province every year are the “key to the seasonality, as they travel during the low season,” according to diarioinformacion.

The majority of Spain’s golfers (70%) are from overseas - mainly the UK- and they mostly travel in the autumn months, visiting one or two courses.

Each golf tourist spends €163 a day, €53 more than the average spent by a typical holiday-maker staying in a hotel. Repeat visits are enjoyed by 75% of golfers, with 95% recommending the region as a golf destination.

Morning after

supplement - made from vitamins, minerals and natural flavourings - was handed out to 300 wedding guests attending the tennis legend’s marriage to Mery Perelló last Saturday, October 19, in Mallorca.

The remedy is produced by Alicante-based Carmencita y Tàrtaros Gonzalo Castelló S.L. and is designed for consumption after ‘long nights of parties with excessive eating and drinking’.

Nadal’s family had custom-made packages designed

for the star-studded nuptials, which read ‘stop hangovers’.

The gift was evidence of the 19 grand slam winner’s forward-planning as guests were lavished with a stunning reception at the British-owned La Fortaleza - Spain’s most expensive property.

After the service was complete, celebrations continued with a formal meal whipped up by popular Mallorcan chef Macarena de Castro, followed by an after-party.

Guests were later spotted clutching their customised

Playing store detective A NEW app that tells users if supermarket foods are ‘ultra-processed’ has been launched in Spain.

The app ‘MyRealFood’ is the brainchild of Carlos Rios, a social media influencer and nutritionist with more than 1.5 million Instagram followers.

He said he aimed to raise awareness of the ‘realfooding’ movement, which advocates a

diet based on avoiding processed and precooked products.

Rios said the movement is ‘not a fad’ and estimates that 80% of what consumers buy in supermarkets is ultra-processed.

The new app allows users to scan produce before purchasing and check whether food is ‘ultra-processed’, ‘healthy processed’ or ‘real food’.

VAT chance

Spain’s food banks association is urging the government to plough the money made from VAT on donated food back into collection campaigns.

The National Association of Solidarity Foods (ANDAS) estimates that the average 7.5% VAT levied on most goods could yield an extra 1.6 million kilos of food, ‘a considerably larger contribution’ than last November’s Gran Recogida (Grand Collection) when the Food Bank received 21 million kilos, one seventh

25

coming from Andalucia.

Although the idea has been well received in talks with Congress of Deputies members across the political spectrum, ANDAS wants it set up before this year’s Gran Recogida, slated for Friday and

Saturday, November 22 and 23.

If the proposed initiative goes ahead, ‘a considerable increase in aid would be achieved to fight and alleviate social inequality’, added ANDAS.

Doom and gloom TRAVEL companies in Spain have recorded a 3% decrease in sales to British customers since the collapse of travel giant Thomas Cook.

The Canary Islands has been particularly badly hit, experiencing a 7% drop in demand from Britsh tourists.

Meanwhile 6,000 hotels across Spain are also still owed €260 million, which they may never receive, due to the bankruptcy of Britain’s oldest travel agency.

The gloomy report was published by Exceltur, an organisation which represents 29 leading travel companies in Spain.

gifts of Mano de Santo, which is ideally consumed 15 minutes after the last intake of excessive food and drink.

The supplement describes itself as a ‘drink eraser’ that ‘dissipates’ the symptoms of heavy drinking in particular.

It can be purchased from most pharmacies and supermarkets for €4.

26 October 24th - November 6th 2019

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

roller coaster through spanish history

Thousands of visitors are flocking to Spain’s newest theme park and they’re not along for the ride - there aren’t any! - as Heather Galloway discovers

SPECTACULAR: Stage set and impressive arrival area

S

PAIN is making a spectacle of itself, one that the 4,000-strong audience seated under a balmy autumn sky on the outskirts of Toledo has never seen before.

Based on the French precedent, the country’s spanking new Puy du Fou theme park in Castile-La Mancha has managed to frame 1,500 years of Spanish history in a dreamlike sequence of events portrayed by 185 actors, 31 horses and a team of mules and oxen.

Just a taster of what’s to come, El Sueno de Toledo – the Dream of Toledo – is Puy du Fou Espana’s introductory extravaganza. For this is no ordinary theme park. There are no spinning teacups or roller coaster rides, though the effect is no less exhilarating.

“Instead of talking about Mickey Mouse, kids get to talk about Maria Pacheco,” explains historian Jesus Carrobles, director of Toledo’s Royal Academy of Fine Art and Historical Sciences. “Now that’s fascinating.”

Narrated by a ‘local peasant’ who leads his mule along the banks of the River Tagus below life-size ramparts, turrets, draw bridges and castles, we are introduced to the Visigoth era with a stream of 6th century knights mounted on white steeds galloping through the archways down to the riverside where Visigoth King Reccared is converted to Christianity.

The action moves swiftly to the Moorish period and The City of Three Cultures with Muslims, Jews and Christians living in harmony. At this point, Arabic, flamenco and Jewish choreographies are performed beneath a rainbow of multi-coloured fountains and laser-light displays.

At some point during this epoch, a vision of the Virgin Sagrario hovers above the water as angels fly overhead.

Conflict appears in the shape of Alfonso VI with soldiers scaling the ramparts, balls of fire hurled into the night sky and horses wheeling around castle walls. Then we meet the Catholic Kings

and, lo and behold, Christopher Columbus’s sailing ship bursts forth from the depths of the Tagus like magic - and it certainly is.

There is also a nod to the great figures of Spanish literature like Lope de Vega and Cervantes, portrayed as a period of relative tranquility. But terror and tragedy strike again in the 19th century as the French invade and start the Peninsula War with its merciless firing squads.

The high spirits that accompany the arrival of the steam engine and the Charleston are eclipsed by the final conflict, the Spanish Civil War which is depicted by Maria, the Spanish ‘everywoman’, enveloped in a cold, dark mist. She explains that she has been left alone and bereft because her brothers have killed one another other.

The epic whirlwind of events interspersed with scenes of pastoral kinship leaves the spectator with the feeling that along with Spain, they too have been through the mill.

For aside from the dazzling and thunderous special effects, what makes Puy du Fou’s ‘dream’ so

extraordinary and poignant is that this is the sto- His vision of a historical theme park has, howry of the spectators themselves. Or, as Carrobles ever, been a runaway success. The original says, “It’s our cultural heritage which has made 1978 Puy du Fou installation in Vendée, Westus who we are.” ern France, attracts around two million visitors But while Puy du Fou’s founder, Philippe Villiers, a year, making it the country’s second most pophas made no secret of his aim to stoke national ular entertainment park after Disneyland Paris. pride, a spectator might also walk away from El But not everyone is over the moon about it. ExSueno de Toledo with a feeling of sympathy for a panding into Spain, Puy du Fou represents €244 people whose generous spirit has been battered million of staggered investment in an area coverby unrelenting strife. There is no sign of bullfight- ing 160 hectares of the Montes de Toledo, which ing nor Rambo-style heroics; and, despite the environmentalists are quick to point out is prolack of criticism surrounding Christopher Colum- tected land. bus’s discovery of America, it is far from a patri- “There are various kinds of laws protecting it,” otic parade through the centuries. says Ecologists in Action spokesman, Miguel An“It’s a different way to impart our history,” says gel Hernandez. “Its nature is protected, its forest Carrobles, who collaborates with Puy du Fou to is protected, its landscape is protected and its ensure they get their facts right. archaeological heritage is pro“The Spaniards are a bit ashamed tected.” of their history in general. In the Ecologists in Action allege (see He is also an 19th century, we failed to build a box right) that the owner of Puy modern state, as was done in Gerdu Fou and the premier of the outspoken many and Italy, and we experienced regional Castile-La Mancha gova lack of national pride. It still has ernment were toasting the projIslamophobe repercussions today. We lack a ect with champagne before there and deeply rooted national identity and was any assessment of potential that is why we have fringe nationaldamage to the environment. fundementalist ist groups surfacing.”

“The authorities got carried away Brimming with emotion on the eve with the project and they have of the country’s Hispanic Day, the led locals to believe that it will audience rose as one to cheer and applaud as be a cure-all for unemployment,” says Hernanthe show drew to a close. “Instead of cartoon dez, who also mentions the incongruity of the characters, children are invited to identify with socialist regional government getting in bed with characters from Spanish history,” says Car- a man linked to the far-right. “Some people make robles,. “I don’t want to compare tourists to chil- strange friends,” he observes. dren, but in a similar way, it’s an introduction to In this first introductory phase, El Sueno de Tothe basics of Spanish history. Ninety nine per ledo can be seen on weekends only and tickets cent of the audience will hear for the first time for 2019 are already sold out and, according to that Toledo was a very important city in Spain a Puy du Fou spokeswoman, there is literally a and hw a woman from the 15th century called stampede for the handful of tickets reserved Maria Pacheco stood up to Carlos V.” on site for people failing to book online. Tickets Founder Philippe Villiers is nothing if not a patri- for 2020 are already available with seating for ot, however. A politician and French aristocrat, he 6,000. is also an outspoken Islamo- By 2021, the park will also be a daytime venue phobe who has been called ‘a with four shows dealing with different periods Catholic fundamentalist’ and of Spanish history; development will continue ‘a virulently anti-European, through to 2028 when it will resemble the origianti-immigrant, anti-gay pop- nal, with visitors able to wander through villages ulist’ by The Independent and built in various architectural styles and be swept described in similar terms up in action from bygone eras. by other media sources, only “They are forecasting two million visitors a year, narrowly avoiding compari- all coming in cars,” says Hernandez who adds sons with France’s far-right that the company has cut down a large number Marine Le Pen. of trees and transformed an ecosystem that has

27

Oct 24th - Novr 6th 2019

been protecting endangered species such as the Iberian lynx and the Spanish Imperial Eagle.

“They could have built Puy du Fou in various other places, including Toledo, without the impact it’s having.”

But while Ecologists in Action are busy filing lawsuits against Puy du Fou, the visitors keep pouring in and Carrobles for one appears to dismiss the environmentalists’ grievances.

“Twenty first century society is one of leisure and culture,” he says, clearly elated to be bringing history to the people. “I understand there are conservationist policies, but you have to make them compatible with policies linked to activities and generate the models that society requires.”

It could be Toledo’s final battle, perhaps, and once more fought over land and glory ... How history repeats itself.

Environmentalists wage their own battle in Toledo Ecologists in Action are up in arms over Puy du Fou’s location in the Montes de Toledo, a protected area for its wildlife, natural forests and archaeological heritage.

“There’s no terrain in the entire Toledo region except for the historic centre of Toledo itself that is so protected,” says spokesman and founder of ‘We want to know the truth about Puy du Fou’, Miguel Angel Hernandez, who is currently embroiled in legal action against the company.

With a plot of 160 hectares and a project aiming to attract around two million visitors a year, the regional government and corporation have infuriated environmentalists who believe they should have opted for an alternative location.

“Castile-La Mancha is bigger than some countries,” says Hernandez. “They could have built Puy du Fou in various other places, including Toledo, without the impact it’s having.

Want an escape from the busy costas? A weekend in romantic Ronda will revive your senses.

Ronda Romantic Apartments is the answer

They have constantly changed their version of why they chose to this location. We believe they have done it to save money. Unprotected land would have been expensive.” According to Ecologists, Puy du Fou has turned what was previously a beauty spot into a desert, cutting down a large number of trees and altering an ecosystem that is home to the Iberian Lynx and imperial eagle. “They say they are looking after the environment because when they have finished they will have gardens and flowers. It’s a way of dressing the project in a shade of green it doesn’t have,” says Hernandez.

And like the show itself, plotting and conspiracy theories abound. According to Hernandez there are even rumours that Puy du Fou founder Philippe Villiers was able to invest in Spain due to his aristocratic contacts with Spain’s ex king Juan Carlos.

Taste the history

For bookings and more info visit www.alcantarilla.co.uk or call 654 152 122

HEALTH

28

October 24th - November 6th 2019

A wee problem

T

his may not be something you want to read, but urinary incontinence is surprisingly common.

The condition predominantly affects women, with 69% of over-50s suffering from the condition, and affects and 39% of men over 50.

But what’s more amazing is how the condition is ignored by over half the sufferers. Men especially ignore the earliest warning sign where they dribble after passing water, which is common with low back pain and indicates there is disc damage causing pressure on spinal nerves.

So how does it happen?

Our kidneys are constantly producing urine, but many ignore the brain’s warning signs that you need to, ahem, empty the bladder until the situation becomes urgent.

The more frequently you ignore the signs and hold it in, then the more you are leading to an early onset of incontinence through muscular weakness and damage.

TYPES OF URINARY INCONTINENCE: • Functional incontinence, when the patient is unable to reach the toilet in time for such reasons as poor mobility or unfamiliar surroundings.

• Stress incontinence, an involuntary leakage of urine on effort or exertion, or on sneezing or coughing. This is due to

HEALTH APPOINTMENt

By Jeremy Kenton

Jeremy Kenton explores an embarrassing condition that’s much more common than you think.

an incompetent sphincter. Stress incontinence may be associated with prolapse of the womb, or the bladder, or an enlarged prostate in men.

• Urge incontinence, an involuntary urine leakage accompanied by, or immediately preceded by a sudden and compelling desire to urinate that cannot be ignored. With urge incontinence there is an involvement of the nerves supplying the sphincter, the round ring of muscle that allows us to urinate. This may be of an unknown cause, or secondary to neurological problems such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, dementia or spinal cord injury. It can sometimes be caused by local irritation due to infection or bladder stones.

• Mixed incontinence, an involuntary leakage of urine associated with both urgency and exertion, effort, sneezing or coughing. (I have a very good friend who gets this only when she jumps up and down on a trampoline!)

• Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), an urgency that occurs with or without urge incontinence, and usually with frequency and nocturia - passing water during the night. It may be called ‘OAB wet’ or ‘OAB dry’, depending on whether or not the urgency is associated with incontinence.

• Overflow incontinence, usually due to chronic bladder outflow obstruction. It is often due to prostatic disease in men. It

can lead to obstructive nephropathy due to back pressure. Overflow incontinence may also be due to a neurogenic bladder due to nerve damage from a prolapsed disc and this requires urgent attention.

• True incontinence, which may be due to a fistulous tract between the vagina and the ureter, or bladder, or urethra.

Certain forms of bladder or gynaecological disease may be the cause, which cannot be ignored. There is continuous leakage of urine and, again, urgent attention with surgery is vital.

What’s the treatment?

Simple pelvic floor exercises of squeezing the sphincter to strengthen it can achieve so much to help control what is happening.

But only once a correct diagnosis of the true cause has been made can the correct treatment be given. You may need to be referred to a urologist for further investigations.

As you can appreciate, the treatment will vary according to the cause. But, please do not live with these conditions as they rarely go away on their own. Most importantly, you must understand they are an indication that something else is wrong that may require urgent treatment.

The golden rule, if you will pardon the pun, is do not ignore these symptoms but go to your doctor.

The wobbles You may think that loose teeth can only be solved by dentures, but Karan Sud Dental’s fibrebond technology can save you the time, effort, pain and cost

SUFFERING with loose teeth?

You may have been told you will now need dentures or implants.

But this is not actually the case, especially with regards to the front teeth.

At Karan Sud Dental, in Calpe, we use fibrebond technology to splint loose teeth together and replace missing teeth.

This innovation uses a resin-based fibre, placed behind the affected teeth, that can strengthen them without having to pull them out.

This allows you to keep your teeth for much longer.

Dentures are bulky, and affect both taste and function. They also can jeopardise the health of remaining teeth.

Dental implants in the anterior region - or front teeth - are also very complicated.

They involve surgery, and take a lot of time, effort and expense.

With fibrebond technology, however, you can save on all of these thing, as well as pain.

If you have mobile or missing teeth, please call us to see if you’re a suitable candidate for this innovative treatment.

Karan Sud

Dr Karan Sud British dentist Calpe

“Very pleased with my new dental treatment from Karan and the team. My teeth were loose, but this treatment solved the problem completely. I am usually very nervous around the dentist, but the procedure was pain-free and the aftercare was easy and exceptional. Well done.”

Glenys Cook

For more information visit www.ksuddental.com Tel: (+34) 965 837 553 - 24h emergency: (+34) 602 612 688 Clinica Britannia, Avda Ejercitos Españoles 16, first floor, Calpe

Health & Beauty

Look better in the buff: Get your sexy back Health giving & Beauty without up everything you love Government

HEALTH

30

www.weekender.news

29

October 24th - November 6th 2019

Try before buy meds

Look better in the buff: Get your sexy back without giving up everything you love launches new drugs information campaign for patients

THE Ministry of Health has launched a scorecard scheme for new drugs in order to help it decide whether to continue funding them.

Valtermed, which will launch on November 4, will help the government evaluate the effectiveness of drugs.

Previously, the Ministry of Health has only been able to rely on studies carried out

Looking sexy, svelte or built by BPT but additional treatments loving their truSculpt iD in your clothing is one thing. may be required for optimal results. In a separate study Looking better in the buff is a runners and yoga enthusiasts sculpting results. of individuals who had the whole other ballgame. Clothing topping the list.

“TruSculpt iD is a very procedure, 100 percent said According to board- exciting new development in they were satisfied, would get - even low-cut necklines, shortplastic surgeon non-surgical body contouring. it done again and would refer shorts or tight-fitting tees - can certified hide your flaws and accentuate Walter L. Bernacki, MD The lower abdomen and love a friend for truSculpt iD. And your assets, but when you are of Ohio Plastic Surgery in handles can be treated in just a everyone felt better in - or out nude, there’s nowhere - or way Central Ohio, “The newest single 15-minute comfortable of - their clothes. non-surgical body contouring treatment session. Our patients - to hide anything.

So, if you’re thinking about If you want to look better system is Cutera’s truSculpt have been very pleased with the looking into a new kind of that usessexy, radiofrequency naked, you are not alone. Far iDLooking body sculpting results they can personalized body svelte or built but sculpting additional treatments BPT technology to target and achieveby from it. More and more people in(RF) with this innovative without resorting tobedrastic your clothing is one thing. may required for optimal are into healthy living and permanently destroy fat in your system,” says Dermatologist measures, find a truSculpt iD yoga enthusiasts better thenbuff areyrunners sculpting results. trouble spots (thinkinmuffi tops isJeff getting fit these days. The good Looking S. Dover, and MD, FRCPC provider near you by searching toppingPhysicians the list. in https://trusculpt.com/find-aand love handles) - in just 15 of Skincare other ballgame.

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Things looking up

Bye bye Viagra as revolutionary new shockwave therapy is radically improving sex lives A REVOLUTIONARY new ‘shockwave therapy’ is improving sex lives on the Costa Blanca.

The pioneering method, invented in Switzerland, treats erectile dysfunction with ‘permanent effects’.

The treatment is more commonly used to crush kidney stones, but has so far invigorated the sex lives of over 20 patients at Clinica Britannia without any side effects.

“It’s the first time this machine has been used in Spain for erectile dysfunction,” Dr Vicente Mera, owner of Clinica Britannia, told the Olive Press.

“The results have been excellent.”

Penetrating the penis to a depth of 40mm, the machine uses shockwaves designed to ‘stimulate circulation’.

“Think of the penis like a tree with roots, and what we are doing here is stimulating those roots,”

something you can do about it that doesn’t involve giving up carbs and sweets, doing excessive crunches or having invasive cosmetic surgery.

Fully one-third of Americans opt for minimally invasive fat reduction or body sculpting treatments to look better in the buff, according to a new survey of 500 men and women from Cutera, Inc. And those who exercise regularly are most likely to have a body-sculpting treatment, with

Dr mera explained.

“It’s almost like producing muscle through exercise.”

The machine is similar to abdominal muscle stimulators, though is in the shape of a ‘gun’ and applied to the penis and groin area in six sessions over a six-week period.

Dr Mera, an expert in anti-aging, said he has treated patients aged from 45 to 80-years-old so far, though suitability depends on a number of factors, including habits such as smoking.

“The person suffering from erectile dysfunction is often the last to realise,” Dr Mera added, saying that sufferers do not, most likely, have a reference point.

“But we can now say ‘bye bye viagra, and hi hi shockwave therapy’.”

Come and visit us. We will inform you.

CLINICA BRITANNIA, 16 BIS (next to 16) FIRST (not Ground) Floor, Ejercitos Españoles Av Tel 965 837 553 - 24H 607 255 755

Shocking old-age problem

loving their truSculpt iD results. In a separate study of individuals who had the procedure, 100 percent said they were satisfied, would get it done again and would refer a friend for truSculpt iD. of And AN alarming 23% everyone felt better in - or out Andalucian pensioners of -are theiratclothes. risk of poverty, a newifstudy found.about So, you’rehas thinking It makes sec- of looking intothe a region new kind ond only to Extremadupersonalized body sculpting ra with 28%. without resortingwith to huge drastic In a country measures, a truSculpt divides,findthe BasqueiD Region hassearching 6.5% provider nearonly you by in danger, while neighhttps://trusculpt.com/find-abouring Navarra has comfortable minutes with and no Chestnut Hill, MA.are admin- provider. which there are ‘clinical The remainder 6.5%. downtime. have found that istered financialWe uncertainties.’ to patients suffering By and large, people are The data collected by Presently, some drugs used from either leukemia (Bethe treatment works on all skin the AIS Group found to treat patients chron- sponsa) or crohn’s disease types, sizes and with physiques, that those in Cordoba ic illnesses cost the governare the worst affected, including individuals who (Alofisel). ment tens ofnot thousands of The government aims to with a risk of poverty were previously considered euros per year per person, gradually increase the numrate of 27%, followed by candidates for body contouring despite there being little ev- ber of drugs that are includMalaga, Cadiz and Jaen procedures.” with 23%. idence showing their effec- ed in the Valtermed scheme.

What’s inmore, truSculpt Maria Luisa Carcedo, acting Huelva, Almeria and tiveness all patients.

Sevilla, meanwhile, ratiDUnder producesthe an average fat Minister for Health, said the Valtermed ed at 22%. scheme,ofdoctors who prereduction 24 percent, and scheme was about ‘creating The national data for scribeimprovements new drugs are financed visible seen a community of professionthe over 65s was 15.5% by the Ministry of Health als, and in the near future of in 6 to 12 weeks following the across the entire counwill measure the effectiveusers, who share informafirst treatment. Multiple areas try. ness of these drugs on pa- tion about the real effects of cantients. be treated in one session, medicines.’

30

October 24th - November 6th 2019

GetTING ConnectED

Just like Groundhog day!

COLUMNISTS

By Loraine Gostling

Despite a family visit to the UK, Loraine Gostling is still stuck in Costa Blanca complaint loops

By Susan Weeding

The Elche Three been left on the pavement (sometimes even accompanied in technicolour and always properly photoshopped snaps of the offending canine gifts).

Or notifying members just how many plastic bottles were found on the beach, and what a good idea it would be if the mayor were to install a giant fishshaped receptacle so people will all put their waste in that and the beach

would be rubbish free.

The rubbish and doggy-doo discussions have been going on since Columbus lost his compass and there has never been a solution.

This is not because of a lack of giant, wire, fishshaped rubbish bins - it is because (some) people are just plain lazy, selfish and simply do not give a fig about their surroundings.

The squillion posts on the

A carousel pony savagely beaten begins his rehabilitation at the rescue centre Well, here we have the next installment from the Easy Horse Care Rescue Centre in Rojales!

Last week we castrated one of our 30-odd ponies, and it brought back vivid memories of his shocking rescue eight weeks ago.

subject over the last eight years have all been the ‘same meat with different gravy’: in other words, a post expressing anger at the way slovenly people leave their crap for others to clear up will be backed up by 50 or 60 more comments agreeing that something must be done.

But seriously, is anyone actually going to put their name to a comment saying ‘I am proud to leave my garbage, bottles, cans and dirty nappies chucked in a plastic bag as I am too slovenly to dispose of them responsibly’?

Of course not! And so the one-sided debate continues in a never ending circle and will do so until the mayor actually responds to the tags, which will be never as a) he does not read local group media and b) like most of us, he has no economical solution to combat bone idleness!

There are other trigger subjects, such as campervans and, of course, those lycra-clad peddle pushers, but I am not going down that cycle path now as my word-count is already looking like it may not fit in the ………….feck, run out of space!!!

In August, we were called out by Seprona to assist in the rescue of three ponies from Crevillente.

What people don’t realise is when you work with police, you’re not allowed to rehome or sell any animals placed into your care - they’ve been seized, and become evidence for unsolved cases.

The reason is that police are increasingly trying to press for prosecution of abusive owners.

Animal welfare is moving forwards rapidly in Spain, and Seprona believe the best message to send is to get people charged, fined and imprisoned.

So of course, despite the financial burden, we said yes.

The police always do their best to keep Rod out of violence. On countless rescues there’ve been ambulances on site, and even armed Policia Nacional, in case of violence.

This time the Seprona agents went down and confronted the owners, who started ranting and raving.

Rod followed the commotion on foot, but soon the agents called him to drive down and collect the ponies one by one.

They were absolutely skeletal.

The last one to come out was a brown-andwhite pony with a very strange head collar, with nuts and bolts on top, pressing into the pony’s head.

He also had really developed muscles on one shoulder, scars from cruel beatings and saddle sores on his back.

To our horror, we realised he’d been a carousel pony. This is outlawed in the Valencian Community, but still legal across many parts of Spain. The nuts and bolts secured him to the carousel, where he’d spent his 19-20 years of life walking round and round and round with kids on his back.

I know from experience that ponies will eventually drop down dead from this, especially during the hot summer months.

Somehow, this old boy had survived.

Amazingly enough, he actually had paperwork - a rarity - and his name came up as Atilla!

Little Atilla has been castrated now, and is doing really well putting on weight until he’s ready to be turned out with other ponies at the centre.

I am so grateful to the police for calling us and helping us to provide some quality days in the Autumn of his life, which I’m sure has been full of hardship.

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 7 Incommunicado, 9 Smarten, 10 Discs, 11 Lobe, 12 Slander, 15 Sherbet, 16 Acne, 19 Raise, 21 Colleen, 22 Pennsylvanian.

Down: 1 Diesel, 2 Scramble, 3 Burn, 4 Giddyap, 5 Eats, 6 Mouser, 8 Mate, 12 Set, 13 Decrepit, 14 Abreast, 15 Stripy, 17 El Nino, 18 Flea, 20 Ions, 21 Calf.

SUDOKU

This week I am meandering from that green and pleasant land we know as the United (although now rather Untied) Kingdom.

But, as admin on my Javea Connect Facebook group where people love to post photos and have their little moans, I still have a foot in my Spanish home.

Nothing, it seems, is as satisfying as making sure other members know just how much dog poo has

Farm Flash

SPORT SPORT Granada gains

GRANADA CF have made a great start to the new season, sitting third in La Liga, only two points off Barcelona who sit top.

The newly-promoted Andalcuian team have made an unprecedented start, winning five games, drawing and losing two.

The side earned their fifth win last weekend, beating Osasuna 1-0 in a hard-fought game.

And Granada have stunned champions Barcelona last month, beating the Catalans 2-0, and even in their recent defeat to Real Madrid, a 4-2 loss, Granada tried until the bitter end.

So far they have earned 17 points, which is their best ever start to La Liga.

Only one team was relegated after earning at least the same points from their opening nine matches in the league - local rivals Sevilla, in the 1971/1972 season.

Granada have scored five goals with headers, more than any other team in the top five European leagues.

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

31

October 24th - November 6th 2019

Basque in glory A list of the fastest balls ever recorded featured Jai Alai, a sport known to the Basque region but not so well known to the rest of the world

A BASQUE sport is the third fastest ball game in the world, new data has revealed.

Jai Alai involves a ball bouncing off walls and accelerating it to high speeds with a handheld cesta, a curved racket.

In 2017, sportsman of the game, Ibon Aldazabal, reached 305.77km and broke the sport’s top-speed world record which had previously been held for

Last-gasp entry

over 40 years.

It’s been listed third of the fastest balls to ever occur in sport.

Baseball came fifth, Giancarlo Stanton hitting a ball at 199km

Sport for all THE Balearics government is beefing up funding for women’s sports and marginalised groups with a budget three times the size of last year’s.

It comes as part of the Islands’ plan to promote the integration of female athletes and disenfranchised groups in mainstream sports, and this year there’s €180,000 in the pot.

and Aroldis Chapman throwing at 172 km in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Sam Groth served with a speed of 263.4km in tennis during the

The extra money will sponsor youngsters at risk of social exclusion and subsidise sports training for women.

The social integration project will receive €60,000, sports technical training for women will get €20,000 while €100,000 will be put towards women’s and mixed teams at a national level.

By contrast, last year such projects received a budget of just €60,000 overall.

2012 Busan Open in South Korea, and following that in football, the hardest ball was kicked

by Ronny Heberson.

His freekick flew into the net at 210.8km in 2006 for Sporting Lisbon.

The second fastest ball ever recorded was Ryan Winther’s drive in 2013, which soared at 349.38km at the Orange County National Driving Range in Orlando.

The fastest ever was achieved in badminton in 2017, when Mads Pieler Kolding struck a shot that hit a velocity of 426 km in a Indian Premier League match, speedier than the fastest ever bullet train.

SPAIN secured its place in the 2020 European Championship in the dying embers of the game against Sweden, which finished 1-1.

Rodrigo Moreno salvaged a point for the side in the 93rd minute, the away side having trailed since the 51st minute when Marcus Berg opened the scoring from close range.

The Valencia striker saved Spain’s blushes, finding himself in the right position to tap in a crossed ball.

The point leaves Spain top of Group F, five points clear of Wednesday night’s opponents, who will now have to file for automatic qualification with Romania.

Spain will want to better their exit for World Cup 2018 in the round of 16, when Russia trounced them 4-1 on penalties.

Slap for a punch A FORMER monitor of a juvenile centre in Jerez de la Frontera has been fined €180 for punching one a young immigrant they cared for.

FINAL WORDS

Winning dress THE 2020 Evooleum contest, which chooses the best olive oil in the world, named Spain’s ‘Gold Bailen Picua’ as the winner.

Card cars THE Urban Mobility delegation has announced plans for all La Linea taxis to have card machines installed to accept payments.

Mental marathon BRITISH dad Mick Slater, 55, from Derby, is walking over 1,000 miles from Marbella to Monaco to raise money for mental health charity Mind. If you want to give Mick a helping hand, visit his Just Giving page: justgiving.com/fundraising/mickslater

OLIVE PRESS

The

NEWS IN BRIEF

FREE

COSTA BLANCA

Vol. 1 Issue 16 www.theolivepress.es

Back breaker Your expat

voice in Spain

October 24th - November 6th 2019

PARENTS in Elche are fuming after their children have been forced to carry more than 10kg of books in their school backpacks.

Experts have outlined that no more than 10% of a person’s bodyweight should be carried on their shoulders. But a number of families have now denounced their institutions where one daughter weighing 48kg has been burdened with a 20kg backpack - more than 20% of her bodyweight.

Trick or treat?

Spanish officer causes diplomatic incident after driving into Gibraltar to buy chocolate treats with work mates A SPANISH Proteccion Civil chief never imagined that nipping to Gibraltar to treat work mates to some chocolate would cause a diplomatic incident.

But when Jesus Manuel Narvaez, head of the El Burgo Protección Civil, drove three colleagues onto the British territory on Sunday, that’s just what happened.

After finishing their shift in Manilva, Narvaez asked permission to make the excursion.

Narvaez wanted to buy chocolate and canned butter to treat his team.

“I wanted, in some way, to motivate my colleagues,” he revealed “to thank them for their dedication.

“We didn’t know you couldn’t enter Gibraltar with an official

Bleat street

OVER 2,000 sheep have taken over the streets of Madrid for a bizarre annual event. The Fiesta de la Trashumancia took place in the Spanish capital, along an old migration route shepherds traditionally used to take livestock south for the winter.

Sheep wear bells for the celebration, which was updated in 1994, and this year also featured 100 goats.

SNACKTIME: A trip for treats landed four officers in hot water vehicle.”

“If they had told us it couldn’t be done, we would have turned around, parked in La Linea and changed our clothes and entered, but no one told us anything.” The vehicle passed the border without being stopped by Policia Nacional or British police.

But when it parked in Governor’s Street, people began to take pictures.

“A couple of police approached us and told us we couldn’t have an official car like it and took us to the police station,” added Narvaez. “They treated us well.”

They were questioned before

being returned to the border.

The footage of the car on the Rock incensed Chief Minister Fabian Picardo however, before suspending four border officers, pending an investigation.

“The incident is more than just concerning,” the newly re-elected leader wrote in a statement.

“I am asking all relevant bodies to explain to me how on earth this has happened and to ensure it does not happen again.”

He added: “This is frankly not acceptable. Our systems have failed today and they must not fail again..”

Car-ma Sutra A RANDY couple filmed romping in the front seat of a car while driving along a motorway in the wrong lane have been jailed.

Footage showed the woman straddling the driver buttnaked as the vehicle rode along the AP-6 toll road near Villacastin on December 15 last year.

The ‘zigzagging’ car passed several vehicles, including one road user who had to stop and overtake in order to avoid a collision.

A judge banned the two defendants from driving for two years and a day, and also slapped them each with a two-year suspended sentence.