Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 178

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DESTROYED Box Big Blue

James Cracknell Press tells Olive vows to how he Rock winsave the gold medal

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has OLYMPIC Cracknell hero a new ner James become vowed to - who is for the Rock. for Rower Cracknell as a candidateMay standing elections in Press the MEP the Olive corner’ of 2014 - told ‘fight the current he would in their GibraltariansSpain. dispute with he would camin He insisted their behalftake paign onand would ‘not Brussels, answer. no’ for an - who was burgled Cracknell while receiving treatlast week a brain condition - added ment for hospital in a London

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2013

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January 9 - January 22 2014

ION

A MEMBER of Spain’s royal family has been charged with fraud.

In a decision that will send shockwaves around the royal families of Europe, Princess Cristina has been charged with tax fraud and money laundering.

The youngest daughter of King Juan Carlos could now face trial, the Mallorca Superior court announced yesterday.

She has been summoned to court to answer allegations on March 8.

After a two-year probe, Palma magistrate Jose Castro said there was evidence that Cristina, 48, had committed crimes alongside husband Inaki Urdangarin.

Her appearance as a suspect would be the first for any member of the Spanish royal family, who have suffered declining popularity after a wave of scandals in recent years.

The princess will be questionned about her business partnership with Urdangarin, and in the company Aizoon.

The Duke of Palma is under investigation for allegedly using his position to embezzle millions in public contracts assigned to a supposedly nonprofit foundation he set up.

The princess had been due for questioning in April but the court cancelled the summons due to ‘insufficient evidence’. That position has now changed.

REVOL

UT

Snowed under with gifts

Princess charged with fraud

OD

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The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

MADRI D

AN expat has collected more than 350 shoeboxes full of Christmas gifts for needy children.

It came after Fiona Markham, from Sotogrande, started a Facebook campaign to collect presents for youngsters at the Hogar Betania shelter in La Linea.

“It has been supported by people as far away as Granada and the UK and touched the hearts of many.” Hogar Betania provides support to more than 600 families affected by drug and alcohol abuse, poverty and homelessness.

Pig of a job, but someone had to do it!

The Olive Press meets Spain’s hottest new chef David Munoz (above) and runs a rule over Madrid‘s bustling restaurant scene Food Revolution - Page 36

Don’t miss our round-up of 2013

VANTASTIC: Fiona Markham could barely squeeze the gifts into her van before making the Reyes delivery (inset)

Page 19

Paintball battle EXCLUSIVE

By Liam Kirkaldy

AN expat left blinded in an eye while paintballing is suing the company for providing faulty equipment.

Jason Bowers, 43, from Estepona, was shot in the eye after his mask fell off while in action.

The building boss has launched legal action against Paintball Marbella after spending ‘tens of thousands’ on private medical treatment, mostly in Barcelona.

On three occasions he was unable to fly as specialists

Expat suing company for providing faulty equipment which led to him losing an eye

BLINDED: Jason Bowers insisted his damaged eyeball might explode from the pressure.

While the company denies the claim, Bowers, originally from London, insists the kit he had been given was ‘shabby and ill-fitting’, which was why the mask came off.

Now forced to wear sunglasses and with just 40% vision in

his right eye, he also alleges the business was operating without insurance or a license when the accident happened in April.

He claims it has since ceased trading, with a new business opening under different ownership at the same premises.

He also insists that many of the same staff are involved in the new paintball business which also previously offered hang gliding and archery.

“And of course the new company takes no responsibility for the accident,” he told the Olive Press.

I am concerned that the business continues but Paintball Marbella is trying to escape its liability to me. It is refusing to pay any compensation.”

The incident happened while celebrating his sister’s 40th birthday at the site near Puerto Banus on April 13.

After being given a safety briefing in which they were warned of the dangers and not to take masks off, they were taken to select their equipment.

“This comprised a selection of badly fitting all-in-one suits,” said Bowers, who runs his

Turn to page 2

BATTLE: before accident

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CRIME NEWS

the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

www.theolivepress.es

Three million hollow man!

‘Sir’ Nigel Goldman inquiry gathers speed, as lawyer estimates missing money so far amounts to three million euros

HIDING: Goldman is in the UK with partner Suzanne Couling

THE true cost of ‘Sir’ Nigel Goldman’s dodgy investment scheme will reach millions, it has been revealed.

More and more victims are coming forward and according to Antonio Flores, of Lawbird solicitors, the

By Liam Kirkaldy figure has already reached the three million euro mark.

Flores, who is acting on behalf of some of the victims who lost money to the unregulated financial advisor, said: “This is going to end

up being a big case I’m pretty sure.”

The Olive Press revealed last issue that Goldman had fled his home in the Costa del Sol, leaving investors with nothing, after having his assets frozen.

The Guardia Civil is now ap-

Paintball Marbella left me blind in an eye From page 1 own building company Dimension 4 in San Pedro. “It was a bit of a joke at the time, but we just took it as good fun.”

The battle between two teams of friends had gone well until the last few minutes when he had fallen while moving backwards.

“I tripped on the leg of my trousers - which were too long and didn’t fit.

When I fell I knocked off my mask. I bent down to pick it up and as I stood up I was hit right in the eye.”

He continued: “It was incredibly painful and I was instantly blinded.

I actually thought my eye-ball had exploded.”

He was rushed to the Costa del Sol Hospital, before being sent by medics for specialist treatment in Barcelona.

He said, “The retina specialist removed the broken parts of my eye - after that there was no white to it - just black in the centre with red all around.”

Concern

Initially the paintball company had shown concern. However, after a flurry of emails, it all went quiet when he asked for the insurance details.

“I wasn’t trying to get rich, just cover my medical bills - and they were reaching tens of thousands,” he added.

Then in July he heard the company would only deal with him via lawyers.

However, despite months of litigation, he is still waiting for a court date and an official medical exam.

Forced to sell his car and hire extra staff at his business, he approached the Olive Press to warn others about the risks and the fact that there was no insurance.

“But in my case, it is not really about the money it is the fact that the business can continue to operate.”

“I feel terrible for my sister that it happened on her birthday and for the guy who shot me. Ironically my best friend.”

Marbella Paintball declined to comment.

pealing for those affected to come forward and has set up a specific case file under the name ‘Nigel Goldman’.

“So far we have spoken to victims in Almeria, Malaga and Jaen,” said Flores last night.

Comments flooded to the Olive Press website meanwhile with few people shocked by the revelations.

Friend

One commenter Roger Parkes, said: “I have known Goldman for some 35 years, but I wouldn’t shake hands with him without counting my fingers afterwards.

“When he showed me the prospectus for International Financial Investments at his palatial (rented) home in Elviria a few months ago I couldn’t stop laughing.

“By the way has anyone else noticed that the initials of his company spell ‘IFI.’” Olive Press sources indicate he is hiding in England with partner Suzanne Couling.

New Year’s grief for toddler AN expat has been arrested after leaving her three-yearold daughter alone in her Fuengirola apartment on New Year’s Eve to go drinking in a nearby bar.

Neighbours of the woman, believed to be from Paraguay, called the police when they heard the little girl crying uncontrollably on the apartment’s terrace.

When they could not get an answer after repeatedly ringing the front door, the police broke in and found the child alone.

The mother arrived home soon after and told the police that she had merely gone to the local bar for a quick drink after she had checked that her daughter was asleep.

Maddie mobile link

BRITISH police believe they have identified three main suspects in the search for Madeleine McCann thanks to mobile phone records.

Sophisticated analysis has highlighted an unusually large number of calls made by a known gang of burglars very close to where the three-yearold vanished in Portugal in 2007.

Police believe the thieves had already carried out one raid in the resort of Praia da Luz, disturbing a child.

NEWS

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014

In very safe hands

Rock shot is dip tops

SPAIN’S goalkeeper Iker Casillas has introduced his new son to the world - describing the baby, named Martin, as “the best Three Kings’ gift I could receive.”

Casillas was pictured holding his son, while his wife – TV presenter Sara Carbonero – recovered after a Caesarean operation.

Casillas tweeted: “Hi, I want to share with you the most important and exciting time of my life. The birth of my son after months of waiting.

2014 has come to a THAT’S MY BOY: Casillas good start.” introduces his son to the world

A PHOTOGRAPH from the Torremolinos Rockin’ Race Jamboree has been named as one of the best of the year by news agency Reuters.

The photo (right) of three women dipping their feet in a swimming pool made it into the agency’s top 150.

It was taken during the four-day rock ‘n’roll festival, which takes place annually in Torremolinos.

Event organisers are busy planning this year’s 20th anniversary festival, which includes headliners Young Jessie, Sleepy Labeef and The Rapiers. There will also be a 1950s retro street market.

The event takes place between February 13 and 16. More information is available at www.rockinrace.com

Hips don’t lie!

Almodovar is NOT a paedophile!

COLOMBIAN superstar Shakira and partner Barcelona footballer Pique have sparked frenzied speculation in the Spanish press that they are expecting another child.

The couple would neither confirm nor deny reports that Shakira was pregnant, after she was spotted visiting the Teknon clinic in Barcelona where the couple’s first child, Milan, was born.

“I want to have more children. It’s just a question of organising the time,” Shakira said in a recent interview.

MOVIE STAR: Pedro

Mijas mayor forced to deny that he accused Spain’s top film director of being sexual deviant on Facebook THE Mayor of Mijas has denied accusing movie-maker Pedro AlMAYORAL DENIAL: modovar of being ‘a freak and a paedophile’.

Angel Nozal

Miley’s hot Spanish date MILEY CYRUS will be swinging into Spain on her Bangerz tour this summer.

The Wrecking Ball singer will delight the crowds at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi on June 13.

Daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley shot to fame as a teenager playing Disney’s Hannah Montana.

Since then she has shed her

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Angel Nozal claims the comments – which appeared on his Facebook page – were written by a hacker.

The mayor was forced to make the denial after a screenshot of the page went viral.

The post appeared on a members-only PP page under a link to the film-maker’s criticism of the PP government at an award ceremony in Berlin.

An explanation

RAUNCHY ROCKER: Miley hits the headlines for her behaviour good-girl image, hitting the headlines for her outrageous outfits and raunchy on stage behaviour.

She kicks off her tour in north America in March, before landing in Europe in May.

It led to Almodovar’s brother Agustin, a producer, to defend him describing the actions of Nozal as ‘unfortunate for a public servant’.

Mijas PSOE party heavily criticised the mayor and demanded an explanation.

The mayor responded on Twitter, saying: “That is not my opinion and I did not publish that comment.”

His office claimed it was not the first time that someone had hacked into his account.

ROCK CHICK: Rosario mixes rock and rumba

Rosario to rock Starlite!

SPANISH superstar Rosario is the latest act to be confirmed in the lineup for this year’s Starlite Festival in Marbella.

The multi Grammy awardwinning singer - who is the daughter of flamenco legend Lola Flores - will be bringing her mix of flamenco, rumba and pop to Marbella on August 16.

Rosario joins other big name Spanish acts already confirmed, including Julio Iglesias and Marta Sanchez, as well as Kool and the Gang.

More international acts are expected to be announced shortly. The Starlite Festival runs from July 23 to August 23.

MUM’S THE WORD: From Shakira and Pique

Franz headlines Bilbao festival FRANZ Ferdinand, MGMT and The Black Keys are among the headliners already announced for Bilbao’s popular BBK music festival.

The British and American acts are all set to play the festival in July.

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the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

NEWS

InternatIonal delIvery now available to 33 countries International delivery is not available for all products and is only available to Mainland Spain. Other exclusions may apply.

Please consult www.johnlewis.com/international for further information and our international terms and conditions.

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014

Visitors flock to Thyssen museum VISITORS flocked to Malaga’s Carmen Thyssen Museum in 2013, resulting in a 28% surge in numbers compared to 2012.

The news came as relief after a 60,000 drop in visitor numbers the previous year.

A total 154,523 people passed through the doors, a number which is being attributed to the Romero de Torres exhibition (see right).

Around a third of them went to the museum to see the show by the Andalucian artist, which was exhibited thanks to an agreement with Cordoba and the Museo de Bellas Artes

News IN BRIEF

Search continues

de Sevilla.

The majority of visitors, 72%, were from Malaga, while the remaining 28% were mainly French, English and German.

The museum also included work by Coubert, Van Gogh, Monet and Leger.

The city’s CAC museum also saw a healthy rise in numbers by 55,000 on the previous year.

Madrid’s celebrated Prado museum however saw a worrying 15% drop in numbers on 2012 with just 2.3m visitors.

RESCUERS have found the body of a man on the Galicia coast where three people from the same family were swept out to sea by a huge wave. A search is continuing for his 25-year-old daughter and his brother-in-law.

Road deaths plummet Fatalities on Spanish roads are at their lowest level since the 1960s… and lower than France, Germany and UK THE number of deaths on Spanish roads has fallen to its lowest level since the 1960s.

It is the tenth year in a row that the number of fatal accidents has fallen across the country.

Official figures for 2013 released by the DGT traffic authority reported that just 1,128

people had died on Spanish roads last year.

That is a massive drop of 13% on the previous year when 1,301 died.

There are now less deaths on Spanish roads than in the UK, France and German and the average number of deaths per day has plummetted from 10.9 in 2003 to 3.1

last year.

The figures take Spain back to 1960, when the total number of vehicles on the roads was just a million, compared to the 31 million currently circulating, according to the latest DGT figures.

In addition to the decline, the DGT reported that in 2013 there were 29 days where there were no deaths at all, EVEN including New Year’s Eve.

Junta boss ‘ignoring’’ ERE scandal JUNTA president Susana Diaz has been accused of deliberately turning a blind eye to the UGT union’s role in the ERE scandal.

Carlos Rojas, spokesman for the PP party, also accused the ruling PSOE and IU parties of blocking calls for leaders to answer questions over the €1.3 billion public money scandal.

He also accused the Junta of covering up attempts by the UGT union to destroy evidence relating to the case.

He said: “Diaz just wants to look the other way, but it is the responsibility of the President to investigate. Every day that passes without investigating what happened to the public’s money makes them more complicit.”

He added that there are 14 requests for information on the ERE case which are still unanswered by the Andalucian authorities.

Judge Mercedes Alaya recently reaffirmed her commitment to bringing former Presidents Manuel Chaves and Antonio Grinan into court to answer questions over their in-

BLIND EYE: Susana Diaz volvement in the case.

In the largest public-money corruption case in Spanish history, leaders of the Junta have been accused of fraudulently siphoning off money meant to pay for redundancies at struggling companies for personal gain.

How the Reptile Fund has changed Andalucia on page 6

Slow-down

Factors behind the reduction, which has fallen by 65% since 2005, include new speed limits (motorways have dropped from 130kph to 120kph) as well as hefty fines and bans for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The compulsory use of front and rear seatbelts, as well as child seats, was also a factor, although six children who died in traffic accidents were not wearing seatbelts.

The figures also revealed that 80% of fatal accidents took place on normal roads, 15% on motorways and 5% on toll roads.

There were 194 deaths on the road in Andalucia last year, down 27 from the year before.

The worst year for fatalities ever recorded was 1990, when 5,940 people died on Spanish roads.

Hundreds used to die in the early 1990s on every single bank holiday weekend as drivers routinely drove drunk.

Royal turn off, as Spain wants king to abdicate

ONLY 6.5 million people tuned in to watch the King’s speech this year – representing a drop of more than 340,000 since 2012.

Young, male Andalucians were among the least patriotic groups, with the largest audiences and typically women over 45-years-old and based in Castilla-La Mancha, Aragon, Madrid, Valencia, Balearic Islands, Galicia and Murcia.

The Christmas message – a tradition in Spain – has seen a decrease in viewers yearon-year since the Millennium, with a 20% drop since 2000.

The speech is broadcast across all national and re-

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ROYAL TURN OFF: Every year fewer and fewer people listen to the King’s Speech gional networks.

In a new poll, some 62% of Spain would like to see the King abdicate in favour of Felipe.

Walk this way!

IT will come as the perfect Reyes present for thrill-seekers around Andalucia.

El Chorro gorge’s infamous Caminito del Rey is to finally get its long-awaited makeover.

The walkway, that clings spectacularly above a 400 foot drop, is to have €3.2 million spent repairing it in preparation to open it to the public in 2015.

The project was announced in the official BOP on December 31 after being signed off by regional boss Elias Bendodo just before Christmas.

After three years of wranglings, some €2.3million will be spent reinforcing it this year, with the rest being invested in 2015.

The path, which has led to the deaths of dozens of people over the last few decades, is expected to become a key tourism draw for the region.

It was originally built to aid construction workers get materials to build the dam across the Guadalhorce river.

Old Boy transfer MALAGA has reportedly reached an agreement with Argentine giants, Newell’s Old Boys for the transfer of 28-yearold midfielder, Pablo Perez for a fee of €1 million.

A bit hairy TWO Portuguese women have been busted smuggling a combined 5.2 pounds of cocaine into Spain under their wigs. The suspects, aged 18 and 28, were arrested after arriving at Madrid-Barajas Airport on two separate flights from Sao Paulo.

Friendly foes SPAIN’S final friendly before coach Vicente del Bosque names his World Cup squad will be against Italy at Atletico Madrid’s Calderon stadium on March 5. The match will be the 33rd meeting between the two heavyweights.

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the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

OPINION

How the ‘reptile fund’ has shamed Andalucia

IN our last issue we highlighted the case of ‘Sir’ Nigel Goldman, a well-known Costa character who was a regular at charity events and even, we are sorry to say, once advertised with us.

We continue to investigate his comings and goings after a number of readers and a leading coastal lawyer contacted us to help locate him after allegedly offering bad financial advice and leaving investors empty handed.

However, not everyone believes we are right to be investigating this weasel, who has inveigled himself with Costa society and even become part of its fabric.

One ‘responsible’’ paper that gave him a regular column and spent considerable time socialising with him, insisted we were merely running ‘sensationalist tabloid tittle-tattle’.

Over an entire page, it went on to describe us as a ‘small inland paper’ despite now being based on the coast, as well as ‘lacking moral fibre’.

Well, for your information, the Olive Press was entirely right to be reporting on the mysterious disappearance of ‘Sir’ Nigel… so says Antonio Flores, the lawyer who has been acting for several of Goldman’s unhappy clients.

He writes how this is exactly the role a free press should be taking… and in fact he says it is our RESPONSIBILITY to be reporting it.

As for moral fibre, let’s just say that we don’t run adult relaxation advertisements in our classified section.

IT is a wonderful return to form for Spain’s beleaguered capital.

After a year of trouble and strife, brought on by the austerity measures, a series of strikes and an embarrassing failure to land the Olympics, Madrid is finally reinventing itself as a capital for food.

Landing its first three Michelin starred restaurant in two decades is just one part of the story.

As we report on our Food and Drink pages, the city is now hot on the heels of San Sebastian, and level pegging with Barcelona, as it finally punches its weight in the restaurant stakes.

It not only has a string of two Michelin starred restaurants, but it also has a fabulous new tapas zone with no less than 70 establishments and anything but expensive.

And don’t forget the amazing selection of art galleries, including the Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofia and, of course, the home of Sorolla.

With a superb range of theatres, concerts and cinemas, it really is a fantastic place to take a short winter break.

With the AVE from Malaga taking just two-and-a-half hours and the prices at rock bottom, what are you waiting for?

Got a news story?

Contact our team of journalists in our Costa del Sol office on 951127006 or 691831399 or email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

the

The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

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EMBATTLED: Former minister Magdalena Alvarez was arrested

The paper that REALLY cares... now with added moral fibre

Return to form

FEATURE

The ERE corruption case – involving the theft of up to a billion euros of public money - has rumbled on since 2011. Yet it is now 2014, only two of those responsible are in prison, and none of the money has yet been paid back.

The Olive Press takes a look at the key players involved in the biggest public money corruption case in Spanish history

I

N any given weekday for

By Liam Kirkaldy nearly a decade Juan Francisco Trujillo, chauffeur to score cocaine, and presumably Andalucia’s former employ- sex. ment minister, would head to a It was certainly one of the more series of Sevilla brothels after colourful ways to ‘invest’ the work and take a great deal of millions of euros that were ancocaine. nually piped in from EU funds For most chauffeurs this would in Brussels each year. be a problem, but not for Tru- This money had been meant to jillo. After all, his boss was with aid the embattled Andalucian him and in much the same economy, stimulate employstate. ment and help ailing compaFor nine years Trujillo acted as nies keep afloat. the driver for the Junta de An- But tragically to at least some dalucia’s Employment Minister members of the government it Francisco Javier Guerrero. simply became a new means to During that time he is be- feather their beds. lieved to have received at least The man now known as the €1.3million illegally, which he ‘cocaine chauffer’ is accused spent on property in Sevilla, of 22 crimes, including forgluxury goods, gifts for friends ery, embezzlement, bribery and family as well as €4,000 and ‘influence peddling’. His on a top-ofboss, who was the-range awarded bail of After lunch they grand piano. just €50,000, But that is is accused of a would retire with not all. In a similar number cigars to different statement to of crimes. police, after ‘Puti clubs’ (or But Trujillo and his arrest two Guerrero are brothels) years ago, the just two of the chauffeur adcharacters in mitted that he the ERE scandal – the biggest and his ‘friend’ and boss typi- corruption case in Andalucian cally spent around €25,000 history. So far over 100 people of public money per month on have been arrested in a case cocaine and ‘partying’. that many believe goes right to According to sources, who the top. have been investigating the The story begins more than a so-called ERE case since it decade ago, when in 2001 the emerged in 2011, the pattern Junta launched a €721 milsaw him and Guerrero - and al- lion fund aimed at supporting legedly other members of the struggling firms in Andalucia.

Andalucian government - im- The money was made available mersed up to the neck in de- to help struggling over-staffed bauchery many times a week. companies make ‘labour re-adThis would typically mean leav- justments’ - ie. redundancies ing the central offices of the – to improve their competitiveJunta in Sevilla for any number ness. of luxury restaurants around EREs (Expedientes de Regulathe city. Then after a slap up cion de Empleo) were the paylunch with vintage wine and ments made to workers being brandies, they would retire pushed into early retirement or with cigars to a variety of differ- being made redundant. ent ‘Puti clubs’ (or brothels) to But, as it has since emerged,

WONDER WOMAN: Judge Mercedes Alaya is taking on the might of the Junta

laid-off workers and struggling businesses were far from the only beneficiaries from the scheme.

The money (suspected to eventually total up to €1.2 billion) started to be used as a slush fund, appropriately referred to end up reaching €1 billion. by those involved as the ‘reptile As well as implicating the employment minister, Trujillo also fund’.

This meant that rather than us- described calls from ex Presiing it genuinely it started to be dent Jose Antonio Grinan enused to pay ‘commissions’ to couraging Guerrero “to unclog friends and, more importantly, the delay in subsidy payments.” pay-off the enemies (reptiles) Accusations against another former Junta president, Manof the Junta’s key bosses.

Not properly audited from Brus- uel Chaves, followed, while ex sels, it was cleverly channelled minister Magdalena Alvarez into a range of dark - and large- was also recently arrested. ly illegal - payments all ostensi- Amazingly, all maintain that bly helping to keep the socialist the payments were completely PSOE bosses firmly in power for legal.

It has now emerged that one nearly three decades. of the key SvenSome went gali figures in to fraudulent the case was claims - to He made €13 Juan Lanzas, the people who million through head of the UGT did not actually work for fixing payments, union – supposthe compa- allowing him to buy edly a man of the people. nies but were 12 houses He is thought to signed up have made €13 simply to be million through laid off - while others went to fake companies fixing payments, allowing him set up merely to receive fund- to buy 12 houses and support ing for fictional staff shake-ups. a lifestyle far removed from the This was what the Cocaine workers he is paid to represent.

Chauffeur’s three companies Charged with five counts of emwere set up for and, so far at bezzling public funds, breach least, investigators have found of trust, forgery, conspiracy and 180 other cases of possibly bribery in March, Lanzas was last month released after his fraudulent ERE lay offs.

Aside from this, Junta mem- family miraculously produced bers are accused of paying €200,000 in cash to pay for family and friends grossly in- his bail. flated fees for consultancy and But if the story has plenty of villains, at least it also has a hero. advisory roles.

And even more perversely Since 2011 Sevilla Judge Merunion bosses brought in to cedes Alaya has doggedly puroversee the redundancies also sued those responsible, with a quiet determination to see the got paid off.

So far prosecutors believe that story reach its conclusion. at least €200 million was tak- Slim, photogenic and a world en illegally, while PP party op- away from the stereotypical ponents believe the total could Spanish judge, Alaya, 50, has

FEATURE

www.theolivepress.es become the focus of the media’s attention, with pundits and political opponents seemingly obsessed with her physical appearance and choice of clothes.

Writer Antonio Soler described her as ‘The Porcelein Judge’ because of her striking features.

But as the case has developed, and Alaya has brought more and more of those suspected into the focus of the investigation, her image has changed.

‘The Porcelein Judge’ has become ‘The Iron Lady of Spanish Justice.’

In fact the ERE scandal only emerged because of Alaya’s work during an extortion trial - called ‘the Mercasevilla case.’

In 2009 a Sevilla company Mercasevilla – was accused of paying bribes in order to secure the planning permission for a new catering school.

Alaya’s pursuing investigation also uncovered individuals receiving EREs, on behalf of Mercasevilla, despite never having worked for the company. The spark was lit.

The judge pushed the investigation and the story has continued to unravel ever since.

And as the scandal has grown, so has Alaya’s reputation.

Fan clubs have been established and her Facebook appreciation page has more than 40,000 fans, though Alaya herself said that the idea that she is the focus of the trial ‘appalls’ her.

She has now dragged seven senior members of the Junta into her Sevilla court, and dared

BOSS: Employment Minister Guerrero

COCAINE CHAUFFEUR: Trujillo

RESIGNED: Ex-Junta boss Grinan to implicate two former presidents. Many believe that the most recent, Grinan, stepped

the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014

SVENGALI: Union Boss Lanzas

ALSO CORRUPT: Ex-leader Manuel Chavez

aside earlier this year precisely because of his close links to the scandal.

LIBERTYHOME

The investigation is now thought to be approaching a climax and has expanded beyond

Andalucia, to include individuals in Madrid and Barcelona.

But despite being the biggest

political corruption case in Spanish history, there are no guarantees that those responsible will ever actually face prison.

If the will exists to pursue the case - which in the context of the scandal is not necessarily a given – then there is no telling where it will end.

As things stand, none of the money has yet been paid back and only two of those responsible - Maria Vaque and Eduardo Pascual - are still behind bars.

Every senior member of the Junta implicated - as well as the ‘cocaine chauffeur’ - was free to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

The party may have ended for Trujillo and friends, but their come downs have yet to begin.

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the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

GIBRALTAR NEWS

Now a gala

News IN BRIEF

Cigarette swoop CUSTOMS officers arrested a 20-year old local man after he was seen acting suspiciously on Winston Churchill Avenue and found 21,000 cigarettes (105 cartons) in his car.

The man has been bailed to surrender on January 15.

Up in smoke THE Government plans to spend £350,000 demolishing the rubbish incinerator at Europa Advance Road.

Mount facelift THE Governmenthas announced that it will spend £130,000 on a facelift for Mount Alvernia. The money will be spent on improving the existing balconies and replacing the balustrades.

Speed Seized A 36-year-old local man has been arrested

by Customs officers after being stopped in the pedestrian corridor on the border entering from Spain.

He was found to be carrying 28 grams of amphetamine.

www.theolivepress.es

ALL CHANGE: Gala Casino SITTING PRETTY: But feeding them could mean a massive fine

Beware - monkey wardens on patrol FORGET those traffic wardens - now monkey wardens are on the prowl!

And it could cost animal lovers a pretty packet if they are a caught feeding Gibraltar’s famous Barbary macaques.

New fixed penalty fines have been announced for feeding the town’s iconic primates.

The maximum fine on summary conviction by a magistrate is a staggering £4000.

There are fines from £500 for feeding monkeys outside the nature reserve, or enticing them from there and £250 for feeding them within the reserve.

In addition, new rules that will follow mean that officers of the Department of the Environment and the Environmental Agency will be able to issue these tickets, as well as the police.

The new laws - which will

need to go through Parliament in the next few weeks - are aimed at setting a realistic deterrent to the feeding of macaques in built up areas, with the result that the macaques become established there.

More realistic

Minister for the Environment, Dr John Cortes said: “Feeding of monkeys in built up areas continues to be one of the major reasons why they spend time there.

“By increasing the officers able to police this and making the fines more realistic, we hope the message will get through and offenders will realise that they have a responsibility to co-operate in keeping monkeys away and that they will be fined if they choose not to.”

farewell...

GALA Coral Group finalised its withdrawal from the casino business after the sale of the emblematic Gibraltar Casino to Austrian group Gryphon AG. Gryphon AG is the investment arm of the Novomatic Group - a world class operator of casinos and recognised provider of machine games based in Austria.

Last throw of dice as Gala Coral sells its casino to Austrians

The Gibraltar Casino was the last casino in the ownership of the Gala Group, which completed the sale of all of its UK casinos in 2013.

Minister with responsibility for Gaming, Albert Isola announced: “I am delighted that Novomatic have chosen Gibraltar for this investment as they are a company of enormous quality and integrity and are most welcome in Gibraltar.

The people’s park

A NEW park in Catalan Bay has been opened by minister Steven Linares.

The park replaces an older one which had a low wall separating it from a sheer drop into the patio of a derelict building.

Features of the park - which was designed after consultation with local residents - include rubberised safety matting on the floor, brand new park equipment, greater accessibility for prams and wheelchairs, new sun shades and benches and proximity to car parking. The surrounding areas will also be landscaped.

ON the Rock

Most Grateful

“I am most grateful to Gala for their many years of service to our community in our casino and look forward to continuing to work with them as they continue to be one of our important online operators in Gibraltar.”

Novomatic currently sells high-tech gaming equipment in 80 countries, as well as running casinos in Switzerland, Slovenia, Germany, the Czech Republic and Chile.

The Olive Press guide to What’s On in Gibraltar over the next two weeks

January 8 - 31

January 12

January 14

Exhibition of work by local artists Fine Arts Association First Floor Casemates Mon to Fri 11 am to 1 pm.

4 - 6 pm Sat 11am -1pm

Promenade Market Ocean Village, 11am – 4pm For further info, Tel: 540023166

The Rock Thai Chi Club Kings Bastion Leisure Centre, 6.30pm For further info, call Dilip Tel: 20078714

January 9 Jazz Night O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel, 9 pm For further info, contact Tel: 20070500

January 13 Gibraltar Scrabble Club The Rock Hotel, 3pm For further info, contact Vin Tel: 20073660 or Roy Tel: 20075995

January 14 Quiz Night. The Cannon Bar – 27 Cannon Lane, 8.30pm. £1.00 per person for local charity (includes free tapas) For further info, Tel: 20077288

www.theolivepress.es

GIBRALTAR NEWS

Red-letter day for Fergie GIBRALTAR’S Manchester United Supporters’ branch travelled to the UK to meet Sir Alex Ferguson recently and presented him with a specially-commissioned portrait.

The group of 30 met up with Sir Alex in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Branch Chairman, Clive Moberley, introduced Sir Alex to the group - several of whom he already knew from his visit to Gibraltar.

The visitors then presented Sir Alex with the portrait, which delighted him.

The trip was just one of the highlights planned by the Gibraltar Manchester United Supporters’ branch in its 20th anniver- IN THE PICTURE: Proud supporters with a sary year and was hailed a great success. delighted Sir Alex

YOU BUTTHEADS!

Border Watch The Olive Press’ regular section keeping an eye on the Frontier

ALLO ALLO: Mascot Coney keeps an eye on proceedings

Taking a closer look at the festive frontier

BORDER QUEUES: Little festive fun waiting for three hours

I

T may have been the season of peace and goodwill to all men, but there was precious little festive cheers to be found on the border this Christmas.

As the temperature dropped, pedestrians were once again forced to spend hours queueing in the cold to cross into Spain. The worst nights were on December 18 and 20, when it took up to three hours to get across the border.

It says a lot for the spirit of those caught in the chaos that no major problems broke out. Some could even see the humorous side. “ I’ve meet some great people there,” said Kevin Noble “It’s a nice way to spend a couple of hours after a hard day at work.”

In another development, members of an elite Spanish customs squad, identifiable by their black berets, stopped pedestrians at the border. They allegedly asked people how much money they were intending to spend in Gibraltar and even asked why they were not shopping in Spain.

Meanwhile, the Defenders of Gibraltar launched their own mascot for the queue. Meet Coney, (top) who they say will be keeping an eye on the border!

Break for the border as smugglers dump 11,000 cigarettes and make a run for it

By Giles Brown IN a scene more like one from Miami Vice, customs officers were involved in a frantic night time chase that saw a pair of suspected smugglers escaping over the border.

The drama took place on Friday when two men were challenged after being seen creeping along the edge of Eastern Beach.

Each was carrying a big black holdall and, realising that they had been spotted, began running towards the frontier fence at the top of the runway.

Officers gave chase but the two men dumped their cargo and somehow managed to escape empty-handed to Spain.

Sharp increase

A search of the bags found them to contain 11,000 cigarettes (55 cartons).

The drama was just the latest in a series of seizures of both tobacco and drugs by customs officers. There has been a sharp increase in the smuggling of tobacco into Spain, which is 40% cheaper in Gibraltar, since the economic crisis began.

Smugglers make on average €5 per carton sold.

Last year, the Spanish government says, it seized 139 million illegal cigarettes smuggled in from Gibraltar, more than double the figure for 2009.

9 the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014

First step for new bank AN application has gone in for a local retail bank for local people on the Rock.

The proposal, which has gone to the Financial Services Commission, would see the set up of the Gibraltar International Bank Limited (GIB).

This is an important first step in the licensing process and, according to sources, a huge amount of work has been undertaken by the GIB team over the Christmas period.

On track

Minister for Financial Services, Albert Isola, said: “The application process for GIB has now begun exactly as the Cabinet sought it.

“We are now well on track to meet the ambitious targets we have set for ourselves to ensure we are able to provide the banking services our community needs and which the financial services industry requires.”

9

10

the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

Jobless down

Gifts for all

BENAMOCARRA celebrated the traditional arrival of the Three Kings with a parade. As part of the ‘no child without a toy’ campaign, 500 gifts were given out in the main square, as well as the Roscon de Reyes cake.

Bar burglars THE bar at the Juan Azuaga stadium in Torre del Mar was broken into and vandalised during the Christmas period.

Thieves also made off with food and drink.

Fight Night Almunecar and La Herradura will host the Andalucian Judo Championships on January 18-19. At the same time the town will be hosting an Aikido seminar.

www.theolivepress.es

Lottery fever

News IN BRIEF UNEMPLOYMENT fell in Velez Malaga by 232 during December, but rose in Torrox by 81.

AXARQUIA NEWS

SWEET LUCK: Stevia

El Nino comes to Velez Malaga... for the third time

THIRTEEN areas have been highlighted in the province of Malaga to bring prosperity back to the region.

And one of the hotspots which could soon enjoy the sweet taste of success is Axarquia - traditionally famed for its sugar cane production.

The Andalucian Employment Service (SAE) says that the cultivation of the shrub Stevia - a perfect alternative to artificial sweeeteners - has a great future.

The traditional end of Christmas lottery, El Nino, proved to be lucky for Velez Malaga.

A ticket sold in the town scooped the second prize of €750,000, which was shared out between an unknown number of people.

The manager of the Velez Malaga office Adela Anaya Ramos, told the Olive Press, “I am very happy because it is a great joy to be able distribute a lottery prize these days.

“All I hope is that the lucky families are in need, which would give us even more joy.”

It was not the first time that the office in Calle Santa Teresa has enjoyed a slice of lottery luck.

In 2011 it sold the third prize in the

Lucky 13!

Great future The SAE intends to set up areas of special economic interest (ATE) where employment would be actively promoted and encouraged.

In Axarquia the SAE says the cultivation of Stevia has great future potential - thanks to the area’s subtropical climate.

They have since organised meetings with local farmers to encourage its cultivation and signed agreements for support and advice.

The SAE believes that Stevia could lead to the days when sugar cane kept 5,000 people employed in the fields.

Christmas El Gordo lottery and in 1993 it sold the winning ticket, worth almost €3 million, in the weekly lottery.

The main prize of €120 million went to the town of Monforte de Lemos, a big train junction, CHEERS!: Jackpot joy at Velez lottery office in Galicia.

Cordoba, also scooped a share of the third A staggering €120 million was divided by prize. the 20,000 inhabitants of the town, the Four of the winning syndicate of ten were majority of whom work for Renfe. working in the fields when the news broke.

Andalucia was the province that sold the Friends said that the olive harvest was put most tickets for El Nino this year. on hold for the day for the celebrations to A group of olive farmers in Luque, near begin!

Open for all

THE town of Frigiliana has added another award to its bulging trophy cabinet.

Having received two awards for its beauty in the 1960s, and a national prize for the ‘most picturesque town in Spain’ in 1982, it has just been awarded the 2013

EASY ACCESS: Frigliana scoops award once again Queen Sofia award for ‘Universal Accessibility’.

The award was open to

towns and villages with less than 10,000 inhabitants, to a project that had been de-

Arriba!

Guacamole fever

veloped over a number of years.

Many points of interest around Frigiliana have been specially adapted to make them more easily accessible for those with hearing or vision difficulties.

The judges highlighted the town’s archaeological museum, which ran a project in association with sign language students at a Malaga secondary school.

ONE of Andalucia’s leading trade unions is planning to open a huge guacamole factory in the Axarquia.

Trops, which represents 1,800 farmers in the region, is set to open the 700 sqm factory on the outskirts of Velez Malaga.

The guacamole ‘Frumaco’ is described as a gourmet delicacy due to the superb quality of avocados found in the area.

Trops revealed that in 2013 it sold over 20,000 tonnes of tropical fruit totalling €36 million.

Some 5000 people work in this sector in the Axarquia.

Audio tapes were made for blind visitors and there were Braille information panels around the museum’s wall.

A sign language video explained the exhibits to those with impaired hearing.

Frigiliana was also praised for other initiatives, including maps showing suitable routes for those with reduced mobility and the installation of lifts.

Sign language

Halt: Romantic romps ahead IF you are looking for a good book to curl up next to a winter fire a British writer, who spends half her year by Lake Vinuela, has published the first in a series of romantic comedies.

Millie’s Game Plan by Rosie Dean is set in Hampshire and tells the story of a woman whose life/work balance is so out of whack - even her Spanish mother tries to fix her up with their priest’s dozy nephew.

Spurred into action, Millie sets about finding Mr Right at local cricket clubs, with some entertaining and alarming results – not least being held hostage by local criminals. Finally, she does discover Mr Right - but only after chasing Mr Wrong.

For the past eight years, Rosie has been an active member of the Costa Writing Group, which meets in Torrox Costa.

The book is available in paperback and kindle format on Amazon or at www.rosiedean.com.

www.theolivepress.es

Fresh air cycle

WINDPOWER: Providing nearly half Spain’s electricity

Glowing in the wind!

RENEWABLE energy provided nearly half of the electricity demand in Spain last year.

The green figure of 42.4% was 10.5 percentage points higher than in 2012.

Wind power contributed most to the annual electricity demand coverage with a share of 21.1%. This was 3% higher than in 2012 and just above nuclear power electricity generation.

Other wind related records tumbled this year, included maximum availability of instantaneous power on February 6 (17,056 MW), according to figures released by Red

ABOUT 94% of Madrilenos are breathing air that does not meet World Health Organisation standards.

Environmental group Ecologists in Action said air pollution in Madrid is a big problem.

Now thousands of new and experienced cyclists in the capital are taking to the streets each month to campaign for improved bike-riding infrastructure.

The group, Bici Critica, pedal around on the last Thursday of every month to raise awareness of the is-

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM

Electricity customers give the green light to renewable energy

Eléctrica in its Spanish Electricity System Preliminary Report 2013.

This year saw 173 MW of wind power capacity installed in Spain and 440 MW of solar energy technologies - 140 MW of solar PV and 300 MW of solar thermoelectric. With these sources incorporated, renewables now represent 49.1% of the total installed power capacity on the Spanish peninsula.

Gross demand for electricity this year was 246,166 GWh, 2.3% lower than during 2012.

Prices spark problems

SPANISH electricity bills are among the highest in Europe, leaving some four million families struggling to pay.

Bills have risen around 60% between 2006 and now, and only Cypriots and the Irish have higher bills.

The government blames poor regulation, which has resulted in a huge deficit for the electricity companies, and the heavy subsidies to promote renewables, including high feed-in tariffs to power generators.

The Red Cross said around 40% of families who come to it for help cannot keep their homes warm in winter.

Lost ground

Combined cycle power generation’s share dropped to 9.6% this year (down from 14.1%) coal-fired power generation also lost ground - from 19.3% in 2012 to 14.6% this year.

747 km of new transmission lines were installed in 2013 and the national transmission grid now totals 42,116 km of transmission infrastructure.

Mining boss faces 2008 environmental damage rap THE PRESIDENT of a mining company is facing criminal charges over alleged sustained damage to the environment in Sevilla.

Bill Williams is one of three men wanted in relation to a 2008 criminal charge filed against four executives of the Spanish firm Cobre Las Cruces.

It is alleged that the company illegally constructed tailings ponds with contaminated water, conducted illegal groundwater drawdown, and contaminated the Posadas-Gerena aquifer with arsenic. The aquifer was reserved for irrigation and human consumption in

11 the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014 11

GREEN NEWS

WANTED: Mining President Bill Williams

times of drought.

The three officials include Williams, who was director

of mining for the project until January of 2011, as well as Francois Fleury, an official with the Canadian parent company, Inmet Mining, who also served as chief executive officer of Cobre Las Cruces, and Paz Cosmen, the company’s environmental director. A fourth official, Juan Carlos Baquero, the firm’s director of water management had charges against him dismissed earlier in the process by Spanish Judge Ana Escribano.

Under Spanish law, the parties named in criminal and civil charges are permitted to appeal the allegations.

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12 the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

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The Duchess takes sides Duquesa de Alba joins celebrated opponents to Marbella’s skycraper plan

By Giles Brown

SPAIN’S best/loved aristocrat has joined forces to oppose a plan to see skyscrapers rise along the Golden Mile of Marbella.

The Duquesa of Alba has added her ‘displeasure’ at the scheme that would see up to six 50-storey tower blocks rise up above the coast.

While the mayor has stated officially that the scheme will ‘no longer go ahead’, she has yet to put this into writing, insist critics.

The group, opposing it, Plataforma Marbella Contra Los Rascacielos, has rapidly grown out of a grassroots movement to include a huge group of celebrities, aristocrats and industry figures.

Pablo von Hohenlohe, nephew of Marbella Club Hotel founder Alfonso, warned that until there was a written cancellation of the project, the fight would continue.

The Duchess, who has a beachfront villa in the resort, sent Marbella mayor Angeles Munoz a letter expressing her

GUEST OF HONOUR: Proud Ernest at the British Legion ceremony

MARBELLA MATES: Duchess (centre) with Munoz dissatisfaction with the project, saying it would ruin Marbella’s ‘special ambience’.

“Reconsider your position if you really want what is good for Marbella,” she wrote.

An atrocity

Well-known socialite Carmen Lomana, who also has a house in Marbella, has also backed the campaign “I don’t want skyscrapers in Marbella.

It is an atrocity that we will not allow,” she said.

Baroness Thyssen, owner of the celebrated art museums, is also understood to be opposed to the scheme and sending a letter to the mayoress.

ATROCITY: Tower

PUBLIC NOTICE The persons listed in this notice have offered financial services and products to the public and received money from the public, without having the necessary authorization from the CNMV, or overseas EEA regulators. Consequently, these persons are not authorized to provide any type of financial services, as described in the Securities Market Act, or appeal and get savings from the public. Occasionally, the persons listed in this notice would appropriately record the false investment as a personal loan, with the aim of hindering legal action and avoiding criminal prosecution, once their victims demanded refund of the money.

Finally, all of the persons listed in this notice have previous criminal convictions, for fraud.

Nigel Ivor Goldman (aka ‘Sir Nigel Goldman’) Reported to the Spanish National Police: 17/12/2013 Country of previous criminal conviction: United Kingdom Reported to the Spanish National Police: 19/11/2013 Country of previous criminal conviction: United Kingdom

Frances Diane Stein

Reported to the Spanish National Police: 31/1/2013 Country of previous criminal conviction: United States of America

Lawbird Legal Services, Edificio Alfil Floor 4, Ricardo Soriano, 19 - 4B, 29601 Marbella T: +34 952 861890

www.lawbird.com

A 90-YEAR-OLD World War Two veteran has finally been honoured with the medals he lost more than half a century ago.

Ernest Gardner, a leading stoker for the Royal Navy during the war, was awarded five medals in 1950, but lost them over time.

But after the intervention of a neighbour from his hometown of Pruna, near Olvera, Ernest finally got the recognition he deserved - at an emotional Royal British Legion ceremony in Alhaurin el Grande.

After moving to Pruna at the age of 84, Ernest – known as Eddie – had told his neighbour, David Sharp, stories of his his involvement in the D Day Landings.

Remarkable life

These persons have now fled with substantial ill-gotten gains, having been duly reported to the Spanish National Police for fraud.

Graham Etson

The importance of being Ernest

Dali’s dawn to a prosperous new year IT was always one of Salvador Dali’s favourite animals to paint.

But now an elephant sculpture by Spain’s most eccentric artist, who died in 1989, is set to fetch up to €420,000 in an auction next month.

Three-metre high Elephant de Triomphe will be offered for sale as part of the Impressionist and Modern Art sale at Bonhams New Bond Street on February 4.

The sculpture, featuring a winged angel riding an elephant and brandishing a trumpet, is one of a series of eight cast, and carries an inscription.

It was conceived by Dali in 1975, and the first sculpture cast in 1984.

Dali used elephants as a symbol of the future and this elephant sculpture is representative of the ‘dawn of a prosperous new age’.

Mr Sharp said: “He arrived in 2006 and I got to know him. We would go and see him a couple times a week or go out for a drink. My wife and I just tried to keep an eye on him and include him in our lives.”

When the two got chatting, David realised just how remarkable Ernest’s life had been.

But when Ernest revealed that he had lost the five medals after letting his children and grandchildren play with them, David got in touch with the Ministry of Defence.

Officials confirmed the medals Ernest had been awarded, but were unable to provide copies.

At this point David decided to buy them himself.

“I really believe in the importance of recognising what people have done for their community.

“This is a man who put his life on the line for others – remembrance is something that should never be forgotten.”

And after speaking with the Royal British Legion, David realised he could give Ernest the ceremony that he had never had.

“The British Legion have been fantastic – we have really had a huge amount of support from them.”

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014

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* Call 1473 (free) or 911 118 500 (existing rate charges will apply). Prepayment rate plan valid throughout Spain and applies to domestic browsing (international, roaming and WAP excluded). Our complete mobile and Internet rate card is available at www.masmovil.es. Conditions apply.

THE OLIVE PRESS - 344mm x 256mm

9th January

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the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

LETTERS

POTTED POINTERS

Own goal In a flap

ANDALUCIA RESERVOIR LEVELS This week: 77.13% full Same week last year: 70.62% Same week in 2003: 52.98% AIRPORTS Gibraltar 00350 22073026 Granada-Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000 EMERGENCIES Police 091 Guardia Civil 062 Medical service 061 Fire 080 EURO EXCHANGE RATES 1 euro is worth 1.36 American Dollars 0.82 British Pounds 1.44 Canadian Dollars 7.45 Danish Kroner 10.54 H Kong Dollars 8.35 Norwegian Kroner 1.72 Singapore Dollars

www.theolivepress.es

I was reading the article Nothing to grouse about (OP 177) and it got me thinking. I’ve been visiting the Conil region since 1984 and birds are definitely on the decline. The EU is destroying, or greatly impoverishing, wildlife habitat throughout Spain.

I believe lazy wind turbine ‘projects’ are a major factor, the bog-standard windmills do little more than kill birds and ruin the skyline.

Little bustards are one species definitely on the decline; they are notably shy birds and are also likely to be more affected by the adverse changes in EU agricultural policy when trying to breed in barley fields near Conil.

Golden boy or ‘IFI’ advisor?

I HAVE known Nigel Goldman (above) for some 35 years and, love him or hate him, he is a character! (Where’s Naughty Nigel, OP 177.)

He is charming, ruthless, charismatic, clever, generous but I wouldn’t shake hands with him without counting my fingers afterwards.When he showed me the prospectus for his new scheme International Financial Investments at his palatial (rented) home in Elviria a few months ago, I couldn’t stop laughing. It was such an obvious scam that I couldn’t believe that anyone would fall for it and I told him so. Has anyone else noticed that the initials of his scheme spell “IFI”?!

He even did me for a few grand once but, after a while, I forgave him and we became friends again, why? He is wonderful company, can be a real friend, and is great value, as long as you keep him away from your money!

I have no idea where he is now but, knowing him as I do, it is nowhere that he is thought to be.

Roger Parks, Benalmadena

How can a poll supposedly meant to be taken seriously declare across the board that Germans are too smelly, Russians too hairy and Turks too sweaty? (Spain is a sex-pot hotspot, OP 177).

I’d like to see anyone try to do anything in Spain without being too sweaty most of the year. Maybe the Spanish men won by the same means they are so apparently good at football, i.e. by being so self confident that they have no fear of diving, clutching their faces when clipped on the ankle and not understanding the basic principle of sportsman-like conduct?

On the other hand you should see my next door neighbour, in her mid 40s with boss eyes and about three teeth!

Will Davies, London

Friendly foe I have met Nigel Goldman many times over the years mainly at charity events. I wouldn’t consider myself a friend yet I am acquainted with many who know him well. These people are obviously perfectly aware of his past. Including his previous incarceration!

All anyone ever had to do was Google Goldman’s name.

Not the substance of the allegations, but just Google his name and you can easily find a great amount of information about him. From what I have been told Goldman had few good friends, yet many acquaintances. Those that knew him well and knew his

past appeared to always keep him at arm’s length.

I have a feeling there’s far more of this story to come out and his true colours will soon become apparent to friends, acquaintances and the public alike. I am sure everyone will then make up their own minds as whether they will support him or not!

David Moore, Calahonda

Clean charity

ing the MUST READ paper for the coast. It just proves you don’t need 550 pages to make a good paper, in fact 550 pages make a lousy paper.

Paul via www.theolivepress.es ED. Thanks… we try to keep the balance right and keep you entertained and informed at the same time… and without having to sift through 100 pages of advertisements.

I am writing on behalf of Positively Pink/Blue regarding the article on Nigel Goldman.

Although PP and PB cannot fault the work Nigel has done in the past for the charities we would like to point out that he had left the country before the Positively Pink Ball on October 10 and did not take any part in raising any money on that night - the whole night was hosted by Lee Jay and we raised €25,500 which will allow us to continue the screening next year.

We are keen to distance ourselves from Nigel, we really do not want any adverse publicity.

Top marks

Pat Jay, Coin

Flitting between the UK and Puerto de La Duquesa, I find that the Olive Press is the best source of information for keeping up with local issues -online in the UK, plus hard copies when in Duquesa.

Seven heaven Congratulations on your seventh birthday. There is no doubt you have the balance just right and are fast becom-

Thanks for keeping the Olive Press going for seven long years. I do enjoy the paper and website. I like the relaxed moderation of comments on the website too, many of the others restrict opinion, not just bad language, etc. I like to see quickly what’s going on around the country and I really like the layout!

Jon Webb, Via web

In the loop

Rob Jones, Via web

Foolish policy Talk about shooting themselves in the foot. How is demolishing a load of houses (where people have been living for 10 years in many cases) going to help flog the thousands of empty properties the Spanish are desperate to get rid of? (Alcaucin residents in demonstration to save their homes, OP 177) Demolition horror stories are all over the UK press and time and time again you read ‘don’t buy property in Spain’ in the comment sections.

I know some of those affected and they ALL used reputable, English-speaking, Spanish lawyers who carried out the necessary checks and they HAD the correct building licences at the time of purchase.

The Junta has pulled the rug from under their feet and retrospectively changed the law i.e. revoked their building licences. If, for some reason, these houses should never have been built, why has it taken 10 years to come to their attention? At best, the Junta looks plain incompetent and incapable of creating and enforcing workable laws.

Susan Clarke, Nerja

Henry Lewis Duquesa

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

CROSSMOT 23 Across

7 Man (6) * 8 Balancín (6) * 9 Gris (4) * 10 Ahogando (8) * 11 Andando (7) * 13 Vestido (5) * 15 Herida (5) * 17 Crop (7) * 20 Moliendo (8) * 21 Cinta (4) * 22 Prism (6) * 23 Líder (6).

Down

1 Strap (6) * 2 Obedecer (4) * 3 Lectura (7) * 4 These (5) * 5 Northern (3, 5) * 6 Pinturas (6) * 12 Bondad (8) * 14 Aproximadamente (7) * 16 Worker (6) * 18 Saltó (6) * 19 Cigarro (5) * 21 Brings (4).

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014 15 15

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the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

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la cultura

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Wall with a view

O

ld Russian New Year, Marbella Club Hotel, January 13 - €180 per person including Belvedere Vodka welcome, five-course menu.

Reservations - Tara 630 962 852.

SOME people describe Spain’s coastline as a concrete jungle.

Now a new park in Zaragoza has opened, made completely from cement.

Venecia Park apparently offers ‘stunning’ views across the city’s canal.

Sitting alongside an ‘ear-splittingly loud’ ring-road - the park’s unique architectural design shuts out noise.

It was designed by two architects, Hector Fernandez Elorza and Manuel Fernandez Ramirez.

F

lamenco Fashion Show, Sevilla, January 30 - February 2. Latest flamenco dress designs will be exhibited. More information at http://www. interentrada.com/

V

argas Blues Band, Sala Malandar, Sevilla, January 16. Music concert.

For tickets www.malandar. net

Imagine..

Lennon in Ibiza

UNPUBLISHED photos of John Lennon relaxing at his Ibiza holiday home are to be put up for auction.

The snaps are being sold by an art student from Newcastle University, who will use the proceeds to raise cash for his final degree show.

Ed Robinson, 21, was given the photos by his uncle, who had been given them as a present from a friend, Dale Utterson.

Utterson’s dad ran a chain of music shops with wife Joan and though his contacts arranged for his son to have a holiday in Ibiza where he tagged along with a group of photographers to a shoot.

Ed said: “He went on a trip to Ibiza where John Lennon had a villa and they found

UP FOR GRABS: Photos of John Lennon in Ibiza

he was up for posing for the photographers.

“My uncle’s friend wasn’t a professional photographer, but he went along with them and he was allowed to take a few snaps.

It wasn’t a massive big deal.

HORSE RACES at the Mijas Hippodrome have been can-

All bets are off!

celled this year in a bid to cut the costs of running the track.

All but two of the 20 staff at the racecourse have been laid off, according to the town hall.

Races previously scheduled to be held at the venue have been shifted to other tracks by Zarzuela, the central racetrack in Madrid which sets the schedules for other tracks.

The two retained employees will be charged with maintaining the track’s buildings and facilities.

Operating costs at the Hippodrome, which has other facilities including an athletics track, gym and horse riding school, total around €1 million a year at present.

The town hall said the only chance of horse racing returning to the Hippodrome is if the management is contracted out to a private company.

It is currently in talks with two firms, but no agreements have been reached.

It has even approved a move to take out a €258,000 bank loan to cover the salaries of the track´s workers, utility bills and money owed to the private security company used by the track.

what’s on

Unpublished

“John Lennon was painting at the time, which is a nice little link to the art auction.”

The official photographs taken that day made the papers, but Dale’s were never published.

Ed said about 20 pictures were taken, but the negatives have been destroyed in a fire.

The pictures have been valued at between €500 and €800.

W

est Eastern Divan Orchestra, January 19, Teatro de la Maestranza. From €25.

More information at www. teatrodelamaestranza.es

X

andra de Vos Exhibition, Casa Museo, Mijas Pueblo, 10 January - 10 February. An exhibition of abstract art

by Dutch artist Xandra de Vos. More information at http://www.xandradevos. com/

L

ive Your Dream Art Exhibition, El Corte Ingles, Boulevard Alfonso Von Hohenlohe, Marbella, 15 Nov 2013 - 15 Jan 2014. Approximately 30 works of art from a collection of different artists. More information tel: 34 952 902 390

The spell wears off

THE magic of Harry Potter is starting to fade, as children move away towards stories developed by publishers and ghost written by multiple authors – according to library lending figures for 2013.

Borrowing

With the Harry Potter novels missing out on the top ten most borrowed books - along with Enid Blyton - children have moved towards titles such as Rainbow Magic and Beast Quest – series cooked up by publishers and then ghost written by multiple authors.

Rainbow Magic, which was written by a group of authors under the pseudonym Daisy Meadows, was the most popular book, followed

by Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo and the Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon.

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As we enter 2014 the Olive Press is distributing 35,000 papers across www.theolivepress.es EIGHT provinces of Andalucia

the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

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We’re coasting

Covering the ENTIRE Costa del Sol and most inland areas of Andalucia More than 30 distribution points in Benalmadena, same in Fuengirola and Marbella/Banus

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Papeleria Quetzal • Captains Bar • Zurich Office • BP Garage LA CALETA Papeleria las Colonias LA COLONIA Euromarkets Cayetano (C/Lagasca) • KSM Properties LA HERRADURA The Hideaway Bar • Libreria Coral • La Tartana Hotel • Restaurante S. Nico LA HEREDIA The Best of Holland • The Dutch Butcher • Panaderia • La Casita • K Bar LA VINUELA Hotel Vinuela • A & N Gas Petrol Station • Bar Atilla LANJARON Cafe Bar Health • Tourist Information • Los Llanos LAS BUGANVILLAS Cactus LECRIN VALLEY E.S Leman Gasolina LOJA Cafe Continental LOS GALLARDOS Subministros Ridao • Gas station • Camping los Gallardos LOS ROMANES Camping Bar LUCENA Carrefour Pet Shop • Hotel Bronces • B.P near the fire stn.

MALAGA CITY British Consulate• Dunkin Coffee (Corte Ingles)• Hotel Tribuna • Pizzeria el Laboratorio • Restaurante Vino Mio • Terra Sana & Gorki restaurants (El Muelle Uno Shopping Centre) • Calle Brusseles • Celtic Irish Bar • Café con Libro • Picasso Museum • Robert Boyd • Plaza Restaurant • Hotel Don Curro • Hotel Molino Larios • Tourist Office • Hotel Vinci •Escuela de Turismo MALAGA AIRPORT Helle Hollis • Car Parking Malaga • Arrivals Information Desk • Monarch MANILVA Manilva Solicitors • English Bookshop • Manilva Properties MARBELLA BP Garage -Marbella Arch • Hotel Fuerte • Swans International School • Vergola • Puente Romano Hotel • MC Cafe Marbella Club Hotel• Ex Polo House • Cocinas Plus • Panorama • International School MIJAS PUEBLO Tourist Office • Town Hall • BP Garage • Mijas Hotel MIJAS ROAD World of Sofas • Centro Idea Danish Centrel • Euromarket MOJACAR PLAYA (Centro Comercial)

Masko Cafe • Habana Cafe•Diego Ortega Notaria • Michael Davis Solicitors • Clinica Dental • Ibex Insurance • Pippas Cafe MOJACAR PLAYA Gas Station • Koi Cafe • Kasbah Romantic • Sal’s • Currency Exchange • Paco Salas Farmacy • El Olivo Restaurant • Total Entertainment • Tomas Supermarket • Mojacar Estates • Beachcomber Restaurant • H Puntazo Hostal • Trufibar • Kimrick Restaurant • Parador • Cafe Bellagio • K7 Real Estate • Price, Brown Partnership • Tourist Office (Playa) Tito’s • Los Arcos Bar • Los Amigos Bar • La Posada • ELC MOJACAR PUEBLO Centro de Arte Municipal • English Library • Bar Pavana •Bar Habanero •Bar Cherigan MOLLINA Bar Margarita • And Estates • Brit Shop • Lazy Days Mobile Home Park MONDA Paper Shop • Petrol St. •Design Academy MONTEFRIO Alan Russell MONTE HALCONES (Ronda Road) One Stop Café • Irish Café MONTEJAQUE Las Casitas MOTRIL Café AL Campo • Tourist Office Los Moriscos Golf • Bar/ Rest Moriscos • Gran Elba Hotel NERJA Hotel Carabeo • English Book Shop • Supermercado Iranzo • Smiths Bookshop • Tourist Office • John the Barber • H2O Bar • Keyhomes Estates Agents • Team Estate Agents • Olas Bar • Cocinas Nerja NUEVA ANDALUCIA Aloha News • Garden Bar • Yanks • Wilsons • Alberts • La Sala • HIFX • Mad Hatters • Terra Sana • H10 Hotel OLVERA Petrol Station • Dynos • Olvera Properties • Via Verde • Rest. El Puerto ORGIVA Indoor Market • Camac • Internet Café • Alpujarra Supermercado • Baraka •Limonero PAMPANEIRA Cafe Alfonso PERIANA Cantueso •Verduga PITRES Camping • Bar La Taha • Bar Frenazo

PIZARRA Spa • Aliprox PRIEGO DE CORDOBA Tourist Office • Kiosko Maribel Cepsa Garage PUENTE DON MANUEL Moreno’s • Ian Petts Dentist • English Shop • Arkwrights PUERTO BANUS Corte Ingles • Bookworld • Iceland • Cravings Cafe • Starz Cafe • La Sala • Mad Hatters • Yanks • Asiatic Food • HIFX • Studio B • Aloha News • The Garden Bar • Terra Sana H10 Hotel • Hairworks • Currencies Direct • Kristina Szekely estate agent Guey • Skybar PUERTO REY (VERA) Club Deportivo • La Esquina RINCON DE LA VICTORIA Tourist Office • Hotel Rincon Sol Anoreta Golf RIO FRIO Hotel Almazara RIOGORDO Coviran RIVIERA DEL SOL Miraflores Bowls Club • La Terraza Supermarket • La Terraza Paper Shop ROAD BETWEEN CAMPILLOS AND RONDA Meson Diego • Petrol Station Cuevas del Becerro • BP Garage RONDA Almocabar • Bar San Francisco • Tourist Office • Atrium • Chocolat • Casa Ortega • To-Toro • Traga Tapas • Hotel Maestranza • Hotel Colon • Hotel Polo • Hotel Don Miguel • Locutorio • Serrania Services • Libreria Dumas • Huskies • Heaven Irish Pub • Pedro Romero RONDA ROAD Monte Halcones One Stop Cafe • Irish Cafe RUTE Estanco SABINILLAS English Bookshop • Eden • Visage Hairdresser • Coast to Coast Properties • Bar • Lidls • Kwasi Bar • Curtain & Bedding SALINAS Casa Monolo • Meson Estacion SALOBRENA Best Western Hotel • Post Office Antonio Machado • Tourist Office Plaza Goya • 1616 Books SAN PEDRO Tourist Office • Passion Café • TRE Radio Station • Staysure SAN ROQUE San Roque Golf Suites Reception area and golf clubhouse • Okay cafe • Supermarket SAYDO MARKET Angela Sat • Bakery • Chrissy • Hotel Reception SIERRA DE YEGUAS Kiosko SITIO DE CALAHONDA Club Naranja RBL • Plaza next to Paper Shop SOTOGRANDE GUADIARO Newsagent • Corner Café • Lemon Tree Café • Estate Agent • English Butcher Shop • Sotofiesta • Business Centre NH Hotel • Abbeygate Insurance • Mara Rest. • Anglo Wines SOTOGRANDE MARINA Videola • 50K Bar • La Brasserie • Hairy Lemon • Hotel Maritimo • Midas TARIFA Tourist Office TOLOX Cross Road Bar • Vent Garradena TORRE DEL MAR Papeleria el Faro • English Bookshop Pasatiempo • Expatriate Help Centre • Lukuma • Baviera Golf • Las Yucas • Cudeca TORREMOLINOS Tourist Offices x 2 • Cudeca Town Centre • Baileys BP Garage • Parador Golf Hotel • Parador Golf • Riu Belplaya • Shennanigans • Hotel Melia • Rubens Exchange • Nigel & Cheryls Rest. • Cosy Nook • El Mojito • Toms Tavern • Wellness Clinic • Fig & Olive • Full House • Talk of the Tyne • BP Garage TORROX Russels English Shop • El Pino English Shop • Light of India • Tourist Office TURRE Fundraiser Shop• Zambra • Casa Diego • Total Entertainment • Tio Tomas •Connexions UBEDA Golden Poppy English Center VEJER Tourism Office • Califa • Camping Vejer • Monte Medio Golf • Barca de Vejer • Castilleria Restaurant VELEZ MALAGA Garden Centre La Palma • Eroski Centre • Bar Jamaica • Dunnes • Pronumatico VERA Iceland • Galasaa VILLANUEVA DE ALGAIDAS La Bodeguita VILLANUEVA DE ROSARIO Bar • Bar • Town hall VILLANUEVA DE TAPIA La Paloma Rest.

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ONLY PAPER IN ANDALU CIA WITH LESS THAN RETURN the1% olive press - S January 10 - 23, The original and 2013 1 only English-lang uage investigative newsp aper in Andalucía Don’t let the Don’t thein bankslet cash banks cash in www.hifx.co.uk www.h see ifx.co. page 13 uk www.theolivep

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 201419 19 FREE

BBC doc slams rise deaths in Magaluf

By Jon Clarke

Vol. 7 Issue 152

ress.es

R.I.P SIMON

A POPULA R British A BBC documenta ry has pat has died cradled exslammed the close friend’s arms in a authorities after Spanish a horrific Christma after fuelled tourism alcohols car crash. shocking rise ofled to a The early-morning from the ‘balconingdeaths tragedy ’ craze happened near Alcaucin

By Frances Leate in Mallorca. on December 27 when The programm full of revellers spun his car “There was nothing vealed how the e renumber road during a night off the could do to save him.” we of incidents - which The man, who had The driver, Simonout. youngsters jump sees been out from hotel balconies was thrown throughDent, with Simon in Puente Don the Manuel before over a third to rose by windscree n and the around 40 in Magaluf last the spot, while twodied on added: “It is very crash, hard to year friends talk about alone. were rushed to hospital. what happened.

“This has gone It’s still very painful.”

The 34-year-o up from 25 to 30 in previous Enfield - who ld, from The friend - who had years ran the a passenger been and I personally Rendevous Restauran in a second know of 12 people who died Puente Don Manuel t in returning home from car in the the incidents” a paramedic his partner, Victoria with festive night out contin- was ued: “It’s told makers of The described as a ‘fun-lovin a very close comTruth about Magaluf. g’ munity popular man who lived life knew here and everyone to the full. him.

“He Turn to Page 4 A close friend, who asked ing was a popular, fun-lovnot to be named, man who always lived said: life in high-spiri ts.

January 10 - 23,

EXCLUSIVE: Tribu tes pour in for popular expat after horror crash

A three-page news round-up

2013

seepage see page13 9

Business as usual for MEPs THE eurozone

crisis may have forced millions to cut back on luxuries in an effort to make ends meet.

But MEPs certainly appear to be among don’t them after voting to retain their right to fly business rather than economy. class Despite the crisis, only four out of 41 Spanish agreed to downgrad MEPs e from their current allowance of €1,297 for business fares between Brussels class and Spain.

Spanish airline Vueling Turn to Page 2

VIGIL: Candle-l it bar where Simon (inset) worked

From trouble on The Rock to What’s up croc? 2013 was a year of shocks Now you’re really getting my goat!

What will Maurice Boland be doing with a goat in 2013? Find out in our predictions year on Page 16 for the

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“He enjoyed with friends andsocialising and Ken Dent, have since good time, all the having a thanked friends for their time.” support.

A 24-hour candlelit vigil was quickly set up at the restaurant with candles, ciSafety gars, flowers and On a Facebook Tributes to the letters. post they A CHILD was killed when restaurant said: “We he owner, whose funeral was would was everyone for like thank Kingsrun over by the Three at the weekend, parade in Malaga. your kind came in on messages, his Facebook page.

The boy, love of support whichand offers one of the6, was crushed by Abbie-Grace Johnson floats has “Rest in peace Simon,said: a great comfort to us. been lected sweets fromas he colR.I.P The the road. will never be forgotten” you our darling Simon. May the tor, victim’s father, a docAngels keep you Adrian Lightfoot tried to revive safe till we added: “I meet again.” as the procession the child hope you can understan d More than 150 porarily halted. was temwhat I can’t put into family memwords. bers Malaga R.I.P my friend, and City I am sure his funeral.friends attended claimed Council we shall meet again the accident hapin the Spanish pened despite the future and have authorities are it grande now installing ing a safety team float havsimon style!” safety posts of 15 people at the junction in His mum and dad, the hope Theaccompanying it.

Angela of making city announced it safer. two days of official mourning .

Three Kings tragedy

Up to 30Mb/3.5Mb

From 15,95€/ month www.internet 4spain.com 902 022 880

23

By Claire Wilson

In a tough year for Spain, the Olive Press exposed conmen and fraudsters, and told the tragic tales of expats fighting to save their homes. It was also first for showbiz news from Kylie’s spa treatment to Brad and Angelina’s house hunt in Marbella

I

T was another eventful year for the Olive Press as it - once again - ran a rule over the Costa del Sol and Spain.

With exclusive after exclusive story - many picked up by the foreign press - we continued to grow both online and in print, ending the

January

R.I.P Simon

Kylie’s Spa Retreat

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and highlighted the continuing plight of the lynx.

We also chatted to Dani Garcia about his new restaurant in New York, revealed how a UK songsmith had written a song about Alhaurin and how Maurice Boland’s radio station iTalk had come to a ‘temporary’ halt.

Here, we break down our coverage over the 12 months of the year:

1

Don’t let the thein Don’t cash bankslet cash in banks www.hifx.co.uk www.hifx.co.uk see page 13 11 page13 seepage see

INSULT

Vol. 7 Issue 154

Szekely in crisis Top expat agent in trouble owing €250,000 but insists she is not bankrupt

6, 2013 olive press - February 21- March theGuide - The Rough

The original and only English-language investigative newspaper in Andalucía

olive press

the

posed the wheeling and dealing of celebrity food writer ‘Sir’ Nigel Goldman.

Then there was the sad story of the terminally-ill reader who needed a lift back to England, the shenanigans in Gibraltar on the border and the mystery blaze at Big Blue Box in Estepona.

On an environmental front we launched a campaign to help protect the Alcornocales Natural Park

The New Year began tragically as we covered the death of popular British expat Simon Dent following a horrific Christmas car crash. The 34-year-old ran the Rendezvous Restaurant in Puente Don Manuel, in the Axarquia, with partner Victoria.

In January we revealed how Kylie Minogue had taken a ‘secret’ Spanish Christmas break with boyfriend Andres Velencoso at a luxury spa in Alicante. We later reported how unlucky in love Kylie had split up with her Spanish beau.

Five years of pain

year with 35,000 copies distributed around Andalucia.

As well as helping to get infamous costa conman Toni Muldoon banged up, we traced financial fraudster Terry Wright to an enormous chateau in France and ex-

www.theolivepress.es

February 21 - March 6,

Priors finally awarded ‘ridiculous’ €30,000 five compensation after spending years living in their garage since their home was demolished

EXCLUSIVE

By Kathryn Richardson However, a court has now A RETIRED expat couple ruled that the original apwho have spent the last five plication, granted without THE Costa del Sol’s most years living in their garage their knowledge in 2004, famous expat estate agent is after their home was de- was illegal. in financial turmoil. molished have received “a The Priors only learnt about Kristina Szekely has filed ridiculous” €30,000 com- the plans to bulldoze their for the Spanish version of pensation bill from their home two years later in May bankruptcy and admitted town hall. she owes €250,000.

2006.

Helen and Len Prior’s villa Their villa, one of around The Hungarian agent, who was ripped down by the Jun- 100 illegal homes in the has an exclusive deal with EMBATTLED: Szekely ta in January 2008 after their area, was the only one to be Sotheby International, told insists she will ride building licence was revoked. the Olive Press she intends out the storm with a to ‘battle on’ regardless. ‘number of big sales Currently in negotiation on the horizon’ with her creditors, she confirmed: “I have filed for in the 1980s and quickly what they call in America, dominated the coast’s real Chapter 11. estate industry.

Bubbly and outgoing, she forged a global reputation Optimistic was frequently quoted “We owe €250,000, but I and the international press. am hopeful of getting out of in last week, she had ofit as we have some big sales Untilin Marbella, Gibraltar fices coming in. but has Sotogrande and is “The word bankruptcy struggling to pay her completely wrong, it hurts been and creditors for sevstaff the business. months.

“There is a big difference eral week the office in Gibetween somebody going Last was chained shut bankrupt and our situa- braltar at 5pm. tion.” competitor, who BE She added: “We are also One to remain anonyWHICH TYPE OF BIRDS WILL selling apartments and I asked said Ms Szekely had FLOCKING DOWN TO THE COSTA think it is optimistic some- mous, overheads and how. I am keeping staff on.” enormous DEL SOL THIS SUMMER? find the next few The Hungarian agent ar- would very tough.

Find out on page 12 rived on the Costa del Sol months

It had been a long five years since Len and Helen Prior had first told the Olive Press of their garage-dwelling plight following the demolition of their home in Vera.

They were finally awarded compensation this year...a measly €30,000, and they once again spoke to us about their anguish and disappointment in the Spanish authorities before vowing to carry on the fight.

February

Water mistake Homeowners in Nerja demanded a refund after discovering they had been paying the electricity bill for a neighbouring development’s pool for over a decade.

The community of 22 told the Olive Press they were due €7,000 in overpayments, but as yet the money was still outstanding.

INJUSTICE: Len and Helen Prior

tice. We aren’t happy about demolished. the insulting €30,000 offer They have since been sent but we are happy that it has from pillar to post to find been proved it was an illegal someone responsible for the order.” fiasco.

She insisted she would need Mrs Prior told The Olive to get ‘€5m in damages’ to Press: “The whole thing is make up for the way they ridiculous. It’s a horror sto- have been treated. ry and just stupid because The couple’s main claim all of our neighbours were against Vera Council, for saved but us.” €700,000, is still ongoing.

The couple have been forced Despite their living condito live in their converted ga- tions, and losing all trust in rage without electricity or Spain’s justice system, she running water. said they did not want to reTalking about the damages, turn to the UK. she added: “That’s not jus-

Please get Please get me home! me home! www.theolivepre

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press - February The original and 21- March 6, 2013 only English-langua 1 investigative ge newspaper in Andalucía Don’t let the Don’t thein bankslet cash banks in www.hicash fx.co.uk www.hi fx.co.uk www.theolivepres see page 13

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March 7 - March

20, 2013

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RAID ROW

WATERGATE: A DAD-of-two Barcenas with just claims PP broke weeks to live in for help to get is appealing WAR has broken UK to spend back to the out between the PP his last days party and its with his children. former treasurer Omar Rahmoun, after he accused bosses 54, has been given of orchestrating a Watergate-s days and six ‘between six tyle break-in at his months to live’ after being diagnosed EXCLUSIVE Police are now office. said: “I asked By with investigating an advanced Frances Leate the alleged burglary could do for him what I him and this The expat - form of cancer. at Luis Barcenas’s office was his last wish. who has been running a computer within the kidney – he is government’s “It’s all there unable to fly. shop PP party HQ. is left to do. Of in Zujar, near Now a close friend The man embroiled course I would Granada, for nine years - needs like there to in the an urgent appeal has made be a miracle national scandal, and see him get to Olive better to drive him home. someone Press readers ing a €38 million involvbut Due to his critical someone who to help find happen that’s not going to slush fund, claims offshore and so failing can drive him – he has a tumourcondition back to Nottingham that computers and that two his very last wish lungs and cancer in both is to spend personal his children Kamal, where his last days documents were in both as happy as he his pancreas, 20 and can HAPPIER TIMES: stolen in Malik, 11, live. the raid. intentines and be with his children Rahmoun with Friend Eric in his shop’s stock his family Skilton, 69, Britain.” and his cy travel Skilton is helping family is now Dismissal document, as him sell of getting himin the process passport has his He expired. an emergen- Omar, has since accused la sala a lawwho uses NOW OPEN yer to PP secretary the 20 hours a day oxygen for Dolores general because his de Cospedal, olive lungs have failed, of ordering the theft. press finds it difficult to talk The Along with Prime Minisily out of breath.and gets eas- ter We Mariano THE husband “We are hoping Rundding accused of Rajoy, she is planner who of a Marbella wedding ner taking illegal ive Press reader that an Ol- backhanders vanished with might know of euros in deposits thousands after a fraud probe by garda in cash from someone travelling officers. the fund based has been arrested It is believed detectives in Ireland. back towards the Nottingham in Switzerbegan investigating Danker’s land.

Howard Danker, failed to organize. area. property “There must The PP, however Danker of Spanish married to Sue ter he fled Marbella with assets afOne hotel manager out there kindbe someone Barcenas insists revealed has been brought Dream Weddings, September last year. The his wife in enough to (top), that he had take him.” couple left ‘at least three’ this week in for questioning overnight owing the payments, who made due to take place weddings euros for dozens tens of thousands of an office in has not had The Olive Press last year at his hotel. of weddings that the If anyone can building since stepping reported (above) they help please contact Mr Skilton down as that treasurer 063 074 or email: on 958 Barcenas in 2010.

Turn to page 2 email@ is also suing ericskilton.com the

Father makes death-bed pleaheartbreaking back to see his to help get him family in the UK

CLASSIFIED SALES

An expat made a heart-breaking deathbed appeal for a lift back to the UK after being given just weeks to live. Omar Rahmoun, 54, was too ill to fly and his last wish was to spend his final days at home in Nottingham with his children. He was inundated with offers from big-hearted readers following the appeal in the Olive Press and was reunited with his family, before dying days later.

‘Wedding Run ner’ husband Irish fraud inve in stigation

El Rincón

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OUR EXCITING

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A PENSIONER and been three has others hospitalised died an outbreak have naires after Sprinkler disease.of Legioncooling systems ing towers na, examined are and an near bein OsuSevilla, died84-year-old after last from woman The week. the disease town first man was case in and who a 72-year-old the from later was admitted Hospitaldischarged

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Pensioner dies in Legionnaires outbreak

2

Couple Costa left thousands wedding

plannerout of pocket vanishes

AN A BRITISH ing Irish couple legal ened Marbella MP the frontier action are Gibraltar has allegedly weddingafter taklik‘war between their paying fled zone’. and Spain It came Spain planner suppliers.

The to a House during without unhappy EXCLUSIVE planning of Commons bate an urgent

By Mason owner to sue couple which on border pay Weddings of Spanish Sue are deJones Danker, reached have last month. again,for the delays, a week entire who “This up Dream understood recently Unable over before is an to six hours. ‘vanished’ wedding a third-world - who to contact The €15,000.

EU border, the to total nuptials said show starred “This bride paid not war later bin, Labour - the The in Danker and company her any of the MP Jimzone,” revealed: slamming dry treatment couple Great Irish TV wedding.” left for depositsmoney on the left me Dobto foot Minister of were Escape The she added.

Spain’s day high and I sent the enclave. the bills left vid of my I was for Europe not couple, Several to Lidington to be who again,” problem covered sage days named,have asked rect said Dawas pany’sappeared later, they only perityimpact having the businesswebsite on thea mesdislem had a when on both of on the a ‘diprobing’ husband stating comproscommunities Danker’s beforehad ‘ceased Dem sides’, en down phoned the MP the site Howard condemned tradSimonwhile Lib a completely. them was civilised with Hughes takthat ‘lame Spain’s excuse’ tude’. and well she was Sensitive FLED: tribal ‘unThe tend enough not Sue Wedding attithat Olive Press to at“I hadthe ceremony. just Danker to P18 other there before left planner rehearsalonly for full are can reveal couples, companies, had the Spain numerous before nifer story a be the big as well McCloy was company day owed and day Dream who money claim as bride.fine,” said she Planner. Spanishfrom Weddings.by Photographers, “I knew the to rival was The Spanish Wedding DJ’s up tolying but he cally organiser, that told florists my stress, to set has been who neck was them Dankerthe Olive Full and ironitime body up a I had in attempting story “I havefor their has not Press phone for nonsense rogue to keeprepresentative no writtenservices. paid ting Page “Only calls.

“There’splanners, an the eye bella-based 3 money,”off ever later 10 minutes to how a lot continued: on “There’s this of speculation that it came is a one getDJ happened Marwho a long explained. she whichvery sensitive out hadn’t severalhave not list of and is bad industry.” couples been people 15 suppliers,” news subject,it Another paid, and Vear-Smyth,planner, for the addedat least contact JenKerry her with has been disappearance.

Danker in since “She Turn

as with leading deposits

Turn

EXCLUSIVE: Could Putin President have finally a good reason off...as to strip emerge claims has just that he a Marbella bought mansion?

to Page

8

42

Turn to page

5

Catch me if you can Expats refused to shop a neighbour who defrauded UK banks of €350,000.

Friends and drinking buddies of Tony Murphy (pictured left), 40, insisted he was ‘a hero’ following a Crimestoppers appeal for information published in the Olive Press.

TRAINEE JOURNALIST Full-time position in Casares Costa is the dream opportunity to join Spain’s most cutting edge investigative newspaper in English... Applicants must possess Journalistic training Clean Driving Licence English mother tongue Spanish a bonus Ability to work as part of a team Work well to deadline Thick-skinned like a rhino

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2013 Round up

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the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

March Ryanair rip off The hunt is on for the La Cala croc The Olive Press revealed how police were called after a ‘giant reptile’ was spotted beside a lake in La Cala de Mijas. The environmental team investigating the sighting confirmed that they believed it to be a crocodile living in a lake. It was later tracked down and killed.

April Bitter sweet in the Big Apple

The budget airline hit the headlines once again as an elderly expat couple warned travellers not to use Ryanair travel insurance. John and Anne Miles told the Olive Press they had been ripped off after having to cancel a flight back to the UK due to illness. They ended up dropping the claim as it would have cost them more to pursue it.

Andalucia’s top chef, Dani Garcia, spoke to the Olive Press about the opening of his latest restaurant venture in New York. He said he was enjoying splitting his time between his homeland and the Big Apple and would be including some traditional Andaluz fair on the menu at the Manhattan eaterie.

Make it stop!

We reported how a community of expats in Estepona were fighting the construction of a six-storey hotel built just 20 metres from the beach. Following the appeal, the EU launched an investigation into the project which dwarfed the previous Hotel Santa Marta, a low/rise bungalow resort. Residents were outraged they had been forced to live on a building site for four months.

Hard shoulder Plans for a motorway between San Pedro and Ronda were finally scrapped after it was deemed impractical.

The Olive Press was one of the first to question its necessity at a press conference five years ago and joined local pressure groups in arguing it would be a waste of money.

July

EVER INSIDE! ER NEW SIZE... MORE THAN age WELCOME TO OUR BUMP l and only English-langu

olive press The origina per in Andalucía investigative newspa

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see page 13

2013

REALTOR RAGE FREE

They put on make-up to attract mates... not TOWIE wannabes, but the pink flamingos of Fuente de Piedra 18

July 10 - July 24,

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STARS OF THE SHOW: 12Enjoy our officialthis page pull-out to summer’s hot Starlite 27 Festival on page

Vol. 7 Issue 165

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International agentg penslammed for makin three sioners wait overmoney months for their

are furiA BRITISH couple to call ous after being forced agency for in a debt collection of not receiving the proceeds a house sale. were Sue and Peter Moore UK debt forced to call in a Puerto recovery firm after Ivonne agent Banus estate their Panhuis did not answer

calls. for GerPanhuis, who works Volkers, man agent Engel and of athad been given power of the torney to sign on behalf back couple after they moved year. to Staffordshire last on the But, after completing in two-bedroom property in DecemNueva Andalucia the couple ber for €280,000 for insist they heard nothing‘nuthree months, despite office. merous calls’ to the

claim was her PA insisting the and ‘entirely false’.

THREAT: Barcenas went they show Undeterred, the ledgers which office in straight to the head PM Rajoy’s name an execuGermany, where that the tive finally admittedjust over Moores were owed the releaving – €200,000 apparently maining €80,000 unaccounted for. property The international to drag agent DENIAL: German firm then continued four Engel claims Moores its heels for a further the funds ‘don’t understand’ Spain weeks, paying back in two instalments. finally we do collaborate in matters The couple were only has inof sale at THE government given a statement explaining like this.” the debt sisted that the so-called the end of March €80,000 A spokesman for do not that ‘Barcenas files’ away the remaining collection agency added of the threaten the stability still chasing the comthrough various charges. €16,940 it was for a proper explanagovernment.

These included a former that an ad- pany It comes after the wing commission bill, pluspayment tion of the many charges in notreasurer for the right ditional ‘honorary’ Panhuis. include over €2000 in Barcenas €4000 Luis Ivonne nearly party for and PP fees of €6,776 that unable to tary claimed he can prove The Olive Press wasPuerto Ba- storage costs. violatthe party has been talk to her at the numerous for ing fundraising laws nus office despite Fight over 20 years. emails and calls. prison contacted After being sent to part in Oddly when we office in chasing them for to await trial for his scanthe company’s head a curt “We are still a spokesman for the Gurtel corruptionhe had Frankfurt, we received claims the money,”confirmed. the agency dal, he revealed that reply insisting the documents to , Sue Moore insistof true. all at series Meanwhile a not were to give ed they were not about back up his claims. to rethe case to up and would fight to get anHe broke his silence to arCurt the end, even if only veal how donors used rs back. rive at party headquarte n other €100 Ivonne’s caused full “After a detailed conversatio with bags and suitcases owner “The distress we just don’t immense; with Ivonne Panhuis, of cash. be our belief is at our age,” conof the license, it is Some of this would s are need this fight as that these accusationIt con- cluded Sue. “We will Turn to page 5 simply false,” it read. ‘don’t hard as we can for justice.” tinued that the couple rules’. understand Spanish lawyer However the personal Cosín was for the branch José Anyone attending “If rather more forthright;tion, Running of the there was a miscalcula ly,” Bulls has blood on we will solve it immediate sed lawsaid the Malaga-ba their hands, says yer. leading UK poet the press “It is important thatrights and see page 24 fights for people’s

EXCLUSIVE

By Alex Iszatt and Mason Jones

Ivonne “We had to make we power of attorney because at the could not be in Spain said pentime of the sale,” sioner Sue, 67. not get “But we simply could money. hold of her to get our It is completely outrageous as Engel for a company as big and Volkers to do this.” they Desperate and distressed to appoint eventually decided a debt collection agency. based in And the company, no time Bedfordshire, wasted But, in tracking down Ivonne. speak to she also refused to off via them and fobbed them

PP: 20 years of illegal funding

Realtor rage

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Rumours were rife that Brad Pitt was to splash out on a Costa del Sol home after his appearance at a film premier in July.

A local agent told the Olive Press the star and his wife Angelina Jolie had been to view a number of proper-

Business as usual The Olive Press revealed how the business of jailed gangster Toni Muldoon was still going strong in Alhaurin el Grande. An anonymous source told us two call centres were still operational and were being run by right hand man Anthony Bartle (pictured). Muldoon was jailed in July for masterminding a €6.6 million fraud.

October

Nightmare returns Two more British-owned homes were bulldozed in Almeria leaving owners homeless and without compensation. The Olive Press reported how the homeowners were given just 30 days to remove their possessions, while neighbours told of the horror of living with the threat of the same thing happening to them. It is thought about 900 homes around the region are faced with the same problems. It is a story that will get bigger and bigger this year.

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August 21 - September 4, 2013

ROCK OFF!

A couple of vendors had to call in UK debt collectors because they didn’t receive the proceeds of a house sale. Sue and Peter Moore told the Olive Press they had given Marbella estate agent Ivonne Panhuis at Engels and Volkers power of attorney as they couldn’t be in Spain at the time of the sale and she subsequently went off the radar.

Barclays bail out

In a financial exclusive, scandal-hit banking giant Barclays confirmed to the Olive Press it was set to close 18 branches in Andalucia as part of a cull of 35% of its Spanish outlets. The move resulted in 1000 job losses.

In November it announced it is also closing its Gibraltar operations and is refocusing on the needs of its premier customers.

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the

between London The increasing war of words arrive and and Madrid deepens as warships the queues continue to worsen

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Hire win

Policeman wins money back as complaints grow against rental firm

By Giles Brown THE most serious diplomatic crisis in decades between the UK and Spain continues to escalate over Gibraltar.

Tensions that have been simmering over the past few weeks have come to a head as Madrid ordered more customs checks for vehicles coming into and out of Gibraltar, causing huge delays.

Liar

MUMMY’S BOY

first school play, with a IT COULD have been a child’s from the crowd. proud mother watching, exhilarated and he was staring It was, however, Enrique Iglesias, as part of his international in Marbella’s Starlite festival tour. pep talk from his mum, And perhaps it was a quick a delay in the start of the Isabel Preysler, which caused singer’s concert. he still managed to wow Over an hour late to the stage, Escape and Dirty Dancthe crowds with classics Tonight, er.

Enrique threw Dressed down for the performance, into the crowd, letting aside all formalities as he headed him gifts and take pictures. the audience touch him, give

Brad on a house hunt

The now infamous Gibraltar border disputes first kicked off in August after the dropping of an artificial reef in the water between the territories. It came a month after we revealed exclusively on our website how a jetskier had been shot at by Guardia Civil officers. Our reporter Giles Brown spent a day at the border reporting from the scene.

Since then there has been continual mudslinging from both sides and border misery for the thousands who commute between Spain and Gibraltar each day. The Olive Press even launched a Border Watch section which has been recounting your stories of chaos and queues every fortnight.

money.

Ballard accused Evans of causing damage to the car, a claim which Evans has always denied.

Armada

Tempers became more frayed when the British warship HMS Westminster visited Gibraltar while the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious headed to the Mediterranean.

EXCLUSIVE

By Alex Iszatt A BRITISH holidaymaker has won a rare victory against a controversial car hire company in Spain.

David Evans, 50, successfully reclaimed his money from Brian’s Renta-Car after the company was found to have taken his deposit without good reason.

The policeman, from Manchester, was awarded €480, plus a further €100, by his bank’s insurance company after it agreed he had a good claim.

Evans had been stunned to discover that the hire firm, run by expat David Ballard, had kept the

BATTLE READY: HMS Illustrious (above) sails into the Med as Spanish protestors wave flags supporting their fishing fleet

August Battle on the border

The deployment of several take its claim on Gibraltar Royal Naval vessels was part to the United Nations while of a long planned maritime Britain called on the Euroexercise, but it prompted the pean Commission to send in Spanish media to proclaim monitors to check whether that ‘Britain was deploying Spain’s actions on the border breach EU rules. her Armada’.

On Monday the European Meanwhile an Armada of a different sort set off from La Commission announced that Linea on Sunday, when 40 it would send a fact finding Spanish fishing vessels sailed mission to Gibraltar to verify to the site of the underwater the legitimacy of the border reef that has proved the lat- controls enforced by Spain. est lowpoint in relationships Madrid has also made other between London and Madrid.

Turn to page 14 to threatened has Spain

extremely are “We pleased to get the money back,” Evans told the Olive Press.

“The company shouldn’t be able to take money without supporting documents.”

“They told me my car was fine when they checked it at the airport, then I received a text telling me I damaged the car and they were keeping my deposit.”

“This has proved what a liar David really is.”

When contacted by the Olive Press, Ballard conSee page 5

Hire win

iTalk shuts up, for now

Read more on page 31

A British holidaymaker told the Olive Press of his victory against controversial car hire company, Brian’s Rent-a-Car. David Evans successfully reclaimed his deposit, which had been taken by the firm for ‘no good reason.’ Expat David Ballard, who runs the firm, said Evans had damaged the car - charges which turned out to be false.

ties in the Marbella hills area of town. In another exclusive a month later, we reported how the pair took a trip to Casares, purchasing two paintings worth €50 each from local painter David Espana.

Mystery surrounded the sudden closure of popular radio station iTalk.

Boss Maurice Boland insisted the station would return with a new and pioneering concept and denied rumours he was set to leave Spain.

Four months later the station remains closed, but Boland remains on the coast.

Battle for the last Frontera A trio of expat writers appealed in the Olive Press to save the Alcornocales Natural Park and joined an Olive Press campaign to prevent the sale of the huge Almoraima estate. They oppose the building of a fivestar hotel and hunting estate, with one, Driving Over Lemons writer Chris Stewart saying the council was ‘selling silverware to balance the books’.

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for new consul BRITAIN’S has warned peoAndalucia carefully’ before ple to ‘think Spain, moving to Spain. interview in In her first Arbouin told the Charmaine that it was defiOlive Press challenging’ livnitely ‘more today than a deing in Spain for cade ago. d that work away’ She confirme ‘really fallen of expats had number a and that quite assistance. them now needed was also hugely She said she for the owners ‘sympathetic’ demolished said of the recently Almeria and homes in team were workshe and her try and prevent ing hard to ns. any more demolitio , Malaga to My full circle page 8

DEL SOL AND

h-language and only Englis The original newspaper in Andalucía e investigativ

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ress.es www.theolivep

t traps Hero expa en on her pobogus gasm and calls property to see them lice... only out even let off withcaution an official

October 30

on turned up “The two men and said they

the Thursdaya routine inspecEXCLU had come on Rose Marie, Bogus a much repeated

By Giles Brown CONMEN: tion,” explained IT has been the last decade: their finca and from Stockholm.that the cost of gasmen (top) story over for expats to be them on her and someher me I car (left) “They told the warningout for bogus gas to trap called the police. €300, and gave be around quickly day. quickly conon the look the bills they while police were bogus, would have to pay the same would inspectors. pair of fake gas- But spent if they would the men asked them card but they the last decade she hadinspecSo when a on the doorstep firmedtold Rose Marie they due “I they euros on accept a credit men landed Marie Wiekmachine wasn’t over 2000 unable to prosecute said their we agreed that tions. of Swede Rose immediately were‘lack of proof’. a seto a occurred af- working. So come back on When she tried ringing forms ing, she knew them. her incident had on the at would up they not to trust the pair of local The ries of numbers of order. two men turned the gas com- Monday at 11am.” s she then But what were all out could not ter ist at finca claimingthem to inspect Already suspiciou paperwork they y a reception there Spanish conmen was that wily had sent d that over the the previ- Eventyall confirme looked have expected63, was more pany bottles. and that Cepsa d diary had her gas and discoveren had only been was nothing in the fake.

Rose Marie, y her husband to their trickery. were but afthan equal came back to col- Previousl the inspectors, year, ous inspectio earlier and over the ‘inspectors’ spoke with dealt with nine months When they for the ‘rou- ter his death earlier this Rose Marie that afternoon lect their money that Guardia Civil n at her proper- the job fell to her. assured herofficer nerve tine’ inspectio and they she had the have an ty in Coin, they would Monday at 11am.

Princess Crisavailable on Monday, howEMBATTLEDis to have her afs The following tina (above) bogus inspector put under the ever, the half an hour early, fairs once more turned up the finca. microscope. have decided walking intosaid: “I could hear Spanish courts every bank the Rose Marie shouting, so I locked to go through she made over n outside, called them and transactio the house myself inside Samanta.” last decade. the ongoing Noos my daughterwho lives nearby, As part of Judge Castro Samanta, investigation,that all her outgoto the Guardia Marie drove straight them the has ordered needs to be GUTSY. Rose 2 Civil and informed ings and income ly in relaTurn to page Aizoon, inspected, particular company tion to the and her husband for which shePalma worked. the Duke of have accused Investigators and his business her husband g millions inflated partner of embezzlin submitting . of euros by organised a long bills for events the latest in that The news is sments n of line of embarras reputatio the have sullied Family.

Spain’s Royal feature The 6.

See our special Dozen on page Disgraced

PRINCESS PROBED

SIVE

ND THE FROM BEYO finally GRAVE: Capa ying heard verif sial his controver in ‘lost’ war photofrom view inter page 5 1950s. See

Mystery bla

The Olive Press looked into a fire tha known furniture business Big Blue Box Friends of owners Bennie and Debb how the pair had faced threats and a s plaints over the previous months.

November

A heroic expat told the Olive Press how she trapped bogus gas men on her property, called police and then saw them let off without so much as a caution.

Rose Marie Wieking was horrified when police told her that while the gas men were not official, there wasn’t

Out of gas

enough proof to prosecute them.

Since running the story, scores of readers have shared similar experiences, urging others to be vigilant when the gas men come calling.

the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 201421 21

www.theolivepress.es

June

May

Sweet home Alhaurin

An Olive Press investigation revealed disgraced boss of Palmera Properties Jesus Gotardo had landed a top job as a food company rep and was living the high life. We first investigated Gotardo five years ago. The conman, who swindled property investors out of millions, had renamed himself ‘Jesus Rodruiguez’ and was attending services at the Wave evangelical church in Puerto Banus.

Songstress Joanna Eden penned a song about Alhaurin following a post-breakup stay in the town. The Olive Press caught up with pal Liz Ironside who revealed her trip had lifted her spirits so much she was inspired to write an ode to it.

Eden returned to the town to perform the song later in the summer during a European tour.

Amy stepdad arrested for murder Stepfather of missing schoolgirl Amy Fitzpatrick was arrested on suspicion of killing his stepson. Dave Mahon, 42, was accused of stabbing 23-year-old Dean Fitzpatrick in Dublin following a fight. The victim’s aunt told the Olive Press the family was shattered by his death.

Mahon has since pleaded guilty to the charge, claiming self defence and will go on trial in Dublin this month.

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earned milHE allegedly unsuslions by persuadingto part pecting investors cash with their hard-earned of blacklistthrough a series in Spain. ed companies financial adviNow banned is reapsor Terence Wright of his scams ing the benefits luxury lifestyle by enjoying a in France. can reveal a The Olive Press moved into Wright has million mansprawling €2 region, sion in the Dordogne millions renafter spending is ovating the property.

The British businessman a keen insaid to have taken building work, terest in the in by private regularly flying the project. jet to oversee in Veyrines The property, between de Vergt, halfway Bergerac, Perigueux and nicknamed has even beenlocals due to ‘The Castle’ by its vast size. most notable The mansion’s

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April 19 - May

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d financial advisor for as blackliste doesn’t pay Spanish food’ as reason of France Who says crime cites ‘dislike mansion in Terry Wright and buying €2 million upping sticks

Don’t let the let the Don’t banks cashinin cash banks www.hifx.co.uk o.uk see page 13 www.hifx.c 29

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EXPATS THIRD OF EVICTIONS

PE! GREAT ESCA

British NEARLY 1,000 forced families faced in eviction proceedings Spain last year. figures reAccording to the College leased from Registrars, of Property for Britons accounted cas3% of repossession es in 2012. 30,034 first In total, reposwere homes the banks sessed by one every in 2012 – or minutes 12-and-a-half 4 Turn to page

PP boss’s wild Ibiza weekends with drug lord

Great escape But look who didn’t get so lucky!

GOES E TONI FINALLY OF TIMESHAR THE CONNING ON TRIAL OVER AROUND EUROPE on p2 see full story 15,000 VICTIMS

standards.

Lord of photographed A PP leader “He loves playing EXCLUSIVE and has even with a notorious own stables, the Manor feature is its spent mil- holidaying continued to to be

By Jon Clarke drug smuggler he bragged to have which are believed Bryce of Wright’s the criminal after lions on the renovation. and James for the benefit of plush plac- contact it has emerged. who is known “I’ve seen lotsbut this is on a was arrested Feijoo, leader wife Lesley, interest in increasing scrutiny from UK Albert Nunez region, faced es in my time to have a keen different level.”added: “He of the Galicia this horses. his life- regulators. very strange person, source for his resignation He has furnisheda second “He is a one neigh- Thestill involved in lots of calls after several pictures in month is very slippery,” in the style by buying road for staff bour told the Olive Press.for schemes and has been the of him were published Marhome up the over lord he gave new Merout of Dubai high life. company of drugs and two branda Bentley for “The reasons made a lot of and living the Dorado. moving have cedes cars and you don’t last year politician advia private jet cial Although the people suspicious, country “He often flies him and his wife. a ‘personal goes in and out mitted to having move to another just and usually Biggin Hill.”

The boss of FSA-blacklisted with Dorado, via great expense Services and firms, PFR Pension , told at such you don’t like the of the UK Press revealed in relationship’he had no idea acThe Olive because op- he insisted Cash in Your Wright was has moved his friend’s illegal neighbours hesick of Span- food.” source who worked 2011 howa so-called boiler about and immediately cut Another because he is added: “The erating in Alhaurin, which tivity food.

7 room on the house iards and Spanish Turn to page has been caris his Span2 and But the truth run out of renovation Turn to page to the highest ish operation, Alhaurin el ried out incredible luxury a house in coming under almost Grande, was

The Olive Press revealed shamed financial adviser Terry Wright was hiding out in a two million euro French chateau after spending millions renovating the property. Blacklisted by the FSA, Wright set up shop in Spain before fleeing when the UK regulators began investigating.

The end of our dream

The Olive Press spoke to a community of Dutch pensioners who faced eviction after being wrongly accused of running an ESS.ES - VOTED

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- Septemb September 4

The end of our dream EXCLUSIVE

By Alex Iszatt

Lucky strike

Expat Amy Jewson shared her delight at scooping €81,650 the euromillions draw. The 21-year-old had been forced to leave Spain for a job in a London call centre, but her mum told the Olive Press she would be returning to the coast after her win.

September

group of WHEN a small moved to Spain Dutch people ago they had two decadesbuild their own a dream to out their days homes and live bliss. in simple, rustic later and Some 17 years are being they they claim their homes, evicted from social workers ‘kidnapped’ bydismantle their to and forced . idyllic community

for authorities Expats slam to dismantle their forcing them‘false’ claims they are homes after ng an illegal care ‘hippies’ runni id’ conditions home in ‘squal of strength, folbizarre of cirIn the most Mijas town hall cumstances, friends – who has accused the just half a dozen now number an illegal care - of running that it home and demanded down. must be closed

In a show by local lowed up slavishly English media, Spanish and Eva Gonzales social servicesgroup of being accused the and suggested unhygienic members some of its elderly

s GoldenBale

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PAPARAZZO: How I sold two Brad paintings to for a and Angelin just €100

You can’t stop the Rock!

By Giles Brown

of GibralORGANISERS ever rock festar’s biggest themtival are preparing trouble selves for potential weekend’s ahead of this event. that fans While insisting to drive should not attemptthey fear into the enclave, border disthat the worst could blow pute in decades up on the day. dispute is a recent “The the promotbig worry for member of ers,” said a Festival’s were being abused. warrant Gibraltar Music Using a searchpolice she by technical crew. the sound and escorted entrance to the “Luckily all well as the explored the Valtocado area, as and lighting, E LOST: The in Gibralsite in the the details of PARADIS in Mijas and stage are already before releasing no possibility to the commune tar so there is stuck at the original group the ‘squalid’ conditions some of the 1990s of that getting press.

– the in Spain in the border. a high The only problem rather nice...

“But with suchwould be the town place is actually it but squalid. s is now counter suing profile event,if the Spanish and anything actions. newspaper for its a nightmare down two, from Claims in rival liv- hall ‘hippies’ and The mother-of- that their authorities clampedinto Githat they are d by rubbish’ insists on vehicles coming- for the ing ‘surrounde fit for human Nijmegen, living a different braltar - or worse only crime is in an area ‘not been comof lifestyle. concert.” this habitation’ haveby the resi- sort is anything but squalTensions heightened on “It rather pletely denied it emerged after here and actually week id dents. have lived here ‘Alex’ 12 Turn to page charming. We Moreover, Patricia 4 runs the camp, Turn to page Derks, who Press that she is Olive told the care home and not running a

illegal care home in squalid conditions. Mijas Town Hall told the group their community would be shut down, while one local rival newspaper jumped on the story branding them ‘hippies’. Patricia Deeks, who runs the camp, told the Olive Press they planned to counter sue the town hall. The friends remain in their homes, although the town hall is still threatening action.

Blinded in Banus expensive heart in the the world’s most says Hola to for Madrid from Spurs The Olive Press on page 6 as he signs Special feature HISTORY MAN: n Gareth Bale has ever seen country footballer Welshma recession the of the worst

Read more

on page 31

Olive Press reader Clinton Fisher told us how he was left blinded in one eye after being bottled at a Puerto Banus nightclub.

The youngster had to have his eye removed.

London eye specialists described it as the worst eye injury they had ever seen. Fisher’s case is set to come to court this Spring.

December

aze

A shocking impact

at gutted wellx in Estepona. bie Glynn told series of com-

Olympic rower and MEP candidate James Cracknell told the Olive Press of his shock at seeing the economic impact of the border dispute on the overseas territory. He vowed to fight the corner of the Gibraltarians, should he be elected to the European Parliament in next May’s elections.

Where’s naughty Nigel?

The Olive Press is still investigating the mysterious disappearance of ‘Sir’ Nigel Goldman who is wanted by police for a series of fraud charges.

The unregulated financial advisor stands accused of of-

fering bad advice and leaving investors empty handed. A number of suspected victims spoke to us, including one who claims he has lost over €550,000. More have since come forward.

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Black mark for Tarifa

L APPEAM Y A R FO livepress.es

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163

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a has landed TARIFA black mark frommassive leading environ Spain’s mental group.beaches Playa aIts two main and Valdev sode los Lances received queros have flags’ from called ‘blacken accion fore ecologistasbuild a massiv on plans to urbanisation’ ‘macro beside them. virgin land e group’s anThe pressur report slams nual coastal, which comthe schemevillas and 1,400 prises 350 over 71 hectaE hotel rooms de Valdev USIV EXCL ares alongsi n Jones of missing g in a loqueros beach.

By Maso THE family rick has rebeen workin for in- evenbar. to hospimissAmy Fitzpat to us appeal still an with was taken dead a Damning ear- cal poor child is oken ptlaunched on the teen2008 – nced worked closely “This the heartbr Amy’s disapp it as ‘unacce ’, Olive information earance. tal but pronou vestigate told the that ing,” added hopes Dean’s Describing unsustainable later.

Spanwho in 2008, ager’s disapp now Calahonda more inshort time comes as able and is to be builta a former admitted ance “It is urgent to dis- aunt may lead to The news vowed to extraas Mahon, has the project the Press: come forwardall what death ion on his sister. designated ish police suspects from estate agent, ere redid a great people format on land and for Dean outside O biosph dite any following the Olive Press proper Alcorstabbingflat he shares with cover onceto Amy. “The the UNESC some , de but Amy’s , Ireland in shiningcase back then g of happenedis anybody in Spain serve, alongsi l Park. ’s Dublin mother Audrey . the per- job can fatal stabbin Amy’s “If there their mother nocales Natura self defence who was be- light on let’s hope you which comes knows, brother by now Mahon. La claims it was Dean’s aunt, to talk The report, de the annual of who who too scared ring us... andit again.” partner Dave Amy and Kenny, brother made for haps do out alongsi please awards, Dean – the t Amy who Christine fore, well n’t be any fear Blue Flag damning readion larly Cala residen aged 15 in there should this year.

Explanathas been particu aAndalucia went missing r of for who now.” extensive investig ing the numbe Press detective the case for After an In total issued is up drathe Oliveh pro- A last night investigating tion in 2011, black flags to 80 (up from revealed an in-dept r in phone five years mobile case. published tragic teenage maticallyyear), while there the that Amy’s file on the after she disap64 last 97 so-called punthe key to“We know could be the months New Year’s Day said: are also , or black spots she Liam Bradyfriends that on peared on tos negros80 last year). an her inrts in 2008. as a damning and from her mobile phone (up from was awarded our repo an missing, had It served of her mother wom Marbella 20 black flags, she went Following the nightsame mobile phone a Britishhome dictmentwith sources telling incredible lar Linda Vista ’s ne, that mother on how y lebut been her her particu g Mahon in in Ireshe had for recentl durhappy turned upa TV show in faces losin nct property the paper and Pinillo was not construction hands onmonths later. down glected and galising over a defu Dave not tracked page 36 at home. d she had and land fiver Audrey norwhy or Turn to deal, we tigated the “Neithe explained It emerge ng school living have ever and inves d Palmera page 2 been attendi mes been Turn to had someti the family home. man behins, Porsche- s she had rough near PropertiePuerto Banu s now reveal We can

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Xxxxxxxxxxxx

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June 12

STILL MISS Fitzpatrick

THE JESUS - COMING! SECOND

Home swap home driving, -again Jesu 6 and 7 based born See pages Gotardo.

Appeal for Amy

Amy Fitzpatrick made the front page again as her family launched a fresh appeal for information surrounding her disappearance. Her family told the Olive Press about their distress after the announcement Spanish police would extradite any suspects from Ireland. Amy’s disappearance remains a mystery and anyone with information should contact her father, Christopher, at www.searchforamy.com

Olive Press reporters found the abandoned home of Costa conman Toni Muldoon had reopened as a swingers’ venue. The home - allegedly kitted out with bondage equipment - was being advertised on a website advertising ‘hush parties’. The news preceded that of Muldoon’s imprisonment in July, when he was found guilty of conning people out of €6.6 million via an online escort

agency and debt-elimination scam, first exposed by the Olive Press three years ago.

22

the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

22

Property

www.theolivepress.es

Prices continue to fall

SPANISH property prices are still falling, despite bottoming out in some areas of the country.

The average value of resale property stood at €1745 per square metre in November, down 7.5% year on year, according to website Idealista.

This represents a monthly decline of 1.3% from October.

Decreases were noted across all regions, the lowest falls being in Madrid.

Property values fell just 0.3% in the capital. Galicia and Aragon also reported

Property business offload for Banco Popular BANCO POPULAR plans to sell its property management business to two US investment firms in a bid to strengthen its capital.

The deal, between the bank, Kennedy Wilson, and Varde Partners, is said to be worth €800 million.

It would see the bank raise funds by selling the management platform while keeping the properties on its books.

Popular would also keep a minority stake in the business, which services bad loans and repossessed property.

The property management business, Aliseda, manages around €15.8 billion of properties and loans, according to Reuters.

The deal is the second the US investors have brokered together, the first involving the purchase of a similar business from Spain’s nationalised Catalunya Bank.

The Property Insider ale

by Adam Ne

I

minor falls of 0.4%.

Conversely, La Rioja prices tumbled 5.2%, while valuations in both Navarra and Andalucia were down 2.2%.

Upswing hope

However, experts say the market is not too far from bottoming out and those thinking of investing in Spanish property do need to be quick.

Improving economics in the country - which is now officially out of recession - and an improvement in conditions in traditional investor countries, mean the real estate market could soon enjoy an upswing.

Not the kind of ‘complement’ you want to receive

F you’ve found the home of your dreams on of the property. The problem is that, during the Costa recently, especially at a bargain the housing boom, the fiscal value was almost price, congratulations! But, buyer beware, as always lower than the selling price. Since the you could be liable for an extra tax demand onset of the financial crisis, however, as house any time in the next four years… prices have fallen, there is a good chance the You’ve looked at lots of houses since you began bargain price you have agreed to may be less your search for a home on Andalucia’s wonder- than the fiscal value of the property, which ful coastline and have just seen a property you could give rise to a problem with the tax office. love. Even better, the owner is willing to offer a If the amount that appears on the deeds is less juicy discount on the price for quick completion. than the fiscal value of the property, meaning Your lawyer has run through all the ITP was also lower than it the legal fees and taxes you need should have been, the Spanish Now really is to pay. And your budget covers tax authorities compare the sellall that and even leaves you with ing prices with their own valuathe time to do money to redo the bathrooms or tion (valor fiscal). When they something to put have a new kitchen fitted. find a discrepancy between the your affairs in But there is one other cost you two, Hacienda sends a letter noorder may have overlooked and which tifying the buyer that they are lican prove a not-so-pleasant surable to pay tax on the difference prise in the future: ‘complemenbetween the sale price and the tary’ tax (known as liquidación complementaria fiscal value. in Spanish). This is a demand from the tax of- If you receive a complementary tax demand, fice (Hacienda) to pay an additional amount of you have the right to appeal against the fiscal Property Transfer Tax (ITP or impuesto de trans- value determined by the authorities, but you misiones patrimoniales), if there is a significant must reply to the official notification letter and difference between the fiscal value of a prop- have just 30 days to do so. erty and that bargain asking price.

The general decline in property prices across Everyone who buys a property in Spain is the country, coupled with a tendency to overobliged to pay ITP which, since January 2012, inflate valuations in hotspots like Marbella and has been levied in accordance with a sliding Estepona, has left some people who managed scale of 8-10% of the selling price. Spanish to pick up a bargain with an unforeseen, extra law, however, stipulates that the tax should be tax bill, just as they are making themselves at calculated as a percentage of the ‘real value’ home in their new house.

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014

Marbella | Puerto Banús | Sotogrande | Madrid | Gibraltar

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All of Marbella’s elegant shops, restaurants, cafes and beaches are within walking distance of the complex. This gated residential complex comprises 81 apartments, of 2 and 3 bedrooms, divided into two blocks with 9 entrances, and five stories high. There are only two apartments per floor, each with two parking spaces and storage room.

The complex has a splendid pool with treated water and tropical gardens.

This is a purely residential complex with no commercial premises, therefore ensuring the maximum welfare of their owners, and complete with 24 hour security and surveillance systems.

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These spacious and luxurious apartments are built to the highest specifications. They are delivered complete with air conditioning units (hot and cold), double glazing, pre-installation of a centralized music system, high quality marble floors throughout, electric blinds, and solid wood interior doors and wardrobes. The master bathroom has whirlpool tub and all the bathrooms have under-floor heating with thermostat control. They have ample covered terraces with electric awnings and a centralized vacuum cleaner system in each apartment. The kitchens are fully equipped with designer furniture and Miele appliances. A computerized home automation system allows owners to control many of the appliances including the blinds and air-conditioning.

To personally experience the exceptional quality of these apartments and penthouses, we invite you to visit our show flat in the complex. Our offices are open 7 days a week including Sundays and holidays and can provide you with all the detailed information for these luxury units that are priced from only € 526,000.

A luxury development that satisfies the most demanding of today’s clients, designed to provide comfort, elegance and wellbeing.

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 201425 25

The Olive Press fortnightly business section taking a look at the Spanish economy and offering tips on how to save AND make money

Counterfeit crackdown

Police seize fake designer gear and arrest about 100, including mosque imams MORE than a million items of fake designer clothes and shoes have been seized in several cities throughout Spain, including Sevilla and Malaga.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Price crash SHARES in infrastructure company Sacyr fell 11.6% after the company said work may be suspended on the massive Panama Canal extension project.

The news follows clashes between the consortium of builders.

FAKE HANDBAGS: Part of the massive haul

The fakes were made in illegal factories in Portugal and then shipped to distributors in northwestern Spain, said the interior ministry.

A total of 235 tonnes of garments and footwear

were distributed over the past two years at a profit of €5.5 million, it was revealed.

According to the ministry, part of the money was held at two mosques in the cities of Ourense and Xinzo de Limia.

Around 100 people are said to have been arrested, including the imam of the mosque of Xinzo de Limia. ment remains at 26%.

Also detained De Guindos argued that the labour reform introduced in FebruOfficials said the mosque ary 2012 would invigorate the job received nearly €100,000 market. euros.

The reforms made it cheaper and easThe imam at the mosque in ier to sack workers, but also provide the nearby city of Ourense more incentives for companies to take was also detained. Police people on part-time. suspect him of helping to The government is predicting GDP launder the money. growth for this year of 0.7%, alFake designer clothes though some believe that target is and shoes where also modest and that the pace of growth discovered elsewhere, inwill gradually pick up as the year cluding Madrid and Barprogresses. celona.

Economy minister predicts Spanish job bonanza SPAIN’S job market will expand significantly this year, according to economy minister Luis de Guindos.

The forecast follows the prime minister´s end of year speech during which he said 2014 would be the ‘year of economic recovery.’

De Guindos said: “In 2014, the projections we have at the Economy Ministry point to a net creation of jobs, even above what we forecast when we drew up the state budget.”

Spain emerged from a protracted reWORK HUNGRY: But the job scene cession in the third quarter of 2013 when GDP grew 0.1%, but unemploycould soon change for the better

Banks go it alone as Spain exits bail-out SPAIN has entered the new year without eurozone support for its banks, following the conclusion of the bloc’s aid programme.

The support, which amounted to €41 billion during the debt crisis, has brought the country’s banks back onto a sound footing, according to the head of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

Klaus Regling said¨: “Spain’s programme exit after one year is an impressive success story.”

Stability

He added: “Despite the challenges ahead, I am confident that the ESM’s support, combined with structural reforms, will allow the Spanish economy to achieve stability and substantial growth.”

In 2012 Madrid managed to negotiate a €100 billion deal with eurozone states to bail out the nation’s banks, which were on the verge of collapse. From the total loan secured, Spain ultimately spent only €41.3 billion Regling added: “The Spanish success shows that our strategy of providing temporary loans against strong conditionality is working.”

Jingle tills RETAIL sales in Spain rose 1.9% in November year on year, in a tentative sign that domestic demand is picking up after three years of belt-tightening. The rise follows a 0.3% drop in October.

Shocking rise ELECTRICITY bills have soared 60% over the past six years in Spain, making them the third largest in Europe. Around four million face difficulties paying their bills, according to the Red Cross.

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26 26 the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

ON TRACK: Plans for 2014

nine months 2013 show that Inditex continues its global, multiconcept, multi-channel growth,” said a statement by the group, which has grown from humble beginnings in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia to reign over 6,249 stores in 86 countries.

On track

Inditex said it now employs 124,880 people in a fashion empire that includes the brands of Bershka, Massimo Dutti, Oysho, Pull and Bear, Stradivarius and Zara.

Inditex said expansion plans for its 2013 business year, which ends January 31, were ‘on track’. The group plans to open about 500 large stores, enlarge 100 global flagship stores and introduce a new image to key stores around the world. The group said it now had 4,545 stores in Europe, 536 in the Americas and 1,168 in Asia and the rest of the world. Inditex said it had rolled out online sales in Russia and now planned to launch e-commerce operations in South Korea and Mexico next year.

YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED

Don’t muzzle the Press I

T is a well-known fact that under English police forces, prosecutors or civil servants, law, once legal proceedings become ‘ac- among others, but he argued it would be a tive’, it is a criminal offence for media or- waste of public money to try to find the culganisations to broadcast material which prit, if this was at all possible. would create a risk of serious prejudice to Take note: The Press is not even mentioned the proceedings. here, the reason being that it is expected Contempt of the law, also known as ‘sub almost obliged - to publish any information judice’, comes into force once a person is deemed in the public interest and this is arrested, a warrant for arrest is issued, a rarely questioned. summons has been issued, or a person has In 2004, the General Council of the Judibeen charged and they remain so until such ciary issued a protocol in respect to the the time as the accused has been acquitted or type of information that could be released convicted. by the courts, when a case was in the inIn Spain, such rules don’t vestigation phase, but this FREE our Abortion: exist unless a court specifihas never gone beyond beal wishes to alltisers In Spain, such Seasoners Back to the adver and read dark ages cally orders the proceeding a mere ‘recommendarules don’t exist ings to be ‘secret’ (secreto tion’. unless a court de sumario), but then it is Finally, the Spanish Cona general ban on ANY per- specifically orders stitution Tribunal has, on son or organisation privy to the proceedings to many occasions, stressed such information. the importance of freedom be ‘secret’ ’s re he W Outside of this, although of communication and exanyone involved in the case pression as a pillar of denaughty is supposed to treat data confidentially, mocracy. It even cites a paragraph of the l? ge Ni there is almost free rein for the Press to pub- famous European Court of Human Rights lish details of pretty much any aspect of the Goodwin vs. United Kingdom case. “If jourinvestigation phase (as the trial is officially nalists are forced to reveal their sources the public). This is no doubt the consequence role of the Press as public watchdog could of many decades of fierce censorship under be seriously undermined because of the General Franco’s dictatorship. chilling effect that such disclosure would Recently, the investigating Judge José Cas- have on the free flow of information.” tro said that the leaks in the ‘Urdangarin’ To sum up a recent Olive Press report on an REPORT: Our exclusive front page (King Juan Carlos’ son-in-law) meant alleged fraudster Nigel Goldman, who I am report on ‘Sir’ Nigel Goldman, who has case that it was very hard to try him in private: “A investigating on behalf of various clients, is allegedly disappeared with millions of secret shared by so many people makes it not only completely spot on, but very useful investors money is a classic example practically impossible to keep the case con- in flushing out illegal behaviour and bringing of the press helping to investigate a fidential.” In his writ, he explained that leaks together victims. convicted fraudster could have come from lawyers, procurators, Contact me at aflores@lawbird.com

Journalists are the guardians of public interest and democracy... particularly when it comes to alleged fraudsters like Nigel Goldman, writes lawyer Antonio Flores REACHES MAGNIFICENT SEVEN....OLIVE PRESS

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Tel. 951 203 986

Vol. 7 Issue 177

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A

ll about

Vol. 7 Issue

Sierra December

23 2013

23 2013

- January

8 2014

press

- December

- January

8 2014

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December 23 2013 - January

8 2014

177 www.theolivepress.es

By Claire Wilson

PROTESTS have erupted around Spain after the government approved abortion laws that take the country back 30 years.

The new abortion law will in permit the procedure only cases of rape, mental or physical risks to the mother, or lifethreatening foetal deformities.

Hundreds gathered outside parliament in Madrid and of burnt an effigy of Minister Justice Alberto Ruiz Gallardon who masterminded the law.

Protesters took to the streets in around 20 other cities, including Malaga, Bilbao and Barcelona, while the Socialist party has already anprotests. nounced further

er nd Wintderla won arrived when hemassive a Andalucia to ski in he has become possible snowboarder, idea it was had no as a keen ago. Now, Liam Kirkaldy months fan here six Sierra Nevada

once there was his has it that lived with EGEND lord who remote casa wealthydaughter in aon the southbeautiful Alpujarras, he Nevada. tle in the of the Sierra and because feloff to a ern slopes was controlling, away The lord to marry his daughter her hidden he kept could not meet planned she low landowner world so had from theelse. his daughter to him, house at night, anyone But unknown out thein love with somefallen been sneaking already father’s and had – a local shepherd. of her the one elsethe two learnedelope through to mountains When decided if it meant plans, they Sierra Nevada north, even snow-bound to the accordand flee his lover, into to meet their deaths. bumped to his way broom the shepherd But on him a ing to legend, who offeredtracks in the snow. the the devil, hide his by the rich lord,they Pursued fled until of Alcazayoung couple methe peak reached sits at 3,371 its ba, which a few less thanand tres, just rivals Veleta two nearby (3,482m). the Mulhacen they dropped by sweep But when began to avalanche an broom it itself, causingtheir pursuers. the and burying goes that left The storybroom’ was it still where ‘devil’s landslides there forgotten, causing sweeps, at the base to this day. last arrived When I Sierra Nevadajutting of the greeted by patches week, the scattered hills with landslides were of snow, on my mind. range last thing mountain SiThe tallest Europe, thethan in southern is higher one erra Nevada and has the Pyrenees 17

L

Turn to

page

e three kings No donkeys, sledges or snowboards...th of the Sierra Nevada... trudge up the snowy slopes on page 15 see our annual skiing supplement

r ‘Sir’ Nigel Colourful Costa characte probe Goldman sought in fraud

Freedom

movement, Femen The which staged a topless protest at parliament in Octo“If ber, warned on Twitter: to they take away our right decide, we’ll have to abort the Church and everything that limits our freedom.” party had PP The ruling in promised to change the law its run up to the 2011 election.

Currently women can abort without restrictions until the 14th week of pregnancy.

In a 2012 poll, 81% of Spaniards said they were opposed to changes to Spain’s abortion laws.

The PP was keen to empha-

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HIDDEN ASSETS:

Goldman with Suzanne Couling

HE has been one of the coast’s most colourful characters for years.

Regularly hosting charity on auctions and appearing radio phone ins, he even had his own restaurant column in a local newspaper. to But now things appear

nancial Investment - with the Goldman allegedly fleeing country back to the UK. has A separate police report now been filed with Action have come unstuck for ‘Sir’ Fraud UK. Nigel Goldman with police Two victims alone, expats and lawyers actively seeking Roy and Jennifer Feather, his whereabouts. claim to have lost €550,000, The self-styled poker wizard, while another Geoffrey Whitover lost who dealt in gold and coins, have to of ton claims has allegedly fallen foul fi- €20,000. regulators by offering bad in- “I’d like to find him and get nancial advice and leaving my money back,” said Whitvestors empty handed. ton, a writer, from Cornwall, Spanish police are now prob- currently based in Madrid. ing two of his financial com- According to Marbella lawyer panies - Harvard Private Fi- Antonio Flores of Lawbird, Client and International

the Olive Press INVESTIGATES

PLAN: Skyscraper

Sky’s the Limit to keep Russians happy

A BITTER war of words has broken out between Marbella’s new and old guard over plans to erect a 50-storey skyscraper off the Golden Mile.

Prince Pablo von Hohenlohe, whose uncle built the Marthe bella Club hotel, insists project is totally out of keeping with the town’s low-rise, low-density housing. fu“You can’t mortgage the ture of the town for the benefit of a few,” said Hohenlohe would of the first block that be built on the Istan road, the overlooking the palace of Saudi royal family. arThe scheme, designed by chitect Ricardo Bofill, could be the first of six to be allowed the in the Marbella area, after town hall published a new proposed PGOU town plan.

15 15

a Nevad

the olive

ANGRY: Protesters

ITS SEVENTH BIRTHDAY

nguage The original and only English-la Andalucía investigative newspaper in

Earpiece let the Don’t

Telemark

INDITEX profits slowed in the nine months to October as it pursued global expansion.

The textile giant, which owns Zara, said net profit edged up 1% from the figure for the same period a year earlier to €1.67 billion, a far cry from the 27% leap in profits it reported a year ago.

Sales rose by 5% to €11.93 billion in the same period; a year ago they had shot up by 17%.

“The results for the interim

AGONY ANT

Photo by

Zara profits slow in bid for global expansion

www.theolivepress.es

Heated

At a heated meeting on Friday at El Fuerte hotel, a mix of locals, including aristocrat Beatriz de Orleans and environmentalist Javier de Luis, vowed to fight the plans, setting up a new platform.

They warn that the skyscrapers would destroy the charm of the town and thousands have now signed a petition against the building.

Developer Pedro Rodriguez however, insisted the scheme the would be positive for town, which is rapidly becoming more popular for Russians and Eastern Europeans.

He said: “The British and Scandinavians like old style architecture, but the Russians demand modern apartments.”

Pablo Moro, who is responsible for town planning in Marbella, also dismissed the outcry. He said: “There was opthen there are ‘likely to be’ many position in Paris when they built the Eiffel Tower.” more victims.

However, the town hall has Public school educated Goldup- agreed to set up a public conman - who lived in an listen to market Elviria development sultation body and and drove a Mercedes - cer- the views of its people. g to Indeed, pedigree.

Visit www.change.or tainly had sign the petition

See page 2

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 201427 27

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Advertorial

FORM 720 DEADLINE MARCH 2014 – FATCA DEADLINE JUNE 2014 – THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN FOR NON DISCLOSURE?

F

orm 720 must surely have served the tax man he is likely to find out either by as a wake-up call to many of you taking legal action against you, by receiving even though the majority of you have information from the UK Government (Spain, done nothing and failed to report UK, Italy, France and Germany have joined your overseas assets. We don’t think the forces to share information) or possibly even same approach is going to work in 2014 by anonymous information passed on by as Hacienda is specifically rogue employees of a bank or targeting UK expats with by snooping journalists eager regard to obtaining full for a new story.

Now really is information and has recruited Now really is the time to do the time to do many more tax inspectors something to put your affairs something to put and investigators to make in order always remembering your affairs in sure the same thing doesn’t that there are perfectly order happen again. legitimate solutions that can There seems to be a ease your tax burden whilst resistance to providing at the same time making you information and yet it is very clear from what totally tax compliant with the authorities. is happening all over Europe, and the rest of If you are hoping that your offshore trust the world for that matter, that tax authorities or company will negate the necessity for are demanding and obtaining information a declaration then we are afraid we have about the wealth and location of that wealth bad news for you. Being a beneficiary or for all of its’ citizens. Basically if you don’t tell signatory to any trust or company will mean

a declaration in most circumstances and in have tax efficient products suitable for any case war has been declared on overseas you as a Spanish tax resident. Remember territories like Cayman and BVI who have that UK investment bonds and ISA’s whilst agreed to supply relevant information to the tax efficient when you are UK based, lose taxman. Perhaps now would be a good time their tax efficiency as soon as you take to review the rationale for holding such a up residency in Spain. vehicle; of course estate and Why not look at Form 720 as inheritance tax planning may an opportunity to restructure be a core reason but if it is your investments and assets Form 720 is an merely to disguise ownership opportunity to restructure properly so you are no longer of assets then you may be at risk from the taxman and your investments so better off rethinking your at the same time you are you are not at risk strategy. taking advantage of the tax from the taxman You may be thinking that breaks available to Spanish all this has nothing to do tax residents. with you and your wealth If this sounds like a good consists of some money in an offshore strategy why not make an appointment account in Channel Islands or some to meet with one of our advisers at a tax investments back home in the UK so why and wealth clinic being held near you. should I bother. The point is that Channel Call Tel: 956796911 or email enquiries@ Islands is now disclosing information and fiduciarywealth.eu to reserve your place now. in any case are you really sure that you YOU NEED TO TALK TO US URGENTLY!

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the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

OP Columnists

Give your grandchild a head start

Getting your children to read at a very young age is one of the most important gifts you can give them, writes Juliet Hambro

I

T’S a fact that a child should hear 500 books read aloud before entering school. And children who are introduced to books early in life and continue to enjoy them are much better prepared for literacy learning than those who don’t.

Here are some wonderful baby board books that have stood the test of time. They introduce your babies to the five senses - well, all except for taste.

Babies hear, see, touch and even smell things as they experience the language of books. They learn that reading experiences are cozy times with adults and that reading is fun.

Any of the following titles make for good reading times with your grandchildren. And board books are built to last through drooling and teething and all the other dangers of having books in the hands of babies and toddlers.

Eric Carle Books: You can’t go wrong with any Eric Carle book. The illustrations are beautiful and the topics are whimsical and rhythmic.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear The Grouchy Ladybug The Very Hungry Caterpillar The Very Quiet Cricket The Very Busy Spider The Very Lonely Firefly Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.

This is a classic bedtime favorite.

Hello Baby by Mem Fox. Lots of baby animals are introduced for the first time to babies.

Chicka Chicka

Granny Joke Last night my grandchildren and I were sitting in the living room and I said to them.

‘I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle.

If that ever happens, just pull the plug’ They got up, unplugged the TV and threw out my wine!

Granny Joke

I just took out a leaflet from my letterbox, informing me that I can still make love at 82!

I’m so very happy, because I live at 74…. so it’s not far to walk home afterwards!

Granny Facts If you have children, remember this: When you finish with them the rest of the world has to live with them, so please teach them respect.

Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. This is a fun and rhythmic introduction to the alphabet.

Baby Gym Books by Sanja Rescek: These books also introduce the sense to little ones. They encourage exercise, singing games, eye-hand coordination exercises and lots of cuddle time with adults.

Wiggle and Move Touch and Tickle Bounce and Jiggle Calm and Soothe My Little Quiet Books by Pockets of Learning: These are actually books made of fabric and stand up well to many, many reading experiences.

My Colour Book My Counting Book My Book of Opposites My Animal Book Spots and Dots by Chez Picthall. This wordless book is specifically for babies six weeks to six months old. It introduces visual stimulation through high-contrast images in black and white and bold colors. See also Hearts and Stars.

Kids Little Chunky Books by C.R. Gibson. This set of three books introduces colours, shapes and numbers.

The benefits of board books for babies and toddlers can’t be overestimated. They are sturdy and the pages are thick enough for toddlers to turn by themselves.

They are usually a smaller size than the hardback of the same title for older children. They can withstand bites and spills and sticky fingers as they can be wiped with a damp cloth.

So go ahead and purchase some of these for the grandbabies in your life. You’ll be setting them up for future success in reading and writing skills.

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014 29 29

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26

Road to Riches, by Richard Alexander

A question of ethics!

With so many ethical funds available, it makes the choice even more difficult

PENSIONERS: No longer having it so good

Tighten your belts! W Old folk hit by new law which breaks link between pension increases and inflation

THE GOVERNMENT has placed tight curbs on increases in pension payments through pension reforms that have now come into force.

The new regime breaks the link between pension rises and inflation in a bid to balance the deficit-stricken social security system.

Pensions will rise by a minimum 0.25% a year and can only rise further if the state pension fund is in surplus.

Payments will be capped at 0.5% above inflation and from 2019 pensions will be calculated with the help of a new ‘sustainability factor’ linking payments to life expectancy

Market mumbles

and ensuring pensions will fall as the average lifespan increases.

Most generous

The Spanish state pension system is one of the most generous in the western world and the average Spanish pensioner receives around 74% of their salary before retirement, compared to an OECD average of 55%.

Studies also highlight that Spain’s pensioners suffered less than other sectors of the population during the recent economic crisis, frequently allowing them to provide financial help to their children and grandchildren.

with Mark Rikard

New Year prosperity HAPPY New Year to those of you who use the HiFX when choosing to transfer funds in or out of Spain. Last year saw global economies display encouraging signs of growth, or at least maintain the status quo with their financial affairs. These early signs of stability offer an excellent springboard for 2014, and there is market confidence for a period of growth. The UK, US, and in a less pronounced fashion, Europe, displayed real signs of emerging from recessionary conditions, with key indicators like employment, interest rates, retail sales and money supply all moving in the right direction.

Here at HiFX in Centro Plaza we are looking forward to a very positive year ahead !

historic high levels of unemployment

This Week

2014 Prediction

Monday 9am Services PMI previous 51.0 Tuesday 10am CPI flash estimate previous 0.9% Wednesday 10am Retail sales previous -0.2% Wednesday Unemployment rate previous 12.1% Thursday 12.45pm ECB rate decision Friday 10am Final Q3 GDP previous 0.3% q/q

This Week

US

UK

We expect resilience in the labour market, an improvement in the cost of living and a buoyant housing market to help the broadbased recovery we witnessed in the second half of 2013 continue into 2014 Monday 9.30am Services PMI previous 60.0 Thursday 9.30am Trade balance previous -£9.7 billion Thursday 12pm Bank of England rate decision Friday 9.30am Manufacturing and Industrial production previous 0.4% respectively

2014 Prediction

In the US we expect the recovery to gain momentum and for the FOMC to continue with tapering their quantitative easing programme

This Week

Monday 3pm ISM services PMI previous 53.9 Wednesday 7pm FOMC meeting minutes Europe Friday 1.30pm non-farm payrolls previous 2014 Prediction 203k We feel the eurozone economy will contin- Friday 1.30pm Unemployment rate previue to struggle in 2014, weighed down by an ous 7% over-valued currency, slowing inflation and

Contact HiFX to help you with your international transactions, call in at Centro Plaza, call 951 203 986 or email olivepress@hifx.co.uk

ITH Christmas over, perhaps your thoughts are turning to resolutions for the New Year and maybe you are one of the growing number of people who are concerned about what the money they have invested is actually being used for.

This is where the use of ethical funds may be appropriate to consider.

There are in fact many collective investment funds that describe themselves as being ethical, but that does not mean of course, that the fund will meet your own ethical standards and come to that, not all funds will employ the same principles.

While there is no common standard, the methods employed by fund managers will have a similar approach and will use a method of screening.

There are two possibilities here for either negative or positive screening.

For example, if you wanted to avoid companies investing in arms manufacture, tobacco production or nuclear energy, these can be ‘screened out’ from the investments and this is the process of negative screening.

Conversely, you might be seeking to support a company that is involved with projects that have positive social or environmental impact, such as renewable energy sources or waste management – this is known as positive screening.

Ethical investing, requires careful fund selection, to ensure a spread of risk However, one problem that can arise is that you could be limiting the ability of your investments to perform if you place too many restrictions on them. Where this may be the case, you can employ a ‘best-of-sector’approach.

As an example, an ethical fund might want to invest in the oil and gas sector but will only invest in those oil

companies that are ‘best in their sector’ where perhaps those companies have a better environmental or Human Rights track record.

Another approach could be one of activism whereby an attempt is made to influence corporate behaviour. This might be encouraging a company to reduce carbon emissions or even to improve conditions for workers in their supply chain.

Ethical investing requires careful fund selection, to ensure an appropriate spread of investment risk.

For some people, who have both the time and the dedication to conduct sufficient research and monitor performance, this can be a rewarding way to invest, not only in terms of the growth that can be achieved, but also the satisfaction of knowing that you have upheld your personal views in terms of your social conscience.

For the majority however, this can be a daunting task. While there are an increasing number of ethical funds available, this extra choice in many ways makes the job even more difficult.

Fortunately there are specialists who understand ethical concerns and who have the solutions available, so if this is an area that concerns you and is on your new year’s resolution list, there is help available.

Richard Alexander Financial Planning Limited is an appointed representative of L J Financial Planning Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the UK. Contact him at Richard@ra-fp.com

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OP Columnists

the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

Belinda Beckett, aka Mistresswww.theolivepress.es of Sizzle, takes a porcine tapas tour

Tapas truth with no porky pies!

It was just like the Monty Python sketch - without the spam!

W

E’D gone to a tapas fest in Tarifa to pig out on pork. But a man in a pork pie hat on a poster had other ideas, adding a curious twist to this piggy tale.

PRETTY: El Ombligo’s Emma

He stopped us again in our tracks outside the Tourist Information Office where we went to pick up a map. A dapper gent, in spectacles and a cravat, presiding in spirit over Tarifa’s 1st Ruta de Cerdo Ibérico, held

No bling bonzana and the bald facts from Giles Brown this year…

Carlo, not Monte Frio!

S

O the Gordo came and went, and despite me bearing more than a passing resemblance to El Calvo, the bald British actor who was an iconic figure in the lottery adverts a few years ago, my ticket brought a big fat zilch.

But looking on the bright side, the fact that I didn’t win a life changing amount of money (minus 20% tax to the government; thanks Mr Rajoy) at least means that you are still reading this column.

One of the things that really annoys me about lotteries are the people who win several million euro and then tell the Press that it won’t change their lives.

They then buy a new Vauxhall (it’s always a Vauxhall) and duly show up for work the next day.

These sort of people really annoy me.

Correct me if I’m wrong – and I have known to be on various rare occasions – but I thought that the whole point of the lottery was that it will change your life.

People should be required to sign a form saying that if they do hit the jackpot they’ll

T CLOSE SHAVE: No sting!

in homage to this local VIP: the Sage of Tarifa, R.I.P. Juan Luis Muñoz is just a bust now, cast in bronze, that must have cost a bob or two – a fitting tribute to a legend, as we came to understand… although not from the Tourist Information Office which had no information at all about the iconic figure on their doorstep. Qué va, estamos en España!

“Try his grand-daughter’s … El Ombligo,” the girl behind the counter suggested.

Which is how our tapas fest turned into a quest to uncover the legend of the Sage of Tarifa and locate his grand-daughter’s belly button (el ombligo in Spanish). It was the Sage’s bar once, a belly button-sized indent in a wall, hidden away in the Old Town. How he would have loved to have stepped down from his plinth and joined us on this glorious gastronomic tapas crawl around 32 bars with nothing but pig on the menu! Just like his own restaurant, where pork was all he served.

Just like the Monty Python sketch - without the spam!

Famous people

BLING: Giles isn’t enjoying this lifestyle just yet...

be on the next plane to Marbella, buying a huge villa and blowing the rest on unsuitable clothes/cars/Eastern European girlfriends (delete where applicable. If at all).

To do what two cement truck driving brothers from Algeciras did a decade ago, and merely buy new seat covers for their lorry

when they scooped several thousand, should bar you from taking part in. Plus you are distorting the odds of people like myself who know what exactly what they would do with their winnings, and would be sending in this column from Monte Carlo, not Monte Frio.

Barber shop stingers...

alking of El Calvo, over the holiday period I popped into my barber to get a beard trim and my pate shaved for the upcoming round of festivities. I’ve tried shaving my head in the privacy of my own bathroom, but the result invariably ends with me hacking out a sizable portion of the back of my scalp off with the misnomered ‘safety’ razor. So, to ensure that the ensuite doesn’t resemble an outtake from the movie Jaws, once a month I visit my Moroccan barber just off the main street in Marbella.

The whole process, complete with discussion about the Pre-

mier league, normally takes about 15 minutes and costs less than a tenner.

The best bit, however, is at the the end when, having made me look like Yul Brynner, my barber then massages balm into my scalp. It’s the nearest I get to a spa treatment.

Soothing Unfortunately, he was busy on my last visit, so his willing nephew took charge of shaving my dome. All was well and good, and the process was almost over. I sat back in the chair blissfully awaiting the application of soothing lotion.

The nephew, however, did

things a little differently.

Rather than balm, he grabbed what I can only assume is North Africa’s best selling men’s cologne – Tuareg Nights or some such - and slapped it on my head. Not only did it make me sit bolt upright with a yelp, but it also turned my bonce bright red. And two days later I still couldn’t get rid of the scent, with all of my friends kindly remarking that I smelt like a Tangier brothel. Though I have no idea what one of those smells like, gentle reader...

But at least I know that from this point, 2014 can only get better. Happy New Year!

Eating at Casa Juan Luis was like being a guest at his home for dinner, one of his customer said. “You had to knock at the door and walk through the kitchen to get to the dining room and it was always full of famous people – TV presenters and torreros.”

From bar to bar we went, eating and drinking and picking up titbits - a few pork scratchings about this enigmatic sage who bred pigs, claimed ham was better than Viagra, was a judge for a bullfighting version of Spain’s Got Talent and drank deeply from the cup of life – all the better if it contained sherry.

“As Seneca was to Cordoba, so José Luis was to Tarifa”, he’s been described! A modern-day philosopher who promoted Tarifa wherever he went – on national TV, quite often, where he once upstaged avant garde Spanish TV presenter, Jesús Quintero, by bringing his donkey on the show! He lit up a room with his presence – sometimes literally. Sparks flew in the jamón Iberico pavilion at Expo 92, the day he was nearly floored by the King of Spain’s bodyguards when he offered the monarch a slice of ham on the tip of his very sharp knife! The King forgave him, the Queen too (and she’s a vegetarian) A rusty sign in the shape of a pig oinks plaintively in the infamous Tarifa wind outside the Sage’s shuttered restaurant today.

But his memory lives on in the belly-buttonsized Bar El Ombligo, opposite where we found his grand-daughter Elena; a pretty girl with a smile like sunshine doing her abuelo proud, dishing up designer hamburgers for a flurry of extranjeros. They were juicy and spicy, filled with the goodness of Spain – and just a touch of Sage…

T S

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the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014 31 31

alud

LEGAL ROW: The move towards gender equality has been delayed

But war of words holds up transsexual legal recognition ANDALUCIA’S move to become the first region of Spain to legally recognise transsexuals has been derailed by a row between the Junta and transsexual rights groups over wording of the law.

The new law - recognising

Gender on the agenda transsexuals as a distinct gender - was expected to be submitted to the Junta by De-

cember 15, but has yet again been delayed by disagreement.

Andaluz parliament opposes abortion ban THE Andalucian Parliament has voiced its opposition to new legislation which tightly restricts access to abortion - less than a week after the draft legislation was passed.

Both the PSOE and IU have criticised the law, with PSOE spokesperson, Mario Jimenez , describing the draft legislation as ‘banana’, saying it was “made to the dictates of the Episcopal Conference and the most radical rightwing groups.”

But, Ana María Corredera, Vice-Secretary of the Andaluz PP, criticized an end-of-year speech by fellow-PP member Jose Antonio Monago, president of Extremadura, in which he also voiced his opposition to the restriction on abortion.

Corredera pointed out that the president of Andalucia, Susana Díaz, had not referred to the new law in her end of year speech, “neither did any president, only Monago.”

In the end-of-year message, Mónago said: “No

NATIONWIDE PROTESTS: Over new abortion law one can deny anyone their right to be a mother, nor can anyone compel anyone to be.”

The PP is thought to be divided over the issue.

Corredera said it was “normal that you have different opinions because this is not a sect, but a party.”

Transsexual groups are campaigning for the law to include those who are in the process of obtaining the necessary documentation to prove their gender status, while the PSOE wants a tighter definition, covering only transsexuals who have already got the documents.

New proposal

While the PSOE sought to play down the disagreement – calling it a ‘debate over terminology’ – transsexual groups reacted angrily over the delay.

Mar Cambrollé, president of the Association of Transgender Andalucía, said: “We believe that we do not really respect or consider us equal to other citizens.”

The groups had until yesterday (January 7) to bring the new proposal forward for parliament to consider.

The PSOE defended the delay, arguing that the wording needs to be as sound as possible to avoid the central government rejecting it.

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Call 952 586 324 today or email admin@cambridge800.es Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cambridge800spain or visit our website: www.cambridge800.es OLIVE PRESS – 170mm x 83mm – 9th January & 23rd January

U J

32 the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014 32

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ardin path

HE KNOWS HIS ONIONS!

by Peter Langdale

The evil weevils KILLER: The palm weevil and the damage it causes

The Palm Weevil has been killing palm trees across the globe for hundreds of years. But with the arrival of 2014 it is 20 years since they arrived in Spain. Liam Kirkaldy asks is it possible to stop them?

THOUGH the first mention of the red palm weevil comes from India in 1891, it is thought to have originated in southeast Asia, before spreading to Europe, the Middle East, north Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean and Australasia.

First discovered in Spain in 1994, the weevil – a species of snout-nosed beetle – is only a few centimeters in length, yet it has become seen as the single greatest threat to palm trees in the world.

Females can lay between 200 and 300 eggs inside a palm. After three or four days the eggs hatch into grubs, which bore into the palm tree by eating the soft tissue, killing it from within.

After a few months the weevil then enters into a pupation period, eventually emerging as an adult beetle and starting the whole process again.

Since the 1990s, the palm weevil is thought to have killed around 20,000 palm trees in Andalucia alone.

The trade in young palm trees has led to an explosion in the worldwide weevil population, since the beetles are transported inside their favourite food supply, before being left to their own devices, usually in an area with yet more fresh food.

Newest recruit

The damage done by these insects means that stopping them is big business – but it has proved harder than you may expect, with weevils almost impossible to stop.

One solution is to inject insecticides directly into the trunk of a stricken tree, killing the weevil on contact.

However this solution relies on the ability to spot the beetles’ presence early.

Weevils spend their entire life cycles inside a palm tree, and by the time any damage is visible on the outside it is likely that the palm is already dead Malaga City Council has come up with a more unusual solution, turning to a team of dogs for help, training them to sniff the beetles out so that they can be dealt with before they gain a foothold.

Their newest recruit, Virus – a Belgian Shepherd – is expected to graduate soon. The final stage of his training is a lesson in how to stand on top of platforms, which allow him to sniff the top of palms.

Another possible solution comes from the University of Cordoba which is researching different types of fungus, which are toxic to the weevil, though it is not yet clear whether it is suitable for widespread use.

Whatever the answer, something needs to be done about the weevil.

Getting to the roots of our problems HARVEST TIME: Picking herbs on Peter’s farm

H

ELLO 2014 and a Happy New Year to you all.

No doubt most of you are fed up of hearing various pundits talking about the outstanding events of last year or their wishes for 2014.

I am not going to dwell on 2013, but will press ahead with 2014 and mention some of my ‘must haves’.

Firstly, the acknowledgement that the customer is king.

We live in a consumer-driven society which depends on money being spent. Having experienced superior service levels in other countries during our summer holidays, I feel that in Spain we are falling short on service and response.

I find this is very noticeable at governmental level, but also extremely noticeable within the restaurant sector. All too often restuarant/ bar owners complain about the lack of customers and yet they have become complacent and fall down on the most fundamental aspects of service and customer relations which can be improved at no extra cost.

I am speaking from some recent experiences in different restaurants where the meal orders were incorrectly served and the table service/attention was poor. In most cases the proprietor took umbrage at being taken to task and considered, I think, that I was just being a pain in the backside.

I hope that at Garden La Palma we care for our customers. If there is anybody out there who disagrees please let me know as for us THE CUSTOMER MUST BE KING. Secondly, as you are all aware we now have in Susana Diaz

Pacheco a new President of the Junta de Andalucia. Already she has said she will banish corruption and make business start ups faster and easier.

These are must haves if the economy is going to begin to improve. I would like to see that she could re-think the nonsense surrounding all the now-declared-to-beillegal properties. To me it is complete idiocy for the regional government to declare licences issued by their local, democratically-elected authority to be null and void.

Perhaps restitution could be sort through the European Courts of Justice. The reality is that in most cases the land that has been built on has no other economical use other than residential tourism.The socioeconomic impact of 50 hectares of residential tourism is far greater and more beneficial than the equivalent area of olive orchards.We must have a change to policies that match the needs of the 21st century and not the application of arcane nonsense.

As we leave 2013 behind the weather this autumn has allowed all garden work to go on unhindered with preparations for the spring well underway.

Before the spring breaks, finish off pruning - and for all trees and shrubs the addition of a good compost much would not go a miss.

Lastly, I would just like to comment on our commercial exports. We have had one of our best Decembers ever, shipping 88000 kilos of coriander and 58000 kilos of parsley.To all our staff, well done and thank you.

The Olive Press’ www.theolivepress.es

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monthly youth and education section the olive press - January 9 2014 - January 22 2014 33 33 38 57

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treme

Could do better

Latest figures show that Spain’s poorest people are still struggling to make headway in an education system with little potential for social mobility

THE most disadvantaged Spaniards experience the fifth lowest educational mobility in Europe, according to a Eurostat

POOR STUDENTS: struggling

report.

Only 27% of those from a disadvantaged background reached higher education in

South Americans aim for Spain

INCREASING numbers of South Americans are heading to Spain to complete MBAs in business.

This year, about 20% of graduates from Esade - a world-leading business school based in Barcelona - will be of South American origin.

Esade has even launched a ‘Doing Business in South America’ campaign in a bid to attract students across the Atlantic.

But unlike in previous years, the students do not intend to stay in Spain for work, generally opting to return to South America, with 97% of Peruvian students at IE, in Madrid, saying they will return home after graduating.

The change is thought to have been caused by the economic crisis facing Spain, as well as the strengthening of economies across South America.

2011, with 50% staying at the same low–level of educational achievement as their parents.

In the Czech Republic 83% of citizens attain a mediumlevel of education.

Higher education

But families with a medium level of studies performed better, coming 3rd in the list of 28 countries, with 52% of children going on to higher education.

Social mobility researcher Xavier Martínez Celorio described educational inequality as “a ‘chronic problem within the Spanish education system”.

LEARNING: cash injection for books

Book boost for Andalucia

ANDALUCIA’S schools are to receive a €5.8 million cash injection to spend on text books, the education ministry has announced.

The grant is worth just under a third of the amount to be distributed nationally, €18.5 million, and the largest sum to be awarded to any region in Spain.

Madrid received the next largest sum, €1.8 million, while Asturias was granted the smallest sum, €140,830.

While it is great news for Andalucia, the total amount set aside for the programme is some 40% below that delivered last year, €30.7 million.

Little Del boys PRIMARY children need to be taught the importance of making money, says a college boss.

Fintan Donohue, a former principal who set up number of businessfocused colleges, said schools should take on a more entrepreneurial approach in order to motivate the youngsters.

He said: “In many schools and colleges there is no real evidence of celebrating the fact local businesses create employment. “

Inspire

He added businesses big and small should be celebrated, in order to inspire children to follow suite.

However, unions argued children should be given a more balanced view and should be taught that money is not everything.

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FOOD & DRINK with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

the olive press - January 9 2014- January 22 2014

ION

Will Madrid be food capital of Spain 2014?

FO

36

MADRI D

MUÑOZ: “I’ll eat anything and have tried everything.

From blowfish in Japan to rotten eggs (yes, rotten eggs) in China.”

(Below) His restaurant with butterflies and pigs

A culinary revolution is gripping Madrid, a city once known for its roast suckling pig and little else. Its renaissance is being led by Mohicansporting ‘punk’ chef David Muñoz (left), who has just become Spain’s eighth three-Michelin star chef. Olive Press editor Jon Clarke meets the whirlwind, but like everyone else, has to wait six months to try his food

W

ITHIN 24 hours of being awarded the most coveted third Michelin star, David Munoz’s ground-breaking restaurant Diverxo received no less than 2000 table requests, one of those from me.

Indeed, since hearing the news of his promotion to the rank of superchef (eight Spanish chefs currently hold the honour), the phone at his eccentric Madrid eaterie has literally not stopped ringing with Munoz using half a dozen employees to handle the enquiries.

“We are now totally full for lunch until April, dinner until June and a weekend dinner until the end of July,” beams Munoz, who at 33 is one of

H

AVING lived in Madrid for a couple of years and visited on dozens of occasions, I reckoned I knew most of the capital’s dining secrets and hot spots for eating.

So it comes as a nice surprise that over the last year or so a whole new tapas revolution has taken over an older, lesser known part of the city.

Known as the ‘Cava Baja’ and concentrated around the ancient street of Cava Baja that tumbles down from Plaza Mayor, it is said to count around 70 establishments, each with its own style of cooking.

“It is becoming like a new San Sebastian,” reckons chef Sergio Pachon, from two Michelin-starred La Terraza del Casino. “The buzz there is incredible. It’s very exciting.”

It is certainly incredibly busy at weekends, with a good mixture of Madrilenos and tourists fighting over tables and screaming out their orders.

TOP TIP: Quail at Tempranillo

the world’s youngest chefs to win the highest accolade in cooking.

Moreover he is absolutely adamant that whoever is ringing – ‘celebrity, politician or king’ – they are not getting a table unless they do it the hard way.

Cancellation

“I don’t care if they are famous or not I want people to make their own reservation and get in line,” he tells the Olive Press, an hour before evening service at the joint that sits in an obscure location in north-west Madrid, next to a gym and entirely black and unmarked from the outside.

Does this even mean Spain’s most famous chef Ferran Adria,

one of his mentors, at whose restaurant he has eaten no less than five times, each time personally calling the Catalan wizard to secure a table?

“It’s tough as he has always got me a table at El Bulli, but I would have to say ‘no’ as I do to everyone else as there is literally no space,” he explains in a mixture of Spanish and perfectly good English, a legacy of his six years spent living in London, the ‘best city in the world’, where he is set to open a restaurant in May. Ultimately, it means I am not in luck to try his food. Despite making numerous attempted bookings through the restaurant’s automated online booking system for three different dates last weekend on a

Even Madrid’s less formal dining is catching up with north of Spain...

NEW TAPAS REVOLUTION

The owner of Bar Tempranillo, which opened in 1996 is in agreement. When it opened there were just three bars in the street, including the famous old restaurant Casa Lucio.

“Now it is incredible, with such a variety and wealth of flavours,” he says.

Substance

We wandered the street dipping into three or four bars and eating some excellent tapas, which definitely had the quality of Barcelona, if not quite San Sebastian.

At Tempranillo we enjoyed a tapa of quail with chives and salmorejo, while at La Camarilla, the ‘mini pizza’ with tomato, mozzarella and rocket was good, as was the milhoja of foie with fresh apple.

Closer to our hotel we tried a new upmarket joint Ten con Ten, which was elegant in the extreme and full of the beautiful people, including George Clooney lookalikes.

A slight case of style-over-substance we did nonetheless eat a nice Peruvian-style Cerviche ‘Calderon’ and some fabulous Filipino noodles… but it was not cheap.

We also tried a tapas bar Alkalde, owned by Joselito, the finest maker of Jamon Iberico in Spain, which has, of course, the best ham in the world funnily enough.

BUZZ: Foodies peruse the Cava Baja area

planned trip to Madrid, I failed on each attempt. Constant attempts to woo his PR and assistant also come to nothing and I am told the best I can hope for is ‘a cancellation’, but not to get my hopes up as I am not even top of the waiting list.

At least, after much tooing and fro’ing I am promised 30 minutes of David’s time. He is a big fan of England, it transpires, and he has even ‘heard’ of the Olive Press!

Spectacular

So here I am sitting at a table at Spain’s restaurant of the moment, his trademark pigs lining the walls and a cloud of butterflies leading to the kitchen. But sadly, nothing is coming the other way. Not even a drink. “No tasting of product,” said the curt email as we arrived in Madrid on Friday afternoon. And that is exactly what came to pass.

The rise of Diverxo has been nothing short of spectacular, garnering its three Michelin stars in just six years – almost a record – and making it the first with such an honour since Zalacain lost its third nearly two decades ago.

“It is fantastic news for the capital,” explains fellow upand-coming chef Rodrigo de la Calle, whose own Michelin-star restaurant has recently just opened in the prestigious Hotel Villa Magna. “It really helps to put the city on the food map.”

Maitre Alfonso Vega of rival restaurant La Terraza del Casino, which has sat on two stars for a number of years, agrees. “It will really help to bring more tourists to the city and with 10% of Spanish tourism being gastro-led, there will be big repercussions.”

He adds: “Let’s face it Madrid is the perfect base as you can get to Valencia and Sevilla on the fast train in just over two hours and Barcelona in threeand-a-half. If Madrid starts to be seen as the new capital of food, it will bring in a lot more tourists.”

As a Madrileno himself, Munoz is extremely proud of his achievement. Sporting his trademark black Mohican and dressed top to toe in black, he boasts: “Until now, Madrid was the only capital city in Europe not to have a three-star restaurant. I am proud to have changed that.”

So why has it taken so long

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PORNOGRAPHIC: Chef and two healthy dishes at Munoz’s difusion restaurant StreetXo

“I knew it would be hard, but I wanted to be my own boss and wanted to do crazy things.

I didn’t want to have to ask a boss every time I tried something. I almost did not leave the restaurant for weeks on end.

We had one good supplier who came to us and we just cooked, cooked, cooked.”

Nowadays the pair can count on an incredible 45 different suppliers procuring the very best ingredients from all over Spain and abroad.

Seasonal

“I try to be as seasonal as possible and am as careful as possible about sustainability,” he continues. “We only serve fish when in season and if there is any question about a species being in danger we simply do not use it.”

But despite his success he is anything but happy with the price and general quality he finds in the capital, not to mention how hard it is to make a profit… even with three Michelin stars!

“People assume that a restaurant in Madrid would automatically have access to the best quality ingredients, but it is not true and they are expensive as well. Prices keep going up for fish, shellfish, oxtail, you name it. We end up spending around 20,000 euros a week alone on fish.

“We only have 28 covers and we try to keep the price down (his set menus are 95 and 140 euros, compared with 250 euros for example at Arzak in San Sebastian). Spain is a difficult place to run a restaurant business right now and I don’t know

MY FAVOURITE MEALS: Munoz’ top restaurants include Nobu, in London, Cellar de can Roca and Mugaritz, in north Spain, and Calima and Aponiente, in Andalucia. “I love Andalucia, everything about it, particularly Cadiz and Malaga provinces.”

how we can keep the prices down.”

Ultimately though his cooking is shining through a competitive Madrid market that has improved many-fold over the last five years (there are five restaurants with two Michelin stars for example).

“My food is what I call total cooking. It is for people who like to eat and you have to come with an open mind. It is almost pornographic, completely natural and laid out bare. And I want the taste to be like a gunshot to the head.

“The philosophy for the restaurant is like my philosophy on life. I want it to blow your mind and be like a rollercoaster ride.”

Fortunately you can now get a taste of his philosophy at his latest project, a ‘pop up’, called StreetXo on the top floor of Madrid’s flagship Corte Ingles department store, in Callao.

We tried it on a Sunday evening and the four plates we tried were absolutely brimming with panache and style.

So successful has been the opening last autumn that he is now set to open one in London.

“It is going to be an ‘instense, crazy’ sort of place,” explains Munoz. “Like a cross between Cirque de Soleil and a Bangkok street restaurant.”

He has managed to find a total of 12 investors to stump up 1.5million euros for the restaurant in Burlington Street. And if it all goes well he plans to open in New York, Singapore, San Paolo and Dubai over the next couple of years. So why London first?

“I am mad about London and have a lot of friends there. I used to rent a flat, a tiny place, with some friends just behind Marble Arch. The concerts, the restaurants and the food scene is so vibrant, way above Paris.

There are so many influences, from Asia, the Americas. I know we will do well there.”

It is going to be an interesting year for Munoz, who will commute between London and Madrid weekly from May. He plans to work from Sunday to Tuesday in London and the rest of the week in Madrid. A day off?

“Don’t be silly.”

So has anything changed since he opened six years ago? “Well I work less nowadays,” he says with his trademark grin. “Just 15 hours a day at the mo.”

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for Spain’s capital city to get such an honour?

“Madrid has long been a conservative city when it comes to dining with the locals favouring asadors (carveries), tapas places and delis,” estimates Munoz. “But now with the recession people are taking more interest in what they are eating and demanding more.”

Previously lovers of experimental, creative cuisine were far better served in the north of Spain, in the Basque region and Catalunya. While in Madrid, tourists concentrated more on tapas, heavy servings of roast suckling pig and the famously late boozy nights.

The vanguard for creative cuisune was led by Munoz’s first mentor Abraham Garcia from Viridiana, named after an arty Bunuel film from the 1960s.

Minoz had first been taken to the eponymous Madrid eaterie by his parents who were both keen foodies. “My dad was an insurance agent and loved his food,” he explains. “He used to take us to different places at least once a month, which really gave me a taste for fine food.

“While my friends all wanted to be footballers or rock stars I grew up from the age of 10 or 12 wanting to be a chef.”

So, he started cooking at home and after landing a place at cookery school he managed to snare a job with his hero Garcia, before heading off for six years in London.

He opened his first restaurant in North Madrid after returning from his stint in London, where he worked at Hakkasan and Nobu.

It was a baptism of fire for both David and his now wife Angela Montero, a former ballerina, who both ended up sleeping at the restaurant for the first four months before it took off.

“We had a blow up bed we stuck in the corner. I was working 18 hours a day and it was simply not worth us heading home afterwards. We needed a solution and we were prepared to do it. If you really want something you have to fight for it.

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Culinary Capital

MADRID has now leapfrogged Barcelona to be the second culinary capital in Spain, after San Sebastian, when it comes to two and three Michelin star restaurants.

There are a total of five two-Michelin starred joints in the city, compared to just four in Barcelona, while the Catalan capital doesn’t have a three-star restaurant.

“The big rise has been in the two star category with Madrid now counting five restaurants of this calibre,” explains chef Rodrigo de la Calle, at Hotel Villa Magna.

Hopefully a few of these can push on up to the coveted three, with La Terraza del Casino certainly seeming to warrant the accolade, if a recent meal there suggests (see page 38).

On top of this Santceloni, El Club Allard, Sergi Arola and Ramon Freixa all have two stars, while Zalacain, Kabuki and Kabuki Wellington all have one star.

“Nobody can really understand why Santceloni has not got three stars yet,” says Maitre at Casino Alfonso Vega. “It seems to fit every Michelin requirement and deserves it. Hopefully 2014 will be its year.”

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The new brooms: Chef Rodrigo de la Calle Jose Huertas (left) at La Terraza del Casino,

Cellar queen

S

LAIR: Huertas shows the OP around her celler

MAGIC: Dry ice heralds pudding and (behind) striking petit fours

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HE is in charge of one of the most prestigious wine cellars in Spain. And with over 900 references, Maria Jose Huertas has to keep her wits about her when serving her customers at restaurant La Terraza del Casino, in the heart of Madrid.

The pin up girl of Spanish wine, she has to keep a pace with the modern, creative cuisine of chef Paco Roncero, who trained with Ferran Adria, at El Bulli.

Luckily, Huertas, from Zamora, has also done her time with Catalunya’s uber chef and knows a bit about food pairing.

As well as tasting some 30 wines a week, she makes a point of try-

ing Casino’s wines - which include over 20 white Burgundies, 70 Rieslings and most of Bordeaux’s first growths – as often as she can.

There are 12 different vintages of Vega Sicilia she has to know like the back of her hand, as well as bottles such as a 2007 Bienvenues Batard Montrachet, which will set you back 407 euros.

Cheaper wine

But, above all, she is the sort of person more likely to recommend a vineyard’s second, cheaper wine than the higher more expensive one. “Take Pingus, can it really be worth the 700 euros or so when you can get its second wine Flor de Pingus for so much less? It is pretty much the same as famous L’Ermita and Finca Dofi, its second wine, which I have tried many times and often prefer,” she insists.

Her favourite Spanish wines though come from Jerez and she tries to use at least two or three sherries for any menu degustation. “The quality of the wines are incredible and I’ll always find space for an Oloroso and a Pedro Ximenez,” she says.

She got into the world of wine when she found a part-time job at Casino while studying agriculture at university in Madrid 13 years ago.

The bet pays off

LEGANCE is one of the key requirements of my wife when dining out.

So when this can be coupled with fine food and some theatre you have the major ingredients for a successful restaurant.

La Terraza del Casino could hardly go wrong when it opened in 1998 on the top floor of Madrid’s stunning 165-year-old casino with its sweeping staircases, chandeliers and other remnants of the ‘Belle Epoque’.

Right in the heart of the city, it was anything but a gamble, offering diners a bird’s eye view of the famous rooftops of Gran Via, adorned with horses and chariots and other delights.

But while stylishly designed and cleverly using the light, it is the culinary skills of its chefs that really stand out and have garnered it two Michelin stars… and in my opinion deserving of three.

Initially overseen by Spain’s most famous chef Ferran Adria, its current team of Paco Roncero and talented youngster Sergio Pachon, 35, are definitely up there with the cream of Spanish cuisine.

One of the best meals I have eaten in Spain, the fabulous 12-course tasting menu was beautifully sculpted, varied and seasonal.

“We try and use as much seasonal produce as possible and a mix of unusual things that might include tongue of Kobe beef, algae, even kangaroo,” explains Madrid-born Pachon, who trained under Ferran.

“Since Ferran left a year ago we have been changing things and creating our own dishes, particularly paying attention to the recession, and the feedback has been good.”

It is not difficult to see why. The attention to detail and sheer level of thought that goes into the preparation is impressive. But it is not so science-laden that it becomes like a chemistry experiment, which can be the case at some restaurants these days.

I was particularly impressed with the ‘carbonara egg nest’, a false egg of parmesan cheese, with a gelatin consome, truffle oil and the yolk of a quail’s egg. Equally good was the delicious ‘deconstructed salmon tartare’, served in its own miso. It came out like a battle scene basically comprising the ingredi-

ents that go to make a good tartare.

We also liked the delicious razor clams, which came out in a broad bean stew with a tiny slice of pancetta and a chunk of artichoke, as well as the ‘powdered’ Calamari served with coconut and curried rice. Extremely suave.

Each of the dishes were cleverly married by the wines selected by sommelier Maria Jose Huertas, a huge fan of sherries and, curiously, Rieslings from Germany. A nutty 30-year-old Amontillado from Bodega Tradicion a real highlight, alongside a rich creamy Godello called Louro.

But, if anything summed up the fun we had at Casino it had to be the stunning plum and cranberry coulis desert, which came with ginger and a dollop of dry ice.

Theatre at its best, only the stunning petit fours, that looked like eyeballs, could match it.

Jon Clarke

ELEGANT: La Terraza del Casino dining room and (inset) Sergio Pachon and souschef

La Terraza del Casino. Alcalá, 15, 28014 Madrid. t. 915 321 275 - 915 218 700. www.casinodemadrid.es

Moved up

“I star ted as receptionist and just moved up the ladder,” explains the mother of one, whose husband Daniel Gonzalez works for an American wine impor ter. “I had soon begun to go into the cellar and took an interest in the wines.

“I think I had a good nose, as a lot of women do. We get used to the smells of perfume and smells in the kitchen so I think it comes quite naturally.”

In terms of changes in wine in Spain over the last decade, the main one has been quality.

“But it is not just the quality… the marketing, the sommeliers, the writers, everything has changed,” she says.

“On top of that diners are starting to want to try new wines. It used to be just Rioja but now they are starting to demand new flavours, new tastes, things from Lebanon, even Romania.

“It is all helping to make Madrid a more open and creative place.”

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at Hotel Villa Magna (right) and sommelier Maria sum up the new feel of Madrid’s Food Revolution BEFORE HIS TIME: Sustainable Rodrigo de la Calle

EXPLOSION: Purple broccoli soup was a veritable ‘veggie bomb’

VEGGIE BOMB!

“

I THINK what I am doing may well be in fashion in 20 years time,” explains Rodrigo de la Calle, a Spanish chef with a rare sustainable vision.

Favouring vegetables over any type of fish and meat, he has spent the last decade trying to understand how to best present them to diners.

His menu says it all with phrases splashed all over it like ‘Respect of the sea’ and ‘Ecology and Nature’ and he has not cooked – or eaten – endangered fish such as tuna for five years.

“I also don’t use any game as I don’t like

the diners,” says the 37-year-old. “I also change my menu at least ten times a year as I get bored otherwise.”

The food is certainly different from anything else I have ever tried. I went for his so-called ‘Green Revolution’ tasting menu, some 14 courses, not one with meat and only two with fish, one involving an oyster Beautiful and another with caviar.

But luckily his food, dubbed ‘gastro bo- It started with a stunning purple broccoli tanical’, is not only adventurous in the ex- soup with pomegranates and mixed with treme… it looks extremely beautiful. a veritable ‘veggie bomb’ of rolled up rad“I put a lot of emphasis on the look of my ishes, rocket, onion and edible flowers with dishes, as it is the best way to seduce lime. It was delicious in the extreme, as was the stuffed salsify in a hazelnut stew with a vegetable called Where to stay in Madrid ‘deer’s horn’, which Rodrigo claims to have ‘discovered’.

IN the heart of Madrid, on Paseo de la Castellana Over the course of the next two Hotel Villa Magna is the perfect location for a food hours we were bombarded with tour. Aside from its excellent Rodrigo de la Calle flavour after flavour and includrestaurant it also counts a great Chinese. Having ing lichens, mushrooms, algae gone through a complete overhaul five years ago, and even new potatoes with its rooms are modern, comfortable and stylish, delicious white truffle. with a hint of 1920s cubist and Cantonese style.

This is where also Tom Cruise, Madonna and Cameron Diaz have opted to stay, so you will be staying Rural regions among the best. Visit www.villamagna.es A pudding of fennel soup with melon and basil ice cream was incredibly original and the selection of wines chosen by the sommelier to go with the meal was perfect and eye-opening.

His interest in vegetables came with Madrid-born Rodrigo spending most of his upbringing being shunted around rural regions, including Jaen, Toledo and Aranjuez, as his father worked as a farmer. “Every three months we moved again, but it helped me to understand agriculture and the land and my parents always used to take me to good restaurants to eat,” he explains.

Against his parents’ wishes he joined a cookery school at 16 and after graduating, spent three years working in San Sebastian at Martin Berasategui and Mugaritz.

Most of his products come from mainland Spain with the exception of truffles from Italy, oysters from France and Salsify from Belgium.

You don’t need to go much further as Spain has the richest mix of vegetables in the world.

“These days with the crisis so many people have gone back to the land and are growing great organic vegetables, snails, rabbits, chickens, even eels.” hunting and I cannot support any mistreatment of animals,” he adds.

Recently switching his Michelin-star restaurant from the backwaters of rural Aranjuez to the high profile five star hotel Villa Magna, he is suddenly very much in the limelight.

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Three Kings politically get the bird!

FEATHERS were ruffled when Andalucia’s Three Kings’ celebrations took on a political slant.

A petition was launched demanding that a black man should play the part of King Baltasar - rather than painting a white person black.

The petition on change.org describes the tradition as ‘making no sense’ and has now attracted more than 2,000 signatures.

Meanwhile, the PP was accused of hijacking celebrations for its own political ends.

Jesus stolen

Spoke in wheel TWO Commonwealth Games hopefuls ended up in hospital after a training accident at the weekend.

Cyclists Charline Joiner and Kerry MacPhee were involved in a ‘big pile up’ during training in Girona.

Made in Mijas MIJAS town hall has launched a competition to design the logo for a ‘Made in Mijas’ brand, aimed at promoting local business.

The logo will be in Spanish and English.

The sweets handed out in Puebla de Obando in Extremadura were in PP wrappers, while in Malaga the parade started behind a giant seagull - the PP’s symbol.

But celebrations in Santiago de Compostela were disrupted after the theft of King Baltasar – or at least his cardboard cut-out.

Officials found the figure outside the immigration offices, bearing a placard protesting against the use of razor wire at the Morocco-Melilla border.

The town has previous experience of Christmas celebrations turning political – with baby Jesus being stolen last year, in a protest against home evictions.

Stadium of Late!

THEY are used to playing to thousands of fans in state-of-the-art floodlit stadiums.

But this week a ‘friendly’ - if you can call it that between a German and a Dutch side - took place on a hillside in a backwater of the Costa del Sol. The game between ADO den Haag and Preussen Munster, in Casares, started, in classic Spanish fashion, five minutes late WITHOUT a referee.

The referee and two linesmen only arrived five minutes before the end of the first half.

The two teams have been on the Costa del Sol for winter training.

IN A FLAP: Over politics creeping into the Three Kings’ celebrations, while in Marbella chef Dani Garcia (Centre) became king for a day

Hey big spender!

THE vast majority of Andalucian parents spent at least €100 on presents for their children this Christmas.

Despite the deep recession, a survey by Grupo Hofmann revealed that 42% spent between €200 and €500 on presents for the Reyes, an increase on last year.

A further 37% of mums and dads splashed out a minimum €100.

Despite the apparent splurge, the data did reveal there was a greater focus on the practicality of presents this year, as recessionweary parents thought more carefully before making impulse purchases.

All participants in the survey spent at least five hours Christmas shopping.

The most popular gift choices included perfume, clothes and footwear.

Rome alone!

No-one was in when the Pope called a Cordoba convent on New Year’s Eve.… so he had to leave voicemail ALL-caring Pope Francis wanted to do was to wish a group of Cordoba nuns a happy new year.

So one can imagine the surprise when the Pontiff’s call from Rome went straight to . . . voicemail!

“Heavens above,” His Holiness may well have been forgiven for asking: “Where the hell are they?”

The puzzled Pope was left bemused after the call he made to the group of Cordoban nuns went unanswered.

Clearly miffed, he said: “What are nuns doing that they can’t answer the phone?! I am Pope Francis, I wish to greet you in this end of the year.

The Pontiff called the community of Carmelite nuns, in

By Claire Wilson Lucena, at 11:45am on New Year’s Eve to wish them a Happy New Year.

But there was no reply at the convent Sor Adriana de Jesus Resucitado so he left them a message.

He added: “ I will see if I can call you later. May God bless you!”

The once-thriving convent has dwindled to just five nuns - three of which are Argentinian like the Pope.

But the story had a happy ending. The Pontiff kept his promise and managed to get a hold of one of them on New Year’s Day and conveyed his good wishes for the new year.

In fact, according to sources, he actually spoke to the group for an incredible 15 minutes.

They have known him and stayed in touch for the last 15 years.

NO ANSWER: At convent in Lucena

POPE: Call Screened by the Cordoba sisters (one below)