Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 207

FREE Vol. 9 Issue 207 www.theolivepress.es February 19th - March 4th 2015

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Google probe after olive Press spots Algeciras is apparently still under 11th century Muslim rule

GOOGLE has launched an in-vestigation into why its map site lists a key Andalucian town as being under Muslim rule.It comes after the Olive Press spotted that Google Maps was labelling Algeciras as a ‘Taifa’, an Islamic term un-used in Spain since the mid-dle ages.A probe is now underway to find out how the bizarre ‘ed-iting error’ labelled the Ca-diz port with the title, which ceased to exist in 1058.Under Islamic rule, the Al Andalus caliphate divided its regions into taifas including Ronda, Sevilla and Granada.

MysteriousIt comes, controversially, af-ter extremist Muslim group Isis announced its desire to reclaim Al Andalus, ‘the land of our forefathers’.

Osama Bin Laden also made claims to retake the former Moorish region for Islam.It is not known if a member of Google’s staff is an Isis sym-pathiser or whether an out-sider is responsible.An embarrassed Google spokesman thanked the Olive Press for ‘flagging this mis-take which we have worked to rectify’.She said: “This has now been fixed and should start to ap-pear on Maps soon.”“I can confirm this is not the work of a hacker,” she add-ed, putting the strange label down to a mere ‘editing error’.However, Briton Nick Orson

who spotted the ‘strange case’ while searching for a Span-ish holiday destination, said: “The whole thing is very mys-terious.“You don’t just accidentally label a place ‘Taifa’ by press-ing the wrong key. You need to have historical knowledge and use it deliberately,” add-ed the retired biologist.Isis has announced frighten-ing plans for one single Mus-lim caliphate, spanning from Morocco to China, with Spain

as the main European target.The Taifa of Algeciras existed for 23 years in 11th century Moorish Andalucia, until it was annexed to the Taifa of Sevilla.The reaction to the ‘editing error’ has been one of bewil-derment.A spokesman from Algeci-ras Town Hall told the Olive Press: “It is a curious error, perhaps Google meant the ‘Bay of Algeciras’, or maybe Google was around 1000 years ago.”

Have you seen senor Boom Boom Bloomfield?

see Page 3

see Page 4

see Page 53

eXclUsIVeBy tom Powell

A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE British property investor who failed to pay taxes for 24 years is reportedly living in Spain.Entrepreneur Paul Bloom-field enjoyed a life of luxury with several homes, a heli-copter and private jet with-out submitting a single tax return. wqvxzwNicknamed ‘Boom Boom Bloomfield’ after his lucrative property deals in the 80s, he has now emerged as one of those who had offshore ac-counts with HSBC in Switzer-land.The bank has been the subject of a major scandal af-ter it came to light that thou-sands of its British customers were encouraged to set up offshore accounts.

ProsecutedBloomfield, who helped orga-nise the financing of the new Wembley stadium in 2003, met HMRC investigators in 2011 but told them he did not own an offshore bank ac-count, any property or have any income of his own.But the HSBC files given to HMRC reportedly show Bloomfield did have an off-shore account with the bank in 1993.Tax officials are said not to believe denials about not hav-ing any income and conclud-ed he was liable for tax for the past 20 years, but he was not prosecuted.Have you seen Bloomfield? Contact [email protected] with any informa-tion.

Which celebrity is sending Gibraltar’s chief Minister Gaga?And how he plans to create 40,000 jobs in just one yearThe Olive Press meets Fabian Picardo. see Page 25

Sweet as sugar-Kane in Marbs Valentine hol

Mystery behind the Sotogrande murder

Fireman Frank saves his Sunday service

RETURN TO AL ANDALUS: Google turns back time by

1000 years to label Algeciras a Muslim taifa

2 www.theolivepress.es CRIME NEWS February 19th - March 4th 20152

FOR years they have brazenly ripped off customers.But now One Way Van Hire and its unscrupulous owners, the subject of a series of Ol-ive Press exposes, could have met their demise.‘Customer service manager’ Jonathan Eggett has been banned from driving for 40 months by Lincolnshire Mag-istrate’s Court after failing to provide a specimen for breath analysis and driving without insurance. He was also fined €860 and made to pay costs of €540.Meanwhile, his father and

End of the roadDriving ban and website closure could spell end for long-time Costa scammers


business partner Jeremy Griffiths, based in the Ax-arquia, has taken their One Way Van Hire website offline, as well as their disgraced cou-rier firm Pet Taxi.One angry customer Tod

Cury, owed over €1,000 by Eggett, has even set up a new website www.oneway-vanhire.eu to warn others about the pair. Cury was left high and dry after paying for a van to move from England

to Spain in September which was never delivered. After being fobbed off with excuses by Eggett, he even-tually had to hire another vehicle last minute but never received a penny back. “I would urge anyone to not do business with the indi-viduals or their companies. Although these two websites are offline, they have been known to operate under dif-ferent names,” said Cury.“I intend to keep the pressure on both Jonathan and Jeremy until I have my money.” Griffiths’ Pet Taxi business was first exposed in the Olive Press in August 2012, when an expat family’s beloved pug died while being transported to England. Dianne Lunt, 56, who lived in Marbella for 28 years, alerted the authorities after dog Wasabi allegedly collapsed from heat exhaus-tion and suffered a cardiac arrest on the trip.

Death-trap

The dog belonged to her daughter Amy, who set up a website denouncing the firm (pettaxitransport.com) which claims at least six dogs have died in their hands.Later that year an expat cou-ple began pursuing legal ac-tion against Griffiths after the brakes failed on a van they had hired to transport be-longings to England.Retired prison service worker David Steel and wife Ann took the van to mechanics who said they ‘didn’t know how we’d got that far alive’.“They described the van as a death trap and refused to re-lease the vehicle until all the repairs had been done. It was a nightmare, we could have been killed,” he said.Since then, the list of disgrun-tled customers owed money or hired dangerous vans has increased manifold. Both the Olive Press online stories and a TripAdvisor fo-rum are awash with more un-happy customers.Despite the many complaints, newspaper Sur in English has continued to run advertising for his Pet Taxi company on its back page.An ex-girlfriend of Eggett’s told the Olive Press last night: “I don’t have much to do with him or Jeremy, but I know Jonathan was still hiring vans a few weeks ago.”Griffiths did not respond to the Olive Press’ requests for comment.

A GRANADA court has bizarrely dropped charges against nine out of 10 Catholic priests accused of sexually abus-ing an altar boy. Charges – which included ‘sexual abuse with penetration, exhibitionism and concealing evidence’ – were dropped because the crimes fell within the statute of limitations. This means that 11 of the 12 suspects - including two lay-men - would not be charged because too much time has passed between the alleged crimes and the complaints being made. The investigation was launched following intervention in the case by Pope Francis himself. The pope also telephoned the alleged victim – now aged 24 – to offer his apologies last November. The lawyer for the alleged victim insists that his client was unable to report the crimes - which took place be-tween 2004 and 2007 - until he had moved away from Granada. The decision is bound to anger a large part of Spain and seen as a failure by the Vatican to punish senior officials who have been accused of covering up scandals. The one priest who is still being investigated by the court faces up to 10 years in jail for the abuse.

sex abuse priests let off

DISGRACED Costa del Sol journalist Mike Souter – jailed for a series of child sex attacks – has had his appeal thrown out of court. Souter, 61, was jailed for 22 years at the UK’s Norwich Crown Court in October 2013 for serially abusing boys over a 20-year period. The former Sur in English travel editor was found guilty of 26 offences, including 19 counts of historic child sex abuse against seven different boys aged between 11 and 16, between 1979 and 1999.

He appealed both his convic-tions and sentence.Both were denied in a hear-ing at London’s Appeal Court. “This was an appalling cata-logue of sexual abuse on vulnerable victims over a protracted period and Souter remains in denial,” said Mr Justice Goss. “His sentence – although severe – accorded with sen-tencing practice and appro-priately reflected his culpa-bility and the harm caused by this offending.”

Paedo’s appeal crushed for crimes as long ago as 1979

EXPOSED: Jonathan Eggett (left) with father/business partner Jeremy Griffiths (also inset) while (right) their Pet Taxi advert in Sur in English

FREE: Granada holymen

3www.theolivepress.es NEWS February 19th - March 4th 2015

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HELENA Bonham Carter has stripped off to help save blue fin tuna from extinction.While the fishing season doesn’t start in Spain for two months, the British actress has disrobed to raise atten-tion to their fragile plight.But getting up close and per-sonal with the 27kg blue fin was no mean feat for the Hol-

SPAIN’S top tennis duo Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer downed their racquets for a night out in the rain in Rio de Ja-neiro. Despite being among the few without costumes, the sportsmen were seen dancing in the street in front of Rio’s fa-mous samba school Sambodromo. The pair had been in Brazil’s capital to take part in the Brazilian Open which was won by Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas.

rafa in rio

KING Felipe VI has slashed his salary for 2015.The Spanish monarch is living up to his pledge for a ‘more moderate, fewer-frills monarchy’ by taking a 20% pay cut for the year head.A spokesman for the pal-ace said Felipe, 47, would receive €234,204 for 2015, a fifth less than his father and predecessor, Juan Carlos, received as monarch before abdicat-ing last June.

Budget royals

PoPstar Justin Bieber now has more twitter followers than spain has people. The Canadian singer has amassed more than 60 million followers, while spain has a population of just over 47 million.

Un-belieber-ble

ANTONIO Banderas wants to escape Hollywood for a more ‘authentic life’ in Europe. The Spanish star, who will shortly play Malaga artist Pablo Picasso in 33 Dias, admitted that he is ‘not comfortable’ living in Los Angeles. “I have to get my daughter out of Hollywood be-cause this place is not real,” said the actor, who

is now dating Nicole Kimpel, an investment banker from Holland. “Holly-wood is not a place anymore, it has become a brand. “Los Angeles is beautiful, but I don’t understand it. I need sidewalks. Every-where you go in America, you need a car. I don’t want to have a car.”Banderas, who has been living on and off in a new Malaga flat, was speaking ahead of the new Spongebob Squarepants movie where he voices a pirate.

Heading home?

lywood star, who actually has a fear of fish. “When I was asked to be pho-tographed naked…I was more worried about touching [the fish] than getting my kit off,” said the 48-year-old.“Having said that, I con-quered my fears and by the end of the morning we’d truly bonded.”

It is the first time she has posed for a shoot since her split from long-term partner Tim Burton in late Decem-ber.The photograph is part of a series for a campaign in support of the Blue Marine Foundation, which aims to protect 10% of the world’s oceans by 2020. Concerns over dwindling numbers have made tuna a priority concern for many green groups. The shortened season, which runs from May to June, in Spain, is part of a recovery plan agreed at international level to bring back the Bluefin tuna stock.

HE is very much the man of the moment.Top-scoring English striker in the Premier League and tout-ed as the next Alan Shearer, Harry Kane knows a bit about romance to boot.The Tottenham striker made sure Valentine’s Day went with a bang, netting himself a luxury weekend in Marbella with childhood sweetheart Katie Goodland.The pair dined together at Marbella’s leading restaurant La Sala, and also did a spot of sightseeing, according to Olive Press sources, while staying at the five-star Puente Romano hotel.But it didn’t stop the all-round sportsman - who is set to be called up for England for the first time for the up-coming international games - from getting a round of golf in too with his good friend Da-vid Bentley, a part-owner of

When Harry met la salaEngland’s hottest striker Harry Kane whisked his girlfriend off to Marbs for Valentine’s Day

YOUNG LOVE: Kane and childhood sweetheart Katie and (inset) Kane celebrating


the La Sala restaurant chain.Bentley, a former Spurs player himself, told the Ol-ive Press: “He is an amazing guy and an all-round profes-sional.“He doesn’t drink, but he knows how to have a good time.“I sorted him and his girl-friend out with a place to stay for two nights and played golf with him too.“We have been friends for years,” added Bentley, speak-ing from Ireland where he is learning to play Gaelic foot-ball for a new documentary.Ian Radford, chairman of La Sala group, who also played golf with him at Aloha, said: “He is a nice lad, feet well and firmly on the ground, a great future England striker.”He added: “He will be back in the summer for more golf.”

look of love

NO FRILLS: King Felipe

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS FEATURE4 the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 2015

A MYSTERY MURDER

IT was approximately 9.20pm on February 7 when Briton Devinder ‘Victor’ Kainth killed German Sandro Rott-

man at Spinnaker restaurant in Andalucia’s exclusive resort of Sotogrande. Against a background of luxury yachts, Kainth, 40, lost his tem-per after warning alleged pae-dophile Rottman, 43, to stop taking photos of his daughter on his iPad.Ordering his wife and three children from the restaurant, he felled Rottman with a single punch that police claim was ‘probably enough to kill him’.But it is what happened next..and what connections the two men might have had before, that remains so intriguing to watchers of the case.According to an Olive Press source who witnessed the fight, it is indisputable that Kainth did beat the German to death. “Victor clearly told him no more photos, but it didn’t work,” said the witness. “Eventually he grabbed the iPad and after seeing two or three photos, bang. He threw it to the floor and it all kicked off.” Restaurant CCTV – which was taken by the police for the in-vestigation – doesn’t reveal exactly what happened next, as

The world’s media descended on the Costa del Sol last week to investigate the killing of an alleged paedophile by a British expat father-of-three. But, as the Olive Press reports, there is a lot more to the case than meets the eye

INNOCENT VICTIM?: Rottman

BACKDROP OF LUXURY: The murder scene and (left) Briton Kainth

one camera was not working, but it appears that a number of kicks and punches were rained on Rottman, who was by then on the floor. He was transferred to La Linea hospital, but died just hours later from his injuries. While the results of the autopsy have not yet been made pub-lic, it appears that Rottman’s health was fragile at best and that he certainly had a drink problem.

A worker at the exclusive El Octogono Beach Club nearby, detailed how he would drink up to three bottles of vodka a day and had been banned after running up a huge unpaid bill.But Rottman’s spending had even more serious conse-quences.Expat Fiona Goodwood, who has known Rottman for 12 years, said: “He had had diffi-culties due to not paying rent. His landlord’s attempt to ille-

gally evict him resulted in Rott-man having broken legs and other injuries.” It explained why locals confirmed he had been walking with a limp over recent months.What is also fascinating is that Rottman had recently come under investigation for por-nographic images of children found by the Guardia Civil on his laptop.However, how police uncovered his stash of child pornography

is extremely strange.It was reported in El Mundo that he was arrested on Janu-ary 9, when Rottman’s neigh-bours heard strange noises in his house and - believing that he was being burgled - called the police.The police quickly arrived but found an empty house and, it is claimed, the laptop switched on with - conveniently - ‘numer-ous’ images of naked children on the screen.Police told the Olive Press last night that the front door was open, ‘as though the tenant had forgotten to lock it’. However, they did not provide any more details as to how they were alerted, what exactly they found, or why no intruder was found. But they did claim they arrested him later that day.It is this strange turn of events that is so puzzling to friends of Rottman, who queued up to support him this week.Many painted an image of him as a ‘meticulous’ professional,

No comprendoTHE IU has called for the removal of the national-ity test used on foreigners, saying that most Spaniards would be unable to pass.

Fire frightera DIsaBleD man has been charged with causing public disor-der after he attempted to set fire to himself in Mijas.

Edu swoopPOLICE arrested 15 people and issued warrants for 90 in a new wave of Op-eration Edu.

Paedo pinched THE leader of an internet paedophile network has been arrested in Malaga af-ter he was caughtexchanging images of child pornography in an internet cafe.

checkmateCHESS is to be added to the school curriculum, in a move to ‘remember the great importance of spain in chess’ after it was invented here around 500 years ago.

5www.theolivepress.es NEWS FEATURE February 19th - March 4th 2015

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“He was meticulous with

passwords... is this just an attempt to

discredit him?”

‘well-liked’ around the resort and a ‘vital member of the community’. While Goodwood described him as ‘an eccentric character’, she insisted: “Sandro was an IT specialist and was conversant with all aspects of program-ming. “He was meticulous with pass-words and I find it very hard to believe that if there were any pornographic images, as has been claimed, that he would be so naïve as to not have pass-word protected them.

“Is this just an attempt to dis-credit him?”Another friend who worked with him at Santa Maria Polo Club, and helped him bring celebri-ties including Katie Price to So-togrande, added: “I am really devastated by what has been written. I don’t believe he was a paedophile.” And taxi driver Paco Bermudez, who has known Rottman for seven years, added: “He was a well-liked man and a keen am-

ateur photographer. He was al-ways taking photos. That’s why he took pictures of the British man’s daughter, not because he was a paedophile.”A further intriguing element is the apparent closeness be-tween Rottman and the Kainth family on the evening on which he died.The Olive Press can reveal that Rottman had spent a number

of hours socialising at the res-taurant, along with Kainth’s partner Gemma Hawkins, 31, and the three children. “Gemma and one female friend entered the restau-rant with her three children at around 5pm,” revealed a source at the restaurant. “The children ran around the restaurant causing chaos while the women ordered a couple of glasses of wine and chatted,” he said.“Sandro arrived about an hour later and was drinking with them. Finally around 6.30 or 7pm, Victor arrived and everything seemed good hu-moured.” The group continued to drink for another two hours before the murder. “It begs the question did they have any business links to-gether… and did something go sour?” continued the source.Finally, it is important to ex-plore the backgrounds of Kainth and his partner Gem-ma, who were well-known fac-es around the resort, ‘spend-ing big’ and driving ‘matching his and hers black and white Range Rovers’. “They clearly have a very envi-able lifestyle,” said an expat source who knows the couple.

“He’s your typical So-t o g r a n d e charac ter who has a whole lot of money but no one has any idea w h e r e it came from, and you don’t like to ask,” he added.

While nobody in Sotogrande could say exactly what they did for a living, they could afford to send two of their children to the coast’s €10,000 a year school Sotogrande International, and they were always dressed im-peccably.Both keen fitness fanatics, they worked out at the Vanity Fit-ness Centre in nearby Pueblo Nuevo, on an almost daily ba-sis. Kainth, it can be revealed, comes from North London, and has run an import/export business in southern Spain for seven years, which included a supermarket in Estepona. The shop Stop & Buy, in Galera Park, was closed down sud-denly however a few years ago, while the parent company is still active.Spanish tax authority docu-ments show that the parent company - the UK Beer and Food Company SL – has con-tinued to trade but with appar-ently substantial losses. Indeed, according to the lat-est available tax return filed for 2013, the company was officially in debt to the tune of €162,817. Kainth also owns a property business Argasur Grupo In-mobilario SL, registered to an address in Sotogrande, but it does not have a concrete of-fice location and little is known about it.

While police are expected to charge Kainth this week with homicide, a charge which car-ries up to 15 years in prison, an online petition has been launched on change.org to have him released, with 136 people signing it so far.Either way, the mysteries of the case remain and, with Rottman dead, we may never know ex-actly what happened on that fateful night, nor why.Police confirmed last night that they have finished their inves-tigations into both cases and handed their findings over to the courts to proceed.It will now be up to the judge to unravel the truth behind Rott-man, Kainth and this most in-triguing of murders.

ROTTMAN helped to ar-range a visit of former Page Three girl Katie Price (right) to Sotogrande. Appearing in a string of pic-tures with the It Girl, he had ensured that her trip to pro-mote a new clothing range in August 2009 went ahead without incident.He acted as a personal as-sistant to her, while a source at Santa Maria Polo Club re-vealed that he was ‘very well connected in the polo world’.

Date with Katie Price

“He’s your typical Sotogrande character... a lot of money but no-

one knows where it came from”

BOMBSHELL: Gemma and pal

LIFE ON THE COAST: The site of Stop and Buy and (inset) Vanity gym

HAPPY IN SPAIN: Gemma and the couple’s three children

OLIVE PRESS REPORTING TEAM: Imogen Calder-wood, Rob Horgan, Iona Napier and Tom Powell

6 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - February 19th - March 4th6 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - February 19th - March 4th 2015

Tel: 951 273 575 / 665 798 618 (admin) Accounts: 658 750 424 Sales: 655 825 683or [email protected] or [email protected] campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in southern Spain - 200,000 copies distributed monthly (130,000 digitally) with an estimated readership, including the website, of more than 500,000 people a month.

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COMMENT

THE main political parties in the UK are currently all campaigning for one united cause.

They want eligible British ex-pats around the world to regis-ter to vote in the general elec-tion on May 7.But many - such as army vet-eran Harry Schindler, aged 94 and living in Italy - are simply not allowed.There has been a lot written al-ready this year about the Treaty of Maastrict, 1992, enforcing the right of EU citizens to work and live in any member state.Most of them can vote in the general elections of their coun-try of origin for the remainder of their lives. Not the British though.Brits who are resident outside the UK for more than 15 years - and do not retain a UK regis-tered address (which requires being physically resident in Britain for a minimum of 183 days) – subsequently lose their right to vote.And so it is that a War World II veteran like Harry Schindler can be left without a say in the elections of the country he ac-tually fought and risked his life for.Schindler has however gained vital publicity with his attempt to regain that vote, taking his case to the UK Supreme Court and then even higher to the Eu-ropean Court of Human Rights.For legal reasons he has not succeeded, but he has gained the support of the main UK po-litical parties... well, technical-ly, the support of those parties’ expat organisations.For, as it turns out, most Labour and some Liberal Democrat MPs are, oddly, still resisting any alteration to the outdated 15-year rule.Perhaps thinking a change to the law would not suit them, they are ignoring a Europe in Movement meeting, in Paris, in 2008, that accepted the prin-ciple that ‘no citizens of the EU shall be deprived of their right to vote in national elections by

With expats currently losing their right to vote after 15 years abroad, Ray Ward explains why Brits should conjure up the spirit of the Boston Tea Party

VOTELESS IN VELEZ

MARIO ALEGRIA

MATTERSMADRID

WE always knew that the Socialists would struggle to take Madrid from the Popular Party (PP) in elections this spring.

Historically the opposition party’s biggest obstacle in the capital has been the once-untouchable Tomas Gomez – leader of the Madrid Socialists (PSM).But now PSOE secretary-general Pedro Sanchez has done what former PM Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and ex-Congress boss Jose Bono failed to do: he has literally kicked Gomez out onto the street. But at what cost?Gomez was mayor of the satellite city of Parla from 1999 to 2008, before finding a way to regional power. Born in the Neth-erlands to Spanish immigrants, the 46-year-old master politician built a loyal following in the capital over the years. The night Gomez was knocked from his pedestal, his supporters threatened to burn down the PSOE national headquarters. This unruly outburst – filled with murmurs of mutiny from PSM members – is a huge deal for Sanchez, just seven months into

his national leadership.The Socialist bigwigs suspect that Gomez is entrenched deep in an ongoing investigation into fa-vouritism and overruns relating to a tram project in Parla. Gomez has not been officially targeted in the inquiry and even made a case in his own defence at a closed-door party pow-wow. Obviously, his arguments were not convincing...Cornered by outraged citizens over partisan corruption, pres-sured by the up-and-coming leftist Podemos – gaining strength in opinion polls – Sanchez decided to take a gamble and remove Gomez before the anti-corruption squad closed in. It was also fine timing, coming just weeks before the premier-ship race in the Socialist stronghold of Andalucia. The regional election will be the national barometer for Podemos.But the Socialists are in crisis in Madrid – many won’t vote or will cast a protest ballot in favour of Podemos. No doubt it was a tough decision for Sanchez, one that has put Cheshire-cat smirks within the PP ranks.

Divide and conquer?As Madrid Socialists cast out stalwart Tomas Gomez, PP ranks prepare for power play, writes Mario Alegria

reason of their place of resi-dence’.So we find ourselves in the odd position, where parties that supposedly support European democratic ideals are ignoring certain aspects of them.It also means the irony of Nick Clegg’s Spanish wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez being al-lowed to vote in Spanish gen-eral elections for the rest of her life, while Dutch, French and Ger-man citizens can vote in their Gen-eral Elections wherever they live. Meanwhile, un-der the Double Taxation Agreement between the UK and Spain, most ex-UK public sector employees living in Spain and receiving govern-ment service pensions have the tax paid in the UK. They have no choice about that, but are still debarred from voting in Spanish general elections and, after 15 years, the UK equiva-lent.

They are taxed but disen-franchised, a situation which sounds uncannily similar to that which led to the Boston Tea Party attack in 1711, which triggered the entire American revolution for independence.This disenfranchisement of British citizens resident in Spain coupled with the en-forcement of their taxes to be

paid in Brit-ain is nothing short of ap-palling.And the issue will not be re-solved until British politi-cians who support the principles of

the EU start supporting them in practice and stop playing party politics.Perhaps many Labour MPs imagine Brits in Spain are Tory supporters who spend their hours sitting on the terraces of their large villas sipping Rioja.The possibility that those re-tired to Spain, unable to vote in the UK and continuing to

be taxed there, might behave and think differently probably doesn’t enter mindsets in the ‘Westminster bubble’. Perhaps it is time to re-enact the Boston Tea Party, waylaying a lorry laden with Rioja wines en route to Britain and distrib-uting the bottles to Podemos party supporters. That might stir the sediment in Westmin-ster.But what matters at present, irrespective of the 15-year rule issue and partisan politics, is that those Brits in Spain who are eligible to vote, do so. All that is needed is a computer and an internet connection, it takes just five minutes: Visit: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or in Northern Ireland visit: www.eoni.org.uk

FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT: To vote

Perhaps it is time to re-enact the Boston Tea

Party, waylaying a lorry laden with Rioja wines

en route to Britain

Abuse of justiceIt’s shocking to hear that charges have been thrown out for nine of the 10 catholic priests accused of sexually assaulting an altar boy in Granada.But it’s even more shocking to hear that the reason for this miscarriage of justice is that the court decided that the crimes allegedly commit-ted took place too long ago – as far back as 2004.To set this against the background of justice fi-nally being found in the UK after some 40 or 50 years in some sex abuse cases, makes the span-ish justice system seem trapped in the dark ages.

Conmen quelled aFter years of ripping off innocent customers, One Way Van Hire looks like it has pulled off its last scam… and good riddance too!With customer service manager Jonathan eggett fined for driving offences and his father Jeremy Griffiths pulling down their online businesses, things look to have gone well-and-truly pear shaped for the dodgy dealers.let’s hope this is the last we hear of these two conmen on the costa.But given their track-record it is likely that they will appear again under a new guise, and the Olive Press will be ready and waiting to expose them when they do!

Extremist errorGOOGLE’S idea of an ‘editing error’ is a strange, rather patronising one.The notion that digging up the name of a Mus-lim Kingdom unused for 1,000 years could have been a mere editing error is farcical.Somebody – whether inside or outside Google – has purposefully drawn upon Spain’s Islamic past and subtly placed a reminder there for mil-lions to see...And this happened less than a year after extrem-ist terrorist group Isis announced plans to re-claim Andalucia for its Muslim caliphate.But don’t worry, Google is sure it’s just a typo or something.

Think of 3 is a campaign to encourage Brits to pass the word around to three or more Brits to encourage them to register. Those an-noyed about losing the right to vote should visit: www.votes-for-expat-brits.com

7www.theolivepress.es the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 7www.theolivepress.es 7www.theolivepress.es the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 2015POLITICAL NEWS

A FORMER mayor is stand-ing for re-election in May despite a court case hanging over his head. Ex-PSOE leader of Medina Sidonia in Cadiz, Francisco Carrera, is facing trial for per-verting the course of justice and irregular payments in 2014.This follows accusations of bribery and misconduct in

Four accused Socialist leaders in Cadiz - and over 100 scandle-ridden politicians in Spain - are standing in May elections

Mayors in the dock

2006, which involved lead-ing a ‘political persecution’ against the then leader of the PP. And he’s not the only one – a total of 20 mayors and ex-mayors and almost 100 coun-cillors are still being tried (or have been) for misconduct. Carrera is one of four Social-ist candidates in Cadiz prov-ince alone standing for the lo-

cal elections, with unresolved court cases against them. The others are Rafael Quiros of Barbate and the mayoral candidates for Vejer, Anto-nio Verdu, and Jimena de la Frontera, Pascual Collado.Meanwhile, Susana Diaz, the president of the Junta, trav-elled to Cadiz last week for the first big Socialist election rally. But her policy of ‘absolute integrity’ is somewhat com-promised by the pending corruption cases against her subordinates.

PODEMOS has done some-thing that no Spanish leader has done for a decade - given a speech in English!Leader Pablo Iglesias and his deputy Inigo Errejon have both spoken in the US and UK this week.The two men dusted off their vocabulary to impress for-eign politicians in a series of lectures, interviews and speeches.It puts Prime Minister Mari-ano Rajoy and former leader Jose Luis Zapatero to shame, both of whom are infamous for their inability to speak English.Iglesias was warmly wel-comed in New York, before heading to Columbia Univer-sity to meet with Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, a powerful critic of restrictive politics in Europe. “I’ll borrow an idea from Pro-fessor Stiglitz,” said the pony-

PODEMOS isn’t going to let Andalu-cia stay with the Socialists without a fight.The anti-austerity party has an-nounced a €600,000 campaign sole-ly to nurture support in Andalucia.Meanwhile the party has confirmed that MEP Teresa Rodriguez, from Cadiz, will be standing against cur-rent Junta president Susana Diaz in the regional elections on March 22.If Rodriguez wins the presidency, the party’s profile – already topping opinion polls - will be significantly bolstered in the lead up to the na-tional elections in November.Andalucia will be the first region

in the country to vote and the early elections will be a key indicator of the political forecast.Diaz’s decision to bring the elections forward to March was a tactical bid to claim Andalucia - a PSOE strong-hold - before Podemos fever takes over. That said, the latest poll this week on radio channel Cadena Ser put Podemos as Spain’s top party with 24.6%, against the PP’s 22.5% and PSOE’s 19.5%.The biggest rise came for centre right party Ciudadanos which has grown from 5% in January to a mas-sive 13.4% this month.

Podemos taking on the world... in English

INto Battle For ANDALUCIA!

Mayor: Give me a callMOST politicians would do anything to prove they know what the people want… but very few would dish out their personal phone number to over 10,000 people. But that is exactly what PP mayor of Brunete, Gutierrez Iglesias, has done. Just months before the regional elections, Iglesias has given the residents of Brunete - a small town near Madrid - the chance to have their say. “I’ve received a few critical messages. But really that’s what we’re there for – to listen to the people, no matter what they think or say.”

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tailed politician, speaking in perfect English. “Austerity is going to topple the global economy, and in-

equality is bad for the econ-omy because it increases instability,” he added. Meanwhile, Iglesias’ right-

hand man Errejon ar-rived at the University of Essex, in the UK, to give a lec-ture on the legacy of A r g e n t i n e post-Marx-ist politi-cal theorist E r n e s t o L a c l a u . Fresh off the back of last month’s March for C h a n g e , P o d e m o s fever is s p r e a d i n g globally.

SOUNDING GOOD: Iglesias rides the metro

8 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - February 19th - March 4th8 NEWS February 19th - March 4th 2015www.theolivepress.es

Voodoo killed the cat Expat launches stray cat

campaign after ‘witchcraft ritual’ was performed on her moggie

A HEARTBROKEN expat is blaming voodoo for the ‘as-sassination’ of her beloved cat. Kelly Dooley, 44, found her moggie Postman Pat ‘sliced open and with his heart re-moved’ near her Benalmade-na home.Dooley, originally from Lon-don, looks after a total of 55 cats and is now raising money in a bid to save as many Costa del Sol strays as possible. “Postman Pat was brutally murdered,” she said. “I found him left by the rubbish bins sliced open.“The crime scene looked like a voodoo ritual had been per-formed. “I cannot understand how

someone could be so cruel, it has completely broken my heart.“I need to spread the word that there is someone out there doing this.” The vet’s autopsy report con-firmed that Pat’s heart had been removed with a knife or scalpel at a separate location to where the corpse was dis-covered.Seprona officers have also visited the scene and are con-tinuing their investigations. The number of cats and dogs on Spain’s streets has contin-

eXclUsIVeBy rob Horgan

A BRITISH expat who lost his sister to carbon monoxide poisoning is fighting to raise awareness in Spain, where the mortality rate is three times higher than in Britain. Adam Samuel, 33, lost his 31-year-old sister Katie, ex-actly five years ago and tragi-cally just eight weeks after

Monoxide marathon

CAMPAIGNERS are running out of time to save more than 30 abandoned dogs from being put down.Pest control company Athisa is taking over a municipal pound in Motril on February 28, and any dogs not homed by then may be ‘sacrificed,’ according to a memo from the town hall.Once the pound changes hands, Athisa will not actively seek adoption for the canines and will rely on kind-hearted volun-teers to foster and care for them.British expat Fran Scott, from nearby Restabal, said: “Spain is one of the worst places in Europe for animals.“We hope we can stop any more dogs being killed and try and raise awareness that animals are sentient beings.”The pound welcomed 1,200 abandoned dogs last year alone.Visit Facebook page SOS Animales Motril – Granada for more information.

ued to rise since the economic crisis. A pet is abandoned every three minutes in Spain, and 150,000 pets are abandoned each year, according to ani-

mal rights group Observato-rio de la Fundacion Affinity.To support Dooley’s cause, which has already raised €800, visit www.gofundme.com/m4zvzg

Ten days to save dogs

her wedding.The English teacher, who lives in Sanlucar de Bar-rameda, near Jerez, will run his first London marathon in April for the Katie Haines Memorial Trust, set up by his Wimbledon-based family. He said: “Katie was bril-liant at fundraising, she ran

marathons for friends of hers that had passed away and it’s ironic that now I’m running for her.” “With carbon monoxide you can’t see it, you can’t smell it and you can’t hear it - so you have to get an alarm and ven-tilate well.” Carbon monoxide poisoning - which can be caused by poor-ly-fitted appliances or poor ventilation - kills 125 people each year.To support Adam, visit: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web and search for ‘Adam Samuel’.

NATURE lovers united on Valentine’s morning to fight for the opening of a footpath near Ronda.A campaign to open public trails in the area saw a big group of hikers, cyclists and riders walk the so-called Cueva de Abanico route, near the town, which has been cut off for more than a decade.

Hikers unite to open public path

POLICE are investigating the disappearance of a Scottish expat who may be in south-ern Spain. Jon Edwards (pictured), 31, disappeared from his home in Lagos, Portugal in Septem-ber and has made no contact since. Jon, originally from Arbroath, knocked himself unconscious two days before his disap-pearance after getting drunk at a party and falling down a hill. But despite repeatedly being sick and suffering with dizziness, Jon refused to go to hospital. “Jon had told us how easy it was to cross over the border into Spain,” Lesley told the Olive Press. “And because he had sustained a head injury, we can only assume that he was disorientated and was not in the right state of mind when he left.” Jon is 5ft7, has brown hair, blue eyes and a small scar on his right cheek. He also has Arabic tattoos on his lower arms.

Plea for expat

DEATH SENTENCE: 30 dogs may be put down

HEARTLESS CRIME: Seprona is investigating the killing

CARING: Adam Samuel with sister Katie

9

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A GIBRALTARIAN woman claims her car was impound-ed after she failed to declare one packet of cigarettes when crossing the border into Spain. The woman – who wishes to remain anonymous – was ‘to-tally shocked’ after the Guar-dia Civil seized her car when they discovered 20 unde-clared cigarettes in her glove compartment. Officers reportedly told her that she would be allowed to go, but they changed their minds and impounded her vehicle. The incident took place in the

For fags sake!Car impounded by Guardia Civil over ‘one packet of cigarettes’

middle of the day when the woman took the green lane at the border as she ‘genuinely thought’ she had nothing to declare.She was pulled over by cus-toms officers who conducted a full search of her vehicle. When the officer found the packet of cigarettes he held it up and said ‘what’s this?’. He then told her not to worry and said that they would not

detain her car for such a small infringement.However, another Guardia officer stepped in and after talking with his colleague, told the woman to hand over her passport, car keys and log book. A frontier customs admin-istrator told the woman she ‘must have caught the officer in question on a bad day.’ After complaining to the Guardia Civil headquarters in Algeciras the car was finally returned.

SPAIN is set to close an iconic Spanish-language centre on Gibraltar, where, according to the foreign minister, ‘everyone speaks Spanish except the apes’.The worldwide Cervantes institute opened a branch on the Rock in 2011.However, PP minister Jose Margallo revealed it will be closed because its ex-istence is unnecessary on what is ‘considered to be Spanish territory’.“To have a Cervantes (In-stitute) there is a contra-diction,” he said. “More-over, everyone there speaks Spanish except the apes.”

talking Gib-berish

A CELEBRATION of the nat-ural wonders of the Straits of Gibraltar will have a top Gibraltarian scientist as key speaker. Clive Finlayson (pictured), director of the Museum of Gi-braltar, will speak about the Neanderthals that lived on the Straits and their relation-ship with birds. Finlayson, an ornithologist and anthropologist, is an internationally-renowned au-thority on Neanderthals.He famously oversaw the ex-cavation of Gibraltar’s Gor-ham’s Cave – the last known site inhabited by Neander-thals before their extinction some 28,000 years ago. His talk will be titled ‘Homi-nids in paradise, the history of the Neanderthals and their relationship with the birds in the Straits’. Huerta Grande eco-resort, between Tarifa and Algeciras, is hosting the conference on March 27-29. The event also includes bird-watching, whale-sighting and nature photography work-shops.

speaker gets ‘straits’ to the point

STATIONERY and office supplier The Beacon Press has unveiled its new website.Guest of honour Neil Costa, Gibraltar’s Minister for Employment and Businesses attended the grand launch in Irish Town.The first phase of the website is aimed at corporate customers with credit accounts, but anyone can now browse the range of locally-stocked products.The next phase will be rolled out in the coming months.For more information, visit www.thebeaconpress.com or www.beaconpress.gi

Pressing business

Ding-dongCHIEF Minister Picardo blasted Labour leader Miliband’s comments that Gibraltar is a ‘tax haven’.

Game overTHE President of Gibraltar FA, Desmond Reoch, has resigned after admitting he cannot cope with the in-creasing demands.

the Bill A BILL was published to establish Gibraltar’s uni-versity as ‘an academic beacon of excellence’.

February 20-21Gibraltar Carnival, at Ocean Village from 11pm on Friday. Latin band at The Cuban, fancy dress night at Zest and a Mas-querade Party at Dusk. Saturday is a family day from 12pm with a funfair and fancy dress.

March 3-13, 9.30am-9.30pmGibraltar’s Young Artist of the Year competition will take place at John Mack-intosh Hall, hosted by the Ministry of Culture. En-tries must be submitted February 20.

By rob Horgan

11the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 2015www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF

AXARQUIA

‘I let him drown’Mentally unstable stepfather watched three-year-old boy die

THE stepfather of a three-year-old boy found dead in a Malaga reservoir has confessed to letting the boy drown after fighting with the child’s mother.Antonio Fernandez was ar-rested by Guardia Civil of-ficers in Rincon de la Vic-toria after providing five false statements about the afternoon Alejandro went missing. Fernandez finally confessed to watching his stepson

drown in the Cartama res-ervoir. At the hearing, the judge

said: “Antonio did not take the child out of the water and he watched him drown

because he was angry at the child’s mother.” Fernandez refused to answer prosecutors’ questions and claimed he could not remember making his guilty state-ment.He said that he was given a tranquiliser by police – for panic attacks – and had no memory of the previous day.However, the judge con-sidered the statement to be enough evidence to charge him with murder and remand him to cus-tody. Fernandez – who has a criminal record for acts of pyromania – is said to be ‘mentally unstable’ and suffering from de-pression.

CHARGED: Fernandez with the child’s mother while (inset) the lake where the body was found

By rob Horgan

Benajarafe blazeA FIRE at a seniors’ home in Benajarafe hospitalised an 88-year-old woman, while the other 14 resi-dents had to be rehomed.

rain breakertHe historic Maqui-nilla de Nerja building will be renovated to the tune of €45,788, to prevent damage caused by rain.

sell-out successMOTRIL’s Teatro Calde-ron recorded a bumper 2014, with 18,000 visi-tors attending plays.

Bidding warA TOTAL of 43 companies have submitted bids to build the new Nerja fire station.

A PP councillor in Rincon de la Victoria has resigned after being questioned in connection to the bogus training scheme scandal.Manuel Sanchez is one of 90 people under investi-gation in Operation Edu, a case which saw officials syphon off more than €1 billion of EU education funding in fake training courses.The councillor previously ran a restaurant in Torre del Benagalbon which hosted a training course for 15 unemployed people in 2011.The Junta provided €60,750 in funding, of which Sanchez received 75%. The remaining €15,000 was cut down to €5,000 in January, reportedly because two students did not complete the course.“I am completely relaxed because I have all the rel-evant documents in or-der,” said Sanchez, who was paid €10,000 for or-ganising the course.A statement said his res-ignation was a mutual de-cision with the town hall.

NERJA Town Hall has ap-pealed to expats to renew their ‘padron’ registration.Close to 2,200 foreign resi-dents will be lost from the register if they do not re-new before March 31.The town hall receives €150 for each person reg-istered on the padron, so stands to lose around €330,000.Those who do not confirm their place will be unregis-tered and lose all benefits.To find out if you need to renew your name, email [email protected]

Urgent call to Nerja expats

COUNTDOWN: To renew town hall registration in Nerja

councillor’s kitchen nightmare

RESIGNED: Sanchez

THE Mayor of Torrox has been left red-faced after fork-ing out for a speeding ticket. The penalty was imposed on Francisco Munoz after one of his official vehicles was clocked breaking the speed limit. It is unknown who was driv-ing the car at the time and Munoz has refused to reveal the identity of his speedster driver. As a result of Munoz’s silence Malaga City Council imposed a €600 fine to ‘all residents of Torrox’ which was dutifully paid off by the mayor.

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Olive power!‘Waste not want not’ as Andalucia’s iconic crop goes electric

A PROTOTYPE power plant fueled by olive oil waste in Granada has proved so suc-cessful that plans for a new plant have been launched.The EU-funded two-year pi-lot project - named BIOGAS-2PEM-FC - at San Isidro de Loja converts toxic olive oil waste into heat and electricity while protecting the environ-ment from harmful toxins.The new permanent power plant, that is currently being developed, will reduce the

amount of harmful acidic, saline, pesticide-heavy waste that is usually disposed of in ‘sludge pits’.The clean three-step process used at the plant produces energy with a harmless by-product.Although only creating 1KW of power at this stage, the

Swedish researchers behind the project confirmed the pri-ority was to find a ‘useful so-lution’ for the waste.With Spain producing half of the world’s olive oil and 73% of that amount coming from Andalucia, environmen-tal considerations are para-mount in this sector.

A CARBON-NEUTRAL Huelva ho-tel has won the TripAdvisor’s plati-num level GreenLeader award for 2015. La Posada de San Marcos, in the Sierra de Aracena natural park, became one of the first hotels in Andalucia to be accepted to the programme last year thanks to its energy-efficiency. The GreenLeader programme helps travellers world-wide plan environmentally friendly trips by promoting the best green hotels and B&Bs. “TripAdvisor’s

Green with pride!

ELECTRIC FIELDS: Olive groves in Andalucia

MADRID is the sixth most-polluted European city, ac-cording to a new study.Green group Ecologists in Action estimate air pollu-tion causes 2,000 deaths yearly in Madrid.While residents bemoan the ‘beret’ of exhaust fumes that often covers blue skies.Ecologists in Action claims that this year, Madrid has already exceeded one of the EU’s annual limits for poi-sonous gas.Madrid has breached the limit every year since EU regulations began in 2010, according to the group, which has attempted to sue authorities for exceeding pollution limits.

PublicityLast December it brought a lawsuit against Madrid mayor Ana Botella and en-vironment minister Diego Sanjuanbenito.With the court undecided on whether to hear the case, however, Sanjuan-benito dismissed it as a publicity stunt ahead of May’s local elections.He claimed pollution has decreased since the PP launched its ‘clean-air’ scheme in 2011.

smog city

oraNGe alert

GreenLeader programme has given us the chance to formally demonstrate our contribution to sustainable tourism,” said British expat Lucy Arkwright.“We are extremely pleased that all our efforts have been recog-nised and will strive to main-tain this level.”

A giant toxic cloud was left hanging over Barce-lona following a chemical explosion

By Iona Napier

13www.theolivepress.es the olive press - February 19th - March 4th

14 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - February 19th - March 4th1414 the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 2015 LETTERS

Letters should be emailed to [email protected]. The writer’s name and address should be provided. Opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor.

CROSSMOT 51

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aIrPortsGibraltar -00350 22073026Granada-Jaen -958 245 200Jerez - 956 150 000Malaga - 952 048 844**For English press 9 Sevilla - 954 449 000

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eUro eXcHaNGe rates 1 euro is worth1.14 American dollars0.74 British pounds1.41 Canadian dollars7.45 Danish kroner8.86 H Kong dollars8.58 Norwegian kroner1.55 Singapore dollars

www.theolivepress.es

lost in the postDEAR OP,

RE: I’ve lost the plot, issu 206, this man should have been aware that IBI was pay-able on the land he purchased and I’m surprised he did not receive a bill for it before. I am not making excuses for him but Spanish authorities are notorious for sending bills to either the wrong address - or the right address with various typos - meaning they never arrive. We sold a prop-erty in Spain several years ago and they sent the plus valia bill to the address of the property we had sold. They had our Apartado address in Spain and also our UK home address and after a long pe-riod of time, they resubmit-ted the bill with a €600 fine and sent it to the Apartado address and we picked it up from there. We argued and asked why they hadn’t sent it to our UK address and they said they do not send post abroad – how ridiculous. It is interesting that they suddenly found our Apartado address as soon as we were eligible for the €600 fine. We eventu-ally managed to get the fine reduced to €300 because we proved they made a mistake.

Jane Garrett,Axarquia

Pablo powerI CANNOT wait to vote for Podemos in this year’s elec-tions (On Pablo’s march to

power, issue 206). I don’t care if they’re far further to the left than the party I would normally vote for. I don’t care if they don’t have experience. I’ll do anything to give the two main parties a colossal kicking which is long over-due. It’s only five years, so if they’re no good we can run back to the usual parties. But in the meantime, they still need a good kicking.

Julia Fernandez, Malaga

Blame himselfI’M sorry that he lost his money but he really did bring this on himself (I’ve lost the plot, issue 206). No research on Spanish property and tax

law, absentee owner for a number of years and no bank where sufficient funds could be left and therefore no con-tact details for the town hall. We all have a moan about dodgy property deals in Spain but in this case it appears the town hall acted fully within the law. Let this be a lesson to all those who think they can do as they please in Spain and live under the radar. The Spanish government is be-coming more efficient by the day and woe betide anybody who thinks they can get away with not paying taxes or com-plying with residency laws.

Peter Johnson,Mijas

Vanishing actWELL done for writing about your article on a corrupt Mar-bella judge being removed from Google searches (Eras-ing history, issue 206). I sup-pose all the property scam crooks will disappear too.I agree it is very worrying, an-other bit of stupidity from the European Court.

Marion Jones,Fuengirola

Garden dangerI’VE seen large trains of processionary caterpillars marching around in circles lately. They are nasty-looking and their hairs are danger-ous to asthmatics and those with respiratory problems. I would advise people to be careful not to sit under pine

trees as well. These horrible caterpillars can contaminate your garden for months.Last year we put traps, made from empty milk cartons, around the tree trunks to catch the caterpillars as they descended. This year we had fewer nests and fewer cater-pillars than in previous years.

David Edgar, Torremolinos

Adventure timeBEFORE reading the Olive Press guide to great Anda-lucian getaways last issue (Head for the hills), I had barely heard of Grazalema. Well, not any more. I was des-perate for somewhere new to escape to at the weekends and Grazalema more than meets the mark. The beautiful white village provides theperfect base for exploring the sur-rounding Sierra, I can’t wait to head back there soon!

Ben Smith,Marbella

take the hintTHE building is a defunct mosque with a Catholic building plonked as a des-ecration inside (Andalucia battles Church move to strike ‘Mosque’ from Cordoba Ca-thedral). Nobody goes to see the Cathedral. It was built to stick two fingers up to the Moors and now they want a repeat performance with words. I have seen Catholic priests mumble words to a congregation of one old wom-an while the rest of the build-

ing is packed. The Catholic authorities should take the hint.

Chris Kirk,Chiclana de la Frontera

New BarcelonaI LIVE in Malaga and I have to say it is an amazing place to be (Is Malaga the new Barcelona? Property insider column, issue 206). Its gentle people make you feel really welcome and day-by-day you can always enjoy the terrific weather. It is the easiest and fastest way to see a beautiful medium-size city with Medi-terranean charm. An Arab castle, incredible Calle Lari-os, a Roman theatre, Picasso Museum… try traditional fried chicken in the port or close to the beaches. If you want to share new experienc-es in this Andalucian city stop dawdling and get on a plane/train/boat/car/bike and dis-cover it for yourself!

Ramon Gonzalez,Malaga

Forget me not I FEEL so lonely, depressed and forgotten. My father was taken from me and all I have done is love him (Dadnapped, issue 202). Having no con-trol is inconceivable. I have not had any contact from the Spanish Authorities in Antequera since I lodged a complaint four months ago. It really is just incredible. I feel that because I don’t live in Antequera making a com-plaint against a local woman is just not possible so they have just left me on the park bench to fade away. Whilst I was in Antequera I was very well received by the local po-lice and I cannot praise them enough for that. However I feel that the courts are now dragging their feet. I believe they are thinking ‘if we ignore him he’ll go away’.

David Terry, Portsmouth, UK

Lidl issueI WAS not happy to see my name and comments posted in a local public Facebook group used in the story ‘Lidl fiddle’, issue 205, about a fe-male cashier short-changing people. I don’t think the woman should be sacked.

Vicki Burgess,Axarquia

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Monte may I?!IT is fantastic to see Monte May-or golf course is being reopened (Back to life, issue 204) thanks to some wealthy Russians! We have played golf on the Costa del Golf for many years as a group of 8 or 12 and Monte Mayor was always our favourite course. I will definitely be including it in our golf tour next year if it is ready. We always stay in Puerto de La Duquesa and don’t find any problem travelling to Monte Mayor. It was always well worth the trip. Lets hope the new owners run it with pride and af-fection as well as professionalism which the last owners certainly did not. Good Luck Monte!

Terry Townsend,EnglandBACK TO LIFE: Monte Mayor golf course in Benahavis

across7 Tos (6) * 8 Notices (6) * 9 Al-most (4) * 10 Agricultural (8) * 11 Fértil (7) * 13 Vacío (5) * 15 Artículos (5) * 16 Legend (7) * 18 Poisonous (8) * 19 Termi-na (4) * 21 Trace (6) * 22 Scarce (6).

Down1 Soup (4) * 2 Cracking (13) * 3 Por Lo General (7) * 4 Hada (5) * 5 Circunferencia (13) * 6 Con-taminado (8) * 12 Deliver (8) * 14 Fears (7) * 17 Poles (5) * 20 Polvo (4).

15www.theolivepress.es the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 1515151515la cultura 15

February 19th - March 4th 2015

15

Gift or grab?Electrician accused of €100 million Picasso theft insists artworks were a present

PICASSO’S former electrician is on trial, accused of stealing artworks worth up to €100 million. Retired electrician Pierre Le Guennec, 75, and wife Danielle, 72, insist that the Malaga-born artist’s second wife Jacqueline gave them the collection of 271 works as a present in 1972. The couple kept the works – including hundreds of unsigned litho-

graphs and sketches and in-timate portraits of his former wife and girlfriends – in their garage in southern France for nearly 40 years. However, in 2010 they took the works to be valued by the Picasso Foundation in Paris

and were arrested. Picasso’s family told the court in Grasse, France, that the artist would never have given such a huge gift. Picasso’s granddaughter Catherine Hutin-Blay, agreed the former electrician had a special relationship with the artist. “We really trusted him. He was someone who was very familiar in the house and had an absolutely friendly re-lationship,” she said. “However, all this absolutely extraordinary collection, Pi-casso would never have given that.” The prosecutor is not seeking a prison sentence for the couple, saying that a five-year suspended sentence would be sufficient. The verdict is set to be an-nounced on March 20.

By Imogen Calderwood

ACCUSED: Le Guennec and (inset) Picasso SPAIN’S age of auster-

ity has inspired a new play in the UK. Alexandra Wood’s ‘darkly funny’ two-hander, Merit, makes a drama out of la crisis by tackling the opposing worlds of rich and poor in Spain – and a girl trapped between them. Showcased at Plym-outh’s Drum Theatre, the play focuses on Sofia who has landed herself a cushy job as a top banker’s PA, despite 25% unemployment.

Storm“In these times of finan-cial chaos, the bankers are getting filthy rich while others are left unable to support their families,” she explains. “A storm is brewing, people are desperate – just what will they be driven to? Suicide? Murder? This is a war, us against them, the rich, the greedy: the ones that got us into this mess.”

MUSIC sales have risen in Spain for the first time in more than a decade. Spending on recorded music reached €150 million in 2014, an increase of 21% on 2013 – deemed the worst year ever for Spain’s music industry. Digital music sales have been highlighted as the main rea-son for the increase, rising 22.7%, now accounting for 42% of music spending. Spanish pop stars Pablo Alboran and David Bisbal topped album sales for the year, while En-rique Iglesias’ summer hit Bailando led downloads and streaming sales.

Music sales upbeat

crisis drama

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16 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - February 19th - March 4th1616

la cultura16


what’s on

AN American man is in intensive care after be-ing severely gored at the Carnaval del Toro bull-fighting festival in Ciudad Rodrigo. Benjamin Miller, from Georgia, was tossed by the bull, receiving the ‘biggest goring wound’ the doc-tor who performed emer-gency surgery on him had ever seen. The 20-year-old is recov-ering at a Salamanca hos-pital, following a three-hour operation. He received a wound around 40cm long on his left thigh, as well as dam-age to his sphincter and

back muscles. “It’s not the worst injury I’ve

American suffers ‘biggest goring wound’ surgeon has ever seen

SPANISH film director Pe-dro Almodovar snubbed the country’s cultural minister in front of an audience of in-dustry top dogs at the Goya Awards. The director, well-known for his films including ‘Tie me up, tie me down’ and ‘Jamon jamon’, slipped a cutting re-mark into his speech aimed at Jose Ignacio Wert, the man responsible for massive IVA hikes on cultural events. “Good evening, people of culture and Spanish cinema friends. Mr Wert, you are not included in these categories,” he said, before presenting ac-tor Antonio Banderas with an award at the ceremony - also known as the Spanish Oscars. Malaga-born Banderas, 54, was handed the Goya of Hon-our award for his lifetime achievements in the film in-dustry. “You should know that every time I finished a shot or a se-quence, my mind was always focused on Spain, not Amer-ica,” said Banderas. “I was thinking how it would be viewed in Spain… and more importantly in Malaga.”

Snubbed!

This year marks a decade since the law was passed for civil partnerships in Spain.The second annual Inter-national Day of Transves-tism will also be celebrated during the weekend, on July 25.The association, COLEGA Torremolinos, is dedicat-ing one day out of the four-day festival especially to homosexual and bisexual women.The first gay bar in Spain, Toni’s Bar, was founded in Torremolinos in 1962 de-spite Franco’s repressive regime arresting homo-sexuals until the 1970s. Torremolinos Gay Pride runs from July 23-26.

Pride posters

A FESTIVAL in honour of expat author Kate O’Brien is set to take place in her Irish hometown of Limerick. Bookworms and literary giants will will flock to the three-day Limerick Literary Festival starting on February 20.O’Brien lived in Spain during the 1920s and was a sup-porter of the Republican side cause during the Spanish Civil War. Her political travel diary Farewell Spain was a compelling mouthpiece for her socialist ideologies. As a feminist, O’Brien’s novels also promoted gender equality, focusing on young women yearning for indepen-dence. O’Brien died aged 76 in 1974. The Limerick Liter-ary Festival was conceived 10 years later to commemorate the anniversary of her death.

there once was an author from...

SPIKED: Bull gorges Ameri-

can tourist

Nerja. February 20, 9pm

Dance, song and flamen-co guitar from students of the Pilar Soto Flamen-co school at the Cultural Villa de Nerja.

Fuengirola. February 20-24 (Sunday, 7pm)

Performance of comedy thriller Deathtrap at the Salon Varieties Theatre.

Estepona. February 21, 11pm

Rock and blues band Gladys Rocking and Tres Gatos will be playing a set at Louie Louie Rock Bar in Estepona port. Tickets €5 on the door.

Malaga. Until March 18

Ceramics exhibition, by Korean artist Heekyun Jeong. At the Sala Alfa-jar, Calle Cister 1, oppo-site the gardens of the cathedral.

Coin. March 27, 3pmClothes show and

auction at Hotel Tamisa Golf. Includes music and entertainment and a fin-ger buffet. Tickets €15. See www.animals-in-distress.eu

oUcHEMBRACE: Almodovar and Banderas

seen, but it’s the biggest gor-ing wound I’ve ever had to operate on,” said surgeon, Enrique Crespo.

FiestaMiller was injured on the first day of Ciudad Rodrigo’s an-nual festival, which features afternoon bullfights and bull-running events. More than 45,000 people cel-ebrated the four-day fiesta. A 46-year-old Scottish man and a local Salamanca man, aged 31, were also injured, according to town councillor Pedro Munoz.

17171717

Vol. 9 Issue 207 www.theolivepress.es February 19th - March 4th 2015

Marble arc

17

The times they are a-changin’

It’s 30 years since Gibraltar’s frontier reopened after a 16-year nightmare and the Spanish are still up to their old borderline tricks but what a difference three decades make, reports Rob Horgan

AS I tailgated a silver Renault Megane on a slow crawl to the Gibral-tar border, I cursed my luck for landing at the back of a 35-minute queue. Frustrating as it might have been, the queues however, are a good

deal better than they were a year ago… not to mention three decades ago when the Gibraltarians were unable to cross the frontier at all. When Spanish dictator General Franco closed the land border between Gibraltar and Spain in 1969, he divided families and friendships at a stroke. Gibraltarians were cut off from loved ones in La Linea, as were Span-iards with relatives on the Rock. For 16 long years an entire generationn were forced to communicate by shouting through the border gates. They shared their joys, sorrows and glimpses of their new-born babies through cold iron bars. When Franco died in 1975, Gibraltarians hoped their enforced incarcera-tion would end but extraordinarily, it wasn’t for another 10 years - on Feb-ruary 5, 1985 - that the border gates finally swung open. The frontier is inextricably linked to the Rock’s past and present and prob-ably its foreseeable future too but get over it - there’s a lot more to see when you do! My tip is to avoid taking your car in at all. You don’t even need to join the queue, as Gibraltar is easily walkable, given moderate fitness (and there is always the Number 5 bus from the border to the centre costing just a

19GibraltarAll about

AT WORLD’S END: Europa point at Gibraltar’s southern tip is a stunning mix of old and new

Phot

o by

Tom

Pow

ell

Turn to Page 19

18 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - February 19th - March 4th

GIBRALTAR TOURIST BOARD United Kingdome: [email protected]: +44 (0) 207 836 0777

@visit_gibraltarfacebook.com/visitgibraltar

Visit the locals.Visit Gibraltar and you’ll find so much to smile about. Spend time dining al fresco, or merely enjoying a coffee or a drink, watching the world go by, and you’ll know you’ve left your world behind you. Feeling adventurous? Explore the heritage of the Rock – there really is so much to discover. And with world class concerts and festivals, and a full calendar of events, you’ll have more than enough to keep you happy.


Did you know?• The height of the Rock is approximately 426 metres or 1,400

feet• The distance between Gibraltar and the coast of Africa is 24

kilometres or 15 miles• The Rock was formed approximately 200 million years ago and

is composed of Jurassic Limestone• The UK pound can be used freely in Gibraltar, so there is no

need to convert UK notes to Gibraltar ones. However, Gibraltar banknotes are not legal tender in the UK and will not be ac-cepted there

• In recent referendums the nearly 30,000 Gibraltarians who live on the Rock voted overwhelmingly to reject any involvement by Spain in their government

• Queen Elizabeth II last visited Gibraltar in 1954• The border was closed by Franco in 1969 and was shut for 13

years, only reopened partially for pedestrians in 1982 before being reopened fully in 1985

CLOSED DOWN: Franco shut border

ROYAL VISIT: Queen in 1954

pound).Indeed, one of the surreal at-tractions is crossing Europe’s shortest airport runway - the only way into town for both mo-torists and pedestrians. Passing Victoria Park football stadium and you’ll soon arrive in Casemates Square, a lively

spot with cafes overlooked by the Rock’s jagged limestone silhouette. At this point, there are three principal options: take on Main Street; conquer the Rock sum-mit; or circumnavigate it (by car or on foot) to its southern-most tip to see what lies be-yond (Africa).Main Street, the eponymous

shopping artery, is a home away from home for British ex-pats and holidaymakers with its Marks & Spencer, Topshop and British Home Stores. Recognisable international retail names are interspersed with those of quirky local em-poria - Seruya, Stagnetto and Marble Arc - and other mer-chant traders established way

DESPITE its name, Trafalgar Cemetery is home to just two victims of 1805’s almighty battle.Instead, many tombstones commemorate those who died in three devastating yellow fever epidemics around the same time.Nonetheless, this tiny pocket of Gibraltar still radiates patriotism. Its moss-covered graves and low-hanging branches could tempt anyone in for a moment of reflection while en-route to the cable car.The cemetery – originally known as South-port Ditch Cemetery – was abandoned for many years until a huge restoration effort in the 1980s.Each year on the Sunday closest to the bat-tle of Trafalgar (October 21), the Royal Navy holds a ceremony here.

While most of those that died at Trafalgar were buried at sea, Admiral Nelson’s body was being transported back to London for a state funeral and burial at St Paul’s cathe-dral.However, he was initially taken to Gibral-tar’s Rosia Bay, in his ship HMS Victory, where his body was put in a vat of rum to conserve it, before being sent to the UK.But the connection goes deeper, before his heroic death Nelson would have been a reg-ular on the Rock, especially at naval haunts like the Victualling Yard and Old Naval Hospital.And it was his close friend Aaron Cardozo – a wealthy Gibraltarian merchant – who inherited Nelson’s medal commemorating his victory in the Battle of the Nile.

Pocket of patriotism

Home away from home

Admiral Nelson’s legacy in Gibraltar lies beyond cemetery walls

back when.Meanwhile a hike up the Rock – not for the faint-hearted – af-fords amaz-ing views over the bor-der to the La Linea road, which snakes down through the Spanish countryside towards the frontier. Although the cable car is a much easier route to the summit, trudging up the back roads on foot offers a more far-reaching glimpse into Gibral-tar’s military past. A number of abandoned batter-ies scream out to be explored, alongside tours of the WWII and Great Siege tunnels. Just in front of the entrance to the WWII tunnels is a plaque commemorating the day, in 1954, that HRH Queen Eliza-beth and the Duke of Edin-burgh stood and looked out over one of Britain’s most famous over-seas territo-ries.It was a long time ago. But standing here, watching Gi-b r a l t a r i a n s kicking a foot-ball in distant Victoria Stadium, the Union Jack flapping in time with the red and white banner of Gibraltar, is enough to make even the most unpatriotic of Brits proud.This is merely a stop-off for a breather on my voyage to the top of the Rock, a series of seemingly never-ending hills that begin to take their toll on the backs of my calves. Then, just when the thought of a cold beer back in Ocean Vil-lage seems too tempting to ig-nore, I’m jolted back to reality by a bunch of Gibraltar’s most famous residents… the Bar-

PATRIOTIC: Steps to the top of the rock

LEGACY: Admiral Nelson’s statue and (inset) the Victualling Yard he frequented

bary macaques. Atop the Rock, the monkeys run the show. They know how to open tourists’ backpacks in search of food, they love wreck-ing car aerials and one of the younger macaques - buzz off - seems to be showing too much interest in my specs. Panic over! They’re a friendly bunch if you don’t let them get too familiar. Just being with them up here is supremely cool, as is the view across san-

dy Catalan Bay to Morocco. But it’s time to move on to St Michael’s Cave. With one mil-lion visitors each year, this underground gallery cre-

ated by rainwater erosion is the most visited of the 150 caves inside the Rock. A 100-seater auditorium sits in the centre of the largest cave. Its natural acoustics make it the ideal con-cert venue and it has hosted all kinds of events, including the Miss Gibraltar beauty pageant. The next stop on my round-trip checklist is the Moorish Castle. The Union Jack flying above its battlements is another remind-er of Gibraltarian patriotic fer-vour while the cannons still in place underscore its amazing military history.

From here, you can look down at the coloured apartment blocks rising up like stalag-mites from the lower Rock, and the construction cranes at work building new ones, a time-ly reminder of how far Gibraltar has come in the 30 years since the border reopened. Time to start my descent, it would be easier to hitch a ride on the cable car but the Medi-terranean steps are far more impressive. Staked out by in-quisitive Barbary apes which refuse to budge, this stairway to heaven and back zig-zags down the front of the Rock’s face, offering spectacular views. Built by the British Army as a means of reaching several military points, the crumbling staircase was restored in 2007 to offer safer passage to fitness fans who enjoy taking the Med Steps Challenge. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and his wife Justine are among them!Back in town, having given the last monkey the slip (not including fellow Olive Press reporter Tom Powell), my final port of call is Europa point. The site of the future university, also earmarked for a 8,000-ca-pacity football stadium, this wild open beauty spot is sym-bolic of the dramatic transfor-mation going on in Gibraltar, which has one of the most upwardly mobile economies in the world - some 10% growth last year alone - and is spend-ing its riches accordingly. As leader Picardo so rightly said recently, echoing the lyrics of Bob Dylan: ‘The times they are a-changin’.’ With annual international mu-sic and literary festivals attract-ing the world’s top artists, the Rock has carved out a place for itself on Europe’s cultural calendar, too. Last month, 20 grandmasters flocked to Gibral-tar to take part in the annual Chess Festival at the Caleta hotel. Next month, the world’s top darts players will meet up at the Tercentenary Sports Hall for the annual Gibraltar Darts Trophy. And with the national football team competing in Eu-ropean qualifiers for the first time ever, things are also look-ing up in the sporting arena. All around the Rock, times are a-changin’ for the better. My day in Gibraltar may have taken its toll on my calves and worn out the soles of my Converse. But as I sat in yet another bor-der queue - thankfully just 30 minutes - to cross back into Spain, I felt only admiration for the tiny British territory which keeps on rolling with the punches and rocking with the times.

The Union Jack with the red and white

banner of Gibraltar would make any Brit

proud

RUGGED: The top of the Rock and (below) soldier guards Governor’s house

Gibraltar specialwww.theolivepress.es February 19th - March 4th 2015

19

From Page 17



NOT a lot of people know that Europa Point showcas-es a monument to a former Polish Prime Minister who died in a freak plane crash on the Rock.Wladyslaw Eugeniusz Sikorski lost his life in 1943, when his plane crashed into the sea just 16 seconds after taking off from Gibraltar. At the time, the crash was attributed to cargo moving to the back of the plane dur-ing takeoff. But several conspiracy theories are still doing the rounds today.Shoddy maintenance caus-ing the controls to jam, a deliberate crash-landing from the pilot (the only sur-vivor) are two of the most popular.And recently, articles and films produced in Poland have claimed the general was murdered.In 2008 the Polish govern-ment ordered a reassess-ment, but could not reach a conclusion.One thing is certain: in the months before his death, Sikorski was proving to be a thorn in the side of the Russians as he promoted an independent Poland...

Monumental conspiracy

AN Atlantic gust sweeps through the abandoned cricket pitch and swirls around the minaret of

an unexpected mosque. Across the Gibraltar Strait, a burst of sunshine lights up the majestic Moroccan mountains.I swivel 360 degrees and try to decide which stunning im-age to photograph first. Unin-terrupted views are not what you expect to find in postage stamp-sized ‘fortress Gibral-tar’. But its spectacular south-ern tip, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean and Europe and Africa wave at each other across the Straits, is a wondrous little world of its own. Europa Point may be familiar to the birds and the bees – it’s a favourite trysting spot for lovers as well as the first landfall for migrating birds returning from Africa; but it’s a part of Gibral-tar many tourists never reach.However they should! Standing on the edge of its limestone cliffs, a fierce wind biting at my face, I could truly sense the power of this little nation, geo-graphically and historically.Europa Point is the polar oppo-site of Casemates, Main Street and Ocean Village but equally steeped in fascinating history. Plus, there’s not a monkey in sight.Musician of the Royal Gibral-tar Regiment, Tony Evans, 26, explains: “The compact size of Gibraltar means these sort of spaces are very limited and it is no wonder many locals regard it so highly.“What was once the end of the world has been given a new lease of life.”Instead of catching the bus – a prospect I tend to sneer at in

tiny Gibraltar anyway – I took the varied and intriguing walk along the coast.With bold and colourful apart-ment blocks clinging to the rock on one side of the road, and craggy coastline on the other, there was barely a soul around on this chilly February afternoon.Passing Camp Bay lido with its classically-British holiday fa-cilities, reminiscent of a 1960s Margate, I nervously navigated an endless tunnel blasted through the rock, eventually emerging into dazzling sun-shine illuminating a wide open space. Practically a surfeit of space! What a contrast to the high rise office blocks and stacked tiers of apartments back in town, where every square inch is maximised.S t a n d i n g proudly at the tip of Europa Point is the red and white Trinity light-house, guid-ing vessels through the busy Straits. It was first lit in 1841

but is now entirely machine-op-erated. Nearby Harding’s Bat-tery provides another reminder of the outpost’s military impor-

tance. Named after Sir George Harding who was chief engineer in 1844, the sunk-en magazine be-low is now a visi-tor centre.Set back from the cliff-edge, sepa-rated by green

grass, a car park, a small cafe and children’s play area, is the

striking Mosque of The Custo-dian of the Two Holy Mosques. Inaugurated in 1997, it was a present from King Fahd of Sau-di Arabia and took two years – and around £5 million – to complete. It serves the 2,000-plus Muslims in Gibraltar and also contains a school, library and lecture hall. Its curvaceous architecture strikes a surreal pose against the lofty, wind-sculpted limestone cliffs. This whole other side to the Rock, the escapist’s Gibraltar, is the British territory’s last-remaining untamed outpost.

Despite a £4.4 million facelift in 2010 and the reopening of Dudley Ward tunnel, closed for eight years after a rock fall, it’s the part of Gibraltar that has seen the least development.Until now, that is. At least one and possibly two major projects are destined to change EuropaPoint forever.That transformation is already underway, with construction crews busy laying the founda-tions for Gibraltar’s first univer-sity, due to open this Septem-ber. The fast-track project to upgrade the St Christopher’s

The Rock’s wild and windswept southern tip is well worth a visit but hurry - soon Europa Point will be changed forever, writes Tom Powell

LOOKOUT

WIDE OPEN SPACE: Worlds away from the busy centre of town

CRASH: Memorial

Standing proudly at the tip of Europa Point

is the red and white Trinity lighthouse

20

21www.theolivepress.es the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 21

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School site as the main cam-pus, with Halls of Residence for 200 students from abroad, represents a £10 million in-vestment.Controversy still surrounds the second major project mooted for Europa Point – the new UEFA football stadium.The plan is to give the one-year-old Gibraltar national football team its own home ground and create a complex for other sports and events. “The Europa Point Stadium presents the perfect opportu-nity to create a magnificent, beautifully designed public space for everyone to enjoy – together with the chance to create a globally recognised symbol for Gibraltar,” reads a government mission state-ment.However, many Gibral-tarians have objected on envi-ronmental grounds to the loss of their last remaining open space. More than 1,500 peo-ple signed a petition calling on the government to reconsider the chosen site, fearing that a natural beauty spot will be lost forever. There’s also concern

over match-day mayhem as thousands of fans pour over the frontier and sweep through to the other end of the territory like a flash flood. As local Darren Olivero ex-plained: “The design - hideous though it is - is not the issue; the location is. Europa Point and the views of and from it would be ruined forever by any such large structure.”He has a point. Europa Point will certainly never again be the way it was for me; open, airy and beautiful, like stand-ing at the edge of something truly special.It would be a spectacular sta-dium, no doubt, although one that totally dominates thelandscape. Still, there is no way I’m missing that first Gibraltar game at the new stadium.Although I can’t help feeling that, in striving to be like the rest of Europe - flashy univer-sity, international football sta-dium - Gibraltar could be losing more than it gains.Whatever your viewpoint, see the one at Europa Point before it changes forever.

AFTER a complete overhaul of its Main Street shop, Vi-nopolis Gibraltar has re-opened its doors with a new, innovative wine-buy-ing concept.The aim is to provide great service, a wide range of wines from around the world, a new free home delivery service and an ex-citing new online shopping experience.With its new website www.vinopolis.gi and a mobile app for smart phones and tablets, Vinopolis now of-fers even more opportuni-ties for the savvy online shopper.As part of the Anglo Hispa-no Group, which has been in business since 1892, Vi-nopolis’ main products re-main wines, spirits, bottled beers, soft drinks, confec-tionery and tobacco. The team will be happy to welcome you and offer their very best wine buying advice.Opening hours are Mon-day-Friday, 10am-6.30pm and Saturday 10.30am-2pm.For more information, call 200 77210 or email [email protected]

New world of wine

OCEAN Village is arguably Gibraltar’s ul-timate contemporary success story and this year looks to be one of the most ex-citing yet for the mixed use resort.

It all kicks off with the Gibraltar carnival this week, hosted at Ocean Village on February 20 and 21. The carnival spirit will be positively tangible, with Cuban and Latin music, fancy dress and masquerade parties to see the adults through until late on Friday night/Saturday morn-ing.However, Saturday 21 is all about families. The activities start at 12pm and continue until 5pm, with a fancy dress competition for kids, face painting, a photo booth, fun fair games, a bouncy castle and rodeo bull, gladiator dueling and dancing, just to name a few of the activities planned for the day. The rest of the year looks to be just as exciting with product launches and charity fun runs in the planning stages. We can’t mention too much, but safe to say watch this space! Of course, Ocean Village will also be hosting the annual Cardboard Boat Race (usually taking place at the end of August to the beginning of September) offering fun and excite-ment for all the family and to the spectators of this fantastically popular event.This year has also seen the launch of ‘What’s On at Ocean Vil-lage’, a monthly marketing initiative which can be found online which details special offers

and promotions from the restaurants, bars and shops - as well as upcoming events.With its distinctive blue glass-clad residential towers, Ocean Village is Gibraltar’s ‘shop, eat, drink, play’ destination, offering everything to those who want to work hard and play hard and is located only 10 minutes walk from the border. There is a wide array of venues, including Asian Fusion, Indian and Cuban restaurants as well as popular favourites, such as Pizza Express, a vari-ety of bars, clubs and cafes, plus Gibraltar’s only casino - and all located within the busy marina. For your day-to-day needs, there is also an estate agent, beauty salons, a specialist boutique, in-surance and a convenience store, to name but a few! Ocean Village Marina and neighbouring Ma-rina Bay cater for even the largest of superyachts and 2014 saw the official launch of the highly-anticipated 189-room Sunborn Yacht Hotel. In July 2014, the developers of Ocean Village be-gan work on the construction of the World Trade Center, located minutes away from Ocean Vil-lage, and completion is expected in Spring 2016. Demand has been high with over 60% already sold or let and a further 20% under negotiation. Make sure you don’t miss out on what is hap-pening in Ocean Village during 2015 - check out ‘oceanvillagegibraltar’ on Facebook for more in-formation.

After a whirlwind year for Gibraltar’s Ocean Village it’s all aboard for 2015

Deeply successful

PICTURESQUE: The Mosque on the Rock Advertorial

Advertorial

21


THE arts scene in Gibral-tar has often been de-scribed as burgeoning. But it has been given a

massive boost by the recent global success of one of its homegrown painters, and am-bition is in the air.Gibraltarian Christian Hook has seen the value of his work skyrocket since becoming Sky Portrait Artist of the Year 2014. The exclusive Mayfair gallery, Clarendon Fine Art, is selling Hook commissions for up to £75,000 and has a 200-strong waiting list of people lusting af-ter his creations.The Rock houses a bustling community of artistic talent and production. Over the decades it has nurtured artists who have made it big but refuse to sever ties with their roots.Government spending on the arts is on the up, and regular competitions and exhibitions are geared towards fostering artists, the history of art, phi-losophy and politics.Other great artists born here include Mario Finlayson and the three Sefarty sisters – Jane Langdon, Bathsheba Peralta and Willa Sefarty – who found-ed The Fine Arts Gallery and the Gibraltar Art Gallery.The Ministry for Culture’s Gino Sanguinetti is optimistic about the artistic landscape – and says it’s growing.“About 15 years ago the art was more staid here, but art-ists are getting more confident, freer in their self-expression, we are seeing a lot more risk-taking. The work is more off-beat,” he said.Sanguinetti describes the art

scene as ‘a group of friends with a common will to work’. Artist Jane Langdon goes as far as to compare the community as a supportive family.She said: “We support one another. Politically we are iso-lated, but we have always been aware that we have to work at creating and keeping momen-tum going.“Gibraltar has a lot of artistic talent because there is a fusion of cultures, so it happens au-tomatically, and we live surrounded by natural beauty which is very inspiring.”The political and geographical history of Gibraltar goes some

way to explain-ing its impres-sive art scene.Not only home to the first Neander thal rock engrav-ing – 39,000 years old – G i b r a l t a r ’ s lack of cen-sorship dur-ing Franco’s dictatorship in Spain meant creativity was relatively un-bridled.During the frontier clo-sure, Gibral-tarians were closeted to-gether in iso-lation, so they shared ideas more, and fought to sur-vive and cre-ate. Even today, the constant comings and goings at Gi-

braltar Port foster an exchange of ideas in a community that never stagnates.Renowned Gibraltarian artist Mario Finlayson, now 88, de-parted for London’s famous Slade School of Art in 1966, returning with fresh ideas. He has dedicated his life to

the Rock’s art scene and will have the ultimate privi-lege of giving his name to the soon-to-be-inaugurat-ed Gibraltar National Gal-

lery in the City Hall, an event he fought hard to bring about.“I have been at the helm of all the art movements here since I was very young and have been able to be like a father for many of the artists in Gibraltar,” says Finlayson.“It’s very vibrant, people are curious and hungry to do things here, wanting to express them-selves.“Our artists travel and expose themselves to all sorts of influ-ences in different countries but everything comes back here, where they put their ideas to-gether.”The Sefarty sisters are good ex-amples. While they studied with local artist Leni Mifsud when they were very young, they also

Hooked!With collectors queuing up to spend five-figure sums on works by Christian Hook, Gibraltar’s artistic landscape is looking rosy, writes Iona Napier

ART collectors will find an eclectic choice of ancient and modern treasures to take their fancy at the Cavilla Gallery, in the town cen-tre. This elegant emporium, based at 14 Horse Barrack Court, specialises in international contemporary paintings and sculptures. It

also deals in antiquities and Islamic, Indian, Himalayan and South East Asian art. The gallery is open from 10am-1pm, and 2pm-6pm, Monday to Friday. For more information, call 540 02648, email [email protected] or visit the Cavilla Gal-lery Facebook page.

Art beat on the Rock

WINNER: Hook (left) and Cumming in front of the winning piece

FROM GIBRALTAR TO DIOR: Tiana Langdon AT THE HELM: Finlayson

Gibraltar special

Gibraltar has a lot of artistic talent because we live surrounded by

natural beauty


lived in Madrid, trained in Flor-ence and had their first exhibi-tion in Hampstead, London. Jane Langdon was an appren-tice to the Florencian master and muralist Alfio Rapisardi. Her daughter, Tiana, worked for John Galliano for 15 years at the House of Dior in Paris.Gibraltar’s connection with the

UK, links between universities and participation in interna-tional art competitions all help project its identity as a quirky place where talent is born.Gibraltar-born Hook studied at Middlesex University, lectured at the Royal College of Art and, after illustrating over 200 books for leading UK publish-

ers, returned home to paint. He was making marmalade the day he heard out about Sky’s competition, shortly be-fore the deadline, and had no inkling of the extent to which it would propel him into the lime-light.He would go on to be bombarded by around 6,000 emails from pro-spective buyers in the month following the win.A commission went up from £15,000 to £75,000 with Hook surprised by the interest.“It was just ridiculous - I had no idea of the reper-cussions of the compe-tition – I just needed to try something new, which is why I entered, and I enjoyed it a lot,” Hook told the Olive Press.The process took him to New York and he spent time with ce-lebrities like Sir Ian McKellen, Amir Khan and Alan Cumming, to study and paint them.Hook’s final depiction of Alan Cumming sees him on stage, wearing a top hat and tartan in a nod to Scottish indepen-dence, in a painting that will hang in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Gibraltar takes great pride in Hook’s success, regardless of the material value of his work. As Jane Langdon said: “Paint-ings are worth what they are worth because they are an ex-tension of self. You can’t buy the feeling of creating, it’s not on a shelf in a shop.”“Art is an affair of the heart and, as an artist, you can dedicate a lifetime to creating something positive.”Long may the creation and positivity continue.

YOU won’t just get a tasty meal at Sacarellos restaurant. Under the same roof, you can

browse one of the largest private art collec-tions in Gibraltar – food for the soul!The higgledy-piggledy cafe showcases 80 paintings in a treasured collection that all be-gan when architect John Langdon was trans-forming the old Sacarellos Coffee Shop into a restaurant. He noticed that the original features of the former warehouse, with its archways and vary-ing levels, made it ideal for exhibiting art, and owner Patrick Sacarello was soon bitten by the collecting bug. “Thus, by accident, we became a popular local art gallery where the works on display are con-tinuously changing,” he says. “This metamor-phosis would not have been possible without my friends, Genny Whiteland and John Lang-don, who have been on hand over the years or-ganizing art exhibitions at little personal gain.”

The Sacarello Collection includes works by prominent Gibraltarian artists, including Gus-tavo Bacarisas, Mario Finlayson and Christian Hook, the award-winning Guatemalan artists Erwin Guillermo, Edin Morales and Brian John-ston, and the English painters James Foot and George Apperley.“Since 1992, Sacarellos has hosted regular art exhibitions by both local and international art-ists and invariably we would end up buying a painting or two,” says Patrick. “In 1994 on a trip to Colombia and Peru, I realised the maj-esty of landscapes and colours. This awakened my artistic senses and my eye for art devel-oped. My art collecting subsequently extended to international works which I have since en-joyed sharing with the patrons of Sacarellos.”In recent years, Patrick as ‘Art Collector’ has helped judge various local exhibitions, most recently the first National Day Exhibition with Christian Hook.

Cafe cultureThe Olive Press talks to avid collector Patrick Sacarello about his extensive art collection

ABSTRACT: A variety of Gibraltar paintings

23


RIOT OF COLOUR: Patrick (left) and a range of his paintings, while (right) a portrait of him as a child



working with Gibraltar.“Just imagine the impact of ac-tually working with the Spanish government to go out and sell the Bay of Gibraltar as a prod-uct. The industrial zone here could create jobs for all the 40,000 unemployed people in the area.“A massive claim? Why doesn’t Spain put me to the test? If they say I’m a charlatan, I’m giving them an excellent oppor-tunity to prove it.”

His idea is to create a special economic zone between Tarifa and La Linea that ‘dovetails’ Gibraltar’s tax advantages and encourages businesses to relocate there. Stressing the advantages of an international airport, a key container port in Algeciras, and space to build around San Roque, he adds: “We would be creating the new European Luxembourg, but in one of the most beautiful cor-ners of the Mediterranean.”It is the second time I’ve inter-viewed the Chief Minister, who

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GIBRALTAR’S chief min-ister is in fine form.Just back from a suc-cessful address to a

spectrum of political figures in Madrid (minus the ruling PP party, of course), Fabian Picardo is bristling with good humour.As eloquent as ever, he’s as happy to talk about his current passion for Lady Gaga, as he is the upsurge of political party Podemos. But one thing he is adamant about: Gibraltar’s economy is still as solid as a Rock.Despite losing an estimated £40 million of tourist income last year, due to the border problems, the enclave still saw growth of 10.3% in GDP terms.“That was despite being under the cosh and with our tourism really hit for six because of the queues,” he explains.“The economy is booming and look at the prosperity that we’re achieving and the contri-bution to the Campo de Gibral-tar despite having our backs (facing) each other.”By this he is referring to the impact the Rock has on the surrounding area, in terms of jobs and income spent in local Spanish businesses.A new study by the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce is set to demonstrate that the GDP of the enclave has grown from 12.2 % for the Campo de Gi-braltar to a staggering 25% in just six years. “It’s a fantastic study which shows that even with the gov-ernments turning their backs on each other and queues of sometimes six or seven hours, we represent a quarter of the area’s GDP.”But the impact, he explains, also reaches as far as Tarifa, Manilva, Jimena and Este-pona, from where thousands of people commute every day to work. Plus, of course, what he terms the ‘Ikea frontier’, the area between Jerez and Malaga, where the thousands of ordinary Gibraltarians regu-larly spend their hard-earned money.Now, what he is hoping for this year is a new government com-ing to power in Madrid that understands the potential of

is clearly enjoying his job and relishing the prospect of win-ning a second election later this year.He is particularly interested in the political fervor around the new Spanish party Podemos, even though he is quick to stress that his party, the GSL, is naturally allied to Spain’s so-cialist PSOE party.“Podemos is a very inspiring, exciting political alternative which, in my view, also repre-sents potential pitfalls if you analyse its politics. But it’s bringing people back to poli-tics, which is a positive thing.”But he continues: “I would never tell anyone in Spain how to vote but I think there are much more exciting options for Spain’s relationship with Gibraltar than the present ster-ile approach of the PP, which is slightly to the right of Genghis Khan.”Above all, he is very keen to stress his affection for Spain, a country with which he has many links, particularly through his Spanish grandmother Ma-ria Magdalena Marchante, who came from Los Barrios.“I’ve got Spanish blood in my veins, I hope we can get back to the days when it was easy and normal for Gibraltarians to shop and eat there.”And, perhaps surprisingly, he is optimistic that tourism is about to start growing again.With key elections in Spain this year, he believes there will be less appetite for causing prob-lems, particularly given the blame for border queues lies solely with the current Spanish government.As for changes to the Spanish side of the border queue, he is as much in the dark as ev-eryone else. “We’re trying to get details from the European Commission, but even they are finding it difficult. We certainly hope it’s designed in good faith.”

A keen music fan, Fabian Picardo’s current favourites include two local bands This Side Up and Headwires, as well as Lady

Gaga (left) and Tony Bennett, who have just recorded a Grammy-winning duets album to-gether. “That’s what I’m listening to at the mo-ment… the modern and the old,” he says. Fi-nally, he is happy to reveal he will become the father of another boy in April. “Please God ev-

erything will be OK and, while Sebastian, who will be three, is not sure about the concept of having a younger brother, it is great to know that we are having another

boy… it’s the cheapest option with all the hand-me-downs.”

I’m no charlatan and I can prove it!Gibraltar’s leader tells Olive Press editor Jon Clarke how he believes a free and flowing border would create 40,000 jobs

WELCOME: Fabian Picardo with Jon Clarke

“The queues are a thing of the past, come down to Gibral-tar, enjoy what we have to offer. There’s a lot to do here. Our culinary delights are greater than ever, our hotels are fantastic. There’s no reason not to rediscover this beautiful rock of ours.”

Message to Olive Press readers

Lady Gaga and my second son

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The present sterile approach of the PP is slightly right of

Genghis Khan

26 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - February 19th - March 4th 26Gibraltar special

AS refurbs go it is little short of amazing.From the striking black

and white check marble-floor lobby with its clean lines and chandeliers to the elegant dining room, with its stunning views and subtle colours, the Rock Hotel has been totally re-born.The multi-million pound re-furbishment has seen all the bedrooms upgraded, as well as a redesign to the lounge bar, lobbies and conference and banqueting facilities. But it is comforting to know that a few things haven’t changed.The 1930s hotel, which once put up Winston Churchill, Errol Flynn and Alec Guinness, still has its famous façade, as well as gardens and outdoor wiste-ria dining terrace.And, best of all, thankfully it still has its excellent head chef Alfred Rodriguez, 56, who has been cooking at the Rock for 41 years.While he has spent time away – principally working on the QE2 and for the Roux brothers at

London’s Michelin-starred Le Gavroche, alongside Gordon Ramsay – he is very much back and constantly coming up with new and exciting dishes.In particular, a lobster and squid salad with leeks was not only delicious, but incredible value at just £5. And his signa-ture orange creme brulee with winter berries was a delight.“I am always looking for new things to cook and we are very lucky that the quality of ingre-dients coming in from Spain these days is better than ever,” he explains.“And we also get plenty of stuff from Morocco the other side so all the bases are covered.”

CHEF: Alfred and (below) a creation

ALL CHANGE

The grand dame of Gibraltar The Rock Hotel has had a stunning renovation

STUNNING: New lobby

26


Grace Valverde – 1966After dazzling her way to the title in a silver dress, Grace – then just 17 – developed a taste for success. But she caused controversy at the World pageant in London that year, after Miss Spain refused to accept Gibraltar’s presence in the competition, and prompt-ly withdrew.

Michelle Torres - 1992Undeterred by her mother’s political strife, Michelle stole to the title 26 years later in a multi-coloured dress, also aged 17.

Melanie Chipolina – 2005Inspired by the family success, Grace’s niece Melanie made it a hat trick when she won with a green dress, at the older age of 23.

THE first three things you see when entering Gibraltar are a tra-ditional red phone box, a Rock tours information counter and a giant poster of the first and only Gibraltarian Miss World.Kaiane Aldorino, who first won Miss Gibraltar before the in-

ternational equivalent in 2009, is certainly something of a national hero. After fighting off the world’s best to take the crown in South Africa, she embarked on a global tour before her rapturous home-coming, with 15,000 people clamouring to cheer her up Main Street.In an interview with the Olive Press in 2010, she praised her ‘total-ly unique, really special’ home. “There is nothing like the amazing views from the top, to Africa and into Spain,” she said. “I also love the beaches, the lighthouse and the people are so friendly.”

Kaiane was awarded the Freedom of the City in 2011, in recognition of her devotion towards the Rock she still calls home, despite the fame and glory.In fact, Miss Gibraltar has won special awards at international pag-eants three times, an incredible achievement for such a small nation.The contest is still an important part of the social calendar, and the first place prize of entry into Miss World is a mouthwatering prospect.The pageant has been held everywhere from St Michael’s Cave to the Caleta Hotel, while stars such as Albert Hammond, Paco de Lucia and Sinita have performed at it.But that’s not to say the other winners in its 56-year history are not glowing symbols of the Rock’s appeal. The highlights include:

You beauties!The Rock has developed a reputation for beautiful women following international pageant success. Here Tom Powell casts an eye over the crème de la crème of Miss Gibraltars

1959

1984

1986

1994

2009

2012

Family affairTwice in the competition’s history has one winner given birth to another, but only one family can boast three separate winners

Jessica Palao

Jessica went on to win ‘Miss Congeniality’ at the Miss Universe pageant a year after winning Gibral-tarian hearts in a spar-kling silver outfit aged just 18.

Melissa Berllaque

The youngest ever Miss Gi-braltar fought off her more experienced competitors with a sparkling white outfit to take the crown at the age of just 17, one month and 20 days.

Jessica Baldachino

Clad in an extravagant green and beige dress, Jessica topped the competition to be crowned the tallest ever Miss Gibraltar – measuring a neck-aching 1.83cm.

Viola Abudarham

The first ever Miss Gibraltar contest was organised by Vox newspaper and held at a dance organised at the CFCA hall on Main Street. The then 23-year-old stole the show with a black and silver number.

Dominque Martinez

With blonde hair, green eyes and an elegant white dress, Dominique was vic-torious on the Rock before winning the ‘Miss Person-ality’ title at the worldwide pageant later that year.

Kaiane Aldorino

All the fame in the world couldn’t harm Kaiane’s adora-tion for her home. The former hospital administrator has now married her long-term boy-friend, who works on a cruise ship.

VICTOR: Miss World Kaiane Aldorino

KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY: Melanie Chipolina

27

www.theolivepress.es February 19th - March 4th 2015


Gibraltar special

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MOST famous for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm, not many know that Brit-ish writer George Orwell spent two days on Gibraltar in 1938, noting down his

thoughts on the Rock.He had stopped off there, en route to Morocco with his wife, after suffering a serious injury from fighting for the Republican Government during the Spanish Civil War.His notes include musings on various local newspa-pers, including their adverts and political standpoints.He said of the Gibraltar Chronicle, now the lon-gest-running newspaper in the world, that it was ‘more or less pro-Fascist’.He also mentioned a destroyer, the Jose Luis Diez, that lay in the harbour, as well as the Rock’s wildlife.“Population of the town is about 20,000,” he not-ed. “Largely Italian origin but nearly all bilingual English-Spanish.“Many Spaniards work here and return to Spain every night. At least 3,000 (of them) refugees from Franco territory. Authorities now trying to get rid of these on pretext of overcrowding.”He continued: “Standard of living not very low, no barefoot adults. Fruit and vegetables cheap,

Orwell: ‘Gibraltar Chronicle was more or less pro-Fascist’

A FLOOD OF MEMORIES

ANIMAL KINGDOM: For cen-turies the Rock has been a haven for apes, while (right) a trio of dogs used for smu-ggling, (above far left) troops survey the bay and (above left) a flood on Main Street. Meanwhile (above) taking off from the old runway, and (top left) a rally in the 1960s

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MOST famous for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm, not many know that Brit-ish writer George Orwell spent two days on Gibraltar in 1938, noting down his

thoughts on the Rock.He had stopped off there, en route to Morocco with his wife, after suffering a serious injury from fighting for the Republican Government during the Spanish Civil War.His notes include musings on various local newspa-pers, including their adverts and political standpoints.He said of the Gibraltar Chronicle, now the lon-gest-running newspaper in the world, that it was ‘more or less pro-Fascist’.He also mentioned a destroyer, the Jose Luis Diez, that lay in the harbour, as well as the Rock’s wildlife.“Population of the town is about 20,000,” he not-ed. “Largely Italian origin but nearly all bilingual English-Spanish.“Many Spaniards work here and return to Spain every night. At least 3,000 (of them) refugees from Franco territory. Authorities now trying to get rid of these on pretext of overcrowding.”He continued: “Standard of living not very low, no barefoot adults. Fruit and vegetables cheap,

Orwell: ‘Gibraltar Chronicle was more or less pro-Fascist’

VISIT: Orwell visited in 1938

wine and tobacco evidently untaxed or taxed very little.”“No English sugar or matches, all Belgian… Some of the shopkeepers are Indians and Parsees.“The Barbary Ape is said to be now very rare at Gibraltar and the authorities are trying to exter-minate them as they are a nuisance.“At a certain season they come down from the rock and invade people’s houses and gardens.”

A FLOOD OF MEMORIES

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WATCHING the sunrise from the top of the Rock, sprawled on my favourite crag and nibbling on an on-

ion, I wonder if there is anywhere more idyllic. It’s my home, and it’s been my ances-tors’ home since Moorish times, way before our Rock became British. And, frankly, I can see no reason to ever move from this sun-drenched stone. Although for 30 of my more mischie-

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Tom Powell imagines on what a Barbary ape might ruminate

vous friends, there was simply no choice. I suppose they took it too far, became too confident, lost sight of what really matters… all I know is the naughtiest ones were taken in the night to a far-away place called ‘Scot-land’, a place where it never stops raining. Farewell, my cousins.Over here the day begins when the big shiny, metallic hulks of metal drift into the harbour below. Some call them cruise ships, but to me they’re simply a mouthwatering delivery service.A day of glorious gastronomy awaits. I just know there will be chocolate, strawberries, sandwiches, oh and maybe some of those choc chip cook-ies from Morrisons! An all-you-can-eat buffet is on its way, hand-delivered by hordes of tourists ascending the Rock via cable car, jeep or on foot.It makes me laugh to remember my early childhood, when I actually strug-gled to open zips on rucksacks. These days I’m a pro, the best on the Rock. I sit preening myself on the wall, pos-ing for pictures and lapping up the at-tention. But then, like a flash, I’m in a handbag rooting out the Rolos (a par-ticular favourite of mine), amid laugh-ter and shrieks.Sure, the keepers up here are kind enough to provide a daily supply of fresh oranges, apples, onions, and cabbage. But you can’t beat a warm, chewy Rolo, with a bit of silver foil for added crunch.Anyway, after a hard day of thieving, eating, posing, eating and swinging around, I’m always shattered. I know some of my friends are beginning to head down into the town area, but I have no intention of ever leaving my home atop the Rock. Not with the threat of ‘Scotland’ looming over us.

ANIMAL KINGDOM: For cen-turies the Rock has been a haven for apes, while (right) a trio of dogs used for smu-ggling, (above far left) troops survey the bay and (above left) a flood on Main Street. Meanwhile (above) taking off from the old runway, and (top left) a rally in the 1960s

REGAL PERCH: A happy ape at the top of the Rock


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cover, both of which were not previously available.” Senior Private Client Man-ager Darren Mills previously worked for a large internation-al bank in Gibraltar and with over 20 years’ experience in international financial services he is proud of the high level of

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DESPITE seven years of an international financial crisis, Gibraltar’s econo-

my has gone from strength to strength.Job creation is at an all time high with more than 23,000 registered workers... and with 10,000 people crossing the border each day to work, it is clear that our economic buoy-ancy is not only good for its citi-zens but it is also good for the nearby Campo de Gibraltar. Incredibly, Gibraltar’s economy has doubled in size over just seven years to an annual GDP of £1.4bn. Not many econo-mies can claim that level of success. As the crisis began in 2007, a Chamber of Commerce study revealed that Gibraltar accounted for one out of every six jobs in the Campo area; and

We know how to hustleEdward Macquisten of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce on why the economy of the Rock just keeps growingthe Rock’s entire economy ac-counted for one eighth of the Campo’s economy. Frontier workers – defined as people who lived in Spain but worked in Gibraltar – earned €145m, the vast majority of which would have been spent in Spain. Today this has nearly doubled, as a new report is soon to show.So how has Gibraltar managed to pull off such a stellar eco-nomic performance when its Spanish neighbour, and much of Andalucia, remains in a scle-rotic state?Primarily it is because Gibral-

tar’s economy is based on trade. With a distinct lack of any natural resources, our business people are extremely active in seeking out new op-portunities wherever they may be. If one market dries up they will seek out four more. In short, they hustle.The second reason is that Gi-braltar’s economy has diversi-fied considerably since Spain re-opened the frontier in 1985. With this diversification has come a need for new skill sets and qualifications. Every Gi-braltarian going to university has their fees covered by the government and when they come back there are good jobs for them to fill, whether in the

public or, more usually, private sector. So Gibraltar has a di-versified economy serviced by an increasingly educated work-force. And as the economy has grown and developed, Gibraltar has attracted companies to come and base themselves on the Rock so that they can ser-vice markets elsewhere.

These may be in financial ser-vices, wealth management and insurance or in other sectors such as online gaming or web-based businesses. The empha-sis is on reputable businesses and they are all licensed by the local regulator, with both the IMF and Financial Action Task Force giving us glowing refer-ences. The government, after all, does not want any dodgy or dubi-ous operators. Such practices are discovered and shut down quickly.Ultimately we are compliant in pretty much all areas and we have been very pro-active in signing Tax Information Ex-change Agreements with 27 other jurisdictions around the world including many of the G20 economies.

GOING to the dentist could even be a pleasure at Town Range Dental Practice.With more than 30 years experience on the Rock under the original name of Mike Clark Dental Practice, Town Range has recently undergone a dramatic refurbishment and has a fresh, modern feel creating a tranquil and stress-free environment for patients. Dr Elisabeth Strahlberg has been at the helm since Mike Clark stepped back into a consultancy role in 2014, and she has brought a wealth of experience to Gibraltar. Since qualifying from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden in 1999, she has chalked up 12 years of success in Sweden and the UK, both in the private sec-tor and corporate practice.

S’miles better

Top jobIf there is one element which defines the economy it is that our business community is based on real relationships, not just contacts. In this age of LinkedIn and Twitter, networks of contacts are all very well. But unless you have good rela-tionships with each of your con-tacts it is difficult to use them to mutual advantage.

IT has been a great year for Russell Hood of First Choice Recruitment. “The financial services sector has been growing rapidly, in particular the insurance indus-try has mushroomed, and the trust and company administra-tion area has been very buoy-ant,” he says.“Accountancy recruitment across all sectors has been busy, which has highlighted a shortage of strong part-quali-fied staff available locally.

OPTIMISTIC: Edward Macquisten

“Fortunately the whole region is still a desired destination for experienced expats of all nationalities, so any shortfall in local talent is made up for by them and the local Spanish population, who are experienc-ing a lack of opportunities in their own communities. “All in all, I believe 2015 is go-ing to be a great year for busi-ness in Gibraltar.”

ACCIDENTS happen but with STM Life, Health and Pensions Ltd, customers know they’re covered when they do.The firm is committed to helping both individuals and companies find the best health insurance solutions. Clients range from mul-tinationals arranging cover for their workforce to individuals look-ing to safeguard their family.Part of the STM Group - intermediaries for health insurers Bupa Global, Interglobal and ALC - clients have the added assurance of knowing that the the company is FSA registered.For more information, visit www.stmnummos.com or call 956 794 781.

Better safe than sorry

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EVEN though he’s pushing 80, Gibraltarian estate agent Solo-mon Levy MBE still has to talk down his playboy image. “I’m not all that bad, and I’m certainly not some perverted old man,” says the 77-year-old, who has become an institution on the Rock over the decades. Looking dapper in a pinstripe suit and one of his signature bow ties, Solomon – known locally as ‘Momy’ – celebrates an astonishing 55 years in business on April 1, making him the longest-serving estate agent on the Rock. “I feel very proud about that, because in 1713 in the Treaty of Utrecht it was stated no Jews or Moors will be allowed on the Rock,” he adds. “But one of the proudest achievements of my life was being made the first civil mayor of my home town.” Solomon was civil mayor between August 2008 and July 2009, following a family tradition and the political footsteps of his late uncle Sir Joshua Hassan, the first Chief Minister, who ruled for nearly two decades. “If I had to choose between the knighthood or being mayor I would definitely choose being mayor,” says Solomon.

Gibraltar special February 19th - March 4th 2015

The patriotic playboyA Gibraltarian institution, estate agent Solomon Levy is well-known for his love of the ladies. But he’s ‘not all that bad’, writes Imogen Calderwood

LEVY HQ: Solomon’s office

THERE aren’t many law firms around the world that recommend yoga

classes to their clients.But Amber Law takes a holistic approach to helping its custom-ers, recommending whatever it takes to improve their lives throughout and even after the legal process.“We want to help transform family lives in the best way possible, whether that means finding our clients therapists, psychiatrists or yoga teachers,” explains founder Amber Turner, family barrister and interper-sonal mediator, who worked for seven years at a leading Gi-braltar law firm after graduat-ing from Bristol University and Inns of Court School of Law, London.Describing her firm as a team of ‘street lawyers’, because they deal with their clients’ per-sonal issues, she adds: “We feel we have an ethical and moral responsibility to help them in whatever way possible. “That can mean providing sup-port emotionally and psycho-logically.“It’s more than just being a friendly face, we want to help positively transform their lives.”A refreshing approach to legal work, going back to old fash-ioned caring values, the group of lawyers, now numbering four, share all the running costs of the firm. Solicitor and mediator, Fiona Young fits in perfectly with the

firm’s ethos. Formerly working at leading firms in both London and Gi-braltar - she now juggles bring-ing up two children (eight and five), while running a flourish-ing employment practice.“I needed to work for a firm where things can be flexible and I’m working with like-mind-ed people,” she explains. Having first met Amber from opposing benches on an em-ployment tribunal case, the

pair now form an impressive double act.“We are supporting working men and women and often work together to get the best possible result,” she explains.The firm is now set to begin a recruitment drive to add to its team of specialists, also includ-ing Spanish lawyer Francisca Luna Ivars and personal injury solicitor Simon Murphy, who recently joined from a top Liv-erpool firm.

The street lawyersAmber Law takes a refreshing, holistic approach to helping its clients

ON THE RIGHT ROAD: Fiona, Amber and Simon

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Gibraltar special33

34 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - February 19th - March 4th 34 Gibraltar special

“THE property market in Gibraltar is moving at its fastest rate ever. We are embarking on our best year ever, with people buying at a rapid rate even though prices are slightly inflated due to a shortage of homes.“Buyers are flocking in from Spain due to the changes in taxa-tion and with the rise in gaming and insurance companies over the last three years, it has meant we have been severely

short of both sale and rental prop-erties.“This has led to prices almost dou-bling in the rental market, with a three-bed lower end property rising from £750 to £1,400 and one-bed flats in Ocean Village, for example, going up from £1,000 to £1,650. This is definitely a landlords market.“We have recently seen the launch-es of the fourth and fifth phases of the stunning Ocean Village de-velopment, with its three gorgeous blocks playing host to swimming pools, jacuzzis and leisure areas overlooking the very attractive ma-rina.

“Incredibly, the fourth sold out in just 36 hours leaving many investors disappointed and prices already rising as people put their names down for re-sales. “It meant that Ocean Village had to be more clever when they launched the fifth phase and offered it out to VIP clients to reserve and sign once specifications had been released.“Anybody who has bought in Ocean Village has definitely made a profit already, only in Gibraltar…”

A landlords’ market

With seventeen years’ experience on the rock, we are experts in all aspects of relocation, from finding the right property for you and your family to helping with schooling, registration, taxation and employment.

We have the largest selection of rental properties in Gibraltar and if you are looking to buy and cannot find the right property we will find it for you.

Call into our office or speak to one of friendly local staff.

VISIT US AT 83 GOVERNORS STREET, GIBRALTAROR CALL US ON 00350 20044537

www.FindaProperty.gi | T: 00350 20044537

Sales, rentals and management

IT is why the property mar-ket is so strong in Gibraltar, he believes, adding that sales are up an incredible

32% this year so far.“Our cli-ents are initially attracted to Gibraltar either for personal tax reasons or because their employer is in Gibraltar for corporation tax reasons,” he explains. “It’s this continual steady inflow of wealth and employment for tax reasons that underpins such eco-nomic growth year on year, despite Europe’s economic woes generally”.

His agency was established in London in 1805, the same year as Nelson was fighting the Battle of Trafalgar just off the coast of Gibraltar. Chesterton is now firmly es-tablished as the leading real estate agent on the Rock. It is the tax angle that is driving the Chesterton business.

The Rock stars…...as having one of the highest GDP per capita figures in the world, explains Mike Nicholls of Chesterton Gibraltar

In the next few years there is going to be a building boom in

Gibraltar

+ 350 200 40041 [email protected]

chesterton.gi 20 Ocean Village Promenade, Gibraltar www.facebook.com/ChestertonGibraltar

Only one real estate agent in Gibraltar can tick all of these boxes:

Over 200 years of property experience

Offices across five continents

Client accounting software endorsed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants

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Independent from any property developer or legal firm in Gibraltar

The Olive Press met Anna Moffatt (below) of Find a Property Gibraltar

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34


35

ONWARD AND UPWARDNOT many properties on the Rock can count on a five-car garage and private pool.But stunning Ashtead Cot-tage is very much one of a kind.On the market through Sav-ills, the detached villa has many original features and even has its own separate self-contained apartment.Boasting six double bed-rooms, three roof terraces and panoramic views, it dates back to the 18th cen-tury. It was built by the widow of a Peninsula war veteran in 1815 and latterly lived in by respected Gibraltarian law-yer Henry King, whose wife made extensive improve-ments to the property, cost-ing £2,200,000.This and many other stun-ning homes are available through prestigious agency Savills Gibraltar, which is

“Chesterton’s transaction volumes are 32% per cent up on last year,” adds Nicholls. “Firstly because there contin-ues to be a net influx of peo-ple into Gibraltar requiring a property. And secondly, be-cause the tenant or buyer de-mands a professional agent with a strong reputation to do the conveyancing.” One concern for Nicholls is that the estate agency industry in Gibraltar is currently unregu-

lated. “We lag behind much of Europe in terms of properly regulating estate agency ac-tivity.” However, the implementa-tion of the forthcoming Fair Trade Act in Gibraltar should at least see some consumer protection. “We have pushed for regulation for some time, so this new act is a start at least,” he adds. “It’s abso-lutely needed because in the next few years there is go-

now striding into its fourth year with an ever-growing wealth of experience and priceless local knowledge.Providing homeowners with the impeccable service that befits

a globally-recognised brand, Savills - based conveniently in Irish Town - is ready for all the Rock’s real estate needs and has some exciting ex-pansion plans for this year.

FIT FOR A KING: Ashtead Cottage, Upper Town

ing to be a building boom in Gibraltar and estate agents are going to be busy. For the benefit of Gibraltar, we want to ensure that new clients’ first experience in the prop-erty market is a professional one.”

Mike Nicholls is manag-ing director of Chesterton Gibraltar and treasurer of Gibraltar’s Chamber of Commerce

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35

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We can insure your car, motorbike, house, pet, holiday home, health, boat, business, holiday, community, offer funeral plans… and more!

Call +350 200 02180 or Email [email protected] 68 Irish Town, Gibraltar



36



37

INTERNATIONAL medical insurance company ALC Health has opened a new office in Gibraltar.Following on from the UK and Spain, the plush new base in Ocean Village is the perfect location to ser-vice the company’s existing Gibraltar client base and to work with the large range of leading insurance com-panies in the enclave.Run by Sue Wilson, who has been working for the company in Spain since 2003, the company places a high emphasis on build-ing one to one relation-ships with its clients.Its founder Sarah Jewell, who has worked in the medical insurance indus-try for two decades, was awarded an MBE last year.

Visit www.alchealth.com for more informa-tion about ALC Health

In tip top health

Still seeing red

DO you work long hours in Gi-braltar but live in Spain and don’t have time to organise your car and home insurance?Ibex Insurance has the answer!We can insure cars on Spanish, UK or Gibraltar plates and can insure your home in Spain or Gibraltar. You don’t even have to visit our office in Irish Town, we can do it all over the phone. Just give us a call on 00350 200 44628 or complete a web quote form on our website www.ibexinsure.com and we’ll call you back.We can also insure your mo-torbike, pet, holidays, boat, health, business, holiday home…and more!Buying insurance is not the most exciting way to spend your time so just give us a call.

Ibex has the answerAFTER a couple of

years working in the Gibraltar civil service Eddie Lucas figured

there had to be something more exciting to do.It was the heart of the 1980s property boom and he saw a gap in the mar-ket… to open a builders’ merchants.Now 27 years on and things are still going strong for In-terbuild, one of Gibraltar’s key suppliers of materials for the construction busi-ness.“I saw an opportunity for ma-terials,” explains the friendly Gibraltarian, who had previ-ously earned himself an MOD apprenticeship.“I think we developed fast due to our strong belief in

Built from scratch

Builders’ merchants Interbuild has seen nearly three decades thanks to boss Eddie Lucas

putting the customer first – without exception.”The merchants supplies a range of products, from range ovens to paint and from fireplaces to kitchens.“We try to supply only the finest products around, tried and tested products we would only be too happy to have in our own homes,” adds Lucas, who has a keen interest in local politics.Around 90% of the products are imported from the UK

including Dulux paints, Brit-ish Gypsum, Hammerite, and Black & Decker.The business also works with Rangemaster ovens, Bosch appliances and Tem-pur mattresses and pillows.“Interbuild can boast of having supplied materials to virtually all new develop-ments on the Rock, from ba-sic brick and blocks to roof-ing tiles, luxury kitchens and appliances to paints and street furniture,” adds

GRAFTER: Eddie Lucas

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BUST-UPS at the border are a tale as old as time. But now the Spanish are up to something even more peculiar at the frontier. With the European Commission telling Spain to sort its act out, the country is beginning to take action… but the action being taken isn’t completely clear. Work has been ongoing on the Spanish side of the border for a number of months but it is unclear what is actually being built.It has been the topic of conversation in the House of Commons and within European Parliament. Earlier this month, it even lured Spain’s new anti-corruption party, Podemos, into speak-ing out about the nations’ soured relationship. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo even admitted that he was at a loss as to what the Spaniards are up to. In an interview with the Olive Press this issue, he said: “We’re

trying to get details from the European Commission, but even they are finding it difficult.”Meanwhile, a Spanish-led incentive to speed up the queues has fallen flat on its face. Labelled the ‘red channel’, people who live in Spain and work in Gibraltar were offered the chance to sign up to a scheme to fly across the frontier. Launched in July, over 4,000 Spanish workers with contracts of employment in Gibraltar are eligible to sign up. However, only 100 have signed up so far and Spanish workers union, Astecg, has labelled the system ‘discriminatory’. Salvador Molina of Astecg said: “Why should we, the workers, avoid the frontier queues but others, such as expectant moth-ers and children, should not?”

Spain is finally taking action at the border...but it’s still not clear what that action is

Lucas.“Our motto ‘Working Hard for Your Business’ re-mains to this day and it is our code of practice. I am confident you will find our competitive service and customer support hard to match,” he concludes.Visit Interbuild at Unit 12 The New Harbours, Gibral-tar. Tel (350) 200 74567 or email [email protected]



38

IF you’re still feeling peck-ish after lunch, head to The Landings restaurant on Queensway Quay, which now offers traditional afternoon tea. Owner Ann Hudson makes all the cakes, scones and sa-voury quiches from scratch. She takes pride in her cook-ing, and always makes sure there is a good selection available, from carrot cake and chocolate cup cakes to coconut macaroons and Vic-toria sandwiches. It’s a recipe that will go down especially well with the tea-loving British so when you’re next in Gibraltar visit The Landings and do it ‘proper’ with an authentic afternoon tea.You can also download The Landings app for free from the App store and search for up-to-date specials, news and menus. For more information, call 20066100 or visit www.the-landings.gi

Join the tea set

WHERE TO EAT

WHERE TO STAY

IT’S the Gibraltar equivalent of Piccadilly Circus and there is no better place to watch the world go by than on its

finest terrace at Café Solo.This institution, in Casemates Square, has been serving up a superb range of Italian and Mediterranean dishes for over a decade.Inside you will be sitting within the old army barracks, where you get excellent WiFi facilities and a splendid coffee, plus cake, if needed.Another institution, also big on its coffee is Sacarello’s, which has been serving up a decent brew for nearly two centuries.A true Gibraltar haunt for morn-ing coffee, lunch, afternoon tea or supper, this charming old spot also counts on one of the best private art collections on the Rock.This is all thanks to current boss Patrick Sacarello, 62, who is a huge art lover and regularly travels to exotic countries to ac-

A family affairJon Clarke picks out a selection of interesting spots to eat on the Rock

quire his paintings.It was his great-grandfather Bartholomew who founded the existing business in 1888, fol-lowing in the footsteps of his Italian grandfather, a trader, who had arrived on the Rock in 1817.“Although I studied at a London university, I ended up coming back to coffee because it’s such a beautiful business.”For a more formal fine dining experience you should head to charming Queensway Quay, a millionaire’s playground, where houses start around the £4.2 million mark.Here, you will find the excellent Landings restaurant, which has counted John Prescott, First Minister Fabian Picardo and a variety of Coronation Street stars as guests.“We get a lot of wealthy yachtie types too,” explains owner Ann Hudson, who heralds from the south coast of England.The menu is also appropriately grand, with a superb mix of ex-

citing dishes and plenty of ad-venturous cuisine.This season’s highlights in-clude a delicious duck leg and a tasty seafood salad of lobster and prawn, beautifully present-ed with a slice of goats cheese, baby grapefruit slices and a free range egg. It also special-ises in afternoon teas.Two more excellent options for dining are the restaurant at the Rock Hotel (see Page 26), and La Caleta Hotel, where you can find a fantastic range of dishes from around the world.One of the highlights was the excellent sushi starter, as well as the Hoisin chicken wrap and the ‘Reggae, Reggae Nachos’.The best day to visit is every Wednesday when you will be treated to live music by a su-perb jazz trio... and if you’ve got any sense you will stay for the night.

TIMELESS: Sacarello’s and (inset) sushi at La Caleta

IT has been a great few months for the Gibraltar ho-tel scene, with not one but two amazing new renovation

jobs just finished.The first at La Caleta Hotel, sitting on its own beach with incredible views towards Africa, has seen the arrival of a styl-ish new restaurant and a total upgrade of the lobby and bar area, not to mention its rooms.The stylish textile walls in the bar and restaurant area, plus a series of arty black and white photos really add to the look.Another amazing new refur-

Sleep like a Rock

bishment has just finished at the Rock Hotel, one of the en-clave’s most established build-ings, constructed in 1932.This charming place has had a very stylish new makeover

with brand new rooms and all the communal areas massively spruced up.Aesthetically-pleasing, this charming spot, which has counted on Winston Churchill,

Errol Flynn and Dennis Water-man as former guests, maxi-mizes on light and has some wonderful views across the Bay of Gibraltar inland to the Serra-nia de Ronda.

IDYLLIC: La Caleta and (left) the Rock Hotel’s new dining room

TOP TERRACE: Cafe Solo

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OceanVillageGibraltar OceanVillageGib

41www.theolivepress.es the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 414141Property 41

the olive press - February 19th - March 4th 2015

The Property Insiderby Adam Neale

Terra Meridiana. 77 Calle Caridad, 29680 Estepona. Tel: +34 951 318480. Office Mob: +34 678 452109

Email: [email protected]. http://www.terrameridiana.com

The ins and out of immigrationForeigners wanting to live in Spain for more than 90 days a year have to become residents but, depending on where you’re from, there could be more cons than pros

ACCORDING to the National Statis-tics Institute, Spain’s population was nearly 46.5 million in July

2014, over 4.9 million of whom were foreigners with NIEs. Romanians rep-resent 19% of the total, followed by Moroccans (15.79%), while the British – ranked third, with just under 270,000 registered residents – account for just 5.5%, a far cry from the one million es-timated by the UK government in 2010. (ED: Half or more of expats may not be on the padron).In Andalucia, the percentage of resident foreigners is low-er than the national average. By the Junta de Andalucía’s calculations, fewer than 730,000 of the 8,440,000 people registered on munici-pal censuses in the commu-nity at the end of 2013 were from outside Spain.That could come as a sur-prise if you live in Nerja, where almost one third of its 23,500 residents are from abroad, although Nerja is by no means Spain’s least Spanish town. In the 2011 census, more than 71% of the 22,000 residents of Ro-jales in Alicante identified themselves as guiris.It may be less surprising to learn that Spain’s residency rules are a little com-plicated. To find out why, we talked to lawyer Blanca Loring. Blanca runs Lor-ing International, a legal firm with offic-es in Marbella and Malaga that special-ises in immigration, serving everyone from Russian and Chinese millionaires to Filipino gardeners.Blanca says that, just as with ser and estar, there are two ways to be a resi-dent. There’s the padron, the municipal census on which everyone who lives in Spain - national and foreigner alike - is

required to register in the municipality where they habitually reside. And then there’s the central government, with whom foreigners are required to register if they spend more than 90 days a year in the country.For now, Blanca notes, the Ministry of the Treasury and Public Administration (i.e. Hacienda), the Ministry of the Inte-rior (i.e. the police), and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (i.e. INEM) don’t talk much, let alone have access

to municipal census data. But there is a chance that, one day, they could get their act together and start sharing in-formation about those who appear on their lists.Under Spanish law, if you spend over 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, if most of your assets are in the country or if your partner and children under 18 live here for 183 days or more, you are presumed to be resident (unless you can prove otherwise) and have to declare, and pay tax on, worldwide income and assets.But some foreigners are more equal

than others. EU and EEA (European Economic Area) citizens, and their families, have greater rights to reside in Spain than people from the rest of the world, says Blanca. But, wherever you’re from, if you put your name on the municipal census when you arrive, and live in Spain - even illegally - for at least three years before

getting a job offer for a mini-mum of 12 months, you can become a resident through social ties. This is how many illegal immigrants who do do-mestic work become legal.Since July 2012, however, re-vised residency requirements mean that even EU and EEA citizens who wish to stay in Spain for more than three months can be asked to prove they have health insurance (public or private) and suffi-cient financial means to sup-port themselves.In summary, Blanca admits, if you’re from Europe, have money but don’t pay high rates of tax at home, it’s prob-ably not in your interest to be officially a resident in Spain.

You may save a little if you own or sell property here, but the costs likely out-weigh the benefits.If you’re from elsewhere, however, there’s more to be gained, whether you’re wealthy or not. For the idle rich, you might pay more tax, but at least your money’s secure and you can travel freely throughout the Schengen Area. For the rest of us, who still have to work for a living, access to Spain’s free public healthcare and education makes being a resident worthwhile, ‘as long as you have a job’, Blanca concludes.

Land warFour-year inspection hunts down Spain’s ‘illegal’ housing modifications

INSPECTIONS into ille-gal buildings are kicking off across Malaga province.The land registry is expecting to find up to 39,000 ‘irregular buildings’ – constructions,

extensions or modifications built without paying the nec-essary local taxes.As many as 758,000 homes in Estepona, Malaga and 10 oth-er towns will be inspected in a second phase of the checks, that initially began in 2013 and concentrated on some 29 towns in the province.

Malaga city itself is expected to house some 390,000 such developments - around one in 10 of the total properties in the city - equating to fines of around €2.3 million.The 10% will include any small alterations that the homeowners have failed to report.

Inspectors compare aerial photographs with construc-tions on the ground and fines start at €60, propor-tionate to the seriousness of the change.Some of the ‘irregularities’ commonly detected are new swimming pools, extensions and building on vacant plots.

By Iona Napier

WELCOME: To Spain


• Litigation and tax specialist (resident and non-resident)• Property conveyancing• Spanish investment and inheritance tax

International Lawyers & Investment ProfessionalsTel: (0034) 951 29 52 60 Fax: (0034) 951 29 51 68

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aGoNY aNt YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Property42


PRINCESS Cristina has reached an agreement to sell her seven-bedroom man-sion in Barcelona to pay le-gal costs. The 1,000 square-metre property has extensive gardens, 10 bathrooms, a swimming pool and a lift. It has been valued at just under €7 million, signifi-cantly less than the princess and her husband paid for it. The 49-year-old is facing up to four years in jail on two charges of being an accessory to tax fraud with her hus-band, former Olympian Inaki Urdangarin, 46. Purchases for the Barcelona mansion are among the ex-tensive list of abuses which saw €6 million siphoned off public funds, along with salsa dancing classes and luxury holidays. The Mallorca court leading the investigation or-dered properties owned by Urdangarin to be seized in November 2013, to help cov-er a €6.1 million bond. The couple put the house up for sale in 2013 for €9.8 million before it was seized by the court.

From palace to prison?

PLANS to build a Lord of the Rings inspired theme park in the Axarquia are in jeopardy. Opposition IU councillors in Rincon de la Victoria have blasted park organisers and mayor Francisco Salado over copyright violations. The park reportedly lacks the rights to characters and vari-ous commercial elements of the world created in Tolkien’s epic novels. “We cannot bring a legal scandal on Rincon de la Vic-

shire-abolical

DEBATE is raging as to whether the new year has stabilised the Spanish property market.A new report from Fitch rating agency suggested property prices will stay at 40% lower than the pre-crisis peak, with the market bottoming out. Vozpopuli, however, said that to expect property prices to recover is to live ‘far from reality’ and believes the sector will never return to its former glory. It reasoned that with an ageing population and almost five million houses for sale, under construction or empty, Spain must be realistic. Meanwhile, Spanish bank BBVA predicts economic growth of 2.7% this year due to falling oil prices, and foresees demand creating one million new jobs in Spain.

False hopes crumbling?

SPANISH lawyers have tra-ditionally warned clients that the cost of Inheri-

tance Tax (IHT) for non-resident heirs, could make all the dif-ference between being able to inherit or not. It is still a worry, but since the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Spain’s IHT tax rules – with different rates for residents and non-residents – were discriminatory, the latter can enjoy the same allowances residents are ruled by.Now an EU-resident who inher-its an Andalucian estate worth less than €175,000 from par-ents, children or a spouse is totally exempt from paying IHT. This is no small matter. Ac-cording to figures provided by the Junta, 93% of all IHT tax declarations filed in Andalucía did not require a tax payment – thanks to the new allowance.Take the average family with a property and two children. If the average price per square metre of property is €1,500 (as recorded December 2014) and the average house size – according to the Ministry of Housing – is just over 105m2 (187m2 for townhouses and villas), it is clear why only 7% of Andalucia’s IHT tax decla-rations were eligible for a tax payment. This is great news for more than one reason. Firstly, it automatically reduces the IHT tax bill on the estate of holi-day property owners, as from November 28, 2014 – when the ECJ ruling was effectively

implemented. Secondly, it quells the fear of thousands of homeowners who’ve been bombarded with horror stories of the Spanish taxman slicing into the estate of a deceased Briton, only to

offer an illegal tax-dodging scheme to avoid it (mostly for-eign based companies and eq-uity release loans).Of course, IHT will still be an issue for the wealthy, whose inheritors could be hit with as

much as 34% tax on estates worth more than €800,000. For owners not included in the above 93% contingent, we sug-gest some degree of planning to minimise – legally that is – the effects of IHT.

Inheritance tax break for non-residents quelling cost fearsGood heir day

Lord of the Rings theme park blasted for copyright problems

toria on the whim of Salado and the government,” said IU councillor Pedro Fernandez.

“In the promotional video that the City has uploaded images are very, very similar to those associated with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. “The typography used is sub-stantially similar to the films. And it could lead to serious problems.” Salado labelled the €1.7 mil-lion planned park as a ‘sign of things to come’ at Madrid’s International Tourism Fair last month. He said: “The park is set to become one of the most em-blematic tourist, scenic and recreational attractions of our town.”

By rob Horgan

HOLD IT HOBBIT: Park plans held up over copyright issues

SALE: The Barcelona mansion


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IT’S early days since the for-mer chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan pre-

dicted the departure of Greece from the Eurozone but UK Prime Minister David Cameron and the treasury are already planning strategy for the im-pending ‘Grexit’ – Greece leav-ing the Eurozone. In short, Greek turmoil has sent shockwaves through world economies.This year the euro is already down more than 15% against the US dollar and 7% against sterling. Devaluation was engineered partly by the ECB’s quantitative easing program, but the global market’s anxiety over Greece has played the biggest role.Personally, I see Greenspan’s most salient observation of the Eurozone’s economies as this: that they suffer from a lack of fiscal and budget symmetry. Without these balance in these elements an alignment is near impossible… Perpetual ‘fudg-ing’ will be all that keeps the euro in play. Another major factor in the the euro’s future, will be knowing

the timeframe for ‘winding down’ the single currency. Past estimates are around 10 years – almost as long as it took to introduce the cur-rency.Back to day-to-day life on the coast, the devaluation of the euro and the ECB’s economic stimulation has started to trickle down to my weekly shopping bill.Without doing the ‘pennies tally’ I cannot recall leaving the supermarket with four bottles of good red wine, two healthy suppers – meat and two veg for three – some cleaning products, eggs, milk and bread for €25 – roughly £18.50 in old money.

Happy shopperFinance expert Mark Rickard returns to the Olive Press delighted thanks to a great deal on wine and grub

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IBERIAN Funeral Plans have cemented a relationship with Sodexo Justice Services, a leading provider of custodial facilities to the UK Home Of-fice. The Olive Press met with Iberi-an Managing Director Steven Nelson, to discuss his plans for the future in Iberian’s joint venture with Sodexo.“Sodexo is currently offering Iberian plans to their prison officers in the Scottish sec-tion of the company,” said Nelson.“Although a trial period, it is hoped that the agreement will take the business to the next level in the near future. “If the plans are successful, the next step will be for So-dexo to look at incorporating the provision of plans to the whole of the UK and hopeful-ly European employees within a corporate scheme.

Looking to the future

“This business will of course need nurturing, and I have assigned Marilyn Richard-son, the company’s market-ing manager, to look after it,” said Nelson. The company already has an established presence on the Iberian peninsular and has a good foothold in England, so the next move will be to ‘in-crease business north of the border’. “Another couple of compa-nies are almost ready to come on board, so hopefully it will be a great year for Ibe-rian,” added Nelson.

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offshore face-offFinance minister pushes for legal action against HSBC for global tax evasion scheme

By rob Horgan

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THE government is consider-ing legal action against bank-ing giant HSBC after a leak revealed a global tax-dodging scandal. Thousands of Spanish indi-viduals and businesses were named as having a part in the massive tax evasion and money-laundering scheme at HSBC. Whistleblower Herve Falciani leaked details of 2,694 Span-ish clients who held more than €1.7 billion in offshore accounts with HSBC’s private branch in Switzerland.But the Spanish figures are dwarfed by those of the UK, France and Switzerland, in a scandal that reaches across the world.

Names listed among the 106,000 account holders, from 203 countries, include musicians David Bowie and Tina Turner, as well as King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Fernando Alonso and Emilio Botin of Santander.

In a document now known as the ‘Falciani files’, the former HSBC employee claims that the Swiss branch of the bank actively helped its customers dodge tax, breaking the law in several cases.Spain’s finance minister, Cristobal Montoro, has now

asked the government to carry out a ‘study of the le-gal actions that can be taken

against HSBC for its partici-pation in carrying out fiscal fraud, laundering and other wrongful acts committed by Spanish residents’.The bank also faces criminal investigations in the United

States, France, Belgium and Argentina.In a tactical pre-election move, anti-corruption party Podemos have hired Falciani as a consultant to carry out a report on tax havens.

FINGERED: Bowie, Botin and Alonso

BUSINESS IN BRIEF

Top DollarFebruary 19th - March 4th 2015

46

Road to Riches, by Richard Alexander

Richard Alexander Financial Planning Limited is an appointed representative of L J Financial Planning Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial

Conduct Authority in the UK. Contact him at [email protected]

I IMAGINE you are already ask-ing, when does tax EVER make sense, but it is a necessary part of the financial structure. We take it for granted, yet still often resent paying the tax we owe.Tax collection is very much in the news, with a focus on the list of wealthy HSBC clients in Switzerland. Some 5,000 files were identi-fied, with 1,000 of those having been reviewed by HMRC. It is alleged that £135 million has been collected in back tax-es and fines, but with only one prosecution so far. The question that I hear being asked a lot is why is the pros-ecution rate so low when oth-er government departments seem to be a lot more aggres-sive in pursuing prosecutions of lesser offenders. Don’t get me wrong, I am not defending criminals here, but it does often seem to be that the little guy gets beaten up by the tax office more frequently than the big guy!One argument is that if every-body paid the tax they owed, the overall burden would be

A tax that makes no sense

The Catastral value of your property could bring the tax man knockingless for the majority – and I think there is some truth in that.While some tax makes sense, there are other instances which seem totally illogical. I came across one such cir-cumstance the other day which involves property purchase in Spain – in particular where the Spanish tax authorities are raising tax assessments on people who have bought prop-erty ‘too cheaply’. My initial reaction is that there must be a mistake so I thought I would talk it through with one of the Spanish tax firms that I know, and, lo and behold, it is right.If you are a property owner in Spain, you will be familiar with property having a Catastral val-ue which is set by the govern-

ment and takes into account a number of factors affecting value – location and size for example. While Catastral values are re-viewed periodically, with a sub-stantial fall in market values, it is quite common, it would seem, for the Catastral value to lag behind and to be higher than the market value. The sit-uation arises if the property is sold for less than the Catastral value. The view of the Spanish au-thorities is that when a prop-erty is purchased below the Catastral value, there is an implied benefit – effectively a capital gain – which then be-comes assessable for tax.In an open market, it does not matter what you are trying to sell, the actual value is surely what someone else is pre-pared to pay you for it, which is a fair principle but not, it would seem, in the eyes of the Span-ish tax man!As always, it is good to be aware of these issues and if in any doubt, be sure to speak to your solicitor.

SPANISH airport operator Aena saw shares jump more than 21% in its market debut. In 2015’s first major Euro-pean stock market listing, Spain floated a minority stake of 44.6% in the state-owned company. The increased share value gave Aena - which owns Lu-ton Airport - a market value of €10.5 billion, up from €8.7 billion. It is the largest Eu-rozone privatisation in more than a decade. More than €1 billion worth of Aena shares – a third of the total amount in the session

Aena’s market debut sees share value go through the roof

Heading for the skies

STATE-rescued lender Bankia has been given a month to front €800 million in relation to a number of scan-dals, including the infamous ‘magic’ cards. Several former executives will have to contribute to the bill after thousands of small investors lost money. A total of 86 former employees are accused of spend-ing €15.5 million on company ‘magic’ cards for personal expenses.

Lender to pay up

– were traded on the Span-ish stock exchange in the first day.The shares ended the session valued at €70, up from €58. “Aena will continue to be a public firm,” said Transport Minister Ana Pastor. “We will not allow the network of air-ports to be broken up.” But it has been reported that the stake on offer can be ex-panded to a maximum of 49%. Aena’s two main unions – CCOO and USO – have called off the 27-day strikes which were planned between February and August, threat-ening Spain’s vital holiday season.Nearly 196 million travellers used Aena in 2014, making it the world’s biggest airport operator by passenger vol-ume. It operates 46 airports in Spain – including Malaga, Madrid and Barcelona – and 15 elsewhere in Europe, Lat-in America and the United States.

Pay up FINANCE minister Luis de Guindos has told Greece’s new left-wing leaders that Spain wants €26 billion back from 2010’s bailout.

Big buckscaIXaBaNk has re-ported earnings of €620 million in 2014 – up 23% on the pre-vious year’s €503 mil-lion.

High riseTHE pound has hit a seven-year high against the euro, after rising by as much as half a cent against the euro to €1.354, its strongest since January 2008.

Bunny boostCLOTHING giant Indi-tex, parent company of Zara, has stopped selling angora garments made in China because of cruelty to rabbits.

47www.theolivepress.es the olive press - February 19th - March 4th38

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Calle Gutemberg, Nave 5Poligono Industrial de Estepona

two much luxe Juan Carlos hands over two

Ferraris to the state

THE central government is selling two Ferraris worth over €500,000 each because they are considered too ex-travagant a gift for former monarch King Juan Carlos I. The money raised from the auction will go to the state as if the cars had been confis-cated.The government of the Unit-ed Arab Emirates presented the two cars to Juan Carlos in 2011 during the Dubai F1 championships. The proceeds of one car went to the state last November and the Spanish Ministry of Hacienda and Public Admin-

istration recently agreed to follow suit with the second.One of the vehicles had never been used but the other was fully equipped for Spanish

roads and was used until it was donated to Patrimonio Nacional in 2012.Juan Carlos was not obliged to donate the luxury cars, but his son, King Felipe VI, enforced a new etiquette pro-hibiting the acceptance of ex-cessive gifts when he came to the throne last year.

Ford’s financial fiestaFORD has announced its biggest ever investment in Spain’s motor industry.The US car manufacturer will pump €1.1 billion into its Valencia plant, capping off a €2.3 billion expansion plan.The investment will allow the plant to build 450,000 vehicles a year, to be Ford’s second largest assembly centre after Chongqing, China.Visiting the plant, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy spoke of the ‘key role’ that the motor industry has played in Spain’s economic revival.The industry created 26,800 jobs in 2014, according to Spanish car producers’ association ANFAC.Ford purchased the 270 acres near Valencia in 1973 and the plant was inaugurated by King Juan Carlos in 1976.

SPAIN’S motoring wonder-kid Marc Marquez looks to be the man to beat again in this year’s MotoGP. The two-time world cham-pion, still only 21, is being tipped for yet another title after a dominant showing at Malaysian testing.Marquez blew the rest of the field away, recording the three fastest laps of the day with MotoGP legend Valen-tino Rossi not too far behind. Meanwhile, Moto2 and Moto3 riders got their wheels warm in Valencia from Feb-ruary 10-12.And with younger brother Alex Marquez and last sea-son’s Moto2 champion Tito Rabat both going fast, the season ahead looks bright for Spain’s motorbike fanatics.

Hot wheels

BOOST: Valencia Ford plant’s €1.1 billion investment

EXCESSIVE: The luxury Ferraris and (inset) the former King

By Iona Napier


GOLF In the swing of it48


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Girl rules the greens Young expat giving male golfers

a run for their money on the Costa speaks to Rob Horgan

A TEENAGE female golfer is mixing with the world’s best amateurs and upping her game on the Costa del Sol. French amateur Lauralie Mi-gneaux is just 17, but already making waves in the top ama-teur ranks – leaving her male counterparts playing catchup. But despite her success alongside the men, she feels the professional game should remain gendered. “I do enjoy the challenge of taking on the men,” Mi-gneaux told the Olive Press. “But I think the professional game should remain a sepa-ration sport, with the differ-ent tee positions for women.” Migneaux was inspired to take up the sport at the age of nine after meeting Spain’s most famous golfer, Seve Ballesteros. She moved to Mijas in 2013 to

take advantage of the ‘excep-tional training conditions the Costa del Sol offers’.

Migneaux has represented France at five amateur tour-naments and also finished in

‘Golf mode’ onHi-tech brace helps golfing manager hit the green again

A BRITISH golfer has been fitted with the first ever Bluetooth-controlled bionic leg – which even offers a ‘golf mode.’John Simpson, 63 – a man-ager for top sports celebrities such as Lord Coe and Sir Nick Faldo – contracted polio at a young age, affecting his mo-bility.The Bluetooth-operated low-er limb bionic exoskeleton has revolutionised his life and means he can now walk downstairs.

the top 20 of the Men’s Pro-fessional Gecko Tour. Training at El Chaparral’s 18-hole course in Mijas Costa, Migneaux hopes to represent Europe in the Junior Solheim Cup in Germany later this year.Next up for Migneaux is an appearance at the Spanish International Ladies Amateur tournament in Sevilla, start-ing February 25.

The high-tech brace is stron-ger than steel and offers dif-ferent settings for activities including cycling, golf and skating.

Mr Simpson is the founder of the On Course Foundation, a charity that supports the re-covery of injured servicemen and women through golf.

A NEW 1.7 million square-metre golf complex in the Axar-quia has been given the green light.The residential golf centre, Juvigolf, is waiting on final ap-proval from the Ministry of Public Works before construc-tion may begin.Following a positive environmental report and submis-sion of adequate plans for drinking and irrigation water supplies, the ministry is unlikely to object.The €300 million project includes an 18-hole golf course, more than 1,500 homes and a four-star hotel and restau-rant.The complex, 3km north of Chilches, should be completed between 2020 and 2025.

all go for golf complex

A TEE shot challenge will take place at two courses on February 28 to raise money for Cu-deca Hospice.The event will begin at 10am at both Cabopino Golf in Marbella and El Chaparral Golf in Mijas Costa.Green fees are on offer for the ‘nearest the pin’ challenge winners.Contact the golf courses to book your €10 place.

chari-tee challenge

IN THE SWING: 17-year-old Migneaux and (inset) with Seve Ballesteros

BACK ON FORM: John Simpson teeing off

Columnists the olive press - February 19th - March 4th

49

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I’m too sexy for my shirt… Incest, folk-dancing and

naked calendars: three activities that aren’t recommended

OSCAR Wilde once said that a man should try everything once apart from incest and folk dancing. Had he been alive and well and living in 2015, he might have also add-ed, ‘and should never get naked for a charity calendar’.

Yes, you did read that correctly, dear reader, and sorry if that just put you off your bacon butty.The reason that I agreed to strip off was all in the name of charity. Friends are involved in the Last Chance Animal Rescue, which finds foster and permanent homes for abandoned animals. So when they asked for volunteer models for a charity calendar, I thought that I’d give it a go.Kara, the calendar organiser, said that they had 23 of the coast ‘s most beautiful girls and hunky guys who were all going to look sexy yet tastefully-clothed due to their good looks.In my case, however, they were going to have to go full nude...I blame social media. A few years ago I climbed Marbella’s em-blematic La Concha mountain, and in an impromptu celebration to mark the occasion, decided to strip naked at the peak. The re-sultant photo (shot from behind I hasten to add) went viral among my friends and got me into some very strange propositions, many of which would have shocked Oscar.Photographer Rebecca had seen the shot, and decided that she wanted me to do something similar at the Casita. As it was, I couldn’t really complain, especially as it was for charity.But first I had to undergo a few beauty treatments before the shoot. These included having errant patches of hair waxed from my back and a full-body spray tan. I’ve never had this done before and all I can say is that if you ever want me to confess to a crime I didn’t commit, threaten to wax my chest.And to all the ladies who have waxes on a regular basis, I salute you.A few days later, the shoot itself took place. The team behind the

Sheep and cheerfulBelinda Beckett, aka Mistress of Sizzle, on why the Chinese Year of the Sheep is getting her goat

IT’S hard to imagine I have anything in common with Bill Gates, Michelangelo or Pamela Anderson. I’m

not rich, I can’t paint - unless it’s the town, in red – and it’s been a while since I might have given the Baywatch babe a run for her money.Yet we do have one common denominator. We were all born in the Chinese astrologi-cal Year of the Sheep, which should make 2015 auspi-

cious for us. But we’d better make the most of it, as sheep are the unlucki-est sign in the Chinese zodiac. I didn’t realise how unlucky until I read that Chinese obstetri-cians have been swamped by pregnant women demanding caesareans and induced births to get their infants born be-fore midnight on February 17, during the luckier Year of the Horse.The trouble with sheep in China

is that they’re seen as follow-ers, not leaders, gullible and easily fleeced, with self-esteem issues. Clearly, they couldn’t have heard of Bill Gates or Pa-mela Anderson over there.It’s ovine discrimination but who can blame them? In a country which operates a strict one-child policy, no mother wants to put her only egg in the losers’ basket.The Vietnamese call it the Year of the Goat, and it’s the Year of the Ram in Korea. Unlike sheep - though not unlike Pamela An-derson - goats and rams have two valuable pointy assets and I’d rather be a kick-butt goat than a hornless sheep.Whatever, we ruminants can increase our luck by wearing red through February, an auspi-cious colour according to Chi-nese lore, and the closer to the skin the better. This explains why your local Chino bazaar’s lingerie department is coming down with more red basques than there are in the Commu-nist Party of Euskadi.But despite their strange su-perstitions I have huge respect for the Chinese in Spain. They show the natives how it should be done with their open-all-hours attitude, smiley custom-er service and cheap-as-chop-sticks prices which have run ye olde Spanish 100 peseta shops out of town.Even in Los Barrios, a village not blessed with too much of anything except baby clothes shops and dentists, we have three Chinese bazaars and

one Chinese supermarket all doing a roaring trade in stuff you never knew you needed, like canned lychees and jumper de-bobblers.I’m not sure what language the owners speak – Spang-lese? Chinglish? – so I never discovered how to work the ‘stop’ function on the alarm clock I got Dave for Christ-mas, which crows like a cockerel in any language but comes only with Chinese in-structions.I bought it to replace the real rooster in our street which died last year, RIP (Rooster in Peace) and put it under the tree as a surprise but it cocked its doodle-doo – through the gift wrap – every day until Christmas.Now, every morning when it goes off at 05:30 (so loudly, I’m surprised the neighbours haven’t put in an order for eggs), Dave has to suffocate it with the pillow through 12 repetitions.It’s not the best start to the working day... And Dave’s look of pent-up violence tells me that, whatever 2015 holds for the 12 animal signs in the Chinese zodiac, it’s going to be a fatal year for one of us... if not the rooster alarm clock, most definitely me the sheep!

shoot was thankfully quite small, and Fletcher the rescue dog was totally unphased by the whole experience. I was pretty much the same, although as I stood totally nude in the rowing boat while the photographer snapped merrily behind me, I was struck by the sage thought that if you want to get the best out of life, you have to do some crazy stuff every now and then!You can find out more on Facebook at Last Chance Animal Calen-dar or by calling Kara on 672 575 644. And I’m Mr February, by the way!

IT’S FOR CHARITY: Giles gets waxed and spray-tanned

BAA HUMBUG: Are you a fearful sheep or a feisty goat?

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52 52525252the olive pressC lassifieds

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Full name and passport or NIE number must be provided when advertisements are placed. All ads must be paid prior to publication


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MISC

53www.theolivepress.es the olive press - February 19th - March 4thFOOD & DRINKwith DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

5353the olive pressC lassifieds

Red hot wingsAfter sending loved-up couples home with fire in their hearts, a restaurateur had to tackle his own Valentine’s day blaze

eXclUsIVeBy rob Horgan

IT was the last thing restaura-teur Frank Rottgering wanted to do at 3AM after the busiest evening of the year.But the Dutchman’s Valen-tine’s night turned out to be more red hot than he could ever imagine as he was forced to take on a fire at his Arriate restaurant, El Muelle. And after putting out the flames, he was left thanking ‘divine intervention’ for sav-ing his business. “A ball of smoke came straight

at me when I opened the door,” said Rottgering, 52.“I grabbed a fire extinguisher and used it all up. I had to get a second extinguisher to put the whole fire out.”Watched by two ‘sleepy look-ing’ Guardia Civil officers - who hadn’t even alerted the fire bri-gade - Rottgering was shocked by their lack of action.

“I was too busy taking on the fire to call, but they just stood there watching.” Thankfully Rottgering was alerted to the fire after two fallen paintings triggered the alarm system which alerted his mobile phone. And the restaurant owner believes a ‘higher power’ must have been at play. “They were resting above the fire, next to the figure of the Virgin Mary. She must have pushed them from the wall to save my restaurant,” he said. With VIP guests – including Zanzibar restaurant owner Nick Smallwood – and a Christening party to feed the next day, Rottgering worked through the night to get ev-erything ready for Sunday.

CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED chef Diego Gallegos has started the new season with a bright blue twist. Gallegos – crowned ‘Outstanding Chef’ at Madrid Fusion 2015 – was forced to dye his hair blue thanks to a bet with a friend that he wouldn’t win the honour. “It’s a good job I didn’t bet money! I’ll dye it, but only for a week,” said the Brazil-born chef.Gallegos launched his restaurant Sollo in Benalmadena just over a year ago, but has been known for his fishy experiments for years. Lauded by both Michelin and Repsol guides, one of his favou-rite subjects is the sturgeon, with his innovations including a type of black pudding made with sturgeon blood. The restaurant is moving to La Reserva del Higueron on March 23, but the service will remain extremely exclusive. Gallegos will still only open for dinner – with just 14 covers per night – and his extensive menu will still be set at €50.

‘Cordon Bleu’ cuisine

ONE of Ronda’s most romantic fine dining get-aways has reopened its doors. Hotel Molino del Puente opened to the public in time for a Valentine’s treat, after closing for a winter refurbishment. With a candlelit dinner ac-companied by the soothing sounds of pianist Alf Bow-man, the grand reopening went down a treat. “The reopening and Val-entine’s dinner was abso-lutely fabulous. To have Alf Bowman playing made the day an extra special event,” said aptly-named hotel manager Elaine Love.“Believe it or not but we’ve already had our first booking for New Year’s Eve.” A favourite for Sun-day lunch lovers, Hotel Molino also offers a week-end wine experience. For more information call 952 161 313

romantic re-opening

FIREFIGHTER: Rottgering and (inset) happy guests

FEELING BLUE: Diego Gallegos

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POOL AND SNOOkER

FOOD & DRINKwith DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

54

A flash and a panWhat happenned when leading food photographer David Toms visited the Beach House restaurant in Marbella...

Who’s this in our kitchen? And how on earth is he going to help cook with that camera?

Oh he’s a snapper! How does my hair look in the pictures? This could be my big break!

Hang on team, only head chef Jeff Minott gets to star in the photos, and he looks like he might have done this once or twice before...

Hey you, yes you with the bony arse... Didn’t your mothers tell you not to play with your food? Nobody will eat that one now...

Except the photographer! Who can’t control himself and tucks in mid-shoot - must be a blood sugar issue.

But no worries, it ends all smiles, with owner Guy McCrow turning up for a bite (oops, he’s the one with the bony arse).

12 3

6

7

8

Tel: 952 874 164 or visit www.hotelmolinodelpuente.com

5 mins from Ronda on the A374 Ronda/Sevilla Road

We are now open after our winter break

La Cascada Restaurante(as featured on trip advisor)

is now open for Saturday and Sunday lunchDaily specials and lobster available if preordered !

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Reservations recommended

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COCOMO

ahh!Local issue 50:The Local Issue 5 12/01/15 13:00 Page 84

FOOD & DRINKwith DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com

55

Whatever Jeff has done with this one, it’s worked. Toms can’t take his lens off it, who cares what it tastes like when it looks this good!

45

And again, are you sure you don’t moonlight as a model... keep working that whole ‘serious chef’ look, I’m not sure which is the tastier dish on display.

SPAIN has overtaken the UK to become Iceland’s number one cod market. The past year has seen a 25% rise in volume of Icelandic cod exported to Spain, according to a re-port by Marko Partners. But the UK is still Ice-land’s most valuable mar-ket, spending €126 million over the year, compared to Spain’s €104 million.

Fish figures

Hunger strikeINTERPOL has launched an international crack-down on bogus food and drink, such as fake whisky and vodka and defrosted seafood sold as fresh. Spain is one of 47 coun-tries involved in operation Opson IV. Guardia Civil officers have carried out more than 2,400 inspec-tions nationwide. A company selling ‘100% Arabica’ coffee was busted for mixing lower quality blends and 51,000kg of food was detained in Tar-ragona. The Guardia Civil uncov-ered sell-by-date fiddling and unhygienic transport of food, as well as the sale and conservation of meat and seafood from clandes-tine warehouses. The Spanish operation yielded 1,663 administra-tive offences and 26 peo-ple arrested.

Covering Andalucia in 2014 with over 200,000 papers (130,000 digital) and around 500,000 visits to the

website each month… The Olive Press just keeps growing!FREEthe olive press telephone: 951 273 575 February 19th - March 4th 2015 www.theolivepress.es

FIN

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A RETIRED teacher boarded a plane from Spain to the UK using only a photocopy of his bus pass. Incredibly, Ryanair accepted the identification after pen-sioner John Williams had his passport stolen from his hotel room while on holiday.The Home Office has now been called in to investigate the decision to let him travel

Next stop please!Pensioner flies back to the UK with just a copy of his bus pass

from Lanzarote.“I pointed out to the check-out staff that at the bottom

of the bus pass it says ‘given out by Her Majesty’s Service’. I was trying everything to get back,” Williams, 65, said.“She phoned through to her supervisor and said that was OK. I was made up.”However the decision raised a few eyebrows back at John Lennon Airport in Liverpool.Mr Williams added: “When I got back they were furious and said ‘How did you get back on just this?’ They were laughing as well, though.“It was not only a bus pass,

but a photocopy of a bus pass. I couldn’t even get on a bus with that.”A Ryanair spokesman said they had a ‘duty of care’ to get passengers home when they have lost their passport.However a Home Office spokesman said the situation needs to be examined further.He said: “It is vitally impor-tant that airlines ensure they know who is on their planes and carry out proper docu-ment checks. We are investi-gating the circumstances.”

COULDN’T GET ON A BUS WITH THAT: John WIlliams

AN unusual outpouring of love from a wife to her politi-cian husband has gone viral.An incredible 81,000 people have so far watched the You-Tube video of Michelle Van Gaalen serenading her hubby Angel Nozal, the PP mayor of Mijas.The Dutch expat (above) praised her husband in two parts at a political rally in Mi-jas.Sung to the tune of Resistire, a 1987 classic by the Span-ish group Duo Dinamico, the song features moving lyrics such as ‘thank you for those new roundabouts’, as well as praise for lowering taxes. Husband Nozal explained she had done it as she ‘wanted to encourage and motivate me’.“Everything helps with the election campaign being tough and the perception people have of politicians isn’t good,” he added.

thanks for the roundabouts!

MALAGA’S men are among the luckiest in Andalucia, with the city boasting a dis-proportionate number of women. Women outnumber men by 21,565 in the city, according to statistics published by the Junta.And the trend continues along the Costa del Sol...In Marbella there are 4,151 more women than men, while in Estepona, women outnum-ber men by 382.While the Olive Press inves-tigate the unusual statistics, we’d love to hear your theo-ries as to why this may be the case.Email [email protected] with your ideas.

Outnumbered!

BRITS may be less in-clined to strut their stuff on the dancefloor than their European counter-parts but they are no bores between the sheets. In fact, a new survey sug-gests they are saving their passion for experimental bedroom antics. British couples are ap-parently twice as likely to have tried bondage than other Europeans, includ-ing the Spanish, the new study reveals. With 70% of Brits sur-veyed admitting to tying up their partners, two-thirds also confessed to having had sex blindfold-ed. Meanwhile the French top the poll for spanking and caning.

Bond, James Bond-age

AN RAF veteran has a new mission, to track down his former base buddies in Spain. Briton Brian Morgan, who has been living in Torre-blanca for 17 years, is ap-pealing for other former RAF personnel to ‘come together once more’ and reunite. He is specifically search-ing for old friends from

the RAF Changi base in Sin-gapore, which was one of the most popular overseas post-ings for 25 years. “Changi was one of the most enjoyable of service stations,”

said Morgan, 78, who was based at Changi between 1959 and 1962 in intelligence and other duties. “It was a won-derful post. We had a yacht club, golf club, fishing clubs,

whatever you can think of we had it.” With more than 3,000 RAF staff at the base, Morgan is sure that there will be lots of members now based in Spain. An association called RAFCA – for which Morgan is the liaison officer for Ibe-ria – has set up to reunite ex-RAF staff, and currently has well over 1,000 mem-bers. If you would like to re-connect with old friends, contact Brian Morgan on [email protected], call 670 259 217, or visit www.raf-changi.co.uk Please contact [email protected] with your reunion stories.

saving Private Brian

SEARCH: Brian (inset) and old RAF buddies

Davey no mates REAL Sociedad’s Scottish boss David Moyes has revealed managers in La Liga are far less friendly than those in the Pre-miership.

Boar-ding delays A NUMBER of flights were delayed at Madrid’s Barajas airport when a wild boar broke through a fence and tore across the runway.

On your bike A TWITTER campaign has reunited a London cy-clist with his prized bike - worth €6,000 - after it was stolen and taken all the way to Spain.

Local lingo FOOTBALLER turned Hollywood hardman Vin-nie Jones has launched online Spanish lessons for Brits, which includes phrases such as ‘Oi, come over here and get in this selfie mate’.

Soled outA PENSIONER was ar-rested on the motorway for smuggling €37,000 into Spain from An-dorra by stashing €500 banknotes in the soles of her trainers, police con-fiscated all but €1,000.

By rob Horgan

Documents

Olive Press Newspaper - Issue 207